1. Of that Empire which was in the Apostles dayes is that by the Apostle intended that it should be first taken out of the way the standing of that being an hinderance to the Succeeding Government But that Empire was long since extinguished 2. The present Empire is of another kind being of the Popes own erection for restoring promoting and preserving his greatness His hand being in that thoughout So Bellarmine writing of the Translation of the Roman Empire in 3 bookes he makes the summe of his first book The Roman Empire being by authority of the Pope translated from the Graecians to the French And the summe of his 2d book The Roman Empire passing from the family of Charles the Great and the French unto the family of Otho and the Saxons by Authority of the Bishop of Rome The Title also of his 3d. book is The 7 Electors of the Empire to have been instituted by Pope Gregory 5th See the Popes hand in all he also even now approving and Crowning the Emperour elected And therein we find that fulfilled which was prophesied of this Second Beast the Papacy Its setting up an Image of the former beast which had a wound by a Sword that it should live speak and be worshipped Rev. 13. 12 14 15. For that first beast the Emperour having in Augustulus the last Emperour of that race received that i's deadly wound It was by the 2d beast that succeeded the Pope again restored and an Image of the former made by him an Empire set up to which he gave life so as to speak and be worshipped that is honoured and followed But 3dly observe that this is but an Image so is the now Roman Emperor compared with what was The now Roman Emperor is but an Image of the Ancient Empire saith Salmeron and the Majestie of the People of Rome by which the World was of Old Governed is now taken away from the Earth and the Emperour is now but an empty Title and is but a shadow onely So Eberhardus in Aventinus The Emperour of Rome is now but a bare Title without Substance Neither indeed is that his Title he is not now Styled Emperour of Rome but What is Is onely of Germany Rome being left for the Pope I shall before I conclude this add a little touching the greatness of this 7th Head or Government of Rome the Papacy And that it falls not short of the Greatness of the former Emperours of Rome according to the Estimate made of both by the Romanists For whereas Justus Lipsius his book of the greatness of the Roman Empire meaning that of old is styled Admiranda Thomas Stapleton professor at Lovaine intitles his book of the Papal greatness Vere Admiranda shewing that for extent strength and power over Princes the greatness of the Papal Empire is far surpassing for no marvail saith he if the Roman Emperor armed with 30 or 40 Legions had many Kings at Command but that the Pope a person unarmed should give Laws to the World and even to Kings advancing and deposing them at pleasure this is indeed marvailous He instanceth in Leo 3d. his giving the Empire to Charles the Great Leo 1. called the Great Bishop of Rome speaks thus of the greatness of Rome then compared with what was before under the Caesars and its former Governments Thou art saith he of Rome a Royal and Priestly City By the seat of St. Peter and Paul in thee thou art become the head of the world thy Rule is more by Religion than by Earthly Dominion For although thou didst formerly Extend thine Empire by many Victories by Sea and Land yet is that less which was by warlike prowess subdued than what is by Christian peace subjected to thee Leo. Serm. 1. in natali Apostolorum Petri Pauli And Prosper 1 de ingratis Sedes Roma Petri quae pastoralis honoris Facta caput mundo quicquid non possidet armis Religione tenet In all 1. We see the Papacy Romes Pontifical head raised above it self and from a 7th raised even to an 8th head 2. See the 7th head immediately succeeding the next preceeding the Emperor to be the Pope 3. That this 7th head so next succeeding to be that Man of Sin that Wicked So saith the Text v. 8. that he who letteth or hindereth being taken out of the way then shall that wicked be revealed 2 Thess. 2.7 8. On which thus St. Chrysostom when the Empire of Rome is dissolved or removed Antichrist shall invade that vacant place and snatch at the Empire both of God and Man Chrysostom in 2. Thess. 2. Hom. 4. 4. If the Emperor be removed and that long since and that man of sin was next following Therefore must Antichrist be already come and that long since and is now in the World 5. Therefore who would not conclude the Pope next succeeding the Emperor to be that man of sin and Antichrist Which will appear yet further in the next circumstance IV. Antichrists actings in the world when appearing by which he might be known among and above others of that we read here in v. 4.9 He opposing and exalting himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders These with others mentioned are signs given for Antichrists discovery when in the world which are to be considered particularly 1. Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God 2. Exalting himself above all called God 3. Shewing himself that he is God 4. Concerning after the working of Satan 5. Shewing himself to be Antichrist an opposer 6. And in all to be that man of sin that wicked that son of perdition Some may think the Pope not concerned in these but what if he be what if these taken together are all to be found in him and in him alone and in none other then surely will appear This man of sin this Antichrist who he is I. As to Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God of that I have spoken his sitting there speaks him as chief there which being by the Pope challenged and asserted by his as his propriety of that needs no more to be spoken the Popes so acting and he alone and no other in the world beside him II. As to his exalting himself above all called God And who are they that are called Gods This is in Scripture said of Princes and Magistrates I have said that ye are Gods but ye shall dye like men Psal. 82.6 7. they are but called Gods not so indeed for they dy like men and that I have said ye are Gods shewes their Title to that their high name of Gods that it is from God who saith it so of them that is from his word he calleth them Gods to whom the word of God came John 10. 34 35 36. that is by God commissioned and
proper to the Pope alone and taken altogether not meeting in any other but in the Pope only Therefore on the whole who would not conclude the Popes being Antichrist the man of sin and son of Perdition II. By which last His being said to be a Son of perdition I am brought from Antichrists Rise to the last consideration here concerning him Antichrists down fall which follows on the other necessarily for if he be a man of sin he must be a son of perdition Of this his fall it is here said that the Lord shall consume him with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy him with the brightness of his comeing v. 8. that they all might be damned who believe not the truth v. 12. where is distruction 1. To him 2. and to his 1. To himself 1. His being consumed 2. Destroyed 1. That he consumed by the breath of the Lords mouth The breath of the Lords mouth is the preaching of the Gospel which is the word of God so Generally interpreted And to be consumed implyes a lingring wearing away and by degrees wasting and decaying not a violent and suddain destruction such as was Simon-Magus his down-fall said to have been on St. Peters breath or prayers against him Of this Consumption of the Papal power and greatness by the preaching of the word and Gospel in the world we have apparent evidence I shall give it as by Bellarmine expressed he by that waining in the Papacy arguing against the Popes being Antichrist Antichrists greatness and prevailings in the World being much spoken of whereas his fall and declining state is also described as si his greatness Bellarmines words are these Since that time when ye Protestants say the Pope began to be Antichrist the Papal Empire was so far from increasing that thenceforth it every day more and more declined And as you would have it Antichrist reigning the Roman See hath by little and little decayed it having lost almost all Africa a great part of Asia all Greece and even in our very days a great part of Germany Sweden Gothland Norwey and all Denmark A good part of England France Helvetia Poland Bohemia and part of Hungary are fallen away Bellarm de Rom Pontif. l. 3. c. 21. This way by Bellarmine written an 1577 as appears in the Preface to that work so as that decay in the Papal Empire was then within the space of 60 years accounting from the year 1517 the time of Luthers Preaching of which he speaks declaring the Pope to be Antichrist What then may be the consumption and decay there at this time being 150 years since 2. But that Consumption of this son of Perdition shall end also in destruction utter and irrecoverable whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming See this Rev. 17 where the ten horns of that scarlet coloured beast on which that woman Rome sitteth are expounded ten Kings which had not then received their Kingdom but were to receive power as Kings one hour with the Beast v. 12. These were states of the Western Empire which on the decay of the Empire did setup for themselves all with one mind giving their power and strength unto the beast and making war with the Lamb who shall overcome them v. 14 But those ten horns shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with Fire v. 16. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his Will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Beast till the word of God should be fulfilled v. 17. Which fall of Antichrist in several degrees is declared by several Angels in that imployed 1. An Angel preaching the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 the beginning of Antichrists fall and gradual consumption 2. Another Angel declaring the downfall of that Antichristian state Rev. 14.8 3. An Angel forbidding the worshipping the beast or his image and receiving his mark in his forehead or in his hand denouncing judgments on such Rev. 14.9 10 11. 4. An Angel calling out of Babylon and to separate from her not to partake of her sins and plagues Rev. 18.4 6. 5. And another Angel giving a sign of irrecoverable destruction by casting as it were a milstone into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all Rev. 18.21 Thus of Babylon Rome and Antichrist's fall as to it self considered II. See that also as to their Adherents in which our charitable thoughts of them have been by wrong measures mistaken to some disadvantage that which we say in that is 1. That there was a time when Antichristianism was a mystery not understood Antichrist not being yet so declared as after 2. And that after Antichrist was pointed at in the Church of Rome yet while erroneous doctrines there were but disputable not imposed as after in the Council of Trent to be de fide with an Anathema to such as thought of them otherwise and to such as did not understand the reach and depth of those evils and where the light of the Gospel is shut out as in some places and the knowledge of that denied and persecuted For these is our charity grounded to say well of them as of those of Thyatira who had not known the depths of Satan as they speak Rev 2.24 and those of Pergamus dwelling even where Satan's seat is yet saith our Lord thou hast held fast my name and hast not denied my Faith even in those dayes wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain among them where Satan dwelleth v. 12. To be among Hereticks and not to believe Hereticks or not being led by them is St. Augustine's distinction in that case such ignorance may excuse But as to ignorance affected having Light and means of knowledge and when called on to come out of Babylon its ruine being declared and communion there declared perillous To such we say that their continuing so in that state is hazardous and full of danger Nor can such rely on ignorance it not in that case excusing For in this is condemnation where light is come and men love darkness rather than light John 3.19 and where the leaders of the People cause to err they that are led of them are destroyed Is. 9.16 and the blind by them so led both fall into the Ditch Math. 15.14 4. But as to those who are knowing and who defend and plead for Baal seducing and being seduced and so continuing the state of such is declared damnable that they all may be damned saith the Text who believe not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness v. 12. and to such belongs that evil by the Angel declared if any man worship the beast and his image and receive his Mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation and he shall
answer to this subject which is expected this shall be then verified to the World And if the Invasion anno 1588. or the horrid Gunpowder-Treason Nov. 5. 1605. had taken effect more of their cruelty would have appeared Such is that Antichristian cruelty and that yet worse in its being grounded on their very Doctrine Religion and Faith they being taught that they ought so to do thereby thinking that they do God service John 16.2 and that to themselves also in so acting Meritoriously Which Bloud-thirsty cruelty against the Worshippers of Christ sticks as a distinguishing mark of this Romish and Babylonian Antichrist in being drunk with the bloud of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Which is peculiar to those alone not to be found in any other party of the Christian World beside In that is this a man of sin above others and wicked exceedingly 3. Add that the being a man of sin is as it were fixed to the very Papacy it self so as even its very Office incapacitates to Goodness They cannot do good if they would in reforming what they are convinced is evil Adrian 6. Convinced of the Corruptions objected by the Germans to the Court of Rome and resolving to reform at least in part and in some and declaring himself for it was by Franciscus Soderinus Cardinal of Preneste called Cardinal of Volaterra diverted from attempting any thing in that kind but directed rather to the ways of his Predecessors with Fire and Sword to prosecute those who objected those Errours to the Court His Oration to the Pope to that purpose is extant On which Pope Adrian discoursing after privately with William Excourt whom he after created Cardinal and Theodorick Hesius his familiar and trusty Friend said That the condition of Popes was miserable seeing it was plain that they could not do good though they desired and endeavoured to do it Which agrees with what Onuphrius writes of Pope Marcellus 2. who on something a like debate with his Cardinals and they dissenting from what the Pope proposed for good he striking the Table with his hand said I see not how those can be saved who are in this high place in which I am Platina also writes of Pope Celestinus 5. that he deposed himself and gave up the Papacy Vt salvus esse possit that he might be saved which was said to have been cunningly suggested to him as by a voice from Heaven by the Artifice of Benedictus Cajetanus who thereby made way for succeeding him as Pope by the name of Bonifacius 8. Plat. in Vit. Celest. 5. Bonifac. 8. 4. And lastly As to Holiness which is the Popes Title let no man think of finding Holiness among them For if they prove but indifferent good or not so evil as other mortals use to be they are accounted most holy saith Papirius Massonus De Episc. Urbis l. 6. in Julio 3. To which add what Sir Edwin Sands observes of a Proverb in Italy and proverbs founded on observation have a strange tendency to truth That of the Italians the Romans are the worst Christians of the Romans the worst are made Priests of the Priests the worst chosen Cardinals and of Cardinals the worst commonly elected Popes Spec. Europae In which we see him as Antichrist so a man of sin also The summe of all is I. That what that great City Babylon of the Chaldeans was as to oppression and cruelty to Gods people of old Jer. 51.34 35. That should be to the Christian Church another great City called also in a Mystery Babylon the mother of the Abominations of the Earth drunk with the Bloud of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.5 6. II. That this great City Babylon described a woman sitting on 7 mountains and reigning over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.9 18. is acknowledged to be Rome They therefore who send us to Jerusalem or Constantinople for the place put us out of the way in that enquiry III. That in Rome should sit one by whom after the Faith there settled the inhabitants of the earth should be seduced and drawn into damnable Heresies and that he the authour of those miseries and mischiefâ— to the Church should be a man of sin commonly called Antichrist This the Romanists themselves acknowledge IV. That in so doing this Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God as being of the Church and over the Church in chief pretending for Christ he the while acting against Christ. A seeming friend but secret enemy a secret not an open declared and professed enemy to Christ and his followers Therefore cannot this be the Turk or any such V. That this Antichrist sitting in the Temple of God should be in the capacity of a seventh head of the Government of Rome next succeeding the sixth head or Government there that of Caesars This brings it home to the Papacy That and none other being the 7 th and that also long since on the Emperours removal setled Vain therefore are allegations for any others being this Antichrist not being of Rome nor there so qualified VI. That the Pope sitteth in the Temple of God as God shewing himself there as God and exalted above all that is called God and worshipped VII Here is to be added what is in Rev. 17.3 4. said of that woman that great City and Babylon That she did sit on a scarlet coloured Beast and that she the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and decked with Gold In which she is described as to her very Habit the proper attire both of Popes and Cardinals VIII Nor is to be omitted what is Rev. 17.5 said in a way of further description of that woman that upon her forehead was a name written Mystery Babylon the great the mother of harlots and Abominations of the Earth Concerning which is observed that as the High Priest under the Law had in the Front his Miter engraven HOLINESS TO THE LORD Exod. 29.36 37. So the summus Pontifex the Pope had also in his Tiara that name Mystery Which having been observed and objected by King James of blessed memory in that his Excellent Work on the Revelation Lessius his Antagonist denies it not but labours to put it off slidingly nor could it be denied there being many Eye-witnesses to averre it Down de Antichr l. 1. c. 7. which his name of mystery well agrees with that mystery of iniquity by which his evil and secret workings are described 2 Thess. 2.7 one not unlikely referring to the other But from God it is surely providentially that that word mystery should so be seen in the whores forehead shewing who she is notwithstanding that they who contrived it might have had other ends in it as that the Popes Triple Crown pointed to that mystery of his Triple power and dominion in Heaven and in Earth and in Purgatory So as in the Papacy concur all these Scripture-marks of Antichrist And although some may be applicable otherwise yet are the principal
the houshold of God built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord in whom they are also builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Ephes. 2.19 20 21.22 And as by the Temple so by Jerusalem also is the Gospel-Church of Jew and Gentile signified and that also as the Church is Militant and Triumphant Jerusalem which is above being mother of us all Gal. 4.25 26 27. In which it is to be observed that the state of the Christian Church is set forth in the Revelations by 2 Visions of 2 Women One the Holy Christian Church represented in a Woman cloathed with the sun and the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of 12 starrs she travailing with Child shewing her numerous Issue who was before barren Isa. 54.1 she also and hers prosecuted and persecuted by the dragon but preserved Rev. 12.1 2 3.6.13 14 15 16 17. But the other woman signifying the Church Antichristian persecuting the true Professors and drunk with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.1 2 4 5 6. Observe also that these 2 women or the Church under these 2 states and conditions are also represented by 2 Cities the great City Babylon and Jerusalem that City named Babylon Rev. 17.5 18. being for that Antichristian state but the other City Jerusalem Rev. 20. 21 22. for the Church of God the new Jerusalem and Temple no wonder then if by Jerusalem and the Temple the Christian Church be signified 5. And that Jerusalem and the Temple there could not be the place where that man of sin or Antichrist was to sit appears in that Babylon the city contrary to Jerusalem is declared Antichrist's seat Also that the description given to that City the seat of Antichrist no way suits with Jerusalem see for that Rev. 17.6 7 8 18. where by Babylon the Romanists we need go no further intend Rome and for that the Rhemists earnestly contend in their Annotations on 1 Pet. 5.13 The Church that is at Babylon saluteth you saith St. Peter which is their Scripture-proof for St. Peters being at Rome Also Cardinal Baronius speaking of the name Babylon in the Revelation Certissimum est c. it is most certain saith he that by the name Babylon the City Rome is signified and Cardinal Bellarmine by Babylons description agreeing to Rome concludes out of Turtullian Notissimum est c. saith he It is most evident and acknowledged that Rome is built on seven hills nor was there any other city which in the dayes of St. John had dominion or reigned over the Kings of the earth but Rome onely Rome saith he and no other city not Constantinople which although after styled Rome or new Rome being also seated on hills yet did not that then in St. Johns dayes reign over the Kings of the Earth And as to Jerusalem nothing of all that could be said of it neither that it was so situated on seven hills nor then reigning over the Kings of the earth Jerusalem being then with her children in Bondage Gal. 4.25 and that to the Romans and by the Romans soon after destroyed And if Rome be the City for that malignant state then must the Temple of God be understood to be there and Rome to be the place for Antichrist's sitting But it is objected how the Church of Rome should be then called the Temple of God where Antichrist sitteth Res. So was Jerusalem also once the Faithful City And even when at worst after their crucifying the Lord it was then called the Holy City Math. 27.53 having that name from what before it was So was Rome once famous over the World for its faith Rom. 1.8 and the Church there was the Temple of God And it was an honour to the Church of Rome that it held out longer than some other Churches and opposed the Heresies rising and prevailing in the Eastern Churches yet as those famous Churches of Asia fell from their Purity particular Churches may fail so did Rome it self after and that once faithful city became an Harlot Rev 17.5 as was said of Jerusalem and their silver was become dross and their wine mixt with water Isa. 1.21 22. once Pure now Mixt and Corrupt with Errors and they even Apostate from that Faith professed by their Forefathers yet from what once was and from what is yet there left of Good though mixed and corrupt that Church is called by the Apostle here The Temple of God and there Antichrist sitting The summe of all is that Babylon which is acknowledged to be Rome and the Temple of God there or the Church of Rome Apostate from the Faith formerly professed is the place where Antichrist is to be expected and found which was the 2d circumstance here considerable for Antichrist's discovery his place sitting in the Temple of God III. The Next is that of time when he should appear Little difference is between the Romanists and us as to the place but the question is of the time for as the Jewes speak of Christ yet to come so do they of Rome concerning Antichrist and that he is expected about the end of the World and at Rome when Rome shall turn Apostate but we Assert that Antichrist is already come and that long since and that he is even now in the World acting as is said of him which is to be now examined The time for Antichrist's appearing is thus in the text expressed v. 5 6 7 8. Remember ye not saith the Apostle That when I was yet with you I told you these things and now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time for the mystery of Iniquity doth work already onely he who now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way and then shall the wicked be revealed Unto this is to be added that in Rev. 17. both places joyned making up this whole matter For in Rev. 17. we read of a woman sitting on a beast with 7 heads that woman being that great City Rome and those 7 heads interpreted both 7 hills on which that city is seated And also 7 Governments called 7 Kings Kingly or supreme Of which 7 Governments of Rome it is said that 5 are fallen and one is and the other not yet come and that when he cometh he must continue a short space and that the beast that was and is not and yet is which is added v. 8. even he is the eighth and is of the seven and goeth into perdition v. 10.11 For opening both which Texts together 1. It is granted that Rome is that great City seated on seven hills and ruling over the Kings of the earth 2. That these seven heads or governments are Romes seven Governments also 3. Of those seven Governments of Rome it is said that