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…

In that he saith, he had upon his head the name of ⟨p. 81⟩blasphemy written; he opposeth to that contrary custom of the Priest, who had written upon his head, honour to the Lord; so contrariwise, this Beast had written on his head blasphemy against God. And he did not only blaspheme the name of God, but also his Tabernacle, that is, did speak evil of the Church of God, and contemned it. And whereas it is said, he blasphemed those that dwell in heaven; it noteth, that not only in general he did speak evil of Gods Church, but he did even malign the particular persons which make profession of the truth of God, as appeareth in the histories.

In that hee saith, he had vpon his head the name of ⟨p. 81⟩blasphemy written; hee opposeth to that contrary custome of the Priest, who had written vpon his head, honor to the Lord; so contrariwise, this Beast had written on his head blasphemy against God. And hee did not onely blaspheme the name of God, but also his Tabernacle, that is, did speake euill of the Church of God, and contemned it. And whereas it is said, he blasphemed those that dwell in heauen; it noteth, that not onely in generall hee did speake euill of Gods Church, but he did euen maligne the particular persons which make profession of the truth of God, as appeareth in the histories.

After, this Beast is said to have a wound in one of his heads; that is, thought to be accomplished in the time of Nero, who was the last of the chief Emperors of that race, which was wounded, being even cut off by their evil and wicked living, and especially by the cruelty of Nero, insomuch that they thought their Empire was like to come to confusion; which indeed had come to pass, if it had not been upheld and maintained by the discreet counsel of those that followed, which were more wise, politic, and subtle then the other, notwithstanding they were wicked men: So that by these it was restored again, yea, though it were even almost past hope; yet it was suddenly revived, and that in such sort, that all men wondered at it; and hereby they attained such credit as they did, for it was marvellous in the judgement of men, that a Kingdom so near the fall, was so soon and so strongly fortified, whereupon they are moved to worship the Beast, and to say, who is like the Beast?