A THEATRE wherein be repre- sentedrepresented as wel the miseries and ca- lamities calamities that follow the vo- luptuousvoluptuous Worldlings, As also the greate joyes and plesures which the faith- fullfaithfull do enjoy. An Argument both profitable and delectable, to all that sincerely love the word of God. Devised by S. John van- dervan der Noodt. Seene and allowed according to the order appointed. ¶ Imprinted at London by Henry Bynneman. Anno Domini. 1569. CUM PRIVILEGIO. In commendationem operis ab Nobiliss. et virtutis Studiosissimo Do- mino Domino, Joanne van der Noodt Patricio Antuerpiensi æditi, Carmen. M.RABILAE. Poetę Brabant. Hæc Babylon legat, et discat sustollere cœl Hactenus addictum terræ caput, hic rata vitæ Semita, quam specimen Nothœæ nobile gentis Dat legere, ille domo patria, certis que triumphis Contemptis, et quæ poterant spondere Curules, Conscius haud ullo virtutem sanguine condi, Ad majora animum tulit, et dat noscere mundo, Hoc opere insignem luctum, tristes que labores Vitæ huius: legat hæc Babylon, legat, imbuat aures Illius hoc opus, et si cui calligine cæca Mens cooperata jacet, qui devia saxa pererrat Rectum oblitus iter: licet illi hic nube redusta Summum vestigare bonum: doctrina Sophorum Ventilat, et falso verum confundit inani. O stolidas hominum mentes! non iste Deorum Cultus: et quando hos crudeli fune flagellans Conscia mens corruptum animum ad meliora reducet! Ut iaceant idola! suus, quo cuncta moventur, Restituatur honos! aliquando benignior astris, Deciderit fortuna tamen, nostros que labores, Terrarum ut fremitent furiata mente Tyranni, Respiciet miserans summi regnat or Olympi. At veræ quicun que viæ dinoscere Sydus Ardescisue ducem, doctos evolve labores, Quos doctus tibi Nothæus vigilavit ad unguem, E que vaporato fumo, qui corda tenebat, Cultor agri tristes nebulas, uti sole fugari Aspicit, et campos risum renovare iacentes, Lucem ita conspicies tibi diluxisse serenam. DOCTOR GERARDUS GOOSSENIUS Medicus, Physicus, et Poeta Brabant. moder. in Zoilum Octastichon. Zoile cur palles? cur vultus semper amarus? Triste supercilium frons que caprata tibi? Displicet ut video luci datus iste libellus: Sed rogo cur oculis displicet iste tuis? An quia papicolum ritus et sacra revellit Idolis, viduam nec Babylona dolet ? Zoile, non curat morsus, nam sufficit illi, Perplacuisse bonis, displicuisse malis. Inoffensibilis Goosseni. TO THE MOSTE high, puissant, noble,ver- tuousvertuous, and righte Christian Princesse Elizabeth, by the grace of God Quene of Englande, Fraunce, and Ireland. etc. A FTER my departure oute of Brabante,Brabante (myne owne naturall Countrey)Countrey), into youre Majesties Re-almeRealme of Englande (moste gracious Lady) as well for that I would not beholde the abhominations of the Romyshe Ante-christ,Antechrist, as to escape the handes of the bloud-thirsty:bloudthirsty: In the meane space for the avoyding of idlenesse (the very mother and nourice of all vices) I have among other my travayles bene occupied aboute thys little Treatyse, wherin is sette forth the vilenesse and base-nessebasenesse of worldely things, whiche commonly withdrawe us from heavenly and spirituall matters.matters, Tto the ende that understanding the vanitie and basenesse of the same, and there-withalltherewithall consideryng the miserable calamities that ensue therupon, we might be moved the rather to forsake them, and gyve oure selves to the knowledge of Heavenly and eternall things, whence all true happinesse and feli-citiefelicitie doth procede. And for as much as the matter of it selfe is very good (deservyng in dede to be handeled by men of farre better skil than I) I could not devise how any things whatsoeuer,whatsoever of lykenesse and conveniencie mighte more properly bee resembled one to the other, than this boke for the aptnesse and conveniencie of the argument might be de-dicateddedicated to your Majestie, a most blessed and happie prince. Happy I say, not so much for that youre grace is lineally descended by the most high, puissaunt, mightie and victorious prince Henry the eight of famous memorie, from so many myghtie and puissant princes of this Realme, your Majesties moste noble progenitours: which have long agone, most valiantly and victoriously conquered al France, and by dint of sword daunted their enimies, so that youre highnesse beareth in Armes as right inheritour thereunto, the royall scepter and Croune imperiall, most triumphantly, and the titles of Englande, Fraunce, and Irelande joyntely in youre majesties stile. Neither for, that your highnesse as a rare Phœnix of your time,time are singular and peerelesse in honoure and renoune, in princely majestie, wisedome, skil, beautie, favour, mildenesse, curtesie and gentlenesse: to be short, excellent in all kind of vertue.vertue; Nornor in respecte of youre learning, knowledge, counsell, judgement, and elo-quence,eloquence, as well in the Greeke, Latine, Italian, Frenche, Dutch, as in your owne natural En-glish,English, and other languages, wherin your grace may be resembled not onely to Tullie, and Demosthenes, but to Mercurie, the God of e-loquence,eloquence, as is apparant by youre Majesties most apte and wise aunswers given in your own person to al Embassadours, and to eue-ryevery of them in their owne naturall language with a singular dexteritie and princely maiestiemajestie, and with marvellous swetenesse of tong.tong; Nornor bicause your grace is expert in song, and in the arte of Musike, skilful in al kindes of musical instruments, and according to the ex-actexact proportions of geometrie exquisite in the measures of the daunce: and besides al these, embraced of Apollo, and his nine sisters, by whome your grace is so instructed in the di-uinedivine Arte of Poetrie, that you may woor-thilywoorthily be called the seconde Sappho.Sappho; Neither neither for your great skil and judgement in painting and imagerie, bothe for the cunnyng of the workmanshyp and the devise and storie.storie-- Inin summe, perfecte in all good exercises of the wit, namely the artes and liberall sciences. Fi-nally,Finally, not alonly for that n Nature of hir boũ-tiebountie and goodnesse hath shewed suche grace and speciall favour toward you, by enduing youre grace moste plentyfully with infinite graces and vertues more abundantly than a-nyany other Prince or Princesse in the worlde, so that it might serve me for a sufficient ar-gumentargument to fill large volumes, only to stande in commendation of your majestie, not an-nexingannexing therto any devise of myne owne, of fained Emblemes or Poetical fables, and that without using flatterie or glosing, as they do most comonly, that ambitiously seeking af-terafter prefermentes and honoure, disguise ra-therrather than describe noble and honorable per-sonages,personages, whome they sette oute many tymes beyonde al truth, yea sometime above mea-sure,measure, and with as great inconveniencie as yf they should paynt an Asse tuning of a harp. For I do not accompt your grace happy for these alonely (thoughe many and singular) giftes and graces, which your grace enjoyeth in great plentie and abundance, consideryng they bee transitorie, and can not make any man or woman happie (albeit they seme di-uinedivine and supernaturall,)supernaturall), excepte they be ac-companiedaccompanied wyth the love and feare of God, according to the saying of King Lamuell, in the thirde of the Proverbes: Favour is decei-uable,deceivable, and Beautie a mere vanitie, but the wo-manwoman that feareth the Lorde, is to be beloved. But chiefly and principally when I consider that God intendyng to bestowe an excellent benefit peculiarly upon your Majestie more than upon any other Prince or Princesse in the worlde, hath besides al the other forena-medforenamed his manifolde giftes and graces, lighte-nedlightened your understanding with his holy spirit, and hath vouchesafed (by enclinyng youre graces heart, spirite and minde to humilitie, peace, mildenesse, and all kinde of louable-nesse)lovablenesse) to chose your majestie, especially to be his champion to defend his beloved church. And in this respect,respect (like as all faithfull and true Christian princes throughout all Europe do esteme and repute you)you), do I also, and that of good rightright, call your grace a moste happie and blessed Prince. Consider I beseche you, how God hath blessed your majestie in thys worlde more than he hath done any of your progenitours. For never was it seene in any age or time heretofore, that this your realme of England hath flourished as it dothe at this present under your Majesties moste happie governement. Firste in all kinde of liberall Artes and sciences. Secondarily in the abun-danceabundance of treasure, as well golde and silver, as all sortes of riche and precious jewels and or-namentes.ornamentes. Thirdely, in the free passage and trafike of all kinde of marchandise: Besides this, in good and politike lawes and ordinan-ces,ordinances, namely in the due execution of justice, according to law and equitie. The worde of God is purely preached here in six or seven languages. The Sacraments of Baptisme, and the holy Supper, sincerely ministred accor-dingaccording to Christes institution. Christian disci-plinediscipline in due force in many places. Finally e-ueryevery countrey and nation that will live here according to his holy worde, is received, and findeth good entertainement. O how happy and blessed is that King or kingdome, where these things are in forceforceforce. Contrarywise most unhappie are those princes, that banishyng and rejecting Christ, receive that Antechrist, the sonne of the Divell, and forsakyng the truth, embrace errour: To be short, that do al things overthwartly and clean against the hairhair. For it is moste certaine and sure, that sodaine ruine and destruction shall fall upon all wic-kedwicked and ungodly persons, as well nowe as in tyme paste, as experience hath well proved heretofore: Namely upon Pharao, and hys kingdome of Egypt, upon Jeroboam, Achab, Jezabell and infinite other mo. Wher on the other part, the good kings and princes which feare the Lord, shal have peace and comfort bothe in this worlde, and in the worlde to come: Like as had Josua, Juda, Gedeon, David and divers other in those days, and is also to be seene at this day most evidently in the re-almesrealmes and countreyes under youre Majesties dominion, whiche God hath blessed in suche sort, that it may truly be sayd, that the king-domekingdome of Saturne, and the Golden worlde is come againe, and the Virgin Astrea is des-scendeddescended from heaven to builde hir a seate in this your moste happie countrey of England . For here is peace and quietnesse, whereas the moste parte of foraine countreyes are full of great tumultes, and that (more is the pitie) with the sheding of much christian bloude. And where as many myghtie kings and po-tentatespotentates of the earthe have banded and con-spiredconspired together, and fight every where against God his anointed, and his holy churche, ben-dyngbendyng their force utterly to deface hys name, his glorie, and his Churche: Almightie God of his divine providence hath nowe also in these days (like as he hath in all ages hereto-fore)heretofore) raised up divers good and godly prin-cesprinces and states, and provided certaine places, wherto the elect and faithfull have resorted and bene preserved, during the time of persecution, to the ende that his holy name myght there be glorified, his worde purely and sin-cerelysincerely preached, and his Churche dispersed, in a manner restored. As it is also come to passe in these our most miserable days, in the whiche suche as syncerely love and esteeme more derely the honoure and glorie of God than they doe their owne commodities, ease, and welfare,welfare (after the counsel of Christ, say-ingsaying in this wyse: yfIf they persecute you in one citie, flie ye unto an other)other), have bene content to depart their owne naturall countrey, wholly to forsake their landes, inheritances, possessi-ons,possessions, and dwellyng places, yea and some also, to surrender their offices, dignities, and worldly preferments. An other sort with their wives children and parentes are departed into Ger-manie,Germanie, namely into the territorie and domi-niondominion of Frederike prince Elector and countie Palatine, the floure of all Christian Princes in these dayes (that I knowe) in the fervent zeale and true feare of God, a man worthy to be compared with David , or Josias . Others are fled into other places elsewhere, some to one cuntrey, some to an other, every one ac-cordingaccording to his abilitie, estate, condition, andfacultie. But we a numbre of us are arrived in saftie in this your majesties realme of En-glande,Englande, as into a moste safe and sure harbo-rough,harborough, where we live (God be thanked) vn-derunder your Majesties protection and safegarde in greate libertie to serve God in eyther lan-guage,language, the French or the Dutche, without al feare of tyrantes, or daunger of the gapyng throates of greedie ravening wolves. After the same maner hath God in time past pre-seruedpreserved and delivered his elect out of the hands of their enimies and persecuters by the mini-sterieministerie of dyvers vertuous women. As is to be sene in the .4. chapt. of the boke of Judges. How God delivered his people of Israel out of the hands of Jabin king of Chanaan, by De-boraDebora the prophetesse, by selling Sizara chiefe captain of his armie into the hand of a woman called Jahel . As he also preserved David from the furie of Saul, by Michol Sauls own dau-ghter.daughter. As he delivered the citizens of Bethulia, from the tiranny of Holofernes, by the hand of that most vertuous Ladie Judith . And as the children of Israel, were saved by the counsel of Mardocheus, at the instance and request of the most gratious and humble Hester,where they were lately before in peril of death and present destruction by the conspiracie of wicked Ha-man.Haman. The like hath ben brought to passe by divers other renoumed Ladies, whose fame shal endure for ever. And surely the graces and mercies that God hath shewed to his affli-ctedafflicted church in these later days by your maie-stiesmajesties means, ar no lesse than those he hath she-wedshewed tofore by the late rehersed ladies: so that your grace deserveth equal praise and cõmẽdatiõcommendation with them, considering with what gẽtle-nessegentlenesse and with how loving and charitable affec-tionaffection you have received the poore scattered flock of Christ. Is not your Majestie then to be estemed infinitely more happy and blessed that are so specially elect of god to serve him for such an instrument, and in such a quarel, and that maugre the beards of the enimies, being enraged through the malice and obstinacy of their hearts do persecute the church of God? Yes assuredly, most happy, christian, and ver-tuousvertuous princesse, even in the highest degree. Howe shall I be able then to expresse with tong, or to endite with pen your praises suf-ficiently?sufficiently? verilyVerily I am confounded and put to silence, and do confesse my self to be altoge-theraltogether insufficient. Wherfore (moste gracious Ladie) I rest with my heartie and continuall prayer unto God for your majestie, that he turne not his face from you, but that it wold please him to continue and daily to encrease his grace and favor towards you, and his ho-lyholy spirite within you, as also in and towardes those that be of your Majesties counsel, and all other Magistrates and officers whatsoe-uerwhatsoever having authoritie under your highnesse within your majesties realms and dominiõs.dominions, that walking in the fear and love of him they may do al their endevour through the prea-chingpreaching of his holy word to advaunce his holy name, and above al things especially to seke the safetie and weal of his church. And ther-foretherfore for the great benefit and good that God hath don unto his church by means of your majesty (most gracious prince) al tru faithful whatsoever they be, as wel strangers as your natural subjects seke to do unto your maie-stiemajestie most faithful and honorable service, ac-cordingaccording to their power. Besides, in al their as-sẽbliesassemblies and in every congregation they make their hartie and feruẽt fervent prayers unto almightie God for the helth of your soule, the safegard of your most royal person, and the prosperous estate of your realm long to continue. And I especially for mine own part, bicause I wold not be unthankful for the great benefits I en-ioyenjoy by your grace, abiding under your maie-stiesmajesties protection (forasmuch as ingratitude is a a most horrible and detestable vice) in con-siderationconsideration thereof (moste gracious Lady) I present your highnesse with this smal Trea-tiseTreatise of mine, as the best Jewel that I have in store at this presente, in signification of my good wil, and for declaration of my duetie in this behalfe, beseeching youre highnesse moste humbly to accept it in good parte as (considering your majesties natural bountie and your accustomed goodnesse) my trust is you will vouchsafe to doe. For I am persua-dedpersuaded (albeit the stile be rude) that the matter shall be fitte for your Majestie to reade, and that the same shall not be unpleasant unto you, but minister unto your grace great oc-casionoccasion of much joy, peace, and contentation of minde and conscience. And these be the causes and respects for the which I presume to present the same to your majestie, in most humble maner beseching your highnesse to accepte the same, and praying to almightie God to graunt unto your Majestie a moste happie reign in this world: and after this life to reigne with him for ever, for his only son our Lorde Jesus Christes sake. At London your Majesties Citie and seate royal. The .25. of May . 1569. Your Majesties most humble servant, Jean vander Noodt. B eing one day at my window all alone, So many strange things hapned me to see, As much it grieveth me to thinke thereon. At my right hande, a Hinde appearde to me, So faire as mought the greatest God delite: Two egre Dogs dyd hir pursue in chace, Of whiche the one was black, the other white. With deadly force so in their cruell race They pinchte the haunches of this gentle beast, That at the last, and in shorte time, I spied, Under a rocke, where she (alas) opprest, Fell to the grounde, and there untimely dide. Cruell death vanquishing so noble beautie, Oft makes me waile so harde a destinie. A fter at Sea a tall Ship dyd appere, Made all of Heben and white Ivorie, The sailes of Golde, of Silke the tackle were: Milde was the winde, calme seemed the sea to be: The Skie eche where did shew full bright and faire. With riche treasures this gay ship fraighted was. But sodaine storme did so turmoyle the aire, And tombled up the sea, that she, alas, Strake on a rocke that under water lay. O great misfortune, O great griefe, I say, Thus in one moment to see lost and drownde So great riches, as lyke can not be founde. T hen heavenly branches did I see arise, Out of a fresh and lusty Laurell tree Amidde the yong grene wood. Of Paradise Some noble plant I thought my selfe to see, Suche store of birdes therein yshrouded were, Chaunting in shade their sundry melodie. My sprites were ravisht with these pleasures there. While on this Laurell fixed was mine eye, The Skie gan every where to overcast, And darkned was the welkin all aboute, When sodaine flash of heavens fire outbrast, And rent this royall tree quite by the roote. Which makes me much and ever to complaine, For no such shadow shal be had againe. W ithin this wood, out of the rocke did rise A Spring of water mildely romblyng downe, Whereto approched not in any wise The homely Shepherde, nor the ruder cloune, But many Muses, and the Nymphes withall, That sweetely in accorde did tune their voice Unto the gentle sounding of the waters fall. The sight wherof dyd make my heart rejoyce. But while I toke herein my chiefe delight, I sawe (alas) the gaping earth devoure The Spring, the place, and all cleane out of sight. Whiche yet agreves my heart even to this houre. I saw a Phœnix in the wood alone, With purple wings and crest of golden hew, Straunge birde he was, wherby I thought anone, That of some heavenly wight I had the vew: Untill he came unto the broken tree And to the spring that late devoured was. What say I more? Eche thing at length we see Doth passe away: the Phœnix there, alas, Spying the tree destroyde, the water dride, Himselfe smote with his beake, as in disdaine, And so forthwith in great despite he dide. For pitie and love my heart yet burnes in paine. A t last so faire a Ladie did I spie, That in thinking on hir I burne and quake,quake; On herbes and floures she walked pensively. Milde, but yet love she proudely did forsake. White seemed hir robes, yet woven so they were, As snowe and golde together had bene wrought. Above the waste a darke cloude shrouded hir, A stinging Serpent by the heele hir caught, Wherewith she languisht as the gathered floure: And well assurde she mounted up to joy. Alas in earth so nothing doth endure But bitter griefe that dothe our hearts anoy. My Song thus now in thy Conclusions, Say boldly that these same six visions Do yelde unto thy lorde a sweete request, Ere it be long within the earth to rest. Sonets. I t was the time when rest the gift of Gods Sweetely sliding into the eyes of men, Doth drowne in the forgetfulnesse of slepe, The carefull travailes of the painefull day: Then did a ghost appeare before mine eyes On that great rivers banke that runnes by Rome, And calling me then by my propre name, He bade me upwarde unto heaven looke. He cride to me, and loe (quod he) beholde, What under this great Temple is containde, Loe all is nought but flying vanitie. So I knowing the worldes unstedfastnesse, Sith onely God surmountes the force of tyme, In God alone do stay my confidence. O n hill, a frame an hundred cubites hie I sawe, an hundred pillers eke about, All of fine Diamant decking the front, And fashiond were they all in Dorike wise. Of bricke, ne yet of marble was the wall, But shining Christall, which from top to base Out of deepe vaute threw forth a thousand rayes Upon an hundred steps of purest golde. Golde was the parget: and the sielyng eke Did shine all scaly with fine golden plates. Jaspis O worldes vainenesse. A sodein earthquake loe, Shaking the hill even from the bottome deepe, Threwe downe this building to the lowest stone. T hen did appeare to me a sharped spire Of diamant, ten feete eche way in square, Justly proportionde up unto his height, So hie as mought an Archer reache with sight. Upon the top therof was set a pot Made of the mettall that we honour most. And in this golden vessell couched were The ashes of a mightie Emperour. Upon foure corners of the base there lay To beare the frame, foure great Lions of golde. A worthie tombe for such a worthie corps. Alas, nought in this worlde but griefe endures. A sodaine tempest from the heaven, I saw, With flusheflashe stroke downe this noble monument. I saw raisde up on pillers of Ivorie, Whereof the bases were of richest golde, The chapters Alabaster, Christall frises, The double front of a triumphall arke. On eche side portraide was a victorie.victorie, With golden wings in habite of a Nymph.Nymph, And set on hie upon triumphing chaire, The auncient glorie of the Romane lordes. The worke did shewe it selfe not wrought by man But rather made by his owne skilfull hande That forgeth thunder dartes for Jove his sire. Let me no more see faire thing under heaven, Sith I have seene so faire a thing as this, With sodaine falling broken all to dust. T hen I behelde the faire Dodonian tree, Upon seven hilles throw forth his gladsome shadcshade, And Conquerers bedecked with his leaves Along the bankes of the Italian streame. There many auncient Trophees were erect, Many a spoile, and many goodly signes, To shewe the greatnesse of the stately race, That erst descended from the Trojan bloud. Ravisht I was to see so rare a thing, When barbarous villaines in disordred heape, Outraged the honour of these noble bowes. I hearde the tronke to grone under the wedge. And since I saw the roote in hie disdaine Sende forth againe a twinne of forked trees. I saw the birde that dares beholde the Sunne, With feeble flight venture to mount to heaven, By more and more she gan to trust hir wings, Still folowing th'example of hir damme: I saw hir rise, and with a larger flight Surmount the toppes even of the hiest hilles, And pierce the cloudes, and with hir wings to reache The place where is the temple of the Gods. There was she lost, and sodenly I saw Where tombling through the aire in lompe of fire, All flaming downe she fell upon the plaine. I saw hir bodie turned all to dust, And saw the foule that shunnes the cherefull light Out of hir ashes as a worme arise. T hen all astonned with this nightly ghost, I saw an hideous body big and strong, Long was his beard, and side did hang his hair, A grisly forehed and Saturnelike face. Leaning against the belly of a pot He shed a water, whose outgushing streame Ran flowing all along the creekie shoare Where once the Troyan Duke with Turnus fought. And at his feete a bitch Wolfe did give sucke To two yong babes. In his right hand he bare The tree of peace, in left the conquering Palme, His head was garnisht with the Laurel bow. Then sodenly the Palme and Olive fell, And faire greene Laurel witherd up and dide. H ard by a rivers side, a wailing Nimphe, Folding hir armes with thousand sighs to heaven Did tune hir plaint to falling rivers sound, Renting hir faire visage and golden haire, Where is (quod she) this whilome honored face? Where is thy glory and the auncient praise, Where all worldes hap was reposed, When erst of Gods and man I worshipt was? Alas, suffisde it not that civile bate Made me the spoile and bootie of the world, But this new Hydra mete to be assailde Even by an hundred such as Hercules, With seven springing heds of monstrous crimes, So many Neroes and Caligulaes Must still bring forth to rule this croked shore .shore? U pon a hill I saw a kindled flame, Mounting like waves with triple point to heaven, Which of incense of precious Ceder tree With Balmelike odor did perfume the aire. A bird all white, well fetherd on hir winges Hereout did flie up to the throne of Gods, And singing with most plesant melodismelodie She climbed up to heaven in the smoke. Of this faire fire the faire dispersed rayes Threw forth abrode a thousand shining leames, When sodain dropping of a golden shoure Gan quench the glystering flame. O grevous chaunge! That which erstwhile so pleasaunt scent did yelde, Of Sulphure now did breathe corrupted smel. I saw a fresh spring rise out of a rocke, Clere as Christall against the Sunny beames, The bottome yellow like the shningshining landsand, That golden Pactol drives upon the plaine. It seemed that arte and nature strived to joyne There in one place all pleasures of the eye. There was to heare a noise alluring slepe Of many accordes more swete than Mermaids song, The seates and benches shone as Ivorie, An hundred Nymphes sate side by side about, When from nie hilles a naked rout of Faunes With hideous cry assembled on the place, Which with their feete uncleane the water fouled, Threw down the seats, and drove the Nimphs to flight. A t length, even at the time when Morpheus Most truely doth appeare unto our eyes, Wearie to see th'inconstance of the heavens: I saw the great Typhæus sister come, Hir head full bravely with a morian armed, In majestie she seemde to matche the Gods. And on the shore, harde by a violent streame, She raisde a Trophee over all the worlde. An hundred vanquisht kings gronde at hir feete, Their armes in shamefull wise bounde at their backes. While I was with so dreadfull sight afrayde, I saw the heavens warre against hir tho, And seing hir striken fall with clap of thunder, With so great noyse I start in sodaine wonder. I saw an ugly beast come from the sea, That seven heads, ten crounes, ten hornes did beare, Having theron the vile blaspheming name. The cruell Leopard she resembled much: Feete of a beare, a Lions throte she had. The mightie Dragon gave to hir his power. One of hir heads yet there I did espie, Still freshly bleeding of a grievous wounde. One cride aloude.aloude: What one is like (quod he) This honoured Dragon, or may him withstande? And then came from the sea a savage beast, With Dragons speche, and shewde his force by fire, With wondrous signes to make all wights adore The beast, in setting of hir image up. I saw a Woman sitting on a beast Before mine eyes, of Orenge colour hew: Horrour and dreadfull name of blasphemie Filde hir with pride. And seven heads I saw, Ten hornes also the stately beast did beare. She seemde with glorie of the scarlet faire, And with fine perle and golde puft up in heart. The wine of hooredome in a cup she bare. The name of Mysterie writ in hir face. The bloud of Martyrs dere were hir delite. Most fierce and fell this woman seemde to me. An Angell then descending downe from Heauen.Heaven With thondring voice cride out aloude, and sayd, Now for a truth great Babylon is fallen. T hen might I see upon a white horse set The faithfull man with flaming countenaunce, His head did shine with crounes set therupon. The worde of God made him a noble name. His precious robe I saw embrued with bloud. Then saw I from the heaven on horses white, A puissant armie come the selfe same way. Then cried a shining Angell as me thought, That birdes from aire descending downe on earth Should warre upon the kings, and eate their flesh. Then did I see the beast and Kings also Joinyng their force to slea the faithfull man. But this fierce hatefull beast and all hir traine.traine Is pitilesse throwne downe in pit of fire. I saw new Earth, new Heaven, sayde Saint John. And loe, the sea (quod he) is now no more. The holy Citie of the Lorde, from hye Descendeth garnisht as a loved spouse. A voice then sayde, beholde the bright abode Of God and men. For he shall be their God.God And all their teares he shall wipe cleane away. Hir brightnesse greater was than can be founde. Square was this Citie, and twelve gates it had. Eche gate was of an orient perfect pearle, The houses golde, the pavement precious stone. A lively streame, more cleere than Christ allChristall is, Ranne through the mid, sprong from triumphant seat. There growes lifes fruite unto the Churches good. Sonets. A BRIEFE DE- claration Declaration of the Authour upon his visions, taken out of the holy scrip- tures scriptures, and dyvers Orators, Poetes, Philosophers, and true histories. Tran- slated Translated out of French into En- glishe Englishe by Theodore Roest. W aying and conside- ring considering that many which are grieved and sore vexed in their myndes, grudgyng, and leding an unquiet life, do not onely for the most part, mislike of their owne estate and calling, but enui-ouslyenviously (such is our frailtie) go about to en-terenter into other mens lyvings, so that now a days the fewest numbre of men are cõ-tentedcontented with their vocation and callyng, wherof we have dayly too too much expe-rience.experience. As for example: Many souldiers desire to be merchants: again many mer-chantsmerchants love warfare, for all that they see what inconveniences folow oftentimes. Lawyers woulde be husbandmen: agayn, men of the countrey commende the voca-tionvocation of Judges. Many maried folks wold be vnmariedunmaried, other not maried, and sin-glesingle persons travaile to be. Poore men covet to be riche, the riche desireth more and more, and every man laboureth to advaunce him selfe. A knight or a gentle-mangentleman would gladly be some great Lorde, or Earle. An Earle loketh to be a Duke, or prince, a Duke or prince seeketh to be-comebecome King. A King (contentyng hymself yet least) studieth by what meanes he may amplifie his realme, and joyne unto it townes, cities, and countreys, so to in-creaseincrease his dominions daily, that at length he might attaine to the Monarchie of all Europe, and then to become Lorde of the whole worlde. Briefly, the hearts of car-nallcarnall and voluptuous men are never at rest, have never inough, but be driven by the meanes of concupiscence, which reigneth in them, always to be careful, to watche, to toyle and moyle, to wishe, to mistrust, to sue and busily to be occupied. For an ambitious and covetous carnal person is never contented with that he hath: for if he have bene busy but ten dayes for that he hath, he will not refuse to woorke ten times ten other to attaine to that which he desireth and gapeth for, although it be not profitable, either for body or soule. This time of our pilgrimage is graunted of God to learne to knowe him, to serve and honor him, to laude and magnifie his name, to put oure whole confidence in hym, to leade oure life accordyng to hys blessed will, and to seeke our whole feli-citiefelicitie and blessednesse only in hym. Final-ly,Finally, to acknowledge (without the whiche also the condition of man is worse than isthat of brute beasts) with heart and tong al goodnesse goodnesse to proceede of him. This time (I say) for this purpose gyven unto us, those men aforesayd, consume and spend in vnquiet-nesse, unquietnesse, to the service of wicked Mammon, and other unlawfull and greedie desires of earthly and transitorie riches, losing and forgoing therby the joy and quietnesse of the spirite and conscience, and most of al, true christian libertie.Therefore (hopyng to move such as doe understand aright how deceitfull worldly things be, to avoyde them the rather, and to covete after the eternall and everlasting) I have thought it good, so compendiously as pos-siblypossibly I may, to shewe how vaine, transi-torie,transitorie, deceitfull, unprofitable, and vncer-tainuncertain worldly things be, and that heauen-lyheavenly things only are everlasting, immortal, excellent, good, and most to be desired, e-ueneven as God him self is the fountain of all goodnesse, and perfect in all things which can be desired, yea more a greate deale than oure understandyng is able to vt-terutter or to comprehende: to this ende and purpose, that men convertyng unto the Lorde, in hym onely seeking their whole salvation and perfect blysse, myght leade their life paciently with a good conscience in all quietnesse of minde and spirite, and so to enjoy the true christian libertie and spirituall gladnesse here in thys worlde, that in the worlde to come they might be inheritours (by grace) of the everlasting joyes in eternall glorie, purchased tho-roughthorough the bloud of oure Savioure Jesus Christ. But before we enter any farther to speake of the vanities of worldly and transitorie Richesse, I will warne thee (gentle Reader) that when I speake of substance, riches, estates, bodily health, of wife and children, and other like, whiche all are the good giftes of God, I mean not in respect of the thing it selfe, nor yet the good use of the same,same (for in it is no suche default,)default), but onely I meane the great a-buseabuse whiche commonly is seene in the vn-naturalunnatural and unbrideled desire, wherunto rich and worldly men ar inclined. Saint Augustine speaking of the nature of the thing, affirmeth, that health, strengthe, riches, grace, noblenesse, a faire andfaireand good wyfe, propre childrencleane children, friendes, power, and other like, they are things naturally indifferent, whereof a man maye reape good or evyll. Even so saythe S. Ambrose, that then they are good and profitable when they are wel used, otherwise hurt-full,hurtfull, yea dampnable, when the use of them exceedeth the lymits of reason and equitie, and rules of Gods holy worde. Neither meane I to touch those that are rich, or have great possessions: but those onely which are possessed of their goodes, whose money is their maister, them (I say) whiche are of the propretie and na-turenature of one named Gallio, which as Sene-caSeneca reherseth, Seneca in the treatise of the happy life. 22. Cha. was not maister of his goo-des,goodes, but he hym selfe was subjecte unto them, that is to say, he was a bond slave, and did serve unto the occasions of evyl, whyche came unto hym by hys owne goodes. Also I wil speake of the love, con-fidenceconfidence and inordinat lust, and of the cha-syngchasyng and puttyng away of vertue and godlynesse, and the going astray from God, dependyng upon his creatures, yea upon vanitie it selfe. Which moste of all com-methcommeth to passe by the meanes of worldely substaunce, and the greedie desire of the same, the very roote of all evil: For they reduce men from true libertie to thral-dome,thraldome, and turne freedome into slaverie, pleasures into miseries, honour, and pro-motionpromotion into subjection and perpetual shame and confusion. This if we considered, it should not give us occasion to set by them as we do, but rather to abhorre and hate them, and be moved to follow the counsel of David: Psalm. 62. When riches abound, set not thy heart upon them. Briefly, all and every kinde of evyll proceedeth of those three wyth theyr adherentes, wherewith the whole worlde is polluted, as witnesseth saincte John in hys Canonicall Epistles, saying: Love not the worlde, neyther the thyngs that are in the worlde: If any man love the worlde, the love of the Father is not in hym. For all that (sayeth he) whych is in the worlde, is the luste of the eyes, and the pride of lyfe, is not of the father, but of the worlde, and the worlde passeth away, and the lustes therof, but he that fulfylleth the wyll of God abydeth for ever. Touching whiche three vices I might rehearse of all sortes of people more than tenne thousande examples. Whereof some (I speak but temporally, and not of matters concernyng the soule) have lost theyr money, goodes, and estymation, some their friendes, libertie, life and goodes. But what neede I to spend my time, and to trouble my braines about it. Al bookes, whether they speake of the Assyrians, E-giptians,Egiptians, Persians, or Medians, Grecians, or Jewes, Romaines, or other countreyes, are full of it. Wherof rede Diodorus Siculus, Josephus, Plutarch, Titus Livius , and divers other historiographers, which have writ-tenwritten until our age and time, and we shall finde that all kinde of evill, at the least commeth out of one of these three, and daily we find it by good experience, that al mis-chiefemischiefe springeth out of these, yea even in such as had incorporated and joyned them selves to the church of Christ, foreseyng persecution, crosses, and tribulations to ensue therby, and by and by for feare of a little losse of worldly goodes, commodi-ties,commodities, honours, or otherwise, forsoke and turned againe like the dogge to their vo-mite,vomite, and like the sow, after she hath wa-shedwashed hir self, to hir puddle and mire. And to sette the vanitie and inconstancie of worldly and transitorie thyngs, the liue-lierlivelier before your eyes, I have broughte in in here twentie sightes or vysions, and cau-sedcaused them to be graven, to the ende al men may see that with their eyes, whiche I go aboute to expresse by writing, to the de-lightdelight and plesure of the eye and eares, ac-cordingaccording unto the saying of Horace. Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci. That is to say, He that teacheth pleasantly and well, Doth in eche poynt all othersin all poyntes all other excell. Of which oure visions the learned Poete M. Francisce Petrarche Gentleman of Flo-rence,Florence, did invent and write in Tuscan the six firste, after suche tyme as hee had lo-uedloved honestly the space of .xxj..xxi. yeares a faire, gracious, and a noble Damosell, named Laurette, or (as it plesed him best) Laura, borne of Avinion , who afterward hapned to die, he being in Italy, for whose death (to shewe his great grief) he mour-nedmourned ten yeares togyther, and amongest many of his songs and sorowfull lamen-tations,lamentations, devised and made a Ballade or song, containyng the sayd visions, which bicause they serve wel to our purpose, I have out of the Brabants speache, turned them into the Englishe tongue. The first then is: That he being upon a day alone in his window, where he saw as it were in his minde by a vysion a ve-ryvery faire hind, and also two swift hounds, one white and the other blacke chasing and pursuing hir so long, that at length they caught and killed hir. Which sight cau-sedcaused him to burst oute into sighes and tea-resteares for the piteous destinie thereof: That is, for the apointed time of the death of his love Laura, whiche he ment by the faire hinde, as by the houndes white and black he understode the daye and nyght, mea-ningmeaning the time passyng away, and not ta-ryingtarying for any one. Moreover, he saw a faire ship or vessel made of yvorie and Hebene wood, wherun-towherunto also he compared his love Laura, to wete hir whyte coloured face unto Ivorie, and hir blackishe browes muche lyke unto the wood of Hebene. The coardes and ro-pesropes were of Sylke, and the sayles of cloath of golde, whereby are meant not onely all hir costely rayement or appa-rell,apparell, but also hir noble and excellent ver-tuesvertues wherewith she was beautified and adorned. Againe, he sawe a newe bushe oute of a faire Laurell tree, Holly bowes bud-dyngbuddyng forthe, under whose shadowe little small birdes didde syng, wyth a verye sweete and melodious harmonie: Under-standyngUnderstandyng hereby, hir loving and curte-ouscurteous talke, hir most pleasaunt and sweete song. And by and by he sawe the lyghte-nynglyghtenyng and tempest to wyther and drie up thys faire and goodly Tree . That is, that a burnyng sicknesse came, whiche tooke awaye the lyfe of this fayre damosell his love Laura. The other three Visions followyng, are in manner all one, notyfiing hereby that there is nothyng else in thys worlde but myseries, sorrowes, afflictions, and calamities: And all that man doth stay hym selfe upon in thys worlde, is no-thyngnothyng but vayne fansie, wynde, and smoake. And thus as he hadde passed over many a yeare in greate and vn-faynedunfayned love towardestowarde hir (duryng hir life time) what with flatterie and what in commendyng of hir beautie, caused him upon a sodaine chaunge after hir de-parturedeparture (as it is sayde) so long a time to mourne and to lamente, but considering with him self, that there was no comfort,comfort hope or salvation in worldely love to be loked for, turned himselfe to Godwarde, lamenting and sorrowing the rest of hys lyfe, and repented hym of his former life so ydlely and undecently spent. The other ten visions next ensuing, ar described of one Joachim du Bellay, Gen-tlemanGentleman of France, the whiche also, bicause they serve to our purpose, I have transla-tedtranslated them out of Dutch into English. First of all, he speaketh of a certayne Architecture or kinde of buildyng, gorge-ouslygorgeously and magnificentlike made, as you may see more plainly in the seventh figure of our visions. Secondly he sawe a spire, thirdely an Arke triumphant. And then the Dodonian tree , spreading his shadow upon seven hilles, namely upon the hill of Palatine, the hill Capitolie, the mounte Vimiall, the mount Cely, Esquilin, Vimiel, and Quirinel. After that, the birde which is able to beholde the Sunne, that is the Eagle imperiall: and the great Statue, whom he saw leaning on a stone pitcher, whereout runneth a great water, wher-bywherby he meaneth the river of Tyber, with the shee wolfe, giving sucke to two children, which is the Armes of the Romains. The seventh is a Nimph mournyng and wrin-gyngwringyng of hir handes. Eightly, a three fla-mingflaming fire, wherout a birde flushing moũ-tedmounted on hie. Ninthly, a faire spring, and a hundreth Nimphes rounde about it, unto whome came the Faunes, which brake the Fountaine, and drave them awaye. Last of all, hee telleth of Typheus daughter, whiche after hir greate presumption and pride was vanquished and slaine. With all these he goeth about to persuade, that all things here upon earthe, are nothing but wretched miserie, and miserable va-nitie,vanitie, shewing also howe Rome hath bene destroyed, which of a base and low estate was lifted up, and become very hie, and that by none other means than couetous-nessecovetousnesse and the great desire which that peo-plepeople and nation had to money and Ambi-tion,Ambition, that is, to be regarded, and to have authoritie and rule following the nature and condition of their progenitours and Predecessoures Romulus and Remus, whiche were (as histories do tell,)tell), nou-rishednourished and brought up of a she wolfe, cal-ledcalled Lupa. Oute of whose breastes they have sucked all manner of crueltie and beastlynesse, gettyng so unto themsel-uesthemselves a wolvish courage, yea worse than a Wolfe, as Mithridates Kyng of Ponte cast them in the teeth, bicause they were ne-uernever satisfied of bloud, honour, dignities, and riches, but always indevoured them selves to get other princes, nations, coun-treyscountreys and Cities, goodes and dominions, wheruppon folowed the oppression of o-therother nations, through many great robbe-ries,robberies, with great labour and paine, yea to the perill and losse of their owne men and Capitains, and so amplified and augmen-tedaugmented above mesure their empires, realms, and domynions, stuffed and furnyshed theyr Cytie wyth abundaunce of all ma-nermaner of riches, wherupon didde ensue all kinde of superfluitie and worldely pom-pousnesse.pompousnesse. So that they adorned their Citie with all maner of sumptuous and costely buyldings, wyth all kindes of curious and cunning workes, as Thea-ters,Theaters, Triumphall Arkes, Pyramedes, Columnes, Spires, and a greate num-bernumber of graven Images, Statues, Me-dallesMedalles and Figures, made of divers and sundry kindes of stuffe, as Marble, Ala-blaster,Alablaster, Golde, Sylver, Copper, Pour-phere,Pourphere, Emplaster, Brasse and other like mettall, some graven, and other some cast. All whiche sumptuousnesse and su-perfluitiesuperfluitie hathe oftentymes thoroughe dissention, discorde and sedition amongst them selves, also by their enimies privie conspiracy, hate, and particular profite, and by childish and folish counsell, ben to their great hinderaunce and damage. As it is to be seene in their owne Histories. And as they proceeded in all wickednesse, abhomination, superstition, and Idola-trieIdolatrie from time to time, even so after that CHRIST our Savioure, and King of al Kings was crucified under Pylate, pre-sidentpresident of Jerusalem, they ceassed not dayly to kill the poore Christians, persecutyng the church of God in al places, by al kinde of crueltie and tiranny, especially in the time of Nero, Domitian, Trajan, Aurelian, Dioclesian, Maxence, and other like, bicause they woulde not observe and keepe theyr false and superstitious worshyppyng of God, but rather rebuked them, and proved theirs to be false. And forasmuch as that auncient Rome would not amend it selfe, and renounce their enorme vices, Idola-trieIdolatrie and superstition, and converte unto the Lorde Jesu Christe, to imbrace the true worshippyng of God, and the euer-lastingeverlasting Gospel, they have bene justly pla-gued,plagued, receyving according to their deser-tes,desertes, such measure as they had measured to others. Therfore are the Persians, Hui-nes,Huines, Frenchmen, Germains or Dutchmen, Vã-dales,Vandales, Eastgothes, and Westgothes rysen against them and their Empire, and have divided it, and at lengthe have they besieged Rome, and have taken and subverted, burned, spoyled, and wholly rased it. So the Lord through his juste judgement hath reuen-gedrevenged the innocent bloud of his children. This is shewed unto us by these visions and sonets.They have banished and abolished Christe and his doctrine, every where preferryng their owne ambition, profit, commoditie and ease. Wherunto and to obtain it the rather, they have brought in many superstitions and traditions of men, as Latin service (bicause the comon people should not understand their doings) bells, organs play, cymbales, incense, palmes, candles, tapers, purgatorie, masses for al soules, diriges, obsequies, Pilgrimages, indulgences to deliver the soules out of purgatorie, after thei have gotten money inough. Item, church holy days, Rogation dayes, Relikes, yea coales wherwith S. Laurence was broyled, Josephs hosen, the armes of S. Cornelis, with many more tri-flestrifles and other relikes. They proceed fur-therfurther to the forbidding of mariage, meate, egges, butter: in lyke manner images, and crucifixes were sette up, woorkyng thereby false miracles, alwayes forese-ingforeseing to their Maosin, that is, great shops, churches, temples, chapels and Altars, where they might sell their trumperie freely , not without great gain, yea so wel that they were mounted so hie in power, riches, and voluptuousnesse, as we have seene by experience, and dayely is to be seene in places where they are, that they rule above emperors, kings, and princes: and all this under a shewe of pietie and holy-nesse,holynesse, as we heretofore have sayde. Of these S. John in his revelation doth warn us in his sixte chapiter, Revel. 6. where he sayeth manifestly, that when the lambe had ope-nedopened the seventh seale, he saw a pale horse, and he whiche satte upon it, was named death: for this congregation of hipocrites, notwithstanding their copper faces, and carbuncled noses, through their vnmea-surableunmeasurable gluttony and dronkennesse, are yet in their soule pale, deadish, black and blew, as vnholsomunholsom and dead bodies: for thei have no true life within them, nor that blessednesse blessednesse that consisteth in Christ Jesu, Rom. 2. and his holy word. Luke. 12. And he which sate on it was death. Math. 6. Their doctrine and teaching is no-thingnothing but death and damnation. For hy-pocrisiehypocrisie engendreth nothing but destruc-tiondestruction of salvation, and their fruits are shame and confusion. For hell foloweth them to destroy those that are seduced by them. Esay. 5. Daniel and Paule they have foretold that Antechrist shoulde be borne of the subuer-sionsubversion of the Empire, Proverb. 5. and desolation of Rome. And to the ende we myght speake more at large of the thing, I have taken foure visions out of the revelation of S. John, where as the holy ghost by S. John setteth him out in his colours. I saw a beast (sayth S. John) rising out of the sea, Revel. 13. signifiyng the congregation of the wicked and proude hypocrites, which ex-altexalt and advaunce them selves as the Ce-derCeder trees of Libanus, they are unnaturall and beastly like unto Elmas the inchan-ter,inchanter, ful of fraude and guile, full of falshod and pride, they are whelpes and genera-tionsgenerations of the devyll, subverting the ways of the Lord. Thys beast is described here as the pale horse in the fourth age, and the cruel Grashoppers in the fift age, and themad horsses with Lions mouths in the vj.vi. age. Apoc. 6. Apoc. 9. This beast, meaning the odible, fals, and damnable errors and pestiferous inspirati-onsinspirations of the divel, which at this time reign in the beastly membres of that monstrous body of the beast, as namely in the outragiousoutragious bishops, spiritual lawyers, priests, hypocrites, and false Magistrates, for their heads are their subtiltie, and their hornes signifie their tyrannous might. It had also ten crownes upon his ten hornes, signifiyng their greate dominion and su-perioritiesuperioritie throughout the whole worlde. The divell is their prince and Captayne most cruell, and that through the iniqui-tieiniquitie and ingratitude of the people: but in this point differ the dragon and the beast, from the divell and his membres, Sathan andfrom his carnal and beastly congregation, for he had seven crounes upon his seven heades, and they have ten crownes upon their ten heads, mening, that that which he onely hath stirryng up of the thyng, that have they. The signification wherof is, that Sathan is only of abilitie and po-werpower to blowe into their eares the thing whiche they with violence, and by force maintayne: where as he is but able by fansies and inspiration, there are these his meete instruments to perfourme it and put in execution by violence, and power, by menaces and compulsion. Wher as he he dallieth onely by playe, there do they seriously force and violently compell. When he hath only engendred and found out any error or false doctrine, they with al diligence, as an infallible truth, allow, confirme and stablishe it, and make of it a necessarie article to beleve on, as they have put in practise their purgatorie, au-ricularauricular confession, transubstantiation, worshippyng and carying about of dumb Idols, and Images, the hearing of latin ser-uice,service, Masse, and other abhominations. As he hath found out any lye (as he is the fa-therfather of all lies, and hath ben since the be-ginning)beginning) so may they holde it for a per-fecteperfecte written veritie, makyng it of good authoritie and might, as experience may testifie, they have done. Hereout and such like, it is manifest, that they being hys ghostly ministers and spirituall instru-mẽts,instruments, may execute effectually more wic-kednessewickednesse than he him selfe alone, as their works may wel testifie. Sathan was not of power to put Christ to death, if it had not ben through Judas , into whom he entred, and afterward by the bishops and Scribes who persecuted him unto deth. The Apostles, tru ministers and other witnesses of Christ shold never have ben persecuted, whipped, Math. 23. scourged, tormented and miserably slaine, neither shold they at this present, if these popish prelates did not folow and maintain their old and accustomed maners, and fulfil the mesure of their fathers. And upon his heads were names of Blasphemie against the Lord and his Christ. Al this is nothing else than their shining and glorious titles, wher with they suborne and make great their supremacie and their estimation, and as holy and blamelesse to bee regarded among men, and before the world, whereunder is covered and comprehended all maner of iniquity. What ar Popes, Cardinals, pa-triarks,patriarks, legates, chief heads, archbishops, pronotariesprotonotaries, archdeacons, officialls, com-missaries,commissaries, prebendaries, vicars, lorde ab-bot,abbot, master or doctor, and suche like, what are these I say else but names of blasphe mie? For these offices and titles are not of the holy ghost, neither is there any men-tionmention made of them in the holy scripture. What is it I pray you else, than a great abhomination and blasphemy that the Pope claimeth to him selfe to be the most holy father, to be the Vicare of Christ, God on earth, supreame head of the Church, the only steward of the gifts, graces, and mi-steriesmisteries of God? What meaneth it that Priests and Bishops do arrogantly ascribe to them selves to be Bridegromes, to stand in Gods stead, to have power to pardon sinne, and to be our Ladies clean and vn-defiledundefiled knights? What be these else than names of blasphemie? For they are no-thingnothing else as Zacharie termeth them(having no care of feeding of the flock, but through meere negligence and slouth sette aside preaching of the word, through these vain titles) than very offending Idols. Their Decrees , Decretals, traditions, rules, or-dinaunces,ordinaunces, statutes, customes of the Fa-thers,Fathers, general Counsels, Sinodes, and o-therother of their usages, not grounded on the word of God and his wil, are nothing else but dampnable hipocrisie, and divelish dis-simulation,dissimulation, blaspheming the name of the Lord. For the names of blasphemy on his heade is nothing else but to maintaine under an honest and vertuous shew, that which is blasphemous, to his own aduãce-ment.advancement. This beast was like the Leopard, spot-tedspotted and blemished, tokens of inconstancie, chaungeablenesse, and temeritie. His feete like to a Beares feete, fearful and horrible, il favored of fashion, and deformed, signify-ingsignifying crueltie, stubbornesse, stoutnesse and vncleanesseuncleannesse. And his mouth as the mouth of a Lion, declaring heereby the pride, theft, murther, and all kinde of wickednesse of those Prelates. Daniel saw in a vision, a Lion, wherto that proud kingdom of the Assirians and Chaldees were to be compa-red.compared. Unto the Beare which he sawe, was likened the barbarous and rude realmes of the Medes and Persians. By the Leopard is meant the unstedfast kingdome of the Grecians. The Assirians and Chaldees were for their stealing and Pride, rebuked and curssed of the Prophets Esay, Nahum, Nahum. 23.Nahum. 2-3. Esay. 13. and Abacuck. Abacuck. 1. The Medeans and Persians kept the people of God in captivitie and bon-dage.bondage. As it is to be seene in the bookes of Hester, Hest. 23.Hest. 2-3. Paralipomenon and Esay. 2. Paralip. 36 Esay. 22. The Gre-ciansGrecians also were very spitefull, 2. Macha. 2.1. Macha. 2. and full of reproche to the people of God, in the time of that cruell Tyrant Antiochus, as it ap-pearethappeareth in the Booke of the Machabees. 2. Macha. 2.1. Macha. 2. But this beast whiche S. John speaketh of here, dothe comprehende all these three which Daniel saw, namely the bodye like unto a Leopard, pawes like unto a Bear, and the mouth to the Lion. Whereby the holy Ghost teacheth us, that within thys one curssed Popedom or kyngdom of An-techrist,Antechrist, should be as much, and more ab-homination,abhomination, Idolatrie, fornication, mur-ther,murther, and all kind of wickednesse, as were in all these three realmes aforesaid. As at this day it is to be seene , and we have had good experience. No where raigned at a-nyany time more pride, idlenesse, cruelty, I-dolatry,Idolatry, fornication, adultery, vnclean-nesse,uncleannesse, Sodometrie, envie, dissimulation, falshoode and inconstancie, vaine glorie, iniquitie, sorcerie, superstition and impie-tie,impietie, than doth in this one dominion of An-techrist.Antechrist. He alone hath more contamina-tedcontaminated Gods holy Temple, than all the infi-delsinfidels together that ever were: they have most shamefullye intreated and judged the very electe people of God, 1. Corin. 3 which are the vessels of his glory. Rom. 9. They have most miserably and narowly kept under, and as it were in prison, the true Ministers of God by their Decrees and traditions. The severitie and rudenesse of Pharao, Antioche, and Caiphas, is nothing in the comparison of theirs, for in them is all kind of beastlinesse, uncleanlinesse, wan-tonnesse,wantonnesse, concupiscence and carnall secu-ritie.securitie. No reason or humanitie hath any place amongst them, they are more lyke beasts than men. The rigorous Procla-mationsProclamations against the Jewes, Hest. 3. 4. (at the request of wicked Ammon and of are nothing to speake of, to the ordinaunces and statutes of the Antechrists, for those were only against the body, but theirs are against the soule and conscience of man also. After this sort doth the Popedom (which is the dominion of Antechrist) bear the Image of the Leopard, of the Bear, and of the Lion, bicause it is not only partaker of al the wickednesses with other realmes, but it exceedeth and surmounteth al other vij.vii. times double in all kinde of iniquitie, Psalm. 9 Rom. 3. idolatrie, Rom. 3. and abhominations that ever were committed under heaven. They have the mouth of a Lyon, always blasphemyng, cursing and banning: Their feete lyke a beare, signifiyng their insatiable coue-tousnesse,covetousnesse, runnyng headlong to every kinde of mischiefe, Rom. 1. very ready to sheade bloud: as leopards are they polluted and spotted with dyvers and sundry incon-stantinconstant mindes, institutions and observings, never stedfast or constant, but in al thin-gesthinges chaungeable and foolishe: 2. Thess. 2. for suche as receive not Gods truthe, are worthi-lyworthily forsaken of God.