power to giv the Beasts Image life that it should speak Vers 1◠and caus so many as would not worship it to be killed Nebuchadnezar decreed the same of his Image but if this had not received life the slain Beast could not reviv in him no◠was the former Dragon-Worshiper idle but activ and stout to fly on his Enimies as this Image ought to be in which he should reviv Therfore the fals Prophet had power not only to allure People to make the Image of the last cours but to inlifen him wherby he may by Edicts injoin such things as shal support his dignity and punish Opposers by temporal death For al power of the Image or Secular Beast is derived or delivered by the Pseudoprophetic who denounceth sentence of Heresy against al which resist his Authority and the other must execut it This is commonly caled a delivery over to the Secular Power which is but his Hangman becaus he wil not seem or deem to defile his holy hands with blood The like use other Sects or Septs make of Civil Magistrats He caused al great and smal rich and poor free and bond to Vers 16. 17. receiv a mark in their right hand or forehead that none might buy or sel sav such as had the mark or name of the Beast or number of his name The mark is his name as 't is caled the mark or name and afterward the mark of his name This allud◠Rev. 14. 11. to an old custom of marking Servants with the Masters name specialy in the foreheads but Soldiers of their Captains in the hand So the Lambs Folowers being contrary to the Beasts had his name and his Fathers in their Foreheads The number of his name is the same with himself but cald the number becaus brought into letters of number God so disposing it but the mark and number differ if the interpretation be directed after the analogy of other places For the mark shews to which Lord they belong that bear it but the number indicats from what stock they spring that are marked as the number of twelv made in the multiplication of twelv Virgins is a symbol of Apostolic linage or Of-spring as shal be shewed The Beasts name which includs the number is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imposed soon after the Revelation was writ For at the Empires division by Theodosius and rising of the ten Kings the Roman fals Prophet and West Inhabiters under him were stiled Latin by fatal instinct which very name subducting the numeral letters as Hebrews and Greecs use make the mystical number 666. noted by the holy Ghost which provs the Beasts prosapy who vaunts himself to succed the Apostles but indeed descends from the Dragon for the Apostolic number 12 wil never cast into 666. however multiplied but from the number 6. which belongs to the red Dragon and Beast of the sixth Head neatly and naturaly For the whol sum how great soever is compact out of six by units tens and hundreds as if the Dragons whol seed were diffused through this last Beasts whol Body with al his Ministers Here is Wisdom let him that hath understanding count the V. 18. Beasts number which is the number of a Man even 666. The Virgins number one hundred forty four thousand contrary to the Beast is altogether Apostolic begot of 12. multiplyed by twelv times twelv thousand for the reason or result of contraries is contrary wher both the name writen and number of the company is expressed but here the name is conceled or left to be collected and conjectured from the number wherin lies a mystery The forbidding to buy and sel is a brand of Papal Excommunication excluding commerce or company with such To receiv the mark of the Beasts name is to acknowledg Note him Lord and obey his authority but to receiv his number is to embrace his impiety derived from the Dragon Now tho none can hav the mark of his name or obey his authority unles he partake his number and impiety yet may a Man admit the number or impiety and abandon his name or authority As the Greecs hold the Dragons impious Idolatry with the Latins as first erected or established in the secund Nicen Synod by a Pope who labored earnestly to reviv the slain Dragons Image yet reject his authority and wil not bear his name or yoke as formerly but made a Schism as 't is stiled from the Latin Church which hath lasted abov 700. yeers maugre al brute Anathemas Let me intrud or interpose a few words Excommunication Animadvers is a prohibitiv brand to bar al that hav it from commerce company and communion but no permissiv badg to admit any nor can be caled a proper name Now Roman Catholic is the general appellation which al own and the Oath of Papal Supremacy caled reconciling to the Church of Rome a common mark or cognisance without which none may buy or sel spiritual wares among them Quam bene conveniunt Thes two terms Roman Catholic and Papal Supremacy applyed to the name and mark of the Beasts folowers I must own how fit or unfit soever humbly submitting them with al els to public censure No Symbols similituds nor allusions run on al four feet but are obvious to various applications which may and doo differ in divers circumstances as here haply it happens For the Beasts number Vicarius Dei generalis in terris DCLVVIIIIII 666. is the Beasts tru paraphrastical title and right number therof but no proper name nor number of a Man as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is nor are the numeral letters collected from the original Greec wherin John wrot as the others be but from the Roman Latin which is a considerable case Let Readers ruminat on it and judg deliberatly I looked and lo a Lamb stood on Mount Sion and with him Rev. 14 V. 1. one hundred forty four thousand having the name of the Lamb and his Fathers in their forheads The company of Virgins which folow the Lamb standing on Sion and elect Gentils put in place of Israel mentioned at beginning of the seventh Seal for 't is described in a duple Vision to conjoin the prophecy of Seals with that of the litle Book signifies the Church which in midst of Papacy continued constant to the Lamb as a Virgin under Babylon being the Apostles genuin progeny who were not confined to any set station but folowed the Lamb wherever he did go By the number one hundred forty four thousand 12. times 12000. it appeers that the same company is specified both wher 's being the Apostles tru Ofspring which bear the number twelv as an Emblem or Ensign of their peculiar prosapy or pedigree Mount Sion was Davids Kingdoms Throne or Roial mansion caled his City becaus he got it from the Jebusits and walling it built a Tower Streets and Courts It may here parabolicaly imply that part of the Earth which Christ having vanquishd made his Churches
of Holies once a year the Priests never the high Priest might mourn for none but Priests might for Father Mother Brother Son Daughter and next of Kin the high Priest had his Sagan or Substitut the Priests none Thes were the forms of Church government under the Law wherto that of the Gospel was in part conformed Christ had sole Evangelical Ministry being our Apostle Prophet Evangelist Bishop Pastor Doctor Mat. 10 1. c. Deacon in himself but chos twelv Apostles Assistant parallel to the twelv Patriarchs and twelv Princes of the Tribes sending them to preach heal and cast out Devils to whom when the harvest grew great he added seventy inferior Disciples Luk. 10. 1. c. like the seventy Fathers of Families and seventy Elders of the People whom he sent by couples into Cities wher he meant to com giving them power to preach the Gospel heal the sick tread on Serpents â—o Scorpions and subdu Enimies Thes two orders S. Paul cals Apostles and Prophets placing Prophets Eâ—hes 3. 〈◊〉 after Apostles as inferiors for from the seventy Matthias was chosen Apostle and Presbyters or Elders succeded the seventy but Bishops or Prelats the twelv as al Apostolic Antients agree This was the first model of Church regiment under Christ the chief Shepherd who before his Ascention made the twelv general Shepherds to supply his stead by a triple charge to Peter Thes had equal eminent authority or jurisdiction John 21. 1â— 16. 17. jointly and severaly to lay on hands at Ordination and confirmation to command contermand censure bind or loos which before their deaths som of them devolved on Bishops as their indubitat successors At first the whol weight of Church affairs lay soly on them but upon the Greecs complaint how their Widows were neglected they ordeined by imposition of hands which severs Men to sacred functions Aâ—◠〈◊〉 1 2 〈◊〉 seven Deacons to distribut offerings and serv Tables Afterward upon the Disciples dispersion at Stephans death arose Evangelists whos duty was to preach but no distinct order Then that the Church so planted might perpetualy be watered they ordeined Priests or Presbyters like the seventy Disciples for constant attendance in al places Lastly to continâ— the Government which rested in themselfs they appointed Overseers Greecly Episcopi by S. John Angels vulgarly Bishops to supply their steads after them to whom the chief charge to command correct ordein oversee was committed or conferred specially for suppressing of Schisms which spread in the Churches of Rome Corinth Galatia Philippi Colossi Thessalonica and Indea For S. Paul first constituted Titus Bishop of Cret and Timothy of Ephesus with their territories whos patern S. John and other Apostles folowed If then this office was necessary in thos times being the best remedy to repel Schisms as S. Cyprian and Jerom testify how much more in after ages when Sects so swarm and Ambition Avarice Pride Philancy Envy Emulation Discord and Division multiply dayly this power then was not personal in the Apostles alone not temporal to end or expire with them nor common to inferior Disciples but perpetual to abide til our Saviours secund coming and confined to Bishops for redress of al exorbitant enormities specialy Schisms and Heresies What single Presbyters did ever exercise any act of jurisdiction in al the Scripture or prime Churches In a family are divers officers but one Oeconomus or chief Steward In a Ship many Mariners but one Master in a Camp sundry Captaines but one General so in a Church of large extent several Ministers but one Bishop hee is to take charge of al Churches as Titus did of al Cret a goodly I le to see Presbyters doo their duties to correct what is faulty to confirm what is orderly and reform abuses He is chief in ordeining Presbyters as S. Paul had company at Timothy's ordination yet he sole ordeiner which none can deny as Christ shal be sole Judg at last day yet The twelv Apostles sit 〈◊〉 19 28. on twelv Thrones to judg the twelv Tribes of Israel 'T is a Luk. 22 30. silly Sophisters squib to say Bishops are caled Elders and contrarily Ergo both are one Order or Office Indeed such names at first were promiscuous but functions stil distinct as every greater contains a lesser So Apostles were stiled Presbyters or Elders Deacons or Ministers Doctors or Teachers Prophets and Evangelists Yea that title was inlarged to Barnabas Paul Andronicus Epaphroditus Titus Timothy so Presbyters are clyped Prophets and Prelats yet Chrysostom saith can be but one Bishop in a City Semblably Bishops are stiled Apostles Elders and Deacons while ter ms or titles were common but never in after ages as Theodoreâ— Jerom Oecomenius and the Fathers aver Distingue tempora concordabunt res nor doth community of name argu identity of nature or office Thus episcopat is of divine right if not primary or immediat from Christ as in ordaining the twelv to includ their Successors yet secundary or mediat from the inspired Apostles who substituted Bishops to succed For as our Saviour in som sort instituted his own day to be sanctified weekly in stead of the Creatific Sabbath by actual rising from death which his Apostles celebrated by their practis of meeting to break bread every first day So he may be said to ordein Prelats and Presbyters who are of equal right Analogicaly by chusing twelv Apostles and seventy Disciples whos rooms thos two orders supplied yet the Lords day is not so subject to mutation by Man sith it hath a moral right by the equity not Letter of the fourth Commandment which Men and Angels cannot alter But the other two orders may if the end for which they were instituted be changed els not Al which premisses wil plainer appeer by particulars drawn from primitiv fountains which flow from the Rock of Faith and shal not be falsified in the least point The Apostles sent to Teach and Baptise al Nations had the whol world in common for their general Dioces but som attended special Churches as Rulers or Overseers and in fine set Bishops of 1 〈◊〉 ruling Elders or Bishops in their Chairs or Charges For James the Just caled the Lords Brother becaus born of Mary Cleopas the blessed Virgins sister resided and presided at Jerusalem as his proper Sea partly of his own authority and partly by the Apostles appointment as appeers by Pauls coming thither Acts 21. 〈◊〉 to consult with him and his Presbytery For at the Proto-Council Peter as prime Apostle was Prolocutor but James Actâ— 15 19 â—0 as President gav diffinitiv sentence to which al submited or subscribed After 30 yeers residence he was cast from a Pinacle and his brains pierced with a Fullers burling Iron whos Brother Simeon succeded by the Apostles assignment They also planted Churches elswher as Paul and Barnabas ordeined Elders Acts â—4 〈◊〉 in every Church but no Bishops are mentioned becaus yet they
created none til afterward to rule in their rooms For S. Paul caling the Elders of Ephesus to Miletum bid them Take Act. 20. 17. heed to themselfs and the Flock wherof the Holy Ghost made them Overseers naming no particular Prelat sav himself as Head over them Hence grew thes Schisms saying I am of Paul 1 Cor. 1. 12. 〈◊〉 of Apollos c. becaus no ruling Elders were then setled as S. Ambros aptly observs The reason why he yet set no Superintendents is becaus he self took care or rule of al Churches whence Tertullian terms Corinth Ephesus Philippi Thessalâ—nica and the rest of that rank Apostolic Churches becaus he presided over them But in process of time as occasion served they ordeined Episcopal Supervisers to supply their steads for 2 Cor. 11. 28. Paul being caled by the Spirit to attend the West parts passing Acts 19. 21. through Macedonia and Achaia toward Jerusalem and so to Rome never to see the East again sent Titus to Corinth and going by Sea put in at Cret to preach the Gospel wher meeting 2 Cor. 8. 6. 16. Ep scopat â—â—â—cted Titus back from Corinth he left him ther to ordein Elders in every City while he went to Epirus and Illyricum before he cam to Rome About that time he besought Timothy to abide at Ephesus who attended him first into Macedon but at his return resided there He was indeed an Evangelist yet a Bishop too as Philip who converted Samaria was a Deacon and Evangelist yet asterward Bishop of Tralleis in Thracia Som cavil That Saint Paul trusted Titus and Timothy with a temporar Commission only becaus he employed them elswher but the rules prescribed for continued government to al Bishops cleerly convince that filly shift For his Instructions how Elders and Deacons Titus 1. 5. should be qualified plainly purport them to be Superiors to thos whom they shal so ordein and rule Thus S. Paul leaving two of his Disciples in two principal places to plant Presbyteries and propagat Churches gav a patern or platform to al who acted accordingly For S. John reputed longevest of the S John ordeined Bishops Apostles wrot long after to the Angels or Bishops of the seven Asian Churches most of which are named by Apostolic Men in Ecclesiastic Histories Such saith Clemens Alexandrinus and Eusebius S. John constituted Bishops in divers Cities after his return from Patmos Exile planted whol Churches and ordeined Presbyteries in several places as Paul and Timothy used to doo The like did other Apostles before their deaths in divers Dioceses as Dorotheus Demochares Eusebius Petrus de Natalibus Volateranus and many mo contest For Gaius and after him Onesimus sucâ—eded Timothy at Ephesus Apelles and after him Polycarpus becam Bishops of Smyrna Lucius of Laodicâ—a Clemens first of Sardis which are four of the said seven Churches and after of Rome as Ignatius Tertullian Irenaeus and other Fathers positivly aver To whos authentic affirmation more Faith is du then to thousand Novelists negativs wholy possessed with prejudicacy philauty and partiality The next Apostolic See is Antioch wher Beleevers were first 2 Antioch caled Christians which Church Peter and Paul jointly founded as Ignatius attests For two Christian Congregations coexisted ther one of the Circumcision wherof Peter took charge another of converted Gentils which Paul by mutual agreement supervised who being employed elswher committed the charge of both being concorporat in one to Evodius Antecessor of Ignatius Thes two are also accompted Cofounders of Rome 3 Rome Church by Irenaeus but writers differ much about their successors Som set Linus and Cletus or Anacletus next after them and som Clemens which dissent in circumstance cannot frustrat or falsify their consent and harmony in substance as partialists infer Haply ther being two Congregations as at Antioch of Jews and Gentils Clemens Peters Disciple succeded him in the first and Linus Pauls Deacon in the last til both uniting in one devolved on the Surviver Clemens as Mr. Thorndike probably conjects by comparing semblable cases However ther was afterward a constant succession of Bishops most part Martyrs til Constantins dais as al Antients agree But none are so absurd to say they were al bare Presbyters as if thos great Cities had one only Minister to Officiat In the Apostles dais before S. John died Denys Areopagit S. Pauls Convert becam Bishop of Athens as Denys Bishop of Corinth avers Lastly S. Marc was made Bishop of Alexandria in Egipt 4 Alexandria haply by S. Peter whos Disciple he was as S. Jerom saith That from Mare to Heracla and Dionysius in his dais mark wel Epest ad Evag. the words the Presbyters stil chos one in higher degree and dignity to be Bishop It was long after yer Corinth had any which caused such Schisms or strifes among the Elders yet many Apostolic Men Titus at Cret Timothy at Ephesus Clemens at Rome Denys at Athens presided in Neighbor Sees who in time placed Bishops at Corinth and other Cities which is a pregnant pedigree of Episcopal History for the first Century of Christ Afterward when question aros which Churches should hav Bishops which not It was regulated by the greatnes of Cities or multitud of Presbyters requisit to such charges and by slow degrees setled through the world Hence Sardinia Can 6. Synod ordered That no smal Towns shal hav Bishops wher a few Priests may serv but only Populous places that deserv one or antiently had one And the Chalcedon Council provided That Can. 17. when the Emperor established a City annexing the Territories adjacent or appendent it should hav a Bishop which made Itaely so ful of Bishops becaus so Cityful Now as Presbyters assisted the Apostles who caled them felow-Elders though not equals So they assisted Bishops in sacred matters specialy of Ordination as Ignatius informs So saith Cyprian He did nothing of himself without Counsil of his Clergy and consent of the People And S. Ambros That nothing was doon in the Church without the Elders advise Hence Bishops and Elders are oft caled by the same names yet of distinct degrees becaus both concurred in functions being stiled Priests Sacerdotes in respect of divine service Elders in regard of age or gravity and Presidents or Prelats in relation to their rule Thus their Phaesbytert Antistices titles were oft confounded but Orders and Offices stil distinguished which no brass-brow can gainsay S. Ambros renders a reason why S. Paul instructing Timothy passeth from Bishops to Deacons becaus every Bishop is a Presbiter and Deacon not convertibly but he chief over both Many maintain That Presbyteries primarily consisted part of Clerics part of Laics as the Jews Sanedrim had som Priests and Levits som Elders of the People but 't is fals for that was a mix'd Judicature of spiritual and secular persons like our old high Commission Court becaus al causes of Church and Common-wealth passed under their censure wheras
Pray and lift up your Heads 1 Thes 5. 2 3. for your redemption is at hand but such as liv securely as assured of their salvation speaking peace and safety to their Souls Sudden destruction shal com upon them as travel on a Woman With Child and they shal not escape The day of the Lord shal com as a Thief in the night therfore watch and pray for great things and terrible revolutions are at dore to befal at end of A. 1655. wherin this Author is most confident who proceds thus It rests to be shewed 1. What hitherto hath bin fulfilled 2. What at present is effected 3. What shortly is to be expected which is chiefly contained in the 11. and 16. Chapters The Revelation describes the State of Christs Church in the new Testament and what shal betide the fourth Monarchy under which it subsists This description includs three Periods of time 1. The Dragons Ethnic Kingdom when seven Crowns 1 Period stood on his seven Heads being publicly adored and Christians persecuted by Pagan Emperors to which reign Constantin Rev. 12. 3. Rev. 13. 1. 2. put a Period A. 312. and the Church triumphed til Theodosius died A. 395. At which time the Devil left his shape of a Dragon resigning his Host Seat and great Authority to the Beast with seven Heads and ten Horns which rose from the Sea 2. Antichrists Vicarian Lieftenentship under the Dragon 2 Period Rev. 12. 15 16. from A. 395. til A. 1655. now neer During which space the Pope or fals Prophet blasphemed Gods name and persecuted his Saints for one thousand two hundred sixty yeers but when the Dragon was cast to ground he cast water out of his mouth as a Flood to carry away the VVoman that is he stirred the North Nations to invade the Empire and infest the Church but the Earth swalowed the Flood for they embraced Christanity and erected sundry Kingdoms The Dragon seing Idolatry could not be publicly erected resigned to the Beaâ—t risen from the Sea on which the great Whore or Antichrist the Dragons Deputy Vicar crept up in thos wars rode his seat power and authority viz. his host of Devils or Idols wherin Ethnics worshiped him which his Antichristian Vicar stil continues under the name of Saints Herof St. John speaks Rev. 13. 3 4. al the World wondred at the Beast but worshiped the Dragon which gav him power and the Beast also saying who is like him or able to make War with him This Lieftenentship is to last forty two months or one thousand two hundred sixty annal dais which beginning A. 395. must end A. 1655. as is said Then folows the Churches tru peace or prosperity at last 3 Period Rev 20. 1 2 3. Period for at sound of the seventh Trumpet the seventh Wo cam on the Empire and the seventh Phial of Gods wrath was poured oâ—â— wherwith the Churches Enimies are cut off and the Devil shut up in the bottomless Pit for one thousand yeers so that nothing but tru tranquillity can insu Hence the Church Rev. 11. 15. exults with great voice saying the Kingdoms of this World are becom the Lords and his Christs who shal reign for ever To thes three times al three Parts of the Apocalyps are Analysis squared for the Son of God desâ—ribes the state of his Church and what shal befal the Empire in a triple maner 1. By seven Epistles chap. 2. and 3. 2. By a Book sealed ch 4. 5. 6. 7. 3. By a litle open Book ch 10. to the end He also appeered to John in several shapes 1. As a Son of Man ch 1. who suffred in the fiâ—â—t Period 2. As a Beast like a Lamb with seven Horns and seven Eys ch 5. which fights in the secund Period 3. As a strong Angel clothed with a Cloud ch 10. who reigns having al things put under his feet in the third last Period As a Son of Man in mâ—â—st of seven golden Candlesticks he declares the Churches condition in general by seven Epistles wherof the two siâ—st belong to the first Period the â—iv last to the se und but the Promises ch 2. and 3. to the last As a Lamb he opens the sealed Book Gods hidden Decree implying the Roman Empires estate distinctly under which the Church is built and subsists ch 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. and 9. viz. in the Politic State for the first Period til A. 395. which by opening the six first Seals is performed the Ethnic Emperors condition is shewed in the first fiv but the fal of Paganism in the sixth from Constantin to Theodosius death In the secund Period from A. 395. to 1655. when the seventh Seal is to be opened seven Angels with seven Trumpets declare by seven Judgments then executed the Empires ruin Ch. 8. 1. By Barbarians A. 395. 2. By Romes first sackage A. 410. 3. By suppressing the West Empire in Augustulus A. 476. 4. By abolishing al public Offices A. 552. 5. By Sarrasens as the first Wo tels ch 9. 1. to 12. 6. By Turcs ch 9. 13 to 19. 7. By Papists palpable Idolatry Murders Sorceâ—ies Fornications and other abominable sins as in the secund Wo ch 9. 20 21. In the third Period at entry of A. 1655. the seventh Angel sounds and Judgment is executed with the third Wo on the Churches Enimies wherby Gods mystery is fulfilled ch 10. 9. As an Angel covered with a Cloud having a litle Book opened which John swalowed he foretels what shal befal the Ecclesiastic State in al three Periods 1. The Church is built up under persecutions ch 11. 1 2. 2. 'T is gloriously beautified with the Sun having the Moon under foot as despising al mundan things and a Crown of twelv Stars the twelv Apostles on hir Head ch 12. 1. 2. 3. The red Dragon raiseth many Heresies and troubles but Constantin as Michael overcam him and expeld Heathenism v. 9. In the secund Period thes seven Synchronicisms are set forth 1. The holy City trod down by the Gentils ch 11. 2. 2. The two VVitnesses mourn in sack cloth v. 3. to 10. 3. The VVoman fled into the Desart ch 12. 6 to 14. 4. The ten hornd Beast blasphems God and makes war with the Saints 5. The two hornd drivs a pety pedâ—ing trade ch 13. per totum 6. The company of one hundred forty four thousand sing a new Hymn and liv blamless ch 14. 1. to 6. 7. The VVhore of Babylon or Papal Hierarchy rides and rules the ten hornd Beast of free accord ch 17. Herupon God forewaâ—nd hir by declaring his plagues and punishments ch 15. and 16. but when no redres folowd he past sentence to confound hir Hence in the third Period the Churches joy or ovation over hir Enimies total ruin is displaied with hir wished peace or tranquillity ch 19. Thes are the general Contents of al but many mo important particulars relating to our times occur which shal be summarily collected for the Churches