the_o time_n shall_v not_o be_v distinguish_v by_o it_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v direct_v by_o the_o light_n of_o it_o for_o god_n himself_o shall_v be_v our_o sun_n god_n shall_v be_v our_o light_n for_o evermore_o apoc._n cap._n 12._o l._n and_o there_o appear_v a_o great_a wonder_n in_o heaven_n a_o woman_n clothe_v with_o the_o sun_n and_o the_o moon_n be_v under_o her_o foot_n and_o upon_o her_o head_n a_o crown_n of_o twelve_o star_n etc._n etc._n here_o in_o this_o chapter_n be_v set_v down_o a_o description_n of_o the_o church_n of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v a_o great_a sign_n note_v the_o great_a estimation_n that_o god_n have_v of_o his_o church_n which_o his_o great_a estimation_n of_o it_o be_v set_v forth_o in_o that_o she_o be_v say_v to_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v the_o most_o glorious_a creature_n declare_v and_o express_v her_o exceed_a glory_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n she_o have_v the_o moon_n under_o her_o foot_n signify_v her_o rule_n and_o authority_n over_o all_o the_o thing_n below_o that_o be_v subject_a to_o change_v in_o that_o she_o only_o have_v receive_v of_o god_n power_n to_o subdue_v they_o and_o she_o do_v of_o right_o possess_v they_o the_o wicked_a be_v usurper_n upon_o her_o head_n she_o have_v a_o crown_n of_o twelve_o star_n show_v her_o queenly_a majesty_n she_o be_v the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n as_o also_o her_o victory_n over_o all_o her_o enemy_n it_o be_v say_v she_o travel_v her_o travel_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n of_o who_o this_o be_v testify_v in_o the_o evangelist_n the_o 9_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n how_o great_a resistance_n there_o be_v against_o our_o saviour_n christ_n against_o the_o apostle_n &_o the_o rest_n what_o great_a and_o grievous_a persecution_n they_o then_o sustain_v for_o the_o gospell-sake_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n because_o they_o go_v about_o to_o beget_v to_o bring_v and_o to_o draw_v child_n unto_o god_n out_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n afterward_o another_o great_a wonder_n be_v see_v to_o wit_n a_o great_a dragon_n namely_o the_o devil_n compare_v to_o a_o dragon_n and_o call_v the_o great_a dragon_n because_o of_o his_o great_a strength_n and_o exceed_a fierceness_n for_o such_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o a_o dragon_n as_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o gripe_v with_o a_o elephant_n he_o be_v describe_v to_o have_v seven_o head_n and_o ten_o horn_n by_o seven_o head_n note_v his_o great_a wisdom_n knowledge_n and_o understand_v of_o thing_n as_o also_o it_o signify_v his_o wit_n and_o subtlety_n to_o resist_v the_o church_n and_o to_o make_v more_o mischief_n against_o the_o seven_o church_n that_o be_v all_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o his_o ten_o horn_n signify_v his_o will_n and_o power_n to_o do_v much_o hurt_n to_o they_o his_o crown_n signify_v his_o victory_n in_o prevail_a against_o the_o world_n to_o wit_n over_o those_o who_o god_n have_v not_o ordain_v to_o save_v who_o name_n be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n he_o be_v call_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n because_o he_o have_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n under_o his_o obedience_n what_o his_o tail_n he_o overthrow_v many_o star_n note_v that_o there_o be_v many_o like_a unto_o star_n in_o outward_a show_n be_v grace_v with_o notable_a gift_n and_o be_v as_o it_o be_v lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n by_o the_o knowledge_n they_o have_v and_o the_o notable_a profession_n they_o make_v of_o god_n have_v some_o feel_n also_o be_v yet_o not_o seal_v be_v by_o the_o tail_n of_o the_o dragon_n that_o be_v by_o small_a power_n and_o light_a temptation_n pull_v back_o from_o the_o same_o and_o fall_v from_o the_o faith_n after_o he_o say_v he_o stand_v before_o the_o woman_n note_v that_o he_o set_v himself_o very_o fierce_o and_o sharp_o against_o the_o woman_n that_o be_v the_o church_n and_o child_n of_o god_n who_o name_n be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v say_v to_o wait_v on_o the_o woman_n first_o to_o hinder_v she_o that_o she_o shall_v not_o bring_v forth_o and_o then_o to_o devour_v they_o at_o the_o least_o when_o they_o be_v bring_v forth_o that_o be_v when_o they_o have_v be_v call_v and_o make_v profession_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o be_v make_v member_n of_o christ_n by_o faith_n even_o than_o be_v he_o ready_o most_o strong_o to_o assault_v they_o to_o overthrow_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a the_o foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n where_o he_o compare_v the_o devil_n to_o a_o envious_a midwife_n oppose_v he_o to_o a_o good_a midwife_n for_o as_o she_o be_v careful_a to_o help_v the_o woman_n in_o travel_n and_o to_o save_v the_o child_n so_o the_o devil_n contrariwise_o be_v ready_a to_o hinder_v and_o hurt_v the_o church_n and_o to_o destroy_v her_o seed_n whereas_o the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o bring_v forth_o a_o man-child_n it_o be_v first_o mean_v of_o christ_n and_o then_o of_o his_o member_n and_o servant_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o church_n who_o now_o he_o have_v join_v unto_o he_o in_o his_o kingdom_n but_o principal_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o christ_n that_o valiant_a one_o who_o albeit_o he_o be_v sting_v on_o the_o cross_n by_o the_o serpent_n yet_o even_o thereby_o he_o overcome_v and_o after_o be_v take_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o have_v victory_n triumph_v over_o the_o devil_n over_o sin_n and_o over_o all_o his_o enemy_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o church_n then_o it_o be_v say_v there_o be_v a_o battle_n in_o heaven_n by_o heaven_n he_o mean_v the_o militant_a church_n of_o god_n under_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o part_n of_o god_n kingdom_n for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n which_o be_v begin_v even_o in_o earth_n the_o principal_a in_o this_o battle_n be_v first_o michael_n to_o wit_n christ_n and_o with_o he_o his_o angel_n namely_o the_o godly_a saint_n with_o the_o good_a angel_n on_o the_o one_o side_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o dragon_n with_o his_o angel_n namely_o the_o wicked_a spirit_n and_o wicked_a man_n but_o the_o godly_a overcome_v the_o dragon_n and_o his_o angel_n the_o mean_n whereby_o they_o overcome_v be_v through_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o lamb_n which_o be_v their_o principal_a armour_n be_v such_o as_o that_o albeit_o they_o themselves_o be_v kill_v notwithstanding_o by_o reason_n hereof_o they_o be_v make_v conqueror_n and_o be_v now_o receive_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o satan_n be_v throw_v out_o of_o the_o kingdom_n which_o thing_n when_o satan_n see_v as_o namely_o that_o now_o he_o have_v lose_v all_o his_o advantage_n as_o it_o be_v and_o that_o he_o can_v have_v nought_o to_o do_v with_o they_o any_o more_o they_o be_v now_o triumph_v in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n he_o wax_v mad_a as_o it_o be_v and_o rage_v against_o the_o earth_n more_o fierce_o than_o before_o and_o hereupon_o the_o elder_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o god_n child_n in_o heaven_n be_v bring_v in_o rejoice_v at_o this_o victory_n and_o say_v peace_n in_o the_o heaven_n that_o be_v to_o the_o child_n of_o god_n that_o be_v then_o deliver_v but_o woe_n to_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o earth_n because_o that_o they_o shall_v have_v much_o to_o do_v and_o suffer_v great_a trouble_n for_o see_v satan_n by_o the_o constant_a endure_v of_o those_o that_o have_v give_v their_o life_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o truth_n perceive_v that_o he_o have_v get_v such_o a_o foil_n he_o therefore_o rage_v against_o those_o that_o remain_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v say_v woe_n to_o they_o on_o the_o earth_n not_o that_o they_o shall_v perish_v but_o only_o shall_v be_v great_o afflict_v through_o the_o malice_n of_o satan_n and_o his_o instrument_n now_o than_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o persecute_v the_o woman_n that_o be_v the_o church_n in_o persecute_v the_o church_n she_o have_v a_o place_n appoint_v she_o in_o the_o wilderness_n whither_o she_o fly_v for_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n the_o time_n we_o have_v hear_v before_o to_o have_v be_v during_o the_o space_n of_o the_o hard_a deal_n with_o the_o two_o prophet_n wherein_o they_o prophesy_v which_o we_o show_v to_o contain_v so_o many_o year_n by_o this_o flight_n of_o the_o woman_n into_o the_o wilderness_n for_o one_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o day_n set_v down_o in_o the_o sixth_o verse_n and_o the_o persecution_n whereby_o the_o dragon_n pursue_v she_o that_o space_n be_v mean_v those_o persecution_n in_o general_a which_o follow_v against_o the_o whole_a church_n during_o the_o
army_n against_o christ_n so_o in_o like_a manner_n he_o bring_v his_o host_n against_o they_o to_o destroy_v they_o and_o he_o be_v describe_v by_o his_o property_n namely_o first_o in_o that_o he_o sit_v on_o a_o white_a horse_n note_v that_o he_o be_v a_o judge_n allude_v to_o the_o manner_n of_o judge_n in_o those_o time_n as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n that_o in_o token_n of_o honour_n they_o do_v use_v to_o ride_v on_o white_a ass_n the_o sword_n which_o go_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n signify_v that_o he_o will_v slay_v they_o only_o by_o his_o will_n the_o crown_n on_o his_o head_n note_v that_o his_o will_n shall_v prevail_v against_o his_o enemy_n and_o that_o he_o will_v have_v the_o victory_n his_o eye_n as_o a_o flame_n of_o fire_n signify_v his_o infinite_a knowledge_n of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v and_o his_o pierce_a sight_n into_o all_o the_o coast_n and_o secret_n of_o his_o enemy_n so_o that_o they_o can_v hide_v nothing_o from_o he_o with_o his_o foot_n he_o shall_v tread_v and_o press_v down_o all_o his_o enemy_n in_o the_o vine-presse_a of_o god_n wrath_n then_o as_o by_o his_o property_n so_o also_o he_o be_v describe_v by_o his_o nature_n in_o that_o his_o name_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o his_o office_n in_o that_o he_o be_v the_o king_n of_o king_n his_o garment_n dip_v in_o blood_n note_v the_o sharp_a revenge_n he_o will_v take_v upon_o his_o enemy_n in_o their_o destruction_n further_o he_o be_v set_v down_o by_o his_o company_n and_o train_n that_o follow_v he_o to_o wit_n the_o angel_n and_o saint_n who_o be_v say_v to_o ride_v also_o on_o white_a horse_n signify_v that_o they_o be_v conqueror_n over_o all_o their_o enemy_n by_o christ_n a_o angel_n in_o the_o sun_n to_o wit_n which_o be_v able_a to_o order_v the_o sun_n by_o cause_v it_o to_o give_v light_n unto_o the_o servant_n of_o christ_n and_o withdraw_v the_o light_n thereof_o and_o to_o deprive_v the_o enemy_n of_o the_o use_n of_o it_o by_o cast_v darkness_n upon_o they_o so_o as_o they_o can_v not_o see_v one_o another_o much_o less_o to_o fight_v against_o he_o which_o signify_v and_o set_v forth_o the_o glory_n and_o power_n of_o christ_n that_o see_v one_o of_o his_o angel_n be_v able_a to_o do_v this_o how_o much_o more_o wonderful_a be_v his_o power_n both_o in_o himself_o and_o in_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o his_o angel_n to_o destroy_v those_o his_o enemy_n this_o angel_n make_v a_o proclamation_n of_o defiance_n against_o they_o before_o the_o battle_n as_o it_o be_v the_o usual_a custom_n in_o war_n and_o here_o he_o do_v not_o as_o in_o war_n prince_n use_v to_o do_v to_o their_o foreign_a enemy_n by_o proclaim_v open_a war_n against_o they_o to_o warn_v &_o challenge_v they_o unto_o fight_n for_o he_o need_v not_o neither_o will_v he_o see_v they_o be_v not_o foreigner_n but_o his_o subject_n and_o rebel_n against_o he_o be_v king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n but_o in_o stead_n of_o send_v embassage_n or_o a_o herald_n of_o arm_n unto_o they_o in_o scorn_n of_o they_o he_o make_v proclamation_n unto_o the_o bird_n and_o bid_v they_o come_v to_o eat_v of_o the_o flesh_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o here_o he_o show_v the_o certainty_n and_o surety_n of_o his_o victory_n in_o that_o before_o the_o battle_n he_o call_v the_o bird_n to_o devour_v as_o if_o they_o be_v already_o slay_v christ_n be_v thus_o describe_v as_o he_o be_v in_o himself_o and_o also_o by_o his_o retinue_n and_o attendant_n after_o follow_v the_o event_n and_o execution_n of_o the_o judgement_n and_o first_o in_o that_o it_o be_v say_v the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n which_o go_v out_o from_o the_o beast_n be_v take_v it_o note_v that_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o rage_n seem_v to_o lay_v hold_n on_o those_o his_o principal_a enemy_n the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n take_v they_o in_o contempt_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o neck_n even_o as_o a_o strong_a man_n in_o his_o fury_n in_o scorn_n take_v his_o weak_a enemy_n with_o who_o he_o disdain_v to_o fight_v by_o the_o collar_n of_o the_o neck_n and_o cast_v he_o away_o even_o so_o christ_n violent_o take_v they_o and_o cast_v they_o quick_a into_o a_o lake_n of_o fire_n &_o brimstone_n the_o remnant_n be_v slay_v with_o the_o sword_n to_o wit_n the_o king_n and_o the_o people_n note_v the_o difference_n of_o their_o judgement_n from_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o prophet_n not_o that_o they_o be_v not_o also_o to_o be_v condemn_v as_o well_o as_o these_o but_o it_o be_v only_o to_o show_v that_o their_o condemnation_n shall_v not_o be_v so_o terrible_a as_o the_o condemnation_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n for_o as_o it_o be_v in_o earthly_a judgement_n according_a to_o the_o heinousnesse_n and_o greatness_n of_o the_o fact_n such_o be_v the_o grievousnesse_n of_o the_o punishment_n the_o more_o heinous_a offender_n be_v to_o be_v burn_v to_o death_n those_o that_o be_v less_o grievous_a offender_n to_o be_v slay_v with_o the_o sword_n or_o with_o some_o less_o violent_a death_n even_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o this_o judgement_n of_o christ_n the_o beast_n and_o false_a prophet_n be_v chief_a offender_n and_o ringleader_n in_o this_o rebellion_n shall_v have_v a_o more_o terrible_a judgement_n and_o deep_a condemnation_n which_o teach_v we_o that_o according_a to_o the_o degree_n of_o sin_n so_o shall_v be_v the_o degree_n of_o punishment_n to_o the_o wicked_a in_o hell_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o chapter_n there_o be_v set_v down_o a_o accident_n which_o befall_v john_n which_o he_o here_o insert_v for_o the_o comfort_n and_o instruction_n of_o god_n child_n which_o be_v that_o john_n though_o a_o excellent_a man_n yet_o by_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o angel_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o thing_n by_o he_o show_v be_v so_o amaze_v and_o overtake_v that_o he_o fall_v down_o to_o worship_v the_o angel_n which_o show_v the_o great_a weakness_n of_o man_n and_o their_o proneness_n to_o idolatry_n for_o see_v that_o john_n who_o be_v so_o excellent_a a_o servant_n of_o god_n do_v thus_o forget_v himself_o much_o more_o other_o which_o be_v not_o endue_v with_o such_o grace_n the_o angel_n as_o a_o faithful_a servant_n of_o god_n refuse_v that_o honour_n and_o forbid_v he_o say_v that_o he_o himself_o be_v his_o fellow-seruant_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v worship_v but_o say_v he_o worship_n god_n note_v that_o all_o worship_n belong_v to_o god_n alone_o apoc._n cap._n 20._o 1._o and_o i_o see_v a_o angel_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n have_v the_o key_n of_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n and_o a_o great_a chain_n in_o his_o hand_n etc._n etc._n in_o this_o chapter_n there_o be_v set_v forth_o unto_o we_o two_o victory_n that_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n christ_n have_v against_o the_o dragon_n the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o then_o be_v set_v forth_o the_o latter_a judgement_n that_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o great_a day_n the_o day_n as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o great_a assize_n that_o which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o chapter_n be_v somewhat_o displace_v belong_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o twelve_o chapter_n but_o reserve_v to_o this_o place_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o better_a declaration_n of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o dragon_n to_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o this_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o which_o be_v before_o in_o the_o 12._o chapter_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o dragon_n persecute_v the_o woman_n which_o note_v as_o we_o have_v hear_v that_o great_a persecution_n which_o befall_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o ancient_a church_n of_o god_n for_o when_o as_o the_o dragon_n see_v that_o he_o be_v cast_v from_o heaven_n and_o that_o the_o woman_n have_v wing_n give_v she_o to_o fly_v from_o he_o into_o the_o wilderness_n and_o now_o he_o can_v not_o have_v his_o will_n against_o she_o he_o after_o that_o rage_v exceed_o against_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n to_o wit_n the_o catholic_a church_n of_o the_o gentile_n for_o the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v beget_v by_o the_o preach_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v call_v their_o seed_n and_o hereupon_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v fain_o to_o be_v bind_v after_o that_o he_o begin_v thus_o to_o rage_n which_o be_v about_o six_o and_o thirty_o year_n after_o christ_n be_v the_o time_n that_o jerusalem_n be_v overthrow_v about_o that_o time_n be_v the_o devil_n take_v for_o have_v pursue_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o have_v set_v himself_o fierce_o against_o the_o
continuance_n of_o those_o year_n which_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n he_o set_v down_o particular_o and_o several_o and_o first_o he_o set_v down_o the_o particular_a persecution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o thirteen_o and_o fourteen_o verse_n and_o then_o of_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o seaventeenth_o verse_n for_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o persecution_n thereof_o be_v express_v in_o that_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o persecute_v she_o that_o bring_v forth_o the_o man-child_n but_o the_o lord_n deliver_v she_o from_o be_v devour_v of_o the_o dragon_n in_o that_o it_o be_v say_v she_o be_v thus_o pursue_v have_v for_o her_o deliverance_n wing_n give_v she_o to_o fly_v away_o into_o a_o desert_n for_o two_o time_n a_o time_n and_o half_o a_o time_n it_o notable_o describe_v that_o strange_a deliverance_n of_o the_o child_n of_o god_n which_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n before_o the_o overthrow_n of_o it_o who_o as_o the_o story_n witness_v be_v warn_v by_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n from_o heaven_n do_v withdraw_v themselves_o for_o a_o time_n into_o a_o city_n call_v pella_n beyond_o jordan_n in_o the_o wilderness_n where_o they_o do_v continue_v for_o the_o space_n of_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a until_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v whereas_o the_o dragon_n be_v say_v to_o cast_v out_o water_n against_o the_o church_n it_o note_v the_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n for_o so_o it_o be_v often_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o also_o afterterwards_o 15._o cap._n 17._o 1._o 15._o which_o afterward_o the_o devil_n raise_v up_o to_o devour_v and_o consume_v the_o church_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o infancy_n of_o it_o but_o in_o that_o the_o earth_n be_v say_v to_o help_v the_o woman_n it_o note_v that_o howsoever_o the_o lord_n suffer_v the_o devil_n to_o raise_v and_o stir_v up_o many_o enemy_n and_o adversary_n against_o his_o church_n yet_o also_o he_o have_v his_o mean_n for_o the_o deliverance_n of_o his_o child_n by_o the_o overthrow_n of_o their_o enemy_n destroy_v they_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o fury_n and_o cast_v they_o into_o their_o grave_n and_o last_o the_o dragon_n have_v do_v the_o worst_a he_o can_v against_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o christ_n himself_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n he_o follow_v and_o proceed_v with_o mortal_a envy_n and_o indignation_n to_o pursue_v their_o seed_n that_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o be_v call_v by_o their_o ministry_n and_o be_v also_o of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n though_o not_o according_a to_o the_o flesh_n apoc._n cap._n 13._o 1._o and_o i_o see_v a_o beast_n rise_v 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 be_v ten_o crown_n and_o upon_o his_o head_n the_o name_n of_o blasphemy_n etc._n etc._n the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v before_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n to_o wit_n the_o church_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v persecute_v of_o the_o dragon_n he_o now_o declare_v the_o manner_n and_o mean_n of_o the_o persecution_n and_o the_o trouble_n which_o befall_v the_o church_n the_o instrumental_a cause_n be_v here_o set_v out_o to_o be_v the_o beast_n which_o be_v the_o emperor_n of_o rome_n who_o be_v set_v forth_o by_o he_o come_v out_o of_o the_o sea_n whereby_o be_v mean_v the_o great_a storm_n trouble_n and_o tempest_n that_o the_o beast_n shall_v raise_v up_o by_o which_o tempest_n be_v express_v and_o mean_v the_o great_a tumult_n which_o shall_v arise_v both_o between_o the_o wicked_a themselves_o as_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n for_o they_o have_v among_o themselves_o many_a and_o long_a war_n and_o grievous_a trouble_n and_o dissension_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o history_n as_o also_o it_o note_v the_o trouble_n and_o affliction_n which_o the_o church_n shall_v receive_v by_o they_o for_o the_o church_n must_v needs_o be_v partaker_n of_o this_o misery_n though_o peradventure_o it_o be_v not_o immediate_o always_o tend_v against_o they_o yet_o they_o live_v under_o the_o empire_n where_o these_o trouble_n be_v principal_o can_v not_o but_o needs_o also_o feel_v the_o smart_n thereof_o afterward_o the_o trouble_n be_v also_o immediate_o direct_v against_o the_o godly_a themselves_o particular_o by_o the_o sword_n by_o fire_n and_o by_o sore_a persecution_n which_o be_v declare_v to_o arise_v and_o come_v from_o the_o beast_n a_o beast_n so_o he_o be_v term_v be_v here_o describe_v and_o represent_v under_o the_o form_n of_o a_o beast_n because_o of_o the_o furiousness_n and_o madness_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o emperor_n signify_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o almost_o of_o humanity_n in_o he_o but_o that_o he_o be_v even_o estrange_v from_o all_o courtesy_n of_o man_n second_o he_o be_v more_o particular_o note_v what_o manner_n of_o beast_n he_o be_v like_a unto_o to_o wit_n he_o be_v like_o a_o leopard_n note_v his_o marvelous_a swiftness_n and_o readiness_n to_o do_v mischief_n to_o the_o church_n and_o to_o destroy_v it_o as_o also_o show_v his_o cruelty_n towards_o the_o people_n of_o god_n the_o paw_n of_o a_o bear_n note_v his_o ravenousnesse_n as_o be_v ready_a so_o able_a to_o catch_v to_o apprehend_v and_o lay_v hold_v of_o the_o thing_n he_o desire_v the_o mouth_n of_o a_o lion_n show_v that_o he_o be_v cruel_a and_o strong_a to_o devour_v and_o to_o destroy_v he_o have_v the_o power_n of_o the_o dragon_n give_v he_o that_o be_v of_o the_o devil_n signify_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o cruelty_n for_o as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o twenty_o chapter_n the_o lord_n that_o he_o may_v save_v his_o people_n be_v now_o in_o their_o cradle_n from_o be_v overrun_v and_o devour_v of_o satan_n have_v first_o shut_v up_o the_o devil_n into_o the_o bottomless_a pit_n that_o he_o may_v not_o practice_v that_o he_o will_v against_o the_o church_n which_o thing_n the_o devil_n perceive_v and_o see_v himself_o thus_o shut_v up_o that_o as_o it_o be_v in_o his_o own_o person_n he_o can_v not_o as_o he_o desire_v be_v employ_v in_o the_o devour_a of_o the_o church_n at_o his_o pleasure_n he_o cast_v as_o much_o of_o his_o own_o power_n as_o he_o can_v upon_o a_o other_o to_o wit_n upon_o the_o roman_a emperor_n who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v his_o deputy_n to_o the_o end_n he_o may_v do_v that_o injury_n he_o can_v in_o prosecute_a the_o christ_n seven_o head_n signify_v his_o exceed_a wisdom_n and_o policy_n to_o do_v hurt_v which_o shall_v be_v very_o great_a according_a to_o his_o authority_n whereby_o he_o rule_v over_o the_o whole_a world_n his_o horn_n signify_v his_o power_n to_o do_v that_o hurt_n and_o his_o crown_n signify_v that_o great_a effect_n which_o that_o great_a wit_n and_o power_n of_o he_o shall_v take_v in_o prevail_a against_o man_n to_o wit_n that_o he_o shall_v vanquish_v and_o overcome_v in_o his_o mischief_n notwithstanding_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n between_o his_o crown_n and_o the_o dragon_n for_o the_o dragon_n have_v they_o on_o his_o head_n that_o be_v the_o devil_n have_v this_o power_n of_o himself_o proper_o to_o do_v hurt_v exercise_v it_o as_o from_o himself_o the_o beast_n have_v they_o upon_o his_o horn_n that_o be_v the_o emperor_n do_v not_o exercise_v his_o authority_n and_o power_n against_o the_o church_n immediate_o from_o himself_o but_o do_v borrow_v his_o power_n from_o the_o dragon_n which_o be_v speak_v after_o the_o custom_n and_o manner_n of_o those_o king_n and_o prince_n which_o have_v absolute_a authority_n wear_v their_o crown_n on_o their_o bare_a head_n those_o that_o be_v viceroy_n and_o have_v a_o absolute_a authority_n wear_v coronet_n indeed_o but_o on_o their_o cap_n as_o it_o be_v use_v in_o foreign_a country_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o practice_n in_o those_o day_n after_o he_o be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o blasphemy_n declare_v that_o the_o emperor_n shall_v be_v such_o as_o shall_v blaspheme_v god_n in_o call_v themselves_o god_n and_o take_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n unto_o themselves_o as_o caligula_n and_o other_o most_o wretched_o and_o blasphemous_o do_v like_v to_o alexander_n the_o great_a in_o the_o monarchy_n of_o the_o grecian_n which_o do_v arrogate_v this_o title_n to_o himself_o to_o be_v call_v god_n in_o that_o he_o say_v he_o have_v upon_o his_o head_n the_o name_n of_o blasphemy_n write_v he_o oppose_v to_o that_o contrary_a custom_n of_o the_o priest_n who_o have_v write_v upon_o his_o head_n honour_n to_o the_o lord_n so_o contrariwise_o this_o beast_n have_v write_v on_o his_o head_n blasphemy_n against_o god_n and_o he_o do_v not_o only_o blaspheme_v the_o name_n of_o god_n but_o also_o his_o tabernacle_n that_o be_v do_v speak_v evil_a of_o the_o church_n of_o