The Image of Both Churches in Revelation, Chapter 6

The Image of Both Churches in Revelation · Chapter 6

The sixt Chapter.

THE TEXT.

1 And I sawe vvhen the Lambe opened one of the seales, 2, and I heard one of the iiij. beastes say as it were the noyse of thunder. 3. Come, and see. 4. And I savve and behold, there was a whyte horse, 5, and he that sate on him had a bovve, 6. and a crovvne vvas giuen vntounto hym, 7. and hee vvent forth cōquering, & for to ouercome.

The Paraphrase. 1

COnsequently (sayeth sainct Iohn) as I was beholdyng these wonders, I sawe that the Lambe (which is the sonne of God) opened the first of the seuen seales,Iohn. 1, Apoca. 15, Luke. 4, Primacius Apher Ioachim AbbasJohn 1Luke 4 declaring the first misterie of the booke. These openings betokeneth not onelyonly the manifestation of Gods trueth for seauen ages of the world, but also for the .vij. seuerall times, and after vij. diuers sortes from Christes death to the latter end of the world. The first seale was remoued, and the mysterie there vnderunder p. 69contayned, made open, when the Apostles & disciples of Christ aboūdātly replenished with the holy Ghost,Lābertu… Act. 2.Acts 2 did cōstantly preach the gospel ouer the vniuersall world.

2 And at the openyng of the sayde seale (sayeth hée) I hearde one of the beasts in shape lyke a Lion,Marci. 16 Psalm. 18. Apoca. 4. Ezech. 1.Ps 18Ezek 1 by whom are signified the strong witnesses of Gods veritie, by constancie of fayth resembling Christ the verie Lyon of the stocke of Iuda, whose voice was mightie and strong as it had bene the noyse of a thundering,Hiere. 1, Gene. 49, Psalm. 28. Acto. 2, Iohn. 1. Psalm. 33, Zachar. 6Gen 49Ps 28John 1Ps 33Zech 6 and vehemently it sayde vntounto me.

3 Come hither and sée, drawe nigh and be taught, beléeue and thou shalt vnderstand.

4 And anon I saw euidently that there was a white horse, which signifieth the Apostles and first disciples of Christ, for why the scripture doeth so call thē.Zach. 10, Apoca. 1. Psalm. 50. Rom. 10. Act. 9. Gala. 1.Zech 10Ps 50Rom 10Acts 9Gal 1 These horses were white, they were made pure, rightuous, and cleane by Iesus Christ, and bare him by their preaching the worlde ouer. Such a whyte horse to the glorie of God was Paule, whan he beare the name of Christ before the Gentiles, the Kings, and the children of Israell

Math. 2…. Act. 15. Lucke. 21. Amos. 9. Eccle. 10. Zach. 9. Psalm. 44 Iohn. 15,Matt 2Acts 15Amos 9Eccl 10Zech 9Ps 44John 155 He that sate vpō this white horse (which was Christ him selfe) had in his hande a bowe, which figured the hartes of the foresayd Apostles and disciples, out of whom he fiercely sēt foorth the arrowes of his word into his chosen people. Their hearts were in his hand, for y^t his verities myght the more effectually passe foorth, and the more surely lyght vppon hys elects. For without his spirit nothing could they doe.

6 From God the father vntounto hym p. 70was giuen a crown of magnificence, honour, worthinesse, and victorie, in his resurrection and ascention.

7 And when he had stomaked them by the holy Ghost,Phil. 2. Ephe. 4. Act. 2, Act. 5, Iohn, 16. 1. Iohn. 5.Phil 2Eph 4Acts 2Acts 51 John 5 to shoote foorth hys word without feare, he wēt forward with them by his grace, conqueryng in them the prince of this worlde, in processe of tyme by their doctryne so to ouercome him and all his wycked armie. Were the Antichristes neuer so madde,Iohn. 16. Math. 10. Acto. 4. Act. 5. Acto. 12. 1. Cor. 15. Sap. 5, Iohn. 9. Act. 5. 1. Cor. …. Gala. 1. Iohn. 15 Iohn. 8.John 16Matt 10Acts 51 Cor 15John 9John 8 torment they neuer so sore, slea they neuer so fast, Christ wil ouercome them. Let them inhibit his trueth, and forbid his Gospell, take, spoyle, imprison, exyle, murther, hāg, head, drowne, & burne, yet wil Christ hauehave the victorie ouer them, though it otherwyse séeme to the fleshly children of darknesse. In many coūtreis, Cities, and townes, hath Gods word bene taught, where as it is now forbidden vnderunder the payne of death. Is Christ therefore the weaker? which chose the weake to confounde the strong? No truely.

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

THE TEXT.

1 And vvhen he opened the second seale, 2. I harde the second beast say, 3. Come and see, 4, And there vvent out an other horse that vvas red. 5. And povver vvas geuen to him that sate thereon, 6. to take peace from the earth, 7, & that they shuld kil one an other. 8. And there vvas geuen vntounto hym a great svvord,

The Paraphrase.

1 What the estate of the Christiā churh was immediatly after the Apostels time, it is vnderunder misterie declared in the openinge of the seconde seale.Franciscus Lābertus. Luke. 21, 1. Iohn. 2. Act. 20. 2. Pet. 2. Gala. 5,Luke 211 John 2Acts 202 Pet 2Gal 5 For so soone as the sayde Apostles and fyrste Disciples of Christe were taken from the world, yea and partly in their time also, many pernicious errours did springe and increase by craftie teachers and subtile p. 71seducers in dyuers quarters. Some coupled the lawe with the gospel, and circumcision with baptime, to bring Christian libertie into bondage. Some sayd the generall resurrection was past, to subuert y^e wayes of the Lorde. Some denyed hym to come in the fleshe. Some brought in ceremonies and beggerly shadowes to yoke vsus with Iewishe supersticions.2. Tim. 2. 1. Iohn. 4, 2. Iohn. 1. Gala. 4. 1. Timo. 4 Iude. 1. Gene. 9.2 Tim 21 John 42 John 1Gal 4:1Jude 1Gen 9 Some forbad mariage as an vncleane thing, to bring in all abhominations and filthinesse. Some dyd inhibite meates sanctified of God, vnderunder colour of abstinence to set vp hypocrisie. Some called Sainct Paule an Apostata from the lawe. Some taught the Gospell carnally, denying Mathew and Iohn, and fantasied gospels vponupon their owne brayne vnderunder the names of Peter, Andrew, Thomas, & Barthelmew, Mathias,Hebion Cerinthus, Basilides, Ex Eusebio cesari. …las…us Philastri. Guido et Lutzenburgus ▪ Thadeus, & Barnabas. And of this sorte in the Apostles tyme, was Nicolas of Antioche, Hermogenes, Hymeneus, Philetus, Alexander, Elymas, Carpocras, Cerinthus, Hebion, Helion, with their affinytie. And after theyr tyme Basilides, Ualentinus, Heracleon, Cerdon, Merciō, Apelles, Tacianus, Menander, Montanus, and other.

1 In significatiō of this, the Lambe opened this second seale of the booke.Apoca. 5 Ephe. 5. Eccli. 50 Act. 13.Eph 5Acts 13 He remoued once agayne the darke cloudes of ignorance, he replenyshed with hys grace, & strengthened with his spirite certayn of the Gréeks and Gentiles which beléeued,Histo. ecl. li. 3. ca. 30. Eusibus Cesarien. Hioronimus. Tritemius. to confute the errours, & condempne the lyes of those false teachers & deceiuable Antichristes. Of this number was Ignacius, Policarpus, Theophilus, Antiochenus, Iustinus Martyr, Agrippa, Castorius, Aristides, Quadratus, Meliton, Apollenaris, Theodocion, Hyrenius, Appollonius, Melcyades, Rhodon, & diuers other. These boldely cōfessed Christ,Heb. 1…. Actu. 9 Iohn. 1 Iohn. 15▪Heb 1 they taught his veritie, they put aside the darknes, they ministred the light, they confounded the aduersaries both w^t tonge & pen.

Apoc. 4. Exo, 29 Rom, 12Rev 42 And when the Lambe had thus opened this seconde seale declaryng p. 72the misterie thereof, I heard the second beast (saith S. Iohn) which was to my sight a calfe, signifiyng those ministers which had mortified and wholly giuen vp them selues as a sacrifice for the preaching of the same, saying also vntounto mée.

3 Approch nigher, & looke, perceiue,Iohn, 1▪ Psal. 44▪ Zacha. 1▪ Actu. 20, Mat. 16▪ 1, Iohn. 2, Iohn, 16 Math. 23 Act. 16▪ Mat. 10 Iohn. 16 2, Pet. … 2, Cor. …, Iohn, 10▪ Au… 20,Ps 44Matt 16:1John 2Matt 23Acts 16Matt 10John 16:2 and take héed, mark & beare it away.

4 And sodeinly I saw y^t there went foorth an other horse all diuers from the first, for he was outwardly read. This horse resembleth the sayd false teachers, borne & brought vp in flesh and bloud 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 citie to citie, they accused them as y^e sturrers vp of sediciō, they caused y^e rulers to imprisō thē, scorge thē, & flea them, thinking therby they did God high seruyce. They turned y^e grace of god into beastlines, & brought in lying sectes. These were those false bretheren & deceitfull maysters whom y^e scripture calleth straūgers, hirelings, théeues, scorners, and rauening wolues, not sparing the flock. These were those bloud thirstie doctours and puffed vp prelates, which are partakers with their fathers in the bloud of the Prophets, whose succession for a token of the same is clothed in read scarlet to this day.Iohn. 11. Math. 25. Apoca. 18 Acto. 13. 2. Tim. 4, 1. Tim. 1. Act. 19. Act. 23.John 11Matt 252 Tim 41 Tim 1Acts 19Acts 23 Such a red horse was Barichu, which resisted Paul & Barnabas at Paphos. So was Alexander y^e copper smith which did Paule much displeasure. So was Demetrius which moued sedicion against him, so was Ananias the high priest that commaunded hym to bée smitten, so was Tertullus the Oratour that accused hym to the debitie,Act. 24. 1. Iohn, 1,Acts 24 so was Diotrephes that sought the préeminence, and reproued Iohn.

5 And power was gyuen to hym that sate vponupon this horse▪ By the sufferance of God to trye his electes, the wicked rulers and Prynces of thys world perswaded, and set forward by these bloudie beastes,Ezech. 23 Sapi. 3. 3. Reg. 22, Eusebius ce…ar…en. Philip. 4.Ezek 231 Kgs 22Phil 4 hath exercysed all crueltie, fircenesse, and tyrannie.

6 To take from the earth the swéet p. 73peace of God & Christiā vnitie, which made of the Iewes and Gentiles one people,Ephe. 2. Ephe. 4. Rom. 12, 1. Iohn. 2. Iohn. 18, Rom. 13. 2. Pete. 2.Eph 2Eph 4Rom 122 John 1:18Rom 13:2 & knit vsus altogither through fayth and baptime, as members of one bodie in Christ Iesu. This peace hauehave they broken, this vnitie of faith hauehave they torne, this coate of Christ without seame hauehave those souldiours deuyded, & abusing the power (which is the high ordinaunce of God) they hauehave mayntayned the manifold sects of diuision.

7 Of whome one hath kylled an other,Iosephus Platina. Baptista. Panecius as in the distruction of Hierusalem the vnchristian gentile slewe the vnfaithful Iew. And now in y^e church of Antichrist one Bishop poysoneth an other, one priest an other, one religious as other.

8 And vntounto this terrible horse man was there giuen a great swerd.Iob. 34. Exo. 14. Eusebius cesarien. Hermauns contract…Job 34Exod 14 Lōg hath the Lord suffred those tyrantes to raygne, much mischiefe to worke, great crueltie to vse. Much was the persecution, tyrannie, and murther, vnderunder Nero, Domicianus, Traianus, Aurelius, Seuerus, Maximinus, Decius, Ualerianus, Aurelianus, Dioclecianus, Maxencius, Iulianus, and such like, & muche christian bloud in their time was shedde.

THE TEXT.

1 And when he opened the third seale, 2. I heard the third beast say. 3. Come, and see. 4. And I beheld, and lo a black horse. 5. And he that sate on him, had a payre of Balaunces in his hand. 6. And I heard a voyce in the middest of the .iiij. beastes say. 7. A measure of wheat for a penny, 8. and three measures of barley for a penny. 6. And oyle and wyne see thou hurte not.

The Paraphrase.

1 Under trope or secret misterie of the thyrd seale opening,Albertus Magnus. Math. 10, Lucke. 6. Regino …rumiensis. …arolus …ouillusMatt 10 is specyfied the estate generall of the chrystian church, after the tyme of the martirs and strong witnesses of Iesu, which were most cruelly afflicted and slayne for confessing hys name and trueth. Not that the Martyres were onelyonly and that tyme, and not afore and p. 74after, but for so much as they did than most abound.

For in the Rome churche besides other, were slayne all the mynisters of the word or Byshoppes as they call them, from the tyme of Peter vntounto the dayes of Siluester, to the number of xxxij. not one of them escaped. After theyr tyme as the tyrannie of rulers was stilled,Lambertus Shafnaburgensis. Carolus Bouillus. and theyr gagyng crueltye pacyfyed, there arose an other fashioned sorte all diuers from the other, giuen to bodily ease and delightes of the worlde. More desirous,Sigebertus Gemblacensis. were they to rest then to labour, to sléepe then to worke, to take then to giuegive, to bankette, then to preache, to dally then to dye.Benno Cardinalis. Then stroue they among them selues for the premacy, them sought they ambiciously to raign ouer all.VVernerus Carthusiensis. Not one Martyr was then among them, vnlesse hée were a stynkyng Martyr made amonge themselues.

But all were confessours. For preaching was layd a part, and pryde had take vp his roume. Yet were they not long without contradiction. For then arose heresies and scismes, sectes, and deuisions, and were spred the world ouer, lyke as y^e histories mencioneth. The Sabellians,A do vien nensis, et Beda. Cirillus Augustinus Ciprianus Hieronimus. Sigebertus Gemblacē sis. Vincencius Antonius Arrianes, Eunomyanes, Macedonianes, Priscillyanes, Nestoryanes, and Euticyanes, then diuersly erred in faith and opynion of the Godhead. The Manichées dispysed the olde Testament. The Donatistes helde it necessarie to bée rebaptised. The Pelagianes taught that men might merit heauen without grace, with such lyke. Then Scismes were plentuous among bishops eueryevery where. In the church of Rome were many alterations about the election, much strife, & diuision was for the Papacie, betwixt Liberius and Felix, Damasus, & Urcisinus, Bonifacius & Eulalius, Simachus and Laurencius, Bonifacius and Dyoscorus,Platina. Nauclerus et alii. Constantine & Philip, Eugenius & Sisinius, Formosus & Stephanus, Sergius and Christophorus, Benedicte and Leo, Gregorie, and Iohan, with dyuers more.

p. 75In the which some were noted of heresie, some accused of incontinency, some called insolent, some Rustical,Abbas vrspergen sis. Iacobus bergomensis. Hermannu… s…edel. some rude. Some were accurssed, some deposed, some slaundered, some exiled, some poisoned, some strāgeled. Some had their eyes thrust out, some were most spitefully murthered. No colour, cautel, craft, subtiltie, nor vyolence vnsought to fulfil theyr mischieuous purpose.

1 The Lambe therfore opening the third seale, disclosed the mistery therof vntounto Iohn.

2 Which heard the thyrd beast in simylitude of a man,Apoc…. 4. Rom. 8. Ambrosius Ansbertus Zacha. 6. Math. 24. 2. Peter. 2,Rom 8Matt 242 Pet 2 betokenyng suche preachers as hath wysedome in the spyrite saying vntounto hym.

3 Drawe nygh and perceiue, consider and waye.

4 And anon hée was ware and behelde a blacke horse, in fygure representyng the aforesayde heretiques, and vnpure mynisters, ambicious Prelates, and false teachers, full of errours, lyes, pryde, and vncleanenesse. Uppon these and suche other rydeth Sathan the world ouer, for he is theyr mayster,Iob. 41. Iohn. 8 Hiere. 29 Iohn. 18.Job 41John 8John 18 Lord, Kyng, and father. Such Christophers of the diuill were Phassur and Semeias in y^e olde lawe, Annas & Cayphas in the new lawe, Mahomet and the Pope in our tyme, with all such prelates, priests, Moonks, doctours, and other spiritual dowsipers,Marsilius Patauinus Ioannes Hus in Apoca. as setteth forthe themselues with arrogancie, pryde, pomp, glorie, & magnificence of this world, not sincerely preaching Gods word.

Iohn, 14 Osee. 12. Proue. 11, 1. Tim. 4. …, Iohn. 4.Hos 121 Tim 4John 45 He which sate vponupon that horse, or that reygneth in thys congregacion hath in his hande a deceiptfull payre of Balaunces of abhominable iudgements, waying all things according to the doctryne of errour and lyes of hypocrites, not prouing the spirites whether they be of God or no

6 And after this vision (I heard saith sainct Iohan) a voyce among the iiij. beastes.Apoca. 4 Math. 28 Acto. 1Matt 28 No tyme hathe there bene, wherein the faithfull beléeuers and constant witnesses of the veritie in this lyfe, hath not resisted the maysters of lyes, and confounded their errours, p. 76preseruing the vndefiled scriptures.2, Pet. 2 1. Cor. 2.1 Cor 2 In those dayes were amonge the Gréekes, Origine, Eusebius,Eusebius Cesariensis Cassiodorus. Hieronimꝰ Benadius Isidorus Tritemius Athanasius, Didimus, Gregorius, Nazianzenus, Cirillus Basilius, Ioānes Chrisostomus, Hisichius, Euagrius, Ioānes Damascenus, & Theophilactus. And amonge the Latines were Tertulyane, Cypriane, Lactancius, Hilarius, Prudencius, Ambrosius, Hieronimus, Augustinus, Orosius, Sedulius, Prosper, and Beda, with such lyke.Psalm. 6… Esaie. 53 1. Tim. 6Ps 6Isa 531 Tim 6 What though all they in many poyntes hauehave erred to declare them selues men, and least their authoritie shuld be takē among the people, aboue y^e aucthoritie of gods word.

7 This is the voyce whyche come from those holy beastes,Esaie. 52 Hiere. 2… Ezech. 4 Eutherius Lugdunensis VVestmerus.Isa 52Ezek 4 or faythfull seruauntes of the Lorde. A measure of wheate for a penny, and thrée measures of barly for a penny also. The wheat is the new Testament, faire, pleasaunte, and swéete in the eating.

8 The barly is the old, more grosse, heauie, and heard of digestion, yet is theyr pryce all one. So muche in value is the one as the other. So precious are the scriptures of the old lawe for the Christian erudicion as of the newe,Psalm. 18, 2. Tim. 3. Psalm. 118, Esa. 40. Gala. 3 Marci. 16 Rom. 3.Ps 182 Tim 3Ps 118Isa 40Gal 3Rom 3 for both they are the worde, veritie, spyrite, and promise of God. So perfect also is the one as the other, (eche grayne in hys kynde considered) as the law to cōdempne, and the Gospell to saue. So necessarie is it to the sinner to knowe hys fall, as to sée hys rayse. In that the barley is .iij. measures, and y^e wheat but one, is signyfied that the old Testament containeth the lawe, Psalmes & prophecies,Origines Hieronimꝰ Rom. 1. 1. Iohn. 4. 1. Tim. 4. 1. Iohn, 5. 2. Tim. 2, Math. 4. 1. Tim. 4.Rom 11 John 41 Tim 42 Tim 2Matt 4 and the newe the only doctrine of Christ, confessyng altogither .iij. distinct persons in one Godheade agaynst the aforesayd heretikes & erronious prelates. Whensoeuer therfore the dyuill goeth forth with hys blacke horse or deceiptfull doctours, to subuerte the wayes of the Lord with his vntrue balaunces of crafty interpretaciōs & false iudgemēts in the scriptures, attend you to thys voyce of the faythfull fathers,Psalm. 118, Iohn. 8.Ps 118John 8 and stande by the trueth, whyche p. 77is the only price of both testaments, with Christ which fulfilled the law, and commaunded vsus to serche the Scriptures, and with his Apostles,Iohn. 5. Act. 2. Hebr. 9. Psalm. 4.John 5Acts 2Heb 9Ps 4 which alledged 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 oyle sée thou hurte not, sayeth the sayde voyce,Deut. 12 Eccle. 4… Esa, 61, Luk, 10, Franciscus Lambertus in libro de prophecia Apoca. 22,Deut 12Eccl 4 hynder not the word of God, whiche is the swéete wine that replenished the hart with gladnesse, and the wholsome oyle that comforteth the soule in trouble. Delicious it is in aduersytie, and solacious in all weakenesse. Corrupte not the texte with false gloses, take not from vsus the swéetnesse thereof, defraud, vsus not of the frutefull Sauour. Let the text be whole, the sence vncorrupt, and the iudgement right. And that shall well be if nothyng be added vntounto it, nor nothinge taken from it.

THE TEXT.

1 An when he opened the fourth seale. 2▪ I harde the voyce of the fourth beast say. 3. Come and see, 4, And I looked, and behold a pale horse. 5. And his name that sate on him vvas death. 6. And hell follovved after him. 7. And povver vvas geuen anto them ouer the fourth part of the earth. 8. To kyll vvith svvord and vvith hunger. 9▪ And vvith death of the beastes of the earth.

The Paraphrase.

1 In the fowrth Seale opening is vnderunder secrete figure mencioned the vniuersall estate of the christen Churche after the increase of the aforesayde heretykes,Ioannes Hus in aliquot loca Apoca. VVernesus carthusian…s in fa…ciculo. and the raise of the ambicious Prelates. And though the Arryanes and Eutycianes with such lyke Heretyks were than put to sylence, and all thinges pacyfyed, partlye by the publyke power, and partlye by the continuall disputations and writinges of the p. 78faythfull Doctours, and catholyke Fathers, yet continued the Bysshops styll in their vanyties, and the Prelates in theyr pryde,Ioannes de molinis in speculo ca. 6. Carolus bouillus de septem etatibus mūdi. ca. 67. whereby the trueth was blemished and the lyghte had a sore Eclips. Daylye they sought for newe promotions. Euermore they compassed to augment their dignyties. Continuall was their study to get preheminēce, to win honour, and to obtayne superiorytie, not withoute the destruction of kingdomes, the vtter decay of communalties, and vnspeakeable murther of peoples.

Iohn the Archebyshoppe of Constantinople contended to be the vniue…sal Patriarke,Antonius sabellicus Raphael. Volatera. Paulus Diaconus Bibliande… ▪

Boniface the thirde of that name Byshoppe of Rome, tooke vponupon hym to be the head Byshoppe of all the worlde, and Gods onelyonly Uicar in earth,

Mahomet boasted hym selfe to be the great Prophete and messenger of GOD.

Iohn. 18. 2 Iohn. 1. Ioannes Aunius Ioannes NauclerusJohn 182 John 1Thus was Christes coate withoute seame among them deuided, and his church most rufully dispersed. Thus out of y^e corrupted & depraued scriptures tooke y^e Iewes their Talmud, y^e Saracens their Alchorane, and the Byshops their popish lawes and decrées. Then folowed innumerable sectes of perdicion vnderunder the romishe pope, in Europa, vnderunder Mahomet the false Prophet in Afryca, and vnderunder prester Iohn in Asia, whiche with their execrable tradicions and rules banished Christ and his pure doctrin for euer.Martinus Lutherus Sigebertus, Platina. Gregorius Odilocluniacensis Martinus Carsulanus Than set they vp songe in the church with Latine seruice, bell ringing, and Organ playinge. Than builded they monasteries, auaunced Images, inuented purgatorye, not without many strange reuelacions. Than came in that ceremony, & that, as sensing of Images, Procession, and holy water, with candles, ashes, and palmes. Than were shauen crownes commaunded, holy ornaments deuised, mariage and meates inhibited, and hallowing of churches p. 79practised. At the last crepte in the worshipping of reliques and shrines,Ranulphus Cestrensis Ioannes Stella. Odilo clun… Paulus Diaconus. with holy oyle and creame, with the paschall and paxe, with feastes and dedications, with latines, masses & dirges for the dead, and many great miracles followed. Thā were kings deposed and made Moonkes, Emperours put downe and parrish priests set vp.Robertus gaguinus. No gospell might then be taught, but to maintaine this ware for aduantage. Uniuersities were then builded and generall studies founded the worlde ouer, with all kindes of crafty learning to vpholde this new Christen relygyon or prestish supersticion.Hector Boetius Martinus Lut…erus Gen. 1. Luke. 12▪Gen 1Luke 12 The Antichristes thus spred and theyr kyngdome well set forwarde, the light was cléerely extincted, and darknesse ouer wente the whole worlde.

1 Much meruayled alwayes the poore chosen flock of christ, and were greatlye troubled in their mindes,Apoc…. …. Daniel. 1… ▪Dan 1 to beholde this great confusion, tyll the Lorde opened vntounto them the fourth seale of his booke, in the which all was written from the begining.Albertus Magnus. Zach. 6. Math. 6. Esa. 1.Zech 6Matt 6Isa 1 In that Seale openinge, the Lorde shewed what the head rulers of his Church were, euen very hypocrites, rightly compared vntounto a pale Horse. For after their dissembling manner they shewed sad countinaunces outwardlye to appeare fastinge, and babled very much to séeme deuonte men.

2 And as the Lambe had opened the fowrth Seale (sayeth Saincte Iohn) I hard the voyce of the fowrth beast,Apoc. 4. Daniel. 7. Math. 4 Iohn, 1, Apoca. 1.Rev 4Dan 7Matt 4 which séemed vntounto me an Egle representing those godly beléeuers that are most highly desirous of the glorye of GOD.

3 Come hyther sayde that voice. Note what thou shalt sée here, & enprent it well in thy minde.

4 And sa I looked foorth, I behelde a pale Horse,Apoca. 6. Apoca. 2 Math. 6. 1. Iohn. 3.Matt 61 John 3 whome I tooke for the vniuersall Synagoge of hypocrites or dissembling church of Antichriste, pale as men without health, & bleyk as men without that freshe lyfe p. 80which is in Christ Iesu.

5 The name of hym which sate vponupon this pale Horse was death, for their doctrine is death and dampnation.Rom, 8 Luke. 12. Math. 6 Math. 23.Luke 12Matt 6Matt 23 What bringeth hypocrisye with hym, but destruction of health? What carrieth dissimulation, but the vtter decay of lyfe? Are their last fruites any other then confusion and dyspayre.

6 For why hell commeth after them to swallowe in those that are taught by them.Esaie. 5. Proue. 1. Luke. 20 Apoca. 17. Roma. 3▪ Hebre. 10.Isa 5Luke 20 Eternall dampnation doth folow them to eate them vp for euer, whome they shall deceiue. Such is the finall rewarde of those cursed hypocrits that treadeth down Gods truth, and destroyeth his word vnderunder a fayned pretence of the contrarye,Luke. 11 Proue. 1….Luke 11 God graunt them therefore once to open their eyes, and to consider it, that they are the Horses of death, least Hell héere after deuoure them.

7 Unto these gaudish hypocrites and beastly Antichristes whith arePsalm. …. the horse of death and carieth all to darknesse,Iohn Hus in sermonibus de antichristo. Apoca. 9. and dampnation, power is geuen (whiche is the sufferaunce of God) vponupon the fourth parte of the earth. A great part of the world shall they destroy, much people by thē shal perish and be lost.

8 After diuers sortes shall they depriue them of the lyfe euerlastyng. Some shal they slay with the sword of their false doctrine,Apoc. 13. Chrisostomus Colos. 2. Amos. 8. Math. 15. Iohn. 6. Luke, 12. Math, 16, Luke, 3, Math, 23, Wicleus Psalm. 13. 2. Peter. 2, Math. 7 Psalm. 73,Rev 13Col 2Amos 8Matt 15John 6Ps 132 Pet 2Matt 7Ps 73 hauing a glorious shine of wisdome in supersticion and deuilishnesse Some shall they famishe for wante of GODS true worde, whiche is the bread of Chyldren, and the lyuinge foode of the soule.

9 Some will they also poyson with the contagious leauen of their pestilent lawes and tradicions, which are dayly ministred & taught by the vile vermine of the earth, their suffraganes, Archedecons, officials, doctors, ministers, false preachers, curates, persons, parrish priests, and religions, verye beastly both of lyfe and studye. Lorde ones delyuer p. 81from these deceiptfull and rauenous wolues, whiche are neuer satisfied, thy poore seruants that confesse thy holy name. Amen.

THE TEXT.

1 And when he opened the fift seale, 2, I saw vnderunder the aulter, 3. The soules of them that were killed for the word of God, and for the testimony which they had,

4. And they cried with a loude voyce, saying 5. How long taryest thou, 6, Lord, holy and true, to iudge▪ 7. And to auenge our bloude on them that dwell on the earth? 8. And lōg white garments were geuen vntounto eueryevery one of thē. 9. And it vvas saide vntounto thē. 10. That they shoulde rest for a litle season. 11. vntill the number of their felowes and brethren, 12. And of them that shoulde be killed (as they were) were fulfilled,

The Paraphrase.

1 Euident it is by that hath ben séene and sayde afore in these fowre horses, what the estate of the christen church was, & is now in these latter dayes.Zacha. 6. 1. Tim. 4. Iude. 1. Math. 15. 2. Tim. 6, Apoca. 8. Gen. 6, Esa. 1. Math, 23,1 Tim 4Jude 1Matt 15Gen 6Isa 1 Such horrible confusion hath the Antichristes made with their wicked lawes and decrées, and with their deceiptfull doctrine of errours and lies to vpholde their filthy kingdome of pryde, slouth, hypocrisie, and beastlynes, that scarcely is any thing cleane, pure, and godly. Now do they nothing but slea. None other studye hauehave they in these dayes, but to persecut, emprison, and famish, to burn, head and hang. Now hauehave they obtayned to enter the iudgement hall,Iohn. 18, Act. 5. … 19. Isa. 10. … 5, Act 20. Apoca. 18John 18Acts 5:19Isa 10:5Acts 20 and to syt vponupon lyfe & death, without defiling of thēselues. Now may they both a accuse and iudge, both indite and condempne, & yet not soyle their consecrate handes. If any controle their customes, or say against their witchcraftes, they are ready to run ouer hym with death, whom they carye to slea both soule and bodye.

Neuer was this more euident, then after the time of Berengarius in the Waldeanes,Bernardus… Lurzenburgensis. Publicans, and Albygeanes, of whom an hundred thowsande were slaine, an hundreth and p. 82fowre score br…nt for that they wold not abiure, besides that is séene now in this age, so many poore innocentes murthered. For no where is it lawfull rightly without supersticion to confesse the name and verytie of Christ, a few Cities except,2. Tim 3. 2. Pete. 3. Iohn, 12 Sopho. 3 Apoca. 11. Daniel. 11.2 Tim 3:2Dan 11 vnlesse men will ve torne of these wolues. And thus is it lyke still to continue to y^e end of y^e world, both by this prophecie, and also by the prophecye of Daniell.

1 This hath the Lord shewed in mistery vntounto Iohn in the fift seale openinge,Sebastianus meyer in apocalipsi… by whom are ment the true Christen beléeuers at this time so well as at al other times sence Christes assension.

Iohn, …, Math, 13, Iohn, 15, Psal. 50, Heb, 9,Ps 502 And when the Lambe opened the fift seale, or declared in figure what should be y^e estate of that time to assertaine his chosen friendes therof, I saw (saieth Saincte Iohn) vnderunder the Aulter of God, which is Christe (vponupon whom the whole sacrifice of our redempcion was offered.)

3 The soules or spirits of those constant beléeuers, whiche through the violent handlynge of the afore sayde false prelats and Antichristes were cruelly put to death by diuers maner of tormēts,Iohn, 16, Math. 23, Sapi, 3, Psal. 118, Apoca. 1, Iohn. 14, 1. Thes. 4 Act, 7. Acto. 17 Psal. 5…. Matth. 23. 1. Cor. 1 Phil, 1,Matt 23Ps 118John 141 Thess 4Ps 51 Cor 1 not only for y^e vndefiled word of god, but also for y^e sincere testimonye of Iesu, which they had by the gift of his only spirit. Under this Aulter remaine all they which hauehave bin killed for that witnesse of truth. In his faith they slept and still rest now in his hope. In him now they liue for whom they once dyed. Under his shadow they dwell. Under his winges they flocke, vnderunder hys couerte they cloyster. He is p. 83their comforte, kéeper and defender. With hym are they now, whose presence they euermore coueted.

4 In that they cried with a lowde voice,Math, 2…, Apoca. 19 Sapi. 3. Gen, 4, Leuit. 20. Psalm. 10, Prou. 6.Lev 20Ps 10Prov 6 is signified that their innocent death fercely asketh and requireth the great indignation, vengance, and terrible iudgement of GOD, vppon those tirauntes, lyke as dyd the bloude of Abell vppon that murther Cayne.

5 And this is their daylye crye. O Lorde God almighty,2. Peter. 2. Psalm. 25. Hiere. 17. Iohel. 22 Pet 2Ps 25 so holy thou art that thou hatest all euill, so true and so iust that thou abhorrest al lies and peruerse doctrine, so manifest is the filthy lyfe of the spirituall antichristes that thou séest it, so euidente is their vnshamefast crueltie vponupon thy seruantes, that thou knowest it. Yet doest y^u leaue them vnpunished, and suffer them vncorrected. Howe long time wil it be ere thou iudge them to dampnation? What yeares wilt thou take ere thou reuenge our bloud?

Math. 25. 4. …. 15. Psalm. 18, Math. 12, Apoca. 11.Matt 25:4Matt 25:15Ps 18Matt 126 Sure it is that thy lawes are holy, and thy wordes are faithfull and true. Why doest thou then permitte these proud homicides and spightfull murtherers to defyle them with their errours, and blaspheme them with their lyes: Kyllyng vp thy seruants without pittie,1. Tim. 4. Luke. 11, … Thes. 2. Apoca. 17 Phili. 3.1 Tim 4Luke 11 for holdynge with them, and reigning héere as Gods vponupon earth in ambiciousnesse, vayne glory, pompe, glotony, and le…herye, with other abhomynable vices. Thus these beastly bellye Gods doth dayly dispise thée. They treade downe thy testimonies and shed innocent Christen bloud in despight of thée.

Iohel. 3. Daniel. 1… Deut 32 Psalm. 78, Ezech. 5 Rom. 2.Dan 1Deut 32Ps 78Ezek 5Rom 27 Looke once vponupon them therefore according to thy promisse, and sée thou rewarde them according to their wickednesse. Thys reuengement doe we not aske for our scath, but for the contempt of thy truethe. Not for our harme, but for the blasphemy of thy name.

8 And longe white garmentes p. 84(sayth Sainct Iohn) very large and comely were geuen vntounto eueryevery one of them. A full innocencye,Eccle. 45, Apoca. 4. Apoca. 22, Apoca. 1. Hebr. 1. Iohn. 12, Eccle. 5.Sir 45Eccl 5 perfectnesse, and cléerenesse was powred ouer them, and abundantly spred vponupon them. Indued they were with an inestimable purenesse by Christe, for whose veryties sake they dyed.

With him they are now in peace, ioy, and swéetnesse. But whether they be in full glory afore God or no, that wyll we not temerously define. Sure we are that they be deliuered from all payne, sorrow, and care,Apoca. 7… 1. Cor. 15. Rom. 8. Sap. 3. Psalm. 15. Isaie. 64.1 Cor 15Rom 8Ps 15 and that they clearely be assertayned so hauehave that glory complet both in body and soule at the latter day. More swéete is their estate for y^e time, yea more delycious and pleasaunt, then all the delightes, prosperytye, and wealth that euer was yet in thys worlde.

9 And as they were in this swéete solace, much desirous of their bodyes delyueraunce from corruption,Rom. 8. Ephe. 3Rom 8Eph 3 they were requyr…d by these secrete heauenlye mocyon of Christe (as we are in this life by the outwarde word.Act. 13 Psalm. 4. 1. Thes. 4,Acts 13Ps 41 Thess 4)

Titum. 2. Iohn, 17, Luke. 21. Apoca. 20Luke 2110 Paciently to pause for a while and quietously to rest for a season.

11 Untill such time as the complet nūber of their cōstant fellowes and faithfull brethren.

12 Yea and of all those poore creatures that shoulde be kylled by these vnsaciat blud suckers for his truthes sake, like as they were afore shuld be fulfilled and wholy accomplished according to the eternall prediffinition of God.Act. 13, Psalm. 15,Acts 13Ps 15 And so much the rather to content themselues with their peaceable and quietous estate for their brethrens sake, that it should not belonge ere their death were reuenged,Esa. 61 Iaco. 5 Apoca. 21 Roma. 8. …, Iohn. 3Isa 61John 3 and they restored to a full tranquillitie. For nothing in comparison are the sufferinges of this time, to that glorye whiche shall be shewed vntounto the chosen sort in that day. Let no man think where as Christ hath willed those soules to rest, that they p. 85sléepe in death,Psalm. …. Iohn. 14, Ezech. 43, Iohn. 8. Phil. 3, 1. Iohn, 2 Apoca. 1. 1. Timo. 2, 1. Iohn. 2▪ Iohn. 15, 2. Mach. 1… Rom. 8. Hebr. …. Iohn. 5,John 14Ezek 43John 8Phil 32 John 1:152 Macc 1Rom 8John 5 for they rest in hym which is lyfe. Out of hym they are not, he is their Aulter, he is theyr couert. They lyue, they decerne, and in swéetenesse they abide the latter day, and all vnderunder him. Their white garment of innocencie they hauehave onelyonly by him. Worship him then and not them. Pray and call vponupon him and not vponupon them. For he is the onelyonly meditour, and generall aduocate to God the father, so wel for them as for you. Nothyng can they doe but by hym. Their office is not to heare suters causes, nor to goe to and fro, but still to rest abyding the glad day of theyr deliuerance. It is Christes onelyonly office to receyue all complayntes to pleate them, and to iudge them.

THE TEXT.

1 And I beheld when he opened the six… seale, 2. & lo, there was a great earth quake, 3. and the sunne was as black as a sack cloth made of heare. 4. And the moone vvaxed euen as bloud. 5. And the starres of heauen fell vntounto the earth, 6. euen as a figge tree casteth from hir hir figges, vvhen it is shaken of a mightie wynde. 7. And heauen vanyshed avvay, as a scroull vvhen it is rolled togither. 8. And all mountaynes and yles, vvere moued out of their places. 9. And the kings of the earth, and the great men and the riche men, 10. and the chiefe captaynes, and the mightie men, and eueryevery bond man, and euerie free man, 11. hid themselues in dennes, and in rockes of the hilles, 12. and sayde to the hilles and rockes, 13. Fall on vsus, 14. and hyde vsus from the presence of hym that sitteth on the seate, 15. and from the vvrathe of the Lambe. 16. for the great day of hys vvrath is come. 17. And vvhō can endure it.

The Paraphrase.

1 Not yet is the pale horse downe nor his iniquitie ended, but still hée he rageth the world ouer.Iohn Hus in aliqnot loca apocalipseos. Wicleus de sermone domini in monte. li. … Daniel. 8, … ▪ Thes. 2.Dan 8 Still raygneth the Antichristes, with theyr hypocrisie and false doctrine, the Pope héere in Europa, and other not all vnlike vntounto him in Asia and Africa. But for that Europe is only knowne vntounto vsus, of that will wée only dyffyne. In naming the Pope wée meane not his person, but the proude degrée or abhominacion of the papacie. The great Antychriste of Europa is the p. 86king of faces, the Prince of hipocrysie, the man of sinne, the father of errours, and the master of lyes, the Romish Pope. He is the head of the sayd pale horse,VVicle…s in supplemento trialogi. Franciscus Lambertus in commēta rijs regul… minori carum. whose bodie are his Patriarkes, Cardinalles, Archebishops, Bishops, fat prebends, doctours, priestes, Abbottes, Pryors, Moonks, Chanons, Fryers, Nunnes, Pardoners, and Proctours, with all the sectes and and shorne swarme of perdicion, and with all those that consent with them in the Romish fayth, obeying theyr wicked lawes, decrées, bulles, pryuileges, decretales, rules, tradicions, tytles, pompes, degrées, blessynges, counsayles, and constitucions, contrarie to Gods trueth. The wickednesse of these hath so darkened the blynde worlde,Sebastianus Franctertia parte chro…icarum. that scarse was lefte one sparkle of the veritie, or of the true Christian fayth. No where can men dwell to greater losse of their soules health, thē vnderunder their abhominacions.

1 This know they well whome the lambe hath deliuered from their dark sinagoge,…. Cor. 6. Act. 2, Apoca. 4, 2. Cor. 4. Apoca. 18, Luke. 1. Psalm. 106Acts 22 Cor 4Luke 1Ps 106 & to whom he hath in these dayes opened the sixte seale of the booke, raysing vp the spirites of many to detect by his holy worde theyr shamefull abhominations. Blessed be the name of that Lord, which hath now so mercifully vysited hys poore people from aboue, sending his word vnderunder y^e tipe or figure of this Lambe, to open vntounto them at this sixt time of darkenesse, the vj. seale of the hydden misteries of the booke. I looked yet farther (sayeth sainct Iohn) and as the Lambe Christ disclosed the sixte seale to manifest the cléernesse of his truth,Apoca. 5, Ephe. 4, Iohn. 1, Luke. 12, …. Thes. 2Eph 4John 1Luke 12 to shewe the estate of his church, anon I behelde a merueylous earthquake p. 87arise. Most liuely was this fulfilled such tyme, as William Courteney the Archbishoppe of Caunterburie with Antichristes sinagoge of sorcerers sate in cōsistorie against Christes doctrine in Iohn Wycleue.VValde… Polidor… lib. 20. Mark the yeare, day, and houre, and ye shall wonder at it.

2 The Gospell once preached, and the veritie sincerely opened,Math. 24, 1. Thes. 2. Luke. 12, Act. 4. Iohn. 16. Apoca. 2,Matt 241 Thess 2Luke 12Acts 4John 16 (whose nature is to condempne their supersticions) the earthly and carnall Antychristes swell, fret, and waxe mad, they threaten, curse, and blaspheme, they runne vponupon the faithfull mynisters with terror, crueltie, & fiercens, hauing at their hand the ayde of wicked princes and blynde gouernours.Aenas Silnius. Such a terrible earth quake was the general counsel of Constance against Iohn Hus and Hierome of Prage, and here in Englād against the King (when he set foorth the Gospell) the sedicious rising of Lincolneshere, and the traiterous vprore of Yorkshiere, in their pylgrimage without grace, where as neyther wanted the false counsayle of Byshoppes, the riches of Abbeyes,An experyment of our time in Englande. Aduersus has sunt scripta Morisoni & benifices, nor yet y^e cruell harts of priests. A thousand bowes and as many billes, beside other weapons were there among priestes and religious to one poore Testament of Christ to subdue the veritie. Yet hath the Lambe ouercomen them,Apoca. 17. 2, Cor. 1, Sebastianus meyer. VVicleuꝰ Psalm. 2, Act. 4, Luke, 2. …. Peter. 2,Ps 2Acts 4 and declared their great wisedome in that enterpryce foolishnesse, lyke as he did also in Germanie among them, which maintayned the same spirituall quarell. Yet is not this earth quake pacifyed, but styll they ryse vp agaynst Christ and his word, and dayly they counsayle togither to condempne his trueth, that wée should know him to be the signe of contradiction, the stumbling stone, and the rock of reproch.

Mala. 4 Hebre. 1. …. Iohn. 1. Eccle. 42 2. Cor. 4. Iohel. 2. …. Mach. 1 Ephe. 4.Mal 4John 1Sir 422 Cor 4Eph 43 The Sunne appeared so blacke as a sacke cloth made of heaire. What though Christ being the cléere sonne of ryghtuousnesse, and the shynyng Image of God, can not bée darke in him selfe, no more then can the materiall son in his owne nature, yet may his clerenesse beholdē from vsus by the p. 88mystes of false doctryne, lyke as is the sunnes brightnesse by the shadow of the cloudes. For the more men delight in ceremoniall tradicions, the blynder they are, and the lesse knowledge they hauehave of God. To them séemeth not Christ the fayrest amonge men, well coloured and beutifull,Psal. 44. Canti. 5. 1. Cor. 1. Hiere. 44. Baruch. 6 Iohn. 4. 1. Iohn, 3. Mich. ….Ps 441 Cor 1Bar 6John 4 and gentle as a Lambe, but ill fauored, blacke, and stubborne. And therefore they hauehave no mynde to hym. They rather séeke helpe, health, and light of other then of him. They think it much better to pray to dead Sainctes, and offer to Idolles, then to call vponupon God …n spirite & veritie, and to helpe theyr …oore neighbour at his néede. More …leasure they hauehave to followe mens …reames, thē the veritie of God. For …hat is to thē blacke as y^e heiry sacke doth. It is dark,Esa. …. 1. Cor. 1. Iohel. 2. Cant, 6.1 Cor 1 rough & foolishe vntounto …hem, they can perceiue no beutie in ….

… The Moone became altogither as …lud.Apoca. 1…. Math. 16 Iohn, 16. 2. Tim. 4.Matt 162 Tim 4 The church being somtime fair …s y^e Mone, & taking hir light of christ, … now waxed all carnal. Now is shée taught onelyonly of flesh and bloud, refusing the doctrine of God & his spirite. Now reigneth euerie where the corrupt fantasies of men, a fewe places excepte. And sure we are that neither flesh nor bloud shall obtayne the kingdome of God. Neuerthelesse yet all the world hath not peryshed in thys bloudie church.…. Cor. 15. 2. Reg. …. Rom. 11, Gala. 4. Psal. 61. Polidorus VirgiliusRom 11Gal 4Ps 61Alwayes hath there bene some that hath had the spirite of the childrē of God, what though they hauehave erred sore in many thinges. Though Benedict, Bernarde, & Bruno, Alberte, Francis, and Dominicke, with many such other, were farre out of square from the rule of Christes Gospell, yet doubt I it not, but the merciemercy of God hath saued thē through faith for Iesus Christes sake. In the middest of false doctrine and diuilishe tradicions hee hathe preserued them lyke as hée preserued the thrée children,Ephe. 2. Rom. 8, Iohn. 18, Daniel, 3. Franciscus Lābertus, li. 2. in Apocalipsim.Eph 2Rom 8John 18 in Daniell from the heate of the burning fornace. Though all at that tyme were bloud through cruell decrées, yet were not all men so taken afore God, for then should none hauehave p. 89bene saued, none should hauehave possessed his heauenly kingdome.

5 And the starres from heauen fell downe vponupon the earth.Math, 24, 1. Cor. 4. Matth. 5. Daniel, 12 1. Timo. 4 Rom. 1.1 Cor 4Matt 5Rom 1 The ministers of Gods word which should declare his rightuousnesse, and be the lightes of the world, were fallen from y^e heauenly doctryne of Christ, and from the sincere scriptures, to worldly learnyng and earthly fantasies. Nothing can be more euident then thys,1. Timo. 6 2. Tim. 2,2 Tim 2 specially to them that hathe redde the tryfling workes of the Sophisters, sentencyoners, schoole doctours, Canonistes, and summystes. As are Dons, Dorbell, and Durande, Thomas of Aquine, Gerarde, and Gyles of Rome, Bonauenture, Bacōthorpe, and Guido, Caldrinus, Bobius, and Baldus, Panormius, Rosellus and Roxius,Ioannes Tritemi…s Arnoldus Bostius Iacobus Bergome… Agrippa▪ with an infinite rable of such dyrtie dottages, and filthie dregges. Besides the great heape of the foolishe 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 beggerie and lousie learning.

1. Iohn, 2. Esa. 34. Ose. 2, Luke, 8. Primasius Ansbertus Haymo. 2▪ Tim. 4.Isa 34Hos 22 Tim 46 These stars hath thus myserably of a lōg tyme fallen, lyke as doth the infected figges when the figge trée is shaken of a mightie strong wynd. Foūd fickle vanities, desire of worldly promotions, feare to hauehave displeasure of friendes, aduersitie, vexation, and trouble, with such other blastes here, hath caused the vnprofitable instructers of the people to fall from Gods heauenly veritie vntounto fables, lyes, tryfles, and most pestilent wicked errours.

7 So that heauen hath vanished away from them,Esa. 34, Amos. 8, Psalm. 49, Rom. 1. 2. Thes. 2. Psalm. 11,Isa 34Amos 8Ps 49Rom 12 Thess 2Ps 11 as doeth a scroule when it is rolled vp togither. True preaching of the word which is very heauen, hath bene withdrawen, the veritie hath bene closed vp. Christ hathe take his leaue, the spirite of God hath forsaken them, the sincere faith hath fayled, Christian workes hath decaied, whē their dark diuinity, dead ceremonies, & crooked customes p. 90of their fathers hath bene in place. Nothyng hath remayned spirituall,Franciscus Lambertus Sebastianus meyer. Iohn Hus. Godly, heauenly, holy, rightuous, holsome, nor worthie our christian vocacion among their solempne shadows and sacred sorceryes. If it hathe, it was neuer yet séene. And that know they full well, which hath vnfaynedly receiued Christes Gospell.

8 All mountaynes and yles were remoued from their places.Abacuc. 3 3. Iohn. 1, Math. 12, Wicleus in lib. de ecclesia et membris.Hab 33 John 1Matt 12 Not onelyonly the high mynded Antichristes, but also the dyssembling hypocrites are enforced many tymes & against their willes, compelled by the open veritie and euident scriptures; to deny that afore they highlye affyrmed, and to graunt that afore they highly denyed. The Bishop of Roome was afore. Gods vicar & head of the church, hée is now neither of both. They had somtyme a purgatorie,Martinus Lutherus de tradicionibus sugiendis. Daniel. 8, Ioannes Gocchius▪Dan 8 & nowe they hauehave none. Pardons are forgotten, pylgrimage is not spokē of, Faith in Christ now iustifieth without their vayne will workes. They hauehave put man to death for that they now affyrme, yet are they not ashamed of that cruell murther. I hope in a while they shall out of more places, and graunt will they nill they, to more christian veryties, though theyr selues be neuer the nigher saluacion, for that they doe it not of good will, but compelled.

9 The Kings of the earth, more looking for theyr owne prehemynence then for the glorie of God,Psalm. 2, Esa. 1, Ioannes VVicleuꝰ in suotria logo Ioan. Hus.Ps 2Isa 1 the great men more séeking their owne pleasures, then the common wealth of the people, the ryche men oppressing the poore.

10 The Captaynes deceyuing the commons, the strong men ouerthrowing the weake, euerie bond seruaūt dooing vntrue seruice, and eueryevery frée master vngodly occupying his faculty.

11 Hath hidde them selues in dennes of the sayd rocks & hilles.Haymo: VVesselus grouingēsis in opusculis When they hauehave done all mischief and wrought all wickednesse, tyranny, manslaughter, rape, adultery, lechery, extorcion, Idolatry, sacrylege, w^t all other abhominacions, & can doe no more, thē run they to those hipocrites,Apoca. 81, thē séeke they p. 91vp those Antichristes. Ther must they be cōfessed,Martinus Lutherus in annotationibus. Mathei. there must they hide their sinnes. They must be couered w^t hys dyrty merites, & with his holy whordome. And to be prayed for, that monastery must be builded, & that prebē dary or chauntery must bee founded. There must be Masses & dyrges, ther must be anuaries & bead mē.Ioannes Paleonidorus in cronicis. Erasmus in suis colloquijs. He must be buried in S. Frauncis gray coate, and he in our Ladies holy habite. He must hauehave S. Dominikes hoode, and he sainct Augustines girdle.

12 And thus they cry to those earthly hils and rocks, to those filthy dunge heapes, or dennes of wylde beastes with a fearfull desperate conscience.

13 Fall vponupon vsus with such stuffe as ye hauehave.Esa. 1,Isa 1 Couer vsus with your works more than néed. Pray, pray, pray, sing, sing, sing, say, say, say, ring, ring, ring.Math, 25, Luke. 20, Raciōale diuinorum.Luke 20 GiueGive vsus of your oyle, for our lampes are out. Helpe vsus with your latyne Psalmes. Reléeue vsus with your lippe labour though all be but dunge and earth. Comforte vsus with Placebo.Odilo cluniacensis Helpe vsus with Requiem eternam. Powre out your Trentall masses, spew out your Commendaciōs. Sing vsus out of that hotte fierie Purgatorie before we come there.

Esa. 2, Osee. 10 2, Cor. 1, 2. Pete. 3. Ephe. 4.Isa 2Hos 10:2Eph 414 Hyde vsus from the fearefull presence of him that sitteth on y^e thorne, whom we neuer knew to be a merciful father in all our romish medita…ns, and the scriptures we abhorred that so would hauehave taught vsus.

15 Conuey vsus clean from the wrath of the vngentle Lambe, whose doctryne we neuer fauoured, nor whose goodnesse we neuer yet trusted.

Iohel. 2, Esa. 13 Math. 25. Mala. 3, Gala. 5 Apoca. 17.Isa 13Matt 25Mal 3Gal 516 For the great day of his wrath is come. So certayne we are of hys terrible iudgement, as it were now in doing. So sure we be to féele him a rightuous iudge, as we are sure he liueth.

17 And who can bée able to endure it: who can abide it doing so muche crueltie, rape, murther, briberie, with all other abhominacions, as we hauehave done,Lutherus & Erasmus de confessione. leauing wicked lawes behynde vsus still to continue the same? Well, with you we hauehave left our whole rockening, p. 92ye know our déeds. Answere you for vsus then, for we dare not bée séene. If your idle merites helpe vsus not, we looke for no grace at his hād. If your soules be not for ours at that day, we perish for euer and euer. For we hauehave not reléeued him a hungred,Esa. 58. Ezech. 18 Eccle. 7 Math. 5. Luke. 6 Act. 8. Iohn. 15, Math, 2, Apoca. 18. Luke. 21 Hebr. 10.Isa 58Ezek 18Eccl 7Matt 5Luke 6Acts 8John 15Luke 21Heb 10 a thirst, harbourlesse, naked, sick, and imprysoned, in hys poore bretheren, confessing his name and veritie.

But rather wée hauehave abhorred, reuiled, blaspheamed, spoyled, imprisoned, shamed, and persecuted hym vntounto 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 fearfull expectation of the terrible iudgements of God for cōtempt of y^e same.