perhaps is to that so frequent in Old Testament Asher Belial 1 Sam. 2.12 1 Reg. 21.10 and rendring of it Saue that the Article taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 points him out the first born amongst the sonnes of Belial a primate no lesse then superlatiue amongst them which perhaps gaue occasion to some Ancients to deeme him the great Diuell himselfe or a Diuell Incarnate Saint Hierome thus explicates Homo in quo fons omnium poccatorum est Hieron Epist ad Algatiam Aquinas omnium Hominum pessimus vt Christus omnium optimus Ours thus a man whose very composition is of sinfulnesse notoriously peerelesly vicious not onely in his owne person but as another Ieroboam making Israel to sinne Sancte Sancte Sancte May wee finde such a miscreant amongst our holy Fathers at Rome whose stile is as inscription on the high Priests forehead Holinesse It s pittie to wrong sanctitie A man so peerelesly vicious me seemes must be as Paul describes Gentiles f Rom. 1.29 full of ali vnrighteousnesse 2 Scrupling no sinne nor degree of sinne 3 Clamantia peccata must be to him leuiora delicta 4 Intended to the highest pitch that kinde degree or circumstance may bend them vnto Saint Paul is too nice and professeth puritane when he reckons g 1 Cor. 16.9 10 fornicators adulterers effeminate couetous extortioners among the damned crue propitius sit Papae Deus if in these onely he be tainted Let not the Lawes Curse touch him except he be found h 1 Tim. 1.9 10. vnholy prophane murtherous parricide Sodomite periured Nor he reputed the man of sinne except he be found amongst Bishops Christian as Ahab amongst Kings of Israel a i 1 Reg. 21.25 none-such that hath sold himselfe to worke wickednesse in the sight of the Lord. 1 Lye their owne Chroniclers or were their Popes many such 1 Necromancers in expresse league with the Diuell purposely sacrificing vnto him 2 Masters of that hellish Art to others Siluester the second Gregorie the seuenth 3 Poysoners and otherwise murtherous of all that stood in their way to the Popedome one Hildebrand in thirteene yeares thus cruelly made away Clement the second Damasus the second Leo the ninth Benedict the tenth Nicolas the second Alexander the second 4 Prophane euen to horror k Bennâ— Vspregensis Matth. Paristensis Hildebrand is angry at his breaden God for that he answers not how the good Emperour Henry the fourth might be destroyed throwes him into the fire 5 Luxurious to Incest Sodomie bestalitie Iohn the twelfth but why rake I in this dunghill when Bellarmine confesseth these and many others amongst Popes to haue bin so tainted as Stories describe them That now me thinkes if a man might be so bold with him as Iohn Baptist with our Sauiour to aske l Mat. 1â— 3 Art thou he that should come or doe we looke for another like answer should be returned Goe and tell what you haue heard and seene Diuels worshipped God contemned Religion prophaned Superstition hallowed beastiall lust practised Marriage scoffed at as vnholy Treason Rebellion bloudshed crueltie parricide not committed onely but defended meritorious parum probi Homines saith the Cardinall these were beast he so mincing their horrid hellishnesse yet welfare Platina that cals them monstra and portanta Hominum Worthiest of all Christians that euer I read of to be stiled Antichrist sith so without peere a man of sinne Vse Must we for all this thinke hee cannot erre in faith needs vnder paine of damnation commit our selues to him as to the chiefe Shepheard Bishop of our soules It was wont to be said Gods spirit dwels not in the soule that is subiect to sinne Gentiles for lesse sinnes were m Rom. 1.28 giuen vp to a reprobate minde delusion n 2 Thes 2.11 strong delusion sent as punishment on all them that had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse the priuiledge of this monster is in depth of vassalage vnder Sathan to be infallibly guided by Gods Spirit I say as Paul If any will yet be so ignorant o 1 Cor. 14.38 let him be ignorant for my part I resolue as Iacob into their secret p Gen. 49 6. let not my soule come my glory be thou not ioyned with their assembly 2 His second propertie a sonne of perdition or if they will that sonne of perdition 1 Actiuely some take it and thus explicate the Hebraisme a destroying son one that as a wilde Boare makes hauocke of the Lords Vineyard spoyle of the Church of God so crueltie is his ensigne Saint Iohn indeed stiles him q Apoc. 9.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and somewhere cals the false Prophet the beast I am sure hath clad that whore of Babilon r Apoc 17.4 Ver. 6. in Scarlet to denote her bloudy sins her drunkennesse Canniball like with the bloud of Saints Will this Scarlet suit the whore or the beast of Rome she rides witnesse be all Historie What bloudy warre hath bin in Christendome since that whore bestrod the Beast whereto she was not the sonne of Bichri if stories should hold their peace the stones of Paris and our Gunpowder treason would speake I say nothing of bloud of soules which yet crieth lowder then the bloud of Abel Thus I haue learnd the wisedome that is from aboue is first pure then peaceable Å¿ Iac. 3.17 Gentle easie to be intreated full of mercie and good fruits here is a Religion whose foundation is like that of new built t Iosh 6.16 Ieriâ—hâ— laid in bloud continued enlarged by bloud nor pure nor peaceable shall I thinke it to proceed from that God of pure eyes the father of mercies and God of all consolation and passiuely I rather take it the allusion is to what our Sauiour spake of u Ioh. 17.12 Iudas whose successour he seâ—mâ—s who is here described vnto vs and so the speech sounds a man deuoted destinied to destruction 1 of body Apoc. 18.2 2 of soule Apoc. 19.20 Meâ—test he â—hould whose * Apoc 9 11. originall is from the bottomelesse pit his proper element Once disputing the question whither the Pope were Antichrist I was thus pressed then 1 euery Pope damned 2 then possible for vs to say of some man liuing he is a reprobate the childe of hell Resp Thus was the answer 1 Non sequitur for why not God rescue out of the mouth of the Beare as the shepheard a piece of a legge or an eare Papacie is a lâ—rge body there may sit in that See some bewailing and desiring to reforme iniquities of it as Caelestine 2 And why not know when the knower of secrets reueales that some particulars are reprobates 1 Knew not Disciples so much of Iudas 2 the Church Primitiue of Iulian 3 We of all knowne x 1 Iohn 5.16 Apostataes 3 Nor yet of this or that particular may we so conclude sith who knowes whether God may grant Regressum in viam 4 But take him a
The Cardinals Inference from that Glosse is perillous Therefore 1 vpon our supposing the Pope to be that Antichrist the Roman is the true Church sith his See is in the Church 2 And by consequent all aliens from that Church are out of the true Church Thus if you will The See of Antichrist is by Paul called the Church of God The Popes See to wit the Romish Church is the See of Antichrist as we say Ergo the Popes See is called the Church of God Resp Concedo omnia or shall your Conclusion be Is the Church of God Apertly then are foure tearmes but ad Rem 1 haue you not need of some that had the a Apoc. 3.1 name to liue who yet were dead of some who called themselues Iewes and b Apoc. 2.9 were not so but the Synagogue of Satan Ob. 1 Yea but after our glosse Paul cals his See the Church of God Sol. 1 May wee not conceiue him to speake of it as it was in his Time When c Rom. 1.8 the faith of Rome was published with praise in the whole world distingue Tempora the then d Isai 1.21 faithfull Citie may now be a harlot mother as she is of all fornications that quondam Bethel may now be e Hos 4.15 Bethauen 2 or what if the denomination be a potiori parte for the Sanctae Reliquiae sake that should be preserued in the time and place of Antichrists kingdome As vnder Iezabel were in Israel f Rom. 11.4 reserued thousands that bowed not the knee to Baal so vnder Antichrist where and while he raignes there is a Remnant according to the election of Grace 3 Or what if so stiled Contradistinctè ad Ethnicos in respect of those few rudera Ecclesiae that are yet to be seene amongst them Neither yet will it follow if that Church be brought ad rudera then the whole Church is ruined for may not g Apoc. 3.11 another take their Crowne haue ye not read of letting out the h Isai 5. vineyard to other i Mat. 21.41 husbandmen of Gods kingdome translated to another people of which other Church if wee be members are wee not members of that one Church wherein we may expect saluation What if Rome were become heapes an habitation of all vncleane birds What if no one Romish Catholique left on earth Ergo the Church ruined Psal 2. Dabo tibi Gentes c. k 1 Tim. 3.15 But what say you to these Arguments The Church is the pillar and ground of Truth 1 Supporter and publisher of all Truths necessary The Church of Rome is not so sith it beleeues and teacheth lies 2 Thes 2. Ergo is not the true Church 2 The true Church keepes coniugall chastitie to Christ is not Idolatrous Church of Rome keepes not coniugall chastitie to Christ but is Idolatrous Ergo is not the true Church of Christ haec obiter we proceed in exposition 3 As God vsurping and pretending Authoritie no lesse then diuine a tanquam of God whose great Vicegerent and Vicar Generall on earth hee pretends himselfe Suits this to the Papacie heare their owne Aduocates Idem est dominium Dei Papae Augustâ—â— Ambonitaxus q. 45. 35. Gods dominion and the Popes is all one as the Iurisdiction of the delegant and delegate is one especially where the delegation is plenary totall without any reseruation made as that wretch presumes it in the Pope answerable are all his deportments as we haue seene before and shall particularize in the next clause We haue then thus farre traced Antichrist by Pauls direction that at length we finde him a Bishop Cathedrated in the Church with vniuersalitie of power and Iurisdiction Vse Why I wonder seeke wee Antichrist in Turkie sits that Dragon in the Church as Bishop is his Iniquitie carried in a mysterie beares hee himselfe a tanquam of God in such couerture of carriage as is here intended of Antichrist quid multa Compare with Pauls description Saint Iohns delineating him in his Reuelation you will finde it true there is no greater identitie betwixt Homo and Animal rationale then betwixt Rome and that Babylon betwixt the Pope and that Antichrist Except in so many termes Gods Spirit should haue said the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist which had bin crossing to the intended strong delusion more punctually he could not haue spoken Wherefore my counsaile is wrong not the holy Father giue the Diuell his due Let the Pope be that Antichrist he will be spight of the Diuell and the Dragon Maugre the Turke and his Moamed Shewing himselfe that he is God the second degree of his pride respecting God proud emulation of God tending to win him opinion of power no lesse then diuine or if you will his carriage of himselfe in his chaire of pestilence The Cardinall and others would haue it vaunting professing proclaiming himselfe God yea the onely God What and yet shall the world admire after him see supra And me thinkes the speech runnes too coolely to endure the glosse showing himselfe that he is God q.d. vnum e multis rather then the onely God for here I am sure we lacke the Emphaticall Article Oecumenius well Non ait dicens sed ostendens hoc est operibus signis ac miraculis nitens ostendere quòd sit Deus his Intrusions on Gods prerogatiues royall is rather in facts then words profession Num sic Papa Resp What say you 1 to his forcing lawes vpon the Conscience Gods peculiar consistorie the very stile of Ius Ecclesiasticum is with their Canonists ius diuinum this is little 2 Dispensing with lawes Morall and Naturall which is more if Thomas may be beleeued then God himselfe doth or may doe 3 Indulgence to sinne in time to come as leases for yeares granted 4 Deliuering soules from hell after death 5 Sainting at pleasure and transmitting into heauen in such multitudes as its to be doubted amongst the many mansions there is no roome left for the Canonizer Certainly could he iustifie such power to be in him I would say he had proued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he is God One thing I am sure of the concurrence of all these Antichristian properties in the Pope haue bred in me Scientialem Assensum that he is that Antichrist I say not as he Tamscio Papam esse Antichristum illum quam Iesum esse Christum illum for this by Gods mercie I know not onely by faith but by experience in my soule yet thus strong is my euidence that if an Angell from heauen should teach me otherwise I would not beleeue him VERS 5. Remember yee not that when I was with you I told you these things THe close of what belongs to the description of Antichrist and the two necessary Antecedents to Christs second comming Carried as best Interpreters conceiue so as to checke them for obliuion Remember yee not q.d. you ought to haue remembred Doubtlesse its the blame of Gods
as the knowledge of the Truth 2 Thess 2. Pro. 23.23 4. Neuer till we haue experimented and felt the power of Gods Word in our soules This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phil. 1.9 Nor be troubled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word imports such perturbation as ariseth from ſ See Mat. 24. Marc. 13. rumour or relation of something terrible And not vnlikely the publishers of this errour rung in their eares the terrour of the Iudge the strictnes of accounts vnbowelled hell it selfe the more to affright Whence grew the perturbation and anxious vnquiet of their mindes That clause of the admonition to mee seemes an implicite Reason disswading leuitie and vnsetlednesse in matter of Faith and Religion because it breeds disturbance anxietie and trouble of minde restlesse no lesse oft times then perplexed so that of a man vnsetled in that kinde may be said as of them in Esay They t Isa 57.20.21 Iac. 1. are neuer at rest but are as the raging sea tossed of the windes they doe but u Gal. 1.7 5.12 trouble you that bring in another Gospel the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S. Iohn mentioning the Locusts set-rising out of the bottomelesse pit Antichristian Teachers vseth another word implying * Apoc. 9.5 torture no lesse then that of the racke such horrible torture should they plunge seduced consciences into while they taught to seeke Righteousnes satisfaction to Gods iustice by their owne good workes or voluntary passions I beseech you brethren by the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding be ware how you attend to the chirping of such locusts suffering your selues to be transported to another Gospell If euer from principles of Popish Doctrine Conscience be setled in sound peace say God hath not spoken by me With me its an vnder rule to iudge of doctrines pretented to be Euangelicall Tends it in the Nature of it to pacification of the distressed Conscience else t is not Euangelicall x Rom. 5.5 saith not the Apostle the same vniuersally I thinke as Ieremie y that is onely the good way wherein I may finde the sweetnesse of holy rest to my soule Neither by Spirit nor by Word nor by Epistle as from vs. Item against the meanes of their vnsetling and seducement pretences of Authoritie no lesse then diuine and Apostolicall three in number the Ancient colours of most Heretiques The first is Spirit that is as I conceiue pretense of z See 1 Ioh. 4.1 instincts inspirations Reuelations immediate and extraordinary from the spirit of God They a Mic. 2.11 walke in the Spirit yet lye falsely saith Micah Montanus had his Paraclete beside his Prophetisses Prisca and Maximilla Simon Magus his Helene cursed Moamed cals the dead fits of his falling sicknesse his exstasie and rauishment at the appearance of the Angell Gabriel At promulgation of his ordinances his Doue inured to fetch food from out his Eare is pretended no lesse then the holy Ghost sent whisperingly to imitate what he should enact for the people Heathenish Politicians had like pretenses to win credit to their Lawes Numa Pompilius receiues his from the Goddesse Aegeria Lycurgus his from Apollo c. Impudencie of Heretiques is seldome lesse then blasphemous what blasphemie greater then to father doctrines of diuels vpon the God of truth Spirits of Errour to be stiled Gods Spirit of Truth Against all such fanaticall Enthusiasts and Enthusiasmes the Lord hath made vs cautionate The quaere is common how we may discerne a pretended from a true Prophet Resp Time was when was place for such inquirie when God was pleased by such meanes extraordinary to instruct his people for my part a piaculum I hold it to expect in these dayes Ministers of b Apoc. 22.18 Propheticall Spirit reuelation any aboue the ordinary Let Papists boast as they will of their lumen Propheticum Prophesie now none is to me z Ier. 6.16 knowne but what in that tearme the Scripture intends c 1 Thes 5.20 interpreting Propheticall and Apostolicall Scriptures Of old these were the rules 1 Was it matter of prediction they pretended in their Propheticall instinct d Deut. 18.22 Euents must trie it 2 Matter of Doctrine e Isai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimonie if they spake not according to this word there was no light in them Though with signes and wonders they should confirme their Doctrine yet if it f Deut. 13.1 2 3. led to other gods Israel must not attend Is it another Gospell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but different not contrariant to that already receiued though Isai or Elias Paul or Peter Gal. 1 8. yea g an Angell from heauen should publish it Tertullian we must hold him accursed Adoro Scripturae plentitudinem The second is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of the diuers signification of the word diuers are the rendrings and interpretations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Some interpret Arithmeticall computation or supputations such as men following the vanitie of Astrologers vsed in calculating as it were the end of the world as Tullie speakes of the Mathematicians great yeare Not much vnlike that of the great Rabbine Elias Duo millia Inane Duo millia Lex Duo millia Christus postea finis tricae 2 Some Argumentation Reasonings and discourses taken from the naturall condition of the Creature now aged and selfely inclined to a dissolution probably enough they proceed for the maine Who but obserues in the main parts of the world in all particular kindes of Creatures decay of vigour Terra effaeta saith Tullie through age Ptolomie in his time obserued the Sunne to be come neerer the earth by many degrees as it were to comfort with his more heat through more nighnesse the cold old age of the earth The strength of men what is it to that of them of old their scantling of life what to that before or after the floud how few reach to Dauids terme 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Damascene and howsoeuer some priuiledge of perpetuitie may be allowed to celestiall bodies yet for sublunarie Creatures vndergoing so many so continuall mutations and through mutations enfeeblings Reason it selfe would easily finde out something more then probabilitie whereout to conclude certainely of their finall wasting that they stand so long inexhausted is not so much out of their owne strength but as Saint Peter obserues by the word of God supporting them The heauens and earth that now are are kept in store h 2 Pet 3.7 by the word of God reserued to fire vnto the Iudgement of the Great day 3. Rathest thus word or speech because it followes as from vs. It more then seemes these false Teachers pretended they had heard it from Pauls mouth whither equiuocating they built themselues on that Nos qui viuimus 1 Thes 4.15 misinterpreted or which I rather thinke by impudent fiction they fathered their errour vpon Paul as they had
it needs denote a singular indiuiduum and why not a Kingdome a kinde a whole made vp of successiue parts as our opinion is Forsooth the Article forceth to a particular person 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It s Epiphanius his rule Articles contract the signification to one certaine thing so that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies man at large but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwaies a singular or indiuiduum of man Resp Yet Procius thus vbi Plato dicit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scribit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Examples are frequent Christ committed not himselfe vnto them for he knew them all and needed not that any man should testifie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is I trow not in this or that particular onely but in euery man Compare Luke 4.4 Mar. 2.27 Apoc. 22.11 Rom. 1.17 c. The Lyon the Beare c. in Daniel denote they particular Kings Or not rather Kingdomes Kings many lineally succeeding each other And that such a line and succession of men is intended by the Apostle appeares by these Reasons 1. Conceiued he was and after a sort animated in Apostles daies The spirit of that Antichrist of which you haue heard that it is comming and m 1 Ioh 4.3 now is it in the world already 2. But a part of his Reigne is of a n Apoc. 20. thousand yeeres continuance 3. The greatnesse of things to be wrought by him whither wee number them the same that Papists or whither as Scripture requires much more then the age of a man Reade our diuines they giue you full satisfaction 1. What is his Reuealing 2. Is he yet discouered 3. When reuealed 4. Where may we finde him Resp To the first Popish Interpreters conceiue a discouery of him so euident and cleere as of Christ at his comming as if euery eye should see him and be able to discerne him as he is But say sadly Suppose you all shall be able to discerne him to be that Antichrist 1. How then are Kings and Nations made o Apoc. 17.2 18.3 drunke with the wine of his fornications 2. How then a mystery of iniquity which title the Whoore discouered p Apoc. 17.5 carries in her fore-head 3. Thus conceiue discouered he meanes in such sort that who haue eyes may see and discerne him The blinde see not the Sunne shining in his brightnesse not through defect of light but for want of Eye-sight 2. Is hee yet Reuealed Resp Nor borne say Papists Gods Spirit in Scripture hath giuen vs q Bellarmine de part Rom. lib. 3. cap. 4. six certaine signes of Antichrists comming two preceding 1. The Preaching of the Gospell in all the world 2. The desolation of the Romane Empire two concomitant 1. The preaching of Enoch and Elias 2. Persecution by Antichrist so great and notorious that all publique seruice of God shall cease Two subsequent 1. The destruction of Antichrist after three yeeres and a halfe of his Reigne 2. The end of the world these none of them yet in being proue pregnantly that Antichrist yet vnborne Large answer to these trifles of Argument learned may better fetch from our diuines then expect from me In fauour of the people to whose vse I intend these labours this breniac I propound To the first Mat. 24.15 Resp 1. The vniuersal preaching of the Gospel is nor there nor any where else made a signe or antecedent of Antichrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then is the end saith our Sauiour therefore then Antichrist basely they beg the question that make the end of the world contigious to antichrists rising or fall 2. How full of homonimy is euery peece of the argument The end is there of the Temple and Citie not of the world if Chrysostome or Saint Luke may bee credited Luke 21.20 Antichrist belike was to be before the destruction of Ierusalem indeed so you might better haue coloured your conceits of his Nation and Temple and remoued him farther from your Rome 3. But hath not the Gospel bin preached vniuersally in the sense of our Sauiour I doubt not but while the Citie and Temple stood from Ierusalem to r Rom. 15.19 Illyricum one Paul had filled all with the Gospel of Christ suppose you the rest of the Apostles idle See Rom. 1.8 10.18 Col. 1.6.23 besides what your owne Stapleton reports of Thomas from Syluester and Chrysologus as if in preaching he had reached to the very Indians the lowest Antipodes 4. But suppose you our Sauiours preaching is meant in such measure as to bee preualent to found Churches in euery Nation Å¿ Rom 10.18 The sound and Rumour of him went out into all Lands sufficiently to depriue them of excuse 5. Nor need wee wonder if in the lands by our men lately discouered there be found no monuments of Christian Faith and Religion when in as few centuries of yeeres after the floud we finde except in Abrahams family extinct all the Religion taught by Noah to his posterity To the second The desolation of the Romane Empire 2 Thes 2.6.7 Resp Full answer falls fittest in explicating the sixt and seuenth verse where expect it To the third The preaching of Henoch Elias who are supposed yet to liue vpon the earth and to liue for this to oppose themselues to Antichrist to preserue the Elect from his seducement and to câ—nuert the Iewes Mal 4.5 6. Ecclus. 48. 44. Mat. 17.11 Apoc. 11.3 Resp 1. In none of these Scriptures that are of vndoubted Authority is any mention of Enoch 2. Nor at all of Antichrist or their opposing him 3. What Malachi speake of Elias and his comming our Sauiour interprets of t Mat. 11.14 17.11 12. Luke 1.17 Iohn Baptist who came in the Spirit and power of Elias And when the Cardiuall hath tired himselfe in wresting yet must he be forced to yeeld the Prophet spake of Elias mysticall or symbolicall not proper or personall except hee will mannerly as he doth oppose to our Sauiours interpretation and the u Mat. 17.13 Apostles true apprehension them if we follow we shall finde Malachi to meane Elias * Compare Luke 1.17 Mat. 11.14 mysticall a Harbinger to Christs first comming in the flesh not personall to attend or oppose Antichrist at the end of the world 4. Or suppose it meant of Christs second comming and the conuersion of Iewes yet 1. Where is Henoch And why not this Elias mysticall as Iohn Baptist the foreunner of Christs comming in the flesh Deuoting those Ministers more or fewer whom God shall raise vp his instruments for calling of Iewes 5. But what is all this to Antichrist whose fall precedes the calling of Iewes wherein the Elias mentioned hath his imployment To that of the two witnesses Apoc. 11.3 What necessity to interpret of Henoch and Elias Why not as x Homil. in Apoc. 8â— Augustine of the two Testaments In this Reuelation wherein there are verba tot sacramenta allegoricall expositions may not
Paul to expresse the true God by which yet suites well to Magistrates as the very phrase is applyed 1 Cor. 8.1 2. Besides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had more fully expressed the intention had it binne of the true God 3. And why 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though there be many that are called Gods yet to vs there is but one God 1 Cor. 8.5 That the sense may be this In his pride so arrogant and intollerably ambitious that hee shall aduance himselfe aboue all Magistrates and their Authority on earth Not that onely that is inferiour but that also which is Augustus like vniuersally monarchical no lesse then Imperiall Did euer Popish pride aspire to such height That Seruus seruorum Dei brookes he the style of Rex Regum and Dominus Dominantium Resp 1. His facts full of Luciferian ambition knowne stories will fill you withall To speake of Kings of Italie France England and translating their Kingdomes oft attempted sometimes executed were to make his pride seeme ouermoderate these were but Dij minorum gentium What say you when Emperours must waite at his Gaâ—e and pray and pay too to bee admitted to his presence When they must thinke it their grace to hold his stirrop and beare the checke for ill hostlership in mistaking the right When their fauour is counted high to kisse his feet and wrath of that holinesse is implacable for that he heares not the sweet Busse cry smacke Vah Lucifer That one demeanour of his towards Frederick Barbarossa proclaimes him in pride The great diuell Incarnate Creeping comes the Emperour to that beast Alexander the Third naucler gene al. 40. Chronicon colonicâ—se Sabellicus and kisseth his feete to obtaine absolution from a sentence of excommunication would you thinke it He sets his foot on the necke of the Emperour now prostrate before him and as well became the Vicar of Hell applies to himselfe in that fact Thou shalt walke vpon the Aspe and Basiliske the Lyon and Dragon shalt thou tread vnder thy feet How doth naturall affection curbe Heroicall spirits How did papall pride in this Monster exceed it selfe But these may seeme insolencies personall and but in ceremonie of deportment What say you to deposing of Kings of Emperors or if any thing may be in Magistracy a transcendent to them Facts read frequent in the Cardinall not related onely but iustified as done de Iure and pleaded as euidences to prooue Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 5. cap. 8 that the Pope hath supreame power temporall on earth though not directly yet in ordine ad Deum and all spiritualia So far then as this property may aduance the Pope hee hath best right of all miscreants to be that Antichrist Vse How long Lord holy and iust doest thou not auenge the bloud of thy seruants the abasures of thy Lieftenants vpon that false Prophet and the Beast Stirre vp O Lord the Spirit of Princes that once the lofty lookes of the proud may be brought low Who is there amongst the Lords anointed ones whose heart the Lord hath inclined to be instrument of his vengeance vpon the Whore His God be with him And if hereto the offering of the people be not willing vnworthy they to see the peace of the Church But trow you shee hopes or meditates anew to procure England to carry the Saddle Oh papae Asina shall it euer be againe the style of England If so I le say the diuell rides vs. So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himselfe that he is God 2. The second degree of his pride respecting God in two Branches 1. Imitation or as you may conceiue it pretensed representation of God 2. Aemulation for he beares himselfe as God emulating his actions and authority or if you will you may thus particularize there is noted 1. Râ—gimen 2. Locus Regiminis 3. Authoritas 4. Modus regendi 1. Sitteth sedere for Cathedratica potestate praesidere as the vse of the word is frequent in Greeke and Latine Authors and Scripture is not abhorrent Estius ad locum See Acts 18.11 Mat. 22.1 As if th'Apostle meant withall to point vs to his profession and quality of life a Bishop or professed Teacher and Gouernour of the Church he should be to which accords that in Saint Iohn his stile is Starre and false Prophet 2. His Cathedra sedes Episcopalis his See is noted the Temple of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Templum so is th' originall which hath giuen occasion of diuerse Rendrings and expositions Saint Augustine In Templum De Ciuit. dei lib. 20. cap. 19. quasi ipse sit Templum Dei quod est Ecclesia as if hee were the Church Seipsum Ecclesiam vendicabit vicem Ecclesiae geret which if it were the Sense would lead vs by the hand to dubbe the Pope Antichrist For Truth is howsoeuer the Name of the Church be oft pretended as the sole infallible Interpreter of Scripture Iudge of Controuersies c. Yet in th'vpshot all is resolued ad Papam nor people nor Pastors nor Fathers nor Councels are that Church except they haue the suffrage of the Pope wherefore euen to Authoritie of Councels the answere must be rested in They wanted Popes Authoritie first to congregate them secondly to guide them by presence of himselfe or Legates thirdly to approue them by his suffrage But thus rather conceiue th'Apostle willing to denote the place of his Regiment the Enallage of the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not infrequent in Scripture Mat. 2.23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. in the Citie Nazareth Mar. 1.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cap. 2.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so that the sense is apert this in the Temple of God What that is is the doubt saith the Cardinall the Temple at Hierusalem and before the Temple of Salomon Contra what 1 that of old built by Salomon repaired by Ezra and Nehemiah beautified by Herod It s ruined not a stone left vpon a stone nor is hope of reedifying Mat. 23.38 2 some other to be reared out of the ruines thereof by Antichrist But would the Apostle call that the Temple of God the diuell he would It s Augustines Argument against that opinion Aug. quá supra Thus rather Hieron ad Algasiam q. 11. in the Temple of God that is in the Church of God so Augustine Hierome Hilarie Chrysostome and the Cardinall wilfully forgat himselfe when he said that in the Scripture of the new Testament by the Temple of God is neuer ment the Church of Christians but perpetually the Temple at Hierusalem What say we to these Scriptures 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Know yee not that yee are the Temple of God mox The Temple of God is holy which yee are See also 2 Cor. 6.16 Apoc. 3.22 the result of sense is this hee sits in the Church of God as in his Episcopall See
Beza renders it illegality The terme is the same câ—osen by Gods Spirit to expresse the generall Nature of sinne 1 Ioh. 5. signifying priuation or want of that rectitude which the Law requires in our Nature and actions But is it all iniquitie or sinne that is carried in that mystery Resp Take view of their doctrined practises in deuotion to God Carriage to men to our selues Mentior if thou finde them not all in matter manner or natiue issues meerely and out of measure sinfull praying to Saints is it not Idolatrous worshipping God in an Image is it not superstitious Adoration of Hostes is it lesse then abomination What seemes most holy amongst them is their practise of pretended Mortification as they prescribe and practise it the soarce of all sinne sinne as thou wilt as oft as thou wilt keepe thy Tallâ—e of prayers fast pilgrim as the Priest enioynes satisfaction is made sufficient to Gods iustice quid ni peccemus and as Mountebankes drinke of deadly poyson hauing the Antidote so at hand n Apoc. 17.5 Infronte mysterium meretrix magna mater omnium fornicaâ—ionum abominationum Terrae Mysterium iniquitatis Doth already worke Whither you render agit or agitur or operatur or peragitur the issue is one The meaning is it was then in brewing If you wil say as Papists theÌ„selues expound in Antecessoribus Haereticis I repugne not Let them boast of such progenitors I confesse we cannot tracke them in euery point of their Faith and Religion in Apostles writings Rome was not all built on a day by degrees it had proceedings to that height whereto it s now growne Howbeit that Antichristianisme is antient as Apostles in the maine foundations of it this Scripture is pregnant Saint Iohn accordeth the o 1 Ioh. 4 3. spirit of that Antichrist is now in the world Idle trow you The busiest of all infernall Spirits that man is not iustified by Faith onely but by workes of the Law was taught 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that faith is the beginning of Iustification workes the consummation there were then that taught and Galatians belieued Paul indeede p Gal. 3.1 befooles them for it yet so ancient is that Article of Poperie That by q Col. 2.18 Angels we must commend our suits to God as mediators of Impetration in Pauls time was broached in the Church of Colosse they should abase the Majestie of the Sonne of God to make him master of Requests to preferre petitions of sinfull men vnto his Father It sauours of more Humilitie to employ Angels in that Mediation Indeed Paul tells the Colossians giuing way to such Religion and Humility may without reuocation of such wicked errour depriue them of their reward Idem Howbeit so ancient is that point of Poperie In Pauls time were these Ordinances deliuered to obserue r Col. 2.21 Touch not Taste not Handle not Touch not a woman 1 Cor. 7.1 Taste not meate Handle not money meddle not with Secular contracts Indeed Paul in a refractarie spirit of singularity I warrant you blames Colossians as halfe Traytours to their Christian libertie in submitting to such Ordinances tells them they are Å¿ Col. 2.22.23 vaine obseruances no better then Will-worship shewes only of Wisedome yet so ancient are those points of Poperie But was affectation of Primacie in Church-men so ancient then haue we the heart of Poperie Saint Iohn mentions Diotrephes perhaps with some iniury to Peters chaire to haue t 3. Ioh. 9. affected preeminence primacie in such sort that St. Iohn himselfe must crouch and be contented to haue his letters slighted Indeed he threatens him somewhat shrewdly and calls him Pratâ—r Yet so ancient is that pillar of the Papacie Ver. 10. Vse That 's true of Tertullian Quod primum verum falsum quod posterius Ieremie accords it the old way is the good way Ier. 6.16 For my part I should put all questions of Faith and Religion to that issue what is found truly most ancient should bee acknowledged most true So be it as our Sauiour we count that eldest which was from the beginning and may thinke that nouellous of which may be sayd Non fuit sic ab initio Yet its true there is an ancientie of Errour within a day it s as old as Truth Reuealed to man For the diuell was a lyar a man-slayer from the beginning thinke not as the Manichees and Archontici of his owne being but of mans existence intentionaliter of his being sinfull actually And Papists much disaduantaged themselues when they made fathers errours th'hiâ—hâ—st originall of their Prescription They are but yesterdaies men in comparison to Simon Magus and such like coaetanei of Apostles Belâ—eue vs no more if wee suite them not with Patriarches such as Tertullian calls Philosophers whose heads were Gray long ere their fauoring fathers were borne but branded I confesse for hereticall prauitie I wish our people so wise as to make Scriptures the Rule of their faith to thinke of errours strengthened by custome neuer so ancient as Cyprian Consuetudo sine veritate vetustas erroris est Onely he which lets will let vntill hee be taken out of the way Will let is not found in th' originall but the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is frequent as Mr. Beza noteth and without strayning supplyed see 2. Cor. 1.6 2.10 5.13 Th' other straines of Master Beza and other Neotericks about the varied signification of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as impertinent I omit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is till he be remoued and taken away compare 1. Cor. 5.2 and Col. 2.14 Whither remoued hath been alreadie treated And then shall that wicked be reuealed then immediatly vt supra His Epithite deserues our notice and will leade vs by the hand where to finde him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is that lawlesse one whom no lawes of God or man may keepe within bounds of duetie Gratian in his Decrees sorts vs with varietie of lawes of God and man Publique priuate positiue of Nature and Nations Customarie written vnwritten Ciuill Canonicall Of them all the conclusion after some debate is they are subiect to Popes Interpretation dispensation many to abrogation Hee is the u 1 Cor. 2.15 spirituall man who iudgeth all things all men himselfe is iudged of none and though he send plures animarum Currus ad Tartara no man may dare say Why doest thou so See supra citata ex Innocentio 30. Tibi soli peccani is their Motto Some fauouring flattering rather the eminence of Princes haue made it questionable whither they be bound by their owne lawes and lawes of their countrie neuer did any question whither highest Monarch were subiect to the lawes of God Deut. 17.19 Kings must learne to feare the Lord to kisse the Sonne Psal 2.10 11 12. he is Rex Regum and Dominus Dominantium Heere is a good fellow as the * Luke 18.2 vnrighteous Iudge nor reuerencing man nor fearing God at
any necessary Euangelicall truth capable of saluation may impenitents hope for saluation or is it penitence to delight in sinne or rather as g 2. Cor. 7. Gregorie Comissa flere flenda non committere Thus I conclude When Heretiques Infidels Impenitents are saued then shall Papists also be partakers of saluation In hac fide viuo spero moriar And of Antichrist thus farre as also of the two first maine parts of the Chapter Cauâ—at and Confutation of Errour followes the Comfort occasionally subioyned VERS 13 14. But we are bound to giue God thankes alwayes for you Brethren Beloued of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to saluation through sanctification of the Spirit and beliefe of the Truth Whereunto he called you by our Gospell to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Iesus Christ TExt apparently intended to preuent the discomfort and feare of Gods people likely to arise from meditating 1 heauy wrath falling vpon sectaries of Antichrist 2 And potency of Antichrist to entangle in the Snare The ground of Comfort is their election forme the comfortable Argument thus if you please those whom God hath chosen to saluation shall not be seduced by Antichrist God hath chosen you to saluation Ergo feare not seducement by Antichrist The maior hath not onely amplification but as I conceiue implicite proofe from meanes which Election to saluation puts in all the vessels of honour to prepare them to glory they are 1 sanctification of the Spirit and 2 faith of Truth Graces opposite to the quality of Antichrists sectaries They are all 1 falsified in their faith 2 faithlesse towards Truth 3 such as finde pleasure in vnrighteousnesse and by consequent not elect to saluation Thus you may conceiue the frame Men sanctified by the Spirit and belieuing the Truth are out of gunshot of seducement by Antichrist sith he preuailes onely with men faithlesse and vnsanctified But all the elect are sanctified and belieue the Truth Ergo The minor whither of the principall or of the prosyllogisme hath proofe ver 14. They are called to sanctity and faith Ergo elected or ergo sanctified and faithfull supposing the calling to be effectuall Out of the text in grosse arise these documents 1 How carefull a Minister in prudence should be to anticipate the feares and discomforts of Gods children arising or likely to issue from mention of things so frightfull Speake to the heart of Ierusalem h Iude ver 22. put difference comfort the feeble minded so is the charge such the practise of the i Luke 12.32 great Shepheard of the sheepe of his holy Apostles and Prophets especially when iudgements spirituall that coast vpon certaine damnation are mentioned see Heb. 6.9 10.39 2 Tim. 2.18 19. 1 Iohn 5.16 18. Reasons 1 this part of the k 2 Tim. 2.15 Right cutting of the word sharing to euery one his owne portion 2 Necessity in respect of Gods children in whose cares the noise of things so frightfull is as the sound of thunder partly 1 through conscience of merits to share in like Iudgements 2 partly through feare of owne infirmity and naturall mutability 3 Remembrance or sight of many eminent in gifts become Apostles 4 Weake apprehension and assurance of Gods loue and their owne sharing in election 5 Dwelling too much on thought of potent Aduersaries weake measure of Grace 6 Forgetfulnesse or not considering the potency of their supporter with the like 3 And it s not our least inducement that hereby they are occasioned and excited to glorifie the grace of God in exempting them from that fearefull condition Vse The times I confesse are such as require the spirit of Iames and Iohn the l Mar. 3.17 sonnes of thunder to be doubled vpon Ministers so not secure onely but senslesse are most growne of spirituall misery and danger Howbeit there be that mourne in Sion that tremble at the word of God for such is requisite the temper and spirit of Barnabas the m Act. 5.36 sonne of consolation promiscuous promulgation of terror or comfort sorts not with that prudence God requires in his Ministers Next you may notice the maine ground of comfort Election so often in like case applied see 2 Tim. 2.19 Rom. 8.30 Luk. 12.32 Most fitly to seale vp solid comfort to Gods children sith they easely apprehend that n 2 Tim. 2.19 foundation sure that decree immutable and of infallible accomplishment Vse That me thinkes they are imprudently proudly cautionate who by their good wils will haue all mention thereof enclosed to the chaire in Schooles not once to be whispered in our Homiles ad Populum when yet 1 Gods Spirit is plentifull in publishing this part of Gods counsell to the people 2 Nothing more 1 deiects mans pride or 2 extols glory of Gods Grace in our saluation 3 Nothing is greater incentiue to Sanctitie 4 nor filles the new soule with more solid comfort Prudence in publishing none but allowes But they are ouer wise who wholly conceale it Nor doe they lesse erre and hinder comfort of Gods people who make the knowledge of it impossible in state of this life for then how comforts it It s not the decree but our apprehension of owne sharing in that grace that yeelds comfort to the soule what when the Maior is assented to the Elect shall not be seduced except I may assume I am elected how feeles my soule the comfort But de bis alibi The generall of the ground for comfort is this the Elect are out of gunshot of seducement by Antichrist and other heretiques compare 2. Tim. 2.17.19 Apo. 13.8 Mat. 24.24 1 Against such gates of hell preuaile not Mat. 16.18 2 Such sinne not vnto death Yet thus vnderstand 1 In matters of inferiour nature they may be mistaken building hay and stuble vpon the foundation 1. Corinth 3.12.15 2 In fundamentals also erre for a time but herein if they mistake sooner or later God reduceth See promise Phil. 3.15 Iohn 16.13 Finaliter they erre not in truths of necessary faith Vse I say as Peter o 2 Pet. 3.10 giue diligence to make calling and election sure that ye may haue comfort to hold fast the hope set before you p 2 Tim. 2.19.20 c. The foundation stands sure But haue eye to the seale it leaues this stampe or impression they depart from iniquitie purge themselues from these who are vessels of honor prepared to glory Thus of generals from the body and scope of the text particulars you may thus number 1 Besides the manner of propounding with 1 thankesgiuing to God and acknowledgement of obligation to that dutie whereof before There is 1 The blessing Election 2 The authour God 3 The time from the beginning 4 The motiue Loue. 5 The meanes of execution sanctification and Faith To which you may adde 6 The euidence effectuall Vocation verse 14. Q. What is election Resp The generall notion of the word in common apprehension is the