that day falleth downe dissolved into water beseecheth him to looke upon his Lord and Redeemer in him and for his sake to cover his fault and offence committed calling him to witnesse unto his poor and dryed soul how that the Sun hath not gone down upon his anger that day and seing the weaknes wherein he dwelleth the power and pride of unrighteousnesse wherein he 's as with a Garment mantled in great and strong teares cryeth unto his God and Father to deliver him from th' Aegypt and wounds of th' enemy that no temptation may lead him to commit evill in his sight And therewithall in quietnesse and sure trust reclineth himselfe upon th' arme of his Heavenly Father knowing in it dwelleth all strength Kingdome and power to save and deliver the soul that putteth trust in him And thus and so prayeth he in forme and manner as his Lord hath taught him Thou watchest and risest early like him that waiteth innocent blood and comming forth bowest thy selfe before the tranâ—gression and abhomination of th'Heathen and not considering the Sunne is darkened openest thy bold and filthy mouth blaspheming his Tabernacles which are in Heaven setting them up as did thy Fathers in the Wildernesse Moloch and Repham gods of Aegypt to grieve th' ears of the Holy Ghost For as betweene God and the sinner there is but one Mediator and Reconciler Jesus Christ the righteous so there is but one onely Advocate and Intercessor betweene God and the beleever namely the Spirit which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne whose right hand dwelleth in the bosome of the Redeemer and left in th' heart of the beleever and lifting up from hand to other his poore and broken voices pointed with teares placeth them before the Throne of God and giveth them such grace through his presentation that they stand among his holy Angels beholding his face day and night depart not his eye nor memory till all their requests be granted And this is the great and honourable Advocate whose iâ—tercession so farre excelleth in power in worthinesse in grace in glory th' intercession of the mother of Christ his brethren his sisters his Prophets his Apostles his Servants his Saints and Martyrs as is the blood of the Lamb of God more excellent and precious then is the blood of Abel And this is the high and holy one that beareth record with his poore servant which wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighes and tears and that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the Garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out unto yee testifying with him these things are true And being compassed with testifiers in number so sufficient in quality so honourable yet have yee not received our witnesse and behold on earth there are none to be found that have or may or shall beare witnesse to the truth but these three alone Murtherers may yee compare your pilgrimages with his behold thou goest from Citie to Citie from one place to another and weariest thy selfe in wayes and labours which no man requireth at thy hands and when they say unto thee Goe into the wildernesse to this or that Hermites Cave there shalt thou see the life and imitation of the Lambe and of his servant John or come to this grave goe to that here at Loretta there at Compostella there shalt thou see the powers of God and of his holy one thou â—not caring noâ— considering they are the commanâ—ements of abhomination that â—itteth in the place â—here he ought not goest beleevest adding to thy â—lasphemy scorne and derision offering to the Highâ—st the labour and stinke of thy feete for the sinne â—f thy soule This man all the dayes of his life are the dayes of his pilgrimage wherein like the childe that beâ—aileth the death of his Mother covered with darke â—nd mourning colours wandreth the desarts of this â—ife in an assured hope one day to come to a Citie â—romised whose walls are made of everlasting stones whose foundation is the strength of God whose towâ—r's his glory And if any voyce say to him goe into â—he wildernesse to this or that Fremites denne there â—halt thou see Christ to these or to those dead bones â—here shalt thou see his works of wonder he abhorâ—eth it for he remembreth the commandement of his Lord. But goe not beleeve not take heed behold I have foreâ—old yee all Murtherers may vee compare your fastings with his Behold thou eatest fish once and twice a weeke to honour God withall Egyptians who hath required this honour at your hands careth he whether thou eate the flesh of fish or the flesh of Beasts hath he not made meat for bellies bellies for meats and shall he not destroy both it and them And knowest thou indeed that which entreth into the belly goeth out into the draught and duâ—st presume t' honour him with either one or other wherefore thus saith the truth the sacrifice and fasts of Hierusalem shall â—ise in judgement against th'offerings and fish-fasts of Babylon and had yee knowne what that Scripture meaneth No man drinking old Wine will straight way commend the new for he saith th' old is better then had ye never condemned the new and true fast t' establish a fast more vile and filthy then was the fast of Pharisies This man all the dayes of his pilgriâ—â—ge are a continuall fast night and day fasteth he his bread is become affliction his wine is turned to trouble because the Bridegroom is taken from him and his Lord whom he loveth so is gone into a farre Country And as concerning meates and bellies this man is taught of God that besides the person of a Christian in which respect all the creatures of God are clean unto him received in godlinesse moderation and thankesgiving he sustaineth the person of a Citizen and knowing his King his Governours or State whereunder he is placed for good and probable causes tending to the peace and maintenance of the many which God especially will have preserved have authority to command and forbid in meates in drinkes in cloath in dayes and such like so eateth so drinketh so weareth so keepeth he as his Prince commandeth giving to his Prince th' obedience that to a Prince belongeth and honoureth his God with th' honour which to God appertaineth Murtherers may ye compare your almes and mercy with his Behold thou devourest the widdow and waterest the seed of adulterie and sayest thou feedest Orphans arrayest thy selfe with the spoile of Kingdomes and nourishest Dragons egges of Serpents and every unclean bird and sayest thou feedest the sonnes of Prophets Foole how canst thou give a drinke of cold water to a Prophet thy selfe being none of the generation of Prophets Balaam doest thou know him that wrote these things or hast thou considered his hunger and his wants as thou regarding passest by like one of the dead and rotten graves of Sodome
number is 666. 10. And then all Kingdoms and People shall see th' eternity of that Amm. Marcel l. 14. c. 13. l. 15. c. 17. Aeterna in antiquis inscriptionibus nominatur Ortel Thesaur voc Roma In numis antiquis insidens Scuto Roma victoriam dextrâ scipionem sinistrâ gerens cum hac inscriptione visitar Romae aeternae Martin Lex Philolog voc Roma eternall City as one of her own calleth it and th' immortality of her soul meaning the Soveraign power and supremacy of her Caesars and high Priests to wither die and forsake the earth for ever And as Babylon her Mother left unto her th' inheritance of her pride and prophanations so shall she also leave unto her the heritage of her Death and Judgements for as her glory hath been great so shall her dishonour when all her excellency shall be translated into shame and sorrow 11. And here by the way I thought fit to note and let the Reader know that it is now well understood and received as a truth as it ought that the Pope viz. the succession of Popes for 1260. years namely from the year 406. to 1666. is the very Antichrist the Man of sin foretold in the Scriptures and Rome Babylon signifyed under the name of Babylon Apoc. c. 17. 18. now denied almost by none except the blasphemoâ—s Sect of the Familists who violently wrest the Scriptures into sensless Notions inextricable monstrous Allegories pervert hide and darken their genuine true direct meaning by strange unheard of Dreams and Enthusiasms strains of Philosophicall inventions Exotick affected termes barbarous forreign and Uncouth Language whereof the writings of Henry Nicholas Jacob Behmen Dr. P. and other namelesse Impostors of our Age are ample testimonies It being the design of the said J. Behmen with his Translators and Abbettoâ—s as it seemeth by the multitude of irrational Atheistical Books which they have lately published and yet promote to undermine and subvert the true Christian Apostolical Faith and Doctrine of the Gospell and knowledge of Christ crucified and in stead thereof introduce and spread amongst us the horrible darknesse of the Gentiles vain Philosophy preferring their muddy poyson'd puddles before the pure wholsome fountain of Gods word their abstruse perplexed Speculations before the plaine comfortable saying doctrine of Christ his Prophets and Apostles that if it were possible they might draw in others into the same Condemnation with themselves Of which I thought fit to admonish the Reader that he may beware of their train and avoid the snares which they have craâ—â—ily spread throughout our Israel It being an undoubted truth that to entertain the doctrines of Familisme is to renounc the Christian Faith leave the way to Life everlasting because they are altogether repugnant to and inconsistent with the true estate of a Christian and means of salvation For these Familists have arrived to this height of impudence not to be asham'd to affirm That perfection may be attain'd in this life that there is no Resurrection of the body but what is past already that there is no Judgment to come but that Christ is now at this present upon his Throne and Seat of Judgment within every one judging and condemning the world that there will be no eternal Condemnation Reward or Punishment but that all at last must go into God and as a drop of water falls into the vast Ocean so all must as they dream be swallow'd up and involv'd in th' immense and boundlesse Abysse of Eternity c. From which sad and deadly imaginations the Lord preserve every poor humble penitent soul they being no other than the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profunditates the depths the profound Profunditates Satanae sunt abditae latentes ejus cogitationes in speciem bonae honestae apparentes quando se in Angelum lucis transformat 2 Cor. 11. 14. Sed cum Paulus dicat se non ignorare profundas illas Satanae cogitationes 2 Cor. 2. 11. simplex erit sensus si profunditates pro sublimioribus quibusdam mysteriis accipiamus Acsi diceret qui non cognoverunt errores illos pestiferos quos ipsi haeretici profunda dei mysteria jactant cum tamen ex Satanae officina prodierint Marl. in loc Adverte non esse hic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut de elatione superbia accipias sed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. profunditates quibus versutiae nequitiae diabolicae fraudis intelliguntur Zeger in loc Impostores quales hodie sunt Familistae blasphemias suas vocabant profunditates seu profunda mysteria abstrusam sapientiam longè perfectiorem quam quae ab Apostolis praedicaretur Christus concedit esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profunditates sed Satarae à malo Doemone ex Orco inspiratas eoque aversandas exterminandas procul Par. in Apoc. 2. 24. wiles and deep delusions of Satan 12. And yet some of this Generation have had the face to affirm that this excellent Author was of their minde in this matter and thereupon have preferred and commended his writings to their Proselytes as a means to bring them to their principles Whereas on the contrary they might if they would have understood what their woful estate is like to be and what his minde thoughts concerning them were while he ranks them with such as are to be excluded from the holy City and Land of rest for ever writing thus And all those that so poison doctrines of death lifting To the Ch. of Rome p. 37. up their bold and shamelesse voice like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofs of oyls and ointments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor Eye nnto the blind as Arians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to these shall be cast out and reap their part with Lyars and Sorcerers whose worm dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City 13. But that these Enemies both of Scripture and reason may have no colour or occasion to alledge Behm myst mag c. 36. n. 15. I speak without book I shall declare the matter in their Rabby's own words as I find them rendred by his Translator who was best acquainted with them The Antichrist saith Behmen who is the Tower of Babel viz. the self will of the Ham-like man domineereth in the Temple of God and there hath set up himselfe in the place of the holy Spirit Sect. 16. He tells us That the temple of God is the formed word of the humane languages and tongues in mans understanding as it is written the word is nigh the namely in thy mouth and heart and the seat and habitation of the opposite adverse Divell is the monstrous property out of the dark world Sect. 17. In this formed word of divine understanding the Antichrist viz. the will of self out of the properties of nature hath set up
the Familists when I alledg'd St. Paul's words 1 Cor. 15. 19 If onely in this life we have hope in Christ we are of all Men most miserable to prove the Resurrection and his assured hope of Salvation in the world to come he denied it in hearing of divers saying that the Apostles meaning was if we had only hope in this life not the thing hoped for we were most miserable but now saith he we have both the hope the thing hoped for the promise the thing promised al that may be expected we have in this life as he affirmed agreeable to the rest of their blasphemous Principles Familists then to receive and enjoy eternal rest an Inheritance amongst Gods Elect the faithful Iews Gentiles in that Land promised the Fathers I say commending his writings as a most inestimable Treasure to all sober Christians hoping that themselvs may see and find that they are undoubtedly the very truth as in due time will appear desiring them as they tender and value their own everlasting peace and happiness as they must certainly answer it at the great Day of the coming of Christ Resurrection of the dead that they would above all things take heed of and avoid the horrible infatuations the pernicious poisonous Doctrines Principles of the shameless blasphemous Familists so directly contrary to so wholy absolutely inconsistent with the grace of God and state of Salvation I take my leave and rest their Christian Friend J. W. Lond. Apr. 15. 1661. A VOYCE Out of the WILDERNES CRYING With many Tears and strong perswasions to the World for REPENTANCE Proving by undenyable Grounds from the Word of God that the great Day of his righteous Judgement shall certainly be in this present Age before 61. Years after this present Yeare 1651. shall be expired And unfolding many great and wonderfull Mysteries of God forespoken in his word to come to passe and be fulfilled from the rising of Julius Caesar first Emperour of ROME to this present time and from hence to that Great Day of the Lord. Things that were never discovered by any Writer before this knowne and such as greatly concerne the Church and Chosen of God in this last time Exprest in a very high Propheticall stile and clear evidence of the Spirit and of Power from above which the judicious Christian Reader may well perceive LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE CHURCH OF ROME MANY and sundry voices have beene heard out of the Wildernesse in these latter dayes whereunto had wee given good and diligent eare we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation neverthelesse he that writeth testifieth the Kingdom of God is at hand WHat neighbour or friend is he who seeing his next or beloved in danger doth not cry â—ake heed and though such one may be found yet â—annot we hold our peace Generations sinfull and â—dulterous why should we feare or shame to speake â—mongst yee your number and hath it not been alwayes the complaint of the holy Ghost in the dayes of the Prophets Apostles and to this houre Lord who hath beleeved our sayings and to whom is thy arm revealed your nostrils whose power is breath not to be counted of nay we are not only ready to give up our bodies but our souls to be sacrificed in witnesse of the cause pleaded before yee this day or should our voyce be ashamed of her preparation behold yee scorners like as a mighty wind that pasâ—eth your eare and bloweth not upon yee so shall yee heare great things to day and not be moved â—herewith and poore and slight and simple as she goeth she hath authority to give joy to the living and life unto the dead Amongst whom liest thou buried rotten and past rising up againe thou that siâ—test carelesse like a Queen in pleasure and glorifien thâ— selâ—e saying in thy heart I am alone and besides me is no other I may not be widow or desolate for ever aâ—d like a foole hast not considered th'older thou art the nigher to thy grave But thou sayest tush am I not great Where dwelleth then the power that may doe all these things Wherefore thus saith the truth although thou be now so high as that the word forespoken is fullfilled in thee And who is like unto the beast or who may war with him behold the day hasteth and is at hand wherein thâ—u shalt be made so little that thy name and remnant shall not be found upon the earth and all thy many hornes and multitude of Witches whose arme and counsell have been thy help and treasure from thy youth shall fall and perish as fire consumeâ—h straw and not be able to deliver thee any more for thy dayes are numbred and yet two Moneths two Weekes two dayes and a halfe and thy number six hundred sixty six shall be fullfilled Happy man that liveth to see that day and behold there be living that shall see it And Tyre and Sydon with all thy Cedars though now they surfet in wealth in pride and pleasure shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands for Babylon their Lord is dead And thy death shall be the life of Israel but his light may not long indure as testâ—fieth the Prophet And then and in those dayes shall be fullfiâ—â—'d the great mystery of God prophâ—â—ied by the mighty Angell who set his right foot on the Sea and left upon the Land and lifting up his stroâ—gest arme to Heaven swore by him that liveth for ever and eâ—er There shall be time no more He that blasphemeth let him blaspheme still and he that liveth at ease take his pleasure still neverthelesse the speciall day is at the doore to give to every one according to his wayes And yet thou sayest I am his house his sanctuary and place of his dwelling wherefore Discoursers 〈◊〉 once shall be wrought in your eye to day all the gateâ— of his City shall be laid open before yee and none of yee shall enter into it All are wise and every one shall give account according to that he hath received I aske then and have not all received yes verily the voice of God is written up and placed in th' eyes or heaâ—ts of all as it is wirtten Their sound is gone forth over all the earth and their words unto the worlds end But all have nor obeyed as testâ—fieth the Prophet and therefore the Kingdome of Heaven is likened to a Field containing Corne and Weedes to a Net enclosing fish of all sorts good and bad to a Wedding whereunto all were bidden those that refused those that came prepared and those that came and were 〈◊〉 apparrelled to Servants good diligent faithfull bad slow and unprofitable to Virgins some wise whose lamps did watch while they slept 〈◊〉 foolish whose lamps did sleep with them to a house of great and large receitâ— garnished with vâ—ssells of gold and silver of wood and clay then and in that day to be imployed
and walking all alone sought for the night to cover him and ever as he went wrote up with tears the day was not made for him that is in sorrow and in the night as dark as 't was his eye which now had cleane forgotten rest beheld as in a table painted out his wounds and transgressions and feare and judgement the Arrows of the Highest peirced him so that he besought the day to wake for help and ease of sorrow but when the day arose the Sun discovered his filthinesse drew him forth naked before the light and Throne of God laying truely to his charge it was he that had polluted th' earth and what pen may tell his feare or who may conceive his sorrow Like as the Hart chased with Hound recovering in going downe of his strength some little advantage standeth hearing the cry of them that trace his blood so truely feeling the strength of his legs departed looketh about for the water brook to recover his force a new and finding not panteth and shutteth oft his fearfull eye ready to give up the living breath which holdeth his silly bones together so trembleth this guilty soule and finding the pleasure of his pleasures past departed like friends in adversity that knew him now no more would faine looke up to heaven as to the water brooke but durst not for he had sinned against it and before him that sitteth thereon fell downe and broken to water washed with tears the day wherein he was borne and charged it with cruelty to call him out of his mothers womb when there was no need of him Alas might not the Sun have gone his course quoth he tho I had never beene or had the Covenant of night and day been lost and if my mothers womb had been my grave quoth he and seeing his feare so multiplied he might no longer live wrote up with tears his last complaint and laid it before the Throne of God confessed he was nothing worth beseeched him to remember the Testament of his mercy the delight and pleasure of his soul before the foundations of creatures were laid in it to pitty and call againe the poore and lost work of his hand which sin and filthinesse had led away to death And this is he that is poore and bruised that laboureth and is heavy laden sick lost dead and liveth now no more this is he that travelleth like a woman that laboureth that weepeth while the world sporteth devising pleasantly to passe the time away And this is he that is turned begotten by water prepared by the Mourner and unto whom God hath sworne by the honour of his name Hee shall not die Murderers stand forth tell me may ye set your penance by this mans repentance behold this man of a hill is become a valley of a flint soft and tender as water of a prudent and wise become a babe and like unto the little one which holding on his mothers breasts cryeth and feareth the regard of a stranger so weepeth he if sin doe but see him Thou standing on the tops despisest him that lyeth below judgest him a foole and one that knowes not to use the time and after thy heart hard as Adamant subdued to filthinesse despairing of a better promise canst not goe downe and sit and tell tears with him bearing thy selfe alost movest like an Oracle faist but thou art wise and like a foole hast not considered the word that solloweth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O just and righteous judgement of God which by a low and simple word hath sealed to reprove the wisedome of the world and hidden from her proud and prudent Children the knowledge of his truth and heavenly things and shewed it to babes for even so it pleaseth him Murderers may your penance yield such fruit as bringeth forth this mans repentance behold this man hath lost his tast and relish in sin for ever and in the wayes wherein his soule delighted once and tooke his course with pleasure now grieveth feareth bewaileth â—he day that ever he walkt therein what wilt thou minister to this man to recover him to joy againe oyle corne wine youth strength beauty the world and glory thereof nay he sigheth and cannot find his help in them his stripe is of that quality as nothing can heale but the favour and countenance of him whom he hath offended and â—urning his eve unto the wall covereth his head with deuâ— and heavinesse weepeth and will not be comforted untill he find the thing his soule so desireth peace love and reconciliation with God I call ye all before the judgement seat of God this day and lay unto your charge ye have not knowne nor learnt these things and are neverthelesse the worthy fruits which the preparer of Israel hath cryed out unto ye these many hundred years to bring forth Reproved and unbaptized hearts and ears like to your fathers which evermore resisted the holy Ghost so do ye vvhat hath he at any time vvritten with tears and ye not opened and read laughing vvhen hath he commended ye his orders in grave and funerall robes and ye not reproved saying his humour is to melancholy what voyce hath he sent in lovv and servants tire and ye not despised and said his invention is simple vvhen hath he encountred those bar'd and bolted hearts of yours with great and strong cryes and ye not blasphemed and told him h 'is mad and hovv may he cook or spice his Commandements to have them approved of your mouths so vvayward and out of tast Children of goe to death which of you reproveth him that writeth of a lye wherefore thus saith the truth poore Sodome shall rise in that day and lift up their bloubred heads out of their darke dwelling and the eye of the Judge shall pity their captivity in respect of yours for had they heard the Mourners song as you have heard to day the light of their repentance had shined amongst us even to this houre but this is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pour'd out upon yee such a botch such a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the day shall come that among all the sinfull generations of men no one may be found so adulterous that will approve there had been on earth at any time a race so stif and cast away as hearing all these things would notvvithstanding vvorship Bel. And he that is highest shall shevv his name in getting honour over ye and because ye vvould not learn and vvalk in his vvayes shall give ye up unto your ovvne in blindnesse lâ—ke Sodomites groping after and pursuing the blood of his Testament till ye fall head-long dovvne into the deep vvhere Pharaoh and his men of vvarre do lie and all the World shall knovv and feare the holy one the Redeemer of Israel the Lord of Hoasts who hath justified the judgements of his Servants upon ye But wee will cast ye aside a while and returne to the poore and broken soule whom we have left in
covered with white with Crimson and pavonats 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written on thy head before and on thy scull behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desireth he thy gold thy pots thy puddings and thy purples which thou hast bought so deare nay Balaam he serveth that Lord whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof hath he sadled his Asse at any time and posted after Balaks preferment like unto thee Nay Balaam then let his soule be given up to an unrepentance like as is thine hast thou any thing to give that he desires to receive no Balaam he seeks not thine but thee and this is his desire that thou and all the world this day were like unto him excepting his sinne Murtherers and dare yee talke of mercy then tell us when have ye seene Christ hungry and given him t' eate when have ye seene him thirstie and given him to drinke when have ye found him a stranger and opened unto him when have ye met him naked and cloathed him when have yee knowne him weake and comforted him in prison and visited him Can ye minister to whom yee know not can ye feed harbor cover comfort visit whom yee see not behold Pharises I tell ye a mysterie yee shall never see nor know those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them have ye not read ye wisards that the blind shall see and they that see shall be made blind This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world and it is marvellous this day in our eyes behold this man as touching the mercy which he ought to doe eateth his bread with the empty and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he the pilgrim and the sojourner are ever found within his Courts his gates are never shut with the naked fitteth he and with his garment covereth his shame with the broken and imprisoned passeth he his time with plentifull and many teares comforting them nay who hungreth and he not pined who thirsteth and he not dryed up which is a stranger and he not throwne out who naked and he not confounded who weake and he not spent who lyeth imprisoned and he not tormented And as concerning the mercy which he ought not to leave undone this man if he have according to the Commandement of his Lord to him that asketh giveth and to the borrower lendeth looking for his reward and interest in the resurrection of the just if he have not applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour in great patience and thankfulnesse turning over the leaves of his life so richly contented as if his Royalties were as large as are the dominions of the little bird who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her and wheresoever dismounting setteth her little foote looketh about for her provision as if she were at home And this is the first the next and last of the living stones and temples of God which he before the day knew his comming up or going downe chose and adopted in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament to be unto him a House a Church a Tabernacle and everlasting possession And he that writeth beareth witnesse and testifieth unto the world all those whether Kings or Servants wise or simple learned or Ideots rich or poore old or young bond or free that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast received the print of his name and set up in their Tents and dwellings his Table and imitation rejoyce and clap their hands thereover shall be throwne out and have their part with blasphemers whose fire quencheth not whose stinke is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy Citie And all those that so poyson doctrines of death lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor eye to the blind as Arrians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to them shall be cast out and reape their part with lyars and Sorcerers whose worme dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies marching under names and titles whatsoever as Hussit's Lutherans Calvinists Evangelists Protestants Praecisians or any such other like to these have not their parts in great sorrow and fear the preparation and beginning of the wisdome from above shall stand without among the Dogges the Covetous the Murderer th' Adulterer and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And now I trust Balaam thou seest what thou art not it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art There was a booke written by the finger of God and as a Table in a good and perfect light placed in the midst of th' aire that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery foretold by the Spirit his Prophets and Apostles to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house And had her proud and prudent Children but wip't their eyes wiâ—h sackcloath they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this and loosed from the bonds of thy father the great jugler and Planer of the World had departed thy Courts and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God where the Lamb doth sit Neverthelesse for Sions sake and for to still her cryes The morning star the branch and begotten of David will open the mouth of one of his servants and give him power to disvaile the Revelation and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse and shew unto the world the things which thou thy witches and thy Wise had hop't to be past finding out Thy conception Thy birth Thy nurture Thy perfection Thy name Thy marke Thy number Thy heads Thy hornes Thy vicardome Thy keys Thy swords Thy succession Thy Guardrobe Thy Church her Ornaments Idols Altars Gold Silver Pearle Stone Silk Copes Banners Stincks Processions Reliques Oyle Wine Wafers Musick Lights lies Thy end Thy death Thy judgement And in that day thy name and generation shall stinke from the Center of th' earth unto the highest Heaven And thou that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome not consider'd that though it begin to destroy in Canaan it shall assuredly end in Chaldea shalt now be called into battell thy selfe and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more behold the dayes which were prophesied are come into the world and such voices shall rise up against thee as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre or to returne th'
among al the Sons of women there was none found his grâ—ater because whoso is not first prepared by the ministry of John who was appointed the minister of the baptism of water shal never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth by the ministry of the Baptisme of fire I doe not meane the fire of this world nor yet the Element so called for it 's imipossible for any such fires to purge to sanctifie or to refine the sinner But the fire of this birth is a heavenly power and finger from above which writeth in the heart prepared by water and in no other Tables the indeleble Covenant of mercy and love which before all worlds in the precious blood of the Mediator thereof God made with Abraham and his Sons for ever namely that he would remember their sins and their iniquities no more and that he would be to them a God To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a Father and they to him a people Sonnes and Daughters And this is the word and ingraving of God which being written in a molten heart and blowne downe with water refineth it to the sey of Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 12. the gold of Ophyr And this is the birth and purgation of fire called in Scripture the Baptisme of the holy Ghost the life the justice the promise and felicity of God as holy David describeth saying Blessed is the man whose sins are covered and whose God is the Lord Psalme 32. 2. 33. 12. JEHOVAH And this is the Tree and first beginning of the wisedome and counsell of God and hee that cannot attaine thereto shall never see the raigne and prosperity of Israel according to the eternall decree proceeded out of the mouth of the highest never to be repented of or called back againe Vnlesse a man be John 3. 5. begotten by water and by the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God The fruit of this Tree of life spreadeth it selfe into foure branches and as the Heavens by immutable ordinance shut up the course and labour of the yeare in foure seasons so hath the Scriptures complected the whole voyage and travell of this sanctified and new begotten servant in these foure Peace Patience Hope and Love I doe not meane the peace betweene Amon and Moab that is to say the smooth the Civill and dissembling truce of the Kings and Councellors of this world but a peace which passeth their affairs a peace which is heavenly and from above even the peace and reconciliation betweene God and the sanctified in the price and mediation of the Lord of the Covenant for what power what preparation what terror or what else may feare him in whose heart the finger of God hath once engraven a full and perswaded assurance that neither fire nor sword nor death nor life nor powers nor principallities nor things present nor things to come nor natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord May the sin wherein he was conceived or the follies and offences wherein his youth delighted or the bold and bloody treasons which his age hath committed or flesh and blasphemies wherewith he is intrenched nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevail against him as it is written If God justifie who can condemnâ— Isa 50. Rom. 8. And this is the peace which the world cannot give nor take away from any to whom it is given the peace which the Holy one the Redeemer of Israel speaketh of in a certaine place saying Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you but not as the world giveth let not your hearts therefore be troubled nor feare John 14. 27. And forasmuch as to be at peace and one with God is to be at war and odds with sin and with all her pleasures this man in wonderfull patience prepareth and armeth himselfe to meet the enemy And tho his flesh with all her desires like multitudes of Armies incompasse his soule be sieging pursuing tormenting it day and night as it is written Wee are Ps 44. given up like sheep to be eaten and for thy sake O Lord we are slaine all the day long yet in silence and quietnesse he endureth all sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse your soules Looking assuredly for the promise of good things to come and that with such a Luke 21. 19. stable and full perswaded expectation as no power in Heaven above or in the earth below may shame or confound his hope fully perswaded that tho now he live closed in flesh as in a City of transgression like righteous Lot in Sodome scorn'd of Angels despis'd of men hated of the world and pursued of his owne yet that his mourning shall tarry but till morning 〈◊〉 for then his life shall be revealed which now lyeth hid laid up in the bosome of his Lord and Redeemeâ— and shall be declared and given him even in that morning when he shall come to judge the world with righteous judgement rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked And in the exercise of these three consisteth the death to sin called in Scripture by the names of Mortification the great affliction the Dust the Tears the shame and oppression of Sion Happy man that hath his part therein for he shall live to see the raigne Rev. 7. 14 15 16 17. wherein the Sun shall not burne him by day nor fire by night any more and wherein he shall not hunger nor thirst nor want nor weep any more The fourth and last branch of this Tree of life is Love the light and perfection of the whole estate and travell of a Christian for can a City built upon a hill hide her face from the passer by or may a Sacrifice salted convey his seasoning from the mouth of the taster may the Sun shine and not shew his beauty or may a Candle burne and not bewray her light And tho these creatures could forget their natures yet cannot the plant in whose heart the eternall Covenant of Love is once engraven forget to burne with like affection first toward God then toward men I meane not those alone which have received like part and fellowship with him but towards those also that are his enemies which love is commended to us by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is called in Scripture the love of God because it is not learnt of flesh nor after the will and wisedome of flesh but by the sample and patterne of that love wherewith God first loved us Who being fellowed in glory with the highest as testifieth the Prophet Zach. 13. 7. disrobed himselfe of all his beauty and came downe into the world and was fonnd in dishonour in weaknesse in flesh and shape of a servant obedient to the shame and
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
travell and guard and watch him day night behold and learne his end he that is wise will marke his deliverance and happy man that can tell his teares and sit and sorrow with him To this man maketh God answer early or late delivereth him and how much the longer withholdeth his countenance retyring as it were his pitty from him so much the more entendeth t' advance his love and mercy towards him to make him great and a pillar in his house a comforter of the weake and broken knees of others and in his time sendeth downe his promise the rich and hidden treasure which from the beginning dwelled with himselfe and with his holy one who day by day laboureth washeth and bindeth up this broken one not leaving t' apply unto his stripe untill he have wrought and shaped in him a full and perfect assurance that God hath given him unto his Sonne in him and through him forgiven and covered all those his transgressions which cryed our so justly against his bloud and whereas in the day of his trespasse was a stranger and an enemy now in his Son and for his sake is reconciled and beloved and is unto him as a sonne and he to him a Father the treasure which his soule in the great day of his trouble so unspeakeably desired and therewithall commandeth him to beare written up in the apple of his eye night and day to read and consider what great things have been done for him This man is now so assured his â—innes are forgiven him as sure and perswaded that his Lord and Redeemer was once dead now liveth never dyeth more what Register may record the sinnes of him whose transgressions God forgetteth what power may discover the nakednesse of him whose shame and offence God covereth who shall be able to cast away whom God approveth or lay to the charge of him whom God chooseth may sinne wherein he was conceived may trespasse and filthinesse wherein his youth delighted may the bold and bloudy offences which his age hath committed may flesh and infirmities wherewith he is clothed may powers and blasphemies wherewith he is compassed nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevaile against him as it is written God justifying who may condemne This man is now so assured God loveth him as that he is sure and fully perswaded neither fire nor sword neither death nor life neither Angels nor powers nor principalities neither things present nor things to come neither natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord. And this is the saith of Abraham and of Abrahams posterity which reacheth justice to the sinner and life unto the just as it is written But the just shall live by faith And this is the faith whereof th' holy Ghost pronounceth by the mouth of his servant Paul in a place saying Being justified therefore by faith wee have peace with God in Christ Jesus our Lord. For he is truly justified whose sinnes are forgiven as it is written Blessed is the man whose sinnes are forgiven and whose transgressions are covered And he is truly at peace and one with God that is beloved of him and all this grace is reacht unto him in Christ and through him as it is written For death and bondage was given by Moses but grace and truth by Christ Jesus And this is the rest and peace from above the birth and baptisme of the holy Ghost the fire that purgeth the sonnes of men transforming them from sinners into the sonnes of God and no man shall see it or have his part therein that cannot sing the song of the little children which sat in the market place crying and calling one t'another We have mourned and yee have not sorrowed Murtherers stand forth tell me may you compare your beleefe with this mans saith behold thou beleevest one onely God Father Almighty of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ his onely Sonne for whom and by whom are all things and one Spirit God holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the power the life and quickner of all things and thou beleevest that the Sonne in the fulnesse of time descended from the bosom of his Father came into the world was made flesh conceived by the holy Ghost borne of a Virgin and that he dyed and rose againe for the redemption of all that beleeve in his holy name and thou beleevest those that beleeve in him are his Church chosen and gathered from all the winds a Company undefiled a holy Universitie as he is holy that hath chosen them and thou beleevest they wayle and weep and joy together and thou beleevest their Lord is mounted up into the heavens seated on the right hand of God all power in heaven and in earth subdued unto him and thou beleevest all flesh shall rise and stand before him every man to receive according to his thoughts And all these things beleevest thou thou doest well thy father the Devill beleeveth them also and it is so farre that this faith may save either thee or him as that it shall encrease both your stripes for unto whom much is committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth and doth not shall be beaten with many rods And better it were thou hadst never been borne then to have heard and beleeved all these things and not to have sorrowed with the Mourner And this was the faith of Simon Magus one of your first-borne who hearing Philip preaching th'Incarnation Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and forgivenesse of sinnes in his holy name and seeing the great and wonderfull works wrought by the same beleeved the promise and revelation of life and was baptized as it is written And Simon also beleeved and was baptized and yet was neither begotten by water nor by the holy Ghost he beleev'd as did the lyar his father of whom he learnt his jugling to plane the creatures of God and was reborne by water from below not able to beget the sinner a new for it is impossible that bloud of beasts or water of fountaines may either purge or prepare the sinner And therefore Peter comming to Samaria to purge those sinners whom Philip had prepared by water from above laid his finger to the wound fellow quoth he thou hast no part nor fellowship with us nor in this administration and shewed him the cause why namely his unrepentance giving him t' understand it was not possible for his soule to be purg'd of that gall and bitternesse wherein it lay because his heart was not prepared by water And this was the faith of the Traytor thy predecessor Balaam who sold the truth and life everlasting for the reward of iniquitie like unto thee he knew and beleeved as thou doest that the bloud of his Master was innocent bloud and was baptized with the selfe same baptisme