of Ministry and the Powers of Heaven shall be shaken signifying the removing of the Church-Governments and Authority then established When the Lord of the evill servant ver 48. to the end that beat his fellow-servants and eate and dranke with the drunken should be cut asunder which is that the Lord should deprive Antichrist of his ministry that evill servant when the wise servant which gave meat to the Lords houshold in due season should be blessed restored and comforted Now the Holy Ghost relates to the then time especially shewing in what estate the Church should be in respect of the ministry thereof set downe under the name of Virgins that is men exempted from all worldly imployments to Jesus Christ 2 Their Imployment or Ministry is set out in their Lamps 3 Their Ordination in their taking their Lamps by which lawfully they may minister in the Church to Jesus Christ 4 They are first summed up together ten Virgins to shew that in respect of office calling Ministry they did seeme to be one and agreed 5 They went forth to meet the Bridegroome a metaphor taken from marriages partly in use amongst us so far as sufficiently to set out the minde of God in this text In that we see usually at weddings young men youth or Virgins accompany the Bride to the place of marriage and present her to the Bridegroome which thing is most clearly held out and proved by that saying of the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you French Approprier to one husband that I may present you as a chaste Virgin to Christ Hence the Apostles are called the Children of the Bride-chamber Markâ— 2.10 1 You see what was done in Church-constituting 2 That it was the Ministers office here called the Virgins to present the Bride or Church to Jesus Christ proved from the practise of the Apostles and of the five wise Virgins here mentioned ver 2. 1 These ten Virgins are divided into five and five 2 They are distinguished by their qualifications the one five are said to be wise the other to be foolish the wise are the true ministry the foolish the false Antichristian ministry 3 In that they are divided into five and five it shews that there should be a representation in the false Antichristian ministry of the true Gospel-ministry of Christ some way though not aright as the Corinths begin with false Apostles so these 2 Cor. 11.13 The five Virgins that are said to be wise or the true Gospel ministers are 1 Apostles 2 Prophets 3 Evangelists 4 Pastours 5 Teachers Now these ordinâ—rily are ordained to present the Church as young men Virgins the Bride to the Bridegroome Now as the wise so the foolish are also five in number Antichrist having that falsely in his false Christ hath in his true Church in truth 1 To the 12 Apostles the Pope set up in Rome 12 Cardinals Anselme Revel 13. Antichristus habiturus est pseudos Apostolâ—s suos Vâ—de Pâ—tteâ— Number of the Beast cap. 14. As there is a cleare and eminent Antithesis between Jerusalem and Rome so is there also betweene Christs Apostles and the Popes Cardinals there being no persons in the whole world of what rank order or dignity soever styling themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vicem gerentes Apostolorum as they doe Idem ibid. As the Apostles truly were and are the root and foundation of the Christian Church and all Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction so the Cardinals falsly pretend themselves to be and so they truely are and doe in expresse words declare themselves to be the very basis and foundation of the Romish Hierarchy read that that followeth hereof So that hence you see he proves that what the Apostles were in the true the Cardinals in the false Hence the Pope sends a Saphire to the new made Cardinals as foundation stones It is also a cleare Note that the five foolish Virgins are signified in these because the Cardinalls as the Apostles of Christs ministry consists of Arch-bishop Cardinals Bishop-Cardinals Presbyters and Deacon Cardinals that as the Apostles executed the place of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers in the true so these Cardinals falsly in the false Now as the Cardinals arose from Presbyters First so in the fall of Presbytery and that falls with them is the full fall of Papacy and Babylon and from these five and not the five wounds of Christ as Mr. Potter and so by five times five multiply them to 25 to make their Monks Fryers and Masse-priests to be the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to them 1 Chron. Chap. 25. for what relation is there betweene Christs five wounds and 25 ministers Potter Chap. 24. and the 25. 2 To the Prophet the Pope constituted in his Church an Anti-prophet or Arch bishop which God remarkably as it were to compleat this Scripture called the Arch-bishop of this Kingdome by that name Rev. 16.13 where some Ecclesiasticall person under the sixth violl in which time wee live is called by the name of a prophet or Anti-prophet hee being to be in that place in the false Church the true Prophet is in the true Object Why doe you allude this to the Arch-bishop of this Kingdome more then to others of other Kingdomes Reply 1 The first Arch-bishops of the world were set up in this K ngdome others tooke their patterne from hence and ye know what honour Anselme had in being called Papa orbis in a whole Councell of Bishops at Barsnense 1098. and againe ye know that the Arch-bishop of this Kingdome called the Image of the Beast ruled independently from the Pope as supream himselfe c. Which was to be slain Rev. 19.20 3 The Bishop was understood in all ancient writings which ordinary Evangelists in Scripture the first 200 yeares as in my book called the Resurrection of Churches appeares 4 The presbyter answeâ—s to the pastor in the true Church hence the presbyter usually useth the name Pastor not Deacon as made first and inferiour to pastors 5 The Deacon in the false Church was the Anti-teacher to the Teacher in the true who was the first minister of Antichrists Church who had not as full authority in Church affairs as the Pastor to administer Sacramentrs nor the Pastor as the Bishop to oâ—daine Ministers but the Bishop with the presbyters as the Evangelist with the pastor and Teacher were to do nor had the Bishops that authority as the Cardinals had in the false church as the Evangelists had not that authority as the Apostles in the true Church Object In the Hierarchy of Rome are 90 Orders and more mentioned by Fox in his Book of Acts and Monuments and then what do you tell us of those five Reply There are so but none of these preached the word as is here signified by the Lamps but either as Bishops or Pastors Priests or Deacons be their Order what they will and so still the teaching ministry of theirs are to be redâ—ced to one of these five Object What
none shall hinder them it being Gods will it must be done and let me say to all concern'd herein as Gamaliel in the Acts 5.39 If this be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found fighters against God 4 Should you say to the Parliament as Elisha to Hazael 2 Kings 8.12 You will do this evill take away all the maintenance and Ministry almost of the Kingdom into three or foure and then wil ye not bring this brave flourishing knowing Kingdom into deep darknesse Atheisme worse then Popish like that of America c. I believe the answer would be Do you think we are Dogs that we should ever do such things as these But where I may apply that of the Prophet that God hath shewed to me that these things shall be done I leave to the issue of things tâ— prove 5 Applic. Was there ever such trouble at the removing of these severall Ministers of the false Church as in Cardinall Wolseys Praemunire for Poole was but as titular and acted little as if dead and in removall of Archbishops and Bishops and their Praemunire can we think though the Deacons fal quietly that the Presbyters fall will not cost much bloud especially in Scotland Do not we see what doings now there are in France and how they are carried against the first of the foolish Virgins the Cardinall Mazarine who have all their work to do but before any peace be in that Kingdom wil do all together Applic. To the Kingdom untill you see these things you can never see peace you can never come out of Babell you can never see the Marriage of the Lambe nor behold the good days of God foretold in the Scripture these things forespoken of make way for these to come amongst us therefore know as contrary to thee as they seem to be yet they are according to God And it is most true if we should consult with flesh and bloud about these things we were utterly lost herein Applic. To Ministers ye see what sad things are coming on us I desire you not to accompt me your enemy because I tell you the truth Gal. 4.16 Many may be happy by it that have hearts to make use of it if this be not Truth let me then be accompted the Ministers publike Enemy whom surely in heart I have not the least desire to offend of my self at all but it seems to me providence foretels you you shall stir up the hatred of the Magistrate against you and then you will occasion him to eat the remaining flesh and to consume the remaining feces of Antichrists Polity amongst us To the Magistrate Rev. 20.4 Thrones were set and judgement was given to them and the souls of them beheaded c. and cap. ver 5. This is the first Resurrection I suppose these things in a judiciall way will be brought to passe in the world Dan. 7.13 14. are at that time to be accomplâ—shed Scriptures I beleeve when accomplished will plainly appear to have been very strangely misunderstood and mis-applyed which I leave to time to evidence and the troubles that do succeed upon removing the Presbytery and that appertains â—hereunto is that last Woe I mentioned in the Epistle dedicated to his Excellency the Lord Fairfax Generall before the Forme of Gospel-Government I caused to be printed about January the 14th 1648. Object You have spoken of Antichrists Ministry as of a single Ministry and now come to compare the Ministry of Christ which are five in the true Church to Antichrist as having five also distinct in her false Church 1 Bellarmine acknowledgeth 2 Tom. de Cler. Cap. 16. That a Cardinall is but as a parish priest in his own Title 2 They were Presbyter-Cardinals and so no more but chiefe Presbyters they having in their Churches but a Single Ministry for as in their Churches a Bishop ministred not to them nor any Archbishop or Presbyter unlesse as Curate or Substitute only Vide Potter Numb 666. Cap. 19. The five Gospell Ministers being in every true Gospell constituted Church the five false in the Romane Catholick Church or Nationall Forbs Irenicu Cap. 11. de Episcop Propos 10 Quando Presbyter fit Episcopus non desinit esse presbyter c. Peculiarem habens Ecclesiam Parochialem quae ipsi sit Cathedralis id est ad quam constantèr resideat c. Now for Presbyters and Deacons they were practised amongst us singly which is proofe sufficient Which clears to us That while Antichrist had his five false Anti-ministers he had them in a false way and not as the true Church each one doing in the Church singly as concerning the Ministry and alone which all the true Church ordinary Ministry were to do together there being no division of Members under the Cardinals the Archbishops or Bishops Ministry more then in the lowest Presbyters in that Hierarchy nor did he any thing differ in his administrations from them as the Apostles did from Prophets they from Evangelists they from Pastors or Teachers in the true Church these in the false Church differed indeed in some things in respect of their whole Antichristian Babylonish Hierarchy but not in particulâ—r Titles or Parish Churches Applic. To Scotland In her is the Root of Presbytery as Episcopacy was in England though that Geneva gave as it were first being unto it under Calvin for in Scotland Nationally it was received and confirmed by one of the ten Kings of the Romane Monarchy c. 1 They shall by the Presbytery be stirred up to warre and be overcome by the Saints they warre against called Hereticks and Schismaticks the old Romane way of proceeding against beleevers they themselves are called so at Rome 2 They will come in the end to hate the Presbytery God will make them naked have their riding the Beast that is the Temporall Authority of that Kingdome opened to them and their standing be made appear not to be Evangelicall by which means the Kingdome of Scotland shall come to hate them and take away all Authority and Jurisdiction from them and take away their Ecclesiasticall preferments and tithes c. yea make their Presbytery so desolate as not to leave a Presbyter of them to be a Minister This friends it seems to me God is about to do in Scotland it selfe and what will become of it in England and what shall we say if ever we see God do these things 3 Though the Warre begin here possibly if it do this Army will then I beleeve enter Scotland and do for Presbytery there as they did for Episcopacy here but with much more integrity for as Episcopacy was to have its fall in England England being the Root of it so Presbytery is to have its fall in Scotland the Root of it being there this estate being the Philadelphian estate in which the love of Sister-Churches will appear O that the mind of God were enquired after at the Word and that men would endeavour the fulfilling thereof so would there
the Churches hid estate which is computed to be by the Spirit of God 1260 days prophetically yeares Revel 12.6 which is the full time of Antichrists reign of whom I commend these things to be considered of 1 That the two witnesses comprehend not the whole Ministry of any age but only such who in each age of the predicted time did oppose Antichrist maintaining the Gospel truth against his errours in doctrine discipline or Church Constitution in the several times and ages they lived in so that ones witnesse may differ from another according to the measure of knowledge God had communicated unto them in their day one witnessing against his corrupt doctrine of iustification c. Others against his Idolatry c. Against whom God had still some to oppose and direct the Church to this day this being a part of that time 2. Their witnesse is but for a limited time even the time of the Churches hiding and then ends Revel 11.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There Testimony is not long before it be fulfilled if not already after which they shall teach no more as they have done before 3 Consider but Him that is to put an end to their Ministry and then the time is known when this and by whom it shal be effected Rev. 17.3 I saw a woman that is the Papacy sitting on a Scarlet coloured beast that is the Roman Empire now here Revel 11.7 The beast that is some part of the Civill State of the Roman Monarchy set down Vers 13. By a tenth part of the City which England is being one of the 10 Kingdomes of the Roman Monarchy and a tenth part of the City gets up out of the bottomlesse pit or Antichrists prison the Key whereof the fallen Star keepeth Revel 9.1 which proves her authority thereof 4 The beast thus having broken the prison makes war with the witnesses by questioning their ministry the witnesses could not war with any other weapons then the word and then overcomes them and kils them not slaying their persons but nullifying their ministry 5 Into their carcasses that is into their now dead ministry comes the spirit of life from God that is God comes to restore in their stead the true ministry into the Church againe now that this is meant of their successors not themselves I desire you to observe 1 Their ministry is fulfiled that is that they were to doe by their ministry they have done and are to do no more in the Church 2 Their time being set is now accomplished and are no longer to continue and if they then sure the other antichristian Ministry that is not of God is much more to end 6 The spirit of life entring into their carcasses is the right call and abundance of gifts God shall blesse the succeeding ministry with 7 That the successors of these vers 12. Are called into heaven that is they are acknowledged by the Church to be the true Gospel ministry 8 On this the 10 part of the City falls vers In which a full and perfect deliverance is given to one of the ten Kingdoms from the Antichristian estat and not before Aplic England see where and in what time thou art in and what is to be done in thee for thy cure and how neer thy comfort and Salvation is 2 How contrary the actings of men are to Gods minde the sole cause of all our troubles 3 I cannot passe this by that the witnesses Prophesied in sackcloath Revel 11.3 And so did weare none of the Popes Scarlet or the Bishops silks or had they the rule of States with the Presbytery but were during their whole time of ministry in a sad and suffering condition lamenting their own and the Saints calamities being alwâ—ys under antichristian persecution for the truth and never having publicke Government in their hands as Presbytery hath had at all 4 These witnesses rise again in the restauration of the true Gospel ministry foretold of God Revel 20. ver 4.5 You shall see in this how God makes good the judgment written of her when shall be fulfilled on her that she did on the messengers of the Gospel that she may say as I have done the Lord hath requited me Revel 18.6 Return to her even as she hath returned to you Now the word is verbum factivum that which God saith here Do shall be done when the time is come people be to whom these words are written For as the Apostle 1 Pet. 1.12 not to themselves but us they did minister these things so these things are ministred to those men that live in that tâ—me God will have these things done when the Word shall fill their spirits with might to do the will of the Lord. 1 Who is to be returned unto that is her the false Church of Rome 2 How she is to be rewarded and that is as she hath rewarded the true Church of Christ 3 He shews the Rule God wil have observed in returning to her which is That as she hath done she shall be done unto 1 Now consider by policy she first destroyed the Gospel Ministry God will take down hers by the purity and power of his Word again and set up the Gospel Government in her stead 2 By cruelty and disgrace shee destroyed these Witnesses which taught the Gospel of Truth in the time of her Reigne now to this the holy Spirit alludes as being the way of Gods judgment in â—hâ—ch the Saints are to be executionâ—rs and to do to her that is Antichrist as she hath done 3 The thing God aimed at herein is to shew Antichrists tyranny used against those God raised up to preach the Gospel by degrading them as in the History of John Huss at Constance and of John Sawtrey the first English Martyr the History in brief being thus The Bishops cause him to be apparelled in Priestly Vestments and to be brought to appear before them when the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Arundel 1399 saith I denounce thee William Sawtrey in the Habit of a Priest as an Heretick I do condemne thee in the name of all my fellow brethren the Bishops c. and of the whole Clergy I do degrade and deprive thee of thy Priestly Order in signe whereof we take from thee the Patent and Chalice and do deprive thee of authority of saying Mass we pull from thy back the Casul and take from thee thy Vestment and deprive thee of all manner of Priestly honour And then having proceeded in manner of pronouncing sentence against him as before he proceeds Wee put thee from the order of a Deacon in token we take from thee the book of the New Testament and the Stole and do deprive thee of reading the Gospel and all dignity of a Deacon As a Subâ—eacon they depriveâ—â—â— of the Albe and Maniple As a Acolite they take away the Candlestick and Taper As a Exorcist the book of Conjuration As a Reader they took away the book of the Church Legend As Sexton they