this Beast they are described here by their state by their spirituall and eternall state that is to say they are described by a deniall of their elect estate and that is exprest in a deniall of the proper adjunct of that state and that is the writing of their names in the Lambs book of life for that is the proper adjunct of all the elect people of God that their names are written in the book of life of the Lamb these men men therefore being denied this proper adjunct of an elect state they are the refore here described by their damnable condition and state now this therefore is here predicated of them all that their names are not written in the booke of the life of the Lambe who ever they be that worship this Beast and he saith All did worship him save onely they whose names were written in the Lambes booke of life They that did worship the Beast had not their names written in the Lambs book of life So then this book in which their names are said not to be written it is set forth by the end and by the subject of it 1. By the end It is the Book of life Not that it was a living book but because they that are written in that book are written unto life that they may live to eternity to grace and glory 2. It is described by the subject It is the Lambs Book of life either he is the possessor of it God giving it to him that he might take notice of all the names therein and keep them safe to salvation or else he is the subject of it as being the first and principall person who is written in it for he of old hath been observed to be the head and cheif of the elect of God in Ephes 1. 4. He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world therefore he chose him first and us in him as he is well pleased first with Christ and in Christ with us Mat. 3. 17. whether you speak of Gods everlasting complacency or of the manifestation of it in effectuall vocation it is in Christ that he is well pleased first with Christ and in his name with us so he is said to be fore-ordained before the foundation of the world 1 Pet. 1. 20. So therefore it is said to be the book of the Lamb the Lambs booke of life because that the book is given to him and because also that he is the principall person that is first and primarily and fundamentally written in this book I say it is first given to him as if all the persons that God intends life unto he did give them as it were in a scroul or book to the Lord Jesus but of that I shall speak a little more by and by In the mean time I speak now to the Analysis of the Text but if you shall not trasâ—â—â—e it whose names are not written in the Lambs Book of life but as it is here and indeed so it holds in the Originall the Book of life of the Lambe Though it be the like sence then it may hold out a further notion and meditation and that is this 1. That the Lambe is the subject of that life whereof it is said it is the Book of life of the Lamb. 2. He is the Author of it to the elect people of God in John 14. 19. that holds forth both that he is that life to us Christ as God-man is the subject of this spirituall and eternall life and his man-hood so receives it as a common vessell to all his elect members and because he lives we shall live also therefore he is the Author both of giving and preserving this life to his heavenly Kingdome Now by this Lambe I need not tell you is meant Christ the Lambe without spot John 1. 29. We are redeemed by the precious bloud of Christ as of a Lambe without spot 1 Pet. 1. 19. This Lambe is here described by his suffering which was slain was put to death a violent death and that suffering of his is amplified by the ancient vigour and efficacy of it slain from the beginning of the world Now the note that first offers it selfe from this verse is this That such whose names are written in the lambs book of life they all and they onely are preserved from the worship of the Beast For here it is said That all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him saving they whose names are written in the Lambes Book of life they shall not worship him but all whose names are not written in the book of the life of the Lambe they shall worship the Beast So then they whose names are written in the Lambes book of life they doe not worship him for if their names be written there they are expresly exempted but they that doe worship him they are said not to have their names written in the Lambes book of life So that such whose names are written in the Lambes book of life they and all they and they onely are preserved from the worship of the Beast It is a speech to the like purpose that you read in Rev. 17. 8. and upon the like occasion The Beast that thou sawesâ— was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomelesse pit and go into perdition and they that dwell on the Earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the Book of life from the foundation of the world c. They admire and adore him where he tells you of an ancient act hee doth not tell here when it was written there he doth that ancient book wherein from the foundation of the world they were written and therefore before the world such as were written in the Lambes book of life were lockt up to be preserved from the adoration of the Beast and all the rest were left to worship the Beast For opening this point here a Question or two may be moved for explication of the termes of the Doctrine which have been a little expounded before First Quest 1. Then it may be demanded what is this Book of life Answ You read in Scripture of sundry books according to which our eternall state stands or falls if I may so call them that are said to be opened at the judgement day whether at the last judgement or some representation of the last judgement it is all one for the Doctrine In Rev. 20. 12. it is sayd When the Thrones were set the Books were opened and another book which is the Booke of life So here is one book according to which his Saints were judged besides the booke of life but that also was opened These bookes are truly observed by others to be first the book of Gods Providence in Psal 139. 16. which is also called in Mal. 3. 16. the booke of Gods Remembrance wherein he takes notice of all persons and actions that is keeps as exact account of them as if they were written before him in a book which
day by day were fashioned c. In the providence of God there was a deliniation of all creatures and actions that should come to passe There is truly also the booke of conscience for also in that God registers all our actions according to which we shall be judged the conscience bearing witnesse about our persons and actions so farre as they are enlightned by God And you read also of another booke The word that I have spoken that shall judge them at the last day John 12. 48. he shall judge all the world by it Rom. 2. 16. In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel These books will be opened the booke of Gods Providence the booke of the Scripture and the book of conscience by which we shall be judged But there is also the booke of Life by which wee shall be judged in Rev. 10. 12. Now for the book of life that hath a double exception in Scripture for sometimes it is put for the Church register in which all are registred as those that were the living in Jerusalem Isa 4. â— It is said Every one that remaineth in Hierusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Hierusalem Or as the word is in the margent or bigger Bibles written To life in Hierusalem In the Originall it is capable of both constructions Every man capable of life is written in Hierusalem There is a book written of them that live there of which it is said Psal 87. 6. the Lord will recount when he writteth up the people that this or that man was born there Of this book also you read in Ezek. 13. 9. where the Lord doth threaten the false Prophets that his hand shall be upon them that see vanity and devine lyes they shall not be as members of my people nor shall they be written in the writing of the house oâ— Israel they shall neither have fellowship with Church nor Common-wealth There is a writing therefore a Register a Record of them which in the Old Testament were counted Geneologies and very carefully did they keep them that if they could not shew their pedigree from this Geneology they were as polluted Ezra 2. 59. as also vers 62. where he tells you of sundry that came in among the people of Israel but because they could not find their names in the Register they were left aside till they could finde further proof of their pedigree they might be received as other Proselytes but not as native Israelites who were counted of the Church from the line of their Parents and some of the sonnes of Barzilli some of the Priests they thought it more honour to fetch their pedigree from their father Barzilli whom David had advanced to sit at his Table and they thought it more honour to be counted of the house of Barzilli then of the order of Aaron And they when they would have presented themselves to the Priests office they were not received why because they were not found in the Churches Register and they had no direction from the Word to take Noble mens sons to be Priests but only of the sons of Aaron So this is the book of Life it is called The writing of the living in Hierusalem This is the book of life the Church-book it is nothing but a counterpane of the book of life but not exactly agreeing to it sometimes we put in more then God doth and sometimes lesse There be that belong to life whom we do not receive Others they do not present themselves or we do not receive through some failings in them or us but if they belong to life they are written in the Lambs book of life they may not be written in the Church book but this is not the book here spoken of the book of the life oâ— the Lamb The Church is the body of the Lamb but they cannot discern who are his The Lord knows who are his so do not we nor the members of the Church therefore you heare here of a distinct booke of the Lambs book of life of which book it is expresly written Rev. 20. 15. That whosoever was not found written in the Lambs book of life was cast into the lake of fire All men therefore that are written in the book of Life or in the book of the Lamb they are written to life Now this we cannot say of the Church-book for as hath been observed of ancient time there are many wolves within and many sheep without Sometimes the Church hath cast out her most precious members both Officers and Members sad experience hath made it true in our times therefore that is not a certaine rule that if a man be left out of the Church he is left everlastingly unlesse there be such contempt of means of grace as in those whom the Lord hath branded for such whom he takes no pleasure in to eternity For it is said whoever was not found written in the Lambs book of life was cast into the lake of fire Therefore this is some other then that booke of the Church What book is that no other but the eternall record and register of Gods election that is the Lambs book whoever is not found he is indeed cast out into the lake of fire being shut out from salvation by Christ and then what hope of salvation is there in himselfe Now of this book it is of which Moses speaks Exo. 32. 33. If thou wilt not forgive the sin of thy people then blot me out of the book which thou hast written not which the Church hath written but which thou hast written which the Lord hath written of life in Christ in which the Lord hath written all the names of his Elect This is the book out of which hee desires to be blotted out of such was the extasie I cannot say of his zeale but he was filled with such ardent zeale that rather then such a reproach should be cast upon God that he was not able to bring them to the Land of Canaan let him be blotted out of the book which he had written let damnation it selfe fall upon him rather then the name of the Lord should be reproached by the uncircumcised Heathens and in that sence Paul wisheth himselfe separate from Christ for his brethren his kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9. 3. He doth not say he would be cast out of the Church but he found that zeale for the whole Church and for the Lord Jesus that rather then the Gospel of Christ should be hindered if it may stand with Gods liking he could rather wish such a wretch as he should be cut off then that the whole body of his people should be cast off This is the Lambs book of Life called the book of Life not because the Lord stands in need of a book but because those whom in his eternall purpose he hath decreed to save his unchangeable purpose doth fixe them as
required some-what large opening but it is a counsell of God and given of him for this end that it may be expounded and explained And the Lord hath promised blessednesse Chap. 1. to those that read and search this Booke and therefore he would encourage all to search diligently the meaning of it especially as God gives opportunity It was that which John mourned for that he found none worthy to open this book and to loose the seals thereof only the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah I think there is no man shall be diligently studious on this Book depending upon the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah for helpe but he shall find something more then he did expect It is true if a man go in confidence of his own gifts and knowledge he may foole himself but if in modesty of Christian wisdome and in the feare of God the spirit of any Christian Minister or other that layes hold of this Book he shall not be sent empty away What light God hath given me in this particular you have heard opened The use in a word is thus much First it is a word of stay to the soules of Gods people It serves to strengthen our faith that the Lord is exact in his Propheticall expressions Look what he speaks though it be many a yeare or day before he will not faile to bring it to accomplishment in his time It is truly observed if God tarry long a thousand years with God is but as one day till the appointed time come But when his time is come then one day with God is as a thousand yeares God will as soon faile a thousand yeares as one day Indeed till his time be come he thinks it not long though it tarry 1260. yeares but when it is come then he will not faile one day It is a memorable speech that in Exod. 12. 40 41 42. The sojourning of the children of Aegypt was foure hundred and thirty yeares And it came to passe at the end of the foure hundred and thirty yeares even the self-same day it came to passe that all the host of the Lord went out from the Land of Aegypt It is a night much to be observed c. Hee doth not say they dwelt there so long but were sojourners there And it came to passe at the end of the foure hundred and thirty yeares even the selfe same day it came to passe that all the best of the Lord went out from the Land of Aegypt as if God would put some Emphasis upon it The word in the Originall is in the bones of the day It is an usuall Hebraism the strength of a thing they call the bones of it that is in the face of all the people in the strength of the day even when it was full day God kept reckoning to a day he will as well faile a thousand yeares as one day when his time is come and till his time be come we must think it long if he stay a thousand yeares It must therefore strengthen our Faith that God is the same God in the New Testament as in the Old that if we could know times as exactly as God knows them we might write in the bones of such a yeare and day the bones of the Roman Catholick Church is broken and lyes bed-rid as it is foretold Jezebel shall be cast into the bed of affliction and all that commit adultery with her into great tribulation Let it strengthen the faith of Gods people in every time for if God be so exact in every circumstance what time he sets he will keep then it may more strengthen us in substantiall promises and threatnings and what ever the Lord hath spoken be not discouraged the Lord will make good what hee hath spoken he will not faile of a minute of time when his period is come Secondly it may serve to encourage us the more to pray to God for a speedy accomplishment of the power of this great Beast the Roman Catholick visible Church that hath bewitched the world for so many ages together and to grow this way in our prayers for the destruction of him from yeare to yeare and the neerer the time of the accomplishment grows the more earnest should our expectations be to see the accomplishment and the more earnest our prayers should be You read of holy Daniel that when hee understood by books that the Lord had set the captivity for 70. years then he set himselfe by prayer and supplication to seek the Lord in Dan. 9. 1 2 3. He takes this very occasion he found it was written that thereabouts it would be and he found that time was at hand therefore he wrestles with God in fasting and prayer for the accomplishment of that deliverance And so ought we to do and indeed about that time it is that in the Exposition of other Scriptures that holy man of God that hath given light to this Booke some-what after he encourageth to look for no small changes that may befall the State So that it may encourage us to look for such a great mercy It is a great mercy that the Lord hath discovered the vanity of subjection to the Roman Catholick Church from day to day the Lord discovers it more and more to this country and hath given us to see the true platform of a true Church from which the Roman Catholick Church is so far disproportionable to be governed by a supream head instead of a particular Church ordered by Pastors and Teachers there is such a vast distance that well doth the holy Ghost call it a great Beast a lewd Strumpet to undertake such an Institution Therefore as the thing hath been odious in Gods sight long so let us pray that he will go on to break the power of this Beast It hath not been in vain what a blow he hath given to the Image of this Beast by the late stirs in Scotland True it is before great deliverances there will be great afflictions whether here or else-where It is an usuall providence to the most faithfull ones of God But what ever bitter cup the Lord may give us to drink of yet the day of this great Beast is coming wherein he is to go to perdition He hath begun to fall before the Lamb and if he begin to fall before him say the Magicians to the Kings Favourite Haman Esth 6. 13. If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jewes before whom thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not prevaile against him but shalt surely in falling fall that is fall more and more It 's true there may be some pangs as a Beast when he is going to his last gaspe he will fling with his tayle and with his horns but he is falling and leaves not falling till he finally fall though there be pangs as dying creatures to win the horse or lose the saddle but otherwise he will never stand that there may be a Factotum at that time and will grow
ten Kings that is to say the body of Christian Princes and all the Nations subject to them they all gave their power unto the Beast Rev. 17. 17. No nation professed Christianity but professed also subjection to the Sea of Rome that is to the Romon Catholick visible Church And the Papists are large in this Bellarmine makes it a 4 th note of the visible Church amplitude of power and he gives sundry instances Stories are evident that all Nations did professe this Religion specially after the subduing of the Waldences though they did before setting aside that remnant of the womans seed that were fled into the wildernesse Now no Nation in Christendid professe other Religion then Popery especially from the time of Charls the Great to Charles the fifth which was a matter of 720. years There was no visible profession open unlesse in some secret corners of the world no Nation held forth any other Religion then Popish nor professed subjection to any other Church Now in every Nation there are or may be divers Tongues as in England you have the English and Welsh and Cornish Tongues besides others that are discrepant from English But he saith not only every Nation but every Tongue that is every Language they all gave their power to the Beast And in every Tongue we have many Kindreds and there is no man that could ever say but some of his kindred have been Popish or are Popish to this day if not all yet some of the ancientest and those the greater part here is the universality of it And I say further he had ample and great power for to have power over all argues amplitude It is said in the beginning of the 8 vers which I will take in and open here it is said They shall worship him That 's a great power when it doth amount to inward worship not civill but divine worship It was divine worship that he challenged and all Nations gave him To give Laws of faith and worship and government to all Churches in Christendom that was divine power peculiar to the Lord Jesus It was divine power to challenge toihimselfe imposition of Kings and deposition of Kings without consent of the people To provoke the people to do it whether they liked their Prince or no this is transcendant above all created power Besides it was divine worship they gave in giving him power over their Consciences challenging to himself and they also yeelding freely a power to bind Conscience with the Laws he gave them to loose their consciences either from the Laws of God in matter of Oaths to loose them from guilt of sinne to loose their consciences from Contracts from Confederacies this is divine power They all worship him whose names are not written in the booke of the Lamb and some of them too for a season but they continue not God opens their eyes to repent of it and to rise from under it It was divine power to chalenge infalibility of Judgment to judg of Scripture out of the Oracle of his owne braines These were all divine worship they gave to the Catholick Church and to the head of it the Bishop of Rome So that marvayl not as the Text saith there was given Exasia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not a lame power but an unlimited power over all people in Church and Common-wealth and over conscience There is nothing wherein the Catholick Church had not power throughout all Christendome Now further the Text tells you All this power was given He did not wholly arrogate this power to him though he did so too but it was given him though he took it and took all advantages to get it No man can receive any thing except it be given him from above But he had it given him Given him by whom by God by the Devill and given him by Christian Kings Churches and Common-wealths and Families First it was given by God in his just judgment God gave them up to delusions to believe lyes 2 Thes 2. 11. And he gave two reasons why God gave them up to those delusions 1. To avenge their want of entertainment of the truth in love Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved vers 10. 12. Because they would not receive Christ nor the simplicity of his government and worship in Church-state therefore God gave them up to Satan and to the man of sinne and to the Catholicke visible Roman Church 2. That they all might be damned that have pleasure in unrighteousnesse in the same verse The Lord gave them up therefore to damnable distempers damnable usurpations and Ordnances the Lord gave them up for these two Reasons and they are one subordinate to another Secondly this power was given by Satan also For it is said The coming of Antichrist shall be after the working of Satan with all powers and signes and lying wonders and with all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse 2 Thes 2. 9 10. By the efficacy of delusion which was by the jugling of those great men in those times for efficacy of delusion is by miracles so by deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse which is three-fold The sophistry of Schoolmen the policy of the Canonists that made their Laws out of the Popes decrees still advancing the Popish Church and the head thereof partly by the devotion of Monks and Fryars And if you aske why Satan did this there is a double reason of that First to revenge the injury which the Church did him by bringing forth a Man-child a Christian Emperour to depose him from his glory wherein he was worshipped as the great God of the world Now when hee sees hee is cast off from the honour he had and there was no more place left for him in heaven it comes to passe that he pours forth a flood of barbarous nations and damnable Heresies after the woman and makes war with the remnant of her seed Rev. 12. 13. 15. 2. A second Reason that stirred up Satan was out of the ancient enmity against Christ and the seed of Christ Gen. 3. 15. I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed which is Christ and all the seed of Christ which are both publique and private Christians he hath an inveterate enmity against them all and therefore he gives the Church of Rome all the power that Pagan Rome had The third sort of givers of this large power to this Beast and the head of it the Pope was The voluntary devotion of Christian Princes and States They did voluntarily resign themselves up and their Kingdoms and States and Churches and Common-wealth and Consciences and all to the obedience of the Sea of Rome Rev. 17. 17. They with one accord gave their Kingdomes to the Beast God put it into their hearts to do it that is true but they were left of God and acted by Satan and so were they brought about to give this power unto the Beast Some were brought unto this by the Popes
of fire and brimstone But those that worship the Beast are not written in the Lambs booke of life that is in the Text Here are two propositions very evident All that are written in the Lambs booke of life doe not worship the Beast But those that worship the Beast are not written in the Lambs baok of life Then the conclusion is They shall be cost into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone That if it appear that this Beast is the Roman Catholick Church and the head of this Beast is the Pope The conclusion will be most evident that no man living and dying a Papist can go beyond a Reprobate I dare not say but some that are ignorant whom devotion hath carryed to that Religion it is possible some of them when they come to death may see the vanity of that Religion of worshipping Saints and of confining their Faith to them but that is not by their Religion but if they dye in that Religion and if their faith and worship be thrust upon them from the Roman Catholick Church and they worship Saints and Angels and believe in their owne merits for their justification I do pronounce to you that a Papist living and dying a Papist cannot go beyond a Reprobate I meane such an one was not written in the Lambs booke of life And they that are not are cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone that is the issue And therefore what a fearfull thing is it in such that do all they can to reconcile Nations to the Church of Rome and are mad upon Romish religion what desperate service do they undertake to bring men to such a religion as destroys many millions of soules It is true Those that are written in the Lambs booke of life God looseth none of his sheep but it is evident they are bloody Butchers of many Christians not chosen yet devout Christians many an one under pang of Conscience with sence of many sinfull passions and lusts are not able to get out but by a Priests absolution and if they be covered with a Fryars coule they hope they shall do well enough Such a conscience as can be opened and healed by such wooden keys as these if they know no more such cannot be saved I will not enlarge it but it were necessary to be pressed and urged in some places look not at it as a matter of curiosity and circumstance what Religion a man dyes in and think as some States-men doe that if it were not for hot-spur'd Jesuites on the one side and hot-spur'd Puritans as they call them on the other side Protestants and Papists might be easily reconciled These are the whisperings of flesh and blood but that which is written in the word doth bear expresse testimonie against such a conclusion For if Jesuites were removed and Puritans too yet if there were any left that thought they could worship the Church of Rome as they require that you must believe as they believe your faith is built upon the Church and upon the dispensation of the keyes of that Church such a faith and obedience as fals short of Christ Jesus that all salvation is to be expected from him if both Jesuites and those they call Puritans were removed if there were none but that take up their faith and obedience in that worship they hold forth I say there is not any one of them that so live and so dye knowing what they believe that can be saved Indeed you read in Rev. 3. many know not the depth of Satan and it is another matter what God may dispence to them in private but men that know what they do and believe according to the doctrine of that Church and worship according to the direction of it I say men living and so dying there is not one of them whose names are written in the Lambs book of life and therefore shall be cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone This may teach us a true ground of any mans preservation from the pollutions of the world bewitching pollutions sometimes a Catholick Strumpet carries all the world after her as in those times Sometimes the world swallows up the Church and every man thinkes him happy if hee may be clad with thick clay others are taken up with provisions for their belly and sensuall Epicurean lusts there be a world of such people Now what doth preserve the people of God that they are not carryed away either with the Catholick religion or with worldly ambition they are not taken with these but see the vanity of them what are any of us better then those that have been bewitched by these but what puts the difference The originall difference is God hath written them in the Lambs book of life and what hee hath written he hath written as Pilate sayd Hee hath written such to life and his decree is irrecoverable My counsell shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 46. 9 10. Therefore there is the Originall from thence it flows the Lord Jesus Christ concurring with the Fathers counsell he hath given us redemption from the blood of Ancestors and redeemed us from the present evill world and will seek up every stragling Lamb and presents us spotlesse to his heavenly Father and then the spirit of God by which he works all in the hearts of his people that receives us for Christ and the spirit for Christ comes and takes possession of us and so thereby girds up our loyns to a dependance on him and his grace that we are preserved and saved from those fearfull temptations that overcome others and all the world are over-whelmed withall It may teach us the marvellous freedome of the love of God and therefore to admire the wonderfull love of God the cause of all this our preservation from such prevailing evills as swallow up the whole world how doth it appear why I pray you consider when the Lord wrote down thy name or mine or any mans name who stood by at his elbow if I may so speak to put him in mind of my name or thine he thought of us if our names be there and he set us downe and he delivered us to Christ Jesus by name what ever thy name is he took notice of thy name such a man in such a place he will live in this or that Countrey he is one take notice of him lay down a price for him in fulnesse of time send a spirit into this heart if he live in a Popish Countrey save him from Popery If in a worldly Countrey save him from the world where ever he lives save him from himself and bring him to my heavenly Kingdom but what was there in us that could commend us to God or what could there in us but what he appointed but what he should put into us he could not fore-see any thing but that hee must work it therefore it must certainly be his undeserved love that must
more know all his elect if he know them all by name hee then particularly observes them and prevents us with blessings of goodnesse and preserves us from prevailing evills but if it be recorded of God is it not in vain to exhort to make it sure Answ If it were in vain methinks the Apostle should not have used it 2 Pet. 1. 10. Then that is it that lyes upon all Christians some think it is not possible but then it were a vain exhortation Make your calling and election sure if you do a wide and open door of entrance shall be minished unto you well then though I cannot make sure my election in it selfe for it is sure in it selfe but the Question is whether it it is sure to me that is my duty for he knowes who 〈…〉 and knows them by name and keeps them in his name and hath given his Angels charge over us and they will all watch over us and therefore our Saviour in Luke 10. 20. saith to his Disciples Rejoyce not in this that the Devils are subject unto you but that your names are written in Heaven Our election is sure enough in heaven no stormes will alter it there But now in a word can we make our election sure the Apostle intimates when you make your calling sure you make your election sure your calling that is but the actuall execution of this eternall election but they are so neere that many the Lord puts them one for another he tells his Disciples you have not chosen me but I have chosen you John 15. 16. he means of his selection his calling them out of the world then he doth communicate his electing love to such it is wrought for us before in Christs death in Gods councell and in his effectuall redemption wrought for us on the Crosse but yet it is not manifest to our consciences till calling but make your calling sure and then election is sure When you are called according to his purpose Rom. 8. 28. that is this book of life that is his purpose that we are in Gods purpose written to life look to that he hath saved us and called us Not according to our workes but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 1. 8. that is the book of life and grace of free grace purposing us to life and you read in Rom. 8. 30. Whom he predestinated them he hath called and whom he called them he justified now if a man be effectually called to grace that doth search election let me briefly touch it that which makes sure calling 1. In our effectuall calling there is a declaration of Gods love to the soul in Christ Jesus by the spirit of grace in the doctrine of the Gospell for that is Gods call in our calling God calls for his part by his grace and spirit and we answere that spirit by that faith which by the call of God is wrought in our hearts I say God calls effectually to his grace by manifesting the rich grace of God in Christ electing freely calling freely from the obedience of sinne and Satan to the liberty of the sons of God as to those in Queen Maries time when they wandered up down like Lambs in a large place Bilney he fetches in that one word in his lost and forlorn condition He read this promise and the spirit of God applies it Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe This being applyed by the spirit it falls on him with power and he sees the goodnesse of God in Christ and the vanity of all things else and seeing so much glory in Christ and in particular to him also this lets him see the vanity of all other courses for this manifestation of Gods spirit doth effectually and manifestly open our eyes to see and hearts to believe what the Lord offers for faith is said to receive what the Lord gives of grace here is then that which makes calling sure for otherwise how can we know it but by the manifestation and declaration and revelation of the Spirit The things that eye never saw nor eare heard nor ever entred into the heart of man but he hath revealed them by his spirit 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. As no man knows the things of man but the spirit of man so no man knows the things of God but the spirit of God And we have not received the spirit of this world but the spirit which is of God that we may know the things that are freely given us of God The spirit of God it is that searcheth all things even the deep things of God and reveals them to us and lets us see the treasures of grace and lets us see them thus applyed this is the ground of effectuall calling God calling by his spirit and we answering that call and from both these springs another fruit of our effectuall calling which is likewise a certaine pledge of it that being thus called Blessed be God saith the Apostle that hath called us to the fellowship of his sonne actually and effectually 2. Thence it comes to passe that wee choose the Lord for our God We have none in heaven but him nor none on earth that we desire in comparison of him Away then with those beautifull Strumpets and all works of iniquity and wayes of darknesse wayes of ambition these are all blasted now I desire to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified 1 Cor. 2. 2. and now it is that he rejoyceth in nothing save in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ Gal. 6. 14. Now this electing love in that we elect God we could never choose God had not he chosen us and in some measure discovered what his electing love was to us this brings the heart back again to choose him and none but him now that is another security of our election and therein it differs from all others a man may have a kinde of sanctification by common gifts which will leave him still to work for himselfe but this is to abuse the very gifts of God which the spirit hath wrought in us though they be not such as accompany salvation still we are not lift up above our selves but when we are called effectually to Christ now no motion swayes us but as we see the will of God in it we cannot beleive as the Church beleives but we beleive our brethren and the Church as we see the Church follows the foot-steps of the will of God If I now please men saith the Apostle I am not the servant of Christ 1 Thes 2. 4. Nor of men sought we glory when we might have been burden some as the Apostles of Christ If a man be left to fast for himselfe or pray for himselfe or worke for himselfe and all is for himselfe that he work◠from a principal respect unto himselfe truly this will darken a mans effectuall calling and if it be his constant course doubtlesse
Churches National Churches and Provinciall Churches 6. He causeth all men to worship that Image that if any will not worship that Image Churches of that mold they shall be delivered to the secular power and so they shall be killed Lastly He will not suffer any Commerce nor civil Commerce much lesse Ecclesiasticall communion but to them that have the mark of the beast or the name of the beast or the number of his name vers 16 17. They must swear or perform some loyalty to the Church of Rome The mark of the beast the carriage of the beast in the Originall All that have received Religious Orders have received the mark of the beast all their religious Orders leave an indelible Character upon them so that all that are entred into religious Orders are sworn Catholiques The name of the beast what is it Though they be not of the religious Order yet they professe themselves to be Roman Catholiques and professe subjection to the head of that Church and so to his doctrine and worship though it be be to Saints and Angels and to his government as that which binds the conscience the name of the Beast is a Roman Catholicke submitting himselfe both to the Church and to the head of that Church and that for conscience sake But for the number of his name it was reserved to this dayes exercise Wheras the holy Ghost having said that he would permit no man to buy or sell but such as had received the marke or his name or the number of his name he doth in this last Verse declare what this number of his name is which at least they must have or else they cannot have commerce Now this number he first doth amplifie or illustrate and then expresse it He doth illustrate or amplifie it First by the adjunct of wisdome needful for the understanding of it Here is wisdome Secondly the duty of men that have understanding to count it And thirdly He doth amplifie it by the subject or by the efficient of it It is the number of a man This is his illustration It requires wisedome to count it It is the duty though of them that have understanding to search it out And when they do count it they finde it the number of a man In the Second place he doth expresly designe or discipher out the number and that is in the last word his number is six hundred threescore and six The place is very obscure as any in the word and therefore the holy Ghost tels us here is wisdome to finde it out but withal here is a command that every one that hath received the least measure or talent of wisdom should endeavour it and he doth incourage men to find it out But were it not that the Lord hath said If any man want wisdome let him aske it of God and it shall be given him James 1. 5. And were it not that God hath given Christ to be our wisedome to declare to us the whole councel of his Father 1 Cor. 1. 30. And were it not that the providence of God in the invitation of sundry brethren hath put me upon the handling of this book and now it fals in order to be opened for my own part I think I should never have chosen this Text to have spoken to whilst I had lived But now since we are come to it in our interpretation of this book and the wisdome of God is perfected in the weaknesse of his servants I shall therefore endeavour by the helpe of God and by the light of his wisdome to expresse such meditations as God hath suggested to men and leave them to your further consideration and spiritual discerning and judgement The note then is shortly thus much To finde out the number of the Beast requires heavenly wisdome and yet such as have received any wisdome ought to count that number and upon the acount shall find it to be the number of a man in sum six hundred threescore and six This is the sum I wrap up all in one Doctrine that handling the Doctrine in the parcels all the parts of the verse may be opened therewith First I say to finde out this number is wisdome it requires heavenly wisdome Here is wisdome And God accounts not the wisdome of this world wisdome but foolishnesse he speaks therefore of that which in Scripture language is wisdome not Mathematical nor Airthmetical wisdome for what great wisdome would it require to count this number it ariseth out of six and is multiplyed by ten this is such wisdome as any mean Arithmetition might count six times ten is 60. and ten times 60. is 600. and six times one is six the wisdome therefore lies not there But to see how this count disciphers the Beast and by that means to give more perfect intelligence of the Beast and of his nature then by his marke and name alone could be gathered that requires heavenly wisdome but wisdome therefore it doth require It requires a mans best understanding to enquire what the holy Ghost hath said of this number and though it require much wisdome yet the counting of this number is both possible and necessary if it were not possible the holy Ghost would not say Let him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast Hee is wont to say Let him that hath an eare hear what the spirit saith but here he saith Let him tha◠hath understanding count the number of the Beast And it is also necessary for him not of necessity to salvation without which a man cannot be saved but necessitate precepti necessary in regard of Gods command Now because there are none of Gods commandements that are vaine things but weighty therefore they are either very necessary to salvation or very expedient so that a man shall be much weakened in his spiritual progresse especially in Popish times or in such times where men live in the Image of Popish Churches National or Diocesan if he be ignorant thereof he shall finde it to be much expedient to count the number of the Beast And further I adde it will be found to be but the number of a man What is the meaning of that I will not trouble you with variety of interpretations briefly the number of a man I suppose it is here opposed to that which ye read of in Rev. 21. 17. where he tels us The new Jerusalem was measured an hundred and fourty and four cubits according to the measure of a man that is of the Angel here he doth not say so the number of a man that is of the Angel but it is the number of a meere man a carnal man and therefote in sum this number wil proove but an humane invention it is therefore called the number of a man And finally he saith this number is six hundred threescore and six Six hundred sixty six is not in the Original in so many words onely three greek letters are put for these three numbers 〈◊〉
Ghost pitch upon sixe and the multiplication of sixe by ten Why you that are conversant in the Latine Bible look Junius his notes and he tells you whereas all the Catholique Church was formerly governed by five books of Decretalls Boniface he did compile a sixth book of Decretalls and called it Sextus you that have the book of Canons may finde it which being said the Pope a perfect number and therefore being added to the former books of Decretalls it maketh up a certain plat-form of direction for all matters of practice and manners in the discipline of the Church and so it is a perfect number of all things to be done in the Church both for doctrine worship and government so the Popes Canons are summed up in his Sextus there is the reason why he makes sixe the foundation all their Administrations are founded and measured out from their Canonâ—Lawes which are all wrapped up in six volumes and the sixth is the most compleat of them all Now if you will aske why this sixe comes to be multiplyed by ten If ye observe it all the government and maintenance of the Roman State is by tenths by tithes all the people must give the tenth to the Priest and the Priest to the Bishop for the mayntenance of the Catholicke Church and so the whole Government comes to be multiplyed maintained and established Thus you see what the number is and the reason why the Holy Ghost calls it so and how he doth oppose it to the contrary number of that which is delivered by the blessed Apostles and followed by the holy Saints of God from one generation to another Put then all these together and all will amount to this That whereas the number of Christ upon which both his followers are built and his Church and all the Dimentions and Administrations of it Their foundation their gates their length heighth and breadth all of them are founded in the Apostolicall doctrine For Christ prayed for his twelve Apostles and all that should believe in his name through their word John 17. 20. It is the comprehension of all Saints to the end of the world whereas they are built upon Apostolicall simplicity both for their State and Church-administrations they are all built upon twelve and multiplyed and enlarged by 12. On the contrary all the Roman Catholickes they are built upon the Popish Lawes and Decrees all which require subjection to the Popish Church and submission to that Church and to the Pope as the head of that Church receiving doctrine and worship and discipline from that Church and that was founded in sixe on the sixe books of their Decrees and it is multiplyed according to the same books to mayntayn all the Clergy from the Pope to the lowest Parish priest And it is wisdome to find this out and it requires heavenly wisdome to see the dangerous state of this and yet they that have wisdome may finde this out and when they search it out They will finde it but the number of a man not of the Angel or of the Apostles or of any messenger of God I remember the speech of one of the Saints of God That it is a most unworthy thing that the Church of Christ should be governed by the Lawes of Antichrist and such were all their sixe books and it is most unworthy that both the Church it selfe and all the Images of it that they are all governed by these sixe bookes and it is most unworthy that Antichrist should govern all the Administrations of the Church that if a man be cited it shall be by a Latine writ and if he appeare he shall be proceeded against according to Canon Lawes and if he be censured it shall be a Canon Law and in Latine and so shall his Absolution be and what pertayns to their whole government it is but founded in these sixe books of Decretals and count them and you shall find them but the number of a man nothing but meerly the wit and policy of men either to keep unity as they say but tyranny in government or to enrich men with fees or maintayne the honour of some Cathedrall person it is all but meer humane invention Now for a man to see not only the Roman Catholicke visible Church to be a Beast but that the Pope the head of it is a beast and the image of that Church is a beast Diocesan Provinciall Nationall and Metropolitan Churches are but images of this great beast and to see all the numbers and rights they thrust upon the Church by Canons they are but the number of the beast the number of a man humane inventions what is appointed by the Church whether Crosse or Surplice or kneeling at the Sacrament they are but the multiplication of Canons Canon multiplyed on Canon but it is still but the power of the Canon this is great wisdome to find it out And it behooves those that have wisdome to consider it and they that consider it shall find it but a meer humane device one as well as another and they will consider which way the State goes and which way the State leanes Though some poor hearts think they are bound to obey the Lawes of the Kingdom and some good souls many times will be tampering with them too much but he that shall observe it shall find it but the number of a man when he doth find it He shall find thus much that if he do believe as God is wont to teach to his people they shall not have the liberty of Commerce in buying and selling nor leave in spirituall or temporall occurrances and dealings with them For the use of it First let it be some word of encouragement and comfort unto all the servants of God that have got the victory over this number though with their losse not to look at their losses as an unexpected thing or new matter but prophecyed of above 1500. years agone John wroâ—e of it in his time what you lost in your liberties in the Church wherein you lived it is no more then what the Lord foretold you that you should not have liberty to buy and sell if you did beare witnesse against the beast and his mark and name and number of his name then there is no abiding for you in any Church in Christendome which is either Catholicke or framed after the image of it as Nationall Diocesan or Cathedral or Provincial it is not possible you should get the victâ—over these things and have liberty of commerce It is not enough that we have cast off the Pope and what is an image of Popery which we sometimes have submitted unto and have born against it and it is not enough to abhor the name of a Papist so far as we have been corrupted It is well that ye have born witnesse against the Hierarchy and the papall government but may we not hearken to the Canon of the Church maintained by a whole National Councel and may we not