The first New Testament printed in English

by Unknown

And one of the seniors said unto me: weep not: Behold a lion being of the tribe of Iuda, the root of David, hath obtained to open the book, and to loose the vij. seals thereof. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the seat, and of the iiij. beasts, and in the midst of the seniors, stood a lamb as though he had been killed, which had vij. horns and vij. eyes, which are the spirits of God, sent into all the world. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the seat.

And when he had taken the book, the iiij. beasts and xxiiij. seniors fell down before the lamb, having harps and golden vials full of odoures, which are the prayers of saints and they sung a new song saying: thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou wast killed, and hast redeemed us by thy blood, out of all kindreds, and tongues, and people, and nations, and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests and we shall reign on the earth.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels about the throne, and about the beasts and the seniors, and I heard thousand thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the lamb that was killed to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing. And all creatures, which are in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them heard I saying: blessing, honour, glory, and power be unto him, that sitteth upon the seat, and unto the lamb for evermore. And the iiij. beasts said: amen. And the xxiiij. seniors fell upon their faces, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore.

The .vj. Chapter.

And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the iiij. beasts say, as it were the noise of thunder, come and see. And I saw, and behold there was a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow, and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering and for to overcome. And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say: come and see. And there went out another horse that was red, and power was given to him that sat thereon, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. And there was given unto him a great sword.

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say: come and see. And I beheld, and lo, a black horse: and he that sat on him, had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the iiij. beasts say: a measure of wheat for a penny, and iij. measures of barley for a penny: and oil and wine see thou hurt not.

And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say: come and see. And I looked. And behold a green horse, and his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed after him, and power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, that cometh of vermin of the earth.

And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar, the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and for the testimony which they had, and they cried with a loud voice saying: How long tarriest thou lord holy and true, to judge and to avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And long white garments were given unto every one of them. And it {hit} was said unto them that they should rest for a little season until the number of their fellows, and brethren, and of them that should be killed as they were, were fulfilled.

And I beheld when he opened the sixth seal, and lo there was a great earthquake, and the sun was as black as sack cloth made of hair. And the moon waxed even as blood: and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth from her her figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And heaven vanished away, as a scroll when it is rolled together. And all mountains and isles, were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in dens, and in rocks of the hills, and said to the hills, and rocks: fall on us, and hide us from the presence of him that sitteth on the seat, and from the wrath of the lamb, for the great day of his wrath is come, And who can endure it.

The .vij. Chapter.