contrary he shall inrich with wealth and treasury increase in glory and honor all those who shall fall downe adore and worship him and his State These most true suppositions which with an infinitie of testimonies and reasons might be confirmed being The Papall State the State of the Beast carefully preobserued I doe in the feare of God and out of the confidence of a good conscience constantly lay this imputation vpon the present state and gouernment of the Pope of Rome affirmimg his State and Gouernment to be that flagitious State which is here typed forth by the Beast and by the Image of the Beast And so hereby Articles agreed on by the Synod of Bishops and the Conuocation I demonstrate how true that is which wee haue and in the defence whereof I haue partly meditated this argument in our Articles of the Church of England That the Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in the Realme of England Pag. 68. For if his State bee Antichristian and of the Beast as his Maiestie also most truely in his Premonions to Christian Princes then it will follow vnuoidably that all his challenge for iurisdiction within the Realme of England is arrogancie and presumption This my imputation I will not endeauour to proue by enumetating an infinitie of their blasphemous superstitions and lawes against the Maiestie of God the glory of his Sonne and the honour of his Tabernacle the true vniuersall Catholike Church of Christ but I will onely doe it Gods holy Spiiit enabling mee by certaine generall demonstrations drawne from the consideration of the very proper conditions of the Antichristian State it selfe partly laid downe in my former suppositions but most fully in the Booke of God whereunto for breuitie sake I will only point my religious Audience First then I argue thus The State of the Beast must Fâ—rst reason bee a State vpon earth pretending to bee for Christ a Matt. 24. 6. comming in the name of Christ and bearing pretensedly the verie b Apoc. 13. 11. 2. Thessal 2. A vanity in Bellarmine affirming that Antichrist shall deny Christ hornes of the Lamb though in truth it shall speake like the Dragon Againe this State must bee not a proclamed impudencie of Iniquitie but it must bee a mystery of Iniquity a pretensed semblance of Christian Sanctitie A State so full of subtiltie and pretending the name of Christ euen to the doing of miracles and such miracles Matth. 24. 2. Thess 2. Hiâ—â—r orat in Auxâ—nt Hiero. Epist â—1 q. ad algas Oecâ—men Theophil in 2. Thess 2 Chrisost ibid alij See Remes Annotat in 2. Thes 2. annotat 5. that the very Elect shall bee in danger to be seduced It must also be a State ruling and sitting in the Temple of God that is in the visible Churches of God so certaine of the Fathers pretending therein in Gods stead to haue power ouer the verie soules and consciences of the faithfull yea and therein to haue in Gods stead a power dispensatiue ouer all the Lawes of God ouer all powers ordained by God ouer all that is sacred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Maiestie whatsoeuer And are not these and euery of these conditions most properly appliable to the present Papall Roman State onely and solely to the Papall State It alone pretends to wâ—are the Lambs hornes and to bee an absolute Vice-gerencie for Christ It alone requires that her Authoritie The Papall State pretinded to be Christs own state and power bee beleeued vnder necessitie of saluation with supernaturall faith Shee alone pretends to sit that is to rule in the temple of God that is the whole visible Châ—rch of God to rule I say the same with a rod of Iron and Direction Shee alone works in so powerfull and subtill a manner pretending Christs power miracles done in his name that thereby shee drawing to her band a whole multitude of Inhabitants of the earth hazards the soules of the very elect so that they are in danger to be seduced Thus our first proofe and yet here I must not omit to note that though the Papall State pretends the Lambs hornes that is to be Christs absolute and sole Vice-gerent yet notwithstanding it speakes like the Dragon How speakes like the Dragon For that it persecutes with Sword Fire and Fagot as the Dragon did all those who cleaue only to the Lambe for their saluation hoping only Reuel 13. 11. vpon the Lambes merites for their direction both in faith and manners resting onely on the Lambes Word The Roman Fathers like the old Emperours Instruments of the Dragon And are not these the very things for which the Dragon persecuted the first Christians in the Roman Emperours and doth hee not now persecute vs for the very same in the Roman Fathers Pope-Emperours It is the testimony of Iesus Iesus onely Iesus solely which the Dragon persecuted by the old Emperours and it is the same testimony of Iesus which the Dragon persecuteth in these Roman Fathers The Roman Emperours would not haue Iesus alone to be honoured against their Idoll-Gods And these Holy Fathers will not haue Iesus alone to bee acknowledged beleeued to saluation without their Godlings nor to bee onely heard for direction without their Traditions Because we will acknowledge nothing nor will beleeue no other necessary for saluation but Iesus onely Iesus This is that very testimony against which the Dragon now speaketh in the Roman Fathers and persecuteth in vs with the extremitie of Fire Sword and Faggot My second reason I frame thus The state Antichristian Second Reason wil require to be adored of all the Inhabitants of Earth not with ciuill and humane adoration onely but with a Apoc. 13. 15. 16 supernaturall adoration with a soule-Reuerence due to it as to an earthly God But this the Papall State most exactly Adoration giuen to the Papall State as to an Numen and Diuinity vpoÌ„ earth doth require and as yet no other State euer required the same neither can or shall any other with fire and faggot more rigorously require the same then the Papall State now doth require it It followeth then that the Papall State is that very State which is here typed by the Beast That the Papall State requireth such a soule-adoration and supernaturall obedience as due to an earthly Deitie it is more then most manifest For who hath not obserued that in a religious subiection to the Pope and in a Soule-vnion with the Pope consisteth the very life and Wherein consisteth the life of the Papacy essence of the Papall State Here hence it is that it is reputed a high point of the Maiesty of that State yea it is reputed as a partiall meanes to saluation that the Pope receiueth adorations and kissings of his feet from all the faithfull An act of Religion to kisse the Popes feet of the world and in their faith ought to receiue at lest in preparation
instable persons laden with sinne who thinke that to be a most facill religion which teacheth dames and maides men and boyes to disburden their loaded soules into a Priests lap to confesse and to bee absolued and then all to bee cock-sure for say they the Priests sentence on earth is also ratified in the very heauens yea though the sentence bee giuen wel-nigh in the very heat of the sinne yea more in the gilt of cankeriated and seared consciences prepared and ready to returne as the dog to the vomit to the same sinne againe How vaine to thinke that our Aduersaries shal be euer able to preuaile by the way of truth when as their fingers neuer cease by additions detractions and immutations to corrupt they say to correct Ancient Authors when as they dare not suffer any of theirs to read any of our See Azor. institut moral p. 1. l. 8. c. 16. bookes but curse with bell booke and candle all those who without speciall licence shall attempt the same And though they may bee thought to deale discreetly in Manifest timidity in the Popes not to allow the reading of any of our bookes no not to their Prelates that they doe not indifferently permit the reading of our bookes to the promiscuous multitude yet that they should not allow their learned Laicks more their learned Priests more their learned Pastors more their Doctors and Prelates to read our bookes What else can bee the cause but a conscience of their own weaknesse On the contrary Truth goeth on so confident like a Lion and couragious in all Protestant States or most of them that welnigh an infinitie of Popish Authors are therein permitted and yet notwithstanding such an infinite libertie which How Popery tolerated and yet to little effect in a true sense may bee called a toleration of Popery euen in her cunningest and readiest mystery of deceit yet how few of our learned iudicious and vnderstanding professors are by such meanes drawne away from vs to them blasts and puffs of discontent do indeed driue away some from vs But should such a libertie of our bookes bee allowed amongst them it were not possible but that the tenth if not more of theirs both learned and iudicious would repaire to vs And is not this an argument Ostensine that truth is with vs and not with them And againe that their bookes though tolerated amongst vs to vse Chrysostoms phrase do rather confirme and settle solid minds then moue or shake them Chrysost in 1. ad Corinth Thus much haue wee noted of their bookes tolerated but to adde a few words for your instruction where in any State Protestant it may happen any Ignatians or other Popish Priests and Friers to bee tolerated or conniued at what is the primest and onlyest weapon and meanes by which they vse to negotiate Soules and to draw seduced fooles into their net of perdition surely it is fraudulent latencie and seerecie to worke in secret not suffering them whom they assault if possibly they may bee so perswaded to make knowne their attempts to any of our learned Doctors and Pastors Carbo contesting and opposing The fraudulent endeuours of Popish Friers c. against Silla his sworne enemy was wonted to affirme of him That in Silla hee fought both against Fox and Lion yet that hee feared more from the Fox then from the Lion Our Contestation and opposition being against these our most deuoted Enemies Roman Sillas we are in them to oppose both against Fox and Lion yet in my opinion we may iustly feare more from the Fox then from the Lion I meane more from their craftie subtilty then from their open hostilitie and immâ—nitie Amongst all the subtilties of the Fox his hole is the primest Amongst all the subtilties of the Ignatians Friers and Monkes where the publike face of religion is nor theirs but they may onely happen to be tolerated or conniued at no one Their greatest subtilty is Latency subtiltie is like to that of their Latencie who as they there desire to go disguised in their habits and to walke in many colours and formes sauing their owne yea and had rather be conniued at to goe so disguised then to bee tolerated to goe in their owne habits themselues for being subdoloâ—â— workmen they shun nothing more then the light so aboue all things they endeauour that the perswasions which they vse to draw any from the truth may be secret latent and not knowne If then the wisdome of any Protestant State should for some high respects thinke it A necessary aduice meet to tolerate or to conniue at such manner of persons then aboue any cautions to bee vsed against their subtilties diuices and circumuentions I dare be bold to giue this and in the feare of God and in his presence to charge you with it that so soone as any of you may bee assaulted with their secret and sugred perswasions to forsake Gods truth and to imbrace their Idolo-many that forthwith and with all speed yee make the same knowne to some learned and discreet Diuines who by the rule of reason by the Authoritie of venerable Antiquitie but aboue all by the sacred Word of God the rule of our Faith may prearme you against all their superstitious and sophistical vanities I said before discreet learned Ministers for aboue all things those who are so assaulted must beware of those men who are Semi-Admirers after the Beast I meane such who who hauing put on the Dalmatian Apostatizing spirit or at least are beginning to put on the same doe hold that the Papall Church is the true Church of Christ and that the obstinate Papists so liuing and dying without repentance are in the state of saluation Further who affirme and dare to dogmatize that there are no Heresies publikely defended and maintained in the Papall State and that there is no fundamentall difference betwixt the Roman and the Reformed Churches and yet lest these Neutralizers should bee taken in their hypocrisie they will fairely mince the matter and refine their words For they will acknowledge the Roman Church to be O Egregious aliqualiter corruptam in somewhat corrupted These these Sinoes yee must by all means auoid for howsoeuer they seeme to bee ours yet they are not in truth of vs but are ready to goe out of vs driuen by any blast of discontent or allured by any gayle of promotion and that wee haue now more such amongst vs it ariseth from the vanitie of false hopes and expectations And yet let mee not here bee mistaken in that which I so resolutely affirme against the saluation of Papists or of their being in the state of saluation This I affirme not of or against all but against wilfull vnrelenting and vnrepentant Papists For no doubt can be made but that in the Popish Church there are and haue bin diuers which if wee will speake properly and according to the nature of termes wee may not call Papists who
ignorant of the altitudes of the Beast or not obstinately wedded thereunto are in the way of saluation but I say of such that they are in the Popish Church though not of the Popish Church and that they suck onely the good which is in that Church but haue a reluctancie against the errours and superstitions against the immanities and presumptions of the Beast and of his State If any one aske mee how this can bee so my answere is very facill for that in that Church there is the Creed of the Apostles there are How saluation may be thought to be had in the Popish Church also the holy Scriptures though partly corrupted why then shall it bee thought impossible for many in that Church to professe the holy Creed in its true sense and to imbrace so much of the holy Scriptures in the true sense as is necessary to saluation And as for practise most certaine it is that diuers in that Church neither adore their Images nor their God in bread nor greatly heed praying to Saints nor the Popes Supremacie nor Purgatory flashes with such like and as for Papall Pardons Graines Meddalls Agnus-deyes with such like trumperies they doe both scorne and detest them though for feare of the Pharisies they dare not so professe Of these and such like I will confidently thinke and affirme that they may so fairely bee in the way of saluation as Nicodemus was Iohn 3. 2. whilst hee came to Christ by stealth in the night and as some of those thousands were of whom God to Elias who had not bowed their knees to Baall This point I might further enlarge and more fully confirme but time permits mee not so to doe yet time by your Christian patience and leaue shall yeeld mee libertie to giue a necessarie instruction vnto such if any such heare mee this day who trembling and fearing where there is no iust cause of feare do fearefully presage and feare to themselues that there may happen and also that the same is at hand some generall fall and change from Religion A vaine feare of change of religion conuicted and reproued to Popery in this renowned State and Kingdome Against the vanitie of this conceit though I nothing doubt but that there are who endeuour such a fall and most perfidiously endeuour it let me thus confirme and arme you That such a thing is Morally Royally and Diuinely impossible First it is morally impossible that a Kingdome so setled and established in Christs Gospel should euer indure to behold the puppit playes of Popery had the truth bin so established in King Edwards reigne as now by Gods fauour it is wee should not haue seene nor heard of so sudden a change as was made presently after but what was the cause therof the Calues of Bethel were then fresh in remembrance the Beast then but entred into her consumption with vs the wordes of God there and then are fulfilled when and where her flesh is eaten and her bones consumed The Gospel was indeed planted in King Edwards dayes but not watered before Queene Maries Tragedy The good seed was cast into the ground but it rooted not till it was watered and after it was watered with the blood of Saints euer since it hath flourished as the Palme and shall still God saying Amen flourish maugre the malice of Satan and of Antichrist Cast your eyes round about this present World reflect your memories into Generations al Generations past and shew me if you can any State or Kingdom which hauing once fully fully I say shaken off the Papall yoke by a perfect reformation did euer setledly receiue the same again How many pretended vnions of subiection aboue halfe a score haue beene made betwixt the Church of Rome and those of Constantinople and of the East and as yet they haue not setledly agreed neither will they euer so do The Muscouian Empire which is now of the Greekes beliefe had it not rather fall into the hands of the Turke then into the Beares Feet And is not such the resolued affection of most Reformed professions States Not for any loue they beare to the Turkish profession as Turce-Papizing Reinolds calumniously Coluino turc lib. 7. inferres and deduces but for that there is a Greater Clemencie in Turke then in Pope the later incessantly persecuting with fire and faggot all reformed Professors whom the other Clemently tolerates and respectiuely protects as likewise he doth those of the Papal faith who are tolerated likewise if peaceable within the bounds of his Empire And to conclude this point where the light of the Gospel hath beene throughly preached and the puppet-like vanities of Popery haue been liuely displaied it is not possible that any Intelligent or vnderstanding Nation should bee brought to creep to a wodden stocke or to fall downe and adore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a God of bread which after digestion is to be cast in secessum into the priuy or which locked vp in a Tabernacle may be knawen by a Mouse or Rat or consumed by Wormes c. Thus is alteration and change of religion in this renowned State and what States-man knoweth not so much shewed to be morally impossible more might bee added I said in the second place that such a change was diuinely impossible for how else to dispute probably and why may not such be the sense of the Holy Ghost shall the words of God be accomplished that those States and Kingdomes Apoc. 17. 1◠which first loued the whore should afterwards hate her yea so hate her that they should eat her flesh and consume her bones with fire and what is this else but to make her desolate without any hope of euer recouering her former state againe The Scripture speaketh thus of all the haters of the whore haters of the whore I say such as make a perfect reformation not in part but wholly not in substance only but in ceremonies likewise such as eat and deuoure the delicacy of all her superstitious rags and consume the very body of her errours and heresies the Scripture affirming this of all the haters of the Whore may we not with great probabilitie apply and assume the same to this renowned State and Church which is become as an Assyle and Sanctuary to all sincere haters of the Whore to all such whom the Tyranny of the Whore and her Confederates may force into exile and to all such whom the force of Truth may effectually moue to abandon all subiection to the Whore The Word of God is gone forth and by what is alreadie happily begun let vs bee most assured that her vtter ruine will in time bee accomplished what if our disguised Aduersaries vaunt to their deceiued Dames and deluded wantons the contrary what though our Luke-warme Laodiceanizers halters betwixt Baal and God dreame to the contrary gaping after preferments by such meanes which are neuer likely to come to passe what though the Couert-chaffe of Communion-Recusants doe
of the Protestants whom he knowes to be Father Sonne and Holy Ghost is the most vnciuill and euill-mannered God of all those who haue borne the names of gods vpoÌ„ earth yea worse then Pan God of the Clownes which can indure no Ceremonies nor Good manners at all Reading these with diuers such like my bowels trembled within me and my zeale for the Lord was set on fire and I said vnto my Soule Spare no arrowes but shoot against Babylon for that shee hath sinned against the Lord And I say more againe Anathema Maran-atha to him whose zeale for the Lord is not with such blasphemies incensed and set on fire against the blasphemers I dare not once suspect that Royall Maiestie though the blasphemous Pamphlet be dedicated presumptuously to it or Parlalament-Excellency or Senate-Integrity of this Christian-State hath euer had any speciall notice or information of so blasphemous a Pamphlet formerly in time of Conniuency and yet still to the ioy of the Aduersaries and vnspeakable scandall of the Pious and Godly hunting vp and downe this Kingdome Arise O God and put into the knowledge and heart of our Soueraign to auenge such thy blasphemous Aduersaries and all their witting Abettors with deserued reproach Amen! Wee pray againe Arise O Lord and auenge thy owne Cause and as dust before the face of the wind so scatter thou the Enemies of thy Glorious name Amen Amen And so humbly praying the God of Truth to make you all perfect in the knowledge and loue of Truth I rest a reuerent Euer-admirer of your Admirable learning in Truth and humbly pray that wee all may bee zealous Euer-imitators of our Glorious and Angel-like Predecessours for the Reformation and constant defence of that Pietie and Truth The Testimony of IESVS Amen Yours and euery one of yours in the LORD IESVS Richard Sheldon A Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse the first of September c. APOC. 14. 9. 10. 11. And the third Angell followed them with a lowd voyce saying If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receiue his marke in his forhead or in his hand The same shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath which is powred out without mixture into the Cuppe of his indignation And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in presence of the Lambe And the smoke of their torments ascendeth vp for euer and euer THe words which I haue read in the eares of this most Christian and honourable Assemblie are an obscure partiall prophecie of that mysticall Booke which to vse Hieromes Epist ad Paulin phrase hath no more words then it hath mysteries How then shall I who am of a dull apprehension of a stammering speech and of a weake spirit bee able to lay open the sence of the same except the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda giue me a spirit of courage confidence vnlesse the Lambe slaine which hath the seuen eyes that manifold light of knowledge impart vnto me some gratious measure of wisdome and vnderstanding O thou Gratious Lambe who scatterest of thy graces where thou pleasest illighten my vnderstanding that I may truely interpret this thy Scripture O thou Powerfull Lion of Iuda who openest no man shutteth open thou my mouth and set on fire mine affections that I may confidently and constantly with a lowd voice deliuer this thy truth to the glory of thy great name to the confusion of Antichrist and to the eternall comfort and consolation of our owne soules And the third Angell fellowed them with a lowd voyce saying If any man worship c. MY Text which in the whole is a most dreadfull Edict Diuision sent from the Court of heauen may be diuided into three Generall parts 1. an Inscription or Title And the third Angell followed them saying with a lowd voyce 2. Into an Hypothesis or Supposition If any man worship the Beast and the Image of the Beast and receaue his marke in his forhead and in his hand The 3. a most fearefull Threat and Denounciation the same shall drinke of the Wine of Gods wrath which is powred forth without mixture into the Cup of his indignation and hee shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in presence of the holy Angells and of the Lambe And the smoke of their torments ascendeth vp for euer and euer Thus our diuision And though for the auoiding of confusion and for breuity sake I doe onely thus in generall distinguish my Text into an Inscription a Supposition and a Denounciation yet if you shall be pleased to lend vnto me religious and attentiue eares you shall well obserue that in the prosecution thereof I shall lay open vnto you great secrets of highest consequence and necessitie prepare not your eares for any oratorious florishes for such from this and like places I for my part rather despise then honor or admire Wee begin with the Inscription And the third Angell followed them saying with a lowd voyce c. FOr Declaration hereof I prefixe certaine suppositions 1. Supposition First I suppose that which is most manifest according to the exposition of all to wit that this inscription doth present vnto our considerations an imaginary forevision of our Prophet foreseeing certaine zelous Preachers typed vnto vs Zealous Preachers typed by the 3. Angell by this third Angell who were with lowd constant and perspicuous voyces to denounce Gods fearefull iudgemeÌ„ts against the adorers and worshippers of the Beast Secondly wee suppose a like manifest truth concerning 2. Supposition the circumstance of time that these zelous Preachers typed vnto vs by the third Angell were immediately to follow other Preachers Pastours represented vnto vs by other two Zealous Preachers ioyning hand in hand for reformation Angells described in the 6. and 7. precedent verses of this Chapter The summe is a certaine ranke of holy Preachers fore-typed vnto vs by these three Angels immediately following each other through the middest of Heauen that is publikely and manifestly were to ioyne hand in hand in the consormity of the Doctrines sounded out by the three Angells for the reformation of the world for the repaire of decaied Christianity and for the beating downe of all manner of Antichristian superstition and idolatry For the clearer opening of which truth of the last branch of this our second supposition I suppose In the third place that the Preachers which the Holy-Ghost 3. Suâ—pâ—sition doth represent vnto vs by these three Angells were not to appeare neere the daies of the Apostles in the time of the Primatiue Church nor for a long time after no they These zealous Preachers when they are to preach 2. Thess 2. were not to appeare vntill the Diuells being let loose the Antichristian state was to be reuealed and the mistery of iniquity by the breath of Christs mouth was by degrees to be dissolued a truth so manifest that there is no colour to gainsay it
for against the Beast the adorers thereof and the receiuers of the Beasts markes these Preachers typed by Angells were to sound forth their doctrines of reformation I say doctrines Preachers of Reformation of reformation for by inuincible arguments it may bee made manifest which for breuity I must omit that these Preachers are to bee reputed of the number of those of whoÌ„ it is said that they were to prophesy againe before many peoples Apoc. 10. 11. Nations and tongues and Kings Prophesy againe saith the spirit of God why againe but for the reformation of the glorious perfection of Christianity decayed and ruinated by the tirany of the Beast Fourthly I suppose that vpon the Preaching of such Pastors 4. Supposition typed vnto vs by Angels effects answerable to their doctrines were infallibly to ensue a generall reformation of Reformation infallsbly to follow vpon the appearing of these Preachers Math. 24. the world the fall of Babilon the Throane and Seate of the Beast also great zeale of Christians for their vtter detesting of the markes of the Beast for heauen and earth shall passe and be changed but the word of God shall not passe away vnaccomplished From out of these suppositions not to be gainsaid I deduce A conclusion most euident for the honor of the Reformed churches this conclusion that where and when wee first find a rank of godly Preachers sounding out in their due order the doctrines of these three Angells with answerable effects following thereupon that there then and by them wee must take this Prophesy of the Holy-Ghost to bee accomplished and fulfilled And so wee come to obserue what the Doctrines of these three Angells are what their order of deliuering of them is and withall to make most cleare application of the Prophesy to the Doctours and Pastours of the Reformed Churches The first Angell described verse 6. flyes through the middest of v. 6. heauen hauing an euerlasting Gospell that hee might preach the The Doctrine of the first Angell the groundworke from whence all Reformed Churches haue begun their reformation same to the inhabitants of the earth to euery nation tongue tribe and people saying with a lowd voyce feare God and giue him glory for the houre of his iudgement is come and worship him who made heauen and earth the sea and fountaines of waters And is not this the first principle for reformation feare God and giue him glory the euerlasting Gospell whereon the Doctours and Pastours of the reformed Churches haue begun their doctrine of reformation and haue laid open the Idolatrous enormities and superstitious mysteries of the Antichristians This they haue protested to Counsells so they haue professed to Kings and States their sound hath gone forth into the Rom. 10. 18. whole earth and their words haue and shall spread abroad into the ends of the earth The second Angell in the 8. verse sounds out the ruine v. 8. fall of Babilon She is fallen she is fallen Babilon that great City is fallen for shee hath made all Nations drinke of the Wine of her whoredoms And haue we not here the neuer intermitted cries voyces alleluiahs and exultations of the Doctours and Pastours The Doctrine of the second Angel deliuered and receiued in the Reformed churches of the Reformed Churches reioycing against Babilon the seat of Antichrist in regard of the great errours and defections thereof vpon their doctrines and preachings partly reioycing for so much as is already accomplished in Germany Bohemia Swethland Denmarke England France Burgundy and elsewhere partly fore-preaching her vtter ruine and desolation to bee at hand euen then when the fifth viole of Gods Apoc. 16. 10. wrath shall be cast into the Throane of the Beast the very Seate of the Antichristian state The third Angell followes denouncing according as my in the 9. 10. 11. verse The Doctrine of the third Angell with answerable effects in the Reformed churches text hath it Gods eternall wrath against all those who should worship the Beast and the image of the Beast and should receaue his character in their hands orforeheads And are not such the neuer intermitted forewarnings and doctrines of the reformed Churches earnestly and in Gods name perswading euery person to renounce all manner of communion with the Antichristian Synagogue of Rome the effects of which their doctrines and perswasions how glorious they haue bin what eye obserues not and what Christian heart ioyes not to haue obserued These things being thus manifest shall we not henceout Applicatió of the prophesy most euident in the Pastours of the Reformed Churches inferre most clearely that the Pastours of the Reformed Churches are the very men who were fore-typed by these three Angells sounding out the feare and worship of God alone denouncing forth the ruine of Babilon threatning aloud most heauie iudgements against all those who should worship the Beast and the image of the Beast and receaue the marke of the Beast in their hands or on their foreheads we say and truly say Isa 41. 23. for it is an argument of Gods owne making If any Prophet shall foretell things before they do happeÌ„ if the things foretold doe happen according as they are foretold that they should happen that the foretellers of such things are to bee reputed for true Prophets Why then shall we not answereably say that these things which happen agreeingly to a fore-prophesy of Gods owne Spirit accordingly as Gods Spirit hath foretold that they should happen that they are the very things which the Spirit of God did fore tell should so happen If then the Pastours and Doctours of the Reformed Churches doe the very things Preach the very Doctrines obserue the very order in their doings and preachings which the Spirit of God vnder the type of these three Angells hath foretold should be so done should be so preached should be so obserued against the Beast and Antichristian state of Rome for the reformation of decayed Christianity why then are not they the very men whom the holy-Ghost hath here by these three Angells fore-shewed vnto vs. The full accomplishing of any Prophesy is the opening yea is the Ireâ—â— lib. 4. 42. proofe of a Prophesy a kind of proofe often vsed by the Scriptures when they adde and attest That it might be fulfilled Matth. 1. 22. 2. 15. Iohn 15. 25. which was spoken by the Prophets c. This Prophesy is accomplished in the Reformed Preachers most punctually assuredly then the truth and intent of the Prophesy aymed at them and intended them dissolue me this riddle yee Pontificialls either you for your selues or in your behalfe some of your fauourites I meane newtralizing Interim-ists pretended Pacificatours but in truth Romes subdolous factours It cannot bee denied our Aduersaries will say but that the Preachers of the Reformed Churches haue pretended to An â—uasion of the Aduersary most idle beginne all their reformation from the
Doctrine of the first Angell feare God giue him glory and worship him alone neither can it be denied but that they are frequent in their inuectiues against Rome Popish as against Babilon and withall that they doe detest and diswade all manner of communion with the Pope and with the Church of Rome neither can it be denied that vpon such their preachings effects answâ—â—â—able to their pretences haue followed falls and defections of diuerse States Kingdomes from the Pope yet for that they mistake their marke in inueighing against our Holy Father the Pope Christs Vicar insteed of Antichrist barking against the Church of Rome which is the most chast Spouse of Christ as against the Beasts throane and seate here hence it is that we deseruedly account them as fore-runners of Antichrist but not any rank or order of Godly Preachers fore-signified by these three Angells so Bristow so Harding Answere so Saunders so Bellarmine so the whole army of Papall Rabbies O the vanity of this subterfuge who shall teach vs what is the beast and where is the throane and seate of the beast if not those very men who by the Spirit of God haue beene fore-signed for that function and in whom euery iot of the Prophesy is accomplished O the idlenesse of this euasion doth the spirit of God fore-expresse no other properties and tokens of those Preachers which were to inueigh against Antichrist and his seate then such as the very forerunners of Antichrist should to the full performe practise O the impiety of this pretence to affirme that the fore-runners of Antichrist shall builde their preachings vpon these foundations Feare God giue him glory and worship him alone Acts 4. 11. and vpon this there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen for saluation but the name of Iesus and of the Lambe If we had no other The calumnious and irreligious reasoning of our Aduersaries proofes to conuince the Pope to be an Antichrist yet this would abundantly suffice for that they account the Doctours and Pastours of the Reformed Churches to bee fore-runners of Antichrist in regard they contend to bound all true religious worship within that principle Feare God giue him glory and worship him alone and for that they summe Acts 4. 12. vp all happines of Faith within that Apostolicall decree there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen by which we must be saued but the name of Iesus Iesus that Lambe which solely and alonely taketh away the sinnes of the world Iohn 1. Thus haue wee by a breefe examination of the inscription our first generall part made a doore of entrance for the laying opeÌ„ of those great mysteries and difficulties which lie hid and couered in our second part the Hypothesis and supposition which the Spirit of God inabling wee shall now indeauour to lay open and declare If any one worship the Beast and his Image and receiue Second Generall part the Hypothesis or Supposition his marke in his hand or forehead the same c. HErein consists the greatest I may say all difficulty of our Text not in respect of the persons against whom the Supposition is made for the Hypothesis being vniuersall and indefinit If any it includes all excludes none All Emperours Kings Princes States Nobles Gentles Peoples Young or Old Rich or Poore all If any one worship the Beast and the Image of the Beast or receiue his marke in hand or on forehead they shall surely drinke of the wine of Gods wrath neither is their any difficulty to declare the sense of the word worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any one shall worship or adore the Beast or the image of the Beast for who is so ignorant as not to obserue The worship here condemned is a diuine religious worship not a ciuill reuerence that the adoration and worship here spoken of condemned is not a ciuill worship or politicke adoration giuen to any ciuill Authority or Maiesty no no it is a religious and diuine both externe and interne worship giuen to the State and See of the Beast and this vpon the acknowledgement of a diuine and Godlike kinde of Dignity and Maiesty residing in the Beast or in the Supreame head of that State which is typed by the Beast as hereafter wee shall more fully Wherein consists the difficulty of this text declare wherein then consists all the difficulty surely in declaring what is meant by the Beast what by the image of the Beast what by the taking of the Beasts marke either in hand or Bellar de Rom. pont lib. 3. Cap. 11. 15. Viegaâ— et Ribera in Apocalip ChristophorsoÌ„ treat of Antichrist against Downam part 2. Chapt. 8. alij on forehead O thou Lyon of Iuda thou that openest and no hand shutteth reueale this mistery vnto vs. Here we first obserue by the way and I desire your attention the feuer-trepidation and ignorance of certaine prime Ignatian other Pontifician Rabbies who fearing the true mysticall sense of this place doe again stall antiquitie and their owne tenents hold themselues to the very letter of the prophecie affirming that the followers of Antichrist shall be compelled to adore and worship a true reall beast and a true reall Image of a Beast wee must interprete them of a Beast hauing so many heads and hornes with Diadems theron as is described by the Prophet and also that they shall be Ier. 13. enforced like Fâ—lons by reall inustion or like the Priests A most impertinent subterfuge of our Aduersaries of Baal by cruell incision to receiue a reall marke of the Beast in their hands or on their foreheads Which their subterfuge while I deliuer doe yee smile at their follies or frowne at their impudencies or bewaile their obstinacies Perhaps you will rather admire what may be the reason why they flie to so doting an interpretation which if they doe then bee pleased to take the reason thereof to be this Many Doctors and Pastors of the reformed Churches so also his Praemonit pag. 111. most Excellent Maiestie in his Premonition to Christian Princes doe verily obiect against the Pope and his that by the adoration of the Beast and the Image of the Beast and by the taking of the Beasts marke in the hand or on the forehead is most liuely in a true mysticall sense typed forth No man kissing the Popes feet omits him adoration both going and comming when he kisses he is well nigh prostrate to the ground The forme and Ground of all Papall faith the Papall Antichristian State with the answerable practises thereof of their adoring the Popes Person with Diuine and religious adoration of their Soule-subiection to him in the vorie tye and band of supernaturall faith and sacred obedience to his damnable lawes and forged traditions so that as in a true sense it may bee an Article of Faith yea the forme and ground of all their faith in that Church Wee beleeue our
IF wee compare Scripture with Scripture the best rule and surest way for interpretation then agreeing to the interpretation of all the Ancients wee shall find that as in Daniel by the foure beasts arising from out of the Sea were signified the foure Monarchies of the world the Assirian Persian Grecian and the Roman so likewise here by the beast arising out of the Sea with such a varietie of hornes heads and diadems wee are to vnderstand some Prime or Principall State or Empire hauing either successiuely or ioyntly different formes of Gouernment to be presignified and fore-shewed Bell. de Antich cap. 5. 15. which is so apparent a truth that the Pontifician Rabbies themselues yea Bellarmine their Hercules acknowledgeth it for very probable that the Apocalipticall beast with so many heads hornes and diadems doth signifie the Roman State with their seuerall formes of Gouernment yea and that by one of the heads is signified the most wicked and execrable State of Antichrist himselfe Thus haue wee found what is typed by the beast if then we will resolue the Hypothesis and supposition it is thus If any one worship the beast that is if any one worship and acknowledge the State of Antichrist c. But What the Image of the Beast is what is the Image of this Beast which is likewise forbid vnder most fearefull punishment to bee worshipped and adored The Image of any thing must bee a speciall resemblance of that wherof it is an Image If perfect and naturall it must Two sorts of Images haue a likenesse not only representatiue but also in nature and being of existence so the naturall sonne is a perfect image of his father like in representation and like in being and existence If the image bee imperfect then though it bee different from the thing whereof it is an image in nature and being as the image of a man drawne by the Painter on a Tablet yet in forme and vertue of representing it must haue a representatiue forme of likenesse as the same The Image of the Beast may be taken in a double sense image drawen by the Painter hath Now then the image of that State or forme of Gouernment which is signified by the beast may either bee a perfect image thereof like in representing and like in existence and being to weet a State representing that State one wicked forme of Gouernment representing another or else it may be an imperfect image in some likenesse either by expression of the penne of the Writer or the pencill of the Painter representing the same Sarisburg in policrat l. 5. c. 16. fol. 169. For example wee may take the formes of gouernment of Papall Legates and Nuncios sent forth to vse Sarisburiensis his words from the presence of Satan for the dissipation and destruction of the Church Wee may I say take them for perfect images because of like nature and also representing the absolute sacred Monarchy of their Holy Fathers the The State-Legatine an Image of the State-Papall Popes a State Legatine representing a State Papall but for inperfect Images wee may either take that which is done by the adulatorious pens of the Canonists describing the absolute state or sacred Numen of their Lord God the Pope or A threefold Image of the State-Papall that which by the Popes themselues is expressed in their Bulls Constitutions Clementines Decretalls or Extrauagants or finally that which the Painter Statuary or Gold-Smith performes in painting caruing or casting of the Popes sacred Tiare or Triple-crowne by which sacred Tiare or triple Crowne is represented vnto vs a liuely image of the Papall The Papall Tiare or triple crowne an Image of the Papall State State both in heauen aboue below on earth and vnderneath euen in hell it selfe In heauen by the top-crowne thereof for it being most certaine that no man can enter into heauen except absolued from his sinnes so likewise in the Papall state it is as assured that none can be absolued from their sinnes but by authoritie deriued from the Pope yea and in cases papal and reserued either the Pope himselfe in person or his chiefe Penitentiary must absolue and so vnlock heauen gates or else there can bee no entrance thereinto By his second crowne is signified that his power vpon earth vnto which it is necessary vnder the forfeit of saluation so defineth Pope Boniface that euery humane Creature be subiect nay Bonif. vnam Sanctam de maioritate it is not enough for euery one in particular and ipso facto in very deede to bee subiect to such his power but euery one out of necessitie of saluation must further beleeue that all others euen euery humane Creature is subiect thereunto O presumption it is not enough for a man in himselfe to bee ipso facto by very deed subiect to the Pope to giue vnto him his Soule and Conscience in faith and obedience but hee must further professe and beleeue with a diuine faith all the body of Christianitie to bee subiect vnto him Loe how Supereminent his Monarchie is vpon earth exalting himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ouer all that which is called God or which is called Augustum sacred Now his power ouer Hell for Purgatory is in the suburbs of Hell signified by the third and last of his triple-crownes is so sacred and so absolute that hee can fasten vpon base creatures Graines and Meddalls such a sauing power and efficacie that whosoeuer shall vse the same with such conditions as by his fatherhood are prescribed hee shall thereby deliuer soules more or fewer out of the flames of their imagined purgatory Loe how Pape a word of wonder comes from Papa the worlds wonder Thus haue we expressed what is meant by the Beast and What is the Beasts marke by the image of the Beast now come wee to declare what is the Beasts marke what the taking thereof whether in hand or on forehead I should trifle the time contemne all learned Antiquitie fall into a laberinth of contrarieties impossibilities and absurdities if I should but onely dreame of a corporall marke to bee ingrauen by incision or to be burnt by inustion as the fashion of men is to do with their cattell Praemonit pag. 111. in the hands or vpon the foreheads of Antichrists followers no no the marke must bee metaphoricall as his Maiestie most excellently by some rite of profession it must bee mysticall by some rite of subiection the marke on the forehead some sacrilegious ceremonie whereby the authoritie of that Blasphemous The marks of the Beast not reall by incision or inustion diuers reasons for the same State is professed the marke in the handes some like impious ceremonie or thing accepted of in the hand whereby subiection and obedience to that wicked State is performed And this without all doubt is most agreeing to truth to truth I say for as the markes of Christ his flocke 2.
of mind from all the Inhabitants of the Earth Loe how that of the Prophet is accomplished That Apoc. 13 4. the whole earth admired after the Beast This reason I confirme with the words of Odoard Guilliand Bishop of Casâ—nâ—â— Odoard Guilliâ—dus de Ciuili moral Facult lib. 14 cap. 3. a Citie of Flaminia in Italy This man in a certaine booke of his dedicated to Clement the eighth doth excellently describe vnto vs the Diuinitie and Godhead of their Holy Fathers the Popes A Papa saith hee tanquam à Capite in vniuersum Ecclesiae corpus hoc est in omnem Christianan rempublicam spiritus influunt celestium gratiarum sensum fructumque praestantes efficacem motum ad sempiternam beatidinem merito igitur Sanctissimus Beatissimus appellatur ab omnibus religionem Christianam profitentibus quasi quidam Deus adoratur colitur From the Pope as from the head there doth flow into the whole body of the Church that is into the whole Christian common-wealth certaine spirits of heauenly graces which doe yeeld both sense and fruit and efficacious The Pope to be adored as a cerâ—aine God motion to euerlasting happinesse worthily therefore is hee called most Holy and most Blessed and of all those who professe Christian Religion hee is to bee adored and worshipped as a certaine God Thus hee and such is the blasphemous note and tune of diuers of them flat opposite to that confession of the Saints in the Reuelations Saluation commeth from our God that sitteth vpon the Throne and from the Lamb. And shall Apoc 7. 10. wee desire more to lay open the blasphemous presumption of that State or shall wee dare to affirme that such Admirers Reuel 13. 3. after the Beast that sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if hee were God are in the 2. Thess 2. 4. state of saluation if they bee wilfully obstinate and reluctant against the truth sufficiently proposed vnto them In the third place I reason thus The Antichristian Third Reason state is that very Gouernment against which in the very height of her pride and presumptions certaine zealous and Godly Preachers foresignified by the three Angels Reuel 14. 6 7 8 9 10 11. flying through the middest of Heauen and hauing the euerlasting The preaching of the three Angells accomplished against the Papall State Gospel were to oppose themselues by preaching the feare and worship of God alone and keeping of his commandements and consequently were to beat downe all manner of Idolatry and Wilworship reared vp against the same were againe in the second place to sound out the ruine and desolation of that State and consequently were to check the insolent confidence of her followers and Admirers glorying in her euer infallibility and indefectibilitie And lastly were in the third place to dehort from all manner of communion with that state and agreeingly were to teach all true Christians to detest the marks and characters of that State And is not this the very selfe-Gospel The Papall State persecuteth the Preachers typed by the three Angels of Reformation which the Pastours and Doctours of the Reformed Churches doe now sound out against the Papall State yea and according to the prediction of the Prophets to the begun ruine of the Papall State This reason Apoc. 14. 2. may bee confirmed if with all wee consider that euen as it is foretold in the Reuelation the same Chapter The Antichristian State would conceiue so great rage against the said Preachers typed by the three Angells for such their preaching and doctrines that thereupon it would raise Reue. 14. 12 13 or cause to bee raised against them most fearefull persecutions persecutions so great and so manifold that the Spirit of God though it meet to prearme his chosen against the same with these and such like comfortable instructions Here is the faith and patience of Saints here are those who keepe the commandements of God and the faith of Iesus Blessed are those who dye in the Lord who dye for the Lord From henceforth saith the Spirit they shall rest from their labors Reuel 2. 29. Thus there In which most comfortable instructions doth not the Spirit of God manifestly premonish and prearme vs of these times against the Pope Heare all yee that haue eares to heare what the Spirit of God saith to the Churches The Pastors of the Reformed churches suffered from the Pope according as by Gods Spirit it hath bin foretold For is not this the very thing which is now and hath formerly beene acted in the world Doe not the Pastors and Doctors of the Reformed Churches and other faithfull suffer for this very cause for that they sound out publikely the doctrines of the three Angells the Euerlasting Gospell of the feare of God alone of the ruine and fall of Babylon of the State of the Beast and against the taking of the markes and characters of the Beast in hand or on forehead and from whom or by whose meanes do they suffer for such things but from the Papall state What Inquiries are made after them What hideous Inquisitions are reared for them What Crosse-warres haue beene proclaimed against them Aske our Fathers of old in France Italy Germany Spaine England Denmarke Scotland Burgandy and where not Our Aduersaries the Pontificians cannot deny this it being the very desire of their Fathers and of their owne soules Let it then rest proued that the principle prophecie against the State of the Beast being accomplished in the Papall State that the Papall State is the very State of the Beast And so I adioyne a fourth reason thus That is the Antichristian State typed by the Beast and Fourth Reason the Image thereof or typed by the seuen and eight August 20. de Ciuit c. 19. Hier. ad Algas quest 11. in Dan ad GerontiaÌ„ de monogamia Tertul. de resurrect carnis Cir. catech 15. Chrys Ambros Theophil Oecume Primasi in 2. Thesâ— 2. The Papall State hath done out of the way tho Roman Empire See glos in Canon si Imperatori Radeuic de gestis Friderici Sidon l. 11. de regno Italiâ— heads thereof which was in the very gouernment of Rome it selfe to succeed the Roman temporall Empire So diuers of the Ancient Fathers Austen Hierom Lactantius Tertullian with others haue affirmed vnto which Antichristian State also ten Kings a number certaine for an vncertaine springing out of the ruines of the Roman Empire were for a time to giue their powers for the honouring and supporting of her and yet afterwards forsaking her would bend their forces against her God putting the same into their hearts to make her desolate and consume her with fire And is not this the very Papall State it selfe succeeding in the Gouernment and Empire ouer Rome the Roman Temporall Empire For in Rome who knowes not that it is reputed no lesse crime then le-so-Sanctitie
to affirme the Emperours that are now to haue ought to doe therin independently from the Pope or that they haue any Emperiall Soueraignty ouer Rome no no in the faith of the Pope and his Imperator Presens the present Emperour is but Homo ligius Papae A liege deuout seruant to the Pope Againe to too apparent it is that those Kings and Kingdoms into which the temporal Roman Empire vpon her ruine was diuided did the Dragon putting the same into their hearts yeeld and submit their powers and crownes vnto the Papall State for the support of the same And is it not most manifest that the said Kings and Kingdomes God putting the same into their hearts haue alreadie begun to hate the Papall State to make it desolate to consume it with the fire of the zeale of Gods glory and truth God grant they continue the same vnto the end but should any States or Kingdomes which haue begun in the spirit decline to the flesh yet shall they neuer bee able to make frustrate and void Gods infallible and ineuitable decree of the vtter ruine and fall of the Autichristian State euen as of a milstone cast into the bottomlesse Sea whereof there remaineth Apoc. 17. neither token nor memory And so I adde a fifth proofe The Antichristian State is that State which was to haue Fifth Reason her Sea and to reside in mysticall Babylon mysticall Babylon that Great Citie which is situated vpon seuen Hills that Reu. 17. 9. 4 18 c. Citie which in S. Iohns time had rule and command ouer the Kings of the Earth that Citie which was to be a whore The Antichristian Throne in Rome and Apostata from her first faith by superadding many doctrines of deuills and errors of wicked spirits and yet 1. Tim. 4. was insolently to glory of her euer-in errabilitie and that shee should see no widow-hood that Citie which was to Reuel 17. 2. make drunke with the cup of her abominations pretending to bee the sole mother of Christianitie all the Kings and Ibid. 4. Kingdomes of the Earth that Citie which was to be ruddy with the bloud of Saints those Saints which were to suffer for the testimony of Iesus I interpret for the sole faith of Iesus as the onely meanes of saluation That Citie which Ibid. 5. was to haue the name Mystery written in her forehead full of mysteries professing mysteries making mysteries That Citie which was with honour riches and glory to inrich and make glorious all her Louers and Admirers the Inhabitants of the Earth And are not all these things most punctually accomplished in the Papall State I need not to repeat nor to make any particular application but I say againe and againe are not all these things with all other such like fore prophecied by the Spirit of God against the Antichristian State fulfilled and accomplished in the Papall State which hath its residence in Rome its Throne and See in Rome c. Some of our Aduersaries that so wee may answere an A vaine obiection obiection by the way doe against this reason pretend a very idle euasion they acknowledge that Rome shall bee the Seat of the Antichristian State and of the Beast but Rome Ethnike say they not Rome Christian Rome as it was before the daies of Constantine but not Rome as it is now in these our times O the vanitie of this answere Rome The Answere Ethnike as it was before the time of Constantine is to be the Throne of the Antichristian State and Seat of the Beast and yet in their owne opinions Antichrist is not to come vntill a verie short time before the consummation of the world and then also his reigne in their opinions is to be onely of three yeeres and a halfe continuance O that these wise Sages would informe vs how this their Inerrable and Infallible Papall See so they glory shall become Ethnike and Heathenish By what precursour of Antichrist shall it bee so made Heathenish for the entertaining of the Great Antichrist shall Antichrist himselfe make it Heathenish and Ethnike shall he reare vp the adoration of many Gods the proper character and badge of Heathenisme that they cannot say for they professe vainely that Antichrist shall suppresse all manner of Idolatry hee cannot then be in their iudgements the Author of Heanish Idolatry vaine then and most vaine is their pretended reason Againe like vaine is their answere when they pretend A second euasion that the Beast which shall sit at Rome is not the same with that Beast which arises out of the Sea hauing seuen heads Apoc. 13. and ten hornes For doe they not all confesse that both Answere Beasts doe type vnto vs Antichrist yea the Great Antichrist which Antichrist in all their iudgements shall bee so indiuidually one onely man that herehence they think they haue an inuincible buckler of defence against vs that their Popes are not Antichrist nor the Beast for that they are not one only man but many yea very many a whole Generatinn of men how then can they auoid but that it is one and the same Antichrist which is typed by both the Beasts for if Antichrist typed by both be indiuidually one then of necessitie one and the same State is typed and signified by both the Beasts And if Antichrist typed by the one Beast sit at Rome hee cannot also sit at Babylon vnlesse it bee by turnes or that the faire Beast bee diuided into two parts the one to haue his Throne at Rome the other to haue his seat at Babylon Let it then thus rest proued that the present Papall state is the very Antichristian state typed by the Beast This imputation which is so grieuous and heauie howsoeuer Diuers learned Authors of the Papists Church haue reputed the Papall State Antichristian and of the Beast it may to some as halt betwixt God and Baal for many such medleys these times haue seeme iniurious yet is it not much more then that which some ingenious professours of diuers points of Poperie haue prophetically and couertly heretofore deliuered to the euerlasting confusion of that State Bernard was not farre from the sight hereof for to him in part Gods spirit had reuealâ—d this truth when as in respect of the infinite abuses of the Papall state hee cries out that the Churches of his times Bernard l. 4. de considerat were rather folds for deuills then for sheep and in his sermon vpon the conuersion of S. Paul hee complaineth that Ser. 1. in Conuers S. Pauli the whole Church of Christianity so I interpret seemed to haue conspired against God yea so conspired that in regard In Psal qui habitat Psal 91. thereof hee is bold thus to pronounce elsewhere It remaineth saith hee that the Man of Sin and Sonne of Perdition bee reuealed not onely the day but the very noone-deuill which is not onely transformed into an Angell of
light but is extolled aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped Thus hee where I cannot but note that Bernard vsing the phrase of the Apostle that Antichrist in regard of the excesse of impieties and abominable iniquities was shortly to bee reuealed shortly to bee reuealed I cannot I say but note how that Bernard did think that Antichrist and his state did then worke powerfully and rage tirannously and where if not there in that rather Court then Ber. Epist 235. ad Curia Roma Church of Rome vnto which Bernard writing dareth to proclaime thus In the very house of God wee obserue things horrible These horrible things which Bernard obserued in Rome to vs is reuealed to be the very State of Antichrist himselfe and of his Admirers that worship him Was Peter de Aliaco that venerable Prelate of Cambray Aliac de Reformat Eccles oblat Conc. Constant farre from the sight of this truth whereas hee dares to affirme that the Church in his dayes was come to that passe that it deserued to bee ruled onely by Reprobates Was Gerson farre off when as he confidently affirmes that through papall Gerso to 1. de Conc. Gener. vnius obed q. 5. abuses the Churches of his times were come to be totas brutales carnales monstrosas nihil sapientes Brutish carnall monstrous vnderstanding naught I interpret naught that was good or pious Was Ioannes Sarisburiensis farre off Policatat l. 6. c. 17. when as hee professeth that the Church of Rome was become a den of theeues the secret of the Sanctuary was become a Stew yea and that the Church of Rome was become a stepmother Apud Auentinū to all I passe by many others yea Synods of Popish Bishops in France and Germany in plaine wordes terming the Holy Father Antichrist How downe-right is Bernard Morlanensis calling the Pope Ipsum Regem Babylonis Morlane de cōtempt num 3. apud vsherum the very King of Babylon Heu sua propria deputat omnia Rex Babylonis Out alac the King of Babylon reputes all for his owne A complaint which Bernard vsed against the Holy Fathers Lib. do consid clarissime But howsoeuer I passe by the testimony of these and diuers others yet I may not omit the ingenuous confession of a venerable Priest of Burgandie This man doth so largely and punctually point out and declare vnto vs the Antichristianitie of the Popish Church that hee seemes to haue had that reuealed vnto him which hee durst not Circ An. 1200. commend to writing euen that very truth of Papall Antichristianitie which to vs is made so manifest Intuere Honor. Augustodunensis in dialog in Auctau◠Biblioth Pat. ad Calcem Edit Paris 1610. collect ex vshero saith he Principes ludices in his posita est Bestiae Sedes c. Behold saith he the Princes and Iudges in them is set the Seat of the beast They are euer intent to euill euer vnsatiably occupied in businesses of Iniquitie They doe not onely themselues scelerately but they teach others so to do They sell holy things they buy crimes and their whole indeuour is that they may not goe alone to hell verte te ad Clerum videbis in eis bestia tentorium c. Turne thy selfe to the Clergie and in them thou A notable description of the state of the Beast in the Papacie shalt see the very tent of the beast They neglect the seruice of God they studie earthly gaine their Priesthood they pollute by vncleannesse the people they seduce by hypocrisie they deny God by their wicked liues they shake off all Scriptures which serue for saluation by all meanes they set themselues as snares and a ruine to the people whom being blind themselues they lead blind to destruction Contemplure Monachorum Conciliabula videbis in eis bestiae tabernacula c. Contemplate the Conuents or Conuenticles of Monkes and in them thou shalt see the Tabernacles of the beast by their fained profession deriding God they prouoke his wrath by their wicked life and manners they trample downe all regular discipline by their habite they deceiue the world and being themselues deceiued they deceiue many they are intangled with worldly businesses being slugish in the seruice of God many of the◠are giuen and addicted to luxury and gluttony some of them rot in the durt and filth of vncleannesse Aspice etiam habitaculae monialium in eis cernes bestiae preparatum thalamum c. Looke vpon the habitacles of Nuns and in them see a bride-chamber prepared for the beast These from their tender age learne impudency to the increase of their damnation they draw vnto them many companions they hasten to bee couered with Vailes that by such a meanes they may let loose the bridles of luxury they doe prostitute themselues in a worse sort then any fornicators and as an vnsatiable gulfe they are neuer filled with the dung of vncleannesse These doe ensnare the soules of young men and then they reioyce when they haue ensnared many and shee reputes her selfe worthy of the Palme of victory who excelleth in villany Verte te ad plebem reliquam in ea videbis bestiae effigiem c. Turne thee to the other of the people and in them thou shalt see the very shape of the beast Priests they despise they contemne to heare ought of God they lead their whole life in pride boasting and vanitie and are reprobate to euery good worke Also the vnlearned multitude hath the very Idoll of the beast the true God they haue not knowne but with all deuotion they serue the God of their belly they are carried with various desires of the flesh and in euery respect they lead a beast-like life Thus hee with more to like purpose describeth the beastialitie of the Papall State Can you desire more or will you require more And thus haue wee by euidencie of Scripture and other venerable authoritie fastned vnuoydably the Antichristian State and Gouernment vpon the Pope of Rome and his purpured brethren and thereby also haue I shewed the vanitie of his ambitious claime of supremacie ouer this Church and Kingdome for no one point is more Antichristian in him then his vsurped claime of supremacy and for my part I am of opinion and I dare vndertake very probably to confirme the same that whosoeuer denies the Pope to be Antichrist that sonne of perdition who 2. Thess 2. sitteth in the Temple of God may iustly bee suspected to fauour his most ambitious claime of supremacie this I meane of those who vnderstand themselues and the extent of these termes the Papall State Antichristianity Papall Supremacie Roman Monarchy c. For further confirmation of this our principall point in hand I could produce more proofe or Grounds and Principles of reasons from out of Saint Pauls Epistles to the Thessalonians to Timothy and to the Romans yea from out of the Epistles of Saint Peter
not an impudencie of Iniquitie A State so ruling 2. Thess 2. and powerfully working miracles euen in the Temple The Papall State Antichristian though they call vpon the blessed Trinitie and the mercies of God in their superstitious rites of God that the very Elect will be in danger to bee seduced A circumstance so plaine and so important that to mee they seeme no lesse then to dote who affirme that Antichrist shall deny the Lord Iesus Christ for what danger of seducing to the Elect where Christ is flatly denied No no the Antichristian State will pretend to be the very hornes of the Lamb a very Vice-gerency instead of Christ and such in truth is the Genuine signification of the word See Stephanus and all the Greek Lexicons See Matth. 17. 27. Matth. 20. Luke 11. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for according as the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may bee taken it signifieth both one in the stead and lieu of Christ and also one most opposite to Christ and such a one indeed shall Antichrist be He shall pretend to come in the name of Christ and yet shall hee be most opposite to Christ euen to the vtter perdition of the true followers of Christ The Magicians Witches and Coniurers call vpon the name of God vse Crosses both materiall and transions yea the Papall Artotheos God in bread Though the Magicians as it is most certaine though Witches as it is a thing knowne though Coniurers a thing likewise cleere doe vse to call vpon the name of God and the holy Trinity in their abominable practises though they vse frequent and often crossings yea can doe in some businesse nothing without crosses though they haue many materiall crosses sacred oyles hallowed waters yea the Papalls owne Christ in the Hosts which they doe vse and abuse in their most execrable exercises yet I hope no Intelligent Papall will deny but that such their practises may be iustly called abominable flagitious and of the deuill though in them I say they vse often crosses crossings with recrossings yea with adoring of their consecrated Hosts and callings vpon the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and of the holy Angels and of the blessed Virgin her selfe Why then shall wee bee doubtfull to call these practises of Popery Antichristian though they adioyne to their fopperies and impieties the Inuocation of the name of God and though they vse therein the signe of Crosse The signe of the Crosse may be vsed as a laudable ceremony if voyd of scandall the which though it may bee vsed as a laudable ceremonie where iust scandall is not giuen yet as it is abused in the Papall State I boldly call it and such like Antichristian and markes of the Beast Antichristian because deliuered in the name of Christ as efficacious for temission of sinne for increase of grace for defence against Satan hauing for the same end no institution nor command from Christ Antichristian because perswading vs to looke for remission of sinnes otherwise then by the bloud of Christ Antichristian because drawing our confidence from Christ and placing it in the seruile vse of contemptible creatures Concluding this point I answer an obiection which thus may bee made The marke of Antichrist is but one but The Answere then can they bee the marke of the Beast Except many may bee thought to stand for one I answere True it is that the word of the Scripture is here deliuered in the singular How the markes of the Beast both many and one number marke not markes yet for that the said Scripture affirmeth that it is to bee taken in hand and forehead either ioyntly or seuerally it insinuates the markes to bee more then one and this is agreeing to the interpretation See Lira alios of diuers of the Ancient who by the marke in the forehead vnderstand open profession by mouth by the marke in the hand some publike act of obedience or some profession by oath by laying downe lifting vp or putting forth hand or finger But what neede wee to respect the Authoritie of men when as the Scripture it selfe tells vs explicating it selfe that no man shall bee allowed Apoc. 13. either to buy or sell who hath not either the marke of the The markes of the Beast more then one Beast or the name of the Beast or the number of his name Loe here not one but three except we shall not distinguish that which the Holy Ghost hath so distinguishedly deliuered vnto vs or that the name of the Beast or the number of his name shall not be expressed by some ceremonious misticall marke either of denomination or profession of denomination to be called Latines or Romans after the number of the name or by profession to professe the Italike Church or to bee called Papists after the Papists the proper and vnrefusable name of our Aduersaries name of the Beast Papa or some such like I say Papists after the name of the Beast for since the decree of Gregory the seuenth cleere it is that Papa is arrogated as a name peculiar to the Pope and doth significantly expresse the Dictatus Greg. 7. apud Baron ann 1175. whole state of Papacy after which the professours of that State because by faith they beleeue the Pope to be the visible Head thereof ought not to refuse if they vnderstand themselues to bee called Papists or Papalls no they ought rather to glorie in the same name Howsoeuer of this cleere it is that the Admirers of Antichrist may haue more markes then one and yet these more whether two or three may be called one because they agree in one analogicall reason and respect of appertaining and belonging to the Beast and this is without question the sense and intent of the Holy Ghost that no man shall bee permitted either to buy or sell in the Antichristian state who by some publike marke of profession or obedience shall not subject himselfe in a verie Soule-subiection vnto the same Now come we in few words to declare how that no man who wanteth such markes as are aboue expressed No man permittâ—d to buy or sell in the papal state who wanteth the former markes or some of them may be permitted either to buy or sell so our Prophet speaketh within the State of the Popes Dominions A most fearefull calamitie denoting an vniuersall Apostacie and defection designing also the state of the true Church for the whole time of Antichrists reigne to be obscure vnuisible vnconspicuous as being not allowed any manner The true Church inconspicuous in the time of Antichrist of commerce or societie at all what more apparent And is not this very thing to dispatch all in a word the very selfe-yoke of the Exactor and of that oppression which by the Pope iâ— laid vpon all Persons whatsoeuer who refuse or contemne the markes aboue expressed Let our Aduersaries a most fit name for the
Papists shewvs if they can any State Kingdome or Common-wealth where the Papall Canons are not limited or moderated by the Temporall Magistrate in which any man or person may be permitted either to buy or sell that is to haue any peaceable commerce or societie at all who refuseth or contemneth the aboue-expressed markes What else but refusall and contempt of the said markes since the absolute reigne of Popes in the Temple of decaied Christianitie hath caused so many commotions and subuersions of States and Kingdomes What else hath beene the Lake and Head of so many fearefull hideous massacres of such immane disquisitions and Inquisitions Refusall of Papal markes cause of infinite calamities oppressions of such mercilesse stranglings and burnings of so many rebellions insurrections what else hath brought forth such an infinity of thunderclaps of Interdicts and Excommunications of threats and depositions of imprisonments and proscriptions what tongue can number them all what heart can sufficiently deplore them all Present examples hereof wee haue so that he is a plaine stupid who obserueth them not hee deserues not the name of a Christian who condoles them not neither is he worthy the name of a zelous Christian who to the vtmost of his power withstands them not And thus haue I by many reasons suppositions and demonstrations confirmed and deliuered that which his most Excellent Maiesty hath in a few lines most solidly and Christianly objected in his most Christian Praemonition a praemonition worthy eternall memory to Christian Princes to weet That the Papall State is the very State of the Beast My interpretation and exposition then of this Text in this place and at this time may not come vnwelcome which commeth countenanced by such an Authoritie Great is Truth and is will preuaile And so a few words of our last Part the dreadfull threat and denuntiation of Gods wrath against the followers and Admirers of the Beast The same shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath which is Third Part. powred out without mixture into the cup of his indignation And he shall be termented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angells and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoake of their torment ascendeth vp for euer and euer HEnce-from we must learne a lesson of instruction to lay to our hearts and to fixe in our remembrances this fearefull denuntiation of the Angel against all those who shall either worship the Beast or the Image of the Beast or who shall receiue the Beasts marke either in their hands or on their foreheads that they shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath which is powred out without mixture in the cup of his indignation and that they shall be termented for euer with fire and brimstone in presence of the holy Angells and of the Lamb. And who is not awaked moued yea astonished to heare such a thunder to obserue such a storme A thunder arising from the breath of Angels of the Lamb and of Gods owne mouth A storme not of fire alone but of fire and brimstone not a nights-storme but an euer-during storme powred from out of the cup of Gods heauiest wrath and indignation What more dreadfull what more to bee dreaded O religious cares and Christian hearts let the feare of these things teach vs to put on a spirit of resolution and constancy against the charmes and deceitfull sorceries of all the subdolous Hellens Sinons and Circeyes Great warines to be vsea against the Sinons of Antichrist of Aniichrist Those who are of ordinarie ranke it may bee thought sufficient for them for the auoyding of eternall damnation that they goe out of Babylon that they adore neither the Beast nor the Image of the Beast neither doe take his marke in their hands or vpon their foreheads but for others who sway and beare Staues and Swords of Magistracy who sit in the Chaire of Prelacy if these God hauing put into their hearts to haue preached and to haue written against the Whore if these doe not endeauour to the vtmost of their powers to make her desolate What else shall remaine for them but a fearefull expectation of Gods iust iudgement together with the Beast to drinke of the Cup of his indignation and of the dregs of the Violls of his fury I say not this as though any Christian Magistrate may not suffer any peaceable professours of the Antichristian State to liue yea to liue peaceably within the precincts of his dominions not so for wee cannot but thinke that How worshippers of the Beast may be tolerated as their are stratagems in warre so also that there are policies in State A wise Generall wil be content to lose some small quarter of his Army so the day may be his A wise and Christian Soueraigne may in wisdome giue way a little in one place so that Christ may gaine more else where especially if there may be any probable hope that Christ may bee there preached where through the tyranny of Inquisition he is scarce yet truly heard of Constantius the Emperour being moued thereunto by the Arrian Bishops required of Athanasius that the Arrians might be allowed Aremarkeable answere of Athanasius one Church at Alexandria to which proposition that euer renowned Prelate made this answere Most willing said he vpon this condition that the Orthodoxe may haue one Church allowed them at Antioch which his answer though Baron Anal. Anâ— Do. 349. n. 15. it seemed most reasonable and equall to the Emperour yet the Arrians would none of it so bad a cause did they maintain and so loth were they to measure to others with that measure wherewith they would haue others measure vnto themselues And who is hee if he be perswaded that truth is with vs Our Aduersaries dare not allow one Church for two not one Minister for three Popish Priests as most certaine it is and that also in the end truth must and will preuaile Who I say is hee who would not wish with his whole heart that in all Cities and Townes of any Protestant States and Kingdomes that our Aduersaries the Papists might bee allowed two Churches and two Priests vpon this condition that in like Cities and Towns number for number of any Popish Kingdomes or States the Protestants and sincere Christians might bee allowed but one Church and one Minister This option though it may seeme vnequall two against one for as it is in the prouerb Not Hercules against two yet sure I am so great euer is the diffidence of Hereticks and feare of those that are false that they will neuer giue their assent therunto which being so what a vanitie were it to thinke that our Aduersaries shall euer bee able to preuaile by the way of truth No no where they haue not the meanes of promotion nor teeth of Leuiatham and power of the Sword in their hands there they are very feeble and weake except it bee vpon some wanton and