John Trapp on Revelation 17:3

Verſe 3. Into the wilderneſſe] Whether the true Church fled, Chap. 12. of which they muſt be (ſaith one) that can learn to know the Romiſh Church to be a Whore, condemned of God.

I ſaw a woman] See the Note on Verſe 1.

Sit upon] Not going a-foot, as Chriſt and the Apoſtles did: but magnificently mounted, as the Pope is ever, either upon a ſtately palfrey (Emperours holding his ſtirrop) or upon mens ſhoulders. England was once called the Popes aſſe, for bearing his intolerable exactions.

Ʋpon a ſcarlet coloured beaſt] The proper colour of the Court of Rome: and it well ſerves to ſet forth their pomp and their hypocriſie. Innocent the fourth gave a red hat to his Cardinals, to ſhew them (as he ſaid) that they ſhould be ready to ſhed their bloud for the truth. But that Painter was nearer the point, who being blamed by a Cardinal for colouring the viſages of Peter and Paul too red, tartly replied, that he painted them ſo, as bluſhing at the ſtatelineſſe and ſinfulneſſe of his ſucceſſours.

Full of names of blaſphemy] His head only before was buſked with the blaſphemy, Chap. 13.1. now his whole body. Thus evil men and ſeducers grow worſe and worſe, deceiving and being deceived, 2 Tim. 3.13.