C A P.4. 4 revelation of the Apocalypfe. ty7 The other Epithite is, that it is /ike to Chryfall. What need is there of this fecond ? Namely, to teach us, not onely that that glaffe is fo bright, that a man may fee through it, but alfo that it is of a moft pure brightneffe, as which no other colour mingledwith ir, Both ftaine or darken any whit. For Cirryftall is, as it were, with- out any colour, conning very neere to the purity of the ayre, as which the eyes of aman do almoft as eafily pierce through as the ayre. Therefore there is no device of mans braille infufed into this Sea ; but it is pure, and exempt from all filth that can be added to it, as it is alto perfect and abfolute without any detraction : even as it is commanded tobe kept, Deut.4. a. Such is the worfhip of the Saints in Chrift, in whomGod the Father beholding all his faithful! Ele&, findeth no coloured matter in them, nothing truely that is maymed and imperfect, nothing that is filthy and polluted. The whole wor- fhip of God ought to ayme at this purity and perfedion, and to be framed after this patterne. Others doe otherwife interpret thefe things. Some there are that doe referre this Sea to Gods judge- ments ; but there was enough forefbewed as touching them, in the thunders and ligtenings. Others think that they lignifie the multitude of men that live upon the earth. But if this multitude be holy, it was noted outbefore in thefoure and twenty Elders : if it be wicked, what hath it to doe before the Throne ? Or, how can the purity of C'hyy- frail agree to it ? There is no need for me to confute the diverle and unmeet interpretations with more words ; the very order of things fheweth eafily, what this is which commeth molt neere to the truth. This onely will I fay, which is common to this whole booke, that in every allegorical! interpretation, the purpofe and (cope of the allegorie is above all tobe refpeded,, for want whereofevery interpretation will be wavering, uncertaine, and ofno moment, but if we (hall throughly know that, and fhall wifely adde the rell of the circumítances, we may draw forth a meaning no leffe conftant out of an allegory, then ova of anyother eafie and evident place. Andbetweene the Throne,,ind the things that compaßed theThrone, Werefoure beafts. The fecond outwardgift are the Beaftr.; whole qualities come firfç to be confidered, which belong to the fitting of them to their funs}ion, when we have once feen of what kinde thefe beafts are. Which is indeed hard to be determined by the judgement of the Interpreters, they being fo many wayes differing each from other. Wee will according to our ufuall course, in a word let donne that,"tiiatfectnethto be molt neere unto the truth. They
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