had graunted of his owne accord Italy to the Gothes which he had no hope to be able to retaine VVhat could he expect from the VVest every country wanting helpe so farre off were they from being able to succour others Therefore O Pope thy wouÌ„d was deadly whereof no remedie appeared from any place ¶ But this deadly wound was healed The third condition of the Beast coÌ„sisting in his dignity recovered by the healing of the head VVhich began at the yeere 555 when Iustinian being Emperour the Gothes were destroyed in Italy bâ— the valiantnesse of 〈◊〉 Nâ—râ—â—â—â—â— The Emperour played the Physitian maniâ—estly for first he tooke away the noxious humours by â—â—pressing yea rather utterly abolishing the Barbarians afterward he powred in wine oyle That Decree of Iustinians new constitution 131 wâ—s a most pleasant ointemeÌ„t Wee ordaine that according to the Decrees of the holy Counâ—â—lls the most holy Bâ—shop of auncient Rome shall be the chiefe of all Priests Hâ—â— much was the wound amended hereby But Phocas the Parricide afte◠〈◊〉 yeeres more or lesse that is in the yeere sixe hundreth and sixe finiâ—hâ—â— the cure bound up the wound healed it up into a skarre Hee did gâ—aunt unto Bonifâ—ce the third that the Romane Bishop should be counted Vniversâ—ll not onely that he should goe before the rest in order honour as Iustâ—nian decreed limitting the Primacy with the bounds of holy Concills bâ—t who should have the whole world for his Diocesse the Bishop of CoÌ„stantinople strove afterward in vaine from whom the Primacy was given by the sentence of the Emperour Now he perceived that the wound was healed and that therefore it was superfluous to pleade any more for this matter And certenly not very long after the Pope Leo second shewed that he had recovered health when about the yeere 680. by the warres of the Emperour he compelled Felix the Bishop of Ravenna to acknowledge the Bishop of Rome for his Lord and that the Bishop of Ravenna should not rise up any more it is ordained by the authority of the Pope That afterward the election of the Clergie of Raâ—enna should not be of force unlesse the consent of the Romane Pope were added to it Sabellic Ennead 8. book 7. Thus was the wounded head cured which being healed did more hurt the Christian world then before he received the wounde ¶ And all the world wondred followed the Beast Now he declareth how great the recovered dignity should be first by the honour which the worshippers of the Beast should give to him this honour is in admiring in this verse also in worshipping both the Dragon the Beast in the following And he speaketh significaÌ„tly after the Hebrewes manner to wonder after the Beast which is as much as in wondring to follow the Beast that is to give up theÌ„selves wholly to be ruled by his Empire as the Israelites going a whoring after their Idols forsooke the true God coÌ„secrated theÌ„selves to the worship of them They who so admired the Beast are the earth that is men savouring the earth altogither straÌ„gers froÌ„ the heaveÌ„ly city But how many is the nuÌ„ber of them All without exception For he saith the whole earth Therefore it should come to passe that the Beast after the head was healed should rule with farre larger boundes then before Prosper said that Rome was more ample at the first receiving of this dignity by the tower of religion then by the throne of power Which seemeth to be understood rather of the consent of the trueth then of the dominion of the Citie of Rome although then it was doubtlesse large The trueth was propagated further then the Romane Empire But Britanny had not yet acknowledged the authoritie of Rome in the matter of religion till under the Pontificate of Gregory the fift that is after some hope that the wound should be cured Augustine the Romish Munke forced our countriemen to take upon them the yoke neither did France Friseland Denmarke Germanie Sclavonia depend much of Rome before Bonifacius or Venefride an Inglishman about the yeere 720. brought these countries or the chiefe parts thereof unto the obedience of the Pope of Rome Now therefore was the time when the whole earth should admire the Beast when besides these and other Princes of Europe countries also most remote Ireland Scotland Norway Gothia Sueveland Luten and other nations of Sarmatia honoured the same as some God Let therefore the Pope glory in his universality by how much he hath the greater multitude by so much a surer argument is he that Beast But as touching the admiration it was indeede great some ages before and that of the most famous lights of the Church who carryed away with the too much honour of the Beast and not regarding sufficiently to what mischiefe at length the matter would growe did exalte too proudly the preheminence of the Apostolike Chaire Yet did they not wonder after the Beast so as they thought they must embrace all whatsoever he should ordaine but they had one rule of godlinesse and duty to it the sacred trueth Neither were the commendations of those times any thing to that admiration which followed the healing of the wounde Heare Bernard Thou saith he speaking to the Pope art the great Priest the chiefe Pope thou art the Prince of Bishops thou art the heire or the Apostles thou art in Primacy Abel in governing Noe in Patriarchat Abraham in order Melchisedec in dignity Aaron in authority Moses in iudgement Samuel Peter in power Christ in an-annointing c. in the 2. booke of Considerat Verily o Bernard thou hast played the foole through admiratioÌ„ Yet neverthelesse I dare not put thee among those who wonder after the Beast considering that I heare thee else where reprooving boldly and sharply the wickednesse of the Popes Cardinals Bishops and other Clergie men The times deceaved thee but there was in thee I thinke somewhat borne of God which at leÌ„gth did overcome the world But of what sorte was the wouÌ„dring of other men who were more blinded lesse fearing God Heare what the Ambass of the Emp. of Sicilia being prostrated on the grouÌ„d cry which takest away the sinnes of the world hav mercy on us which takest away the sinnes of the world give us peace P. Ae. b. 7. VVhat also Simo Begnius Bishop of Modrusium speaking to the Pope Leon in the Councill of Lateran sess 6. Beholde here cometh the Lion of the tribe of Iuda the roote of David thee o most blessed Leo wee have expected for Saviour Adde unto these Cornelius the Bishop of Biponte who shewed his astonishmeÌ„t in the CouÌ„cill of TreÌ„t in these words The Pope being the light is come into the world and men have loved darknes more then the light for every one that doth evill hateth the light and commeth not to the light O Blasphemous Fooles is it not enough for you to adorne the Man of Sinne with the praises of the Saincts
there was a certen Chiefe and famous woman an Idolatrice Sorceresse Harlot like the ancient Iezabell which was the wife of Ahab yet by thus much more furnished to destroy because this shewed her selfe openly an enemy and adversary to the truth that would be accounted for a Prophetisse From that which followeth appeareth that shee was taught to the naughtines in the schoole of the Nicolaitans of which shee became a schoole mistres teaching others the same rules For the Heretiques abused the labour of women to sparse abroad their poysons Simon Magus hath his Helena Carpocrates his Marcellinam Apelles his Philumenam Montanus after in the latter times in places nigh to this Thyatira his Priscilla Maximilla In the Antitype the thing is clearer For this Iezabell is Rome Queene Idolatrice Sorceresse Whore Killer of Martyrs Prophetisse the head of all Churches and the whole way of salvation which never yeelded to any heresyes and many such like with which wee shall see her adorned by the Holy Spirit partly in this book partly shee boastingly setteth forth her selfe impudently Lately we learned tha the Pope was signified by Balaam now we have the city shewed by Iezabell Both which perteine to the describing of the same Synagogue of Sathan see in the Bishop and City are things very neerly conioyned And how doth it fit the times that the Spirit doth set before our eyes now such a city How long time did the Pope deceive under a shew of godlines as the Hypocriticall Balaam in the former ages about the beginning of increasing honour and reputation but after he was groweÌ„ to an inmeasurable greatnes lifted up above Kings Emperours so as now all meÌ„ quaked at the very name of the Pope of Rome his Rome became the Queene Iezabell an impudent and painted whore Balaam therefore and Iezabell declare the same kinde of impiety onely they are distinguished by the increase an times Rome in her infancy as Balaam handled her matters more warily and secretly shee pretended that shee could not speake but that which the LORD should put in her mouth being grown to full age as the Prophetisse Iezabell preacheth openly that shee caÌ„not erre and that shee is the rule of faith and all godlines That abused the labour of Kings to bring in and set up Idolatry This by her owne authority commandeth to committe fornication and to eate thinges sacrificed to Idols in exacting the worshipping of Idols Images Who can admire enough the singular art of the Spirit who hath so lively set forth this matter This then is Iezabell the holy men of this time shaking too softly modestly this peste have therein so much the lesse approved themselves to Christ our head who would have no earnestnes spared in repressing so great impudency Learned men have dealt some what more boldly and freely then they had done in former times yet they used not that earnestnes that was meete in a cause of this sorte ¶ And I gave her time to repent In these words is shewed the stubburnes of Iezabell Christ dealt some while patiently with that impure Thyatiren woman so also with the city of Rome the stormy trouble of Barbarians being quieted and the Longobardes being overthrown Neverthelesse this peace brought noe amendement but increased rather the apostacy while they came to this height of impudent Jezabell For wee shall see that after those times all ungodlines did grow the Papists striving to oppresse the former dimnes with infernall darknes 22 Behold I will cast her in a bed The punishement of Iezabell The bed is sometime to delights and riot as in the Prophet sitting downe on beds of yvory and abounding upon their heds Amos 6.4 Sometime to sicknes and weaknes as The Lord will upholde bim on the bed of feeblenes and turne all his bed in his sickenes Psal 41.4 Of which in this place Not of delights although this be a great punishment to be given up to the occasion of sinning but of grief as appeareth from this that by and by after followeth where they that committe adultery with her shal be cast into great affliction Therefore the Thyatiâ—eÌ„ womaÌ„ hath languished Rome also hath bin sicke since the year 1300 coÌ„suming more every day as being sicke of a consumption For since that time palenes hath covered her face her stomake is grown weaker her soule is become heavy her flesh consumed yea her infirmity hath grown so farr that if thou beholde her at this day thou wilt say that shee is a dry carkase in respect of her former plight and good liking O the infinite wisdome of God which even in one worde hath given so lively image and picture of a time so farre of Could the languishing destruction of Rome be noted out more elegantly and evidently God would not have her perish on a swift or speedy disease that the peoples should not forget her but with a wasting consumption to be corrupted and waxe rotten both to the end that her lingering punishement should be an image of the eternall paine and also that shee might be a spectacle to many ages whom shee had led in errour so long a time Certenly unlesse Rome doe feele and acknowledg this her consumption shee must needs be sick not onely of a consumption but also of a Phrenesy ¶ And those that committe adultery with her The punishement of the adulterers who are the Kinges and Princes of the earth as is after in the 17. chap. 2. Vnlesse these shall forsake the whore they shall feele great affliction Have not yet the Kings learned this sufficiently by experience the most fierce and savage Turke on the one side vexing the Emperour the Spaniard on the other side Remember the ages past since the yeare one thou sand and three hundred in which Iezabell began to languish Who can attaine to declare the great evils which Transilvanie Polen Boheme the house of Austriche the Emperour The Venetians the Spaniards have suffered at the handes of this barbarous Turke Did not this your affliction begin at the same time wherein Iezabell Rome was cast into this her sicke bed Why doe ye not observe that your adultery which this whore hath brought forth and caused all these evills unto you But this calamity hitherto while Jezabell lyeth sicke in bed is nothing to that wherewith at length yee shal be punished unlesse yee renounce betime her ungodly commerce and society when shee shall yeeld her last breathing as wee shall shewe afterwardes Is it then now time o yee Princes and Peers to fly like cowards from the true God unto the whore of Rome They have noe pardon or excuse who bewitched with her beauty while shee flourished companied with her What torment awaiteth your wretched lust whoe doe nowe embrace a stinking carkasse For the love of Christ provide for your selves in forsaking with all speed this Harlot least suddenly at length yee be overwhelmed when your repentance shall be too late both with the most
usâ—d should be free and absolved from the accusation although fouÌ„d to be such a one but the accusâ—r should be made subiect to punishement as it appeareth by the Decree of the same Antonin in Iustin and Euseb booke 4.13 Nowe surely the trueth triumphed wearing a crowne and the Emperours did lye downe bâ—ing stroken by the bowe who seemed to be farre beyond the lot of private men Yea in the most remote countryer one Apologie being throwne the enemyes were so restrayned that they could attemp nothing against the trueth The same Iustine also by his most learned writinges stopped the mouthes of the Iewes and Grecians so as the victory of the trueth was famous Euseb booke 4.18 Therefore this time next after Iohn excellent for Apologies ioyfull fruict of the persecution staied is the voice of the Lyon the first Beast and that onely pleasant solemnity which the trueth did keepe being sit on the white horse with the bowe and crowne 3 And when he had opened the second Seale So is the first Seale The second as touching the LaÌ„be that openeth it there is nothing newe But the Beast is an other namely an Oxe whose place was the seconde in chap. 4 7. And wee knowe that this beast is borne to labour not to be compared with the LioÌ„ in the glory of overcoming yet farre more noble in the praise of enduring sorrowe Neither is the voice here so terrible and roaring as was that of the thundering Lion but vulgar and common wheÌ„ce he saith that he heard the second beast saying which yet should have his force to stirre up men to hearken to the event 4 And another horse came forth that was reade The second type is a read horse the sitter upon him to whom was given a great sword Of the horse wee spake at the second verse That fiery colour signifyeth warre contentions slaughters blood as in Isaiah Who is this that cometh from Edome with stieped garments from Bozrah Wherfore art thou red in thy garments and thyne apparell as of him that treadeth in the wine presse chap. 63.1 The sitter on him is furnished with power because he should order the matter not at his owne pleasure but by an others commandement Power is given partly by word partly by signe By word leave being graunted to take peace from the earth For so the verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take is taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to take away as wee have observed before in chap. 3.11 But the Earth in opposed to Heaven And seeing Heaven in this booke doth note out the true and holy Church as after it shal be manifest the earth contrarywise signifyeth the ungodly world from which peace is taken and not from the Church Which is yet more playne from the declaration of the power which proceedeth so farre that it should set meÌ„ togither by the eares to kill one an other as these wordes shewe that one should kill another but the Church avengeth not her selfe by slaughter of the enemyes much lesse by a certen furie in murdering her owne friendes But this butchery one of an other groweth from the strifes and battells amonge the Gentiles wherby one should runne headlong to an others destruction Wherefore it is not here spoken of the persecution of the Church but of the tempest of warres wherewith the whole world should be shaken Which is declared to be very great by the signe and Instrument of the power that is a great sword given to the sitter on the horse Which thinge came to passe after that Antoninus Pius was dead For his sonne Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Verus by name a Philosopher by deede a greate enemy of the trueth being blinded with the Heathens superstition moved a mercilesse persecution against Christians Which that the second Beast might restraine he uttered a voice For Iustin sent a second Apologie to the Emperour Euseb booke 4.16 of the Eccl. Hist Melito Bishop of Sardi Apolinarius Bishop of Hierapolis doe the same pleading earnestly the cause of the Christians in bookes written to the same Emperour Euseb Hist booke 4.26 But the Emperour more learned then his Father lesse godly receaved the defense with deafe eares From hence the voice of this Beast became the voice of an Oxe as which prevailed not as before the voice of the Lion did prevayle But the Beast neverthelesse after his lowing did beare a grievous yoke of the former calamity Iustin himselfe before in strength a Lion nowe in patience an Oxe killed for Christ his sake obtayned the name of Martyr Euseb Hist booke 4. 16. The residue did mourne under the crosse without any rest given them Notwithstanding howsoever the voice prevailed not to appease the cruelty yet it was instead of an alarme to warne the faithfull howe great evill was like to come shortly upon the world for their cruell hardeâ—ing against the trueth Peace shal be taken away straiteway from men seeing it should be most iust that they which would refuse eternall peace should not also enioy this earthly and they which so greedily thirsted after innocent blood should be satiated at length with their owne blood Therefore by and by all thinges are on fire wâ—â— warres The Parthians nowe first of alâ— afâ—â— Trâ—ianâ— fall away fâ—â—â— he Romanes Thither the brother of the Emperour goeth be in adâ—â—â— as a â—â—â—forte to the Empire and at length a very great disconfiture 〈…〉 he returneth home with triumphe to whom this felicity was bu◠〈…〉 being suddenly dead of an Apoplexiâ— whâ—le he sate with his brotâ—er in the chariot Eutrop. Brev. booke 8. Shortly after arose the warre of the people of Bohemia so great as ther hath not bin the like in any time as the sâ—â—e Eurropius saith worthily to be compared with the warres of Caâ—thâ—gâ— which togither with the Bohemians the Qâ—â—dâ—â— Vandâ—â—s the Sarâ—â—â—es and Suâ—ves and all Barbary from the Câ—â—â—â—e of Paâ—â—onia even to the middes of the Gaulles Hoâ—â—e misâ—table was then the face of things the same author dâ—scribeth excellently after thiâ— manner For saith he there was not rest any where from warre and through all the East Illyrâ—â—um Italy France battayles were hotely applyed these were earthquakes not without the destruction of cityes inundations of rivers often pestilence kindes of locusts hurtfull to the fieldes so as nothing at all almost wherby moâ—â—â—ll men are wont to be wasted with very great sorowes can be spoken or thought which raged not when Antoninus was Emperour Those are his wordes It was a great and cruell sword which was moyst drunken with so much blood If any doe thinke that warre was noe strange thing to the Romanes neither to be like to be true that a thing so comon and â—â—uall should here be signifyed let him compare the Empire of this Antoninus with theirs which went before he shall see that the warre had â—â—â—â—ed by the Providence of God for a loÌ„ge space to the end that this iudgâ—â—ent of God when it
after a Councill being gathered in the same place under Gratian and Theodosius the elder shee ordained in plaine wordes that the Bishop of the City of Constantinople ought to have the honour of Primacy next after the Romane Bishop because that it is newe Rome see the first Councill at Constantinople Canon the fift By which things both shee bewrayed her owne ambition and also shewed some what more fully what those some thing obscure circunstances of wordes in the Nicene decree meant ¶ And the third part of the Sea became blood The Second effect is the corruption of Doctrine the death of the things in the Sea The Doctrine is turned into blood that is into a nature wholy growing out of kinde Before indeede it began to be foule and thicke defiled with many superstitions but afâ—er the desire of Lordship Primacy was mixed with it it became an horrible blood But what this third part is the History sheweth clearly In the former sounding of the trumpet the East was smitten with the haile nowe the West is punished with the bloody waters as some time Egypte Now Rome must play her part which not content with the Primacy of Order the which the Niâ—â—ne Fathers gave her strove as much as shee was able to get her selfe the highest estate also of power over all the rest And shee had many opportuniâ—â—es doubtlesse before others as to be the head City of olde time and noâ— y t longe agoe that preiudice of the Nicene Decree the exceeding peace the which shee enioyâ—d when in the meane time the whole East was inflamed with the deadly firâ—brandes of dissentions finally ordained as it were a sanctuary the orthodoxes being driven out of their seâ—tes under a coulour of defending of whom shee crept in by stealth to that dominion which in her heart shee sought so greedily For while both the banished Bishops of whom shee seemeth to deserve well praysed her of a gratefull good will more then was meete and shee vaunting her selfe the more freely in a good cause shee exercised a certen empire and dominion unwarres over all men Which coming of hers appeareth evidently in Sozomenus in his 3. booke chap. 8. Athanasius of Alexandria Paulus of Constantinople Marcellus of Ancyra and Asclepa Gazensis being cast out of their people fled for succour to Rome the defence of whom Iulius Romain tooke freely neither was that to be reprooved unlesse he had made craftily to himselfe from hence a steppe unto tyranny For so he writeth to the Churches in their behalfe as though the power were his owne to command any thing imperiously As if it were meete that he because of the dignity of his seate should be carefull for all he restored to every one his owne Church But when letters were sent every where touching this matter through the East being as I said full of authority and power which he arrogated to his seat the Easterne Bishops in other things not to be approved did this well and according to their duty that they thought the arrogancy of the man was to be convinced of them and the Romish ambition to be reprooved freely And from hence is that which they answere that the Romane Church doth strive and contende with all men about honour as if shee were the schole of the Apostles made at the beginning the mother City of Godlines although the teachers themselves of the doctrine came from the East and were men of that country c. There was added to his cunning of boasting so insolently of the Apostolike Chaire a crafty interpretation of all duty as of due obedience the saluting of his brethren and fellowes in office by the name of honourable Sonnes and other notable fraudes of that sorte as Damasus in his Epistle to the Constantinopolitane Councill doe shewe in these wordes In that saith he your charity most honourable sonnes giveth due reverence to the Apostolike Chaire by the same thing you procure very much reverence to your selves For although it apperteineth to us chiefly to order the sterne and rudder which wee have taken upon us to governe in the holy Church in which the holy Apostle sate a teacher yet wee confesse our selves to be unworthy of so great an honnour Theodor. booke 5. chap. 9. Incredible is the charity of the Romane Pope who embraceth noe otherwise then as Sonnes so many Bishops present in the Councill In the next age his unsatiable desyre brake forth more evidently Three most Holy Popes who could not erre Zozimus Bonifacius and Celestinus are convinced of falshood belying the Nicene Councill to stablish their owne Principality The sixt Councill of Carthage albeit they reprove so great a naughty act more gently then was meete writeth to Celestinus that they could not finde any such thinge in the truer Councils which are received for Nicene being sent them from holy Cyrill and Atticus of Constantinople out of the originall which they long a goe sent from thence by Faustinus as out of a part of the Nicene Council and therefore they warne him that he would not doe that wherby he may seeme to bring into the Church of Christ the smokie pride of the world So in short time their impudency increased neither from hence forth did they cease before that Rome the conqueresse had taken from all the rest the apple of contention The Nicene Fathers tought to provide for the peace of the Church by placing some chiefe Patriarches as it were in a watchtower above the rest but the issue convinceth them both of an exceeding great errour and aberration and of their labour to be very ill and unprofitably bestowed and togither also it teacheth howe much safer and better it is to continue and keepe within the boundes and simplicity of the divine and most holy word of GOD then that wee should alter or change any thing in it leaning unto humane wisdome and inventions of men Such is this third part into which the burning montaine was cast and that the doctrine afterward became most fouly corrupted marred now it is mor knowne thankes be to God theÌ„ that is needfull to spende time in proving it Wee shall finde that this is the continuall Cokou song of all the Papists an immoderate boasting of the Apostolique Seate whether they doe refferre all things wrestingly the Sunne and Moone the two swordes and the Church built upon Peter 9 And the third part of the creatures dyed There remaine yet two partes of the second effect one touching the death of the creatures in this Sea the other of the dâ—stroying of the shippes The creatures in the Sea are all that basest company of the Clergie as they call them of which sorte are the Doore-keepers Râ—â—ders Singers Exorcists Acobythes Subdeacons Deacons Archdeacons Deanes Religious Monkâ—s Brethren and the rest of that kinde The Shippes are those of a higher degree whose office was to take paines in preaching the word and to transporte it hither and thither as merchants
the Africane Vandals And so much the more because by their meanes it was brought to passe that the Sunne in those countryes did go downe alway to this very day for after that horrible darkenesse which the Vandals brought in God by his fearefull iudgement gave up those nations to the Mahumeticall madnes whose hellish darknes at this time sufferreth noe confortable Sunne beame to shine upon them Howe is it to be lamented that that part of the world which afore time was beset with most famous lights Tertullian Cyprian Augustine and others almost infinite is nowe altogither become blacke and doth not shine with one little sparkle But so is thy will most holy Father who hast compassed about us Europeans left alone and most wickedly abusing thy holy name with very sorrowfull spectacles of thy wrath both toward the East South So therefore are the foure first trumpets Contention Ambition Heresy Warre those foure Angels which Constantine the Great for a time restrained But the first and third trumpet belongeth to the East the second to the West the fourth to Africa The Prophecy of this chapter conteineth about two hundred thirty yeeres to wit from the beginning of the reigne of Constantine unto the yeere of Christ five hundred thirty and three at which time Belisarius carried away captive Gilimer and destroyed the name of the Vandals in Afrique Evag. booke 4.16 Yee may fetch a larger declaration from Eseb upon the life of Constantine from Socrates Theodoret Sozomene Evagrius Procopius of the warre of the Vandals and Victor of Vtica touching the persecution of the same men whose Commentaries God would have to be extant for the light and credit of this Prophecy 13 And I sawe and heard one Angell Nowe he cometh to the three last trumpets much more troublous then the former as appeareth from the comon preparation in this verse For as though the usuall sounding of the trumpet were not of sufficient force to cause feare a common Proheme to these three full of terrour is prefixed every severall afterward is declared by their transitions As touching the wordes some reade for an Angell an Eagle as Aretas the Complutent Edition and the common translation brought hereunto as it seemeth because the fourth Beast was like a flying Eagle chap. 4.7 But the word one being adioyned maketh against it For it was wont to be the limiting of a thing uncertaine and indefinite But the Eagle the fourth Beast was onely one wherefore it had ben superfluous to say I heard one Eagle Therefore one Angell agreeth better which word is generall and by right may be limited with some addition as Andreas readeth and some other Greeke Copies Furthermore he is called an Angell which flyeth through the middes of heaven after in chap. 14.6 But this one Angell is some one man alone picked and chosen out from the rest to some peculiar office 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not the middes of heaven as the Astronomers call it who call midday in this wise but the middes betweene Earth and heavē to wit the middes of height not of lenght as the Angell appeared to David 1 Chron. 21.16 But seeing heaven is the holy Church and the earth the false and counterfaite which carrieth the name shewe onely of the true this Angell being seen betwixt both seemeth not to have attained the purity of that and yet to have flowne somewhat aloft beyond the dregs and filth of this He cryeth with a lowde voice that he may be heard of all men that there shall come farre greater calamityes frō the three trumpets that are to come then yet have gone before But that these shall come upon the inhabitans of the earth who doe counterfait holines whereas in very deede they are withered branches and rotten members The time and congruency of the matter doe make me to thinke that this Angell is Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome he was one as it were taken out of the rable of many Bishops whose labour God would use to profit his Church But although he sate unwares in the chaire of wickednes yet God knoweth to plucke his out of the iawes of Hell And significantly doubtles is he called one as though it were a miracle for any one of any goodnes to be founde among that degenerating route This Gregory did fly in the middes of heaven pressed downe with many superstitions and errours that he could not be enrolled a citizen of the heavenly city Whose neverthelesse singular good will care diligence right iudgement in many thinges lifted him up on high farre above the rest of the common sort and that company of superstitious ones He cryed with a lowde voice denouncing to the world a great calamity by ANTICHRIST who should come straight way The King saith he of pride is at hande and wich is unlawfull to be spoken an army of Priests is prepared booke 4. Epist 24. Againe the King of pride is at the doores in the same booke Epist 38. In the same place againe where is that Antichrist which chalengeth the name of universall Bishop and for whom is prepared an army of Priests to attende upon him He is at hand sayth he and at the doores yea he was farre neerer then he thought in whose chaire he sate even himselfe but by his account he could not be farre of Neither is it lawfull to diminish the Popes credit who could not be deceaved especially avouching the same thing so often and in earnest Seeing therefore that this Gregory next after the fourth trumpet that is the Vandalike persecution so expressely cryeth out aloude that Antichrist is at hande then whom noe greater plague and calamity could befall the earth and that a fewe yeeres before that the Monster borne longe agoe broke forth into the open light it must needes be that he was this Angell who is shewed almost so playnly by this type as if he had ben named CHAP. 9. THEN the fift Angell blewe the trumpet and I sawe a starre fall from heaven into the earth and to that starre was given the key of the bottomelesse pit 2 He opened therefore the bottomelesse pit and there arose a smoke out of the pit as the smoke of a great fornace and the Sunne was darkened and the ayre by the smoke of the pit 3 And there came out of the smoke Locusts upon the earth and unto them was given power as the scorpions of the earth have power 4 But to them it was sayd that they should not hurt the hay of the earth neither any greene thing neither any tree but onely those men which had not the Seale of God in their foreheads 5 And to them was commanded that they should not kill them but that they should be tormented five moneths and that their torment should be as the torment of a Scorpion when he hath stung a man 6 Therefore in those dayes shall men seeke death and shall not finde it and shall desire to dye and death shall
the doore and doe knocke chap. 3.20 Of which sorte are many in other places It fell from heaven unto the earth by revolting from the holy Church to a degenerating company of ungodly men But this fall nowe first began to be marked after the sounding out of the fift trūpet For that which is done leisurely and privily is not perceaved to be a doing before that it be manifestly come to passe The key of the bottomelesse pit given is a power granted over infernall darkenes which was shutte up in the bottome of the pit of hell for that is the bottomelesse pit Now first this power was granted to sende forth the smoke howsoever the fall from heaven was before that the trumpet sounded Nowe that wee may finde out who this starre is the thing is not to be measured by one or two circūstances for so wee shall finde very many to have fallen from heaven but all things are to be taken togither which surely whomsoever they shall fitte he doubtlesse is that very man whom this Prophecy painteth out unto us it cannot be that the holy descriptions should be generall and common so as they may be applyed to divers things contrary to the meaning of the Spirit But it is to be observed that this trumpet is not limited within any certaine boundes of the third part as the former but to have free liberty to spread farre abroad in what place soever it will as in the common proheme the Angell cryed out in the ende of the former chapter woe to the inhabitans of the earth as though the calamity should be contained within noe other limits then of the whole earth from whence it cometh to passe that the latter trumpets exccede the former not onely in the very kinde and continuāce of the evils but also in the space and largenes of the countries thēselves to which they should bring dammage These thinges being thus layd wee shall finde that this trumpet sounded immediately within three yeeres after that Gregory died whom evē nowe wee shewed to be the Angell flying from the middes of heaven about the yeere from the birth of Christ sixe hundreth and seaven At which time Boniface the third obtained of Phocas the parricide that the Bishop of Rome should be universall then also Mahumet in the East whom Robertus Cetenensis and Bibliander refer unto the same time in the eleven table albeit I thinke that others more truly doe reffer him to a fewe yeeres after as touching the summe of the thing there is noe difference was beleeved of his owne people to be a greate Prophet Both starres fell from heaven before this time The Romane defection is manifest in the Idolatrous worshipping of reliques in attributing that to the Saincts which is proper to God alone that I may not recite many other wicked superstitions when as it would aske a longe time even for to number them Gregory that middle Angell whom by right thou mayest call holy in comparison of many other that were to come in howe plaine words doth he bewray the impiety of this seate herein The holy Martyrs sayth he our defenders are present they will be asked and they require to be sought Therefore in your prayers seeke yee these helpes finde yee out these defenders of your guiltines in his Homilies on the Gosp Againe Which Holy Peter of late could be your helper in all things and more over he is able to forgive your sinnes booke 4. Epist 34. Againe let him put his trust in the grace of the omnipotent God and in the helpe of the blessed Apostle Peter in the booke 4. chap. 39. Moreover from the crosse in which is the wood of the Lords crosse and the haires of John Baptist wee have alwayes confort of our Saviour through the intercession of his fore runner booke 7. Epist 126. Neither was he the first authour of this Idolatry neither did they which followed indevour to overthrowe it but rather increased it with all their power And not without cause indeede the fall of this starre became thē first knowen when the Bishop began to be called universall then yet the eares of all men might ring with the late crying out of Gregory He is Antichrist who chalengeth to himselfe the name of universall Bishop Frō which also it is manifest howe both they deceive and are deceived who require instantly the testimonies of Ambrose Hierome Chrysostome Augustine or of any other Father by which expresly it may be proved that the Pope of Rome is Antichrist seeing his fall could not be so plainly discerned before the blowing of the fift trumpet which doubtlesse sounded not before these holy men ceased to be among the living The fall also of Mahomet from heaven is evident The Saracenes had received the true faith of Christ by the instruction of Moses a certaine Bishop of that people when Mavia the Queene reigned as in Socrates booke 4.36 or Mania as Sozemene calleth her booke 6. 38 At which time Valens governed the Empire of Rome in the East From this beginning or peradventure from Zacomus the Prince who flourished a fewe yeeres before the trueth seemesh to have ben spred among them unto the times of HERACLIVS corrupt without all doubt with much filth and corruption as is wont to come to passe in processe of time yet not quite abolished as it is cleare frō Mahumet himselfe who acknowledged the Scriptures and tooke to himselfe companions or rather had for maisters Sergius of Constantinople a Nestorian Monke and Iohn of Antiochean Arian Wherefore it is plaine that both of them had fallen The key was given to the Bishop of Rome in that manner which I have said For an ordinance of the Emperour being established that the Bishops of Rome should have full power to assemble generall Councills and to disolve them to confirme and disanull the thinges which should be decreed in the Councills and that the City of Rome should be the heade of all holesome life when before Constantinople was so esteemed because of the seate of the Emperour as writeth Pomponius on Phocas what could not this key open Doth not the Pope worthyly boast of the Keyes and carrieth them an ensigne for his armes least perhaps any should be ignorant that he is the same whom Iohn sawe should come And this is that difference betweene the other superstitious men and the Pope of Rome Many others did give more to the Saincts departed then was meete and defiled themselves with the most grievous sinne of Idolatry yet to noe other was given the key to open the pit but to this universall Bishop Let noe man therefore to hide the Antichrist call forth the defense and fellowshippe of others that erred but let him ioyne togither all the properties nor iudge of him for one alone But as touching Mahomet what could not he obtaine of the simple multitude being counted of all a great Prophet Whose sowning from a disease the rude multitude beleeved to have bin
lustification and the syncerity of the whole faith for the garment as wee have shewed in other place is the imputed righteousnes of Christ The Sunne noteth the light of the Scriptures Therefore the cloathing of the Sunne is such a confidence in the righteousnes of Christ alone as the scriptures teach Which is a most comely ornament of the first Church which the opinion of our strength had noe whit yet darkened In other places of the Scriptures this cloathing is of white and pure linen But the glory of any later time doe not attaine unto this most excellent glory of the Sunne The MOONE under her feete This is commonly and ordinarily referred unto the despised and troden under foote vanity of worldly things which are as variable and changeable as the MOONE In which respect the Woman hath noe greater regard of such earthly things then of that which commonly men doe trample and treade upon with the soles of their feete But from the former things wee have learned that the Moone doth signify the light of truth and doctrine borrowed from the Scriptures which now being put under her feete may shewe that all the steppes of this Church are directed and disposed according to the onely rule of the one of these For it is not inough to shine rounde about with the Sunne unlesse the steppes be set in the way of Godlines As therefore the cloathing of the Sunne is the doctrine of faith so the Moone under the feete is the doctrine of manners which are either publike or private They comprehende the whole manner of worshipping God and revoking of those that erre which is called Discipline commonly These private are seen in the common life of every one Great was the glory then of the woman before whom the heavenly light of trueth went in all thinges whether publikely or privately I take rather this latter applying because it is more fit to abide in the signification once received albeit I would not have utterly reiected the former interpretation as being godly and learned The crowne of twelve starres on the head signifyeth the shining administers of the doctrine the twelve Apostles by whose preaching the Church was founded and also the Apostolicall men who receiving the word from them that sawe the things don their selves preserved the Church chast and undefiled But it is to be observed that the womaÌ„ doth carry the starres in an other manner then Christ hee being Lord of all carried them as it were servants in his hande chap. 2.16 shee beareth them as her chiefe ornament on the crowne of her head Such then is the particular explication Which descriptioÌ„ howe well it agreeth to that church noe man can be ignorant of who hath ben even but meanly acquainted with the History She was most glorious by the cloathing of the righteousnes of faith in retayning faithfully the doctrine which shee had received from Christ the Apostles Evangelists and other Apostolike men Neither was shee yet defyled with the uncleanesse of humane invention but in the whole worship discipline life manners shee had the Moone under her feete following the sacred trueth as her North-starre in all thinges there was one forme of governing in all Churches the very same which is taught in the Actes of the Apostles and their other writings Or if any maÌ„ will referre the Moone to the vanity of wordly things how free was shee from ambition and desire of honours How greatly did shee abhorre the coveting of riches and contention for dignity How syncere is the History of that time in Eusebius The Bishops are reckened by name excellent for their manners and doctrine their conflicts labours and sufferings are declared but as yet the proude names of honours and dignities were unknowne to the world the burning mountaine was not yet cast into the Sea neither had Satan brought in arrogancie and pride but the Pastors used singular modestie being very carefull for the good estate of their flocke not heaping riches and Lordly titles for pompe One Paulus Samosatenê° is called Magnifique Lord and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a forerunner of Antichrist garded with a great company of men servants whereof some went before some followed after see the Synodicall Epistle in Eusebe booke 7. chap. 30. But when this insolency was hated of all the rest then the time nowe drewe neare when this vaine glorious Bishop rose up in which the womaÌ„ hid her selfe I am not ignoraÌ„t but that pride had sprung up in some other sorts but the Spirit describeth the womaa by those markes which were yet evident not by those which grewe up about the ende of that florishing estate and secretly Such was this Church such ought every one to be but of which sorte none hath ben since that time For wee shall finde those that followed not cloathed with the Sunne but with the night not treading under foote the Moone but the earth neither having the shining starres on her head but golden ornaments ¶ A Crowne of starres This crowne of starres is wonderfull Among mortall men Gold is wont to be appointed for this thing But to what ende should she have Gold on her head under whose feete did lie whatsoever is pretious in this world The glory therefore hereof is the integrity of the Ministers noe mortall dignity The faithfulnesse of these is the glory of the Church which is in a mourning estate when these loose their light 2 And being great with childe shee cried travailing in birth The fourth property her traveiling with childe having in the wombe as Mat. 1.18 Aretas the common translation have shee cryeth being in labour with childe pained to bring foorth that is in bringing foorth or that shee might bring foorth by a syntaxe not unlike to that wherby wee saz faire to see valliant to fight The Church had exceeding great paine for along time as it were of a woman travailing with childe And shee desired in all her prayers to be freed at length from that most afflicted condition wherein she was under the Heathenish most cruell Emperours Which thing she knew that she should obtaine if sometime at length shee could bring forth one who should rule the common wealth and have the chiefe menaging of things For the woman was not barren before this time but happie for issue in very great number but one sonne was yet wanting who might be able to defende her from the iniuries of the enemies whom while shee is in labour with and prepareth a defender shee sufferred most sharpe paines before she could obtaine that which she desired 3 And another wonder appeareth So is the description of the woman the rest of her condition is made apparant from the description of the enemy to wit the Dragon both from the things inherent in this verse and also froÌ„ the effects in the verse following Those first are his red colour hornes heads crownes before all which is set the place in which the Dragon appeared to wit in
the death of Gregory the first although this is to be understood of his birth for our men doe make his conception to be more auncient that I may not seeme alone to have enterprised to doe a thing unheard of I will yeeld reasons of this my judgement which seeme to me to be most strong First this Beast ruleth all that time wherein the woman lyeth hid in the wildernes and the two witnesses prophecy cloathed in sackecloth as is manifest after from the fift verse where power is givē to him to doe two and fourtie moneths which is the same space of the woman and Prophets Now wee evince by necessary arguments that the woman went into the wildernes and the witnesses tooke mourning apparell at that time which wee have said when Constantine began his raigne therfore also the Beast began in the same time to arise out of the Sea Furthermore what other thing meaneth that of Socrates who lived when Theodosius Iunior ruled in the times of Celestine Bishop of Rome about the yeere 424. foure score yeeres after Cōstantine The Romane Bishopricke likewise that of Alexandria being advanced long since beyond the Priesthood unto a Princedome booke 7. chap. 11. Had he promoted himselfe beiond the boundes of the Priesthood Whither else I pray then unto an Antichristian tyranny Had it done this long since and of a certen long time Certenly So crates commeth to my accounte or rather I to his or as it is more agreable to the trueth both of us to the reckening of the Holy Ghost himselfe But he speketh no more of the Romane either here or before in book 7. 7. then of the Alexandrine That is true indeede he in common toucheth sharply the ambition of both but the Romane Bishop had many more peculiar properties of the true Antichrist which in no sort did belong to the Alexandrine and therefore although at the first they ranne togither it may be with equall steppes yet in short time the Romane got afore and left the Alexandrine many miles behind him Hereunto more over is added the third Carthaginean Councill about the times of Syricius to wit in the yeere three hundreth ninetie which decreed that the Bishop of the first seate should not be called the Prince of Priests or Chiefe Priest or any such thing but onely the Bishop of the first Seate but universall let neither the Bishop of Rome be called Can. 26. as it is cited in the ninetieth distinction Wee learne frō this Decree what those times had brought forth otherwise it had ben foolish and superfluous to make an ordinance touching this matter Neither is the confession of the Papists in this thing to be passed over Dost thou thē aske the cause why the Romane Bishops were never present at the generall Councills in the East part Bellarmine declareth that it came not to passe by chāce in his first booke of the Councill and of the Church chap. 19. but for a certen consideration Which howsoever it was not knowne peradventure to many others yet it ought to be throughly understood of him a man that is a secretarie of the Popes Kingdome He rendreth two reasons of this absence the first It seemed not to be convenient that the head should follow the members c. The second because the Emperour was alwaies present at the Councils in the East part or some Ambassadour of his who challengeth to himselfe the first at least materiall place otherwise then was meete That either this therefore might not be tolerated or a tumult mooved he went not to those Councils but sent only his letters Such are his wordes he hath hit the nayle on the head For the Pope disdaineth to be present at those Coūcils in which the Emp. should sit before him How fayre were words givē both to the Emp. Constantine and also all the Nicene Fathers The good men thought as Eusebius speaketh that olde age was a let that the President of the Lady City of Rome could not be present and therefore were content with the Elders which supplyed his place But the true cause was that he could not abide to give place to the Emperour For I beleeve Bellarmine rather then Eusebius touching the minde of the Bishop of Rome VVherefore in the times of the first Nicene Councill there was a man at Rome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that lifted up one who albeit not yet openly neverthelesse within and secretly with himselfe was exalted above all that is called God 2 Thes 2.4 Not that he vaunted himselfe to be superiour to God in Heaven for that is not the meaning of the Apostle but to all the Gods in earth to wit the highest Magistrate who is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imperiall from whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is worshipped seemeth to be added in stead of an exposition But why doe I be stowe much time in these things The matter is out of controversie from chap. 17. afterward The seventh head of the Beast succeedeth next after the Heathen Emperours for these make the sixt as shal be said in his place But Antichrist is that seventh head and therefore hath his beginning by and by after the Heathen Emperours Shall I then thinke that all from Miltiades are utterly cast away as who doe make this Beast that is the very Antichrist Farte be from mee so great rashnes of judging This Beast is the state of a Kingdome as I hope shal be most cleare after And therefore God could deliver from the common destructiō some peculiar men whō he thought good though furtherers and ministers of this Kingdome The impiety was not so wicked at the first and the yong Antichrists did not knowe for what mischiefe they prepared a way Therefore wee leave these to the infinite and unsearcheable mercy of God yet wee doubt not but wee have found out the originall of the rising Beast which nowe wee see to have fallen on that time in which the Dragon was cast unto the earth ch 12.9 For being about to leave heaven he provided himselfe of a Vicar who in his absence should governe his affaires whose busines he looked unto nor carelesly as wee shall finde afterward These things being thus set in order wee see how from this fountaine every each thing will flowe most easily every part of this Prophecy agreeing most fitly one with another The true original doubtlesse not being perceived of the Interpreters disordered all consideration of the times made a harsh constrained and absurd exposition and tooke wholly away the right searching out of the event Now as touching the words the cruelty of Antichrist is signifyed most fitly by a Beast as often in the Scriptures Tyrants are compared unto Wolves and Lions equall to them in fiercenes but for hurt worser by how much iniquity in men is more armed because of the force of reason He did rise out of the Sea because he hath his originall from corrupt doctrine to wit the authority of Peters Chaire
Hildebrand granteth otherwise who in his Epistle to the Germanes said that Henry the fourth being smitten with his excommunication was blasted with lightening And not at all adventures the Spirit doubtlesse ruling his tongue as before time of Caiphas wherby the world might understand how the Beast should make fire to descende from heaven But there is no neede that wee should seeke a metaphoricall sense when the History ministreth most plaine demonstrations Of which sort was that thing that Pope Zacharias in the moneth of Iune journeying twards Ravenna in the day time was covered with a cloude against the heate of the Sunne in the night time armies of fire went before him in cloudes Centur. 8. from Polych booke 5. 25. In the same place is rehearsed that a Songe of Felix Archbishop of Ravenna placed by the Pope Constantine in the most sacred confession of blessed Peter the Apostl after a fewe dayes was souÌ„d blacke and burnt with fire see it in the booke of Pontifical they would make men beleeve that it was blasted from heaven But that is more cleere that a certaine Biâ—hop shaking up with many taunts Hildebrand for his privie grudge against Henry was destroyed with lightening and dying cryed Alas I miserable wretch bâ—und with a chaine of fire am drawne to Hell goe yee shâ—we the Emperour that he may repent and make amendes by duties for his hâ—inous offense committed agâ—iâ—st â—od against S. Peter and against his Vicar unlesse he had leiffer follow after mee going before to everlasting punishments The same day also the Bishop of Spira bearing some evill will to Hildebrant gave up the Ghost CeÌ„t. 11. from Avent booke 5. of Chronicles Did not the Ambassadours of Armenia see upon the head of Pope Eugenius while he celebrated the Masse at Viterbium a beame of the Sunne shining with most cleare brightnes and in it two doves ascending and descending Centur. 12. In the City Barra when Innocentius was saying the Masse and Lotharius the Emperour being present there appeared a golden crowne wheron sate a white Dove under the crowne hanged a smoaking Câ—nsâ—r and beside it two burning firebrands In the same place from the Chron of Saxe What can be more cleare then these thinges Wherefore now I thinke that the Iesuites will not deny how that nothing doth here hinder but that the Pope of Rome may well be the Antichrist Concerning the third miracle wee shall see in his place in the 15. verse afterward 14 And he seduceth the inhabitans of the earth Therefore these wonders ar not true but false and lying such as are Antichrists according to that of Paul with all power and signes and lying wonders 2 Thess 2.9 Although they are not called lying therefore because they are meere delusions in which there is nothing beside a bare shewe onely but partly because they differ very much from true howsoever they shal be wonderfull as which exceede not the powers of Nature done by the power of the Devill by a way unknowne to us whereupon they affect the beholders with great admiration partly for that they pertaine to the establishing of errour and lying For whatsoever belongeth to the commendation of any thing what soever which is contrary to the sacred trueth of the Scriptures it is that lying signe howsoever it is permitted of God to be very marveilous both for to try the elect and also to delude the wicked whom God by his just judgement giveth over that they should beleeve lyes which would not receive the love of the trueth as in the second Epistle to the Thess secoÌ„d chap 10.11 To which rule that cannot deceave if wee examine those apparitioÌ„s which are said to have bene done at Spandavia Birthinum other places in Germany in the yeere 1549. those glorious Angels shal be Devils traÌ„sformed into Angels of light as 2 Cor. 11.14 Let it therefore be true which the Papists boast of their miracles and admit that it were done in very deede which is put in writing by their men Yet neverthelesse while all those things doe carry away men from the trueth to errours and superstitions they are wicked they are lying wholly of the same kinde of which is this fire that the Beast bringeth from heaven ¶ Saying to the inhâ—bitans of the earth that they should make the image of the Beast These wordes as they are in the Greeke may be referred to the Beast himselfe as thou he should say speaking to the inhabitants of the earth that he had made an image of the Beast c as though he would render a wonderfull reason of his workes declaring that he had done all thinges for this intent that the former image of the Beast might be revived Or they may be referred to the people as all Interpreters doe translate saying to the inhabitants of the earth that they should make c. as though it were written saying that they should make c. Which is the ende of all these miracles that the first Beast might be placed in honour with men and it is in the power of the people to make this Image For unlesse they give honour there should be no glory for this Beast But to make an Image to the Beast is with the Greekes spoken in the third case 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there is this difference that a man maketh an image of some body as a Painter or Carver of Images who fashioneth an Image for gaine or for his minde sake but he maketh an Image to some body who maketh it for the sake or honour of some body But this Image is not any coloured picture or image made of any matter For all must be slaine that will not worship this in the next verse but an Image made cannot come unto all men unlesse either it be carried through all countries or if it shall have a fixed place all leave their dwelling places for to goe thither into a straÌ„ge country Furthermore this Image shall effect by his owne strength that whosoever shall refuse this worship he may be killed as in the next verse But this power is greater then can agree either to a picture or Image howsoever wee have read that some have spoken at some time by the cunning of the Devill Neither are the Images of living men wonte to be thrust upon the people to be worshipped Images indeede may be set up for living men but onely for civill honour not religious worship Therefore this Image is not any picture of the body but a lively and expresse figure of honour Kingdome power which the second Beast should carry of the former For this is that which the second striveth for that in his person the first may be revived VVhich his wicked ambition is declared most significantly in this kind of speaking For first when he desireth earnestly an image to be put to the first Beast by the same he sheweth that he doth require no newe thing but onely
easily it dooth blot out the impietie of that three yeeres space of Antichrist which they dreame is yet to come although it were granted that he should raign at Rome How can the sinnes in the last times come up even to heaven from whose full heape so much is taken away by so loÌ„g continuing holines of the Popes But this RevelatioÌ„ hath made the thing manifest declaring that the Pope received a lampe from the Heathen Emperours and to have heaped up new sinnes upon the former heape in a coÌ„tinual row even as the perpetual order and succession of Popes sheweth for which onely thing the catalogue of the Popes serveth greatly We hav seen this heape wonderfully increased in these our times neither shal they which folow lesse maÌ„fully add to the heape until they have both brought their sinns unto heaven and also their wicked citie to dust The Interpreter Aretas translateth have cleaved to Montanus are glued togither one layed on an other and as it were soldered with glue Therfore the filthines of Rome shal be made yet more manifest to the elect to the end that they may thinke the more in earnest of flying from her 6 Reward her even as shee hath rewarded you The other part of the exhortatioÌ„ hath respect to the armies of soldjers gathered togither against Rome This whetteth their anger and stirreth it up to a iust revenging Thou sayest it is a cruel sentence he should rather convert his speach to the repressing of fury much lesse excite to the rendring of double But cursed is every one that doth the worke of the Lord negligently Neither is it to be feared that the punishment is more greevous then her deserts to which no sharpnes of punishment can be equal But these things declare the event to weet that men shal use verie great severitie in executing this last desolatioÌ„ And it is to be observed that the citizens now of the Romane jurisdiction shal be the Ministers of this universal slaughter For whom the Angel eveÌ„ now commanded to come out of Babylon them he now exhorteth to reveÌ„gement It is like that these being mindful of so long continuing tyranny wherwith they have lyen oppressed so many ages and having also the late iniuries fixed in their minds the sting wherof dooth yet greeve them vehemently wil more freely give licence to their anger and wil satisfy themselves scarce with anie punishment And this is that to give her the double to fill her the double in the cup that she hath filled signifying that a huge calamitie shal be brought upon her with verie great cruelty We have seen befor that there is a double cupp in this book one of errour wherby the whore made men drunken with the sweetnesse of her abomination the other of punishment wherby it is taught that the wicked shal be punished after the like manner that they have sinned 7 In as much as shee hath glorified her selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 weigh out to her in equal balances so much torment as there was excesse in carnal pleasure before O Rome therfore by so much the more miserable by how much thou hast bene the most happie of all Who shal recite thy calamitie to whose riot the deliciousnes of the Sybarites is not to be compared ¶ J sit a Queen The greatnesse of the punishment is declared two wayes both by the like cruelty which shee hath shewed against others in the former verse and also from her loftinesse in this verse wherunto her abasement must be answerable in the verse folowing But wheras shee vaunteth that shee is a Queen shee sheweth her selfe to be the natural daughter of her mother Babylon Neither are these proude words darke when shee chalengeth to her selfe a Primacy over all Churches braggeth that shee is the head of Christianity the beginning of eternal life and many other things of like blasphemous arrogancy Which Primacy shee assureth her selfe shal be for ever perswading her owne heart that she shal never be deprived of this dignity neither shal have experience of anie calamity For what other thing is it that her most beloved sonnes doo avouch that Peters chaire cannot be separated from Rome nor the seate of the Apostles translated from thence as Bellarmine affirmeth in his 4. book of the Bishop of Rome chap. 4. Which although he wil not have to be counted among the articles of the faith yet it seemeth to him by some arguments of so great strength that at the last he can hadly pe persuaded but that it is an article of the Papists faith Francis de Ribera now gesseth that som evil shal happen to Rome but after that manner that he sheweth rather his care then giveth over even the least that may be of his bragging 8 Therfore in one day For this thy proud boasting this threefold kind of calamity shal make an assault upon thee at once At leÌ„gth thou shalt finde how thou hast ben deceived and how in vain thy Knaves have sung to thee upon this rock I wil build my Church c. The calamities which are rehearsed belong partly to men whom death sorow and famine shal devoure partly to the citie which shal be burnt with fire Which declare that the city shal not be takeÌ„ at the first assault but by a siege while the which continueth the past for so death was called before in chah 6.8 sorow and famine shal assaile within and that at length the city shal come into the power of the enemies who shal make it even to the ground bring her to ashes then shal be fulfilled that which Sibyl Prophecied Rome shal be a street or empty place and Delos shal be obscure or not founde ¶ For strong is the Lord He maketh mention of the power of the Lord because it wil be almost incredible that Rome borne up with so great riches both her owne and Kings and others her allies can be broâ—ght into this miserable condition But he is mighty who shal exercise iudgmeÌ„t whose will cannot be resisted by any might That which here is read shall iudge some copies have in the present tense iudgeth 9 Then shal bewaile Such was the exhortation the first mourning of the wicked shal be of Kings but of the earth onely neither properly so called but onely Romanes VVhich Kings are the slaves of the Church playing the harlot These shal beginne their lamentable songes mourning after a wonderful manner when they thinke of how sweete coÌ„pany of the whore they are deprived by this unlooked for destruction VVherfore other Kings shal remaine besides those tenne chap. 17.16 which shal destroy the whore with fyre Neither is it to be thought that these ten Kings after their hatred satisfyed shal give up themselves to lamenting being moved by repentance as Ribera trifleth For it shal be matter of very great ioy to al the elect of which sorte are these Ministers of vengeance exhorting al the people of