Many Commentaries and Expositions of this Book have been published by very Reverend and excellent learned men, no doubt to the great comfort of Gods people; and therefore the less need there may be imagined to be of any more: but, (besides that this is more brief and plain upon the whole Book then any other; and so is more useful for the most, that have most use of it; if it shall serve but as a watch-word, even now to direct Gods people in their perplexities, whether to have recourse for comfort and consolation, and so incite them to a more diligent reading, and ⟨image 4⟩studious search of this holy Revelation, it will be a sufficient apology for this publication; especially at this time; when so many waver between hope and despair of the good success, of the affairs of Christendom; which so nearly concern the welfare of the Church, as that the Enemies begin to look big again; daily expecting the ruin of it, as if the hope of Gods people were vain; or as if by their wicked policy and power they made sure account to disappoint God of his purpose, and decreed destruction of the Kingdom of Antichrist; not considering that the more they extend their malicious practises against the desolate Woman, the more and greater woes are due unto them, and the more horrible judgements shall come upon them, and that happily by means of those weaklings whom they now so much scorn and trample upon. For, upon whom have they gaped, at whom have they hissed, but at the holy ones, and the anointed of God? Well, I say no more, but that God is wonderful in all his works, and so will declare himself in the destruction of those his enemies; and in the deliverance of his faithful ones out of the hands, and from the rage of the Dragon, and his Instruments; the Beast, and the false Prophet, with all their Locusts and Frogs; let them cast abroad never so great floods of deceits and persecutions to overwhelm the Church, and to extirpate true Religion; only it behooves the professors of truth, in this expectation to arm themselves with faith and patience, and to exercise themselves in obedience to Gods holy Commandments; and then they may rest assured of the accomplishment (in Gods good time) of all the promises expressed in this Book.
Many Commentaries and Expositions of this Booke haue beene published by very Reuerend and excellent learned men, no doubt to the great comfort of Gods people; and therefore the lesse need there may be imagined to be of any more: but, (besides that this is more briefe and plain vpon the whole Book then any other; and so is more vsefull for the most, that haue most vse of it; if it shall serue but as a watch-word, euen now to direct Gods people in their perplexities, whether to haue recourse for comfort and consolation, and so incite them to a more diligent reading, and ⟨image 4⟩studious search of this holy Reuelation, it will be a sufficient apollogy for this publication; especially at this time; when so many wauer betweene hope and dispaire of the good successe, of the affaires of Christendome; which so nearely concerne the welfare of the Church, as that the Enemies begin to looke bigge againe; daily expecting the ruine of it, as if the hope of Gods people were vaine; or as if by their wicked pollicy and power they made sure account to disappoint God of his purpose, and decreed destruction of the Kingdome of Antichrist; not considering that the more they extend their malicious practises against the desolate Woman, the more and greater woes are due vnto them, and the more horrible iudgements shall come vpon them, and that happily by meanes of those weaklings whom they now so much scorne and trample vpon. For, vpon whom haue they gaped, at whom haue they hissed, but at the holy ones, and the annointed of God? Well, I say no more, but that God is wonderfull in all his workes, and so will declare himselfe in the destruction of those his enemies; and in the deliuerance of his faithfull ones out of the hands, and from the rage of the Dragon, and his Instruments; the Beast, and the false Prophet, with all their Locusts and Frogs; let them cast abroad neuer so great flouds of deceits and persecutions to ouerwhelme the Church, and to extirpate true Religion; onely it behooues the professors of truth, in this expectation to arme themselues with faith and patience, and to exercise themselues in obedience to Gods holy Commandements; and then they may rest assured of the accomplishment (in Gods good time) of all the promises expressed in this Booke.
