8cp ,ílQgvelationof the Apoca1yp%. CAP .1 Growing inftifficiently admirethe fingular workmanifhof the HolyGhoft, l'byatira who hath in fo lively a manner fet forth the matter -? This is then that' Iezabel. The holy men of this time rowzing up this peftiferous creature more mildly and moderately then they Mould, did leffe approve themfelves for that caufe to CHRIwr the Arch-Bi/hop of our fouler, who would have us Spare for no fervencie of' zeale and indignation in abating fuch. fhamelefl'e in-. folencie of wicked feducers. The learned men of that time dealt indeed more roundly then they had done in former times, yet not with that vehemencie that was required in fuch a caufe as this. 24. Antigave her a time to repent. Here theobOinacie of Ie- zabel is fet forth ; Chrift dealt for a long time very patiently with that impure woman of. Thyatira, fq did he alfo with the Citie of Rome, byquieting the ftormes which the .Barbariausraifed, and by breaking the power of the Lumbardes,; But yet this peace which he gave them wrought no amendment in them, but rather increafed their Apoftafie, tillat laft it came to this height of impudent Iezabel. For we shall fee that all impiety grew from thofe times, while the Pope& ftrove together, as it, were, for themafteiy, which of them Ihould bring in themore hellishdarkntffe to that which was come in already before their times. Zz. BeholdIWill call her upon a bed. Here is the punifhment of Iezabel. A Bed is fometimes for delicioufneffe and wantonneffe, as in the Prophet; They ft retch themfelves upon their Ivory Beds., erimo.r 6..4. Sometimes it is for d ifeafes and fickncff_., as the Lord Jhall ftrengthen him upon the Bedof hin ficleneffes thou fhalt turnehis Bedin his difeafe, Pfal.4r.4. Which of thefe doth it ferveto expreffe in this place? Not Delicioufneffe, though.that be a grievous punifh- ment; to be givenover to an oècafion offinning : but Languifhing, as it appearethby that which followeth prefently after,where,thofe that commit adultery Withher, fhalbe call intogreat affiíftion.The woman therefore of Thyatirabegan to languifh.Rome alfo was in a languifh- ing cafe, from the yeare 1300. wafting away more and more, like brie that is ficke of aconfumption. For from that time, herface be- gan to wax wan,herftomackgrewweaker, her life waspainfull,and her flefh was confumedaway; yea fo far hath this her weakneffe pre- vailed, that ifa man behold her as fhe is nowat this day, he will lay that fhe is but a dry carrion in regard of her former good liking. O infinite wifdome of God I Which evenwith onewordhath drawne us
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