others thus promoting Sorcery and Conjuration and if those be not evidences of the Popes coming by the working of Satan what can be To say nothing of the Key of the bottomless pit which Satan hath given to him as before 84. The 4th part of the Induction is usurping a Monarchy in the Church which is taken pro Confesso by all Popish writers that the Pope doth who challengeth to himself the Monarchy of a double power Spititual and Temporal Insomuch that his Parasites have courted him with that double title proper to our Lord Christ of King and Priest yea and this as Peters Successor as if Peter had not only the Keys committed to him but the Sword too whereas their own Image-makers frame Peter with the keys and Paul with the sword See instances Paragr 90. 85. Boniface was hard put to it for warranting his double Sword when he had no better proof then that of Luke 22.38 behold Lord here are two swords Here he understand the Church and Christ he saith doth not tell them these two swords are too many in the Chuâ—ch but only it is enough and Peter had one of those swords by Christs allowance for Christ bad him put his sword into his sheath and why may not Peters Successor have a Temporal sword too Therefore this same Boniface the 3d. upon a great Jubilee appear'd one day with a goodly Mitre in his Pontisicalibus and the next day with a Crown and a naked Sword born before him a clear evidence of his usurpation of this double Monarchy 86. That the Monarchical power is usurp'd by the Pope in the Church appears in his calling himself the Monarch of the Church acting absolutely as to Spirituals and universally as to Temporals so far as they say they are in ordine ad Spiritualia Thus Bellarmine affirms that the Pope hath power to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms for advancing the Catholick Church Thus this grand Thief and Robber so call'd John 10.8 sitting in the Temple of God robs both God of his part and Caesar of his too committing high Treason against both God and Caesar 87. Indeed the Apostle 2 Thess 2.4 does not say that he sits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Temple but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Templum upon or against the Church as Austin reads it and others to show how tyrannical a Monarch he will be but the Enallage of the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is usual in Scripture as Mat. 2.23 Mark 1.9 So the reading holds in the Temple or Church of God That the Pope sits in the Church res ipsa loquitur and himself boasts of his Apostolical Seat which was indeed a true Church in Paul and John's time though now degenerated in the Pope's time thus the Temple of Jerusalem was call'd the Temple of God even when it was become a den of thieves or the Pope may be in the Church as a Wenn is said to be in the Body 88. The 5th clause of the Induction is that his Seat must be in the great City that ruleth Nations this is so accommodated to the Pope that none can contradict it for he hath erected his Episcopall See upon the 7 hill'd City call'd by the Antients 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Rev. 17.9 calls it the city on 7 Hills to wit Rome which in Johns time was the great City by way of eminency superlatively great call'd the Lady of kingdoms and the Mistriss of the world For John liv'd under the 12th Caesar when Rome was predominant almost over all Lands and was dignified with this Encomium Orbis in Urbe CHAP. V. 89. THe 6th clause exalting himself as God above all that is called God is the 6th part of the Induction which doth exactly quadrare cum Papa the Pope is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2.4 that lifts up himself above all Kings and Emperours who are as titular Gods on earth This is as clear in all Histories as if writ with a Sun-beam though in profession the Pope be stiled Servus servorum yet in practice he is found Rex Regum many instances we read of those Earthly gods holding his Stirrop kissing his Toe as well as waiting at his Gate his leasure and pleasure 90. To particularize the Popes pride and exaltation in some few instances Boniface the 8th wrote thus Imperiously to the French King we would have thee to know that thou art Subject to us as well in temporal as spiritual matters So t is Recorded in the Hist of France Pope Pius in his 2d Epistle to Mahomet the Turkish Emperour pag. 396. promises to make him Emperour of the East as his predecessors had made Charlemain Emperour of the West if he would turn Christian and supply the necessities of the Church Remondus in his Antipap Chap. 20. Relates of Pope Innocent saying the Church hath given me a Mitre for my Prelacy and a Crown for my Kingdom as I am Vicar of the King of kings and Lord of lords 91. Platina writes that Pepin one of the Kings of France having kissed the Toe of Pope Steven the 2d held his bridle for him on horseback and serv'd him as his Lackey or Footboy in vita Stephani secundi The Emperor Frederick holding the stirrop to Pope Adrian the 4th and mistaking the wrong stirrop the Pope rages against him although the Emperor excused himself saying he had not been brought up with holding Stirrops and Benedict the 9th sent a Crown to Peter King of Hungary with this Motto Petra dedit Romam Petrâ— tibi Papa Coronam But more proudly did he that set the Crown on Henry the sixt's head and kick'd it off with his foot again 92. Yet most proudly of all did Alexander the 3d carry to Frederick Barbarossa the Emperor who comes creeping to the Pope for an Absolution and kissing his Feet the Pope like a proud devil Incarnate sets his foot on the neck of the Emperor then prostrate before him saying those words of the Psalmist Ps 91.13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder the Dragon and Basilisk thou shalt tramph under foot The Pope calls himself the Sun and the Emperor but the Moon in a lower orb to him 93. Nich. Vignier in his Eccles History relating the manner how the Emperors were consecrated and crowned says that after Mass the Pope in his Pontifical Chair holds the Crown betwixt his feet which the Emperor bowing down his head lifts up from his feet and presently the Pope strikes the Crown of with his foot from the Emperors head down to the ground to signifie that he hath power to depose them again at his pleasure and then the Cardinals that stand round about takes up the Crown and sets it on with great reverence is not this like one of the spuâ—… or kicks of the beast 94. Thus the Pope though he pretend himself to be Peters Successor yet walks he not in Peters steps for whereas Peter takes up
enemy to the God-head and pure Gospel of Christ so he is an Antichrist called Orientalis Antichristus the Eastern Antichrist 39. Yea our Dr. Holmes doth strongly assert that the Turk and the Pope make up one Antichrist and he gives those reasons for it 1st Mahumetism was hatched by Sergius a Popish Monk 2ly according to Dan. 7. ver 8.24 The Turk possesses three of those Kingdoms which were under the Pope 3ly the Turk sits over the Material as the Pope over the Spiritual Temple 4ly both their names amounts to 666. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek as well as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5ly both are Sons of perdition the two Master-limbs of Antichrist the one Eastern the other Western 40. Unto all this concerning the Turk I shall only subjoyn the choice observation of that holy and learned Servant of Christ Mr. John Cotton who intimates in his Treatise upon Revel 13. that while the Pope stands no war against the Turk can prosper for it was because of Romes sin that the Turk was so advanced God raising up a beastly Engine to punish a beastly Religion Thus may the Turk be one Antichrist but not The Antichrist or at most but one Limb of him which shall stand longer than the other Limb for we Read of the Turks Rise in Revel 9. but no where of his Ruine till Revel 20.8 CHAP. III. 41. HItherto Negatively what is not The Antichrist now I come to shew Positively what is If we hunt this beast home quasi cum Catulis fidelibus this Fox that hath most spoil'd the Vineyard of Red-Wine will be found to Kennel in Rome The Ld. Chancellor Bacon told K. James in a dispute about Antichrist had he an Heu and Crye for it he must apprehend the Pope by it And as for his birth and Nativity his Father was an Amorite and his Mother an Hittite what ever he profess to the contrary 42. Antichrist is taken either Generally for every one that is against Christ and thus all those opposers of Christ forementioned are Antichrists in this Sense there were many Antichrists in the Apostles time or t is taken Specially and that two ways 1st Either for some notable Empire that openly opposes it self to the Kingdom of Christ thus the Turkish Empire may be Antichrist or that doth it privily and closely so 't is the Popish Empire 2ly 'T is taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the most principal part of that Empire and so the head of the Popish Empire is truly call'd The Antichrist 43. That we may come more distinctly to the knowledge of this Antichrist Learned Chamier lays down a most sure Rule Quicunque omnes Capit Antichristi Notas quas Scriptura delineavit est Antichristus whosoever hath all those Characters wherewith the Scripture deciphers Antichrist by is the Antichrist but it will appear by the Sequel that the Pope of Rome hath all those Characters upon him by which the word of God describes him therefore it necessarily follows that the Pope of Rome is the Antichrist 44. And there is another infallible Axiom used by our Protestant Divines to the same purpose Cui Competit Definitio ei Competit Definitum but the Definition that the holy Scriptures afford us of Antichrist doth best accord with the Pope of Rome therefore he is the thing defined to wit Antichrist that description the word of God gives of Antichrist doth not only shew what but who he is called Antichristus ille magnus the Great Antichrist 45. The holy Scriptures gives us this definition of Antichrist 1st he is an Apostate or Runegado-Christian 2ly professing friendship to Christ but practising enmity against him 3ly Stirred up by the efficacy of Satan 4ly Usurping a Monarchy in the Church 5ly Excercising his Kingdom in the great City that Reigneth over the Kings of the Earth 6ly Behaving himself in the Church of God as if he were God 7ly Seducing the Nations with lying wonders 8ly A man of Sin a Son of perdition a wicked one an Idolater 9ly Ambitious Cruel full of all uncleanness 10ly To be revealed in those last times 11ly to be Consumed by the breath of Christs mouth and 12ly to be destroyed by the brightness of his Coming 46. That he must be 1st an Apostate a faller away from the truth 2 Thess 2.3 demonstrates Refuga à domino suo as Austin calls him one that departeth from the faith and purity of Religion 1 Tim. 4.1 2ly in pretence a Friend to Christ but in truth an Enemy He must be a Christian titulo-tenus is shown us by his sitting in the Temple of God 2 Thess 2.8 and by his having horns like a lamb Rev. 13.11 This veil of the name of Christ colours over all his wickedness and makes him a mystery of iniquity 2. Thess 2.7 47. Yet in reality Antichrist must be an enemy to Christ notwithstanding all his pretences for him 1. Joh. 4.3 though the Greek particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Substitution and Vicegerency so Antichrist is one for Christ yet 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it implies opposition and Contrariety shows he is one against Christ though he look like a lamb yet doth he speak like the Dragon Rev. 13.11 yea and Acts like the Dragon also for the Dragon gives power to the beast Rev. 13.4 and the beast makes war with the Saints v. 7 yea and with the lamb too Rev. 17.14 though he seem to be like him and for him the beast and all his ten horns do war against Christ Rev. 19.19 he is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2.4 an Adversary 48. It appears 3ly that Antichrist is one stirred up by the efficacy of Satan not only because the Dragon gives power to the beast Rev. 13.4 but also his coming is described to be by the working of Satan 2 Thess 2.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antichrist must have the most eminent Activity of Satans skill both to found and finish his Kingdom Satan delivers the Key of the bottomless pit to him Rev. 9.11 and makes him the great Steward of his house insomuch as Antichrist hath a greater power according to their belief in Hell then Joseph had given him by Pharoh in Egypt thus Antichrists Doctrine is call'd the Doctrine of divells and his habitation the habitation of divells 1. Tim. 4.1 and Revel 18.2 49. Antichrist must 4ly Usurp a Monarchy in the Church not onely a Spiritual but also a Temporal Kingdom for this beast is describ'd with two horns to signifie his double power Rev. 13.11 his Spiritual power Consists in the Excercise of that Key of the bottomless pit which Satan gives to the Star of the Antichristian Church as above whereby he binds and looses not Ministerially in Christs name but rather Magisterially in his own name usurping an absolute Authority of Decreeing and Condemning what he pleases without the Authority of the Holy Scriptures 50. He hath also a Temporal or Political Kingdom for the Antichrist or second
Apostle to that Church doth sufficiently manifest but now if we compare the Doctrines of that Epistle with the Romish Doctrine now as it came out of the Trent-Councel there is nothing more true then to say as the Prophet Esa 1.21 how is the faithfull City become an harlot her silver is now become dross and her wine is mixed with water v. 22. Shee that once was Bethel is now Beth-aven she that was once Christian is now become Antichristian 61. It is not unnecessary to praemise here that when I speak of the Pope either in this or any of the other following Characters of him I do not speak of him personally as if but one in number a single person but collectively both as conjunct with the Clergy at one time and as varying by Succession for a long time together under the notion of Peters Successor whom the Romanists call the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of Eminency giving the power of the Keys to him alone as iâ— Christ had given the Keys to Peter alone Maâ—… 16.19 and as if he alone were the Church that must be told in case of obstinate offences Mat. 18.18 62. In this sense the Pope and the Church of Rome are Synonimicall terms in this Discourse and the Apostacy of the Body and the Head are collectively the same Now to prove his Apostacy 1st shall be from persons and 2ly from things 1st from Persons Bishop Davenant in his begg'd Suffrage shews how the Church of Rome now is no more a true Church than an arrant whore is a true Wife to her Husband she hath forsaken Christ and followed false lovers 63. Bishop Bramhall uses this Argument that Church which hath chang'd the Apostolical Creed the Apostollical Government and Apostolical Succession cannot remain an Apostolical Orthodox or Catholick Church but the Church of Rome hath done all this Ergo and so by Consequence is Apostatiz'd Bishop Hall also demonstrates how she hath so degenerated from her self and from the Truth insomuch that now their can be no peace with her Our repugnances with her are irreconcileable though Franciscus de Clara alià s Damport that quirking Scot would reconcile us 64. A great cloud of Witnesses might be brought in to prove this Apostacy For many Champions of the Protestant Religion have irrefragably evidenc'd that Rome is not only revolted from Christ but also from her self under her primitive Pastor whose Writings could never be answered to this day but seeing they are but human Testimonies Tria in this place shall be omnia Suffrages that are Human non sunt Numeranda sed Ponderanda I shall therefore add some Divine Testimonies against which there can be no just Exception 65. The Apostle in his Epistle to that Church doth more then intimate that she might prove an Apostatizing Church Rom. 11.20 be not high-minded but fear We must not look upon that passage as an empty ring of a tinkling Cymbal but a Prophetical intimation of some possibility and probability of their future abjection and Apostacy But more plainly the same Apostle 1 Tim. 4.1,3 points his finger as it were at Rome so sutable are their Doctrines to those Doctrines of Devils there mentioned as our learned Mr. Mede on that subject clearly shows Mede's Aposta of later Times 66. The Doctrine of Daemons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mr. Mede understands to be the Papists deifying and worshipping of Saints and Angels their Bowing down to Images Breaden-Idols and Crosses like new Daemon-pillars their Adoring and Templing of Reliques all which make as lively an Image of the Gentiles Theology of Daemons as could be expressed Thus he taking the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be Genitivus Materiae not efficientis as noting the Subject-matter not the Efficient cause 67. But more particularly omitting Mr. Mede's Notion let us see how the Romish Church quasi digito demonstratur is pointed at by this Prediction in the 1st of those Doctrines of Devils 1 Tim. 4.3 to wit forbidding to marry the Scripture commendeth Marriage as Gods Ordinance and as an Holy and Undefiled state permitting it equally to all Men so they marry in the Lord yet the Romish Church forbids any in Holy Orders to marry and that by Laws and Canons which never either Manichee Marcion or Tatian did though they had low thoughts of it as other ancient Hereticks had they never made any Decrees against it 68. The 2d Doctrine is Prohibition of Meats which God hath appointed to be received with Thanksgiving This is also as express and notorious Doctrine of the Church of Rome which hath forbidden by Law that which God by Law Ordained God allows the free use of the Creature but Rome restrains it by certain Times Differences at her pleasure Rome forbids some at all times and all at some times to abstain from some kind of Meats far beyond the Montanists that never put such stress on their Fasting Days as Rome does 69. Anselm expounds this 1 Tim. 4. on this wise The Spirit of God doth manifestly in me and by me say that in the last Times that is saith he during the Reign of Antichrist or before some shall depart from the Faith as the same Apostle saith 2 Thess 2.5 there shall be a falling away first Thus this ancient Father applied those Doctrines of Devils to the Apostacy of Antichrist and Espancaeus upon this 1 Tim. 4. says in totidem Verbis that the Apostacy from the Faith there mentioned is the same with the Apostacy of the Man of Sin spoken of in 2 Thess 2.5 70. Thus it appears from Testimonies how Antichrist is an Apostate forsaking the Doctrine of the Gospel and not only Embracing but also Ordaining those Doctrines of Devils it may 2ly be made more manifest ex parte Rei and de Facto by comparing the Doctrines of Antichrist with the Doctrine of that famous Epistle of Paul to the Romans There 's not a word there of the Popes Supremacy of Invocation of Saints of Adoration of Images or of the Vertue of Reliques of Monkish Sanctity of Indulgences of Transubstantiation of Purgatory of the Mass or of Auricular Confession c. wherein the marrow and substance of the Romish Religion consists 71. These were not the Doctrines of that Church in the Apostles days but now she hath heaped up other Doctrines that do not only contradict the Apostle's Doctrine but such as destroys the very foundation of Christianity at least by consequence if not in positive terms as in their Doctrine of Justification by Inherent Righteousness which is contrary to Rom. 1.17 4.6 their Praying to Saints contrary to Rom. 10.13,14 and their Merit against Rom. 8.18 72. No other foundation can any man lay besides Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3.11 Yet Rome hath laid other Foundations not holding the Head Christ Col. 2.18,19 they overthrow Christs Merits by setting up their own merits and Christs Mediation by making other Mediators and Christs Satisfaction in their Purgatory-sufferings so likewise
own Baronius tels us how Simon Magus made Images to walk by the power of the Devil and their Stories of Images weeping nodding and stretching forth the hand as with a blessing are all dough-Cakes baked in the same Oven the same Devil exercises his art of deceit both under the first Beast to uphold the Heathenish Idolatry and under the 2d Beast to maintain Antichristian Superstition 107. Henry Stephanus in his Apology for Herodotus tels us of some Answers that were given to such Superstitious Fools as pray'd to Images by some Juggling Priests that lay hid behind the Images Polidore Virgil a Papist says those Answers were made by Priests that crept into the hollow of the Image Thus Devils Incarnate by their own Confession makes their Images to speak to say nothing of their blessing-Image at Westchester moved by a Wire and a Priest behind it and other lying wonders 108. It is a good Rule when Miracles are wrought to be Patrons of Sin they come from Satan Such were those wonders that Simon Magus wrought not only to raise up an admiration of himself but also to bring men off from Holiness and from embracing the Gospel Origen tels Celsus that Antichrists Miracles were to bring men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the deceitfulness of Sin but Christs Miracles were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Salvation of Souls true Miracles oppose Satans Kingdom and are Mercies as well as Miracles 109. Satans wonders that he works whether mediately or immediately may amaze men but do not benefit them unless by way of Collusion as one Devil in the exorcist may cast out another out of one possessed which is done by the Devils consent and not by the power of any of their Exorcisms a Devil will willingly quit a demoniack for the hardening of mens hearts and for the further advancing of his own Kingdom Thus Austin de unitate Ecclesiae Cap. 16. calls the Miracles of his time either figmenta mendacium hominum or portenta fallacium Spirituum forgeries of lying men or prodigies of deceitful Devils 110. Chrysostom on the 23. Homily on John the 5th said thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou hast no need of Miracles for those are Signs to the unbelievers and Stella one of their own Religion speaks well of this point saying Miracles as Scaffolds are necessary in the building of an house but when the house is finished they are but impediments to the Passengers so now if Miracles were done it would argue a weakness in the confirmation of our Faith by the Miracles of Christ and the Apostles 111. Miracles now are rather hurtful then profitable and he that looks for wonders now is a wonder himself as Austin de civit dei lib. 22. Cap. 8. or saith qui credente mundo ipse non credit magnum est ipse prodigium he that seeks for wonders now when the Faith of the Gospel hath been preach'd to the World and confirmed by Miracles is himself the greatest wonder our Lord hath told us John 10.41 that Gods Ministers may teach Truth and yet work no Miracles and such may be the Devils Impostors that come with Signs and Wonders Deut. 13.1.2 Matth. 24.24 112. The wonders then which the Popish Church brags of are but fallacious and counterfeit wonders spoken of 2 Thess 2.9 and so are the very brand of Antichrist so that while they boast of them and make them a note of the Church they declare to all the World that their Church is the Antichristian Church were they true wonders wrought by a Divine power they would then be Gods Seals which are never set to confirm an untruth but their wonders contradict the Doctrine of Christ and so are the badge of Antichrist 113. Suppose the Jesuit Acosta should for gaining the poor Indians to this Popish Religion foretel them that for a Sign to them the Sun should be Ecclips'd at such a time This would be a wonder to them that are ignorant of the natural Causes thereof yet no true one in genere Miraculorum though in genere Rerum it fall out-so 'T is a lying wonder from the Jesuits because it is given out with a purpose to deceive Miracles are not a touchstone to try the truth of Doctrine by but we must try miracles by the word of God 114. I have been longer upon this Clause because the Church of Rome lays a great stress of her excellency above all Churches in her Miracles whereby they as it were graphically decipher themselves to be the Antichrist If any desire to see more of Antichrist's lying wonders let him read Osianders Epitome 7. Cent. fol. 260 261. 9 Cent. fol. 84. 120. 11th Cent. fol. 236. and Fullers Chur. Histor concerning Abbies and Monasteries pag. 332. 333. 115. The 8th part of the Induction is the threefold brand that God hath stigmatized him withall in his word The man of sin the son of perdition and the wicked one to show what a complex of many gross Impieties the Antichrist should be and how fitly this character corresponds with the Pope not only Dr. Prideaux in his Introduction Pareus Medull Histor Ecclesiast Osianders Epitome and all our Church Histories abundantly declare but also their own Historians make most shamefull descriptions of their Popes Lives 117. T is a good Rule Firmum est genus probationis quod etiam ab adversario sumitur ut Veritas etiam ab inimicis Veritatis probetur 'T is a strong proof when enemies of the Truth are constrained to bear witness of the Truth and Vives de instrumento probabilitatis saith thus Amici contra amicum Inimici pro Inimico invincibile Testimonium est which in plain English is thus explained the Testimony of a Papist against a Papist and of a Papist for a Protestant is without exception 117. Let us therefore take a brief account out of some Popish writers whose Testimonies are unquestionable and so make a compendious Landskip of a few Popes Lives to shew what men of sin yea rather monsters then men they were To begin with Sabinianus who succeeded Gregorius Magnus he who abominated the title of Universal Bishop as smelling too much of Antichrist this Pope their own Writers brands thus Sabinianus culpabili vitâ formidabili morte notatus est he lived wickedly and died miserably Fasciculus Temporum ad Ann. 614. 118. What a villainous prank did Stephanus the 6th whom many call Stephen the 7th play such as never was plaid before as Cardin Baronius Tom. 10. Annal. ad Ann. 897. Num. 2. expresses it with the Carcase of his Predecessor Formosus which he took out of the grave brought into judgement before a Councel of Bishops spoil'd it of his Papal Robes clad it with a Lay-mans garment indicted arraigned and condemn'd it cut off 3 fingers of it and cast it into Tyber Yea depriving all them of their Orders whom he had ordained reordaining them again Hoc prae sui immanitate omnibus incredibile videtur saith Baronius
the Pope that Beast described in the Revelation and the Antichrist This was only muttered at the first separation from the Romish Church by Waldus and his Companions saying in modest terms only Romanum praesulem Reliquis Episcopis parem esse as Bishop Usher de Successione Ecclesiae tells us loco predicto that the Pope of Rome was but equal to all other Bishops 175. But in the following Ages boldness growing as well as knowledge Ecclesia Romana was proclaimed to be Meretrix Babylonica as Bishop Usher Cap. 17. shews that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon This was done especially by Wickliffe and his fellows about the year of Christ 1371. This 2d Angel Wickliffe seeing the Kingdom of Antichrist shaken by the Ministry of Waldus that went before him now declares boldly that God had then laid the foundation of the destruction of it his cry was Rev. 14.8 Babylon is faln is faln and would as surely destroy it shortly as if he had seen it faln already 176. Then comes the 3d. Angel more vehement than the rest and that was Martin Luther and his fellow-labourers This Angel proceeds further and preaches Damnation to all that would not come out of this mystical Babylon telling the World more boldly than the other two Angels did that God had a Cup of Indignation without mixture that is not allayed with any mercy for all those that continued to drink of the Cup of Fornication God would give them Wine for Wine Wine of Wrath for Wine of Whoredoms Rev. 14.9.10.11 177. None of those great Reformers whom God stirred up in those Ages were so like this third Angel as Luther who denounc'd horrible and hainous torments easless and endless pains to the whole train of Antichrist and such as abode in the Worship of the Beast Vrging separation from Rome under the pain of damnation and to Rebel against such light as then was held forth could not consist with Salvation as 2 Thess 2.12 Luthers Epitaph was Pestis eram vivus moriens tua mors ero Papa 178. Then 2ly profound Writers have from the Quiver of common Reason human Testimonies and especially from the Holy Scriptures drawn out and shot such arrows at the Beast that though his first Wound was healed Rev. 13.3 yet those Wounds they have given him those last Centuries are plainly incurable by any other Engine save by private Treachery and publick Violence The Beast can hardly lick himself whole again no not with his Order of Jesuits and all their endeavours to uphold his tottering Kingdom 179. Quot ac quantos Scriptores Evangelicos haec postrema aetas in lucem protulit c. how many famous Champions of the Protestant Religion hath been Valiant for the Truth and strenuously batter'd the Walls of Babylon such as Melancton Oecolampadius Zuinglius Bullinger Aretius Gualther Musculus Lauater Polanus Polyander Zanchy Beza Chemnitius Calvin Pareus Marlorat and our own Jewel Reinolds Whittaker c. those and many others non modò docendo sed etiam Scribendo damnum Antichristo vel maximum attulere did him very great harm 180. Besides many other famous Authors in former Ages which Illyricus in Catologo Testium Veritatis doth abundantly enumerate Christ hath had his Witnesses against Antichrist in all the Ages of the Beast though most and clearest in the latter Ages which hath given their Testimony both by Preaching and Writing though but in Sackcloth against the Antichristian Idolatry all along the lease of 42. Months that is granted to the Beast to tread down the holy City 181. The Pen of those famous Lights in their day was an Artificial Tongue whereby they spoke to Places and People absent as well as present to them afar off as well as to them that were nigh and thereby abundance of knowledge was communicated to the World Writing hath an Image as it were of Eternity in it it makes a man live when he is dead though the Prophets cannot live for ever Zech. 1.5 yet their laborious Writings may preach both when and where they themselves neither may nor can nor dare Hebr. 11.4 182. But 3ly and lastly Potent and Pious Princes are Instruments in the hand of God to pull down Antichrist we read of an Angel that had on his head a Golden Crown and in his hand a sharp Siccle Revel 14.14 which may well resemble some glorious Prince that shall begin to execute Gods Judgments on Babylon and v. 15. is some Zealous Preacher out of the Church that calls on him to do this Execution 183. When Godly Princes do exercise their Power for Christ and against Antichrist then is it said that Christ the Son of Man sits in the Throne to Rule with them having a Golden Crown upon his head as he is described in that Vision Rev. 14.14 He is call'd the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 and then are Christian Kings said to be caught up to God and to his Throne Rev. 12.5 when they do Authorize and Execute the Reaping of this Harvest by their Kingly Power 184. But more plainly and without a Parable the Lord tells us Rev. 17.16,17 that the ten Horns which he calls ten Kings v. 12. shall hate the Whore and make her desolate and naked they shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire for God hath put it into their hearts c. Those very Kings that were the occasion of his Rise before shall by an overruling providence be the Instruments of his Ruine First God in Justice gives them up to be Vassals to Antichrist and then in Mercy he moves them to destroy him 185. Dr. Sibbs in his Evangel Sacrifice Serm. First Relates the occasion of Antichrists Rise thus The Roman Emperor having Enemies in the East was forced to Reside at Constantinople and Rome thereby being neglected the Pope takes this occasion to set up himself to depose Childerick a weak Prince and to set up Pepin Father to Charles the great to gratifie him This brief Landskip he gives 186. The Dr. relates also how those 10 Kings betray their own Kingdoms in giving up their power to the Beast therein doing wrong 1st to God 2ly to Themselves and 3ly to their Subjects And though it be said that God puts it into their hearts to give up their Kingdoms to the Beast Rev. 17.17 Yet we may not understand this as done by either outward Command or by inward Infusion but God finding them in an evil Estate he uses their sin to his own End 187. However this shall be done only untill the words of God be fulfilled ver 17. And as sure as God hath put it into their hearts to give up their Kingdoms to that Beast so surely God will in his own appointed time put it into their hearts also to destroy the Beast But whether they shall all agree in this latter as 't is said they do in the former is some doubt 188. It is the judgement of some solid Interpreters that
those very Kings which held Communion with the Beast and after hate and burn Antichrist Rev. 17.16 shall yet lament to see the smoak of that burning which they themselves kindled Rev. 18.9 which may intimate to us that Cross-Interests engag'd them in that burning of Babylon more then any true Repentance of their Popish Religion 189. Not much unlike the Proceedings of Israel against Benjamin which when they had destroyed they were sorry they had gone so far Such cross-Interests fell out lately 'twixt the Pope and the King of France about some affronts to the French Ambassador Chigi in Rome whereupon the French King sends an Army of twenty thousand Men over the Alpes against the Pope and reduced the Pope from his Luciferian Highness to the Order of the Humbled Brethren 190. This Commotion betwixt them two made many good Men that wait for the consolation of Israel in the Accomplishment of that word the Kings shall hate and burn the Whore to be yet fulfilled to hope that God was putting it into the heart of the King of France to execute his Vengeance upon Babylon However it was clearly discover'd to be the declining Age of Antichrist for the Pope durst not use those bruta fulmina of his Predecessors against the King but must satisfie him in all things that he demanded even to the erecting of a Trophy c. 191. It is most probable that all those Kings shall not hate the Whore c. But some of the Ten shall take part with Antichrist after the fall of Rome till they be destroyed at Armageddon Rev. 19.18 Rev. 16.14 18.9 The flesh of those Kings were there eaten and others of them shall deal with this Harlot as Men do with a Strumpet when they see what harm they have got by her as Ezek. 16.36,37,38,39 192. The great God who hath the hearts of Kings in his own hands and turns them as he pleases Prov. 21.1 will certainly raise up the Spirits of some of those Kings to repent of their Friendship with Antichrist and to rage against him as professed Enemies and to lay waste his dwelling and to destroy him for ever Whereas the King of France in that late Contest with him powr'd out only some drops of the Vials upon him Some of those at last if not he shall pour upon him the whole showre and this at the end of his Lease at the expiration of his Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to do 42 Months Rev. 13.5 193. T is a ruled Case what hath been may be now we have seen already in past Providences how God hath cal'd of several Princes from all amity with Antichrist especiall in the Northern Parts of Europe since the Reformation of Luther To say nothing of the Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Hassia c. which came forth with Luther and other Reformers to help the Lord against the mighty Beast We find that several of the 1â— Kings that formerly gave up their Kingdoms to Antichrist are now faln off from him since the Reformation 194. God hath cut off several Kingdoms in the North from the Jurisdiction of Antichrist as England Scotland Denmark and Swedeland which were 4 of the 10 Horns and some of the Kings of those Kingdoms have personally appeared against Antichrist some with their Pen as King James and some with their Sword as Gustavus Adolphus 195. To say nothing of Germany that in a great part broke of from Antichrists See under those wonderfull Reformations wrought there both in the Higher and Lower Germany Nor of France from whence came the Angel Waldus that laid the first Foundation of Antichrists ruine as before and which hath in a great part separated from Rome for the View of France tells us the Hugonots had about 2150 Churches of the Reformed Religion this was above 60 years ago in all likelihood they are much increased now 196. Thus though their Kings have not themselves declared open Hostility and hatred against Antichrist and so to weaken his Power by their personall Atchivements yet their Kingdoms hath contributed much to the pulling down of this man of sin So that if we reckon France and Germany though but in part battering at Babylon together with those four before mentioned England Scotland Denmark Swedeland which together with their Supream Magistrates have for a long time oppos'd Antichrist we must needs say that the Viall's already poured out have dry'd up a great part of the Sea or Jurisdiction of the Pope 197. If Kings and Kingdoms have been thus bold with his Holiness under the former Vials and while so much of his Lease was yet to run how lively and vigorous may we expect them to be in the power of God under the latter Vials and when his Term of Continuance is about expiring The wheel of Providence will be quicker and sharper in its Motions and Revolutions at the end of his Time 198. Thus have we seen in the first place the three personal Engines in Gods hand against this Beast 1. Powerfull Preachers 2. Profound Writers and 3. Potent and pious Princes Now 2ly come we to the things that the wise Jehovah hath and doth use as Instruments for Demolishing this mystical Jericho and they are principally four to wit 1. Spiritual practicing 2. Unanimous Praying 3. Publick Printing and 4. Powerfull Preaching of all which very briefly in the following Paragraphs 199. First an holy practice of Piety a close walking with God and a living in the power of Godliness doth prove an excellent Means for the extirpation of Popery the reason is because Popery is nothing else but a meer Form denying the Power 'T is a loose Religion and its Worship is a carnall compound of Flesh-pleasing things it hath Musick to gratifie the Ear Perfumes to please the Nostrils and gawdy Pictures to bewitch the Eye in these and many other particulars 't is every way accommodated to an earthly Mind 200. Popery is a drawing nigh to God with the body when the heart is far from him 't is a being circumstantial in Substantials and substantial only in Circumstantials the Opus operatum of a Ceremony will expell Devils and work Wonders the Cheapness of their Pardons must needs render them notoriously licentious How did Lewis of France multiply his execrable Oaths when he thought the Kissing of his Crucifix was a sufficient Expiation from them all 201. Now 't is a Physical Rule Contraris curantur contrariis one Contrary is best cured by another so is this loose Antichristian Religion by an holy Evangelical Conversation Such a Conversation as this doth not only put to silence the ignorance of foolish men from dispraising but also opens the Speech of knowing Men for comnending the way of Reformation not only among Pagans 1 Pet. 2 1â—.15 but also among Papa-gans beholding men in the Flesh do live according to God in the Spirit 1 Pet. 4.6 202. This Engine I would commend to all those of the Reformation that they may adorn their
fragoris was Luther that did not throw bruta fulmina at the Pope as the Pope did at him but rather such a Thunderbolt as according to Ovids Fiction struck Phaeton out of his Charet surely the Thundring Sermons that have been preach'd by those Sons of Thunder have caused this Son of Perdition to shrink downward from his pinnacle of Pride many degrees 217. The efficacy of this Ordinance of Preaching against the Walls of Babylon is clearly held out in the type of the fall of Jericho Josh 6.13 7 Priests bearing 7 Trumpets of Rams-horns went on continually and blew with those Trumpets the Priests going on before the Ark and blowing with their Trumpets This they continued to do all the 6. days and v. 16. it came to pass on the 7th day when the Priests blew with the Trumpets the People hearing the Trumpets v. 20. shouted with a great shout and the Walls of Jericho falls down flat to the ground 218. The Antitype to the Sounding of those Ramshorns is the Ministry of the Word which though it be contemptible to man yet is it in poor Fishermen the power of God a Weapon that is Mighty for the pulling down of the strong holds of Antichrist 2 Cor. 10.4,5 God hews down his Forts by his Prophets Hos 6.5 and Cursed is he that rebuilds them again Josh 6.26 God writes him childless that does so 1 Kings 16.34 all from eldest to youngest dye 219. We read in 1 Kings 19.17 How it was not only the Sword of Hazael and the Sword of Jehu that cut off that Idolatrous house of Ahab but such as escaped their two Swords should Elisha slay Yet read we not any where of a material Sword that this Prophet used but he slew them by a Prophetical denouncing of Divine Vengeance against Idolaters Thus powerful Preaching is an hewing down of Antichrist by the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6.17 220. As the Prophet Jeremy was set over Nations and Kingdoms to root out and to pull down to destroy and to throw down Jer. 1.10 to wit by his Menances and Denunciations of Wrath which should as surely be effected as if the Prophet had himself effected them So are all the Ministers of the New Testament set up against this Kingdom of Antichrist to root it out and to pull it down yea and to destroy that man of Sin that abusing this same place of Scripture assumes a power of setting up and pulling down Kings and disposing of their Kingdoms at his pleasure God expounds it better Jer. 18.7.9 221. Oh pray then for such Ministers of the Lord as may blow continually the Rams-horns as may lift up their Voices like Trumpets Isa 58.1 as may with the Sword of the Spirit hew down this cursed Bramble out of which so much fire hath issued as hath burnt down the Cedars of Lebanon Judg. 9.15 Oh pray that the slain Witnesses may Prophecy again and reveal Antichrist that was born in darkness for the quintessence of Preaching is a Revealing of the mystery of Godliness and the mystery of Ungodliness 222. There be therefore many demonstrative Arguments to prove the fall of Antichrist by as 1. He must fall because he hath no foundation in the Word of God the Sandy foundation that he stands upon cannot long uphold him he is not built on the Rock of ages he is no Plant of Gods planting 2ly There is not a promise for his standing in all the holy Scriptures but a direful threatning against his standing Math. 15.13 every Plant which God hath not planted shall be Rooted up 223. And 3ly There is never a true Spiritual Prayer for him neither in the Word nor 〈◊〉 the World but all Prayer is against him Eâ—…siastical History tells us how Prayer broke the neck of Simon Magus and it will at length also break the neck of Antichrist The Popish Queen of Scots seem'd something sensible of this when she said she fear'd Mr. Knoxs Prayer more then an Army of Twenty thousand men 224. He is 4ly Not only guilty of much Blood which cries for Vengeance upon him but also he is drunk with it therefore as he now Staggers like one that is drunk so he must likewise both stumble and fall Isai 8.15 Jerem. 25.27 then 5ly Solomon saith pride goes before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16.18 Antichrists pride was related before Parag. 52.55 and from 89. to 97. all which must bring his fall and destruction 225. But sixthly and lastly because so many battering Engines are planted against him not by weak man but by the Mighty God therefore down he must come for strong is the Lord that Judges him Revel 18.8 When Joshua comes against Jericho in the name of the Lord and surrounds it with the Ark of God and blowing of Trumpets this plainly portends the downfall of it So when our Joshua or Jesus hath batter'd Babylon with those Persons and things forementioned for some years already since Luthers days especially this plainly portends it cannot stand but must tumble down CHAP. IX 226. HAving thus demonstrated Antichrists lingring Consumption and the means whereby it is accomplished which is the 11th clause I come now next to the 12th and last part of the Induction to wit his utter extirpation he must be destroyed by the brightness of Christs coming the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an elegancy in it as its simple is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be idle The Beast hath power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Mr. Mede Reads faciendi to do 42. Months Rev. 13.5 but the brightness of Christs coming puts a Period to his lease of doing cuts the traces of this wicked plower and then he can't plow or do no more Ps 129.3,4 he will be then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one out of Employment and out of being also 227. Some indeed take this brightness of Christs coming to be at the day of Judgment because it s said then He shall come in flaming Fire 2 Thess 1.8 and then shall the Beast and false Prophet be put to death and cast into the Lake Rev. 19.20 This interpretation makes the final abolishment of Antichrist to be much later then indeed it shall be 228. This coming of Christ is not saith Dr. Sclater to be taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Individual point of time wherein Christ shall come to Judge the World at the last day but it must be taken extensely and with some latitude so as under it may be comprized the Anterior part and the foregoing both Signs and times thereof and he approves of that Critick Scholiast that says this phrase is not to be understood of his comming in Person to General Judgment but of the manifestation of His Presence in the Church by effects of Power Justice Grace and Mercy 229. If this Extirpation of Antichrist be the same thing with the downfall of Babylon that is describ'd Revel 18. then under correction saith
Antiochus his death Now all this he makes a Type of things to come looking on Antichrist in the New Test to be the Antitype of Antichrist in the Old and corresponding each with other in Nature and Circumstance 257. Hereupon he speaks to the Conjecture of some that because there be 45 days difference betwixt 1290. 1335. do gather from thence that after Antichrist it destroyed Christ will come in Glory at the end of 45 days but he answers to this that then it would be known by Daniels Prophecy when the day of Judgement is which is contrary to the Scripture of the New Testam Mat. 24.36 Luke 12.40 but rather thus saith he Christ by the brightness of his Coming will cleanse his Temple as Judas Macabaeus did and 45 days after he will slay Antichrist Here we have at least an obscure Intimation of the time of the fall of this Man of Sin 258. But more plainly Mr. Symonds Pastor of Roterdam reckons by Daniels Numerical Rule and observing how Julian the Apostate endeavoured to set up the Abomination-Temple of the Jews and to restore Judaism in despight of Christ himself whom he would have proved a Liar thereby and all those Christians that lived in his Empire how also Christ from heaven fought against his enterprize with Thunder and Lightning and with an Earthquake from below that cast up the very foundation which he had laid 259. Hereby Christ whom he would have prov'd a Liar fulfill'd his own Prophecy more fully then it was before That not only above ground but not so much as under ground one stone shall not be left upon another Mat. 24.2 Thus by a most eminent hand the Lord took away the Jews daily Sacrifice and rooted up their Abomination-Temple yea and at the same time the Delphich Temple of the Heathens was utterly destroyed to tell all the world that neither Judaism nor Paganism should be set up any more but the Kingdom of Christ 260. These transcendent Providences Mr. Symonds and others I say observing are thereby perswaded to begin this 1290 days or years at this Exploit of Julian which some say was in An. Dom. 360. and so the period of that Computation ends in 1650 Y. of Christ which is long ago expir'd only there is a reserve of 45 Years which prolongs this account to 1695. 261. There be other holy Men that cast their eye in this work not upon Daniels number only but on Johns also as Mr. Tilling-hast who begins his account of 1290 Years at the Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple by Julian which he says was in the Y. of Christ 366. to wit 6 Years lower than the former Calculation this for Daniels number but then the 1260 or the 42 Months which is Johns number he begins at the Year 396 after Christ 262. And he gives this reason for the latter because saith he at the Ye 396. was the time of the Beasts rise for then came in the Worshipping of Images Prohibition of Marriages Traditions and Antichrists exalting himself above the Magistrate Now both those Numbers to wit that of Daniels the Prophet of the Jewish Church holding out the time of the Rejection of the Jews and of Antichrists domineering over beleeving Gentiles jump exactly into one Period sc 1656 Y. which also is elapsed and yet no Vial it powred on the Seat of the Beast 263. Dr. Goodwin likewise goes this way comparing Daniels and Johns Prophecy together and making that Angel with the little book in Rev. 10. to be the same that appear'd to Daniel Dan. 12. for saith he both those Angels 1 use the same Ceremony to wit the lifting up of the right hand towards Heaven 2 both swearing the same Oath to wit by him that liveth for ever Dan. 12.7 and Rev. 10.5,6 3 both their Swearing hath one end about the same thing and to the same purpose 264. For that Prophecy of Daniel contains but more darkly the same things that the Revelation of John more clearly handles as namely the Tyranny of the 4th Monarchy and the oppression of the Church thereby First by the Empire then under the last head of it the Pope of whom Daniel had Prophecy'd Chap. 11. from v. 36. to the end after whose time ended should come in a fift Monarchy of the Saints as Ch. 7. all which things are more distinctly presented to us by John as namely under the 7th Trumpet after the time of the Pope ended a glorious Kingdom should come in Revel 11.15.17 265. And 4ly as they both agree in one subject matter so likewise in setting down the time determined of God how long this last head the Pope oppressing the Church should continue to wit for a time times and half a time Daniel mentioning it thus Darkly and Indefinitely and when this last head shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy People then all those things shall be fulfilled Dan. 12.7 but t is more clearly and distinctly mentioned by John as became a Revelation Chap. 11. so as indeed the 11th of Revelation is but an Explication of the 12th of Dan. for the better comfort of the Church 266. Then coming to pitch upon the time of Antichrists fall Dr. Goodwin concurs in his Conjectures with those that reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Y. and fixing the beginning of this account in Julians time which was the last time both of the ceasing of the daily Sacrifice set up by him and a setting up Heathenish Idolatry in the World and he says we may not reckon from Titus Vespasians time who destroy'd the Temple for then the term is expired long ago 267. And he finding two Periods of time most chiefly pitcht upon by writers of this age for great changes in the Churches of Christ the one about 1656. and the other upon 1666. he I say falls in with both those Periods shewing how both may stand together for the 5. Vial saith he hath 2 several powrings forth of 2 several portions the one is the top and the other is the dregs or bottom The top of the Vial may be powr'd out in Y. 1656. to prepare for the other but in Y 1666. the dregs of its wrath shall fall on the Seat of the Beast 268. The latter of those Periods he reckons by Johns Number of 42. Months or 1260. Y. fixing the head of this account in the Year 406. after Christ when Pope Innocent the First challeng'd and Usurp'd Jurisdiction over all Churches Those two Numbers put together make exactly 1666. but the former of those Periods he reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Years which he begins at Julians Exploit Y. 365. or 366. because accompts of Years since Julians attempt of building of the Temple is various which latter added to 1290. Y. makes exactly also 1656. according to his 1st Period 269. He proceeds further saying Daniel being inquisitive after the times when those things should he finished The Angel which is Christ saying Revel 11.3 I will give
bless God for pitcheth his Expectation upon this Y. 1656. though tacitly and implicitly for in his Synchronismes he making the first Trumpet and the Popes 1260 Days to begin together and in his Comment pag. 71. he makes the beginning of the first Trumpet to be in the Y. 395. after Christ so as if the Reign of Antichrist began at that time with the first Trumpet 'T is clear enough Mr. Mede inclin'd mostly to 1655. or 1656. for the Expiration of Antichrists kingdom 295. There is another ground that made this Year of 1656. a year of great Expectation because it was the year of Noah's Flood in the old World unto which Christ compares his Coming Matth. 24.37,38 as if there would be so many years to the first beginning of the new World to come since Christ as was of the old World before the Flood till the days of Noah to wit 1656. years The Kingdom of Christ is called by the name of the World to come Heb. 2.5 because it shall bring with it new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 1 Pet. 3.13 296. There be other learned Interpreters that fix the beginning of this 1260. Y. upon other times some upon the Y. 383. after Christ because then the Councel of Constantinople acknowledged the Primacy of the Roman Bishop wherein the Beast received much power others on 401. Y. after Christ for then Pope Innocent drew all Appeals to Rome and about that time the Mystery of Iniquity was reveal'd 297. the former Hypothesis of these two last brings down Antichrists fall to 1643. Y. after Christ and the latter of them to 1661. but because Chronologers vary in their Computations to wit when Innocent the first who began the usurpation of Authority and Jurisdiction over all Churches and first set out that notorious Falsification of the Canons of Nice as pretending that those Canons gave the Roman Bishop this Power was created Pope Some say in the Y. 404. this makes Antichrists Period in the Y. 1664. 298. But other Chronologers makes his Creating Pope in the Y. 406. as Sympson the Scotch Abbreviator of the History of the Church pitches the beginning of the Popes Usurpation in this Y. 406. who yet had no Eye at all upon that great Year of Expectation 1666. in so pitching it but because at that time according to his Calculations he found that this Nocent Innocent the first was created Pope as appears in his English History of the Church 2d Book 5. Century and pag 323. 299. Mr. Burroughs and many other holy Men hath begun their Computation of Antichrists Term at this Innocent the first partly for the reason abovesaid and partly because this Pope 1st took upon him power over Princes for he excommunicated the Eastern Emperor Arcadius who yet was out of his Jurisdiction for banishing Chrysostome which none of his Predecessors the Popes ever attempted to do a Copy of his Excommunication is extant in Baronius and in his time also the Emperor Honorius exempted his Clergy from all Secular Powers so made them a distinct Body for the Pope as their Head a lively representation of the Apocalyptick Beast CHAP. XI 300. TThere be yet two Opinions behind which are indeed Heterogeneal to all those before mentioned the first is of that our Godly Martyrologist Mr. Fox which he saith was after long Study and Prayer cast suddenly into his mind by Divine Inspiration to wit that those 42. Months must be referr'd to the Churches Persecution under the Roman Emperors Reckoning from John Baptist that was slain by Herod the Tetrarch untill Peace was given to the Church by Constantine 301. He takes those 42. Months for Weeks of Years by which Reckoning they make 249. Years to which if we add the 30. Years of Christ when he was Baptized by John it amounts to 324. Years after Christ in which Year he saith Constantine the great embraced the Christian Religion To this singular Opinion of this holy Man I shall speak to by and by and yet without deriding it as the Popish Writers do when I come to lay down my own Opinion such as it is on this Subject 302. The 2d Opinion is Dr. Beards one who hath writ a very Learned Treatise of Antichrist whose notions in this point differs from all others of the Interpreters aforesaid about this Apocalyptick Number saying that it concerns not Antichrists Reign but only the durance of the first Beast which was the Roman Empire and he gives 2. Reasons for this his Opinion First 't is said Rev. 13.5 that power was given to the Beast 42. Months or 1260. Years this he says agrees with the Event for from the first foundation of Rome to its Ruine by Theoderick the Goth passed just so many Years 1260. 303. His Second Reason why this Number holds out the length of the Civil Empire of Rome persecuting the primitive Church and not the Pontifical or Antichristian is because he saith it is not the manner of Holy Scripture to premonstrate any certain Periods of those Intestine Troubles which are rais'd up in the Church by false Christians but only by such as arise from Foreign Enemies that professedly oppose the Truth As we see saith he in the Persecution of the Antient Church under the Egyptians and Babylonians and Antiochus 304. Those Persecutions are defined in a certain Number of Years by the Prophets but not that which was executed by their own Idolatrous Kings as Jeroboam Manasseh and the rest of those Ungodly Kings of Israel so saith he those Numbers in the Apocalypse are not to be referr'd to Antichrist who was to be a Domestick Foe this is answer'd in Par. 347. but to the Bloody Cruelty of those Heathen Tyrants the Roman Emperors who saith he are the Gentiles that treads under foot the Holy City 4.2 Months Revel 11.2 yea he further affirms that this 42. Months in Revel 11.2 and that in Revel 13.5 are all one in effect and cannot be well understood but of the Heathen Emperors 305. To this Opinion also I shall say something as well as to the other of Mr. Foxes when I give my own conceptions of the point and that in the first place though they be last named because they hold so little consonancy with my own Opinion and as I Judge with the Truth and herein my method shall be first to declare Negatively what is not the mind of the Holy Ghost among those various Interpretations and then Positively what according to the best Scripture-light God gives me is the true sence 306. I come now to cast in my own mite such as it is not without trembling and astonishment and that on a 3 fold Consideration 1. The abstruse difficulty and mysteriousness of this Subject which may well be Reckon'd among Peters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet. 3.16 things hard to be understood t is such a profound mystery as Angels can but peep into it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 1.12 and such an one
excommunications for such a term also but likewise to make War against the Church as War is taken largely and not strictly seeing that all those Three are joyn'd together by the Holy Ghost and t is so expresly mentioned in our Greek Copy Power was given him to make War 42. Months Rev. 13.4,5 379. The whole Reign of the Beast is quodam modò a certain kind of War and opposition against the Church for the Devil is her restless Adversary and never departs from her but as he departed from her Lord only for a season Luk. 4.13 once in the Month he will be sure to assault her and thus he makes the Beast fulfil those 42. Prophetical Months though there may be some lucida intervalla some Respit Thus the Red-Dragon makes three Assaults or Persecutions in Revel 12. The first is against the Man-Child which that glorious Primitive Church clothed with the Sun c. after many strong Prayers for a Nursing Father in the Empire and after ten sharp Throes in the 10. Persecutions brought forth Chap. 12. v. 4. 380. The second Assault was against the Woman or Church it self that brought forth this Man-Child after he was caught up to God and to his Throne v. 5. and the Dragon being cast out v. 9.13 Thus when Constantine that Man-Child had destroy'd the Dragon then did the Dragon cast out of his mouth a Flood of Arrianism to drown the Woman But the third Assault was against the Womans Seed or Remnant v. 17. that kept Gods Commandments by the Antichristian Beast Ch. 13. t is said he went to make War with them Chap. 12.17 which is the same word in Ch. 13.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that the Beasts Reign is call'd a making War with the Seed of the Church 381. This War or Persecution against the Remnant of the Seed Antichrist began betimes after he had got his Kingdom as our Martyrologies do shew in all those ten Kingdoms that belonged to his Jurisdiction for he had the Sword of those ten Horns at his Command to War against this Remnant withall Those Kings were to fulfill Antichrists will Revel 17.17 and was like so many Vassal-Kings under the Beast to go and do at his bidding Such a Check and Command he had over them as the Centurion had over his Soldiers Matth. 8.9 382. If Antichrist say to this King Go he presently Goeth if to Another Come he Cometh If to a Third do this he must do it if he bid any of those Horns Go push this Remnant Go Strike them with your Sword They must fulfil his will right or wrong If he bid them Go make War against Turks or Hereticks they went as appears in the Holy-War so call'd and in the Churches Persecutions he had also his Emissaries those Fryar-Frogs that stirr'd up People with promises of universal Pardons to persecute Hereticks Rev. 16.13.14 yet all this amounts not to a formal War Strictly taken the formalis Ratio of War being a fighting of several Battles betwixt two Parties by force of Arms Now though there were many butcheries and Massacres of the Saints from the Primitive times yet properly no War till the 12. Century for then the Waldenses took up Arms in their own just defence both as Men and as Christians against the Popish Croisadoes 383. There is a 5th Intimation to wit The Womans dwelling in the Wilderness which Mr. Mede makes Contemporary with the Reign of the Beast and to begin at the same Instant of time 1. Because of the Equality of both their Times as 42. Months and 1260. days being an Equal Number therefore they must concur in the whole Intermediate space of Time from beginning to ending 2ly Because upon her entrance into the Wilderness she meets with this double Beast the 10 Horned and the two Horned one to the former of which the Dragon standeth on the Sea-shore gave his Power and Throne as he saith 384. But because this also is Incumbred with several Ambiguities I dare not insist upon this neither as 1. It doth not necessarily follow that equal Times must be the same Times for bare Equality hinders not but some of those Times may be before and some after and so have differing Dates Therefore Mr. Mede confesses t is not Infallibly Concluding 2ly The Womans flight into the Wilderness if it Commence at Constantines comming to the Crown and the times of the Beast Synchronize with it as Holy Brightmans opinion was Par. 285. this makes the Beasts Expiration long before t is found really to be so by Experience Exitus acta probat 385. A 3d. Incumbrance that this Intimation seems to be perplexed with is that there seems to be a double Computation of the Womans flight into the Wilderness one before the Battle was fought Revel 12.6 for the Battle is related after in ver 7.8.9 the End of which was there was no place for the Dragon in Heaven the other was after when the two wings of an Eagle was given to her ver 14. as Mr. Cotton observes so then this double Computation must needs make the time of the Reign of the Beast the more Ambiguous and 4ly If Mr. Medes Notion hold that the two wings given to the Woman were the two Caesars of the Empire divided into East and West by whose help she got into the Wilderness Then the latter Computation of her flight must not be till after Theodosius for the division of the Empire into East and West stood not till his two Sons came to inherit them 386. But then 5ly The Flood of Arrianism must precede the Rising of the Beast which took up a great Interspace after the destroying of the Dragon This Heresy continued some hundreds of years and was a long time publickly received in the Church spreading it self universally East and West from thence Jerom Ingemuit totus Orbis se Arrianum miratus est and persecuting the Orthodox under Constantius beyond all the Pagans till the Earth which help'd the Woman Revel 12.16 of the Barbarous Nations providentially broke this Arrian Faction Thus this Synchronism wants not Ambiguities 387. And Ignotum per Ignotius a dark by a darker can never be any good demonstrative Argument to find out the certainty of any Postulatum or Question whatsoever Those Ambiguities both about the Beasts War and about the Womans flight makes them the less demonstrative for there seems to be a double accompt of both Of the Beasts War one is against the Remnant when the Church was got from the Dragon into the Wilderness as Israel from Pharaoh into the desert then began that War with her Seed that could not get into the Wilderness with her so had not Temples nor Prophets to feed and nourish them as the Church in the Wilderness had Revel 12.6.14 but served God privately without either Meetings or Ministry as some say in Antichrists Dominions 388. And that Decree which Pope Innocent the first made to wit that omnes Hereticos esse Vi cogendos
call'd Prophets v. 10. because they not only taught People to worship God according to his Rule so the Church in the Wilderness all along nourish'd with the sincere Milk of the Word Rev. 12.6,14 but also foretold the fall of Antichrist out of the Word 398. 2ly Their Number two which is the lowest number for one is but the Root of numbers to shew the paucity of them that witness to the Truth under Antichrists Reign and that is intimated in Rev. 11.1,2,3 where the inner Court is only reserved for the Holy People that keepeth the Truth when the outward Court a large spacious place is given up to Antichrist for the Witnesses should be as few as the Priests and Levites that worshipped in the Inner Court in comparison of Antichristian Idolaters that worshipped in the Outward Luk. 12.32 Rev. 1.6 Priests to God 399. And yet they should not be so few as to be below a full Confirmation of the Truth for two witnesses are sufficient to confirm any truth Deut. 17.6 Mat. 18.16 2 Cor. 13.1 God orders it so by his over-ruling Providence that his truth shall not be starved no not in the worst of times by want of Witnesses or a sufficient Confirmation or this number two is an Allusion to those 3 famous Pairs the first to Moses and Aaron the Churches Prophets in Egypt and the Wilderness 2ly to Elijah and Elisha Prophets to Israel under the Idolatry of Baal when the Church was not visible and only 7000. left that was hid in Corners 3ly to Zerubbabel and Joshua Prophets in Babylon and in Rebuilding the Temple 400. That there is such an Allusion in this Number to those 3 famous Couples it is probable because in the following description the turning of waters into blood and smiting the earth with Plagues often v. 5. hath relation to the first of them Moses and Aaron and shutting up heaven and destroying Men by fire v. 5 6. to Elijah and Elisha and the Olive-trees and Candlesticks to Joshua and Zerubbabel v. 4. Zech. 4.3,11,14 The 3d thing in the description of their Condition 't was sad and mournfull Sackcloth is the covering that is worn in bad times Amos 8.9,10 2 Kin. 6.30 they mourn in Sackcloth while Antichrist triumphs in his Silken Copes and costly Garments and all because Idolatry hath spread it self so fast and so far and because of the troubles of the true Church 401. 4ly Their Actions which they perform'd with that power which the Lord gave them were eminent Exploits and that of two sorts one against Antichrist and the other for the Church 1st against Antichrist they have power to do very great things which carrying such a fair correspondency with the 4 first Vials in Rev. 16. hath made a late learned Critick take those exploits of the Witnesses to be the powring forth of the 4 first Vials as 1. Plagues on the Earth v. 6. ch 11. as in the first Vial Rev. 16.2 2ly Water into blood v. 6. as in the 2d Vial ch 16.3 and in the 3d Vial v. 4. and 3ly A tormenting of Men with fire as in the 4th Vial chap. 11.15 with chap. 16.8 402. Which Interpretation though very ingenious yet seems it to me a little doubtfull not only because 1st the Order of the Vials is inverted by it as the plagues on the earth the first of the Vials is the last in this description of the exploits of the Witnesses and tormenting by fire the first of those Exploits is the last of the 4. Vials But 2ly it seems somewhere too narrow in leaving out that eminent action of shutting Heaven up from rain which none of the 4 first Vials correspond with And 3ly somewhere too wide in making one of those exploits to comprehend two distinct Vials to wit the 2d and 3d. to say nothing of the time of fixing them 403. The service 2ly which they do for the Church is 1st a power of Prophecying whereby they both instructed the Church in the knowledge of the Truth and comforted her by predicting the ruine of Rome which notwithstanding all her rage against the Church could not yet deprive her of the help of those Witnesses for God gave them power to Prophesie all Antichrists Reign 2ly to supply the Church with Oil sufficiently that is with Grace enough for this hard time of Persecution that they might not be like the foolish Virgins whose lamps went out for want of Oil. 404. The two Olive-trees and the two Candlesticks some reads The two Olive-trees with the two Candlesticks with for and justifying that Reading from that in 1 Sam. 14.18 where and is read with the Children of Israel because Candlesticks in Rev. 1. 20. is meant Churches and though the Churches were 7. then in Johns time yet Antichrist reduced them to two and yet those two should be supply'd with grace to hold out all the wills of God Acts 13.22 those two Sons of Oil the Witnesses are not branches but Trees to nourish their Graces in that evil day and to pour in Oil into their Lamps continually which was Aarons work Exod. 27.20 405. The fifth particular in the description of the Witnesses is their slaughter and death wherein consider 1st the time when 2ly the place where and 3ly the manner how 1. Of the time when the Holy Ghost tells us when they shall have finished their Testimony Rev. 11.7 when their Prophecying-work is done for if God had given them power to Prophesie longer as v. 3. they should have continued in their Prophecying work longer Maugre the malice of all their enemies God permits them to be slain because their Prophecying-work was done thus their Lord and Master could not be slain till his hour was come John 8.20 and in that hour of darkness he was put to death Luk. 22.53 406. Mr. Mede reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when they shall be about to finish their Testimony because the Greek Verb is not of the Praeter-perfect but of the Future Aorist Tense which is incertae significationis of an uncertain time making the time of this Slaughter to be when part of the Holy City or Christian World repent of their Idolatry casts off the yoke of Antichrist and reforms the Temple within themselves the Witnesses getting heart by all this begins to put off the Sackcloth and to lay aside their Mourning Prophecy which they have done ever since the Reformation then comes the Beast as it were ascending afresh into the Throne enraged with the success of their Mourning Prophecy he overcomes and kills them 407. Mr. Brightmans opinion was that the slaughter of the Witnesses were past and fulfilled in the Smalcaldian War in that great Overthrow of the Protestant Party by Charles the fift Anno 1547. and in condemning the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament which he makes the Witnesses about that time in the Councel of Trent which is now above an hundred and twenty Years ago other later Writers apply this Slaughter to those ruined Churches
put this Wisdom into the hearts of some of those Kings and they shall say with Darius why should wrath be on us and our Realms 449. God hath given all the Kingdoms of the World to this David Psal 2.6 long before the Devil proferr'd him a Sophistical Representation of them in Matth. 4.8.9.10 All these will I give thee which the Centurists interpret I will make thee Pope because Rome was then the Mistress of the World and is call'd the World Luke 2.1 and no where could such glory be seen as was a fit temptation for Christ but the Pompe of the Roman-Empire thus Satan offers to Christ that which he knew should be the Seat of Antichrist he would have the Singular Seeed of the Woman to become the Singular Seed of the Serpent and makes Rome a Stumbling-block betimes yea and after he had offerr'd Christ all Kingdoms he accuses him by his Instruments for aspiring to one and that a little one the King of the Jews but as Christ said to Satan Get thee behind me so will he say to this his Eldest Son to wit Antichrist 450. Though Christ refused what Satan offerr'd yet will he take to himself the Kingdoms that God hath given him Revel 11.15.17 and Christs Rise shall be Antichrists Ruine Antichrists Evening shall be Christs Morning Zech. 14.7 though Antichristianism may revive at last as Heathenism did in Julian before its utter Extirpation for she says the day before destruction came I am no Widow as if Married to her 10. Sons again Revel 18.7.8 and though he should plant the Tabernacle of his Palace Inter Maria â—etween the Seas as above Dae 11.45 â—et shall he come to his end and none shall help â—im when the Whore sings her own Requiem I sit as Queen in that day is her Ruine 451. But the great Cry of Gods People is â—… Lord how long and why are his Chariots so â—…ng in coming as wearied with their Wilderness-State their Eyes failing while they look for their God we measure Christs slackness in coming 1. By the shortness of our own lives 2. By the scantness of our own patience and 3ly By the edge of our own desires to see his Coming Now a little time in all these Respects is a long time Yet in deed and in truth Christ is not slack as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 after some of those 3 ways our time is always ready but His time is not yet John 7.6 only this he comforts us withall in due Season ye shall Reap if ye saint not be not weary in well doing Gal. 6.9 452. Oh pray that our Carcases may not sell in this Wilderness that we may pass over this Jordan into that good Land even to that goodly Mountain and Lebanon Deut. 3.25 Dr. Stoughton tells of a Prophecy that Antichrist should never overcome Venice Paris and London what is done to the 2 former is known Oh pray he may never totally overcome this last alas we are tainted both with Egypts Idolatry and Wilderness-sins only here 's our hope God dealt with Israel in the Wilderness after the tenure of the Old Covenant so they fell there through Unbelief and enter'd not into Gods Rest But God will deal with us after the tenure of the New Covenant the free Grace whereof comes riding Triumphantly over all our Unworthiness Mercy Triumphs over Justice Oh pray that though we be not worthy we may be accounted worthy to escape those things that may come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man in a better Dispensation Luk. 21.36 An Appendix concerning the Witnesses CHAP. XVI 1. AS the Oracles of God which were committed to Israel were by a special Miracle of Mercy preserved in the Captivity of literal Babylon So the Truth in the Old and New Testament hath been no less wonderfully continued all along the Tyranny of Mystical Babylon And as God preserved his Truth so his Church in Babylon during the Rise and Reign yea and till the Ruine of Antichrist though the Apostacy was General yet was it not so Universal in all Individual Persons in those Tongues Kindreds and Nations that wondred after the Beast but that there was yet a Remnant according to the Election of Grace Rom. 11.4.5 As in the Baalish Apostacy God reserv'd 7000. that bowed not to Baal So in the Antichristian Defection God had his 144000. Virgins that were not polluted with the Babylonish Whoredoms Revel 14.1,4.5 2. As there were all that time the true Seed of the Woman which kept the Commandments of God and had the Testimony of Jesus Christ Revel 12.17 against whom the Dragon raged yet the Gates of Hell could not prevail so during all the Reign of Antichrist God raised up his Ministers who in their several successive Ages in several Countreys gave their Testimony as Gods Witnesses against the Spiritual Whoredoms and Idolatrous Worships of Antichrist and nourished the Church in the Wilderness Revel 12.6,14 The smoak of the bottomless Pit was never so thick as to darken wholly the light of the Gospel and the Dragons Tail never so long as to knock out every Star out of Heaven or the Church the Lamb hath all along a Remnant of poor afflicted Pastors as well as of People reserved in the midst of Babylon which were called chosen and faithful Revel 17.14 Those are the Witnesses which the Holy-Scripture foretells should Prophecy in Sackcloth 1260. days or which is all one all the 42. Months of the Reign of Antichrist 3. Though it cannot be denied but the People of God all this term mournfully bewail'd the Abominations of those times wherein Antichrist trod down the Holy City so may be call'd quodam modó Witnesses in Sackcloth Yet the Godly Pastors of this People distinct from them in Office and in the Act of their Prophetical Function are more properly and peculiarly call'd the Witnesses for 1. The first Reason is the People are not call'd any where in Scripture Prophets as those Witnesses be The 2d Reason is the People are the Church in the Wilderness which those Prophets fed Revel 12.6,14 so may not be confounded with them unless we will make a double pair according to the notion of some from Rev. 11.4 the 2 Olive trees to be the 2 Prophets and the 2 Candlesticks to be 2 Churches which the People make up in the Wilderness 4. The 3d. Reason is from the power the Lord gave those Witnesses not only to pray and mourn which is the work of private Christians as well as of publick Ministers but also to Prophecy not so much by praedicting future things as by Preaching the Everlasting Gospel against the Son of Perdition as their proper Function which is not the Function of the People the 4th Reason Prophets are usually distinguished from the People where they are placed both together as Mat. 10.41 Prophets and Righteous men are distinct so in Revel 17.24 Prophets and Saints the 5th Reason Ministers have in all ages born