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…

We have heard after the Preface of this Book, the division of it into those things already executed, and which were after to be executed. Those which were to come, are either touching the judgement of God upon the world, or those things which more especially did concern the Church. Hitherto we have heard of the world; now, the things that more especially belong to the Church, do follow; to the which in this Chapter is (as before) a Preface, wherein the holy Ghost prepareth and fitteth the Apostle Saint John, and in him all us, to the diligent hearing and observing of all those things which concern the Church. The whole drift of this Vision is to give credit to the history following; and this credit is drawn, first, from the Author of the prophecy, which is Christ; and secondly from the Instrument, to wit, John. In the first part, that the thing it self might be the better esteemed, the credit drawn from the Author is set forth by the glory and excellency of him.

VVEe haue heard after the Preface of this Booke, the diuision of it into those things already executed, and which were after to be executed. Those which were to come, are either touching the iudgement of God vpon the world, or those things which more especially did concerne the Church. Hitherto we haue heard of the world; now, the things that more especially belong to the Church, doe follow; to the which in this Chapter is (as before) a Preface, wherein the holy Ghost prepareth and fitteth the Apostle Saint Iohn, and in him all vs, to the diligent hearing and obseruing of all those things which concerne the Church. The whole drift of this Vision is to giue credit to the history following; and this credit is drawne, first, from the Author of the prophecie, which is Christ; and secondly from the Instrument, to wit, Iohn. In the first part, that the thing it selfe might be the better esteemed, the credit drawne from the Author is set forth by the glory and excellencie of him.

In the second part, John is set forth by what means he came to this Prophecy, and from whom ⟨p. 53⟩he received it, to wit, that he had it by commandment from God the Father, and from God the Son, who commanded him to publish this history, which after is set down in this Book.