heauenly things should rather seeme to liue without than in the body and rather to God than themselues and be delyghted in him alone But that we may go higher to the manifesting of that which I am about Let vs behold how all things in the world do stand and we shall find them in a certayne order measure and number to be so linked togeather that they cannot be seperated The Heauen the Planets and the Starres keepe their certayne order and tyme and they appoynt the certayne course of euery thing and cause the change and alterations in the bodyes both of men and beasts and in his due time euery hearbe is brought forth Al which things are so apparant in our eyes as of them we can not doubt And yet all these things by the incomprehensible wisedome and prouidence of almighty God are kept in their certaine measure and number For God by a certaine measure as it were hath placed the earth like a round Globe in the myddle so that no way it can fall the which the whole Firmament of heauen dooth compasse and in the space of twenty and foure houres is carryed rounde about the same Also he hath appoynted a certaine and iust number of all things to wyt the foure seasons of the yeare and their monethes dayes the certaine houres of euery day the minutes of euery houre and lastly the certaine endes of tyme by a certaine incomprehensible consent of the Starres and numbers among them selues Not as though the Starres and numbers without the first cause can bring any thing to passe but because in their gouernment and second operation of the Starres they represent before our eyes â—he immeasurable wisedome and eternall prouidence of god Because God is not a God of coâ—fusion that he can doo all things at his pleasure by a certaine inordinate affection as men do but he is a God of order a keeper of order in his things created from which he dooth not rashly digresse although he tyeth nor hym selfe therto that he wyll not or cannot alter it when his glory by his secret counsaile and the safegard of the Church requyre the same For in the staying and goyng backe of the Sonne in the tyme of Iosua and Ezechias kyng of Iuda and by other diuine myracles he sheweth the contrary And yet without all controuersie the eternall prouidence of God and Predestination hath appoynted by a certaine measure and number from the begynnyng of the world to the end of the same as it were by rule certaine termes in the course of the Starres by which great habilitie is gyuen to a skilfull and learned man to iudge of things to come euen as by a Dyall made by a woorkman in proportion and nuÌ„ber things to come are foreseene because Arte as nigh as may be imitateth God and nature Yea and these exceâ—lent felowes Plato and Aristotle doo place all wisedome knowledge aâ—d vertue in the proportion of number for Vertue and Iustice they set in the myddle by which to euery man is gyuen his owne by a double equalitie and is measured by a proportion Arithmetical and Geometrical Now sithence this instant number of the yeares of the world dooth so exacâ—ly comprehâ—nd in it selfe all those things mentioned before as from the beginnyng of things and in this last age in like quantitie and so perfectly dyd neuer appeare as hereafter more plainly we wyll prooue I suppose the Lord God a maker and gouernour of all things by this proportionable agreeing of number wyll as it were by the hand leade vs to a certaine deepe consideration of a perfect expiring and end of all things especially in as much as the direfull Destinies the Starres and damnable Decrees of Popes doo fulfill the whole number of fiue hundred yeares So that I trust that the commyng of the Sonne of God to iudgement wyll shortly ensue in which all impietie lying and dooing of wrong through the tyrannie of Antichrist the Diuell and his members shal be taken awaye and the euerlâ—styng kingdome of Christ in truth and equitiâ— shal be confirmed that so to euery one shal be gyuen his reward either good or bad according to the true Geometricall proportion which is the rule of Iustice in God to whom all beleeuers in Christ are like But that more playnly these things may be vnderstoode it must be knowen what we call Arithmeticall proportion and Geometricall according to iustice and also how these two proportions are perfectlye contayned in this yeere of the .5555 which in the yeere .95 ensuing shal be the the yeres since the worlds foundation Arithmeticall proportion is when as three or moe numbers being set all without any respect of proportions doo differ by equall ods as .1.2.3.4.5 Here continually one number differs from the other but in vnitie as also .2.4.6.8.10 in which one differeth froÌ„ another but the nuÌ„ber of two And therfore we see in the fifth number which is the last an Arithmeticall proportion to be contayned because it hath in it this excellencie that it comprehendeth in it selfe and that fitly all vnities of which all other numbers doo consist be they euen or odde to the which no naturall be he neuer so talkatiue can attayne by numbring This Arithmeticall proportion Aristotle ascribeth to the exchangeable iustice For euen as euery number playnly doth differ from other in equall summe so a great equalitie there must be between the ware and the price least while one is iniured the other by his losse and dammage become riche The Geometrical proportion is when as three or moe summes being set we consider not the difference of numbers but marke the equalities of proportion For euen as fiue referred to .50 hath the proportion of quantitie so hath .50 to .500 and as .50 to .500 so .500 to .5000 all which are in the proportion of tenne But Plato said that this Geometricall proportion can doo much both betweene God and man and that the state of a common weale is then best when it consisteth of a Geometricall equalitie which appointeth persons and ordaineth offices according to the greatnes and worthines of giftes and bestoweth rewardes to worthy persons whereof it is well called of the Philosophers a distributiue iustice For examples sake as in the gouerning of a ship the ruling of the same is not committed to any man but vnto him which is skilfull and for his cunning and well guiding therof he receyueth a better stipend than other which are vnskilful so also to a vertuous cunning iust constant and graue person the administration of the common Weale is to be committed and withall a woorthy honour least by a gouernment which is rude wicked and tyrannicall the common weale be brought to destruction Also in the affaires of priuate persons this Geometricall equalitie is to be obserued For a greater honour and reuerence is due to the Magistrate than to an other man to our parentes than to straungers to an old man than
¶ Of the ende of this world and seconde commyng of Christ a comfortable and necessary Discourse for these miserable and daungerous dayes 1. Pet. 4. The ende of all things is at hand be ye therefore sober and watch vnto prayer Luke 21. Watch continually and pray that ye may be worthy to escape al these things that shal come and that ye may stand before the Sonne of man. ¶ Imprinted at London nigh vnto the three Cranes in the Vintree for Andrew Maunsell dwelling in Pauies Church-yard at the signe of the Paret Anno Domine 1577. To the most reuerend Fathers in Christ Edmond by the permission of almightie God Archbyshop of Canterburie c. and Iohn Byshop of London Thomas Rogers wisheth the true felicitie of this lyfe and eternall happines by the comming of Christ. IT was the saying of Cambyses reuerend and in Christ most honorable fathers that Cities would floorish wel in prosperitie if the inhabiters of them were watchful and still imagined their enemis to be at haÌ„d That which he said for the prosperous estate of a commoÌ„ weale dyd our Sauiour saye for the happye successe of all Christians And both tende to shewe that whether wee respect the safetie of our bodyes here on this earth or the saluation of our soules in the kingdome of Christ wee may not be in our callings either idle carelesse or secure But yet such is our nature wee rather obey the woordes of Cambyses for temporall prosperitie than the warnyng of Christe for eternall happynesse Wâ—ereby it comes to passe that we haue commonly fayre bodyes but deformed soules much goodes but litle goodnes and glorious wee seeme in the sight of men outwardly but odious inwardly in the eyes of god For it is harde to finde a man saith Aristotle which in prosperitie is not proude disdainful and arrogant of which sort are they whom strength whom riches whoÌ„ clientes whoÌ„ authoritie whoÌ„ fauour of meÌ„ hath exalted And so inioying their harts desire they are of this mynd that no aduersitie caÌ„ hurt them And what is that but as Dauid said The vngodly hath saide in his hart tushe I shall neuer be caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto me But the fayrest Oke is soonest cut down the fattest Oxe is readyest for slaughter and the felicitie of fooles is their owne destruction For how sodainely doo they consume vanishe and come to fearefull ende yea euen as a dreame are they when one awaketh As our Sauiour thought the doctrine against securitie most profitable for his Disciples and all mankynde So hath his faythfull seruant the Author of this booke supposed the same moste necessarye to bee spoken of in these miserable dayes And this was the cause and ende wherefore this Treatise was first written namely that by reciting the signes and tokens of dangers imminent and of the worlds destruction he might draw the wicked from securitie and driue them to a care of godlynesse and vertue A godly zealous and learned woorke and gratefull no doubt to all good men Hippocrates forewarned the Grecians of a greeuous plague which was nigh at hande and for his good admonition he was honoured as Hercules and obeyed as a god The Athenians for telling them the perils which they were like to fall into erected to Berosus a goodly Image with a golden tongue The Grecians to Hippocrates and the Athenians to Berosus were neuer so bounde as all Christians to Schelton for this learned booke For herein the tokens of the ruine not of one Citie as of Athens nor of one Countrie as of Greece but of all the worlde are set downe And here may be seene the wayes to preuent the destruction not of body alone as were those of Hippocrates and Berosus but of body and soule from euerlastyng paine in the pyt of hell So that more cause haue Christians to be thankfull to this author than were the Athenians and Grecians to both them Notwithstanding he desireth not though his deserts be vnspeakeable to be honoured with the rites of Hercules suche idolatrie he abhorreth nor to be kept in memorie with a glorious Image such memoriall he misliketh he only craueth that ChristiaÌ„s would weigh what is said and looke to them selues he seeketh the saluation of all not his owne glory But howe soeuer he be esteemed of others I trust your Lordships wyll like of this woorke and so like it that ye wyll allowe it and so allowe it that yee wyll both against the euyll woordes of the enuious and the captious tongues of malicious persons willingly protect it It pleased the Author to chuse for Patrons at the first two noble Earles but mee thinkes none so meete for defence thereof being a Spirituall Discourse as Spirituall men and because it tendes to the cutting away of securitie who better Patrons than they whose office is to be vigilant whereof they haue their names And among Bishoppes who fitter than they whose authoritie is such as none may better and zeale so great as none wyll sooner seeke and promote the glorye of God Wherfore I trust both because it is diuine your Lordships wyll vouchsafe and because it was wel accepted by two worthy men but yet Temporal your honours wyll much more willyngly allowe the same being Spirituall And that you may doo so God for whose glory it was first made and is nowe translated put into your myndes Your Graces and Lordships most humble at commaundement Thomas Rogers ¶ To the vniuersall Church throughout the world the most holy and chast daughter of Sion and entirely beloued Spouse of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God King of all Kings Health and comfort in the holy spirit and the speedâ—e comming of her Bridegroome c. I Am not ignoraÌ„t sweete Sion daughter of the celestiall Ierusalem and entierly beloued spouse of Christ in howe great miseries thou hast been plunged now a long time for the lacke of thy kinde and louing husbaÌ„d Which notwithstanding thou art black browne by reason of the extremâ— heat of the Sunne light of God the father to which as yet thou canst not approche yet onely wythal his hart embraceth the as his friend for fairnes peereles and as his wife for beautie surpassing For thy blacknes by his holy spirit he hath turned into beautifulnes thy vnseemely spots of sinne by his precious blood are no whit seen by his holy spirit he hath woÌ„derfully adorned thee wythin and endued thee wyth the holy Ghost the seale of beleefe so that now thou canst not doubt but that he is both faithfull and fauours thee with all his hart And yet it greatly greeues thee that thy glory which thou wishest for thy comfort which thou hopest for and thy King and bridegrome for whom thou so lokest and longest for is so long from thee And no maruel for it is the property of a faythfull louer not quietly to beare the absence but ardently to desire
of the celestiall euerlasâ—ing life his force and sting being lost he shal vtterly be abolished To which thing Iudas in his Epistle had respect which saith that this Henoch the seuenth after Adam dyd foretell of the last iudgement Which iudgement is giuen of Elias that he should be a type figure of his owne prophecie And it is said that as Henoch in generation so Elias in coÌ„putation of yeres was the seueÌ„th after Adam For it is reported that next vnto Adam was Methusalah next to Methusalah Sem to Sem Iacob to Iacob Amram to Amram Ahia and to Ahia Elias the Prophet Now if this accompt of Elias be altogether true as many do coniecture there is no doubt but the Lord God would in his wonderfull woorks declared to his Saintes and chosen haue many secret mysteries that in the consideration of them we might be inflamed with desire of the celestiall and most blessed life Here let vs coÌ„sider that before the seuenâ—h thousand yeare we shal be taken vp to meete the Lord in the cloudes euen as Elias by a fâ—rie chariot and horseâ— was lifted vp to heauen Finallie also the Euangelists and Apostles call the tyme from Christes incarnation vntill the ende of the world the laste howre or laste tymes Saint Peter saith Christ was manifested in the laste tymes And to the Hebrewes Paule writeth Christ once was offred in the ende of the world Neither is this tyme of the Apostles therfore called the last bycause that certainly the ende of the world is at hande but because according to Elies distribution it is the laste of the three ages of the world which without all doubte they respected Neither is it to be deemed that this prophecie was vnknowen to them but rather that by reuelation of the holy Ghoste it was singularly renued and therefore in deede they call this last age of two thousande yeeres in the beginning of which all prophecies and visions by Christ were to be fulfilled the laste tymes and howre These nowe be the testimonies and coniectures by which I haue studied to proue and haue satisfied my selfe that this world shall not continue aboue the space of sixe thousande yeeres Nowe followe those things by which I meane to shewe that the sixt thousande yeere shal not be expired That the world shall not endure sixe thousande yeeres NOwe that the sixt thousand yeere shal be shortened it is apparant and maye be prooued for order sake firste by those woordes of Elias the Prophete aboue recited in this manner And for our sinnes which are many and marueylous some yeeres which are wanting shall not be expyred VVhich words do not much disagree froÌ„ those of Christ where he saith And except those dayes were shortned all flesh should perish but for the elects sake they shall be cut of And although there peraduenture the Lorde doth properly talke of the ruine ouerthrowe of Hierusalem as may easely be gathered by the circumstances of that place yet may it seeme that he would speake the same of the vtter destruction of the world because in that place he giueth certaine and moste euident signes thereof of which hereafter more at large and also dooth foretell both of the ouerthrowe of Hierusalem and by a certaine confusion of wordes of the worldes destruction so that for the perfect vnderstanding thereof greate iudgement is to be required And bycause the former is a figure of that which is to followe I perswade my selfe that as well by the woordes of Christ as by the prophecie of Elias it may be gathered that for the electes cause those miserable dayes of the vtter ouerthrowe and ending of this wicked world shal be shortened and cut of Others by probable reason endeuour to proue the same through consideration of the Sabboth daie which is a true figure of the eternall Sabboth For in the Lawe it was prescribed that about the euening of the sixt day the Sabboth should take his beginning And therefore their coniecture is not vnlike to be true which thinke that the eternal superexcelleÌ„t Sabboth of the Lord shal begin not at the end of the last thousande yeere but a litle before Here be some other coniectures brought foorth which willyngly I passe ouer and the rather bycause I know them to be of no great force But those tokens are dilgentlie to be marked which Christ did foretel should goe before the coÌ„summatioÌ„ of the world that by them we may the more certainly thinke and perswade our selues tyme present and tokens foretolde being compared together that the ende of the woâ—lde hangs ouer our neâ—kes Among othâ—r signes in my iudgement the preaching of the Gospell is not the least but moste cheefely to be noted as rhat by which all other tokens both going before and following in those wordes of Christ are knowen to bee true tokens of his comming The wordes of Christ telling vs howe to knowe when the Gospell is preached are these And this Gospell of the kingdome shal be preached through the vniuersall world for a witnes to all nations and then shall the ende come By which words the sonne of God Christ doth playnly teach that about the time of the worlds destruction the true doctrine of Christ should be preached By which is gathered that the same was obscured defaced and almost not spoken of by reason of false prophets before that tyme And Christ saide that in those dayes should arise many false Prophets and by saying themselues to be Christ should seduce many Nowe what is more euident in these our dayes Hath not the true and sincere doctrine of the free pardoning our sinnes by Christ lien hid these many yeeres and vnder the tyrannie of Antichrist maruelouslie been obscured And the Pope arrogantlie vaunted himselfe to bee Christ or at leaste his vicar What promising of pardoning sinnes and redeming soules out of their fained purgatorie by theire wicked Bulies and blasphemous Masse what idolatrie in woorshipping and impietie in receiuing Christ in the sacrament Finally what diuers and diuilish supeâ—stitions haue been practised so well it is knowen vnto all men that I neede not to recken them And nowe againe â—y the vnspeakeable grace and mercie of God we plainlie perceiue such a cleare light of the Gospell to shine ouer the whole world that in spight of the diuell and all his adherentes it castes his bâ—ames ouer all nations And therefore what other things shall we looke for but as Christ did foretel a sodaine downfall of this wretched world For if we reade eyther the holy Byble of God or historicall bookes of prophane men we shall finde that God hath alwayes followed the example of a ryghteous iudge which before he condemne a man for his offences will first accuse by witnesse so God before he send plagues and punishment for our transgression dooth first put vs in minde of our wickednes by preaching of the Gospell and declaring his diuine pleasure
some other good vse For as plentye brings pride and hautines of mynde so pouertie ingendreth contempt not onely of Ministers but of the Ministrie also which being disdayned for lacke of preferment mens cogitations are so turned that rather they had to bynd their sonnes to some seruile occupation then bring them vp in liberall instruction by which must needes followe not onely the great scarsitie of learned men but also greeuous want of godly Ministers and so consequently the miserable estate and ouerthrowe of the Church Now what remayneth but that we certaynly perswade our selues that rhese are playne and euident signes and testimonies of Gods great displeasure agaynst vs for dispising his Ministers whose contempt he neither can for his holines nor will for his iustice suffer any time as the the manifold miseries plagues that be euery where doo shewe vnto vs And as the sonne of God Christ sayd before that after the preaching of the Gospell destruction should follow I hope the time is so farre from being differred that it will spedely come vppon vs For it cannot be but that the prophecie of Christ should be true which could not be if those dayes of barbarousnes and ignorance of true religion which we are lyke to fall into were not by his speedy comming preuented Moreouer we should thinke the worldes foundation to be worne out and the same to be falling vpon our shoulders when we sensiblye perceiue our selues to liue in those dayes wherof Christ foretold saying The comming of the sonne of man shal be as were the dayes of Noe. For then were men eating drinking marrying and were married vntill Noe entred the Arke And they perceiued nothing vntill the flood came and ouerwhelmed them all and such shal be the comming of the sonne of man. By which no doubt the lord would signify that in the latter dayes there should be a marueylous securitie wherby there should arise not only vnspeakeable wickednes agaynst God but also a lamentable disorder confusion in common weales for lacke of discipline Now if we wil compare tyme present with that which is past and set the manners of all men before our eyes we shall perceyue wickednes to haue come to his ripenes and to raigne almost without controlment For notwithstanding that God through his vnspeakeable mercie in these latter dayes hath giuen vs his Gospell whereby we should frame our affections according to his will and liue in vnitie and peace with all men according to his word what desire of righteousnes or zeale in religioÌ„ is there to be found Yea who is not in Christianitie eyther cold or carelesse Many desire to be religious and thinke they are so if only for a fashion they frequent Sermons and come to ordinarie seruice and Ceremonies supposing themselues in doing so to be sufficiently religious although their hartes doo burne with desire of transitorie things they swel through the poyson of al vngodlynesse Many also thinke they do marueilous wel in making the doctrine of loue peace and vnitye the occasion of stryfe contention and heresie And suppose they do serue God very wel if knowing some of a contrarie opinioÌ„ though not in the chiefest poynt of Religion they doo with wordes condemne them and with curses commit them to the Diuels punishment themselues in the meane while in a certaine spirituall pride gotten through a vaine opinion of learning puft vp doo resting vpon the auctoritie of others not with arguments answering to Gods word take hart of grasse their aduersaries oftentimes defending the better part and more agreable to the pleasure of the highâ—st And yet forsooth must this so great iniurie and shamelesse reproch be called not the spirit of synne but a godly zeale O daungerous dayes and diuelishe behauiour Some there be also which thinke well of themselues and woulde be numbred among good Gospellers because they haue learned without knowledge busily among theyr pottes to inueygh agaynst the papisticall superstition themselues beyng vniust theeues oppressors and most wicked rouers such as at this day men call the Guisians worse speaking after the manner of men then ciuill Papistes What should many wordes doo We plainly now perceiue greatest vice for chiefest vertue to be counted and those men through a fained shewe of simplicitie to be most commended which of all other for impietie ought most to be dispraised For craftie and deceiptful are wise couetous good husbandes prodigall liberall and riche men are deemed the best men These haue promotions and though by wicked meanes they attaine them yet diues clarus erit fortis iustus sapiens etiam Rex Et quicquid volet as Horace said The riche man shal be noble valiant vpright wise yea and king and what he wyll And in another place Aurea nunc verè sunt saecula plurimus auro Venit honos auro conciliatur amor Auro pulsa fides auro venalia iura Aurum lex sequitur mox sine lege pudor Scilicet vxorem cum dote fidemque amicos Et genus formam Regina pecunia donat Nowe are the braue and golden dayes Nowe fame with golde we gaine And golde can shewe vs many wayes mens fauour to attaine By Golde we heare the Musick sweete and lawes we bâ—ie with golde Lawe seekes for golde and straight vnmeete our name by it is solde Yea wife with wealth and faith and friendes and kinne with comely hewe Doth money Madame Prince and Queene most mortall men endue And Boëtius Vnde habeant cura est paucis sed oportet habere Per scelus atque nefas pauper vbique iacet Howe they do get fewe folkes do care but riches haue they must By hooke or crooke we daily see so weake to wall be thrust Those and the like vices haue Poets and Philosophers in their dayes when wickednesse dyd but spring as themselues haue testified reprehended And therfore is our Lord God earnestly to be desired that all these euils by his speedie comming may take an ende For although al maner of wickednesse in this age haue ascended marueilous high yet are they not so come to the top but that more straunge vngraciousnes and wonderful deceiptes and more horrible confusions in common weales through euil gouernment of them may to the griefe and vexation of good men be seene then euer were For we see continually that many through their cogging prating pride and flatterie without all honestie learning or Christianitie in hope of profit and preferment prickt thervnto beate their braines and bende al their studyes to be gratious in their eyes which sit in chiefest place aboue other men By which it commeth to passe that for a time they are well accepted euen of the best but good Princes can smell them out and wil banishe them their companie perswading themselues that that friendship is not of continuance whose ende and grounde is not the setting foorth and encrease of vertue Wherefore it is to be wished that
And what other change may we looke for I pray you But euen the vtter destruction of the world and the triumphant appearing of the lord For the sixe thousand yeere which is the last daye draweth to the euening course of tymes and their foretold agreement declare the end to be at hand the preaching of the Gospell shineth the Pope of Rome by the breath of the Lord perisheth and we are in Religion colde carelesse and contemne his preachers which the Lord God cannot suffer long to go vnpunished Also this fearfull inclination of the Starres the dayly talke of warres the direful ciuill contentions the cruell dissention in Religion the great plagues the miserable hunger the straunge tempestes the woonderfull risings of the Sea and other signes which many tymes haue come after the preaching of the Gospell and dayly do more increase are out of doubt the euident signes of the worldes speedy ouerthrow and hasty commyng of our Lord Iesus Christ the sonne of God to iudge the quicke and the dead ¶ Of the fifteene hundred yeares after the Apostles tyme vntyl the last iudgement THere are besides these many other sweete and verye probable coniectures of the suddaine comming of the Lord to iudgement Which containe many and profitable instructions and will be wonderful and strauÌ„ge perchaunce to many for the small consideratioÌ„ they haue of them which if they were well wayed myght bring vs into a great admiration of Gods prouidence It is well knowen to all the learned and not doubted but that all gouernments according to the Princes of Philosophie Platoes and Aristotles doctrine haue their certaine conclusions and it may be for truth that euery fiue hundred yeares there happen wonderfull alterations both in Religion and common Weales as there appeared three in Moses Kingdome For from the comming out of Egypt vnto Salomon there was about fiue hundred yeares from thence vnto the captiuitie at Babylon other fiue hundred and from the returning vnto the last subuersion fiue hundred moe which last periode doth greatly agree with those seueÌ„ weekes of Daniell because they are in number foure hundred foure score and tenne And therfore by a briefe marking of the tymes and things brought to passe we will make it euident that the last fiue hundred yeares from the Apostles tyme fully shal be expired in this Monarchie of the Pope which now threateneth a great ruine and perchance an vtter downefall about the eightie eyght and ninetie three yeere the former inclinations of the starres and other ensuing foreshewing dyrefull thinges euen vntill the sixe thousand and a hundred yeere Which Monarchie is called of Iohn in his Reuelation the image of the beast by reason of a certaine likenes it hath wyth the olde Monarchie which by a like tyrannie against the Christians and manner of gouernment by their ecclesiasticall Senate and by the secular power as they saye to the satisfying of their myndes in oppressing the Christian veritie through all the world they doo exercise So that by a great and infallible supposition it may be gathered that the noble comming of the Sonne of God is nygh at hande sith the preaching of the Gospell now goeth before by which this Monarchie hauing his aucthoritie from the Dragon at the length ruinous beginneth to stoupe but cannot vtterly be abolished according to Paules doctrine vntyll the Lord come for altogether For by histories we know Iohn the Euangelist to haue lyued longer time than any of the Apostles to haue written his Gospel at Ephesus and afterward when as none of the Apostles were no not many dayes before liuing it is well knowen that he was sent of Domitian into the Iland Pathmos where he committed his Reuelation to writing and that was about the dayes of Traian the Emperour which the hundred yeare from Christs natiuitie beyng adopted by Nerua came to the Imperiall throne from whom for causes ensuing I will begin to recite three notable chaunges and alterations both in Religion and in the Empire which differ one from another according to the true accompt of yeares but fiue hundred yeares a peece Now these hundred yeares from the birth of Christ vnto the tyme of Traian beyng expired so straunge things and myraculous both in the Church and common Weales happened as from the beginning of the worlde such and so great neyther haue neither shall come to passe except onely in the last comming of the Lorde at what tyme he shall call the dead before hys tribunall seate that so the whole vngracious worlde may be brought vnto perpetuall shame and the vertuous to euerlasting glory for first oâ—r Lord and Sauiour Christ was borne of a virgin perfect man the Messias promised to the Patriarches the sonne of one substance with his eternall father by whom God hath made of nothing al things both in heauen aboue and in earth belowe and redeemed mankynd which was fallen from sinne and wickednes for in the behalfe of vs all he hath suffred a most reprochfull death of the Crosse to that ende that death and the Diuell beyng vanquished he myght rid all beleeuers from eternall death and the intolerable yoke of Satan He hath also rysen lyke a conquerour in glory from the dead and ascended into heauen that he myght prepare a waye for vs to his almightie father whose anger by his righteousnes he had appeased and reconciled him vnto vs. Finally also at the feast of Penticost God miraculously and without meane according as it was long before promised by the Prophetes did powre out his holy spirit full of all grace and goodnes vppon his Apostles that in all Nations they myght be able to glorify God and by euery speache declare their message of glad tydings as also Mangre the diuel and his Adherentes the same notwithstaÌ„ding the outragious cruelty of Nero and Diomitian was preached published throughout all the world Lastly what wonderfull things haue happened from the byrth of Christ vnto the hundred yeere after the same at which tyme Traiane fyrst receyued the Emperiall Diâ—deme I mynde not to prosecute euery thing particulerly least by that meanes contrary to my purpose I proceede Amongst other things those woordes forespoken of Christ and the Prophets teaching the ouerthrowe and vtter destruction of the Iewes and Hierusalem take effect and also vnder Traiane the Emperour there happened a great alteration in religion For although the Empyre was of Rome yet was not the Emperour a Romane borne but a Spaniard and adopted to that dignitie of Nerua which was a Romane And therfore by these it plainely doth appeare that the Apostles beyng dead there was now a new face of the Church and that nothing so beautifull as the former and also new state of Empire presignifyed of Iohn in his Reuelation Because that Traian was the eyght from the seuenth who was Nerua which was the seuenth from Nerc the last of the stocke of Caesars from whom Iohn beginneth to number the seuen Kings which
the Pope became the chiefe Monarch of all the worlde ruled all kyngs and obteyned all authoritie of chusing Bishoppes Also howe that third Periode of fiue hundred yeares about the yeare of our Lord one thousand and sixe hundred should be fully perfect that so without all doubt we may looke for a new Metamorphosis of these things if things to come may well be gathered of things past already And what other I beseech you can we looke for but euen that which was seene and heard of Iohn in his Reuelation from hym which sate on the Throne among the foure and twenty Elders saying Behold I make al things new a newe heauen a newe earth behold the Tabernacle of God with men and he shall dwell with them and they shal be his people and he shall be a God with them euen their God. But when those vngodly Decrees and blasphemies which the Romanes froÌ„ the fifty seuen vnto the thousand one hundred yeare in all the tyme that Henrie the fourth raigned by litle and litle brought in are considered and withall compared with our dayes we shall find all those things continually to haue had as it it were peculiarly their fiue hundred yeares a peece Wherefore in my iudgement by the tymes past and state of things present I am the more confirmed to thinke the full and perfect end of all vngodlynesse to be very nigh at hand after which shall ensue that perpetuall and euerlasting world in which the Lord God shall raigne and rule in iustice truth and mercy for euer In the tyme of Henry as out of histories we gather these Decrees of the Bishoppes were published first that the Emperours shoulde haue no aucthoritie to chuse Bishoppes nor Pope for which cause the Senate of Cardinals to whom was geuen that power was instituted and preferred to great honour then also they tooke vppon them to chuse and refuse Emperours at their pleasure as plainly appeared by Hildebrandes electing of Rodolph and displacing of Henry Moreouer vnder this Emperour that horrible Idolatrie of the woorshippyng and carrying about of the bread came into the Church Lastly in the yeare one thousand nyntie and three al the lawes of Popes were gathered set forth by one Iuon B. of Carnot And therfore no doubt but the Lord God also at his certayne tyme wyll briâ—g to nought cut of and by his commyng to iudgemeâ—t to the perpetuall shame of all papistes vtterly abolish all that impietie and wickednes which the Diuell by his ministers to the reproch of God hath caused increased and confirmed For we haue examples both in the people of the Iewes and Gentiles For when as their superstition and obstinate vngodlynes was come to the top then sprang vp the true doctrine and preaching of the Gospell by which their false doctrine was reproued yet in the meane while through the iust and horrible displeasure of God against them most greeuously were they plagued euen as also happened to the Iewes by Ierusalems destruction and also to other nations and lastly to Rome in the miserable spoyling of the Gothes and vandolles But if the tyme since the preaching of the Gospell were well marked we shâ—ll see most euident beginnings of the ruine and ouerthrow of the Pope and Papacie which perchance eyther shall go before the last end of tyme or els in that third space of fyue hundred yeeres or somwhat after by the Lords comming shall come to naught So doo I perswade my selfe thinke you what you will at your pleasure and yet take heede ye rhinke not falsly But if in other places I erre the matter is not great For it is certayn out of the word of God that this errour shall not long continue For Christ is the very truth and cannot erre But let vs note what hath happened and dayly dooth happen among Christians in this our age and playnly and euidently we shall see all things forespoken to haue and daily to come to passe about this very tyme of fiue hundred yeeres For we haue a notable example hereof in the Electors and states of the Empire which in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred fiftye and eight which was about the fiue hundred yeere after the Popes began their tyranny ouer Kings and Princes did chuse Ferdinandus the Emperor maugre the Pope and for euer disanulled that decree of the Cardinals for the confirmation of his election How I beesech you hath Lotharinge a Guisian Caâ—dinall in Fraunce and Granuellus another Cardinal in Belgia for al their Cardinalshippes preuayled in their laboring to confirme the Popes authoritie and to bring in the Spanishe Inquisition haue not the Frenchmen and Belgians by that meane rather rebelled agaynst them cast froÌ„ their shoulders that intollerable yoke of the Popes bondage By which no doubt it is euident that that space of fiue hundred yeeres in which the Cardinals bare the swaye is now passing and will shortly be expired euen as the other peeuish and idolatrous doctrine of the Papistes is well and to their perpetuall prayse banished out of the Dominions of manye good Kings and Princes And now ye Princes deale wisely and with iudgement consider how that Antichrist of Rome hath most shamefully abused your authoritie to the suppressing of the truth and persecuting of innocentes Beare in minde how long you haue been Ministers and slaues to that blooddie beast in crucifying Christ agayne in his members Be learned ye Iudges of the earth be sorye for these things Serue the Lord in feare and reioyce with trembling For the horrible day of the Lord hangs vppon your shoulders Therefore kisse the Sonne least he be angry and so ye perish when his fury shalbè but a little kindled Blessed are all they which trust in the Lord. Now if in that spoken already and other particular lawes the number of fiue hundred yeeres be so rightly filled what shall we iudge of the whole body of all the Popes decrees which afterwarde by Iuon Byshoppe of Carnot after whom Gratian followed in the yeere of the Lord one thousand nintie and three at the commaundement of the Pope was truly collected into one booke as it were by imitating Iustinian the Emperour which by the ayde of Tribonianus and other noble men gathered the Ciuill lawe into an order and made thereof a newe booke But how with absurdities in number infinite blasphemies not to be vttered those decrees of the Pope doo filthily deface the woord of God none of a ryght iudgement is ignorant And yet alas these haue had more aucthoritie now many yeares than the very immutable worde and will of god Which things although they doo agree very well together yet for the sakes of the ignorant we will proue the same both by a Canon of holy Scripture and the Popes decrees manifestly contrarie between themselues Paule sayth to Timothie Spiritus disertè dicit fore c. That is The Spirit saith plainly that in the latter tymes
Sonne of God hym selfe receyued a name from the Angell and was called Iesus that is a Lord and Sauiour redeeming the worlde from sinne which afterward receyued a name according to his office â–ª and was called Christ that is Annoynted annoynting vs with his holy spirit that so we might acknowledge him to be our christ Wherfore let it not seeme straunge vnto vs if those letters by the diuine prouidence of God doo containe many and great mysteries within them For the Lorde God by a certaine incomprehensible prouidence not according to mans wisedome or foreknowledge of things to come doth gogouerne the thoughtes and tongues of men that many men and Cities in which the Lord God wyll shewe eyther his singular fauour and marueilous woorkes of mercie or his anger and heauie displeasure should receyue fatall names accordingly And therefore by this reason it came to passe no doubt that king Dauid which signifyeth well beloued should receyue a proper name as also the Prophet Daniell his signifying the iudgement of the Lorde Because in him the Lord God dyd shewe foorth his singular kindnes manye wayes and in this his secrete iudgement concerning the Empyres of the world and their endes and of the two commings of Christ the first vyle in the fleshe the second victorious to iudgement So likewyse Babylon receyued a fit name but in a diuers respect not onely because that in her there was made a confusion of tongues but especially because of the confounding of manners and wickednes of Religion and Idolatry together Wherefore at the length it vtterly came to naught and there is become a meere confusioÌ„ in deed of all beastes and serpents By a contrary ende IerusaleÌ„ tooke her name because she should see the peace of God in Christ which afterward she dyd furiously dispise I haue heard moreouer of Melanthon which also in a certaine booke he dyd publish that that name Emda a towne of the Orientall Frisia and my natiue countrey hath her dâ—riuation from truth and firmenes according to the force of the Hebrew woord Est enim illa vrbs amans veritatis For sayth he that citie is a louer of the truth And howe this name agreeth to that Citie in these our dayes the Lord God hath abundantly declared in this that he hath myraculously kept vs among these so daungerous tempests constant in the true doctrine of hys Gospel against the manifolde subtilâ—ies of the Diuell God graunt we may perseuer to the end in all truth and simplicitie of hart and that this naturall falling may firmely be vpholden and stayed least otherwise it pretend an euill fortune and so we be called no longer Emdani that is constant in the truth but Valdarini â–ª that is Babilonians which thing God of his mercy turne away from vs Sibâ—l also Erithina plainely telleth of Rome that her name doth comprehend many wofull destinies and that in these verses translated out of Greeke into Latin by Castilion Porro quater decies complebis terque trecentos Annos atque octo cum te pertingere metam Tristia fata â–ª tuo completo nomine cogent Thy ende thy name fulfyld and fates shall cause then for to come Of yeares nine hundred fortie eyght When seene shal be the summe Nowe after what sort that Prophesie is fulfylled Castalion shewes in his annotations vppon the same place to which I send the Reader And that Rome els where hath a name according to her nature it is apparant by a certaine answere of Pasquil Roma quid est quod te docuit praeposterus ordo Quid docuit iungas versa elementa scies Roma amor est amor est qualis praeposterus vnde hoc Roma mares Noli dicere plura scio Hereof also in respect of her outward whoordome which is linked oftentymes with the spiritual fornication she is worthely called in holy Scripture an Harlot and Babylon Sodome and Gomorrhe secret malice and a people rebellyng against God. ¶ Of the round and square figure of the Climacterian yeares and of the Golden number IF nowe these and that which folowes be rightly considered and compared together they wyll sufficiently shewe themselues to be neither coÌ„trary to the Scriptures nor impertinent to my purpose but rather such as if they be compared with that before mentioned may well bring vs into the remembraunce of the latter dayes especially sith they doo as it were in colours liuely place before our eyes the perfect end of this world and commyng of the Lord to iudgement As also the fiuefold figure doth not only represent the Greeke letter χ. or being somewhat turned the crosse but also both the squate figure and the round For the crosse by equall distance in the plaine dooth fyll the circle and representes the round forme but the Greeke letter χ. rather betokeneth the quadrangle figure But this I speake by the way if vnto the fiuefolde figure noted by fiue vnities on either side contrary to the myddle number of fiue the foure figures comprehended in the fifth euen to the perfect number were set vnder then these nyne vnites may so by Art be disposed that euery way we may see fifteene as by the figure here vnderneath may appeare  15 15 15 15 15 2 9 4  15 7 5 3  15 6 1 8      15 So that this number of fyue in the threefold according to Arithmetike may seeeme the most perfect and by many figures as it were to represent those three alterations of tyme of which before we made mention whose end in a iust quantitie of numbers perfectly set of God hym selfe ought certainly to be looked for Neither can any doubt but that this figure contaynyng a marueilous equalitie and agreement of numbers in a very great inequalitie as it may seeme doth signifie some great mysteries as well Diuine as Philosophical the which least in these which may perchaÌ„ce seeme more darke then many of Platoes numbers I be ouer tedious to the Reader I leaue to the consideration of the studious But that we may somewhat returne to that we haue in hand although the circular and round figure be of all others in sight most fayre yet as is the whole world is it very vnstable subiect to alteration and full of troubles But the square forme is firme constant and stable and howe soeuer it be placed is alwayes one and the same And therefore dooth Aristotle compare the same to a good and honest man whom he calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the which howsoeuer with Aristotle we imagine hym we shall not finde Christ onely the Rocke and true corner stone refused of the buylders and workmen of this world onely excepted but in the lyfe to come wee shall be such with Christ hym selfe And therefore dooth Iohn describe the holy Hierusalem descending from heauen to be foure square in which her perfection constancie and continuance is noted Because by no yll fortune it shal be
regione profana Ter tantum soluent quantum fecere malorum Igni confecti multo tum dentibus omnes Stridentes acri tabescent vique sitique Optandum mori dicent fugientque vocantes Non iam mortis enim requiem non noctis habebunt Multa quidem frustra supremi numina Patris Orabunt sed eos tunc auertetur apertè O that blyndnes of mans mynde and that madde doubting of these diuine promises of eternall lyfe O that hardned and flintie hart of ours which is not mooued no not wyth these horrible threates of Gods heauie displeasure but continuing securely in all impietie neuer asketh pardon for such wilfull offending and amendeth euen as though the scripture were but lyes and these diuine Oracles prophane fables For by those things which haue come to passe and by true demonstrations of Gods holy spirit it is apparant that nothing is more certaine than that the end of all things haÌ„geth oÌ„ our shoulders Truly great is the force of sinne and marueilous is the rage of Satan in these latter dayes he endeuoureth by all meanes that possibly he can to bring the whole world into a desperate securitie of life that so he may haue many partakers of his tormentes in hell from which there is no redemption But how much better had it been we had eyther neuer been borne or at the least been voyde of reason with beastes and serpentes or els been dispactht as soone as we were borne if either we enioy not that place for which we were created or come not to the celestyall Paradyse and to the marryage of our Spouse our Lord and sauiour Iesu Christ where shal be the ful abundance of all delightes and perfection of all pleasure Wherefore let vs cast from vs both our carelesse securitie and mistrust of the promises of God let vs renounce the diuell and all the woorkes of the flesh which are not sufferable by the word of God let vs listeÌ„ to the friendly admonitioÌ„ of our Sauiour Christ warning vs in these wordes Take heed least at any tyme your mindes be ouerladen with surfetting and dronkennes and cares of this life and so the suddayne day of the Lord take you vnawares for euen as a snare it shall come vppon all which sit vppon the face of the earth Be ye watchfull therefore at all tymes and as Matthew addeth because ye knowe not the houre in which your Lorde wyll come praying that ye may escape all these things which are to come and may stand before the Sonne of man. For if the comming of theeues and stealers of our earthly goods be to be feared with how great care with how great diligence and watchfulnes should we seeke to escape those enemies which would spoyle vs of our eternall riches and kingdome of heauen Here we vse great heede and wisedome to preserue our mortall bodyes from hurt and daunger but to saue our soules which are immortal from eternal paynes in hel we are altogeather carelesse nothing circumspect And yet more would it beseeme the children of lyght to be more carefull in seeking and keeping those things which are celestiall than are wordlings paynfull in enriching themselues with such things as they are neither sure to enioy while they are aliue nor can assure them of any ioy when they are dead Yea let vs thinke and perswade our selues that in the sight of God it is not shamefull but abhominable that the elect or chosen people of God which should be wise and circumspect shall in this care be surpassed of wicked worldlings and the more hyghly we displease our god by how much the things which we so litle esteem are more excellent than that which they so hunt after betweene which so surpassing is the treasure prepared for the godly that there is no comparison This exhortation though it pertayne to all men at all tymes yet now especially in these daungerous dayes in which euery where we see so many by suddayne and strange endes to be taken out of this world and because euery man shall dy though the certayne houre and daye none dooth knowe and shall either woofully be sent among the diuels in hell or ioyfully be receyued into the felowship of the faythfull in heauen Wherefore sith the spirit in the faythfull is willing but the flesh very weake and blinde in heauenly things we are to beseech our heauenly father in continuall prayers that by his holy spirit he would dayly more and more encrease and strengthen our weake and feeble fayth And therefore we hartely desire thee O eternall father that thou wilt not vtterly breake vs though we bowe not as we should neither deale with iustice though we doo not our duties according to thy wyll but keepe vs good God in thy welbeloued sonne illuminate our myndes with thy holy spirit by which we may be prepared to all good workes in true holines newnes of life that so with Paule we may desire to leaue this world to be with Christ and so in the coÌ„ming of the Lord being found ready with oyle in our Lamps and adorned with our wedding garmentes we may find entrance to the Lordes mariage which thou for thy son his beloued spouse the holy church hast prepared and appointed from the beginning of the world To thee therfore O heauenly father to thy only begotten sonne and to the holy Ghost our comforter be all prayse honour and glory for euer and euer Amen FINIS Matth. 14.25 Mark. 13. Luk. 21. Aristot lib. 2. Rhetor. ad Theodecten cap. 10. Psalm 10. Prouerb 1. Psalm 73. Cardanus de rerum varietaâ—e Canti Cant. Psalm 51. Roâ— 8. Apoc. 17 Lact. lib. 7. cap. 25. Matth. 24. Lactan. 9. Matth. 25. 2. Cor. 5. Rom. 8. Luc. 16. Hebr. 11. Psal. 73 â–ª The argument of the booke Gene. 1.2 Rom. 8. Esay 66. 2. Pet. â— Aristotle â–ª Plato in Timâ— â–ª Plinius nat hist â–ª lib. 2. cap. 1. Epicures â–ª Plato in Atâ—â—â—â—tico Aegiptians Saduces Esay 56. Sâ—piâ—n 2. Diuers profes â—ut of the worde of God. 1. Cor. 1â— â–ª Iohn 5. The testimonie of tâ—e â—rophets â—f Chrâ—st Apostâ—eâ— â—oâ—firmâ—d by thâ— blooâ— of Martyrs Proofe from the testimony of the holy ghost Christian aucthoritie Matth. 17. Luc. 9. Math. 3. Maâ—â— 24.25 Marke 13. Luke 21. Proofe froâ— Prophesies â—â—ay 9.11.35.40.53 Daniel câ—p â— 7.8.9.11 Daniel 2. Daniel 7. Proofe from the iustice of God. Psal. 73. Esay 66. Iob. â— 9. Esai 25. Proofâ— from the diuine tâ—uth August in hiâ— 12. booke agaynst Mat. Elias prophesie 4. Esdras 4. The iudgement of Bibliander concerning the fourth booke of Esdras The answeare of Vriell to Esdras Psal. 90. 2. Pet. â— Conâ—ectâ—re fâ—om the syx daies of creation Coâ—iecture of Hench by generation thâ— seuenth from Adam Elias 1. Peter 1. Heb. 9. Math. 24. Coniecture from the constitution of the Sabboth The preaching of the Gospell the chiefest signe of Christs comming to iudgement Math. 24. God doth first accuse before he condemne Gen. 6.7 4. Reg 17. 4. Reg. 24.25 Iâ—sephus Egesippus Iosephus Egyptus Dan. 6. Orosius lib. 7. Chap 5. Of other things following the preaching of the Gospâ—ll Maâ—h 24. Luk. 21. An answere vnto certayne obiections Luk. 21. â—om 13. From Pharoeâ— Example Exod. 14. Contempt of knowledge All gifts at the â—â—ppe of perfection Contempt of learning Contempt of the ministerie Math. 24. Securitie of lyfe Horace lib. Serm. 2. Horace lib. 1. Episto Boëtius lib. 2. ante prosam 3. Math. 7. An admonition to Princeâ— Lucan lib. Ouid. lib. 1. fast Luc. 16. Of the successâ— of the Turke Daniel 7. Epito diuinar instit Chap. 11. Rom. 5. 1. Cor. 15. Mat. 24. Melancthonin vita Vaspatiani Ciprian Lâ—ouitius of the strange coâ—iunction of Planes Prayse of Astronomie Gen. 1. Of the comming of Christ into the flesh Gen 49 Dan. 9. Of the comming of Antichrist 2. Thessa. 2. Platina Krants 2. Cap. 18. Ganguinus lib. 4. Lib. 7. Annâ—l Ioan. Auen in exemplari Enstaâ—â—i impresso an 1554. fol. 684. 685. The blasphemous aâ—rogancie of the wicked Pope 2. Distin. 44. Of the comming of Christ to iudgement Ioel. 2. Lib. 8. Plato 8. Polytic Aâ—istotelâ—s 5. pol. Apo. 13. â—usebius Apo. 17. The first Peâ—â—ode The secondâ— Period Apo. 13. Lanf de Sacra Virgi de inâ—entione libr. 4. capi 10. Krantz lib. 5. ca. 8. Blondus Krantz li. 5. ca 7. The last Peryod Apo. 13. Apo. 21. Decretâ— Pontificum Plaâ—ina Sabellicus Krantz lib. 5. ca. 6. Caus. 16. q. 7. Si quis de inceps An admonition to Pâ—inces An admonition to kings Psalm 2. Functi Chron â–ª 1. Tim. 4. 1. Tim. 3.1 paâ—s dist 32. Iâ— Epinemidâ— Philosopho De re pub lib. 2. The definitioÌ„ of Arithmetycall proportion Melant. in Epit mo Phi. Geometrical proportion whar In Gorgia Gâ—lâ— 6. A true Christian Cicerâ— lib 3. Orliâ—i Syrach 27. Quintil. lib. 2. Cap. 3. Plato de Ropub lib. 5. Matth. 8. Quintil. lib. 8. cap. 3. Of the greeke letter χ Of the woord 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Emeâ— veritâ—â— Eman stabilis Libro 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 948. Lo. Vulteii  2  1 5 3  4  1  2  5  4  3 Arist. li. â— Ethâ—hâ—t 3. Psal. 17. Mat. 21. Apo. 21. Apo. 21. Of the Clemitarian yeâ—es Libr. 2. ca. 10â— Of the golden number Daniel â— Luâ—ae 1. Math. 25. 1. Thes. 4. 1. Cor. 15. Apo. 20. Cice. lib. 2. de diuinatione Eâ—sebius in vita Constantini August lib. 18. ca. 25. de ciuit Dei. 1. Cor. 2. Esay 64. Apo. 21. Math. 25. Lucae 13. Mâ—tth 13. Apo. 20.21 22. An exhortation to watchfulnes Lucae 21. Math. 24. ¶ Imprinted at London nigh vnto the three Cranes in the Vintree by Thomas Gardyner and Thomas Dawson for Andrew Mumsell dwelling in Paules Churchyard