a visible God not onely to behold with their eyes and look upon but also to eate and that their Maker and Redeemer to their everlasting salvation And being so effectually deluded as that they beleeved these lies hereupon they wondred and followed the Beast Well might they wonder to see bread and taste bread where was no bread and to see wine and taste wine where was no wine for so were they made to believe and to eate flesh and drink bloud and yet neither to see nor take flesh nor bloud this was a wonder to wonder at and who would not follow him for a guide that had power to worke such wonders But they did not onely follow the Beast as the Iews did Christ when they saw his miracles But they worshipped the Dragon which gave power unto the Beast and they worshipped the Beast saying who is like unto the Beast Who is able to make warre with him To worship is to heare and obey and by worshipping the Dragon was shewed that they wholly addicted themselves to be directed and ruled by the Beast whom the Dragon used as his instrument to work his will and to whom he had given authority and power to that end thus originally they worshiped the Divell Secondly they worshipped the Beast as being the instrument of the Divell and they became subjects in all things obedient unto the Beast as being of such holinesse and truth as that it could not erre nor deceive others and of such power as what they loosed on earth was loosed in heaven and what they bound in earth was bound in heaven and therefore such a power as had no match or peere so that they boasted and said of it Who is like unto the Beast As David considering the power and wonderfull workes of God saith Who is like unto the Lord So do the Nations boast of this Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast And further they said of him Who is able to make warre with him As if they should say This our holy Mother hath power to excommunicate and deliver to Satan all of what estate condition degree soever they be that will not heare her voice beare her yoke and be ruled by her Who therefore is able to make war with her that is make his party good against this our holy Mother Of such admiration was this Beast in the earth thus hath the world thought and spoken of her And moreover there was given unto this Beast a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given him to make 42 moneths As the mouth is the means and instrument whereby men do declare their mindes so this Beast had a mouth to declare and utter her minde by which mouth was signified a ministery of false prophets and lying spirits namely Doctours School-men Monkes Fryers and all sorts of their Preachers who teach for doctrines the commandements of the Beast and declare and utter the minde and will of the Beast as being equall to Gods Word this their Canons Laws Books and Monuments do manifestly witnesse The effect of that which this mouth uttereth is noted to be great things and blasphemies They boast of this Beast that she is the holy Catholike Church Militant the Mother of all rrue beleevers the chaste Spouse of Christ the Pillar and ground of Truth that it cannot erre c. And that all which will have God to be their Father must have her to be their Mother Finally that out of her lap and communion there is no salvation These and many other such great things speaketh the mouth of this Beast which are indeed great things and being so spoken are great blasphemies For is it not great blasphemie to call that Holy which is most abominable To call her the Mother of all true Beleevers which is the mother of fornications and of all abominations To call that the Pillar and ground of Truth which hath corrupted the earth with her errours and fornications and caused all Nations to drink of the wine of the wrath thereof To say there is no salvation but in her fellowship whose end and judgement is to go to destruction Beware of false Prophets and teachers of lies for such are the mouth of this Beast And it is further to be minded that it is said of this Beast that the mouth which she had was given her for had this Beast no more to maintaine this mouth then she hath of her own by discent and heritage she could not have so many to speak for her as she hath But Emperous and Kings Princes and Nobles and other great sinners became benefactours to this Beast giving unto her Lands and Tenements Rents and Revenews to maintaine this mouth to utter great things and blasphemies and more then this Power was given him to act or make two and forty moneths For the better understanding of this point let this be considered In the Antichristian kingdom they have a rule how to proceed in every cause but not given them of God but of their own making which they commonly call the Canon Law concerning which Law here we may learne by whom it was made and how long it was in making These Makets usurp the name of the Church of Christ but the true Church is the Kingdom of Christ and being the Kingdom of Christ it hath him onely for Law-giver they therefore which under the title of the Church presume to make laws are fitly and worthily resembled by a beast for what is more vnreasonable then for those whose greatest dignity glory and happines consisteth in hearing obeying and administring of gods word to fall from this and Lucifer-like to exalt and oppose themselves against their Maker as though they were wiser and iuster then God and to adde unto his Testament Which is suficient to instruct us in all Wisdom and to make the man of God perfect in every good worke and to take from the same Testament at their pleasure which is not lawfull to do to any mans Testament without great offence and iniustice as the Apostle sheweth Ga. 3.15 yet thit is the way wherein those great doers the authors of the Canon Law haue walked It is said of those Actors that Power was given them c. Where first we may observ that of themselves they had not this power for then it could not haue beene said to be given them but given them it was it is therefore to be considered Who was the giver Not Christ he gave his disciples no power to make Laws but gave them charge to teath belivers to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them it is certain therefore that this power was given them not by God but by men namely by Kings and Princes for the states and degrees of men considered it is plaine that none can give power to make Lawes but such as be Soveraignes by such therefore this power to make Lawes was given unto this Beast But what should move Soveraignes to give power to Bishops
and Ministers to make Lawes for the Church Nothing verily but blind devotion for they being ignorant of God and of his Word thought it the best way to keep peace and vnity in the Church Whereas indeed it was the cause of strife and dissention and at length by that meanes iniquity was established for a Law and Gods Word wholy reiected and cast aside as vnmeet for Lay men to vse Now as in all lawfull proceedings Princes are Gods ministers in Gods stead vnto their subiects and people so in giuing this power to this Beast they are the Dragons ministers and instruments Whereas it is said that power was given unto the Beast to make but it is not noted what should be made it argueth that the things made are of that nature and qualitie that they are not worthy of any name the makers themselves use to call their Acts Canons Constitutions and Lawes but falfly for if they were such indeed then men might have some good vse of them but that no man can have therefore it is but falshood and deceit so to name them It is like the caling of one carved Image S. Peter another S Paul another S. Iohn c. that is to name things that they be not and that is to lie In that it is said that power was given unto the beast to make 12. Moneths It sheweth that the Beasts time is limited and seeing that the time is limited we must finde that the time of making of the Catholike Church agreeth with this stint before we can be sure that it is the Beast here represented wherefore consider that the ecclesiastical state began to make about the yeare of our Lord 304. the Ancyran counsell being the first whose constitutions tooke the effect and force of Law And made not an end of making vntill the year 1564. the Counsell of Trent being the last wherein the Beast acted the last act of this making and fulfilled the measure of that iniquitie and therefore is now to receaue judgment condemnation from the Lord as is hereafter in this prophesie declared So that if we account a yeare for a day and thirtie dayes for a month it will amount to 1260 dayes which is the just sum of 42. moneths that this Beast was a making which is a strong argument that by this Beast was signified the ecclesiasticall estate or Catholicke Church as is shewed before page 2. Further it is said of the Beast that he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven In that this Beast by the ministery of false Prophets and Teachers as by her mouth hath seduced the Nations and made them believe That God by the ministery of his holy Apostles and Prophets hath not left us a sure rule sufficient rule of faith in the holy Scriptures but that the want thereof must be supplied with unwritten verities the writings of Ancient Fathers determinations of Counsels and the Popes Decretals otherwise all people would run into confusion it may truly be said that she hath opened her mouth untoblasphemy against God First the eternall who hath created all things and for whose wills sake all things are and were created To be but a rude and grosse beginner of a worke which he hath left and given up for vaine man to finish and make perfect Secondly if there be particular laws left out of the Scriptures for want of which all people would run into confusion then God hath not shewed himselfe to be a God of order Thirdly the World of God is not sufficient to make the man of God perfect in every good work as the Apostles saith But thus to think is a horrible errour Thus to speak is wicked blasphemy and thus to teach is hellish iniquity For how will it stand with the glory of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ not to give unto his people a perfect Law and sure Testimony whereunto they might trust and wherein they might rest and live by faith but must depend upon other men to see as it were with their eyes not with their own and so hold their faith in respect of other mens persons to belieue as they believe c. as though Gods people their Leaders excepted were not reasonable creatures but as beasts without understanding But blessed be our God we have a sure Word of the Prophets which is as a light shining in a darke place whereunto we shall do well if we take heed Gods people have no need of unwritten verities mens precepts and traditions They have surer Lights to walk by then the writings of the School-men and other Writers of ancient times They have surer Rules and righter Testimonies wherby to decide and end controversies and doubts then the determination of Counsels and Popes decrees and they which speak to the contrary open their mouth to balspheme against God Concerning blaspheming the Name of God amongst other attributes or titles whereby he is set forth unto us he is called the Holy one of Israel and the High Priest in Israel did beare this inscription upon his forehead graven in gold Holinesse to the Lord. First therefore we may truly and boldly say of the Lord that Holy is his Name Secondly we may likewise truly and boldly affirme that to give the title of Holinesse unto any unholy prophane and abominable thing is to blaspheme the name of God But thus the Beast hath done many and sundry waies They ascribe Holinesse unto their Antichristian orders and Priesthood to their Idolatrous Masse to their exorcised or conjured Bread Water Oyle Tapers Ashes Vestures Vessels and many other implements in and by al which they blaspheme the name of God And as they blaspheme the Name of God So likewise the blaspheme his Tabernacle That is to say the true visible Church of Christ under the Gospel which is the place of Gods presence which he hath chosen to put his Name there where two or three or more are gathered together in the Name of Christ there is Christ present and where Christ is present there hath God put his Name there he is to be sought and there he may be found and there is his Tabernacle To come together in the Name of Christ is when Gods people joyne themselves together in a spirituall body politike separated from the common multitudes of known unbeleevers to the end to meet together for the mutuall edification and comfort one of another by doctrine breaking of bread and prayer and to practise all other Ordinances of Christ set down in his Testament as they shall haue occasion and to Companies of Beleevers having such fellowship and communion one with another the title of the Churches of Christ doth in our use of speech properly and of right belong but for beleevers to do this apart by themselves is adjudged contempt of authority factious novelty making of Conventicles and unlawfull Assemblies dangerous to the State and not to be
all the great Clarkes wise Counsellours mighty Princes and all the Nobles of the earth Who I say hath an eare to heare these things and not be moved to fret in himselfe and to gnash his teeth at the hearing of them Yet notwithstanding all this and more let him that hath an eare heare for times and seasons will change a time will come as the verse following doth declare when these great workers of iniquity shall be subdued and trodden under foot He that leadeth into captivitie Ver. 20 shall go into captivitie he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword here is the patience and faith of the Saints Here is shewed the justice of God who will recompence unto the wicked according to the works of their hands as they have measured unto others it shall be measured unto them again they shall reap the fruit of their unrighteousnesse to the full Therefore the Saints and Servants of God should here learne with patience to beare the Crosse because the Lord will take their parts and avenge their blood upon their enemies and those which with patience rest upon the Lord. are here recorded for Saints Here is the patience and faith of the Saints As if it were said those which patiently indure affliction for the truth and commit their cause unto God resting faithfully upon him are thereby tryed and made manifest to the world to bee the Saints and Servants of God that in sure hope of a time of refreshing chuse to endure captivity and the sword rather then they will to have peace with the world together with the world worship the Beast Thus much concerning the first part of this Chapter and of that power and promotion which the Prelates and Cleargie crope up unto before the exaltation and supremacy of the Pope The mysterie of whose iniquitie is next to be considered To God be glorie for euer THE SECOND PART OF the XIII Chapter of the Revelation beginning at the XI verse VERSE XI And I heheld another Beast comming up out of the earth and he had two hornes like a Lamb and he spake as a Dragon AS in the former part of this Chapter the Prelacy and Clergie in generall who under the title of the Catholike Church Militant exalted themselves to worke iniquity and bring the Nations into captivity and bondage to their traditions were resembled by a seven-headed Beast so here after much striving amongst themselves who should be the chiefe and greatest not being content with former riches honour aad earthly promotion but aspiring higher at last the Prelate of Rome in particular attained to this title and dignity to be Christs Vicar Peters Successour and universall Bishop and under that Title pretended a fulnesse of power and supremacie over all persons and causes and therefore is here resembled and fore shewed by a Beast c. First whereas it is said of this Beast that it came out of the earth thereby is signified that the high degree and dignitie wherevnto the Prelates of Rome have aspired and exalted themselves is not from heaven it is from the earth earthly it is a plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted and therefore shall in the end be rooted out Concerning the comming up of this Beast it is to be minded that the Ministers of the Word of God of which ranke of men this Beast boasteth himselfe to be the chiefe if they were in their right kinde should be as the Stars of Heaven lights and guides unto others But at the opening of the sixth Seale Iohn saw the Starres fall from Heaven to the Earth as a fig-tree casteth her greene figges when she is shaken of a mighty winde whereby was signified that the Ministers of the Word of God would in time degenerate and goe out of kinde they would contrary to the Apostles rule set their affections on earthly things they would for filthy lucre make Merchandize of the people and Word of God they would gather riches and grow wealthy by the wages of unrighteousnesse and so become the great men of the earth all which is fulfilled and come to passe as all may see that are not willingly blinde Among the rest of the fallen Starres to one was given the Key of the bottomlesse pit Rev. 9 1. whereby was signified that power and preheminence should be given to one of the fallen Stars above the rest which thing was effected came to passe when Phocas being Emperour he promoted Boniface then Prelate of Rome to be universall Bishop and to have power and jurisdiction over all other Bishops Which thing when Phocas had done this Abaddon King of Locusts with the rest of the brood of the bottomlesse pit that succeded him who had the opening and shutting of Purgatory at their pleasure so prevailed in time that they exalted themselves above Emperours and Kings which thing they could never have done had they not first besotted the Nations in blinde devotion to impoverish themselves to feed these Locusts under the Title of the Church and in hope of meriting thereby and to be released from their sins and from the supposed paines of Purgatory For had the Pope that Prelate of Rome been as destitute of worldly wealth and as well furnished with spirituall grace as Peter and Iohn were when they went up into the Temple to pray and healed the lame man he had never set his foot upon the Emperours neck For as much therefore as the Romish Prelate from a meane and lowly estate and degree in the world hath crept up and been exalted above Kings and Emperours and seeing worldly wealth and riches have been the means whereby he hath got the preheminence very significantly was this upstart resembled and prefigured by a Beast comming up out of the earth Againe it is said of this Beast that it had two Horns like the Lamb By Hornes in the Scripture is usually signified power and authoritie and by the Lamb is meant CHRIST IESUS who had all power in Heaven and earth given to him Mat. 28.18 So that hereby was shewed that the Prelate of Rome would challenge and usurpe great power and authority which he perswadeth the world doth belong unto him as being Christs Vicar and under this pretence usurpeth a twofold power and jurisdiction both Civill and Ecclesiasticall not in earth onely but in Heaven also what he bindeth in earth is bound in Heaven and whom he will he can release from the paines of Purgatory and place them in Heaven Therefore in token of this his power he is armed with two Swords which thing was plainely signified by the two Hornes which he had like the Lamb. But though the Beast would be the Lambs equall and resemble him in power yet his voice bewrayes him to be but a counterfeit and a dissembling hypocrite he speakes like the Dragon he pretendeth property to that which is not his own and exalteth himselfe against those unto whom he should submit and give honour Even as