378 AKervelatton ofthe Apocalypfe. C A P.11. poffefions as thefe, was ratified unto the Princes, and powerwas given them by Law to confer the fame ; fo it were done' without fraud upon theMinifters of the Word , the Schools, the poor, and other godly ufes , without any fear to have them taken from them again. This was it indeed that cut their throats, to fee them- felves now thus brought totrue poverty, who living in all luxuri- oufnefs, did only counterfeit it before. But wherefore is there a leffe number of thofe that be thin, then is proportionable to that part of the Citie that fell ? For (even thoufand only are (lain , but the tenth part of the Citie falleth the reafon hereof is, becaufe thecalamity that came by that fall, was greater then that of the death. For that belonged to the whole multitude that areof the Popichprofeffon , but the (laughter was proper to the Ecclefiafti- call men, whom this change did exceedingly torment , as bringing with it a loffe of all their goods. The common people', who fuffè- red the loffe only of their former old opinions, took it the better, and with le(Te difcontentment; and therefore feeing their grief was little or none at all , there is no mention made of any death of theirs. How particularly, and in what proper and aptvvords doth the Holy Ghofl lay open thofe events unto us ? , He alone then it is, that loth all things , vvho can thus difkintly and exquifitely foretell matters before they happen. The ref} that had been beforeof the Popith Religion, acknovvledging the jail vengeance of God agáinft them, to appear in this calamity and deftru Lion of the Eccletiafti- call men,giveglory to the Godof heaven : That is , they vvere con-. verted to their true Creator. In (leadof vvhom they vvere vvont to worfhip materiali Images , and Idols : And who knoweth not that almoft an innumerable fort of men, that vvere rovvzed up vvith their fcourges that light upon the Papifts, and that did open their eyes to behold the truth that fhined, did now renounce their former old fuperffitions. Wee fee therefore how this whole Prophecy doth agree molt exaalywith the Event from top to toe. The feven lait Books of Sleidans Commentaries, do help us to a more plain and full expofition upon thefighting dying , and riling again of thefe Pro- phets. The whole Prophecy is of a thoufand twohundred fifty and one Ittli.tn yeers, from Diocletian to the yeer 1555. till which time alfo Sleidan proceeded both in writing and in living. THE
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