this Holy Vessell with Glory give him the Crown of all the Holy Martyrs he is no longer ours but your companion and thou O God strengthen his arm that he may do thy will give him thy Helmet and Winâ—s to fly from his Enemies then they shew hâ—m a Crown of Glory and say Lord respect this thy Arm and Executioner of thy Justice then they tell him they see a Divine Lustre in his Face which moves them to fall down and kiss his feet and now he is no more a mortall man c These and all other lusts are indulged even by the Doctrines and Principles of Papists for if venial sins do not render a man unworthy of the love of God are but trifâ—es toyes gnats aâ— Bellarmiâ—e calls them Lib. 2d de peccatorem If the Pope can get great Indulgencies of which he hath so many kinds Indulgencies for certain days or years some partial some plenary for all sins yea interdum plena plenior for more then all some for this life some for ever What should hinder but that they should take the bit in the mouth and rush into all wickedneâ—s as the Horse into the battel especially adding what Navarrus Cordubensis and others by Bellarmiâ—'s own confession teach that if men rush into sin upon the hope of such Indulgencies they may be nevertheless absolved But I have stood too long upon this head our Protestant Writers have clearly and learnedly evinced the falsity of this Religion only because many of their Arguments are in Latine I thought it not amise to add somewhat for the satisfaction of vulgar Readers 2. Abhor Popery for it is a bloody Religion Rev. 17.6 and I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus The Pope writes his Laws in blood where-ever he erects his Throne he is the Son of perdition in an active as well as in a passive sense Poor England hath had experience of Popish cruelty and so hath Ireland too in one of whose Provinces 140000 Protestants were Massacred by them in the late rebeâ—lion Popish cruelty spares none piâ—ies none how have Protestants been compelled 〈◊〉 tortures to discover their dearest relations wives being first defiled have been forced to give the deaths wound to their dear husbands bloody villains putting the sword into their hands and guiding them in the Execution Godly Christians compelled to carry Faggots to burn their own Faitful Pastors Children of eight years old whipt to death for Religion Yea such hath been their rage against the sincere professors of the truth that beyond all examples of malice for pascitur in vivos lâ—vor post fata quiescit they have not only hunted after the Living but violated the Graves and burnt the bones of dead Samsâ—â— thu they dealt with Bucer â—agius Wickliffe c. O England What cause hast thou to bless the Lord for so long a respit from Papish cruelty thine own Histories may sufficiently inform thee what rivers of precious blood have streamed through thee what flames of Martyrdom have raged within thy Cities and Villages when these ravenous Wolves and bloody â—ygers were let loose to rayaâ—e in all thy borders And what cause hast thou to tremble at the first approaches of these â—urculent foes whose rage is boiled up to a greater height then ever and should they return upon thee again which Heaven prevent they would exceed all former examples of crueâ—ty Poor England those knives which lately providence put into thine hand were intended to be sheathed in thy bowels art thou able to endure such another bout as the last age did Hear how one of the faithful Watchmen now out of their reach expostulated upon the same account with thee Can you saith he endure to see a stranger to Lord it in your Habitations and your Dwellings to cast you out for your pleasant and well tilled Fields to be made a prey for you to sow and another to reap impius has segetes c. for the delicate Woman upon whom the wind must not blow that scarce dare venture to set the soul of her foot upon the ground for tenderness to be exposed to the lusts and crueltie of an enemie to be glad to flie away naked to prolong a miserable life which would gladly be parted with for death were it not for fear of the exchange for the tender mother to look upon the child of her womb and consider Must this child in whom I have placed the hopes of mine age for omnis in Ascanio stat chari â—ura parentis he that hath been so tenderly bred up Must he fall into the rough hands of a bloody Soldier skilful to destroy It had been well for me if God had given me a miscarrying womb and dry breasts rather then to bring forth children unto Murtherers Or if you could be safe How could you endure to see the evil that shall come upon your people and the destruction of your kindred I do not rhetorize and faâ—â—â— to draw affection your brethren are a sad Comment upon what I have spoken and Ireland the Stage upon which you may see this Tragedie acted before your eyes 3. O hate Popery For it is not only a Bloody but a blasphemous Religion If we be Christians indeed the dishonour of Gods Name should affect us more then the shedding of the warmest blood in our veins this Scarlet Whore is full of the Names of Blasphemy Rev. 17.3 Popery is a meer Rapsodie of Blasphemies Luther hath gather'd several of their blasphemous doctrines out of their own Cannons to our hands of which let a few suffice 1 Papa sui c i. e. The Pope and his are not bound to be subject and obedienâ— to the Commands of God 2. Sole significari c. i. e. By thâ— Sun is signified the Papal and by the Moon the Imperial or Secâ—lar Power in the Christian Common wealth 3. Paâ—â—am habere iâ— Sirinio pectoris sui c. i. e. That all Laws are in the Coffer of thâ— Popes breast and full power over all Laws 4. Si pâ—pâ— suae c i. e. If the Pope be so negligent of his own salvation so negligent and remiss in his Office that he should draw innumerable multitudes to hell with him to be there ever tormented yet may no mortal man reprove him of any fault in so doing 5. Papam habere potestatem c. â— i. e. The Pope hath power to commute and dissolve vows made to God and then if any man defer to pay his vow according to Gods Command he is not held guilty 6. Quad non Papa a Scriptura c. from the Pope 7. Summa Summarum c i. e. The sum of all their Câ—mical Law is this that the Pope is a God in the Earth Superiour to all Coelestial Terrestrial Spiritual and Secular persons that all things are his and none may say unto him what dost thou I am loth to offend
true observation That whosoever will attempt the overthrow of Religion must begin with the Ministery first â—hese are set for the aâ—â—ence of the Gospel It was the counsel that Adam â—onizen a deep-pated Achitophel of theirs long since gave in this case Suppres saith he the Ministers Et error cui patâ—acinium deerit sine pâ—â—nâ— concidet and then the error that hath none to patronize it will fall of it self So he calls the precious truth of Jesus Christ I dare not affirm that this was intentionally done to open a door of opportunity to them but that eventually ' its like to prove so who that exercises reason sees not When so many pious Ministers went off the Stage it was apparent enough what an opportunity these men had to ascend it and act their part 2. Secondly The destruction of our Famous City the strength and glory of the Nation whiâ—h they have laid in the dust a designe no douht contrived in the Popâ—sh Conclave they well enough knew how able London was to give check to their designes My heart bleedeth for thee London to see thee made of a City an Heap of a Defenced City a Ruine a Palace of strangers to be no City And if they can have their will that which follows in the text should be added It shall never be built If Parliaments will heaâ—ken to them they will perswade like Rehum and Shiniâ—ai Ezra 4.14 that it may lie stiâ—l in its Ashes and upon the same pretentions let search be made say they in the Book of Records of thy Fathers so shalt thou find in the Book of Records and know that this City is a rebellious City and hurtful unto Kings and Provâ—nces and they that have moved sedition within the same of old tâ—me for which cause it was destroyed But I trust the Lord will make our Rulers wise to discover their bloody intentions how speciously so ever palliated with pretences of Loyalty and Fidelity But mean while London is ruined that goodly mountain laid wasâ—ed the most glorious City in all respects that ever the Sun looked upon now a desolate Wilderness O London who can sufficiently bewail thy misery for mine own part as the Orator solemâ—izing a sad Funeral desired to have learned Mortality from another â—ubject rather then that of Scaliger So might it have pleased the Lord I should have been glad to have learned the vanity of all worldly glory from another example then that of Lonâ—â—n How doth the City sit solitary that was full of people she that was great among the Nations and Princess among the Provinces O London thou sealest up the summe and wast perfect in beauty Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day thou wast created untill inâ—quity was found in thee Thy renown went forth among the Heathen for thy beauty for it was perfâ—ct through the comliness thy God had put upon thee But thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty thou dâ—dst corrupt thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness Therefore the Lord hath cast thee to the ground and brought forth a fire from the midst of thee which hath brought thee to ashes London hath grivously sinned therefore is she removed all that know thee among the people are astonished at thee thou art terrour to them London may now sit down by her Sister Ierusalem in the dust and say Is it nothing to you all ye that pass by see and behold was there ever any sorrow liâ—e unto my sorrow which is done unto me wherewiâ—h the Lord hath afflâ—cted me in the day of his fierce angerâ— They have heard that I sigh there is none to comfort me all mine enemies have heard of my trouble they are glad thaâ— thou hast done 〈◊〉 thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called and they shall be like unto me Let all thâ—ir wickedness come before thee and do unto them as thou haâ—â— done unto mâ— Mine enemies have devâ—uâ—ed me they hâ—ve crushed me and made me an empty vessel they have sâ—allowed me up like a Dragon The violence done unto me and to my flâ—sh be upon Babylon shall the Inhabitants of London say Remember O Lord the Inhabitants of Babylon in the day of London who said Raser rase it even to the foundations O daughter of Babylon that art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast seâ—ved us Let no man think that I endeavour to obscure the righteous Hand of God which is to be own'd and trembled at in such a judgment Though London must acknowledge his justice in all that is come upon her yet the wickedness of Instruments is not in the least to be excused thereby God and man may concurre in the fame action and yet neither his holiness have any fellowship with their wickedness nor their Injustice be excused by his Righteousness Idem quod duo faciunt non est idem His work is perfect for all his wayes are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is He they have corrupted themselves Deut. 32.4.5 Wilt thou not confess London that thy sins were the sparks that kindled thy flames doubtless thou wilt such was thy pride Epicurisme Formality and Barrenness under such precious waterings as thou once enjoyedst above all the Cities in the world that thou mayest say it is of the Lords mercy thine Inhabitants had not all perished with their Habitations and that God had not made thee like Sodom for what couldst thou expect when thy Lots were going but that devouring flames were coming But to return from this sad though necessary digression hereby it is manifest the common Enemy hath obtained a singular and long expected advantage to their design often have they in vain attempted it but now God hath delivered it into their hands Well might they rejoice as they did to see its flames ascend and drink healths to its ashes For upon divers politick considerations it might easily be demonstrated that their cause and interest is revived and warmed by that fire 3. Lastly it cannot but much more heighten our fears if we consider the sad posture we are in at this day of our Eminent Danger Three or four sad particulars I shall here suggest and let none think it to be a laying open of our nakedness and weakness to the Enemies for I shall tell them no News in telling you that 1. They are much encouraged in that the Ceremonies of their Religion find such acceptation among us It was long since observed That as the morning ushers in the day so the Ceremonies of any Religion serve to bring in the Religion it self If we are heartily resolved against Popery What do we with their Garments Gestures Altars Crosses Liturgies and Officers among us upon this reason the Divines of Hamburgh withstood the Cerimonies of INTERIM of which they gave this account to Melancthon These indifferent things say they are nothing else but the seeds
4. They add to and detract from the Scriptures at pleasure Bellarmin saith Pontificem posse mutare per ut Eclesiae expedit positivae precepta Apostolorum i. e. The Pope can change the positive precepts of the Apostles for the behoof of the Church 5. They will not stand to Scripture Tryal and Judgment for the Decision of Controversies but cry out to the Fathers to Counsels to Schoolmen as appears in our own Acts and Mon. in multitudes of examples 6. They restrain the people by penalties from reading the Scriptures perswading them to resolve their Faith into the Authority of the Pope and believe Implicity as the Church believes Ergo. That Religion which ascribes the glory of mans salvation to himself and not to Christ alone is a false Religion But the Popish Religion ascribes the glory of mans salvation to himself and not to Christ alone therefore 't is a False Religion The Major is undeniable the end of Religion is the glory of God the Christian Religion utterly excludes the glorying of man in himself Rom. 3.27 where is boasting then it is excluded by what Law of works nay but by the Law of Faith Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy be saved us c. The Minor is evident for themselves teach that the proper certainty of hope is in merits that certainty which is not presumption is of merrits and to be measured by merits Alexand. Ales. quest 3 d 65. Merits saith another are the foundation of our hope Piliucius tract 22. n. 244 therefore That which is the Religion of Antichrist is a false Religion but the Popish Religion is the Religion of Antichrist Ergo. The Major is evident for the Doctrine of Antichrist is a lye 2 Thess. 2.11 a mistery of iniquity ver 7. The Minor appears as evidently in that the Notes and Characters by which Antichrist is described and indigetated in Scripture agree to Popery and to it only The Pope is that Ho Anomos that lawless one 2 Thes. 2.8 He sits in the Temple of God challenging Supremacy over all Churches He sits there as God exalting himself above all that is called God ver 4. They attribute to him the Name of the Lord our God Oraclo vâ—cis mundi moderaeris habenas Et merito in terris câ—ederis esse Deus Sixty 4th His comming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders of which there are numberless multitudes in Popery their Legends swarm with them He hath horns as a Lamb viz pretences of meekness and innocency but speaks lâ—ke a Dragon Rev. 13.11 He arose out of the earth stirpium more after the manner of plants growing by insensible degrees to this monstrous greatness to him only agree all the other Caracters in Rev. 17. alibi therefore That Religion which tolerate and countenances all manner of Pride Covetousness Lust Murders c. is a False Religion but the Popish Religion tolerates and countenances these and many other fleshly lusts therefore it is a false Religion The Major if doubted may easily be proved by all those Scriptures which shew the purity of true Religion as Jam. 1.27 pure Religion and undefiled before God c Tit. 2.12 teaching uâ— that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts c. Psal 19.9 the fear of the Lord which is there put for his Worship is câ—ean c. The Minor may be as easily proved from their own Histories and Writings and many other credible Authors As for their Pride let an instance or two suffice Sir Richard Baker in his Chron. p. 30. tells us that Aldred Arch Bishop of Canterbury upon the repulse of his Suit by King William the first grew discontent and offered to depart when the King in awe of his displeasure staid him fell down at his feet desired pardon and promised to grant him his Suit the King being all this while down at the Arch-Bishops feet the Nobles that wete present put him in mind that he should cause the King to rise nay saith the Arch-Bishop let him alone let him find what it is â—o anger St. Peter Richonius that proud Papist was not ashamed to tell the world in Print that a Priest is as much above a King as a King is above a Beast yea as God iâ— above a Priest Their Coveâ—ousness is also insatiable all things are vendible at Rome even the Blood of Christ is set to sale for money they have vast Revenues from the very Stues and Brothels The blindest times took sâ— much notice of their Covetousness that though they durst not speak out yet exprest their apprehensions and just indignation against them in Pictures There was found in the tâ—e Abby of Fuâ—ba besides other Embldms taxing Popish Prelates the Picture of a Wolfe in a Monks Cowle and shaven Crown preaching to a Fâ—ock of Sheep with these words coming in a pendant out of his mouth God is my witness how I long for you all in my bowels and underneath was written This hooded Wolf is the Hypocrite of whom in the Gospel beware of False Prophets this Picture was made two hundred yeers before the Reformation by Luther Another like this was found at Ptortzheim onely with this difference that the Wolf was preaching to a Flock of Geese every one holding in his bill a paire of praying beads Prodigious Lusts are found among them they forbid Marriage and scatter their Lusts like bruâ—e beasts promiscuously St. Gregory commanded that their Priests should not marry but understanding what filthiness they commited and finding in one Fishpond six thousand Heads of young â—nfantâ— that had been murdered he repealed his decree Yea their own Writers tell us such stories of their wickednâ—ss in this kind that I am ashamed my pen should English the Learned Râ—ader may find more then enough in Bernard in Cant. Serm. 66. Alvaâ—â—z â—elâ—g de â—lâ—â—ct Ecles lib. 2. artic 24. Peter Aliacus Paliugeriuâ— Câ—â—nelius Muâ— c. Most horrid murders are frequently practised by them yea and encouraged with promised rewards in Heaven Hospinian shewes us how the Iesuites animate him whom they employ for the murdering of Kings they bring him into a Chappel where the Knife lyes wâ—apt up in a Cloath with agnns Dei engraven upon it then they open the Knife and sprinkle it with Holy Water fastning to the Haft some Consecrated Beads with this Indulgence That so many Stabs as he gives the King so many Souls he saves out of Purgatory they they commend to him the Knife in these words O thou chosen Son of God take to thee the Sword of Iephte Sampson David Gideon Iudith of Maccabeus of Iulius the Second who defended himself from the Princes by his Sword go and be wisely couragious and God strengthen thy hand then they all fall upon their knees with this prayer Be present O ye Cherubims and Seraphims be present ye Thrones Powers Holy Angels fill