The image of both Churches after the most wonderfull and heauenly Reuelation of sainct Iohn the Euangelist, contayning a very fruitfull exposition or paraphrase vpon the same. Wherin it is conferred vvith the other scriptures, and most auctorised histories. Compyled by Iohn Bale an exyle also in thys lyfe, for the faithfull testimony of Iesu.

The xviij. Chapter.

VNder the title of Babilon is here in this chapter folowing described the feareful iudgment of y^e malignant church, with the ruinous fal of Anti∣christ and his kingdom, prefigured a∣fore in Esay and Hiremye.

THE TEXT.

1 And after that I savve an other angell. 2 Com dovvne frō heauen. 3. hauing great po∣vver. 4. And the earth vvas lightned vvith his brightnes. 5, And he cried mightely vvith a strong voyce, saying. 6. She is falen she is fal∣len. 7 Euen greate Babilon. 8. And is become the habitacion of Deuils, 9. And the holde of al foule spirites. 10. And a cage of all vnclene and hatefull birdes. 11. For all nacions haue dronk of the vvine. 12. of the vvrath of hyr vvhordom. 13. And the kinges of the earthe haue commited fornicaciō vvith hyr. 14. And hyr marchauntes are vvaxen ryche. 15. of the abundance of hir pleasurs.

The Commentarie.

1 After these manifolde visions (say∣eth S. Iohn) was I yet ware of an other aungel or heauenly messenger▪ of the Lord, cōmyng downe from hea∣uen, whnch is the habitacle of God. For from aboue al goodenesse cōmeth. This Aungell betokeneth the fayth∣full preachers of our age, and is all one wiih the Angel that had the seale of the liuing God in the vii. Chapter, wyth him that was clothed with a cloude in the x Chapter, and with him thai procllamed the fal of Babylon in the .xiiii. chapter.

2 In that he is sayd here to come downe from heauen, is signified that they are sente 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God hauing great power, with constaunt feruentnesse of spyrit, strongelye to declare hys wil, to the vtter destruction of the whore For like as the father hath lyf in hym selfe, so hath his sonne Iesus, and ••o hath in hym his Godlye ministers.

3 His power is an euerlasting power, retayninge both lyfe and death.

4 With the brightnes, not of this an∣gell which was but a messēger, but of

the power that was geuen vnto him, was the vniuersal earth abundantlye lightned. Full is all y^e world of y^e glory of God, where as his word 〈…〉〈…〉 his verity is once spred by y^• true God∣ly prechers.

5 In this strong power cr••ed he migh∣t••ly & in this clere light was his ear∣nest voice herd, vttering this sentence to the world.

6 She is falen clean down that was so proud, she is turned ouer that was so glorious an whore, yea, euen the great Babilō hyr self, or blasphemous church of the Hipocrites.

7 By the iudgement of God is ••he brought to vtter confusion. Firste ha•• she a ••al by the death of Christ, when the prince of this world was throwē forth Mark the distruction of Hieru∣salem, wher the church of y^e Iews dyd cease, the material temple of Salamō, and clearelye ouerthrowen, not one stone vpon an other, remayning. Now shall▪she haue an other much worse by the playne ••••nifestation of hys word, to the comfort of all his elects. And both are of one certenty though

the one he pa••te and the other yet to come.

Confer with this place y^e ouerthrowe of the monasteries in England, Den∣marke, the free cities of Germany, & certaine other regions, & thinke that more sorowes are yet comming.

8 These are y^e causes of hyr fall and occasions of hyr ruyne before the Lord.

She is become the filthy habitacion of deuils much more than before hir first fa••l, for now they enter in by heaps, yea, seuen for ••n afore.

9 Now is she the stinking hold of all vnclene spirites. For ther haue al the kinds of Idolatry their earnest main∣tenance, by hir spiritual occupiers the bishops, priestes and religious. There regneth Simony, Sacrilege, Usury, fraud, ambition, mallice, glotony, aua∣ryce, pryde, filthynes, & all mischiefes beysde.

10 Now is she the corrupt cage of all vnclene fowles, and ••atefull byrdes. For in hyr dwelleth the aduouterous Cardinals, the buggery bishops, the

prostibulous prelates and pristes, the Gomorreane monks, chanons, friers, and nonnes, an innumerable smarme of Sodomits. These dothe Esay in si∣militude compare vnto wild beastes, Dragons, Estriches, dansing Apes, Howlets, Meremaides, and other odi∣ble monsters. For there is mockinge and mowynge, criyng, and yellynge crossynge, and gapynge, congerynge and cloynynge, whyth manye other feates.

Here coulde I showe wonderfullye muche by the hystoryes of the stewes of bothe kynds at Rome, of the profits receyued thereof, that occupiyng of Winchesters rentes in England, of saynt Lewes mantil in the graye fry∣ers of Paris, of the hollowe piller of our Lordes lengthe in Lyons, of the good Godlye father that cons••uprated two hundred Nunnes in hys tyme, of the burying of infants in theyr ••akes, and of manye other straunge myste∣ries els, were it not for losinge of the time and hinderinge mens con∣siences.

11 She is fallen, she is fallen (sayt•• the Angell) and therfore be glad of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. For all nacions of the worlde, a small simple number excepte (whome God hath preserued of his goodnesse) hath dronken of the wine of hir whore∣dome. For not geuinge thankes vnto God when causes hath bene offered, they haue fallen into moste déepe er∣rour. They haue sought hir sorceries with deuociō, beléeued hyr doctrines, and so folowed them in effect.

12 And therefore they shall taste of the wrath of God, or penalties due to that aduoutry of the spirite or vice of Idolatri ministred by hir. I shal haue no pittie (sayth the Lord) vppon hyr children, for they are the children of fornication.

13 The mighty kinges and Poten∣tates of the earth, not hauinge afor•• their eyes the loue and feare of god, haue committed with this whore moste vile filthynesse, abusinge them selues by many straunge or vncom∣maunded worshippings, and bynding themselues by othe to obserue hyr lawes and customs. At the examples,

doctrines, counsels, and perswasions of hyr holy whoremongers haue they broken the couenaunts of peace, bat∣tailed, oppressed, spoyled, rauished, ty∣rannously murthered innocents, yea, for vaine foolish causes, & more vaine titles, neither godlynesse nor honestie regarded, as though there were nei∣ther heauen nor hel, God nor accoūts to be made.

14 And hir mitred marchantes, hyr shorne souldiers, hir masse mongers, hyr soule sellers, and hir mart brokers waxed very riche through the sale of hir oyles, creme, salt, water, bread, or∣ders, hallowings, houselinges, ashes, palme, waxe, frankensence, beades, crosses, candlesticks, copes, belles, or∣ganes, Images, reliques, and other pedlary wares.

15 And are become very wealthy in the habundaunce of hyr pleasuers. They haue gotten in vnto them pal∣laces and princely houses, fat pastors and parkes, medowes and warrens, riuers and pondes, villages & towns, cyties and whole prouinces, with the diuill and all els, besides other mens

wiues, daughters, mayde seruantes, and children whom they haue abho∣minably corrupted. What profites they haue drawen vnto them also by the sale of great bishopricks, prelacies promocions, benefices, tot quoties, par¦dons, pilgrymages, confessions, and purgatory, besides the yearely rents, of cathedrall churches, Abbayes, Col∣leges, Couents, for sutes and suche other, it were vnreasonable to tell. No pleasures are in the fardest part of the world, but they will haue plen∣ty of them Yet can they for the time preach vnto other men contempte of the worlde, and commende both po∣uerty and fasting.

THE TEXT

1 And I hard an other voiee from heauen, say. 2. Come avvay from hyr (my people). 3. That ye be not pertakers in hir sinnes. 4. Least ye receiue of hir plagues. 5. For hir sins are gone vp to heauen. 6. And the Lord hath remembred hir vvickednesse. 7. Revvard hir euen as she revvavded you, 8. & geue hir dou∣ble according to hir vvorks. 9. And povvre in double to hir in the same cuppe, vvhirhe

she fylled vnto you. 10. And as much as she gloryfied her selfe▪ and lyued vvantonly. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so much poure ye in for hyr of punishment and sorrovve.

The Commentary▪

1 Besides all this (sayth saynt Iohn) yet heard I an other voyce frome a∣boue, betokening an other mouing of the spirit wherby the Godlie mini∣sters are taught of the Lord. And this was therof y^• swéete warning.

2 Come away my people from that wicked Babilon with Esd••as, and from that stinkinge S••dome with Loth. Haue no more to doe with that whorish churche. Forsake hir false religion and defiled Sacramentes. Refuse hir wanton ceremonies, de∣test hir supersticion, leaue hir begger∣ly baggage.

Meddle no more with those whore∣mongers, those Nicolaitanes, those Baalamits. Abhore their abhomina∣ble studies, manners and lyfe, repen∣ting in heart all foolishnesse paste. Resorte vnto me (sayeth the Lorde) all you that labour and are laden, and

I shal ease you of your heauy burthēs.

3 Submit your selues no longer to y^• yoke of the infidels, but set your selue•• at large, least ye be pertakers of hyr abhominable sins, & to receyue of hyr plages, which is y^e great vengeaunce of god. Let it suffise you that hath ben don alredy at the plesur of the Heathē in the vnlawfull seruice of Idols. And learne frō henceforth to be more God∣ly wise, lest ye be damned with y^e wic∣ked. I remēber that Iohn Hildeshē in his booke in turpia pingentem, shew∣eth that Tailarand••s Petragoric••••s a french cardinal, when question was moued at his table of Apostates, com∣mended the order of cardinals in that there was none amonge them. Unto whō Peter Thomas a Carmelyt▪ frier (which was notwithstanding within a while after y^e patriark of Constantino∣ple) made this true answer, what they be (saith he) y^t goth from other orders I cannot tel, but sure I am that they which go frōyour order are saints. As by exāple, S Hierome, Petrus Dami∣••••us, Petrus de Moroue, & such other.

4 Besides the wholsome admonish∣mentes

of the scripture hath many godly m••n geuen warninges of these matters, both in the primatiue church and in euery age since. Many notab•••• Doctours and fathers, since y^e popes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rayte, hath in their famous wri∣tinges called vpon the churches refor∣mation. As Bertramus, Herebaldus, Ioannes Scotus Menachus, Beren∣garius Thuronensis, Brun••, Ade∣gauensis▪ Petrus Damianus Wa∣teramus, Medburgensis, Bernardus, Cla••euallensis, Robertus Tuiciēsis, Ioachim Abbas, Cirillus Grecus, Io∣annes Salisburtensis, Gilbertus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Angelus Hierosolimitanus, Guilbe••••nus de sancto amore, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••onatus, Nicolaus Gallus, Huber∣tinus de Casan, Petrus Ioannis, Mar••ilius Pataumus, Ioannes▪ Pa∣rys, Arnoldus de villa noua, Michael Cesenus, Guil••e••mus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nicolaus d•• Luca, Marcus de Florencia, Ioan∣nes Wiccleus, Ioannes 〈◊〉〈◊〉; Mi∣chael de Bononia, Ioannes Hildeshē, Dātes Aligerius, Franciscus Petrar¦cha, Nicolaus Clemengis, Petrus de

Aliaco, Ioannes Gerson, Laurencius Ualla, Ludouicus Arelatensis, Io∣hannes Segobius, Thomas Redone∣sis Gallus, Matheus Parmarius, Da∣uid Bois, Dionisius, Carthustanus, Iohannes Milnerton, Iohannes▪ Go••∣chous, Iohannes▪ de We••alya Wo••∣maciensis, Iohānes G••yler, Iohānes Crutzer, Wessalus Groningensis▪ E∣neas Syluius, Rodericus, Samoren∣sis, Iulianus Brixiensis▪ and Hiero∣nimus Sauonarola, besydes those that hath written in our dayes, as Iohn Reuclin, Baptista Mantuanus▪ Bapti∣sta Panecius, Iohannes Crestonus, Erasmus, Luther, and such other▪ of whom they haue condempned y^e more parte for heretyques. To recyte theyr testimonyes and wrytings, it would r••quyre much tyme, and therefore I passe it ouer here▪

Onely haue I rehearsed their names (as I could doe yet many more) to put ••ée in remembraunce y^t God▪ hath al∣wayes had some in the world, which hath not in all poynts▪ cōsented to their blasphemies, though they haue not had

the lyght of this trueth so open as wée haue it now.

Many godly Emperours and Coūseil•• general haue attemted this reforma∣cion in the church, but euermore▪ haue they foūd vngodly princes against thē, to houlde the Antichristes stil in their wickednes. Yet doubt I not but Pha∣rao with his hoast shall perishe in the sea, and the proud Iewishe priestes in the cittie, for theyr manyfolde blasphe∣myes, at the tyme now appointed of the Lord.

5 For y^e sinnes of this whore, or abho∣minacions without number of y^e false religion, hyr stinkeing Idolatry and slaughter of Innocēts are gone vp vn∣to heauen against hyr, requiring the great vengeāce of God. The filthines of thē hath moued him to wrath, and kinled his displesure towards hir, put∣ting hym in rememberaunce of his eternal decrée cōcerning hir destructy∣on. The greatnes of hir mischiefs hath touched heauen, and hath axed w^t So∣dome and Gomor the fearfull plages threatned hyr.

6 And the merciful Lorde beholding the affliction of his people, & pittying their miserable thraldō in y^e spiritual Egipt, hath cōsidered hir vngodly be∣hauiour, wayed hir wilfull wretched∣nesse, and measured hir vnmerciful murther, cōmaunding his appointed ministers to execute vpō hir his iudg∣mentes without mercy.

7 Rewarde hir nowe (saith he) in eue∣ry cōdiciō as she hath rewarded you afore▪ Measure agayne vnto hir, lyke as she hath measured to you, nowe y^t ye haue the iudgement seates. Crye out vpon hir as she hath cried out vp∣on you▪ Snare hir as she hath snared you. Destroy hir as she hath destroy∣ed you. As she hath taken vengeaunce of you, so take you vengeaunce again•• of hir. Lyke as she hath afflicted you, Iudge•• you, and condemned you by y^e lawes of mē, so scurge you hir againe, iudge hir an harlot, and condemne hir to hell by the mightie worde of God.

8 Sée that you giue hir two folde in punishment according to hir wicked deseruings. Where as she hath taken from you no more but the life of the

bodie, take you away from hir againe the lyfe both of bodie and soule.

9 Into y^e same bitter cuppe of sorow•• that she hath filled vnto you in hir mallice, powre you in double again to hir. Where as she hath geuen you a temporal death, giue hir the death e∣uerlasting, doubling vnto hir both y^e griefes and continuance of them.

10 Yea, consider how greatly she hath glorified hir selfe▪ against God in blas∣phemous errours, in pride, in plea∣sures, and in wanton liuing.

11 And so muche let hir tast of moste terrible punishmentes, sorowfull pla∣ges, waylinges, & gnashinges of téeth. An holy priesthod hath she pretended▪ a regal dignitie hath she vsurped, and both those powers moste shamefully hath she so abused, therefore let hir haue the penalties dew vnto such pre∣sumption. Take from hir, hir plesaūt Euphrates with the spoyles and pro∣fites, wherein she hath inordinatlye delighted, and throwe hir into most•• depe wretchednesse here, besides that shal follow in an other worlde.

THE TEXTE.

1 For she sayth in hir hart, 2. I sitte, be∣yng

a queene, 3. & am no widovv▪ 4. and shal see no sorovv, 5. Therefor shal hir plages co•• at on day, 6. death, and sorovv, and honger, 7. And she shal be brent with fyre, 8. For stron•• is the Lord God, 9. vvhich shall iudge hyr.

The commentary

1 For hyghlye shée standeth in hyr owne conseit as yet, boasting hyr selfe to be the great goodnesse of the earth.

2 I sit here in wealth, and pleasure (saith she) being a glorious quéene, yea the holy church hir self, hauing autho∣ryty in heauen, in earth and in hel, w^t power to lose and bynd, saue & damne. With me is it not as with them that are not of this world or haue no dwel∣ling place here, for all is at my wyll and pleasure.

3 I am no desolate widow. The pow∣ers of this world standeth by me. The mighty princes and potentates defen∣deth me with the death of innocente peple. Neuer was Nero, Domicianus Traianus nor Marencius, with other cruel tirrauntes, more sure vpon my side in defence of supersticions, than they are yet still to this houre.

4 Therefore I can take no seathe, nor yet féele of any sorrowe, I shalbe

lady for euer. Neuer shall my seate be remoued. Neuer shall I fall, nor any m••shappe light vpon me. Such are y^e bold bragges of the papistes, that Pe∣ters lytle shippe may well be moued with y^e tempest of heretiques, but ne∣uer shall it be ouerthrowen, thynking therby y^e whorish church shal euermore continue, and neuer come to naught.

5 They cōsider not how strōg y^e Lamb is, against whō they dayly fight. And therfore shall y^e terrible plages (which God hath appointed hir to suffer) hea∣uily light vpon hir, and all in one day.

6 At once shall he powre vpon that wicked congregation, death, sorowe & hunger, lyke as he did fyre and brim∣stone vpon the sinfull cyties. Perpe∣tually shall they be depriued of y^e lyfe which is in Christ Iesu. Continuall wéeping and téeth gnashing shall they haue, their worme neuer dying. Still shal they inwardly famish, and neuer with felicitie be satisfied.

7 With vnquencheable fire shall this whore be brent with hyr whole gene∣ration of hypocrites, prepared for the diuil and his Angels.

8 Effectual and trwe is the sentence, for mightye is the Lorde that shall iudge hir, & condemne hir by his word.

9 Iust is he in his promise, true in his sayings, gloryous in his works, holye, terrible, and fearefull in his iudgements against the wicked. None shall be founde able at that day to re∣strayne the least part of his purposed vengeance, neyther Mary throwyng in hir beades into saint Michaels ba∣launce, Iohn Baptist with his Lamb, Peter with his key, nor yet Paule with his long sword.

Though Moyses and Samuell, the chosen Prophetes of the Lorde, yea, with Noe, Daniell, and pacient Iob, should stand before hym at that day, yet should they not be ha••d.

[illustration]

THE TEXT.

1 And the kings of the earth shall be vvepe hyr, 2. and vvayle ouer hyr, 3. vvhich haue cō∣mitted fornication, 4. and lyued vvantonlye vvith hir, 5. vvhan they shall see the smoke of hir burning, 6. and shall stand a farre of, 7. for feare of hir punishment saying. 8. Alas alas, that great citie, 9. Babilon. 10. that mightie ci∣tie. 11. For at one houre commeth thy iudge∣ment.

The Commentary.

1 Moreouer y^e carnally mynded kings of the earth (sayth the aforesayde An∣gell) which hath for hyr pleasure abu∣sed their aucthoritie and power, shall take hyr, sodayne distruction in thys lyfe very heauily.

2 Yea, they shall moste sorrowfully bewayle them selues ouer hir, as men very ill contented with that ordinance of God.

They shall be sorie in their heartes that his worde is become so stronge a∣gaynst hyr, that they can resist it with swerd, fyre, & halters no longer. They shal be pensyue & heauy to sée all goe to

wracke, they being no lenger able by the slaughter of innocents to vpholde hyr glittering estate.

3 Specially shal they be sore discontē∣ted w^t y^e matter, which haue with his commited the whordom of the spyrite by many externe worshipings of drye waffer cakes, oyles roods, relyques, la∣dyes, Images, sculles, bones, chippes, olde ragges, showes, bootes, spurres, hattes, breches, whodes, nightcapes, and such like.

4 And they that haue liued wantōly with hir in folowing hir idle obserua∣cions in mattēses, houres, and masses, in sensinges, halowings, and font ha∣lowing, in going processions with ca∣napye, crosse, and pyx, with banneres, stremers, and torchelight, with such other gaudes to folish for children, no godly admonishment taken of y^e scrip∣turs. For vnder y^e kinges here are also to be vnderstāded those peoples, whō they haue wickedly gouerned, & con∣strained by theyr lawes to such abho∣minable vsages.

5 Dolorously shal these kings lamēt, whan thy shal behould y^e filthy smoke

of hir burning, or whan they perceiue that she comming to the triall of the scriptures, appereth nothing but a vile stinking smoke noyful to the eyes, cho∣king to the throte, and euermore ble∣mishing the comfortable light. The churche of the wicked (saith Dauid) is as the dust that is blowen forth of the winde, the shadow that passeth away, the smoke that vanisheth, and y^e waxe that melteth in the fyre, yea, of al fan∣tasticall vanities the most.

6 A fare of shal they stand trembling at y^e magesty of gods worde, ••••aring to be destroyed or to lose their worldlye honours also by the same, as dyd the duke of Bauery and Brunswick with other popish princes at the last coun∣sail of Rainsbrig. For the continuall clamor of Eckius, Cochleus, Tregari∣us, Sactzgerus, Pelargus, Herborne, Hos••••eister, Badia, Winchester, and such other dirtye doctours of theirs is euermore, that the Gospellers would haue all things in cōmon. And therfore do these persecut them, and would not haue that church to goe downe, thyn∣kyng that if it should once fall, they

should not long after continue.

7 Thus doth y^e childrē of Cain which haue murthered their poore innocent brethern, fear that euery man loking vpon them would destroy them. As men forsakē of God they dispaier in them selues, loking for non other but dampnacion, now that they can haue no more masses, holy praiers nor suf∣frages, & complayning after this sort.

8 Alas alas that great cyty, that beu∣tiful Babilō, that blessed holy mother y^e church, which somtime had so many Popes pardons, so many bishoppes blessinges, so many holye stacions, so many clean remissions a Pena et cul∣pa, so many good ghostly fathers, so ma¦ny religious orders, so much holy wa∣ter for spirites, and saint Iohns Gos∣pels with y^e .v. woundes and y^e length of our Lord for drowning, is nowe decayed for euer.

9 We sorow, we sighe, we sobbe, we are sore disquieted, for pain we pante, tremble, and quake to sée our dearely beloued Babilon turned vpside down, whom we toke for a most wonderfull miracle.

10 Oh, that cyty, that city, y^e sumtime was so mighty and strong, so fayre & bewtiful, so glorious & holy, is now be∣com wast and desolate.

11 At once is the terrible iudgment of God cōmen vpon thée vnloked for. So∣denly art thow destroyed with the spi∣rit of his mouth vnthought vpon. Alas who shall pray for vs now? who shall ••inge Diriges and trentoles? who shal assoile vs of our sinnes? who shal giue vs ashes & palmes? who shal blesse vs with a spade, and sing vs out of purga∣tory when we are deade? If we lacke these things, we are like to want hea∣uē. These are y^e desperate complaints of the wicked.

THE TEXTE.

1 And the marchauntes of the earth, 2. shall vvepe and vvaile in them selues, 3. bicause no man vvill by their vvares anye more, 4. The vvares, 5. of golde, 6. and siluer, 7. and of pre∣cious stons, 8. neither of pearle, 9. and silke, 10 and raines, 11. and purple and scarlet, 12. and all thinne vvood, 13. and all maner of vessels of luery, 14. & all maner vessels of most preci¦ous vvood, 15. and of brasse, 16 and of yron 17. and of marbil, 18. and sinamon, 19. and

odours, 20. & oyntmēts, 21. & frankensence, 22. & wine, 23. & oyle, 24. and fine floure, 25. and wheat, 26. and cattell, 27. and sheepe, 28. and horses, 29. and charettes, 30. and bodyes. 31. and soules of men.

The commentary

1 Now followeth in course the mer∣chauntes of the earth, the sellers of wares in the temple, the marked mu∣ster of Mahomet and the Pope.

2 They shall wéepe & mourne, wayle and lament inwardly in them selues, both wringing their hands for sorow, and scratchyng theyr heades for verye anguish.

3 Bicause they sée all men goe from them, and none in a maner are dispo∣sed to buye their pedlary wares anye more.

4 As these wares are specially, which follow here in course.

5 They will pay no more money for the housell sippings, bottom blessings, nor for séest me and séest me not, aboue the heade and vnder of their chalices, which in many places be of fyne gold. Neyther regarde they to knéele anye more downe and to kisse their pontifi∣call rings, which are of y^e same mettal.

6 They will be no more at coste to haue y^e ayre beaten and y^e Idols perfu∣med with their sensers at pryncipall feastes, to haue their crucifixes layde vpō horses, or to haue them solemply borne aloft in their gaddings abroade, with the religious occupyings of their paxes, cruettes, & other Iewels which be of siluer.

7 Neyther passe they greatly to be∣holde precyous stones any more in their ij. horned miters, whan they hal∣low their churches, giue theyr who∣rishe orders, and tryumphantly mu∣ster in processions.

8 Nor in costuous pearles in theyr copes perrours, and chysibilles, whan they bée in theyr prelately pompous sacrifices.

9 Men knowing y^e worde of God sup∣poseth y^t their ornaments of silk wher∣with they garnishe their temples and adorne their Idolles, is very blasphe∣mous and diuillish.

10 They thinke also that their fayre white rochets of raynes or fine linnen cloath, their costly gray amices of ca∣laber and cattes tayles.

11 Theyr fresh Purple gownes whā they walke for their pleasures, & their read scarlet frockes whan they preach lyes in the Pulpit, are very superflu∣ous and vayne.

12 In their thynen wood (whom some men call Algume trées, some Basill, some Corall) may be vnderstande all theyr curious buildings of Temples, Abbeys, Chappels, and Chambers. All shrines, Images, churchscooles, & pews that are well payed for. All Banner staues, Pater noster scores, and péeces of the holy crosse.

13 The vessels of yuory comprehen∣deth all their maundye dyshes, theyr offring platters, their relique chistes, their god boxes, their drinking horns, their sipping cuppes for the hiccough, their tables wherevpon are charmed their chalices and vestiments, theyr standiches, their combes, theyr muske balles, their pomaunder pottes, and their dust boxes with such other toyes.

14 The vessels which after some in∣terpretours are of precious stone, or af∣ter some of most precious wood, betoke∣neth their costuous cuppes or cruses of

Iasper, Iacinct, Amel, and fine Beral, and theyr alabaster boxes wherwith they annointe kinges, confirme chil∣dren, and minister their holy whorish orders. Their pardon masers or drin∣king dishes, as saint Benits bole, saint Edmonds bole, saint Giles bole, saint Blithes bole, and Westminster bole, with such other holy reliques.

15 Of Brasse (which contayneth lat∣ten, copper, alcumine, and other harde metals) are made all their great can∣dlesticks, holy water kettles, lampes, desks, pyllers, butterasses, bosses, bels and many other thinges more.

16 Of stronge yron are the braun∣ches made that holde vp the lightes before their false gods, the tacks that sustayne them for fallinge, the lockes that saue them from the robberye of théeues, their fyre pans, bars and poo∣lyes, w^t many other straunge ginnes besides.

7 With marble most commonlye paue thei their temples, & build strong p••llers and arches in their great cathe¦drall Churches and monasteries, they make thereof also their superalities,

their tumbs, and their solemne graue stones, besides their other buildinges with frée stone, flint, ragge, and brick, comprehended in the same.

8 By the Sinamon is ment all ma∣ner of costly spyces wherwith they bury their Byshops and founders, lest they shoulde stinke when they tran∣slate them agayne to make them sain∣tes for aduauntage.

19 By the smellynge odours, the swete herbes that they strowe abrode at theyr dedications and burials, be∣sydes the dāmaske waters, bawmes, muskes, pomaūnder, ciuet, and other curious confections they y^t bestow vpō theyr owne Precious bodyes.

20 The oyntmentes are such oyles as they mingle w^t rose water, aloes, & spike with other mery conceits, wher with they anoynt their holy sauours & roods to make them to sweat and to smell swéete, when they are borne a∣brod in procession vpō their high feast∣full dayes, lyke as doctor Rede vsed his olde rotten Roode at Beckles in Southfolke vppon the holye roode daye.

21 Frankensence occupye they ofte as a necessarie thinge, in the sensyng, of their Idols, hallowinge of their paschal, coniuringe of their ploughes, besydes the blessing of their palmes, candles, ashes, and their dead mens graues with Requiescant in peace.

22 With wine synge they theyr masses for money, they housell y^e peo∣ple at Easter, they wash their aulter stones vpō maundy thursday, they fast the holy Imber dayes, besydes other banketinges all the whole yeere to kepe theyr flesh chaste.

23 With oyle smere they yonge in∣fantes at baptisme & bishopping, they grease their massemongers and geue them the mark of madian, they ancle their cattell that starueth, & do many other feates els.

24 Fyue sloure is suche a merchan∣dyse of theirs as far excedeth all other and was first geuen them by pope A∣lexander the first, thinkinge Christes institution not sufficient nor coml••m vsing the common breade in that mi∣nisterie. For that ware hath brought them in their plentifull possessions,

their Lordshippes, fatte benifices, and prebendaries, with in nmerable ple∣sures els.

25 Wheat haue thei of their farmes, whereof they make pardon bread and cakes to draw people to deuocion to∣wardes them.

26 Cattell receiue they offered vnto their Idols by the Idiots of the coun∣tries for recouer of sondrye diseases, besides that they haue of their tithes.

27 Shepe haue they sometime of their owne pastures, somtime of beg∣ginge, sometime of bequestes for the dead, to cry them out of their feareful purgatorye, when they be a sléepe at midnight.

28 Great horses haue they for mor∣tuaries, for offices, for fauers, giftes & rewardes, to be good Lords vnto them that they may holde still their farmes, and to haue saunder waspe their sonne and their heire a priest, or to admitte him vnto a manerly benifice, that he may be called maister person, & suche lyke.

29 Charets haue they also or horse∣litters of al manner of sorts, specially

at Rome, with foote men runninge on both sides of them, to make roome for the holy fathers.

Of whom some carye their owne precious bodyes, some theyr treasure, some the blessed sacramente, some holy reliques and ornamentes, some theyr whores, & some theyr bastardes.

30 The bodyes of men must needes be iudged to be at their pleasure, so long as christen prouinces be tributa∣ries vnto them, princes obediēte, peo∣ples subiect, and their lawes at their commaundement to slea and to kyll. And to make this good, who hath not in England payd his Peter peny som∣time to acknowledge hymselfe a bond man of theirs at the receit of his yerely howsell.

Furthermore yet, besides their mar∣ket muster of monkes, fryers, and priestes, they haue certayne bondmē, of whom some they sell to the Ueni∣cians, some to the Genues, some to the Portingales, & some to y^e Turks, to row in their galleis.

31 And laste of all to make vp their market, least any thing should escape

their hands, these vnmercifull bribers maketh marchaundise of the soules of men, to depriue Christe of his whole right, sending many vnto hell, but not one vnto heauen (vnlesse they malici∣ously murther thē forthe truths sake) & all for mony. After many other sortes els abuse they these good creatures of God whō the holy ghost héere nameth by course as things comprehending al other, besides, that Mahomits mini∣sters in their sort in Barbary, Greece, and Egipt. For nothing vnder the hea∣uens leaue thei vndefiled. Much were it to shew here by the cronicles seue∣rally, of what Pope they haue reieiued authorytie, power, and charge to vtter these wares to aduauntage and how they came firste from the olde Idola∣trous by the large testimonies of Sa∣pience, Esay, Daniel, Baruch, Os••as, and the other prophetes. At one houre shall these marchauntes for their ab∣hom••nations be plaged, nothinge that the vaine louers of this worlde haue tro••••ed in, anaylinge them nor yet healping them. For at all times in this last age of the world (whom Iohn

caleth the last houre) are the wicked re¦probats condemned of God, and so re∣serued to y^e latter sentence of y^e iudge. For it foloweth in the text.

THE TEXT.

1 And the apples that thy soule lusted after, are departed rrom thee. 2. And all things that which vvere dainty, and had price. 3. were de∣parted from thee 4. And thou shalt finde thē no more. 5. The marchaunts of these thinges. 6. Which vvere vvaxed riche by hir. 7. Shall stande a farre of, from hir, for feare of the punishment of hir. 8. Weping and vvayling, and saying. 9. Alas, alas, that great citie, that vvas clothed in raines and purple, and scarlet, and decked vvith gold, and precious stone & pearle. 10. For at one houre so great riches is come to nought.

The Commentary.

1 And the deliclous apples (sayth y^e threatnyng voyce of the holy ghost vn∣to thys whore) that thy wreched herte hath so sore lusted after by so mani vn¦saciable desires are now departed frō thée. Men of ripe learninge and iudge∣ment, whome thou couetedst to haue for defence of thy gloryous whore∣dom, thy abhominatiōs perceiued, wil no longer dwell with thée, but vtterly

leaue thée, detest thée, and abhore thée. Where as they haue afore auauan∣ced thée to the world, now wyll they by the scriptures reproue thée to the same.

2 In lyke manner al those thinges which were afore time very precious and dainty vnto thée, and whom thou haddest for their goodnesse in much es∣timation, are now for thy lewdenesse gone a way cleane from thée, biddinge thée for euer adue. Men of sober discretion and liuing, whom thou hast afore time pretended much to fauer, as things commodious vnto thée, to the clokyng of hypocrisie, thy conditi∣ons now knowen, doe dayly more and more decline from thy dead obserua∣tions and moste damnable superstici∣ons. And wher as they thought thée a∣fore verye holye and good, they sup∣pose thee now both detestable and di∣uelish.

3 So that from henceforth the ve∣ritie open, none shall remaine wyth thée, nor defende thy knowne whore∣dome, but hipocrits, mens pleasures, flatterers, bablyng sophisters, hauling

canonistes, Epicures, and blasphe∣mous Antichristes. As for menne that be godly wyse, sober, vertuous, learned, well occupied, and mynding the glory of God, wyll vtterly refuse thée, & forsake thy pestiferous wayes.

4 Thou shalte finde them no more vpon thy side pleating. No more shalt thou haue their sauer, nor yet their swéete smellinge. Neither shall their doctrine maintaine thy vaine ceremo∣nies, nor yet their conuersation ob∣serue thy crooked customes any more▪ Yea, be thou certayne and sure of this, that be thei once gone from the clean, neuer shal they agayne returne vnto thée. Only shal thy wicked remnant be beasts and bablers, fi••thy workers and drounkards, as in Eckius which had thrée bastardes the same yeare y^t he disputed at Lipsia against the ma∣riage of priests, Natalis Beda, C••lic∣toneus, Liset, Godet, Sutor, Del∣phus, and de quercu at Paris. Brag∣ging Winchester, the Popes para∣clet in England, that is maister of the stewes at London, and such other dir∣tie doungels.

5 The busi marchauntes of these earthlye thinges afore (saith y^e voyce againe vnto Iohn) which wer become very fatte, welthy and riche thorow quick sale of their wares of this who∣rish churche, shall at the day of hir de∣struction stand a farre of bewaylinge hir fall. Farre diuers are these in their markets frō the vsage of other occupiers in the worlde. For whereas they sell their wares but once, & looke no more for them againe, these sell them euery day and yet retaine them still. And where as they sell the very wares in déede, these sell no more but the sight, the sound, and the shadowe. As the looking vpon their Images, y^e noyse of their bels, the spreading out of their ornaments, the shew of their Iewelles, the vse and occupyinge of their instruments, the kissing of their reliques, the winde of their lips, the spatle of their tungs, their idle prat∣lings, and vngodly merits. But styll they kéepe to them selues the golde, the siluer, the precious stones, the pearles, and such lyke, though they neuer cost them mony. Yea, so wolde

they doe also the learninge and good lyuing if they had them as they haue not. For none would they haue lear∣ned nor yet vertuous in the sighte of the worlde, but their owne smered Sodomits.

6 How and wherin these marchāts are rich it is shewed afore, and besides y^t al the world doth know it.

7 But now in the fall certaynly of their whorish church, will they stand a farre of. They will be none of hirs, when they sée hir go downe, lest they should go downe with hir, and be pu∣nished with penury, or lest they should be drawen, hanged and quartered, as many haue bene in England.

8 Rather wil they holde a fayre face outwardly for aduantage, inwardlye it their harts bewaylynge hir ruine, or secretly among them selues depl••∣ring hir decay, till such time as they may be bold to play y^e knaues againe, laying after this wéeping sort.

9 Alas, alas that notable citie, y^e Ba∣bilonyshe Rome that ruled all the world, that holy church that was so beautyfully adorned with fine sylke,

purple, and scarlet in hyr copes, ve∣stures and ornaments and was so pre∣ciously furnished with golde, precious stone and pearels, in hir chalices cros∣ses and miters, and in all other prodi∣gious and pompous Iewels.

10 Alas for hir, alas, for now at one howre in this latter age of the church by the gospell preachinge is so excée∣ding great riches, glory magnificence and honour of our holy mother come euen vnto nought. Yea, our manifolde prelacies are not regarded amonge them, but vtterlie contempned and despised.

THE TEXT.

1 And euery shippe gouernoure. 2. And all they that occupied shippes. 3, And ship me•• vvhich vvorke in the sea. 4. Stoode a farre of. 5. And cryed. 6, vvhen they savv the smoke of hir burning, saying. 7. What citie is lyke vnto this great citie? 8. And they caste duste on on their heades. 9. And cryed vveepinge, and vvaylinge, and saide. 10. Alas, alas, that great citie, vvherein vvere made riche. 11. All that had ships in the sea. 12. By the rea∣son of hir costlines••e. 13, For at one hour•• is she made desolate.

The Commentary.

1 In lyke case euery ship maister, which betokneth diocesanes, bishops, and ordinaries.

2 And al they that occupy boats, whi∣ries, and scutes, or sayle vpon the sea, as they which do amōg the wauering multitude are taken for parsons, vi∣cars, and curates.

3 Yea, and mariners also that work in the sea, by whom are signified soule pristes, simple penitensers, and holye water mongers, dayly peruertinge y^• ignoraunt heople.

4 All these (sayeth the voyce) will stand a farre of when they sée hir de∣struction. No longer wyll they stande by hir, then they féele hyr profitable and pleasaunt vnto them. Decay once the swéete profites, and they are gone away.

5 Yet will they turne toward her agayne, and cry out when they shal beholde the filthye smoke that shall a∣rise of her burning.

6 When her wisdome appeareth foolishnesse, hir doctrine diuelishnesse,

and hir sanctitie wickednesse by the word of God shall sorrowfullye lamēt for their owne bellyes sake, sayinge thus in their desperate harts.

7 What citie in the worlde can be thought lyke vnto this mightye citie, either in magnificence, wealth, or po∣wer? No cilizens are more preciously apparelled, more sumptuously fed, nor more delitiouslye diered, then is the shorne nation, if ye marke well theyr fauour and feeding, their sine disguy∣sing and lodging, their fat chéekes and great bellies with soche other lykly∣hoodes els. Much rather had they to haue still the wanton commodities of this Citie, then the perpetuall pleasures of Heauen. So vndis∣cret, carnall, and beastlye are they in their imaginations, cares, & studies.

8 So sorowfull wil they be for this their generall losse, that vppon their witlesse heades, they shall cast dust in token of their inward heuines. With dispayre shal they darken their wits, & with dottage dull theyr vnderstan∣ding. And as graciously wyll they re∣pent as euer did Caine, Pharao, Esau

Antiochus, & Iudas their predicessors

9 Dolorously shall they crye in theyr mutuall murtherings, mourning for their powches, and sorowyng for theyr bellyes, and thys wyl be the tenour of their wofull tragedy.

10 Alas, alas that worthy citie, that royall Rome, that swéet Babilon, that holye mother of ours, in whom we were left so rich, so mighty, & so strong that all the worlde feared vs, & we felt of no sorrowes.

11 Specially all we that had ships in the sea, or that had Bishopprickes, be∣nefices, and other fat liuings amonge the wauering wanderers of the light laytie, inconstaunt, fyckle and foolysh, where as GODS worde is not knowne.

12 We became wealthy in all ma∣ner of pleasures, by reason of hyr costly and profitable wares that those our shippes contayned, whiche are to many to be now rehearsed.

13 Full woe are we & heauy at the hart remembring that famous citie, for at one houre is she made desolat.

In this last age of his Churche wyll the Lord consume hir with his breth, not leauing in hir one stone vppon an other. Like as y^e shadow y^t passeth shal she vanish away, & lyke the dry thistle Floure, or dust that is scatered with the winde. Suche wordes (sayeth the wise man Philo) shall they speak in hell that haue sinned, besides their desperate complaynt in this lyfe. Some expsitours haue taken al these kings, marchants vnd ship gouerners for one manner of people or genera∣tion of Antichrist. And it may wel be, for so much as they are all of y^e earth. None of these are they iustlye by the authorytie of God, but very tiraunts, théeues, and manquellers.

THE TEXT

1 Reioice ouer hir thou heauen. 2. And ye holy Apostles. 3. And Prophetes. 4. For God hath geuen your iudgemente on hir. 5. And a mighty Angell tooke vp a stone lyke a great milstone. 6. And cast it into the sea, saying. 7. With such violence shall that great Citie Babilon be caste. 8. And

shall be founde no more, 9. And the voyce of harpers, and musitianes, 10. and of pipers, and trumpeters, 11. shal be heard no more in thee. 12. And no craftes man (of vvhatsoeuer crafte he be) shall be founde any more in thee, 13. And the sounde of a mille, shall be hearde no more in thee, 14. And candell light, shall be•• no more burning in thee, 15. And the voyce of the brydegrome, and of the bryde, shall be heard no more in thee, 16. For thy merchaūts vvere the Princes of the earth, 17. and vvith thine inchauntments, vvere deceiued all nati∣ons, 1••. And in hyr vvas founde the bloude, 19. of the Prophets, 20. and of the saincts, 21. and of all that vvere slayne vpon the earth.

The Commentary.

1 With all myrth possible (sayeth the text) reioyce thou heauē, or thou faith∣full congregation of God, to sée thys aduoutrous church of Antichrist ouer∣throwen. Be glad in thy hart, not that thy quarell is reuenged, but in y^t the rightuousnesse of God is fulfilled, hys people being at libertie.

2 Haue myrth conuenient ye holy A∣postles or messengers of the Lorde, with them that the Gospell hath cal∣led.

3 Ioye with our brethren ye aunciēt

Prophets, or godlye teachers of the olde lawe.

4 For your merciful God hath heard your pittious crye from vnder the aul∣ter, and hath perfourmed vpon y^e blas∣phemous whore the same selfe iudge∣ment that you desired. According to your owne request hath he reuenged all your innocēt bloud, which hath bene shed vpon earth since Abell the rygh∣tuous. The same dampnation haue they now iustly y^t they ministred vnto you vniustly. Yea double, for so muche as they haue it both in theyr bodyes and soules, where as you had it but a∣lone in your bodyes.

5 And immediatly (saith S. Iohn) an Angell of great power betokening the true preachers of the latter age of the church, strōgly indued frō aboue, tooke vp a stone of exceding weight, very like in simylitude vnto a greate milstone. They shal gather vp out of Esay, Hie∣remy, Abacucke, & other Prophets, the mighty, & tirrible iudgemēts of y^e Lord, which are the heauy stone that shall grinde his enimies into pouder.

6 This stone shal they cast into y^e sea.

They shal publish, preach, and declare vnto the people of this worlde (which are as the mouable floud) those heauy iudgements which shal light vpō that blasphemous churche of theirs at the tyme appoynted, and thus shall they say vnto them.

7 So vyolent and heauy shall be the distruction of that myserable citie, that mysticall Babylon, that prostibulous church of Antichrist, with hir shorne citizens and smeared hipocrites, as is the waightie fal of an excéeding great milstone in the bottome of the sea ry∣sing vp no more agayn, yea, so tirrible and fearefull.

8 With shame and confusion shall that wicked generation come downe, and neuer more be foūd hereafter, nei∣ther in the earth nor yet in heauen. Though in their painted stories they put popes, cardinals, & bishops, monks, chanōs, & shauen priests, friers, nuns, and heremites, in heauen amonge the saincts, yet are there none such nor ne∣uer shal be. Their resting place is the bottome of the sea by the iudgements of God, vnlesse they renounce those

vaine supersticions and cleaue to the sincere verities of y^e Lord. Much haue they boasted in their writinges y^t their holy mother of predigious orders and disguised relygyons should euermore continue.

9 But be certaine and sure thou my∣serable church (saith the holy ghost) y^t thou shalt no lēger enioy y^e cōmodious pleasures of a frée cittye, all quietous without trubles. The mery noyes of them that play vpon harpes, lutes and fidels, the swéet voice of musicians y^t sing with virginals, vials and chimes, the armony of them that pipe in recor∣ders, flutes, and drums, and the shirle showt of trumpets, waits, & shawmes, shall no more be heard in thée to y^e de∣light of men.

10 Neyther shal y^e swéet Organs con∣taining the melodious noyse of all ma∣ner of instruments & byrdes be plaied vpon, nor y^e great belles be rong after that, nor yet y^e fresh discant, prick song, counter point, and faburden be called for in thée, which art the very sinagog of Sathan.

11 Thy lasciuious armonye & delecta∣ble

musique much prouoking y^e weake hartes of men to meddle w^t thy abho∣minable whordom by y^e wantonnes of Idolatry in that kinde, shal perish with thée for euer.

12 No cunning Artificer, Caruer, Paynter, nor Gilder, Embroderer, Goldsmith, nor silk worker, with such other like of what occupacion so euer they be or haue bene to thy cōmodity, shall neuer more be found so agayne. Copes, cruettes, candelstickes, miters, crosses sēsers, crismatoris, corporasses, and chalices, which for thy whorishe holines might not somtime be touched, will thā for thy sake be abhorred of all men. Neuer more shall be builded for marchāts of thi liuery & mark, palaces, tēples, abbeys, collages, couēts, chaun∣tries, fair houses, & horcherds of plesure

13 The clapping noise of neyther wyndmil, horsemil, nor watermil, shal any more be heard, to y^e gluttenous fée∣ding of thy puffed vp porklings, for the maintenaunce of thine idle obseruaci∣ons & ceremonies. No more shal those idle belly gods swill vp the sweate th••re, of the labouring man, nor de∣uour

the poore widdowe & fathereesse for strayning out a gnat.

14 The continual light of lampes be∣fore the high aulter, the burning cres∣settes at triumphes in the night, y^e tor∣ches at burials & solempne processions tapers at high masses, and the candels at offeringes, shall neuermore burne in thy sinful sinagog.

15 No more shal the bridgrome desyre after thy folish ordenāce to be Ioyned to his wife, nor y^e bride to hir lawfull husbande. No more shal that frée state of liuing be bound vnder yoke of dāp∣nable dremes, neyther for vowes vn∣aduised, nor for popish orders, nor yet for any gossiprye, but be at full lyberty as the Lord hath ordained it. No com∣modities, prophets, nor pleasures shalt thou haue any more of these nor yet of such like, as afore time thou haste had of them in habundance.

16 For thy mitred marchaunts were sumtime princes of y^e earth whan they reigned in their roialty. Thy shorn sha¦uelinges were Lordes ouer y^e multy∣tude, whan they held their priestly au∣thority ouer y^e soules & bodies of men.

17 Yea, and with thy priuy legarde∣maine, with thy iugling castes, with the craftes, and inchauntmentes of thy subtile charmes were all nacions of the world deceyued.

With lies in hipocrisy were the great gouernours most miserably blinded, & with errours in supersticion y^e cōmon people seduced. And all was to satisfye thy voluptuous affectes. Only remay∣neth to thée nowe the dwe rewarde of thy wickednesse, which is an euer∣lasting dampnacion.

18 All this is said here (saith the holy Ghoste) for that in this aduoutrous church is found the great slaughter of innocentes.

19 Gilty appereth she afore God of al the blod of the holy prophets of y^e olde lawe. As were Esaye, Hieremy, Eze∣chiel, and Amos.

20 And of the sincere witnesses of the new lawe, as were Steuen, Iames, Antipas, and Paule.

21 Yea, and of all those Godly men y^t were slaine vpon earth from rightu∣ous Abel vnto the end of y^e world for the faithfull testimony of God.

Among whom may they also be num∣bred, which hath in battayles, skirmy∣shes, and vprores at the Popes appoin∣ment in all Christian regions bene vn∣mercifully murthered, for y^e fulfilling of his insacyable purpose.