The Image of Both Churches in Revelation, Chapter 22

The Image of Both Churches in Revelation · Chapter 22

The xxii. Chapiter.

Styll doth thys Chapiter folowynge (whych is the laste of thys Reuelacyon) prosecute the spirituall and heauenly commodities of thys Cytie, concluding wyth most excellent admonicions and Godly warninges.

The text.

1 And hee shevved me a pure ryuer. 2. of vvater of lyfe. 3. cleare as crystall. 4. proceedynge out of the seate of God, and of the lambe. 5, in the myddest of the streate of it. 6. and of eyther syde of the tyuer. 7. vvas theyr vvoode of lyfe. 8. vvhych bare tvvelue maner of fruites. 9. and gaue fruite euerye monethmonth. 10. and the leaues of the vvoode serued. 11. to heale people vvith all.

The Commentary.

1 And the Angell (saith S. Iohan) or gracious purpose of the Lord, which cōmoned with me al this time to bring me yet into a farder knowledge of his misteries shewed vntounto me a most pure and commodious ryuer, whych was the wholesome water of lyfe. None other can I suppose thys ryuer to be by the serche of the scriptures, but the flowing veritie, y^e worde of saluacion, or the effectuall doctryne of Christs holy spirit. That is the swéet floud of Eden which pleasaūtly floweth through Paradyse, & visiteth y^e .iiii. quarters of the worlde. This is y^e wholsome & dilectable water, which daily cōforteth & preserueth y^e spirituall Hierusalem from all contagious maladies. This rūning flood with his ryuers on eueryevery syde, reioyseth y^e cytie of god which is the habitation of y^e highest.

2 All full of quyckenesse is it, springing into y^e lyfe euerlasting. Here is it the spirituall cōfort of gods children, ther shall it be y^e enestimable glory of y^e sainctes. To whō shal we go lord (saith Peter) but vntounto thée? For onelyonly haste thou the wordes of eternall lyfe.

3 So cleare is this water as y^e pure cristall that is without spotte. Much farther from corruption is the sincere worde of God, than is the fine siluer that is vii. tymes tryed in y^e fyre. The lawes of the Lorde are perfect and quickneth the soule, hys testimonies are true giuing wiseome to babes. His statutes are ryght reioysing the hart. His preceptes are pure giuing sight to the eyes. And hys iudgementes are all togither rightuous.

4 The nature of this water is none other but euermore to clēse, euermore to reuiue, & euermore to make whole and perfect. For onelyonly doth it issewe from the magistie of God, it procedeth out from the sempiternall throne of y^e father, and so floweth forth in the plē tuous haboundaunce of the lambe Iesus Christe and of his Godly spirite. With hym is the well of euerlasting lyfe. They that walke in his lyght shalbe frée from darkenesse for euer. They shall throughly enioye the haboundaunce of those thinges that his house is full of, and he shall giuegive them drnicke out of the ful flowing ryuer of his eternall pleasures. I will powre cleare water vponupon you (sayth the Lord in Ezechiell) and ye shalbe cleane frō all filthynesse. A new hart will I giuegive you. A new spirit will. I plant in you, and so clense you from all your idoles. Reioyce with Hierusalem all you that louelove hir, for ye shall sucke comforte out of hir brestes, and bée satisfied. They that hauehave sowen in heauinesse, shall reape in perpetuall gladnesse. From the father and the sonne proceded the holy Ghost, as a clere cristall ryuer, neither created nor be gotten, to refreshe this chosen citye. So that much more vnderstanding, lyght, and knoweledge it hath, than had the olde Synagog of the Iewes which was therof but a shaddow. Yet is it incomparably farre from that shall bée in the durable lyfe to come, being as yet thereto but a figure. For as witnesseth Paul, our knowledge is now vnperfect, and our prophecying vnperfect But whan that cometh which is perfect, then that which is vnperfect shall be done away. Here is it also to be cō sidred that the Lambe is equall with God, they both hauing but one seate.

5 Moreouer in the middes of the golden stret of this beutifull citye, which comprehendeth the spirituall children of Abraham couched togither in the vnytie of one tryed fayth.

6 And vponupon eyther sides of the swéet ryuer which are the .ii. Testamentes of the Lorde, was standing the moste dilectable trée of life Iesus Christ, that mediatour & father which giueth lyfe …o the worlde. Out of the stocke of Afbraham and Dauid sprang this frée a…er the fleshe, conceyued of the holy Ghost, & borne of Marie the virgine, which was also a golden stone of this stréete. Blessed arte thou (sayth Elizabeth) for thy beleues sake. For in thée is performed the full promise of the Lorde. This is that trée which was planted by the water side, & gaue forth fruite at his tyme appoynted. As the trée of life was sette in the middes of Paradyse at the beginninge, so is hée nowe spiritually grounded in the middest of his church, which is his gardē of pleasure. Behold (saith Christ) I am with you eueryevery day vntounto y^e worlds end.

7 Maruayll not that the trée is here called wood, for it is the custome and maner of the Hebrues to put the one for the other. Both is this trée in the myddest of the stréete and also vponupon eyther sydes of the ryuer. For both is Christ knowen of his faithfull multytude, and comprehended in the scriptures. Dauid acknowledged himselfe to be a pure stone of this golden stréete, whan he sayd. My humble soule hath cleaued or fastened to the pauemente, thou quyckening me Lorde according to thy worde. So did Kinge Ezechyas whan he was reuyued agayne. And so dyd Helias whan he vnderunder the Iuniper trée desired to dye, with many other more. Betwene both testaments arose Christ, performing the olde, and begynning the new. He bordereth also to thys present day vponupon them both, for both they beare large and plentuous witnesse of hym. Both the lawe and the Gospell, the Prophetes and Apostles, the Psalmes and all other scriptures, witnesseth throughly that he is y^e promysed séede, the sonne of y^e lyuing God, & the sauiour of y^e worlde.

8 If that soyle be fortunate which bryngeth forth fruites twyse in the yeare, most happye and blessed is the ground of this citie. For the liuing trée therof is neuer barren, bare, nor idle.

9 Not onelyonly doth it beare .xii. maner fruites of inestimable wholesomnesse, betokening the vniuersall graces and giftes of the holy Ghoste, but also it giueth them forth eueryevery monethmonth in the yeare, or euer more wyth out ceasing. EueryEvery monethmonth hath there both his sō mer and hys wynter. EueryEvery life time of them, which be of this congregation, hath here both his swéete consolation in the spirite and also his hard persecution in the fleshe. Els is it not of Christs kingdom, which is the destroier of death, and ministreth lyfe at his pleasure. In this trée is the originall grounde of lyfe. He is the very lyfe of all them that liueth vntounto God. In hym onelyonly they consist, they moue, and they hauehave their continuall being. His branches are the holy Prophetes and Apostles, and the Euangilistes & Martyrs, wyth all other godly preachers and teachers, euermore gréene & pleasaunt in their conuersa…iō and doctrin. I am the true vyne (sayth he) and you are the braunches. He that abydeth in me and I in him, bringeth forth much fruite. Them sent Christ out as braū ches, and spred wyth them the world ouer, too brynge forth frute y^t should not perishe. And that eueryevery monethmonth, from age to age, and from tyme to tyme continually. For styll are the true beleuers fedde wyth the Apostls fruitefull doctrine, and shalbe to the ende of the worlde. Therewith are their soules refreshed, in their greate manyfolde sorowes and labours. A singuler comfort it is vntounto them to consider Gods swéete promyses, and to remember what a louinge father they hauehave of him through Iesus christ theyr onelyonly mediatour and sauiour. Most haboūd…untly féele they thēselues satysfied, when they are assertayned throughly by the scriptures, y^t they are predestinate, called, saued, sanctified, and shalbe here after gloryfied by him. Where as contrarywyse, the desperate infidels are much discomforted, considring them selues blynded, condemned iudged, & reproued. Twelue are these fruites here called, which is a perfect and full complete number, comprehending the vniuersall graces of the spirite, contayned in all y^e whole scriptures. As are y^e feare of God y^e pouertie of soule, the clennesse of hart, cō passion vponupon y^e nedy, desyre of rightuousnesse, mercy, gentilnesse, quietnesse, sufferaunce, wysdom, vnderstanding, counsayll, perseueraunce, knowledge, prudence, force, iustice, temperaūce, w^t those y^t Paule numbreth too y^e Galathians, and innumerable vertues besides some expositours willeth this twelue to signifie y^e none can be saued vnlesse he be of the xii. children of Israell in spirite, & so walke according to y^e docttrine of Christes .xii. Apostles. But I am contented with that is sayd afore, being more agréeable to the text.

10 Such leaues had this wholsome trée as were for y^e health of the people, good necessary, and medicinable. Such profitable wordes and promyses hath Christ, as are spirite and lyfe, power of saluation, and euerlastinge health. These leaues of hys can in no wyse wyther away, and whatsoeuer he doth by them, it shall wonderfullly prosper. He sent forth hys wholsome woorde (sayth Dauid) and so healed them. He delyuered them from all euyls wherewyth they were oppressed.

As these wordes are sincerely taught, the benefightes of our redempcion are brought into remembraunce. So is the conscience quyeted, and y^e harte made glad.

So reioyseth y^e soule & giueth perpetuall thankes vntounto God the father. Soo are the Gentyles throughlye made whole acknowledgynge Christe for theyr onelyonly sauyour and redéemer.

11 Thus after Czechyell, are these fruites good to eate, and theyr leaues profitable for medicynes.

As the leaues are the beauty of a trée, and preserueth the fruite, so is the true preachinge of the Lordes veritie, the comelynesse of hys church and preseruacion of the same.

And not the oylynges, shauynges, and disguysynges, nor yet the Lordeshippes, myters, and masses.

A lyght thynge is the worde of god written or spoken, as is the leafe also of a trée. But if his spirite worketh in it, than is it a thyng moste precious, effecttuall, and stronge, compared of Christ to a mustarde séede, which gr… weth into a greate trée. Aboue all thinges (sayth Zorobabel) the veritie, is most stronge. For that is the Lords eternall will, which neuer shalbe altred.

The text.

1 And there shalbe no more curse. 2. but the seate of God and the Lambe shalbe in it. 3. and hys seruauntes shall serue hym. 4 And they shall see hys face,. 5. & his name shalbe in their foreheades. 6. And there shall be no nyght there. 7. and they neede no candell. 8. neyther lyght of the Sunne, 9. For the Lorde God giueth them lyght. 10. and they shall reygne for euermore.

The Commentary.

1 And as concerning the afore named cytie, or worthy congregation of the Lorde, the curse that the earth had in the worke of Adam, shall clerely be taken from it. Neuer more frō henceforth shall therein be any thinge that God is not pleased with. For Christ hath redemed hir from the curse of y^e lawe, sustaining thereof the penaltie to make hir innocent. So that nowe there is no dampnation to them whych are in Christ Iesu, folowing the doctrine of the spirite, if painfull aduersitie, losse of goodes, detriment of fame, syckenesse, persecution of body, or any other troublous crosse happeneth, it is euermore for the best to them that are faythfull. Perfectlye shall these be taken awaye wyth all the corrupte fruites of Adam in the regeneration, whan to theyr glorye both heauen and earth shalbe blessed, all that is cursed throwen into the lake of euerlasting fyre.

2 And for a more sure token that thys will be true, the hygh seate of God the eternall father, and of the Lambe Iesus Christ wyth the holy Ghost, one Lorde almighty in thrée personages, shalbe contynually there in. In the house of Iacob shall hée reygne euermore and of hys kingdōe shall be none ende. Amonge them will he fixe hys dwelling place here, which loueth hym and obserueth his cōmaundementes, and there will he not be seperated from them, but be still their eternall God.

3 Moreouer as hys true seruauntes, here shall they worship hym in spirite and in veritie, and so serue hym in a sincere fayth perfourming such Godly workes as he hath prescribed vntounto thē, and not such as mens fantasyes hath dreamed. They shall so mortyfie their olde man, destroying the body of sinne, that no longer shall he obeye the concupiscence, nor become a captyue seruaūt vntounto wickednesse here. But nowe delyuered from sinne, they shall doe on a newe man which is rightly fashyoned of God, and so become his seruaū tes in rightuousnesse. And in y^e world to come they shall serue him according to the knowledge that they shall hauehave than, which now is incomprehensible and vnspeakeable.

4 Hauinge the spirite of Christ, they shall here sée hys face of saluation in the myrroure of fayth, whych is to hauehave knowledge of hys Godhede. And after thys lyfe they shall beholde him in glory, lyke as he is in dede, much more perfectly than dyd Iacob, which sawe hym face to face. Moreouer soo shall these hys seruauntes respect his vsage, that whatsoeuer they doe here in worde or in dede, they shall doe it with all godly feare, lowlynesse, and reuerence, alwayes thinkyng hym to beholde their dedes.

5 They shall also perceyue hys gloryous name to be writtē in their foreheades, or regestred in their fayth, féelyng the swéetnesse thereof to their saluatiō. Besides y^• not onelyonly shall they cōfesse God w^t their mouth, but also in their outward cōuersaciō shal they dayly apere as hys faythfull seruauntes and children.

And as concernyng the gloryous day, by that name than shall one knowe an other to be a frée cytizen of heauen. Consyder (sayth Saynt Iohn) howe louyngly the Father doeth vse vsus. Not onelyonly here doo we beare the name of hys chyldren, but also there shall we be sure to bée his sonnes in déede.

6 No maner of night or darcknesse of humayne doctryne, shall appere anye more in that cytie. But hauing Christ and his veritie, all vnprofitable doubtes, fantasies, errours, lyes, and false myracles, shall these citizens detest here. And after this lyfe are no suche matters to be loked for, all things thē being clere and perfect. Though they some time were darkenesse, yet are they now lyght in the Lorde, and will walke styll therein as y^e children therof, tyll they come to the God of Gods in the euerlasting Syon.

7 There shall they hauehave néede of no candell or of wisdome borowed of mē.

8 Nor yet of y^e matteryall sun which mynistreth light to y^e day, by whom is ment y^e high sience of philosophers cō ceiued of y^e creaturs aboue w^tout faith. Those forē lightes may his ministeres wel vse, but truely his church nedeth thē not hauing much better than they are of christ & of his Aposils. Uery dark lights are they, wher his bright beāes once apereth, which is y^e clere sunne of rightuousnes. Abhominable lyes & errours did he proue y^e high learning of y^e bishops & lawyers, as he doth yet their decrées & lawes, their schoole, diuinitie and sentences, their ordinarie questions and quodlibetes.

9 All these stinking mistes set apart, the mercifull Lorde aboue, which is the omnypotent God, giueth them a light sufficient. His eternall sonne is vntounto them suche a cleare shyning cresset, as no great blast can extinguishe, nor cloude with darke shadowe blemishe. Of most tender mercy sent hée that day spring from aboue, to dyrecte their féete here in the way of his peace.

10 And after thys laborous pilgrymage, in the sabboth of perpetual quiet shall hée lyghten them throughlye with his most glorious presence, and with him shall they raigne for euer and euer in full felicitie and glory cō tinuing. In this life beginneth y^e kingdome through fayth, but there shall it be perfourmed in the perfecte sight of the godhead. The proude raigne of tyrauntes is here but for a time, the lesse it is to be feared. The méeke raign of the rightuous continueth for euer, the more it is to be sought for and desired. The fruites that are here very harde and sower vntounto them, shall there bée inestimable swéete, gentile, beautiful, perfecte, and pleasaunt, hauing theyr full rypenesse. No neede shall it be thā to run by sea and lande for the wysedome, power, and glory of Christ, for in that day shal they be with eueryevery one present. Here hauehave they but little pretie beames of y^e light, very small drops of the water, and a smel of the fruites a farre of. Likelihoodes, figures, & mysteries hauehave they only now of the beatitude to come. But there shall they be sure to hauehave them in full sight, tast, and sauer, and plentuously to be satisfied with them. Scarse is it here in cō parison to that it shal be there, as one droppe of water to the whole sea, or as an hādful of sād is to y^e whole earth.

The texte.

1 And he sayd vntounto me. 2. These sayings are faithfull and true. 3. And the Lorde God, 4. of the holy Prophets, 5. sen… his Angell to shev… vntounto his seruaunts, 6. the things which shortly must be fulfilled. 7. Beholde, I come shortly. 8. Happy is he that kepeth the saying, 9. of the prophecie of this booke.

The Commentary.

1 In the conclusion of these most wō derfull reuelations (saith sainct Iohn) the Angell that communed with mée all this time (which was the very spirite of Christ) sayde thus vntounto me hys poore exyled seruaunt.

2 It shall become no man to dispise these wordes, nor to reiecte these sayings, whome thou hast here séene and harde since the first beginning of thys reuelation. For they are most faythfull and true, sure and perfect, & shall without faile at their appoynted times in eueryevery iote be fulfylled, for the true churches commoditie and profit. This is here spoken for the conseruation of the hygh mysteries of thys booke, least any false Antichrist hereafter (as many such hath bene in déede) should cō dempne them, depraue them, and as of none aucthoritie reporte them. As the most deare treasures of God therfore, doth the holy Ghost here wrappe them vp togither, to preserue them vnderunder hys power, & setteth vntounto them the seale of hys owne witnesse, y^t they should euermore be taken for his. After this sort did the Prophets vse their prophecies, concluding alwayes, thus sayeth the Lorde of hostes. So did the Lord his selfe whan he sayde. Uerely verely I say vntounto you, we speake that we knowe. My doctrine is not myne, but his that sent mée. Of my selfe I speak not the words that I vtter. The father dwellyng in mée, perfourmeth the workes. I am not come of my self, but he that sent me is true, with suche other lyke. Paule doth also name him selfe the Apostle of Iesus Christ. Not I commaunde this (sayth he) but the Lorde. The gospell that I preache, hauehave I learned of no man, but by the shewing of Iesus Christ. The Lorde that is blessed for euer knoweth that I lye not, and such like. So is the ende of this booke as was the begynnyng, sealed with many wonderfull & strong sentences of the Lorde, as his whole mynde, perfect will, and purposed decree, concernyng hys church héere in earth.

3 And the same Lorde God eternall (sayeth Christ vntounto Iohn) which hath diuersly afore tyme spoken in the holy Prophets and fathers, hath now laste of all sent the Angel of his euerlasting couenaunt, by him to vtter the secrets of his mynde by whom he created the world. Him hath he hither dyrected, in these latter dayes of y^e world to shewe cléerely vntounto his true seruauntes (of whom thou arte in these dayes princypall) those wonderfull things in mysterie, which must within shorte space effectually come to passe and be fulfilled in déede. As the manyfolde persecutions of his churche, & the prosperous raigne of the beast and his shorlings, with the glorious rayse of the one, and dampnable fall of y^e other. That whan troublous crosses doe come, they may be the more ioyfully taken, cōsidering the tyme of them short, & the rewarde of their sufferaunce euerlasting.

4 For none other cause is God héere called the Lord God of the Prophets, but that they hauehave through his spirite truly beleued in him, & the same spirit declared his mynde and pleasure.

5 In the beginning of this reuelation was this Angell sent vntounto Iohn alone, here is he sent also vntounto his other seruauntes, in token that the Lord in Iohn respecteth his congregation.

6 The things that must shortly follow, are his iudgements in rewarding the rightuous and condempning y^e reprobates. For a thousande yeares are but as a day before him, & as the tyme that is in a maner past. Let eueryevery man take héede (sayeth the Lorde) leaste I come vponupon him vnlooked for. Let them watch in fayth, and pray in spirite and veritie, hauing theyr weddyng garmēts, with the oyle of Christian louelove in their lampes.

7 For beholde whan I shall come eyther to the particular ende of anye man, or to the latter iugdement, I wil come sodainlye neyther the day nor yet the houre of my comming knowne afore, least men (as they are ill of nature) should dryue of till that daye to liue according to faith. Of this admonition may the faythfull sorte be glad, being here in aduersitie, consideryng their deliueraunce is at hande, & theyr crowne of immortalitie not farre of.

8 Happy is that man whatsoeuer he be, high or lowe, rich or poore, learned or vnlearned, that obserueth in his cō uersation and lyfe, the godly sayings contayned in the prophecie of thys present booke.

9 Yea, blessed is he that so receyueth the premonishments thereof, that neyther false prophet can deceyue him, nor yet any cruell Antichrist with terrour dryue him from the righte vnderstanding and followyng of Christes pure doctrine. For neyther to dogges nor swine are they here lefte, to be neglected or disdayned, but vntounto his faythful seruauntes to be reuerently followed and had in remembraunce.

The text.

1 I am Iohn, 2. which sawe these thinges, 3. and haerde them, 4. And vvhan I had hearde and seene them, 5. I fell dovvne to vvorshippe before the feete of the Angell, 6. vvhichwhich shevved me these thinges. 7. And he sayde vntounto me. 8. See thou doe it not, 9. For I am thy fellovv seruaunt, 10. and the felovv seruaunt of thy brethen the Prophetes, 11. and of them vvhichwhich keepe the sayinges of this booke. 12. Worship God.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently, bicause ye shall not suppose this matter lyght (sayth sainct Iohn) as many thinketh that whiche hath not the testimony of men, besides the aucthoritie of God, I Iohan Boanerges, an earnest thunderer out of the gospell, & a stirrer vp mens hartes to the study of heauenly things. Yea a man knowne, not only to you Afianes, but also the whole Christianitie, for that Apostle whom Christ peculyarlye loued.

2 Euen I am the same selfe Iohan, which hauehave both heard these wonderfull things with myne eares, and also hauehave séene them through y^e great goodnesse of my lord God with myne eyes, for your singular commoditie and profite.

3 None other matter doe I héere wryte vntounto you, at the commaundement of Iesus Christ for your healthe and saluation, but such as I hauehave both heard and séene for the same, beleue them if ye wil. In my other writings, as are my gospell and my fyrst Epistle, whervnto I neuer subscribed, ye hauehave throughly beleued mée. GiueGive no lesse credence now than vntounto this, whervnto I subscribe my name. For so hauehave I done here, that ye should the rather beleue it, and receyue it as most wholesome doctrine of saluation. After thys sort did Paule adde his name to hys sayings, that they should be the more earnestly receyued.

4 And as concerning my parte, truly whan I had thus harde them & séene them, the wonderfull mysteryes of them so rauyshed my spirites, that I in a maner clearely forgate my selfe.

5 Yea, I was so farre from my right remembraunce for the vehemency of them, that I fell downe flatte to the grounde, prostrate before the féete of the Angell, mynding to giuegive vntounto him the whole homage of my soule, which is onelyonly due vntounto God that created my soule.

6 And what though this Angel which had thus opened vntounto me all these wō derfull mys…eries afore, where Iesus Christ him selfe (as I thought him no lesse in déede) yet sought I not to hauehave worshipped him in that similitude, cō sidering also y^e God will hauehave no part of his honour giuen to any other than vntounto himselfe onelyonly.

7 Wherefore he charitably admonished me of it, and sayd thus vntounto me.

8 In any wise beware thou doe no such homage vntounto me, which apere here to thée but a creature, least therby thou offende y^e Lord god. For daunger may be in such case, though the intent bée godly, if any part thereof shoulde remayn to the creature, as thou knowest wel inough. Nothing maiest thou worshippe that thy outwarde syght offreth vntounto thée, for in them hath fayth no place whych is a substaunce of things vnséene. And God hath taught thée to worshipe him in no creatures, neither in breade nor wyne, man nor angell, but in spirit and veritie onelyonly, muche lesse than to worshippe the selfe creatures, or Idols in their stede, whych is much worse.

9 Though I be the sonne of God and sauiour of y^e world, yet am I in this office but a creature, and thy fellow seruaunt. A sent messenger from God as thou art, an opener of his godly minde and pleasure as thou art, to sygnifie y^• vntounto thée, which he wolde hauehave thée againe to signifie vntounto his people.

10 And in this point am I not onelyonly thy companion, or in this message ioyned fellowe with thée (for so well is it my reuelation as thyne) but also I am a lyke companion to thy former brethrē Ezechiell, Daniell, Zacary, and such other, which had the gyft of prophecie and were prophetes in déede, as thou art now doing lyke office with them thus vttering gods mind in misteries.

11 Yea, farthermore, I am a fellowe seruaunt likewise and a companiō togither of all thē y^• w^t reuerence obserue the faithfull testymonies of this present booke or prophecy. In token wherof I toke the shappe of a seruaunt, I fulfylled the lawe, and was conuersāt among men.

12 So thou worshippe not me therefore, but worship thy onelyonly Lord god. For alone shouldest thou seke him and louelove him, honour him and serue hym, prayse hym, and glorifie him. None other gods shalt thou hauehave in my sight, saith the eternall and omnipotēt Lord. Obserue the same rule in worshipping that I taught thée to obserue in prayer. Remember I taught thée not to pray vntounto me whome thou séest, nor yet vntounto any dead sainct whome thou séest not, but vntounto thy lorde God whom thou hast only in beleue, saying our father which arte in heauen. I tolde thée also that God was a spirite, and that he would only be sought in spirite, and in nothing that thou séest with thyne eyes. Therefore worship God & not mée. Consider here (good reader) y^e vngodly vyolence of the papistes, enforcing the simple multitude to worship a drye wafer cake, to knele vntounto it, to holde vp their handes, to make theyr prayers to it, and to call it their God, making them to beleue that it is gods commaundement they shoulde so doe. Oh, abhominable Antichristes, Oh, filthie Balaamites, séeking your owne bellyes & glory to your confusiō. Way this place throughlye with the other scriptures, & be once ashamed of your beastly and blasphemous madnesse. Ye will peraduenture say, it is Christes body. But truly that is all false. For thereof is no mutuall perticipation, where one eateth vp all. No shewyng is there of y^e Lordes death til he come, where all is done in a foren language and nothing vnderstanded. Christ breathed not vponupon the bread with hoo, hée, hauehave at all, as you doe. He only tooke it in his holy handes, and gaue thankes vntounto God. The wordes of thankesgyuing he lefte not behinde him for you to …unger with, for he knew yée afore for subtile workers. He kept not that bread to him selfe, nor yet closed it vp in a boxe as you doe. But he brake it and distributed it vntounto other. In lyke case the disciples did neyther worship it nor him at that season. For if they had, he would hauehave forbidden it them, and hauehave taught the same self doctrine that he sheweth here vntounto Iohan. Only did they take it & eate it in his remē braunce, and that was his institution. And where as it is this vsed, there is both his body and bloud receiued. But otherwise not. The breade that was lefte of this consecration or breaking, which was so holy as the other, was neyther housed nor churched, boxed nor pixed, but remayned there styll to the housholders, to be eatē of whom soeuer lusted. Neyther doth the diuinitie of your sentēcioners as of Thomas of Aquine, Dons, Dorbel, Guido, Baconthorp, and such other, appoynt thervnto that kynde of honour that ye suffer the people to giuegive vntounto it, but a far meaner honour called Hiperdulia. But you can wynke at such matters & suffer both them and your selues to go to the diuell for worldly lucer. Nothyng holdeth long with you, neither christes doctryne nor your owne. But that yée make now, ye marre to morowe. And that at one tyme is a lawe, at an other tyme shal be none at al. Such are your wauering wonders.

The Text.

1 And he sayde vntounto me. 2. Seale not thy sayinges of the prophecy of this booke. 3. For the tyme is at hande. 4. He that doth euill, let hym doe euill styll. 5. and he whych is filthy, let him be filthy stil. 6, & he that is rightuous let him be more rightuous 7. & he that is holy let hym be more holy. 8, And beholde, I come shortly, 9, and my revvarde vvyth me 10. to giuegive eueryevery man according as his dedes shalbe 11▪ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ende, 12. the fyrst and the last.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently the Angell (saith S. Iohn) which was Iesus Christe, had these same sayings vntounto me that here foloweth.

2 Seale not (sayth he) y^e godly words contayned in y^e prophecy of this booke. Close thē not vp frō the sight of other. Hide them not from those which are desirous of knowledge. For profitable they are to the congregation of God, and most highly necessary to them that shalbe saued. For both shewe they throughly the dampnation of the wicked with remedies to auoyde it, and also the saluacion of y^e rightuous with meanes to obtayne it.

3 And thys is the cause why thou shalte not close them vp. The tyme is at hande.

The fulfyllyng of thē wyll shortelye apeare, and euidētly declare what they are in dede. In the meane season shall manye of theyr mystieryes bée open vntounto them y^t are taught of God, though the vnfaithfull sort knoweth nothyng what they meane. They y^t hauehave Christes spirite, can in no necessary poynte be ignoraunt. The cause why manye writers hath erred in expounding this reuelation, hath bene the ignoraunce of other scriptures, the pleasing of prelates for dignitie and lucre, and moste of all the horrible blyndnesse of soule, which long hath continued in y^e world among the fleshly Hypocrites.

4 And as concerning those beastlye belly gods, let them wallow in theyr mischiefes. He that is euil amōg them, or frowarde and obstinate against the veritie of God, let him worke euil vponupon euill, abhomination vponupon abhomynation, and murther vponupon murther, til he bring vponupon him self the vengeaūce of all innocent bloud which hath bene shead vponupon earth, to his more dampnation without remedy.

5 Moreouer he that is filthy in hys conuersation, be it in the spirite or otherwyse, I will take my grace from him, for y^e vtter contempt of my word, and he shall be still from thence forth more execrable and filthy. He shall do… wickednesse vponupon wickednesse, Idolatry, vponupon Idolatry, and whoredom vponupon whoredome. Yea, where as he was before but an Idolatour in hymselfe he shall become after that an Idolatour also in other, by prouokyng thē to the same, to hys double dampnatiō. And wheras he shuld paraduenture in y^e world hauehave bene but a single whoremonger, he shalbe there an holy, spirituall, anoynted, shauen, shorne, priestly and mitered whoremonger, abusing eueryevery mans wyfe, doughter, and seruaunt. And to make vp all to y^e diuell, become a consecrate Sodomyte, offering hymselfe vp in dead sacrifices vntounto Belphegor, for feare of breakynge hys vnuirgynall vowe. Farther than all thys, he shall enter into such blindnesse of y^e spirite, that he wyll thynke verely to doe God an hygh pleasure whan he murthereth vp without mercy, hys innocent people which wyll not obey theyr execrable lawes, blessinges, absolutiōs, and other sorceries, for conscience sake. Consider in this the terrible and fearefull hand of the Lorde towardes them that withholde hys truth in vnrightuousnesse, specially whā he hath giuē thē ouer & left thē to themselues. For they worke their owne dampnation, whan they thinke nothing lesse.

6 Contrarywyse consider hys excéeding great mercy towardes them that are godly, whom he dyuersly afflicteth in hys lyfe, least they shoulde peryshe wyth the wycked. My pleasure is it (sayth he here) that the man whych is faythfull, rightuous, and good, shall increase euer more therein, and so cō tynually be ryghtuous. I shall so temper their hartes, that hath louelove to my truth, that they shall louelove it more and more. Yea, I shall so therin strengthen them, that for no persecution of tyraū tes shall they forsake it.

7 So will I order the matter amōg my electes, that he which is holy, pure, and perfect, leading a lyfe accordinge to my worde, he shall perseuer in i… styll, and be perfect vntounto the ende, that he maye inioye the crowne thereof. Neyther shall seducing hypocrite nor yet peruertinge Antichrist, wyth all their subtile charmes and ginnes, bée able to bringe them out of that way, whych leadeth vntounto lyfe. By this we may se that the veritie preached, christ is vntounto som a falling, vntounto some againe a rysing vp. Unto som is his godly doctryne a swéet sauour vntounto lyfe, & vntounto some an ill sauour vntounto death. The gospell is folyshnesse to them that shal peryshe, but vntounto them that beléeue, it is such a power of god as bringeth saluation with it. The faithful by hearing it, waxeth more godly. The vndyscrete hypocrites, contemneth the grace thereof. So that the one sort is thereby made better and increased in vertue, the other is made worse and foloweth all mischiefes. In him that hath fayth shall all other graces of the spirite habounde, and in him that hath it not, shall no gift of vertue aryse to hys …owles profit.

8 Let mē take hede if they wil, & giuegive dilygent watch & attēdaunce, for truly (saith the Lorde) I will come sodenly▪ and v…bewars vponupon y^e vnfaithful, none other warning… giuen but this & such other in y^e scripturs, take thē if they lust▪

9 Necessary it is y^e eueryevery man walke according to hys vocacyon, both prince and preacher. Lorde and commoner, merchande and artificer. For when I shall resort, be certayne and sure of it, my iust rewarde shall come wyth me, whych is both lyfe and death.

10 Let no mā reckē otherwise to finde me thā a most rightuous iudge, rendering vntounto eueryevery one at y^e day according as his workes shal apeare & as his déedes shal require of rightuousnes. Neither shal sufferages nor church buylding, pigrimage, nor masse rīgin, holy orders nor yet assoiling, stande in any sted at y^e day: only shal they finde mercy whych hath bene mercifull, all other perishing without mercy. No man shal there be rewarded for workes of mēs preseciption, be they neuer so holy, but for that whych hath rysen of fayth in Gods worde onelyonly. Neither shall they hauehave that of deseruinges, as worke preachers hath taught, but onelyonly of grace & fauour for Christes bloud sake. For vnprofitable seruauntes are w…e of our selues, whan we hauehave done all that hath bene commaunded vsus▪ No better is our whole ryghtuousnesse, whan it is at the hyghest, than is the cloth that is stayned wyth menstrue, nor more pleasaunt vntounto God, were it not for hym. Let no man thynke to be saued through deseruing, no more than he is iustified of deseruing. OnelyOnly is it the mercyfull fauour and frée goodnesse of hym without our mangye merytes that shall saue vsus. Not our good workes (sayth saynt Augustyne) but hys owne méere gyftes doth the Lorde crowne in vsus.

11 This hath the Lord put here in y^e ende as a briefe conclusion comprehē dyng his whole mynde in this reuelation, concernyng the rightuous, and vnrightuous. Beléeue this necessarye doctryne (sayth the Lorde Iesus christ) for I which hauehave tolde it here vntounto you am vnderunder the mistery of Alpha & Omega the first and the last Greeke letters, the originall beginning of all thinges, and perfct ende of the same. I am that mightie worde of god though I apere now in thys nature, in whom he created all, & by whō he shall perfourme & finish al too y^e end they were created for.

12 I am the first, in that I am in one godhede equall with the Father and wyth the holy ghost. I am also the last in that I shall so continue world with out ende. I am he before whom there was neuer any god, neyther shall ther be any after me. I am onelyonly the Lord, for I am from euerlastinge. In t…ken whereof I hauehave tolde you both things that are past and thinges yet to come. Under this straunge Trope or similytude of Alpha and Omega (which is a common Allegory vsed of the Gréekes) is alwayes to bée vnderstanded the eternall diuinitie in Christes manhode. Whych is here (as are manye other thynges els) ofte tymes repeated, of none other purpose, but as a most necessarye cause to bée had in remembraunce.

The text.

1 Blessed are they that doe. 2. hys cōmaundementes. 3. that their power maye be in the tree of lyfe. 4. and may enter in through the gates into the citie. 5. For without are dogges 6. and inchaunters. 7. and whoremongers. 8. and murtherers. 9. and idolators, 10▪ and vvho soeuer loueth or maketh leasinges.

The Commentary.

1 From henceforth doth the Lorde chaunge the maner of his speakynge, representyng agayne the personage of an Angell or messenger.

Blessed are they (sayth he) or happy afore GOD, that of a sincere fayth and Godly mynde doe dylygentlye obserue hys most iust cōmaundementes, whych is a very washyng of their defyled garmentes in the bloude of the Lambe.

For perfectly, pure, innocent, and cleane are they that walke faythfully accordyng to the preceptes of his heauenly doctryne.

Yea, dooinge on the armoure of lyght they are very clearenesse in the Lorde and the shynynge bewty of the worlde.

2 And as concernyng hys cōmaundemēts, gréeuous are they not, but swéet & pleasaūt, he setting hand to y^e fulfilling of thē, which hath cōmaūded thē, he ministering hys Godly spirite may make of hym that was afore vnwylling, a very willyng person, lyke as he dyd of Saule whan he chaunged hym into a Paule. He laying before their eyes the inestymable profite of the good thynges to come, wyll cause them to forget these corruptible pleasures, and alwaies to labour for them.

3 Happy are they afore hande, that shall mynde to doe these thinges, that their power through a true beléeue may be in the trée of lyfe, wherby they may worke them and so hauehave fruite of their labours. For without that trée (by whome is ment the souiour of the world) they can doo nothing thervnto. Without hys strength, grace, & spirit, doubtelesse they are al weake, wretched, and vnprofitable, hauehave they neuer so many holy deseruings, which faithfully desired, is neuer denyed them as all the scriptures recordeth.

4 Thys woulde bée sought therefore, that they may thereby enter in peaceably, w^tout impedimēt through y^e clere gates of pearl afore mēcioned, in to y^e plesaūte citie or y^e newly prepared Hierusalem. By the which gates is none other signified here, but he alone, diuerslye opened by the Apostles doctryne. He is the onelyonly portall of rightuousnesse, and the straight way vntounto lyfe, by whom they enter in from all quarters of the worlde. None other would Dauid acknowledge in all hys godly prayses, nor yet y^e Apostle Paule in his manyfolde exhortations. Whatsoeuer they be that enter in by him, be without perill euermore, and shall hauehave the life euerlasting. Thus is a true beleue in him and his worde with a iust following of the same, a full doing of his commaundementes without any other traditions, ordinaū ces, or ceremonies.

5 And whilest this chosen flocke are thus entring into this citie, the cruell dogges, which barke against the veritie, and teare the true seruauntes of God, are still remayning without, appeare they neuer so spirituall & holy.

6 So are the subtile sorcerers, which with their holy charmes and inchaūtments, with their prophecies, reuelations, and false myracles, both blynde the vnlearned gouernours and deceiue the prophane▪ Idiotish multitude, leading them both to the diuill.

7 So are the consecrate whoremongers, the defilers of all honestie, and breakers of all godly ordinaunces, as are in these dayes in the braggers out of Romish chastitie, y^e bishops, priests, and religious, vnderunder the title of vows, mayntaynig Sodome and Gomorre.

8 Lykewyse in the spightfull murtherers, that of mallice and mischiefe flea the godly preachers, and other poore innocent▪ people for rebuking theyr corrupte customes are sequestred from thēce for euer.

9 The supersticious Idolatours of all generations the moste execrable, as masse mongers, head bablers, saint séekers, Image lighters, gadders to Cō postell, Rome, Tryer, & Tholose, with all their straunge worshippinges not commaunded of God, shall hauehave no place there.

10 Brieflye to conclude the whole, what people so euer they are that delighteth in fables, lyes, and errours, not regarding y^e right meaning of the scriptures, or what holy hypocrites …o euer they be that with famed sanctitie, deceyuable wonders, and false interpretations, blemisheth the veritie of the Lorde▪ for the vpholding of they… p…yde, lechery, and lucre, shall enioye no fréedome within this citie. Bée yée sure of this (sayth sainct Paule in dyuers places) that no fornicatour, nor vncleane person, no couetous cloyne…, deceiptfull hypocrite, lyer for aduauntage, filthy Idolatour, malicious murtherer, or such other like, can hauehave any inheritaunce in the kingdom of Christ and God. No porcion can they hauehave in the lande of the lyuing, that hath bene partakers with aduouterers & theues.

The Text.

1 Hesus hauehave sent myne Angell. 2▪ to testifie vntounto you these things in the congregatiō, 3. I am the roote and generation of Dauid, 4. and the bright morning starre. 5. And the spirite and the bride say, 6. Comely. And let him that heareth say also, 8. Come 9. And let hym that is a thyrst come, 10. And let whosoeuer vvill take, 11. freely of the vvater of lyfe.

The Commentary.

1 Consequently if ye couer (saith the Lord) to know surely from whēce thys doctrine doeth come, and who is y^e chief authoritie thereof be you throughly ascertayned, that I Iesus Christ y^e sonne of the liuing God, hauehave directed foorth myne Angell (which is the spirite of truth) or the holy ghost whom I promised to witnesse here manifestly vntounto you, by my dere disciple Iohn these wōderfull things hereafter to chaunce in the christian congregations.

2 Thinke not that the contentes of this booke are either of Iohn, or yet of any other man that euer was here lyuing, for neyther hath he learned them of Prophet nor holy father, but by my onelyonly reuelation or shewing (whiche am the eternall spouse of the church) hath he receiued them to their singular health and comforte.

3 And as cōcerning me without faile I am the originall roote, or grounde of saluation in Dauid after the word, and after the flesh I am of his stocke or generation. For in mée are fulfilled all promises of health that euer god made for that faythfull housholde. By mee had Dauid his beginning for I made him, and by me shall he and all other true Israelites in him, hauehave for euer a glorious continuaunce, for I saued them in that fleshe.

4 To all them which walke after Dauids fayth, am I y^e bright mornyng starre of grace, remouyng the filthye cloudes of errour. The shyning clearenesse of godly vnderstanding, finishing the darke night of ignoraunce. I bring with me the day of mercy, health, and rightuousnesse, and the Sabboth of full reconciliation to God. I giuegive light vntounto them that sate in darkenesse, directing their féete in y^e path way of peace.

5 For my worde is spirite and veritie, resurrection and lyfe. And where as it shyneth in the hartes of mortall men, it maketh them the children of light. To séeke vntounto this necessarye light, the eternall spirite of God, the holy Ghost, dayly moueth and prouoketh by many inwarde callings vponupon, saying alwayes.

6 Come with a sincere fayth. Drawe nygh vntounto him, and be lightened, and your frayle consciences shall neuer be confounded. Resorte vntounto him all you that are loaden, and he shall refreshe you. The bryde or congregation of the Lorde thus taught, sturred, and prycked forewarde of his spirite sayth also in hyr heart euermore, with a feruent desyre. Oh, come my moste delectable spouse & lord Iesus Christ, my health, ioye, and swéetnesse. Apply that y^e immortall glory of the chosen children of God, may be séene of all creatures, iniquitie cōdempned for euer. Accomplish the mariage appointed from y^e worlds beginning. Permit y^e prepared spouse with hir appoynted number to enter into thy eternall tabernacle of rest.

7 Moreouer (sayth the Lord) whatsoeuer they be that shall heare and beleue this prophecie, let them desire the consummation therof, and so conforme them selues vntounto Christ & his church, saying also.

8 Come moste mercifull sauiour and redéemer and fulfill the godly promyses of this booke, to the eternall comforte of man. Make hast to the iudgement seat, for a full deliuerance of the whole chosen number, y^t thy seruaunts may be where as thou art in perfecte glory and ioy.

9 Fynally, let him (sayth the Lorde) that in faith is a thirst, or that hath in him a desire to be saued, hast him selfe forewarde, and come also. Let hym onelyonly beleue. For the plentuous fountaynes of the lyuyng waters mencioned afore, are withholden from no seruaunt of God. Nothing is denyed vntounto him that asketh in fayth. In prayer are all spiritual commodities graūted.

10 Whosoeuer therfore hath a wil… conformable vntounto Gods will, let hym take fréely without price or payment, without satisfaction or merite, y^e pleasaunt water of the lyfe for euer, refreshing hys soule in the plentuousnesse thereof.

11 Of grace and fauour is saluation in Christ layde forth. Onlye is héere required but a will to séeke for it. Not that it shall so be deserued. For neyther is it of hym y^t willeth, nor yet of him y^t runneth. But y^e gracious Lorde whiche calleth men to these waters, putteth into thē a stomake, thirst, & desire to couet them. Yea, he mynistreth strēgth to y^e séeking of thē, least some of y^e glory therof shuld remayn vntounto their deseruings, and not all to his mercy alone. Thus standeth the doctrine of our worke braggers voyde, which neither féedeth nor satisfieth, considering that not for our rightuous doings, but alone for his owne mercyes sake hath he saued vsus.

The text.

1 But I testifie vntounto eueryevery man that heareth the vvordes of prophecie of this booke, 2. if any man shall adde vntounto these things, 3. God shall adde vntounto him the plagues, 4. that are vvrittē in this booke, 5. And if any man shall mynish of the vvordes of the booke of thys prophecie, 6. God shall take avvay hys parte out of the booke of life, 7. and out of the holy citie, 8. & from the things vvhichwhich are vvritten in this booke, 9. He vvhichwhich testifieth these things sayeth, 10. Yea, 11. I come quickely, 12. Amen, 13. Euē so, 14. come lord Iesus, 15. The grace of our Lorde Iesus, 16. be vvith you all 17. Amen.

The Commentary.

1 As my dutie is (sayeth saint Iohn) to premonish afore hande, I faithfully proteste by this my present testimony, vntounto all those men that shall hereafter receyue the wordes of this wonderful prophecy here written in thys booke, eyther by reading or hearing.

2 That if any of them shall presumptuously take vponupon him to adde any thing thervnto, in purpose to peruert the truth, or cōtrary to y^e holy ghostes meaning, as Carpocras, Hebion, Cerinthus, and other antichristes hath done with the other scriptures.

3 Be certayn and sure of it, that the eternall god (from whom nothing can be hid) shal adde vntounto him for so doing, the most terrible and woful plages regestred afore in thys worke.

4 That is to say, he shall suffer him to runne in to moste déepe errours, & giuegive him ouer for euer into the sinne against the holy ghost, whervpon all other plages of dampnation dependeth. Ye shall put nothing (sayth the Lorde) vntounto the worde that I hauehave giuen you, neither shall ye take any thing from it. Put thou nothinge vntounto his sayinges (sayth Salomō) of thine owne imaginytion least he reproue thée for a dāpnable liar. Nothing is this against thē which by the other scriptures and histories doth expounde thys reuelacyon, to make it to theyr vnderstandynge more playne. For than should Saynt Augustyne, saint Hierome, Isydorus, Beda, Rabanus, & dyuers other great pillars of the church be vnderunder these plages, for doeing that charitable office. So should also the doctrine of this booke be against it self in y^e .xiii. chapter where as libertie is giuen to hym that hath writ, to count the number of the beast, & in other places els. But this is here spoken from them that corrupteth the text to mayntaine their blasphemous lyes for aduauntage, or that séeketh to blemish the right sence therof, least men should behold thē in their right colours, as y^e wicked papists hath don euer since their begīning, so drownning the authoritie & maiestie thereof.

5 Moreouer (sayth saynt Iohn) if any mortall man shal presume to deminish the wordes contayned in the volume of this heauenly Prophecye, vnreuerently so controuling the wysdome of God.

6 The sayd omnypotent god, and reuenger of al vngodlinesse, shall clerely wype away his porcion out of y^e booke of lyfe so that he shalbe none of theyr number, whych are predestinated to the glory of his children.

7 Neyther shall such be alowed for cityzens with y^e saintes in the holy cō gregation of hys newe Hierusalem, nor yet be accepted for hys shousholde seruauntes enioying y^e swéet cōmodyties mencioned in thys booke as pertayning to hys peculyar people.

8 Lyke as are the bewtyfull trée of lyfe wyth his manyfolde fruites and leaues of wholsomnesse, the swéet running ryuer of the lyuing waters, and the holy citye sufficiently discribed afore with such other els. None that contendeth for a mastry (saith Paule) shalbe crowned, vnlesse hée contende lawfully. Arrius toke away from the tenth of Iohn this setence, I & y^e father are one. Photinus added this clause to y^e gospell as a voyce frō the father, I giuegive vntounto Iesu his original of Mary And both their intētes were to destroy our faith concerning christs godhede, lyke as the papystes doth also our iustificacyon in hys bloude, vnlesse we hauehave theyr lowsie masses & merites. A lyke adiuratiō to this, hath Hireneus in the ende of his octonarie, requiring al them y^t shal coppy out y^t booke, to doo it truly as they will aunswers it béefore god their rightuous iudge. In like case doth saint Hierome before y^e abreuiaciōs of Eusebius chronicle cōmaūd, that in anye wyse the veritie therof be dilygently reserued. So doth also Cyrillus y^e Gréeke in y^e preface of his prophecy vntounto Ioachim Abbas, desiring y^e writings therof in no case to be corrupted of il writers, w^c diuers other

9 In confirmatiō of y^e I hauehave sayd afore (saith S. Iohn) the eternall son of god which hath ratified these former things w^t his mighty word, saith here also as one subscribing to it.

10 Yea, it is so, or els thus. Like as y^u hast said (Iohn) shal these blasphemers here after finde it, y^e presumeth eyther to adde, or to deminish frō these scriptures for any carnall purpose.

11 And to perform y^e promyse of thyne I wyll not long tarry. I come by & by, to reward y^e wicked w^c swift dampnatiō, for not beleuing y^e truth. For nowe are y^e last dayes, y^e endes of y^e worlde, yea, the very laste houre.

Ready is the Lord (sayth saint Peter) to iudge the quicke and dead, and the ende of all things is at hande.

12 Sainct Iohn hearing this of hys mercifull Lorde and sauiour lifte vp his heade and handes towardes heauen, & as one desirous of the perfourmaunce of Gods appoynted will, and of the full deliuerance of the faythfull, he sayde, Amen. Or be it fulfilled in effect. For that is the thing which my soule dayly desireth and inwardly coueteth, to the full manifestation of thy glorious kingdome.

13 Consequently, in the voyce of the whole congregation cryeth Iohn, as did Symeon y^e iust. Yea, euen so might it be, as thou hast here promised, that thou mightest come out of hande.

14 Oh, come most merciful redemer & gracious Lord Iesu Christ, to iudge the vniuersall worlde. Come, come, or hie thée hether apace, to seperate the wheate from the chaffe, and y^e lambes from the Goates, so bringing them into thy eternall tabernacle. Wo is mée that my banishmēt endureth so long, I dwelling in the tabernacles of the sorowfull. My soule hath a thurstie desire for God the fountaine of lyfe. Oh, whan shall I come and beholde hys face? Lyke are we to those faythfull seruaunts, which wayte for the return of their Lorde from the wedding, very ready to open at his knocking.

15 The grace of our mercifull Lorde Iesus Christ (sayth saynct Iohn) wherby commeth saluation to them y^t truly beléeueth, bée with you all, so many as are of that godlye expectation and desire.

16 Or the fauour, mercy, and acceptation of God y^e father, through his blessed death, euermore preserue you in the vnitie of his godly spirite, that yée may hereafter in this holye citie, bée partakers of his gloryous heritage in the worlde to come.

17 Let all them say Amen vntounto this, which myndeth the glory of the Lorde vnfaynedly. So be it.