The Image of Both Churches in Revelation

The Paraphrase.

O F Jesus Christ▪ the son of y ^e living God, this is the wonderful revelation, concerning the diverse and doubtful estate of the Christian church from the Apostles time to the latter ende of the world.

2 Which revelation with all judgment and power, God the everlasting father hath wholly given unto him, now takē up from the earth, glorified, and set above all the works of his hands.

3 Euidently to declare, yea, to make manifest and known unto his true faithful servants believing in his words, and walking in his ways, the tokens, signs, & marueils, which must by his unchangeable ordinance, shortly in this latter time, follow in effect, without premonishment or warning taken of the wicked sort.

4 And the said Jesus Christ sitting on the right hand of the majesty of God, and being much more excellent then the angels, hath according to his former promise, sent forth his spirit of truth, most specially unto his dearly beloved Apostle and peculyar dyscyple saint John the Evangelist, not only to deduce him into all knowledge and verity, but also to manifest unto him the secrete mysteries of things to come.

5 Which John hath already (as an earnest doer in his masters cause) most constantly wytnessed his eternal godhead in y ^e everlasting word, against y ^e Hebionites, which denied him to come in the flesh, and hath faithfully affirmed his natural manhood in all that he saw being conversant with him, against Carpocras and Cerinthus, which blasphemed the same in the utter confusion of all such Antichrists.

6 Blessed is he (saith Saint John) which after meek prayer and godly meditacyon, having the gift of understanding and grace of interpreting the scriptures, doth sincerely & faithfully without craft or color, publyshe & declare the mistycall words of this heavenly prophecy. Blessed are they also, which in a fervent faith hongerīg & thristinge for the righteousness, and with Simeon and Anna desirous of y ^e glory of God, doth lovingly hear and earnestly mark the wholesome words of the same said godly prophecy, and that will diligently apply thē selves to observe the rules, and take the premonishementes of Godly doctrine there in written.

7 For the perelous days are come that the disceytfull swarm of Antichrist peruertinge y ^e truth, shall bring the world into pernicious and damnable errors. And y ^e Ieopardous time is at hand, that the wrath of god shall be declared from Heaven upon all ungodliness of these seducers that with hold his truth in vnrightuousensse, & set hi • commandments at naught for their own vile traditions.

The Paraphrase.

1 John the elect Apostle of Jesus Christ sendeth these greatinges to the vii. churches or Christian congregations, which are in the land of Asia the less.

2 Grace (which is the mercy, favor, and acceptacion of God) be with you.

3 And also peace (which is the trauquilitie of conscience in them that believe in Christ) dwell ever among you, from god the father everlasting which is essencially in and of himself, and which was before the constitucion of the world, and which shall be after the world be finished forever and ever without ende.

4 The same grace and peace again be unto you from God the holy Ghost here mentioned under the title of .vii. spirits, for that he is manifold and plentuous in gifts.

5 The third time also the same said grace and peace be unto you from the Lord Jesus Christ the only son of God, which being the eternal verity it self, was in preaching his Gospel, a witness thereof both faithful, true, and perfect, and in no wise could lie, that ye should the rather believe him.

6 He was the first of all men that ever were in this mortal nature or body of death, recovering again the favor of God lost in Adam, and that with victory over sin, hell, death, and the devil, ascended into Heaven, and became in that flesh glorified, the son of God, that ye should be the bolder of him, and the rather take him for your only advocate.

7 He is also a m • ste mighty Lord over the kings, rulers, and magistrates of this world, having now all power given him in heaven & in earth, with a writing upon his vesture that he is Kinge of Kings, and Lord of Lord's, and that of his kingdom there shall be no ende, that the wicked tyrants should the rather fear, least they feel him a terrible judge at the latter day.

8 For so much as he hath so intyrely loved us, as to be smytten and wounded for our offencest, and as to give his life for our wicked wretchedness, yea for so much as he of most natural kyndenesse would be cruelly slain to wash us, purify us, and cleanse us in his own most innocent blood, from the moste cankered vylenesse of our sins, to provoke us to love him again.

9 For so much also as he hath made us a living kingdom to god through faith in him, and consecrate us priests to offer up our bodies by a new Christian life as a sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God his everlasting father.

10 Unto him with the said father & with the holy ghost be perpetual praise glory, power, and dominyon for evermore. Amen.

The Paraphrase.

1 Take hede for moste certain it is though Christ in his first coming as a merciful savior, apered here upon earth poor, simple, & ignominious, yet shall he in his latter coming appere in y ^e clouds of heaven, with majesty, power, and glory, accōpanyed with the infinite host of angels as a rigorous judge,

2 And upon him shall all eyes look, both man and angel shall behold him, and stand before his terrible judgment seat, no creature good nor bad exempt.

3 Yea, th • se cruel tyrants also shall at that hour appear before him, which did not only flee his moste innocente body, but also that hath ever since spitefully persecuted his faithful members unto death for the truths sake.

4 And all kinredes of the earth, y ^t is to say, whoremongers, glouttons, extorcioners, ydolatours, murderers and tyrants, shall bewail them selves for the sight of him.

5 Whose ryghtfull judgment is not so heatefull unto them, but it is as greatly desired of the faithful multitude, saying in their hearts continually. Even so be it, Amen. For they at that hour shall be wholly delivered, gloryfyed, and sealled up with Christ for the everlasting children of God.

6 I am he (saith the Lord God almighty) which hath begun all things and finished the same, being signified by Alpha (which is the first letter of y ^e Greke Alphabete) and Omega (which is the last) because this present reuelacion was written in Greke, and unto thē which only knew y ^e Greke tongue.

7 I am the same (saith the said Lord God everlasting, the father, the son and the holy ghost .iii. distinct persons in one essenciall Godhede) which is essencially in and of him self only, which was without beginning, and begun all things, and which shall be without endinge and finyshe all things, alone able to exhibyte all virtue, power and strength, and alone unable to execute errors, lies, and sin, which is of fragilite, weakness, and vnperfectnesse.

The Paraphrase.

1 I the faithful writer of this present reuelacion, called John the Apostle, your natural loving brother, so inferly caueting your souls health as 〈…〉 companion of yours also in adversity, trouble, and persecucion, for the truths sake.

2 And a partaker with you in the afflicted kingdom, and in the patient cross of s • fferēce in Christ Jesus.

3 Was now of late in a certain yle of Licia called Patmos, exiled for y ^e Gospel preaching, & made a vile abject for testifying the name & word of the said Jesus Christ the only 〈◊〉 of the world.

4 I being thus carefully afflicted and driven from all solase and bodily comfort, on a certain sunday or day dedicate to the Lord's remembrance, was in the spirit rapte, and clearly takē up from all worldly affects (so sweetly did the Lord releue his poor persecuted servant.)

5 And I heard certainly with mine ears a loud shirle voice behind me, as I was in this sweet heavenly traunse, which was so vehement, and stout to my judgment, as it had been y ^e noise of a great trompe, uttering these words unto me.

6 I am the first and the last the original beginner and the 〈◊〉 finisher of all things, under A • pha and Omega the first and last Greek letters, as under an allegory to be understand.

7 With all dilygence▪ therefore write, that thou shalt see here and make a perfect registre of the same.

8 And that done, send it lovingly unto the vii. Christian congregations, which are in y ^e land of Asia, committed of the Lord, unto thy administration in his word.

9 Send it unto Ephesus, send it unto Smyrna, direct it unto Pergamos, commit it unto Thyatira.

10 And unto Sardis, & unto Phyladelphia, and unto Laodicia, and finally by them to the .vii. Climates of the universal world. For though it be here to them only lymitted, yet is it to all people vnyuersally meant.

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The Paraphrase.

1 And suddenly I turned back (saith saint John) earnestly to behold from whence this voice should come, or who it should be that should speak these words unto me.

2 And as I had turned myself, anon I beheld .vii. gold̄ Candelsticks, betokening not only the said vii. congregations in Asia, but also y ^e universal Christianity of y ^e whole world. For vii. in the scripture most commonly signifieth all or the whole of that it comprehendeth.

3 And in the midst of the said .vii. Candelstickes, I saw one like unto Christ, which when he was conversant here among us, not only called him self, y ^e son of man, but also appeared in shape and apparel, as the same. And this betokeneth Christ always to be present and assistēt to his congregations, as a shepehard, and advocate, a teacher, and a redeemer, to keep them, help them, inform them, and save them.

4 I saw him clothed with a side linen garment down to the ground, signifying his abundant righteousness wherewith all his faithful believers are in this world largely replenished.

5 He was gyrded also about the paps with a golden gyrdle. Hys paps are his most sweet words and promises replenishing our souls with most suffrane consolation and gladness. And they are speared up together fast unto him with the shynyng cheane of charity or love. Which in y ^e whole, betokeneth that he is of righteousness & love, fast & sure unto us in his word & promise.

6 His head (which is his eternal Godhead) and his hears (which are his infallible verities thereof proceeding) are both so purely white as snow, in the incomprehensible mysteries of his divine majesty, and so perfectly white as wool (which is of a meaner sort) in the lower mysteries of our redemption.

7 Hys eyes (which are his Godlye wisdom and knowledge) were as a burning flame of fire, most effectual, pure and quick in working.

8 And his feet (which are his human affections & most sweet desires of our health) were like unto brass, most beutiful, clean & precious to behold, and as though they had been proved, tried and depured in a hot burning furnace. For in them was his frail, tender, and mortal flesh, by manifold troubles, sore vexed, persecuted, and slain.

9 Hys voice (which is his holy Testament or Gospel) was as the sound or noise of many waters. For many people's of diverse and sundry nations, kynreds, and languages, hath confessed and still doeth confess him God and man by the same, though the one understand not the other.

10 And he had in his right hand (which is his mighty power) seven stars, which are not only the seven preachers of his vii. congregations in Asia, but also all the true minysters of his word, the world over. For them hath he in his right hand. They are under his governance, will, protection, & custody. So long as he retayneth them, they are wise, godly, and profitable, but if he once throw thē forth, then are they blind, wicked, and accursed, yea, and good for nothing but to be cast out, & to be trodden under foot. Blessed are they therefore, which fall not besides y ^t hand.

11 Out of his mouth (which is his holy spirit) proceeded a sharp two edged sword. This is his strong, mighty, and quick word, or his sacred scripture, so sharp that it pierceth through, even to the diuyding a sunder of the soul and the spirit, and of the Ioynts & the mary. And is a iudger of the thoughts and intents of the heart, whom finally nothing shall be able to resist.

12 And his face (which is the eternity of his Godheade, glorified nature, and spiritual kingdom) shone even as the clear son in his most strength, whose brightness no creature can behold without y ^e pure sight of an uncorrupt faith. For the fleshly carnal man in no wise understandeth things belonging to the spirit of god, but judgeth them folishnesse.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 And when I had thus seen him (saith saint John) & dilygently marked all these points in him, I fell down at his feet as one almost dead for fear. Consider in this that y ^e nature of the true knowledge of christ, is to throw down & to mortify the flesh with his corrupt affections, and to cast us in fear till his hidden mysteries be thoroughly perceived.

2 And he (saith saint John) to comfort my weakness, laid his right hand upon me. He releued me with his power, grace, and help, when he saw me humbled before his face, and fearfully astonished at the wonderful brightness of his high mysteries: And not without his word, for he said unto me.

3 Let not fearfulness overcome thee, nor doutfull dread oppress thee. But take unto thee faith (which is the chief remedy in fear) & know that I am the first and the last, the maker & the restorer of all creatures. I am he, of whō all things depend and unto whom all things belong.

4 I am now alive, as thou seest euydently, and the very life it self, yet was I slain now of late, and my body dead and buried.

5 Behold me therefore earnestly, for now in a glorified nature, in a body impassyble and immortal, I am a live forever & ever, ready to make interpellatiō, & to obtain mercy for all the worlds sins, death having over me no more dominion.

6 I have in my hands & under my power, the keys both of hell & death, y ^t neither hell nor sin, death nor y ^e diuil, shall be frō henceforth able to prevail against my electes. No cōdamnation shall be unto them that are surely grafted in me.

7 Take pen and incke therefore, and seriously wry • e y ^e things which thou hast already seen.

8 And note faithfully y ^e meruayls which are by the power of God accomplyshed, and the wonders also which shall be fulfilled hereafter.

9 Mark first of all with due cyrcumspection the secrete mystery of the vii. shining stars, which thou sawest now of late in my right hand.

10 And diligently consider y ^e seven golden Candelstickes also.

11 The vii. stars in signification are the messengers of God's word or the Apostolic preachers appointed to the vii. congregations in Asia, and in them to all y ^e world. These ought in the church, as the stars in y ^e firmamēt to shine in wholesome doctrine, and in godly conuersatiō, and as the lights of the world, neither in life nor preaching to mynistre any manner of darkness.

12 Consider also the seven golden Candelstickes which thou sawest about me, to be the said .vii. congregations. Upon whom I ought to shine, which am the light of the world. In whose works I ought to appere, which am the clerenesse of the Gentiles. They are called here .vii. Golden Candelsticks, as most precious in value, for so much as they ar precious in the sight of God, & were also redeemed, and boughte with a great price even with the precious blood of the undefiled lamb Jesus Christ.

THE PARAPHRASE.

MY dearly beloved servant Johan (saith the Lord Jesus) my will is that thou shalt signify by writing unto the messenger or preacher of the Christian congregation of Ephesus, which dwelling in this earthly mansion, is as was Daniel, full of wholesome desires. She looketh for the Kingdom, she seeketh for the glory, she hungereth for the righteousness of God, she thursteth for the living waters, she longeth for to be delivered from this body of death, she coveteth to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, yea, feruētly she desireth to rest in the arms of hir almighty spouse.

2 Tell hir therefore that these sayings hath he, which holdeth the vii. stars in his right hand, & walketh in y ^e midst of the vii. golden Candelstickes, which hath in his power all ministers of his word, to retain thē or to cast thē out, & remaineth among the congregations, to behold their acts, and reward them according to their doings.

3 I know thy works (saith he) I perceue thy labor, thy anguish, thy affliction, thy pain, for unto me nothing can be hid. I consider also thy patient sufferance in adversity, and thy troublous cross for my words sake, thy constant faith, and thy unbroken spirit.

4 And I ponder thy fervent and godly zeal, wherein thou canst in no wise forbear thē that are wicked, and evil, but thou hatest blaspheemers, & abhorrest y ^e enemies of god.

5 I much commend thee for y ^t thou diligently examinest them which call them selves Apostles, and are none, which boast thē selves to be Christian teachers, and are nothing less.

6 And by thy diligent search hast not only proved them false, and deceitful Antichrists but also y ^u hast expelled thē least they should do harm.

7 And though thou haste been grievously vexed and persecuted of those false Prophets, yet hast thou patiently suffered, and firmly stand by y ^e truth for my names sake. Thou hast taken pains, and not faynted in thy labors, so strong hath y ^e spirit of God been with thee. And all these pointes in thee I greatly allow.

8 Yet have I somewhat against thee, for so much as thou art fallen from thy first charity, the fruits of true faith not being so abundant and plentiful in thee as they were in the beginning of the Gospel, nor y ^u so effectual in working mercy & pity.

9 Call therefore to thy remembrance, from what perfectiō thou art fallen, and repent thy slipper weakness and slothful negligence, which hath not suffered thee to persevere in thy first calling.

10 And return to thy first works again, walking in that fervent faith, in that godly spirit, and in y ^t sweet love of thy neighbor, that thou diddest walk in before, & diminish not, but increase evermore in all goodness

11 Els will I come shortly unto thee as a straight looker upon thee.

12 And except thou repent from the heart with full purpose of amend̄t, I will remove thy Candelsticke out of hir place. I shall take away from thence the sincere doctrine and pure preaching of my word, & suffer men's fantastical traditions, old women's dreams, the spirits of error, the doctrine of devils, the lies of hypocrites, with all blindness, darkness, abhominatiō, and idolatry, there to remain. For where as my word is not sincerely taught, believed, and observed, but uncharitably despised, hated, and persecuted, there shall not my church remain, but in hir place shall stand up the Sinagoge of Satan, with blindness and induration. For that congregatiō is not mine, which hath not my word. No longer is it my church, then it hath my verity. Turn back again therefore to Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob, to the Prophets and Apostles, and exercise the first works leaving all papistry.

13 This warning hast thou of me, for that thou hatest the unseemly deeds of the Nicolaytanes, so called of one Nicolas a proselitie of Antioch, and one of the vii. Deacons ordained by the Apostles. Whose corrupt custom was among other to defile holy wedlock in making their wives common, & in boasting them selves lawfully so to do by y ^e example of the said Nicolas.

14 Whose uncomely acts I hate and abhor also, having matrimonye in honor, and the chamber thereof undefiled. This premonishement have I given thee also, least thou in process of time shouldest fall to Apostasy, & utterly decline frō y ^e truth.

15 Let him that hath ears (saith the Lord) which is judgment and discretion in y ^e spirit, diligently hear, and earnestly mark, what the holy ghost speaketh, what premonishmēts he giveth, & what reward he promiseth to the faithful congregations.

16 To him y ^t by the spirit of Christ and by faith, victoriously overcometh the world, sin, hell, death, & the diuil, I will give to eat of the tree of life to have rejoice here in y ^e holy ghost, to have comfort, peace and gladness in me.

17 And after this life eternal beatitude which is in the midst of the beautiful paradise, or y ^e triumphant church of my Lord, my God, and my celestial father, & yours also by me.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Apply thee also (my friend John) with all festination, to write unto the faithful minister of the congregation of Smyrna, which trauaylyng in this veil, of myserie, as the odoriferous myrrha giveth forth the sweet smell of all good Christian works, and distrybuteth freelye the precyous treasure of godly examples. She believeth in God, she seeketh his only glory, she followeth his word, she rebuketh sin with patience, she openeth hir hands to y ^e poor, she giveth meat to y ^e hungry, drink to the thirsty, lodging to the stranger, clothes to the naked, comfort to the sick, and relief to y ^e prisoner. She is meek, gentle, obedyent, patient, and merciful.

2 Infourme hir therefore that these things saith he, which is the first and the last, the maker and redeemer, the founder and restorer of all creatures.

3 Which was once dead to redeem hir from eternal death, and now is alive to restore hir to life everlasting. Let hir not doubt therefore to suffer here like as he hath suffered. For as he is now immortal & hath the over hand of death, so shall she be and have the same.

4 I know thy works (saith y ^e Lord) to spring only of faith, and to be fashioned according to the word of God. I perceive thy manifold trybulations, how thou art outwardly afflicted by continual persecution of enemies, and inwardly crucyated in conscience to behold the damnable errors, frowardness, blindness, and utter contempt of God's truth, which reigneth in the wicked.

5 I consider thy poverty in the spirit, y ^t nothing y ^u esteemest y ^e pride, the riches, the vain glory, and the wanton desires of this world, yet art thou rich, for the kingdom of heavē is thine. For with Abraham, Job, Moses, and Helyas in thy heart thou seekest the only glory of God: and with all these things most highly am I pleased,

6 But this pleaseth me not, y ^t thou for my words sake art so blasphemed of ungodly hypocrites, which call themselves Jews and are not, which boast thenselves for y ^e peculyar people & chosē childrē of God, & are nothing less, but are without fail the cōgregatiō of Satan, & the tyrānous rabble of ravenous ruffyans.

7 Certain it is that by such spyrituall tyrants, thou must sustain opprobrious rebukes with manifold afflictions and pains. But let neither their subtle sleights, nor their cruel snares be troublous unto thy mind. Neither doubt y ^u their false practices, nor yet their vengeable lies, whō both y ^u must suffer, with hate, slander, reuylings, false witness, spite, shame, and vengeance. Considering this patiently to live in Christ, is to suffer persecution, and that among those belly gods nothing is more to be looked for thē the cross of contradiction and death.

8 And take this for a warning afore hand. The diuil doubtless which is the common adversary, and the head capitayne of their empyre, shall with violence bring some of you, not only under the captivity of cruel governors, but also into the thralldom of wicked laws and damnable constitutions, yea and consequently throw you into prison, chains, sorrow, hunger, thirst, cold, poverty, care, and wretchedness, to tempt your hearts, to try your patience, to prove your sufferance, & to trouble your faith, least ye should else steadfastly stand by Christ's doctrine, to his glory and profit of your brethren.

9 But let this solase you for y ^e time. Theyr malice shall not always endure. Their mischief will have an ende. For though ye have here trybulation, and suffer grievous persecution, he ye sure, it shall no longer continue then .x. days. The term of man's life is but short. And that once finished, God shall wype away from him all tears, and take away all sorrows, and bodily pains.

10 Perseuer therefore stedfastlye, and be strong in the spirit unto the ende. Let not faith fail thee unto the departing from this transitorious life.

11 And I shall replenishe thee with the reward of faithful perseuerāce. I will give thee the crown of eternal life, with full tranquility, joy, and beatitude.

12 Let him y ^t hath ears of understanding, with diligence attend, not what the Hipocrites hath fantasied for lucre, but what the holy spirit of God doth here graciously utter unto the Christian congregations.

13 He that so constantly perseuereth in the truth of God, that neither flattering persuasion, wordly promotion, nor cruel torment can pluck his mind from it, shall never take harm of the second death. For the death of them which truly believeth, is precious in the sight of the Lord their God. Neither shall sin be imputed to him that hath faith, nor yet damnation to them, which are in Christ Jesus.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Fayle in no wise good John (said the said Lord Jesus Christ (consequently to make known to the Christian Preacher of the congregation of Pergamos, which though she remain here beneth upon earth, yet is she the very high building of God many times assaulted and stricken of the wicked for confessing his truth, but never yet overthrown nor utterly distroyed. This Church is not only high through grace, faith, the word of God, the spirit of God, the invincible verity, and all other graces and gifts of the holy ghost, but also for the glory of the name of god, for the strength of his power, for the secret mysteries of his heavenly judgments, & for the most constant assertion of his godly truth.

2 Shew hir this heavenly message from him, which hath frō his mouth proceeding a fine sword, sharp edged on both the sides, whereby is meant his mighty word, so effectual, quick, and strong in operation, that the infallible judgments thereof doeth not only condemn, but also destroy utterly all falsehood, filthiness, lies, lewdness, and wickedness.

3 By my everlasting foresight (saith the Lord) I know thy christē works, and for thy faithes sake I allow thē and praise them. I perceive also where thou doest remain & dwell, even where as is the resting place of Satan, and the very kingdom of the devil, whereas God's heavenly word is oppressed, contemned, and blasphemed, of the infidels, tyrants, and hypocrites.

4 But I much commend thee, that thou dwelling among them, and sustaining daily persecution and rebukes, hast so strongly persevered in the truth, y ^t thou hast neither denied my name nor forsaken my faith.

5 And specially in those terrible days wherein that godly preacher and faithful witness of mine called Antipas, among other was most cruelly murdered and slain, yea, before your faces to put you the more in fear, least ye should still confess my name & word, to the hindraunce of Satan's kingdom, for there he dwelleth in deed. There is his seat, his trone, his habitacle.

6 Notwithstanding all these faithful points, yet have I somewhat against thee, wherein thou art rebuke worthy.

7 For thou art conversant with them that contrary to their christen profession support the execrable doctrine of y ^t subtle sothsayer & cursed • harmer Balaā, which by pestilent counsel caused king Balak to provoke the children of Israel to work wickedness, and so to have the curse of God through this occasion. He should set, before their eyes, the most fair damsels of the Madianytes precyously appareled. And they once tangled with their wanton beauty, should not only defile the laws of their fathers by y ^e eating of meats dedicate to unclean Idols, but also fall into the high displeasure of god, for committing with them most vile fornication. Suche vnholsome teachers are among thy people, take heed if thou list.

8 Thou art also very familiar with such ungodly Apostates & false Apostles as maintain the uncomely examples & teachings of the Nycolaytanes, which corruptyng godly marriage not only permit their own wives to be common, but also they abashe not to defile the wives of other men. Whose damnable doings I detest and abhor.

9 I counsel thee therefore to repent in time, and to be converted frō y ^e errors of those covetous gluttōs & ravenous lechours, which cōdemyning holy matrimony permit all kinds of uncleanness, and nothing more greedily devour, thā that is offered up to Idolles in their dedycations and feasts. Call back these abuses with sweet teachings, exhortations, desires, and patient rebukes, else will I within a while visit thee to thy displeasure.

10 Yea, and I will valiantly fight against those Balaamitanes, which give false counsel for filthy rewards, and against those Nicolaytanes that change holy wedlock for whoredom. And with the sword of my mouth, which is the invincible verity, shall I judge them, condemn them, and utterly destroy them with all those shaven Madyanites y ^t with their whorishe inventions, painted traditions, and ceremonyall superstitions, hath takē from me my most dear Israelytes, bought with my precious blood. With the breath of my mouth shall I consume thee, and bring thee to naught.

11 Let him that hath but one ear of just understanding, take gentle warning by such charitable premonishments as the holy spirit of God giveth unto y ^e christen congregations.

12 To him that through constante faith in the name & doctrine of God, neither feareth the world, sin, death, hell, nor the diuil, will I give to taste, eat, and saver an hidden manna, a secret sweetness, a wisdom in the spirit, that he shall feel the goodness thereof, and rejoice to know how sweet the Lord is, and what an heavenly treasure it is to trust in him. Which manna is hid from the wise of this world.

13 I will also give him for a token of perpetual peace and love, y ^t pure and precious stone Jesus Christ, so white as y ^e lily flour, innocent and clean frō all contagious vices, to be his only & whole wisdom, righteousness, light, health and redemption.

14 And in the said white stone Jesus Christ (which is also the book of life) will I give him a new name written. I shall register him for the child of God, and the heir of life everlasting. For in him alone must ye be accepted, saved, and glorified.

15 Of this no man is certain, but he that is taught of the spirit of God. No man can say, Jesus is the Lord, but in the holy ghost. By the spirit of adoption ye cry Abba father. The only spirit of the Lord ascertaineth your spirit that ye are the sons of God.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Delay not consequently my loving friend John (saith the Lord) expressly to manifest with pen, unto the pastour of the elect congregation of Thiatyra, which is frō these low partes here a sweet smellyng sacrifice unto God of labor and contrytion in the old aged man and body of death. For she detesteth the vanities of this world, she forsaketh the fruits of the flesh, she renounceth the cōcupiscēce of y ^e eyes, she mortifieth hir mortal menbers, she slayeth hir sensual affects, and rendereth up hir self unto hir Lord God as a lylyuing, holy and acceptable offering.

2 Geue unto that contrite and fervent congregation this comfort. Tel hir that this saith the dearly beloved and natural son of god, which hath his eyes of godly wisdom and knowledge so lively & effectual, as a flame of fire, y ^t he seeth all things and nothing can pass from his righteousness in judgment.

3 Whose feet or charitable affections towards man, are like unto Brasse brent in a furnace. For his most innocent manhood by his own agreement suffered here for his sake manifold affllictions and pains.

4 For so much as all things are open to mine eyes, and nothing can be hid from me (saith that lord) I perceue thy fruitful works, I see thy neighborly christen love, I consider thy liberal heart and hand to the poor, thy faithful exhortacions, thy fervent spirit in the Lord, thy patient sufferance in adversity for the truths sake, and thy other godly deeds beside.

5 I mark it also that thou shrinkest not in them, but rather goest forward with increase. For now at the last are they more effectual & plēteous then they were at the first, which greatly delighteth me.

6 Nevertheless yet, I have somewhat to say against thee. For though I judge thee much to be commended, yet find I thee not without fault.

7 Thou peaceably permittest without resistance that cruel woman and abhominable strūpet Jezebel, which is the malignaunt church and Sinagoge of Satan, which is not ashamed to boast hir self a prophetisse, a publisher of the truth, and maynteiner of God's service, yea & the mother of holy church hir self.

8 Under that pretence to set forth diuilish doctrine, to advance pernicious errors, and color false lies in hypocrisy. To the intent she might therewith not only deceive my faithful servants, but also bring them into such trade of wickedness, that they should not force to commit whoredom in the spirit by falling unto strange worshippings, and to eat of Idol offerings in consenting to wicked laws and blaspheemous tradytions of old dotyng Hypocrytes.

9 I have given to that wicked congregatiō many wholesome premonishments and warnings with convenient respyte to remember hir folly, and repent hir detestable ways of living, least she should perish, but she will in no wise be sorry, repent, nor forsake her accustomed Idolatry.

10 Be in certainty therefore I will cast hir into a bed or couch of carnal quietness. She shall in this life have peace in the flesh, liberty in ungodliness, obedience of the world, and power in darkness, that she shall swim in wanton pleasures, and bath hir self in innocent blood, and to assist hir in the same, she shall have subject unto hir the scepter, sword, authority, and power of Prynces, Lord's, rulers, and Magystrates, that none so hardy under pain of death to check hir, rebuke hir, nor ones say against hir. This pleasant sleeping bed had the ten trybes of Israel under king Hieroboam, Ahaz, Sedechias, and the other two under Iorā Ochosias, and such like till they were raised of their rest & led captive into Babylon. Such a delectable resting cowch hath also the greater part of the world under Mahomet and the Romish Pope, and shall have still til God root them out, destroy them with the breath of his mouth, & throw them into the fire everlasting.

11 Let them beware therefore that as hir lovers hath to do with that execrable whore, consenting to hir pestylent laws and traditions, defending as godly ordinances, laudable rites, decent orders, civil pollycies, honest usages, comely fashions, holy ceremonies, necessary customs, and such like, boinge in very deed most damnable superstitions.

12 For them doubtless will I throw into the anguish of a desperate conscience here, & after this life into the unquietness of eternal dampnaciō. The wicked shall have peace neither here nor there. Neither shall their worm die, nor their fire go out, unless they decline from that wickedness, renounce their abominations and convert to the truth, whiles they are yet here living.

13 And as touching hir superstitious children, which frō their beginning hath evermore sucked out of hir venomous breasts all poison and ungodliness, forsaking, yea and abhorring the sweet vein of the living waters, then will I slay with death and condempnacion everlasting prepared for the devil and his angels.

14 Yea, and it shall then be evident and clear to all cōgregacions in heaven & under heaven, which hath been frō y ^e beginning, to their utter shame and confusion, y ^t I am he frō whom nothing can be hyd. They shall perceue also that I go so nigh them, that I search out the ground of the heart, and try the very reins or inward affects, so that I know all their privy sleights and practices be they never so secrete.

15 And ground you upon this surly, I shall give unto everyone of you, true and false, good and bad, righteous and vnrightuous, according to your doings. Rewardyng them with life everlasting that hath done the true works of faith, and them with eternal dampnatiō that hath left them undone, to follow their own inventions.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 And take this of my mouth (saith the Lord) aforehande, both unto you which hath the doctrine of the spyrite, and unto other also of them that remain at Thyatira that notable city of y ^e Macedonians, so many as hath not grounded in them that godly learning of y ^e truth, but a trifling doctrine of their own imaginations contrary unto it, whereby they have not perceived the more then subtle crafts of that deceyuable Satan which evermore craftily cōpasseth to deuower, what though their fantastical brayns hath given them so to think, standing much in their own conceit.

2 My mind is to yoke you with none other law, nor to burden you with none other traditions thē I have already given you. Neither with ceremonies, rites, nor ancient customs in the obseruaciō of days, months, times, nor years, in holy days, fastings, vigiles, nor sabbates, for they were but shadows of things to come.

3 Regard only that sweet yoke and that light burden which ye have receued of me. Hold ye fast to the gospel of the kingdom of God, so long as ye shall continue here. And let the Pharysees leaven, with old wives fables, & hipocrits dreams pass by.

4 Let my godly ordinance suffice you. Ad nothing unto my words of your own brains, least I find you false liars when I shall come again to my latter judgment, and according to righteousness so condemn you.

5 And whosoever is so earnestly faithful in the word of God, that he overcometh there by his own lusts, and perfourmeth to the latter ende of his life the works that are there commanded to be done, & none other.

6 To him will I give power as to the son and heir of god, over nations or sects of the world diverse in opinion and faith, as over serpents, scorpions, adders and lions.

7 That he shall not only overcome them with the mighty iron rod of the invincible verity.

8 But also as the weak vessels of a potter, or as most vain fantasies, confoūd their dreams, destroy their imaginacions, and bring their practices to naught, proving their traditions to be most vile draff, & moste stinking dregs of sin, for so much as y ^t which is not of faith, is sin.

9 And this power he shall have in no less efficacy and strength, then I receued it of my heavenly father.

10 And besides all this I will freely give him myself to reward which am the clear morning star, & shyninge lantern of life. So that all shall be his that is mine. My birth, my labors, my life, my passion, and death, my resurrection and ascenciō, with all their fruits, shall be his own proper good.

11 Let him that hath reason and discretiō, set beastly fantasies apart, and diligently note what the holy Ghost saith here in this dangerous time, to the dear congregations of God.

THE PARAPHRASE. 1

• Hou shalt also so shortly as may conuenyently be (saith the Lord to his peculyar servant saint John) take pains by an Epistle to admonish the watch man or Curate of the chosen congregation of Sardis, which though it be of very slender reputation before the eyes of the wise, riche, and strong men of this world, yet is it precious in the sight of God, for so much as it was prysed, bought, & redeemed, by the greatest payment y ^t ever was, evē by the precious blood of y ^e undefiled lamb and immaculate son of God Jesus Christ. He it was y ^t labored, hungered, thursted, & faynted, according to the weakness of y ^e human nature, & finally suffered blasphemies, curses, scorns, lies, persecutions, & rebukes with y ^e most paynful death of his body at the latter, to deliver hir, make hir atonement, and restore hir again to the favor of God.

2 Fynde the means that she may know (saith the Lord Jesus) y ^t this is to hir y ^e message of admonishment or warning from him, which hath in his power to distribute at his pleasure the seven spirits of God, or the the universal gifts of the holy ghost.

3 And hath also in his right hand y ^e vii. stars, which are the bishops, or preachers of all congregacions, with full authority & power to hold them still or to throw them forth, to glorify them if they be faithful ministers of his word, or to damn thē forever if they be deceivable hypocrites, and for lucre prefer their own crooked inuencions.

4 Thou workest not so secretly (saith y ^t Lord) but I know thy deeds and perceive where about thou goest. For unto me all secretes are open, clear & manifest. When thou thinkest I do not perceue, than see I thee most of all.

5 Thou hast a name of life, an outward show of virtue & of goodness, & a shining pretence of much holiness, yet art thou before God a dead rotten Idol, full of hypocrisy, and falsehood. Men think thee a godly creature, yet art thou nothing less.

6 Awake therefore quickly frō thy more then idle imaginaciōs & fickle sophisms, and take unto thee faith, and spirit. Watch upon thy cure and see to their profit.

7 Considre y ^t thy ways in the outward letter hath made my people weak, faint, and feeble, & left them at the very point of death. Strengthen thē now a new with y ^t which is effectual, strong, sure, lively, true, and necessary, which is the sincere verity and faith, least thou perish with the wicked.

8 For though thou hast the godly gift of prophesy with the grace of understanding and judgment, yet have I found thy works ungodly, and thy doings vile and abhominable before God my celestial father. For thou haste been inwardly corrupt with auaryce and ambition like as was Balaam the deceiptful Prophet and wicked soothsayer.

9 It becometh the judge to know afore what he shall judge, which hath caused me to search out thy carnal and miserable ways. Call therefore unto thy remembrance, howe thou by y ^e singular gift of God haste received his word, and heard his Gospel which is the kingdom of health, at the very mouth of his Apostles.

10 And for so much as thou haste not esteemed it according to the worthiness thereof, nor yet been thankful unto God for such an heavenly gift, but rather swynishly trodden it under thy feet, and currishly persecuted his faithful servants for it, have remorse in thy conscience, and once again set sure hands upon it, embrace it, hold it fast, and faithfully believe it, reap̄t, from the heart thy ungodly usages past, and from hēcefoorth live according unto it.

11 If thou wilt not do so, taking of me this gentle warning, and watch as one uncertain of the hour of death, living as thou wouldest die by and by.

12 I shall (as doeth the thief in the night) come upon thee unlooked for, with death shall I destroy thee vnbewares, so shall hell and damnation swallow thee up forever.

13 And thou shalt neither know the day nor the hour, the time nor the mynute, y ^t I will thus fiercely come upon thee, & justly suppress thee according to thy ungodly deservings.

14 And in spite of thy cruel heart, yet are there a few new brethren, and lovers of the truth in the city of Sardis, though their number be but small, which are so deer unto god, y ^t he hath regestred their names in the book of life.

15 These hath for no painted speech, glossing promise, suggestiō, nor threatening, ones soyled their garments w ^t thy dyrtie ceremonies, nor defiled their cōuersacion with thy beggarly tradytions. In the myddest of y ^e wicked and froward generation, their hearts are towards me & my word.

16 Wherefore by promise they shall walk with me in white, their faults shall never be imputed unto thē, their sins shall be wiped clean away, I will clear them & restore them to parpetual innocence, & make them partakers with me in everlasting felicity & glory. For doubtless they are worthy, for my will forsaking their own will, and leauinge the corrupt ways of men to follow my sincere word.

17 He that after this sort overcometh persevering in the faith thereof to the latter ende of his life shall be sure of these three benefits. He shall be clothed with me in white apparel made innocent and pure, incorruptible, impassible, and immortal.

18 I will in no wise put his name out of the book of life, nor separate him from the predestinate number of them which shall be saved, but associate him with the righteous▪

19 And besides all this I will earnestly witness him, confess him, and allow him by name, before my heavenly father and all his company of Angels, for one of mine, to have the inheritance with me.

20 Let him that hath ears in no case be dull or slack in hearing, but diligently attend, and mark what the spirit of God doeth here utter before the congregations to their singular warning and comfort.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 Moreover, differ in no wise my trusty discyple John (saith the Lord Jesus) by writing to signify or make mention, to the tidings brynger, bishop, or overseer of the dearly beloved Church of Phyladelphya, which as beseemeth a Christian congregation in this life, is never without brotherly charity and love, but always hath a sweet compassion upon the poor, the needy, the simple, the desolate, the forsakē, the disdained and miserable people of this world. She hath also in hir heart a woeful pity, and a lamentable dolour, when she seeth men wicked, vain, blaspheemous, hateful, beastly, idle, covetous, superstitious, and full of other ungodliness.

2 Let this be known to hir first of all, that these are the favorable sayings of him which is holy of himself, and alone maketh other holy, which is only true and the verity it self, without whō no truth can be had.

3 Which hath also in his hand and power, the key of the house of David, which is the faithful kingdom or congregation of God.

4 Whereas he openeth to the faithful believers by the gospel preaching, no man can spear them out of the kingdom of God by no excommunicatiō nor curse. Whereas he doeth losen from the bands of sin by the holy Ghost, no man can bind to damnation by no interdictiō nor sentence, have he never so great power given him. And again, if he shutteth up the kingdom from the unfaithful hypocrites, no man can admit them to it, by blessings, remissions, nor a thousand years of their pardon. If he seclude them from it, no man can able them to it again by no authority nor power.

5 I know (saith that Lord) thy doings from the very root, and from whence thy works doeth spring, even from a sincere faith in my word, wherefore they are to my mind and pleasure.

6 For so much therefore as I find thee thus grounded in faith, be thou certain and sure of it, I have set before thee an open door, I have illumyned thy senses, and cleared thy understanding, to know the holy scriptures and perceive the high mysteries therein written, so admittyng thee to my kingdom. And this door can no man shut up again. Neither shall the power of this world, nor yet the gates of hell be able to prevail against this opening.

7 And this hast thou of me, partly for thy meekness. For where as the wicked doth seem to them selves beautiful, strong, learned, rich, righteous, religious, and holy spiritual fathers, thou esteemest thyself but an abiecte of the world, wretched, weak, blind, poor, sinful, & a miserable dooer, as concerning the flesh.

8 But thou art she that hath kept my sayings, and by such strength as I have given thee, observed also my laws and commandments. It is thou that have stand by my truth steadfastly, and not denied my name in the time of troublous persecution. Wherefore thou canst in no wise perish before me.

9 And as concerning the wicked, behold howe I shall order them. I shall not only set thee clear from the filthy traditions of that false congregatiō or sinagoge of Satan, but I will also take a certain from thence of the best learned, converting them from their errors and giving them unto thee. Which afore time called them selves Jews or the chosen children of Abraham, and were not so in deed. They boasted them selves very much to be the anointed Israelytes, the consecrate sons of promise, and the holy spiritual people of God, like as the residue doth yet still to this hour, but they lied full falsely. They were for that time false dissembling hypocrites, and cruel adversaries to the truth, as their companions are still.

10 Be sure that these will I so inwardly move and effectuallye provoke, that they shall come unto thee, to be of thy congregation. They shall gladly submit them selves to thy doctrine, they shall worship God not in outward shadows with bondage, but in spirit and truth with lybertie. At thy feet, after thy wholesome instructions and godly admonicions.

11 And where as they have thought thee afore time of me to be hated, when thou hast been in persecutiō, they shall now well perceive and know (my spirit speaking in thee, and such heavenly secrets coming from thee) that thou standest much in my love, & art greatly in my favor.

12 And for so much as thou haste constantly holden and manfully stand by that word for the which I have suffered much not only in mine own flesh, but also in thee and in other my servants, for no adversity falling from it, I will preserve thee in the hour of temptation. Thou shalt for no violence decline from y ^e truth, thou shalt for no torment forsake the verity. So mighty a stomach and so strong an heart shall I give thee for the time of thy temptations, that thou shalt not be once moved.

13 For no doubt of it, this fierce temptation and cruel handeling of the boystuous Antichrists, Mahomet standing in the way of sinners, and the Romish Pope sitting in the most pestilent seat of errors, will come upon all the world by execrable sects of false Prophets, liars, hypocrites, blasphemers and teachers of diuilish doctrine, to tempt and allure them, which dwell here upon earth, sometime by flattering promotions, sometime by threatenings and penalties, to renounce that verity, and deny that word, to the utter damnation of their souls.

14 But in any wise take heed and watch in prayer, for I come shortly as a righteous judge giving to everyone according to their hearts inuencions. Consider the life but short in this world, & the reward great, if thou persevere in thy Christian profession. Hold fast that godly faith which thou hast taken, with hir wholesome fruits.

15 Sticke sure to that heavenly word which thou hast received, least thou falling from it loose the crown prepared for thee. I have done my parte. I have chosen thee to eternal life, and promised thee, inheritance thereof without thy deseruinges, beware now least thou loose it by apostasy, and least another take it from thee by doing the fruits thereof.

16 Desire my spirit to strengthen thee that thou mayest persevere, and stand fast. For that faithful servant and mighty soldier, which continueth in that verity to the ende, will I set up for a strong pillar and sure butteras in the temple of my God, which is the church or faithful congregation of my heavenly father, prefigured by the temple of Solomon at Jerusalem.

17 And so strongly will I build him upon the hard rock, that he shall stand always and neuermore be removed. No more shall he be aforener nor a stranger, but a cytizen with the saints, and of the household of God moste surely grounded upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets.

18 And I shall write upon him to his singular commodity, the name of my God and father almighty, and the name of the beautiful city of my God also, called new Jerusalem, renewed in the spirit. Euermore shall he be called a servant of the Lord, an Apostle or witness of God, a lamb of Christ's fold, a sheep of his pasture, a branch of his vine, a member of his church, and imp of his kingdom, a citizen of heaven, and an inheritor of everlasting life.

19 And all this cometh not from beneth, it riseth not of his good works, merits, nor deservings, but it cometh out of heavē from my god. It is only his goodness, grace, lyberalitie, forgiveness, pity, & mercy.

20 I will also garnish him, & beautify him with my new name. He shall evermore for his faythes sake be called the son of God, and rise at the latter day in full glory incorruptible, immortal and clear, in perpetual peace and concord.

21 He that hath by the gift of God an ear, let him consider wherefore he hath it, and apply it to the right use, discreetly waying what the holy Ghosts mind is to the Christian congregations in these heavenly premonishments.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 And now last of all my dear friend John (saith the Lord Jesus) forget not to admonish by the hand writing also, the elder of the Christian congregation which is in Laodicia, a notable City of the Asianes, which pretendeth to be a just people or a company to whom faith is rekened for righteousness, and are nothing less. In the sight of men they appear good, and their works seem glorious, yet are they before God no sincere Christians, but dissembling hypocrites in deed.

2 Cause them to know certainly that this is the charytable warning of him, which coveteth all things to be well, perfect and good, and is in very deed a witness faithful and true, yea, the eternaall verity itself, for that they should give the more creadite to his sayings.

3 Moreover he is the oryginall beginning, not only of the creatures for so much as he was that word by whom God created all things in the beginning, but also of the creatures of God, for so much as he becommyng flesh in this latter age restored them again to the peace and favor of God, for y ^• they should evermore seek unto him in their need as to the very fountain or well spring of all goodness.

4 Thy works are evidently open before me (saith that Lord) and I know them in their kind. I see thou art neither cold nor hot. Thou art neither a full infydell, nor a full believer, neither a perfect pagane, nor a perfect Christian. Thou art neither constant in the faith, nor yet all without faith. Outwardly thou art hot, but within thou art cold as yse. Inwardly thou abhorrest y ^e word of God, yet doest thou not outwardly condemn it.

5 I would thou were either cold or hot, either a Christian or none at all, either a perfect lover of the verity, or else a full hater of it, and not a dissembling hypocrite as thou art, judging evil good, and good evil, calling darkness light, and light darkness, making sower sweet, & sweet sower, allowing fables and lies, and contempning the wisdom of God. None is so far from the kingdom of heaven as is a false Christian. Much sooner is he converted to the truth that is all cold or all without faith then he that under the color and pretense of God's laws mayntayneth errors and lies.

6 For so much therefore as I find thee between both, and neither of both, half cold, half hot, and neither fully cold nor hot, neither faithfully given to God's word nor all whole without it, but a false glossing hypocrite.

7 I will begin to vomet thee as a morsel out of season, and spewe thee out of my mouth as a thing out of kind. Thou shalt not be digested. Neither shall my word allow thee, nor my promise admit thee to rest with Abraham Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But thou shalt be thrown forth into exterior darkness, where as shall be weeping & gnashing of teeth. I will caste thee out, detest thee, and abhor thee. For much worse are they that abuse or dispyse the gift of God, then they which never received it.

8 Thou pratest very sore of thy riches, thy merits, good deeds, and deservings. Thou boastest thyself much of thy increase in goodness by deeds of supererogation and works more then need. Yea, thou art not ashamed to think thyself so greatly to abound in learning, wisdom, righteousness, and holiness, that all hath need of thee, and thou of none, selling to the wretched Idiotes of the world, thy masses, thy dyryges, thy fastings, thy memories, thy kneelings, thy crouchings, with other idle observations.

9 But thou rememberest not that thou art wretched of thyself, & wicked of thine own nature. Thou considrest not y ^• thou art miserable and sinful in thy life, poor without understanding & knowledge, feeble without the strength of God's spirit, blind without judgment and faith, and naked without verity and all good Christian works.

10 I charitably therefore admonish thee to remember thyself. I counsel thee also as one mynding thee good, to bye of me gold tried in the fire. Come unto me with faith, and ask in the feruentnesse of soul. If thou be feeble hearted, say: Lord increase my faith. Desire my heavenly word to thy comfort, with understanding to perceive it and know it. It is treasure much more precious then gold, it is sweetness more dulcet thē honey. And tried it is moste pure and clean by the holy Ghost. Thou shalt have it without payment. Thy good heart shall only suffyse me.

11 Diligently procure it that thou mayest be riche in faith and righteousness, in y ^e merits of Jesus Christ, and in the favor of God by them, and that thou mayest be clothed in white raiment of innocence & cleanness, not only before men, but also before God.

12 Be never without verity, faith, righteousness and charity, with other gifts of the holy Ghost, least the filthy nakedness of hypocrisy, and sin, for all thy painted colors appear to thy confusion. Let thine own dyrtie merits alone, & decke thee with the precious deservings of the son of God, that thou mayest have thy sins wiped away, clearly forgiven, covered, and never more imputed unto thee by him.

13 And to avoid the blindness, see thou anoint thine eyes, thy mind or affection, thy judgment or knowledge, with the eye salve of clerenes which is Jesus Christ, the sweet smelling ointment of health.

14 Consider y ^t he alone was borne for thee, and died for thee. And take him for thy only wisdom, satisfaction, holiness, and redemption y ^t thou mayst hereafter see. Let this precious lycour take from thine eyes all filthy corruptiō: and whatsoever thou shalt hereafter do in word or in deed, do all in the name of that Lord, giving thanks unto God the father by him. For he is the salve that shall heal thee, and the light that shall clear thee.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 So many as I love, I rebuke earnestly, least they should perish with the wicked. And those that I favor I chastē in this life, least they should be dampened forever. Woe is y ^e man that hath of me here neither chastisement nor rebuke, but is left without restraynte, wallowyng in the concupiscence and desires of his flesh. A great sign it is of the indignation of God, where as the other is an evident token of love.

2 From henceforth therefore be fervent in the truth. Earnestly embrace it, keep it, and follow it. Abhor thy old superstitions, and repent from the heart that thou haste been so longe neither whotte nor cold.

3 Behold I stand at the door of thy heart as one ready to help thy weakness. And I knock at y ^e portall of thy conscience as one y ^t would gladly comfort thee, I send forth my heavenly word to succoure thee, lighten thee, raise thee up, & save thee.

4 If any man with a glad heart will hear my voice, or the true preaching of my word, and opē the door of his faith, thankfully to receive it, I will come in unto him, enduing with all spiritual delights, as righteousness, peace, love, and joy in the holy Ghost.

5 Yea to him shall I make manifest as to my friend the hidden misteryes of the scripture, and secret counsels of my father. And he shall finally sup with me and with him in the eternal habitacle of God, where no heart can esteem what he hath prepared for them, that love him.

6 That man which through y ^e earnest zeal of God's truth distroyeth hypocrisy, and overcometh sin, will I admit to reign with me in the kingdom of my father, and grant him to sit with me in the seat of everlasting peace, as a deer member of mine own body, declaring him a tryumphaunt conqueror in me, over damnation, hell, death, and the devil, in a glorified nature.

7 Even as myself was before, sitting with my celestial father in the seat of his eternity. And to have with me that health, that blessing, that joy, that victory, that honor, power, and glory, that I have.

8 Let him that God hath givē ear • unto, apply them to his mind, and mark what the spirit hath here spoken to the Christian congregations, for thereupon resteth his life, or his death, his salvation or his damnation.

THE PARAPHRASE.

[illustration]

1

After this special injunction of my Lord and master Jesus Christ (saith saint John) I did cast up mine eyes towards the skye lifting up my heart to give thanks unto God. And anon as I seriously beheld the face of the fyrmament or majesty of God's works, I saw a door open in heavē. Which was a significatiō to me, that God minded to opē certain high mysteries of the scripture, & hidden secretes concerning his kingdom or church unto me his simple servant.

2 And the first thing that ascertained me of the same from thence, was a mighty great voice as it had been the stout noise of a Trompe, or the vehement blast of an horn. The which voice though it were fearful unto my flesh (as commonly y ^e commandment of God is) yet was it solatious unto my spirit, for so much as it familiarly talked with me, and said these words.

3 Come thou up hither. Suspende thine own will, wit, study, practice, and judgment. Condempne y ^t thou hast of nature. Lift up thyself above thyself, ascend in soul by the spirit and power of God, and I will show unto thee things wonderful, and such as must without fail be fulfilled in every point hereafter by the invariable ordinance of God.

4 And as it had been in a thought, I was suddenly by the Lord's power taken up. I was in the spirit in deed, secluded frō all carnal imaginations.

5 And anon I was ware of a beautiful seat prepared in heaven, which moved me to consider that before the constitution of the world almighty God had appointed by his spirit to reign in his faithful church. For I saw that one sat upon y ^t seat, as upon the beautiful throne of his glory. No where else reigneth God but among his chosen people. He dwelleth not in Temples made by hand, he resteth not in houses of mans preparation. Is the kingdom of God anywhere else thē within man? Hath God any Temple that he more favoreth then man's faithful heart?

6 And he that gloriously sat upon that comely seat, was like by all similitude to a Jasper stone, and resembled also a precious stone called a Sardine. Betokening that his reign is durable & strong, his power firm and invariable, his glory clear and precious, and that he him self is as the red Jasper beautiful and orient, and as the green Sardine, fresh, fair, and never fading, that man should ever be desirous of him. Whose will to consider is our felicity, and whose pleasure to follow is our perfectness.

7 And there was a fair raynbow about that glorious seat, in sight like a smaragde or an Amarald stone. Which signifieth his perpetual covenant of peace & love to all them that have faith, which are so dear unto him as is the apple of his own eye, or as that thing which he desireth most. And no less precious the said covenant is, then the fresh Ameralde with his amorous hew and beautiful show of love, that we should the rather couette it. For nothing is more auydyously to be desired, then is the sweet peace of God.

8 And about that exceeding fair seat or empyre of the Lord, were xxiiij. other mean seats appointed, which put me anon in remembrance of charity, patience, steadfastness, love, joy, peace, temperance, justice, knowledge of god, meekness, & other fruits of faith, with innumerable gifts of the holy ghost, wherein the servants of God hath afore time and still doeth continually rest.

elders, or notable ancient men sitting. Which seemeth unto me to be Abel, and Noah, Abraham & David, Moses and Helyas, Joseph & John the Baptist, the Prophets and Apostles, the Preachers & Martyrs, with such other like. To whom Christ promised in the regeneration to sit with him upon xii. seats, judging the xii. tribes of Israel. These set numbers in y ^e scriptures of xxiiij. or of .xii. & such like, noteth certainty in y ^e promise of God towards them which are in themselves without number.

10 And the foresaid elders or men of rype discretion, were clothed in white raiment or apparel of innocence according to the commandment of the holy Ghost. For their works were pure and clean before God, rising only of faith, and were never defiled with the filthy traditions of men.

11 They had also upon their heads as myghtie rulers, and governors, crowns of fine gold, in token that they had here the governance in his word, and shall hereafter be partakers with Christ in his heavenly kingdom and glory.

12 Great is the majesty of y ^e trone of God, and the power much. For from his heavenly seat into the universal world proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices, which are the manifold and divers respects of his word. For a fearful lightenyng it is when it rebuketh, throweth down, and condempneth the sinner. It is a terrible thundering, when it feareth, threateneth, and commandeth things contrary to the flesh. And it is a solacious voice again when it raiseth, relieveth, and quickeneth the desolace conscience with comfortable promises. And full is all the scripture of these, which cometh from Zion, and the sweet word of God which cometh from Jerusalem.

13 And there were seven lamps of flamyng fire burning before the said trone of God, which are the seven spirits of God, or the universal gifts of the holy ghost, prefigured in the scriptures by the seven lights of one Candelsticke, the vii. eyes of one stone, and by vii. horns and eyes also of the lamb. These show light evermore before God's sight. The church without them in no wise can be the trone of God.

14 And before the said seat, there was as it had been a sea of glass, a plentiful understanding of the verity, first given unto Christ by the father, and then unto the church or congregation by the spirit of Christ. And this sea was like unto a Crystal clear, beautiful and pure, without any corruption of human fantasies.

15 In the midst of that heavenly seat, & in the circuit of the same, were iv. beasts seen, of diverse nature and shape, not signifying the iv. greater Prophets, nor yet the iv. Evangelists (as no small number of doctors hath fantasied) but rather y ^e universal number of all faithful believers, & earnest setters forth of the verity in the four quarters of the whole world. And this may be gathered by the noise of their wings in Ezekiel by their crying of sanctus sanctus, sanctus, & by their showing of mysteries of the opened seals of the book, as hereafter followeth. By whom are to be understand the sincere openings of God's word, and the continual praising of his glorious name. These beasts are in the midst of the seat or congregation of God, when they teach them and exhort them to persist in the truth. They are also in the circuit of the same, when they diligently labor to defend them from the doctrine of devils, and errors of hypocrites.

16 These beasts were full of fair eyes before and behind. Which is a clear knowledge in the mysteries of God's word. The sincere favorers of God's heavenly truth doth see many wonderful things, and know many secrete maruels, not only concerning matters past, but also of judgments to come. So many eyes have they, as they have perceived veryties. For they once made spiritual by faith, discern all things. They are taught of God. And y ^e holy ghost doeth lead them into all truth.

THE PARAPHRASE.

1 These iv. beasts hath iv. diverse exterior similitudes, which are not else but the outward tokens, testimonies, and signs of faith, or the fruitful works thereof only proceeding. For faith is never without hir wholesome fruits. The first beast was in similitude like unto a Lyon, strong and mighty in power. And that are they which hath laid aside the old man of sin with his feeble faynte works, and converted them selves into y ^e ghostly image of Christ, which is the mighty strong Lyon of the Trybe of Judah, for that they might have the victory over sin.

2 The seconde beast was fashyoned like unto a Calf, much used in the old law to be offered up in sacryfice. And such are they, which forsaking them selves and mortifying the corrupt lusts of their flesh, doeth walk in a new Christian life, and offer up them selves unto God as a living sacrifice, ready to suffer all kinds of persecution and death for his names sake.

3 The third beast had a face in favor like a man, having reason, wit, and discrecion. And those are they which through policy of faith and prudency in the spirit, so wysely and discretely order them selves in that they go about, that nothing is against y ^e glory of God, but all things worketh for the best in them.

4 The fourth beast was like unto a flying Egle, which buyldeth hir nest very high in the hard rock stone. Which are those godly persons that living here in this mortal body, by the counsel of the holy Ghost have their conversation in heaven. They seek for those things which are above, where as Christ is sitting on the right hand of God. In whom only as in the sure rock they build all their whole hope and trust. By these four similitudes is the true congregation of God known from the painted sinagoge and coūterfaict church of Satan glorifiyng hir self in vain glory, pomp, cruelty, rape, simony, lies, hatred, sects, murder, Idolatry, sedition, and tyranny, with other fruits of the flesh, whose God is their belly, and their ende damnation. And though these iv. simylitudes be diverse, yet do they respect one congregation after Ezech. which ever more applieth all .iv. unto one beast. And everyone of the said iv. beasts had .vi. wings about him.

5 The wings whereby God's people are raised up unto him, is faith, hope, charity, justice, mercy, & verity, with such other virtues as ever more accompanyeth them. By these are they lifted up unto heavenly things. By these avoid they the common mischieues of the world. By these obtain they a plentuous quyetnesse in God, abiding their savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. And where as in Ezekiel the said wings appearing but iv. are here found six, we may gather this. That the gospel now published, the gifts of the holy ghost are more high, plentiful, and open under christ, then afore time under Moses.

6 Round about them without and within the said beasts were full of eyes. The servants of the Lord hath Godly wisdom and knowledge everywhere inwardly to consider heavenly things durable, sure, and perfect, and never to perish. Outwardly again to judge earthly things corruptible, wretched, and vain, and shortly to be ended.

7 Neither day nor night could the said beasts cease from the praise of their Lord God, saying: Holy, holy, holy. Or blessed art thou almighty father, blessed art thou almighty son, blessed art thou almighty holy ghost, distinct three persons in trinity, and in substance one Lord God almighty, which was without beginning, and is of him self only, and shall be forever, & ever, everlasting. And what is this else but y ^t the righteous fervently eprayinge, giveth continnuall thanks unto GOD reioysinge among them selves in psalms, in hymns, and in spiritusonges, praysinge him evermore in their harts.

8 And when those .iv. beasts, or faithful, fervent, sincere, and pure believers here believing in the flesh, gave glory, honor, and thanks from the, iv. quartes of the earth, in professing the verity, in teaching it unto other, and in living according to the same. And that unto him which sat on the seat, which is god almighty reigning over that congregation, which liveth forever and ever and hath of his kingdom none end.

9 Anone stepped forth the .xxiiij. elders, or the whole, perfect, and universal number of them which hath rested in the Lord, and they with all meekness fell down before him which sat on the throne. They submitted themselves unto him, ackowleginge him for their only Lord. They worshipped him also with dew reuerance, & gave high thanks unto him, as unto their eternal living god.

10 Yea, finally they threw down their crowns before the throne of his eternal majesty. They confessed their own good works, merits, and deseruinges to be nothing at all. But their whole health, wisdom, knowledge, virtue, holiness, righteousness, and redemption to be only of his lyberall gift and undeserved goodness.

11 And as men most highly rejoicing they cried unto him, saying thus: It is thou (O Lord God, & most mighty creator) that is alone worthy to receive all glory, all honor, and all thanks for that hath been wrought, in heaven, & in earth, and none other else but thou.

12 For thou hast alone by thy vnsercheable wisdom created all things, and brought them forth out of nothing. And for the only pleasure of thy will they are now at this present time in substance and fashyon, and were created of thee at the beginning, not only to be at thy commaūdemēt, but also to be evermore thankefull unto thee, and to laude thee, and praise thee forever.

The Paraphrase.

AFter the forsayde vysion I saw (saith saint John) in the right hand, or mighty power and will, of him that sat on the throne with majesty, a wonderful Book, in the which both man and Angel were desirous to look.

This book is God's heavenly ordinance, containing not only all, that hath been created of God visible and invisible, but also the universal contents of the holy scripture. This boke hath the merciful Lord provided, that men should know him, partly by his creatures, partly by his Scriptures. This book he hath in his right hand. For heaven he measureth with his span, and the whole world he comprehendeth under his three • ingers. In his hand or power is the universal earth; both hills & valleys. At his only will & pleasure is the sincere understanding of the scriptures, and true interpretation of the same.

2 This book is written within & without. The world cōtayneth creatures visible and invisible, powers open & hidden, that men in thē should read and understand that there is a living God, and that they should acknowledge him and worship him as the Lord and creator of all. The holy scripture hath hir figure & history, hir mistery and verity, hir parable & plain doctrine, her night and day, her letter and sense, her voice and word, her flesh and spirit, her shadow and clear light, her death and life, her law and gospel, her Moses and Christ, to bring all men also unto the knowledge of God.

3 But that Book is surely sealed with seven strong seals from the fleshly understanding of man, not having the spirit of Christ, that he can neither use the creatures of God a right, nor yet perceive the Scriptures according to their true meanning. Muche hath the doctors fantasied of these seven clasps or spearynges of this book, without the authority of God's word, calling thē all manner of obscurities & darkenesses. Whereas in very deed they are nothing else but the strong and invariable decree, or set diffinition of God, before the constitucion of the world, that none should be able to read rightly therein, nor know the just meaning thereof without the spirit of his son, and unless it be meekly asked in faith. And this one decree of god, so oft locketh up these heavenly secrets frō mā, as it findeth him carnal, covetous, willful, blind, malicious, proud, and false, with such other like. The number of seven doeth only respect the opening of the seals in all ages. For in every age hath God opened y ^e truth unto some Godly men by his spirit, with Abel and Enoch, with Noah and Sem, with Abraham and Job, with Moses and Samuel, with David and Helias, with Hieremie and Daniel, with John the Baptist & Peter.

4 And I saw (saith S. John) a strong Angel, which betokeneth every faithful minister of gods word, coveting all men to be taught of god, and sending them only unto Christ, for they are the Angels of the Lord of hosts. Which Angel cried with a loud voice, with an earnest zeal of the glory of God, and with a fervent desire of his neighbors health.

5 Who is worthy to opē this book, and to undo the clasps thereof? As though he should say, None but he alone. Seek him therefore that he may open it unto you, else are ye like always to be blind, foolish, and unlearned liars before the Lord, seem ye never so wise, eloquent, and well learned in the sight of men.

6 And in deed no man was found able to do it, neither in heaven, nor in earth, nor under the earth, yet was there a diligent search made, & many did attempt it. The Angels that by apostasy fell from God, when they were in heaven wrought maistryes about it. And in the earth here, the Philosophers among the Gentiles, the religious fathers among y ^e Jews, the Pharisees and Scribes, the lawyers and priests, and among the Christians, y ^e false Apostles & Antichrists, the Sophisters and Papists, y ^e sects, and scoole doctors with all the worldly wise hath craftily compassed the thing. Yea the mess̄gers of Satan (whose damnation is certain) subtly to persuade, and fraudelently to deceive the innocent souls, have also done their parte. But what hath followed? After their vain enterprise, they have been so astonished at the majesty or sight of y ^e book, that neither were they able to open it, nor yet to look thereupon. So high were the mysteries thereof, so unsearchable the judgments, & so inuestigable the ways thereunto.

7 And I fell in sore weeping (saith Saint John) much dolour was it to my heart to see that none was found worthy, no creature able, neither Angel nor man, good spirit, nor diuil, to open, and to read the book, which is clearly to know the will of God therein, nor yet once to look thereupon, that is sincerely to perceive the least verity contained therein. No creature understanding could attayn unto it. All were ignorant, all dark, all blind.

8 And as I was thus mournyng one of y ^e elders, even Jacob by name, comforted me with his prophecy of Judah, Isaiah, Micah, & Esdras, bearing witness to the same.

9 These with other ascertained me, that he was the Lyon of the Trybe of Judah, which should overcome the world, & have the victory over death, and hell, for in deed they with Abraham saw it a far of, and much rejoiced. He is the strong & invincible Lyon that subdued the prince of this world, took from him the pray, and hath divided the spoil.

10 He is the very root of David, the ground and original cause of all godly promises made unto him of deliverance, victory, and reign, and alone in him are they fulfilled. Only hath he obtained by his death, resurrection, and ascension, to make open the hidden mysteries of this book, or whole ordinance of God, and to loose the seven seals thereof, or to take away the universal impediments whereby the said book could in no case be seen, as is carnality, ignorance, darkness, blindness, willfulness, covetousness, malice, hypocrisy, lies, with such like. So was it afore speared by the decree of God, that none could read in it till he removed the untowardness from their hearts.

11 All this I beheld (saith S. John) and as I looked further, I saw y ^t in the midst of the seat (which is y ^e universal congregation of God) & of the four beasts (which are the constant ministers of his word) & also in the midst of y ^e ancient elders) which hath been y ^e sincere witnesses of his verity since the beginning.)

12 There stood a fair, meek, & most innocent Lamb, as though he had been newly slain. I knew that Christ was this Lamb, for he was wounded for our offenses, & took away the sins of y ^e world. He was that meek Lamb prefigured in the law whom the faithful fathers so earnestly desired. He was that gentle Lamb that was carried away to be slain, and that opened not his mouth before the shearer. This Lamb standeth up evermore for us before God, as our only medyator, advocate, peace maker, Savior, helper, counselor, defender and teacher

13 This Lamb had seven horns, which betokeneth his strong and infinite power, virtue, victory, kingdom, glory, bounteousnesse, and majesty, with such like, and in the whole his universal reign.

14 He had also seven eyes, which are all the powers, graces, & fruits of the holy ghost, called here the seuē spirits of God, For so much as they are the singular gifts of him which is his essenciall spirit. And them he hath sent by his apostles, & other godly preachers into y ^e seven climates of the erth or universal world, y ^e people w ^t them to be replenished. These are wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, pity, & the fear of god. These are also love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, long suffering, cleanness, and temperance, with diversity of tongues, interpretation, prophecy, cures, healings, miracles, and judgment of spirits.

15 And the said Lamb came forth as one through meekness, having victory over sin, death, & hell, & he reverently took the said book from the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. Which made me anon to consider that the heavenly father had given up unto him the whole admynistration of his spiritual kingdom, with all authority & power in heaven and earth, to open or to spear, to choose or to reject, to take or to refuse, to save or to loose, to reward or to dampne. For he it was that first opened the understanding of men, that they might perceive the scriptures. He it was that sent the holy spirit of God to deduce them into all verity, and gave them grace to instruct all people. He it is also y ^t shall thorough them into everlasting fire, with the diuil & his Angels that resist y ^e same.

The Paraphrase.

1 And when he had received y ^e said book of the hand of God, with full authority and power, the iv. beasts, or the present protestours of the verity, here living in the world, and the xxiiij. Elders or ancient witnesses of the same, departed clean from this world, as were the old fathers, the Patryarkes, Prophets, and Apostles, meekly submitted them selves before the Lamb, much reioysinge in his triumphant victory for them.

2 They fell down before him, they praised him, they worshipped him, they gave thanks and recognised him for their merciful Lord and Savior, having in their hands harmonious harps, which there represented the melody of their faithful souls, or the inward rejoice, that they had in faith of the eternal verytie of god. For that is the agreeable concord and sweet harmony y ^t he most delighteth in. And as well had they harps that were long afore Christ, as had they that followed him, the effect of his death being equal to them both. So well rejoiced Abraham, which saw him a far of, as did John the Baptist, which shown him persent.

3 Each one of them had also in his hand a golden vial full of sweet odors, which is a faithful heart to God, full of sweet desires and wholesome prayers, whiles they lived here. And these vessels of prayer, or harts of the faithful believers, couetinge mercy to themselves and all other, were very precious, pleasant, and beautiful in the sight of the Lord, which only desireth the heart.

4 They sang also with their instruments a new song of rejoice recording the great benefit of God. They uttered the glad tidings of peace. They published the Gospel of Christ. They told of his coming. They declared him present & past. This song was ever new unto flesh & blood. It seemed very strange, yea and foolish to the children of this world, yet is it the power of God unto salvation for everyone that believeth. Now it is also for so much as it nothing alloweth in our aged man of sin, but always calleth upon renovation in the spirit.

5 This was the conclusion of that song. Thou alone sweet Lord (said they) art found worthy to take the Book to receive power and administration of the kingdom of God.

6 Thou only art able to opē y ^e seal • thereof, to take from us all impediments of darkness, hypocrisy, lies, ignorance, willfulness, blindness, and sin, and to deduce us into all godly knowledge.

7 For thou wert not only despised and wounded, but most cruelly slain for our offenses, whereby thou hast obtained our perpetual peace, and atonement with god.

8 Thou hast clearly redeemed us out all spiritual bondage by y ^e price of thy blood, and by the virtue of thy passion and death, thou hast gathered us together into one kingdom of God from all the nations of the world, and hast chosen us out of all kindreds, languages, & people's of the universal earth. Thou hast made us also partakers with thee in thy peculyer unction, that we are now called Christians.

9 Thou hast annointed us Kings by the gift of true faith, to have victory over sin, death & the devil, and consecrate us priests by y ^e grace of thy holy spirit, to offer up our selves and undefiled sacrifice unto our everlasting God. So that we are now the chosen kindred, the kingely pristhoode, the holy generation, the peculyer people, that should manifest the works of thee, which hast called us out of darkness into the marvelous light.

10 And by the benefit of thy only grace and goodness we shall reign prosperously on the earth, not here where as is sorrow, care, penury, scarsnesse, and death, but our portion shall be in the pleasant land of the living, where as is the peace, joy, tranquility, comfort, and life everlasting.

The Paraphrase.

1 Furthermore saith Saint John, I saw an infinite host of Angels beholding the face of the heavenly father.

2 I heard also the voice of a great number of them about the throne of God, giving laude and praise unto him, and about the beasts and ancient elders. For they are not only the immediate ministers of God, but also the servants of those men, which shall be the heirs of salvation. Where •• old they be else than? but about them that fear the Lord, to see to them and preserve them in all their ways, like as he hath given them in commandment.

3 And the number of them was a thousand thousands, or a number beyond our estimation. And they cried with a loud voice, signifying in their sort no corporal noise, but for so much as they are but spirits, but a vehement zeal of most perfect love and rejoice for the glory of God, the victory of Christ, the redemption, deliverance, and health of man. It betokeneth also their exceedinge gladness in the opening of the verity and conuertion of the sinner.

4 Worthy is the most meek Lamb (said they) which was cruelly done unto death, and by his death overcame the world, hell, death, and the devil, to take upon him the title of all power, heritage, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing, and to be called of all creatures most mighty, most rich, most wise, most valiant, most worshipful, most glorious, and most blessed, conueniente names for the king over all. Yea finally to have • he universal aucthorytie in heaven and in the earth, to govern everywhere, and all to be subject unto him.

5 I hard also (saith saint John) all the creatures that God ever created as the angeles in heaven, the sun, the Moon, the planites, the stars, the fyrmament, the fire, the water, the air.

6 And all that was upon the earth, as man, beast, foul, fish, mountains, valleys, welsprings, floods, winds, wethers, times, trees, herbs fruits.

7 And all that was under or within the earth, as roots, worms, serpentes, vermin.

8 And all that was in the sea, or that moved in the waters, with all that are contained in these, eche one in his kind saying.

9 The everlasting God, which sytteth upon the eternal throne, with power and majesty, be evermore blessed, worshiptfull, glorious, and almighty.

10 And unto the Lamb (which is his only son Jesus christ) be blessing, honor, glory, and power from him for evermore. And in this all creatures desireth no longer to be subdued unto the vanity of the wicked, nor yet to serve the same. But to be wholly delivered from the bondage of corruption, and in liberty to serve the children of God, to the glory of of him that made them.

11 To this the four beasts or all the true servants of God here living answered Amen, or so might it be in effect, as ye have desired.

12 And the .xxiiij. elders, as, the patriarks, the Prophets, the Apostles, with other that hath passed this life, fell down flat upon their faces, they submitted them selves.

13 They worshipped, lauded, and glorified him that liveth forever and ever, one God in three persons, the father, the son, and the holy ghost. This signified the Angels and Saints evermore to be joyous as any thing is done in the creatures to the manifest glory of God.

The Paraphrase. 1

COnsequently (saith saint John) as I was beholding these wonders, I saw that the Lamb (which is the son of God) opened the first of the seven seals, declaring the first mystery of the book. These openings betokeneth not only the manifestation of God's truth for seven ages of the world, but also for the .vii. several times, and after vii. diverse sortes from Christ's death to the latter end of the world. The first seal was removed, and the mystery there under contained, made open, when the Apostles & disciples of Christ aboūdātly replenished with the holy Ghost, did constantly preach the gospel over the universal world.

2 And at the opening of the said seal (saith he) I heard one of the beasts in shape like a Lion, by whom are signified the strong witnesses of God's verity, by constancy of faith resembling Christ the very Lyon of the stock of Judah, whose voice was mighty and strong as it had been the noise of a thundering, and vehemently it said unto me.

3 Come hither and see, draw nigh and be taught, believe and thou shalt understand.

4 And anon I saw evidently that there was a white horse, which signifieth the Apostles and first disciples of Christ, for why the scripture doeth so call thē. These horses were white, they were made pure, righteous, and clean by Jesus Christ, and bare him by their preaching the world over. Such a white horse to the glory of God was Paul, whan he bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles, the Kings, and the children of Israel

5 He that sat vpō this white horse (which was Christ him self) had in his hand a bow, which figured the hearts of the foresaid Apostles and disciples, out of whom he fiercely sent forth the arrows of his word into his chosen people. Their hearts were in his hand, for y ^t his verities might the more effectually pass forth, and the more surely light upon his elects. For without his spirit nothing could they do.

6 From God the father unto him was given a crown of magnificence, honor, worthiness, and victory, in his resurrection and ascension.

7 And when he had stomaked them by the holy Ghost, to shoot forth his word without fear, he went forward with them by his grace, conqueryng in them the prince of this world, in process of time by their doctrine so to overcome him and all his wicked army. Were the Antichrists never so mad, torment they never so sore, slay they never so fast, Christ will overcome them. Let them inhibit his truth, and forbid his Gospel, take, spoil, imprison, exyle, murder, hāg, head, drown, & burn, yet will Christ have the victory over them, though it otherwise seem to the fleshly children of darkness. In many coūtreis, Cities, and towns, hath God's word been taught, where as it is now forbidden under the pain of death. Is Christ therefore the weaker? which chose the weak to confound the strong? No truly.

It hath wrought in thē whō he hath called, and ro • ted in them whom he hath sought. So that the faithful children of Abraham and true Israelites in no wise can perish nor be taken from Christ.

The Paraphrase.

1 What the estate of the Christiā churh was immediately after the Apostles time, it is under mystery declared in the opening of the seconde seal. For so soon as the said Apostles and first Disciples of Christ were taken from the world, yea and partly in their time also, many pernicious errors did springe and increase by crafty teachers and subtle seducers in divers quarters. Some coupled the law with the gospel, and circumcision with baptime, to bring Christian liberty into bondage. Some said the general resurrection was past, to subvert y ^e ways of the Lord. Some denied him to come in the flesh. Some brought in ceremonies and beggarly shadows to yoke us with Jewish superstitions. Some forbad marriage as an unclean thing, to bring in all abominations and filthiness. Some did inhibit meats sanctified of God, under color of abstinence to set up hypocrisy. Some called Saint Paul an Apostate from the law. Some taught the Gospel carnally, denying Matthew and John, and fantasied gospels upon their own brain under the names of Peter, Andrew, Thomas, & Barthelmew, Mathias, Thadeus, & Barnabas. And of this sort in the Apostles time, was Nicolas of Antioch, Hermogenes, Hymenaeus, Philetus, Alexander, Elymas, Carpocras, Cerinthus, Hebion, Helion, with their affinytie. And after their time Basilides, Ualentinus, Heracleon, Cerdon, Merciō, Apelles, Tacianus, Menander, Montanus, and other.

1 In significatiō of this, the Lamb opened this second seal of the book. He removed once again the dark clouds of ignorance, he replenyshed with his grace, & strengthened with his spirit certain of the Greeks and Gentiles which believed, to confute the errors, & condemn the lies of those false teachers & deceivable Antichrists. Of this number was Ignacius, Polycarpus, Theophilus, Antiochenus, Justinus Martyr, Agrippa, Castorius, Aristides, Quadratus, Meliton, Apollenaris, Theodocion, Hyrenius, Appollonius, Melcyades, Rhodon, & diverse other. These boldly confessed Christ, they taught his verity, they put aside the darkness, they ministered the light, they confounded the adversaries both w ^t tongue & pen.

2 And when the Lamb had thus opened this seconde seal declaring the mystery thereof, I heard the second beast (saith S. John) which was to my sight a calf, signifying those ministers which had mortified and wholly given up them selves as a sacrifice for the preaching of the same, saying also unto me.

3 Approch nigher, & look, perceive, and take heed, mark & bear it away.

4 And sodeinly I saw y ^t there went forth another horse all diverse from the first, for he was outwardly read. This horse resembleth the said false teachers, borne & brought up in flesh and blood taught of the same. Such went from the Apostles & were not of them, they cursed y ^e true preachers out of their sinagogs, they persecuted them from city to city, they accused them as y ^e sturrers up of sediciō, they caused y ^e rulers to imprisō thē, scorge thē, & flea them, thinking thereby they did God high service. They turned y ^e grace of god into beastliness, & brought in lying sects. These were those false brethren & deceitful masters whom y ^e scripture calleth strangers, hirelings, thieves, scorners, and ravening wolves, not sparing the flock. These were those blood thirsty doctors and puffed up prelates, which are partakers with their fathers in the blood of the Prophets, whose succession for a token of the same is clothed in read scarlet to this day. Such a red horse was Barichu, which resisted Paul & Barnabas at Paphos. So was Alexander y ^e copper smith which did Paul much displeasure. So was Demetrius which moved sedition against him, so was Ananias the high priest that commanded him to be smitten, so was Tertullus the Orator that accused him to the debitie, so was Diotrephes that sought the preeminence, and reproved John.

5 And power was given to him that sat upon this horse▪ By the sufferance of God to try his electes, the wicked rulers and Prynces of this world persuaded, and set forward by these bloody beasts, hath exercysed all cruelty, fircenesse, and tyranny.

6 To take from the earth the sweet peace of God & Christiā unity, which made of the Jews and Gentiles one people, & knit us altogether through faith and baptime, as members of one body in Christ Jesus. This peace have they broken, this unity of faith have they torn, this coat of Christ without seam have those soldiers divided, & abusing the power (which is the high ordinance of God) they have maintained the manifold sects of division.

7 Of whom one hath killed another, as in the destruction of Jerusalem the unchristian gentile slew the unfaithful Jew. And now in y ^e church of Antichrist one Bishop poisoneth another, one priest another, one religious as other.

8 And unto this terrible horse man was there given a great swerd. Lōg hath the Lord suffered those tyrants to reign, much mischief to work, great cruelty to use. Much was the persecution, tyranny, and murder, under Nero, Domicianus, Traianus, Aurelius, Seuerus, Maximinus, Decius, Ualerianus, Aurelianus, Dioclecianus, Maxencius, Julianus, and such like, & much Christian blood in their time was shed.

The Paraphrase.

1 Under trope or secret mystery of the third seal opening, is specyfied the estate general of the chrystian church, after the time of the martyrs and strong witnesses of Jesus, which were most cruelly afflicted and slain for confessing his name and truth. Not that the Martyrs were only and that time, and not afore and after, but for so much as they did than most abound.

For in the Rome church besides other, were slain all the ministers of the word or Bishops as they call them, from the time of Peter unto the days of Sylvester, to the number of xxxij. not one of them escaped. After their time as the tyranny of rulers was stilled, and their gagyng cruelty pacyfyed, there arose another fashioned sort all diverse from the other, given to bodily ease and delights of the world. More desirous, were they to rest then to labor, to sleep then to work, to take then to give, to banket, then to preach, to dally then to die. Then strove they among them selves for the premacy, them sought they ambiciously to reign over all. Not one Martyr was then among them, unless he were a stynkyng Martyr made among themselves.

But all were confessors. For preaching was laid a part, and pride had take up his room. Yet were they not long without contradiction. For then arose heresies and schisms, sects, and devisions, and were spread the world over, like as y ^e histories mentioneth. The Sabellians, Arrianes, Eunomyanes, Macedonianes, Priscillyanes, Nestoryanes, and Euticyanes, then diversely erred in faith and opinion of the Godhead. The Manichees dispysed the old Testament. The Donatists held it necessary to be rebaptised. The Pelagianes taught that men might merit heaven without grace, with such like. Then Scismes were plentuous among bishops everywhere. In the church of Rome were many alterations about the election, much strife, & division was for the Papacie, betwixt Liberius and Felix, Damasus, & Urcisinus, Boniface & Eulalius, Simachus and Laurencius, Boniface and Dyoscorus, Constantine & Philip, Eugenius & Sisinius, Formosus & Stephanus, Sergius and Christophorus, Benedicte and Leo, Gregory, and Johan, with divers more.

In the which some were noted of heresy, some accused of incontinency, some called insolent, some Rustical, some rude. Some were accurssed, some deposed, some slandered, some exiled, some poisoned, some strāgeled. Some had their eyes thrust out, some were most spitefully murdered. No color, cautel, craft, subtlety, nor violence unsought to fulfil their mischievous purpose.

1 The Lamb therefore opening the third seal, disclosed the mistery thereof unto John.

2 Which heard the third beast in simylitude of a man, betokenyng such preachers as hath wisdom in the spyrite saying unto him.

3 Drawe nygh and perceive, consider and way.

4 And anon he was ware and beheld a black horse, in figure representyng the aforesaid heretics, and impure ministers, ambitious Prelates, and false teachers, full of errors, lies, pride, and uncleanness. Uppon these and such other rydeth Satan the world over, for he is their master, Lord, Kyng, and father. Such Christophers of the devil were Phassur and Semeias in y ^e old law, Annas & Caiaphas in the new law, Mahomet and the Pope in our time, with all such prelates, priests, Moonks, doctors, and other spiritual dowsipers, as setteth forth themselves with arrogancy, pride, pomp, glory, & magnificence of this world, not sincerely preaching God's word.

5 He which sat upon that horse, or that reigneth in this congregation hath in his hand a deceitful pair of Balaunces of abhominable judgments, waying all things according to the doctrine of error and lies of hypocrites, not proving the spirits whether they be of God or no

6 And after this vision (I heard saith saint Johan) a voice among the iv. beasts. No time hath there been, wherein the faithful believers and constant witnesses of the verity in this life, hath not resisted the masters of lies, and confounded their errors, preserving the undefiled scriptures. In those days were among the Greeks, Origin, Eusebius, Athanasius, Didimus, Gregorius, Nazianzenus, Cirillus Basilius, Ioānes Chrisostomus, Hisichius, Euagrius, Ioānes Damascenus, & Theophilactus. And among the Latins were Tertulyane, Cypriane, Lactancius, Hilarius, Prudencius, Ambrosius, Hieronimus, Augustinus, Orosius, Sedulius, Prosper, and Beda, with such like. What though all they in many points have erred to declare them selves men, and least their authority should be takē among the people, above y ^e authority of gods word.

7 This is the voice which come from those holy beasts, or faithful servants of the Lord. A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny also. The wheat is the New Testament, fair, pleasant, and sweet in the eating.

8 The barley is the old, more gross, heavy, and heard of digestion, yet is their price all one. So much in value is the one as the other. So precious are the scriptures of the old law for the Christian erudicion as of the new, for both they are the word, verity, spyrite, and promise of God. So perfect also is the one as the other, (eche grayne in his kind considered) as the law to cōdempne, and the Gospel to save. So necessary is it to the sinner to know his fall, as to see his raise. In that the barley is .iii. measures, and y ^e wheat but one, is signyfied that the Old Testament containeth the law, Psalms & prophecies, and the new the only doctrine of Christ, confessyng altogether .iii. distinct persons in one Godheade against the aforesaid heretics & erroneous prelates. Whensoever therefore the dyuill goeth forth with his black horse or deceitful doctors, to subuerte the ways of the Lord with his untrue balaunces of crafty interpretaciōs & false judgments in the scriptures, attend you to this voice of the faithful fathers, and stand by the truth, which is the only price of both testaments, with Christ which fulfilled the law, and commanded us to serche the Scriptures, and with his Apostles, which alleged the same. When the figure troubleth you, confer it with the verytie, and the shadow with the light.

9 The dulcet wine and the fragrant oil see thou hurt not, saith the said voice, hynder not the word of God, which is the sweet wine that replenished the heart with gladness, and the wholesome oil that comforteth the soul in trouble. Delicious it is in aduersytie, and solacious in all weakness. Corrupte not the text with false glosses, take not from us the sweetness thereof, defraud, us not of the fruitful Sauour. Let the text be whole, the sense uncorrupt, and the judgment right. And that shall well be if nothing be added unto it, nor nothing taken from it.

The Paraphrase.

1 In the fowrth Seal opening is under secrete figure mentioned the universal estate of the christen Church after the increase of the aforesaid heretykes, and the raise of the ambitious Prelates. And though the Arryanes and Eutycianes with such like Heretyks were than put to silence, and all things pacyfyed, partly by the publyke power, and partly by the continual disputations and writings of the faithful Doctors, and catholic Fathers, yet continued the Bysshops still in their vanyties, and the Prelates in their pride, whereby the truth was blemished and the light had a sore Eclipse. Daylye they sought for new promotions. Euermore they compassed to augment their dignyties. Continuall was their study to get preeminence, to win honor, and to obtain superiorytie, not without the destruction of kingdoms, the utter decay of communalties, and unspeakable murder of people's.

John the Archebyshoppe of Constantinople contended to be the vniue • sal Patriarke,

Boniface the third of that name Byshoppe of Rome, took upon him to be the head Byshoppe of all the world, and God's only Uicar in earth,

Mahomet boasted him self to be the great Prophet and messenger of GOD.

Thus was Christ's coat without seam among them divided, and his church most rufully dispersed. Thus out of y ^e corrupted & depraved scriptures took y ^e Jews their Talmud, y ^e Saracens their Alchorane, and the Bishops their popish laws and decrees. Then followed innumerable sects of perdition under the romishe pope, in Europa, under Mahomet the false Prophet in Afryca, and under prester John in Asia, which with their execrable traditions and rules banished Christ and his pure doctrine forever. Than set they up song in the church with Latin service, bell ringing, and Organ playinge. Than built they monasteries, auaunced Images, invented purgatory, not without many strange reuelacions. Than came in that ceremony, & that, as sensing of Images, Procession, and holy water, with candles, ashes, and palms. Than were shaven crowns commanded, holy ornaments devised, marriage and meats inhibited, and hallowing of churches practiced. At the last crept in the worshipping of relics and shrines, with holy oil and cream, with the pascal and paxe, with feasts and dedications, with latines, masses & dirges for the dead, and many great miracles followed. Thā were kings deposed and made Moonkes, Emperors put down and parish priests set up. No gospel might then be taught, but to maintain this ware for advantage. Universities were then built and general studies founded the world over, with all kinds of crafty learning to uphold this new Christian religion or prestish superstition. The Antichrists thus spread and their kingdom well set forward, the light was clearly extincted, and darkness over went the whole world.

1 Much meruayled always the poor chosen flock of christ, and were greatly troubled in their minds, to behold this great confusion, till the Lord opened unto them the fourth seal of his book, in the which all was written from the beginning. In that Seal opening, the Lord shown what the head rulers of his Church were, even very hypocrites, rightly compared unto a pale Horse. For after their dissembling manner they shown sad countinaunces outwardlye to appear fasting, and babled very much to seem deuonte men.

2 And as the Lamb had opened the fowrth Seal (saith Saint John) I hard the voice of the fowrth beast, which seemed unto me an Egle representing those godly believers that are most highly desirous of the glory of GOD.

3 Come hither said that voice. Note what thou shalt see here, & enprent it well in thy mind.

4 And sa I looked forth, I beheld a pale Horse, whom I took for the universal Synagogue of hypocrites or dissembling church of Antichrist, pale as men without health, & bleyk as men without that fresh life which is in Christ Jesus.

5 The name of him which sat upon this pale Horse was death, for their doctrine is death and damnation. What bringeth hypocrisye with him, but destruction of health? What carrieth dissimulation, but the utter decay of life? Are their last fruits any other then confusion and dyspayre.

6 For why hell cometh after them to swallow in those that are taught by them. Eternal damnation doth follow them to eat them up forever, whom they shall deceive. Such is the final reward of those cursed hypocrites that treadeth down God's truth, and destroyeth his word under a feigned pretence of the contrary, God grant them therefore once to open their eyes, and to consider it, that they are the Horses of death, least Hell here after devour them.

7 Unto these gaudish hypocrites and beastly Antichrists with are the horse of death and carrieth all to darkness, and damnation, power is given (which is the sufferance of God) upon the fourth parte of the earth. A great part of the world shall they destroy, much people by thē shall perish and be lost.

8 After diverse sortes shall they deprive them of the life everlasting. Some shall they slay with the sword of their false doctrine, having a glorious shine of wisdom in superstition and deuilishnesse Some shall they famishe for want of GOD'S true word, which is the bread of Chyldren, and the living food of the soul.

9 Some will they also poison with the contagious leaven of their pestilent laws and traditions, which are daily ministered & taught by the vile vermin of the earth, their suffragans, Archedecons, officials, doctors, ministers, false preachers, curates, persons, parish priests, and religions, very beastly both of life and study. Lord ones deliver from these deceitful and ravenous wolves, which are never satisfied, thy poor servants that confess thy holy name. Amen.

The Paraphrase.

1 Euident it is by that hath ben seen and said afore in these four horses, what the estate of the christen church was, & is now in these latter days. Such horrible confusion hath the Antichrists made with their wicked laws and decrees, and with their deceitful doctrine of errors and lies to uphold their filthy kingdom of pride, sloth, hypocrisy, and beastlynes, that scarcely is anything clean, pure, and godly. Now do they nothing but slay. None other study have they in these days, but to persecut, emprison, and famish, to burn, head and hang. Now have they obtained to enter the judgment hall, and to sit upon life & death, without defiling of thenselves. Now may they both a accuse and judge, both indite and condemn, & yet not soil their consecrate hands. If any control their customs, or say against their witchcraftes, they are ready to run over him with death, whom they carry to slay both soul and body.

Never was this more evident, then after the time of Berengarius in the Waldeanes, Publicans, and Albygeanes, of whom an hundred thowsande were slain, an hundredth and

four score br • nt for that they would not abjure, besides that is seen now in this age, so many poor innocents murdered. For nowhere is it lawful rightly without superstition to confess the name and verytie of Christ, a few Cities except, unless men will ve torn of these wolves. And thus is it like still to continue to y ^e end of y ^e world, both by this prophecy, and also by the prophecy of Daniel.

1 This hath the Lord shown in mistery unto John in the fifth seal opening, by whom are meant the true Christian believers at this time so well as at all other times sense Christ's assension.

2 And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, or declared in figure what should be y ^e estate of that time to assertaine his chosen friends thereof, I saw (saith Saint John) under the Aulter of God, which is Christ (upon whom the whole sacrifice of our redemption was offered.)

3 The souls or spirits of those constant believers, which through the violent handlynge of the afore said false prelates and Antichrists were cruelly put to death by diverse manner of torments, not only for y ^e undefiled word of god, but also for y ^e sincere testimony of Jesus, which they had by the gift of his only spirit. Under this Aulter remain all they which have been killed for that witness of truth. In his faith they slept and still rest now in his hope. In him now they live for whom they once died. Under his shadow they dwell. Under his wings they flock, under his couerte they cloister. He is their comfort, keeper and defender. With him are they now, whose presence they evermore coveted.

4 In that they cried with a loud voice, is signified that their innocent death fercely asketh and requireth the great indignation, vengeance, and terrible judgment of GOD, upon those tirauntes, like as did the blood of Abel upon that murder Cayne.

5 And this is their daily cry. O Lord God almighty, so holy thou art that thou hatest all evil, so true and so just that thou abhorrest all lies and perverse doctrine, so manifest is the filthy life of the spiritual antichristes that thou seest it, so euidente is their unshamefast cruelty upon thy servants, that thou knowest it. Yet doest y ^u leave them unpunished, and suffer them uncorrected. Howe long time will it be ere thou judge them to damnation? What years wilt thou take ere thou revenge our blood?

6 Sure it is that thy laws are holy, and thy words are faithful and true. Why doest thou then permit these proud homicides and spiteful murderers to defile them with their errors, and blaspheme them with their lies: Kyllyng up thy servants without pity, for holdynge with them, and reigning here as God's upon earth in ambiciousnesse, vain glory, pomp, glotony, and le • herye, with other abominable vices. Thus these beastly belly God's doth daily despise thee. They tread down thy testimonies and shed innocent Christian blood in despite of thee.

7 Look once upon them therefore according to thy promise, and see thou reward them according to their wickedness. Thys revengement do we not ask for our scath, but for the contempt of thy truth. Not for our harm, but for the blasphemy of thy name.

8 And longe white garments (saith Saint John) very large and comely were given unto everyone of them. A full innocencye, perfectness, and clearness was poured over them, and abundantly spread upon them. Endued they were with an inestimable pureness by Christ, for whose veryties sake they died.

With him they are now in peace, joy, and sweetness. But whether they be in full glory afore God or no, that will we not temerously define. Sure we are that they be delivered from all pain, sorrow, and care, and that they clearly be assertayned so have that glory complete both in body and soul at the latter day. More sweet is their estate for y ^e time, yea more delycious and pleasant, then all the delights, prosperytye, and wealth that ever was yet in this world.

9 And as they were in this sweet solace, much desirous of their bodies deliverance from corruption, they were requyr • d by these secrete heavenly mocyon of Christ (as we are in this life by the outward word. )

10 Paciently to pause for a while and quietously to rest for a season.

11 Untill such time as the complete mumber of their constant fellows and faithful brethren.

12 Yea and of all those poor creatures that should be killed by these vnsaciat blood suckers for his truths sake, like as they were afore should be fulfilled and wholly accomplished according to the eternal prediffinition of God. And so much the rather to content themselves with their peaceable and quietous estate for their brethren's sake, that it should not belong ere their death were revenged, and they restored to a full tranquility. For nothing in comparison are the sufferings of this time, to that glory which shall be shown unto the chosen sort in that day. Let no man think where as Christ hath willed those souls to rest, that they sleep in death, for they rest in him which is life. Out of him they are not, he is their Aulter, he is their covert. They live, they discern, and in sweetness they abide the latter day, and all under him. Their white garment of innocence they have only by him. Worship him then and not them. Pray and call upon him and not upon them. For he is the only meditour, and general advocate to God the father, so well for them as for you. Nothyng can they do but by him. Their office is not to hear suitors causes, nor to go to and fro, but still to rest abiding the glad day of their deliverance. It is Christ's only office to receive all complaints to pleate them, and to judge them.

The Paraphrase.

1 Not yet is the pale horse down nor his iniquity ended, but still he he rageth the world over. Still raygneth the Antichrists, with their hypocrisy and false doctrine, the Pope here in Europa, and other not all unlike unto him in Asia and Africa. But for that Europe is only known unto us, of that will we only dyffyne. In naming the Pope we mean not his person, but the proud degree or abomination of the papacy. The great Antychriste of Europa is the

king of faces, the Prince of hipocrysie, the man of sin, the father of errors, and the master of lies, the Romish Pope. He is the head of the said pale horse, whose body are his Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archebishops, Bishops, fat prebends, doctors, priests, Abbottes, Pryors, Moonks, Canons, Friars, Nuns, Pardoners, and Proctors, with all the sects and and shorn swarm of perdition, and with all those that consent with them in the Romish faith, obeying their wicked laws, decrees, bulls, pryuileges, decretales, rules, traditions, titles, pomps, degrees, blessings, counsayles, and constitucions, contrary to God's truth. The wickedness of these hath so darkened the blind world, that scarce was left one sparkle of the verity, or of the true Christian faith. No where can men dwell to greater loss of their souls health, thē under their abominations.

1 This know they well whom the lamb hath delivered from their dark sinagoge, & to whom he hath in these days opened the sixte seal of the book, raising up the spirits of many to detect by his holy word their shameful abominations. Blessed be the name of that Lord, which hath now so mercifully vysited his poor people from above, sending his word under y ^e tipe or figure of this Lamb, to open unto them at this sixth time of darkness, the vi. seal of the hidden mysteries of the book. I looked yet farther (saith saint John) and as the Lamb Christ disclosed the sixte seal to manifest the clearness of his truth, to show the estate of his church, anon I beheld a merueylous earthquake arise. Most lively was this fulfilled such time, as William Courteney the Archbishop of Canterbury with Antichrists sinagoge of sorcerers sat in cōsistorie against Christ's doctrine in John Wycleue. Mark the year, day, and hour, and ye shall wonder at it.

2 The Gospel once preached, and the verity sincerely opened, (whose nature is to condemn their superstitions) the earthly and carnal Antychristes swell, fret, and wax mad, they threaten, curse, and blaspheme, they run upon the faithful ministers with terror, cruelty, & fiercens, having at their hand the aid of wicked princes and blind governors. Such a terrible earth quake was the general counsel of Constance against John Hus and Jerome of Prague, and here in England against the King (when he set forth the Gospel) the seditious rising of Lincolneshere, and the traitorous uproar of Yorkshiere, in their pylgrimage without grace, where as neither wanted the false counsel of Bishops, the riches of Abbeys, & benifices, nor yet y ^e cruel harts of priests. A thousand bows and as many bills, beside other weapons were there among priests and religious to one poor Testament of Christ to subdue the verity. Yet hath the Lamb ouercomen them, and declared their great wisdom in that enterpryce foolishness, like as he did also in Germany among them, which maintained the same spiritual quarrel. Yet is not this earth quake pacifyed, but still they rise up against Christ and his word, and daily they counsel together to condemn his truth, that we should know him to be the sign of contradiction, the stumbling stone, and the rock of reproach.

3 The Sun appeared so black as a sack cloth made of heaire. What though Christ being the clear son of ryghtuousnesse, and the shynyng Image of God, cannot be dark in him self, no more then can the material son in his own nature, yet may his clerenesse behold̄ from us by the mystes of false doctrine, like as is the sun’s brightness by the shadow of the clouds. For the more men delight in ceremonial traditions, the blynder they are, and the less knowledge they have of God. To them seemeth not Christ the fairest among men, well coloured and beautiful, and gentle as a Lamb, but ill favored, black, and stubborn. And therefore they have no mind to him. They rather seek help, health, and light of other then of him. They think it much better to pray to dead Saints, and offer to Idolles, then to call upon God • n spirit & verity, and to help their • oore neighbor at his need. More • leisure they have to follow men's • reames, thē the verity of God. For • hat is to thē black as y ^e heiry sack doth. It is dark, rough & foolish unto • hem, they can perceive no beutie in 〈◊〉 .

• The Moon became altogether as • lud. The church being sometime fair • s y ^e Mone, & taking hir light of christ, 〈◊〉 now waxed all carnal. Now is she taught only of flesh and blood, refusing the doctrine of God & his spirit. Now reigneth everywhere the corrupt fantasies of men, a few places except. And sure we are that neither flesh nor blood shall obtain the kingdom of God. Nevertheless yet all the world hath not perished in this bloody church. Always hath there been some that hath had the spirit of the childrē of God, what though they have erred sore in many things. Though Benedict, Bernard, & Bruno, Alberte, Francis, and Dominic, with many such other, were far out of square from the rule of Christ's Gospel, yet doubt I it not, but the mercy of God hath saved thē through faith for Jesus Christ's sake. In the midst of false doctrine and diuilishe traditions he hath preserved them like as he preserved the three children, in Daniel from the heat of the burning furnace. Though all at that time were blood through cruel decrees, yet were not all men so taken afore God, for then should none have been saved, none should have possessed his heavenly kingdom.

5 And the stars from heaven fell down upon the earth. The ministers of God's word which should declare his righteousness, and be the lights of the world, were fallen from y ^e heavenly doctrine of Christ, and from the sincere scriptures, to worldly learning and earthly fantasies. Nothing can be more evident then this, specially to them that hath red the tryfling works of the Sophisters, sentencyoners, school doctors, Canonistes, and summystes. As are Dons, Dorbell, and Durande, Thomas of Aquine, Gerarde, and Giles of Rome, Bonaventure, Bacōthorpe, and Guido, Caldrinus, Bobius, and Baldus, Panormius, Rosellus and Roxius, with an infinite rabble of such dyrtie dottages, and filthy dregs. Besides the great heap of the foolish sermons of Barnardyne and Uincent, Pomerij and Soccij, Mallyard and Barlet, De voragine and de Hungaria, Discipuli and Dormi secure, Uade mecunt, and Rapiunt hinc inde, with all such beastly beggary and lousie learning.

6 These stars hath thus myserably of a long time fallen, like as doth the infected figs when the fig tree is shaken of a mighty strong wynd. Foūd fickle vanities, desire of worldly promotions, fear to have displeasure of friends, adversity, vexation, and trouble, with such other blasts here, hath caused the unprofitable instructors of the people to fall from God's heavenly verity unto fables, lies, tryfles, and most pestilent wicked errors.

7 So that heaven hath vanished away from them, as doeth a scroule when it is rolled up together. True preaching of the word which is very heaven, hath been withdrawn, the verity hath been closed up. Christ hath take his leave, the spirit of God hath forsaken them, the sincere faith hath failed, Christian works hath decayed, whē their dark divinity, dead ceremonies, & crooked customs of their fathers hath been in place. Nothyng hath remained spiritual, Godly, heavenly, holy, righteous, wholesome, nor worthy our Christian vocation among their solempne shadows and sacred sorceryes. If it hath, it was never yet seen. And that know they full well, which hath unfeignedly received Christ's Gospel.

8 All mountains and yles were removed from their places. Not only the high minded Antichrists, but also the dyssembling hypocrites are enforced many times & against their willes, compelled by the open verity and evident scriptures; to deny that afore they highlye affyrmed, and to grant that afore they highly denied. The Bishop of Roome was afore. God's vicar & head of the church, he is now neither of both. They had sometime a purgatory, & now they have none. Pardons are forgotten, pylgrimage is not spokē of, Faith in Christ now justifieth without their vain will works. They have put man to death for that they now affirm, yet are they not ashamed of that cruel murder. I hope in a while they shall out of more places, and grant will they nill they, to more Christian veryties, though their selves be never the nigher salvation, for that they do it not of good will, but compelled.

9 The Kings of the earth, more looking for their own prehemynence then for the glory of God, the great men more seeking their own pleasures, then the common wealth of the people, the rich men oppressing the poor.

10 The Captains deceyuing the commons, the strong men overthrowing the weak, every bond servant doing untrue service, and every free master ungodly occupying his faculty.

11 Hath hid them selves in dens of the said rocks & hills. When they have done all mischief and wrought all wickedness, tyranny, manslaughter, rape, adultery, lechery, extorcion, Idolatry, sacrylege, w ^t all other abominations, & can do no more, thē run they to those hypocrites, thē seek they up those Antichrists. Ther must they be confessed, there must they hide their sins. They must be covered w ^t his dyrty merits, & with his holy whoredom. And to be prayed for, that monastery must be built, & that prebēdary or chauntery must be founded. There must be Masses & dyrges, there must be anuaries & bead mē. He must be buried in S. Francis gray coat, and he in our Ladies holy habit. He must have S. Dominikes hoode, and he saint Augustine's girdle.

12 And thus they cry to those earthly hills and rocks, to those filthy dung heaps, or dens of wild beasts with a fearful desperate conscience.

13 Fall upon us with such stuff as ye have. Couer us with your works more than need. Pray, pray, pray, sing, sing, sing, say, say, say, ring, ring, ring. Give us of your oil, for our lamps are out. Help us with your Latin Psalms. Releeue us with your lip labor though all be but dung and earth. Comforte us with Placebo. Help us with Requiem eternam. Pour out your Trentall masses, spew out your Commendaciōs. Sing us out of that hot fiery Purgatory before we come there.

14 Hyde us from the fearful presence of him that sitteth on y ^e thorn, whom we never knew to be a merciful father in all our romish medita • ns, and the scriptures we abhorred that so would have taught us.

15 Conuey us clean from the wrath of the ungentle Lamb, whose doctrine we never favored, nor whose goodness we never yet trusted.

16 For the great day of his wrath is come. So certain we are of his terrible judgment, as it were now in doing. So sure we be to feel him a righteous judge, as we are sure he liveth.

17 And who can be able to endure it: who can abide it doing so much cruelty, rape, murder, bribery, with all other abominations, as we have done, leaving wicked laws behind us still to continue the same? Well, with you we have left our whole rockening, ye know our deeds. Answer you for us then, for we dare not be seen. If your idle merits help us not, we look for no grace at his hand. If your souls be not for ours at that day, we perish forever and ever. For we have not relieved him a hungered, a thirst, harborless, naked, sick, and imprysoned, in his poor brethren, confessing his name and verity.

But rather we have abhorred, reviled, blasphemed, spoiled, imprisoned, shamed, and persecuted him unto death in them, deuysing moste terrible torments for them. Thus is there among the wicked sort, princes and other (where as the word of God is published) not only a doubt of their ruinous fall or decay, but also a fearful expectation of the terrible judgments of God for contempt of y ^e same.

[illustration]

The Paraphrase.

MOre manifestly yet are described hereafter, still under y ^e mystery of the sixte seal opening, the Hypocrytes, Antychrystes, Tyrantes, and cruel magistrates, forbidding the truth and condempning the word of God. After this (saith Saint John) I saw four Angels of darkness suffered but not sent of God. These are the aforesaid hypocrites with their false doctrine, the Antichrists with their pestilent decrees and traditions, the cruel princes with their tirannous laws, and the ungodly Maiestrates with their ignorance and blindness.

2 These stand upon the four corners of the earth, they reign in the four quarters of the world, with lies in hypocrysie, errorus, in superstition, with tyranny in power, and cruelty▪ in executinge human laws.

3 They witholde the four winds of the earth. The doctrine of the spyrite, which GOD hath sent to be blown the world over, they withstand, resist, stop, vex, and evermore persecute.

4 least it should blow upon the earth, which is the garden of God, dryuinge away from thence all filth and corrupcion.

5 Or on the sea, which is the waueryng conscience, bringing men to a quietous hold and sure stay in the Lord.

6 Or upon any tree that is growing here, which are men whom GOD hath planted on earth to fructify in Christ to the comfort of other. Wind can be here no fickle vanity as the wind of this world is, for so much as it cometh from above. These furious Angels care not what cruelty they exercise to drive away this heavenly blast. They lay about them like Termagauntes, they inhibit, sequestre, banish, emprison, sley, hang, head burn, and drown the poor preachers of the verytie, the vessels of the election, and organs of the holy Ghost, and their fierceness hath none ende. Their power in darkness prospereth upon earth, and shall do till they have fulfilled the whole measuere of their wicked fathers, and made up the number of God's chosen flock under the altar.

7 And whiles these execrable angels were yet stopping this wind, or lettinge the free passage of the Gospel preaching, I beheld (saith Saint John) another Angel of a diverse nature from them, for he was the true messenger of God, betokeninge the Prophets, Apostles, and all just preachers.

8 He came forth from the rising of the sun, or as one taught of God in the sincere doctrine of Christ, he hath stepped forward to publish the same, ascending upward from y ^e low spirit of meekness to do y ^e godly office.

9 He had the seal of y ^e living God in his hand, which is the effectual word of truth in his mouth, to execute it. The true ministers of God's verity have power to mark his faithful servants unto salvation. Their tongs ar • y ^e writing pens of the holy ghost, by whō y ^e word of god is registered in y ^e harts of them y ^e believe. For faith is the very sign, whereby God's servants are known to be the children of adoption, or of the inherytaunce promised by grace.

10 And the said Angel cried with a loud voice, he bouldlye and with an earnest spirit uttered the verytie, fearing no worldly displeasure. This voice against the unbelieving Antichrists was never more earnest than now in our time, as well in wrightings, as in preachings. And further hath it gone by books written, then by words spoken, and much more people converted.

11 An earnest message from God was this voice to the said four Angels of his wrath, which were by his sufferance permitted cruelly to handle and to hurt his people to their salvation and their own damnation, which people dwelled as well upon the sea, as upon the land, as well in the close Ilandes as in the open country.

12 And the voice was this. Sequestre your fierceness for a time, & in no case presume after any cruel sort to harm neither the earth, nor the sea, nor the growing trees. Suffer the Gospel to have his free course, stop not the passage of God's word, let the wind of his verytie blow without impediment.

Though some hearts be worldly, some conscinces wavering, and some minds barren and unfruitful, yet may they repent and come to goodness. When the seed is sown, some falleth upon the good earth, & bringeth forth fruit in abundance. Zacchaeus of a great extorcioner became a righteous man, Matthew of a Publycan a true Apostle, and Paul of a fierce persecutor a gentle preacher.

13 Cease therefore from with holding the sweet blast of the Scriptures till we have sealed up the chosen servants of our eternal God in their foreheads, or emprinted faith in their hearts by his spirit, which is the mark of salvation, and till we have tokened up the whole number of them. Thus to be marked up for the servants of God, is not only to believe after the mind of Ezekiel, but also to lament the abhominatiō, and bewail the wickedness that is done here. None are of that sort unless they sorrowfully mourn to se god blasphemed, y ^e name of Christ disdained, the truth trodden under foot, and the perfect Christian church despoyled. By the aforesaid Angel is not meant one Christian preacher alone but many, for so much as it is here said. Till we have sealed the servants, &c. For after that one hath begun, many doth continue it. In that hath been spoken afore is it manifest that wexe the tirants never so mad and persecute they never so sore to stop God's word of his course, yet can they not so prevail against it, but it cometh to them whom God hath appointed to be marked up for his. They with all the devils in hell cannot withhold it from them, whom God hath prefixed to make up his number. And though that the Antichrists and murderers thinketh them to be very few, by reason of their wicked laws, cruel constitucions, threatenings, and terrible torments, yet is their number infinite like as here doth follow.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I heard (saith Saint John) the number of them rehearsed, which were sealed with the sure token of faith, and marked up for the heavenly inheritors with Christ, not for one country, but for the whole world. Fyrst were the Israelites named, for so much as they were the peculiar nation, whom God first chose for his own people. Israel is mine eldest son, saith the Lord. After them followed in course the Gentiles as the younger Son, that we should thereby know that all people, which feareth god, and worketh righteousness, is accepted unto him.

2 And there were sealed unto the Lord an hundred and xliij. thousands of all the tribes of the children of Israel, to have the life everlasting, of every tribe twelve thousand persons.

3 Of the chosen tribe of Judah the fourth son of Jacob, of whō christe descended, were sealed unto God .xii. thousand.

4 Of the mighty stock of Reuben the first son of Jacob by Lia, were marked unto the Lord .xii. thousand.

5 Of the happy kindred of Gad the vii. son of Jacob by Zepha, were tokened unto life .xii. thousand.

6 Of the blessed tribe of Asser the eight son of Jacob by Zepha were sealed unto the heavenly fellowship xii. thousand.

7 Of the plentuous offspring of Neptalim the vi. son of Jacob by Bala, were signed to be partakers of joy with christ .xii. thousand.

8 Of the notable parage of Manasseh the eldest son of Joseph in the stead of Dan, because of y ^e ydolatrie, were noted for the friends of God twelve thousand

9 Of the humble tribe of Simeon the second son of Jacob by Lia, were sealed to the heavens felicity xii. thousand.

10 Of the sanctified success of Leuy the third son of Jacob by Lia, were marked unto salvation twelve thousand.

11 Of the pleasant posterytie of Isachar the .ix. son of Jacob by Lya, were tokened to y ^e joys everlasting xii. thousand.

12 Of the famous tribe of Zebulon the .x. son of Jacob by Lya, were sealed to the kingdom heavenly .xii. thousand.

13 Of the righteous stock of Iospeh the .xi. son of Jacob by Rachel, were sanctified to Christ's inheritance .xii.M.

14 Of the godly kindred of Benjamin the twelf son of Jacob by Rachel, were elected unto the eternal herytage twelve thousand. This set number of twelve thousand for every tribe of the Israelites, betokeneth a notable multitude in ever kindred of them, certainly appointed of God unto salvation. And it is not to be understanded upon them that are past, but rather upon them, whom it shall please God to call in this latter age under the vi. seal opening. Whom Paul calleth the remnant which shall be saved, according to the election of grace. For like as by the fall of the Jews Synagogue for vnthankfullye receauinge the verity, salvation then hapened unto the Heathen, so shall it now again from their carnal church to the Jews for the same. god hath not thrust out his people, but their conversion shall be as is life from the dead. Thys shall the carnal synagoge of Antychristes, hypocrites, tyrants, and cruel maiestrates, no more perceive at that day then they now discern those poor creatures whom they spitefully persecute and kill, to be the true Church of CHRIST. When Helias thought no more true believers but him self left alive, almighty God shown him of vii. thousand more whom he knew not. If he were then ignorant, much more these four Angels of darkness, which now sleyeth up God servants as the Jews did Christ. Not for nothing hath god given so much knowledge in the Hebrew tongue. The Jews must be sealed with the word of verity. They must have the sure sign of faith. They must know and confess Christ, whom god afore promised by the Prophets, that twelve thousand of every tribe may be sealed unto salvation. For that time must the Antichrists cease. Their false interpretations of scripture, their wicked traditions, their doctrine of devils, their lies in hypocresie, their errors, their stinking chastity (whom God and his angels abhorreth and the devil most highly alloweth) with all their other filthiness they must lay aside. Whereas afore time they have immagined other ways of the health and righteousness then by Christ, as by infinite sects of perdition, Idol worshiping, pardons, and other abominations w ^t out number, they must now be compelled against their will to resign them, not only by the manifest truth, but also by those which as yet are enemies both to them and also to the said verity. I cannot see it but it worketh even now as it did in the primative church. When the Hethen perceived the Apostles and Disciples expulsed out of Jewry for the Gospel preaching, for the hate they had to the Jews they gladly received them, which was unto their salvation, though they thought nothing less.

Not unlike is it in this age, but that the true prechers and learned men, compelled also by tiraunts to decline to the Saracens and Turks, may in like manner be accepted of them in spite of the Romish devil and his Church, and so convert them to the true Christian faith, which they before abhorred. Such favor may they find among them now, as did Joseph, Daniel, Hester, Mardocheus, Zorababel, Nehemiah's, Es • ras, Tobias and other among the infidels then. And like as the Jewish sinagoge did at that time wholly perish for rejecting God's word, and never could recover since, so may that false counterfayte church of Antychrist come to destruction for contempnynge the same and never rise up again.

Muche is it to be feared, if they stop GOD'S word as they have begun, least that plague fall on them that lyghted upon the IEWES at the Siege of Jerusalem, by the TURKE now, or by some other worse then he.

For though they suffer the Bible to be abroad in the mother tongue in BRABAND, HOLLANDE, FLAUNDERS, FRAUNCE, SPAYNE, ITALYE, and other places, yet are they still as they were Angels of darkness, Tyrauntes, Persecutors, Antichrists, and Hypocrites forbiddinge the right course of it. And not withstandinge their violence, yet breaketh it forth so, that innumerable people are daily sealed unto GOD.

The Paraphrase.

1 After this (saith saint John) I beheld an exceeding multitude of the Gentiles or Heathen, marked into the fellowship of Christ, whom no man was able to number.

2 These were of all nations of the earth, of all people's of the world, and of all languages under heaven, Greeks, Latins, Hebrews, Chaldeans, Parthyans, Medes, Elamites, Capadocians, Asianes, Phrigian, Egiptianes, Arabianes, Syrians, Africans and Indians.

3 They stood all before y ^e imperyall seat of God. It was given them by the holy ghost to see him in faith reigning in his true church, and to take him for their merciful Lord and father.

4 They stood also in the presence of the poor Lamb, beutifully clothed with long white garments. They believed Christ to be their only savior and redeemer, and were moste highly accepted before him for that believes sake. They lived purely according to his word, & did all things of a sincere conscience, taking him for their only health and comfort.

By him only they trusted to have their sins forgiven, wherefor they were by him justified and restored to perfect innocence.

5 Palms had they in their hands large and beautiful, in token of victory over sin, hell, death, & the devil, which they have through Christ.

6 And they cried all with a loud voice. In an earnest faith they made this strong protestacion, saying.

7 No merit, health, nor goodness be attributed unto us, nor yet unto any creature in heaven nor in earth for us. But all our whole salvation, life, and deliverance, be only ascrybed unto him that sitteth upon the throne of our God, reigning by his spirit not in the false counterfayte church, but in the true Christian congregation.

8 And unto the sweet Lamb Jesus Christ, which alone died for the same. For health is only the Lord's, so is the eternal blessing, and neither of our works, nor yet of our good deeds, for the best of them are defiled.

9 And all the Angels or ministers of heaven, compassed the throne according to their office. They assisted the true faithful church which is the seat of God.

10 The xxiiij. elders they compassed also, so did they the .iv. beasts. For ministers they are to the saints departed, and servants to them that be yet alive.

11 They fell down flat on their faces before the throne. They meekly acknowledged them selves the creatures of God, and servants to his congregation.

12 And they worshipped not y ^• seat, but God which sat on the seat. Most highly they magnified him and praised him for restoring their lost number saying: So be it evermore as we shall now desire.

13 Euerlastyng praise and glory, perpetual wisdom and thanks, continual honor and pour with might which cannot be measured, be referred unto our eternal God of all his creatures forever and ever, yea for all that he hath wrought in them, Amen.

The Paraphrase.

1 And one of the auncyent elders (saith saint Johan) made answer unto that, which I was inwardlye most desirous to know concerning this innumerable multitude, saying unto me by manner of question.

2 What are these comely persons, which are thus beutifully appareled in long white garments, large and fair? And from whence came they as thou supposest.

3 And I as one ignorant of the mysteries of God, of mine own nature without the special gift of him, answered after this sort.

4 Syr, thou wottest what they are and from whence they come, by such knowledge as the Lord hath given thee.

5 And he said again unto me thus.

6 These are they which come unto Christ by faith, out of the great trybulacion of worldly wickedness, fleshly cares, and disquieted consciences.

7 Abhorring the doctrine of men's inuencions, they set sure hold vpō the living word of the Lord. There fette they out forgiveness of their sins, and made their garments large to cover their old deformities.

8 They washed their lives in the sorrows of repentance, and fashyoned their deeds to his sweet laws and commandments. They made their garments white in the precious blood of the Lamb, believing to be purified by the meryte of his death.

9 And therefore are they at this time in the presence of his majesty, accepted, takē, and allowed for the citizens of heaven.

10 They serve him day & night in the Temple of their souls, and they praise his glorious name in spirit forever more.

11 The Lord that sitteth on y ^e throne will always dwell among them, as their most mighty defendor, their solace, and their comfort.

12 The spirit shall so refresh them, they shall no more hunger nor thirst. Though concupiscence dwell in them they shall desire none evil.

13 Neither shall the sun so light on them, which is this worlds prosperity, that they shall forget their Lord God at any season.

14 No heat shall hurt them, nor adversity of this world overcome thē, but in y ^t they suffer or do, all things shall work to the best.

15 For the innocent Lamb Christ which is in the midst of the seat, or the cōgregacion of God by his word, shall norish, feed, & releue thē w ^t his promise, shall preserve, comfort & lead them by his spirit. Yea he shall so order them, they shall have need of nothing. And if he be their light, health, and strength, of whom should they be afraid

16 He shall bring them unto the foūtaynes of the living waters, & make them such well springs as shall flow up into the life everlasting. His doctrine must do it and none other, for none cometh to y ^e father but by him.

17 And God shall wype away all tears frō their eyes. Adversity shall be unto them a very consolacion. No sorows shall they care for, no torments shall they regard, no troubles nor yet death shall they fear, but think in their hearts always, y ^t the sufferings of this life are nothing to the glory to come. The aforesaid elder might seem to be Jacob, whose prophecy might tell John, that Christ should wash his garment in wine, and his mantel in y ^e blood of grapes. So might it be David or Isaiah, which also confirmeth the same.

In this as in a glass may be seen what they are afore god y ^t at this present age, or under this six seal opening unfeignedly cleueth to his word, followeth it in effect, and liveth according unto it. Fyrst they are clear afore God, and no sin shall be imputed unto them for their faithes sake. Consequently, they are delivered of a troublous conscience. The Lamb hath restored them to innocence, & God accepteth them for his children. These seek no doctrine but the scripture. They serve God in spirit and in no dead things. They hunger not for men's tradycions, they thirst not for hypocrites good works, they are well, and fully contented with the Lamb. They seek no prosperity, neither care they for adversity. The word of God is their gyde, and therein they mind to depart. None other but such are sealed unto god, nor none else walk before him in white garments.

The Paraphrase. 1

I N the seventh seal opening (which is the next & the last) there was silence in heaven (saith Saint John) by the space of half an hour. This signifieth that there shall be in that age, that peace in the Christian church, which Christ brought with him from heaven, and left here with his discyples. Then shall wretched Babylon fall, then shall the bloody beast full of blasphemous names perish, then shall y ^e great Antichrist with his whole generaciō come all together, to naught, then shall the fierce Dragon be tied

up for a M. years. Thē shall reign peace & concord, y ^e truth shall be beloved, gods word shall be had in estimation, & his servants shall live w ^t out check. Happy are they that shall see those days.

2 This silence shall endure but half an hour space, which may be the thousand years that are spoken of here afore, considering that all the age after Christ is but the last hour, and a thousand years before God is but as the day that is paste. In the time of this sweet silence shall Israel be reuyued, the Jews shall be converted, the Heathen shall come in again. Christ will seek up his lost sheep and bring him again to his fold, that they may appear one flock, like as they have one shepeherde.

3 And I saw (saith saint John) seven Angels standing before the majesty of God, which signifieth y ^e preachers of his word for the seven several times of the vii. seals opening, to every seal corresponding an Angel. For all that the preachers hath done from the beginning of the Gospel, to the time of this last seal opening, shall then appear at once.

In that day (saith Isaiah (the Trumpet shall be blown, they that were lost shall come from the Ascirians, the scattered flock shall come from Egypt, & worship y ^e Lord in Jerusalem.

4 These Angels stood before y ^e presence of God, as ministers of acceptacion, ready to execute his heavenly will and commandment.

5 And to them was given vii. hollow trumpettes, the ministracion of his word was unto them committed. They ran not forth unsent, they spoke not vncommaūded. They blew their trumpettes one after another. As the seals were opened, the misteryes they declared as came to their course.

6 And another Angel (saith saint John) of a much higher nature then these, came forth, yea even the Angel of the couenaūt that was so sore longed for, came to his holy Temple.

7 He stood before the altar, he humbled him self, he became man, he took the shape of a servant.

8 He had in his hand a golden censer. This Lord Jesus Christ the sovereign messenger of our salvation took it upon him alone to be our mediator our advocate before God, and the only attonemente for our sins.

9 And much incense of odors was given unto him by the great faith of Abraham, John the Baptist, and of all the sanctified number.

10 That he should offer up unto God so much of the prayers of all the faithful believers upon the golden altar or in his glorified nature, as was right afore him.

11 Which altar is now before the throne of God. He hath an everlasting priesthood, he is able to save them that come unto God by him, and liveth • mmortal, standing on his right hand as one ever ready to make interpel • acion for us. All they consented in • ne that he should be their general • ttourney, considering he was their • nely savior and redeemer.

12 And the sweet smoke of the odorous incense, which came of y ^e wholesome and fe • uent desires of them that had faith, ascended up before God out of y ^e Angels hand. By his only meryte was their faith accepted, and for his deaths sake their works pleased God.

13 The said Angel took the censer, he prepared his godly spirit. He filled it with fire of the altar, which was his eternal charity.

14 And he cast it into the earth, with pour he sent it down in cloven fiery tongues upon his Apostles, of whose plentuous aboundaūce all we have received.

15 And as it was come down, there were noises, thunderings, and fearful lightnynges, for it rebuked the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. It reproved the world of vnfaythfulnesse, for contempnyng the light of God's verity. It threatened it for superstitions, hypocrisy, and outward obseruacions. And utterly it condemned it for obstinacy of corrupt interpretacions.

• 6 There was also a terrible earthquake as it was come into y ^e world. The ungodly rulers were moved, the ambitious prelates were vexed, • he covetous lawyers fretted, the hypocrites and priests waxed mad, yea they are not yet quyeted to this day. They still lie & prate, they blaspheme and accuse, they persecute and kill, they hange, burn, and drown, their malice hath none ende.

• 7 And the said vii. Angels (saith John) which are the universal preachers of God's verity, having their vii. trumpettes or full authority given them of the Lord.

• 8 Prepared them selves by power of the holy Ghost, to execute their offices, & to blow ech one in his course.

The Paraphrase.

1 The first Angel first stood forth, and blue his Trumpet. The Apostles after y ^e first seal opening (which was at the coming of the holy ghost) went forward with the gospel, and taught it the world over. And when they had believed and thoroughly received the word which were predestinate of God to be partakers of the glory with Christ, the residewe still blind & obstinate, persevered in their infidelity, and so perished.

2 For upon them came hail & fire, which were myngeled with blood. Their wickedness over went them, their stubborn stomachs sturred up their fury, their fierceness kindled ever more and more, & their madness made them blind.

3 And these they coupled always with cruelty & murder. For when Christ's disciples had preached the Gospel, the wicked sort of the Jews and Gentiles in no case would believe it, but their obstinacy so blinded them, and their malice so inflamed them, that they sought their death and procured the effusion of their blood. Ouer all the Acts of the Apostles this is evident.

4 And they were cast into the earth. So occuppied their earthly hearts this willfulness and anger with thirstynge of innocent blood, that all grace in them was extinguished, and all goodness clean consumed.

5 The third part of the trees was brent, and all the green grass came to naught. Though the chosen people were ever the lesser number, and the wicked the much greater (as in Zechariah) yet are they not here so noted, for so much as in the sight of the Lord the infinite rabble of infidels are nothing to the small flock of faith.

Consider also that in Zacharias time, the Jews were the people of God, which were nothing in comparison to the Gentiles. But now are the Gentiles his people, which ever exceeded them in number. The thride part of the Trees wythered in their wickedness were found without fruit in the Gentiles.

6 All the Jews which sometime were the green grass by the manifold gifts of God, and by Christ's coming of them, were then brent up clean. True faith went from them, and their own malice blinded them.

Though this were veryfied of them only, which were at the first Seal opening, and the first Trumpet blowinge, yet doth it touche the bloodye Antechristes, Hypocrites, and ungodly rulers, withstanding God's word to this present day, the poor Christians being green, and bringing forth fruit in patient sufferance.

The Paraphrase.

1 The seconde Angel blew his Trumpet at the seconde Seal opening, which signifieth the preachers, declaringe the secrete mysteries of God's verytie immediately after the Apostles time.

2 And as they were at the pleasure of the Lord so doing, a monstrous thing in manner of a great mountain burninge with fire was cast into the sea.

A cruel sort of false disciples and wicked brethren arose up frō among them, all earthly minded to couetusnesse, puffed up with pride and ambition, inflamed also with anger, spite & vengeance, they boisterously entered in among the people, so mutable and fickle as the sea, which changeth with every wind. These are the mountains that swell up thinkinge much of themselves. These are the rising hylles that boast so much of their good works, of whose overthrow by God's word both Isaiah and John the Baptist did prophesy. Such fiery mountains were Iānes and Jambres, that maliciously resisted Moses, so were Phassur and Semeias, which vexed the Hrophet Hieremy.

Such burning hylles were Caiaphas and Annas against Christ, Diotrephes, Herpocras, Hebion, and Cerinthus against John the Evangelist, Demetrius, Bariehu, Himenius, and Alexander against Paul, with such like moody prelates resistinge the truth to this present day. Suche smocky mountains of contradiction both daily withstand Christ in the edifying of his Christian Church, as rebuked Zorababel in y ^e building of the Jews temple.

3 They stir up the sea, they move the weak people, and make them blind as Asses. In their hate they provoke the Princes to cruelty and malice. They cause them to punish the poor Preachers, and put aside the truth least they should fall unto it.

4 By reason of this burning hill falling into y ^e sea, the third parte of y ^e water turned into blood, y ^e third part of y ^e people seduced by them became hateful murderers. Not only they accused GOD'S servants, but as blood thirsty beasts they consented to their deaths, not considering that he which doth but only hate his brother is an homicide.

5 The third parte of the creatures, which had life died. Of those which seemed to be faithful among them, a great number were worse then naught. Dissembling with faith they betrayed the truth, and wrought much wickedness. Many martyrs were then everywhere.

6 So that the third part of the ships were destroyed also. Many Churches or private congregations called parishes, for fear of loosinge their goods, and for doubt of imprisonment and death, refused the faith and fell clean from the truth, and so were perished and lost. For Shippes in the scriptures betokneth them.

The Paraphrase.

1 When the third Angel blew his Trumpet at the third scale opening, there fell from heaven a great mighty Star, burning like a Creshet,

2 As the preachers of that time opened the truth of god, many great doctors and excellent learned men, as Arius, Macedonius, Cutices, Ualens, and such other, declined from the sincere faith, and fell to blasphemous opinions concerning the Godhead.

3 These seemed glorious to the earthly minded people, they appeared notable and famous to the blind forsaken sort, yet was their learning madness, and their doctrine fables and lies. But this is here to be noted, that they which are true techers remain still in heaven, they persevere in the christen church, where as the other are fallen clean frō thenc • by apostasy, and errors, so that they are none of Christ's.

4 This star fell into the third parte of the rivers, which are the scriptures perverted, and into the fountaynes of waters, which are God's own very words depraved. These have the false doctors, yea pernicious heritikes infected with their errors, corrupted with their lies, and with their false interpretations made them bitter and vnsauerye.

5 For the name of the star was wormewoode, whose nature is to withdraw all sweetness. These with their bitter heresies and their noisome doctrine destroyed the pits of Abraham, they troubled the Text, they mixed the truth w ^t falsehood, they poisoned the waters, they took away the louesomnesse of them, they left them impure and vnperfite (not that they can be so of thē selves, but of their false working) they made them unpleasant, unprofitable, yea and most perylous unto many.

6 For it followeth, When the third parte of the waters (which are the scriptures corrupted by them) was turned into woormwoode, or bitterness of errors.

7 Many men died of them. They perished by those doctrines, because they were made bitter. Yet were not all men cast away, for two parts were left undefiled, and many that drunk the poisoned waters, enometed them again. Only were they lost that retained thē still. The pure waters are here doubled unto the waters infected. For double in value is the verytie before GOD, and the true minister thereof worthy double honor, where as the other are nothing at all.

The Paraphrase.

1 At the fourth Seal opening the fourth Angel stood forth and blew his Trumpet. Never was the time yet so perylous but some true preachers hath been in it. Were there never so many herisies abroad, yet have there reigned some godly ministers, what though they were unknown to the world. Many sincere fathers were in the desert wilderness when most mischief was in doing among the cruel tiraunts which priuyly resortinge to Cities, taught them whom God had appointed to be saved.

Of this number was Paulus Antonius, Hilarion, Macharius, Pambo, Theonas, Effrem, & such like. And longe since their time Anastasius, Persa, Theophilactus, Fulgencius, Beda, Alcuinus, Strabus, and such other many.

Not with standing all that they taught and wrote was not gospel. All was not without superstition though they lived in much pureness of life.

1 These blew the Trumpet as they had received that time. But the false Hipocrites and the Antichrists so prevailed more and more under Mahomet and the romish pope that 〈◊〉 Christianity and spiritual holiness was turned into superstitious sects. None was well christened that had not a moonkish disguising. None was thought spiritual, unless he were shaven on the crown. Then brought thei in many new ways of saluatiō, to prove Christ but a second Sauyour, as pardons, pilgrimages, Masses and fryday fastings. Then was god able to help no disease, but images were sought up everywhere, saint Job for the pox, Saint Roke for the pestilence, saint Germine for the ague, saint Appolyne for the tooth ache, saint Graciane for thrift losinge, and saint Barbara for gonnshote.

That Lady in that place, and that Lady in that. This Rood here, and that Rood there. And he that did miracles here, could do nothing there. Thus was all changed into diuilishnesse, and their preachers for lucre confyrmed always the same, which were many more in number then were the true messengers of God,

2 In this most corrupted and dolorus age, the fourth Angel blowinge his trumpet, the poor forsaken disciples showing the truth, the third parte of the sun was smitten, so was the third parte of the Moon, & also the third part of y ^e stars. Good creatures they found y ^e third part of God's heavenly word sore blemished by the hypocrites, the Christian Church piteously disfigured by the antichrists and the inferioure ministers thereof, darkened by Tyraunts and cruel magistrates.

3 By their wicked strocke the light of GOD'S verytie was hidden, and appeared less by y ^e third part then it was afore.

Less was Christ the son of rightuousenesse known, less was the Christian Church faithful, and less were the preachers godly. More ignorant was at y ^e time then afore, more superstition, hypocrisy, and falsehood, wherefor the third parte of them all was darkened.

4 At that time also by reason of them, the day was so smitten, that the third parte thereof shown no clearness, and so was the night likewise.

5 In no case might Christ shine in the Curates and religious, which • ooke themselves for the day, nor yet Christian fruits in the common people which were esteemed the night, Only were their will works allowed, and their dyrty traditions thought godly.

The true trumpet blowers or ministers of the word, were then compelled by cruel cōmaūdements, & the • onmons by cruel laws enforced in • o case to medle w ^t y ^e truth, least their • bhominable doings were espied. In this therefore mark, what a detestable thing false doctrine of hypocrites is, for it bringeth in all darkness an ignorant blindness, and it shadoweth under pretence of virtue, all wickedness, and sin.

6 And then (saith saint John) I beheld an Angel, flyinge through the middes of heaven, as it had been an Eagle, which betokeneth certain peculiar servants of GOD, illumined with some knowledge, and lea • ing an high conversation in the church. Such were Joachim Abbas, Cirillus of Carme, Angelus of Jerusalem, Theolespherus of Cusencia, Raynhardus, and other. And since their time Petrus Johannes, Robertus de vsecio, Johannes de rupescissa, Arnoldus de villa noua, Hieronimus Sauonarola, with such like.

7 These perceiving the light of God's verity, and the true teachers thereof daily deminishinge, considering also the mighty increase of darkness with a loud voice they cried earnest writings they sent the world over, under the title of revelation and prophecy.

8 Saying by the threatenings of scripture, woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitours of the earth. More wickedness is coming, more blindness and more darkness to the ungodly infydels and earthly minded people. It will stylll be worse and worse to the foolish ignorant sort, through the errors, lies, and abhominable superstitions of the false Antychristes and cruel Chaplaynes of Baal.

9 And this rebuking cry, was because of the voices of the other three Angels were yet to blow with the Trumpet, whose blasts they should also more deeply contemn. By prophesies & scriptures, hath many godly men perceived afore hand with Paul, the fall of faith, the increase of errors, and that diverse should decline from the truth, and earnestly they have premonished the governors of it.

Yet have they neglected the warning, and utterly despised them for it, leadinge the People into the depth of all errors and filthy abominations.

The Paraphrase.

THe fifth Angel which blew his trumpet under the fifth seal opening of the Lamb, were they which had the word of God for that age of Christ's Church, and that published it to his electes. And these doeth not only seem to be few in number, but also they appear to have taught privily in private congregacions and houses.

2 For whē this trumpet was blown, John beheld a star fallen down clean from heaven into the earth, no parte thereof reserved, neither of the star in heaven, representing the spiritual church, nor yet of the earth from the star, betokening y ^e worldly people. Neither were the spiritualty of Christ's church, nor yet the laytie clear from their poisons any where. This glittering star or shining multitude of prelates, pastors, and religious fathers, were fallen away from the doctrine of the spyrite, from the living word of the Lord, and from the right conuersaciō of Christ, into the earth of their own decrees and laws, nothing savoring but carnal traditions, dumb dark ceremonies, and doctrine of diuilles, fashioning their lives all after the same. Then sought they up Plato, Aueroys, and Auicenne. Then was Aristotle thought necessary to interpret the scriptures. Then was there an infinite rabble of Sophisters & school doctors of reals and nominalles, of sentencioners and summistes of collyginers and Canonystes, of Scotistes, Thomistes, Olcamystes, Alberstystes, Baconystes, Anconistes. And every man thought his own wisdom best, which God hath proved stark foolishenesse, all and moste ydiotishe dottage. When the blind world supposed they had the truth by this fallen star, they had nothing less. Under the fifth seal opening this darkness was not seen, but the sixte now discloseth all. Only y ^e slain sort complained that time desiring their blood to be revenged, where as an answer was made them, that many more yet should be killed to fulfill their number. And it was proved true. For none in those days once hyssed against them, but suffered death for it. Yea of Emperors and kings that offended them, some were accurssed, some deposed, some slain, some poisoned.

Neither spared they power nor yet noble blood. In England here they slew King Herolde, poisoned King John, and famished King Richard the ii. by their own histories, they burned sir Roger Actō knight, sir John Oldecastel, the Lord Cobham, & sir Raynolde pecock bishop of Chychester they imprisoned to death, besides an infinite number of poor simple souls, no lawful cause known, but lies of their own forging. Yea and the articles that they died for than, they affirm now to be good. But no marvel though they did such myschiefe in those days.

3 For to the star was given the key of the bottomless pit. After they were fallen from the wisdom of God to the corrupt dreams of men, following rather the creatures then the maker of them, he gave them over unto their own imaginacions and fantasies.

4 Thē had they pour in darkness, by their carnal, beastly, and diuilishe divinity to open the well of damnation. For what is the wisdom of the flesh else but death? What are their practices but fighting weapons against life? They had license to deceive, and leisure to do mischief in outward things, as had Satan upon the body of Job. But no doubt y ^e goodness of God yet preserved y ^e inward souls of many simple Iobbes for time of that dangerous world.

5 And whē they had opened y ^e bottomless pit with y ^e key of their false doctrine, there went up a black filthy air as it had been y ^e smoke of a great furnace. There arose all errors, lies, heresies, superstitions, idolatry, covetousness, pride, incontinency, falsehood, hypocrisy, with all other filthiness, which are the fruits of hell, and they went abroad y ^e world over. Thus hath these cursed Apostates y ^e pope & his Chaplaynes the keys in deed, not of heaven but of hell. They may open but they cannot spear again, unless they spear from heavē, as they do always. They may hurt, but they cannot heal, they may destroy, but they cannot help, they may well dampne, but they cannot save. For the nature of their key is only to make blind, obstinate, foolishly, hard hearted, and ever more worse and worse. He only giveth light, grace, faith, & health. He taketh away all darkness and sin, which hath the key of David. For he alone hath trodē down the wyne press, having the whole victory over death, sin, hell, and the devil. He hath power only to spear up both death and hell. The fire of God's wrath, they be not able to quench. The smoke of the dyuils malice and continual wickedness, they be not able to keep down. Eve could not w ^t stand one simple suggestiō of Satan. A small taste of this smoke lost Adam with his whole posterity. And now these Antichrists hath filled the world with it. For what is it else but wicked persuasions? a learning of diuilles, and a doctrine contrary to y ^• doctrine of God? poisoning all, destroying all, & leading unto hell.

6 The sun by this smoke was darkened, so was the wholesome air. The Gospel they defiled with their false interpretacions. God's word they corrupted with their glosses, commentaries, and postilles. They mingled the scriptures with the dirty dregs of their own laws, traditions, and old rotten customs of their popish fathers. So that in the church no good air could be had, no sweet smell of the truth could be found. There was much ydoll worshipping, strange crying, and lip laboring, sensing, fooling, & charming, crossing, mowyng, and juggling, gasing, kneeling, & knockyng, but no true Gospel preaching.

7 Out of this pestilent smoke came innumerable locusts, a very monstrous vermyne and horrible to behold, creeping over all y ^e earth. These were the disguised swarm of Cardynalles, mytred Bishops, doctors, shaven priests, Abbottes, Moonkes, Canons, Friars, Nuns, sisters, and heremites, in read, white russet, graie, black, blue, and all other colors. Of these were y ^e Benedictines, the Bernardines, Gerondines, Gilbertines, Celestines, Scopetines, Grādimontensers, Camaldulensers, Cruniacensers, Premonstratensers, Carthusianes, Carmelitanes, Ambrosianes, Rhodianes, Gregorianes, Purgatoryanes, Guilhelmytes, Jesuits, Iohannites, Hieronimites, Niniuits, Cellites, Thaborits. Templars, Hospitelers, Crucigers, Augustinianes, Dominicianes, Franciscans, Brygydanes, Basilianes, of Iosaphats valley, and of the dark alley, and such other, with innumerable swarms of them everywhere. Peter prophesied afore of this smokie multitude, when he gave warning that there should come into the Christian church false teachers, which privily should bring in damnable sects, denying the Lord that bought them, and many should follow their damnable ways, thorough whom the truth should have ill report. But few hath marked that warning.

8 And unto these noisome locusts was pour given, but yet none other pour, then have the scorpyons of the earth, whose crafty nature is first to creep softely, then greeuouslye to sting, & last of all to venom. Thys pestilent vermin, God hath suffered for the wickedness of his people, first flatteringly to creep, to dissemble, gloss, gloss, and speak fair, promising prosperity, victory, long life, and heaven, after this departing. And by such means gote they under them Emperors, Kings, governors, and all the world besides.

9 Then did they sting their consciences with terrible dreams and visions, and with fearful reuelacions of purgatory and of hell, to build them up fair houses, and to live in wealth and pleasure. Finally, they venimed their faith with their poisoned counsayles and promises, and so took they from them the true hope in Christ, making merchandise of them through covetousness & fair words. Thus cloistering together like locusts they have left nothing green, but all they have withered and distroyed. No works might then be used of God's prescription, but such as were fantasied by them for advantage, as mass founding, chaunteries building, priest singing, Image gilding, kissing of relyques, praying to death men, and such like.

And when they were once frank and fat, they stood up together proudly against the Lord and his word.

The Paraphrase.

1 Yet were they commanded that they should in no case hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, nor tree. Though they were permytted by the sufferance of God to do much mischief, yet could they harm none but such as wanted faith.

He ordained from the beginning always to save his. Never could Satan hynder the soul of Job, only did he vex the outward carcass and goods. Whereas faith is growing, true hope in Christ springing, and works of charity fructifying, they shall do no hurt by the promise of God. Where the gift of the spirit aboundeth, they can in no wise prevail. If any hinderance doeth fall, it is where faith is wanting.

2 For only had they power upon those men which had not the seal of God in their foreheads. They only are in peril that have not the sure faith. And the more want they have thereof, the more is their seathe when it cometh.

3 Yet had those locusts in commandment, that in no wise they should kill them whom they had noyed. For the will of God is that no wicked person should perish, unless he resisted the holy ghost, but rather to turn frō sin and to live.

4 Only was it permytted that they should be vexed v. months. Only for their life time were they suffered to over load their poor consciences with their beggarly traditions, to trouble them with their trumpery, to grieve them with their curses, and to torment thē with their threatenings of their purgatory and their hell. Though they blinded for want of the scripture, erred in all popish diuilrie, and for lack of true knowledge had not the token of faith, yet perished they not wholly, no more thē did Nicodemus and Gamaliell which were but carnal men. But their ends the Lord reserved to his own merciful goodness, for confessing y ^e name of Jesus Christ.

5 Yet were they sore vexed for the time, and their pain was as the stinging of a Scorpion, when he hath hurt a man. A prickyng of a more then half desperate mind, a fear of a wonderfully troubled conscience, yea and a great doubt of saluaciō ha • they, till God shown his mercy upon them, opening their faint hearts and strēgthning thē w ^t his inward power.

6 And in those days shall men seek death, and yet shall not find it. For the grief of their loaded consciences they shall in confessyons take counsel of them, which is very poison and death, yet shall God so preserve them, it shall be no death unto them. For no damnation can be unto them which are in Christ Jesus. Loth dwelled in Sodom, yet perished he not with Sodom.

7 They shall desire to die, and yet death shall flee from them. Whē they feel the terrible gnawing of inward fearfulness, they shall seek up their stinking remedyes, and require their dyrtie merits, which is clean to die from Christ, and to forsake his living waters for their filthy puddels of hypocrisy and diuilishnesse. Yet by the singular grace and unspeakable mercy of God, that they seek shall flee clean from them, and that they have not sought for, shall save them, which is the only blood and death of Jesus Christ. Thus shall they have life unlooked for, and be taken up with Enoch from the wickedness of this world, and see the God of God's in Zion without their deserving.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the locusts in similitude were like unto horses prepared unto battle full of stomach, strife, contencion, anger, and hate, rygorous in examinacions, fierce in excommunicacyons, moodie in disputacions, mad, hasty, and cruel against the verity, and evermore grudging among them selves one sect against another.

2 Upon their heads they had counterfect crowns in manner of gold. Glorious names of dignity had they, and shynyng titles of high prehemynence undeserved. Most holy fathers, most gracious Lord's, and moste reverend masters commonly were they called. They made large their phylacteries, & set abroad their skirts, they sought the highest places in the sinagoges, and salutacions of reverence in the streets.

They were not as other men be. The simplest holy water priest among them was sir at the least, which is no less than Lord. By presumptiō, pride, and ambition, they exalted them selves aloft as the Ceader trees of Lybanus, above Emperors, Kings and Prynces. Yea they set their seats in heaven, & became God's vicars to dampne and save at their pleasure. But w • be to the proud crown of this drunken generation, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is but dust, and shall be their shame & confusion.

3 Their faces were not unlike to the faces of men. And outward pretence they had of wisdom, grace, and godliness, yet was there nothing less with in them. Uerie prudent, wise, & learned they seemed in their commoning, discreet in behavior, and sober in their living, yet were they but painted combes full of all sin and filthiness. The counterfeit goodness they shown outwardely, was only to be seen of the world.

4 Hayre they had on their heads most like to the hair of women. All wavering were their minds, inconstaunt fickle and foolishly. Theyr harts were given to uncleanness, their flesh to voluptuous desires and pleasures, so that in them rained all beastly abominations. All execrable lusts flowed in them as the water of the Occean sea.

5 Their teeth were as the teeth of Lions. For they were wholly given to greediness, rauine, fierceness, and cruelty, not sparing, but devouring the flock, not saving, but loosinge, not helpinge, but destroyinge. These were those wild beasts that trod down the viniarde of the Lord, those vnresonable Bores, that hath rooted up all, and those blood thirstye woulues that hath rente the poor Lambs in pieces.

6 Habbergyons had they upon them like Iackes of Iron mayle, which signifieth their obstinate malice, their hard froward stubborn hearts against the verytie of God. For willfully they resisted it, blaspheminge the holy ghost with the Pharisees and Scribes, whose sin shall never be remitted in this world nor in none other.

7 And the sound of their wings was as the stout noise of charrettes, when many horses bus • le together towards a battle. The wings of these abhominable locusts, that set them aloft so far above them selves, are their dignities, offices, riches, liberties, Priueleges, Laws, and such like, which boldeneth them in all things, be it never so unjust.

8 The noise of these is great, the note, the rumoure, the fame is mighty the world over, as well in Cromeles and writings as in the speech of the people. Yea under the title of God they bolster their wickedness to make it the stronger. All must be God's dignities, God's service, God's laws, God's religions, when it is stark deuillishnes. They make what laws they liest, they command and forbid, they set up and pluck down, they both curse and bless, yea they do all mischief and all in his name. Be it never so ungodly, cruel, and false, yet must it forth in y ^e name of god. Thus mightier wings they have then had the great Eagle in Ezekiel. Neither could Pharo in Egypt, nor Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, nor Antiochus in Jury do that they might do here in Christendom.

9 For they had tales like unto Scorpions, and there were sharp stinges in their tales. Theyr study, labor, and practices was ever for a false conclusion. The ende of their fair compassed crafts, was always to maintain their errors and lies.

10 And this had a very sharp sting. For death was towards them that withstood their ginnes. Destruction of body and goods was evermore at hand

11 Yet was their pour only to hurt men for v. months space, to harm them in this sensible life, divided in five partes. No power had they upon y ^e souls hence departed. Then could they not hynder with all their censures, black curses, suspencions, disgradings, interdictions, excommunications, and all such terrible thunderbolts, with Book, Bell, and Candle. Farther extended not their violence, then upon the poor bodies. The souls were in God's hands, whose mercy is never far of.

12 A King they had over them, which is the Angel of the bottomless pit, for he is the head captain of all the children of pride, the master of errors, and the father of lies. Needs must the devil be their king whiles his smoky doctrine hath nourished them, fed them, and set them forth in their colors.

Sure we are that they are strangers to God, for the heavenly father never planted them. Well, such people, such governor, such swarm, such stinking leader.

13 The name of this their capitayne in the Hebrew tongue is Abadon, and in the Greek tongue Apollyon, and both signifieth a spiteful destroyer. His nature is to persuade all evil, to infect the mind, to corrupt the heart, to pluck away faith, to make the soul blind, to rob man of all goodness, to separate him from God, and to dampne him with him self forever. Woe is that wretched army that hath such a Capitaine, and that forsaken multitude, which hath such a king.

14 One woe is past. One cursed season of execrable blasphemy, darkness and deuilishnesse, under the fifth seal opening, and the fyft trumpet blowing is at an ende. But look to it well, for two other woes, yet shall come after this under the sixth and vii. as here after will appear.

The Paraphrase.

1 Consequently the sixth Angel stood forth and triumphantly blue his Trumpet. Constantly the sincere preachers of this present age hath taught Christ and his verity, under this sixth seal opening, wherein they have disclosed the detestable errors and shameful abhomynacion of the other age afore.

2 And as this Trumpet was blown I hard (saith saint John) a sweet voice from the four corners of the golden Alter which is before the eyes of God.

The Alter which is most precious, most dear, and most acceptable

unto GOD the Father, is Jesus Christ full of grace and verytie. Uppon him was offered one pleasant offering, whose aboundaunt sweetness hath releued all faithful believers. And nothing is accepted before GOD to this present day, unless it be offered upon him. None Alter else alloweth he for the sacrifice of peace, neither Mary, nor John, Peter nor James.

Uppon him we offer when we trust only in him, and also when we live according to true faith in him restraining our old Adam, with his fleshly desires.

3 The four corners of this alter is the Gospel, which he hath left by his Apostles in the four quarters of the universal world. The voice is the joyful tidings or message thereof. And this signifieth Christ not only to have his church within the dominion of Rome under bondage, but also in all other partes of the world in lybertie

All these four corners hath but one voice. The Gospel everywhere taught hath but one heavenly message of mercy and peace from God the father, one glad tiding of health, and salvation from Jesus Christ, and one sweet smell of the grace of God and of victory in Christ from the holy ghost.

4 And this one voice commanded the sixth Angel which had the Trumpet or the true faithful preachers under the sixth seal opening, which had the administration of the word at the only gift of God.

5 To go forth and to lose the four Angels which are bound in the great river of Euphrates. Many hath the Lord anointed with his spirit in this age to preach deliverance to the captive, to open the prison to thē that were in bondage, and to declare the acceptable year of health. By whose preaching he hath now vntha •• led the children of the dead and set them at liberty to preach his name in Zion, and to worship him in Jerusalem. Manye that afore were fettered with fantasies, yoked with unadvised vows, & overcharged with intolerable burdens among Bishops, Priests, Monks, Canons, Friars, and Noones, are now graciously delivered, and with a free conscience confesseth the verytie of God,

6 So that many among the four Angels, or a great number of them that were sometime Antichrists, Hypocrites, Tyrauntes, and murders, are now losened from Euphrates the great flood of wavering fantasies, and of the sickle pleasures of this world.

For though they were sore bound in their conscience and life, yet wanted they there no wanton delights, to nourish and feederal fleshliness. They lacked nothing that might maintain their pomp, vain glory, covetousness, pride, glottony, and lechery, but they had it in abundance. And though the nature of God's word be as of a key to open unto them that believe, and to spear unto them that believe not, yet is it fayde here to open unto both. But yet in diverse respects. For in the chosen sort it openeth to love, in y ^e other it openeth to hate. The one bringeth forth honey by it w ^t the Be, y ^e other venom with the spyder. The one is made more meek and gentle, the other wareth more cruel and mad. As Paul saith unto some it is the saver of life unto life, and some again it is that saver of death unto death. For hard is that word to the execrable Angels 〈◊〉 children of Satan, calling them from Euphrates.

They can in no wise abide it. Yet were the four Angels loosoned frō thence, and hath lost a great parte of their pleasures. Since the Gospel came in, the Antichrists hath lost the prophets of their Bulls, pardons, confessions, pryuy tithes, ydol offerings, purgatory, masses, bell christenings, church hallowings with other loose ends. The Hypocrites hath lost their more then princely habitations, their monasteries, couents, hospitalles, preben ••• ies and chaunteries, with their fat feeding & warm couches, for ill gotten good will home again. The tiraunts and murtherrers have not now their pleasures in all points as they had afore time, what though their cru • ltie be still as much as it was and rather more. For the people is not now to their mind as then.

And as these Angels are losoned in this quarter of y ^e world, so shall they be in all then other quarters, the Lord appoyntinge their times. One corner of the altar hath given his voice I doubt it not but the other three will shortly do the same.

7 The four ill Angels were prepared (saith saint John) for an hour, for a dae, for a month, and for a year. At no time are the Antichrists unready to do mischief, the hypocrites to deceive, the tiraunts to persecute and kill. Since Christ's time to this day never ceased they, but still evermore they have ben doing. Yet hath their fierceness been more and longer at one time then at another, more vehement in some places then in some. And at this time, their continuance is some where longe, some where short. Some where is their cruelty more, some where less. Their days are not always alike, nor their lives of one length.

8 Notwithstandinge for their time they shrink not, but still 〈◊〉 go forward to slay the third part of men. None other can the tyrant be but a Tyraunt, nor the Antichrist but an Antichrist. None other parte can the hypocrite play but his own, nor yet the spiteful murderer. Euer seek they to kill the innocent people. Euermore practice they to bring out of the way, the righteous servants of God, taken here for the third part of men or in the smaller number, for so much as here is neither blood, nor fire, wormwoode, nor smoke.

9 And the number of their horsemen, like unto y ^e horsemen of arms in war, was twenty times ten thousand, or ten score thousand. An innumerable multitude have they sent forth the world over, to deceive and blind, to destroy and kill. Horsed they are with their beastly laws and decrees, and armed with their fierce authority and cruel power. And who is not now an horseman of theirs, and a cruel Saul, making havoc of Christ's poor congregation? Every where they by them and sell them, betray them and accuse them, persecute and emprison them, indite them, and burn them.

10 And I heard the number of them (saith saint John) or knew certainly asorehand that y ^e truth in those days should have many such enemies I understood it in spirit, I believed it and surely marked it up for a warninge to them that should come after.

11 Consequently I saw the setting forth of them. I beheld in a vision the horses, frank, fat, and fierce, which were none other then the aforsayd locusts that crept out of the smoke from the bottomless pytt • .

In the fifth opening or blast of the Trumpet, which was the rank time of their going forth they were but locusts, lean, bare and needy. In their beginning the Antichrists and hypocrites, as Bishops, Priests, Monks, Canons and Friars, were poor, abiecte and vntydy. But under the sixth they grew unto great horses. They were so pampered with possessions, fatted with pleasures, and boldened with aucthorytie.

And when they were once comē into the estimation of the world, then waxed they high, heady, fierce, proud, and cruel. Then were they horses of pleasure for Princes, and worldly magistrates, to carry them at their own lusts, for they were vnbrideded. No laws had they for them. The scepture, Crown, sword and power, might then pass none otherwise in Emperors and kings then they had fantasied.

A faut then done against them, could be no less then both heresy and treason. If they said but burn, then must they be both drawn, hanged, and burned, no remedy. For that that toucheth thē, toucheth the princes honor also, to make the matter more grievous. They should not else be both partners in y ^e vengeance of God for innocent blood shedding. Yet hurt they not the righteousness in all their mischief, though • t so appeareth unto thē, for so much as their death is precious in y ^e sight of y ^e Lord, and their dwelling place y ^e alter of god, Christ full of rest & peace.

12 And the men that sat on these horses had fyerye Habbergions of a yalow and brimstone color. The Princes and Rulers provoked by the crafts of these false Prophets and deceivable teachers to rise against Christ and his word, are armed with cruelty in vnrightuousnesse, with a false charity, and with a counterfeit wisdom. In the examination of causes they will oft times seem favorable, loving and wise, when in effect they are nothing less. For move them once with the truth, or the quick learning of the spirit, and then will they do as doth the Brimstone that is touched with fire. They flame out their malice, they spit forth their wickedness, and their filthy judgments stinketh the world over.

Many such sweet sauers of their politique wisdom or rather fleshly foolishnesie, have they left behind them in the chronicles and histories that vnwholsōlie sauoreth yet to this day. And this have they of their unbridled horses, their ghostly fathers, confessors, & coūsellers, over whō their selves have neither power nor authority but as they list.

The Paraphrase

1 The heads of these horses were in similitude as the heads of Lions, which betokeneth their proud, bold, and mighty malice against gods verity. In the other age when they were but locusts, they had the faces of men, for some reason yet appeared in their laws and doings, though they stood not all with God's word. But since they grew up in courage, and becam furious horses, they have laid away those faces and now takē to them fierce Lions heads. Now is there nothing in them but open malice, cruelty, and spite. Now are they termagauntes all together, and very diuilles incarnate, where their dyrtie traditions be not kept. So eger they are, their horse men cannot restrain them, their princes cannot rule them in such a matter, unless they will be torn in pieces, as many of their predecessors have been afore time both Emperors, Kings, and other governors.

2 For out of their mouths goeth fire, smoke, & brimstone, God's word they preach not, for they are become horses. Their office is now to carry whither it shall please them, and to lead the princes at their lust. Now roar they like Lions with their great grandsyr Sathā, seeking whom they may devour. Now breath they forth of their execrable mouths the hot fire of their threatenings & curses. Now vomet they abroad the filthy smoke of their vanities and fables. Now spew they out the stinking brimstone of their lies and errors.

3 So that they have killed with these three plages the third parte of men. But yet none other else than those which hath given creadence to their errors, believed their fables and feared their curses.

4 For none other were slain, but they only which tasted of the fire, smoke, and brimstone, that went out of their mouths. None other else were lost & deprived of the life which is in Christ Jesus, but such devout dottrels, and worldly wise people as they taught and brought up in false worshippings.

5 No doubt of it but the power of these cruel beasts was most in their mouths. The strength of the deceyuable teachers to begile the wretched Idiothes and blind asses of y ^e world, is evermore in their speech, in their sermons, confessions, and privy counsayles. There with do they infatuate them, blind them, & kill them.

6 Much power have they also in their tales behind, which is not only their hypocritish life, but also their pestilent traditions, laws, and customs, with these do they sore infecte and grievously poison.

7 Let no man think their noyance to be light nor their greeuance small, considering that their tales are like unto serpents, and have heads wherewith they hurt. Not only doth their doctrine for their life times styng, venom and corrupt the silly souls, but also their examples, constitucyons, and usages, left behind them to be performed of other which followeth, to the ouerlading of their conscience also, doeth poison them unto death. They infect their belief, and provoke them to trust in vain things, and are ieoperdous everywhere.

8 Oh horrible beasts, and most cruel monsters. Noyfull are they both in the head & in the tail, before and behind, coming in and going out. No where are they good, if they once appear. Let him that will not perish shurne their company, considering that no man dwell with them without great peril. In their mouths is venom, in their tales is poison. Both their laws and their lives, their counsayles & their ceremonies, their holiness and blessings, are all hypocrisy, sin, & pestilent doctrine of diuilles. Only are the laws of the Lord holy, true, & perfect, converting the poor in spirit, and giving wisdom unto children. The Antichrists and the hypocrites thus put frō their sweet Euphrates, wherein they swimmed in all pleasure, wealth, & ease, what is more in this age to be looked for the terrible war? Consider that here in this prophecy they are no less thē cruel horses and vengeable beasts, having before them Lions heads with fire, smoke, and brimstone, and behind them serpents heads to sting, venom, and kill. Ponder this also, that they have power to carry the Princes & magistrates at their pleasure, for they are vnmoseled. Yea, what though some notable governors hath gotten victoriously of them, y ^e prymacie of their own realms, to be the supreme, highest, & immediate heads of their clergy here in earth under God (which is a wonder) yet are they scarce able to put aside one corrupt custom or dirty ceremony of theirs. But all their diuilishnesse must needs stand still under y ^e color of laudable rites, decent usages, & polytique orders. For why, they are perilous beasts, and their mouths yet open, wherein they have both fire, smoke, and brimstone, which are most terrible things, and in their tales poison, which is moste dangerous. What a fearful blast is this to them, which more feareth men then God? If your grace do suffer this new trade still to go forward, ye shall procure yea the malice of all reygons, the hate of all Princes, and the cruelty of all people's. They shall invade your realm, consume your substance, and destroy your commons, with such like. Whereas if ye take another way, ye shall have their benevolence, love, and favor. Thus dally they with their head rulers, and neither make them faithful, David's, wise, Solomon's manfull Iosaphats, valiant Iehues, godly Iosiases, nor holy Ezochiases, but very fearful & faint bartod Cain's, thinking y ^t every man, which cometh by y ^e way will kill thē. This will be the rule of this present age no doubt of it. For unto kings hath not. God given it to subdue these beasts. Onlie is it reserved to y ^e victory of his living word. Only shall y ^e breath of his mouth destroy them, grind them to dust, and throw them into hell fire. Let the faithful believer therefore considering y ^e mischief of this time wherein nothing is like to be certain and sure, in land, shiere, city, town, no, nor yet house, appointe himself to persecution, loss of goods, exyle, prison, sorrow, & death, of body for the truths sake, thinking that his porcyon is in the lande of the living. For now are the perilous days under y ^e voice of y ^e sixth trompe, these mad, fierce, raging beasts being abroad. Whereas under y ^e seventh, the carnal church rejected, and the Antichrists overthrow, y ^e right Israel of the Jews and Gentyles tokened with faith, shall be pacyable restored into the possessiō of God. In the mean season let them that live now pray, and have their whole hope and comfort in the Lord.

9 And the remnaunt of men (saith Saint John) that were not killed with these plagues, which are they whom God hath called in this age by the true preachers, from their detetestable doctrine & erroneous ways, unto the sure knowledge of his godly verity and Gospel. These remember not the singular benifite of God, they magnify not his holy name for their deliverance from these moste dangerous plages of no less thē damnation in them selves, but remain altogether unthankfull.

10 They repent not from the heart the deeds of their hands. They have no remorse in conscience of their old wicked works. No, they amende not their lives, nor yet fashyon them selves to the true trade of the Gospel. But rather they are slanderous unto it, by undiscreetly using the liberties thereof, ministering occasions of falling unto the weak.

11 They see the people in divers points of Idolatry run headlings to the devil, yet do they not brotherly admonish them by the scriptures of the dangers thereof. They show thē not y ^t the worshipping of Images.

12 Which are made of dead things, as gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, is the very worshipping of devils.

13 They tell them not that they be sinful men's works, and can neither see nor hear, speak nor go. They will be called Christian brethren, yet is it no dolour unto them to see their brethren perish, for whō they ought to ieoperde their lives. They must seem Samaritans, yet will they not heal the wounds of them that are more then half dead, yea, is not to be feared that for doubt of punishment and loss of their goods, they look back again toward Sodom with Lots wife, consenting to their abominations? Let them not think that so doeth, but a double plague followeth them. More worthy is he to perish y ^e throweth himself willingly into a perell knowing it afore, thē he which never knew it.

14 Neither repented they (saith Saint John) of their murder, their witchcraft, their whoredom, nor their •• eft. They see of their own congregation in poverty, penury, prisō, and exile, & they know it is for none other then the testimony of Jesus. Yet have they no mind to help them. No courage have they to comfort thē. They dare not be acknowne to favor that sort. When any trouble cometh, they are none of them. They are well contented to have Christ in daliaūce, but if he put them once to pain, or ask ought of them, thē bid they him adue, they can no skill of him, they know him not, the farther of the better. Thus are they become neither hot nor cold, ready to be spewed out of the mouth of God None other are they then murderers that succoure not their brethren. Worse are they then infidels that helpeth not y ^e household of faith. The witchcrafts of y ^e hipocrits they know by y ^e evident scriptures, yet will they not flee frō thē.

15 They know the open whoredom of the babilonicall strūpet, they know hir theft and robbery, evermore spoiling God of his honor, yet will they r • nne to it, seek it, and take parte of it with the unfaithful. What is he • ls that runneth with a thief, but a thief also. Alacke they tread under their feet the precious gift of God. Lyke unprofitable servants, they hyde his godly treasure vnderneth the ground. And like unreasonable dogs they turn again to their vomete. The heavenly father of his eternal mercy, grant such to amend▪ For a much greater plague abideth them than the other, thought it be not here named. For many stripes are due to that servant which knoweth his Lord's will, and doeth it not, yea, to sin against knowledge, is against the holy ghost & irremissible.

[illustration]

The Paraphrase. 1

IN the midst of this moste vengeable time, wherein the Antichrists & hypocrites most fiercely sturreth about them, 〈◊〉 vex all the world with their • erie blasts, their filthy smoke, • nd their stinking brimstone, to restore again their pleasant Euphrates, the Lord hath sent to the comfort of his certain peculiar and chosen learned men, moste constantlye to defend his verity. And then, this present revelation compareth to a strong Angel.

1 I saw (saith saint John) another mighty strong Angel come down from heaven. With a stout power came this Angel from God to withstand the furious beasts in this sixth age of Christ's church, wherein they rage so sore. God hath raised some godly persons now, by whom many things are opened that afore time were hid, accept it were to a few poor souls in corners. Cōstant are these and earnest, yea invincible warriors by the word of God. For who can be more strong then they which fi • ht with an invincible weapon? Which is the verity of God. That valiant cōquerour hath victory in them, which promised to give them such mouth and wisdom as all enemies should not be able to resist,

2 This Angel, or ministers signified by him, descend down from heaven with Christ their master, as messengers sent of God. The Apostates and Antichrists falleth down from heaven with their Captayne Lucifer, like stars of darkness. And as wicked seed not planted of God they rise up in the world.

3 This Angel was clothed with a cloud, betokening these godly supporters of the Lord's truth to be compassed with many hard showers and troublous crosses of opprobrious rebukes, scorns, slanders, lies, and open blasphemies, to the uttermost trial of their weak flesh. And this cloud hideth from the world all that is in them spiritual and godly, like as it did in Christ, that to many they seem not y ^t they are in deed. Bicause they are dispysed of the crafty generation, and evil spoken of by the hypocrites, y ^e simple Idiotes and deceived multitude doth judge them ill doers, yea, they suppose them very heretics, and so doeth spyghtfullye call them. Whereas in very deed they are the Angels of God, and most high chosen messengers. The Apostles thus used also of y ^e world, were named clouds of Isaiah the Prophet very long before they preached the Gospel. What are these (saith he) that flieth like clouds. These were and are they that everywhere poureth down the sweet dew & rain of the mysteries of God, and seasonably moisteneth the ground of faithful hearts, causing them to bring forth their fruits in due season.

4 Upon the head of this Angel was the Rainbow. And in this are they noted to be the Angels of the covenant, and the messengers of peace▪ For so much as the Raynebow was the sign of God's covenant concerning the flood. Theyr message is that Christ is the only savior of y ^e world, and that none can perish believing in him. No damnation is there to them which are in Christ Jesus. No though they never know one ceremony or popish constitution of theirs.

Though they never hear Mass nor go procession, though they never be greased, shaven, nor disguised, though they never have Beads, Latin Primers, portifolyomes, nor other signs of hypocrisy, yet are they promised to have attonemente with God.

Most rightly hath this Angel the raynebow on his head, for all the study, practice and diligence of the faithful ministers, is to declare the free mercy of God, and most friendly benevolence in Christ without any pointe or jot of men's deseruinges, least they should perish with the Pharysy for trustinge in their own works.

5 The face of this Angel was as the bright sun. Their outward show is altogether Christ, which is the son of ryghtuousnesse. None other light show they but his. None other doctrine declare they but his holy Gospel, neither decrees, nor decretals, fathers constitutions nor Sinodals. But them they leave to the dark bloddy stars which are fallen from heaven. Only teache they the shining charytie of God, the fervent zeal, and burninge desire towards man's salvation. Neither advance they ceremonies nor rites, holy days nor offerings, dirges nor masses, purgatory nor relics.

And as concerning their lives, more GOD desireth not of the Christian minister, then to expende his whole study, labor, and time to the lyghtening of other. He neither commandeth them to be shaven, nor disguised, to be popish Prieste nor Monk, to say matins nor Evensong, to fast fryday nor vigill, to abhor marriage nor meats. Only he willeth them to edyfye his flock, with none other learning then his Godly truth. This is their only office.

6 The feet of this Angel were in similitude as pillars of fire. Stronge sustentacles and sure stays hath god made y ^e upholders of his true church. Feruent affections hath he given them, constant stomaks, and so invincible a power as no violence can resist. Douty & strong is the administration, where the verytie remaineth, for it bringeth with it the magestie of God O how beautiful (saith Isaiah) are the feet of the Ambassadors of the Lord, which bringeth y ^e message of peace, and the tidings of health unto Zion?

7 He had in his hand a little book open. In their administration are y ^e scriptures euydent and clear, opened by the Lamb, and much godly knowledge is received of other by them. Blessed be the Lord which hath opened y ^e book. Now may the creple stand up, y ^e blind see their way, y ^e poor feed & be satified. Desire therefore w ^t faithful David from y ^e very heart, to have understanding & to know y ^e testimonies of god. Are meekly and have, seek wisely and find, knock gently and the door will be opened. Uery like is it that the Lord God doth mind plentuouslye to spread the doctrine of his spirit in this sixth age of his church, this book being thus opened.

And that all the world shall receive it, rebel the hypocrites never so sore. When the Gospel appeared in Christ's time, the Jews were the first that received it, after the Greks, and last of all the Latins. Now in this later time it openeth to the Latins by the administration of this mighty Angel and his affinity, and from them is going to the Greeks, for many of them now of late hath graciouslye received it, as we have hard. And last of all it shall return again to the Jews, as now very apt also to receive it. That Christ's prophecy may be found true. The last to be the first, and the first the last. For he that hath dispersed Israel, shall bring him again to his fold, as Heiremy recordeth. Thus shall the glory of God be within few years seen the world over, to the comfort of many.

8 This Angel set his righte foot upon the sea, and his left foot vpō the earth. As well shall the weak people receive this verytie as the strong, the poor as the rich, the low as the high, the sick as the whole, the sinner as the righteous, the beggar, as the king, the unlearned as the learned, the laboring man as the priest, and much rather. For the right foot is towards them. The I will that is speared up with the main sea, yea, and they also which be upon the sea, shall so well have it as the open wide country, or as they, which dwell upon the most pleasant lande. From none shall the Book be speared. Every where shall the truth be open, as well by writings as words, and as well by books as preachings. Upon both shall this Angel tread. Both sortes of people shall be subjects to that verytie, which those Godly messengers shall bring, submitting themselves as foo • s • ooles unto it. Some ungodly rulers there be both by sea and lande, both in the Isles and the open country, that will none of this Angel with this open Book. In no wise will they suffer him to set footeinge within their regions, but commandeth under pain of death, that no man teach his doctrine nor hear it, that no man prynte his books, bye them, sell them, read them, hold them, favor them, nor bear them vpō him. But all is in vain. Let thē wax mad, swell, and fret themselves to death, yet will he tread upon their ground. Let them persecute, fetter, stock, famish, slay, hange, head, burn, drown, yea, and bu • y quick with all other mischife and tyranny, yet will the truth abroad.

9 For the Angel crieth with so loud a voice, as the Lyon when he roareth. So mighty and strong is the word y ^t they preach, and the verytie that they show, as was the sharp living word, that Christ spake, which was the invincible Lyon of Judah. And so mighty is that as made both heaven and earth, so strong as destroyeth the power of hell, so sharp as divideth the soul from the spirit, and the joints from the marry, and so weighty as when it falleth, grindeth to powder all pride, power, magnificence, wisdom, riches, and vain pollycye of this world, none shall be able to abide it.

10 And when the Angel had cried, and uttered this terrible noise, seven thounders spake their voices.

The fearful judgments of the wrath of GOD, which are infinite, and can neither be numbered nor yet measured of the creatures, opened their terrible mysteries, which shall at their times appointed of him, light upon the children of vnbeleeue.

The tyrants, which hath resisted the heavenly verytie of the Lord, will once be punished as was the • ost of Senacherih king of Assur. Once will he fearfully visit their multitude in the thunder of his ire. Once shall the terrible sound of hy • crack stryk the earth smothe, revenging the contempt of his word. In Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and other Christian regions, the Angel hath shown the book open, and roared out the voice of the Gospel with stomach as doth the Lyon, yet will it not be taken, but some they have beaten for it, and some moste spitefully murdered.

Let them not think but after the lightning y ^e thunderclap will follow. The verytie opened, and thus despised, most grievous plagues of derth, war, or pestilence will shortly fall by the great vengeance of God. Principles hath been seen in some quarters, of the world, let them not think but much more is coming, and will not cease till Christ hath made of his enemies his foot • stool.

11 And when the seven thonders had spoken their voices, or shown their certainty that they should so surely as God liveth come to pass at their time appointed.

12 I was about (saith Saint John) to take pen and ink in hand, and to write them I thought to register them in a book to the admonishmēt and warning of them that should follow. And anon I heard a very earnest voice from heaven, saying unto me in this manner.

13 Seal up those things which the seven thunder spake, and in no wise write them. Register the thunders, but not the voices. Note the figures, but utter not the mysteries till God appoint it. It is not for all men to know the times which God hath in his power.

Many secret things heard Paul, which was lawful for no man to utter. The outward sound of God's secrets may be heard of all men but the inward working is reserved to the spirit. The Lord always with the holy ghost so informeth them inwardly, that they perceive the effect of many things, the other heareth but a noise. For so much as the voice of gods thunderings is unsearchable, and his secret judgments the most mighty depth, they are not open but to such as he electeth.

14 Therefore was John commanded in no case to writ them, or to open y ^e secret meaning of them. That point the Lord reserveth peculyerly to him self, to open to whom, what, or how much him lusteth. Much wide ar th •• which thinketh that they can of their own wit, and industry declare such causes, unless God openeth them by his word or some evident sign, as he hath done in this age most plentuously to many. Less can we not gather of these thunders, whē the message of God is despised, abused, forsaken, neclected, trodden under foot, 〈◊〉 damnable lies preferred unto it, tha • y ^t his wrath must follow. Somewhat hath been seen already, much more will appear whē they give full 〈◊〉 ▪

The Paraphrase.

1 And the Angel (saith Saint John) whom I saw in this wonderful revelation, thus standing with one foot upon the sea, another upon the lande, after the sort afore named.

2 Lyft up his hand towards heaven, so strongly to affirm his message to be true as the Lord liveth, and to promise it so in fallibly just as god siteth in heaven.

3 What do the true preachers else in this age, but maintain their doctrine by the mighty word of God, after the example of Christ and his Apostles which alleged the law, prophecies and Psalms, to confirm their sayings with They neither allege decree, nor decretal, constitution, nor Synodal, Legende nor fable, monks rule nor saints life, doctors nor fathers, Gregory nor Anselm, Thomas nor Dons, Plato nor Arystotle, nor such like filthy dregs. But they come to the very true touchestoane with John, they prove the spirits whether they be of God or no, considering that all men are liars, and have erred, one except.

4 He sware by him that liveth in himself with incomprehencible magesty, power and glory for evermore, which in the beginning created the heavē above w ^t the invisible things that are therein contained.

5 Which formed the pōderous earth beneth and the visible creatures that are therein remaining.

6 Which fashioned the flowing seas and the corruptible things that are there in continuinge.

7 With an earnest constant spirit he protested, and by the strong word of God he affirmed, so taking him to witness, that there shall be no more time, no more leisure, no more sinful occuping here frō henceforth, but in the days of the voice of the seventh Angel. This oath is none other than a sure assercion, that all shall be finished in this seventh age of the church. This would not be hidden from the congregations. Necessary it is that both good and bad knew it. The faithful to be assartened that their final redemption is at hand, to their consolation. The unfaithful to have knowledge that their judgment is not far of, that they may repent and be saved. Not unlike is this oath to the oath in Daniel of time, times, and half a time, whereof the time was from him to Christ. The times were the ages from Christ to the seventh seal opening, or the seventh trumpet blowing. The half time from thence forth, wherein the days shall be shortened for the chosen sake. So much mischief shall not y ^e enemies d • thā. Their tyranny shall be as waged.

8 For when the vii. Angel shall begin to blow, or the ministers of that age sincerely declare the word.

9 Even the mistery of God shall be finished, and the full meaning thereof fulfilled.

10 Like as he afore time both taught and promised, by his peculyer chosen servants the prophets. No time shall be after this but that, which will be of all times the ende. But when that time shall begin, we know not till God shall open it by his seventh angel. Of the thing we are certain and sure, but the time of it is evermore in gods hand. That is sealed up in y ^e book til he shall please to open it, the righteous shall not see til it cometh, but rest still in their lot w ^e Daniel. And the ungodly shall have no understanding then. They shall build and plant, bye & sel, riot & banket as in y ^e days of Noah & Loth, yea they shall give themselves to all filthy lusts & couetuousnes, And vnbewares shall death come upon them, the terrible judge shall cal them to account, and to y ^e everlasting fire condemn them, thus shall their days also be shortened, when they think nothing less for y ^e time shall be but half after Daniel.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the voice (saith saint John) which I hard afore from heaven, spake unto me again. God's holy spirit touched me, moved me & compelled me. It graciously admonished me, taught me, and said thus unto me.

2 Go thy ways forth John, and take the little book which is now open in the hand of the Angel.

Every man having grace with John is here commanded to have God's word. Christ willed all faithful believers to search the Scriptures to understand the prophecies, and to perceive the mysteries of thē. And for the performance of his will therein, he hath sent in this age this peculyer Angel, beside the common preachers, betokning those singular learned mē, whō now he hath endue • with most high knowledge. Of their hands he m • ndeth us to receive the scriptures, and not of the blasing star, nor yet of the smoky Locusts. Their faithful, sincere, and godly interpretacions, he willeth us to take, specially in books, for so much as in person they can in no wise be everywhere present, & for that it is a book here named. For by them in these days doeth he make open his saving health, and in the sight of all people declareth his righteousness. Let thē therefore (whose hearts God moveth to instruct other in the ways of the Lord) diligently peruse the labors of such, whom he hath so plentuously replenished with his spirit. But in thus doing let them not to much depend vpō no man's person, but prove all things by y ^e scriptures, least they fall into errors as other hath done afore for so dooyng. Uerye lightly is he deceived that measureth the verity by man's judgments. In y ^e search therefore of godly mysteries, not the wit nor the learning of the man is to be sought, but rather the right meaning of God working in the man.

3 This Angel standeth upon y ^e sea, and upon the lande. As well is y ^e true messenger of God for the weak as for the strong, for the low as for y ^e high, for the poor as for the riche, for the simple as for the learned, for y ^e sick as for y ^e whole, & for the foul as for the fair. Yea, and rather for them than the other, having his right foot upon the water.

4 And I (saith S. John) obeying the voice of the Lord, or the heavenly mocion of his spirit went unto the Angel, and instantly desired him to give me that little sweet book.

5 None other is this book thē the holy scripture, whose opening is a pure and right interpretation thereof. This he receiveth open at his hand, which diligently readeth or heareth any sincere declaration of it by any faithful minister. None other is this book fit for, nor none other retayneth it in this age, but meek John's, or men of a gentile spirit having the grace of God, and obeying his heavenly voice. For the wicked must ever be blind. Wisdom shall not enter into a froward soul, nor dwell in the body y ^t is given to sin. John went to the Angel, and received the book, for he y ^t will seek shall find.

6 For y ^e Angel said unto him: Take it unto thee, & eat it up clean. The belly shall it make very bitter, but it will be in the mouth so sweet as honey. With good heart ought y ^e scriptures to be received of all men, in faith devoured, & in a pure love digested. In continual study & meditacion thereof, ought ech mā after his calling to persevere, the King in his reign, the Judge in his office, the merchaunt in his occupying, the laborer in his work, the maryner upon the sea, and the bishop in his cure. Nothing but idelnesse worketh y ^e man, which hath it not grafted within him, though he both fast & pray. Uayne are all polycies, acts, constitucions and laws w ^t out it. For it is y ^e life of our souls, the lantern of our feet, the light of our passage, and rule our works.

7 Bitter it is in the belly, & sweet in the mouth. When the knowledge of truth is is once received, and surely setteled in the heart, it engendereth a spiritie of indignation, and a zeal of God, very bitter against all wickedness. It maketh us with Jeremiah to detest all vice, and with Ezekiel to abhor all sin. It provoketh us also with Moses, Helias, David, and the Prophets grievously to complain of the worlds abominations, & with Christ & his Apostles dolorously to lament the sore decay of the wicked.

8 Yet is nothing so sweet in y ^e mouth as it is. Nothing was to Paul so delicious, when he once sauored it. No, nothing so pleasant. Neither colors of rhetorike, paintings of poets, wisdom of Philosophers, nor holy traditions of fathers could then delight him. All were but darnal, tares, stubble, chaff, filth, rust, dreams, lies, and unprofitable vanities. Nothyng was in his mouth than, but that delectable verity, & that sweet Gospel of God. That took he with him as the vessel of election in many an hard journey, and bear it forth before the gentiles, the kings, & the children of Israel, yea & for y ^t to die he thought it than advantage.

9 And I took the little book (saith saint John) out of the Angels hand, with meekness I received the scriptures of God. I did eat it up clean, I dygested them in faith.

10 And it was in my mouth so sweet as honey▪ Oh how delicious (saith David) are thy sayings unto my throat? More dulcet then honye are thy words Lord to my mouth.

11 So soon as I had eaten it (saith Saint John) so soon as I had incorporate it in my mind, & rooted it in my soul, my belly was bitter, my heart was grieved much to see y ^e evils of the world, my spirit was troubled to see the abusions of men, and much I pitied the loss of their souls.

12 Yet did not the Angel so leave me, but he said thus unto me: Thou must prophecy again among y ^e people.

13 As thou hast received, thou must render, as thou hast been taught, thou must teach again, least thou hyding the treasure of thy Lord, become an unprofitable servant.

14 Thou must publish the truth to the unbelievers, thou must open it to people of divers nations & languages, and finally manifest it to Kings of many regions, that they see their people instructed in y ^e same. As a trumpet therefore exalt thy voice, show freely the joyful message of saluatiō. Refuse none that will come unto it, poor nor blind, halte nor lame. Cōsider that no man lighteth a candle to hyde it, but to set it up that men may see by it. None other are fit to prophecy, but they which have devoured the book. They must now declare the gospel in this latter age of y ^e church by the appointment of the Lord. For necessary it is that by the strength thereof, all pride of this world and blasphemy against God be distroyed.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there was given me (saith saint John) a Reede. Both received I the wisdom of God, and also a mouth to utter it. So y ^t my tongue became the pen of a ready writer. For so much as I abhorred iniquity, the Lord anointed me inwardlye with th • oil of gladness, & gave me stomach to utter his word.

2 The reed which god delivered me was like unto a rod. For his word is the rod, of right order, and y ^e scepture of his kingdom. With this rod sprede he out the heavens, and laid forth the first foundation of the earth.

This rod of his power hath the Lord now graciously sent us out of Zion by mē having his special grace as by John, to have dominion here in the midst of his enemies.

3 For unto John it was said for this age. Arise, from vain studi, from cares of the body, from consideration of earthly causes.

4 And mete the holy Temple of God, which is his congregation or Church: Prove all believes whether they be right or no. Examine their works, whether they spring of God's commandments or of men's traditions. And in so doing try by the scriptures the corn from the chaff,

Mark out the people of God from y ^e synagoge of Satan, and delay not to nourish them with the sweet fruits of the spirit,

5 Measure the Aulter also, which is Jesus Christ, upon whom the full sacrifice of redemption was offered. For many false Christ's are abroad in the world, to seduce the people, The Pope bosteth himself for God's own vicar. Machomet calleth himself y ^e great Prophet of y ^e Lord. And both they to subdue the Gospel hath set up new laws. The Pope his detestable decrees, and Mahomet his abhominable Quran. Both they have wrought such wounders and such signs in superstition, as might deduce into error (if God were not merciful) the very elect persons. The monks saith that Christ is in the desert, the priests saith he is in the box, but admonish my people, that in no case they believe it. The Canons saith he is here, the Friars saith he is there, but counsel my flock that they go not forth. For God dwelleth in nothing that is made with hand. In the faithful heart is Christ only found. There remaineth he. That is his dwellinge place.

6 Therefore now last of all, measure them also that worship in the Temple. Consider them only to be his people, which seek him in spirit and in verytie, and that worship not in outward shadows, nor in the elements of this world, nor yet with observation of days and times. They are not his sons, that for the leaven of Pharisees which is the doctrine of Hipocrits, forsaketh the bread of children, which is his living word, They are not his Lambes but vile gotes, that rather attendeth to the voice of strangers, than to the true shepherd Christ.

7 And therefore the quier which is within the Temple caste out. The prelates, priests and religions, which are not of the common sort, seclude from Christ, from his Church, and from the company of true worshippers. Throw forth the bond woman and hir son, the Rome church with the hir children, and Mahomet with his rabble. For the bond shall not inherit with the free.

8 Measure not out that chaunsell of charmers, that college of Balaam's brethren, those marked Madianits and cursed Ismaelits. Alow thē not by the scriptures, cōmende not their counterfaict righteousness. Admit them not for the members of CHRIST, but judge them to be the synagog of Satan. And spear them out of the kingdom of God, with the key of David. For they are those swine, that tread pearls under their feet & those cruel dogs that turn again to devour men. Medle not with that quier, have not to do with that wicked generation.

9 For it is given unto the Gentiles, Wholy are those Antichrists addict to the superstitious rites of the Heathen in their sacrifices, their ceremonies, their observations, their holy days, their vigils, fastings, prayings, kneelings, and all other usages, contrary to the admonishment of Christ. That they should in no wise enter into the ways of the Gentiles. Wherefore God hath detested them with his own mouth, and clean given them over unto their own filthy lusts. Mow reign they all in their own wisdom, thinking evermore their own fleshly fantasies best, wholly they are become gentiles.

10 And the holy city (of whom glorious things are spoken) they shall tread under foot the space of xlij. months. Not the earthly Jerusalem is this city, built of men, and made holy by y ^e outward obseruacions and ceremonies of y ^e Jews as many expositors hath fantasied. For of y ^t (like as Christ prophesied) is not left one stoane standing upon another. But this city is the sure bulding of God, grounded upon the strong foundation of the Apostles and prophets, even upon the hard rock stone Jesus Christ. This is the pleasant possession, the wholesome household, the sure hold, and the delectable viniarde of the Lord of hosts. This is the living generation of them which feareth, loveth, and seeketh their Lord God in faith, spirit and verytie, and not in outward shadows. These are the children of promise, the true offspring of Abrahā, the chosen house of Israel, and the kingdom of the holy ghost. Pure, clean, and holy hath Christ made this city by none other thing but y ^e only shedding of his precious blood.

11 This city tread they under foot, that keepeth down the truth of the gospel, y ^t persecuteth & sleath gods people for it, y ^e defeateth his word for their own traditions, that bringeth in the Jewish ceremonies, the Gentiles superstitions, pagans customs, & hethē usages, yoking men w ^t imp • rtable burdens of false worshippings for their own filthy 〈◊〉 & advantage. Notw ^t standing thus must they do still by the sufferance of God, till the lxij. months be finished, which is not else but the time, y ^e times, & the half time, or the thousand, two hundred & lx. days, in y ^t God shall shorten the time for his chosen sake. Thus after S. Paul also before the Lord's coming. There must be a departing. The quier or chauncell must be cast out, y ^t the man of sin, the sun of perdition, & the adversary exaltinge himself above God, may be known in his colors. It may not be motē, or allowed by gods word, but rejected as that plant which y ^e heavenly father hath not planted, y ^t the mistery of iniqutye may be uttered and perceived of thē which shall be saved. It must be given to y ^e gentiles, or addict to their superstitions, w ^t all lying power, signs and wonders, in all deceivable doctrine, by y ^e subtle working of Satan. They must also be permitted to do all mischif in vnrightuousnes, vpō y ^e citizens of God, til he utterly consūe thē w ^t the mighty breath of his mouth.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I will give pour saith the Lord unto my faithful witnesses, and they shall prophesye a thousand two hundred and lx. days against those enemies to the comfort of my people. So that though my city be trodden down by their cruel laws of persecution to death, yet shall it not be forsaken. And though my people be over loaded with their heathen superstitions and blasphemous worshippings, yet shall they not be lost nor left all w ^t out succor.

2 They shall have my two witnesses w ^t thē to solace thē in their troubles, & to comfort them in their cares. Both Moses and Christ, both the law and the Gospel, both the Prophets and the Apostles shall stand upon their side and be upon their parte: yea, for so much time as their enemies shall vex them, and for so much space as their adversaries sholl trouble them Even a thousand two hundred and threeskore days, which maketh three years and an half, and is more thē the two and forty months by iiii. score days and four. Which signifieth y ^t the enemies shall not evermore keep down his word, but their days shall be shortened for his elect sake. The school Doctors with their sophestry hath fantasied the said two witnesses to be Enoch and Helyas, and that they should come then frō Paradise terrestre for the same purpose, because that Enoch was taken away of God, and Helias was carried hence in a fiery Charet, neither understanding what Paradise is, nor yet knowing what it is to be taken from hence. Paradise is the sweet rest of God appointed unto them that depart hence in faith. The peculiar translations of Enoch and Helias were not only for a confirmation or strenthning of the faith of the fathers for their times, but also y ^t they should be figuers of Christ's assention. And what godly wise man can give more to the figuer than to the verytie? More were not they privileged frō death then was Christ, though God would not then have it so openly known, to declare his wonderful power. Unlike is it y ^t god should cal witnesses frō the dead, not promising it by his word, having power also frō stones to raise up Abrahams children, and to give y ^e spirit of Helias to whō he pleaseth, like as he did to John the Baptist, & as he doth now to many other more in our age, as all the world may see and hear. These witnesses are two, for so much as the truth of the Lord in the mouth of two or three godly persons ought to stand.

3 These two witnesses or faithfuli protestours of the aforsayde two testaments hath continued with the people of god since y ^e death of Steeuē, for y ^e more part secretly & unknown to y ^e world. But now they are come abroad by the appointment of God, to the utter confusion of the great adversary and man of sin, as Paul doth call him. And unto them in this sixth age of the church, the Lord hath given the great power of his living word, or the spirit of his invincible verytie in much more ample wise then aforetime, for the abatement of the said enemies or synagoge of perdition.

4 Clothed they shall be in sackcloth (saith the Lord) No pomp shall appear in their apparel, no glory of the world in their behavior. Neither shall they be accompanied with a garde of ruffelynge rutters. Neither shall they with Annas and Caiaphas sit upon life and death. Neither shall they bless in the streate with miter, cross and cope. Neither claim the higher seats, in side gowns, shaven crowns, and tippetes. Neither shall their be sack Friars, nor Franciscans, monks, Canons, nor Hypocrites.

They shall not disfigure themselves to seem religious, nor say long prayers to appere holy, but in a sober conversation, avoiding superfluity, they shall constantly witness the truth of god to the universal world, to his glory and their edification. For sackcloth in the scriptures is a sign of sobriety, sadness and temperaunce, as in Helias and John the Baptist.

5 These witnesses are two sweet olive trees, shedding forth the fatness of the scriptures, and dulset sanour of the spirit. God hath so blessed them that their lyps are full of grace. He hath annointed them with the oil of gladness above their fellows, of Myrre, Bawme and Aloes, they delectably smell. None other things utter thei but his infallible verities.

6 They are also two shininge Candlesticks, setting forth the light, or clearly opening of the hidden mysteries of the scriptures, to the comfort of the gētiles & glory of the Israelites. They are not the light itself but only instruments ordained to bear witness of y ^e light. For there is but one light for all. Only are they the vessels of electiō, as was Paul, to carry that light the world over.

7 They stand in the presence of the God of the earth, or the Lord of all, as men of moste high acceptacion before him, ready to do his will and to fulfill his commandment and pleasure, having the oil of his spirit, and the light of his eternal verity.

The Paraphrase.

1 If any man will attempt to do them scathe, or presumptuouslie seeketh by crafty colors, subtle reasons, and deceiptful arguments, vpō dangers, doubts, doctors, old customs, and authority of fathers to hynder their office, blemishe their message, and darken their light, such fire shall proceed out of their mouths as shall consume their enemies.

2 The eternal word of the Lord that they shall declare (which is the consuming fire) shall utterly distroye them. So that nothing shall be seen of that they were afore. Neither cut shoe, nor cord, cowl, nor gray cote, boot, nor black hood, rochet, nor scapler, myter, nor crosier, sandale, nor frock, shaven crown, nor anointing. For all these are their enemies.

3 Consumed are they to their salvation that with Matthew become of Publicans true Apostles, and with Paul of fierce persecutors, charitable teachers. Contrariwise are they consumed to their dampnatiō, which being overcome by the manifest verity, willfully persist in their diuilish errors with Antiochus & Pharaoh, with the Scribes and Pharisees.

4 For it followeth. And if any man will hurt them, this wise must he be killed. Either must he be mortified from the old Adam, and changed into a new man in Christ, or else by the said word must he both be judged and condemned for the utter adversary of God, with Satan his ancient captayn. So must he be killed. And no death will be found like unto that death come they once to the feeling of it, though they accompt it now very light.

5 For these witnesses have power as had Helias, to shut up heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophesying, but yet none other wise then by the aforesaid word. For the word of God is the very key of David, which openeth the kingdom of god to them that faithfully believeth, and that speareth it up also from thē which dwellith in unfaithfulness. For it is said, in the days of their prophesying. This power therefore is of the word, and not of the men. The word speareth and openeth, losoneth & bindeth, saveth, and dampneth.

He that believeth saith Christ shall be saved, he y ^t believeth not is judged already. No moisture of grace nor godly wisedō can light where sturdy frowardness is rooted. The days of their prophesying in figure is non other thē y ^e aforesaid time, times, and half time, or the three years and vi. months of Helias.

6 In those days shall it not rain upon the wicked, they shall have no grace to receive the verity. In parables and figures shall that be hidden from them, that shall be euydent enough unto the faithful. With ears shall they hear and not understand, with eyes shall they see, and not deserne. So blind will their harts be. For such speak the Prophets in fygures. Christ in parables, and the Apostles in mysteries. The open truth of this revelation shall not the wicked perceive, till they taste the plages thereof. Such is the nature of God's wisdom that though it be not in glorious words, fine painted terms, nor in perswasible reasons of man's wit, but in plain simple speaking, yet can it not be know̄ of the worldly wise. The sweet dew thereof will not be received of them, in the aforesaid days of prophecy, but he that is blind shall be blind still.

7 These witnesses have also power over waters, to turn thē into blood. When they interpret and sincerely declare y ^e pure verities of God, which are those wholesome waters that restraineth the damnable dryness of the soul, that refresheth the conscience, and cleanseth the heart of the sinner, they cannot choose but earnestly condemn the perverse judgments, the covetous laws and hipocrityshe works of the ungodly. And then is all unclean unto them, then is all bloody. The Gospel which was a stumbling stone to the Jews, & made foolishness unto the Gentiles, is also now unto them naughty new learning, seditious doctrine, and abominable heresy. Yea, & they judge them worthy to be burned that doth teach it. Thus is it abhorred of them that shall perish, & nevertheless to them that believe, it is the power of God unto salvation.

8 Fynallie, they have power to smite the earth with all manner of plagues, as often as they will. Uery earth are they that regard not God's truth, as the Lord said unto Adam after his offense. Earth thou art, and unto earth shalt thou return. Nothing they esteem, but that which is earthly. Nothing they desire, but that is carnal. The froward creature will in no case know that is of the spirit. The light is hateful unto sore eyes. Uery painful is bread to the mouth that is not whole. A great mote was Christ to the Jews, as his true preachers are unto the blind world yet to this day. For they smite the earth.

9 They touch their living, they rebuke their falsehood, they condemn their wickedness. They reprove thē of sin, of righteousness, & of judgment.

They force not to tell to him of their unfaithfulness, fraud, and hipocrisiie of their Philosophers, prelates, & religious. No greater plague is it unto y ^e ungodly thē to hear of their evil doings. No greater pain, nor yet greater punishment, then to have their faults opened, and their clonyng colors condemned. That fretteth them at the very heart. Death must be sought out for such preachers. No wonder is it though this be here written for this age of the church. For never were more earnest witnesses then are now, & more are like hereafter to follow, till the man of sin be fully known, and his kingdom clearly overthrown.

The Paraphrase.

1 And when they have once finished their testimony (saith the Lord) the beast that came out of the bottomless pit, shall make war against them. No sooner shall the witnesses of gods verity in all ages be taken from the world, then he hath prefixed. After none other sort shall they be sent hence, then he hath appointed by his eternal decree. John the Baptist was not imprisoned, nor beheaded, till he had done his office. Christ was not taken, condemned, and crucified till his hour was come. Paul was not put unto death, til he had fulfilled his course.

2 The beast of the bottomless pit is the cruel, crafty, and cursed generation of Antichrist, the Pope with his Bishops, prelates, priests, and religious in Europa, Mahomite with his dotyng doucipers in Africa, and so forth in Asia & Iudia, all beastly, carnal, and wicked in their doings.

3 These maketh war against God's witnesses, when they hate them, curse them, blaspheme them, & persecute them. When they withstand them with their crafts, impugn them with their lies, and vex them with their diuilishnesse, as necessary it is they should do. For if they have troubled the head, they must vex also the members. If the householder be called Belzebub, the hosholde must suffer the same. No better is the servant then his Lord, nor the messenger, then he that sent him.

4 They shall also overcome them, not with y ^e scriptures, but with their beggarly customs, cōstitutiōs, laws, decrees, and traditions. They shall shall scourge them or disgarde them in their Sinagoges. They shall deliver them up to Justices, debites, and rulars, making them their bochers and slaves, so washing their own holy hands from the sheading of innocents blood.

5 They shall kill them also by their counsel, to fulfil the measure of their fathers, that all righteous blood may light upon them which hath ben shed upon earth. Yet shall they not hurt their souls, but thorough faith they shall have victory both over thē and the devil.

6 And their bodies shall lie in the streets of y ^e great city. In this world shall their carcasses remain, where as they have rule and dominion. Here shall they be judged and condemned. At their pleasure shall it be to hange them, head them, or burn them. And though they lay no hands vpō them for soyling their consecrate fingers, yet must it be done by their ghostly counsel, and ordered also after their spiritual appointment. None other is it to lie in the streets of their great city, then after such laws as they have practysed to be brought unto death.

7 For spiritually is their city called. A glorious name usurp they as though they were none of the world. They will be called the holy church, good ghostly fathers, godly dyuines, and spiritual men, not considering of what spirit they are spiritual. They are those into whom the unclean spirit hath entered with vii. other spirits worse than him self. With the spirit of falsehood, the spirit of witchcraft, the spirit of cruelty. And of these only with such like are they spiritual, & of no godly spirit as their fruits declareth. And therefore the spirit of God doth judge here this great city not to be called Jerusalem, but stinking Sodom, and most miserable Egypt the prophecies and other scriptures agreeing to y ^e same. For look what filthiness and abomination was in Sodom, what Idolatry and diuilishnesse was in Egypt, y ^e same is now reigning in this painted spiritualty, & is accounted their great holiness.

8 Among this consecrate multitude or smered sort is Christ yet crucified, as he was among the Jews which knew him not, and yet boasted them selves outwardly for the peculiar chosen people of God. Not only is Christ among them persecuted, scourged, punished, & put unto death in his members, but also he is proved of thē an vnsuffitient Savior without their daily doings. Their masses must be satisfactory sacrifices, profyting both the quick and the dead. And that must men believe under pain of death and dampnatiō. Thus crucify they Christ again, and make a mock of him as witnessed Paul, and yet do they call him their Lord, not unlike to y ^e tormentors, which crowned him with thorn, and saluted him with Ave rex Iudeorum.

The Paraphrase.

1 And as they lie thus dead in the streets, or are contempned as heretics, and despised as wicked doers, some of y ^e people perverted by these enemies, some of the kindreds or sects of division, some of y ^e tongues or blasphemous bablers, and some of the nations of all wicked workers shall be hold their bodies three days and an half.

2 They shall from all ages abhor them, hate them, reuyle them, and spitefully report them. In their cronicles shall they write them for seducers of the people, and in their stories regester them for damnable heretics. For the iii. days and an half divided into vii. values, betokeneth the vii. ages of the church wherein they have and shall still both persecute and blaspheme.

3 And these wicked sortes of people, kindreds, tongues, and nations, or of false Justices, priests, Lawyers, & religious shall not suffer their bodies to be put in graves. But be these witnesses once judged heretics by the clargie, and so condemned by the laity, either shall their bodies be resolved into ashes by fire, or else consumed by the fowls of the air. Seldom shall ye see a known heretic buried among them, but most commonly burned. Examples of this hath ben lately seen here in England by Thomas Hitton. Thomas Bilney; John Frith, George Bainham, William Tindale, John Lambert, Roberte Barns, William Jerome, Thomas Garade, Richard Spenser, and in Partrick Hamilton of Scotland, with many other more. And long afore our time in sir John old Castle, the Lord Cobham, syr Roger Acton knight, syr Reynold Pecoke Bishop of Chichester, master John Ashton, syr William Thorpe, syr Willyam Sawtre, syr Richard With, sir John Bale, sir William Taylor, and syr Williā white, priests w ^t diverse other. The body of Form • sus was first takē up by Steuē y ^e vi. bishop of Rome and disgraded. After was it beheade • , mangled, & thrown into the flood of Tiber by Sergius the third. Saint Herman after .xx. years from his burial was taken up & burned at Ferraria in Italy by Boniface the eight. The bones of master John 〈◊〉 were taken up and burned, also the .xl. year after his death, as Walden witnesseth in his book de Sacramentalibus. Li. ix. Capi. lxxxix. So was of late years in Worcester dyoces y ^e body of master Williā Trace esquier, & in Londō y ^e body of Richard Honne merchaūt tailour. Moreover, John Colet dean of Poules in Londō also was not far from y ^e same for reading of Paul's Epistls by his life, had not other weighty matters been in the way. Such heretics shall not rest in their city, they shall not be buried among them. They shall not be shrined, cannonised, nor allowed for Saints, for they built no monasteries, they set up no chaunteries, they subdued no Princes, nor yet died for the liberties of holy church. They stood not in defense that priests doing Idolatry, theft, murder, witchcrafte, whoredom, buggerie, with other abominations should remain unpunished. But rather to the contrary and that they should worship but one God, live by their labors, take wives of their own, and teach nothing but God's laws.

4 And they that dwell upon the earth (saith the Lord) or have their felicity here with the riche glutton, shall rejoice over them and be glad.

5 They shall clappe their hands when they see godly witnesses be brought out of the way, They shall common, ryote and bancket, having among them selves joy without measure that the heretics be gone, so hateful is the light to their eyes, and the verity to their wicked hearts.

6 And they shall send gifts or presents one to another for gladness, as for example. My Lord bishop hath had a sum of money of the priests for doing his part so well. My Abbot and master doctor have had phesan • es, plouers, and par • riches, pigges, geese, and capons, for disputing their matters so valyauntly. Master parson hath ben commended for scoldinge, and set Saunder smell smock our parish priest for bearing false witness. Master Friar hath had a trentall, and father Lymitour a bushel of malt, or a cheese for playing the knaves also, and hardly my L • rde chief justice hath not been without his reward, nor yet master Chancelor, neither master scribe. What made T. More for his time with so prodigious tyranny to persecute the truth, and since, Godsalue of Norwich. Wartō of Bongay Hales & Baker of Kent, w ^t such other like? but Aury sacra fames, as Uirgil doth call it. Thus do they laugh and triumph when they have wrought mischief, and much it delighteth them when they have done ungodly things.

7 For these two Prophets (saith the Lord) vexed them that dwell on the earth. A great trouble it is to them to have their faults seen, a sore vexation to have their crafts known, and an exceedinge displeasure to be put from their pleasant Euphrates by the preaching of such busy herytickes. Much was Herod offended with John, the bishops with Christ, the prelates and religious with Paul, & a sore grief it was to their harts, when they were rebuked their vices.

The Paraphrase.

1 And after three days and an half (saith saint John) did the spirit of life by y ^e power of God enter into them. In the midst of their joy and triumph when they think thenselves well quieted, the heryticks thus taken away, another storm falleth upon them much worse then the other. Many more ariseth out of their ashes to their confusion & to the chosens comfort. And the same witnesses they are again, giving the same testimony, though they be not the same persons.

2 The same living spirit have they, confessing the same verity, that had the other. No long time can Christ's congregatiō be without faithful testes, he promysing to be with them to the ende of the world.

3 These witnesses stood up, upon their feet. In the time full past is this spoken for the certainty of y ^e thing though much of it be to come. For so certain is it as it were all finished, an earnest stomach shall they have, and with much boldness shall they speak. The righteous shall stand by (saith the boke of wisdom) in great feruentnesse of spirit against them that hath extremely handled them, and taken a way their labors, persecuted them, & blemished their doctrine.

4 And great fear came upon them which saw them. When the Antichrists see they cannot prevail, much are they inwardly anguished; vexed, and tormented. Then doubt they their fall, than fear they their utter destruction. They tremble and quake when they see their laws will no longer stand, nor their insurrections no longer help them, looking for a terrible day. With horrible fear shall they wonder (saith the aforsaid book of wisdom) at the coming of the sudden health, groninge for sorrow, and mourninge for very anguish of mind, and saying within themselves. These be thei whom we sometime had in derision. Unwisely, we thought their lives to be madness, and their ends to be without honor. And now they are reckoned among y ^e children of god & their porciō is among y ^e Saints. Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us. We have weryed our selves, in the paths of wickedness but the way of the living Lord have we not known.

5 And they hard a great voice from heaven, saying unto thē. Come up hither. The Antichrist shall hear this noise, they shall know them to be in the favor of god, and great heuines it shall be unto them. For this voice is the free electiō of god according unto grace & not after man's deeruing. And it cometh frō heaven as doth all other good gifts, from the father of light. It calleth up them that afore walked sonwhat after the flesh, and durst not for fear of punishment witness the verytie. It commandeth them to arise unto God, to be more perfect, more spiritual, more godly, and to have their conversation in heaven. They attend unto the voice, they obey it, and do after it. For it followeth.

6 And they ascended up into heaven in a cloud. By the power of God they are taken up. From worldly affects are they changed to the pure love of God, and from carnal prudence to the wisdom of the spirit. In a cloud are they wrapped. Compassed are they with this flesh, the ill desires taken from them. Every where resemble they Christ, and are daily better and better. They cease not of their progress, no pain can separate them frō y ^e love of Christ, til they perfectly come to y ^e sight of the God of God's in the supercelestiall Zion.

7 And their enemies saw them. The Antichrists knoweth y ^t they are gods servants, the hipocrits perceive they have heavenly knowledge, yea, many times thei so report them both in their words and writings. In many of their Chronicles they affirm, y ^e Berēgarius, Iohnnes Scotus the elder, John wicleue, John Hus. Jerome of Prague. Thomas Thedonensis a white fryer of Bryttaine burned in Rome, Hieronimus Sa • o •• rola a black fryer burned in Florence, and diverse other more were men of most excellent wits, of most high learning, of most godly conversation, of a most perfect life, fervent, constant, and unmovable in y ^e time of their death. Bylney, Baynhā, Beyfeeld, Frith, Tindale, Barns, and other, are yet reported (yea of some which to this hour hateth their opinions) to have died charytably and godly. Yet believe they never y ^e better, thei come never the sooner to god. Their malice hath so blinded them, and y ^e cloud of ignorance so darkened their knowledge, y ^t still they blaspheme and most cruelly persecute.

8 And in y ^e same hour (saith S. John) there hapened a great earthquake. A terrible contradiction ariseth ever from the carnal synagoge, & from among the earthly minded hypocrites, whan the verity is taught as it was afore time in Christ, and in his Apostles, sepcially in Paul, and now of late days in many other poor preachers. When new witnesses arise, then wax they more mad, fierce and fell, then they were afore. Then imprison they, then punish they, then make they acts and command in pain of death no more to speak in that name. Yet do they rather lose than win, fall then rise, disprophet, then profit.

9 For the tenth parte of the city fell to the ground. Their buildinge upon sand will in no case endure. That God hath not planted must up by the roots. Their holy whoryshe church (which is here called Sodom and Egypt) is ruinously decayed, their monasteries of monks, their houses of friers, their coleges of idle priests, with their Nuns, Canons, & chantryes in many places are down. Tythes are not as they have been, nor Trentals, nor other deuocions. Images are not sought, nor pardons in confession. The people inclineth to new learning, and goeth from their old believe of holy church. They y ^• were monks, priests, & friers are now become gospel teachers. Such as afore were dead, standeth up now against them boldly. This fallen part is hear the tenth, for it is the Lord's by the law. It is the same sheep that afore was lost, and now is brought to Christ's fold. These were called away from thence by the witnesses, the other stand yet still, and are every day worse and worse,

10 In the earthquake were slain names of men, to the number of seuē thousand. An innumerable multitude hath ben sent out of the way by these Antichrists in their fury, but yet nothing have they slain but their names. Only have they hurt their bodies, upon their souls have they had no power, no more than had Satan upon the soul of Job. Yet have their not names perished before god, for of him are they written in y ^e book of life. In no case are the wicked of the godly here put to death, though some do so understand it, but rather of the wicked the godly. For they never retaile their wrongs, but rather pray for their enemies.

11 And the remnaunt or residue were feared (saith saint John) and gave glory to God of heaven. Of such as were left in their earthquakes or terrible persecutions, some remained in prison: Some were beggared, some were exiled, some fled, some lost their estimation and friends, and yet gave praise unto God.

12 In all their adversities they glorified the name of their heavenly father, and Lord. Thus have we here what is done already, and what is it to come under this sixth trumpet blowyng (where under we are now) which all belongeth to the second woe.

13 And these things once accomplished the second woe will be past. And then look by and by for the third woe, for it will follow anon after without fail, yea, so soon as this second woe is done.

14 In the later age of all shall this third woe reign, such time as Gog and Magog most extremely shall rage. And the vninuersall judgment shall finish that woe, as here after more evidently will appear. But consider y ^t these woes are to the infidels. The faithful feareth them not, but receiuinge the word in a pure heart they bring forth fruit in patient sufferance.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the seventh Angel blue (saith Saint John.)

The seventh sort of sincere prechers shall utter their message according to the will of God, they shall declare his pleasure as he hath appointed them. For though it be spoken hear as past and done, for the certainty of the thing, yet is it not fulfilled in effect.

The word of God was without beginning, and his promise everlasting, yet is it not all performed in his creatures but many things are yet to come.

2 After this blast of the Angel were made great voices in heaven. Many (the congregation or kingdom of God his Gospel once purely published by the preachers) shall speak godly things to the edification of other. The simple poor weaklings, idotes, and infants shall utter y ^e hidden wisdom of god to the confusion of the great wise men, and sage seniours of this world. Yea, the stones in the streat, the outcastes of the world, the forsaken people, shall wonderfully praise the Lord.

3 And these shall be their sayings, when they shall see the Antichrists cōfused and not able to speak again. The kingdoms of this world, that were sometime wicked, cruel, and unfaithful, are now become the Lord's, and his Christ's, of his only grace and goodness. Now fall they to the word that afore thought it foolishness. Now cleave they to the truth that sometime did abhor it. Now have they in hand the Gospel, y ^t afore did persecute it as seditious learning and heresy.

4 And in this congregation shall he reign evermore. Continually is he with them, that in faith retaineth his verytie. All this shall they utter with no small rejoice. For doubtless after the seventh seal opening, and the gospel preaching, then a peaceable time shall be, and figured it is by the half hour spoken of afore. For it shall not continue to the ende. Long may not the church of Christ be vnpersecuted▪ But yet this peace for the time shall • ot only be an inward peace in the conscience (as is always among the faithful) but an outward quiet also, or a season w ^t ou • persecution abroad.

5 And the xxiiij. elders (saith S. John) or the great number of saints departed, which sitteth before God on their seats, or resteth in his sweet peace, in such graces of the spirit as he gave them by their life time, as charity, steadfastness, love, joy, peace, meekness, righteousness, and such other like, fell down flat upon their faces.

6 Most humbly have they ever submitted themselves, referryng unto god the father the benfite of their creation, and unto Jesus Christ his son the free gift of their redemption. Yea, sepcialli at this time, being under the Antler of God, & knowing by his mere goodness the number of their breath̄ shortly to be fulfilled, and them selves w ^t thē to be at a glorious liberty, after their gostly sort they laud him saying.

7 From the very depth of our spiritual hearts, we render unto thee most high thanks Lord god almighty, eternal Father, son and holy ghost, which art one essenciall God, and wast without beginning, and shalt be without ending.

8 For thou hast taken upon thee thy great might. Now haste thou shown thy wonderful power. Euer hast thou raygned among thy people, but never so graciously, so plentuouslye, and so gloryouslye for our behoove.

9 The Heathen evermore were angry when thy truth appeared. Mad were the wicked Antichrists when thy glory shyned, and their pride deminished. They freted for anger, they swelled for woodnesse, yea, they slew thy servants and burned up thy people.

10 But now is thy wrath towards them. Now will thy anger break out, now will thy vengaunce appear. Now shall thy terrible judgment without mercy be declared frō heavē upon all ungodliness of those cruel enemies that withhelde thy truth in vnrightuousnesse.

11 Now shortly ensueth the time of the dead, wherein they shall be judged some to joy, some to heaviness, some to glory, some to pain.

12 Now approacheth the glad season wherein thou haste appointed to reward the true servants, the Prophets, & the faithful believers, made Saints by the only death of thy son, and all them that yet feareth thy name, with eternal felicity.

13 None wilt thou seclude from this thy liberal goodness, for no weakness nor poverty. But so well the small as the great, the low as the high, the poor as the rich, the sick as the whole, the unlearned as learned shall taste of thy inestimable clearness.

14 Only shalt thou distroye them that distroyed the earth, compellyng both it and all that therein is, not to serve thee their heavenly creator, but their own stinking desires, lusts, and corrupt affections, thy glory not once esteemed nor regarded. Herein may we conjecture, that th • seventh seal once opened and the vii. trumpet blown, the last judgment day is not far of. Blessed is he that watcheth for the Lord's coming.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the Temple of God (saith S. John) was opened in heaven. Euident will the godly and spiritual estate of y ^e true Christian church seem in those days, the Gospel sincerely preached. In faith shall mē seek their living father, & not in dead Images, nor other corruptible things. In spyrite and verity shall they worship him, and not in dumb ceremonies, nor outward shadows. Speared is God's temple, whē his true worshipping is hid. And opened it is again, when y ^t is clearly seen. Till Christ's coming in the flesh nothing thereof appeared. With the key of David opened he y ^e mysteries thereof. Whereby thorough faith the conversation of many is now & hath been ever since in heaven.

2 This temple thus open, anon the Ark of God's holy Testament was seen therein. Christ showeth himself in his own colors, when the Gospel is truly received, which is that Ark, wherein all the riches of God's couenauntes and the precious treasure of his promise is reposed to mans behoove. And specially those by whom we are reconciled and saved. By him are we only brought to God's favor again, and graciously redeemed. Yea, all the sort of us have received of his abundant & ouerflowyng fullness. The sight of this Ark in this temple is none other, thē a clear knowledge of him in his congregation. So often are his misteryes euydent, as this temple is opened. So many times are they known as his word is truly taught.

3 And no small fruit is to be thought to come thereof. For there follow • lightnings, voices, thunderings, and earthquakes, Divers respects hath the verity of God, according to divers audiēces. In manner of lightning it moveth some making of earth, heaven, and of sinners godly people. A sound or a noise only it is to some men, not regarding the fruits thereof. To some it is an occasion of anger, spite, and madness, & to some of open blasphemy against the holy ghost. For what else doeth the clergy, maliciously withstanding it, but willfully work against knowledge? And what doth the indiscreet laite, blinded by them, but babble they wot not what?

4 And a great hail also followed, which betokeneth the vehement and sharp judgments of God towards such enemies of his verity. The most terrible tempests of his Ire abideth them. The Lord shall break into the lande (saith the Prophet Isaiah) like a sore tempest of hail that breaketh down strong holds or castles. And the proud crown of the drunken Ephraemites shall be trodden under foot. Not only is the last age appointed to these thunderings, and earthquakes, but they began also so soon as Christ appeared in the flesh. No sooner was the young babe borne, but Herod for madness sought to slay him in his very infancy. The Pharisees & Scribes, the bishops, priests and Lawyers swelled at his preaching, & never left till they had slain him. And this rule with the prelates and hypocrites hath continued ever since, & still shall do til the latter day. Only is there and shall be a moderation, that some time it is not so extreme as at some. For if it were always alike, there should none be left.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there appeared (saith Saint John) a great token in heaven. For no wonder is this token here to be taken, as in other places of the scripture, but for a type or figure, containing under mystery great things.

A woman was seen clothed with the son, yea of John. For to God's only electes is the verity shown to auauntage. Not Marie Christ's mother is this womā, though many hath so fantasied in their commentaryes. But it is the true Christian church of whom Mary is a moste notable member.

3 This woman the church (as Solomon's canticles specify, is fair, lovely, pleasant, sweet, wholesome, delectable, undefiled as the M • ne, excellent in clearness as the sun, and glorious as an army of men with their banners and stremers. This woman is bewtifully decked with y ^e shining sun of righteousness. None is of hir that hath not don on Jesus Christ, being renewed in their hearts by faith. They are not hir childrē y ^t persecute gods word, no more thā was Annas and Caiaphas, Johannes and Alexander.

4 This woman seemed to have the moon under hir feet. To the church or congregation of God are all other creatures subject. All moouable things hath the Lord subdued unto hir. She is the right heir and inheritor of thē through Christ, they w ^t hir to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, and to serve in liberty.

4 Upon hir head was also a crown of twelve stars, which betokeneth not only the twelve Apostles declaring the glory of Christ's kingdom immediately after his death, but all other godly ministers of the word also, which have don y ^e same ever since. Only reigneth the true Christian church by the word of God, by the sincere scriptures, by the doctrine of the Apostles, and neither superstitions nor ceremonies, neither by councils or customs, by doctors, nor fathers, by miters nor rochetes, by tippets, nor hoods, by shavē crowns, nor side gowns, by crosses nor copes, by belles nor torches, by shrines, nor gilte Images, nor yet by xii. couples in a livery with golden chains and guarded coats. Hir beauty consisteth only in faith, and in the observation of God's holy commandments. Hir true ministers or preachers as very chosen stars, showeth forth his glory to the edification of other, and not their own Pomp and magnificence.

5 And she was as is the woman with child. She cried traueyling in birth, and was payned as one ready to be delivered. With Christ is the church big, whē hir members are in full faith. In the heart is he evermore conceived, & delivered forth such time as he is declared unto other. For this cause Christ called them his mother which ha • faith, and thereupon did the will of his father. Of faith in the first promise y ^t Christ should destroy the serpent, was he first conceived in Adam and Eve▪ and so grew forth in righteous Abel, in Seth, Enos, Enoche, Noah, Sem, There, Melchizedek, Abraham, and Loth. And as y ^e promises waxed stronger (as in Abraham, Moses, David, and the Prophets) and the people of God more in number, so waxed y ^e woman bigger & bigger, til y ^e fullness of hir time was come y ^t she should be delivered. Which was such time as Christ appeared to the world, taught and was cōuersaunt here among mē. And this course hath she kept ever since, & shall do to y ^e latter day in thē 〈◊〉 believe. Thus hath she had Christ in hir womb since the beginning.

6 And being full of his heavenly spirit, she hath cried in y ^e Patriarchs, and Prophets, in the Apostles and faithful ministers, as one traueiling in byr • h. Hyr cry was the mighty and strong declaration of Christ's doctrine, the fervent zeal & desire of the glory of God, & of all men's health in Christ. She traueileth ever more a new like as did Paul, till Christ be fashioned in hir Christian menbers. With all her strength she laboreth that the promised seed may increase in the faith of all men.

7 Finally, she is payned with labors, dolors, blasphemies, troubles, and terrible persecutions, and never is delivered without them: Never is Christ earnestly received, til some of hir members doeth suffer. The constant spirit & invincible standing by the truth in them, hath converted many.

And like as the payned woman in all hir agonies, is much comforted by the hope of a child, so are God's faithful witnesses trustyng that by their patient and glad sufferance, Christ should be received & rightly fashioned in many. Yea, this causeth them to rejoice in all adversity, and little to esteem their pains.

The Paraphrase.

1 After this (saith Saint John) appeared in heaven another token or marvel all divers from the first. The true church (which is gods kingdom) was never yet without contradiction, nor without the crafty assaults of enemies. Adam was not so soon created, but he was immediately assaulted of Satan. Christ entered not so soon the world, but he was by and by persecuted. The devil goeth about like a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour.

2 For behold there was seen a great red Dragon, betokening the said devil, with his whole retinue, full of deceit, craft, malice, poison, pride, and fierceness, to enforce the poor weaklings to consent unto his falsehood. All red his body seemed, in tokē that they which are of him, are all full of cruelty, spite, & blood sheading, afflicting the constant believers for withstanding his assaults. Seldom is he out of the earth, as winesseth Job, but commonly in the company of men, impugnyng the faithful. And no power is able to match him, unless it cometh from above.

3 The said Dragon had vii. heads, signifying all the crafty wyles, and subtle suggestions, that he hath practiced and used against Christ and his word under all y ^e vii. seals opening, and the vii. trumpettes blowing. Uerie easy it is to conjecture what manner of heads they were, marking other places of the scripture. A serpēts head should seem to be the first, considering that in the Serpent he deceived our first parents with his venymed crafts. This head so maliciously poisoned man, that God repented him of his creation, and distroied his whole kind in the flood .viii. persons only reserved. After the flood had he the head of a calf for the seconde, in signification of the shameful Idolatry, and wicked worshiping that then begun in Nemroth, and so continued in the Heathen. The third was the head of a Lyon, full of pride and oppression, expressed first in the cruel reign of the Assyrians & Caldeanes, and after in the proud Bishops and priests. The fourth, was a Bears head, full of rauine and cruelnesse, betokenig the fierce kingdom of Meades and Persianes. Cōsequētly, his fifth head was like a Leopards head of many colors, full of fickleness and chaungeablenesse. And that was the vncōstant reign of y ^e Greeks. His sixth was the head of a beast, far unlike all other beasts, which signifieth the kingdom of the Romans, with their monstrous laws more then needeth. The seventh is not unlike to a man's head, including all carnal wisdom, with all diuilyshe polices & crafts, & this is y ^e very papacy here in Europa, which is y ^e general Antichrist of all y ^e whole world almost, which hath already subdued and distroyed the Empire of Rome. For he is called the Apostate & man of sin. By this only head, is y ^e Dragon named y ^e envious mā. The whole body followeth y ^e heads. As the devil is malicious, wicked, fierce, cruel, tyrannical, false, execrable, and deceitful, so are all his menbers. In y ^e prudēce of y ^e flesh after him they walk in Idolatry, hypocrisy, & all other filthiness. And like as afore Christ's coming, these heads were in y ^e serpent, in the golden calves, in y ^e kingdom of Babylon, in Nemroth, in Pharaoh, in Antiochus, & in y ^e Pharisees & scribes, bishops, Lawyers, & priests, so have they been since his time under y ^e vii. seals opening, and the vii. trumpets blowing, after the same sort. Under the first, he had a serpēts head in the Jews, most maliciously and subtly withstanding Christ & his Apostles, pretending y ^e zeal of God & his laws. Under y ^e second, he had a calves head in y ^e Idolaters, which slew y ^e constant witnesses of Christ's verity. Under the third, y ^e head of a proud Lyon in the bold rabble of heretics, presuming against gods word to affirm ungodly things. Under y ^e fourth, the head of a Bear, in y ^e greedy multitude of holy hypocrites & spiritual Antichrists, which have ravished up y ^e substance of this world, usurping y ^e empire of the same. For then begone the papacy with Muhammad's mischief. Under the • ift the head of a Leopard, in y ^e diversity of pestilent sects or execrable locusts, of whom everyone rejoiceth in his own color and invention. For then did they sore increase. Under the sixth, the head of a best unlike to all other, in the tyranny of wicked governors blinded and persuaded by the priests to slay God's servants for the upholding of their stinking generation. For then was and is yet done much murder▪ upon such as confess the truth. Under the seventh or last seal opening, shall he have yet still the head of a man, in fleshly polices & falsehood of the Pope and his prelates, in the doctors and priests till God utterly shall destroy them with the breath of his mouth.

4 The said dragō had also x. horns or all subtle ways wherewith to impugn the feeble weak nature of man, or to provoke him ever more to rebel against gods commandments.

5 Upō his vii. heads he had vii. croūes signifying thereby y ^t both he & his menbers hath not only possessed y ^e afore named vices, but also they have over the world reigned in them, and yet do to this day. In pride, falsehood, malice, craft, cruelty, wickedness, & all other mischies triumph they yet.

6 And his tail drew towards him the third part of the stars, and inconclusion threw them down to the earth. By worldly promociōs, lucre, favor, and other flattering fantasies, hath he tangled many learned men, and plucked them clean from Christ's true Church, and from the life of the Gospel, so prouokinge them, wholly to give themselves to the study of erronius doctrine and lying prophesies, to seduce the worldly multitude and keep them in perpetual blindness.

7 So that they are now cast into the earth. They are become all carnal, filthy and ungodly in all their wisdom, study, and works, in all their counsels, preachings, and teachynges. Now are they the wicked Apostelles of Satan, no longer may they shine in the firmament.

The Paraphrase.

1 Before the aforesaid trauailyng woman stood this Dragon, ready to devour her child, so soon as it were borne. Euermore is the devil waiting his pray, where as the Gospel is sincerely taught, least any thereby should become the children of God.

2 He seeketh all crafts, polyces, & ingins, to take the word from the heart, least they believing it should be saved. Thus sought he to devour christ after the letter, appointing Herod to slay him soon after his birth. And when he see that way would not take, yet left he not of till the Jews had slain him. Not thus yet satisfied, he labored by y ^e bishops to extinguish the faith of his resurrection, least y ^t should profit unto life. Moreover where as the Apostles and other godly men, have given Christ unto other in manner as they receued him, he hath left no cautels unsought by his malignant members, ever since to deprive God's people thereof.

3 Such a man child (saith S. John) brought this woman forth, as w ^t an iron rod should rule all nations. Never is y ^e true church idle, but conceiveth christ at y ^e gospel preching, retaineth him in faith & bringeth him forth in teaching other y ^e same. No woman child is he, impotent, weak & feeble, but a manchild, bringing w ^t him always a strong, mighty & invincible spirit, where as he is unfeignedly receued. For he is the mighty Lord that is valiant in battle.

4 With the iron wand of his word invincible shall he govern his meek sprited flock, y ^t none other laws shall they require, with the same also shall he subdue all powers which are not of him, and drive them down to the bottom of hell. For by faith only in him is y ^e victory gotten over y ^e world.

5 This child was also taken up to God and unto his throne. Whereas the devil thought to devour him, and to wrap him up forever under death, he put him beside his purpose. Uictoryously he arose up from death to life, he ascended unto heaven, and now sitteth upon the right hand of God the father almighty. And where as he is now, there shall his faithful followers, and ministers be hereafter, for y ^t is his, is also theirs, birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension.

6 The woman fled after this into the wyldernesse. What else doth the just people of God? but fly the contagiousnes, vanytie, tumult, fornication, idolatry, and filthiness of this world? seeking God in the solytarie heart, and not in outward fantasies. I got me away far of (saith David) and remained in the desert, monks, nunnes, channons, and fryers, hath fled into monasteris, couētes, and houses, but nothing after this sort. For in all voluptuous pleasures have they there lived. The unfeigned solytary man after Hieremy, continueth peaceably with himself, and hath his heart above.

7 In the said wilderness had she a place prepared of God. Which is none other but God's protection, defense, and sauegard promised in the scriptures. That the Lord should pieserue us as he did his chosen people of Israel, when he went before them in a cloud upon the day, and in the night in a pillar of fire. David boasted himself that God was his refuge, and that he dwelled under the defense and shadow of the highest. So longe as the Lord is my governor (saith he) I can want nothing. He fedeth me, he sustaineth me I doubt no danger, for he is with me. His staff stayeth me, his word and promise is my whole comfort.

8 And there will the Lord feed hir saith S. John) for the space of a thousand two hundred and threescore days. None other are fed with the scriptures and promises of God, (which is the bread of children not to be given to dogs) but they which flieth into the desert from the dragon, forsaking both head and tail, both suggestions and laws, both customs and constitutions. For all are devilish. None other escaped the plague of Sodom, but they which fled clean from thence. Lots wife but looking back only towards it again was turned into a salt stoane.

9 The numbered days here are none other but the afore written time of the two witnesses, the time of Helias preaching, the time of John's preaching, the time of Christ's preaching, or the time of the gospel preaching from Christ's assencion to the latter ende of the world. That is y ^e very time of the feeding of his Church. And not open is this feeding here, but▪ in secret in the wilderness, among a sort unknown to the world, having the poverty of the spirit, without sha • ing, anointing, or hypocrites apparel. And not only hath the Lord thus nourished his people in this spiritual respect, but also in body. When they have been grievously handled, spoiled of their goods, imprisoned, and exiled, graciously hath he relieved them, and provided for them both solace and comeforte at the hands of them whom they never saw afore. So that the just hath not felt himself forsaken, nor his children seeking bread.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there happened at that time (saith saint John) a great battle in Heaven. In the Church is evermore variance and strife w ^t out ceasinge betwixt the spirit and the flesh, the good and the bad, the faithful and the unfaithful. None other is this battle but a very contradiction, a diversity in faith, study, opinion, will, and work, about the laws or commandments of God, and also about the laws and tradycions of men. This battle is weighty in cause, multitude and continuance. The cause thereof is Christ, the Gospel, faith, righteousness, man's health, God's high honor, and such other like on the one party. Upon the other party the cause is, error, hypocrisy, lies, Idolatry, avarice, pride, cruelty, filthiness, with all such other. So great is the multitude, that none is found out of it. None is there but are in this army. Either they are good or bad, faithful or unfaithful, righteous or vnrightuous. The righteous are of the host of Michael, the vnrightuous are upon the dragons side. Continued hath this battle from the first beginning, and so shall still to the latter ende. Yea, though the dragon be bound or tied up under the seventh seal opening, that he rage not then as he hath done afore. Yet shall the spirit of wickedness, and a mind to do mischief, reign inwardly still in his members, for Satan can be but a Satan, and a Devil a Devil.

2 Michael and his Angels fought valyauntly with the dragon. Spiritual are they which hath done on Christ after the mind of Paul, and spiritual is their armoure. Theyr gyrding is verytie, their breast plate righteousness, their shielde a sure faith, their wepon the word of God, their helmet the hope of health, and for steadfastness of their feet, their shooinge the gospel. By interpretation is Michael to say, who is as God? or who is like unto god? And he betokneth the constant minister & sincere teachers of the Gospel. The Angels of Michael are all they that in a sure faith confesseth the eternal magnificēce of God, and that none is like unto him. Contrarywise the Dragons Angels are the hipocrits, lying prophets, and erronius teachers.

3 These fight with the Dragon, and the Dragon and his Angels with them. For he that is not with Christ, is against him. With the rituous is Michael. For ministering spirits are y ^e Angels ordained for y ^e comfort of thē which shall be saved. And commanded they are to wait vpō the faithful, to preserve and defend thē. The wicked sort have the Diuil and his chaplaines to fight for them, the righteous have Michael and his Angels. The wicked fighteth w ^t errors & lies, the righteous with the only verity of God.

4 As vengeable & as fierce as they are, yet prevail they not, neither is their place found anymore in heavē. Faith hath the victory by the promise of god, though y ^e blind world seeth it not. Ouercomē ar y ^e wicked whē their enterprises taketh not, & clean overthrown whē their beggary is contemned. And never is y ^e full victory gotten, no more thē it was in christ til y ^e tabernacle of this body be laid aside. At y ^t day is y ^e crown got̄ whom the Lord hath laid up for y ^e righteous. And like as there is daily fighting, so is therein some, daily victory. Daily ar y ^e angels of darkness overthrown, daily are they cast out of heavē, which is the true church. Daily are they condemned by the word of God & judged for rebels against the holy ghost, whose sin is never forgiven.

5 No place have they anymore w ^t y ^e chosen, no electiō, nor acceptation afore god. The more light they have had & y ^e more they have tasted of the truth now forsaking it, & rebelling against it w ^t y ^e devil, y ^e farther they are frō god, & y ^e more nigh unto damnation. Never believed he truly, that so had received the word. Let none think to be saved, unless he perseuereth to the ende.

6 And the great Dragon, or cap • tayne of all the unfaithful sort, that old crooked Serpent which deceived Adam, & is called y ^e devil or malycious accuser, yea, and also Satan the most cruel adversary with all his clyentes and spiritual adherents, are certain and sure to be cast out.

7 With the righteous they shall have no portion for all their glorious titles. With the godly shall not their names be registered for all their holy vnccions. But with the prince of this world they shall be thrown forth.

8 For he by them, and they by him hath deceived all the world, in lying tokens and wonders, and in the operation of errors, to the utter damnation of all them that consenteth to their wickedness.

9 And he was cast into the earth, & his Angels also were caste out with him, which is not else but that they are reserved to eternal damnation. For serving the creature rather than the Lord that made all, God hath forsaken them, and given them, over to their own shameful lusts. All grace and goodness hath he taken from them, and in all darkness hath he left them. Nothinge is now behind but hell fire, prepared for the devil and his Angels. The church thus first bringing forth Christ among the Jews, and so by their cruelty driven out into the wild desert of the Gentiles, hath been there fed of God in percecution ever since, and shall be still till the term come out of the aforesaid thousand, two hundredth, and three score days, whose end is in y ^e Lord's hands

The Paraphrase.

1 And I hard a mighty great voice (saith saint John) which is y ^e whole agreement of all the sacred scriptures. And the voice said thus unto me.

2 Now is there in heaven salvation, in the church is the health of soul now that the idolatry with other abominations is thrown forth, and she clean delivered from their beggary. Now appeareth the power of y ^e Lord, that his Gospel is truly preached.

3 Now is it become our God's kingdom, that their doctrine is not of men.

4 Now hath it the whole strength of his anointed. Al Christ's labors, merits, and deseruinges, his nativity, passion, resurrection, and ascencion, is now hir own good, Christ's victory is theirs, his crown, his scepter, his seat and kingdom is theirs, Yea, the possession of his fathers right hand is theirs.

5 For the enemy of our brethren is thrown down, which cruelly accused them before god day and night. The adversary Sathen which quarelled before the Lord against patient Job, and vexed him sore in his substance and flesh, never ceasinge to this day to trouble the righteous with Antichrists and Tyrauntes, is now overcome by the victory of faith, and his power greatly deminished in his members. Now is the kingdom of God increased, much people being vnfainedli converted unto christ.

6 Conquered him they have by no Power of their own, neither merits nor works, but through y ^e inestimable strength which is in y ^e blood of y ^e immaculate lamb Jesus Christ, & through y ^e inuīcible word of his verity which they to y ^e world have testified.

7 In the witness thereof have they constantly suffered, & through faith in them, have they with him obtained victory over the world, sin, hell, death, and the devil. Not their own bodies have they spared to wyn this conquest.

8 But much more have they loved Christ and his truth than thenselves, accounting it auantage to give their lives for him.

9 Therefore rejoice ye heavens, and all you that in them in doth dwell. Ye Angels above ordained for man's comfort, ye saints departed from the miseries of this world, ye faithful believers remanyng in this life, and ye feruente favorers of the Lord's verytie be glade that your brethren hath gotten the victory of the devil and his Angels to the glory of Christ.

10 But woe unto y ^e wretched inhabitants of y ^e earth, & of y ^e sea. No small danger is towards thē y ^t hath heard y ^e voice of y ^e Lord, & still yet will follow y ^e course of this world, no light peril hāgeth over their heads, y ^t are incōstāt, fickle, & wauerin, giving back w ^t every blast for y ^e pleasure of their flesh.

11 Take heed of it therefore, for unto you that are such, the devil is come down with his subtle suggestions and crafts, with his wily cauteles and ingines. Among you doeth he remain watchyng to have his pray, as he did among the children of Israel, when they were become unfaithful.

12 Tares will he sow to destroy the good seed, for his wrath is great to see him self thus dejected, & his hate is exceeding beholding his kingdom decayed. Among you must he wreak his anger, for he cannot harm the faithful. Thorowe his envy came death first into the world. If ye will escape his snares, look ye give no place unto him, but in faith resist him manfully.

13 He waxeth now mad, & fretteth with him self. He myndeth to make hauoke and to do much mischief, because he knoweth y ^t his time is short. No longe season shall he have from henceforth to deceive. The latter day he perceiveth not to be far of wherein great torments, abideth both him and his. And y ^t maketh him so wood. That maketh him so insaciably desirous to noye, not caring what spyght he worketh against God. And no wicked will leaveth he unsought, to perform his cruel intent. Woe unto them therefore that in these days taketh no heed. Woe unto them that stumbreth in wanton pleasures, when most danger is, and the devil moste busy, not attending to the call & warning of God.

The Paraphrase.

1 And when the Dragon or most furious serpent the diuil, the head master of pride, & father of lies, saw that he was thrown down unto y ^e earth by the valiant host of God. Or such time as he perceyueth the Idolatry, superstition, pomp, hypocrisy, and other abhominable filthiness, distroied by the word of God in his malignaūt Sinagoge of proud painted prelates.

2 Then persecuteth he the poor woman which brought forth the man child. Then vexeth he the true congregation that teacheth none other but Christ, and confesseth none other savior, health, and redeemer. Them doeth he torment and punish by his mytred Mahounds and his shavē Sodomytes, subduyng unto them for that purpose the power of Kynges, and might of magistrates. Then sitteth Annas in consistory, & Caiaphas in sessions upon life and death. Thē bringeth the woman hir child forth in pain. By the martirdom or death of godly witnesses is Christ delivered & left here behind in the harts of many.

3 And unto the woman were given two wings of a great Egle, or the two testaments of God, containing the Prophecy & Gospel, with y ^e love of God and our neighbor. And these mighty wings were given her that she might fly with them into y ^e wilderness. Euermore whē dangerous persecution is, y ^e menbers of Christ's congregation (which are left here behind) hath authority of y ^e old law to flee from it with Jacob, Moses, David, and Helias, of the new law also with Christ and his Apostles. If they pursue you in one city (saith the Lord) flee you into another. Not only to save your bodies, but to fructify in the people. Get ye into the desert. Teach them that were not taught a fore. If ye cannot be suffered openly to preach, instruct men privately in houses. Play not y ^e sluggardes in the Lord's vineyard. Be not niggards over his free treasure. But as ye have plentuously received it, so liberallye distribute it again.

4 From the face of the Dragō hath the woman thus power to fly into the wilderness by the scriptures, when hir child is delivered and takē up to the throne of God for the unthankfulness of the people that they have not in faith received him. And in much danger are they left having the devil & his Angels thrown down among them with their wyles and crafty snares. In much more peril are they, then they were afore.

5 A place hath she in this desert appointed of God, wherein she is nourished for a time for times, and for the half time, which is not else but his special protection, among them that be poor in spirit, and are judged outcastes of the world. There is the true church nourished with the pure word, not mixed w ^t the leaven of Phari • ies. There is y ^e faithful cōgregacion at all times fed, without the traditions of hypocrites. Only are they relieved with the verity, and satisfied with the living promises, and have been since y ^e time of Christ. Yea, since the time of Daniel and afore. And this feeding time of y ^e Lord in secretnesse hath been sometime shorter, sometime longer, & sometime shortest of all, according to the times of persecution, and of blindness in the enemies.

6 To flee from the presence of the serpent, have they evermore had commandments of the Lord, & to shun the suggestions of his Angels. Warned they have been in no wise to go forth, when they say, Christ is here and there, for so much as their crafts are such as would (if it were possible) deceive the very electes.

7 And the Dragō (saith saint John) did cast out of his mouth water after the woman. A doctrine of hypocrisy, errors, & lies, hath always passed from the sinagoge of Satan. None other fruits hath gone from them, thē wavering superstitions, Idolatry, and Heathen ceremonies. These hath flowed forth like a great river. Daily have they augmented, and tontinually increased. Innumerable are y ^e comberous and unprofitable burdens of their fantasies & dreams, wherewith they noy men's consciences, drown their small faith, & ouerload their souls.

8 This stinking water did the Serpent vomete out by his ravenous Antichrists, which are his insaciable mouth, to stop the passage of y ^e woman. He poured it forth in abundance that he might cause her to be caught of the flood. Such is always the mischievous nature of the devil and his Angels. Uēgeable assaults have they, and innumerable crafts to deceive the innocent not knowing them. Our first mother Eve was thus trapped in the beginning, & so had been drowned with Adam hir husband, had they not had faith in the promised seed. An innumerable multitude hath ben & ar yet to this day, swallowed up of this flood, and without great dyffycultie none escapeth it. Exceeding is the compass, study, and practice of this false generation. Euermore pour they out their poisō, they dispute their matters with errors and lies, with counsels and customs, having upon their side the darkened powers.

9 Yet is the Lord merciful to his poor congregation, that they are not drowned with all this filthy flood. None of it once toucheth their harts. No parte of their faith doeth all this riff raff hinder. This durtie baggage accombreth not their souls. Only are they satisfied with y ^e wholesome doctrine of Christ's spirit. And y ^e earth did help the woman (saith S. John) The carnal multitude, the wise men of this world, the very reprobates from God, all dry without the true faith, drank up this filthy water.

10 They opened their mouths wide, and swallowed up y ^e great river clean, which the Dragon caste out of his mouth. This erroneous doctrine was evermore pleasant unto them. Much more have they always delighted in lies, and old wives dreams than in God's truth. Thereto have they given their ears, with all auidious greediness and superstitious deuocion have they embrased them. But the living waters of the Lord sauoreth not in their mouths, their own broken ceysternes doth please them best. Better is to a swine a filthy puddle, than a sweet running water. No where will he drink, but where he may wallow his carcass. No doctrine pleaseth them, unless • mayntayneth their sin.

11 In drinking up this flood, yet ease they this woman. In such multitude is Christ's small flock not myssed, not looked for, nor yet many times in their abominations perceived to be absent. So gracious to them is the Lord, that in no wise are they harmed with those unwholesome waters. They are not caught of that pestilent flood. It ouerwhelmeth not their faith.

12 And the Dragō was wroth with the woman (saith saint John) frantic mad is the Sinagoge of Satan, whan their wantō ware is forsaken, abhorred and despised. Than frette they for anger, than swell they for woodnesse. Than whet they their teeth upon the innocent souls, and would tear them in pieces for very spite. Than imagine they new cauteles and wyles, and thereupon procure they new laws to be made, to trappe them in snares that they escape no way.

13 For the Dragon in his wrath, made war with the remnaunt of her seed, which kept the commandments of God. All manner of ways hath this Serpent assayed to destroy Christ's true church. The Apostles he vexed with y ^e Pharisees & priests, for the first age. With false bretheren and Tyrauntes troubled he their successors for the second age. For the third, with innumerable Heresies did he accomber them. For y ^e fourth, with damnable sects of Hipocrisie did he oppress them. For the fifth, brought he y ^e world into a damnable peace of Idolatry & superstitiō. And for the sixth (seeing he cannot yet prevail) he maketh open war upon the remnaunt of hir seed.

14 Now doth his Sinagoge of Prelates, Priests, Hypocrites, and tyrants, make wicked laws against them. Now do they persecute them for keeping the commandments of God, in marriage, in receiving meats with thanks giving, and in not going out to seek Christ here & there in their Masses and mutterynges, in their outward colors and shadows.

15 Now put they them to death, which have the Testimony of Jesus Christ, preaching him for an only teacher necessary, for an only mediator and advocate, for an only savior and redeemer, for our only righteousness, wisdom, & health. For their war is only against thē y ^t keep God's cōmaūdements, & that have the witness of Jesus. Neither is it against bands nor whores, against murderers nor thieves, against Idolaters nor Hypocrites, Sorcerers nor Sodomites, adulterers, nor gluttōs, Idyotes nor liars, idle priests nor vagaboundes, Scismatikes nor traitors. None of these seek they out, non of these accuse they at their Sessiōs, but the only readers of the Gospel, and poor favorers of God's truth.

16 Upon the sea sand stand they ever more with their grande Captayne, to fight this battle. None other laws have they to ground thē selves upon, but their own tradytions and customs, with such fantastical acts as they daily make, or procure to be made of Princes for their own wicked purpose. And as their laws are beggarly and weak, so is their usurped authority, so are their proud titles also, so are their myters, their annointings, & pompous functions. All are sand, dust, & rotten powder before God, not grounded upon his word. All are unprofitable chaff. Yea, their selves are a ground unfruitful, sandy, & unsure, fit for the Dragō to stand upon to fight against Christ's menbers. For they are y ^e very seat of Satan, and his continual dwelling place. And that he cannot do by himself, he bringeth evermore to pass by them. Innumerable also are their diuilishe practices, their wyles, and their subtleties to uphold their master, as are y ^e sandes of y ^e sea.

The Paraphrase.

1 I beheld (saith saint John) an execrable beast, very odious & hateful to look vpō, rising out of y ^e ravenous roaring sea. For y ^e wicked auance thē selves as the green baye tree in ungodliness, & the sinagoge of proud hypocrites riseth up a lofte, setting up their Christ's, as doeth the fat Cedar trees of Libanus. All beastly are they as was Elimas y ^e sorcerer, full of filthiness, gile, & falshead, yea, the very whelps of y ^e diuil, subuerting y ^e ways of God. None other is this beast here described, thē was y ^e pale horse in the fourth age, y ^e cruel multitude of locusts in y ^e fifth age, and the horses of incomparable woodnesse for the sixth.

2 Seven heads and x. horns had this cruel beast not unlike therein, to y ^e aforesaid red Dragō or Serpēt. For look what pestilent suggestions in errors & lies, & what deceivable power in signs & wonders hath reigned in the diuil for all ages, y ^e same also hath reigned in y ^e wicked members of his beastial body, in the furious bishops, lawyers, doctors, priests, hipocrytes, & false magistrates, for their heads are their universal crafts, & their horns their tirannous aucthhrities, usurped primacies, or malignaūt magistrates. Thy strong mighty power Lord (saith David) hath brokē y ^e dragons heads in y ^e raging waters. Thou hast smitē in pieces y ^e heads of y ^e great Leviathan. Inhaunce not your horns so hye ye stiffnecked Antichrists, for y ^e horns of the ungodly will y ^e Lord pluck down, and exalt y ^e horns of y ^e righteous, in y ^e house of David his servant. More are y ^e horns here in mumber thā are y ^e heds. For greater is y ^e power thā is y ^e suggestiō, y ^e usurped authority than the craft, the Majesty than y ^e error, and much more mischief may work.

3 This beast had upon his .x. horns x. crowns, signifying his victory, dominiō, & primacy over the universal world, and that he through the wickedness of the people, is the unworthy captain and prince thereof. In this only point differeth the dragon from the beast, the devil frō his menbres, or Satan from his carnal sinagoge. He had vii. crowns upon his .vi • heads. They have .x. crowns here upon their .x. horns. For that he hath but in simple suggestion, they have in double power of coactiō. Wher as he doth but dallyingly persuade, they may enforce and compel. Whereas he doth but easily move, they may by rigorous authority cōstrain. Whan he hath propounded an error, they may by their pour establish it for an infallible truth, & make of it a necessary article of the Christian believe, as they have done of purgatory, pardons, confession, saints worshipping, latin service hearing, & such like. Whā he hath once made a lie (as he is the father of all lies) they may authorise it for an vnwrittē verity, like as they have don many. Much more mischif • may they do, being his spiritual instruments than he can do alone, as largely appeareth by their works. Never could Satan thā have put Christ unto death, had he not entered into Judas & so betrayed him, had he not entered into y ^e bishops & lawiers, & so condemned hī. Never had y ^e apostles, nor all other godly prechers sense their time, been sent out of y ^e way, had not those mytred Muhammad's & priests wrought still their old feats.

4 Upon this beasts head was written the names of blasphemy against the Lord and his Christ. Which are none other than the proud glittering titles, wherewith they garnish their usurped authority, to make it seem glorious to the world, having within them contained, the great mistery of iniquity.

What other else is Pope, Cardinal, Patriarke, Legate, Metropolytane, Primate, Archebyshop, Diocesan, Prothonotary, Archdeakon, Official, Chaūcellar, cōmissary, Dean, prebēd, Person, Uicar, my lord Abbot, master Doctor, and such like, but very nams of blaspheme? For offices they are not appointed by the holy ghost, nor yet once mentioned in the scriptures. What other is it but abhominaton, the Pope to write him self the most holy father, the general vicar of Christ, the supreme head of the Christian church, & the only distributer of y ^e treasures of god? The bishops & priests also to call them selves their churches bridgromes, sitters in gods stead, forgeuers of sin, & our Ladies chaste knights? None other are they so abusing their flock in leaving the just office of sincere preaching under such vain titels, after the mind of Zacharye, but very shamful Idols in deed. Their decres, decretals cōstitucions canons, rules, statutes provincial & sinodall, traditions, laws, fatherly customs, & usages, not grounded upon gods cōmaūdemēts, are very diuelishnes & hipocris • , blasphemīg y ^e name of god. For why, to have y ^e name of blasphemy vpō their heads, is none other thā under a glorious title to maȳtain that thing which is blasphemous, glorifying themselves in the same. The ungodly (saith David) with mocks hath disdained the Lord, & with open mouth hath uttered wickedness against God.

5 And the strange fashioned beast (saith S. John) whom I saw in this vision, was like in similitude to a cat of the mountain, full of many coulored spots in token of inconstancy, variety, and fickleness.

6 His feet wer as y ^e feet of a bear, fierce, rough, and ill favored, in signification of cruelty, stubbornness, & uncleanness.

7 And his mouth seemed as y ^e mouth of a Lion, declaring him to be full of pride, rauin & excess. To such beasts as here are mentioned, cōparith Daniel under hidden mistery, certain mighty kingdoms of the world. As to the Lions (which here is caleld a Lion for the more cruelty now used thā was in those days) y ^e proud kingdoms of the Assyrians & Chaldeans. To the bear the cruel kingedomes of the Medes and Parthianes. And unto the Cat of the mountain, the unsteadfast kingdom of the Greeks. Of pride, spoil, and rgbbery, are the Assyrians & Chaldeans condemned by Isaiah, Nahum, and Abacuck the prophets. The Medes & Parthians held captive y ^e people of god, as witnesseth Hester, Paralipomenō, & Isaiah. The Greeks most spitefully were bent against them under y ^e cruel king Antiochus, as in the Machabes is evident. No abomination nor mistery of iniquity, as Paul calleth it, was ever found in these kingdoms, but now reigneth manifold in the detestable papacy or monstrous kingdom of Antichrist, as all the world may see. No where was ever more pride, vanity, and cruelnesse, Idolatry, horedome, and filthiness, hypocrisy, falsehood, and fickleness, extorcion, vain-glory, & covetousness, sorcery, superstition, and unfaithfulness. More than all the unfaithful kingdoms under heaven, have this sodomiticall spiritualty defiled w ^t their witchery y ^e holy temple of God, which is y ^e Christian church. They have most shamefully abused gods chosen people, which are the vessels ordained to his glory. They have holden his free servants most miserable captive, under their wicked decrees and traditions. The cruelty of Pharaoh Antiochus, and Caiaphas, compared to their tyranny, is but as it were a play, dalliance, or shadow. In them is all lechery and uncleanness, all raginge lusts and wantonness, all fleshly abuses and beastliness, no natural order observed. Nothing in a manner are the cruel constitutions, made against the Jews by the suggestions, of Aman, and by Antiochus to their wicked laws and ordinances. For they were only against the body, theirs are against men's souls. So that the papistical kingdom of antichrist are to be seen both the Lyon, the Bear, and the cat of the mountain, they not only participatinge with all unfaithful regions, but also doubling w ^t thē in all abominations under y ^e Sky. The mouth they have of a Lion, roaring out evermore blasphemies, curses & bytternesse. The feet of a bear, signifieth their ravenous affections, running unto all pernicious evils, very swift also to y ^e sheddīg of blood. As Cats of y ^e moūtain they are spottid w ^t diverse fickle fātasies, in sects, observations, ceremonies, ryts, laws, & customs, no where steadfast & uniform, but every where variant & foolish. And worthy they are to be forsakē of god, & to be left to y ^e spirit of errors & lies to their damnation, that so contēneth the verity of god.

8 More over y ^e dragon (saith s. John) which is Satan y ^e devil, gave over unto this beast, or cursed generation of antichrist, being his bestial body, all his whole power, his blasphemous seat, & his mighty authority. To give thē his power, is no more but to fill thē w ^t crafts, subtleties, wiles, malice, fraud and deceit, and to make them apt to seduce y ^e simple, or to able them to all falsehood & witty gile. To admit thē his seat is to leave them here a kingdom of vain glory, hypocrisy, & abhominable Idolatry.

To grant thē his full authority, is to work in thē all lying singes & wonders through deceivable doctrine, strongly to delud y ^e vnbeluers to their greater damnation.

9 To this power of the dragon, is no power comperable vpō earih. No power is able to suppress it, unless it cōmith frō above, & is given unto us from y ^e father of light; as is y ^e strong gift of faith. Thus is this great antichrist a king with Satan, over all the children of pride. With Lucifer he usurpeth the seat of God, sitting in the consciences of men, evermore boasting himself to be in gods stead, seducing the people of the world, & finally overcoming them by bringing them into all kinds of error.

10 And as concerning the seat, like as Christ our lord sitteth in y ^e throne of God, reigninge with his eternal father in meekness, so sitteth he in the throne of Satan with his father the devil, in all pride and blasphemy. As touching y ^e power, like as Christ had his power of God, so hath he his power of the devil. Like as Christ is full of grace and verity, and of his fullness all they have received that truly have believed in him, so is this antichrist full of hate, falsehed, and all other iniquity, of whose errors and lies y ^e unbelievers have tasted. Like as y ^e holy spirit of Christ hath wrought in his lovers the mystery of truth & goodness, so hath the erronius & vnclen spirit of this antichrist wrought y ^e mistery of his wickedness▪ in chrstes enemies, since his death and asscencion.

11 And finally as conserning authority like as Christ being man toke power of God to do such mirakles as none else could do, so did he of the devil, being his wretched body to work prodigiuos maruels & wonders in hipocrisy among the unfaithful multitude, by the secret fufferance of god. So that in all perverting power supremite and authoryty, he followeth his father sathā, yea, in every point. For like as he deprived simple Job, a man that feared god, of his substance cattle, chilldren, and servants, and vexed him in his flesh with most grievous botches, so doth this greedy Leviathan, this malicious murderer, the man of sin, & body of the devil, with his deuourig locoustes, rob y ^e poor people of their sweat, labors, travail, and nessary living, sparing neither sick nor succorless, poor widow nor fatherless, no goods got̄ by theft, man's slaughter, extorcion, bribery, pollage, idolatry, bandry, & all other ungodliness coming to thē amiss in their private confessions. And (that is most to be lamented) they defile their souls with all superstitions, falls believe, and deuilishnesse, leaving their conciences all doutfull, desperate & comfortless. Finanally to conclude, like as, in y ^e body of Christ dwelth y ^e whole fullness of the godhead corporally, so dwelleth their in this body of Satan y ^e whole fullness of falsehood, craft, sutiltye, malice, with power to work all manner of mischife, effectually, really, substancially, and corporally.

[illustration]

The Paraphrase.

1 And one of his heads (saith Saint John) seemed unto me, as it had been wounded unto death. And it was not so indeed, for his dedly wound was healed again. Euident it is that in John's time, Rome the mother of all whoredom had, subject unto hir the .vii. clymates or universal parts of the world, with all their powers, governors, kings, possessions, pōpes, false worshippings, and such like. Whom some writers suppose meet to be takē here for y ^e .vii. heads of this beast. But I find another thing in it, the body of these .vii heads being but one, & still continuing so. For though all were at y ^t time under hir, yet is it not so now, & yet still remaineth this beast. Therefore I do take it for one universal Antichrist (as I did afore) cōprehēding in him so well Mahomet as the Pope, so well the raging tyrant as y ^e still hypocrite, & all y ^e wickedly worketh ar of y ^e same body. The .vii. heads of y ^e beast, may so well be his presumptuous doings for y ^e .vii ages of the church, as anything else, & yet no prejudice done to that hath ben said afore What should ail this wounded head here, not to signify his supremite suppressed, his usurped authority & power diminished, & his whole prodigious occupying condemned in this latter age of the church? I suppose nothing more manifest, unless we have eyes & will not see. Are not now in may parts of Germany, & in England also the Popes pardons laid aside? His power put down, his name abolished, his Purgatorye, pilgrimages, & other peltries utterly exiled? and so like to be within short space in other regions also. If this be not a deadly wounding of one of the beasts heads, I think there is none. If this be not an apparent likelihood of his fall, there is none to be looked for.

2 But the healing again of this mortal wound is like to mar all, & make the last error worse than y ^e first. In many places where as the Gospel hath been preached, the bishop of Rome deposed, sects, shrynes, & sanctuaries destroyed, monasteries, priories and fryers turned over, remaineth still their poison w ^t those same instruments wherewith they have wrought all mischief. Stil continueth their more then Jewish ceremonies, their priestybulous priesthood, their vowing to have no wives, and their sodomitical chastity. Stil remineth their sale masses, of all abominations the principal, their prodigious sacrifices, their sensing of of Idols, their boyesh processions, thieir vncōmaunded worshippings, & their confessions in the ear, of all trayterie the fountain, with many other strange observations whom y ^e scripture of God knoweth not. Nothing is brought as yet to Christ's instituciō & sincere ordinance, but all remaineth still as y ^e Antichrists left it. Nothing is tried by gods word but by y ^e ancient authority of fathers. Now passeth all under their title. Though the old bishops of Rome were of late years proved Antichrists, and their names raced out of our books, yet must they thus properly for old acquaintance be called still our Fathers. If it were naught afore I think it is now much worse, for now are they become laudable cerimonies whereas before time they were but cerimonies alone. Now are they become necessary rites, godly cōstituciōs, seemly usages, & civil ordinances, where as afore they had no such names. And he that disobeieth them shall not only be judged a fellon and worthy to be hanged by their new forged laws, but also condemned for a traitor against his king, though he never in his life hindered, but rather to his power hath furthered the common wealth. To see this also with such like put in execucion, the Bishops have authority every month in the year if they list, to call a cession, to hange and burn at their pleasure. And this is ratyfied and confirmed by act of Parliament to stand the more in effect. If this be no healing of Antichrists wounded head, never is like to be any. Whan men shall defend free will, & allow their popish mass to be a sacrifice satisffactory for the quick and the dead, labor they any other (thincks you) than the healing of this wound? He likewise that in an open audience mayntayneth our own works to justify, by Dimitte nobis, and other not rightly understanded scriptures, doth he any other than prepare a salve for the same? Nay surely. No less also doth he that setteth men to open penance at Paul's cross, for holy water making, for processiō and sensing, w ^t other Popetish gauds, constrayning them to promise the anauncement of the old faith of holy church by such fantastical fopperyes, as Bonner bishop of London did now of late, to the lawhinge game & wonderment of all the world. Alas how is the people abused? None other do they but mock Christian Princes with flattery, that give them old popish titles and blasphemous names of antichrist. As to call thē most christen kings and defenders of y ^e catholic faith, meaning the Popes old traditions, to heal the head of y ^e beast. This is surely none other, but with the said beast to receive authority, seat and power of Satan. Lette them therefore take heed least they be found the same antichristes that they have condemned, and so throw thenselves double under y ^e same plage. Necessarye it is they beware what they drink, or what titles they take upon them at their appointment, least they forgetting them selves be found drunken by taking excess of the Babylonish cup, and so perish with the wicked. Mark here diligently this word head, and ye shall well perceive how wonderfully the story agreeth with the mystery.

3 And all the world (saith Saint John) wondered at the beast. All foolish, carnal, and worldly people, not understanding the wisdom of God's holy spirit, dependeth all upon their beastly baggage, thinking all y ^t they do to be godly, meritorious, and spiritual. They magnify it, praise it, and have it in most high estimation, yea, they have it in much more price than anything that is of God. In no wise will they from their old frenesie, such is their exceeding blindness. For whan they hear tell their customs shall continue, their governors agreeing to the same, they clap their hands for joy, and sing Gaudeamus with the priests.

4 Yea, they worship the Dragon which gave such power to the beast. With their hearts they rejoice trusting upon longer continuance, whan they see his head restored again in their rulers, the godly teachers burned, and the preachers put to silence.

5 They worship also the beast, so many as worshipped the Dragō. For as they which worship Christ, worship his father also, so they y ^e worship Antichrist, agreeing to his laws and decrees, doth also worship the diuil, of whom he received his pride. They wonder with y ^e Jews y ^t seeketh cauilations to cōtēpne Christ's doctrine, as doth y ^e filthy family of the dotyng dodipolles, priests, & unlearned lawyers. They worship with the Heathē that admitteth their power and alloweth their faces, as doeth the foolysh multitude, that never will be godly wise. None other judgment remaineth in these days to these wonderers and worshippers of the newlye restored head of y ^e beast, then did unto them, y ^t with double deuotiō agreed to y ^e abominations of Mahomet & y ^e pope.

6 And this will be their saying as followeth in the text, spoken in y ^e time past for y ^e certainty of the thing, as the manner of the scripture is.

7 Who is like unto the beast, in outward glittering works, or in the externo observations of counterfayt religion.

8 Who is able to war with hir the worldly powers now so deeply maintainīg hir quarrel? All seeketh y ^e papists that they can in y ^e world imagine, to uphold the glory, magnificence, and beauty of their holy whorish church, or malignaūt muster. No cautels nor crafts leave they unsought nor vnsearched out, to cause the people to esteem her of incōparable power. No small labor took standyshe in hand in Whittington College, when he made his more thē foolish book of reproach against Barns being dead. Nor no less̄ diligence y ^e wise poet John Hūtīgtō whē he registered in his genealogy of heritikes, w ^t out grace, wit, learning y ^e names only of such godly men as were the Popes enemies, no heretic against God once mentioned. No more did Thomas Smith, Richard Dallison, Williā Stawne, Steuē Prowet, Friar Adriā, Quarrie the Pardoner, with such other blind Popish Poetes, and dirty metristes, when they uttered their shitton rymes and poesies. And sure I am that many moe be yet abroad of the same wicked zeal and spirit, to the great blasphemy both of God and his truth, now that the beasts wound is made whole again, by so many new acts, so many new titled Bishops, so fresh sale of benifices, maisterships, and dignities, spiritual offices, degrees, and aucthorities, as plētuous as ever was in Rome. And least we should be depryued of our new pleasant Euphrates, and so be compelled by the word of God to follow the Monks, Canons, Nuns, and Friars, in their banyshments.

We have procured certain acts to be made for our commodity, and those only to be published among the people once in a quarter, or so oft as shall please us to blemishe all Godly preachings of the scriptures. Thus seek we our selves and not God, our own strength and not his, our own glory and not Jesus Christ's. But let us not think that he sleepeth with Baal the false God, knowing the most hidden thoughts of the heart, but that he will within short space send forth his lightnyngs and scater us, bringing our heathenishe devises to naught. For the kingdom of one faith in us, and the Pope thus manifestly in certain points divided, must surely decay.

The Paraphrase.

1 To this beast (saith saint John) was given a mouth, not of God, but of Satan, to speak great mighty things and blasphemies. So well is this spoken of the one as the other, so many as hath done upon the Antichrst • s livery, title, power, authority or name. When the verity of the Lord was opened before them, they gave no thanks for it, but became vain in their thoughts, wherefor god gave them over into a lewd mind, darkening their hearts. So that now thinking them selves wise, they appear more foolish then afore.

2 Now speak they great things in their convocations, seanes, & sermons, and all are sore blasphemies against God & his Christ. Now must they serve God by most strait commandment with old Romish beggerry, though he most highly abhorreth it, & no scriptures may be read in y ^e time thereof. For the scriptures must only pass as we will have thē. How should y ^e beasts hed else be healed again? or howe should our church be known else to be his own Image? Oh beastly abhominatiō, & most hellish decree. Now must Christ be takē for no savior at all w ^t out our deseruīgs. The supper of y ^e lord y ^t was sometime a mutual perticipatiō of Christ's body and blood, must now be a new crucifying of him, one traitor playing all parts, Judas, Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pylate, & the Jews. Matrimony must be judged uncleanness though it be y ^e earnest institutiō of god. No popish vow may be dissolved, though it be well known a matter so diuilish, as hath made an hundred thousand Sodmites. The Eucharisti may not be received in both kinds, though it be y ^e express commandment of Christ so to be used. Without the blind bussings of a Papist, may no sin be soluted, for that is the vpholdyng of their kingdom, with many other like blasphemies. Certain other great things are uttered by this mouth, which now I pass over, least I should be tedious to the reader. How be it, this one great blasphemy that is spokē, I cannot leave untouched.

Whereas they boast them selves yet still alone to be the holy church, by the only virtue of their vnctions and shauings received first of y ^e Pope, the laity secluded. And under this most falsely usurped title, they will still be taken for the redeemers of men's souls. For they say that their masses are satisfactory sacrifices for the quick and the dead, justifying, relieving, and saving them both from damnation, ex opere operato. And over that abhominable swarm of Antichrists, filthy ministers, make they now their Kyngs the heads most blasphemouslye, only to be by them upholden now in all their mischiues. Truth it is that a king is the politique head, supreme governor, & great stay under God, of the people to his charge committed, and after that sort, their mighty monarke also by y ^e scriptures, which thei have afore this time denied, worshiping them for most holy saints, which have most presumptuously rebelled in that behalf. But over y ^e whorish church of theirs (whom Christ never planted) is Satan the only head, by y ^e holy ghosts fore judgments here. For to that beastly brood gave the dragon his power, his seat, and his mighty aucthorytie. God forbid therefore that any Christian prince should at their false suggestions, admit so blasphemous a title. The devil (saith Job) is y ^e only head over all the children of pride. That voice therefore may be blasphemous, as coming from the mouth of the serpent, if it be not taken good heed to.

3 And power was given to y ^e beast to do these things for the space of xli • months, which is the three years, & an half of Hilias, the time, times, & half time of Daniel, and the M. two hundred & lx. days of John. Not only for this age of the church, but also for all other ages, and by other heads also, hath the mouth of this beast uttered great things in blasphemy, lies in hypocrisy, & wonders under a deceitful power. But as concerning this latter healed head of the beast, the time thereof will be short, as hereafter shall appear in y ^e xvii chap.

4 He opened his mouth (saith the text) in reproves against god, speking evil of his name, of his tabernacle, and of them that dwell in heaven. This is in a manner all one with y ^t was spoken afore in the xi. chapter of the temple, the altar, and of them that worship in the temple, save only that his name is here for his temple. In token y ^t when his temple is blasphemed (which is his cōgregatiō) his name is blasphemed by y ^e same, so is his tabernacle Jesus, in whom bodily dwelleth the fullness of y ^e Godhead, so ar also they that dwell in heaven, whereby is ment the true church, from whom the angels are not secluded, being their fellow servants. These dwellers be they that have their conversation in heaven under an undefiled faith, that seek those things, which are above & not upon earth, that worship the father in spirit & verity, & y ^e perseuereth true Christians to the end. Many entereth this heavē of the Lord, but all continueth not in it to the ende of their lives, the more is the pity.

5 Power was also given unto this beastly antichrist, to make battle w ^t the saints, and to overcome them. Cōtinually do they with violence vex by their carnal policies, authority, & laws the sincere witnesses or preachers of the Lord, sanctified of him throw faith in his holy word as were his apostles, like as did the malitius clergy of y ^e iewes, yea, thei did resist thē w ^t their more thē tirāous proclamations, cōmissiōs▪ & commandments w ^t cruel Pharaoh, Aman, & Antiochus to prove Christ in them the sign of contradiction and stone of reproach. They seek here, the hunt there, and never leave raging til they have closed thē up in prisons.

6 Yet are they not so contented till they have overcome them in the sight of y ^e blind world, though not before God. Either shall they be compelled shamefully to recant, or if they persist in the veryty, to suffer most painful death. By one way or other they must be overcome, to hold the people in error. The gardener of winchester was not ashamed now of late (as I hard it credibly reported) to say unto one that was accused of his malignant multitude, when he was no lēger able to withstand the manifest truth. Master Seitō we know ye are learned, and plentuously endued with knowledge in the scriptures, yet think not that ye shall overcome us. No, no set your heart at rest, and look never to have it said that ye have overcome y ^e bishops, for it shall not be so. In deed it is truth. For neither Christ nor his Apostles did ever yet overcome you. Their victory over you is not in this world, your kīgdom being here. But be ye certain & sure of it, ye shall be ouercō to your much more rebuke at y ^e latter day when all wrongs & injuries shall be revenged, which is not far of. Your lordly estimatiō (which may not be hindered here) will appear there not very precious. Yet do ye well to hold up a proud pecoks head as long as ye may. Lose not an inche of your height hardly, but with your gogle eyes look up like a man with a gard at your tail, like a sort of tormentors in a play. And with your lying judgments overcome these beggarly vagabonds, and burn them also rather then fail, to fulfil the measure of your holy fathers.

7 And authority was given to this beast upon every kindred, people, tongue and nation. For none these antchristes spare, neither high, nor low, rich nor poor, sick nor whole, learned nor unlearned. But a jurisdiction they must have over them, though it be usurped. Once in the year must they have them in confession, to know which way they are bente. That salve have they gotten in again, to heal up their wounded head. Be he native or be he stranger, be he ruler or be he a commoner, he must obey thē no remedy, or else stand forth at the sessions with Christ among thieves. Not in on regiō, or where as one manner of langage is used, have they this authority, but in every land, in every shire, in every town, & in every famyly must they have to do, corruptīg every man's faith.

8 For all that dwell upon earth must worship this beast. They must agree to the great things, no remedy. They must blaspheme god as they do. But blessed be the Lord none doth y ^• in their harts but they only that dwell upon the earth, that have their felicity here, y ^t seeketh y ^e prosperity of this world, & regardeth nonee other life thē therein is. The lābs of christs fold giveth heed to his voice, thei regard his cal, they follow his word, they wall • e in his light. Thei seek for no holiness but only in hī, neither in water nor bread, ashes nor palms, robes nor relics, masses nor annointings. He is their only sufficient wisdom, righteousness, holiness & redēptiō. His word is their living water, y ^e food of their souls, the lantarne y ^t shall gyde thē, and the life that will not fail them. None other doctrine do they covet nor yet other precepts of living. Though they be here in the earth, yet dwell thei not upon it. No continuing city have they here, but they seek unto another of much more beauty & pleasure, not built of mē. And for that they are ready rather to render up their lives, then to renounce y ^e verity, only they which dwell here doth worship the beast, loving themselves better then god, & their flesh better then his truth, having their whole trust in the mangye merits & dirty deservings of these beastly hypocrites, and nothing at all in his sweet promises.

9 And therefore are not their names written of y ^e lamb in the book of life, which lamb was slain from the beginning of the world. Christ hath not allowed them by his word & promise. With the righteous are they not regestred, as members of one mystical body in him. In the similitude of his death are they not grafted unto him as the branches unto the vine, to be partners of his resurrection. Their portion is not in the lande of the living with him. They are none of those, whom the father hath given him, to participate with him in one spirit. Predestinate they are not unto life by him, nor so written up in the foreknowledge of God. Chosen they were not of the lord before y ^e worlds constitution, to be his undefiled children in Christ.

10 He is the meek lamb that was slain. He alone taketh away y ^e sins of the world. In him only is the life, for he is the life itself. Yet is he the life of none other, but of those y ^t only believe in him.

11 In that he was killed from the worlds beginning, is signified, that he died for all them which were create to be saved, and that his only death is all their health, raise and remedy by the promise of God. For all they have eaten of one spiritual meat and drunk of one spiritual rock, though it came in the flesh longe after them. He only trode down the head of the serpent. Since the beginning hath he been slain in his members also, as manifest it is in righteous Abel, Hieremy, John the Baptist, & such other like. They y ^t are not written of the lamb in the book of life for the children of God are registered in the book of death for the children of perdiciō, reserved to eternal death for their infidelytie, with the devil & his Angels.

12 He that hath an ear (saith the text) let him take good heed. He that hath an understanding, let him be admonished, by that which followeth here. Or he that hath received the wisdom of the spirit, let him judge hereof according unto it. Thus doth the holy ghost advertise the faithful to consider that whatsoever things are writ̄, they are writ̄ unto our learning.

13 He y ^t leadeth into captivity shall go into captiuyty. And he that killeth with a sword, must w ^t a sword be slain. This warning giveth y ^e lord, take it if they liest. For he will have his right judgments known. He that vexeth or aflicteth the just believers in body by outward punishments, he shall be afflicted in the spirit with an inward darkness or blindness of the soul, that he may be the more captive to sin and to Satan. God will deliver him up unto a lewd mind, and will give him strong delusion, to believe all manner of lies, that he might be damned.

14 He that killeth the poor innocent for his faith with the iron sword, or slaieth him w ^t any other torment, w ^t the sword of the spirit (which is the Lord's word) shall he be both judged & condemned. The word that I have spoken (saith Christ) shall judge them at the latter day. And this is in manner all one with that was said in y ^e xi. chapter afore. If any mā will hurt them, fire shall proceed out of their mouths, and consume their enemies.

15 Nevertheless to the Christian is persecution necessary. For here in this life is the patience of the saints proved, and their faith required. Here was Abrahā tempted & Job sore vexed, and both they were found God's true faithful servants. Here were the apostles contemned reioysinge y ^t they were found worthy for Christ's sake to suffer rebuke. The righteous the lord trieth as gold in y ^e furnace. He chasteneth every servant that he loveth, and scourgeth every son that he receiveth. Only is it faith that all the evils of this world by patience overcometh, & so obtaineth y ^e victory. The fruit which riseth to eternal life, is peaceable sufferance in faith. And that must be hear in this life, where as we are imperfect, to make us perfect.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I beheld (saith S. John in this secret revelation of my Lord, another beast arising out of the earth. A figure is this of all false prophets and vngoly preachers. Beastly are they evermore, vain, carnal, and corrupt in their studies, abhominable in the practisings of their wicked harts, not seeking God but their belleyes, not Christ's glory but their own pride and vain glory.

2 From the earth they arise, all given to erthly wisdom. The only affects of this world doth move them to teach, & no good zeal of y ^e truth. Either are they tickled with ambition, pricked with avarice, or else stirred with malice to inuei. These are the common affects of the wicked. This going up have they from wickedness to wickedness, and shall have still till the Lord destroy them, like as have the just believers from virtue to virtue in the spirit, till such time as they see him face unto face in the everlasting Zion. From the worlds beginning hath this beast risen up in Cayne the first murderer in the fleshly Children of men, in Cham the shameless child of Noah, in Ishmael & Esau, in Jannes & Jambres, in Balaham & Baals prophets, in the Beniamits & Bels chaplains, in Phasur & Semeias, in Judas, Annas and Caiaphas, in Bariehu & Di • trephes. And now sēs their time most of all in Mahometes doctoures and the popes queristers. Yea still they are aloft in their beastly beggary, & will be till their mischif be finished. Who seeth not now a days y ^t hath light in y ^e spirit, y ^e malignite, hipocrisy, fraud, craft, & deceit, in certain falls prophets at pauls cross in London, & in other places else.

3 This beast had ii horns like the lamb at a blush, but all counterfeit • falls in very deed, for he spake as did the dragon, the horns of Christ, are his high kingdom in the world. Only ariseth his Church by faith in the glad tidings and promises of god. That word is y ^e scepture of Christ's power and y ^e rod of right order whereas he reigneth. None other strange sceptures are there, neither traditions nor customs. Seven horns had Christ, for in him was the fullness of y ^e verity. This beast hath but ii. and yet they are but false & coūterfet. They seme to be Christ's & are not. These are the corrupted letter of y ^e ii. testaments, falsely interpreted, and for a carnal purpose alleged. And therefore it is but apparent, hipocritishe, and deceitful, yea, and clean repugnant to the Lord's meaning, not having y ^e judgment of his spirit. This letter without the holy ghost is death, & nothing pertaineth unto Christ. He is the verytie & life, this is but a fable or ficcion. His word is spirit and life, this is but a brass pot sounding, or a lattē candelsticke tinkling, fantastical & faint, sophistical & slaightye. Though these seem like Christ's, yet are they none of his, but y ^• very horns of y ^e beast. For they uphold antichrists kingdom & not his, a worldly glory & not his, for his kīgdō is not of this world, no longer ar they his words, his laws, nor his testimonies thā they maintain his right honor. No newly practiced worshipinges alloweth he for his, but utterly abhorrith thē all as things raw & unsavory.

4 And therefore it folowith, y ^t this spake as did y ^e dragon. The doctrines and teachings of these false Apostles and deceitefull masters, are lies in hipocrisye, and the very doctrine of devils, under title of the veriti repugnaunt to the same. Not unlike to y ^• the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not die if you eat of the forbidden fruit, but ye shall be surely as God's, knowing both good and evil. They do as did Satan in the desar • . Always they persuade us either of stones to make bread, or else to throw our selves downward, or else to worship the devil. That is, to change the good creatures of God from their right use, as trees into idols, silks, velvets, cloth, gold, & silver into superstitious ornaments, chaste marriage into stinking whoredom and sodomie with such like. To decline from the duties commanded of God to their idle obseruaciōs, so making his commandments of none effect for the vain traditions of men. And finally to fall unto forbidden worshippings or abominations of Idolatry, of whō they are full. And for these they have with Sathā also their mangled scriptures to lay for thē, to prove that the help of dead saints is necessary, their masses, merits, & works more than need, expedient, and the fire of Purgatory a fearful thing, with y ^e diuil & all of such fantasies. These are the prelates of Antichrists church, y ^e two horned mōsters or great bellyed Bishops, rightly described here of y ^e holy ghost in this two horned beast. These beastly buszards ar not ashamed both to say & write, y ^t in their miters they bear the figure of both Testaments, whose verity they impugn w ^t tooth nail. Uery truly they say, that they carry the figure, for in deed it is but a shadow they bear. Not to glorify God, but their own beastly bodies w ^t gold, pearl, & stone, like Mahoūds in a play, for his truth they most cruelly persecute. These are y ^e very false Prophets, y ^e instruments of sathā, y ^e deceivers, wolves, wagelings, Judases, dremers, liars, Idols, adversaries, adders whelps, foxes distroying the Lord's vineyard, deceitful workmē, desperate shephards, blind watchmen, dum dogs, devils incarnate, wicked seed, vnsaciate beasts, whose God is their belly, & glory their confusiō. To all these & to many other such doth the holy ghost compare them for that they have w ^t their errors & lies turned y ^e sweetness of y ^e scriptures into bitterness, scarcely leaving one place thereof undefiled w ^t their filthy dregs.

5 This beast (saith S. John) did all things y ^t the first beast could do, even before his own face. The same lying power to deceive in hypocrisy hath this beastly brood y ^t y ^e great Antichrist hath, y ^• same wily crafts, & the same beastly kinds of idolatry, & so doeth use them. The same abominations maintain they y ^• world over, y ^t y ^e pope maintaineth at Rome, & Mahomet in Barbary, of Turkye. Yea, y ^e same superstitions & sorceries, y ^e same execrable traditions and beggeries. The same ceremonies have they, that he hath, y ^e same vnctions, y ^e same orders, & the same masses. The same idle observations w ^t unknown cloyning, clattering, and wauling, are still used in England, like as they were used afore and w ^t no less blasphemy unto God.

6 To do such things in the first beasts presence, is to do them where his power & authority is reigning, or where as is the seat of Satan, which is every place that admitteth strange worshipping.

7 Both the earth & them that dwell in the earth, compel they to worship this first Beast. Not only enforce they them to wicked Idolatry, that never would know y ^e truth, but also many of those which have great knowledge in the same. Oh how many are in England, & in other regiōs also that in these days worketh against faith, knowledge, & the holy Ghost admitting the priests abominations? Rather had they to dwell still in the earthly beggary with the blasphemy of God, than either to be out of favor, or to loose their offices to have their goods hindered, or to hazarde their lives, so sweet ar these wātō worldly plesurs. Rather had they to perish with the sons of Hely & Samuel, for abusing the ordinances of y ^e Lord, & with Core Dathā, & Abirō for rebelling against them to sink unto hell, then w ^t Christ to take pains in poverty. But let not thē think to be worthy of Christ, that better love their own carnal commodity, thā his heavenly verity.

8 Well, the beast must they worship whose wound is made whole. His old rusty rules new burnished, and his old Romish rags new patched by a newly confyrmed authority, must they embrase in pain of death. The Lamb shall not yet be suffered to appear. Stil for a time must these terrible termagaunts have more worship thā God, their traditions preferred to his most pure word. And why should it not be so? have they not now a new refourmed church, in whom y ^e beasts wounded hed is newly restored? So long as it is like the popes church, it must follow his rules, and cleave to his ordinances. It shall not follow Christ in • aith & in doctrine, til it appear like y ^e church which he left here behind him whan he ascended. And that is not like to be yet.

9 First must there be wrought great wonders. Fire must be compelled to come down from heaven in the sight of men, by this two horned beast. The disciples of Antichrist with their by furked ordinaries must violently pluck from the true Christiā church (whose reign is not of this world) the eternal word of the Lord.

10 Then must they take from them the consuming fire that Christ sent down into y ^e earth of men's harts, to dry up all malice and sin. Yea, they must depryue them of the clouē fiery tongues, which y ^e holy ghost poured upon the Apostles, to the comfort of all y ^e world. The treasure y ^t Christ hath left here to socour us, they must hyde under y ^e ground, and y ^e candle that he light us to see over the house, convey underneath the bushel.

11 And these wonders shall they work in the presence of men. Already have they takē in England, from y ^e Bibles, the annotacions, tables, & prefaces, to perform this their dāpnable enterprise. They have straitly forbid̄ y ^e reading thereof, for time of their Romish service. Som have they burned, & some put to silence, & all in the face of the people. Yea, they raised the maids of Ipswhich and of Kent to work wonders & maruels, & now of late y ^e foolish Northē men to fight for their Church. What practices they have had in y ^t ear, and y ^t ear to fetch away y ^e true favorers & preachers of the Gospel at diverse times, he y ^t well cōsidereth, may say y ^t y ^e holy ghost hath here rightly described them calling thē workers of wonders. The discreet cittizē of Londō master Packyngton was slain w ^t a gun at saint Thomas of Acres (as they call it) not without their privy legerdemaine. But this w ^t other of their miracles I intend to declare more at large, in another tretise the Lord lending me life. It is not long ago also, since Alexander Seyton an excellent learned mā, w ^t poor master Tolwin recanted at Paul's cross. Nor yet long a fore sense good doctor Crome was complleed to do the same. And now last of all, to take the scripture clean away, they have sought out great faults in the translation of it, & there upon taken them away from y ^e common people's reading. Great pains they take to put it down, but they never sweet yet in y ^e settīg up of it. Thus mind they to work their wonders, till they have buried it all in y ^e earth. They lack now but iiii. knights to hier, to keep it down still, y ^t it rise no more up. O veri imps of hell, & limbs of y ^e diuil, how vain are your studies, & how wicked are your practices? I have no doubt, but w ^t in short space God will destroy y ^e counsels, & dissipate y ^e strength of them y ^t please men. Yet let no mā meruail though they do these feats for the time. For if the Gospel were taught without check, in a while should nothing remain of y ^t generation, neither myter nor rochet, shavē croun nor anointīg, & y ^t know they well inogh. For y ^e word of y ^e lord is y ^e breth of his mouth y ^t shall destroy them, and the devouring fire y ^t shall consume them.

12 By y ^e means of these signs (saith the text) which this beast had power to do in y ^e sight of the other beast, or where his abusiōs doth reign without check, he deceived them y ^t dwelt on the earth. Many in this age are wonderfully abused, through y ^e deceiptful werking of Satan in these horned whoremōgers, but yet non other thā are earthly minded. Of some men in deed the eyes are bleared with their crafts, of some mē y ^e weak judgments blemyshed with their subtleties, for want of discerning y ^e scriptures. Some men are tangled w ^t doubts, some troubled w ^t terror, some tormented with fear, considering y ^t for this new learning (as they will have it called) some have ben hanged as were y ^e three poor young men of Southfolke for the rotten rood of Douercourt. Some burned, some be headed for things of naught, as is known to all y ^e world. These things daseth their wits, and amaseth their minds.

And earth is y ^e cause of all this, were it not that they much more loved this worlds pleasures than God, it should never be so.

13 All the persuasions of Antichrists prelates and preachers hath evermore ben, and are now still unto such earthly inhabitants, that they should make an Image like unto this beast, which is always to chose such an Emperor w ^t other worldly governors as shall be for their commodytie. He must by y ^e worldly people be compelled to take aucthorytie, sceptur, and crown at their hands, so sworn to maintain their fleshly lyberties. He must also be fashioned by their wicked doctrines and false counsels in confessions, like them in all sustersticious living, and in the tirrānous murder of innocent Christian men. Where such an head ruler is appointed, there is his own figure made, and where such a Governor is constitute, there is his own Image set up. For we must consider that this reuelatiō is in all poīts no story, specially here, as many writers have thought it to be, in supposing an Antichrist to be borne at the latter ende of the world. But it is a mistery cōprehīding in it but one general Antichrist for all, which hath reigned in the church in a manner since the Ascencion of Christ. And in this one point are all y ^e commentours that I have seen, most foully deceived, yea, the best learned of them. I know well if there be ani yet to come, he shall be but a menber of this. Again to our purpose.

14 Speciallye must they make a right Image of that beast, which had the wound of a sword and did live. This betokeneth that in these days they shall stir about them, & leave no cautels unsought, nether any falls counsels vnfet from other realms, to do their feats with, and to fashion the Christian Governors to their minds. As Winchester did the last time he was in France. After whose coming home, many great wonders were wrought in England, and fire was made to come down from heaven. Cōsider the story afore, for the story declareth the mystery. That wounded head now healed, must be upholden.

15 He had a grievous wype with the sword (which is the living word of the Lord) when he lost his Monks, chanons, and fryers, his purgatory, pilgrimages, and shrynes. Yet was he not all dead. For though their cowls, cootes, and rochetes were of, yet had they still the same popish hearts, and the same superstitious frowardness, that they were wont to have. This might have been found true, if it had been searched, when certain popish priests of master Whartons retinue not far from Bongay in Souffolke did calk for Cromwell, & for other else, if the world had not changed to their minds.

I write not this, thinking they can harm by their calkinge where as faith is resydent, but only to show, that their hearts are yet alive, and how virtuously they are occupied. Many things I consider at this instant point, concerning Prince Edward, whō I dout not but the lord hath sent for the singular comfort of England. Not that I temerouslye diffine anything to come concerning him, considering it only in the Lord's power. But I desire the said Lord to preserve his bringing up from the contagious drinks of these false Physicians. And this is to be prayed for of all men, if ye ponder well the text & mark their wonderful workings, where the beasts head is restored.

The Paraphrase.

1 For power they have to give spirit to the Image of the beast. It is surely given them of the devil, whā they have once fashioned out y ^e beasts right image, or made of an emperor a tiraunt, or set in the place of godly governor, a cruel murderer up of gods people, by flattering praises to encourage them to all mischief, and by wicked counsel to prick thē forward to make cruel acts of murder for upholding their beastly generation. The spirit that they do minister unto Princes evermore, is not the correction of sin, the amendment of life, redress of the common wealth, provision for the poor, nor the seeking of God's glory. But by flatteringe praises to uphold thē in their evils, much after this sort of speaking. Your majesties or graces are called most virtuous, moste valiant, most worthy, most wise most mighty, & best learned among all christen potētates. Thei are all but a • es, in cōparisō to your worthinesses. If it be your maiests pleasure to do this or y ^t within youre own dominiō, who shall be so bold to withstand you? No, though God's holy laws be an hundred times against it. Sopport y ^e old religion of holy church against the heriticks, & ye cannot choose but prosper in all your affairs. Let it be treason against your own persons, according to the acts of the Emperor Sigismundus and of King Henry the fifth, if they do but once speak against hir corrupt customs. Make cruel constitutions a pace, & proclaim them abroad to show yourselves the popes lively Images.

2 Our office it is to cause y ^e beasts Image to speak. Let therefore your voices be heard. Be no domb idols, but speak with bold stomaks. In his spirit make utterance without gods word of his old romish rules. Send forth your proclamaciō to be published eueri where, concerning his masses, his confessions, his ceremonies and his whorish chastity. Let all things be blown forth under your titles, names, & auctoryties, to be observed under pain of death. If other relmes report that ye abuse the duty of emperors or kings (which is the office of god) esteem not their sayings, but stand well in your own cōceits, Interpret y ^e scriptures at your own lust & pleasures as your law master of Rome hath done afore your time.

3 Cause so many to be killed, as will not worship the Image of y ^e beast, or obey such wicked laws against the verity of god, as hath been made by those Emperors that were y ^e pops eldest sons, by the kings of France, which were his younger sons, or by other princes else which were y ^e defenders of his church, let none escap your hands y ^t inueieth against our kīgdōe, but make hauok of thē on every side as of heriticks & traitors, to prove the holy ghost true here in his foreiudgemēts. For y ^t is your office, not appointed of god but of Satan. And in our commission frō him also we have it to be no slake mouers of you thereunto. So hath Christ told afore in this revelation unto S. John the Evangelist. This is the Ghoostelye councsell y ^t we y ^e horned beasts have in commission to give unto you from the mouth of the Dragon. Whē such an Image or Idoluse prince is thus up set or constituted by authoryty (his oth once mad that he shall all ways defend thē) he may in no wise speak, but out of that spirit▪ y ^t their cōiurers, confessors, I should say, have put into him. He may make no lauws but at their spiritual appointment, like as y ^e Emperor Carolus doth now in these days. Much after this sort, became y ^e emperor Nero, this beasts image immediately after Christ's ascension by the subtle flaights of that spiritual sorcerer Simon Magus, at Rome to withstand y ^e Christian preachers Peter & Paul, as largely witnesseth Egisippus in his third book de Hierosolimorū excidio, the ii. chap. This Simon Magus by flateringe praises crept first into his favor, promising him health, long life, increace of power, & enlargemēt of his empyre, with continual victory over his enemies, in case he would follow his counsel, upon this became he, not only his chief counselor, but also y ^e high bishop of his soul, & conseruatour of his body, the preservation of his whole health and life to him committed only. All things after that was done by his counsel to stop the Apostles preaching, he taken for the emperors most familiar friend, and a man most profitable to the common wealth of the Romans, & they soon after supprssed and put unto moste cruel death.

4 And he made all (saith saint John) both great and small, rich & poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hands, or in their foreheds. When this new raised Image of y ^e beast, or sworn power to Antichrist, is once raised up or admitted by their authority, be he Kinge or Keyser, Prince, or other Potentate, he must strongly defend that sinagoge of the devil, with whole majesty, crown, and scepture. By their only counsel must he thē make laws (for they must give him spirit) and send his commandments abroad y ^t their holy decrees be observed. Cōmisioners and visitours must out under y ^e auctorytie, as well to the clergy as laite. Thē must all be sworn to it and so obey it, both high & low, both gentleman & yeoman, both owner and farmar, both citizen & townsman, both merchant and plowman, both master & servant, both native dweller, and denison. Yea, both priests in their colleges, monks in their abbayes, chanons in their couents, & fryers in their cloisters must after their sort do the same. This rule hath been always for the commodity of that kingdom, where as y ^e powers have been thus by thē perverted. Much were it to show the manifold examples in that behalf. Charles y ^e v. now Emperor, to make this good, and to show him self to be the said beasts Image, caused such acts to be published throughout his whole dominion against y ^e christen doctrine, wherein all they ar declared heritiks, scismatiques, & excōmunicats, which taketh not y ^e pope for S. Peters only vicar & head of the christen church, none excepted, neither king nor coruester, as there are now diverse of y ^e contrary opinion. The articles of y ^e Louanians under his priueledge, & the acts of the Parisians under the French kings auctoryty, proclaimed in this present year of our lord a M. D. xlv. will make all this matter good.

5 And what is this else both in their clergy and commons, but to receive a mark in their right hands or foreheads, for in admitting those articles and acts, they grant to obey those blasphemous doctrines y ^t shall both corrupt their life and faith, both their works and conscience. For in consentinge unto errors in their faith, they spot their forheads, having so their consciences marked w ^t an hot iron. In full granting also to do them in effect, they defile their hands performing such works as are impure before God. If they were gone quite from Christ that wrapped thenselves again in the works of the law, appointed of god before his coming, much more are they gone from him that tangle themselves w ^t such works of bondage as he never knew, as are all their idle observations, having no express commandments of the word of God. Only look we (saith Paul) in spirit to be justified through faith, which by love is mighty in operation.

6 And for them that so believeth is this disiūctiue, or, put between their hands and foreheads. For all they that outwardly keep these heathenish observations, have not their consciences defiled with them, for their inward faiths sake, though thei perform their outward works doubting the terror of the laws. Yet would I counsel them not therein to trust, but at the word of y ^e lord to go frō it. For though Loth dwelt in Sodom, yet at the Lord's voice he departed from thence.

7 This image made also y ^t no man might bye or sell, save he only y ^t had the mark, or the name of the beast, or at y ^e lease the mumber of his name. The acts of Justinian y ^e emperor, shall make this good, so shall y ^e constitutions of Adelstane & Edgare, & many other kings here in englād which for y ^e order & commodity of y ^e clergy made many politique laws. Specialy king Inas, governor of the west Saxōs, which first gave the Peter pence unto Rome, & made him self a monk there. But in this spiritual generation among thenselves, is none allowed for a merchant unless he come in by simony. None was made bishop, pastor nor curat, but paid for it their taxed sūms, bishops to the pope, and the priests to the bishops, besides Item in bribes.

None might else be allowed to utter to advantage the wares of the beast, or distribute the rites of that holy whorish church.

8 Neither were any made free of that marte, unless they had the mark of the beast, which is not only the outward sign of their head, shaving and anointing of their fingers, but also the inward prynte of their consciences, received by profession made to that wicked monster. For like as true faith in Jesus Christ is the mark of a perfect christiā, so is a false believe in popish traditions a token of Antichrists menber By their fruits (saith christ) shall ye know thē. For the one followeth y ^e rule of gods word, the other hath counterfeit works of men's prescription.

9 Els must they have the name of the beast to be called spiritual men, or the holy consecrate number, as his holy fatherhod is called.

10 Or at the least they must have y ^e number of his name, which is a note of magnificence and worthiness. Less can they not be called then Lord's, so many as are sworn to that spiritual market. The most ragged ronnagat, and idle idoit among them, is no less then a sire, which is a lord in y ^e latin as sir John, sir Thomas, sir Williā. In the Latin only hangeth their great Lordships. Amonge their unknown latin hours, their masses, & their diriges, lieth their plentuous patrimony in their portasses & mass books. Not he that leaveth all with poor Peter, may be called from fishing, nor with Matthew from the custom house, to do these offices. But he that catcheth all with Judas and Simon Magus must come from Simony to do them. Not he y ^t is called of God as was Aaron shall have cure of soul, but he that offereth to Corbā with Annas and Caiaphas. Such a world hath it been and is yet still in the world abroad among them.

The Paraphrase.

1 Here is wisdom to be had (saith saint John) Let him that hath wit, count the number of y ^e beast, for it is the number of man. And his number is six hundred, sixty & six.

2 For so much as Christ hath willed us dilligentlye to search the scriptures, & the holy ghost here doth commit the judgment of this secret to the wit of man, some writers have deducted this number out of certain Greek words, betokning this great antichrist, because this present reuelatiō was first written in y ^e Greek language. As out of Antemos, which signifieth one contrary to God's honor, out of Arnume, which signifieth a denier of God, & out of Teitā, which betokneth the sun. All these 3. vocables, though they seem diverse, yet contain they after the Greek rules, neither more nor less, than this set number. And all this may stand both with Scripture and reason.

For he that is not with Christ, is against him, calling that is good evil, and that is evil good, ministering darkness for light. Such lying masters as hath brought in sects of perdition, hath denied the Lord that bought them. They are not the light as they boast them selves to be (for all they look to be called spiritual) but they are the fallen stars and very Apostates from God, & Satan's transfourmyng them selves into the Angels of light, by diverse kinds of Hipocrisie.

3 Some expositors leaving y ^e Greke, hath practiced the same thing by these two latin words. Dic lux, containing innumerable letters y ^e same set number. Which signified that they call them selves the light or men of a spiritual sort, being nothing less. For they in deed are the same self darkness, that will in no wise receive light, but rather persecuteth it with most spite and cruelty. After this sort might I bring in Diabolus incarnatus, or filius perditionis, the diuil incarnate or y ^e son of perditiō, for both they are the names of this beastly Antichrist by the scriptures, the one wanting in the numeral letters but .iv. of y ^e number, & the other but vi. which might be supplied in y ^e other letters. But among all these this word Arnume most nighly toucheth y ^e mystery, which is as much to say, as I deny. Euidently seemeth he to have the mark of y ^e beast, or to be sealed with the numbed of his name, that saith whē he heareth y ^e manifest verity, I will never admit it while I have a day to live, it is against good order, it standeth not with laudable custom, our doctors agree not thereunto, our holy canons alloweth it not, it hath not y ^e holy fathers consent, with such like. What are these else but the voices of an Antichrist? full of such voices was y ^e Popes legate Gaspar Contarene at y ^e last counsel of Rainsburgh, so was y ^e frantic papist John Eckius, & our winchester y ^e winker of wiles, largely declaring thenselves, to be deeply of y ^e same profession and mark.

4 But I find yet another thing in it. For it is called here the number of man, whose number lieth all in vi. God created all things for mans commodity in vi. days, & in y ^e seventh rested. After this creation continued man the space of .vi. ages til the coming of Christ, which brought with him the sabbath of the spirit. And this is signified by the greater number, which is y ^e vi. hundred. For not unlike is it to the time, times, & half time of Danyel & John, & to y ^e years, months, & days of Helyas & John also, as we had afore. Since Christ's ascension hath the church continued by vi. other ages of much less time comprehended in the .vi. seals, in the latter end of whom we are now. And this shall conclude with such a sabbath of peace in the freedom of God's word, as hath not been since the beginning. Satan shall be tied up, and the true believers shall occupy in much quietness, y ^e beast condemned with all his false Prophets. And this is the n • mber of the sixth.

But this peace shall not thus in quietness long continue. For longe cannot Christ's church be without persecution. Satan shall be loosed again, and the beleauings of the beast shall set up their bristles, and persecute the Saints a fresh. Again shall they plant & build, ravish & keep whores, riot and ruffle, as though they should long continue. But suddenly shall the latter judgment day of y ^e Lord light vpō them vnbewares, the perpetual Sabbath of joy shining to the elect flock of Christ. And this is the least number of all, compared here unto six. And may well be signified by the xlij. months afore, which is ryghtly vi. seuenthes, in the which they shall tread down the holy city or congregation of the Lord once again. This latter account was found out by a certain unnamed disciple of John Wycleue, and I suppose it most agreeing to the truth. The second sabbath here, or liberty of God's truth, hath had his show in England already, if ye mark it well. And whither it will yet appear more open or nay, it is in the Lord's hands, let us pray and hope, for it hath great lykelihoode of a much farther appearance.

5 Since the worlds beginning hath the mystery of iniquity wrought in Cain and in his posterity, and so continued in the beastly members of Antichrist, and so shall do still to y ^e latter day. Therefore is it no less than the number of men, six hundred sixty and six. Thus is he tokened with all wickedness, that admitteth the false faith of this beast, and folowith the same in his living by the subtle persuasions of the bishops and their lying Prophets, & is sealed up to eternal damnation, unless the Lord cal him in time. Not only in England is healed the beasts wounded head, but also in ohter certain regions. But for so much as it is most lively don there, and this book written in that language, I have only brought forth here examples thereof in that purpose.

The Paraphrase.

1 I looked (saith Saint John) on the other side, & in a thought as it were, I beheld that a Lamb stood upon mount Zion. Even y ^e Lamb of God Jesus Christ, that alone took away the sins of the world. Alone doeth he govern his faithful church, as the only and immediate head thereof, having none other to assist him in that office. For who is the King over Siō but he? Who shall reduce Israel again to his fold but he? Only is he with his congregation, to aid them with his word, to bolden them with his spirit, & to strengthen them with his grace.

2 And with him were present an hundredth and .xliiij. thousand, having his fathers name written in their foreheads. So many as have in heart received his word, and in faith digested his verity, are y ^e very children of Abraham, and are marked up for the sons of god by the seal of the holy Ghost.

3 For power have they given thē to be God's children y ^t believe in his name. And this is it to have his name written in thir foreheads. For their faith declareth thē God's sons. Let this set number be none impediment to the reader, to be taken here for y ^e universal multitude of the faithful, as well of y ^e gentiles as of y ^e Jews that believeth, though it otherwise appeareth in the viii. Chapter of this book. For so well is the gentle that hath faith, a perfect Israeltie, as is the Christian Jew. Yea, much rather was Zachius for his faith judged Abraham's child, thā was Simon for fulfilling the works of y ^e law. For God is not parciall. Whatsoever he be y ^• feareth him & worketh rightuousenesse, is accepted with him. And so is it meant hear. And therefor is not the difference written here as in y ^e other place, but all is joined in one, to comprehend all under one. And as touching y ^e equal certainty in mumber both here and there. Like as it is there certainly known unto God, even so is it here though it be unto us both innumerable & uncertain. Not as concerning the number it self, but y ^e common understanding thereof in y ^e scriptures. For if y ^e number of one seventh be an infinite mumber there, much more of many seuenthes.

4 And I hard a voice frō heaven (saith S. John) which is all one with the aforesaid Zion, & is the universal cōgregacion of Christ, all clear frō • superstitions of men. For, from Zion commith the law of the Lord after Isaiah, and the word of God from Jerusalem.

5 This word is as the noise of many waters, whan it is in y ^e mouths of many diverse people's, of diverse nations & lāguages, one not understanding another, & yet knowing it eche people among them selves.

6 Uery like is it also to a great thūder crack, mighty, fearful, and terrible to the flesh. Uery hard is thy word Lord (said Christ's disciples) who is able to abide it.

7 And y ^e voice y ^t I hard (saith John) was much after y ^e noise y ^t y ^e harpers make whē they play vpō their harps. Ful of agreement are y ^e holy scriptures, yea, full of sweet hermony & concord, more precious are y ^e verities of the Lord than is gold, and their melody more sweet than honey.

8 With thē rejoiced David before the ark of the Lord. In them took Paul a stomach, and confounded the Jews at Damascus.

9 And sweetly they uttered w ^t their voices a song that seemed all new, before y ^e seat of y ^e Lord, before y ^e four beasts, & before the ancient elders. This song is the word of the Lord, all new both to the good and to the il. The faithful it reneweth in the spirit of their minds, provoking them to do on a new man in Christ. The hearts of y ^e unfaithful is so hardened y ^t they in disdayn and spite doth call it new learning, as did y ^e ignorant multitude at Caparnaum, and the worldly wise men of Athens.

10 Before y ^e seat of the Lord was this song uttered, which is the godly disposed multitude. For like as y ^e heart of an hypocrite is the very seat of Satan, so is y ^e heart of a faithful man the seat of god and habytacle of the holy ghost.

11 Before the iiii. beasts was it opened also by this number of godly teachers, which beasts ar y ^e private congregations of y ^e Lord, remaining here yet in y ^e flesh, in y ^e iiii. quarters of y ^e world

12 Finally before the elders was it song also. For none other doctrine is it, nor Gospel of glad tidings, than hath been since y ^e beginning, nor than hath been thankfully received of our old auncitors Patriarchs, y ^e Prophets, y ^e Apostles, & y ^e faithful fathers.

13 And no man could learn y ^e new song, but the aforesaid hundred and xliiij. thousand, which were redeemed from y ^e earth. Oh mighty, wonderful, yea & tirrible sentence of the Lord. None that take them selves for the people of God, can be accepted afore him for the true feed of Abraham, nor for y ^e just ministers of his word, unless they be tokened afore with the holy spirit of his promise, and so predestinate to the life everlasting.

14 None can sincerely do that godly office to the profit of other, unless he be wholly taken from all fleshly and worldly affects. No man cā come unto me (saith Christ) unless it be given him of my father.

15 The willful Jews believed not because they were not the sheep of his mark. Neither is it of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of the only mercy of the Lord. Necessarie is it therefore y ^t his spirit draweth, moveth, & inclineth the heart. Els cā not y ^e song be sweet, neither in him y ^e singeth, nor yet in y ^e herer. The notes of this new song are gods heavenly verities, registered in the faithful hearts.

16 And they that did sign them to the praise of the Lord, were not defiled with women. With no strange doctrines, nor yet profane worshippings is their faith cōtaminate, that unfeignedly have don on Jesus Christ. Not the spousage of their souls have they broken by no filthy traditions of men. Only have they with David sought the testimonies of God, and thought none like unto them. Only did they cleave to his precyous laws, esteeming all other but chaff, and very whoredom in the spirit.

17 Therefore are they vyrgines married unto Christ in faith, as were the Corinthians by Paul's preaching, whō he wished to continue a chaste virgin unto Christ. Never is y ^e maydenhead of y ^e soul lost, till erroneous doctrine be received frō y ^e messengers of Antichrist, y ^e Bishops & Hipocrites.

18 The virgins, or uncorrupted believers doth follow y ^e lamb wheresoerver he becometh. They go after Christ, y ^e believing his word, doth fashion their lives unto it. Like as they follow Antichrist, y ^e fashion their works to his doctrine. They walk in his steps, that forsake thē selves w ^t him, y ^t beareth the cross of persecutions w ^t him, or y ^e suffereth death for y ^e truth w ^t him. And not they y ^t seek them selves, living here in all pomp, voluptuousness, and Tiranny. From this place fetch the blind papists, a great argument for their wiuelesse castity, & y ^t none followeth christ but they in this muster, because they are unmarried. Neither may, Abrahā, Moses, nor David, Zacharias, Peter, nor Philip, walk in this number because they had wives. So perilous a thing it is to have a wife. It is great marvel they admit Mary Christ's mother to it, because she had a husband. Oh ignorant asses, & very beastly Idiotes. I think you follow Judas which had neither wife nor child, unless he had thē sitting by other mens fyers, as many of you have yet at this same day. What is vyrginitie before god more thā is marriage? No more thā is circumcision in comparison to uncircumcision. And y ^t is nothing. No more maketh y ^e one thā the other, to a Christian life. Only is it • aith effectually working by love, y ^t the Lord requireth of us.

Only respected he the faith of Mary, and not her virginity. They which live in matrimony after the word of god, ar accepted afore hī for virgins, & so are named of S. Paul. An other cauillatiō they have, that none which hath offended afore, can be of this number. But they consider not what is spokē here afore, y ^t they wer redeemed from the earth, & that y ^e spirit of y ^e lord hath purified their hearts through faith. Neither have they grace to remember y ^e Christ's innocence is reckoned for an whole & perfect righteousness unto them y ^t believe in him, but they must bring in such trifles, as are their own beggarly merits.

19 And therefore it followeth also. These faithful believers (saith saint John) were redeemed frō men, being the first fruits to God & to y ^e lamb. By none other were they redeemed, than by Christ. For of all y ^e elect mumber, he is y ^e only righteousness, wisdom, holiness, & redemption. From y ^e corrupt, blind, & froward multitude hath he called them, taken them, and cleared them. And of deformed sinners, hath he made thē, fair, of vile pure, of wretched, glorious, of blind perfectly seeing, of liars, true sayers, of obstinate, gentle, of ill good, and of unfruitful, profitable. For he it is that taketh away the stony heart, and giveth a soft heart for it, so making us Abraham's children. Thus are we redeemed from men, whan we are taken by his goodness from such corrupt usages as man's nature is inclined unto.

20 And for none other purpose but to be y ^e first fruits unto god, as were the altar offerings in the old law, in the hands of the high priests. For so much as y ^e elect number ar but a few or a certain taken out from the universal multitude, and are y ^e portion of the Lord (as were the said offerings) pertaining unto Christ y ^e only bishop of our souls, they are his first fruits. Yea, & his own very mystical members, and all but one offering unto God y ^e father by him. For he is y ^e only lamb that died for them, his own body, being the only oblation and sacrefice.

21 And in their mouths was found no gile. For none other words uttered they but his p • er testimonies. None other taught thei but his undefiled laws. None other persuaded they to be observed of other, but his immaculate Gospel or easy burden of Christ. No importable yokes laid they upon men's shoulders▪ neither of cerimonies, fastīgs nor mass hearings.

22 For they are without spot before the throne of god. Both before them y ^t are faithful and have right judgment in the spyrite (which are the very seats of God) appeareth their doctrine pure, and also their life innocent before god himselfe. Neither are they spotted with filthy traditions nor yet w ^t vncūlie examples, & as concerning their former sins, they shall not be imputed unto them. They are remitted in Christ, and so forgotten afore god. Though this that here hath been spoken be concerning y ^e whole christen multitude and her preachers, yet doth it most specially touche the Jews or Israelyts that shall in this latter age be converted unto Christ. And so do I counsel the reader to understand it. For the mount Zion after the flesh was theirs. Not defiled are they with unmarried women, which are the whorishe laws and unclean superstitions of the Gentiles, vpō none other harp have they commonly harped but upon y ^e scriptures, though it hath not been to the pleasure of God, till now in this latter age, wherein they shall wholye turn unto Christ.

The Paraphrase.

1 An other Angel saw I (saith saint John) fly in the midst of heaven. For Christ was the first angel or messenger of the everlasting covenant of the father. This angel here mentioned is none other than he that had y ^e seal of the living god in the .vii. Chapter, and he that was clothed with a cloud in the tenth chap. And he betokneth those fervent ministers whō god hath sent in this latter time to admonish his people to fly from the errors of antichrist, & return to his heavenly verities.

2 He flieth in the midst of heaven. An earnest, fervent, & faithful course take they in the midst of gods congregation (which is his heavenly kingedom here, to whom this revelation is written) like as did Paulus, Silas, and Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, and Clemens, with other of the Apostles sincerely to declare his word. Mighty stomaked are they in gods cause, both in their words and writings.

3 An everlasting Gospel had this Angel to preach unto them that sit, & dwell upon the earth, and to all nations, kynreds and people. His eternal testament and covenant of peace hath the Lord given unto them, to preach deliverance to the captive, health to the wounded, life to the dead, and remission to y ^e sinful. Yea, to utter that word that is stronger thā is heaven, or earth, and that shall never fail him that truly believeth.

4 The sound of this gospel must go the world over, as in the apostles time. Eueri where must it be spread to y ^e increase of faith. Amōg all nations of y ^e earth, among all kindreds of the Isralyts, among all languages of the world, and among all kinds of people, of what sort so ever they be, whether they sit upon the earth or dwell upon the earth, whether they be high or low, governors or subjects, masters or servants, owners or fermers. So that they sit not nor dwell not within the earth, or have their felicity here. For that is holy should not be given unto dogs, nor yet pearels laid before swine.

5 And he cried with a loud voice, with a mighty fervent spirit do they beat it into the heads of men, both by words, writings, and all they can make to have the fear of God, and to give him his due honor. And this is the doctrine they teache & the counsel they give.

6 Fear ye God in all that ye do, for the first point of godly wisdom▪ is to dread least we offend him. Be constant in the word, and fear no displeasure of men. For no more can they do in their anger but slay y ^e body, and bring it to the rest of god. No power have thei over the soul, fear him only therefore, y ^t whē he hath destroyed both, may throw thē into▪ he • .

7 Geue honor unto hī, worship him & serve him alone, praise him, & glorify him above all. But yet after 〈◊〉 other sort thā he hath apoīted, which is in faith, spirit, & verity, & not 〈◊〉 outward shadows w ^t observation of times. He truly honoreth him that trusteth in him, y ^e believeth his word, and y ^t in spite of all antichrists▪ confesseth it afore all men, after this sort therefore fear him, & worship him nothing douting y ^e assalts of enemies.

8 For the hour of his judgment is come. At hand is it that all the antichristes and hipocrits shall by the invincible word of god be judged, condemned, and destroyed. From heavē shall his wrath be declared upon all their ungodliness. With the spirit of his mouth shall the lord consume them, and not longe after will the great day of his indignatiō toward them light suddenly upon them.

9 With all faithful obsequi worship him therefore that created heaven & earth in wonderful strength & beuty.

10 That made the sea & the fountains of water with all that in thē doth anon, whose power is eternal, knowledge none other god but him. None other helper, redeemer, nor savior but christ: for all other christs not sent of hī, ar but antichrists, only bow your knees unto him, for only is his strength everlasting, only obey his laws, for only are his laws clean.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there followed another Angel (saith S. John) which betokneth another sort of preachers, whose office is here appointed them of the holy Ghost to declare unto the people y ^e certainty of the fall of the aduoutrus, cursed and malignant church of hipocrits, here figured by wretched Babilō. For though all the true prophets and preachers have but one word of God in their mouth, yet passeth it diversely from them. Unto each of thē is given a diverse utterance of the spirit to edify. One is soft, meek & gentle, as was David, John & Peter another is boysteous, hard & vehement as was Helias, Isaiah & Paul, And all this worketh the self same one spirit. This diversity of techers was never more plentuous in the world than now in our time, figured here by these two angels. Praised be the Lord therefore.

2 And the tenor or ground of this latter sort of preachers is this. She is fallen, she is fallen, even miserable Babylon y ^e great city of whoredom, because she made all nations to drink of the wrathful wyne of hir fornication. So sure is it that the execrable church of Antichrist shall be overthrown, and utterly destroyed, as it wer now performed in deed. Nothinge shall be vnrooted out that the heavenly father hath not planted. Sooner shall heaven & earth perish, than this promise be unfulfilled.

3 For with the stinking whorishnes of hir superstitious worshippings, hath she poisoned all nations & people's, under heaven. The great governors, & learned lawiers of y ^e world, hath she made in manner of beastly dronkerds, wytlesse, faythlesse, and graceless, by their prostibulous doctrine. And this shall be declared more at large in y ^e .xvij. cha. following. whereas she is more plētuously described.

The Paraphrase.

1 The third Angel also (saith saint John) followed thē in y ^e third kind of preaching of y ^e same self message, that in y ^e mouth of two or three faithful witnesses all verity might stand.

2 And by this Angel are they signified that by the word of God stiffly impugn their wicked laws & ungodly ordinances, whose manner of earnest preaching is this.

3 If any man worship y ^e beast, which is y ^e great antichrist. And his Image which are those governors that taketh upon them his blasphemous titles, names, authority, or defense. If any man also receive his mark in his forehead, believing their laws to be a christen doctrine, or have the print of his seal vpō his right hand which is to fashion his outward works after the same. The same man shall drink of the wine of God's wrath, which are the dregs of y ^e pure wyne poured in the cup of his high displeasure. He shall taste of the everlasting damnation, that is reserved in the latter curse or fearful sentence of their moste terrible judge. To worship the beast and his Image, is to accept them in conscience, and in the outward obedience, with full consent of the heart. For that they blasphemously pretend, without God's authority. As the Pope for God's vicar or forgeuer of sins. Mahomet for the great Prophet of the Lord, the rulers of the earth, for the Popes elder or younger sons, for moste Christian Kings, and defenders of the faith of that holy church.

4 To receive the beasts mark in their forheads and hands, is to agree to such decrees, traditious, laws, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 constitucions, acts, & proclamations, as they under those titles have made only for their own covetousness & pomp, and neither for the glory of god nor yet for the right maintenance of the christen common wealth, as I have declared afore. And also to be sworn to the same, to subscribe to it, to give counsel or aid to it, to maintayn it by learning, to minister in it, to execute under it, to accuse, punish, and put to death for it, or to think it lawful and godly, with such like.

5 These marked worshippers that taste of the cup of gods indignation, of calamity, sorrow, & wretchedness in the days of their fall here, & after the last judgment of unspeakable pains and most grievous torments, in everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

6 The dregs that the Lord hath poured out (saith David) shall the wicked of the earth drink. Cleane contrary are these Angels to y ^e horned ministers of antichrist. For they maintain y ^e Popes errors, these y ^e only verities of christ. They labor for the glory of their pope, these seeketh y ^e only honor of god. They prate y ^t their holy Church shall continue, th • se say it shall down with shame. They require worship to the beast and his Image, these will report it blasphemous, & y ^e reward thereof damnation. Mark in these two sortes the preachers of our time, and judge which are of god. Against both beasts in Christ's quarrel shall these Angels contend. Against the Pope and his bishops, Mahomet and his doctors, will these godly ministers reply (whom the Lord hath sent in this latter age for y ^t purpose) condemnīg by the scriptures their auctoryty, jurisdiction, & power declaring also the plagues that will fall upon them for witholding the truth of God in vnrightuousnes.

7 For these Antichrists and their worshippers w ^t so many as beareth their token shall be punished in fire and brimstone, before the holy Angels, and before the Lamb. Fire shall be kindled (saith Moses) in the anger of the Lord, & shall burn unto the bottom of Hell. Upon the ungodly (saith David) shall he rain snares. Fire, brimstone, storm, and tempest shall be their porcyon to drink. The vehement indignation and mighty judgment of God, shall light upon them, as upon Sodom and Egypt, and shall both devour them and consume them.

8 And this shall be in the sight of Angels, which are not only the spirits of heavē, but also the church of the faithful. Yea, the righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the destruction, and shall wash his hands it the blood of the wicked.

9 In the presence of the lamb shall it be also. For he is evermore with his flock, & shall be unto the end of the world, wherein he shall sit & cōdem thē

The Paraprhase.

1 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up evermore, as the flame of a furnace with most horible stink for a perpetual sign of their punishment, like as it did frō Sodom & Gomor, when the Lord overthrew them.

2 So y ^t they have no rest neither day nor night, so mani as worship y ^e beast & his image, receuīg y ^e prīt of his nam

3 Both in this life are they cruciate with a troublous and doubtful conscience, and also after this life w ^t unspeakable pains. For neither shall their worm die, nor yet their fire be quenched, all flesh abhorring thē.

4 Thus shall they be with the beast tormented, which have the spirit of y ^e beast. For like as all y ^e faithful (which hath ben from the beginning) belongeth to one mystical body in Christ, and shall be preserved by him so doeth the wicked pertain to one mystical Antichrist, having all one spirit with him, and so shall with him perish.

5 Here is the patience of the saints. In this life ar their troubles no pleasure is for them in this world, but hate, rebukes, slanders, lies, persecutions, and death of their bodies. Their life upon earth is continual affliction, but glorious is the fruit of their labors. Manifold are the misfortunes of the righteous, but the Lord cleareth them of all.

6 Here are they vexed that keep the commandments & the faith of Jesus. Here are they had in derision, y ^t behave thenselves as y ^e ministrs of god in much patience, afflictions, need, anguish, labor, stryps, imprisonment, and such like..

7 Here are they chastened of the LORDE with many sore storms, that they should not be damned with this world. Much have they here to suffer of enemies, that only cleueth to y ^e word of god in life & doctrine.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I heard a voice from heavē (saith S. John) saying unto me.

2 Wryte with pen, or mark surely this sentence following for them that here suffer in the truths quarrel.

3 Blessed are y ^e dead, or they which are already departed, and y ^t also shall hereafter depart in y ^e Lord. This voice from heaven are the infallible scriptures▪ ascertaining the faith of John, of the sweet rest of the saints in the hands of God. And that their ende is not without honor, as the vain sort supposeth, but they are counted among the dere children of God. Let thē therefore y ^t suffer in this age be earnestly sprited, & not fear y ^e torments of y ^e enemies in Christ's cause.

4 For from hence forth (the spirit saith) that they rest frō their labors. In a wonderful quietness dwell they, by the very sentence of y ^e holy Ghost, & shall never more feel of any woo. God hath clean wiped away all tears frō their eyes, all sorrows & pains from their bodies, the first dangers being • ast. Happy are they therefore and moste godly fortunate, that are slain for Christ, because they will not worship the beast & his Image, nor corrupt their faith with their wicked laws, but in a pure Christian believe departeth frō hence to y ^e Lord. Theyr portion is in y ^e land of the living, and their lot among the holy ones.

5 For certainly their works doth follow them. The promised reward of God for constantly standing by y ^e verity, for the fruits of their Christian patience, & for other exercise of their faith, is evermore to their glory present with thē. Not as deserved of thē, but of Christ, in whose faith they wrought here, & for the promise sake, that they should be gods heirs together w ^t Christ. The lively word also which they earnestly received here and so rooted in their faith, will never suffer them to perish, nor to be hurt of the second death.

[illustration]

The Paraphrase.

1 I looked yet further (saith S. John) and evidently before me appeared a white cloud, which betokeneth the true ministers of God's word. Whom the holy ghost calleth clouds by Isaiah, David, Peter, & Judas. For from thē falleth upon the people the sweet drops of his verities.

2 White they are as milk for their faith in the word, and for their Christian conversation not blotted with hypocrisy of mens corrupted customs.

3 Upon this cloud was one sitting like unto y ^e son of man, which is verily Christ, in his glorified manhood. For evermore is he among his true preachers, giving them such utterance and wisdom, as all their enymies are not able to withstand. Always walketh he among the vii. candelstickes, which are his congregations as we had afore.

4 He had upon his head a golden crown, in token of his eternal and vncorrupte kingdom, and in his hand a sharp sickle, which is y ^e sharp judgment or righteousness of his word, for there with shall he reap his latter harvest. According to his word and promise shall he judge good and evil.

5 This sickle received he of his everlasting father, such time as he gave over unto him his universal judgments. By the order of this vision should y ^e preachers seem in the last age of the church, much to admonish the people of the latter day, with the coming of Christ again to judge both the quick and the dead as is in their creed, or believe.

The Paraphrase.

1 And another Angel (saith saint John) came out of the temple, which is the congregation of faith, consecrated as an holy temple unto God in the blood of the undefiled Lamb Jesus. This Angel betokeneth those just men, that with Simeon and Anna the daughter of Phanuell, in this latter age are desirous of the glory of God, and of the final redemption of man from bodily corruption.

2 These shall cry with a loud voice, with a fervent spirit shall they call unto Christ, which sitteth upon the cloud.

3 And this shall be their saying. Thrust in the sickle and reap. Send forth thy living word. And like as it hath created all things, so let it now try and judge all things.

4 For the time is at hand to reap. For we are those upon whō the ends of the world are come.

5 And doutlesse the corn of the earth is ripe, the world is at the best that it will be. As it hath been ever, so is it still, altogether set upon mischief. Let thy word therefore finish all, as it hath begun all. With y ^e breath of thy mouth, consume y ^e great Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition, & the adversary y ^t hath exalted him self above God. Pour out thy indignation upon y ^e kingdoms that will neither know thee, worship thee, nor alone call upon thy name. Thou haste called thy harvest the end of y ^e world, let it now finish all in deed. Diuide y ^e chaff from the corn, y ^e wicked from the righteous. Gather y ^e wheat into thy garner, and burn the chaff in unquenchable fire.

6 And he that sat on y ^e cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and anon the earth was reaped.

7 He hath sent his mighty word, so quick in operation as fire. Which shall not only cōsum y ^e wicked generation of y ^e beast, but also reserve thē to eternal damnation.

8 The earth shall be cleared of them as of all other filthy corruptions, and hell replenished with them, to their perpetual care.

The Paraphrase.

1 And another Angel (saith S. John) came out of the temple which is in heaven, or from the great number of Angels, having also a sharp sickle in his hand.

2 This Angel betokeneth those heavenly spirits that the Lord shall send forth to gather together his chosen from the iv. winds whan his tokē shall appear in heaven. These are the reapers of the Lord's harueste. These are they that shall go forth too gather all nations, & to separate the goats from the Lambes, the il from the good, and shall caste them into a furnace of fire, where as shall be waylyng and gnashing of teeth.

3 And therefore is their sickle here named sharp. None other is their sickle, but this appointed office. None other is their harvest, but this gathering together. But these messengers shall not forth til they have commandment. And therefore saith Saynct John consequently.

The Paraphrase.

1 And another Angel came out frō the altar which had power over fire. This is the Lord Jesus Christ, whō Malachias calleth the Angel of the covenant that was longed for. He is the altar of the righteous, & by him are they a sweet sacrifice unto God. Els could they be but very abomination. Till the judgment day shall he be an Aulter of means making to God the father for us. But that day once come, no longer shall he be an altar or an advocate, but go clean from it. He shall then become a judge over all y ^e world, rewardyng everyone according to their works. Hitherto hath he meekly sitten upon the cloud, and not cut with his sickle. He hath had in his hand the judgment, and not judged.

2 But now hath he power over fire. By fire (which is under his obedience, as are all other creatures else) shall he at that day judge the universal world. And more sharp, vehement, quick, fierce, mighty, & tirrible shall his sentence be to y ^e wicked, thā is any fearful, flaming, or consuming wild fire.

3 For with a loud voice shall he cry unto him y ^t hath the sharp sickle. An earnest charge & commandment shall he give at y ^e day to y ^e ministers of his ire, for to cast thē into exterior darkness, after this sort here uttered in mistery.

4 Thrust in thy sharp sickle, & gather the cluster of the earthli vineyard, for the grapes thereof are ripe.

5 Execute the vengeance committed unto you, & root out this rank riotous generatiō of y ^e ravenous epicures▪

6 For now are their mischiefs at the full. Now are they moste curious in their facions & feadinges, most covetous in their cōpassings, most vain in their studies, & most cruel in their do • inges. For with thē shall it be (saith Christ) as it was in the days of Noah and Loth. They shall build and bāket, ruffle and riot, bye and sell, and plant for their pleasures. And suddenly as a snare shall that terrible day light vpō thē vnbewares, as did death on the covetous iourer.

7 And the Angel (saith S. John) thrust in his sickle on y ^e earth, he cut down the grapes of y ^e vineyard of the earth, and so did cast them into y ^e great wyne fat of the wrath of God.

8 According to their commission they shall plage y ^e earthly minded, for here is y ^e time past for y ^e time coming used, for the certainty of it. With sudden death shall they perce thē in this world that cōtemning Christ's doctrine have followed y ^e corse thereof in all cōcupicēce.

9 And finally they shall throw them into y ^e lake of misery, y ^e pit without water, into the stinking dregs of hell, where as fire and brimstone shall be rewarded to drink. For y ^e vineyard of the earth is the carnal sinagoge of hypocrites, & the grapes thereof are y ^e glorious glottons, & frank fed porkelinges of y ^e greedy gulf, evē y ^e enemies of Christ's cross, whose God is their beally, whose glory is their confusion, & whose end is their dānatiō for they are earthly minded. This winefat of the wrath of God is none other then his great vengaunce, to be poured vpō the unfaithful. Or else hell prepared for y ^e devil & his angels. Great, not only for y ^e innumerable multitude y ^t it hath & shall reciue but also in y ^t it is insaciable.

10 And this winefat was trodē without y ^e city. Nothing pertaineth it to y ^e city (of whō famous thing are spokē) which is y ^e congregatiō of god, nor yet to y ^e good creatures of god. No, not unto this world, which shall at that day • be tried & purged by fire. But under the earth shall it be, & far without this world, secluded from the face of heavē in filthy & unspeakable darkness.

11 For blood will come out of this fate, even unto y ^e horse bridles. Wherein is expressed not only the terror of the place, but also of y ^e pains therein contained. For blood shedding & murder are things very horrible & fearful to behold, containing in them depriuatiō of life, which is most terrible of all. The abundance thereof betokeneth the greatness of the grief in the sufferance of them. The treading down also signifieth, that no raise towards any relief is to be looked for of them y ^t be there. Unto them which at that day shall be in the city, will be that sitteth in y ^e thron make all things now. All dolour, afflictiō, sorrow, pain, penury, wrath, cōdempnatiō, & death, shall be past with them. Only shall they be trodē down in this winefat of gods wrath, that lived here like beasts without reason, and that wandered here like horses and mules in their own filthy lusts.

12 All shall be punished there, y ^t was here unbridled, vnordred, & vngouerned after the word & pleasure of God And therefore it is here said, unto the horse bridles. Every man shall receive in body according to that he hath don. whether it be good or evil. They that have wrought y ^e work of God in faith, shall reap according unto it. The bridles also betokeneth y ^e measure of gods judgment, not as concerning y ^e time which is everlasting, but concerning y ^e pain rightly measured according to y ^e iniquity. For y ^e lord hath set his judgments over the wicked in weight and measure, y ^e stripes agreing in quātiti to y ^e exces of sin, so much torment to have as their rejoice hath ben in wikednes

13 The space of these terible torments or punishments of hell, is a M. and .vi. hundred furlongs. A furlong of y ^e Greeks is called the run of Hercules, & it is in length an C. & .xxv. paces or steppes. And commonly they used according to y ^e length to measure their playing places. Of whom Paul maketh mencion to y ^e Corinthians being Greeks, by thē y ^t rūneth in a course, & y ^t proveth masteries. In this thousand and vi. hundred furlonges here, is comprehended the whole & universal course of y ^e wicked for y ^e iiii. quartars of y ^e world. The number of an hundred is evermore an whole complete & perfect number. And • iii. hundred .iv. times numbered is .xvj. hundred which maketh this number of a thousand & vi. hundred, y ^e number of iv. respecting always y ^e iv. clymates of the world, which are y ^e common habitaciōs of sinners. In thē course they, in all wantan kinds of living. In thē work they their masteris of all ungodly obseruaciōs and false worshippings, walking in y ^e large or opē way which leadeth unto death. According to y ^e number & measure of this course, hath God here measured the place & punishment. Notwithstanding never is he without mercy. Maruelous he is in his works & judgments, which are vnsercheable. Blessed is he y ^t shall have his part in the city or congregation of the righteous, and that shall see y ^e peace upon Israel, when the Lord shall lead forth them with the evil doers, y ^t hath 〈◊〉 them selves with their laws. The Lord grant us once to taste the prosperity of Jerusalem. Amen.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I saw (saith saint John) by the secret goodness of my Lord God, yet another tokē in heavē, great & marvelous, strange and wonderful, For in the churches or congregation of God, are evermore uttered his wonderful and deep judgments, unto them only whom his grace appointeth, as unto John. And this is the token in mistery.

2 Seven Angels had in their hands the seven last plagues. Some expositors have taken these Angels for the right ministers in the .vii. ages of the Christian church. Some have thought them to be the perverse prechers and ungodly ministers of all the said ages suffered of God strongly to delude the unbelievers, that he wich hurteth should hurt still, and that he wkich is in fylthines, should still be filthy. Unto every age corresponding an Angel, to declare the nature of those deceitefull hyrelings and lying masters. And this maketh them so to understand the text. They are here expressly noted to be in heaven. Among the congregation of God are the false Prophets, and discembling Hipocrits evermore, as the chaff among the corn, the tears among the wheat, and the filthy dregs, among the pure wine. For that kingdom is as a net thrown into the sea and gathering all manner of fishes both good and bad. In all ages hath the wicked generaciō increased, to impugn the truth, and stiffly s • to stand up against God and his Christ, which is none other after their minds, than to minister the .vii. last plagues here. For no poison is to the soul so pestilent, nor yet venom so noyfull, as is false doctrine. No plage can be thought more deadly nor violent, than to deprive us of that faith, of that verity, & of that life which is in Christ Jesus, or to bring us out of y ^e way which he hath appointed. And all this seemeth no small likelihood of the just understanding of y ^e text here. Yet Frances Lambert geuith a far better judgment, calling thē y ^e set sentences or invariable decrees of god, difining his judgments against the wicked in his latter age of y ^e world, at their appointed times to be vtterred. For all these things are iontely to be considered.

These Angles came not only from heaven, which is the congregation (as they have mentioned) but also out of the celestial temple of the tabernacle of testimony, which is y ^e omnypotente God & his Christ, as the xxi. chap. hereof declareth.

They are also clothed with pure whit linen, gyrded with golden girdles, they have golden vials delivered unto them by one of the iiii. beasts, and one of them commoneth with John, declaring unto him the judgment and fall of the great whore. Which ar no arguments that they are here to be taken for ill preachers, though thei here minister y ^e last vii. plagues. Therefore shall we judge them here to be God's appointed purposes or eternally decreed pleasures, against the willful obstinates and indurat rebellions to the end of the world.

These are called the last plagues, because they fall in y ^e last age of y ^e world whō Isaiah, Hieremy, Oseas & Micah calleth y ^e last days, Ihō y ^e last hour • & Paul y ^e ends of y ^e world. Seven are they named here in a universal respect both of the times, parsons, places and perverse doctrines of the whole world. And also because of the .vii. seals, and the .viii. trumpets, to whose judgments they jointly agree, as in the next Chapter following will appear more largely.

3 For in them (saith the text) is fulfilled the wrath of God. The indignation of the Lord is in them wholly declared. For what hate can he show more unto a man, than to withdraw him from him his grace, to leave him to himself, to suffer him in his own blind judgments, to give him over to his own filthy lusts, and to send him the operation of error to his double damnation. A very fulfilling of God's anger is it also to appoint us a false Prophet or deceivable curate a wanton Prince, or ungodly governor. These therefore with such like are those plagues, in whom is deeply accomplished the displeasure of God And they are here named the last plagues, for after them shall none other be seen, the latter day finishing and clearin all.

4 And I beheald (saith John) in the same said vision, as it were a glassy sea, or a great fllowing water in similitude of glass, all mingled with fire. None other is this sea, but the precious verity of the Lord, so clear as glass and so pure as christal. This sea gushed out of the hard rock of stone, that was cloven a sonder in the desarte. When he sent forth his spirit, these waters flowed forth in abundance.

5 Most effectual and quick is this sea And therefore it is here noted and mingled with fire, which signifieth the holy ghost. For never is the verity without God's spirit. A fierce fiery stream calleth Danyell this sea all fiery is the word Lord (saith David also) and therefore thy servant loveth it. This is the fountain of living water springing up into the life everlasting. Unto this water should all they resort that are thirsty, thereof to take refreshing▪

6 Upon this glassy sea were they seen of saynte John, that had obtained victory of the beast, of his Image, of his mark, and of the number of his name. By whom are meant those constant Christians, which hath for all ages firmly affirmed the truth. For none adversity declining from it. Strongly have these since the Apostles time resisted the adversaries of God by his only word, persisting therein unto the death as did Steeuen, James, and Antipas w ^t such other his faithful witnesses. Uictory have they gotten by faith both of the beast and his Image, both of the great Antichrist and his supporters, of the pope and of Mahomet, with their maintainers Emperors, Kings, and maigistrates, and of all thē that usurp their title, name, seat, aucthorytie, pomp or power.

7 They have blemished likewise by the said word not only the mark of the beast, which is corrupted faith, but also the number of his name, which is the denial of God. Them have they to their rebuke uttered, and to their confusion declared.

They have proved their orders • amnable, their doctrine devilish, their religion, hypocrisy, & their spiritualty, plain wickedness, condemning them by the scriptures, as ungodly dissemblers denying the Lord which bought them. These are they whom the lord tenderlye nourished, and graciouslye brought forth upon the refreshing waters cōuerting their souls to his godly fear and love.

8 These stand evermore on y ^e glassy sea, they set sure footing upon y ^e rock stone. Unmouably they persevere in • truth, never denying it afore men.

9 And they have in their hands the harps of god, which are devout mind • given all unto godliness, and rejoicing in spiritual things.

10 Harmoniously they sing the tune • able song of Moses the faithful servant of god, and the melodious sweet • song of the lamb Jesus Christ.

11 Of both testaments they make utterance, declaring y ^e wonderful works and terrible judgments • ute of the old law, and • ute of the Gospel of gladness the moste sweet • mercy of the Lord. Withoute ceasing open they the the scriptures unto other inwardly rejoicing in spiritual Hymns, and Psalms, having this evermore for the standing tenor of the song.

12 Inestimably great is thy goodness and wonderfully marvelous are thy works Lord God almighty.

13 Just are thy promises, and moste perfitely sure thy ways, thou glorious King of saints, & gracious g • ydt of the Godly believers.

14 Who shall not evermore fear thee, a mighty Lord, who shall not always in heart glorify thy blessed name.

15 Thou alone art holy, just, and perfect, for none is there good but thyself only. Thou art our our only maker, redeemer, and comforter. None other have we for our God but thee.

16 No doubt of it but the time will be that all kinds of people, both Jews and gentiles, faithful, and Heaten, shall seek unto thee, and shall faithfully in verity and spirit worship before thee, acknowleging thee for their only Lord God.

17 Because thy wonderful judgments that sometime were secret, are now to the world made openly know̄ and manifest. Though this song be little and small, yet is there in contained all veritye, that both Moses and Christ confesseth at large. Moreover whatsoever y ^e scriptures cōprehēdeath, either of the great omnipotency of god or of his most wonderful works, either of his loving mercy, or of his benign pity towards man, of his glorious name or mighty power, or that he is to be magnified and feared, or how that the faithful pertaineth only to his kingdom, or how that all people shall finally be converted unto him. Al is compendiously in this brief song here contained, what though it be not so word by word expressed. And as concerning y ^t is here last spoken, that his judgments are made manifest, it is to be understanded of those faithful creatures whom he calleth, cleareth and justifieth, & of none other. For unto them only are his heavenly veryties known, to whom he witsaueth to opē them. Though the other outwardely see the judgments of God, yet do they not inwardly perceive thē, though the b • st it never so much. For it is given them so to do. They must have eyes and not see, ears and not understand.

The Paraphrase.

1 And anon after that (saith S. John) I looked yet more ad •• sedly. And suddenly as it were, y ^e everlasting temple of y ^e tabernacle of witness was opē in heavē.

2 A mistery this is very earnestly to be marked, as a thing of great weight. The Lord almighty is this eternal temple, he is y ^e temple not made with hands, uncreated, glorious and full of majesty, cōprehending in him all things & he within none again comprehended. He is y ^e Lord of all. He measureth heaven with his span, he over reacheth all the world w ^t his iii. fingers. In him we live, we move, and have our being. The tabernacle of witness is the lamb Jesus Christ. He is that very tabernacle of God that was here among men, bearing y ^t faithful witness which giveth wisdom to babes. He is the propiciatory or mercy seat, wherein we are hard and forgiven. Neither was this tabernacle of this manner building, but much more perfect and greater. This holy tabernacle is with in y ^e aforesaid temple, for Christ dwelleth in y ^e father, and the father in him.

3 Open is this temple in heaven, & the tabernacle seen, whan god is known by true preaching & christs doctrine believed. For he came into the world, & for y ^t purpose was borne, to bear witness unto y ^e truth, whō the father willed only to be hard concerning faith.

4 This temple and tabernacle open, or god and his word once known in this latter age, the seven Angels cometh forth. The eternal decrees of gods secret iudgemets apeereth, & are fulfilled in their times. As Angels or mess̄gers of god thei have in his eternity their just plagues in their season appointed to be exhibited.

5 And therefore are they said to come out from the temple which is God. Nothing hath he purposed to y ^e world, but he hath decreed it afore y ^e worlds constitution. For his purpose, mind, and pleasure, is as he is, everlasting. And as it falleth to the world by his assignment, it becometh a messenger, going out of the temple. So many hath he sent out of such mess̄gers, as he hath fulfilled decreed purposes. And marueil not though they be here called angels, considering that it is the commō manner of the holy scriptures, evermore to call them Angels which uttereth the will, pleasure, and commandment of God, as they do here. After this sort are the priests called Angels, so is Aggeus the prophet, so is S. John the Baptist, so are Christ's disciples, & also y ^e public preachers.

9 What the plagues are that they shall shed out of their vials, will be shown clearly in y ^e next chap. folowīg one after another.

7 These Angels are appareled in pure whit linen, bright shininge as christal and girdels about their breasts with girded of fine gold, which betokneth their sincere cleanness, & their glorious perfitnesse. For what can be more pure & precious, than the eternal decrees of the lord. What can be more perfect and glorious than his prediffined purposes? The laws of God are undefiled, the testimonies are true the statutes are right, the ways are suer, the commandments are clear, y ^e judgments are godly, the words are pure and precious. Yea, the gifts that come from the father of light are ever more perfect and good.

8 The gyrding of their breasts, is the straight spearing up of the secret meaning of God's judgments from our carnal understanding, till such time as he openeth thē unto us by his spirit: for it belongeth not unto us to deserve such secrets as the father reserveth to his own power.

9 And one of the four beasts or congregations (saith S. John) delivered unto the aforesaid .vii. Angels .vii. golden vials replenished w ^t the wrath full displeasure of God which liveth for evermore. Though the congregations be in the first chapter .vii. & in y ^e fourth .iiii. understanded by the four beasts, yet are they here in this place brought all unto one, and called one of the iiii. or else of the four made one, for so much as the universal Christian church is of one consent, one faith, one baptism, one god, and pertaineth to one Christ. For so much also as it confesseth, believeth and teacheth one doctrine of health. One is my dove saith the holy ghost, one is my dearelye beloved darlyng. A beast is it here noted, as living in the flesh, and not yet mortified by death.

10 The vials of God's wrath are the ungodly reprobates, fit only for destruction. Golden are thei here named, because they appear glorious in the worldly judgments of men. Uerye painted tombs are the dissembling hipocrits, within full of stinking bones. A shining name of life have thei & yet are they inwardly dead. For all that they do is to be seen of men.

11 Full of wrath are they, whereby is meant a sinful understanding, w ^t damnable doctrines. For very swift ar thei to all ungodliness. The .vi. properties have they which the Lord hateth, and y ^e seventh which he utterly abhoreth. A proud look, a dissembling tongue, bloody hands, a wicked heart, feet ready unto mischife, ways to practice lies, & sowings of dissenciō among brethren. These are given of the true christen congregation to the vii▪ Angels, or decreed purposes of God to be judged as thei have eternally diffined. For none other is their continual prayer, but y ^t his will be fulfilled, and that his predifined intents against the perverse multitude be finished at their convenient times. None other is it to put into the Angels hands, the vials of gods displeasure, than thus to commit them by faithful prayer to his purposed decrees or fore set ordinances.

12 B • t because that commonly whan gods judgments begin to wax known all things are commoned & troubled, therefore is it said here conseqently that the temple was full of smoke, by reason of the majesty of God, and of his glorious power. This smoke are certain mysteries, representing unto us the hidden majesty of gods eternal presence. Whose brightness can no frail understanding abide. Not all the world could not sustain it if all things were opē & plain concerning it. In no wise could Moses presently see y ^e face of God, only might he be suffered to see his back partes, for no mā can se God & live. Only is he seen here in this life as in a glass, or under a dark speking. He appeareth unto us here in a mystical smoke, like as he did to the patriarck Jacob in sleep, to Moses in y ^e flaming bush, to Helias in y ^e horle wind, to the Apostles in fiery tōgs, & unto Ananias in a secret visiō.

13 Under y ^e shadow of figurate locuciō is his glory for the elect persons, and faithful believers known. The unfaithful reprobates beholdeth y ^e smoke, but neither perceive thei in it the glory of god, nor y ^e majesty of his presence. They neither con • eiue his wonderful works, nor yet his Godly judgments. Their foolish harts are so darkened, that though they know God, yet glorify they him not.

They see y ^e smoke & perceive y ^e world troubled (as it is always when y ^e verity appeareth) but never y ^e more faith nor godly knowledge have they. But y ^e which is unto the faithful a raise is unto thē a ruin. That is unto y ^e other y ^e power of God unto health, is unto them slander and folishnesse. And that is unto y ^e other a sauoure of life unto life, is unto them a savor of death unto death. They remember not y ^t the Lord came down in fire unto Moses upon Mount Synay when it smoked altogether like a burning furnace, & therefore bear they away no glorified faces, or conciences depured by a true perfect faith.

14 And no man was able (saith y ^e text) to enter into the temple, til y ^e vii. deadly plages of y ^e .vii. Angels were wholly fulfilled. For though y ^e true believers perceive in y ^e mysteries of y ^e scriptures, the present majesty & mighty power of GOD, yet enter they not into full knowledge of him, being as yet subject unto vanity. For here is there knowledge imperfect, and their prophesying also. And therefore acknowledging their imbesilitie, and also waiting for y ^e revelation of the children of God, they say with Saint Paul. O the wonderful deepness of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How incomprehēsible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways.

15 And at this point shall they still be till the last judgment day finish all. For the full entering into the temple is none other then a whole perfect or consummate knowledge of God and his mysteries. Which cannot fully be had, till that which is imperfect be done away, the creature delivered from bondage of corruption. And til death be swallowed up, y ^e vessel of corruption becommyng incorruptible, & the mortal body becōming spiritual. The righteous shall thā shine as doeth y ^e sun in y ^e kingdom of their father, & glister as doth the bright stars world without end. What y ^e vii. plagues are, & what is their fulfilling, will in this Chapter following appear.

The Paraphrase.

AN other great voice hard John out of y ^e temple. A perfect, strong, and earnest assurance had he of the Lord by a spiritual premonishment, that y ^e invariable decrees of his set judgments should be fulfilled at their times of him appointed. Yea, ascertained he was infallibly that they should in their due seasons come to pass. For unto his friends openeth he his secret counsels always, as he did in old time unto his well beloved Israel, unto Moses, Zacharias, Ezekiel, and Daniel, with such other.

2 And the voice was unto the seven Angels under y ^e vii. seals opening, and the vii. trumpettes blowyng after this sort. Go your ways forth fulfilling the purpose ye be ordained unto. Pour out your vyalles of wrath upon the earth.

3 Declare them first of all to y ^e world, to be the reprobate vessels of dishonor, which of willfulness cōtemneth my eternal verity. Consequently send them into most deep error, that they may wax worse and worse, and not only to err in them selves, but also to bring other into error, that they may receive the double reward thereof, abiding my most fearful judgment.

4 And in such time as the Lord appointed, the first Angel went forth under the first seal opening, and poured out his vial upon y ^e earth. For in the first age of the church, to try her as gold in the furnace, permitted y ^e Lord by his eternal decree, the malicious Sinagoge of the Jews to rage, and to do their ungodly feats. In the which their furious madness, not only did they persecute the Apostles and first preachers of Christ from city to city, but also perverted the earthly minded multitude, by many and diverse ungodly kinds of false doctrine in hypocrisy. Of this sort was Himineus & Philetus, becommyng of Sadducees, false Christians, and denying the latter resurrection, whom Paul did excommunicate. So were also Phigellus & Hermogenes, bringing in again circumcision with certain ceremonial obseruacions to bleamishe the Gospel of Christ. These with such like, subverted whole houses (saith Paul) teaching things y ^t they ought not to have taught for filthy lukers sake.

6 And whan they were thus by the dec •• ed purpose of God shed upon the earth, or • e • te unto their own earthly •• astlin • sse, all destitute of his grace for cōtempning his word so graciously 〈◊〉 , there lighted a noisome and 〈◊〉 botch upon those men which 〈◊〉 mark of y ^e beast, or an 〈…〉 through their persuasions.

7 〈◊〉 upon them also that worshipped his Image, or accepted them for godly that made laws repugnaunt to his laws. For the great headed Rabines of y ^e Jews did not only spot y ^e consciences of the Israelites their own native cōtry men, but also of y ^e Greeks and Latins, the Asians & Romaines, compelling them for their own tradytions to make God's commandments of none effect. These having a pretence of godly living, denied the power thereof. Of this sort were they which entered into houses & brought into bondage superstitious women loaden with sin. For a more deep understanding hereof, cōfer this with y ^e first seal opening, and y ^e first trumpet blowing, and likewise the other vi. following.

The Pharaphrase.

1 After this went forth the seconde Angel of the second seal opening, effunding his vial upon the sea. According to the decree of God almighty for the second age of the Christian church, reigned among the Christians, deceitful brethren, & perverse teachers, betraying y ^e true ministers & deliuerīg thē unto death for Jesus Christ's sake, y ^t his life might be seen in their mortal flesh. For in this life he proveth his electes with Abraham and Job to save them, & to make thē just followers of Christ, whom it behoo • ed to suffer ere he entered into h • s glory.

2 Upon y ^e sea or wavering multitude was this •• all • shed. Only are the false Prophets received & taken of y ^e foolish fantastic • ll, & •• ipper witted sort, as a reed shakē of every wind Non regardeth them which hath set sure footing upon the hard rock Christ. Such a vial or vessel of God's Ire was Mair y ^e Idon •• t which made y ^e Talmud of the Iwes, a book more thā .x. Bibles after Nauelerus & other Historians, full of blasphemies & lies condemning y ^e doctrine of Christ. So was Rabbi, Moses y ^e Egyptian, Rabina, & Rabasses w ^t such other confirming y ^e same.

3 All bloody was this sea, y ^e vial once shed thereupon. Al fleshely were the people in their judgments, their harts fulfilled w ^t cruelty & murder against christs true witnesses, through their perverse prechings. Yea, in y ^e furious rage they thought they did God great good service when they put his servants unto death.

4 This blood was also in a manner as the blood of a dead mā. For dead was the doctrine that they taught, even the sleaing letter it self. Dead were also their ceremonies, their rites, and their idle observations.

So that every living thing died in that bloody sea. All they which seemed thorough glittering hypocrisy to live, wanted y ^e very life which is hid in Christ, and that riseth of faith in his living word. So did they also which depended all upon the vain pleasures of this life, exercising here tyranny both in words & doings. Neither were they out of the same danger, that fell from the verity once known, nor yet they which durst not receive it for fear of persecution, but both perished in this sea.

The Paraphrase.

1 Next in his course went out y ^e third Angel, under y ^e third seal opening, & he poured out his vyal upon the watery floods & fountains, & all they became very blood. By his set decree for y ^e third age of the church, suffered y ^e Lord false heretics to rage in all kinds of error, strongly to delude y ^e unbelievers.

2 These lighted upon the sweet waters, by whom ar meant y ^e sacred scriptures refreshing the dry souls. Who soever drinketh (saith Christ) of y ^e waters y ^t I give, he shall never be more a thirst.

3 Of these waters have they defiled both the rivers and welspringes w ^t blood. Both y ^e law and gospel, y ^e figure & verity, y ^e commandment & promise, the doctrine of prophets and Apostles have they corrupted with their false interpretacions & glosses, w ^t froward driftes and opinions, with vain traditions and worshippings, & with carnal wisdom and murtherings. Of this sort wer Eutices & Arius with such other like, as in the .vii. chapter afore.

4 And I hard (saith saint John) an Angel, betokning those sincere witnesses, to whom God had opened for that age his secret judgments. And this Angel said.

5 Omnipotent creator & Lord which art not only of thyself at this present instant, but wart also essencially in thyself without beginning.

6 Thou heavenly Lord art faithful in thy words & holy in thy works.

7 For as it appeareth before our eyes, y ^e decrees & foreiudgemēts y ^t thou madest afore, are now fulfilled in effect.

8 For the religious murderers y ^t of cruelnesse caused the blood of thy holy saints & Prophets, Apostles & preachers to be shed, have now by thy just appointment very blood to drink as they are most worthy.

9 For sleying of them whose message they contempned, they had their just plague. Not only became they vain in their thoughts, their foolish hearts darkened (not unlike to thē y ^t hath ears & hear not, eyes & see not, but also there remained unto them after this life a perpetual vengeance without mercy for their cruel oppressions as a due reward of their error.

10 Yet another angel hard I (saith S. Ihō) evē out of y ^e alter which is christ. This angel signifieth those witnesses that sometime confessed y ^e truth here, and now resteth frō their labors in y ^e Lord. These though they be departed, affirm that the other hath said afore, in token y ^t now being departed they forget not that truth which they afore confessed, living still yet in y ^e same, he y ^t holdeth my word (saith Christ) shall never taste of death.

11 And this is their saying in mistery or words comprehēding their secret confession.

12 Even so Lord God almighty▪ As y ^e living believers saith of thee by mouth, so say we now in the spirit.

13 That thy decreed judgments are ever more true, & thy marvelous workings righteous. The first is called in some translations the Angel of waters, the other here reported to come from the altar, to signify both sortes.

The Paraphrase.

1 Consequently, by the appointment of God, the fourth Angel in the fourth seal opening, poured out his vial of God's wrath on the sun. As y ^e Lord had eternally prefixed in y ^e fourth age of the Christian church. For the whole worlds punishment, was Christ sore bleamished which is y ^e clear son of righteousness. Sore did y ^e dissembling Antichrists in those days dark̄ y ^e true glory of God with their manifold sects of hypocrisy. The Pope had for his part an innumerable swarm of shorn smered Sodomites, and Mahomete a foul flock of frantic fabillers, which w ^t their newlye painted religions and prodigious observations, made first all the world to wonder & thā to worship Belial for Christ, taking darkness for light, & sin for righteousness.

2 These being very adversaries unto Christ, took vpō them his authority and seat, y ^e one boasting himself for his general vicar in earth, y ^e other for the great prophet of y ^e Lord, & so were received of y ^e execrate world. Needs would they seme to be y ^e sun, being the very shadows of death.

3 Permitted was this hearsackye sun to vex mē with heat of fire. Sitting in the temple of God which is w ^t in man, with such wicked laws as they made under the name of God & of Christ, they tirribly vexed, tormented, and cruciated the weak consciences of men, leaving them commonly in most painful desperation.

4 So y ^t the men raged in great heat, speaking evil of y ^e name of God, which had power over those plages. At their abhominable persuasions was Christ of thē not taken for a merciful savior and gentil redeemer, but for a froward chourle & intractable tyrant, unless he were molified by the merits and callings upon of other, and that could not be had without money.

5 Power hath the Lord over plages, to hold thē or remove thē. By his rightful judgment, at his only pleasure he hardeneth. As the potter may he break thē, or make them vessels of dishonor.

6 In no wise did this perverted multitude reap̄t their wicked blasphemies to give him glory, for all their cōfessyons, mass hearings, pilgrimages &. satisfactions without number. For they were not according to his prescription.

7 After none other sort will he be plea- and glorified, than he hath by his scriptures appointed. Nothing less ar their fantasies than true repentance.

The Pharaphrase.

1 In order succeedeth by y ^e divine ordinance the fifth Angel under the fifth seal opening, pouring out his vyal of God's indignation upon the seat of the beast. After none other sort than the Lord had afore prediffined for man's unfaithfulness sake, was the proud beastly kingdom of the papacy, & the execrable reign of Mahomet replenished with all filthy abominations under the sun. For in the other age afore they did but creep into the hearts of men through the glitterings of hypocrisy and dissimulate sanctity.

2 But here have they obtained y ^e power, seat, and authority of the beast, and so gotten unto them the myghtie Monarchies of the universal world. Here reigned they without check in all vain glory, hautinesse, malice, pryd, murder, hypocrisy, superstitiō, Idolatry: and blasphemy of God's name.

3 And therefore their kingdoms as all one in diuillishenesse, became all dark, without the light of God's verity, full of the stinking smoke of y ^e bottomless pit. Than went the locusts abroad, and filled the world with ignorance and blindness.

4 Every where gnewe they their tōges for very sorrow. In detracting the verity, much grief they suffered in their desperate hearts, their worms not dying, nor their fire quenched, the scorpiōs of y ^e earth stinging them also.

5 Spitefully they blasphemed y ^e omnipotent Lord of heaven for very anguish & dolour of their sores & wounds. For none other are the fruits of a desperate conscience thā blasphemies of God, as in Cain, Judas, and such other like. None other are the utterances of an unpenitent heart, but heavy hateful murmurings.

6 And therefore it followeth y ^t they repented them not of their deeds. For in a cruciate or fearfully vexed conscience can never dwell true repentance. So vnquietous always is the foolish desperate mind, as is the troubled raging sea. A wicked heart is laden with sorrows heaping sin upon sin, the Sinagoge of proud hypocrites having no health. In the fifth seal opening and trumpet blowing, is more of this mystery declared, which agreeth much with this vial of God, like as doeth the other with the other in their numbers, though not in their figures.

The Paraphrase.

1 In course now followeth the sixte Angel of gods appointment, under the sixth seal opening, shedding out his ireful vial vpō y ^e great river Euphrats, a flood of the Assyrians or of Babylon, betokening in misterye the pleasant possessions and wavering delights of the Papistical cleargye, with such like.

2 Into all filthy desires of carnal and worldly lusts gave the Lord their hearts over in the sixth age of the Christian church for their vnbeleeues sake to do those things which are vncumly and beastly. So that all their study, travail, and labor, sought to none other end, but only to abound in them. Wholly were they given thereunto, and nothing to the glory of God in all their practiced observations.

3 Yet were the waters thereof in process of time dried up. Their wealthy pomps, possessions, & pleasures (their false feats once known) are & shall be clearly taken away from them. For after Jesus Sirach, the plant of sin shall be rooted out in the proud Sinagog of the wicked.

4 And all this shall be to prepare the way of the kings, from the spring of the sun.

Never shall the governors walk in the ways of the Lord, nor rule according to Christ's doctrine, nor yet that doctrine be apert & open, til the waters be dried up, not one drop remaining. So long as the priests dwell in wanton delights & vain pleasures, either are the princes childish or else tyrannous, according as their deeds require.

5 Never are they kings from the spring of the sun, or according to Christ's rule, seeking God's honor w ^t David and Josiah. In England by the Gospel preaching have many of these waters been dried up in the suppression of monasteries, priories, couents, & fryers houses, yet are not all things brought unto Christ's clear institution. A sincere christē order cannot yet beseene there, And a great cause why. For all is not yet dried up there. The bishops reign still in as much vain glorious pomp, and with as many Heithenish obseruacions as ever they did. As cruelly hearted, and as bloody minded are they yet as ever they were afore, no mischief unsought to hold in the waters. Mark how Winchester, Durham, York, London, and Lincoln worketh, w ^t such other pleasantly disposed Euphratines. But be of good comfort and pray in the mean time. For the holy ghost promiseth here they shall wither away, with all that y ^e heavenly father hath not planted. All that generation will the Lord's breath consume. Now is the axe laid to the root of the tree, to hewe down the unfruitful branches, the withered reserved to unquenchable fire.

God grant the Princes at that day more christenly, to bestow the waters of Euphrates than they have yet been bestowed, no provision made for the poor, nor yet order set for the gospel preaching. For great part of it is now turned to the vpholdings of dise playing, maskinge, and bankatinge, yea I would I could not by just occasions speak it, bribing, whoring, and swearing, the towns, people's, and housshouldes, miserablye decayed, which will not one day be vnplaged, unless they repent.

6 Furthermore I saw (saith saint John) in the same self vision, three unclean spirits one coming out of the Dragons mouth, which signifieth Satan the devil, another out of the beasts mouth, betokeninge the universal Antichrist, and the third out of the false prophets mouth compared afore to the two horned beast. And all they seemed in manner as frogs both in their colors and fashions.

7 Idolatry was that ill spirit, which first went out from the serpent, & hath continued ever since in the world under the color of good works, as pilgrimage, deuocion & labor.

8 Error in abhominable filthiness was the spirit which came from the beastly Antichrist defilinge the whole christianity with innumerable superstitions under the color of chaste living, in pristhod, sacrifices and ceremonies.

9 Hipocrisie was the foul spirit which issued from the false preachers, poisoning the catholyque faith with false doctrine under the color of religion, pretending abstinence, prayer, and clennesse. These three wicked spirits are not all unlike to the wild fire, smoke, and brimstone, which the terrible fierce horses euometed in the ix. chapter of this present prophecy. For cursed, false, and impure they are. Their doctrine is wickedness, lies, & deuilishnesse, and the execrable wisdom of the flesh. In manner of frogs are they here described for their diversity of colors in ceremonies, doctrine, & sects, for their filthy dwelling in the dyrty traditions of men, and for crookelyng of their unknown Psalmodye and service, disquietynge with their idle customs the consciences of the simple multitude.

10 These are the very spirits of devils, the ympes of Satan, working such signs and myracels as would deceive the very chosen persons, and bring them into error if it were so possible. But the Lord evermore defendeth his.

11 A strong power have they by the working of Satan to show lying wonders & deceyuable signs among them that shall perish for detesting the truth.

12 These shall by the permission of god be suffered to go at large, they shall strongly delude the kings of the earth, and blind the governors of the universal world, making them drunken with y ^e cup of all abominations.

13 And all this shall they do to gather them to gether by their wicked counsayles, & to bring them in to one cruel consent of battailing against Christ and his menbers, to receive the penalty thereof in y ^e great day of y ^e lord almighty

14 Most busely they gather them to battle, when they move them to persecute the just believers with full ungodly acts, as now most of all in our age, which god hath promised in short space to revenge.

Of this will more be spoken in y ^e xix. chapter following. Least any man knowing the truth should tangle his own conscience with their spiritual sorceryes for fear of princes laws, under the vain hope of repentance, in the end of their lives, it followeth in plain sentence.

15 Behold (saith the Lord Jesus Christ) or earnestly take heed unto it, for I come dangerously unlooked for, as commonly doth y ^e thief, to thy hinderance if thou watch not in faith, but live in superstition.

Though this, not without reasonable cause may be taken in a generaliti for y ^e last judgment day, yet is it here spokē particularly of every mans departing. As a premonishment, he giveth this here of love least any man should perish without warning.

16 Blessed is he (saith that Lord) which watcheth in the true Christian believe, and liveth not in the vain but in the sure hope of life, sealed w ^t the just promises of god. For all that he doth shall prosper, and turn him to great advantage in the concluston.

17 Happy is he allo that holdeth fast unto him his garments, or works of God's prescription (which are y ^e fruits of the spirit) or that hath done on the Lord Jesus Christ, gyrdinge him suer unto himself by faith.

18 Least he be found a naked hypocrite witout faith, veritye, justice, charity, with such like, or least the righteous number at the latter day see his filthiness uncovered, and rejoice at his condemnation.

19 He is blessed which at that day shall be covered with the white garment of the Lamb, not having his sins imputed unto him.

20 To show the certainty of the aforesaid battle. Saint John saith that the devil gathered together those wicked rulers into a certain place, called in y ^e Hebrew tongue Armagedon. The unclean spirits that afore are named three of their diverse working in the Dragon, beast, and false prophet are here brought into one, as all of one lying spirit, whom Christ calleth the father devil. This one lying spirit which hath been a murderer from the beginning, comprehendinge in him all unclean spirits, like as doth the beast all Antichrists, hath combined together into one execrable zeal of fatherly traditions, all vainglorious and ungodly minded governors against God and his Christ. And this hath not been without the secret permission of God, willing to prove his elects by strong suffering, that they might receive at his hand the reward of strong victory or of his abundant riches.

21 This place here called in the Hebrew Armagedon, betokneth in mistery an hill of delectable fruits, interpreted of some for the hill of the gospel, and is commonly taken of y ^e Hebreues for that is sweet or of value. And this without fail is the church, which▪ • ft times in the Scriptures is called the plentuous hill of God, the hill of God's house, the hill of mirth, the hill of oliues, the hill of Zion, Carmelus, and Libanus, with such other like. In this mount evermore are they been • o battle. There slay the • innocent Lambes of Christ. All their power, malice, and tirannye, is there extremely uttered at the Antichrists labor and desire, which are exceedingly drunken in the blood of holy martires, which hath been shed upon the earth from the righteous Abel unto this day. But when the almighty setteth kings vpō the earth, it shall be clear even in the darkness, that the hill of Basan is God's hill.

The Paraphrase.

1 Finally the seventh Angel went forth under the seventh seal, opening as God had eternali determined, throwing out the content of his vial into the air. For the seventh age of the christen church by the very set purpose of God, are many converted to the truth, and become with Paul the vessels of election, that afore were with Judas the vessels of wrath under the great adversary of God. Neither is it any blemishe unto them to be called here, that they were afore, vials of wrath, considering that SIMON Leprosus, being once healed of his leprosy was ever after called a leper. In case like Paul, after his conversion was not ashamed to report himself both a Pharisee & also the son of a Pharasie.

2 These, by the mighty determination of God's strong judgment, are sent into the air. Most effectually are they lightened with the spirit of god, and provoked stiffly to stand up against the aerial powers regning in the fickle fantastical Antichrist and hypocrites, condempninge by God's word their universal doctrines and deuillishnes. These powers are no less than diuilles, whom Christ calleth fowls of the air, Peter and John man's adversaries, and saint Paul the governors of these darknesses in spiritual wickedness.

3 Whiles these things are in doing, out of heaven, which is the universal congregation, yea, from the very throne of god which is the elect faithful number (for thei are y ^e only seat of God) came a voice of reioysinge, saying after this sort.

4 It is done. All things are finished. Christ's glory once manifestly known the world is at an ende. The wicked hath done all their mischies, and the number of our brethren is fulfilled. Thus shall they preach a full deliverance of the captives, & y ^e peaceable yere of y ^e Lord. This is y ^e silence of an half hour space, mentioned afore in y ^e viii. chapter, and the return of this world unto Christ in the .xii. chapter. Not that there shall in those days be no enemies (for the remnaunte shall still remain) but that they shall not then openly dare rage, persecute, and kill, the world being at such a universal quiet.

5 Yet shall there happen in those days, voices, thunderings, and lightnings. Uoyces of sweet blessings and delectable promises to y ^e faithful congregation. Thunderings of terror to the unfaithful multitude commanding things contrary to y ^e flesh. And fearful lightnings of condemnation to there probate hipocrits and desperate obstinats.

6 And all from one word of the Lord, or one gospel preaching in diverse respects, no small earthquake following upon the same. What commocions, heuye complain tes, fearful tremblynges, sorrows, cries, griefs, sighynges, waylynges, grudginges, gruntynges, gronynges, wepynges, and hands wryngyng will be among y ^e earthly minded Antichrists and hypocrites, bishops, priests, prelates, holy watter mongers, and parish clerks, lawiers, whores, carvers, paynters, & wax sellers, whan their whoryshe church shall be turnedouer by judgment of the said word is easy to conjecture.

7 Such a one will this earthquake be (saith the text) so mighty & so strong, as never was yet since men were upon the earth, or since that earthly generation first began. Than shall be clean taken away the carnal church of Antichrist or the smered Sinagoge of shavelings. Neither shall the Pope with his disgysed rabble anymore be seen here, nor yet Mahomet with his monstrous muster.

8 In such wise shall their laws, sects & ceremones be destroyed in those days that no man shall be found so bold as once to allow one of thē openly. Than shall y ^e glory of Christ's name shine the world over, he making of his enemies his footstool.

9 Moreover in this terrible earthquake the great spiritual city called Sodom and Egypt, or the holy whorish mother the church shall be diss • uered into three parts, of the which two shall still be wicked, the third converted unto godliness. Two partes shall be dispersed (saith Zacharias) the third shall remain to the Lord. Of them which have and shall go out of minsters and monasteries, colleges and couentes, churches and cloisters, parishes, and nunneries, one sort shall inwardlye be given to Antichrists superstitiousnes and hypocrisy. An other sort upon diverse fleshly consideracions, shall faynedly fall to the Gospel. The third sort only of love towards God and zeal of health in their neighbors, shall unfeignedly cleave to the scriptures.

Thus shall y ^e ungodly sort be coupled still w ^t y ^e godly in eueri land & province & be y ^e much greater number, yet shall they for y ^e time attempt nothing against them, the truth so strongly regning. Neuertheles yet is it to be thought y ^t they shall then have nothing to suffer, considering y ^t it is a kingdom of sufferance. Christ to be head of that congregation suffered once incommodity or other always, so long as he was here living. It shall therefore behoove them which are his mystical members, always to suffer. For the servant is no better then his Lord, nor the soldier then his head capitayne. And to make this good, the lord saith in Zacharias. The same third part will I lead thorough fire, and purge it as silver or gold in the furnace. Then shall every godly creature follow Christ in bearinge his cross. They shall mortyfie their fl • shly members, sleyng all fornicatiō, filthiness, • dolatry, covetousness, pride anger, and malice.

They shall help, suffer, and forbear one another, having pitiful compassion upon the weak, sick, and needy. No duty beseeminge a Christian shall they leave undone.

10 Therefore this great or general city thus divided, all other particular or national cities must also fall. The blasphemous Pantheō of Rome once perishing, all other churches of y ^e unfaithful must needs follow soon after in their course. For the foundation takē away, y ^t building cannot endure. So y ^t from thenceforth shall be no Popish sects, no superstitious ceremonies, no Hethenish observations, nor opē Idolatry in all the world▪ But when y ^e remnāt of the wicked shall attempt afresh to raise up again such abominations, the Lord shall suddenly without warning fall vpō them with his most fearful & tirrible last judgment.

11 Great Babilō the aforsaid mother of all whoredom & filthiness, shall than come in remembrance before god. He shall than consider hir abhominable blasphemy, hir pride, cruelty, murder, & sins without number, waying them in righte balance according unto justice.

12 He shall also reward hir to drink the fierce cup of his wrath or wine of his great indignation, which is y ^e perpetual death of soul. The very dregs of his Ire shall she taste, yea unspeakable sorrows & pains without ende. For none other is it to come in remembrance before him at y ^t day, but to be condemned, & receive punishment according to hir deeds.

13 Then shall every I will (which is a place of refuge within y ^e sea) flee away and not tarry. The mountains that are wont to give succor unto them that be on the land, shall not at y ^e day be found. No comfort shall she thē have nor sure help anywhere.

14 No remedy will be at that day to flee from the fearful face of the Judge. Then will neither merits nor yet soul masses help, neither blessings nor kneelings, sacrifices nor sensings, wawlings, nor ringings, bussings nor singings, but will she nyll she, needs must she abide his heavy and tirrible sentence.

15 And there fell great hail (saith the text) as it had been weighty talents. Always must it be remembered that commonly the time paste is used in this hrophecie for the time to come, for the certayntie of the things here spokē. This hail is none other thē the heavy tempest or plague of y ^e said fearful & tirrible judgments of y ^e Lord, which shall on y ^t woeful day fall sodaynly as a thick hail upon the miserable multitude of them y ^t boasted thē selves to be y ^e holy church & upon their wicked followers, compared here unto Babylon.

16 This plague is here also for none other cause lykened unto talents, but for y ^t it is in wayght & measure to be ministered unto them by the preordination of God. So much pain and sorrow is due unto that whorish generation, as she hath glorified hir self in filthy delights, & so many punishments to be rewarded hir. Yea, double must she have according to hir works.

17 Out of heaven shall this vehement hail fall, from the fearful sentence of the Lord Jesus Christ, which shall than sit as a Judge in the myddest of his faithful congregatiō; they fitting with him as the body with the head in condempnation of the wicked.

18 And upon y ^e men shall it light. For the great whore or y ^e city called here Babilō, is in this place to be takē for that it comprehendeth, even for men, in whom also are included women by the common usage of the scriptures.

19 These men shall spitefully blaspheme God because of y ^e hail, plague, or terror of their torments. They shall cry out of him, wishing that he had no such power so to torment them.

20 For the tempest is great, and the sufferance thereof exceeding painful. As the Lord is mighty, so are his judgments whan they fall. Uehemēt, fierce, and strong is the Lord (saith Isaiah) as is the tempest of hail breaking out on every side, & bearing down strong holds.

[illustration]

The Paraphrase.

1 After this came (saith Saint John) one of the vii. Angels or invariable decrees of the Lord's eternal judgments, which had the vii. vyals of his wrath as afore hath been declared.

2 And this Angel or set purpose of God as an heavenly messenger talked with me in mystery.

3 Of favorable goodness in secret manner, he ascertayned me thereby of this wonderful judgment here following, to be fulfilled at the latter end of the world. And thus it said unto me.

4 Come hither friend John. I will show thee in secretnesse y ^e tirrible judgment of the great whore or coūterfaite church of hypocrites, as God hath appointed it. Needs must this whore be Rome, for that which is hereafter spokē, y ^t she is the great city which reigneth over y ^e kings of the earth. Euidēt it is both by y ^e scriptures & Cronicles, that in John's days Rome had her dominiō over all the whole world. And being infected with the abominations of all lands, rightly is she called Babylon or city of confusion, not only in this revelation but also in the first Epistle of Peter. And like as in y ^e scriptures often times under y ^e name of Jerusalem is meant the whole kingom of Judah, so under the name of Rome here may be understanded the universal world with all their abominations and diuillishnesses, their Idolatryes, witchcraftes, sects, superstitions, papacyes, priesthoodes, relygions, shauings, annointings, blessings, sensings, processions, & the diuil & all of such beggeryes. For all y ^e people since Christ's assēcion hath this Rome infected with her pestilent poisōs gathered from all Idolatrous nations such time as she held over them y ^e monarchial suppremit. And like as Babylon had y ^e Israelites captive under a bodily tribute, so hath this Rome had y ^e Christians both in their bodies & souls. At y ^e writing of this prophecy felt John of their cruelty being exiled into Patmos an I will of Licia, for the faithful testimony of Jesus. And so did I poor creature with my poor wife & children at the gathering of this present commentary flyinge into Germamye for the same.

5 No maruail though she be here called a great whore. For no where were ever yet seen so many Idole worshipinges, so many vain observations, so many superstitious sects, so many errors in hypocrisy, so many false prophets, and so many prodigious kinds of filthiness, no, not in Sodom it self, nor yet in miserable Egypt.

6 This Babilonysh whore or disguised sinagoge of shorelings, sitteth vpō many waters or people's y ^t are fantastical, fickle or foolish.

For none are in conscience subject unto her, that are constantly grounded in the sure doctrine of faith, only alloweth, hir traditions the wavering witted multitude, the slipper and unsteadfast number, obeying them in their hearts, of fear & not of love, so throwing them selves into a moste confuse Chaos or vawte of double dotage.

7 With this stinking strompet have the mighty potentates of the universal earth, y ^e Emperors, Kings, Princes, and other notable governors committed most shameful whoredom in the spirit by many strange worshippings, agreeing among them selves to her wickedly decreed laws & customs. To long should we stand here in this place, if we should describe them all severally in their colors at large as they be.

8 Through the crafty legerdimaine of the priests on y ^e one side, & y ^e cruel cōstitutiōs of Princes on y ^e other side, the dwellers of y ^e earth or worldly minded multitude are drunken with the wyne of her fornication spiritual, or practiced worshippings besides the prescript rules of God's word. Not only they which have been covetous, carnal, lewd, & wreched hath followed their abhominaciōs, but also an innumerable sort of y ^e elect number hath believed their lies and errors. Yea, they have been so dazed with their dotages, & so tangeled with their customs, that as men losing their wits without all godly remembrance, reason, wisdom, discressiō, understanding, judgment, & grace, the laws of God laid apart, the commandments neclected and the scriptures despised, they have not only kneeled, crossed, kissed, set up lights, & hold̄ up their hands before rottē posts, but also called thē their fathers in heuē. Yea (I axe God mercy a thousand times) I have ben one of thē myself. And this is to this day a principal religion of y ^e whorish Church, called devout pilgrymage or holy stations of prayer, many great pardons granted & many false promises made to alure the people thereunto.

9 But blessed be y ^e Lord, whose word in this age both admonished many as y ^e Angel did John, and brought, them also clean from hir abominations, into a secret consideration of y ^e spirit, unknown to y ^e world, there both to see hir pride and also to understand hir judgment. For it followeth in y ^e text, y ^t the Angel conveyed John away into y ^e wilderness in the spirit.

10 In mistery here the holy Ghost declared afore what the Lord should work in men having his grace at the latter days of the world. Into y ^e wilderness flee they with David, which leaving the customed ways of mē, after y ^e course of the scriptures seek up their Lord God in faith, worshiping him only in spirit and in verity.

The Pharaphrase.

1 And I saw (saith Saint John) in mistery a woman (for an whore at y ^e first bloush seemeth only a woman) sitting upon a rose coloured beast. This beast is y ^e great Antichrist that was spoken of afore, or the beastly body of y ^e diuil, comprehending in him Popes, Patriarchs, Cardinals, Lega • es, Bishops, Doctors, Abbotes, Priors, Pristes and Pardoners, monks, Canons, Fri • rs, Nuns, & so forth. Temporal governors also, as Emperors, Kings, Princes, dukes, Erles, Lord's, Justices, Deputies, Judges, Lawyers, Maiers, Bayliues Cunstables, & so forth, leaving their own dutied offices as to minister rightly, to serve their abominations.

2 All rose coloured is this beast, in token of tirannous murder & blodshedding over those that will not agree to their diuillishnesse.

3 Ful of blasphemous names is this beast also, as your holiness, your grace, your Lordeshippe, your fatherhoode, your mastership, your reverence, honor, highness, worship, magnificence, goodness, God's vicar, spiritual syr, ghostly father, physician of souls, defender of faith, head of the holy church, and so forth, besides the names of their properties, feats, and pagents, as procession, bishopping, anelyng, purgatory, pylgrimage, pardon, mass, matins, euensong, placebo, Candelmasse day, Palm sunday, Ash wednesday, holy rood day, S. Thomas day, & so forth.

4 This beast had vii. heads and ten horns, signifying his universal crafts and suggestions to destroy the graces and gifts of the holy Ghost, and also his falsely borrowed primacies & tyrannous aucthorities to withstand the commandments of God.

5 Upon this beast sitteth a woman. For what else auaūceth or beareth out this malignant muster in their copes, crosses, oils, myters, robes, relics, ceremonies, vygiles, holy days, blessings, sensings, and foolings, but a wanton foolish and fantastical religion, a vain glorious pomp, and a shinyng pretence of holiness in superstition, (calling it their holy church). She is said here to sit upon this bloody beast, as to be stayed, quieted, and settled by them. Mark what labors and pains that crafty and wily Winchester taketh with Bonner, Tonstall and other of his fashion, as her own sworn souldyours to hold up this glorious whore in her old estate of romishe religion. Oh he grunteth and groaneth, he sweateth & swelleth, he fretteth and belleth, he bloweth & panteth, calketh and canteth, he sturreth & never ceaseth, to bring his matters to pass.

6 In token that this hypocryticall church standeth in the murder of innocents, this womā is here gloriously appareled in purple, as guilty of their deaths which hath been slain, and also in fresh scarlet as evermore fresh & ready to continue in y ^e same bloodshedding. For if such tirrible slaughter wer not, y ^e true christiā faith should increase, to y ^e great diminishmēt of hir glory.

7 She is in like case florishingly decked with gold, precious stone, and pearls, not only in her manifold kynds of ornaments, as in her copes, corporasses, chesibles, tunicles, stools, fannous and myters, but also in mystery of counterfeit godliness. Many outward brags maketh this painted chu • ch of Christ of his Gospel, and of his Apostles, signified by y ^e gold, precious stone, & pearls, which is but a glittering color. For nothing myndeth she less than to follow them in conversation of living.

8 Moreover in hir hand which is her exterior ministration, she hath a golden cup, full of abominations and filthiness of her execrable whoredom. This cup is the false religion that she daily ministereth, besides the chalice whō hir marchaunts most dampnably abuseth. And it containeth all doctrine of devils, all beastly errors and lies, all deceitful power, all glytteryng works of hypocrites, all crafty wisdō of the flesh, & subtle practices of man's wit, besides philosophy, logic, rhetoric, and sophistry, Yea, all prodigious kynds of Idolatry, fornicatiō, sodometrie, and wickedness. Outwardely it seemeth gold, pretending the glory of God, • he holy name of Christ, y ^e sacred scriptures of the Bible, perpetual virginity of life, and all are but counterfeit colors & shadows of hipocrisy in the outward letter and name.

9 Ful of abominations is the drink of the excreable faith of that Romish religion received of other, & full of filthiness also, for both retaineth y ^e people thereof innumerable kinds of Idol worsippinges under the title of God's service, and also their shauelinges of prodigeous beastlynes in lecherouse living under y ^e color of chastity. Here were much to be spoken of Sayncte Germayns evil, saint Sithes key, saint Uncombers otes, master John shornes bote, saint Gertrudes rattes, saint Iobe for y ^e pox, saint Fyacre for ague, saint apoline for toth ache, saint Graciane for lost thrift, saint Walstō for good harvest, S. Cornelis for the foul evil & all other saints else almost.

10 Of the buggery boys also among prelates & priests, Gohstly fathers & religious, might much be said here, were it not for infecting men's eyes, ears & vnderstādings. For all these noiful nocuments are y ^e holy fruits of y ^e whoredom of y ^e holy whorish Chuche.

11 In the forehead of this glittering whore, which is hir outward show, is written a name, expreslye declaring what she is. By hir ungodly fruits is she known to y ^e elect servants of god, having the light of the scriptures. In their consciences appeareth she none other than a pestiferous whore, by the judgments of the same.

12 A very mistery is this show to the infidels, an hid̄ secret, an unknown wonder. For they are so blinded with her foppryes & tangled with hir toys, that they judge all that she doth, holy, religeous, and perfect. And all this suffereth God for their vnbeleues sake, destroyinge nevertheless the wisdom of the wise and prudence of the prudent in his.

13 Hir very name agreeing to hir fruits, is this. Great Babilō, in mischief far above y ^e city of y ^e Chaldeās, and much more full of confusion. For she is the original mother, the cause, the bginnyng, the root, y ^e spring, and the fountain of all spiritual fornications, and in a manner of all fleshly abominations also done upon the earth. This is to the faithful sort, as a written name of hir, evident, clear, open, and manifest. But to the unfaithful it is only as a mistery, hidden, dark, obscure, and neclect. For so are the secrets that God openeth to babes, & hydeth from the wise.

14 And I (saith John) perceived it evidently in my fore understanding, that this woman the very wife of the devil and of his beastly body (for the byssh • ps are the husbands of their romyshe churches) was all drunken in y ^e bloody slaughter of y ^e Saints, or ernest Christian believers and in the exceedinge tyrannous murder of the faithful witnesses of Jesus, or sincere preachers of his word. For neither of both she spareth. Besides all Godlye wisdom is she, and forgetful of her self, through this same blouddye dronknes, so great exces hath she takē.

15 And when I perceived and saw hir with all hir adders whelps so beastyshe (saith saint John) with exceading wonder I marueyled. Not only that she was thus ouerset with blood, drinking, or outrageous murthering of inocentes, but also of her exceeding great abominations.

16 And most of all I wondered that the almighty God could with so much paci • nce suffer hir in such mischief.

The Paraphrase.

1 And as I was thus with myself marueilynge, the Angel or afore named decree of the Lord said unto me these words.

2 Wherefore doest thou thus marvel, thou mortal man?

3 For thy gentle and meek expectation I shall show unto thee, the mystery of this wretched woman, and of the cruel beast that beareth hir, which hath seven heads and ten horns.

By this shalt y ^u know y ^e true church from the • alse, y ^e just preachers from the hypocrites, y ^e sincere doctrine from their subtle sophisms, & their lawful authority from their cruelly usurped presumcions. For that showeth y ^e Lord unto his electes, that he will not have known of all men.

4 The execrable beast or carnal kīgdom of Antichrist which thou hast seen here in mistery, was as concerninng his beginning in Cain first of all, & so continue forth in the fleshly children of men, in y ^e chaplaines of Pharaoh, Hieroboam, Baal and Bel, in the cruel bishops, priests, and lawiers with such other like til the death of Christ and so forth.

5 And now y ^e said beast is not in power and authority as he hath been. For in John's time, certain years before the writing of this reuelacion, was y ^e proud clergy of the Jews utterly destroyed by Titus and Uespasian, in y ^e terrible siege of Jerusalem.

Notwithstanding, yet shall this beast rise again in the Romish Pope and Mahomet and in their false prelates and doctors.

6 He shall assend out of the bottomless pit from the stinking den of Satan, exalting him self in worship above all that is called God. But in y ^e conclsiuon he shall have an end.

7 Into perdition shall he go without fail. The Lord shall first utter his wickedness (as now in this age) and than with the spirit of his mouth consume him and destroy him. So that his high climbing up, shall at the last be the chief cause of his fall. Yet shall his wicked rēnaūt once again set up their Christ's, & persecute a fresh, but that shall be no full raise unto him.

8 And the rabble of reprobates, which dwell on the earth, or for earthly commodities contēneth God's truth, shall wonder once again not without much inward rejoice, that their Church riseth again out of the old hipocrisyes.

9 Whose names are not registered in Christ, which is the large book of life, and hath been both y ^e life & the light of men since the first constitucion of the mouable world.

No, they are not numbered among those righteous that shall reign with him in glory.

10 These adversaries of God and his word shall have much gladness in their wicked hearts, whan they behold the beast thus coming up again that was of such magnificence, and now is but a thing of nought, that was esteemed above GOD, and now is proved damnation. So longe is this beastly Antichrist, as he worketh the mystery of iniquity in the reprobate vessels, and whan he leaveth that working than is he no longer. Mark in this process past the nature of GOD'S eternal decree for this age of his Church. Fyrst it showeth and than it condempneth the cursed Sinagog of the devil. In signification whereof the true preachers of our time have manife •• lie opened hir wickedness unto all the world, whereupon her utter destruction must shortly follow. Watch good Christian Reader, and pray earnestly.

The Paraphrase.

1 Here is a meaning which comprehendeth wisdom. A sincere understanding shall herein be requisite. Necessary it is therefore to take heed, lest y ^u hold the harlot and beast for that they boast them selves, to be, to thy damnation.

2 The seven heads of the beast aforemencioned, by y ^e plain diffinicion of the holy ghost are here to be taken for seven mountains, or y ^e universal princly monarchies of y ^e .vii. climates of the world.

3 Upon these the woman y ^t Babylonish harlot Rome (from whom hath issued all spiritual whoredom) in moste proud manner sitteth, having over them a universal domynyon. For in John's time, to Rome was all the world subject. Onder whose cruel reign was Christ done to death, so hath his faithful members been ever since by a new raised kingdom in the same.

4 These heads are also, vii, kings or governors of the aforesaid monarchyes sedused by a kynds of crafty errors and dyuelysh suggestions of that beast. So that if ye mark well this place, the head with the tail and the cause with his effect, in these present significacions shall no prejudice be found to that hath been said in the other, though they seem very diverse. For both the governors and also the lands, or the people's subject unto them have vniuersallye been blinded by their wylye wichcrafts. And so have the worldly potentates with the spiritual Antichrists agreede that both they have usurped one malignant medlynge over the souls of men to corrupt their faith, the princes applyinge their powers unto the same.

And that causeth the holy ghost here to call them the beasts heads under the title of mountains and kings. For under their princely authorities have all their mischiefs been fulfilled to uphold this whore against Christ & his word.

5 Fy • e of these heads are fallen from y ^e universal monarchy of Rome. All the dominions of Africa and Asia hath renounced the obedience of her Empire. Only cleaveth Europa unto her which is the least of the three, and yet not all thereof. When the Papacy grew, the whole Empire of the Greeks called Constantinople, fell clean from the Latins, and became with other diverse Monarchies, the possession of Muhammad's sect, or of the Agarenes and Turks. Of the other Empires may a like conjecture be had. Thus have they declined from hir, not so going forth nor yet risinge up unto Christ, for only is it said here, y ^t they were fallen.

6 And one head is (saith the text) at this present time remaining, the other head is not come as yet, but will come hereafter.

This head remaining is the sixth, and it is that feeble Empire that Rome now holdeth and have holden since John's time. The power of this Empire is • uenously deminished, and the notable fame thereof decayed betwixt the Popish prelates and the Frenchmen, a great part of the lands becoming saint Peters patrimonye. To make it a fit head of the beast to the up holding of this whorishe church (the authorytie thereof maintaining her laws) Gregory the fifth pope committed y ^e emperors choosing unto vi. princes of Germany three of them being Archbishops. He appointed also the King of Bohem for the seventh, then being tributarye unto him and his own feed man as an odd person to way upon their sides if need, place, and time should require it. Provided always that he should take his oth and receive his crown Imperial at Rome. So that now though it still be the same in title that it was in John's days, yet is it so diverse from it through diminishmēt of power, and so unlike in outward magnificence, as it never had ben the same.

7 The seventh head that is not yet come, is the papistical kingdom of our romish spiritualti, for therefore apeered nothing in John's time, nor yet more then v. hundred years after it. The Bishops of Rome (as they call them) from Peeter to Sylvester, were very poor souls, simple creatures, & men not regarded but despised of y ^e world. They were no new law makers for the more parte, but rather they gave their whole dilligēce to see those laws observed whō the holy ghost had made to their hands. Neither were they any mass saiers, soul singers, or procession goers, but as was S. Paul w ^t the other Apostles, simple preachers only, and for their sincere preaching, thei suffered the death of their bodies. But after the donation of Constantine and other plentuous almses committed unto their hands for the soccoure of the poor, they became all confessers, and toke them to their ease at home. Then was labor very tedious unto them preaching veri troublous & painful. Then studied they all to please the powers peacablye to hold s • ill their pleasant possessions, and by spiritual policies to increase thē more & more, the poor in a manner forgotten. Then came in that holy ceremony, and that with latin hours, serving of saints, and praying for the dead, to provoke men to offer to Corban. Thus crept they up in hypocrysie day by day, till such time as John of Constantinople contended with Gregory of Rome for the supre ••• e. In the which contencion though Gregory laid for himself saint. Peeters keys with many other sore arguments, and reasons, yet was he commanded by Maurcius the Emperor after the general Synod to obey the said John, as the universal head bishop of the whole world. Then were these holy fathers compelled to tarry a laisure, and under crafty colors to wait their pray. In process of time when Phocas was Emperor.

Boniface the iii, a man of will • practice, perceiving him much to be given to vain glory & couetuousnes, greatly also to dissalow the acts of Mauricius his predecessor, thorugh flattery and mede obtained of him that y ^e church of Rome should be holden from thence forth for the head church of y ^e world, and he for the head bishop. Whan this was once gotten, than rose they up so high that the Emperor became their foot stool, and all other Christian princes their waiting slaves, to ride and run, make and mar strive and fight, slay and kill, at their commandment and pleasure. Thus became the Romish Pope the seventh Kinge, that was in John's time yet to come. If y ^e mark in the Cronicles (good Reader) thou shalt find that Phocas the first Pope maker slew his master the Emperor Mauricius, signifying in mystery the said Pope making to be an utter destruction to the Empire. The Popes name was also at that time Boniface, which is as much to say as Bonafacies, a good face. Which betokeneth that this new raised kingdom should show a fair face evermore, or a shining pretence of holiness, what mischief so ever it wrought, either against God or man in abhominable superstition.

8 And whan this seventh Kinge cometh (saith the text) he must continue a space, or abide a little season. He must have a time by the permission of God, strongly to delude the unbelievers, which will neither see nor hear, read nor yet thankfullye receive his word of salvation, so graciously offered them. So corrupt are the fleshly affects of men, that much more prone they are to lies & superstitions, than to the verytie of the Lord, which is to be lamented.

Christ came first in the name of his heavenly father, but him will they nor receive. The Pope cometh in his own wicked name and to him run they by heaps. Whose continuance here hath been but a time. For yet is it not a thousand years since the Papacy first began under Phocas, which is but as a day before God, and that day will he shorten by his own promise for his elects sake, which to remember is their great comfort. And a great cause why. For soon after that, shall they be fully restored into the persight number of the children of God.

9 And the execrable beast (saith the text) that of late days was in auhoritie over all the world, yea sitting above God in the consciences of men, and now is become of no reputacion among men (God opening his mischiefs) is even the eyghte in number. And yet nevertheless is one of the vii. heads. For both is he the beastly body it self comprehending in him the universal abominations of all the earthly kingdoms. And in that point diverse from the seven heads and so the .viii. in number.

10 And also he is one of the .vii. heads and the seventh in number, in vsurpyng this proud worldly kingdom, thus after a vain temporal sort. Ouer and besides all this may he also be called the eyght in the cursed remnant which after the peaceable silence of christen liberty (Satan loosoned) shall most cruelly persecute Christ's congregation a fresh, as in the xx. chapter here following will appear.

11 This beast with his carriage, the Antichrist with his church, or Satan wish his sinagog, shall not only go into destructiō here by the mighty breth of God's mouth, or the true preaching of his Gospel, but also into damnation everlasting in the ende of the world with the devil and his Angels.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the ten horns (saith y ^e Angel unto John) which thou sawest here up on the heads of this rose coloured beast, are in signification x. Kings. Some hath taken these ten Kings for all those Emperors of y ^e Latins since Charlemayn, which have sworn them selves obediente to the Byshoppe of Rome. Some have thought them to be those Princes which here in Europa have aforetime been subject to the Empire of Rome. As the Kings of England, France, Spain, Portingale, Castele, Denmark, Scotland, Ungary, Boheme and Naples. But these consider not y ^t they be yet more in number, as Aragone, Nauerre, Cicile, Cypres, Sardine, Swethē, Pole, and such other, and are all included in the seven heads as members of the afore rehearsed Empires.

Neither mark they that they are above the heads, as horns, and more in number then the heads, betokening a rygorus authorytie and fierce power, which they proudlye usurp over them everywhere. Afore they were but suggestions, but here are they earnest doers. For in every region hath the beastly Antichrist of Rome his Metropolitans & Primats▪ As in England are Canterbury an • York, in France, Thuronensis, and Remensis, in Spain, Tholetanus & Terraconensis, in Portingale Hispalensis & Bracarensis, in Ireland Armachanus & Dubliniensis, in Denmark Lundensis and Upsalensis, in Germany Coloniensis & Maguntinus, in Hungary Strigoniensis and Colocensis, in Italy Pisanus & Rauennas, in Sicyle Panormitanus & Messanences, with an infinite number of bishops, prelates, priests, & religions, besides the fighting orders of y ^e Rhodes, y ^e Prussianes, y ^e Redemers of captives, y ^e Aragondes, y ^e Georgianes called de Alga, y ^e Monteseanes, y ^e Castilianes, y ^e Lusitaneanes, the Calatraneanes, & S. James warriors.

2 These had not yet at y ^• time received the diuillish kingdom of pestilnce vsurpacion over the souls of men.

For though in John's days arose certain Antichrists, as Hebion, Cerinthius, Diotrephes, Carpocras, and such like, yet were they nothing to these.

3 But now in deed they have received the self same authority & power with the beast, that he took afore of the Dragon, in manner of kings to rule in the hearts and consciences of men to his behoove.

4 For so much as their authority, is not of God like as is the authority of Kings, it is said here as kings, or as men counterfeiting them, in usurping a governance not freely given them of God, but of the Devil.

5 All at one hour received they this authority with the beast. And that (I suppose) was in the great general coūsail of Lateran at Rome, gathered under the title to recover Jerusalem again. Whereas confession in y ^e ear was cruelly extorted of Christian people under the pain of death & damnation by the whole consent both of the princes, & bishops, at y ^e former suggestiō of Innocēt y ^e third, besides other wicked things. As to hear latin service, to go on processiō on sundayes, to pray unto dead saints, to • orship Images, to buy masses for y ^e dead, to • ast the fridays, w ^t purgatory, pardons, merits, & friers orders. In y ^e said counsel became the metropolitans as kings, and by y ^e authority threof appointed they their Stuards, Baliues, & other officers, as bishops, curates, & parish priests to have ever & charge of souls, and in the said ear confession to receive their accounts.

6 These counterfeit kings are all of on devilish mind, practice, & purpose against God and his veritye.

7 And fully they are fixed to give their whole power, their study, & their strength unto y ^e behoove of y ^e beast. Not according to God's mind will they rule, but all after his will & pleasure, agreing always unto him as menbers to their head, to serve wickedness after wickedness in Babylon. His Popish decres will they seek, his devilish decretales will they follow, his ceremonials will they observe, and nothing of y ^e sacred scriptures. What learning so ever they have? what gifts of nature, fortune, or grace, all must be to y ^e maintenance of his fātastical fopperis. To him ar they sworn to do him homage, to obey his laws, to kiss his feet, & for his glorious sake to persecute his gospel.

8 And in so doing they shall fight with the lamb, which is Jesus Christ. They shall impunge his truth whē they think to do him service. For that mischief they do to one of his, they do to his own person.

9 But be they never so dogged, yet • hal the Lamb overcome them in his faithful members, yea, by patient sufferance only. The victory (saith S. John) which overcometh the world, is a sure Christian faith. Upon their • ide fighteth he which is most myghtie and strong, yea, the Lord that is valyaunt in battle. And he shall first overcome them in this life with the mighty breath of his mouth, scattering thē away as dust from the earth. And after this shall his tirrible judgment forever condemn them.

10 For he is by the authority given him of his father, y ^e Lord of all Lord's, and by his own eternal Godhead the King of all Kings, having all power in heaven and in earth. He is cōstitute Judge of the quick and the dead, having alone the everlasting Em • ire with his father and the holy Ghost, and of his kingdom shall never be an ende.

11 By his permission doeth all kings reign, he hath their hearts in his hand and judgeth their thoughts. Both may he give them his spirit, and also take it from them, and of his enemies he shall make his footstool. He is y ^e same •• one after Daniel that without any hands was cut out of the mount, which breaketh the Iron, the copper, the earth, the silver, and the Golde in pieces. By whom are meant y ^e universal kingdoms of this world.

12 Of this his victory are all they parteners with him, which are upon his side by faith. Most specially those true servants of his, which after they are called by grace and chosen by faith, persevere still constant, fervent, faithful, and sure in his verity to y ^e latter ende of their lives.

13 Not only the Lamb therefore shall • uercome the beast, but they also after the doctrine of Paul that are called and chosen in him not falling from his truth for any temptation or grief, but standing fast by it unto the very death. For those that the Lord hath prefixed afore he hath called, justified, and allowed. These auanceth not them selves with the proud, but meekly they submit their crowns, referring all victory to y ^e Lamb, as men y ^t could have done nothing in y ^• behalf without him.

The Paraphrase.

1 And after this long communicatiō (saith Saint John) the afore said Angel said thus unto me, to make up his tale with.

2 The wavering waters which thou sawest here now of late in misterye, where as the Babylonish whore sitteth upon y ^e rose coloured beast, are in signification all manner of people's of the carnal nations, and the superstitious folk of many sundry tongues.

3 Not only in one place of y ^e world ruleth this wanton religion of Antychrist, but in every lande, in every dominion, in every company, among all occupacions & languages. The foolysh multitude everywhere, being blinded by their subtle sorceryes, and neither having faith nor yet the fear of God before their eyes, as a raging flood (the banks broken down) runneth headlings into all blasphemy and diuillishnesse.

4 Moreover the a fore named, ten horns (saith the Angel) which thou by the will of God beholdest here in spirit, upon y ^e said beast of distructiō, are those very persons which also shall hate the whore. Hir abominations once known by the Gospel preaching, they shall abhor hir laws, despise her authority, & cōtempne hir customs. They shall defeat hir of those lands & possessions which now she unjustly holdeth.

5 They y ^t afore were hir friends shall than be hir mortal enymies, denying hir both tribute, obedience, & service, so leaving hir without all comfort. Not only are these y ^e temporal governors, as the King of England, the Kyng of Denmark, y ^e Duke of Saxon, y ^e Lādgraue of Hesse, and other Princes of Germany, with such other as will here after follow the same principles, but also the Metropolitans and bishops, the Doctors and Prelates. As are already Thomas Cranmere the Archebishop of Canterbury, Hermanus de Weda the Archbishop of Coleyn, Godrick the Bishop of Hely, Barlow the bishop of Saint David's, Byrde the Bishop of Chester. Thurleby bishop of Westminster, Hugh Latimer & Nicolas Shaxton of late years Bishop of Worcester and Salisbury, with such other like as will here after follow their trade.

Though they were afore the horns of the beast for defense of the whore, yet are they now fallen from him, & more shall every day to make hir desolate of honor, and naked of rentes and possessyons.

6 So shall they chase that Babylonish harlot Rome with their prechers, y ^t neither shall they leave hir couler nor yet beauty. Consider what John Reuclin, Martin Luther, Erasmus, Ocolampadious, Zwinglius, Pomeran, Bucer, Capito, Melanthon, Grineus, Caluinous, Brencius, Frances Lamberte, Bullinger and such other hath don against hir already. Likewise here in Einglād, Bilnee, Tindale, Frith, Barns, Cromwell, Coverdale, Turner, Gorge Joy, Rose, Ridley, Ward, Becon, and other else leaving her neither Relics nor Robes, sects nor Shrynes, Abbeys nor Priores, many more coming after them of the same sort. These shall make her so desolat y ^t no man shall in proses of time regard hir. They shall leave hir so naked, y ^t all the world shall abhor her that shall loke upon hir. Yea, in the conclusion they shall eat her flesh.

7 Besides y ^e taking away of hir carnal prophites and plesuers, they shall confound hir fleshly understanding of the scriptuers, & utterly consume the superfluous obseruacions of hir whorishe cerimonies.

8 Finally with fire shall they burn hir, in bringing unto naught all hir abominable rules, customs, and kinds of idolatry. All these once plucked away by the evident word of God, no lenger shall this harlot appere.

For no lenger continueth the whore, then the whoredom is in price. Take away the rites and cerimonies, the Jewels and ornaments, the Images and lights, the Lordeshippes and fatherhodes, the altars and masses, with the Bishops and Priests, and what is their holy whorishe church anymore? Not only is this flesh eating and bur̄ing declared now a days in outward experimentes, as in the rebellious Monks and Priests of England, and in thē that arose there in the North, specially in fryer Forest and Margarete Cheny, which were for their church consumed, like as were Baales chaplayns at the broke of Cison by Helyas, but also mystically in that is spoken of hir afore.

9 For God hath (saith the Angel) all blindness secluded, put it into the hearts of those and such other godly mē by y ^e infusiō of his spirit, to fulfil his decreed will & pleasure in this behalf, as utterly to destroy y ^e popish religiō or filthy abominations of Antichrist.

10 He hath givē it thē moreover to do these things to his glory, through y ^e agreement of faith y ^t they have in y ^e unity of his godly truth, to y ^e abolishment of all sects, false prophets, & cōiurers of egipt.

11 Finally by his grace he hath moved them through knowledge of his word to render up hir blasphemous kingdom (whom sometime of ignorance they usurped) unto y ^e malignaunt beast again, as y ^e horns of his pestilent heads. After this sort did good Latimer & Shaxton give over their bishoppricks, & so have diverse other godly men their promocions & livings, as many more yet here after will do.

12 For as they have begun so shall they continue in diminishyng the abominations of this whorish church, till the words and promises of God by his Apostles and Prophets, which can never fail, be wholly fulfilled in effect, and till his last judgment do finish all. But thus do not all they which have done of the yoke of the Popes obedience▪ or blotted out his name. For the greater number of them retaineth still the blasphemous obseruacions & cerimonies of his Romish religion, some making new laws of death for y ^e establishmēt of y ^e same, as is in England y ^e act of the .vi. Articles w ^t diverse other more. And for this remaineth here still y ^e beast as receiving the rendered kingdom of y ^e whore. In whom is also comprehended the wicked remnant that shall work y ^e last mischief, whom the Lord shall ende with his said judgment. This beast is not without his lively Image still working y ^e same feetes y ^t him self wrought afore, though his head be greuouslye wounded in diverse quarters of the world. Neither is he without crafty physicians, to minister life to the same. Who ever forswore the Pope more earnestly, than did Stokislye and Samson, Gardyner and Tunstall, Wylson and fryer Watts, with such other holy prelates, yet labor they toth and nail to have Babilō still Babilō, Sodom Sodom, and Egypt Egypt. But maruail not of y ^e ordinance of the Lord, which all at on time provided Moses to guide his people & yet hardened Pharaoh against thē which sent his son Jesus Christ to save them, and yet suffered y ^e priests to murder him, considering he is y ^e potter which maketh both y ^e vessels of honouer and dishonor.

31 Brifly to conclude y ^e whole of this matter (saith y ^e angel) y ^e gorious aparreled woman, or glittering church of Antichrist, which thou sawest here of late in mistery, is also in recēblance y ^e great city Babilō, the mother of all y ^e spiritual abominations & Idolatries don upon y ^e earth. For like as frō Zion hath y ^e laue common forth & the word of god from Hieruselē, so hath issw • d forth frō this Babylonish Rome such a false religiō into Emperors, princes, & people's, as with filthy superstitions hath poisoned all the world.

14 For a kingdō she hath over y ^e kings or noble governors of y ^e earth, a false power, a usurped authority & a seat of very pestelence. Alas for pity that so worthy potentates should be in subjection to so stinking an whore, to so vile an harlot, being so y ^e servants of sin and captive slaves to all wickedness, from the which the Lord once deliver them. Amen.

The Commentary.

1 After these manifold visions (saith S. John) was I yet ware of another aungel or heavenly messenger▪ of the Lord, coming down from heaven, whnch is the habitacle of God. For from above all goodenesse cometh. This Angel betokeneth the faithful preachers of our age, and is all one wiih the Angel that had the seal of the living God in the vii. Chapter, with him that was clothed with a cloud in the x Chapter, and with him thai procllamed the fall of Babylon in the .xiiii. chapter.

2 In that he is said here to come down from heaven, is signified that they are sent 〈◊〉 God having great power, with constant feruentnesse of spyrit, strongelye to declare his will, to the utter destruction of the whore For like as the father hath lyf in him self, so hath his son Jesus, and • o hath in him his Godlye ministers.

3 His power is an everlasting power, retayninge both life and death.

4 With the brightness, not of this angel which was but a mess̄ger, but of the power that was given unto him, was the universal earth abundantlye lightened. Full is all y ^e world of y ^e glory of God, where as his word 〈…〉 his verity is once spread by y ^• true Godly prechers.

5 In this strong power cr • ed he might • lie & in this clear light was his earnest voice herd, uttering this sentence to the world.

6 She is falen clean down that was so proud, she is turned over that was so glorious an whore, yea, even the great Babilō her self, or blasphemous church of the Hipocrites.

7 By the judgment of God is • he brought to utter confusion. Firste ha • she a • all by the death of Christ, when the prince of this world was throw̄ forth Mark the destruction of Jerusalem, where the church of y ^e Jews did cease, the material temple of Salamō, and clearelye overthrown, not one stone upon another, remaining. Now shall▪she have another much worse by the plain •• nifestation of his word, to the comfort of all his elects. And both are of one certainty though the one he pa • te and the other yet to come.

Confer with this place y ^e overthrow of the monasteries in England, Denmark, the free cities of Germany, & certain other regions, & think that more sorrows are yet coming.

8 These are y ^e causes of her fall and occasions of her ruyne before the Lord.

She is become the filthy habitacion of devils much more than before hir first fa • l, for now they enter in by heaps, yea, seven for • n afore.

9 Now is she the stinking hold of all unclean spirits. For there have all the kinds of Idolatry their earnest maintenance, by hir spiritual occupiers the bishops, priests and religious. There regneth Simony, Sacrilege, Usury, fraud, ambition, malice, glotony, auaryce, pride, filthiness, & all mischiefs beysde.

10 Now is she the corrupt cage of all unclean fowls, and • atefull birds. For in her dwelleth the aduouterous Cardinals, the buggery bishops, the prostibulous prelates and priests, the Gomorreane monks, chanons, friers, and nonnes, an innumerable smarme of Sodomites. These doth Isaiah in similitude compare unto wild beasts, Dragons, Estriches, dancing Apes, Howlets, Meremaides, and other odible monsters. For there is mockinge and mowynge, criyng, and yellynge crossynge, and gapynge, congerynge and cloynynge, whyth many other feats.

Here could I show wonderfullye much by the histories of the stews of both kynds at Rome, of the profits received thereof, that occupiyng of Winchesters rentes in England, of saint Louis mantil in the graye fryers of Paris, of the hollowe pillar of our Lord's length in Lions, of the good Godlye father that cons • uprated two hundred Nuns in his time, of the burying of infants in their • aches, and of many other strange mysteries else, were it not for losinge of the time and hinderinge men's consciences.

11 She is fallen, she is fallen (sayt • the Angel) and therefore be glad of 〈◊〉 . For all nations of the world, a small simple number except (whom God hath preserved of his goodness) hath drunken of the wine of hir whoredom. For not giving thanks unto God when causes hath been offered, they have fallen into moste deep error. They have sought hir sorceries with deuociō, believed her doctrines, and so followed them in effect.

12 And therefore they shall taste of the wrath of God, or penalties due to that aduoutry of the spirit or vice of Idolatri ministered by hir. I shall have no pity (saith the Lord) upon her children, for they are the children of fornication.

13 The mighty kings and Potentates of the earth, not having afor • their eyes the love and fear of god, have committed with this whore moste vile filthiness, abusing them selves by many strange or vncommaunded worshippings, and bynding themselves by oath to observe her laws and customs. At the examples, doctrines, counsels, and persuasions of her holy whoremongers have they broken the couenaunts of peace, battailed, oppressed, spoiled, ravished, tyrannously murdered innocents, yea, for vain foolish causes, & more vain titles, neither godliness nor honesty regarded, as though there were neither heaven nor hell, God nor accoūts to be made.

14 And hir mitred merchants, her shorn soldiers, hir mass mongers, her soul sellers, and hir mart brokers waxed very riche through the sale of hir oils, creme, salt, water, bread, orders, hallowings, houselinges, ashes, palm, wax, frankensence, beads, crosses, candlesticks, copes, belles, organs, Images, relics, and other pedlary wares.

15 And are become very wealthy in the habundaunce of her pleasuers. They have gotten in unto them palaces and princely houses, fat pastors and parkes, meadows and warrens, rivers and pondes, villages & towns, cities and whole provinces, with the devil and all else, besides other men's wives, daughters, maid servants, and children whom they have abominably corrupted. What profits they have drawn unto them also by the sale of great bishopricks, prelacies promocions, benefices, tot quoties, pardons, pilgrymages, confessions, and purgatory, besides the yearly rents, of cathedral churches, Abbayes, Colleges, Couents, for suits and such other, it were unreasonable to tell. No pleasures are in the fardest part of the world, but they will have plenty of them Yet can they for the time preach unto other men contempt of the world, and commend both poverty and fasting.

The Commentary▪

1 Besides all this (saith saint John) yet heard I another voice from above, betokening another moving of the spirit whereby the Godly ministers are taught of the Lord. And this was thereof y ^• sweet warning.

2 Come away my people from that wicked Babylon with Esd • as, and from that stinkinge S • dome with Loth. Have no more to do with that whorish church. Forsake hir false religion and defiled Sacraments. Refuse hir wanton ceremonies, detest hir superstition, leave hir beggarly baggage.

Meddle no more with those whoremongers, those Nicolaitanes, those Baalamits. Abhore their abhominable studies, manners and life, repenting in heart all foolishness paste. Resorte unto me (saith the Lord) all you that labor and are laden, and I shall ease you of your heavy burdens.

3 Submit yourselves no longer to y ^• yoke of the infidels, but set your selve • at large, least ye be partakers of her abhominable sins, & to receive of her plages, which is y ^e great vengeance of god. Let it suffice you that hath ben don already at the plesur of the Heathē in the unlawful service of Idols. And learn frō henceforth to be more Godly wise, lest ye be damned with y ^e wicked. I remember that John Hildeshē in his book in turpia pingentem, showeth that Tailarand • s Petragoric •• s a french cardinal, when question was moved at his table of Apostates, commended the order of cardinals in that there was none among them. Unto whō Peter Thomas a Carmelyt▪ frier (which was notwithstanding within a while after y ^e patriark of Constantinople) made this true answer, what they be (saith he) y ^t goth from other orders I cannot tell, but sure I am that they which go fromyour order are saints. As by example, S Jerome, Petrus Dami •• us, Petrus de Moroue, & such other.

4 Besides the wholesome admonishmentes of the scripture hath many godly m • n given warninges of these matters, both in the primative church and in every age since. Many notab •• Doctors and fathers, since y ^e popes 〈◊〉 rayte, hath in their famous writings called upon the churches reformation. As Bertramus, Herebaldus, Johannes Scotus Menachus, Berengarius Thuronensis, Brun • , Adegauensis▪ Petrus Damianus Wateramus, Medburgensis, Bernardus, Cla • euallensis, Robertus Tuiciēsis, Joachim Abbas, Cirillus Grecus, Johannes Salisburtensis, Gilbertus 〈◊〉 , Angelus Hierosolimitanus, Guilbe •• nus de sancto amore, 〈◊〉 • onatus, Nicolaus Gallus, Hubertinus de Casan, Petrus Ioannis, Mar • ilius Pataumus, Johannes▪ Parys, Arnoldus de villa noua, Michael Cesenus, Guil • e • mus 〈◊〉 , nicolaus d • Luca, Marcus de Florencia, Johannes Wiccleus, Johannes 〈◊〉 ; Michael de Bononia, Johannes Hildeshē, Dātes Aligerius, Franciscus Petrarcha, Nicolaus Clemengis, Petrus de Aliaco, Johannes Gerson, Laurencius Ualla, Ludouicus Arelatensis, Johannes Segobius, Thomas Redonesis Gallus, Matheus Parmarius, David Bois, Dionisius, Carthustanus, Johannes Milnerton, Johannes▪ Go • chous, Johannes▪ de We • alya Woe • maciensis, Johannnes G • yler, Johannnes Crutzer, Wessalus Groningensis▪ Eneas Sylvius, Rodericus, Samorensis, Julianus Brixiensis▪ and Hieronimus Sauonarola, besides those that hath written in our days, as John Reuclin, Baptista Mantuanus▪ Baptista Panecius, Johannes Crestonus, Erasmus, Luther, and such other▪ of whom they have condemned y ^e more parte for heretics. To recyte their testimonies and writings, it would r • quyre much time, and therefore I pass it over here▪

Only have I rehearsed their names (as I could do yet many more) to put • ee in remembrance y ^t God▪ hath always had some in the world, which hath not in all points▪ cōscented to their blasphemies, though they have not had the light of this truth so open as we have it now.

Many godly Emperors and Coūseil • general have attempted this reformacion in the church, but evermore▪ have they found ungodly princes against thē, to hold the Antichrists still in their wickedness. Yet doubt I not but Pharaoh with his host shall perish in the sea, and the proud Jewish priests in the city, for their manifold blasphemies, at the time now appointed of the Lord.

5 For y ^e sins of this whore, or abominations without number of y ^e false religion, her stinkeing Idolatry and slaughter of Innocēts are gone up unto heaven against her, requiring the great vengeance of God. The filthiness of thē hath moved him to wrath, and kinled his displesure towards hir, putting him in rememberaunce of his eternal decree concerning hir destructyon. The greatness of hir mischiefs hath touched heaven, and hath axed w ^t Sodom and Gomor the fearful plages threatened her.

6 And the merciful Lord beholding the affliction of his people, & pitying their miserable thraldō in y ^e spiritual Egypt, hath considered hir ungodly behavior, weighed hir willful wretchedness, and measured hir unmerciful murder, commanding his appointed ministers to execute vpō hir his judgments without mercy.

7 Rewarde hir now (saith he) in every cōdiciō as she hath rewarded you afore▪ Measure again unto hir, like as she hath measured to you, now y ^t ye have the judgment seats. Crye out upon hir as she hath cried out upon you▪ Snare hir as she hath snared you. Destroy hir as she hath destroyed you. As she hath taken vengeance of you, so take you vengeance again • of hir. Lyke as she hath afflicted you, Judge • you, and condemned you by y ^e laws of mē, so scurge you hir again, judge hir an harlot, and condemn hir to hell by the mighty word of God.

8 See that you give hir twofold in punishment according to hir wicked deservings. Whereas she hath taken from you no more but the life of the body, take you away from hir again the life both of body and soul.

9 Into y ^e same bitter cup of sorrow • that she hath filled unto you in hir malice, pour you in double again to hir. Whereas she hath given you a temporal death, give hir the death everlasting, doubling unto hir both y ^e griefs and continuance of them.

10 Yea, consider how greatly she hath glorified hir self▪ against God in blasphemous errors, in pride, in pleasures, and in wanton living.

11 And so much let hir taste of moste terrible punishments, sorrowful plages, waylinges, & gnashinges of teeth. An holy priesthood hath she pretended▪ a regal dignity hath she usurped, and both those powers moste shamefully hath she so abused, therefore let hir have the penalties dew unto such presumption. Take from hir, hir plesaūt Euphrates with the spoils and profits, wherein she hath inordinatlye delighted, and throw hir into most • depe wretchedness here, besides that shall follow in another world.

The commentary

1 For hyghlye she standeth in her own conseit as yet, boasting her self to be the great goodness of the earth.

2 I sit here in wealth, and pleasure (saith she) being a glorious queen, yea the holy church hir self, having authoryty in heaven, in earth and in hell, w ^t power to lose and bind, save & damn. With me is it not as with them that are not of this world or have no dwelling place here, for all is at my will and pleasure.

3 I am no desolate widow. The powers of this world standeth by me. The mighty princes and potentates defendeth me with the death of innocente people. Never was Nero, Domicianus Traianus nor Marencius, with other cruel tirrauntes, more sure upon my side in defense of superstitions, than they are yet still to this hour.

4 Therefore I can take no seathe, nor yet feel of any sorrow, I shall be lady forever. Never shall my seat be removed. Never shall I fall, nor any m • shappe light upon me. Such are y ^e bold brags of the papists, that Peters little ship may well be moved with y ^e tempest of heretics, but never shall it be overthrown, thynking thereby y ^e whorish church shall evermore continue, and never come to naught.

5 They consider not how strong y ^e Lamb is, against whō they daily fight. And therefore shall y ^e terrible plages (which God hath appointed hir to suffer) heavily light upon hir, and all in one day.

6 At once shall he pour upon that wicked congregation, death, sorrow & hunger, like as he did fire and brimstone upon the sinful cities. Perpetually shall they be deprived of y ^e life which is in Christ Jesus. Continuall weeping and teeth gnashing shall they have, their worm never dying. Still shall they inwardly famish, and never with felicity be satisfied.

7 With unquenchable fire shall this whore be brent with her whole generation of hypocrites, prepared for the diuil and his Angels.

8 Effectual and true is the sentence, for mighty is the Lord that shall judge hir, & condemn hir by his word.

9 Just is he in his promise, true in his sayings, glorious in his works, holy, terrible, and fearful in his judgments against the wicked. None shall be found able at that day to restrain the least part of his purposed vengeance, neither Mary throwyng in hir beads into saint Michaels balaunce, John the Baptist with his Lamb, Peter with his key, nor yet Paul with his long sword.

Though Moses and Samuel, the chosen Prophets of the Lord, yea, with Noah, Daniel, and patient Job, should stand before him at that day, yet should they not be ha • d.

The Commentary.

1 Moreover y ^e carnally minded kings of the earth (saith the aforesaid Angel) which hath for her pleasure abused their authority and power, shall take her, sudden destruction in this life very heavily.

2 Yea, they shall moste sorrowfully bewail them selves over hir, as men very ill contented with that ordinance of God.

They shall be sorry in their hearts that his word is become so strong against her, that they can resist it with swerd, fire, & halters no longer. They shall be pensyue & heavy to see all go to wrack, they being no lenger able by the slaughter of innocents to uphold her glittering estate.

3 Specially shall they be sore discontēted w ^t y ^e matter, which have with his committed the whoredom of the spyrite by many externe worshipings of dry waffer cakes, oils roods, relyques, ladyes, Images, sculles, bones, chippes, old rags, shows, bootes, spurs, hattes, breches, whodes, nightcapes, and such like.

4 And they that have lived wantonlie with hir in following hir idle obseruacions in mattēses, hours, and masses, in sensinges, halowings, and font halowing, in going processions with canapye, cross, and pyx, with banneres, stremers, and torchelight, with such other gaudes to foolish for children, no godly admonishment taken of y ^e scriptures. For under y ^e kings here are also to be understanded those people's, whō they have wickedly governed, & constrained by their laws to such abhominable usages.

5 Dolorously shall these kings lament, whan thy shall behold y ^e filthy smoke of hir burning, or whan they perceive that she coming to the trial of the scriptures, appeareth nothing but a vile stinking smoke noyful to the eyes, choking to the throat, and evermore blemishing the comfortable light. The church of the wicked (saith David) is as the dust that is blown forth of the wind, the shadow that passeth away, the smoke that vanisheth, and y ^e wax that melteth in the fire, yea, of all fantastical vanities the most.

6 A fare of shall they stand trembling at y ^e magesty of gods word, •• aring to be destroyed or to lose their worldly honors also by the same, as did the duke of Bauery and Brunswick with other popish princes at the last counsel of Rainsbrig. For the continual clamor of Eckius, Cochleus, Tregarius, Sactzgerus, Pelargus, Herborne, Hos •• eister, Badia, Winchester, and such other dirtye doctors of theirs is evermore, that the Gospellers would have all things in common. And therefore do these persecut them, and would not have that church to go down, thynkyng that if it should once fall, they should not long after continue.

7 Thus doth y ^e childrē of Cain which have murdered their poor innocent brethren, fear that every man looking upon them would destroy them. As men forsakē of God they dispaier in them selves, looking for non other but damnation, now that they can have no more masses, holy prayers nor suffrages, & complaing after this sort.

8 Alas alas that great cyty, that beutiful Babilō, that blessed holy mother y ^e church, which sometime had so many Popes pardons, so many bishops blessings, so many holy stacions, so many clean remissions a Pena et culpa, so many good ghostly fathers, so many religious orders, so much holy water for spirits, and saint John's Gospels with y ^e .v. wounds and y ^e length of our Lord for drowning, is now decayed forever.

9 We sorrow, we sighe, we sobbe, we are sore disquieted, for pain we pante, tremble, and quake to see our dearly beloved Babylon turned upside down, whom we toke for a most wonderful miracle.

10 Oh, that cyty, that city, y ^e sumtime was so mighty and strong, so fair & bewtiful, so glorious & holy, is now become wast and desolate.

11 At once is the terrible judgment of God common upon thee vnloked for. Sodenly art thow destroyed with the spirit of his mouth vnthought upon. Alas who shall pray for us now? who shall • inge Diriges and trentoles? who shall assoil us of our sins? who shall give us ashes & palms? who shall bless us with a spade, and sing us out of purgatory when we are dead? If we lack these things, we are like to want heavē. These are y ^e desperate complaints of the wicked.

The commentary

1 Now followeth in course the merchauntes of the earth, the sellers of wares in the temple, the marked muster of Mahomet and the Pope.

2 They shall weep & mourn, wayle and lament inwardly in them selves, both wringing their hands for sorrow, and scratchyng their heads for very anguish.

3 Bicause they see all men go from them, and none in a manner are disposed to buy their pedlary wares any more.

4 As these wares are specially, which follow here in course.

5 They will pay no more money for the housel sippings, bottom blessings, nor for seest me and seest me not, above the head and under of their chalices, which in many places be of fine gold. Neither regard they to kneel any more down and to kiss their pontifical rings, which are of y ^e same metal.

6 They will be no more at cost to have y ^e air beaten and y ^e Idols perfumed with their sensers at pryncipall feasts, to have their crucifixes laid vpō horses, or to have them solemply borne aloft in their gaddings abroad, with the religious occupyings of their paxes, cruettes, & other Jewels which be of silver.

7 Neither pass they greatly to behold precyous stones anymore in their ii. horned miters, whan they hallow their churches, give their whorishe orders, and tryumphantly muster in processions.

8 Nor in costuous pearls in their copes perrours, and chysibilles, whan they be in their prelately pompous sacrifices.

9 Men knowing y ^e word of God supposeth y ^t their ornaments of silk wherewith they garnishe their temples and adorn their Idolles, is very blasphemous and diuillish.

10 They think also that their fair white rochets of reins or fine linen clothe, their costly gray amices of calaber and cattes tales.

11 Theyr fresh Purple gowns whā they walk for their pleasures, & their read scarlet frockes whan they preach lies in the Pulpit, are very superfluous and vain.

12 In their thynen wood (whom some men call Algume trees, some Basel, some Corall) may be understand all their curious buildings of Temples, Abbeys, Chapels, and Chambers. All shrines, Images, churchscooles, & pews that are well paid for. All Banner staves, Pater noster scores, and pieces of the holy cross.

13 The vessels of yuory comprehendeth all their maundye dyshes, their offering platters, their relique chistes, their god boxes, their drinking horns, their sipping cups for the hiccough, their tables whereupon are charmed their chalices and vestments, their standiches, their combes, their muske balls, their pomander pots, and their dust boxes with such other toys.

14 The vessels which after some interpretours are of precious stone, or after some of most precious wood, betokeneth their costuous cups or cruses of Jasper, Iacinct, Amel, and fine Beral, and their alabaster boxes wherewith they annointe kings, confirm children, and minister their holy whorish orders. Their pardon masers or drinking dishes, as saint Benits bole, saint Edmond's bole, saint Giles bole, saint Blithes bole, and Westminster bole, with such other holy relics.

15 Of Brasse (which containeth latten, copper, alcumine, and other hard metals) are made all their great candlesticks, holy water kettles, lamps, desks, pyllers, butterasses, bosses, bells and many other things more.

16 Of strong iron are the branches made that hold up the lights before their false gods, the tacks that sustain them for fallinge, the locks that save them from the robberye of thieves, their fire pans, bars and poolyes, w ^t many other strange ginnes besides.

7 With marble most commonly pave thei their temples, & build strong p • llers and arches in their great cathedral Churches and monasteries, they make thereof also their superalities, their tumbs, and their solemn grave stones, besides their other buildings with free stone, flint, rag, and brick, comprehended in the same.

8 By the Sinamon is meant all manner of costly spyces wherewith they bury their Bishops and founders, lest they should stink when they translate them again to make them saints for advantage.

19 By the smellynge odors, the sweet herbs that they strowe abroad at their dedications and burials, besides the dāmask waters, bawmes, muskes, pomaūnder, ciuet, and other curious confections they y ^t bestow vpō their own Precious bodies.

20 The oyntmentes are such oils as they mingle w ^t rose water, aloes, & spike with other merry conceits, where with they anoint their holy savors & roods to make them to sweat and to smell sweet, when they are borne abroad in procession vpō their high feastfull days, like as doctor Rede used his old rotten Rood at Beckles in Southfolke upon the holy rood day.

21 Frankensence occupy they often as a necessary thing, in the sensyng, of their Idols, hallowinge of their paschal, coniuringe of their ploughes, besides the blessing of their palms, candles, ashes, and their dead men's graves with Requiescant in peace.

22 With wine sing they their masses for money, they housel y ^e people at Easter, they wash their altar stones vpō maundy thursday, they fast the holy Imber days, besides other banketinges all the whole year to keep their flesh chaste.

23 With oil smere they young infantes at baptism & bishopping, they grease their massemongers and give them the mark of madian, they ancle their cattle that starueth, & do many other feats else.

24 Fyue sloure is such a merchandyse of theirs as far excedeth all other and was first given them by pope Alexander the first, thinkinge Christ's institution not sufficient nor coml • m using the common bread in that ministry. For that ware hath brought them in their plentiful possessions, their Lordship’s, fat benifices, and prebendaries, with in nmerable pleasures else.

25 Wheat have thei of their farms, whereof they make pardon bread and cakes to draw people to deuocion towards them.

26 Cattle receive they offered unto their Idols by the Idiots of the countries for recover of sondrye diseases, besides that they have of their tithes.

27 Shepe have they sometime of their own pastures, sometime of begginge, sometime of bequestes for the dead, to cry them out of their fearful purgatory, when they be a sleep at midnight.

28 Great horses have they for mortuaries, for offices, for fauers, gifts & rewards, to be good Lord's unto them that they may hold still their farms, and to have saunder waspe their son and their heir a priest, or to admit him unto a mannerly benifice, that he may be called master person, & such like.

29 Charets have they also or horselitters of all manner of sorts, specially at Rome, with foot men runninge on both sides of them, to make room for the holy fathers.

Of whom some carry their own precious bodies, some their treasure, some the blessed sacrament, some holy relics and ornaments, some their whores, & some their bastards.

30 The bodies of men must needs be judged to be at their pleasure, so long as christen provinces be tributaries unto them, princes obediēte, people's subject, and their laws at their commandment to slay and to kill. And to make this good, who hath not in England paid his Peter penny sometime to acknowledge himself a bond man of theirs at the receipt of his yearly howsell.

Furthermore yet, besides their market muster of monks, fryers, and priests, they have certain bondmē, of whom some they sell to the Uenicians, some to the Genues, some to the Portingales, & some to y ^e Turks, to row in their galleis.

31 And last of all to make up their market, least anything should escape their hands, these unmerciful bribers maketh marchaundise of the souls of men, to deprive Christ of his whole right, sending many unto hell, but not one unto heaven (unless they maliciously murder thē forth truths sake) & all for money. After many other sortes else abuse they these good creatures of God whō the holy ghost here nameth by course as things comprehending all other, besides, that Mahomits ministers in their sort in Barbary, Greece, and Egypt. For nothing under the heavens leave thei undefiled. Much were it to show here by the cronicles severally, of what Pope they have reieiued authorytie, power, and charge to utter these wares to advantage and how they came first from the old Idolatrous by the large testimonies of Sapience, Isaiah, Daniel, Baruch, Os • as, and the other prophets. At one hour shall these merchants for their abhom • nations be plagued, nothing that the vain lovers of this world have tro •• ed in, anaylinge them nor yet healping them. For at all times in this last age of the world (whom John calleth the last hour) are the wicked reprobates condemned of God, and so reserved to y ^e latter sentence of y ^e judge. For it followeth in the text.

The Commentary.

1 And the deliclous apples (saith y ^e threatening voice of the holy ghost unto this whore) that thy wreched heart hath so sore lusted after by so mani vnsaciable desires are now departed frō thee. Men of ripe learning and judgment, whom thou couetedst to have for defense of thy glorious whoredom, thy abominations perceived, will no longer dwell with thee, but utterly leave thee, detest thee, and abhor thee. Whereas they have afore auauanced thee to the world, now will they by the scriptures reprove thee to the same.

2 In like manner all those things which were afore time very precious and dainty unto thee, and whom thou haddest for their goodness in much estimation, are now for thy lewdenesse gone a way clean from thee, biddinge thee forever adue. Men of sober discretion and living, whom thou hast afore time pretended much to favor, as things commodious unto thee, to the clokyng of hypocrisy, thy conditions now known, do daily more and more decline from thy dead observations and moste damnable superstitions. And where as they thought thee afore very holy and good, they suppose thee now both detestable and devilish.

3 So that from henceforth the verity open, none shall remain with thee, nor defend thy known whoredom, but hipocrits, men's pleasures, flatterers, bablyng sophisters, hauling canonistes, Epicures, and blasphemous Antichrists. As for men that be godly wise, sober, virtuous, learned, well occupied, and mynding the glory of God, will utterly refuse thee, & forsake thy pestiferous ways.

4 Thou shalt find them no more upon thy side pleating. No more shalt thou have their saver, nor yet their sweet smellinge. Neither shall their doctrine maintain thy vain ceremonies, nor yet their conversation observe thy crooked customs anymore▪ Yea, be thou certain and sure of this, that be thei once gone from the clean, never shall they again return unto thee. Only shall thy wicked remnant be beasts and bablers, fi • thy workers and drounkards, as in Eckius which had three bastards the same year y ^t he disputed at Lipsia against the marriage of priests, Natalis Beda, C • lictoneus, Liset, Godet, Sutor, Delphus, and de quercu at Paris. Bragging Winchester, the Popes paraclet in England, that is master of the stews at London, and such other dirty doungels.

5 The busi merchants of these earthly things afore (saith y ^e voice again unto John) which wer become very fat, wealthy and riche thorough quick sale of their wares of this whorish church, shall at the day of hir destruction stand a far of bewaylinge hir fall. Far diverse are these in their markets frō the usage of other occupiers in the world. For whereas they sell their wares but once, & look no more for them again, these sell them every day and yet retain them still. And where as they sell the very wares in deed, these sell no more but the sight, the sound, and the shadow. As the looking upon their Images, y ^e noise of their bells, the spreading out of their ornaments, the show of their Iewelles, the use and occupyinge of their instruments, the kissing of their relics, the wind of their lips, the spatle of their tungs, their idle pratlings, and ungodly merits. But still they keep to them selves the gold, the silver, the precious stones, the pearls, and such like, though they never cost them money. Yea, so would they do also the learning and good living if they had them as they have not. For none would they have learned nor yet virtuous in the sight of the world, but their own smered Sodomites.

6 How and wherein these marchāts are rich it is shown afore, and besides y ^t all the world doth know it.

7 But now in the fall certainly of their whorish church, will they stand a far of. They will be none of hirs, when they see hir go down, lest they should go down with hir, and be punished with penury, or lest they should be drawn, hanged and quartered, as many have been in England.

8 Rather will they hold a fair face outwardly for advantage, inwardlye it their harts bewaylynge hir ruin, or secretly among them selves depl • ring hir decay, till such time as they may be bold to play y ^e knaves again, laying after this weeping sort.

9 Alas, alas that notable city, y ^e Babilonyshe Rome that ruled all the world, that holy church that was so beautyfully adorned with fine sylke, purple, and scarlet in her copes, vestures and ornaments and was so preciously furnished with gold, precious stone and pearels, in hir chalices crosses and miters, and in all other prodigious and pompous Jewels.

10 Alas for hir, alas, for now at one hour in this latter age of the church by the gospel preaching is so exceeding great riches, glory magnificence and honor of our holy mother come even unto naught. Yea, our manifold prelacies are not regarded among them, but utterly contempned and despised.

The Commentary.

1 In like case every ship master, which betokneth diocesanes, bishops, and ordinaries.

2 And all they that occupy boats, whiries, and scutes, or sail upon the sea, as they which do among the wavering multitude are taken for parsons, vicars, and curates.

3 Yea, and mariners also that work in the sea, by whom are signified soul priests, simple penitensers, and holy water mongers, daily peruertinge y ^• ignorant heople.

4 All these (saith the voice) will stand a far of when they see hir destruction. No longer will they stand by hir, then they feel her profitable and pleasant unto them. Decay once the sweet profits, and they are gone away.

5 Yet will they turn toward her again, and cry out when they shall behold the filthy smoke that shall arise of her burning.

6 When her wisdom appeareth foolishness, hir doctrine diuelishnesse, and hir sanctity wickedness by the word of God shall sorrowfullye lament for their own bellies sake, saying thus in their desperate harts.

7 What city in the world can be thought like unto this mighty city, either in magnificence, wealth, or power? No cilizens are more preciously appareled, more sumptuously fed, nor more delitiouslye diered, then is the shorn nation, if ye mark well their favor and feeding, their sine disguysing and lodging, their fat cheeks and great bellies with such other lyklyhoodes else. Much rather had they to have still the wanton commodities of this City, then the perpetual pleasures of Heaven. So vndiscret, carnal, and beastly are they in their imaginations, cares, & studies.

8 So sorrowful will they be for this their general loss, that upon their witless heads, they shall cast dust in token of their inward heuines. With despair shall they darken their wits, & with dottage dull their understanding. And as graciously will they repent as ever did Cain, Pharaoh, Esau Antiochus, & Judas their predicessors

9 Dolorously shall they cry in their mutual murtherings, mourning for their powches, and sorowyng for their bellies, and this will be the tenor of their woeful tragedy.

10 Alas, alas that worthy city, that royal Rome, that sweet Babylon, that holy mother of ours, in whom we were left so rich, so mighty, & so strong that all the world feared us, & we felt of no sorrows.

11 Specially all we that had ships in the sea, or that had Bishopprickes, benefices, and other fat livings among the wavering wanderers of the light laytie, inconstaunt, fyckle and foolysh, where as GOD'S word is not known.

12 We became wealthy in all manner of pleasures, by reason of her costly and profitable wares that those our ships contained, which are to many to be now rehearsed.

13 Full woe are we & heavy at the heart remembering that famous city, for at one hour is she made desolat. In this last age of his Church will the Lord consume hir with his breth, not leaving in hir one stone upon another. Like as y ^e shadow y ^t passeth shall she vanish away, & like the dry thistle Floure, or dust that is scatered with the wind. Suche words (saith the wise man Philo) shall they speak in hell that have sinned, besides their desperate complaint in this life. Some expsitours have taken all these kings, merchants vnd ship governors for one manner of people or generation of Antichrist. And it may well be, for so much as they are all of y ^e earth. None of these are they justly by the authorytie of God, but very tiraunts, thieves, and manquellers.

The Commentary.

1 With all mirth possible (saith the text) rejoice thou heavē, or thou faithful congregation of God, to see this aduoutrous church of Antichrist overthrown. Be glad in thy heart, not that thy quarrel is revenged, but in y ^t the righteousness of God is fulfilled, his people being at liberty.

2 Have mirth convenient ye holy Apostles or messengers of the Lord, with them that the Gospel hath called.

3 Ioye with our brethren ye ancient Prophets, or godly teachers of the old law.

4 For your merciful God hath heard your pittious cry from under the altar, and hath performed upon y ^e blasphemous whore the same self judgment that you desired. According to your own request hath he revenged all your innocent blood, which hath been shed upon earth since Abel the ryghtuous. The same damnation have they now justly y ^t they ministered unto you unjustly. Yea double, for so much as they have it both in their bodies and souls, where as you had it but alone in your bodies.

5 And immediately (saith S. John) an Angel of great power betokening the true preachers of the latter age of the church, strongly endued frō above, took up a stone of exceeding weight, very like in simylitude unto a great millstone. They shall gather up out of Isaiah, Hieremy, Abacucke, & other Prophets, the mighty, & tirrible judgments of y ^e Lord, which are the heavy stone that shall grind his enemies into powder.

6 This stone shall they cast into y ^e sea. They shall publish, preach, and declare unto the people of this world (which are as the mouable flood) those heavy judgments which shall light vpō that blasphemous church of theirs at the time appointed, and thus shall they say unto them.

7 So vyolent and heavy shall be the destruction of that miserable city, that mystical Babylon, that prostibulous church of Antichrist, with hir shorn citizens and smeared hypocrites, as is the weighty fall of an exceeding great millstone in the bottom of the sea rising up no more again, yea, so tirrible and fearful.

8 With shame and confusion shall that wicked generation come down, and never more be found hereafter, neither in the earth nor yet in heaven. Though in their painted stories they put popes, cardinals, & bishops, monks, chanōs, & shaven priests, friers, nuns, and heremites, in heaven among the saints, yet are there none such nor never shall be. Their resting place is the bottom of the sea by the judgments of God, unless they renounce those vain superstitions and cleave to the sincere verities of y ^e Lord. Much have they boasted in their writings y ^t their holy mother of predigious orders and disguised relygyons should evermore continue.

9 But be certain and sure thou miserable church (saith the holy ghost) y ^t thou shalt no lēger enjoy y ^e cōmodious pleasures of a free cittye, all quietous without trubles. The merry noyes of them that play upon harps, lutes and fidels, the sweet voice of musicians y ^t sing with virginals, vials and chimes, the armony of them that pipe in recorders, flutes, and drums, and the shirle showt of trumpets, waits, & shawmes, shall no more be heard in thee to y ^e delight of men.

10 Neither shall y ^e sweet Organs containing the melodious noise of all manner of instruments & birds be played upon, nor y ^e great belles be rong after that, nor yet y ^e fresh discant, prick song, counter point, and faburden be called for in thee, which art the very sinagog of Satan.

11 Thy lascivious armonye & delectable music much provoking y ^e weak hearts of men to meddle w ^t thy abhominable whoredom by y ^e wantonness of Idolatry in that kind, shall perish with thee forever.

12 No cunning Artificer, Carver, Paynter, nor Gilder, Embroderer, Goldsmith, nor silk worker, with such other like of what occupacion so ever they be or have been to thy commodity, shall never more be found so again. Copes, cruettes, candelstickes, miters, crosses sēsers, crismatoris, corporasses, and chalices, which for thy whorishe holiness might not sometime be touched, will thā for thy sake be abhorred of all men. Never more shall be built for marchāts of thi livery & mark, palaces, temples, abbeys, collages, couēts, chauntries, fair houses, & horcherds of pleasure

13 The clapping noise of neither wyndmil, horsemil, nor watermil, shall anymore be heard, to y ^e gluttenous feeding of thy puffed up porklings, for the maintenance of thine idle obseruacions & ceremonies. No more shall those idle belly gods swill up the sweat th • re, of the laboring man, nor devour the poor widdowe & fathereesse for straining out a gnat.

14 The continual light of lamps before the high altar, the burning cressettes at triumphs in the night, y ^e torches at burials & solempne processions tapers at high masses, and the candles at offerings, shall neuermore burn in thy sinful sinagog.

15 No more shall the bridgrome desire after thy foolish ordenāce to be Ioyned to his wife, nor y ^e bride to hir lawful husband. No more shall that free state of living be bound under yoke of dāpnable dremes, neither for vows unadvised, nor for popish orders, nor yet for any gossiprye, but be at full lyberty as the Lord hath ordained it. No commodities, prophets, nor pleasures shalt thou have anymore of these nor yet of such like, as afore time thou haste had of them in habundance.

16 For thy mitred marchaunts were sumtime princes of y ^e earth whan they reigned in their roialty. Thy shorn shauelinges were Lord's over y ^e multitude, whan they held their priestly authority over y ^e souls & bodies of men.

17 Yea, and with thy privy legardemaine, with thy juggling castes, with the crafts, and inchauntmentes of thy subtle charms were all nations of the world deceived.

With lies in hipocrisy were the great governors most miserably blinded, & with errors in superstition y ^e common people seduced. And all was to satisfy thy voluptuous affects. Only remaineth to thee now the dwe reward of thy wickedness, which is an everlasting damnation.

18 All this is said here (saith the holy Ghoste) for that in this aduoutrous church is found the great slaughter of innocents.

19 Gilty appeareth she afore God of all the blod of the holy prophets of y ^e old law. As were Isaiah, Hieremy, Ezekiel, and Amos.

20 And of the sincere witnesses of the new law, as were Stephen, James, Antipas, and Paul.

21 Yea, and of all those Godly men y ^t were slain upon earth from righteous Abel unto the end of y ^e world for the faithful testimony of God. Among whom may they also be numbered, which hath in battayles, skirmyshes, and uproars at the Popes appoinment in all Christian regions been unmercifully murdered, for y ^e fulfilling of his insacyable purpose.

The Commentary.

1 After the destructiō of that whorish Babilō (which singnyfieth the wicked church) I heard (saith Saint John) in mistery, the reroysing voice of much people in heaven, which is that congregation of faith wherein y ^e Lord resteth.

2 Uerye many were there among them which ioyously gave thanks unto God.

3 Pronouncing this Hebrew sentence, Alleluia, which is so much to sai, as let us together praise the Lord's name.

4 Only is salvation, health, & deliverance of him. Unto none other it is to be ascribed, neither in heaven nor in earth, be there never so godly doers.

5 Inestimable glory, vnspeakble honor, incomprehencyble power, belongeth unto that Lord our God, so doth the dew commendacion thereof.

6 He it is that only ough • of us to be praised, obeyed, and magnified.

7 For he alone hath overthrown the dragō, the beast, and y ^e glittering whore that deceived all the world, that proud church of stynkeynge Sodomytes.

8 And this hath he done for our salvation. Referre all the praise unto him as to your conqueror most worthy.

9 For verily moste true and perfect is he in his merciful promises, moste righteous and just in his godly judgments, which hath been of late most euydently seen.

10 Specially in that he hath judged according to his former promise the abhominable harlot, the superstycyous church of Antichrist, the filthy famelye of spiritual whoremongers, gluttōs, & hypocrites, yea, the execrable Sinnagog of Satan in deed.

11 Which hath most miserably corrupted not y ^e true servants of God, but y ^e very earth, or such men as were earthly minded, with her filthy fornycation of Idolatry, superstition, & blasphemy.

12 That merciful Lord hath most rightuously avenged y ^e innocent blood his faithful servants and constant witnesses, of hir wicked hand. From the tirryble cruelty, spite, and violence of her vnmercyfull ministers hath he graciously delivered them.

13 Yet once again (saith saint John) did this godly minded multitude break forth into the praise of God, and cried with a most joyful shought. Alleluya, or commondation without end be unto our most heavenly creator, redeemer and comfortour. Hys laude be evermore in our mouth, for thus restoring his verity, the enemies thereof deposed.

The Commentary.

1 And the smoke (saith saint John) of hir abominations, very noyful unto y ^e eyes of God, went up evermore into his sight provoking him to eternal vengeance. A smoke ascended in his wrath (saith David) and upon y ^e fire proceeded from his mouth, which kindled the coles of hir damnation. Thys fire will be the tirrible sentence givē upon hir in his latter judgment. For never ceaseth this blasphemous bloody church in requiring the vengeance of God.

2 And the xxiiij. Elders (saith he) by whom are signified the saints departed, as the Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and other godly witnesses.

3 And the iv. beasts also betokening the faithful multitude in the, iv. quarters of the world, yet living in this frail nature, fell down before the face of the Lord.

4 In one godly spirit, faith, zeal, and fervent love, did both they in their times, & these in this our age submit them selves unto God, referryng alalwayes unto him all that they ever had either in faith or works, as unto the special giver of them.

5 These worshipped in their ages and yet do to this day, not things fantasied of men, but the only everlasting God that evermore hath sit upon the eternal seat of his omnipotency.

6 Continually saying: Amen▪ Or at his will be all things.

7 Saying also Alleluya, or everlasting praise be given to his name of the universal Christian multitude, for rightuously judging the great whore to drink the blood that she hath shed of the holy witnesses of Jesus, or to sustain forever the just vēgeaūce thereof.

8 Consequently came there out an, exceeding sweet voice from y ^e eternal throne of God, which is Jesus Christ. This is that Gospel of glad tidings, which he taught whan he was here living among us, being the bodily habitacle of his Godhead.

9 This voice evermore is moving us to the only faith, obedience, and fear of the eternal father, comprehended in this clause following.

10 In all your sayings and dooyngs (saith that voice) commend always that Lord which is both my father, both my God, & your God.

11 Specially all you that are his faithful servants by earnestly loving and following his word.

12 You also that unfeignedly fear to transgress his laws, and commandments, whither ye be great or small, high or low, young or old, noble or unnoble, rich or poor, strong or weak, whole or sick, beautiful or deformed, wise or unwise, learned or unlearned, none to be excluded frō his praise, so that he be faithful, charitable, patient, and godly. For in no manner of nation is any of him forsaken that faithfully feareth him and liveth according unto righteousness.

The Commentary.

1 After this (saith saint John) I herd in mistery y ^e voice of very much people, or of an innumerable multitude of men.

2 And it sounded unto me even as it had been the flushing noise of many waters.

3 And in a manner as the fearful sound of great thunderings. For though the praise of God be all one in the faithful nations, yet is the utterance thereof diverse, like as the languages are also diverse. Uery strange and confuse are the speeches one to another where they are not know̄. Tirrible also are they, partly for that they comprehend such a magistie, as is the glory of God, and partly because they are for the utter confusion of the wicked. None other was this voice than were the voices afore, nor to none other ende.

4 For loke in what faith the Patryarkes and the fathers, the prophets and Apostles, the holy Martyrs and preachers, lauded God for victory over their enemies, in the same doth now the faithful multitude of all regions commend him, saying: Alleluya, or praise be evermore in your mouths.

5 For our Lord God almighty is become a victorious conqueror, and now reigneth over all. Not only hath he ouercomen the devil by the doughtye death of his son, but also his proud kingdom of hipocrysie by the power of his mighty word.

6 Let us be glad (saith this voice) and highly rejoice in our harts for this heuenlye alteration & profitable change.

7 Let us give thanks to his omnipotent name, that without our deseruinges we are brought to so joyful a day.

8 For the glorious spousage of the Lamb Jesus Christ is come. Now that this whore is overthrown, shall he be joined to his undefiled church, which was afore dispersed by diverse afflictions and punishments.

9 His wife which is his congregation hath made hir self now ready to hir spouse. Not with copes and crosses, miters and relics, torches and holy water. Not with chapels, and chauntries, hallowings, and sensinges, shauinges & anointinges, with such other beggary. No, neither with works of supererogation, merits of masses, nor other dirtye deseruinges of our own righteousness. But with a pure Christian faith, & with the true righteousness of god which she hath of christ.

10 For it followeth in the text, y ^t to hir it was garnted by the singular goodness of God y ^t she should be apparyled beautifully with pure whit silk, or w ^t most fine rains.

11 None other are these fair pleasant and godly rains after the clear diffinition of the holy ghost here, but the pure justifications of the holy saints which have been since the beginning, whereof they have been called righteous. Of their faith in Jesus Christ is this pure garment of innocence, clernesse, and righteousness. Through faith was Abraham reputed for righteous, so was Abel, Enoche, & Noah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and Gideon, Samuel, David, and Helias, with the universal number of the saints, Prophets, and fathers. So was Zacharias, Simeon, Joseph, & John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, and Paul, Lazarus, Lucas, Agabus, and S • eeuen, with all the Apostles, martyrs, and other true believers. Through faith (saith S. Paul) have the saints ouercōe kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of Lions, quenched the violence of fire, with such like. Sence the beginning of y ^e world have the true and faithful prepared them selves unto this heavenly marriage, & in the resurrection of the righteous shall it be perfectly solemnised, celebrated, and magnified, such time as they shall appear in full glory with Christ.

In this latter time will the true Christian church, when all the world shall confess his name in peace, be of hir full perfect age and apt unto this spousage.

Now shall she in meekness of spirit appoint hir self to meet hir bridgrome in the air, for with a glad heart doeth she now here his voice. At that day shall she appear as the beautiful bride prepared to the spouse, accompanied with the wise maidens, the unwise neither having oil nor light forever rejected.

The Commentarye.

1 And the Angel (saith saint John) which shown unto me afore, the fall of the great whore, said at this present time unto me.

2 Seriouslye register this sentence following, that it may remain to their comfort, which shall follow thee.

3 After a most happy and fortunable sort are they blessed, which having the wedding garmente, the pure fine rains afore named, are graciously prdestinate, called, and accepted of the heavenly father, unto the everlasting supper of the undefiled Lamb Jesus Christ, there to perticipat with him the eternal refection both of soul & body. Satisfied shall I be (saith David) without end, when thy glory shall manyfestly appear. Not of corruptible meats and drinks shall this supper be, but of incorruptible delights and of pleasures that shall never fail. Nothing shall be there profane, void or uncomely, but all things, pure, clean true, steadfast, godly, & perfect. Thē shall the meetings be heavenly, and the clippinges w ^t out deformity. The bride shall at that day rejoice with hir everlasting spouse, and the daughters of Zion shall behold the true Solomon in full glory, accompanied with his holy how should of Angels and Saints.

4 And the aforesaid Angel (saith S. John) said thus unto me.

5 These words which I last told thee (frinde John) are not mine, but they are the true sayings of gods ow • mouth. So much the rather they are to be believed as most certain and sure, that they are of him whose • universal language is the ve • itie • nfayned.

9 As I heard the Angel speak thus unto me (saith saint John) I fell down by and by at hi • fete flat upon the ground, myndynge to have worshipped him. So wonderful wer the secret •• of god whom he there declared unto me, and the mysteries so joyful unto my soul, that in a manner I clearly forgote myself.

7 〈◊〉 hand I was at the point to have worshipped the mess̄ger for the Lord, and the Angel for the La • be, otherwise th •• did Abraham, not of ignorance, but of forgetful rejoicing.

8 But in no wise would the Angel suffer me so to do, but gently he said thus unto me.

9 Se thou do no such homage unto me a creature, as peculiarly belongeth unto god the creator of all. So great is thyself, and such as thou art, I am, & so excellent a creature of God. Truth it is that I am the aungel of the Lord, and so are you also, so many as bear witness of the same verity.

10 And as concerning mine own person, I am but thy fellow servant. For, he that is • hy god, is also my god, and he that is thy Lord and master is also mine. Indifferently are we both created for his servants, and admitted for his messengers.

11 Of thy brethren am I one by creation.

12 So am I also both a brother and fellow of all them that have the faithful testimony of Jesus. For like as they by his godly appointment are messengers thereof to y ^e world, so am I now unto thee here for the same.

13 worship not me therefore, which am but a creature, but worship thy Lord god, for sending by me this message of health unto thee. Though Loth Jacob, Joshua, Gedion, Tobias, & other fathers of the old law, gave worship unto the Angels whom God sent unto them in message, yet shalt thou not do so unto me now, considerynge that at this time God's son hath taken the nature of man, hath raised it from death hath set it upon the fathers right hand, and therein hath sent from thence the spirit of reconciliation unto men. By this are ye become no longer in feriours unto us, but equal with us infauour and dignity. No longer are ye strangers & foreners, but citizens of heaven and the very househould children of God.

14 And as for the testymony of Jesus Christ, which both I unto you, & you to y ^e world have to utter, it is y ^e very sprit of prophisi, & on message of health committed unto us both. The true spirit of god it is that beareth witness of Christ, both in the law & prophets (for none can say that Jesus is the lord, but in the holy ghost) and in that spirit do we now make mention also of him. This is the spirit of adoptiō whereby ye ackonwledge god for your dear father. Thys spirit assertaineth your spirit that ye are become his children believing in his name.

15 And in this spirit do I admonish thee John, by this present Reuelatiō which is a Prophicy, & in thee all them that have the same faith, to acknowledge, worship and confess the said Jesus Christ, as we do now, for the only Lord & savior of the world. Not only shalt thou be by the plain manifestation of this prophesye an Angel but also by an excellent prerogative of singular grace above all thy fellows, a Ppophete. After the manner of this Angel did Paul & Barnabas utterly refuse to have honor given them of the people at Listra. Peter would in no case suffer Cornelius the noble Centurion to worshype him. Contrarywise the Antichrist of Rome not only suffereth but also commandeth straightly such homage of honor evermore to be given to his holy fatherhood. Yea, he is not ashamed to cōstrain noble Emperors to k • sse his filthy feet, kings with cap & knee to hold his steroppes, and the greatest princes of the world to wait upon his Mule.

Great pardons hath he given to the worshyppinge of Idols and of old rotten bones, threatening most terrible death unto them that would not at his commandment do the same. At Geneva was honorablye worshipped an Asses tail, and at Tholosa a young boys shoo, great in dulgences granted unto them both. But let not him and his mitred Muhammad's think easily to avoid the indignation so God whan he shall call them to accounts, with their crafty distincton of Latria Dulia, and hyperdulia, whom y ^e scripture knoweth not. Notwythstanding in this is not utterly inhibited mutual reverence betwixt man & man, for so much as Paul willeth the faithful to prevent eche other in honor giving. Necessary it is that they first honor God, and then for his sake that they prosecute their neighbors with such christen benevolence, as the comeliness of humanity requireth. The gospel never forbiddeth such politic manner as norisheth mutual friendship, yet • oth it not give them unto Idols.

The Commentarye.

1 After this (saith Saint John) I saw heaven open. Uery evident were the mysteries of the Lord unto me. I perceived that through faith & meekness, great knowledge men might have of the secrets of God. Open is heaven evermore, when gods word is freely taught. And closed up it is again when that is laid apart.

2 And behold a pure white horse appeared in this misterye, which betokneth the true ministers or perfect preachers of the Apostles doctrine, as is mentioned afore in the sixth chapter hereof, y ^e godly nature of these is (as is specified in Paul) to carry the glorious verity of the Lord the world over and to publish it before the governors and people's of the nations.

3 He that sat upon this white horse, or assisted these preachers by his spyrite, was the eternal son of God, which hath evermore been called in the scriptures faithful of his promise, and true of his word. Rightuous is Lord (saith David) in all his ways, sure of his sayings, & perfect in all his works.

4 None other thing could he teache but the verity, which was the veryty it self, nor yet they which had his godly spirit.

5 Accordinge to true equity hath he judged, in utterly condemning by his word y ^e proud sinagog of Satan, & in exalting again his own meek spirited church.

6 First in his own person, as a mighty warrior did he battle with the Devil, and by his death o • ercame him. Now by his faithful preachers doth he rightuouslye overturn his kingdom by virtue of the same graciously sending them forth in this latter age under the • ipe of this white horse. For horses of lustty courage are his faithful servants after Abacuk. Yea, and whiter are they then either snow or milk, by their true belief after Jeremiah. I (saith the Lord) which am the word of righteousness, do valianaly battle to save you. For none other purpose fighteth he, but to the intent to preserve his elects.

7 The eyes of this horseman were as the pure flame of fire, effectual, mighty, and clear. And these are not, only his godly understanding, & knowledge, whereby he perceiveth, decerneth, and judgeth clearly all things, but also the universal graces of the holy ghost. Upon one sure stone, saith Zacharias (whō Paul calleth Christ) shall be seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of god. With these eyes lighteneth he the herts of godly men, and kindleth their minds to the true love of God. Hys word is a lantern to their feet, & a light to their paths. Pure is his commandment, giving clearness to the sight. Open y ^u mine eyes lord (saith David) & then shall I well perceive y ^e wonderful mysteries of thy doctrine.

8 Upon his head (saith S. John) were also many beautiful crowns, like as were before in figure upon the head of Iosedech the high priest in token y ^• christ is the high king over all worlds, regions and ages. For he is y ^e Lord of hosts, & the eternal king of glory, he was constitute a principal governor our Zion, y ^e holy hyl of the lord. He giveth prosperity to kings, and hath their victori in his hands. In him as in their head, have all his elect menbers their crowns. Both w ^t mercy shall he crown them and also with longe kindness. For Peter, hath he laid up a crown of incorruptible glory, for John, a crown of lif, for Paul a crown of righteousness, & so forth. For the whole conflict, victori, and triumph of the saints, is of him alone.

9 He had a special name written, or eternally of god his father appointed, whose excellent majesty no creature understanding was able of his own industry to comprehend. Omnipotent was this name, marvelous, honorable holy, and terrible, Adonay, Immanuel, a name of salvation, & a name above all names. Yea, y ^e Lord was his name, or y ^e Lord our righteous maker.

10 No man knoweth this name, save he him self only, and they to whom he hath shown it. Neither flesh nor blo • d, gentill nor Jew, hipocryte nor false Christian, hath rightl • knowdn it. No, though they have said, lord, lord. For none cā say jointly y ^t Jesus is the lord, but in y ^e holy ghost, which openeth all godly verity. In this name is registered y ^e elect number of gods adoptive childrē, whō y ^e world, doth not know for his, nor never will do.

11 And this lord was beutifully adorned w ^t a vesture fair & comely, but it was all dipt in blood, sō have takē this garment for his righteousness wherein hath appeared all auengementes over his enemies, Som have supposed it to be his church, all bloody in his martires and constant witnesses. But upon their side am I which have takē it for his flesh, for that did he on as a vesture. So sore hath that vesture ben stryped, and so greeuo • sly-wounded, that from the sole of the foot to the ouermost part of y ^e head, was no whole place in it. This mighty capitayne is he which came from Edom and Bosra▪ his clothes be sprinkled with red. His apparel is all spotted, much like unto his raiment that treadeth in the wine press. For his mortal nature suffered most painful death. Alone tr • de he down y ^e wine press in th • se days, & had no mā to help him. Alone was he wounded for our offenses, alone were our punishments laid vpō him, w ^t whose strips we ar now heled.

12 And his name (saith s. John) besides y ^t is spoken afore, is y ^e eternal word of god. He is called y ^e word which was in y ^e beginning w ^c god, which furnished y ^e heuens above, which ordered all things beneth & now last of all toke flesh, restoring, lightning, quickening, heling, & saving all them y ^t truly believeth in him,

The commentary

1 The valiant warryours or constant ministers which were in heaven or in the holy household of faith, did follow him in a comely order vpō fair white horses.

2 Accordyng to his scriptures did they lead their conversation. After the rules of his godly discipline did they live. They fashioned thē selves to y ^e example y ^t was shown thē in y ^e mount.

3 None other are these horses, then their corruptible bodies prepared to battle. They which are of Christ doth mortify the vices and lusts of their flesh, they tame their carnal affections. Like perfect men they brydle their bodies to the obedience of y ^e spirit. So to become y ^e true servants of righteousness and no more to do service unto sin. White are these horses for y ^e pure word of y ^e Lord which governeth thē No marvel though these myghtie souldyers followeth y ^e Lord, considering he is so oft in the scriptures called the lord of hosts. A like similitude did the servant of Helizens y ^e Prophet behold in a vision throug God's permission in Dotham.

4 This army of the Lord here were appareled preciously with pure white silk or fine reins, betokening y ^e pure innocensy which they have in Christ their general captain. Not carnal is this armor, but evermore spiritual after y ^e doctrine of S. Paul. Though we walk in the flesh (saith he) yet do we not fight after a fleshly manner. For the weapons of our war are not carnal things, but things mighty in God. Bewtifull & fair is my well-beloved (saith the eternal Solomon) for his soul pleaseth his Lord, and is loved again of him. His favor & his mercy is upon his holy ones, he hath a loving respect unto his chosen number. A notable singe of victory in the faithful are also these white horses & vestures, for afore they ar called iustificacions of the saints.

5 And out of his Godly mouth (saith the Text) proceeded forth a two edged swerd, which is the fierce judgment of his mighty word. By this effectual swerd are the faithful believers wounded unto life, and y ^e unbelievers to the death of damnation. For unto some it is the savor of life, and unto some again y ^e savor of death unto death. By this swerd also shall the dead branches be cut from the vine, and the corrupted members from y ^e whole body. The gotes shall be divided from the lambes, and the evil from y ^e righteous Oh, how sharp, fierce, and tirrible will this sentence of y ^e lords indignaciō be at that day? Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire. Yet shall it be unto y ^e faithful a perpetual power, victory, & triumph over their enymies.

6 Ouer & besides all this, goeth that swerd frō his eternal mouth to y ^e intent he should therw ^t correct their Heathē, or reform • thē of their heathinish life. So that if they will not at y ^e wholesome admonishmēts of his word repent and amend their old conversation, y ^t than they should be condemned by the same for their willful contempt. If men will not turn (saith David) he shall whet his sword against them. He will sharpen it as the lightening and aquite his enymies their wickedmes.

7 This mighty Lord shall rule them with a strong rod of iron, which is the invincible verity. This is the rod of right order, the septure of the kingdom, and the wand of power, whom the Lord sent frō Zion to have sway among our enymies. So strong is this septure, that it will not bow. No place will it give to y ^e contrary parte. If they will not therewith be ordered, he shall breke them in pieces as y ^e potter doth his pot, in such manner as they never shall recover again.

8 The winefat of y ^e great fierceness and sore displeasur of almighty God, shall he tread down with power. More grievously shall they be opressed at this latter coming by his set sētense, thā they wer afore at Hierusalē by Uespasianus and Titus. The vineyard of the Lord of hosts was the house of Israel. This brought he out of Egypt by strong hand. Thereof looked he to have had grapes, and it brought him forth briars and thistles. Their vines were as the wild vines of Sodom. Bitter were their grapes as the poison of Dragons, and as the cruel gaul of Adders. Therefore will he break the hedge, and throw down the wall, that it may be trodden under foot.

9 Great anguish shall be upon the earth in his fury, and wrath vpō that people in his anger. They shall fall on the edge of the swerd and be dispersed. Both here shall they have grief, and also in the world to come.

10 This victorious horse man hath upon his white vesture besprinckeled with blood, which is his innocent manhood crucified.

11 And vpō his tender thigh (whom some call his church, some his scriptures, as flesh of his flesh, or spirit of his spirit) this name of magnificence written.

12 In both of them is it manifestly expressed y ^t he is both king of kings, and also Lord of Lord's, the great guide of right governors, and y ^t monarke of godly magistrates. By kings is his generation described of Matthew in the posterity of David, and of Luke by faithful fathers unto Adam which had the first promise of health. Both doth the godly acts of his natural manhood and also the holy spirit whom he left here to the comfort of all true believers, declare that he is the eternal attourney of God, his Apostles & true servants affyrming y ^e same. And these are his garmente and thigh. By his death is our nakedness covered, which are his mystical members. Of his spirit is our strength, which are the generation seeking the Lord of Jacob.

13 Both hath he given him of God the high seat of David his father, and also the universal power in heaven and in earth, as he by whom all things were first created. For his power is an everlasting power, and his kingdom such as shall never perish. And all this is comprehended in y ^t he is called the son of the highest, and in that he alone hath immortality, inhabyting the light that no man can attain, to whom be honor and everlasting empire, Amen. In this vesture and thigh are his titles written as to his only behou e, that no man should of presumption usurp them neither by supremite nor vycarage, his church and posterity acknowledging y ^e same evermore.

The Commentary.

1 After this revelation I saw (saith saint John) a beautiful Angel, betokening not only the Apostles but all other faithful ministers in the word, else, having the Apostles spirit.

2 In the sun steadfastly stood this Angel which signifieth Christ y ^t clear sun of righteousness, y ^e bright morning star in the midst of the cloud, the express Image of God & substance of his glory. In the strong faith of his name and word stand these worthy witnesses against the whole swarm of Antichrists, not once remouyng their foot from y ^e rock, which is Christ also, for no persecution nor death.

3 These hath cried and yet shall cry still to the worlds ende, with a mighty loud voice or a sure constant spyrite. Earnestly shall they protest and publish unto the fethered fowls of the air, that fly by the midst of heaven, by whom are understanded the meek sprited multitude, made spiritual by faith and by knowledge of heavenly mysteries.

4 These as flying birds are taken up from impure delights, leaving at their tales all corruptible things. They lift up them selves above them selves, & have their cōuersatiō in heavē unfeignedly. Yea, these are those gentil souls whom y ^e heavenly father aboūdantly feedeth without their deservings. Such a soul was faithful Abraham in Mesopotamia, Moses in Synai, Helias in Carme, Danyell among the Lions the children of Israel in the wilderness, Paul in Damascus, John in Patmos, and many other more which afterward became Angels also in the sun, or teachers in Christ. And this not only hath ben, but shall be also still to the worlds end the tenor of their cry.

5 Come you that have received the verity, from the heavy and careful cures of this world and gather yourselves together into the unity of one faith and spirit. Knit yourselves together in Christian love which is the cheayne of perfection, & let the peace of God which passeth all wit keep your hearts and vnderstandyngs in Christ Jesus, that ye may be counted worthy your christien vocation.

6. And so prepare yourselves as his loving frindes unto the bounteous supper of the almighty God (which is the eternal refection of soul) that ye may be fed with his most precious delicates. Learn of the word of God what is his heavenly will, and follow it in your works: Flee thereby from all worldly lusts, live soberly, justly, & godly here, abiding his glorious aperāce.

7 So order yourselves in living & doctrine; y ^t ye may eat y ^e flesh of kings, or take frō y ^e worldly governors by your godly preaching all y ^t is filthy & carnal.

8 Consume y ^e fierce flesh of y ^e captayns in plucking thē frō cruelty & malice.

9 Denowre y ^e froward flesh of mē that be mighty in power & possessions, cause thē to leave their superfluous vanities

10 Spare neither horses nor yet those that sit vpō them, but byte both their fleshes hard. Rebuke both the beastly Antichrist & y ^e prince y ^t is ruled by him.

11 Plucke from those belly God's, bishops and priests their pomps, & lecherous pleasures, & from those y ^t follow them in superstitions, the cruel persecuting of innocents.

12 See that no flesh be left untouched, neither of free men nor bond men, rulers nor subjects, masters nor servants: Neither of small nor great, poor nor riche, low nor high, but be doing with thē all. Play as doth the Egles & other ravening fouls. Wher as ye see a dead carcass, or body without faith & spirit, thither resort ye apace.

Tell every man his right office. Exhort the king to be learned, and to live in the fear of y ^e Lord. The prince to be wise, and the Judge to be godly. Bid the graunde captaynes be faithful to their commons, and the great rich men more merciful to the poor. Commaūde the carnal hypocrites no longer to dissemble, & their vndiscreets clients no longer to follow thē in darkness. Require them no longer to ney after their neighbors wives like • ancke stoned horses, & the other no longer to pamper them up to all beastly vices: Charge the governors to rule faithfully, & the commō people to obey lovingly. See that the woman obey their husbands, the children their fathers, the servants their masters. And again that the men be loving to their wives, gentyle to their children, & favorable to their servants. Open the four cornerde sheet as did Peter. Sley all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, vermin, worms, and fowls of the air, & eat them. Rebuke them with patience whatsoever they be, tyrāts, persecutors, murderers, glottons, Antichrists, extortioners, ribalds, Idolators, thieves, and pluck from them their filthy and carnal customs. Ye shall eat the flesh (saith Ezekiel) of the worthyes, and drink the blood of the princes of the land, of the wethers, of the lambs, of the gotes, and of the oxen that be all slain at Basan.

The commentary

1 Anone after this I beheld (saith S. John) the great horible beast that rose out of the sea, that battailed with the Saints, and that bear the great whore of Babylon which is the general Antichrist.

2 I saw also following him, the cruel kings of the earth and their host of bloody warriors, the mitered bysshops of his beastly kingdom w ^t their great bellied monks and priests, the malicious tirants of the world, with their mad moodye magistrates and slaves.

3 These gather them selves together in one mind of mischief, & hath done since Christ's assencion. They muster in array as did Pharaoh's host, they buskle together as did Caiaphas hyered knights in the dark with fire brands and weapons.

4 To make fierce war or very sharp battle against the most valiant capitayne Jesus Christ, which sat upon the aforesaid whit horse, and against mighty stomaked soldiers of his faithful army of true Christians. Never was the holy gospel yet sincerely taught, the glory of God proponed, and the inordinate livings of men reprehended, but such uproar of hipocrits, and such tumulte of tyrants hath followed.

5 The word of the Lord is always of one nature, to be the mark of contradiction and rock of reproach. Horsemen for the more parte are these, malicious warriors against Christ & his word, sturred, provoked, and set foreward by y ^e beastly bishops. None other caused Herod & Pylate to put Christ unto death but Annas & Caiaphas. Non other moved Felix the president of Jury to emprison Paul, but the puffed up prelate Ananias. Traianus y ^e Emperor would never so extremely have persecuted y ^e Christian church, nor yet other cruel tyrants ever since; had they not been propped forewarde by such pampred palfraies of the diuil.

6 Not only against Christ do they move this bold battle, but also against those that faithfully believe his word, which are the deer members of his mitticall body. No blasphemies, false miracles, lies, nor obprobryous slanders & rebukes spare they, to blemish thy opinion to the world, besides the most cruel kinds of death. The captain of this wicked army is that tirrible beast whom Danyell also beheld in a vysiō, with iron teeth devouring, and with nails of brass distroying, and stamping the residue under his feet.

7 This horrible beast (saith S. John) this filthy body of Antichrist, comprehending all the great adversaries of the Lord was taken suddenly.

8 And with him the false Prophet, or beast rising out of the earth, betokening his false preachers.

9 Which wrought vain miracles before him as did Jannes & Jambres the sorcerers of Egypt before Pharaoh, in counterfeiting Moses and Aaron. Yea, by their trāsubstauntiaciōs, they can take from bread the substance, the accydents still remaining. They can hold the shadow whan y ^e body is gone, besides that they can do in Purgatory and hell by their sacrifices of satisfaction.

10 With such deceitful miracles and lying signs shall those be deceived by them that hath by a false believe received into their consciences the unwholesome mark of y ^e beast, or such a corrupt faith as shall cause their damnation.

11 And they in like case shall be seduced by thē, y ^t hath worshipped y ^e beastly Image of that great Antichrist, or inclined to any worldly potentate in the upholding of his false religion. So sealed Caiaphas the hearts of the wauerynge multitude of the Jews with that markynge iron of Satan that they could be but his ministers. In no case could they save Jesus, but Barabbas the murderer. Though they received him joyfully not long afore into the city with Benedictus qui venit in nomine domini, yet could they at that time but cry, Crucifige, Crucifige eum No they had pour to do none other but to crucify him in deed which is to worship the beasts Image or to follow y ^e wicked intent of y ^t beastly generation, as their faithful clyants doth yet still to this day.

12 Both these twayne (saith the text) the head and the body, the beast with his false prophet, were cast quick by the mighty judgment of god into a deep lake of most terrible fire boylynge with stinkinge brimstone. For vnbewares shall destruction light upon that cursed generatiō, according to the faithful request of David, and suddenly shall they fall into their own mischief.

13 Without warning shall the great day of y ^e Lord's indignation light upon them, and bring thē to naught forever. Hastely shall death attache thē for their wickedness sake, and quick shall they drop into hell with Chore, Dathan, and Abyron. As a waightye stone or lead shall they sink to y ^e bottom, and the pit shall swallow them up for their exceeding rebellion. For like as they stood up against Moses. & Aaron, so hath this beastely generatiō against God and his Christ. Therefore are they here specifyed after a moste strange & terrible sort to be thrown forth. For three causes may it be that they are called here quick. One is in y ^t their stinking remnaunt shall at that dreadful day be a live after the doctrine of Paul. An other, in that they have willfully, upon a set mallyce resisted y ^e known verytie, detortinge it to their own proper lust. If I had not (saith Christ) done among them such works as never man did, they should be fautelesse. But they have certienly known thē, yet have they hated, both me and my father. The Pagans not believing, are judged all ready, and go to hell dead, where as they knowing the will of their Lord and not doing it, shall after another sort be plagued. Fire shall they have with heat, and brimstone with stink. The third is, in that they shall have palpable darkness, with weeping and gnashinge of teethe, their worm neither dying nor yet their fire going out. And like as y ^e Devil was thrown forth at the death of Christ, and soon after that the prelates and Pharisees of the Jews, as the head with the body, so shall at that time Antichrist with his church, the Pope with his clergy, and Mahomete with his sects, as y ^e head with the body also.

14 The residue (saith saint Johan) as Kings, captaynes, strong, weak, high, low, great, and small, were slain with y ^e sharp two edged sword, of him that yet to this hour sytteth vpō y ^e horse, which is Christ Jesus in y ^e glorified nature of his manhood.

15 This mighty sword proceeded out of his reverend mouth. For it is the strong word of him that liveth forever, and hath in it both sprit and life. Necessary it is for thē that hath been either seduced by their crafts, or coacted by their threateninges, to be touched with his sword. For he that is not thereby slain from sin & the world, shall not rise up to the life which is in Christ. He that is not with him dead from the ordinances of men, but still is led with traditions, cannot be clear from the curse, nor yet be the heir of promise. Therefore must they be slain dead with this sword, either to repentance & amendment of life, or else by the hard judgments of the same to eternal damnation.

16 Which way so ever it be, all the aforesaid fowls, or people's whom God hath raised from this worlds affections, shall be fulfilled with their flesh. Whether they be saved or dāpned they will most highly rejoice, cōsidringe it is the pleasure of GOD. Both ways shall they be satisfied. I • they be saved, than must they be glad, for that their number is so much the more increased, and for y ^e their selves hath escaped like danger. If they be dampened, than must they rejoice also to se the right justice of God. For the righteous shall make mirth beholding the vengeance, and shall wash their hands in the blood of the wicked, all flesh abhorring to loke upon them.

The Commentary.

1 I N the end of these revelations afore rehearsed (saith S. John) saw I in a secrete vysion an Angel of most singular bewtye; betokning Jesus Christ the Angel of God's eternal covenant.

2 From the high heaven above came this Angel down unto the earth, sent of the everlasting father. For neither spared that loving father to send his most dere and only son at the time appointed, nor yet the obedient son to submit him self to the shape of a servant and so become man. • i • t • riously did he overcome both death and the Devil, as appeareth by his great miracles, resurrection and ascēcion. And like as he came down first of all with a p • ssible meekness, so came he down ater y ^t with an impassyble and inuysible mayiestie. Sodeine was this latter coming down & most marvelous to y ^e world, such time as he by his heavenly spirit replenished his Apostles with all necessary knowledge. And the noise thereof was heard the world over, tuche time as they did preach it abroad. Sīsibly was this coming down expressed in Saul, & olso the mighty power thereof, when he throw him to the ground, and said, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

3. Thys Angel had the key of the bottomeless pet or power over hell, and a great chain in his hand or full liberty to restrain the spiritual adversary. For unto him was given all power in heaven and in earth.

4 Authority had he to destroy him that had rule over death, which was than the Devil. Though I was dead (saith Christ) yet am I now a live 〈◊〉 ever and ever, having the keys both of death and hell.

5 And according to his authoritys (saith saint John) he toke the fierce Dragon in hand that was wont so maliciously to noy, that old wily serpent that of so long time hath with infinite crafts deceived, which is the very devil himself or malicious accuser of man, and is called Satan, or the cruel adversary as he is moste worthy. For both is he a spiteful adversary to God, evermore withstanding his will, & also unto man in plucking him back frō following y ^e same.

6 Lyke a most valiant captain fell he vpō that strong armed house watcher, & overcame him, depriving him both of weapon and spoil. He laid a snare for the outrageous Behemoth, and caught him. He ringed the nose of the great Leviathan, and so brought him under. Yea, he bound that malicious Satan and made him sure for a thousand years space, to make of the vessels of wrath y ^e vessels of mercy. This did he by his strong word of couenaunte, whom he made for a thousand generations. And a full performance it is of God's first promise for man's behoove, that Christ should tread down the head of the serpent. For a thousand years was this restraynte. Mark besides the mystery, the time from the ascension of Christ unto the days of Sylvester the second Bishop of Rome of that name, and ye shall all find that it was frō Christ's nativity a complete thousand, after all the Historiographers. By such Nicromancy as he learned of a Sarazin in Spain obtained he the papacy, & as witnesseth John Wycleaue in his book De solutiōe sathane, in Christ's vicarship he lowsoned that devil whō Christ had afore shut up, and set him again at large to deceive a fresh. Cōsider for the time that he was thus bound, the constant saith of the Christians, and the invincible hearts of thyr martyrs, and ye shall find them far different from them which hath been since. He was then so weak, so infatuate and babysh, that not only wise men, learned men, and strong men, did set him light, but also young maidens, children, and tender infantes in a manner did laugh him to scorn, & set all his subttle slaights at naught. Euidente will this be to all them that shall read y ^e lives of y ^e holy martyrs & saints of y ^e primative church. Lyke a byrde was that crooked Leviathan in those days so tamed, that no man set by him at all.

7 For not only was he then bound but also thrown down with violence into the bottomeless pytte. For that time might they go safe upon the adder and scorpion, they might tread under their feet both the Lyon and Dragon. Both the Devil and his Angels might they then set at naught.

8 Yea, he was shut up, and so was double bound. So was his power taken from him, that upon neither side could he harm. Neither was he able to pluck them from Christ's faith by flatteringe prosperity, nor yet by urgent adversity. Neither could tyrānies nor herisies for that time prevail against the Gospel.

9 Finally he set a sure seal vpō him which was his word, will, and commaūdemēt, y ^t he should no more of his own presumption deceive y ^e people w ^t errors & Idole worshipings y ^t believed in him, or that were predestinat to be saved, till such time as the afore said thousand years wer fully acōplished, or as he should permit him thereunto for their vnbeleues sake.

10 By this doth the holy Ghost, here assartayne us that Christ hath so suspended the subtleties, and suppressed y ^e venemouse crafts of Satan for his electes, that he cannot hurt them in one heir of their head. For only is all this spoken for the chosen number. No part hath therein the reprobate vessels, never was the Devil from thē yet speared, bat hath been in all ages with thē famyliar. Only are the consciences of the righteous by this freedom quieted, all other still left in captivity. This revelation respecteth in this point the inward kingedom of Christ, or the hidden congregation of the faithful, whom the world beholdeth with froward eyes, and not the blasynge Sinagoge of Antichrist whom it laugheth upon so freshly.

11 None otherwise were they for all those thousand years vexed of Sathā and his cursed members, but as was patient Job, in their outward substance & bodies. No power had he upon their souls all that longe season.

12 And where as it is here said y ^t after these thousand years Satan must be let lose again for a certain teme. Consider it to be the promise of God, which must in effect be fulfilled. Not y ^t he shall again lose him which hath once bound him forever, vut y ^t he shall permit other to do it according to his threatening promise, y ^e unthankfulness and mallyce of wicked doers requiring none other. In y ^e end of these thousand years reigned in y ^e papacy at Rome the afore named Necromanser Sylvester, which was both a black Mouncke and also a Frenchman borne. This beastly Antichrist boasting himself not only to be Christ's vicar in earth, but also to be equal with him in majesty and power, set f • rst the Devil at large by his Necromancy, which toke frō the hearts of mem the living word of the Lord leste they should be saved. Frō thence forth were not the holy scriptures regarded, but old wives tales & Jewish fabels most highly reputed. Them came in Cannōs, Decrees, Sentences, Sinodals, Decretals, Clemētines, Exextrauagauntes with other Popysh • awes, the gospel claene set apart. About this time ollo (as master John Carion writeth in his cronicle) floryshed the Lordly order of cardinals, and grew into a wonderful estimation in y ^e world. The vniuersites were thē furnished w ^t learned mē, mightily to prove the Pope Christ's vicar in earth, and the only husband and overseer of his church. General counsels were oft gathered to dyspute w ^t all Christendom, that none might dispence in matters of conscience, but he and they whom he should appoint, and that he could in no wise err. No, though when the candle were out, he went to bed with another man's wife, besides that I will not spaeke at this time. By this means got he an imperial seat, and might make both Emperors & kings at his pleasure. And lykwyse depose them when he lusted. He might distribute the kingdoms and give the great possessions of this world to whom he lust • d, yea to his own bastards and chamberlynes as he did many times. For of the Devil he hath received them, where as Christ did vntterly forsake them. And for so much as he was the high Priest after y ^e order of Sathā, be might keep a general marte all his life time, & sell all the Bishoprics, benefices, degrees, and offices of his church. He might subject the gospel to his own interpretation, make new constitutions, release sin for money, make every day new God's, and do many other things else. No end was then of their gaudyshe ceremonies, brawlynges in the temple, Singings, bells, orgayns, Images, ornaments, lamps, candles, holy days, shauings, surplesses, pater nosters, commanded 〈◊〉 , & such like, that a man would have thought them Angels when they were very Devils in deed. For the time that Satan was thus set at large by Christ's only vicar, was there not one martyr allowed unless it were for deposinge of Princes, and defending the liberties of holy churrh against them, lest their murderers & thieves being within sacred orders, should be hanged with the secule •• , Mark the condition of the time.

Afore that Satan was thus at liberty, he remained secret in the harts of evil men. Now is he abroad in their outward ceremonies and rites, ready to be seen of all the world, if pride, pomp, hawtinesse, vain glory, may show him, or if hypocrisy, error, superstition, and all other diuellishnesse can tell where he is. When Christ shut him up, he toke Idolatry from the people, the Pope hath restored it unto thē again in thus setting him at large. In this is he not denied to have been afore this time abroad among y ^e wicked. For little less then four hundred years afore the end of this thousand, began y ^e two Monarks of Antichrists kingdom the Pope in the West under Phocas the Emperor, and great Mahomet in y ^e East under Heraclius, mark it in the cronicles who so list. For afore that time was not the Pope taken for the universal head of the church, nor yet for Christ's vicar. And this could not have been unless he had after some sort, been at liberty. Euermore hath he reigned w ^t out restraint among the ungodly.

But never so manifestly as then, his abominations accouonted for holiness in the church. At this losinge of Satan or very defection as Paul calleth it, openly appeared the man of sin, the son of perdition, and the adversary which exaleth him self above all that beareth the name of God. Faith wared so faint and charity so cold, y ^e scarce appeared one spark of y ^e truth. The church becāe a perverse generation, & hir children were very unfaithful. Afore regned be enermore in y ^e world, but never in Christ's congregation till that time. Never was the universal church of Christ defiled with so many abhominable kinds of Idolatry before.

13 But it so continued not longe. For the text saith, he was loosed but for a little season. Immediately after perceued Berengarius the Archedecon of Angoy in France that all was well, and with Bruno the bishop impugned their reality, Idēptitie, & naturalitie in the sacrament, to bring it again to Christ's clear institution. After him followed Waleranus y ^e bishop of Medeburge and did the same in Germany, with many other prelates and doctors Consequently ensued y ^e Waldeanes and Albigeanes pretending the Apostles life & doctrine, men doubtless of a godly zeal and spirit, and of them the Antichrists slew more then a hundredth thousand, besides an hundredth and four score whom they brent because they would never abjure. What Guid • Bonatus, Johannes Semeca, Guilhelmus de sancto amore, Marsilius Paduanus, Arnoldus de villa noua, Frāciscus Petrarcha, & other learned men did against them after that, it were very long to write. John Wicleaue in England, & John Hus in Boheme, men of excellent life & learning, with diverse other more, replied earnestly against their transubstanciaciōs and other sorceries. Laurēcius Ualla, denied the donation of Constantyne. Ihō Wassalus of Groning in Friesland, called the light of the world, condemned utterly their purgatory and pardons. Now last of all cometh Martyne Luther, Johannes Oecolāpadius, Huldricus Zwinglyus, Pomeranus, Brencius, Melācthon, Bucer, Bullinger, with other sincere and godly deuynes, and they turn over their universal kingdom. So merciful is the Lord to his people in this latter ende of the world, that by these and such other the Antichrist is clearly uttered, and all his Hypocrisy disclosed. I doubt not but within few days, the mighty breath of his mouth (which is his living Gospel) shall utterly distroye him with his whole generation of shavelings, by their faithful administration in the word.

The Commentary.

1 Whiles the Dragon was thus tied up and thrown into the bottomless pit for a • housand years space, a certain continuance of being, the elect had. Whose peaceable estate and condition for that time the text here following declareth, by manner of recapitulation. After the afore rehearsed vision of the serpent. I beheld (saith S. John) seats prepared without number. I saw the harts of faithful believers (which are the seats of wisdome after Stlomon) bewtifully garnished w ^t virtues by the preaching of y ^u Apostles & other godly techers. Uery peaceable & quietus were these seats. For though they had in the world on every side tribulation, yet had they their contciences quieted in Christ. They considered themselves partakers of the heavenly calling, and rejoiced in hope of the glory of gods children.

2 Upon these seats sat they which are afore called that people whom Satan should no more deceine. They settled them selves in the wisdom y ^e god loveth. They grounded their dwelling w ^t discreation in his understanding and knowledge. Fast did they cleave to his loving word. And for none adversity would they move their foot from the hard rock which is Christ. Thus sat his people in the beautiful seats of peace after Isaiah in the tabernacles of trust, and in a most plentuous rest, the deceuers and mockers put apart.

3 And as they were thus quieted, the judgment or true understanding of the Lord's verytie was given unto them. Their senses were opened, and great knowledge had they in the scriptures. The figures and prophesies that were hyd to other, were manifest and open unto them. The Dark vale was removed from Moses face, and the light of the laws appeared. They could then discern good from evil, light from darkness, and sweet from sower. The yoke was then taken from them, & no longer were they subject to strangers. Dead men perceived the secrets of the Book. The eyes of the blind might see without mist of darkness.

They which afore time were of an erroneous spirit, had than the right understanding, and were learned in the law. In their inward partes was the knowledge thereof planted of the Lord, and the truth written in their hearts, he becoming their God & they his people. Bycause we should not separate the dead from the quick, or the departed from the living, and so judge them divers, considering they both are of one God, and live by one spirit, being of one hope and calling. The holy ghost doeth here couple them together, as sheep of one pasture, feeding all of one spiritual meat, and drinking of one spiritual rock accompanying thē, and as members of one mystical body of Christ in this present revelation.

4 I also (saith saint John) beheld in this secrets mystery of the spirit the innocent souls of godly men and women, that were beheaded of cruel tyrants for the faithful testimony of Jesus and the constante assercyon of the true word of the Lord God. I perceived by the scriptures that his true hearted witnesses remained not in death with the wicked, but passed through • with the righteous from the death unto life, & had the life everlasting. They are not forgotten with the ungodly, but they now follow the lamb, and dwell where as he dwellethe. Else would Paul never so ernestlye have desired to be dissolved frō this flesh, and so to be with Christ.

5 Not only is this here spoken of them that wer beheadded, and of none other else, thought it seemeth so in the letter, but of all them that hath died for the verity. For than should Isaiah, Ieremye, Ezekiel, Amos, Micah, Zacharye, Stephen, and James the less, with all those that hath been burned, strangled, quartred, drowned, stoned, crucyfied, spytted, racked, • laid, boiled, stycked, shot through with arrows, and that hath suffrid all other terrible torments, be rekened to be none of that number. Beheaddyng is here taken for depriuacion of life, like as the head is in scripture taken sometime for the soul, sometime for the whole man.

6 For standing by Christ's verity, confessinge him God and man, did they loose their lives, which was in the end no loss unto them but a profitable winning. For unto such remaineth the crown of life, the delyghtes of Paradise, and a seat with god.

7 These worshipped not the beastly Antichrist, the very body of Satan. They bowed not down, nor yet gave them selves to such wicked traditions as that carnal generation made for their beasty bellies sake.

8 Neither reverenced they this prodigious Image, or such ungodly princes and magistrates as (their true office set a parte) did counterfeit him in cruelty and diuelishnesse. But they rightlye considered with y ^e faithful Maccabees and apostles, that in such case it was much better to obey God than men.

9 Neither had they in their life time taken the printe of his filthy seal upon their foreheads, professinge in their inward consciences those diabolical rules.

10 Nor yet on their hands, agreeing to use them in the outward conversation of their bodies. No yoke would they draw with the infidels, thinking that Christ could have no agreement with Belial. For through faith they perceived (as he that is of the spirit discerneth all things) that though they seemed glorious in the face of y ^e world, yet were they before God abhominable sacrilege. Diligētly they searched the scriptures, and believed not all spirits, but first proved them whither they were of God or nay. By that knew they that the homage of soul ought to be given to none other than to one living God alone, and that none other precepts of living were to be followed of them, than Christ their savior had taught. All other traditions of mē took they for strange doctrine, & for crafti colors of diuilish deceitfulness

11 Therefore whā they were thought of the wicked to be dead, they lived in all sweetness of y ^e spirit, in desire of his latter coming which shall be to their double glory.

12 And they reygned w ^t Christ the pastour & high bishop of their souls, not only here were as they suffered with him for a thousand years space, but also above where as he sitteth on the right hand of gods majesty seat, thousand without end. Than reigneth the godly number most of all, whan they seme to y ^e wicked least of all to reign, as whan they suffer persecution and death for Christ. For after none other sort reigneth his church here, thā he reigned afore them, whose tryumphe was greatest upon the cross.

13 The thousand years of y ^e reign of the godly, stretcheth here no farther than the thousand years of the fall of the ungodly, Christ's years also deducted which is the head of his congregation. For as the one kingdom decreased, the other always increased, very few Christian martyrs are constant witnesses perceived, frō thence forth. For as it appeareth by the history many were abjured and recāted (which was not seen in the former age) and all in a manner, a small number of the poor, except, utterly renounced the veritye, for the cruel behavior of the Antichrists. In these ii. sortes afore rehearsed, of them that sat upon the seats and of them that were beheadded for the testymony of Jesus, is it to be marked, that all were not martyrs whom God allowed for his in the prymatiue church, but that there were of both sortes. So well was he accepted that mortyfied the desires of the flesh, and offered himself a living sacrifice unto God as he that gave his life for the verity.

14 But the residue (saith saint John) or the other sort, called the dead men for that they were not numbered with the ryghtuous, neither among them that sat upon the seats, nor yet among them that were slain for the witness of Jesus, lived not again after they were once dead, till the thousand years of their death was thoroughly fulfilled. The time was whan they which wer dead through sin, did hear the voice of the son of God. They fatihfuly believed y ^e word thereof, & so it revived in him unto y ^e life everlasting, which was both y ^e life & light of men. Wher as y ^e froward con • ēners of y ^e living word, having their consciences sealed w ^t y ^e beasts mark, remained still in their infidelity, which is y ^e very death of y ^e soul, & so were by the right judgment of God lost forever. For the sin against y ^e holy ghost (which is a resistāce against y ^e manifest truth) shall neither be forgiven in this world nor yet in the world to come.

15 A time without end doth this word till, cause this thousand here to be, after the commō usage of the scripture. Noah sent forth a Raven out of y ^e ark, which returned not again till the waters were dried up, that is to say, he never returned again. Joseph knew not Mary til she had brought forth hir first borne son. That is to say he never bodily knew hir. Thou shalt not out of prison till thou hast paid y ^e uttermost mite .i. thou shalt never out. With an hundredth of such places in the Bible.

The commentary

1 This is the first resurrection unto life, to rise from sin to repentance, from ignorance to godly knowledge, and from darkness to faith. Through the offense of one man entered sin into the world, and through sin death. Necessary it is therefore, to die unto sin, and to live unto righteousness. And so to rise together with Christ, seeking the things which are above, & not vpō earth. For never shall they come to the seconde resurrection which is unto the life everlasting, that will not rise by repentance unto a new life in him, which is both resurrection and life.

2 Blessed is that man of y ^e Lord, yea, holy, just, and perfect may he be reported also of all men, which hath portion convenient in y ^e first resurrection with David, Magdalene, Zacchaeus, and Peter. Happy are they which hearing the word of God, retayneth it in their living. For they being renewed with the glad tidings of life, are depured by the spirit of Christ, sanctified and so made the habitacles of y ^e holy Ghost.

3 Upon such Godly dysposed persons hath the seconde death of the soul (which is eternal dampnatiō) no manner of power nor effectual jurisdiction. For no damnation can be unto them which are in Christ Jesus, not walking after y ^e flesh. Though they have been great sinners, yet shall not their sins be to them imputed, but in the resurrectiō of the wrightuous shall they rise to immortalyte, and be as the very Angels in heaven. He y ^t hath taken frō thē the poor of death, shall make thē sure of eternal inheretaūce w ^t god.

4 They shall surely be the chosen priests of God the everlasting father and of his eternal son Jesus Christ which are of the first resurrection. Though they be here in the flesh, yet fight they not after the flesh, but they shall follow y ^e governance of y ^e spirit, & give over their bodis for a living sacryfice holy and acceptable unto God.

5 And thus shall they reign w ^t christ their merciful savior & redeemer for y ^e space of y ^e thousand years afore named. None other toke they all y ^t longe seasō for their spiritual Messyas, their eternal King, their high Bishop for all, their master, their Lord, their gyde, their light, and y ^e shepeherde of their souls. None other would they acknowledge but him for their mediatoure & atonement maker, neither Moses nor Samuel, Noah, Daniel, nor Job, Johan Baptist, Mary, nor Peter. He only was unto them all wisdom, ryghtuousnesse, holiness, and redemption. In none other name could they find health and salvation but alone in his. Nothing pertaineth this unto the Popes mass sayers, for they call upon many names with Ora pro nobis, and are of a far other priesthood as we have declared afore. In Christ's kyngdō is none outward Priesthode, nor sacryfice to be made for sin. For he hath w ^t one oblaciō for all fully satysfied for y ^e sins of his elect number forever. The office of a Christ̄ man now is only to offer up himself by y ^e denial of himself, and by the mortificatiō of his flesh. In the holy supper of the Lord (which is a mutual participaciō of his body & blood) is no new sacrifice to be made, but only a faithful remembrance to be taught of that full and perfect sacrifice that he made once for all, unless we will betray him and crucify him again. The duty of a minister in Christ's congregation, is with all study and diligence to labor in the holy word of God, be he bishop, priest, Chaplayne, Pastor, or preacher. Hys ministration is great labor & no dygnitie, pain and not pride or arrogancy. And having his food and raiment, he ought to require no more.

The Commentary.

1 After the plentnous description of the true church of Christ, which is unknown to the world (for the glorious daughter of the eternal Kinge, is from within, saith David, now followeth in course the pernicious kingdom of Antichrist, whan it was in y ^e highest pride, so soon as the afore rehearsed thousand years (saith saint John) are fully accomplished or brought to an ende.

2 Satan the common adversary of man shall be loosed out of his dark prison, and so shall be set at large by the sufferance of God, man's wickedness deserving none other. A full liberty shall he have to do all myschiefe upon earth, and strongely to delude the unbelievers for their vnbeleues sake.

3 He shall go fourth with all deceytefull power whereof he is full, transforming himself into a resemblance of the Angel of light, to deceive the universal people of the world.

4 Through the operation of error he shall cause them to give credence unto lies and false miracles, that they might be dampened for refusing y ^e truth and consentinge to such wickedness. Uery crafty shall he compass thē with gynnes of hypocrisye too blind their unfaithful minds, lease the light of the gospel should be open unto thē. The abomination of desolacion shall he set up in the holy place, to the utter destruction of their faith.

5 Yea, he shall seek out this people from each, iiii. quarters of the universal earth, to corrupt their consciences with all manner of superstitions.

6 Which people of him thus perverted is called here in misteri, Gog & Magog which is as much to say as covered, & of reuered. For both y ^e graūd capitains, and multitudes of thē depending doth these two words comprehend, y ^e one covering y ^e devil w ^t many false religions & the other in his sort following y ^e same wicked consent. S. Augustine in his .xx. • ooke, de ciuitate dei, willeth by Gog to be signified y ^e glorious hypocrites of the world, & by Magog y ^e opē enemies of righteousness pretending y ^e contrary as testifieth Berrosus the Caldeane in y ^e first book of his histories, & fyft chap. Gog was a mighty governor in the lands of Sabea and Arabia the rich, under Nemroth y ^e great Kinge of Babylon and their ruled with Sabus his father in the .xviii yere of his reign. In the .xxxviii. chapter of Ezekiel's Prophecy is he called the chief prince of Mosoche & Turball, whom some expositors take for Capadoce & Spain. But after the opinion of saint Jerome and Isidorus which was a Spanayrde, the Hebreues doth take this Thurball for Italy, which is much more agreeable to this purpose. Magog was y ^e second son of Japheth, which was the third son unto Noah. Thys Magoge (as witnesseth Josephus in the first book of his antiquities the xi. Chapter) was the first beginner of the Magogytes, whom y ^e Greeks called the Scitheanes, & we now the Tartareanes. And all y ^e chief writers specyfieth the Turks of thē to have takē their first original. Now mark this wonderful misterye, & consider therein both the time & story. So shall ye well perceive y ^e holy ghost to mean none other hereby this Gog and Magoge, but the Romish Pope & Mahomete, with their blasphemous and wicked generations. Serche the Cronicles and ye shall find that their beginninges were base, and their estate, simple before y ^e thousand years were finished. But after that they grew up so high by their feigned simplicity and simulate holiness, y ^t they became the .ii. chief Monarkes of the earth, and so in process ruled the universal world. These are the .ii. horns or beastly kingdoms of the great Antichrist or whole body of the Devil, rysyng up by the earthly studies and diuelysh devises of wicked men. By y ^e doctrine of Aristotle, Plato, Porphirie Auicenne, Auerois, Auenzoar, and such other, became the Romish Pope Christ's vycar, and head of the universal church. Petrus Lombardus created him a new diuinitye, so did Gracianus monachus a new Cannō law of decrees to establyshe the same besides that was done thā by Petrus Conmestor the third brother. For all they three were the chyldrē of one aduoutrous mother, as witnesseth Antoninus, Hermannus Schedel, Johannes Textor, and diverse other Chronographers. By the crafti cōueyaunce of Sergius a false Monk of Constantinople, and of one Matthew the Archdeacon of Antioch, was Mahomete taken for the Apostle of both testamētes, for the great Prophet of God, and for Messias among the Tartareanes and Arabies, wtth other people's of y ^e East. To establish this by a pretensed religyon, and to bring it to a mighty monarchy, by the advisement of Phinehas, Abdias, Cabalchabar, Balteira, Merban, and Elgug, with other Jews, Iacobynes, Nestorianes, and Arlyanes, they made the blasphemous law of their Alchorane, as testifieth John Cuspiniane in his boke de Turcarum origin and other auctors else. Thus for the wickedness and sins of the people suffered the Lord abhominable hypocrites to have the dominion over them. The two horns are like the Lambes horns at a blush. For both they pretend holiness in fastinges, in prayers, in almesse deeds, in washings, & in other holy rites and ceremonies. That a mā seeing thē (not having knowledge of y ^e truth of god, which trieth all) would think nothing to be more pure, honest, godly, innocent, clean, holy, & angleycke, than are their traditions. Both they confess one God. Both they commend christ. Both they allow the scriptures of both laws. Mahomete callerh Christ the word of God, the spirit of God, and the soul of God, the most excellent Prophet and the worthiest among creatures. But in no case will he have him taken for the son of GOD, no more than the Pope will have him taken for a full savior without his masses and suffrages. And like as the Pope hath risen up by the wilye practyses of Philosophers, Sophysters, Sentencioners and Canonystes, so hath Mahomete common up by the Sobellianes, Manyches, Eunomyanes, Macedonianes, Nestoreanes, and Arryanes with other heretics. Out of whose opinyons was contrived his Alchorane as a mean law betwyxt Moses and Christ, because y ^e one (say they) was too full of hardness, the other too full of liberty. And to call upon him both Jews & Christians, he admytteth after a sort both Circumcision and Baptyme granting them lybertie to have many wives with other voluptuous pleasures.

7 Thus under simulate religion or pretence of God's law & service, these two tyrants, Gog and Magog, the Romish Pope & Mahomete with their whole generations of like spirit with thē, have gathered thē selves together into one wicked consent against god & his christ. For under Gog & Magog are all they cōprehēded, whō sathā deceived after y ^t he was set at large, though these two have not accorded in other things, yet have they both agreed in this one point by the Devils entycement, to battle against the lamb. To withstand the verity, and impugn the truth of y ^e Gospel, they have been ready everywhere, in every lande, in every city, and in every town. Of one cruel purpose and study to do mischyefe have these two enymies been in all places of the world, to persecute Christ's poor congregation. This thing doth the daily practices of them both so manifestly declare, that all the world se it▪ well enough. These doeth Isaiah call that strong multitude, whose spoil Christ shall deuyde, the smith that bloweth the colles in y ^e hot fire, and the waster that destroyeth, Ezekiel doeth compare them to a raging tempest, Daniel to the King of the Northe, and Zacharias to the Princes of the earth.

8 Whose exceeding number (saith saint John) is as the dry sand that hath been bast up with the sea, which can in no wise be numbered. In this full well may it be • onsidred what a small thing Christ's flock was in comparison of these soldiers of Gog and Magog, after Satan's going forth, & for y ^e time of their battle. Innumerable were the sects of the Pope with those that they brought to that false faith and obedience. And so were the Prophets of Mahomete with y ^e perverted mulytude. Theyr power was great for the time, and their malice vengeable, yet were they as sand dry and unfruitful.

9 They rose up in pride, riches and ryalty, and always went over where as they see the earth made plain and smoth, and that in every lande compass. Their general journey was all the world over towards them that were poor in spirit, or whose l • stes were mortified from the world • Consider them for an example, whom they have cruelly burned and slain where as they perceived their crooked custōes thrown down, and the straight rule of God's word faythfullye received, there persecuted they moste • ier •• sy, there we • ed they furious and maid, sparing neither sword, fire, gybbet, nor other torment.

〈1 page〉 such heretykes as would not believe as holy church commanded. Thys hath been their order for the time of Satan's lybertie. And this have they taken for an high point of Christian religion. For this is that hour that Christ prophesied of, wherein men should think to do unto god gret good service whā thei put one of his unto death.

11 Thus have they with all prodigious tyranny compassed the dearly beloved City of God, or the holy cōgregaton for whom Christ died, utterly to overthrow it. By all manner of crafts and diuelyshe circumuentiōs have they gone about at that time (as they would do yet still) to destroy that samll remnaunte or church of y ^e Lord, built without material stone & mortar, y ^• sweet spouse of his without spot or wrinkle. Not only sought they in y ^e enterprise to bring to naught the particular congregations, but for as much as lay in thē, y ^e universal church of god, thā living. Blessed be our lord god, though it hath ben since y ^e loosing of sathā but a pore wretched neglected thing, & of no reputatiō before y ^e world, yet hath it been always before him a beloved Cytie, and hath defended it so mightily, that nothing hath perished of it. No not one heir of their heads. What the Turk with Muhammad's host hath done for his parte in Egypt, Greece, Palestyne, Jerusalem, Bulgary, in y ^e borders of Italy & Spain, at y ^e Rhodes, in y ^e kingdom of Hūgarye, Ludouirus y ^e king there rufully slain, & now last of all against y ^e city of Uyē, I think it is know̄ unto all mē. We may se by y ^t is here writ̄ of these two enemies Gog & Magog, the daily experiments confirming the same, that they are far above us in number and power being as the sādes in the sea. Most vainly are we occupied, if we assertaine our selves to have the victory over them by any other way than the Lord hath appointed. Let us pray therefore unto the Lord for grace and than amende our lives, and the plage shall cease. Only hath he promised to destroy them all with the breath of his mouth and with no bodily armoure nor strength of men, as here after followeth. Let us in the mean time give our selves unto fervent prayer, to compassion of our brethren, to deeds of charytie & pity, to abstinence from sin, and to the forsaking of our own desires. For sure we are, y ^t he shall shorten their days of mischief for his electes sake.

12 In the process following must we take for the time past, y ^e time to come, for the clear declaration of the mistery considering ever more the usage of y ^e scriptures for times. Whan these enemies Gog and Magog, shall be at the highest in their vengeable enterprises against the elect City or peaceable congregation of Christ, a consumyng fire (saith Saint John) which is the eternal word of the Lord shall come down freelye out of heaven from the mouth of the great omnipotent God.

13 As a fearful lyghtninge shall it fall vpō thē, and as terrible fire shall it devour them, like as the materyall fire, did eat up Sodom and Gomorre, rebellions in y ^e desert, & the enemies y ^t sought Helias. The fire y ^t is kindled in the wrath of God, shall burn unto y ^e bottom of hell, & cōsum up those terrible termagauntes.

14 That word of y ^e lords indignation shall with great violence throw the devil that wi • y serpent, which deceived gog & Mogog with their innumerable souldyours, into a foul stynking lake or boiling pit of wild fire & brimstō.

15 Upon the wicked (saith David) shall y ^e lord rain snars. Wyld fire, brimstone, w ^t tirrible storm & tēpeste, shall they have to reward, for their etarnall punishment. Herein are to be marked & considered, both y ^e intolerable greuousnesse of y ^e pains, & also the everlasting continuance of them.

16 In the same place of intolerable torment, were the beastly generations of Antichrist & all their scholemaisters of hypocrites doctrine. Or eternallye of god were they thereunto appointed as the ungodly communaltie with their capitaine, and as the body and members with their wicked head (for all ready is it done by his word, but thā shall it follow in effect) whereas they shall be as y ^e Lord hath appointed, most sharply afflicted w ^t unspeakable torments both day and night without pause or ceasing forever and ever without ende.

17 Never shall their fire be quenched (saith Isaiah) no • yet their gnawinge worm be taken from them. For all manner of griefs wherewith God vexed the wicked, may this fire here be taken after the scriptures. For as witnesseth saint Augustine in his xx. book and xii. chapter De ciuitate Dei, not only is this punishment to be referred to the latter judgment, but alo to the extermination of Antichrists h • st by the word of God the world over. Be the Gospel once purely taught among men, it will condemn all that they have done upon their own presumption without the ground of God's verity, be it ceremony or Sacrament, priesthood or sacryfice, reseruinge the deceivers to his most fearful judgment.

The commentary

1 A none after this I beheld (saith Saint Johan) in secrete mystery an imperial throne or seat of estate, fair splendaunte, and bewtyfull. None other is this than the judgment seat of the Lord.

2 Great it is, for the Majesty and power of him that shall sit therevpō, is of inestimable magnificence & greatness. Fayre and white, both for the celestyall clearness that shall at that hour appear with him, and also for y ^e pureness, equity, and right of his universal judgments.

3 From the aspect of whose fearful countenance shall both the earth beneath and the other elemētes above flee away. All the creatures of his creation shall with reverence tremble & quake at his mighty aperaunce. The Sūne shall thā be darkened, y ^e Mone shall not give hir light. The Stars shall fall down from above, the powers of heaven shall be moved. The elements shall melte with heat, and the whole earth shall tear in pieces like a rag.

4 A terrible fire shall go before the judge, to burn up his enemies on every side. The places of them that lived here supersticiously and voluptuously, shall no more after y ^t be found. Never shall they resort again hither to their old wantō pleasures. Of their bewtyfull Cyties, shall not one stone be left upon another. Their proud painted Synagoges as dust in the wind shall be scattered away from the earth. Neither shall the skye nor yet the ground beneth be as it was, but both they shall be renewed & changed. They shall be delivered from corruption, and so appere both a new heaven, and a new earth, according to the expectation of the creatures.

5 Immediatly after that (saith saint John) y ^e judge thus sitting vpō y ^e sca • e of his eternal Majesty. I saw still in mystery after the blast of the trumpet, that all they which were dead, arose out of the earth. And that both high and low, great and small, good and bad, King, and beggar, prelate and plough man, tirant and perscecuted innocent. Yea, the sucking babe y ^e died in y ^e cradell so well as y ^e aged mā.

6 All they seemed unto me to stand before their general judge Jesus Christ, to whom the everlasting father had given over his whole judgments, which there appeared as he was in deed a very omnipotent god. All we shall appere (saith Paul) before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone of us may receive according to y ^t he hath done, be it good or ill.

7 And y ^e books of reckennings (which are the several consciences of men) were open before y ^e judge. That afore was hid, will thā be manifest, and that was secret, will than come to light & be disclosed. Euident it will be unto him who hath fulfilled the commanded works of mercy & who hath left them undone, their own constences bearing witness to y ^e same. For what can be hid from him which seeth both y ^e inward reins and the secret thoughts of the heart? In this general rekening yet, shall praise with y ^e eternal reward redowne unto them from y ^e merciful Lord whose walking here hath been according unto faith. There shall they be reproved to have been pitiful to y ^e poor, hongry, thursty, needy, naked, sick, & in prison.

8 After this was another book opened of a far diverse nature frō the other books, for it was y ^e sweet boke of life, wherein be regestred all y ^t were predestinate to be saved, frō y ^e worlds beginning. And this boke is y ^e eternal predestinatiō of God. 9 Before y ^e worlds foūdatiō (saith s. Paul) y ^e lord predestinate us into y ^e addoptiō of his childrē, through Jesus Christ. Of this book made Moses mention, whan he said, Either pardon this people, or else race me out of thy book which thou haste written. And Christ also to his seventy disciples. Be glad (saith he) that your names are written in heaven. Moreover Joshua called this the book of the ryghtuous, and John here the boke with seven clasps. This sheweh the holy ghost here unto us, much after the custom daily used among us. For of the most notable men and women our manner is both longe to remember the names, and also to speak of them as occasion giveth. So equal is this eternal judge, that no personage respecteth he in judgment, neither of Emperors nor Pope, Kinge nor Byshope, Lord nor priest. But as he is ryghtuous of himself, so judgeth he rightuously.

10 For they that were dead (saith saint Johan) or that had led their lives here without faith and y ^e spirit of Christ, were judged of him there, according to the things which were regestred in y ^e books of their consciences.

11 That is to say, according to y ^e filthy works whereof their desperate cōciences accused them. Only are the wicked to be takē here for y ^e dead. For the righteous shall thā have nothing, whereof their conscience may accuse them. Neither shall y ^e evil doers as witnesseth David, be of counsel with thē at y ^e day. They having y ^e life everlasting, shall not than be judged, though they than appere, but shall sit with Christ in judgment, and rejoice in the condempnation of the ungodly blasphemers. The reward of their vnfaythfulnesse shall thā be poured upon thē, to their perpetual care. At that day shall none be absent but all shall be seen, either to honor or else to reproof.

12 Neither shall the depth of the sea, nor the darkness of death, nor yet hell that is bottomeless, be able to hide any frō the face of this judge. For the sea (saith saint John) that is mighty and great, shall at that day deliver up clean hir dead, or those whom the Lord suffered her to swallow in for their outrageous sins.

13 Lyke as were the giauntes in the flood of Noah, y ^e great host of Pharaoh in the red sea, and such other more.

14 So shall greedy death do also, which after many strange sortes hath consumed the enemies of God. As for an example, Cain by a chance unsought, Nadah and Abyn by fire, Achan by standing, Holofernes & Saull by the sword, Nabal by excess of wyne, Jezebel by treading of horses, Daniel's accusers by the lions, Menelaus by breaking his neck, Judas by hanging himself Herod, by worms, the children of Israel by swerd, fire, serpentes, and sudden death, and such other like.

15 Hell which is insaciable, shall in like case render up the innumerable swarm of the dead whom he with open mouth, hath swallowed in quick for their abominations.

16 Of whose number were Chore, Dathan and Abiron with their affinitye, the Cytyes of Sodom and Gomorre, the uncircumcised gyauntes, the rich rourer and the rich glotton in Luke, Simon Magus, with diverse other. Hell hath gaped meruelouslye wyde (saith Isaiah) and hath rauenouslye devoured the high minded, sturdye, and dysobedyent nation.

The uncircumcised giauntes (saith Ezekiel) with their weapons are gone down to hell, whose swerdes are laid under their heads, their wickedness upon their bones. Of the wicked only is all this spoken here, if ye mark well the text, and in no wise of the Godly, what though many, of them hath been drowned in the sea, burned, beeheadded, and hanged upon the lande, and buried quick in the earth.

17 For it followeth also, that they were judged of the judge and received everyone according to their deseruinges.

Accordynge to the fleshely fruits of their own inventions shall they be rewarded, their vnfaythfulnesse justly measured unto them.

Theyr bodies shall than take parte with their wretched souls, in the everlasting curse of dampdamnacion, y ^e elect number rewarded with perpetual felicytye.

18 And as concerning death itself, which is the universal enimye of man, it shall be destroyed forever.

19 Hell also (which is here taken for sin) shall never more be seen among the creatures of God.

20 For both shall be thrown into the great lake of boylinge fire and brimstone. The victory of death shall be swallowed up, and his stinge done clean away, which is sin. That is now corruptyble shall put on vncorruptiō, & that is now mortal, immortality. Thus that the Lord at y ^e hour make of all his enemies his fotestole according to his promise by Oseas the Prophet. O death I will be thy death. O hell I will be thy destruction.

21 This tirrible appoyntmēt of the judge (saith saint John) is the second death, or perpetual deprivation of y ^e sight of God, yea, the utter fall from his favor, grace, and mercy. This death is the whole vengeance of all innocent blood which hath been shed upon earth from just Abel to the last faithful witness. Yea, this sentence is y ^e stone y ^t shall grind the enemies to powder, the very eternal damnation both of body and soul.

22 Now for a conclusion of y ^e whole matter, whatsoever he be king or Emperor, Priest or prelate, lay or religious, that shall not be found writ̄ in the book of life, which is y ^e eternal predestination of god, for that he hath worshipped the beast and his Image, he shall be cast by the irrevocable sentence of the judge, into the stynking lake of fire, perpetully there to burn with the Devil and his Angels. So that he which hath had no parte in the first resurrection, shall be sure to taste of this seconde death which is damnation.

23 He that believeth not the gospel whan it is faithfully taught him, repenting his former life, but refuseth the grace thereof, freely offered, shall forever be damned. Never shall his sin be remitted, neither in this world nor in the world to come, that reststeth the holy ghost, withstanding the open verytie. Only remaineth a fearful expectatiō of judgment unto thē that here treadeth Christ under foot▪ not regarding his blood shedding, but doing injury to the spirit of grace for their own invention.

The Commentary.

1 Besides the afore rehearsed revelations, I beheld now last of all (saith saint Johan) that heaven was clean altered from that it was afore and became all new, and so was the earth also and became the same.

Not only become they now spiritual by a true believe in the Gospel that afore were carnal, but also in the ende of the world shall the whole bodies of heaven and of earth as gold in the furnace be purged from filthiness by fire going before the yudge, which both are now defiled with the wickedness of the creatures.

2 After both sortes shall they be delivered from the corruption, here of sin, and thereof death and dampnatyon, and so be restored unto the glorious lybertie of God's children.

3 The first heaven defiled through y ^• pride of Angel, and the first earth also corrupted by the sinful usage of man, shall vanyshe clean away and no more be seen. Not that the substance of them shall utterly perish, but that their nature, shape, and figure shall change into a much more pure and perfect similytude. A custom it was among the prophets, whan thy aduertysed the afflycted Israelytes of prosperite, peace, or renovation of the glory of God coming towards thē to promise all things new.

4 Behold (saith the Lord in Isaiah) I make you new heavens, and a new earth, and as for the old shall never more be though upon. Newe is y ^e true church of Christ, so are the people pertaining to the same. In no point are they like to the Popes holy orders, nor yet unto Mahometes religion. Clere are their hearts which have rereceiued the verytie, from all superstitions, and their outward lives from idell observations, perfect are their consciences, and their conuersacions godly. And this in the regeneration shall be fully accomplished. Not only shall that which is now mortal becō immortal & y ^e is now corruptible, than incorrupted & as y ^e very Angels of the Lord, but also the universal heaven shall be than renewed, so shall the whole face of the earth, and appere more beutyfull than now.

5 And from that time fourth shall there be no more sea, which signifieth people unsteadfast, vain, and fickle. Whereas the peace of Christ is surely grounded, no more is there any troubled conscience. No more is there any diffydence, wan hope, or despair. Al bitterness, sorrow, & anguish is turned into sweetness & joy in y ^e holy ghost. We know (saith saint Paul) y ^e all things are taken to the best in them that love God. Frō the Apostles (whō Christ first also called from the Sea) vanished this waueringe Sea away, whan they went from the mallicious counsel of the Bishops reioysinge that they were found worthy to suffer rebuke for his names sake. In like case all impediments and needs, all dangers and doubts, all fearful movings and outragings that we now have of the sea, shall cease in that day of the Lord, whan we shall behold him face to face. No longer shall it be subdued unto vanity, no more than the other creatures, but clearly depured from filthy corruption. No more shall it be the same to see, to being frō thens forth so claer • as cristall, though it still be the same in substance.

6 Heaven, earth, & y ^e sea, with all other creatures in mistery thus renewed, I Johan the son of Zebede & the same dysciple whom Christ loved, being here in exyle for his word & testimony, perceived in the save mystery by the singular gift of the spirit, y ^e y ^e self holy city or congregation of the Lord which is worthily called the new Jerusalem of peace descended down out of heaven from hir omnipotent creator & God eternal.

7 Holy is this cyty. For both is she here the undefiled spouse of the lamb and shall be hereafter more perfectly in y ^e regeneracion. Here admytteth she nothing in faith that is prohpane and carnal, but cleaneth to his only word. There shall she follow his steppes in a much more pure estate, clearly delivered from all that is ill.

8 Here is she new, in that she hath here by his godly spririte done of the old man with his filthy works. And there shall she also be new through his gift, by throwinge away the body of sin with death and corrupcion.

9 Jerusalem is she called both here and there, or peceable city of the Lord, in that all hir cytizens are here of one faith, and there shall be of one glorious unity and concord. Here are hir dwellers citizens with y ^e saints, & y ^e househould servants of god. Ther shall they be both his children and heirs together with Christ.

10 From God came she down, and out of heaven first of all. Neither out of flesh nor blood hath spronge hir Christian believe, but frō the gracyous opening of the father which is in heavē. That Jerusalem (saith Paul) which is free & our mother is from above. She is y ^t Cytie, whose builder and maker is God. With none other laws is she governed, but with his eternal testament and Gospel of peace. With the constitutions of men hath she nothing to do, be they never so holy and precious. For alone she dependeth on God and his spirit.

11 Of him is she prepared through y ^e gift of faith. She is cleansed with the fountain of water in the word of life to seem a glorious congregation without blemysh or wrinkle. From hir sins is she purely washed in his blood.

12 And so garnished as a beautiful bryde to hir husband with love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, long suffering, & other glorious fruits of y ^e spirit. Upon thy right hand Lord (saith David) standeth a queen in a garment of most fine gold compassed with diversity. But every man, shall not se this hir apparel, for it will be rather a raiment of the heart than of the outward body. Figured was this decking of hir at large, in the wonderful adourning of the temple and tabernacle of God in the days of Moses and Solomon, whose mystical meting also he describeth in his cantycles. How marvelous this new Hierusalē will be in the regeneration, whan she meteth hir spouse in the air, and how glorious hir countinaunce with him, it lieth not in us to declare in all points, considering that neither eye hath seen, nor ear hard, neither can the heart conjecture what God hath there prepared for them that love him, but of this are we sure, y ^t with the glory of him she shall be replenished. Here is hir estate imperfect, and there perfect, here mortal, there immortal, here sower, there sweet, here hard, there pleasant, here painful, there dilectable, here Godly, there inestimable glorious.

13 And as John had seen these wonderful things, and mused much vpō them, a great voice came unto him from the seat of God, declaring the mistery thereof. I hard (saith he) in the midst of this last revelation, as I was in doubt what it meant, a mighty voice from the throne of my everlasting Lord, saying thus unto me.

14 Behold John behold, & mark it both for thine own erudicion, and also for the instruction of others. The holy tabernacle or restyng place of y ^e everlasting God of heaven, is with men in the world beneth. Not only in that the eternal son of y ^e Lord toke upon him the shape of a man, calling it the temple of his body, but also in that the soul of every faithful man is become the habitacle of y ^e holy ghost. He that loveth me (saith Christ) observeth my word. In him will both I and my father provide us a resting place. He that is in love abideth in god and God dwelleth in him.

15 This voice might John well hear from the mouth of God in Esechiell. I will make (saith he there) a perpetual covenant with man to dwell w ^t him evermore.

My tabernacle shall be among them. So that I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

16 For why, it followeth here in this voice, that he hath determined of favorable love & mercy to dwell with them, assisting them here in this life by his spirit, and in the life to come shall he satysfye them by his eternal presence. For here do we see him in a similytude far of, there shall we behold him like as he is in deed, and shall eternally rejoice therein.

17 Here are they his people through faith, for Israel is his heritage. There shall they be his familiar household through love and he their Lord forever. Here shall they be his children, and he their eternal father. Ther shall they be his heyers, Christ being the right heyer for them all.

18 Thus God his own self of his inestimable goodness being presently w ^t them, shall here by his grace, and thereby inestymable benefits, show him self in all points to be their moste merciful and loving God▪ Here doth he strongly assist thē against all temptations of enemies.

There shall be endue them with full perfection and clerenesse.

19 So shall he be their god, that neither here nor yet there shall they knowledge any other but him alone. He shall so comfort them here by his spirit, and there by his glorious presence, that neither shall they here forsake him, nor there be divided from him.

20 And this everlasting god shall so wype away all tears from their eyes here, that no vexacion shall make thē sorrowful, nor yet adversity pensyue. But all manner of slanders and persecutions, shall they take for most suffren consolations for his names sake. For if he be with them, who can prevail against them?

21 And after that day can no wepings be, whereas shall be full joy with immortality both of soul and body. Behold (saith the Lord in Isaiah’s prophecy) I shall make a joyful Jerusalem, yea, and myself will rejoice there with them. From thence forth shall neither waylyng nor weeping be hard in hir anymore.

22 In hir moreover shall be no more death for it shall be destroyed forever. No more shall men's consciences despair here, But have joy in the holy ghost. No more shall they die through sin, but live unto God by faith. And there shall no more the rose coloured whore be drunken in the blood of martyrs. Hir tyrants shall be closed up in the stinking lake of fire from the slaughter of them, they than becoming immortal and impossible

Moreover thā this, he that believeth in christ shall never die nor yet come into judgment, but pass clean frō death unto life.

23 Neither shall there be any sorrow nor crying anymore. For all manner of displeasure of the body, as poverty, sickness, losses, emnytie, vexacions, and ill reports are here patiently borne of the faithful. And there shall be found nothing to minister any such occasions. Here is neither age doubted, nor yet persecution feared, in them that reckoneth death advantage, having in desire with Paul to be hence and with Christ. Nor yet shall be there where all is in joy and peace, durable forever.

24 Neither shall there be felt anymore pain. Such hath been the constauncye of the martyrs here that little have the torments grieved them. Eleazarus patiently suffered all punyshmente▪ Stephen reyosed to see heaven open. Andrew would in no case be delivered from death. Laurentius offered his brent flesh to be eaten. The burning coles were so sweet unto Tiburcius as the fragraunt roses. So desirous were y ^e terrible torments unto Uincent, as a moste pleasant banket. Angelus desired the people in Sicilia to esteem the tyrant his frynde. What y ^e exceeding constauncy was of John Hus and Hieronime of Prague, divers Chronycles mencyoneth. And in our time, George Baynham in the fire did never complain. John Frith never shown himself once grieved in countenance. Barns never moved, as his enymyes doth report. Peter Franke in Colchester sang joyfully to the Lord. The three young men of Southfolk rejoiced at y ^e death, with such other many. And how far they shall be, from pains after this, the great day of the Lord shall declare.

25 For the old things are paste, saith the text. All that afore was tedious, heavy, and fearful to the flesh, is now become easy, light, and pleasant, through that they have learned of Christ. His word refresheth them in spirit, and is a sweet rest unto their souls. And in the regeneration shall hunger, thirst, werinesse, labor, heat, cold, rain, wind, thunder, earthquakes, with all other discommodities be taken clean from them. Neither shall they have there, need of meat nor drink, food nor raiment, beds nor buildings, feeldes nor meadows, welspringes nor rivers, gardens nor vineyardes.

The commentary

1 And the omnypotent Lord which sat upon the eternal throne concluded thus with me. Hys holy spirit of promise assertayned my spirit by his heavenly word, that all these things should be true.

2 Behoulde (saith he) I will make all things fresh and new. Heaven, earth, the Sea, and the universal Cytye of peace, I will deliver from all corrupcyon, I make all pure, clean, holy, immortal, uncorrupt, impassible, clear, heavenly, spiritual, and glorious. Never more shall, they be as they were afore whan they were yet old. Never shall be more eating nor drinking, wyuing nor • anketing, traueling, nor sleeping • or other such doeinges pertayninge to the corruptible life. The righteous shall than shine as the red fire sparks. So bright as the sun shall they be in the kingdom of their father.

3 Thus hath the Lord here midsts meruielously described unto John, and by him unto us the mystical Sabbath of his people here, & y ^e eternal Saboth after this life onmanding him to 〈◊〉 it, as followeth. Much to & fro hath been among the 〈◊〉 doctors & is 〈◊〉 to th •• day, whether the saved multi •••• shall reign here upon earth 〈◊〉 Christ, or above in heaven afte • the judgment day • . Which is easy to be percei • ed, if the scriptures he true •• conferred. Therefore ser • h d • lygently the scriptures, for they hear • witness of all truth. Christ hath in Math. y ^e they shall be thā as y ^e Angels are now • in heaven, whose office is hath to be h • re • there. And so much 〈…〉 y ^e they shall be as thā all one. 〈◊〉 w • ll shall y ^e earth be new as the heavens. And needs it must be to some purpose. Never would Isaiah & Pete • have said, y ^e righteous • sse should dwelt in thē if they should not occupy thē both. It is said here also y ^e the new Jerusalem shall come down frō heavē. But not so that it shall not up again. For Christ's electes shall be whereas he is. Whan they shall be vpō y ^e earth, no let nor impediment shall they have to be also in heavē, both they being one. 〈…〉 agyltie & perfectiō shall be thā in their bodies as is now in y ^e glorified body of Christ; or in the spiritual nature of y ^e angels. Which are nowhere now the • And whether they be here or there▪ always they see God, • are 〈…〉 absent from him. Manye scriptures might be brought in to declare th •• mat • er more at large, but it would 〈◊〉 much time. What mutual feloship heavenly amyte, & glorious pastyme will be betwixt them & the angels at that day it fare passeth all capacities to diffine. I counsel 〈◊〉 to be curious in y ^e search of high misteris • s this here is one, without the fear of God, least he ouercōmē of their exceeding 〈◊〉 〈1 page〉 whoredom with many kings, by many false worshippings. This for hir meekness is commended of God, the other proudely boasteth hir 〈◊〉 through holy traditions, merits, and deseruinges to b •• a riche qu • ene. With many such other.

4 And the Lord (saith saint John) which worketh all things by his only word and commandment, 〈◊〉 thus unto me. Emprente first in thy heart that I have here show • the • , & than leave it in writing to the 〈◊〉 of those that than follow the • ▪

5 And if thou will k • owe a reason why y ^u shalt thus do, take this 〈◊〉 sentence with thee. I assure the so 〈◊〉 as I am God, y ^• the words which I have shown in this present Reuelatiō are effectually most faithful and ruste. In no manner of 〈…〉 break promise, nor go from y ^e 〈◊〉 that I have once spoken. Both heaven and earth shall pass over, but not 〈◊〉 of my words shall pass 〈◊〉 at their times appointed. The word y ^t goeth out of my mouth, 〈◊〉 not return home again 〈…〉 both accomplysh my will, & prosper y ^e thing▪ I sent it for. Ned • full is it therefore that all men believe, that I shall fulfil the couenauntes here promised.

6 Moreover than this, the said heavenly Lord said thus unto me, to put me clearly out of doubt.

7 It is fintshed and done already. Be thou assertayned that my word is my deed. In y ^e beginning I spake but the word, & all things were created, heaven, earth, y ^e light, the firmamēt, the Sun, the Mone the fowls, the fishes, the beasts, and last of all man. Whatsoever I say therefore, ought to be believed as now done in deed, be it to the righteous or damned. For all things are present afore me. In tokē whereof, y ^e prophets and fathers uttered their prophesies of things to come, in the time past for y ^e more part, for the sure certainty of them.

8 And take these my words so much to be the more certain, that I which have made those promises, have all things in my power. I am the first and the last, fyguratly comprehended under Alpha & Omega y ^e first & the last Greek letters, as a known 〈…〉 the Greeks, unto whom this 〈◊〉 was first written. 〈…〉 God was there before me, nor 〈…〉 after me, I am God from everlasting and world without ende.

9 I am he that hath begun all thing • ▪ I am he again that shall fynish them. I am alone & there is none other God but I. I sley, I quick. I smi • e, I heal▪ I set up, I put down. Through me doth kings reign & every man's 〈◊〉 is in my hand. Wherefore it is reasō y ^• they have recourse unto me.

10 I am that fresh fountain that • say speaketh of most highly necessary to them that will live. Uery lyberall shall he find me, y ^e seeketh me in faith.

11 To him y ^t is a thyrst or desierous of righteousness will I give to drink of the plentuous wellspring of the wholesome waters of life. And that will I do freely without price or payment either of Mass or merits, dead su • frages or deseruinges.

Laye out your money on more for • he thing y ^e fedeth not, spend no more travail about y ^e thing that helpeth not. Come unto me all you that labor and are loaden and I shall refresh you. So desirously seek unto me your God as y ^e heart seeketh to the brokes of water. For with me is the well of life everlasting. With my pleasant rivers shall I content your good appetytes. The water of this fountain is the verite & sweetness of Christ's spirit, refreshing the soul here with hope, & there with the life everlasting. In this life is felt but a taste of it, in y ^e world to come shall y ^e thirst be satisfied. Here is it but in heart springing up toward life, there shall it be in full course and never fail. Here are obtained but small drops of it, there shall it be had in full plētuousnesse. The philosophers for their wisdō, y ^e lawiers for their learning, & y ^e phisicians for their cōning looketh for gret rewards. The biers & sellers in y ^e tēpl, set their wares at a gret price, yet are they but stynking waters, & not able to restrain y ^e thyrst. But this is free w ^t out paimēt through christ, & containeth health in haboūdaūce. Not our good works (saith s. Augustine) but his own fregifts doth god croun in us. This must be sought for. For onli sha • he obtaī it, y ^e thirstith after it. Onli shall he have y ^e asketh, & he find y ^t seeketh.

12 He y ^t hath done on a Christian warrior to fight against the devil of these darkenesses, and so manfully doth his part, that by faith he overcometh him, & hath y ^e full victory over him in Christ, he shall be sure to posses all these things, heaven, earth, y ^e new Jerusalem, the living waters, and to have his full desire in the joys to come. Wonderful is this promise. No Kinge nor Emperor, priest nor prelate, Turk nor Souldane, can grant such wages. But who shall obtain them? None other than fighteth lawfully, working, according to the rules and examples of faith? Neither he that masseth nor senseth, processioneth nor holy watereth, nor yet he y ^t buildeth churches. For those works the Scripture commandeth not.

13 Besides this promised reward, (saith the lord here) I will be his god in deed, according to my former covenant, and he shall be unto me as my natural son. So loving will I be to him as the mother is to the babe borne of hir body, whom she can never forget. So merciful as the natural father, y ^• pitieth his own children at the very heart. Example by the unworthy lost child, whom I both lovingly received & sweetly enbraced in mine arms, Yea, I both clothed him & fed him w ^t the best, as a son full dear unto me. And of this let him be sure which hath me for his father, that I shall give him Christ to be his brother and with him all things necessary, constituting him my perpetual heir. This fatherly covenant was plain unto my servant David, for whom I set up mercy 〈◊〉 ever.

14 But far otherwise will I do by the other sort, which neither will seek y ^e living waters or have desire to the scriptures, nor yet keep y ^e hold I have put them to, which is their Christian profession, but cowardly leave it unto the enemies, the serpent, the beast, and the false prophet. As are these which followeth here in their course. Fyrst of all the fearful cowardes or false hearted Christians.

Whome the holy ghost calleth here afore neither hot nor cold. At a time they believe, but whan any trouble cometh they go clean frō it. These dou • the loss of their goods, the hinderaūce of their names, and the harm of their bodies, and so are they not worthy of Christ. Such were Ananyas & Sapphira with many other more sense their time. These trust not in the Lord as doth Zion, which never removeth.

15 Next are the unfaithful hipoccits which neither believe the promises nor yet fear the threatenings of the Lord. These make gods commandments of no value for their own tradicious. With beggary ceremonies clog they the people, & as the blind they lead the blind into the ditch. Neither will these enter into y ^e kingdom of god, nor yet suffer other to enter. Such were y ^e pharisees & saduces with our monks, chāons, and fryers, succeeding in their wicked examples.

16 After them followeth y ^e cursed obstinates or abhominable blasphemers, which knowing the verite, doth not only abhor it, but also with moste spiteful cruelnesse persecuteth it. These are the swine y ^• • redeth perles in the mire, and the dogs that turn again to deuowre. Unpossible to be renewed to repentance, thus casting at their tales the gra • es of the spirit so freely offered them. Such were Annas • Caiaphas with our execrated bishops, suffragāes, channons, 〈◊〉 , •• cars, with all the priests of y ^e same wicked zeal.

17 The vnpytefull murderers, are also the same blood thursty prelates▪ those Cain's, & these boisterous Nemrothes that never will b • e satisfied with the slaughter of innoc • ntes. No cruel Antichrist after John Wy • leues time did so spyghtfully persecute the verity of Christ in England, as did Philyp Repyngedone, made than of a false brother or p • riuired christan, bishop of Lincoln.

The graunde captain of this mad muster is the proud bishop of Rome the preposterous vycar of y ^e Lamb, & the unworthy successor of Peter in that he hath not yet put up his sword. Of the same sort also are all those cruel Princes, and vnmercyfull magistrates, that applieth their auctorities, powers, and offices unto y ^e same mescheife. Such deceitful rauenours and abominable blood sheders the merciful Lord abhorreth evermore. Of this number was Pharaoh & herod, with innumerable tiranntes since, which to rehearse in order were to long

18 The filt •• whoremōgers are those holy spiritual Amorites which hath consecrate themselves unto Moloch in the fire of fleshly concupi •• ence. For ever have they for sworn godly marriage, to make daily sacrifice to the devil in buggary and other carnal beastlynesse. The most highly esteemed virtue of that generation, is to have no wives. Never commanded I such filthy vows (saith the Lord) neither came it ever in my thought, to make Judah sin with such abomination. For y ^e often breaking of their oath, profession, & vow it is no matter, so long as they make y ^e rekening among thenselves. Innumerable is the swarm of these lecherous locusts of Egypt, everywhere are their fruits seen all 〈1 page〉 〈1 page〉 after Christ's resurrection, to say that his desciples had stolen him away by night.

22 All these with such other execrable ••• tes (saith the Lord unto John) shall have their just portion in the foul stinking lake, y ^• horrybly fometh upward with filthy fire and brimstone. With the devil and his angels shall they dwell forever.

23 Thus shall y ^e wicked (saith David) for neglectinge their Lord God be turned into hell, with perpetual confusion. The fiery flood that shall go before the Judge, will swallow them up clean.

24 And this is without fail the second death, or damnation both of soul and body. The perpetual shame and reproof, as Daniel calleth it, that shall never be recovered. Not only the abhominable homicides, Idolators, and whoremongers shall have this stinking reward, but also the faint hearted hipocrits, the unfaithful sorcerers, and the execrable liars with all their affinity.

The Commentarye.

1 And as I was yet still ioyously marueiling (saith saint John) at this most friendlye communicatiō & wonderful mistery of the Lord.

2 There resorted unto me very lovingly, one of the seven angels mentioned here afore, which angels hath committed unto them at the Lord's pleasure the seven vials of his wrath containing the seven plagues of the world.

3 None other are these Angels, but the decreed purposes of God, uttering his judgments against cursed Babylon at their times appointed, as we have sufficiently declared in the xv. & xvi. chapters, afore. One of thē sent y ^e lord unto John, to describe unto him at large y ^e glory of y ^e new Hierusalē, like as he did afore the confusion of Babylon. For only was this in spirit as here after followeth.

4 This angel (saith he) familiarlye communed with me. This inspired purpose of God moved my heart, my mind, my wit, reason, understanding, and remembrance, with the other powers of soul to make me pryuy of this secret mistery, necessary to be known of the faithful.

5 Come hither (saith it spiritually unto me) leauinge at this time behind thee all such considerations as thou hast of nature. Certēlie will I manifest unto thee, to the singular comfort of many other, what the beautiful Bryde is, which is the undefiled spouse of the Lamb Jesus Christ. Thou shalt well perceive hir by the gift of faith, to be far different from the Rose coloured whore y ^t thou seest afore. Thou shalt know here, hir estate, beuty, behauer, and aparell. For that maketh God open to his lovers which he hideth unto other in parables.

6 Than toke he me up in the spirit (saith John) and so carried me clean away into a mighty great and exceeding high mountain. The contemplation of this heavenly misterye, so occupied my mind, that clearly was I taken from the remembrance of all worldly fantasies, & thought myself wrapped up with Paul unto the third heaven. Sittinge solytarye alone (as did Hieremie) I was lift up above myself. With Enoch & Helias I thought myself taken from the world, so great was the mistery.

7 Anone this spiritual messenger shown me a great godly City I was in remembrance of the true congregation of God compact together in the unity of one perfect Christian faith. And this was not the old Hieru • alem, built longe ago of Melchisadech as testifieth Josephus. For that was full of sin, ignorance, and blindness. She slew the Prophets, and stoned them unto death that were sent unto hir. She disdained also to receive hir own Lord, whā he came to hir of good love.

8 But this is all of another sort, perfect, godly, & faithful. Yea, this is above all estimatiō holy. Not for y ^e outward sacrifices, which were but shadows of things to come, but for y ^e eternal redētiō y ^• came, through him which offered him self unto God y ^e father without spot.

9 Not made by man's hand was this holy Hierusalē, nor yet after this manner building. For it issued out of heavē and so came down from God the Father of light, of whom only is all that is good and perfect. Great is this city, not only in that it is the possession of the great king of all, but also in that it is highest in dignity before him, & spread the world over.

10 Glorious is it also, blessed, spiritual, and heavenly, having the inestimable brightness or wisdom of the omnipotent God, hir light is y ^e lamb Jesus Christ, and his word the lantarne to hir very footsteps. Endued is she here with y ^e graces of y ^e spirit, and after this shall possess these benifites of immortality. Lyke shall she be to hir spouse to his latter appearance, and shall see God as he is in deed, when she is like fashioned to his glorious similitude.

11 And this hir shining light or wisdom in the spirit (saith the Angel) was like vn • o a stone, most orient and precious. For more precious is the verytie than Golde in his most pureness.

12 And of all things in the world most rightly might it seem to be compared to a fine Jasper, resemblinge a pure Cristall in clearness. For not only is it here in faith clear as the cristall, high, incomparable, and inestimable. But also in the regeneration it will be to the eyes of the glorified saints as the green Iaspar, most amiable, fresh, and desirous. The doctrine of the Lord is here all pure, expelling the darkness of errors and lies. He that followeth me (saith Christ) wandereth not in the dark, but shall have the light of life. And there shall neither their eyes be sore, nor yet their sight bleared by any impediment, but they shall be made able to behold him face to face, being of most inestimable brightness.

13 The walls of this city betokning the manifold strengths of God, were inestimable great and high, meruilous and glorious. Great is the Lord (saith David) and mighty is his power. He compasseth his people round about from this time forth and forever. A wall of fire is he unto Jerusalem, & a defense of steel unto Judah. Their keeper, protector, savior and defender is he, most steadfast, perfect, constant, and sure. Stronge is the City of Zion, for she saver is both hir wall and Bulwark.

14 Twelue gates hath this City to open and to spear. Yet is there but one opening unto them, which is Christ. Divers are they called, for the diversity of nations, people's, languages, & kindredes. From all quarters of the world round about cometh people to Christ's congregation, yet enter they not but through him (no man saith he) cometh unto the father but by me. I am the door into y ^e shepfolde. He y ^• entereth in by me shall be saved.

15 Twelue angels are set at y ^e • ntes of this city (which are both y ^e Angels in deed) & the godly preachers signified by them. The angels of y ^• Lord (saith David) pitched their tents round about those y ^• feareth him, to preserve them. Watchmē hath he s • t (saith Isaiah) vpō the walls of Hierusalē to preach his glorious name. So y ^t it is now become inexpugnable. The devil w ^t his whole army cannot prevail against it. None is he able to pluck out of his hand.

16 Names were gloryously written over the gates of this city. And none other were they but the names of the xii. tribes of the children of Israel. As are Judah, Reuben, Gad, Aser, Neptalim, Manasseh, Simeon, Leuy, Isachar, Zebulon, Joseph and Benjamin. For this consideration were their names there in sight, and none other.

17 Only was the heritage promised unto Abraham's seed. Only cometh salvation from among y ^• Jews. Christ was the only seed of Abrahā, and we are now become the children of promise in him. In the scripture are their names registered. And not y ^e names of them alone, but of so many else as have brought unto us the true worship of God. As were Moses, Samuel, David, & Helias, Isaiah, Hieremy Ezekiel, and Daniel, w ^t y ^e xii. inferior prophets. John the Baptist, Iose • h, Simeon, & such other. For y ^e number of xi • . is a viniuersall number comprehending all.

18 Upon the East part of this beautiful city were three gates. So were three gates, also upon the North side.

19 Towardes the South were three gates. And on the West side iii gates, to perform up the number of twelve. Such a City is the true Church of Christ, as is spread the world over. What so ever they be that will approach unto this City, which way so ever they come, necessary is it for thē, to enter into it through an only faith in the father, in the son, and in the holy ghost. Behouing is it (saith Paul) for him that will resort unto god faithfully to believe. Through faith have we entrance into his favor. Baptise them that believe (saith Christ) in the name of the father and the son, and the holy ghost. Exceedinge great is the multitude of those just believers which hath come from these iiii. quarters of the world, and hath entered into this city through this faith. Uery many shall come (saith the Lord) from the Easte and the Weste, (which includeth y ^e other two partes) and shall rest with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God. From the East come the Jews inhabiting the mid parte of the world. From the iii. out quarters else, as are Asia, Africa, and Europa, came the Gentiles, and after this sort through one faith in the trinity, became one city of y ^e Lord having .xii. fair gates. Prefygured was this in the passage of the children of Israel out of Egypt. In the wilderness of Sinai at the Lord's commandment, were the tribes of Judah, Isachar, Zebulon, with their hosts of a C.lxxx. and syxe thousand and four hundred, upon the East side. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad with their armies of a C.li. thousand four hundredth and fyftye, upon the South side, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin upon the West part, with their C. and eight thousand and one hundredth. D • n, Asser, and Neptalim upon the north with their C. and lvii. thousand and six hundred also. Whereas the tribe of Leuy was only appointed to minister in the tabernacle of witness in the midst of the hosts, and therefore was not at that time nūbered among the children of Israel.

20 Finally (saith the Angel) the wall of this beautiful City (which is the power of God unto salvation for them that believeth) hath xii. strong foundations surely couched upon the vnmouable and hard rock Christ. For upon him was the Christian Church first grounded. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Helias, and John the Baptist, with all the other fathers & prophets built upon him, though they were long before him. For all they trusted surely in the promises that God had made them in him. All they being under the cloud did eat of one spiritual meat, and dronk of one spiritual rock following them in the flesh which was Jesus Christ. No man can lay any other foundation than is laid already, which is Christ Jesus.

21 Upon this one foundation perpetually strong and durable, were laid these twelve foundations agreeing to the same. And in them were y ^e names of the Lambs .xii. Apostles or faithful messengers. As Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Bartilmew, Thomas, Matthew, James the less, Simon, Thadeus, and Mathyas. These are figured in the xii. stones y ^t Joshua raised up in Galgala for a remembrance of the dry passage of the children of Israel through Jordan. So are they signified also by the xii. other stones where with Helias in the mount of Tarmo • us made an altar in the Lord's name. The sure ground of these foundations was, that Christ is the sone of the living God. Upon this built all they both in their preachyngs and writings. All one with this was the faith of the Prophets, which believed that he was the Lamb that should take away the sins of the world. For they inquired the way of salvation, they searched for the saving health. Wherein thy prove themselves the living stones of this spiritual building. Thus unto one sure ground of faith extended the belues both of the Apostles and Prophets. Now are ye citizens with the saints (saith Paul to the Ephesians) built vpō the sure founda • ion of y ^• Apostles & prophets, Jesus Christ being y ^e fast corner stone. For this cause are y ^e apostles put here before y ^e prophets, y ^t we redīg thir profices should understand thē after y ^• apostle doctrine, & so deduce thē both unto christ And for this consideration are they here called the Lambes Apostles, that they have in all their instructions and writings uttered nothing but that they have received of his wonderful, rich, and plentuous habundance. Besids all this, not only are these twelve here named, to be taken for the xii. foundations and none other. For than should Paul be excluded, which labored more then all the rest. So should Barnabas, Silas, Lucas, Agabus, Judas the righteous, John that was called Marcus, with many other. But so many godly ministers are of y ^e sort besides them, as hath been of the same faith, spirit, and doctrine. For ye must consider that twelve is here a universal number as in other places, and betokneth all the whole felowshipp, they be holden for the principals for that they were present with Christ.

The Commentary.

1 And the Angel (saith sainte John) or set purpose of the Lord which commoned thus with me in secrete mistery, had a measure all of Golde in his hand, in similitude of a Reede, not all unlike unto them that talked with Ezekiel and Zechariah, in misterye also.

2 And with this golden Reede, which is the pure word of God, did he take measure both of the City it self, and of the twelve gates thereof, and also of the great mighty wall of the same.

3 The determinate purpose of the everlasting builder, measureth all things concerning his church, according to his undefiled scriptures, which are the right rule of faith and the rod of right order in his kingdom.

What so ever they be (saith both Paul and David) that live according to this rule, mercy, and peace be unto them, as upon the Israel of God. Not only is this measuring Reed precious in it self, but also as gold in the furnace it is daily tried a fresh, through many troubelous adversaries of them that hath unfeignedly set hands upon it. Diuersly measureth this Reede of the spirit in y ^e city, in the gates, & in the wall. For diverse are the gifts of y ^e holy ghost in one congregation of the Lord, unto everyone is given a grace according to the measure of faith. Some hath he constitute apostles, some prophets, some euangelists, some pastors & teachers to the necessary edification of Christ's mystical body. For here by the city is meant the whole congregation of God's elects, perfectly joined together in one true believe.

4 By the gates, the godly preachers and counselers, by whom Christ openeth unto his kingdom.

5 By the wall, the mighty power which he hath committed to the Angels or spirits of heaven to keep thē, to the godly princes and magistrates here to defend them, and to other true ministers to hold them still in righteousness. All these must be measured. They must be brought to the touchstone. The scriptures must try of what spirit they are. If they agree not to this measure, they pertain not to the city of god. But they are that salt unsavory that is no better worth thā to be thrown forth of men and those unprofitable servants whom the Lord shall cast into exterior darkness.

6 And as concerning the fashion of this city, built all four square, all four sides thereof being of like length and breadth.

7 No lenger nor broder was it vpō the east side than upon the north side, nor upon the south part than towards the west. But equal it was every way towards all quarters of the world And as it was in length & breadth, so was it in height. Which signifieth not only y ^e perpetual stability or sureness of y ^e true christiā faith, the Lord evermore preserving it, but also y ^e faithful believers of on quarter of y ^e world, are so hyly accepted unto hī, as of another So largely doth he reward them of y ^• East that truly believeth in Christ, as of any other quarters else, and so highly doth he esteem them. So deer unto him are those good Christians that dwell among the Sarizens, Turks, and Jews, as are they which dwell in the midst of Christendom. So precious that lie sick in the spittle house, as they which pray in the temple. Noah found grace in the sight of God, whan all the world else were wicked. Loth was judged righteous in the midst of the filthy Sodomites. And so are many yet to this day, among the Idolatrous and supersticyous papists. Still are there Lambes among wolves, clean wheat among tares, and good fishes among evil. Job was a companion with the Dragons, Estryches. Isaiah dwelt among il tonged people, Ezekiel in the midst of a froward household. Sayncte Paul commended the Philipyans, in y ^• they shone among the perverse generation, as lights in the firmament. Never is God any parciall accepter of persons, but among all people's, he that in his fear worketh righteousness, is accepted unto him, whatsoever he be. Thus are they in length, breadth, and heygth, spiritual, godly and heavenly through his word.

8 Moreover this Angel measured y ^e city with the golden rode, and it was in compass .xii. thousand furlonges. Which signifieth Christ's kingdom to be so large every way, that it reacheth the whole earth over by his word and promise. The sonde of the Apostles preaching hath gone out into all lands, and their doctrine into the ends of the world. For .xii. evermore in the scriptures is an whole perfect number, and a thousand a universal sum, as we have here noted afore. No mā ought in this heavenly work • supersticiously to observe the numbers but rather to seek dilygently to understand the Godly mysteries that they comprehend.

9 The greatness of a city is to be considered to the multitude of y ^e dwellers therein. Than who can think • Christ's congregation small, measuringe it by the scriptures from the first beginning of the world to y ^e latter ending. A furlonge is the eyghte parte of a mile and containeth a hundredth and twenty five paces, which is in length, vi. hundredth & xxv. foot & here it betokēoth the continual course of labor and painful sufferance in the kingdom of Christ after saint Paul. They that run for the wager in this course, laboreth not for a thing uncertain. But for an incorruptible crown, they hold their bodies in subieccion to the spirit.

Such are the inhabitours of this city, whose number is great, whole, and perfect, universally taken. O Israel (saith Baruch) howe great is the house of God? and how large is the compass of his possession? Exceding great is it & hath none end, highout of measure & cannot be over reached.

10 The heyght of this Cytie from the foundatyon, was all one in measure with the length and breadth. For every way was it equal and square in compass.

Rounde about was it strong, mighty, and sure, the gates of hell in no wise able to prevail against it. Upon every parte faithful, perfect and godly, seekynge those things only which are above where Christ is sitting at the rygyt hand of God. Yea, all spiritual, high, and heavenly are they, having their daily conversation not here but in heaven, frō whence they wait for their savior Jesus Christ. So high also is the spirit that governeth this congregation in rewardynge as it is either large in giving, or longe in continual working. Never had John seen the heyghte, breadth and length of this wonderful city for our universal comfort, had he not ben raised up by the secret purpose of God into the mountain of this spirit, inestimable hyght and great.

11 After this measured the Angel the wall of the city, and it came fully to an hundred and .xliiii. cubits, which is .xii. times .xii. in number, as we had afore here in the vii. and xiiii. Chapiters. And it comprehendeth y ^e whole number of y ^e elect multitude, only for y ^e universal perfectness thereof. A cubytte after the common sort is in length but a foot & an half, but after the course of Geometry it is six times so much, which cometh too .ix. foot justly. Now an hundredth and .xliiii. cubits wanteth after the first rekening .CC. and .ix foot of a furlonge. And after the rules of Geometrye, it passeth not .xlvi. foot more than ii. furlonges, which stretcheth nothing towards .xii. thousand furlonges. Therefore we may not here reken y ^e cubytes with the furlonges after a worldly sort, but we must spiritually measure them according to the scriptures. So that they may agree together after the meaning of y ^e mystery, the course with the gift, and the working with the power. The cubyte of a man is the fore parte of his arm with the hand, and it betokeneth here in mistery Jesus christ, which is the strong arm of y ^e father. To whom is the arm of the Lord known (saith Isaiah and John) or who perceyueth the power of his word? Such might (saith Mary) showeth he in his arm, as will scatter abroad his obstinate, enemies. That hand is he, where with god created all things, in the beginning. In this arm hath he redeemed his people, the posterity of Jacob and Joseph. With this hand preserveth he them in the life that cannot fail, whom the enymies hath marked out unto cruel death. Through the mighty power of this arm shall most terrible fear and dred light upon the wicked at the latter day. After this cubyte must they be measured, which are of this spiritual building, specially they y ^t are the wall thereof, as the Godly preachers, princes, maiestrates, and other lawful ministers. Agreeable to his doctrine ought their conuersatyon to be in all points. As his true minysters should they show them selves in meekness, konwledge, longe sufferance, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in y ^e power of GOD, by the armoure of righteousness, and so forth. Necessary is it for thē to do on Jesus Christ, & to walk worthily in their vocaciō, observing y ^e vnytie of y ^e spirit in y ^e yoke of peace. As the chosē holy, and well-beloved, of God to take upon them a tender pyttie, kyndnesse, lowlynesse, softness, swifte forgiving, with other fruits of the spirit, acknowledging alway Christ's for their only wisdom, righteousness, and redemption, for their keeper, saver, and strong bulwark of defense. Thus in this spiritual rekeninge is it to be considered, y ^t by the furlonges is the city measured, and by the cubytes the wall, the furlonges comprehendyng them that have run in the true course of a christiā life, and the cubits them that have justly ministered the power of Christ's word and doctrine. Some writers have taken the one sort here for martiers, for valiauntlye performinge their moste sharp course, and the other for them that have peaceably rested in Christ. But I am contented here with my conjecture, considering there have been martiers in both the afore named degrees. And as for the vnequalnesse of length in y ^e furlonges & cubits, it only respecteth y ^e persons, or people's among whom the people, taught, have exceeded the teachers in number, y ^• cōmunalty, y ^e governors, and the flock, the shepardes, or else the gentyls, the Jews. Yet are they both twelve, both great, whole, perfect, & universal numbers, one Jerusalem, or one perfect kingdome of Christ. Thus doth also the xii. twelues corresponde to y ^e xii. thousands, as y ^e Jews to y ^e gētyles in one faith (though their limites were much larger, extēding to y ^e ends of y ^e world) and are made one shepefolde or flock. Christ being one shepeherde of saluatiō to thē both.

12 Consequently the golden measure which y ^e Angel had, was much after y ^e measure y ^t man customably useth. And this signifieth y ^t the word of god which measureth all things perteyninge to his church, is given unto us under such worldly similitudes & likilihodes, as we are best acquainted with, for our weakness sake. Not only in this revelation, but also in all other books of y ^e scriptures doth y ^e holy ghost at his appoyctment, alure us to his kingdome by the example and parables of such things as we have in daily custom. As of mountains, gardens, welspringes, vyneyardes, fygge trees, tabernacles, temples, buyldynges, maryages, stewards, vyrgyns, merchādise, tyllynge, harvest, talentes, pearls, nets, suppers, sheep, lambes, light, wheat, salt, gootes, doves, serpentes, men, keys, lanternes, swerdes, rods, trauelinge women, mustarde seed, beasts, and here of furlonges and cubytes, with such other like, and all to make us to perceive them. Now see we only by such dark simylitudes. But in the regeneratyon, whan all things is clear, shall we have need of no such night shadows, without veil or coueryng shall we then see, and beeholde our Lord God as he is in deed. Than shall we perfectly know like as we are now known of him. Thā shall our measure be in all points, as is the Angels measure. Equal shall we be unto them in full perfectyon, understanding, and knowledge. For as the Angels of heaven shall we than be, impassible, immortal, and glorious, & of equal number with thē.

The Commentarye.

1 The whole buyldyng, of the wall of this city was of Iaspar stone. Whych betokneth that in Christ it shall be most precyous, pleasant, delectable, and sure. For ever shall they be new and green, fresh, and lively, durable, and beutyfull, that perfectly believe in him, and shall become sure stays or pyllers in his holy temple. He that truly observeth my word (saith Christ) shall never taste of death. Upon a living foundacyon shall they be couched, and so grow up into an holy temple in the Lord, and so together into the habytacle of God in the holy Ghost.

2 And this fair city it self was of most pure gold, so fine, beautiful and clear as most pure glas possible. With out spot or deformite is y ^e true church of god, having neither blemish nor yet wrinkle, and tried it is thoroughly as gold in the furnace. The clear light of this city is Christ, which never did sin in word nor in deed. More precious have his death & bloudshedinge made it than is the most pure fine gold that ever was yet seen.

3 A glorious congregatiō have he provided it to be, and that will appere in y ^e day of his visitatiō. So far shall this excel the Jerusalem that Solomon built, as heavē exceleth y ^e earth. For y ^t was but gold within, this is all gold thoroughly, both within & w ^t out. That was builded by the hands of men, this is of a much higher workemanshyppe.

An undefiled heritage is this, & shall be changed frō clerenesse to clerenesse, into the glory of the Lord.

4 The strong foundations of y ^e wall of this worthy city (which is y ^e firm faith of y ^e Patriarchs & Prophets, the Apostles and other true teachers, surely grounded upon Christ) were beutifully adorned with all manner of precious stones, or gifts of the holy Ghost.

5 Diuerse were y ^e graces which they had received, and the fruits out springing from thē were also diverse & glorious. As love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering, gentelnesse, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, tēperaunce, and such other.

Nothinge fair appeared these stones unto this world, whan they were hewn, squared, and made fit foundations, by the manifold persecutions of tyrants, no more than was the great costly stone in the bottom of Zion, upon whom they were built, which seemed so deformed as a lypper.

Neuertheles, yet was their death precious in y ^e lords sight. These are they (shall their adversaries say at y ^e day) whom we sometime thought fools & had in much derision. But now they are counted among the children of god, and have their porciō among y ^e saints. Here might much be spoken of faith, which diversely wrought in Abel, Seth, and Enoch for the first age. In Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Helias, and other in their ages. In Peter, John, & James, with all the other Apostles & sincere preachers since Christ's time. But let that suffice in this behalf, that S. Paul hath written in the .xi. Chap. to the Hebrews, which is also here after comprehended under the mystery of the .xii. precious stones whereof the foundacions are.

6 In that the first foundation is said here to be of a Iaspar or Dyamond, (Whose color is grene) is signified that the faith of the first fathers is not yet withered away. Styll unto this present day is the example of Enos oryent, fresh, & lively, which first called upon the name of God, and of many such other more.

Still persevere they grene in the lively Scriptures and fadeth not.

I have earnestly prayed for thee Peter (saith Christ) that thy faith should not fail.

7 The seconde foundation was of a Sapphire, whose color is as the Air clear, but not very precious in sight. This betokeneth those simple souls, which though they were as Job and Joseph the carpentour, not precious to the world, yet had they their daily conversations in heaven.

8 The third was of a Calcedony, which is yet more course to look upon than the Saphyre, but in nature precious, mighty, and strong.

Of this nature were Helias and John Baptist, whose conversation was in the wyldernesse, rough, hard, and unpleasant. Yet apeared they precious at their times appointed, mightily rebuking sin, drawinge unto them the chaff as the property is of the Calcedony (which are the common people) but utterly throwing forth again or condemning the Idolators and hypocrites.

The word of Helias brent like a cresset, and John was a shining lantern before the Lord.

9 The fourth was of a Smaragde or an Emerald, which is not only gren • of his own nature, but he maketh all the air about him to seme green also.

Of this condition was Hieremy and Paul, which having the doctrine of life, spared not to minister it unto other for their eternal refreshing. These with such other thrown into the foundation of the church, were very comfortable unto other.

With the holy (saith David) thou shalt be holy▪ and with the pure innocent thou shalt be both innocent and pure.

10 The fyfte was of a Sardonix, which is compouned of a Sardeos & an Onice, and is beneth black, in the midst white, and above read. Such were those meek spirited that confesseth themselves sinners with David and Magdalene, being through faith both pure and orient afore god.

Though I be black (saith y ^e true congregatiō) yet am I fair & well favored We faint not (saith Paul) for though our outward man be corrupt yet is he that is inward daily renewed.

11 The syxt is a Sardeos, which in simultitude is very like unto red earth. And such are they, as notwithstanding the great benefits of God, thinking themselves the unworthy children of Adam, whose interpretaciō after Philo, is red earth in deed. Mary Christ's mother was of this sort, confessing hir self after most high benefightes, to be but an hand maid, and hir spirit only to rejoice in god hir savior. So was Abraham calling himself but dust and ashes before the Lord.

12 The seventh foundatiō is of a Crisolite or Turcas, which shineth as gold, and seemeth as it should send forth sparks. Under this are they comprehended, which having the wisdom of the spirit, inflameth other with it, prouokinge them thereby to the love of god & their neighbor. Thus did Moses and Isaiah, Barnabas and Paul, in whom the glory of the Lord apeared plenteously.

13 The eight was of a Berall, which is of a pale grene color, betokening those faithful persons which of christiā compassion hath dolorously lamented the fall of their brethren. Of this godly nature was Stephen which prayed for them that stoned him to death. So was afore his time Samuel which mourned for Saul, whan he see him cast out of the Lord's favor.

14 The nynth was of a Topaze which hath in him the colors of all other stones. And this signifieth thē, which are with all virtues adourned. Lyke as was Daniel the man of desires, and John the Evangelist which wrote this present prophecy, whom Christ much loved. The clear works of these and such other would he to shine unto men, that by them the father might be glorified.

15 The tenth was of a Chrisoprasos, whose condition is to shine like gold, and yet he is green in sight. Suche are they which having godly wysdōe, uttereth it according to the tallent given them of the Lord, thereby renewing the dull spirits of other unto heavenly things. Among this sort may Ezekiel be numbered, which saw many wonderful visions, & so may Simeō and Anna in the Gospel.

16 The eleuēth was of a Iacinct, which is in color like unto water, spread over with bright son beams. And this betokeneth those that are barren from the • cience and learning of this world, and yet have knowledge from above. Uery Idiots appear they in y ^e sight of men, and yet are they taught of God, to disclose most wonderful secrets. Of this sort were Oseas, Iohel, and Amos, wihch was but a poor shepard, with y ^e other inferior prophets: And so were Andrew, Philip, & Thomas with the other Apostles and Disciples.

17 The twelft was an Amatist, purple, violet, & rose coloured. And this betokneth them that are fervent, meek, and constant in the Lord's truth, and that hath been always ready to shed their blood for it. Such were the vnbrethren in y ^e Maccabees w ^t their most faithful mother. So was also James the more, and Antipas the faithful witness, with other disciples & martyrs. None can show a more token of love than he which giveth up his life for his friends. This sort did Christ proclaim altogether blessed, & said y ^t y ^e kingdom of heaven was their own. Thus signifieth these xii. foundations, y ^t the godly ministers of Christ's congregation, have built upon him according to y ^e diverse graces which god hath given thē, some gold, some silver, some precious stones. But they y ^t have brought unto this building, tīber, hay or stubble which are customs, traditions, & dum ceremonies, or else worldly honors, riches, & voluptuous pleasures, are not in this heavenly number admitted. Figured are these foundations in y ^e precious stones which were in the breast flap of Aaron y ^t hye priest, & in the preious decking of y ^e king of Tirus, necessary shall it be for him y ^t will more largely know y ^e natural properties of thē, to resort unto Plinius in y ^e xxxvii. Book of his natural history, or unto Bartilmew, de proprietatibus rerū, & for y ^e understanding of mysteries, unto S. Jerome upon y ^e liiii. chap. of Isaiah, or unto Beda, Haymo, Costasy, Bacō • horpe, Elyne, Tilney, & such other as hath written great works upon y ^e apocalips. Ynough is it for us to show you after y ^e mind of S. Augustine these stones to signify y ^e diverse graces of y ^e holy ghost. For all these things doth one spirit of y ^e Lord work, deviding several gifts unto every mā at his pleasure which ar not w ^t out their preciousnes, beuty, & excellent glory, as will appere in y ^e glorious day of y ^e childrē of god.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently (saith the Angel unto John) the xii. gates or openinges into this city, were twelve fair pearls, For dilectable and precious is the doctrine of the gospel, whereby men do enter into the kingdom of God on every side, or in every quarter & age of the world.

2 And every gate by him self was of one pearl, like as were the foundations of one precious stone evermore in their kinds. In token that the verytie of Christ, is whole perfect, & unbroken in it self, like as is his cote without seam. A special commodyty is it in cities, to have their gates strong and beautiful. And so is it in the kingdom of God, that they which open unto righteousness, be more fervent in the truth and of a more sincere life thā the residue. For they should be both the salt of the earth and light of the world▪ Though these gates be many, yet have they but one entrance, for eche one of them is but of one pearl. But one mediator is there between God and man, which is Jesus Christ▪ None may come unto the father but by him only. Alone is he the door, the way, the verytie, light, & life.

3 And as concerning the city within the great strete thereof was as of pure gold, so fine, fair, and clear all the bright shining glass, y ^t may be seen through without any manner of impediment or dymnesse.

Thys strete is the large commynalty or the saints, whom the father of heaven by his power made of froward stones, the perfect children of Abrahā, whan he couched them here together in the verity of one Christian faith, & shall here after join in such perfectiō of love as possible cannot be dissolved.

4 Precious are they here through faith in Christ's blood, and there shall they be pure both in love and life incorruptible. Oure rejoice (saith saint Paul) is not in carnal wisdom, but in the great grace of God, in singleness of heart, & in a sincere faith. Your glory are we, even as you are ours also in y ^e day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 In this glorious city saw I no temple built (saith John) for y ^e Lord God almighty, which is the eternal father, and the lamb Jesus Christ which is his eternal son is the holy, full and perfect temple thereof. None outward priesthood▪ ceremonye, nor sacrifice for five commandeth Christ's doctrine to his congregation. The golden measure of his word, which diffyneth and judgeth all things necessary thereunto, appointeth no such matter. For in no temples made w ^t stone dwelleth God, which will be all in all. Only is required of them a sacrifice from the soul, which is the very temple of God. In his only name should the faithful sort, there offer up themselves. And therefore Christ appointed Uespasian and Titus, to turn over the great temple of Jerusalem, and utterly to destroy that priesthood, because we should put no trust in such things, nor yet be addict or bound to places. A damnable inuencion is it of Antichrist that the suffragans halloweth the sinagogs, to bring them into all kinds of superstition.

They constitute also a feastfull day to the honor and worship thereof, called the dedication, which is most abhominable wickedness. Truthe it is y ^t after y ^e Apostles time there were places appointod, where as the congregation met together once in the weak, for y ^e hearing of God's word and for y ^e holy communion, and that was called the oratory or house of prayer. But that house was not exercysed nor conjured, crossed nor smered, blessed nor be sprinkled with water. Neither was there at that time any altar set up in it, & anointed with oil & creme, to offer any new sacrifice upon. Consider also that y ^e appoinmente of this bare house without altar or images, was left to man's ordinance without any expressed commandment of Christ, that it should be thought of no reputacion. For in spirit and verity will god only be worshiped. And for this cause after that Christ had driven the byers and sellers out of the temple, he commended none other temple unto us but his body, which he raised up in the day of his resurrection, to our behoove.

6 God therefore, is our temple and his Christ. In them ought we to do sacryfice, and in none other. In their faith should our works, labors, & studies be grounded only, if we covet them to profit us. John for his time could see none other temple but this. The Lord of his tender mercy grant us to be John's in this behalf. John beheld also at the Angels demonstration, that this City had neither need of Sun nor Moon to minister light unto it, as the old Jerusalem had. Neither hath Christ's congregation need of man's natural reason, nor yet of his worldly wisdom, conjectures, nor practices, subtleties nor wiles, polices, nor wits, inuencions nor traditions. No, neither of their philosophy nor sophystrie, the decrees nor sentences of the great Lawyers & Schoolmen, which all is but darkness and blindness.

8 For the brightness of God showeth thē light sufficient. His shining verytie, his pure gospel, and his undefiled laws, cleareth their understandings. A lantern to their feet is his heavenly word. Only doth that clerenesse suffice them, which faith offereth unto them.

9 Only are they contented with the light they have of the Lamb, which is the bright Sun of righteousness. He is the Lamp, the Candle, and the flaming Cresset of this city. None other admonisher have they need of, none other counselor nor teacher. Accursed hold they him that bringeth any other doctrine than his, though he were an Angel from heaven. For he is the only light of the world y ^e brightness everlasting, the undefiled mirror of the majesty of God and the Image of his infinite goodness. Whoso ever followeth him, can in no wise walk in the darkness. The days will come (saith the Lord in Hieremy) that a man shall not need to teach his neighbor or brother for they shall know me frō the highest to the lowest. I shall plant my law in their inward partes, and write it in their hearts.

10 And the people of all manner of regions which are predestinate of God to be saved, shall walk in the clearness of y ^e light. None other wisdom, health, righteousness, and redemption shall they seek, than they find in him. Neither shall they care for Mary nor John, rodes nor relics, hedes, nor holy water, masses, nor merits. For so shall he shine upon them, and his glory appear in them that the clouds of Antichrist and his false prophits shall take no place. So lively shall the righteous wax in that faith of salvation, that they shall become not only the children of clernesse, but also very lyghtes in the Lord,

11 Morouer unto this heavenly light shall the mighty kings of the earth bring their glory, magnifycence, and honor, as did the wise men of y ^e East, which offered rewards unto Christ. They shall be converted from their errors, to a sincer, believe in the Lord, as were in the Apostles time Abagarus, Egippus, and Gundoforus. And since their days the mighty Emperor great Constantine, Jovinian, Theodosius and diverse other. Yea, some were so fervent in that faith, that gladly they suffered death for it. Of whose numher were here in England, saint Edmound, Oswalde, Ethelbert, Edwin and Fremonde, with a great sort more in other Christian regions. All kings (saith Deuid) shall worship him and all paganes shall do him service. Amonge these are not they to be rek • ned, which leaving their kingdoms, hath made them selves monks and friers, or hath founded masses and monastaries to be prayed for. For they never brought their glory to this light. No more have they done which hath enriched the cleargye, gluttinge them with possessions, and setting them up in a glitteryng pomp. But rather have they sought darkness than light, blindness than to be taught of god. Some have thought them selves in our age clearly converted to this light. But ryghtly hath their iniquity lied unto them. For nothing have they done less than brought unto Christ their glory. Truthe it is that they have discharged them selves of the Pope, and to some of his sects.

They have plucked down shrynes and Images that received offerings, and daily worshippings, with a few superstitions besides, but still bringing up whelps of the same false generation, both bishops & prists. Stil have they to this day, the same wicked rits and ceremonies that they had afore. And when thei should bring ani thing to a right Christian order, according to Christ's first institution, they cannot away with it. Great is the vengeance terrible heuy and fearful the judgment that abideth them.

12 And as concerning the great gates of this City, which are the true understandings of the Lord's verities, they shall not be shut up by day. Hidden shall they not be to them y ^e walk in this light. All that Christ hath received of his heavenly father leaveth he manifest and plain unto his faithful leuers▪ Not only openeth he their feeble understandings, but also sendeth them his spirit to deduce them into all godly knowledge.

13 For in that city shall be no night. No doctrine of darkness, nor filthy mist of men's imaginations, can have place where Christ is ever residente and his verytie manifest. The night of infidelytie is clean gone from thē, which hath obtained the everlasting day. The clouds of filthy errors abideth not, where the true sun hath always dominion. The strong powers of hell shall not be able to prevail, where as faith is perfect and sure. So goeth the Lord before his true Israelites in this pillar of fire, that the night is unto them all one with the day. That is unto other darkness in parables, is unto them the clear light and the evidently known mysteries of God's kingdom. In the common translation (that is daily read in the Temple) it followeth, that they shall bring the glory and honor of the heithen into the same city, which is not found in the Greek. And by this is it signyfyed that the apostles and other godly preachers sins their time, converting the gentles, have not only brought into the Christian Church by their preachings many of their phylosophers whose glory hath been their wisdom and learning, but also their princely potentates, whose honor consisted in power, possessions, & magnificence. Of this sort was the chamberlaine of Queen Cādace, to whom Philip declared y ^e prophecy. So was Cornelius the noble Centurion, which was instructed and baptized of Peter. So were also Dionisius the Areopagite. Apollo of Alexandria, and Aquila the Italiane, with diverse other whom Paul converted in his progress. And after their days were of this company Justinus the martyr, Quadratus, Aristides, Tertullyane, Origyne, Cyryll, Basyle, John Crysostome, Augustine, Hieronimie, with an infinite number else. So was Lucius the first Christian King of this region, Philippus the Emperor, with many other great governors, which both built alms houses for the poor, and made other godly provision else. This is the precious spoil they brought out of Egypt, and the fruit they have planted in the Lord's vyneyard. As Isaiah prophesied, they enjoyed the strength of the paganes and triumphed in their glory, but not in their superfluous toys and vanities as do the Papists.

14 For into this city (saith the text) or congregation, which is from within & unknown to the world, shall nothing enter that is unclean, or that after any sort defyleth. No righteousness of men, which is afore God, but as the cloth stained with menstrue. No traditions, merits, nor masses, appear they never so holy. For all that is done besides the prescriptes of his word, is plain abomination and filthiness.

None that is gelded or • oacted to chastity by papistical vows. None that is borne of a cōcubyne, or that maketh a new superstitious professiō. No misbegotten Moabytes, and Ammonites betokening all sects of perdition, are allowed of the Lord unto this congregation. Only are they accepted for Citizens thereof, which are renewed in faith by the spirit of Jesus Christ.

15 Whatsoever it be that worketh abomination in vncommaunded worshippings, or maketh lies in Hipocrisie, is clearly sequestered frō this undefiled city. The constrained virginity of priests, which hath made so many Sodomytes, Confession under a stole that hath bred so many false traitors and thieves. The two horned order of Bishops that hath hatched so many proud gluttōs and murderers. The anointed priesthood y ^e hath so many Idolators. The unholy profession of monks that hath brought forth so many stinking hypocrites, with such other sedes of the devil, hath here no place at all. For nether whormongers, nor yet Ido • l worshipers, nor buggerers, nor Gomoreans, nor extorcioners, nor couetuouse brybers, nor dronkardes, nor blasphemers of the Lord's word, nor cruel destroyers of innocents can in any wise inherit the kingdom of God.

16 But they only shall possess that which are written in the Lambs book of life, or that were predestinate there unto in Christ before the worlds constitution, to be holy and unspotted in his sight. These are they whō he hath a perpetual remembrance, whom he hath ordained of goodness, chosē of mercy, called by the Gospel, justified thorough faith, & glorified in the performance of his commandments, that they should be like fashioned to the shape of his son. Though these of frailnesse offend many times (as the flesh can do none other) yet deny they not the verytie, they abhor not y ^e scriptures. But after they have fallen they repent frō the heart, they seek the remedyes, they hate their own deeds, they call unto Christ, they lament their chance, they hunger and thyrst continually for the righteousness of God, and such other like. Now as concerning this city in the regeneration or Sabbath to come, all will be gold, precious stone, and pearl. Theyr glory will be perfect, their knowledge whole, and their judgment in the spirit full. All will be there square, even, and right, nothing shall be crooked, rough, and froward. All will be new and precious, no manner of deformity appearing in y ^e creatures. The beauty of y ^e city will be wonderful, the light inestimable, the dwelling most quietous and pleasant. There shall we clearly behold howe myghtie, marvelous, high, bewtyfull, glorious, perfect, strong, victoryous, delectable, and sweet our redeemer Jesus Christ is with his father and holy Ghost. Here have we but a small taste thereof, but there, shall we be fully replenyshed there with.

The Commentary.

1 And the Angel (saith S. Johan) or gracious purpose of the Lord, which cōmoned with me all this time to bring me yet into a farther knowledge of his mysteries shown unto me a most pure and commodious river, which was the wholesome water of life. None other can I suppose this river to be by the serche of the scriptures, but the flowing verity, y ^e word of salvation, or the effectual doctrine of Christ's holy spirit. That is the sweet flood of Eden which pleasaūtly floweth through Paradyse, & visiteth y ^e .iiii. quarters of the world. This is y ^e wholesome & dilectable water, which daily cōforteth & preserveth y ^e spiritual Jerusalem from all contagious maladies. This running flood with his rivers on every side, rejoiceth y ^e city of god which is the habitation of y ^e highest.

2 All full of quyckenesse is it, springing into y ^e life everlasting. Here is it the spiritual comfort of gods children, there shall it be y ^e enestimable glory of y ^e saints. To whō shall we go lord (saith Peter) but unto thee? For only haste thou the words of eternal life.

3 So clear is this water as y ^e pure cristall that is without spot. Much farther from corruption is the sincere word of God, than is the fine silver that is vii. times tried in y ^e fire. The laws of the Lord are perfect and quickeneth the soul, his testimonies are true giving wiseome to babes. His statutes are right rejoicing the heart. His precepts are pure giving sight to the eyes. And his judgments are all together righteous.

4 The nature of this water is none other but evermore to clēse, evermore to revive, & evermore to make whole and perfect. For only doth it issewe from the magistie of God, it proceedeth out from the sempiternall throne of y ^e father, and so floweth forth in the plētuous haboundaunce of the lamb Jesus Christ and of his Godly spirit. With him is the well of everlasting life. They that walk in his light shall be free from darkness forever. They shall thoroughly enjoy the haboundaunce of those things that his house is full of, and he shall give them drnicke out of the full flowing river of his eternal pleasures. I will pour clear water upon you (saith the Lord in Ezekiel) and ye shall be clean frō all filthiness. A new heart will I give you. A new spirit will. I plant in you, and so cleanse you from all your idols. Rejoice with Jerusalem all you that love hir, for ye shall suck comfort out of hir breasts, and be satisfied. They that have sown in heaviness, shall reap in perpetual gladness. From the father and the son proceeded the holy Ghost, as a clear cristall river, neither created nor be gotten, to refresh this chosen city. So that much more understanding, light, and knowledge it hath, than had the old Synagog of the Jews which was thereof but a shadow. Yet is it incomparably far from that shall be in the durable life to come, being as yet thereto but a figure. For as witnesseth Paul, our knowledge is now imperfect, and our prophesying imperfect But whan that cometh which is perfect, then that which is imperfect shall be done away. Here is it also to be cōsidred that the Lamb is equal with God, they both having but one seat.

5 Moreover in the middes of the golden stret of this beautiful city, which comprehendeth the spiritual children of Abraham couched together in the vnytie of one tried faith.

6 And upon either sides of the sweet river which are the .ii. Testaments of the Lord, was standing the moste dilectable tree of life Jesus Christ, that mediator & father which giveth life • o the world. Out of the stock of Afbraham and David sprang this free a • er the flesh, conceived of the holy Ghost, & borne of Marie the virgins, which was also a golden stone of this street. Blessed art thou (saith Elizabeth) for thy beleues sake. For in thee is performed the full promise of the Lord. This is that tree which was planted by the water side, & gave forth fruit at his time appointed. As the tree of life was set in the middes of Paradyse at the beginning, so is he now spiritually grounded in the midst of his church, which is his gardē of pleasure. Behold (saith Christ) I am with you every day unto y ^e worlds end.

7 Maruayll not that the tree is here called wood, for it is the custom and manner of the Hebrews to put the one for the other. Both is this tree in the myddest of the street and also upon either sydes of the river. For both is Christ known of his faithful multitude, and comprehended in the scriptures. David acknowledged himself to be a pure stone of this golden street, whan he said. My humble soul hath cleaved or fastened to the pauemente, thou quyckening me Lord according to thy word. So did Kinge Ezechyas whan he was reuyued again. And so did Helias whan he under the Juniper tree desired to die, with many other more. Betwene both testaments arose Christ, performing the old, and beginning the new. He bordereth also to this present day upon them both, for both they bear large and plentuous witness of him. Both the law and the Gospel, the Prophets and Apostles, the Psalms and all other scriptures, witnesseth thoroughly that he is y ^e promised seed, the son of y ^e living God, & the savior of y ^e world.

8 If that soil be fortunate which bringeth forth fruits twice in the year, most happy and blessed is the ground of this city. For the living tree thereof is never barren, bare, nor idle.

9 Not only doth it bear .xii. manner fruits of inestimable wholesomnesse, betokening the universal graces and gifts of the holy Ghoste, but also it giveth them forth every month in the year, or ever more with out ceasing. Every month hath there both his sonmer and his winter. Every life time of them, which be of this congregation, hath here both his sweet consolation in the spirit and also his hard persecution in the flesh. Els is it not of Christ's kingdom, which is the destroier of death, and ministereth life at his pleasure. In this tree is the original ground of life. He is the very life of all them that liveth unto God. In him only they consist, they move, and they have their continual being. His branches are the holy Prophets and Apostles, and the Euangilistes & Martyrs, with all other godly preachers and teachers, evermore green & pleasant in their conuersa • iō and doctrine. I am the true vine (saith he) and you are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, bringeth forth much fruit. Them sent Christ out as branches, and spread with them the world over, too bring forth fruit y ^t should not perish. And that every month, from age to age, and from time to time continually. For still are the true believers fed with the Apostls fruitful doctrine, and shall be to the ende of the world. Therewith are their souls refreshed, in their great manifold sorrows and labors. A singular comfort it is unto them to consider God's sweet promises, and to remember what a loving father they have of him through Jesus christ their only mediator and savior. Most haboūd • untly feel they thenselves satysfied, when they are assertayned thoroughly by the scriptures, y ^t they are predestinate, called, saved, sanctified, and shall be here after glorified by him. Whereas contrarywyse, the desperate infidels are much discomforted, considring them selves blinded, condemned judged, & reproved. Twelue are these fruits here called, which is a perfect and full complete number, comprehending the universal graces of the spirit, contained in all y ^e whole scriptures. As are y ^e fear of God y ^e poverty of soul, the clennesse of heart, compassion upon y ^e needy, desire of righteousness, mercy, gentilnesse, quietness, sufferance, wisdom, understanding, counsayll, perseueraunce, knowledge, prudence, force, justice, temperaūce, w ^t those y ^t Paul numbereth too y ^e Galatians, and innumerable virtues besides some expositors willeth this twelve to signify y ^e none can be saved unless he be of the xii. children of Israel in spirit, & so walk according to y ^e docttrine of Christ's .xii. Apostles. But I am contented with that is said afore, being more agreeable to the text.

10 Such leaves had this wholesome tree as were for y ^e health of the people, good necessary, and medicinal. Such profitable words and promises hath Christ, as are spirit and life, power of salvation, and everlasting health. These leaves of his can in no wise wyther away, and whatsoever he doth by them, it shall wonderfullly prosper. He sent forth his wholesome word (saith David) and so healed them. He delivered them from all euyls wherewith they were oppressed.

As these words are sincerely taught, the benefightes of our redemption are brought into remembrance. So is the conscience quyeted, and y ^e heart made glad.

So rejoiceth y ^e soul & giveth perpetual thanks unto God the father. Soo are the Gentyles throughlye made whole acknowledgynge Christ for their only savior and redeemer.

11 Thus after Czechyell, are these fruits good to eat, and their leaves profitable for medicynes.

As the leaves are the beauty of a tree, and preserveth the fruit, so is the true preaching of the Lord's verity, the comelynesse of his church and preservation of the same.

And not the oylynges, shauynges, and disguysynges, nor yet the Lordeshippes, myters, and masses.

A light thing is the word of god written or spoken, as is the leaf also of a tree. But if his spirit worketh in it, than is it a thing moste precious, effecttuall, and strong, compared of Christ to a mustarde seed, which gr • weth into a great tree. Above all things (saith Zerubbabel) the verity, is most strong. For that is the Lord's eternal will, which never shall be altered.

The Commentary.

1 And as concerning the afore named city, or worthy congregation of the Lord, the curse that the earth had in the work of Adam, shall clearly be taken from it. Never more frō henceforth shall therein be any thing that God is not pleased with. For Christ hath redeemed hir from the curse of y ^e law, sustaining thereof the penalty to make hir innocent. So that now there is no damnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, following the doctrine of the spirit, if painful adversity, loss of goods, detriment of fame, syckenesse, persecution of body, or any other troublous cross happeneth, it is evermore for the best to them that are faithful. Perfectlye shall these be taken away with all the corrupt fruits of Adam in the regeneration, whan to their glory both heaven and earth shall be blessed, all that is cursed thrown into the lake of everlasting fire.

2 And for a more sure token that this will be true, the high seat of God the eternal father, and of the Lamb Jesus Christ with the holy Ghost, one Lord almighty in three personages, shall be continually there in. In the house of Jacob shall he reign evermore and of his kingdome shall be none ende. Amonge them will he fixe his dwelling place here, which loveth him and observeth his commandments, and there will he not be separated from them, but be still their eternal God.

3 Moreover as his true servants, here shall they worship him in spirit and in verity, and so serve him in a sincere faith performing such Godly works as he hath prescribed unto thē, and not such as men's fantasyes hath dreamed. They shall so mortyfie their old man, destroying the body of sin, that no longer shall he obey the concupiscence, nor become a captive servant unto wickedness here. But now delivered from sin, they shall do on a new man which is rightly fashyoned of God, and so become his servants in righteousness. And in y ^e world to come they shall serve him according to the knowledge that they shall have than, which now is incomprehensible and unspeakable.

4 Hauinge the spirit of Christ, they shall here see his face of salvation in the myrroure of faith, which is to have knowledge of his Godhede. And after this life they shall behold him in glory, like as he is in deed, much more perfectly than did Jacob, which saw him face to face. Moreover so shall these his servants respect his usage, that whatsoever they do here in word or in deed, they shall do it with all godly fear, lowlynesse, and reverence, always thinking him to behold their deeds.

5 They shall also perceive his glorious name to be writ̄ in their foreheads, or regestred in their faith, feeling the sweetness thereof to their saluatiō. Besides y ^• not only shall they confess God w ^t their mouth, but also in their outward cōuersaciō shall they daily appear as his faithful servants and children.

And as concerning the glorious day, by that name than shall one know another to be a free cytizen of heaven. Consyder (saith Saint John) howe lovingly the Father doeth use us. Not only here do we bear the name of his children, but also there shall we be sure to be his sons in deed.

6 No manner of night or darcknesse of human doctrine, shall appere any more in that city. But having Christ and his verity, all unprofitable doubts, fantasies, errors, lies, and false miracles, shall these citizens detest here. And after this life are no such matters to be looked for, all things thē being clear and perfect. Though they some time were darkness, yet are they now light in the Lord, and will walk still therein as y ^e children thereof, till they come to the God of God's in the everlasting Zion.

7 There shall they have need of no candell or of wisdom borrowed of mē.

8 Nor yet of y ^e matteryall sun which mynistreth light to y ^e day, by whom is meant y ^e high sience of philosophers conceived of y ^e creatures above w ^t out faith. Those forē lights may his ministeres well use, but truly his church needeth thē not having much better than they are of christ & of his Aposils. Uery dark lights are they, where his bright beāes once appeareth, which is y ^e clear sun of righteousness. Abhominable lies & errors did he prove y ^e high learning of y ^e bishops & lawyers, as he doth yet their decrees & laws, their school, divinity and sentences, their ordinary questions and quodlibetes.

9 All these stinking mists set apart, the merciful Lord above, which is the omnypotent God, giveth them a light sufficient. His eternal son is unto them such a clear shining cresset, as no great blast can extinguishe, nor cloud with dark shadow blemishe. Of most tender mercy sent he that day spring from above, to dyrecte their feet here in the way of his peace.

10 And after this laborous pilgrymage, in the sabbath of perpetual quiet shall he lyghten them throughlye with his most glorious presence, and with him shall they reign forever and ever in full felicity and glory continuing. In this life beginneth y ^e kingdom through faith, but there shall it be performed in the perfect sight of the godhead. The proud reign of tyrants is here but for a time, the less it is to be feared. The meek reign of the righteous continueth forever, the more it is to be sought for and desired. The fruits that are here very hard and sower unto them, shall there be inestimable sweet, gentile, beautiful, perfect, and pleasant, having their full rypenesse. No need shall it be thā to run by sea and lande for the wisdom, power, and glory of Christ, for in that day shall they be with everyone present. Here have they but little pretty beams of y ^e light, very small drops of the water, and a smell of the fruits a far of. Likelihoodes, figures, & mysteries have they only now of the beatitude to come. But there shall they be sure to have them in full sight, taste, and saver, and plentuously to be satisfied with them. Scarse is it here in comparison to that it shall be there, as one drop of water to the whole sea, or as an hādful of sād is to y ^e whole earth.

The Commentary.

1 In the conclusion of these most wonderful revelations (saith saint John) the Angel that communed with me all this time (which was the very spirit of Christ) said thus unto me his poor exyled servant.

2 It shall become no man to despise these words, nor to reject these sayings, whom thou hast here seen and hard since the first beginning of this revelation. For they are most faithful and true, sure and perfect, & shall without fail at their appointed times in every jot be fulfilled, for the true churches commodity and profit. This is here spoken for the conservation of the high mysteries of this book, least any false Antichrist hereafter (as many such hath been in deed) should cōdempne them, deprave them, and as of none authority report them. As the most dear treasures of God therefore, doth the holy Ghost here wrap them up together, to preserve them under his power, & setteth unto them the seal of his own witness, y ^t they should evermore be taken for his. After this sort did the Prophets use their prophecies, concluding always, thus saith the Lord of hosts. So did the Lord his self whan he said. Verily verily I say unto you, we speak that we know. My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. Of myself I speak not the words that I utter. The father dwelling in me, perfourmeth the works. I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, with such other like. Paul doth also name him self the Apostle of Jesus Christ. Not I command this (saith he) but the Lord. The gospel that I preach, have I learned of no man, but by the showing of Jesus Christ. The Lord that is blessed forever knoweth that I lie not, and such like. So is the ende of this book as was the beginning, sealed with many wonderful & strong sentences of the Lord, as his whole mind, perfect will, and purposed decree, concerning his church here in earth.

3 And the same Lord God eternal (saith Christ unto John) which hath diversely afore time spoken in the holy Prophets and fathers, hath now last of all sent the Angel of his everlasting covenant, by him to utter the secrets of his mind by whom he created the world. Him hath he hither dyrected, in these latter days of y ^e world to show clearly unto his true servants (of whom thou art in these days princypall) those wonderful things in mystery, which must within short space effectually come to pass and be fulfilled in deed. As the manifold persecutions of his church, & the prosperous reign of the beast and his shorlings, with the glorious raise of the one, and damnable fall of y ^e other. That whan troublous crosses do come, they may be the more joyfully taken, considering the time of them short, & the reward of their sufferance everlasting.

4 For none other cause is God here called the Lord God of the Prophets, but that they have through his spirit truly believed in him, & the same spirit declared his mind and pleasure.

5 In the beginning of this revelation was this Angel sent unto John alone, here is he sent also unto his other servants, in token that the Lord in John respecteth his congregation.

6 The things that must shortly follow, are his judgments in rewarding the righteous and condempning y ^e reprobates. For a thousand years are but as a day before him, & as the time that is in a manner past. Let every man take heed (saith the Lord) lease I come upon him unlooked for. Let them watch in faith, and pray in spirit and verity, having their weddyng garments, with the oil of Christian love in their lamps.

7 For behold whan I shall come either to the particular ende of any man, or to the latter iugdement, I will come sodainlye neither the day nor yet the hour of my coming known afore, least men (as they are ill of nature) should drive of till that day to live according to faith. Of this admonition may the faithful sort be glad, being here in adversity, considering their deliverance is at hand, & their crown of immortality not far of.

8 Happy is that man whatsoever he be, high or low, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, that observeth in his conversation and life, the godly sayings contained in the prophecy of this present book.

9 Yea, blessed is he that so receiveth the premonishments thereof, that neither false prophet can deceive him, nor yet any cruel Antichrist with terror drive him from the righte understanding and following of Christ's pure doctrine. For neither to dogs nor swine are they here left, to be neglected or disdained, but unto his faithful servants to be reverently followed and had in remembrance.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently, because ye shall not suppose this matter light (saith saint John) as many thinketh that which hath not the testimony of men, besides the authority of God, I Johan Boanerges, an earnest thunderer out of the gospel, & a stirrer up men's hearts to the study of heavenly things. Yea a man known, not only to you Afianes, but also the whole Christianity, for that Apostle whom Christ peculyarlye loved.

2 Even I am the same self Johan, which have both heard these wonderful things with mine ears, and also have seen them through y ^e great goodness of my lord God with mine eyes, for your singular commodity and profit.

3 None other matter do I here write unto you, at the commandment of Jesus Christ for your health and salvation, but such as I have both heard and seen for the same, believe them if ye will. In my other writings, as are my gospel and my first Epistle, whereunto I never subscribed, ye have thoroughly believed me. Give no less credence now than unto this, whereunto I subscribe my name. For so have I done here, that ye should the rather believe it, and receive it as most wholesome doctrine of salvation. After this sort did Paul add his name to his sayings, that they should be the more earnestly received.

4 And as concerning my parte, truly whan I had thus hard them & seen them, the wonderful mysteries of them so rauyshed my spirits, that I in a manner clearly forgot myself.

5 Yea, I was so far from my right remembrance for the vehemency of them, that I fell down flat to the ground, prostrate before the feet of the Angel, mynding to give unto him the whole homage of my soul, which is only due unto God that created my soul.

6 And what though this Angel which had thus opened unto me all these wonderful mys • eries afore, where Jesus Christ him self (as I thought him no less in deed) yet sought I not to have worshipped him in that similitude, considering also y ^e God will have no part of his honor given to any other than unto himself only.

7 Wherefore he charitably admonished me of it, and said thus unto me.

8 In any wise beware thou do no such homage unto me, which appear here to thee but a creature, least thereby thou offend y ^e Lord god. For danger may be in such case, though the intent be godly, if any part thereof should remain to the creature, as thou knowest well enough. Nothing mayest thou worship that thy outward sight offereth unto thee, for in them hath faith no place which is a substance of things unseen. And God hath taught thee to worship him in no creatures, neither in bread nor wyne, man nor angel, but in spirit and verity only, much less than to worship the self creatures, or Idols in their stead, which is much worse.

9 Though I be the son of God and savior of y ^e world, yet am I in this office but a creature, and thy fellow servant. A sent messenger from God as thou art, an opener of his godly mind and pleasure as thou art, to sygnifie y ^• unto thee, which he would have thee again to signify unto his people.

10 And in this point am I not only thy companion, or in this message joined fellow with thee (for so well is it my revelation as thine) but also I am a like companion to thy former brethrē Ezekiel, Daniel, Zacary, and such other, which had the gift of prophecy and were prophets in deed, as thou art now doing like office with them thus uttering gods mind in mysteries.

11 Yea, farthermore, I am a fellow servant likewise and a companiō together of all thē y ^• w ^t reverence observe the faithful testymonies of this present book or prophecy. In token whereof I toke the shappe of a servant, I fulfilled the law, and was conuersāt among men.

12 So thou worship not me therefore, but worship thy only Lord god. For alone shouldest thou seek him and love him, honor him and serve him, praise him, and glorify him. None other gods shalt thou have in my sight, saith the eternal and omnipotent Lord. Observe the same rule in worshipping that I taught thee to observe in prayer. Remember I taught thee not to pray unto me whom thou seest, nor yet unto any dead saint whom thou seest not, but unto thy lord God whom thou hast only in believe, saying our father which art in heaven. I told thee also that God was a spirit, and that he would only be sought in spirit, and in nothing that thou seest with thine eyes. Therefore worship God & not me. Consider here (good reader) y ^e ungodly violence of the papists, enforcing the simple multitude to worship a dry wafer cake, to knele unto it, to hold up their hands, to make their prayers to it, and to call it their God, making them to believe that it is gods commandment they should so do. Oh, abhominable Antichrists, Oh, filthy Balaamites, seeking your own bellies & glory to your confusiō. Way this place throughlye with the other scriptures, & be once ashamed of your beastly and blasphemous madness. Ye will peradventure say, it is Christ's body. But truly that is all false. For thereof is no mutual perticipation, where one eateth up all. No showing is there of y ^e Lord's death til he come, where all is done in a foren language and nothing understanded. Christ breathed not upon the bread with hoo, he, have at all, as you do. He only took it in his holy hands, and gave thanks unto God. The words of thankesgyuing he left not behind him for you to • unger with, for he knew ye afore for subtle workers. He kept not that bread to him self, nor yet closed it up in a box as you do. But he brake it and distributed it unto other. In like case the disciples did neither worship it nor him at that season. For if they had, he would have forbidden it them, and have taught the same self doctrine that he showeth here unto Johan. Only did they take it & eat it in his remembrance, and that was his institution. And where as it is this used, there is both his body and blood received. But otherwise not. The bread that was left of this consecration or breaking, which was so holy as the other, was neither housed nor churched, boxed nor pixed, but remained there still to the householders, to be eat̄ of whom soever lusted. Neither doth the divinity of your sent̄cioners as of Thomas of Aquine, Dons, Dorbel, Guido, Baconthorp, and such other, appoint thereunto that kind of honor that ye suffer the people to give unto it, but a far meaner honor called Hiperdulia. But you can wynke at such matters & suffer both them and yourselves to go to the devil for worldly lucer. Nothyng holdeth long with you, neither Christ's doctrine nor your own. But that ye make now, ye mar tomorrow. And that at one time is a law, at another time shall be none at all. Such are your wavering wonders.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently the Angel (saith S. John) which was Jesus Christ, had these same sayings unto me that here followeth.

2 Seal not (saith he) y ^e godly words contained in y ^e prophecy of this book. Close thē not up frō the sight of other. Hide them not from those which are desirous of knowledge. For profitable they are to the congregation of God, and most highly necessary to them that shall be saved. For both show they thoroughly the damnation of the wicked with remedies to avoid it, and also the salvation of y ^e righteous with means to obtain it.

3 And this is the cause why thou shalt not close them up. The time is at hand.

The fulfyllyng of thē will shortelye appear, and evidently declare what they are in deed. In the mean season shall many of their mystieryes be open unto them y ^t are taught of God, though the unfaithful sort knoweth nothing what they mean. They y ^t have Christ's spirit, can in no necessary point be ignorant. The cause why many writers hath erred in expounding this revelation, hath been the ignorance of other scriptures, the pleasing of prelates for dignity and lucre, and moste of all the horrible blindness of soul, which long hath continued in y ^e world among the fleshly Hypocrites.

4 And as concerning those beastly belly gods, let them wallow in their mischiefs. He that is evil among them, or froward and obstinate against the verity of God, let him work evil upon evil, abomination upon abhomynation, and murder upon murder, til he bring upon himself the vengeance of all innocent blood which hath been shed upon earth, to his more damnation without remedy.

5 Moreover he that is filthy in his conversation, be it in the spirit or otherwise, I will take my grace from him, for y ^e utter contempt of my word, and he shall be still from thence forth more execrable and filthy. He shall do • wickedness upon wickedness, Idolatry, upon Idolatry, and whoredom upon whoredom. Yea, where as he was before but an Idolatour in himself he shall become after that an Idolatour also in other, by prouokyng thē to the same, to his double dampnatiō. And whereas he should peradventure in y ^e world have been but a single whoremonger, he shall be there an holy, spiritual, anointed, shaven, shorn, priestly and mitered whoremonger, abusing every man's wife, daughter, and servant. And to make up all to y ^e devil, become a consecrate Sodomyte, offering himself up in dead sacrifices unto Belphegor, for fear of breaking his vnuirgynall vow. Farther than all this, he shall enter into such blindness of y ^e spirit, that he will think verily to do God an high pleasure whan he murdereth up without mercy, his innocent people which will not obey their execrable laws, blessings, absolutions, and other sorceries, for conscience sake. Consider in this the terrible and fearful hand of the Lord towards them that withhold his truth in vnrightuousnesse, specially whā he hath givē thē over & left thē to themselves. For they work their own damnation, whan they think nothing less.

6 Contrarywyse consider his exceeding great mercy towards them that are godly, whom he dyuersly afflicteth in his life, least they should perish with the wicked. My pleasure is it (saith he here) that the man which is faithful, righteous, and good, shall increase ever more therein, and so cōtynually be ryghtuous. I shall so temper their hearts, that hath love to my truth, that they shall love it more and more. Yea, I shall so therein strengthen them, that for no persecution of tyraūtes shall they forsake it.

7 So will I order the matter among my electes, that he which is holy, pure, and perfect, leading a life according to my word, he shall persevere in i • still, and be perfect unto the ende, that he may inioye the crown thereof. Neither shall seducing hypocrite nor yet peruertinge Antichrist, with all their subtle charms and ginnes, be able to bring them out of that way, which leadeth unto life. By this we may se that the verity preached, christ is unto some a falling, unto some again a rising up. Unto some is his godly doctrine a sweet savor unto life, & unto some an ill savor unto death. The gospel is folyshnesse to them that shall perish, but unto them that believe, it is such a power of god as bringeth salvation with it. The faithful by hearing it, waxeth more godly. The vndyscrete hypocrites, contemneth the grace thereof. So that the one sort is thereby made better and increased in virtue, the other is made worse and followeth all mischiefs. In him that hath faith shall all other graces of the spirit habounde, and in him that hath it not, shall no gift of virtue arise to his • owls profit.

8 Let mē take hede if they will, & give dilygent watch & attēdance, for truly (saith the Lord) I will come suddenly▪ and v • bewars upon y ^e unfaithful, none other warning • given but this & such other in y ^e scriptures, take thē if they lust▪

9 Necessary it is y ^e every man walk according to his vocation, both prince and preacher. Lord and commoner, merchande and artificer. For when I shall resort, be certain and sure of it, my just reward shall come with me, which is both life and death.

10 Let no mā reck̄ otherwise to find me thā a most righteous judge, rendering unto everyone at y ^e day according as his works shall appear & as his deeds shall require of righteousness. Neither shall sufferages nor church building, pigrimage, nor mass rīgin, holy orders nor yet assoiling, stand in any stead at y ^e day: only shall they find mercy which hath been merciful, all other perishing without mercy. No man shall there be rewarded for works of mens preseciption, be they never so holy, but for that which hath risen of faith in God's word only. Neither shall they have that of deseruinges, as work preachers hath taught, but only of grace & favor for Christ's blood sake. For unprofitable servants are w • e of our selves, whan we have done all that hath been commanded us▪ No better is our whole ryghtuousnesse, whan it is at the highest, than is the cloth that is stained with menstrue, nor more pleasant unto God, were it not for him. Let no man think to be saved through deserving, no more than he is justified of deserving. Only is it the merciful favor and free goodness of him without our mangye merits that shall save us. Not our good works (saith saint Augustine) but his own mere gifts doth the Lord crown in us.

11 This hath the Lord put here in y ^e ende as a brief conclusion comprehēdyng his whole mind in this revelation, concerning the righteous, and vnrightuous. Believe this necessary doctrine (saith the Lord Jesus christ) for I which have told it here unto you am under the mistery of Alpha & Omega the first and the last Greek letters, the original beginning of all things, and perfct ende of the same. I am that mighty word of god though I appear now in this nature, in whom he created all, & by whō he shall perform & finish all too y ^e end they were created for.

12 I am the first, in that I am in one godhede equal with the Father and with the holy ghost. I am also the last in that I shall so continue world without ende. I am he before whom there was never any god, neither shall there be any after me. I am only the Lord, for I am from everlasting. In t • ken whereof I have told you both things that are past and things yet to come. Under this strange Trope or similytude of Alpha and Omega (which is a common Allegory used of the Greeks) is always to be understanded the eternal divinity in Christ's manhood. Whych is here (as are many other things else) often times repeated, of none other purpose, but as a most necessary cause to be had in remembrance.

The Commentary.

1 From henceforth doth the Lord change the manner of his speaking, representyng again the personage of an Angel or messenger.

Blessed are they (saith he) or happy afore GOD, that of a sincere faith and Godly mind do dylygentlye observe his most just commandments, which is a very washyng of their defiled garments in the blood of the Lamb.

For perfectly, pure, innocent, and clean are they that walk faithfully according to the precepts of his heavenly doctrine.

Yea, dooinge on the armoure of light they are very clearness in the Lord and the shynynge beauty of the world.

2 And as concerning his cōmaundemēts, grievous are they not, but sweet & pleasant, he setting hand to y ^e fulfilling of thē, which hath commanded thē, he ministering his Godly spirit may make of him that was afore vnwylling, a very willing person, like as he did of Saul whan he changed him into a Paul. He laying before their eyes the inestymable profit of the good things to come, will cause them to forget these corruptible pleasures, and always to labor for them.

3 Happy are they afore hand, that shall mind to do these things, that their power through a true believe may be in the tree of life, whereby they may work them and so have fruit of their labors. For without that tree (by whom is meant the souiour of the world) they can do nothing thereunto. Without his strength, grace, & spirit, doubtelesse they are all weak, wretched, and unprofitable, have they never so many holy deservings, which faithfully desired, is never denied them as all the scriptures recordeth.

4 Thys would be sought therefore, that they may thereby enter in peaceably, w ^t out impediment through y ^e clear gates of pearl afore mencioned, in to y ^e plesaūte city or y ^e newly prepared Jerusalem. By the which gates is none other signified here, but he alone, diuerslye opened by the Apostles doctrine. He is the only portall of righteousness, and the straight way unto life, by whom they enter in from all quarters of the world. None other would David acknowledge in all his godly praises, nor yet y ^e Apostle Paul in his manifold exhortations. Whatsoever they be that enter in by him, be without peril evermore, and shall have the life everlasting. Thus is a true believe in him and his word with a just following of the same, a full doing of his commandments without any other traditions, ordinances, or ceremonies.

5 And whilst this chosen flock are thus entering into this city, the cruel dogs, which bark against the verity, and tear the true servants of God, are still remaining without, appear they never so spiritual & holy.

6 So are the subtle sorcerers, which with their holy charms and inchaūtments, with their prophecies, revelations, and false miracles, both blind the unlearned governors and deceive the profane▪ Idiotish multitude, leading them both to the devil.

7 So are the consecrate whoremongers, the defilers of all honesty, and breakers of all godly ordinances, as are in these days in the braggers out of Romish chastity, y ^e bishops, priests, and religious, under the title of vows, mayntaynig Sodom and Gomorre.

8 Lykewyse in the spiteful murderers, that of malice and mischief flea the godly preachers, and other poor innocent▪ people for rebuking their corrupt customs are sequestered from thence forever.

9 The superstitious Idolators of all generations the moste execrable, as mass mongers, head bablers, saint seekers, Image lighters, gadders to Cōpostell, Rome, Tryer, & Tholose, with all their strange worshippings not commanded of God, shall have no place there.

10 Brieflye to conclude the whole, what people so ever they are that delighteth in fables, lies, and errors, not regarding y ^e right meaning of the scriptures, or what holy hypocrites • o ever they be that with famed sanctity, deceyuable wonders, and false interpretations, blemisheth the verity of the Lord▪ for the upholding of they • p • yde, lechery, and lucre, shall enjoy no freedom within this city. Be ye sure of this (saith saint Paul in divers places) that no fornicator, nor unclean person, no covetous cloyne • , deceitful hypocrite, liar for advantage, filthy Idolatour, malicious murderer, or such other like, can have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. No portion can they have in the lande of the living, that hath been partakers with aduouterers & thieves.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently if ye cover (saith the Lord) to know surely from whence this doctrine doeth come, and who is y ^e chief authority thereof be you thoroughly ascertayned, that I Jesus Christ y ^e son of the living God, have directed forth mine Angel (which is the spirit of truth) or the holy ghost whom I promised to witness here manifestly unto you, by my dere disciple John these wonderful things hereafter to chance in the Christian congregations.

2 Think not that the contents of this book are either of John, or yet of any other man that ever was here living, for neither hath he learned them of Prophet nor holy father, but by my only revelation or showing (which am the eternal spouse of the church) hath he received them to their singular health and comfort.

3 And as concerning me without fail I am the original root, or ground of salvation in David after the word, and after the flesh I am of his stock or generation. For in me are fulfilled all promises of health that ever god made for that faithful household. By me had David his beginning for I made him, and by me shall he and all other true Israelites in him, have forever a glorious continuance, for I saved them in that flesh.

4 To all them which walk after David's faith, am I y ^e bright morning star of grace, remouyng the filthy clouds of error. The shining clearness of godly understanding, finishing the dark night of ignorance. I bring with me the day of mercy, health, and righteousness, and the Sabbath of full reconciliation to God. I give light unto them that sat in darkness, directing their feet in y ^e path way of peace.

5 For my word is spirit and verity, resurrection and life. And where as it shyneth in the hearts of mortal men, it maketh them the children of light. To seek unto this necessary light, the eternal spirit of God, the holy Ghost, daily moveth and provoketh by many inward callings upon, saying always.

6 Come with a sincere faith. Drawe nygh unto him, and be lightened, and your frail consciences shall never be confounded. Resorte unto him all you that are loaden, and he shall refresh you. The bryde or congregation of the Lord thus taught, sturred, and prycked forewarde of his spirit saith also in her heart evermore, with a fervent desire. Oh, come my moste delectable spouse & lord Jesus Christ, my health, joy, and sweetness. Apply that y ^e immortal glory of the chosen children of God, may be seen of all creatures, iniquity condemned forever. Accomplish the marriage appointed from y ^e worlds beginning. Permit y ^e prepared spouse with hir appointed number to enter into thy eternal tabernacle of rest.

7 Moreover (saith the Lord) whatsoever they be that shall hear and believe this prophecy, let them desire the consummation thereof, and so conform them selves unto Christ & his church, saying also.

8 Come moste merciful savior and redeemer and fulfill the godly promises of this book, to the eternal comfort of man. Make hast to the judgment seat, for a full deliverance of the whole chosen number, y ^t thy servants may be where as thou art in perfect glory and joy.

9 Finally, let him (saith the Lord) that in faith is a thirst, or that hath in him a desire to be saved, hast him self forewarde, and come also. Let him only believe. For the plentuous fountaynes of the living waters mentioned afore, are withholden from no servant of God. Nothing is denied unto him that asketh in faith. In prayer are all spiritual commodities granted.

10 Whosoever therefore hath a will • conformable unto God's will, let him take freely without price or payment, without satisfaction or merit, y ^e pleasant water of the life forever, refreshing his soul in the plentuousnesse thereof.

11 Of grace and favor is salvation in Christ laid forth. Onlye is here required but a will to seek for it. Not that it shall so be deserved. For neither is it of him y ^t willeth, nor yet of him y ^t runneth. But y ^e gracious Lord which calleth men to these waters, putteth into thē a stomach, thirst, & desire to covet them. Yea, he mynistreth strength to y ^e seeking of thē, least some of y ^e glory thereof should remain unto their deservings, and not all to his mercy alone. Thus standeth the doctrine of our work braggers void, which neither feedeth nor satisfieth, considering that not for our righteous doings, but alone for his own mercies sake hath he saved us.

The Commentary.

1 As my duty is (saith saint John) to premonish afore hand, I faithfully proteste by this my present testimony, unto all those men that shall hereafter receive the words of this wonderful prophecy here written in this book, either by reading or hearing.

2 That if any of them shall presumptuously take upon him to add anything thereunto, in purpose to pervert the truth, or contrary to y ^e holy ghostes meaning, as Carpocras, Hebion, Cerinthus, and other antichristes hath done with the other scriptures.

3 Be certain and sure of it, that the eternal god (from whom nothing can be hid) shall add unto him for so doing, the most terrible and woeful plages regestred afore in this work.

4 That is to say, he shall suffer him to run in to moste deep errors, & give him over forever into the sin against the holy ghost, whereupon all other plages of damnation dependeth. Ye shall put nothing (saith the Lord) unto the word that I have given you, neither shall ye take anything from it. Put thou nothing unto his sayings (saith Salomō) of thine own imaginytion least he reprove thee for a dāpnable liar. Nothing is this against thē which by the other scriptures and histories doth expound this reuelacyon, to make it to their understanding more plain. For than should Saint Augustine, saint Jerome, Isydorus, Beda, Rabanus, & divers other great pillars of the church be under these plages, for doing that charitable office. So should also the doctrine of this book be against itself in y ^e .xiii. chapter where as liberty is given to him that hath writ, to count the number of the beast, & in other places else. But this is here spoken from them that corrupteth the text to maintain their blasphemous lies for advantage, or that seeketh to blemish the right sense thereof, least men should behold thē in their right colors, as y ^e wicked papists hath don ever since their beginning, so drownning the authority & majesty thereof.

5 Moreover (saith saint John) if any mortal man shall presume to diminish the words contained in the volume of this heavenly Prophecye, unreverantly so controlling the wisdom of God.

6 The said omnypotent god, and revenger of all ungodliness, shall clearly wype away his portion out of y ^e book of life so that he shall be none of their number, which are predestinated to the glory of his children.

7 Neither shall such be allowed for cityzens with y ^e saints in the holy congregation of his new Jerusalem, nor yet be accepted for his shousholde servants enjoying y ^e sweet cōmodyties mentioned in this book as pertaining to his peculyar people.

8 Lyke as are the bewtyfull tree of life with his manifold fruits and leaves of wholsomnesse, the sweet running river of the living waters, and the holy city sufficiently described afore with such other else. None that contendeth for a mastry (saith Paul) shall be crowned, unless he contend lawfully. Arius toke away from the tenth of John this setence, I & y ^e father are one. Photinus added this clause to y ^e gospel as a voice frō the father, I give unto Jesus his original of Mary And both their intētes were to destroy our faith concerning christs godhede, like as the papists doth also our iustificacyon in his blood, unless we have their lowsie masses & merits. A like adiuratiō to this, hath Hireneus in the ende of his octonarie, requiring all them y ^t shall coppy out y ^t book, to do it truly as they will answers it before god their righteous judge. In like case doth saint Jerome before y ^e abreuiaciōs of Eusebius chronicle cōmaūd, that in any wise the verity thereof be dilygently reserved. So doth also Cyrillus y ^e Greek in y ^e preface of his prophecy unto Joachim Abbas, desiring y ^e writings thereof in no case to be corrupted of il writers, w ^c diverse other

9 In confirmatiō of y ^e I have said afore (saith S. John) the eternal son of god which hath ratified these former things w ^t his mighty word, saith here also as one subscribing to it.

10 Yea, it is so, or else thus. Like as y ^u hast said (John) shall these blasphemers here after find it, y ^e presumeth either to add, or to diminish frō these scriptures for any carnal purpose.

11 And to perform y ^e promise of thine I will not long tarry. I come by & by, to reward y ^e wicked w ^c swift dampnatiō, for not believing y ^e truth. For now are y ^e last days, y ^e ends of y ^e world, yea, the very last hour.

Ready is the Lord (saith saint Peter) to judge the quick and dead, and the ende of all things is at hand.

12 Saint John hearing this of his merciful Lord and savior lift up his head and hands towards heaven, & as one desirous of the performance of God's appointed will, and of the full deliverance of the faithful, he said, Amen. Or be it fulfilled in effect. For that is the thing which my soul daily desireth and inwardly coveteth, to the full manifestation of thy glorious kingdom.

13 Consequently, in the voice of the whole congregation crieth John, as did Simeon y ^e just. Yea, even so might it be, as thou hast here promised, that thou mightest come out of hand.

14 Oh, come most merciful redeemer & gracious Lord Jesus Christ, to judge the universal world. Come, come, or hie thee hither apace, to separate the wheat from the chaff, and y ^e lambes from the Goats, so bringing them into thy eternal tabernacle. Woe is me that my banishment endureth so long, I dwelling in the tabernacles of the sorrowful. My soul hath a thurstie desire for God the fountain of life. Oh, whan shall I come and behold his face? Lyke are we to those faithful servants, which wait for the return of their Lord from the wedding, very ready to open at his knocking.

15 The grace of our merciful Lord Jesus Christ (saith saint John) whereby cometh salvation to them y ^t truly believeth, be with you all, so many as are of that godly expectation and desire.

16 Or the favor, mercy, and acceptation of God y ^e father, through his blessed death, evermore preserve you in the unity of his godly spirit, that ye may hereafter in this holy city, be partakers of his glorious heritage in the world to come.

17 Let all them say Amen unto this, which myndeth the glory of the Lord unfeignedly. So be it.