time concerning Christs sudden comeing to Judgment 2. The confutation of it it is disproved by two antecedents and fore-runners of his coming 1. A general Apostasy or a defection of the visible Church from the true State of Christianity 2. The Revelation of Anti-Christ described here by his names and proper Titles 1. That Man of Sin 2. And Son of Perdition 1. Let us speak of the general Apostasy that must be before Christs coming to Judgment Except there come a falling away first Now concerning it take these Propositions 1. That Apostasy is any defection from him to whom we owe and have performed subjection or a falling from that Lord to whom we owe fealty I am sure in religious matters it importeth a defection from our right and proper Lord Thus the Devil is an Apostate because he abode not in his first estate Iude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains c. Abode not in the truth John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do He was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth That is forsook his obedience to God and so became the Ring-Leader of all rebellious Creatures So it is true of our first Parents They were Apostates they did revolt from God and their obedience to him Therefore it is said Rom. 5.19 By one mans disobedience many were made Sinners So of their Posterity their Apostasy is described by turning back from following the Lord Zeph. 1.6 and departing from God that is his worship and service Isa. 59.13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord and departing away from our God Let us then be agreed of this notion of Apostasy which is evident that it is a falling off from the obedience which we owe to our rightful Lord. 2. The Apostasy mentioned in the Text was not civil The falling away of many Kingdoms from the Roman Empire But an Apostasy of the visible Church from him who is Lord of the Church I prove it partly from the persons to whom the Apostle wrote who did not intermingle themselves with State affairs or were not concerned in the Interests of the Roman Empire further than that they lived within the bounds of it And this Apostasy must be understood as they would conceive of Apostasy with respect to the main cause wherein they were concerned and ingaged which was the profession of Christianity Partly From the use of the word in the Christian Doctrine falling away there is certainly falling away from the Faith and purity of the Gospel Luc. 18.13 Which for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away And partly because to them it was expresly foretold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some shall fall away or depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 Lastly Because those who are most concerned to maintain the notion of the civil Apostasy from the Roman Empire are most notorious in this defection It is true the Roman Empire lost Asia and the places adjacent by the Invasion of Eastern Nations but it was thrust out of Rome by the Rebellion of its Subjects and chiefly by the influence of the Pope there as Histories manifest So that this interpretation will not help them a jot but hurt them not a little So that here is a defection from our proper Lord and a spiritual defection not a civil 3. The proper Lord of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ who hath purchased it with his blood and died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord of dead and living Rom. 14.9 and again Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the body He that saveth and recovereth the Church out of the general Apostasy of Mankind and restoreth them to their due obedience and proper happiness He only is fit to be head of the Church and this only is Christ we expect no opposition here 4. The Apostasy from the Lord will be determined chiefly by these two things By undermining his Authority or destroying the interests of his Kingdom by these two we may understand the falling away which is to come first 1. By undermining his Authority Certainly his Authority is undermined when others presume to usurp his place without his leave Therefore to super-induce an universal head of the visible Church which Christ never appointed is manifestly to usurp his Authority though the party so intruding should pretend to hold his Soveraignty from Christ and under him yet this is treason against Christ for here is an authority set up without and therefore against his consent Put the Case in a temporal Kingdom and the thing will be clear And thus the Pope is an usurping head of a Rebellion against Christ. Where did Christ institute him to take this Office Tu es Petrus is such a stale pretence so often baffled and defeated and pretended upon so small grounds as that Christ hereby conveyed singular authority to Peter above the rest of the Disciples That from Peter it descendeth to his Successors and to those of Rome if ever he were at Rome and not those of Antioch that it is endless to pursue the absurdities of this impertinent allegation The argument holdeth the more strongly when the Pope condemneth all the Churches that will not be his Subjects how holy good and obedient to the Laws of Christ soever they be Surely if any thing this is an Apostasy or a revolt from our rightful Lord and to consent to this Rebellion and Usurpation is to be drawn into a Conspiracy against Christ and to submit to the head of the most pernicious Schism that did ever rend the Church of Christ and to betray the Liberty of the People of our Lord to a Tyrannical Usurpation 2. Or corrupting and destroying the interests of his Kingdom certainly wherever there is a degeneration from the purity and simplicity of the Gospel the interests of Christs Kingdom are destroyed I fear saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.3 lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. The ancient pure Apostolick Christianity doth only preserve the Interests of Christs Kingdom in the World there is no way of safety but by keeping there for since Godliness is a mystery and we shall see afterwards the iniquity that is contrary is a mystery also 2 Thess. 2.7 The mystery of iniquity doth already work We need to be exactly careful to keep close to the doctrine worship and Discipline of the first Gospel Church for if these had remained pure Antichrist had never risen Christs Institutions would have preserved his Interests in the World But as these were corrupted the Apostasy prevailed When the Faith of the Gospel was turned into dead opinions and curious questions if not direct errours and the worship of the Gospel was corrupted by giving divine honour
have an unction from the holy one and ye know all things A Child of God hath something in his bosom that will not permit him to hearken to Popery the very life in us is opposite to this dead shew and mummery of trashy Devotions Now I come to the Author with the means of Consuming The Lord shall consume him with the Spirit of his mouth The Lord that is the Lord Christ. But what is meant by the Spirit of his mouth or the breath of his mouth as some render it Two things may be meant hereby either his Providential Word or his Gospel accompanied by his Spirit 1. His Providential Word that is when Christ faith Let it be done it shall be done Isa. 11.4 He shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his mouth and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked those that are called wicked they are also called the Earth because they are earthly minded and have their portion here and possess much on earth and have great power by the advantage of which they oppress his People Now to execute Judgment upon them Christ needeth no more than the Rod of his mouth that powerful Word whereby he created all things Ps. 33.6 By the words of the Lord were the Heavens made and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth Upholdeth all things Heb. 1.3 Upholding all things by the word of his Power And brings all things to nothing again John 18.6 As soon as he had said to them I am he they went backward and fell to the ground one word of his powerful Providence is enough Or secondly 2. It is meant of the Efficacy of his Gospel as it is accompanied by his Spirit called the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 and it is said to be quick and powerful Heb. â— 12 and Rev. 2.16 Repent or I will come against thee quickly and smite thee with the Sword of my mouth by this word he shall confound the falshood and cunning practices which are carried on under this myâ—â—â—â—y of Iniquity and give it such a deadly and incurable wound that it shall languish before it be utterly destroyed Doct. That Antichrists Destruction is by the preaching of the Gospel and the victorious evidence of Truth It must needs be so For his Kingdom and Tyranny is upheld by Darkness which is dispelled by the Light of the Truth And therefore the Papists as all other Hereticks are lucifugae Scripturarum Dei cannot endure the Scriptures deny them to the people and seek to make them contemptible by all the means they can Again his Kingdom is carryed on by Falshood and his Cheats and Impostures and Wickedness and Usurpation and false Interpretations and Delusions are discovered by the truth and simplicity of the Gospel and so is consumed yet more and more Lastly Popery is a dead form of Religion and there is not only Truth in the word of God but Life we are not only enlightened but quickened by it and converted to God and made partakers of his Spirit And these will go against their own experience and inclination if they should sit down with such empty beggarly Rudiments But here ariseth a Question shall Antichrist be consumed no other way â— but by the Spirit of his mouth We read in the Prophecy of Wars by which the Antichristian State is brought to nought I answer The pure and powerful preaching of the Gospel is the principal means whereby the Spirit of the Lord consumeth Antichrist in the hearts of men but this is not exclusive of other means which God in the ways of his Providence may use to weaken his Worldly Interest But we must distinguish between the means God may use and we must use Simply to put down a Religion by force of arms is not our way it is not lawful certainly to invade other Nations upon the pure and sole title of Relâ—gion But if they invade us on that account no doubt a Prince and People so invaded may defend themselves But when a War is commenced on other occasions it is the most chearful cause to ingage in when we War against the Abettors of Antichrist we War against an Enemy whom God will consume Constamine warred against Licinius his Collegueâ— not because an Infidel but because he persecuted the Christians contrary to their Capitulations Lewis the XII caused it to be disputed in a Synod at Tours Num liceret Papae absque causa Principi bellum inferre when it was answered Non licet a second Question Num tali Principi sua defensione fas sit euâ— invadere Their Answers were Licet which he undertook and caused money to be stamped with this Inscription Perdam Babylonem 1. Vse We learn hence not to be discouraged in our greatest extremities when all temporal hopes seem to fail and we have nothing left us but the word of our Testimony let us not distrust our spiritual weapons for they are mighty through God to bring down all the strongs holds of sin and Antichrist 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Oh incourage your selves in the Lord you have the merit of his Humiliation and the power of his Exaltation Merit what cannot the blood of Christ do to fetch off men from their inveterate prejudices and superstitions 1 Pet. 1.18 We are redeemed by the blood of Christ from our vain Conversations so for the power of his Exaltation there is his Spirit the success of his Spirit on the pouring out of the first Sermon Acts 2.41 fetched in 3000. Souls that had embrued their hands in the blood of their Saviour and were in no very devout posture at that time his Word that is the Rod of his strength Psal. 110.2 which hath a mighty power to convince transform and convert Souls Rom 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto Salvation Then there is the power of Providence all Judgment is put into Christs hands for the advancement of his own Kingdom Iohn 5.22 if all be in Christs hands why should you distrust your cause or the success of it 2. If you would defend your selves and wound the Enemy be much acquainted with the word of God which is the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6.17 thereby you may ward off every blow of a Temptation Surely then we should be much acquainted with this woâ—d that it may dwell in us richly that we mâ—y have it ready this is enough to make wise the simple for all necessary duties and defence 3. Pray heartily that the word of God may have a free course 2 Thess. 3.1 and tâ—at God would send forth labourers into his Harvest Matth. 9.38 2. The final destruction of Antichrist and destroy him by the brightness of his coming This coming is most likely to be the coming of Christ so often mentioned 2 Thess. 1.7 8. When the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on those that know
the great Instruments of his Kingdom and the men of this World whose portion is in this life are the proper Subjects of his Kingdom Of the Saints Christ is their Head but of the wicked ungodly ambitious World surely Sathan is the Head There are two Cities as Austin distinguisheth them Ieâ—usalem is the City of God and Babylon that Incorporation which belongeth to Sathan Now then wheâ—e shall we find him whose coming is after the working of Sathan but with him who with the loss of Christianity exalteth himself and affecteth an ambitious Tyranny and domineering over the Christian World both Princes Pastors and People and to uphold the Tyranâ—y careth not what havock he maketh of the Church and the whole frame of their Religâ—on is calculated for secular Honour Worldly Pomp and Greatness Secondly By the visible Appearances of the Devil and where he is most conversant as in his own Kingdom Before Christs Kingdom was set up the Devil did often visibly appear but since he playeth least in sight when God openly manifested his Presence by appearing to the Fathers in sundry ways and manners as he did before hen spake to us by his Son Heb. 1.1 2. so did Sathan Vâ—sions Apparitions and Oracles were more frequent and where Christs spiritual Kingdom prevaileth the World heareth less of theâ—e things but where it is obstructed more Now two instances in Popery 1. In their Chiefs how many Conjurers and Necromancers who expresly consulted and contracted with the Devil from the Year 600. to the Year 1500. the Chair of pestilence yielded the Histories tell us 2. In oreder 〈◊〉 the Devil had formerly in the times of Popery and still where it is allowed incomparably more power among men to appear to them and haunt their Houses and vex them than now he hath all that I say is haunting of Houses and Apparitions were much more common Uses 1. A detestation of Popery whatever is of the Devil should be hated by us for we are Christs Souldiers listed in his Warfare in Baptism Rom. 6.13 Yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God but yield not your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin Rom. 13.12 Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the Armour of Light Now after our military Oath should we revolt to them that join with the Devil and his Angels to make War against Michael and his angels 2. To be more careful to be compleatly armed For we fight not against flesh and blood but principalities and powers and spiritual wickednesses in heavenly places Eph. 6.11 12. that is not only with the one but the other The Abettors of Popery ae Sathans Auxiliary Forces whom he stirreth up and employeth Now the Devils are of great cunning and strength and by Gods permission exercise great Authority in the World and the matter about which we contend with them is the Honour of God and Christ and our Eternal Salvation Therefore since the Subtilty Power and strength of the Enemy is so great we had need to be the better prepared and put on the whole Armour of God That bodily and humane Power that befriendeth the Kingdom of Sathan is formidable and that can only reach the outward man but Devils and damned Spirits are a more terrible and dangerous party who secretly blind our minds and weaken our courage and strangely and imperceptibly by our own carnal affections promote our eternal ruine 3. It sheweth us the folly of recoâ—ciling Babel and Sion Rome as it is and the Reformed Churches For what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6.15 16. What agreâ—ment hath the Temple of God with Idols You can never reconcile God and Sathan the Seed of the Woman and the Seed of the Serpent I speak not of holy endeavours to adjust the Controversies and reclaim Papists from their Errors that must be pursued how fruitless soever the attempt be but â—o hope for an agreement as things now stand is impossible 4. Caution that the Devil prevail not against us he once suprized Peter Mat. 16.23 Get thee behind me Sathan he hath prevailed over them that usurp the highest Chair in the Christian Church Let him not blind your Eyes in whole or in part though you be not drawn to Antichristianism do not live in a carnal Worldly course For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil 1 John 3.8 Every wicked act is Sathans Invention he stirreth it up is served by it delights in it his Kingdom goeth forward by it He gaineth by every wicked action Shew plainly that you are not of his party nor ever mean to be Give way to fleshly and worldly lusts and you are very prone to entertain the grossest Temptations and by subtle evasions will wriggle and distort your selves out of your duty as the Papists do I come now to the second means Doct. That Antichrist doth uphold his Kingdom by a false shew of Signs and Wonders and mighty Deeds To evidence this 1. We must inquire what is a Miracle Miracles are works extraordinary exceeding the ability of second causes and done to confirm the Truth Where we may observe 1. The general nature of them 2. Their author 3. Their Use. 1. Their general nature and kinds extraordinary works Some are either besides nature when the course of nature is changed as the standing still of the Sun in Ioshuah's Days the going back of the shadow on Ahaz his Diâ—â— in Hezekiah's time Above nature as the opening of the eyes of a man born blind by Christ Iohn 9. Against nature when the operation of it is obstructed as wâ—en the three Children remained untouched in the Fiery Furnace Dan. 3. the fire had not lost its property to burn for those that cast them in were singed and scorched 2. The Author they are works exceeding the ability of second Causes and therefore are always done by the Power of God either immediately or mediately using some Creature in the performing of them as the Apostles of Christ. Well then the primary efficient cause is God and the manner of working is extraordinary and unusual exceeding the power and force of any Creature 3. The end and use is to confirm some Truth when they are done for Curiosity Ostentation and Delight they are but jugling tricks and have not God for their Author much less when they are pretended to confirm a false Doctrine or evil end But real Miracles do oblige by way of sign declaring Gods interest in or owning of the truth and Testimony to which they are annexâ—d For God being the Ruler of the World good merciful just it is not to be supposed he will cooperate to a lie or cheat or leave sucâ— a stumbling block before his Creatures II. That the Miracles wrought by Christ and his Apostles did sufficiently prove that they were Teachers sent from God for Christ often appealeth to
Negatively they believed not the truth That is received not the Gospel in the simplicity of it as revealed by Christ and his Apostles and recorded in the Scriptures but wilfully and for their interests sake gave up themselves to these corruptions 2. Positively had pleasure in unrighteousness in the 10 th verse it was They received not the love of the truth Now when the meritorious cause is repeated there is something more added They had a love to and delight in other things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Here two things must be explained 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness 2. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking pleasure in unrighteousness 1. What is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unrighteousness Righteousness is giving every one his due and denying them their due is unrighteousness There is a giving man his due and a giving God his due Matth. 22.21 Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods Righteousness is often put for giving man his due Titus 2.12 That we should live soberly righteously c. and giving God his due which is worship and reverence Psal. 29.2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name And again Ps. 96.8 Give unto the Lord the glory due to his name bring an offering and come into his Courts Now this unrighteousness here spoken of is principally meant in the latter sense False ways of worship are the greatest unrighteousness that can be practised For the duty that we owe to God is the most righteous thing in the World Now by false worship you withdraw the Glory of God from him and communicate it to another Worship is his own proper due both by the light of nature and Scripture and therefore the Gentiles which had the light of nature are said to detain the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 1.18 why the reason is rendred in the after Verses 23. They changed the glory of God into an Image made like a corruptible man Ver. 25. They changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the Creature more than the Creator This was their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their unrighteousness or injurious dealing with God So the Antichristians that had the light of Scripture though under palliated pretences changed the truth of God into a lie loved their own errors more than simple and plain Christianity or the true knowledge of God and diverted the worship from himself unto an Idol 2. They had pleasure in unrighteousness in these things they please themselves not lapse into it out of simple ignorance and error of mind And so the Apostle parallels the two great Apostasies That from the light of nature and that from the light of the Gospel Light of nature Rom. 1.32 Not only do these things but have pleasure in them that do them Light of Scripture Have pleasure in unrighteousness they are mad upon their Idols and Images not only are Idolaters but delight in Idolatry and Image-worship Psal. 97.7 That boast themselves of Idols Now to observe some things 1. Errors of Judgment as well as sins of practice may bring damnation upon the Souls of men All sins do in their own nature tend to damnation Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death And Errors of Judgment are sins for they are contrary to the rule or law of God 1 Joh. 3.4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is the transgression of the Law Any swerving from the Law is sin And they are inductive of other sins for if the eye be blind the whole body is full of darkness Matth. 6.23 It perverâ—s our zeal There is nothing so mischievous wicked and cruel that a man blinded with error will not attempt against those that differ from him Ioh. 16.2 They shall put you out of the Synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service A blind Horse is full of metal but ever and anon stumbleth Therefore if a man be not guided by sound Judgment his zealous affections will precipitate him into mischief As the Jews that persecuted Christ and his Apostles had a zeal of God but not according to knowledge Rom. 10.2 So the Popish Zealots with what fury have they persecuted the innocent and sincere servants of Christ The Papists would be angry if we should not reckon St. Dominick a zealous man and the poor Albigenses felt the bitter effects of that zeal in the destruction of many thousands by inhumane Butcheries and Villanies about Tholouse c. The Lord deliver us from the furies of transported brain-sick Zealots 2. Though all errors may bring damnation upon the Souls of men yet some more especially than others may be said to be camning As 2 Pet. 2.1 Some shall bring in damnable Heresies Now this may be either from the matter or manner of holding them 1. From the matter if destructive of the way of Salvation by Christ. Some are utterly inconsistent with Salvation and eternal life as errors in the fundamentals in Religion As suppose that a man should reject or refuse Christ after a sufficient proposal of the Gospel to him there is no question but this is damning unbelief Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil But yet we are not to say that alone damneth There are other things necessary to Salvation contained under that general truth The Scripture saith Joh. 17.3 And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent There is the sum of what is necessary to Salvation That God is to be known loved obeyed worshipped and injoyed and the Lord Jesus to be owned as our Redeemer and Saviour to bring us home to God and to procure for us the gifts of pardon and life and this life to be begun here and perfected in Heaven Other things are of moment to clear these necessary truths but they may be all reduced thereunto The truth is the question about the matter to be believed is not what divine Revelations are necessary to be believed or rejected when sufficiently proposed for all points without exception are so but what are simply and absolutely necessary to eternal life and these are points of faith and practice and obedience The points of Faith are a knowledge of God in Christ and practice that we be regenerated Joh. 3.5 Except a man be born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God And live an holy life Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. 2. For the manner 1. When men profess what they believe not and voluntarily chuse error for Worldly ends though it be a less error against the Scripture and consistent with the main tenour of Salvation yet it taken up against Conscience for by-ends