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The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

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    VI. Purvey-Projector of First Protestant Commentary

    JOHN PURVEY (c. 1354-1428), faithful friend and colaborer of Wyclif, was a student at Oxford when Wyclif’s influence was at its height. Later serving as his secretary, and evidently curate at Lutterworth, Purvey became the leader of the Lollards after Wyclif’s death. He was called “The Library of the Lollards, and Wyclif’s glosser.” In fact, to Purvey as much as to Wyclif we owe the excellence of the famous English Bible of 1388. We are in debted to his scholarship in translation, revision, and improvement. He smoothed out much of the stiffness and awkwardness of Wyclif’s original, many passages of which had been over-literal. 86Trench, op. cit., p. 310; Workman, Dawn of the Reformation, vol. 1, pp. 199, 200. He also furnished the glosses for the margin and a prologue of much value. Manuscript copies were multiplied rapidly and circulated widely.PFF2 92.3

    1. BIBLE TRANSLATION AND ANTICHRIST ATTACK BRINGS CONFLICT

    Purvey’s denunciation of the errors of the Roman church, and his endeavor to make the English Bible available to the people, drew upon him the severest penalties within the power of the hierarchy to inflict. He had been preaching at Bristol, but in 1387 was forbidden by the bishop of Worcester. His writings were declared erroneous and heretical, and were among those that the bishops of Worcester, Salisbury, and Here ford were authorized to seize in 1388 and 1389. In 1390 Purvey was thrown into prison, and occupied his time with writing a commentary on the Apocalypse, based on Wyclif’s former lectures. 87Workman, Dawn of the Reformation, vol. 1, p. 236.PFF2 93.1

    In 1395 Purvey assisted the Wyclif party in Parliament by drawing up an indictment of ecclesiastical corruptions—thirty-seven articles from the writings of Wyclif—under the title Remonstrances Against Romish Corruptions in the Church. In 1401 he was brought to trial before the Convocation. Stress is laid by his enemies upon the fact that, after being grievously tortured and punished in the Saltwood prison, he recanted certain phrases at Paul’s Cross, London, under Arundel, arch bishop of Canterbury. He was then made vicar of West Hythe, in Kent.PFF2 93.2

    But it is believed that Purvey subsequently repented of his recantation. 88Trench, op. cit., p. 317; Lechler, op. cit., p. 453. Moreover, the articles he had recanted were of a less vital character and did not deal with Antichrist. Resigning the vicarage of West Hythe in 1403, he returned to the simple teaching of the Bible, continuing to decry the errors of the church—for which he was once more imprisoned, in 1421, under Archbishop Chicheley. 89Foxe, Acts, vol. 1, pp. 618, 619; M’Clintock and Strong, op. cit., vol. 8, p. 815, art. “Purvey.” This latter time he put forth articles which agreed that the pope—Innocent III—was the “head of Antichrist,” 90Foxe, Acts, vol. 1, p. 619. the pope is the “great abomination,” 91Ibid., p. 621. and the Church of Rome “the great and cursed strumpet, of whom St. John writeth in Revel. 17.” 92Ibid., p. 622.PFF2 93.3

    2. DIGEST OF PURVEY’S COMMENTARY ON REVELATION

    A copy of Purvey’s commentary on the Apocalypse (1390), based on Wyclif’ s sermons, found its way to Livonia (later part of Latvia), and thence one hundred years later to Luther. It made such an impression upon the Reformer that he had it reprinted at Wittenberg in 1528, describing it as “a Commentary on the Apocalypse Written 100 Years Ago.” It comprised 196 leaves. This first Protestant commentary aims in every way possible to expose and protest against papal apostasy, and to testify to the truth of the pure gospel doctrine. Purvey was convinced that they were “already living in the times of Antichrist,” that the pope was the prophesied Antichrist, and that all the predicted warnings of prophecy must be given.PFF2 94.1

    3. LUTHER’S DISCLAIMER OF PRIORITY

    This unique re print of Purvey’s Commentarius in Apocalypsin is prefaced by an impressive statement by Luther, disclaiming any originality or priority in advancing the premise that the Papacy is the prophesied Antichrist of Scripture. Luther’s disclaimer is here rendered rather literally so as to preserve its original phrasing:PFF2 94.2

    “This preface, noble reader, you may understand was written by us for this reason—that we might make known to the world that we are not the first who interpret the Papacy as the kingdom of Antichrist. For many years prior to us, so many and so great men (whose number is large, and their memory eternal) have attempted this so clearly and openly, and that with great spirit and force, that [those] who were driven by the fury of the papal tyranny into the farthest boundaries of the earth, and suffering the most atrocious tortures, nevertheless bravely and faithfully persisted in the confession of the truth. Although we in this age are far more learned and free than they, yet we ought to be ashamed that they, held in great barbarity and captivity, were so much braver and bolder than we in spirit and fortitude.PFF2 94.3

    “For as this author was, for his age (as I think), among the first who sought learning and holiness most ardently, yet hindered by the defectiveness of the time and the reign of darkness could neither speak these things so purely nor think so clearly as in this our age we speak and think, yet he rightly and truly pronounces the Pope Antichrist (as he is), ... a witness, indeed, foreordained by God to confirm our doctrine.” 93Luther, preface, in John Purvey, Commentarius in Apocalypsin, sig. A2V.PFF2 95.1

    4. PURVEY ASSERTS POPE IS ANTICHRIST

    In his exposition Purvey brings Antichrist into the over-all picture of the seven churches. 94Purvey, Commentarius, fols. 2v-28v. The express declaration that the pope is “Antichrist” appears in this connection, despite the fact that many claim for him “as great sanctity and authority as if he were Christ when He was on earth.” 95Ibid., fol. 29v; see also fols. 60r and 64r. Purvey asserts without reservation that Antichrist “already reigns.” 96Ibid., fol. 30v.PFF2 95.2

    CHARTS VISUALIZING PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION

    On the Pages Immediately Following, the Complete Upper Chart Pictures in Miniature the Entire Field Covered by the Four Volumes of the Prophetic Faith Set. Marked Off by Centuries, From Fourth Century B.C. to Nineteenth Century A.D.., the Full Story Is Visualized, Showing Sequences and RelationshipsPFF2 95.3

    The Lower Chart Is an Enlargement of the Central Section of the Upper Full-Length Chart. The Range Covered in Volume II Is From a.d. 1300 to 1800-or From the Renaissance on Through the Reformation, Counter Reformation, and Post-Reformation Eras, Ending With the French Revolution. Divided by Vertical Century Lines, the Upper Horizontal Band Represents the Jewish Interpreters; the Second Band Indicates the Pre-Reformation Witnesses, Principally in Britain and Bohemia, Expanding Into the Great Protestant Reformation Spread of Prophetic Exposition, Then the Narrowing Post-Reformation Group, With the Whitbyan Post-Millennial Tangent, and Finally the French Revolution Climax. The Broad Third Band Indicates the Widespread Catholic Expositors of Prophecy, from Dante and Petrarch on Through Cusa and Savonarola, Then the Significant Fifth Lateran and Trent Councils. Next Comes the Catholic Counter Reformation, and the Clever Counter Interpretations of Jesuits Ribera and Alcazar, Which Parried and Split the Widespread Protestant Witness on Antichrist and Launched the Popular Futurist and Preterist Views, Later Accepted by Liberal and Conservative Protestants. The Climax of Volume in the French Revolution, and Contemporary Recognition of the Close of the Great 1260-Year Time PeriodPFF2 95.4

    5. ANTICHRIST DESTROYED UNDER SEVENTH SEAL

    In commenting on the seven seals, Purvey sees the history of the church repeated through the ages-the apostolic, the pure, the heretics, and the hypocrites, 97Ibid., fols. 5Iv-58v. followed by the sword of persecution against those holding the evangelical doctrine, killing them in body or mind. 98Ibid., fol. 59r, v. Purvey thought that after the seventh seal, or state of the church, and the accompanying destruction of Antichrist, there would be a period of peace and quiet for the church. 99Ibid., fol. 75v.PFF2 98.1

    6. TRUMPETS EXPOSE DEPARTURES OF ANTICHRIST

    The seven trumpets, covering the same ages, are similarly asserted to involve the destruction of Antichrist and his helpers. The trumpeters are the preachers against Antichrist. The first is identified as he who first called the pope Antichrist. Others cry out against heresy, and the allegorization and abandonment of the literal interpretation of prophecy, for Antichrist destroys both law and gospel. 100Ibid., fols. 76r-88r. Under the sixth trumpet Antichrist is openly exposed. 101Ibid., fol. 88r. The hosts of Antichrist are declared to be the prelates of the church. 102Ibid., fol. 90v. And the Little Book of Revelation 10 is the knowledge of the present fulfillment of this prophecy, bitter because of persecution over the divulgence of this prophecy. 103Ibid., fol. 97v, 98r.PFF2 98.2

    7. THE WOMAN RECOGNIZED AS THE CHURCH

    The woman of Revelation 12, Purvey recognizes as Christ’s church, and the 1260 days as the time of Antichrist’s persecution, though he does not attempt to give the length or to suggest the dating. 104Ibid., fols. 108v, 111v.PFF2 98.3

    8. BEAST’S IDENTIFICATION, MARK, AND NUMBER

    The first beast of Revelation 13 symbolizes Antichrist, Purvey continues, the seven heads comprising its princes and prelates, and the ten horns the methods of attacking “the law of the gospel, which leads men to the perfect observance of the decalogue.” 105Ibid., fol. 116v. This beast, he solemnly avers, receives his power from Satan, not God. 106Ibid., fol. 119r, v. The second beast embraces those engaged in preaching, disputing, teaching, and carrying on the business of Antichrist—the pseudo—apostles of Antichrist, including the friars, who kill with the civil sword. 107Ibid., fols 121v-123v. These deceive men into receiving the mark in the right hand-works conformed to the Antichrist- or in the forehead—public profession—both alike bringing conformity to Antichrist. 108Ibid., fol. 123v; also fol. 128v. The number 666 Purvey attaches to the pope, who, instead of being inerrant, is just a sinner like all others of earth. 109Ibid., fol. 124r..PFF2 98.4

    9. 144,000 FAITHFUL TO EVANGELICAL FAITH

    The 144,000 are those faithful in the evangelical doctrine, and the new song is that of the evangelical doctrine. 110Ibid., fols. 124v-125v. They live up to their baptismal vows. 111Ibid., fol. 126v.PFF2 99.1

    10. FIRST ANGEL EXPOSES ANTICHRIST

    The first angel of Revelation 14 is set forth as a preacher of the evangelical doc trine against Antichrist, proclaimed in the church even in Purvey’s own time, and Satan’s church is defined as the synagogue of Satan. 112Ibid., fol. 127r. The dominant position, or rule, of the Beast’s preachers in the church is set forth as a definite sign of the nearness of the last judgment. 113Ibid., fol. 127v.PFF2 99.2

    11. BABYLON’S FALL SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL

    The second angel is similarly an evangelical preacher, with Babylon identified as Rome; and “fallen, fallen,” repeated, embraces both spiritual and temporal power. “Babylon,” Purvey explains, means manifold confusion—simony, avarice, and greed continually 114Ibid., fol. 128r.PFF2 99.3

    12. THIRD ANGELIC MESSENGER AGAINST ANTICHRIST

    The third angel’s message is directed specifically against the Antichrist-beast, with the image as those who imitate him and receive his mark. 115Ibid., fol. 128v. The seven angels, with the vials, illuminated with the seven spiritual graces, are thought likewise to be preachers against Antichrist. 116Ibid., fols. 133v-136v. The vials contain damnation for the followers, high and low, of Antichrist. 117Ibid., fol. 137r.PFF2 99.4

    13. SERIOUSLY CONFUSED ON TIME FEATURE

    On the time feature Purvey is seriously confused. He counts the 1,000 years of Revelation 20 from the crucifixion to the Antichrist, and states that about 357 years have passed since their expiration, thus placing the composition of this work in 1390, although his figures are not consistent, even after the correction on the last page. In this view of the thousand years, as dating from the first advent, he still follows Augustine. In fact, the distortions of the millennium were the last of the great perversions to be corrected by the Reformed movement. The three and a half times of Antichrist are, to Purvey, only 350 years-apparently from 1033 to 1383—since which time the pope has been universally demonstrated as the great Antichrist. Purvey, with other Lollards, believed that they were in the forty-five years (presumably the difference between the 1290 and 1335) given to the elect for repentance. Gog and Magog are the persecutors of the preachers of evangelical doctrine. 118Ibid., fols. 170r, v; 195v.PFF2 100.1

    Such is the well-defined and clearly expressed concept of Purvey in 1390, later reprinted under the Reformation.PFF2 100.2

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