of singing sate them downe and wept Nor haue we lesse cause to expresse all thankfulnâ—sse to God for our deliverance from Babylons captivity then Moses and Israel had for theirs from Aegypt ourâ—-being no lesse miraculous if we consider the weake meanes whereby it was wrought then that was For what was one poore Luther and â—hose few that seconded him to the whole world of Pontiâ—icians 〈◊〉 Papall power where with he was to incounter Others vnderstand by this glassy Sea mingled with fire the pure Christalline word of God which in the ministry therof is mingled with the fire and efficacie of the Holy Ghost by the means whereof the spirituall Babylonians are overthrown as the Aegyptians werâ— in the red Sea which was a type of Baptisme Let the Reader â—ake his choyce or rather both sith 〈◊〉 are agreeable to the analogy of the Prophecy And if we vnderstand it of the world we may note all so how though Gods servants be compassed about with flames of fire as it were standing vpon this glassy sea yet they do with all their chearfulnesse sound forth the praise of God in the Gospell the Lambes song while Popish fire and faggotts haue prevailed no more vpon Gods servants but to inflame them with greater zealâ— to sing the song of the Lambâ— It followeth ver 5. And after that I looked and behold the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heauen was opened And ver 6. the seuen Angels came out of the Temple hauing the seauen plagues cloathed in pure and white Linnen and hauing their breasts girt with golden girdles And ver 7. one of the foure Beasts gaue vnto the seaven Angels seven golden Vialls full of the wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever and ver 8. the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the Temple till the seaven plagues of the seaven Angells were fulfilled In these words the Holy Ghost descends more particularly to set forth the full equipage and addressemenâ— of the insuing Prophecy and that in a manner full of maiesty First the Place whence the seaven Angels come namely the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in heaven which vpon their going forth is opened This ought to be well marked as pointing vs to the very particular time wherein these seaven Vials began to be powred out which is a matter of speciall moment Now for the meaningâ— we know that the Temple of Solomon and Tabernacle of Moses were both types of Christ and of his Church but the Tabernacle more properly of the Church Militant the Temple of the Triumphant here â—oyned together the Temple of the Tabernacle of Testimony to note the Church of Christ Militant whose part is triumphant in the eternall Temple in heaven or else to note the heavenly and triumphant-like estate of Christs Church on earth now vindicated from and made victorious over the Beast The opening of this Temple sheweth a more cleare manifestation of the Testimony of God now revealed in the powring out of these Vials in the Ministry of the Gospel as we shall see anon Well out of this Temple come the seuen Angels hauing the seven plagues being adorned and furnished with all requisite graces indowments fitting for so sacred a ministration They receiue their seven golden Vials at the hands of one of the foure Beasts This referres vs to the Fourth Chapter of this booke which place alludes to the first chapter of Ezechiels Prophecie to the foure Beasts there And it is commonly received of the Auncients that these foure Beasts were a type of the foure Evangelists According to this sense we are to vnderstand that these 7. Angels the Ministers of the Gospell powering out their Vials received their Vials to wit their authoritie and power from the Gospell of Christ whereon all our Ministry is grounded Some vnderstand by these foure liuing creatures or Beasts the ministers of the Gospell who in all ages deliver and propagate the word of their ministry from hand to hand to the succeeding ages Nor wanted there even before Luther euer appeared against the Pope sufficient witnesses in all ages that opposed the man of sin and stood vp for the truth And among many other famous was that Prophecy of Iohn Huss when he was burned at the Counsell of Constance for witnessing the truth against the Church of Rome enough by the way to stopp the clamorous mouthes of Papists who obiect where was your Religion before Luther who at the stake vttered these words That of the ashes of this Goose saith he shall rise a Swan which they should not burne as they wasted the poore Goose adding moreover Post 〈…〉 after a hundreth yeares you shall answer God and 〈◊〉 Now in the Bohemian tongue Huss signifieth a Goose and Luther a Swan And iust a hundred yeares after the end of that Counsell of Constance began Luther publikly to preach against the Popes Indulgences So that here we may note how Luther received his Viall as it were from the hand of Iohn Huss a witnes of the Gospell of Christâ— and that by a remarkable Prophecy And were not Iohn Wicklifes works also burned at the same Councell â— and two other worthy Bohemian Martyrs And did not Iohn Wicklife our Country man by whose meanes the Bohemians received the Gospell instruct his schollar Iohn Huss therein and Huss others as Zizca and so downewards And was not Luther himselfe made Doctor by Andreas Carolostadius at Wittenberge Thus we could goe vp by every Century and age all a long even from Luther to the Apostles times to proue the lineall and vninterrupted descent of that Gospell and truth which we professe The obstrepeâ—ous Iesuits knowe it well enough and might well spare vs that labour but only least they should be drawne so dry as to seeme to be able to say nothing for themselues or against vs. But we build not our doctrines vpon genealogies but vpon expresse and authenticall Records of Scriptures aboue all exception So that from this booke of Scriptures do these 7 Angels take their seaven Vials But what is ment by Vials They are vessells bigger then ordinary drinking cupps such as we call Goblets some take them to be as bigg as Kettles But I take it the Holy Ghost here alludeth to those incense-cups Exod. 23.29 translated Phialae in the vulgar latine which were made of pure gold as here And in chapter 5.8 is mention of Vials full of the odours of the Saints To which comparing the Vials full of plagues here we may note their two fold use one for the benefite of the Church another for the punishment of her enemies as we read of the Censers Chap. 8.3 4 5 out of which went first the odours of the Saints prayers and after that thence were powred forth of the hot coales of the Altar vpon the earth whereupon insued sundry plagues vpon the wicked In
a word then these 7. Vials here powred forth doe signifie nothing else but the ministry of the Gospell whereby salvation the savour of life vnto life is brought to Gods people but contraly damnation the savour of death vnto death even the wrath of God is revealed vpon the Beast and his followers which withhold the truth in vnrighteousnesse This will appeare evidently in the proper place anon It followeth ver 8. And the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the Temple till the seaven plagues of the seaven Angels were fulfilled This verse propounds a matter very remarkable The smoke here from Gods glory and power filling the Temple alludes to the Tabernacle of Moses and Temple of Solomon which at their dedication were filled with a â—isible symbol of Gods presence and glory Exod 40.34 â—5 and 1 Kâ—ng 8.10 11. Here it imports thus much vnâ—o vs that vpon the powring forth of the Vials God â—halbe present with his Church in a more conspicuous â—anner and manifestation of his glory and power in â—he revelation of the mystery of his will then ordinary God being now about to magnifie his glory and power â—n his Church by the ministry of his word in such wise â—hat it shall be as smoke in the eyes of all the enemies of â—he truth so as they shall not be able to endure this gloâ—â— of God being so mightily guarded also with his poâ—er The like we read of in Esa 6. where when the â—ord was about to giue to Esay a commission together â—â—th gifts and graces for Propheticall ministration he 〈◊〉 vnto him a vision of his glorious presence his 〈◊〉 filling the Temple signifying the presence of 〈◊〉 glory and power doth then fill his Church when the word of God shines forth in prophecy and preaching And as it was then vpon the preaching of that Evangelicall Prophet or Propheticall Evangelist so is it here vpon the execution of these seven Angels ministration And to note the excellent condition of the Church vpon the first powring out of these Vials we are to obserue the allusion of this filling the Temple with the glory of Gods presence to the Dedication both of the Tabernacle of Moses and of the Temple of Solomon at which time both of them were thus filled This plainly sheweth that at the great restauration of the Church of Christ begun at the first Vials powring out the Church of Christ shal be as it were anew dedicated in a most solemne and magnificent state An excellent and pregnant Type whereof we haue in that Restauration of the Temple in Ierusalem vpon the Iewes returne from the Babylonian Captivity whereupon there was a solemnâ— Dedication of the Temple the anniversary Feast whereof was kept by that people of God vnto the very first comming of Christ the true Temple Iust so here The Church of Christ vpon the returne of Gods people from the spirituall Babylonian Captivity is restored repaired and anew dedicated the memoriall whereof shal be without interruption solemnly kept of Gods people vntill the second comming of Christ in his full glory And the Temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power and no man was able to enter into the Temple till the seaven plagues of the seaven Angels were fulfilled Againe it is said here that none might enter into the Temple till the seaven Plagues of the seaven Angel were fulfilled Hereby is signified not that no man caâ— all this while enter into the Church but that the preâ—sence of Gods glory and power shall fill his Church hiâ— Gospell and Truth shall prosper and prevaile 〈◊〉 all the malice and might of the enemies from the 〈◊〉 to the last of these seaven Vials that is the Gospell shall flourish in despite of all the maligners thereof open or secret vntill Antichrist and his kingdome be ruined which shal be at the powring out of the seaventh Vial. Here then is solid and sweet comfort to all the lovers of the truth that though they see never so many machinations and attempts either for strong invading or subtle vndermining of the truth yet Gods glory and power will not part from his Temple nor shall the owle eyed enemy be able to seize vpon it or to enter into it but this glory and power of God shall rest and reside in his Church to beautifie and protect it yea to fill and furnish it with all glorious graces vntill the wrath of God in these seaven last plagues be emptied vpon the Beast and his confederate brood to their vtter confusion CHAP. 16. ANd thus having from this Promontory of the 15. Chapter taken a generall survey of the 16. Let vs now descend to a more particular view and search of this seavenfold mystery And the Mysteries of this booke run much vpon seavens To omit others three â—here are very remarkable yea coherent and correspondent among themselves 1. of the seaven Seales 2. of the seaven Trumpâ—tts 3. of the seaven Vials in each whereof is laid down the different estates of the Church and her enemies in their severall ages the last of the â—eaven Seales bringing on and in the first of the seaven Trumpetts and the sixth Trumpet inducing the first â—f the seaven Vials Such a sweet harmony there is beâ—weene these sacred instruments of the Temple But we â—asten to ouâ— present purpose Yet before we enter vpâ—n the 16. Chapter let vs take these few instructions by 〈◊〉 way as generall directions to the clearer opening â—f it First that the whole Chapter in generall is myâ—â—ically and after a spirituall and Allegoricall maner to be vnderstood and interpreted all along Secondly thâ—â— if any desire the particular time when or where abouâ— every particular Viall is powred out let him obserue in what time they are or were most clearely and fully â—â—ccomplished and hee may safely conclude that then was the speciall time of their powring out Thirdly though each Viall haue an orderly and successiâ—e powring out yet in some degree they haue a certaine riâ—â— from the powring out of the first Fourthly each Viall once evidently in its owne proper place powred ouâ— it ceasseth not but runnes along in its strength vntill the seventh and last plague be powred out wherein they haue all their full confluence Fifthly whatsoever is written in every Viall is to be vnderstood as a speciall symptome proper to the time of that Viall Lastly that all these seven Plagues light vpon the Church of Rome and her followers mainly Ver. 1. And I heard a great voice out of the Temple saying to the seuen Angels Go your wayes and powre out your Vials of the wrath of God vpon the earth In this first verse is set downe the commission of thâ— seven Angels It is given by a great voyâ—â— out of the Temple This is Christs voice who governeth and appointeth all things in his Church And it is
a great voice the matter whereof is of great consequence and importance and therefore worthy of our greatest and best attention And who shall not goe when he saith Gâ—â— your wayes So that hence even from Christs direction doe these seven Angels receiue their charge They arâ— bid to powre out their Vials vpon the earth The Earth iâ— the generall obiect of these seven last Plagues By it are meant all those who are of the earth earthly minded earthly affected opposite to those whose conversation is in heaven But more specially are meant here all those of the Church of Rome described in the 〈◊〉 verse such as haue the marke of the Beast and worship his Image And so all the seven plagues of the seven Vialls are poured out vpon all Papists expressely so much of the Commission Now followeth the execution thereof VIALL 1. And the first went and powred out his Viall vpon the Earth and there fell a noysome and grievous sore vpon the men which had the marke of the Beast and vpon them which worshipped his Image The Kingdome of the Beast is the earth from which he riseth chap. 13.11 vpon which the first Viall and so all the rest is powred The consequent effect whereof is a noysome and grievous sore vpon the men which had the marke of the Beast and vpon them which worshipped his Image The Beast marked are all the Popes sworne vâ—taries and vassalls which avow and professe themselves to be his speciall creatures and Cattell as his Cardinalls Priests Friers and so forth They that worship the Beasts Image are all common Papists high and low which adore the supreme power and authority of the Pope even all Emperours Kings and States of the world wherein he beareth the Image of the Imperiall Soveraignty which was ever resident in the Roman Emperours Hereof read chapter 13 where the first Beast riseth out of the sea being meant of the Roman Empire which grew from the intestine dissentions of the Nations the second Beast ariseth from the earth that is from the peace plenty and prosperity of this world this was the Pope who erected and invested in himselfe the exact image of the former Beast assuming all Imperiall power and soveraignty over the world as once thâ— Emperour had and so causing all vpon paâ—ne of death to worshippe this Image that is to acknowledge that the Pope hath all plenary power that hee is exalted aboue all that iâ— called God or that is worshipped to wit over all Kings and Keasars and whatsoever is sacred on earth humane or divine so verifiyng that Prophecy of the Apostle 2. Thessalonians 2. that the Pope is that very MAN of sinne that sonne of perdition that great ANTICHRIST Thus we see who they bee vpon whom the pouring out of this first Viall hath its proper operation effect which is there fell vpon them a noysome and grievous sore What may this meane Where or when shall we see such scabs and sores vpon the Papists as fell vpon the Aegyptians when Moses scattered about the Ashes To which yet this Viall poured forth hath speciall allusion In the Aegyptian plague none of them escaped no not the Magitians and Priests But as they who are here plagued are of the spirituall Aegypt as Rome is compared Chap. 11. so we are to vnderstand this not of a corporall but of a spirituall sore and that either in doctrine or life So that in a word the pouring out of this first Viall is the first breaking out of the Gospell in a glorious maner whereby the grievous and noysome sores of the Church of Rome and her followers both in life and doctrine come to be discovered so as they become noysome and greivous not only to the world but even to the patients themselues who now like a galled beast grow very impatient fling and â—ume as beeing made sensible of them against their wills When came this to passe especially When Aske not me do but compare the time of Martine Luther and the state of the Church of Rome therevpon with the pouring out of this Viall and the consequent sore that fell by way of discovery vpon the Beast-marked and his Image worshipers and you will easily conclude both how and when this was fulfilled Was it not a grievous sore that Luther first fell fowle vpon namely papall Indulgences selling of pardons for all kinde of sinnes to those that would giue most Thus began the first Viall to be poured out while hereupon Luther was stirred vp by â— mighty Divine providence to begin to display the Gospell more and more by the light whereof was said to fall vpon all Papists a noysome and greivous sore not because that Church was not formerly deepely affected infected therewith but because it began vpon the preaching of the Gospell to be discovered which before in a great measure lay hid being covered with thick darknesse It being the propertie of the word of God the more it is opened the more to discover all kinde of sins the sores of the soule and conscience Till this light brake forth in Luthers time all Romes Ecclesiasticke body though full of sores yet was sensually secure and senselesse of them and though conscious of them in some measure yet she cared the lesse while the world could not so easily note them But now all comes to light Whereupon Rome was so vexed and even Christian Princes so offended with her vlcerousnesse that the world began to cry out for reformation The Pope flings out his terrible thunder-bolts against Luther and other Preachers of Reformation When this would not doe he descends to a willingnes that though against his will to haue his Germaine Cleargy reformed farre enough off from Rome at the least wise to begin a Minoritis but not a Maioritis as the Emperor Sigismund pleaded at the Councell of Constance vpon which difference the Reformation brake off not finding where to begin Still a generall Councell was urged both by Luther and the Germaine Princes together with the Emperor The Pope vseth all pretences and shifts to put it off Aboue twenty yeares passe over the heads of foure Popes successiuely and vpon the fifth from the first appeale to a generall Councell till it came to be summoned and settled vpon Nor was Pope Paul the 13. wantting for his part to invent shifts to delay it who being as artificiall a dissembler as his Predecessour pretendâ— a great desire to reforme his owne Pontificall Court and to prevent the trouble of the Councell by anticipaâ—ion he exhorts his Cardinalls to begin the reformation at themselues first A faire hope But it is noted by the author of the history of the Councell of Trent that for this purpose he appointed three Cardinalls neither the most religious nor the quickest for dispatch but very slow and deliberate But not to hold the world too long in suspence in the expectation of this solemne reformation he blasts it in the very budd For
I never read any more of that place called sacred Peter speakes indeed of the Holy Mount wherein the Lord was transfigured but the holinesse is referred to the Lords presence for whose sake it was said to be holy and not for any holinesse infused into it or affixed to it by any solemne Act of Consecration And who will say that Ierusalem once called the holy Citty because there was the true Church of God is still the true Church of God or that the place is still as sacred as ever it was notwithstanding of the Lord accursed But yee will say the case is otherwise now with Ierusalem then with Rome For it followeth If the Church of Rome were once the spowse of Christ and her adulteries are knowne yet the divorce is not sued one Answer Is not the Divorce sued out Perhaps not in a legall formality But what if this once spowse of Christ not only play the open whore but professeth her selfe to be the married wife of another man what shall we say in this case Is this woman still the spowse of her former husband notwithstanding she is become another mans both whore and wife though she hath not sued out a Legall Divorce Thus stands the case with the Church of Rome Once she was Christs spowseâ— but now she is Antichrists spowse and strumpet But Antichrist the Pope is only Christs Vicar-bridegroome to his spowse on earth What man going into a strange Countrey leaues a Deputy husband with his wife till his reâ—â—rne giving him â—â—ee power to performe vnto her all the offiâ—es of a husband As Thomas de Corsellis spake in the Councell of Basil about the Popes vsurped Vicarship over Christs spowse No body substitutes a Vicar in such â—â—nt as that he will submit his spowse vnto him But what â—f Christ the first husband come and challenge his â—powse again seeing though he find her play the whore â—nd married to another yet this second marriage was before ever a Divorce was sued out and so a Nullity â—ndeed the Lord is very mercifull even to receiue that â—powse who hath gone a whoring from him As Ierem. â— 1 They say if a man put away his wife and she become aâ—other mans shall he returne vnto her againe Shall not that Land be greatly polluted But thou hast plaid the Harloâ— with many lovers yet returne againe to mee saith the Lord. But if the Divorce be sued out then you will say shee ceasseth to bee a spowse to heâ— former husband Well And is not the divorce betweene the Church of Rome and Christ yet sued out Yes certainly and that on both parties First on the Church of Romes part Hath she not openly in the face of the Court of men and Angellâ— taken out a writ of Divorce from Christ and a licence to be married to another husband When say you In the Councell of Trent say we It is the duty and property of Christs spowse to hearken to her husbands voice only and to honour him For Psal. 45.11 He is thy Lord speaking to his spowse the Church and worship thou him And in the Transfiguration on the Mount which was a type of Christ in the state of glory in heaven this voice came This is my beloved Son heare him Luke 9.35 Christ then in heaven must onely be heard of his spowse here on earth But the Church of Rome once Christs spowse in the Councell of Trent hath taken out a bill of divorce and hath emancipated her selfe wholly to the Pope as her husband to heare him in all things from that time forwards And this Divorce is ratified by the Bull of Pope Pius 4. super forma iuramenti professionis Fidei in the end of the Councell The words of the Bull are First Apostolicaâ— et Ecclesiasticâ—â— Traditiones reliquasque Ecclesiae observationes et constitutìones firmissimè admitto et amplector Apostolick and Ecclesiastick Traditions and other observations and constitutions of the Church I do most firmely admit and imbrace That 's for Traditions Then it is added Item sacram Scripturam iâ—xta eum sensum quem tenuit et tenet sancta Mater Ecclesia cuius est iudicare de vero sensu et interpretatione sacrâ—rum Scripturarum admitto c. Item I admit of the sacrâ—â— Scripture according to that sense which the Holy Mother Church hath and doth hold to whom it perteineth to iudge 〈◊〉 the true sense and interpretation of the sacred Scriptures c But what Church is this that takes vpon her to be the Iudge and interpreter to allow what sense she pleaseth to the Scriptures A little before Credo vâ—â—m SanctaÌ„ Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam I belieue one Holy Catholick and Apostolick Church This is Mater Ecclesiae thâ— Church our Mother But which is she Look a little after Affirmo Sanctâ—m Catholicam et Apostolicam Romanam omnium Ecclesiarum Matrem et Magistram agnosco I affirme and acknowledge the Holy Catholick and Apostolick Roman Church to be the Mother and Mistresse of all Churches Well we haue found out who is the Mother and spowse namely the holy Catholicke Apostolicke Roman Church But where is the Father the Husband Not farre off in the very next words hee stands â—oupled and hand-fast with his wife Romanoque Pontifici â—eati Petri Apostolorum Principiâ— Successori ac Iesu Chriâ—ti Vicario verum obedientiam spondeo ac iuro And I 〈◊〉 and sweare true obedience to the Bishop of Rome the Successour of blessed Peter and Prince of the Apostles and Vicar of Iesus Christ. Here is then the second marriage made vp And is there any reservation of obedience or â—ubiection left for Christ the former husband No â—urelyâ— all is betrothed absolutely to his Vicar the seâ—ond Husband But yet we see not the Divorce quite â—ewed out no publicke expresse formall abrâ—nunciaâ—ion and abjuration of the former Husband But read a â—ittle further Caetera item omnia à sacris Canonibus Oeâ—umenicis Concilijs ac precipué à sacrosancta Tridentina Syâ—odo tradita definita et declarata indubitanter recipio atâ—ue profiteor simulque contraria omnia atque haereses quasâ—unque ab Ecclesia damnatas et reiectas et anathematizaâ—as ego pariter damno reiicio et anathematizo hanc â—eram Catholicam fidem extra quam nemo salvus esse â—otest quam in presenti sponte profiteor et veraciter teneâ— â—â—dem integram et inviolatam vsque ad extremum vitae spitum constantissimê Deo adiuvante retinere et confiteri â—â—que à meis subditis vel illis quorum cura ad me iâ— munere 〈◊〉 spectabit teneri deceri et praedicari quantum in me erit curaturum ego idem N. spendeo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iuro sic me Deus adiuvet et haec sancta eius Evangelia Item all other things by the sacred Canons and generall Councels and chiefely by the sacro-sanct Councel of Trent deliuered defined and declared I doe vndoubtedly receiue and professe and together
iniquity and profanesse is accounted the best Christian. These vncleane spirits would perswade the world that he is the best Minister that preacheth least that hath most preferments and cures of soules but liues at ease himselfe and playes the good-fellow that the Lords day is best observed but with one Sermon aâ— most and with one Play at least These be the vncleane spirits that revell most in the time of this Viallâ— wherein whose will not ruâ—â—e with the streame of all impurity and impiety thâ—â— blast them with the name of heresie as Pope Paul â— did those thâ—â— studied Academicall learning or as Traian put men to death only because they were Christians So that these vncleane spirits like froggs pollute the waters where they liue with the filthy froth of their frye so causing an vniversall surface of all iniquity in the time of this Viall more then ever The Royall Paraphrast saith of them They are likened to Froggs for that they are bred of an old filthy and corrupt false doctrine which for a long space hath blinded the world before their comming as froggs breed of rotten and slimy coruption or for that they preferrâ— themselues before all other Ecclesiasticall orders preceeding them as vnperfect and vnprofitable hopping and leaping aboue them Againe the frogg hath no othâ—r song but one Koax Koax and therein is very importunate so these vncleane spirits what is all their Croaking but one song The Church The Church the Catholick Church the holy Mother Church of Rome the Apostolicke Sea one supreme Pastor and Iudge of controversies who cannot erre and the like This is their three mans song wherein they goe as in a circle Thus by counterfeiting the froggs they doe as the Aegyptian Magitianâ— seeke thereby even by their very clamarousnesse and obstreperousnes to disgrace Moses and Aaron Gods Ministers in their office who preach the truth Fourthly froggs bring forth their young as the Beare vnformed having only a black head and taile such is the spirituall offspring of these Froggs whose faith is informis or vnformed implicit and even blacke with ignorance Hence the Proverbe Nihilò rana gyriâ—a prudentior no wiser then the young frye of a frogg Which may be applied to all seduced and blind Papists who are not able to render a reason of their faith Fifthly Froggs liue in abundance of waters and of idlenesse Whence the Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou pourest out wine vnto the froggs as we say To poure water into the Sea And in what abundance of voluptuousnesse and ease these froggâ— liue all the world knows Againe the Frogg is a nimble creature and when yoâ— thinke to take her vp in your hand she skips away and hides her in the mudd such are these actiue spirits In a word K. Iames of happy memory in his Premonition to all Christian Monarchs free Princes and States about these froglike spirits hath these words calling them a new sect of Spirits raised vp for the defence of that tottering throne called three in number by reason of their threâ— fold direction being raysed and inspired by the Dragon Satan authorized and maintained by the Beast the Antichrist and instructed by the false Prophet the Apostaticke Church that hath the hâ—rnes like the Lambe but speaketh like the Dragon These spirits indeed thus sent forth by this threefold authority for the defence of their triple-crowned Monarch are well likened to Froggs for they are amphibious and can liue in either element Earth or water for though they be Church men by profession yet can they vse the trade of Politike Statesmen going to the Kings of the earth together them to the battell of that great day of God Almighty What Massacres haue by their perswasion been wrought through many parts of Christendome and how evilly Kings haue sped that haue ben councelled by them all the vnpartiall histories of our time doe beare record And whatsoeuer King or State will not receiue them and follow their advice 〈◊〉 out must that King or State be even with Gunpowder ere it fayle And these froggs had reason indeed to labour to become learned thereby to dissipate that grosse mist of ignorance wherwith the raigne of Antichrist was plagued before their coming forth So farre the judicious King Thus we need goe no farther for a cleare interpretation of these words Hence also we may note the vnaminous spirit of these three the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet out of whose mouth these three Froglike spirits proceeding may put vs in mind as of their tripple authoritie so of their triple malignity as the crafty cruelty of the Dragon the vsurped power of the Beast and the sophistry of the false Prophet They are called also the spirits of Divells to note their Politicke 〈…〉 going in the habit of illuminate 〈◊〉 Rabbies in the long robes of profound Craftsmasters and expert Statesmen who in the time of this Viall bring into the world new Maxims of state infused into them from those whence they come But they work◠〈◊〉 This may seeme to excuse Priests and Iesuites from being of the number of those spiritâ—â— for what miracles doe they Yes surely great miracles if ye may belâ—eue them Although what true miracles can false Propheâ—â— the spirits of Devils doe But it sufficeth that these Prophets be the only Miracle mongers And aâ— King Iames excellently They doe miracles of deceit for they doe wonderfully deceiue men And doe they not vndertake to do miracles every day while they would make the worshippers of the Beasts Image belieue that they doe a Miracle inâ—uâ—ning a thinne Wafer cake into the very body of Christ flesh blood and bone Only the Apostle tells vs that Antichrists miracles are lying wounders serving only to deceiue them that perish through strong delusion sent them from God that they should belieue a lye and so might be 〈◊〉 And is it not miraculous that they can by their inchanâ—ing spells make of wise men starke ideots offensible men senselesse of reasonable men brutish as to believe that to be a miracle which they see with their eyes to be nothing lesse It is the property of a miracle to put it selfe vpon the triall of a mans infallible sense specially of the eye But here is no such thing to be serue When Christ turned the water into wine it had now both the colour and savour and substance and true spirit of naturall wine Thus it was with a true Miracle the first that Christ wrought in Cana of Galilee It was not such still as the guests could not discerne from water either by their eye or tast or smell but were by the strength of their faith or conceit to imagine it to be wine But the miracle forsooth of Popish Transubstanâ—◠〈◊〉 cannot indure the couch of â—ensâ—â— triall the eye seeâ— nothing but a 〈…〉 Wafer the mouth tasts nothing but a thinne shiver of bâ—ead Where then is the Miracle That must be begged
vpon the Hill of Mageddon as here Har and Mageddon the Hill of Mageddon But now in such a variety of opinions where shall we pitch Surely we may safely take direction herein from the Royall Paraphrast who saith I condemne not others but rather allow them to interprete this booke diversly so being it agree with the analogy of faith with the method of the text et cum serie temporum for these three being observed it may fall out that diverse diversly expound one place and yet all be according to the truth and meaning of the spirit of God An excellent rule well beseeming that Pacifique Prince to reconcile diversity of opinions so they bound themselues to the analogy and confines of faith So that in all these differences of derivations of this word Harmageddon finding none of them to swerue from the Analogy of the text we may safely imbrace all Only two are most pregnant and may seeme to challenge the most certaine credit afore all the rest First that this great battell shall be vpon the Hill of Gods delight to wit his Church and especially there where the Gospell is most conspicuous and shineth most clearely against which the envy of the Antichristian army shall advance the Standard Paralell hereunto is that battell of Gog and Magog chapter 20 the secret and open enemies of Gods Church wherein they shall compasse the tents of the Saints about and the holy City even the Church of Christ. And we haue a notable type hereof in the Prophecy of Daniell where the great Antiochus a liuely type of Antichrist is said in that his fatall battaile to his owne confusion to pitch the Tents of his Pallace between the Seas in the glorious holy Mountaine This may prefigure Antichrists assaulting the people of God in Armageddon to wit the glorious holy Mountaine the Church And doth not the glorious Church in England stand betweene the Seas The second is that of the royall Paraphrast though no way second but rather may challenge precedency before all the rest for the singular allusion of it Destruction by deceit Which doth highly make for the honour of that Lord of Hosts who by his wisdome and power shall wind and turne all the wiles and stratagems of the old Dragon and false Prophet all the power and puissance of the Beast to their owne destruction And for this cause it is said here He to wit God shall gather them together into a place called Harmageddon But this may seeme strange that God should lead this potent and proud army even to his owne Mountaine of Delights his Church No not strange Did not the Holy spirit lead Christ into the wildernesse to be temped of the Devill And hath not God power over all these plagues And was it not he that brought that daring Assyrian Host against the holy Citty in Ezechia's raigne as even that blasphemous Rabsache seemed to vaunt and all to daâ—nt poore Iuda Aâ—d was it not He that said to Barak I will draw out vnto thee to the River Kishâ—n Sisera c. Iudg. 4.7 Read also Ioel 3 where the Lord being about to deliver his people from the Babylonian bondage he saith ver 2. I will gather all Nations and will bring them downe into the valley of Iehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people c. And ver 11. Thither cause thy mighty ones to come downe O Lord that is Gods enemies as ver 12. Read the whole chapter It is a notable type of this in the seventh Viall But what was the event of all How sped the Devill How sped Rabshache with his mighty Host How Sisera How I pray you should they speed when a more potent a more politicke Adversary even the Lord of Hosts takeâ— their conduct into his owne hand and puts his bridle into their nostrills Can an enemy though never so powerfull looke to prosper in any great attempt when his adversary hath a secret disposing hand to direct and sway all his designes which way himselfe pleaseth The King of Syria's Counsells and his words spoken in his bed chamber against Israel could they take place when both there was a faithfull Elisha to warne the King of Israell of them and a prudent King willing to be directed by his good counsell What shall become of Pharaoh and his huge host when as God hardeneth his heart making him foolhardy to pursue Israell and that even through the red Sea on whose dry channell when he first set his proud foot he might easily haue read his owne fatall wrack from those watery mountains on each side like swelling walls ready to burst so soone as once Gods people were safely arrived Iust so is it here He the Lord assembleth Antichrists forces into the place called Harmageddon And can they then looke for any better successe then such as Pharaoh and his Aegyptians found Surely no. Be confounded then with feare ô ye Antichristian adversaries of Christ and his Church Against whom doe you confederate and band your forces together â— Of vpon what presumption Hath not the Virgin the Daughter of Sion despised thee O enemy Hath not the daughter of Ierusalem shaken her head at thee Whom hast thou reproched and blasphemed And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice Is it not against the holy one of Israell Esa. 57.22 Is it not He that puts his hooke in thy nose leading thee to the place of thy perdition where thou notwithstanding in the beastly-wide throat of thy false confidence hast already swallowed downe the destruction of Gods people as at a morsell Oh that this might sinke into the hard skull of thy senslesse Beastly-head to be better advised and without feare oâ— witt to enter the lists where the Almighty takes vp the quarrell against thee But now it is hid from thine eyes Thou wilt needs try thy Triarian forces in one maine battell wherein thy Pontifician Omnipotency dare cope with divine Omnipotency if haply the triple-crowned Godhead on earth may dethrone the God of heaven as often he hath done the petty Gods on earth Nor can the time of this Vialls full accomplishment for the bringing of this maine battell to a head be farre off from the first pouring out The iniquity raigning in this Viall and the mad malice of the enemy and Gods fatherly care for his Church least it should be swallowed vp doe all conspire and concurre to hasten this great Day of God Almighty The time of this Viall comprehending those dangerous last dayes whereof Christ saith For the Elects sake those dayes shall be shortened Mat 24.22 And this seemeth to be spoken not so much in regard of outward pressures and persecutions of the Church as of intestine false doctrines very potent and prevalent in this Viall By which the Church of God being so mightily oppugned and assaulted not without good reason may the battell of the great day be said in the spirituall part to be already begun Begun say I