mysteries than Gospel institutions Their chief worship devotion lyeth in building and adorning Temples for Masses not for preaching in buying Masses in decking of images with Gold Jewels in offering incense and wax Candles in pilgrimages and offerings to their Saints in vows of forced and usually feigned chastity of Hypocritical and lazy poverty and such like bodily exercises which profit little 1 Tim. 4.8 4. The Church of Christ owneth him only for her head King and Lord. God gave Christ to be head over all things to his Church which is his body Eph. 1.23 He hath all power in Heaven and earth committed to him to rule and order all things concerning his Church which is his own house Mat. 28.18 19 20. Whereupon he appointed Apostles to bring all nations to be his Disciples to consecrate and ingage them to him by Baptism and to teach them to observe all as he commanded Christ as mediator is the only head of the Church which is his body and all Christians members in particular of him receiving life strength and spirit from him and being governed by him But the Papists acknowledge and adhere to the Pope as the head of their Church which they say could not be one Church unless it be united to the Pope as their visible head Catec Rom. de Symb. Art 9. Q. 11. De eo i. e. Pontifice Romano fuit illa omnium Patrum ratio sententia consentiens hoc visibiel caput ad unitatem ecclesiae constituendam conservandam necessarium fuisse They say that Christ and the Pope make but one compleat Head of the Church That all which is said in the Canticles or elsewhere concerning Christ's relation to his Church may be truly applyed to the Pope That he hath all power in heaven and earth given to him Pope Boniface the 8. declared that it was absolutely necessary to Salvation for every man to be subject to the Pope of Rome Definimus decernimus declaramus esse de necessitate salutis omni humanae creaturae esse subditum Pontifici Romano accordingly they teach peccatum pagantiatis incurrit quisquis Pontifici non est obediens i. e. Whosoever is not obedient to the Pope doth thereby become an Heathen They ascribe to the Pope an universal headship not of order only but of power and jurisdiction he is the Rock the foundation of the Church he giveth authority to the Scriptures and without him authoritas Scripturarum plane nulla est saith one i. e. the Scriptures have no authority at all he can lay aside the Bible if he please or dispense with any of the commands of the old or new Testament saith their Canon Law and he daily doth dispense with oaths vows and obligations of all sorts both to God and man with unlawful marriages c. They say indeed in disputation that the Pope is a ministerial head the Deputy the Vicar of Christ but a Minister is only to execute the pleasure of his Lord a Deputy and Vicar is to see his Masters laws and commands observed not to enact laws of his own not to relax or abrogate any of his Masters laws which power the Pope both challengeth and exerciseth 5. Christ's Church professeth subjection to his law only Isa 33.22 The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King Christ is the only King of his Church and the power of making Laws is the chief prerogative of a King He gave his word to be the standing Law whereby his people should be ruled and guided and by which they must be judged at the last day John 12.48 But the Papists have another Law by which they are governed and the Pope is their law-giver who ruleth them The Scriptures they own indeed as the word of God but not as his whole mind and law and that no otherwise than as the Pope interpreteth and alloweth them They joyn with the Scriptures unwritten Traditions which the Council of Tent saith are of equal authority Traditiones non scriptas pari pietatis affectu reverentiâ suscipit veneratur Conc. Trid. Ses 4. Cat. Rom. Pref. Q. 12. The Canons of Councils viz. those that the Pope likes and confirms and the decretal Epistles of Popes they reckon equal with the Holy Scriptures Decretales epistolae meritò inter Scripturas canonicas recensentur The consciences of men they do subject to the determinations and commands of the Pope as to Jesus Christ so that the law of the Church of Rome is composed and made up of the Scriptures Traditions Canons and decretals of Popes over all which the Pope superintends as the supreme law-giver to confirm relax add or alter as he pleaseth according to the known Ruleof Cardinal Cusanus Lex currit cum praxi c. Whatsoever is the present allowed practice of the Church of Rome that must be taken for the infallible rule or law of Christ So that the will of the Pope is the supreme law of conscience to the Papist in this world 6. Christs Church acknowledgeth only his Sacraments Baptism and the Lords supper The Sacraments of the Gospel are badges of our professed Subjection to Christ and of our dependance on him for remission of sins for grace and eternal life and it is fit that Christ alone should appoint what should be the signs Seals and conveyances of his grace and the marks of subjection to him and the tokens of the Covenant betwixt him and his people Christ appointed his Disciples to enter into his Covenant by the sign and Seal of Baptism Matth. 28.19 to renew and confirm this Covenant from time to time by the use of his holy supper 1 Cor. 11.23 24. c. and he appointed no other but these and his people must institute and use no other as signs and Covenant seals betwixt him and them But the Papists have added five more which they own and maintain to be Sacraments besides many other significant ceremonies to which they attribute the use and effects of Sacraments these they make signs of Gods Covenant means to convey grace some of them as universally necessary as those that Christ appointed yea without which Christs Sacraments are not sufficient to Salvation viz. the Sacraments of Confirmation and Penance of the former they say a man cannot be a Christian till he be confirmed by the Bishop Baptism is not compleat without it De consecra dist 5. ch de jejun Nemo potest esse Christianus nisi ad Baptismum accesserit unctio episcopalis nisi confirmatione chrismatus Their penance consisteth of confession of sin to the Priest contrition for sin and the Priests absolution and they teach that sins cannot be forgiven unless they be particularly confessed to the Priest and he absolve them in the name of Christ upon their undergoing or promise to undergo some outward austerity or penance imposed on them by him These Sacraments are badges and means of their subjection to the Priest and to
POPERY The Grand APOSTASIE Being the Substance of certain SERMONS Preached on 2 Thes 2. v. 1. to 12. On occasion of the discovery of the desperate Plot of the Papists against the King Kingdom and the Protestant Religion By John Troughton Minister of the Gospel To which is added a Sermon on Rev. 18.4 preached November 5. 1678. London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel 1680. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Good Reader IT was well observed by one That next to the knowledge of Christ and of the true way of salvation by him nothing is more necessary for a Christian than the knowledge of Antichrist for hereby he may be able to distinguish the true knowledge of Christ from the corruptions and mixture with which Antichrist hath adulterated and obscured the true Doctrine of the Gospel That the Pope with his Adherents is Antichrist hath been the general opinion of learned men for these last 600. Years ever since Gregory 7. not of Protestants only Hus Wicleff and the Waldenses but also of many that lived and dyed in the communion of the Roman Church And seeing our Papists generally confess Antichrist in St. Johns epistle to be the same with the man of sin in St. Paul and with the mystical Babylon in the Apoc. they do in effect yield that the Pope is Antichrist seeing all the marks of the two latter do undeniably agree to him For this cause I have waved the particular controversies betwixt us and the Papists which have been so largely and clearly managed by our Writers both formerly and of late as less necessary for this present time there being little of reason conscience or Scripture to urge any Protestant to embrace any particular error or corruption of the Papists endeavouring briefly and summarily to shew that the Church of Rome is as Wicleff long since called it the Synagogue of Satan mystical Babylon a state of Apostate Christians that have joyned themselves to the Pope as their Head against Christ his Gospel and pure Church that by this brief consideration of things Christians may be the more stirred up to detest and to oppose in their places that body of men which call themselves the only Catholick Church that they may be the more zealous for the truth as it is received in the Reformed Churches and that they may if called to it suffer with the greater comfort what cruelties and violence God may yet permit that Beast of Rome to exercise upon his Church I my self and many that heard this discourse have thought it might be seasonable and useful in these days to plain and private Christians for the learned have no need of it because through long peace and security the error and tyranny of the Papists have been much forgotten by the people and many that hate the name of Papists scarce know the grounds they stand on and are Antipapists by a kind of implicite faith If any find their judgements informed their consciences settled their zeal and courage excited by these endeavours in these shaking times I have mine end and may they and the Church of Christ long enjoy that benefit to the glory of God and their own comfort to the strengthening of their brethren and the shame of their implacable and restless adversaries Thine in the work of the Gospel J. T. 2 THES 2. v. 1. to 12. Now we beseech you Brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him v. 2. That you be not soon shaken in mind or be troubled neither by Spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us as that the day of Christ is at hand v. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition c. THese words begin a new discourse and contain an earnest obtestation to the Thessalonians not to be troubled at the Doctrine of some that the day of Christ viz. his second coming was at hand which though in appearance it tended to holiness and watchfulness to make men live in preparation for Christs coming yet seeing his coming was not nigh and many great things were to be transacted first both in the world and the Church this perswasion would take off Christians from their repective duties in the several places and times they should live in and would give great occasion to Atheistical mockers to think and say Christ would never come seeing his coming was so long delaied beyond expectation of his servants and consequently that all the Gospel was a fable and Religion vain which also was foretold 2 Pet. 3. v. 3 4. In the last days shall come Scoffers walking after their own lusts saying Where is the promise of his coming for since the Fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were The Apostle therefore beseecheth them by the coming of Christ and our gathering to him i. e. As sure as they did believe Christ would come and his Saints should be gathered to him so also to believe that his coming was not nigh but that great transactions and changes should come before that day Or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be well rendered I beseech you for the sake of the coming of our Lord and our gathering to him i. e. that you may not bring this Doctrine of Christs coming into Question when the world shall see you are mistaken in the time when you looked for it That you be not soon shaken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. That you be not unsetled or made to fluctuate in your minds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor be perplexed This is the obtestation Next the Apostle signifies the means how this perplexing Doctrine was introduced amongst them viz. By spirit by word or by pretence of his Epistle v. 2. Then renewing his obtestation v. 3. Let no man deceive you by any means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by any pretence whatsoever he entereth upon the confutation of this opinion telling them that Christ would not come till there had been an Apostasie in the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is an Ellipsis wherein something for brevity sake is omitted For except there come an Apostasie first it is to be supplyed from the first v. The day of Christ shall not come Afterwards he describeth the manner and measure of this Apostasie to v. 12. Hence we may observe by way of introduction Obs 1. That the Church even in the best ages of it hath been infested with errours and disturbances The Church of old under Moses immediately after their deliverance out of Egypt and their receiving the Law from God by an audible voice did presently return to the Idolatry of Egypt in the worship of the Golden Calf Ex. 32.1 2. though they had obliged themselves to the Lord by Covenant a few days before chap. 24.3 6 7 c. And all his time he was
reaches The Host hath its Temples its Holydays and all divine honours given to it also the power of healing diseases casting out Devils and working all manner of miracles ascribed to it The Virgin Mary hath more temples offerings and prayers made to her than either the Father or the Son Her name is most sacred in oaths and a greater offence it is to speak any thing derogatory to her honour Vid. spec Europ Sands Jure matris impera redempotri than to blaspheme the name of God In her they put their trust and to her they ascribe authority over Jesus Christ himself It is true in words the Schoolmen distinguish the worship of the Virgin which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from fo the worship of God yet they confess a higher worship is due to her than to any creature and when we can make a medium betwixt the creator and creature then may we assign a worship which is not divine and yet superiour to the civil respect due to creatures But the same learned author observes that whosoever travelleth in Italy will see in their practice no such distinctions but that more honour and worship is given to the Virgin than to God himself It is known to all that Papists are more zealous for the worship of the Host and Virgin whom they call their Lady than for the honour of God and make the worship of them a greater cognizance of their religion than any part of the religion of Christ 2. The Churchof Christ acknowledgeth and trusteth in one only Mediator the Lord Jesus Christ None can reconcile sinners to God nor intercede with God for them but he that is equal with God God himself no creature can approach so near the infinite Majesty or have any much less such authority with him therefore the divine honour that is given to Christ the Mediator doth not derogate from the honour of God nor is any robbery of him because Christ is one with himself 1 Cor. 8.6 There is but one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him But the Papists do own trust in and pray to many Mediators besides Jesus Christ even all the Angels in heaven who are therefore to be honoured and worshipped as inferiour Magistrates under a King and Courtiers under their Lord Catech. Rom. in 1. praec Q 4. Nostras preces deo offerunt Lachrymas They present our prayers and tears to God Also the Saints in heaven who they say being prayed to will obtain for us the remission of our sins and the favour of God Si enim gaudium est in Coelo super uno peccatore poenitentiam agente Ibid. Q. 5. nonne etiam coelestes cives poenitentes adjuvabunt Nonne rogati peccatorum veniam impetrabunt conciliabunt dei gratiam The invocation and worship of Saints as both lawful and necessary is avouched and decreed by the Council of Trent Ses 25. Decr. 2. Nor will their evasion excuse them that they make Saints and Angels only mediators of intercession to pray to God for us but not of redemption to reconcile us to God intercession depends upon redemption and satisfaction and is as proper a part of the priesthood of Christ as the sacrificeof himself was even Christs intercession would not have been prevalent unless he did thereby present his blood and merits to the Fathers and as the Saints couldnot intercede for us unless they had merited for us so the Church of Rome doth ascribe such merits to them viz. to their works of supererogation whereby they have done more than God required which merits they say are kept in the treasury of the Church to be applied to sinners as the Pope feeth fit and especially to their Martyrdom though they die for rebellion to their lawful Princes according to that known prayer Per Thomae sanguinem quem pro te impendit fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas ascendit Vid. Tho. Becket of Cant. Grant that we may come to Heaven through the blood of Saint Thomas which he shed for thee It is the merits and prayers of Saints that must relieve the souls in Purgatory Concil Trid. ses 25. decr 1. ibid. dec 22 23. ch 1. yea every Mass-priest they say celebrating Mass doth offer up Christ to the Father as real and proper a sacrifice as he offered himself on the Cross and hereby makes reconciliation both for the living and dead viz. that are in Purgatory If then Christ was a compleat Priest merited and satisfied for us in sacrificing himself then every Popish Priest doth merit and satisfy for us when he offereth the same sacrifice as Christ did to the same intent and purpose 3. The Church of Christ is to worship him with spiritual rational worship Christians are to give themselves to God as a living and the only acceptable sacrifice which is their reasonable service Rom. 12.1 and to worship Godin spirit and truth in opposition both to the superstition of the Heathen and the ceremonies and bodily worship of the Jews in any place convenient for that purpose John 4.22 23 24. The outward worship of Christians consisteth in prayer and praises with understanding sometimes adjoyning fasting for the furtherance of repentance and mortification in hearing Gods word and the reverent use of his sacraments which Christ hath appointed which though they are outward and visible signs yet they are but few plain and familiar and the efficacy of them dependeth upon the rational and spiritual consideration of the things signified But the Papists have changed the whole worship of God into a pompous carnal dead service They have taken away the Scriptures from the people and give them dumb images in stead of them Con. Trid. Ses 25. Dec. 3. Cat. Rom. in 1. praecep Q. 14. to teach them and to excite their devotion Instead of preaching the word most of their preaching is to set out the praises and lying miracles of their Saints Their prayers both publick and private are in a tongue unknown to the people and very often to the Priest also who only reads by roat and hereby prayer is made but a bodily exercise When the Jesuites had published an English prayer book for our English Papists the Pope called it in and prohibited the use of it There Lords supper they have changed to a sacrifice which the Priest offereth with many mystical but ridiulous ceremonies and gestures which they say obtains the pardon of sin and the grace of God for the people for whom it is offered though they understand not what is saidor done yea though they be absent following their worldly business or their lust at the same time They darkne the nature meaning of baptism by conjuring the water putting milk and honey into the mouth spittle into the ears and on the tongues anointing the head using salt many such things which being all in Latin not understood by the people are more like magical
wearied with their ill carriage And in the times of the Prophets there were usually false Prophets seducing the people 2 Pet. 2.1 Our Saviour foretold false Christs and false Prophets should arise soon after his days Mat. 24.24 And his Apostles that there should be false teachers in the Church privily bringing in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and that many should follow their pernicious ways 2 Pet. 2.1 2. The Primitive times as they were most happy in Zeal and affection in the sound and Orthodox professours so they were as unhappy in the manifold errors Sects divisions that did disturb them as any of these latter Ages Augustin hath given us a Catalogue of 80. Heresies that troubled the Church in those days August Lib. de Haer. ad Quod vult Deus and yet he saith he omitted many and named but the principal It appears by their Epistles that the Apostles had no sooner planted Churches but the weeds of errors and opinions did straight ways spring up amongst them and this chiefly by these three means here mentioned 1. By pretence of the spirit When God did afford his spirit in extraordinary gifts and revelations to his Prophets and Apostles there never wanted men who pretended to the same spirit and the like revelations for their own devices most of them wilfully feigning some artificially and some by diabolical means procuring revelations and Enthusiasms and some weakly mistaking their own fancies and strong perswasions for dictates and inspirations of the Holy Ghost 1 Joh. 4.1 2. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God for many false prophets are gone out into the world such as pretended to the spirit and that to the subversion of the greatest truths in the Gospel even to deny the person and coming of Jesus Christ as Simon Magus and his followers therefore he subjoyneth this mark v. 2 3. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesseth that he is not come is not of God The same direction is given 1 Cor. 12.2 3. I give you to understand that no man speaking by the spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed Such it seems there were that preten ding to the spirit the Apostles had rejected and reviled Jesus Christ 2. By pretence of a word or oral tradition They that could not pretend the spirit speaking in themselves pretended the judgment and sayings of Christ and his Apostles when absent for their own opinions sometimes forging their sayings sometimes mistaking the meaning of them affixing their own sence to them Thus a tradition was received as coming from the mouth of Christ that the beloved Disciple should not die Joh. 21.22 23. and is yet believed in the Greek Church who shew a place near Ephesus where they say that Apostle when old commanded himself to be buried alive where by some estuation or bubling of the earth they conclude he still breatheth St. Paul was often troubled by the Judaizing Christians who would have kept up the ceremonial law pretending the authority and practice of Peter and other Apostles that lived among the Jews which he refuteth at large Gal. 2. And it appeareth by almost all Pauls Epistles that this tradition was importunately urged and scattered through all the Churches by that sort of men even when the Apostles and Church of Jerusalem had declared that they never commanded such doctrine to be preached Acts 25.24 3. Thirdly By the pretence of Scripture our Epistle in the text And this either by pretence of forged Scripture or false and forced interpretations of the true Canonical writings Of the former sort were the writings of the false Prophets among the Jews and those fabulous Legends of Tobit Judith Susannah c. which were never received by the Jewish Church And such were the many suppositious writings in the primitive times as the Gospel of Peter Andrew Thomas Nicodemus and almost of all the Apostles the Gospel and Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans the Liturgie of James and the like mentioned by Eusebius and other writers Of the latter sort the Apostle speaketh 2 Pet. 3.15 16. That there were many unlearned and unstable Christians who did wrest some hard places in Pauls Epistles and the other Scriptures to their own destruction of this kind is this in the text as some suppose Cartwr in Locum that this opinion of Christs coming to judgment was rashly collected by some from those words in the former Epistle to the Thes ch 4. v. 15. We that are alive and remain unto the coming of our Lord shall not prevent those that are asleep hence they thought that the Apostle supposed that at least some of them who were then alive might live to the coming of Christ Though it seems that all these three means of pretended revelations traditions and Scriptures were used for this doctrine These arts have been all along used to disturb the Church and to pervert souls The Gnosticks Montanus and Manes pretended their inspired revelations Cont. Haer. De praeser and many others in latter ages Irenaeus and Tertullian tell us that many of the Hereticks of their days pretended traditions from one Apostle or other for their doctrine and practice as also others had their Apocryphal Scriptures or Canonical texts misapplied to maintain their errors The Papists make great use of all three of these pretences to establish their grossest errors The doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the bread of the worship of Saints and of religious Orders and Images is mainly built upon Revelations dreams and apparitions Lindanus ingenuously confessed that all those doctrines and practices wherein the Protestants do oppose them and dissent from them are to be proved by traditions of the Apostles not from the Scripture Their doctrines of Purgatory invocation of Angels equivocations and dissemblings are proved by the book of Tobit Judith Susan c. The Apostles Canons increased from 50 to 85 in the last age do them great services in the matters of their discipline and sometimes they wrest Scriptures for their purpose but they have been so baffled and shamed out of this since the Bible hath been common and studied by Protestants that they have forsaken this hold and the Jesuites think the poor secular Priests have betrayed their cause by undertaking to dispute for it out of the Scriptures These troubles by errors arise from the weakness of some who have more zeal than judgment and usually desire new things 2 Pet. 3.16 2 Tim. 4.3 People unlearned and unstable and that have itching ears from pride and conceit in others who that they may seem wiser than their brethren will be wise above or against what is written some teach perverse things to draw disciples after them some for secular interest There was no other reason why the Popes of Rome imbraced the worship of images transubstantiation and some such doctrines but because
the promoters of them did also promote their authority and strengthen their hands against the Godly and most serious part of the Church But the most usual causes of errors are ignorance of the Scriptures and of the principles of religion founded on them which in the primitive times had a great occasion given it by the prejudicate opinions that new Converts brought from Judaisme and Paganisme and from the new Testament not being fully written in a considerable time and the several books thereof not gathered into one volume in a long space after and chiefly corrupt affections Men will imbrace errors because they love not the truth Vse 1. This sheweth the necessity of adhering to the Scripture and of a standing Ministry If we stick not to the Scripture the pretence of the Spirit and Traditions will lead us into a wilderness where there is no end Heathens Mahometans Papists and all Enthusiasts will distract us by their several and contrary pretensions And if there be not a standing and learned Ministry Apocryphal Scriptures and false interpretations of Scripture will easily beguile the unskilful and hinder the edification of the more wise 2. The Papist's brags of infallibility of the Pope or Church and the necessity of it to the foundation of our faith is as foolish as it is untrue The Apostles and Apostolical men were infallible and yet this will not prevent errors and Heresies of the highest nature either in their own or in the next succeeding ages An infallible head or guide will not secure the Church from errors and divisions unless all the people be infallible likewise certainly able to discern the truth declared to them and perfectly free from all evil affections which may hinder their receiving and submitting to the truth 3. It is no Wonder to see errors and divisions in these last days of the Church sith they were in the first While men are subject to ignorance and evil affections there will be both errors and divisions and if we go to the Church of Rome to avoid all errors and Schisms because they boast of such Unity which was never promised nor long enjoyed by any Church we shall but do like Children that tear many little holes in a garment into one great one that comprehends them all and more and cannot be repaired Obs 2. It is certainly foretold that there should be an Apostasie in the Church The same Apostle almost in the same words foretels it 1 Tim. 4.1 The spirit speaks expresly that some shall depart from the faith The first Christians might be apt to expect the coming of Christ and their everlasting rest to be at hand from the love and joy they had conceived upon their first receiving the Gospel but they are here told that happy time is not so nigh There must come a departure of many from the faith first and many contests and persecutions should ensue thence and therefore they should arm themselves with patience to a conflict before they must expect the Crown When God made the world he made it wonderful great and large and stored it with almost infinite variety of creatures to set forth his own Majesty he hath also continued it some thousands of years with as great variety of providences in his governing of it to shew his manifold wisdom power mercy and justice and what will be the wonderful transactions of the world to come throughout eternity to set forth the glory of the â—ernal God no creature can conceive In like manner when our Lord came from Heaven to purchase a Church to serve him it was not quickly to expire but to conflict with the world and the Devil with enemies without and within through many changes and vicissitudes a considerable time and at last through faith and patience to inherit the promises It was long that the Church continued under the bondage of the Law and there were many changes and declinings of it at several times under the Judges and Kings of Judah but there was one great Apostasie of the Ten tribes under Jeroboam which ended in the ruin of that State and people Such a departure was there to be in the Christian Church signified here by the indeterminate word There shall come a departure or Apostasie for the falling off of a few particular persons was no strange thing but happened in every age Now such Apostasies are permitted 1. To punish the ingratitude of men for the Gospel Because they receive not the love of the truth because Christ and his Gospel are not welcome to the generality of men but any or no religion would content them as well if they might have outward peace and prosperity therefore Christ suffers them to be inticed with Errors and Heresies to their own destruction which at last bring publick calamities and ruin 2. To punish the Hypocrisie of others Some pretend great zeal and affection in the peace of the Church which is either meerly pretended for worldly interest or but a light and transient passion as in the stony ground who can never be perswaded to be zealous and rooted Christians Matth. 13.20 therefore when they have been tryed a convenient time opportunities of backsliding are sufferred to come to discover and shame them 3. To manifest and honour those that are sound 1 Cor. 11.18 19. There must be heresies among you that they which be approved may be made manifest among you When peace and truth meet together the sound and best Christians are unknown and for the most part less regarded than the Hypocrites that make more shew and noise Christ therefore suffers apostasies to come to discover and honour his sincere humble diligent and stedfast servants 4. Errors are also permitted to clear the trut more and make them that are sound more stedfast and strong The truths of the Gospel have in all ages been prejudiced by the zeal and good affection of some well minded as well as by the opposition of enemies because their affection over-run their judgment and their care to get a distinct knowledge of the principles of religion but the appearance of errours and corruptions makes them more careful to search the truth which hath been always more cleared and fortified by occasion of the oppositions against it and those who are upright have been put upon getting a clearer knowledge of the grounds of their faith worship and practices thereby 5. And in all this Christ manifesteth his distinguishing grace to some and his righteous judgments upon others Rom. 11.22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God on them which fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness 6. Hereby all are stirred up to diligence and watchfulness When there shall come a falling away of many all are warn'd thereby to take care how they stand lest they also fall Rom. 11.20 Vse Be not therefore suprized at discouraged or tempted by the apostasies of others Though the Church be fair as the Moon she hath
also many dark spots though clear as the Sun she hath her clouds and Eclipses Many will be carryed away with errour superstitions and carnal policies yea some of all sorts rulers as well as ruled learned as well as unlearned Those that have made great shew as well as the common sort be not troubled nor suspect the true doctrine and worship these things are foretold and therefore must be We are next to enquire what this departure is which is here foretold and who be guilty of it Some have understood it of the defection of the world from the Roman Empire following the conjecture of some one leader without consideration as Calvin observes And the Rhemists recede from it very unwillingly and under correction of their Superiours but the Apostles saith the day of Christ shallnot come except there come a departure first viz. a departure from Christ The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here used for departure or apostasie is appropriated to signify a defection in or from religion so the same Apostle useth it but with an explication 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some shall depart from the faith Moreover the head of this Apostasie is to sit in the Temple the Church of God v. 4. and to bring it about by delusions and lying miracles seducing those that loved not the truth that they might be saved but had pleasure in unrighteousness v. 10 11 12. It must therefore be a departure from the truth and purity of the Christian religion It is agreed betwixt Papists and Protestants that it is the apostasie under Antichrist as the chief head and leader of it which is here foretold but the question is who is this Antichrist Where and when this apostasie may be found As the Jews did generally expect the coming of Christ yet knew him not believed him not when he was among them so the Papists believe and expect that Antichrist shall come and miserably spoil the Church but cannot or will not see and own him though he is and long hath been amongst them That Nero shall rise again and be the Antichrist as he was the first persecuting Emperour I not worth the refuting The Papists generally teach that Antichrist is yet to come and shall endure but three years and a half immediately before the end of the world that he shall be a Jew of the tribe of Dan rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple abolish the Christian worship and almost the name of Christ but all this without any colouor proof except that slender one that he shall sit in the temple of God v. 4. Some few are so ingenuous as to confess that Rome is Babylon Antichrists seat but then some say the Heathen persecuting Emperours in the first three hundred years of the Church were this Manof sin Some again considering that it is an apostasie of professing Christians here spoken of conjecture that some Pope of Rome at the end of the world shall deny Christ become an Infidel and cause himself to be worshipped as God this should be this man of sin But the Text plainly speaks of a defection of Christians which was secretly working in the Apostles days only some thing hindered its prevailing and full discovery vi 6 7 8. The mystery of iniquity doth already work and it was to be a mysterious defection not an open and totall apostasie from Christ it was to be brought in by signs miracles lying wonders and all ungodly deceits for the just condemnation of them that received not the love of the truth that they might be saved though they received the profession of it v. 9. to 12. And the man of sin the Head of this apostasie was to sit or rule in the Temple of God which is his Church 1 Cor. 3.16 Therefore this apostasie was to be not total from the name and profession of Christ ad of his Church but a defection in the Church an apostasie from the purity of the Doctrine worship Discipline and practice of the Gospel such as should have so many excuses and specious pretences for it that the delusion should be strong and such as those that do not heartily love the truth should not be able to discern Whence we collect this proposition Proposition That the Church of Rome is and for a long time hath been the seat of this man of sin the mother of this apostasie or That Popery is the grand Apostasie of the Church here foretold This I shall make good first by some general reasons and then by the particular criteria or marks laid down in the text By the Church of Rome we mean all those Nations and Churches which as so many members make up that great body which they call the Roman Catholick Church whereof the Pope is the Head and the Church of the City of Rome the principal part By Popery we understand that religion viz. Doctrines worship Discipline and Government which is peculiar to them and distinct from all other Christians especially from the Protestant Churches and whereby they are knit into one body and society and live in one Communion distinct from and opposite to the Reformed Churches Now that this Church is apostatized from Christ and this religion is a Doctrine and practice of apostasie may appear in the general by comparing the true state of the Church of Christ with the state and Doctrine of the Roman Church 1. First The true Church of Christ acknowledgeth and worshippeth one only God the creator of the world and father of our Lord Jesus Christ This is the foundation of religion that there is one only infinite Being the fountain and author of all things else and therefore that all worship fear trust and obedience is due to him alone 1 Cor. 8.5 Though there be that are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there are Gods many and Lords many But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in Him But the Papists do acknowledge and worship other Gods besides him even the Host or Bread in the Sacrament and the Virgin Mary The Heathens pretend to acknowledge but one supreme God but the Papists do acknowledge that which sense reason and scripture witness to be a bit of bread to be the supreme God their maker and Lord which they usually call the Host and that it is to be worshipped cultu Latriae Conc. Trid. Ses 13. Cap. 4 5. ibid. c. 6. with that worship that is due to God alone This they keep upon their Altar in a gilded Box in imitation of the Ark of old there they teach is the special presence of God as it was in the Holy of Holies This they worship and carry in triumph by this they swear viz. by the Mass and by the Pix and this is a peculiar note and badge of their communion by which they difference themselves from others and destroy all that do not acknowledge and worship this their God as far as their power
the Pope their head not to Christ The Lords supper is not sufficient to comfort a dying Christian but they add their Sacrament of extreme unction to strengthen them against the flames of Purgatory Thus they have more Sacraments and for other ends than Christ appointed 7. Christs Church is to be guided and governed only by the officers and Ministers of his own appointing and that according to his word Christ as the head and Saviour of his Church hath appointed that it shall be instructed and governed by his laws guided and ruled by his officers in the practice and execution of his laws and Commands what they shall be he hath appointed Eph. 4.11 12 to 16. viz. Apostles Prophets Evangelists to convert the world and raise his Church at first Pastors and Teachers to guide and instruct it to the end of the world and these he hath ordered to teach his people his Commands Matth. 28.20 to preach his word administer his Sacraments and to be examples to the flock of all humility and holiness not for filthy lucre but out of desire of their good 1 Pet. 5.1 to 4. But the Papists have quite altered the nature and use of the Ministry of the Church Council Triden Sess 23. ch 1 2 3. Can. 1 2. They have added five or six orders of Officers to those that Christ appointed only for pomp and superstition viz. Subdeacons Exorcists Readers Singers Acolothites and Porters Their Priests preach not the word but are chiefly ordained to offer the sacrifice of the Mass which also is most of their imployment The Pope the Head of their Church is an earthly Monarch above all Princes and Emperors living in all the state and pomp of the old Roman Emperours challenging the same honour observance and more than they did viz. the kissing of his feet except one or two most insolent Tyrants His Cardinals are Princes and the chief Cardinal Bishop taketh place of the Emperours Embassadour and the next takes place of all other Embassadours Their whole ministry almost consisteth in hearing confessions pardoning sins enjoyning penance preaching the authority of the Pope the Canons and Traditions of their own Church and in saying Masses and prayers for the absent and for the dead 8. The great design of the Gospel is that men being reconciled to God may live to him in all holiness and righteousness and this is the practice of the Church of Christ The Church is redeemed and purchased to be a peculiar people to Christ zealous of good works therefore is it called out of the world inspired with his spirit of grace and holiness taught by his holy law and subjected to his holy discipline the work of Christians is to be dying to the world mortifying their lust and growing in grace in hope of and preparation for Glory Titus 2.11 12 13 14. But the design of Popery by keeping the people ignorant of the word and Sacraments is to bring them into subjection to the Pope and his Clergy Their ordinances and worship tend not to purifie the conscience but under a vain shew of a carnal pompous service to cheat them of knowledge and spiritual edification and to enthral men to their Church and their own Institutions They teach that the bare use of the Sacraments conferreth grace though a man neither understand what he doth nor is serious in it and if perhaps he should be serious yet the efficacy of the Sacraments dependeth on the Priests intention so that if he be not serious or understandeth not what he doth the Communicant can have no benefit They tolerate all manner of wickedness Pope Nicholas teacheth it is better for their Clergy to live in secret fornication than to marry Satius est pluribus occultis implicari quam in conspectu mundi cum una ligari And the people may live how they please so they be obedient to the orders of the Church confess and receive Mass once a year this will blot out all sin and though a man should live in wickedness all his days yet if he but die in their communion with the Priests absolution which may be easily had he shall go to Purgatory but for a time and so to Heaven and money may procure Masses and prayers for him when dead that will hasten his deliverance thence also so that they that will not leave their sins while they live may buy their pardon and redemption from torment after they are dead how can there be a more effectual way to encourage men in sin 9. Self-denyal contempt of the world and bearing the Cross are the profession and badge of Christs Church Our Saviour declared that his Kingdom was not of this world and his Disciples must not expect nor fight for it here John 18.36 He hath promised them his spirit and comforts in a greater measure than formerly because they were to meet with much tribulation in this world John 16.33 and our Saviour hath given us this universal rule except a man deny himself and take up his cross and follow me he cannot be my Disciple Lub 14.27 Matth. 16.24 But the Papists make outward prosperity and grandeur a mark of the true Church and that the Pope and Bishops are Princes above all Princes and that instead of suffering any persecution they are to make War upon all Princes that displease them to destroy by open force of battle or sudden Massacres and private treacheries all they can reach that are not obedient to them or suspected not to be hearty or but to favour or be mild towards those they call Hereticks 10. Heaven is proposed as the certain reward of the servants of Christ The grace of God that brings Salvation teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godlily in this world looking for the glorious appearance of God our Saviour Tit. 2.11 12 13. In this life Christians are to fight strive and run but when this life ends their course is finished and there remains nothing but a Crown of life which the righteous judge shall give to all them that love his appearance 2 Tim. 4.6 7. But the Papists teach that all assurance of Salvation is presumption Concil Triden Ses 6. ch 12 13. Can. 15 16. the most we must expect is after many afflictions from Gods hand and voluntary severities upon our selves to satisfie for sin at last to go to Purgatory for a long time there to suffer the same torments that the damned do in Hell It is reported of Bellarmin that when some about him would have comforted him at his death with his great merits and that he should certainly go to heaven he answered It is not so easie a thing to get to heaven and that he could be content to suffer the pains of Purgatory many years if he could be sure to come to heaven at last Thus though they tell men they may merit Heaven and do works of supererogation viz. more than God requires of
Church and all Bishops Priests c. receive their power from him So that all are but his Deputies his servants the disposal of all Bishopricks and benefices if he please throughout the world belongs to him The power of Excommunication and absolution of making and altering all Ecclesiastical laws and injunctions resides in him and to him all appeals must be made 3. The Pope challengeth power over the Devils They have their book of exorcismes the office of exorcists their many mysteries certain prayers forms of words Holy water consecrated circles c. by which they pretend to cast out to raise to lay and bind the Devil as they please 4. They pretend also that the Holy Angels and glorified Saints are at their Command Pope Clement 6. the first author of their Jubilees in his Bull wherein he promised great priviledges to all that would come to Rome adds this viz. that if any of these holy Pilgrims should chance to die by the way in their journey he commandeth the holy Angels immediately to transport their souls to heaven The Keys of heaven are one of the Ensigns of the Popes dignity he can unsaint those that are gone to heaven he can release out of Purgatory as soon or detain there as long as he pleaseth Yea Pope Gregory the 1. they say by his prayers brought the soul of Trajanus the Emperour out of Hell 500. Years after he was dead They interpret the 8. Psalm v. 4. c. of the Pope viz. he is that son of man that is crowned with glory and dignity that hath dominion over all the works of God that hath all things put under his feet all Sheep and Oxen i. e. all Christians all the Beasts of the field i. e. all the Infidels the Fowls of heaven i e. the Angels and Saints above and the fish of the Sea i. e. the souls in Purgatory 5. The Pope exalteth himself above Christ he challengeth the sole government of the Church on earth to belong to him to make and abrogate Laws and to guide it infallibly so that Christ now hath nothing to do with the Church militant he can and daily doth interpret and dispense with the Laws of Christ and hath authority above his word When the Pope goes out of Town the host his breaden God is carried on Horse-back amongst his Sumpters and other furnitures a day before-hand as one of his utensils and in the Church the Pope sitteth above the Altar and above the Host and giveth it but a small nod as he passeth by when the people give ten times more reverence to him than they do to the Host even according to their own ceremonies 6. He exalteth himself above God He taketh more care to have his own Laws observed than Gods commands and punisheth the violation of them more severely than sins against God To speak against the Pope the virgin Mary or any of their Saints to work on their Holy-days to eat flesh on a fast-day especially in Lent are greater offences and harder to be forgiven than any sins against God Yea it is the design of the Papacy to exalt themselves whatever comes of the honour of God A man may be of any religion or no religion may live as he please so he own the Popes power and hold the Communion of that Church and this is all their unity they so much brag of Papa potest omnia quae Deus potest say their Canonists The Pope can do all that God can do yea and more as they add potest facere justum ex injusto he can make evil good vice to be vertue yea every Popish Priest they say can make his God and maker out of a piece of bread A Frier in a Sermon before the Spanish Governour at Milan magnifying the Priests power said a Priest could do more than God For God could only make creatures but every Priest could make the infinite God the maker of all which God could not do and yet saith the Authour this passed without controul The Apostle amplifieth this pride in the next words he exalteth himself so as he sitteth as God in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God i. e. he ruleth in the Church of God and challengeth honour from the Church as if he were God The Papists would hence infer that Antichrist or this man of sin shall be a Leader of the Jews sitting and being worshipped in their Temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt by him but that Temple shall never be rebuilt when the Jews attempted it in Julians time they were hindred by fire breaking out of the earth and descending from heaven and the Jews themselves shall all be converted to Christ The Temple of God here is his Church in which the Man of sin must sit who must therefore be an apostate Christian only not the Turk neither alone as some Papists would have it nor in conjunction with the Poipe as some Protestants think Piscator in Loc. he never was a Christian nor sitteth in the Church nor endeavoureth to alter or corrupt the worship of it nor assumeth divine prerogatives to himself nor was known to the world for many ages after this was written neither his religion name or Nation whereas this mystery of iniquity was working in the Apostles days and by him discovered and pointed at to the Church But that the Pope doth sit in the Church as if he were God is manifest It is not amiss to observe the word here used 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he sitteth in the Temple of God is the term the Popes use Kings are said to reign Popes to sit so many years and Rome it self is Sedes Apostolica the Apostolical See or Seat 1. The Pope challengeth an absolute universal power over the whole world When John the Bishop of Constantinople usurped the title of universal Bishop Pope Gregory the 1. called him the King of pride the forerunner of Antichrist yet he challenged that title only over the Church and meant it only of a primacy of order to be the first and chief Bishop but Boniface the 3. ten years after obtained to be head and universal Bishop and his successours have ever since used it exercising an absolute jurisdiction both in Civil and Ecclesiastical matters The Pope challengeth the disposal of all Kingdoms if there be any question about succession or any controversie among Princes he interposeth and pretendeth to decide all as having the absolute power of disposing and ordering all things and in the Church the sole authority belongs to him of binding and loosing of appointing Bishops and Ministers and degrading them of conferring all imployments receiving all appeals not only in reserved cases but in all ordinary cases when he pleases or the parties please to remove the case to Rome This is a power beyond a mortal man a charge that no creature can perform to inspect and order the affairs of the whole world both of this life and that which is to come 2. He
shall that wicked be revealed c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that wicked or lawless person when the restraint and laws of the Emperours were taken off then was the time for the lawless person to appear who professeth himself subject to no law but above all humane and divine The removing the imperial seat from Rome to Byzantium by Constantine the Great gave the first advantage to the aspiring minds of those Bishops for then the eyes of all were upon them instead of the Emperours then they disdained to come to Councils and set Ambassadours in their names two or three at a time in Princely manner then they cried up the dignity and primacy of Peter and of the Apostolick See and insinuated themselves into the affairs of all Churches again when Rome was sackt by the Goths and Vandals and the Emperours power decayed in Italy the Bishops of Rome assumed more authority to themselves and were ready to comply with barbarians and invaders against their natural and Christian Prince to increase their own power When Odoacer had taken Rome and made himself King of Italy Pope Gelasius joyned with him called a Council of seventy Bishops at Rome and presided in it in the presence of the usurper Ann. 570. After this when the Imperial race was almost extinguisht in the East by the impious Tyrant Phocas Boniface 3. readily joyns with him writes flattering letters to him and obtained of him the long desired title of universal Bishop Ann. 606. And now the Emperours are beholding to the Bishops of Rome to hold their dominion in Italy yet this was a Clog to them that their election must be approved by the Emperours when therefore they had prevailed with Constantine 4. to release them of this obligation and to grant that whom the Senate and people of Rome chose he should be received as Pope without asking the Emperours consent then they had perfectly shaken off the yoak and the following Popes Gregory the 2. and 3. excommunicated 2. Emperours Philippicus and Leo for opposing Image worship absolved their Subjects from their Oath of allegiance and raising war against them finally drove them out of Italy about the year 750. Yet the Lombards troubled the Pope till he called in Pipin who subdued them and his Son Charles the great who put an end to their Kingdom And now the Pope was Lord of Italy and giveth Charles the tile of Roman Emperour and after about 6 generations he tranferred it to the Germans And now the Pope had a new and his last difficulty these German Emperours challenged the confirmation of the Popes election and the investing of all Bishops within their dominons but the Pope was grown so strong that by plain force and continuall wars he at last compelled the Emperours to renounce all power over the Popes and Italy it self to resign the investiture of all Bishopricks to the Pope yea to have his own election confirmed by the Pope and to hold his Crown as his gift which was principally managed though not finished by Hilderbrand Pope Gregory 7. about the year 1077. And now the man of sin was revealed indeed and come to maturity and from his time divers learned men of every nation declared and proved the Pope to be Antichrist and ever since the Pope hath filled all the West with wars Massacres and the private murders of his inquisition to uphold the power he had so honestly gotten he hath also made attempts upon the Eastern Churches and he gained some power over them while the Latines reigned in Constantinople but that fell with them and the East hath been oppressed by the Turk as the West by the Pope though not altogether in so terrible a manner for he for money grants the Christians their Churches and exercise of their religion but the Pope will suffer none to live that will not submit to him It may justly be a wonder how it was possible the Bishops of Rome many of them mean and inferiour men and many most flagitious could possibly attain so great power and dignity It was a mystery saith the Apostle and it was done insensibly At first the Bishops of Rome were eminent for parts piety and sufferings as usually such men are preferred and imployed in great especially Metropolitical Cities this gained them great credit with all Churches and both Ministers and people had them in great veneration and desired their judgement and counsel in weighty cases then the Emperours newly become Christian thought they could not bestow honour and power enough upon the Church especially on the Imperial seat they granted them their Courts their Apparitors and attendance with leave to all Christians to bring their causes to their Courts this made them Pettie-Princes then they challenged the right of appeals from all Churches though opposed and shamefully foiled by the Churches of Africk they would receive any persons and causes into their patronage the more unjust the better for them for the criminal persons having no hope of redress in their own Churches wholly relied upon the Popes authority and he to increase his authority would do his utmost for them and this was the reason why the Popes of Rome who long maintained the true doctrinal worship at length set up image worship Transubstantiation and all the rest of their superstitions viz. because the promoters and defenders of these corruptions fled to the Popes authority to shelter themselves from the power and censure of the sounder part of the Church and the Pope still sided with the worst that thereby he might oppress those who would not acknowledge his universality and supremacy at last the Pope having by these means insinuated into the minds and affections of the worst but greater part he did by force establish his throne above all and by force he hath kept it moreover the sloth and ignorance of may in the ministry and the pride of others who sought to advance themselves by advancing the Pope did not a little contribute to his power also the confusions of the Empire by the invasions of the Barbarians much helpt it forwards for they overturned the government destroyed the more knowing people in themselves being both Pagans and void of all learning received Religion from the Pope and superstition together and suffered themselves to be inslaved by him under the pretence of obedience to Christ and is chief Apostle St. Peter and his successours and their poor Princes suffered their people to be deceived and were deceived themselves by these plausible arts insomuch that they gave up their power to that Roman beast and thought it good service to Christ when they could serve his pretended Vicar 't is reported that 30 Kings and Queens of England have left their Kingdoms and gone to Rome to see St Peters successor and to die there A fair warning to Princes and magistrates to maintain their own power and the dignity of their places and to all Ministers to look to their own charge and to the people to
be subject to their own pastours and to take heed of admiring and hearkning after others if this had been done the Pope had never got the Chair Hitherto the Apostle hath given the description of Antichrist and soretold his insolency and Tyranny over the Church to teach Christians what to expect and to arm themselves with patience and courarge Now to prevent desponding he foretels his destruction v. 8. Whom the Lord shall comsume with the spirit of his month and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming The destruction of this man of sin is as certain to be in due time as his coming was the Lord shall consume him c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as this wicked one is in special manner an enemy to Christ so Christ will set himself to destroy him will consume utterly destroy as Armies lay wast a Country that they invade the means by which he will do it is by the spirit of his month i. e. his word accompanied by his spirit and we may observe that no other means have been very successful either to hinder the growth or to hasten the ruine of the man of sin the Eastern Emperours with all their power opposed the Gregories and in the West the Othos Fredericks and Henries opposed the Popes in their time but all to their own destruction the people being bewitcht and Princes too by the inchantments of the Great Whore but when the appointed time was come a few inconsiderable men Luther and his fellows only by preaching the word in the space of about 40. years rent from the Pope half his Empire and weakned him in all the remaining parts also many in all Countries receiving the knowledge of the truth and both Princes and people that still adhere to him standing in much less fear of him and paying him much less homage and subjection than before Again since the first reformation though powerful Princes and many Nations have imbraced the Gospel and have made some attempts by power and arms to promote it and have had some very fair opportunities as when Hen. the 4 a Protestant was made King of France and conquered all his opposers and in the late German wars yet nothing considerable hath been done but as to particular persons there hath rather been a loss in this last age and a great indifferency hath grown upon the Protestant Churches The time when this ruine shall be consummated is here exprest by the brightness of his coming fo by the appearance of his presence as the man of sin was conceived born and grew up by degrees so he hath been and gradually shall be destroyed 1. Christ by his word and spirit preserved a select number in all times that opposed him and bore Testimony against him both by word and sufferings some Princes some learned many both of the Clergy and people protested against the encroachments and impositions of the Popes whilst they were contending for the universal Empire of the Church and when they had gained it and thought all sure about Ann. 1160. God raised the Waldenses and Albigenses to bear witness against them who spread themselves into France Italy Bohemia Austria England and could never be extinguisht till their doctrine swallowed up a great part of Popery as Moses's Rod did those of the Magicians Thus it was prophesied Rev. 14 1-6 v. that there should be one hundred forty four thousand under the Tyranny of the beast who kept themselves undefiled Virgins who followed the Lamb whithersoever he went and kept his Fathers name in their fore head not submitting to the mark of the beast 2. A As the fall of this man of sin draws nearer so the word hath greater success and turneth Nations and rulers to the acknowledgement of it God dispenseth his grace gradually according to the times he hath appointed from the flood for above one thousand years it was restrained mostly to the Jewish Nation then our Lord sent his Apostles to teach all Nations but it was several hundred years before the Nations became Christian though there were many Christians in them and no sooner had they received the Gospel but it began to be darkned by the invasion of Pagans Goths and Vandals by the fraud and violence of Mahomet and his followers and mostly by errors and superstitions in the Church it self which bred and brought forth the Pope and he at last scaled up the Bible and quite changed Christian religion into a new sort of Paganism then for about 350. years the truth was forced into corners but few received and owned it in comparison of the world that wondred after the beast since that time whole Nations have been enlightened 3. Christ will yet more enlighten by the preaching of his word till all Nations shall see the frauds and corruptions of Popery and abhor them there will come a time when the Kingdoms of this world shall be the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever Rev. 11.15 Not only the godly but the generality of men also shall believe and acknowledge the cheats of the Pope the false doctrines and delusions of his Ministers and shall no more be enticed by them and they shall love the godly and willingly submit to the pure doctrine worship and discipline of the Gospel though they have been so unwilling to receive it hitherto 4. Christ will stir up the spirit of Princes to destroy Rome it self and that wicked Polity Rev. 17.16 The Kings of the earth shall hate the whore and burn her flesh with fire As the Kings for their own interest and private designs chiesly though under a pretence of devotion advanced the Pope till he was able to tread upon all their necks so some for their own interest and by reason of provocations from Rome shall in due time be incensed against her and utterly destroy her 5. And by this means the Tyranny insinuations and interests of the Pope and the Princes that joyned with him being removed and dissolved the Gospel shall have its free passage and the Church its full liberty Many learned men have interpreted this place of Christs destroying the man of sin by the brightness of his coming of Christs coming to the last judgement as if the Pope his Tyranny should continue at least in part till then and be utterly abolisht only by Christs personal coming to judgement but it is usual in scripture to express great changes in Church or State by the coming and appearance of the Lord particularly the destruction of the Jews for rejecting Christ is exprest by the Prophets Joel and Malachie in such phrases that have occasioned many to interpret them of the last judgement our Saviour also Math. 24 25. ch expresseth his judging of that Nation in like phrases and calls it his coming and commands his servants to watch and prepare for it likewise Rev. 6. the subduing of the heathen world to Christ by the Emperours receiving the Gospel and establishing
to the Tryal and examination of all and such as carried an undeniable evidence and divine impress with them but these of Antichrist are lying wonders ungodly cheats many of them ridiculous trifles of no use unbeseeming the finger of God that are done in a corner and will bear no Tryal of judicious men but are fitted only to deceive the ignorant multitude it is not to be supposed that Papists could ever work any real sign or miracle to confirm their falsehoods for that were to make God himself who alone is the author of true miracles to bear Testimony to a lye and also to invalidate the Testimony of miracles when they are wrought to confirm the truth seeing they may be wrought also to prove a lye A false prophet may indeed give a sign foretell some future event by art and God may suffer that sign to come to pass to prove his people whether they will stick to his word Deut. 13.1 2 3. but he will never interpose his immediate power to work a miracle to confirm false doctrine which were to set his own seal to that which is contrary to his own word the miracles and signs therefore that Papists pretend to some of them are the meer works of nature only strange to the common people some are works of art Physick Mathematicks c. some are meer tricks of Legerdemain and some are more lies without either foundation in the things or colour of truth many of them also are wrought by Magick and assistance of the Devil as when they cause doleful cries and howlings in the night and apparitions of persons deceased to make the simple believe that the souls in Purgatory come forth to beg prayers and Masses which practice was very frequent in Luthers time The pretence of signs and miracles is peculiar to the Papists the Turks to whom they would turn this prophecie profess them not but impose and propagate their Religion by force Christians that own the Scriptures for the perfect rule of faith and manners need them not the matter of those Scriptures having been abundantly confirmed long since by unquestionable miracles and Divine attestations but the Papists who add unwritten uncertain traditions and the decrees of Popes and Councils to the rule have need to confirm them by signs and miracles if they could and upon the pretence of these all their chief doctrines are built as 1. Transubstantiation and adoration of the Host for this they pretend sometimes that the Host hath been seen to bleed sometimes that the hand of a child hath been seen in it that Wittikin the Saxon King in England seeing Christians receive the Sacrament in a certain Church went out and reported that he saw the Christians each one put a little smiling boy into their mouths some affirmed that they have seen a youth in a glorious shape sitting upon the Altar at or before the time of celebration and they commonly tell us of Cows Horses Bees yea and the Ass of a Jew or a Heretick adoring the Host and the bees building a wax chappel over it when it was casually lost in the field 2. The worship of Saints when the invocation of Saints was opposed in its beginning and Pope Constantine had called a Council at Rome to consider on it Ann. 1012. Edwin a Monk of Gloucester made Oath before the Council that the Virgin Mary appeared to him in a vision in great glory commanding him to go to Rome and tell the Pope that it was the command of God that they should worship her pray to her and erect Temples and Images in honour of her upon this acknowledgement the Council establisht the first decree for the invocation of her and other Saints They write whole Legends of Saints their apparitions revelations miracles and these they give to the people to read instead of the Scriptures they also read the acts and lying wonders of their Saints upon their festival days in their Churches always concluding their fabulous narrations with such words Let us then learn to admire such a Saint let us pray to such a Saint c. Saint Francis and his-Friars they say have raised above a thousand men from the dead their Saints heal all manner of diseases cast out Devils can bring fire from heaven as they report and these are the proofs of Divine worship due to them 3. Their worship of Images and Reliques of Saints to this purpose they pretend that some Images do speak though it is the Devil or the Priest that speaks through them some Images nod their head some hold up their hand as if they did bless the people that pray to them Mr. Downame saith he saw an Image of St. Nicholas at Chester who would lift up his hand as if he blest his petitioners which was done by a string put through the arm by which the Priest draw'd it up Some Images have bled they say when they have been abused diseases have been cured and all manner of miracles done while men have been praying before Images 4. Purgatory and prayers for the dead The only proof of this is the apparition of persons deceased that complain of their torments and beg Masses and prayers of their surviving friends to this purpose they make great use of the Vulcans i. e. burning Mountains in Italy Sicily and the Isles of the Aeolides where are heard frequent noises of divers kinds which they tell the people are the gates of Purgatory and the noises the cries of the tormented there They report of one Birstan Bishop of Winchester that as he was walking according to his custome in the Church-yard at midnight earnestly praying for the souls in Purgatory when he came to those words requiescant in pace let them rest in peace he suddenly heard the voices of an innumerable company small and great in the graves say Amen 5. Their religious orders St. Benedict St. Dominick St. Francis the founders of so many Orders of Friars and Ignatius Loyola the Father of the Jesuites all obtained both the honour of Saints and of Founders of religious Orders by many pretended visions revelations and miracles and the opinion of miracles done by Friars Monks and Nuns in every generation is that which keeps up their authority with the people Vse This should warn men to cleave close to Scripture Revelations and miracles are the engines of deceit but written truths are manifest and exposed to the consideration and Tryal of all and have been already confirmed by the Prophets our Saviour and his Aposties by very many and unquestionable signs and miracles f men will not be content with this which God hath so abundantly testified to be his mind and will it is just with him to suffer them to be deluded if there be now any miracles revelations or extraordinary impressions of the holy spirit they are of private concern for direction or encouragement in particular cases but they are not intended to confirm any doctrine or part of worship signs and Tongues