The sealed book opened. Or, A cleer explication of the prophecies of the Revelation. Together with the lessons that are to be observed from every chapter thereof, being cleerly explained. Intended chiefly for the discovery to all of that Roman antichrist, and that Rome her final destruction is surely at hand, by that blessed work of reformation happily begun in the several churches and kingdoms of Europe. / By William Guild D.D. and preacher of Gods word.

Ver. 2. And she being with child, cryed, travailing in birth, and pained to be deli∣vered.

Here we have what a woman she is, mulier, quae faecun∣datur

à Christo, & virgo quae incorrupta perseverat in Christo (as one sayes well,) who is said to cry as women do in travelling, by fervent and earnest prayer (to wit) as also by painfull and powerfull preaching of her teachers, therefore it is said, that she cryed travelling in birth, whereof the Apostles words are an Exposition, saying, Gal. 4 19. My little children of whom I travel again in pain, till Christ be formed in you. Wherefore it is subjoyned, and she was pained, to be delivered; children not being brought forth to Christ by the new birth without both fervent prayer, and painfull preaching of Pastours, therefore sayes Andreas Caesariensis, cruciari dicimus ecclesiam secundum singulos eorum, qui ex aqua & spiritu regenerantur, donec for∣metur Christus in eis, ut ait Apostolus. Gal. 4 Likewise sayes Ribera, cruciabatur ut parcret, id est, vehementer affligebatur causa pariendi; & hoc propterea dicit, quia eo tempore magna erit falsorum doctorum & precursorum Antichristi copia, & multi potentesque ecclesiae & catholicae veritatis religionisque oppug∣natores.

Sundry Popish interpreters who would have by this woman the Virgin-Mary to be understood, as she is commonly so painted, here they stick, and are hereby convinced in the con∣trary by their own confession, that the Virgin-Mary in bring∣ing forth Christ, cryed not travailing, nor was pained to be delivered.