A Revelation of the Apocalypse, Chapter 10
CHAP. 10.
THEN I ſawe an other Angell comming downe from heaven, clothed with a cloude, & the rainebowe upon his head, & his face was as the Sunne, & his feete as pillars of fire.
2 And he had in his hande a little booke opened, and he put his right foote upon the Sea, and his left on the earth.
3 And cried with a loude voice, as a Lion roareth: and when he had cryed, ſevē thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the ſeven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: but I heard a voice from heaven ſaying unto mee, ſeale up thoſe thinges which the ſevē thunders have ſpoken, and write them not.
5 And the Angell which J ſaw ſtande upon the ſea and upon the earth lift up his hand to heaven.
6 And ſware by him that liveth for evermore, which created heaven & things that are therein, & the earth and the things that are therein, & the ſea, and the things hat are therein, that time ſhalbe noe more.
7 But in the dayes of the voice of the ſeventh Angell, when he ſhall beginne to blowe the trumpet, even the myſterie of God ſhalbe finiſhed, as he hath declared to his ſervants the Prophets.
8 And the voice which J heard from heaven ſpake unto mee againe, and ſaid: goe and take the little booke which is open in the hande of the Angell ſtanding upon the ſea, and upon the earth.
9 So J went unto the Angell ſaying unto him: give mee the little booke: and he ſaid unto mee, take it, and eate it up, and it ſhall make thy belly bitter, but it ſhalbe in thy mouth as ſweete as honie.
10 Then J tooke the little booke out of the Angels hande, and ate it up, and it was in my mouth as ſweete as honie: but when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 Then he ſaid unto mee, thou muſt prophecy againe among the people, and nations, and tongues, and to many Kinges.
Analyſis.
SVCH then is the firſt part of the ſixt trumpet, to wit, the evill: the comfort followeth, conſiſting partly in the authority of the revealer: partly in the thinges revealed. His authority appeareth from the power of a certen Angell coming downe from heaven, notable by his clothing, ornament of his head, ſhining of his face, bright burning of his feete, ver. 1. Likewiſe knowledge, which the booke open in his hande ſheweth, and his preſence everie where, declared by ſo great a pulling aſunder of his feete ver. 2. The thinges revealed are, either to be Sealed up, or to be communicated: Thoſe have their principall cauſe, the voice of the Angell: their inſtrumentall cauſe Seaven thunders ver. 3. Likewiſe their conſequent, which conteineth both the endevour of Iohn in writing, & alſo the prohibition that he should not write, ver. 4. The things to be commumicated are, either touching the finiſhing of the myſtery of God in the times of the ſeventh trumpet, confirmed by an othe ver. 5.6.7. or of the gift of prophecy, reſtored againe to the Church, the preparation whereunto is ſet downe in the reſt of the chapter. Prophecy it ſelfe followeth in the eleventh chapter. The Preparation is occupied either about the Signe or about the Interpretation: that before the booke received, hath a commaundement to take it, in the eight verſe: and the obedience of Iohn, in the ningth verſe. After the ſame delivered, both a commaundement to eate it up, and alſo an inſtruction touching the diverſe taſt of it, in the ningth verſe, and the triall made by Iohn, in the tenth verſe. Laſt of all is added the Interpretation in the eleventh verſe
Scholions.
Then I ſawe an other Angell: Wee referre theſe thinges in the Analyſis, … the confort of the ſixt trumpet, which is fitly added. For who would not almoſt faint through wearineſſe of ſo long continuing trouble, hearing noe other thing in the Church for a long rowe of yeeres then violent ſtormes of haile, burning mountaines, falling ſtarres, the Sunne darkened, troupes of Locuſts, & ſerpents with a head at both endes, caſting out flames of fire, wherby an infinite number of men should burne miſerably? Nowe therefore to them, that have ben as it were a long time and much toſſed on the maine ſea, is the land pointed at, and the haven shewed, in which at length there might be reſt from theſe troubles: neither this onelyonly, but alſo in the meane time a proſperous winde is breathed forth, which may cauſe a readier ſayling. For which purpoſe a moſt mighty Angell came downe from heaven, divers frō thoſe, who blewe the trumpets, or of whom mention was made long agoe elſewhere. For they were ſervants, this is the very Lord Chriſt: as whoſe clothing, countenance, voice, & whole decking, is more imperiall, then can befall to any creature. Neither doth ſo ſtrange a forme, and unlike to the true nature of man, hinder: conſidering that it hath ben manifeſt from the firſt chapter, that he taketh upō him that outward shew eſpecially, which may ſerve moſt to the declaring, and confirming of the things propounded. Therefore as touching the deſcription of him, he is called ſtrong, becauſe he hath ſtrength ſufficiēt to deliver the Church from thoſe adverſities, wherwith it shalbe oppreſſed. He cometh downe from Heaven, becauſe nowe at length after a long diſtance of time, he would viſit his Church, from which he ſeemed to have ben abſent now a long time. And about the blowing of the ſixt Trumpet, when the foure Angels were looſed, in the yeere 1300, as was ſayd before, Chriſt began to give a more plentifull leave to enioy his preſence, then in the times going next before. Yet howſoever he came downe from heaven, he was clothed with a cloude: not knowne indeede plainly to the world, but covered yet with ſo great darkeneſſe, that he was to be ſeene, as it were through a lattice. He carrieth the rainebowe on his head, a notable meſſenger of the olde covenant, and of faire weather, both that wee may underſtand him to be faithfull and conſtant in his promiſes, and alſo that the former ſtormes shalbe driven away dayly more and more, by little and little, untill at length a cleare sky shall returne on every ſide. His face ſhineth like the Sunne, Chriſt indeede being moſt glorious, at leaſt in that parte, in which he is knowne and perceived of men: but his feete doe yet burne with fire, becauſe his loweſt members on the earth muſt burne yet with a great heate of affliction. Although there should be noe danger of periſhing in this fire, for the feete are pillars, yea and that alſo of Braſſe, chap. 1, 15. For theſe thinges belong to the ſame time, ſee chap. 2.18. So therefore Chriſt carrieth in his owne perſon, an image of the preſent Church under the ſixt Trumpet. Which began to encreaſe againe about the yeere 1300, yet covered with much darkeneſſe, which notwithſtanding gave hope of a more perfit reſtoring in due time: & in the meane while revealed the moſt ſweete face of Chriſt, which the world had not ſeene a long time: although the faithfull in the meane ſeaſon were troden downe with manie calamityes.
2 And he had in his hande a little booke open: To whom fitteth better an open booke, then to him who hath opened the ſeales of it? chap, 5.5. Becauſe therefore Chriſt commeth forth with an open booke, it is taught that nowe againe after longe ignorance, leave shalbe given to men to knowe the trueth, as wee knowe it came to paſſe about that time. For at once the Turkes began to wax ſtrong in the Eaſt, and moſt learned men to ariſe in the Weſt, who maintained the trueth boldly. But it is onelyonly a little booke, which he hath in his hande, to wit a ſmall booke, either becauſe the ende nowe approching, there should not remaine ſo many alterations, but that they might be contained in a little booke, as after in the ſixt verſe, delay ſhalbe no more: or rather becauſe the knowledg of men in this time should be ſlender and ſmall, whereunto perteineth the clothing with a clowde, as wee have shewed at the former verſe.
¶ And he put his right foote upon the Sea; This groſſe Sea of the inferiour world, is the doctrine of the corrupt Church, as chap. 8.8. No leſſe alſo perteining to them, whoſe is the adminiſtration of this doctrine. The Earth, conteineth the reſt of the common people, who in name are Chriſtians. But the feete are the members of Chriſt, to wit, his faithfull ſervants, by whom as it were by feete, he walketh on earth. Of theſe the right foote is the ſtrō ger, by which being ſet upon the Sea, it is declared, that Chriſt nowe at length will chuſe out ſome from that vile ſorte of Eccleſiaſticall men, for to be his feete and faithfull members. Alſo the left foote placed on the earth, sheweth that he will take out likewiſe ſome from the lay people, who although they could not compare with the Eccleſiaſticall, thoſe right feete, in excellency of giftes, yet they should be made his true members, & enioy the ſame honour with them. Such right feete were Iohannes de Poliaco, Martinus Patavinus, Iohannes de Ganduno, Michael Cicerius, Michael de Coriaria, Guilielmus Ockam, Gerardus Ridder, Iohannes Rochetalada, Armachanus an Jriſh Biſhop, Ioannes Wtcklefus and others. Chriſt drew them out of the ſalt ſea of the Popiſh doctrine: whom hee tooke out from the company of Eccleſiaſticall men, and brought them to ſweeter and wholſomer waters of the trueth. Out of the lay people, he had for his left feet, Ludovicus Bavarus the Emperaur, Marſilius Patavinus, Dantem Aligherium, and many others who defended to their power the trueth ſeene and acknowledged.
3 And he cryed with a loude voice as as Lion roareth: Hitherto hath ben the deſcription of the Angel, nowe the chiefe cauſe of the things that were to be ſealed up is ſet forth, to wit, the crying out of an Angell like a bellowing Lion, for ſo the Greeke word ſignifyeth properly that which belongeth to Oxen and the like beaſts. Lions are properly ſaid to roare: albeit ſome times it is attributed to Aſſes and Camels, as Heſichius sheweth: foreign is to make a ro…ring like unto Aſſes, Camels, and oxen. But the Angell belloweth, bccauſe he muſt ſpeake ſoftly, and dared not to lift up his voice (for there is ioined togither with it, he cryed with a loude voice,) but that he might shewe that the meekenes and patience of the oxen is nowe to be mixed with the courage of the Lion. And ſo indeede Chriſt, as it were revived againe then in his members, cryed out ſtrongly: which crying out nevertheleſſe carried a shewe of the bellowing oxen onelyonly, neither yet made any man greatly afraid. Thoſe firſt ſpringing up Chriſtian Worthies ſtrove by lamentings and complaining ſpeaches: yet nevertheleſſe they bare a grievous yoke of bondage, which they could not shake of, whatſoever ſtrugling they made againſt it.
¶ The ſeven thunders uttered their voice: Which as an Echo anſwered this lowing. And theſe ſeven thunders are I ſuppoſe thoſe Angels of which afterward in chap. 14.6. &c. Surely the time agreeth fitly, as wee will ſhew at the place: then alſo their office may worthily be likened to thunder, which ſounded againe when this roaring was uttered. For taking their beginning from thence, they made a noiſe with ſo great roaring, that ſuch as deſpiſed the lowing of the Angell, should at length begin to tremble for feare of this thunder. But it is an excellent thing, that the thunders ſpeake not, but at the crying out of the Angell, even as alſo the Echo hath noe voice of it ſelfe, but onelyonly yeeldeth againe the voice which it hath received; ſo thoſe reſtorers of the tru…th, howſoever the world condemned them of novelties, brought notwithſtanding nothing, but that which themſelves had learned of God.
4 And when the ſeven thunders, &c. Such were the cauſes, now is shewed the care of Iohn: whom when the ſeven thunders were heard, being about to write, a voice from heaven prohibiteth, & biddeth to ſeale them up. Theſe miſteries were to be kept ſecret, as before, the booke could not be read, as long as it was ſealed, chap. 5. For theſe times knewe not what thoſe thunders did ſpeake, neither did they marke whereunto at length they would come.
¶ And write them not: So Aretas, the Common tranſlation, and other Greeke Copies, as though theſe wordes should declare, what that Seale, should be, to wit, not to put in writing, but to have it ſecret for himſelfe alone. But is any thing revealed privately to Iohn, which he might not publiſh abroade? It is not ſurely to be thought, eſpecially ſeeing Chriſt to this ende received this Prophecy, that he might ſhewe it to his ſervants, as before in chap. 1.1. Where, to his ſervants, ſaith he, not to any one alone, but for the common good of the whole Church. Wherefore theſe wordes ſeeme thus to be underſtood, as though he should ſay, bring not theſe voices of the thunders into this place, but reſerve them to an other more proper and fit. Which iudgement certaine printed copies doe favour, which read, & hereafter thou writeſt, or peradventure, ſhall write: but although foreign might eaſily be changed into foreign the firſt vowell being altered, and the laſt ſyllable takē away: yet I ſcarſe thinke, that readings quite oppoſite one to another are founde at any time. Wherefore when it is heard to iug what ſenſe to take, that interpretation pleaſeth me moſt of all, which alike agreeth to both, to wit, according to that meaning which wee brought even nowe. Vnleſſe ſome would rather have that theſe wordes and ſhalt write hereafter be referred to the next viſions which follow: but that the voices of the thunders should be buried in ſilence for ever. But the former interpretation is more ſure, that the Revelation was given for a common ſolace, and that therefore thoſe things should be diſcloſed afterward in their place, which nowe are commanded to be kept cloſe. Albeit I deny not that ſome thing may be communicated to the Saincts apart, as to Paul, who heard thinges that could not be uttered, 2 Cor. 12.4. But the drift of the Prophecy is to be regarded. More over to what purpoſe should it be that thoſe things should be overwhelmed with an eternall ſilence, if at lēgth that were to be brought to paſſe, which the thunders ſpake? Therefore let them be ſealed for this time, in which they were hidden from the world, as it commeth to paſſe for the moſt parte in their firſt beginnings: afterward let them be written, in the place wherin they shall obtaine their ende, when the things shall become moſt plaine by the event. That is to ſay, being perfected they should be underſtood, but they should not be knowne as long as thy were to be finished.
5 And the Angell which I ſawe ſtanding &c. lifted up his hand: Hitherto of the thing that was to be ſealed: now it followeth touching the finiſhing of the myſterie, which firſt is of things to be communicated. It is confirmed by an othe, that it ſhalbe ſhortly.
For in that he lifted up the hand, it was done from the old ſolemne manner of ſwearers: frō whence to lift up the hande, is often times taken for to ſweare, Gen. 14.22. Numb. 14 30. Ezech. 20.5.
6 And he ſwore by him which liveth: foreign, The Grecians ſpeake by the fourth caſe foreign, but Iohn after the māner of the Hebeewes-ſweare unto me in the Lord, 1 Sam. 24.21. But he deſcribeth God by his power, which moſt of all appeareth in creating things: wherby he bringeth into minde, that he is noe leſſe able to put an end to things, then to give a beginning. And that therefore it is not to be doubted, but that he would ſtraightway performe the future worke, who in the beginning made all things of nothing.
¶ That time ſhall be noe more: So I tranſlate the word foreign, which ſome times ſignifyeth continuance of time, as foreign, time, day, delay, shall mollifie & mitigate. Whence foreign to ſtay, tarrie, defer, is the ſame that foreign is in Luke 12.45. Heb. 10.37. Aretas and the common ſorte of Interpreters will have it to be underſtood of the aboliſhing of time after the ende of the world, as if the Sunne and the reſt of the ſtarres should ſtay their courſes, and noe longer finish their yeerly rounde courſes: but theſe things are to be referred rather to the ſhortnes of time, then unto the conſummation of the world. For otherwiſe there should be noe ſpeciall comfort, but that which had ben noe leſſe common to all ages. For even from the very beginning of the world, it might well have ben ſaid, that there ſhalbe noe time after the ende of the world. To what purpoſe alſo should he ſever the parts which are not disioyned by the coniunction but in the beginning of the next verſe? Time ſhal… be noe more, but the myſterie ſhalbe finiſhed. Time after the conſummation differeth nothing from the conſummation. Therefore this is the meaning of the wordes, that there remaineth a very little time unto the finiſhing of the miſtery. Which is the ſumme of the preaching of the firſt Angel, chap. 14.7. For, ſaith he, the houre of his iudgement is come: in which is performed that, which is ſignifyed here by the Angel ſwearing. For they belonge to the ſame time, and the argument of the preaching is one and the ſame. For though they held their peace, the very reſtoring of the trueth would cry out, that the ende draweth neere.
7 But in the dayes of the voice of the ſeventh Angel: He deſcribeth the time of the finiſhing: but that which followeth, when it ſhall come to paſſe that he ſhall blowe the trumpet; the common tranſlation hath it not right, when the Trumpet ſhall beginne to blow; which thing hath deceived ſome expoſitours, ſo that they though that this finiſhing of the myſtery should be referred unto the firſt ſounde of the trumpet of the ſeventh Angell. But it shall appeare more clearly then the light after in this booke, that this ende is not to be expected at the beginning of the ſounde of the trumpet, but ſome longe time after. There ſhalbe noe ſmall diſtance of time betweene the Vials: the firſt whereof shall not be powred out before that the ſeventh trūpet shall blow, as after shalbe ſeen more clearly. What then prom…ſeth the Angell touching the taking away of time? Not that the thing shalbe done in that moment, but becauſe the ſpace to come, is nothing to that which is paſt.
¶ The myſtery of God ſhalb finiſhed: foreign ſhalbe finiſh…d: So hath the Common tranſlation: the Complutent edition hath foreign by repeating foreign that it is finiſhed, See Theod. Bez. All Expoſitours which I have ſeen, doe underſtande theſe thinges of the laſt coming of Chriſt to iudgement. Which shalbe in the dayes of this ſeventh Angell: yet if the drift of this booke be conſidered, & every point of the laſt time be diligently examined, it shall eaſily appeare, unleſſe I be deceaved, that there is an other meaning of theſe wordes. The whole Prophecy tendeth to that point to ſhewe what shalbe the race of the Church, as long as shee muſt bee as a ſtranger on earth. Which having ben shewed clearly cōcerning the Church of the Gentiles, ſome mention was to be made of the reſtoring of the Iewes, the which other ſcriptures shewe that it shall ſurely come to paſſe, before that there be an ende of the whole frame of the world. Neither in examining every minute of the ſeventh trumpet, shall wee finde that the Revelation goeth any further, then to the reſtauration of this people, as with Gods helpe wee shall make it apparant in his fit place. Which reſtoring doubleſſe may well be called a myſtery, becauſe it is ſo farre removed from all humane ū derſtanding, of which there is almoſt noe hope in them, to whom the very benefit perteineth, as in many places the Prophets shew. Why, ſpeaketh the Lord by Iſaiah, ſhould thou ſay, o Jacob, and ſpeake O Iſraell, my way is hid frō the Lord, and my cauſe is paſſed over of my God? chap. 40.27. And againe, Yf ſo be that Sion ſaith, the Lord hath forſaken mee, and my Lord hath forgotten mee, chap. 49.14. Therefore I ſuppoſe that this calling of the Iewes is this myſtery. Doubtleſſe it is ſure that in the time of this trumpet, the laſt ende shall be put to all thinges, and therefore wee shall finde noe ſuch concluſion of the ſeventh trumpet, the third woe is paſt, as of the fift, one woe is paſt, chap. 9.12. likewiſe of the ſixt, chap 11.14. for the Revelation leadeth not thither, becauſe neither perteineth it to us to knowe, neither is it to be imperted to any creature, which the ſonne himſelfe knewe not, as farre as he was a mā, Marc. 13.32.
¶ As he hath declared to his ſervants the Prophets. To whom this myſtery was revealed plenteouſly: but which is not underſtood of our expoſitours: wherby it cometh to paſſe, that the things which the Prophets foreshewe to come, the common ſort ſo interpret as if they were paſt. Moſes in his moſt famous ſonge about the ende, ſingeth this Myſterie, Deut. 32. David every wherein the Pſalmes: So Iſaiah, Ieremiah, Ezechiell and the reſt: it would be too long, even to recken the places. Learned men wilbe content with this bare diſcloſing: whom it is ſufficient to admonish even in one worde, that they would ſeeke another meaning of many places in the Prophets, then hitherto they have followed in their expoſitions. If theſe things are to be underſtood of the laſt comming of Chriſt to iudgement, there are not very many words, or at the leaſt cleare enough in the Prophets touching this thing. But frō hence wee learne that the old prophecies are not to be finished, either in the firſt comming of Chriſt, or in the calling of the Gentiles, but that they reach even unto the perfit accomplishing of the Miſtery. Wherefore they that doe reſtraine them into the narrowe ſtraightes of the calling of the Gentiles, ſtoppe up to themſelves the way to underſtand them, and take away much comfort from the Church.
8 Goe thy waye and take the little booke: An other thing to be communicated is Prophecy reſtored againe to the Church. For this commandement sheweth what should come to paſſe to the Miniſters of the word in the times of this ſixt trumpet. Iohn himſelfe for his part ſeemeth before nowe to have ben furnished ſufficiently for the receaving of the Revel…tion, both by thoſe thinges which he ſawe, and heard, and alſo endued with the inſpiration of the Spirit extraordinarily. And if the paſsing from one matter to an other had ben ſet forth onelyonly for to teach, he would have uſed the ſame in their fit places in the reſt of the treatiſe. Wherefore I doubt not, but that here a type is ſet forth of the Miniſters of that time, as in many places elſewhere Iohn repreſenteth the faithfull Therefore as here the booke being received from the Angell, and eaten up, he should play the Prophet againe: ſo about theſe times should be raiſed up faithfull Miniſters, which should declare the trueth to the world. Wee made mention that ſome godly men about the time that the Turkish tyrannie beganne, and the feet of the Angell ſet upon the Sea, & the Earth, aroſe forthwith, who undertooke boldly the charge of prophecying. Which was a notable benefit of God: this office had ben banished a long time from the earth: put to flight by the hellish ſmoke, which the bottomeleſſe pit, opened by the Romish Starre, ſent forth: nowe it came againe by the grace of God, and men were bidden to take the little booke open, which the former times had shutte: the force of which commandement raiſed up thoſe, which I ſpake of, and many others which followed: whom unleſſe an heavēly deſire had inflamed, they would not have offerred their lives to ſo many dāgers, which neceſſarily were to be undergone in ſo great envie & hatred almoſt of all men. But from this cōmandement, wee draw this cōmon ſentence, that men are ſlow & loath to take the paines to Prophecy: & not otherwiſe to ſettle themſelves to this office, except they be ſtirred forward of God.
9 Therefore I went unto the Angell, ſaying to him, give mee the little booke: This gifte is to be obtained by intreatie, even alſo of them, who have abilitie givē them thereunto. Wee muſt deſire earneſtly of God with Iohn, that he will give us the little booke, albeit wee be nowe entred into this office. And the little booke is given, when greater abondance of knowledge is miniſtred, which was moſt excellēt in this age, now firſt of all the art of printing bookes being found out by a great gift of God. But further theſe things declare, that the men of that time, being awaked once of God from their drowſines, shall greatlie endevour to profit more in the kindled trueth. And ſurely their induſtry was notable, and their increaſe in all kinde of knowledg, chiefly of divinity, ſo ſwift, that thou mayeſt ſay not without cauſe, that they had not ſo much read, as devoured the bookes. After Wickliefe the barbarouſnes of the Scholaſtiques being reiected, the liberall artes were revived through ſo happie aboundance of moſt famous witters, that there is none, but he muſt cōfeſſe that to be the time of devouring bookes.
¶ And it shall make thy belly bitter: The word taſted in the mouth is ſweet, but bitter in the bellie, that is, the knowledge of Gods will is verie ſweete & pleaſant of it ſelfe: but the publishing of it, wherby fruite may come to the reſt of the mē bers, even like the digeſtion of meate, when it is concocted in the ſtomake, is full of troubles and anguish. Which thing ſometime Ieremy tryed and complained of, chap. 15.16. Likewiſe Ezechiell chap. 3.3. And all none excepted, who have runne togither in this race: but thoſe newe champions eſpecially, I meane of this time. To whom doubtleſſe the word was ſo much the ſweeter, by howe much they came with a more ſounde hunger, to wit, having ben ſtollen away from the world for ſome ages, and nowe firſt againe reſtored by the favour of God: whore Ambaſſage contrariwiſe was ſo much the more bitter, by how much men were plunged in more thicke darkeneſſe, whom becauſe of the long cuſtome of ſinne, they muſt needes finde more ſtubborne and ſpitefull. The condition of that time could not be shewed more briefly and manifeſtly.
I therefore tooke the little booke: Althoug Iohn heareth, howe great trouble this meate will bring him, yet obeyeth he willingly the Angell, and eateth up the booke as he was commanded. There was a better love in him to Gods word, then any regard of lothſomneſſe, or wringing in the belly frō bitterneſſe.
Such excellent fortitude was in thoſe learned men of that age before ſpoken of: it could not be, but that they knewe certenly, howe great trouble they should procure to themſelves by avouching the trueth: yet nevertheleſſe they laboured valiantly, ſetting more by the ſweetneſſe which they received from the ioy of the Spirit, thē by all the bitternes of perill. By whoſe example all Miniſters of the word muſt goe on boldly: neither is the office to be forſaken becauſe of the troubles. It is noe newe thing for that to be found bitter by experience, which being taſted a little at the tongues ende ſeemeth ſweete. Therefore let every true Prophet have this leſſon well meditated: leaſt peradventure lighting upon unexpected evils, he be overcome at length through infirmity.
11 Thou muſt Prophecy againe: Nowe in fewe wordes he sheweth, to what ende the former ſigne was uſed, that it may be underſtood that Prophecie was to be reſtored againe to the Church in thoſe times. The preparation whereunto was the receaving and eating up of the booke, to wit, a burning deſire of learning, which gave hope of a more perfit light to appeare daylie. But their opinion is fooliſh, who will from theſe wordes have John to be expected about the ende of the world with Enoch & Elias. Theſe things belōg not to the laſt time, but to the ſixt trumpet, which wee will declare manifeſtly hereafter to be paſt. And Iohn is ſet forth onelyonly as a type, not deſcribed by any office, which in his owne perſon he should beare in the laſt times.