An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…

Except that man of sin be disclosed. The Apostle seemeth to teach us of Antichrist, as if he should be one man, because he calleth him, The man of sin. But we may not so take him. The manner of the scripture is oftentimes, and in diverse places it speaketh that of many, which seemeth to be-spoken but of one. So doeth Daniel set forth the kingdom, ¹and all the kings of Persia, in the name & likeness of a Bear, and so describeth the state of other whole kingdoms in such particular names. And so doeth the spirit of GOD in the Revelation set down under the name of ²the Beast, the succession and continuance of many. He meaneth not therefore, that Antichrist, ⟨p. 283⟩shall be any one only man, but one estate or kingdom of men, and a continuance of some one power and tyranny in the Church.

Except that man of sinne bee disclosed. The Apostle séemeth to teach vs of Antichrist, as if he should be one man, because he calleth him, The man of sinne. But wee may not so take him. The maner of the scripture is oftentimes, and in diuerse places it speaketh that of manie, which séemeth to be-spoken but of one. So doeth Daniel set foorth the kingdome, ¹and al the kings of Persia, in the name & likenesse of a Beare, and so describeth the state of other whole kingdomes in such particular names. And so doeth the spirite of GOD in the Reuelation set downe vnder the name of ²the Beast, the succession and continuaunce of many. He meaneth not therefore, that Antichrist, ⟨p. 283⟩shal be anie one onelie man, but one estate or kingdome of men, and a continuaunce of some one power and tyrannie in the Church.

1. 1Dan. 7.
2. 2