And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Ver. 6. And I saw another angel] This is held to be John Wycliffe, who wrote more than two hundred volumes against the pope, and was a means of much good to many. The Lady Ann, wife to King Richard II, sister to Wenceslaus, king of Bohemia, by living here was made acquainted with the gospel; whence also many Bohemians coming hither, conveyed Wycliffe's books into Bohemia, whereby a good foundation was laid for the following reformation.
In the midst of heaven] Not in fastigio caeli, in the height of heaven, as some render it; but allow rather, and as it were in the mid-heaven, because of the imperfection of his doctrine when it was first divulged.
Having the everlasting gospel] The ancient truth, no new doctrine. A gentleman being asked by a Papist, Where was your religion before Luther? answered, In the Bible, where yours never was. It is called the eternal gospel (saith Brightman), as if the Holy Ghost would on purpose meet with the offence of those times, when the truth (that was restored) should commonly be condemned of novelty.