the defence and shaddowe of the hyghest So longe as the lorde is my gouernour sayth he I can wante nothinge He fedeth me he sustayneth me I doubt no daunger for he ys with me Hys staffe stayeth one hys worde and promes ys my whole confort 8 And there wyl the lorde fede her sayth saynt Iohan for the space of a thousande two hondreth and .lx. dayes Non other are fende with the scripturs promises of God which ys the bread of children not to be geuen to dogges but they which fleeth into thys desert from the Dragon forsakynge both head and tayle both suggestions and lawes both customes and constytucions For all are deuyllyshe Non other escaped the plage of Sodome but they which fledde cleane from thens Lorâ—es wyse but lokynge backe onlye towardes yt agayne was turned into a salt stone 9 The nombred dayes here are non other but the afore wrytten tyme of the two witnesses the tyme of Helias preachinge the tyme of Iohans preachynge the tyme of Christes preachinge or the tyme of the gospell preachynge from Christes ascencyoÌ„ to the latter ende of the worlde That ys the verye tyme of the feadynge of hys churche And not open ys thys feadinge here but secrete in the wldernesse amonge a sorte vnknowne to the worlde hauynge the pouerte of sprete without shauynge anoyntinge or Hipocrytes apparell And not onlye hath the lorde thus noryshed hys peple in this spirituall respect but also in bodye Whan they haue bene greuouslye handled spoyled of their goodes impresoned and exyled gracyouslye hath he releued them and prouyded for them both solate and confort aâ— the haÌ„des of theÌ„ whom they neuer sawe afore So that the iust hath not felt hym selfe forsakeÌ„ nor his childreÌ„seking bread The Text. 1 And there was a great battayle in heauen 2. Michael aÌ„d his angels 3. fought with the Dragon aÌ„d the dragon fought and his angels 4. and preuayled not 5. neyther was theyr place founde anye more in heauen 6. And the great dragon that olde Serpent called the deuyll and sathanas 7. was caste out 8. which deceyued all the worlde 9. And he was caste in to the earthe and his angels were caste out wyth hym also ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And there happened at that tyme sayth saynt Iohan a great battayle in heauen In the churche is euermore variauÌ„ce and stryfe without ceasynge betwixt the sprete and the fleshe the good aÌ„d the badde the faithfull and the vnfaithfull Non other is this battayle but a verye contradiccion a dyuersite in faythe stodye opynion wyll aÌ„d worke about the lawes or commaundements of God aÌ„d also about the lawes and tradycyons of menne Thys battayle is wayghtye in cause multitude aÌ„d continuaunce The cause therof is Christ the gospell faythe rightousnesse mannes helthe Gods hygh honour aÌ„d soche other lyke on the one partye Vpon the other partye the cause is errour hipocrisie lyes ydolatrie auarice pryde cruelte fylthynesse with all soche other So great is the multitude that non is fownde out of its Non is there but are in this armye Eyther they are good or badde faythfull or vnfaythfull ryghtouse or vnrightouse The rightouse are of the hoste of Michael the vnrightouse are vpon the dragoÌ„s syde Continued haue this battayle froÌ„ the first beginninge and so shall styll to the latter ende Yea thowgh the dragon be bownde or tyed vp vnder the .vij. seale openynge that he rage not then as he hath done afore Yet shall the sprete of wyckednesse and a mynde to do mischef reygne inwardlye styll in his members for a Sathan can be but a Sathan and a deuyll a deuyll 2 Michael and his angels fought vale auntlye with the dragon Spyrituall are they which hath done on Christ after the mynde of Paule and spirituall is their armour Their gyrdinge is verite their brest plate rightousnesse their shilde a sure faythe their weapon the worde of God their helmet the hope of helthe and for stedefastnesse of their fete their showinge the gospell By interpretacion is Michael to saye who is as God or who is lyke vnto God And he betokeneth the constaunt ministers and syncere teachers of the gospell The angels of Michael are all they that in a sure faythe confesseth the eternall magnificence of God and that non is lyke vnto hym Contrarye wyse the dragons angels are the hipocrites lyeÌ„ge prophetes and erronyouse teachers 3 These fyght with the dragon and the dragon and hys angels with them For he that ys not with Christ ys agaynst hym With the ryghteouse ys Michael For mynystrynge spretes are the angels ordayned for the confort of them which shall be saued And commanded they are to wayte vpoÌ„ the faythfull to preserue and defende them The wycked sort haue the deuyll hys chaplaynes to fyght for them the ryghtouse haue Michael and hys angels The wycked fyghteth with errours aÌ„d lyes the ryghteouse with the onlye veryte of God 4. As vengeable and as ferce as they are yet preuayle they not neyther ys theyr place fownde anye more in heauen Faythe hath the vyctorye by the promyse of God though the blynde worlde seyth it not Ouercomen are the wycked whaÌ„ their enterpryses taketh not and cleane ouerthrowne whaÌ„ their beggerye ys contempned And neuer ys the full vyctorye gotteÌ„ no more than yt was in Christ tyll the tabernacle of thys bodye be layed a syde At that daye ys the crowne gotten whom the lorde hath layed vp for the ryghtouse And lyke as there ys daylye fyghtynge so ys there in some daylye vyctorye Dayly are the angels of darkenesse ouerthrowne daylye are they cast out of heaueÌ„ whych ys the true churche Daylye are they coÌ„deÌ„pned by the worde of God iudged for rebels agaynst the holye Ghost whose synne ys neuer forgeuen 5 No place haue they anye more with the chosen no eleccyon nor acceptacyon afore God The more light they haue had the more they haue tasted of the truthe now forsakinge yt rebellyng against yt with the deuill the farder they are froÌ„ God the more nygh vnto daÌ„pnacyon Neuer beleued he trulye that so had receyued the worde Lett noÌ„ thynke to be saued vnlesse he perseuereth to the ende 6 And the great DragoÌ„ or captayne of all the vnfaythfull sort that olde croked SerpeÌ„t whych deceyued AdaÌ„ ys called the deuyll or malycyouse accuser yea also Sathan the most cruell aduersarye with all hys elyentes spirituall adherentes are certayne sure to be cast out 7 With the ryghtouse shall they haue no porcyon for all their gloriouse tytles With the godlye shall not their names be regestred for all their holye vnccyoÌ„s But with the prince of this worlde they shall be throwne forth 8 For he by them they by hym hath deceyued all the worlde in lyenge tokeÌ„s woÌ„ders in the operacyoÌ„ of errours to the vtter daÌ„pnacyon of all theÌ„ that coÌ„senteth to theyr wyckednesse 9 And he was cast into the earthe his aÌ„gels also
hardened Pharao agaynst them which sent his sonne Iesus Christ to saue them and yet suffred the Prestes to murther hym coÌ„sideringe he ys that potter which maketh both the vessels of honoure and dishonoure 13 Breuelye to conclude the whole of this matter sayth the Angell the gorgyouse aparcled womaÌ„ or glytteringe churche of aÌ„tichrist which thu sawest here of late in misterye ys also in resemblaunce the great cyte Babylon the mother of all the spirituall abhominacyons and Idolatryes done vpon the earthe For lyke as from Syon hath the lawe commeÌ„ forth and the worde of God from Hierusalem so hath yssewed forth from this Babylonyshe Rome soche a false Relygyon into Emprours princes and peples as with fylthyr superstycyons hath poysoned all the worlde 14 For a kyngedom she hath ouer the kynges or noble gouernours of the earthe a false power a vsurped auctoryte and a seate of verye pestylence Alas for pytye that so worthye potentates shuld be in subieccyon to so slynkynge an whore to so vyle an harlott beynge so the seruauntes of synne and captyue slaues to all wyckednesse from the which the lorde ones delyuer them Amen ¶ Thus endeth the seconde parte The Chapters ¶ The contentes of the seconde parte THe .xi. Chaptre begynneth Fo. 4. wherin Iohan measureth the temple the aultre and theÌ„ that worshippe therin The .ii. wytnesses do their appoynted offyces the Beast makynge warre agaynst them and sleynge them A greate earthquake foloweth and the seconde wo ys past ¶ The .xii. Chaptre begynneth fo 21. wherin the seuenth Angell bloweth hys troÌ„pet In heauen apereth a woman all clothed with the sunne whom the Dragon diuerselye vereth Michael fighteth with the Dragon and ouercometh hym The woman fleeth into the wyldernesse and there ys preserued ¶ The xiii Chaptre begynneth Fol. 43. wherin a Beast ryseth out of the see with seuen heades and ten hornes receyuinge auctoryte of the Dragon One of hys heades ys wounded and healed agayne Another beast commeth out of the earthe with .ii. hornes which deceyueth the eartlye dwellers and rayseth vp an Image lyke vnto the Beast In the ende ys couÌ„ted the nombre of the Beast ¶ The .xiiii. Chaptre begynneth fo 74. wherin the laÌ„be standeth vpon the mouÌ„te Syon and the vndefyled congregacyon with him An Angell sheweth the euerlastynge gospell an other declareth the fall of the greate whore An other ys coÌ„maunded with his syckle to cutte downe the grapes of the vyneyarde ¶ The .xv. Chaptre begynneth Fo. 94. wherin Iohan seeth the seuen Angels hauynge the seuen last plages of the wrathe of God On the glassye see standeth menne hauynge the harpes of God and they synge the songe of Moyses and the songe of the laÌ„be The tabernacle of testymonye is seane in heauen ¶ The .xvi. Chaptre begynneth Fo. 114. wherin the seueÌ„ Angels poure out their vyalles of Gods wrathe The first vpon the earthe The seconde vpoÌ„ the see The thirde vpoÌ„ the ryuers The fourth on the sunne The fift vpon the seate of the Beast The sixte vpon the greate flood Euphrates And the seuenth into the ayre ¶ The .xvii. Chaptre begynneth fol. iii. wherin an Angell sheweth vnto Iohan the iudgemeÌ„t of the great whore which sitteth vpon the Beast He descrybeth both her and the Beast at large Fynally he sheweth the meanynge both of his heades hornes with other greate mysteryes more ¶ Marke in the .xiiii. Chaptre the. 75. aÌ„d 88. leafe the .ii. Images sett clerelye out of ordre by the onlye neglygence of the printers ¶ The poore persecuted churche of Christe or immaculate spowse of the lambe Apoca. 12. ¶ The Dragon was wrothe with the woman which fledde into the wyldernesse and went and made warre with the remnaunte of her sede which kepe the commaundemente of God and haue the testymonye of Iesus Christ. ¶ The proude paynted churche of the pope or synnefull Synagoge of Sathan Apoca. 17. ¶ I sawe a woman sytt vpon a rose coloured Beast full of names of blasphemye decked with golde preciouse stone and pearles with whome the Kynges of the earthe committed whoredome and the inhaâ—iters of the earthe are dronken with the wyne of her fornycacyon ☞
The seconde part of the Image Of both churches after the most woÌ„derfull and heauenlye reuelacy on of Saynt Iohan the Euangelyst etc. Compyled by Iohan Bale The same disciple whome Iesus loued hath wytnessed and written these thynges aÌ„d we knowe that his testimonye is true Ioan .xxi. A small preface vnto the Christen reader IN the first part or volume of this worke which contayneth the first .x chapters are al these godlye matters of saiâ— IohaÌ„s reuelacyoÌ„ in course coÌ„preheÌ„ded First of all is the hygh legacye massage of the sayd Saynt Iohan vnto the .vij. congregacions of Asia in the first chaptre mencyoned Wherin they are also vnto .vij. goldeÌ„ caÌ„delstickes coÌ„pared their peackers vnto .vij. shynynge sterres in the ryght haÌ„de of Christ In the seconde and thirde chaptres are the sayd .vij. coÌ„gregatioÌ„s seuerallye yche one by it selfe descrybed and warned to the vnyuersall premonyshemenâ— of the whole christen churche in the .vii. partes or clymates of the world Marke those .iij. chapters dylygeÌ„tlye ye shall perceyue that the true christen churche is alone gouerned by the preachynge of Gods worde an onlye office of Christ coÌ„maunded and not by dead Ceremonyes commaunded by the pope of whom theâ— is no specyalte CoÌ„sydre how those preachers throughout all thys boke are coÌ„pared vnto starâ—es aÌ„d angels their congregacyons caâ—led the ryght spouse of Christ. The other be assembled vnto most filthye locustes breadynge of the smoke of the pytte bottomlesse vnto hatefull byrdes fowle spretes and deuyls theyr churche called the proude Synagoge of Sathan the most execrable whore of Babylon In the .iiij. chaptre is heauen made open and the secretes therof manyfested vnto the christen beleuer whom Iohan also representeth thys whole boke ouer For not onlye are the mysteryes therof in the vnyuersall churche perfourmed but also in the particular churches of nacyons in the pryuate coÌ„scyeÌ„ces oâ— meÌ„ In the v.vi and .vij. chaptres the lambe Christ openeth the .vij. seales of the boke of the most hydden mysteryes of God for the .vij. ages of the christeÌ„ churche In the meâ—ne season are the true seruauntes of God sealed vnto saluacyon solaced in their trobles and releued in their sorowe not withstandynge the great violeÌ„ce of the truthes aduersaries In the .viij. and .ix. chaptres the .vij. angels blowe their trompettes Sygnyfyenge the preachers to shewe forth their massages appoynted of God for the .vij. ages of the churche manye wonderfull plages folowynge in the peple for theyr vnbeleues sake they obstinatlye resistinge yt or els vnthaÌ„kefully receyuinge it In the .x. chaptre cometh the myghtye Angell from heauen with a boke in hys hande all open and Iohan deuowreth the same Which betokeneth the ernest preachers of this lattre age of the churche wherin the true seruauntes of God shall gredelye receyue and also dygest the scripturs Take this for a brefe summe of all that is spoken in the other volume the resydue shall folowe here after in course In the mergende of that first part or volume put I manye allegacyons both of the scripturs and doctors And there vnto was I first prouoked by this saynge of Saynt Hierome in a serten Epystle of his ad paulinum monachum The Apocalyps of saynt IohaÌ„ sayth he hath so manye mysteries as it hath wordes or for euerye worde a mysterye whether ye wyll I mynded also therby my labours to ease the readers for serche of the places aÌ„d to sygnyfye vnto them that I ded nothynge therin without autoryte And vndoubtedlye the gatherynge of those places was so laboryouse vnto me as the makynge of the commentarye whych neuerthelesse I thought wele bestowed for the confort of my bretherne But .ij. cruell enemyes haue my iust labours had in that behalfe of whom the one haue theÌ„ falsifyed the other blasphemed Which hath caused me to leaue them out in all that here foloweth The printers are the first whose headye hast neglygence and couetousnesse commonly corrupteth all bokes These haue both dysplaced them and also changed their noÌ„bers to the truthes derogacyoÌ„ what though they had at theyr handes iâ— lerned correctours which toke all paynes possible to preserue them The other is Momus or Zoilus yea rather one which playeth both partes vndre the clocke of a christyane Thys cruell carper and malycyouse quareller leaueth no mannes worke vnrebuked mynistre it neuer so moche godlynesse But lyke as rust mothes maggottes caÌ„kers caterpyllers with other vyle vermyne corrupteth all that is to the vse of man so doth this enemye to destroye both name and worke onlye for the auauncemeÌ„t of his owne preciouse persone His workinge toles are soche vnsauerye sophysmes problemes clenches corolaryes quydditees subtiltees seconde inteÌ„cyons intrinsecall moodes with other prodigiouse sorceryes whom he sumtyme sucked out of his mothers brestes the vnyuersyte These hath he not yet all as vnsauerye morsels euometed for Christ distyninge rather with Aristotle than with paule in his daylye disputacions Of this ryall Rabiys peter iudged a fole and Iohan an vnlerned Idiote Yet shall his reader fynde small lerninge at his hande vnlesse he take an heape of barbarouse termes and vnsowed togyther sentences for matters of excellent lernynge But surelye Iohan will one daye come from Ephesus to visyte this proude Diotrephes shewe hym of his arrogant bragges to his displeasure vnlesse he leaue of in tyme. All Aristotles prouision shall not helpe hym Sathan vpon the pynnacle of the temple neuer bestowed his alleged scripture more peruerselye than thys Momus interpreted serten of my allegacyoÌ„s nor yet farther from their right vnderstandynge â–ª But I forgeue it him with thys fore warnynge for this tyme though it be not the first lewde poynt that he hath played in case he so leaue his quarellynge My secoÌ„de allegacyoÌ„ vpon the preface .i. Corin. vi is not sett there to auctoryse the Apocalyps as he most falsely and all contrarye to my meanynge hath interpreted iâ— but affermeth that the christen beleuers are christes members which ought of necessyte by the holye ghostes appoyntment to heare and to reade the wordes of the sayd boke For I knowe that the Epistle vnto the Corinthyanes was written of Paule .x. years at the least before Saynt Iohans Apocalyps No lesse is he thaÌ„ a false prophete that resisteth Ieremy rebukynge Babylon for her wyckednesse To moche it were to answere hys other quarellynges and to tedyouse vnto the christen readers and therfor I passe them ouer least I shuld be to plentuouse in answeringe a fole accordinge to his folyshnesse Thus by these cruell haÌ„delinges of these .ij. vngracyouse enemyes haue I iust occasyon to leaue out the allegacyons in the margende obseruynge this whâ—lsom counsell of Christ concernynge soche as they be Geue not that is holye vnto dogges nor yet that is precyouse vnto swyne For the one of hys churlyshe nature teareth and deuoureth the other lyke a swyne treadeth it vndre his fylthye feate The grace of our lorde Iesus Christ be with the euermore good
to God Their malyce hath so blynded theÌ„ and the clowde of ignoraunce so darkened their knowlege that styll they blaspheme and most cruellye persecute 8 And in the same howre sayth saynt Iohan there happened a greate earthquake A terrible coÌ„tradiccion aryseth euer from the carnall Sinagoge froÌ„ amonge the earthlye mynded hipocrites whaÌ„ the verite is â—awght as it was afore tyme in Christ in his Apostles specyallye in Paule and now of late dayes in manye other poore preachers WhaÌ„ newe witnesses aryse then waxe they more madde fearce and felle then they were afore Then empreson they then ponnyshe they then make they actes and coÌ„maunde in peyne of deathe nomore to speake in that name Yet do they rather loose than wynne falle than ryse dysprofyght that profyght 9 For the tenth part of theyr cyte felle to the grownde Their buyldinge vpon sande wyll in no case endure That God hath not planted must vp by the rootes Their holye whoryshe churche whych is here called Sodome and Egypte is ruynouslye decayed Their monasteries of monkes their howses of fryres their colleges of Idle prestes with their nonnes chanons and chanteryes in manye places are downe Tythes are not as they haue bene nor trentals nor other deuocions Images are not sought nor pardons in confession The people inclineth to newe lernynge and goeth from their olde beleue of holye churche They that were monkes prestes and fryres are now become gospell teachers Soche as afore were dead standeth vpp now agaynst them boldelye This fallen part is here the tenth for it is the lordes by the lawe It is the same shepe that afore was lost now is brought to Christes folde These were called awaye from thens by the wytnesses the other stande yet styll aÌ„d are euery daye worse and worse 10 In the earthquake were slayne names of menne to the nombre of seuen thowsande An innumerable multytude hath bene sent out of the waye by these Antichrystes in theyr furye but yet nothynge haue they slayne but their names Onelye haue they hurte theyr bodyes vpon their sowles haue they had no powre nomore than had SathaÌ„ vpon the sowle of Iob. Yet haue not their names peryshed before God for of hym are they wrytten in the boke of lyfe In no case are the wycked of the godlye here putt vnto deathe thowgh some do so vnderstande it but rather of the wycked the godlye For they neuer retayle their wronges but rather praye for their enemyes 11 And the remnaunt or resydewe were feared sayth saynt Iohan and gaue glorye to God of heauen Of soche as were left in their earthquakes or terryble persecucions some remayned in presone Some were beggered some were eryled some fledde some lost their estimacion and fryndes and yet gaue prayse vnto God 12 In all their aduersitees they gloryfyed the name of their heauenlye father and Lorde Thus haue we here what is done alredye and what is yet to come vnder thys sixt trompet blowynge where vnder we are now whych all be longeth to the seconde woo 13 And these thynges ones accomplyshed the seconde woo wyll be past And then loke bye bye for the thirde woo for it wyll folowe anone after without fayle yea so sone as thys seconde woo is done 14. In the latter age of all shall thys thyrde woo reygne soche tyme as Gog and Magog most extremelye shall rage And the vniuersall iudgement shall fynyshe that woo as here after more euydentlye wyll opere But consyder that these woes are to the infydels The faythfull feareth them not but receyuynge the worde in a pure hart they brynge forth frute in pacyent sufferaunce ¶ The .xii. Chapter NOw foloweth in order the viâ— troÌ„pet blowing or the pure declaracion of Christes ioyfull tidinges for the last age of the churche vnder the .vij. scale openynge with the woÌ„ders maruels that their after enseweth The text 1 And the seueÌ„th angel blewe 2 and there were made great voyces in heaueÌ„ 3. saynge The kyngedomes of this worlde are our lordes and his Chrystes 4. and he shall raygne for euermore 5. And the .xxiiij. elders whych sate before God on their seates 6. fell vpon their faces and worshypped God saynge 7. We geue the thankes lorde God almyghtye whych art and wast and art to come 8. and For thu hast receyued thy great myght aÌ„d hast raygned 9. And the nacyons were angrye 10. and thy wrathe is to come 11. and the tyme of the dead that they shulde be iudged 12. and that thu shuldest geue rewarde vnto thy seruauntes the prophetes and sayntes 13. and to theÌ„ that feare thy name small and great 14. and shuldest destroye them whych destroye the earthe ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And the seuenth angell blewe sayth Saynt Iohan The seuenth sort of syncere preachers shall vtter their message accordyng to the wyll of God they shall declare his pleasure as he hath appoynted them For thowgh it be spoken here as past and done for the certente of the thynge yet is it not fulfylled in effect The worde of God was wythout begynnynge and hys promes euerlastynge yet ys yt not all perfourmed in his creaturs but manye thynges are yet to come 2 After this blast of the angell were made greet voyces in heauen Manye the congregacyon or kyngedome of God his Gospell ones purelye publyshed by the preachers shall speaâ—e godlye thynges to the edyfycacyon of other The symple poore weakelynges idyotes and infantes shall vttre the hydden wysdome of God to the confusion of the great wyse menne and sage senyours of thys worlde Yea the liones in the strete the out castes of the worlde the forsaken people shall wonderfullye prayse the lorde 3 And these shall be their saynges whaÌ„ they shall se the Antichrystes confused and not able to speake agayne The kyngedomes of this worlde that were â—ouâ— tyme wycked cruell and vnfaythfull are now become the lordes hys Christes of his onlye grace and goodnesse Now fall they to the worde that afore thought it folyshnesse Now cleaue they to the truthe that sumtyme ded abhorre it Now haue they in hande the gospell that afore ded persecute it as sidiciouse lernynge and heresye 4 And in thys congregacyon shall he reygne euermore Continuallye is he with them that in faythe retayneth his veryte All this shall they vttre wyth no small reioyce For doubtlesse after the seuenth seale openynge and the gospell preachynge than a paceable tyme shall be and fygured it is by the half howre spoken of afore For it shall not continewe to the ende Longe maye not Christes churche be vnpersecuted But yet thys peace for the tyme shall not onlye be an inwarde peace in the conscyence as ys alwayes amonge the faythfull but an outwarde quiet also or a season wythout persecucyon abrode 5 And the .xxiiij. elders sayth saynt Iohan or the greatt nombre of sayntes departed which sitteth before God on their seates or resteth in hys swete peace in soche graces of the sprete as
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
ministers of his worde vnlesse they betokened afore with the holye sprete of his promes and so predestinate to the lyfe euerlastinge 14 Non can syncerelye do that godlye office to the profight of other vnlesse he be whollye taken from all fleshlye and worldlye affectes No manne canne come vnto me sayth Christ vnlesse it be geuen him of my father 15 The wilfull Iewes beleued not because they were not the shepe of his marke Neyther is it of him that willeth noâ— of him that ronneth but of the only martyr of the lorde Necessarye is it therfor that his sprete draweth moueth and inâ—meth the hart Els can not the songe be swete neyther in hym that singeth nor yet in the hearer The notes of thys newe songe are Gods heauenlye verytees regestred in the faythfull hartes 16 And they that ded synge them to the prayse of the lorde were not defyled with women Wyth no straunge doctrynes nor yet Prophane worshyppynges ys their faythe contamynate that vnfaynedlye haue done on Iesus Christ. Noâ— the spowsage of their sowles haue they broken by no fylthye tradicyons of meÌ„ne Onlye haue they with Dauid sought the Testymonyes of God and thought non lyke vnto them Onlye ded they cleaue to hys precyouse lawes estemynge all other but chaffe and verye whoredome in the sprete 17 Therfor are they virgins marryed vnto Christ in faythe as were the Corynthyanes by Paules preachynge whom he wyshed to continewe a chast virgine vnto Christ. Neuer ys the maydenhede of the sowle lost tyll erronyouse doctrine be receyued from the massengers of Antichrist the Byshoppes and Hipocrites 18 The virgins or vncorrupted beleuers doth folowe the lambe whersoeuer he becoÌ„meth They go after Christ that beleuynge hys worde doth fashion their lyues vnto yt Lyke as they folowe Antichrist that fashion their workes to hys doctrine They walk in hys steppes that forsake themselues with him that beareth the crosse of persecucyoÌ„s with him or that suffreth death for the truthe with hym And not they that seke theÌ„selues lyuynge here in all pompe voluptuousnesse and Tyrannye From thys place fatche the blinde Papistes a great argument for their wyuelesse chastyte and that noÌ„ foloweth Christ but they in this muster because they are vnmarryed Neyther maye Abraham Moyses nor Dauid Zacharye Peter nor Philip walke in this NoÌ„bre because they had wyues So parelouse a thynge yt ys to haue a wyfe It ys great maruele they adâ—itt Marye Christes mother to yt because she had a husbande Oh ignoraunt Assee and verye beastlye Idiotes I thynke yow folowe Iudas which had neyther wyfe nor chylde vnlesse he had theÌ„ syttynge by other mennes fyers as manye of yow haue yet at thys same daye What is virginite before God more than is marriage No more than is circumcysyon in comparyson to vncircuÌ„cysyon And that ys nothynge No more maketh the one than the other to a ChristeÌ„ lyfe Onlye ys yt faythe effectuallye workynge by loue that the lorde requyreth of vs. Onlye respected he the faythe of Marye and not her virginite They which lyue in matrimonye after the worde of God are accepted afore him for virgyns and so are named of Saynt Paule An other caâ—illacion they haue that non which hath offended afore can be of this nombre But they consyder not what is spoken here afore that they were redemed from the earthe and that the sprete of the lorde hath puryfyed their hartes through faythe Neyther haue they grace to remember that Christes innoceÌ„cye is rekened for an whole perfight rightousnesse vnto them that beleue in him but they must bringe in soche tryfles as are their owne beggerlye merytes 19 And therfor it foloweth also These faithfull beleuers sayth Saynt Iohan were redemed from menne beynge the fyrst frutes to God and to the lambe By non other were they redemed than by Christ â–ª For of all the elect nombre he is the onlye rightousnesse wysdome holynesse and redempcioÌ„ From the corrupt blynde and frowarde multitude hath he called them taken them aÌ„d clered them And of deformed synners hath he made them fayre of vyle pure of wreched gloryouse of blinde perfyghtlye seynge of lyars true sayers of obstinate gentyll of yll good of vnfrutefull profytable For he yt is that taketh awaye the stonye harte and geueth a softe harte for yt so makynge vs Abrahams children Thus are we redemed from menne whâ— we are taken by hys goodnesse from soche corrupt vsages as mannes nature is inclined vnto 20 And for non other purpose but to be the first frutes vnto god as were the aulter offeringes in the olde lawe in the haÌ„des of the high prestes For so moche as the elect Nombre are but a fewe or a serten taken out from the vnyuersall multytude are the porcyon of the lorde as were the seyd offerynges perteyninge vnto Christ the onlye byshop of our sowles they are his first frutes Yea aÌ„d hys owne verye mysticall members and all but one offerynge vnto God the father by hym For he is the onlye lambe that dyed for them hys owne bodye beynge the onlye oblacyon and sacrifice 21 And in their mouthes was founde no gyle For non other wordes vttered they but hys pure testymonyes Non other taught they but hys vndefyled lawes Non other perswaded they to be obserued of other but hys immaculate Gospell or easye burden of Christ. No importable yokes layed they vpon mennes shulders neyther of Ceremonyes fastinges nor masse heaâ—ynges 22 For they are without spotte before the trone of God Both before them that are faythfull and haue right iudgement in the spâ—eâ—e which are the verye seates of God apereth their doctrine pure and also their lyfe innocent before God him self Neyther are they spotted with fylthye tradicions nor yet with vncomlye examples And as concernynge their former synnes they shall not be imputed vnto them They are remitted in Christ and so forgotten afore God Though this that here hath bene spoken be concernynge the whole Christen multytude and her preachers yet doth it most specially touche the Iewes or Israelytes that shall in this latter age be conuerted vnto Christ. And so do I counsell the reader to vnderstande it For the mounte Syon after the fleshe was theirs Not defyled are they wyth vnmarryed wemen which are the whoryshe lawes aÌ„d vncleane Supersticions of the Gentyles vpon non other harpe haue they commonlye harped but vpon the scripturs though it hath not bene to the pleasure of God tyll now in thys latter age wherin they shall whollye turne vnto Christ. The Text. 1 And I sawe an Angell 2. flye in the myddes of heauen 3. hauynge an euerlastynge gospell to preache vnto them that sytte and dwell on the earthe 4. and to all nacyons kynredes aÌ„d tonges and people 5. saynge with a lowde voyce 6. feare God 7. and geue honoure to him 8. For the houre of his iudgement is come 9. And worshyp hym that made heauen and earthe 10. and the see and the fountaynes of
water ¶ The Paraphrase 1 An other Angell sawe I sayth Saynt Iohan flye in the myddes of heauen For Chryst was the first Angell or massenger of the euerlastynge couenaunt of the father This Angell here mencyoned is non other than he that had the seale of the lyuynge God in the vii Chapter and he that was clothed wyth a clowde in the tenth chapter And he betokeneth those feruent mynysters whâ—m God hach sent in this latter tyme to admonishe his peple to fle from the errours of Antichrist and returne to his heauenlye veritees 2 He flyeth in the myddes of heauen An ernest feruent and faythfull course take they in the middes of Gods congregacion which is his heauenlye kyngedome here to whoÌ„ this reuelacion is written lyke as ded Paulus Sylas Barnabas Timotheus Titus and ClemeÌ„s with other of the Apostles syncerelye to declare his worde Mightye stomaked are they in Gods cause both in their wordes and wrytinges 3 An euerlastinge gospell had this angell to preache vnto them that sytte and dwell vpon the earthe to all nacions kynredes and peple His eternall testament and couenaunt of peace hath the lorde geuen vnto them to preache delyueraunce to the captiue helthe to the wounded lyfe to the dead and remission to the sinnefull Yea to vtter that worde that is stronger than is heauen or earthe and that shall neuer fayle him that trulye beleueth 4 The sounde of this gospell must go the worlde ouer as in the Apostles tyme Euery where must it be spredde to the increase of faythe Amonge all nacions of the earthe amonge all kynredes of the Israelytes amonge all laÌ„guages of the worlde aÌ„d amonge all kyndes of peple of what sort so euer they be whether they sytte vpon the earthe or dwell vpon the earthe whether they be hygh or lowe gouernours or subiectes masters or seruauntes owners or fermers So that they sytt not nor dwell not within the earthe or haue their felicyte here For that is holye shuld not be geuen vnto dogges nor yet pearles layed before swyne 5 And he cryed wyth a lowde voyce With a mightye feruent sprete do they beate it into the heades of menne both by wordes writinges and all they can make to haue the feare of God and to geue him his dewe honoure And this is the doctrine they teache and the counsell they geue 6 Feare ye God in all that ye do for the first poynt of godlye wysdome is to dreade least we offende him Be constaunt in the worde aÌ„d feare no displeasure of menne For nomore can they do in their anger but slee the bodye and brynge it to the rest of God No power haue they ouer the sowle Feare him onlye therfor that whan he hath destroyed both maye throwe them into helle 7 Geue honour vnto him worship him and serue him alone Prayse him aÌ„d glorifye him aboue all But yet after non other sort thaÌ„ he hath appoynted which is in faythe sprete and veryte and not in outwarde shaddowes with obseruacyon of tymes He trulye honoureth him that trusteth in hym that beleueth hys worde and that in spyght of all Antychristes confesseth it afore all menne After this sort therfor feare him and worshyp him nothynge doubtynge the assaultes of enemyes 8 For the howre of his iudgement ys come At hande is it that all the Antychristes and hipocrites shall by the invincyble worde of God be iudged condempned and destroyed From heauen shall his wrathe be declared vpoÌ„ all their vngodlynesse With the sprete of his mouthe shall the lorde consume theÌ„ and not longe after wyll the great daye of his indignacion towardes them lyght sodenlye vpon them 9 With all faythfull obsequy worship him therfor that create heaueÌ„ and earth in wonderfull strengthe and bewtye 10 That made the see and the fountaynes of water with all that in them doth moue whose power is eternall knowlege non other God but hym Non other helper redemer nor sauer but his Crist. For all other Chrystes not sent of him are but Antychrystes Onlye bowe your knees vnto him for onlye is hys strength euerlastynge Onlye obeye his lawes for onlye aâ—e hys lawes cleane The Text. 1 And there folowed an other Angell saynge 2. She is fallen she is fallen euen BabyloÌ„ that great cyte 3. for she made all nacions drynke of the wyne of her whoredome ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And there folowed an other angell sayth Saynt Iohan which betokeneth an other sort of preachers whose offyce is here appoynted theÌ„ of the holye ghost to declare vnto the peple the certente of the fall of the aduowterouse cursed aÌ„d malygnaunt churche of hipocrites here fygured by wreched BabiloÌ„ For though all the true prophetes and preachers haue but one worde of God in their mouthe yet passeth it diuerslye from them Vnto yche of them is geueÌ„ a dyuerse vtteraunce of the sprete to edifye One is softe meke and gentyll as was Dauid Iohan aÌ„d Peter an other is boystuouse harde aÌ„d vehement as was Helias Esaye and Paule And all this worketh the self same one sprete This diuersyte of teachers was neuermore plentuouse in the worlde than now in owr tyme figured here by these two angels Praysed by the lorde therfor 2 And the tenoure or grounde of this latter sort of preachers is this She is fallen she is fallen euen myserable Babylon thâ—â— great cyte of whordome because she made all nacyons to drynke of the wrathefull wyne of her fornycacion So sure is it that the execrable churche of Antichrist shall be ouerthrowne and vtterlye destroyed as it were now perfourmed in dede Nothing shall be vnroted out that the heauenlye father hath not planted Sonner shall heauen earthe peryshe than this promes be vnfulfylled 3 For with the stinkinge whoryshnesse of her supersticiouse worshippynges haue she poysened all nacions peples vnder heaueÌ„ The great gouernours aÌ„d lerned lawers of the worlde hath she made in maner of beastlye dronkerdes wytlesse faythlesse aÌ„d gracelesse by their prostibulouse doctrine And this shall be declared more at large in the .xvij. chapter folowynge where as she is more plentuouslye described The Text. 1 And the thirde angell folowed them 2. saynge with a lowde voyce 3. If anye worshypp the beaste and his Image 4. aÌ„d receyue his marke in his fore head or on his hande 5. the same shall drynke of the wyue of the wrathe of God 6. which is poured in the cuppe of his wrathe 7. and he shall be punnyshed in fyre and brymstone 8. before the holye angels 9. and before the lambe ¶ The Paraphrase 1 The thyrde Angell also sayth Saynt Iohan folowed them in the thyrde kynde of preachynge of the same self massage that in the mouthe of .ij. or .iij. faythfull wytnesses all veryte myght stande 2 And by this angell are they signifyed that by the worde of God stifflye impugne their wicked lawes and vngodly ordynaunces whose maner of ernest preachinge is this 3 If anye maÌ„ worship the Beast
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
age be ernestlye spreted and not feare the tormentes of the enemyes in Christes cause 4 For from hence forthe the sprete sayth that they rest from their labours In a wonderfull quyetnesse dwell they by the verye sentence of the holye ghost and shall neuer more fele of anye woo God hath cleane wyped awaye all teares from their eyes all sorâ—wes aÌ„d peynes from their bodyes the first daungers beynge past Happye are they therfor and most godlye fortunate that are slayne for Christ because they wyll not worshyp the Beast and his Image nor corrupt their faythe with their wycked lawes but in a pure Christen beleue departeth from hence to the lorde Theyr porcyon is in the lande of the lyuynge and their lotte amonge the holye ones 5 For certenâ—ye their workes doth folowe them The promiseâ—â—â—warde of God for constantlye standynge by the veryte for the frutes of their christen pacience and for other exercyses of theyr faythe is euermore to their glorye present with them Not as deserued of theÌ„ but of Christ in whose faythe they wrought here and for the promes sake that they shuld be Gods heyres togyther wyth Chryst. The lyuelye worde also which they ernestlye receyued here and so roted in their faythe wyll neuer suffre them to peryshe nor to be hurt of the â—conde deathe The Text. 1 And I loked and beholde 2. a whyte cloude 3. and vpon the cloude one sittynge lyke vnto the sonne of manne 4. hauynge on hys head a golden crowne 5. and in hys hande a sharpe syckle ¶ The paraphrase 1 I loked yet further sayth Saynt Iohan and euydentlye before me apered a whyght cloude which betokeneth the true mynisters of Gods worde Whom the holye ghost calleth cloudes by Esaye Dauid Peter and Iudas For from theÌ„ falleth vpon the peple the swete droppes of hys verytees 2 Whyght they are as mylke for their faythe in the worde And for their Christen conuersacyon not blotted with Hypocresye of mennes corrupted customes 3 Vpon this cloude was one syttynge lyke vnto the sonne of manne which ys verelye Christ in hys gloryfyed manhode For euermore ys he amonge hys trewe preachers geuynge them soche vtteraunce and wisdome as all their enemyes are not able to withstande Alwayes walketh he amonge the .vij. candelstyckes which are hys congregacyons as we had afore 4 He had vpoÌ„ hys head a goldeÌ„ crowne in token of hys eternall and vncorrupt kyngedome in hys hande a sharpe syckle which ys the sharpe iudgemeÌ„t or ryghtuousnesse of hys worde for ther with shall he reape hys latter harnest Accordynge to hys worde and promes shall he iudge good and euyll 5 Thys syckle receyued he of hys euerlastynge father soche tyme as he gaue ouer vnto hym hys vnyuersall iudgemeÌ„tes By the order of thys vysyon shuld the preachers seme in the last age of the churche moche to admonyshe the peple of the latter daye with the commynge of Christ agayne to iudge both the quicke the dead as ys in their crede or beleue The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out of the temple 2 cryaÌ„ge with a lowde voyce to hym that satte on the cloude 3. Thrust in thy sycle reape 4. for the tyme is come to reape 5. For the corne of the earthe is rype 6. And he that satte on the cloude 7. thrust in hys syckle on the earth 8 and the earthe was reaped ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And an other Angell sayth saynt Iohan came out of the temple which ys the congregacyon of faythe consecrated as an holye temple vnto God in the bloude of the vndefyled lambe Iesus This Angell betokeneth those iust meÌ„ne that with Symeon and anna the doughter of Phanuell in this latter age are desyâ—rouse of the glorye of God and of the fynall redempcyon of man from bodelye corrupcyon 2 These shall crye with a loude voyce with a feruent sprete shall they call vnto Christ which sitteth vpon the cloude 3 And this shall be their sainge Thrust in the syckle and reape Sende forth thy 〈◊〉 worde And lyke as yt hath created all thynges so lete yt now trye and iudge all thinges 4 For the tyme ys at hande to reape For we are those vpon whome the endes of the worlde are come 5 And doubtlesse the corne of the earthe yâ— rype the worlde is at the best that yt will do As it hath bene euer so ys yt styll all togyther sort vpon myscheff Lete thy worde therfor fynyshe all as yt hath beganne all With the breathe of thy mouthe 〈◊〉 the great Antichrist 〈…〉 of synne the sonne of perdycyon and the aduersarye that hath exalted hymself aboue God Poure out thy indygnacion vpon the kyngedomes that will neyther knowe the worshyp the nor alone call vpon thy name Thu hast called thy haruest the ende of the worlde lete it now fynyshe all in dede Diuyde the chaffe from the corne the wicked sort from the ryghtouse Gather the wheate into thy garner and burne the chaffe in vnquencheable fyre 6 And he that satte on the cloude thurst in hys syckle on the earthe and anon the earthe was reaped 7 He hath sent hys myghtye worde so quycke in operacyon as fyre Which shall not onlye consume the wicked generacyon of the Beast but also reserue them to eternall dampnacyon 8 The earthe shall be cleared of theÌ„ as of all other fylthye corrupcions and hell replenyshed with them to their perpetuall care The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out of the temple 2. which ys in heauen 3. hauynge also a sharpe syckle ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And an other angell sayth saynt Iohan came out of the temple which ys in heauen or from the great nombre of Angels hauynge also a sharpe syckle in his hande 2 This Angell betokeneth those heaueÌ„lye spretes that the lorde shall seÌ„de forth to gather togyther hys chosen from the iiij wyndes whan hys token shall apere in heaueÌ„ These are the reapers of the lordes haruest These are they that shall go forthe to gather all nacyons and to separate the gottes froÌ„ the laÌ„bes the yl from the good and shall cast them into a furnace of fyre where as shallbe waylinge and gnashinge of tethe 3 And therfor ys their syckle here named sharpe Non other is their syckle but this appointed office Non other ys their haruest but thys gatherynge togyther But these massengers shall not forthe tyll they haue commandement And therfor sayth Saynt IohaÌ„ consequeÌ„tlye ¶ The Text. 1 And an other Angell came out from the aulter 2. which had power ouer fyre 3. and cryed with a lowde crye vnto hym that had the sharpe syckle and sayde 4. Thrust in thy sharpe syckle 5. and gather the clusters of the earthe 6. for her grapes are rype 7. And the aÌ„gell thrust in hys syckle on the earthe 8. aÌ„d cutte downe the grapes of the vyneyarde of the earthe 9. and cast them into the great wynefatte of the wrathe of God 10. And the wynefatte was trodeÌ„ with out
the ryghtouse and that shall se the peace vpon Israell whan the lorde shall leade forth them with the euyll doers that hath yoked themselues with their lawes The lorde graunt vs ones to tast the prosperyte of Hierusalem Amen The .xv. Chapter NOt onlye for the common synnes of the worlde doth the lorde plage but most of all for vnthankefulnesse of all blaâ—â—phemyes the greatest For thaâ— spurneth agaynst knowlege and dyrectlye worketh agaynst the holye Ghost A double destruccyon or decaye both of sowle and bodye by the ryghtousnesse of God must nedes folowe the wylful contempte of hys veryte manifestlye shewed and openlye taught Yet ys the lorde so mercyfull that he willeth not the dampnacion of a synner Soche compassion hath he ouer oure manyfolde weakenesse that he premonysheth vs of his most terrible plages to call vs backe by feare yf loue will not do yt As here consequentlye in the first vysyon of this present reuelacyon to Iohan which foloweth after this sort in thys xv and .xvi. chapters The Text. 1 And I same another sygne in heauen greate and maruelouse 2. seuen Angels hauynge the seuen last plages 3. for in them ys fulfylled the wrathe of God 4. And I sawe as yt were a glassye see 5. myngled with fyre 6. and them that had gotten victorye of the Beast and of hys Image 7. and of his marke and of the nombre of his name 8. stande on the glassye see 9. hauynge the harpes of God 10. And they sange the songe of Moyses the seruauÌ„t of God 11. and the songe of the lambe saynge 12. Greate and maruelouse ar thy workes lord God almyghtye 13. iuste true are thy wayes thu kynge of sayntes 14. Who shall not feare o lorde glorifye thy name 15. For thu onlye art holye 16. and all Gentyles shall come aÌ„d worship before the. 17. for thy iudgementes are made manyfest ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And I sawe sayth saynt Iohan by the secrete goodnesse of my lorde God yet an other token in heauen great and maruelouse straunge and wonderfull For in the churche or congregacyon of God are euermore vttred his wonderfull and depe iudgementes vnto them only whom his grace appoynteth as vnto Iohan. And this is the token in mysterye 2 Seuen angels had in their haÌ„des the seuen last plages Some exposytours haue taken these Angels for the ryght mynisters in the .vij. ages of the christen churche Some haue thought them to be the peruerse preachers and vngodly mynisters of all the sayd ages suffred of God strongelye to delude the vnbeleuers that he which hurteth shuld hurte styll and that he which is in fylthynesse shuld styll be fylthye Vnto euerye age correspondynge an Angell to declare the nature of those deceytfull hyrelynges and lyenge masters And this maketh them so to vnderstande the text They are here expreslye noted to be in heauen Amonge the congregacyons of God are the false prophetes and dissemblynge hypocrites euermore as the chaffe amonge the corne the tares amonge the wheate and the fylthye dregges amonge the pure wyne For that kyngedome is as a nette throwne into the see and gatherynge all maner of fyshes both good and badde In all ages hath the wycked generacyon increased to impugne the truthe and styflye to stande vp agaynst God and his Christ whych is non other after their myndes than to mynistre the .vij. last plages here For no poyson is to the sowle so pestylent nor yet venime so noyfull as is false doctrâ—ne No plage can be thought more deadlye nor vyrulent than to depryue vs of that faythe of that veryte aÌ„d of that lyfe which is in Christ Iesu or to brynge vs out of that waye which he hath appoynted And all this semeth no small lykelyhode of the iust vnderstandynge of the texte here Yet geueth Frances Lanâ—bert a farre better iudgement callynge them the set sentences or vnvariable decrees of God diffinynge hys iudgementes agaynst the wycked in this latter age of the worlde at their appoynted tymes to be vttered For all these thynges are ioyntlye to be consydered These Angels came not onlye from heauen which is the congregacyon as they haue mencyoned but also out of the celestyall temple of the tabernacle of testimonye which is the omnipoteÌ„t God and his Chryst as the .xxi. chapter here of declareth They are also clothed with pure whyght lynnen gyrded with golden gyrdels they haue golden vyals delyuered vnto them by one of the .iiij. Beastes and one of them commonèth with Iohan declarynge vnto him the iudgement aÌ„d fall of the great whore Which are no argumentes that they are here to be taken for yll preachers thowgh they here mynistre the last .vij. plages Therfor shall we iudge them here to be Gods appoynted purposes or eternallye decreed pleasurs agaynst the wylfull obstynates and indurate rebellyous to the ende of the worlde These are called the last plages bycause they fall in the last age of the worlde whom Esaye Hieremye Oseas and Mycheas calleth the last dayes Iohan the last howre and Paule the endes of the worlde Seuen are they named here in a vniuersal respect both of the tymes parsones places and peruerse doctrynes of the whole worlde And also because of the .vij. seales and the .vij. trompettes to whose iudgementes they Ioyntlye agre as in the next chapter folowinge wyll apere more largelye 3 For in them sayth the text is fulfylled the wrathe of God The indignacyon of the lorde is in them whollye declared For what hate can he shewe more vnto manne than to withdrawe from him his grace to leaue him to him self to suffre him in his owne blynde iudgementes to geue hym ouer to his owne fylthye lustes and to sende hym the operacyon of erroure to his double dampnacyon A verye fulfyllynge of Gods anger is it also to appoynt vs a false Prophete or deceyuable curate a wanton Prynce or vngodlye gouernoure These therfor with soche lyke are those plages in whom is depelye accomplyshed the dyspleasure of God And they are here named the last plages for after them shall non other be seane the latter daye fynyshynge and clearynge all 4 And I behelde sayth Saynt Iohan in the same sayd vysyon as it were a glassye see or a great flowynge water in symylytude of glasse all myngled wyth fyre Non other is this see but the precyouse veryte of the Lorde so clere as glasse and so pure as christall This see gushed out of the harde rocke stone that was clouen a sonder in the desart Whan he sent forth his sprete these waters floweâ— forth in habundaunce 5 Most effectuall and quycke is this see And therfor it is here noted as myngled with fyre whych signifyeth the holye ghost For neuer is the veryte wythout Gods sprete A ferce fyerye streme calleth Danyel this see All fyerye is thy worde lorde sayth Dauid also and therfor thy seruaunt loueth it This is the fouÌ„tayne of lyuynge water spryngynge vp into the lyfe euerlastynge Vnto this
water shuld all they resort that are thurstye therof to take refreshynge 6 Vpon this glassye see were they sene of Saynt Iohan that had obtayned victorye of the Beast of hys Image of his marke and of the nombre of his name By whom are ment those constaunt christianes whych hath for all ages firmelye affermed the truthe For non aduersyte declinynge from it Strongelye haue these sens the Apostles tyme resysted the aduersaries of God by his only worde perfystynge therin vnto the deathe as ded Steuen Iames and Antipas with soche other his faythfull witnesses Uictorye haue they gotten by faythe both of the Beast aÌ„d his Image both of the great Antychryst and his supporters of the Pope and of Mahomete wyth theyr maynteyners Emprours kynges and magistrates and of all them that vsurpe theyr tytle name seate auctoryte pompe or power 7 They haue blemyshed lykewyse by the sayd worde not onlye the marke of the Beast whych is a corrupted faythe but also the nombre of hys name whych is the denyall of God Them haue they to theyr rebuke vttered and to their confusion declared They haue proued their orders dampnable their doctrine deuyllyshe their religion hypocrisye and their spiritualte playne wyckednesse condempnynge them by the scripturs as vngodlye dyssemblers denyenge the lorde which bought them These are they whom the lorde tenderlye norryshed and gracyouslye brought forth vpon the refreshynge waters conuertynge their sowles to his godlye feare and loue 8 These stande euermore on the glassye see they sett sure fotynge vpon the rocke stone Unmoueablye they perseuer in the truthe neuer denyenge yt afore menne 9 And they haue in their handes the harpes of God whych are deuoure myndes geuen all vnto godlynesse aÌ„d reioysynge in spirituall thynges 10 Harmonyouslye they synge the tuneable songe of Moyses the faythfull seruaunt of God and the melodyouse swete songe of the lambe Iesus Christ. 11 Of both testamentes they make vtteraunce declarynge the wonderfull workes and terrible iudgementes out of the olde lawe and out of the gospell of gladnesse the most swete mercye of the lorde Wythout ceasynge open they the scripturs vnto other inwardlye reioysinge in spirituall hymnes and psalmes hauynge this euermore for the standynge tenoure of their songe 12 Inestimablye great is thy goodnesse and wonderfullye maruelouse are thy workes O Lorde God almyghtye 13 Iust are thy promyses and most perfightlye sure thy wayes thu gloriouse kynge of Sayntes and graciouse gyde of the godlye beleuers 14 Who shall not euermore feare the o mightye lorde who shall not alwayes in hart gloryfye thy blessed name 15 Thu alone art holye iust aÌ„d perfight for non is there good but thy self onlye Thu art owre onlye maker redemer aÌ„d coÌ„fortoure Non other haue we for owre God but the. 16 No doubt of it but the tyme will be that all kyndes of peple both Iewes and Gentyles faythfull and heythen shall seke vnto the and shall faythfullye in veryte and sprete worship before the acknowlegynge the for their onlye lorde God 17 Because thy wonderfull iudgementes that sumtyme were secrete are now to the worlde made openlye knowne aÌ„d manifest Though this songe be lyttle and small yet is therin contayned all veryte that both Moyses and Christ confesseth at large Moreouer what so euer the scripturs comprehendeth eyther of the great omnipoteÌ„cye of God or of his most wonderfull workes eyther of hys louinge mercye or of his benigne pytie towardes manne of his gloriouse name or myghtye power or that he is to be magnifyed and feared or how that the faythfull perteyneth only to his kingedome or how that all peple shall finallye be conuerted vnto hym All is compendiouslye in this brefe songe here contayned what though it be not so worde by worde expressed And as concernynge that ys here last spoken that his iudgementes are made manyfest it is to be vnderstanded of those faythfull creaturs whom he calleth clereth and iustyfyeth and of non other For vnto them onlye are his heauenlye veritâ—es knowne to whom he wytsaueth to open them Though the other outwardlye se the iudgements of God yet do they not inwardlye perceyue theÌ„ though they boast it neuer so moche For it is not geuen them so to do They must haue eyes and not se eares and not vnderstande The Text. 1 And after that I loked 2. beholde the teÌ„ple of the tabernacle of testymonye 3. was open in heauen 4. And the seuen angels 5. came out of the temple 6. which had the seuen plages 7. clothed in pure and bryght lynnen 8 and hauynge theyr brestes gyrded wyth golden gyrdels 9 And one of the foure Beastes gaue vnto the seueÌ„ Angels 10. vij goldeÌ„ vyalles 11. full of the wrathe of God whych lyueth for euermore 12. And the temple was full of smoke 13. for the glorye of God and for his power 14. And no man was able to entre into the temple 15. tyll the seuen plages of the seuen angels were fulfylled ¶ The Paraphrase 1 And a non after that sayth Saynâ— Iohan I loked yet more aduysedly And sodenly as it were the euerlastynge teÌ„ple of the tabernacle of wytnesse was open in heauen 2 A mysterye this is verye ernestlye to be marked as a thinge of great wayght The lorde almyghtye is this eternall teÌ„ple He is the temple not made wyth haÌ„des vncreated gloriouse and full of mageste comprehendynge in him all thinges and he within non agayne comprehended He is the lorde of all He measureth heauen wyth his spanne he ouer reacheth all the worlde with his .iij. fingers In hym we lyue we moue and haue owr beynge The tabernacle of wytnesse is the lambe Iesus Christ. He is that verye tabernacle of God that was here amonge menne bearinge that faythfull wytnesse which geueth wysdome to babes He is the propiciatorye or mercye seate wherin we are harde and forgeuen Neyther was thys tabernacle of thys maner buyldynge but moche more perfyght and greatter This holye tabernacle is within the aforesayd temple for Christ dwelleth in the father and the father in him 3 Open is this temple in heauen and the tabernacle seane whan God is knowen by true preachynge and Chrystes doctrine beleued For he came into the worlde and for that purpose was borne to beare wytnesse vnto the truthe whom the father wylled onlye to be harde concernynge faythe 4 This temple and tabernacle open or God and his worde ones knowne in thys latter age the seuen Angels cometh forth The eternall decrees of Gods secrete iudgementes apereth and are fulfylled in their tymes As Angels or massengers of God they haue in his eternyte their iust plages in their season appoynted to be exhybited 5 And therfor are they seyd to come out from the temple which is God Nothynge hath he purposed to the worlde but he hath decreed yt afore the worldes constitucyon For his purpose mynde and pleasure is as he is euerlastynge And as it falleth to the worlde by his assignement it becometh a massenger
strongelye to delude the vnbeleuers 2 These lyghted vpon the swete waters by whom are ment the sacred scripturs refreshinge the drye sowles Who so euer drynketh sayth Christ of the waters that I geue he shall neuer be more a thirst 3 Of these waters haue they defyled both the ryuers and welspringes with bloud Both the lawe and Gospell the fygure and veryte the commaundemeÌ„t and promes the doctryne of Prophetes and Apostles haue they corrupted with their false interpretacyons and gloses with frowarde dryftesand opynyons with vayne tradycyons and worshyppynges and with carnall wysdome aÌ„d murtherynges Of thys sort were Eutâ—ces and Artius with soche other lyke as in the .viij. chapter afore 4 And I harde sayth Saint Iohan an Angell betokenynge those syncere wytnesses to whom God had opened for that age his secrete iudgemeÌ„tes And thys Angell sayd 5 Omnipotent creator and lorde which art not onlye of thy self at thys present instaunt but wart also essencyallye in thy self without begynnynge 6 Thu heauenlye lorde art faythfull in thy wordes and holye in thy workes 7 For as yt apereth before our eyes the decrees and fore iudgementes that thu madest afore are now fulfylled in effecte 8 For the relygyouse mourtherers that of cruelnesse caused the bloud of thy holye â–ª Sayntes and Prophetes Apostles and Preachers to be shedde haue now by thy iust appoyntment verye bloud to drynke as they are most worthye 9 For sleynge of them whose massage they contempned they had their iust plage Not oÌ„lye became they vayne in their thoughtes their folyshe hartes darkened not vnlyke to them that hath eares aÌ„dheare not eyes and se not but also there remayned vnto them after this lyfe a perpetuall vengeaunce without mercye for their cruell oppressyons as a due rewarde of their errour 10 Yet an other Angell harde I sayth Saynt IohaÌ„ eueÌ„ out of the aulter whych ys Christ. Thys Angell sygnyfyeth those wytnesses that suÌ„tyme confessed the truthe here and now resteth from their labours in the lorde These though they be departed afferme that the other hath seyd afore In token that now beynge departed they forget not that truthe which they afore confessed lyuynge styl yet in the same He that holdeth my worde sayth Christ shall neuer tast of deathe 11 And this ys their saynge in mysterie or wordes comprehendinge their secrete confessyon 12 Euen so lorde God almyghtye As the lyuynge beleuers sayth of the by mouthe so saye we now in the sprete 13 That thy decreed iudgemeÌ„tes are euer more true and thy maruelouse workynges ryghtouse The first ys called in some translacyons the Angell of waters the other here reported to come from the aulter to sygnyfye both sortes The Text. 1 And the fourth Angell poured out hys vyall 2. on the sunne 3. And power was geuen vnto hym to vexe men with heate of fyre 4. And the men raged in great heate and spake euyll of the name of God 5. which had power ouer those plages 6. and they repented not to geue hym glorye ¶ The Paraphrase 1 Consequentlye by the appoyntment of God the fort Angel in the forth Seale openynge poured out his vyall of Gods wrathe on the sunne As the lorde had eternallye prefixed in the forth age of the Christen churche For the whole worldes pannyshmeÌ„t was Christ sore blemyshed which ys the clere sunne of ryghtousnesse Sore ded the dissemblynge Antichristes in those dayes darken the true glorye of God with their many folde sectes of Hipocresye The pope had for hys part an innumerable swarme of shorne smered Sodomytes and Mahomete a fowle flocke of frantyck fabyllers which with their newlye paynted relygyons and prodygyouse obseruacyons made first all the worlde to wonder and than to worshyp Belâ—al for Christ takynge darkenesse for lyght and synne for ryghtousnesse 2 These beynge verye aduersaryes vnto Christ toke vpon them hys auctoryte and seate the one boastynge hymself for hys generall vycar in earthe the other for the great Prophete of the lorde and so were receyued of the excecate worlde Nedes wolde they seme to be the suÌ„ne beynge the verye shaddowes of deathe 3 Permytted was this heersackye sunne to vexe meÌ„ne with heate of fyre Syttynge in the temple of God which ys with in manne with soche wycked lawes as they made vnder the name of God and of Christ they terribly vexed tormented and cruciated the weake consciences of menne leauynge them coÌ„moÌ„lye in most peynefull desperacyon 4 So that the menne raged in greate heate speakynge euyll of the name of God which had power ouer those plages At their abhominable perswasions was Christ of them not taken for a mercyfull sauer and gentyll â–ª redemer but for a frowarde chorle vntractable tyrauÌ„t vnlesse he were mollyfyed by the merytes and callynges vpon of other that coude not be had without money 5 Power hath the lorde ouer plages to holde them or remoue them By hys ryghtfull iudgement at hys onlye pleasure he hardeneth As the potter maye he breke them or make them vessels of dyshonour 6 In no wyse ded this peruerted multytude repent their wycked blasphemyes to geue hym glorye for all their confessioÌ„s Masse hearynges pylgrymages and satisfaccyons without nombre For they were not accordynge to his prescripcyon 7 After non other sort wyll he be pleased and glorifyed than he hath by hys scripturs appoynted Nothynge lesse are their fantasyes than true repentaunce The Text. 1 And the fifte Angell poured out his vyall 2. vpon the seate of the Beaste 3. and his kyngedome waxed darke 4. And they gnewe their tonges for sorowe 5. and blasphemed the God of heauen for sorowe and payne of their sores 6. and repented not of their dedes ¶ The Paraphrase 1 In order succedeth by the dyuyne ordinaunce the fiâ—t Angell vnder the fift seale openynge pourynge out hys vyall of Gods indignacyon vpon the seate of the Beast After non other sort than the lorde had afore predyffyned for mannes vnfaythfulnesse sake was the proude beastlye kyngodome of the Papacye and the execrable regne of Mahomete replenyshed with all filthye abhomynacyoÌ„s vnder the sunne For in the other age afore they ded but crepe into the hartes of meÌ„ne through the glytterynges of hypocresye and dissimulate sanctyte 2 But here haue they obtayned the power seate and auctoryte of the Beast and so gotten vnto them the myghtye Monarchyes of the vnyuersall worlde Here regned they without checke in all vayne glorye hawtynesse malyce pryde murther Hipocresye superstycyon Idolatrye and blasphemye of Gods name 3 And therfor their kyngedomes as all one in deuylllyshenesse became all darke without the lyght of Gods veryte full of the stynkinge smoke of the bottomlesse pytte Than went the locustes abrode aÌ„d fylled the worlde with ygnoraunce and blyndenesse 4 Euerye where gnewe they their toÌ„ges for verye sorowe In detractynge the veryte moche grefe they suffred in their desperate hartes their wormes not dyenge nor their fyre quenched the scorpyons of the earthe stynginge them also 5 Spyghtfullye
vnyâ—ersall worlde makynge them dronken wyth the cuppe of all abhomynacyons 13 And all this shall they do to gather them togyther by their wycked counsels and to brynge them into one cruell consent of battaylynge agaynst Christ and his members to receyue the penalte therof in the great daye of the lorde almyghtye 14 Most busylye they gather them to battayle whan they moue them to persecute the iust beleuers wyth full vngodlye actes as now most of all in owrage whych God hath promysed in short space to reuenge Of this wyll more be spoken in the .xix. chapter folowynge Least anye manne knowynge the truthe shuld tangle his owne conscyence with their spirituall sorceryes for feare of princes lawes vnder the vayne hope of repentaunce in the ende of theyr lyues yt foloweth in playne sentence 15 Beholde sayth the lorde Iesus Christ or ernestlye take hede vnto it for I come daungerouslye vnloked for as commonlye doth the thefe to thy hyndraunce yf thu watche not in faythe but lyue in superstycyon Though thys not wythout reasonable cause maye be taken in a geueralte for the last iudgemeÌ„t daye yet is it here spoken partycularlye of euerye mannes departynge As a premonyshment he geueth this here of loue least anye manne shuld peryshe without warnynge 16 Blessed is he sayth that Lorde which watcheth in the true christen beleue and lyueth not in the vayne but in the sure hope of lyfe sealed with the iust promyses of God For all that he â—oth shall prospere and turne hym to great aduauntage in the conclusyon 17 Happye is he also that holdeth fast vnto him his garmentes or workes of Gods prescripcion whych are the frutes of the sprete or that hath done on the Lorde Iesus Christ gyrdynge him sure vnto him self by faythe 18 Least he be fownde a naked hypocrite without faythe veryte iustyce charyte wyth soche lyke or least the ryghtouse nombre at the latter daye se his filthinesse vncouered and reioyce at his condempnacion 19 He ys blessed whych at that daye shall be couered with the whight garment of the lambe not hauynge his sinnes imputed vnto him 20 To shewe the certente of the aforesayd battayle Saynt Iohan sayth thaâ— the deuil gathered together those wicked newlers into a serten place called in the Hebrâ—â—â—onge Armagedon The vncleane spretes that afore are named thre of â—heir dyuerse workinge in the Dragon Beast false propheâ—e are here brought into one as all of one lyenge sprete whoÌ„ Christ calleth the father deuill This one lyenge sprete which hath bene a murtherer from the begynnynge comprehendynge in him all vncleane spretes lyke as doth the Beast all Antichristes hath coÌ„byned together into â—n exeâ—rable zele of fatherlye tradicyons all vayne gloryouse and vngodlye mynded gouernours agaynst God and his Christ. And this hath not bene without the secrete permission of God willynge to proue his electes by stronge sufferynges that they myght receyue at his hande the rewarde of stronge victorye or of his habundaunt ryches 21 This place here called in the Hebrue Armagedon betokeneth in misterye an hyll of dylectable frutes interpreted of some for the hyll of the Gospell and is commonlye taken of the Hebrues for that is swete or of value And this without fayle is the churche which oft tymes in the scripturs ys called the plentuouse hyll of God the hyll of Gods howse the hyll of myrhe the hyll of olyâ—es the hyll of Syon Carmelus and â—thanus with soche other lyke In thys mounte euermore are they bent to battayle There slee they the innocent lambes of Christ. All their power malyce and tyrannie is there extremelie vttred at the Antichristes laboure and desyre which are excedynglye dronken in the bloud of holye martyrs which hath bene shedde vpon earthe from ryghtouse Abell vnto this daye But whan the almyghtye setteth kynges vpoÌ„ the earthe it shall be clere euen in the darkenesse that the hyll of Basan is Gods hyll The Text. 1 And the seuenth angell poured out hys vyall 2 into the ayre 3. And there came a great voyce out of heauen from the seate sayenge 4. It is done 5. And there folowed voyces thoÌ„derynges and lyghtenynges 6. and there was a great earthquake 7. soche as was not sens men were vpoÌ„ earthe 8. so mightye an earthquake and so great 9. And the great cytye was deuyded into thre partes 10. And the cytyes of the nacyons fell 11. And great Babylon came in remembraunce before God 12. to geue vnto her the cuppe of wyne of the fearcenesse of his wrathe 13. And euerye Ile fled awaye 14. and the mountaynes were not founde 15. And there fell a great hayle 16. as it had bene talentes 17. out of heauen 18. vpon the men 19. And the meÌ„ blasphemed God bycause of the plage of the â—ayle 20. for it was great and the plage therof was sore ¶ The Paraphrase 1 Finallye the seuenth Angell went forth vnder the seuenth seale openynge as God had eternally determined throwynge out the content of hys vyall into the ayre For the seuenth age of the christen churche by the verye set purpose of God are manye conuerted to the truthe and become with Paule the vessels of eleccion that afore were wyth Iudas the vessels of wrathe vnder the great aduersarye of God Neyther is it anye blemishe vnto them to be called here that they were afore vyals of wrathe consyderynge that Simon leprosus beynge ones healed of his leprosye was euer after called a leper In case lyke Paule after his conuersyon was not ashamed to report hym self both a Pharyse and also the sonne of a Pharyse 2 These by the myghtye determynacion of Gods stronge iudgement are sent into the ayre Most effectuallye are they lyghtened wyth the sprete of God and prouoked stiflye to stande vp agaynst the aereall powers regnynge in the fyckle fantasticall Antychrystes and hypocrytes condeÌ„pninge by Gods worde their vnyuersall doctrines and deuyllyshnesse These powers are no lesse than deuyls whoÌ„ Christ calleth fowles of the ayre Peter aÌ„ IohaÌ„ mannis aduersaryes saynt Paule the gouerners of the esâ— darkenesses in spyrytuall wyckednesse 3 Whils these thinges are in doynge out of heauen which is the vnyuersall congregacion yea from the verye trone of God which is the electe faythfull nombre for they are onlye the seate of God came a voyce of reioysinge saynge after this sort 4 It is done All thinges are fynyshed Chrystes glorye ones manyfestlye knowne â—ke worlde is at an ende The wycked hath done all their myscheffes and the nombre of owr bretherne is fulfylled Thus shall they preache a full delyueraunce of the captyues and the peceable yeare of the lorde Thys ys the sylence of an halfe howre space mencyoned afore in the .viij. chapter and the returne of this worlde vnto Chryst in the .xij. Chapter Not that there shall in those dayes be no enemies for the remnaunt shall styll remayne but that they shall not then openlye dare rage persecute and kyll the worlde beynge at