The Image of Both Churches in Revelation, Chapter 10 – Title page 1
The tenth Chapter.
THE TEXT.
1 And I sawe an other mightie Angel, 2. come dovvn from heauen, 3. clothed vvith a cloude, 4. and the Raynbovv vponupon his head. 5. And his face, as it vvere the sun, 6. and his feete as it vvere pillers of fyre 7. And he had in his hande a little booke open. 8. And hee put his ryght foote vponupon the Sea, and hys lefte foote on the earth. 9. And cryed vvith a loude voyce, as vvhen a Lyon roareth. 10. And vvhen hee had cryed, seuen thunders spake their uoyces. And vvhē the vij. thūders had spoken theyr voyces, 12. I vvas aboute to vvright. And I hearde a voyce from heauen saying vntounto mee. 13. Seale vp these thinges, vvhichwhich the seuen thunders spake. 14. And vvryte them not.
The Paraphrase. 1
IN the middest of this moste vengeable tyme,Ioan Hu… de regno antichristi. Apoca. 9. Bedas. Franciscus Lambertꝰ in apocal. wherin the Antichristes & hipocrites most fiercely sturreth about them, … vexe all the worlde with theyr …erie blastes, theyr filthie smoke, …nd theyr stinking brymstone, to restore agayn theyr pleasaunt Euphrates, the Lorde hath sent to the comfort of his certaine peculiar and chosen learned men, moste constantlye to defende his veritie. And then, this present reuelation compareth to a strong Angell.
1 I sawe (saith sainct Iohn) an other mightie strong Angell come downe from heauen.Cobanus Hessus▪ Ioannes Hilten. With a stoute power came thys Aungell from God to withstand the furious beastes in thys sixt age of Christes church, wherein they rage so sore. God hathe raysed some godly persons now,Melanchtō VValdenꝰ, Hiere. 1. Acto 9. 3. Esdre. 3, by whome many things are opened that afore tyme were hidde, accept it were to a fewe poore soules in corners. Cōstant are these and earnest, yea inuincible warriours by the word of God. For who can bée more strong then they which fi…ht with an inuincible weapon? Which is the veritie of God. That valiaunt cōquerour hath victorie in them, which promised to giuegive them such mouth and wisedom as all enimyes should not bée able to resist,
2 This Angell, or ministers signified by him,Math. 10. Luke. 21 Franciscus Lambertꝰ Iohn 20 Apoca. 8. Esa. 14. Math. 15▪ descende downe from heauen with Christ their maister, as messengers sent of God. The Apostates and Antichristes falleth down from heauen with theyr Captayne Lucifer, lyke starres of darkenesse. And as wicked séede not planted of God they ryse vp in the world.
3 This Angell was cloathed with a cloude,Petru… Berthori▪ Iohn. 15. betokening these godly supporters of the Lords truth to be compassed with many harde showers and troublous crosses of opprobrious rebukes, scornes, slaunders, lies, and open blasphemyes, to the vttermoste tryall of their weake fleshe. And this cloude hideth from the world all that is in them spirituall and godly,Math. 5▪ Luke. 6▪ Mala. 2. Phil. 2, Acto. 20. Iohn. 9. Iohn. 12. Iohn. 19 lyke as it did in Christ, that to many they séeme not yt they are in déed. Bicause they are dispysed of the craftie generation, and euill spoken of by the hypocrites, ye simple Idiotes and deceyued multitude doth iudge them ill doers, yea, they suppose them very heretiques, and so doeth spyghtfullye call them. Where as in verie déede they are the Angels of God, and most high chosen messengers.Mala. 2, Acto, 4. Esa. 60. Augustinꝰ et Bedas. Eccli. 39 1. …. 3. Iohn. 15 The Apostles thus vsed also of ye world, were named cloudes of Esay the Prophet verie long before they preached the Gospell. What are these (sayth he) that flyeth lyke cloudes. These were and are they that eueryevery where poureth downe the sweete dewe & rayne of the mysteries of God, and seasonably moysteneth the grounde of faythfull heartes, causing them to bryng foorth their fruites in due season.
4 Upon the head of this Angel was the Rainebow.Eccli. 4… Psalm. 102 Esa. …3, Gene. 9. And in thys are they noted to be the Angels of the couenaunt, and the messengers of peace▪ For so much as the Raynebow was the signe of Gods couenaunt concerning the floud. Theyr message is that Christ is the only sauiour of ye world,Act. 4. Heb 7. Roma. 8. Gala. 4. and that none can perish beleeuing in him. No dampnation is there to them which are in Christ Iesu. No though they neuer knowe one ceremony or popish constitution of theirs.
Though they neuer heare Masse nor goe procession,Titu…. 3. Esa. 1. vvicleuꝰ Ephe. 2. Collo. 1. Ioannes Oecolam padius in Esaiā. Rom. 4▪ Luce. 18. though they neuer be greased, shauen, nor disguised, though they neuer hauehave Beades, Latine Primers, portifolyomes, nor other signes of hipocrisie, yet are they promysed to hauehave attonemente with God.
Most rightly hath this Angell the raynebow on hys head, for all the study, practise and dilligence of the faithfull ministers, is to declare the frée mercy of God, and most friendly beneuolence in Christe withoute any pointe or iote of mens deseruinges, least they shoulde perishe with the Pharysy for trustinge in their owne workes.
5 The face of this Angell was as the bright sun.Phil 2. Mala, 3, Iohn, 12, Rom. 2. Henricus Bullingerꝰ Their outward shew is altogether Christe, whiche is the sonne of ryghtuousnesse. None other lyght shew they but hys. None other doctrine declare they but hys holy Gospell, neyther decrées, nor decretals, fathers constitutions nor Sinodals. But them they leaue to the darke bloddy starres which are fallen from heauen.Apoca. 9 …. Iohn. 4 OnelyOnly teache they the shining charytie of God, the feruent zeale, and burninge desyre towardes mans saluation. Neyther aduance they ceremonies nor rytes, holy dayes nor offeringes, dirges nor masses,Martinus Lutherus de tradicionibus humanis. Math. 5. Esa. 1. VVicleuꝰ in trialogo 1. Thes. 4. 1, Tim. 5, purgatory nor reliques.
And as concerning their lyues, more GOD desyreth not of the Christian minister, then to expende hys whole study, labour, and time to the lyghtening of other. He neyther commaundeth them to be shauen, nor disguised, to be popishe Prieste nor Monke, to saye mattens nor Euensong, to fast fryday nor vigill, to abhorre maryage nor meates. OnelyOnly he wylleth them to edyfye his flock, with none other learninge then hys Godly trueth. This is theyr onelyonly office.
6 The féete of this Angell were in similitude as pillers of fyer.Apoca. … Gala. 2. 1. Tim. 3 Hiere. 1. Stronge sustentacles and sure staies hath god made ye vpholders of his true church. Feruent affections hath he geuen them, constant stomaks,Luke. 2… 3. Esd. 3. Psalm. 2… Esa. 52 Nahum. 8 Rom. 10 and so inuincible a power as no violēce can resist. Douty & stronge is the administration, where the verytie remayneth, for it bringeth with it the magestie of God O how bewtifull (saith Esay) are the feete of the Embassadours of the Lord, which bringeth ye message of peace, and the tidinges of health vntounto Syon?
7 He had in his hand a little booke open.1. Cor. 12 Apoca. 4. Luke, 24. Esa. 35. Math. 11. Psalm. 118 Iaco. 1. Math. 7 Iohn. 14▪ In their administration are ye scriptures euydent and cléere, opened by the Lambe, and much godlye knowledge is receiued of other by them. Blessed be the Lorde whiche hath opened ye booke. Now may the creple stand vp, ye blind sée their way, ye poore féede & be satified. Desire therfore wt faithfull Dauid from ye very hart, to hauehave vnderstāding & to know ye testimonies of god. Are méekely and hauehave, séeke wisely and finde, knocke gently and the dore wyll be opened. Uery lyke is it that the Lorde God doth minde plentuouslye to spreade the doctrine of his spirite in this sixt age of his churche,Act. … Apoca. 4. this booke beynge thus opened.
And that all the worlde shall receiue it, rebell the hypocrits neuer so sore.Math 24 Apoca. 7 Math. 15 Eusebius cesarien. Franciscus. Lambertꝰ in Apoca. When the Gospell appeared in Christes tyme, the Iewes were the first that receiued it, after the Greks, and last of all the Latines. Now in this later time it openeth to the Latines by the administration of this mighty Angel and his affinitie, and from them is going to the Gréekes, for many of them now of late hath graciouslye receiued it, as we hauehave harde. And laste of all it shall returne agayne to the Iewes,Martinus Lutherus. Br… ̄felsius. Luke. 11 Math. 20 Hiere. 31 Aggei. 2 as now very apt also to receiue it. That Christes prophecye may be founde true. The last to be the fyrst, and the fyrst the last. For he that hath dispersed Israell, shall bringe him againe to his folde, as Heiremy recordeth. Thus shal the glory of God be within few yeares séene the world ouer, to the comfort of many.
8 This Angell set his righte foote vponupon the sea, and his left foote vpō the earth.Ambrosius Ansbertus Hiere. 31 Esai. 61. Marci. 16▪ Ihon. 6, As well shall the weake people receiue this verytie as the strong, the poore as the rich, the lowe as the high, the sicke as the whole, the sinner as the rightuous, the begger, as the king, the vnlearned as the learned, the laboring man as the priest, and much rather.1. Cor. … For the right foote is towardes them. The Ile that is speared vp with the maine sea, yea,Franciscus Lambertꝰ in Apoca. Math. 24 Hiere. 31 Sebastianus meyer. in Apoca. 6▪ and they also which be vponupon the sea, shall so well hauehave it as the open wide country, or as they, which dwell vponupon the most pleasaunt lande. From none shall the Booke be speared. EueryEvery where shall the trueth be open, as well by writings as wordes, and as well by bookes as preachinges. Upon both shall thys Angell treade. Both sortes of people shall be subiectes to that verytie, whiche those Godly messengers shall bringe, submitting themselues as foo…s…ooles vntounto it.Psalm. 9… ▪ Ioannes …. Some vngodly rulers there be both by sea and lande, both in the Iles and the open countrye,Otho brū felsius in annotacio…ibus …nā geliorum. that wyll none of this Angell with this open Booke. In no wise will they suffer hym to set footeinge within their regions, but commaundeth vnderunder payne of death, that no man teach his doctrine nor heare it, that no man prynte his bookes, bye them, sell them, reade them, holde them, fauour them, nor beare them vpō hym. But al is in vayne. Let thē wax mad, swell, and fret themselues to death, yet wyll he treade vppon theyr ground. Let them persecute, fetter, stock, famish, slea, hange, head, burne,Ioa…him Abbas in Hieremi. Lutherus aduersus pseudo Episcopos. drowne, yea, and bu…y quicke with all other mischife and tyranny, yet will the trueth abroad.
9 For the Angell crieth with so loude a voyce, as the Lyon when he roareth.Apoca. 19. Herb 4▪ Apoca. 5 Gene. 1. Math. 16. Hebr. 4. Ephe. 6 …. 21. 1. Cor. …. So mighty and strong is the worde yt they preach, and the verytie that they shewe, as was the sharpe lyuinge worde, that Christe spake, which was the inuincible Lyon of Iuda. And so mighty is that as made both heauen and earth, so stronge as destroyeth the power of hell, so sharp as deuideth the soule from the spirit, and the ioyntes from the marye, and so waighty as when it falleth, grindeth to powder all pryde, power, magnificence, wisedome, ryches, and vaine pollycye of this worlde, none shall be able to abyde it.
10 And when the Angell had cryed, and vttered this terryble noyse,Hiymo. lib, 3. in Apoca. Franciscus Lambertꝰ P…alm. 9 Rom. 1. Apoca. 7 seauen thounders spake their voyces.
The fearefull iudgementes of the wrath of GOD, whiche are infinite, and can neyther be numbered nor yet measured of the creatures, opened their terrible misteries, which shall at their times appoynted of hym, light vppon the children of vnbeléeue.
The tyrauntes,Hebr. 10 2. Para. 32 Esai. 36. which hath resisted the heauenly verytie of the Lorde, wyll once be punished as was the …ost of Senacherih kinge of Assur. Once wyll he fearefully visit theyr multitude in the thunder of hys yre. Once shall the terrible sound of hy… crack stryk the earth smothe,Iohel. 2. Soph. 2. Sebastianꝰ Meyer in Apocalip. Math. 23. Lucke. 11 Franciscus Lambertus reuenging the contempt of his worde. In Italye, Spaine, Fraunce, Germany, and other christian regions, the Angell hath shewed the booke open, and roared out the voyce of the Gospell with stomacke as doth the Lyon, yet will it not be taken, but some they hauehave beaten for it, and some moste spightfully murthered.
Let them not thinke but after the lightning ye thunderclap will folow. The verytie opened, and thus dispised, most gréeuous plagues of derth, warre, or pestilence wyll shortlye fal by the great vengeaunce of God. Principles hath bene séene in some quarters,Math. 24. Luce. 21. Otho brū felsius of the worlde, let them not thinke but much more is comminge, and wyll not cease tyll Chryste hath made of his enimies hys foote… stoole.
11 And when the seuen thonders had spoken their voyces,Psal. 109 Albertus Magnus in Apoca. 7 or shewed theyr certentie that they shoulde so surely as God lyueth come to passe at their time appoynted.
12 I was about (sayth Saint Iohn) to take penne and inke in hande,Robar… Tuitiensis in apoca, Bedas Haymo. Franciscus Lutherus and to wryte them I thought to register them in a booke to the admonishmēt and warning of them that shoulde folow. And anone I heard a very earnest voyce from heauen, saying vntounto mée in this maner.
13 Seale vp those things which the seauen thunder spake, and in no wise wryte them. Register the thunders, but not the voyces. Note the figures, but vtter not the misteries till God appoynt it. It is not for all men to know the times which God hath in his power.
Many secret thinges hearde Paule,Acts. 1. Math. 24. 2. Cor. 12. Chrisostomus. Augustinus▪ Iohn. 16. Math. 13. Luke. …. which was lawfull for no man to vtter. The outwarde sounde of Gods secrets may be heard of all men but the inward workinge is reserued to the spirit. The Lorde alwaies with the holy ghost so informeth them inwardly, that they perceiue the effect of many thinges, the other heareth but a noyse. For so much as the voice of gods thundrings is vnsearchable,Rom. 1… Psalm. 35. Esa. 6. and his secret iudgementes the most mighty depth, they are not open but to such as he electeth.
14 Therfore was Iohn commanded in no case to writ them, or to open ye secret meaning of them. That point the Lord reserueth peculyerly to him selfe,Haymo in Apoca. Psal. 67. Luke. 24. Otho Brū felsius in Euangelia to open to whom, what, or how much him lusteth. Much wide ar th… which thinketh that they can of their owne wit, and industry declare such causes, vnles God openeth them by his worde or some euident signe, as he hath done in this age most plentuously to many. Lesse can we not gather of these thunders,Iohn Hus in quedam loca Apoc. Franciscus Lambertꝰ Mala. 2. whē the message of God is dispised, abused, forsaken, neclected, troden vnderunder foote, … damnable lyes preferred vntounto it, tha… yt his wrath must folow. Somewhat hath bene séene already, much more wil appeere whē they geue ful … ▪
THE TEXT.
1 And the Angel which I saw stand vpō the sea. & vpō the earth. 2. Lyft vp his hande to heauen. 3. And swore by hym that liueth for euermore. 4. Which created heauen and the things that therin are. 5. And the earth, and the thinges that are in it …, And the sea, and the thinges which are therin. 7. That there shal be no more time, but in the dayes of the voyce of the seauenth Angell. 8. When he shall begin to blow. 9. Euen the misterie of God shall be finished. 10. As he preached by his seruantes the Prophets.
The Paraphrase.
1 And the Angell (saieth Saincte Iohn) whom I saw in this wonderfull reuelation, thus standynge with one foote vppon the sea, an other vppon the lande, after the sorte afore named.
2 Lyft vp his hand towardes heauen,Ioachim Abbas in Apoca. Sebastianus meyer. in Apoca▪ so strōgly to affirme hys message to be true as the Lorde lyueth, and to promise it so in fallibly iust as god siteth in heauen.
3 What do the true preachers els in this age, but maintaine their doctrine by the mighty word of God,Luke, 24. Actes … after the example of Christ and his Apostles which alleged the lawe, prophecies and Psalmes, to confirme their sayings with They neither alledge decrée,Martinus Lutherus in postilla. 1. Tessa. 5. 1. Iohn. 4 Psalm. 115 Psalm. 13 Hebr. 1. Gene. 1. nor decretall, constitution, nor Synodall, Legende nor fable, monks rule nor saintes lyfe, doctors nor fathers, Gregory nor Anselme, Thomas nor Dons, Plato nor Arystotle, nor such lyke filthy dregs. But they come to the verye true touchestoane with Iohn, they proue the spirits whether they be of God or no, cō sidering that all men are lyers, and hauehave erred, one except.
4 He sware by him that lyueth in himselfe with incomprehencible magesty, power and glory for euermore, which in the beginning created the heauē aboue wt the inuisible things that are therin contained.
5 Which formed the pōderous earth beneth and the visible creatures that are therin remaining.Esai. 45. Amos. 4 Eccli. 18. Psal. 135
6 Which fashioned the flowing seas and the corruptible thinges that are there in continuinge.Franciscus Lambertus in Apoca.
7 With an earnest constant spirite he protested, and by the strong worde of God he affirmed, so taking hym to witnesse, that there shall be no more time, no more leasure, no more sinful occuping héere frō henceforth, but in the dayes of the voyce of the seauenth Angell. This othe is none other than a sure assercion,Ioachim abbas. that all shall be finished in this seauenth age of the church. This wold not be hidden from the congregations.Sebastianꝰ Meyer Marci. 16. Math. 13. Luke. 21. 2. Pet. 2 Apoca. 2. Necessary it is that both good and badde knew it. The faithfull to be assartened that their finall redemption is at hande, to their consolation. The vnfaithfull to hauehave knowledge that their iudgemente is not farre of, that they may repent and be saued. Not vnlyke is this othe to the othe in Daniell of time, times, and halfe a time, whereof the time was from him to Christe.Daniel. 12 Apoca. 12. Iohannes bacōthorp in Daniel. The times were the ages from Christ to the seauenth seale opening, or the seauenth trumpet blowing. The halfe time from thence forth,Math. 24 Apoca. 8. Apoca. 12 wherin the dayes shall be shortned for the chosen sake. So much mischief shal not ye enimies d… thā. Their tiranny 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 Euen the mistery of God shall be finished,Iohn. 4▪ 1. Cor. 13. Daniell. 11. Hiere. 31 and the full meaning therof fulfilled.
10 Like as he afore time both taught and promised,Franciscus Lambertꝰ in Apoca. Psalm. 32. Act.. by his peculyer chosen seruants the prophets. No time shal be after this but that, which will be of all times the ende. But when that time shall begin, we know not tyll God shall open it by his seuenth angel. Of the thing we are certaine and sure, but the time of it is euermore in gods hande. That is sealed vp in ye booke til he shal please to open it, the rightuous shall not sée til it cōmeth, but rest stil in their lot we Daniell. And the vngodly shal hauehave no vnderstanding then.Marci. 13, Daniel. 12 Luce. 17. Gene▪ 7. Gene. 19. They shall builde and plant, bye & sel, ryot & banket as in ye daies of Noe & Loth, yea they shall geue themselues to al filthy lustes & couetuousnes,1. Thes 5. Math. 25. Iohn. 5. Apoca. 12▪ Daniel. 12. And vnbewares shall death come vponupon them, the terrible iudge shal cal them to accoumpt, and to ye euerlasting fire condemne them, thus shal their daies also be shortned, when they think nothing lesse for ye time shal be but halfe after Daniell.
THE TEXT.
1 And the voyce which I harde from heauen, spake vntounto me againe, and sayd. 2. go & take the litle booke which is opē in the hād of the angel. 3. vvhichwhich stādeth vpō the sea & vpō the earth. 4. And I vvent vntounto the Angell and said vntounto him. 5. Geue me the litle booke. And he said vntounto me. 6. Take it and eate it vp, 7. And it shall make thy belly bitter. But it shall be in thy mouth as svveet as hony. 11. And I tooke the litle booke out of his hand, and did eate it vp. 10. And it vvas in my mouth as svveete as hony. 11. And as soone as I had eaten it, my belley vvas bitter 12. And he said vntounto me, 13, Thou must prophecie again vntounto the people. 14. And to the Heathen, and Tunges, and to manye Kinges.
The Paraphrase.
Mala▪ 2 Iohn. 16 Rom. 8. Apoca. 1. Bedas et Haymo in apocal.1 And the voyce (saieth sainct Iohn) which I harde afore from heauen, spake vntounto me againe. Gods holy spirit touched me, moued me & compelled me. It graciously admonished me, taught me, and sayde thus vntounto me.
2 Goe thy waies foorth Iohn, and take the lytle booke which is now open in the hand of the Angell.Ioannes 5 Acto▪ 17 Math. 13
EueryEvery man hauinge grace with Iohn is héere commaunded to hauehave Gods word. Christ wylled all faythfull beléeuers to searche the Scriptures to vnderstand the prophecies, and to perceiue the misteries of thē. And for the performance of hys wyll therin, he hath sent in this age this peculyer Angell,Franciscus Lambertus in Apocal· Luc. 10▪ Apoca. 9 Otho brū felsius. beside the common preachers, betokning those singuler lerned mē, whō now he hath endue… with most high knowledge. Of their hands he m…ndeth vsus to receiue the scriptures, and not of the blasing star, nor yet of the smoky Locustes. Their faithfull, sincere, and godly interpretacions, he willeth vsus to take,Henricu… Bulling… ru…. specially in bookes, for so much as in person they can in no wyse be eueryevery where present, & for that it is a booke heere named. For by them in these dayes doeth he make open his sauing health, and in the sight of all people declareth his rightuousnesse. Let thē therefore (whose hartes God moueth to instruct other in the wayes of the Lorde) diligently peruse the labours of such,Luc. …. Esa. 40. Ioel. 2 Psal. 118 Franciscus Lambartꝰ ▪ Ioannes. 5. 1. Ioan. 4 Math. 15. whom he hath so plentuously replenished with his spirite. But in thus dooing let them not to much depend vpō no mans person, but proue all things by ye scriptures, least they fall into errours as other hath done afore for so dooyng. Uerye lightly is he deceiued that measureth the veritie by mans iudgements. In ye 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.Ioannes Chrisosto. Augustinus
3 This Angell standeth vponupon ye sea, and vponupon the lande. As well is ye true messenger of God for the weak as for the strong,Cyrillus. Albertus Magnus Esa. 61. Math. 11 2. Tim. 4▪ Gala. 6. for the low as for ye high, for the poore as for the riche, for the simple as for the learned, for ye sicke as for ye whole, & for the foule as for the fayre. Yea, and rather for them than the other, hauing his right foote vponupon the water.
4 And I (sayeth S. Iohn) obeying the voyce of the Lord,Iosue. 1…. Rom▪ 6, Psalm. 118 or the heauenly mocion of his spirit went vntounto the Angell, and instantly desired hym to giuegive me that little swéete booke.
5 None other is this booke thē the holy scripture,Eucherius Iugduneas. Ioannes Hus in aliquot loca Apocalip. Franciscus. Lambertꝰ whose openynge is a pure and right interpretation therof. This he receiueth open at his hand, which diligently readeth or heareth any sincere declaration of it by anye faithfull minister. None other is this booke fitte for, nor none other retayneth it in this age, but meeke Iohns, or men of a gentile spirit hauing the grace of God, and obeying his heauenly voice. For the wicked must euer be blinde.Hiere. 35. Ephe. 4. Sapi. 1. Wisdom shall not enter into a froward soule, nor dwel in the body yt is giuen to sin.Hiere. 4 Math. … ▪ 4. Esdr. Ezech. 3▪ Haymo. Iohn went to the Aungell, and receyued the booke, for hée yt will séeke shall fynde.
6 For ye Angel said vntounto him: Take it vntounto thée, & eate it vp cleane. The belly shall it make very bitter, but it will be in the mouth so swéete as hony. With good harte ought ye scriptures to be receyued of all men,Iaco. … Iohn, 8, Psal. 118. Ephe. 4 2. Peter. 1▪ VVicleuꝰ de ecclesia Rom. 16 Math. 6. Hebr. 11▪ Iohn. 6. Psalm. 118 in faith deuoured, & in a pure louelove disgested. In continual studie & meditacion therof, ought ech mā after his calling to perseuer, the King in his raign, the Iudge in his office, the merchaunt in his occupying, the labourer in hys worke, the maryner vponupon the sea, and the bishop in his cure. Nothing but idelnesse worketh ye man, which hath it not grafted within him, though he both fast & pray. Uayne are all polycies, actes, constitucions and lawes wtout it. For it is ye life of our soules, the lanterne of our féete, the light of our passage, and rule our workes.
7 Bitter it is in the belly, & swéete in the mouth.Luke. 8. Apoca. … ▪ When the knowledge of trueth is is once receyued, and surely setteled in the harte,3. Reg▪ 1… Hire. 9. Ezch. 34. Exod. 32 Psal. …3. Treno. 1 Luc. 19. it engendreth a spiritie of indignation, and a zeale of God, very bitter agaynst all wickednesse. It maketh vsus with Ieremie to detest all vice, and with Ezechiell to abhorre all sinne. It prouoketh vsus also with Moyses, Helias, Dauid, and the Prophets gréeuously to complayne of the worldes abhominations, & with Christ & his Apostles dolorously to lament the sore decaye of the wicked.
Act. 9.8 Yet is nothing so swéet in ye mouth as it is. Nothing was to Paule so delicious,Psal. 18▪ 1, Tim. 1, Gala▪ 4. Math. 12, Hiere. 7 2. Cor. 11 Rom. 1. Act. 9, Gala. 2. when he once sauored it. No, nothing so pleasaūt. Neither colours of rhetorike, paintings of poets, wisedome of Philosophers, nor holy tradicions of fathers coulde then delight him. All were but darnal, tares, stubble, chaffe, filth, rust, dreames, lyes, and vnprofitable vanities. Nothyng was in his mouth than, but that delectable veritie, & that swéet Gospell of God. That tooke hée with hym as the vessel of election in many an hard iorney, and beare it foorth before the gentiles, the kings, & the children of Israell, yea & for yt to dye he thought it than aduauntage.Phili. … Ezech, 3. 4. Esd. 14 Acto▪ 1… Psal. 18 Psal. 11… Canti …
9 And I tooke the little booke (sayth sainct Iohn) out of the Angels hande, with méeknesse I receiued the scriptures of God. I did eate it vp clean, I dygested them in faith.
10 And it was in my mouth so swéet as hony▪ Oh how delicious (saith Dauid) are thy sayings vntounto my throte? More dulcet then honye are thy wordes Lord to my mouth.
11 So soone as I had eaten it (sayth Sainct Iohn) so soone as I had incorporate it in my mynde,VVestmerus de tropis scriptu. Luc. 6 Roma. 9▪ Dani. 1… & rooted it in my soule, my bellye was bitter, my harte was gréeued much to sée ye euils of the world, my spirit was troubled to see the abusions of men, and much I pittied the losse of their soules.
12 Yet dyd not the Angell so leaue me, but he said thus vntounto me: Thou must prophecie again amōg ye people.
13 As thou hast receyued,2. Cor. … Iohn. 2… thou must rēder, as thou hast bene taught, thou must teach againe, least thou hyding the treasure of thy Lord,Math, 25 …. Tim. 4. become an vnprofitable seruaunt.
Math. 2…. Marci. 1… Acto. 9. Sapi. 6. Esa. 3814 Thou must publish the trueth to the vnbeleuers, thou must open it to people of dyuers nacions & languages, and finally manifest it to Kings of many regions, that they sée theyr people instructed in ye same. As a trū pet therefore exalt thy voyce, shewe fréely the ioyfull message of saluatiō. Refuse none that will come vntounto it, poore nor blynde,Lucke. 14 Math. 5. Luke. 11 Rom. 10. Esa. 5…. Apoca. 7 Hebr. 1. …. Thessa. 2. halte nor lame. Cō sider that no man lighteth a candle to hyde it, but to set it vp that men may see by it. None other are fit to prophecie, but they whiche hauehave deuoured the booke. They must now declare the gospell in this latter age of ye church by the appointment of the Lord. For necessarie it is that by the strength thereof, all pryde of this worlde and blasphemie agaynst God bée distroyed.
¶ In the nexte volume shall follow the reste.
The second part of the Image of both Churches, after the most wonderfull and heauenly reuelation of Saint Iohn the Euangelist. &c.
Compiled by Iohn Bale.
The same Disciple whom Iesus loued hath witnessed and written these things, and vve knovve that hys testimonie is true. Ioannes .xxj.