and_o the_o antichrist_n in_o the_o next_o place_n see_v it_o be_v now_o manifest_a that_o by_o the_o antichrist_n many_o deceiver_n be_v understand_v let_v we_o search_v out_o what_o manner_n of_o deceiver_n they_o must_v be_v to_o who_o this_o appellation_n agree_v if_o we_o consult_v with_o interpreter_n and_o observe_v how_o various_o they_o define_v the_o antichrist_n we_o shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n concern_v that_o which_o we_o seek_v after_o only_o we_o shall_v find_v they_o so_o order_v the_o business_n as_o that_o if_o they_o have_v a_o spite_n against_o any_o man_n upon_o a_o religious_a account_n they_o can_v transform_v he_o into_o antichrist_n at_o their_o pleasure_n wherefore_o leave_v they_o let_v we_o betake_v ourselves_o again_o to_o the_o touchstone_n of_o truth_n the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o see_v how_o it_o define_v antichrist_n john_n the_o only_a sacred_a writer_n that_o be_v to_o guide_v we_o in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o other_o particular_n describe_v antichrist_n chap._n 2._o of_o this_o first_o epistle_n verse_n 22._o do_v if_o his_o word_n be_v exact_o render_v according_a to_o the_o greek_a speak_v thus_o who_o be_v the_o liar_n but_o he_o that_o deni_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o antichrist_n that_o deni_v the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n and_o chap_n 4.3_o he_o say_v thus_o every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o of_o god_n and_o this_o be_v that_o spirit_n of_o antichrist_n and_o epist_n 2.7_o which_o place_n be_v before_o quote_v to_o another_o purpose_n he_o say_v many_o deceiver_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n who_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n this_o be_v the_o deceiver_n and_o the_o antichrist_n from_o which_o testimony_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o only_o he_o who_o deni_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n or_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v a_o antichrist_n what_o peevishness_n be_v it_o then_o that_o they_o who_o make_v the_o same_o confession_n touch_v christ_n and_o his_o come_n in_o the_o flesh_n shall_v upon_o some_o other_o difference_n about_o religion_n reproachful_o term_v one_o another_o antichristian_o and_o how_o contrary_a be_v this_o to_o the_o determination_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o which_o all_o shall_v make_v the_o rule_n of_o their_o word_n and_o action_n these_o thing_n be_v unfold_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n to_o perceive_v my_o design_n in_o write_v this_o essay_n which_o be_v to_o enure_v man_n more_o close_o to_o follow_v the_o text_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o in_o other_o part_n thereof_o so_o especial_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n where_o man_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v loose_a and_o exorbitant_a in_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a manner_n as_o if_o they_o strive_v who_o shall_v depart_v further_a off_o from_o the_o literal_a sense_n of_o that_o prophecy_n for_o bear_v in_o mind_n continual_o that_o rule_n of_o interpret_n which_o all_o that_o be_v of_o a_o sound_a judgement_n ready_o admit_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o recede_v from_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o sacred_a text_n without_o evident_a necessity_n which_o be_v when_o the_o literal_a interpretation_n be_v repugnant_a either_o to_o our_o sense_n or_o to_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o place_n or_o to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o plain_a text_n to_o the_o contrary_a i_o have_v as_o i_o persuade_v myself_o give_v a_o sound_a and_o clear_a exposition_n of_o this_o difficult_a prophecy_n than_o be_v common_o to_o be_v meet_v withal_o i_o have_v also_o with_o the_o same_o labour_n cut_v off_o all_o those_o force_v and_o faction_n application_n of_o thing_n mention_v in_o the_o say_a book_n to_o the_o pope_n which_o too_o just_o render_v the_o reform_a religion_n suspect_v to_o papist_n who_o be_v apt_a enough_o to_o think_v that_o such_o violent_a wrest_n of_o the_o revelation_n to_o disparage_v they_o precee_v from_o a_o want_n of_o solid_a argument_n to_o confute_v their_o doctrine_n for_o i_o own_o part_n there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o do_v abominate_a all_o popish_a superstition_n more_o than_o myself_o nor_o be_v at_o a_o wide_a distance_n from_o they_o yet_o do_v not_o the_o detestation_n of_o they_o so_o transport_v i_o as_o that_o i_o be_o thereby_o induce_v to_o abuse_v the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o the_o end_n i_o may_v render_v papist_n more_o odious_a for_o such_o a_o way_n of_o proceed_v be_v wont_a to_o work_v a_o contrary_a effect_n cause_v man_n when_o they_o once_o perceive_v the_o papist_n to_o be_v so_o palpable_o wrong_v to_o imagine_v that_o their_o religion_n be_v whole_o true_a and_o harmless_a otherwise_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o so_o far_o fetch_v allegation_n to_o disgrace_v they_o i_o have_v further_o observe_v that_o there_o be_v hardly_o find_v among_o we_o any_o man_n of_o unsound_a principle_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n but_o present_o call_v in_o the_o revelation_n to_o his_o aid_n torture_v the_o rare_a mystery_n thereof_o to_o get_v something_o out_o of_o they_o that_o may_v give_v a_o colour_n to_o his_o absurdity_n wherefore_o i_o make_v this_o account_n with_o myself_o that_o by_o open_v away_o to_o the_o plain_a and_o genuine_a understanding_n of_o that_o book_n i_o may_v possible_o give_v a_o check_n to_o such_o groundless_a fancy_n and_o hinder_v they_o from_o pester_v the_o world_n without_o control_n in_o the_o time_n to_o come_v i_o desire_v therefore_o all_o that_o shall_v light_v on_o this_o essay_n to_o peruse_v it_o with_o patience_n and_o not_o pass_v sentence_n thereon_o until_o they_o have_v read_v it_o quite_o through_o and_o well_o consider_v the_o connexion_n of_o the_o several_a part_n thereof_o and_o the_o congruity_n of_o the_o thing_n therein_o deliver_v both_o with_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o if_o they_o perceive_v the_o worth_n and_o sovereign_a use_n of_o the_o many_o secret_n therein_o discover_v let_v they_o give_v the_o whole_a glory_n of_o they_o unto_o god_n who_o be_v the_o father_n of_o light_n both_o of_o that_o wherewith_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o also_o of_o that_o wherewith_o the_o sound_a interpreter_n of_o the_o same_o be_v enlighten_v reader_n forasmuch_o as_o here_o remain_v a_o empty_a page_n and_o some_o few_o fault_n escape_v in_o the_o print_n of_o this_o book_n i_o have_v thought_n sit_v here_o to_o insert_v they_o that_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o beginning_n the_o book_n may_v be_v run_v over_o without_o any_o rub_n in_o the_o way_n errata_fw-la pag._n 2._o for_o be_v r._n be_v pag._n 14._o l._n 9_o for_o then_o r._n they_o pag._n 37_o l._n 21._o for_o not_o be_v r._n be_v not_o a_o essay_n to_o the_o explain_n of_o the_o revelation_n chap._n 13._o verse_n 1._o and_o i_o stand_v upon_o the_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o see_v a_o beast_n rise_v up_o out_o of_o the_o sea_n have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n and_o upon_o his_o horn_n ten_o crown_n and_o upon_o his_o head_n the_o name_n of_o blasphemy_n the_o exposition_n by_o the_o beast_n here_o mention_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v a_o man_n according_a to_o the_o exposition_n of_o john_n himself_o who_o say_v in_o the_o 18._o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n here_o be_v wisdom_n let_v he_o that_o have_v understanding_n count_v the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n for_o it_o be_v the_o number_n of_o a_o man._n for_o if_o the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n be_v the_o number_n of_o a_o man_n by_o the_o beast_n must_v needs_o be_v mean_v a_o man_n otherwise_o his_o number_n will_v be_v the_o number_n of_o something_o else_o and_o not_o of_o a_o man._n again_o the_o beast_n signify_v such_o a_o man_n as_o shall_v be_v also_o a_o king_n and_o that_o a_o universal_a one_o a_o king_n because_o it_o be_v say_v chap._n 16.10_o that_o the_o five_o angel_n pour_v out_o his_o vial_n upon_o the_o throne_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a of_o the_o beast_n for_o if_o the_o beast_n have_v a_o throne_n he_o be_v a_o king_n it_o be_v proper_a to_o king_n to_o sit_v upon_o throne_n thus_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o elder_n which_o chap._n 4.4_o be_v say_v to_o sit_v upon_o throne_n do_v chap._n 5.10_o acknowledge_v themselves_o to_o have_v be_v make_v king_n yea_o it_o be_v subjoin_v in_o the_o forecited_n passage_n chap._n 16.10_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o beast_n be_v darken_v but_o if_o his_o kingdom_n be_v darken_v than_o it_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o he_o be_v a_o king_n in_o as_o much_o as_o a_o kingdom_n and_o a_o king_n be_v relative_n but_o it_o be_v yet_o superabundant_o manifest_a that_o by_o the_o beast_n be_v mean_v a_o king_n from_o the_o exposition_n of_o the_o angel_n chap._n 17.10_o 11._o where_o he_o say_v
wilderness_n a_o name_n inscribe_v on_o her_o forehead_n which_o lest_o any_o one_o shall_v think_v it_o to_o be_v that_o very_a name_n whereby_o she_o be_v common_o know_v among_o man_n have_v the_o word_n mystery_n set_v before_o it_o intimate_v that_o the_o follow_a name_n agree_v to_o this_o woman_n not_o in_o a_o proper_a but_o in_o a_o mystical_a sense_n the_o reason_n and_o elegancy_n of_o which_o borrow_a appellation_n give_v to_o rome_n for_o she_o according_a to_o the_o angel_n interpretation_n verse_n 18._o be_v mean_v by_o this_o woman_n i_o have_v already_o discover_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o the_o 14._o chapter_n to_o which_o i_o send_v back_o the_o reader_n for_o further_a satisfaction_n in_o this_o point_n now_o rome_n be_v here_o deserved'y_a call_v the_o mother_n of_o harlot_n and_o the_o abomination_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o testimony_n of_o writer_n that_o no_o city_n do_v ever_o so_o abound_v with_o whoredom_n and_o also_o other_o abominable_a practice_n as_o rome_n both_o in_o those_o time_n and_o ever_o since_o verse_n 6._o and_o i_o see_v the_o woman_n drunken_a with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o with_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o martyr_n of_o jesus_n and_o when_o i_o see_v she_o i_o wonder_v with_o great_a admiration_n ver._n 7._o and_o the_o angel_n say_v unto_o i_o wherefore_o do_v thou_o marvel_v i_o will_v tell_v thou_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o woman_n and_o of_o the_o beast_n that_o carry_v she_o which_o have_v the_o seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n though_o the_o filthiness_n of_o this_o woman_n be_v very_o great_a and_o her_o action_n abominable_a above_o those_o of_o all_o other_o woman_n yet_o will_v not_o god_n have_v pour_v out_o his_o wrath_n upon_o she_o in_o so_o signal_n a_o manner_n as_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o two_o follow_a chapter_n have_v she_o not_o above_o all_o her_o other_o evil_n defile_v her_o hand_n with_o the_o blood_n of_o saint_n and_o martyr_n for_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o sin_n that_o make_v the_o loud_a cry_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o god_n as_o the_o history_n of_o righteous_a abel_n testify_v gen._n 4.10_o 11._o but_o this_o woman_n have_v already_o swallow_v and_o be_v before_o her_o ruin_n to_o swallow_v so_o much_o of_o this_o precious_a blood_n that_o john_n here_o already_o perceive_v she_o to_o be_v drink_v therewith_o which_o drunkenness_n of_o she_o may_v easy_o appear_v to_o he_o as_o he_o look_v upon_o she_o but_o that_o it_o be_v cause_v by_o quaff_v the_o blood_n of_o saint_n and_o martyr_n the_o knowledge_n hereof_o must_v needs_o proceed_v from_o revelation_n whether_o of_o the_o angel_n as_o it_o be_v most_o likely_a or_o of_o some_o other_o heavenly_a person_n and_o here_o by_o the_o way_n let_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o martyr_n or_o witness_n of_o jesus_n be_v well_o observe_v for_o the_o saint_n be_v mere_o pious_a man_n but_o the_o martyr_n or_o witness_n of_o jesus_n be_v such_o as_o beside_o their_o piety_n have_v also_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o so_o become_v capable_a of_o bear_v testimony_n to_o jesus_n for_o if_o as_o this_o very_a angel_n assert_v chap._n 19.10_o the_o testimony_n or_o witness_v of_o jesus_n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n than_o a_o martyr_n or_o witness_v of_o jesus_n must_v be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o be_v endue_v therewith_o howbeit_o though_o john_n have_v receive_v that_o spirit_n yea_o understand_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o woman_n drunkenness_n yet_o as_o prophesy_v but_o in_o part_n he_o can_v not_o for_o all_o this_o tell_v who_o the_o woman_n herself_o shall_v be_v and_o therefore_o as_o admiration_n be_v wont_a to_o proceed_v from_o ignorance_n he_o do_v exceed_o wonder_v at_o she_o in_o which_o wonder_v condition_n he_o be_v likely_a to_o have_v continue_v have_v not_o the_o angel_n disclose_v to_o he_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o woman_n as_o he_o do_v also_o that_o of_o the_o beast_n with_o seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n that_o carry_v she_o which_o description_n plain_o show_v that_o this_o beast_n be_v the_o same_o that_o former_o be_v see_v to_o arise_v out_o of_o that_o sea_n chap._n 13.1_o and_o therefore_o he_o be_v as_o formerly_z simple_o call_v the_o beast_n whensoever_o he_o be_v afterward_o mention_v as_o for_o his_o carry_v of_o the_o woman_n the_o reason_n hereof_o as_o will_v further_o appear_v from_o what_o shall_v present_o be_v speak_v be_v because_o the_o government_n of_o the_o city_n which_o the_o woman_n represent_v do_v sometime_o rest_n upon_o he_o and_o so_o he_o be_v the_o support_n thereof_o verse_n 8._o the_o beast_n that_o thou_o see_v be_v and_o be_v not_o and_o shall_v ascend_v out_o of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n and_o go_v into_o perdition_n and_o they_o that_o dwell_v on_o the_o earth_n shall_v wonder_v who_o name_n be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n from_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n when_o they_o behold_v the_o beast_n that_o be_v and_o be_v not_o and_o yet_o be_v the_o angel_n beginning_n to_o discover_v somewhat_o oblique_o unto_o john_n the_o mystery_n of_o the_o beast_n who_o we_o shall_v afterward_o find_v to_o be_v domitian_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v and_o be_v not_o whereby_o be_v mean_v that_o he_o be_v sometime_o in_o power_n but_o now_o at_o the_o time_n of_o this_o vision_n be_v not_o so_o for_o that_o it_o must_v not_o be_v understand_v of_o his_o be_v alive_a be_v evident_a from_o the_o close_a of_o the_o verse_n where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v and_o be_v not_o and_o yet_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o which_o word_n then_o will_v be_v that_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o be_v not_o alive_a and_o yet_o be_v alive_a which_o every_o one_o see_v to_o be_v a_o flat_a contradiction_n but_o according_a to_o the_o other_o interpretation_n which_o be_v indeed_o that_o of_o the_o angel_n himself_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o 11._o verse_n the_o word_n carry_v in_o themselves_o no_o contradiction_n but_o a_o marvellous_a &_o divine_a elegancy_n amount_v to_o this_o sense_n that_o though_o the_o beast_n have_v former_o be_v in_o power_n and_o now_o be_v not_o so_o yet_o be_v he_o still_o in_o be_v but_o that_o which_o exceed_v all_o imagination_n of_o man_n and_o will_v surpass_v their_o belief_n also_o be_v it_o not_o so_o plain_o deliver_v both_o here_o and_o chap._n 11_o 7._o be_v that_o the_o beast_n shall_v ascend_v out_o of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o one_o that_o be_v then_o alive_a do_v imply_v that_o he_o shall_v die_v and_o afterward_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a to_o act_v those_o stupendous_a thing_n that_o be_v foretell_v of_o he_o in_o this_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n for_o that_o the_o bottoml_a pit_n be_v the_o mansion_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o so_o to_o ascend_v from_o thence_o be_v to_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a be_v evident_a from_o that_o passage_n of_o the_o apostle_n paul_n rom_n 10.7_o where_o he_o say_v who_o shall_v descend_v into_o the_o deep_a greek_a abyss_n or_o bottomless_a pit_n the_o same_o word_n that_o be_v use_v in_o the_o revelation_n concern_v the_o beast_n that_o be_v to_o bring_v up_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a for_o what_o relation_n will_v the_o descent_n into_o the_o deep_a or_o bottomless_a pit_n have_v to_o the_o bring_v up_o of_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a if_o the_o dead_a have_v not_o there_o their_o abode_n in_o the_o next_o place_n mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o beast_n go_v into_o perdition_n which_o be_v here_o set_v down_o as_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o follow_v his_o ascent_n out_o of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n shall_v then_o be_v fulfil_v when_o he_o be_v throw_v alive_a into_o the_o lake_n burn_v with_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n above_o a_o thousand_o year_n before_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a day_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o 19_o and_o 20._o chap._n which_o yet_o new_a and_o unusual_a punishment_n be_v to_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o strangeness_n of_o his_o offence_n afore_o relate_v in_o the_o 13._o chapter_n which_o he_o as_o shall_v by_o and_o by_o be_v prove_v will_v perpetrate_v after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a last_o of_o all_o the_o angel_n speak_v of_o the_o admiration_n wherein_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n will_v have_v the_o beast_n that_o be_v and_o be_v not_o and_o yet_o be_v namely_o when_o they_o shall_v see_v he_o after_o his_o resurrection_n invest_v with_o so_o vast_a a_o empire_n and_o cure_v of_o his_o deadly_a wound_n as_o be_v express_v in_o the_o 13._o chapter_n for_o that_o the_o thing_n relate_v of_o the_o beast_n in_o that_o chapter_n be_v to_o be_v perform_v by_o he_o when_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o
those_o person_n that_o be_v employ_v by_o god_n to_o convey_v unto_o we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a secret_n whereas_o contrariwise_o we_o see_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v through_o the_o stupidity_n and_o wickedness_n of_o man_n who_o love_n darkness_n rather_o than_o light_n that_o such_o rare_a discoverer_n be_v in_o stead_n of_o veneration_n usual_o reward_v with_o envy_n and_o reproach_n yea_o with_o death_n itself_o nevertheless_o though_o the_o reverence_n that_o we_o give_v to_o such_o as_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o abstruse_a thing_n of_o god_n aught_o to_o be_v great_a yet_o must_v it_o be_v keep_v within_o its_o bound_n and_o not_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o god_n wherefore_o we_o see_v the_o angel_n here_o forbid_v john_n to_o worship_v he_o for_o that_o he_o be_v his_o fellow_n servant_n and_o indeed_o fellow_n servant_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o give_v such_o honour_n one_o to_o another_o and_o will_v he_o to_o worship_n god_n their_o common_a master_n to_o who_o veneration_n be_v one_o and_o peter_n also_o in_o the_o history_n aforesaid_a raise_v up_o cornelius_n who_o be_v fall_v at_o this_o foot_n and_o worship_v he_o which_o by_o the_o way_n be_v sufficient_a to_o fill_v that_o man_n of_o rome_n with_o confusion_n of_o face_n for_o ever_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o successor_n of_o peter_n though_o otherwise_o as_o he_o himself_o be_v wont_a to_o acknowledge_v inferior_a in_o gift_n and_o personal_a excellency_n do_v yet_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v adore_v of_o the_o people_n as_o he_o be_v carry_v in_o a_o throne_n upon_o man_n shoulder_n through_o the_o street_n yea_o when_o he_o be_v initiate_v into_o his_o office_n be_v set_v upon_o the_o very_a altar_n to_o be_v solemn_o worship_v which_o none_o can_v with_o any_o colour_n deny_v to_o be_v religious_a and_o divine_a worship_n especial_o if_o he_o consider_v that_o this_o honour_n be_v give_v to_o he_o as_o suppose_v to_o be_v the_o vicar_n of_o christ_n but_o whereas_o it_o be_v object_v that_o contrary_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o angel_n appear_v to_o john_n in_o the_o revelation_n we_o find_v that_o other_o angel_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n when_o they_o show_v themselves_o to_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n permit_v themselves_o to_o be_v worship_v as_o the_o angel_n that_o exhibit_v himself_o to_o the_o view_n of_o joshuah_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o the_o five_o chapter_n of_o his_o history_n verse_n 13_o 14_o 15._o i_o answer_v that_o when_o the_o angel_n receive_v worship_n they_o either_o represent_v god_n have_v his_o name_n in_o they_o as_o that_o angel_n which_o with_o two_o companion_n appear_v to_o abraham_n gen._n 18.2_o who_o be_v therefore_o call_v the_o lord_n verse_n 13._o as_o also_o that_o angel_n which_o go_v before_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o pillar_n of_o a_o cloud_n exod._n 14.19_o who_o have_v also_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n give_v to_o he_o verse_n 24._o or_o at_o least_o be_v endue_v with_o singular_a authority_n as_o that_o angel_n who_o joshua_n worship_v for_o he_o tell_v joshua_n that_o he_o be_v send_v a_o captain_n of_o the_o lord_n host_n whereas_o the_o angel_n that_o here_o come_v to_o john_n do_v not_o appear_v with_o authority_n much_o less_o represent_v god_n or_o christ_n but_o only_a in_o his_o private_a capacity_n and_o therefore_o style_v himself_o no_o other_o than_o a_o fellow_n servant_n of_o john_n and_o of_o his_o brethren_n that_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n this_o last_o expression_n wherein_o certain_a man_n be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n and_o which_o be_v also_o use_v chap._n 12.17_o where_o it_o be_v say_v the_o dragon_n be_v wroth_a with_o the_o woman_n and_o man_n to_o make_v war_n with_o the_o remnant_n of_o her_o seed_n which_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n christ_n will_v have_v have_v some_o difficulty_n though_o such_o as_o may_v by_o a_o diligent_a inquiry_n be_v overcome_v but_o that_o the_o angel_n be_v here_o please_v to_o explain_v it_o open_o affirm_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o jesus_n be_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o consequent_o as_o we_o touch_v before_o in_o the_o exposition_n on_o the_o 17._o chapter_n where_o we_o show_v the_o difference_n between_o a_o saint_n and_o a_o martyr_n none_o be_v a_o witness_n or_o martyr_n of_o christ_n jesus_n but_o he_o that_o be_v a_o prophet_n which_o be_v further_o confirm_v by_o the_o 11._o chapter_n where_o the_o two_o witness_n be_v express_o call_v two_o prophet_n verse_n 10._o verse_n 11._o and_o i_o see_v heaven_n open_v and_o behold_v a_o white_a horse_n and_o he_o that_o sit_v upon_o he_o be_v call_v faithful_a and_o true_a and_o in_o righteousness_n he_o do_v judge_n and_o make_v war._n 12._o his_o eye_n be_v as_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n and_o on_o his_o head_n be_v many_o crown_n and_o he_o have_v a_o name_n write_v that_o no_o man_n know_v but_o he_o himself_o 13._o and_o he_o be_v clothe_v with_o a_o vesture_n dip_v in_o blood_n and_o his_o name_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n 14._o and_o the_o army_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n follow_v he_o upon_o white_a horse_n clothe_v in_o fine_a linen_n white_a and_o clean_a 15._o and_o out_o of_o his_o mouth_n go_v a_o sharp_a sword_n that_o with_o it_o he_o shall_v smite_v the_o nation_n and_o he_o shall_v rule_v they_o with_o a_o rod_n of_o iron_n and_o he_o tread_v the_o wine-press_n of_o the_o fierceness_n and_o wrath_n of_o almighty_a god_n 16._o and_o he_o have_v on_o his_o vesture_n and_o on_o his_o thigh_n a_o name_n write_v king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n the_o open_n of_o the_o heaven_n be_v a_o necessary_a preparative_a to_o the_o see_v of_o christ_n who_o reside_v there_o can_v otherwise_o be_v perceive_v thus_o we_o find_v it_o to_o have_v happen_v when_o christ_n be_v please_v to_o afford_v a_o sight_n of_o himself_o to_o his_o martyr_n stephen_n act_v 7.56_o who_o according_o there_o cry_v out_o behold_v i_o see_v the_o heaven_n open_v and_o the_o son_n of_o man_n stand_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n but_o inasmuch_o as_o christ_n do_v here_o intend_v to_o show_v himself_o as_o the_o captain_n of_o his_o people_n he_o appear_v not_o as_o he_o do_v to_o stephen_n stand_v in_o the_o heaven_n but_o ride_v on_o a_o horse_n as_o commander_n be_v wont_a to_o do_v and_o this_o horse_n be_v say_v to_o be_v white_a a_o colour_n much_o use_v in_o time_n of_o joy_n and_o triumph_n to_o denote_v the_o success_n and_o victory_n of_o christ_n over_o his_o enemy_n according_a to_o what_o we_o read_v chap._n 6.2_o where_o it_o be_v say_v i_o see_v and_o behold_v a_o white_a horse_n and_o he_o that_o sit_v on_o he_o have_v a_o bow_n and_o a_o crown_n be_v give_v to_o he_o and_o he_o go_v forth_o conquer_a and_o to_o conquer_v but_o the_o victory_n and_o triumph_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o procure_v by_o such_o art_n of_o treachery_n and_o falsehood_n as_o earthly_a commander_n too_o often_o put_v in_o ure_n little_o regard_v unjust_a the_o mean_n be_v so_o they_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n they_o have_v propose_v to_o themselves_o even_o the_o conquest_n of_o their_o enemy_n for_o christ_n on_o the_o contrary_n be_v faithful_a and_o true_a neither_o make_v use_n of_o a_o wrong_a sentence_n in_o his_o judicature_n nor_o of_o a_o unjust_a conflict_n in_o his_o warfare_n but_o in_o both_o behave_v himself_o according_a to_o the_o exact_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n as_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o judgement_n that_o he_o be_v about_o to_o execute_v upon_o the_o beast_n and_o his_o follower_n at_o the_o battle_n of_o armageddon_n nor_o marvel_v therefore_o if_o so_o great_a uprightness_n be_v accompany_v with_o suitable_a glory_n and_o power_n for_o the_o eye_n of_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v like_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n and_o so_o able_a to_o strike_v a_o terror_n in_o all_o they_o that_o look_v upon_o his_o face_n and_o on_o his_o head_n be_v many_o crown_n which_o impli_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o dominion_n extend_v itself_o over_o many_o kingdom_n yea_o for_o his_o great_a dignity_n he_o have_v a_o name_n write_v to_o wit_n upon_o the_o crown_n for_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v it_o write_v upon_o his_o head_n inasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v cover_v with_o his_o crown_n which_o none_o know_v but_o he_o himself_o wherefore_o it_o will_v be_v presumption_n in_o we_o to_o use_v any_o mean_n for_o the_o find_v out_o of_o this_o name_n for_o beside_o the_o read_n after_o that_o which_o can_v be_v attain_v we_o shall_v thereby_o discover_v a_o ambition_n in_o we_o to_o entrench_v upon_o the_o prerogative_n of_o christ_n which_o argue_v little_a reverence_n towards_o he_o if_o