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…

Again, that is here further to be considered which John speaketh else-where, that we are not able, by reason of our carelessness and dullness of understanding, to attain in any measure to the true knowledge of the meaning of this Book; how much less if greater matters had been written down? nay, rather we would have been quite driven back from it: And therefore this is to teach us to be diligent in the searching out of those things he hath already set down, leaving to meddle (as many foolishly and madly do) with those things that God hath hidden in his secret will; And seeing we are so backward, slack, and dull in the seeking out of those things which we have, we should have been much more careless of them if all the other had been set down.

Againe, that is here further to be considered which Iohn speaketh else-where, that wee are not able, by reason of our carelesnesse and dulnesse of vnderstanding, to attaine in any measure to the true knowledge of the meaning of this Booke; how much lesse if greater matters had beene written downe? nay, rather wee would haue beene quite driuen backe from it: And therefore this is to teach vs to be diligent in the searching out of those things he hath already set downe, leauing to meddle (as many foolishly and madly doe) with those things that God hath hidden in his secret will; And seeing we are so backward, slacke, and dull in the seeking out of those things which wee haue, wee should haue beene much more carelesse of them if all the other had beene set downe.

After, it followeth what our Saviour Christ said, to wit, that he swore, wherein is set down, first the manner of taking his oath, and then the oath it self: The manner of the oath of our Saviour Christ is; first, in his gesture, in that he lift up his hands to heaven, which was the manner of taking an oath in those times; and therefore he is here after this sort represented: Then is set down the Person by whom he sweareth, viz. by God, described by his own nature, that he liveth for evermore; and of his effects, viz. of creation of heaven, earth, and all things therein.

After, it followeth what our Sauiour Christ said, to wit, that hee swore, wherein is set downe, first the manner of taking his oath, and then the oath it selfe: The manner of the oath of our Sauiour Christ is; first, in his gesture, in that he lift vp his hands to heauen, which was the manner of taking an oath in those times; and therefore he is here after this sort represented: Then is set downe the Person by whom hee sweareth, viz. by God, described by his owne nature, that he liueth for euermore; and of his effects, viz. of creation of heauen, earth, and all things therein.