The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
Ver. 27. The locusts have no king.] They are all belly, which is joined to their mouths, and endeth at their tails; hence they make such havoc where they come in those Eastern countries. See Joel 2:11, where they are called "God's great army." For though they have no king to command them, yet they go forth by bands, and march all in a company, to teach men concord and combination in lawful affairs and attempts. For,
“ Coniuncti pollent etiam vehementer inertes. ”
Those locusts in the Revelation (whereby is meant the Popish clergy), have their king Abaddon, the Pope, Rev 9:11 to whom they appeal from their lawful sovereign; yea, the rebellion of a clergyman against his prince is not treason, saith Sa the Jesuit, quia non est principi subiectus, because he is the Pope's subject. And when the English clergy whipped King Henry II for a penance for Becket's death, one of the Pope's legates said unto him, Domine, noli minari, &c.: Sir, never threaten us, for we fear no menaces of men, as being of such a court as use to command kings and emperors. a
a Jacob. Revius, De Vit. Pontiff