A THEATRE wherein be represented as well the miseries & calamities that follow the voluptuous Worldlings, As also the great joys and pleasures which the faithful do enjoy.  
An Argument both profitable and delectable, to all that sincerely love the word of God.  
Devised by S. john vander Noodt.  
Seen and allowed according to the order appointed.  
¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman.  
Anno Domini. 1569.  
cum PRIVILEGIO.   


HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE    


In commendationem operis ab Nobiliss. & virtutis Studiosissimo Domino, joanne vander Noodt Patricio Antuerpiensi aediti, Carmen. M●RABILAE. Poetae Brabant.  
HAEc Babylon legate, & discat sustollere coel●  
Hactenus addictum terrae caput, hic rata vitae  
Semita, quam specimen Nothoeae nobile gentis  
Dat legere, ille domo patria, certisque triumphis  
Contemptis, & quae poterant spondere Curules,  
Conscius haud vllo virtutem sanguine condi,  
Ad maiora animum tulit, & dat noscere mundo,  
Hoc opere insignem luctum, tristesque labores  
Vitae huius: legate haec Babylon, legate, imbuat aures  
Illius hoc opus, & si cui calligine coeca  
Mens cooperata jacet, qui devia saxa pererrat  
Rectum oblitus iter: lic●t illi hic nube redusta  
Summum vestigare bonum: doctrina Sophorum  
Ven●ilat, & falso verum confundit inani.  
O stolidas hominum mentes! non iste Deorum  
Cultus: & quando hos crudeli fune flagellans  
Conscia mens corruptum animum ad meliora reducet!  
Vt iaceant idola! suus, quo cuncta mou●ntur,  
Restituatur honos! aliquando benignior astris,  
Deciderit fortuna tamen, nostrosque labores,  
Terrarum ut fremitent furiata mente Tyranni,  
Respiciet miserans summi regnat or Olympi.  
At verae quicunque viae dincscere Syd●●  
Ard●scisue ducem, doctos euolue labores,  
Quos doctus tibi Nothaeus vigilavit ad unguem,  
Eque vaporato fumo, qui corda senebat,  
Cultor agri tristes nebulas, uti sole fugari  
Aspicit, & campos risum renovare iacentes,  
Lucem ita conspicies tibi diluxisse serenam.   

DOCTOR GERARDUS GOOSSENIUS Meditus, Physicus, & Poeta Brabant. mode●. in Zoilum Octastichon.  
ZOile cur palles? cur vultus s●mper amarus?  
Triste supercilium f●onsque caprata tibi?  
Displicet ut video luci datus iste libellus:  
Sed rogo cur oculis displicet iste tuis?  
An quia papicolum ritus & sacra reuelli●  
Idolis, viduam nec Babylona dole●?  
Zoile, non curat morsus, nam sufficit illi●  
Perplacuisse bonis, displicuisse malis●  
Inoffensibilis Goossenij.    

TO THE MOST high, puissant, noble, virtuous, and right Christian Princess Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queen of England, France, and Ireland. etc.  
AFTER my departure out of Brabante, (mine own natural Country) into your majesties Realm of England (moste gracious Lady) as well for that I would not behold the abominations of the romish Antichrist, as to escape the hands of the bloodthirsty: In the mean space for the avoiding of idleness (the very mother and nurse of all vices) I have among other my travails been occupied about this little treatise, wherein is set forth the vileness and baseness of worldly things, which commonly withdraw us from heavenly and spiritual matters. To the end that understanding the vanity and baseness of the same, and therewithal considering the miserable calamities that ensue thereupon, we might be moved the rather to forsake them, and give ourselves to the knowledge of Heavenly and eternal things, whence all true happiness and felicity doth proceed. And for as much as the matter of itself is very good (deserving in deed to be handled by men of far better skill than I) I could not devise how any things whatsoever, of likeness and conveniency might more properly be resembled one to the other, than this book for the aptness & conveniency of the argument might be dedicated to your Majesty, a most blessed and happy prince. Happy I say, not so much for that your grace is lineally descended by the most high, puissant, mighty & victorious prince Henry the eight of famous memory, from so many mighty and puissant princes of this Realm, your majesties most noble progenitors: which have long agone, most valiantly & victoriously conquered all France, and by dint of sword daunted their enemies, so that your highness beareth in Arms as right inheritor thereunto, the royal sceptre and Crown imperial, most triumphantly, and the titles of England, France, and Ireland jointly in your majesties style. Neither for, that your highness as a rare Phoenix of your time, are singular and peerless in honour and renown, in princely majesty, wisdom, skill, beauty, favour, mildness, courtesy and gentleness: to be short, excellent in all kind of virtue. Nor in respect of your learning, knowledge, counsel, judgement, and eloquence, as well in the Greek, Latin, Italian, French, Dutch, as in your own natural English, and other languages, wherein your grace may be resembled not only to Tully, and Demosthenes, but to Mercury, the God of eloquence, as is apparent by your majesties most apt and wise answers given in your own person to all Ambassadors, and to every of them in their own natural language with a singular dexterity and princely majesty, & with marvelous sweetness of tongue. Nor because your grace is expert in song, & in the art of Music, skilful in all kinds of musical instruments, and according to the exact proportions of geometry exquisite in the measures of the dance: and besides all these, embraced of Apollo, and his nine sisters, by whom your grace is so instructed in the divine Art of Poetry, that you may worthily be called the second Sappho. Neither for your great skill & judgement in painting and imagery, both for the cunning of the workmanship and the devise and story. In sum, perfect in all good exercises of the wit, namely the arts and liberal sciences. Finally, not alonely for that nature of her bounty and goodness hath showed such grace and special favour toward you, by enduing your grace most plentifully with infinite graces and virtues more abundantly than any other Prince or Princess in the world, so that it might serve me for a sufficient argument to fill large volumes, only to stand in commendation of your majesty, not annexing thereto any devise of mine own, of feigned Emblems or Poetical fables, and that without using flattery or glozing, as they do most commonly, that ambitiously seeking after preferments and honour, disguise rather than describe noble and honourable personages, whom they set out many times beyond all truth, yea sometime above measure, and with as great inconveniency as if they should paint an Ass tuning of a harp. For I do not account your grace happy for these alonely (though many and singular) gifts and graces, which your grace enjoyeth in great plenty and abundance, considering they be transitory, and can not make any man or woman happy (albeit they seem divine and supernatural,) except they be accompanied with the love and fear of God, according to the saying of King Lamuell, in the third of the proverbs: Favour is deceivable, and Beauty a mere vanity, but the woman that feareth the Lord, is to be beloved. But chief and principally when I consider that God intending to bestow an excellent benefit peculiarly upon your Majesty more than upon any other Prince or Princess in the world, hath beside all the other forenamed his manifold gifts and graces, lightened your understanding with his holy spirit, and hath vouchsafed (by inclining your grace's heart, spirit and mind to humility, peace, mildness, and all kind of lovablenesse) to choose your majesty, especially to be his champion to defend his beloved church. And in this respect, (like as all faithful and true Christian princes throughout all Europe do esteem and repute you) do I also, and that of good right call your grace a most happy and blessed Prince. Consider I beseech you, how God hath blessed your majesty in this world more than he hath done any of your progenitors. For never was it seen in any age or time heretofore, that this your realm of England hath flourished as it doth at this present under your majesties most happy government. first in all kind of liberal Arts and sciences. Secondarily in the abundance of treasure, as well gold and silver, as all sorts of rich and precious jewels and ornaments. thirdly, in the free passage and traffic of all kind of merchandise: Besides this, in good and politic laws and ordinances, namely in the due execution of justice, according to law and equity. The word of God is purely preached here in six or seven languages. The Sacraments of Baptism, and the holy Supper, sincerely ministered according to Christ's institution. Christian discipline in due force in many places. Finally every country and nation that will live here according to his holy word, is received, and findeth good entertainment. O how happy and blessed is that King or kingdom, where these things are in force Contrariwise most unhappy are those princes, that banishing and rejecting Christ, receive that Antichrist, the son of the Devil, and forsaking the truth, embrace error: To be short, that do all things overthwartly & clean against the hair For it is most certain and sure, that sudden ruin and destruction shall fall upon all wicked and ungodly persons, as well now as in time paste, as experience hath well proved heretofore: Namely upon Pharaoh, and his kingdom of Egypt, upon jeroboam, Achab, jezabel, and infinite other more. Where on the other part, the good kings & princes which fear the Lord, shall have peace and comfort both in this world, and in the world to come: Like as had josua, juda, Gedeon, David and divers other in those days, and is also to be seen at this day most evidently in the realms and countries under your majesties dominion, which God hath blessed in such sort, that it may truly be said, that the kingdom of Saturn, and the Golden world is come again, and the Virgin Astrea is desscended from heaven to build her a seat in this your most happy country of England. For here is peace and quietness, where as the most part of foreign countries are full of great tumults, and that (more is the pity) with the shedding of much christian blood. And where as many mighty kings and potentates of the earth have banded and conspired together, & fight every where against God his anointed, and his holy church, bending their force utterly to deface his name, his glory, and his Church: Almighty God of his divine providence hath now also in these days (like as he hath in all ages heretofore) raised up divers good and godly princes and states, and provided certain places, whereto the elect and faithful have resorted & been preserved, during the time of persetion, to the end that his holy name might there be glorified, his word purely and sincerely preached, and his Church dispersed, in a manner restored. As it is also come to pass in these our most miserable days, in the which such as sincerely love and esteem more dearly the honour and glory of God than they do their own commodities, ease, and welfare, (after the counsel of Christ, saying in this wise: If they persecute you in one city, fly ye unto an other) have been content to departed their own natural country, wholly to forsake their lands, inheritances, possessions, and dwelling places, yea and some also, to surrender their offices, dignities, & worldly preferments. another sort with their wives children and parents are departed into Germany, namely into the territory and dominion of Fredrick prince Elector and county Palatine, the flower of all Christian Princes in these days (that I know) in the fervent zeal and true fear of God, a man worthy to be compared with David, or josias. Others are fled into other places elsewhere, some to one country, some to an other, every one according to his ability, estate, condition, and faculty. But we a numbered of us are arrived in safety in this your majesties realm of England, as into a most safe and sure harborough, where we live (God be thanked) under your majesties protection and safeguard in great liberty to serve God in either language, the French or the dutch, without all fear of tyrants, or danger of the gaping throats of greedy ravening wolves. After the same manner hath God in time passed preserved & delivered his elect out of the hands of their enemies & persecute●s by the ministery of divers virtuous women. As is to be seen in the .4. chapped. of the book of judges. How God delivered his people of Israel out of the hands of jabin king of Chanaan, by Deborah the prophetess, by selling Sizara chief captain of his army into the hand of a woman called jahel. As he also preserved David from the fury of Saul, by Mich●l saul's own daughter. As he delivered the citizens of Bethulia, from the tyranny of Holo●ernes, by the hand of that most virtuous Lady Iudith ● And as the children of Israel, were saved by the counsel of Mardocheus, at the instance & request of the most gracious & humble Hester ● where they were lately before in peril of death & present destruction by the conspiracy of wicked Haman. The like hath been brought to pass by divers other renowned Ladies, whose fame shall endure for ever. And surely the graces & mercies that God hath showed to his afflicted church in these later days by your majesties means, are no less than those he hath showed tofore by the late rehearsed ladies: so that your grace deserveth equal praise and commendation with them, considering with what gentleness & with how loving & charitable affection you have received the poor scattered flock of Christ. Is not your Majesty then to be esteemed infinitely more happy & blessed that are so specially elect of god to serve him for such an instrument, & in such a quarrel, & that maugre the beards of the enemies, being enraged through the malice and obstinacy of their hearts do persecute the church of God? Yes assuredly, most happy, christian, and virtuous princess, even in the highest degree. How shall I be able then to express with tongue, or to indite with pen your praises sufficiently? verily I am confounded and put to silence, and do confess myself to be altogether insufficient. Wherefore (most gracious Lady) I rest with my hearty and continual prayer unto God for your majesty, that he turn not his face from you, but that it would please him to continue and daily to increase his grace and favour towards you, and his holy spirit within you, as also in and towards those that be of your majesties counsel, and all other Magistrates and officers whatsoever having authority under your highness within your majesties realms and dominiō●● that walking in the fear & love of him they may do all their endeavour through the preaching of his holy word to advance his holy name, and above all things especially to seek the safety and weal of his church. And therefore for the great benefit & good that God hath done unto his church by means of your majesty (most gracious prince) all true faithful whatsoever they be, as well strangers as your natural subjects seek to do unto your majesty most faithful and honourable service, according to their power. Besides, in all their assemblies & in every congregation they make their hearty & fervent prayers unto almighty God for the health of your soul, the safeguard of your most royal person, & the prosperous estate of your realm long to continued. And I especially for mine own part, because I would not be unthankful for the great benefits I enjoy by your grace, abiding under your majesties protection (forasmuch as ingratitude is a a most horrible and detestable vice) in consideration thereof (most gracious Lady) I present your highness with this small Treatise of mine, as the best jewel that I have in store at this present, in signification of my good will, and for declaration of my duty in this behalf, beseeching your highness most humbly to accept it in good part as (considering your majesties natural bounty and your accustomed goodness) my trust is you will vouchsafe to do. For I am persuaded (albeit the style be rude) that the matter shall be fit for your Majesty to read, and that the same shall not be unpleasant unto you, but minister unto your grace great occasion of much joy, peace, and contentation of mind and conscience. And these be the causes and respects for the which I presume to present the same to your majesty, in most humble manner beseeching your highness to accept the same, and praying to almighty God to grant unto your Majesty a most happy reign in this world: and after this life to reign with him for ever, for his only son our Lord jesus Christ's sake.  
At London your majesties City and seat royal. The .25. of May .1569. Your majesties most humble seruan●● jean vander Noodt.   


BEing one day at my window all alone,  
So many strange things happened me to see,  
As much it grieveth me to think thereon.  
At my right hand, a Hind appeared to me,  
So fair as mought the greatest God delight:  
Two eager Dogs did her pursue in chase,  
Of which the one was black, the other white.  
With deadly force● so in their cruel race  
They pinchte the haunches of this gentle beast,  
That at the last, and in short time, I spied,  
Under a rock, where she (alas) oppressed,  
Fell to the ground, and there untimely died.  
Cruel death vanquishing so noble beauty,  
Oft makes me wail so hard a destiny.  
  

AFter at Sea a tall Ship did appear,  
Made all of Ebony and white ivory,  
The sails of Gold, of Silk the tackle were:  
Mild was the wind, calm seemed the sea to be:  
The Sky each where did show full bright and fair.  
With rich treasures this gay ship freighted was.  
But sudden storm did so turmoil the air,  
And tumbled up the sea, that she, alas,  
Strake on a rock that under water lay.  
O great misfortune, O great grief, I say,  
Thus in one moment to see lost and drowned  
So great riches, as like can not be found.  
  

TH●n heavenly branches did I see arise,  
Out of a fresh and lusty Laurel tree  
Amid the young green wood. Of Paradise  
Some noble plant I thought myself to see,  
Such store of birds therein yshrouded were,  
Chanting in shade their sundry melody.  
My spirits were ravished with these pleasures there●  
While on this Laurel fixed was mine eye,  
The Sky 'gan every where to overcast,  
And darkened was the welkin all about,  
When sudden flash of heavens fire outbrast,  
And rend this royal tree quite by the root.  
Which makes me much and ever to complain.  
For no such shadow shall be had again.  
  

WIthin this wood, out of the rock did rise  
A Spring of water mildly rambling down,  
Whereto approached not in any wise  
The homely Shepherd, nor th● ruder cloune,  
But many M●ses, and the Nymphs withal,  
That sweetly in accord did tune their voice  
Unto the gentle sounding of the waters fall.  
The sight whereof did make my heart rejoice.  
But while I took herein my chief delight,  
I saw (alas) the gaping ●arth devour  
The Spring, the place, and all clean out of sight.  
Which yet agreves my heart even to this hour.  
  

I Saw a Phoenix in the wood alone,  
With purple wings and crest of golden hue,  
Strange bird he was, whereby I thought anon,  
That of some heavenly wight I had the view:  
Until he came unto the broken tree  
And to the spring that late devoured was.  
What say I more? Each thing at length we see  
Doth pass away: the Phoenix there, alas,  
Spying the tree destroyed, the water dried,  
Himself smote with his beak, as in disdain,  
And so forthwith in great despite he died.  
For pity and love my heart yet burns in paine●  
  

AT last so fair a Lady did I spy,  
That in thinking on her I burn and quake,  
On herbs and flowers she walked pensively.  
Mild, but yet love she proudly did forsake.  
White seemed her robes, yet woven so they were,  
As snow and gold together had been wrought.  
Above the waste a dark cloud shrouded her,  
A stinging Serpent by the heel her caught,  
Wherewith she languished as the gathered flower:  
And well assured she mounted up to joy.  
Alas in earth so nothing doth endure  
But bitter grief that doth our heart's annoy.  
 
MY Song thus now in thy Conclusions.  
Say boldly that these same six visions  
Do yield unto thy lord a sweet request,  
Ere it be long within the earth to rest.    


IT was the time when rest the gift of God●  
Sweetly sliding into the eyes of men,  
Doth drown in the forgetfulness of slepe●  
The careful travails of the painful day:  
Then did a ghost appear before mine eyes  
On that great rivers bank that runs by Rome●  
And calling me then by my proper name,  
He bade me upward unto heaven look.  
He cried to me, and lo (quoth he) behold,  
What under this great Temple is contained,  
Lo all is nought but flying vanity.  
So I knowing the worlds unsteadfastness,  
Sith only God surmounts the forc● of time,  
In God alone do stay my confidence.   

ON hill, a frame an hundred cubits hie  
I saw, an hundred pillars eke about,  
All of fine Diamant decking the front,  
And fashioned were they all in Doric wi●e.  
Of brick, ne yet of marble was the wall,  
But shining Crystal, which from top to base  
Out of deep vault threw forth a thousand rays  
Upon an hundred steps of purest gold.  
Gold was the parget: and the sieling eke  
Did shine all scaly with fine golden plates.  
The floor was laspis, and of emerald.  
O worlds vainness. A sudden earthquake lo,  
Shaking the hill even from the bottom deep,  
Threw down this building to the lowest stone.  
  

THen did appear to me a sharped spire  
Of diamant, ten feet each way in square,  
justly proportionde up unto his height,  
So high as mought an Archer reach with sight.  
Upon the top thereof was set a pot  
Made of the metal that we honour most.  
And in this golden vessel couched were  
The ashes of a mighty Emperor.  
Upon four corners of the base there lay  
To bear the frame, four great Lions of golde●  
A worthy tomb for such a worthy corpse.  
Alas, nought in this world but grief endures.  
A sudden tempest from the heaven, I saw,  
With flush struck down this noble monument.  
  

I Saw raised up on pillars of ivory,  
Whereof the bases were of richest gold,  
The chapters Alabaster, crystal frises,  
The double front of a triumphal ark.  
On each side portrayed was a victory.  
With golden wings in habit of a Nymph.  
And set on high upon triumphing chair,  
The ancient glory of the Roman lords.  
The work did show itself not wrought by man  
But rather made by his own skilful hand  
That forgeth thunder darts for jove his sire.  
Let me no more see fair thing under heaven,  
Sith I have seen so fair a thing as this,  
With sudden falling broken all to dust.  
  

THen I beheld the fair Dodonian tree,  
Upon seven hills throw forth his gladsome shad●,  
And Conqueror's bedecked with his leaves  
Along the banks of the Italian stream.  
There many ancient Trophies were erect,  
Many a spoil, and many goodly signs.  
To show the greatness of the stately race●  
That erst descended from the Trojan blo●d.  
Ravished I was to see so rare a thing,  
When barbarous villains in disordered heap.  
Outraged the honour of these noble bows.  
I heard the trunk to groan under the wedge.  
And since I saw the root in high disdain  
Send forth again a twin of forked trees.  
  

I Saw the bird● that dares behold the Sun,  
With feeble flight venture to mount to heaven,  
By more and more she 'gan to trust her wings,  
Still following th'example of her dam:  
I saw her rise, and with a larger flight  
Surmount the tops even of the highest hills,  
And pierce the clouds, and with her wings to reach  
The place where is the temple of the Gods,  
There was she lost, and suddenly I saw  
Where tumbling through the air in lump of fire,  
All flaming down she fell upon the plain.  
I saw her body turned all to dust,  
And saw the foul that shuns the cheerful light  
Out of her ashes as a worm arise.  
  

THen all astoned with this nightly ghost,  
I saw an hideous body big and strong,  
Long was his beard, and side did hang his hair●  
A grisly forehead and Saturnelike face.  
Leaning against the belly of a pot  
He shed a water, whose outgushing stream  
Ran flowing all along the creekie sh●are  
Where once the Trojan Duke with Turnus fought.  
And at his fleet a bitch Wol●e did give suck  
To two young babes. In his right hand he bore  
The tree of peace, in left the conquering Palme●  
His head was garnished with the Laurel bow.  
Then suddenly the Palm● and Olive fell,  
And fair green Laurel withered up and did●.  
  

HA●d by a rivers side, a wailing Nimph●,  
Folding her arms with thousand sighs to heaven  
Did tune her plaint to falling rivers sound,  
Renting her fair visage and golden hair,  
Where is (quoth she) this whilom honoured face?  
Where is thy glory and the ancient praise,  
Where all worlds hap was reposed,  
When erst of Gods and man I worshipped was?  
Alas, sufficed it not that civil bate  
Made me the spoil and booty of the world,  
But this new Hydra meet to be assailed  
Even by an hundred such as Hercules,  
With seven springing heads of monstrous crimes,  
So many nero's and Caligula●s  
Must still bring ●orth to rule this crooked shore.  
  

Upon a hill I saw a kindled flame,  
Mounting like waves with triple point to heaven  
Which of incense of precious Cedar tree  
With Balm●like odor did perfume the air.  
A bird all white, well feathered on her wings  
Hereout did sly up to the throne of Gods,  
And singing with most pleasant melodi●  
She climbed up to heaven in the smoke.  
Of this fair fire the fair dispersed rays  
Threw forth abroad a thousand shining leams,  
When sudden dropping of a golden shower  
'Gan quench the glistering flame. O grievous change!  
That which erstwhile so pleasant scent did ●elde,  
Of Sulphur now did breath corrupted smell.  
  

I Saw a fresh spring rise out of a rock,  
Clear as Crystal against the Sunny beams,  
The bottom yellow like the shining land,  
That golden Pactol drives upon the plain.  
It seemed that art and nature strived to join  
There in one place all pleasures of the eye.  
There was to hear a noise alluring sleep  
Of many accords more sweet than Mermaids song,  
The seats and benches shone as ivory,  
An hundred Nymphs sat side by side about,  
When from nigh hills a naked rout of Fauns  
With hideous cry assembled on the place,  
Which with their feet unclean the water fouled,  
Threw down the seats, & drove the Nymphs to flight●  
  

AT length, even at the time when Morpheu●  
Most truly doth appear unto our eyes,  
Weary to see th'inconstance of the heavens:  
I saw the great Typhaeus sister come,  
Her head full bravely with a morian armed,  
In majesty she seemed to match the Gods.  
And on the shore, hard by a violent stream,  
She raised a Trophy over all the world.  
An hundred vanquished kings groaned at her feet,  
Their arms in shameful wise bound at their backs.  
While I was with so dreadful sight afraid,  
I saw the heavens war against her tho,  
And seeing her stricken fall with clap of thunder,  
With so great noise I start in sudden wonder.  
  

I Saw an ugly beast come from the sea,  
That seven heads, ten crowns, ten horns did beare●  
Having thereon the vile blaspheming name.  
The cruel Leopard she resembled much:  
Feet of a bear, a Lion's throat she had.  
The mighty Dragon gave to her his power.  
One of her heads yet there I did espy,  
Still freshly bleeding of a grievous wound.  
One cried aloud. What one is like (quoth he)  
This honoured Dragon, or may him withstand?  
And then came from the sea a savage beast,  
With Dragon's speech, and showed his force by fire●  
With wondrous signs to make all wights adore  
The beast, in setting of her image up.  
  

I Saw a Woman sitting on a beast  
Before mine eyes, of Orange colour hue:  
Horror and dreadful name of blasphemy  
Filled her with pride. And seven heads I saw●  
Ten horns also the stately beast did bear.  
She seemed with glory of the scarlet fair,  
And with fine pearl and gold puffed up in heart.  
The wine of whoredom in a cup she bore.  
The name of Mystery writ in her face.  
The blood of Martyrs dear were her delight.  
Most fierce and f●ll this woman seemed to me.  
An Angel then descending down from Heaven.  
With thundering voice cried out aloud, and said,  
Now for a truth great Babylon is fallen.  
  

THen might I see upon a white horse set  
The faithful man with flaming countenance,  
His head did shine with crowns set thereupon.  
The word of God made him a noble name.  
His precious rob I saw imbrued with blood.  
Then saw I from the heaven on horses white,  
A puissant army come the self same way.  
Then cried a shining Angel as me thought,  
That birds from air descending down on earth  
Should war upon the kings, and eat their flesh.  
Then did I see the beast and Kings also  
joining their force to slay the faithful man.  
But this fierce hateful beast and all her train.  
Is pitiless thrown down in pit of fire.  
  

I Saw new Earth, new Heaven, said Saint john.  
And lo, the sea (quoth he) is now no more.  
The holy City of the Lord, from high  
Descendeth garnished as a loved spouse.  
A voice then said, behold the bright abode  
Of God and men. For he shall be their God.  
And all their tears he shall wipe clean away.  
Her brightness greater was than can be found.  
Square was this City, and twelve gates it had.  
Each gate was of an orient perfect pearl,  
The houses gold, the pavement precious stone.  
A lively stream, more clear than Christ all is,  
Ran through the mid, sprung from triumphant s●●●.  
T●ere grows life's fruit unto the Churches good.  
   

A BRIEF DEclaration of the Author upon his visions, taken out of the holy scriptures, and divers Orators, poets, Philosophers, and true histories. Translated out of French into English by Theodore Roest.  
Weighing and considering that many which are grieved and sore vexed in their minds, grudging, and leading an unquiet life, do not only for the most part, mislike of their own estate and calling, but enviously (such is our frailty) go about to enter into other men● livings, so that now a days the fewest numbered of men are contented with their vocation and calling, whereof we have daily too too much experience. As for example: Many soldiers desire to be merchants: again many merchants love warfare, for all that they 〈◊〉 what inconveniences follow oftentimes● Lawyers would be husbandmen: again men of the country commend the voca●tion of judges. Many married folks would be unmarried, other not married, and single persons travail to be. Poor men covet to be rich, the rich desireth more and more, and every man laboureth to advance himself. A knight or a gentleman would gladly be some great Lord, or Earl. An Earl looketh to be a Duke, or prince, a Duke or prince seeketh to become King. A King (contenting himself yet least) studieth by what means he may amplify his realm, and join unto it towns, cities, and countries, so to increase his dominions daily, that at length he might attain to the Monarchy of all Europe, and then to become Lord of the whole world. Briefly, the hearts of carnal & voluptuous men are never at rest, have never enough, but be driven by the means of concupiscence, which reigneth in them, always to be careful, to watch, to toil and moil, to wish, to mistrust, to sue and busily to be occupied. For an ambitious and covetous carnal person is never contented with that he hath: for if he have been busy but ten days for that he hath, he will not refuse to work ten times ten other to attain to that which he desireth and gapeth for● although it be not pro●●table, either for body or soul. This time of our pilgrimage is granted of God to learn to know him, to serve and honour him, to laud and magnify his name, to put our whole confidence in him, to lead our life according to his blessed will, and to seek our whole felicity and blessedness only in him. Finally, to acknowledge (without the which also the condition of man is worse than is of brute beasts) with heart & tongue all goodness to proceed of him. This time (I say) for this purpose given unto us, those men aforesaid, consume and spend in unquietness, to the service of wicked Mammon, and other unlawful and greedy desires of earthly and transitory riches, losing and foregoing thereby the joy & quietness of the spirit and conscience, and most of all, true christian liberty. Wherefore with all right they may be compared to the Dog, whereof Esope speaketh, which going over a bridge with bread in his mouth, & spying his shadow in the water, thought to have seen some other Dog with a greater piece of bread in his mouth: wherefore, enticed by glutt●ny and envy, he let fall that that he had, and snatching after his shadow, was foully deceived of al. In like manner I say, happeneth to those that are so wholly given & addicted unto those worldly and transitory riches, that notwithstanding they see ●hem to be but vain and idle, yet do they prefer them above the perpetual and heavenly. I put case there were an image made of clay, outwardly decked and laid over with gold very finely, but thinly, that it might seem to be altogether of the finest and purest gold that can be, so that every man would travail and endeavour to get it to himself: one coming, breaketh a little piece of it, and so by that means the● hidden deceit being known, I doubt whether any would be so foolish as to make much a do about a thing so vile and unprofitable, but that he would bestow● his time to a far better use. Therefore (hoping to move such as do understand a right how deceitful worldly things be, to avoid them the rather, and to covet after the eternal and everlasting) I have thought it good, so compendiously as possibly I may, to show how vain, transitory, deceitful, unprofitable, and uncertain worldly things be, and that heavenly things only are everlasting, immortal, excellent, good, and most to be desired, even as God himself is the fountain of all goodness, and perfect in all things which can be desired, yea more a great deal than our understanding is able to utter or to comprehend: to this end and purpose, that men converting unto the Lord, in him o●ely seeking their whole salvation and perfect bliss, might lead their life patiently with a good conscience in all quietness of mind and spirit, and so to enjoy the true christian liberty and spiritual gladness here in this world, that in the world to come they might be inheritors (by grace) of the everlasting joys in eternal glory, purchased through the blood of our saviour jesus Christ. But before we enter any farther to speak of the vanities of worldly and transitory Richesses, I will warn thee (gentle Reader) that when I speak of substance, riches, estates, bodily health, of wife and children, and other like, which all are the good gifts of God, I mean not in respect of the thing itself, nor yet the good use of the same, (for in it is no such default,) but only I mean the great abuse which commonly is seen in the unnatural and unbridled desire, whereunto rich and worldly men are inclined. Saint Augustine speaking of the nature of the thing, affirmeth, that health, strength, riches, grace, nobleness, a fair and good wife, proper children, friends, power, and other like, they are things naturally indifferent, whereof a man may reap good or evil. Even so saith S. Ambrose, that then they are good and profitable when they are well used, otherwise hurtful, yea damnable, when the use of them exceeds the limits of reason and equity, and rules of Gods holy word. Neither mean I to touch those that are rich, or have great possessions: but those only which are possessed of their goods, whose money is their master, them (I say) which are of the property and nature of one named Gallio, which as Seneca rehearseth, 
Seneca in the treatise of the happ● life. 22. Ch●●  was not master of his goods, but he himself was subject unto them, that is to say, he was a bond slave, and did serve unto the occasions of evil, which came unto him by his own goods. Also I will speak of the love, confidence and inordinate lust, and of the chasing and putting away of virtue and godliness, & the going astray from God, depending upon his creatures, yea upon vanity itself. Which most of all cometh to pass by the means of worldly substance, and the greedy desire of the same, the very root of all evil: For they reduce men from true liberty to thraldom, and turn freedom into slavery, pleasures into miseries, honour, and promotion into subjection & perpetual shame and confusion. This if we considered, it should not give us occasion to set by them as we do, but rather to abhor and hate them, & be moved to follow the counsel of David: 
psalm. 62.  When riches abound set not thy heart upon them. Considering then the nature and condition of worldly things, which if they we●e not of themselves most miserable, yet is there not any thing in them that justly might be called ours, unless it be vain & idle. For though riches or authority ill gotten and unjustly possessed, make the possessor as it were happy: yet (as Plato saith) vain and idle things can not give any felicity or happiness. 
Lib. 5. de leg●bus.  They seem well to be riches, but even as po●ertie consisteth not either in small possessions, or lacking of any thing, otherwise than in the greedy desire or unsatiable covetousness, even so riches consist not in having of goods or great possessions, but in the contentation of the mind. Whereunto Seneca agreeth very well, saying: 
Epist. 20.  He is great, who of riches maketh none other account, than if he possessed none at all. But (saith he) he that hath none, is of a more assurance, and more free from all danger. For it is impossible (as the common proverb goth) that the mouse touching the pitch or other glue, should escape, without he be either caught, or at the least defiled with it. 
Homel. 21, super Mar●  To this end and purpose Chrysostom advouched, that temporal and worldly honour and dignity convey men into divers and sundry kinds of wantonness and other inconveniences. It is requisite therefore, that such as are enriched and come to great estate, be endued with singular virtues & great constancy, if they will not be overcome or defiled with them. For authority engendereth arrogancy, temerity & contempts of other, and commonly enticeth men to hastiness and ire, yea & drowneth them in a whole mass of iniquity, even as a great tempest overwhelmeth a little boat. It maketh them proud, and their minds to wander so far, that they can not consider their way, but go quite otherwise than they be aware of: And thinking to avoid troubles and miseries, they entangle themselves the more in it, much like unto the Hare, who being caught in the net, the more he struggleth, the faster he maketh himself, & procureth his own death, & as the small bird caught on the lime twig, the more it flyttereth, the faster it maketh itself. They seem to seek in none other thing any felicity or blessedness than in worldly prosperity, which consisteth in good fortune of riches, honours, and great estimations, voluptuousness and other like, esteeming themselves moste happy, and as to have found the right way unto Salvation. But like as a drunken man is not able to find the way homeward, nor yet to go upright, even so they wander and err here and there, being overcome of many and divers kinds of l●stes and desires of worldly and transitory goods, and can not once come to the way of true riches, of everlasting goods and felicity. This is that, which Plato speaketh of, 
●ib. 10. de ●●ipub.  when he saith: How can a man be rich that occupieth nothing else than vile and corruptible trash? Or how can he be happy by transitory goods? What salvation is there in unprofitable and vain worldly Riches? Seeing there is neither good honour nor estimation but in GOD only, and without him being neither life, felicity or Salvation, he than that will be happy indeed, continually must search after that, which is only everlasting and perfect, and avoid and ●lee all superfluity and abundance of temporal riches. Therefore saith Christ unto Martha: 
Luke .1  Thou carest and are troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary (to have quietness) Mary hath chosen the best part (which is that one) which shall not be taken from her. Hereby showeth Christ unto us, that it is not good to be musing and studying upon worldly affairs, wherein is nothing else but trouble and unquietness of mind, but that we should lay up our treasure in Heaven, which is the surest way: for true and heavenly riches do rejoice and comfort the spirits without any carefulness or distress: but goods and riches of this world bring with them great pains and troubles, as well in the getting as in keeping of them, as Tully rehearseth in his Paradoxes, saying: Riches & great estimation with great pain and travail gotten, are with much more and greater care maintained and kept. Therefore saith Juvenal, 
●ty. 14.  that the keeping of treasure and much goods is but misery and wretchedness. When the rustical mouse (as Esope rehearseth) did understand the perils and dangers, wherein the Town mouse was daily, he said (as they were in banqueting) that such abundance or superfluity was more liker poison or gall than flintiness. So we might say of riches and great possessions, whereabout are so many and great dangers, that it is not possible for a rich and worldly man to escape any one of them. For as our Saviour Christ saith: 
●ath. 19  It is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of god. Riches and authority engender labour and pain, and make a man like unto a Squirrel, which running to and fro in cage, turneth oftentimes his wheel, but howsoever he toileth & travaileth, it availeth him nothing. Also it maketh a man much like unto one named Ixion, who was made fast to a wheel turning continually, because he was amorous of juno, a goddess (as Poets do feign) of realms, highness, & powers, which Ixion, when he saw a cloud somewhat like juno, took it for her, but he being deceived, embraced nothing else but vapour & smoke. Which fable also noteth unto us the vanity, unprofitableness and wretchedness of the ambitious covetous men which worship the shadow in stead of the true thing, and in the place of good and sure things choose changeable and uncertain. The same Ixion was he, which engendered the Centaurs, half men, half horses, after him named Ixionides. Here is also to be considered, that the covetous & ambitious persons are of the same condition, which being past all reason, turn their humane nature into mere beastliness, and like unbroken and wild colts, strike out on every side, hurting and oppressing almost every body. 
Lib. Ethi. ca 13. & li. 10. ●●p. 8.  Aristotle describing an happy and blessed man, would not he should be rich to be such a one. Riches are Sophistries of goods wherewith that great Sophister the devil doth deceive the s●●ple & silly soul. For even as a Sophister seemeth through his science to be wise, and is not in deed, even so riches have a semblant of bounty and virtue, where in deed they are farthest from all. 
●n hi●. 5. ser●on of the ●orde of God.  S. Augustine hath a goodly saying very apt to the purpose: He is wicked (saith he) which esteemeth riches to be good. Great rents or revenues, dignities and good fortune, keep men company only their life time, but at the hour of death, yea and oftentimes before, they leave and forsake their possessors and lovers. Fortune is worthy to be named Plagaria, and is called so of the learned, after one named Plagarius, which brought unto servitude and thraldom, such as were free before. Likewise fortune and riches maketh men very slaves, misers, & cowards, full of cares and mistrustfulness, yea she maketh some to be like unto the Dog that will suffer none to have part of the bon● which he picketh at. Some other become through riches, like unto the Dragon which kept the Golden apples of the Orchard of Hesperide, whereof he himself had no commodity, neither suffered any other to enjoy any part of it. 
In his apology. ca 29  Tertullian sayeth, that riches resemble and are much like unto the Apples of Sodom and Gomorre, which seemed goodly and fair to the eye, but being once touched, fell and straightway turned into dust & ashes. This worldly prosperity and estimation abasheth not only the simple and silly souls, but eu●n casteth down and subdueth many learned and wise men. 
Math. 1●.  
Mark .4.  They are thorns that hinder the good seed of God's word to grow and fructify. 
Luke .8.  
Exod. 32.  The children of Israel forsook GOD for golds sake, and fell a worshipping of the golden calf, which being consumed by fire, was made to be a drink, and ever since gold hath been as it were in contempt, 
In his apology. ca 2●.  & very meet for the fire, as Tertullian doth affirm. And what covetousness and ambition hath brought to pass since the Apostles time, shall somewhat be spoken of in his place. 
Abac. 3.  Riches (sayeth Abacuch the Prophet) are thick and filthy mire. 
Chrysost.  It is dung wherein worms. etc. And Crates the Phisopher understanding what great enormities and inconveniences follow of covetousness and des●re of money, sayeth: 
In his book of the ornaments of women.  O thou hurtful and damnable covetousness, avoid from me, I shall drown thee lest thou overwhelm me. 
Mart. where he disputeth that no man cometh in trouble but by himself.  martial testifieth, that it is not possible to be rich like Croesus, and religious like Numa. I made a good & prosperous voyage (said the Philosopher Zeno) when I had lost al. Riches are cobwebs, smoke hurtful to the eye, which soon alter, vanish, & come to nothing. 
1. Tim 6.  
Proverb. 23.  
Math. 13.  They that would be rich fall into divers and sundry temptations and snares of the devil, and other foolish and noisome desires and lusts, which drown men into perdition, for covetousness is the root of all evil. The Fool dispraiseth things that be, as though they were not: again, 
In his H●●●●o●●e.  other that be not in deed, he desireth, as if they were. Damascene sayeth: Things that be, are everlasting, and unchangeable: but things that are not, be worldly and transitory. Earthy & transitory things are like unto a cloud painted on a wall, which seemeth to be some thing, where as it is nothing: as a fool followeth the shadow of a candle, thinking it to be some body, even so doth the carnal and voluptuous man follow and pursue the earthly trash in stead of heavenly treasures. These men I say, are like unto the frantic man, 
Li. ●. epistola●um. Epi. 2.  whereof Horace maketh mention, which supposed to have seen a trim play, where he heard goodly songs and pleasant melodies, and thought himself to have been in all kind of voluptuousness: and although it was nothing but his fancy, yet it was pleasant unto him: but this man being through the diligence of friends, delivered of his frenzy, & restored to his health, found himself frustrate of that which he in his disease persuaded himself to have had. Even so it goth with the worldly man, whom Christ answereth, saying: 
Luke .12.  Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be taken away from thee, than whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Even so it is with those that lay up treasure for themselves here, and be not rich in God: As if one should say with the Prophet David, 
Psalm. 38.  The rich of this world are rich in their own conceits, but when they shall perceive it (as it is in deed) after they are gone out of this world, they shall find themselves wholly destitute and naked of all. As for great estates, dignities and authorities in common weals, Plutarch rehearseth, 
Of the life of Demos●.  that the most famous Orator Demosthenes was wont to admonish young men which resorted unto him, that they should not hunt after promotion dignity or great office, saying unto them in this manner: If there were two ways laid before thee, whereof the one should lie unto death, and the other unto promotion and administration of a Common wealth, and it were known what troubles, pains and grieves, jealousies, suspicions, envy, public and privy hate, backbitings and slanders, noise and Dyssentions are enclosed there, men would rather choose the way unto Death, than the other. 
Li. 8. de ●●●nita. cap. 85.  Wherefore Saint Augustine saith: He which seeketh after promotion or authority is separated from God, not because of the diversity of the degrees or estates, but of the desire which proceedeth of ambition. They take pains to advance themselves temporally, but forego a gain perpetual.  
The Giants (as it is said) being affectioned to reign unto heaven, ●ayde Mountains one upon an other to ascend up thither, but all in vain, falling at length headlong downward themselves. They are (as Saint Ambrose saith) like unto those which would by the ladder of Worldly honour cl●mbe into Heaven. Saint Cyprian testifieth, 
In his book of Noah and th● A●ke.  saying: That which thou thinkest to be authority and power, is poison ●ydden under a fair show, a●● misery under a costly cover. Whereby S. Austin saith, 
Epist. 2. li● E●●s●o.  that the more a man is lifted up in authority the greater danger he is in. 
Upon the 106. psalm  A●istophanes the Poet describeth & setteth forth the god of riches (which they call Plutus) to be fearful, and to trust no man, because that riches and promotions make men to do so, and that because of the great danger they be in continually. For to get goods every one looketh abroad: The thief lieth in wait to steal: the crafty merchant, the dissembling lawyer, by guile and subtlety to deceive: Children and other that be inheritors, wish the death of their parents and friends, to possess their goods. Other ambitious persons do long for the death of such as are in office, that they might enjoy their places: Promoters and other officers search and seek narrowly to find any occasion to make the goods forfeit. Whereby Juvenal saith: 
Sa●y. 10.  Riches gotten by great care and labour, choke and kill oftentimes their possessor: whereunto he alleged many ensamples. Seneca confirmeth also: That as wild beasts or fishes are caught by the false hope of a dainty morsel, in snares and hooks: Even so (saith he) are men by the vain trust of the gifts of Fortune, which in deed ought not to be called gifts, but rather deceitful shifts, yea snares & dangerous rocks. Consider I pray you, how many we see go to wrack both bodily and spiritually, temporally and everlastingly. How many realms and countries have been subverted and cast upside downward? What tyranny or cruelty hath not been showed? What robberies both upon sea and land? what perjuries, murders, pilling and polling, violence and force, incest, and all kinds of mischiefs are not committed of the greedy and insa●iable desire to attain to riches and estimation? yea of the most puissant kings and mighty men, which Daniel called Treasurers. 
Daniel .11.  And what shall we say then of worldly love and carnal concupiscence? Also of the passions and unnatural affections which thence ensue? Plato saith, that Love at the beginning, giveth some sweetness, but in the end engendereth one mischief upon an other. Love is the first which hath found out, and brought forth the sundering and renting of the heart, and troubling of the spirit. And these things following, proceed from carnal love, to weet, car●, sorrows and griefs, weakness of the brains, 
Combed. mercat.  curiousness in apparel, madness, dreams, thoughts and sighing, calamities, errors, anguish, unquietness, trouble, foolishness, uncomlynesse, wantonness, mystrustfulnesse, jealousy, and other like. Men (I say) are entangled in these by love, even as Ulysses fellows, which through the melody and sweet songs of the sirens would abide in Africa, forgetting themselves and their native country. Love maketh a man out of his wits, and clean beside himself, it casteth him backward, and seduceth him through sweetness and flattery, it counseleth nothing according unto reason and equity, but leadeth unto all enormities, it robbeth a man of all temperancy, it is like to a hook which plucketh all manner of things unto it, it is a soft enemy, sweet sorrow, and sad gladness. Love maketh men slaves, & divideth them from themselves. He is hurt grievously, & utterly perished which falleth in love, it is insatiable, never saying it is enough. Terence sayeth that it seduceth and leadeth out of th● way, even those that se●, and then that are learned and wise. ●e is happy, that by other men's example will take warning, and through the spectacle of others fall, waxeth wise. ●riefly, all and every kind of evil proceedeth of those three with their adherentes, wherewith the whole world is polluted, as witnesseth saint john in his Canonical ●pistles, saying: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the w●rlde: If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that (sayeth he) which is in the world, is the lust of the eyes, and the pride of ly●e, is not of the father, but of the world, and the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof, but he that fulfilleth the will of God abideth for ever.  
Touching which three vices I might rehearse of all sorts of people more than ten thousand examples. Whereof some (I speak but temporally, and not of matters concerning the soul) have lost their money, goods, and estimation, some their friends, liberty, life & goods. But what need I to spend my time, and to trouble my brains about it. All books, whether they speak of the Assyrians, Egyptians, Persians, or Medians, Grecians, or jews, Romans, or other countries, are full of it. Whereof read Diodorus Siculus, josephus, Plutarch, Titus Livius, & divers other historiographers, which have written until our age and time, and we shall find that all kind of evil, at the least cometh out of one of these three, and daily we find it by good experience, that all mischief springeth out of these, yea even in such as had incorporated and joined themselves to the church of Christ, foreseeing persecution, crosses, and tribulations to ensue thereby, and by and by for fear of a little loss of worldly goods, commodities, honours, or otherwise, forsook and turned again like the dog to their vomit, and like the sow, after she hath washed herself, to her puddle and mire. And to set the vanity and inconstancy of worldly and transitory things, livelier before your eyes, I have brought in in here twenty sights or visions, & caused them to be graven, to the end all men may see that with their eyes, which I go about to express by writing, to the delight and pleasure of the eye and ears, according unto the saying of Horace.  
Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci.  
That is to say, 
He that teacheth pleasantly and well,  
Doth in each point all others excel.  Of which our visions the learned Poet M. Francisce petrarch Gentleman of Florence, did invent and write in Tuscan the six first, after such time as he had loved honestly the space of xxj years a fair, gracious, and a noble damosel, named Laurette, or (as it pleased him best) Laura, borne of Avignon, who afterward happened to die, he being in Italy, for whose death (to show his great grief) he mourned ten years together, and amongst many of his songs and sorrowful lamentations, devised and made a Ballad or song, containing the said visions, which because they serve well to our purpose, I have out of the Brabant's speech, turned them into the English tongue.  
The first than is: That he being upon a day alone in his window, where he saw as it were in his mind by a vision a very fair hin●, and also two swift hounds, one white and the other black chasing & pursuing ●ir so long, that at length they caught and killed her. Which sight caused him to burst out into sighs and tears for the piteous destiny thereof: That is, for the appointed time of the death of his love Laura, which he meant by the fair hi●de, as by the hounds white and black he understood the day and night, meaning the time passing away, and not tarrying for any one.  
Moreover, he saw a fair ship or vessel made of ivory & Hebene wood, whereunto also he compared his love Laura, to weet her white coloured face unto ivory, and her blackish brows much like unto the wood of Hebene. The cords and ropes were of Silk, and the sails of cloth of gold, whereby are meant not only all her costly rayement or app●rell, but also her noble and excellent virtues wherewith she was beautified and adorned.  
Again, he saw a new bush out of a fair Laurel tree, Holly bows budding forth, under whose shadow little small birds did sing, with a very sweet and melodious harmony: Understanding hereby, her loving and courteous talk, her most pleasant and swéets song. And by and by he saw the lightning and tempest to wither and dry up this fair and goodly Tree. That is, that a burning sickness came, which took away the life of this fair damosel his love Laura.  
The other three visions following, are in manner all one, notyfiing hereby that there is nothing else in this world but miseries, sorrows, afflictions, and calamities: And all that man doth stay himself upon in this world, is nothing but vain fancy, wind, and smoke. And thus as he had passed over many a year in great and unfeigned love towards her (during her life time) what with flattery and what in commending of her beauty, caused him upon a sudden change after her departure (as it is said) so long a time to mourn and to lament, but considering with himself, that th●re was no comfort, hope or salvation in worldly love to be looked for, ●urn●d him●elfe to Godward, lamenting and sorrowing the rest of his life, and repent him of his former life so idly and undecently spent.  
The other ten visions next ensuing, are described of one joachim du Bellay, Gentleman of France, the which also, because they serve to our purpose, I have translated them out of Dutch into English.  
First of all, he speaketh of a certain Architecture or kind of building, gorgeously and magnificentlike made, as you may see more plainly in the seventh figure of our visions. Secondly he saw a spire, thirdly an Ark triumphant. And then the Dodonian tree, spreading his shadow upon seven hills, namely upon the hill of Palatine, the h●ll Capitolie, the mount Vimiall, the mount Cely, Esquilin, Vimiel, and Quirinel. After that, the bird which is able to behold the Sun, that is the Eagle imperial: and the great Statue, whom he saw leaning on a stone pitcher, whereout runneth a great water, whereby he meaneth the river of Tiber, with the she wolf, giving suck to two children, which is the Arms of the Romans. The seventh is a Nymph mourning and wring of her hands. Eightly, a three flaming fire, whereout a bird flushing mounted on high. Ninthly, a fair spring, and a hundredth Nymphs round about it, unto whom came the Fauns, which broke the Fountain, and drove them away. Last of all, he telleth of Typheus' daughter, which after her great presumption and pride was vanquished and slain. With all these he goeth about to persuade, that all things here upon earth, are nothing but wretched misery, and miserable vanity, showing also how Rome hath been destroyed, which of a base and low estate was lifted up, and become very high, and that by none other means than covetousness and the great desire which that people and nation had to money and Ambition, that is, to be regarded, and to have authority and rule following the nature and condition of their progenitors and predecessors Romulus and Remus, which were (as histories do tell,) nourished and brought up of a she wolf, called Lupa. Out of whose breasts they have sucked all manner of cruelty and beastliness, getting so unto themselves a wolvish courage, yea worse than a Wolf, as Mithridates' King of Ponte cast them in the teeth, because they were never satisfied of blood, honour, dignities, and riches, but always endeavoured themselves to get other princes, nations, countries and Cities, goods and dominions, whereupon followed the oppression of other nations, through many great robberies, with great labour and pain, yea to the peril and loss of their own men and Capitains, and so amplified and augmented above measure their empires, realms, and dominions, stuffed and furnished their City with abundance of all manner of riches, whereupon did ensue all kind of superfluity and worldly pompousness. So that they adorned their City with all manner of sumptuous an● costly buildings, with all kinds of curious an● cunning works, as theatres, Triumphal arks, Pyramedes, Columns, Spires, and a great number of graven Images, Statues, Medalles and Figures, made of divers and sundry kinds of stuff, as Marble, Alabaster, Gold, Silver, Copper, Pourphere, Emplaster, Brass and other like metal, some graven, and other some cast. All which sumptuousness and superfluity hath oftentimes thorough dissension, discord and sedition amongst themselves, also by their enemies privy conspiracy, hate, and particular profit, & by childish and foolish counsel, been to their great hindrance and damage. As it is to be seen in their own Histories. And as they proceeded in all wickedness, abomination, superstition, and Idolatry from time to time, even so after that CHRIST our saviour, and King of all Kings was crucified under pilate, precedent of jerusalem, they ceased not daily to kill the poor Christians, persecuting the church of God in all places, by all kind of cruelty and tyranny, especially in the time of Nero, Domitian, trajan, Aurelian, Dioclesian, Maxence, & other like, because they would not observe and keep their false and superstitious worshipping of God, but rather rebuked them, & proved theirs to be false. And forasmuch as that ancient Rome would not amend itself, and renounce their enorm vices, Idolatry and superstition, and convert unto the Lord jesus Christ, to embrace the true worshipping of God, and the everlasting Gospel, they have been justly plagued, receiving according to their deserts, such measure as they had measured to others. Therefore are the Persians, Huines, Frenchmen, Germans or Dutchmen, Vandals, Eastgothes, & Westgothes risen against them and their Empire, & have divided it, and at length have they besieged Rome, and have taken and subverted, burned, spoiled, and wholly razed it. So the Lord through his just judgement hath revenged the innocent blood of his children. This is showed unto us by these visions and sonnets. O worldly vanity, all things must pass, save the love of God: That which was lifted up into heaven, is fallen and brought even to the ground, & most miserably perished. As also before their time many other realms, as of the Chaldees, and great Cart●age, and other, are likewise perished. So Rome never obtained the like estimation since, as it had before being in his flower, as it is to be seen yet by some ancient monuments, buildings columns, & walls, which appear there as yet to bear witness of God's vengeance which came upon them for their sin and wickedness, to the end that all godly and well disposed persons might perceive, that God can and will perform his promises, the which he hath threatened in his word.  
Besides all this, the Roman Empire hath been without an Emperor three hundred & twenty years, namely since Augustus until charlemain. In the mean time the Bishop of Rome began to forget all manner of simplicity, humbleness and poverty, and to neglect the service and administration of a true pastor, and to put his mind upon temporal dominion and rule, beginning so (through the liberality of many great Princes, as King Pepin and many other great Lords which he enchanted under the pretence of holiness,) to become so great, that at length he hath set himself in the cha●re, as sovereign above all the rest, that even Emperors were at his commandment elect and deposed. For the fervent zeal & devotion was in many Christians already cold, & many of them were addicted and given to worldly quietness, great estate, and all manner of intemperancy and voluptuousness: so that they had more mind to security and idleness, than to labour and pain, to sleep, than to work, to take, 
Sig●bertus.  than to give, to banquet, than to preach: 
Geniblacen.  and had rather to take their pleasure in this wicked world, 
Carolus Bo●illu●.  than to enjoy the heavenly pleasures in the world to come. After this, dissension rose amongst them for the supremacy: then sought they ambitiously to rule and govern ever all the whole world. They would well be confessors (as they termed them) but few or none would be Martyrs, for preaching was cast aside, and pride had occupied the roum of it: whereupon did follow of necessity, as (Scripture speaketh: where as God's word is not preached, there the people perish) many and diu●rs heresies, schisms, and sects: as Sabellians, Arrians, Emonians, Macedonians, Priscellians, Nestorians and Eutychians, which divers and sundry ways erred in the doctrine and faith, concerning the divinity. The Manichees contemned and made light of the old Testament. The Donatists did hold it necessary to be rebaptized again. The Pelagians taught that men could deserve heaven by merits without grace, & other like to them. Amongst the Bishops was discord in all places. In the R●mish church were many mutations about their election: Between Liberius & Felicius was great discord about the popeship. Likewise was it between Damasius & Vrcisius, Boniface & Aulatius, Simache and Laurence, 
Hieronymus. Sigebertus. Ge●iblacenfis.  Boniface and Dioscore, Constantine and Philip, Eugenius and Sisine, Formosie and Stephen, S●rgie and Christopher, Benedict and Leo, 
Vincentius. Antonius. Plan●ina.  Gregory and divers other. Amongst which, many were accused of heresies, some of incest, and some of other kinds of evil, 
Abbas Vrspergensis. jacobus Bergen●is.  of which some were banished, some deposed, some s●landred, some had their eyes put out, other some miserably slain and murdered no practices, 
Herman●us Shedel.  frauds, guiles nor violence or oppression was left behind: to none other end than to attain unto promotion, honour dignity and great estate, and to obtain their malicious purpose. After this sort did the bishops proceed in all kinds of vanity and idleness, to become loitering prelate's puffed up in pride and presumption, whereby verity and truth was defaced, and quite abolished. The Sun began now to be darkened and become black as a hairen cloth, and the Moon like unto blood, the stars of heaven to fall down: For they daily practised to get new and more dominions, they attempted by all means possible to increase their authority and power, all their whole study and labour was to advance their honour and dignity here upon the earth, not without scattering of the commons and innumerable murders of the people. john Archbishop of Constantinople, debated to be Primate and sovereign of all other patriarchs. Boniface the third of that name, Bishop of Rome, took upon him to reign and rule over all, and to be the lieutenant of God, upon earth. Again, Mahomet coming afterward, would be adored as a great prophet, and messenger of God. So that by the means of covetousness, ambition, and carnal concupiscence, the truth is darkened, & the church of Christ most miserably scattered and dispersed. The I●wes by a crafty sleight, wrested the scripture to maintain their Talmuiths: the Saracens their Alcorane: and these prelate's and Bishop's their Decretals, and all other errors and heresies which were under that false prophet Mahomet in Asia and Africa, and under the Pope in Europe, with all their cursed traditions and trifles. They have banished & abolished Christ and his doctrine, every where preferring their own ambition, profit, commodity & ease. Whereunto & to obtain it the rather, they have brought in many superstitions & traditions of men, as Latin service (because the common people should not understand their doings) bells, organs play, cymbals, incense, palms, candles, tapers, purgatory, masses for all souls, diriges, obsequies, Pilgrimages, indulgences to deliver the souls out of purgatory, after they have gotten money enough. Item, church holy days, Rogation days, Relics, yea coals wherewith S. Laurence was broiled, Iosephs ●osen, the arms of S. Cornelis, with many more trifles and other relics. They proceed further to the forbidding of marriage, meat, eggs, butter: in like manner images, and crucifixes were set up, working thereby false miracles, always foreseeing to their Mao●in, that is, great shops, churches, temples, chapels and Altars, where they might sell their trumpery freely, not without great gain, yea so well that they were mounted ●o high in power, riches, and voluptuousness, as we have se●ne by experience, and daily is to be seen in places where they are, that they rule above emperors, kings, & princes: & all this under a show of piety and holiness, as we heretofore have say●e. Of these S. john in his revelation doth warn us in his sixth chapter, 
Revel. ●.  where he sayeth manifestly, that when the lamb had opened the seventh seal, he saw a pale horse, and he which sat upon it, was named death: for this congregation of hypocrites, notwithstanding their copper faces, and carbuncled noses, through their unmeasurable gluttony and drunkenness, are yet in their soul pale, deadish, black and blue, as unwholesome & dead bodies: for th●i have no true life within them, nor the blessedness that consists in Christ jesus, 
Rom. 2.  & his holy word. 
Luke. 12.  And he which sat on it was death. 
Math. 6.  Their doctrine and teaching is nothing but death and damnation. For hypocrisy engendereth nothing but destruction of salvation, & their fruits are shame and confusion. For hell followeth them to destroy those that are seduced by them. 
Esay. 5.  Daniel and Paul they have foretold that Antichrist should be borne of the subversion of the Empire, 
proverb. 5.  and desolation of Rome. And to the end we might speak more at large of the thing, I have taken four visions out of the revelation of S. john, where as the holy ghost by S. john setteth him out in his colours.  
I saw a beast (saith S. john) rising out of the s●a, 
●●uel. 13.  signifying the congregation of the wicked and proud hypocrites, which exalt and advance themselves as the Cedar trees of Libanus, they are unnatural and beastly like unto Elmas the enchanter, full of fraud and guile, full of falsehood and pride, they are whelps and generations of the devil, subverting the ways of the Lord. This beast is described here as the pale horse in the fourth age, & the cruel grasshoppers in the fift age, and the mad horses with Lion's mouths in the vj. age. 
●poc. 6. ●poc. 9  This beast, meaning the audible, falls, & damnable errors & pestiferous inspirations of the devil, which at this time reign in the beastly members of that monstrous body of the beast, as namely in the outrageous bishops, spiritual lawyers priests, hypocrites, and false Magistrates, for their heads are their subtlety, and their horns signify their tyrannous might. It had also ten crowns upon his ten horns, signifying their great dominion and superiority throughout the whole world. The devil is their prince and Captain most cruel, and that through the iniquity and ingratitude of the people: but in this point differ the dragon and the beast, from the devil and his membres, Satan and his carnal and beastly congregation, for he had seven crowns upon his seven heads, and they have ten crowns upon their ten heads, meaning, that that which he only hath stirring up of the thing, that have they. The signification whereof is, that Satan is only of ability and power to blow into their ears the thing which they with violence, and by force maintain: where as he is but able by fancies and inspiration, there are these his meet instruments to perform it & put in execution by violence, and power, by menaces and compulsion. Where as he he dallieth only by play, there do they seriously force and violently compel. When he hath only engendered and found out any error or false doctrine, they with all diligence, as an infallible truth, allow, confirm and stablish it, and make of it a necessary article to believe on, as they have put in practise their purgatory, auricular confession, transubstantiation, worshipping and carrying about of dumb Idols, & Images, the hearing of latin service, Mass, and other abominations. As he hath found out any lie (as he is the fat●er of all lies, and hath been since the beginning) so may they hold it for a perfect written verity, making it of good authority and might, as experience may testify, they have done. Hereout and such like, it is manifest, that they being his ghostly ministers and spiritual instruments, may execute effectually more wickedness than he himself alone, as their works may well testify. Satan was not of power to put Christ to death, if it had not been through judas, into whom he entered, & afterward by the bishops & Scribes who persecuted him unto death. The Apostles, true ministers & other witnesses of Christ should never have been persecuted, whipped, 
Math. 2●.  scourged, tormented and miserably slain, neither should they at this present, if these popish prelate's did not follow & maintain their old & accustomed manners, and fulfil the measure of their fathers. And upon his heads were names of Blasphemy against the Lord and his Christ. Al this is nothing else than their shining & glorious titles, where with they suborn and make great their supremacy & their estimation, & as holy and blameless to be regarded among men, and before the world, whereunder is covered & comprehended all manner of iniquity. What are Popes, Cardinals, patriarchs, legates, chief heads, archbishops, pronotaries, archdeacon's, officials, commissaries, prebendaries, vicar's, lord abbot, master or doctor, and such like, what are these I say else but names of blasphemy? for these offices & titles are not of the holy ghost, neither is there any mention made of them in the holy scripture. What is it I pray you else, than a great abomination & blasphemy that the Pope claimeth to himself to be the most holy father, to be the Vicar of Christ, God on earth, supreme head of the Church, the only steward of the gifts, graces, and mysteries of God? What meaneth it that Priests and Bishops do arrogantly ascribe to themselves to be Bridegrooms, to stand in God's stead, to have power to pardon sin, and to be our Ladies clean and undefiled knights? What be these else than names of blasphemy? For they are nothing else as Zacharie termeth them (having no care of feeding of the flock, but through ●●●re negligence and sloth set a side preaching of the word, through these vain titles) than very offending Idols. Their Decrees, Decretals, traditions, rules, ordinances, statutes, customs of the Fathers, general Counsels, Synods, and other of their usages, not grounded on the word of God and his will, are nothing else but damnable hypocrisy, and devilish dissimulation, blaspheming the name of the Lord. For the names of blasphemy on his head is nothing else but to maintain under an honest and virtuous show, that which is blasphemous, to his own advancement. This beast was like the Leopard, spotted and blemished, tokens of inconstancy, changeableness, and temerity. His feet like to a bears feet, fearful and horrible, il favoured of fashion, and deformed, signifying cruelty, stubborness, stoutness and uncleanness. And his mouth as the mouth of a Lion, declaring hereby the pride, theft, murder, and all kind of wickedness of those Prelates. Daniel saw in a vision, a Lion, whereto that proud kingdom of the Assyrians and Chaldees were to be compared. Unto the Bear which he saw, was likened the barbarous and rude realms of the Medes & Persians. By the Leopard is meant the unsteadfast kingdom of the Grecians. The Assyrians and Chaldees were for their stealing and Pride, rebuked and cursed of the Prophets Esay, Nahum, 
Nahum .25 Esay. 13.  and Abacuch. 
Abacuch .1.  The Medeans and Persians kept the people of God in captivity and bondage. As it is to be seen in the books of Hester, 
Hest. 23.  Paralipomenon and Esay. 
2. Paralip. 3● Esay. 22.  The Grecians also were very spiteful, 
2. Macha. 2.  and full of reproach to the people of God, in the time of that cruel Tyrant Antiochus, as it appeareth in the Book of the Maccabees. 
●. Macha. 2.  But this beast which S. john speaketh of here, doth comprehend all these three which Daniel saw, namely the body like unto a Leopard, paws like unto a Bear, and the mouth to the Lion. Whereby the holy Ghost teacheth us, that within this one cursed Popedom or kingdom of Antichrist, should be as much, and more abomination, Idolatry, fornication, murder, and all kind of wickedness, as were in all these three realms aforesaid. As at this day it is to be seen, and we have had good experience. No where reigned at any time more pride, idleness, cruelty, Idolatry, fornication, adultery, uncleanness, sodometry, envy, dissimulation, falsehood and inconstancy, vain glory, iniquity, sorcery, superstition and impiety, than doth in this one dominion of Antichrist. He alone hath more contaminated Gods holy Temple, than all the infidels together that ever were: they have most shamefully entreated and judged the very elect people of God, 
1. Corin. ●  which are the vessels of his glory. 
Rom. 9  They have most miserably and narrowly kept under, and as it were in prison, the true Minister● of God by their Decrees and traditions. The severity and rudeness of Pharaoh, Antioch, and Caiphas, is nothing in the comparison of theirs, for in them is all kind of beastliness, uncleanliness, wantonness, concupiscence and carnal security. No reason or humanity hath any place amongst them, they are more like beasts than men. The rigorous Proclamations against the jews, 
Hest. 3.4.  (at the request of wicked Ammon and of Antioch, 
1. Mach. 2.3 ) are nothing to speak of, to the ordinances and statutes of the ante-christs, for those were only against the body, but theirs are against the soul and conscience of man also. After this sort doth the Popedom (which is the dominion of Antichrist) bear the Image of the Leopard, of the Bear, & of the Lion, because it is not only partaker of all the wickednesses with other realms, but it exceedeth and surmounteth all other vi●. times double in all kind of iniquity, 
Psalm. 9  
Rom. 3.  idolatry, 
Rom. ●.  & abominations that ever were committed under heaven. They have the mouth of a Lion, always blaspheming, cursing and banning: Their feet like a bear, signifying their insatiable covetousness, running headlong to every kind of mischief, 
Rom. ●.  very ready to shed blood: as leopards are they polluted and spotted with divers and sundry inconstant minds, institutions & observe, never steadfast or constant, but in all things changeable and foolish: 
● Thess. 2.  for such as receive not God's truth, are worthily forsaken of God. Therefore God shall send them strong delusions, that they shoul● believe lies, that all they might be damned which believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness. The Dragon (saith S. john) which is Satan the Devils gave to the beast or cursed generation of Antichrist, his beastly membres, his whole power, his seat of blasphemy, and his great authority. To give them his power is nothing else, than to make them perfect and skilful by all manner of craft, subtlety and dissimulation, cunningly to seduce the simple & silly souls: and so forth to confirm and stablish them in all kind of wickedness and falsehoods. To give vn●o him his seat, is to leave him he●e a glorious kingdom, full of vain glory, ●is●imulation, & other wickedness. 
2. Thess. ●.  To give him hi● great authority, is to work by false miracles, signs and wonders, and by false and erroneous doctrine, to allure the p●●ple, and to draw the vnb●leuing infidels the rather to the p●t of perdition and everlasting torments. 
2. Thess. 2.  On this manner is that great Antichrist a king with Sathan ●uer all the children of pride and darkness. He occupieth and possesseth falsely with Lucifer the seat and ●oume of God, taking upon him even to search and creep into men's consciences: For he b●steth himself to stand in God's stead to deceive th●m that ●well on the earth, to reign and to bear rule over them, for so much as they (having a blind guide) are l●d into the ditch of all error and false doctrine, the very way unto everlasting perdition. Touching the seat even as Christ our Lord (with his Father reigning eternally) sitteth in heaven upon the seat of his Majesty in eternal glory & felicity, even so sitteth ●ntechrist, the Pope of Rome, I mean● with his ●ather the Devil, full of pride and blasphemy, in the seat of condemnation, in eternal darkness, ignomy, and shame. 
Mat●. 28.  Concerning his power, 
john .17. john .1.  even as Christ received his power of God his father, even so hath he received his authority of his father the Devil. Even as Christ is full of mercy & truth: even so is this Antichrist full of envy and hate, untruths and lies, and all other mischiefs: of whose abominations & errors, the unbelieving and infidel hath tasted. As the holy ghost and the spirit of Christ openeth the mysteries of the truth in his elect even so on the other side hath the spirit of error, since the death and revelation of Christ, darkened truth and set forth the secrets of his malice in the enemies of Christ. Concerning his authority, as christ being man, 
●ohn .3.  received his authority of god, 
●. Thess. 2.  to do such miracles as no man else could do: Even so doth this Antichrist, by the Devil and God's permission amongs the infidels and unbelievers. So that he in all power and authority unjustly usurped, followeth, yea passeth his father the devil. For as he rob the godly man job, 
job. 1.2. ●●  and spoiled him of all his substance, goods, children, servants, and cattle, and tormented him in his body with ●oils and Botches, even so doth this ravenous and greedy Leviathan, and cruel murderer, vex, consume, and oppress the poor people, by his spoiling grasshoppers, defrauding the poor of their sweat and blood, 
Psal. 73.  of their pains, 
Revel. 9  travail, necessity, and living: no not sparing the feeble and sick, neither widow nor fatherless. No kind of good (be it never so unjustly gotten) being brought to them, in shriving of some one burdened in conscience, but that they are contented to receive it, and that by the way of restitution. Yet nevertheless do they, (which is worst of all) lead men's minds to dissimulation, false belief, and other devilishness, doubtful, desperate, and comfortless.  
Finally, even as in the body of Christ, dwelleth fullness of the whole Deity: Even so in this body of Satan dwelleth the whole mass of impiety, subtility, fraud and malice, with power to work all manner of mischief mightily, substantially and corporally. And I saw one of his heads, as it were wounded to death, with the sword of his mouth: 
●. Thessa. 2.  that is, through the anouncing and preaching of the Gospel. Which thing is come to pass since the time of john Hus in Boheme, & after that in Germany, and is since (God be praised) daily more and more, that the head of the Beast is wounded, in places where gods word is preached. As in England, France, Scotland, Poland, and else where, as every one may well perceive, except he will needs be blind. For it is evident to all men, that in most places, Bulls and Pardons of the Pope are little set by, his power and might trodden under feet, his name blotted out, his Purgatory, Masses, Pilgrimages, Idols, and other like trumperies, cried out upon. If this be not a deadly wound on the head of the beast, I think it to have none at all. If this be not a manifest token of his fall to come, there is none to be looked for. But his deadly wounds were healed. Although the Gospel hath been preached in sundry and divers places, and the pope's abominations cast upside down, yet remaineth (in some places) their false priesthood vows not to marry, Sodomish chastity, auricular con●ession, or at the least the fashion of it, and other more superstitions. For the beast seeketh all means to recover, yea & hath brought to pass, that the eyes of many learned ministers, and pastors wax dim, and as it were asleep, so that they do not narowely search, or diligently try every matter by the only touchstone of God's holy word, but weigh them rather by deceivable custom, and take their course to the fathers, and their good intents. Although they are sure, and thoroughly persuaded the Pope to be very Antichrist, & that these names are put out of their books, yet are these ceremonies, (before of no value or at the least indifferent) now of necessity to be observed and kept, as godly rites, honourable and singular ornaments. Although they say, the Mass to be of no value in Latin, yet in their own language to be a sacrifice propitiatory: other have a great trust and confidence in saying dimit nobis, or any other like thing, not understanded. Some will uphold and maintain the free will in man. Other some will not be Papists, but are well half, yea and worse than Papists. Also the wounded head of the beast is healed and redressed in some places by force and power of worldly princes, the which must fight for the Pope, and in such time and place as it seemeth him good, slaying, killing, and burning all such as he commandeth, destroying their own realms, murdering and banishing their good and true subjects, because they seek the honour of GOD, and to serve him aright. These Princes be as it were bewitched and drawn by a subtle kind of flattery, in calling them ignominiously most christian princes, defenders of the universal and catholic faith, meaning the Romish decrees. And after this sort is healed and cured the wound of the Beast, by the means of these ointments and Chirurgeons. And the whole world (sayeth S. john) did wonder at the beast. etc. The foolish people, worldly and carnal minded, not understanding the wisdom of the holy ghost, embracing all those glorious and ioylye sights, as godly, meritorious, and spiritual matters, and wondering at them, worshipped, exalted, and made much of it, yea above the things ordained and instituted of God. whose blindness is grown to such grossness, that they will not nor can forsake their old and more than outrageous kind of worshipping, which is rather custom than religion. For when they have any hope that their wicked custom shall continue, they clap their hands, and cry out ●or joy with Baal's priests Gaudeamus. And they worship the Dragon, who gave power to the beast, that is to say, they rejoice in their minds, hoping that their kingdom shall abide and stand: chief when they see his head again whole and sound that is their governor, the godly preachers burned, the instructors of the people slain or banished, persecuted and put to silence as it hath been practised in our native country of low Germany. All those that worship the Dragon, worship the beast also: for as those which honour Christ, honour his father also, in like manner all those which adore Antichrist, that is to say, consent and hold of his traditions, masses, and ordinances, all those (I say) worship the devil, of whom they have received all his wickednesses. Who is like unto the beast? namely in out ward show of holiness, or observation of false rites and Ceremonies. Who is able to war against him? say they, considering that worldly princes are ready to defend his quarrel, and take his part. The papists go about by all means possible, be it by craft or subtlety, by force or violence to maintain their adulterous, feigned, & disguised church in her diseased estate, power and holy show: no kind of wickedness, craftiness, or policy leave they unassayed or unattempted to make them to be regarded of the people, for holy and spiritual men of great power, worthiness and estimation. It followeth in our text. And there was given unto him a mouth to utter great and blasphemous things. When God's truth was revealed unto them, they thanked him not, but became vain in their imaginations, 
Rom. 11.  and therefore God gave them over to unclean lusts of their own hearts, blinded with unbelief and perverted minds, so that when they thought to be very wise, became then stark fools. Now utter they in their counsels, consistories & sermons, blasphemies against God, and his Christ. They make the people by strait laws to cleave to them, and all their romish and beggarly ceremonies and vile borrowed trumperies: be it never so great a grief to them. The holy and sacred scriptures may not once be red, neither may it be had in the mother tongue. For the Scripture (say they) must be expounded as pleaseth them, & according as they think good for their own advantage. And how trow ye, could this wound of the beast else well be healed? for the infallible word of God (which be the Scriptures) hath given him this wound. They will not that Christ be our alone and sufficient Saviour, without our own merits & deservings. The Lord's supper (which in holy Scripture, is called the Communion of the body and blood of jesus Christ,) must be with them a new crucifying of his body: Wherein, as in a play or Comedy, one creature alone, playeth five or six personages or players parts, namely of judas, Anna, Cayphas, Herode, pilate, and the jews. We●lorke is called of them unclean, notwithstanding it was instituted as a good and undefiled ordinance of God himself, 
Tim. 4. Tim. 4.  
●eb. 13.  no papistical vows of Monks and Friars may be broken, although it be sufficiently proved to be most wicked and devilish and hath engendered a thousand Sodomites. Again, that without the blind mumbling and laying on of the priests hand, sins can not be forgiven, as they say: for in deed by this one vow their kingdom is maintained. And more other abominations are uttered by his mouth, & y●t daily be, of which (to make it shorter) and not to trouble the reader overmuch, I will leave rehearsing of them: yet must I needs touch by the way, the great blasphemy which they commit in saying, that the entering into the holy Church consists only by the means of their greasing & shaving, excluding herewithal all other of what estate or condition soever they be, calling them lay men, and under the pretence of this false title, they take upon them to be saviours of men's souls, affirming their Masses to be sacrifices propitiatory for the quick and the dead, justifying, helping and comforting, and ex opere operato saving and redeeming man. And over their abominable and stinking troop of Antichrists, they create & make Emperors and kings chief governors, only to be maintained and defended by them in their malicious wickedness. Kings & princes are ordained of God to be heads and rulers in civil and politic matters: but God forbidden, that a godly and virtuous Prince (whom they disdain, and are rebellious & disobedient unto,) should be called their head, and claymy a title and supremacy over them, ●or that only belongeth unto Satan: for the Devil is (sayeth job) the only chief head of the proud. 
●ob .41.   
And power was given unto them (saith our text) for xlij mon●ths to rule, 
●. Reg. 17.  which are the three years and a half of Helias, 
Dan 12.  and one half time of Daniel, 
Apoc. 21.13.  and the thousand two hundredth and three score days of S. john. He openeth his mouth to blasphemy against God and his name, and to blaspheme his holy Tabernacle and inhabiters of heaven. The tabernacle of God is Christ jesus, in whom the fullness of the godhead abideth wholly and perfectly. By the inhabiters of heaven, is meant his true church, whereout the Angels are not excluded. These inhabiters then, are those which lead an heavenly life in a true and unfeigned faith, 
coloss. 3.  seeking the things which are above, 
●ohn .4.  and not on earth, worshipping god the father in spirit and truth, 
Math 24.  abiding steadfast and immovable to the end. 
Luc. 9  
●phe. 6.  Many have entered into this heaven, but are not found faithful and constant unto the end, which is lamentable.  
And to this beast, (or beastly Antichrist) was given power to fight against the Saints. 
1. Corinth.  They trouble and vex continually, 
Acts .4.6.  with force and violence, 
Exod. 1.  by their wicked and ungodly Decrees, laws, 
Hest. 3  and ordinances, by their worldly authority and power, 
1. Machab. ●  
Math. 20. 1  the true witnesses, 
Luke .2.  and godly preachers of Christ, 
1. Peter .1  instructed and taught (even as the Apostles were) of God himself in the truth of his holy word, even as the wicked Phariseis in the time of Christ, and his Apostles did. They persecute them by writs & proclamations, by banishments, fire, and sword, as the cruel tyrant Pharaoh and Antiochus did, to show manifestly that Christ is that stumbling stock, and the stone of offence, whereat the world stumbled. They search and seek here, they hunt there, never ceasing until they have him fast in prison, and forthcoming, whereat they are not yet satisfied, till such time as they have proceeded openly before all men, (following their placcate) thereby to fortify men in their error against them. And so vanquished (as they boast) to condemn them, although they are otherwise before God. Then either they make him to recant, or else if he abi●e constant in the faith of Christ, they put him to most cruel death, either by fire or water. And power was given unto the Beast over every kindred, tongue, and nation: For these wicked and abominable Antichrists spare no man, small nor great, young nor old, high nor low, rich nor poor, sick nor whole, learned nor unlearned, but that they must bow before them, and become subject to their most wicked commandments, either by force or otherwise: they must have them, at the least once a year at shrift before them, to know their mind and intention, whether they be Town dwellers or Strangers, Governors or common people. No excuse will serve or take any place in this behalf, or else they must with Christ, reign at the Bar among thieves. 
Math. 27.  And this power they have not only in one place, 
Mar. 15●  but in all places, 
Luke .23  tongues, and in every Town, 
●ohn .19  yea they must have to do amongst every family, destroying the true and godly faith of all men. For all that dwell upon earth, shall worship the beast. They must all consent to their great abomination. They must blaspheme and offend God, 
2. Tim. 3.  observe and keep their most filthy traditions, and romish trash. They that dwell upon earth, are such as do love themselves more than God, their own affection more than God's truth, putting their confidence, comfort, and hope, in the only beggarly merits and vile deservings of these beastly and abominable Hypocrites, and not upon the sweet promises of God in his word, 
Luke .10  Whose names are not written in the book of the Lamb. 
Rom. 11  They which are not confessed of Christ, 
Philip. 3  nor accepted by his word and promises. 
1. Corin. 6.  
john .15  They which with the righteous as members of one spiritual body, 
Psalm. 16.  and ●idden in him, 
john .14  are not marked nor Registered, (whose part and portion is not in the land of the living) that are not of the number of those which the father hath given unto Christ, to be participant of one spirit with him. They which are not ordained, predestinated nor written in his foreknowledge, neither of him before the foundations of the world, 
Rom. 9  
Ephes. 1.  elected, & chosen to be his children immaculate in Christ. 
john .1.  All these I say, must worship the Dragon. 
john .15.  The Lamb is Christ jesus, 
●. Tim. 2  the which only taketh away the sins of the world, in whom is only life, for he is the life himself, of them namely which believe on him, which was slain from the beginning, for all them which are created to salvation. So that his only death, resurrection, and ascension, through the promise of God, 
●. Corin. 10.  is the salvation of them all, for they all have tasted of one spiritual meat, & drunk of one spiritual stone. Albeit he came a long season after them in the flesh, he only did tread down the head of the Serpent. Also he hath been slain from the beginning, 
Genes. 3.  
Math. 23.  in his members, as it is to be seen evidently in just Abel, jeremy, john Baptist, & many more. 
Genes. 3.  
Math. 14.  But those which are not written of the Lamb in the book of life, be sealed in the book of death, 
2. Peter .2.  and kept (as S. Peter saith) with the Devil and his angels to eternal death, because of their unbelief. 
john .1.  He that hath cares to hear, let him hear, (sayeth the text.) He that hath any wit, let him give place to the admonition which followeth, he that will be wise, let him judge according to the demonstration of these things. After this sort doth the holy Ghost certify his faithful, 
1. Corinth. ●  warning them to consider that all which is written, is written to our learning and edification. He that leadeth into captivities shall go into captivity. This warning giveth the Lord, let them take heed i● they lust, for he will that his judgements be known. They which do afflict and vex the faithful in their bodies outwardly, shall be vexed and punished in the spirit with inward darkness, and strike with blindness of the mind, to abide the rather in the net of Satan, and sin: God will leave them in a reprobate sense, 
Rom. 1  and inordinate lust, 
2. Thessa. ●  and suffer them to enter into great errors and devilishness, to believe all manner of lies, that they might be damned. If any kill with the sword, 
2. Tim. 4.  the poor and innocent for their faith, 
2. Peter .2.  must also be killed, 
Ephe. 6.  judged and condemned through the sword of the spirit, 
2. Thessa. ●  which is the word of God. The word which I have spoken (saith Christ) shall condemn them at the last day, as he testified also in his Revelation in the eleventh Chapter: If any will molest or trouble them, the fire shall proceed forth of their mouth, to consume their adversaries. A●d I saw yet (saith S. john) an other Beast rising out of the earth, having two horns like the Lamb. Signifying and representing all manner of false Prophets, ungodly teachers, which are in their intents & purpose wholly and altogether beastly, idle, carnal, and corrupted. They are also abominable in the imagitions of their malicious hearts, not seeking god, but their belly, not the honour of christ, but their own advancement & vain glory. They rise out of the earth, inclined & given wholly to earthly & worldly wisdom. The desire and lust which they have to reign in this world, maketh them to preach not for any love or zeal which they bear to truth. The desire of money & covetousness thrusteth them in. They go forward in all kind of wickedness, & shall continue till the Lord destroy them, even as the godly goeth on in virtue & godliness till the time that they shall see ●od face to face, 
2. Peter .2.  in that everlasting Zion. 
1. Cori●. 1●  This beast was a murderer from the beginning first of all in Cain, 
Gene. 14.  
Gene. 9.17. 21.57.28.  and consequently in the carnal children of this world. 
exod, 7.  Namely in Cham the first unshamefast son of Noah, 
2. Timo. 3  in Ishmael & Esau, in james and jambres, 
Nun. 22  in Balaam and all the false prophets of Baal, 
judic. 22. 2●  in Annas and Caiphas, 
jeremy. 20  in Baricha and Diotrephe, 
Math. 27.  and is now a days risen again in Friars, Monks, 
Acts. 13  Canons, Priests and Chanters, 
john .1.  as every one, 
3. Reg. 16.  (have he never so little a sparkle of light in him) may easily see and perceive: especially in their cathedral church where they have their ●ull course. This beast had two horns like the Lamb, but counterfeited & altogether falls. For she spoke like th● Dragon. The horns of Christ are high, & great, whereout only springeth the sweet comforts of the promises of God, given to his Church, congregation and people. God's word is right, 
Psalm. 44●  and the Sceptre of the authority of Christ, and the rod of his righteous ordinances, that wheresoever this word ruleth, there are none other strange sceptres, institutions, or customs. The Lamb of God upon the Mount Zion (signifying Christ jesus) hath seven horns, for in him consisteth the fullness of all truth. 
apocal. 14  This beast hath but. i●. horns, and those counterfeited and false. They have well a show to be Christ's horns, 
john .16.  but of a truth they are not. 
Collos●. 2.  These than do signify the corrupting and falsifying the meaning both of the old and new Testament, expounded and wrested to a worldly and carnal understanding. whereout it is too apparent and manifest, that it is but a false show, full of dissimulation, and altogether contrary to the lords meaning, not discearning the true meaning of the holy Ghost. 
1. Cor. 2.  This letter without the spirit of God, 
2. Cor. 3.  is death, and nothing agreeable unto Christ, 
john .14  neither hath any regard unto him. 
john .6  He is the truth and life, this is very lies and death. 
●. Cor. 13  His word is spirit and life, theirs is but sounding Erasse, or tinkling Cimbal, fantastical, ●ained, Sophistical and crafty: although they seem to have a likeness to Christ, yet are they to none more unlike. They are only the horns of the beast, to maintain the kingdom of Antichrist, and not of Christ, for Christ's kingdom is not of this world. They change the true usage of the good creatures of God, 
john. 1ST  making Idols of trees, 
Rom. 1.  adorning and decking stocks and stones, with gold, silver, silk, velvet, and other jewels, turning the holy estate of Matrimony into shameful whoredom, 
Heb. 13.  and to all kind of unchafte living, to make us to wander from that service which God hath commanded us, 
Math. 15.  to their false & most abominable superstitions, so to abolish and make of n●ne effect God's commandment, and to establish their wicked traditions, to bring & lead men at length to detestable idolatry, whereof they are full, and to worship things forbidden. And for the maintenance of their estate, they have with the aid and help of Satan their chief captain, wrested, chopped and changed the scriptures to prove the adoration of the departed Saints to be necessary, their mass meritorious, and their works of supererogation profitable, their purgatory to be a fearful and horrible thing, and other innumerable. These beastly asses and belly God bishops, are not ashamed to say, that by the ●yter which they do wear, is represented the old and new Testament, which to be true, they defend with tooth and nail. They confess (as it is indeed) that they do wear but the figure of the thing: for it is but a shadow in deed, and an outward show, not to the glory of ●od, but their own ambition, profit, and commodity, seeking an occasion to persecute the very truth. 
Math. 7.  They are, of a truth, the false Prophets, 
2. ●hes●. 2.  the very limbs of Satan, 
1. ●im. 3.  deceivers, Wolves, hie minded, 
1. Corin. 6.  inconstant, 
Math. 3.  shaking with all manner of winds, 
2. Corin. 11.  traitors, and very followers of judas, 
Ezech. 34.  dreamers, liars, idolaters, enemies, 
Elay. 56.  and adversaries of truth and verity, 
Philip. 3.  serpents, and generation of vipers, 
Esay. 6.  Foxes destroying the vinyeard of the Lord, 
jere. 2.  deceitful workers, ●aintyng pastors, blind watchmen, dumb dogs, devils incarnated, wicked or evil routs, insatiable beasts, whose belly is their god, and their end perpetual confusion and shame. All these, and many more names, the holy Ghost doth attribute unto them, because they mingle the sweetness of the word of God with the bitter worm wood of their Traditions, so that almost the whole world is defiled with the dregs of their inventions. This beast did all that the first beast's could do before him. This beastly generation hath the self same lying power to deceive the people, and under the show of holiness to continue and uphold throughout all the worlie, the same abhohominations, as that great Ant●christe hath done every where. Namely, under the Pope in Eu●ope and in Asia, and in Africa under Mahomet. Finally, there hath Satan his chair, whe●e any strange wors●yppyng or false serving of God is admitted.  
And he caused the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the beast. They make not those only to commit idolatry that are ignorant and blind, but force such as have knowledge and understanding. Oh how many are at this instant in Brabant, Flande●s, and the low country, and else where, which against their belief, conscience, and the holy ghost, maintain, allow, and permit the manifest Babylonical abomination, communicating the venomous dregs of the barbarous cup of these Baal's priests. They had rather to tarry ignominiously in this beggarly trash and filthy ceremonies, than to be deprived of this worldly friendship (to forsake father, mother, children, estate office and living,) banished & persecuted, or adventure their lives, and if need so require, to lose it for the truth, so delectable and sweet these worldly pleasures are unto them. They rather with samuel's sons will perish, transgressing the ordinances of GOD, 
●. Reg. 12.  and with Dathan, Chore, Abiron, be swallowed up, and sink into Hell amongst the wicked, than to suffer with Christ any trouble, contempt, reproach, poverty, or other calamity. such I say, as seek and love the commodity, and ease of their own flesh, their honour, & profit, more than the advancement of God's truth, let them not persuade themselves to be worthy of his grace, for they must worship the beast, whose deadly wound was healed, his old and abolished Religion polished and vernyshed up a new, and his worn romish trash p●tched and newly redressed, embrace upon pain of death. To those hellish dogs and infernal Cerberus must be rendered and given for a time, more honour, reverence and worship than to GOD himself. Their wicked and most filthy traditions must now be more (in our country) set by, 
Math. 15.  than the pure word of God and the eternal verity. And why should it not be so? Have not they erected a new synagogue and congregation, wherein the wounded head of the beast is now altogether cured and made whole? They have amended, botched, and renewed again their Idols, to some they hau● made a new nose, hand, arm or leg, other some are painted up or coloured, vernyshed and made a new, so that they now (more like mad men) do carry them round about the City in Procession, honouring the same images (which they ●aue so newly arrayed and decked with silk, velvet, gold, pearls and precious stones, beads, girdles, purses, flowers, green bows, and all manner of sweet herbs) with song and sundry musical instruments, torches, candles, offerings, and all other kind of service, and kneeling before them bore headed, they worship, serve, and hold up their hands to them. They keep and observe now again their devilish feasting, 
●phe. 4.  solemn processions and church holy days. They eat, they drink, they laugh, they quaff, and run after whores, they fight and pike quarrels, their stews are furnished with whores: ruffians, and bawds are now good victuallers, and are haunted freely: yea all manner of filthiness, iniquity and wickedness, are committed with all greediness. Briefly, the kingdom of Satan is in all things newly erected fortified and established: the head of the beast well anointed and redressed: so long as the popish church standeth, so long must they observe his commandments of his religion, and maintain and uphold his customs, so long shall the true servants of God, the good Christians, be persecuted, banished, blamed, slandered, mocked, and scornfully entreated, cried out upon, taken, imprisoned, killed, miserably slain and burned, in such sort that their corpses are cast here and there abroad, hanged on trees, gibbets, and bushes, and no man will bury them. But this devilish generation and fleshly minded and wicked people clap their hands together in token of great joy, 
Psal. 79.  they dance and leap, they make merry and are glad, they make great divers, and send presents one to an other, being wonderful well disposed, because they see those that did rebuke them of their wicked conversation, and ungodly behavioures, so irkesomly entreated, they sing and make ballets, they compose in metre, and set forth books of great slanders, blasphemies and lies, against GOD, his Christ, and his Church, which thing surely doth sufficiently prove the wickedness of their hearts: they rage and fume, they are wood like blood thirty Tyrants, they gnash as fierce and cruel Lions, and they are very sorry that any should escape their bloody hands. This may those testify which have heard the Sermons of one B. Cornelis y● Hisper at Bruges, B. john vanden Hagen at Gaunt, and that worthy knave that preached at S. Goule, which for his behaviour was banished out of the Hague in holland, as the rest of them were worthy to be. But God be thanked, that the Papists of our country can none otherwise cleanse themselves, than with such ●oule and filthy dish clouts, and fight with such darts wherewith they hurt themselves.  
And it was permitted to him, to give a spirit unto the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast should speak. After this sort come they then, having received power of the devil, flattering to the Image to maintain their malicious wickedness, saying after this manner: Your majesty is the most virtuous, the most gracious, the most valiant, the most wisest, the most puissant, the most noble, the most blessed, and most learned of all Christian Princes and Potentates, all other are but Asses, yea nothing in comparison of your highness. If it please your majesty to command this or that, or establish & ordain any thing in your realm and jurisdiction, who is he that dare withstand your majesty? yea if it were against the commandments of God twenty times, it must be observed and kept. Uphold then the old Catholic religion of our mother, the holy Church of Rome against these Heretics, so can ye not do amiss. God shall prosper you in all your affairs. Command therefore throughout all your dominion, and straightly charge them by law and Proclamation, sending one upon an other, so straightly as it is possible, to show manifestly, that you are the lively Image of the Pope. It is our duty to make the Image of the beast to speak. Therefore lift up your voice, speak out with a courage, command and charge that against the word of God our old Decrees, traditions, and Ceremonies be observed, let them be published and cried abroad in your name and authority in every street, and cause every one of your subjects to keep your placate upon pain of death. And albeit other Realms or Princes blame or check you, for that you govern not well, and according to equity: make ye no account of them, neither regard their sayings, but go forward still, and obstinately persist and stand to that which seemeth good in your own eyes. Give ye strait charge that all be put to death that will not worship the Image of the beast, or how their knees before it, and keep all his ordinances. Thus doing, ye shallbe our well-beloved son. Let no man escape your hands. Let none of them live, but slay and kill them, either by fire, water, sword, rope, or any other torments: spare no man, neither old nor young, rich nor poor, great nor small, man nor wife, married nor unmarried, young man nor maiden, for they all speak against us and our Dragon, whereby our kingdom should fall, we should lose our best profits, and suffer great damage and loss. cause also that all and every one, great and small, rich and poor, bond or free, be marked on their right hand, or on their forehead. And above this, that all massmongers, Monks, Friars and Priests be shaven, their fingers greased, and then holding up their right hand (which they are not ashamed to call it the second baptism) promise, and swear by oath, to obey and reverence the Pope, and the Romish Church, and there to vow chastity. Moreover that Emperors, Kings and Princes, Archbishops, Bishops, and Doctors, schools, and all estates, receive also a token by oath, which they swear to him, that they shall take nothing in hand which is against the Pope and his Decrees, laws and ordinances, his Seat, and privileges: yea that all men receive this mark in the forehead. For he that is not greased with Crisome or Cream (which they call Confirmation of the Bishop) cannot be counted (though he be baptized, and believe in God and Christ never so faithfully) for a right christian: but for above all, they are marked & graffed in the trust & confidence ●f their own merits and deseruings● For as the right mark of an upright christian, is the faith working through charity and love, (for the pledge of the children of God, is faith unfeigned,) even so is the true mark and seal of the Popish Antichrist, to brag and trust in their own works and deservings, as Masses, Pilgrimages, shrifts, Bulls, and Pardons, to be buried in a grey friars coat, so many Pater nosters and ave Maries, and an hundred more such dreams. And that no man might buy and sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Whosoever doth not confess or allow that which the Pope teacheth or commandeth, but is contented and willing to observe, so much as in him lieth, all that which Christ teacheth, commandeth and promiseth, is to have no regard to the Pope nor his trumperies, nor his Masses of Requiem, Diriges, absolutions, and other abominations: those may neither buy nor sell amongst them. Yea they are excommunicated, persecuted, and condemned to fire, sword, gibbet or water. But they that bear his mark, are all good children, especially those that have the double mark, and Caracterem indebilem, (as they call it) namely his greased and ●hauen troop. Those I say, may traffic and occupy freely, practising Simon●e, changing and selling of Benefices, Prebendaries, and all other of their Romish pedlary, and peevish trash. jesus Christ cast out of the Temple the buyers and sellers, 
Math. 21.  
Mar. 12.  but Antichrist bringeth them into his Temple, 
Luke .19.  there to uphold them. Here is wisdom. 
john .26.  The true and heavenvly wisdom consisteth in well understanding of things, and judging aright of the same: for when we do not understand things, we are fools and not wise men. Therefore the Lord doth admonish his auditors diligently to search of Antichrist, to the intent that they might keep themselves from him. For these which receive the mark of the beast, and worship his image, shall drink of the wine of god's wrath. But all those which (detest his Popedom from the very heart) follow and embrace Christ jesus and his holy gospel, shall drink altogether with him on his table the drink of life, and of the gra●● of God in his kingdom. Hereby we may conclude what great wisdom it is, through which we escape the wr●th of God, and attain to everlasting blessedness. For the holy Ghost saith here incontent by S. john. He that hath wit, count the number of the Beast. That is, they (which are not altogether foolish and deaf, let them count and cast over the number of the beast, let them study and meditate continually on the thing, find fault with it, & abolish that which seemeth marvelous in the sight of the world. Count (saith the Lord) for it is the number of a man, that is such a number as the careful and diligent man may easily find out. God commandeth here expressly, that we must search and count. Therefore they may well keep their peace (saith Aretes) which blame and slander our godly study, diligent labour and great pains which we take to write against the Pope and his adherents, and his false detestable doctrine: saying that the time is not well employed, when we go about to cast over the time, & count the number. For they may evidently see and perceive here, that the holy Ghost doth command us to search out, to try, and to make an account, to know whom to hold for the right and wicked Antichrist: him namely which (having dismissed and put down three Kings,) is of nothing come up and exalted above all, and especially to the subversion and throwing down of Christ's true religion, hath begun to reign and rule.  
And his number is six hundred, three score and six. For so many make these letters in the Greek tongue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The name Latino's, Latinus, comprehendeth the number of six hundredth three score and six. And it is well and very credible (saith the holy Martyr Irene,) that his name should be so called, for so much as his dominion hath that name, and are all Latinists that rule and govern there. We see here of a truth, that this godly teacher being full of the spirit of god hath not failed to foretell the true meaning of the holy Ghost in this behalf. For it is evident that the Romish church, is called the Latin church, and the Pope sovereign and supreme head of the same. Wé see also that all things in this Church, are done in Latin. And in their spiritual courts, (as they call them) nothing but Latin is used and spoken: no man may serve in this church, except he be a Latinist. Moreover they call Hebrew to be Iudaike or Jewish, and the Greek erroneous or heretiquish: yea they hold the Hebrew and Greek Bible to be suspected, and straightly charge and command their Latin (falsely called jeromes' translation) to be of every one embraced and holden for the best. Which thing is so manifestly known, that it hath no need of any further exposition. This number of 666. is signified by some Greek words, (for this prophesy was written first in the Greek tongue) as Anthemos, that is: against the glory of god. Also it is signified by Aruine, whereby is noted a denier or forsaker of God. And Titan, that is the son or the name of Nembroth the tyrant. These three names or words, although they sound divers, yet they do comprehend no more nor less than the just number, and all this may be made agreeable and approved by scripture and reason. For he that is not with Christ, is against him. Some expositors leaving the Greeke words, have practised, to their own advantage a Latin word, namely Lux, containing the numbered aforesaid with the counting letters, which signifieth (as they name it themselves) the light, or a spiritual company, where in deed they resemble nothing less: for they are very darkness which in no wise will receive the light, but seek to extinguish the light with all manner of cruelty and torments. We might bring in here besides these names two other names of Antichrist, namely Diabolus incarnatus, and Filius perditionis, which signify Devil incarnate, and child of perdition: Where as in the one lack but four of the numbered, and the other six, counting those letters, which are commonly numbered. But amongst so many words above mentioned, is none fit and better to the purpose than the word Aruine, containing a great mystery, an● is as much to say, as I deny, or I forsake. It is manifest then, that these have received the mark and sign of the beast, or else are sealed with the numbered of his name, which when they hear God's truth revealed unto them, say: I will not hear of it, nor believe any part of it, so long as it agreeth not with the doctrine and gay Ceremonies of our holy father the pope, & our mother the Romish church.  

Upon the twelve Sonnet or vision.  
I saw (saith S. john) a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast. 
Revel. 17.  This woman did a far off seem to be honest & virtuous, but in deed she was far otherwise, as ye shall hear. 
reave 12.14  
●. These. 2.  This beast is that great Antichrist (of whom we have spoken right now) or rather the body of the devil, containing within him the Pope, Cardinals, patriarchs, legates, bishops, doctors, abbots, priors, canons, Monks, friars prebendaries, priests, indulgences, bulls, nuns, and the rest of all such devilish sects, being full of hypocrisy and dissimulation, reigning within the whole Popedom. In like manner all Magistrates, and secular powers (that fortify and defend, as well the Pope himself, as also the abominations and detestable idolatry which the romish church doth use) be he Emperor, King, or Prince, Duke, Earl, or Lord, Mayor, judge, Chancellor, Bailie, Constable, or whatsoever, that maintain, defend and uphold by force and violence any thing against God and his truth. Of whose number I myself have been sometime, and that (to mine own great grief be it spoken) through mere ignorance, thinking to do God great service. Whereof I am now ashamed and most earnestly repent me, and am sorry for it. And I pray God that this, nor any of the rest of my sins, be laid unto my charge, but that he will pardon me through his infinite goodness and mercy, in the name of his dearly beloved Son jesus Christ, our only saviour and redeemer. And I thank him from the bottom of my heart, that it hath pleased him of his mercy, without my deservings, to have called me with the Apostle S. Paul, out of the shadow of death and the company of his enemies, to the knowledge of his eternal wisdom in the fellowship of his true spouse his church. Of these I say, which seek not themselves, nor any thing in this world, but seek the glory of him that bought them, and the accomplishment of his kingdoms counted in the sight of the world, as outcasts, but glorious in the sight of God. This beast is whole of the colour of scarlet reddish, in token of great tyranny, shedding of blood and murders, which they commit against those which will not agree to their wicked & devilish institutions. She is also full of ignominious blasphemous names: as, your holiness, your clemency, your lordship, your fatherhod, your mastership, your serenity, your worthiness, honour, reverence, magnificence, bounty, vicar of God● spiritual lord, physician of the soul, defen●er of the faith, supreme head of the church, and many ot●er, as it is se●ne daily by their letters and writings. Moreover their too too much knowle trumperies, and jack an Ape's plays, are no less blasphemous than processions, confirmations, greasyngs, purgatory, Masses for all souls, pilgrimages, pardons, matins ave Maria stella, or Salue regina, Placebo, Candlemas, Palm sunday. etc.  
This beast had seven heads, and ten horns, signifying all his subtle practices, his crafty fetches and false conspiracies, thereby to impeach and withstand the graces of God, and gifts of the holy Ghost: And under a cloak of authority, through tyramnish violence resist the commandments of God. And this woman was aray●d in purple, and gilded with gold and precious stones and pearls. Which signifieth their copes of gold, corporal, stoales, staves, mitres etc. and other like trumperies of silk, purple, crimson satin, red coloured, bordered with gold, pearls and precious stones, and above this, their counterfeit piety and show of holiness. This painted, pampered up, and so gaily decked Romish church bragged and boasted much of her Gospel and her Apostles, of gold, silver, wood or stone, decked and arrayed with all kind of costliness, which is but an outward appearance, for they look for nothing less than to imitate or follow, and to express them in their conversation.  
She had a cup of gold in her hand full of abomination and filthiness of her fornication. This cup, is her false and cursed Religion, 
2. Tim. 4.  which she daily communicateth, distributed about the Chalice, 
2. Thess. 2.  which her merchants do so wickedly abuse. 
●. Tim. 3.  It containeth all kind of false and devilish doctrine, all kind of errors, lies, and beastliness, all manner of crafty works of hypocrites, all manner of inventions of fleshly wisdom, all man's witty devices, either by craft, art, or otherwise invented, as also all strange kind of worshipping, of idolatry, fornication, sodometry, and all other kind of iniquity. Outwardly she seemeth to be gilded, she reporteth yea & boasteth to set forth the glory of God, namely the magnfying of the name of Christ. 
Coloss. 2.  They say, 
Heb. 10.  they preach the sacred Scripture, they live in chastity, 
Rom. 2.  and all is nothing else, but a false, a counterfeit, and deceitful show of holiness, full of hypocrisy and dissimulation, a cover or cloak of all mischief and abomination, 
2. Cor. 3.  it is but the bare letter, and the only name, as the rest of all their doings are.  
And in her forehead was a name written, a mystery, great Babylon. A name declaring what manner of woman she is. She is known well enough by her naughty fruits, of such as are skilful of godly knowledge, and have also the spirit of understanding. So that they being illuminated, conducted and led by the spirit of GOD, may easily perceive, judge, and know, according unto the Scriptures, that she is nothing else but an unshamefast and pestiferous whore, full of all iniquity, abomination and wickedness. But this judgement is hidden from the Infidels, the which are so bewitched and enchanted by the means of their fair outward show, their humble kneeling, creeping, and gay Ceremonies, that what soever she doth, speaketh, or commandeth and taketh in hand, they make much of it, worship and embrace it, as holy, honest & perfect good: which thing God permitted for their unbeliefs sake.  
She is called mother of whoredoms and abominations of the earth, 
Revel. 17.  much passing the town of the Chaldees in all kind of wickedness, for she is the mother and fountain both of spiritual and carnal whoredom and abomination. And I saw that she was the married wife of the devil. For I saw her drunk of the blood of Saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of jesus, which she outrageously and most severely hath persecuted and slain.  
And when I saw her so, I marveled with great marvel, not only because I saw her defiled and sprinkled of murder and shedding of innocent blood, but also because of her great and abominable blasphemies. 
Psalm. 85.  And most of all, I was above measure amazed and marveled, 
john .4.  
Rom. 2.  that almighty God could or would suffer or permit so long her intolerable wickedness and detestable and horrible impiety. This woman is called of the Angel, the great whore: that great City which ruled over the kings of the earth, namely Rome. It is no marvel though she be called that great whore, for no where was at any time more strange and superstitious, worshippings, vain institutions, cold & trifling ceremonies, besides sects, errors, and false Prophets, yea so many kind of uncleamnesses reigned in her, more than ever did reign in Sodom or Gomorre, or the miserable land of Egypt. This Babylonish whore or disguised synagogue of these shaven and greased ones, sitteth upon many waters, which is, many foolish, inconstant, and wavering people, and not upon those which are grounded upon the sure rock of God's word, and the true doctrine of the articles of the christian faith. With this most wicked, vile, and stinking whore and common strumpet to all men, have the most mighty Kings, Princes and Potentates, committed spiritual whoredom, in that they consent to divers and sundry kinds of their strange, new found, and altogether superstitious Ceremonies, and other their most wicked decrees. Here if I should make a discourse of all that might be spoken of in this place, time should fail me. My purpose & meaning at this present, is only to make a short exposition and declaration upon these our visions, and that in as few words as is possible, to the consolation & edification of all godly and faithful Christians. Seeing then, what through the subtlety & crafty fetches of Babel's priests on the one side, and what for the cruel & strait plackets of Princes on the other side: the dwellers upon earth or the worldly minded, are all drunk of the wine of her wickedness and abomination, and spiritual whoredom. They are all fallen without the prescript rule of God's holy word, to a strange and new found kind of serving of God. Moreover, not only these as covetous, carnal, and other wicked and sinful persons have followed their abominations, but also an infinite number even of the elect and chosen of god, have been entangled, yea and have given credit to their false lies and errors. They were so nuzzled, and busily occupied with their fond and feigned traditions, with their naughty customs and inventions, that they more like senseless persons, without any discretion or understanding, yea without any respect of God's holy word, wandered from all godliness & grace. Not only have they stooped, bowed, and kneeled before stocks and stones, lighting candles before it, made Crosses, blessing it, kissing it, & held up their hands to it, but also have put their confidence in it. Nevertheless it shall not continue always, for it followeth. 
Esay. 45.  The ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast: 
Baruc. 6.  Signifying the Kings, Princes, and their subjects, 
jerem. 2.  which heretofore were favourers, servants, 
Revel. 15.  and maintainers of the Romish church, seeking to do good to that whore, yea to their own damage and hindrance, because of the good will and blind zeal they bore unto her: Even as a man which loveth a light and an unhonest woman, is through her love and allurements, so blinded, that he considereth not her unhonest behaviour, nor can mislike any thing in her, but frameth himself always to her pleasure, friendship or service, and so much as in him lieth, hating, contemning, and putting to death, through unlawful love, (wherewith she hath bewitched him) all them which (meaning his wealth) warn him of her, and tell him of his fault how he is deceived and greatly misused: setting before his eyes her fraud, falsehood, unshamefastness, feignedness, and unfaithfulness, all which he cannot judge of, until his eyes be open, and his understanding illuminated by the grace of God, so that when he perceiveth how he was beguiled and deceived, he hateth and defieth her the more. Even so are now a days the eyes of many Princes and Kings, Countries, Towns and Cities, and other well disposed opened, and their hearts are touched by the mighty working of gods holy spirit, and by the means of preaching & hearing of the word of God, so that now they defy the whore with all her traditions and abominations which they were wont to maintain and defend so willingly. Yea those I say which for very blind zeal and love which they bore unto her, were contented to kiss her feet, shallbe as now her mortal and deadly enemies. They shall not pass upon her authority: they shall condemn her usages: they shall take from her the Realm and dominion which she now unjustly possesseth: they shall deny her tribute and obeisance, or to do her any homage, and at length shall leave her desolate and comfortless. This shall not Princes only do, but Kings and other temporal Magistrates, yea even the metropolitans, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops and Prelates. Of which, many ensamples are at this instant to be found. And more followers of these ensamples, will be hereafter. Which albeit they were the horns of the beast to defend that whore withal, yet shall they so abolish her, mislike her, and forsake her, that at length she shall be left whole naked. They shall chase, pursue, and hunt the Babylonish whore of Rome, with the clear trump of God's holy word, that she shall become pale and colourlesse, ready to sound.  
Cal to remembrance what God hath wrought by his servants, john Wicliffe, john Hus, Martin Luther, Oecolampadie, Zwinglie, Melancton, Capito, Bucer, Calvin, Theodore de Beza, Viret, Peter Martyr, Bullinger, Alasco, Brentius Regius, and other more. All which have brought low their Relics, Crucifixes & Idols, (which they call saints,) abbeys, Purgatory, Masses for all souls and Indulgences. And moreover God shall raise some not inferior to them, which shall make so much a do, and bring her to such a fall, that she shall not be able to recover again, so that no man shall regard her any more, neither shall there be any found to set her up again. They shall strip her naked, that so many as behold her, may cry out upon her, & detest her, and finally consume her flesh. Moreover they shall, besides the taking away from her all temporal revenues, rents, and all other worldly pleasures, confound her perverse and carnal judgement of the scriptures, and so consequently consume and make weak the keeping and observing of all her whorish Ceremonies. Last of all, they shall all to burn her with fire, and bring to nought the whole mass of their Decrees, decretals, Canons, Customs, and all other kind of Idolatry. When as all these abominations shall cease, and be gone by the means of the preaching of the Gospel, than this whore shall not be seen any more, because the harlot continueth no longer than her estimation lasteth. Take away their customs and Ceremonies, their jewels and costly raiment, their Images (the light of their dominion) their paternity and estimation, keep back their Altars, their Mass, Bishops, Priests, Mitres, staves, Crosses and Banners: of what estimation (I pray you) shallbe their holy (as they term it) whorish Church? which standeth in nothing else than in outward false show of many gay trifling and vain hypocritical Ceremonies.  
This kind of consuming of the flesh, or this manner of burning, is not only declared by external proofs and evident examples, as it is come to pass in many places in our days to divers Friars. Monks or Priests, which setting themselves for the defence of the Romish church, were killed and slain. And yet shall it be with them, even as Baal's Priests with the prophet Helias about the river Rison, but are yet spiritually by a mystery of that which hath been foretold. For the Fowls, as ye shall hear, shall consume her flesh. For god hath (saith the Angel) put in their hearts to fulfil his will. God hath given by inspiration of his holy spirit in the minds of those aforesaid, and such like persons, to accomplish in this behalf his secret will and pleasure. Namely to root out wholly and altogether that false and hypocritical religion, to suffer no longer the enormity and foul abomination of that Antichrist. After all these manifold Revelations, 
Revel. 1●.  I saw an other angel (saith S. john,) signifying the true ministers and preachers sent in these our days. As also in the uj Chapter of the Revelation, 
reve. .6.  is made mention of the Angel which had the seal of the living God. Again in the ten chapter, 
reve. 10.  of the angel which was environed with the cloud, and in the xiiij Chapter, 
Revel. 14.  of the Angel which published and cried out the fall of Babylon, coming from heaven downward All which is to declare that the godly preachers are sent of God (having received great power, 
john .1. ●●.  
Acts .13.  
Mar. 3.  
Acts .18.  
Rom. 12.  
john .6.  
●say .11. Esay. 9 10.  fervent zeal, and steadfastness of the spirit of God) to declare and pronounce the will of god valiantly, to the overthrow of that pestilent whore. For like as the father hath the life within him, even so hath his son Christ jesus also, and in him live his servants, without any fear. And the earth was light of his brightness. Not of the Angel which was but a Messenger, was the earth lightened, but of the power which was given unto him. Where Gods word is once truly preached, there the whole earth is lightened of the brightness of the glory of God. And this Angel cried aloud, she is fallen. That great Babylon, which was so proud, hie minded, & so common a whore, that blasphemous synagogue of the hypocrites, is turned upside down. She is by the just judgement of God, brought to great ignomy and shame. Her first overthrow was, 
john .16.  when as the prince of this world was overcome and vanquished through the death of our saviour jesus Christ. Consider and ponder we●●●● your mind, the destruction of jerusalem, after what sort the jewish service ceased, and took an end: namely when the material temple was thrown down, 
●uke .19.  and not one stone left upon an other. Now in this our time, she shall have a more sharper and severe judgement through the publishing & preaching of gods word, to the comfort of all believers. Which although it be somewhat as it were deferred, yet let them be as well assured of this her judgement to come, as we know and certainly believe the other to be come. Cal to remembrance, and compare this place with the haling & plucking down of abbeys, Friaries, and other religious houses (as they call them) in Germany, England, and in other places, and make your accounts, that more and more sorrows shall happen, and surely fall upon her shortly. The occasion of her fall, and the desolation be●ore the lord, is this: She is become a dwelling place to devils, 
Esay. ●2.  more than ever she was before her first fall, for now enter they a great many at once, yea well seven for one.  
And she is become a keeper of unclean spirits. For all manner of Idolatry is maintained and kept by her spiritual Courtiers and holy father's (as they call them) as be their Bishops and priest's. Here reigneth Simony, 
Acts. ●.  buying and selling of benefices, sacrilege, 
Galat. 5.  usury, ambition, fraud, covetousness, desire of money, 
Ephe. 3.  & to shed blood, envy, malice, lechery, gluttony, pride, uncleanness, and all other wickedness. She is become a safeguard or cage of all unclean and execrable birds. 
Gene. 18. 1●  For in her dwelleth the adulterous Bishops, the buggerous Cardinals, and lecherous Prelates, and a heap of Sodomitish Monks and Friars, Nuns, and Sisters. All these compareth Esay the Prophet to wild beasts: 
Esay. 34.  namely to Dragons, Ostriches, Eagles, Monkeys, Owls, Mermaids, and other ravenous and greedy birds, and monstruous and strange beasts: for amongst them hath been used always, and is yet at this present, all manner of vain and foolish toys, as mockings, scoffings and jestings, with crossing, conjuring, gazing, singing, playing, and divers other foolish & strange fashions to mock God withal. Hear we might speak and rehearse many things: Namely of the keeping of their stews, and how they go a whoring two manner of ways: whereunto we might join and declare what gain and profit the ruffian prelate's get thereby. As it is to be seen, namely at Rome, what revenues and rents, that great and sovereign ru●●ian getteth by his whores. And afterward of the drowning and killing of children, and secretly murdering, and casting in corners and ditches, as is usually practised amongst these riggish and lecherous prelate's.  
It is ●allen. For all the kindreds and nations of the world, except a very few of simple and silly souls, which god through his unspeakable goodness, mercy and grace hath chosen and predestinated to himself, Have dro●k●n of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, Because they have not rendered thanks to almighty God, when occasion, opportunity and time served, therefore they are fallen into that bottomless pit of all error and abomination, to the loss both of body and soul. They have very carefully and narrowly searched to run a whoring after their hurtful and damnable witchcrafts and enchantments, believing and crediting their false doctrine and teachings, and so consequently apply themselves to express it in their conversation and living.  
And the Kings of the earth, 
Psalm. 13.  not having before their eyes the love and fear of God, 
jerem. 3.  
Eze 16.  have committed formcation with this vile and filthy whore. 
Oseas .2.  Yielding themselves to many false, 
Revel. 18.  Idolatrous, and strange worshippings. In such sort, that by the teachings, admonitions, and persuasions of their holy fornicators, they have broken the bond of peace, 
Esay. 54.  and have warred against the true children of God. 
Eze. 17.  Which notwithstanding that they have wrongfully molested and troubled, scornfully entreated and mocked, violently oppressed and persecuted, have yet (chase and banishing them) confiscated their lands and goods, turning their wives and little children out of the doors a begging. Above all this, so murder they and slay all such as they can catch, and shed very much innocent blood, as hanging, drowning, or burning them most cruelly without any cause, yea without any remorse of conscience, 
Luke .16.  even as if there were neither hell nor heaven, God nor devil, life nor death, and as if there were no judgement, 
Rom. 4.  or no accounts to be given before God of all their doings and cruelty. Also their mitred merchants, and shaven massmongers, factors and sellers of men's souls, are waxed very rich and wealthy by selling of their Oil, Cream, Salt, Holy water, Shrift, Candles, Blessings, Crosses, Banners, Ashes, Palms, Incense, Wax, Beads, Bulls, and Pardons, letters of Dispensation to contract Matrimony, licences to eat flesh, eggs, butter. etc. All which not God, but they upon pain of everlasting damnation, to their own commodity and profit have forbidden. Of like quality are their Images, Ringing of Bells, their Relics, Bones of departed Saints, and other like things. Whereby, and by many other of their feigned holiness, they are become (through the abundance of their goods and richesses) so lusty, spiteful, proud and lofty, that they have obtained the possession and governing of Countries and Realms, of Cities, Fortresies and Castles, and m●ny other pleasant places, Woods, Warrennes, Parks, Farms, Conduits, Fountains, Hounds, Horses, and Mules. So that in authority and power, in riches, and substance, and in all kind of pleasant things, they are nothing inferior to Kings and Princes.  
Moreover, they are not ashamed to take other men's wives to fulfil their most filthy and unsatiable desires, yea honest men's daughters, maidens, and servants, yea and young men too, which they most abominably and shamefully defile, mar and spoil. I leave you to consider what gains Bishops & Prelates gather of the first fruits of the tenths, of Bulls, Pardons, and resigning of benefices. Again it can not well be told, what gold and silver they get by singing and saying of their Collects, by going and gathering of their yearly Offerings, and the great livings, revenues and rents, which their Cathedral Churches, Abbeys, Religious houses and Covents have, so that in all things they pass the wealthiest. There is no kind of pleasure come it never so far off, be it never so dear and costly, but they will have a taste of it. Notwithstanding, they can play so well the hypocrites at their sermons, that it seemeth they regard nothing less than the vanity of this world, and praise above measure fasting and abstinence. 
Math. 6.  But they have their reward here, and shall hereafter have their portion with the dissemblers and hypocrites, where shall be weeping, wring of hands, and gnashing of teeth.  
And I h●ard another voice, an other warning of the spirit, whereby the true and faithful ministers of God are instructed and taught, warning us and saying: 
● Esd. ●.  Go out of her my people, come away with Esdras out of that wicked Babylon, 
Gene 19  go forth with Abraham out of Chaldee, 
●say .52.  run and fly with Loath out of filthy Sodom●, and meddle no more with that whorish Church of Rome, deny, forsake, and detest wholly her false and feigned holiness, her foul and filthy ceremonies, abhor her dissimulation and hypocrisy, curse and ban their trifles and jestings, and have no fellowship more with these whoremongers, Nicolaites, & Balaamites. Lift up, and repent from the bottom of your hearts your former folly and abominations which you have done in times past, and come to me (saith the Lord) all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I shall refresh you. Get ye away from among them, without looking behind you, that ye be not partakers of their sins, which is the vengeance and ire of God's wrath, and indignation. At all times and seasons there have been holy and godly men, and well learned fathers, which through their excellent and divine works and writings have exhorted and cried (especially since the coming up of the Pope) for redress and reformation of the church, for the amendment of many faults, and to see brotherly exhortation and christian discipline used in the same. As by Bertrandus Herebaldus, Berengarius Thuronensis, Bruno Andegavensis, Peter Damianus, Valeriane Medeburgensis, Bernardus Clarevalensis, Robertus Tuitiensis, joachim Abbas, Cyrillus Graecus, joannes Salisburgensis, Gilbertus Lantcestrius, Angelus Hierosolimitanus, Guilhelmus de sancto Aniore, Guido Bonatus, Nicolaus Gallus, Hubertinus de Casali, Pelius Casali, Petrus, joannes, Marcilius Patavinus, joannes Paris, Arnoldus de villa nova, Michael Caesenas, Gulielmus Occam, Nicolaus de Luca, Marcus de Florentia, joannes wiclefus, joannes Hus, Michael de Bononia, joannes Hildeshem, Dantes Aligerius, Franciscus Petrarcha, Nicolaus Clemadis, Petrus de Aliaco, joannes Gerson, Laurentius Valla, Lodovicus Arelatensis, joannes Segebius, Thomas Redonensis Gallus, Mattheus Palmarius, David Boys, Dionysius Chartusianus, joannes Miluerto, joannes Gorchius, joannes de Vsalia Wormacensis, joannes Ghyler, joannes Crutser, Wessalus Groenegensis, Aeneas Silvius, Redoricus Samorensis, julianus Brixiensis, and Hieronymus Savonarola. Beside these there be other which are of our time, as joannes Reuchlin, Baptista Mantuanus, Baptista Panetius, johannes Crestonus, Erasmus, Lutherus, Zwinglius, calvinus, and more other. All which, the Papists for the most part have condemned for heretics. To rehearse here their writings, their reasons and testimonies, it would require to much time, I must therefore leave it behind. I have only rehearsed some of their names to this end and purpose, that it might appear to the Reader, that at all times God hath had one or other, that hath not been in all points consenting to their blasphemies. Albeit, the light of God's truth was not then so perfectly revealed unto them as it is now a days (God be praised) unto us. Many godly and virtuous Emperors & Princes, have by general Counsels, and by all other means possible assayed and proved to have a refourmation and amendment made of all absurdities, and abuses, which were crept into the church, but they have always met with wicked and ungodly princes which resisted them and letted them of their virtuous enterprises, which also maintained those antichrists in their impiety & wickedness, defending them with tooth and nail to the uttermost: nevertheless it is without any doubt, that these, as Pharaoh, with all his power in the red Sea, and as that proud kind of Pharisees and priests of the jews in the City, because of their manifest blasphemies perished, so shall likewise at the hour and time of God appointed, all these perish and vanish away. For the sins of this whore, or the innumerable blasphemies of this false religion, the great abomination and filthy idolatry, the burning, hanging, drowning, and shedding of innocent blood, are come up into Heaven, 
●poc. 1●.  there to desire the vengeance of God, for their uncleanness & vnsh●mefastnesse, hath caused & provoked God's wrath and indignation against them. And God hath remembered their iniquities, The multitude & greatness whereof are come up into heaven Therefore have they most justly deserved the threatened plagues of the most righteous God, no less than Sodom and Gomorre, 
●en. 19  for their transgression and wickednesses: which when it was foretold them, made light of it, and went forward to all mischief, until God pouring out his vengeance, destroyed them with fire and brimstone.  
Reward her even as she hath rewarded you, Measure unto her again with such measure as she did measure unto you. Take ye good heed, and look narrowly, ye that have gotten the judgement seat: Cry upon her, even as she did cry upon you, snare her, as she hath snared you. Again, as she hath heretofore wrongfully molested and troubled you, scornfully entreated, yea, and by her Traditions judged and condemned you even unto death, so now do ye likewise rebuke her, and exhort her of her wickedness, 
Math. 5.10.  judge her like a very harlot, 
john .6.  and condemn her by the mighty and true word of God to everlasting fire, 
1. Corin. 4.  which can not be quenched. And give her double according to her works. And in the cup that she hath filled to you fill her the double. That is, render unto her double in all punishments, and give unto her even for worldly punishments which she hath brought upon the elect of God, hellish torments. For corporal and bodily troubles and vexations, eternal pains and torment of the mind: for the blame and ignominy of this world, perpetual shame and confusion: for temporal death, everlasting damnation both of body and soul.  
And the cup. etc. That is all kind of troubles, adversities and miseries which she filled to you out of her cup, that is, caused to come upon you, shallbe doubled to her again: for (as it is said) she shall receive for temporal evils, everlasting. The holy Ghost calleth here double, that which is without comparison, even as a little time to no time or everlastingness. Her pleasure and joy shall be converted into sorrows and griefs, her merry and pleasant talk, her jestings and laughings into weeping, mourning, wring of hands and gnashing of teeth. Her commandings shall be turned into craving, her reverence into contempt, her honour into shame. etc. For she hath pretended moste feignedly an holy kind of priesthood, she boasteth and braggeth much o● that which they are furthest from. She hath usurped and wrongfully taken upon her, and proudly claimed unto her a royal majesty and highness. Which two kind of dignities she hath yet worse used: let her therefore wait and attend on the plagues and punishments due unto her pernicious temerity and arrogancy. Take away her pleasant Euphrates, with the spoil and great revenues, wherewithal she hath hitherto so unjustly maintained and kept herself, and throw her in the deep pit of all miseries and wretchedness. 
Esay. 47.  
Math. 11. 2●  For she saith in her heart, I sit being a Queen, 
Math. 16.  environed with joy and pleasure, I am the chief of the universal world, on me dependeth the Catholic and holy Church, I have authority and power in Heaven, earth, and Hell: I have also might to bind and to loose, to save and condemn: It standeth not with me, as it doth with th●se that be not of this world, for all things here are at my commandment.  
I am no widow, I am not desolate. The highest powers and governors of this world do assist and defend me, putting to death all those that lay against me. Nero, Domitian, trajan, or Maxence were never more addicted to the defence of my predecessors, than are now adays the Princes of our time ready to maintain with fire and faggot my Decrees, Traditions and Ceremonies. Therefore I shall see no mourning. I shall continue always, I shall be called Madam at all times: 
Deut. 8.  my kingdom shall abide for ever, my seat shall no man take away from me, I shall never fall, nor any evil can come upon me. After this sort, boast (with no small presumption) our Papists also, saying: That the little vessel of Sain●● Peter may well by the reason of weather and tempest be shaken, and with the waves of the sea troubled, but never can be overwhelmed or perish: hereby going about to prove that their superstitious and romish church should abide still, and never be overthrown. But they consider not of what ability and power the Lamb is, which abideth upon the mount Zion, against whom they stick and make war against continually: whose congregation and little flock they persecute daily with great tyranny, cruelty, and rigorousness. Therefore shall her plagues come at one day. God shall once pour upon this wicked race & malignant church, Death, sorrows, hunger and sw●rde● even as he did send upon the sinful City's ●ire and Brimstone. They shallbe deprived for ever of the life which is in Christ jesus, 
Gen 19  
Exod. 9  they shall remain in sobs and tears, 
Psal. 11.  t●ey shall not cease to mourn, to wring their hands, 
Collos. 3.  and gnash their teeth, 
Math. 24.  they shall be inheritors o● everlasting darkness, 
Mark .9.  their worm shall never die, they shall hunger and never be satisfied. 
Math. 25.  And this whore with the whole generation of hypocrites shall be burnt with unquenchable fyr●, prepared for the devil and his angels. This sentence is not so severe as true, for the Lord who shall judge them, is of power and might: 
Psalm. 50.  he is holy and faithful in mercy, true in his word and promise, 
Rom. ●.  marvelous in all his works, 
Dan. 5.  fearful, 
Levi. 10.  terrible and righteous in his iudgement● against the wicked. 
Deut. 1.  No man then shall be able in those days to withdraw any part of the threatened vengeance of his wrath from the evil doer. Neither our Lady with casting of her b●ades into the balances of S. Michael, neither S. john Baptist, with his lamb holding a cross, neither S. Peter with his Key, nor S. Paul, with his sword (as they use to make them) yea and if Moses, Samuel, and the rest of the Prophets, with Noah, David, and job, would make intercession yet should they not be heard. And the Kings of the earth, namely the worldly and carnal Princes which have committed fornication, and lived in pleasure with her, in all uncleanness and filthiness, shall bewail her, when they shall see her overthrown and so ill entreated, it shall grieve them sore, that they may or can not maintain and defend her with water, fire and sword against ●od and his saints, for they shall be nothing well pleased with the ordinances and institutions of Christ, because they do hate nothing more than the works of the spirit, that is, to frame their lives according to the will of God. It shall anger them to the heart, that they are not able to burn still and slay all those that speak, writ, or preach against the deeds of the flesh and do reprove them of their fornication, adultery, and their mischievous and inordinate life, and rebuke them of their most abominable idolatry.  
And lament over her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning. 
Revel. 1●.  And shall stand a far of, for fear of her torments, crying and saying: Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty City. Alas, our mother the holy Church of Rome, so many holy fathers, Popes, Cardinals, and bishops: Alas, for our Monks, Canons, and Friars with their so holy, so devout and strait lives and rude garments. Alas, for so many Pardons, Indulgences, and confessions, so many principal buy Feasts, Holy days, and gay Copes and Garments. Alas for our holy Water, holy candles, holy Palms, holy Ashes, hallowed Bells, organs play, and prick song, and the res● of our so gay ceremonies. With these and the like words shall they bewail her, trembling and quaking for fear, & crying out on this manner: woe, woe, to that strong & great city Babylon, the mighty city: for in one hour is thy judgement come. 
2. Thess. 2.  Thou art suddenly perished with the sword of his mouth, before thou canst be aware of it. Alas, who shall now pray for us? who shall now sing our Diriges, masses of Requiem, and do the funerals for our soul? Whether shall we go now to thrift? who shall now absolve and pardon us our sins? where sh●ll we now fetch our ashes? Who shall consecrate us our Candles and Palms? who shall sing or ring and cast holy water at our burials, and redeem us out of purgatory? Such shall be the complaints of the wicked and faithless persons.  
And the merchants of the earth, which do make any traffic of the merchandise of their Temple (which place doth serve them in stead of the market) as well amongst the Mahometistes, as the Papists. But because we are most troubled and molested here in Europe, of that popish Antechriste, we shall endeavour to speak as we have done hitherto most of him. These merchants then (I say) shall bewail her, and mourn over her, very sore, and much more than the Kings did. For no man buyeth their ware any more. their pedlary is nothing set by any more The wares or merchandises of their shops, are Masses, prayers, blessings, Crosses, their cakes, great and small, which they sell (to get the more, as it is esteemed) in steed of God their maker, Holy bread, holy water, Candles, relics, Pardons, S●ala coeli, Diriges, Annuaries, and divers other like, whereby they get the very sweat and blood of the poor silly souls. All which they sell for good mo●ey daily, and yet they keep nevertheless: For the people have but the hearing, the eye sight, or a taste of trifles.  
And every Ship master, and all the people that occupy ships, and shipmen, and whosoever travail on the sea, sh●ll stand afar of: That is to say, all Bishops, Ordinaries, Abbots, Parsons, vicars and Massing Priests, and other like, living on the sea: Of these wavering, blind and zealous people, all these (saith the voice) stood a ●arre of, even as the merchants did, and cried. In like manner When they saw the smoke of the burning, saying: What City was like unto this great City in riches, power, wealth, and voluptuousness? No Prince or lord is better entertained, of all things better provided, and more attendance given upon him than these shavelings be. For their trust and confidence is only in this City, this is their God: Herein consisteth their whole felicity and blessedness.  
These Shipmen shall (because of their great loss) so weep and wail, that men shall cast dust upon their foolish and fond witless heads, that is to say. They shall be so wrapped in darkness, that they shall not see in their understanding because of their unbelief, and also their knowledge shall be made dull, blunt, and beastly, by the means of jealousy, fury, and rage. All this shall they do, to show their great grief: as for their repentance, 
Gen. 4.  it shall be like unto that of Caius, Pharaoh, Esau, Antiochus, 
Exod. 8. 9 10. 11. 12.  and judas, their predecessors. And in their sorrow, 
Math. 26.  they shall complain on this manner: Alas, alas, that great City, that worthy and most famous Rome, that sweet and pleasant Babylon, our holy mother, wherein we were made so rich, so proud, so mighty and glorious, that all the world did dread, honour and serve us, and we felt no trouble, no kind of adversity, or misery, is now made desolate, she is fallen. The apples that thy soul lusted after, are departed from thee, the learned, the wise and men of understanding which thou for the maintenance of thy beautified whoredom desiredst (saith the menacing voice of the holy Ghost) are now departed from thee, and will not (since they have seen and considered thy great abomination) have to do with thee any more, but they shall forsake and leave thee, curse and abolish thee quite: and where as they were wont to praise, ma●● much o●, and magnify thee before the world, shall now defy th●●, yea, and (by the testimony of the holy and sacred Scripture) rebuke, condemn and confound th●e. Of the common sort also men of an ●onest and civil lice, which were wont to defend thee, nothing suspecting but thinking that all these trumperies, and beggarly Ceremonies were profitable and necessary to be observed (notwithstanding that thy life and conversasation was wicked and too too heinous) shall speak against thee, & fly from thee as soon as their eyes and understanding by the virtue of the spirit of God shallbe opened, 
Math. 6.  seeing that thou art detestable and devilish. 
Gala●. ●.  Briefly, no man, have he never so little a taste of God's holy word, 
1 Tim 4  shallbe able to abide thee, 
2. Tim. 4.  or suffer thy manifest whoredom any longer: for thy upholders are but dissemblers, men plesers, flatterer's, ra●ling sophists, Scoffers, brawling Canonists, Sorbonists, Epicures, Libertines, and other ungodly and slanderous persons, very Antichrists. Touching honest, sober, 
1. Tim. 3.  discrete and virtuous persons, busy in godly works, 
1. Tim. 5.  fearing God, and seeking his glory from the bottom of their hearts, which also desire with all their strength, zeal, and fervency to set forth the same, they shall leave and renounce all thy pestiferous & dangerous ways. These gross and fat ship men, and mariners shall say yet. Woe, woe, Alas, alas, that great City wherein we were m●de rich, all that had ships on the sea, by her costliness, for in one hour she is made desolate. We which had Bishoprics, abbeys, Benefices, Prebendaries, and great Revenues, amongst these foolish unsteadfast, and worldly minded people, waxed by all manner of ways wealthy and rich, through the dear and costly wares which our ships were laden withal on every side, which are innumerable. We (I say) are in great heaviness, and in such a perplexity when we remember of that so great and famous City, as we are not able to express, because of her so sudden fall, being in one hour.   

¶ The .14. vision containing the just judgement of god over the assembly of Antichrist, and that gracious vengeance of the innocent blood of his good and faithful servants: which I have taken out of the xix chapter of the Revelation, where it beginneth in this manner.  
I Saw the heavens open: that is to say. The mysteries of God were showed me, 
reve. 19 11.  and his secrets were fully declared and expounded unto me, I perceive that through faith and humbleness, great knowledge of the mysteries of God wer● obtained. 
●say. 66.  
wisdom .11  For the heavens are opened when God's word is freely preached, 
M●th. 11.12.  and are shut up when it is not preached, or not regarded, but in the stead of it, men are fed with dreams and lies. And behold a white horse appeared unto me. Hereby are meant the true and faithful ministers of the word of God: whose office and condition is, (as S. Paul saith) to announce throughout all the whol● world this heavenly doctrine, 
2. Corin. 1.  and instruct, teach, & admonish both great and small. And he that sat upon him, wa● called faithful and true. This is the only and true son of God which is called faithful, just, and true, 
Math. 16.  because h● is found faithful, 
Acts .9.  and unfallible in his promises and word, 
Psal. 145. 1● Psalm. ●●.  for the Lord (saith the Psalmist) is very righteous in all his ways, true in his sayings, perfect in all his doings. He cannot but teach a right, and speak a troth, 
Rom. 9  for he is the truth himself. 
john .14. john .16.  No more cannot those which are endued with his spirit, who leadeth and conducteth them in all truth. He hath done according to justice and equity in condemning that wicked and abominable whore, in destroying that filthy synagogue of Satan, in delivering and exalting his poor afflicted Church. First of all he did fight in his own person, as a worthy Champion against the devil, hell, and damnation, whom he hath overcome, 
Psal. 23.  conquered and vanquished by his own death, and glorious passion. And now doth he overthrow the Devil, 
joh. 16.  and all his adherents, by the means of his faithful servants, distributers of his holy word and mysteries, 
●. Cor. 15.  which he now graciously sends under the figure of the white horse. 
●ohn .12.  For his servants (as Abacuch testifieth) are lusty and well animated horses, 
●ba. 3.  whom the Lord condu●teth, which are (as jeremy calleth them) whiter than snow, by the means of their unfeigned, and undefiled faith. And his eyes were like as a flame of fire, mighty and clear. Whereby is not only understanded his godly wisdom and knowledge, whereby he knoweth and judgeth all things, but also all the heavenly and spiritual gifts of the holy G●ost. Behold saith Zacharie, 
Z●ch. 3.  
1. Cor. 1.  upon the only stone (which S. Paul expoundeth to be Christ,) shallbe vij eyes, which are the vij spirits of god, wherewith god doth lighten the hearts of his chosen, and kindleth the fire of his love in the mind of his faithful. 
Psal. 119.  His word is a lantern to their f●e●e, his law an● testimonies are pure, and undefiled, giving light to the eye. And upon his hea● were many crowns. Even as the same was seen (being a figure of Christ) upon the head of jesus the son of josedech the high Priest, 
1. Esd. 3.  
eccle. 4 9  to signify that jesus Christ is the sovereign and king above all kings, which hath power in heaven and earth for ever. He ruleth and governeth all nations with an ir●n rod. For he is the Lord of hosts, the everlasting king of glory. He is a mighty and puissant governor, setting over the Mount Zion his holy hill. He giveth prosperity and government to Kings, and his elect and chosen are crowned in him with grace and mercy for evermore. For he reserveth in heaven for us, an inheritance immortal and undefiled: 
1. Peter .1.  Again, he hath laid up for them that keep the faith, 
●. Timo. 4.  a crown of righteousness, 
Revel. 2.  and will give a crown of life to them that be faithful unto the death. etc. 
●ames .1.  All warrefares and victories of the saints depend upon him only. And he had a name written, to wit, almighty, marvelous and fearful, Adonai, Emanuel, a name above all names, even the holy one of Israel, the Lord of Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts, our redeemer, saviour, and righteousness. 
Math. 16.  No man knew this name but himself and them which he hath revealed it unto, neither flesh nor blood, nor Heathen, Turk, jew, or false Christian is able to comprehend this name ●right: 
Math. 16.  Albeit they have good signs and tokens, yet no man can say that jesus is the Lord, 
1. Cor. 12.  without the inspiration of the spirit of God, who openeth the very truth of God. The number of Gods elect are also signified or comprehended under this name, which the world can not acknowledge nor understand. And he was clothed with a garment dipped in blood. His mortal body which he took upon him for our redemption, was so sore beaten and grievously wounded, that from the soul of the feet to the very crown of the head, even from top to toe, nothing was left whole or sound. This mighty Champion is he which came from Edom and Bos●a, whose garments were sprinkled with blood, his clothes were rayed, even as of those that tread the wine press. For his manhood suffered most shameful & painful death. 
Esay. 63. Esay 53.  He himself alone trod the wine press of his wrath, 
Math. 8.  and had none to help him. He his own self was wounded for our sins, 
1. Peter .2.  and our infirmities were laid upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. And his name was called the word of God. 
john. ●.  Christ jesus the son of god, 
Ephes. 3.  is that eternal and everlasting word of God, 
Psalm. 33.  which was from the beginning by God, 
Heb. 1.  by whom also heaven and earth are made, 
Colloss. 1.  and all that in them is, the very ●mage of his substance in whom the father is represented, whereby also we understand and know the will of the father, for the word of God is a true guide of the conscience. This word was made flesh: 
john .1.  that is, became man for our sakes, saving, justifying, and glorifying all those that believe on him. And the warriors which were in heaven, followed him upon white horses. These are the true & faithful ministers which follow their master and chief captain Christ jesus upon white horses: that is in innocency of life and godly conversation which they profess. These horses are nothing else than their mortal bodies ready to battle. For true christians mortify their flesh, that concupiscence thereof, 
Coloss. 3.  & bring their carnal lusts under subjection, 
Gala. 5.  & their bodies obedient to the spirit. They become servants to righteousness, and not to sin, 
Rom. 6.  they are worthy Soldiers of God, for they follow the Lord of ●ostes: such an army saw the servant of the Prophet Elizeus in Doathim in a vision. They w●re clothed with fine linen, white and pure, signifying the simplicity and innocency which they have in Christ jesus their captain, and good and perfect gifts which the Lord giveth them. As S. john himself expounded them a little before, where he sayeth that the fine linen are the true justifications which they have of none other, but from their head Christ. These are the spiritual weapons whereof S. Paul speaketh, saying: 
1. Cor. 10.  Though we walk in the flesh, yet we do not war after the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through god to cast down holds: and out of his mouth went a sharp sword, which is that wonderful judgement of his word. Through this sharp sword are the faithful and believers saved to ●ife everlasting, and the wicked infidels judged to everlasting death and damnation. For it is unto some a saviour of life unto life, and to others a saviour of death, unto death. 
john .15.  
1. Corin. 5.  With this sword shall be cut of the dead branches which in him bear no fruits, and the rotten members from the body. In like manner shallbe the good from the bad, 
Math. 24.  and the Goats from the sheep, 
Psal. 2. 45.  with this sword divided and separated: Oh how terrible, fearful, and sharp shallbe the judgement of the Lord, the rod and sceptre of his dominion against the wicked in those days, as he shall say: 
Mat. 25.  Go from me ye cursed into everlasting fire: Again, how comfortable & joyful a thing shall it be for the elect to see themselves exempted of this condemnation, and to have the fruition of that sovereign blessedness in eternal glory. For he it is that treadeth the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God. That is: 
Esay. 63.  he shall pour forth his vengeance upon the proud and infidels, and shall punish them most grievously with his strong & mighty arm, stretched over their heads, striking them in his rage & fury, whereunder all things are set. And I saw an Angel standing in the Sun, signifying the Apostles and all true ministers of the word of god which stand in the bright & clear sun of righteousness, 
●al. 4.  
●eue. 20.  
●eb. 10.  which is Christ jesus, that amiable and shining morning star. And these worthy witnesses stand fast in a steadfast assurance of faith in his name, against the whole multitude of Antichrist, 
1. Corin. 10.  without moving of their feet from the well grounded stone, which is Christ jesus, which for nothing in this world, 
Rom. 8.  be it persecution, pain, torment, or death, will shrink therefrom. And he cried with a loud voice to all the Fowls that did fly by the mids of heaven. This voice cried, and shall call until the worlds end, 
Esay. 55.  with a fervent and constant mind, 
Proverb. 1.  unto all fowls which fly under heaven, 
james. 1.  to them which are humble of mind, 
Esay. ●1.  and be●●me spiritual through faith and heavenly gifts. These f●ying fowls laying aside, & quite abolishing all worldly pleasures or corruptibleness, 
Philip. 3.  lift themselves up above their affections on high, and make their conversation to be in heaven, and lead here in earth an heavenly life. These are the choose souls which the father feedeth and sustaineth wyth●ute their own deserts. 
Gen. 11.12  Such a one was Abraham in Mesopotamie, 
Exod. 19  Moses in Sinai, Helias upon the mount Carmelus, 
3. Reg. 1●.  Daniel amongst the lions, 
Dan. 6.  ●aul in Damas●o, S. john in Pathmos, and many more even herein England, 
Acts .9.  and in other places, 
R●ue. 1.  and shallbe to the world's end. 
Ephe. 4.  The manner of their calling is: 
Colloss. 3.  Come assemble you in unity of faith and mind, knit yourselves together in Christ jesus, in love which is the bond of perfectness, that the peace of god which passeth all understanding, 
Phil. 4.  keep your hearts & minds in Christ jesus our lord Prepare ye (saith the Angel) to come to that great and supernatural good supper of the Lord: Which is that eternal and everlasting refreshing of the soul. Come on and taste of the most daintiest dishes, & most sumptuous fare, 
1. Corin. ●  which never eye hath seen, 
Esay. 6 4.  neither care hath heard, neither came into man's heart, which God hath prepared for them the love him, 
Rom. 1●.  learn out of gods holy word what his good will & pleasure is, 
Ephe. 6.  follow the same in life & manners, 
1. Peter. 5.  fly from all worldly pleasures. Live soberly, temperately, chastened & righteously in the fear of god, attending and waiting upon the coming of our Lord and God. Finally, order and frame your life so, that ye may eat t●e fl●she of kings, that ye may by exhortation and ensample, teach the worldly governors to convert unto the Lord, and to forsake all manner of filthy, carnal and sinful lusts. And that ye may eat the fl●sh of all captains and mighty men, pluck down the high minded hearts of tyrants, to bring under their cruelty and lofty stomachs, devour also the flesh of the worldly rich and proud man, cause him to leave of all worldly pleasures, excess, and manifold vanities.  
And the fl●she of horses, ●nd of them that sit on them. And the flesh of all free men & bondmen, and of small and great Regard neither horses nor them that sit on them, but tear their flesh in pieces. Spare no man, neither high nor low, rich nor poor, bond nor free, but check and taunt them, that they leaving their old & wicked ways, turn to the lord. As for the obstinate and stubborn which will not bow but resist, break them and hue them in pieces, punish the wicked and carnal worldlings of what degree so ever they be, and these beastly Antichrists & cruel grasshoppers which sit on them: take away the pride and loftiness from these loitering prelate's, and idle bishops, and also of them that imitate and follow their mischievous hypocrisy, deliver the oppressed, and turn back the cruel persecution from the innocents, pour down thy wrath over the wicked according to their deserts, 
Math. 24.  and let none escape. 
Luke. 17.  Imitate the Eagle and Kite, resort there where as the dead carcases, (men without lively faith, and drowned in sin) be. Teach every one to walk honestly in their vocation, let Princes understand that it behoveth them to be learned and wise in all sciences: 
Psalm. 2.  but abo●e all in the holy Bible which be the Scriptures, and that it becometh them to walk in the fear of god, not to do all things unadvisedly, and according to their own pleasure, but orderly, as reason and equity doth require, not to oppress the poor, innocents and fatherless, but to aid, succour and help them, and to punish the wicked and malefactors, nor use exfortion in taxing overmuch their commons & subjects. The rich & wealthy, that they be merciful, good stewards & distributers of the gifts of God committed to their charge. To the hypocrites & Idolaters, that they leave of their vain trust or confidence, in any creatures, & return unto the living God. 
1. Cor. 7.  Again the whoremonger, that he go no more like a beast and Mule in whom is no understanding, after other men's wives, but rather take his own wife, to fly all occasions of evil. Command the ruler to be faithful in his calling, 
●om. 13.  and the Commons lovingly to obey. The wife to be true and obedient to her husband: 
●. Pet. 2.  again, 
●phe. 5.6.  the husband to be friendable and loving to his wife, 
Coloss. 3.4.  defend her, cherish and nourish her, even as Christ defended his Church, and cared for her. Children to be obedient to their Parents, the Parents not to provoke their children to wrath. And the servants to obey them that be their masters. etc. Thou shalt eat the flesh of the Giants, 
czech. 39  
●sal. 67.  and drink the blood of the Princes of the earth, of the Wethers, of Bucks and Bulls which shall be slain at Basan. And I saw the Beast, and the Kings of the earth, and their army. That is, these Ruffians and lecherous Bishops, Monks, Abbots, and the rest of these shavelings of Antichrist, with the Princes of this world, cruel tyrant's, catchpoles and hangmen of the Beast, are assembled together, to consult and gather soldiers, and set them out to fight against him which sat upon the white horse, to make war against Christ and his beloved Church, his chosen and peculiar people, his servants which without any kind of doubt or wavering, follow him. They seek (I say) to kill and slay these pleasant birds, because they did eat and consume their flesh. They rebuked their evil corrupt manners and unrighteous dealing, their wicked and abominable life, therefore they make war against Christ, where so ever the word of God was sincerely preached and taught, the glory of God preferred, and the security and naughtiness of man's sinful and abominable life reproved, there hath always insurrections, tumults and seditions risen amongst the hypocrites of traitorous enterprises. 
Luke .2.  For the word of God is a sign of contradiction, and the stone of offence. These Princes and captains with their most cruel soldiers are set on, provoked and stirred by the malice of these Idolatrous Bishops and Prelates, even as Pilate and Herode were moved of Annas and Caiphas to put Christ to death. 
●a. 27.  
●ohn .18.  
acts .28.  And as Felix governor of jury at the request & pleasure of Ananie the high priest, kept S. Paul in prison. The Emperor trajan and other tyrants should never have persecuted the Christians until this day, if their horses had not been pricked so fast and so often with the spurs of wicked and leu●e Prelates. And what diligence & endeavour they have done to overthrow, vanquish and root out the truth, may be seen by their letters, written and sent to so many Kings and Princes. No small a do had they to bring john Wicliffe in discredit and slander with the people, the which (after he had been buried forty years) took up his bones, and burned them with fire, and cast the ashes into the river, showing their tyranny upon his bones, whom they could not be revenged of in his life time, no not for all their requests and suits made to the king of England, Richard by name.  
Again, Sigismunde the Emperor would never have done contrary to his promise fortified by a safe conduct granted unto john Hus, to go and come safely to the Counsel at Constance, and in a manner forced him: for if he would be the image of the beast, & an obedient child of the Romish church, he must do all as it pleased them. It is manifest what diligence and travail they have assayed, what violence and force they have used, to banish and chase the truth of the Gospel out of Germany, what practices, crafty policies and fetches they have sought to deface it here in England, and what cruelty and tyranny they show in France, to the utter destruction of the country we have seen and see, and yet daily at this instant seal they. And above all, have we felt, and 〈◊〉 yet feel the experience of it in low Germany (our native country) and Flaunders, where as soon as God's word was sincerely preached, and the Gospel of jesus Christ openly declared, O how Satan's kingdom was rent & diminished? how idolatry and superstition was brought low, & all excess, surfeiting & drunkenness, all wickedness and vice, all pride & naughtiness beat down & forsaken. The whoremongers & adulterers began to be ashamed of their filthiness: priests & Friars misliked of their estate, and durst not say Mass, go on procession & funeral, & other of their abominations: they covered their crowns, let grow their beards, hid themselves, yea & deemed that they were such. Many light women were converted, many ruffians & bawds were astonished for that they saw their houses not so much haunted as before. These with the rest of the spiritual bawds and ruffians, were well ashamed and witted not where to hide themselves, because of the light, which did shine so bright in the world. On the other side, consider how the kingdom of Christ increased, augmented and multiplied daily, how the honour of God was set forth, the name of the Lord was magnified and invocated, praised and blessed. How many people which hitherto have lived like ignorant dolts in all security & beastliness, were then come to knowledge and understanding, & leaving their former life, gave themselves to virtue & godliness, & cleaving to that which they heard, expressed it in their life & conversation. Last of all, it was marvel to see how charity, humility, sobriety, honesty, & all other godly exercises the works of the spirit were put in practice amongst this new springing church: and contrariwise, the deeds of the flesh forsaken, & laid aside. But that great dragon the devil, that old serpent, who from the beginning hated the truth, & man's felicity, seeing his kingdom go to wrack, his gay & finely disguised church d●cay, his pilfering trash & beggarly Ceremonies nothing set by: yea and seeing his beastly body, & all his membres by the preaching of God's word so clean uncovered, and beaten to the ground, did wax mad and outrageous. Wherefore he moved & stirred up kings, who entering in allegiance and alliance with his Antichrist, gathered a counsel against the Lord and his church, to scatter and put asunder his flock, and to kill and slay his chosen. Which thing afterward they practising made them up, and not without treason, invaded the countries there, not to govern according to justice and equity, but violently and tyrannously to rule and reign, yea notwithstanding their privileges enacted and given by act of parliament, confirmed and established by oath of the Prince himself, have they yet against all reason and law oppressed the commons, and innocents. As for the christians, it is too well known how they are used, therefore I leave of to speak any more of that matter, not mistrusting but that it shall be declared at large of some diligent writer. 
Psalm. 2.  But what is their purpose? 
Acts .2.  The Lord against whom they strive, 
Proverb. 1.  is too strong, he knoweth all their enterprises and imaginations, 
Psal. 37. Psalm .59.2  & laugheth them to scorn, He seeth their fall and overthrow, and the victory of his chosen, and the deliverance of his people is in his hand. Let them rage never so sore, let them murder and slay never so many, 
reve. 14.  blessed are they which die in the Lord, they shall never be able to root out the truth, much less to obtain any victory against God, for the Lamb is strong, and abideth valiantly upon that unmovable & inexpugnable mount Zion, having with him an hundredth and .4400000. These be as many as have received his true faith, and are the true seed of Abraham, having the seal of the holy Ghost, 
Psalm. 2.  
Math. 3.  bearing the name of their father engraved on their forehead, 
john .8.  
Rom. 4.  redeemed & bought from the earth, predestinated and chosen to life everlasting, 
2. Cor. 1. 2. Cor. 2.  which are not defiled with women, 
Ephe. 1.  
Rom. 9  whose souls and faith are not spotted with false doctrine or idolatry and superstition papistical. 
reve. 14.  These are virgins which receive not the false, 
Ephe. 4.  hypocritical and whorish doctrine of the Antichrist. These be the virgins whereof the holy Ghost speaketh, and not them only (as they say) which never married, else Abraham, Moses, David, Zacharie, Peter, Philip, and the rest of the godly which have been married, could have been of the number of those virgins: for they judge marriage to be unclean, and a deed of the flesh. They are not ashamed to avouch in their Decretals, that it is better and a smaller offence to keep a ●undreth whores, than to marry or contract matrimony, after they have vowed chastity. Oh beasts that ye are, the spirit of Chastity did never cause you to forbid holy matrimony, but it was the spirit of uncleanness Asmodeus, Beelsebub, and that spirit whereof the Sodomites, and them of Gomorra were driven. These foul spirits made you to do it, to accomplish the prophecies of S. Paul, and of Daniel, which amongst other words, speaketh of Antichrist on this manner: He shall exalt himself above all, which is called God. 
2. Thess. 2.  For the God of his predecessors he shall make no count of. 
Dan 11.  He shall love neither God nor woman, 
Revel. 15.  but only his Maosim, for he exalteth himself above all things. The natural duty and affection which God hath graffed in man & wife, to love and have company comfort and help one of the other, to increase and multiply, is the only mean which God hath provided to prevent the decay of mankind. It is also a great kind of benevolence and friendeshyp, wherein the one part of man's nature honoureth (aswell for the likeness, as for the creators sake) the other in the fear of God, whom they in the state of matrimony, not only serve, (if it be well used) but honour and worship. Then, the du●tie of a good husband is, according to God's word, to labour, and with the sweat of his brows to get his bread, to care and provide for his family, for his wife and children, that she neither thorough poverty, hunger, or other cause of wretchedness, have no occasion to commit or do any thing against the rule of honesty and prescript commandment of God. A good wife again, will be diligent and careful for all things necessary and belonging to the house, she shall be sober, honest, faithful and busy. This affection and kindness, whereof we speak here, proceedeth out of the natural love, given v●to us by nature, and all men in general are bound to observe it. This natural kindness and divine love hath not this monstrous beast and beastly monster Antichrist, nor his sodomitishe greasy ones. They lurk only in their dens, and with dainty dishes and delicious meats fill their bellies, and make merry, they care for no body, they bear neither honest love, nor heart, or any good will to woman, neither for propagations nor for the ordinance of God, who is the author & instituter of it. They labour not to maintain their wife. they seek not to defend any against dishonesty, ravishment or shame, they desire none for their own, but when they lust, they take one now, and an other to morrow, and then send her packing, to have neither trouble, cost nor charges of her, nor of the child, but like unkyndely Cuckoos lay their eggs into other folks nests. Whether these things tend to the despising & disgracing of women or not, judge you. And surely the rather for that they, not passing for the ordinance of God, but rejecting it, take one or other of their acquaintance after their own mind, forsooth to cast her of like a broken pot, and to take an other so often as they lust. But what great evil and inconvenience doth proceed and follow here hence, is to be seen in great Cities, where these belly gods for the most part use to haunt, as at Rome, and in other places where any bishoprics or canonists or colleges be, where ye may see an infinite numbered of queans and painted Courtesans, which get their living by the l●tting of their flesh and body to these beastly & unnatural kind of people, to whom they bear neither heart nor good will for abusing themselves. In that they have to do with them, they lose their honesty & fame, they mar and destroy both body and soul. I le●ue the murdering and slaying of chil●●●n, which is no sin amongst them: 〈◊〉 ●any other unclean, unnatural and 〈◊〉 abominable filthy deeds usual amongst them in their privy chaumbres and celles. These be the fruits of their promised sworné unchaste chastity. For what I pray you is chastity or virginity more before God than marriage? 
●●b. 3.  no more than circumcision to uncircumcision, 
●om. 23.  one is neither better nor worse before god than that other, concerning the life of a christian man. Christ jesus requireth & demandeth only of us true faith working through charity: so then all they the lead their life in the holy state of matrimony, according to the word of God, are reputed virgins, as S. Paul testifieth: The Lamb which taketh away the sin of the world stands with them, 
●. Cor. 12.  which the father hath given him upon that strong mount Zion. Contrariwise, the Dragon and the beast with all their adherents, are set upon the sliding sands of the sea, their kingdom, their power their might, their laws, statutes, and ordinances, their free will and wicked purpose, their proud titles have no sure foundation, but are builded only upon t●e wavering sands of doubtfulness and falsehood, against which when any tempest or wind of God's holy word bloweth, suddenly it is moved and overthrown: yea and these vile shavelings themselves are these sands, whereon their captain the dragon stādeth● they are the chair and dwelling place of the devil. through them, as instruments, and false prophets, he used to speak, to command, and execute all his deceitful and false hypocrisies and idolatries. It is then most sure and certain, that this beast with all their beastliness, can never abide long. For it followeth, that the Beast was apprehended and taken, and with her the false Prophets which did signs and wonders before them. As heretofore james and jambres, the enchanters of Egypt, went about to counterfeit the sig●es, 
Exod. ●.  which Moses and Aaron did in the presence of Pharaoh: 
2. Tim. 3.  likewise do these false enchanters pervert the truth in these our days, namely in that they show greater wonders, than any heretofore hath been heard of: That is, that they (as they affirm and violently hold) can turn very bread into natural flesh and blood, and that so cunningly that it can not be once perceived, neither in beholding feeling or tasting of it otherwise than bread. And more other: as to redeem souls out of Purgatory, by sacrifices and works supererogations, and other shameful brags, wherewith he deceived them that received the beasts mark and seal, and worship his image.  
These both, namely the head and the body, the beast, and the false prophet, were alive cast into a lake of fire, burning with Brimstone: These shall surely through the power and righteous judgement of God, receive their portion with the hypocrites and false Prophets.  
And the remnant which follow, of what state and condition so ever they be, were slain with the sword of him that sitteth upon the horse, which cometh out of his mouth.  
This sword is (as is before said) his mighty and true word, which hath within him spirit and life. Such then as are not afraid of this word, but obstinately cleave fast to their false doctrine and ordinances, also those which being stricken of this sword, and believe not, nor repenting them of their misdeeds, frame their life accordingly, shall perish without doubt with this sword for evermore. 
Rom. 8.   
And all the fowls are folks which God of his mercy, hath chosen and plucked from these worldly pleasures and naughty desires, shall be howesover the matter goeth filled with their flesh, whether they be saved or damned: For if they be saved these shall be glad because that their numbered is increased. Again, on the other side, shall they rejoice, when that they see the wicked and obstinate, through th● just judgement of God punished. The righteous (sayeth David) seeing the vengeance of God, 
Psalm. 5●.  shall rejoice, and shall wash their feet in the blood of the wicked: Even so shall the ungodly, which resist God and his holy word, with all their vainglory and pomp, suddenly and with a great noise perish. The Lord shall destroy them for ever. The wicked doers (sayeth David) fall, they are cast down, 
Psalm. 36.  and are not able to stand. Again, he sayeth: 
psalm. 37.  As for the ungodly, they shall perish and come to nought: and when the enemies of the Lord are in their flowers they shall vanish, 
psalm. 1.  yea even as the smoke shall they consume away. They shall perish in their wickedness like a shadow, and whither away as the thistle, and like the chaff and dust, which the wind scattereth away from the ground, so likewise the way of the ungodly shall perish. This will surely come upon the wicked as it hath done in all ages, and as we have seen it with our eyes, and daily shall ●ée it more and more. But they which fear God and love him, shall obtain his grace and mercy, and shall enjoy his faith●ful promises, the inheritance of his everlasting kingdom, as ye may hear next following.  
I saw● (saith S. john) a new heaven and a new earth. 
Revel. 21.  S. Peter saith also, 
2. Peter .2.  that every thing (going before the judge) shallbe cleansed and purified, 
●. Sap. 3  
Psal. 50.  and not consumed, for all things must be changed and made clean of all corruptibleness. He meaneth not sayeth Aretes) that the creatures should consume away, and be no more, but only that they serving to a better use, should be renewed, so the godly and chosen shall be delivered two manner of ways, that is to say: Here in this world from sin, & hereafter of death & damnation, & so shall be led & conducted unto the true liberty & joyful inheritance of the children of God. 
Rom. 8.   
The first heaven defiled with the pride of the angels, and the first earth corrupted with the manifold wickednesses of man, were passed away altogether, and shall be no more, not that the verity of them shall vanish, but the nature, complexion, and quality of them shall change and turn into sincerity and perfection. And there was no more sea● that is, y● vain & inconstant people were no more: for all prickings & remorse of conscience, all desperation, mistrustfulness & doubt, shall be taken quite from the godly & chosen. All kind of anger sorrow & adversity shall be turned into joy and peace of the holy Ghost, all hindrance, fear, persecution, tyranny, violence, and adversity which we endure here in the troublous sea of this world, 
●. Cor. 13.  shall cease at the day of the lord, when we shall see him face to face. And the sea shall be no longer subject to vanity, than all other creatures, but shall be purified from all corruption, and shall henceforth be so clear as any crystal, although it remaineth the same substance.  
And I john saw, by revelation and permission of God, the holy City, new jerusalem come down from God out of heaven. By good reason is this holy City the congregation and church of God called new jerusalem, come down from God her Creator and maker, for she is holy, not of herself, but of him that made her, and chose her to be his well-beloved spouse, prepared like a bride ●●immed for her husband, for she is purified and made new again, 
●phe. 5.  as the well trimmed bride for her husband, 
●euel. 12.  the lamb Christ jesus. 
●it. 3.  This bride shall hereafter through regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost show glorious & perfect holy: 
●ath. 19  so long as she continueth here, she maketh no account of any thing in this world, but doth govern herself according to that rule which he her husband hath left her, namely his holy word. But hereafter shall she (being delivered from sin, wretchedness, and all kind of corruptions) more perfectly follow his steps. She is called new here on earth, for so much as she hath laid off, and put away through the virtue of God's holy spirit, the old man with all his lusts, 
Colloss. 1.  
Eph●s. 5●  and hath no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. But hereafter shall she be new by his favour and grace, for so much as she shall be delivered from sin, death, and all manner of corruption. She is called the new Ierusal●m both here and hereafter, because that all their Citizens are of one belief: yet shall they be hereafter of like glory and unity. Here her Citizens are among the Saints, 
Ephes. ●●  and the family of God, and there shall they be both children, and inheritors with Christ, 
Rom. 6.  she came down from god out of heaven: 
Revel. 21.  
Math. 16.  her Christian faith is neither of flesh nor blood, 
Gala. 4.  but by the gracious Revelation of the heavenly father. 
Tit. 3.  But jerusalem (saith S. Paul) which is above, is free and mother ●uer us all. She is that City which God hath builded. She is furnished with the gift of faith, and with the fountain of life, 
Ephe. 5.  prepared and trimmed to be a fair and glorious church, 
1. Peter .3.  without any spot or wrinkle. 
john .1.  She is cleansed from her sins through his blood, she is very costly, and well favouredly adorned & beautified with joy, peace, long suffering, patience, and other more virtues of the spirit: 
Gala. 5.  
Ephe. 5.  even as an honest and true Bride is dressed and trimmed for her loving & dear husband. The bride (saith David) standeth on thy right hand in a vesture of fine gold. 
Psal. 45.  But her raiments (so long as she is on earth) are invisible, they are spiritual jewels of the soul and m●nde, and not of the body. And I heard (saith S. john) in the midst of this last vision, a mighty voice out of the heaven, the everlasting and only throne of GOD, a voice saying after this sort ●nto me. Look up and behold, for your own (and all other belé●uers) commodity and instruction, the holy Tabernacle of the Lord, which shall be with the chosen for ever, is also here with the Militant Church upon earth. Moreover, consider that every believing soul is a Temple of the holy Ghost. 
1. Corin. 6  As Christ himself testifieth: 
john .14.  He that loveth me, and keepeth my word, I and my father will come to him, and dwell with him. In like manner speaketh God by the Prophet Ezechiel: 
Ezech. 37.  saying, I will make a bond of peace with them, which shall be unto them an everlasting covenant, I will set my sanctuary among them for evermore. My dwelling shallbe with them, yea I will be their God, & they shall be my people. The same also he confirmeth here in this place, saying: 
reve. 21.  He will dwell with them, and they shallbe his people, and God him s●lfe shallbe their God. 
Esay. 43.  In such sort that they shall never acknowledge any other, than him only. He shall always comfort and strengthen them here by his holy spirit, and hereafter by his presence so mightily defend and surely keep them, that they shall never fail him here, neither afterward be separated from him. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, so clean that no kind of trouble or fear, shall make them afraid, neither any adversity shrink or make them heavy. The same also saith the lor● by his Prophet: I shall make a pleasant jerusalem, 
●say. 25.  and I myself will be glad with her. From that time forward shall there be heard within her, no more sorrow nor pain, neither shall there be any death, for death shall be destroyed for evermore. The conscience of man shall not then be subject to any mistrustfulness or other infirmity, but shall have joy in the holy Ghost. They shall through sin, not die any more, but shall live through faith in God. That cruel whore shall drink drunk no more in the blood of the Martyrs, for she with all her adherents, and wicked tyrants, shall be kept in that filthy lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for evermore: So that no kind of trouble, persecution, slander, hatred, malice, anguish or pain, or any kind of adversity, cruelty, 
Mat●. 5.  or wretchedness, which could be devised, 
2. Corin. 4.  can hurt or hinder them: for sorrows, wailing, and weeping, 
Esay. 25.  shall be put far from them. 
Revel. 7.  The building of the frame, 
Revel. 20.  and the situation of this city was four square, which signified not only unto us the sure ground, and steadfastness of the true Christian faith, which God keepeth tenderly nourisheth and augmenteth in his elect, but also showeth that everlasting certainty of that mighty and inexpugnable kingdom of Christ, and that hope which is never ashamed: for who so ever believeth and dependeth upon Christ, shall never be confounded. 
Psal. 12●.  Whatsoever is four square, abideth firm & unmovable, 
Prou. 1ST  and is not subject to rolling or unstableness, like a bowl or spear, or any thing that is round. In like manner have we to consider of the four squareness of 〈◊〉 new jerusalem, (whereof material Ierus●●●● b●ing also square was a figure) that none of what so ever kindred, language or nation he be, shall have either preferment here in this city, or be less regarded, for whether he be from the East or the West, from the South or the North, rich or poor, Grecian or Barbarian, if he be but a true believer, he shall be received and accepted of God. Whereof we have a manifest ensample in the Gospel, where Christ teacheth by the Parable of a certain householder, 
●ath. 20.  which hired labourers into his vineyard, who calling them unto him in the evening, gave as much to them that wrought but an hour, as he did unto them that wrought the whole day. The walls of this City are strong and well furnished, 
Math. 16.  whereout we may conclude and gather, 
Esay. 2●.  that the blessedness of salvation or God's promises are sure and strong, in so much that hell gates can not prevail against, or withstand them. These walls are of such a height, that no enemy, be he never so crafty, subtle, or wise, by any means of fair speech, dissimulation or hypocrisy, 
Revel. 2●.  is able to get over them, only must they enter through the gate which is Christ jesu. This holy jerusalem is glorious, blessed, heavenly and spiritual, not made by man's hand, 
Heb. 12.  but it is made and builded of God the heavenvly father, the father of light (of whom all goodland perfect gifts only do descend & are sent down) Therefore hath she a marvelous, 
james .1.  and incomprehensible light and wisdom of almighty God. The Lamb jesus Christ is her light, 
Psal. 119.  and his word the lantern to his fleet. 
Philip. 3.  And her shining light and spiritual wisdom was like an oriental stone, most precious: for his word is more costlier than gold, yea than the most finest gold. 
Psalm. 119.  This City hath twelve gates for to open and to shut, with sundry names, because of the divers nations and languages. For from every side of the world, come the people to the church of Christ, yet pass they all through one gate, which is Christ jesu. None (saith he) cometh to the father but by me. 
john .14.  I am the door to enter into the sheep fold. Who so ever entereth through me, shall be saved. 
john .10.  This jerusalem hath twelve gates. And on every gate was a very costly and precious Pearl, for the doctrine of the Gospel is precious and costly without comparison, whereby so many as are ordained from all coasts of the earth, enter into the kingdom of Christ.  
And at these gates were set twelve Angels. In that respect David also did sing, 
Psal. 33.  saying: The Angels of the Lord are about the tents of them that fear him, to keep them. He did set a guard upon the walls of jerusalem, 
●say. 62.  (saith Esayas) to announce his worthy name: So that it is well guarded & fenced round about. The Devil with all his boast have no force against it. 
Math. 16.  No man is able to draw any one out of his hands. 
●ohn .10.  And above these gates were written honourable names, namely the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, which are juda, Reuben, Gad, Assur, Nephthalim, Manasle, Simeon, Levi, Isachar, Zabulon, joseph and Benjamin. These names were written here, because the right inheritance was promised to the seed of Abraham, and Christ jesus was the true seed of Abraham, 
〈◊〉. 4.  and by him are we made children of the promise. 
reve. 22.  The walls of the City hath twelve foundations, grounded upon the strong and mighty stone Christ jesus, which is unmovable: for so much that from the beginning the Church of God upon him hath been builded and grounded. Upon him did Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Helias, with the rest of the godly fathers that ever were, build, & remain steadfast, 
1. Cor. 3.  although they were never so long before him, or shall be after him, 
1. Peter .1,  
Gen. 11. 1●.  for they believed certainly on the promises which God had wrought to them by Christ. 
Reg. 19  They all, being under the cloud, 
Exod. 2.  did eat of one kind of meat, 
3. Reg. 17.  and drunk of one spiritual stone which is Christ jesus, 
Luke .1.  which afterward is come into the flesh. 
1. Cor. 10.  No man may lay any other foundation (sayeth S. Paul) than that which is laid already, 
1. Corin. 13.  which is Christ jesu. Upon this one, strong, and everlasting foundation, were laid and builded these twelve foundations agreeable unto him. Namely the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, 
Math. 10.  Peter, john, james, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, james the minor, Simon, Thade● 
Acts .1.  and Mathie. These were prefigured by the twelve stones which joshua erected in Galgala, 
joshua .4.  for a memorial & remembrance of the passing of the children of Israel on dry land through the jordan. They were also signified by other twelve stones, whereon Elias the Prophet builded an aultare upon the mount Carmelus, 
3. Reg. 1●.  in the name of the Lord. The sure ground of these foundations, 
●ath. 16.  was, the Confession that Christ was the very son of the living God. Upon this foundation they all builded, by the announcing, preaching, and writing of that which the Prophets and true preachers did believe. Namely, that he, that is, Christ, 
●ohn .1.  was the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, for they sought the way of salvation, and laboured for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 
Math. 6.  
2. Peter .2.  showing themselves thereby to be the lively workmen of this spiritual building.  
Hear we learn then that the faith and doctrine of the Prophets and patriarchs, is all one with the apostles, & are all grounded upon Christ jesu. Whereunto S. Paul accordeth very well, saying: 
Ephe. 2.  Now are ye no more strangers, but citizens' with the Saints: and are build●● upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. And by these twelve foundations ar● not only understanded they afore named, for than should Paul (which himself did more labour than they all) of this number be excluded: 
2. Cor. 11.  In like manner should be Barn●be, Sylas, Agabus, judas the righteous, 
Acts .9: 11 15. 21.  john which was otherwise surnamed Mark, with many other more of the like vocation and calling, and also all other faithful and true ministers, which are of the like faith, and teach that doctrine. For ye must consider that the number of twelve in this place, is a perfect and a common number, as the number of seven and ten in other places, containing the whole under the chiefest and principallest.  
The buildings of the wall of it, was of jasper. This signifieth, that in Christ jesus, are the most costliest, the most pleasantest, lovingest, and surest things that can be devised. For they which believe in him aright, shall always abide fresh, green, lusty, well favoured and lively, and they shall be very mighty, yea great and strong pillars of his holy and undefiled Temple. He that believeth on me, and keepeth my word, (saith our saviour Christ) shall never taste of death. 
john .15.  And the City was pure gold like unto clear glass. The Church of God is without any spot or wrinkle. 
Ephes. 5.  It is pure and undefiled like the gold that is tried in the fire vij times. 
Prou. 17.  The light of the City is jesus Christ, 
1. Pet. 1.  which never did any sin, neither in word or deed. His death and shedding of his blood, hath made this city more costly than pure gold. And the foundations of the wall of the City, were garnished with all manner of precious stones, which preciousness notifieth unto us the costliness of our salvation.  

1 The first foundation was jasper, which being of a green colour, noteth unto us that the faith of the forefathers, is not yet dead nor withered. 
Gen. 6.  The faith of Enoch appeareth until this day, the (first which called upon the name of the Lord) and of more, which all are yet true, fresh and green.  
2 The second foundation was of sapphire, whose colour is blue and somewhat whitish, a stone in deed which at the first look seemeth to be of no great value, signifying unto us the simple and seely souls, the which although they be (with holy job and Thoby) of no value in the sight of the world, yet are they highly regarded of God through their faith and good life.  
3 The third of a Chalcedonie, which is yet less set by (to our seeming) then the sapphire, but of nature very costly, strong, and virtuous. 
4. Reg. 1●.  Of this nature were Helias, john Baptist, 
Math. 3.  and such like, 
Luke .1.  which lived in the desert painfully and very straightly, yet proved they most precious at their appointed time, 
Math. 3.  
Mark .1.  rebuking and reproving boldly the wickedness and sin of the people, drawing them from the same, even as the Chalcedonie pulleth and taketh away the dust from any thing, reprehending and judging very sharply the Idolaters and hypocrites.  
4 The fourth of an Emeraud, which of himself is not only green, but maketh the air round about him show of the same colour. 
jerem. 2.3.  Of this condition was jeremy and S. Paul, which without ceasing, 
Zach. 31.  preached and spread abroad the doctrine of life, 
Ac. 9 16.17  after they had once received and known the same.  
5 The fifth is of a Sardonix, which word is deducted of Sarda and Onyx, and is of nature underneath blackish, 
Math. 5.  and red on the outside, 
●hilip. 9.51. ●30.  & white within: so all those that are meek of heart, 
●uke .7.  which with David and Marie Magdalene acknowledge & confess their sins before God, through faith are pure and holy. 
Cant. 1.  Although I am black (saith the true Church) yet am I nevertheless fair and clean. Albeit our outward man (saith S. Paul) perish, 
1. Corin. 4.  therefore do we not go forward, or are any thing weary, for the inward man reneweth and augmenteth every day.  
6 The sixth of a Sardius, which is of the similitude of red earth. Even so are those which esteem themselves as unworthy children of Adam, 
Luke .16.  notwithstanding that they have received many goodly gifts & great benefits of God, which (as Philo expoundeth it) are the red earth. Of this nature and company was the virgin Marie the mother of Christ, 
Luke .1.  which called and esteemed herself to be but an handmaid. And for all the honour, favour, and other great benefits which were showed unto her, she said that her spirit rejoiced in God her saviour. Of this sort was Abraham also, 
Genes. 18.  calling himself but dust and ashes before the Lord.  
7 The seventh of a chrysolite, a stone of all kind of colours shining like gold, and as a burning fire, casting sparks and a great shine from it. Here under are comprehended those which having the wisdom of the holy Ghost, kindle and lighten other men therewithal, and make them altogether hot and burning, & bring them to the fervent love of God & their neighbours. 
Exod. 4.  So did Moses and Esay, 
Esay. 2. 34.  Barnabas and Paul, 
Acts .14.  in whom abundantly appeareth the graces and glory of God.  
8 The eight is of Berll, which is of a sad & deadish gr●ene: Signifying such true and faithful Christians, which through compassion & pity, sorrowfully have bewailed & lamented the fall of their brethren. Of this good and divine nature was Steven, 
A●●es .7.  praying for them which did stone him to death. Thus did Samuel in his time, which with great sorrows & complaints, 
1. Re. 15. 16  mourned over Saul the king, what time he saw him cast out of the favour of God.  
9 The ninth of a topaz, containing in it the colour of all other stones. And this representeth all them which are adorned with all manner of virtues, as Daniel was a man full of godly desires, and john the Evangelist whom Christ loved most of all, that did write the Revelation in Pathmos.  
10 The tenth of a Chrisophrasius, whose nature is to shine like gold, and yet greenish in the sight. Such are those, who having received good knowledge & perfect wisdom of God, distribute unto others according unto the talon which god hath delivered unto them. 
Math. 25.  Thereby to awake the sluggish and dreaming people, and bring to heavenly meditations. Amongst those, may Ezechiel well be counted, which in his time did see marvelous things, and wonderful strange Revelations. 
●ze. 10.11.   
11 The eleventh of a hyacinth, the colour of which stone is like unto water, having stripes glistering like the bright shining beams of the Sun. By this stone are represented, such as do seem to be ignorant, and are counted noddies & fools before the world, which notwithstanding have heavenly wisdom enough, 
jaco. 1.  although in sight very idiots, 
john .3.  void of all knowledge, yet nevertheless are they instructed and taught of God, to reveal hidden and secret mysteries of the numbered. Of those are Ozee, joel, Amos, & which was but a poor shepherd, with the rest of the small prophets. Such were also Andrew, Peter, Philip, Thomas, and the rest of the Apostles of Christ.  
12 The twelfth an Ametist, this is of a violet or purpur and roast colour, and this signifieth them, which abide zealous, meek and steadfast in the known truth of the Lord, which also are ready at all times to die and shed their blood even for the same: such were the seven brethren of the Maccabees, 
2. Mach. 7.  with their mother. Such were also james the greater, 
Acts .12.  and Antipas that faithful witness, 
Revel. 2.  with many more disciples and martyrs. 
john .18.  No man can show any greater love than this, when any man bestoweth his life for his friends. All these saith our Saviour, are blessed, and the kingdom of heaven doth belong unto them. On this manner than is notified by these foundations, the same which the true and faithful ministers and pastors of the church of Christ, according to the diversity of gifts given unto them, have builded upon, some gold, silver, or precious stones: but such as have added to this building, any wood, hay, or stubble, which are customs, traditions, and other dumb Ceremonies, or else vainglory, worldly honour, riches, and pleasures, 
exod 28.  shall never be accounted among this heavenly company. These foundations have been prefigured by the precious stones, which were in the stomacher of Aaron the high Priest, and in the costly and royal garments of the King of Tyrus. He which is desirous to know more of the nature, condition and property of these precious stones, may read Pliny his xxxvij book of natural Histories, or Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum: and concerning the mystery and allegory, read Saint Jerome upon the .54. Chapter of Isaiah, or Beda, Haymo, Costasius, Baconthorp, Eleyne Tilney, and divers more other, which have written upon the Revelation. It sufficeth us, to have showed thee (according to the meaning of Saint Austen) that these stones do signify the manifold gifts and divers graces' of the holy Ghost: for the only spirit of the lord worketh all these things diversly. He measureth his gifts unto every one according to his good will and pleasure, th● which altogether are singular, precious and most excellent, as it shall well appear in that great and joyous day of the children of God.   
And the Angel (sayeth Saint john) which did show all those foresaid things, moved me in spirit, to take the more heed to the gracious and merciful purpose of the Lord, and to bring me to a more deeper knowledge of his mysteries, showed me a pure River of water of life, which is therefore called the Water of Life, because it maketh whole, and giveth salvation to our souls. This river is nothing else but the fl●wing verity and the word of Salvation, or the mighty doctrine of Christ. This is that sweet river, which proceedeth of Edom, to refresh Paradise, which dividing itself in four, watereth the four parts of the earth. This running water maketh the City of God very pleasant and delectable. This river is marvelous comfortable, springing into eternal life, it is here a spiritual comfort for the children of God, and shallbe hereafter that incomprehensible glory of the Saints in heaven. 
●●hn .6.  To whom shall we go (saith Peter) but to thee, for thou hast the word of eternal life. The virtue and nature of this water is to satisfy, purge and clanse, to comfort, to make whole and healthful, for it proceedeth and floweth from the majesty of God, it cometh from that eternal and excellent school of the father, and thence proceedeth forward to the over-fulnesse of the lamb Christ jesus, and his divine spirit. I will pour clean water (saith the Lord) upon you, and ye shall be free from all your filth & uncleanness, I will also give you a new heart, 
●zec. 36.  and plant in you a new spirit. 
psalm. 51.   
In the mids of the street of it, and of either side of the river was the tree of life. This river signifieth the two testaments of the Lord, whereby stood that most pleasant tree of life, 
john .6.  namely Christ jesus the mediator and pastor, 
Math. 21.  the saviour and redeemer of the world. 
Rom. 1.  Out of the root and progeny of David, 
Luc. 1.  
Gen. 2.  springeth this tree (according to the flesh) conceived of the holy Ghost, borne of the virgin Marie. As the tree of life, in the beginning was planted in the midst of Paradise, even so is he spiritually in the midst of his Church, which is his most pleasant garden: if that ground or earth which maketh the trees twice fruitful in the year, be called happy, so may this garden by good rereason, well be called happy and blessed, Where this tree standeth, which never is without fruit, nor drieth up, or withereth, which doth not only bear twice a year fruit, signifying all the unspeakable gifts of the holy Ghost, but rendereth his fruits every month of the year, that is, continually, both Summer and winter. All they which are this Congregation & people have continually so long as they live, great Consolation in all their assaults and trials, and in all kind of adversity both spiritual and temporal.  
And the leaves of the trees served to heal the nations with. The promises and the word of GOD are spirit and life, the nature property and virtue of them, are blessedness and eternal salvation. These leaves can not by any means wither away. When God's word is sincerely preached and taught, than we remember the benefits of our deliverance, then is our conscience appeased and satisfied, and the mind merry and glad, then doth the soul of man rejoice, and rendereth therefore to GOD the Father most hearty thanks, worthy praises, singing and magnifying him for his eternal goodness and mer●ie. So then the Nations are quite healed and made healthful through belief, and cleaving fast unto the word, acknowledging and confessing Christ jesus to be their only Saviour, righteousness, and true holiness. The word of GOD written, or preached, is like unto the leaves, which being well and reverently received, by the working of the holy Ghost, is of much importance and weighty, healthful strong and mighty in operation, much like unto the mustard seed. Above all things (sayeth Zorob●bell) is the Truth most strong, 
3. Esdr. ●.  and overcometh all: For it is the will of the Lord which never shall perish. This word then (I say,) is so mighty and victorious, that the Congregation of Christ, and true believers, what soever trouble, persecution or violence they do suffer, shall yet even in their extreme pain and distress be comforted and quieted in conscience and spirit, 
Zach. 2.  
Psal. 117.  be●ing well assured, that God keepeth them as the very apple of his eye: for they know ●hat they are under his protection & governance: and that hereafter they shall inherit (how contemptuously so ever they lived here) eternal glory, felicity and blessedness in the presence of God, in that new & heavenly jerusalem. Of which glory and blessedness to make a discourse, I should labour in vain, and besides that never get my purpose, nor finish mine enterprise: For never no ear heard it, 
●. Cor. 2.  nor eye saw it, neither came it into any heart: And to say all, never any man was able to comprehend it, that God hath prepared for his elect that love him.  
Ye have now (gentle Reader) sufficiently (as I hope) herd, what wickedness, thraldom, labour, pain, and trouble, covetousness, concupiscence, and ambition bringeth to them that love it, follow it, wish for it, and seek after it. Likewise ye may consider here, how and after what sort they draw man from God, from natural reason, from all goodness, and mutual and brotherly love, unto all kind of iniquity, cruelty and unnatural vices: and oftentimes come so far, that they not only bring other men in great danger to attain to their purpose, but they themselves also body and soul. Ye have heard also, that the Devil, the Prince of this world, is a father and the author of all wickedness, & wicked doers, and how that that mischievous Antichrist (which within a ●ew years hitherwards hath been revealed) did proceed and was borne of him: as ye may see more evidently out of this Genealogy following.  

The book of the Generation of Antichrist, the desolatour and child of perdition.  
FIrst the devil begot Darkness. 
Ephe. 6.   
And darkness begot Ignorance. 
Acts .17.   
Ignorance begot error and his brethren. 
1. Tim. 4.   
Error begot free-will, Ignorance, and Self love. 
Esay. 10.   
Free will begot Merits. 
Esay. 58.   
Merits begot forgetfulness of the grace of God. 
Rom. 10.   
Forgetfulness of the grace of God begot Transgression. 
Rom. 1.   
And Transgression begot mistrust. 
Gen. 3.   
Mistrust begot Satisfaction. 
Mat. 17.   
Satisfaction begot sacrifice of the Mass. 
Dan. 12.   
Sacrifice of the Mass begot Popish priesthood. 
2. Thess. 3.   
And popish priesthood begot Superstition. 
Math. 15.   
Superstition begot Hypocrisy the King. 
Math. 23.   
And hypocrisy begot Lucre. 
1. Timo. 6.   

●euel. 9  Lucre begot Purgatory.  

●. Cor. 15.  And Purgatory begot the foundation of pensions.  

Deut. 32.  foundation of pensions begot Patrimony of the church.  

Luc. 16.  And Patrimony of the church begot Mammon of iniquity.  

job .12.  Mammon begot Abundance.  

Esay. 28.  And Abundance begot Fullness.  

2. Tim. 3.  Fullness begot Cruelty.  

Math. 23.  Cruelty begot Domination.  

Ezech. 34. Ezec. 16.  Domination begot Pomp.  

john .5.  Pomp begot Ambition.  

Acts .8.  Ambition begot Simony.  

2. Thess. 2.  Simony begot the Pope and the Cardinals his brethren in the transmigration of Abomination.  

Math. 7.  And after the Transmigration of Abomination, the pope begot the Mystery of iniquity.  

1. Tim. 4.  And the Mystery of iniquity begot Divine Sophistry.  

jerem. 17.  Divine Sophistry begot Rejection of holy Scripture.  

Math. 24.  Rejection of holy Scripture begot Tyranny.  
And Tyranny begot murder of Saint's 
Acts .7.   
Murder of saints begot despising of god. 
Psalm. 5.   
Despising of God begot Dispensation. 
Psalm. 32   
Dispensation begot Licence to sin. 
reve. 15.   
And Licence to sin begot abomination. 
Esay. 1.   
Abomination begot Confusion. 
Revel. 1.   
And Confusion begot Travail of the spirit. 
Miche. 7.  
1. Tim. 1.   
Travail of the spirit begot Disputation and matter to seek for the verity, by the which that desolatour Antechriste hath been revealed.  
You have heard● also (gentle Reader) how that the Devil with all his adherents, according to the verity of God's holy word, and his righteous judgement, shall be thrown and cast into the pit of eternal perdition of unquenchable fire, which hath been prepared for him and his angels, his servants and followers, marked with his mark from the beginning of the world: where shall be gnashing of teeth, and wring of the hands eternally. Moreover, it hath been said, how that neither he, nor all his membres are able to do any thing against Ies● Christ, nor against his kyngdom● or Church. Which because they are not of the world, therefore the world and all that belongeth to ●he world, have from the beginning hated them, persecuted and afflicted them, as well Satan himself, as the world and the worldly minded: as it is seen daily, and shall be, so long as the world continueth: notwithstanding there hath been sometime a little quietness seen and shall be, it is possible yet, namely so long as the malice and violence of Satan and his membres be bridled & tied short, so long shall the godly people have peace & quietness, and shall see some years of grace. Furthermore, it was showed you, how that Christ jesus became man for us, and is now in eternal glory in the kingdom of his father, with all his Apostles his chosen, with all such as believe through them in him, which hath been prepared for them from the beginning, where is and shall be unspeakable joy. Here you may see and judge of God, and the devil, Christ, and Antichrist, the kingdom of God, and of Satan, the Church of Christ, and the synagogue of Rome, or the assembly of the reprobate, the broad way, and the strait gate, heaven and hell, eternal life and everlasting death. Now t●en, if every one might choose the one or the other of these two ways, I believe that no man would be so foolish or ignorant, that would not choose rather salvation than condemnation, to ascend into heaven, than to go into hell. Nevertheless those that will be saved, and are desirous to be accounted under the numbry of the elect, must diligently take heed, that they wander not, nor be deceived by every wind of doctrine. For like as covetousness, pride, arrogancy, ease of the body, voluptuousness, and pleasure of the world, hath chased and driven away all manner of devotion, zeal, and godly exercises pertaining unto true christian religion at the primitive church: In like m●ner shall the devil not yet cease or leave o● to reign and rule in his membres, notwithstanding that the child of perdition, that Antichrist is already manifested, and openly showed: yea he attemp●eth yet daily by the means of such vices, a little before mentioned, to raise up even in the reformed Churches among the brethren, dissension and trouble. And it is to be feared, that in the end he shall prevail more and more. 
●ath. 24.  For it is written, that ini●quitie shall abound, 
●dr. 15.  and have the upper hand, and the charity of many shall wax cold. But so many as bear more love to God, and seek more to please him than the devil, they must take good heed to do that which pleaseth him, according to his revealed will: For whom, it is not sufficient to know Antechri●t, to blame him, to speak and report of him as his doings deserve, but it is requisite for them most chief, to confess the name of the Lord even from their very hearts, to honour & fear him, to believe and put all confidence in him, to love him, and as near as we can, 
john .14.  to express him in our conversation, through love unfeigned, thereby to show ourselves to be his Disciples: For not every on● (sayeth our saviour Christ) that sayeth Lord, 
Mark .8.  Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, 
Luke .9.  but such as do the will of my father. 
john .12.  Again, saith Christ: 
Luke .6.  Whosoever loveth his life here in this world, 
Math. 5.  shall lose it, and who so hateth his life here for my name's sake, shall keep it to life everlasting. Again, he that will be my Disciple, 
john .17.  let him follow me, and where I am, he shall be also. Who so serveth me, my Father shall honour him. 
joh. 15.  The servant is no better than his master, and a messenger is no more than he that sent him. If we keep the commandments of Christ, we shall remain in his love, 
john .15.  even as he did the will of his father, and remained in his love. His commandment is, that we love one an other, as he loved us, let us therefore henceforth lead a good life & conversation, according to the will of the Lord, and frame our life to the doctrine and example of our master and Lord jesus Christ, in keeping the commandments of the Lord Christ. 
Luke .6.  Let us not be wrathful, 
Math. 5.  but love one an other. Pray (sayeth the Lord) for them that persecute you, and speak evil of you, and be ye perfect as I am perfect. That this our sinful body might be destroyed, and that henceforth we serve sy●ne no more: for he that is dead, is free from sin. Let us then think, that we are dead to sin, 
Rom. 6.  and live not to ourselves, but to our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ. Let not sin (saith the apostle S. Paul) reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof, 
Rom. 6.  but be ye true servants of righteousness unto life, & not servants of sin of the flesh or the world ●o death, neither give ye henceforth your members, as weapons of unrighteousness unto sin, but as weapons of righteousness unto God. For when we were the servants of sin we were not under righteousness, what fruit had we then in those things, whereof we are now ashamed: 
Rom. 6.  for the end of those things is death, but contrariwise, the fruit of righteousness is everlasting life. Brethren, it is now time to awake from sleep, forasmuch as the night is passed, and the day approacheth, and is even at hand.  
God hath freely sent his true and faithful ministers, 
Rom. 1●.  and giveth his word plentifully to be preached: let us cast away then the works of darkness, 
Rom. 13.  and take unto thee the armour of light, 
Coloss. 3.  & walk honestly as in the day time, 
Luke .21.  not in gluttony & drunkenness, 
●phe●. 5.  nor in chambering & wantonness, 
james .3.  nor in strife, nor envying, but put ye on the Lord jesus Christ, & take no thought for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, but according to the good pleasure of God, in all spiritual exercises. The works of the flesh are notorious & manifest, 
Gala. 5.  as adultery, fornication, 
1. Corin. 3.  uncleanness, wantonness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, debate, emulation, wrath, contentions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, gluttony, and such like. The workers whereof, be the most wretches and miserable slaves that ever were: yea they are threatened, that who so ever committeth such things, 
Gala. 5.  shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. 
1. Corin. ●.  On the other side, the fruit●s of the spirit are love, 
Ephe. 5.  joy, peace, 
R●uel. 22.  long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperancy, and such like. 
●phes. 5.  After this sort ought every christian man to walk, 
●om. 6.  being careful to mortify his own flesh, exercising himself in these good works which God hath prepared for him to walk in, 
●●he. 2.  casting of the old man, 
●phe. 4.  which is corrupt through deceivable lusts: 
●o●. 6.  be ye therefore renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put ye on the new man, 
●phe. 4.  which after god, is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
●phe. 4.  Wherefore cast of lying & speak every man true unto his neighbour. 
Colloss. 3.  For we are members the one of the other. 
●. Peter .2.  Be angry but sin not: 
●ach. 8.  let not the Sun go down upon your wrath, 
●sal●. 4.  neither give place to the Devil. 
●●co. 4.  Let him that stole, steal no more, 
●phes. 4.  but let him rather labour and work with his hands, 
● Thes. 3.  the thing that is good, that he may have to give him that needeth. Let not corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 
Math. 12.  but that which is good to edify withal, 
Ephe. 4.  that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 
● Cor. 11.  And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger, and wrath, crying and evil speaking, be put away from you with all maliciousness. Be ye courteous one to an other, and tender hearted, 
Coloss. 3.  forgiving one an other, 
Math. 6.  even as god for Christ's sake, 
Eccle. 2●.  forgave you. 
Ephes. 5.  Be ye then followers of god as dear children, 
john .13. 1ST  walk in love even as Christ hath loved us, 
Math. 5.  & hath given himself for us, 
Galat. 2.  to be an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savour to god. 
Tit. ●.  So then fornication and all uncleanness, 
Exod. 23.  or covetousness, 
1. Corin. 6.  let it not be once named among you, as it becometh saints. 
Galath. 5.  Neither use ye filthiness, nor foolish talking, 
Colloss. 2.  neither jesting, which are things not comely: 
2. Thess. 2.  but rather giving of thanks. For this ye must know, that no whoremonger neither unclean person, nor covetous person, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, & of God. 
Math. 24.  Let no man deceive you with vain words, 
jerem. 20.  for by such things cometh the wrath of God, 
Mark .13.  upon the children of disobedience. 
Luke .21.  Be not therefore companions with them: 
2. Thess. 2.  for so much as ye were once in darkness but are now light in the lord: walk therefore as it becometh children of light, 
Galath. 5.  for the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth. 
●ath. 18.  Approve and assay that which is pleasing to the Lord, 
●. Cor. 5.  and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but even reprove them rather: 
eccle 17.  take ye heed that ye walk circumspectly and wisely, 
●olloss. 4.  not like the foolish, but as the wise, 
●om. 12.  and redeem the time, 
●phes. 5.  
Collo●●. 3.  for even these days are evil and dangerous days. 
●. Thess. 5.  Therefore be ye not ignorant, but replenished with knowledge and spirit. Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing your own selves in psalms & spiritual songs, 
Psalm. ●8.  singing with grace in your hearts, giving thanks always to god the father of our Lord jesus Christ, 
Ephes' 5.  submitting yourselves one to the other in the fear of God. 
Colos●. 3.  Wives submit yourselves unto your husbands, 
1. Peter .3.  as unto the Lord: for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church, and is the saviour of his body. Therefore as the Church is in subjection unto Christ: Even so let the wives be to their husbands in every thing. Ye husbands love your wives, 
1. Pet. 3.  dwell with them as men of knowledge, giving honour unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel: even as they which are heirs together of the grace of life. 
Gala. 2.  Even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, 
Ephes. 5.  that he might sanctify it, and cleanse it, and make it unto himself a glorious Church, without any spot or wrinkle, but that it should be holy and without blame: So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies: for he that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth & cherisheth it, as the Lord doth his Church, for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, 
Ephes. 6.  and shall cleave to his wife, 
Collos●. 3.  and they twain shall be one flesh. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 
Exod. 20.  Honour thy father and mother which is the first commandment, with promiss. Again, ye Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in instruction, & information of the Lord. Ye servants must obey unto them that be your bodily masters according to the flesh, 
Ephes. 6.  with fear & trembling in singleness of your heart, 
Colloss. 3.  as unto the lord 
Math. 15.  Not with service to the eye, as men pleasers, 
Tit. 2.  but as the servants of Christ: 
1. Peter .2.  doing the will of God from the heart, with a good will serving the Lord, & not men: 
Eccle. 33.  being well assured that whatsoever good thing any man doth, 
Colloss. 3.  that same shall he receive of the lord, whether he be bond or free. Therefore ye masters, do the same thing unto them, putting away threatening, knowing that you have a master also in heaven, with whom there is no respect of persons. Finally, I beseech you all indifferent, of what estate, condition, or calling so ever ye be, that ye will show yourself an ensample in word and conversation in all good works, 
1. Tim. 4.  keeping yourself always under discipline, and true doctrine, without any damage of prejudice to any, keeping the word whole & irreprehensible, that the adversaries might be ashamed, having no occasion to speak evil of you with the truth. Therefore submit yourselves to Princes, 
Rom. 13.  rulers, and powers, 
Peter .2.  and be ready to every good work. Accuse or blame no man, be ye not spiteful, contentious or wrathful, but amiable and peaceable, showing loving kindness and courteousness to all men. Gird the loins of your heart. Stand manfully, and put your whole trust and confidence in the grace which is now offered. Let your love be unfeigned. 
Rom. 1●.  Abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good. Be affectioned to love one an other with all reverence. Be not slothful or negligent to do service, 
Ephe. 4.  but be fervent in spirit. 
1. Peter .2.  Frame your self according to the time. Rejoice in hope, be patiented in tribulation, continued in prayer, distribute unto the necessity of the Saints, giving yourself to Hospitality. Bless them which persecute you, bless I say & ●ursse not, if it be possible, as much as in you is. Have peace with all men. 
Proverb. 20●  Be all of one mind, 
Philip. 20.  of one concord and one judgement. That nothing be done through contention or vain glory●, but that in meekness of mind every man esteem other better than himself.  
Let no man seek his own, but the profit of other men. Be fervent in love, have brotherly love among you, 
1. Corin. 13.  without the which, 
Luc. 17.  all other things are nothing to speak of, of what faith so ever we boast ourselves to have. Love is courteous, long suffering, not envious, not guileful, nor puffed up, desireth no dishonesty: It seeketh not ●ir own, is not provoked to anger, 
Phil. 2.  it thinketh no evil, it delighteth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth in the truth, 
1. Peter .2.  endureth all things, hopeth in all things, and never faileth. Through very lo●e and charity, is Christ jesus become man for us, and hath humbled himself in all kind of obedience through love, and suffered death on the Cross to save us. So then let us abide in charity, and do well without weariness: 
Gala. 6.  for that which man soweth, 
●. Thess. 3.  that same also he shall reap. If he sow in the flesh, he shall reap again of the flesh, perdition. But if he sow in the spirit, he shall reap of the spirit, life. Therefore continue in well doing, although ye suffer rebuke and ignominy of the world. Be humble and meek with Abraham, Moses and David. Be long suffering and patient with job and Thobie in all kind of troubles, adversities, & tribulations. The Lord always useth to send his rods first of all over his house: therefore when he chasteneth us for our sins which we have done in times past, 
Math. 6.  we must patiently bear it. 
1. Tim. 3.  It must be of necessity, 
james .1.  that the godly suffer persecution to exercise their faith, 
Genes.. 12.  and show their love and fervency. 
job .1. 2,  Abraham was proved here of the Lord, 
Acts .4.  
Prou. 17.  & job troubled and molested, 
wisdom .3.  and were both found faithful and constant. The Apostles were merry and glad, that they were found worthy to suffer injury, wrong, contempt & hatred for the name of jesus Christ. The Lord trieth and proveth the godly as gold in the furnace. 
james .1.  He chasteneth all them which he loveth, 
Heb. 12.  and scourgeth every son which he receiveth. 
Prou. 3.  It is only faith which overcometh all evil, 
1. Ioh● .5.  and obtaineth victory through patience. The fruit springing unto eternal life, is marvelously assaulted in the godly, whilst we be here in this world. The things must needs fall upon us, seeing we are unperfect. Let us therefore be steadfast and unmovable, 
●●hn .7.  
●●mes 5.  having a good hope always in our affliction, 
●● Corin. 13. ●●p. 3.  trouble, or persecution, in the losing & foregoing, be it of our friends or goods, 
●● Peter .1.  
●● Corin. 5.  yea our bodies, that we shallbe recompensed greatly for a little trouble which we here endure: 
●●od. 16.  
●eut. 8.  
●●cle● 2.  God will prove & try us, and receive us (if so be we abide constant) as an acceptable sacrifice of swerte savour. Let us then depend wholly upon him, and he shall keep us, let us hope and trust upon him, and he will not forsake us, let us steadfastly cleave unto him, & he shall not leave us destitute. Therefore my dear brethren, let us consider and overrun all ages and times, and diligently mark, if at any time any one was put to confusion and shame, which trusted in the Lord. He which called upon him in faith and confidence, was he ever forsaken or contemned of him? Was there ever any, were he never so wicked, which turned to the Lord, not received? No surely, for God is merciful, 
●●al. 103.  long suffering, and ready to forgive. He heareth in the day of trouble, and he is at hand to all them that call upon him. He is a protector and defender of all those that seek him in truth, 
Psal. 91.  and trust in him. But fie upon them, cursed are they that are faint hearted, inconstant, waverers, untempered brains, yea mockers and very libertines, fearing men, poor princes more than God, which have a greater care of these transitory goods, and have much rather to please the world than God, because they look for none other God here, than to have that they lu●te and desire for their belly: yea they say in their hearts, there is no God. They would gladly leave to God the heavens, so that they might r●maine upon the ●arth. They know none other heaven then here on earth, which rather might be called an hell, than heaven, because we all are subject to many infirmities. 
Esay. 26.  Besides that, they cannot have here any rest or quietness in mind or conscience. Neither can they have things as they would, be they never so rich. These men, as they are altogether worldly & carnal, so can they never come to any knowledge of God. 
●. Cor. 2.  For the worldly and natural men can not perceive the things which are of the spirit of God, neither consider they the glorious majesty of God, 
●say. 26.  neither are they so much as once careful of the life to come. Woe be unto the sinful lips, slothful hands, to the sinner which keepeth two ways. Woe to the dissolute of heart, for they shall not be defended, because they believe not. Woe unto the unpatient, that have lost and forsaken the right way to decline and wander in the crooked way. Woe unto them, for what shall they say when the Lord shall search them out? Let us love the Lord therefore all we that fear him. Let us put our confidence in him, let us remain faithful, and let us walk according to his holy will, let us search diligently after those things which please him, let us prepare our hearts, and frame ourselves to be acceptable in his fight, and humble our souls before his face, let us patiently abide the time, until he send us secure, help and comfort, saying: 
Rom. 5.  It is better to fall in the hands of men, than in the hands of the Lord: 
jam. 1.  for as he is great and mighty, 
Esay. 57  so is he also merciful. Let us then be patient, and not shrink, yea rather let us manfully strive in the midst of our troubles, afflictions and miseries, knowing that adversity engendereth patience, & patience trial or probation, probation hope, & hope shall not be ashamed, for the love of God is poured into our hearts. Go forward then my brethren to all good works, and make yourself sure to the Lord, and to the power of his might: Take unto you therefore the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day. Stand therefore, having your loins girded with the truth, 
Ephe. ●.  & having on the breast plate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. Above all, take unto you the shield of faith, wherewith ye may quench the fiery darts of the wicked. 
Ephes. 6.  Take unto you also the helmet of salvation, 
Psal. 131.  and the sword of the spirit, 
1. Corin. 1.  which is the word of God, 
Wisdom .5.  and pray without ceasing in all your assaults and necessities) making your prayers in humbleness of the spirit. Be diligent and watchful. Be you wise and subtle like Serpents, & simple without fraud or guile as Doves. Be sober & watch, 
1. Peter .5.  for your adversary the Devil, who goth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. He useth a thousand sleights & setches, many kinds of ways, divers and sundry means to entrap and snare by. Resist ye him therefore, be steadfast in faith, and defend thyself with the armour right now before mentioned. 
1. Peter .5.  Bear yourself manfully, confirm and refresh yourself every time with that excellent meat of the spirit, which doth not perish, which is the word of god, 
john .6.  that ye might withstand him both day and night like a good soldier, and all his assaults. Take ye heed therefore to give any place to evil, but set yourself valiantly and courageously against him, at what time he shall assault you, either by fair or foul means, 
Math. 4.  by flattery, in showing you the riches, the glory and pomp of this world, to none other end and purpose, than to entrap and deceive you, or by cruelty, persecution, or trouble, to overcome and vanquish you, if ye hearken unto him any manner of way. 
2. Cor. 10.  And because he can transform him ●elfe into an Angel of light, it is requisite and necessary that every spirit be proved by the touch stone of God's holy word, if so be that it agreeth therewith, so must it be holden for good, be believed and followed. But if so be that it in any part be contrary to that, it must according to the Apostle S. Paul's saying be accursed. 
Galath. 1.  Let no evil take any root in your heart, but pluck it out forthwith. God is meek, holy, long suffering, merciful, and altogether good, but feeling that any one bringeth any thing contrary to these particularities appropriated unto God, be ye sure that that spirit is not of God: from those refrain yourself, resisting them with the weapons before mentioned.  
Be sober and humble in mind, content with a little, not carried away of covetousness after the richesse and glory of this world, neither be ye seduced by the pleasure of carnal concupiscence, and voluptnousnesse of this world, which are deceitful, and bring great pains to them that follow after them. But to keep yourself the rather clean from the thraldom of them, way and consider how vain, uncertain, and vile a thing it is: what evil proceedeth from it. Again, remember that all flesh is gra●se & hay, 
Psal. 103.  and all the glory, honour, 
Esay. 40.  force and might of it, as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, and the flower fadeth away. Yea all Princes and people are but hay, where over, if the breath of the Lord do but blow, it becometh dry, 
●say. 40.  & the flower of it falleth. But the word of the lord abideth for ever. 
●. Peter .3.  Thou lettest man Lord (saith David) pass away as the herb which is green in the morning, 
psalm. 90.  and at night is cut down. The time of our life is three score and x. years and though men be so strong that they come to four score years, yet is their strength then but labour and pain. What is man (sayeth he) or what is th● wisdom of man? The numbered of hy● days are a hundredth years at the most, and a thousand years compared unto eternity, are not so much as a drop of water to the whole sea, or as a little dust unto the sands of Africa, for that cometh to an end, and eternity hath none end, but continueth always. 
Esay. 4.  All flesh waxeth old as a garment, and all that is made and can be seen, shall perish in season. The generation of flesh and blood is such, that when one is borne, an other dieth. One kingdom increaseth, an other decreaseth: Who so ever committeth wickedness, shall perish with them. Blessed is the man, which through wisdom exerciseth himself in all goodness, and declareth holy things with understanding. This many of the Heathen Philosophers, and other Pagans, could well discern and judge of, by natural reason: the which also did contemn and forsake riches, great estimation and authority, because of many labours, pains, and unquietness, and other evils, which here-hence proceed for to pass over & spend their time in more quietness, would not be entangled with any kind of thing that might hinder them of their study and other exercises.  
Cecilius Metellus, a valiant captain would never receive the office of Dictator which was offered him, neither the charge of a Consul or magistrate, saying that he would spend that in quietness, that he had gotten by great travail and pain in the wars. The Philosopher Anatillus did refuse to be governor of Athenes, saying that he would be rather a servant of good men, than a hangman of the wicked. Nicodius did not regard nor made any account of the great treasure which king Cyrus sent him for a present to go with him to war. Aristotle forsook the good entertainment of Alexander the great, because he had rather be at Athenes, to read to his scholars after his accustomed manner, Philosophy. Apollon●us Thianeus leaving his own native country, took his journey to go throughout whole Asie, to go to see the philosopher Hirarchus in Indie. M. Curius contemned the great sum of gold the Samnites offered him: The great Philosopher Crates, mentioned in the beginning of our book, cast all his goods & riches into the sea. The inhabiters of the Isle of Varales being advertised of the avarice & covetousness of their n●ibors, threw all their treasure, their gold & silver into the sea, because they should not take occasion to make war against them for their goods. Upon a day in the presence of Philip king of the Macedonians, was moved a question among the philosophers, namely: What was the greatest thing in this world? Whereunto one answered, It was the Sun: the next said, the sea: the third, the mount of Atlas: the fourth said: that great and learned Poet Homer. Shortly, every one ●ayd that which seemed him best. But the wisest of them all, answered after this sort: The greatest and most commendable thing is, the heart and courage of Man, which doth not regard worldly and transitory Riches. But I could rehearse here, a great many more of examples, if need should so require, and time serve. But if the Heathen have done this, how much more ●ught Christians to do that in knowledge & discretion, which they did in ignorance? And to draw yourselves the rather from all vain and transitory things, which lead men unto all evil, and to address yourself with heart and mind towards the Lord, ye must call to remembrance often, the wrath which shall come to the servants of unrighteousness, the children of the world, the flesh and the devil at the last day. Again, call to mind that worthy reward and glorious inheritance which the children and servants of God have prepared for them. The time passeth, and is turned from morning until evening. Therefore be ye wise, and have the fear of God before your eyes, keep yourself from doing of evil, in these dangerous days. The fool hath no consideration of the time, but the wise man understandeth all that belongeth to knowledge, and taketh heed to instruction. He which findeth wisdom, esteemeth it, and maketh much of it. A witty man in talk (saith the wise man) walketh wisely. Also they have known verity and justice, and have searched after true judgement. Withdraw yourself then, (if ye will b● counted wise before God) from the vanity of this present world, and cast aside all manner of voluptuousness, pleasure, and carnal Concupiscence. For if you follow the perverse judgement of the world, and give the bridle to the wicked desires of the body, it will cause your enemies to rejoice over you. 
Ps●lm. 37.  Let it not grieve you, to see the wicked prosper, to be regarded, and to come to high promotion: Be not ye abashed or displeased, for consideration of temporal felicity, which god giveth here upon earth unto the ungodly, wicked, and carnal libertinism to Epicures, bellygods, and other, seeing they are of no continuance, they shall fall, vany●he, and come to nought, they shall consume like smoke, and perish like the herb and flower of the fields: But trust ye in the Lord, and go forward from goodness to better. Christ jesus our Saviour, to the comfort of all troubled Christians, warneth us, saying: Fear not ye him which killeth the body, seeing he can not hurt the soul, which is in the Lords keeping, though the body be never so miserably tormented or ill entreated, yet are we sure, that God shall raise it up again, and so body and soul being joined, receive everlasting joy and blessedness. Contrary wise, all the wicked which persecute the true membres of Christ, as doth at this day, that wicked tyrant the Duke of Alba, with all his adherents very hangmen and cruel murderers of the Pope, shall have an ill-favoured and shameful end here in this world, and hereafter have eternal ignominy and confusion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: The reward in deed of all such tyrants and wicked ones, as now be, or ever were: as Nero, Dioclesian, Dioscore, Maximian, jovian, Maxence, Licinus, Constantius, Phocus, and many more other, whose fearful and terrible examples ought to move the cruel tyrants of our days, were it not that they by the just judgement of GOD, were hardened in their wicked malicousnesse. examining then the naughty end of these wicked tyrants, and weighing again, our good end and ●ure consolation, which we gather out of the word of God, we ought by good reason to rejoice and be glad of our estate, & from the bottom of our hearts to thank the Lord our God, that it hath pleased him to call us to such a good state, and that he hath thought us worthy to suffer any thing for his name sake. Then be of good cheer, and take courage, and taking thy cross on thy shoulder, follow stoutly Christ jesus, thy king and only head. ●ut if thou wilt do this, thou must contemn, cast of and forsake (even as Christ did) all covetousness, worldly honour, carnal lus●s & concupiscence, and thou shal● find, that it is much easier to serve the Lord, 
Math. 11.  than to ●e a slave to this wretched world: 
jerem. 6.  for his yoke is light, & his burden is easy. 
1. john .5.  Be ye therefore strengthened & comforted by virtue of gods holy spirit: neither purpose or desire either by word or deed any thing that displeaseth him: put all thy trust & confidence's in him. Thus doing, let him be the mark whereat thou shootest, the conducting star, the compass & true token, whereat thou sailest, the way whereon thou goest, the rock whereon thou standest, the sure ground whereon thou buildest, the strength and fortress wherein thou trustest, the end whereunto thou hastest, the good which thou desirest, the life which thou seekest, the comfort which thou dost wish for, the treasure wherefore thou labourest, thy glory, perfection, & all thy trust and confidence. So than it shall come to pass, that no kind of evil shall hurt thee, neither fire nor water, l●sse of goods or honour, wife, children, of friends, land, house, inheritance or any other possessions, neither yet contempt, slander, backbiting, persecution, banishment, or any other misery suffering for his name sake. Have no regard unto the inconstancy and variableness of Fortune, nor unto the uncertainty of richesses and time, then shalt thou in poverty be rich, in reproach highly regarded, in distress merry, in heaviness glad, in prison at liberty and abroad. Therefore bridle thy lust, and refrain thy heart from all worldly, carnal, and transitory riches, and be lifted up in mind and spirit to heavenly and uncorruptible treasures: so shalt thou be regenerate of the holy ghost, and being confirmed by the word of God, may well be called Microcosm, that is, the whole world upon the little foot. Ye shall be true Christians, Kings and Priests, esteeming nevertheless yourselves as unprofitable servants. Ye shall live happily and pleasant, and quiet in conscience: ye shall know your own: and being thoroughly persuaded of the truth, ye shall abide steadfast and unmovable, not wavering with every wind. No kind of affection, envy, hate, anger, sorrow or pain, shall trouble you, ye shall put away all wickedness, & make no account of worldly matters, but your conversation shall be in heaven: ye shall then continually meditate of God and his kingdom, that being busy therewithal, ye might contemn all worldly things from the heart. Nothing then shall be able to separate you from the love of God, but ye shall go forward in all virtue and godliness, till such time as it shall please Almighty God to take our souls unto him, then shall we see him most perfectly face to face. Unto the which perfection and joyful sight, vouchsafe to bring us O Lord Almighty, the father of our Lord jesus Christ, through the same his only and well-beloved son: To whom with the holy ghost be all honour and glory, power and dominion everlastingly. And to all faithful christians here upon earth peace and comfort of the holy ghost, and hereafter life everlasting.  
AMEN.     

Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman, dwelling in Knight rider's street, at the sign of the Mermaid. ANNO. 1569.  
cum PRIVILEGIO AD IMPRIMENDUM SOLUM.