A plain explanation of the whole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…A plaine explanation of the vvhole Revelation of Saint John Very necessary and comfortable…

This is the first Woe, the two other woes are to come. The other Trumpet followeth to be blown.

This is the first Woe, the two other woes are to come. The other Trumpet followeth to be blowne.

And first, to declare the certainty of it, he saith, there came a Voice from the corner of the Altar which was in the holy place, which commanded that they should loose the four Angels: by four, is meant a sufficient and competent number (as before we have heard) to execute Gods judgements. And these are said to be bound in the River Euphrates, which was that River that runneth through Babylon, where the people of Israel were held in captivity. And it is used to set ⟨p. 51⟩forth that spiritual captivity of the Church of God, whereby the Whore of Babylon keepeth in bondage both their souls and also their bodies.

And first, to declare the certainty of it, hee saith, there came a Voice from the corner of the Altar which was in the holy place, which commanded that they should loose the foure Angels: by foure, is meant a sufficient and competent number (as before wee haue heard) to execute Gods iudgements. And these are said to be bound in the Riuer Euphrates, which was that Riuer that runneth through Babilon, where the people of Israel were held in captiuity. And it is vsed to set ⟨p. 51⟩forth that spirituall captiuity of the Church of God, whereby the Whore of Babilon keepeth in bondage both their soules and also their bodies.

Now, these four Angels, the Executors and Ministers of Gods fearful judgements, were prepared to go at an hour, at a day, at a month, at a year; noting their readiness and promptness to execute any judgement that God sets them about; yea, though they should be sent forth for a whole year long, they would be willing to do it, declaring that they did it without weariness.