8 12The beast that thou hast seen, ⟨p. 67⟩13was, and is not: 14and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and shall go into perdition, and the inhabitants of the earth shall wonder (whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) 15when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
8 12The beast that thou hast seene, ⟨p. 67⟩13was, and is not: 14and shall ascend out of the bottomles pit, and shall go into perdition, and the inhabitants of the earth shall wonder (whose names are not written in the booke of life from the foundation of the world) 15when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
- 12The story of the beast hath a triple description of him. The first is a distinction of this beast from all that ever have been at any time: which distinction is contained in this verse: The second is a deliniation or painting out of the beast by things present, by which he might even at that time be known of the godly: and this deliniation is according to his heads, verse 9. 10. 11. The third is an historical foretelling of things to come, and to be done by him: and these are ascribed unto his horns, vers. 12. 13. 14. This beast is that Empire of Rome, of which I spake chapter 13. 11. according to the mutations & changes whereof, which then had already happened, the holy ghost hath distinguished and set out the same. The Apostle distinguisheth this beast from all others in these words: The beast which thou sawest, was and is not. For so I expound the words of the Apostle for evidencie sake: as I will further declare in the notes following.The storie of the beast hath a triple description of him. The first is a distinction of this beast from all that euer haue bene at any time: which distinction is contained in this verse: The second is a deliniation or painting out of the beast by things present, by which he might euen at that time be knowne of the godly: and this deliniation is according to his heads, verse 9. 10. 11. The third is an historicall foretelling of thinges to come, and to be done by him: and these are ascribed vnto his hornes, vers. 12. 13. 14. This beast is that Empire of Rome, of which I spake chapter 13. 11. according to the mutations & chaunges whereof, which then had alreadie happened, the holy ghost hath distinguished and set out the same. The Apostle distinguisheth this beast from all others in these wordes: The beast which thou sawest, was and is not. For so I expound the words of the Apostle for euidencie sake: as I will further declare in the notes following.
- 13The meaning is, that beast which thou sawest before (chapter 13. 1.) & which yet thou hast now seen, was, was (I say) even from Julius Cęsar, in respect of beginning, rising up, station, glory, dominion, manner and stock, from the house of Julius: and yet is not now the same, if thou look unto the house and stock: for the dominion of this family, was translated unto another, after the death of Nero; from that other unto a third, from the third unto a fourth, and so forth, was varied and altered by innumerable changes. Finally, the Empire is one, as it were one beast: but exceedingly varied by kindreds, families, and persons It was therefore (saith Saint John) in the kindreds or house of Julius: and now it is not in that kindred, but translated unto another.The meaning is, that beast which thou sawest before (chapter 13. 1.) & which yet thou hast now seene, was, was (I say) euen from Iulius Cęsar, in respect of beginning, rising vp, station, glorie, dominion, manner and stocke, from the house of Iulius: and yet is not now the same, if thou looke vnto the house and stocke: for the dominion of this familie, was translated vnto another, after the death of Nero; from that other vnto a third, from the third vnto a fourth, and so forth, was varied and altered by innumerable changes. Finally, the Empire is one, as it were one beast: but exceedingly varied by kinreds, families, and persons It was therefore (saith Saint Iohn) in the kindreds or house of Iulius: and now it is not in that kindred, but translated vnto another.
- 14As if he should say, Also this same that is, shall shortly not be: but shall ascend out of the depth, or out of the sea (as was said chapter 13. 1.) that is, shall be a new stock from amongst the nations without difference: and shall in the same state go unto destruction, or ruin, and perish: and so shall successively new Princes or Emperors come, and go, arise and fall, the body of the beast remaining still, but tossed with so many and often alterations; as no man can but marvel that this beast was able to stand and hold out, in so many mutations. Verily no Empire that ever was, tossed with so many changes, and as it were with so many tempests of the sea, ever continued so long.As if he should say, Also this same that is, shall shortly not be: but shall ascend out of the depth, or out of the sea (as was said chapter 13. 1.) that is, shall be a new stocke from amongst the nations without difference: and shall in the same state go vnto destruction, or ruine, and perish: and so shall successiuely new Princes or Emperours come, and go, arise and fall, the bodie of the beast remaining still, but tossed with so manie and often alterations; as no man can but maruell that this beast was able to stand and hold out, in so many mutations. Verely no Empire that euer was, tossed with so many changes, and as it were with so many tempests of the sea, euer continued so long.
- 15That is, as many as have not learned the providence of God, according to the faith of the saints shall marvel at these grievous and often changes: when they shall consider, the self same beast, which is the Romaine Empire, to have been, not to be, and to be, & still molested with perpetual mutation; and yet in the same to stand and continue. This, in mine opinion, is the most simple exposition of this place, confirmed by event of the things themselves. Although the last change also, by which the Empire, that before was civil, became Ecclesiastical, is not obscurely signified in these words: of which two, the first exercised cruelty upon the bodies of the saints: the other also upon their souls: the first by human order and policy, the other under the colour of the law of God, and of religion, raged and imbrued it self with the blood of the godly.That is, as manie as haue not learned the prouidence of God, according to the faith of the sainctes shall maruell at these grieuous and often changes: when they shall consider, the selfe same beast, which is the Romaine Empire, to haue bene, not to be, and to be, & still molested with perpetuall mutation; and yet in the same to stand and continue. This, in mine opinion, is the most simple exposition of this place, confirmed by euent of the things themselues. Although the last change also, by which the Empire, that before was ciuile, became Ecclesiasticall, is not obscurely signified in these words: of which two, the first exercised crueltie vpon the bodies of the sainctes: the other also vpon their soules: the first by humaine order and policie, the other vnder the colour of the law of God, and of religion, raged and imbrued it selfe with the blood of the godly.
