Jerusalem his steps beautifull as are the steps of God the flames and Angells of heaven ascending and descending at his commandement and it was fulfiled which was spoken In Jury is God knowne great is his name in Israel and opening his mouth taught them and marvellous gracious and true were the words which proceeded from him told them their Fathers were wonderfully indeed fed and cloathed in the Wildernesse and yet were dead because they were not fed nor cloathed with him who feedeth and arayeth to life everlasting and the food and rayment which he gave was his blood and they that are fed and apparrelled therewith are those that beleeve in him commanded them not to work as did their Fathers in the Wildernesse but as did Abraham whose Children they pretended to be and were not for he beleeved in him being yet but promised whom they refused now performed and witnessed plainly in their eares that day there were no other works but these alone that led from the rod of th' oppressor to the Land of promise saying This is to doe the work and commandement of God to believe in him whom God hath sent Which thing your Fathers the Pharisees denying to doe evermore seeking after their hard and brazen progenitors t' establish a righteousnesse and justice of their owne to work the works and Commandements of God according to their way and meaning by doing refusing the justice appointed by God to work his works and Commandements according to his way meaning by beleeving rushed against the square approved precious stone which was set up in Sion and were bruised and broken to death everlasting And doest thou know Balaam what it is to beleeve in him whom God hath sent We speak the things we know and testifie what we have seen and learnt That which is borne from below is flesh subdued unto sin imbondaged to death and cannot see th' inheritance and Kingdome of God wherefore it was requisite a new birth to be established subduing the flesh unto the spirit delivering from the power of sin and breaking the chaines of death Without the which vaine and impossible is the Commandement to believe in him whom God hath sent as it is written Vnlesse a man be begotten by water and by the holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God So many Baalists heapt on another at your conspiracy heâ—d at Trent against God and his anointed and knew not what it is to be borne of water and of the holy Ghost have ye indeed so planed the câ—â—atures of God wrought in them a beliefe ye are successors and dispensers in heavenly things and understand not earthly There was a man sent from God his name was John your Fathers ran out in troops to see him a strange and sour fellow was not lodg'd like a Prince nor cloathed like a Courtier neither wine nor water dranke he no other drinke but â—ears and in his mouth never entered bread Murderers how chanceth it that hanging up his dead body in your Courts and Caves drawing it through your streets once a yeare at the least denying it the naturall courtesie of buriall you have not considered that he was appointed from heaven the Minister of the Baptisme of water as of himselfe he testifieth in a place saying He that sent me to baptize with water said unto me on whom thou seest the Spirit discend and tarry he it is that baptizeth with the holy Ghost Doe yee know wherefore his Lord gave him that honourable testimony namely that he was more then a Prophet and that among all the sons of women there was none to be found his greater because who so is not prepared by him which was appointed the Minister of the baptisme of water shall never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth with fire and with the holy Ghost for this was the Angell appointed to goe before the face of the great Dominator and teach the Children that sat in Prison in darknesse and shadow of death that if they would be Sons of the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob they should prepare their hearts by water as did the Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob. And therefore his Lord in parable calleth him the Mourner wot ye why because who so sorroweth not with him shall never rejoyce with the Bridegroome shall never see the birth of the holy Ghost the faith which beleeveth in him which God hath sent The poor woman which entred into the house of Simon the Pharisee where her Lord was at meat and falling downwashed kissed his feet how commeth it to passe ye wise that nayling up her dead body in your Groves and Temples to the view ye have not considered her tears and her love preaching and crying so many hundred years the birth of water of the holy Ghost but yee say when Elias commeth he shall restore all Murderers and doe ye indeed lie in wait for another Elias behold the first came and had not his God delivered him from your hands by wonder sending downe his Chariot and Horsemen of fire ye had slaine him with the rest of his Prophets for ye sought his life also and the second came a righteous and holy man and behold as innocent as ye pretend to be his righteous blood shall be found in your Courts and his holy head in one of your vessells and doe ye yet more attend a third Elias like to your stiffe reprooved brethren which walke stinking in your streets to day gaping the comming of a second Messias wherefore thus saith the truth there shall no Elias come and he that reading considereth the dwelling the fare and rayment of the second Elias how read and swolne were his eyes with tears how dry his lips with sighs and doth not weep and wayle with him if seven thousand Mourners should rise from the dead they cannot make that man to sorrow This was the voyce who in the dayes of his flesh called unto Israel from out of the Wildernesse crying that if the would be sons and daughters of God they should not look up unto their paâ—entage boasting their pedegree â—etcht from the loins of Abraham but should take up the true and perfect sorrow for their sin and th' unspeakable deâ—iâ—e to be reconciled to God as did his servant Abraham that then the God of Abraham would turne to thâ— Children aâ— he did unto the Fathers write his Laws â—n their hearts cover their offences and be unto them a God and a Father and they to him sons and daughters and every one which was to receive the light that followed in whose hand was the power to make of a â—â—nner a Son unto God hearkened to the Mourner of Israel sate downe and sorrowed with him And he that sorrowed sorrowed indeed his eye refused sleep his mouth dened t'eate lost and dead was his cheere his mirth was tâ—â—n'd to sadnesse and if an asked what ill he had seight and could not speake so great was his sorrow
Arrows of Heaven into the pâ—ace from whence they come or to meete the whirle-winde comming in his strength like a King his men of Armes and Fifers by his side and shoulder him out of his point into another it shall be easier for thee I say to doe all these things then t'answer the voices which shall be heard against thee And I thy Brother am in Babylon mourning over thee and it and there will tarry notwithstanding the rage and violence of all thy Spades thy Speares and Arcu buzadoes this day and tomorrow and the third will pay my vows Amen ESAY Bell is fallen Nebo is smitten down whose Images were burthens for the Beasts and Cattel of the field to overcharge and weary them FINIS AN ADVERTISEMENT TO Q. Elizabeth Presented to her Majestie by the Author thereof First Printed in Anno Dom. 1589. And sundry times since TO HIS MOST EXCELLENT SOVERAIGNE PRINCESSE Queene Elizabeth IF it be impertinent and out of season in regard of your other pleasures to advertise these few words let truth be blamed for I your servant cannot but speake the things I know and testifie that which I have seen and heard what though I be no Minister nor Sonne of a Minister Shepheards and Clownes have beene Divines sometimes and why not I I doe not advertise you concerning the wisdome of a Princesse of this World how to relieve your people if they be oppressed nor how to curb them if fullnesse make them wanton nor how to raise a little weale to great nor how to uphold it from falling downe againe for all these things may you doe and perish but I advertise you concerning a wisdome from above which if you understand and doe thereafter then shall your Scepter be a Scepter of continuance and you a Princesse and a Queene for ever not like to Babylon nor Monarch of the East nor like the rakehell rout of Emperors and Kaisers of this world which for a season flourish and then goe downe to hell but like unto his Servant David who in the dayes of his flesh performed the duties of a King of this world and yet remaineth a King for ever for he observed the counsell and wisdome from above which made him so faire in situation like to Mount Sion never to remove And this wisedome which we speake is a Law not that of fearfull Sinai a Law of condemnation a Statute of execution a Covenant of death condemning the transgressor to everlasting captivity But it is a Law proceeding out of Sion a Law of pardon a Statute of deliverance a Covenant of life redeeming the sinner from the wrath of the day to come And therefore this wisedome is called in Scripture the new Covenant the Covenant of Levi the everlasting ordinance the truth the light the life the reward the promise the power the salvation the redemption the sanctification the justice the counsell the correction the hidden purpose the secret intent the mysterie and Kingdome of God And one in a certaine place calleth it the wisdome from above because it is not a vertue ingendred or in begotten by any grace or benefit of nature growing to perfection by long studie and large experience Iam. 3. 17. but a mysterie and secret from above which God determined before all worlds and hath revealed it to the glory of those whom he hath chosen and this is the wisdome whose nature we advertise not in the teaâ—mes and eloquence of the Theologall discourses of this age but in the power and strength of God able to raise from death to life the soule that understandeth it The whole nature and work of this heavenly wisdome is perfectly set out and declared unto us in these two First in her Tree next in the fruit thereof Her Tree in Scripture is disciphered by the names of cleansing or washing or purging and sometimes expressed by a borrowed word as a new making a new birth a birth from above a re-begetting and is so called not in a naturall but in a spirituall meaning not because it reduceth us into our parents calling us out of their bowells againe but by comparation way of similitude that like as by our naturall and fleshly generation we are borne servants and sons of wrath which sometimes we were not so by this spirituall generation and birth from above wee are borne free and made the sons of God which by nature wee are not for that which is of nature is flesh subdued unto sin imbondaged to death and cannot see the inheritance and Kingdome of God but that which is born from above is Spirit redeemed from the captivity of sin and of death and chosen to inherite the Kingdome and promise of God And this birth and propagation from above is wrought and brought to passe by these two to wit by water and by fire whereof this purgeth the other prepareth I doe not meane the water of Jordane nor any waters from below for it is impossible for the water of fountaines to breake to mollifie or to prepare the sinner but the water of this birth is a force and vertue from above which turneth and as it were transhapeth the hard and stony heart of the sinner into tears preparing it by this kind of water to receive the promise and redemption of God And therefore the Scripture compareth the man that is begotten by water to a Mount that is become a Valley unto a Cedar now become a Plant to a rough and crooked way that is become a plaine unto a wise and prudent one but now become a babe unto a stone transformed to flesh and to a substance hard as Diamond translated to a nature as soft as water by these and such like speeches describing the man whose heart is turned from all the joyes and contentments of sin into a feare and sorrow for them and from all her temporary and false pleasing lusts into a restlesse and indicible desire to be restored to grace and reconciled to God again For the hill doth not more differ from the Valley the Cedar from the plant the crooked from the plaine the discreetly aged from the little child the hardnesse of flint from the softnesse of flesh the substance of Diamond from the nature of water these I say differ not each from other more then this man now from that he was And this is the birth and preparative of water called in Scripture the Baptisme of John Whose ministry was ordained as testifieth the Prophet to prepare the way before the great Redeemer and Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. 4. 6. by turning the hearts of the Children into water like to the hearts of their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob that God might also turne unto them in mercy and love as hee did unto those their Fathers And therefore his Lord in a certaine Scripture gave him in regard of his ministry that honourable testimony namely that he was more then a Prophet Mat 11 9. 11. and that
somewhat short and his voice low I say this notorious Impostor the said Narrator of his Life tells us He doubts not but his Reader is sufficiently convinc'd that he was a Saint but how to get him a place in the Church Kalendar which is now so throng'd he confesseth he is to seek Yea and the above-said H. B. who seems to be perfectly baptized into his Behmens Spirit they are his own words is not affraid to H. B. Pref. to the Reader prefixed to the 4. Tables c. write that he was a deep illuminated man of God and further although all wise sober Christians the Children of God may easily discern that his dictates were no other then the meer frothy products of his own fancy vitiated and deluded by th' unclean and lying Spirit that he was a Man whose writings though not to us made Canonical by miracles manifestly appear to have been the dictates of Gods Spirit as he the said H B blasphemously affirms by divine influence as jt is his own expression out of his three-leav'd Book which the hand of God had opened in him wherein he found the knowledge not onely of all that Moses the Prophets Christ and the Apostles taught in sacred Scripture but of all Mysteries as himself affirms in his Epistles And further as he brings H. B. ibid. in his learned German relating it that God stirred up this our dear Brother Jacob Behmen a plain unlearned Tradesman and gifted him with such a noble endowment of the universal knowledge of God and Nature and shewn him the Centre of all beings how all things arise from God originally consist in God and again return and flow into him c. And in conclusion the said H. B. H. B. ubi supra tells us that this Deceiver had the knowledge of that wonderful Mystery containing the secrets of the whole Creation The Language of Nature and that in his native tongue whereby the very name of every thing gave him clear inspection into the nature of it This knowledge had Adam in his innocency but lost it by his fall else it had been understood saith he as Behmen affirms in the language of every Nation Parallel hereto is that of Mr. Hotham in his life Going abroad saith he into the Fields to a Green before Neys-Gate at Gorlitts he there sat down and viewing the Herbs and Grasse of the field in his inward light he saw into their Essences use and properties which were discovered to him by their Lineaments Figures and Signatures But leaving this blind leader of the blind and his monstrous horrible notions and delusions with his wretched possessed Disciples I proceed 17. And now let the Familists think of me and say what they please I have the testimony of my own conscience that what I have herein said hath not been out of disaffection to any of their persons though I know divers of them but only moved with sense of pitty to their Souls For undoubtedly unlesse they can now in this day of grace and time of salvation hear the voice of God unharden their hearts attain repentance and remission of sins they must at the second and glorious coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and Resurrection of the dead at which as close as they carry it they now make a mock and reject it as a Scare-Crow impudently affirming that it is past already as their predecessors Hymenaeus Allegoricam quandam Resurrectionem fingebant Hymenaeus Philetus quod etiam hac aetate tentarunt impuri quidam Canes Calv. in loc Resurrectionem ut quidam ferunt appellabant Hymenaeus Phil. successionem illam quae ex procreatione liberorum fit Vide autem quot mala oriantur si dicatur factam esse jam Resurrectiouem Privamur prâ—sentiâ Christi non est retributio neque ultio mentitur qui ista est pollicitus multa hujus generis ut si Resurrectio non est neque Christus resurrexit neque Judex erit Vivorum Mortuorum Isid Clar. Annot. ad 2. Tim. 2. 18. apud Crit. Sac. T. 7. Col. 3882. Qui aberrant à salutari doctrina gloriosae Resurrectionis non retinent fundamentum quia negata Resurrectione totus Christianismus negatur 1 Cor. 15. Tales igitur Apostolus dicit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 6. 21. h. e. veram doctrinam Apostolo ipso 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 per 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exponente 2 Tim. 2. 18. Scult in Epist ad Tim. c. 5. apud Crit. Sac. Tom. 7. Col. 3887. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vid. 1 Cor. 15. 12. Siâ—ut Philosophis mala vita mors dicitur ita vita correcta 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 At in Evangelio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tam apertè tot locis describitur ut non possit alia intelligi quam quae erit post Corporis ab Anima sejunctionem quae sejunctio vulgari sensu mors dicitur certê illa nisi speretur ne altera quidem illa morum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 talis erit qualis fuit in Apostolis fidelibus Discipulis Quare istis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sensum maximè necessarium excludentibus omni modo obsisti debet Grot. in loc apud Crit. Sac. Tom. 7. Col. 3896. Philetus Saturninus Basilides Cerdon Valentinian Marcion Apelles Hieraâ— Manes of late amongst others Tho. Muntzer David George Joh. of Leyden Knipperdoling Henry This H. N. Successor of David George affirmed that there is no other Christ but holinesse and no other Antichrist but sin that the Family of love hath attain'd the same perfection that Adam had before he fell that there is no Resurrection of the body that the day of Judgment is already come and that this H. N. is the Judge of the world that there had been Seaven great Lights in the world and that he was the Eighth and greatest of all that Angels were born of women that there was a World before Adam that in H. N. dwelleth all perfection c. and other blasphemous matters He further affirmed that at last God would bring all men nay the Devils and evil Spirits themselves into perfect happinesse All things that were spoken of Devils Hell or evil Angels and eternal Judgment he said were only told by Scripture to cause fear of civil punishment and establish right Policy Anonym in vit H. N. Nicholas and this new upstart Jacob Behmen did and a rabble of others their infatuated stupid followers at this day do subverting the faith of some I say unlesse they can now attain Repentance and forgivenesse of sinnes they must then be excluded the holy City and stand without and reap their part with the Abominable Murtherers Whoremongers Sorcerers Idolaters and all lovers and makers of lies whose worm dyeth not and torment is everlasting 18. Thus you may see by what is premised how the Familists have not been wanting to doe service to Satan in concealing Antichrist all they could from the world as
attended for her at length lay hold upon her Behold saith he thus saith the truth in the year which shall be 1666. the judgement pronounced shall lay hands on thee And as all thy fearful wings and feathers be already descended and blown down so before that day which is so nigh at hand the Tyranny of thy malicious Heads cruel Claws shall be consumed brought to nought And in that day thy vain Body shall be burnt with fire and shall be so clean cut off from the Land of the living that neither Son nor Nephew as the Prophet speaketh nor branch nor remnant of thy name shall be found upon the Earth For as it is purposed so shall it come to passe as it is consulted it shall stand Isaiah c. 14. v. 22. 24. 25. After th' Abomination of Rome is past there will be but a few years namely 45. to th' end of this present evil corrupt World as Daniel foretold Chap. 12. Dan. 12. 11 12 13. from the time that the daily sacrifice shal be taken away and th' abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a 1290. dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the 1335. days But go thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in the lot at the end of the days viz. of the 1335 days above mention'd that is in the general Resurrection end of this world when Daniel and all the dead must rise as it is at large else where Rom. Ru. c. 6. declared And then at length will the Lord return to raign with his Servants the holy Patriarks Prophets Apostles and all the Elect both of Jews and Gentiles â—hat were in all ages of the world as it is written The Lord will give him the Throne of his Father David and he shall raign over the house of Jacob forever and of his Dominion there shall be no end According as he had spoken by all the holy Prophets as it is Psal 2. Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen Psal 2. 8. for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession Psal 72. He shall have Dominion also Psa 72. 8. seq from Sea to Sea from the River to th' ends of the earth They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him his Enemies shall lick the dust The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Sheba and Saba shall offer gifts Yea all Kings shall fall down before him all Nations shall serve him His name shall endure for ever his name shall be continued as long as the Sun and men shal be blessed in him all Nations shall call him blessed Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel who only doth wondrous things blessed be his glorious name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen Amen And then all Israel shall be saved as St. Paul saith Rom. 11. And blessed and happy only Rom. 11. 26. happy are they that are regenerate here and born again and overcome their corrupt and evil desires and are mortify'd to this sinful world and live unto God by faith which is the first Resurrection blessed holy Apoc. 20. 6 Psal 37. 18. 19. are they that have part therein for on such the second death hath no power for they are made unto God Kings and Priests and shall raign upon the earth and dwell therein forever with their Lord and Redeemer in that world which is to come when all things upon which the curse came shall be restored renewed wherein righteousness peace shall dwel flourish for ever as it was foretold and declared by all the Prophets and Apostles 26. But that time between the Ruine of Rome and end of the World which will not exceed 45. years although it will be joyful to the faithful and chosen of God in respect of the neer approach of the Lord of those graces comforts which God will give them to enjoy yet it will be very toublesome heavy upon the world upon all the dwellers upon earth who have their conversation below especially in respect of outward troubles fears the more Northern parts of the world for then viz. about 30. years after the fall of Rome as may be gathered from the Scriptures will Gog and Magog with their numerous Armies viz. the Turks Tartars Armenians Persians Arabians and other barbarous Nations spread themselves upon the Mountains of Israel i. e. wil come down in great vast multitudes upon the plains of Germany and other parts of the Empire with intent to swallow up overwhelm the Christians and endeavour to extirpate and blot out the name of Christ from under heaven and subject all Europe to the Ottoman yoak and blasphemous Law of Mahomet And will thus continne war upon them till fire from God out of heaven devour them as it is written Apoc. 20. and as the Lord by Ezekiel doth declare saying And I will rain upon him upon his bands and Apoc. 20. 9 upon the many people that are with him an overflowing rain and great hailstones fire and brimstone Ezek. 30. 22. 27. To conclude as concerning this Authors name we have at present nothing of certainty more then from himself in that Treatise to Q. Eliz. p. 52 where he thus writeth J. T. L. testifie those things with my own â—and in sober humbleness commending them to your Majesty only in Advertis to Q. Eliz. p 52. regard of my duty and for no other reward Give your promotions to those sons of Beor that rise so early sâ—dle their Asses to post after them For I your Servant haue bread water enough thanks be to my God am therewith as well content as if my Lands were as larg as are the Roialties of the little Bird that possesseth all the Fields over which it flyeth Finally The premises being considered I make bold and am no whit ashamed to affirm though the world will not bear it that this Author was a most choice special Servant of God immediately guided directed by his holy ever blessed Spirit as the holy Prophets Apostles were raised up by God in this last Age to shew these great things th' end of this World to this Generation to call for exhort to Repentance 120. years before hand as Noah was to foreshew th' end of the old World by the Flood exhort the Nations to Repentance 120. years before it came Therefore commending his writings so many of them as could be found here presented together in the following Treatise to all well disposed humble Christians who have their hope not only in this 1 Cor. 15. 19. life but in that which is to come for so are the Apostles words to be understood contrary to the false Atheistical gloss of the Note Reader that in discourse with a chief Rabby amongst
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
also two Candlesticks which carry in them the light of my truth and power of my Spirit the great Moderator of heaven and earth VERS 5. And if any man will hurt them fire shall come forth of their mouth and devoure their enemies and if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine ANd if any man shall wrest their word from the aime and intention of their meaning saith the Lord or turne their Prophesie out of the way by perverting or clipping the honour or purpose of their word the fire of my wrath denounced by the the mouth of these my two Testaments for though they be two yet they have but one mouth shall surely judge and execute those lovers and makers of lies and for the more assurance of this sentence against them the Lord doth iterate the curse and vengeance of his heavy displeasure saying And if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine meaning I say by hurting all manner diminishing of the words of their testmonie by fals blasphemous and lying expositions as some have done VERS 6. These have power to shat heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and they have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all manner of plagues so often as they will FOr the Lord hath touched the mouth of these his two Prophets as he did the mouth of Jeremy the rest of his servants of whom he saith Behold this day have I set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to pluâ—k up root out destroy and throâ— down build and plant And in another place Therefore have I cut them downe by my Prophets and slaine them by the words of my mouth Such priviledges the Lord hath given to these his two Testaments that if they once shut the heavens that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesy that is to say if they denounce a famine of the bread of liâ—e to wit the word and knowledge of God or pronounce a sword to come upon a Nation Kingdome or People which the Lord here signifieth by turning waters into blood or if it pleaseth them to Prophesie which the Lord here calleth to strike of any Pestilence Earth quake or other judgement to come such power is given them that if they say the word it is done as it is written Heaven and earth shall perish but the words of their Prophesie shall not passe till all be fulllfiled VERS 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the beast which ascendeth from the depth shall wage battell against them and kill them ANd when his servants the Prophets and Apostles shall have fulfilled their course and be translated from the land of their labours to the land of rest leaving to the world the inheritance as it were of their ministry sealed up in the two Testaments of God to preserve the feare of his Name and the knowledge of his pleasure among the Sons of men which the holy Ghost calleth finishing their testimony Ant christ the Beast whose proper p'ace whence he is and whither he must is here described by the name of the depth shall not onely hurt and wound them by slanderous and lying Expositions as his Clerks and Assects doe but shall set his feet upon their Necks and tread downe their divine authority by the advancing of his cursed keyes and the beauty of his whorish Church above them which the Spirit calleth waging battell inhibiting them to Prophesie or teach the words of their testimony vulgarly And not onely putting them to silence but also reproving condemning them for corrupters seducers and sowers of heresies among the people which presumpâ—uous blasphemy and murder the Spirit discovereth in saying that he shall overcome them and kill them VERS 8. And their carkasses shall remaine in the street of the great City which is spiritually called Sodome and Egypt where their Lord also was crucified ANd the letter or text of their testimony which the Spirit calleth their corps or carkasses shall remaine in their Hoâ—ses Cels Temples hang at their girdles through all the Cities and Kingdomes where the Beast and his Church is adored which in regard of their number be here named the great City so in respect of their execrable worship and adulterous service contrary to God and his holy City they are here called also spiritually Sodome meaning that as Sodome her Sister did for sake the lawfull use and prescription of nature and wrought filthinesse against nature so these loathing truth and loving lies should erect strange oblations and propitiations as contrary to the offerings and satisfactions of the Saints as was the sin of Sodome opposire to nature And the Spirit further calleth them by the name of Egypt for that in blindnesse and hardnesse of heart they every way match the presumptuous and indorate Egyptians still pursuing and persecuting the truth as Pharaoh did Israel till the God of Israel destroy them by the Spirit of his mouth as he did Pharaoh and his hoast by water And in further detestation of the cruell murther and immanitie of this Beast and his adherents the holy Ghost layeth the blood of the Prince of the Covenant to theiâ— charge also as cunningly as they think to convey his murther and post it over to Jerusalem For as the Lord doth lay the blood of his servant Abel to the charge of the Scribes and Pharisees of his own time although he were slaine long before those Pharisees were borne or Jerusalem builded because they were the very image and lively imitation of his brother that murthered him so the holy Ghost doth here lay the innocent blood of the Lord of glory to the Charge of this Crucifier and his Citizens because they are the Children and Generation of that high Priest and those murtherers which cryed Away with him crucifie him crucifie him And that we should not marvell thereat the holy Ghost in another place goeth further and saith In her shall be found the blood of the Apostles and Prophets also and all that ever for the testimonie of the truth were staine on earth VERS 9. And there shall of the tribes and people and Gentiles see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their corps to be laid in monuments ANd all Nations and Kingdoms where the Beast is worshipped whom the holy Ghost for their prophanation in life and Religion calleth Gentiles shall have handle and gaze upon the letter and corps of his two witnesles three days and a halfe that is to say the time times and halfe a time wherein the Beast shall Reigne and persecute even three propheticall yeares and 〈◊〉 accounting as in Ezekiel all dayes 〈◊〉 Neither shall they suffer the word of 〈◊〉 Proâ—â—efie to be read opened understood and â—â—d up in the hearts of the people the true and naturall monuments and sepulchers wherein the testimonie of their words ought to be interred VERS 10. And the inhabitants of
the earth shall be glad over them and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwell upon the earth ANd all the worshippers of the Beast here noted for their number by the inhabitants of the earth shall clap their hands over their owne inventions and rejoyce in the death of the truth and make merry with Bonefires Vigils Festivals Processions and in token of joy they shall send as the Spirit saith gifts one to another Kings and Princes and people shall present and endow the Beast and his Church with donations immunities possessions gold and silver offerings c. and the Beast on the other side shall requite their kindnesse with titles bels pardons buls and such like and the Spirit yeildeth a reason of this their wicked and ungodly comfort because they had put out the eyes of his two Prophets that their whoredomes and pâ—ophanations might not be reproved then which nothing can be greater torment to the wicked nor more unsavoury to them that perâ—sh VERS 11. And after three dayes and a halfe the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great feare fell upon all that saw them ANd forasmuch as in the death and extermination of Antichrist by way of dependencie consisteth the life and resurrection as it were of the Scriptures the Spirit foresheweth that after the reigne and persecution of the Beast which here as in the ninth verse is determined by three dayes and a halfe God will raise up faithfull and prudent Priests Shepheards of understanding hearts who shal rightly â—ivide the words and testimonies of his two witnesses which the holy Ghost signifieth in saying that the Spirit of life from God entred into them for as the letter text of the Scripture is the corps thereof so their true intent and meaning is the Spirit and life of them and by the faithfull ministry of such as the Lord shall raise in and about that time and for that purpose the testimony of his two Prophets shall be restored to their strength and as it were to their walking againe which the Spirit signifieth in saying They stood upon their feet as well to the terror and astonishment of all lying and stupidious expositors as to the fear and admiration of the children and justifiers of wisdome as the holy Ghost concludeth saying And great feare fell upon all that saw them VERS 12. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying Come up hither and they went up into heaven in a cloud and their enemies saw them ANd the restauration of the true meaning of the Scriptures which their enemies so long kept under by all unjust and cunning shifts shall be more famously knowne and published then that they may any longer hinder or stop the glorious course of their wonderfull instauration which the Spirit intendeth in saying that I heard a voice from heaven saying Come up hither meaning that it should be more possible for their enemies to stay Elias Chariot from ascending or pull the wind back from pursuing his point then to resist the wisdome of the same the which shall vindicate the abuse of the Scriptures and by the power of their ministry as in the strength of a cloud shall hold them up and restore them to their spirituall and heavenly meaning againe and the Beast with all his Sorcerers and lyers which have been their long and ancient enemies shall see the glory of their regeneration and wonder and die VERS 13. And in that houre there was made a great earthquake and the teâ—â—h part of the City fell and there were slaâ—â—â— in the earth-quake names of men seven thousand and the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven ANd at such time as it pleased God to begin his work of instauration and to cause the day-spring of his Gospel to shine out of the night of Antichrists darknesse the abominable and desolate profanation of the Beast which had so long time over-cast the earth was in such sort discovered that the very root of his throne and usurped authoritie was dangerously shaken which the holy Ghost closely foldeth up in saying There was made a great earth-quake And further fore sheweth that out of this concussion there should arise so great defection that the tenth part of his worshippers should revolt from him and that this revolt and defection must cost the lives of many thousand men which the Spirit uttereth in a manner of speech strange to us butusual with the Scriptures calling men names of men as Chap. 3. 4. and meaning by seven thousand many thousand using the determinate number of seven indefinitly and for a number indeterminate as it is also in Scripture often Which broils and bloodshed concerning the institution of religion are so sufficiently reported in the Commentaries of Bohemia and Germanie and in the troubles of France and Flanders and other Nations as if it were purposely registred in proofe of this prophesie Lastly the Spirit concluding foretelleth that many kingdoms in this defection should quite forsake the Beast and haste them out of Babylon home again to build the walls of Ierusalem and to restore the morning and the evening Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as in the former time and in the dayes of old in saying And the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven VERS 14. The second Woe is gone and behold the third Woe will come quickly THe first woe was the blasphemy of Arianisme which the holy Ghost in the niâ—th Chapter most aptly resembleth unto a smoake ascending from the depth saying That the Sun was darkned and the aire with the smoake of the pit meaning by the Sunne the Son of God and by the aire the word of his truth by whose onely meane and interposition the object of his Deitie was truly discerned and in regard of this first woe which was kindled by Arius wherewith the inhabitants of the earth as the Spirit foretold us should be tormented five moneths meaning moneths of yeares which by Propheticall account amounteth to one hundred and fifty years which was the time of the Arian persecution as in the Ecâ—lesiasticall Histories more plainly appeareth The holy Ghost I say in regard of this first woe calleth the tragicall reigne of Antichrist the second woe whose long time of tyranny within this Chapter in a generall manner is declared and in the 13. Chapter following more particularly and exactly discovered though at the writing of this Prophesie it had his being onely in the foreknowledge of God and was not yet begun to be acted much lesse fully ended yet in respect it is here in a geneâ—all manner fully revealed the Lord to whom all things past and to come are present saith The second woe is gone upon determination whereof the third woe must ensue which for it surpasseth both the former in terror and greatnesse the holy Ghost bringeth it in
with a word of audience Behold the third woe will come meaning the great and terrible day of the Lord fore-denounced by his servants the Prophets in the which all Nations shall stand as Prisoners before him and receive every one according to the wayes wherein their heart hath walked And because the day of the Lords comming in glory and consummation of the world shall not lonâ— tarry after the determination and consumption â—â— Antichrist as in the last verse of the thirteenth Chapter following shall be more fully declared the holy Ghost addeth the word quickly as a precise note of his speedy comming which our Lord also in another place confirmeth by a like word immediatly saying And immediatly after the tribulation of those dayes speaking of the tyrannous reigne of the Mat. 24. selfe same Antichrist they shall see the Son of man comming in the clouds of the aire VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded with a Trumpet andthere were made loud voices in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are made our Lords and his Christs and he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen TH' understanding of this verse dependeth upon the 8. Chapter where it is said And when he had opened the seventh Seale there was made silence in heaven c. And I saw seven Angells stand in the sight of God and there were given them seven Trumpets c. Where the holy Ghost meaneth by the Lamb the Son of God and by opening the seaventh Seale a more particular discovery of all such things as concerne the estate of his Church from his ascension to his comming in Majesty divided into seven acts declared by seven Trumpets sounded by seven Angels of which acts the sixth was the pageant of the deâ—olation of Antichrist the seventh and last is the comming of the Lord in the clouds of Heaven and consummation of the world uttered in these words And the seventh Angel sounded with a Trumpet and with a loud voice proclaimed the Kingdomes of this world so long time usurped by Monarchs and Antichrists which by right of Lordship and Inheritance did evermore belong to the God of Heaven and Prince of the Covenant shall how at length be restored to the right Lord and lawfull owner and of his reigne dominion and glory there shall be no end as the Spirit concludeth saying And he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen VERS 16. And the four and twenty Elders which sat on their seats in the sight of God fell on their faces and adoring God said We thanke thee Lord God Omnipotent which art which wast and which shalt come because thou bast received thy great power and brightnesse BY the foure and twenty Elders is meant the testimony of Moses and the Prophets who for that they spake by the seven-fold Spirit of Majesty which burneth night and day about the Throne of God are here said to sit on their seats in the sight of God And for that their judgements denounced from time to time agaiâ—st Antichrist and his Worshippers are now justâ—â—â—â—â— upon them and the everlasting Kingdome of the Lord their God who hath stretched his wings from Sea to Sea and from the river to the end of lands is now set up for evermore therefore the Spirit saith that they fell on their faces and adoring the justification of God brake forth in praises and thanksgiving saying We thank thee Lord God Omnipotent c VERS 17. And the Gentiles were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead to be judged and to render reward to â—hy Servants the Prophets and Saints and to theâ—â—haâ— feare thy Name little and great and to destroy theâ— that have corrupted the earth ANd all Kiâ—gdomes Nations and people which have evill intreaâ—ed Jerusalem and made a sport of the shame and affliction of Jacob shall now reap the fruit of their savage and heaâ—henish lives and mangre their fury shall endure the wrath and judgement of him who with justice judgeth and fighteth as the Spirit affirmeth saying And the Gentiâ—â— were angry and â—hy wrath iâ— come and the time of the dead to be judged And the Spiâ—it further â—estifieth that the Lord for whole glory that day was made shall render to every one their due hire or wages foâ— so â—â—e Originaâ—l importeth commonly inteâ—preted reward first to his Saints and servants and all that ove come their hiâ—e and wages which by promise and for his ownâ— Name sake is due unto them Next to all exâ—craâ—le Atheists blasphemous Catholicks incredulous Heathen liers Hereticks carnall Gospellers and all other brazen and unregenerate Châ—istians the hire and wages whâ—ch to their works and deeds anâ— merits â—s due â—s the Spâ—rit concludeth saying And to render reward unto thy servants the Prophets and Saints and to them that feare thy name little and great and to destroy them that have corrupted the earth But concerning this seventh age wherein the Lord shal come in Majesty to judge the quick and the dead the Holy Ghost deferreth yet a while to speake moâ—e particularly thereof and resumeth more exactly to intreate of the terme and persâ—cution of Antichrist and his aâ—complices against the Church and Spouse of Christ that so the glory of his justice in theiâ— just refuration and judgement may bee more bright and manifest CHAP. XII 1. A confirmation of the Prophecy following 2. The description of the Church and of her Primitivâ— fruit 4. The Chur hes first persecution raised by Ethnick Rome by whose immanity it came to passe that her beauty was no more seen in her visible and eminent graces but lived here and there dispersed and scattered over the face of the Earth 8. The great battell betweene Christianisme and Pâ—ganisme Christ and his Truth overcommeth Jupiter and hiâ— profenation 18. The Emperour reâ—oveth his Throne pretending to stop the float of th' Enemy but intending to root out the dispersed remnant of the Church VERS 1. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and the Aâ—k of his Covenant was seen in his Temple and there was made lightnings voices thunders earth-quakes and great haile TH ' Apostle having drawne in the former part of this Prophesie a slight draught as it were and designment of Antichâ—ist doth now in the Prophecy following revisit and perfect the discovery of the Beast and hang him up to the view and discerning of heaven and earth And to the end that this his worke of manifestation may carry in it faire and uncontrollable credit the Apostle in this Verse assureth us that he revealeth no other word concerning the Church and her pressures here on earth during the personall absence of her Lord then that which he heard at the Councell table of God which he delivereth in a manner of speech usuall with the Prophets And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven and the Ark of his Covenant was seen in the Temple alluding to the Temple of Jerufalem and â—ignisying thereunder that the words
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
and goddesses of their owne forging must be resigned now to the true Lord and owner of all who hath taken his place at the right hand of the Father and hath deposed for ever from their usurped titles of deitie all gods and goddesses phantasmes made of worms created and divified by th'inventions relations consecrations and canonizations of the Dragon his Taile and successors as the spirit discovereth in saying Neither the place of them was found any more in Heaven VERS 10. And that great Dragon was throwne downe the old Serpent called the Devil and Satanas which seduceth the whole world and he was cast into the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him ANd the great and prophane power of the Roman Monarchy which had so long time oppressed and corrupted the earth was now at length detected and thereupon disseized of and from her usurped claim of heaven for ever as the Spirit discovereth in saying And that great Dragon was throwne downe And for that the Devil did corporally dwell as it were in her spreading the beams of his wickednesse at full in all idolatry impietie and presumption against God and in all oppression injustice and immanitie towards man the Spirit crowneth her with the cognoments of her Sire calling her for her malice to the truth a Serpent for her crimination of the Saints a devil and for hostility to God and his Saints Satanas speaking therein after the manner of the Lord himselfe who calleth his treacherous steward a Divel though he were a man because the fullnesse of Satan did dwell in him filling his heart withâ—such a perfect hatred of his innocent Lord and â—amentable love of his guilty penie that he sold Caâ—aan for Egypt heaven for hell and God for silver And because th' impietie of Governors is not onely their owne decay by evil doing but also by enforcement and evil example the ruine of their people the Spirit layeth the seduction of the whole earth to the charge of the Dragon for ruling it after the level and prescription of Rome saying which seduceth the whole world and thereupon giveth just judgement and sentence of death against him namely that as in his beginning he crept out of the earth and by the scale of his wickednesse ascended so high as to presume to thrust his haughty head into heaven and build his nest above the stars as did his antecefsors Assur Beltassar Darius Alexander and the rest of their compeers so by a like power of sword and cruelty he shall shortly returne to his friends againe and be made even with the earth from whence his stock and first estate was borrowed and the power of his Cesars counsell of his Senators sophistry of his Sorcerers which with such indurate and obstinate minds stood for th' honour and worship of Devils should be no longer able to uphold the reverence of their Jupiter Capitolinus who was now detected for a Rogue and by the voices of Michaels Angels as by whips and pasports was sent home againe to the place of his birth namely the earth from whence his mortall and vile genealogie was taken and with with him also were Cesars undivified and for all their Senates proud relations were made to take up the grave for their latter end and shame for their same and wormes for their heritage as the Spirit soretelleth saying And be was cast downe unto the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him VERS 11. And I heard a great voice in heaven saying Now is made salvation and force and Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren is cast downe who accused them before the sight of our God day and night NEither was this famous victory obtained in â— corner or spoken in the ear but as the Spirit reporteth so valourously gotten and so audibly proclaimed that all the world heard the repoâ—â— thereof witnesse the records of those times at whiâ—h the holy Ghost pointeth in these words And I heard a loud voice in beaven saying and sounding the victory of Christ and Christianisme against the Dragon and his Angels his sorcerers and their prophane and â—dolatrous paganisme in these devout and divine notes Now is made salvaâ—ion and force and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ and yieldeth a reason of this so pious and triumphant joy because the folly and fury of the Dragon and his Angâ—ls which so continually accused the Saints and servants of God for pestilent fellows movers of sedition maintainers of sects polluters of the Temple teachers of new Gods enemies to Caesar word-soweâ—â— babblers blaspâ—emers is now upon setting and going downe for ever Which death and downfall of their spirituaâ—l whoredome the holy Ghost diâ—closeth in saying Because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth And for the greater comfort of the Church and judgement of her enemies concludeth that there is a perfect Court-roul kept as well of the sufferings of the Saints as of the slanders of their soes so openly â—ommitted in the face of the Court and before a â—udge of so clear a fight and eternall memory as that they shall never be discharged or forgotten which the Spirit inferreth in saying Who accused them before the â—â—ght of our God day and night VERS 12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives even unto the death LAst of all the holy Ghost discovereth the spirituall armour and weapons wherewith the Angels and servants of Michael obtained this famous victory over the Dragon and his Sectaries and saith that they were tempered of these two divine vertues faith and patience For by the shield of faith which the Spirit by a metonymie calleth the blood of the Lamb and with the sword of his two witnesses and by the word of their testimony they overthrew all forces and arguments drawne from reason or reading which the Spirit observeth in these words And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and all such arguments as were drawne from the block as fire sword persecution interdiction and such like the Children of the Church quenched them with tears prayers patience and martyrdome as their Lord had given them charge and left them example which the Spirit uncovereth in saying And they loved not their lives even unto the death VERS 13. Therefore rejoyce O Heavens and you that dwell in them Wo to the Earth and to the Sea because the Divel is discended to you having great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time AS after victory followeth division of spoile so the Spirit shuts up this heavenly conquest with triâ—mph and joy inviting thereunto all the Saints and â—ervants of God which have from time to time mainâ—ained and defended th' honour of his Name against the Dragon his sorcerers and sorceries And beâ—ause by their good profession and godly conversation
they testified the glory of God as doe the heavens by their obedient conversions the Spirit crowneth them with the name of the heavens saying Therefore rejoyce O heavens and you that dwell in them And on the other part pronounceth Wo first to all Nations and Kingdomes accessary to these spirituall whoredomes of the Dragon whom according to their earthly mind he most aptly resembleth to the earth next to the Empire it selfe as the scelerum caput and stable of iniquity whom for his fearfull power and unbridled rage the Spirit most elegantly calleth by the name of the Ocean and the Sea and concludeth his wo with a reason why because both in one and other the power of Satan had taken such deep root that the more the light of the truth did bewray their madnesse the more they strove and stormed against it and so much the rather because their sin was now at the highest and that the Kingdome of Christ did gather so fast upon them that of necessity a mutation of their fortunes must needs follow with a subversion not onely of their Paganisme but also of their power Caesaricall which the Spirit closely soldeth up in these words Knowing that he hath but a little time which one Apostle also observeth 2 Thess 2. VERS 14. And when the Dragon saw that he was thrown to the earth he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man-child ANd when the raging Romane Empire saw that his maintenance of Jupiter and his idol art of making shrines was to descend for ever as among many voices some even to this day are heard to cry veâ—geance upon his idol inforcâ—â—g them with shame to resigne their usurped titles of gods and claime of heaven to the true Lord and owner thereof he tooke the course of the wicked whose custome is as one of their owne noteth Malitia alia aliam trudere and to add sin to sin as a holy one saith to Deut. 29 quench his thirst-with drunkennesse for so proceeded this Beast adding to his blindnesse boldnesse redeeming his blasphemy with rage and persecution and was so far from comming to himselfe and taking up repentance to wash away his crying sins that as the Spirit concludeth he more and more pursued the Church and persecuted the woman which brought forth her first borne and primitive fruit here called for their faith their patience and their godly valour the man-child VERS 15. And there was given unto the woman two wings of the great Eagle that she might Flee into the desart unto her place where she was nourished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the serpent BUt the Lord who had so dearly bought his Shunamite was no leâ—â—e carefull to preserve and carry her to the place of her rest with a strong and out-stretched providence even upon his own 2 wings whose feathers were made of the truth of his promise sealed and delivered by the hand of his two witnesses which the Bridgroome of purpose left with the Spouse to accompany and guide her whensoever she removeth If she travell by day they are her leading cloud if by night they are her pillar of fire if she flie they lend her wings if she wander they harbour her if she be naked they cover her if in prison they visit her if captive they redeem her if she be weak they sustaine her if blind they lead her if she be heavy they comfort her if sick they recover her if she doubt they resolve her if she erre they direct her if she thirst they give her to drink and if she hunger they feed her and make her so strong of constitution that afflictions are rejoycings to her banishment a haven dispersion a friend losse and death advantage And by these comforts as by hands they convey her to her solitude and restlesse place of rest as the Spirit discovereth saying But there were given to the woman two wings of the great Eagle that she might Flee into the desart unto her resting place where ever since her primitive dispersion she hath lived strewed and scattered far and neer over the face of the earth seen and knowne of her Lord by whom she is protected and of the Children of wisdome of whom she is justified and so doth and must remaine hidden and retired into the privy Chambers of Gods providence and her owne Conscience during the Reigne of Antichrist whose curst and arrogant supremacie was to rise out of the ashes of the Dragons Emperiority as the holy Ghost prophecyed And thus hiding her eminent primitive graces must closely and silently keep the Lords watch and stand upon her honourable guard three propheticall years and a halfe here as in Daniel determined by a time and times and halfe a time from the reach and rage of the Serpent his taile and successors VERS 16. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as it were a Flood that he might make her to be carried away with the Flood ANd when the Dragons train of Cesars who for their malice to the truth and seducing the Nations are here called by the name of the ancient enemy and seducer of mankind the Serpent saw that they could no longer havock the Church of God by reason of her close sight and secret dispersion they devised to pursue her with their bloody edicts and sacrilegious constitutions which they breathed out against her in such raging and furious manner as the Spirit therefore resembleth the violence of their barbarous inquisitions and unprincely rescripts unto the unmercifull rage and current of a flood hoping that as by their unplacable fury they had dispersed and driven the Spouse to corners so by the due execution of their cruell promulgations they might utterly consume her generation and blot out all letters of her honorable name for to that white onely they aimed as the Spirit concludeth That he might make her to be carried away of the Flood VERS 17. And the Earth holp the Woman and the Earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth BUt in reliefe of the Churches pressures and persecutions her Lord gave charge unto his hand-maid the Earth to comfort help and succour her his Spouse and as Moab was charged to hide the chased Israel of God and not bewray him that was fled and escaped but to dwell with him and to give him covert and protection from the face of the destroyer so here the Earth was commanded to reach forth her helping hand and to take in and harbour the Lords exiles in the secret chambers of her desarts mountaines and caves that so she might either afford her close and quiet safeguard or in witnesse of her faith aâ—d proofe of her patience receive the blood which her cursed brethren spilt which courtesie and tender favour the Spirit remembreth to the perpetuall praise of the benefactors of the Spouse saying But the earth holp the woman and opened
or other creature of strange shape as some have vainly phantasied the Spirit calleth him a man saying For it is the number of a man comprehending by a Synecdoche under the word Man a successive state and Kingdome of men after the speaking and stile of the Prophers for so the Lord informed his servant Moses to speake Let my sonne goe that is let my Exod. 4. Dan 7. Dan. 8. People of Israel depart and so in Daniel under the forme and name of foure singular Beasts aâ—e designed foure severall Monarchies most of them containing a long succession of many Monarchs The Ramme which thou sawest are the Kings of the Medes and Persians after which maâ—ner of speaking the Spirit speaketh also in this place and under the name of a man presenteth unto us the whole race and succession of men of sinâ—e whose totall summe is one Antichrist the bounds and limits of whose dominion and tyâ—anny the holy Ghost impâ—leth within the circuit of a certaine sure prefixed period and determinate number of yeares saying And the number of him is six hundred sixty six Wherein many as well ancient as late writers as in the rest have vainly imagined that Antichrist is one singular person which must suddenly start up and after three civill yeares and a halfe depart againe and that he must bee by birth a Iew and of the Tribe of Dan when notwithstanding those cursed Scatterbags have neither Tribe nor shadow of Tribe left amongst them and that he must reigne in Ierusalem of which Citie and Temple there is not any one stone left upon another and that he must kill Enoch and Elias who are to appeare about the Kalends of Greece with divers other such legendary phantasies never meant nor sent from God so in this point also concerning the number of Antichrist they have given up an account so far from the audite of truth as nothing can be more And as men that thought it worth the labour to find a knot in a rush so by a conceited framing and anagramming of letters they have endeavoured to find out such a name as by characters might express the number 666 and withall might something square either with the name nature blasphemie or residence of the Bishops of Rome as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Remiith Adonikam filius perditionis c. whereunto also may be added the conjectures of John Wickliffe John Bale Francis Junius men otherwise of good and worthy memory in the Church of God as also the conjectures of others as worthy and honourable as they that have reserred the number of 666. to the time of Antichrists revealing and yeare of rising when notwithstanding it is a strange voyce and not knowne to the eares of the Scriptures for the word number to be used for the beginning and rising of any terme of time limited and predicted by the Prophets but onely for the end period and determination thereof But if it were lawfull to smile in so grave an inquisition amongst all phantasticall charmes and cabalisticall conjectures upon this word number there is none more ridiculous then that which most pleaseth our Rhetoricall Rhemists who by a rare supputation of characters have as roundly found out the Beasts number as the Sodomites did the doors of Lot in the name Luderus which in the Almain tongue is the name of Luther and although we are sure they cannot so much as think upon the poor Frier Luther but for very feare they stinke all the world over yet this device so tickleth the Clergy of Antichrist that they pretend to laugh for joy But as for their prefixed time of three naturall or civill yeares and a halfe which they allot to the reigne and rage of their Antichrist it doth so unevenly square with Luther or Lutherans continuance that these miserable Sardonians are faine to eat their word and to endure the foolish world to laugh at them whiles as dying they faine would seem to laugh at it But to leave these cursed leaders of the cursed blind and returne againe to those that have thought to calculate and find out the mystery of Antichâ—ists number 666 in a word at a word we say they are deâ—eived and erre not knowing the power and construction of the Scripture For fiâ—st by the word name delivered in the former verse in these words Or the number of his name is meant the very existence and person of the man of sin by a propriety of speech common to holy Scriptures as Acts 1. 15. Apoc. 3. 4. 11. 13. where by an Hebraisme names signifie men and are converted with the parties and persons themselves as the name of God in holy Scripture is often taken for God himselfe and therefore as in the former verse the Scripture calleth it the number of his name so in this verse he calleth it the number of a man understanding by a man as is aforesaid the totall sum of that succession of beastly men which make and constitute the existence and person of one Antichrist and by the word number is meant the fatall end and finall determination of their reigne and government for so the finger of God speaketh to Belshazzar God hath numbred thy Kingdome that is God hath ended and finâ—shed the dayes of thy Kingdome so that the number of his name or the number of the man is nothing else but the period and finall determination of the usurped tyranny and domination of Antichrist which the Lamb the Lord and preserver of Israel for the glory of his name consolation of his Church and confusion of her foes with a mighty and outstretched arme shall bring to passe in the yeare which shall be 666. For forasmuch as the egge of Antichristianism was laid in the daves of Innocent the first successoâ— to Anastasius the first also of that name in the yeare of salvation 406. as is before delcared and that by expresse commission there was furthermore granted to the Beast his heirs and successors 1260. years for the hatching fostering and perfecting this child of perdition and mystery of iniquity which being added to 406. by rule of true audite must needs verifie this admirable judgement which the Spirit of God hath here denounced and determined to make good upon him in the yeare which shall be 1666. In which account and discovery of his end the holy Ghost of purpose leaveth out the millenary number as not onely knowne perfect and immutable for that these vile and evill dayes shall not exceed more thousands then one but as respecting also the common use of all Nations as well Hebrews aÌ„s Gentiles who in their stiles for brevitie sake do no lesse often speak and â—rite by th'â—mperfect number omitting the â—illenary then after the perfect adding the millenary as Munster well observeth And in that year my Lord of Rome shall lay down his Vide Calendarium Hebraicum Sebastiani Munsteri proud wavesâ— and although he fortifie never so strong
and lay his foundation as low as hell and build his turrets as high as heaven and place his Miter above the stars yet in that day hâ— shall die the death of the uncircumcised and perish like the Amorite whose fruit is destroyed from above and root from beneath and the Amos 2. 9. multitude of his offences shall consume the multitude of his forces and it shall be more possible for him and easie unto him to weigh the fire or measure the wind or call againe the day that is past or recover the verdure of the withered grasse as a holy one faith then to avoid this counsell and decree of his downfall here determined by the Spirit against him saying And the number of him is 666. And then all Kingdoms and people shall see th' eternity of that eternall City as one of her own calleth it and th'immortality of her soul meaning the soveraign power and supremacie of her Caesars and high Priests to wither die and sorsake 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 Now therfore as King Belshazzar cried aloud when he saw the hand-writing against him that they should bring the Chaldeans Astrologians and inchanters to read and interpret so thou that once and long before our dayes hast been deemed by Laws of all Nations a power so soveraigne and holy call now about thee thy Councell and thy Clergy who call themselves good men learned and wise whose onely grace is to love antiquity gravity wisdome and constancy caâ—l them I say cloath them with purple and chaine them with gold yet shall they not deliver thee from this judgement to come but as the mill-stone which â—he mighty Angel tooke and cast into the sea which may not rise and float againe with such violence thou and thy Church in that houre shall be thrown down and shall be found no more And all such Kings on earth or rather Kings of earth whose love thou hast stollen to the losse of their souls that have lived in drunkennesse delights and wantonnesse with thee shaâ—l weep and waile for thee as for their fiâ—st-borne when they shâ—ll see the smoake of thy torments ascend and the Apples which thy soule Iusted after to depart from thee and no man to buy thy tâ—ash and commodities any more for that God which judgeth thee is a strong Lord and thy derision shall be the joy and Allelujah of Sion But her faire and â—aâ—cyon day may not long endure before the Lord that with justice judgeth and fighteth shall come in the clouds of heaven to render unto every man according to the wayes wherein his heart hath waâ—ked as more directly is revealed in the 20. Chapter following But as concerning the day and houre of the comming of that Lord who for the glory of his name shall bring these things to passe it is fast sealed up in the treasury of God far beyond the aime of all â—is servants on earth or Angels in heaven and yet his beloved servant Daniel is bold in spirit and layeth downe the yeare to be the five and fortieth yeare according to his Chaldaicall supputation after the consumption and extermination of Antichrist that it may be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Verily the Lord of hoasts will doe nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his Servants the Amos 3. 7. Prophets DAN 12. 11 12 13. And from the time that the daily Sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and commeth to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes FINIS
were very learned was not asham'd of this low and contemptible Calling For he was in that estate instructed of God prepared and fitted for a more excellent work and employment to feed the flock of God to comfort and refresh the Souls of repentant Men and Women He was not troubled at the Glory nor affraid of the pride and power of Rome Whose power saith he is breath not to be accounted of nay To the Church of Rome p. 1. we are not only ready to give up our bodies but our souls to be sacrificed in witness of the cause pleaded before you this day Or should our voice be ashamed of her preparation Behold yee scorners like as a mighty wind that passeth your ear and bloweth not upon yee so shall yee hear great things to day and not be moved therewith And poor and slight and simple as she goeth she hath authority to give joy to the living and life unto the dead And in the Treatise to Q Eliz. thus he writeth I your Servant cannot but speak the things I know and testifie what I have Advertis to Q. Eliz. p. 41. seen and heard what though I be no Minister nor Son of a Minister Shepherds and Clowns have been Divines sometimes and why not I 7. But to come nearer the matter chiefly intended here we may consider that when the Assyrian Chaldean and Persian Monarchies drew to their fatall end and period it pleased God to raise up Prophets holy men Jonah Amos Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Daniel Ezra c. whom he instructed with heavenly wisedome and furnished with extraordinary gifts enabling them to foreshew and denounc his Judgments upon the Churches Adversaries inevitable ruine to their chief Cities seats of the Empires and also to admonish the people and forewarn them of the evils to come that his Elect might be brought to repentance and all others being admonished left without excuse So now in this last age the time of the reign of the 4th Beast the Roman Monarchy hastning to an end it cannot be denyed but that God raised up many Prophets sent divers of his Servants to detect oppose and cry out against th' Abominations Idolatries Superstitions and Delusions of Rome the Western Babylon denounc Judgments to his and his peoples implacable Enemies and comfort his chosen and faithful with promises of deliverance and salvation To the Church of Rome p. 1. Amongst whom certainly this Author who ever he was is not to be accounted the least Many and sundry voices saith he have been heard out of the wildernesse in these latter dayes whereunto had we given good and diligent ear we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation Nevertheless he that writeth testifyeth the Kingdom of God is at hand 8. Amongst many great and weighty matters which he treateth of and unfoldeth in his writings that concerning the period and final determination of the reign of Antichrist and his Church Dominion is one of the most remarkable at present chiefly noted and generally fixed in the minds of the people in respect of its near approach He declareth the number of the Beast viz. the Pope sole Monarch as the Jesuits will have it both spiritual and temporal of the Western Babylon in manner as Daniel did the hand writing against Belschatzar the last Monarch of the Eastern Babylon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mene Mene i. e. Numeravit Numeravit which Daniel thus interpreteth Dan. 5. 25. seq Numeravit Deus regnum tuum complevit illud God hath numbred thy Kingdome and finished it h. e. God hath finished and ended the dayes of thy Kingdome and the end of thy life and the Chaldean Empire is come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thekel appendit i. e. Appensus fuisti lancibus inventus es minus habens Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Upharsin or as after v. 28. Upharsin dividentes i. scindunt Allusio est ad Persas qui dicuntur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nam haec dictio est aequivoca Gemminatio autem ista 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 facta est ad majorem exaggerationem vel ut alii volunt prius significat finem Regni secundum mortem Regis finem vitae ejus Vatab. Annot. in Dan. 5. 25. Nota Upharsin verti potest primo dividentes secundo Peâ—sae Pharsin enim sunt Persae Q. d. Persae in stant tibi ô Belshazzar qui cum Medis divident regnum tuum Ar. Mont. in Loc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pheres Divisum est Regnum tuum datum est Medis Persis Thy Kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians In the same night saith the Prophet v. 30. was Belschatzar slain and Darius the Mede took the Kingdom And then ended the Babylonian Monarchy So that the number of the Beast or the number of the man of sin is nothing else but the period and final determination of the usurped Tyranny and Dominion of Antichrist as this Author well Expos Apoc. c. 13. v. 18. interprets which the Lord for the glory of his name consolation of his Church and confusion of her Foes with a mighty and outstretched Arm will bring to passe in the year 666. viz. in 1666 the Millenary number for brevities sake being omitted For the time of the Reign of the Beast and of the Churches sufferings and persecutions during her abode in the wilderness is expresly mentioned to be 42 Months Apoc. 11. 13 15. a time times and half a time Apoc. 12. 14. 1260 dayes v. 6. that is so many years a day being put for a year as Ezek. 4. 6. the beginning of which term he placeth at the year 406. at what time Innocent the first then Bishop of Rome obtain'd at the hands of the Dragon priority of place suffrage and censure over all Which was effected and brought to passe when Honorius the Emperour at th' importunity of the said Bishop subjected the power of th' East Empire which most withstood the West and Roman supremacy with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea of Rome in the said year 406. 9. And then in that year saith this Author In Apoc. 13. 18. my Lord of Rome shal lay down his proud waves and though he fortifie never so strong and lay his foundation low as Hell and build his Turrers as high as Heaven and place his Miter above the Stars yet in that day he shall die the death of the Uncircumcised and perish like the Amorite whose fruit is destroyed from above and root from beneath and the multitude of his offences shall consume the multitude of his Forces and it shalâ— be more possible for him and easie to him to weigh the fire or measure the wind or call again the day that is past or recover the verdure of the withered Grasse as a holy one saith then to avoid this Council and Decree of his downfal here determined by the Spirit against him saying And his
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
chair of state as the Spirit noteth saying which had the stroke of the sword and liveth VERS 15. And it was given to him to give spirit to the image of the Beast and that the image of the Beast should speake and should make that whosoever honoured not the image of the Beast be slaine ANd such art and perswasible power was given to those inchanters and apostates of Antichrist that they infused such a quickning spirit such a life giving animation into the Ethnick dead and desolate image of the Dragons religion by guilding it over with the reverend divine and honorable names of God omnipotent Christ Jesus the righteous his holy Spirit his precious blood his sacred word his blessed Sacraments c. that they easily perswaded the blear eyed world to think and beleeve that the execrable forme and image of Jupiters abomination commanded by the Dragon and his Caesars was the very true worship and service of God commanded by the Lamb and his servants and that the picture of Jupiter Olympius which their Lord Epiphanes had set up and placed in Sanctum Sanctorum was the very Ark and propitiâ—tory of God set up and erected by Moses his servant and their abominable mysticall Masse the Sacrifice of an unbloody Messias made of bread of their owne baking which the Patriarks Prophers and Apostles never heard nor dreamed of is a Sacrifice not Eucharisticall but propitiatory and so all sufficient for the atonement and reconciliation of God unto the sinner as if it were figured and sealed in the precious blood of the Lord of the Covenant and that the horrible prophane and detestable supper of Thyestes is the very true holy and comfortable commemoration of the Lords love in giving his life for the children of the Church and their thankfull communion and celebration of the same And by these and such like inchantments these Proctors of Antichrist so baffled and blinded the Princes and Protectors of their synagogues that they inzeal'd them to authorize and erect inquisitions executions and torments against all such as refuse to honour and adore the idol-service and desolation of their Antiochus and that all such as doe but mutter against the magnificence of their Church and her worship which all the world adoreth should be accounted as Infoelix Lolium weeds Lollards Heretiques excommunicates and sonnes of death to the admirable confirmation of the Spirits prediction in this place saying that it was given to him to give such spirit to the image of the Beast that the image of the beast should speake and make that whosoever honoured not the image of the bâ—â—st be slaine VERS 16. And he should make all little and great rich and poore free and bond to have a Character in their right hand or on their fore-heads ANd the power of these prostibulous Clerks was so catholique and universall that they caused all Kingdomes and Nations figured here by a numeration of their estates conditions and callings little great rich poore bond free to confederate and unite themselves by a resolute and determinate purpose of believing and living after the laws and prescriptions of Antichrist which league of voluntary and resolute subjection the Spirit calleth the character of the beast for as unity and love in truth and a resolved purpose to live after the Commandements of God is the Character and cognizance of the Lamb so unity conspiration and banding against the truth with resolution to live after the traditions of Antichrist is the crest and character of the Beast Which profession of obedience was so studiously embraced and with such joy received of all the clients and creatures of Antichâ—ist that the Spirit saâ—th they did no lesse pâ—ide themselves in their errors and abominations then in the wearing of their braceleâ—s and abillements delivering it in manner of speech usuall with holy Scripture when it intendeth to expresse an ardent and hearty affection approved both by word and action by practise and profession as Deut. 6. 8. and 11. 18. where the holy Ghost useth the selfe same phrase in their right hand or on their foreheads VERS 17. And that no man may buy or sell but he that hath the character or the name of the Beast or the number of his name ANd in further proofe that Antichrist and his apostaticall Clergy should drive the Naâ—le of their impâ—ety home to the very head the Spirit saith that by them and meanes of their authority it should be enacted that none should trade or live for so much the inhibition of buying and selling doth inferre but such as acknowledge and adore the prerogative royall religion and discipline of the Beast and his holy Catholique Church for so by a figurative kind of blasphemy she must be called as is confirmed by Antichrist himselfe then named Martin the fift in his Bull directed to the inquisiâ—ors of hereticall pravity for so it pleaseth him to terme the profession of the truth Nec domicilia habeant nec larem foveant nec contractus ineanâ— nec negotiationes mercaturas exerceant nec humanitatis solatia cum Christi fidelibus habeant c. All which their domineering rage or madnesse the holy Ghost by way of prevision most admirably epitomizeth in these words And that no man may buy or sell no one excepted out of the King of Babvlons decree save those onely that carry his signing and flesh-mark in their hands or hearts as Beasts doe in their fells meaning such as under or above boord privately or in publique are obstinately and resolutely devoted to live and dye as the Beast commandeth which the Spirit unfoldeth in saying But he that hath the Character or are oâ—herwise allied as it were by way of cognomination unto Antichrist or his Church Catholique and are hereafter cleped Papists or Catholiques revealed in these words Or the name of the Beast or last of all are sound to adore within the very verge or lists of his reigne and Empire Pontificiall here butted and bounded within the circle and comprehension of these words Or the number of his name of whichmore at large in the verse following VERS 18. Here is wisdome he that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is six hundred sixty six THe holy Ghost intending to reveale in this verse the secret councell and purpose of God concerning the period and finall end of Antichrist and his Church-dominion prepareth his Reader to attention by a little short Preface intimating that it is the discovery of a mystery and point of high understanding saying Here is wisdome wherein lest we should over-rashly judge as many have done the Spirit maketh choice of his auditors and addeth for a bar not he that will but he that can and hath understanding let him audite and count the number of the Beast He that hath understanding let him count the number of the Beast whom lest we should imagine to be a spirit