offered by the Learned Mede Lib. 3. p. 643. 1. Because though they did arise to great Power in the World yet they had not their seat in that great City which in St. Johns time reigned over the Kings of the Earth which this Babylon is Expresly said to have 2. That they did not rise by Apostacy from the Christian Religion which this Babylon with her head the Man of Sin did for as this worthy Author saith the Turk whatever he be could be no Apostate because he was of a Nation that never was Christian. To which we shall add somthing for the clearing of this head that we may discharge that Debt we owe to God to the Church and the World. 3. It cannot be the Turks because they are not strangely and wonderfully mysterious which this Babylon is said to be Rev. 17. 5. And upon her fore-head was a name written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou Marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman and the Beast which carryeth her which hath the Seven Heads and Ten Horns What special mystery hath shewed it self to the World from the Turks and Saracens more than from other common Empires or Kingdoms that is matter of admiration to the wisest of men Is it matter of wonder that the Turks do own but one true and most high God Is it matter of wonder that they do own Jesus Christ to be a Prophet and a good man Is it matter of highest wonder that they prefer Mahomet above Jesus Is it matter of wonder that they appear true to their Contracts in matters of Civil Commerce Is it matter of highest wonder for them to endeavour to keep what Dominion they have and to enlarge it to make Slaves and Prizes of those profest Enemies they take Prisoners We say in none of these things is there any high Mystery or matter of greatest Wonder being things common to all Places and Kingdoms Invested with Power For 1. Did not the great King of Literal Babylon own the only true God yet still held the Church in Captivity 2. Did not Israel own the same and yet kept their Idols after their revolt from Judah 3. Did not Judah prefer Moses above and before Christ and at that time when Christ was personally among them working most Stupendious Miracles which did evince his Divine Mission Nay did they not prefer a Common and Notorious Villain before the Blessed Lord of Glory when they desired a Murtherer to be freed and pressed hard to have the good and Blessed Jesus the Saviour of the World killed And did not this wise Apostle know this to be true in fact and to Equal nay outdo any thing that the Turks or Saracens ever did or can be accused of And if St. John was Transported with astonishing wonder at Matters much less than he had seen before doth it not give good reason to suspect him of Weakness and Defect that he should suffer himself to be surprised with the greatest wonder at far less things than he had seen and known before certainly therefore we must conclude there was something more of mystery in Johns Vision than what had been shewed to the world by the great Turk or any other Power and indeed undoubtedly the greatest Mystery that ever the World was acquainted with For the Characters of Babylon must either be singular that is such as none have besides or else they must be transcendent to go far beyond what others had in a Lesser degree Otherwise John might have kept the Description of Babylon to himself there being no clear Distinctions to render the wisest and most Discerning men able to make Judgment upon her The mystery then that is written upon this woman Babylon seems clearly to lye in these particulars following First That she doth transact the most horrid wickednesses that ever the world was or is like to be acquainted with Secondly That under this monstrous Guilt she is prodigiously Confident and without all regret or show of shame and most Impudently boasts of the highest Sanctity and Holiness in the World viz. That she is Totally Pure Infallibly Certain and cannot err c. That this indeed is a Mystery to be wondered at let it be Considered 1. That a Shepherd should be a Wolf and devour that flock which he pretends to be an Overseer or Pastor of 2. That a professed Servant of Jesus Christ and the meanest of Saints should exalt himself above his Master and not above his Master only but above the God of his Master and all other Deputed Gods that are Vicegerents to the King of Heaven by slighting and trampling upon the holy Scriptures and Laws both of God and Princes dispensing with the breach of them indulging the highest violation thereof and setting up his own Inventions Traditions and Decrees above them insomuch that there is a thousand times less danger in their esteem in respect of Excommunications and Corporal Punishments in this World or of Damnation in the World to come in breaking and violating the Laws of God and Princes than there is in the violation or breach of the Inventions Traditions and Decrees of Mystery Babylon and her Head. 3. That one sitting in the Temple of God pretending himself as a poor Apostle Vicar and Successor of Christ nay as the Successor of a poor Fisher man should wear the highest Ensigns of Imperial Dignity 4. That he should be so Lordly and prodigiously Insolent who was commanded to the greatest Humility and Abasement as to tread upon the necks of Emperors kick off the Crowns of great Princes and make Kings his Foot Pages 5. That he should pretend highly most highly to God Christ Religion and Holiness and yet Espouse to himself as the Darlings of his Bosom not only the Chiefest Sons of Belial but all that will decline Sanctity and Religion and embody themselves with those first born Sons of Wickedness that are of the highest Magnitude and engage themselves in such Monstrous and Butcherly Practices that humane Nature as such could never act in the Butchering Brute Beasts 6. That the Spouse of this prodigious Monster should in Profession own God Jesus Christ and the things of Religion of which Justice and Charity Holiness and Compassion are not the least parts and yet under this Vizard and in the very time of these pretensions perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World First In being the Top of Pride Secondly In committing palpable Idolatry Thirdly Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness Fourthly To curse swear and blaspheme the very name they profess to be sacred Fifthly To cast down the Truth burn the Bible deface the holy Books and Laws of God Sixthly To assume not only a Power to Dispense with the Violation in the highest Nature but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure Seventhly To commit Adultery and account it a Venial Crime Eighthly To break
pretence of the most High and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdomâ— Of this last opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of of Rome venting it self in most horrid and Barbarous Cruelties against them and that for a long Series of time as appears by our most Authentick Ancient and Modern Writers who give a very ample account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred years last past in all parts of the Christian World where they have had Power To which opinion of the Waldenses most of our Modern Protestant Divines agree of which we shall mention only Cartwright Fulk the worthily Admired and Learned Mede not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France as may be seen in their works at large 7. Some of the Papists who grant that by Babylon Rome is meant but would have it to be Rome towards the End of the World when they say Rome shall apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again and now because we will not take things upon trust nor refer the reader to many Books and Quotations it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much brevity as we can And first That Mystery Babylon cannot be fairly applyed unto the whole World of wicked men nor to old Chaldean Babylon nor to Jerusalem the Turks nor Saracens nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome noâ— Rome towards the End of the World when they say Rome shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again And that none else can be meant or intended by her but the Papal Power of the Church of Rome 1. Mystery Babylon cannot be the whole world of wickedmen for in opposition to this 1. The Apostle John speaks here of a certain great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth v. 18. This cannot be meant of the wicked world 2. The World of wicked men are those Inhabitants of the Earth whom this Woman made drunk with the Wine of her fornication Now she that made them drunk and those that were made drunk cannot be the same 3. This Woman v. 9. sitteth on seven mountains and so do not all the wicked of the World. 4. We are Commanded to come out of this Babylon but we are not obliged to go out of the World. 2. If she were the old Chaldean Babylon then 1. Where is the mystery mentioned Rev. 17. 5. 2. Mystery Babylon here mentioned is by all acknowledged to be the Seat of Antichrist So was never old Chaldean 3. Besides it is generally agreed to by all not without good grounds that Literal Babylon was no more than the Type of her which is all we will speak to it 3. It cannot be meant the City of Jerusalem 1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time when he saw this Vision and wrote the Revelation which this City Babylon is expresly said to do Rev. 17. 18. And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Jerusalem having been not only under captivity divers times before but was then entirely under the Power of the Roman yoke as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm and themselves do most plainly Confess We have no King but Caesar. 2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast as to be capable to ride as Queen Regent upon him as this Woman Whore or City is said to do Rev. 17. 7. And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman and the Beast that carryeth her which hath the seven heads and ten horns Rev. 17. 7. compared with verse 3. so he carryed me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet Coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns For by the Woman sitting and the Beast carrying is undoubtedly signified Influence Power and Dominion which Jerusalem was far remote from not only under the Roman Monarchy but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it viz. the Babylonian Grecian and Persian as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History 3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters which is Interpreted to be People Nations and Tongues that is had not command or dominion over them as this Woman Whore or City is said to have Rev. 17. 15. And he saith The Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time Luk. 2. 1. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed and particularly Galilee Nazareth Judea and the City of David called Bethlehem 4. Jerusalem was not capable to Enchant and Bewitch all Nations round about her either by her Religion and Doctrine or by great Gifts and Rewards 1. Because the Roman Power kept her under and much in awe on the one hand not owning nor subscribing to her Religion 2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion Blocked up her way on the other hand that she could not Extend her Influence to either Neighbouring or Remote Nations as this Woman Whore or City is said to do Rev. 18. 23. For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived 5. Jerusalem though she were guilty of much Blood from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomons time Killing Prophets even all that were sent unto her Murthered John Baptist and our Lord and Saviour as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been Barbarously Murthered by Massacre and Publick Martyrdom since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon Rev. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman Drunk with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration as indeed well he might as shall be shewn And in her was found the Blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth that is since the Destruction of Jerusalem 6. And Lastly not to multiply more upon this head Though Jerusalem was fearfully destroyed as the History of Josephus shews yet shall she rise again be Built upon her own Heap be replenished with her own Children which this City Babylon under Consideration shall never be after this Catastrophe which John saw visionally coming upon it Rev. 18. 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great Milstone and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all 5. It cannot be the Turks and Saracens for two reasons
to Lie Swear and For-swear to Kill Slay and Murther such they call Hereticks tho never so Godly if it be for the cause of Holy Church with a thousand things of the like nature which the people do believe and dare not disown upon their Salvation but boldly adventure to ingage at all opportunitys to Fight and make War burn Citys lay waste Countries and Kingdoms and destroy by Massacres and all manner of Murthering ways all Ranks and Degrees of Men who oppose the horrid principles of this vile Church and cursed practices of these Sons of Belial Nay they will go boldly to their own deaths when convicted and justly condemned for such like villanies and deny to day what they were convicted of yesterday and tho never so notoriously guilty yet will take it upon their Death they are as innocent as the Child unborn what can this be tho they drink it down as sweet Wine but an Infusion of the rankest and most deadly Poyson that the lowest celler of the bottomless Pit can afford the very Wine of the Whores Fornication and the most dangerous Intoxication in the World Which is attended with this aggravation i. e. the best medicines of the wisest Physicians will not recover them for Babylon having made the multitude drunk with this sort of Poysoned Wine how rare is it to have any to come to themselves or to their right minds again And to shut up this Head take this argument Arg. If no people in the Christian World have made the multitude of the common People or Inhabitants of the Earth drunk i. e. corrupted and Intoxicated their minds with wicked Lyes Falshood and detestable Doctrines as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon But no People in the Christian World have made the multitude of the Inhabitants of the Earth Drunk i. e. corrupted and intoxicated their minds by wicked Lies falsehood and detestable Doctrine such as before mentioned as the Church of Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon IX Mystery Babylon is said to sit upon a Scarlet-colour'd Beast and this Beast is full of the names of Blasphemy And I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy c. Rev. 17. 3. So that it appears the Woman and the Beast are distinct by the Woman is meant the false Church by the Beast is meant the secular power or civil state or the Antichrist or that Government that is the eighth and of the seventh who assumeth both the Civil and Ecclesiastical Authority by whom the Whore false Church and Worship is supported That the Beast and Whore are distinct is evident 1. From other Prophecies relating to the same thing 2. From the letter of the text 3. From arguments grounded on reason 4. From the confession of the Whore her self 1. From the Prophecies in the Scripture describing the same state of the Roman Monarchy Dan 2. the latter part of the Image is partly Iron and partly Clay two states that were really distinct that could never so in corporate as to become one 2. From the letter of the text I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemies The colours of the Royal and Imperial vestments as the Angel declared them distinct so the Apostle saw them distinct 3. They appear to be distinct from argments grounded upon reason For 1. The Beast is in the Masculine Gender the Whore in the Feminine Gender 2. Because the Whore is said to ride upon the beast the one carrying the other 3. The horns being of the Beast 't is said shall hate the Whore if they were not distinct the Whore must hate her self and eat her own flesh c. which is nonsensical 4. The Beast shall abide tho in captivity after the Whore is thrown down and destroy'd 4. From the plain confession of the Whore her self they are distinct who saith I sit a queen I am no Widdow c. Ergo she has a Head or Husband which is the vile Person little Horn and Ecclesiastical Beast or that man of Sin St. Paul declared should rise after the then present Romish power which did lett was taken away which the primitive Fathers as Tertullian Cyprian Jerome and others understood to be the Imperial power in its pure civil iron or unmixt-state or Legs of the Image Dan. 2. Paral. Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only drawn into Idolatry the Kings of the Earth great men abusing God his Son Jesus Christ and the Christian Religion and the blessed books of the Old and New Testament but she hath made the lower and ruder sort of the people drunk too as hath been shewed And 't is no wonder she thinks she may do any thing having a dispensation from heaven as she pretends which the Pope keeps the Keys of fearing no power on Earth And now that she hath the secular power to support her upon which she sits or rides in great pomp is evident and that they are really distinct for what of the secular power is still left at Rome is under the conduct and management of the Church there being no civil administration of Justice or exercise of Laws but what is authorized and allowed by the Pope the Head of this Ecclesiastical State to make this further evident the Pope doth not only exercise a power of appointing seculars at Rome and near to it but he claims the like supremacy abroad in other Kingdoms if the secular Princes fall off from him or will not be reconciled to him and own him as head of the Church he will excommunicate and depose them and takes away their Crownâ— and Sceptres from them that the Pope is a temporal Prince as well as an ecclesiastical Bishop i. e. makes Laws exacts Tribute raises Souldiers and acts a Monarch is notoriously known which fairly affords him the title of Beast that his Royal and Scarlet Robes the Chair he sits in to his very Hose and Shoes with the Vestments of his Cardinals is Scarlet so that ye need not doubt but here you have the Scarlet coloured Beast besides no man can reasonably doubt that what the Civil power claims the Ecclesiastical power exercises and that this Princely Pope is in the Masculine and this Harlot or false Church in the Feminine Gender is owned by all partys That the Church state doth sit upon ride and govern the secular at Rome Italy and all its Territories that the Church of Rome owns that she is no Widdow but hath a head called his Holiness or supreme ruler of the Church is so evident that we cannot find them upon any file of record of controversy There remains therefore no more to be done here sith this black character of Mystery Babylon doth so well meet in the Romish Church Arg. If there be no visible state in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast
Truths of Jesus Christ all which fully shews that this second mark of drunkenness drunk with Blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus meets in the Church of Rome Thirdly She has the other mark of drunkenness upon her also i. e. she matters not who she abuses and exercises her cruelties upon she has sometimes cut off her own dear Children viz. Roman Catholicks amongst such she calls Hereticks as it happened at Bezier and other places crying out Kill all both Catholicks and Hereticks saying the Lord knows who are his nay she has made the Wife to kill her Husband the Husband to murther the Wife Children to destroy their own dear Parents and Parents their Children â—f these things do not shew she is drunk drunk with Blood what can From whence â— shall draw this argument and conclude Arg. If there be no body of people or community of Christians in the World who have been guilty of so much Blood Blood of Saints â—nd good Men even so as to be drunk with Blood as the Church of Rome are Then â—he Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon But there is no people or community of Christians â—hat are so guilty c. as Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Ergo the Church of Rome â— Mystery Babylon XIV Mystery Babylon hath one mark more whereby she may be known i. e. She â— said to sit upon a Beast that hath Seven Heads and Ten Horns the Seven Heads â—â—em to signify as the Angel opens it seven sorts of soveraign governments as well as hills read the Text And here is the mind that hatâ— wisdom the seven Heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth And there arâ— seven Kings five are fallen one is and one â— not yet come but when he is come he maâ— continue a short space And the Beast that wâ— and is not even he is the eighth and of the seveâ— and goeth into perdition Rev. 17. 9 10 11 Besides all that we have said it we find nâ— Papal Rome here viz. having this characteâ— upon her we will acquit her for ever for tâ— city that is built upon seven Hills is Rome nay you will find that all Authors do general assert that Rome is the only City in the Worâ— that is founded on seven Hills and fame for it by its old Poets as it is noted by â— late Annotators as Ovid Virgil Horaâ— Propertius The names of these Hills aâ— known viz. Palatinus Quirinalis Aveâ—â—nus Celius Veminalis Esquilinus Capitâ—nus But the seven Heads do not only as â— said before signify seven Hills or Mountaiâ—â— but also seven Kings that is seven sorts governments which ruled or were to rule that City where the Beast reigned that caâ—ried this cursed Harlot the term Kings Scripture signifying rulers whether the government was in a single person or more â— Deut. 33. 5. Now that Rome hath had Sevâ— sorts of distinct soveraign governments in her is so notoriously known that the Romanists can't deny it â— Kings Romulus being the first King II. Consuls III. Tribunes IV. Decemvirs V. Dictators VI. Emperors that were Pagans VII Emperors that were Christians five of these were fallen or gone off the stage before St. John received his Revelations the Government of the Pagan Emperors was in being at that very time the seventh was to appear and to continue but a short spaco viz. the Christian Emperors government For it cannot be the Papal power for that was not up in St. Johns time so not the sixth Head. And as the Papal power for that reason could not be the sixth Head so for a very good reason it could not be the 7th Government because whensoever that appeared it was to continue but a short space which cannot intend the Papal power but answereth to the Christian Empire for that government did continue but a little while comparatively but 't is evident the Papal power has continued longer than any of the other soveâ—â—ignties that wont before and if the Papal power be not the sixth Head nor the seventh then it must needs be the eighth which is of the seventh and â—oes into perdition â—…fe it can't be any power at all of the fourth 〈◊〉 Roman Monarchy But a power it is yea and a great power too of the fourth or Roman Monarchy And that which carrys the Whore according to the express letter of the Text and so acknowledged by the best of exposition so that in the whole by the Woman City or Whore that sitteth upon the seven Mountains and where there hath been seven several sorts or forms of Government is meant Rome there is no cause to doubt for the great Sons of Rome themselves as Baronius Bellarmine and many others do confess the same but would defend their Mother from being Mystery Babylon by putting it off to Rome-pagan which we have clearly detected in the first chapter of this treatise And therefore do affirm that Rome Papal is neither the sixth noâ— seventh sort of government but is the eighth and of the seventh The Christian Emperon in an overheated zeal and bounty to the Roman Bishops giving him the advantage by getting that power which through policy and pride he attained to in the end so he comes to be the last Beast or eighth Government in which there is a secular and an Ecclesiastical power joined together which makes up â— Beast a blasphemous Beast who hath two Horns like a Lamb which is this twofold power but a mouth like a Dragon and a Whore a most devilish drunken and bloody Whore. c. Arg. If Rome Papal or Church of Rome be born up by a secular power which hath had seven soveraign governments in a City seated upon seven Hills or Mountains then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great Whore. But Rome Papal or Church of Rome is born up by a secular power which hath had seven soveraign governments in a City seated upon seven Hills or Mountains Ergo Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon XV. There is yet one mark or character more of Mystery Babylon i. e. she is said to be that City that reigned over the Kings of the Earth and the Woman that thou sawest is that City that reigns over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17 18. Now that Rome is such a City that since St. Johns time hath for several hundred of years reigned over the Kings of the Earth is so evident none can deny nay and that Rome Papal hath governed a great part of Italy her self owneth ever since Constantine who gave it as she saith as a Patrimony to St. Peter and that she hath governed or hath had her Kingdom over Germany Poland France Spain Portugal England Scotland and Ireland c. is clear so that their Kings have been governed by her whom she would they killed and whom she would they saved alive whom she willed they worshiped and so became guilty of drinking the Wine of her fornication whom she
those who worship the Beast and his Image and not upon the Beast himself and false Prophet To which our worthy Author replies that it is Impossible that an Empire should be smitten with Plagues and Judgments of God in order to its being weakned and impaired and that its head and Soveraign should in the mean time no ways suffer to which I might add but contrarywise great strength thereby the union saith he that is between the head and the members is wholly inconsistent with any such a notion whensoever the body is very sick the head is in a very ill condition and this holds more truly in reference to a Political body than to the body Natural whereas 't is a Spiritual Empire viz. Antichristianism the Judgments that are to be executed upon it are to be Physical and Penal evils which as punishments are to weaken and subvert it the Judgments of God against an Empire whose criminalness from the very nature of it lies in its Errors i. e. Idolatry Tyranny c. which comprehends in them the corruption of manners cannot consist in evils of offence but the first 4 Vials according to Jurieu import evils of crime not of punishment do strengthen and advance the Empire or Papistry in all that is essential to it instead of depressing and enfeebling it for it never had so great power and Splendor as it enjoyed from the 10th to the 14th Century and that is the time according to Mr. Jurieu for the effusion of the 1st 4 Vials never man was certainly more mistaken our author proceeds and confutes Jurieu as fully in respect of what he affirms to be the effects of the other 3 Vials which I have not room to insert p. 17. In p. 24. our Author confesseth that Luthers reformation was a Judgment of God upon the Papal Kingdom yet not the effects of the 5th Vial according to Mr. Jurieu nor the 1st Vial according to some of our English Writers for he withal says that it was an effect of the 6th Trumpet which continueth to represent the War of Antichrist against the Church of God till then Antichrist had been always victorious against the Saints for more than a 1000 years but then came to receive a disaster now this misfortune befel the Papal Empire saith he under the sixth Trumpet which being the last save one was the season that the War was hastning to an end and that the last Trumpet was about to sound under which this War will both actually end and all the Vials come to be poured forth but the damage which the reformation hath done the Papal Kingdom tho' it hath dismembred it is only a beginning of its sorrows and is but an effect of the War which was to continue 42 months during the time of all the six Trumpets and which shall be finished thro' the effusion of the Vials under the 7th Trumpet to which let me add what greater reason have our English Writers to fix the pouring forth of the 1st Vial about the time of Luther's reformation wrought by his preaching above others who go as high as Waldo nay with Jurieu to the tenth age since there was some worthy men in every Century that bare a brave testimony against the Papal Idolatry and wounded the Papistry very sorely tho' 't is granted not to such a degree as in the last age Besides what reason is there to conclude the Harvest of Gods wrath is come till 't is fully ripe and why should we conclude it will be fully ripe till the 42 months are expired which seems to be the set time of cutting down I do conclude the slaying of the Witnesses of Christ quite fills up their measure and so makes way for the 7th Trumpet and Harvest of Gods wrath when the measure of the Churches afflictions shall come to their height and the Beast will have filled up his number and measure of wrath against Gods people then will the time of Gods fury break forth which will be as he observes when the 6 Trumpets cease sounding and the seven Vials which are the seven Plagues shall arrive and begin to take place against the Papacy and against Mahometism 't is saith he for this reason that 't is said by the seven last Plagues which are the Vials the wrath of God is finished from whence it followeth that the Vials are not contemporary with the sixth Trumpet and that it is not the sixth Trumpet that is subdivided into the seven Vials but that this subdivision is to be assigned to the seventh Trumpet the sixth as well as the five preceding speaketh nothing save War against the Church of God so long as it lasts Antichrist abates nothing of his fury but constantly makes the same Efforts for the oppressing of the Truth and such who do profess it But as soon as the seventh Angel comes to sound the case will be quite altered the Wrath of God will break forth and the Vials empty themselves And this is the reason why the Vials are called the seven last Plagues by which the Wrath of God is fulfilled Lastly He shews us that the seven Vials or last Plagues do manifestly allude to the Plagues of Egypt because they are called Plagues as well as Vials and are also poured out upon Spiritual Egypt and seeing saith he the Plagues of Egypt did take up but a short space of time we may not allot years nay may be saith he not allow months for the Execution of all the Egyptian Plagues why then should it seem strange that all the Vials should be poured out within the space of fifteen or eighteen years The third woe cometh quickly under which all the seven last Plagues shall be poured out which signifieth that all the Plagues shall be poured out saith he close upon one another in this he so agrees with what Mr. Canne hath written upon the same account directly let us remember that there is no natural Agent which acteth with the rapidity that fire doth our God is a consuming fire and 't is a terrible thing to fall into his hands the fire of Gods wrath will burn doubtless when it begins to seize upon the combustible matter of the Antichristian state with great fury God will make a short riddance of his Enemies the second woe is past and behold the third woe cometh quickly Rev. 11. 14. We are to observe saith he that this is not said in prediction of the two first woes all that is said of them they shall come but this quickly is not added save in the prediction of the third woe When we may conclude that the seventh Trumpet shall immediately follow the Resurrection of the Witnesses whose death as it fell out in 1685 so their Resurrection shall ensue within three years and a half in this he agrees directly with Jurieu it will be well if they do not both prove mistaken However there is no doubt but we are near the time of the end and I hope the Witnesses
opinion was that Worthy and Learned Divine Mr. John Canne and some others time will open these things more clearly but I am perswaded whensoever those Vials and last Plagues come to be poured out Gods Judgments will be so manifest that they will be discerned and known of all and be quite different from all other Judgments that have fallen upon the Antichristian State and people from their first rise But since we are in the Judgment of all Godly and Learned men come towards the end of the wonders let none be discouraged for though there is very near a most dismal hour yet it will doubtless fall upon the heads of the wicked and such who are of Baby lons Race and Spirit the Godly shall see the Lord hath not forgotten them nor the righteous Blood that has been shed but will appear suddenly to plead Sion's controversie and set up his own Kingdom therefore let us be much in prayer and cry mightily to God and be ready to meet the Lord in his more glorious appearance for we are very confident a very dreadful hour is near and it will come upon carnal secure and all formal Protestants nay fear shall surprize the sinners in Sion tho' it will be a glorious hour to all that are found faithful to Jesus Christ I desire all enquiring persons to weigh well what we have said in the latter part of this Treatise and if it affords any further light to any of them let them bless God I am in hopes it will put many upon a further search into the Prophesies of the Scripture about the time of the end However I sha'l at present say no more but leave it to the blessing of the Lord till I see a little further what God is about to do and at present take my leave of thee and remain thy Servant in the Gospel Benj. Keach THE CONTENTS CHap. 1. Various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon 1. Not the World of wicked men 2. Not old Chaldea Babylon 3. Not Jerusalem 4. Not the Turks and Saracens 5. Not Rome Heathen 6. Not Rome towards the end of the World after some Papists say Rome shall Apostatize to Paganism again 7. By Mystery Babylon is meant the present Papal or Romish Church proved from p. 4. to p. 38. Ch. 2. Proving all the marks that the Scripture gives of Mystery Babylon meet directly in Papal Rome from p. 39. to p. 102. Ch. 3. Literal Babylon a Type of Mystery Babylon shewed in 12 particulars from p. 103. to p. 116. Ch. 4. Shewing the little Horn Dan. 7. to mean the Pope in 10 particulars from p. 117. to p. 127. Ch. 5. Proving that our Saviour in Mat. 13. 15. and St. Paul in Acts 20. 29. and 1 Tim. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 3. pointed out the Papal Church from p. 128. to p. 135. Ch. 6. Shewing the Judgment of divers Eminent Writers concerning who the two Witnesses are and who not p. 136. That they have been lately slain and are risen or about to rise p. 140 141. What the Ascention of the two Witnesses are and that 't is near p. 145. Ch. 7. Where is shewed the Judgment of many English Writers about the seven Vials with an Answer to Mr. Peter Jurieu who has lately asserted in his Treatise that they are all poured out Proving by many Arguments that there is none of them as yet poured out nor will till the seventh Angel blows his Trumpet from p. 153. That England is the Street of the great City where the Witnesses were to be slain or lye dead p. 182 183 c. The Kingdom of Christ begins at the Earthquake or at the beginning of sounding of the seventh Trumpee and that 't is at the door p. 186 187 188. Divers strange Prophesies p. 188 189. Postscript Wherein you have the substance of what a late nameless great French Writer has said in Answer to Mr. Jurieu about the Non-effusion of the Vials p. 193. Antichrist stormed Or Mystery Babylon the great Whore and great City proved to be the present Church of Rome or Papal Hierarchy CHAP. I. Wherein the various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon are discovered and all their Objections Answered who deny by her is meant the Papal Power or present State and Church of Rome 'T IS evident to all who are men of any Reading that most of our Eminent Protestant Writers both Ancient and Modern do affirm without the least doubt that the Church of Rome is the great Whore spoken of Rev. 17. called Mystery Babylon yet we find that most worthy men who have of latter times so well defended the truths of the Gospel in opposition to Popery have not so much bent their Study this way I mean directly to prove that which is our present task as it hath been to detect divers or most of her erroneous principles and detestable practices which is rather to Lop off some of the Branches of this Evil and Cursed Tree than to Dig it up by the Root for if it be clearly proved that she is that great Whore viz. Mystery Babylon the great Mother of Harlots down she goes at once and if we have not done it so effectually as it may be desired yet we are in hope wherein we have been defective it may stir up some abler Pen to perfect what we have anew undertaken But to proceed for the more orderly management of our present work it may not be amiss if we give you the various opinions that have more or less presented themselves to the World about who or what People this great Whore Mystery Babylon is which may be reduced to these seven following heads 1. And first of all as Reverent Mr. Pool observes some would have it to be the whole World of Wicked men 2. Others would have this Woman â—or this Babylon to be old Chaldean Babylon 3. That it is Jerusalem and that for two Reasons 1. Because the man of Sin or last Beast that is to Head this Babylon is set forth by St. Paul to sit in the Temple of God shewing himself to be God. 2. Because this City where the Beast reigns and shall slay the Witnesses is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was Crucified Rev. 11. 8. 4. That it is the Turkish Empire or Power of the Saracens which Mr. Mede somewhat touches and in a brief way most Learnedly argues against in his third Book pag. 644 645. 5. That it is indeed Rome the Seat of the Fourth or Last Empire but Rome in its Heathen state under the Idolatrous and Persecuting Emperors so the Rhemists would have it if there be a necessity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical or Mystery Babylon For this opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond who hath done very worthily at other turns but here has doubtless greatly mistaken his way see his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse 6. That it is the present power Church of Rome who under
Secret that is to be opened and considered namely Whether all things in John's Vision or Prophecy that are applied to Mystery Babylon did compleatly terminate in Rome Heathen and came no further In answer to this great Enquiry we do with the body of Protestants in opposition to the Papists conclude the negative viz. That all things in the Apocalypse applied to Mystery Babylon did not terminate in Rome Heathen the reasons of which Negative are as followeth 1. Because the Beast that Mystery Babylon rides on is the eighth Head or last Ruling Power of that City that is seated upon seven Hills which must be Rome Papal because the whole Race of Rome Heathen was gone off before the eighth Head came up The sixth Head was in John's time the seventh was to come and continue but a short space The Beast that carries the Woman viz. Babylon is of the seventh but is the eighth and shall be the last for he goeth into Perdition This being so evident from the Letter of the Text needs nothing more to confirm it Now that Rome Heathen was not the last part of the Romish Power is not only the full and joynt Consent of all Writers upon this subject but is so evident to all the Christian World that it would be vanity it self to make a shew of proof The Conclusion then is this If the very last part of the Roman Power carries the Woman Babylon and that the Heathen State of Rome went off before and was not the last then Babylon could not terminate in Rome Heathen but must come down to Rome Papal see Rev. 17. 3 7 9 11. 2. If Babylon be totally terminated in Rome Heathen then the Book of the Apocalypse is of little use to the Latter ages of the Christian World For if the whole Transactions relating to the Persecution of the Church and the slaughter and destruction of God's Enemies did end in Rome Heathen then it served only to give a Characteristical account of a Beast and Whore that was grown old and ready to go off the Stage but hath wholly left us in the Dark and given us no notice at all of that horrible Confusion and Bloody Persecutions which have Reigned in the Christian World for more than a thousand years last past which for length of time Numbers of Murthers and manner of Cruelties hath outdone all the wickedness of Rome in its Heathen State. Which is not at all likely that a Vision should be given and a Revelation made and call'd so about a State that was almost expired and the most and great principal part wholly left out and said nothing to Who can Imagine that a careful Saviour should be so full in his discoveries to the Jewish Church concerning their sufferings and the time under Egypt and Babylon Literal and be so short and lean to his Gospel Church to leave them altogether without any written Prospect or extraordinary Prophet to inform them what should come to pass in the world from the going off of the Power of Rome Heathen to the end of all the Churches Troubles which have already lasted above a thousand years The Conceit of which is fit but for two Ranks of men to Receive viz. The Roman Catholicks and such Protestants as Look for Antichrist to come at the end of the World after the Restauration of the Jews to their own Land and building a material Temple at Jerusalem where Antichrist shall sit three days and an half or years to kill two men called the two witnesses 3. If this last Babylon was wholly to terminate in Rome Heathen then there was no cause of wonderment and great admiration for a wise man to see in a Vision an Heathenish State under a Diabolical Influence to perform Actions suitable to their State and not contrary to their Professions for what matter of Wonderment can it be to feel the Wind blow to see the Sea foam and hear the Waves Rage and Roar when the Winds oppose his Effluxion And what cause of great wonderment and admiration for a wise man to see wicked Heathens oppose and Persecute Christianity when it is so suitable to their Spirit and agreeable to their Profession so to do we cannot yet understand and we will diligently Listen to them who will undertake to inform us For the thing is true that a wise man did wonder at the sight he saw with great admiration Rev. 17. 6. I saw the Woman drunk with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great admiration Wondred O strange At what To see that which was Common to all ages the Seed of the Serpent that profest Heathenism the wicked even the worst of the Wicked by Principles and profession to plot againâ— the Righteous and to gnash upon him witâ— their Teeth Idolaters Profest Idolaters tâ— persecute the Servants and Worshipers of thâ— true God those that were born after the flesh and live after the flesh to persecute them thaâ— were born of the Spirit and lived after thâ— Spirit Surely if our adversaries opinion wâ— true in this Case that Babylon is only Româ— Heathen St. John had forgot that Cain killeâ— Abel and Ishmael persecuted Isaac and tooâ— not so much notice of the course of the World common to every Age as Paul did whâ— said But as he that was Born after the Flesh persecuted him that was Born after the Spirit as it was then so it is now And what strangâ— wonder is in all this 4. Rome Heathen never was espoused married or united to the Lord Jesus in spiritual way Visibly owning his Laws and submitting to his Government as a Wife submits to and obeys her Husband and afterwards casts him oft and chuses another Heaâ— and Husband and therefore cannot be mystical Babylon or the great Whore for though the Heathens were great Idolaters yet were they never charged with Spiritual Adulteryâ— nor could they unless they had once by visible profession made a covenant with oâ— espoused themselves to the Lord Jesus which Rome Papal before its Apostacy did Therefore Rome Heathen could not be the great Whore or mystical Babylon 5. Rome Heathen cannot be the Babylon â—et forth by St. John unless she be guilty of all the Christian Bloud shed upon the Earth since the destruction of Jerusalem for as the guilt of all the Blood shed from Righteous Abel to the Death of Zacharias is by our Saviour fix'd upon Jerusalem and cannot be â—emoved to another People so the Blood of â—ll Martyrs and followers of Jesus is by the Revelation fix'd upon the last Babylon Rev. â—7 6. I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood â—f the Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus Chap. 18. v. 24. And in her was found the â—lood of the Prophets of Saints and of all â—hat were slain upon the Earth But Rome â—eathen was not guilty of all the Christian â—lood that was shed upon the Earth by Murâ—ers Massacres and Martyrdoms since the â—istruction of Jerusalem for to
look back â—ut for six hundred years last past in which â—me we shall find hundreds of thousands of proâ—st Christians most Butcherly and Barbarously â—ut to death for their Zeal and Love to the â—hristian Religion in the respective Nations â—f Europe before which the Heathenish state â—f Rome was gone off about the space of six â—undred years so that if we will regard the full satisfying of this Prediction about Mystery Babylon we must of necessity bring her down lower than the Heathenish State of Rome 6. Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon under consideration because the discoverie of other Prophecies relating to the same State no way agree to the Power of Rome Heathen 1. This State of Babylon is called Mystery of Iniquity This no way agrees to Rome Heathen but fully agrees to Rome Papal compare 2 Thes. 2. 7. with Rev. 17. 7. viz. For the Mystery of Iniquiry doth already Work The Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman and of the Beast that carryeth her 2. The head of this State of Mystery Babylon is called the Man of Sin by way of Eminency 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not only beyond the common rank of Men but beyond the highesâ— Sons of wickedness that went before him And there is a great Truth in this for if wâ— consider the Pope in respect of Pride Hypocrisy Idolatry and Blood he is the most unâ— parallel'd Man of Sin. 3. This State or Mystery of Iniquity bâ— gan to work in the Apostles days which 〈◊〉 no way applicable to the Power of Rome Heaâ— then for that did not then begin it beinâ— at that time in the very Meridian of its Greatness and universal Sovereignty Luke 2. 1. And it came to pass in those days that there came out a Decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be Taxed 4. This man of Sin mystery of Iniquity or head of the Babylonish State is said to be let or hindred in his designs He that now letteth will let until he be taken out of the way 2 Thes. 2. 7. But now Rome Heathen had no let or hindrance either from the Word of God or that declared it as it was a Civil Magistracy to be Gods ordinance nor from any opposite power either Civil or Military they giving Laws to the greatest part of the World and enjoying the supream Government of the best Kingdoms in the Universe none being able to Cope with them at that time 5. This head of the Babylonish State is said to sit in the Temple of God which the Power of Rome Heathen did not do neither in the Temple of Jerusalem nor in the Church which is more properly the Temple of God for the Jews kept the possession of the Litteral Temple till it was destroyed and for the Church of God the Heathen Emperors never loved it so well as to make their residence in it but the Bishop of Rome before he shewed himself to be that wicked one viz. the man of Sin did evidently sit in the Church or Temple of God and so fulfilled this Prophecy in the very Letter of it 6. He that is the man of Sin or head of this Babylonish State was to rise by Apostacy or falling away from the Christian Religion 2 Thes. 2. 3. There shall come a falling away first exactly agreeing with another Prophecy to the same purpose 1. Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith c. But Rome Heathen did not rise by Apostacy from the Christian Religion or a departing from the Faith which they never professed as is Evident to the whole World Ergo. Rome Heathen Cannot be this Babylonish State. 7. This man of Sin or head of mystery Babylon lay hid in the Apostles time and was not revealed but the Power of Rome Heathen did not then lye hid or wanted to be revealed for it stood visible and high upon a Hill even upon seven Hills according to the Roman Poet Ovid who lived about the very time of Christ's being on Earth in Lib. de Tristibus Sed quae de septem totum circumspicit Orbem Montibus Imperii Roma Deûmque Locus That is But Rome which from her seven Hills the whole Earth views around the place of Gods and Rule c. Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylonish State. 8. This mystery of Iniquity is said to oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped 2 Thes. 2. 4. But this the power of Rome in its Heathen State did not do for they Worshipped offered Sacrifices and bore a reverence to their Gods which by nature indeed were no Gods and 't is only the head of Rome Papal that runs down all Gods but those of his own making Ergo Rome Papal and not Rome Heathen must of necessity be this mystery of Iniquity 9. The rise or coming of this mystery of Iniquity is after the working of Satan 2 Thes. 2. 9. But the rise of the Romish greatness and power when Heathen was not after the working of Satan but was said by Daniel to be produced by the Providence of God or the four winds of Heaven And by the Apostle to the Powers ordained of God Rom. 13. 1. Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be the mystery of Iniquity c. here meant 10. This mystery of iniquity is not only said to come after the working of Satan 2 Thes. 2. 9. but also with all Power c. But the rise of Rome Heathen was not after that manner Ergo c. To illustrate the first Proposition note that the Term all Power marks out the Romish Pope so notoriously that whosoever runs may read it for if we do but impartially consider his impudent usurpations upon Crowned Heads and his pretences of supremacy over the whole Christian World his proud imperious Decrees Bulls c. his disposal of the Kingdoms of Princes and the Inheritances yea the very Lives of private Persons of any Rank that dare disobey him his pretences to shut and open Heaven Hell and his feigned Purgatory his carrying a symbol of that vast and God like Power viz a brace of Keys hanging at his Girdle All these will appear as clear demonstrations that the head of Rome Papal is the head of Babylon and the grand Impostor or the capital manager of this mystery of Iniquity he having most sacrilegiously assumed to himself all Heavenly Power of Damning or Saving and all Earthly Power both Temporal or Civil and Ecclesiastical or Spiritual 11. The wicked Babylonish State comes forth with a great pretence of Miracles which are but false Signs and lying Wonders to deceive and cheat the People and by this means they Conquer Nations and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest This Rome Heathen did not do for though the Heathenish Power of Rome did Conquer Nations and Countrys with their Kings yet it was by State
of the Church in room and stead of him whose Power Laws and Edicts are preferred above and before the authority laws and precepts of the Lord Jesus Christ as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done then the Church of Rome is mystery Babylon or the great Whore spoken of But there is no body of professing people in the Christian World nor throughout the Earth who have so apparently declined adulterated and deserted the Holy Headship Doctrine Example and right Government of Jesus Christ ut supra as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is mystery Babylon the great Whore. If any should think this argument not weighty let them shew if they can that some other people different from the Church of Rome have made as great or like change in point of Religion and Headship and matterâ— thereto pertaining so as this black character of Whore great Whore may more fitly and fully be made to meet upon them and we must confess our argument not weighty but till then we conclude it carries conviction in the Bowels of it V. Mystery Babylon is not only set forth by a Woman City of Confusion and Whore but also a great City and great Whore and the great City was divided c. Rev. 16. 19 And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City Rev. 17. 18. I will shew thee the Judgment of the great Whore Rev. 17. 1. I think it necessary to reassume this character again the Spirit of God noting this as a most eminent mark of her Paral Now that the Church of Rome is not only a Whore and Mystical City but a very great City and Whore will yet appear more evident 1. She hath a great name no name so great in the Christian World as the name of Rome she is called a Queen and being joined by Contract to her universal Head viz. the Pope or Man of Sin she would seem to be far greater than Emperors and temporal Princes and pretends a power to give them their Crowns and set them upon their Heads and kick them off again at pleasure 2. Great in Power She gives Rules and Laws to Kingdoms advances her Ecclesiastical Edicts above Temporal she sets the Pope and the chiefest of her Sons above secular Jurisdiction makes them unacountable and pretends a power to Absolve to Bless and Curse at her pleasure and without controversy the lesser is blessed of the greater 3. Great in multitude There are no People besides that are in a spiritual united Body and visible community professing Christianity comparable to her for multitude or the vast numbers of her Children 4. Great in actions vile actions such as deposing and poysoning Princes fomenting jealousies raising Wars setting Nations together by the Ears invading rights and properties of Nations and Kingdoms by subtile insnarements and cunning stratagems making tumults and uproars contriving Masscres burning Cities and carrying on dreadful devastations where she is gain-said and that which adds to her greatness is that invincible confidence she hath that all persons and things are made for her and given to her so that all things she doth are allowed as Legal and Just in Heaven tho the actions are most vile and as unhumane as any can be in the Judgment of any undeceived mortal from whence we shall frame this argument Arg. If there be no united Body of People or visible Community in the Christian World that is so great in name power multitudes and actions vile actions as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath been and still is then the Church of Rome is mystery Babylon But there is no united Body of People or Community in the Christian World that is so great in name power multitude and actions vile actions as Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal is this great City Whore or Mystery Babylon VI. Mystery Babylon is said to sit upon many Waters which is expounded to be People Multitudes Nations and Tongues Rev. 17. 1 17. And he said unto me the Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are people and multitudes and nations and tongues c. which according to the learned Mede Peter Du Moulin and other famous Protestant writers is more than a third part of the ten considerable parts which the Roman Monarchy fell into not long before the Pope that man of Sin and Head of mystery Babylon assumed the imperial Seat and Throne which afterwards became ten Kingdoms with Crowned Heads assisting the Beast against the Lamb and Persecuting of the Saints distinguished into ten Kingdoms of the Empires I. of Germany II. France III. England IV. Scotland V. Denmark VI. Polonia VII The Kingdom of Spain VIII The Kingdom of Navarre IX The Kingdom of Hungary X. The Kingdom of Naples and Sicily All which Rome Papal had in possession as our French author saith in the days of Pope Leo the tenth Paral. So then it appears evidently that the Church of Rome has directly this mark of Mystery Babylon also she sitting upon many Waters viz. people multitudes nations and languages that she sate upon or ruled over more than one third part of the ten which was formerly under the Roman Empire in its civil state is evident whichâ— more than one third part hath since fallen into ten Kingdoms under the Government of ten Crowned Heads and have all agreed to give their Power to this last Beast as they received power as Kings one hour with him according to what was foretold which makes good what St. John â—n the Apocalypse hath made known as also Daniel concerning the little horn which had â— mouth speaking great things whose looks were more stout than his fellows Dan. 7. by whom three of the first horns of the Roman power in its civil state were pluck't up by the roots and in their place succeeded ten Kings or Crowned Heads who have their Crowns given to them by this last Beast and as they had their Crowns given by and hold their Kingly power under the Pope little Horn last Beast or man of Sin in requital of his fatherly care in giving his Sons so great a Patrimony so they give their power to him and ingaged against the Lamb in making War with and persecuting the Saints of the most High and will do so till the VVord of God or Prophecy of Daniel and Revelations of St. John c. is fulfilled which ten Crowned Heads answer to the ten Toes in Nebuchadnezzars Image and to the ten Horns in this 17th of the Apocalypse which are so concerned in the Beasts Kingdom and who will at last by the gracious providence of God that is some of them be overcome by the Lamb and turn to hate the Whore and make her desolate whom before they for a long time join'd with and supported and for whose pleasure they did persecute the Saints which ten States or Kingdoms are by our French author Peter du Moulin in his book called the accomplishment
willed they set up and whom she willed they pulled down when she willed they raised Arms and when she willed they laid them down again what shall we say The Church of Rome hath had such power over the Kingdoms of Europe thâ—â— the power and wills of Princes have been controuled and over-ruled when in any considerable case they have gone contrary to the sense and interest of the Church and to such a degree as they have sometimes made thâ—â— do penance resign up their Crowns and receive them again as an act of kindness that he set them upon their Heads with his Foote such is the Pride and Grandeur of St. Peter Chair See our first Chapter If the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that above all others in the World hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth then Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon But the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that reigns and hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome Mystery Babylon CHAP. III. Proving that literal Babylon in Chaldea was a Type or Figure of Rome Papal or the present Church of Rome and that in many particulars WE having shewed and clearly evinced by an induction of fifteen particulars that Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth she having all the marks or characters directly meeting in her that are by the holy Ghost given of that great Whore we shall in the next place briefly consider how the acts and progress of the Romish Church do most fitly and fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of her in the holy Scripture and first with literal or Chaldean Babylon from whence I find most writers conclude she had the name Babylon given to her in respect of the growth acts and deeds of that old Babylonian Monarchy which we shall now open and run the parallel in divers particulars as followeth I. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King ever her called a Head of Gold also Lucifer or Son of the morning So likewise Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her called the Universal Bishop whose power is magnified above the powers of Emperors and all Kings and Princes of the Earth II. Literal Babylon had dominion over many Countreys or Provinces In like manner Rome Papal hath had dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kingdoms called ten Horns â— we have shewed III. Chaldean or Literal Babylon fell under a four-fold circumstance in respect of her Supream Head viz. Nebuchadnezzar 1. That he was when in great Pride he insultingly said Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power and for the honour of my Majesty 2. He was not when by the Watchers and the Holy Ones he was toss'd from his Throne and made to eat Grass with Oxen till seven times past over him 3. Yet he was When his Reason and the Hearts of his Nobles and Glory returned to him again 4. He went off finally when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor into whose hands the Kingdom was translated Rome or Mystery Babylon is foretold by the Angel to fall under a four-fold circumstance also in respect of the Beast that is said to carry the Whore and make War with the Saints and the Beast which thou sawest was is not and yet is and shall go into perdition Rev. 17. 8. 1. He was of old in his Pagan state triumphing in great glory and grandeur but received a wound yea a deadly wound in one of his Heads viz. in his sixth Head which was the Pagan power in Constantine's time and so he was not The Christian Emperors having the Government of the Roman Monarch and to the same purpose speak our late Annotators on the 13 chap. of Rev. v. 3. and chap. 17. 8. It must saith he be the sixth Head viz. the Pagan Emperors who had that mortal wound and that wound was the Conquering the Pagan Emperors and the abolishing of Paganism and Idolatry and putting an end or stop to Persecution which was done by the seventh Government viz. the Christian Emperors He yet is i. e. his wound was healed by the rising of the eighth Government which was of the seventh who appeared in a new dress viz. a beast with two horns like a lamb but spake like a dragon which was the Antichristian power or Papal Rome and more particularly the Pope time the best opener of these great Mysteries has fully discovered these things to 〈◊〉 4. He shall go into perdition i. e. be utterly destroyed by the bright appearance of the Lord Jesus and be cast at last into the botomless Pit after the 42 Months are expired so that in these four respects Chaldean Babylon it appears was a lively Type or Figure of Papal Rome who from hence also shews her self to be Mystery Babylon IV. The Chaldean Kingdom or Literal Babylon Invaded Judea Besieged and took Jerusalem and trampled it under foot c. Even so in like manner the last Beast the Pope and Papal power hath Invaded the City of the living God or true Gospel Church taking away all her sacred Rights Laws and Priviledges and not only Besieg'd her closely Block'd her up but trampled under foot the Holy City for a long space of time Rev. 11. â— V. Chaldean or Literal Babylon was a moâ— lofty proud and imperious people called the Lady of Kingdoms and the glory and beauty â— Excellency for which God doth severely threaten her Isa. 13. 19. Behold I am against thee O thou most proud saith â— Lord God of Hosts c. Isa. 50. 31. So in like manner Rome who is Myster Babylon notwithstanding her horrid crime and most amazing wickednesses is a vâ—â— proud and imperious people exceeding all â— the Christian World saying in her Heart sit a Queen am no Widow shall see no sorrow for which haughtiness and pride the Lord will suddenly remember her with Judgments and sore severity he being now risen up to make Inquisition for Blood and to avenge upon her the injury done to Sion Rev. 18. 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow give her VI. Chaldean or Literal Babylon set up Images and had Idols of Silver and Gold Wood and Stone to which they bowed and worshipped which were also representations of the Gods and Saints whom they adored to wit of Bel which was Jupiter and Nebo and Succoth berioth and the like and such who would not bow down to her Images she threatned to cast into the Fire into the burning fiery Furnace Jer. 5. 30. Jer. 10. 3 9. Isa. 46. 1. Dan. 3. 6. Rome in this shews her self to be her Antitype very plainly for hath she not ordained to her self Temples Images of Christ and the Virgin Mary and other Saints nay and not only these but the
taken c. Jer. 50. 9. From hence we may conclude as some to judge that those people who shall be the Instruments in the Hand of God to destroy Mystery Babylon shall be the people in these Northern Countreys as Brandenburgh Sweedland Denmark the United Provinces together with England Scotland and Ireland and it may be hoped the people of these Nations and Kingdoms some of which were always accounted as Horns of the Beasts do already begin to hate her and are preparing War against her and that from hence her ruin shall suddenly come and it may be a just and righteous thing with God thus to order the matter since she hath such an Implacable hatred of these Northern parts because of that which she calls the Northern Heresie and hath of late without all doubt designed and secretly resolved utterly to destroy these Protestant Countries and to make these Kingdoms and States desolate but God hath and will put it into their Hearts to agree and fulfil his will i. e. Hate the Where and make her desolate eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Rev. 17. 16. and so avenge the righâ—eous Blood she has publickly and secretly poured out like water nay I am very confident a very short time will make this thing to appear and it shall as fully be made good in the Antitype as it was in Type concerning the Medes c. Nor shall they do it alone I mean the common people of these Countreys with their heads and renowned Heroes but Gods choice and beloved ones in these Nations shall joyn in with them and so fulfil also what is said in Jer. 51. 20 21. Rev. 18. Thou art my Battle Ax with thee will I break in pieces the Nations and with thee will I destroy Kingdoms c. Come out of her my people reward her as she hath rewarded you double upon her c. XI Chaldea or Literal Babylon carried away into captivity Judea and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem or the Church and People of God and there held them for the space of seventy years a prefixt time by the Almighty and when that set time was come to an end the Lord brought them back and caused Cyrus to make Proclamation fâ—â— the rebuilding the Temple and Holy City Ezra 1. 1. 2. So likewise hath Papal Româ— captivated the true Israel and holy people â— God and held them also under sore oppressâ— on and persecution for the space of 126â— years a set time also prefixt by the Lord aâ— when that time is expired to which Periâ— 't is hoped we are arrived the Israel of Gâ— shall be delivered and our captivity shall be returned but as they gradually returned out of the Literal captivity so shall the Lords people out of their Spiritual captivity and as it was said of them When God brought back at first the captivity of Sion they were as those who dreamed Psal. 126. 1. So likewise are we at this very time under this most amazing providence of God who hath begun to deliver us from the cursed yoak of Mystery Babylon and now also you shall see I doubt not Liberty proclaimed as it were for the rebuilding of the holy Temple the second time the work having been obstructed by those Saâ—ballts and Tobiahs of our times and the work shall go on in the hands of our renowned Zerubbabel and that not so much by might nor by power but by the Spirit of the Lord Zech. 4. 6 7. and the great Mountain on the other side of the Flood shall become a plain XII Literal Babylon or the Chaldean Monarchy was brought down not only suddenly but with great vengeance which they could not avoid by all their craft subtilty nor strength and also in such an hour as they little thought of when Belshazzar was feasting with his Concubines and drinking Wine in Bowls and Vessels taken out of the Temple which was at Jerusalem Dan. 3. 1 2 3. praising the Gods of Gold and Silver of Brass Iron Wood and of Stone doubtless they thought themselves very safe and little dreamed of their sudden overthrow till the hanâ— writing came out of the Wall The saâ—â— night wâ—â— Belshazzar the King and the Chaldeans slain and Darius the Median took tâ—â— Kingdom c. Dan. 3. 31. So in like manner shall Rome or Mystery Babylon not only suddenly in one hour comâ— down but with great vengeance which sâ—â— shall not be able to avoid nor put off with 〈…〉 her craft subtilty nor strength but as a mil stone is cast into the Sea so with violence shâ—… the great City Babylon be thrown down aâ—… shall be found no more at all Rev. 18. 2â—… and that too when she thinks her self safe anâ— secure and seems to fear no danger but saiâ— in her Heart I sit a Queen shall see no soâ—roâ— nor know loss of Children nor Widdow-hood 〈…〉 more And somewhat like this sudden fall can't but think we have seen of late in 〈◊〉 pect of Babylons fall in England the teâ—… part of that great City and as suddenly 〈…〉 may hope it will come upon her in otâ—… places in due time CHAP. IV. Shewing that by the little Horn Dan. 7. and vile person Dan. 11 is meant the Papal power of Rome or the Pope who is the supream Bishop thereof all the marks and chief characters of the little Horn meeting directly also in him as the head of the present Church of Rome SOme will have this little Horn to be Antiochus Epiphanes others Julius Caesar others the Turks I suppose Antiochus Epiâ—haâ—es might be a type of this little Horn for it could not be Antiochus because he rose up â—nder the Grecâ—an Monarchy whereas this is â—â—id directly to rise up under the fourth Moâ—archy or when the Roman Empire stood â—pon his last Legs 〈…〉 For concerning this little Horn read 〈…〉 Text Dan. 7. 7 8. After this I saw in â—he night Vision and behold a fourth Beast readful and terrible c v. 8. I considered â—â—e Horns and behold there came up among â—â—em another little Horn before whom there was three of the first Horns pluckt up by the Roots and behold in this Horn were Eyes like the Eyes of Man and a Mouth speaking great things And so the Popes of Rome were kept under by the Emperors who kept a strict Eye over them curb'd their insolencies and exorbitances and at the first appearance nipping their aspiring projects in the very bud Sometimes deposing and banishing some proud Prelates when they shewed at what they levelled their designs But after the power of Rome which before was in tire in one Emperor fell into ten parts and divisions which happened in or about the year of our Lord 456 as Du Moulin and the learned Mede shew 〈…〉 large out of the Roman Histories upon thâ—… division and Weakening of the Empire thâ— Bishop of Rome took his Advantage to maâ—â— his advance and rose up to regal power enacting Laws raising Taxes and
have sprung forth in the World they have followed them like Blood-hounds and devouring Wolves with Fire and Sword fearful Massacres Devastations Murthers and Slaughters till they have spoiled them torn in pieces and devoured them Compleatly fulfilling the Prediction of Christ and that of the Apostle Acts 20. 29 30. For I know this that after my departure shall grievous Wolves enter in amongst you not sparing the flock Also of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw the Disciples after them who can this Prophecy so exactly agree to as the bloody Popes who at first arose out of the Church and acted the part of Wolves to purpose as hath been hinted II. 'T is also evident that all the marks of the Man of Sin spoken of by St. Paul 2 Thes. 2. 3. do agree exactly to the Pope and the Romish Church 1. As first he was to rise after there came a falling away from the Primitive Faith see his words That day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that Maâ— of Sin be revealed c. This cannot mean a particular falling away as our worthy Writers have shewed but a general Apostacy of the Church from the Holy and Apostolical Doctrine and Disciplinâ— of the Gospel or such a falling away that should be obvious and visible to all that should not fall out in a corner or amongâ— a few private Christians because 't is laid dowâ— as a general Rule whereby the Saints in general might know and judge of the Revelation of Antichrist or Man of Sin. And now 't is well known that there happened this falling away or general Apostacy three or four hundred years after Christ out of which and soon after which falling away he Pope shewed himself to be this Man of Sin nor did he arise till that Apostacy happened in the World. 2. Another mark he hath is this i. e. He shall exalt himself above all that is called God c. viz. Magistrates and Rulers as Kings and Emperors for these are called Gods I said Ye are Gods c. There are Gods many c. This mark meets directly in the Pope or Popes of Rome he exalts himself above all and every one of these who are called Gods. 1. He has assumed a Name above them 2. greater power than they in that he pretends to give them their Crowns and not only so but has power to excommunicate them nay and depose and devest them of their Regal power as he pleases and also in his disposing of Kingdoms yea making Emperors wait aâ— his Gate hold his Stirrup prostrate themselves to kiss his Toe and then to tread upon their Necks as Alexander the Third did to Frederick Barbaross And this is allowed and justified by the Doctors of the Romish Church And Bellarm. de Rom. Pont. lib. 5. c. 8. giveâ— â— as a reason why the Pope would not come to the Council of Nice lest if the Emperor should come thither he should attempt to sit above him so that by these two words in the Text the Apostle describes him both in his Enmity and Pride Opposition and Exaltation For observe first he assumeth to himself an higher power than those that are called Gods theirs is Humane his is Divine their 's on the Bodies or Estates of Men his over the Conscience their 's to the living his to Mens Souls after death 3. The Man of Sin 't is said by the Apostle shall also exalt himself above all that 's call'd God or that is worshipped as God sitting in the Temple of God shewing himself to be God verse 4. Even so the Pope makes himself like God and as God as the King of Babylon of old said I will be like the most High Isa. 14. 14. And as Gods place of residence of old was said to be in the Temple of Jerusalem so he as God sitteth in the Temple of God not in the Material Temple but in the Spiritual Temple i. e. the Church of God which is so called the Apostle speaks of him as a Bishop who had a Seat and the Popish Writers give the Pope that and such like Titles Dominus Deus noster Papa idem est Dominium Dei Papa tu es alter deus in terra Council Later Sess. 4. Thou art another God on Earth And as God he maketh Laws to bind the Conscience and dispenses with Laws both Natural and Moral and pardons sins as he pleases past present and to come can deliver Souls out of Purgatory and translate them to Heaven so that this Man of Sin is not to be looked for amongst the Turks Pagans or Infidels he sitteth in the Temple the Church of God not that it can be the true Church where he sitteth and acteth but rather the Synagogue of Satan But that which he calleth so and which bears that name and also was really so before the falling away when he first got up He also exalteth himself above God when he makes the Scriptures to derive their Authority more from the Popes Canonizing than God himself and without it no Man is bound to believe them â—it 2. 23. Again if the Pope should err by commanding Vice and forbidding Vertue the Church is bound to believe Vice is good and Vertue to be evil Bellarm. lib. 4. de summ pont c. 5. Besides he can forgive sins tho' the evil habits be not changed what is all this then to make himself God and to exalt himself above God c. 4. The Man of Sin 't is said could not get up until that which then i. e. in the Apostles days did let was taken away For the Mystery of iniquity doth already work only he we now letteth will lett until he be taken away verse 7. which was the Heathen Emperon Government or sixth Head of the Beast This also shews the Pope to be the Man of Sin for he rose to his glory and wicked grandeur not till the sixth Head or Pagan power was gone or taken out of the way for tho' the Mystery of iniquity did work gradually and corruptions crept into the Church early yet did he not appear till after the Christian Emperors had made way for him hence he iâ— said to be an eighth and of the seventh III. There is another Prophesie concerning this cursed Antichristian state it is iâ— 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Now the Spirit speaked expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirit and Doctrine of Devils No doubt but Rome is concerned in the place for either by Doctrine of Devils are meant such Doctrines that are brought iâ— by the power and influence of the Devil or Devilish Doctrines or else the Doctrine of Damons the Apostle hereby signifying that is the latter times that is after the general Apostacy the Man of Sin or Papal Rome should bring in the Doctrine of the Pagans concerning Daemons which were lookt upon by them to be an inferior sort of
Gods a kind â—â— middle Beings between their highest Gods and Men whose Office was to be Advocates or Mediators between Men and the highest Gods because they judged it was not lawful for Men to come to the highest Gods immediately and these they worshipped by Images Even so the Papists or Mystery Babylon hath divos and divas Saints of all sorts whom she hath Canonized to be called upon in her publick Prayers Altars and Feast days dedicated and kept unto their memory and many other Honours acknowledging them to be Mediators between God and Men and unto these Daemons or petty Gods she makes her Prayers and hath their Images and to whom they do divine Homage like as did the Pagans of old CHAP. VI. Shewing the Judgments of divers Eminent Men concerning the Death Resurrection and Ascention of the Witnesses and final downfal of Mystery Babylon and that in all probability it will be in this present Age Together with an account of divers strange Prophesies relating thereto some very Ancient c. HAving clearly demonstrated that the Church of Rome is that great Whore Mystery Babylon It may not be amiss before we conclude this 〈◊〉 Treatise to give you some account concerning her full and final overthrow which hath been for â— long time the expectation of Gods people and multitudes of Prayers have and still do go up to Heaven for the accomplishment thereof and reason there is for it considering what a Plague she hath been to the World and Church of God for so many hundred of years and certainly God will at laâ—â— hear that mighty cry of Prayer and of innocenâ— Blood that continually is in his Ears and since the Death Resurrection and Ascention of the Witnesses if rightly understood gives such clear light as touching the fall of Babylon we shall give you some brief hints concerning this important and weighty point The Beast is to continue for the space of forty two Months and the Witnesses are to Prophesie in Sackcloth for the space of 1260 days which most Writers conclude to be one and the same term of time and that by days is meant yeaâ—â— all generally conclude and the long continuance of the Beast and Papal power clearly shew that to be the mind of Gods Spirit in those Mystical numbers Yet a late Worthy and Learned Writer hath said a great-deal to prove the forty two Months are to be reckoned by the Moon and not by the Sun and if so then as he shews the time of the Witnesses wearing Sackcloth is thirty eight years longer than the forty two months but yet are to terminate together he concluding the Witnesses put on their Sackcloth so many years before the beginning or Epoch of the forty two Months See his Book intituled The command of God to his people to come out if Babylon Moreover he saith the time Epoch or beginning of the forty two Months must be fixed at the cessation of the seventh sort of Government or Christian Emperors Reign which saith he was in the year 475. and the whole time of the Beasts Reign and Tyranny being but forty two Months which by the Moon he accounts to be just 1222 years the period of which will be saith he in 1697. And this we will say he hath doubtless fixed the Epoch or beginning of the Beasts Kingdom more fairly than many Writers before him have done because all along where the Reign of one Head or Government ended the other begun as 't is said you know the King never dies Take his own words p. 25. Thus far the matter is determined according to the Prophesie i. e. Whenever the 7th King asserted to be the Christian Emperors Government expir'd viz. by a civil death or the cessation of the Imperial Name and Power immediately the eighth King according to the Prophesie must succeed and bear up the Roman City in gratideur and whoever hath born up that City in Supremacy since that time must be according to Prophesie that eighth King i. e. the Beast Now I appeal to all the World what year that was when the Western Imperial Name fell and it is known in all History to be the year of our Lord 475. For in the wonderful disposes of God no one hath claim'd a Title of Empire from that City since that year but the Pope I do commend the ingenious Reader to the Book it self Now if this be true or can be granted we are very near the final ruin of the Papistry nay and from divers other authors most or all that I have met with agree it will be in this very age Peter du Moulin a wise and renowned French Authour in his book intituled the accomplishment of the Prophecy saith from the year 1689. Popery shall fall and go down but all conclude that the tenth part of this great City falls first and I doubt not but the providence of God hath brought us forth in the time of the accomplishment of that part of the Prophecy for that great Brittain is that part of the great City I see no cause to doubt and that also the witnesses are risen or arising and will soon be upon their feet is the thoughts of several worthy men but I being limited to the number of Sheets cannot inlarge as I would do therefore we shall 1. Briefly give you our understanding who the tâ— witnesses are in which we agree and accord with sâ—vâ—iâ— learned men 2. What is meant by the slaying of the witnesses 3. Also some probable conjectures concerning the tiâ—â— when slain as also of their Resurrection standing 〈◊〉 their feet and ascention 1. 'T is not unknown to the Judicious Reader what different sentiments there have been about who or what the two witnesses are some thinking they are the Old and New Testament others Magistracy and Ministry others two sorts of Godly Churches some have thought them to be Moses and Elias who tho along time since are glorified in Heaven yet shall come again and be killed on Earth which is the most improbable of any of the otherâ— yet the Papist writers and some others of late timeâ— have asserted this But we Judge by them are meant Gods faithfâ—â— people called two witnesses because of the smaâ—ness of their number who have born witness to the truths of Christ all the time of Antichriâ—â— reign or else called two as comprehending both Ministers who are more directly intended and people also they may be called two as soâ—â— think in respect of their twofold Testimony to 〈◊〉 true Gospel Ministry and Magistracy and this thâ—â— conclude because called also two Candlesticks 〈…〉 alluding to those two Sons of Oyl i. e. 〈…〉 and Zerubbabel 't is evident God calls his people especially his faithful Ministers his witnesses Ye are 〈◊〉 witnesses saith the Lord Isa. 44. 8. and saith Christ â—â— shall be witnesses unto me Act. â— 8. and Act. 5. 32. We are his witnesses c. also called two because two 〈◊〉 the number which God
the Kings of France have by their liberalities made the Popes great at this day it is the most flourishing State of Europe it is in the middle of the Popish Empire between Spain Germany England exactly as a Street or place of Concourse is in the middle of a City 't is also four-square as such a Place or Street of a great City i. e. almost as long as broad and I believe saith he that 't is particularly in France that the witnesses must remain dead i. e. That the profession of the true Religion must be utterly abolisht this is already done by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and by the enormous Cruelties of the Souldiers Pag. 254. saith he we are in my opinion certainly in this Persecution which must extinguish the true Religion for three years and a half if we will reckon those 3 years a half from the abrogating of the Edict of Nantes in the month of October 1685. The deliverance of the Church will fall out in the year 1689. And this is absolutely the conjecture of Monsieur du Moulin in his accomplishment of the Prophesies he hopes that the Persecution of the Church by the Antichristian party shall cease in the year 1689 But in p. 255. He seems to intimate he is not confident it will happen then one main reason I cite this French Writer thus far is to give you all his reasons why he Judges France to be the Street of the great City where the two witnesses shall be slain c. And to gratifie my Reader I shall also here add something out of Clavis Apocalyptica written many years ago by a famous German Doctor who indeavours to make it appear that Germany is meant by the Street of the great City in which the two witnesses shall lye as dead but by the way 't is observable what he says p. 46. Concerning the 7 Trumpets in the Second period saith he from the three hundred ninety fifth until the one thousand six hundred fifty fifth year of our Lord where the seventh seal is opened and seven Angels with seven Trumpets declare to the Roman Empire by seven Judgments its ruine c. 8. which Plagues have been fulfilled See he calls the Trumpets Plagues The first by the invasions of barbarous nations Anno 395. v. 7. The Second by the destruction of the City of Rome which first happened by Alaricus Anno 410. v. 8. The Third by taking away Imperial dignity in Augustulus Anno 476. v. 10. The Fourth by the Abolition of all eminent publick charges at Rome Anno 552. v. 12. The fifth by Saracens as the first wo c. 9. The Sixth by the Turks Chap. 9. v. 13. as the second wo. In the Third Period when the 1655. year doth begin the seventh Angel doth sound and withal the seventh Judgment is executed upon the enemies of the Church with the third woe whereby the Mysteries of God are fulfilled Rev. 10. 7. Now tho this great Author was mistaken as all have been hitherto who have prefixt upon an exact time and yet he may be right as to the seventh Trumpet which he says brings in the last Plagues and the third and last woe But to proceed p. 69. The two witnesses shall be overcome and killed saith he that is they shall be removed and thrust out of all Ecclesiastical and Political Offices and Imployments it appears he understood the death of the witnesses to be taken as we have hinted before i. e. Only a Civil death and so too do all Expositors affirm that I can meet with but now observe what Street it is in his Judgment they must lye as dead in and that is he saies Germany p. 74. The tenth horn yet remains Germany or the German Empire cannot be accounted saith he but one of the Horns which we do not deny and a Kingdom saith he by it self in the whole body of the fourth Monarchy this is the Principal Street in the great City the Principal Horn of the Beast the Principal Kingdom in the fourth Monarchy whose head is represented by the City of Rome this German Empire is called the Street per excellentiam because it is the Principal Street in the Empire because 1. 'T is called the Roman Empire 2. By reason it is as it were a Figure and Image of the old Roman Empire having seven Heads in regard of the seven Princes Electors and ten Provinces in respect of the ten Circles into which it is distributed 3. It hath the pre-eminency above all other Kings adhering to the Papal State now saith he in this Street we must seek the War c. he seems to say more for Germany being the Street in my Judgment than Jurieu for France to be it But they that read our great Writer Dr. Goodwin will soon I am persuaded see more ground to believe that Great Britain is that very Street of the great City in which the Witnesses of Christ were to be slain and lye dead than any other for as my worthy Friend before cited intimates God values not nor accounts of People and Nations from their Greatness or external Grandeur but from their Light Glory Excellency of their Spirits Purity now what Nation or Kingdom is so famous or has been since the beginning of the Reformation or hath obtained so great Light as this of Great Britain It must be in one Street of the great City doubtless where the Witnesses have finished their Testimony in which they were to be slain and lye as dead and I question whether in any one Kingdom of Europe the faithful Witnesses of Christ may be said to have finished their Testimony as here in this Nation for by finishing their Testimony may be meant as some observe bearing Witness to Christ not only in respect of every one of his Offices but also in all his Ordinances And that according to the Primitive purity of them which many think there has not been the like Testimony upon this respect born any where else as also in respect of true Church Constitution and Discipline and to true Magistracy and Ministry and to Christ's absolute Authority as King of Saints and King of Nations and born in such a publick manner as it has been here formerly and of late take the Doctors words p. 165. And if in this last Combate the Witnesses be singled out as one party and by Witnesses be meant only such faithful Christians and Professors as do in respect of their Godliness and Sincerity hold forth an Eminent Testimony and Witness above that which others of the croud of the common Professors do and so not men of Learning but of Holiness and Zeal are they who are here said to be the real tormentors of these Enemies Then surely in that part of the Reformed Churches where such Witnesses are chiefly found who do continue eminently to hold forth such a kind of powerful Testimony as holy men for this is a Testimony of Holiness not of Learning surely