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…

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?

After, this Beast is said to haue a wound in one of his heads; that is, thought to be accomplished in the time of Nero, who was the last of the chiefe Emperours of that race, which was wounded, being euen cut off by their euill and wicked liuing, and especially by the cruelty of Nero, insomuch that they thought their Empire was like to come to confusion; which indeed had come to passe, if it had not beene vpheld and maintained by the discreet counsell of those that followed, which were more wise, politique, and subtill then the other, notwithstanding they were wicked men: So that by these it was restored againe, yea, though it were euen almost past hope; yet it was suddenly reuiued, and that in such sort, that all men wondred at it; and hereby they attained such credit as they did, for it was maruellous in the iudgement of men, that a Kingdome so neere the fall, was so soone and so strongly fortified, wherupon they are moued to worship the Beast, and to say, who is like the Beast?

And these that wondered, are drawn away to follow the Beast; which are described to be those which were living in that time, whose names were not written in the Book of life of the Lamb, which was slain, which Book is from the beginning of the world: not that it is here meant of Christ, to be slain from the beginning, for that cannot be so directly gathered out of this place.