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…

Having thus expounded the seven heads, he comes to tell what is meant by the ten Horns; which are said to be ten Kings, which had not as yet received their power; which should join with the Beast, to wit, should not reign there where the Beast did, but should only lay their power and authority with his, but while he had the civill authority alone in the rule of the Emperor, as also afterward when the Pope arising, should join the spiritual jurisdiction with the temporal government; and these ten Kings it is said should join with this Civill and Ecclesiastical Beast.

Hauing thus expounded the seauen heads, hee comes to tell what is meant by the tenne Hornes; which are said to be tenne Kings, which had not as yet receiued their power; which should ioyne with the Beast, to wit, should not raigne there where the Beast did, but should onely lay their power and authority with his, but while he had the ciuill authority alone in the rule of the Emperour, as also afterward when the Pope arising, should ioyne the spirituall iurisdiction with the temporall gouernement; and these tenne Kings it is said should ioyne with this Ciuill and Ecclesiasticall Beast.

By these ten, it is no great matter whether we understand a certain or uncertain number, but it seemeth rather to note an uncertain number: Howsoever it were, true it is, that these, the Beast should join with him to take his part, to wit, they should give their power to him, to ride and run at his pleasure. And these fight against the Lamb, who should overcome them by the power of his word: for he must needs, being King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and therefore cannot but break those Horns that set themselves against him; for they receive of him, and hold but of license their Kingdoms from him.

By these tenne, it is no great matter whether wee vnderstand a certaine or vncertaine number, but it seemeth rather to note an vncertaine number: Howsoeuer it were, true it is, that these, the Beast should ioyne with him to take his part, to wit, they should giue their power to him, to ride and runne at his pleasure. And these fight against the Lambe, who should ouercome them by the power of his word: for hee must needes, being King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and therefore cannot but breake those Hornes that set themselues against him; for they receiue of him, and hold but of license their Kingdomes from him.