curse of the Tree for the redemption of those that were his sworne enemies And this is the love whose rich and plentifull nature the Apostle describeth saying Love forbeareth 1 Cor. 13. and is gentle void of envy and of doing wrong vaunteth not her selfe nor disgraceth others seeketh not her owne nor giveth place to anger never deviseth or joyeth in evill but alwayes rejoyceth in the company of truth beareth all beleeveth all hopeth all endureth all And this is that Love and that new Commandement whose often praise shineth in the two lights and Lamps of God which burn before his Throne day and night and no man can attaine thereto or have his part therein that hath not first been cleansed by the promise of the Father which is the Spirit of adoption wherein he cryeth Abba Father And this is that Holinesse and Newnesse of life which the Scripture so often commendeth unto us by the names Vivification renovation spirituall and the first resurrection Blessed and holy are they that have their parts therein for on such the second death shall have no power as it is sealed in the book of life And this is the first and last the beginning and the end of the counsell and wisedome of God even his secret hidden eternall and onely ordinance wherein before the day knew his comming up or going down he purposed to save and to recover againe the thing which was lost And they that understand it and doe thereafter are those which are registred in the book of life called in Scripture by so many faire and beautifull names as A righteous Tree a pleasant Land a habitation of Justice a holy Mountaine a City of truth a City sought out and not forsaken a holy City a holy Nation the plantation of God the Mountaine of the Lord of Hosts the pillar and sustainer of truth Beloved Beautifull Free Faithfull Chosen Kings Priests Saints Sion Daughter of Sion Mother of the just Jerusalem Children of promise Vessells of Mercy Israel Jacob Judah Ephraim his first borne House of Levi his Temple his Tabernacle his Sanctuary his People his Vine his Body his Spouse his Church and such like And these are the Stones of Sion which altho they be for their transgressions as testifieth the Prophet scattered among the heathen and unbaptized in heart for a season given up to the pleasures of Murtherers Jer. 4. 31. 30. 15. Isa 54. as to the paines of a woman that travelleth accounted vile desolate despised cast away no body no where compared with the glorious Synagogues and Churches of this world yet what saith the Scripture Rejoyce thou barren that bearest no children breake forth into joy and gladnesse thou that travellest not for the desolate hath many more then the married wise saith the Lord Meaning thereby that tho his captive Daughter Sion during the days of her soiourning in earth as in a strange Land be bowed downe and layed low like a street for the beasts of the field Citizens of the earthly Jerusalem to tread upon and goe over yet when the morning Isa 52. commeth the morning of exterminaâ—ion determined to come upon the whole earth she shall arise and shake of her graves her tears and dust wherein she lyeth and put on a garment of light of beauty and joy everlasting And all the delices the pompes and paraments of her oppressors shall vanish as a dreame Isa 60. 14. Ier. 20. 16 Ezek. 28. 25. Dan. 7. 27. Ioel 3. Amo. â— 9. Mic. 5. 8. Sap. 1. 9. Hag. 2. 23 Za. 2. 8. Mal. 4. 1 2 3. and themselves covered with torments shall be sold for slaves to the daughter of Sion whom in the days of their pleasures they so much despised as iâ— testified by the Prophets And this is the Church and City of God not like unto the shamelesse and adulterous Congregations of these times pure in skin and soule in heart which â—oast to be that they are not each discovering other spots themselves full of Ulcers daily squaring and falling out like Theeves about the treasures and riches of God which appertaine to truer men then they Neither is she like those foolish and irrâ—formed reformers that in all this time have not learnt to discern between the Image of God and the Inscription of Caesar I mean those that have not yet learnt that every one that feareth God what or whersoever he be sustaineth two persons the one of a Citizen the other of a Christian Touching his person of a Citizen if he be called to be a Prince and Ruler over his brethren knoweth that this his authority is the allowed and approved rule and lawfull Seniory to constitute and determine every vocation and therein in those especially that attend upon the Altar carefully foreseeing that in their sort they be provided for according to the word which commandeth Deut. 25. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corne prescribing to every one committed to his charge in meats in drinks in cloth in day and such like according to his wisdom heedfully respecting in guiding the Bark of his Government as the Pilot doth the Needle the commandement of God and quality of his people On the other side if he be called a servant and to live in subjection knoweth that the magistracy whereunder he is placed whether it be of one of few or many is his allowed seniory and lawfull presbytery and unto whom by immediate prescription and authority from God belongeth to defend the innocent and correct the faulty and thereafter feareth he taking up his vocation as his Prince alloweth contented with such dismes as his Prince provideth eateth drinketh weareth and keepeth as his Prince prescribeth giving to his Prince the obedience which to a Prince belongeth And as concerning his person of a Christian this man whither he be placed in authority or under authority knoweth that neither Thrones nor Chaires of state nor gracious titles of Lordship and Soveraignty availe him any thing but that he is called to a like subjection and equall participation with the rest of his fellows as it is written He that is greatest let him be as Luke 22. 26. the least and he that is chiefest as him that serveth For all are baptized with one baptisme the water of repentance all are sanctified with one fire the Word of Faith all are children of one Mother Jerusalem from above all are subjects to one Lord who by his obedience and Sacrifice once for all hath sanctified and reconciled them and made them of serâ—ants and sons of wrath his brethren and sons to his owne father as it is Heb. 2. 11. written He that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one And thus and so walketh this man giving tribute to whom tribute is due fear to whom fear belongeth and honour to him to whom it pertaineth according to the commandement of his Lord which saith Give then to Caesar the things which
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
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
travell and guard and watch him day night behold and learne his end he that is wise will marke his deliverance and happy man that can tell his teares and sit and sorrow with him To this man maketh God answer early or late delivereth him and how much the longer withholdeth his countenance retyring as it were his pitty from him so much the more entendeth t' advance his love and mercy towards him to make him great and a pillar in his house a comforter of the weake and broken knees of others and in his time sendeth downe his promise the rich and hidden treasure which from the beginning dwelled with himselfe and with his holy one who day by day laboureth washeth and bindeth up this broken one not leaving t' apply unto his stripe untill he have wrought and shaped in him a full and perfect assurance that God hath given him unto his Sonne in him and through him forgiven and covered all those his transgressions which cryed our so justly against his bloud and whereas in the day of his trespasse was a stranger and an enemy now in his Son and for his sake is reconciled and beloved and is unto him as a sonne and he to him a Father the treasure which his soule in the great day of his trouble so unspeakeably desired and therewithall commandeth him to beare written up in the apple of his eye night and day to read and consider what great things have been done for him This man is now so assured his â—innes are forgiven him as sure and perswaded that his Lord and Redeemer was once dead now liveth never dyeth more what Register may record the sinnes of him whose transgressions God forgetteth what power may discover the nakednesse of him whose shame and offence God covereth who shall be able to cast away whom God approveth or lay to the charge of him whom God chooseth may sinne wherein he was conceived may trespasse and filthinesse wherein his youth delighted may the bold and bloudy offences which his age hath committed may flesh and infirmities wherewith he is clothed may powers and blasphemies wherewith he is compassed nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevaile against him as it is written God justifying who may condemne This man is now so assured God loveth him as that he is sure and fully perswaded neither fire nor sword neither death nor life neither Angels nor powers nor principalities neither things present nor things to come neither natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord. And this is the saith of Abraham and of Abrahams posterity which reacheth justice to the sinner and life unto the just as it is written But the just shall live by faith And this is the faith whereof th' holy Ghost pronounceth by the mouth of his servant Paul in a place saying Being justified therefore by faith wee have peace with God in Christ Jesus our Lord. For he is truly justified whose sinnes are forgiven as it is written Blessed is the man whose sinnes are forgiven and whose transgressions are covered And he is truly at peace and one with God that is beloved of him and all this grace is reacht unto him in Christ and through him as it is written For death and bondage was given by Moses but grace and truth by Christ Jesus And this is the rest and peace from above the birth and baptisme of the holy Ghost the fire that purgeth the sonnes of men transforming them from sinners into the sonnes of God and no man shall see it or have his part therein that cannot sing the song of the little children which sat in the market place crying and calling one t'another We have mourned and yee have not sorrowed Murtherers stand forth tell me may you compare your beleefe with this mans saith behold thou beleevest one onely God Father Almighty of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ his onely Sonne for whom and by whom are all things and one Spirit God holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the power the life and quickner of all things and thou beleevest that the Sonne in the fulnesse of time descended from the bosom of his Father came into the world was made flesh conceived by the holy Ghost borne of a Virgin and that he dyed and rose againe for the redemption of all that beleeve in his holy name and thou beleevest those that beleeve in him are his Church chosen and gathered from all the winds a Company undefiled a holy Universitie as he is holy that hath chosen them and thou beleevest they wayle and weep and joy together and thou beleevest their Lord is mounted up into the heavens seated on the right hand of God all power in heaven and in earth subdued unto him and thou beleevest all flesh shall rise and stand before him every man to receive according to his thoughts And all these things beleevest thou thou doest well thy father the Devill beleeveth them also and it is so farre that this faith may save either thee or him as that it shall encrease both your stripes for unto whom much is committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth and doth not shall be beaten with many rods And better it were thou hadst never been borne then to have heard and beleeved all these things and not to have sorrowed with the Mourner And this was the faith of Simon Magus one of your first-borne who hearing Philip preaching th'Incarnation Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and forgivenesse of sinnes in his holy name and seeing the great and wonderfull works wrought by the same beleeved the promise and revelation of life and was baptized as it is written And Simon also beleeved and was baptized and yet was neither begotten by water nor by the holy Ghost he beleev'd as did the lyar his father of whom he learnt his jugling to plane the creatures of God and was reborne by water from below not able to beget the sinner a new for it is impossible that bloud of beasts or water of fountaines may either purge or prepare the sinner And therefore Peter comming to Samaria to purge those sinners whom Philip had prepared by water from above laid his finger to the wound fellow quoth he thou hast no part nor fellowship with us nor in this administration and shewed him the cause why namely his unrepentance giving him t' understand it was not possible for his soule to be purg'd of that gall and bitternesse wherein it lay because his heart was not prepared by water And this was the faith of the Traytor thy predecessor Balaam who sold the truth and life everlasting for the reward of iniquitie like unto thee he knew and beleeved as thou doest that the bloud of his Master was innocent bloud and was baptized with the selfe same baptisme
wherewith thou art baptized and yet was neither begotten by water nor by the holy Ghost for it was not possible for him to be purg'd with Peter his heart unbroken hard and cruell râ—fusing to sorrow with the Mourner And this was the faith of Julian thy Pastor I touch your mysterie now Sir Balaam whose broad seale and subscription hangeth even this day unto thy letters Pattens confirming thy Throne and Vicardome to thee and thy posterity was baptized with the selfe-same baptisme where-with thou art baptized and begotten by the selfe-same faith which thou beleevest and yet th'uncleane spirit re-entred his house prepared and swept and his blasphemous end is knowne to yee all this day to be worse then his beginning but had he been begotten by the faith which Abraham beleeved th' enemy at the returne with his seven thousand powers had found his house guarded by the stronger the watchman of Israel had defended his gates and kept his walls from ruine but it was not possible for him to be clensed with Abraham his heart not prepared with water like unto Abrahams for his soule was found among the stiffe uncircumcised children which would not regard their fellowes crying Wee have mourned and ye have not sorrowed But I will leave thy penance thy beliefe with all and every point of thy Doctrine to him that commeth after behold a voyce shall rise against thee discover thy blasphemies contained in thy conspiracy held at Trent against the holy one of Israel and Jacob his chosen and strike thee so with the two witnesses of God out of whose mouth comes fire to destroy the gainesayer that all thy Magicians all thy false reformed Prophets shall not be able to recover thee to life againe and returne unto the man who once laboured and was lost but now refreshed and is found againe whose warre and woes are turned to such a peace and joy as the world can neither give nor take away from him and let us make research into his life beholding how he worketh he that is wise will marke his steps and follow where he goeth Like as the good and fruitfull Tree planted by the river side bringeth forth her fruit in time and due season so fruitfull now is this branch become and after the two noble parts of his faith spreadeth out his root to moistnesse and bringeth forth a double fruit Th' assurance of mercy and forgivenesse of his sinne worketh in him such a true and perfect hatred of sinne as no man knoweth but he that is baptized in Silo with him and this hatred dwelleth not idle hidden up and sleeping in him but as a Citie built upon a hill sheweth his bastions and beauty to the passers by so breaketh forth this fire within him making knowne to all his members the power and strength thereof retiring them from their old and wonted wayes remembring unto him with what a precious bath and price he is washt and bought from th'uncleane and vaine conversation wherein once he walked now and ever after to be holy as he is holy that hath chosen him What fountaines may yeeld water enough to bewaile the state of this man for in his members he findeth a law bidding and commanding unrighteousnesse intising to regard his pleasures past maintaining to be bold to returne againe casting before him day and night the vomit which now his soule hath cast up and bleedeth to see or to remember more and in his spirit findeth another law remembring unto him the day of his trouble when feare and judgement led him chained to death and how he followed weeping and had nothing to say for himselfe how then and in that day he pittyed and delivered him with charge to remember with what a great and precious charge he was redeemed and recovered againe commanding him therefore not to dare to look backe or grieve the seed of God the holy one that hath done all these things for him Ah poore and miserable soule who shall deliver him from his body of sinne for to the law of his spirit consenteth he loveth and faine would doe thereafter but cannot for he dwelleth in a house of rebellion not contented alone to pursue him by day as it is written All the day long am I punished and chastised every morning but while the night lendeth the little ease unto his heavie eye his members watch to sinne Like righteous Lot in Sodome so dwelleth he closed in a Citie whose buildings are transgressions whose streets are wayes of error whose bulwarkes are the strength of death whose gates doe leade to hell dying daily tormented daily crying daily to be delivered from sinne or from the body thereof and in a great and strong patience though now of all creatures most miserable scorned of Angels disdained of men hated of the world pursued of his owne unspeakeably endureth all hoping with a hope which cannot be confounded for the revelation of his life laid up in the bosom of his Lord and Redeemer then and in that houre to be declared and given him when he shall come to judge the world with a righteous judgement rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked And this is the death to sinne the great affliction happy man that hath his part therein for he shall see the day wherein he shall hunger no more nor thirst any more wherein the Sunne shall not burne him by day nor fire by night any more for the Lambe that loveth him shall feed and cover him and lead him to the fountaines of water of life and satisfie him and deliver his eye from teares and he shall weepe no more Th' other branch of his faith namely th' assurance that God loveth him worketh in him of the contrary part such a love of God and of his Lord and Redeemer as no man knoweth but he that hath it and this hidden and secret name resteth not idle covered or sleeping in him but as a Sacrifice salted doth prove it selfe seasoned to the mouth of the taster so breaketh forth this hidden light and sheweth her beams unto the Worlds end according to the Commandement He that loveth God loveth his brother also not him alone with whom he prayeth weepeth rejoyceth daily which love is commended unto him by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but now loveth he every man as his brother knowledging every man his neighbour on whom he may have mercy every man his brother whom he may love which love is commended unto him by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and called in Scripture the love of God Because it is not learnt of flesh nor after the will of flesh but of God and by his example who being fellowed in glory with the highest disrobed himselfe of his beauty came downe into the world was found amongst us in weaknesse in flesh and shape of a servant obedient to death even to the
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
each intercommoners severall by stake or by rod so in the wide and common field of Christians the Lord commandeth his servant John to survey and apportion out his Church and partage which he severeth from the residue of carnall Gospellers and such like outcasts in recommending unto us their inward frame and renewed graces under the â—ppellation and names of the Temple of God the Altar and them that adore therein meaning that as in the Tabernacle of the congregation the holy and most holy places wherein stood the Table of the Shew bread Candlestick Altar of incense Ark propitiatory and oracle of god over-covered within and without with Angel gold into which places none but the priests might enter adore were separated by a vail from the outer Court where the brazen altar was erected for all the house of Israel to enter and sacrifice which therefore was call'd the Court of the people so in the common field and Vniversitie of Christians they onely are the Church and heritage of God which are sanctified in heart and holy in life and conversation and separated by the vail of regeneration that is to say by the tears of true repentance and the assurance of pardon and reconciliation unto God in Christ Iesus ingraven in the tables of their hearts by the finger of the Spirit from all carnal professors and nominal Christians in whom is but an outward face and protestation of the name of Christ onely VERS 2. But the base Court which is without the Temple cast out and measure not for it is given to the Gentiles and the holy City shall they tread under foot two and forty months BUt as for those Common Caâ—holique Christians here resembled to the base Court which is without the Temple because they are but overcast onely with a profession of my name which heare my word participate my Sacraments and yet are separated by an unregenerate heart as by a vai ' from those Altarsand priests in whom my name is honoured cast forth saith the Lord and measure not for howsoever such unleavened companions seem to boast in the name of my Church and in the protestation of a Christain calling yet they are so farre from belonging to my peculiar saith the Lord as that I have given them up in reckoning with the reprobate of the Gentiles and they shall justifie mine account and rejection of them by their like uncircumcised carriage and heathenish conversation for they shall no lesse defile my holy Citie that is to say they shall no lesse hate accuse persecure and keep under water the true and sanctified Christian then do the heathen and uncircumcised as by over-long experience is wel known to the Church of God which hath been is and shall be till her captivitie be returned opposed for melancholy mad new factious schismaticall hereticall by Christian Catholiques politicians Atheists carnall Gospellers and such heathenish protestors like to theis And that the Church of God may not look for other or better entertainment at these her intercommoners hands she is here by the predeterminate counsell of God to be troden like a way by these Gentiles and heathenish Christians 42 moneths meaning moneths of yeers to every moneth accounting by propheticall suppâ—tation thirtie yeers as in the verse following shall be further manifested confounding therein the Remisa ies of Rome who sweat to perswâ—de that they are but moneths of days thereby to turne the worlds eye from the great Antichrist that now is to a pettie Antichrist which shall never come VERS 3. And I will give to my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixty days cloathed in sackcloth DUring which time of the Churches disgrace and desolation for the greater comfort of her Children and judgement of her adversaries I will saith the Lord I by a wonderfull outstretehed providence will preserve unto the world the light and power of my two Testaments to guide their knowledge and conversation into the wayes of peace Whereby the Lord manifestly reproveth the grosse and vaine expectation of those that translate his meaning in this place to the coming of Henoch and Elias whereas of Henochs return either in flesh or in spirit there is no syllable of promise in all the Scriptures and as touching the spiâ—ituall returne of Elias promised is already Mal 4. 5. Mat. 11. 14. performed as the Lord himselfe proveth Now touching the time of their keeping watch while the world sleepeth the Lord voweth it shall be 42. moneths before mentioned which being dissolved into dayes after the Kalender of the Hebrews whose year did drive thirty dayes to every moneth and twelve moneths to every year amount to the just number of 1260. days here specified which computation of the years is observed throughout the whole Bible Daniel onely excepted who counteth after the use and stile of the Chaldeans in whose tongue and amongst whom he wrote and consequently the moneths being Propheticall that is to say moneths of years to each accounting thirty years the reâ—gne of Antichrist must needs endure 1260. years Which manner of reckoning years by dayes though it seem strange is usuall notwithstanding with the Prophets of God and therefore is called Propheticall as Ezekiel a day for a yeare and Ezek 4. 6. Dan 9. 24. Daniels seventie weeks are weeks of years every week containing seven years as throughout this Prophesie Also the moneths are moneths of years to every moneth accounting thirty years From whence we conclude Antichrists three years and a halfe both here and in Daniel deciphered by a time times and halfe a time to be years of years every year containing 12. moneths of years which amount to 360. years and multiplied by three and a halfe do in the totall amount to 1260. years And to the end the world may take better notice of these his two testifiers and preservers of truth the Lord commendeth the knowledge of the parties by the description of their Garments in saying they are cloathed in sackcloath thereby not onely diffevering their testimonies from all the soft and courtly commentaries of flesh and blood which for the most are raised with infected matter and vested with affected stile but also teaching us that no man can retaine to the Lord before whom they minister unlesse he serve in the same livery that they doe and can turne over the leaves of his life and pilgrimage in fasting and sackcloth and true repentance as these his servants the Prophets and Saints have done VERS 4. These are the two Olive branches and the two Candlesticks which stand in the presence of the Lord of the Earth ANd these my two Testaments are those two Olive Trees saith the Lord described by my Prophet Zachary which stand and fructifie before the Ruler of the earth for ever and ever For their leafe that is to say their word and judgements shal neither wither nor fade though heaven and earth should perish and melt away And they are
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
the Lambs but in truth the divels calleth also their lying signes heavenly fires saying So that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men not that they were in deed and in truth so but that they seemed so to be in the eyes of men because they were wrought by these vagabond exorcists under a pretended and colourable imitation of the name of the Lord Jesus who of all heavenly powers and fires is the true Lord and soveraigne commander so these Clerks of Antichrist must be sutable in their wickednesse that as their doctrine was opposite to the truth of Christ so their wonders might contrary the power of Christ by a colourable imitation of the miracles of Christ and might be a true and perfect depravation of the same VERS 14. And he seduced the inhabitants on the earth through the signes which were given him to doe in the sight of the Beast saying unto them that dwell on the earth that they should make the image of the Beast which had the stroke of the sword and liveth ANd the Spirit further disclosing the happy successe of these unhappy brokers and slaves of Antichrist touching their mists and miracles foretelleth us that as the first Elias by the miracles of heavenly fire did induce and draw the good unto the feare of God so these imposters of Antichrist by the lure of their false and lying fires should seduce and draw all dunghill and earthly minded men from the feare of God in such sure and devoted sort as that they should perswade them to make the picture and image of the Beasts Religion and to embrace and erect such a Christianisme as should in all points counterfeit and represent the Paganisme of the Dragon attiring and decking Jupiters prophanation with the holy and honourable names of God Jesus Spirit Scriptures Church Sacraments Saints c. like excellent Comedians who deck themselves with Crownes Scepters Purples and representations of Kings when as indeed they are but the idlest and basest of the people And as the Loâ—d commanded his servant Moses to erect such a tabernacle of witnesse here on earth as should be in all points after the idea modell and platforme of that divine and eternall Tabernacle which he saw in the mount so Antichrist Lord of misrule commaâ—ded his propudious Clergie to cause all people nations and Kingdomes to set up such a Christianity as should in all points answer the idea modell and platforme of that prophane and execrable heathenisme wherewith he saw the Gentiles enamoured and hereby so strongly seduced the inhabitants on earth that they verily thought the mystery of iniquiry to be pure and undefiled christianity and that the abomination of desolation forespoken by Daniel the Prophet is the only true ancient Catholique and Apostolique religion teaching them that perish by consenting unto lies that they ought to worship God as the Gentiles did worship Jupiter perswading them that as the Gentiles had their Arae so Christians must have their Altars and as the heathen had their bloody Sacrifices so Christians must have their unbloody sacrifices and offer bread and wine to God as the heathen did to Ceres and Bacchus and as the Pagans had their Pontifex maximus so Christians must have their Pope and as Ethnicks had their Sacerdotes so must Christians have their Priests and as the Gentiles had their Gods and Goddesses so must Christians have their he saints and she saints and as the Dragon had his Pantheon so Antichrist must have his All saints and as theheathen had their idolls so Christians must have their images â— and as the Pagans did consecrate their Temples to idolls so Christians must dedicate their Churches to Saints and as the Ethnicks had their supplications so Christians must have their processions and as the Gentiles had their Lustrations so Christians must have their holy water and as the Dragon in his Church-service had his Cerei so Antichrist in his Church-service must have Candles and as the Dragon had his Acerrae or Thuribles so Antichrist must have his Censors and as the Dragon had his Novendiall sacrifices so must Antichrist have his Masses of Requiem and as the Dragon had his Hecatombes so Antichrist must have his Trentals and as the Dragon had his Colledges Sodalium and Arvalium fratrum so must Antichrist have his Cloisters of Monks and Friers and as the Dragon had his Vestals so Antichrist must have his Nunns and Sanctimonials and as the Dragon did celebrate the birth dayes of his Caesars so Antichrist must solemnize the nativity of his Saints and as the Dragon had his Annals so must Antichrist have his Legends and as the Dragon had his secularia Spectacula to Antichrist must have his Jubilees and as the Dragon had his Bacchanals so Antichrist must have his Carnivals and as the Dragon had his Lupanaries so must Antichrist have his Stewes and as the Dragon had his inchanters so Antichrist must have his Exorcists and as the Dragon had his Asyla so Antichrist must have his Sanctuaries and as the Dragon had his Exequies and Parentals so Antichrist must have his Diriges and his de profundis and as the Dragon had his comitia centuriata so Antichrist must have his Councels oecumenicall and as the Beast had his comitia curiata so Antichrist must have his Councells Provinciall and as the Dragon did divisie his Caesars so must Antichrist Canonize his Saints and as the Dragon enacted civil lawes so Antichrist must enact canon lawes and as the Dragon had his imperiall Rescripts so Antichrist must have his Decretal Epistles and as the Dragon had his Tribunitiall intercessions so Antichrist must have his uncontrollable interdictions and as the Dragon had and used his Proscriptions so Antichrist must have and use his excommunications and as that Beast commanded his heathen to please their goddesse Iuno with Cane vota libens so this Beast commanded Christians to please their God with vowes and as the Dragon had his Triceps Hecate so Antichrist must have his Triple Tiara to signifie his triple pretended jurisdiction and as the Dragon had his Hexaphorom so must Antichrist be carried up and downe briefly as the Dragons Priests did teach the heathen to worship Iupiter as God so Antichrists Clergy must teach their Christians to worship God as Iupiter and look what forme of religion what manner of life the Dragon led the same must Antichrist in his person parallel and maintaine And to the end we may undoubtedly discern what and of whose image the Apostle speaketh the Spirit remembreth now the third time his recured wound which here speaking more plainly out he calleth the stroke of a sword not that it was the only stroke for many swords did pierce the Dragon as his had pierced many but the first stroke of a sword which from the beginning and rising of the Dragons Empire and regiment by Caesars did remeasure the fury of the sword upon his own head and