An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…

Now that is therefore one Reason why I do not conceive that these 42. months are only at least to be reckoned from Constantine's beginning of his reign, for they are reckoned from ⟨p. 89⟩the time when there was no place found for the Dragon in Heaven, which was afterwards accomplished about 90 years after. Another Reason why I cannot go so fully with that holy man of God, is, because of the end of it, when he comes to 1546. It is evident that in that year the Council of Trent did condemn the Scriptures, and advance the vulgar Latin to be the authentical word of God: And Charles the fifth did prevail against the Land-grave of Hesse, & Protestant Princes of Germany in the year 1547. So by that reason it cannot end aright, for the Beast hath power given him to continue to make war for 42 months; now he continued longer then so, though it is true, his time was limited soon after; and therefore I cannot with so full assurance go so clearly with him in that, as usually I do in his Interpretation, yet still reserving this liberty, according to the gift of the spirit of Prophecy he had, you may many times read the context of the word of God, it may be sometimes somewhat more exactly according to the true meaning then always is expressed; which I speak not to impeach the faithfulness and learning of the holy man of God, but would give every man the honour that God hath put upon them, make use of their gifts, and leave them where they may at any time mistake, the like liberty God forbid but may be left to others that come after us.

Now that is therefore one Reason why I doe not conceive that these 42. months are only at least to be reckoned from Constautines beginning of his reigne, for they are reckoned from ⟨p. 89⟩the time when there was no place found for the Dragon in Heaven, which was afterwards accomplished about 90 years after. Another Reason why I cannot goe so fully with that holy man of God, is, because of the end of it, when he comes to 1546. It is evident that in that year the Councell of Trent did condemn the Scriptures, and advance the vulgar Latine to be the authenticall word of God: And Charles the fifth did prevail against the Lant-grave of Hesse, & Prostestant Princes of Germany in the year 1547. So by that reason it cannot end aright, for the Beast hath power given him to continue to make war for 42 moneths; now he continued longer then so, though it is true, his time was limited soon after; and therefore I cannot with so full assurance go so clearly with him in that, as usually I do in his Interpretation, yet still reserving this liberty, according to the gift of the spirit of Prophecy he had, you may many times read the context of the word of God, it may be sometimes somewhat more exactly according to the true meaning then allwayes is exprest; which I speak not to impeach the faithfulnesse and learning of the holy man of God, but would give every man the honour that God hath put upon them, make use of their gifts, and leave them where they may at any time mistake, the like liberty God forbid but may be left to others that come after us.