Now it followeth to speak of the fourth main point, which is, by whom, and when Rome shall be overthrown. But for the better understanding ⟨p. 255⟩of this point concerning the persons that shall overthrow Rome, we are to observe that S. John describeth the whore of Babylon, 1sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, having seven heads, and ten horns, whereby is meant the Roman monarchy, as hath been showed before. After this the Angel expoundeth unto John, what the heads, and horns of the beast mean, and saith, that the ten horns are ten kings, or ten kingdoms, ver. 12 which yet have not received a kingdom, but shall receive power as kings, at one hour, with the beast. The sense is, that these ten kingdoms, had not received such power and authority, under the Emperors, as they should under the Popes, for there was great difference in these kingdoms under the Popes, from that which they had been under the Emperors. For they received far greater power, and they carried an other mind toward the papacy, then the nations did before toward the empire, for they did submit themselves to the papacy for conscience, and love, even as to the holy Church, which they never did to the Empire. And this is the reason, why the holy ghost saith, they had not received a kingdom, but should receive power as kings, at one hour with the beast. Which is not to be understood simply, but after a sort, for they had received kingdoms, under the Emperors, but not in such sort as afterward they did under the Popes. For the Roman monarchy under the dominion of the Popes, was in his greatest height, and altitude, and the kings of Europe grew up together ⟨p. 256⟩with the papacy in power, might and dominion. And S.2 John addeth, that these ten kings or kingdoms were all of one mind, and did give their power and authority unto the beast, that is, they did with might and main, labour to uphold the Babylonicall strumpet. But the Angel telleth John flatly, that the ten horns, that is, the ten kingdoms of the empire, which before had given their names, their power, and authority to the beast, to uphold her and defend her, should now in these last days all change their minds, and turn against her. For saith the Angel to John: chapter 17.36.
Now it followeth to speake of the fourth maine point, which is, by whom, and when Rome shall bee ouerthrowen. But for the better vnderstanding ⟨p. 255⟩of this point concerning the persons that shall ouerthrow Rome, wee are to obserue that S. Iohn describeth the whore of Babylon, 1sitting vpon a scarlet coloured beast, hauing seauen heads, and tenne hornes, whereby is meant the Romane monarchie, as hath beene shewed before. After this the Angell expoundeth vnto Iohn, what the heads, and hornes of the beast meane, and saith, that the ten hornes are ten kings, or ten kingdomes, ver. 12 which yet haue not receiued a kingdome, but shall receiue power as kings, at one houre, with the beast. The sense is, that these tenne kingdomes, had not receiued such power and authoritie, vnder the Emperours, as they should vnder the Popes, for there was great difference in these kingdomes vnder the Popes, from that which they had beene vnder the Emperours. For they receiued far greater power, and they carried an other minde toward the papacy, then the nations did before toward the empire, for they did submit themselues to the papacy for conscience, and loue, euen as to the holy Church, which they neuer did to the Empire. And this is the reason, why the holy ghost saith, they had not receiued a kingdome, but should receiue power as kings, at one houre with the beast. Which is not to be vnderstood simply, but after a sort, for they had receiued kingdomes, vnder the Emperors, but not in such sort as afterward they did vnder the Popes. For the Romane monarchie vnder the dominion of the Popes, was in his greatest height, and altitude, and the kings of Europe grew vp together ⟨p. 256⟩with the papacie in power, might and dominion. And S.2 Iohn addeth, that these ten kings or kingdomes were all of one minde, and did giue their power and authoritie vnto the beast, that is, they did with might and maine, labour to vphold the Babylonicall strumpet. But the Angell telleth Iohn flatly, that the ten hornes, that is, the ten kingdomes of the empire, which before had giuen their names, their power, and authoritie to the beast, to vphold her and defend her, should now in these last daies all change their mindes, and turne against her. For saith the Angell to Iohn: chapter 17.36.
- 1Apoc 17.4.
- 2Cap. 17. ve. 13.
