with a word of audience Behold the third woe will come meaning the great and terrible day of the Lord fore-denounced by his servants the Prophets in the which all Nations shall stand as Prisoners before him and receive every one according to the wayes wherein their heart hath walked And because the day of the Lords comming in glory and consummation of the world shall not lonâ— tarry after the determination and consumption â—â— Antichrist as in the last verse of the thirteenth Chapter following shall be more fully declared the holy Ghost addeth the word quickly as a precise note of his speedy comming which our Lord also in another place confirmeth by a like word immediatly saying And immediatly after the tribulation of those dayes speaking of the tyrannous reigne of the Mat. 24. selfe same Antichrist they shall see the Son of man comming in the clouds of the aire VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded with a Trumpet andthere were made loud voices in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are made our Lords and his Christs and he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen TH' understanding of this verse dependeth upon the 8. Chapter where it is said And when he had opened the seventh Seale there was made silence in heaven c. And I saw seven Angells stand in the sight of God and there were given them seven Trumpets c. Where the holy Ghost meaneth by the Lamb the Son of God and by opening the seaventh Seale a more particular discovery of all such things as concerne the estate of his Church from his ascension to his comming in Majesty divided into seven acts declared by seven Trumpets sounded by seven Angels of which acts the sixth was the pageant of the deâ—olation of Antichrist the seventh and last is the comming of the Lord in the clouds of Heaven and consummation of the world uttered in these words And the seventh Angel sounded with a Trumpet and with a loud voice proclaimed the Kingdomes of this world so long time usurped by Monarchs and Antichrists which by right of Lordship and Inheritance did evermore belong to the God of Heaven and Prince of the Covenant shall how at length be restored to the right Lord and lawfull owner and of his reigne dominion and glory there shall be no end as the Spirit concludeth saying And he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen VERS 16. And the four and twenty Elders which sat on their seats in the sight of God fell on their faces and adoring God said We thanke thee Lord God Omnipotent which art which wast and which shalt come because thou bast received thy great power and brightnesse BY the foure and twenty Elders is meant the testimony of Moses and the Prophets who for that they spake by the seven-fold Spirit of Majesty which burneth night and day about the Throne of God are here said to sit on their seats in the sight of God And for that their judgements denounced from time to time agaiâ—st Antichrist and his Worshippers are now justâ—â—â—â—â— upon them and the everlasting Kingdome of the Lord their God who hath stretched his wings from Sea to Sea and from the river to the end of lands is now set up for evermore therefore the Spirit saith that they fell on their faces and adoring the justification of God brake forth in praises and thanksgiving saying We thank thee Lord God Omnipotent c VERS 17. And the Gentiles were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead to be judged and to render reward to â—hy Servants the Prophets and Saints and to theâ—â—haâ— feare thy Name little and great and to destroy theâ— that have corrupted the earth ANd all Kiâ—gdomes Nations and people which have evill intreaâ—ed Jerusalem and made a sport of the shame and affliction of Jacob shall now reap the fruit of their savage and heaâ—henish lives and mangre their fury shall endure the wrath and judgement of him who with justice judgeth and fighteth as the Spirit affirmeth saying And the Gentiâ—â— were angry and â—hy wrath iâ— come and the time of the dead to be judged And the Spiâ—it further â—estifieth that the Lord for whole glory that day was made shall render to every one their due hire or wages foâ— so â—â—e Originaâ—l importeth commonly inteâ—preted reward first to his Saints and servants and all that ove come their hiâ—e and wages which by promise and for his ownâ— Name sake is due unto them Next to all exâ—craâ—le Atheists blasphemous Catholicks incredulous Heathen liers Hereticks carnall Gospellers and all other brazen and unregenerate Châ—istians the hire and wages whâ—ch to their works and deeds anâ— merits â—s due â—s the Spâ—rit concludeth saying And to render reward unto thy servants the Prophets and Saints and to them that feare thy name little and great and to destroy them that have corrupted the earth But concerning this seventh age wherein the Lord shal come in Majesty to judge the quick and the dead the Holy Ghost deferreth yet a while to speake moâ—e particularly thereof and resumeth more exactly to intreate of the terme and persâ—cution of Antichrist and his aâ—complices against the Church and Spouse of Christ that so the glory of his justice in theiâ— just refuration and judgement may bee more bright and manifest CHAP. XII 1. A confirmation of the Prophecy following 2. The description of the Church and of her Primitivâ— fruit 4. The Chur hes first persecution raised by Ethnick Rome by whose immanity it came to passe that her beauty was no more seen in her visible and eminent graces but lived here and there dispersed and scattered over the face of the Earth 8. The great battell betweene Christianisme and Pâ—ganisme Christ and his Truth overcommeth Jupiter and hiâ— profenation 18. The Emperour reâ—oveth his Throne pretending to stop the float of th' Enemy but intending to root out the dispersed remnant of the Church VERS 1. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and the Aâ—k of his Covenant was seen in his Temple and there was made lightnings voices thunders earth-quakes and great haile TH ' Apostle having drawne in the former part of this Prophesie a slight draught as it were and designment of Antichâ—ist doth now in the Prophecy following revisit and perfect the discovery of the Beast and hang him up to the view and discerning of heaven and earth And to the end that this his worke of manifestation may carry in it faire and uncontrollable credit the Apostle in this Verse assureth us that he revealeth no other word concerning the Church and her pressures here on earth during the personall absence of her Lord then that which he heard at the Councell table of God which he delivereth in a manner of speech usuall with the Prophets And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven and the Ark of his Covenant was seen in the Temple alluding to the Temple of Jerufalem and â—ignisying thereunder that the words
A VOICE Out of the WILDERNES Crying with many Tears and strong perswasions to the World for REPENTANCE Proving by undeniable Grounds from the Word of God that the great DAY of his righteous JUDGMENT will certainly be in this present Age namely about the 45th yeer after the Ruine of ROME in 1666. Wherein are unfolded many great and wonderful Mysteries of God foretold in his Word to come to pass unto th' end of the World This work consists of five small Tracts 1. To the Church of Rome printed first in An. 1588. 2. To Qu. Elizabeth presented to her in An. 1589. 3. To the E. of Essex in her days called Babylon is fal'n 4. To K. James being an Exposition on 11. 12 13. ch Apoc. 5. De fide against Baro since translated into English By T. L. sometime a Student in the University of Cambridge in the daies of Q. Elizabeth LONDON Printed and are to be sold at the three Bibles in Paul's Church-yard and at the Crown in Popes-Head-Alley 1661. The Preface to the READER Christian Reader BE pleased to understand That whereas there have been severall Impressions of this Authors Works formerly published distinctly and by peices according as they were found out and opportunity served the first Edition of that To the Church of Rome being in the Authors life time in the year 88. at Frankford in Germany the next at London the year following And th' Exposition of the 11. Chapter of the 4th of Ezra entituled Babylon is fallen printed at London in 1610. The Original Copyes whereof are yet preserved and may be produced if occasion require to satisfie any that may question whether they bear so ancient a date All which being spent it was thought fit in respect of the excellency and worth of the matter contained therein and of that great benefit that Christians may reap thereby to impart them once more and expose them to publick view 2. Concerning the Author and his abilities it were enough to say that those excellent endowments wherewith he was accomplished especially thâ—se choice and peculiar gifts and graces which God did conferr upon him are every where conspicuous throughout his writings to the discerning Reader and do sufficiently demonstrate and testifie his preparation by and Authority from God in divine and heavenly things 3. For the time wherein he first writ 't is evident it was in the dayes of Q. Eliz. towards the latter end of her Reign unto whom he presented the Treatise entituled An Advertisement to Q. Eliz. with his own hands in the mean and obscure habit of a humble Shepherd which imployment for some weighty considerations he willingly underwent Neither let any be moved at his low estate many took offence at Christ for his poverty Is not this the Carpenter say they Mar. 6. 3. Joh. 6. 42. 66. the son of Mary and they were offended at him And in another place Is not this Jesus the Son of Joseph whose Father and Mother we know from that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him They were offended at his mean and outward appearance Others being misled by the Rabbies and blinded with the glory of the world expected a Messiah presently to Reign in Majesty whereas the true Messiah promised the Fathers foretold by Moses and the Prophets was first to do the will of God and suffer and undergo the death â—f the Crosse and at length after the troubles of the Church and her warfare ended the full number of Gods elect compleat and the tedious and tyrannous raign of Antichrist past then to receive his Kingdom and great power sit upon the Throne of David and raign over Luk. 1. 32. 33 the house of Jacob forever The Emperour Domitian when some of Christs kindred whom he suspected were brought before him beholding their hands grown hard with labour and understanding Euseb Hist Eccles l. 3. c. 17. their poor estatâ— despised them and let them go But the truly wise will not be offended or stumble at this Authors low condition and manner of living considering that many worthy persons Patriarks Prophets and other holy Servants of God whose memory at this day is precious with all good people have been exercised in the Shepherds life 4. The first Martyr was a Shepherd Abel was Gen. 4. 2. 3 Gen. 47. 3. a keeper of sheep and he brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof Thy Servants are Shepherds say the Patriarks the Sons of Jacob to Act. 7. 22. Heb 11. 14. Pharaoh King of Egypt both we and also our Fathers Moses learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians refused to be called Son of Pharaohs Daughter relinquisht the pleasures of Pharaohs Court and becaâ—e a Shepherd and leading this contemplative life God the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob appeared to him while he kept the Flock of Jethro by the mountaine of God even Horeb Exod. 3. 1. And in that estate he continued about 40. years during which time it is supposed he wrote the Books of Genesis and Job for the comfort of his afflicted Brethren in Egypt And thus it pleased God to exercise Moses in a Shepherds life that he might thereby be weaned from the pleasures of Egypt and as it were renounce the world and by that pastoral Life as a kind of introduction prepared for the Government which God afterwards laid upon him as Psal 77. Thou leddest thy Psa 77. 20 people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron Lastly That Gods power might appear in raising Moses from this contemptible kind of Life especially Gen. 46. 34. in the opinion of the Eâ—yptians who abhorred all keepers of Sheep to that high place calling and Authority to the which he was afterwards advanced 5. David sometime a Shepherd was appointed King over Israel Thy servant saith he to King Saul kept his Fathers Sheep and there came a Lyon and 1 Sam. 17. 34. Psal 78. 70 71. a Bear c. He chose David his Servant and took him from the Sheep-folds from following the Ews great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people and Israel his Inheritance Amos that holy Prophet when Amaziah the Priest of Bethel was angry with him for prophesying and accused him for conspiring against the King bidding him be gon and prophesie no more at Bethel for saith he it is the Kings Chappel it is the Kings Court Amos 7. 13. 14 15. thus answered and said to Amaziah I was no Prophet neither was I Prophets Son but I was an Herdman and a gatherer of Sycomore fruit and the Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said unto me go prophesie unto my people Israel 6. And this renowned Author upon whom God confer'd like Gifts and Graces as upon the Prophets of old and rais'd him up in this last age of the world that he might be a speciall instrument of his Glory and direction to his Church and people though he
over all the Earth in great feare fitting on it And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intellection these twelve onely both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her as also because they onely were native Romans descended of the Julij Seruij Saluij Flauij c. unlike therein unto the rest which were all or almost all like changeâ—ble stuffe of diverse colours so of diverse Nations Their rising continuance and end is toucht in their proper place And three heads Her three heads are three Kingdomes fore ordaiued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride when all her wings and feathers should faile her And are reserved to execute her last will and finish her Funeralls as shall be hereafter more at full declared Vers 2. And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the Earth and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings And of necessity it must goe well with her whom every wind doth blow to good Witnesse the limits of her territories from Ganges to Gades and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope as testifieth one of her owne which saith that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean and the feare of her name unto the Heavens Vers 3. And I saw that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers but they became little feathers and small And the Prophet saw that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her marking such aâ— intended to root up the Crowne and dignitâ— of her Empire to plant themselves therein and their house for ever But their thoughts prevailed not for as the verse concludeth their power waned and they perished like the rest what those contrary Kings were their number names attempts and end shall be delivered in their place Vers 4. But her heads rested and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t' accomplish and finish the wickednesse of this great City were quiet and at rest as not yet during the raigne of her feathers conceived and brought forth And the Prophet observed that th' one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows yet rested it with them Concerning these three Kings their names their greatnesse and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place Vers 5. Then I saw and behold the Eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon the earth and over them that dwelt therein Vers 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth And the Prophet beheld that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neighbours subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her in such sort as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven that was not either rooted out by her or enforced to receive their Governors from her Vers 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes and spake to her feathers saying Vers 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his owne place and watch by course Vers 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last And the Prophet observed that this powerfull Citie in the dayes wherein over gorged with pride she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes took such order for in evill she was very methodicall that her Kings and Kaysers should neither sleep nor watch that is neither perish nor rule all at once but rise in a successive course as in the verses following is manifested And she further commanded that the three last Kingdomes ordained to conclude the number of her fins should take their ease and not awake till their time appointed Vers 10. Neverthelesse I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body As he that undertakes a dangerous leap doth first retire the better t' advance his strength so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth under the forme of a ten-horned beast signifying thereby that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings for the hornes betoken Kings and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite Aâ—d addeth further that his teeth were of iron his nails of brasse inferring thereby the unresistable force of his lâ—gions and Leaders And proceeding saith that there arose amongst his Kings one of an exceeding strange nature signifying by that one a strange race and succession of Princes far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predecessors obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and brazen nails as did th' Emperors which arose before them but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high blaspheming his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven who by a hidden and unknowne force should subdue the third part of the world meaning all Europe with her Princes By which delineation it is evident that the holy-Ghost accounteth the challenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome all one power all one Empire whether it obtaine the spoile by force or by fraud that is by power of Emperors Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes who should be far unlike them as Daniel himselfe saith And he shall be unliketo he first Meaning in sorme of claiming obtaining and maintaining Jurisdiction not in pride purpose and determination So as wemay behold such an unlikely likenesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters of whom it is said facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen qualem decet esse Sororum And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th' Empire of Rome whence we note that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes teeth and nails our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle with wings fethers and heads whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt as she could no longer flye over all in her proper colours and stile of Roma triumphante devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne for to be high was all her care and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa And this is it which this verse teacheth that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt as the feare of her armes and forces might no longer flie into all Kingdomes commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum lying
years And th' Eagles pomp which was at full in Augustus was interred with Augustulus for so was Momyllus called and with him descended the name and title of Imperium Romanum for ever And the two wings thus divided in policy from the the four were Genserick and Theodorick Of which the first trained into Italy by treason of th'Empres entred Rome 43. years after she had been humbled by the Goths and led into captivity all her treasure and as is the fatal reward of such offenders the traitres also her selfe And after 14 days thus loaden departed into his Africa again where-over he reigned in peace and pleasure 51 years Th' other having obtained of th'east-head the scepter of Italy according to his patent proceeded and got it by Conquest from Odoacer But after he had reigned there-over 30 years descended also leaving his 494. fame and kingdom to his posterity having fulfild his pleasures 42 more But this Counsel pleased not th' other 4. for as the verse concludeth they remained in other thoughts drifting in their place to rise and reigne without leave or license of any Ver. 25. So I looked and behold the under-wings thought to set up themselves and to have the rule And as the Prophet beheld the four contrary fethers which were left he saw how they also strove in their hearts to establish themselves but like a dream their purpose vanished in the next immediate ver following Ver. 26. Then was there one set up but shortly it appeared no more Then arose Odoacer the first of the four leading a people begotten in the bowels and inmost parts of the North who hearing of the divided and weake estate of the Empire was encouraged to move from beyond 476. the Danub in much fear blood descended into Italy slew her last Lord and Emperor Momillus Augustulus destroyed the name of her Consuler dignity and blotted â—ut for ever the memory of her holy Senate the murderer of Romulus their first King and Julius their first Keysar and not daring as base begotten to put on the presence and stile of an Emperor which name this fether fatally resisted contented himself with the title of King of Italy But his glory indured not for after he had reigned eighteen yeers Theodorick as in the 24 verse took his Kingdom from him by force and his lise by fraud and he descended and appeared no more Ver. 27. And the second was sooner gone then the first After him arose Totilas the second fether of the four by birth a Spaniard by blood a West-gothe whose fearfull fires burn in Rome to this day but these daies were more in trouble and as the Prophet fore-saw in number fewer then Odoacers from his first rising alway in arms and after many hopes and as many dispaires was at last put to flight by Narses whom the East-head had made Governour of Italy and flying was wounded so deadly that as soon as he gat his Inne he lost his life after he had worne the Crown if to fight for a Crown be to wear a Crown 11 yeares Ver. 28. Then I beheld and loe the two that remained did think also in themselves to reign So as of all th' eight there remained but th' Longâ—bards and th' intestine faction which thought also in themselves to reigne The fâ—rst in flamed by the letters of Narses and with the goodness of Italy left their northern denns and like a fearfull storme fell downe upon it and in two yeares overthrew it crowning their Leader Alboinus 570 King thereof at Milan who after he had spread himselfe over the great City and over all her Italy three years and a halfe was murthered by the treason of Rosamond his wife leaving his Kingdom but not his honor to his successors who possessed it for 24. generations The eight and last and of all other the most dangerous was a home conspiracy plotting to raise from the dead th' ancient long-before buried government of Rome to reedifie her S. P. Q. R. and to root out the Priestly preheminence and Church-superiority which had so cunningly eaten and destroyed the secular which faction after it had taken fire in the hearts of many and secretly burned a long time at length brake out like the fury and violence of a risen stream so as it might not be quencht but with much blood and exceeding labour as in the 31. verse appeareth Ver. 29. But whilst they so thought behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest which was in the midst for that was greater then the two And whilst they thus thought behold there awaked one of the three Kingdoms appointed to finish and end the wickednesse of th' Eagle figuring by this resting head the new west Empire which title of Supremacy the beast bestowed as hath been alwayes his practise to run with the strongest upon Charls King of France and son to Pepin the Traitor This head is said to be awaked when it was first raised which was in the year 801. wherein it received his Augustal robe his crown and stile viz. Carolo Augusto a Deo Coronato magno piissimo Imperatori Romanorum vita victoria And the title of dignity Imperiall which had laien dead above three hundred years was in this year on Christmas day thus raised up to life again to the end it might defend the proceedings of the great adulteres and murderes of the earth as by the form of oath exhibited at his consecration appeareth In nomine Christi spondeo atque polliceor ego A. Imperator coram Deo beato Petro Apostolo me protectorem ac defensorem fore bujus Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae in omnibus utilitatibus quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio pro-ut sciero poteroque In that this head is said to be in the midest is meant that it should be chosen from among the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth as by experience hath been proved First from France then from divers Kingdoms and parts of Germany where it still remaineth And that the fear and power of this head hath been greater then any other Christian King or Kingdome whatsoever is it not sufficiently read in the particular registers of every Nation Vers 30. And I saw that the two heads were joyned there-with By the two heads are shadowed the two Kingdoms of France and Spaine whose unhallowed league the Prophet fore-seeing saith they should be joyned with this middle-head and like three parts in one accord and agree together to humble themselves their authority and power before the beast and for their idolshepheard should fight against the Highest till by the breath of his mouth they be scattered like the dust which the winde disperseth And these are the three heads mentioned in the first fourth and ninth verses of this chapter and are therefore said to finish and determine the last end and wickednesse of the whore because tho all other Kingdoms hate her and make her desolate and naked and
eat her flesh as England and others have done yet these three heads shall love her still and to their dying day shall burne in delight with her but when those three and every of them shall also forsake her thâ—re shall not be found either Kingdom or creature under heaven that shall fall downe and worship her Vers 31. And behold the middle head was turned with them that were turned with it and did eat up the two under wings which thought to reigne And the Prophet saw this middle head the head of evill impart his fellowship to all Princes and Kingdoms which desired to be in league with it But my taske which hasteth to an end will not suffer me now and here to sound this gulfe of Santa Liega sufficeth that for Sions sake the Prophet passing by doth point thereat And the Prophet beheld that this middle head did devour and eat up the under wings namely the power of the Longohards and th' intestine faction which thought also to reigne The first by the sword of Charls surnamed for his exceeding power the great who at the command of Babylon his god aseended into Italy took her King Desiderius prisoner and led him captive into France and gave his Kingdome to another And thus vanished this seventh contrary fether after it had humbled the whore and spread it selfe over all her quarters 200. and 4 years and the fear thereof descended it appeared no more Th' other first began in the days of Cono th' Emperor who having an action of contrary opinion against Gregory the second for so the beast was then called followed it so hotly that he brought his holines into such disgrace as that he kindled a desire in the hearts of many to change their Prelate for a Prince and to edifie their first and ancient forme of government again This desire thus begun by time as naturally all conspiration doth 798. gathered stâ—ength and adventured but somewhat too young to check the beast who by reason he was so wel guarded by his foreâ—aid head champion Charles easily neckt it Notwithstanding some 100 and 50 years after this ulcâ—r now grown to a riper head under the practise of one Alberique and Octavian his son brake out anew and charg'd the beast in so sharpe a manner as without doubt he had received the maâ—e had not his head in the midst avoided it once againe whose name was now chang'd from Charles the great to Otho the great who as being by oath devoted came to Rome banisht her new risen Consuls hang'd her Tribuns and mounted her Prefectus urbis Mr. of misrule naked on an Asse crowned and aâ—tended through the city with great derision from thence committed to prision and there executed with exquisite torments And by this means the heat of this defection was so asswag'd that it 967. appeared not for 7 years after but then under the leading of one Cincius flam'd out anew in so furious a sort as it had doubtles fir'd the beast out of alâ— his holds had 974. not his middle head Otho the second hasted into Italy to quench the same who knowing how much it imported to punish exemplarily so dangerous an evill prepared in the Vatican a â—umptuous feast invited therto all the nobility and chief of the City when all were come saluted and set caused forthwith to be proclaim'd that no man on pain of death should either speak or move at any thing that should be seen or heard presently entred armed men and compassed the place â—ound where the guests were whereat whilst every one amazed doubting what this first course meant this middle-head drew forth a paper and whose names were therein written commanded to be drawn from the table and in presence of all there to be slaine The rest were courteously entertained and were as merry as the fear of so cruel a feast would give them leave Ne yet for all this the feaver so left these patients but that 1136. they fell some 162. years after into relapse again but Frederique the first for so was now this head called with the blood of 1000. and the wounds and imprisonment of as many more so branded this Hydra which had been so often headed as it could never after recover head againe but her breath departed and her purpose vanished and appeared no more Ver 32. And this head did put the whole earth in fear and ruled therein and over the dwellers thereof with much labour and it held the government of the world more then all the wings that had been That this head and his fellows have more maintained and advanc'd the rage and blasphemy of the beast then all the fethers that arose before them and made more diligent and cunning inquisition after the blood of Sion then they is it not eternally cronicled in the registers of every particular Nation And therefore they are called the heads of th'eagle and who knoweth not that heads are more able in evil then fethers And the Prophet beheld that this head continued longer held the government of the world more then all the fethers that had been for from the rising of the first fether Julius Caesar to the end and expiration of Momyllus Augustulus the last were not 560 years whereas this head arose in the year 801 and hath already continued above 700 and 90. and yet still continueth and shall till he that now is be taken away Vers 33. And after this I saw and behold this middle head sodenly vanished as did the wings In that the Prophet saw this middle head sodenly vanish as did the wings he signifieth that it shall not be rooted out by force or sword of any but depart quietly and die as it were in bed but yet as the truth fore-saith in the chap. following not without paine meaning that th'Electors shall not choose to the liking of the beast nor the beast consecâ—ate to the liking of them And in this difference this head shall die ne shall this difference be exempted from paine Vers 34. But the two heads remained which also reigned over the earth and over the inhabitants thereof And when the power of this great head which is now so little like a tale thaâ—'s told shal be clean ended yet the fear of th' other two shall still remain and have dominion over the earth those that dwel therein â—ill the fulnesse of their malice and tiranny be accomplisht also which may not long be unfulfild for behold in the very next verse their destruction cometh Vers 35. And I saw and beheld whilst the head on the right side devouâ—ed that which was on the left By the right head is ment as through all this prophecy the strongest so as the Prophet implyeth that the sword of Spaine shall dâ—vide the strength of France that her pride by division made lesse may at the last as every divided Kingdom doth returne to nothing Neither shall the prosperity of this right head
her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth VERS 18. And the Dragon was wroth against the Woman and went to make battell with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ ANd notwithstanding the Dragon by his taile of Caesars had thus massâ—cred and dispersed the Church yet was he not so satisfied but for very rage fell into a melancholâ— mood for cause he could not quite consume and root her hâ—nouâ— out as the Spirit dâ—â—â—loseth saying And the Dragon was wroth against the woman And forasmuch as the Churches beauty did most shine in the East Syria Greece Asia where she was borne and bred the Dragon thought it his best in policie which evermore with him was held for chiefest Religion to iâ—ch and set forward his den and hold his Court further East which purpose of his as close as it was the holy Ghost discovereth in saying And he went and noteâ—h the true end wherefore he went not so much to barricade and stop the flâ—at and incursion of the barbarous enemie as he foreâ—ooth pretended as to pursue and consume the dispersed remainder of the Spouse as the spirit unfoldeth saying to make battell with the remnant of her seed who for that they were just of the making and growth of the Churches first â—nd priâ—itive fruit holding the mystery of faith in a good Conscience as the first-borne did the Spirit setteth them forth in the same lively colourâ— saying which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ VERS 19. And he stood upon the sand of the Sea ANd the Dragon removed his throne and left his ancient seat and City of Rome where he had now kept Court almost a thousand years and went and pitched his Throne anew in a haveâ— Towne between Pontus Euxinus and Propontis in the East of Thracia ancientâ—y caâ—led Byzance and there erected the new City of Rome and called it after his owne name Constantinople the City of Constantme which translation of his râ—sidence and chair of estate one of his owne also noteth Constantinus apud Thraces qua Bosphorus aequor Thracius Euxinis Aegaeum ingurgitat undis Constituit sedem Imperii CHAP. XIII The description of Antichrist and his Devotaries The description of his Clergy and of his Religion The Character of Antichrist The number of his Dayes and the end of his Reigne The year of th' End of the World discovered out of Dan. 12. VERS 1. And I saw a Beast ascending from the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten Diadems and upon his heads names of blasphemy AND presently upon the remove and translation of the Empire the Apostle espied that wicked one Antichrist man of sin in saying And I sâ—w who in regard of the tyrannous power and bloody use of the unbridled jurisdiction that should be given him he is here termed as in holy Scriptures other Monarchs are a Beast that is to say a kind of Government Kingdome dominion or power exercised and acted by a succession of tyrannous bloody and beastly men And albeit his perfection in evill stood yet aloof and was very far off young and tender as lying in swathing clouts yet the Apostle descryeth him as it were through a chink in saying comming up For aâ—ter the translaâ—ion of the Empire and that now Ethnick Rome began to play the Christian he was well nigh a hundred years closely creeping climbing up before he could advance his cursed head and claim of super-eminency Concerning which ambitious puffe of vaine priority so fair and evident mention is made in the monuments of time that the incredible boldnesse of the adversary is no lesse marvellous then his incurable blindnesse that hath so long time stumbled at this stone and so often spurred us by way of vaunting to shew them if we dare or can when this apostasie of Antichrist tooke her rise and first commencement which daring vaunt of theirs the holy Ghost tripping over as a thing which is or ought to be knowne unto us namely that the horne of Antichrist and his apostasie did then first sprout out when his Church first obtained at the Dragons hand priority of place suffrage and censure over all For as the Tree puls up the creeping Ivie so the primacie of the Church of Rome pulled up th' aspiring supremacie of the Bishop thereof which Church preheminence and prelation after long ruffling and shouldring was first obtained at the hands of Honorius tho afterwards upon greater concertation and daggers drawing it was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and ampliated who by th' advantage of the weaknesse and death of his elder brother Arcadius having obtained power and protector-ship East and West subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Romane supremacie with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea oâ— Rome at the instant suit and importunity of the now Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the first in the first year of his creation and in the yeare of Redemption 406. But the holy Ghost I say passing over the punctuall and exact moment of time when the Egge of Antichrist and his apostacie was first laid as otherwhere sufficiently preserved unto us proceedeth to detect the place where and from whence he should arise saying that he saw him lift up his hardie head from the sea meaning by the sea as in the sixteenth of this Prophecie the surging tumbling and raging Sea and City of Rome where also by a like loquution he calleth all Kingdomes subjected to her by the name of Rivers And that this Beast should thence arise and there and not elsewhere keep Court and residence the Spirit proveth by an argument drawne from the shape and proportion of the Beast for he had the seven heads and ten hornes of the Dragon meaning that he should sit upon the Dragons hills and reigne in and over the Dâ—agons City and aray himselfe with the spoâ—ls of the world and hold in subjection the Kings and States on earth as the Dragon did for so much the Spirit intendeth in saying having seven heads and ten hornes And least the unwary Reader should mistake this great Antichrist for that great Dragon or this Beasts supremacie and his pestilent succession for that Beasts super-eminencie and his execrable taile as many unwarily have done the holy Ghost in emblazoning his coat giveth him a mâ—st exquisite difference in saying that he wore his diadems not upon his heads as the Dragon did but upon his hornes signifying thereby that he should not come to his Crown and vain-glory by the strength of his sword his leaders and his legions as the Dragon did but by the base and voluntary submission of all such Caesars Kâ—ng and Princes as should with one counsell and sorce deliver up their authority and power secuiar to the devotion and pleasure of the
the Lambs but in truth the divels calleth also their lying signes heavenly fires saying So that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men not that they were in deed and in truth so but that they seemed so to be in the eyes of men because they were wrought by these vagabond exorcists under a pretended and colourable imitation of the name of the Lord Jesus who of all heavenly powers and fires is the true Lord and soveraigne commander so these Clerks of Antichrist must be sutable in their wickednesse that as their doctrine was opposite to the truth of Christ so their wonders might contrary the power of Christ by a colourable imitation of the miracles of Christ and might be a true and perfect depravation of the same VERS 14. And he seduced the inhabitants on the earth through the signes which were given him to doe in the sight of the Beast saying unto them that dwell on the earth that they should make the image of the Beast which had the stroke of the sword and liveth ANd the Spirit further disclosing the happy successe of these unhappy brokers and slaves of Antichrist touching their mists and miracles foretelleth us that as the first Elias by the miracles of heavenly fire did induce and draw the good unto the feare of God so these imposters of Antichrist by the lure of their false and lying fires should seduce and draw all dunghill and earthly minded men from the feare of God in such sure and devoted sort as that they should perswade them to make the picture and image of the Beasts Religion and to embrace and erect such a Christianisme as should in all points counterfeit and represent the Paganisme of the Dragon attiring and decking Jupiters prophanation with the holy and honourable names of God Jesus Spirit Scriptures Church Sacraments Saints c. like excellent Comedians who deck themselves with Crownes Scepters Purples and representations of Kings when as indeed they are but the idlest and basest of the people And as the Loâ—d commanded his servant Moses to erect such a tabernacle of witnesse here on earth as should be in all points after the idea modell and platforme of that divine and eternall Tabernacle which he saw in the mount so Antichrist Lord of misrule commaâ—ded his propudious Clergie to cause all people nations and Kingdomes to set up such a Christianity as should in all points answer the idea modell and platforme of that prophane and execrable heathenisme wherewith he saw the Gentiles enamoured and hereby so strongly seduced the inhabitants on earth that they verily thought the mystery of iniquiry to be pure and undefiled christianity and that the abomination of desolation forespoken by Daniel the Prophet is the only true ancient Catholique and Apostolique religion teaching them that perish by consenting unto lies that they ought to worship God as the Gentiles did worship Jupiter perswading them that as the Gentiles had their Arae so Christians must have their Altars and as the heathen had their bloody Sacrifices so Christians must have their unbloody sacrifices and offer bread and wine to God as the heathen did to Ceres and Bacchus and as the Pagans had their Pontifex maximus so Christians must have their Pope and as Ethnicks had their Sacerdotes so must Christians have their Priests and as the Gentiles had their Gods and Goddesses so must Christians have their he saints and she saints and as the Dragon had his Pantheon so Antichrist must have his All saints and as theheathen had their idolls so Christians must have their images â— and as the Pagans did consecrate their Temples to idolls so Christians must dedicate their Churches to Saints and as the Ethnicks had their supplications so Christians must have their processions and as the Gentiles had their Lustrations so Christians must have their holy water and as the Dragon in his Church-service had his Cerei so Antichrist in his Church-service must have Candles and as the Dragon had his Acerrae or Thuribles so Antichrist must have his Censors and as the Dragon had his Novendiall sacrifices so must Antichrist have his Masses of Requiem and as the Dragon had his Hecatombes so Antichrist must have his Trentals and as the Dragon had his Colledges Sodalium and Arvalium fratrum so must Antichrist have his Cloisters of Monks and Friers and as the Dragon had his Vestals so Antichrist must have his Nunns and Sanctimonials and as the Dragon did celebrate the birth dayes of his Caesars so Antichrist must solemnize the nativity of his Saints and as the Dragon had his Annals so must Antichrist have his Legends and as the Dragon had his secularia Spectacula to Antichrist must have his Jubilees and as the Dragon had his Bacchanals so Antichrist must have his Carnivals and as the Dragon had his Lupanaries so must Antichrist have his Stewes and as the Dragon had his inchanters so Antichrist must have his Exorcists and as the Dragon had his Asyla so Antichrist must have his Sanctuaries and as the Dragon had his Exequies and Parentals so Antichrist must have his Diriges and his de profundis and as the Dragon had his comitia centuriata so Antichrist must have his Councels oecumenicall and as the Beast had his comitia curiata so Antichrist must have his Councells Provinciall and as the Dragon did divisie his Caesars so must Antichrist Canonize his Saints and as the Dragon enacted civil lawes so Antichrist must enact canon lawes and as the Dragon had his imperiall Rescripts so Antichrist must have his Decretal Epistles and as the Dragon had his Tribunitiall intercessions so Antichrist must have his uncontrollable interdictions and as the Dragon had and used his Proscriptions so Antichrist must have and use his excommunications and as that Beast commanded his heathen to please their goddesse Iuno with Cane vota libens so this Beast commanded Christians to please their God with vowes and as the Dragon had his Triceps Hecate so Antichrist must have his Triple Tiara to signifie his triple pretended jurisdiction and as the Dragon had his Hexaphorom so must Antichrist be carried up and downe briefly as the Dragons Priests did teach the heathen to worship Iupiter as God so Antichrists Clergy must teach their Christians to worship God as Iupiter and look what forme of religion what manner of life the Dragon led the same must Antichrist in his person parallel and maintaine And to the end we may undoubtedly discern what and of whose image the Apostle speaketh the Spirit remembreth now the third time his recured wound which here speaking more plainly out he calleth the stroke of a sword not that it was the only stroke for many swords did pierce the Dragon as his had pierced many but the first stroke of a sword which from the beginning and rising of the Dragons Empire and regiment by Caesars did remeasure the fury of the sword upon his own head and
or other creature of strange shape as some have vainly phantasied the Spirit calleth him a man saying For it is the number of a man comprehending by a Synecdoche under the word Man a successive state and Kingdome of men after the speaking and stile of the Prophers for so the Lord informed his servant Moses to speake Let my sonne goe that is let my Exod. 4. Dan 7. Dan. 8. People of Israel depart and so in Daniel under the forme and name of foure singular Beasts aâ—e designed foure severall Monarchies most of them containing a long succession of many Monarchs The Ramme which thou sawest are the Kings of the Medes and Persians after which maâ—ner of speaking the Spirit speaketh also in this place and under the name of a man presenteth unto us the whole race and succession of men of sinâ—e whose totall summe is one Antichrist the bounds and limits of whose dominion and tyâ—anny the holy Ghost impâ—leth within the circuit of a certaine sure prefixed period and determinate number of yeares saying And the number of him is six hundred sixty six Wherein many as well ancient as late writers as in the rest have vainly imagined that Antichrist is one singular person which must suddenly start up and after three civill yeares and a halfe depart againe and that he must bee by birth a Iew and of the Tribe of Dan when notwithstanding those cursed Scatterbags have neither Tribe nor shadow of Tribe left amongst them and that he must reigne in Ierusalem of which Citie and Temple there is not any one stone left upon another and that he must kill Enoch and Elias who are to appeare about the Kalends of Greece with divers other such legendary phantasies never meant nor sent from God so in this point also concerning the number of Antichrist they have given up an account so far from the audite of truth as nothing can be more And as men that thought it worth the labour to find a knot in a rush so by a conceited framing and anagramming of letters they have endeavoured to find out such a name as by characters might express the number 666 and withall might something square either with the name nature blasphemie or residence of the Bishops of Rome as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remiith Adonikam filius perditionis c. whereunto also may be added the conjectures of John Wickliffe John Bale Francis Junius men otherwise of good and worthy memory in the Church of God as also the conjectures of others as worthy and honourable as they that have reserred the number of 666. to the time of Antichrists revealing and yeare of rising when notwithstanding it is a strange voyce and not knowne to the eares of the Scriptures for the word number to be used for the beginning and rising of any terme of time limited and predicted by the Prophets but onely for the end period and determination thereof But if it were lawfull to smile in so grave an inquisition amongst all phantasticall charmes and cabalisticall conjectures upon this word number there is none more ridiculous then that which most pleaseth our Rhetoricall Rhemists who by a rare supputation of characters have as roundly found out the Beasts number as the Sodomites did the doors of Lot in the name Luderus which in the Almain tongue is the name of Luther and although we are sure they cannot so much as think upon the poor Frier Luther but for very feare they stinke all the world over yet this device so tickleth the Clergy of Antichrist that they pretend to laugh for joy But as for their prefixed time of three naturall or civill yeares and a halfe which they allot to the reigne and rage of their Antichrist it doth so unevenly square with Luther or Lutherans continuance that these miserable Sardonians are faine to eat their word and to endure the foolish world to laugh at them whiles as dying they faine would seem to laugh at it But to leave these cursed leaders of the cursed blind and returne againe to those that have thought to calculate and find out the mystery of Antichâ—ists number 666 in a word at a word we say they are deâ—eived and erre not knowing the power and construction of the Scripture For fiâ—st by the word name delivered in the former verse in these words Or the number of his name is meant the very existence and person of the man of sin by a propriety of speech common to holy Scriptures as Acts 1. 15. Apoc. 3. 4. 11. 13. where by an Hebraisme names signifie men and are converted with the parties and persons themselves as the name of God in holy Scripture is often taken for God himselfe and therefore as in the former verse the Scripture calleth it the number of his name so in this verse he calleth it the number of a man understanding by a man as is aforesaid the totall sum of that succession of beastly men which make and constitute the existence and person of one Antichrist and by the word number is meant the fatall end and finall determination of their reigne and government for so the finger of God speaketh to Belshazzar God hath numbred thy Kingdome that is God hath ended and finâ—shed the dayes of thy Kingdome so that the number of his name or the number of the man is nothing else but the period and finall determination of the usurped tyranny and domination of Antichrist which the Lamb the Lord and preserver of Israel for the glory of his name consolation of his Church and confusion of her foes with a mighty and outstretched arme shall bring to passe in the yeare which shall be 666. For forasmuch as the egge of Antichristianism was laid in the daves of Innocent the first successoâ— to Anastasius the first also of that name in the yeare of salvation 406. as is before delcared and that by expresse commission there was furthermore granted to the Beast his heirs and successors 1260. years for the hatching fostering and perfecting this child of perdition and mystery of iniquity which being added to 406. by rule of true audite must needs verifie this admirable judgement which the Spirit of God hath here denounced and determined to make good upon him in the yeare which shall be 1666. In which account and discovery of his end the holy Ghost of purpose leaveth out the millenary number as not onely knowne perfect and immutable for that these vile and evill dayes shall not exceed more thousands then one but as respecting also the common use of all Nations as well Hebrews aÌ„s Gentiles who in their stiles for brevitie sake do no lesse often speak and â—rite by th'â—mperfect number omitting the â—illenary then after the perfect adding the millenary as Munster well observeth And in that year my Lord of Rome shall lay down his Vide Calendarium Hebraicum Sebastiani Munsteri proud wavesâ— and although he fortifie never so strong