57 8 A ÇÏevelationofthe Apocalyple. C A P.17. Johns time, verf. r 2. Therefore this 73°0 is not properly the De- vill,as fome of the ancient writers interpret it, which Ribera the Ie- fuitcatcheth at greedily. Ofhim it cannot be faid that he was not yet come, or that he had not received power as yet, whole King- dorriédid both then flourish molt of all, yea it flottrifhed before Chrift came in the fle(h. We (hall fee afterwards that the firrtt birth- day ofthe Beaft is to be referred to that time, wherein the Dragon tVnr thrall out of heaven, and gave bim his Throne. And fo the forty twomoneths wherein he did exercife his power chiefly, which is the fame fpace of time with that of the Womans lurking in the Wil- dernefe,and Wherein the tWo Prophets Were cloathed in Sackcloth, did challenge the fame beginning with this birth-day ofthe Beaf , Chap. 13.5. and 12.6. and t t . 2. Which we have !hewed to have fallen out about the time of Conftantines inaugurating into his Kingdome, many ages after that John departed out of this life. From which beginning the fit ft article noteth that the time Was, when the Beaft flourifhcd for a certaine time, namely from the end of the publike perfecutions by the open enemies; whom the puiflànce of Confantine thegreat put to flight. The fecond Article teachethus that after that happy tranquility that theBeaft had long enjoyed,a new tempeft arofe, which did of . flirt the Beafiz fo vehemently, thatmen might well and juítly fay, that fie was once of old,but he was not noW,as whom they might think to have perilhed utterly in thofe troubles, as it came to paffe after that time of peace andbreathing which he had under fome few Emperors (du ringwhich time,theauthority of the Popeof Romehad grownmar- velloufly)when as the invafion oftheBarbarians did miferably vex al Italy,did waft Rome itfeifhorribly, whichwas the thronofthe Beaft, and cut off thePopes authority that had grown rankand riotous even to the root almoft.Might not men have cryed out at that time and havefaid by right, that the Pope hadbeen, but Was not, when as they might think,that not onely his authority,but his Seate alfo was quite overthrown andpart hope ofrecovery. This fecond time was called his Wounded head,Chapt. t 3. 3.Which brought with it the knowledge ofhis former eftate, whereof there could be no knowledge till this change happened. But yet the Beall lay not for ever in this overthrow,but he got up andout of it againe as the thirdArticle teachethus, he afcended out ofthe bottomleffepit, which cameto paffe, when he put forth his hornes againe, after that Temp& brought in by the Barbarous people was blown over. This
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