Ioy of the Church Whereof 1 The Acts It singeth out 1 The praises of God the giver of all victory 2 The praises of Michael the Generall v. 10. 3 The praises of the Armie or Angels of Michael ver 11. Where 1 The report of the Victory But they overcame him 2 The Causes of it 1 Principall and meritorious The blood of the Lambe 2 Instrumentall 1 The word of their testimony 2 Their constancy in martyrdome they loved not their lives c. 2 The Object Where 1 The matter ascribing 1 To God Salvation Strength Kingdome 2 To Christ power 1. Title Christ 2. Relation to the Father his Christ 3. Attribute power 2 The Reason Where 1 His Crimination 1 What are these accusations 2 Who are accused Brethren 3 Where before God 4 When day and night 2 His Dejection at the tribunall 1 Of God 2 Of men 2 The wofull estate of the enemies v. 12. 1 The woe denounced 2 The Persons on whom the inhabitants of the earth and sea 3 The Reason twofold 1 The comming downe of the Devill 2 His wrathfull Disposition with the cause Where 1 How his time is said to be short 2 How hee knoweth it is so 3 What use hee makes of this knowledge VI. The fury of Satan renewing the assault v. 13. to the end where 1 The new Onset v. 13. In it 1 The person persecuting the Dragon 2 The person persecuted the woman 3 The time and manner when she had brought forth the manchilde 2 The escape of the party assailed v. 14. Where 1 The Kinde It was by flight 2 The Meanes Here 1 The meanes themselves 1 What Wings 2 Number two 3 Whence given her 4 Similitude Eagles 2 Whence she did fly with them from the face of the Serpent 3 Whither into the wildernesse called her place 4 To what end to be nourished and preserved there 5 How long for a time times and halfe a time 3. Another Device of the Dragon against the Womans good-name v. 15. Where 1 The Mischiefe intended In it 1 What the floods of water are 2 What the spring of thē the dragons mouth 3 What the end to carry the woman away 2 The Remedy against it v. 16. 4 Enmitie against her Issue v. 17 Where 1 The Dragons wrath and warre appearing by the 1 Captaine 2 Weapons 2 The persons with whom Described 1 By their paucity the remnant of her seed 2 By their property twofold 1 They keep the Commandements of God 2 They have the Testimonie of Iesus Christ. CHRISTS VICTORIE OVER THE DRAGON REV. 12. 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven THE principall scope of the whole Booke of the REVELATION is to describe three things 1 The Malice of the Devill against the Church 2 The Battels and conflicts of the Church 3 The Victory and conquest of the Church This Chapter is as it were an Epitome of the whole booke which under a most sweet and pleasant Type then which the whole Scripture containeth not a more excellent or elegant propoundeth them all in so rich and orient manner as we cannot wish to behold a more native face and Image of the Church of all ages then is presented to us in this glasse held before our eyes by the Spirit of God To the end that we should so looke on the dignitie and proper ornaments of the Church as yet to take notice what grievous conflicts she is to sustaine by reason of the malice of the old Serpent lying alwaies in ambush against her And yet so to looke upon her tryals as that wee may at the same time behold Gods providence so preserving and strengthning her as she goes ever away conquering and triumphing The Chapter hath six principall parts 1 A lively description of the true Church ver 1. 2. 2 A description of the Devil her chiefe and furious assailant ver 3 4 5. 3 The fierce battaile betweene these two parties ver 7. 4 The victorie of the Church and the Dragons overthrow ver 8 9. 5 The triumph of the godly for that victorie ver 10 11 12. 6 The furie of Satan renewing the assault ver 13. to the end of the Chapter This is the naturall resolution of the Chapter and without further curiositie by Gods assistance wee will prosecute these parts But before them all is a generall Preface making way to them in these words And there appeared a great wonder in heaven In which words are foure things 1 What is this wonder 2 The greatnesse of it 3 The manner of appearing 4 The place whence in Heaven By wonder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or signe is meant a new vision or an unusuall type of a strange battell and marvellously to be wondred at 1 For the rarenesse of the combatants a Woman and a Dragon 2 For the glory of the Woman Who ever saw woman or creature in such glorious attire as to be cloathed with the Sunne crowned with starres trampling the Moone under her feet But wee shall see this woman in a more strange and admirable habit then if a woman were so arrayed 3 For the admirable hugenesse of the Dragon and power that with his tayle could cast downe the third part of the starres of heaven ver 4. 4. For the issue and strange event Is it not a wondrous thing for a woman to conflict with so hideous a Dragon and overcome him Here are many wonders in one 2 The greatnesse is next It is a great wonder for three causes 1 It concernes the Church the Spouse of Christ a great personage 2 It containes many great and dreadfull occurrences concerning her 3 Many other great things are signified in this type and vision 3 The manner of the appearance of this vision For it may be asked How did St. Iohn see this signe or wonder Answ. God offered his visions to holy men two waies 1 To the eies of their bodies while they were waking as to Abraham Gen. 15. 5. Behold the Heavens and if thou canst number the starres so shall thy seed be 2. To the eyes of their mindes their bodies being cast into a dead sleepe or trance This is called a being in the Spirit Ezech 37. 1. And thus the Evangelist Iohn saw his visions Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day that is by the power and extraordinary worke of Gods Spirit I was cast into a trance Rev. 20. 4. I saw the soules c. which are not visible but by the eies of the minde Ob. But this manner of revelation seemes rather to be some uncertaine dreame then a sure and infallible kind of instruction Ans. No. This was very usuall for the Lord thus to reveale his will to his servants and for sundrie speciall ends used by him 1 That the soule for a time after a manner loosed from the body and drawne from the senses might have a nearer fellowship with God and so be fitter to receive divine light from the Spirit
as others yet wee doe not warre after the flesh but we fight against the flesh and are not patrons and defenders of the corruptions of the world no nor of the faults which wee our selves are ready enough to act Neither can there be more evident badges and liveries of mere worldly men that are all earth then these 1. to affect and desire onely or principally 2. to imitate and conforme 3. to justifie and defend the crooked waies of the world So much of the Preface now of the Vision A Woman cloathed with the Sunne In this verse and the second verse is the description of one of the Combatants by two arguments 1 her person a woman 2 her properties which are foure 1 her apparrell cloathed with the Sunne 2 her place the Moone under her feete 3. her crowne of twelve starres on her head 4 her fruitfulnesse and pregnansie being with child she cried c. First we must enquire of the person and who this woman is and afterward to the arguments and parts of the description Woman in this mysticall book signifies three things 1 Idols because 1 they are as entising and alluring as wantō women 2 Idolaters goe a whoring after them as uncleane persons after light women chap. 14. 4. these are they which were not defiled with women 2 Women signifies in this book the City of Rome the seat of Antichrist cha 17. 3 the Woman sitting upon the scarlet coloured Beast 1 because in her outward pomp and glorie she is opposed to the chaste spouse of Christ whose glorie is all within 2. because with her the great Kings of the earth have committed fornication chap. 17. ver 2. 3. because she is the mother of fornications called the great whore ver 1. to whose filthines and Idolatries all other are but punies and learners 3 Woman signifies in this booke the true Church the wife and Spouse of Iesus Christ his love his dove his undefiled and so is the word taken in this place Quest. If by the woman be meant the Church whether the Church militant or triumphant for it seemes this woman is gotten above the earth and treads the Moone under her feet and is decked with wondrous glorie Answ. This cannot be meant of the Church triumphant for three reasons 1 This woman is in travaile and paine Now the triumphant Church is past all paines and all her teares are wiped away chap. 21. 4. 2 The Dragon makes this woman flie into the wildernesse this chap. ver 6. but the Church triumphant is now in her palace no more in the wildernesse no more chased with the Dragon for there he hath nought to doe 3 This woman needs food in the wildernesse and is nourished there by meanes appointed by God ver 6. But the Church triumphant hath no need no want no hunger no thirst no meanes of life but Christ himselfe not his two Prophets therefore it agrees onely to the Church militant Quest. But if it be meant of the Church militant whether of the Church of the Iewes or of the Gentiles Answ. It is a true vision of the Catholike Church in all ages but is most applicable to the church of the new Testament and Gentiles For 1. Iohn tels us his Prophesie is of things to be done afterwards even after his trance in Pathmos Chap 1. 1. 2. The last words of the 17. verse of this Chapter bring us downe to the times after the Apostles dayes namely to the bloody persecutions of the Heathen Emperors and to the rage of Antichrist against them that kept the testimonie of Iesus 3. This woman was fed in the wildernesse when the outward court was given to the Gentiles and when the two Prophets prophesied in sackcloth to feede her by their holy doctrine all the time of her being there this is confirmed chap. 11. ver 2. 3. compared with chap 12. ver 6. Quest But why is the Church compared to a woman Answ. In two respects First as simply considered in her selfe and this for three causes 1 Because to the woman was first made the promise of the blessed seed who was to breake the Serpents head and it is still made good to the Church under the same similitude for to her all the promises of God properly belong 2 In her selfe considered she is weak and feeble as a woman without her husband Ioh. 15. 5. without me yee can doe nothing All our sufficiency is of God even to thinke a good thought or to name Iesus 3 In her selfe she is as a pure and chast virgin not defiled with Idolatry which is a spirituall harlotry nor running as the Romish strumpet after unchast and wanton lusts 2 Cor. 11. 2. a pure virgin keeps and preserves her selfe for one husband and no more Secondly as the Church stands in relation to other she is fitly called woman For her relation is threefold 1 To God and in this relation she is the daughter of God Cant. 7. 1. Oh daughter of a Prince Psa 45 10 hearken O daughter c. and therefore fitly resembled by a woman whose father is God and whose birth is not after the will of man but borne of God 2 To Christ and in this relation she is the spouse of Christ and so fitly represented by a woman First contracted and espoused to Christ in his incarnation or first comming Cant. 4. 10. my Sister my Spouse And what is the whole booke of Canticles but an holy description of the holy handfasting and contracting of this holy couple Secondly married as his bride and taken home in his second comming to dwell with him for ever 3 To Christians and in this relation she is their mother and so fitly resembled to a woman For a woman through the company of her husband is fruitfull and bringeth forth children so the Church by her conjunction with Christ and the power of his word bringeth forth and nurseth and bringeth up many children to God as this woman ver 2 5. And hence was that speech of the Ancient Hee hath not God for his father that hath not the Church for his mother As this woman is the Spouse of Christ all the professed members of the Church must learne to performe the duties of loving Spouses to Iesus Christ. And it will sort well with this occasion in the one to teach the other and with one labour prosecute urge two great duties Both to put women in mind what dutie they owe as wives to their husbands and all of us as Christians and spouses of Christ that the same duties are due from us to our spirituall head and husband Quest. What are these duties Answ. They are foure 1 To cleave to her husband For when God saw it was not good for the first Adam to be alone he made the woman out of Adams owne ribbe being cast asleepe and brought her and married her unto him as an undivided companion of his
of her wane of her change 1 Ioh. 2. 18. And now why should we depend as Pliny speaketh of those shelfishes on the Moone subject to all her changes and not rather set up our hearts and thoughts on things certaine and lasting Why follow wee these false lights which serve to no other end but to seduce their followers The ancient nobility of Rome saith Plutarch used to weare Moones on their shooes that by this Embleme of mutability they should not swell with the glory and greatnesse of their estate A shame for Christians who neither observe that place nor use of the Moone Let us conclude that God in mercy hath made them all mutable and Moonelike that we should not rest our hopes and hearts on such restlesse things nor content our selves with things present if we may call those things present which are alwaies passing away and mutable 2 God hath put them under our feet Psal. 8. 6. thou hast set all things under his feet that we should afford them no place above our feet The croppe of the field the fleece of the flocke the treasures of gold and silver the richest mines in the bowels of the earth the costly and precious Iewels and most orient Pearles all are taken from under our feet that wee might still afford them the right place which God and nature have assigned them Indeed if they were fetched out of heaven we might have them in more estimation Oh how would we then admire them that can so advance them which we see fetcht from under our feet If God had made them our Masters what diligent service would we have given them who can be such drudges to our servants 3 God hath not put in them any such worth or value as the world esteemeth If they were of such worth would the Lord cast them as a musse to all good and bad Were they worthy our hearts surely the Lord would give them as the patrimony and portion of his children whereas he would have few of them encombred with much of them Nay he gives them as wages good enough for servants and slaves as the goods which Abraham gave to the children of the bond-women reserving in the meane time the inheritance for Isaack And as the Moone shines and rules in the night so commonly men in the night of sinne have the most because they have onely portion in the world Iob. 12. 6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper and they who provoke God are in safetie whom God hath enriched with his hand Secondly were they so good in themselves as in mens estimation most men good and bad would not be worse for thē as usually they are For as the Moone in the full is furthest distant from the Sun from whom she receiveth her light and brightnesse so men in generall when they are at the full of prosperity are farthest from the author of it For evill men who are worse by every thing no marvaile if riches be reserved for their hurt What marvaile is it that a spider turnes all to poyson that a wicked man abuseth his ease and prosperity to slay himselfe by them Prov. 1. 32. So wanton children sit and play with fire till they burne themselves Hence is it that commonly they who have most rule over other have the least over themselves and the richest Misers in goods are emptiest of true riches And even good men themselves too often resemble the Moone they can no sooner be full and prosperous in the world but presently admit a decay and wane of their light and decrease in graces Good David in his chase and low estate was as a dead dog in his owne eyes and very mercifull to spare the life of his deadly enemie when he was in his hands But in his full and glory he was not content with all the royalties of his kingdome unlesse Ioab number his people and tell him how many he may command 2 Sam. 24. 2. And now in stead of sparing his enemie he kills his most trusty friend and faithfull servant Vriah Good Hezekiah in his wane and sicknesse was praying weeping confessing and humbling himselfe but in his recovery and health as in his full he is shewing and boasting and priding himselfe in his wealth and treasure which cost him deare This is the case of many private Christians who in their low estate were humble conscionable in hearing reading praying now the world comes on them they are in the full and all in gone And no marvaile seeing even the Church herselfe this woman now clothed with the sunne beganne to decline from her virgin integrity and departing from her Sunne made way to Antichrist when pride pompe ambition and wealth came in request Now she set the Moon above her head till the Sun with his glorious light tooke his leave in which darknesse those famous Churches sit at this day Quest. How may I know whether I have the Moone under my feete or the Moone hath me under foote 1 A note of him that is a drudge and slave of the world not gotten above the Moone is to tread the Sunne that is Christ himselfe under his feet that despiseth the Gospell cares not for his merits for the promises especially the conditions of faith repentance obedience He dotes upon the Moone Christ is a tastlesse name till his soule be a tearing out of his body he will part with nothing lose nothing for Christ. If the Moone be bright the Sunne is set 2 He can treade Gods worship under foote whence the Scripture cals the worldling an Idolater Col. 3. 5. for the service of God and the world can never stand together He that hath the Moone on his head serves another God then doth the true worshipper he sacrificeth as the old Idolaters to the Queene of heaven and not to the God of heaven and behold the Moon walking in her brightnesse Oh how weary is he till the Sabbath be over what a burthen is the time of Gods service What a tedious time is the new Moone and when will it be gone that we may sell wheate and returne to the service of the old Moone Amos 8. 5 3 He can tread religion under his feet and will if occasion be offered For till the moone be under foot he will enjoy the world and by all meanes eschew the crosse he will not suffer persecution for his religion but if the sword be but shaken he wil revolte from his religion Mat. 13. 21. as soon as tribulation comes by by it withers The love of the world hath alwaies been a cause of revolt The love of the world hath made many in these dayes revolt before tribulation come The rumor of trouble is enough to these moonemongers to discharge warne away their religion 4 The wise worldling in whose heart the moone is not set because he knowes not which religion may prevaile will set up the Sunne and moone both together and make an
great care and provident eye over his Church by whose almighty power this small flock of sheep is safe amongst a drove of wolves Lions and a whole foxest of foxes and dragons Take notice of the perpetuall condition of the Church and her dangerous estate that wee may not marvaile or take offence at the tumults and hostile forces raised against the Church at this day 1 Let not the might and power of the enemies gathereed against her dismay us nor their great and puissant armies and Captaines nor that royall and imperiall forces are raised against this poore Woman utterly to destroy her this is no new thing that mighty hornes and the highest of all humane power should lift up themselves against her she hath from the beginning beene acquainted with such tryals Nor let us startle at the multitudes of enemies Princes and armies that stand about her it is not the first time that ten hornes at once have assaulted and pushed her nay seldome shall yee see this Woman but in the midst of these ten hornes al ready to make a present spoile of her Neither let the fiercenesse and savage disposition of them against her be strange to us seeing they are the dragons hornes dragons are guided by no law but by their owne fierce and truculent nature flying upon their prey without all pity but no cruell and truculent beast or dragon is so fierce against men as wicked men are against the Woman no law of nature or nations no bond or tye no respect of sex or age stoppeth them but pitilesly without all mercy the dragons seize upon young and old male and female high and low nocents or innocents if they fall in their way whosoever professe the feare of God and true religion against them they are gathered See it in one example Haman because Mordecai will not bow to him because he was of another religion getteth to the King enformeth against all the Jewes as having a law and religion of their owne contrary to the Kings and it was not for the Kings profit to suffer thē presently without any course of law no man being heard nay no man complaining but Haman privatly slaundering the King delivereth the whole nation men women and children some 2. or 3. thousand persons to death and bloody buchery al in a day but that God prevented it a thiefe or guilty fellon shal have a due course of law shal not be condemned unheard sometimes pity spareth a seditious and rebellious multitude that have deserved death because they are many After warre and hot blood the most furious enemies will spare such as are overcome though they would have spoyled and not spared them in hot blood In sacking and taking cities the Conqueror often in humanity spareth women children when their lives are in their hands But in this cause of Religion these horned dragons put off all humanity cloath themselves with barbarous more then brutish cruelty no humanity nor humility no intreaty nor sex no age nor place can plead for one drop of pity As in plentifull examples both old and new might be proved namely the French Massacre 1572. and our owne powder Treason Quest. But what shall the Church be devoured by so many and potent horns how can a silly weak woman be safe among them Ans. No this Woman was never yet overcome by them nor shall be she may be tyred terrified pusht wounded by them but not overcome For 1 The dragons great power is but limited and restrained as Satan must not touch Iobs wise and Laban against his owne evill intention is commanded Gen. 31. 24. Take heed thou speake nought to Iacob save good So can they doe nothing against Iacob which is not good or shall not be turned to good Though their power be great yet there is a greater and over-ruling power which curbeth them both in the attempting proceeding and ending of their intentions Herod Pontius Pilate and the Gentiles can attempt nothing against Christ but what the hand and counsaile of God hath before determined to be done Act. 4. 27. In the executiō this over-ruling power can blunt their hornes at his pleasure If Esau be come forth with a band of men to revēge on Iacob this power can turne their hearts to favour his brother in the end they are over-ruled for wheras they would make no end of pushing and goaring he will have them go no further then he please And the rod of the wicked shall not alway lie on the lot of the godly 2 The hornes of the dragon have great power but being set all against God his Saints it cannot prosper Job 9. 4. Who was ever fierce against God and prospered their power shall never effect all their wils being so contrary to the will and counsaile of the Almighty their will is to destroy and roote out the Saints of the most High but his will and counsaile is onely to chasten them their will is not onely to destroy the person but the faith also fortitude but they can doe neither for though they may prevaile against the persons of some members yet never against the person of the Woman the whole Church and those that are overcome of them in respect of life are never in respect of faith the gates of hell cannot prevaile against that so as though they be slaine they are never overcome 3 Although mighty hornes are raised up against the Woman yet hath God raised up for her a more mighty horne of salvation Luk. ◠69. Even the horne of David stronger then they all the greatest enemie of the Church is but as Antiochus a little horne to him Ob. But here are ten hornes what is one horne to so many Answ. Christ our Lord and head wants not a sufficient number of hornes to encounter the dragons ten hornes Rev. 5. 6 the Lambe hath 7. hornes though the dragon seeme to exceed in number yet doth not for the number of 7 is a number of perfection and argueth in Christ perfection of power which is not in the number of ten whether it be taken definitly or indefinitly in the dragon and there is not one of these 7. but is stronger then all the dragons ten And besides whereas the dragons hornes are confined to his heads which they exalt and carry aloft our Lord Jesus hath many hornes comming out of his hands Hab. 3. 4. that is Omnipotent in all his works especially in his battailes against the dragons ten horns for he hath atchieved an admirable victorie over principalities and powers and made show of them openly as a triumphant Conqueror on the Chariot of his Crosse and at his ascension professed that all power in heaven and earth was given to him 4 Although the dragon hath his hornes and agents every where so as the Dove of Christ knoweth not where to set her foot to rest safe from them for there be 4. hornes which scatter
birth he leaveth them not like Agrippa almost Christians but whole Christians III. The Antichristian dragons have laboured in nothing so much as hiding the Scriptures and rowling up the little booke that the sound of the Gospell should not bee heard to the conversion of any they call into question the authority of the Scriptures and they must bee beleeved but for the Popes judgment insteed of opening this they have opened Schoolemen Sententiaries Canonists Legends but to read the Scriptures in a knowne tongue is heresie but in despight of them the Angell hath carried the eternall Gospell through the midst of heaven the truth is so cōspicuous as shining in the midst of heaven and where Christ will have the dore of grace open none shall shut it Papists now seeke to shut that dore and our sins and ingratitudes hath deserved that the Gospell should bee shut out but yet Christ keepeth it open for us IIII. The dragon cannot hinder the woman but in despight of him shee shall bring forth many children to glory for it is not possible 1. To take them out of the Father who is stronger than them all to dissolve their union with Christ Rom. 8. or to deceive the elect either of their faith or substance Mat. 24. 2. The over-ruling hand of God maketh the dragons themselves effect his will and serve his Providence both in glorifying his name and promoting his good and the salvation of his servants when they thinke nothing lesse nay when they bend and aime cleane contrary they shall in despight of them further their salvation and can they then hinder it Rom. 8. All things shall be for their best and shall bring them to their wayes end Ob. But doth not the dragon often prevaile to hold off many from soundnesse of grace and cast many off as Iudas Demas Sol. 1. The dragon never prevaileth by his absolute power over any but by Gods just desertion and permission saying Thus farre shalt thou prevaile but no further 2. He never prevaileth wholy or finally against any whose names are written in the booke of life but though the Lord suffereth them to be molested in the way it is that in the end he might declare in them the riches of his grace mercy power 3. These yeelding to Satan for a time are cast down but not cast off seeing they are not elected jufied redeemed called sanctified and saved for any worthinesse of their owne but for Christs which the dragon cannot spot or blemish To abate the glory and hope of the Churches enemies They may spurne strive against the free passage of the Gospel but shall not prevaile Many have striven to roote out the Gospel whom God hath resisted and rooted out the Church shall bring forth for all them In that this sonne of the woman is her protector learne to shew our selves sonnes of our mother by upholding her causes and her friends wisedome will be justified of her children Luke 7. 35. Nicodemus will defend Gods cause when the Pharisees sit to condemne him Luke 23. 50. Ioseph a good man consented not to the fact of the counsell Ioh. 7. 25. Protect her person and friends 1. Get a sound judgement in discerning of things and persons that differ that wee knowing who are on her part may imbrace them not calling the churle liberall nor passing sentence for the wicked or against the right for both are an abomination to the Lord. 2. Stand for the truth her patrimony and brethren avow it notwithstanding losse of liberty meanes pleade for it maintaine for her the whole counsell of GOD which no power of earth may abridge her 3. Stand for her royalties and privileges the liberty in which Christ hath set her and uphold her from Antichristian yoakes and bondage uphold in our places the liberty of preaching of professing the holy doctrine and the liberty of al Gods holy exercises and ordinances that no power doe rob her of them Now in that the dragon though he watch to hinder the happy birth of the woman yet shee bringeth forth a manchilde that is not a soft or effeminate but a stout generous and masculine childe by whose prowesse and valour the dragon in his tyranny should be repressed and resisted Learne hence whō it pleaseth the Lord to raise up for more excellent service he furnisheth them with proportionall gifts for their imployment When Moses was to undertake an extraordinary function to deliver the Israelites out of Aegypt how did the Lord not onely extraordinarily preserve but furnished him with extraordinary education vocation spirit gifts miracles holinesse and power in which respect hee was called Pharaoh GOD. When Salomon was to build a stately house for the Lord hee furnished him with forwardnesse zeale wealth wisedome bounty peace above all Kings of the earth before or since When that house and City of Hierusalem was ruined and defaced Gods worship exiled and the mighty adversaries of God and his worship scorned to heare the restauration of the City or Temple what noble instruments were raised up Zerubbabel Ezra Nehemiah whose wisedome valour zeale and holinesse daunted the enemies and in despight of them repaired both the City the house and true worship of God The Apostles were but poore fishermen unliterate and simple but set upon an imployment as if twelve naked men had beene set to take and tame all the dragons in the world but before they were sent out how abundantly did the spirit come on them to fit them with knowledge courage gifts of tongues miracles zeale holinesse that in a little time they conquered the world and brought it into the subjection of Christ. Nay further if the Lord please to call any wicked man to any notable service he giveth him abilities and indowments answerable as Saul annoynted by Samuel was changed into another man now hee had extraordinary signes to confirme him hee prophesieth among the Prophets and mindeth not the Asses or husbandry but the great things of the kingdome 1 Sam. 10. 9. And yet more then so if the Lord imploy weake women to his service he gives them masculine gifts and spirits for the worke What a manly and couragious spirit above her sexe did God give to Hester to adventure her life for her people when shee said If I perish I perish Hester 4. 16. What a masculine and stout courage did the Lord afford to Iael Iudges 4. 22. that she durst attempt with hammer and naile to kill that great Captaine Sisera onely falne a sleepe whereas it was a hundred to one the attempt had not cost her her life God hath abundance of spirit and more blessings than one with him are treasures of grace and a flowing Ocean never drawne drie hee never bestowes so much but hee can give much more if there bee need of more If Elisha need a double spirit above Elijah hee shall receive according to his double neede Gods wisedome layeth not heavy burthens on weake
shoulders but first giveth shoulders and then the burthen answerable to the strength which hee giveth This wisedome of God we may observe in all his creatures to every one of which he disposeth gifts and naturall faculties according to the need of it for the preserving it and the upholding of it in the being and service of it giuing to the small swiftnesse and to the great strength and much more dispenseth to every one of his servants according to his use and service The Lord knoweth it must be a manchilde a masculine and generous spirit that must and can oppose the dragon and represse his power his wisedome knowes that no good thing can bee brought to passe without many difficulties and strong resistances neither can any great and prevailing evill bee hindred without much trouble and tumult as in that of the Ephesians for Diana Acts 19. 32. and therefore hee armeth his servants with courage fortitude and resolution for both these purposes else should they never prevaile The meanest calling hath his thornes and sorrowes according to the sentence Gen. 3. 18. and much more those of greater service and difficulty It is for the great glory of God to send his servants compleate and sufficiently furnished and fitted on hir errands no Prince wil send an Ambassage by the hand of a foole so the Lord for his owne honour sendeth on great services choice and rare instruments Iob 33. 23. a messenger one of a thousand To reprove the effeminate men of our times who are timorous and fearefull to bee seene in Gods cause against the dragon these men if any good bee to be done any evill to be reformed doe cast all difficulties and their hearts like women faint to thinke what may come of it and now every sleight excuse pretence or suspition shall bee as a Lyon in the way strong enough to chase them as so many fearfull hares from the undertaking of any thing that is good and this is the cause there is such abundance of sinne and so little reformation when fearefull Magistrates and others in places let downe Gods cause and intend their owne but consider that 1. The fearefull are in the formost band or ranke of those that goe to hell Revel 21. those who feare men more than God those who have the places of men and the faces of men but the hearts of Hares and affections of women without all true courage for the truth one looke of a dragon maketh a nation of them runne away and forsake their standing as Israel from the sight of Goliah 2. Whence commeth this fearefulnesse but from a false heart destitute of faith love of God zeale for his glory and destitute of the spirit of strength and fortitude 3. It is the note of a man carried with carnall affection who for avoyding of disfavor in Gods cause avoideth his duty 4. An heartlesse and effeminate coward is hee whom every sleight feare casteth almost into a swound wheras were there courage and manlinesse every sleight thing would bee a keene weapon against the dragon Five smooth stones in Davids hand shall throw downe Goliah a Taw bone in Samsons hand shall smite downe a thousand Philistimes An Oxe Goade in Shamgars hand shall slay six hundred enemies yea a naile in Iaels hand shall destroy Sisera Whatsoever calling God hath set thee in expresse thy commission by setting on worke and putting forth with zeale and courage the gifts that thou hast received 1 Kin. 2. 2. be valiant and shew thy selfe a man and know 1. GOD giveth not his spirit to the Saints to feare any more Rom. 8. 15. but the spirit of courage and fortitude and a sound minde contemning reproaches and dangers profits disprofits which would hinder the execution of their calling what saith Nehemiah 6. 11. Shall such a man as I flie I will not take Sanctuary to live 2. It is the grace of a good action to shew a masculine spirit in breaking through the difficulties like Davids Worthies which hinder the undertaking and performance of good duties that like the hearty spies gathereth courage from opposition and troubles which driveth others out of heart 3. It is the manchilde onely that quelleth and conquereth the dragon Moses will not leave a hoofe behinde him at Pharaohs request the dragon is faine to command him out of presence Elijah telleth Ahab it is he and his fathers house that trouble Israel an army of smooth and flattering Prophets durst not say so The dragons could not resist the spirit with which Steven spake yea the dragon sometime is forced to reverence their persons and admire their spirits and subscribe to the holinesse of the manchilde and wish their ends like his 4. This masculine spirit upholdeth the manchilde unto perseverance for how should a Minister who is hated for his love and is esteemed an enemy for speaking truth who is accused of many evils and pursued with all disgraces hold on his holy labours in his holy life or continue in his uprightnesse in so many discouragements were he not supported with faith to beleeve with love to his Lord whose sheepe hee â—eedeth and with assurance of a better reckoning and recompence hereafter than in the world or from it he can expect did not the spirit afford him these shoulders to carry this burthen hee could not but sinke under it and so of private Christians who live amongst people of prophane behaviour by whom they are daily baited scorned disgraced persecuted for their hope and profession and holy practice how could it be that they living in a nasty place as still medling with pitch but yet are not defiled nay they hold forth the word of life in the midst of a froward generation and imbrace still a conversation to which not the world onely but even themselves were once deadly enemies how could they carry through such a course were they not assisted with an heroicall spirit to oppose the dragon and the world By which they patiently indure the contempt of the world the lashes of tongues the losses of things present and the labour of their love to God and good duties Quest. How may I come to this courage and masculine spirit Ans. 1. Begge the spirit to change thee into another man as Othniel Iudg. 3. 10. thou art no fit peece by nature to any good service pray for the spirit who is given to them that aske him 2. Forecast and arme thy selfe against the malice of the dragon who the better any businesse is the more busily and basely will hee disgrace it Let Noah build an Arke and what difficulties and scornes shall hee sustaine let Nehemiah build a wall and the Foxes say the dragons shall cast it downe let a man abstaine from evill he maketh himselfe a prey 3. Be sure of a warrantable calling that thou art in the Lords worke and in the way and then thou needest not feare as Luther so many dragons as there are tiles in a
or our cause Concerning the militant Church what wee hold will plainly appeare in these Conclusions 1. That God will alwayes have a true part of his Catholike Church in the earth that shall hold and constantly maintaine the true faith in their severall ages to the end of the world and that the true Church cannot faile upon earth 2. That this part of the Catholike Church cōsisteth of men which are visible exercise visible ordinances of word Sacraments government c. and often in times of peace appeareth glorious in many particular and visible congregations for we never deny that particular Churches are often visible 3. That these visible particular Churches are not alwayes visible after the same manner neither is any part of the visible Church alwayes so necessarily visible but it may be discontinued and disappeare as all the visible Churches in the old and new Testament ever have done 4. This number of men in whom this part of the Church consisteth may come to be a few and by tyranny or heresie their profession may bee so secret amongst themselves that the world shall not see them neither can any man point to any particular Church and yet the Church is not destroyed for as the Sunne is a shining Sunne in it selfe though in the night we see it not nor in the day a blinde man cannot discerne it so the Church wanteth not her shining glory in her selfe though in the night wee see is not nor in the day a blinde man cannot discerne it the Church wanteth not her shining glory though the blinde world especially in the night of persecution cannot discerne it 5. Although the Church cannot faile upō earth yet the external governmēt of it may faile for a time the Pastors may be interrupted the sheepe may bee scattered the discipline hindered the externall exercise of religion suspended and the sincerity of religion exceedingly corrupted so as the members of the Church are onely visible to the true members within themselves By which conclusions we shall easily meete with the subtilty and vanity of all their reasons which ordinarily conclude from the externall forme to the failing of it selfe in the being and from the invisibility to the blind world to the invisibility amongst themselves as if they would conclude A man is hid therefore he is no man or A blinde man cannot see therefore no other man also or because hee that is without dores cannot see what I doe within therefore neither hee that is within with me Having thus bounded and laid the question let us see how they bend the force of their arguments Ob. 1. The body of Christ is visible but the Church is the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12. 27. Ye are the body of Christ speaking to men visible Ans. 1. They might tell us what they meane by the body of Christ the Scriptures make mention of a threefold and never a one visible to humane sense 1. His naturall body that is invisible in the heavens 2. His Sacramentall body that is invisible in the Sacrament 3. His mysticall body and that is spirituall and no object of sense II. They might alleage the Scriptures sincerely and not as they use deceitfully to suppresse the words of the Text which would fully answer their arguments the words of the Textare Yee are the body of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for your part which words suppressed by them sheweth us 1. That hee speaketh of a particular Church which then was visible but this is farre from proving the Catholike so to be which is the question 2. That both parts of their reason be false the former because it is not generall for the whole body of Christ is not visible and the later because the Corinthians were not the whole body of Christ for the Apostle saith they were both part of it Object But the Apostle writeth to visible men Sol. 1. From a particular to a generall the reason cannot hold because I see some men by me therefore I can see all men that ever were or shall bee or because I can see a particular congregation at Corinth I can see the Catholike Church in heaven and earth borne and unborne in the way in the countrey Such fond reasons may bee plausible to Romish blinded and hooded sots but as the Sunne maketh mists to vanish so the light of the Gospell doth these mists and fogges of subtilty and deceit 2. They might remember that the Church is a society of men not as men for so a number of Turks might be the body of Christ or a nest of Arians but as beleevers therfore the Church as the Church cannot be seene but beleeved which force of words hath made Bellarmine himselfe to confesse whose words are Videmus enim coetum hominum qui est Ecclesia sed quod ille coetus sit vera Christi Ecclesia non videmus sed credimus and what say wee more or lesse 3. They seeme either not to know or to dissemble the reason why the Church is called visible which is not because the men are visible but because of the external visible forme which being interrupted the visibility is gone though the persons not seene to the world they remaine seene amongst themselves 4. How absurd is it to define a Church by our senses and measure them by flesh and bones this is as one saith Chirurgum agere non Theologum hee that doth so would make a better Surgeon than Divine but these muzes cannot long hide them Hence then I conclude this first objection from their owne premisses thus If the Church be the body of Christ then it is not visible because it is not his naturall body for Christ had not two naturall bodies but his mysticall then invisible this being the true difference betweene a mysticall and a physicall body the one is subject to sense the other the object not of sense but of faith Object II. But the Pastors and Doctors the Sacraments the preaching of the Word the building of the Church are visible ergo the Church is visible Sol. 1. All this concludeth but particular congregations to bee visible which wee deny not but no reason can conclude hence the visibility of the Catholike Church and then it is too short to reach our cause and controversie 2. Consider the visible Church two wayes First according to her external matter and forme and thus consisting of men met together to performe externall Ecclesiasticall actions so farre I say a particular Church is visible Secondly according to her inward forme and so farre as they be of the Catholike Church by effectuall vocation faith righteousnesse and holinesse thus are the same members invisible for though wee see the men professing the faith yet who knoweth which or whether of them professe in soundnesse or in hypocrisie 3. Although a Church be now visible in eminent Pastors in numerous professors and in their glorious fruition of Christ and his ordinances yet no Church in the
weeke of dayes but of a week of yeares containing seven yeares Exodus 23. 20. the common weeke of dayes resembling and signifying a weeke of yeares so also not only of a yeare of dayes but a yeare of yeares every such yeare containing 360. yeares as the common yeares amongst Hebrewes and Grecians continued so many dayes II. For the period of these dayes when they begun or ended 1. Wee must remember that wee have said that this is inferred by anticipation and is to be referred unto the fourteenth verse 2. That it is the same time with times time and halfe a time there mentioned the finding out of which will helpe us to the clearing of this 3. That it must set in after the second assault of the dragon mentioned verse the 13. and is not properly to be handled now while wee are in the first assault of the dragon by heathen Emperors 4. It must be the same time with the 42. months Cap. 11. 2. wherein Antichrist shall treade downe the holy Citie for these being months of yeares reckoning to every month thirty dayes according to the Hebrewes and Aegyptians are just thirty yeares in every month of yeares and so forty two months of yeares make just the same number of 1260 yeares here mentioned agreeing with the three yeares and a halfe prophesied by Daniel for the raigne of Antichrist which being yeares of yeares because prophetical every month containing 12. months of years which make 360. which number being multiplyed by three and an halfe amount in the totall to 1260. yeares as in our Text. 5. It cannot be meant as the Papists fable of their Antichrist who say they must raigne three yeares and an halfe of naturall yeares we must watch the subtilty of Papists who would have us to seeke the rise of Antichrist in the end of the world after this ruine but the three yeares and an halfe are propheticall yeares and make just 1260 yeares all which time the Church is in the wildernesse Neither can this time begin as Iunius and sundry other worthy mē do affirm at the passiō of Christ determined in the time of Boniface the 8. for it must be of things after Iohn and after Domitian yea after the heathen Emperours after the first conflict with the dragon which lasted many hundred yeares after Christ. 6. Now whether it bee a finite time for a definite as amongst other godly learned our late grave and gracious Bishop Abbot demonstrateth pag. 108 controversie or whether wee may with proofe or probability define some certaine period for beginning or end of it we will reserve the determination of it to the proper place in the fourteenth verse and will not be wanting in diligence to finde out and settle on the truth as the Lord shall reveale Quest. III. Why doth the Spirit of God here so strictly and precisely reckon up the time of the womans oppression under Antichrist and the womans persecution in the wildernesse by so many dayes and not roundly and shortly by so many months and yeares Ans. For foure causes 1. To note the singular watchfulnesse and Providence of God over the woman who is daily and hourely with his servants present to take notice of every dayes sorrow and suffering which himselfe appointeth and determineth 2. To shew that all the children of the Church should take notice of their daily neede of spirituall food and gather it daily in the meanes as Israel needed daily provision of Mannah in the wildernesse God gave thē not an harvest once a yeare or month but a daily harvest to supply their need they must continue their dependance on his hand for a dayly showre of Mannah 3. To note the continuall use of the Scripture for our strength and comfort for these witnesses waite on the daily necessities of the Church and supply the soule with daily bread these witnesses are not like some that come once a moneth or once a quarter but are in perpetuall watch-tower to feed the woman daily 4. To note the wisedome of the Lords provision who feedeth his Church as Israel in the wildernesse but by the day or as Elias in the wildernesse morning and evening the Lord alloweth enough for the day but is not prodigall 1. Because he will preserve in her an appetite 2. To shew the price of his food it is precious hidden and heavenly Mannah sweet as Mannah or honey more durable it maketh her live for ever see Psalme 19. 10. c. 119. 103. 3. To inure her to contentednesse in all things with daily bread and if hee feed her from hand to mouth she must thinke it well hee oweth her not so much he would have all the children of the Church to curbe greedy desires and be contented with things present Note what a long time is set downe for the womans abode in the wildernesse under Antichrist 1260. yeares Teaching us Doct. That the Church may bee a long time under grievous affliction so was Israel a stranger and under strange and strong burthens in Aegypt foure hundred yeares the Jewes in the Babylonish captivity seventy yeares the ten generall persecutions lasted 300. yeares till Constantine but here is one of Antichrist beyond them all Quest. What is the reason is not God able to deliver his Church sooner or doth hee delight in the misery of his Church Ans. 1. Neither of both but first by protracting the warre he sheweth his continuall power and care in preserving her through her assault and leading her through the Pikes into safety and now subscribeth to the truth of his promises 2. Shaketh her out of security and forceth her to keepe on her armour and to stand upon her watch the lesse hope of rest or truce that she can expect 3. By continuance of her tryall hee will continue her faith and patience excite her prayers and exercise all her graces especially traine her in humility while the continuance of her smart holdeth in her sight the continuance of her sinne 4. That her deliverance long deferred may bee more desired and sweeter when it commeth how sweet was Israels passage out of Aegypt after 400. yeares 5. That shee may take notice of the severity of Gods justice and what continuall torments are reserved for his enemies seeing hee lingreth such heavy sorrowes on his owne servants If the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appeare Quest. How standeth this with those places that say our afflictions are light and momentany 2 Cor. 4. 17. and that God hideth his face but for a moment Esa. 54. 8. Are 1260. yeares but a moment Answ. 1. The afflictions of the Church are light and short first not simply and absolutely but in comparison to aeternall glory 2. Not in themselves or their owne nature but in respect of grace that maketh them light when sinne is repented and pardoned in the soule 3. Not in the smart the effect of them for so often they are long but in respect of sinne
Constantine that great champion of Christ who under Christs Standard made warre with and overthrew Maxentius Maximinus and Licimous horrible dragons and tyrants as were likely I will not certainly define but without all doubt that was included in this prophesie if not principally meant of which Euseb. lib. 9 cap. 9. who saith he received from Constantine himselfe the narration of the fight and victory Quest. 3. Why doth the Spirit of God foretell this battell Answ. 1. The Lord would not have his Church conceive that here she hath found any resting place or can enjoy perpetuall halcion dayes but that there abideth unto her many irreconciliable warres in this military condition against divers enemies hereticall tyrannicall and Antichristian 2. He would manifest his care and wisedome over his Church and children whose tryals he foretelleth that they might not thinke them come by chance or God not foreseeing them or distrust his favor while they are exercised by them but in these predictions might see him both ordering them for his glory and for their salvation 3. God would not have troubles come on a sudden or stealing on his servants but with warning that they might arme and prepare themselves with wisdome fortitude and patience to resist them that the Church might stand her ground not discouraged much lesse cast away her confidence that hee might abate the smart of them if they were sudden and blunt the edge of them by providing for them Quest. 4. But why doth the Lord ordaine or permot this fight and opposition being against his glory his Church his truth and his servants or how can he be mercifull and good to protract and permit so great evils Ans. 1. As God is good in his mercy so hee is no lesse good and great in his justice 2. This fight against the Church is not simply evill but hath in it a respect of good and therefore God permitteth it because 1. It is partly an execution of justice and a just correction of the sinnes of the Church 2. It is such an evill as much good is thence produced to the Church as hereafter wee shall see 3. It is not such an evill but that Gods wisedome and power can and doth moderate order bridle and turne to a good end and issue the dragon indeed intendeth them mischievouslly to quench the graces of God the wicked agent◠under him directly fight against his glory and truth and chosen ones and would chase them into the bottome of the sea to drowne them as Pharaoh but Gods mighty power and wisedome hereby will chase them to heaven as he did Israel to Canaan being a wise Physition that can temper hemlock and poyson to a medicine and remedie and over-rule the poysoned crooked wils of gracelesse men to the effecting of his owne most gracious pleasure and righteous will so as we may say to our brethren when forgetting nature grace humanity Christianity they contrive to cast us into pits and sel and send us away as Iosephs brethren to put a little base profit into their owne purses Gen. 50. 20. when they thought evill against me God did dispose it to my good You who should have beene my naturall brethren thought me in too high favour with my father you envied his love to me you thought if you could sel me off all should be yours and therefore wracked on me your barbarous malice but see God over-ruleth your rage your fiercenesse could not frustrate the good purpose of God who against all your plots hath raised mee to save much people alive Object But is not the Gospell a Gospell of peace Gods kingdome a kingdome of peace and Christ himselfe the Prince of peace typified in Melchisedek Isa. 9. the professors of the Gospell sonnes of peace how will this stand thus with such open hostility and perpetuall warre how is it true Isa. 9. 7. there shall be no end of peace when we see there is no end of warre Ans. 1. these two are not contradictory to bee at peace and at warre at the same time because they are not in the same respect so our Saviour teacheth In the world ye shall have tribulation but in me at the same time ye shall have peace Iohn 16. 33. the reason is because those that are Gods consist of two parts flesh and spirit according to the spirit they are in Christ and according to the body they are in the world therefore when in their spirits they enjoy the peace of Christ they are in the body afflicted in the world a wicked man cannot so bee Hee that is wholly in and of the world having affliction hath no conjunction of peace but are oppressed and over-whelmed with sorrow because the true peace of heart is onely in Christ and received by the spirit of faith 2. Peace is the daughter of warre and by warre the Saints attaine and retaine peace were they not at warre with the dragon and the world they could never enjoy an houre of peace I finde more sweet in wicked mens malice than in their delicates 3. Distinguish of peace it is either spirituall or carnall the peace of Christ or of the world which the Disciples themselves expected by Christ when the temporall dominion should bee restored to Israel and the Iewes delivered from the Romane bondage supposing they should bee great Rulers in their Countries but Christ wisheth thē to dreame of no such thing this peace Christ disclaimeth as Mat. 10. 34. Thinke not I am come to send peace but a sword and fire Secondly there is a spirituall and inward peace which Christ claimeth to be his My peace I leave with you he bringeth that peace to the world which the world giveth not nor knoweth not a peace not with the dragon or his party but peace with God peace of conscience and peace with all men so farre as lyeth in them This is the peace of Gods kingdome which is not interrupted by warres with the dragon and the world but established 4. Wee must with Luther distinguish of warre there is an Active warre and a Passive Christ and his Gospel and servants move no Active warre the Gospell of peace proclameth peace not warre the end of his comming and the Gospell publishing is to set all things at peace But there is a passive war waged by the Prince of darknesse discord against Christ and his people and the sonne of peace by all his skill cannot avoid this warre not that it is a fruit or effect of the Gospell or by any fault or cause in in the Gospell which perswadeth peace and concord with God and man but occasionally and by an accidentall event partly by the malice of the devill that man-slayer who being that Prince of darknesse deadly hateth the light partly by the malice of the world which yeeldeth not unto the truth and holy admonitions but warreth againstit and chaseth it so farre as they can out of the world and partly out of the wicked concupiscence
of the children of darknesse Iames 4. 1. Now were it not for the enmity of this wicked One and ones against the Gospell there would bee no hurt in all the maintenance of holinesse Onely here note how wide they are that call for and commend an unlimited peace whereas the Gospell onely cals for a well conditioned peace 1. No peace is good but which flowes from peace w th God none against him defie that peace that is at defiance with the God of peace beware of an impious peace 2. No peace but joyned with holinesse Heb. 12. 14. carnall companionship is a peace in sinne drunkennesse swearing the devill divideth not his kingdome Christians must owne no such hellish peace detest such a prophane peace 3. No peace but with truth which is magnified above peace against popish pacification conversing with Papists shall wee betray the truth of God under the pretence of peace no peace without contention for truth 4. No peace but with good conscience secure Protestants will have peace in their sinnes let them alone they will let you alone runne with them they like you oppose godlinesse these precise wayes oh you winne them for ever but all is against the Gospell but better is a godly distraction than a wicked peace The Church and members must be in perpetuall warre while it is upon earth as Israel in the wildernesse had daily warres and resistances so all the Israel of God in the wildernesse of this world Hence it is that the Church of God on earth is called militant because it is an inseparable adjunct of it to be in perpetuall flight and battell Ephes 6. 12. wee wrastle against principalities and powers and that without intermission and if wee must still put on the armour of God this implyeth a perpetuall battell God will have us put a difference betweene heaven and earth and know that this is not our resting place and that rest is not gotten with ease hee will have us prize the worth of it in the difficulty danger and strife in attaining it he will crowne none without lawfull striving because none can overcome that fights not The Lord hereby provideth for his owne glory for whereas if it pleased him he might put forth his mighty power in preventing all molestation and overthrowing all his and the Churches enemies at once and so procure to his Church perfect peace and prosperitie even in the world but he more magnifieth himselfe in the victory of his servants than in their peace and they are more glorious in their faith constancy fortitude and patience than in their peace rest and security The state and constitution of the Church is such as none can be servants of Christ but souldiers for 1. So long as the enmity of the seed of the woman and the Serpent lasts there is no hope of truce or cessation of armes 2. There cannot be spirit but there will bee a combate betweene flesh and spirit which if neither the first Adam nor the second both in innocency can escape how shall wee expect to avoid it in state of corruption so long as there is light darknesse will fight against it 3. Where any grace is as is in every true Christians heart there is something worth stealing there the thiefe layeth battery where hee knoweth the treasure is yea the same men who were quiet enough before the appearing of grace are now so raged against it as if either inward temptation or outward fury can prevaile they shall be cast downe as Paul 4. Where there is but an entrance into the profession an admission into the family of Christ a receiving of our Captaines presse-money and a promise to fight the good fight of faith that is cause enough of quarrell and even so much or so little shall not want keene blowes from the dragon and the world 5. Suppose a man should want enemies without him yet he wanteth no enemie so long as hee carrieth about himselfe himselfe is exercise enough to himselfe all his life long and the better he knoweth himselfe the better shall hee know this truth The Lord hereby provideth for his Churches good and the furthering of her salvation and that many wayes 1. He letteth her see the great malice and hatred of the dragon against her and the extent of his mighty power against her against which shee could no way stand but in the power of God thus hee humbleth her in her selfe shaketh her out of her security driveth her out of her selfe and chaseth her to her fort and refuge even God himselfe her rocke 2. Hee letteth her see the desert of her sinnes in some measure and so to further her repentance for though hee have laid the chastisement of her peace on his Sonne yet he by these wicked instruments fatherly correcteth us as children so Iob 13. 26. Thou writest bitter things against me and makest me possesse the sinnes of my youth This good the Lord bringeth out of the evill intentions of the dragon he both awakeneth the conscience to finde out and hunt out secret sins which before she was not aware of as this sharpe water of affliction cleareth her sight so she findeth that the greatest strength of the dragon is in her owne corruption she is now more wary to prevent sinne for time to come as the buffettings of Satan kept under Pauls pride and suffered him not to be exalted above measure 3. The Lord hereby setteth and keepeth all the graces of his servants in exercise and so preserveth and strengthneth them as the health of the body is preserved by bodily exercise so the health of the soule Now in conflict they find the use and worth and measure of their faith hope patience prayers which before were weake and languishing 4. The Lord setteth enimies perpetually in the necks of his servants not that they may be overcome but that they may not bee overcome hee knoweth standing brookes gather dregs that unused iron gathereth rust David in all his battels stood unconquered but in his peace and rest was soone foyled whereas in this battell none are foyled but cowards and none can hold out but are crowned Seeing he can be no Christian that knoweth no combates let us lay up the point of wisedome to forecast and make account of the battell and know we have blowes and bullets to passe through Holy Iob waited when his changes would come and it was his wisedome for time came when hee had thrust upon thrust messenger upon messenger yea changes and armies of sorrowes encamped about him in one day Chap 10. 8. Quest. How shall wee wisely forecast dayes of tryall and battell Answ. 1. Know wee have enemies round about such as will slip no advantage offered we say opportunity maketh a knave our enemies are wrathfull watchfull and never farre off 2. Labour to stand prepared Dost thou not see an enemy now in the field against thee yet bee wise in peace provide for warre a
more cowardly lost the field then those that presumed most of their strength and valour at home Goe out of thy selfe and pray that by his strength thou mayest be able to all things Verse 12. Therefore rejoyce ye Heavens and ye that dwell in them Wo to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea for the divell is come downe unto you having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short time AFter the victory atchieved over the dragon and the due praises both of Michael the Generall and of his band and armie sung out in the former triumphant song now in this verse is described a twofold fruit of the former benefit 1 The joy of the Saints therefore rejoyce yee heavens and ye that dwell in them 2 The sorrow and extreme griefe of the wicked called the inhabitants of the earth and sea in opposition to the former with the reason of their sorrow For the divell is come downe c. For the joy of the Saints it is invited by an Apostrophe or conversion to them in which are two things 1 The cause or reason of their joy in the word of inference therefore 2 The titles of those that are called to rejoyce ye heavens and ye that dwell in them The cause of their joy is in the word therefore because the Church both in the Head and members hath got so happie a victory over the dragon therefore they are to rejoyce Note hence that godly men triumph after victory not before Israel triumpheth when Goliah is slaine and lyeth dead 1 Cor 15. ult Thankes bee unto God who hath given us victory Revel 7. 14. Who be they that say Amen Praise glory wisdome thankes honour power and might unto our God for evermore but those that are come out of great tribulation 1 Christ our Lord triumphed after his victory Col. 2. 15. He made a show and triumphed over the principalities and powers when he had spoyled them This was for our example 2 The nature of a triumph is ever after victory and before is as unwise as unseasonable For the event of warre is uncertaine and falls sometime on this side and sometime on that And therefore the counsell of the King of Israel to Benhadud assuring himselfe of victory from the multitude of his army which was so numerous that the dust of Samaria was not enough to give every one of his followers an handfull was grounded on wise policie 1 King 20. 11. Let not him that girdeth on his armour boast as he that putteth it off 3 All the true triumph of Saints is grounded in Christs victory soundly applyed to themselves No flesh must rejoyce in it selfe that according as it is written He that rejoyceth let him rejoyce in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 31. Which serves to thrust downe all carnall and ungrounded triumph and boasting before the victory as First Many formall Protestants defie the devill have a strong faith and ever beleeved and it were pitty he should live that doubts of his salvation and of all men they are surest to be saved But here is a foolish triumph before victory all this while they come not in Christs victory or strength they meane wel and deale justly with men are sober civill chaste not adulterers drunkards theeves they come to Church and heare the Prayers and Sermons and yet are none of these forward and precise fellowes But all this while the enemie hath thē fast enough and is well pleased they should so delude themselves For they are without faith which should be their victory over the world without repentance and mortification which should be their victory over their sins and lusts without sound fruits of faith the only ensignes of victorious conquerors Secondly Papists glorie and triumph but before victory for 1 Finall victory stands with Christ not Antichrist 2 Sound victory is founded in the victory of Jesus Christ and not in prevailing against Christ and his Kingdome as all theirs is 3 Sound victory glorieth first in truths victory and not in treading downe the truth and Professors of it as theirs doth 4 True victory gloryeth in the lawfull just and Christian meanes of obtayning it But how overcome they In their fight against spirituall enemies they will overcome by their good deeds and merits by their owne holy-water holy relickes holy crosses by buying Masses pardons trentalls and indulgences by round summes to avoyd Purgatory and the like Here be conquerors whose safety and salvation lyeth in despaire For whom have they enemies in all this but God and his truth such conquerors as Saul and his armour-bearer who dyed on their owne weapons And for their temporall enemies by what meanes carry they victory but by stabbing throat-cutting burning Massacres powder-plots perjurie treasons Is this to be victors to be superiors in fury fiercenesse slaughters and effusion of Christian blood Let Papists thus conquer and glorie in their shame the more such victories they carry lesse cause have they to triumph unlesse they triumph justly in making themselves and their religion the shame and infamy of the whole world 2 The persons that are called to rejoyce are the heavens and they that dwell in them By the heavens we understand not the heavens or any of them literally or naturally nor by the inhabitants the Saints and Angells dwelling in the third heaven though even these have a share in the generall joy of the Church militant For as the cause of this joy properly belongeth to the Church militant as wee have heard so the word of inference therefore calleth on them as whom it most concerneth to rejoyce in their owne happinesse By the heavens and those that dwell in them are meant the Church on earth and the Saints and Beleevers the members of it which is not usually in this Chapter nor in this booke chap. 18. 20. O heavens rejoyce over her where the company of the godly in earth are called to rejoice in the destruction of Antichrist and his Kingdome Now to the former reasons elsewhere why the Church militant is called by the name of heaven we will adde these 1 Because there is not a more lively resemblance of heaven in the world then the universall company of Saints in the militant Church here upon earth as might appeare in many things The inhabitants of the Church here below dwell together in an holy communion of Saints enjoying the presence of God separate from the world and the wicked inhabitants of it knit among themselves by the inward band of the Spirit and the outward meanes of association the word sacraments prayer and other more private helps in which heavenly society they resemble that immediate and perfect fellowship which they expect in heaven both betweene God and his people and mutually among themselves 2 Because of the high estate and condition of the Saints on earth above others uncalled who are advanced beyond them as the heaven is higher then the earth For
watched and brought upon the world since the fall was the raysing of Antichrist He had beene mischievous before and wrathfull in open tyranny but now he putteth forth a greater wrath in secret delusion Which truth will appeare if we consider 1 Antichristianisme in it selfe 2 In comparison with open tyranny 3 In the more feareful fruits and grievous effects of it 1. Antichristianisme in it selfe is the most fearefull plague that ever the wrath of God or Satan strucke the world withall if we consider 1. The cause 2 The effect 3. The generality In the cause it proceedeth from the greatest wrath that ever God put forth upon earth for 1. It is a wrath from the divine iustice due to the most fearefull sinne in the world which was the worlds reiecting the truth of the Gospell wherein the wrath of God is come both upon the Jew and Gentile to the uttermost 2. It is a wrath of the dragon whetted by the wrath of God in which God sendeth the strongest and most prevailing delusions that ever were in which that wicked spirit who seemed to bee cast out of the world by the preaching of the Gospell is returned againe and hath brought seven worse spirits than himselfe 3. It is a wrath not onely punishing sinnes of such a deepe staine but with most fearfull sinnes such as immediately forerunne damnation even that universall damnation of all those who chased away the truth of God to embrace the delusions of Antichrist 2 Thess. 2. 10. God shall send strong delusions that all they may be damned who loved not the truth 4. It is a wrath so great as the Spirit of God finds no parallell to compare it with but the great day of Gods wrath and therefore in the opening of the sixt Seale Revel 6. 12. which describeth the comming of Antichrist into the world hee resembleth the time of his appearing to the greatest day of wrath that ever was before it and describeth it by all those fearefull events which shall accompany Christ himselfe when he commeth to his last and universall iudgement The signes of the wrath of that great day of wrath are seven by this wrathfull day of Antichrist notably resembled 1. Great and fearfull earthquakes shall goe before the comming of Christ Matth. 24. 7. Even so at the comming of Antichrist the foundations of the earth shal be shaken a new face of things shal appear the pillers and foundations of old Apostolicall doctrine and discipline shall bee shaken downe and a new Ecclesiasticall Monarchy shall eate up the ancient civill and Imperiall government which was the studd and pillar upholding the earth and societies of men 2. The Sunne shall bee darkned as sackcloth Mat. 24. 29. and Christ the sunne of righteousnesse who shined so cleare in the firmament of the Church the onely Saviour Mediatour and satisfaction shall bee wholy darkned and horribly ecclipsed in the day of Antichrist the holy doctrine concerning his person natures offices and benefits shall be cleane obscured as the Sunne at midnight a blacke vaile of traditions and a thicke curtaine of humane constitutions blacked and darkned all his most sacred Ordinances the Sacraments by theatricall pompes and devises shal be adulterate the worship of Christ by adoration of Idols and veneration of creatures wholy depraved Now is the Sunne of the Church turned into darknesse 3. The Moone shall be turned into blood So the Church which as the Moone receives all her light from the Sunne of righteousnesse shal seem all blood partly by the cruell and bloody warres and partly by the bloody persecutions of Antichrist who shall boast of both swords and fill both his hands with weapons of wrath and cruelty 4. The Starres shall fall from heaven Marke 13. 25. So in the appearing of Antichrist the Bishops and Pastors shall become Apostates from the truth and of shining starres in holy doctrine holy life and beautifull graces in their severall Orbes shining in humility charity sobriety diligence and heavenly-mindednesle shall fall to pride ambition contention wordlinesse warre seats of Judicature and whatsoever is earthly and sensuall and pompous 5. At the comming of Christ the heaven shall depart as a scrole so in the day of Antichrists comming the Church the heaven upon earth shall bee shut up and hide it selfe and shall not bee visible and conspicuous to the world And although many good and godly men still in all ages contested against Antichrist yet were they condemned for heretikes and were counted no part of heaven nor faithfull members of it 6. The Mountaines and Ilands were removed out of their places By Mountaines are meant Kings and Emperours who by the fraud and power of Antichrist were removed from their high places and authority which was swallowed and ingrossed by Antichrist and by Ilands the people and nations who were all forced upon paine of damnation in stead of obedience to Christ to submit themselves to the tyrannie of Antichrist Nothing so firme as Mountaines nothing so farre off as Ilands but Antichrist reached them 7. As in the day of Christs wrath the wicked shall in utter despaire of their estates call for the hils and Mountaines to cover them and hide them from it so shall the great day of Antichrist drive great ones to utter despaire not knowing what shall become of them and of their estates and this shall bee the hire and recompence of all the ayders and supporters of Antichrist in the day of their particular iudgement if their consciences bee awakened at farthest in that last and great day of wrath in the generall iudgement Thus wee see the Scripture setting out the day of Antichrist to bee as wrathfull as the great day of Christ which of all dreadfull things is to all wicked men most terrible Secondly now consider the great wrath of Antichristianisme in the effect and we shall see it the most horrible mist and black darknesse that ever the world was stricken withall Other heresies and hereticks which made way to this are called the black horse Revel 6. 5. as being contrary to the white horse Verse 2. which was the integrity of Apostolike doctrine but those did obscure and darken the light as in the evening But when Antichrist comes this heresie chaseth away all light as at midnight Not that the Church ceaseth to bee no more than the Sunne ceaseth to be at midnight but it appeareth no more in that Horizon or Hemisphere thā if it were not all Heaven passeth as a scrole which is no lesse but lesse seene Hence is the Kingdome of Antichrist called spiritually by the name of Aegypt Rev. 11. 8. for it resembleth that Kingdome especially in three things 1. In Idolatry 2. In cruelty and oppression of the Israel of God 3. Most of all in blindnesse and darknesse with which that Kingdome was covered for three dayes Exod. 10. 21. And betweene the darknesse of that Aegypt and this there is apt resemblance 1. Of all the plagues of
hedge Hos. 2. to contain men in bounds and hold them from excesse Israel in affliction will returne to her first husband considering it was then better with her then now This made Augustine truely terme it the Churches unhappy happinesse and to conclude it a point of great felicity not to be overcome by worldly felicity 4. How many of our owne experiences may awaken us and hold us waking suspicious of prosperity Who ever saw the tree of grace grow in the fertile land of pleasure Sodom was as Eden the Garden of God but what were the inhabitants Who are they that receive the Gospell not many wise noble or rich but poore ones and weake ones 1 Cor 1. 26. Christs Kingdome is not of this world his subjects are called out of the world and at defiance with the world Nay his Kingdome is contrary to the kingdoms of the world they rise by worldly prosperity wealth wisedome power but Christs by humility passion patience Who are the poorest among us in good works of mercy piety and charity but those that most abound in wealth superfluity Dives cannot spare crums Poore men that receive the Gospell can spare some mites to uphold the Word among them but many of our great rich men can spare onely disgrace contempt and I doubt would bee at some cost to get it away I never knew man who would bee at no cost for the Word but hee was willing to be at some cost against it It is true of many great men as we see true in the Mountaines which the richer they are in metals and minerals within the more barren and fruitlesse are they without Even so men to whom God hath given the greatest meanes are often most barren of good workes because he hath not given them grace and will to use them aright How hardly shall a rich man be saved Who be they that leave Gods house most desolate and empty but they who most curiously build and seale their owne houses Hag. 1. 4. Poore men in towne and countrey can come with much travell to this exercise rich meÌ„ many who have time means to come with ease and pleasure come not because who are chosen to the end are chosen to the meanes Who bee they that are carryed to Popery and Idolatry from the truth but great persons for the most part and why so but because it is a religion according to the flesh a naturall religion a libertine religion that suites with mens corruptions set up by carnall policy and power and therefore carries away such as abound in worldly prosperity Who exceed most in riot and excesse but such as abound most in wealth and riches And wee may generally conclude Worldly prosperity hath made many worse few or none better If adversity hath slaine his thousand prosperity hath slaine ten thousand 4. This affords us some rules and directions for the ordering First of our desires Secondly of our conditions For the first If God bid us as he doth aske what wee would have and hee will give us our wish as he did Salomon let us aske as hee did wisdome before wealth or any outward prosperity even that true wisdome with which God addes no sorrows This is a gift which cannot bee turned to our bane as all outward gifts may In the prosperity of saving graces lie no snares as there doe in all earthly prosperity yea in all common graces Christian wisdome teacheth to checke those excessive and covetous desires which seeke and affect great things in this world as knowing that pathes washed in butter are slippery and to say Give me neither riches nor poverty but things convenient For the second the ordering of our estates 1. Of prosperity If God please to add wealth to wisedome as hee did to Salomon wee must bee sober and abstinent and learne to abound as well as to want for this is an harder lesson to take out but not so hard as fruitfull For as sobriety and abstinence in the middest of large provision preserveth bodily health and helpes to free us of such diseases as come of fulnesse so the sparing use of worldly comforts preserves the health of the soule and keeps strength in grace and vertue and preserves from corrupt humours of vice and sinne which come of fulnesse and unwatchfulnesse 2. Of adversity If the Lord temper our prosperity with a sound measure of affliction wee must on this ground 1. Be thankfull for all his workes are First wise in wisedome hee doth them all unto which wee must subscribe though wee see not the reason of them In wisdome hee appointed the way to Canaan through a dry and barren wildernes though Israel murmured at it Yea Christ himselfe the wisdome of his Father came from heaven and best knew the way thither and to shew us the right way made choise rather of an afflicted then prosperous estate Secondly seasonable for he doth all in his appointed time in which every action is beautifull Thirdly profitable to his Church and therefore hee sends in afflictions like a cold frost to nip in the ranknesse of our soile and so fit us to fruitfulâ—es and as a good Physitian sees it profitable to prescribe a spare diet to his surfetted Patient so doth the Lord to his surfetted Church or servants Therefore let us not in all this sinne with our mouthes or change God foolishly 2. Make no more haste out of afflictions than good speed Gold is not presently pulld out of the fire so soone as it is cast in but must stay a while till it be purged It is a safer state though sowrer as the three Children were safer in the furnace than out of it Gold hath more cause to feare the rust than the fire and to us prosperity is more dangerous than adversity Verse 14. But to the woman were given two wings of a great Eagle that shee might flee into the wildernesse into her place where shee is nourished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the serpent AS the former Verse expresseth the furious assault of the dragon against the woman so this declareth her happy evasion and escape with the cause of her conservation and that was her flight and disappearing from the sight of men For what should the poore woman doe being not able to withstand so huge and fierce a beast and Monster Wee have seene how this woman stoutly withstood the bloody persecutions of the Imperiall Dragons and never thought of flying shee feared not sword fire Gibbet nor the most exquisite torments of the fiercest tyrants but the more shee was persecuted the more glorious shee was and shined in surpassing brightnesse of holy doctrine and life We have heard what an happy victory and triumph shee hath carryed against all those bloody and open enemies But now the dragon turning himselfe into another shape and unto another stratagem under the profession of Christ furiously
knowledge of the seasons put in his owne power Act. 1. 7. I have collected what my most diligent search of this high mysterie can attaine into these Propositions 1 Propos. That this time times and halfe of time is the same duration with the two and forty months chap. 11. 2. in which the holy City that is the Church resembled by Jerusalem shal be troden underfoot namely by Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God by subtilty and tyranny boasting himselfe to be the head and universall Monarch of the Church And the same number with three yeares and an halfe of Antichrists reigne prophesied by Daniell chap. 7. 25. Which being yeares of yeares come to the same reckoning And the same number with the 1260 dayes which wee have expounded vers 6. which being to be meant of mysticall and Propheticall dayes wee have just so many yeares of Antichrists tyranny 2. Propos. In this time the Spirit of God alludeth to the persecution of Antiochus a type of Antichrist whose tyrannie as it continued a time times and part of time that is three yeares and ten dayes Dan. 7. 25. understanding civill and naturall yeares so shall the tyranny of Antichrist last of Propheticall yeares a time times and halfe a time that is three yeares and about an halfe For the Apostle Iohn not easily departed from the Septuagint for the great honour it was then in And 1260. want eighteen dayes of three yeares and an halfe because for the Elects sake those dayes must bee shortned Besides some learned observe these Propheticall yeares must not bee meant of Lunar or Iulian yeares but Aegyptian in every month of which are onely thirty dayes and so reckon because the Church was now in spirituall Aegypt 3. Propos. This terme cannot bee meant of three naturall yeares and an halfe as Papists in generall assigne the commiâ—â— of Antichrist but to three yeares and an halfe and after his destruction Christ must come at the end of 45. dayes For 1. Antichrist is come already many hundred yeares since for did the mystery of iniquity in Pauls time prepare the way for the sonne of perdition to enter and is there after sixteene hundred yeares no more preparation at all then before Besides did only the Roman Empire with-hold in the Apostles time which many hundred yeares since is dissolved and translated to Germany and is hee not already come he that hindred being so long since taken out of the way 2. If it were literally meant all men in Antichrists time might exactly know the day of Judgement contrary to our Saviour Of that day and houre knowes no man no not the Angels Beside that Christ foretold of the dayes before his second comming that it should be a secure merry time and age of eating drinking making merry and marriages and not of such troubles battels and persecutions as they agree to be in the dayes of Antichrist 3. The litterall time of three yeares and an halfe is not halfe proportionall to the great workes which they say Antichrist must doe Hee must say they sit in the Temple of Jerusalem perhaps hee must build it up in three dayes which Salomon having all things prepared and ready was finishing seven yeares and Zerubbabel was repairing 46. yeares This onely worke will eate a great hole in his time assigned if wee can conceive it might be finished in the whole Hee must call and perswade all dispersed Jewes through the world to gather themselves to him as to their Messiah this they may thinke may be done in a moment but wee thinke three yeares and an halfe too little for it He must build up Rome burnt by the ten Kings and sit there as Monarch the Bishop of Rome and all his being expulsed What will the Pope and Cardinals and Princes be so faint-hearted as to leave the cause the City and holy Seat so soone as he lifts up his finger me thinkes it would call for three yeares and an halfe to doe this busines He must slay three Kings of Aegypt Lybia Aethiopia he must conquer seven Kings more hee must destroy all Churches in the world he must by force of armes expell the great Turke out of Syria the great Persian out of the East great Cham out of the North great Prester Iohn out of the South This stripling of three yeares and a halfe must conquer all the world which no man can post over in farre more time And what a dead sleepe shall all the Monarchs Kings and Emperours of the earth be in the meane time who could scarce in that time if they were never so willing resigne their States to him Many mo great acts must Antichrist doe in this stinted time perhaps in a moment and undoe if we beleeve the fable what the whole power of earth hath beene setling many thousand yeares These and the like absurdities make the learned Papists give up this Legend Alcasar in his vestigation pag. 567. saith To take these numbers of dayes yeares months as they souÌ„d nequaquam stilo aenigmatico quadrat agrees not with this mysticall writing of S. Iohn Ribera another Jesuite rejects Bellarmines opinion of 45. dayes after Antichrist for the end of the world Hentonius a Papist against the dreame of three yeares and an halfe in his Preface to his translation of Aretus saith plainly It is impossible that Antichrist in so short a time of three common yeares and an halfe should obtaine so many Kingdomes and Provinces Let us then looke to these deceivers who would hold us off from beholding the Antichrist of Rome and are willing wee should seeke his rise many yeares after his ruine 4. Propos. It is easier to define where it begins not then where it doth begin And this rejecteth many opinions and conjectures concerning the beginning of this terme As First that conjecture of Sabbaticall yeares or yeares of Sabbaths beginning at Iohn Baptists death and was the whole time of the three hundreth yeares persecution till Constantine the Great which was just 294. yeares Master Fox his conceit And the conjecture of Sabbaticall yeares of a latter persecution beginning in the yeare 1360. when the Turkes power was inlarged and the holy City trodden under foot which lasting 294. yeares for so many the yeares of weekes amount to they had beene ended about â—3 yeares since which they are not and the Turkish power stands in the Easterne part stronger than ever and the woman not eased of it Another conjecture of Iunius and the Magdeburgensis is that it began at Christs passion against which are expresse words Rev. 1. 1. and 4. 1. I will shew thee what shall bee hereafter Againe then had this time beene expired in Boniface 8. who began his raigne in the yeare of Christ 1294. from which number take thirty foure yeares of Christs life and there remaine 1260. But this time is not expired nor the treading of the holy City ended not in Boniface but is still trodden downe and Antichrist sits
Christ neither needeth nor receiveth the testimony of any man Ioh. 5. 33. Answ. Christ is true God and his truth is the truth of God infallible more certaine and firme then al mens testimony And it were very unworthy that infinite should need finite or infallible should need fallible or that the author of truth should need authority from men In this sense Christ neither needeth nor receiveth the witnesse of any man as necessarie to himselfe or for his own part but that they might be saved partly for the weaknesse of men who cannot come to understand divine things without mens testimony or ministery and partly for their salvation which by men he promoteth He useth Iohns witnesse and calleth for the witnesse of the meanest beleever Now the reasons why every one of the remnant must give witnesse to Christ are these 1 Nothing that wee can do can more honor God and Iesus Christ then this Rom. 4. 21. Abraham was strong in faith and gave glory to God What or wherein can wee give greater glory to God then when our faith giveth him a witnesse of his great power truth and goodnesse even contrary to sense and reason as Abraham did 2 Nothing can more honour our selves then to be vouchsafed witnesses to God testifying his truth and the excellency of Gods holy religion both in word and conversation Were it not a great honour for a great Prince to call a meane subject to be a witnesse on his side for the opening of a truth that nearly in honour concernes him But this honor have all the Saints it being the office and function of the whole Church to be the ground and piller of truth the upholder and maintainer of that truth which upholdeth the honor of God himselfe What an honor was it that the Lord called in the whole Church of the Iewes to be witnesses on his side Esa. 43. 10. against all the heathens to testifie of his Omniscience in predictions of things to come which their gods could not do and of his Omnipotency in admirable workes done for them in the wildernesse in the sea in the land of his singular goodnesse and providence in innumerable mercies wherein they were advanced above all people of the earth Did the Lord need them to witnesse no but it was their honour to be vouchsafed such grace that whereas all the heathens witnessed to their idolls they of all people on the earth witnessed and celebrated the great and noble acts of God done among them 3 Nothing makes us liker to Christ our head that true and faithfull witnesse this was his speciall office to witnesse the truth as the redeemer of mankinde and the author of truth Ioh. 18. 37. For this cause was I borne and came into the world that I might testifie of the truth Even so every member of Christ is borne into the Church and commeth into the world of Beleevers to give witnesse unto the truth as being taught in the truth and as the redeemed of the Lord. 4 As nothing can make us liker to God so nothing is better pleasing unto God God the Father hath often and sundry wayes testified unto his Son First Sensibly and audibly in his baptisme and transfiguration also that he was the son of his love who had all his love cast upon him Secondly By the internall revelation of his Spirit in the hearts of beleevers as to Peter Mat. 16. 17 Flesh and blood hath not revealed this but my Father in heaven Thirdly and especially by the mission ministery of the Son himselfe Ioh. 3. 33. he that receiveth his testimony fealeth that God is true for he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God If wee desire to be like God or to please God we must herein imitate him as deare children Which serves for the reproofe of such as are afraid or ashamed of this testimony contrary to 2 Tim. 1. 8. Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. Many will not testifie to Christ among poore men some because great men resist it some are afraid of the strictnesse of it some of the crosses some of the scornes of it and most because this witnesse would witnesse against their own contrary courses and men of little faith are dejected in small matters But such Christ wil be ashamed of in the day of his appearing and shall witnesse against them that he never knew them Such also are condemned as do contest against the witnessing of Christ. The world is full of false witnesses such as were suborned against Christ as First all false teachers that father that on Christ which he never spake as Papists or others that deny any article of faith and Christian Religion so the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. If the dead rise not againe we are false witnesses So to teach the doctrine of mans merit of free-will to good image-worship or the like is to be a false witnesse against Christ himselfe Secondly all unbeleevers that receive not this testimony whether such as scorne to heare the witnesses of Christ if they dislike the person they will none of the witnesse loth to drinke good wine because they like not the dish or such as heare sometime but beleeve not the witnesse this infidelity makes God a liar so farre as a wicked man can 1 Ioh. 5. 11. Thirdly such as contest against his witnesses to elevate their testimony for as in the dayes of his flesh there wanted not such as witnessed against himselfe in person that he was a drunkard a devill a friend to Publicans and sinners an enemie to Caesar a blasphemer so for the same end to weaken the authority of his witnesses there never wanted such as would witnesse against Iob that he was an hypocrite that Paul was a pestilent fellow a moover of sedition a preacher of false doctrin unworthy to live And can the devill devise so foule accusations or so slaunderous which his agents will not boldly urge against the witnesses of Christ to whose innocency godlinesse God himselfe witnesseth This also serveth to comfort 1 Poore Christians despised in the world God honors the poorest Beleever to be a witnesse to his truth and a poore mans testimony is as good even in mens Courts as a rich but much more before Gods tribunall 2 Such as suffer for this testimony losses reproaches and the contempt of the world Even wee lovingly respect such as suffer for their love to us in upholding our truth and innocency and much more doth the Lord see the promise for incouragement Mat. 19. 29. It is also a word of instruction that we frame and fit our selves to this witnesse Quest. How may that be Answ. To a good testimony is required a good witnesse and to a good witnesse must concurre these five things 1 Knowledge and certaine perswasion of the truth to which we are to testifie When Christ was to raise up witnesses to the truth of the Gospell he would have them his owne
the two witnesses are 315 Withstand Satan sixe rules 258 Wiues duties to their husb 18. c. Wizzards no good Christian that seekes to them 506 Woe what note it is 6â—6 Woman the Church militant so called 16 17 Word of God by it wee overcome spirituall enemies how 611 treachery of Papists disarming us of it 613. word neglected or despised leaves wicked sinners 614 World must not get our affections conformity patronage 14 Y Youth taxed for slipping their time 723 Z Zeale meeknes how to be tempered in Ministers others 661 ERRATA Pag. 14. read it lyeth in wickednesse p. 38. r let the light make us ashamed p. 75 r. in the full and all is gone p. 103. r. personall and doctrinall and they have not the succession of Peter who have not the faithof Peter p. 112. r. may well mistrust their conversion p. 135 r. in Iohns time having command c p. 199. r. must not touch Iobs life p. â—74 r. either of their faith or salvation p. 282. r. meditate often on Gods promises p. 285 r laudatorie oration p. 310 r. word of salvation p. 522. r. Nathan or Gad p. 607. r. dead workes Heb. 9. 14. p. 7â—5 r. more easily drawne p. 803 r. all these happie meanes p. 837 r. Oh how love I thy Law FINIS Hebr. 11. 4. Hebr. 12. 1. 1 Tim. 9. 12 2 Tim. 2. 5. 4 8. 2 Chr. 19. 11 20. 17 Phil. 1. 27. Parts of the Chapter 1 What is this Wonder The greatnes of the wonder in 3. things The manner of apperance of this vision Sundry ends why God thus revealed himselfe Spiritus Deâ— alli cit Satanae cogit vi The place where this wonder appeareth By heaven commonly in this booke is meant the militant Church For 3. reasons 1. 2. 3. Attention affection incited by sundry arguments 1. 2. 3. The modesty of this holy Evangelist His fidelity 1 To his Lord. 2 To the Church True members of the Church are in heaven upon earth 1 In expectation 2 In inchoation Saints in heaven fully freed from all evils 1 From the evill world foure waies 2 From the corruptions of the world 3 From wicked persons societies Conformity of Saints in earth with Saints of heaven 1 In vision of God 2 In framing to the Charter of heaven 3 In keeping a perpetuall Sabbath 4 In fruition of the presence of Christ. 5 In enjoying God the meanes of their lives Vse No true members of the Church 1 That have no birth but from earth 2 That have no inheritance but in earth 3 That have no conversation but in earth * 4 That have no delight but in earth Discernable by 4 notes Vse The Christian is in the world not of the world The world may not gaine our affections 2 Nor our conformity 3 Nor our patronage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Woman in this mysticall booke signieth 3. things 1 Idols 2 City of Rome 3 The true Church This woman is not the Church triumphant for 3. reasons Church compared to a womâ—â— 1 In respect of her selfe 3 Causes 2 In relation to others 1 To God 2 To Christ. 3 To Christians The spouse of Christ 1 must cleave to her husband 1 In person for 4. reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. 2 In affection 3 In affliction 2 She must depend upon her husband 1 For direction 2 For protection 3 For provision 3 She must honour her husband 4 She must please her husband In 1 Not pleasing her selfe 2 Nor pleasing men 3 Observing what will best please him 4 By decking the soule with graces 5 By respecting his friends 6 By delight in his presence Sixe priviledges of the spouse of Christ. 1 Free election 2 Divine pacification 3 Gracious assimilation in 4. things 1. 2. 3. 4 Free donation in 4. things 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 High exaltation in 3. things 1. 2. 3. 6 Eternall consolation Answereth all objections 1 In things which might prevent our happinesse 2 In things that might discontinue to our happinesse In posse non peccare In non posse peccare Christ the Sun is there opposed 1. to shadowes of the ceremoniall Law 2 To our naturall darknes 1 Vnity 2 Light Solis Jubar in vegore miridâ—aâ—o oculos intueÌ„lium perstringit et talis est gloâ—ia Christi summa et inaspectabilis 3 Purity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Multioculum 4 Power 5 Participation Effects of this Sunne of the Church 1 Illumination 2 Direction 3 Refection 4 Distinction of seasons Vse The Sunne of the Church infinitely surpasseth the sun of the world in 6. things 2 Rejoyce in our Sunne 3 Be thankful for our Sunne risen 4 Imitate our Sunne 5 Walke beseeming our sunne 1 Warily 2 Watchfully 3 Decently 4 Diligently Vse The Sunne of the Church never setteth Christ a garment why Necessitie of a garment in 3 things 1 To cover the body 2 To sence the body 3 To cherish the body 2 vse of garments is for ornament 3 For distiction This garment differeth from other garments in 5. things 1 The author 2 The matter 3 The price 4 The vse 5 The duraÌ„ce The woman cloathed with this Sunne 1 On Gods part by imputation 2 On mans part by application Quidam induunt Christum tantum quoad Sacramenti perceptionem alij et ad vitae sanctificationem Five graces requisite to the clothing of a christian â— Repentance 2 Faith 3 Prayer 4 Holinesse 5 Hope 1 Duty hence to put on this garment is necessary 1 To save from evils Cant. 1. 7. The Church wold find Christ at noone in the heat of the the sun of persecution to be refreshed by him 2 To procure us all good 2 wayes The putting on of this garment is a continuall act of this life And in much weaknesse for 2. reasons Christians must expresse the bright shining of this garment 1 In renovatioÌ„ of nature 2 In the shine of spirituall graces 3 In shining conversation Reasons 5. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vse Not to cast dirt upon so pretious a garment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not to leave it off for the frown of men 4. reasons 2. 3. 4. We must keep cleane this costly garment for 3. reasons 1. 2. 3. How to keepe our garment cleane 3. rules 1. 2. 3. Vse 7 Sorts of men defile their garments 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. Vse Beware of stayning thy holy profession 1. 2. 3. 4. Saints by calling be Saints in conversation Six helps to keep our garments cleane 2. 3. 4. 5. Property 2. The world compared to the Moone in 4. things 1 In inferiority 2 In mutabilitie 3 In obscurity 4. In the use The treading of the Moone under feet is the contempt of the world A sound Christian despiseth the best of the world And the worst of the world And all the world in comparison of Christ. Reasons 5. 1. 2. 4. Sound judgment holds earthly things good with 4 Cautions 1. 2. 3. Why the christian prizeth Christ above all the world
life that she might cleave unto him alone saying For this cause shall a man leave father and mother and clcâ—ve to his wife and they two shal be one flesh Gen. 2. 24 Even so when God saw that after mans fall it was lesse good for him to be alone he institutes for him a second marriage with the second Adam whom he casts asleepe by death and brings his spouse out of his side peirced and marries the Church unto him that renouncing and forsaking all loves and lovers but him she migh cleave undividedly to him And that now as Salomons spouse we might forget our owne people and fathers house seeing the true Salomon hath vouchsafed to marrie us Gentiles to himselfe and to lay us by his owne side from whence we were taken Quest. How must wee cleave to Iesus Christ Answ. Three waies 1. In person First the wife dedicates and delivers up her person to her husband alone so beleevers must deliver up their bodies and soules to Iesus Christ for now we are no longer our owne but his 1 Cor. 6. 19 20. Secondly a faithful spouse as a chaste virgin is married but to one man 2 Cor. 11. 2. Thirdly Christ communicates his whole person unto us and us onely no other are admitted into his body he gives his life for his sheepe onely prayes not for the world Fourthly Christ as a faithfull husband leaves father in heaven and mother in earth to cleave to his wife and therefore we must esteeme him as father mother brother and sister as Adam was to Eve 2 Wee must cleave to Christ in faithfull affection The earnest love delight and affection of the wife must be towards her husband by Gods ordinance Gen 3. 16. Thy desire shall be unto him and to him alone because it is the covenant of God the recognisance of which is kept in heaven that both parties keepe themselves in pure and chast love one to another So must wee as good Spouses love our husband Iesus Christ as our selves nay better then our selves not loving our lives to the death for his sake seeing that his love to us was stronger then death and more to us then to his owne life This loyall love will be loath to offend him and having offended him will not rest till he bee pacified againe 3 Wee must cleave to him in affliction A wife marries her husbands estate as well as his person for better or for worse So we must cleave to Christ in affliction in poverty persecution banishment and beare his reproach The husband and wife must beare one anothers burthen must rejoyce and weepe together If common Christians must doe so amongst themselves much more Christ and the Christian. A Kingdome is promised to such Luke 22 29 30. 2. The wife must depend upon her husband as upon her head and that for three things 1 For direction subjecting her selfe as owing obedience to all his lawfull commandements Gen. 3. 16. he shall rule over thee she must heare his voice and acknowledge a stampe of God upon it in everie thing that is not sinne This is subjection and not to be sicke or sullen or answering or replying when she is crossed in things indifferent It were monstrous in the body if the hand should goe about to direct the eye or the foote rise up to rule the head and they are monstrous wives that covet rule and command whom God hath made to be ruled and commanded and subordinated their wils to the direction and discretion of their husbands Even so the Christian must be subject to Christ in every thing Ephes. 5. 24. She is not worthy the name of a wife that will be subject as far as she list or as makes for her ease Gen. 2. 19. all the Creatures came to Adam to be named by him in token of their subjection and as they so the woman also was named by Adam in token of her subjection that she should never think of the name woman but also conceive her subjection Would to God women did thinke that to lose subjection were to lose woman head In like sort the spouse of Christ hath taken her name of him in token of absolute subjection What can be more proper for a Christian then to frame to all the rules of Christ seeing he is the true light the sunne of right eousnesse the pillar able to direct 2 The wife must depend upon her husband for protection The husband is the vayle of his wifes eyes as Abraham was to Sarah Even so the Churches husband is the saviour of his body Eph. 5. 23. The only Phineas that turnes away the wrath of God kindled against the Israel of God The only Moses that standeth in the gappe where Gods wrath had made a breach Davids wives being taken captives he rescues them 1. Sam. 30 and smites the enemies with an horrible destruction So this Sonne of David and Davids Lord redeemes us his wife out of the hands of our enemies both spirituall as sinne hell death Devill and damnation and corporall also so as though they may exercise yet they shall not hurt his spouse In all our troubles and dangers we must come unto him as Ruth 3. 9. Spread the wing of thy garment over thy hand maid for thou art the Husband 3 The wife must depend on the husband for provision Whom should the wife depend upon for necessaries but on her husband or who must pay the wives debt but the husband so who else but Iesus Christ can suppply the Church with such things as she needs who can bestow pardon of sinne righteousnesse life and salvation but he or who can pay such debts as we owe but he both obedience to the whole Law and satisfaction for the breach of it None but he can satisfie either the principall or forfeiture If any man should maintaine another mans wife the husband being better able then he would not all the world judge them harlots and nought So seeke thou salvation and righteousnesse as the Romish Church doth by any other meanes within or without thy selfe then by the name Iesus thou art an harlot and no spouse of Christ. 3 The wife must rejoyce to honour her husband even with her owne dishonor 1 Cor. 11. 7. the wife is the glory of her husband and so a good Christian is the glory of Christ. Christ rejoyced to honour us with his owne infinite dishonor The joy of heaven pleased him not without our presence fellowship in it All the members honour the head so must wee honour our head though we be losers by it Such a dutifull spouse was Iohn the Baptist who rejoyced because of the Bridegroomes voice Ioh 3. 29. and saith ver 30. He must encrease but I must decrease Such good spouses were the disciples that rejoyced they were counted worthy to be scourged in the Synagogues for the name of Christ and were contented to be fooles for Christ