the Spirit to honour the sufferings of the Saints so highly as to ascribe unto them the chiefest stayes and supportations of their precious hope and calling namely patience and faith saying Here is the patience and faith of the Saints VERS 11. And I saw another Beast comming up from the earth and he had two hornes like the Lamb but he spake like the Dragon THe holy Ghost in the verse foregoing having pronounced sentence of death against Antichrist before he comes to the execution thereof descendeth to the arraignment and condemnation of his Clergie that so they may be carted to the valley of Hinnom both together whom the Lord here figureth under the name of the Beast saying And I saw another Beast comprehending under the singular number of one Beast by a manner of speech common to the holy Scriptures the whole corporation and university of false and lying teachers who from the first Eremite Hypocrite Father Priest Monk Fryer to the last trumping and vagabond Iesuite have avouched the honour and adoration of Antichrist And is most aptly deciphered by their earthly sensuall and divellish minds in pointing to their countrey and place of extraction whence and where such weeds doe grow saying comming up from the earth And commendeth their making and acquaintance to us by two exquâ—site tokens the one their person the other their doctrine Touching their shape and person the Spirit saith that it was in robe and exteriour appearance the very face and countenance of the Lamb deckt and garnished with his owne two hornes to wit the Law and the Gospel wherewith the Lamb doth save and kill for so the Spirit saith And he had two hornes like the Lamb. But as concerning the use and force of the hornes the Spirit saith they were therein so contrary to the Lamb that when they did open either to teach the Law or preach the Gospel they spake and taught like the Dragons Doctours and like the Priests of Jupiter teaching and preaching unto the children of the world that they ought to worship the God of heaven as the Dragons Priests had taught their fathers to worship the Gods of the heathen Which detestable prophanation of the worship of God and preposterous adoration of his name the Spirit detecteth in saying But he spake like the Dragon VERS 12. And all the power of the first Beast he did in his sight and he made the earth and the inhâ—bitants therein to adore the first Beast whose wound of death was cured BY the power of the first Beast is meant the purpose and plot of the Dragon for the upholding and establishment of their false and godlesse religion to the prophanation and extinction of the true worship and service of God which forasmuch as he could not effect by force and open eâ—mitie I meane by the bloody persecutions of his prophane and Ethnick Caesaâ—s he did devise to put a new string to his old bow and to work it out by fraud and falshood of friends and thereupon perswaded his Ethnick Caesars that in policie it was the best to play Christians forasmuch as the world was now so given as Jupiter with all hâ—s idols must needs give place to Christ because most voices went that way And the better to bring the mystery of iniquity to passe he caused his new christened Caesars to set up a race of sycophâ—nticall high and princely Priests who under colour of proctering the affairs of the Lamb should cunningly clâ—p Jupiters coat upon the Lambs back and bestow all the ceremonies and ritualls of Jupiter and his idolls upon Christ that so by turning Jupiters worship into Christianisme he might turne the worship of God into Paganisme and idolatry and that so he might at the least prophane and desolate the true worship of the true God whose Majesty and truth of deitie they could no way blemish And for the better successe in this their project should cause to be erected throughout all Kingdomes and Natâ—ons certaine covents and swarmes of false ungodly and prostituted Clerks who by avouching and maintaâ—ning against all commers that Antichrists name is Simon Peter and that the supremacie his Caesâ—rs and his Kings gave him is the very keys of heaven and hell which the Lamâ— committed to the dispensation of his Saints and servants and that the throne aâ—d seâ—r of wickâ—dnesse is Peters Chaire and Sea Apostolique and that the execrable forme of Jupiters worship wherein his Lords and Caesars deligâ—ted is the very true worship and service of God which â—he Lamb and his Apostles delivered And by these mists legerdemains and new editions of old idolatry should establish in the sight of Antichrist the â—elfe same pâ—ophanation and devout impiety which his Antecessors the Caesars so ardently embraced for so much the Spirit rippeth up in saying And all the power of the first Beast he did in the sight of Antichrist and thereby so strongly deluded and seduced the children of disobedience most properly here as elsewhere described by the name of the earth and the inhabitants therein that they loathed the Sacâ—ifices of the God of heaven and refused to worship as the Lord commanded and chose rather as the Spirit saith to adore the first Beast that is to say to worship the God of their fathers as the Dragon commanded them just after the prescription of his Caesars and manner of the heathen And that we may the better discerne from whom those Proctors of Don Antâ—christ borrowed this their abominable Church-service the Spirit remembreth the repaired wound of their masters creditors pate mentioned in the third verse Whose wound of death was cured VERS 13. And he did many signes so that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men THe holy Ghost having arraigned and condemned the Clergy of Antichrist touching their doctrine proceedeth further to detect their abomination and forgery in seeking to confirme their false doctrine by lying signes and works of wonder condemning therein first their vanity secondly their presumption For as nothing can be more vaine and ungodly then to seeke by lying signes and wonders to confirme the doctrine of the Lamb and his servants which is all sufficiently established by their owne magnificent and divine miracles unto which the Church of God upon her allegiance is enjoyned to subscribe so nothing can be more presumptious and wicked then to attempt by fignes and wonders the confirmation of any other doctrine then that which the Lamb and his two witnesses have sealed and delivered unto us according to the statute of God Deut. 13. And though their signes were many as the Spirit reporteth saying And he did many signes yet were they but forgeries and lies not wrought in truth and dignity but in falshood and fallacy as our Lord himselfe and his servant Paul foretold us Mat. 24. 2 Thess 2. In which regard the holy Ghost squaring the miracles of these exorcists after the rule of their doctrine which was in shew
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
others before them at his instigation have done the cause whereof I shall now a little enquire into When this unwearied Enemy of mankind after whose ruine he thirsteth perceived that by means of the wonders lies and delusions of Antichrist a great multitude even the third part of the sons of men were to be Apoc. 9. 18. subdu'd and invassal'd to him and so perish he took care to conceal him and give in a wrong and false information of him to the world well knowing that many would follow him headlong to destruction being partakers of his sins must also partake of his misery and judgments who otherwise had they understood who he was might have been aware of his Deceipts and escaped Wherefore he craftily infused into mens minds a false notion of Antichrist setting him out in counterfeit lying colours one while perswading the world that he must be a Spirit otherwhile that he should be Nero who in th' end of the world a little before the Day of judgment should be rais'd up to torment th' inhabitants of the Earth And then which most prevail'd that he must be a Jew of the Tribe of Dan and at 30. years old appear with a vast Army and in three civil years and an half over-run and subdue all the Kingdomes of Europe and bring in subjection most of th' other habitable parts of the Earth as it is written Power was given to him over all kinreds tongues and Nations and that he should be a most potent Monarch Apoc. 13. 7. far exceeding all that were before him and raign from sea to sea and from the River to th' ends of the Earth and that he must raign in Jerusalem and kill Enoch and Elias and at last mount Oliveâ— cleaving asunder be there swallowed up and sink down quick into Hell with divers other such Legendary fancies as our In Apoc. 13. 18. Author noteth never ment not sent from God And all this hath been chiefly mannag'd and carry'd on by th' art and contrivance of Fryers Monks Jesuits and others sworn Vassals of the Beast on design purpose thereby to raise a dust and cause a mist to darken the truth divert the worlds eye from beholding the great and very Antichrist sitting at Rome and domineering in the Church of God unto a fictitious imaginary one that must never come 19. But all these proving forgeries and devises and the Romanists case being grown desperate and past recovery they are at last befriended by the subtle Familists who have the forehead to affirm in their canting language that Antichrist is the Tower of Babel or the self-will of the Ham-like man c. and that the Babylonish Whore is Sin or the Soul captivated in vanity or the self-born will c. with other like idle ridiculous fancies absurd inventions as you may see in Behmens Mysterium magnum and the rest of his monstrous writings And herein whether the very Jesuits and other learned writers of the Church of Rome have not been far more honest and ingenuous I refer my self to th' impartial Reader For they being convinc'd and overborn by the light of truth and many direct evident places of Scripture do in their Commentaries on the Revelation and other writings confesse the matter and plainly tell us that by Babylon in the Apocalyps is to be understood no other then the very City of Rome in Italy where the Pope now reigns and which they also grant and affirm must be burnt with fire and utterly laid wast before th' end of the world by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power to the Beast Two or three of the chief whereof for the Readers satisfaction and to put the matter out of doubt I shall here produce and cite their very words as they fairly lie in their own writings 20. And first let Ribera the Jesuite speak Scriptores qui aliter interpretati fuerant veritate coguntur nobis favere Romam esse hanc urbem fornicariam vastandam c. The writers Saith Ribera Com. in Apoc. 17. n. 20. 22. he who did otherwise interpret are forc'd by the truth to yield to us that this whorish City to be destroyed and laid wast is Rome Et verba praecedentia Deus dedit in corda eorum ad desolationem incendium Romae pertinent c. And the following words God hath put into their hearts have respect saith he to the desolation and burning of Rome c. And Id. in Apoc. 14. n. 39. elswhere he writeth That under the name of Babylon is to be understood Rome non solum qualis sub ethnicis Imperatoribus olim fuit sed etiam qualis in fine Seculi futura est not only as it was under the heathen Emperors but as it shall be towards th' end of the world Again whereas she saith in her heart I 〈◊〉 a Queen and am no Widow c. he clearly alludes saith Id in Apoc. 18. n. 18. 19. he to the words of Isaiah c. 47. concerning the Chaldean Babylon which was a figure of this second Babylon c. And he addeth concerning her punishment he likewise saith These two things shall come upon thee in one day losse of Children and Widdow-hood But the words of John saith he are not to be taken as spoken of Rome when the Apostle lived but they are to be understood of the latter age of the world when the servants of God are commanded to depart out of her lest they be punished with her c. Thus Ribera To him consents Viega of the same Society Vt intelligeremus saith Blas de Vieg in Apoc. 17. Com. 1. Sect. 3. n. 5. he sermonem esse de urbe Romana c. That we may understand that the words are concerning Rome the Angel concludeth And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth For in St. John's time the City of Rome had command over almost all the Kings of the earth Again Cum fidelibus Id. in Apoc. 18. Com. 1. Sect. 1. n. 16. praecipitur c. When the faithful are commanded to depart out of Rome lest they be involved in her calamity 't is thence evident saith he that not onely Ethnick Rome is there by ment but that which shall flourish in the latter end of the world With them accords Cornelius a Lapide Dico Babylonem saith Cornel. à Lap. in Apoc. 17. 1. he hic Capite sequenti est Roma c. I affirm that Babylon both here and in the following Chapter is Rome as it was in the time of St. John and as it will again â—e in the time of Antichrist In another place thus he Id. in Apoc. 18. 4. writes Audivi aliam vocem è coelo dicentem c. I heard a voice from heaven saying depart out of her my people He warns the Christians saith he to flee out of Rome heathenish in th' end of the world when it is to be destroyed Again
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
to their use of honour and dishonour when he shall come in glory to judge and reward the world separate the stranger from the child the goaâ— from the sheep the sinner from the just and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written Many are called Lords of Sodome may it then pleaâ—e your dead and dry eyes to consider that in this great company of hearers two speciall differing companies are commended unto yee th' one that hearing the voyce obeyeth and doth it th' other that hearing transgresseth and doth not called in Scripture Haâ—ed bond forsaken cast out children of evill vessells of wrath and such like compared to a Man who built a house and laid no foundation and when the day of reckoning the day of tempest came the building fell and the fall thereof was great and lamentable for ever But they that heaâ—ing the Commandements of God observe and do them are called in Scripture beloved free chosen beautifull children of promise vessells of mercy Israel Jacob his people his heritage a holy Nation a holy City a kingly holy Priest-hood his house his Temple his Tabernacle Saints Sion Hierusalem from above the pillar and upholder of truth his vine his Church his Body his Spouse and such like compared to a Builder that digged deep and laid his foundation on the Rock whose work endured the day to come and gave glory to the worker to a Graine of Mustard-seede whose great increase for his little body is marvellous compared with other hearbs to Leaven which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid to a Pearle of price for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea by Land by fire by water to attaine to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality that the possessor selleth all he hath to make a purchase thereof to a Seede prospering from Blade to stalk from stalk to head the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how And this is the generation of them that seek him the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written But few are chosen And of this company and no other speaketh the Scripture which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And againe And behold I am with you from day to ever even to the worlds end And againe Feare not little flocke for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome And againe And I will intreate the Father and he shall give you another Comforter who shall remaine with you for ever And againe But when the Spirit of truth commeth he shall leade you into all truth And this is the City and house spirituall built upon the head of the corner which through the strength and glory of the foundation remaineth and liveth for ever as it is written And upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God the stones of life and glory everlasting disdained and trodden under of worldly builders prepared notwithstanding from above and appointed to serve for his Tabernacle and place of his dwelling for he that is highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as testifieth the Prophet Heaven is my seat and earth is my foot-stoole what place of rest will yee build unto me saith the Lord O house of Israel These things had yee understood then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes and like unto the housholder which bringeth forth of his store and provision as time and occasion serveth old and new And this is she which erreth not dissenteth not for all her Children are endued with a tongue and taster of truth all are prepared with one and selfe-same water all are purged by one and self-same fire all are Servants to one and self same Lord who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified and made them of sinners Sonnes of God as it is written He that sanctifieth and they which are sanctified are all of one And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding arrayed in a white and righteous garment which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day waiteth and attendeth his comming whose modest countenance whose chast and comely steps walk in our streets and the world regardeth not for her name is hidden written in the heart not in the skinne and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within not in the 〈◊〉 without whose praise is not of men but of God And yet thou sayest let me see her behold he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells that he knoweth not any one this day after the flesh that taketh part with him what then shall I say I am left alone God forbid for I see and heare with th' ears and eyes of my soule the groans the chains and tears of seven thousand whose obedience is greater then mine and of which number I am the least and as a poore and miserable and borne out of time am not worthy to be one of them And this is she who once Balaam walkt in thy streets and all th' earth was filled with her beauty untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head pursuing her blood and generation for there is enmity betweene him and her her seed and his for ever but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury And in those dayes her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings whose Feathers were made of the word of truth and she flew into the Wildernesse where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her enemy a time and times and halfe a time and there remaineth shee her houre her day her moneth and her yeare eating no other thing then that which God giveth her And thy Father fell heavy exceeding wroth thereat and sat him downe by the Sea side in a Throne newly erected to th' honour of his name mourning and pining that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so And calling his powers and counsell about him devising found out a way t' appease his wrath namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind and while he sat in Consistory seeking best means t' accomplish his purpose thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters and presently his dump was turn'd to a dance thy heads and hornes were so like his owne that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day and having nothing greater to shew his love parted with thee his Kingdomes and glory thereof planted thee in his old and ancient Throne where once his name was honoured and gave into thy hand his great power and chiefest of his hoast Wonders Lyes Murder and bad thee warre and have no feare for it was appointed the third borne among the Sons of men should be subdued unto thee And it pleased
covered with white with Crimson and pavonats 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written on thy head before and on thy scull behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desireth he thy gold thy pots thy puddings and thy purples which thou hast bought so deare nay Balaam he serveth that Lord whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof hath he sadled his Asse at any time and posted after Balaks preferment like unto thee Nay Balaam then let his soule be given up to an unrepentance like as is thine hast thou any thing to give that he desires to receive no Balaam he seeks not thine but thee and this is his desire that thou and all the world this day were like unto him excepting his sinne Murtherers and dare yee talke of mercy then tell us when have ye seene Christ hungry and given him t' eate when have ye seene him thirstie and given him to drinke when have ye found him a stranger and opened unto him when have ye met him naked and cloathed him when have yee knowne him weake and comforted him in prison and visited him Can ye minister to whom yee know not can ye feed harbor cover comfort visit whom yee see not behold Pharises I tell ye a mysterie yee shall never see nor know those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them have ye not read ye wisards that the blind shall see and they that see shall be made blind This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world and it is marvellous this day in our eyes behold this man as touching the mercy which he ought to doe eateth his bread with the empty and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he the pilgrim and the sojourner are ever found within his Courts his gates are never shut with the naked fitteth he and with his garment covereth his shame with the broken and imprisoned passeth he his time with plentifull and many teares comforting them nay who hungreth and he not pined who thirsteth and he not dryed up which is a stranger and he not throwne out who naked and he not confounded who weake and he not spent who lyeth imprisoned and he not tormented And as concerning the mercy which he ought not to leave undone this man if he have according to the Commandement of his Lord to him that asketh giveth and to the borrower lendeth looking for his reward and interest in the resurrection of the just if he have not applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour in great patience and thankfulnesse turning over the leaves of his life so richly contented as if his Royalties were as large as are the dominions of the little bird who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her and wheresoever dismounting setteth her little foote looketh about for her provision as if she were at home And this is the first the next and last of the living stones and temples of God which he before the day knew his comming up or going downe chose and adopted in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament to be unto him a House a Church a Tabernacle and everlasting possession And he that writeth beareth witnesse and testifieth unto the world all those whether Kings or Servants wise or simple learned or Ideots rich or poore old or young bond or free that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast received the print of his name and set up in their Tents and dwellings his Table and imitation rejoyce and clap their hands thereover shall be throwne out and have their part with blasphemers whose fire quencheth not whose stinke is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy Citie And all those that so poyson doctrines of death lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor eye to the blind as Arrians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to them shall be cast out and reape their part with lyars and Sorcerers whose worme dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies marching under names and titles whatsoever as Hussit's Lutherans Calvinists Evangelists Protestants Praecisians or any such other like to these have not their parts in great sorrow and fear the preparation and beginning of the wisdome from above shall stand without among the Dogges the Covetous the Murderer th' Adulterer and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And now I trust Balaam thou seest what thou art not it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art There was a booke written by the finger of God and as a Table in a good and perfect light placed in the midst of th' aire that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery foretold by the Spirit his Prophets and Apostles to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house And had her proud and prudent Children but wip't their eyes wiâ—h sackcloath they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this and loosed from the bonds of thy father the great jugler and Planer of the World had departed thy Courts and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God where the Lamb doth sit Neverthelesse for Sions sake and for to still her cryes The morning star the branch and begotten of David will open the mouth of one of his servants and give him power to disvaile the Revelation and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse and shew unto the world the things which thou thy witches and thy Wise had hop't to be past finding out Thy conception Thy birth Thy nurture Thy perfection Thy name Thy marke Thy number Thy heads Thy hornes Thy vicardome Thy keys Thy swords Thy succession Thy Guardrobe Thy Church her Ornaments Idols Altars Gold Silver Pearle Stone Silk Copes Banners Stincks Processions Reliques Oyle Wine Wafers Musick Lights lies Thy end Thy death Thy judgement And in that day thy name and generation shall stinke from the Center of th' earth unto the highest Heaven And thou that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome not consider'd that though it begin to destroy in Canaan it shall assuredly end in Chaldea shalt now be called into battell thy selfe and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more behold the dayes which were prophesied are come into the world and such voices shall rise up against thee as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre or to returne th'
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
her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth VERS 18. And the Dragon was wroth against the Woman and went to make battell with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ ANd notwithstanding the Dragon by his taile of Caesars had thus massâ—cred and dispersed the Church yet was he not so satisfied but for very rage fell into a melancholâ— mood for cause he could not quite consume and root her hâ—nouâ— out as the Spirit dâ—â—â—loseth saying And the Dragon was wroth against the woman And forasmuch as the Churches beauty did most shine in the East Syria Greece Asia where she was borne and bred the Dragon thought it his best in policie which evermore with him was held for chiefest Religion to iâ—ch and set forward his den and hold his Court further East which purpose of his as close as it was the holy Ghost discovereth in saying And he went and noteâ—h the true end wherefore he went not so much to barricade and stop the flâ—at and incursion of the barbarous enemie as he foreâ—ooth pretended as to pursue and consume the dispersed remainder of the Spouse as the spirit unfoldeth saying to make battell with the remnant of her seed who for that they were just of the making and growth of the Churches first â—nd priâ—itive fruit holding the mystery of faith in a good Conscience as the first-borne did the Spirit setteth them forth in the same lively colourâ— saying which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ VERS 19. And he stood upon the sand of the Sea ANd the Dragon removed his throne and left his ancient seat and City of Rome where he had now kept Court almost a thousand years and went and pitched his Throne anew in a haveâ— Towne between Pontus Euxinus and Propontis in the East of Thracia ancientâ—y caâ—led Byzance and there erected the new City of Rome and called it after his owne name Constantinople the City of Constantme which translation of his râ—sidence and chair of estate one of his owne also noteth Constantinus apud Thraces qua Bosphorus aequor Thracius Euxinis Aegaeum ingurgitat undis Constituit sedem Imperii CHAP. XIII The description of Antichrist and his Devotaries The description of his Clergy and of his Religion The Character of Antichrist The number of his Dayes and the end of his Reigne The year of th' End of the World discovered out of Dan. 12. VERS 1. And I saw a Beast ascending from the Sea having seven heads and ten hornes and upon his hornes ten Diadems and upon his heads names of blasphemy AND presently upon the remove and translation of the Empire the Apostle espied that wicked one Antichrist man of sin in saying And I sâ—w who in regard of the tyrannous power and bloody use of the unbridled jurisdiction that should be given him he is here termed as in holy Scriptures other Monarchs are a Beast that is to say a kind of Government Kingdome dominion or power exercised and acted by a succession of tyrannous bloody and beastly men And albeit his perfection in evill stood yet aloof and was very far off young and tender as lying in swathing clouts yet the Apostle descryeth him as it were through a chink in saying comming up For aâ—ter the translaâ—ion of the Empire and that now Ethnick Rome began to play the Christian he was well nigh a hundred years closely creeping climbing up before he could advance his cursed head and claim of super-eminency Concerning which ambitious puffe of vaine priority so fair and evident mention is made in the monuments of time that the incredible boldnesse of the adversary is no lesse marvellous then his incurable blindnesse that hath so long time stumbled at this stone and so often spurred us by way of vaunting to shew them if we dare or can when this apostasie of Antichrist tooke her rise and first commencement which daring vaunt of theirs the holy Ghost tripping over as a thing which is or ought to be knowne unto us namely that the horne of Antichrist and his apostasie did then first sprout out when his Church first obtained at the Dragons hand priority of place suffrage and censure over all For as the Tree puls up the creeping Ivie so the primacie of the Church of Rome pulled up th' aspiring supremacie of the Bishop thereof which Church preheminence and prelation after long ruffling and shouldring was first obtained at the hands of Honorius tho afterwards upon greater concertation and daggers drawing it was by other Cesars and Kings confirmed renewed and ampliated who by th' advantage of the weaknesse and death of his elder brother Arcadius having obtained power and protector-ship East and West subjected the Church of the East Empire which most withstood the West and Romane supremacie with all other Churches whatsoever to the Church and Sea oâ— Rome at the instant suit and importunity of the now Bishop of Rome whose name was then Innocent the first in the first year of his creation and in the yeare of Redemption 406. But the holy Ghost I say passing over the punctuall and exact moment of time when the Egge of Antichrist and his apostacie was first laid as otherwhere sufficiently preserved unto us proceedeth to detect the place where and from whence he should arise saying that he saw him lift up his hardie head from the sea meaning by the sea as in the sixteenth of this Prophecie the surging tumbling and raging Sea and City of Rome where also by a like loquution he calleth all Kingdomes subjected to her by the name of Rivers And that this Beast should thence arise and there and not elsewhere keep Court and residence the Spirit proveth by an argument drawne from the shape and proportion of the Beast for he had the seven heads and ten hornes of the Dragon meaning that he should sit upon the Dragons hills and reigne in and over the Dâ—agons City and aray himselfe with the spoâ—ls of the world and hold in subjection the Kings and States on earth as the Dragon did for so much the Spirit intendeth in saying having seven heads and ten hornes And least the unwary Reader should mistake this great Antichrist for that great Dragon or this Beasts supremacie and his pestilent succession for that Beasts super-eminencie and his execrable taile as many unwarily have done the holy Ghost in emblazoning his coat giveth him a mâ—st exquisite difference in saying that he wore his diadems not upon his heads as the Dragon did but upon his hornes signifying thereby that he should not come to his Crown and vain-glory by the strength of his sword his leaders and his legions as the Dragon did but by the base and voluntary submission of all such Caesars Kâ—ng and Princes as should with one counsell and sorce deliver up their authority and power secuiar to the devotion and pleasure of the
his annoiuted Deputies he dare blaspheme the house of God wherein his name is honoured cursing reviling and reputing it a house of schismatiques heretiques excommunicates which blasphemous and undeserved wrong the holy Ghost layeth to his charge in these words and his tabernacle And last of all to shew that there is neither end nor measure in his black presumptuous and blasphemous mouth the Spirit further chargeth him with blaspheming the Saints and servants of God deceased cursing reviling and condemning their doctrine and yet blessing adoring and erecting their shadowes sepulchers and shrines for mediators intercessors and reconciliators betweene God and the sinner like their cursed fore elders the Israelites who boasted in the descent of their Father Abraham and yet balsphemed the faith of Abraham their Father of which blasphemous and indicible contumely against the Son of God and his most holy Spirit the Apostle condemneth him saying And those that dwell in heaven VERS 7. And it was given unto him to make battel with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him upon every people tribe tongue and Nation ANd as after lightning followeth thunder so after Antichrists blasphemy followeth his persecution as the Spirit testifieth saying And it was given him to bid battel to the Saints which the Prophet Daniel by way of exposition also plainly fetteth forth saying That he should murther and consume the Saints and servants of the most High and with the cursed Philistims should make his festivalls of Samsons afflictions And in further amplification of this his carnificious fury the Spirit setteth forth the largenesse of his charter and commission by an excessive loquution foretelling us that it should be so large and generall that the fire of his prophane and sycophanticall keys should take hold upon every nation and tribe as if we please to cast an eye upon the time past and confer what he had with what he hath we shall easily discerne the meaning of the holy Ghost in these words And power was given him upon every tribe people tongue and nation VERS 8. And all that inhabit the earth adored it whose names be not written in the booke of life of the Lamb which was slain from the beginning of the world THe holy Ghost having in the former part of this Chapter discovered the birth place person power blasphemie and persecution of Antichrist descendeth now to the description of his creatures and devotaries foretelling us that they should be such onely for unto such onely the particle all is here restrained as have their portion and interest in this life whose pâ—eâ—y heaven hope and glory is here and not elsewhere which kind of out and overcast Châ—istians the Spirit describeth by a periphrasis most proper to theâ—r naturall and inbred disposition saying thâ—y are those that inhabite the earth therein discovering them as by a difference divisive from such as are the Lords pilgrims and strangers on earth having here no permanent abode or place of rest but seeking the things which are above attend with patience the revelation of a life and City to come not made with hands where their Lord and their Redeemer liveâ—h And the Spirit proceeding sheweth further the supreme hidden and unperceivable reason why the adorers of Antichrist thus defiled the ornaments of their calling and why they loved lyes more then truth the Beasts penance more then Gods repentance the Beasts beliefe more then faith towards God the Beasts miserable merits more then the fruits of the Spirit hatred of sin and love of God because as holy David saith they were not found in the Lords record nor written with the righteous for so much the Spirit unfoldeth saying whose names be not written in the Booke of life of the Lamb which was slaine from the beginning of the world VERS 9. If any man have an eare let him heare TH' Apostle having sufficiently deciphered the nature and carriage of Antichrist and his creatures commeth now to discover his reward and judgment which howsoever it tarry little or long is of necessity the reward of sinne But before the Spirit draweth out his sword it pleaseth him in his accustomed mercy to awake his Church and her enemies and to move them to a feare and reverent attention by a generall summons proclaiming If any man have an eare let him heare VERS 10. He that shall lead into captivity goeth into captivity and he that shall kill with the sword must be killed with the sword here is the patience and the faith of the Saints THe holy Ghost in this verse calleth Anâ—ichrist to the Barre and sets him befâ—re the world for the very hee on whom the wrath of God and his heavy displeasure is to be executed For he who under colour and pretence of weeding out and rooting up of heretiques hath bâ—ought into the Church captivity inquisitions tortures and torments to the horrible murther and slaughter of the Saints when in such cases notwithstanding he had neither precept nor example in the life of the Lamb or his Apostles so to doe hee even hee saith the Lord is that party against whom this just judgement of taliation is laid up in store to be executed upon him in that day when the Lord shall bring againe the captivity of his Church which for their sings he hath given up to the sword and fury of the Beast untill she have boâ—ne the burthen of her shame and as the Prophet saith renewed her beauty by her sorrows and her glory by Ezek. 39. her persecutions and then shall be fullfilled that which was spoken by the Prophet Wo to thee that spoyledst and wast not spoyled and didst deale wickedly Isa 33. when they did not wickedly against thee for when thou shalt cease to spoyle thou shalt be spoyled and when thy sin is ended thou shalt be rewarded as here also the Spirit denounceth contesting that God shall scourge him with his owne inventions and repay him home in his owne coine saying He that shall lead into captivity shall goe into captivity and he that shall kill shall be killed And in consolation of the Spouse concludeth that howsoever Antichrist and his Delegates foolishly thought by afflicting the Church to destroy the Church yet in her afflictions consisteth the very strength and approbation of her children for by the things they suffer they learne obedience and through patience their faith is consecrated by the which they are perfected and made inheritable of the promise of God all which mercy and favour is commended unto them under the hand and seale of afflictions by which their mad and drunken adversaries thought to consume them and like fools did not consider that as the workman doth square the stone by strokes and as the Snake doth cast his old skinne by passing through sharpe stones so the Lord doth renew his Spouse by stripes and brusheth off her old affections by passing her through the asperitie of tribulation which holy and hidden consideration causeth