Bysshoppes and lawers and so condempned hym Neuer had the Apostles nor all other godlye preachers sens their tyme bene sent out of the waye had not those mytred Mahometes ' and prestes wrought styll their olde feates 4 Vpon thys be astes head was writteÌ„ the names of blasphemye agaynst the lorde and hys Christ. Which are non other thaÌ„ the proude glitterynge tytles wherwith they garnyshe their vsurped auctoryte to make yt seme gloriouse to the worlde hauynge within theÌ„ contayned the great mysterye of inyquite What other els ys pope Cardynall Patriarke legaâ—e Metropolytane primate Archebysshoppe Dyocelane Prothonotarye ArchedeakoÌ„ Offycyall Chaunceller Commissarye Deane PrebeÌ„de Person vycar my lorde Abbott master doctor and soche lyke but verye names of blasphemie â–ª For offyces they are not appoynted by the holye Ghost nor yet ones meÌ„cyoned in the scripturs What other ys yt but abhominacioÌ„ the pope to wryte hymselfe the most holye father the generall vycar of Christ the supreme head of the Chrisâ—en churche and the onlye dystrybuter of the treasurs of God The bysshoppes and prestes also to call them selues their churches brydegromes sytters in Gods stede forgeuers of synne and our ladyes chaste knyghtes Non other are they so abusynge their flocke in leauynge the iust office of syncere preachynge vnder soche vayne tytles after the mynde of Zacharye but verye shamefull Idols in dede Their decrees decretals ConstytucioÌ„s Canons Rewles Statutes prouyncyall and synodall tradycyons lawes fatherlye customes and vsages not grounded vpon Gods commandementes are verye deuylyshnesse and Hipocresye blasphemynge the name of God For whye to haue the name of blasphemye vpon their heades is non other than vnder a gloryouse tytle to maynteyne that thinge whych ys blasphemouse gloryfyenge themselues in the same The vngodlye sayth Dauid with mockes hath dysdayned the lorde and with open mouthe hath vttred wyckednesse agaynst God 5 And the stranÌ„ge fashoned beast sayth Saynt Iohan whom I sawe in thys vysyon was lyke in similitude to a catte of the mountayne full of manye coloured spottes in token of inconstancye varyete and fycklenesse 6 Hys fete were as the fete of a beare ferce rough and yll fauored in sygnyficacyon of cruelte stubbernesse and vnclennesse 7 And hys mouthe semed as the mouthe of a lyon declarynge hym to be full of pryde rauyne aÌ„d excesse To soche beastes as here are mencyoned compareth Danyel vnder hidden misterye serten myghtye kingedomes of the worlde As to the lyonesse which here ys called a lyon for the more cruelte now vsed than was in those dayes the proude kyngedomes of the Assyryanes and Caldeanes To the Beare the cruell kyngedomes of the Medes and Parthyanes And vnto the Catte of the mountayne the vnstedefast kyngedome of the Grekes Of pryde spoyle and roborye are the Assyrianes and Caldeanes condempned by Esaye Nahum and Abacuch the Prophetes The Medes and Parthianes helde captyue the peple of God as wytnesseth Hester Paralipomenon and Esaye The Grekes most spyghtfullye were bent agaynst them vnder the cruell kynge Antiochus as in the Machabees ys euydent No abhominacion nor mysterie of inyquyte as Paule calleth yt was euer founde in these kyngedomes but now reygneth manyfolde in the detestable Papacye or monstruouse kyngedome of Antichrist as all the worlde maye se. No where was euer more pryde vanyte and cruelnesse Ydolatry whoredome and fylthynesse hypocresye falshede and fycklenesse extorcyon vayneglorye and couetousnesse sorcerye superstycion and vnfaythfulnesse More than all the vnfaythfull kyngedomes vnder heaueÌ„ haue thys sodomyticall spyritualte defyled with their wytcherye the hoâ—ye temple of God whych is the Christen churche They haue most shame fullye abused gods chosen peple which are the vessels ordayned to hys glorye They haue holden hys fre seruantes most myserablye captyue vnder their wycked decrees and tradycions The cruelte of Pharao Antiochus and Cayphas compared to their tyraÌ„ny ys but as yt were a playe dallyaunce or shaddowe In them ys all letherye and vnclennesse all ragynge lustes and wantonnesse all fleshly abuses and beastlynesse no naturall order obserued Nothinge in a maner are the cruell constytucions made ageynst the Iewes by the suggestyon of Aman and by Antiochus to their wycked lawes and ordynaunces For they were onlye ageynst the bodye theirs are ageynst mennes sowles So that the papysty call kyngedome of antichrist are to be sonne both the lyon the Beare and the Catte of the mountayne they not onlye partycypatynge with all vnfaythfull regyons but also doublynge with them in all abhomynacyons vnder the skye The mouthe they haue of a lyoÌ„ roaryng out euermore blasphemies curses and bytternesse The feaâ—e of a Beare sygnyfieth their rauenous affeccyons ronninge vnto all pernyciouse euyls â—erye swyft also to the shedynge of bloude cencyon 11 And finallye as concernynge auctoryte lyke as Christ beynge manne toke power of God to do soche myracles as non els coulde do so ded he of the deuyll beynge his wreched bodye to worke proâ—igyouse maruels and wonders in hipocrisye amonge the vnfaythfull multitude by the secrete sufferaunce of God So that in all peruertynge power supremyte and auctoryte he foloweth his father Sathan yea in euerye poynt For lyke as he depryued simple Iob a manne that feared God of his substaunce catell chyldren aÌ„d seruauntes and vexed him in his fleshe with most greuouse botches so doth this gredye leuiathan this malyciouse murtherer the manne of synne and bodye of the deuyll with his deuourynge locustes robbe the poore peple of their sweare labours trauayle and necessarye lyuinge sparynge neyther sycke nor socoâ—rlesse poore wydowe nor fatherlesse no goods gotten by thefâ—e mannesslawter extorcyon brybâ—rye pollage Idolatrye bawdrye and all other vngodlynesse commynge to them amysse in their priuate confessyons And that is most to be lamented they defyle â—heir sowles wyth all supersticions false beleue and deuylishnesse leauynge their consciences all doubtfull desperate and confortelesse Finallye to conclude lyke as in the bodye of Christ dwelleth the whole fulnesse of the godhede corporallye so dwelleth there in this bodye of Sathan the whole fulnesse of falsehede crafte subtylte malyce with power to worke all maner of myschef effectuallye reallye substanciallye and corporallye The Text. 1 And I sawe one of his heades as it were wounded to deathe 2. and his deadlye wounde was healed 3. aÌ„d all the worlde wondered at the beast 4. And they worshipped the Dragon which gaue power vnto the Beast 5. and they worshypped the Beast 6. sayenge 7. Who is lyke vnto the Beast 8. Who is able to warre with hym ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And one of his heades sayth Saynt Iohan semed vnto me as it had bene wounded vnto deathe And it was not so in dede for his deadlye wounde was healed agayne Euydent it is that in Iohans tyme Rome the mother of all who redome had subiect vnto her the .vij. clymates or vniuersall partes of the worlde with all their powers gouernours kynges possessions pompes false worshyppinges and soche lyke Whome some writers suppose mete to be taken
tradicyons that bryngeth in the Iewishe ceremonies the gentyles supersticyons paganes customes aÌ„d heythen vsages yokynge menne with importable burdenes of false worshyppinges for theyr owne fylthye lucre and auauntage Not withstaÌ„dynge thus must they do styll by the sufferaunce of God tyll the .xlij. monethes be finyshed which ys not els but the tyme the tymes and the half tyme or the thowsande two hoÌ„dreth lx dayes in that God shall shorten the tyme for hys chosens sake Thus after saint â—anâ—e also before the lords coÌ„mynge ther must be a departynge The quere or chaunsel must be cast out thaâ— the manne of synne the sonne of perdicyon and the aduersarye exaltynge hym self aboue God maye be knowne in hys owne colours It maye not be motteÌ„ or allowed by Gods worde but reiected as that plante whych the heauenlye father hath not planted that the mysterye of inyquite maye be vttered and perceyued of theÌ„ which shal be saued It must be geuen to the gentiles or addict to their supersticyons with all lyenge powre sygnes and wonders in all deceyuable doctrine by the subtile workinge of SathaÌ„ They must also be permitted to do all mischef in vnryghtousnesse vpoÌ„ the cytezeus of God tyl he vtterlye consume theÌ„ with the mighty breathe of his mouthe The text 1 And I wyll geue power 2. vnto my two wytnesses 3. and they shall prophecye a thousande two hondred and threscore dayes 4. clothed in sacke clothe 5 These are two olyue trâ—es 6. and two candelstyckes 7. staÌ„dynge before the God of the earthe ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And I wyll geue powre sayth the lorde vnto my two faithfull witnesses they shall prophecie a thousande two hoÌ„dreth and .lx. dayes ageynst those enemyes to the confort of my peple So that though my cyte by troden downe by their cruell lawes of persecutioÌ„ to deathe yet shall yt not be forsakeÌ„ And though my peple be ouerloaded with their heythen superstycyons and blasphemouse worshippinges yet shal they not be lost nor left all wythout socoure 2 They shal haue my .ii. wytnesses with them to solace theÌ„ in theyr trobles and to confort theÌ„ in ther cares Both Moyses and Christ both the lawe and the gospell both the prophetes the apostles shall stande vpon their syde aÌ„d be vpon ther part yea for so moche tyme as ther enemies shall vexe theÌ„ aÌ„d for so moche space as ther aduersaries shal troble theÌ„ Euen a thowsande two hondred and .lx. dayes whych maketh thre yeare and an half and is more then the .xlii. monethes by foure score dayes aÌ„d foure Which signifieth that the enemies shal not euer more kepe downe his worde but their dayes shall be shortened for his electes sake The scole doctours with their sophistrie hath fantasied the sayd two wytnesses to be Enoch aÌ„d Helias and that they shuld come then from paradyse terrestre for the same puprose because that Enoch was takeÌ„ awaye of God Helias was carried hence in a fyery charet neyther vnderstandinge what paradyse is nor yet knowynge what yt is to be taken froÌ„ heÌ„ce Paradyse is the swete rest of God appoynted vnto theÌ„ that depart hence in faythe The peculiar traÌ„slatioÌ„s of Enoch and Helias were not onlye for a confirmacyon or strengthenynge of the fayth of the fathers for their tymes but also that they shuld be figurs of Cristes ascencion And what godlye wyse man can geue more to the figure than to the veryte More were not they preuileged froÌ„ deathe thaÌ„ was Christ though God wolde not then haue yt so openly knowne to declare hys wonderful powre Unlyke is it that God shuld cal wytnesses from the dead not promisinge yt by his worde hauinge powre also from stones to rayse vp Abrahams children and to geue the sprete of Helias to whome he pleaseth lyke as he ded to Iohan Baptist and as he doth now to manye other more in our age as all the worlde maye se and heare These wytnesses are two for so moche as the trewthe of the lorde in the mowthe of two or thre godlye persones ought to stande 3 These two wytnesses or faythful procestours of the afore seyd two testamentes hath continewed with the peple of God sens the death of SteueÌ„ for the more part secretlye and vnknowne to the worlde But now they are come a brode by the appoyntment of God to the vtter confusion of the great aduersarye and manne of synne as Paule doth call hym And vnto them in thys sixt age of the churche the lord hath geuen the greate powre of hys lyuynge worde or the sprete of his inuincyble veryte in moche more ample wyse then afore tyme for the abatement of the seyd enemies or synagoge of perdycyon 4 Clothed they shall be in sack clothe sayth the lorde No pompe shall apere in their aparell no glorye of the worlde in their behauer Neyther shal they be accompanyed with a garde of ruffelinge rutters Neyther shal they with Annas and Caiphas syt vpon life and deathe Neyther shal they blesse in the strete with myter crosse and cope Neyther clayme the hyger seates in syde gownes shauen crownes and typpettes Neyther shal their be sacke fryres nor franciscanes monkes chanons nor hipocrites They shal not disfigure them selues to seme religiouse nor saye longe prayers to apere holye but in a sober conuersacion auoydynge superstuite they shal coÌ„staÌ„tlye witnesse the truthe of God to the vniuersall worlde to his glorye and their edification For sack clothe in the scripturs is a signe of sobryete sadnesse aÌ„d temperauÌ„ce as in helias and Iohan Baptist. 5 These wytnesses are two swete olyue trees shedynge forth the fatnesse of the scripturs aÌ„d dulcet sauer of the sprete God hath so blessed them that their lippes are full of grace He hath anoynted theÌ„ with the oyle of gladnesse aboue their fellawes of myrre bawme aloes they dilectably smelle Non other thynges vtter they but hys infallible veritees 6 They are also two shynynge candelstickes settynge forth the lyght or clerelye openynge the hyddeÌ„ misteries of the scripturs to the confort of the geÌ„tyles glory of the Israelites They are not the lyght it self but onlye instrumeÌ„tes ordayned to bere witnesse of the light For there is but one light for al. Onelye aâ—e they the vessels of eleccion as was paule to carrye that lyght the worlde ouer They stande in the presence of the God of the earthe or the lorde of all as menne of most hygh acceptacyon before hym rebye to do hys wyll and to fulfyll hys conmandemeÌ„t and pleasure hauynge the oyle of hys sprete and the lyght of hys eternall veryte The text 1 And if anye manne wyll hurte them 2. Fyre shall procede out of their mouthes 3. and consume their enemyes 4. And if anye man wyll hurte them thys wyse must he be kylled 5. These haue power to shut heauen 6. that it rayne not in the dayes of their prophecyenge 7. and haue power ouer waters to turne them to bloude 8. and to smyte
enuyouse manne The whole bodye foloweth the heades As the deuyll ys malycyouse wycked ferce cruell tyrannycall falâ—e execrable and deceytfull â—o are all hys members In the prudence of the fleshe after him they walke in Idolatry hipocreyse aÌ„d all other fylthynesse And lyke as a fore Christes 〈◊〉 these heades were in the Serpe 〈◊〉 the golden Calues in the kyngedome of Babylon in Nemroth in Pharao in antiochus and in the pharisees and Sâ—ribes byshoppes lawers and prestes so haue they bene sens hys tyme vnder the vâ— seales openynge and the. vij trompettes blowynge after the same 〈◊〉 Under the first he had a Serpentes head in the Iewes most malycyouslye and subtyllye withstandinge Christ and hys Apostles preteÌ„dynge the zele of God hys lawes Under the seconde he had a calues head in the Idolatours which slâ—we the consâ—eunt wytnesses of Christes veryte Under the thirde the head of a proude lyon in the bolde rable of heretykes presumynge agaynst Gods worde to afferme vngodlye thynges Under the forth the head of a Beare in the gredye multytude of holye hypocrites and spirituall Antichristes which hath rauyshed vp the substaunce of thys worlde vsurpinge the empyre of the same For then begonne the papacye with Mahometes myscheff Under the fift the head of a leoparde in the dyuersyte of pestilent sectes or execrable locustes of whome euerye one reioyseth in hys owne colour and inuention For then ded they sore increase Under the sixt the head of a Beast vnlyke to all other in the Tyrannye of wycked gouerâ—â—â—â—â— blynded and perswaded by the Prestes to flee Gods seruauntes for the vpholdynge of their stynkinge generacyon For then was and ys yet done moche murther vpoÌ„ soche as confesseth the truthe Under the seuenth or last seale openynge shall he haue yet styll the head of a maÌ„ne in fleshelye polycyes and falshede of the pope and hys prelates in the doctours and prestes tyll God vtterlye shall destroye them with the breathe of hys mouthe 4 The seyd dragon had also .x. hornes or all subtle wayes wherwith to impugne the feble weake nature of manne or to prouoke hym euermore to rebell agaynst Gods commandementes 5 Upon hys seuen heades he had .vij crownes sygnyfieÌ„ge therbye that both he and hys members hath not onlye possessed the afore named vices but also they haue ouer the worlde reigned in theÌ„ and yet do to thys daye In pryde falshede malyce crafte cruelte wyckednesse all other myscheues triuÌ„phe they yet 6 And hys tayle drue towardes hym the third part of the starres in conclusion shrewe them downe to the â—arthe By worldlye promocyons lucre fauer and other flatterynge fanâ—asyes hath he tangled manye lerned menne and plucked theÌ„ cleane from Christes true churche and from the lyfe of the gospell so pronoâ—â—ynge them whollye to geue them selues to the stodye of erronyouse doctryne and lyenge prophecyes to seduce the worldlye multitude and kepe them in perpetuall blindenesse 7 So that they are now cast into the earthe They are become all carnall fylthye and vngodlye in al their wisdome stodye aÌ„d workes in all their counsels preachynges and teachinges Now are they the wycked Apostles of Sathan no longar maye they shyne in the fyt mament The Text. 1 And the dragoÌ„ stode before the woman which was redye to be delyuered 2. for to deuoure her childe as sone as it were borne 3. And she brought forth a man chylde 4. which shulde rule all nacyons with a rod of yron 5. And her sonne was taken vp vnto God and to his seate 6. And the woman fled into wyldernesse 7. where she had a place prepared of God 8. that they shulde fede her there 9. a thousande two hundred and thre score dayes 1 Before the afore seyd trauaylinge womaÌ„ stode thys dragon redye to deuoure her childe so sone as it were borne Euer more â—s the deuyll waytinge his praye where as the gospell is syncerelie taught least anye therbye shuld become the children of God 2 He selâ—eth all craftes polycyes and ingynnes to take the worde from the harâ— least they beleuynge yt shuld be saued Thus Tought he to deuowre Christ after the letter appoyntinge Herode to slee hym sone after hys byrthe and whaÌ„ he se that waye wolde not take yet left he not of tyll the Iewes had slayne hym Not thus yet satisfyed he laboured by the byshoppes to extynguishe the faythe of hys resurreccyon least that shuld profyght vnto lyfe More ouer where as the Apostles aÌ„d other godlye meÌ„ne hath geueÌ„ Christ vnto other in maner as they receyued hym he hath left no cauteles vnsought by hys malygnaunt members euer sens to depryue Gods people therof 3 Soche a man chylde sayth Saynt Iohan brought thys woman forth as with an yron rodde shuld rewle all nacyons Neuer ys the true churche Idle but conceyueth Christ at the gospell preachynge retayneth hym in faythe and bryngeth hym forthe in teachynge other the same No woman chylde ys he impotent weake and feble but a manchylde brynginge with hym alwayes a strange myghtye and inuincyble sprete wher as he is vnfaynedly receyued For he is the mightye lorde that ys valeaunt in battayle 4 With the yron wande of hys worde inuyncible shall he gouerne hys meke spreted flocke that non other lawes shall they require With the same also shall he subdue al powers which are not of hym and dryue them downe to the bottom of helle For by faythe onlye in him to the victorye gotteÌ„ ouer the worlde 5 This childe was also takeÌ„ vp to God and vnto his trone Where as the deuyl thought to deuowre hym and to wrappe hym vp for euer vnder deathe he put hym besyde hys purpose Uyctoryouslye he arose vp from deathe to lyfe he ascended vnto heauen and now sytteth vpon the ryght hande of God the father almyghtye And where as he ys now there shall hys faythfull folowers and mynysters be here after for that is hys is also theirs byrthe lyfe deathe resurreccion and ascencion 6 The womaÌ„ fledde after this into the wyldernesse What els doth te iust people of God but flee the coÌ„tagiousnesse vanyte tumulte fornicacioÌ„ Idolatrye and fylthinesse of this worlde sekynge God in the solytarye hart aÌ„d not in outwarde fantacies I gote me awaye farre of sayth Dauid and remayned in the desert Monkes nonnes chanons fryres hath fledde into monasteries couentes aÌ„d howses but nothynge after this sorte For in all voluptuouse pleasurs haue they there lyued The vnfayned solitarye manne after Hieremye continueth peceablye with him self aÌ„d hath his hart aboue 7 In the sayd wildernesse had she a place prepared of God Which is noÌ„ other but Gods proteccioÌ„ defence sauegarde promised in the scripturs That the lord shuld preserue vs as he ded his chosen peple of Israel whan he wente before them in a clowde vpon the daye and in the nyght in a pyller of fyre Dauid boasted hym self that God was his refiuge and that he dwelled vnder
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
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
awaye the synnes of the worlde In hym onlye ys the lyfe for he is the lyfe yt selfe Yet ys he the lyfe of noÌ„ other but of those that onlye beleue in hym 11 In that he was kylled from the worldes begynnynge is sygnifyed that he dyed for all them which were create to be saued and that hys onlye deathe ys all their helthe rayse and remedye by the promes of God For all they haue eaten of one spyrytuall meate and dronke of one spyrytuall rocke though yt came in the fleshe longe after them He onlye trode downe the head of the Serpent SeÌ„s the begynnynge hath he bene slayne in hys members also as manyfesâ— yt ys â—n ryghtouse Abell Hyeremy Iohan Baptist soche other lyke They that are not wrytten of the lambe in the boke of lyfe for the chyldren of God are regestred in the boke of deathe for the chyldreÌ„ of perdycyoÌ„ reserued to eternall deathe for their infydelyte with the deuyll and hys angels 12 He that hath an eare sayth the text lete hym take good hede He that hath an vnderstaÌ„dynge lete hym be admonyshed by that which foloweth here Or he that hath receyued the wysdome of the sprete lete hym iudge hereof accordinge vnto yt Thus doth the holye Ghost aduertyse the faythfull to consider that what so euer thinges are written they are written vnto owr lerninge 13 He that leadeth into captiuite shall go into captiuite And he that kylleth with a swerde must with a swerde be slayne This warninge geueth the lord take it if they list For he will haue his right iudgements knowne He that vexeth or afflicteth the iust beleuers in bodye by outwarde ponnishmeÌ„ts he shall be afflicted in the sprete with an inwarde darkenesse or blindenesse of the sowle that he maye be the more captiue to synne and to Sathan God will delyuer him vp into a lewde minde and will geue him stronge delusion to beleue al maner of lyes that he might be dampned 14 He that killeth the poore innoceÌ„t for his faythe with the proÌ„swerde or sleeth him with anye other torment with the swerde of the sprete which is the lordes worde shall he be both iudged and condempned The worde that I haue spokeÌ„ sayth Christ shall iudge them at the latter daye And this is in maner all one with that was sayed in the .xi. chapter afore If anye manne will hurte theÌ„ fyre shall procede out of their mouthes and consume their enemies 15 Neuerthelesse to the christiane is persecucion necessarye For here in this life is the pacience of the sayntes proued aÌ„d their faithe required Here was AbrahaÌ„ tempted and Iob sore vexed and both they were founde Gode true faythfull seruauntes Here were the Apostles contempned reioysinge that they were fouÌ„de worthye for Christes sake to suffer rebuke The rightouse the lorde trieth as golde in the fornace He chasteneth euerye seruaunt that he loueth and scourgeth euerye sonne that he receyueth Onlye is it faythe that all the euyls of this worlde by pacience ouercoÌ„meth and so obtayneth the victorye The frute which riseth to eternall lyfe is peaceable sufferaunce in faythe And that must be here in this lyfe where as we are vnperfight to make vs perfight The Text. 1 And I behelde an other beaste 2. comynge vp out of the earthe 3. And he had two hornes lyke a lambe 4. and he spake as ded the Dragon 5. And he dyd all that the fyrst Beast coulde do 6. in his presence 7. And he caused the earthe theÌ„ which dwell therin 8. to worship the first Beast whose deadlye wounde was healed 9. And he ded great woÌ„ders 10. so that he made fyre come downe from heauen 11. in the syght of men 12. And deceyued theÌ„ that dwelte on the earthe by the meanes of those sygnes which he had power to do in the syght of the Beaste 13. sayenge to theÌ„ that dwelte on the earthe that they shulde maâ—e an Image 14. vnto the Beaste which had the wounde of a swerde and dyd lyue ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And I behelde sayth saynt Iohan in thys secrete reuelacyon of my lorde an other Beast arysynge out of the earthe A figure ys thys of all false Prophetes aÌ„d vngodlye preachers Beastlye are they euermore vayne carnall and corrupt in their stodyes abhominable in the practâ—synges of their wicked hartes not sehinge God but their bellyes not Christes glorye but their owne pryde and vayne glorye 2 From the earthe they aryse all geuen to earthlye wysdome The onlye affectes of thys worlde doth moue theÌ„ to teache aÌ„d no good zele of the truthe Eyther are they tyckled with ambytion prycked with auaryce or els sturred with malyce to inueye These are the commoÌ„ affectes of the wycked Thys goynge vp haue they froÌ„ wyckednesse to wyckednesse shall haue still tyll the lorde destroye theÌ„ lyke as haue the iust beleuers froÌ„ vertâ— to vertu in the sprete tyll soche tyme as they see hym face vnto face in the euerlastynge Syon From the worldes begynnynge hath this Beast rysen vp in Cayn the first murtherer in the fleshelye chyldren of menne in Cham the shamelesse chylde of Noe in Ismael and Esau in Iannes and Iambres in Balaham and Baals prophetes in the Beniamytes and Bels chaplaynes in Phassur and Semeins in Iudas Annas and Cayphas in Barichu and Diotrephes And now sens their tyme most of all in Mahumetes doctours and the Popes queresters Yea styll they are aloft in their beastlye beggerye and wyll be tyll their mysschef be fynyshed Who seeth not now adayes that hath lyght in the sprete the malygnyte Hypocresye hawâ—e crafte and deceyt in serteÌ„ false Prophetes at Paules crosse in London and in other places els 3 This Beast had .ij. hornes lyke the laÌ„be at 〈◊〉 blushe but all counterfett and false in verye dede for he spake as ded the Dragon The hornes of Christ are hys hygh kyngedome in the worde Onlye aryseth hys churche by faythe in the glad tydynges and promysys of God That worde ys the scepture of Christes power and the rodde of ryght order where as he regneth Non other straunge scepturs are there neyther tradycyoÌ„s nor customes Seuen hornes had Christ for in hym was the fulnesse of the veryte This Beast hath but two and yet they are but false and couÌ„terfeâ—t They seme to be Christes ad are not These are the corrupted letter of the .ij. testameÌ„tes falselye interpreted and for a carnall purpose alleged And therfor yt ys but apparent Hypocrityshe and deceytfull yea cleane repugnaunt to the lordes meanynge not hauynge the iudgement of hys sprete Thys letter without the holye Ghost is deathe and nothynge perteyneth vnto Christ. He ys the veryte and lyfe this ys but a fable or fyccyon Hys worde ys sprete and lyfe thys is but a brasse pot sowndynge or a latten candelstick tynkelynge fantastycall aÌ„d â—aynt sophistycall slayghtye Though these seme lyke Christes yet are they non of hys but the verye hornes of the Beast For
which is the great Antichrist And his Image which are those gouernours that taketh vpon them his blasphemouse titles names auctoryte or defence If anye manne also receyue his marke in his fore head beleuynge their lawes to be a chrysten doctrine or haue the prynâ—e of hys seale vpon his ryght hande which is to fashion his outwarde workes after the same The same manne shall drynke of the wyne of Gods wrathe whych are the dregges of the pure wyne powred in the cuppe of his hygh dyspleasure He shall tast of the euerlastynge dampnacyon that is reserued in the latter curse or fearefull sentence of their most terryble iudge To worshyp the Beast aÌ„d his Image is to accept them in conscyence and in the outwarde obedience with full consent of the hart For that they blasphemouslyâ— pretende without gods auctoryte As the Pope for Gods vycar or forgeuer of synnes Mahomete for the great Prophete of the lorde the â—ewlers of the earthe for the popes elder or yonger sonnes for most christen kynges and defenders of the faythe of that holye churche 4 To receyue the Beastes marke in their fore heades and handes is both to agre to soche decrees tradycyons lawes constitucyons actes and proclamacyons as they vnder those tytles haue made onlye for their owne couetousnesse and pompe and neyther for the glorye of God nor yet for the right mayntenaunce of the chrysten common welthe as I haue declared afore And also to be sworne to the same to subscrybe to it to geue counsell or ayde to it to maynteyne it by lernynge to mynister in it to execute vnder it to accuse poÌ„nyshe and put to deathe for yt or to thynke yt lawfull and godlye with soche lyke 5 These marked worshippers shall tast of the cuppe of Gods indygnacyon of calamyte sorowe and wrechednesse in the dayes of their fall here and after the last iudgement of vnspekeable peynes and most greuouse tormentes in euerlastynge fyre prepared for the deuyll aÌ„d his angels 6 The dregges that the lorde hath poured out sayth Dauid shall the wycked of the earthe drynke Cleane contrarye are these Angels to the horned mynysters of Antychryst For they maynteyne the Popes errours these the onlye verytees of Chryst. They laboure for the glorye of theyr Pope these seketh the onlye honoure of God They praâ—e that their holye churche shall coÌ„tinewe these saye it shal downe with shame They requyre worshyp to the Beast and his Image these will report it blasphemouse and the rewarde therof dampnacyon Marke in these .ij. sortes the preachers of owr tyme and iudge which are of God Agaynst both beastes in Chrystes quarell shall these Angels contende Agaynst the Pope and his bishoppes Mahomete and his doctours wyll these godlye mynisters replye whoÌ„ the lorde hath sent in thys latter age for that purpose condeÌ„pnynge by the scripturs their auctoryte iurisdiccion and power declarynge also the plages that wyll fall vpon them for wytholdynge the truthe of God in vnryghtousnesse 7 For these Antichristes and their worshippers with so manye as beareth their token shall be ponnished in fyre and brymstone before the holye Angels and before the lambe Fyre shall be kyndled sayth Moyses in the anger of the lorde and shall burne vnto the bottome of hell Vpon the vngodlye sayth Dauid shall he rayne snares Fyre brymstone storme and tempest shall be ther porcyon to drynke The vehemeÌ„t indignacion and myghtye iudgement of God shall lyght vpon them as vpon Sodome and Egypt and shall both deuoure them and consume them 8 And this shall be in the syght of Angels Which are not onlye the spretes of heauen but also the churche of the faythfull Yea the ryghtouse shall reioyse whan he â—â—yth the destruccion and shall washe his handes in the bloude of the wycked 9 In the presens of the lambe shall it be also For he is euermore with his flocke and shall be vnto the ende of the worlde wherin he shall sytte and conâ—dempne them The Text. 1 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth vp euermore 2. And they haue no rest daye nor nyght 3. which worship the Beaste and hys Image 4. aÌ„d who so euer receyueth the prynt of his name 5. Here is the pacycyence of Sayntes 6. Here are they that kepe the commaundementes 7. and the faythe of Iesu. ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth vp euermore as the flame of a fornace wyth most horryble stynke for a perpetuall sygne of their ponnyshment lyke as it ded from Sodome and Gomor whaÌ„ the lorde ouerthrewe theÌ„ 2 So that they haue no rest neyther day nor nyght so manye as worship the Beast and his Image receyuynge the print of his name 3 Both in this lyfe are they crucyatâ— with a troblouse and doubtfull conscience and also after this lyfe with vnspekeable peynes For neyther shall theyr worme dye nor yet their fyre be quenched all fleshe abhorrynge them 4 Thus shall they be wyth the Beast tormented which haue the sprete of the beast For lyke as all the faithfull which hath bene from the begynninge belongeth to one mistycal bodye in Christ aÌ„d shall be preserued by hym so doth the wicked perteyne to one mystycall Antichryst hauynge all one sprete with him and so shall with him perishe 5 Here is the pacience of the Sayntes In this lyfe are their trobles No pleasure is for theÌ„ in this worlde but hate rebukes slaunders lyes persecucioÌ„s deathe of their bodyes Their lyfe vpon earthe is coÌ„tinual affliccioÌ„ but gloryouse is the frute of their labours Manyfolde are the mysfortunes of the rightouse but the lorde cleareth them of all 6 Here are they vexed that kepe the commaundemeÌ„tes the faythe of Iesu. Here are they had in derisioÌ„ that behaue theÌ„ selues as the ministers of God in moche pacience affliccions nede anguyshe laboure strypes imprisoÌ„meÌ„t soche lyke 7 Here are they chastened of the lorde with many sore stormes that they shuld not be dampned with this worlde Moche haue they here to suffre of enemyes that onlye cleaueth to the worde of God in lyfe and doctrine The Text. 1 And I herde a voyce froÌ„ heaueÌ„ sayeÌ„ge vnto me 2. write 3. Blessed are the dead which hereafter dye in the lorde 4. eueÌ„ so sayth the sprete that they maye rest froÌ„ their labours 5. but their workes shall folowe them ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And I harde a voyce from heaueÌ„ sayth Saynt Iohan saynge vnto me 2 Wryte with thy penne or marke surelye this senteÌ„ce folowinge for theÌ„ that here suffreth in the truthes quarell 3 Blessed are the dead or they which are alredye departed and that also shall here after depart in the lorde This voyce from heauen are the infallyble scripturs assertanynge the faythe of Iohan of the swete rest of the Sayntes in the handes of God And that their ende is not without honoure as the vayne sort supposeth but they are counted amonge the dere chyldren of God Let them therfor that suffer in this
the cytye 11. and bloude came out of the fatte 12. eueÌ„ vnto the horse brydles 13. by the space of a thousande and sixe hundred fourlonges ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And an other Angell came out from the aulter which had power ouer fyre This ys the lorde Iesus Christ whom Malachias calleth the Angell of the couenaunt that was longed for He ys the aulter of the ryghtouse and by hym are they a swete sacrifice vnto God Els coude they be but verye abhominacyon Tyll the iudgement daye shall he be an aulter of meanes makynge to God the father for vs. But that daye ones come no longer shall he be an aulter or an aduocate but go cleane from yt He shall than become a iudge ouer all the worlde rewardynge euerye one accordynge to their workes Hitherto hath he mekelisytten vppon the cloude and not cutte with his syckle He hath had in hys hande the iudgement and not iudged 2 But now hath he power ouer fyre By fyre which ys vnder hys obedyence as are all other creaturs els shall he at that daye iudge the vnyuersall worlde And more sharpe vehement quycke ferce myghtye and terryble shall hys seÌ„tence be to the wycked thaÌ„ ys any fearefull flaminge or coÌ„sumynge wilde fyre 3 For with a lowde voyce shall he crye vnto him that hath the sharpe syckle An ernest charge and commandement shall he geue at that daye to the ministers of his yre for to cast them into exteryoure darkenesse after thys sort here vttred in mysterye 4 Thrust in thy sharpe syckle aÌ„d gather the clusters of the earthlye vyneyarde for the grapes therof are râ—pe 5 Execute the vengeaunce committed vnto yow and rote out this ranke ryâ—â—ouse generacyon of the rauenouse Epicures 6 For now are their myscheues at the full Now are they most curyous in their facyons and fedynges most couetouse in their compassynges most vayne in their stodyes and most cruell in their doynges For with them shall yt be sayth Christ as yt was in the dayes of Noe and Loth. They shall buylde and banket ruffle and ryot bye and sell and plante for their pleasurs And sodenlye as a snare shall that terrible daye lyght vpon them vnbewares as ded deathe on the couetouse iourer 7 And the Angell sayth Iohan thrust in hys syckle on the earthe he cutte downe the grapes of the vineyard of the earth and so ded cast them into the greate wyne fatt of the wrathe of God 8 Accordynge to their commission they shall plage the earthlye mynded for here ys the tyme past for the tyme coÌ„mynge vsed for the certente of yt Wyth soden deathe shall they perce theÌ„ in this worlde that contempnynge Christes doctryne hath folowed the course therof in all concupiscence 9 And fynallye they shall throwe them into the lake of myserye the pyt wythout water â—nto the stynkynge â—regges of helâ—e where as fyre and brymstone shall be rewarded to drynke For the vyneyarde of the earthe ys the carnall Synagoge of Hypocrites â— and the grapes therof are the gloryouse glottons and franke fâ—dde porkelynges of that gredye gulfe euen the enemyes of Christes crosse whose God ys their bellye whose glorye is their confusion and whose ende ys their dampnacyon for they are earthlye mynded This wyne fatte of the wrathe of God ys non other than hys greate bengeaunce to be poured vpon the vnfaythfull Or els helle prepared for the deuyll and hys angels Greate not onlye for the innumerable multytude that yt hath and shall receyue but also in that yt is insacyable 10 And this wyntfatt was troddeÌ„ without the cyte Nothynge perteyneth yt to that cyte of whom famouse thynges are spoken which ys the congregacyon of God nor yet to the good creaturs of God No not vnto thys worlde which shall at that daye be tryed and pourged by fyre But vnder the earthe shall yt be and farre without thys worlde secluded from the face of heauen in fylthye and vnspekeable darkenesse 11 For bloud wyll come out of thys fatte eueÌ„ vnto the horse brydles Wherin is expressed not onlye the terrour of the place but also of the peynes ther in contayned For bloud shedynge and murther are thynges verye horrible fearefull to beholde contayninge in theÌ„ depriuacyon of lyfe which ys most terrible of all The habundaunce therof betokeneth the greatnesse of the grefe in the sufferaunce of them The treadinge downe also sygnyfieth that no rayse towardes anye relefe is to be loked for of them that be there Vnto them which at that daye shall be in the cyte wyl he that sytteth in the trone make al thynges newe All dolour affliccyon so rowe peyne penurye wrathe condeÌ„pnacyon and deathe shall be past with them Onlye shall they be trodden downe in this wynefatt of Gods wrathe that lyued here lyke beastes without reason and that wandred here lyke horses and mules in their owne filthye lustes 12 All shall be ponnyshed there that was here vnbridled vnordred and vngouerned after the worde pleasure of God And therfor yt ys here sayd vnto the horse brydles Euerye manne shall receyue in bodye accordynge to that he hath done whether yt be Good or euyll They that haue wrought the storke of God in faythe shall reape accordynge vnto yt The brydles also betokeneth the measure of gods iudgemeÌ„t not as concernynge the tyme which â—s euerlastynge but concernynge the peyne ryghtlye measured accordynge to the in aquite For the lorde hath sett his iudgementes ouer the wicked in wayght and measure the stripes agreynge in quantyte to the excesse of synne so moche torment to haue as their reioyse hath bene in wyckednesse 13 The space of these terrible tormeÌ„tes or ponnyshmeÌ„tes of hell ys a thousande and .vi. hondred furlonges A furlonge of the Grekes ys called the â—onne of hercules and yt ys in lenghte an hondred and .xxv. passes or steppes And commonlye they vsed accordinge to that lenghte to measure their playenge places Of whome Paule maketh mencyon to the Corinthyanes beynge Grekes by them that roÌ„neth in a course and that proueth mastryes In thys thousande and .vi. hoÌ„dred furlonges here ys comprehended the whole and vnyuersall course of the wycked for the .iiii. quarters of the worlde The nombre of an hondred ys euermore an whole complete and perfyght nombre And .iiii. hondred .iiii. tymes noÌ„bred ys .xvi. hondred which maketh this nombre of a thousande and .vi. hondred the nombre of .iiii. respectinge alwayes the .iiii. climates of the worlde which are the common habitacions of sinners In them course they in all wanton kyndes of lyuinge In them worke they their mastryes of all vngodlye obseruacyons and false worshyppinges walkinge in the large or open waye which leadeth vnto deathe Accordynge to the nonbre measure of this course hath God here measured the place and ponnyshment Not withstandinge neuer ys he without mercye Maruelouse he ys in hys workes and iudgementes which are vnsercheable Blessed ys he that shal haue his part in the cyte or congregacyon of
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
but also of her excedynge great abhomynacyons 16 And most of all I wondered that the almyghtye God coulde with so moche paâ—cyence suffre her in soche myschefe The Text. 1 And the Angell sayde vnto me 2. wherfor meruaylest thu 3. I wyll shewe the the mysterye of the woman and of the Beast that beareth her which hath seuen heades and ten hornes 4. The beast that thu see it was 5. and is not 6. and shall ascende out of the bottomlesse â—ytte 7 and shall go into perdiâ—yon 8. And they that dwell on â—he earthe shall wondre 9. whose names are not wrytâ—en in the boke of lyfe from the â—egynnynge of the worlde 10. whan they beholde the Beast â—hat was and is not ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And as I was thus wyth my selâ—â—aruelynge the Angell or a fore named â—ecre of the Lorde sayd vnto me these wordes â— Wherfor dost thu thus maruele thu mortall manne For thy gentyll and meke expectacyâ—n I shall shewe vnto the the misterye of this wretched woman aÌ„d of the cruâ—ll Beast that beareth her which hath â—ij heades and .x. hornes By this shalâ—â—hu knowe the true churche from the â—alse the iust preachers from the hypoâ—rites the syncere doctrine from theyr subtyle sophysmes aÌ„d their lawfull anâ—â—oryte from their cruellye vsurped presumpcyons For that sheweth the lorde vnto his electes that he wyll not haue knowne of all menne 4 The execrable Beast or carnall kyngedome of Antichrist which thu hast se aâ—ne here in misterye was as concerninge his beginninge in Cain first of all aÌ„d so continued forth in the fleshlye chyldren of menne in the chaplaynes of Pharao Hieroâ—oam Baal aÌ„d Bel in the cruell byshoppes prestes and lawers with soche other lyke tyll the deathe of Chryst and so forthe 5 And now the sayd Beast is not in power and aucâ—oryte as he hath bene For in Iohans tyme serten years before the wrytinge of this reuelacyon was the proude clergye of the Iewes vtterlye destroyed by Titus aÌ„d Despasiane in the terrible syege of Hierusalem Not withâ—standinge yet shall this beast ryse agayne in the Romyshe pope and Mahomete aÌ„d in their false prelates doctours 6 He shall ascende out of the bottomlesse pytte from the stinkynge denne of Sathan exaltynge him self in worship aboue all that is called God But in the conclusion he shall haue an ende 7 Into perdicyon shall he go wythout fayle The Lorde shall first vtter his wickednesse as now in this age and than with the sprete of his mouthe consume him and destroye him So that his high clymynge vp shall at the last be the chefe cause of his fall Yet shall his wicked remnaunt ones agayne sett vp theyr crystes and persecute a freshe but that shall â—â—e no full rayse vnto him 8 And the rable of reprobates which dwell on the earthe or for earthlye commodytees contempneth Godes truthe shall wonder ones agayne not without moche inwarde reioyce that their churche ryseth agayne out of the olde hypocresyes 9 Whose names are not regestred in Christ which is the large boke of lyfe and hath bene both the lyfe aÌ„d the lyghe of menne sens the first constitucyon of the moueable worlde No they are not nombred amonge those ryghtouse that shall regne with him in glorye 10 These aduersaryes of God and his worde shall haue moche gladnesse in their wycked hartes whan they beholde the Beast thus commynge vp agayne that was of soche magnificence and now is but a thynge of nowght that was estemed aboue God and now is proued dampnacyon So longe is this beastlye Antychryst as he worketh the mysterye of iniquite in the reprobâ—te vesselâ— and whan he leueth that workynge than is he no longar Marke in this processe past the nature of Gods eternall decre for this age of his churche First it sheweth and than it condempneth the cursed Sinagoge of the deuyll In significacioÌ„ wherof the true preachers of our tyme hath many festly opened her wickednesse vnto all the worlde wherupon her vtter destruccyon must shortlye followe Watche good Christen reader aÌ„d praye ernestlye The Text. 1 And here is a mynde that hath wysdome 2. The seuen heades are .vij. mountaynes 3 wheron the woman sytteth 4. They are also seuen kynges 5. Fyue are fallen 6. and one is 7. and the other is not come 8. Whan he commeth he must contynue a space 9. And the Beast that was and is not is euen the eyght 10. and is one of the seuen 11. and shall go into destruccyon ¶ The Paraphrase 1 Here is a meanynge which comprehendeth wysdome A syncere vnderstaudynge shall herin be requisyte Necessarye it is therfor to take hede least thu holde the harlot and Beast for that they boast them selues to be to thy dampnacyon 2 The .vij. heades of the Beast aforemencyoned by the playne diffinicyon of the holye ghost are here to be taken for vii mountaynes or the vniuersall princelye monarchies of the .vij. clymates of the worlde 3 Upon these the woman that Babylonyshe harlot Rome from whome hath yssewed all spirytuall whoredome in most proude maner sitteth hauinge ouer them a vniuersall dominyon For in Iohans tyme to Rome was all the worlde subiect Under whose cruell regne was Christ done to deathe so hath his faythfull members bene ener sens by a newe rayseâ— kyngedome in the same 4 These heades are also .vij. kynges or goueunours of the aforesayd monorchyes seduced by all kyndes of craftye errours and deuylyshe suggestyons of that Beast So that yâ—yâ— marke well this place the head with the tayle and the cause with his effecte in these present significacyons shall no preiudyce be founde to that hath bene sayd in the other though they seme verye dyuerse For both the gouernours and also the landes or the peples subiect vnto them haue vniuersallye bene blynded by their wylye toytchecraftes And so haue the worldlye porentates wyth the spyrytuall Antychrystes agreed that both they haue vsurped one malygnauÌ„t medlynge ouer the sowles of menne to corrupt their faythe the prynces applyenge their powers vnto the same And that causeth the holye Ghost here to call them the beastes heades vnder the tytle of mountaynes and kynges For vnder their princelye auctoritees hath all their myschefes bene fulfylled to vpholde this whoore agaynst Christ and his worde 5 Fyue of these heades are fallen from the vnyuersall monarchye of Rome All the dominyons of Affrica and Asia hath renounced the obedyence of her empyre Onlye cleaueth Europa vnto her which is the least of the thre and yet not all therof Whan the Papacye grewe the whole empyre of the Grekes called Constantynople fell cleane from the laâ—nes and became with other dyuerse monarchyes the possession of Mahometes secte or of the Agarenes and Turkes Of the other empyres maye a lyke coniecture be had Thus haue they declyned from her not so goynge forth nor yet rysynge vp vnto Christ for only is it sayd here that they were fallen 6 And one head is sayth the text at