A Revelation of the Holy Apocalypse, Part 1

A Revelation of the Holy Apocalypse · Part 1

p. 16THE ARGVMENTS OF THE REVELATION.

THe Apocalyps may be divided into ſpeach vntounto the preſent age: and into prophecies for time to come. Common to both are the nations, and places, and the times.

The nations to whom the book is commended are cities of old Gyges kingdome called the Land of Gog: where the Lagidae and Seleucidae had parted Aſia the leſſer betwixt them. Ezechiel told, that when they were overthrowen for ſcattering his people into all quarters, God would be glorified over them: and in wrath remember mercy. As over Antiochos: in that the Land of Magog, Antiochia firſt bare the name of Christians. Over both in theſe ſeven townes: whereof Philadelphia beareth plainly the name of Ptolomie Philadelphus. Sardis was the Court of rich Craeſus: whoſe wealth God gave to Cyrus the great: that ſent Iſraell home from 120. nations: and built the temple vponupon his owne charges. In it the old memory of Ggy or Gog is continued.

The nations called are from all people. The damned for deadly hinderance of the Goſpel is Rome, plainly deſcribed by full many arguments vndeniable. The whip of Romes Idolatrie be the Saracenes.

The time in trope is taken from the time of Chriſt his perſecutions: three years and an half. But therein is meant p. 17the qualitie of ſtate, not length of yeres, that men ſhould be afflicted the afflictions of Chriſt. So the Dragon Caeſars afflict a yeare two yeares and halfe a yeare: and the Dragons tayle the Pope, and the old Romane Empire, monethes 42. and the Vicar of the Lambes hornes the king of Locuſtes, dayes 1260. They who thinke to get any certeyntie hence, deceyve them ſelves, and the truth is not in them. The alluſion is moſt heavenly: calling Chriſt ſtill into mind.

The thouſand yeares come neare proprietie: telling when the Popes authoritie ſhould come to the higheſt.

Theſe points may commonly be conſidered.

CHAP. I.

The preſent age is ſaluted, with narration of particular place, and day, and viſion of Chriſt: and in ſeaven epiſtles the partes of it be applied vntounto playne experience.

CHAP. II.

Epheſus learneth how remiſſion of ſtudie loſeth the Church. Rome continually practiſed that: ſtill ſhaking off Greek and Hebrew, and skill in Gods word.

Smyrna is told that Iewes, not right Iewes whoſe praiſe is of God, would ſeeme to be Iewes: but ſhould bee found lyars. So Rome would chalenge the true Iew. Rom 2. but they that ſeemed to ſtand, ſhall fall.

Pergamus heareth of idolatrie and fornication. Rome and Venice be deaf.

Thyatira hath a new Iezabel, with witchcraft and whoredome and Baal: Papiſts are full of charming: Nunnes full wanton, and Goddes of their owne making.

p. 18CHAP. III.

Sardis the court ſheweth, how the pompe of court, hath hardly lively religion: yet ſtill ſome be there. So Rome the court towne ſeemed vnderunder Iohn alive: but had forgotten S. Paul, Rom. 11. & 13: & 2. Theſ 2.

Philadelphia had true love, and tryeth who be the ſound Iewes: and ſhalbe as Salomons pillers in the heavenly Ieruſalem. Such were full many Monaſteries of learned men: which knew well what S. P. Q. R. meant: when ſtultus populus quaerit Romam.

Laodicea, followeth the common maner, neither hoat, nor cold: but holdeth on what negligent cuſtome hath once brought in. So antiquitie and vniverſalitie are the Papiſtes anſwer: They never plead better skill in the Ebrew Law and Greek Goſpell: ſo thar Turkes and Iewes may ſee how they build not vponupon a rocke by ſure grounds, but flee to cuſtome: never allowed of God.

This from obſcure Patmos on the Lordes day, Iohn teacheth that the baſe corners ſhall have truth: when they receive the holy, baniſhed: and Rome the baniſher ſhalbe left in Satans throne, to peſter the yeare with Popes holy dayes: honouring creatures with religion of dayes, as Rome did to Iulius and Augustus, and as ill in March, May, Ianuary, and February, and in all Ovids fastis.

The ſtories of times which God writeth be more then yet men would ever learne. The Lords reſurrection day, is ſurely taught vsus, and that wee ſhould keepe. But his birth day, he would not have vsus to know: and when men would after three hundred yeeres ſeeke it out, God gave them over into a deceived minde to miſſe 3. moneths: that of 1300. yeres p. 19that dotage was not eſpied, vntill this age ſearched about, & found better matter. Yet Laodicea will follow cuſtome, and cared not for grace, from him who was, and is, & wilbe: and from the ſeaven ſpirits: the one, Eternall that giveth ſeaven lampes of oile to his ſervants: and from Ieſus Chriſt, that is above all the Kings of the earth, Pſal. 89. Dan. 2. & 7. & Apoc. 6. and 19. whom Rome pearced with ſpear and nailes: But they ſhall feel whom they pearced, and whom they crucifie agayne: to have him counted a baſe and bare man, & not as on Tabor when the Godhead made the humanitie ſhinelike the Sunne. Now for times to come.

CHAP. IIII.

When the voyce of Chriſt like a trumpet, making them happy which know the ſound, Pſal. 89. behind vsus calleth vsus from our owne courſe, we ſhall ſee God in the heaven of the Church, like Beniamins Iaſper building his Church in Paules Shebet: ““An Ebrician muſt teach the word to the ſimple: the diſcourſe would be harſh.and like Rubens red Sardius: fighting againſt Hagarenes for the Tribes: with the Rainebow of the covenant: like Levies Smaragd teaching the brightnes of the Goſpell.

Thus we ſhall ſee God ſitting vponupon a throne, whē Chriſt from obſcure Patmos ſheweth that heaven is not beſt ſeene from great cities, which alwayes overflow in wickednes: but from place where feweſt be to diſturbe.

So ſhalbe ſeene 24. Biſhops or Elders: that can apply the Patriarkes ſtorie vntounto the Apoſtles Goſpell, all theſe clothed with the iuſtice of Chriſt: being to the ſoules as white linen is to the body. Seven lampes of oyle grace beatē with much affliction as beaten olive: the ſeven graces of the ſpirit make this: and the whole company be afore the throne, a ſea ††Eph. 5. 27.Eph 5:27cleare, and blameles: iuſtified freely by the grace of God.

p. 20And the Church ſhall not want rare wightes, full of eyes, whereof one ſhall ſee more then millions of Papiſts, full of courage, & readines to be ſacrificed, as Timotheus at Epheſus, and Polycarpus at Smyrna, and at Pergamus Antipas: and full of wiſe pleading, as Paul to King Agrippa, and of high flight into the heavens carying ſoules thither, not as in Campus Martius, when for the Caeſars funeral a ſummer houſe is made, and full of ſpice, and in a corner an eagle is, and when it is ſet on fyre, the eagle is let out: and fleed high: and is ſayd to cary the Caeſars ſoule to the Gods. Herodian. lib. 11. Theſe have a true hight, and have ſix wings: two to cover their face, from looking into Gods counſell aboue reach: two to cover their feet, that their wayes be not called into ſight: & two to flee in their courſe, as Vzielides expoundeth, Eſ. 6. And the whole bent of theſe tendeth to honour God.

And by their examples the common congregation acknowledgeth the holy Trinity: and the Creator, where the heathen have no lamp of grace, not the beſt learned of them, not one ſpirit of ſeven. Their ſage, as Pythagoras, in tongue confeſſed God to be one: But they knew not the trinity, and that the Sonne would be manifeſted in the fleſh, to come a man looking through our walles, and to come a Iudge of all, nor that he framed the world for man, becauſe he would dwell in a tabernacle in vsus. In the heavenly policy of the Goſpell, this muſt be proper to true Chriſtians: who finding a victory, caſt down their crownes when they come before God.

The Scribes confeſſe all that we cōfeſſe: The trinity of old confeſſed they: as their workes yet ſhew, which might have broken the Arians necks, if Greek pride had ſubmitted them to learne Thalmudique ſtudies. One errour in the root maketh a million in the branches.

p. 21CHAP. V.

The counſel of God is hid: how he will vſe the prophane Caeſars: and how man of ſin will afterwardes exalt himſelf in the Temple of God. Moyſes by Balaam tould but briefly, that Italy ſhould afflict Heber, & be periſhing vntounto the end. Daniel ſpeaketh nothing of the Romans afflicting the faithfull. But ſhewing that the Image, and four beaſtes being cō ſumed by our Lords firſt comming into the world, by implication he ſheweth that Italy ſhould kill Chriſt, & deſtroy Ieruſalem, and ſo breed a new Image of a beaſt. But his pictures end in the Macedonians. Our Lord in Math. 24. only toucheth deceit and vexation: and S. Paul 2 Theſ. 2. ſheweth that Emperour ſhall hould on till he be taken away: & then ſhall man of ſin ſhew himſelfe in the Temple as if he were God Adoni kam, a Lord ſtanding ſure. But how the Emperour ſhould be vſed, and Pope come vp and fall, that Daniel meddled not withall, who dealt moſt of kingdomes. And proclamation that none in heaven nor on the earth could open the book, telleth that he medled not with Antichriſt, nor Caeſars puniſhment.

Iohns weping that none could open the book, telleth that the matter is of great vſe: that they ſhall have weeping, and gnaſhing of teeth, which contemne the matter. Now one of the 24. Biſhops hearing the perſon of a Doctor, ſaid to him, being in his traunſe, now as a child, that the Lyon of Iuda ſpoken of through the Prophets and ſpecially Num. 24. how he ſhould vnwall and ſubdue al the ſonnes of Seth, and is the roote of David his figure, who conquered all reſiſters, & ſet vp religion, he will tell what Eſay ſpake of his conqueſts. So Chriſt ſtandeth at the mids of Gods throne, in a playn deſcription: p. 22a lambe, Iohn 1. as one that had been ſlain, Mat. 27. ſlain by Rome: vponupon whom the revenge muſt goe, having ſeven horns of power, to revenge Satan with his ſevē heads: and ſeven eyes, which be ſeven ſpirits of his providence, ſending Angels over the earth: as in building Ieruſalem, Zach. 1. and 2. and 6. And he taketh the book from God, as Chap. 1. 1. as Mediatour now: though he were in the glory of GOD: and held it no robbery to be equall with God: and then the rare wightes and 24. Doctours pray him to open the ſtate to come, and all creatures ſhew that they ſhall ſerve Chriſt, when Idolaters be deſtroyed.

CHAP. VI.

The Lyon harted, the pacient ox, the wiſe man, the high fighted eagle, tell how by his martyrs he buildeth the Church: and for their prayer the Caeſars ſhall have war ſtil: bloudy warre, great famine, that corne wilbe as deare as ſpice: that a bath, choenix, a pottle, wilbe ſold for the Romane Denarius, about half a french crown, though GOD ſtrike not vines and olives, but in wrath remembreth mercy. Such warre, that bloud, death, famine and peſtilence, ſhall make a riddance of the fourth part of men.

This cometh in revenge of the martyrs. In Aboth Rab. Nathan, in Moſes life, all the juſt ſoulesly vnderunder the throne of glory: Here the terme Altar teacheth that by Chriſt the Altar they have juſtice: Neyther Scribes nor Apoſtles knew purgatory. Covetouſnes bred the teachers, ſlouth and contempt of truth the beleevers. They are told that they muſt have patience a while till martyrs blood be ſeed to make a Church of a ſufficient number to have a Chriſtian empire.

p. 23Then the prophane policies ſhall have an earthquake: their ſun of ſtately empire ſhalbe turned to blacknes: their moone of Princes, into blood: their ſtarres ſhall fall as olives ſhaken: their heaven ſhalbe lapped vp as a rowl: al Ilands and mountaines ſhalbe changed for them.

Iohn from Eſa. 2. and 14 and 34 and Oſe. 10. ſeeth a viſion fitted to their ſpeches, that by conſidering Iudaes fall, the ten tribes fall, Aſſurs fall, and Daniels Image, we may be ſure of the Caeſars fall: and he expoundeth himſelf & the Prophets: That Kings, great men, & rich, and Coronelles, & the mighty ſhall hide themſelves and wiſh as Samaria that mountaynes might hide them from the anger of the Lamb. And ſo he teach Iewes, that for contempt of Chriſt, their deſtructions came.

The five ſeales are not diſtinguiſhed in time, but in common place of victory, war, famine, and both with plague, and martyrdome, all theſe in times come ſometimes at once. The ſixt toucheth Conſtantines dayes.

Then an vnſpeakable riddance was made after Diocleſians perſecution, that twelve Auguſti and Caeſars conſume one another, till all came to the ſonne of our Helena: who in the ends of the earth, made the poſſeſſion of Chriſt; cometh to York to Conſtantius his Father, that had Chriſtians his chief men, and by him is made his heyr of empire, and by them and our nation and the neare in the end is alone the Emperour of the world: and leaveth the Rome that crucified, (by the Goſpell, and 2. Theſ. 2.) where in 100. yeares, the ſlothfull Popes could not make Caeſar good: but were caught in their lying that Peter ſhould long ſit at Rome: who expreſly writeth that he kept about Babylon. Rome in Italy is hated for Idolatry of Conſtantinus: and he removeth the p. 24Empire to Byzantium: calleth it new Rome: and indueth it with the privilegies of old Rome. Our Weſt brought him to the Eaſt: and one of our Helena, deſpiſeth old Rome: & buildeth new Rome near Troy, where the wicked Helena wrought deſtruction to the houſe of Aſſaracus, that after 300. yeares old Rome ſhould begin by blood and ſpoyling.

And this may be noted that Q. Eliſabets agent did that in Constantinople that none of other nations could: That the Turkes Princes and Iewes there deſired to have from England the Goſpell preached there in Greek and Hebrew, and the Kings royall mynd is to be commended for his bent to allowance that way. L. Barton wrote that if N. could be gotten thither, it were like to turne to the common good of Chriſtendome. So God offered our nation againe glory in the ſtatelieſt ſoyle: But Satan hindreth, by his ſervants that can turne themſelves into Angels of light. God will look to it.

One libeller would perſwade, that the Iewes letter comming in ſeverall copies and tranſlated there, and thence ſent to Baſil and printed there: was forged there. A ſtrange dealing, a ſtrange impudency. None learned would think that all Chriſtendome, ſetting their wittes together could forge ſuch a letter. The ſlaunderer could not read one line of it. And what a barbarous vnthankfull wight is the Libeller of theſe words: Becauſe your armes are the owles, you think you must bring owles to Athens: and becauſe the Iew ſaluteth you as you feigne: you think you are the onelyonly Rabbin of the world. If the baſe borne wight had bene of Constantinus kindred: he had bene of an other ſpirit, but now, he could not conſider the height of that cauſe.

The like vntounto him is he that ſayd theſe words, The knight p. 25which ſaid the King would give 500. lib. annuitie did but flatter: and I will ſtay the King that he ſhall give no allowance to Iewes matters. All the Oratours that ever were, can not ſufficientlie expreſſe the deadly hatred that theſe men have to the truth of God.

There is no other way to make Chriſtians readie in the Bible, but by handling the Goſpell by Thalmudiques: to whoſe tenour of ſtudie all the new Teſtaments ſtile is bent. The beſt learned Ieſuits at Francfurt in the hearing of a gentleman of England hartily requeſted this done, ſaying that by me, they ready to cleare the new Teſtament, could ſoone turne the Indians. The Iewes over Germanie hartely deſire this. Princes made great promiſes, but the old ſerpent wilbe hindring, whom the great Angel can tye in chaynes that he deceive not, and deale with his factours as they wilbe boūd with chaynes of darknes. To which matter I require the cuppes of the foure wights and 24. Biſhops full of incenſe to be powred before the Lambe: that Iannes and Iambres may receive according to their workes: that no more regard whence the ſixt ſeale brought on a new world: nor how the fallen muſt be lifted vp.

CHAP. VII.

Three hundred yeares were paſſed ere that men were ſufficient in number to have kingdomes of Chriſtianitie. Then Schollers began to remit zeale, and Hebrew ſtudie: which had ſoone overthrowen Arians, ſhewing GOD to bee our Creatour, Eccleſ. 12. and Chriſt, Iehova our righteouſnes. Yea the Apocalyps had moſt tamed Arians and Iewes: and had been clear at the firſt by Thalmudique veine of ſtudie. By 300. moe, Byſhops pride and ſloth made but a gaine and p. 26ambition of the Goſpell. Antioch would have chief Patriarkſhip, following Antiochus old pride. Alexandria would, as Alexāder would be a God: Old Rome would, as it crucified Chriſt: New Rome would, for the Empires ſeat. None conſidered that the Scholers of Patmos ſhould be the ſealed: & martyrs: whē neither North-wind roſe, nor Southwinde blaſted, in the garden: that the ſpices might flow, & the beloved come into the Garden, and eat of his precious fruites, Cant. 4.

But foure Angels held the foure windes. God favoured Antioch, that where ſinne abounded, mercy might more abound. That men ſhould not therefore be high minded, but feare: in the ende Hagarenes take it. Cuſh or Abuſhini in Keturahs houſe, had Abrahams familie, and long held well: but in the end, held but the Goſpel and few Epiſtles, and the Pſalmes, for all the Bible: That which Colen & Rome hath printed. Moſcovia from Conſtantinople, held litle ſound. Rome was the cauſe of falling to all: ſtill weakening the Eaſt Empire, that ſhould have holp the reſt.

So God telleth that a generall fall ſhall come, that not the open be the true, but the hid bee the ſervantes of God: ſuch as God ſealed. As in Ieremies dayes in Ieruſalem the ill figs, the troupes of Ieruſalem were a Synagogue of Sathan, when all the Levites condemned him to dy: and God in Ezekiel ſealeth all his, whom Iſrael condemned. So here an apoſtaſie is told, which groweth vp; 300. yeares: by many wicked ſteps. And then commeth to the Popes ſupremacy, and ſoon maketh the open Church, a Synagogue of Satan. That onelyonly men vnknowen, few to mens ſight, but many to Gods ey, that ſeeth all, be the Church. Here the Papiſts might have their anſwer: when they aske where our Church was.

p. 27The tribes all have ech one twelve thowſand: Though Dan is not named he is vnderſtood. But when Ioſephs two ſonnes and Levi be reckoned, one is left out, as Symeon Deu. 33. So Dan here. They be ſhallow who hence geſſe that Antichriſt commeth of Dan. S. Paul taught Chryſoſtome, 2. Theſ. 2. that he ſhould come from Rome.

The latter halfe of the Chapter, ſweetly expreſſeth the poinctes wherevpon all ſtandeth, that ſalvation is from God and the Lambe. All more in religion is from the ſerpent. All honor to Mary & Saincts. Alſo Martyrs and their comfort is ſweetly expreſſed. This matter in time followeth the eight and ninth.

CHAP. VIII.

Out of the ſeventh ſeal come matters more to bee ſounded, thē ſix afore had. The Church had peace a ſmall while, but angels ſeven are prepared to ſound wrath ariſing. Chriſt the Mediatour, is ready to receyve prayer: he is contemned, by Rome dallying with his mediation. Therefore hee powreth voyces, thundrings, lightnings and earthquake. Angels here tell it: Men in playn work.

The first common place: Warre.

Hayle and fire mixt with blood,In Iulian the Apoſtata. ſheweth vexation with warre: ever ſince Conſtantines houſe fell, the Popes beſtird them to ſtirre warres to overthrow the Eaſt Empire, and to ſet the Weſt by the eares.

The ſecond common place, The Popes ſupremacy.

The ariſing to be a great mountayne: became a mountayne of fyre, when he caſt himſelfe into the ſea of nations: That a third part of men became dead in ſin, in profane trafique of life.

p. 28The third common place. Corruption of Scripture wreſted to his policie.

A great ſtar burning as a torch, fell from heaven, and fell into the rivers and fountaynes of waters, & the name of the ſtar is wormwood, &c. Angelus eccleſiae, the Doctor is a ſtar, Ch. 1. heaven is the Church: burning as a lampe, is kindling of wrath: the waters be the Scriptures: falling into them, is wreſting of them to mainteyne his kingdome: ſo the ſenſe is bitter, and the D. is wormwood: that many finde deadly haereſies by this wormwood.

The fourth trumpet, Great fall.

They which were principall, as the ſun, moone and ſtars (Iacobs familie, in Ioſephs dreame) loſe much light. Gagnaeus a Papiſt telleth, this to touch, Popes, Cardinals & Biſhops.

A preparation to marke triple woe vponupon this.

An Angell flyeth in the open sky, & telleth of three woes vponupon this.

CHAP. IX.

The V. common place.

The Angel or Doctor, falling from heaven (the Church,) hath giuē to him not S. Peters keyes of knowledge, but keyes of a deepe pit: to darken ſun and ayer: the office of Chriſt and law by which we ſee him. So infinite millions of mōkes and fryers come forth: locuſts for devouring the earth, with ſcorpions ſtings to torment harts: when Chriſt is obſcured and Scripture, that men find no comfort: but bee worſe for their ſoule, then Iob for his body, Iob 3.

p. 29To make warres, their wealth will make many horſes: and they have authority as Kinges with their crownes: though they pretend to be as private men. (Dan. 7. The Chaldean ſtript of Kingdome is ſo termed: And Antiochus having no right to the kingdome:) and they keep within doores, as of womens hayre: but they have Lyons teeth, to hold faſt all forged and wringed giftes: openly forged, as Conſtantinus donation: and wringed of kingdomes, which they help vp: and from deceived by terrour of purgatory. They have breſt plates of iron, to defend themſelves: and the noyſe of their wings is like the noyſe of horſes running to warres: while ſtil they ſet Kings by the eares: for the firſt common place: that haile and fyre be mixed with blood. And their ſcorpion ſtinges ſting men five moneths: till Princes compell them by a cold winter to hide themſelves in hedges, as Nahums Locuſtes of Ninivy, hide them by enemies.

An excellent name of the Pope: THE ANGEL OF THE PIT: KING OF LOCVSTS, ABANDDON, APOLLYON.

Our common name which we give the Pope is Daemon in Greek: for Popes be Daemones in Eustathius: from the Commentaries of old Aristarchus and Didymus, and others. His Commentaries are from ancient Heathen, not from himſelf: as Eraſmus well noteth in his obſervations vponupon the Apocalyps. Whereas I cited Homers Commentary followed by S. Peter, D. B. the learned, thought that a fooliſh overſight: as though I muſt mean Eustathius: who was of late. And he doubteth whether S. Peter read Homer. I am out of doubt he never read him: But the holy Ghoſt gave words of old for S. Peters vſe afterward, by inſtinct, not by reading. And ſo much a ſimple Doctor might have knowen.

p. 30B. L. ſhewed himſelf, in his vnlearned skophing moſt Athean. And as Iannes and Iambres, Symon Magus & Elymas, and Alexander the Copperſmyth are for eternall memorie in the hart of the Bible, ſo deſerve ſuch for to be. Now as wee vnawares and Papiſts call the Pope, Daemona, a Divel: vnawares we call him ſo, GOD ruling our tongues: that is ſpecially worthy noting. When Iulian the Apoſtata was kild, and Libanius commended him, that he now was with the Daemones, the Greek Doctors took him vponupon his word: and what an aſſe he was to ſpeak that which the enemy would wiſh. D. Iohannes Pistorius the Popes chalenger, wrote to me that IOHN CALVIN was Dactylodeictes of Antichriſt: Who ſhewed by the finger who was Antichriſt. I took his graunt: that ſo the Pope was. For Calvins finger aymed at him. So the Popes chalenger overthrew the Pope. The ſame wrote to me the Anathema. But God dealt with him as with Balaam the ſon of Beor, in Italy pronuntiation, of Boſor, in Chaldean, where S. Peter kept: where the Galilaean his voice told he wrote not from Rome. The Doctours Anathema was this, to me, I Anathematize thee, as Paul did Barnabas. I take it, ſayd I. And ſo thou makeſt me better then any Pope that ever was at Rome. Paul thought him of the ſame faith, and happines: But I anathematize D. Iohn Pistorius, as S. Paul did Anathematize Elymas Magus. VponUpon this he yeelded, as Helvetia knoweth. And to his dying day ſpake moſt reverently, as ſome Engliſh heard, of his checker.

So here we muſt mark not what men call the Pope, Holy father, and vicar of Christ, and head of the Church, and King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: but what GOD doth call him: and God taught Adam to give fit names. Here the Popes names be many. One is, the Angel of the pit: as the ſtar falling had the p. 31keyes of the Pit, to bring forth his Locuſts. And, the King of Locuſts is the fitteſt name for him. In Ebrew, he is called Abaddon, Num. 24. and Abdan in the Thalmud is the worſt name. Aruch will teach††Beracoth Perek, evening prayer, fol. 28. the place. Alſo he is called Abaddon chiefly for remembrance of Num. 24. where Balaam endeth his prophecy, in Italy going on to deſtruction: & Iohn Chap. 17. 8. 11. tranſlateth Balaam moſt properly: as D. Kimchi, in hard Grammer: Adey obed goeth on to deſtruction. In Greek he is another Apollo: a Divel of Delphos, deſtroying ſuch as ſeek to him: as Apollo deſtroyed rich Craeſus: deceiving him to war againſt Cyrus. He knew well enough that Cyrus ſhould have the victory: Eſay had told him ſo: and though Craeſus gave to Apollos temple, very great gifts: yet when he asked him, whether he ſhould fight with Cyrus, he anſwered: Craeſus paſsing over Halys, ſhall overthrow a great King. So he did in hope of good: But overthrew his own kingdome: and rich Craeſus became poore Irus. So the Pope maketh but a mock of Kings. Thus one who of the ſixt ſeale, is fully deſcribed: what the Pope is, and what he meaneth to do, as Chap. 11. ſhall tell.

And this firſt of the three woes thus ſet forth, reacheth from the Popes ſupremacy, after the yeare of our Lord, 600. vntounto Ieruſalems war ended at 1200. For which 600. yeares, the Pope ſtill made haile and fyre to be mixed with blood. Now the ſecond woe is in his puniſhments, by the Turk: and by the Goſpell and Martyrs, teaching Princes to caſt him off.

The ſixt trumpet and common place. Of the Turks comming vp and dealing.

Cedrenus and Volaterranus (in Arabia triplici) teach of the Turks and Saracens conjunction: and ſundry others, how p. 32they afflicted Spain and Italy. Their hiſtory I have touched in my book of Scripture Concent: & I would any of cleane ſpirit that rageth not againſt the Concent which GOD gave to Scripture, & I do but ſhew, to have my beſt help, thence. There is a full explication of the ſecond woe. Bibliander in Chronologia ſheweth that after the Popes ſupremacie graunted by wicked miſerable Phocas, to impudent Boniface the third, Machumed began to be as gratious a Father as the Pope in Rome. Machmad is in Cant. the title of Chriſt: Graces it ſelf. And Chamudoth partaker of graces, to rare Daniel Chap. 9. by the Angel Gabriel. Now this falſe Prophet forging himſelf taught by the Angel Gabriel, taketh Daniels terme in the higheſt ſenſe: Machmad delite it ſelf. Raſhi telleth, that becauſe he humbled himſelf before GOD in faſting and prayer, he was ſo called. But Turk and Pope will have the holynes of Apollo: paſt repentance.

CHAP. X.

Now commeth a moſt lively deſcription of Chriſt, opening himſelf from Eſa. 19. and 54. and Geneſ. 9. and Apoc. 4. & Daniel 10. and Exod. 14. and Dan. 12. and Eſ. 31. and Iob, for the thunder of his power: which is paſt vnderſtanding, and ſhall not be perceived of the Pope, till the next trumpetter, or common place teacher ſoundeth and endeth the world.

Now the Angel biddeth Iohn take from Chriſt the litle book of the Goſpell: and to eat it: which was ſweet in his mouth, in preaching: but bitter in affliction, and to the enemy alſo: as Ezekiels book.

p. 33CHAP. XI.

Iohn ſheweth that the Church ſhall be built: as Ieruſalem freed from Babel, vnderunder Zorobabel and Ieſus: when Zachary ſeeth an Angel with a reed meating the length & breadth. So Iohn hath a reed to meat the tēple and altar: that is, from the litle book to ſhew, the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of God in Chriſt. Chriſt himſelf is the temple: Therefore to check Thalmudiques, which to this day look for a third temple, as ſheweth Rambam: whom vponupon Koheleth (Salomon the oratour) I have cited and tranſlated, to check them he ſheweth court of ſacrificing is geven to the heathen: and Ezekiels goodly citie, is a city of affliction: as Chriſt was afflicted 42. monethes: Zacharies olive trees: Zorobabel with Iſrael, and IESVS with Levi: and candelſtick of Gods fauour, Churches (Chapter 1. revived.

Here is a new Elias: a new Moyſes: to call fyer from heaven, and to ſtay all dew of grace and ſucceſſe: and to turne their waters of armies into blood: & to plague their enemies with all kind of plague. The experience followeth.

The combat of the King of Locuſts with the Martyrs.

When the Martyrs begin to revive the Goſpell, the city which is called for ſpiritual vncleannes of religion, ſpiritually Sodoma, for cruelty againſt Iſrael, Aegypt, ſetteth fourth the King of Locuſtes: who commeth with his Locuſtes winges of chariots and warre horſes: and fighteth in all nations, with theſe two captaynes of Martyrs: and killeth them: and their caſe is playne, how they are murthered: as if a Crowners queſt went vponupon the policy that crucified Chriſt: after his preaching 42. moneths: or dayes 1260. or yeares p. 34three and an half. Now as Beda and Carthuſianus well note (in three yeares and an half) all time of preaching Chriſt, in memorie of his preaching ſo long: ſo the time of their noted death, while their aſhes may be ſeen, and they are not put in grave, is, in a proportion, called three dayes and an half.

Now that all may know that two yeare is not proper, twiſe one: but as all the returned from Chaldea Babylon be two, Zach. Ch. 4. and 5. So the witneſſes of truth that leave ſpirituall Babel, all are in that ſenſe called two: and the citie which killeth them, in peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations, is not a building of houſes: but a building of policie. So the two be not two men, but two companies: and the dwellers in earth would not reioyce and ſend giftes one to another, as Iewes againſt Haman in Eſter for two, but for the companies of two ſorts: rare wightes full of eyes, & 24. Biſhops: and the troupes that give glorie to God and the Lambe, and pray onelyonly to the Lambe, the great God and Saviour: theſe in all nations where the king of Locuſtes tyranny reacheth, are the two Prophets who vexe them, whoſe mindes dwell on earth, and cannot ſee the heavenly policy of Chriſt.

In that ſenſe, after three dayes & an half, ſpirit of life from God entred into them, and they ſtood vp, and feare fel vponupon their enemies: and they heard a great voice from heavē ſaying vntounto them, come vp hither, and they aſcēded vntounto heaven in a cloud, and their enemies ſaw it. Iohns viſion went vponupon two: and vponupon one city: & one beaſt. But Romes policy the king of pit keyes, with his Locuſtes: and the ſtates that write and fight againſt them, muſt be meant: of whom when one is dead, an other is alive, iump in the ſame veine: as though it were the ſame man: and their enemies ſee, they goe vp to heaven: and the beaſt which is aſcended out of p. 35Abyſſos, that is all his corporatiō, millions of millions (theſe viſions repreſent corporations, and vnderunder one, millions of men be told) all Papiſtes goe from their Abyſſos of black ignorance, vntounto Abyſſos, Luke 8. and Zohar vponupon Geneſ. 1. 2. whither the Divels ſhall come in their time (but are yet in this world) to be tormented for ever and ever.

After this teaching and fighting a great earthquake ſhaketh a tenth part of the king of Locuſts city: which crucified Chriſt, and prayeth to the virgin Mary, to commaund her ſonne, the Eternall God, by the right of a mother: as though ſhe were mother to the godhead, becauſe ſhee was mother to the Perſon one of two natures. And they are very wiſe who thinke the mother of God, in ſchoole phraſe, can finde no better ſpeculation in heaven then to liſten to the Citie that crucified the Lord of glory. Iſcariot the traitour confeſſed his fault: yet Chriſt gave him over to hang him ſelfe. Rome that kild Chriſt, after juſtifying him, ſinning ſo againſt the holy Ghoſt, and ſinning more then if they had kild all the men in the world; yet is worſe then Iſcariot, and wil not cōfeſſe ſin, but clayme right to rule the world: becauſe once they durſt crucifie the maker of the world: and pray to the Virgin Marie to forgive the Popes holynes, the Vicar of Pilate.

In Elias 7000. bowed not the knee to Baal: and live. In this Citie 7000. that bow the knee to Baal dye, are kild, in viſion 7000. in ſtorie ſeaventie millions of thouſandes, with this 120. yeares of the Goſpell revived. And full many give glory to God, and leave the virgin Mary alone, to be happy as other faithfull, Bathſhebagh, Ruth, Thamar and Sarah, al her mothers: and who more in ſin yet ſtayed vpō her ſonne, who was then in their loynes. Thus the ſecond woe is paſt.

p. 36The Popes fall: the ſeaventh trumpet of common place.

Since Kingdomes match the Pope in ſtrength, and have brought him that he dare not queck but be content to hold his owne: An open voice is in kingdomes, that whereas the Pope hath been once caſt out, and now God reigneth, wee looke for no chaunge till the reſurrection, at 6000. by old gueſſe. Hence at 463. For our Lord was borne at 3927. adde 1610. then now Adams ſoule and duſt hath 55, 37. at 463. the geſſe will ſhew it ſelf. At 3000. the Arke was brought into Salomons Temple. at 4000. exactly the Romanes deſtroyed Zerobabels temple.

And as the Pope falleth by ſteppes as he came vp, & not all at once, ſo 463. yeares may Spain and Italy holde him vp: while Archbiſhops and Biſhops, Paſtours and Curates have too much ſtipend and authoritie: but litle learning in the holy booke, for wiſedome vntounto life. As Agamemnon ſayd of Neſtor, that ten ſuch would ſoone fel Priamus citie: ſo ten Kinges that would clear the Revelation to Hebrewes, Greekes, Latines, and all tongues might haſten the Iewes calling: but I am afrayd none, ſaving our own, will performe any promiſe that way: to agree with Iewes that the Arke in the Temple is the holy man, which is golden within & without, and hath the tables of 613. letters, to which anſwer 613. lawes, into which all wiſedome falleth, and none fayleth, written in his hart: and vponupon the mercy ſeat all of gold ſtay the Cherubims looke. When Chriſt is ſeene in his Temple of humanitie, thus Papiſtry fayleth and falleth: and from the Church dayly, till the end lightening and voices and thundrings, and earthquake and great hayle, would make Aegypt and Rome to quayle.

p. 37But few deſirous of divinitie have maintenance, and ambitious in wealth ſpurne at ſoules health: and kings ſee how much is ſpent in vaine, and how ſcholers bend to gaine: and ſo courts fall at Sardis, Ch. 3. and the Pope may live yet Hebers yeares, this preſent and 463. That this Trumpet may then ſpeak to Ezekiels dead bones, & make them ariſe, Ch. 37. as Apo. 20. all ariſe.

Thus in ſeales and Trumpets God hath once ſhewed all. By ſeavens: ſpirits, hornes, ſeales, and trumpets, to teach the prophane world of reſurrection. The ſame ſhal be repeated in beaſtes ſeaven headed, and ſeaven Angells: vntounto a newe mention of the reſurrection.

CHAP. XII.

A goodly ſigne appeared in the heaven. The faithfull company is a Woman: their abundance of grace of the gift of juſtice in Chriſt, and regeneration in putting on Chriſt, is a garment of the ſun: their contempt of all things vnderunder the ſun, is an having of the moon vnderunder her feet: their doctrine from the twelve Apoſtles, is a crowne of twelve ſtars. Their deſire to teach Chriſt to other ſoules, is a travelling of child. As the Sun is all bright, ſo is the ſoule iuſtified in Chriſt, bright as the ſunne, Cant. 6. though in it ſelfe it is black, Cant. 1. and as the Moone, often not all lightened, but when it hath the Sunnes full light, it appeareth as the morning, as faire as any moon, Cant. 6. Our crowne is the twelve Apoſtles doctrine: who were all of equall truth: though S. Paul laboured more then they all: and from Rome wrote enough to have warned that city not to fight againſt Chriſt: and ſo much as might teach the world that Peter was never near Rome: but kept where God ſcattered the twelve tribes, p. 38as the 12. moſt laboured to call the Iewes, to teach the Gentiles. This travelling of child teacheth vsus what a care wee ſhould have to teach Chriſt: and ſo, firſt to learne GODS book. God is our firſt Biſhop: Ioh. 20. 29. in the 70. for El, the ebr. the Almighty.

Of men, the King ſhould be beſt learned: as King Moſes was: King Ieſus, King Samuel, King David, King Salomon, King Ezekias: the wealthier by wiſedome, and greater then many Kings, Daniel Belt, eſ-ſar: that brake out a flame of ſorrow to the wicked Chaldean, who thought that Bel tas a far Bel held wealth. Kings might ſoone be learned: who might learne the holy words of both teſtamentes in two moneths, and the concent of ſcripture in an houre: and might commaund that every ſermon ſhould either abridge the whole Bible, as S. Paul doth to the revoulting Ebrewes: or tell the afflictions of our Lords family, as Daniel doth ſeaven times over: or weaknes of Salomons Kinges: or how Aharons twelve ſtones tell the tribes ſtory: or the golden chayn of Chronicle and Iubilees: or the myſteries of Moyſes Ceremonyes: or collations of prophecies with event: or like revolutions to ſhew Gods facility in teaching Chriſt: or ſome whole book: in one ſermon. So Kings without payne might paſſe all in learning.

And our Vniverſities might be ſo ruled: but that the God of this world doth hinder, that our DD. ſhould ſpeak Ebrew and Greek better then Engliſh: and be readier in the Bible then in any other book: or from their firſt preferment in collegies, faſt oftener then the Ieſuites do for S. Laurence and all the Sainctes in heaven, or live without college allowance. A Samuel would make a Naioth. And an Archbiſhop worthy of his place, would make Daniel plaine in p. 39one houre, and the Apocalyps in an other. It is a wonderfull ſinn to give men honour without deſert, and to be doltiſh ſcholers to vnlearned teachers. We travel, as Eſay ſpeaketh, but we bring foorth onelyonly a wynd.

The God of this world being incarnate in the Romans, is buſy in his generation: Pharaoh, Eſa 27. was not ſuch a Dracon, nor the Perſian God, Dan. 6. to whom onelyonly prayer muſt be: The Goddes borne in Aſia: as Aeſchylus termes them: The Dracon whom Babylon worſhip in the fable Apocryph. Theſe were not ſuch Dragons as the Romane, Pompey, Craſſus, Iulius, Antonius, Brutus with Caſſius, Auguſtus with the whole Empire till it died: and the Empire revived by Pope, theſe ſeaven heads of the Divel teach vsus to know the Churches danger, when their whole corporation maketh a great Dracon, and their hornes ten be not as they in Daniel then Kings of ten men, but ten kingdomes. And the tayle, the Prophet that telleth lyes, Eſa. 9. draweth the third part of the ſtarres to be wandring ſtarres, Iud. v. 13. and caſt them into the earth, as Daniel 8. Antiochus made Iewes Phariſees and Sadducees.

When our tongues trauel of Chriſt, the Divel would by Rome devour that: But he is taken vp into heaven, who wil ††Iohn followeth the 70. moſt wiſely hiding the Eb. propriety from dull heathen.bruſe all nations with an iron rod: And the Church fled into the wildernes, as Ioſeph and Mary with Chriſt into Aegypt, and is nouriſhed as Chriſt in his half ſeaven, Dan. 9. in his perſecutions, dayes 1260.

Michael, who in the forme of God, held it no robery to be equall with God: Michael, who in Dan. 10. is the chief of the chief Princes the holy Angels, and defendeth Iudah againſt the enemies; Michael & his angels the marryrs overcome Satan & the Caeſars, that the Church ſhuts thē out of p. 40all accompt: though Satan ſtill accuſed them to the ten Perſecuters.

So the Dragons tayle is buſy in the Popes: But the Church had as Iſrael, Exod. 19. two wings of an Egle to flee from Dracon Pharaoh into the wildernes: to be again fed: after Chriſts perſecutions: a yeare, two yeares, & half a yeare: from Pope ſerpent: that the Thebanes borne of this ſerpents teeth gnaſh: Where was your Church before M. Luthers time, when the King of Locuſts, A bad one, Abaddon, a new Apollo, had from his keyes of the pit brought a ſmoke, to darken ſun and ayer. And although the cloyſters Idolatrous deſerved as Iſrael in Amos to be caryed as with the river of Aegypt: yet the Pope would ſo vſe the Church: though heathen policy bridle him, yet Pope Dracon is fierce againſt remnants, as in his Spaniſh Inquiſitions.

CHAP. XIII.

Caeſars and Popes the Dracon and his tayle are expreſſed paſt all deniall who are meant: The empire hath armes from the foure kindomes in Daniel. So God forceth vsus to be ready in Daniel, and to compare together the braſe of the Angelique men. Then Greek Leopard had foure heades, that of 23. Captaynes al made Kings, all came to fower quickly, and every one dyed a violent death, ſaving old Antipater, to have blood for blood, as the Romanes here. The Beare had but one head, the Lyon one, and the fourth beaſt, the parted Macedonians but one, that beaſt is not named, becauſe it was the ſame nation with the former, but is diſtinguiſhed from the former by ten hornes or Kings, five Ptolemies and five Seleuci or Antiochi, that vexed Iudah.

p. 41From theſe the Romanes have their armes, beginning with a beaſt with ten hornes, with this difference: Ten Diademes betokening ſo many kingdomes. This beaſt was coloured like a Leopard, footed like a Beare: mouthed like a Lion. As Nab. ſaid, who can deliver you from my hande: & was a Lucifer, and would be equall to God. So here it is ſayd, who can warre with the beast? Alexander would be a God: So Divi Iulij and Divi Auguſti, & ſo the Perſians. And Antiochus Epiphanes hath a mouth ſpeaking great thinges, ſo hath this beaſt. Now the ſixt head being as dead, ſheweth that the Empire ſhould be dead and revived: otherwiſe five heads were gone: and the ſeventh was not yet come. But in a ſpeciall ſenſe one head ſeemeth as dead.

The time of Tyrannie was 300. yet by Metonymia, meaning the argument of perſecution, from our Lords time, it is called three yeares and an half. Antiochus Epiphanes raged againſt the temple properly three yeares and an halfe: as Elias plagued Iſrael properly three yeares and an half. But the matter ſheweth Ch. XI. and twice in the XII. and here, that proper time cannot be meant.

Again, I muſt adviſe the reader to learne Daniel before he learne this booke. Twentie yeares ago I made him plain enough, and plainer of late: though the Dragon caſt out of his mouth, a river of water. The whole Realme by this houre might elſe have knowne Daniel clearely. The Tyrannie and blaſphemie of the Caeſars and their deſtructions are knowne.

The Popes deſcription.

A beaſt ariſing from the earth, that is, without war: having hornes like a Lambe, that is, Chriſtes Vicar: having p. 42the mouth of the Devill, for diveliſh lawes: reſtoring the Empire, and working Miracles of deceit: as though he were Elias, a reſtorer of truth. The Ieſuites report of their miracles, comment well on this. And the Popes endevour, (ſince great Conſtantine left hateful Rome) to ſet it vp, by revived Empire, & to deſtroy the Eaſt: this matter is famous in continuall ſtories. And Canon lawe telleth that none may live vnderunder the Empire, but by yeelding vntounto the Popes lawes in ſubſcribing or oth, or ſome open token: as a marke in the forehead. And where a nūber given to a man, as the ſonnes of Adonikam were 666. that being called the number of the beaſt, and to a ſenſe of wiſedome, which is vſuall in notation, A God ſtāding vp, that is Adoni-kam: this deſcribeth plainlie the man that ſtands vp in the temple of God, as if hee were God.

CHAP. XIIII.

The reviving of the Goſpell, by worſhip of God onelyonly in Chriſt, as on mount Sion of old: religion taught with as great concent of law and goſpell, as any harpes can make, by rare men of courage, patience, wiſdome and high policie, by virgin mindes, vnſtayned by Idolatry, renued by Chriſt, and following him, is taught, Ch. 14. as Ch. 7. & 11.

And the Pope is told of fall, and of eternall death to all of his bent: and the Martyrs of preſent heavens ioy, without purgatorie. And Chriſt ſitting on a cloud at prayer of the Church, and an Angel comming out of the Church, bid by an Angel Lord over fire and Gods heat, with ſicles cut off Papiſtes, that their blood would reach to the horſe bridles: over a Land as Canaan made to a ſquare, by the Thalmud, p. 431600. furlongs, 400. every way. The new Teſtament ſpeaking to Iewes, is applyed to their manner of ſpeach, & plaine to a Thalmudique, where it is hardeſt to vsus.

The deſtruction which rebellion in Ireland wrought by the Pope in Deſmonds countrey, if all the blood of the dead were poured out, would a good way reach to horſe bridles: as that alſo of Oſtend. And what would al that war, now 40. yeares yeeld in blood of Papiſtes: going withall to eternall deſtruction? Happie are the ſoldiers, that dye with a good heart for the goſpell, for they reſt from their labours.

CHAP. XV.

A new viſion telleth the goſpels reſtoring, and the enimies puniſhment: perſecution borne ſincerely, through fire and faggot, is a ſea of glaſſe mixed with fyre: and praiſe is againſt Romes Aegypt and Dragon Pharaoh and Romes Babylon; from Exod. 15. and Ier. 10.

And ſeaven Angels, clothed with pure Iuſtice, come out of the temple in heaven. Angels repreſent what God by men will doe vponupon earth: when ſincere harted fight in his cauſe. Theſe have golden girdles about their breſtes, as the Sacrificers were girded. Maymoni in the holy implements, ſweateth to prove from Ionathan vponupon Ezekiel, and Kabalah, that the Sacrificers were girded about their breſts. Iohn made no doubt of the matter: but as a Thalmudique taught from God, telleth reſolutely the whole truth, Chap. 1. and here. Such poincts ſhewed would make Iewes, all learned Iewes, confeſſe that God penned the New Teſtament. All Chriſtians bee Kinges and Sacrificers: and ſhould conſider that they muſt weare crownes of golde, which no goldſmith but Chriſt maketh: to rule them ſelves in order: p. 44and to obey all in Gods law: and the girdle of truth to bind their hartes in ſtedfaſtnes. Now where one of the fower wightes giveth the Angels ſeaven cuppes of Gods anger: the learned full of eyes teach the people who are the temple to pray vntounto God for vengeance vponupon Chriſts enemies: and vponupon the peoples petition, the Angels have charge to ſerve them: as in Dan. 4 & Heb. 1. and men are fortifyed by them: as Darius Gabriel, Dan. 11. 1.

As the temple, Eſ. 6. was filled with a ſmoke of Chriſt his anger: and Seraphim, the Angels which were inſtruments of fyer did attend: ſo here the ſmoke is in all the Church: that the enemies ſhall not perceive the truth till they be cō ſumed: having ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt: as the Iewes, Eſa. 6. even by Rambam his graunt, could not amend by ten chaſtiſements: till the temple was brent.

CHAP. XVI.

VnderUnder the ſeaven trumpets, the earth, the ſea, the fountaynes and rivers, the ſun, the King of Locuſtes, Euphrates, and earthquake, is celebrated. The ſeaven Angels in plagues keep that order.

The Popes earth or earthly hold of his poſſeſſions, is full of boyles: that dayly ſome loſſe he hath: as he brought warres; to be hayle and fyer mixed with blood.

He became a mountain of fyre caſt into the ſea, to make the third part of it bloud: ſo his nations be made all known dead in ſin: and in ſeas of war fall from him.

The ſtarre wormwood fell into the rivers & fountaines of Scriptures, & made them bitter. His rivers & fountaines of forces are turned to drink blood.

p. 45He obſcured the ſun of juſtice: the ſun of perſecution parcheth his.

He got lands for Monaſteries, that the Locuſts might make him their King. But now the throne of the beaſt is darkened by contempt and pillage of Land.

In the old time Virgil complayned of Romes diſtreſſe: that Hinc movet Euphrates illinc Germania bellum: and at Euphrates, Ch. 9. Angels were tyed, but to be looſed by ſtarts: now the river is dry, that Turks and Saracens come even to Germanie, and Germanie alſo looketh to freedome: that now the king of Canaan, the ſervant of ſervantes, the falſe prophet ſending from his mouth, three (that is many) vncleane ſpirits to cauſe kings to war, hath no better ſucceſſe, then Iabin by Siſera, at Mageddon: and here a faire warning is given to watch, and integritie.

The ayre was darkned, and earthquake ſhooke the citie, that the tenth part of the citie fell, and Gods wrath ended all. So here a great earthquake, and hayle greater then Ioſuahs, falleth vponupon the enemy, who can not repent, but holdeth on to deſtruction.

Thus men, Gods meſſengers, ſhall give the Pope meaſure for meaſure, that he can not repent: but blaſphemie, not knowing how far Patmos paſſeth Rome.

CHAP. XVII.

As Daniel at the laſt openeth his Viſions in proper ſpeaches: ſo here, viſion and proprietie come togeather: though ſome knots be knit: that the wiſe may vnderſtand: and no wicked take the paynes to ſearch. One of the ſeaven Angels calleth Rome an harlot, ſitting vponupon manie waters, p. 46that is, people and troupes and nations and tongues (as Daniel 3. ſpeaketh:) with which the Kings of the earth committed ſpirituall fornication by accepting that filthy Idolatrie, as dronck with the wine of her Idolatry. This Angel doth in viſion that which a Doctor would in reading.

And he carieth Iohn into a wildernes in viſion: as men are beſt to judge when the noyſe of city troubleth not. Now he hath another viſion for the Empire revived: a beaſt with heades and hornes, as the former the old Empire: and purple colour, as more in perſecution: and full of names of blaſphemie, as accepting the Popes Canons, and Maſſe, and Ceremonies: and a woman ſitteth vponupon this beaſt clothed in purple and ſcarlat, as drunk with the blood of the Saincts: and golden in Gold, as old Babylon, Eſa. 14. and brave in pearles and precious ſtones, as be the Popes in their Copes: and their Arch-Biſhops and Cardinals, in cloth of Gold, and Aharons ſtones: mocking with God in apiſh imitation: as they mock with the keyes that God gave his Apoſtles: which Saint Paul had as the beſt: if any could be better then other: and Iohn ſpecially: authour of Goſpell, and Epiſtles, and Apocalyps: That Ruben might as well be chief Patriark, as Peter chief Apoſtle. And this woman had in her hand a golden cup, as old Babylon, full of her lothſome filthy fornication: though Rome ſet ſoorth in gold and ſilver their crucifix and Virgin Marie and Saincts: And in the forehead, a myſterie: Babylon the great: the mother of the fornications and lothſomenes of the earth. Here we ſee plainnes: that none ſhould think that Babylon meant whence S. Peter wrote. Rome is Babylon in a myſterie and trope: S. Peter was to p. 47ſpeak properly, as all men, when they tell whence they write. But viſions are in borrowed ſpeaches. Now this is ſure and plaine, The woman is the city which hath kingdome over Kinges of the earth.

Now of the beaſt his body this is told: that the beaſt, is, is not, and is. In Caeſars it was in Rome: Dead by Conſtantinus houſe, and not being: and againe revived by the Popes.

The ſeaven heads are ſeaven hilles whereupon Rome was built: famous for that: and alſo ſeaven Kings: whereof five ruled Iudah, before our Lord came in the fleſh: Pompey, Craſſus, Iulius, Antony, Brutus with Caſsius. Iohn and all Iewes knew that well. Then commeth the whole Empire the old, a ſixt head, then preſent: afterwards the Empire to be revived, the ſeventh: and by the Pope, the eight King: as he ruleth the Empire.

Now the ten hornes, are Kingdomes, as they ſerve the revived beaſt not yet ſo ſet vp: but in the Popes time it ſhalbe. Now theſe ſhall with one mind give their power to the Pope, and perſecute. But Chriſt and his Martyrs will overcome: as in Chap. 7. and 10. and 11. and 12. and 14. and 15 and 16. And when Martyrs teach the truth, countreyes will revolt from Rome, and make it deſolate: that the empire ſhall not be prophane, nor favouring Rome: but as in new Rome, before the Turk ruled.

CHAP. XVIII.

An Angel that lighteneth all the earth by his glory, proclaymeth that Rome is fallen, knowen to be a dwelling of vncleane ſpirits: in all places of the policy: and the holy are p. 48commaunded to come out of all that policy. Their Canons and Prayers and apparrel are al bent to a blind drift: and not fitteſt to have bene vſed in our tongue. The whole frame is out of order. The Lords prayer is maymed: from their Latin, Mat. 6. leaving out a moſt noble ſentence: Their Creede is fooliſhly tranſlated: that 20. ſeverall opinions are made of a moſt cleare phraſe of 3000. yeres vſe: of going to God: their letany is dangerous in phraſe, praying to te Perſons ſeverally: and is applyed vntounto their doctrine of doubting of juſtification: and in Battologie is hatefull to God: and in trifling arguments, for ſainctes dayes: and hath lies, for the place of Eves creation, and Archangels, & our Lords comming into the world at midwinter. Wee ſhould come out of all theſe follies: if our myndes put on white and clean linen: and wee tye golden girdles about our breſtes. Specially the Diveliſh fable of Toby is vntolerable, to be ſtill kept. Biſhops vnderunder Q. E. gave leave in allowance of theſe things, to adde in ſubſcription this, foreign things may be ſuffred.

Romes fall is told from Babels, Tyrus, and Ieruſalems, Ierem. 51. Eſa. 21. and 47. and Eſa. 23. and Ezekiell 27. and Ier. 7. to ſhew from ſtories paſt the certainty of all this.

And theſe reaſons are rendred: that the Roman policy killing men for the Prophets, is guilty of their blood: as the Scribes for Abels, Math. 23. & that the Kinges, who ſhould be Biſhops next God, trafiqued with Pope for his confirmation by the witchcraft of Papiſtry.

CHAP. XIX.

When people can ſing Haleluja: that is, praiſe onelyonly God p. 49in whom we breath: who drenched Pharoh, when Iah ſtopped his breth, Exo. 15. (there Iah is firſt vſed:) when foure times Aleluja is vttered from all ſorts and continually: and all the praiſe of Chriſt: and he is ſeene riding vponupon his white horſe, and we follow in white linen of juſtice: then Chriſt will make proclamation to all kites, as in Ezekiel 39. concerning the Macedonians to devoure the fleſh of Papiſts ſlaine: and will caſt the beaſt and falſe Prophet into a lake burning with fire and brimſtone.

CHAP. XX.

The tyme of the Popes abſolut ripenes in Sathan to deceive generally, ſhall not be till a thouſand yeares, when the ſmoke of his pit hideth ſun and ayre: and his locuſts have lions teeth, and iron breſtplates, and winges of Chariots, and war horſes. Satan was tied among Papiſts & elder prophane 1000. yeares: that many reigned heere with Chriſt for a thouſand yeares: they of the firſt reſurrection, that is from ſinne in this world, vponupon them the ſecond death ſhall have no power: but they ſhall reigne with Chriſt, and ſuch wilbe for a thouſand yeares.

But after a thouſand yeares the darknes of the pit will ſo extend it ſelfe: that the old ſerpent ſhall trouble all the holy Citie, and beſiege the faithfull every where: as though old Gog and Magog were alive, and the old Ieruſalem were a new to be defended. The Pope deceived all the Princes of Weſt, to ſend all their force for to recover Ieruſalem, and Antioch: and 200. yeres the greateſt warres that ever were, were made there: That the old war of Gog & Magog was nothing like this. And yet Chriſt had tolde that Ieruſalem ſhould be deſolate p. 50vntounto the worlds end, Mat. 24. as he cauſed Moſes to tell, Deut. 28. But the falſe Prophet to weaken Princes, who would be deceived, and not excell in Gods word, as they moſt of all might do, he cauſed them to go for 200. yeares from England; France, and all the Weſt, men, women, and children, to recover the curſed land.

And now God began new merciemercy: now firſt Rabbines made Grammers for Hebrew: and Iarky the great D. commenteth vponupon the Bible at a thouſand yeares: now 600. agoe: and Aben Ezra at 500. a very great Rabbin. Rabbi Sadaias was afore him, who turned Moyſes into Arabique, that Chriſtians might follow the truth, & not the 72. which hid their minde, for 1600. yeares change: as I have ſhewed in Conc. and Meſchiſedek. That hiding not ſpied hath deceived all Arabia, Abyſſions, Graecia, Moſcovia, Englande, vntounto 1603. to breach of all Moyſes authority. Rabbi Sadaias did enough to have holpen this. Another Rabbin put forth a Greek tranſlation in Ebrew letters. Ramban, who at the laſt became a Chriſtian, he wrote finely foure hūdreth yeres agoe. Aruc a Dictionarie for the Thalmud is 600, yeares old. Iſaak Ben Arama, and Bechaiah, both overthrow their owne ſide, and helpe vsus to tye Satan againe: & ſo doth David Kimchi, teach vsus from much Thalmudique, that the title of the 22 Pſalme is the morning ſtar: a matter worth much gold, for Apoc. 2. and 22. Briefly from after 1000. yeares God pitying vsus, ſtirred Iewes to teach vsus Chriſt by their beſt cō menting, though them ſelves could not ſee him. Al be godles that wiſh not all helpe to turne them: and how hath Satan bound them that labour to hinder all the good of their commenting for Chriſtians ſpeciall vſe and hope for them.

Satan raged looſe 500. yeares. But now we looke for his p. 51fall: not fearing any deceit with ſtrength. Therefore the viſion paſſeth vntounto the reſurrection.

CHAP. XXI.

Becauſe the Church ſhould be long in the wildernes, and ſeeme black to men, God ſheweth the heavenly Ieruſalem, how goodly it is, from Eſay 25. and 54. and from ſixtie to the end: and Aggei 2. Exod. 28. Ezekiel 47. and all the Prophetes: and how great it is, 144000. furlongs ſquare. As a thouſand miles high building: and ſo long and broad: that if all the elect ſince Adam, came as beaſtes into Noes Arke: a citie of this largenes would but hold them. Here Papiſts ſhould ſee antiquitie and vniverſalitie.

CHAP. XXII.

The lawes are golden, and ſtreames of life in Chriſt, the morning ſtar. But this I have in Concent of Script. handled at large, and elſwhere. The grace of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt open our eyes to ſee, that to morrow we ſhall die: that to day we may heare his voice. Coloniae. Iu. 1610. foreign

Gentle Reader, where you ſee this title THE ARGVMENTS, printed above almoſt of every page, there read, OF THE REVELATION. And where you ſee, OF THE REVELATION, there read, THE ARGVMENTS.

Good Reader vnderſtand, that this larger Scholion following, in order of time, was written afore theſe Arguments: as thou maiſt perceive in the reading.