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 xij. Chapter.

NNw foloweth in or∣der the seuēth trum∣pet blowinge or the pure declaration of Christes ioyfull ty∣dynges for the laste age of the Church vnder the seuenth seale openynge, with the wounders and maruayles that there after en∣sueth.

THE TEXT.

1 And the seuenth Aungell blew. 2. And there were made great voyces in heauen. 3. Saying. The kindomes of this worlde are our Lordes and his Christes. 4. And he shall rayne for euermore. 5. And the xxiiii. elders vvhich sate before God on their seates, 6. Fell vpon their faces, and worshipped God▪ saying, 7. We geue thee thankes, Lorde God almighty, whiche art and waste, and art to come. 8. For thou hast receiued thy greate might, and hast raigned. 9. And the nation•• were angry. 10. And thy wrath is to come. 11. And the time of the dead that they should be iudged. 12. And that thou shoul∣dest geue rewarde vnto thy seruantes the Prophets and sayntes 13. And to them that feare thy name, small and great. 14. And shouldest distroy them which destroye the earth.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the seauenth Angel blewe (sayeth Sainct Iohn.)

The seuenth sort of sincere prechers shall vtter their message accordinge to the will of God, they shall declare his pleasure as he hath appointed them. For though it be spoken heare as past and done, for the certentie of the thing, yet is it not fulfilled in ef∣fecte.

The word of God was without be∣ginning, and his promyse euerla∣sting, yet is it not all perfourmed in his creatures but many things are yet to come.

2 After this blaste of the Angell were made great voyces in heauen. Many (the congregation or kingdom of God his Gospell once purely pub∣lyshed by the preachers) shall speake godly thinges to the edification of o∣ther. The simple poore weaklings, idotes, and infants shall vtter y^e hyd∣den wisdome of god to the confusion of the great wise men, and sage seni∣ours of this world. Yea, the stones in the streat, the outcastes of the world, the forsaken people, shall wonderful∣ly prayse the Lord.

3 And these shal be their sayings, when they shall sée the Antichristes cōfused and not able to speake again. The kingdomes of this worlde, that were somtime wicked, cruel, and vn∣faithfull, are now become the Lords, and his Christes, of his onely grace and goodnesse. Now fall they to the worde that afore thought it foolish∣nesse. Now cleaue they to the trueth that somtime did abhorre it. Now haue they in hand the Gospel, y^t afore dyd persecute it as sedicious learning and heresy.

4 And in this congregation shal he raigne euermore. Continually is he with them, that in faith retaineth hys verytie. All this shall they vtter with no small reioyce. For doubtles after the seauenth seale opening, and the gospell preaching, then a peacea∣ble time shall be, and figured it is by the halfe houre spoken of afore. For it shal not continue to the ende. Long may not the church of Christ be vn∣persecuted▪ But yet this peace for the time shall ••ot onely be an in∣ward

peace in the conscience (as is alwayes among the faithful) but an outward quiet also, or a season w^tou•• persecution abroade.

5 And the xxiiij. elders (saith S. Iohn) or the great number of saincts departed, whiche sitteth before God on their seats, or resteth in his swéet peace, in such graces of the spirit as he gaue them by their lyfe time, as charite, stedfastnesse, loue, ioy, peace, méekenesse, rightuousnesse, and such other lyke, fell downe flat vpon their faces.

6 Most humblye haue they euer submitted themselues, referryng vn∣to god the father the benfite of their creation, and vnto Iesus Christ hys sonne the frée gyft of their redemp∣tion. Yea, sepcialli at this time, being vnder the Antler of God, & knowyng by hys méere goodnesse the number of their brethē shortly to be fulfilled, and them selues w^t thē to be at a glo∣ryous liberty, after their gostly sorte they laud hym saying.

7 From the verye depth of our spirituall hartes, we render vnto thée most hygh thankes Lorde god almighty, eternall Father, sonne and holy ghost, which art one essenciall God, and wast without beginninge, and shalt be without ending.

8 For thou hast taken vpon thée thy great might. Now haste thou shewed thy wonderful power. Euer hast thou raygned among thy people, but neuer so graciously, so plentu∣ouslye, and so gloryouslye for our be∣houe.

9 The Heathen euermore were angry when thy truth appered. Mad were the wicked Antichristes when thy glory shyned, and their pride de∣minished. They freted for anger, they swelled for woodnesse, yea, they slew thy seruauntes and burned vp thy people.

10 But now is thy wrath towards them. Now wil thy anger break out, now wyll thy vengaunce appeare. Now shall thy terrible iudgement without mercy be declared frō heauē

vpon all vngodlinesse of those cruell enimyes that withhelde thy trueth in vnrightuousnesse.

11 Now shortly ensueth the time of the dead, wherein they shall bée iud∣ged some to ioye, some to heauinesse, some to glorie, some to payne.

12 Now approcheth the glad season wherein thou haste appoynted to re∣ward the true seruauntes, the Pro∣phets, & the faithfull beléeuers, made Saynctes by the onely death of thy sonne, and all them that yet feareth thy name, with eternall felicitie.

13 None wilt thou seclude from this thy liberall goodnesse, for no weake∣nesse nor pouertie. But so well the small as the great, the lowe as the high, the poore as the rich, the sicke as the whole, the vnlearned as lear∣ned shall tast of thy inestimable cléer∣nesse.

14 Onely shalte thou distroye them that distroyed the earth, compellyng both it and all that therein is, not to serue thée their heauenly creator, but their owne stinking desires, lustes,

and corrupt affections, thy glorie not once estéemed nor regarded. Héerein may we coniecture, that th•• seuenth seale once opened and the vij. trumpet blowen, the last iudgemēt day is not farre of. Blessed is he that watcheth for the Lordes comming.

[illustration]

THE TEXT.

1 And the temple of God was opened in heauē, 2. and there was seene in his tem∣ple, the Arke of his Testament. 3. And there followed lightnings, and voyces, and thun∣deringes, and earthquake, 4. and muche hayle.

The Paraphrase.

1 And the Temple of God (sayeth S. Iohn) was opened in heauen. Eui∣dent will the godly and spirituall e∣state of y^e true christian church séeme in those dayes, the Gospell sincerely preached. In faith shal mē séeke their liuing father, & not in dead Images, nor other corruptible things. In spy∣rite and veritie shall they worship him, and not in dumme ceremonyes, nor outward shadowes. Speared is Gods temple, whē his true worship∣ping is hid. And opened it is agayne, when y^t is clearly séene. Till Christes comming in the fleshe nothing there∣of appeared. With the key of Dauid opened he y^e misteries therof. Wher∣by thorow fayth the conuersation of many is now & hath bene euer since in heauen.

2 This temple thus open, anon the Arke of Gods holy Testament was séene therin. Christ sheweth him self in his owne colours, when the Gos∣pell is truly receyued, which is that

Arke, wherin all the riches of Gods couenauntes and the precious trea∣sure of his promyse is reposed to mās behoue. And specially those by whom we are reconciled and saued. By hym are we onely brought to Gods fauor again, and graciously redéemed. Yea, all the sort of vs haue receiued of hys aboundant & ouerflowyng fulnesse. The sight of this Ark in this temple is none other, thē a cléere knowledge of him in his congregation. So ofte are his misteryes euydent, as thys temple is opened. So many tymes are they knowne as his word is tru∣ly taught.

3 And no smal fruit is to be thought to come thereof. For there followe•• lightnings, voyces, thunderings, and earthquakes, Diuers respectes hath the veritie of God, accordyng to dy∣uers audiēces. In maner of lightning it moueth some making of earth, hea∣uen, and of sinners godly people. A sound or a noyse onely it is to some men, not regarding the fruites ther∣of. To some it is an occasion of an∣ger,

spight, and madnesse, & to some of open blasphemie against the holie ghost. For what els doeth the clergy, maliciously withstanding it, but wil∣fully worke against knowledge? And what doth the vndiscréete laite, blin∣ded by them, but babble they wot not what?

4 And a great hayle also folowed, which betokeneth the vehement and sharpe iudgements of God towardes such enimies of his veritie. The most terrible tempests of his Ire abydeth them. The Lord shall break into the lande (sayeth the Prophet Esay) lyke a sore tempest of haile that breaketh downe strong holdes or castles. And the proude crowne of the drunken Ephraemites shall be troden vnder foote. Not only is the last age appoin∣ted to these thunderings, and earth∣quakes, but they began also so soone as Christ appeared in the fleshe. No sooner was the young babe borne, but Herode for madnesse soughte to slea him in his verie infancie. The Pha∣rises & Scribes, the bishops, priestes

and Lawyers swelled at hys prea∣ching, & neuer left till they had slaine him. And this rule with the prelates and hipocrites hath continued euer since, & stil shall doe til the latter day. Onely is there and shall be a mode∣ration, that some time it is not so ex∣treme as at some. For if it were al∣wayes alike, there shuld none be left.

THE TEXT.

1 And there appeared a great wonder in heauen. 2. A woman clothed vvith the Sun, 3. and the Moone vnder hyr feete, 4. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on hir head, a crovvne of xij. starres. 5. And shee vvas vvith chylde, 6. and cryed, traue∣lyng in byrth, 7. And payned, readie to be deliuered.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there appeared (saith Sainct Iohn) a great token in heauen. For no wonder is this token héere to bée taken, as in other places of the scrip∣ture, but for a type or figure, con∣tayning vnder misterie great things.

A woman was séene clothed with the sonne, yea of Iohn. For to Gods onely electes is the veritie shewed to auauntage. Not Marie Christes mo∣ther is this womā, thogh many hath so fantasied in their commentaryes. But it is the true christian churche of whome Marye is a moste notable member.

3 This woman the church (as Sa∣lomōs canticles specifie, is fair, loue∣ly, pleasaunt, sweet, holsome, delecta∣ble, vndefiled as the M••ne, excelent in clearnesse as the sunne, and glori∣ous as an armie of men with theyr banners and stremers. This woman is bewtifully decked with y^e shining sunne of rightuousnesse. None is of hir that hath not don on Iesus Christ, being renued in their hartes by faith. They are not hir childrē y^t persecute gods word, no more thā was Annas and Caiphas, Ioannes and Alexan∣der.

4 This woman séemed to haue the moone vnder hir féete. To the church or congregation of God are all other

creatures subiecte. All moouable things hath the Lorde subdued vnto hir. Shée is the right heire and inhe∣ritor of thē through Christ, they w^t hir to be deliuered from the bondage of corruption, and to serue in libertie.

4 Upon hir head was also a crowne of twelue starres, which betokeneth not onely the twelue Apostles decla∣ring the glorie of Christes kingdome immediatly after his death, but all o∣ther godly ministers of the word al∣so, which haue don y^e same euer since. Onely reygneth the true Christian churche by the worde of God, by the sincere scriptures, by the doctrine of the Apostles, and neyther superstici∣ons nor ceremonies, neither by coun∣celles or customes, by doctours, nor fathers, by miters nor rochetes, by tippets, nor hoods, by shauē crownes, nor side gowns, by crosses nor copes, by belles nor torches, by shrines, nor gilte Images, nor yet by xij. couples in a liuerie with golden chaines and garded coates. Hir bewtie consisteth onely in faith, and in the obseruati∣on

of Gods holy commaundements. Hir true ministers or preachers as very chosen stars, sheweth foorth his glorie to the edification of other, and not their owne Pompe and magnifi∣cence.

5 And shée was as is the woman with chylde. Shée cryed traueyling in byrth, and was payned as one rea∣die to be deliuered. With Christ is the church bigge, whē hir members are in full faith. In the harte is he e∣uermore conceiued, & deliuered foorth suche time as he is declared vnto o∣ther. For this cause Christ called them his mother which ha•• faith, and therevpon did the will of his father. Of faith in the first promise y^t Christ should distroy the serpent, was hée first conceiued in Adam and Eua▪ and so grewe foorth in rightuous Abell, in Seth, Enos, Enoche, Noe, Sem, Thare, Melchisedech, Abraham, and Loth. And as y^e promises waxed strō∣ger (as in Abraham, Moyses, Dauid, and the Prophets) and the people of God more in number, so waxed y^e wo∣man

bigger & bigger, til y^e fulnesse of hir time was come y^t she shuld be de∣liuered. Which was suche tyme as Christ appeared to the world, taught and was cōuersaunt here among mē. And this course hath shée kept euer since, & shall doe to y^e latter day in thē 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beléeue. Thus hath shée had Christ in hir wombe since the beginning.

6 And being full of hys heauenly spirit, shée hath cryed in y^e Patriarks, and Prophetes, in the Apostles and faithfull ministers, as one traueiling in byr••h. Hyr crye was the mightie and stronge declaration of Christes doctrine, the feruent zeale & desire of the glorie of God, & of all mens health in Christ. Shée traueileth euer more a new lyke as did Paule, tyll Christ be fashioned in hir christian mēbers. With all hyr strength shée laboureth that the promised séede may encrease in the faith of all men.

7 Fynally, shée is payned with la∣bours, dolors, blasphemies, troubles, and terrible persecutions, and neuer is deliuered without them: Neuer

is Christ earnestly receyued, til some of hir members doeth suffer. The cō∣stant spirite & inuincible standyng by the trueth in them, hath conuerted many.

And lyke as the payned woman in all hir agonies, is muche comforted by the hope of a childe, so are Gods faithfull witnesses trustyng that by their pacient and glad sufferaunce, Christ should bée receyued & rightly fashioned in many. Yea, this causeth them to reioyce in all aduersitie, and litle to estéeme their paines.

THE TEXT.

1 And there appeared an other vvonder in heauen, 2. for behold a greater red Dra∣gon. 3. hauyng seuen heades, 4. and ten horns, 5. and seuen crovvns vpon his head. 6. and his tayle drue the third parte of the starres, 7. and cast them to the earth.

The Paraphrase.

1 After this (sayeth Saint Iohn) ap∣peared in heauen an other token or

meruaile all dyuers from the fyrst. The true church (which is gods king∣dome) was neuer yet without con∣tradiction, nor without the craftie assaultes of enimies. Adam was not so soone created, but he was immedi∣ately assaulted of Sathan. Christ en∣tered not so soone the worlde, but hée was by and by persecuted. The diuill goeth about lyke a roaring Lyon, sée∣king whom he may deuoure.

2 For behold there was séene a great red Dragon, betokening the saide di∣uill, with his whole retinue, full of deceite, crafte, mallice, poyson, pryde, and fiercenesse, to enforce the poore weaklings to consent vnto his false∣hood. All red his bodie séemed, in tokē that they which are of hym, are all full of crueltie, spight, & bloude shea∣ding, afflicting the constant beléeuers for withstanding hys assaultes. Sel∣dom is he out of the earth, as wines∣seth Iob, but commonly in the com∣pany of men, impugnyng the fayth∣full. And no power is able to matche him, vnlesse it commeth from aboue.

3 The sayd Dragon had vij. heads, signifying all the craftie wyles, and subtile suggestions, that he hath prac∣tised and vsed against Christ and hys word vnder all y^e vij. seales opening, and the vij. trumpettes blowing. Ue∣rie easie it is to coniecture what ma∣ner of heades they were, marking o∣ther places of the scripture. A serpēts head should séeme to be the first, consi∣dering that in the Serpent he decey∣ued our first parents with hys veny∣med craftes. This head so malicious∣ly poysoned man, that God repented him of his creation, and distroied hys whole kinde in the floud .viij. persōs only reserued. After the floud had hée the head of a calfe for the seconde, in signification of the shamefull Idola∣trie, and wicked worshippyng that then begon in Nemroth, and so conti∣nued in the Heathen. The third was the head of a Lyon, full of pryde and oppression, expressed first in the cruell reigne of the Assirians & Caldeanes, and after in the proude Bishoppes and priestes. The fourth, was a

Beares head, full of rauine and cru∣elnesse, betokenig the fierce kingdom of Meades and Persianes. Cōsequēt∣ly, his fift head was lyke a Leopards head of many colours, full of fickle∣nesse and chaungeablenesse. And that was the vncōstant raign of y^e Greeks. His sixt was the head of a beast, farre vnlyke all other beastes, which signi∣fieth the kingdome of the Romans, with their monstrous lawes more then néedeth. The seuenth is not vn∣lyke to a mans heade, including all carnall wisedome, with all diuilyshe polices & craftes, & this is y^e very pa∣pacie here in Europa, which is y^e ge∣neral Antichrist of all y^e whole world almost, which hath alreadie subdued and distroyed the Empyre of Rome. For he is called the Apostata & man of sinne. By this only head, is y^e Dra∣gon named y^e enuious mā. The whole bodie foloweth y^e heads. As the diuill is malicious, wicked, fierce, cruel, ty∣rannicall, false, execrable, and deceit∣full, so are all his mēbers. In y^e pru∣dēce of y^e flesh after him they walk in Idolatrie, hipocrisie, & all other filthi∣nesse.

And like as afore Christes com∣ming, these heads were in y^e serpēt, in the golden calues, in y^e kingdome of Babilon, in Nemroth, in Pharao, in Antiochus, & in y^e Pharisies & scribes, bishops, Lawyers, & priestes, so haue they bene since his time vnder y^e vij. seales opening, and the vij. trumpets blowing, after the same sort. Under the first, he had a serpēts head in the Iewes, most maliciously and subtilly withstanding Christ & his Apostles, pretēding y^e zeale of God & his lawes. Under y^e second, he had a calues head in y^e Idolators, which slew y^e constant witnesses of Christes veritie. Under the third, y^e head of a proude Lyon in the bold rable of heretiks, presuming against gods word to affirm vngodly things. Under y^e fourth, the head of a Beare, in y^e gréedy multitude of holy hipocrites & spirituall Antichristes, which haue rauished vp y^e substāce of this world, vsurping y^e empire of the same. For then begone the papacie with Mahomets mischief. Under the ••ift the head of a Leopard, in y^e diuer∣sitie of pestilent sectes or execrable

locustes, of whome euerie one reioy∣ceth in his owne colour and inuenti∣on. For then dyd they sore increase. Under the sixt, the head of a best vn∣lyke to all other, in the tyrannie of wicked gouernours blynded and per∣swaded by the priestes to slea Gods seruaunts for the vpholding of their stinking generation. For then was and is yet done much murther▪ vpon such as confesse the truth. Under the seuenth or last seale opening, shal he haue yet still the heade of a man, in fleshly polices & falshoode of the Pope and his prelates, in the doctours and priestes till God vtterly shall distroy them with the breath of his mouth.

4 The said dragō had also x. horns or al subtil waies wherwith to impugn the féeble weake nature of man, or to prouoke him euer more to rebell against gods commaundements.

5 Upō his vij. heads he had vij. croūes signifying therby y^t both he & his mē∣bers hath not only possessed y^e afore named vyces, but also they haue ouer the world raigned in them, and yet

doe to this day. In pride, falshood, ma∣lice, craft, crueltie, wickednesse, & all other mischies triumph they yet.

6 And his tayle drewe towardes hym the third part of the starres, and inconclusion threwe them downe to the earth. By worldly promociōs, lu∣cre, fauour, and other flatteryng fan∣tasies, hath he tangled many learned men, and plucked them cleane from Christes true Churche, and from the lyfe of the Gospell, so prouokinge them, wholy to geue themselues to the study of erronius doctrine and ly∣ing prophesies, to seduce the wordly multytude and kepe them in perpe∣tuall blindnesse.

7 So that they are now cast into the earth. They are become all car∣nall, fylthy and vngodly in all theyr wisdome, study, and workes, in all theyr counsels, preachinges, and tea∣chynges. Now are they the wicked Apostelles of Sathan, no longer may they shine in the firmament.

THE TEXT.

1 And the Dragon stoode before the womā which vvas ready to be delyuered. 2. for to deuoure her child as soone as it vvere borne 3. & she brought forth a manchild. 4. vvhich should rule all nacions vvith a rod of Iron.

5 And her sonne vvas taken vp vnto God, and to his seate .6. And the vvoman fled into the vvildernes .7. Where she had a place prepared of God, 8. That they shoulde feede her there .9. A thousande, tvvo hun∣dred, and threescore dayes.

The Paraphrase.

1 Before the aforesayde trauai∣lyng woman stoode this Dragon, re∣dy to deuoure her childe, so soone as it were borne. Euermore is the de∣uill waiting his pray, where as the Gospell is sincerely taught, least any thereby should become the children of God.

2 He séeketh all crafts, polyces, & in∣gins, to take the word from the hart, least they beléeuing it shuld be saued. Thus sought he to deuoure christ af∣ter the letter, appoynting Herode to slea him soone after his birth. And when he sée that way wold not take, yet left he not of till the Iewes had

slayne hym. Not thus yet satisfied, he labored by y^e bishops to extinguish the faith of his resurrection, least y^t shuld profit vnto lyfe. Moreouer where as the Apostles and other godly men, haue geuen Christ vnto other in ma∣ner as they receued him, he hath left no cautels vnsought by his malig∣nant members, euer since to depriue Gods people thereof.

3 Such a man child (saieth S. Iohn) brought this woman forth, as w^t an yron rod should rule all nations. Ne∣uer is y^e true church idle, but concei∣ueth christ at y^e gospel preching, retai∣neth him in faith & brīgeth him forth in teaching other y^e same. No woman child is he, impotent, weake & féeble, but a manchilde, bringing w^t him al∣waies a stronge, mighty & inuincible spirit, wher as he is vnfainedly rece∣ued. For he is the mighty Lorde that is valiaunt in battaile.

4 With the yron wand of his word inuincible shal he gouerne his méeke sprited flock, y^t none other lawes shal they require, with the same also shal he subdue all powers which are not

of hym, and driue them downe to the bottom of hell. For by faith onely in him is y^e victory gotten ouer y^e world.

5 This childe was also taken vp to God and vnto his throne. Where as the deuill thought to deuoure hym, and to wrap hym vp for euer vnder death, he put hym beside his purpose. Uictoryously he arose vp from death to lyfe, he ascended vnto heauen, and now sitteth vpon the right hande of God the father almightye. And where as he is nowe, there shall hys faithfull folowers, and ministers be hereafter, for y^t is his, is also theirs, birth, lyfe, death, resurrection and as∣cention.

6 The woman fled after this into the wyldernesse. What els doth the iust people of God? but flye the con∣tagiousnes, vanytie, tumult, fornica∣tion, idolatry, and filthynes of thys world? séeking God in the solytarie harte, and not in outwarde fantasies. I got me away farre of (sayeth Da∣uid) and remayned in the deserte, monkes, nunnes, channons, and fry∣ers,

hath fled into monasteris, couē∣tes, and houses, but nothinge after this sort. For in all voluptuous plea∣sures haue they there liued. The vn∣fained solytary man after Hieremy, continueth peaceably with himselfe, and hath his hart aboue.

7 In the sayde wildernesse had she a place prepared of God. Which is none other but Gods protection, de∣fence, and sauegard promysed in the scriptures. That the Lorde shoulde pieserue vs as he dyd his chosen peo∣ple of Israell, when he went before them in a cloude vpon the day, and in the night in a piller of fyre. Dauid boasted himselfe that God was hys refuge, and that he dwelled vnder the defence and shadow of the high∣est. So longe as the Lorde is my gouernour (sayth he) I can want no∣thing. He fedeth me, he sustaineth me I doubt no daunger, for he is wyth me. His staffe stayeth me, hys worde and promise is my whole comfort.

8 And there will the Lorde féede hir sayeth S. Iohn) for the space of a

thousand two hundred and thréescore dayes. None other are fed with the scriptures and promises of God, (which is the bread of children not to be geuen to dogs) but they which flyeth into the desert from the dra∣gon, forsaking both heade and tayle, both suggestions and lawes, both customes and constitutions. For all are deuillish. None other escaped the plague of Sodome, but they whiche fled cleane from thence. Lots wyfe but looking back only towardes it a∣gayne was turned into a salt stoane.

9 The numbred dayes héere are none other but the afore written time of the two witnesses, the tyme of Helias preachinge, the time of Iohns preachinge, the time of Chri∣stes preaching, or the time of the gos∣pell preaching from Christes assen∣cion to the latter ende of the world. That is y^e very time of the féeding of his Church. And not open is this fée∣ding here, but▪ in secret in the wilder¦nes, among a sort vnknowne to the

worlde, hauinge the pouertie of the spirit, without sha••ing, anoynting, or hypocrits apparrell. And not onely hath the Lorde thus nourished hys people in this spirituall respecte, but also in body. When they haue bene greuously handled, spoyled of their goodes, imprisoned, and exiled, graci∣ously hath he reléeued them, and pro∣uided for them both solace and come∣forte at the handes of them whom they neuer saw afore. So that the iust hath not felt himselfe forsaken, nor his children séeking bread.

THE TEXT.

1 And there was a great battayle in hea∣uen. 2. Michaell and his Angels. 3, Fought with the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his Angels. 4. And preuayled not. 5. Ne∣ther was their place found any more in hea∣uen. 6. And the great Dragon, that olde ser∣pent, called the deuill and Sathanas▪ 7. was cast out. 8. Whiche deceiued all the worlde. 9. And he vvas caste into the earth, and his Angelles were cast out vvith hym also.

The Paraphrase.

1 And there happened at that time (sayeth sainct Iohn) a great bat∣tayle in Heauen. In the Churche is euermore variaunce and strife w^tout ceasinge betwixt the spirite and the flesh, the good and the bad, the faith∣full and the vnfaithfull. None o∣ther is this battayle but a very con∣tradiction, a diuersity in fayth, study, opinion, wyll, and worke, aboute the lawes or commaundements of God, and also about the lawes and trady∣cions of men. This battaile is waigh¦tie in cause, multitude and continu∣ance. The cause thereof is Christe, the Gospell, faith, rightuousnesse, mans health, Gods high honour, and such other lyke on the one partie. Upon the other party the cause is, er∣rour, hipocrisie, lyes, Idolatrye, aua∣rice, pryde, cruelty, fylthynesse, with al such other. So great is the multi∣tude, that none is founde out of it. None is there but are in this army.

Eyther they are good or bad, faithfull or vnfaithfull, rightuous or vnrigh∣tuous. The rightuous are of the host of Michaell, the vnrightuous are vp∣pon the dragons side. Continued hath this battayle from the firste begin∣ninge, and so shall styll to the latter ende. Yea, though the dragon be bound or tyed vp vnder the seauenth seale opening, that he rage not then as he hath done afore. Yet shall the spirit of wickednes, and a mind to do mischief, raigne inwardly styl in his members, for Sathan can be but a Sathan, and a Diuill a Diuill.

2 Michaell and his Angels fought valyauntly with the dragon. Spiritu∣all are they whiche hath done on Christ after the minde of Paule, and spirituall is their armoure. Theyr gyrding is verytie, their brest plate rightuousnesse, their shielde a sure faith, their wepon the word of God, their helmet the hope of health, and for stedfastnesse of their féete, their shooinge the gospel. By interpre∣tation is Michaell to say, who is as

God? or who is like vnto god? And he betokneth the constant minister & sin∣cere teachers of the Gospell. The An∣gels of Michael are al they that in a sure faith cōfesseth the eternall mag∣nificēce of God, and that none is lyke vnto hym. Contrarywise the Dra∣gons Angels are the hipocrits, lying prophets, and erronius teachers.

3 These fight with the Dragon, and the Dragon and his Angelles with them. For he that is not with Christe, is against hym. With the ri∣tuous is Michael. For ministring spi∣rits are y^e Angels ordained for y^e cō∣fort of thē which shall be saued. And cōmaunded they are to wait vpō the faithfull, to preserue and defend thē. The wicked sort haue the Diuil and his chaplaines to fight for them, the rightuous haue Michael and his An∣gels. The wicked fighteth w^t errours & lyes, the rightuous with the only verity of God.

4 As vengeable & as fierce as they are, yet preuaile they not, neither is their place found any more in heauē.

Faith hath the victory by the promise of god, though y^e blinde world séeth it not. Ouercomē ar y^e wicked whē their enterprises taketh not, & clene ouer∣throwne whē theyr beggery is con∣tēned. And neuer is y^e full victory got∣ten, no more thē it was in christ til y^e tabernacle of this body be laid aside. At y^t day is y^e crown gottē whom the Lord hath layde vp for y^e rightuous. And lyke as there is dayly fighting, so is therin some, daily victory. Dayly ar y^e angels of darknes ouerthrown, daily are they cast out of heauē, which is the true church. Daily are they cō∣demned by the worde of God & iudg∣ed for rebels against the holy ghost, whose sin is neuer forgeuen.

5 No place haue they any more w^t y^e chosen, no electiō, nor acceptation afore god. The more light they haue had & y^e more they haue tasted of the truth now forsaking it, & rebelling a¦gainst it w^t y^e diuill, y^e farther they are frō god, & y^e more nigh vnto dānation. Neuer beléeued he truely, that so had receiued the word. Let none think to

be saued, vnlesse he perseuereth to the ende.

6 And the great Dragon, or cap••∣tayne of all the vnfaithfull sorte, that olde croked Serpent which deceiued Adam, & is called y^e diuill or malyci∣ous accuser, yea, and also Sathan the most cruell aduersarye with all hys clyentes and spirituall adherentes, are certayne and sure to be cast out.

7 With the rightuous they shall haue no porcion for all their glory∣ous tytles. With the godly shall not their names be registred for all their holy vnccions. But with the prince of this worlde they shall be throwne foorth.

8 For he by them, and they by him hath deceiued all the world, in lying tokens and wonders, and in the ope∣ration of errours, to the vtter damp∣nation of all them that consenteth to their wickednesse.

9 And he was cast into the earth, & his Angels also were caste out with him, which is not els but that they are reserued to eternall damnation.

For seruing the creature rather than the Lorde that made all, God hath forsaken them, and geuen them, ouer to theyr owne shamefull lustes. All grace and goodnesse hath he taken from them, and in all dark∣nesse hath he left them. Nothinge is now behinde but hell fyre, prepared for the diuill and hys Angelles. The church thus fyrste bringinge forth Christ among the Iewes, and so by their cruelty driuen out into the wild deserte of the Gentiles, hath bene there fedde of God in percecution e∣uer since, and shall be styll tyll the tearme come out of the aforesayde thousande, two hundreth, and thrée score dayes, whose end is in y^e Lords handes

THE TEXT.

1 And I heard a lowde voyce whiche said. 2. In heauen is now made saluation, and strength. 3. And the kingdome become our Gods. 4. And the power his Christes. 5. For he is cast dovvne which accused them before God day and night. 6. And they o∣uercame him by the bloud of the Lambe.

7 And by the worde of their testimonie. 8. And they loued not their liues vnto the death. 9, Therefore reioice ye heauens, and ye that dvvell in them. 10. Wo to the inha∣biters of the earth, and of the sea. 11. For the diuill is come dovvne vnto you. 12. Whiche hath great vvrath. 13. Because he knovveth that he hath but a short time.

The Paraphrase.

1 And I hard a mighty great voice (saith sainct Iohn) which is y^e whole agremēt of all the sacred scriptures. And the voice sayd thus vnto me.

2 Now is there in heauen saluati∣on, in the church is the helth of soule now that the idolatry with other ab∣hominatiōs is thrown forth, and she cleane deliuered from their beggery. Now appereth the power of y^e Lord, that his Gospell is truely preached.

3 Now is it become our Gods king∣dome, that theyr doctrine is not of men.

4 Now hath it the whole strength of his anointed. Al Christs labours, me∣rits, and deseruinges, his natiuitie, passion, resurrection, and ascencion, is

now hir owne good, Christes victo∣ry is theirs, his crown, his scepter, his seate and kingdome is theirs, Yea, the possession of his fathers right hand is theirs.

5 For the enimy of our brethren is throwne downe, which cruelly ac∣cused them before god day and night. The aduersarye Sathen which qua∣relled before the Lorde against pa∣cient Iob, and vexed hym sore in his substaunce and flesh, neuer ceasinge to this day to trouble the rightuous with Antichristes and Tyrauntes, is now ouercome by the victory of faith, and his power greatly deminished in his members. Now is the king∣dome of God increased, much people beīg vnfainedli cōuerted vnto christ.

6 Conquered him they haue by no Power of theyr owne, neyther me∣rits nor works, but through y^e inesti∣mable strength whiche is in y^e bloud of y^e immaculate lamb Iesus Christ, & throgh y^e inuīcible word of his verity which they to y^e world haue testified.

7 In the witnesse thereof haue they

constantly suffered, & through faith in them, haue they with him obtayned victorye ouer the worlde, sinne, hell, death, and the diuill. Not theyr owne bodyes haue they spared to wyn thys conquest.

8 But much more haue they loued Christ and his trueth than thēselues, accounting it auantage to geue their liues for hym.

9 Therefore reioyce ye heauens, and al you that in them in doth dwel. Ye Angels aboue ordeined for mans comforte, ye sainctes departed from the miseries of this worlde, ye faith∣full beléeuers remanyng in this life, and ye feruente fauourers of the Lordes verytie be glade that your brethren hath gotten the victory of the diuill and his Angels to the glo∣ry of Christ.

10 But wo vnto y^e wretched inha∣bitāts of y^e earth, & of y^e sea. No small danger is towards thē y^t hath heard y^e voice of y^e Lord, & stil yet wil folow y^e course of this world, no light peril hā¦geth ouer their heads, y^t are incōstāt,

fickle, & wauerin, giuing back w^t eue∣ry blast for y^e pleasure of theyr flesh.

11 Take héede of it therefore, for vnto you that are suche, the diuill is come downe with his subtil suggesti∣ons and craftes, with his wyly cau∣teles and ingines. Among you doeth he remayne watchyng to haue hys pray, as he did among the children of Israell, when they were become vn∣faithfull.

12 Tares will he sow to distroy the good séed, for his wrath is great to sée him selfe thus deiected, & his hate is excéeding beholding his kingdom de∣cayed. Among you must he wreak his anger, for he can not harme the faith∣full. Thorowe his enuye came death first into the world. If ye will escape his snares, looke ye giue no place vn∣to him, but in fayth resist him man∣fully.

13 He waxeth now mad, & fretteth with him selfe. He myndeth to make hauoke and to doe much mischief, bi∣cause he knoweth y^t his tyme is short. No longe season shall he haue from

hencefoorth to deceiue. The latter day he perceiueth not to be farre of wher∣in great torments, abydeth both hym and his. And y^t maketh him so woode. That maketh hym so insaciably desi∣rous to noye, not caring what spyght he worketh against God. And no wic∣ked will leaueth he vnsought, to per∣fourme his cruell intent. Woe vnto them therefore that in these dayes ta∣keth no héede. Woe vnto them that stumbreth in wanton pleasures, when most daunger is, and the diuill moste busie, not attending to the call & war∣nyng of God.

THE TEXT.

1 And when the Dragon saw that he was cast vnto the earth, 2. hee pursued the wo∣man, which brought forth the man child, 3. And to the woman were giuen ij. winges of a great Egle, 4. that shee might flye into the wildernesse, 5. into hir place, where shee is norished for a tyme, tymes, and halfe a time, 6. from the presence of the Serpent. 7. And the Dragon cast out of his mouth vvater af∣ter the vvoman, as it had bene a ryuer, 8. that he might cause hir to be caught of the flood. 9. And the earth holpe the vvoman, 10. and ••he earth opened hir mouth, 11. and svvalo∣vved vp the ryuer, vvhich the dragon cast out

of his mouth. 12. And the dragō vvas vvroth vvith the vvoman, 13. and vvent and made vvar vvith the remnaūt of hir seed, 14. vvhich kepe the commaundements of God. 15. and haue the testimonie of Iesus Christ, 16. and he stoode on the sea sande.

The Paraphrase.

1 And when the Dragon or most fu∣rious serpent the diuil, the head mai∣ster of pride, & father of lyes, saw that he was throwen downe vnto y^e earth by the valiaunt hoast of God. Or such tyme as he perceyueth the Idolatrie, superstition, pompe, hypocrisie, and o∣ther abhominable filthinesse, distroied by the word of God in his malignaūt Sinagoge of proud painted prelates.

2 Then persecuteth he the poore wo∣man which brought foorth the man chylde. Then vexeth he the true con∣gregation that teacheth none other but Christ, and confesseth none other sauiour, health, and redéemer. Them doeth he torment and punishe by hys mytred Mahounds and his shauē So∣domytes, subduyng vnto them for that purpose the power of Kynges,

and might of magistrates. Then sit∣teth Annas in consistorie, & Cayphas in sessions vpon lyfe and death. Thē bringeth the woman hir childe foorth in payne. By the martirdom or death of godly witnesses is Christ deliue∣red & left here behind in the harts of many.

3 And vnto the woman were giuen two winges of a great Egle, or the two testaments of God, contayning the Prophecie & Gospel, with y^e loue of God and our neighbour. And these mightie winges were giuen hyr that shée might flye with them into y^e wil∣dernesse. Euermore whē daūgerous persecution is, y^e mēbers of Christes congregation (which are left here be∣hynde) hath aucthoritie of y^e old lawe to flée from it with Iacob, Moyses, Dauid, and Helias, of the new lawe also with Christ and his Apostles. If they pursue you in one citie (saith the Lord) flée you into an other. Not one∣ly to saue your bodies, but to fructifie in the people. Get ye into the deserte. Teach them that were not taught a

fore. If ye can not be suffered openly to preach, instruct men priuately in houses. Play not y^e sluggardes in the Lordes vineyard. Be not niggards o∣uer his frée treasure. But as ye haue plentuously receiued it, so liberallye distribute it againe.

4 From the face of the Dragō hath the woman thus power to flie into the wildernesse by the scriptures, when hir childe is deliuered and takē vp to the throne of God for the vn∣thankfulnesse of the people that they haue not in fayth receyued hym. And in much daūger are they left hauing the diuill & his Angels thrown down among them with their wyles and craftie snares. In much more perill are they, then they were afore.

5 A place hath shée in this desert ap∣pointed of God, wherein shée is nou∣rished for a tyme for tymes, and for the halfe tyme, which is not els but his speciall protection, among them that be poore in spirit, and are iudged outcastes of the world. There is the true church nourished with the pure

word, not mixed w^t the leuen of Pha∣ri••ies. There is y^e faithful cōgregacion at all tymes fedde, without the tradi∣tions of hipocrites. Onely are they re∣léeued with the veritie, and satisfyed with the liuing promises, and haue bene since y^e tyme of Christ. Yea, since the time of Daniell and afore. And this féeding time of y^e Lorde in secret∣nesse hath béene sometyme shorter, sometyme lōger, & somtime shortest of all, according to the times of persecu∣tion, and of blindnesse in the enimies.

6 To flée from the presence of the serpēt, haue they euermore had com∣maundements of the Lord, & to shun the suggestions of his Angels. War∣ned they haue bene in no wyse to goe foorth, when they say, Christ is héere and there, for so much as their crafts are such as would (if it were possible) deceiue the very electes.

7 And the Dragō (saith saint Iohn) did cast out of his mouth water after the woman. A doctrine of hypocrisie, errours, & lyes, hath alwayes passed from the sinagoge of Sathan. None other fruits hath gone from them, thē

wauering superstitions, Idolatry, and Heathen ceremonies. These hath flo∣wed foorth lyke a great ryuer. Dayly haue they augmented, and tontinual∣ly increased. Innumerable are y^e com∣berous and vnprofitable burdens of their fantasies & dreames, wherwith they noy mens cōsciēces, drown their smal faith, & ouerload their soules.

8 This stinking water did the Ser∣pent vomete out by his rauenous An∣tichristes, whiche are his insaciable mouth, to stoppe the passage of y^e wo∣man. He poured it foorth in abundāce that he might cause hyr to bée caught of the floud. Such is alwayes the mis∣chieuous nature of the diuill and hys Angels. Uēgeable assaults haue they, and innumerable craftes to deceyue the innocent not knowing them. Our fyrst mother Eua was thus trapped in the beginning, & so had bene drow∣ned with Adam hir husbād, had they not had faith in the promised séed. An innumerable multitude hath ben & ar yet to thys day, swalowed vp of this floud, and without greate dyffycul∣tie none escapeth it. Excéeding is the

compasse, studie, and practise of thys false generation. Euermore powre they out their poisō, they dispute their matters with errours and lyes, with counsels and customes, hauing vpon their side the darkened powers.

9 Yet is the Lord mercifull to hys poore congregation, that they are not drowned with all this filthie floude. None of it once toucheth their harts. No parte of their faith doeth all this riff raff hinder. This durtie baggage accombreth not theyr soules. Onely are they satisfied with y^e wholesome doctrine of Christs spirit. And y^e earth did helpe the woman (saith S. Iohn) The carnal multitude, the wise men of this worlde, the verye reprobates from God, all drye without the true faith, dranke vp this filthie water.

10 They opened their mouths wide, and swalowed vp y^e great riuer clean, which the Dragon caste out of hys mouth. This erronious doctrine was euermore pleasaūt vnto them. Much more haue they alwayes delighted in lyes, and olde wyues dreames than

in Gods trueth. Thereto haue they giuen theyr eares, with all auidious gréedinesse and supersticious deuoci∣on haue they embrased them. But the liuing waters of the Lord sauo∣reth not in their mouthes, their owne broken ceysternes doth please them best. Better is to a swyne a filthie puddle, than a swéete runnyng wa∣ter. No where will hée drinke, but where he may wallow hys carkasse. No doctrine pleaseth them, vnlesse •• mayntayneth their sinne.

11 In drinking vp this floude, yet ease they this woman. In such mul∣titude is Christes small flocke not myssed, not looked for, nor yet many tymes in their abhominations per∣ceyued to be absent. So gracious to them is the Lord, that in no wyse are they harmed with those vnwholsome waters. They are not caught of that pestilent floud. It ouerwhelmeth not their faith.

12 And the Dragō was wroth with the woman (sayeth sainct Iohn) fran∣ticke madde is the Sinagoge of Sa∣than,

whan their wantō ware is for∣saken, abhorred and dispised. Than frette they for anger, than swell they for woodnesse. Than whet they their téeth vpon the innocent soules, and would teare them in péeces for very spight. Than imagine they new cau∣teles and wyles, and therevpon pro∣cure they new lawes to be made, to trappe them in snares that they e∣scape no way.

13 For the Dragon in his wrathe, made warre with the remnaunt of hyr séede, which kept the commaun∣dements of God. All maner of wayes hath thys Serpent assayed to distroy Christes true church. The Apostles he vexed with y^e Pharisies & priestes, for the first age. With false bretherne and Tyrauntes troubled he theyr successours for the secōd age. For the thyrde, with innumerable Heresies did he accomber them. For y^e fourth, with dampnable sectes of Hipocrisie dyd hée oppresse them. For the fifte, brought he y^e world into a damnable peace of Idolatrie & superstitiō. And

for the sixt (séeing he can not yet pre∣uayle) hée maketh open warre vpon the remnaunt of hir séede.

14 Now doth his Sinagoge of Pre∣lates, Priestes, Hypocrites, and ty∣rauntes, make wicked lawes against them. Now doe they persecute them for kéeping the commaundements of God, in maryage, in receiuing meats with thankes gyuing, and in not go∣ing out to séeke Christ héere & there in theyr Masses and mutterynges, in theyr outwarde colours and sha∣dowes.

15 Now put they them to deathe, which haue the Testimonie of Iesus Christ, preachyng him for an onely teacher necessarie, for an onelye me∣diatour and aduocate, for an onely sauiour and redéemer, for our onely rightuousnes, wisdom, & health. For their war is only against thē y^t kéepe Gods cōmaūdements, & that haue the witnesse of Iesu. Neither is it against bandes nor whores, agaynst mur∣therers nor théeues, agaynst Idola∣tors nor Hypocrites, Sorcerers nor

Sodomites, adulterers, nor gluttōs, Idyotes nor lyers, idle priestes nor vagaboundes, Scismatikes nor tray∣tours. None of these séek they out, non of these accuse they at their Sessiōs, but the onely readers of the Gospell, and poore fauorers of Gods trueth.

16 Upon the sea sande stande they euer more with theyr grande Cap∣tayne, to fight this battayle. None o∣ther lawes haue they to ground thē selues vpon, but their owne tradyti∣ons and customes, with suche fanta∣sticall actes as they dayly make, or procure to bée made of Princes for their owne wicked purpose. And as their lawes are beggerly and weak, so is their vsurped aucthoritie, so are their proude titles also, so are theyr myters, their anointings, & pompous functions. All are sand, dust, & rotten pouder before God, not grounded vp∣on his worde. All are vnprofitable chaffe. Yea, their selues are a ground vnfruitfull, sandy, & vnsure, fit for the Dragō to stand vpon to fight against Christes mēbers. For they are y^e very

seat of Sathan, and hys continuall dwelling place. And that he can not do by him self, he bringeth euermore to passe by them. Innumerable also are their diuilishe practices, theyr wyles, and their subtilties to vphold their master, as are y^e sandes of y^e sea.