words and fair speeches Like the old schismaticall Romanists that by such means made Divisions and offences against the Doctrine of Christ See how the mystery of iniquity began to work even in Rome in the apostles dayes Rom. 10.17.2 Thes 2. In Rome they not onely schismed from the holy Doctrine but from the righteous Doctrine of lawfull powers ordained of God Rom. 13. N. 6. To creep into Kings Courts Such are fittest for Achabean Kings Courts which hate the true Michaiahs Let Jehosaphats Court look to it They can never make an holy Court if there were 400 of them and 450. If Jehosaphat notwithstanding what Michaiah said will yet go to Ramoth Gâ—lead with Achab Jeroboam-man of sinne his Religion Let the Princes of the Papacy wrangle together Let the Reformed maintain the glorious Gospel and keep at home and stand upon their defence and not weaken themselves in men and money and ammunition yet to do as Simeon and Judah did and to help the Lord against the mighty Jud. 1. and 5. Note also as it was a plague to Pharaoh and old Egypt that God brought frogs into his Land into his bed-chamber and upon his bed and into the Egyptian houses so it is a plague that the frogs of Rome-Egypt come into the Territories of Princes to have entertainment either into their Courts or their subjects houses chambers and beds The same must be noted for the other plagues of blood darknesse blains boils and sores that were on old Egypt are and shall be on old Rome-Egypt Apoc. 16. Ibid N. 6. Cruel and tyrannicall projects They said as their Predecessors we have a Law and by our Law they ought to dy and that it was not lawfull for them to put any man to death and so craved aid of the secular power which men durst not refuse The Popish company and their friends make Decrees and Cannons and Princes must be their men to punish the transgressours Thus they make Princes executioners of their best subjects Vide Mr. Cade Justis p 166 167. c. and who were worst enemies to the Prophets our Lord and his Apostles but the Ecclesiasticks of their dayes whose eyes ran a whoring after their fathers idols and vanities Icremiah durst not humour but reprove the wicked apostate Prelates therefore forsooth the King and Princes must put him to death Ier. 26. So because our Lord from Galilee to Ierusalem taught against the traditions of the Elders and reproved their errours of bodily exercise their superstitions their ignorance blindness hypocrisie and false glosses on the Law therefore he was a perverter of the Nation and a mover of sedition and so it was in the case of the apostle Paul and therefore our Lord and his apostles must be put to death Trouble wicked and apostate Prelates you are ipso facto a seditious person and a troubler of the State O ye Magistrates take heed how you give c edit to the flatteries and Diabolicall slanders of such creatures that you stain not your hands with innocent blood Luc. 3.5 Acts 24.5 6. R. B. Latimer in a Letter to King Henry 8. sheweth how it was the practise of the Scorpion locusts to conveigh their own inventions and Proclamations under the Kings name and authority Princes that have cast off mysticall Nimrod and have made their Common-weals our Lords and his Christs will not rule subjects as the Princes of mysticall Egypt and Sodom to conquer honest Subjects as such apostate Shepherds did of old which were rebels and robbers Ezek. 1. Ezek. 33. such know not the wayes of peace which is the fruit of holy and just government but godly Princes in the policy of the heavenly Jerusalem will be as it is wtitten I will make thy goverment peace and thine exactors righteousnesse Isa 60. as Ezekiel further saith chap 45.9 and 46.18 Sad events have been when Princes have removed the Land-marks The Covenant with the Gibeonites was a Land mark which was broken and severely plagued Achabs and Naboths story confer see the plottings and projects Princes that will have their wills and lusts satisfied mind nor him that ruleth in the heavens See a Land-mark concerning the liberty of the Subject Christ ordained how transgressed how plagued Jer. 34. Again Iâ—hriakâ—m thought his Kingly Prerogative would bear him our in covetousnesse oppression innocent blood and in usiug the labours of his Carpenters and masons without pay Ier. 22. what came to this son of Belial So here were Land-marks of an ancient sanction of mens possessions of Iâ—berties and of goods transgressed and mightily plagued God is Jehovah his Judgements are for ever unchangeable he is neither wearied by long processe of time nor won to give his blessing in oneâ—age to that which he hath carsed in another There are Land-marks of Christs own making in those ten words Exod. 20. and in other places expounded between all relations divine and humane which none may wil ully violate but will fall on the point of his own sword Hos 5 Deut. 27 Job 24 Prov 28.16 Quest 6. and Ans This beast bath his arms from the four be â—sts in Danie The Apocalips and some other places and parcells of the new Testament is a new Prophesie of Christ of new States and governments both of the Church the new Ierusalem and its enemies but expressed in old terms This we must well observe how the Spirit of endlesse wisdome and foresight contriveth like revolutions and the former to be the stamps of the latter If we mind not this we shall run as we do into great confusion of story so he that is A. and Ω. from the beginning to the end ruleth the world in a most wise course to shew his judgement and mercy where in this last book of the Apocalips calling old speeches to new matters goeth through the Alphabet of old ages that he may be seen to join the first and last stories in wise order Mr. Bro. in Apoc 304. and upon Daniel page 3. chap. 13.9 10. Quest 9 and Ans Five had been The seven heads of the Romane Beast afflicting the Church Apoc. 13. 1. Pompey 2. Crassus 3. Julius Caesar 4. Brurus w. Cassius 5. Antonius 6. Caesars 7. Popes The Popes their double power is a seventh and after a sort an eighth head these are the seven States over the faithfull as John and all the Jews knew * the story ofe six of these heads their story full well The Church hath great comfort that the Pontificality is the last head of the Beast Heathen stories may sit those other States of Rome of 1 Kings 2. Consulls 3. Decemviri 4. Dictators 5. Trâ—umviri 6. Caesars 7. Popes The more fall out fit as often many do to one speech the more Rome that crucified Christ is condemned when God turneth continuall revolutions to have Rome called into mind Quest 12. and Ans So the double power of the Pontificality Caesar and Ponisix It is worth the noting that the Caesars titled themselves Pontisex
arose that spake and wrote perverse things wherefore the reformed are too blame in two respects 1. In yielding too much to the Papalines to prove points from the Ancients for that doth not saâ—issâ—â— them and there is no end with them 2. To urge against their Brethren that desire sincerity the opinions and practise of the Fathers in doctrine church-politie or ceremony The Apostles being Prophets and foreseeing evils gave this precept To remember their words 2 Pet. 3.2 And it is safest so to do This must be often pressed thought upon by all that love our Lord Iesus Christ with incorruption of spirit It was said plainly Beware lest any man carry you for a spoil through the traditions of men according to the rudiments of the world Augustine was of mind that Councils and Bishops ought not to be objected for trial of controversies but the holy Scriptures August Cont. Max. Wherefore give the controversie about altars no quiet no not for an hour for the truth of the Gospel else will not continne with crifice to officiate upon his altar Mordecai was sure to overthrow Haman God had sworn and said that be would have war with Amalek til he was rooted out O yee servants of the Lord contend by meek writings by fervent prayer and bold confession for the maintenance of the faith once given to the saints for Christ hath sworn and said Romes apostate politic should be perishing to the end Exod. 17. Num. 24.2 Thess 2. Apoc. 10. 17. â—lâ—ars are a main prop for Abaddons Kingdome and it is a complying with it and therefore some learned men have done amiss in pleading for that innovation Ibid. and fiâ—st wo Whereas Christ pronounceth Wo Wo Wo to the apostate churches it sheweth the ignorance and vanity of a childish belly-god spirit of many that say it was a good world in the daies of Popery of such good neighbourhood plenty and prosperity and cheapnesse of things Thus of old apostates pleaded against Christ and his Prophet Ieremiah ch 44. But his answer will stop all mouthes but the obstinate in superstition profanesse and mans inventions lyea such are ignorant of our own chronicles that so speak Quest 8. and answ N. 2. which troubled lesser Asia The seven churches of Asia and others falling from the faith Christ removed their Candlesticks by the Turk which shall be further touched in the comparison of the seven Trumpets and seven Vials Ibid. and by their resurrection The two Prophets that were killed by the beast stand upon their feet that is other godly of their spirit Christ raised for the good of the Church as the Spirit of Alias rested on Elisha N 4. Thus God hath once revealed The eleven former chapters of the Apocalyps revealeth the State of the church to the end of the world and the rest of the Apocalyps goeth over the same things with sweet variety Ibid. Eath blessing is here begâ—n and shall be perfected all the saints that are in this vale of tears do sit in the heavenly places and have chambers in the Jerusalem that is from heaven And here God wipeth all tears from our eyes And when they change this life they fully possesse that of which they had an earnest as the godly of gold were in the heavenly Tabernacle Psalm 15.1 The heavenly Father hath but one family yet two Tabernacles or two dwelling places the one in heaven the other on the earth When any of his Servants hath done so much service or factorage Polytâ—uman Phil. 3.20 as he thinks fit then he calls for him home from that part of the family on earth to the other in the heavens to possesse the joy of his Lord. Here an entrance is given us into the everlasting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 1. here we pass from death to life John 5. It is said we are in the second Adam renewed after the image of God that created us and as here we bear his image so shall we bear it in the heavens and there be fully satisfyed with it Psalm 17.1 Cor. 15.49 and further the Scripture saith he that hath prepared us for immortall glory after our earthly house of tabernacle is taken down is God who hath also given unto us the earnest of the Spirit Another Scripture saith He hath made us meet to be partakers of the inhertiance of the Saints in light 2 Cor. 5.1 2. Col. 1. We are made meet in this life for that blessed possession Christians trained up in the word of Christ must hold anathema the Ovidian and Vâ—rgilian doctrine of the Popish purgatory c. Beware left there be any man catry you for a spoil through Phylosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. CHAP. XV. Questions Answers and Annotations Proving that Rome in Gods just Judgement is the place that he hath given unto the power of Satan for the setting up the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. and Answ What place by Gods unsearchable judgement was permitted to Satan for the setting up of the Mystery of Iniquity Answ Rome in Italy for after those ruins it was brought unto it began in process of time to be in credit again Then Satan used all signes and lying wonders to advance there the Throne of the Beast the man of sin or the Pontificalitie (a) As most churches so Rome in special was broken off by mis belief and for not continuing in Gods goodness as they were forewarned Rom. 11. And when the Pontificalitie was set up by the decree of God then nations from East to West obeyed and Worship the Pope and the image of the Imperial State as of old time they did the profane Emperours Whereas if it had not been for the Pontificality Rome and its Empire should never have been revived but left a most filthy lodging of Oxen and Hogs (b) Stâ—uchus against Vallo Lib. 1. in the beginning Even this do the Roman Catholicks themselves confesse And so there the wounded Head was revived by the Pontificality QUest 2. But Rome totidem literis is not named in the holy Scriptures to be the Mother of Whoredomes and abominations How do you know that all these evils were thence to arise Answ By divers notes and marks 1. It is evident that the fixt Head of the Roman State and Power the Politie of Roman Caesars crucified our Lord. 2. By the Locusts and their King the Angel of the bottomless-pit which can agree to no politick corporation in the world but to the Pope and his spiritualty QUest 3. and Answ How is the King of Locusts described Answ 1. It is shewed that the King of Locusts was a star in the heaven of the Church but did opostate and became not a Messenger of the Church of Christ but the Angel of the Pit 2. The keyes which formerly he had being an Angel and a Star were for the honour of CHRISTS Kingdome but apostating his keyes are the keys of the bottomless pit 3. When he used the
from expecting new apostles and new revelations but hearkened to the apostles directions Col. 2.18 19 c. 8. Doubtlesse divine revelation in the Prophets and Apostles writings is a mercy beyond comparison no tongue is able to expresse the goodnesse of God in this his grace to the Church so the Saints ever have thought Psal 103.7 and 147.2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 9. And let us beware of Satanicall spirits that prattle about the expectation of new apostles Apoc. 22.18 19. and new revelations for else we shall fall into the curse of the Lord Iesus who wrote his Apocalyps to the Churches where his appostles had laid the foundation of the holy faith and all Churches then and now we are admonished to hearken to that which Christ the Lord spake to the Churches All the apostles as it is thought but Iohn were departed this life when the Apocalyps was written 10. And let such take heed of illuminations new light as they speak yea to take heed of lying wonders of visible lights and sights and strange audible voices Iannes and Iambres heardened Pharaohs heart by such Satanical delusions And under the new Testament Satan and his instruments do and will do so to deceive Men and women so bewitched are hardened in pride stubbornnesse and curiosity c. that the holy Scriptures are but of mean estimation with such and prayer and praising of God and the seals of the covenant and an able and faithfull ministery yea godly magistracy these inestimable mercies are of no repute with them and Family exercises are deserted of them as things of bondage but the godly soul ever hath and shall find that the cleaving to the Prophets and apostles writings will be a most sure foundation for truth of Doctrine and for a godly righteous and temperate life and of joyfull hope when our eyes are closed in the dust 11. Without question those that expect new apostles and new revelations Satan hath new Revelations for even our first Parents because they stuck not fast to the revelation of Gods will but hearkned to new revelations from that counterfeit angel of light Satan they were deceived and still Satan doth labour to bewitch mens minds with corrupt and bad opinions and with vile courses of life 2 Tim. 3. I. 109. being not content with the Scriptures of the Prophets and apostles which are not scaled but made known to us by Messias coming who hath in them told us all things needfull to be known Therefore it is said concerning this very thing He that is unjust let him he unjust still and be that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still 12. I will conclude this to the godly Reader with that of the apostle Peter Ye therefore beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastnesse but grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ to him be glory both now and ever Amen CHAP. LI. The Exposition of the times mentioned in in the Apocalyps 1. THere is mention made in chap. 11. of 42. moneths and 1260. dayes those shew the rage and cruel persecution of the Beast of the Pit against the two witnesses 2. In chap. 12. There it is told 1260 dayes and of a time times and half a time which are spoken of the Dragons cruelty in the Caesars 3. In chap. 13. There is also mention made of 41 moneths which is to be understood both of the Tyranny of the Caesars the sixth head that was wounded to death and of the Tyranny of the Beast like a Lamb that healed the wounded head of the Government of the Empire 4. By these times so variously expressed in divers chapters Beroald and M. Broughton ancient and later Expositours shew that by them is meant the quality of State not length of years namely that the Church should be afflicted with the afflictions of Christ who was persecuted three years and half by the seed of the old Serpent 5. The like analogie is from Isa 49. and 61. Luk. 4. and 2 Cor. 6. As by the acceptable year of the Lord is meant the Iubilee year in which Messias Christ our Lord was given for a covenant and laid down his life for our justification redemption and ending all Moses ceremonies But now all time of the Gospel to the end of the world is the accepted time and the day of salvation and the acceptable year of the Lord. The like force is in 1 Cor. 5. That all in the Church must keep the feast of Christ our Passeover who was sacrificed for us with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth to the end of all Ordinances that is till the Son of man come to deliver up the Mediatorian Kingdome 1 Cor. 11.26 The time of Tyranny under the Caesars was three hundred years yet by Metonomia meaning the argument of persecution from our Lords time it is called three years and half the matter sheweth twice in chap. 11. and twice in chap. 12. and once in chap. 13. that proper time cannot be meant and the same is to be understood of the persecution of the Beast of the Pit They who think to get any certainty from these numbers deceive themselves and their Readers The allusion is most heavenly calling Christ still unto mind Our Lord preached 42 moneths or 3 years and an half or dayes 1260 or a time two times and an half so that these numbers in the Apocalyps mean no certain time but the manners from a like time is meant The persecuting Pharisees and Sadduces were revived and continued by the Caesars and Popes The Caesars Persecution as is noted lasted 300 years and the persecution of the false Lamb lasteth yet and will till the Lord cast him and his deceived into the Lake of fire and brimstone 7. The seven Seals the seven Trumpets and the seven phials are not distinguished in time in the Apocalyps none of these are or properly can be referred to any exact time 8. I will add a little more in briefe of the times of the New Testament which will give some light to all that may read the Histories of the Church Mr. Patrick Symson of the History of the Church will much help the Reader The ten Persecutions lasted three hundred yeares by the Infidell Roman Emperours the sixth head of the Roman Beast from Nero to Constantine that time was an age of violence Thence to Phocas who murthered his Master the Emperour Manritius who confirmed the Papacy to Boniface the Third about the year six hundred and six and then Mahomet rose about that time or somewhat after This time of three hundred yeares was an age of fraudulence by Hereticks Arius Pelagius Donatus Marcion Nestorius c. they were confronted by Fathers Athanasius Hillary Basil Nazianzen Clâ—ysostome Augustine
King And let such take heed that will not thus be Legalists that the Lord Jesus Christ the King do not send forth writs against them as out-laws that will not obey his commandements but be as untamed Heifers for he hath as we see many Marshals such as is sicknesses diseases c. to attend him to serve his processes from which there can be no escaping if once the decree come forth But do I say no escaping yea it may be upon godly humiliation not only escaping if not that yet abatemâ—nt of the chastisement or else all will be sanctified to us that all shall be for our good for he that is our King and Law giver is also our sacrifice of propitiâ—ation and reconciliation to all that judge themselves and confess their sins and forsake their iniquities for he is merciful and just in his promises to pardon them that by the assistance of his Spirit walk in his righteous Law All his providences are to humble and to bring us to the obedience of faith in him our holy Mediator and blessed are they that do his commandements Apoc 22.14 Ibid. N. 5. The Law of the Lord is a cnoverting Law The Law Ceremonial and Moral was a regenerating and converting Law by the spirit of Christ to them of the old Testament Although the Lord Jesus ending all the Ceremonial Law in his offering up of himself as a most perfect sin-offering and his bloud a perfect sprinkling is our compleat cleansing and justification yet still teacheth us the Moral law as his New Testament sheweth to obey God in him whom all the Israel of God must know that God the Father hath made him Lord and Christ as to be our Priest and Teacher so to be our King and Commander yea as to be any one of them so to be all of them to us And all this is to present us to God an holy people 1 Corinth 15. ult Colloss 1.28 John 17. The Law was not given by Christ with that terrour to be to us onely a Law of works as many understand works but it was a Gospel Law teaching of Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus and it was given in terrour to make men fear to despise the Son of God as Mediatour All the preaching of God to the Patriarks and by Moses and the Prophets was to bring man back again to God by preaching Jesus Christ the Mediatour from God and his mediation was ever manifested since the fall of our first parents And our Lords Apostles taught the same holy doctrine among all nations for the obedience of faith read Rom. 1.5 and 16.25.26 Nicodemus a Teacher in Israel should have known all these things Iohn 3. Quest 7. and Answ And should ye be utterly unpunished When the Church is afflicted then let the world look for a scourge for in the prosperity of the Church the world fares the better let the world blesse the Church it shall then have many outward comforts The world should now be wise to consider that to vex the Church of God to curse Abraham is the ready way to bring plagues on it self But it is said the whole world lies in wickednesse and so it will still be and we must expect it Quest 8. and Answ N. II. Overturned c. That speech of Ier. 22.29 O earth earth earth write Iechonias childeless and that speech of Ezek. 21.27 Overturned overturned overturned must be diligently observed together the one for the ending of Salomons house the other for the Kingdom Although God overturned Salomons Kingdome and ended his progenie yet he failed not David of his truth and mercy promised but he raised up One even Christ our of his loines after he was dead and set him upon his throne and his throne shall stand for ever Luke 1.32.33 which opens Psalm 89. And Gods promise to David 2 Sam. 7. And concerning the refusal of Salomons house in Iechonias and the choosing of the house of Nathan mark the words of the blessed and beloved virgin Luke 1.51 He hath shewed strength with his arm and he hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their heart he hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree Quest 10. and answ in a threefold Charge The mighty and great God saith Jer. 22. Words by his servant the prophet ending the succession of Salomon with greater proclamation to all the world than Davids oath at the first had brought it into honour The ending of Salomons house was one of the weightest matters in all the government of the world to shew that Christ his Kingdom is not of this world Mr. Bro. in Manus Quest 11. and answ and the Lion When the State of Iudah by being conversant with Lions became a Lioness and brought forth Lions that roared on the subjects then God brought upon them the Lion-Babel and other hunters who spread their nets from them Ezekiel 19. Ibid Kings of Gog in the North By Gog and Magog is meant the kings of the North the fourth Beast or the iron leg Ezek. 38. 39. Dan. 2. and 7. skilful ought we to be to discern the proper Gog and Magog from that spoken mystically Apoc. 20. Quest 12. and answ The four Beasts To the carnal and worldly minded the wicked Kingdomes of this world seem glorions powers as in the image to Nebuchadnezzar but to the spiritual minded they are as salvage Beasts that go to a fire unquenchable So the state of mystical Babylon is glorious in the world Apoc. 17.4 but their end shall be as Sodoms Apoc. 14.10 19.20 Quest 31. and answ The sure mercies of David That glorious Temple of Stone and all Moses Ceremonies and that golden Throne of Salomon and that store of gold and plenty of silver as stones strong Cities and Chariot Cities stately buildings fourty thousand stalls for Horses plenty of all provision royal furniture and all princely accommodations curious delights of eyes and ears c. were not the sure mercies and holy things of David For all was vanishing into vanity when Rehoboam shewed himself a fool both in matter of State and corrupting the Gospel 1 Kings 10. Eccles 2.19 The sure me cies are shewed to the circumcision and to the uncircumcision Esay 55.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 4.18 Acts 13.34 35. c. And all the Epistle to the Hebrews Esay 57.15 66.1 2 Mat. 5. 6. 7. Hosea 1.7 Zâ—ch 4.6 And the true gold and clothing is from the true Salomon and the firm building is on Christ the Rock Apoc. 3.18 Mat. 7. That these things might be graffed and as nailes fastened in our hearts look further within the veile of these matters Salomons wives over-wrought him to suffer and by his charges to build idol places whereupon he saw he had occasioned Gods threatning for the renting and overthrow of his Kingdome and foreseeing the destruction of the Temple Citie and Kingdom he writeth his Gospel That all
two Witnesses and the mark of the Beast And the decay of the mystery of iniquity QUest 1. Who kept the Testimony of Jesus and the word of God that came from Sems Tents in the times of the rising and height of the Pontificality Answ Many in the times of the rising of it and there were here and there two Witnesses some that followed the true Lamb and that in the height of it prophecyed misliked and cryed out against the proceedings of the mystery of iniquity But this company were not so conspicuous and visibly glorious being for divers Hundreds of years driven as into a Wilderness through a red sea of fire and fagot by the Beast of the Bottomless pit the counterfeit Lamb and the prevailing faction of his six hundred sixty six apostatical number yet at the last the Brethren overcame by the bloud of the Lamb and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death QUest 2. Then the papacy would not bear with such as contested against it Answ Christs faithful witnesses were caused to mourn in Sackcloath No man might buy or sell that would not Worship the Image of the Beasts imperial State re-erected in the Pontificality Like their forefathers the servants of servants the cursed Canaanice Deut. 2.28 29. and receive the Mark of the Beast in his hand or forehead or the name of the Beast or at least be of the number of his name yea else were most cruelly used as is said throughout their large Common-weal That Whorish Church was and is drunk with the bloud and martyrs of Jesus QUest 3. What do you understand to be the mark of the Beast Answ The Popes Canon-Law telleth that none may live under the Empire but by yielding to the Popes Lawes in his subscribing to his Imperial and Ecclesiasticall Supremacy and oath of fidelity as a mark on the hand and some open token of communion with him and profession of his decrees as a mark in the forehead The saying of the Ave Maria went over all to the poor beggars and reverence to the cross and comming to their most wicked Mass Forbidding and refraining from reading and teaching the holy Scriptures but for licensed and auricular Confession Briefly all differing from their Dracons Lawes were heretiques and mightnot use policy having not the marks of his Politie QUest 4. Did then the Pontificalitie and Papacy as the old Empire porsecute the faith of the Prophets and Apostles doctrine Answ Yea for it is said that the latter Beast like a Lamb with two horns did all that the former Beast did He had the voice and speach of the Dracon Caesars and did maintain the same War against the * For the wars of the dragon Caesars and dragon-Pope◠see former notes Saints and for the same cause and that was the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus And this is the very mark of those that have Gods Name in their Foreheads Note as the old Beast-like enemies fought against the faith of Jerusalem Sems Tents and the People of God so Rome-Egypt Rome-Babylon with like cruelty and intestine hatred both in the Caesars and Popes against the same glorious faith of Jerusalem the holy City that came down from heaven Kain began the War the Pontificality and Papacy follow Kains waies The former be stamps of the latter As there is a like revolution of time so there is of other matters of Christs administration QUest 5. But the mystery of Iniquity the spiritual Supremacy did not still continue in that strength and repute in the Christian world as it had in former times Answ The Apostle foretold that the Lord Jesus would consume that wicked that man of sin and his corporation with the Spirit of his mouth and abolish it with the brightnesse of his coming so the fifteenth century the Lamb the King of mount Sion appeared with one hundred and forty four thousand attending on him who caused the Gospel to break out again and the light of it in the holy city increased to our daies that Christ the Sun of Iustice shineth and reigneth in England Scotland France Germany c. Blessed be his glorious name And let the four and twenty Elders and the sour lively Wights and all that fear God both small and great give thanks and sing Hallelujahs with all hearty courage as Apocal. 15. 19. QUest and Ans 6. Shall the Papacy be still decreasing Ans Yea for the preaching of the eternal Gospel falleth Rome-babylon and buildeth Jerusalem This the Sword of Christs mouth hath consumed the Kingdome of the Beast and chiefly through this Abaddon the son of perdition the angel of the bottomless pit and his cursed earthly politie and corporation shall be perishing to the end and is every day going to utter perdition QVest 7. But the Polity of Rome Egypt is strong by power and subtill counsells through the Kings and Princes that give their power to the Beast and through the swarms of innumerable Locusts and all his Worshippers all which are confederate with him and say b So said the Atheists of old Egypt and old Babylon Dan. 3.15 Exod. 5.2 Jer. 50.34 who can warr with the Beast as Apocal. 13.4 Answ Strong is Lord God of Hosts the King of Kings and Lord of Lords that will judge the great Whore and overthrow that habitation of Divels that hold of every foul Spirit that Cage of every uncleane and hatefull Bird. For he fitteth as on a White Cloud with a sicle in his hand and as on a White Horse of truth and might and in righteousnesse doth judge and make Warr. And the godly * The called the chosen the faithful are on the Lambs part Apoc. 17 14. Warriours †All those cry mightily to him that sits on the Cloud to thrust in his sicle and their prayers are heard Apoc. 14.15 Princes †Teachers and †people as on White Horses in his truth and might will follow him †And that we might be assured of Mysticall Babylons destruction Gen 6.11 12 13. 11.8 Jos 10.11 Jud. 4. 5.19 Jer. 25.10 Nah. 3.4.17 Ezek. 17. 28. Deut. 2.27 28. with Apoc. 13.17 Esai 63.3 the holy Spirit alludeth to the stories of the old enemies the old world Sodome Egypt Chanaan Edom Tyrus Niniveh Babel and apostate Jerusalem to the four cursed Kingdomes in Daniel chap. 7. to Gog and Magog Ezek. 38 39. As Gods wrath and vengeance came on them so most surely shall the cursed bloody heathenish apostaticall polity of King Abaddon be trodden in the wine-presse of the wrath of the Lord God omnipotent and perish The seven * The seven Phialls shew how Rome shal as it dealt in the Trumpets as shall be more largely shewed hereafter Phials set forth this how the just God doth pour out plagues on the Throne and Kingdome of the Beast QUest 8. Shall the Gospel of Christ increase in glory
Answer It shall Christ will raise up holy Teachers who shall by his great power cause the earth to be lightned with glory And the Temple and Testimony which the Beast of the Pit had shut up shall be further opened and the Lord the Almighty One shall reign The same Kingdomes that gave their power to the Beast shall regain and shall revive from their dead apostaticall condition and hate the Whore that loathsome Corporation of the King of Locusts make their Kingdomes our Lords and his Christs for they shall embrace the Gospel which shall shine among them This is called the marriage of the Lamb Apoc. 19. And verily as that whorish Polity hath been desolate and naked in respect of England Scotland and much of Germany c. so shall it be of France and Spain and others when Gods purposes are fulfilled QUest 9. What is the finall judgement given on the second beast with two horns like a Lamb who is the Beast of Empire revived and also with his Locusts is the false Prophet Answer It is said the Beast was caught and with him the false Prophet which worketh miracles before him by which he deceiveth them that receive the mark of the Beast and worship his image both were cast alive as Sodomites into the Lake burning with fire and Brimstone and shall be tormented with the Devils day and night for ever and ever Even so Amen Lord God omnipotent holy just and true are thy wayes and judgements O King of Saints QUest 10. What is the judgement on them that are seduced by the great glorious and Catholick Whore and were drunken with the cup of the Wine of her fornications that had the Mark of the Beast and did worship his image Answ They shall drink of the Cup of the wrath of God the wine mixed in the cup of his anger Psal 11.6 and 75.8 and shall be tormented for ever and ever without rest day or night in fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb Apoc. 14. This should be a most serious admonition for men to come out of mysticall Babylon mysticall Egypt to use no garments no prayers no laws of the Popes making QUe 11. What are we to think of all that go under the name of Papists that are under the Papacy Answ Fearfull judgement is pronounced on all those that worship the image of the Beast or have his Mark or print of his name in hand or forehead but sentence is not so passed on all that are of the Number of his name yet they are in great danger unlesse they obey the voice from heaven Come out of her my people O thrice blessed is that Kingdome O thrice blessed is that family O thrice blessed is that person that not onely hath gotten victory over the Beast and over his image and over his Mark but also and over the number of his name QUest 12. What is the end of all that know not God and which obey not to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which will not be of the Corporation of the holy City Answ Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power for so it is said without shall be dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters and the fearfull and unbelievers and the abominable and whosoever loveth and maketh a he Apoc. 21. and 22. QUest 13. What is the end of the godly that would not obey the Papacy and of all that sincerely walk with God Answ The Apostle John heard a voice from heaven saying Write blessed are they that die in the Lord even so saith the Spirit for they rest from their labours and their works follow with them Phil. 3.12 They shall not be unclothed but clothed upon in them mortality be swallowed up of life 2 Cor. 5.4 Luk. 20.35.36 And in the day of the all-joyfull resurrection our weak vile and corrupt bodies shall be raised up incorruptible and be fashioned and made like our Lords glorious body And the Saints that are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall have instead of death a sudden and unspeakable * changing in their bodies and shall together with them of the Resurrection be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the aire and to be ever with the Lord not to die any more but are equall unto the angels and shall shine like the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father Amen Even so come LORD JESUS Annotations upon the Questions and Answers of the seventeenth Chapter QVest 1. and Ans Here and there two witnesses See Mr. White Way c. page 384. c. and Mr. Cade Justif l. chap. 4 and lib. 2. chap. 1. and many others Christ still raising up his witnesses was an argument that his cause should live till better times All the power of the Western world that Pope and Emperour and other horns of the Beast could make could not root out the Church nor the faith of the Primitive purity It did and shall increase in spite of fire and fagot prisons Massacres Index Expurgatorius c. the King of Locusts and his Locusts prevailed against the bodies of the Saints but not against their Testimony to the true faith of Christ Ibid. Prophesied misliked and cried out Here is a sore combate of Michaels servants called the patience of the Saints as with the Casars so now with the Tail of the Dragon the King of Locusts All the fight was for the salvation and power and Kingdome of God and his word and the authority of of Christ and his Testimony Apoc. 12.10 and this still is and must be intended for unto banishment spoiling of goods bonds and death Yea it shall be contended for till the seventh Trumpets sounding sheweth Christs reigning over the Kingdoms of the world in the glorious manifestation of his Ordinances Apoc. 11.15.19 Ibid. For divers hundreds of years In those dayes the Temple was shut and Christs Ordinances abandoned by the authority of the Beast with two horns like a Lamb so there is two kinds of authority and for this was the great strife Jehosaphat much reformed the State and took away the high places that had Groves but the other high places stood still for the peoples heart was not able to comply with purer worship 2 Chron. 20.33 So in our dayes our people are full of superstitions and hate faithfull teaching therefore pure Reformation shall not be yet nay now the the things not reformed by Queen Elizabeth and King James are a means of introducing moe things of Popish abominations Ibid. Of his 666. Apostaticall number Observe the Romane Catholick Church of Kings multitudes peoples Nations and kindreds and tongues rejoiced when the Beast of the Pit had killed the two witnesses and Martyrs of Iesus so they are the many that go the broad way and Christs witnesses sew that go the narrow way Papists ask where was your company
before Luther the answer is easie where was it not and they themselves knew and saw where it was well enough They did not murther men that were invisible And it doth not alter the Casâ— in respect of truth that Christs witnesses were mean weak and few Christ was among them 1 Cor. 14.11 12 13.2 Cor. 4.8 9 10 11. and 13.4 vid. Mr. Cade lib. 2. page 181. c. What unreasonable prating do the Locusts use the foolish woman is clamorous Prov. 9. that we must shew a visible glorious company prosessing the Gospel in all ages when the Spirit forewarned of perillous times and of apostasie from the faith and evermore they that spake or did any thing to question Popish Doctrines or their usurped power were killed c. Question 2. and Answer No man might buy or sell Apoclyps 11. and 12. and 13. and 14. chapters set forth their cruelties the just is an abomination to the wicked contra a Proverbof experience from the first and last Counsells It is more dangerous to speak against and withstand their decrees and decretalls than the commandements of God a speech of the good and noble Lord Cobbam is worthy of place loe good people loe for the breaking of Gods Law and his great commandements they never yet cursed me but for their â—â—wn Laws and traditions most cruelly do they handle me and other men Thus that good Noble man spake to the people with a loud voice of those bloudy stinging Scorpions the Bishop of Canterbury and other Locusts Babylonian Lucifers that exalted themselves against the Kingdome of Christ and the Laws of the Land Acts and Monuments 731. of the last Edition Whores that break wedlock are cruell Ezek. 16. and 23. Sicut Patres vestrietiam vâ—s Acts 7.51 How are mens inventions yet pressed in these dayes of the Gospel 1636. But for Gods Commandements how slighted Experience the Saints of God both godly ministers and people have of this continually Ibid. worship the image of the beasts imperiall State The imperiall State of the Pontificality was a glorious image that all the world wondered and worshipped but John and all gracious know that that State is a Beast and is going into the lake of fire Quest 3. and Answ In subscribing c. All had must have communion with the Beast in one manner or other Gods marked hated the Beasts mark and the Beasts marked hated Gods mark Ibid. Revecâ—â—nce to the Crosse So do the Bishops in their Canons that in the sign of the Crosse in Baptisme the child is dedicated thereby to him that died on the Grosse Can. 30. And many of our people that will not be Papists yet are very superstitious and defend themselves by the Crosse in Baptisme Mat. 18.7 Luc. 17.1 That is a sad speech which Christ saith Cursed is he that maketh the blind to go out of their way and let all the people say Amen Deut. 27. Ibid. Of the 3. Quest and Answ Forbidding and refraining from reading and teaching the holy Scriptures It is great wickednesse that any should forbid any of the simplest to read the holy Bible or any godly learned requested by a company not to expound it as in the Primitive Churches this order for every man able and faithfull to utter his gift continued to the time of Theodoret yea long after Theod. upon 1 Cor. 14. See what the Spirit faith by the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 4.10.2 Tim. 2.2 But Gregory the ninth a Pope of Rome prohibited that no Lay-man should preach of whatsoever degree he was Quest 4. and Answ He had the voice and speech Laws be the Speech of a polity so that many have fitly compared the new Religion of the Pontificality with old Romes because it is so stuffed with old heathenish Customes after the Theologie rather the Popologie of Virgil and Ovid c. Adde hereunto the Popes decretalls over-ruling States are wicked commonly and the more they be being urged by men unlawfull Ibid. Keeping of the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Blessed is he that watcheth against cunning craftinesse and deceit that he may keep his garment close to him Apoc. 16.15 Christ hath made us Kings and Priests and then we must bear holinesse in cur hearts and forcheads And let the just hold on his way and let the clean in hands increase in courage Job 17.9 Apoc. 21.11 Truth is better than our lives or States be independent and God will be with the good for whosoever saith the Lord shall be ashamed of me and of my words among this adulterous and sinfull generation that is that doth adulterate the faith by hereticall Doctrines and mens Precepts and traditions of him shall the Son of man be ashamed also when he shall come in his own glory and the Fathers and the holy angels Mak 8. Luc. 9. Here note how the Corporation of the seed of the Serpent esteemeth Christ and his servants and the holy Doctrine anathema And contrarily the Corporation of the holy seed esteem the Serpent and his seed and their commadements and inventions anathema maranatha This hath been the deadly feud and enmity and war from the beginning ever since Kain flew Habel This is the fire sword and division that Christ hath sent on the earth Gen. 3.15 Mat. 10. Luc. 12. This must be constantly observed for Kingdomes towns and families and persons Qu. 5. and Answ The King of mount Sion appeared with 144000. Observe the allusion in the term Mount Sion which sheweth all that follow the Lamb under the new Testament harp the same song of holy faith as the faithfull of Mount Sion of old Apoc. 14. answerable to this the Apostle sweetly protesteth Acts 26.6 7. and all the Epistle to the Hebrews sheweth this most evidently Likewise any part of the old Testament cited or paraphrased or any way expressed by our Lord and his apostles proveth that cursed Popery should be accursed that objecteth novelty to our most holy faith and this well considered will strengthen the godly Student against the Anabaptist and Antinomian c. In Apocal. chap. 7. there were 144000. that the first Beast warred against and in chap. 14. the same number that held the faith of the Patriarchs and Apostles The second Beast warres against them The tenth Century Satan was let loose to deceive and then the Churches were in a dead State from a Church-life but now the Churches begin to recover life to live again is as it were a Resurrection as the Jews in the return from Babel Ezek. 37. Apoc. 20. Ibid. And all that fear God both small and great gave thinks None but one made gracious as Iohn can see the holy Ierusalem and sing praise Ezek. 43.11 Worldly look to worldly pomp and every man as he bears a person Christian will praise the Lord God for his salvations from the idolatry heresie strange language and tyranny of the man of sinne of Rome-Egypt Psal 98.1 2 3. Psal 114. Oh the searfull judgement of
Christ giving the world over to slavery and befottednesse in former times Rejoice over her thou heaven and ye holy Apostles and Prophets for God hath avenged ye on her read attentively Psal 81. and in all this book of the Apocalips compare old things with new Quest 6. And chiefty through this Abaddon States miss much the mark that think to overthrow the Kingdome of Abaddon if liberties and not the quarrell of the Gospel be not syncerely intended Let the King of Swedens doings advise them And consider Zac. 4.6 chiefly so must the Temple be built and Fathers and Councels Doctors and School men are not the sword of Christs mouth much lesse a dumb base idle and proud ministery those and these humane helps we have used long enough Ibid. Shall be perishing to the end As those four beasts Daâ—â—y perished by the time of our Lords first coming so the Romane Beast made of those four shall by his second A greater curse cannot be to terrisie us in partaking with them For what State will seek to uphold the Kingdome of the Beast King Abaddon must sink with it as a great milstone that Christ casteth into the sea and let each State whose Kingdome is the Lords and his Christs take heed how they tamper in leagues and Treaties with any of the horns that yet uphold and give their power to the Beast and mark events Christ hath and will preserve his Common-Weals that rule for him that in truth defend his faith as D. Cariton in his thankfull remembrance hath evidenced to our ingratefull and forgetfull Nation Will we not yet mind that theam of theirs nulla fides observanda baereticis yea it is more than a theam it is one of their Papall Laws a Canon in the Couneel of Constance Sess 19. Will not we believe a man to be bald till we see his brains vide Cade Justif lib. 2. 80 81. c. and the apdendix Ques salvos suscitaâ— ques destruit dementet Just with God that they that will not know his holy faith should not know reason The children of Noph and Tahpanbes have broken thine head contrary to Gen. 3.15 Jer. 2. Isa 9.13 and 30.4 The harlot Aholibah doted on the Egyptian and Babylonian worships which were her ruine they sent for the brave Gallants of Babel clothed inred attire a type of Scarlet Cardinals of mysticall Babylon Ezek. 23 14 15. Hos 9.2 and 10.6 c. c. Dear Queen Elizabeth would not suffer Jerolamus Martinengo to come over into England for any Treaty Hist Council of Trent 440. but now Treaties and Locusts are either sent for or suffered to swarm Alasse what means it that an ambasâ—adour should be sent to the seven Mountain City of mysticall Babylon What have we to do to drink the waters of Tyber Jer. 2.18 1636 Ezek. 23.16 in King Edwards dayes the State sent for P. Martyr and Martin Buâ—er and for many years countenanced men of their Spirit but now c. The syncerity of the Gospel is the sure Basis of all prosperity to a State and notwithstanding all this Elias and Elisha and Samâ—el c. will be the Chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof False Religion and oppression is the earthquake of a State as Mr. Cade most affectionately sheweth in the Appendix Quest 7. and Answ That gave their power to the beast The Kings that did traffick with the Pope continually for his confirmation they felt Christs anger for it for he would have them know that by him Kings reign that all power in heaven and earth is his that the most high ruleth over the Kingdomes of men as the proud King of old Babel who was made a beast did confesse to warn the Beast of mysticall Babylon of his blasphemous arrogancy Prev 8. Mat 28.18 Dan. 4. Rom. 1â— 1 i.e. Kingdomes that will not stick to Gods covenant shall find this Scripture made good on them 2 Chron. 12.8 Ibid. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Lamb shall overcome and revenge the blood of his servants Apoc. 19. Five beads were fallen for Gods peoples sake when John wrote and the sixth head was wounded to death for persecuting the faith so shall the seventh Head feel the curse of the living God Ibid. That will judge the great Whore God shall judge them and his Prophets and their enemies shall judge them and the righteous men shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses and blood is in their hands Ezek. 16.38 and 23.45 Ibid. That hold of every foul spirit Whom do these foul spirits conscience-cauterised hypocrites seduce on whom do these Vultures kites and ravens seise on surely on none but those men and women that have sore and itching ears and cannot abide sound Teaching and have no love to the truth and laden with sins and led away with divers lusts lusts of the eyes of flesh and pride of life 1 Tim 6.10 2 Tim. 3 6 7. and 4. and 3 4.1 John 2.16 Apoc. 18.2 This verse of Apoc. 18.2 may be an allusion to Isa 13.21.22 as old Babylon was troubled Zim Jim and Ohim so mysticall Babylonians in our Land in these dayes of darknesse have been troubled with spirits and hobgoblins and night-terrours c. But blessed be the father of mercies the God of all consolation for the Gospel of his Son which hath scattered these evils from us Ibid. For he sitteth as on a white cloud with a sicle in his hand and on a white hoâ—se Let the Saints remember with joy how Christ the King rode on a cloud in bringing Israel out of old Egypt so now in bringing us his Isael out of Rome Egyâ—t Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most mighty Psal 45. in Apoc. 6.2 Christ rode as on a white horse in his instruments the angels invisibly men visibly against the Casars till he had wounded to death that head of the Romane State so now against the reviver of the wounded head he rode on a white horse Apocal. 19.11 as against old Egypt Hab 3.8 Jehovah shall reign for ever and ever Moses and all faithfull so sing Exod. 15. Apoc. 15. At the figure of the †The holy spirit alludeth to the stories of the old enemies Apocalyps 18. c. sheweth the great fall of mysticall Babylon from old stories Oh that our brethren would be conversant in the holy Scriptures the Romane polity killing men for the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine is as guilty as if it had killed them and all holy in the same faith All the righteous blood shed from Habel the righteous to this day shall be required of them and it should admonish our Nobles Gentry ministery and Commonalty to take heed how they comply with that bloody whorish Church lest they acquire the guiltinesse of its massacres treasons Gun-powder plot c. consider Job 9.4 to help the Reader to compare the Apâ—calyps with old stories somewhat I will mention for these present expressions The old world Gen. 6.11 12 13.
corrupted the earth by apostasie and God would corrupt that is destroy it so the Lord will corrupt the policy of the man of Sin Apoc. 11.18 God plagued Sodom Gen. 19. Rome is called Sodom and God will destroy it Apoc. 11.8 We know how God plagued Egypt Rome is called Egypt Apoc. 11.8 and many of the plagues of Egypt are and shall be on Rome-Egypt Apoc. 16. Sichoâ— the King of the Amorites would not suffer Israel to buy and sell bread nor drink so the Popish policy Apoc. 13.16 but God destroyed the one and will the other Edom Isa 63. with Apocal. 19.15 Tyrus Ezek. 27. 30 31 32. with Apoc. 18.15 16 17 18 19. Niniveb 3 4 17. Apoc. 17.4 and for Ninivebs Locusts Apoc. 9. Apostate Jerusalem Jeremiah 25.10 Apoc. 18 22 23. Of the four beasts in Dan. 7. spoken of afore in applying them to the Romane beast All the Apocalyps almost every Sentence is taken from the Prophets expressing old rerms for new States and places and times but that would be too long a work here to describe it is done other where Quest 8. and Answ The same Kingdomes that gave their power A man even bymans wit might marvell why Princes would suffer such a deceiver as Apolluon to stand one year his Doctrine being against all light of the blessed Scriptures each Prince being able to cast him from his Territories Gods wayes are unsearchable God hath chosen a few onely and none can come to Christ unlesse the heavenly Father draw him but the things revealed belong to us and our children Ibid. They shall embrace the Gospel The holy City shall be yet more glorious The streets of the City are pure gold as clear as glasse then shall the Saints walk chearfully when Gods commandements and the faith of Christ are purged from the filthy scum of mans inventions Our Lord Christ the Teacher appointed of the Father and his apostles in their Doctrine were like Refiners fire and fullers sope to the Rabbies of traditlons and bodily exercise Mat. 5. and 6. and 7. and 156 and 23. but they were not able to abide it but as Cain persecuted with intestine hatred so Christ in his martyrs and his angels in the Reformed Churches hath been and will be as refiners fire and fullers sope to the King of Locusts and his Locusts Doctrine he will purge his floor of the fulsome stuffe and the chaffe of the decitfull hypocrites Ibid. And verily as that whorish polity hath been As Israel in Egypt under Pharaoh so the cause of the Gospel seemed unrecoverable under the Egyptiacall Kingdome of the Man of Sin but the sayings of God are true he is Jehovah performer of promise as Israel felt for old Egypt Exod. 6.3 so we have felt for Rome-Egypt and as we have seen the loving kindnesse of God so shall others Rome-Egypt shall be more and more desolate Queâ—â— 9. and answ With his Locusts is the faise Pro phet The Pontificality is a Beast of Empire in its power and it with its Clergy is the false Prophet a Corporoation speech false Prophet that is the body of false Prophets Ibid. Cast alive as sodomites The common-weal of King Abaddon is called Sodome and his Catholick company and Church faith of her self she is a Queen Apoc. 18. yet she is but the Queen of Sodome and Babylon all the Kings and Princes that are of that polity let them fear the punishment of Sodome unlesse they repent and make their common-weals our Lords and his Christs Quest 10. and answ Without rest day and night God gave men over that loved not the truth to believe lies that they might be damned Terrour it is said without Rest and then what lies and witcherafts do they teach and believe of Masses Trentalls Requiems Dirges Libera me 's c. No rest to them that follow the Beast Ibid. To use no garments Their Cannons and prayers and apparrell are all bent to a blind drift and not fittest to have been used in our tongue the whole frame is out of order Mr. Bro. in Apoc. 94. and 156. Quest 11. and answ But sentence is not so passed c. We judge well of many of our forefathers that they are Saints in heaven for they made divers good Laws against Devilish Popery and were still complaining of Popish enormities and many in their last Wills would not bequeath any thing to maintain Popish Masses c. c. and in their judgement and affection were much against Popery and did come very far out of that polity yet through fear went under the name of Papists and the number of his name and durst not through the diligent tyranny of the Scorpion-Locusts openly confesse the truth as there are now such in Spain and Italy c. that hate Popery yet go under the name of the Beast and the God that multiplieth to pardon the God of all mercies no doubt did and doth passe by the weaknesse of his servants in those dayes and places of darknesse but that is no comfort to Papists that are in Reformed Churches for they in obstinacy still worship the Image of the Beast and have his mark both in hand and forehead Ibid. Come out of her my people They must not be of worldly glorious mysticall Babylons part that will condemn her but absolute free from her We must be as in a wildernesse as Israel from Egypt and as on an high mountain in the Spirit as John and Ezekiel afore Christ will shew us the glory of his own ordinances and the great Whore and her abominations and till we be ashamed of all the wickednesse that we have received from the man of sin we cannot so clearly see the form and fashion of heavenly things Ezek 43.10 11. Forty nine thousand were perswaded to leave old Babylon in hope of Christ his first coming so they that hope of comfort at Christ his second coming must come out of all mysticall Babylons polity R. R. B. Jewell and other Worthies of Christ in our State Def. Apol. chap. 22. Divis 1. But in departing from the Papacy Godly Teachers must not think of a new Constitution of Churches but of Reformation part off all additions from the holy Scriptures from offices in the Church and officers seals and censures and the open profane from seals and the Primitiye apostolick purity will appear if we otherwise do we shall not avoid the ungodlinesse of Anabaptistrie and other pratlers that do dischurch Churches and Members Ibid. O thrice blessed The Lord JESUS faith Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophâ—cie of the Apocalyps and keep those things which are written therein Apoc. 1. and 22.7 Again Blessed are they that do his commandements that they may have â—ight to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the City Apoc. 22. 14 Mark the phrase Blessed are they that do his commandements what is this a covenant of works is not this the same
Mountain of fire of most grievous calamities to all Christendome What an incendiary was he 1. Against Constantines Kingdome in exciting the Turk to invade it 2. In the Wars for the Low Jerusalem after the Tenth Century 3. By intestine Garboyls among themselves still to uphold Popish interests 4. By cruel dealing against any that contested their enormities as will be said more in the sixt Trumpet The name of the King and Beast of the Pit is Abaddon and Apolluon a destroying and beast-like Prince As his Name is so is he And his Locusts are filled with his spirit of all deceit hypocrisie and cruelty See more of this in them and their King in their Dialogue The Pontificality or Corporation of Popes whose Kingdome was so glorious and whose Throne so radiant that all the world wondered Apoc. 13.3 4. at the beams thereof and thence he like the Sun did rule the day of that State so that his Creatures and Parasites say he is as the Sun And from this throne he sent his Decretals and the power of his counsels and the fulminations of his excommunications c. into all his Kingdome to the terrour and amazement of all opposers our native Countrey is a sufficient commentary of this A very Leviathan Iob 41. A Dragon as Pharoah of old in his Waters Ezek. 29. and acted by the old Red Dracon This is the first Wo. In like sort in the Phials that glorious earthly Throne Kingdome and Supremacy is made vile and much darkned for more godly Teachers in pouring out the fifth Phial have polluted the Pride of all the glory of that mystical Tyrian god and brought into Contempt in some places all the honourable of that earthly State Ezek. 28.2 6 7 8 9. Christ the mighty Angel roared like a Lion in his faithful witnesses Apoc. 10.3 19.14 They discovered Abaddons and his Locusts hidden abominations and blasphemous impieties that some well-minded and couragious Princes have taken from him his usuâ—ped authoritie and yet in spirituals they have and do still tamper with him in temporals as Venice and others and now his Throne is much ecclypsed that it shines not in many places his mandates are slighted his excommunications are of no terrour c. And now the King of Locusts in some kingdomes is experimentally known to be Apolluon an apostate Star the grand impostor of Christendome the man of sin that made all the World to sin He and his Locusts got land by begging for monasteries and got other unclean cages for unclean birds of every wing Locusts of all professions by these he had a great Kingdome and his Throne of Government was set up in every nation all which together made his great Polis or large Common-weal So that now under the fifth Phial the Throne and kingdome of the Beast is darkned by contempt and pillane of land in some of the kingdomes that had given their power to the Beast and all the other kingdomes will do the same as England hath done of late in the extirpation of the Tail of that episcopal Hierarchy But yet in all this mercy of glorious light and reformation the Beasts marked are transported with implacable â—ury and envy for so it is said They gnawed their tongues for sorrow and blasphemed the God of heaven for their pains and sores of State and repented not of their works of their idolatry murthers sorceries fornications and thefts c. deifying the Pontificality and teaching his Decrees to be infallible This is often laid to the charge of the Papalines they repented not like old Babel of whom it is said We would have cured Babel but she is not cured Jer. 51. This argues great obduration of heart like Pharoah like Iericho like the Chantanites c. their state is compared with and alluded to these old Enemies of the Gospel Therefore they shall not repent till they be all destroyed as the other were It is hard yea impossible for men to repent which will not learn from the word of God how their case standeth and they have so blasphemed the holy and blessed Scriptures and corrupted them as far as in them lieth putting she for he to bring the virgin Mary into Christ his honour to destroy the Bible and the world Gâ—â— 3.15 making Peter the Rock of the Church c. thus they have most reproachfully corrupted the blessed Seriptures and cannot minde them in sincerity because the Lord Jesus hath in his just judgement blinded their eyes stopped their ears hardened their heart for their utter confusion SECT VI 1. I think it will be pertinent to touch a little the tenth chapter of the Apocalyps before I go to the sixth and seventh Trumpet for it is most comfortable for the Church to observe it against the evils that came and are yet upon the Church by the Beast of the Pit and by the Turkish desolating forces under the fiâ—th sixth and seventh Trumpet and under the first second and third Wo and under the fifth and sixth and seventh Phials yea all the Phials do expound this tenth chapter 2. This chapter sets forth a glorious description of the mighty Angel of the Covenant the Lamb the King of Mount Sion that although king Abâ—ddon came out of Pit-darknesse with his Locusts to darken all knowledge of Christ and his Word yet here it is for the joy and comfort of all the godly that our mighty Redeemer is come from heaven and is described full of glory And this description of Christ is from Moses Esaias Daniel Ezekiel Mat â—7 and Apoc. 1. 1. He is clothed with a cloud and his feet as Pillars of fire this remembers the conduct of Israel from Egypt to assure us of the same mercy of Redemption from Rome Egypt what old Egypt found and felt Rome Eggpt shall feel the like 2. The Rain bow rememâ—reth Gen. 9. and Esay 54. Ezek. 1 that in all stormes flouds and inundations of Pope Dracons Tyranny Apoc. 12. 13. the Rainbow doth assure us that God will remember his covenant for his church and that the Waters of trouble the rod of the wicked shall not ever be upon the Lot of the righteous Psalm 124. and 125. 3. His face is as the sun-shining in his strength Dan 10. Mat. 17. Apoc. 1. his eyes in every place behold the evil and the good Christ is greater than Moses Moses face did shine but not as the sun For Christs glory darkned his yet not his but Christ which he put on him for when he came to Christ he put off his vail If we pursue the tenour of the Law that Christ gave to Moses our faces shallâ— shine as Mâ—ses through Christs brightnesse upon us if we delight to study the holy Bible And his face so shining doth assure us that he will utterly dispell the Popish frogs and that in the Lords due season the whole earth shall be filled with his glory Apoc. 18. 4. One foor on the Sea and another on the