vpon the Hill of Mageddon as here Har and Mageddon the Hill of Mageddon But now in such a variety of opinions where shall we pitch Surely we may safely take direction herein from the Royall Paraphrast who saith I condemne not others but rather allow them to interprete this booke diversly so being it agree with the analogy of faith with the method of the text et cum serie temporum for these three being observed it may fall out that diverse diversly expound one place and yet all be according to the truth and meaning of the spirit of God An excellent rule well beseeming that Pacifique Prince to reconcile diversity of opinions so they bound themselues to the analogy and confines of faith So that in all these differences of derivations of this word Harmageddon finding none of them to swerue from the Analogy of the text we may safely imbrace all Only two are most pregnant and may seeme to challenge the most certaine credit afore all the rest First that this great battell shall be vpon the Hill of Gods delight to wit his Church and especially there where the Gospell is most conspicuous and shineth most clearely against which the envy of the Antichristian army shall advance the Standard Paralell hereunto is that battell of Gog and Magog chapter 20 the secret and open enemies of Gods Church wherein they shall compasse the tents of the Saints about and the holy City even the Church of Christ. And we haue a notable type hereof in the Prophecy of Daniell where the great Antiochus a liuely type of Antichrist is said in that his fatall battaile to his owne confusion to pitch the Tents of his Pallace between the Seas in the glorious holy Mountaine This may prefigure Antichrists assaulting the people of God in Armageddon to wit the glorious holy Mountaine the Church And doth not the glorious Church in England stand betweene the Seas The second is that of the royall Paraphrast though no way second but rather may challenge precedency before all the rest for the singular allusion of it Destruction by deceit Which doth highly make for the honour of that Lord of Hosts who by his wisdome and power shall wind and turne all the wiles and stratagems of the old Dragon and false Prophet all the power and puissance of the Beast to their owne destruction And for this cause it is said here He to wit God shall gather them together into a place called Harmageddon But this may seeme strange that God should lead this potent and proud army even to his owne Mountaine of Delights his Church No not strange Did not the Holy spirit lead Christ into the wildernesse to be temped of the Devill And hath not God power over all these plagues And was it not he that brought that daring Assyrian Host against the holy Citty in Ezechia's raigne as even that blasphemous Rabsache seemed to vaunt and all to daâ—nt poore Iuda Aâ—d was it not He that said to Barak I will draw out vnto thee to the River Kishâ—n Sisera c. Iudg. 4.7 Read also Ioel 3 where the Lord being about to deliver his people from the Babylonian bondage he saith ver 2. I will gather all Nations and will bring them downe into the valley of Iehoshaphat and will plead with them there for my people c. And ver 11. Thither cause thy mighty ones to come downe O Lord that is Gods enemies as ver 12. Read the whole chapter It is a notable type of this in the seventh Viall But what was the event of all How sped the Devill How sped Rabshache with his mighty Host How Sisera How I pray you should they speed when a more potent a more politicke Adversary even the Lord of Hosts takeâ— their conduct into his owne hand and puts his bridle into their nostrills Can an enemy though never so powerfull looke to prosper in any great attempt when his adversary hath a secret disposing hand to direct and sway all his designes which way himselfe pleaseth The King of Syria's Counsells and his words spoken in his bed chamber against Israel could they take place when both there was a faithfull Elisha to warne the King of Israell of them and a prudent King willing to be directed by his good counsell What shall become of Pharaoh and his huge host when as God hardeneth his heart making him foolhardy to pursue Israell and that even through the red Sea on whose dry channell when he first set his proud foot he might easily haue read his owne fatall wrack from those watery mountains on each side like swelling walls ready to burst so soone as once Gods people were safely arrived Iust so is it here He the Lord assembleth Antichrists forces into the place called Harmageddon And can they then looke for any better successe then such as Pharaoh and his Aegyptians found Surely no. Be confounded then with feare ô ye Antichristian adversaries of Christ and his Church Against whom doe you confederate and band your forces together â— Of vpon what presumption Hath not the Virgin the Daughter of Sion despised thee O enemy Hath not the daughter of Ierusalem shaken her head at thee Whom hast thou reproched and blasphemed And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice Is it not against the holy one of Israell Esa. 57.22 Is it not He that puts his hooke in thy nose leading thee to the place of thy perdition where thou notwithstanding in the beastly-wide throat of thy false confidence hast already swallowed downe the destruction of Gods people as at a morsell Oh that this might sinke into the hard skull of thy senslesse Beastly-head to be better advised and without feare oâ— witt to enter the lists where the Almighty takes vp the quarrell against thee But now it is hid from thine eyes Thou wilt needs try thy Triarian forces in one maine battell wherein thy Pontifician Omnipotency dare cope with divine Omnipotency if haply the triple-crowned Godhead on earth may dethrone the God of heaven as often he hath done the petty Gods on earth Nor can the time of this Vialls full accomplishment for the bringing of this maine battell to a head be farre off from the first pouring out The iniquity raigning in this Viall and the mad malice of the enemy and Gods fatherly care for his Church least it should be swallowed vp doe all conspire and concurre to hasten this great Day of God Almighty The time of this Viall comprehending those dangerous last dayes whereof Christ saith For the Elects sake those dayes shall be shortened Mat 24.22 And this seemeth to be spoken not so much in regard of outward pressures and persecutions of the Church as of intestine false doctrines very potent and prevalent in this Viall By which the Church of God being so mightily oppugned and assaulted not without good reason may the battell of the great day be said in the spirituall part to be already begun Begun say I
THE SEVEN VIALS Or A briefe and plaine Exposition vpon the 15 and 16 Chapters of the Revelation very pertinent and profitable for the Church of God in these last times By H. B. Rector of Saint Matthews Friday-street Reve 19.19 20. And I saw the Beast and the Kings of the Earth â—nd their armies gathered 〈◊〉 to make warre against him that sate on the Horâ—◠〈◊〉 against his army And the Beast was takeâ— and with him the False Prophet that wrought miracles before him with which he deceived them that had the Marke of the Beast and them that worshipped his Image Thâ—se both 〈…〉 into a Lake of fire burning with 〈…〉 LONDON Printed by William Jones dwelling 〈◊〉 Red-crosse-street 1â—28 TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE CHARLES KING OF GREAT Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Dread Soveraine DIOGENES the more he was by Antisthenes the Philosopher threatned beaten from his schoole the more ardently he frequented it saying to his Master Do you but beat I will find you a head nor shall you find so hard a club as therewith to driue me away from your Philosophy What hee did suffered for Philosophy's sake the like or more am I ready to sustaine for the service and honour of Your Majesty No discouragements can beat me from this resolution no not death it selfe So prevalent iâ— my affection as my insufficiencies best knowne to my selfe cannot restraine it Yea though I was told Your Majesty was lately offended with me But I answered No J had no reason to belieue it For first J knew well the gentle disposition of your royall breast guided by such a dextrous iudgment is not easily incensed where there is no iust cawse And J am sure I daily inioy the influence of your favour though not the gratious aspect of your face for even the feet doe liue moue though remote by the Heads breathing You are the breath of our Nostrills And as J told my Lord of London at my first examination about Israels Fast All that I had done was for Gods glory the service of my King Country the Church of England whereof wee were members and for which I was ready if need were to lay downe my life And now gratious Soveraine J am bold to present Your Maiesty with such a peece as no Prince in Christendome but Your selfe can iustly challenge the dedication of it if the meannesse of the Presenter doe not extenuate the worth of the Present Jt containes a most divine Prophecy of the pouring out of the seven Vialls Revel 16 which according to that ability vouchsafed me of Christ the least and last of all his servants J haue indeavoured to open Jt pertaineth to Your Maiesty by a proper right The full accomplishment of this Prophecy is like to fall in Your gratious Raigne which God prolong to make it glorious to posterity And surely when J compare the fulfilling of this Prophecy with those many Princely indowments which Your God hath inriched Your Royall Person with J am so much the more confirmed in this my perswasion Such a zeale such loue of the truth such a peerelesse and Princely wisdome such a magnanimous spirit were not planted in Your noble breast for nothing So as I dare boldly conclude as was said to David Your Maiesty shal do great things and prosper Nor speake J by coniecture This Prophecy will clearly evidence the same Cleare it is though for the present it seeme cleane contrary that the destruction of Antichrist with his whole power and confederacy is now neere at hand And for proofe and perswasion thereof J wish it stood with Your Maiesties good pleasure and leisure to read over this Prophecy It is but the expense of a few howers but may exercise Your best meditations and noblest thoughts for many dayes many yeares after This whole booke of the Revelation is a Propheticall Chronologie tâ— the end of the world Of it Christ pronounceth Blessed is he that readeth and they that heare the words of this Prophecy and keep those things which are written therein for the time is at hand How much more is this verified of this last and most famous Prophecy in this booke towards the full consummation whereof these our present and last times draw on â—amaine Your Royall Father of blessed memory even in his youth wrote a most exquisite Paraphrase of this whole booke from whose bright torch all along I haue beene bold to borrow light for my dimme candle But me thinks I heare some suggest O Sir this booke is not licensed But whose fault is that The Authors Or the Licensers I could wish that such suggesters would confesse the true cawse why Orthodox bookes are so borne downe as they may not be licensed For Popish Arminian bookes are licensed but the contrary such as are writen in confutation of them are according to Gods word the doctrine of the Church of England may not be allowed So that I humbly submit it to your Maiesties vnpartiall iudgement to determine whether the Printer for printing such a booke as this without license or he that should license such Orthodox bookes will not according to authority in that behalf be more worthy of censure And certainly they that suppresse Orthodox bookes would they not also stop Preachers mouthes that they should not speake the truth Yes certainlyâ— For may it please your Majesty to vnderstand how even your Majesties honour suffers in this case For whereas vpon a Proclamation published in your Highnesse name Iune 14. in the second of your Raigne expressely forbidding any preaching or printing of such Doctrines as were repugnant to the Doctrine of the Church of England established we all hoped that all Arminian Popish Doctrines would be husht silenced wee by experience find it quite contrary for the Arminians shamelesly alledging that all their doctrines are according to the Church of England vnder this pretence they wold suppresse all truth as forbidden by your Royall Proclamation Which if it were true it should not be lawfull any more to preach the Gospell then to print books in defence of it So that some are neither affraid nor ashamed to say in plaine termes that they must license no bookes against Arminius Good God what pittifull times doe we liue in how different from former as I was bold to tell my Lord of London But I trust your Maiesty will vindicate your honour herein Gods truth exprest in Scripture is no changeling This is that which wee call the Doctrine of the Church of England and no other This hath beene sealed by the blood of so many Martyrs witnessed by so many Worthies of our Church for almost this fourescore yeares without intermission whose writings no time shall blot out ratified by so many Acts of Parliament as not all the Devills in hell nor all the Arminians on earth shall be able to disanull it The Gospell shall flourish maugre all
the imitation of their inveterate hatred to the truth of the Gospell and to those that preach and professe it they become thereby guilty of all the blood of those Martyrs who were slaine for the selfe same faith and truth which we of the Church of England at this day professe and avow and consequeâ—tly ye are found to be worthy to drinke the most bainfull blood of Romes deadly doctrines the fearfullest plague that ever could befall you to your eternall perdition without speedy repentance and conversion to the truth Nay which my pen trembleth to set downe Papists are found to be copartners with the Iewes in crucifying even of Christ himselfe whom they so persecute in his truth and in his members for which cause saith the royall Paraphrast they are partners with Iudas in the death of Christ. Read for this purpose the 11. chapter of this booke together with King Iames his Paraphrase vpon it Nor can any Papist though never so full of subtile shifts shift this Scripture off from himselfe and all those of the Church of Rome There is nothing more cleare no not the Sun when it shineth brightest in the Summer Meridian then that the Pope of Rome is that Beast Rev. 13. and the Church of Rome that Babylon drunke with the blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Iesus Chapter 17 all Iesuiticall sophistry cannot avoid it And if Papists durst but looke vpon this Scripture it would make their haire stand on end to see in what a deplored state they are 〈◊〉 vpon them mainly the Beast-marked his Image-worshippers all these seaven Vialls one in the necke of another poure forth their plaguâ—s never ceassing till they haue fulfilled the wrath of God in the finall and fatall ruine and desolation of that whole Synagogue of Rome which now approacheth and hastneth on apace It is added And I heard another out of the Altar say Euen so Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy iudgementâ— These wordâ— are a confirmation of the former This voice is but inculcated and ingeminated to rowse vp the Infidell and Atheisticall world to take notice of Gods truth and righteousnesse of his truth concerning all those Prophecies in his word denouncing destruction to the enemies of his Church which we haue in a good part seene and for the rest shall be no lesse certainly in their due time accomplished also of his divine exact vnpartiall justice by recompensing legâ— Talionis like for like like punishments and judgements for like sinnes like spirituall thirst after the blood of the Saints who follow the truth to their salvation with like spirituall drinke of the bainfull blood of pestilentiall doctrines and lies which all Papists drinke in to their damnation But why Another from the Altar Surely I cannot conceiue the reason hereof vnlesse it be this We all know what infinite havock the Church of Rome hath of a long time and dayly doth make of the blood of Christ vpon their Popish Altar Haue they not even stopped and dryed vp that fountaine of his blood set open for Israel and Iuda for sinne and for vncleanesse haue they not robbed the poore people of the Sacramentall Cup which should bee a fresh memoriall and effectuall application of that sinne purging blood to every faithfull receiver Haue they not hereby evacuated that covenant of the New Testament which was ratified and sealed with the blood of Christ without which is no remission Haue they not thus torne away the seale from the Testament of grace Haue they not in stead thereof erected a new vnbloody sacrifice of a fantasticall inchanted body which they notwithstanding moâ—â— blasphemously and senselesly call their Propitiatory sacrifice for the quick 〈…〉 and a 〈…〉 all soreâ— Doe they not thus account the bloud of the covenant which should sanctifie them an vnholy thing Doe they not thus trample vnder foote the Sonne of God And â—hat even then when they would seeme most of all to elevate him in their fained Host vpon their Altar Their very Alltar as holy as they would make it 〈◊〉 be â—o deeply stained with the guilt of Christs bloud spilâ— vpon it Therefore here is one sent from the Altar of God even from Iesus Christ our only Alâ—ar on whom we offer vp the Calues of our lips who mightily magnifieth the truth and iustice of Godâ— in giving spirituall deadly blood to them to drinke who haue â—pon their Idoll-Altar taken away and disanulled that only Propitiatory blood of Christ. which he hath left to his Church for every faithfull man to drinke spiritually by faith to the consolation of his conscience the confirmation of his faith and the salvation of his soule Thus iust and true is God every way at every turne to meet with his enemyes and to pay them home with their owne coyne The Fourth Vial powred out Our Country-man M. Brightman in his Commentary comming to this fourth vial saith Hactenus â—â—c ipsa tempâ—ra in quibus praesâ—â—tes vâ—â—mus Ad â—anâ— enim â—â—que 〈◊〉 nostra sâ—cula processâ—runt reliquâ— quatuor sunt nobis expectand◠〈◊〉 diffâ—ciâ—â—â—r est indagatio Hitherto saith he come these tâ—mes wherein we nâ—w liue For even vnto this Vial haue our ages reached the other foure behind 〈◊〉 to expect whereof 〈◊〉 disquisition will be more difficult So he Yet himselfe not only attempts the opeâ—ing of the subsequent vials but â—â—imates and excites 〈◊〉 faithfull Ministers to imploy their best paines and studies therin as in a work most behoâ—â—full for the Church of God in these lâ—st times But that he should say he lived not to see this fourth Viall powred out 〈…〉 somewhat strange Was it because living 〈…〉 the Cataracts of Nâ—bis â—â— could not heare the noyse of it Or because his eye was so neare the object as he could the worse discerne it Or as Paules eyes at his conversion were so 〈◊〉 with the glorious light that for a time his sight was wholly suspended So haply Mr. Brightmans eyes overcome with the Sunnes bright beames shining so full vpon him whereon this fourth Viall is powred could noâ— discerne what it meant or transported with the beauty and glory thereof as Peter was with that excellent glory in the Mount in saying Thus farre are our times come wist not what he said And as it is vsuall we can better and more safely behold the Sun wiâ—h ouâ— backes towards it in a vessell of cleare settled water then by daring to looke or staâ—e vpon that goodly glorious body with opposite and open â—ace And many times for want of due consideration in making a right vse of the resplendent prosperity of things present either by too much doting vpon it or by vnkindly envying of it or by some discontented humour in a fickle affectation of change â—e come to loose the due estimate and so the true fruitâ—on of them But to our fourth Viall Indeed I must acknowledge that for a few dayes I was not a little puzzeled and
Alexander Farnesius his nephew of his base sonne Petrus Aloisius Guido Asâ—anius Fran. Fâ—rza another Nephew of his base daughter Constantia the one sixtene yeares of age the other 14 two tall striplings I wis his fatherhood creates for Cardinals answering those that obiected their tender yeares that himselfe now in his decrepite agâ— would easily recompense in his olde yeares what was therein wanting to them And so to this goodly issue came all this solemne Reformation But perforce at length all is devolved vpon the Councell of Trent an Assembly of many learned Doctors sufficient if any to invent some salue for Babylons sores And they say pretily to it for in that Councell you shall find no lesse then eleven or twelue very solemne and formall Decrees de Reformatione And when all is done nothing is Reformed Thus is verified that of the Prophet Ieremy Wâ— would haue cured Babylon but shee would not be cured Nay to shew her case is desperate that Councell comes with her Index expurgatorius wherewith to expunge and purge out all such bookes as either descry the nature of her diseases or prescribe remedies for the same Thus to this day from the time of Luther we see grievous sores stick close to that whole Pontifician body Although the corruptions of the Church of Rome were not altogether vndiscovered before Luthers time God still raising vp some from time to time to cry out against Babylon as Iohn Wickliffe in his workes writt against her manifold errors and abuses for which they merited the fire at the Councell of Constance but they never came so to be ransacked and ript up as by Luther and since his time He began to search their sores to the quick and laide them open with a witnes that it is impossible so much as ever to drawe the least skin over them to hide or cover them much lesse to cure them As for the bodily sores which fell vpon those of the Church of Rome vpon the pouring forth of this first Viall I list not to touch them Erasmus complaineth of Luther for two things that he touched too much the Bishops Myters and the Monks bellyes And surely a â—rievous sore fell vpon many of them in this kind maâ—y a Bishop lost his Miter and many a Monks fatt belly â—egan now to pinch for it Nor are we willing to touch â—hose Cardinals sore backs being beaten and pitifully 〈◊〉 vp and downe the streets of Rome by the Caesareanâ—ouldiers â—ouldiers who then had surprised it while their head â—as beating his braines how to get out of prison where 〈◊〉 was now pent and all this done within the time â—f the powring out of this Vial. I list not I say bee a â—aile in such sores Enough is said to cleare the powring â—ut the first Viall both when and how by whom and â—pon whom it began to be poured The second Viall powred out out And the second Angell poured out his Viall vpon â—he Sea and it became as the blood of a dead man and â—uery living soule died in the Sea As in the former Viall we haue seene Romes spirituall â—ores so here we are to search for spirituall seas It is vâ—all in Scripture to which for interpretation this Proâ—hecy all along sends vs to shadow out the doctrins of 〈◊〉 word of God by waters As Eze 47.3 4 5. The waters 〈◊〉 the Sanctuary by degrees became a huge OceaÌ„ Esay applies and expounds it Chapter 11.9 speaking of the light of the Gospell in Christs time he sayth The earth shall beâ— full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters couer the Sea So Abac 2.14 And Esay 55.1 In Exod. 15. Yee haue 12. fountaines typing the doctrine of the 12. Patriarchs and 12. Apostles Now as seas are in the good part taken for the doctrines of Christ in the forecited places so here in the evill part for the corrupt doctrines of Antichrist At the blast of the second Trumpet the third part of the sea is turned into blood here the whole Sea Which notes the difference betweene the state of Romes doctrines before the Councell of Trent while as yet they were in their growing and as now they became in and after the Councell of Trent Before the Councell of Trent there was some fresh water to be found in the doctrines of that Church some truth some meanes of â—alvation left for those that could search and find it out and follow it seperating the fresh and cleare water of truth from the blood of her abominable idolatries and other impious doctrines while as yet the rule of faith to wit the Scriptures remained intire but in and after the Councell of Trent wherein the Rule of faith is altered humane Traditions and inventions comming in for an equall share with the Scriptures and shouldering them for the wall and driving them into the very Kennell now the Sea is turned altogether into blood In this Councell the whole doctrine of the Gospell is turned vpside downe The iustifying and saving faith is vtterly excluded abandoned and accursed Iustification by workes takes place The Masse a new propitiatory vnbloody sacrifice for all sinnes for quicke and dead foysted in for Christs onely sacrifice once made yea humane satisfactions in stead thereof All Idolatries are ratified The Sacramentall Cup the liuely resemblance of Christs blood shed for our sinnes without which is no redemption no lifâ— in vs is for ever most sacrilegiously cut off from Christs sacred institution No man must read the Scriptures but the sworne vassalls and that according to the sense of the Church of Rome whose Oracle is the Popes brest and that variable as may best sute to the present occasion and commodity of that Church The vulgar Latine Translation though in comparison but a blundered streame is preferred before the pure originall fountains the Hebrew and Greeke though it containe many absurdities and falsities which may not be corrected The Index Expurgatorius established in that Councell is to quench all truth Therein mans free will is established and Gods free grace abolished Predestination and Election vndermined and overthrowne And the â—ike Thus is that Sea altogether blood yea as the blood of a dead man corrupt filthy gore whereof every living soule in that Sea dieth So that vpon the powring out of the second Viall vpon the Sea of Romes doctrines â—oncluded vpon in the Councell of Trent they are beâ—ome altogether mortall and deadly bainefull to the â—oule yea whereof every living soule in that Church diâ—th This began euidently to appeare by the Learned Chemnitius his Examen and other learned Ministers of â—he Gospell since that time by whose preaching and writings and opening of the word of God that Church 〈◊〉 convinced to be now altogether Apostaticall as King â—ames calls her For in that Councell she hath altogeâ—her denied the faith and that with Anathema so as she 〈◊〉 become worse then an Infidell vtterly excluded from â—ll communion with Christ for
in this point â—n speaking 〈◊〉 the Church of Rome Pro or Contra as a true Church oâ— no it being a matter not to be maintained by 〈…〉 wit or quaint rhetoricall discourse but vpon sound ground and substantiall demonstration Now for the more cleare and full yet briefe discussioâ— of the point it shall suffice onely to answer such Arguâ—ments as are vsed for it whereupon the positiue trutâ— will easily be concluded wherein I must crave pardoâ— having to deale in so waighty a cause and with 〈◊〉 mighty Authors as haue already tanquam â— Cathedra defined it But God forbid that the Triall of Truth should depend vpon the opinion of any mans person though never so great or esteemed in the opinion of the learned My brethren saith Saint Iames haue not the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons And as Saint Augustine against Maximinus an Arrian Bishop said Nec tu mihi Ariminense nec ego tibi Nicenum Concilium obijcâ—am â—um ego illi tuque isti non detinearis sed Scripturis testibus communibus agamus res cum re causa cum causa ratio cum ratione concertet Neither doe thou obiect to me the Councell of Ariminum nor will I obiect the Nicene vnto thee seeing neither I am bound to the one nor thou to the other but let the Scriptures be common witnesses or vmpires to vs both let thing with thing cause with cause reason with reason plead Nor let any man here impute presumption to the weaknesse or vnworthinesse of my person as though I tooke a pride to bee meddling with such high matters and wherein great ones are interessed Alas God knowes I take so little pride herein that my heart is even torne in sunder to â—ee the ruefull rents of the Church of God and the Truth so opposed so oppressed And when Gods glory suffers pardon me if I professe my selfe a poore Defendant Yea my Profession not onely as a Christian but much more as a Minister of the Gospell binds mee to it And I know that God regardeth no mans person And as the Proverbe is Cucullus non facit Monachum And were it not a matter so nearely concerning the Glory of God and the salvation of mens soules I had farre rather sit me downe in safe and sweet silence wherein I should haue the more opportunity to pray for the peace of Ierusalem then any way stand vp to contend But it is Gods quarrell and that against Babylon Peace is beautifull indeede but there is a What peace In which regard Christ the Prince of Peace said I came not to send peace into the earth but a sword As faire as Peace is wee must not make an Idoll of it Wee must keepe Christs Peace And in these perillous dayes it being almost as dangerous to bee ignorant of the Mystery of Iniquity sith it is the next way to be led into it as of the Mystery of Godlinesse and hee that is ignorant in the former may well suspect his knowledge in the latter let no man thinke it labour superfluous or presumptuous to search out the true Mystery of Popery But I say in this place a kind of Necessity hath imposed this taske vpon me Now the first maine Argument which would conclude the Church of Rome to be a true Church is because say they A man in that Church may bee saved For Out of the Church no salvation Therefore the Church of Rome must bee a true Church But who are they that may be saved in the Church of Rome My Author expresseth An honest ignorant Papist or some ignorant silly soules c. Yea and this is delivered in the name of our Church or at least of all those that being affected to the Church of Rome in some good measure would seeme to be the Church of England Take we the Authors words We acknowledge an honest ignorant Papist may be saved And we haue not so learned Christ as to deny salvation to some ignorant silly soules whose humble peaceable obedience makes them safe among any part of men that professe the foundation Christ. Answere This makes well for Popish Ignorance when all failes This also giues liberty to any religion so it professe the foundation Christ that therein a man may be saved And surely if a silly ignorant idolatrous Papist may in this his religion bee saved in what religion may not any silly ignorant soule find salvation But here two Questions would be resolved 1. Whether any Papist by his religion may be saved For resolution the Author rankes all Papists into two sorts either Learned or silly Ignorants for the Learned he confesseth it is very hard for them to bee saved but if ignorant more easâ—e So then if a Papist be saved he may thanke his ignorance And indeede the Doctrine of Popery conferring nothing to a mans salvation but altogether against it it is safest to be ignorant of that religion But Christ the Foundation is there professed Well But how will Popish ignorance teach a man to bee saved by Christ Faith comes by hearing And without faith no salvation by Christ. But all Papists though never so silly yet are taught this lesson at their fingers ends even to hate and abhorre the Preaching of the word of God whereby they should belieue in Christ. They call it Heresie How then is it possible for such to bee saved bee they never so humble and peaceable men Or as if a Papist though never so simple could be humble There can be no greater pride then that which hee takes in his ignorance as his Ghostly Fathers teach him preferring it before all the knowledge of Christ. And can he be peaceable whose chiefe Article of his Creed is to belieue and hold the Pope to bee supreme over all Kings and Princes whom he must rather obey then them This is the Beasts marke which who so receiveth saith the Holy Ghost shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God No Papist then as a Papist can be saved And of Babylon saith God Come out of her my people least yee be partakers of her sinnes Babylon is the Dominion and Religion of the Beast of Antichrist Nothing then therein to bee expected but the punishment of Babells sinnes The second Question May not a simple Papist misled by education or long custome or over-valuing the soverainty of the Roman Church and so in the simplicity of his heart imbracing them finde mercy at Gods hand by a generall repentance and faith in the merit of Christ attended with charity and other vertues Answ. Here the state of the former question is quite altered By faith and repentance no doubt not onely an ignorant silly idolatrous Papist professing the foundation Christ but even an Infidell Turke or Iew opposing Christ though no such Idolaters as Papists be may find mercy at Gods hand and so be saved But withall this ignorant silly Papist believing and repenting must necessarily
that all this should be a drinking of blood Yes So saith the spirit of God here That which they esteeme their only blisse is their only haue These Doctrines which Romes fishes drinke in like water yea as wine is no other then filthy corrupt gore-blood Oh fearefull condition I Well may such be reckoned among one of the seven last plagues poured out of the Vials of the wrath of God That being properly a plague which tends to the perdition of the soule different from other afflictions which may amend their patients For how can false and corrupt doctrines ever bring a man to reformation and repentance when they corrupt his very intellectualls where by his moralls should be guided But it is in vayne to inculcate this in the eares of dead fishes which living in the flesh are so spiritually dead as they can never be so perswaded that they are those to whom God hath gipen blood to drinke No will they not belieue it But here is a reason added forcible enough to perswade even common sense for they are worthy For they haue shedde the blood of Saints and Prophets They Who who but the Church of Rome Who but Popish persecuters who but Babylon drunke with the blood of the Saints and of the Martyrs of Iesuâ— But how is this appliable to the Papists here in England Did this generation at least wise ever shed the blood of Martyrs and Saints If no how is God righteous in giving them blood to drinke How are they worthy The last Martyrs of Iesus that suffered in England were they not in Queene Maryes dayes And is not that generation of persecutors quite extinct How then can the hands of Papists in these dayes be sayd to be imbrued in the blood of the Saintâ— But what if their hearts be imbrued in it at least by assent affection approbation allowance of the crueltie of their fore-fathers who had a hand in slaying of them But perhaps our Papists will say in this case as the Iewes in the like If we had 〈◊〉 in the dayes of our Fathers weâ— would not haue been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Yet even hereupon Christ tells them wherfore ye be witnesses vnto your selues thaâ— ye are the children of them which killed the Prophets fill ye up then the measurâ— of your Fathers But these Iewes built and garnishâ—d 〈◊〉 Sepulchres of those Prophets whom their forefathers had slaine a signe that they honoured the memory of the Prophets And who seeme more to honour the ancient holy Martyrs not only in erecting and adorning their Sepulchres and Shrines yea and adoring of them too then all Papists doe In this kind the Papists doe exceed the Iewes infinitely How then may it be said of them fill ye vp then the measure of your Fathers Or how may this Viall be poured on Papists as a vengeance that they should be found worthy to drinke such blood At least wise our present English Papists will say they are not the off-spring of those whose hands were imbrued in the blood of Martyrs Yea they will deny those to be Martyrs of Christ who were put to death in Queene Maries dayes Here are two things to be answered we will answer the last first It is shamelesse impudency to deny those to be Martyrs of Christ who were then put to death for religion And for what other religion then that same for which the Old Martyrs were persecuted and slaine We will challenge all Papists in the world that they are not able to shew any difference in all the maine grounds of religion betweene these latâ—er and those ancienter Martyrs Which till they shall doe let them not envy the honourable name of Martyrs of Christ to such as were slaine by the purple Whore To the former we answer that perhaps many Papists in England were not the very naturall off-spring of those Fathers who persecuted the Martyrs in Queene Maries dayes Yet I dare be bold to say that all the Papists now in England are the spirituall off-spring at least of those persecuters Doe they not imitate them in the same Romish faith yea and that Iesuiâ—ed too which was then but in the bud which those persecuters then imbraced And did not Christ call the Iewes sonnes of the Divell because they imitated his workes But yet haply our English Papists will say if we had lived in the dayes of our forefathers we would not haue put these men to death But let such take heed they speake it not in the hearing of their Ghostly â—ather least he impose vpon them some sharper penance and stricter discipline for their want of Romish zeale and Iesuiticall spirit No nor yet for so saying let them looke for more credit to be given them of vs then Christ gaue to the Iewes who told them plainly that for all their protestation and pretence to the contrary yet they were guilty of the blood of all those Prophets whom their forefathers had killed That vpon You saith he may come all the righteous blood shed vpon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel vnto the blood of Zacharias sonne of Barachiaâ— whom Ye slew betweene the Temple and the Altar Whom Ye slew Did these Iewes to whom Christ now spake slay Abel and Zacharias who were killed so many generations past Was not this Zacharias slaine in King Ioâ—â— his raigne how then did these Iewes slay him and the rest of the old Prophets even vnto Abel Surely because they repented not of the cruell actions and affections of their forefathers who slew those Prophets who retained and nourished the same spirit of cruelty and disaffection towards the true Prophets witnesse their carriage towards Christ himselfe the Prince of Prophets How did they intreat intertaine him Did they not in fine put him to death And if they did this to the greene tree was it likely they would haue spared the dry and those ancient Prophets who spake of Christ whom for witnessing the truth their forefathers killed as these did Christ for the same cause And did the Aâ—ostles and Disciples of Christ speed any better at their hands How say these Iewes then If we had liued in the dayes of our forefathers we would not haue beene partakers with them no in no sort in the blood of the Prophets A likely matter indeed that these murtherers would haue spared the old Prophets who were so beastly cruell to the innocent Lambe and Sonne of God Let this example of the Iewes who justly brought themselues vnder the guilt of all the innâ—â—ent bloâ—â—â—shed from the beginning of the world by their imitation of their forefathers cruelty by following them in their wicked faith and affections and hatred of the truth admonish all our English Papists and mind them whose sonnes they be that shed the blood of the Martyrs for being their sonnes at least and that in the worst kind by spirituall propagation of the false and Antichristian faith and by
or fresh-water Pilot durst aspire to vndertake the sole guidance of the Chariot of the Sunne or Sterne of State to the hazarding or certaine hastening of the combustion or shipwrack of all in one bottome When they saw they could not by any purchase vnder hand for toleration of their execrable curse-causing Idolls restraine or darken the beames of that Sunne shining vpon all her government when they saw they could not with all their Indian gold beâ—ot the more noble English braines and loyall hearts of her most indeered and intrusted Attendants but that they preferred the honour of their loyalty to their Prince and Country before their private ends were they never so profitable if withall dishonest when they saw that her Maiesty had a richer Mine of gold and silver in England caused by the influence of her sun-like gratious religious and righteous gouernment in the bowells of her free-borne English subiects true hearts and affections while in one Parliament time they would sweat her more subsidiary treasure then all the American slaues can force from the Indian Mines to supply their gold-thirsty Master in a whole voyage when they saw it was in vaine to goe about to perswade her religious heart to admit of any Papall dispensation from all those sacred oathes which shee had solemnly taken for the maintenance of the Lawes of her Kingdome the only bond to secure it from invasion when they saw that they could not work the noble frame of her goverment to the mould and conformity of their Mystery of Iniquity but that all her counsells and actions were fairely and squarely carried the Mysteries of State standing most sound while vpon most opposite tearmes with the Mysterie of Iniquity When they saw they could not cause a iarre in that sweet harmony betweene her Prerogatiue royall and the fundamentall Lawes of her Realme but that still they went hand in hand together to the contentment of all her friends but terror of her enemyes which â—s her enemyes knew full well if they should stand vpon termes of opposition would hurt and hinder each other the Prerogatiue Royall being like a tall gallant ship which cannot sayle without plenty of waters nor against the winde and tyde but with extreame difficulty and toyle of the Master or his Mate and their Marriners forced to fetch about for this poynt that poynt and yet hardly make any way good Lawes established being as the Seas wherein the Prerogatiue Royall may sayle at pleasure and that most steddily while through a iust Ballasse or ballance it passeth as well lowly vnder as loftily aboue water so that going a long with the wind and tyde of the Lawes it is wafted so much the more both sweetly and swiftly by the easie and gentle motion of the Pilots hand being thus every way helped no way hindred by the current of the streame while the Lawes runne in the full tyde of good execution whereas if it will make head against the streame of Lawes and the kindly gayle of good affections breathing forth from the Lawes vnviolated it can make but small speed and that to the great incoâ—brance and toyle of the steerer and his Marriners about him when I say they saw all this and much more as so many beames streaming from that Gospell-sun whereon in her raigne this Vial began more eminently and remarkably to be poured No marvail if such power were given to this Sun to scortch men with fire no marvaile If the envious man did fume and rage and though they saw with open eyes the mighty hand of Divine protection and blessing vpon her sacred Person and State though the light of the Gospell shined never so cleare round about yet had they not the grace to repent of all their Antichristian heresies grosse Idolatry their often and miraculously frustrated treasons and trecheryes frauds and forces to giue God the glory But as the Aegyptian Magitians though they confessed of the fourth miracle and the third plague of lice Digitus Dei est hic This is the finger of God And as Iulian the Apostate pulling the mortall dart out of his bowels though therein he saw and felt the hand of Divine revenge yet he vttered his confession thereof with the voyce of blasphemy Vicisti Galilaee and so breathed out his blasphemous spirit in a desperat impenitency So here the Magitian Apostates or spirituall Aegyptian Priests though they could noâ— but confesse the power of God in his perpetuall protecting of that royall Personage and prospering her in all her affaires of Statee which they had vainely sought so many wayes to defeat and deface to this day haue they obstinatly persisted in their blasphemy and impenitency Then which what can be a more fearefull signe and marke of a reprobate minde and of a conscience ceared and sealed vp to condemnation when men wilfully resist the manifest and knowne truth Even as Iannes and lambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the Truth men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the Faith But they shall proceed no further for their folly shall be manifest vnto all men as theirs also was 2. Tim. 3.8.9 The Fift Viall powred out And the fift Angell poured out his Viall vpon the Throne of the Beast and his Kingdome was full of darkenesse and they gnawed their tongues for paine and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their paines and their sores and repented not of their deeds We haue beheld in the foregoing Viall the Sunnâ— mounted to a high pitch which at the decease of the Royall Lady of ever blessed memory seemed to be come to the summer solstice entring the signe of Cancer and now behold in the pouring out of the Fifth Vial the sun as it were in his retrograde coming Southward wherein he redoubleth his heat and luster never any age producing such a Noble company of reapâ—â—s learned divines and Preachers vnder the auspicious influence of such a Royall Mecenas as the succeeding K. Iames of happy memory having prepared and now presenting a faire and fruitfull harvest to Him who is like to the Sonne of Man comming in with a golden Crowne and a sharp sickle and sitting vpon a white cloud of a peaceable government to whom an Angell out of the Temple cryeth Thrust in thy sickle and reape for the time is come for thee to reape for the haruest of the earth is ripe Thus is our Sun continued without setting from that Peerlesse Queene to a Peerlesse King in whose peaceable raigne this Fifth Vial comes to be poured out and that so eminently and remarkably as there is no place left of making the least scruple of it And the fift Angell poured out his Viall vpon the Throne of the Beast some turne it vpon the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the vulgar Latine super sedâ—â—â— Bestiâ— It matâ—ered not much whether we translated Sâ—aâ— or Throne so as wee vnderstand it right and not as some
iniquity and profanesse is accounted the best Christian. These vncleane spirits would perswade the world that he is the best Minister that preacheth least that hath most preferments and cures of soules but liues at ease himselfe and playes the good-fellow that the Lords day is best observed but with one Sermon aâ— most and with one Play at least These be the vncleane spirits that revell most in the time of this Viallâ— wherein whose will not ruâ—â—e with the streame of all impurity and impiety thâ—â— blast them with the name of heresie as Pope Paul â— did those thâ—â— studied Academicall learning or as Traian put men to death only because they were Christians So that these vncleane spirits like froggs pollute the waters where they liue with the filthy froth of their frye so causing an vniversall surface of all iniquity in the time of this Viall more then ever The Royall Paraphrast saith of them They are likened to Froggs for that they are bred of an old filthy and corrupt false doctrine which for a long space hath blinded the world before their comming as froggs breed of rotten and slimy coruption or for that they preferrâ— themselues before all other Ecclesiasticall orders preceeding them as vnperfect and vnprofitable hopping and leaping aboue them Againe the frogg hath no othâ—r song but one Koax Koax and therein is very importunate so these vncleane spirits what is all their Croaking but one song The Church The Church the Catholick Church the holy Mother Church of Rome the Apostolicke Sea one supreme Pastor and Iudge of controversies who cannot erre and the like This is their three mans song wherein they goe as in a circle Thus by counterfeiting the froggs they doe as the Aegyptian Magitianâ— seeke thereby even by their very clamarousnesse and obstreperousnes to disgrace Moses and Aaron Gods Ministers in their office who preach the truth Fourthly froggs bring forth their young as the Beare vnformed having only a black head and taile such is the spirituall offspring of these Froggs whose faith is informis or vnformed implicit and even blacke with ignorance Hence the Proverbe Nihilò rana gyriâ—a prudentior no wiser then the young frye of a frogg Which may be applied to all seduced and blind Papists who are not able to render a reason of their faith Fifthly Froggs liue in abundance of waters and of idlenesse Whence the Proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thou pourest out wine vnto the froggs as we say To poure water into the Sea And in what abundance of voluptuousnesse and ease these froggâ— liue all the world knows Againe the Frogg is a nimble creature and when yoâ— thinke to take her vp in your hand she skips away and hides her in the mudd such are these actiue spirits In a word K. Iames of happy memory in his Premonition to all Christian Monarchs free Princes and States about these froglike spirits hath these words calling them a new sect of Spirits raised vp for the defence of that tottering throne called three in number by reason of their threâ— fold direction being raysed and inspired by the Dragon Satan authorized and maintained by the Beast the Antichrist and instructed by the false Prophet the Apostaticke Church that hath the hâ—rnes like the Lambe but speaketh like the Dragon These spirits indeed thus sent forth by this threefold authority for the defence of their triple-crowned Monarch are well likened to Froggs for they are amphibious and can liue in either element Earth or water for though they be Church men by profession yet can they vse the trade of Politike Statesmen going to the Kings of the earth together them to the battell of that great day of God Almighty What Massacres haue by their perswasion been wrought through many parts of Christendome and how evilly Kings haue sped that haue ben councelled by them all the vnpartiall histories of our time doe beare record And whatsoeuer King or State will not receiue them and follow their advice 〈◊〉 out must that King or State be even with Gunpowder ere it fayle And these froggs had reason indeed to labour to become learned thereby to dissipate that grosse mist of ignorance wherwith the raigne of Antichrist was plagued before their coming forth So farre the judicious King Thus we need goe no farther for a cleare interpretation of these words Hence also we may note the vnaminous spirit of these three the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet out of whose mouth these three Froglike spirits proceeding may put vs in mind as of their tripple authoritie so of their triple malignity as the crafty cruelty of the Dragon the vsurped power of the Beast and the sophistry of the false Prophet They are called also the spirits of Divells to note their Politicke 〈…〉 going in the habit of illuminate 〈◊〉 Rabbies in the long robes of profound Craftsmasters and expert Statesmen who in the time of this Viall bring into the world new Maxims of state infused into them from those whence they come But they work◠〈◊〉 This may seeme to excuse Priests and Iesuites from being of the number of those spiritâ—â— for what miracles doe they Yes surely great miracles if ye may belâ—eue them Although what true miracles can false Propheâ—â— the spirits of Devils doe But it sufficeth that these Prophets be the only Miracle mongers And aâ— King Iames excellently They doe miracles of deceit for they doe wonderfully deceiue men And doe they not vndertake to do miracles every day while they would make the worshippers of the Beasts Image belieue that they doe a Miracle inâ—uâ—ning a thinne Wafer cake into the very body of Christ flesh blood and bone Only the Apostle tells vs that Antichrists miracles are lying wounders serving only to deceiue them that perish through strong delusion sent them from God that they should belieue a lye and so might be 〈◊〉 And is it not miraculous that they can by their inchanâ—ing spells make of wise men starke ideots offensible men senselesse of reasonable men brutish as to believe that to be a miracle which they see with their eyes to be nothing lesse It is the property of a miracle to put it selfe vpon the triall of a mans infallible sense specially of the eye But here is no such thing to be serue When Christ turned the water into wine it had now both the colour and savour and substance and true spirit of naturall wine Thus it was with a true Miracle the first that Christ wrought in Cana of Galilee It was not such still as the guests could not discerne from water either by their eye or tast or smell but were by the strength of their faith or conceit to imagine it to be wine But the miracle forsooth of Popish Transubstanâ—◠〈◊〉 cannot indure the couch of â—ensâ—â— triall the eye seeâ— nothing but a 〈…〉 Wafer the mouth tasts nothing but a thinne shiver of bâ—ead Where then is the Miracle That must be begged
of all our thoughts words and actions but also as the only ordinary meanes to bring all his people elect to an effectvall participation and fruition of grace and glory by Iesus Christ and seeing no man in particular though never so wicked and so farre gone in sin and sunke downe in rebellion is for ought he knoweth excluded from salvation if vpon the word of grace preached he belieue and repent which was the case of this people in Ezechiel and seeing faith repentance is requyred in every one that heares the word that he may be saved and not the elect themselues are exempted from this condition of believing therefore after what maner soever God doth accommodate and apply himselfe vnto vs in the dispensation of his word whither by ptomises or threatnings whither by word or oath he doth but as a fisherman that to diverse kinds of fish vseth divers hookes baites and lines some stronger some weaker as the Apostle saith I am become all things to all men that I might by all meanes saue some And who be those some Certainely in the end they proue to be no other but Gods elect Gods word being like to a dragneâ—â— which taketh all manner of fish at least by the externall calling many are called which drawne to shore in the Resurrection the good are gathered into vessells few are chosen and the bad are cast away Now forasmuch as Gods secret ones his elect before their effectuall calling to the state of grace are in all kindâ— and degrees naturally as wicked and corrupt as any of the serpents seed blind incredulous rebelious as those people of the Iewes were and seeing wheresoever the word comes to be preached there are ever some whom God will effectualâ—y saue by the ministry of it as might be proved if we had not exceeded the bounds of a digression or at least wise Gods word wherever preached returneth not in vaine but accomplisheth that which God will haue it and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sends it Esa 55 11 cannot God then vse his owne meanes and wayes to call men to repentance and so fit his iâ—strâ—ments as whereby effectually to worke the grace of faith and repentance in their hearts but mâ—n must quarrell the wisdome of God herein and so pervert the externall dispensation of his will as either his written word must interfere vpon his secret 〈◊〉 or else downe must fall the whole eternall and immutable Counsell of God Which what is it else but to pull God out of heaven and as the heathen Oratour said More Gygantaâ— bellare cum Dijs Againe sith no man knowes who are of the elect who otherwise but that every one being alike by nature a sinner and so for ought we know may come to be saved by the word of faith preached cannot this word then be preached to all indifferently vnlesse all without exception be saved by it effectually Let vs hearken to this word and obey it The Elect who they be is one of Gods Secrets The Lord knowâ—th who are his and Let euery one that nameth the name of Christ depart frâ—m iniquity And as Moses saith The secret things belong vnto the Lord our God but those things which are revealed belong vnto vs and to our Children for ever that we may doe all the words of this Law Deut. 29.29 To conclude then it is not good to remoue the ancient baunds of Gods eternall truth least men pull the Curse vpon them it is a sound and safe rule first to let all positiue truthes in Scripture to stand vnmoveable in their full strength and if there be any other places either of â—xhortation or admonition or redargution or the like whereby God vsually worketh vpon mens affections these must not overthrow Gods fundamentall truthes laid downe positiuely and expresly in his word whereupon our judgements and faith must rest firme and fixed Neither let men too curiously pry into the Arke of Gods secrets as to know how many or who they are that shall be saved but as Christ answered to his inquisitiue Disciples moving a fruitlesse question Are there few that shall be saued Striue ye saith he â—o enter in at the strait gate Luk. 13.23 24. Meddle not we with others matters but labour we to be found in Christ and so to belieue and follow Gods word as we may come to find our selues in the number of Gods elect reioycing that our names are written in heaven as Christ checking Peter about Iohn said Follow thou me Ioh. 21.22 I haue beene the longer in noting the corrupt and rotten doctrines of these times now growne to such a height as they threaten to pull Christ out of his Chaire and to divest his true Disciples of the garment of faith and salvation to the end that the discovery of them though but briefe for the present may cause vs the more carefully to attend and put in practise Christs watch word and no lesse serious then seasonable admonition in this place And so much the more by how much the abounding of false doctrines in these our times even razing the foundation of Gods Grace may point vs as it were with the finger and induce vs to belieue that now already this sixth Viall is begun in a great measure to be poured out hastening on the next and so to stirre vp our dull sides to keepe the stricter watch And here also we are given to note by the way how the great battell is first begun to be fought after a spirituall manner by the armies and forces of false Prophets in this Viall never more plentifull powerfull and perillous then now and so much the more perillous by how much they cover their heresies with the guilefull pretences of the Reformed Religion as of the Church of England This spirituall warre of theirs is nothing els but a beating vp of the Drum and sounding the Alarme in the eares of the Kings of the earth to induce seduce them to a confederacy and part-taking with the Beast against the Lambe with Antichrist against Christ. But the Lambe shall certainly overcome them Magna est veritas et praevalet And againe because ever where false doctrines begin to venditate themselues specially such as strike at the very root of the Gospell Gods free grace and saving faith they draw after them a traine of all vices and daring sinnes at their heeleâ— as Simon Maguâ— did that huge troope of his Samaritan Disciples intoxicating the heart and affections with the Circean Cup of their selfe-seducings forgoing and forgetting all conscience and honesty to become great and high as if their ambition aimed at the very throne of the Beast himselfe therefore also Christ admonisheth his servants to keepe a diligent watch over their wayes and guird the garment of sobriety closse about them least it be torn from their back either with the malignant teeth and tongues of false Prophets and croking Froggs which with their Sardonian smiles would scoffe
Lady vertue and Grace ouâ— of her â—ober habit to put on the new fangle fashions of the time or by the impetuous torrent of all lawlesse examples of profuse and prodigious manners of proud and ambitious â—onnes of Belial the only heires apparant to all earthly greatnesse And by watching here is implied that carnall security and beastly â—urquedry all excesse in eating and drinking which are enemies to watching are proper symptomes of this Viall And aboue all drunkennesse For that strips a man of his garment makes him naked and men see his shame Noah was once drunke and he lay vncouered in his Tent that his shame was seene But now he is accounted no man that will not drinke drunke till he lie vnder the Table like a dogg at his vomit or wallow in the kennell like a hogg in the mire Thus it is in this Viall as in the dayes of Noah they eat they dranke noting the excesse of all deboshtnesse In this regard therefore Christ admonisheth his servants to wâ—â—ch and that the more diligently because of the dangerous state of the time of this Viall overgrowne with carnall security and overflowne with that borrowed German sinne of drunkennesse And to incourage his servants least they should be too much dejected with the worlds â—â—omps and affronts as standing too strictly vpon points Christ pronounceth them to be blessed that watch and looke well to their garments of faith and holinesse howsoever the misdeeming world deeme them fooles â—or their labour In the second relaâ—ion Christ here insertâ— this gratious admonition and watchword not only as a preservatiue from the present corruptions but as a preparatiue to fore-arme them against the imminent perill and triall of the great day of God Almighty This is that Panoplyâ— or complete armour recommended vnto vs Eph. 6 which taking vpon vs we may be able to stand fast in the evill day It is saving faith and a good conscience which as an armour of proofe will beare a man out and bid defiance to all worldly feares And vnlesse we renew our Covenant with God of faith and obedience and so set our selues in a way of reformation thus having God reconciled vnto vs and made on our side It may be said to vs as to those in Amos Woe vnto you that desire the day of the Lord To what end is it for you The day of the Lord is darknesse and not light Amos. 5.18 Certainly to all those who appertaine to the confederacy of the Beast and false Prophet to all profane and impenitent persons the great day of God Almighty shall be a darke and dismall day Men may see this if they will in the previous light skirmishes what is like to be their successe in the maine battell No prosperity no successe even to those that professe to stand on Truthes side so long as their face is turned the other way or which is worse while Iulus-like they looke both wayes halting betweene two with prevaricating feet having on the Linsey-Wolsey garment neither hot nor cold and the like What haue these to doe with the great day of God Almighty Certainly such if they repent not of their damnable heresies doe bring vpon themselues swift destruction Forasmuch as by their pernicious wayes which many doe follow the way of truth is evill spoken off whose iudgement therefore now long ago lingreth not and their damnation slumbereth not But on the contrary he that hath on the former armor his garments of justification by faith and of sanctification joyned with repentance desireth nothing more then to see this great day of God Almighty even hastening vnto it as Saint Peter speaketh 2 Pet. 3. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon In which fourth and last clause of this Viall are three things or circumstances very remarkable First of the Person that assembleth or rangeth the Warriours and that is the great Muster-Master even the Lord of Hosts He gathered Secondly of the Persons assembled Them and those are the very enemies of his Church that warre against the Lambe and those on his side who are the Called and chosen and faithfull Thirdly of the Place where the battell is pight and to be fought called here Armageddon We will speak of the last first as most difficult This word Armageddon is diversly taken by Interpreters Some referre it as alluding to that place called Mageddo in the fifth of Iudges where Deborah and Barack discomfited the host of Sisera at the waters of Mageddo Whereupon Deborah in her gratulatory song singeth by a Propheticall spirit So let thine enemyes perish O Lord. And surely if we compare the presumptuous confidence of the enemyes of Gods Church in this Vial to that of Sisera and of the Ladies of his Court against Israell triumphing before the victory it may be a good allusion To which discomfiture also the Prophet Dauid alludes Psal. 82. where he prayeth against all the enemyes of the Church which prowdly say Let vs take to our selues the houses of God in possession Let vs make havocke of these Puritan Gospellers and of the name of Protestants Do thou unto them as to the Madianites as to Sisera as to Iabin at the brooke of Kison to wit at the waters of Mageddo Others apply this place not only to the overthrow of Gods enemies but withall to the valley of Mageddo where King Iosias was slaine which was cause of great lamentation to Iuda But whereas this might make against the destruction of Antichrist and his Confederates here which shal be cause and matter of much joy comfort to Gods people the some Author solues it thus that vpon the fall of Antichrist the whole Nation of the Iewes shal be â—onverted and shall hereupon take vp a bitter lamentation for their long and obdurate obstinacy now in a godly sorrow for their sinne weeping to see him whom they had pierced according to that Zach. 12. Some relate others opinions of Armageddon as either to signifie excidium rivi the cutting off of the River as alluding to Babylons Euphrates or exercitus vastationis the Army of desolation Others deriue it of Har which is Hill and Magedon delightsome or pretious alluding to the Church of God the Mountaine of Gods delight as Psal. 82.1 2. The Royall Paraphrast in his Epistle before his Paraphrase sets downe first his owne opinion deriving the word of Harma or Guarma and Geddon as much as destruction by deceit because saith he it is the name of the place where the wicked being assembled together by the alluring and deceit of Satan and his three spirits of Devills â—o make warre with the faithfull were all destroyed by God and so their destruction came and was procured by deceit To which also he is pleased to adde two opinions of others as first to signify destruction by waters to wit peoples or secondly to allude to Ioshuah's discomfiting of the Kings Gods enemies