and thre score dayes of Iohan. Not onlye for thys age of the churche but also for all other ages and by other heades also hath the mouthe of thys Beast vttered great thinges in blasphemy lyes in Hypocresye and wonders vnder a deceytfull power But as concernynge thys latter healed head of the Beast the tyme therof wyll be short as here after shall apâ—re in the .xvij. chapter 4 He opened hys mouthe sayth the text in reproues agaynst God speakynge yll of hys name of hys tabernacle of theÌ„ that dwell in heaueÌ„ Thys is in a maner all one with that was spoken afore in the .xi. chapter of the temple the auâ—ter and of them that worshyp in the temple saue onlye that hys name ys here for hys temple In token that whan hys temple ys blasphemed whych ys hys coÌ„gregacyon hys name ys blasphemed by the same so ys hys tabernacle Iesus in whom bodelye dwelleth the fulnesse of the Godhede so are also they that dwell â—n heaueÌ„ wherbye ys meÌ„t the true churche from whom the angels are not secluded beynge their fellawe seruauntes These dwellerrs be they that haue their conuersacyon in heauen vnder an vndefyled faythe that seke those thynges which are aboue and not vpon earthe that worshyp the father in sprete and veryte and that perseuereth true christyanes to the ende Manye entreth thys heauen of the lorde but all contynueth not in yt to the ende of their lyues the more ys the pyte 5 Power was also geuen vnto this beastlye Antichrist to make battayle with the sayntes and to ouercome them Contynuallye do they with vyolence vexe by their cerâ—all polycyes auctoryte and lawes the syncere wytnesses or preachers of the lorde sanctyfyed of hym through faythe in his holye worde as were hys Apostles lyke as ded the malycyouse clergye of the Iewes-Yea they ded resist them with their more than tyrannouse proclamacyons commissyons and commandemeÌ„tes wyth cruell Pharao AmaÌ„ and Antiochus to proue Christ in them the sygne of contradyccyon stone of reproche They seke here they honte there and neuer leaue ragynge tyll they haue closed them vp in presons 6 Yet are they not so contented tyll they haue ouercomen them in the syghe of the blynde worlde though not before God Eyther shall they be compelled shamefullye to recante or yf they persyst in the veryte to suffer most peynefull deathe By one waye or other they must be ouercomeÌ„ to holde the peple in erroure The Gardyner of wynchester was not ashamed now of late as I harde yt credyblye reported to saye vnto one that was accused of hys malygnaunt multitude whan he was no longar able to withstaÌ„de the manifâ—st truthe Master Seyton we knowe ye are lerned and plentuouslye knowe ye are lerned and plentuouslye endued with knowlege in the scripturs yet thynke not that ye shall ouercome vs. No no sett your hart at rest loke neuer to haue yt sayed that ye haue ouercomen the byshoppes for yt shall not be so In dede yt is truthe For neyther Christ nor hys Apostles ded euer yet ouercome yow Their vyctorye ouer yow ys not in thys worlde your kyngedome beynge here But be certen and sure of yt ye shall be ouercomen to your moche more rebuke at the latter daye whan all wronges and iniuryes shall be reuenged which is not farre of Your lordelye estymacyon which maye not be hyndred here wyll apere there not verye precyouse Yet do ye well to holde vp a proude pecockes head as longe as ye maye Lose not an ynche of your hyght hardelye but with your gogle eyes loke vp lyke a manne with a garde at your tayle lyke a sort of tormentours in a playe And with your lyenge iudgementes ouercome these beggerlye vagabondes and burne them also rather thaÌ„ fayle to fulfill the measure of your holye fathers 7 And autoryte was geuen to thys Beast vpon euerye kyndred peple tonge and nacyon For non these Antichristes spare neyther hygh nor lowe ryche nor poore sycke nor hole lerned nor vnlerned But a iurisdiccyon they must haue ouer theÌ„ though yt be vsurped Ones in the yeare must they haue them in confession to knowe which waye they are bente That salue haue they gotten in ageyne to heale vp their wounded head Be he naryâ—e or be he straunger be he a rewler or be he coÌ„moner he must obeye them no remedye or els stande forthe at the sessyons with Christ amonge theues Not in one regyon or where as one maner of language ys vsed haue they thys auctorite but in euerye lande in euerye shere in euerye towne and in euerye famylye must they haue to do corruptynge euerye mannes faythe 8 For all that dwelle vpon earthe must worshyp thys Beast They must agree to the great thynges no remedye They must blaspheme God as they do But blessed be the lorde noÌ„ doth that in their hartes but they onlye that dwell vpon the earthe that haue their felycyte here that seketh the prosperyte of thys worlde and regardeth non other lyfe than therin is The lambes of Christes folde geueth hede to hys voyce they regarde hys calle they folowe hys worde they walke in hys lyght They seke for no holynesse but onlye in hym neyther in water nor bread ashes nor palmes robes nor relyckes masses nor anoyntinges He ys their onlye sufficient wisdome ryghtousnesse holynesse aÌ„d redemptioÌ„ His worde ys their lyuinge water the fode of their sowles the lanterne that shall gyde them and the lyfe that wyll not fayle them Non other doctryne do they couete nor yet other preceptes of lyuynge Though they be here in the earthye yet dwelle they not vpoÌ„ yt No contynuynge cyte haue they here but they seke vnto an other of moche more bewtye and pleasure not buylded of menne And for that they are redye rather to render by their lyues than to renouÌ„ce the veryâ—e Onlye they which dwelle here doth worshyp the Beast louinge theÌ„selues better than God and their fleshe better than hys truthe hauynge their whole trust in the mangye merites and dyrtye deseruynges of these beastlye Hipocrites and no thynge at all in his swete promyses 9 And therfor are not their names written of the laÌ„be in the boke of lyfe which lambe was slayne from the begynnynge of the worlde Christ hath not allowed them by hys worde and promes With the ryghtouse are they not regestred as members of one mystycall bodye in hym In the similitude of hys deathe are they not grafted vnto hym as the braunches vnto the vyne to be partyners of hys resurreccyon Their porcyon ys not in the lande of the lyuynge with hym They are non of those whom the father hath geuen hym to partycipate with hym in one sprete Predestynate they are not vnto lyfe by hym nor so written vp in the foreknowlege of God Chosen they were not of the lorde before the worldes constitucyoÌ„ to be hys vndefyled childreÌ„ in Crist. 10 He ys the meke lambe that was slayne He alone taketh
the earthe 9. with all maner plages as often as they wyll ¶ The Paraphrase i Yf anye manne wyll attempte to do them sâ—athe or presumptuouslye seketh by crafâ—ye colouâ—s subtle reasons and deceytfull argumentes vpon daungers doubtes doctorâ— olde customes and auctoryte of fathers to hyndre their office blemyshe their message and darken their lyghtâ— suche fyre shal procede out of their mouthes as shall consume theyr enemyes 2 The eternall worde of the lord that they shall declare which ys the consuminge fyre shall vtterlye destroye theÌ„ So that nothynge shall be seane of that they were afore Neyther cut showe nor corde coule nor graye cote bote nor blacke whode rother nor scaplar myter nor croser sandale nor frocke shauen crowne nor anoynting For all these are theyr enemies 3 CoÌ„sumed are they to ther saluacioÌ„ that with Matthew become of Publycanes trewe Apostles and with Paule of ferce persecuters charitable teachers Contrarye wyse are they consumed to theyr damnacyon whych beynge ouercomen by the manifest veryte wylfullye persist in their deuyllyshe errours with Antiochus and Pharao with the Scribes and Pharisees 4 For yt foloweth And yf anye manne wyll hurte them thys wyse must he be kylled Eyther must he be mortified froÌ„ the olde Adam and changed into a newe man in Christ or els by the seyd worde must he both be iudged and condemned for the vtter aduersarye of God with sathan hys auncient captayne So must he be kylled And no deathe will be founde lyke vnto that deathe come they ones to the felynge of yt though they account yt now verye lyght 5 For these wytnesses haue powre aâ— had Helias to shutt vp heauen that yt rayne not in the dayes of their prophecienge but yet non other wyse thaÌ„ by the afore seyd worde For the worde of God ys the verye keye of Dauid which openeth the kyngedome of God to theÌ„ that faythfullye beleueth aÌ„d that speareth yt vp also from theÌ„ which dwelleth in vnfaithfulnesse For it is sayd in the dayes of their prophecyenge This powre therfor is of the worde and not of the menne The worde speareth and openeth losoneth and byndeth saueth aÌ„d daÌ„pneth He that beleueth sayth Crist shall be saued he that beleueth not is iudged alredye No moyster of grace nor godly wysdome can lyght where sturdye frowardenesse is roted The dayes of their prophecyenge in figure is non other than the aforesayd tyme tymes and halfe tyme or the thre years and .vi. monethes of Helyas 6 In those dayes shall it not rayne vpoÌ„ the wycked they shall haue no grace to receyue the veryte In parables and figurs shall that be hydden from theÌ„ that shall be euident ynowe vnto the faythfull With eares shall they heare aÌ„d not vnderstande with eyes shall they se and not discerue So blynde wyll their hartes be For soche spake the prophetes in fygurs Christ in parables aÌ„d the Apostles in misteries The open truthe of this reuelacion shall not the wycked perceyue tyll they tast the plages therof Soche is the nature of Gods wisdom that thowgh it be not in gloriouse wordes fyne paputed termes nor in perswasible reasons of maÌ„nes wytte but in playne symple speakynge yet can it not be knowne of the worldly wise The swete dewe therof will not be receyued of theÌ„ in the aforesayd dayes of prophecie but he that is blynde shall be blynde styll 7 These wytnesses haue also powre ouer waters to turne them into bloude Whan they interprete and syncerely declare the pure berites of God which are those wholsome waters that restrayneth the daÌ„pnable drynesse of the sowle that refresheth the conscyence and clenseth the harte of the synner they can not chose but ernestlye condempne the peruerse iudgementes the couetouse lawes and hypocritishe workes of the vngodlye And then is all vncleane vnto them theÌ„ is all bloodye The gospell which was a stomblynge stone to the Iewes aÌ„d mad folyshenesse vnto the gentyles is also now vnto them nowrye newe lerninge sediciouse doctrine aÌ„d abhominable he resye Yea and they iudge them worthye to be burned that doth teache it Thus is it abhorred of them that shall perishe and neuerthelesse to theÌ„ that beleue it is the powre of God vnto saluacyon 8 Fynallye they haue powre to smyte the earthe with al maner of plages as ofte as they wyll Uerye caâ—the are they that regarde not Gods truthe as the lorde sayd vnto AdaÌ„ after hys offence Earth thu art and vnto earthe shalt thu returne Nothinge they esteme but that whych ys earthlye Nothinge they desyre but that is carnall The frowarde creature wyll in no case knowe that is of the sprete The lyght ys hatefull vnto sore eyes Uerr peynefull is brede to the mouthe that ys not whole A great mote was Crist to the Iewes as hys true preachers are vnto the blynde worlde yet to thys daye For they smyte the earthe 9 They towche their lyuynge they rebuke their falshede they condeÌ„pne theyr wyckednesse They reproue them of synne of ryghtousnesse and of iudgement They force not to tell theÌ„ of ther vnfaithfulnesse frawde and hypocrisye of their philosophers prelates and relygyouse No greatter â—lage ys yt to the vngodlye than to heare of theyr euyll doynges No greater peyne nor yet greatter ponnyshmeÌ„t than to haue their fawtes opened and their clonynge colours condemned That fretteth theÌ„ at the very harte Deathe must be sought out for soche preachers No wonder is yt though thys be here writteÌ„ for thys age of the churche For neuer were more ernest wytnesses then are now and more are lyke here after to folowe tyll the maÌ„ne of synne be fullye knowne and his kyngedome clerelye ouerthrowne The Text. 1 And whan they haue fynished theyr testimonie 2. the beast hat came out of the bottom lesse pytte 3. shall make warre agaynst them 4. and shall ouer come them 5. And theyr bodyes shall lye in the stretes of the great cyte 7. whych spirytuallye is called Sodome and Egypte 8. where our lorde is crucyfyed ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And whan they haue ones fynyshed theyr testimonye sayth the lorde the beast that came out of the bottomlesse pytte shal make warre ageynst them No soner shal the witnesses of Gods veryte in allages be taken from the worlde than he hath prefixed After noÌ„ other sort shall they be sent hence than he hath appoynted by hys eternall decre IohaÌ„ baptist was not enprysoned nor beheaded tyll he had done hys offyce Christ was not taken condemned and crucyfyed tyl hys howre was come Paule was not putt vnto deathe tyl he had fulfilled his course 2 The beast of the bottomlesse pytte ys the cruell craftye aÌ„d cursed generacion of Antychrist the pope with hys byshoppes prelates prestes and relygyouse in Europa Mahomete with hys dettynge dowsepers in Affrica and so forth in Asia and India all beastlye carnall and wycked in their doynges 3 These maketh warre ageynst Gods wytnesses whan they hate them curse them blaspheme them and persecute theÌ„ Whan they
were cast out with him which is not els but that they are reserued to eternall damâ—nacion For seruynge the creature rather than the lorde that made all God hath forsaken them and geuen theÌ„ ouer to their owne shamefull lustes All grace aÌ„d goodnesse hath he takeÌ„ froÌ„ them and in all darkenesse hath he lefte them Nothinge is now behynde but helle fyre prepared for the deuyll aÌ„d his angels The churche thus first bryngynge forth Christ amonge the Iewes aÌ„d so by their cruelte dryuÌ„e out into the wyld desert of the Gentyles hath bene there fedde of God in persecucyon euer sens aÌ„d shall be styll tyll the terme come out of the aforesayd thowsande two hondreth and thre score dayes whose ende is in the lordes handes The text 1 And I harde a loude voyce which sayd 2. In heaueÌ„ is now made saluacioÌ„ and strength 3. aÌ„d the kyngedome become our Gods 4. â— the power his Christes 5. For he is caste downe which accused them before God daye night 6. And they ouer came hym by the bloude of the lambe 7. and by the worde of their testimonye 8. And they loued not theyr lyues vnto the deathe 9. Therfor reioyce ye heauens and ye that dwell in theÌ„ 10. No to the inhabyters of the earthe and of the see 11. for the deuyll ys come downe vnto yow 12. whych hath great wrathe 12. bycause he knoweth that he hath but a short tyme. ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And I harde a myghtye great voyce sayth saynt IohaÌ„ which is the whole agremeÌ„t of all the sacred scripturs And the voyce sayd thus vnto me 2 Now is there in heaueÌ„ saluacion In the churche is the helthe of sowle now that the Idolatrie with other abhominacions is throwne forth she cleane delyuered froÌ„ their beggerie Now apereth the power of the lorde that his gospell is trulye preached 3 Now is it become our Gods kyngedome that their doctrine is not of menne 4 Now hath yt the whole srengthe of hys a noynted All Christes labours merytes and deseruynges hys natyuyte passyon resurreccyon and ascencyoÌ„ ys now her owne good Christes vyctorye ys theirs hys crowne hys scrpture hys seate kyngedome ys theirs Yea the possessyoÌ„ of hys fathers ryght hande vs theirs 5 For the enemye of oure bretherne is throwne downe which cruellye accused theÌ„ before God daye and nyght The adÌ„uersarye SathaÌ„ which quareled before the lorde agaynst pacieÌ„t Iob and vexed hym sore in hys substauÌ„ce and fleshe neuer ceasynge to thys daye to troble the ryghtouse with Antichristes and tyrauntes ys now ouer comen by the vyctorye of faythe and hys power greatlye demynyshed in hys members Now is the kingedome of God increased moche peple beinge vnfaynedlye coÌ„uerted vnto Christ 6 Conquerred hym they haue by no power of their owne neyther merytes nor workes but through the inestimable streÌ„gthe which ys in the bloud of the immaculate laÌ„be Iesus Christ and through the in vyncyble worde of hys veryte which they to the worlde haue testyfyed 7 In the wytnesse therof haue they constauntlye suffred and through faythe in them haue they with hym aptayned vyctorye ouer the worlde synne helle deathe the deuyll Not their owne bodyes haue they spared to wynne this coÌ„quest 8 But moche more haue they loued Christ and hys truthe thaÌ„ themselues accountynge yt auauntage to geue theyr lyues for hym 9 Therfor reyoyce ye heauens and all yow that in them doth dwell Ye angels a boue ordayned for mannes confort ye sayntes departed from the mystâ—yes of this worthe ye faythfull beleuers remayâ—inge in this lyfe and ye feruent fauorers of the lordes veryte be glad that your bretherne hath gote the vyctorye of the deuyll and his angels to the glorye of Christ. 10 But woo vnto the wreched inhabitauntes of the earthe and of the see No small daunger is towardes them that hath harde the voyce of the lorde and styll yet wyll folowe the course of thys wordle No light parel haÌ„geth ouer thier heades that are inconstaunt fickle and wauerynge geuynge backe with euery blast for the plesure of their fleshe 11 Take hede of yt therfor for vnto yow that are soche the deuyll ys come downe with hys subtle suggestyons aÌ„d craftes with hys wylye cauteles and ingyns â—monge yow doth he remayne watchynge to haue his praye as he ded amonge the chyldren of Israel whan they were become vnfaythfull 12 Tares wyll he sowe to destroye the good sede for his wrathe is great to se him self thus deiected aÌ„d his hate is excedinge beholdinge his kingedom decayed Amonge yow must he wreake his anger for he caÌ„not harme the faythful Through his enuye same deathe first in to the worlde If ye wyll escape his snares loke ye geue no place vnto hym but in faythe resist him manfullye 13 He wexeth now madde and fretteth with him self He mindeth to make hauock and to do moche myschef because he knoweth that his tyme is shorte No longe season shall he haue from hence forth to deceyue The latter daye he perseyueth not to be farre of wherin great tormentes abydeth both him his And that maketh him so wode That maketh him so insaciablye desyerouse to noye not carynge what spyght he worketh agaynst God And no wycked wyle leaueth he vnsought to perfourme his cruell intent Woo vnto them therfor that in these dayes taketh no hede Woo vnto them that Rombreth in wanton pleasurs whan most daunger is and the deuyll most bysye not attendynge to the call and warnynge of God The Text. 1 And whan the dragoÌ„ same that he was caste vnto the earth 2. he pursued the womaÌ„ which brought forth the man chylde 3 And to the womaÌ„ were geuen two wynges of a great Egle. 4 that she myght flye into the wildernesse 5 into her place where she is noryshed for a tyme tymes and halfe a tyme. 6. from the presence of the Serpent 7. And the DragoÌ„ caste out of his mouthe water after the womaÌ„ as it had bene a ryuer 8. that he myght cause her to be caught of the floode 9. And the earthe holpe the woman 10. and the earthe opened her mouthe 11. and swalowed vp the ryuer whych the Dragon caste out of hys mouthe 12. And the Dragon was wroth with the woman 13. and went and made warre with the remnaunt of her sede 14. which kepe the commaundementes of God 15. and haue the testymonye of Iesus Christ. 16. aÌ„d he stode on the sâ—esande ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And whan the Dragon or most furyouse serpent the deuyll the head master of pryde and father of lyes sawe that he was throwne downe vnto the earthe by the valeaunt hoâ—te of God Or soche tyme as he perseyueth the Idolatrye superstycyon pompe Hipocresye aÌ„d other abhominable fylthynesse destroyed by the worde of God in hys malygnaunt Synagoge of proude paynted prelates 2 ThaÌ„ persecuteth he the poore woman whych brought forth the manchylde Than vereth he the true congregacyon that teacheh noÌ„ other but
an Emproure a tyrâ—â—â—t or set in the place of a godlye gouernour 〈…〉 murtherer vp of gods peple by flatteringe prayses to encorage them to all my chefe and by wycked counsell to prycke theÌ„ forewarde to make cruell actes of murther for vpholdynge their beastlye generaâ—yon The sprete that they do ministre vnto princes euermore ys not the correccyoÌ„ of synne the amendement of lyfe redresse of the common welthe prouisyon for the poore nor the sekynge of Gods glorye But by flatterynge prayses to vpholde theÌ„ in their euyls moche after thys soort of speakinge Your magestes or graces are called most vertuous most valeaunt most worthye most wyse most myghtye and best lerned amonge all Christen potentates They are all but Asses in comparyson to your worthynesses If yt be your magestes pleasurs to do this or that within your owne domynyon who shall be so bolde to withstande yow No though Gods holye lawes be an hundred tymes agaynst yt Support the olde relygyon of holye churche agaynst te Heretykes and ye can not chose but prospere in all your affayres Lete it be treason agaynst your owne persones accordynge to the actes of the Emperour Sigysmundus and of kynge henrye the fift if they do but ones speake agaynst beâ— corrupt customes Make cruell coÌ„stâ—â—ucâ—ons apace proclame theÌ„ abrode to shewe your selfes the popes liuely Images 2 Our office it is to cause the Beastes Image to speake Let therfor your voyces be harde Be no dumme Idolles â–ª but speake with bolde stomakes In hys sprete make vtteraunce without Gods worde of his olde Romishe rewles Sende forth your proclamacions to be publyshed euerye where concernynge his masses his confessions his ceremonies and his whorishe chastite Let all thynges be blowen forth vnder your tytles names and auctoritees to be obserued vnder peyne of deathe If other realmes report that ye abuse the dewtye of heysers or kynges whych is the offyce of God esteme not their saynges but stande well in your owne consaytes Interprete the scripturs at your owne lust aÌ„d pleasurs as your lawe master of Rome hath done afore your tyme. 3 Cause so manye to be kylled as wyll not worship the Image of the Beast or obeye soche wicked lawes agaynst the veryte of God as hath bene made by those Emprours that were the popes eldest sonnes by the kynges of Fraunce which were his yonger sonnes or by other princes els which were the defenders of hys churche lete noÌ„ escape your â—aÌ„des that inueyheth agaynst our kyngdome but make hauocke of them on euerye syde as of heretykes and traytors to proue the holye ghost true here in hys fore iudgementeâ— For that is your offyce not appoynted of God but of Sathan And in our coÌ„mssiyon froÌ„ him also we haue it to be no slacke mouers of yow thervnto So hath Christ tolde afore in this reuelacyoÌ„ vnto saynt IohaÌ„ the EuaÌ„gelist This is the ghostlye counsell that we the horned Beastes thus haue in coÌ„mission to geue vnto yow froÌ„ the mouthe of the DragoÌ„ WhaÌ„ soche an Image or Idâ—louse prince is thus vpset or coÌ„stytuted by auctorite his othe ones made that he shall alwayes defende them he maye in no wyse speake but out of that sprete that their coÌ„iurers confessours I shuld saye haue put in to him He maye make no lawes but at their spiritual appoyntmeÌ„t lyke as the Emprour Carolus doth now in these dayes Moche after this sore became the eÌ„prour Nero this beastes Image immediatly after Cristes asceÌ„sioÌ„ by the subtle slaightes of that spiritual sorcerer SimoÌ„ Magus at Rome to withstande the Christen preachers Peter and Paule as largelye witnesseth Egesippus in hys thirde boke de Hierosolâ—moruÌ„ exci-dio the secoÌ„de chaptre This SimoÌ„ Magus by flatteringe prayses crepte first into his fauer promisinge him helthe longe lyfe increace of power and enlargement of his empyre with coÌ„tynuall vyctorye ouer hys enemyes in case he wolde folowe hys counsell vpon thys became he not onlye hys chefe couÌ„sellour but also the hygh byshop of hys sowle and conseruatoure of hys bodye the preseruacyon of hys whole helthe lyfe to hym committed onlye All thynges after that was done vy hys counsell to stoppe the Apostles preachynge he taken for the Emprours most familyar frynde and a manne most profitable to the common welthe of the Romanes and they sone after suppressed and putt vnto most cruell deathe 4 And he made all sayth Saynt Iohan both great and small ryche and poore free and bonde to receyue a marke in their ryght handes or in their fore heades WhaÌ„ this newe raysed Image of the Beaste or sworne power to Antichrist ys ones raysed vp or admitted by their autoryte be he kynge or Reyser prince or other potentate he must strongelye defende that Synagoge of the deuyll with whole mageste crowne and scepture By their onlye counsell must he than make lawes for they must geue hym sprete and sende out commandementes abrode that their holye decrees be obseued Commissioners and vysyâ—ours must out vndre that autoryte as wele to the clergye as layte Than must all be sworne to it and so obeye yt both hygh and lowe both Gentylman and ye man both owner and farmer both zytezen and townesman both merchande aÌ„d plowgh man both mastre and seruaunt both natyue dweller and denyson Yea both Prystes in their colleges Monkes in their abbayes Chanons in their couentes and fryers in their cloysters must after their sorte do the same Thys rewle hath bene alwayes for the coÌ„modyte of that kingedome where as the powers haue bene thus by them peruerted Moche were it to shewe the manyfolde examples in that behalfe Charles the .v. now eÌ„proure to make thys good and to shewe hymselfe to be the seyd Beastes Image caused soche actes to be publyshed through out hys whole domynyon agaynst the Christen doctryne wherin all they are declared heretyques scysmatyques and excommunicates which taketh not the pope for saynâ— Peters onlye vycar and head of the christen churche non excepted neyther kynge nor Coruester as there are now dyuerse of the contrarye opynyon The artycles of the louanyanes vndre hys pryuilege and the actes of the parysyanes vudre the frencâ—e kynges autoryte proclamed in thys present yeare of our lorde A M. CCCCC.xlv wyll make all this matter good 5 And what is this els both in theyr clergy and commons but to receyue a marke in their right handes or foreheaâ—es for in admittynge those artycles actes they graunte to obeye those blasphemouse doctrynes that shall both corrupt their lyfe aÌ„d faythe both their workes and conseyence For in consentinge vnto errours in their faythe they spott their foreheades hauynge so their consciences marked with an hote yron In full grauntynge also to do them in effecte they defyle their handes perfourminge soche workes as are vnpure before God If they were gone quyte froÌ„ Christ that wrapped them selues agayne with the workes of the lawe appoynted of God before his commynge moche more are they gone from
ministers of his worde vnlesse they betokened afore with the holye sprete of his promes and so predestinate to the lyfe euerlastinge 14 Non can syncerelye do that godlye office to the profight of other vnlesse he be whollye taken from all fleshlye and worldlye affectes No manne canne come vnto me sayth Christ vnlesse it be geuen him of my father 15 The wilfull Iewes beleued not because they were not the shepe of his marke Neyther is it of him that willeth noâ— of him that ronneth but of the only martyr of the lorde Necessarye is it therfor that his sprete draweth moueth and inâ—meth the hart Els can not the songe be swete neyther in hym that singeth nor yet in the hearer The notes of thys newe songe are Gods heauenlye verytees regestred in the faythfull hartes 16 And they that ded synge them to the prayse of the lorde were not defyled with women Wyth no straunge doctrynes nor yet Prophane worshyppynges ys their faythe contamynate that vnfaynedlye haue done on Iesus Christ. Noâ— the spowsage of their sowles haue they broken by no fylthye tradicyons of meÌ„ne Onlye haue they with Dauid sought the Testymonyes of God and thought non lyke vnto them Onlye ded they cleaue to hys precyouse lawes estemynge all other but chaffe and verye whoredome in the sprete 17 Therfor are they virgins marryed vnto Christ in faythe as were the Corynthyanes by Paules preachynge whom he wyshed to continewe a chast virgine vnto Christ. Neuer ys the maydenhede of the sowle lost tyll erronyouse doctrine be receyued from the massengers of Antichrist the Byshoppes and Hipocrites 18 The virgins or vncorrupted beleuers doth folowe the lambe whersoeuer he becoÌ„meth They go after Christ that beleuynge hys worde doth fashion their lyues vnto yt Lyke as they folowe Antichrist that fashion their workes to hys doctrine They walk in hys steppes that forsake themselues with him that beareth the crosse of persecucyoÌ„s with him or that suffreth death for the truthe with hym And not they that seke theÌ„selues lyuynge here in all pompe voluptuousnesse and Tyrannye From thys place fatche the blinde Papistes a great argument for their wyuelesse chastyte and that noÌ„ foloweth Christ but they in this muster because they are vnmarryed Neyther maye Abraham Moyses nor Dauid Zacharye Peter nor Philip walke in this NoÌ„bre because they had wyues So parelouse a thynge yt ys to haue a wyfe It ys great maruele they adâ—itt Marye Christes mother to yt because she had a husbande Oh ignoraunt Assee and verye beastlye Idiotes I thynke yow folowe Iudas which had neyther wyfe nor chylde vnlesse he had theÌ„ syttynge by other mennes fyers as manye of yow haue yet at thys same daye What is virginite before God more than is marriage No more than is circumcysyon in comparyson to vncircuÌ„cysyon And that ys nothynge No more maketh the one than the other to a ChristeÌ„ lyfe Onlye ys yt faythe effectuallye workynge by loue that the lorde requyreth of vs. Onlye respected he the faythe of Marye and not her virginite They which lyue in matrimonye after the worde of God are accepted afore him for virgyns and so are named of Saynt Paule An other caâ—illacion they haue that non which hath offended afore can be of this nombre But they consyder not what is spoken here afore that they were redemed from the earthe and that the sprete of the lorde hath puryfyed their hartes through faythe Neyther haue they grace to remember that Christes innoceÌ„cye is rekened for an whole perfight rightousnesse vnto them that beleue in him but they must bringe in soche tryfles as are their owne beggerlye merytes 19 And therfor it foloweth also These faithfull beleuers sayth Saynt Iohan were redemed from menne beynge the fyrst frutes to God and to the lambe By non other were they redemed than by Christ â–ª For of all the elect nombre he is the onlye rightousnesse wysdome holynesse and redempcioÌ„ From the corrupt blynde and frowarde multitude hath he called them taken them aÌ„d clered them And of deformed synners hath he made them fayre of vyle pure of wreched gloryouse of blinde perfyghtlye seynge of lyars true sayers of obstinate gentyll of yll good of vnfrutefull profytable For he yt is that taketh awaye the stonye harte and geueth a softe harte for yt so makynge vs Abrahams children Thus are we redemed from menne whâ— we are taken by hys goodnesse from soche corrupt vsages as mannes nature is inclined vnto 20 And for non other purpose but to be the first frutes vnto god as were the aulter offeringes in the olde lawe in the haÌ„des of the high prestes For so moche as the elect Nombre are but a fewe or a serten taken out from the vnyuersall multytude are the porcyon of the lorde as were the seyd offerynges perteyninge vnto Christ the onlye byshop of our sowles they are his first frutes Yea aÌ„d hys owne verye mysticall members and all but one offerynge vnto God the father by hym For he is the onlye lambe that dyed for them hys owne bodye beynge the onlye oblacyon and sacrifice 21 And in their mouthes was founde no gyle For non other wordes vttered they but hys pure testymonyes Non other taught they but hys vndefyled lawes Non other perswaded they to be obserued of other but hys immaculate Gospell or easye burden of Christ. No importable yokes layed they vpon mennes shulders neyther of Ceremonyes fastinges nor masse heaâ—ynges 22 For they are without spotte before the trone of God Both before them that are faythfull and haue right iudgement in the spâ—eâ—e which are the verye seates of God apereth their doctrine pure and also their lyfe innocent before God him self Neyther are they spotted with fylthye tradicions nor yet with vncomlye examples And as concernynge their former synnes they shall not be imputed vnto them They are remitted in Christ and so forgotten afore God Though this that here hath bene spoken be concernynge the whole Christen multytude and her preachers yet doth it most specially touche the Iewes or Israelytes that shall in this latter age be conuerted vnto Christ. And so do I counsell the reader to vnderstande it For the mounte Syon after the fleshe was theirs Not defyled are they wyth vnmarryed wemen which are the whoryshe lawes aÌ„d vncleane Supersticions of the Gentyles vpon non other harpe haue they commonlye harped but vpon the scripturs though it hath not bene to the pleasure of God tyll now in thys latter age wherin they shall whollye turne vnto Christ. The Text. 1 And I sawe an Angell 2. flye in the myddes of heauen 3. hauynge an euerlastynge gospell to preache vnto them that sytte and dwell on the earthe 4. and to all nacyons kynredes aÌ„d tonges and people 5. saynge with a lowde voyce 6. feare God 7. and geue honoure to him 8. For the houre of his iudgement is come 9. And worshyp hym that made heauen and earthe 10. and the see and the fountaynes of
age be ernestlye spreted and not feare the tormentes of the enemyes in Christes cause 4 For from hence forthe the sprete sayth that they rest from their labours In a wonderfull quyetnesse dwell they by the verye sentence of the holye ghost and shall neuer more fele of anye woo God hath cleane wyped awaye all teares from their eyes all sorâ—wes aÌ„d peynes from their bodyes the first daungers beynge past Happye are they therfor and most godlye fortunate that are slayne for Christ because they wyll not worshyp the Beast and his Image nor corrupt their faythe with their wycked lawes but in a pure Christen beleue departeth from hence to the lorde Theyr porcyon is in the lande of the lyuynge and their lotte amonge the holye ones 5 For certenâ—ye their workes doth folowe them The promiseâ—â—â—warde of God for constantlye standynge by the veryte for the frutes of their christen pacience and for other exercyses of theyr faythe is euermore to their glorye present with them Not as deserued of theÌ„ but of Christ in whose faythe they wrought here and for the promes sake that they shuld be Gods heyres togyther wyth Chryst. The lyuelye worde also which they ernestlye receyued here and so roted in their faythe wyll neuer suffre them to peryshe nor to be hurt of the â—conde deathe The Text. 1 And I loked and beholde 2. a whyte cloude 3. and vpon the cloude one sittynge lyke vnto the sonne of manne 4. hauynge on hys head a golden crowne 5. and in hys hande a sharpe syckle ¶ The paraphrase 1 I loked yet further sayth Saynt Iohan and euydentlye before me apered a whyght cloude which betokeneth the true mynisters of Gods worde Whom the holye ghost calleth cloudes by Esaye Dauid Peter and Iudas For from theÌ„ falleth vpon the peple the swete droppes of hys verytees 2 Whyght they are as mylke for their faythe in the worde And for their Christen conuersacyon not blotted with Hypocresye of mennes corrupted customes 3 Vpon this cloude was one syttynge lyke vnto the sonne of manne which ys verelye Christ in hys gloryfyed manhode For euermore ys he amonge hys trewe preachers geuynge them soche vtteraunce and wisdome as all their enemyes are not able to withstande Alwayes walketh he amonge the .vij. candelstyckes which are hys congregacyons as we had afore 4 He had vpoÌ„ hys head a goldeÌ„ crowne in token of hys eternall and vncorrupt kyngedome in hys hande a sharpe syckle which ys the sharpe iudgemeÌ„t or ryghtuousnesse of hys worde for ther with shall he reape hys latter harnest Accordynge to hys worde and promes shall he iudge good and euyll 5 Thys syckle receyued he of hys euerlastynge father soche tyme as he gaue ouer vnto hym hys vnyuersall iudgemeÌ„tes By the order of thys vysyon shuld the preachers seme in the last age of the churche moche to admonyshe the peple of the latter daye with the commynge of Christ agayne to iudge both the quicke the dead as ys in their crede or beleue The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out of the temple 2 cryaÌ„ge with a lowde voyce to hym that satte on the cloude 3. Thrust in thy sycle reape 4. for the tyme is come to reape 5. For the corne of the earthe is rype 6. And he that satte on the cloude 7. thrust in hys syckle on the earth 8 and the earthe was reaped ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And an other Angell sayth saynt Iohan came out of the temple which ys the congregacyon of faythe consecrated as an holye temple vnto God in the bloude of the vndefyled lambe Iesus This Angell betokeneth those iust meÌ„ne that with Symeon and anna the doughter of Phanuell in this latter age are desyâ—rouse of the glorye of God and of the fynall redempcyon of man from bodelye corrupcyon 2 These shall crye with a loude voyce with a feruent sprete shall they call vnto Christ which sitteth vpon the cloude 3 And this shall be their sainge Thrust in the syckle and reape Sende forth thy 〈◊〉 worde And lyke as yt hath created all thynges so lete yt now trye and iudge all thinges 4 For the tyme ys at hande to reape For we are those vpon whome the endes of the worlde are come 5 And doubtlesse the corne of the earthe yâ— rype the worlde is at the best that yt will do As it hath bene euer so ys yt styll all togyther sort vpon myscheff Lete thy worde therfor fynyshe all as yt hath beganne all With the breathe of thy mouthe 〈◊〉 the great Antichrist 〈…〉 of synne the sonne of perdycyon and the aduersarye that hath exalted hymself aboue God Poure out thy indygnacion vpon the kyngedomes that will neyther knowe the worshyp the nor alone call vpon thy name Thu hast called thy haruest the ende of the worlde lete it now fynyshe all in dede Diuyde the chaffe from the corne the wicked sort from the ryghtouse Gather the wheate into thy garner and burne the chaffe in vnquencheable fyre 6 And he that satte on the cloude thurst in hys syckle on the earthe and anon the earthe was reaped 7 He hath sent hys myghtye worde so quycke in operacyon as fyre Which shall not onlye consume the wicked generacyon of the Beast but also reserue them to eternall dampnacyon 8 The earthe shall be cleared of theÌ„ as of all other fylthye corrupcions and hell replenyshed with them to their perpetuall care The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out of the temple 2. which ys in heauen 3. hauynge also a sharpe syckle ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And an other angell sayth saynt Iohan came out of the temple which ys in heauen or from the great nombre of Angels hauynge also a sharpe syckle in his hande 2 This Angell betokeneth those heaueÌ„lye spretes that the lorde shall seÌ„de forth to gather togyther hys chosen from the iiij wyndes whan hys token shall apere in heaueÌ„ These are the reapers of the lordes haruest These are they that shall go forthe to gather all nacyons and to separate the gottes froÌ„ the laÌ„bes the yl from the good and shall cast them into a furnace of fyre where as shallbe waylinge and gnashinge of tethe 3 And therfor ys their syckle here named sharpe Non other is their syckle but this appointed office Non other ys their haruest but thys gatherynge togyther But these massengers shall not forthe tyll they haue commandement And therfor sayth Saynt IohaÌ„ consequeÌ„tlye ¶ The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out from the aulter 2. which had power ouer fyre 3. and cryed with a lowde crye vnto hym that had the sharpe syckle and sayde 4. Thrust in thy sharpe syckle 5. and gather the clusters of the earthe 6. for her grapes are rype 7. And the aÌ„gell thrust in hys syckle on the earthe 8. aÌ„d cutte downe the grapes of the vyneyarde of the earthe 9. and cast them into the great wynefatte of the wrathe of God 10. And the wynefatte was trodeÌ„ with out
water shuld all they resort that are thurstye therof to take refreshynge 6 Vpon this glassye see were they sene of Saynt Iohan that had obtayned victorye of the Beast of hys Image of his marke and of the nombre of his name By whom are ment those constaunt christianes whych hath for all ages firmelye affermed the truthe For non aduersyte declinynge from it Strongelye haue these sens the Apostles tyme resysted the aduersaries of God by his only worde perfystynge therin vnto the deathe as ded Steuen Iames and Antipas with soche other his faythfull witnesses Uictorye haue they gotten by faythe both of the Beast aÌ„d his Image both of the great Antychryst and his supporters of the Pope and of Mahomete wyth theyr maynteyners Emprours kynges and magistrates and of all them that vsurpe theyr tytle name seate auctoryte pompe or power 7 They haue blemyshed lykewyse by the sayd worde not onlye the marke of the Beast whych is a corrupted faythe but also the nombre of hys name whych is the denyall of God Them haue they to theyr rebuke vttered and to their confusion declared They haue proued their orders dampnable their doctrine deuyllyshe their religion hypocrisye and their spiritualte playne wyckednesse condempnynge them by the scripturs as vngodlye dyssemblers denyenge the lorde which bought them These are they whom the lorde tenderlye norryshed and gracyouslye brought forth vpon the refreshynge waters conuertynge their sowles to his godlye feare and loue 8 These stande euermore on the glassye see they sett sure fotynge vpon the rocke stone Unmoueablye they perseuer in the truthe neuer denyenge yt afore menne 9 And they haue in their handes the harpes of God whych are deuoure myndes geuen all vnto godlynesse aÌ„d reioysynge in spirituall thynges 10 Harmonyouslye they synge the tuneable songe of Moyses the faythfull seruaunt of God and the melodyouse swete songe of the lambe Iesus Christ. 11 Of both testamentes they make vtteraunce declarynge the wonderfull workes and terrible iudgementes out of the olde lawe and out of the gospell of gladnesse the most swete mercye of the lorde Wythout ceasynge open they the scripturs vnto other inwardlye reioysinge in spirituall hymnes and psalmes hauynge this euermore for the standynge tenoure of their songe 12 Inestimablye great is thy goodnesse and wonderfullye maruelouse are thy workes O Lorde God almyghtye 13 Iust are thy promyses and most perfightlye sure thy wayes thu gloriouse kynge of Sayntes and graciouse gyde of the godlye beleuers 14 Who shall not euermore feare the o mightye lorde who shall not alwayes in hart gloryfye thy blessed name 15 Thu alone art holye iust aÌ„d perfight for non is there good but thy self onlye Thu art owre onlye maker redemer aÌ„d coÌ„fortoure Non other haue we for owre God but the. 16 No doubt of it but the tyme will be that all kyndes of peple both Iewes and Gentyles faythfull and heythen shall seke vnto the and shall faythfullye in veryte and sprete worship before the acknowlegynge the for their onlye lorde God 17 Because thy wonderfull iudgementes that sumtyme were secrete are now to the worlde made openlye knowne aÌ„d manifest Though this songe be lyttle and small yet is therin contayned all veryte that both Moyses and Christ confesseth at large Moreouer what so euer the scripturs comprehendeth eyther of the great omnipoteÌ„cye of God or of his most wonderfull workes eyther of hys louinge mercye or of his benigne pytie towardes manne of his gloriouse name or myghtye power or that he is to be magnifyed and feared or how that the faythfull perteyneth only to his kingedome or how that all peple shall finallye be conuerted vnto hym All is compendiouslye in this brefe songe here contayned what though it be not so worde by worde expressed And as concernynge that ys here last spoken that his iudgementes are made manyfest it is to be vnderstanded of those faythfull creaturs whom he calleth clereth and iustyfyeth and of non other For vnto them onlye are his heauenlye veritâ—es knowne to whom he wytsaueth to open them Though the other outwardlye se the iudgements of God yet do they not inwardlye perceyue theÌ„ though they boast it neuer so moche For it is not geuen them so to do They must haue eyes and not se eares and not vnderstande The Text. 1 And after that I loked 2. beholde the teÌ„ple of the tabernacle of testymonye 3. was open in heauen 4. And the seuen angels 5. came out of the temple 6. which had the seuen plages 7. clothed in pure and bryght lynnen 8 and hauynge theyr brestes gyrded wyth golden gyrdels 9 And one of the foure Beastes gaue vnto the seueÌ„ Angels 10. vij goldeÌ„ vyalles 11. full of the wrathe of God whych lyueth for euermore 12. And the temple was full of smoke 13. for the glorye of God and for his power 14. And no man was able to entre into the temple 15. tyll the seuen plages of the seuen angels were fulfylled ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And a non after that sayth Saynâ— Iohan I loked yet more aduysedly And sodenly as it were the euerlastynge teÌ„ple of the tabernacle of wytnesse was open in heauen 2 A mysterye this is verye ernestlye to be marked as a thinge of great wayght The lorde almyghtye is this eternall teÌ„ple He is the temple not made wyth haÌ„des vncreated gloriouse and full of mageste comprehendynge in him all thinges and he within non agayne comprehended He is the lorde of all He measureth heauen wyth his spanne he ouer reacheth all the worlde with his .iij. fingers In hym we lyue we moue and haue owr beynge The tabernacle of wytnesse is the lambe Iesus Christ. He is that verye tabernacle of God that was here amonge menne bearinge that faythfull wytnesse which geueth wysdome to babes He is the propiciatorye or mercye seate wherin we are harde and forgeuen Neyther was thys tabernacle of thys maner buyldynge but moche more perfyght and greatter This holye tabernacle is within the aforesayd temple for Christ dwelleth in the father and the father in him 3 Open is this temple in heauen and the tabernacle seane whan God is knowen by true preachynge and Chrystes doctrine beleued For he came into the worlde and for that purpose was borne to beare wytnesse vnto the truthe whom the father wylled onlye to be harde concernynge faythe 4 This temple and tabernacle open or God and his worde ones knowne in thys latter age the seuen Angels cometh forth The eternall decrees of Gods secrete iudgementes apereth and are fulfylled in their tymes As Angels or massengers of God they haue in his eternyte their iust plages in their season appoynted to be exhybited 5 And therfor are they seyd to come out from the temple which is God Nothynge hath he purposed to the worlde but he hath decreed yt afore the worldes constitucyon For his purpose mynde and pleasure is as he is euerlastynge And as it falleth to the worlde by his assignement it becometh a massenger
strongelye to delude the vnbeleuers 2 These lyghted vpon the swete waters by whom are ment the sacred scripturs refreshinge the drye sowles Who so euer drynketh sayth Christ of the waters that I geue he shall neuer be more a thirst 3 Of these waters haue they defyled both the ryuers and welspringes with bloud Both the lawe and Gospell the fygure and veryte the commaundemeÌ„t and promes the doctryne of Prophetes and Apostles haue they corrupted with their false interpretacyons and gloses with frowarde dryftesand opynyons with vayne tradycyons and worshyppynges and with carnall wysdome aÌ„d murtherynges Of thys sort were Eutâ—ces and Artius with soche other lyke as in the .viij. chapter afore 4 And I harde sayth Saint Iohan an Angell betokenynge those syncere wytnesses to whom God had opened for that age his secrete iudgemeÌ„tes And thys Angell sayd 5 Omnipotent creator and lorde which art not onlye of thy self at thys present instaunt but wart also essencyallye in thy self without begynnynge 6 Thu heauenlye lorde art faythfull in thy wordes and holye in thy workes 7 For as yt apereth before our eyes the decrees and fore iudgementes that thu madest afore are now fulfylled in effecte 8 For the relygyouse mourtherers that of cruelnesse caused the bloud of thy holye â–ª Sayntes and Prophetes Apostles and Preachers to be shedde haue now by thy iust appoyntment verye bloud to drynke as they are most worthye 9 For sleynge of them whose massage they contempned they had their iust plage Not oÌ„lye became they vayne in their thoughtes their folyshe hartes darkened not vnlyke to them that hath eares aÌ„dheare not eyes and se not but also there remayned vnto them after this lyfe a perpetuall vengeaunce without mercye for their cruell oppressyons as a due rewarde of their errour 10 Yet an other Angell harde I sayth Saynt IohaÌ„ eueÌ„ out of the aulter whych ys Christ. Thys Angell sygnyfyeth those wytnesses that suÌ„tyme confessed the truthe here and now resteth from their labours in the lorde These though they be departed afferme that the other hath seyd afore In token that now beynge departed they forget not that truthe which they afore confessed lyuynge styl yet in the same He that holdeth my worde sayth Christ shall neuer tast of deathe 11 And this ys their saynge in mysterie or wordes comprehendinge their secrete confessyon 12 Euen so lorde God almyghtye As the lyuynge beleuers sayth of the by mouthe so saye we now in the sprete 13 That thy decreed iudgemeÌ„tes are euer more true and thy maruelouse workynges ryghtouse The first ys called in some translacyons the Angell of waters the other here reported to come from the aulter to sygnyfye both sortes The Text. 1 And the fourth Angell poured out hys vyall 2. on the sunne 3. And power was geuen vnto hym to vexe men with heate of fyre 4. And the men raged in great heate and spake euyll of the name of God 5. which had power ouer those plages 6. and they repented not to geue hym glorye ¶ The Paraphrase 1 Consequentlye by the appoyntment of God the fort Angel in the forth Seale openynge poured out his vyall of Gods wrathe on the sunne As the lorde had eternallye prefixed in the forth age of the Christen churche For the whole worldes pannyshmeÌ„t was Christ sore blemyshed which ys the clere sunne of ryghtousnesse Sore ded the dissemblynge Antichristes in those dayes darken the true glorye of God with their many folde sectes of Hipocresye The pope had for hys part an innumerable swarme of shorne smered Sodomytes and Mahomete a fowle flocke of frantyck fabyllers which with their newlye paynted relygyons and prodygyouse obseruacyons made first all the worlde to wonder and than to worshyp Belâ—al for Christ takynge darkenesse for lyght and synne for ryghtousnesse 2 These beynge verye aduersaryes vnto Christ toke vpon them hys auctoryte and seate the one boastynge hymself for hys generall vycar in earthe the other for the great Prophete of the lorde and so were receyued of the excecate worlde Nedes wolde they seme to be the suÌ„ne beynge the verye shaddowes of deathe 3 Permytted was this heersackye sunne to vexe meÌ„ne with heate of fyre Syttynge in the temple of God which ys with in manne with soche wycked lawes as they made vnder the name of God and of Christ they terribly vexed tormented and cruciated the weake consciences of menne leauynge them coÌ„moÌ„lye in most peynefull desperacyon 4 So that the menne raged in greate heate speakynge euyll of the name of God which had power ouer those plages At their abhominable perswasions was Christ of them not taken for a mercyfull sauer and gentyll â–ª redemer but for a frowarde chorle vntractable tyrauÌ„t vnlesse he were mollyfyed by the merytes and callynges vpon of other that coude not be had without money 5 Power hath the lorde ouer plages to holde them or remoue them By hys ryghtfull iudgement at hys onlye pleasure he hardeneth As the potter maye he breke them or make them vessels of dyshonour 6 In no wyse ded this peruerted multytude repent their wycked blasphemyes to geue hym glorye for all their confessioÌ„s Masse hearynges pylgrymages and satisfaccyons without nombre For they were not accordynge to his prescripcyon 7 After non other sort wyll he be pleased and glorifyed than he hath by hys scripturs appoynted Nothynge lesse are their fantasyes than true repentaunce The Text. 1 And the fifte Angell poured out his vyall 2. vpon the seate of the Beaste 3. and his kyngedome waxed darke 4. And they gnewe their tonges for sorowe 5. and blasphemed the God of heauen for sorowe and payne of their sores 6. and repented not of their dedes ¶ The Paraphrase 1 In order succedeth by the dyuyne ordinaunce the fiâ—t Angell vnder the fift seale openynge pourynge out hys vyall of Gods indignacyon vpon the seate of the Beast After non other sort than the lorde had afore predyffyned for mannes vnfaythfulnesse sake was the proude beastlye kyngodome of the Papacye and the execrable regne of Mahomete replenyshed with all filthye abhomynacyoÌ„s vnder the sunne For in the other age afore they ded but crepe into the hartes of meÌ„ne through the glytterynges of hypocresye and dissimulate sanctyte 2 But here haue they obtayned the power seate and auctoryte of the Beast and so gotten vnto them the myghtye Monarchyes of the vnyuersall worlde Here regned they without checke in all vayne glorye hawtynesse malyce pryde murther Hipocresye superstycyon Idolatrye and blasphemye of Gods name 3 And therfor their kyngedomes as all one in deuylllyshenesse became all darke without the lyght of Gods veryte full of the stynkinge smoke of the bottomlesse pytte Than went the locustes abrode aÌ„d fylled the worlde with ygnoraunce and blyndenesse 4 Euerye where gnewe they their toÌ„ges for verye sorowe In detractynge the veryte moche grefe they suffred in their desperate hartes their wormes not dyenge nor their fyre quenched the scorpyons of the earthe stynginge them also 5 Spyghtfullye