godly, which in this point are almost of the fame mind, that they will not meddle with this book of the Revelation, I cannot but marvel at it. The modefty and humility of fome very rare and reverend men, for learning, and great variety of gifts (which notwithstanding fcoff much at this book) is greatly to be commended: but if I were worthy to give them advice, I would with them in this behalf to change their minds, and to be of another refolution; for I dare avouch it, that there is nothing in this prophefy which study and diligence, with prayer and humility, may not overcome. True it is indeed, that the fhell is thick and hard to break, but being broken the kernel is moft fweet and pleafant. If any be dif couraged with the darkness and obfcurity of it, let him hearken to these reasons tollowing. First, it is called a Revelation, which is as much to fay, as an uncovering of things which did ly hid; if it be an uncovering, and revealing of things, no doubt it may be known and feen into, for revealed things are for us and our children. If it be a revelation, how fay fome that it cannot be understood? For it is contrary to the nature of a revelation, to be fo dark that none can understand it. But fhall we fay, that the Holy Ghost which is the Spirit of truth hath given a wrong name unto it?

God forbid.

.

For if it hide matters, or fet them forth that it cannot be understood, then it is not rightly called a revelation. If this book be fo myftical that it cannot be understood; if the interpretation of it be uncertain; if the common people cannot be taught to underlland it; how then fhould the Holy Ghost? Bleffed is he that readeth the words of this prophefy,' Rev. i. 3. xii. 7. Let any man judge that hath com mon fenfe: can any man be blessed by hearing and reading thofe things which he understandeth not? Certainly not. Then it followeth that this book may be understood, and no doubt is understood of many, and might be better understood of many more, if they would bend their wits and studies unto it, Rev. xxii. 10. The Holy Ghost, as is faid before, willeth and commandeth that the words of this prophefy should not be fealed up. Whereby it is evident that he would have them read and made known to all. Then I reafon thus: that which is open and unfealed may be read and known. But this book is open and unfealed, therefore it may be read and known. If men fay, the matters of this prophefy are fealed and hid, and God fay they be unfealed and open, whether shall we believe men or God? If any will reply and fay, we feel and find by experience,

that the words of this book are hard to be understood. I anfwer that the fault is in ourselves, because we are fo negligent in the fearch and ftudy thereof. For if we did with that humility, and reverend care that ought to be in us, fearch after the things revealed in this book, we should find that they be not fealed up, but ly open to be read and known. True it is indeed, that if any man light upon some piece, and take it by itfelf, he fhall find it very dark: but if he look upon the whole courfe of matters through the book, and mark and obferve diligently how things be iterated, he fhall find no fuch darknefs as he feareth, for there is a notable coherence of matters, and course of times obferved in this book, even from the first chapter unto the laft, as God willing, fhall more fully and plainly appear in the particular opening and interpretation thereof. One great objection against this prophefy is, that the fathers profefs it is full of myfteries, and that they could not understand it. If they could not. understand it fay fome, how fhall we underftand it? Is it not great arrogancy for us to say we understand it better than they did? I anfwer no; for a man of mean learning in comparison, may now in these days more eafily understand and expound this book, than the learned doctor, and fathers in an

cient time. The reafon is this, we live in an age, wherein the most of the things prophefied in this book are fulfilled.

Now

the fulfilling of a prophefy is the best expofition of it. But as for the fathers, they lived in a time wherein many of thefe things were not come to pafs nor fulfilled, and therefore more hard for them to inter-. pret and understand, for these things in this prophefy which are not yet fulfilled, are hardeft for us of this age to understand and refolve of. But when a prophefy is fulfilled, it is an easy matter to say, this was the meaning of the prophet. Some things in this book were fulfilled before the days of the fathers, and fome things in the days wherein they lived: and both thofe they did clearly understand. Some things were fulfilled after their days, as the rifing and reigning of the great Antichrift, which they did not fo clearly fee into. Hereupon it cometh to pass that many things, which unto them were very obfcure, are unto us moft clear and manifeft, as being already fulfilled, infomuch that all which are not wilfully blinded may fee and understand them, yea the most unlearned. Be not therefore difcouraged, dear reader, at the darknefs and difficulty of this book. Do not prejudicially refolve and fet down with thyfelf. that the natural fenfe of this book

cannot be given, nor the true meaning found out, but that we must be fond when we have done all we can, to reft in uncertain conjectures, fome following one sense and fome another, as feemeth most like and profitable. But no man can fay confidently and precifely, this is the meaning of the Holy Ghoft. Oh! be not of that mind good Chriftian brother, for if we have not an updoubted certainty for the fenfe and meaning of this prophefy, we are never the nearer: and that is it which the Papifts would drive us unto. But know for a certainty, that the natural fenfe of this book, is to be found out, as well as of other books of the fcripture. And that we might not be left to ourfelves in the dark, and to our uncer tain conjectures, and doubtful interpretations, behold the merciful goodness of God to his church, who himfelf doth expound the darkeft, and moft myftical things in this prophefy, or at leaft fo many of them, and fo far, as the reft are thereby laid open and made manifeft. The Lord himself expoundeth fome things in the first chapter, which give clear light to the firft vifion. The angel expoundeth divers other things. In chapter xvii. which is the key to this prophefy, the angel doth of purpose, open and interpret all the greatest doubts of this book; as who is the whore of Babylon?

C