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The Image of Both Churches in Revelation · John Bale

The Image of Both Churches in Revelation, Chapter 9

The .ix. Chapter.

THE TEXT.

1 And the fifte Angell blew. 2. And I sawe a Starre fall from Heauen vntounto the earth. 3. And to hym vvas geuen the key of the bottomlesse pit, 4. And he opened the bottomlesse pyte. 5. And there arose a smoke of the pytte, as it were the smoke of a furnace. 6 And the sunne and the Ayre vvere darkened, by the reason of the smoke of the pyt. 7. And there came out of the smoke Locustes vppon the earth. 8 And vntounto them vvas geuen povver. 9. As the Scorpions of the earth hauehave povver.

The Paraphrase.

THe fift Angell which blew his trumpet vnderunder the fift seale openyng of the Lambe,The fyft angell. Albertus Magnus Luke. 12 Math, 20, Act. 5. were they which had the worde of God for that age of Christes Church, and that published it to his electes. And these doeth not onelyonly séeme to bée fewe in number, but also they appear to hauehave taught priuily in priuate congregacions and houses.

2 For whē this trumpet was blowen,Esa. 14, Psalm. 13 Hiere. 6 Isaie. 24 Iohn beheld a starre fallen downe cleane from heauen into the earthe, no parte thereof reserued, neyther of the starre in heauen, representing the spirituall church, nor yet of the earth from the starre, betokening ye worldly people. Neyther were the spiritualtie of Christes church,Ose. 4. Baruch. 6 nor yet the laytie cléere from their poysons anye where. This glittering starre or shyning multitude of prelates,Hiere …, 1. Cor. 2, 2. Peter. 3, Math. …5. Gala 4, …. Tim. 4. pastours, and religious fathers, were fallen away from the doctryne of the spyrite, from the liuing word of the Lord, and from the right conuersaciō of Christ, into the earthe of their owne decrées and lawes, nothing sauouring but carnall tradicions, dumme dark ceremonies, and doctryne of diuilles, fashioning their lyues all after the same. Then soughte they vp Plato, Aueroys,Agrippa. de vanitate …cientiarum and Auicenne. Then was Aristotle thought necessarie to interprete the scriptures. Then was there an infinite rable of Sophisters & schoole doctours of reals and nominalles, of sentencioners and summistes of collyginers and Canonystes, of Scotistes, Thomistes, Olcamystes, Alberstystes, Baconystes, Anconistes. And euerye man thought hys owne wysedome best,Erasmus sarcerius, de scolasti…ce theologie vanit…te ▪ Oecolampadius in epistolis which God hath proued starke foolishenesse, all and moste ydiotishe dottage. When the blynde world supposed they had the truth by this fallen starre, they had nothyng lesse. Under the fifte seale openyng this darkenesse was not séene, but the sixte now discloseth all.Franciscus Lambertꝰ li. 3. in Apocalipsim Apoca. 6. Apoca. 20 OnelyOnly ye slayn sorte complayned that tyme desiryng theyr bloud to be reuenged, where as an answer was made them, that many more yet should bée kylled to fulfill theyr number. And it was proued true. For none in those dayes once hyssed agaynst them, but suffered death for it. Yea of Emperours and kings that offended them, some were accurssed, some deposed, some slaine, some poysoned.

Neyther spared they power nor yet noble blud.Ioannes Ca…ion in cronicis. Ranulphuꝰ cestrensis. In Englād héer they slew King Herolde, poysoned King Iohn, and famished King Richard the ij. by their own historyes, they burned sir Roger Actō knight, sir Iohn Oldecastel, the Lord Cobham, & sir Raynolde pecock byshop of Chychester they imprisoned to death,Fabianus Ioannes maior. Polidorus. Agrippa contra Louanienses. Zacha. 9, Prou. 1. Math. 16 Rom. 1, besides an infinite number of poore simple soules, no lawful cause known, but lyes of their owne forging. Yea and the articles that they dyed for than, they affirme nowe to bée good. But no maruayle though they dyd suche myschiefe in those dayes.

3 For to the starre was giuen the key of the bottomlesse pitte. After they were fallen from the wisedome of God to the corrupt dreams of men, folowyng rather the creatures then the maker of them, hée gaue them ouer vntounto theyr owne imaginacions and fantasies.

4 Thē had they poure in darknesse, by their carnall,Luke. 22 Hebre. 13. Luke. 11 Rom. 8 Gala. 5 Apoca. 13. Daniel. 7 Iob. 1. Psalm. 106 Iaco. 5. beastly, and diuilishe diuinitie to open the well of dampnacion. For what is the wisedome of the fleshe els but death? What are theyr practises but fighting weapons against lyfe? They had licence to deceyue, and leysure to doe mischief in outward things, as had Sathan vponupon the body of Iob. But no doubt ye goodnesse of God yet preserued ye inwarde soules of many simple Iobbes for tyme of that daungerous world.

5 And whē they had opened ye bottomlesse pit with ye key of their false doctrine,Luke, 11. Apoca. 14▪ Apoca. 19. 1. Tim. 4 Gala. 5, Apoca. 18 Apoca. 20 Esa. 1, there wēt vp a black filthie ayre as it had bene ye smoke of a great fornace. There arose all errours, lyes, heresies, supersticions, idolatrie, couetousnesse, pryde, incontinencie, falsehood, hypocrisie, with all other filthinesse, which are the fruits of hell, and they wēt abroad ye world ouer. Thus hath these cursed Apostates ye pope & his Chaplaynes the keyes in deed, not of heauen but of hell. They may open but they can not spear againe,Math. 16. Luke. 11, Math. 23, Luke. 10 Iohn. 10 2, Pet. 2 Math. 15. 2, Tim. 3, I…on. 14▪ Apoca. …. Esa. 63. vnlesse they spear from heauē, as they doe alwayes. They may hurt, but they can not heale, they may distroy, but they can not help, they may well dampne, but they can not saue. For the nature of their keye is onelyonly to make blinde, obstinate, foolyshe, harde harted, and euer more worse and worse. He onelyonly giueth light, grace, faith, & health. He taketh away all darkenesse and sinne, which hath the keye of Dauid.Ab…cuc. 3. 8. Cor. 15. For he alone hath trodē down the wyne presse, hauyng the whole victorie ouer death, sinne, hell, and the diuill. He hath power onelyonly to speare vp both death and hell. The fyre of Gods wrath, they be not able to quench. The smoke of the dyuils malyce and continuall wickednesse,Apoc. 6. Sapi. 2. Gene. 3. 2 Cor. 11. Rom. 5. 2. …essa. 2. Math. 24. 1. Tim. 4. Gala. 5. Luce. 12. they be not able to kéepe downe. Eua could not wtstād one simple suggestiō of Sathan. A smal taste of this smoke lost Adam with his whole posteritie. And now these Antichristes hath filled the world with it. For what is it els but wicked perswasions? a learning of diuilles, and a doctryne contrarie to y• doctryne of God? poysoning all, destroying all, & leading vntounto hell.

6 The sun by this smoke was darkened,2. Cor. 2. Apoc. 19. so was the holesome ayre. The Gospell they defiled with their false interpretacions. Gods word they corrupted with their gloses, cōmentaries, and postilles. They myngled the scriptures with the dirtie dregges of their own lawes,Lutheras aduersus. tradicions, and olde rotten customes of their popishe fathers.Catherin… ▪ Esa. 3. 2. cor. 2 Iohannes. agricola super lucā ▪ So that in the church no good ayre could be had, no swéete smell of the truth could be found. There was much ydoll worshipping, strange crying, and lippe labouring, sensing, fooling, & charming, crossing, mowyng, and iugling, gasing, knéeling, & knockyng, but no true Gospell preaching.

7 Out of this pestilent smoke came innumerable locustes,Apoca. 19 Nahum. 3. Amos. 7. VVicleus in speculo militantis ecclesie. a verie monstruous vermyne and horrible to behold, créeping ouer all ye earth. These were the disguised swarme of Cardynalles, mytred Bishoppes, doctours, shauen priestes, Abbottes, Moonkes, Chanons, Fryers, Nunnes, sisters, and heremites, in read, white russet, graie, blacke, blewe, and all other colours. Of these were ye Benedictines,Sabellicus. Mantuanus Egid…us Father. Paleonid… rus. the Bernardines, Gerondines, Gilbertines, Celestines, Scopetines, Grādimontensers, Camaldulensers, Cruniacensers, Premonstratensers, Carthusianes, Carmelitanes, Ambrosianes, Rhodianes, Gregorianes, Purgatoryanes, Guilhelmytes, Iesuites, Iohannites, Hieronimites, Niniuits,Polidorus Franciscus Lambertꝰ in regulam minoritarū et alij. 2. Peter. 2, Math. 24 Acto. 20 2. Iohn, 1. Iude. 1. Esa 1, Rom. 2. Cellites, Thaborits. Templars, Hospitelers, Crucigers, Augustinianes, Dominicianes, Franciscanes, Brygydanes, Basilianes, of Iosaphats valley, and of the dark alley, and suche other, with innumerable swarmes of them euerie where. Peter prophecyed afore of thys smokie multitude, when hée gaue warnyng that there should come into the Christen church false teachers, which priuily should bring in damnable sectes, denying the Lord that bought them, and many should follow their damnable wayes, thorough whom the truth should hauehave ill reporte. But fewe hath marked that warning.

8 And vntounto these noysome locustes was poure giuen,Exod. 10. Ezech. 2, Haymo. Albertus. Iob. 34. Math. 7 Hebr. 2… but yet none other poure, then hauehave the scorpyons of the earth, whose craftie nature is fyrst to créepe softely, then gréeuouslye to sting, & last of all to venim. Thys pestilent vermine, God hath suffred for the wickednes of his people, first flatteringly to créepe, to dissemble, glose, glose, and speak fayre,Sebastianu… meyer, in Apocal. Gregorius in li. e…alogorum. Odilo cluniacensis abbas. promising prosperitie, victorie, long lyfe, and heauen, after this departing. And by such meanes gote they vnderunder them Emperours, Kings, gouernours, and all the world besides.

9 Then did they sting their consciences with terrible dreames and visions, and with fearefull reuelacions of purgatorie and of hell, to buylde them vp faire houses, and to lyue in wealth and pleasure. Fynally, they venimed their fayth with their poisoned counsayles and promyses,2. Pet. 2 Apoca. 18 Exod. 10. Deute. 28, Sebastianus …ranck in 2. parte chronicorū and so tooke they from them the true hope in Christ, making marchandise of them through couetousnesse & faire words. Thus cloistering togither like locusts they hauehave left nothing gréene, but all they hauehave withered and distroyed. No workes might then be vsed of Gods prescription, but such as were fantasied by them for aduantage, as masse founding, chaunteries building, priest singing, Image gilding, kissing of relyques, prayinge to death men, and such lyke.

And when they were once frank and fatte,Hiere. 5, Psalm. 2 they stood vp togither proudly agaynst the Lord and his word.

THE TEXT.

1 And it vvas sayde vntounto them that they should not hurte the grasse of the earth neither any greene thing, neyther any tree, 2. but only those men vvhichwhich hauehave not the seal in their foreheades 3.

And to them vvas it cōmaunded, that they shuld not kil them, 4. but that they shuld be vexed fyue monethes. 5. And their payne vvas as the payne that commeth of a Scorpion, vvhen he hath stung a man. 6. And in those dayes shall men séeke death, and shall not finde it, 7. and shall desire to dye, and death shall flie from them.

The Paraphrase.

1 Yet were they commaunded that they should in no case hurt the grasse of the earth,Apoca▪ 7▪ Prou. 11 Iohn. 6. Nume. 24. Acto. 20. Iohn. 17, neyther any gréen thing, nor trée. Though they were permytted by the sufferaunce of God to doe much mischiefe, yet could they harme none but such as wanted fayth.

He ordayned from the beginning alwayes to saue his. Neuer could Sathan hynder the soule of Iob, onelyonly did he vexe the outward carkasse and goods. Where as fayth is growing, true hope in Christ springing,Iob. 2. Collo. 1. Rom. 8. Gala. 5 Iohn. 18 Hiere. 15 Marci. 16 and workes of charitie fructifying, they shall doe no hurte by the promyse of God. Where the gift of the spirite aboundeth, they can in no wyse preuayle. If any hinderaunce doeth fall, it is where fayth is wanting.

2 For onelyonly had they power vponupon those men which had not the seale of God in their foreheades.Apoc. 7. Apoca. 19. Ephe. 5. Franciscus. Lambertus li. 3 in Apocalipsum. They onelyonly are in perill that hauehave not the sure fayth. And the more want they hauehave therof, the more is their seathe when it commeth.

3 Yet had those locusts in commaundement, that in no wise they shoulde kill them whom they had noyed. For the wil of God is that no wicked person should perishe, vnlesse he resisted the holy ghost, but rather to turne frō sinne and to liue.

4 OnelyOnly was it permytted that they should be vexed v. moneths.Ezech. 18 Ambrosius Ansbertus Math. 23, Gala. 4, Osee. 11 Iohn. 9, Ioannes Eskius, Only for their lyfe tyme were they suffered to ouer loade their poore consciences with their beggerly tradicions, to trouble them with their trumperie, to gréeue them with their curses, and to torment thē with their threatenings of their purgatorie and theyr hell. Though they blynded for want of the scripture, erred in all popishe diuilrie, and for lacke of true knowledge had not the token of fayth, yet perished they not wholly,Apoca. 7 Ioan. 3, Act. 5, Franciscus Lambertꝰ Eccle. 39, no more thē did Nicodemus and Gamaliell which were but carnal men. But their ends the Lord reserued to his own mercyfull goodnesse, for confessing ye name of Iesus Christ.

5 Yet were they sore vexed for the tyme, and theyr payne was as the stinging of a Scorpion, when he hath hurte a man. A prickyng of a more then halfe desperate mynde,Ephe. 4 Sapi. 17. Sapi. 17 Sebastianꝰ Meyer in Apocalip…. a feare of a wonderfully troubled conscience, yea and a great doubt of saluaciō ha… they, till God shewed his mercy vponupon them, opening their faint hartes and strēgthning thē wt his inward power.

6 And in those dayes shall men séeke death, and yet shall not fynde it.Sapi. 16, Osee. 10 2, Tim. 3, Osee. 4, For the gréefe of their loaded consciences they shall in confessyons take counsayle of them, which is very poyson and death, yet shall God so preserue them, it shall be no death vntounto them. For no dampnacion can be vntounto them which are in Christ Iesu.Rom. 8 Gene. 19, Luke. 17 Loth dwelled in Sodome, yet peryshed he not with Sodome.

7 They shall desire to dye, and yet death shall flée from them.Apoca. 6. Marci. 9, VVicleuꝰ in libro de confessione Hiere. 2 Whē they féele the terrible gnawing of inward fearefulnesse, they shal séeke vp their stinking remedyes, and require their dyrtie merytes, which is cleane to dye from Christ, and to forsake his liuing waters for their filthie puddels of hypocrisie and diuilishnesse. Yet by the singular grace and vnspeakeable merciemercy of God,Hiere. 31. Ioannes Hus de antichristo. 1▪ Pet. 1. that they séeke shall flée cleane from them, and that they hauehave not sought for, shall saue them, which is the onelyonly bloud and death of Iesus Christ. Thus shal they hauehave life vnlooked for,Titum. 3. Gene. 5. Psal. 85. and be taken vp with Enoch from the wickednesse of thys world, and sée the God of Gods in Sion without their deseruing.

THE TEXT.

1 And the similitude of the locustes, vvas lyke vntounto horses prepared vntounto battayle. 2, And on their heads vvere as it vvere crovvnes lyke vntounto gold. 3. And their faces vvere as it had bene the faces of men. 4. And they had hayre as the hayre of vvomen. 5. And theyr teeth vvere as the teeth of Lions. 6 And they had habbergyons, as it vvere habbergions of yron. 7. And the sounde of their vvinges vvas as the sounde of charettes, 8. vvhan manie horses runne togither to battayl. 9. And they had tayles lyke vntounto Scorpions, 10. and there vvere stings in their tayls. 11. And their povver vvas to hurte men fyue monethes. 12. And they had a Kynge ouer them vvhichwhich is the Angell of the bottomlesse pitte, 13. vvhose name in the Hebrue tongue is Abadon, but in the Greeke tonge Appollyon. 14. One vvo is past, and beholde tvvo vvoes come yet after this.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the locusts in similitude were lyke vntounto horses prepared vntounto battayle full of stomake, stryfe,Sapi. 16▪ Ro… … VValdem… in …. contencion, anger, and hate, rygorous in examinacions, fierce in excommunicacyons, moodie in disputacions, mad, hastie, and cruell agaynst the veritie, and euermore grudging among them selues one secte agaynst another.

2 Upon their heades they had counterfect crownes in maner of gold.Esa. 28. Math. 23. Iacob. 3. Luce. 22. 3. Iohn. 1. Math. 23. Luce. 20. Marci. 12. Luce. 18. Glorious names of dignitie had they, and shynyng tytles of hyghe prehemynence vndeserued. Most holy fathers, most gracious Lordes, and moste reuerende maysters commonly were they called. They made large theyr phylacteries, & set abroad their skirts, they sought the highest places in the sinagoges, and salutacions of reuerence in the stréetes.

They were not as other men be. The simplest holy water priest amōg them was sir at the least, which is no lesse than Lord.2. Tim. 3, 2. Thes. 2, Psalm. 36 Esa. 14, Abdie. 1 Esaie. 28 Phil. 3 Psalm. 1, By presumptiō, pride, and ambicion, they exalted them selues aloft as the Ceader trées of Lybanus, aboue Emperours, Kings and Prynces. Yea they set their seates in heauen, & became Gods vicars to dampne and saue at their pleasure. But w… be to the proude crown of thys dronken generacion, whose God is theyr belly, and whose glorie is but duste, and shal be their shame & confusion.

3 Their faces were not vnlyke to the faces of men.Colo. 2, Apoca. 3. Iosephus Math. 6 Luke, 11. Math, 23 Marci. 12, And outwarde pretence they had of wisedome, grace, and godlines, yet was there nothing lesse with in them. Uerie prudent, wyse, & learned they séemed in theyr commoning, discréet in behauour, and sober in their lyuing, yet were they but paynted combes full of all sinne and filthinesse. The counterfait goodnesse they shewed outwardely, was onelyonly to be séene of the world.

Haymo …span 34 Hayre they had on theyr heades most lyke to the hayre of women. All wauering were theyr myndes, inconstaunt fickle and foolyshe. Theyr harts were geuen to vncleanesse,Iude. 1. 2. Peter. 2, Rom. 1▪ Ezech. 4 Eccle. 2…, 2. Timo. 3 Act. 20. their fleshe to voluptuous desyres and pleasures, so that in them rayned all beastly abhominations. All execrable lustes flowed in them as the water of the Occean sea.

5 Their téeth were as the téeth of Lyons. For they were wholy geuen to gréedinesse, rauine, fiercenesse, and cruelty, not sparing, but deuouring the flock, not sauing, but loosinge, not helpinge, but destroyinge. These were those wilde beasts that trod downe the viniarde of the Lord,Canti. 2, Psalm. 79 Math. 10. Hiere. 23. Haymo. Albertus Luke. 22 1. Tim. 1. Math. 12. Hebre. 6. those vnresonable Bores, that hath rooted vp all, and those blood thirstye woulues that hath rente the poore Lambs in péeces.

6 Habbergyons had they vponupon them lyke Iackes of Iron mayle, which signifieth their obstinate malice, their harde frowarde stubborne hartes against the verytie of God. For wilfully they resisted it, blaspheminge the holy ghost with the Pharisées and Scribes, whose sinne shal neuer be remitted in this world nor in none other.

7 And the sounde of their winges was as the stout noyse of charrettes,Ioan Husde Anatomia antichristi. VVicle…s li. 2. de sermone dōi in monte. when many horses bus…le together towardes a battayle. The wings of these abhominable locustes, that set them aloft so farre aboue them selues, are their dignities, offices, ryches, liberties, Priueleges, Lawes, and such lyke, whiche boldeneth them in all thinges, be it neuer so vniust.

8 The noyse of these is greate, the note, the rumoure, the fame is mightye the worlde ouer, as well in Cromeles and writings as in the speache of the people. Yea vnderunder the title of God they bolster their wickednesse to make it the stronger. All must be Gods dignities,Sebastianus meyer in Apocalipsim. Apoc. 18. Esa. 10. Miche 3. Rom. 16. Ioan. 16. Gods seruice, Gods lawes, Gods religions, when it is stark deuillishnes. They make what lawes they lyst, they commaunde and forbid, they set vp and pluck downe, they both cursse and blesse, yea they doe all mischiefe and all in his name. Be it neuer so vngodly, cruell, and false, yet must it forth in ye name of god. Thus mightier winges they hauehave then had the great Eagle in Ezechiel. Neyther could Pharo in Egipt,Ezech. 17. Exod. 5. Daniell. 3 1. Macha. 1. Deut. 8. Hiere. 51. Esa. …. VVicleuus li. 2. de sermone domini in monte. nor Nabuchodonosor in Babilon, nor Antiochus in Iury do that they might do héere in christendome.

9 For they had tayles lyke vntounto Scorpions, and there were sharpe stinges in their tayles. Theyr study, labour, and practises was euer for a false conclusion. The ende of their faire compassed crafts, was alwaies to maintaine their errours and lies.

10 And this had a very sharpe sting. For death was towardes them that withstoode their ginnes. Destruction of body and goods was euermore at hand

11 Yet was their powre only to hurt men for v. monthes space,Primasius li. 3. in apo. Iob. 2. Math. 17. Ioan Hu… de regno Antichristi. Luce. 12. Sapi. …. to harme them in this sencible lyfe, deuided in fiue partes. No power had they vponupon ye soules hence departed. Then could they not hynder with all their censures, black curses, suspencions, disgradings, interdictions, excommunications, and all such terrible thunderbolts, with Booke, Bell, and Candle. Farther extended not their violence, then vponupon the poore bodies. The soules were in Gods handes, whose mercy is neuer farre of.

12 A King they had ouer them, which is the Angell of the bottomlesse pit,Sapi. 1. Apoca. 20 Iob▪ 41. Iohn. 8. Luke. 11, 2. Thess. 2 1. Tim. 3. Psalm. 17, Math. 15, Hiere. 2. for he is the head captayne of all the children of pride, the master of errours, and the father of lyes. Néedes must the diuell be their king whiles his smoky doctrine hath nourished them, fed them, and set them foorth in their coulours.

Sure we are that they are straungers to God, for the heauenly father neuer planted them. Well, such people, such gouernour, such swarm, such stinking leader.

13 The name of this their capitayne in the Hebrue tongue is Abadon,Hieronimꝰ Erasmus. Math. 4. Gene 3 Luke. 11, Math. 12 and in the Gréeke tongue Apollyon, and both signifieth a spightfull destroyer. His nature is to persuade all euill, to infect the minde, to corrupt the hart, to plucke away faith, to make the soule blinde,Franciscus Lambertꝰ to robbe man of all goodnesse, to seperate hym from God, and to dampne hym with hym selfe for euer. Wo is that wretched army that hath such a Capitaine, and that forsaken multitude, which hath such a king.

14 One wo is past. One cursed season of execrable blasphemy,Bedas. Haymo. Albertus Magnus darknesse and deuilishnesse, vnderunder the fift seale opening, and the fyft trumpet blowing is at an ende. But looke to it well, for two other woes, yet shall come after this vnderunder the sixt and vii. as here after wyll appeare.

THE TEXT.

1 And the sixt Angell blewe. 2, And I hearde a voyce from the. 3. Foure corners of the golden Aulter, which is before God, 4▪ Saying to the sixt Angell, which had the Trumpet. 5. Lose the fowre Angelles, which are bounde in the greate ryuer Euphrates, 6. And the fowre Angels were losed. 7. Whiche were prepared for an howre, for a day, for a month, & for a yeare, 8. For to slea the thirde parte of men. 9. And the number of horsemen of vvar vvere tvventy times ten thousand. 10. And I hearde the number of them. 11. And thus I savv the horses in a vison. 12. And them that sate on them, hauyng fyerye habbergions of a yalovv and brimstonie coloure.

The Paraphrase.

1 Consequently the sixt Angell stoode forth and triumphantly blewe his Trumpet.The sixt Angell. Bedas anglus in apocalips. Sebastianus meyer. Constantly the sincere preachers of this present age hath taught Christ and hys veritie, vnderunder this sixt seale openinge, wherin they hauehave disclosed the detestable errours and shamefull abhomynacion of the other age afore.

2 And as this Trumpet was blowen I harde (saith saint Iohn) a swéete voyce from the fowre corners of the golden Alter whiche is before the eyes of God.3. Reg. 7. Apoca. 8. Matth. 17. Iohan. 1 Hebr. 9. Iohan. 1.

The Alter which is most precious, most deare, and most acceptable vntounto GOD the Father, is Iesus Christe full of grace and verytie. Uppon hym was offered one pleasaunt offeringe, whose aboundaunt swéetnesse hath releued all faithfull beléeuers.Colo. 2▪ Roma. 5. 2. Cor. 5. And nothinge is accepted before GOD to this present day, vnlesse it be offered vppon hym. None Alter els alloweth he for the sacrifice of peace, neither Mary, nor Iohn, Peter nor Iames.

Uppon him we offer when we trust only in hym,Hebre. 9▪ Rom. 12 Colo. 3. 1. Pet. 2, Math. 28. and also when we liue according to true faith in hym restraining our olde Adam, with his fleshly desyres.

3 The fowre corners of this alter is the Gospell,Marci. 16. Rom. 10 Math. 16 Gala. 4. Rom. 8. which he hath left by his Apostles in the fowre quarters of the vniuersall worlde. The voyce is the ioyfull tidings or message therof. And this signifieth Christ not onelyonly to hauehave his church within the dominion of Rome vnderunder bondage, but also in all other partes of the world in lybertie

All these fowre corners hath but one voyce. The Gospell eueryevery where taught hath but one heauenly message of mercy and peace from God the father,Ephe. 1, Iohn. 16 Rom. 1 1. Cor. 15. Ihon. 14 one glad tiding of health, and saluation from Iesus Christe, and one swéete smell of the grace of God and of victory in Christ from the holy ghost.

4 And this one voyce commaunded the sixt Angell which had the Trumpet or the true faithfull preachers vnderunder the sixt seale openinge, which had the administration of the word at the onelyonly gift of God.

5 To goe foorth and to lose the fowre Angelles which are bounde in the great riuer of Euphrates. Many hath the Lord anoynted with his spirit in this age to preache delyueraunce to the captiue, to open the pryson to thē that were in bondage,Luke. 4, Esa. 61, Amos. 9, Hiere. 31, Iohn, 5, Psalm. 1… 2. Para. 7 Baruch. 6, Math. 2… and to declare the acceptable yeare of health. By whose preaching he hath now vntha…led the children of the dead and set them at libertie to preache his name in Syon, and to worshippe him in Hierusalem. Manye that afore were fettered with fantasies, yoked with vnaduised vowes, & ouercharged with intollerable burthens amōg Byshoppes, Priestes, Monkes, Chanons, Fryers, and Noones, are now graciously delyuered,Hebre, 9 Lutherus aduersus presendo episcopos. Franciscus Lambertꝰ in Apoca▪ and with a frée conscience confesseth the verytie of God,

6 So that many among the fowre Angels, or a great number of them that were sometime Antichristes, Hypocrites, Tyrauntes, and murthers, are now losened from Euphrates the great flood of wauering fantasies, and of the sickle pleasures of this worlde.

For though they were sore bound in their conscience and lyfe, yet wanted they there no wanton delightes, to nourish and féederal fleshlinesse.Idē Lambertus de caulis excecacionis multorum seculorum. Acto, 4. Iohn. 8. They lacked nothing that might maintaine their pompe, vayne glory, couetousnesse, pryde, glottony, and lechery, but they had it in abundance. And though the nature of Gods worde be as of a key to open vntounto them that beléeue, and to speare vntounto them that beléeue not, yet is it fayde héere to open vntounto both. But yet in diuers respects. For in the chosen sort it openeth to louelove, in ye other it openeth to hate. The one bringeth forth hony by it wt the Bée, ye other venim with the spyder. The one is made more méeke and gentle, the other wareth more cruel and mad.Acto. 10. Iohn, 7, 2. Cor. 2. Luke. 2. …. 6, 2▪ Thes. 2. Mala. 3, Apoca. 7. As Paule saith vntounto some it is the sauer of life vntounto lyfe, and some againe it is that sauer of death vntounto death. For hard is that worde to the execrable Angelles … children of Sathan, callinge them from Euphrates.

They can in no wise abide it. Yet were the fowre Angels loosoned frō thence, and hath lost a great parte of theyr pleasures. Since the Gospell came in, the Antichristes hath lost the prophets of their Buls, pardons,Ioannes vvicleuꝰ in sua confessione. et in libello ad parliamentum regis. confessions, pryuy tythes, ydol offerings, purgatory, masses, bell christenings, church hallowings with other loose endes. The Hypocrits hath lost their more then princely habitations, their monasteries, couents, hospitalles, preben…ies and chaunteries, with their fat féeding & warme couches, for yll gotten good will home againe. The tiraunts and murtherrers hauehave not now their pleasures in all poyntes as they had afore tyme, what though their cru…ltie be stil as much as it was and rather more. For the people is not now to their minde as then.Franciscus. Lambertꝰ li. 3 in Apocalipsum. Otho brū felsius et alij.

And as these Angels are losoned in this quarter of ye world, so shal they be in all then other quarters, the Lorde appoyntinge theyr tymes. One corner of the aulter hath geuen his voyce I doubt it not but the other thrée will shortly doe the same.

7 The fowre yll Angels were prepared (saith saint Iohn) for an houre, for a dae,Daniel. 12 Iohn. 7. for a month, and for a yéere. At no time are the Antichristes vnready to doe mischiefe, the hypocrits to deceiue, the tiraunts to persecute and kyll. Since Christes time to this day neuer ceased they,Ioachim Abbas in apocalip. Eusebius cesarienfis but styll euermore they hauehave ben doyng. Yet hath their fiercenesse bene more and longer at one time then at an other, 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 crueltie more,Iohannes Nauclerus Iacobus bergomēsis some wher lesse. Their dayes are not alwayes alike, nor their liues of one length.

8 Notwithstandinge for their time they shrinke not, but styll … goe forward to slay the third part of men. None other can the tyraunt be but a Tyraunt, nor the Antichriste but an Antichriste. None other parte can the hypocrite play but hys owne,Ioan Hus de Anatomia antichristi. nor yet the spightfull murtherer. Euer séeke they to kill the innocent people. Euermore practise they to bringe out of the way,Math. 23 Iohn. 16 Sebastianus meyer. Apoca. 8, Ticonius Apher. ex primasi… & Ansberto. the rightuous seruants of God, taken héere for the third part of men or in the smaller number, for so much as héere is neither bloud, nor fyre, wormwoode, nor smoke.

9 And the number of their horsmen, lyke vntounto ye horsemen of armes in warre, was twenty times tenne thousand, or ten score thousand. An innumerable multitude hauehave they sent forth the world ouer, to deceiue and blinde, to destroy and kyll.Ioannes brencius. Act. 8. 2. Peter. 2 Math. 10 Daniel. 12 Horsed they are with their beastly lawes and decrées, and armed with their fierce authoritie and cruell power. And who is not now an horseman of theirs, and a cruell Saul, making hauock of Christes poore congregation? EueryEvery where they by them and sell them, betray them and accuse them, persecute and emprison them, indite them, and burne them.

10 And I heard the number of them (saith sainct Iohn) or knew certainly asorehand that ye truth in those daies should hauehave many such enimies I vnderstood it in spirit,Ambrosius Ansbertus li. 4. super apocalipsim. Haymo Apoca. 9. I beléeued it and surely marked it vp for a warninge to them that shoulde come after.

11 Consequently I saw the setting forth of them. I behelde in a vision the horses, frank, fat, and fearce, which were none other then the aforsayd locustes that crept out of the smoke from the bottomlesse pytt….

In the fift opening or blast of the Trumpet,Thomas Naogeorgꝰ in pāmachio. Ioannes vvicleuꝰ li. 2. de sermone domini in monte which was the rank time of their goynge forth they were but locustes, leane, bare and néedy. In their beginning the Antichristes and hypocrites, as Byshoppes, Priestes, Monkes, Chanons and Fryers, were poore, abiecte and vntydy. But vnderunder the sixt they grew vntounto great horses. They were so pampered with possessions, fatted with pleasures, and boldened with aucthorytie.

And when they were once comē into the estimacion of the worlde, then waxed they high, heady, fierce, proud, and cruell. Then were they horses of pleasure for Princes, and worldly magistrates, to carye them at theyr owne lustes, for they were vnbrideded. No lawes had they for them.Bēno cardinalis. Ioannes Carion. Thomas vvaldenus Fabianus Polidorus li. 22. Chro. The scepture, Crowne, sworde and power, might then passe none otherwise in Emperours and kings then they had fantasied.

A faut then done against them, could be no lesse then both heresy and treason. If they sayde but burne, then must they be both drawne, hanged, and burned, no remedye. For that that toucheth thē, toucheth the princes honour also, to make the matter more greuouse. They shoulde not els be both partners in ye vengeance of God for innocent bloud shedding. Yet hurt they not the rightuousnes in all their mischiefe,Math. 23. Luke. 1… Sapi. …, Psal. 115 Apoca. 6 Ephe. 2. though …t so appeareth vntounto thē, for so much as their death is precious in ye sight of ye Lord, and their dwelling place ye alter of god, Christ ful of rest & peace.

12 And the men that sate on these horses had fyerye Habbergions of a yalow and brimstone coulour. The Princes and Rulers prouoked by the craftes of these false Prophetes and deceiuable teachers to ryse against Christ and his worde,Exod. 7, 3. Reg. 22, Psalm. 2 2. Tim. 3 Colo. 2. vvaldenus in fasciculo Zizaniorū are armed with crueltie in vnrightuousnesse, with a false charitie, and with a counterfeit wisdome. In the examination of causes they wyll oft tymes séeme fauourable, louinge and wyse, when in effect they are nothing lesse. For moue them once with the truth, or the quick learning of the spirit, and then wyll they do as doth the Brimstone that is touched with fier. They flame out their malice,Sebastianus meyer, in Apoca. Sabellicus Platina. Blondus Carsulanus they spit forth their wickednesse, and their filthye iudgementes stinketh the worlde ouer.

Many such swéet sauers of their politique wisdome or rather fleshly foolishnesie, hauehave they left behind them in the chronicles and histories that vnwholsōly sauoreth yet to this day. And this hauehave they of their vnbrideled horses, their ghostly fathers,vvernerus. Cornelius Agripda confessours, & coūsellers, ouer whō their selues hauehave neither power nor aucthoritie but as they list.

THE TEXT.

1 And the heades of the horses were as the heades of Lyons. 2. And out of theyr mouthes went foorth fyre and smoke, and brymstone, 3. And of these three was the thyrd parte of men killed. 4. That is to saye, of fyre, smoke, and brimstone, which proceded out of the mouthes of them. 5. For their power was in theyr mouthes, 6. and in theyr tayles. 7. For their tayles were lyke vntounto Serpentes, 8. and had heades, and vvith them they did hurt. 9. And the remnaunt of men, vvhichwhich vvere not killed by these plages, 10. repented not of the deedes of theyr handes, 11. that they shoulde not vvorship diuilles. 12. and Images of golde and siluer, & brasse and stone, and of vvoode, 13. vvhichwhich neyther can see, neyther heare, neyther goe. 14. Also they repented not of theyr murther, and of their vvitchcrafte, 15. neyther theyr vvhoredome, neyther of their thefte.

The Paraphrase

1 The heades of these horses were in similitude as the heades of Lyons,Haymo. li. 2. in apocalipsi. which betokeneth their proude, bold, and mightie malice against gods veritie. In the other age when they were but locustes,Ioan Hus de regno antichristi. they had the faces of men, for some reason yet appeared in their lawes and dooings, though they stoode not all with Gods word. But since they grew vp in courage, and becam furious horses,vvicleuꝰ li. 2. de sermone domini in monte. they hauehave layde away those faces and nowe takē to them fierce Lions heads. Now is there nothyng in them but open malice, crueltie, and spight. Now are they termagauntes all togither,Lambertꝰ Shafnaburgensis Sigebertus gemblacensis. Otho phrisingensis. and very diuilles incarnate, where their dyrtie tradicions be not kepte. So eger they are, theyr horse men can not restraine them, their princes can not rule them in suche a matter, vnlesse they will be torne in péeces, as many of their predecessours hauehave béene afore tyme both Emperours, Kings, and other gouernors.

2 For out of theyr mouthes goeth fyre, smoke, & brimstone,Isaie. 56, Math. 24 2. Peter. 2, 12. Peter. 5▪ Ephe. 6, Gods worde they preach not, for they are become horses. Their office is now to carrie whither it shall please them, and to leade the princes at their lust. Nowe roare they lyke Lyons with theyr great grandsyr Sathā, séeking whom they may deuoure. Now breath they foorth of their execrable mouthes the hote fyre of their threatenings & curses.Iohn. 16 Acto 9, Lucke. 21 2. Tim. 3. 1, Tim. 4, Now vomet they abroad the filthie smoke of their vanities and fables. Now spew they out the stinking brimstone of their lies and errors.

3 So that they hauehave kylled with these thrée plages the third parte of men.Ioannes Hussius de regno, vita, et moribus antichristi. But yet none other els than those which hath giuen creadence to their errours, beléeued their fables and feared their curses.

4 For none other were slaine, but they only whiche tasted of the fyre, smoke, and brimstone, that went out of their mouths. None other els were lost & depriued of the life which is in Christ Iesu, but such deuout dottrels,Collo. 3. 1. Cor. 1. Baruca. 6 and worldlye wyse people as they taught and brought vp in false worshippinges.

5 No doubte of it but the power of these cruell beastes was most in their mouthes.Sebastianus meyer in Apoca. The strength of the deceyuable teachers to begile the wretched Idiothes and blynd asses of ye world, is euermore in their spéech, in theyr sermons, confessions, and priuy counsayles. There with doe they infatuate them, blynde them, & kill them.

6 Much power hauehave they also in their tayles behinde,Iohans VVicleus de confessione Latinorum. which is not onelye their hypocritish lyfe, but also theyr pestilent traditions, lawes, and customes, with these doe they sore infecte and gréeuously poyson.

7 Let no man thinke their noyance to be light nor their gréeuance smal,Franciscus Lambertꝰ li. 3. in opocalipsim. Otho brū felsius in loc…s communibus. considering that their tayles are lyke vntounto serpents, and hauehave heads wherwith they hurte. Not onelyonly doth their doctryne for theyr lyfe tymes styng, venim and corrupt the sillie soules, but also their examples, constitucyons, and vsages, lefte behynde them to be performed of other which followeth,Math. 25. 2. Tim. 3 Marci. … to the ouerlading of their cō science also, doeth poyson them vntounto death. They infect their beliefe, and prouoke them to trust in vain things, and are ieoperdous eueryevery where.

8 Oh horrible beastes, and most cruell monsters. Noyfull are they both in the head & in the tayle,Ioannes Hus in quedā loca Apocalipseos. before and behinde, comming in and going out. No where are they good, if they once appeare. Let him that will not perish shurne their company, consideryng that no man dwell with them without great perill. In their mouthes is venime, in theyr tayles is poyson.Sebastianus Meyer in Apoca. Both theyr lawes and theyr lyues, theyr counsayles & their ceremonies, their holinesse and blessings, are all hypocrisie, sinne, & pestilent doctrine of diuilles. Only are the lawes of the Lord holy, true, & perfecte,1, Tim. 4. Psal. 18 Math. 5, 1. Iohn. 2. Hiere, 13 Apoca. 16 Luke. 21 conuerting the poore in spirite, and gyuing wisedome vntounto children. The Antichristes and the hypocrites thus put frō their swéet Euphrates, wherin they swimmed in all plesure, welth, & ease, what is more in this age to be loked for the terrible warre? Consider that héere in this prophecie they are no lesse thē cruell horses and vengeable beastes,Primasiꝰ …pher. li. 3. in apocal. Franciscus Lambertꝰ li. 3. in opocalipsim. hauyng before them Lyons heades with fyre, smoke, and brimstone, and behynd them serpents heads to sting, venim, and kil. Ponder this also, that they hauehave power to carrie the Princes & magistrates at their pleasure, for they are vnmoseled. Yea, what though some notable gouernors hath gotten victoriously of them, ye prymacie of their owne realmes, to bée the supreame, highest, & immediate heads of their clergie héere in earth vnderunder God (which is a wonder) yet are they scarce able to put aside one corrupte custome or dirtie ceremony of theirs.Let open experience be herein an able witnesse. Bedas. Albertus Magnus visione. 3. But all their diuilishnesse must néeds stand still vnderunder ye colour of laudable rites, decent vsages, & polytique orders. For whie, they are perilous beastes, and their mouthes yet open, wherin they hauehave both fyre, smoke, and brimstone, which are most terryble thynges, and in theyr tayles poison, which is moste daungerous. What a fearful blast is this to them, which more feareth men then God? If your grace doe suffer this newe trade still to goe forward,Eccli. 16 Daniell. 6 Cornelius Agripda in querela super calumpnia. ye shal procure yea the mallice of all reygons, the hate of all Princes, and the crueltie of all peoples. They shal inuade your realm, consume your substance, and distroy your commons, with such lyke. Where as if ye take an other way, ye shal hauehave their beneuolence, louelove, and fauour. Thus dallie they with their heade rulers, and neyther make them faithfull, Dauids,Esa. 55, 3. Reg. 4, 2 Para. 4. Eccli. 4… Gene. 4 wise, Salomons manfull Iosaphats, valiaunt Iehues, godlie Iosiases, nor holy Ezochiases, but very fearefull & faint bartod Caines, thinking yt eueryevery man, which commeth by ye way will kill thē. This will be the rule of this present age no doubt of it. For vntounto kings hath not.Apoca. 6. Esa. 11 2. Thes. 2. Math, 22 Luc…. 12. God giuen it to subdue these beastes. Onlie is it reserued to ye victory of his liuing word. Only shall ye breath of his mouth distroy them,Franciscus Lambertꝰ li. 2. in Apocalipsim grinde them to dust, and throw them into hell fyre. Let the faithfull beléeuer therefore considering ye mischiefe of this time wherin nothing is lyke to be certayne and sure, in land, shiere, citie, towne, no, nor yet house, appointe him self to persecution, losse of goods, exyle, prison, sorow, & death, of bodie for the truthes sake, thinking that his porcyon is in the lande of the lyuing. For nowe are the perillous dayes vnderunder ye voice of ye sixt trompe,Psalm. 141 Daniell. 12 VVicleuꝰ & Ioannes Hussius. Gala. 6. Apoca. 7 Act. 1, Iaco. 5. these madde, fierce, ragyng beastes being abroad. Where as vnderunder ye seuenth, the carnal church reiected, and the Antichristes ouerthrowe, ye ryght Israell of the Iewes and Gentyles tokened with fayth, shall be pacyable restored into the possessiō of God. In the meane season let them that liue now pray, and hauehave theyr whole hope and comforte in the Lord.

9 And the remnaunt of men (sayeth Sainct Iohn) that were not kylled with these plagues,Sebastianꝰ Meyer in commentario super Apocalipsim. which are they whom God hath called in this age by the true preachers, from theyr detetestable doctrine & erronious wayes, vntounto the sure knowledge of his godly veritie and Gospel.1. Peter. …, Roma. 1. Heb. 2 2. Tim. 4, These remember not the singular benifite of God, they magnifie not his holy name for their deliueraunce from these moste daungerous plages of no lesse thē dampnacion in them selues, but remayne altogither vnthankefull.

10 They repente not from the hearte the déedes of theyr handes.Apoca. 2, Hebr. 12 Franciscus Lambertꝰ in Apoca. Rom. 14. 1. Cor. … ▪ They hauehave no remorse in conscience of their olde wycked workes. No, they amende not theyr lyues, nor yet fashyon them selues to the true trade of the Gospell. But rather they are slaunderous vntounto it, by vndiscréetly vsing the liberties thereof, ministring occasions of fallyng vntounto the weake.

11 They sée the people in dyuers points of Idolatrie runne headlings to the diuill,Theodorꝰ bibliander in consualtatione▪ yet doe they not brotherly admonishe them by the scriptures of the daungers therof. They shewe thē not yt the worshipping of Images.

12 Which are made of dead things,Baru…. as gold, siluer, brasse, stone, and wood, is the very worshipping of diuils.Psalm. 95 Sapi. 15. Psalm. 113. Math. 5, Rom. 15 1. Ioan. 3, Luke. 10

13 They tell them not that they bée sinful mens workes, and can neither see nor heare, speake nor goe. They wil be called Christian brethren, yet is it no dolour vntounto them to sée their brethren perish, for whō they ought to ieoperde their lyues. They muste séeme Samaritanes, yet wil they not heale the woundes of them that are more then halfe deade, yea, is not to bée feared that for doubt of punishment and losse of their goods, they looke backe agayne towarde Sodome with Lots wyfe,Math. 13. Gene. 19, Luke. 17. Apoc. 18. Chrisostomus. Cirillus. consenting to theyr abhominations? Let them not think that so doeth, but a double plague foloweth them. More worthie is he to perish ye throweth him self willingly into a perell knowing it afore,Rom. 1. Apoca. 22, thē he which neuer knew it.

14 Neyther repented they (sayeth Sainct Iohn) of their murther, theyr witchcraft, their whordom, nor their …eft. They sée of their owne congregation in pouertie, penurie, prisō, and exile, & they know it is for none other then the testimony of Iesu. Yet hauehave they no mynde to help them.Hiere …. Apoca. 1. 1 Tim. 5. Iohn. 12 Luke. 8, Act. 5, 2. Thess. … Math. 13. No courage hauehave they to comfort thē. They dare not be acknowne to fauour that sorte. When any trouble commeth, they are none of them. They are wel contented to hauehave Christ in daliaūce, but if he put them once to payne, or aske 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 neyther hote nor cold,Apoca. 3, 1. Iohn. 3. Iacob. 2, 1. T…m. 5. Daniel. 14▪ Bar…a. 6 Apoca. 17 Sebastianus Meyer ready to be spewed out of the mouth of God None other are they then murtherers that succoure not their brethren. Worse are they then infidels that helpeth not ye houshold of faith. The witchcrafts of ye hipocrits they know by ye euidēt scriptures, yet will they not flée frō thē.

15 They know the open whordom of the babilonicall strūpet, they know hir theft and robbery, euermore spoiling God of his honour, yet wil they r…nne to it, séeke it, and take parte of it with the vnfaithfull. What is hée …ls that runneth wyth a théefe,Psalm. 4▪ but a théefe also.Hebr. 6. Math. 2… Luke. 19 2. Peter. 2. 2. Cor. 1. Rom. 1. 2 Thes. 2. Luke. 12, Iaco. 4. Math. 12 Alacke they treade vnderunder their feete the precious gift of God. Lyke vnprofitable seruauntes, they hyde his godly treasure vnderneth the grounde. And lyke vnreasonable dogges they turne agayne to theyr vomete. The heauenly father of his eternall mercy, graunt 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 seruant which knoweth his Lordes will, and doeth it not, yea, to sinne against knowledge, is against the holy ghost & irremissible.