Prologue

prose-textblock1[fol. 203r] Seynt Poul the apostil seith that alle tho that wilne pitousli lyven in Jhesu Crist schullen suffre persecucioun and anguyschis. But oure swet Lord Jhesu Crist wil not that his chosen faile in tribulaciouns.Therfor he coumfortith hem of hymself and geveth vertue to his grace and seith to hem, “Have ye no drede. I am with you al dayes to the endyng of this world, and I gyve you holi write to techen you,” that thourgh suffraunce and coumfort of hooli write we schal han hoppe in hym that seith, “Affeith in me, for I have overcomen the world.” And oure swete Fader of heven that wist and seeth alle thinge beforun it where maad, and seeth and understondith and seeth the tribulaciouns that holi chirche shulde suffre in this deedly liyf, and ordeyned hem with the Sone and the Hooli Gost, thre persones in o God almyghti, and schewed hem thorugh Jhesu his Sone and thorugh his mildenesse overecame hem.

prose-textblock2And he to his servant Seint Joon ewangelist that maad this book that is clepid Apocalips, that is to seie shewynge in goost, he sent to hym bi his aungele for that he shulden tellen that God sent to hym holi chirche, and that is to wite of this world to the endyng and to the tyme on Anticrist, for the tribulaciouns schulen be so greet that alle tho that schulen be dampned schulen be chaungid, and it shewed hym the grete goodes that it shulde reseyve in this lyf and the grete medis that it shulde reseyve in the other world whanne sche shal be joynede to hire spouse Jhesu Crist in blisse. For right as the adversitees asilen us bothe on the one half and that other, right so arisen the goodes of grace and of glorie.

prose-textblock3Werfore this book omonge other bookys of the new lawe is clepid prophecie, for that Seynt Joon saw it in gostli sightis, the privetees of Jhesu Crist and of holi chirche, and a gret part ben comen and shulen comen. But for Seynt Joon saw it in gost, holi chirch distinctith it in thre maner sightis. Goode is to understonde how he saugh it in gost. For a sighte is goostly whane we seen it, in slepe either wakynge, semblant of eny thinge that other bodili thingis ben bitokened by, as Pharo saugh in Egipt in slep, as it tellith in Genisis. And [fol. 203v] as Moises saugh waking a grene busche brennyng and brent not, as is writun in Exodi. Thridde manere of sightis so is clepid intellectus. That is, whan the gost lightith the understondynge of the soule and makith to seen with spiritual eiye the vertuez and the privetés of God, as miche as his wille is to shewe hym, as Seint Poule was rawyschide into the thride hevene and saugh the privetés of God that it fallith no man to syne.

prose-textblock4And Seynt Joon saugh on this maner not oneli the figuris, but he understode what it was to menen, and wrot it in a yle of the see that men clepen Patmos. Thider a cruel emperoure Domicie hadde flemed hym, for Goddis wordis that he prechid to the folk. And for that he bare witnessyng of Jhesu Crist, and that was on enchesoun for that he shulde write this book. For as myche and as longe as he was flemed, ther wexen many manere vices and of heresies in holi chirches of Asie that he had to kepe undir God. And specially the mater of this book drawith to the chirches of Asie and comounli of alle holi chirche, namly that it suffre in this lyf and that it shal resceyve in the tother. His entent is to amonesten into paciens, for though alle the tribulaciouns or anguysches be stronge to suffre sumtyme, the mede therfor is endeles.

prose-textblock5His writynge is on this manere. On the frist, he settith a litille prolog. There he settith the name of the booke whan he seith, “the Apocalips,” and how the sight is shewed hym bi the aungele. And aftir he blisseth alle that it redith and herith the wordis of the prophecie, and gretith the seven chirchis of Asie, and shewith oure swet Lord Jhesu Crist hou he shal come to the jugement, and how thei that there ben shulen seen hym peyned and pleynen hem on alle ertheli men, and after he shewith that he is gynnynge and endynge that is and was and is to comen almyghti. And after this he tellith his talle wheder of he makith this book that is departid on sevene sightis, so that ech man may bi hymsilf understonden and tellen.

Chapter 1

prose-textblock1[fol. 204r] [1] Apocalips of Jhesu Crist which God gaf to hym to make open to hise servauntis, whiche thingis it bihoveth to be maad soone. And he signyfiede sendynge bi his aungel to his servaunt Joon, [2] which bar witnessynge to the word of God and witnessing of Jesu Crist in these thingis whatever thingis he say. [3] Blessid is he that redith and he that herith the wordis of this prophecie and kepith tho thingis that ben writun in it, for the tyme is nygh.

prose-textblock2[4] Joon to sevene chirchis that ben in Asie: grace and pees to you. Of hym that is and that was and that is to comynge, and of the sevene spiritis that ben in the sight of his trone, [5] and of Jhesu Crist, that is a feithful witnesse, the firste bigetun of deed men, and prince of kingis of the erthe whiche lovyde us and wasshide us fro oure synnes in his blood, [6] and made us a kyngdom and prestis to God and to his Fadir, to hym be glorie and empire, into worldis of worldis, Amen.

prose-textblock3[7] Lo, he cometh with clowdis, and ech iye shal se hym, and thei that prickiden hym and alle the kynredis of the erthe shulen biweile hemsilf on hym, yhe Amen.

prose-textblock4[8] “Y am alfa and oo, the bigynnyng and the ende,” seith the Lord God, “that is and that was, and that is to comynge, almyghti.”

prose-textblock5[9] I, Joon, youre brother and partener in tribulacioun and kingdom and pacience in Crist Jhesu, was in an yle that is clepid Pathmos, for the word of God and for the witnessing of Jhesu. [10] Y was in spirit in the Lordis dai and Y herde bihynde me a grete vois as of a trumpe [11] seiynge to me, “Write thou in a book that thing that thou seest and sende to the sevene chirchis that ben in Asie: to Efesus, to Smirma and to Pergamus and to Tiatira and to Sardis and to Philadelfia and to Loadicia.”

Glose:

prose-textblock6The undoinge of Seynt Joon bitokeneth prelatis of holi chirche that undirstondith the vois of the Gospels and the thretyngis of the jugement that is bitokened bi the trumpe and amonestith hem that they do in werk alle that thei seen in hooly writ and teche othere thorugh goode ensaumple to do wele.

Texte:

prose-textblock7[12] And Y turnede that Y shulde se the vois that spak with me, and Y turnede and Y say sevene candilstikis of gold. [13] And in the myddil of the sevene goldun candilstickis, oon lyk to the sone of man clothid with a long garment and gird at the tetis with a goldun gyrdil. [14] And the heed of hym and his heeris weren whyte as whyte wolle and as snow, and the iyen of hym as flawme of fier, [15] and hise feet lyk to latoune as in a brennynge chymeney, and the vois of hym as the vois of many watris. [16] And he hadde in his right hond sevene sterris, and a swerd sharp on ever either syde wente out of his mouth, and his face as the sunne schyneth in his vertu.

Glose:

prose-textblock8The undoynge of this. By the sevene candilstikis that Seynt Joon saugh bytokeneth hooly chyrche that is lyghtid of the sevene graces of the Hooly Goost. That he saugh oon that was lyk the maydenesse sone bytokeneth the bileeve of the Resureccioun. Though alle that the fleissche of Jhesu Crist wer er the Resureccionne, it is now another maner, for it is glorified. By the garnement that he was claad ynne righte doune to the erthe is bitokened chastité of fleisshe. By the gyrdil that he was gird with is bytokenede chastitee of herte, by his heede the goode prelatis of hooly chirche. By the heere, the men of relygioune that schulen ben whiyte thorugh hoolynesse and of goode liyf. Als the wolle is whiyte, for they helpen the othere thorugh goode ensaumple and ben whiyte as snow, for they quenchen the brennynge of vyres and [fol. 204v] vices and of synne thurgh vertu and thurgh penaunce. Bi the eyen ben bitokened the wise men of holi chirche that lighten the othere thurgh techynge and techen hem thourgh goode exsamples of goode werkys that thai doun. Bi the feet ben bitokenede the symple folk of holi chirche that ben in the ovenes mouthe of Godis wirchynge and thurgh that thei amende hem of syne. Bi his vois is bitokened the prechynge of holi chirche that is clene of syne as water of the cold wele. Bi the seven sterris ben bitokened the prelatis that owen to lyghten the lewde puple of goode leveyng that ben in derknessis of unkunnynge. That the sterris were in his right honde bitokeneth the gud prechours. By the swerde that kittith on boith half bitokeneth Goddis word that on half departith the soule fro his desire and on the other half departith the flesche fro hys delites. Bi his face bitokeneth hem that doun penaunce bi thei schynen as the sunne to geven light of goode ensaumples to other, boothen gude and yvele.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[17] And as I hadde seen this, I fel to the erthe as deed. And he laide his right honde overe me and seid to me, “Nyl thu dreden. I am the frist and the last, [18] and I am alyve and was deed and now I lyve forevermore and have the keies of helle and of deith.

prose-textblock10[19] “Writ ther than that thu hast seen and tho thinges that now ben present and tho that moten comen afterwarde. [20] The seven sterris that thu hast seen in my right honde ben sevenn prelatis of holi chirche and seven candilstikis ben seven chirchis of Asie.”

Glose:

prose-textblock11That Seynt Joon whann he hadde seen felle to the Lordis fette bitokeneth holi prelatis that gyven hem to ryt bileve and understonden hem in Goddis worde and gyven that entent to conseile men after Goddis lawe. That he is as he were deed bitokeneth hem that forsakith the blesse of this world. That the Lord sette his right honde on hym bitokeneth that the Lord gyveth to such prelatis strengthe and myghte to suffre persecuciouns. And that he seith he hath the keies of deeth and of helle bitokeneth that he makith hem so hardi that thai ne dout devel ne tirant agen the wille of God.

Chapter 2

prose-textblock1[fol. 205r] [1] After that comaundith oure Lord to Seynt Joon that he schulde writ to the bischop of the chirche of Effesie, for the synnes of the puple. “This saith he that hast the sevene sterris in his right hond amyddis the sevene golden candelstikis: [2] I wote thi werkis, thi travelle, thi pacience, and that thou maist not suffren the wicked, and how thu hast asayede and ataynt of falsnesse hem that maken hem apostelis and ben not. [3] I wot the adversitees that thu hast suffrede for me.

prose-textblock2[4] “But o thyng there is, that thu hast forsake the charité that thu haddist at the bigynyng. [5] Therfor bythenke thou what thou art and do penance and the werkis that thu didist first. But thou do, I schal come soone and remove thi candilstike out of his stede, but if thu do penance. [6] But this hast thou, for thou hast hatide the werkis of Nicholaitis that Y hate.

prose-textblock3[7] “That han eris to here, here what the Holi Gost seith to chirchis. To hem that overcometh, I schal gyve mete of the tree of liyf that is in paradis of my God.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4That oure Lord bad that he shulde write to the bischop of Effesy for the synne of the folk bitokeneth that oure Lord schal axen of the prelatis the soulis of sugetis. That he seith, “I wot thi werkis and thi travele and of his pacience,” amonestith us that we tak good exaumple. That he undirnymeth hem, that thai han lorne ther charité that thai hadden biforen, bitokeneth that the postel Seynt Poule seith, “Though I have as myche strengthe that I may stire hilles fro o stede to another and gyve my bodi to brenne, and I have not charité, al is not worthi to me.” That he thretith that he shal remove his candilstike but if thai do penaunce, that is to seie but if thei amende hem, he schall binemen hem the graces that thai han. That he seith, “He that hath eres to heren, here,” bitokeneth that oure Lord seith in the gospelle, “That Y seie to oon, I seie to alle.” That he bihotith hem that thai shulen eten of the tre of lyf bitokeneth that he shalle gyven hem the frute of the cros in his Fader blis.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[8] “To the chirche of Smyrma write this, seith he that is gynnynge and endynge, was deed and lyveth. [9] I wote thi tribulacioun and thi povert, but thu art riche, and art blasfemed of hem that seien that thei ben Jewis and ben not, but thei ben the synagoge of Sathanas. [10] Drede thu nothing of these thingis whiche thu schalt suffre, but have thu no drede, for the devel schal do doun summe of you into prysoun to asayen you and [fol. 205v] ten dayes ye shulen han tribulaciouns. Be trewe ryt to the deeth. I shal give a crowne of lyf, [11] and he that overcometh schal han no drede of the seconde deeth.”

Glose:

prose-textblock6By the asaute of fals men bitokeneth the asaute of coveitise. By the tribulacioun of the fende, that bitokeneth the asaute of pride and thurgh tribulacioun and temptacioun of the flesch. To hem that wille suffre povert and overcome coveitise, oure Lord bihotith hem richessis, and he that thurgh lownesse overcome prid, oure Lord bihotith hem coroun of lyf, and to hem that thurgh abstinence overcometh tribulacioun, oure Lord bihotith hem esse in the other lif, and in that he setith hymself exsaumple that he seith, “I was deed and I lyve.”

Texte:

prose-textblock7[12] “To the bischop of the chirche of Pergame, write thu thes thinges, seith he that hath the swerde sharpe on bothe half. [13] I wot wele that ye woneth in the power of Satanas and thu holdist my name and denyest not my feith, and in tho dayes was Antifas my feithful witnesse that was slayn at you where Satanas dwellith. In as moche ye have forsake my lawe.

prose-textblock8[14] “But o thinge there is among you, that holdith the techyng of Balam, that taught the kyng Balac to do the childer of Israel synnen, that one corumpide the other thurgh yvel ensaumple of leccherie and to eten of the sacrificis of ydolis [15] and to holden the techyng of Nicholaitis. [16] Therfor do ye penaunce, and but ye doun, I shalle come and fighten wit the yvele doande wit the swerde of my mowth.

prose-textblock9[17] “And to hym that overcometh I schalt gyven hym manna hyd , and I shal gyven hym an harde ston, and in the hard stoun a new name shal be writtun no man wot what but he that reseveth it.”

Glose:

prose-textblock10Here is bitokened thre maner of synnes that ben in many that han resayved the bileve and holden it not. Ech fordoith othere thurgh evel counceyle that thai han goven othere, thurgh exsaumple of lecherie, the thred thurgh exsaumple of glotonye. To hem that thurgh sobirnesse overcometh glotonye, oure Lord bihotith hem the swete blisse of heven, and that is manna. To hym that thurgh chastité colith his flesch, he bihotith hym stedfastnesse of flesch and of light, and that is the hard stooun that is bricte and clere. To hem that with strengthe bridilen ther tunge fro yvel speche, oure Lord byhotith hem the glorie of God to herien hym wit tunge, and his newe name writen in the stooun. That he seith he shalle come sone and shalle fighten with the evele doers with the swerd of veniaunce bitokeneth that in litil tyme he [fol. 206r] departith the bodi fro the soule thurgh boodili deeth, and that is the scharpe of the swerde on that on half. And at the day of jugement he shale depart the bodi and the soule fro the blissed compani of his chosene and out of his blisse, and that is the scharpe of the swerde on that other half.

Texte:

prose-textblock11[18] “To the bischop of the chirche of Tiatire, write that is seide bi this that hath the eyen as the flawme of fier and the fete that semeden as cledes. [19] I wot thi werkis and thi dedis and thi charité, and how thou art go thurgh amendement.

prose-textblock12[20] “But o thinge it is, that thou suffrist a womman Jezabelle that seith sche is a prophetesse, that sterith my servantis to lecherie and to ete of the sacrificis of ydols. [21] And I have goven hem space to repenten hem, and thei wil not. [22] And therfor I shalle leyn hir in bedde and hem that han felawschiped with hir, that thei shulen be in gret tribulacioun but thei amenden hem. [23] And hir schildren I schal sleen. And witen wele shulen alle chirchis that I seche the renes and the hertis and yelde mede after that ye serven.

prose-textblock13[24] “To you I seie that ben not of the develis techynge, that I charge yow no more. [25] But the techyng that yee han, holdith it to the deeth. [26] And he that overcometh shal han power over the misbilevande, and [28] after I schalle given hym the dai sterre.”

Glose:

prose-textblock14Bi Jazabelle ben understonden the maister heretikis that lyven after the wille of hir flesch and techen agen the gospel. Suche shulden not Cristen men suffre among hem. After that thei be lastende in hir folie. That oure Lord seith that he hath leide hir in a bede bitokeneth hem that lyn longe in hir synnes and wil not amenden hem, and lettith hym gon at her wille and gyven hem to ertheli thingis. That he seith that he schal sechen the hertes and the renes bitokeneth that he shal taken veniance of hem that lyven in evel lif, and to the godde that han pousté of hir lyves and holden hem underfote. He bihoteth power to governe othere, and to hem that lighten othere thurgh goode techynge bihotith hem the brightnesse of the Resurreccioun of Jhesu, that is the day sterre.

Chapter 3

prose-textblock1[1] “And to the aungele of the chirche of Sardis, write thu that is that he seith that hath seven sterris. I wot wel thi werkis, for that men seyn thu art deed and thou lyvest. [fol. 206v] [2] Therfor wake and conferme hem that ben dyeande, that I fynde not youre werkis foule biforn God. [3] And therfor bithenke yee hou ye have harde and kepe it and do penaunce. And if that thou wolt not, I shal come to thee as a theef whanne thou shalt witen no word.

prose-textblock2[4] “But a fewe ther ben in youre chirche that han not defoulid ther clothinge, and thai shul go with me in aubis. For thai ben worthi [5] that overcometh, so he shal be clade in whiyt clothinge and I shal not putten out his name of the book of lyf, and I shal preisen hem biforn my Fadir and his aungels.”

Glose:

prose-textblock3Bi that, that thei have the name of goode lyf and ben dead, bitokeneth the ypocritis that han werkis of holynesse and entent of yvel. He hem thretith that ho shalle come as a theef and binymen hem her goodis that thai have and sleen hem thurgh the deith that ever shal laste, but if thei waken in her werkis thurgh right undirstondynge. Thei that han not her bodies filde with lecherie ne werkis of evel entent, that thurgh yvel wil, her bodies shulen be with Jhesu Crist and her werkis fayre in the felawschipe of Jhesu Crist. And her names shulen not be doun out of the booke of lyf that is her loes of good and mede everlastende as the werkis of ypocritis shulen be doun awey, for thei ben likned to the false theves that destroyen men.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[7] “And to the aungele of the chirche of Filadelfie, write thou thes thingis, seith the holi and trewe that hath the keiye of David, the whiche openeth and no man closith; he closith and no man openeth. [8] I wot thi werkis, and lo, I gaf bifor thee a dore opened, the whiche no man mai close. For thu hast a litel vertu and hast kept my word and denyedist not my name. [9] Lo, I shal gyve to thee of the synagoge of Sathanas, the whiche seyne hem to ben Jewes and ben not, but lien. Lo, I schal maken hem that thai come and worschepe biforn thi feet, and thei shal wite for I lovede thee, [10] for thu keptist the word of my pacience. And I shal kepe thee fro the oure of temptacioun that is to comen into alle the world to tempten men dwellende in erthe.

prose-textblock5[11] “Lo, I come soone. Holde that thu hast that no man take thi coroune. [12] And hym [fol. 207r] that shal overcome I shal make a piler in the temple of my God, and he shal no more go out, and I shal write on hym the name of my God and the name of the cité of my God, of new Jerusalem that cometh doun fro heven of my God, and my newe name.”

Glose:

prose-textblock6That oure Lord bihotith the dore open for that he hath a litil vertue and hath kepte the feith bitokeneth that oure Lord opened heven and holi write to hem that han litil kunnynge and kepen his comaundement. That he hotith that he shal do come the folk to fallen to his feet bitokeneth that is seid in holi writ, “Lo, I schal make thine ennemys fale bifore thi feet.” That he shal kepen hem fro the grete temptacioun bitokeneth that at the comynge of Anticrist, folk shalen turnen to the bileve and not chaunge for no miracle that he doith, ne for no turment. That he bihotith and to hym that overcometh to maken hym a piler bitokeneth hem that ben aparayled to suffre turment for the right bileve of holi chirche to holden it up. Hem shalle not oure Lord suffre to gon oute thorough synne. That he seith he schal write the thre names bitokeneth the thre glories that thei shulen han. The on is the knowynge of God, the othere is the felawschip of aungels, the thredde the sight of Jhesu, God and man.

Texte:

prose-textblock7[14] “And to the aungele of the chirche of Loadice, writ thou these thinges, seith Amen that is verili the feithfulle witnesse and trewe, the whiche is the bigynnynge of Goddis creature. [15] I wott thi werkis, for nether thou art colde, nether thou art hote. I wolde that thou were coold ether hoot. [16] But for thou art lewe and neither cold neither hote, I schal bigyne for to cast thee out of my mouthe. [17] For thou seist that ‘I am riche and ful of goodis and I have no nede of no man,’ and thou woost not for thou art a wrecche and wreccheful, and thu art pore and blynde and nakid. [18] I counsele thee for to bie of me gold firid and preved that thou be maad riche and be clothid with whiyte clothis that the confusioun of thi nakidnesse appere not. And anoynte thyn iyen with a colerie, that is medicyne for iyen gaderid of dyverse eerbis that thou see.

prose-textblock8[19] “Whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Therfor sue or love and do penaunce. [20] Lo, I stonde at the dore and knoke. If any man schal here my vois and opene the gate, I schal entre to him and soupe [fol. 207v] with hym and he with me.

prose-textblock9[21] “I shal gyven to hym that shal overcome to sitten with me in my trone, as I overcam and satt with my Fader in his trone. [22] He that hath eris, here what the spirit shal seyn to chirchis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock10Bi hym that is cold is bitokened he that kan not of the beleve. Bi the hote is bitokened hem that han right feith in werkis of charitee. Bi the deef heed bitokeneth hem that have bileve withoute werk. The castyng out at the mouthe bitokeneth that thei ben put out of the coumpanye of holy. That he seith he bigynneth to casten hym oute bitokeneth that oure Lord gyveth hem space to amende hem. That he seith that thai ben riche and have no mister of noght bitokeneth that fals Cristen men ben wers than tho that ben oute of the lawe, that ben Jewis and Sarasenes that ben mysbylevende men for defaute of techynge. Bi the gold fired is bitokened penaunce. Bi the whiyt clothinge is bitokened clennesse of fleisch. Bi the onementis is bitokenede werkis of merci. That he stant at the dore and knokkyth bitokeneth that the grace of God is ever redi to entren to the synner, and amonestith hym thorough prechynge and thorough tribulacioun. To openne the gate is bitokened levynge of seine forevere. And thanne oure Lord entreth into hym whan he taketh to wilne his werkis. He soupith with oure Lord whan he hath wil to do wel and in that endith his lyf. That bihotith that he shal be with hym in his troone bitokeneth that he shal be glorified in fleisch as the sunne is. There he shal be at the jugement; ther the poure shulen juge othere. That he seith, “He that hath eres to heren, here that the gost seith to chirchis” bitokeneth that oure Lord seith in the gospel, “That I seie to on, I saie to alle.”

Chapter 4

prose-textblock1[1] And after saw Seynt Joon a dore open of hevene and the vois that he herde first as the voice of a trumpe seide to hym, “Cum up hidir and I shal shewe thee the thingis that ben to comen sone after this.” [2] And as soone he was ravesched up to heven and saugh [fol. 208r] a sege sette in heven, and on the sege he saugh a sitter. [3] And the Lord that saat semede as it were to the sight of jasper and sardines.

Glose:

prose-textblock2That Seynt Joon saugh the dore open of hevene bitokeneth that the goode prelat that hath the undirstondynge of holi writ and understondith the olde lawe monestith hym to bataile agen vices and synnes, and that is the frist voice as it were of a trumpe. The stiyynge up bitokeneth the heeghnesse of goode lif after the techyng of the gospelle. The schewynge of thingis that shulden comen bitokeneth that thei shul smele the swetnesse of the lif that ever shal lasten. That he was spired in gost bitokeneth that he that hath the grace of God doith hymself out of the ydel thoughtis of ertheli thingis. That he saugh the sege sette in hevene bitokeneth that he seteth his thoughtis into juggement. Bi the sege is bitokened the holy that restith in God. Bi the colour of the stoune bitokeneth the two kyndis of God almighti: the godhede and the manhede. And bi the hardnesse of the stoon bitokeneth that he shal be harde agen his ennemys. And bi the coluorrs that ben plesaunt to mannes sight bitokeneth that he shal love able to his frendis. And bi the two colurrs that ben in the reynebowe bitokeneth two juggementis in whiche God saveth hise. The friste was thorough Noes flod. The other shal be at endynge of this world thurgh fier. Either it bitokeneth that alle that han receyved Cristendam and dien in synne shulen comen at the juggement biforn Jhesu Crist and sweren of his blod that he shede for hem.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[4] Aboute the sege ben foure and twenté segis, and on the foure and twenté segis sitten foure and twenté greete or olde covered in whit clothinge and hadden on her hedes crownesse of gold. [5] And out of the trone cam lightynge and thundrynge, and sevene laumpis brennende ben biforun the trone that ben the sevene spiritis of God. [6] And biforun the sege als a see of glas that semed as it were cristalle.

Glose:

prose-textblock4Bi the foure and twenti grete ben bitokened the twelve patriarkis and prophetis and the twelve apostlis and the holi [fol. 208v] seyntis that shul sitte at the juggement to jugen the other. The whiyt clothinge bitokened that her bodies ben glorified. The crounes of gold bitokenen the victorie that thai have in werkis of charité. Bi lightynge that the spirit doith is bitokened the miraclis that God diede for hem to lighten mennes hertis to the bileve. Bi the voisis is bitokened predicaciouns, the thundre the thretyng of oure Lord that he makith thorough the tribulaciouns that he sendith biforun the juggement. Bi the seven laumpis bitokeneth the seven graces of the Holi Gost that lighten and spiren the hertis that God restith in. Bi the cristalle that wexeth hard in the water as stooun bitokeneth the Cristen men that ben confermed thorough tribulacioun to the right bileve and in goode lyf.

Texte:

prose-textblock5In myddis the sege and abouten ben foure bestes ful of eyen bihynde and biforun. [7] The firste beste semede a leoun and the other an oxe, and the thride hadde a face as a man. The ferthe was leche to an egle. [8] And eche of thes foure hadde sixe wynges and aboute and withinnen weren ful of eyen, and withstynten not to seyne, “Holi, holi, Lord God almighti, that art and were and shalt come.”

Glose:

prose-textblock6Bi these foure bestes ben bitokened the foure gospeleris that speken of the manhede of Jhesu Crist and of his godhede and of his deeth and of his Resurreccioun. For the lioun is dede whan he is borun, and the thridde day he cometh to lif thurgh the cry of his fadir. And oure Lord that died on the roode for us, on the thridde day he cometh to lyf thurgh the cry of his Fader. And oure Lord that died on the roode for us, on the thridde dai roos fro deeth to lyve. And bi the oxe is bitokened Seynt Luke, for he spekith specialy of the sacrifice that was maad of Jhesu Crist on the roode for oure synnes. For in the olde lawe, it was comaundede to make sacrifice of oxen for synnes of the folk. Bi liknesse of man is bitokened Seint Mathew, for specialli he spak of the manhede of Crist. Bi the egle is bitokened Seint Joon, for he spak heighest of the Passioun of Jhesu Crist. For the egle is a bred that heighest may fleen [fol. 209r] and clerest is of sight. Bi the two wyngis biforun is bitokened meknesse withyne in hert and charité. Bi the wyngis amydde, clennesse of hert and chastité of flesche. Bi the two wenges above, the love of God and his even Cristen. That thai ben fulle of eyen biforun and bihynde bitokeneth the gospelleris that serchen the synnes that man hath doun and to fle hem that ben to comen. That thai weren ful of yyen withynnen and withouten bitokeneth that the apostle seith that we shulden be “bisi to do wel not oneli bifor God but also biforne the folk.” That thai styntyn not to sey, “Holy, holy, holy” bitokeneth that thei that holden the ruele of the gospelis shulen everemore in alle her werkis heryen the Trynité and yelden worschipe to God, for he maad us and boughte us agen and saved us, and for the godis that he doith us now and shal doun us in that other lif. Bi the leoun bitokeneth hem that ben stronge and hardi to suffren harmes for the love of holi chirche. Bi the oxe ben bitokened hise that ben scharpe in penaunce. Bi the man bitokeneth the men that ben light and mylde to drawen hem to goode. By the egle ben bitokenede men of religion that ben in good lyfe or in thought of God or in other manere for these foure figuris that ben four vertues. Bi the leoun, strengthe. Bi the oxe, temperance and mesure. Bi the man, rightfulnesse. Bi the egle, quentise.

Texte:

prose-textblock7[9] And as the foure bestis yelden grace and worschipe and blissynge to the Lord that sat on the trone and lyveth withouten ende, [10] the foure and twenti greet fellen doun biforen the trone and honoureden hym and leiden ther crownes biforn the trone and seiden, [11] “Oure Lord God, thu art worthi to resceyven blissynge and worschipe and vertue, for thu madist alle thing and bi thi wille alle thinge is maad.”

Glose:

prose-textblock8That the foure and twenti greete fellen biforn the trone bitokeneth that the holi men thenken on the juggement. That thai leiden her crounes biforn the trone bitokeneth that thai beknowen that the maistrye that thai han over the fende is his and not her, fore he overecame hym with his Passion. That thei seyn that he is worthi to resceiven worschipe and vertu and honour bitokeneth that thai gladiden of the glorie of Resureccioun and the honour of the Assencioun, [fol. 209v] vertu of gret myght that he hath with his Fadir and shal han at the juggement.

Chapter 5

prose-textblock1[1] Seynt Joon sawe at the right half of the Lord on the trone a booke writen withouten and withynne sealid with seven claspis. [2] And I saw an aungele prechen with loude cry, “Who is worthi to undo the book and unbynden the claspis?” [3] And non myghte oondo the book to loken theron in hevene ne erthe ne undir erthe. [4] And he wepte, for non was worthi to undon this book. [5] And on of the grete saide to hym, “Ne wepe thou. Lo, the leon of the kynde of Juda that is roote of Davith hath overcome to opene the booke and undo the claspis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock2Bi the right half of the Lord is bitokened Goddis Sone. Bi the trone that he settith upon is bitokened the flesch that he tok of the Vergyn Marie, there the godhede restith. Bi the book is bitokened the saveour to bien man agen. The writynge withinne bitokeneth the olde lawe that techith derkly with figuris. Bi the writyng without bitokeneth that techith openli. The seven claspis ben bitokened the seven sacramentis of holi chirche or the seven giftis of the Holi Gost. Bi the stronge aungel is bitokened the olde fadres of the old lawe. Bi the prechynge of grete vois is bitokened the grete desire of the comynge of oure saveoure. That ther was non in heven to undo it, that is seide bi the aungele. Ne in erthe, that is seide bi the mann. Ne undir erthe, that is seide bi the soule out of the bodi. Bi the wepynge of Seint Joon, that is bitokened the same thing that is. Bi the cry of the stronge aungele, the gret desire that the olde hadden to the bileve. Bi oon of the olde, eche of the prophetis that coumfortith of the old lawe and bihighte hem that Goddis Sone wold come and take flesch and blod to delivere hem and hidden his godhede thurgh the manhede, that the proude might not know hym, as the lion doith awey his trace with his tayle whan he fleeth bi the mownteynes that he be not founden. And as the lion slepith and hath his eyen opyne, so died he on the roode as to the flesch and lyved as to the godhed.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[6] And I sawe, seith Seynt Joon, amyddis the trone and myddis the foure [fol. 210r] and twenti grete, a Lomb stondden as it were slayn, and seven hornes and seven eyen that ben the seven spirittis of God and he sente into alle londis. [7] And the Lomb cam and took the book of the right half of hym that sat on the trone. [8] And as he hadde opened the book, the foure bestis and the foure and twenti grete fellen bifore the Lomb. Alle hadden harpis and fithelis of gold ful of swete smele, tho ben the preyeris of seyntis, [9] and sungen and seyden, “Lord God, thou art worthi to opene the book and undo the claspis, for thou were slayn and thou boughtist agen with thi blood to God of alle kyndis and tungis and folkis and naciouns, [10] and thou hast made us a rengne to oure God and prestis, and we shulen regne on erthe.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4That the Lomb took the book on the right half of the Lord bitokeneth Goddis Sone, bi the right half that he maried hym clen to flesch withouten synne. That is bitokened bi the Lomb that tok the batel for us agen the fende in myledenes, and bi the wisdam that is bitokened bi the book. That the Lomb stode as he were deed and sat bitokeneth that he suffreth passioun in his manhede and in his godhede was hole as to hymself, outher he is deede in erthe in his lymes thorough tribulaciouns and in blisse he is holliche. That hade seven hornes that ben upward and seven eyen that ben seven spiritis of God sent into alle londis bitokened the seven giftis of the Holi Goost that Jhesu Crist hade, as Ysaye saith, and the giftis to his asaute of her ennemys that came fro high thure pride and tribulaciouns of tirantis of the world and thurgh temptaciouns binethen as the asaughtis of coveitise and of flesly likyngis and of eretikis. The openynge of the book bitokeneth the comynge of Jhesu Crist thurgh his werkis in erthe. The foure bestis bitokeneth the foure prechours of the Gospels on foure half of the world. The foure and twenti grete bitokenen hem that shul sitten with Jhesu Crist at the juggement to jugen hise. That thei fellen biforn the Lomb bitokeneth that the holi men lowen hem whan thai remembre hem of that Jhesu Crist suffred that was withouten synne. That thei han herpis bitokeneth hem [fol. 210v] that slowen her flesche wiseely on the crosse of penaunce, as the corde is atempre sett in the tree of the harpe to gyve godde soon. That thei hadden the violis of gold ful of swete odoures bitokeneth that thei hadde the hertis fully of gladnesse and michil in the affeccioun of charité that thai spreden out to loven her enemyes and to bidden for hem. That thai songen new songis bitokeneth the heryyng that thai maad to Jhesu Crist and gladiden that he is worthi to undo the book. For he oneli was man withoute eche maner of synne and boughte us with his preciouse blod. And whanne the kyngdame of his fadir, thar we shul regne with joye and blisse withouten eny ende.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[11] And I sawe and herde a voise of many aungels about his trone, and the foure and twenti grete and the foure bestis [12] that seiden with gret vois, “The Lomb that is slayn is worthi to resceyven vertu, wisdam, and strengthe, honour, glorie, and blisinge.” [13] And alle creaturis hym honour. [14] And the bestis seiden, “Amen.” And the foure and twenti gret fellen in her faces and worschipeden hym that lyveth withouten ende.

Glose:

prose-textblock6The vois of many thousynde aungelis bitokeneth the joye that the aungelis in heven and the holi men in holi chirche of mankynde and of alle the graces that God gyveth to holi chirche. Oweth man yelde worschipe to Jhesu Crist thorough whos meryt that it is, and that is confermynge of the foure bestis that seiden, “Amen.”

Chapter 6

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh that the Lomb openede oon of the sevenne claspis, and I herde that on of the foure bestis seide to me as it wer a vois of thundris, “Cum see.” [2] And I saw a whiyt hors comen out, and he that sat theronne hadde a bowe, and a coroune was goven to hym. And he came out overcomende to overcomen.

Glose:

prose-textblock2Bi the whiyt hors is bitokened holi chirche that is clene of synne thurgh the baptem thurgh the deeth of Jhesu Crist. He that sat theronne bitokeneth Goddis Soone. Bi the bowe is bitokened holi writ that thretith the yvel doeres thorough jugement. Bi the coroune that is goven hym bitokeneth the Saresynes that ben turned to hym. That he went out overcomende to overcome bitokeneth that he shal torne his thurgh hem that he schal senden agen the endynge of the world.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[3] And as he openede the othere claspe, I herde that other best that seide to me, “Come see.” [4] And I saugh a reede hors comynge out, and to hym that satt there upon is goven to take pees fro the erthe and eche slowen othere. And a gret [fol. 211r] swerde was goven to hym.

Glose:

prose-textblock4Bi this reed hors is bitokened the tirauntis that schedden the blud of martiris. And he that sat theron bitokeneth the devel to whom was goven power to greven al holi chirche. The greet swerde bitokeneth ertheli might.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[5] And as he opened the thridde seal, I sawe the thride beste that seid to me, “Come see.” And I saugh a blak hors comende out, and he that sat therone hadde a balaunce in his honde. [6] And I herd as it were a wois amyddis the foure bestis that seide, “Two bilibres of whete for a peny and thre bilibris of barli for a peny. Wyn and oyle do no harme.”

Glose:

prose-textblock6Bi the blac hors is bitokened eretikis in whiche the devel regneth. Bi the balaunce is bitokened discrecion that thei seyen that thei han holi writ. But the prechynge of the gospelle defendith hem that thai do no harme to hem that oure Lord boughte with his blood, and that is he that seith, “Two mesuris of whete for a peny.” Bi the whete ben bitokened holi men in holi chirche to maken two mesures for two manere men, Jewis and Sarisynes, ether for these two vertues that thai han stedfast bileve and goode werkis. Bi the barli bitokeneth the symple folk that ben savede thurgh the bileve of the holi Trinité. Bi the peny wherof thei ben boughte is bitokened Jhesu Cristis blod. And bi the wyn and oyle ben bitokened the olde lawe and the new.

Texte:

prose-textblock7[7] And as he opened the ferthe seal, I harde the vois of the ferthe best that seide to me, “Come see.” [8] And thane I saugh a dun hors comende oute, and he that saat on hym was clepith Deith, and helle folewide. And hym was goven myght on the four partis of erthe to sleen with swerde and with hunger and of the deeth of the bestis of erthe.

Glose:

prose-textblock8Bi the dun hors ben bitokened ypocritis and the devel that wonneth in hem that is Deeth. Thurgh hem the devel may lightli disceyve the folk, for that he is privey, the more he may greven. For the helle folowith hym is bitokened that the ypocritis ben coveitouse and moune not be filde in here coveitise. That hym is goven power on the foure half of the erthe bitokeneth that he hath lordschipe of the Jewes and of the Sarasynes, of eretikis and of false Cristen men. The swerd that he sleeth with bitokeneth ertheli myght that thei slen with false jugis. Hungir bitokeneth defaute of techynge. The Deeth bitokened false lore. The bestes of the erthe bitokeneth glotonye and leccherie.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[9] And as he opened the fift seal, he saugh undir the auter the soulis that were sleyn [fol. 211v] for Goddis word and the witnesse that thai hadden. [10] And thai crieden with a gret cry, “Lord God, holi and sothfast, hou long wilt abide that thou ne wreke oure blod of hem that wonen in erthe?” [11] And men gaf ech a stole whiyt, and it is seide to hem that thai shulen resten hem a while, til the noumbre was fulfilled of her britheren that ben to be slayn yit.

Glose:

prose-textblock10Bi the auter is bitokened Jhesu Cristis flesche. That he saith the soulis under the auter bitokened that the soulis of holi as longe as ther bodies ben in erthe and seen Jhesu Crist glorified in flesche, and that is the whiyt stole that hym was goven. And thei crieden with grete crie that he venge hem bitokeneth the gret desire that thei han of the jugement, for the desire that thai han of the rerynge of her bodies in whiche thei hadden another stole and shulen ben her above the autere, that is to seie that thai shulen han ful knowyng of Jhesu Crist in his godhede and than shalle here joiye ben double, thane thai shul be glorified in bodi and soule. That men saide to them that thai rest a while til that the nombre of ther bretheren wer fulfillid bitokeneth solase and the coumforte that thai han of her abidynge for the gret company that thai abiden to han in glorie.

Texte:

prose-textblock11[12] And whane he hadde openede the sixte claspe, thanne I sawe that ther was a grete erthe stirynge, and the sune was maad blak as the sak of an hayre and the mone is maad as blod [13] and the sterris fellen to the erthe as it were the fruyte of the figer that fellen with the wynde. [14] And the heven partide as a book folden and eche mountayne and yle ben stiride of ther stede.

prose-textblock12[15] And kyngis and princis and the cheventeynes and the riche and the stronge and alle thrallis and free hidden hem in dichis and in rochis [16] and seyn to mounteyns and to rochis, “Fallith on us and hiddith us fro the face of hym that sittith on the trone and fro the wrathe of the Lomb! [17] For the greet day of here wraththe is comen and whoo may stande?”

Glose:

prose-textblock13The greet erthe stirynge bitokeneth the greet percecusion of Anticrist. That the sonne wexe blak bitokeneth that Jhesu Crist shal be derk to hym and to miraclis that he doith. And his membris that shul be than in tribulacions, that bitokeneth the harde haire. But he shal saven his, and that bitokeneth the blod. That the mone is blod bitokeneth that holi chirche shal be than in gret tribulacioun overal for the tirauntis that shulen slee the goode and spillen her blode. That the sterris fallen doun bitokened hem that semeden [fol. 212r] religiouse shulen haten thanne the right bileve to saven her bodies. That the figir cast his frute with the wynde bitokeneth that holi chirche shal delyvere hir of false Cristen men for the percecucioun that thane shal ben. That heven shal departen hir as a book turneth bitokeneth the defaute of sothefast prechynge that thane shal be. And the mountenes and the yles ben stired oute of here stede bitokeneth that the good shule than be departid fro the wicke. Bi the hidynge is bitokened the grate lownesse of holi and many maneres that thai shulen ben in thanne and the prieres that thei shulen make to fleen the wraththe of the jugement.

Chapter 7

prose-textblock1[1] After I sawe foure aungels stonden on the foure corners of the erthe that helden the foure wyndis of the erthe that thai blew not on the erthe ne on the see ne on the trees. [2] And I saw anothere aungele stiyende up fro the risyng and hade the mark of God lyvende and cried with gret vois to the foure aungels that han resceyved the power to greve the erthe and the see and seide, [3] “Willith not to greven the erthe ne see ne trees til that we marke the servauntis of oure God in ther forhedes.” [4] And I herde the noumbre of the markid: an hundride foure and fourti thousende of eche kynde of the sones of Israel.

prose-textblock2[5] Of the kynde of Juda, twelve thousende signede. Of the kynde of Ruben, as manye. Of the kynde of Gaad, as manye. [6] Of the kynde of Aser, as many. Of the kynde of Neptalym, as manye. [7] Of the kynde of Simeon, as manye. Of the kynde of Levy, as many. Of the kynde of Ysachar, as manye. [8] Of the kynde of Zabulon, as manye. Of the kynde of Joseph, as manye. Of the kynde of Benjamyn, as many. Of the kynde of Manasse, as manye.

Glose:

prose-textblock3The foure aungelis that helden the foure wyndis bitokeneth the develis that shulen distroien the prechynge and Gospelis that thei stere not the reynes of grace to dwellen in the herte of the synful. That the aungele went forth into the estwarde and defendith hym bitokeneth that Jhesu Crist came doun to bynyme the fende of his power that he myght not noyen as myche as he wolde. In the markenge in the forhede bitokeneth that the sothfast Cristen man makith on hym the cros to shew that the bileve of the cros is in his herte as he is aknowe with his mouthe withoute shame. That [fol. 212v] he saugh the noumbre of the markide bitokeneth that alle shul be savede that han percecucioun with gud wille of herte. Thousoundis bitokeneth overcomyngis, and temptaciouns that bitokened hundrid, and soithfaste penance bitokeneth fourti, and the feith of the Gospelis foure.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[9] After I sawe a gret asemblé that noon myght telle of alle manere of men that stonden bifore the trone in sight of the Lomb, hilid with whit stolis and palmis in her hondis, [10] and crieden with gret vois, “Helthe to oure Lord God that sitte on the trone and to the Lomb.” [11] And alle the aungelis stoden aboute the trone, and alle the grete and the foure bestis fellen bifore the trone in her faces and onoureden God [12] and seiden, “Amen. Blessynge, clerté, wisdam, grace, and honoure, vertu and strengthe be to oure Lord withouten ende.”

Glose:

prose-textblock5The gret multitude that no man myght noumbren that that stoden biforn the trone bitokeneth hem that after that Anticrist is fordoun shulen stonden in holi chirche and after the jugement in heven. The goode Cristen men that thurgh goode lif han overcome the tribulacioun of the world, that is bitokened thurgh peyne thei shulen yelden grace to God, for that he hath savede hem thurgh his Sone. That thai fallen biforne the trone and honoureden God bitokeneth the gret joye that aungelis shulen han of the greet compenye of holi men and wymmen in blesse wherthurgh thei shulen yelden grace to God.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[13] And oon of the grete answerde and seide to me, “These that ben covered with whiyt stolis, what ben thai, and whennes camen thei?”

prose-textblock7[14] And I seide to hym, “My lord, thu wost.”

prose-textblock8And he seyde to me, “It ben thei that ben comen fro gret tribulacioun and han waschen ther stolis and maade hem whiyte in the blod of the Lomb. [15] And therfor thai ben biforn Goddis trone and serven hym day and nyght in his temple. And he that sitt in the trone woneth on hem [16] that thai shulen never han hungris ne thriste ne the sunne shal not fallen on hem ne noon hete, [17] for the Lomb that sittith amyd the trone shal coverne hem, and he shal leden hem to the wellis of watre of lif and shal wepyn awey eche tere fro ther eyen.”

Glose:

prose-textblock9Bi the spekynge of the grete is bitokened holi writt that techith us and monestith us to suffre tribulaciouns in this lif and to wasche bodi and soule thurgh schrifte and witen hem thurgh goode werkis in the bileve of Jhesu Criste in hope of the goodis that evere shal lasten.

Chapter 8

prose-textblock1[fol. 213r] [1] And as the Lomb opened the seventhe claspe, silence is maad in heven as it were the space of half an our. [2] And I saugh sevene aungelis stonden biforen the face of God and hem ben goven seven trumpis.

prose-textblock2[3] And another aungel comende stodde biforn the autere and hadde a censer of gold in his honde, and manye encensis ben govun to hym that he shuld gyve of the orisones of alle halowen upon the autere of gold that is biforn the trone. [4] And the smok of the encens of preieris of alle halowen wente up fro the aungeles hond biforn God. [5] And the aungele took the censer and fild it ful of the fier of the autere and sente it into the erthe. And there weren made thoundryngis and voices and lightnyngis and grete styrynge of erthe.

Glose:

prose-textblock3Bi the silence that is maad in heven as bi the space of half an oure bitokeneth the pees that holi chirche shal have after the distrecioun of Anticrist, and after shal soone comen the jugement. The seven aungelis with seven trumpis bitokeneth alle the prechours in holi chirche that ben taughte thurgh the grace of God and the seven giftis of the Holi Goost. That other aungele that stode bifore the autere bitokeneth Goddis Sone in manhede. The senser of gold bitokeneth holi chirche that ensensith the praiers of the seyntis. The smok of the encens that stiyeth up bitokeneth the compuccioun of hertis that wexith of orisones. That he fild the censer of the fier of the auter bitokeneth that he techith the hertis that han mynde of his Passioun. That he sent into the erthe bitokeneth that he sent his disciplis to prechen the gospel. Bi the thundir ben bitokened the thretyng that he thretith us with, the jugement that God shal make thurgh the prechours. Bi the vois, the bihest of glorie. Bi the lightynge, the miraclis. Bi the gret erthe sterynge bitokeneth the gret lownesse.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[6] And the seven aungelis that hadden the seven trumpis maden hem redi to syngen in trumpe. [7] And at the trumpynge of the firste aungele is maad hail with fier mengid with blood and is sente into erthe. And the thridde part of the erthe is brent and a gret part of trees and grene hey.

Glose:

prose-textblock5The trumpynge of the first aungel bitokeneth the first prechynge that was maad to the Jewes that weren goven to the love of ertheli thingis. And that the hail and the fire was menged with blood bitokeneth the wicke wordis and the felonye of the Jewis whan thei spilten Jhesu Cristis blod and his halewes. Bi the erthe that the thridde part is brent [fol. 213v] bitokeneth coveitouse men. Bi the trees, the proude men, the thridde part ben dampned. The grene heigh bitokeneth the delices of the world that ben goven to delites of flesche that turnen hem more to evel than good. And therfore al is brent and thane is the gret part dampned.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[8] And at the trumpynge of the secounde angele is as it were an hille brenande sent into the see. And the thridde part of the see is maad blod, [9] and the thridde part of the creatures that hadden soulis in the see and the thridde part of the schippis perischid.

Glose:

prose-textblock7The trumpynge of the secounde aungel bitokeneth the frist prechinge that was prechide to the Jewes, turned afterward to the panymes. That the brennende hil is sente into the see bitokeneth the enwye that the devel hath to prouden, the erroure to noye. The world is bitokened the see. That the thridde part bicame blod bitokeneth that o part of panymes dwellen in her synnes of misbilevyng. That the thridde part of creatures benn deed bitokeneth of hem that ben turned to the bileve that shulen ben lorne a gret part, thourgh wicke life that thei loveden in wicke workis that thai doun. Bi the schippis ben bitokened prelatis in this world that shulden beren the othere to the revers of savacioun. A gret part shulen be lorn of hem.

Texte:

prose-textblock8[10] And the thridde aungele blewe his trumpe, and a greet sterre fel fro heven brennand as a bronde and tok the thride part of the rivers and fel into wellis. [11] And the name of the sterre is seide Wermwede, and the thridde part of the watris is maad wermwed, and manye shul die of the watris for the biternesse.

Glose:

prose-textblock9Bi the watris ben bitokenede holi writt of the olde lawe and of the newe. Bi the wellis ben bitokened the gospelis. That the sterre felle and maade hem bitter bitokened that after Jhesu Crist hadde taughte the right bileve in holi chirche thurgh holi writ and is resceyvede, the devel made heretikis to woxen more and more and corumpen holi writ thurgh false understondynge and evel techynge and maken hem alle bitter as wermwede and lest manye of that techyng.

Texte:

prose-textblock10[12] And the ferthe aungele blew his trumpe, and the thridde part of the sune and of the moone and of sterris is smyten with derknes so that o part schon not night ne day. [13] And I sawe and herde an egle fleegh thurgh the heven and seide with gret vois, “Wo, wo, wo to hem that wonen in erthe.”

Glose:

prose-textblock11That the thridde part of the sunne and mone and sterris ben smyten in derknesse bitokeneth hem that the fynde may not blynden thurgh mysbileve. He binymeth hem grace [fol. 214r] thurgh evel werkis bothe of the grete and of the smaller and of the smallest so that thai amenden hem nought thourgh helthe ne thurgh harmes that thai han, that bitokeneth day and nyght. Bi the egle ben bitokened prechours that comen fro fere and warnen holi chirche of gret tribulaciouns that it shal han at the commynge of Anticrist, nameli to hem that han goven over myche her love alle to ertheli thingis.

Chapter 9

prose-textblock1[1] And the fifte aungele blew his trumpe, and I saugh that a sterre feel fro heven to erthe, and hym was goven the keiye of the depe pit. [2] And he opened the pit and the smoke of the pit went up as a grete ovene and maade the sune derk and the erthe. [3] And out of the smok came locustus into the erthe, and hym was goven power to don harm as the scorpioun. [4] And hem is comaundid to do non harme to the heigh of the erthe, neither no grene nether no tree ne no man but hem that hadden not the mark of God in here forhedis, [5] and bad that thei shulden not slen hem but turmenten hem fyve monethis, and her turment is as the turment of scorpions whan he smyteth man. [6] And in tho dayes, men shulen seken deeth and thei shulen not fynden it, and thai shulen desiren to dien and deeth shal fleen fro hem.

Glose:

prose-textblock2Bi the sterre that fel fro hevene bitokeneth the fendis that opened the pite of the deippe that is the sotile eresie that ben in the eretikis discipils. The smoke that derketh the sunne bitokeneth the evel techynge that thai techen that maken derk the bileve. Bi tho that mow not fleen highe ben bitokened Antcristis discipils that mowe not fleen highe thurgh right undirstondynge ne gon not sikirli thurgh goode werkes. Bi the heigh and the grene and the trees ben bitokened thre degrees in holi chirche: tho that be newe comen to the bileve, and tho that werken wele, and tho that ben of heigh lif, that oure Lord wil not suffre that thai ben harmed in soule, though he sende hem tribulacioun to the bodi. That thei desiren the deeth bitokeneth the grete drede that the gud shulen han to comen and to fallen in tribulaciouns that shul be so gret.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[7] And locustus semen as it weren hors that weren dight to baitaile and on her heides thai han corounes that semen as it were gold, and her faces as mennes faces. [8] And thei shulen han here as it were of a woman, and her teeth as of a leoun [9] and haburiounes as it [fol. 214v] were of yren, and the wois of here wengis as the vois of chares of manye hors that rennen into bataile. [10] And thei shulen han tailis as the scorpion and scharpe prikis in her tailis, and her myghte is to greven the folk fyve monethes. And thei han [11] a kynge overe hem, the aungele of the pit to whome the name in Ebrewe is Abadoun, in Greke Apollion, in Latyn Exterminans.

prose-textblock4[12] And thane passith o wo, and yit comen two woes.

Glose:

prose-textblock5By the hors dight to batayle is bitokened the pridde and the cruelté that ben in Anticristis prophetis. Bi the corownes that semen as it were gold and that thei that hadden faces as it were of men, that is bitokened two manere of ypocrisye, on his in herte techyng, another in her lyvynge. And that thai han heris as it were a womman bitokeneth that thai ben nesche and light to turne to evel. Bi the teeth as a leoun is bitokened her bileve. Bi the habiriounes as it wern of iren is bitokened the hard hertis that thai han agen sothefastnesse. Bi the soun of her wengis is bitokened the gret pride that thai haven of her science. That thai haven the tailis as of the scorpion ben bitokened worldly thingis that thei haven.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[13] And the sixte aungele blewe his trumpe, and I herde a vois of the foure corneres of the auter of gold that is bifore Goddis eyen [14] that seide to the sext aungele, “Unbynde the foure aungelis that ben boundunn in the flood of Eufraten.” [15] And the foure aungelis ben unboundunn that were redi to sleen the thride part of men, and bi an oure and bi a day and bi a moneth and bi a yeer. [16] And I saugh many thousande knyghtis on hors, and I herde her noumbre, twenti thousende sithis ten thousende.

prose-textblock7[17] And thei hade haburiounes of fire and of jacinit and of brenneston, and the hedes of the hors weren as hedis of leonnes, and out of her mouthe camen fire and smoke and brunstoun [18] thurgh whiche the thride part of men weren slaun. [19] For the myght of hors is in her mouthes, and in her taylis that semen neddris.

Glose:

prose-textblock8The auter of gold bitokeneth the flesche of Jhesu Crist. Bi the foure corneris bitokeneth the foure gospelleris that drowen of foure thingis oure savacioun: the Nativité of oure Lord, the Passioun, the Resureccioun, the Assencioun. And the foure aungelis that ben in the gret flode of Eufrate that the voice bad unbynden bitokeneth the princes on foure half the world. The undoynge is the suffraunce that oure Lord suffreth hem to mysdon that tyme. [fol. 215r] For aforhonde shulen preche priveli, and after thei wiln putten hem forth apertli agen holi chirche. The hors bitokeneth the tirauntis of this world, the knyghtis the eretikis that maken the other to mysdoun thurgh her techynge. Bi the fire that cam out of the hors mouthis ben bitokened coveitise to whiche turneth of prechynge of eretikis. Bi the smok is pride bitokened, bi the brunstoun lecherie. Bi these foure synnes be corumpid a gret hep of the folk in this world, that is to seie eresie, coveitise, pride, and lecherie. That the myght of the hors ben in ther mouthis and in her tailis ben bitokened that thourgh false techyng and wike werkis and thourgh evel exsaumple, thei gilen the other.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[20] And these other men that ben not slayn in these woundis and that takith not penaunce of the werkis of her hondis, and that thei honored not the devel ne ymagerie of gold ne of silver ne of bras ne of ston ne of trees that mow not seen ne heren ne goun, [21] ne takenn no penaunce of ther mensleyngis ne of her venym doyngis ne of her fornicaciouns ne of her thiftis.

Chapter 10

prose-textblock1[1] And I sawe another aungele comende doun fro heven covered with a cloude and the bow of heven in his hede and his face was as the sune and his feet as pilerers of fire [2] and hade in his hond a book open and sette his right foot on the see and his lifte foot on the erthe [3] and cried with gret vois as a leoun whan he roreth. And to his crie spaken seven thundris her voisses. [4] And I herde a vois of heven that seide to me, “Marke the wordis of the seven thundres and writ hem not.”

Glose:

prose-textblock2The aungele comende doun fro heven bitokeneth Goddis Sone that lowed hym to the kynde of mann. The cloude bitokeneth the flesch that he tok of oure ladi Marie. The aungele bitokeneth the acorde and the byndynge bitwene God and mann. Bi the face ben bitokened goode menn of religioun that ben likened to hym in hardinesse of lif. Thei ben as the sunne for thei lightenn the othere thurgh goode exsaumple. Bi the feet ben bitokenede the good prechoures that gon fro o place to anothere to prechen the bileve. Thei ben pilerers of fire and thei owen to susteyne the feble and undirnymmyn the colde and heten hem with fier of love. That he had a book in his honde bitokeneth that he seith in the gospel, “I am not come to brek the law, but I am [fol. 215v] comen to fulfillen it.” That the book was open bitokeneth that he openeth holi writte thurgh his comynge and gaf understondynge to his chosene. Bi the see is understonden hethen men, bi the erthe the Jewis. To turne to bileve the hethen men, he sente his stronge prechours, that is bitokened bi the right foot, and to the Jewis the febled, and that is bitokened the lift fott. And that he cried as a leoun when he roreth bitokeneth that thurgh his prechynge he holdith hise in here bileve, that thai dure, not gon out. Bi the seven thundris that answerden to his crie, here voises bitokenede the goode prechours in holi chirche after apostils. That the vois saide that he shuld heele that the thundris spaken and that he write hem not is bitokened that at the commyng of Anticrist, the prechynge of the gospel shal sesen.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[5] And the aungele that I soo saugh stonde on the see and on the erthe liftid up his honde in to hevene [6] and swor bi hym that liveth withouten ende that made hevene and erthe and see and alle thingis that therinne ben that tyme shal last no lenger. [7] But to the tyme of the seven aungele whane he schale bigyne to blawe shal be endide the privetis of God, as he has prechid bi his holi prophetis and his servantis.

prose-textblock4[8] And the vois that I herde fro heven eft spak to me and seide, “Go and take the book that is open of the aungelis hond that stant on the see and on the erthe.”

prose-textblock5[9] And I wente to the aungele and bad hym take me the book. And he seide to me, “Tak and swelewe it in, and it shal maak thi wombe bitter, but in thi mouthe it shal be swete as hony.” [10] And I tooke the book of the aungelis hond and swelewed it in, and it was swet in my mouthe as hony and in my wombe bitter.

Glose:

prose-textblock6Bi the liftyng up of the aungelis honde is bitokened the upstiyng of oure Lord. Bi that that he swore that the world shulden lasten no lenger and the privetés of Gode schulden ben endide bihotith the stedfast bileve of glorie that oure Lord gyveth to hem that ben in persecucioun of Anticrist. The book open that the aungele held in his honde bitokeneth hem that desiren the understondynge of holi write and taken it God comaundith hem that thei do it in werke. That the book was maad [fol. 216r] swete in his mouthe and bitter in his wombe bitokeneth that Goddes word is plesant to man to hern it and prechen it, but it is ful herd to doon in werk.

Chapter 11

prose-textblock1[10:11] And also the aungele seide to me, “Thou most prechen to manye diverce folkis and to many kyngis.”

prose-textblock2[11:1] And he gaf me a reed that semed as it were a yerde and seide to me, “Dight thee and mete the temple and the autere and hem that honoren therinne. [2] The porche that is withouten the temple, cast it oute. Mete it not, for it is gove to misbilevende that shal defoulen the holi citee two and fourti monethis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock3Bi the reed that semed as it were a yerde is bitokenede holi writ, bi the yerde chastisynge of flesche that thai owen to haven that knouen holi writ and prechynge as the apostille Seynt Poule seith, “I chastise my bodi and make it soget to my soule, lest happeli whan I preche to othere I be maad reprevable.” That he bad hym risen to mete the temple bitokeneth that the prechours owen to drawen hem to goode werkis and prechen to othere after that thei mowen undirstonde and joynen hem penance after that thei mowen bere. Bi the porche withoute the temple is understonden bi fals Cristen men to whom men owen not to prechen of the comyng of Anticrist but puten hem out thurgh techynge. That thei misbilevende shulen han myght to defoulen the citee two and fourti monethis bitokeneth that Antecrist shal han power to defoulen holi chirche with manye percecuciouns three yere and an half, that is the tyme that is tolde biforn. Bi an houre, that is bitokened bi half a yere, and bi a day a yere, by a moneth a yere, and by a yer a yeer. And that shale be sette biforn bi two tymes and half a tyme.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[3] “And I shale gyve to my two witnessis, and thei shulen prechen bi a thousende dayes too hundrid and sixti, covered with sackis.” [4] Thes ben two olyves and two candilstikis stonden in the sighte of the Lorde of erthe. [5] And who that wile noien hem, fire shal come out of hir mowthis and shal devoren her enmyes. And who that wil do them harm, the fire of her mouthe shal slen hem. [6] Thei han power to close hevene that it reyne not in the dayes of her prophecie, and thai han powers on watres to turnen hem into blod and to smyte the erthe with eche wounde hou often thei wiln.

Glose:

prose-textblock5These two witnessis ben Enok and Elie that bitokeneth prechours to whom oure Lord sendith his grace and monestith that thei faile not in so litil [fol. 216v] wo whan thei duren in so great persecucioun. That thei weren covered with sackis bitokenen that prechours and prelatis owen to gyven othere exsaumple to do penance. That thei ben two olyves bitokeneth that thei shul be ful of merci. That thei ben candilstikis schynynge bitokeneth that thei shulen lighten the othere thourgh holi techynge and thourgh good ensaumple. That thei ben stondende bitokeneth that thei shul not taken of ertheli thingis but for her sustinaunce, as the apostile Seynt Poule seith, “If that we han that we may be feed with and hilid, be we paied with that.” That the fiere shal comen out at her mouthis and devoren her enmyes bitokeneth that thei shulen fighten with gostli swerd that is Goddis word that is fire, not thurgh erthli myght. Bi the reyn of heven bitokeneth the manas of the proude mighti that good prechours han myghte to closen that thei be not drede. Bi the watres ben bitokened the lecherous that the goode prechours turnen into blood whan thei maken hem to ben aknowe ther filthis. Bi the erthe is bitokened coveitise that the godd prechours smyten with alle woundis whan thei doun hem forsake the yvel and suffren alle manere mysese for the love of God.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[7] And whan thei han endide her witnesse, the best that cometh up of the depnesse shal fighte with hem and overecomen hem and shal sleen hem. [8] And her bodies shulen lyn in the gret citee that is gosteli clepid Sodom and Egipte, there that here Lorde was don on the rood. [9] And men shul seen her bodies aboven erthe three dayes and an half. And thei shul not suffre that thei be leide in erthe. [10] And thei that wonen in erthe shulen joien and gladen of hem and senden giftis the oen to the othere, for these two prophetis turmentiden hem that wonen in erthe.

prose-textblock7[11] And after thes thre dayes, the gost of lyf shul entre onto hem thurgh God, and thei shul stonden on her fete, and alle that shulen seen this shulen han gret drede [12] and shulen heren a gret vois fro hevene that shalle seiye to hem, “Cometh up hider.” And thei shulen weenden up in a clowde, and her enmyes shul seen hem.

prose-textblock8[13] And in that tyme shal be maad a gret erthe movynge, and the tenthe part of the citee shal fallen, and ther ben slayn in erthe stirynge the names of men seven thousende. And the othere be sent into drede and gyven heryinge to God of heven.

prose-textblock9[14] And than endith the tother wo, and the thride wo shul come sone.

Glose:

prose-textblock10Bi the [fol. 217r] best that came out of the pit bitokeneth Anticrist that shal come agen Enoc and Elie and shal slen hem, and it bitokeneth the fend that cometh up thurgh her hertis that ben derk thurgh synne agen Goddis folk that doun hem harme in ertheli thingis as he dide Job. The grete citee bitokeneth the world that is cleped Sodom gosteli, that is an othere to herien God, and Egipt that is a derknesse, that is that hath no knowing of God. The bodies of Elie and Enok shul be seen lyynge in stretis dead, that bitokeneth that the folk of the world shulen ben agast of the advercitees and angwische that Goddis halowis shulen suffren. But that is wronge, for the Lord of halewis was turmentid and doun on the roode. That thai suffreden not to birien the bodies bitokeneth that the folk han no remembraunce of the holi that han ben. And that thei gladeden of her deeth and thei senten eche to othere bitokeneth that ech gladeth whan thei seen worldly goodis fallen fro a gud man that was wont to chastise hem of her wickednesse, and seyn the oon to the othere, “Now we ben vengid of this papelard.” That the gost of lif schal entre into hem bitokeneth that thai dieden for the love of God shale risse to blisse. That thai stoden on her fete bitokened the stedfastnesse that thei have, that no man may don hem harm. That thei wenten up in a cloude bitokeneth that the flesche is glorifiede. The stirynge of the erthe bitokeneth the grete drede that the tirauntis shulen han that turmenten hem in this lyf. That the tenthe part of the citee fel bitokeneth the dampnacioun of hem that weren asignede as clerkis and prelatis in the world that be slayn. The stirynge of the erthe bitokeneth the simple folk that ben lorn thurgh these othere. That thes othere ben aferd and yelden glorie to God bitokeneth that echoon schulen be chastised bi the other and don her penaunce mekeli.

Texte:

prose-textblock11[15] And the seventh aungele blew his trumpe and made his gret cry in heven that seide, “Made is the rynge of this world oure Lord and Jhesu Cristis his Sone. He shale rynge withouten hende.”

prose-textblock12[16] And the foure and twenti olde that sitten on seges biforn Godis face fellen and honoureden hym and seiden, [17] “We yelden grace to thee, oure Lord God almyghti, that art and shal ben and hast resseyved vertu and hast regned. [18] And the folk ben wroththe, and thi wraththe is comen and thi tyme to jugen the deade and yelde mede to [fol. 217v] thin halewis, prophetis, and other that dreden thi name, litil and mochel, and distroyen that filen the erthe.”

Glose:

prose-textblock13The grete vois in hevene bitokeneth the gret joye that holi chirche shal han aftir Anticrist is fordoun, of the pees than that schal be gove to hir. Bi the foure and twenti grete ben bitokened the prelatis of holi chirche. That thei fellen on knees and worschipiden God bitokeneth that thei lowen hem to do penaunce in this lif and thankeden God of the goodis that he hath geve hem and that he hath deliverid hem of her enmys.

Chapter 12

prose-textblock1[11:19] And the temple of God in hevene is opene and whicche of his testament is comen into his temple, and lettingis ben maade and voises and thundres and erthe movynge and haile.

prose-textblock2[12:1] And a greet tokene in hevene aperide, a womman coverede with the sunne and the moone undir hire fete and on hire hede a coroune with many sterris, [2] and grete with childe, and cried and was turmentid in childe berynge.

Glose:

prose-textblock3The hevene bitokeneth holi chirche. The temple of God bitokeneth the Holi Gost that aperede in holi chirche, thurgh whiche the privetés of God ben schewede. The whicche of his testament bitokeneth Jhesu Crist, thurgh whiche his hestis ben feld. The lightnynge bitokeneth his miraclis. The vois bitokeneth the predicaciouns, the stirynge of erthe tribulaciouns that oft comen and gon. The woman bitokeneth holi chirche that is clade with Jhesu Crist that is the sunne thourgh his grace. Bi the moone that is under hir fete bitokeneth ertheli thingis wherwith holi chirche owith to be susteyned in this dedeli lyf and owith not coveiten, the twelve sterres tho holi soulis that ben wonnen thourgh apostlis, and the heed of holi chirche is Jhesu Crist. The seed that sche was gret with bitokeneth Goddis word. The angwische that sche had to beren childe bitokeneth the scharpnesse of lif that the holi prechours hadden to converten othere. The crie bitokeneth prechynge.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[3] And anothere token is seen in heven, a grete dragoun reed that hadde seven hedis and ten hornes. [4] And his taile drow doun the thride part of the sterris of heven and hadde hem into the erthe. And the dragoun stode biforn the womman that shuld childen to devoren hir childe whan it was borun. [5] And sche childide a knave childe that was to governe alle men in yerde of iren. And [fol. 218r] hir childe is ravyschide to God and to his trone. [6] And the womman fleigh into desert. There sche had a sted dighte of God. Ther men shal feden hir a thousande and two hundride and sexti dayes.

Glose:

prose-textblock5The dragon bitokeneth the fend that is of gret power and is reed thurgh slaughter. Bi the seven hedis ben bitokened seven tirauntis thourgh whiche he wirkith that ben the seven hed synnes, the ten hornes the richesse of the world wherwith the princis putten doun the Ten Comaundementis. Bi the taile that drowgh doun the thride part of the sterris of heven bitokeneth leccherie, thurgh whiche he makith miche folk to be lorun. That he sendith hem to the erthe bitokeneth that he settith coveitise to meynteynen lecherie. That the dragon stode bifore the womman to devoren hir childe bitokeneth that the devele is ever redi and waytith to devoren childer thourgh synne whan thei ben borun thurgh baptem. The knave child bitokeneth Jhesu Crist that is borun of holi chirche for that he governeth the folk with right and is ravyschide to God his Fadir at his upstiynge. That the womman flede into desert bitokeneth that holi chirche departith hir fro delites of this world and the noise into life of penaunce, and there fedith God gostli with brede as many dayes as amounten thre yeer and an half that Anticrist regneth. That is alle the dayes of this lif, for so long the devele hath power to greven mann.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[7] And a grete bataile is maade in hevene, and Michael and his aungelis foughten with the dragoun. [8] And the dragon and his aungelis myghten not agenstonden hym, and thei shule never more be seen in hevene. [9] And this grete dragoun, the olde eddre that is cleped the devel and Sathanas that disceyveth alle the world, is caste into the erthe, and his aungelis ben sent with hym.

prose-textblock7[10] And I herde a grete vois of hevene that seide, “Now is helthe and vertu and kyngdam of oure God and myght of Jhesu Crist. And the accuseris of oure bretheren ben cast doun that accuseden hem bifore Goddis face day and nyght. [11] And thei overcamen hem thurgh the blode of the Lombe and thourgh the word of his witnesse. Thei han not lovede her soulis unto the deeth. [12] Therfor glade yee, hevenes and that wonen in hem, and wo to the erthe and see, for the devel is comen doun to you with gret wraththe and wot that he hath littil tyme.”

Glose:

prose-textblock8That the grete bataile is doun in heven agene the grete dragon bitokeneth that whanne the feende asaylith [fol. 218v] holi chirche, Goddis aungelis comen fro heven doun to helpen us and overcomen hym. That the dragon is cast into erthe and his aungelis with hym bitokeneth that whane the devele temptith holi men in holi chirche and wendith awey overcomen for that thei ben amendid thourgh her temptaciouns, that he asaileth men and wymen that han sette to her hertis in erthli thingis. He asaileth hem the harder and the scharplyer for that he is agreved that he is overcomen. The gret vois in hevene is the joyes and the graces that holi chirche yeldith to God whan the fende is overcomen and his temptaciouns thourgh meknesse. And that greved the feend, for he is overcomen thourgh the Passioun of Jhesu Crist and thurgh the bileve and thourgh penaunce. That the vois seide that the devele was come doun with gret wraththe that he hath litil tyme bitokeneth that ech old man and woman owith strongli to kepen hem, for the ner that thei neighen ther deeth, the more he agreveth the fende and the more is aboute to encombren hem with synne. For than hath he beste tyme, for his tyme is schortest.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[13] And whane the dragoun saugh that he was cast into the erthe, he pursued the woman that bare the knave childe. [14] To the woman is geven two wingis of an eclee to fleen into desert into hir stede, there sche is noreschide bi a tyme fro the face of a serpent. [15] And out of his mouthe the serpent sent a water as it were a flode after the woman to maken hir bytraped of the flode. [16] And erthe halpe the woman and opened his mouthe and swelewide the flod that the dragoun sent out at his mouthe. [17] And the dragoun was wrothe to the woman and wente and faughte with hir kynde that kepten Godis comaundementis and han witnesse of Jhesu Crist, [18] and stode hymself on the gravele of the see.

Glose:

prose-textblock10That the dragoun faught with the woman after he was cast into erthe bitokeneth thowgh the fende be ones overcomen, he lettith not to asailen another tyme. Bi the two wenges of the egle that ben gove to the womman bitokeneth the two lawis thourgh whiche techyng holi chirche doith penaunce and put hir fer fro the serpent, cast out at his mouthe after the woman resceyvede in holi chirche. That the erthe opened bitokeneth holi men that ben in erthe thourgh holinesse and stedfastnesse and priers fordon the tribulaciouns that the fende sendith sumtyme in holi chirche, that he may not distroien hir bi tribulacioun. [fol. 219r] That the erthe opened, that ben the coveitous that swelewen the richesse that the good men of holi chirche leten and lyven in povert and given to kepe to hem. That the dragoun wrathe to the woman and goth and fightith with othere of hir kynde bitokeneth that I seide biforn: whan he asailith goode men of high lif and thei agenstonden hym, that he goith to men of lower lyf and temptith hem the harder that ben in the bileve of Jhesu Crist. And kepen hem out of deadli synne and hem overcometh he not, but oneli hym that ben ydil in goode werkis. That is bitokened that he restith on the gravele of the see.

Chapter 13

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh a best comynge out of the see that had sevene hedis and ten hornesse and on the ten hornes ten diademes, and on his hedis names of blasfemye. [2] And the best was like to a liberde and hadde feete as a bere and mouthe as a leoun. And the dragoun gaf hym his power and his vertu and his gret myght.

Glose:

prose-textblock2That the best came out of the see bitokeneth that the fende takith felaschipe of the princes of the world, and with hem he strengthith his bataile agen holi chirche, that is goode Cristen men. Bi that that the best semede as a liberde of divers colours bitokeneth the eretikis and ypocritis that ben of divers undirstondingis in her errours and in her wikidnesse and semen goode withouten. Bi the feet as a bere bitokeneth these ravenours. Bi the mouthe as a lyoun bitokeneth the manaces of proude men and myghti. That the dragoun gaf the best his vertu and his grete power bitokeneth that the fend shal putten in Anticrist and in his discipils as myche evel as he may to noyen othere. And hym is geven power two and fourti monethis.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[3] And I sawe oen of the hedis of the best as it were slayn, and the heede deede was helid and all the othere wondreden and foloweden the best [4] and worschippiden hym and the dragoun, for he gave suche power to the best, and seiden, “Who is liyk to the best? And who myght fighten with hym?”

prose-textblock4[5] And hym is goven leve to speken loude and to gyve blas|femy [fol. 219v], and power is gove to hym to doon evel two and fourty monethis. [6] And the best opened his mouthe into blasfemyes agen God to blasfemen his name and his tabernacle and hem that wonen in hevene. [7] And hym is goven leve to do bataile with the holi and overecomen hem. And hym is goven power in alle kyndis and in alle langages of men. [8] And alle that wonen in erthe shulen honoren hym, whiche that the names ben not written in the book of lyf of the Lomb that is slayn fro the bigynnynge of the world.

prose-textblock5[9] He that hath eres, here. [10] He that ledith into caitifté, into caitifté shal go. He that with swerd sleith mot be slayn with swerd.

Glose:

prose-textblock6The best that semede deede and slayn bitokeneth Anticrist that shal feynen hym as he were deede and shal comen agene the thridde day to lyf and thourgh that many folk schullen bileven that he is God and shulen honouren hym and the feend in hym. That hym is gove leve to speke loude bitokeneth that he schal seyn that he is God and thourgh enchauntement he schal make that the develis ber hym up into the sky as if he went up to hevene. That hym is gove leve to do bataile with the holi and overcome hem bitokeneth that oure Lord gave hym leve to tormenten the bodi of holi men and wymmen in his tyme to heghen her soules. As it is written in Job, “The erthe is goven into the hondis of the unpitous.” That thei that wonen in the erthe schullen ben obedient to hym, that bitokeneth hem that ben gyven to myche to worldli richesse. That her names ben nought writen in the book of lyf bitokeneth that thei coumforten hem not in the cros. That the Lomb is slayn fro gynnynge of the world bitokeneth that oure Lord and his chosen weren tormentid from the gynnynge of the world, as in Abel the first man that was sclaynn. That he biddith us that we drede no bodili peyne ne geve noon evel ensaumple to other, for evel doeris shulen han peyne, and thei that suffren peyne and tormentis and persecuciouns in pacience [fol. 220r], thei schullen han heigh coroun for here stedfast bileve and suffrance.

Texte:

prose-textblock7[11] And I saugh anothere best comynge out of the erthe and hadde two hornes as it were of the Lomb, and spak as the dragoun, [12] and dide al the myght of the tother best that was helid of the wounde of deth, [13] and dide manye miraclis, and dide the fier come doun fro hevene into erthe that alle men myghte seen, [14] and disceyvede hem that weren in erthe for the miracles that hym is gove leeve to doun in the sighte of the beste, and seide to hem that woneden on erthe that thei maden a ymage of the best that hath the wounde with the swerd and liveth. [15] And to the ymage of the best he gaf a spirit and made hym to speken, and bad that alle that honoureden not that best shulden be slayn. [16] Litil and myche, riche and pore, free and bonde, he comaundide that alle schulden han the marke of the best in the right honde or in the forhede, [17] and no man myght bien or sellen but if he hade the marke of the best or his name or the noumbre of his name.

prose-textblock8[18] Heer is wisdam. Whoso kan undirstonden, telle he the name of the best, for the noumbre of man is and his noumbre is vic, lx, and vi.

Glose:

prose-textblock9Bi the best that cam out of the erthe ben bitokened the techyng of Antecristes disciplis that given hem to prechyng for ertheli goodis. That he had two hornes bitokeneth the two lawis of God that thei schulen falsli han, either it bitokeneth clene lyf and rightful techinge that thei shuld do men to understonden that thei han and han it not. That he spak also as the dragoun bitokeneth that her prechinge schal be to disceyven othere as the serpent disceyved Eve. That he dide fier fallen into the erthe among folk bitokeneth that thei shulen do men to understonde that the Holi Gost descendith in hem in the liknesse of fier as it dide in Jhesu Cristis discipils. But thei schulen doon it openli, and Jhesu Cristis discipils diden it priveli. And bi these wonynge in erthe is bitokened these men and wymmen that setten her hertis in ertheli thingis. Bi the ymage of the best is bitokened the [fol. 220v] false profetis that doon bi the counseils and the enticementis of hem that seken erthli thingis. That he gyveth power to the best to speke bitokeneth the power that thei han to misdoun thourgh encheson of her dignité. That thei ben slayn that wolen not onouren his ymage bitokeneth that thei schulen cursen hem that wolen not consenten to the fals prelatis and wickid. That the beste dide marken alle in hir ryght hond or forhede bitokeneth that alle shulen folowen Anticrist and now gyven hem to his prelatis that doone her synne of leccherie priveli, and thane han thei his mark in her hond and afterward openli. And thane thei han the marke in the forhede and than shal no mann speken of God. That no man may bien no sellen but if he have the marke or the name of the best bitokeneth that noon schal han power in holi chirche to gyve londis ne rentis ne resceyve but yif he have the marke of his kynrede, that is to seie that he be comen of gret kynrede or that he be in gret lordis servyse or that he be come therto thurgh symonye or he go to the ordre to han bodili delites. Alle these ben Anticristis discipils and his ypocritis and eretikis. That he seith the noumbre of his name of sixe hundrid sixti and sixe bitokeneth also as it doth Godis Sone and his comynge to saven us, that was and is verrey light that lighteth alle that wolen bileven in hym thourgh his grace. Ryght so the sone of perdicioun whan he schal come to disceyven the folk and leden hem to perdicioun shal be cleped light falsli for the vertu that he shal do and for the ensaumplis that he shal gyven. The noumbre of his name: D bitokeneth fyve hundrid, C an hundrid, L fifti, X ten, V fyve, I on. And do the I bitwene D and the C, thane is it dic. And the V betwene the L and the X, and thane is it lux, that is “to sei light,” for Anticrist shal falsli bi clepid light, as Jhesu Crist is clepid sothfast light.

Chapter 14

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh a Lomb stondynge on the mount of Syon and with hym an hundrid and fourti [fol. 221r] and foure thousand that han the name of the Lombe and the name of his Fader writen in her forhedes. [2] And I herd a voice of hevene as it were the vois of manye watris and as gret thundre, and that vois that I herde was as of harperis harpynge in her harpis, [3] sungen as it were a newe song biforn the sege and the foure bestis and the foure and twenti gret. And noon myghte seyn that ilke song but the hundrid and foure and fourti thousand that ben bought fro the erthe. [4] Tho ben thei that ben not defoulid with wymmen; thei ben virginis. Thei folowen the Lomb there that he goth. [5] And lesyng is not founden in her mouthis, and thei ben withoute wem biforun the trone.

Glose:

prose-textblock2By the Lomb is bitokened Jhesu Crist that is sacrified for us. By the mount Sion is bitokened holi chirch to whiche the Lomb cam to his body. Bi the hundrid and foure and fourti thousand that hadden the name of the Lomb and the name of his Fader in her forhedes ben bitokened the holi men and wymmen that ben in holi lyf that stedefastlyche holden the bileve of the Resureccioun and of the Trynité and meynteynnen it ageyn the tirauntis in this world. By the vois of many watris is bitokened hem that wepen her synnes in this lyf thourgh verré repentaunce. The vois of gret thundir is bitokened hem that dreden God and the vois of the manas of the jugement in this lyf and letten to doun evele for drede of God. The vois of hem that harpen bitokenen hem that loven God sweteli in this lyf, and to comen to his love thei setten hem in penance of the goode men of religioun. The song that thei songen bitokeneth the joyis of paradis that evere is newe and fresch. That noon may syngen it but thei that ben take fro the erthe bitokeneth that noon hath delit but thei that hopen in the Passioun of Jhesu Crist oure Lord. That thei ben not filid with womman bitokeneth that thei han noon delit in fleschli filthis ne of the world. That thei folewen the Lomb bitokeneth that thei conformen her lyf to Jhesu Cristis lyf here in erthe. That no lesyng was founden in her mouthis [fol. 221v] bitokeneth that thei usiden aright her tungis and taughten wel her neighboris thorough good techyng and thorough good ensaumple. That thei ben without wemme bifore the trone bitokeneth that thei ben clene in concience and also in clene lyf.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[6] And I sawgh another aungel fliynge in the middil of hevene that hath the gospel that alwey schal laste and preche to hem that sitten on the erthe and to alle folk and linage and langage and puple, [7] and seide to hem with gret cri, “Anourith oure God and worschipith hym and dredith hym, for the tyme of his jugement cometh. And honourith hym that made hevene and erthe, see and alle thingis that ben in hem and the wellis of watris.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4Bi that othere aungel that fligh thorough hevene ben bitokened the goode prechours that thorough the wyngis of good techyng and wel worchyng bien hier than othere in holi chirche and goun frome place to place to preche Goddis word for to come to the lyf that evere shal laste to alle men, and to love God and drede hym and leten alle yvelis for his love, and worschip hym with gud lyf.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[8] And anothere aungel folewide hym and seide, “Fallen is Babiloyne the greet citee that maade alle men drunken of the welle of wraththe of his leccherie.”

prose-textblock6[9] And the thride aungel folewide the tother and seide with gret crie, “Alle that onouren the beste and his ymage and resseiveth his mark in her hond ether in her forhede, [10] thei schulen drynk of the wyn of Goddis wraththe that is meyned with clere wynn in the cuppe of his wraththe and shal be turmentid with fier and with brymstoun bifore the aungele and bifore the Lomb. [11] The smok of her turment shal encreesse withouten ende. And thei schulen have no rest dai ne nyght that anourith the beest and his ymage and taken his merk.” [12] This is the pacience of holi chirche, that keppen Goddis comaundementis and the feith of Jhesu.

Glose:

prose-textblock7Bi the secounde aungele that seide, “Fallen is Babiloyne” bitokeneth that the prechours warnen holi chirche and seien that to the folk of the world that is bitokened bi Babiloyne schulen falle in dampnacioun of bodies and of soulis for her synnes that thei doun and thorough yvel ensaumple that thei given, wherthorough thei maken [fol. 222r] the tother drunken. That the thridde aungele seide with greet vois that alle that onouren the beste and his ymage and alle that resseyven his mark in the hond ether in the forhedes, that thei schulen drynke of the wraththe of God, bitokeneth that alle that ben drawun to the fals techyng of Anticrist and conformith hym to the vices of his discipils, tho ben the false profetis and false clerkis that ben proud and coveitouse and leccherouse and losengouris, thei schulen drynk of the troble drynke of helle. And for the delite that thei haven here, thei schulen have the fier of helle for her brennyng coveitise that thei han here, and the stynk of helle for her lecherie that thei delitten hem inne that schal last withouten ende.

Texte:

prose-textblock8[13] And I herde a vois fro hevene that seide to me, “Writ thou: thei that dien in oure Lord ben blissid for this tyme forth now, seith the Spirit, that thei resten of her travels, for the werkes of hem suen hem.”

Glose:

prose-textblock9That the vois seith tho that dien in oure Lord ben blissid bitokeneth the soulis of the sothfast Cristen men that dien in sothfast schrift and sorewe of herte thorough deth comen to rest right so in hooli chirche. Thei that suffren tribulaciouns, sorewis, and angwischis, thei han gret joies in here hertis. But be thei war her of ther ben manye that gon froward God thorough tribulaciouns that thei han. And that her werkis schal folowe hem bitokeneth that oure swete Lord gyveth gretter blis than thei may disserve.

Texte:

prose-textblock10[14] And I saugh a whiyt ski, and upon that cloude I saugh the maidenes sone Marie and hadde on his heede a coroun of gold and in his hond a scharp sikil. [15] And another aungele came out of the temple and cried with greet cri to hym that sat upon the cloude, “Sette thi sikil on the corn, for the tyme of repyng is comen. For the corun of the erthe is ripe.” [16] And he that sat upon the cloude sette his sikil on the erthe and rape the erthe.

Glose:

prose-textblock11The whiyt cloude bitokeneth the clene fleisch of Jhesu Crist, either it bitokeneth the hooli whiche he restith hym inne and jugen with hym. Bi the coroun of gold is bitokened the kunnyng of God bi which he overcam the devel. Bi the scharp sikil is bitokened the jugement that is kervynge. Bi that other aungel ben bitokened tho men and [fol. 222v] wymmen. That thei wenten out of the temple bitokeneth that thei schulen take her blis. That thai weren holdun litil bi in this world and unworthi bitokeneth that thei desiren the cumpeny of holi men and wymmen that ben in erthe and acorden to the rightwisnesse of God. That the corn is alle ripe bitokeneth that the creuelté and malice of wickid men and wymmen is highed fer ynow. That he settith his sikil in the erthe bitokeneth that oure Lord at the jugement schal depart the gode fro the yvele, and that is the corun that he schal do in his berne, that is in blisse with hym. And thei that gyven hem stidfastli rotid in ertheli thingis schulen be pullid up bi the rootis and cast into fier to brenne.

Texte:

prose-textblock12[17] Another aungel came out of the temple that is in hevene, and he hath a scharp sikil. [18] And another aungele came out of the auter and hath power over fier and water, and cried with a greet crie to hym that hath the sikil, “Kit up the grapis of the vyn of the erthe, for thei ben ripe.” [19] And the aungel sette his sikil in the erthe and karf up the vynes of the erthe and leide hem in the grete diche of the wraththe of God [20] and ben defoulid out of that citee. And there came out blood of the lakes to the bridil of horsis.

Glose:

prose-textblock13That othere aungele that hadde the scharp sikil as that othere first aungele bitokeneth that the holi seyntis schulen juge with oure Lord. Bi that othere aungel that came out of the auter and hath power over fier and watir ben bitokened the hegheste seyntis as the postils and martris and confessouris that maden sacrifice of her bodies and hadden power for to bynde and unbynde. Bi the vyne, that bitokeneth hem that ben highe in kunnyng in holi chirche, bi the erth the symple puple. That he bad kerve up the vynes bitokeneth that men schal departe the wickid fro the good at the jugement and don hem to the greet pit of helle. The defoilyng bitokeneth the gret paynes and the gret schame that thei schulen have that han taken high digneté and gyven her hertis to ertheli thingis and to wickid delite. That he seith oute of the citee bitokeneth that it is not peyne of Purgatorie, for it is evermore lastinge. That the blod came out of the lake to the bridil [fol. 223r] of horsis bitokeneth that the peynes and the sorewis schulen stie up to hevene of hem that schulden kepe here othere that ben her princes and grete prelatis, and othere that han cure of soulis, and that is the thousynde pas and sixe hundrid.

Chapter 15

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh anothere tokene in hevene gret and wondurful: sevene aungels that han the sevene wondis, the sevene last in whiche the wraththe of God is endide. [2] And aftir I saugh a see cleer as glas mengid with fier. And thei that hadden overcome that beste and his ymage and the noumbre of his name stonden upon the see cleer as glas, and hadden harpes of gold [3] and sungen the song of Moises, Goddis servant, and sungen it to the Lomb and seiden, “Lord God almyghtful, thi werkes ben grete and wondurful. And Lord and kyng of alle the world, thi weies ben rightful and sothfast. [4] Who is it that ne shal drede thee and herien thi name? For thou oneli art ful of pité, and therfor alle folk schulen come and onouren thee, for thi jugementis ben openli don.”

Glose:

prose-textblock2Bi the seven aungelis bitokeneth the sevene prechours of the bileve that schal dampne hem that wolden not resseyve it. The see is clere as glass bitokeneth the baptym there the synnes ben waischen. In that it is mengid with fier bitokeneth the grace of the Holi Gost. That thei hadden overcome the beste and his ymage and the noumbre of his name bitokeneth that thei that overcomen the temptaciouns of the world and of Anticrist and of the fend, thei schulen resseyve the innocence of baptym thorough sothefast penaunce that is bitokened bi the harpis, and for to kepe the Old Testament and the Newe, and that is the syngyng of the song that Moises song and of the Lomb that thei gladiden. That the werkis of oure Lord ben gret and wondurful bitokeneth that thei schulen understonde parfitli of his makyng that ben wondurful. And that thei seiden that hise weies ben rightful and suthfast bitokeneth that thei schulen undirstonde that thei ben saved thorough sothfast bileve and thorough kepynge of his comaunde|mentis [fol. 223v] in right lyf. Bi that he seith that ther is noon that ne aughte drede the Lord bitokeneth that thei ne dreden not God, as on the oon half. To beren hym reverence, it schal turne to the halewen into withouten ende in the love that thei have in hym. That thei seiden he oneli is merciable bitokeneth that thei schulen felen that oure Lord of his gret grace yeldith more meede in blisse and lesse peyne than a man hath deserved, and therfore alle folkis schulen honouren hym.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[5] And after I saugh the temple open in hevene. [6] And sevene aungelis wenten out that hadden the sevene woundes and clad in a clene stone and whit, and weren girden in girdelis of gold. [7] And oon of the foure bestis gaf to the sevene aungelis sevene violis of gold ful of Goddis wrathtthe, lyvynge withouten ende. [8] And the temple is fulfillide of the smoke of the magesté of God and of his vertu, and noon may entre into his temple til the sevene woundis of the sevene aungelis been endide.

Glose:

prose-textblock4The openyng of the temple bitokeneth the privetés of holi chirche that been schewed thourgh the prechoures that ben went out to alle londis. The clothing of the stoon clene and whit bitokneth the clannesse of herte and the vertu that thei han to suffren evel. The girdyng of the girdil of gold bitokeneth the wisdam of God that thei han, with whiche thei withdrawen hem fro evele willis, and it is clennesse in gost. That oon of the foure bestis gaf the violis to the sevene aungelis bitokeneth that the foure Gospelis been oon and therfore he that wole not undirstonde the techyng that is open hem and taken ensaumple of holi mennes lyves, thei ben worthi to be dampned. That the temple is fulfild of the smok and of the magestie of God and of his vertu bitokeneth that oure Lord and hise, though alle that thei come to the jugement in brightnesse and in blisse to the goode, thei schulen seme to the othere derke and hidous. That noon may entren into the temple til that the veniaunce [fol. 224r] wer taken bitokeneth that the bodies of alle halewis schullen resten til the jugement, til that we rise fro deth to lyf with hem or in othere manere. Bi the smok is understonde that noon til that tyme shal wite the privetés of the jugement thorough which he cheseth sum men to blisse and othere to dampnacioun.

Chapter 16

prose-textblock1[1] And I herd a gret vois in hevene that seid to the sevene aungelis, “Goth and schede yee the sevene violis of the wraththe of God in erthe.” [2] And the first aungel wente out and schedde his viole into the erthe, and ther is maad gret wounde to men that han the mark of the best and to hem that honouren his ymage.

prose-textblock2[3] And the tother aungele schede out his viol in the see and it bicam blood as it were of a deed man, and alle that hadden lyf in soule been deed in the see.

prose-textblock3[4] And the thridde aungel schede his viole in the wellis and on the ryvers, and thei bicome blood. [5] And I herde the aungel of the water that seide, “Lord, rightful thou art that hast geven these juges and jugid, [6] that thei that schedden the blood of thin halewis, that thou geve hem blod to drynke as thei han disserved.” [7] And I herde another that confermede it and seide, “Ye, Lord, rightful and sothfast ben thi jugementis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4The grete vois of hevene that seide to the sevenn aungelis, “Goth and schedith the sevene violis of the wraththe of God” bitokeneth the commaundement that God schal comaunde his aungelis to take veniaunce of mysdoeris in erthe. Bi the felle wonde that is maad to men that hadden the maark of the beeste ben bitokened the temptaciouns of hem that for erthly thingis and delit of her flesch, for the love that thei hadden therto, thei wolden nothing be buxum to Goddis comaundement but token hem to Anticrist, and that is the marke of the best. That the viol of the secound aungele is schede in the se and that it bicame to blod is bitokened thei of this world schullen be dampned that wraththeden and tormenteden holi men in erthe and spilden her blod. Her peyne schal ben withouten ende. And that the wellis and ryveres bicame blod bitok|eneth [fol. 224v] that thei schulen be dampned that corumpen holi writ and han tourned the swetnesse of gosteli understondynge into filthe of fleschli wit. Tho ben these eretikis and tho that prechen for worldli thingis and thei that tournen the Gospelis to pleten with hym. Bi the aungel of the water is bitokened the holi halowen of hevenn that han joye of the rightwisnesse of oure Lord. That other that is aungil of wynd bitokeneth the tribulacioun of gode men that herien God and yelden hym graces whan that thei ben tormentid for holi chirche, for thei understonden that is for her goode.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[8] And the ferthe aungil schedde his viole in the sunne, and hym is gove leve to tormente men with hete and with fier. [9] And it hetith men of grete hete, and thei blasfemeden the name of God that hath power and myght over these woundis, and thei han not do penaunce to yelden grace to God.

prose-textblock6[10] And the fiftthe aungel schedde his viol on the cete of the beste, and his kyngdames ben maad derk, and thei eten her tungis for sorowe [11] and blasfemeden God in hevene for her sorewis and her woundis, and thei diden not penaunce for her werkis.

prose-textblock7[12] And the sexte aungele schede his viol in the greet flood of Eufraten, and the water bicam drie and maden redi the weyes of kyngis to the estward.

Glose:

prose-textblock8The ferthe aungele that schedde his viole in the sunne bitokeneth the dampnacioun of Anticrist and of alle that thourgh his techinge forsaken the right bileve and repenten hem not afterward and don penaunce. That the fifte aungele schede his viol on the sete of the beste bitokeneth the dampnacioun of Anticristis disciplis that is bitokened bi his sete, for he regneth in hem. His regne is maad derk for the derknesse of mysbileve that thei ben in. That thei eten her tungis bitokeneth the envye that thei han to the holi, and therfore thei blasfemen God when he schal chastisen hem thorough peyne at the laste, for thei come not to repentance. That the sexte aungel schedde his viol in the grete flod Eufraten bitokeneth the dampnacioun of tirauntis and of riche men of these that deliten hem her in worldli goodis but [fol. 225r] at the deth schulen resceyven povert for richesse, and whane thei ben put doun, the weie of the right bileve is delivered to goode Cristen men and wymmen, and it is bitokened bi the kyngis of the est.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[13] And I saugh out of the dragounnes mouth and out of the bestis mouth and out of the false profetise mouth foule spiritis comen out as it were froschis. [14] For thei ben spiritis doynge wondres, and thei schulen gon biforun to the kyngis of alle erthe to gedren hem to bataile to the grete day of God almyghti [15] that seith, “Lo, I come as a thef. Blessid be he that wakith and kepith his clothing that he go not nakid and that men see not his foulnesse.”

prose-textblock10[16] And thei schulen gedren hem togider to the stede that is clepid in Ebru Ermaledon.

Glose:

prose-textblock11The mouthe of the dragoun bitokneth the entisement of the fende. The mouth of the beste bitokeneth the wordis of Anticrist. The mouthe of the false profetis bitokeneth the false prechinge of false eretikis. Oute of thees thre comen thre foule gostis: it ben pride, coveitise, and leccherie. These seemen froschis for thei wonen in foule stedis, and thorough the crie of her false techynge, thei bynymen othere her reste. That thei doun wondres and gedren kyngis togidre into bataile bitokeneth that right as the devel thorough Anticrist and his desiplis schulen make her conjourisons that schulen semen as if it weren miracles and schulen stere the princes agen Cristene men. Right so it fareth in holi chirche that the fend thorough false prelatis in holi chirche and false clerkis doth wondres as of a child that cannot kepyn an appil. Thei maken hym kepere of manye thousande soulis and corumpen the princes thorough evel ensaumple. The wakynge that oure Lord monestith us to bitokeneth right understondynge and good lyf that we be clepid not in wickid delices in ertheli thingis ne in delit of flesch. The clothing bitokeneth the vertu that man resceyveth at his cristnynge and afterward recovereth hym thorough verrey penaunce. That he seith he cometh as a thef bitokeneth that he schal come sodenli to the jugement. The stede that is cleped in Ebrew Ermaledon bitokeneth this world and the fendis, for Anticrist and his profetis schulen do come togidre these kyng|is [fol. 225v] and these princes and setten hem in temptaciouns, and schal maken hem to risen agen God and holi chirche and ageyn the right bileve, and that is bitokned bi this word Ermaledoun, that is as miche to seie as “risynge temptatiouns.”

Texte:

prose-textblock12[17] And as the seventhe aungil schedde out his viole in the eyr, a gret vois came out of the temple and of the trone and seide, “It is doun.” [18] And ther ben maad lightyngis and voises and thundris and stirryngs of erthe so gret that nevere yit was noon suche sithen that man wonede in erthe. [19] And the gret cité that is departid on thre parties and the gret citees of men fellen. And God hath bithought hym on the grete Babilon to gyve to her the cuppe of the indignacioun of his wrethe. [20] And eche yle fleigh and mounteynes weren not founden. [21] And gret hayl as a talent cam doun fro the hevene into men, and men blasfemeden Gode for the plage of the hayl.

Glose:

prose-textblock13That the seventhe aungel schedde his viol in the eir bitokeneth the dampnacioun of feendis in the eir, there thei wonen for that thei ben of sotil science. The gret vois that came out of the temple bitokeneth the gret myght of Goddis word that he schal schewen at the jugement. That he seith, “Doon is” bitokeneth that the veniance of God schal be brought to the ende. The lightyngis and the voises and the thundris and the grete stiryng of the erthe bitoknen the grete tempestis of the jugement. That the grete citee is departid on thre parties bitokneth that the thre partis of the world schulen be dampned: the Jewis and the Saracenes and false Cristene men. And the peynes weren divided after diverseté of synnes. The coppe of the indignacioun of the wraththe bitokeneth the mesure of peynes that God schal gyve to the synneres of the world that is bitokned bi Babilon, that he gyveth to ech as he hath disserved. That the iles fledden bitokeneth the goode Cristene men that ben beset al aboute with tribulaciouns in here lyf. As thei fledden heer the kumpanye of synneres, so thei schulen fleen the peynes. That the mounteynes ben not founden bitokeneth that the holi men schulen not be founden in the cumpanye of wickid. That the gret haile fel fro hevene into men bitokeneth the scharpe wordis and the hevye that oure Lord schal speke to hem that ben [fol. 226r] dampned. And men schulen blasfemen God for the gret anguysch of the hail, for it is maad gret hastili, bitokeneth that the dampned in helle ben alto prowen of that oure Lord hath gret power to tormenten hem.

Chapter 17

prose-textblock1[1] And oon of the aungelis that hadden the sevene violis spak to me and seide, “Cum, and I schal schewen thee the dampnacioun of the grete bordelrye that sittith on many waters, [2] and there the kyngis of erthe han doun here leccherie.”

prose-textblock2[3] And he bare me in gost into desert, and I saugh a woman sittynge on a reed best and ful of names of blasfemye and hadde sevene hedis and ten hornes. [4] And this womman was in purpre and bordured aboute with gold and of precious stones and gemmes and hadde in hir honde a coppe of gold ful of abhominaciouns and of filthe and leccherie, [5] and hadde writen in the forhede the name of hir, Mysterie Babilon, the gret moder of fornicaciouns and of abhomynacions of erthe.

Glose:

prose-textblock3The grette see of leccherie and of abhominaciouns that the aungel schewide to Seynt Jon bitokeneth that oure goode Lord makith the goode prelatis to understonde the grete dampnacioun of Anticrist and his disciplis for her ydolatrie that is maumetrie and coveitise and leccherie. For bi the bordelrie that sittith on manye watris is bitokened Antichrist that regneth on myche folk. And the false prelatis that coveiten the grete richessis, that ben bitokned bi the watris and that thei wolen be worschiped in erthe more than fallith to hem. That the princes of erthe had don her leccherie with the bordelrie bitokneth that the lewide taken ensaumple of Anticrist and of false profetis and of false clerkis to lyven in delices of the wyn of that bordelrie thorough whiche thei ben drunken. That wonen in erthe bitokeneth the wisdam and the kunnyng that these coveitouse han to worldly thingis to fleschli delices. The woman that satte on the redde best bitokeneth Antichrist and hem that leden deliciouse lyf in this world. The best that berith hym bitokeneth the fend that meynteyneieth hem. That she was clade in purple and ourned with gold [fol. 226v] bitokneth that thei seme wise men to men of this world that knouen litil goode for the worschipe and richesse that thei han. The precious stones and jemmis bitokneth the vertu that thei han and her faire berynge and her goode werkis that thei putten forth withouten to the folk of the world. The coppe of gold that sche hath in hir hond bitokeneth holi write that thei turnen and expounnen after her likyng. That the name of priveté is writen in her forhede bitokeneth that oure Lord seith in the gospell of ypocritis, “Bi her frut yee schulen knowen hem,” that is bi her wordes and bi here werkis, after that thei proficien in good. That he seith Babilon the gret modir of fornicaciouns of erthe bitokeneth that thorough the fend and vanytees of the world and wickidnesse of the wicked men cometh mysbileve and alle maner of synnes in erthe that drawen to confusioun.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[6] And I saugh the womman drunke of blode of holi men and wymmen of Jhesu Cristes martires, and gretli I wondre whane I hadde seen hire.

prose-textblock5[7] And the aungil seid to me, “Whi wondrist thou? I schal sei thee what the womman bitokeneth and the best that bereth hir that hath sevene hedis and ten hornes. [8] That best that thou hast seen was and is not and schal go out up of the deppe and schal go to distroccioun. And thei schulen woundre that wonen in erthe, whiche that the names ben not writen in the book of lyf fro the bigynnynge of the world.

prose-textblock6[9] “Here is to witte, that the sevene hedis ben sevene mounteynes on whiche the womman sit and ben sevene kyngis, [10] of whiche fyve ben fallen, and the sixte is and the seventhe is not yit, and whan he cometh, he mote dwele a litil tyme. [11] And the best that was and is not is the eighthe and ner the latere oon of the sevene.

prose-textblock7[12] “And the ten hornesse that thou seie ben ten kyngis that han not yit resseyved her kyngdames but thei schulen resceyven, after the best, power as kyng is oon our. [13] Thei han o counseil and o vertu, and her power thei schulen gyve to the beste. [14] Thei schulen fighte with the Lomb, and the Lomb schal overcomen hem, for he is Lord of lordis and Kyng of kyngis. And thei that ben with hym ben clepid and chosen trew.”

prose-textblock8[15] And [fol. 227r] the aungele seide to me, “The watris that thou hast seien wher the bordelrie sittith been dyverse folkis. [16] And the ten hornes that thou seie in the beeste shulen haten the bordelrye of the womman and schulen maken hir discoumfortid and nakid and schulen eten hir flesh and brenne hir in fier. [17] God hath set in her hertis that thei doon her wille and that thei gyve her kyngdam to the beste til Goddis word be endide. [18] And the womman that thou seie is the grete citee that hath power of the kyngis of erthe.”

Glose:

prose-textblock9The womman that was drunken of the blod bitokeneth the grete veniaunce that God shal take of tyrauntis that schedden the blood of good Cristen men, outher it bitokneth the grete veniaunce that oure Lord schal taken of the grete lecherie and of the grete bobaunce that these false clerkis maken. The wondryng that Seynt Joon made bitokeneth the grete compassioun of goode men of holy chirche that schulen seen tho synful men stiyen up in synne to her owne dampnacioun. Al holi writ, that is bitokned bi the aungil that techeth hem that it is rightwisnesse of God and for her synnes that thei han discerved, that thei be maad more bi understondyng. That the beeste was and is not and schal come out up of the depnesse bitokeneth that thorugh the comynge of oure saveoure was the myght of the devel in erthe abatid, and schal comen anothere tyme in Anticristis tyme. “But oure Lord schal distrue hym thorough the vertu of the spirit of his mouth,” Isaye seith. That thei that wonen in erthe ben wondrid of hir bitokeneth hem that folowen hym schul be gove alle to erthli thingis and to delite of flesh. The sevenn mountis on which the beeste sat bitokeneth the sevene dedli synnes thorough which the develle makith men to pruden and risen ageyne here creature. The sevenn kyngis thorough which the devel governeth alle hise and ledith hem into helle ben the fyve wittis of man, and the sext is yvel wil. The sevenethe that is not yit is Anticrist, and he is the eightithe that passith alle othere in synnes and in peyne, and he is oon of the sevene for the felawschip that he berith to synne and in sorowing of peyne. And these ben the kyngis that undirlyngis been to Anticrist and bitokeneth the grete lordyngis of this world that thorough envye weren agenn Goddis comaundement. Alle thei han oon counseil, that is the counseil of the world, to taken with right and with wrong of her undirlyngis and of here neghhebores. Her vertu and her power [fol. 227v] thei schulen delyveren to the beeste, for alle here age and al here with thei han dispendid in the develis service. And as the kyngis schulen and Anticrist fighten agenne the Lomb and his membris to bynymen hem the right bileve that thei han in Jhesu Crist, right as thei that werren now holi chirche and not oonli in bodili thingis but in goostli also. For thorough the taliage that thei maken, thei bryngen the symple folk into synne. But the Lomb schal overcome hem at the jugement, for alle the jugementis ben goven to Goddis Sone, and his jugementis ben trewe. That the watris that the womman sat on been many manere of folk bitokeneth that the moost part of the folk schulen folowen Anticrist and his disciplis that now geven hem to fleschli likyng. The tene hornesse schulen hate the bordelrye, that bitokenen hem that been dampned that thei schulen haten hem and repreven hem thorough whiche thei comen thider, as Isaye seith. That thei schulen etten fleisch bitokeneth that thei schulen deliten hem in torment of hem thorough which thei ben dampned. That he seith that the bordelrie schal be discoumfortid and nakid bitokeneth that thei schulen understonde that her peynes schulen han noon ende, ne no werk that thei deden here that hem thoughte goode schal never helpen hem. That he seith that God hath sette in here hertis to doon that hem likith bitokeneth that summe han here wille and that thei ben underlyngis to the fend for her synnes to be his disciplis in erthe til that holi writ be fulfillid. The grete cité that is bitokenede bi the womman bitokeneth the grete multitude of wickide men of the world, and that he hath power on erthli kyngis and not on goostli kyngis.

Chapter 18

prose-textblock1[1] And after I saugh an aungele comynge doun fro hevene that hath grete powere and lightede the erthe with his glorie. [2] And he criede strongli, “Fallen, fallen is Babilon the grete, and it is made the wonnynge stede of develis and it kepith al foule spiritis and eche foule brid. [3] For that alle folk han drunken of the wyn of leccherie, the marchaundis of erthe been maad riche of hir delices.”

Glose:

prose-textblock2Bi the myghtful angil that cam doun fro hevene that seide, “Fallen is Babilon the grete” bitokeneth Goddis Sone that came here into the erthe and lightede holy chirche thorough his techynge that he taughte bothe with word and werkis. The dampnacioun of hem that geven hem to the world in bodi and in soule for thre synnes that thei han in hem. Coveitise is bitokened the wonnyng [fol. 228r] stede of the devele, and leccherie is bitokened bi the kepyng of wickid spiritis, and bi the foule briddis ben bitokenede pride. Bi the marchaundis is bitokened hem that lyven in these thre synnes and corumpen othere thorough evel ensaumple. And bi the wyne of fornicacioun is bitokened fleischli wisdam that is for wynnynge, and that is coveitise. And bi the fornicacioun of kyngis is bitokenede leccherie, bi the vertu of delices ambicioun, and that bitokeneth pride.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[4] And I herde anothere vois that seide, “Go yee out of Babilon, my folk, and be ye not partener of hir dilyces that ye take not of hir woundis. [5] For hir synnes been stiyed up to hevene, and the Lord hath recordid of hir synne. [6] Yeldith to hir as sche yeld to hem, and double hir double after hir werkis. The drynk that sche medlede to you, mengith hir double. [7] The more that sche glorifiede hir and was in delices, as myche gove yee hir tormentis and wepyngis. For that sche seith in hir herte, ‘I sitte as a quene, and I am not widewe, and I schal never more see thing that I schal been yvele at ese thorugh.’ [8] Therfore schullen hir woundis come fro God on o day, deth and wepyng and hungir, and in fier sche schal be broyled, for strong is God that schal jugen hem.

prose-textblock4[9] “And there schulen wepen and pleynen on hir the kyngis of erthe that with hir han doun fornicacioun and han lyved in here delices, whan thei schulen seen the smoke of hire brennyng, [10] and thei schulen stonde afer for drede of hir tormentis and schul sein, ‘Wo, wo, this grete cité Babilon, this grete stronge citee, that in oon our is comen jugement and it is distroyyed.’”

Glose:

prose-textblock5That the vois monestide Goddis folk to wendene out of Babilone bitokeneth that holi wryt techith us and monestith us that wee schulen not conforme oure lyf nether oure werkis to the multitude of the world. That men seyn that me schal doublen hym up his werkis bitokeneth hem that tormenten Jhesu Cristis frendis in bodi and doun hem torment. Thei schulen gyven hem to torment in bodi and in soule, and for the peyne that thei diden hem in an oure, thei schal go to peyne that evere schal last. That the vois seide that as myche he gloriede hym and was in delices, as myche gif hym torment and peyne, that bitokeneth that after the diversité of synnes and after the mychilnesse of synnes schal ben [fol. 228v] the gretnesse of peynes and of torment. That he seith he sat as a quene bitokeneth that the synneres of the world gloryen hem in heighnesse. That he seith, “I am not widowe” bitokeneth that he gloriez hym in delit of flesh. That sche seith, “I schal nevere see thing that schal do me harme” bitokeneth that sche glorieth hir in richesse, and therfore at the day of jugement or at the day of deith, thei schul be lowid, that is bitokenede bi the wepynge. And hem schal come defaute of alle goodis, that is bitokened bi the hungir. These thre thingis schulen be dampned han withouten ende ageyne these thre thingis that thei glorien in this world: heighnesse, pride, and fleshli delit, and plenté of erthli goodis, that thei schulen han the depnesse of helle and anguysh of torment and defaut of goodis, and with alle these the fier of helle schal brennen hem, for the brennynge wil in evel, and that schal lasten withouten ende. For the juge is stronge and may not flecchen for preyere ne fore gifte ne for noon othere thing, as it is writen in the book that Salomon maad. That the kyngis of the erthe pleynen hem of the distruccion of Babilon bitokeneth the sorowes that grete lordis han whane thei schulen departen out of this world, for the richessis and delit that thei schulen leten. The smoke of the grete brennynge is the grete siknesse that ben messageris of Deith and of the fier whidir thei schulen goon. That thei stonden fere for drede of the tormentis bitokeneth the orrour and drede that thei han of the deth for the peynes that abiden hem. That thei seyn, “Wo, wo, the cité that was so grete and strong” bitokeneth the grette pleynte that thei schulen leesen, and here erthli power and here synnes thei schulen pleynen littil or nought.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[11] “And the selleris of erthe schul wepe on hir and make dool, for ther is no man to bien her marchaundise, [12] gold no selver ne preciouse stones, margaritis, bis, purpre.

prose-textblock7[15] “And alle othere marchaundise schulen stond fer fro hir fore drede of the torment and schulen wepen [16] and seyn, ‘Allas, allas, this grete cité that was frettid with bis, purpre, gold, and silvere and jemmes, [17] and so many richessis, thei ben distroiyed in an oure.’

prose-textblock8“And ech governoure and alle that rowen in swete water and maryneres and thei that werken in the see schulen [fol. 229r] stonden aferre [18] whan thei seen the stede of the brennynge and seiden, ‘Suche a citee was nevere,’ [19] and leiden powder on her hedis and schulen wepen and crie and seyne, ‘Allas, allas, this grete cité in whiche alle been maad riche, that hadden schippis in the se, that in oon our is distruyed.’ [20] Joieth upon hym, yee hevenes and apostlis and profetis, for God hath demed youre dome of hir.”

Glose:

prose-textblock9The marchaundis and the selleres and eretikis and ipocritis that thorough veynglorie of the world don here goode dedis, these marchaundis and the biggers bitokeneth symonyes. Thei han grete sorowen and drede whane the deth cometh and pleynen hem and waymenten for the false goodis that thei schulen forgoon for the grete harmes that thei schulen resceyven at the jugement. The governouris and the maryners bitokenen the prelatis of holi chirche, litil and mychil, that loven richesse of this world. That thei leyden poudre on her hedis bitokeneth that thei leyden erthli richessis on here hertis and in here thoughtis, either it bitokeneth late repentance. That the aungil bad the apostlis and the profetis and the holy maken joye of the distruccioun bitokeneth that the hooly halowen consenten to God at the jugement at the dampnacioun of the wickid that ben schent, and holi chirche yeldith grace to God whane he sendith tribulacioun to chastisen synneris of erthe.

Texte:

prose-textblock10[21] And a strong aungil lifte up a greet stoon as it were a grete mylne stoon and caste it into the see, and seide, “With so grete a frusch schal be cast in it the grete cité Babiloun. And schal never more be founden in it [22] vois of harperie, of pipe, neither of trumpe, ne schal nevere more ben herde in hir ne founden the vois of mynstralsie. [23] And the light of the lanterne schal no more lighten hir. And vois of the spouse and of the spousesse schal nevere ben herde in it. For hir marchaundis weren princes of erthe and for that in hir venym doyngis alle folkis han errid. [24] And the blod of profetis and of holy men is founden in it.”

Glose:

prose-textblock11That the aungile caste the stone into the see bitokeneth that Jhesu Crist schal casten into helle hem that hadden the herte harde in coveitise and robbeden al aboute to wynne erthli thingis and schulen be tormentide withouten ende for diverse richessis that thei hadden. The vois of harpe bitokeneth the delit of this world that hath diverse tor|mentis. [fol. 229v] Bi the harpe and bi the menstralcies been bitokened sotile engynes and curioustés to wynnen. Bi the vois of the hurlyng of the mylne stone is bitokened deliciouse metis and drynkis. Bi the light of the lanterne is bitokened bobance and faire servyse in house. Bi the vois of spouse and of spousesse is bitokened the delit of fleisch. That the marchaundis weren princes bitokeneth that the grete lordis of the world taken with strengthe ther thei schulden not taken but fore here servyse as knyghtis to kepe the pees and defend the prechoures and the prelatis to techen Goddis folk, outher it bitokeneth hem that aughten to techen and governen and kepen the othere, ben quenchid bi preysyng and lordschipe. Bi the errour of hir venym is bitokened that the oon is corumped bi the othere thorough evel exsaumple. That the blood of the profetis and hooli men is founden in it bitokeneth the cruelté of grete lordis of this world that thei han don to Goddis halewen.

Chapter 19

prose-textblock1[1] After that, I herde a grete vois as it were a grete multitude of folk that seiden in heven, “Heriynge and glorie and vertu be to oure God. [2] For his jugementis been sothe and rightful that hath maad right of his grete bordelrie that corumpide the erthe with hir grete bordelrie and hath vengide the blod of his hooli halowen.” [3] And often thei seiden, “Alleluia! And the smok of hym steigh up withouten end.”

prose-textblock2[4] And the foure and twenti grete and the foure bestis fellen doun biforne the trone and honoureden God and seyden, “Amen, Alleluia!”

prose-textblock3[5] And a vois came out of the trone and seide, “Gyveth heriynge to oure God, all his halewen, and that ye dreden hym litil and michil.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4The vois that Seynt Joon herde in hevene bitokeneth the grete joye in holy chirche in hevene and in erthe, and yelden heriynge to God for the victorie that Jhesu Crist hath had overe the feend for his deth and for his blisse of his resurectioun, and for the vertu of his jugement that is myghtful and rightful. The vois that came out of the trone bitokeneth the vois of the Gospelis that monestith us that in sothfast bileve and right liyf, we yelde heriyng to God for the grete goodnesse that he hath doun us in this lyf and schal in the tother.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[6] And I herde a vois as it were a grete troupe and as it were of many watris [fol. 230r] and a voise of many greet thundris of hem that seiden, “Alleluia! Fore oure Lord God almyghti schal regne. [7] And make we joye and blisse and gyve we heriynge to hym for the weddyngis of the Lomb been comen. And his wyf hath dressid hir, [8] and it is gove to hir that sche clothe hir with bisse clene and whit, that is the justifiyngis of holi halewen.”

prose-textblock6[9] And he seide to me, “Blessid ben thei that been clepid to the soper of the bridales of the Lomb. These been the sothfast wordis of God.”

prose-textblock7[10] And I fel to the aungelis feet to honouren hym. And he seide to me, “Lok thou do not! I am Goddis servant as thou, and thi britheren that beren witnesse of Jhesu. Worschip thou God.”

Glose:

prose-textblock8And as the joye was aforn of the overcomynge of the fend, so this joye is of helth in holi chirche, of the blisse that thei han that ben savede. And the grete that ben bitokened bi the thundris, and the litle that ben bitokened by many watris. The spouse of the Lomb bitokeneth holi chirche, and that Jhesu Cristis spouse tiffede hir bitokeneth baptem and schrift. Clere and whit bitokeneth the vertu that sche is ourned with. The souper of the Lomb bitokeneth the joye of paradise. That he seith thei ben blessid that been clepid bitokeneth that thei ben clepid that been maad worthi in this lyf, tho ben that stedfastli beleven and wele lyven and worthili resceyven the sacrament of the auter. That Seynt Joon fel to the aungelis feet bitokeneth the meknesse and obedience of holi chirche. That the aungele defendide that he dide no more so bitokeneth that man schal ben bi the aungil in blisse and with the aungil worschipen God and herien hym withouten ende, and he schal be blessid.

Texte:

prose-textblock9[11] And I saugh hevene open, and tho I saw a whit hors, and he that satt theroon, his name was Trewthe and Sothfast. And he jugith and fitith agene the unrightful. [12] And his iyeen been as flawme of fier and on his hede many corownes, and hath a name writtyn that noman knowith but hymself. [13] And he is clothid in a robe redid with blod, and is clepid Goddis Sone. [14] And the oste of hevene folowide hym on white hors and been clad in the lynnen cloth of hym whit and clene. [15] And out at his mouth came a swerd kervynge to distruen the misbilevynge, and he schal governe the folk in an yren yard. And he tredith the pressoure of the wyne of Goddis wraththe [16] and hath writen on his robe and on his hipe: “Kyng of Kyngis and Lord of Lordis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock10[fol. 230v] The white hors bitokeneth Jhesu Cristis fleisch clene of synne that wonneth with the godhede. His iyen bitoknen the grace of the Holy Goost. That he semede as flamme of fier bitokeneth that he lighteth men to lyven aright and hotith hem to do good werkis. That he had on his hede many corounes bitokeneth that bi vertu of his godhede he hath power to corounen his chosen after that thei han discerved. The clothing redid with blod bitokeneth the holi martires that schedden her blod for his love in erthe here. The oost that is in hevene that folewed hym on white hors and the whit clothing bitokeneth hem that wolen fighten ageyn the fend thorough lownesse and bi quentise, ageyn the world bi pacience in advercité, bi prudence in prosperité, ageyn the fleisch bi discressioun and abstinence and austerité of penaunce and in clene clothis of vertues and of good werkis. That out at his mouth cam a swerd kervynge on boith parties bitokeneth hem that resseyven not the prechynge of the right bileeve schulen be dampned in bodi and soule. That he hath defoulid the pressoure of the wyn of Goddis wraththe bitokeneth that hymself suffrede the anguysh of deth on the rode to bien man fro deth to lyf that evere schal lasten and maken hem clene of synne and delyveren hem fro peyne. That he hath writen in his robe and on his hipe “Kyng of Kyngis and Lord of Lordis” bitokeneth that he schewith in his manhed that he was and is almyghti, outher it bitokeneth the goode children of holi chirche that been as robes that ben clade with right bileve stedfastli that he is bothe God and man.

Texte:

prose-textblock11[17] And I saugh an aungil stondynge in the sunne and criede with grete vois and seide to alle the foules that fleen thorough hevene, “Cometh and gedere togidere to the grete soper of God [18] to ete the fleisch of kyngis and the fleisch of the hors and of hem that sitten on hem and fleisch of the free and of thral, and of litil and of mykil.”

prose-textblock12[19] And I sawgh the beest and the kyngis of erthe and here oost to do bataile agen hym that sat on the white hors and with his oost. [20] And the beest is takyn and the false profetis with hym and he that dide the wondris thorough which he betrayede hem that resseyveden the marke of the beeste and honoureden his ymage. These two ben cast into the pit with fier and brennynge brunston. [21] And the other ben slayn with swerde that camen out of the mouth of hym that sat on the hors, and alle foulis been fulfillid of here fleisch.

Glose:

prose-textblock13[fol. 231r] Bi the aungele stondynge in the sunne ben bitokened the prechours that wele worchen in the bileve of Jhesu Crist. Bi the fowlis is bitokened the halewis that setten here hertis to thyngis that is above. The soper of God to the which thei been somoned bitokeneth the blisse of hevene. The etynge of the fleisch of the oon and of the other bitokeneth the grete delite that the hooli men and wymmen schulen have at the grete jugement of the tourmentis that dampned men shulen have. The beest bitokeneth Anticrist, the kyngis of the erthe his apostlis. The batayle bitokeneth the persecucioun that he schal doun to Cristen folk, but Jhesu Crist shal distruyen hym thurgh his word. As Ysay seith, “He shal sleen the wickid thurgh the spirit of his lippis,” and shal caste hym and his disciplis into the brennynge fyer of helle, and in the stynk that is bitokened by the brunstoun, and the othere that bileven in hym that shulen be dampned. But thei shulen not be in so grete peyne, and of this distruccioun shal holi chirche have grete joye in hevene and in erthe, and that bitokeneth that alle the fowlis in hevene ben fulfillid of her fleisch.

Chapter 20

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh an aungele comynge dowun fro heven and hade the keye of the pitte of depnesse and a grete chayne in his hoond. [2] And he tok the dragoun, the olde serpent that is clepid the feend and Sathanas, and bond hym for a thousand yer [3] and caste hym into the pitte, and bischytte hym and sete a seel on hym, that he schuld not disseyve the folc til a thousand yeer weren goon. And after that, he mot be unboundoun a litil tyme.

prose-textblock2[4] And I saugh the segis and that seete on hem, and the jugement is govun to hem. And I saugh the soules that her heedis weren smyten off for that thei beren witnesse of Jhesu Crist and for Goddis word. And thei that han not honouride the beeste ne his ymage ne resseyveden his marke in her right hond ne in here forhede shulen lyve and regne a thousand yeere. [5] The othere that ben dede schulen not lyven til a thousand yeere ben goon, and that is the first risyng agen. [6] Blissid be he that hath part of the first rysyng agen. He schal not be hurt of the secounde deith, but thei schulen be Jhesu Cristis prestis and shulen regne with hym a thousand yeere.

Glose:

prose-textblock3The aungele that cam doun fro hevene bitokeneth Jhesu Crist. That he had the key of the pit bitokeneth that he openede the prisoun of helle to delyveren hise, and that he openeth yut ech day the synnful mannes herte that [fol. 231v] is derk thorough synne and makith hym light thorough his grace to resseyven hym. The grete cheyne in his hond bitokeneth the gret myght of his Passioun and of his Resureccioun. That he bond the devele a thousande yere bitokeneth that he bynam hym his power til the commyng of Anticrist. The seel that he sette on hym bitokeneth the cros with which Cristen men defenden hem fro temptaciouns. The put he caste hym in bitokeneth the peyne that he hade that he myght not disceyve the folk as he dede biforhonde. After the thousand yeere been goon, Anticristis profetis schul regne and comen more and more and corumpen Goddis lawe and tourne it after her lyvynge. For than schal the feendis power rise more and more in holi chirche. His profetis been coveitouse men of holi chirche, proude men and losengeris, men lecchoures. But the losengeris ben worst of alle that maken hem holi outher for drede outher fore love, outher for ler. That thei hopen thei schulden nothing han of hem yif thei seiden hem the sothe. These han taken undirhond to speke the develis langage to disceyven Goddis children and binyme God his eritage, and which ben strenger and werse than any devel in helle. Therfor ech man that wole plese God kepe hym fro suche, be it man, be it womman, or thei schulen go with hem to her lord, that is the fend of helle. That he saugh sitteris on her segis bitokeneth that as long as Sathanas is bounden, holi chirche regneth and is free to serve God and obedient to the prelatis. And thei wenten out of this lyf thorough sothfast schrift and repentance and sorewe for her synnes, her soules schulen regne with Jhesu Crist. And thei that dien in deedli syne, her soulis goon to peyne. The frist resureccioun is of the soule that riseth out fro dedeli syne thorough the grace of God. Thorough schrifte and sorewe of herte and penaunce doyng risith to lyf of grace, and this is the secounde resureccioun that thei han part in. That is to seie thei schulen risen at the jugement in bodi and soule into lyf of blisse. And that is the blessyng that thei schulen han, for thei schulen be glorifiede in lyf and ecke in soule and herien God withouten ende. That is that he seith thei schulen been Goddis prestis and Jhesu Cristis and schulen regne with hym a thousand yeere, that is withouten ende.

Texte:

prose-textblock4[7] Whane a thousand yeere ben passid, than schal Sathan been unbounden and schal goun out of his prisoun and schal bitrayen the folk on foure half the world. Gog [fol. 232r] and Magog he schal semblen in batale. The noumbre schal be as the gravel of the see. [8] And thei schulen sitte on the heyghest of erthe, and thei schulen be setten alle aboute holi mennes houses and the citee that God loveth. [9] And fier schal come doun fro hevene and devouren hem. And the devele that bitrayed hem schal be sent into the pond of fier and of brunstoun with the beste [10] and with the false profetis, and schul ben tormentid nyght and day withouten ende.

Glose:

prose-textblock5The prisoun that the feend cam out of to bitrayyen the folk bitokeneth the hertes of synneres. There he was afornhond beschut in that he might not noyyen as myche as he wolde. And that bitokeneth the name of tweie manere folk, Gog and Magog. For Gog is mychel to seie as thing that is hid and Magog as thing that is unhid. Bi these tweie maner folk that he bitrayyed preveli, that bitokeneth Anticristis disciplis. Bi Gog is bitoknede hem that hiden here synnes, as these eretikis and ypocritis. And by Magog ben bitokned the fals prophetes that afterwardis schulen prechen openli, and the tirauntis that schulen sleen hem that wolen not forsaken the beleve of Jhesu Crist. That thei schulen wenden overale the erthe bitokeneth that he schal senden his disciplis overal to prechen, that thei schulen setten her power ageyn the bileve of holi chirche as bi prechynge and miraclis, bi manas and torment. That is that he seith thei schulen envyrowen the houses and the cité that God loveth. The fier that cometh doun fro hevene bitokeneth apert veniaunce that God schal take of hem that wolen not amenden hem.

Texte:

prose-textblock6[11] And I saugh a grete trone alle whit and he that satte theron. Fro his sighte flede hevene and erthe and ne founden no stede where thei myghten reste. [12] And I saugh the dede and the qwyk stonden bifore the trone. And a book is open, and another book is open that is of lyf. And the deede been jugid of hem that been writen in the book of lyf after her werkis. [13] And the see gaf the dede that werren in hym. And Deth and helle han yolden her deed men that thai hadden. And ech ben jugid after her werkis in helle. [14] And thei been sent into the pond of fier that is the secounde deth. [15] And he that is not founden in the book of lyf writen, he is sent into the pond of fier.

Glose:

prose-textblock7The grete trone that is whit is bitokened holi chirche that Jhesu Crist restith hym in at the jugement. That the erthe and hevene schulen fleen bitokeneth the drede [fol. 232v] that the coveitouse men and the lecchoures schulen han. That the bookis been opened bitokeneth that the goode conscience schulen been opened apertli to alle folk how thei han kept the comaundementis of God. That the book of lyf is opened bitokeneth that Jhesu Crist schewith hym in myght of his godhede, and the dede schulen been jugid after that Jhesu Crist suffrede in his manhede and after the gospele and after the understondyng of her werkis. The se castith the deede that weren in hym bitokeneth that the men of the world schulen come out to ben jugid that thei gyven al here herte to temporal thingis. That Deth and helle han yolden her deed and schulen be sent to the peyne of helle bitokne that twey maner of folk schulen be dampned in bodi and soule, nameli thei that dien in mysbileve and he that dieth in deedly synne. That he that is not founden in the book of lyf writen schal be sent into the pond of fier bitokeneth that alle been dampned to the fier of helle at the jugement that han noon warant of the Passioun of Jhesu Crist.

Chapter 21

prose-textblock1[1] And I saugh hevene newe and erthe newe. The firste hevene and the firste erthe wenten awey, and the se is no more seen. [2] And I saugh the cité of Newe Jerusalem comyng doun fro hevene tiffid of God as the spouse ourned of hir lord. [3] And I herde a grete vois out of the trone that seide, “Loo, the tabernacle of God with men. And he schal wone with hem and schal been here God, and thei schulen been his folk. And he God schal been with hem here God. [4] And he schal doun awey alle teeres fro her eiyen, and never after schal be deth, wepyng, ne cry ne sorewe. For thei ben alle passid.”

prose-textblock2[5] And he that sat on the trone seide, “I have alle thing maad newe.” And seide to me, “Writ thou, for these been most trewe wordis and verrey.”

prose-textblock3[6] And he seide to me, “It is doon. I am bigynnynge and endynge and schal gyven hem that been athirst of the wele of water of lyf and of grace. [7] He that overcometh schal welden these, and I schal been his God, and he schule be my sone. [8] But to the dredefule and to the mysbelevynge and to the lieres and to the omycydis and to lecchoures and to hem that loven huntyng and alle that honouren maumetrie and to venym doeres and thei that ben cursede, her part schal been in the pond of fier brennynge with brunstoon that is the [fol. 233r] secounde deth.”

Glose:

prose-textblock4The newynge of hevene and and erthe bitokeneth the grete joye that the aungelis schulen maken and the hooli halowen in the resureccioun and in the glorifiying of her bodies. That the see is no more seen bitokeneth that the bodies schulen no more felen tribulaciouns of the world. The holi citee Jerusalem bitokeneth holi chirch, the comyng doun fro hevene that he understonde that alle the goodis that he hath comen fro God above. The tiffyng bitokeneth the licnesse that sche schal have with hir spouse Jhesu in glorifiynge of fleisch. The vois of the trone that Seynt Joon herde bitokeneth the good understondynge that God gyveth to the goode prelatis of his privetees. The tabernacle of God bitokeneth the flesch of Jhesu Crist, in which he schal be with hise, not oonli in his manhede but in his godhede, and that is that he seith he schal been with hem her God. That he seith he schal do awey alle teres fro her eiyen bitokeneth that he schal yelden riche mede for the tribulaciouns that thei han suffrid for hym. That he seith that deeth schal no more been bitokeneth the sekirnesse that thei han and schulen han for alle way, and been passid synnes and peynes. That is to seie, thei schulen never han wepynge of contricioun ne crie of schrifte ne sorewe ne travaile to amenden hem. That he seith, “Writ,” bitokeneth that oure Lord monestith us thorough his messageris and thorough hooli writ to the verrey goodis that been above, that we do that that we owen to do to hym. The water of lyf that he bihotith to hem that ben buxum to his comaundementis and desiren her helthe that he seith and thorough grace bitokeneth that thorough his grace we been savede, and makith us to stonde ageyn synne and agenne the fende and overcomen and delyveren us fro deth to lyf, and schal glorifien us in bodi and in soule and schal maken us to seen sothli that we now belevene. But now oneli we schulen seen it, but we schulen han it of his grace, God and man in the blisse of his Fadir. And that is that he seith, he schal welden alle his thing. And as he is Goddis sone thorough kynde, he hath maad us to been Godis sones thorough goode desire and thorough grace in blisse. And that is that he seith, “I schal been to hem God, and thei schulen benn my sones.” Bi the dreedful ben bitokened hem that han so arewe hertis that thei doren no goode leren. Bi the mysbilevynge ben bitokened thei that wolen not [fol. 233v] resceyve the right bilevene. That thei ben acursid been bitokned hem that thorough here trespas and her synnes been dampned fro God and holi chirche and wolen not amenden hem. Bi the homycides been bitokenede hem that sleen her neighebores bothe bodyly and goostly. The lecchoures been bitokned alle that han to doon with woman out of wedlak or in other synnen thorough delit of fleisch. Bi the hunteris been bitokened hem that corumpen other thorough evel ensaumple and thorough false techyne and evel counseile ageen Goddis wille. The ydolateris bitoknen hem that honouren false goddis or more loven worldly thingis than God. The lieres bitoknen alle that knowlechen Jhesu Crist with mouthis and doon not his werkis, and alle that thorough falsnesse disceyven her neighebores ageyn right. Bi the pond of fier brennynge with brunstoun bitokeneth the put of helle brennynge and stynkynge, there alle wrecchis schulen be dampned and tormentid withouten ende in bodi and in soule. And that is the secounde deth, for ther is noon raunsoum. For the rightful juge Jhesu Crist may not flecchen, ne the jugement been withclepid for gifte ne preier.

Texte:

prose-textblock5[9] And there cam oon of the seven aungelis that hadden the sevene violis of the sevene laste woundis, and spak to me and seide, “Cum with me, and I schale schewen to thee the spose of the Lomb.” [10] And he lad me in goost up to a gret hile and high and schewed me the holy citee of Jerusalem cominge doun fro hevene [11] and hade the brightnesse of God and ferde as pressyous stoon, as the stoon of jasper and of cristalle, [12] and hade a grete walle and heighe and hade twelve gatis and in the gatis twelve margaritis, and the names of the twelve kyndis of the sones of Irael been writen thereon. [13] To the estwarde thre gatis and to the westward thre gatis and to the northhalf thre gatis. [14] And to the cité hadde twelve foundementis and in hem the twelve names of the apostlis and of the Lomb.

prose-textblock6[15] And he that spak to me hadde a yerde of a rede of gold to meten with the cité and the gatis and the wal. [16] And the citee was squar and the lengthe of it as myche as the brede. And he mat the citee with a rede overgilt twelve thousand paas aboute, and the lengthe and the brede and the height been right so. [17] And he mat the wallis an hundrid and foure and fourti cubitis bi mesure of man and aungil.

Glose:

prose-textblock7That the aungil ladde Seynt Joon to a greet hil and high to seen the spouse of the Lomb bitokeneth hem [fol. 234r] that thorough the grace of God ben led into high lyf for to have knowyng of the blisse that hooli chirche abidith after. The light that semede as preciouse stoon jasper and cristal bitokeneth that the vertu of holi chirche is confermed in the vertu of the bileve and in brightnesse of the clennesse of baptem and in brightnesse of werkis of schrift. The grete walles and highe bitokneth Jhesu Crist that kepith alle. The twelve gatis bitokneth the twelve apostlis. The twelve names writen bitokneth the twelve fadris of the old lawe, the patriarkis and tho profetis that profeciedenn er the apostlis camen to prechen. The thre gatis to the estward bitokeneth the bileve of the Trinité that was prechid to the Jewis, that Jhesu Crist tok fleisch and blod of mayden Marie, and in at tho thre gatis may a man comen whane he is cristned. In nomine Patris and Filii and Spiritus Sancti, Amen. The thre gatis to the northward bitokeneth the prechyng that was prechid to the Saracenes. At the thre gatis may a pore mann comen thorough hungir, thirst, and cold if he be paciente therin. The thre gatis to the southward bitokeneth the predicacioun that was prechid after the Incarnacioun, and there may a riche man comen in thorough these thre thingis: thorough fastynge and bedis bedyng and almesse dedis. The thre gatis to the westward bitokeneth the prechynge that schal be prechid to hem that lyven in the last ende of the world that Elye and Ennok shulen turnen to the right bileve, and at tho gatis may a man entren thorough other thre thingis, that is sothfast schrift, penaunce, and sorewe of herte. The twelve foundementis that weren in the wal and the twelve names of the apostlis and of the Lomb bitokneth the twelve patriarkis that helden the lawe of Jhesu Crist that in her tyme was to come, and the twelve apostlis helden it after his comynge that we holden now. The reed of gold bitokeneth holi writ, in which the wisdam of God is bitokned bi the gold. The mesure of the citee bitokneth that oure Lord gyveth the feith in holi chirche up that ech man may beren, and ordeyneth diverse degrees in holi chirche in which a man may saven hym, as in maydenhed and widewehede and right weddyng, that noon may be saved but if he be founden in on of these thre. The four half of the citee bitokeneth the right bileve and sothfast charité and blessidhed. For the more that a man leeveth, the more he hopith. The more he hopith, the more he loveth and the more he doith in werk. And that is in length and heighte of citee. Bi the length is bitoke|ned [fol. 234v] lastynge in these foure. That the aungele mat the wal an cxliiii cubitis bitokeneth perfeccioun of goode werkis after the Ten Comaundementis and the Gospelis thorough which man cometh to perfeccioun of aungil. And that is that he seith, “The mesure of man and aungil.”

Texte:

prose-textblock8[18] And the wal is of jasper and the citee of gold pure and clere as glas. [19] The foundement of the cité is ourned of alle manere preciouse stone. The first foundement is jasper. The second is safeer, the thride calcedoyne, the ferthe emeraud, [20] the fifte sardonycle, the sixte sardoyne, the seventhe crisolit, the eightethe beril, the ninthe topasie, the tenthe crysopas, the eleventhe jacinte, the twelvethe the amatist.

Glose:

prose-textblock9That the wal is jasper and the citee gold bitokneth that thei that schulen governen othere in hooli chirche owen to been of fastere bileeve and of heighere lyf, as a preciouse ston is richere than gold. That the foundement of the cité of God was ourned with alle manere prescious stoon bitokeneth that the patriarkis weren and the profetis ful of alle manere vertue. The jasper that is clene bitokeneth stedfast bileeve as Abraham hadde. Saphire that hath coloure as the eir bitokneth hem that been in highe hope, as Seynt Poule that seyde, “Oure conversacioun is in heven.” Calcedoyne that hath the colour pale bitokeneth hem that lyvene scharp lyve. Emeraud that is grene and clene bitokeneth hem that ben in verrey feith. Sardonycle that is of thre coloures, blak bynethe and clere amyddis and above grene, bitokeneth hem that been meke and myld and of clene conscience and of greet bryghtnesse. Crisolit that hath the colour of gold sparclynge bitokeneth the wise that been wise in Goddis wisdam and therwith techen to the othere and monesten hem to goode. Beril that clemeth as water there the sunne smyt bitokneth hem that wel worchen and monesten othere thorough goode ensaumple to do wele. Topasy that hath the colour of the cleer eire that wexith derk thorough cold bitokeneth the wise religioun that setten here hertis to the goodis above and gyven nothing of here herte to the world. Crisopas that is grene medlyd and the colour of gold and cometh forth in Ynde bitokeneth hem that been in good bileeve and charité and folowen the tracis of Jhesu Crist that came out of the est. Jacyncte that chaungith with the eir and is bright in brightnesse and in derk wedir derk bitokeneth wise men in holi chirche that kunnen confermen diverse men to the right bileeve. [fol. 235r] Amatist that is a purpure that hath the colour mengid as the violet and of rose and castith flawm fro hym bitokeneth hem that han mynde of the heighe kyngdom of hevene and desiren the felawschip of aungelis and of martires and confessoures, that is purpre medlid with violet and with rose, and putten her charité to her enemyes and bidden for hem.

Texte:

prose-textblock10[21] And the twelve gatis been twelve margaritis, ech gate a margarite. And the stretes of the citee been of gold as clere as glas glistrynge.

prose-textblock11[22] And I saugh no temple in the citee, for the Lord almyghtful is his temple, and the Lomb. [23] And the citee hath no myster of sunne ne of mone, for the brightnesse of God hath lighted it and the Lombe is his lanterne. [24] And the folkis of erthe schulen goon in his light, and the kyngis of erthe schulen beren to hym her glorie and honour. [25] And the gatis schulen not be schute bi daye, and nyght schal not be there. [26] And thei schulen bryng glorie and honour of hethene men into hir. [27] Ne foule thing schal come therein, ne abhomynacioun ne lesyng ne noon but here names been written in the book of lyf and of the Lomb.

Glose:

prose-textblock12That in the gatis been twelve margaritis bitokeneth hem that shulen wissen othere to techen hem the right bileve owen to been cleen of vertu and bright. The stretis of the cité ben bitokened the symple in holi chirche that ben abrod in the world and han here wyves and the richesse. Thei owen to been bryght as gold thorough the werkis of charitee, and that thei doon do it in clene conscience, and so thei schulen been cleer as the glas thorough innocente of baptem or thorough sothfast shrift and right bileve. That he saugh no temple in the cité bitokeneth that holi chirche schal han no myst to preiere ne to sacrifice whan that schal been alle glorified. Ne it schal han no mist of sonne ne of mone, that is to seie whanne it is glorified it schal han no myste of prechynge ne of techere ne of kepere. That the kingis and the folk schulen goon in his light bitokneth that agenn the endynge of this world the religious of God schulen wexe more and men schulen forsaken worldli blisse for hope of blisse above that evere schal last. That the gatis schulen not be schit bi day bitokeneth that tribulaciouns ne sorewes schulen not disturblen man to serve God as it doith now here in this lyf. That no foul thing schal entre ne noon but his name be writen in the book of lyf and the Lomb [fol. 235v] bitokneth that noon schal entre but if he be clene thorough the blod of Jhesu Crist and thorough the sacrament of hooli chirche and bot if that he conferme his lyf to Jhesu Cristis lyf in erthe here that was write for us on the cros.

Chapter 22

prose-textblock1[1] And he schewide to me a ryver of water of lyf cleer as cristalle and came fro the sege of God and the Lomb [2] and amyddis the strete of the citee. And on bothe half the ryver was the tre of lyf that berith twelve fruitis, and ech moneth he castith his fruyt. And the leves of the tree been heelth to men. [3] And ech cursid thing schal no more be. And the seege of God and of the Lomb schal been in the tree, and his servauntis schulen serven hym. [4] And thei schulen seen his face, and his name schal been in her forhede. [5] And nyght schal been no more. And thei schulen han no mester of lyght ne of sonne, for the Lord God schal lighten hem. And thei schulen regne with hym withouten ende.

Glose:

prose-textblock2The rever of the water of lyf is bitokened the joye that never schal faylen. Bi the sege is bitokned the hieghst halowen thorough which othere comen to grace and to blisse, and that is the ryver that cometh fro the sege of God and of the Lomb. Bi the water of lyf that is clere as cristalle is bitokenede blisse, for thorough the water of baptem man wan it. The o part of the ryver bitokneth the folk er the baptem cam. And after also, on both half the ryver was the tre of lyf. For both on the too part and on that othere, sume been saved thorough bileve of the cros that is prechid to hem thorough the twelve apostlis. That he yeldith ech moneth his fruyt bitokneth that thorough the patriarkis and apostlis weren in ech tyme summe brought to the bileeve. The leves of the tree bitokneth the comaundementis of Jhesu in his Gospel that been goode to helpe of men if thei been kept. That nevere schal be no cursid thing bitokned that there schal nevere more be synne ne peyne for synnes. That Godis sete and the Lambis schal been in the tree bitokneth that alle we been savede thorough Jhesu Cristis Passioun that he suffrede on the cros and his glorie and his blis of hevene gyven to us. And we been his servauntis, and there we schulen servenne hym with his aungelis withouten ende. That he seith thei schulen seen his face and his name schal be writen in here forhedis bitokneth that is writen in the Gospele, “That is lyf withouten ende, that thei schulen knowen hym oneli God sothfast and Jhesu Crist whom he sent.” In anothere sted in the Gospel seith Jhesu [fol. 236r] Crist, “He that avoweth hym to me bifore men, I schal avowen hym biforn my Fader in hevene.” And that is that he seith his name schal be writen in her forhedis. That he seith he schal han no myster of light ne of lanterne ne of sune is expouned bifore.

Texte:

prose-textblock3[6] And the aungele seid to me, “These wordes been trewe and sothfast, and the Lord God of spiritis sente his aungele to the profetis and schewide to his servauntis thingis that sone mote be doon. [7] Loo, I come hasteli. Blessid ben thei that keppen the profecye of this book.”

prose-textblock4[8] And I, Joon, after that I hadde herde and seen, fel a knees biforn the aungelis fet to honouren hym that had schewid this and told. [9] And he seide, “Lok thou do it not! For I am Goddis servaunt and thin and thi britheren profetis, and hem that kepen the profecie of this book. Gife worschippe to God.” It is expouned biforn.

prose-textblock5[10] And the aungil seide to me, “Hide not these wordis of the profecie, for the tyme is nygh. [11] He that noiez, noghe yit, and he that is in filth, wax ful yit, and he that is just, be justied yit, and he that is holi, be halewid yit.

prose-textblock6[12] “Lo, I come soone and my yeldynge with me, to yeld to eche after his werkis. [13] I am the first and the last, bigynnynge and endynge. [14] And thei been blessid that waschen here stolis in blod of the Lomb, that her myght be in the tre of lyf, and that comen in by the gatis into the citee. [15] But hundis schulen ben withoute, and thei that poysounnen othere and the foule and the homycides and thei that serven to maumetrie and ech that loveth and makith lesyngis.”

Glose:

prose-textblock7That the aungele defendede Joon to hiden this bitokeneth that man schal not letten to seyn the sothe for enpeyryng of the wickid. For if the goode been hurt in bodi for the wickid been sterid, it tourneth hem to goostli profit, for thei weschen heer stolis in blod of the Lomb. Thei that doon penance in the myght of Jhesu Crist, heer myghtes been in the tree of lyf. That setten not here trust in her penaunce ne in her werkis but oneli in the Passioun of Jhesu Crist, thei schulen entre into the citee bi the gatis, that thorough techinge of the apostlis and thorough the sacrament of hooli chirche passen out of this world thorough the right bileve. But hundis schulen not comen therin, that been mysbilevynge men and wymmen that scryven hem and resseyven God and han no wil to leven her synnes. Thei doon as the hond doith, castith that he hath etyn, and whan he is hungry, [fol. 236v] goth ageyn therto. So doon thei that schryven hem and goon ageen to here synne, for thei been not sory for here synnes. And thei that poysunnen othere thorough wickid deede or speche or ensaumple, that foloweth the expowned biforn. Of lesyngis and homecides and hem that been leef to heren lesyngis, he makith lesyngis with word and with deede that his wil is to here hem.

Texte:

prose-textblock8[16] “And I, Jhesu, have sent myn aungil to witnesse these thingis to you that been in hooli chirche. I am rote and kynd of Davyth, clerre stere in the morowenyng schynynge.”

prose-textblock9[17] And the Spirit and the spouse seith, “Kum.” And he that thursteth come, he that wil resceyven the water of lyf of pure grace.

Glose:

prose-textblock10That Jhesu sent his aungil to witnessen these thingis bitokeneth that oure Lord sent hooli writ to beren witnesse to undo the folk the privetees of God. That he seith he is rote bitokneth that he susteyneth and kepith alle thing as to his godhed, and he is kynd of Davyth as to the fleisch. And the stere that lightith the world thorough his techynge and the morewe stere, for thorough the Resureccioun that was doon in the morowenynge, he brought tithyng of oure brightnesse, for he gaf good ensaumple to alle the world. That the spirit and the spouse seith, “Cum thu to me,” bitokeneth that the Trinité in holi chirche monestith us to understonden holi writ and to doon it in werk. And thei that undirstonden it amonesten othere. That he seith, “He that hath thrist, come,” bitokneth that thei that desiren sothfast blisse in hevene, thei owen to doon it in deede and affien hem not in eny thing that thei wel doon, but ooneli in grace. And that is that he seith, “Reseve ye water of lyf.”

Texte:

prose-textblock11[18] I aferme the profecye of this book to alle that heren it. If eny do more therto, God schal doon upon hym the woundis of this book writun. [19] If eny lasse the wordis of this book and of this profecye, God schal bynymen hym the book of lyf and of the holy citee and fro hem that been writen in this book.

prose-textblock12[20] He seith that berith witnese of these thingis, “Amen. I come sone.” Amen. Kum, Lord Jhesu.

prose-textblock13[21] The grace of oure Lord be with you alle. Amen.

Glose:

prose-textblock14Heerin been acursid the wickid stynckyng that agenseien the profecye of this book writen and the eretikis mysbilevynge that corumpen thorough false understondynge, and the false discretifris that tournen hooli writ that is gostli to pleten with [fol. 237r] worldli thingis, and the false profetis that prechen to been preised of the world or to wynnen erthli goodis. That he seith, “I come sone,” and seith not whane bitokneth that he seith in the Gospel, “That day ne that houre no man wot, ne aungil of hevene, but oneli the Fader,” whan the day of jugement schal comen. And therfore he seith, se thorough right bileve and makith thorough goode werkis and biddith to God thorough devocioun. For ye witten nevere whan he schal come. And therfor it is nede to been alle wey redy and to lyven so right as man schulden right now go the jugement. That he seith, “Kum, Lord Jhesu,” bitokneth the grete desire that holi chirche hath to be glorified thorough the comyng of Jhesu Crist at the jugement. That he seith, “The grace of oure Lord be with us alle,” bitokneth the lyf of grace that oure Lord hath gove to holi chirche thorough the deth of Jhesu Crist and of his Resureccioun til that thei come to the lyf of blisse. Jhesu Crist, Goddis Sone and Maries also, that is o God almyghtful with the Fadere and the Holi Goost, lighte oure herte with stedfast bileve and bynd it with trust hope and send us his grace of love and charité, and send us grace to bilevene and dien in hym, that we may come with hym into blisse in bodi and soule and dwele with hym withouten ende. Amen.