of Satan in bearing down the Kingdom of Christ yet foreseeing or at least fearing that it would be taken out of the way he begins in time to provide himself of the Antichristian state to carry on this woful work in their room the mysterie of iniquity doth already work 3. So subtle an enemy also is Satan as that when his power and interest is not so great as that he may safely work above ground and carry on his work avowedly in open view of all he contents himself to remain undiscovered and rather to advance with a slow pace and undiscernably than by too much precipitancy to discover his design untimeously and consequently to expose it to crushing for while the Roman Empire was in strength and vigour and so would have crushed that design of setting up an Antichristian state in Rome he wrought in a mysterie The mysterie of iniquity doth already work 4. Satan and his instruments especially heretical spirits are not alwayes idle when they do not kyth but usually are most active in carrying on their woful work as they find access when they appear least for when Antichristianism durst not kyth above board yet it did work the mysterie of iniquity doth already work 5. The evil of errour especially of Antichristian errours and the height at which they aimed neither doth nor did kyth at first and therefore it is no wonder though men otherwise gracious in the primitive times who were kept busie in maintaining truth against other avowed errours of those times did unawares and through inadvercence contribute somewhat to countenance the rising of that Episcopal seat in some steps of its usurped dominion over the Church of Christ which though improved moderately and for the terrour of hereticks at first yet in the Ages following after the removal of these reverend and gracious fathers it did end in avowed Antichristian tyranny for Antichristianism did for a long time work in a mysterie 6. Greatest Empires and worldly Monarchies which caused their terrour in the Land of the living Ezek. 32. 23 24. have their own fatal period determined and foreknown by God longer than which they cannot stand The Lord giving hereby anevident demonstration of his justice while he visibly avengeth all those wrongs and insolencies which they by their power and terrour have acted towards others especially his Church and putting a difference betwixt all earthly powers and the spiritual Kingdom of Jesus Christ under the Gospel which shall never be destroyed nor left unto other people but it shall break in pieces and consume all those Kingdoms and it shall be for ever Dan. 2. 44. for he saith even the Roman Empire shall be taken out of the way 7. When the time prefixed by God for bringing about a work either of judgement or mercy is fully come all impediments and hinderances even the greatest though flourishing Kingdoms and mighty Empires which formerly did lett it are easily and with little ado removed for it is here foretold thâ—t when the due time of discovering the Antichrist should come he who then did lett to wit the Roman Empire would be taken out of the way Ver. 8. And then shall that wicked one be revealed The Apostle doth now shew the time when the Antichrist should be revealed or discover himself by exercising his open and avowed tyrannies over the Church of Christ to wit tâ—en when he who did leâ—t should be taken out of the way that is as was before exponed when the power of the Roman Empire should be weakned and rendred wholly unable to resist the growing greatness of the Antichrist Neither is it necessary to condescend here upon a peremptory point of time but as the one through a long tract of time should decrease so the other should increase and he calleth the Antichrist here That wicked one or as it is in the Original that lawless one who should hold himself to be bound by no Law neither Gods Law or mans Law but above all Law so as he may dispense with Law and interpret Law according to his pleasure Doct. 1. That the great Antichrist here foretold is already come and hath discovered himself by exercising his open and avowed tyranny is clear from this that the very point of time prefixed by God for his publick appearing is the taking of that out of the way which formerly did lett him to wit the Roman Empire Now sure it is that though the name of an Emperour and Empire doth still remain yet his Imperial Power and authority is fully removed in Asia in Africk yea in Rome it self the ancient seat of the Empire where he hath now no command at all but left it fully void for Antichrist to erect his Throne neither hath he any thing left him in Europe proper to him as Roman Emperour except the bare title and some ceremonies and complements with a little power and authority in Germany but far below that which the Roman Emperours of old enjoyed and even this little he cannot have but at the Popes pleasure who must approve the Emperours election otherwise it is null Now it was not the name or shadow but the power majesty and authority of the Empire and especially the Emperours interest in Rome the ancient Imperial seat which did withhold the Antichrists rising greatness And therefore that being removed the only thing which impeded his revealing is taken away and consequently Antichrist must be revealed already and not yet to come as Papists affirm for saith he and then to wit when he who now letteth shall be taken out of the way v. 7. shall that wicked one be revealed Ver. 8. Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Lest the Lords people had been above measure terrified by what remains of this dreadful prophesie concerning Antichrists wonderful power and success therefore the Apostle before he proceed further doth in this fourth branch of the Prophesie for the comfort of the Godly foretel Antichrists destruction whereof he mentioneth three degrees first the Lord Christ who is the principal author of this destruction shall consume him not in a moment but as the word signifieth by little and little piece and piece weaken his respect and power in the Church of God and this with the spirit or breath of his mouth or the powerful preaching of the Gospel by his sent Ministers Rev. 14. 6 7. who are as Christs mouth through whom he breatheth out the word of his everlasting Gospel See the Preaching of the Gospel called the rod of his mouth and breath of his lips Isa. 11. 4. Secondly he shall destroy him that is as the word signifieth utterly abolish enervate and make void to wit his power and respect and that with the brightness of his second coming for the word rendred brightness is usually joyned with his coming to judgement see Titus 2. 13. only because the last blow to be given to the Antichrists person
far as 1. Some of them are but meer Juglings and found to be such as when they affirm their Images to have spoken issued drops of blood and sweat that poor souls have come creeping and crying out of Purgatory bemoaning their case which have either been effectuated immediately by Satan or by subtle conveyance and sleight of hand which hath sometimes been discovered and the spirit taken whipt and laid in the stocks for his imposture 2. Some of them have been truly done but not true Miracles as not exceeding the power of all natural causes as when they affirm that some diseases have been cured by the touch of their superstitious Relicts now how easie is it for Satan to take off and cure a disease which through Gods permission he hath laid on especially seeing many such like seemingly miraculous cures have been effectuated by devilish art among the Heathens And 3. All of them are made use of to confirm their erroneous doctrines 〈◊〉 superstitious practices as their worshipping of Relicts prayer for the dead invocation of Saints Purgatory c. and consequently all of them but false and seeming Miracles even as it is here foretold of Antichrist that his coming should be with signs and lying wonders Fourthly The Popish doctrine wherein it differs from the doctrine of the Reformed Churches is nothing but an heap of untruths driving the maintainers of it to impiety against God in Idolatry superstition breach of vows and perjuries and to unrighteousness against man in unnaturality disobedience to Parents and lawful superiours under religious pretexts in preferring Fornication and Uncleanness to the bed undefiled in Marriage in justifying Jesuitical equivocations and speaking yea and swearing untruths and such like which hath been abundantly made out by the Reformed Divines in their writings to that purpose even as the doctrine of the Antichrist is here called unrighteousness or a doctrine of untruths tending to unrighteousness and sin of all sorts Fifthly The Pope doth not avow or profess himself an enemy to truth and Christian Religion but rather the prime pillar of it even Christs Vicar on earth the servant of the servants of Christ by which and such like specious pretexts he hath undermined truth and established errour in its place even as it is here foretold of the Antichrist that he should not openly avow his doctrine to be contrary to Gospel truth but labour by deceitful tricks and fair pretexts to make the world believe his doctrine to be truth even by all deâ—â—â—veableness of unrighteousness Sixthly Innumerable almost are those subtle devices and deceiving juglings which are made use of under Papacy to perswade the world to embrace their erroneous and unrighteous doctrine such as strong and false alledgances of their unity among themselves under one head of the antiquity of their doctrine the consent of Fathers to it the universality of it which is no more in effect but that all the world did once wonder after the Beast Rev. 13. 3. Besides that their doctrine and worship is so framed as to comply with mens corrupt Lusts and to fit every humour If men be lazy idlers they place them in Monasteries if ambitious or covetous there are places of preferment and profit to catch them if voluptuous and licentious they may for a little money have pardons and dispensations if quiet and cannot endure the worlds trouble there is a solitary life in some Hermitage prepared for them If a man dislike his wife let him enter Religious Orders and he is delivered from her If of a pragmatick stirring disposition there are employments of compassing Sea and Land to gain a proselyte waiting for him There are flatteries and taking allurements for men of spirit who will not be boasted and boasts and threats of curses and excommunications for men of a more folding temper In a word whatever a mans humour can fancy there is somewhat in Popery to satisfie it and make men believe of themselves that they are singularly devout when they do but feed their carnal humours Even as it is here foretold of the Antichrist that he should come not with some but all deceiveableness of unrighteousness Seventhly Though the power of the Pope for many ages was most dreadful and absolute through all Europe yet it was not unlimited there being alwayes some in every age as Papists themselves do sometimes confess and History maketh clear who never yielded to take on his yoke but one way or other testified against his Tyrannical Usurpation and damnable soul-destroying doctrine even as it is here foretold that some should be exempted from the Antichrists defection for he was only to prevail in those who perish Eighthly The members of the Popish Church had in all ages the truth of the Gospel tendred to them at the first beginning of the Popes apostasie and open tyranny more clearly in following ages more darkly what by somewhat they heard of Christs Nativity Passion Resurrection c. expounded to them according to the custome at their great Festivals and what by the testimony or report of that testimony which dying Martyrs or other Confessours gave to truth whereof there were some almost in every age and yet they did not receive or believe the truth especially those truths relating to the authority sufficiency and perfection of Scripture to the fulness of Christs satisfaction and merit and the compleat discharging of all his offices the justification of sinners by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them and received by faith alone and such other truths controverted betwixt them and us yea neither believe they any truth because of the authority of God revealing it in Scripture but because of the Popes Authority which only makes Scripture to be Scripture and worthy of credit unto them and therefore cannot be said to believe any truth at all seeing their faith is only humane grounded upon the authority of man even as it is here foretold of Antichrists followers that they received not the truth in love when it was offerâ—d to them and that they believed not the truth Ninthly Hugely gross errours and superstitious fooleries are maintained by the Pope and his followers for necessary truths and acceptable pieces of Divine Worship as may be seen in their Apish toyes foolish gestures used at Mass in their doctrine of Transubstantiation and indulgences and such is their incorrigible obstinacy in these against clear evidence of Scripture yea and of common sense and reason that it cannot be conceived rational men would be so infatuated and stupid except they were judicially plagued of God by giving them over to the power and prevalency of errour and delusion even as it is here affirmed of Antichrists followers that God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lye Tenthly As Popish doctrine wherein it differeth from us is but a bundle of lies which is abundantly proved by the Reformed Divines So this doctrine of lies is believed by the generality of the Popish Church
A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE FIRST and SECOND EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS By the Reverend and Learned M r. James Fergusson Late Minister of the Gospel at Kilwinning Joh. 5. 33. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me London Printed by R. W. for Ralph Smith at the Sign of the Bible in the Piazza of the Royal Exchange in Cornhil 1674. To the Reader Christian Reader VVHen the design of giving the Sense and Use of the Scriptures so briefly as might be was set on foot by some who looked upon it as very useful for the present and succeeding Generations the Reverend Author of this piece was prevailed with to take a share in that undertaking from whom much service of that kind considering his abilities and indefatigableness in his studies might have been expected if as himself elsewhere intimateth his papers upon some Books of Scripture had not been destroyed by a sad accident in the times of our calamity and trouble Notwithstanding which discouragement he fell to work again and did go through the Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians Philippians and Colossians his Expositions upon which were published in his own life-time and left this Exposition upon both the Epistles to the Thessalonians ready to be transcribed for the Press some time before his Death I shall not here insist to give any full character of this Reverend person who having served his own Generation by the Will of God is now fallen asleep and doth rest from his labours and who being dead yet speaketh by the savory effects of his Faith Love and Patience expressed in his personal walk and Ministerial administrations besides what his publick writings do declare concerning him His Piety Learning Prudence and moderation and that in very contentious and distracting times were not only well known and much esteemed an the Congregation where he served and the Province wherein he lived but did render him very famous throughout this national Church Such as conversed with him in ordinary and were acquainted with his studies did discern more of his spirit and abilities than himself was willing to make shew of and were convinced that beside his abilities for explicating and applying of the Scriptures in this more plain and compendious way and for enlarging and pressing of Scripture truths with solidity and seriousness in his ordinary Preaching he was a man of a deep reach and well fitted for giving of advice in perplexed and intricate cases whereof not a few did occur in his time and withall well furnished for discussing of Controversies and stopping of the mouths of gainsayers whereof he gave an ample proof when in publick Preaching he did solidly and perspicuously examine and refute those errors which of late did infest this Church and Island But forbearing to write Elogies of him whose true worth did set him far above the commendation of such a one as I am all that I need to say at this time is That as I doubt not thy acquaintance with what of his is already published will sufficiently commend unto thee what further of that kind hath flowed from his Pen So I dare assure thee upon unquestionable evidence that this piece is genuine and the work of Mr. Fergusson The Copy made use of at the Press being transcribed from the Original written with his own hand and revised by two of his Brethren in these parts from one of whom I received it that I might also read it over before it went to the Press And though I be otherwise crouded with abundance of work in my present service yet I have taken some time to peruse it to my own very great satisfaction It remains therefore Christian Reader that thou study how to improve this advantage which among others is by the good providence of God put into thy hand lest in a time wherein many means of knowledge do abound the increase of ignorance Atheism and Popery prove a sad plague and snare and the abuse of Light provoke God to send darkness wherein no man can walk From which that thou may be delivered is the Prayer of Thy Servant in the Work of the Gospel George Hutcheson A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE FIRST EPISTLE of PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS The ARGUMENT PAul having planted a Church at Thessalonica the chief City of all Macedonia Acts 17. 1 c. he was driven from thence as far as Athens by the violence of the unbelieving Jews Acts 17. ver 5 to 15. And having heard what sad things this Church did suffer from those unbelieving Jews and also from Pagans Chap. 2. vers 15. he sent Timotheus to them to establish and comfort them Chap. 3. 2. upon whose return together with the glad tidings brought by him of their constancy in the doctrine of Christ Paul doth write this Epistle unto them Chap. 3. 6 7. His scope wherein is partly by a relation of their Conversion to and constancy in the Faith of his own ministerial carriage when he was among them and of the solicitous care he yet had of them notwithstanding of his absence from them to engage them yet further to constancy and perseverance in the doctrine received for the time to come Which he laboureth to effectuate in the first principal part of this Epistle Chap. 1. 2 3. And partly to incite them unto several duties of an holy life which he doth endeavour in the second part of this Epistle Chap. 4. and to vers 23. of Chap. 5. having at the close of Chap. 4. from Vers. 14. occasionally intermixed a doctrinal truth concerning the state of believers after Death and Christs coming to Judgement And lastly he concludes the Epistle by praying for them and commending some things unto their care from Vers. 23. of Chap. 5. to the end CHAP. I. THE first part of this Chapter contains the inscription of the Epistle Ver. 1. In the second part he propounds and prosecutes a strong motive to perseverance and constancy to wit the esteem he had of their gracious receits from God to Ver. 8. and the general fame thereof in all the Churches to the end And more particularly he doth first make entry to this purpose by giving thanks to God for them Ver. 2. And next he prosecutes it by giving reasons for his thanksgiving 1. The cardinal graces of Faith Love and Hope which he observed in them Ver. 3. 2. The knowledge he had of their Election Ver. 4. 3. That the Gospel was Preached by him and his associates in Life and power among them Ver. 5. 4. The excellent fruits of the Gospel Preached in malling them conform to Christ and his servants Ver. 6. which he amplifieth first from this that they became ensamples for imitation unto their nearest neighbours Ver. 7 8 Next from the general report and fame of their graces which had spread it self far and near Ver. 8. which he maketh appear from this that forraign Churches did give him
upon the fruit of his labours among the Lords people So he should beware in so doing to sacrifice unto his own drag and net 1 Cor. 15. 10. but ought to ascribe the praise of all his success unto God who alone doth teach his people to profit Isaiah 48. 17. for Paul reflecteth upon his success with thanksgiving to God for this cause also thank we God 3. Though it be matter of thanksgiving to God from a Minister that he himself hath obtained grace to discharge his duty faithfully whatever be his success among a people seeing in that case he is alwayes a sweet savour unto God 2 Cor. 2. 15. yet a tender hearted servant of Christ doth never find his heart so much inlarged in this duty of thanksgiving and all restraints so fully taken off which might discourage him in it as when the Lord is pleased to bless his faithful diligence with fruit and success among the people of his charge for Paul doth then find himself inlarged most to this duty when his assiduous pains did get an answerable return of fruitfulness for this cause also thank we God 4. It is a great incouragement whether for Ministers or private Christians to bear burthen by prayer and thanksgiving unto God with and for others of whom it may be in charity presumed that they are dealing earnestly with God for themselves for he saith we also thank God The particle also implyes they themselves were making Conscience of this duty and therefore he and his associates did discharge it the more heartily 5. Our hearts should be disposed to and kept in such a frame for duties of Gods immediate worship and especially for speaking to God in prayer or praise that when ever occasion is offered and the Lord doth call us to it we may be alwayes in a readiness to close with it for Paul did thank God without ceasing that is he was alwayes ready for it and when occasion offered did go about it 6. The Scripture in hand doth point at some steps wherein people must walk who would have the Gospel blessed with success upon them 1. As the word of God and chiefly the Gospel Preached by sent Ministers is the ordinary means of converting sinners to God So they who would be converted by it must lend an attentive ear to hear it and carefully wait upon such occasions of hearing it as God doth offer for Paul speaking of the means of their conversion and fruitfulness saith The word of God which ye heard of us 2. They must seriously ponder and meditate upon the word heard and especially bring it to the proof whether it be the word of God or not otherwise bare hearing cannot profit for saith he ye received the word which ye heard of us See the Exposition 3. As the word of God delivered by his sent Ministers doth still remain Gods word speak it who will Matth. 23. 2 3. or let men think of it what they will Ezek. 2. 4 5. the nature of the word is nothing altered So the man who would have the word blessed with success unto him must labour to settle himself in this perswasion that the word delivered from Scripture is the word of the eternal God And indeed after an accurate search it will be found to be so by the consent of all its parts though written at divers times and several hands by the fulfilling of its prophesies the majesty and simplicity of its stile the and wonderful efficacy of it in changing mens hearts the malice of Satan against it in all ages and yet the Lords wonderful preserving of it c. for Paul affirms it to be Gods word and that they after search had found it to be so ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth as the word of God 4. When a man is thus perswaded that the word delivered from Scripture is no humane invention but the word of God he may receive and entertain it as his word trembling at threatnings Isa. 66. 2. rejoycing at and imbracing promises Heb. 11. 13. yielding obedience to precepts Act. 4. 6. and submitting with patience to sharpest reproofs 1 Sam. 3. 18. for that is to receive the word as Gods word and such a receiving is the ordinary consequent of the forementioned perswasion for they being perswaded it was Gods word did receive and by faith embrace it ye received it saith he not as the word of man but as the word of God 5. When a man hath thus received and imbraced the word he must labour to prove his so doing by making it appear that the word hath wrought effectually and over the belly of all impediments a mighty and gracious change in him from sin to holiness and the word so received by faith is alwayes attended with such efficacy in those who receive it It is the power of misbelief in hearers which maketh so much Preaching to so little purpose for saith he which to wit the word so received effectually worketh also not in all but in you that believe Ver. 14. For ye brethren became followers of the Churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus for ye also have suffered like things of your own Countrymen even as they have of the Jews He proveth what he spoke of the success of his Ministry and efficacy of the word among them from their constancy and patience under sharp sufferings for truth which for their incouragement and comfort he doth set forth under a comparison of likes or equals to this sense that they were followers or made conform to the Christian Churches in Judea here called the Churches in Judea which are in Christ who are thereby distinguished from the Jewish Synagogues who held themselves for Churches of God but rejected Christ The ground of which conformity and likeness he sheweth did lye in this that they the Christian Church at Thessalonica had for the same truth endured and suffered the like evils and hardships and with the same constancy and courage from their own Countrymen and fellow Citizens even as the Christian Jews had endured and suffered from the obdured Jews at home in Judea Heb. 10. 32 33 34. Doct. 1. So effectual and powerful in working is the word of truth that it makes the imbracers of it endure the greatest hardships and sharpest sufferings for love to it rather than to deny it a testimony when God calls for it for he gives this as an instance of the efficacy of the word that they became followers of the Churches of God in suffering for truth 2. There is not a more convincing evidence that the word of God is received as it ought and of its supernatural efficacy in those who do receive it than that it works a conformity in them with others in that which is good and especially in bearing afflictions and sufferings for truth with Christian courage and patience as they ought for among all others he pitcheth on this one evidence that they
convinced it was his duty to visit this Church and being long impeded from it doth look upon his disappointment as an unsupportable weight when we could not longer forbear or endure and bear this weight 3. Holy submission and patience under cross dispensations by which the Child of God is retarded in the way of duty do no way abolish but are well consistent with a fervent desire and earnest endeavour by all lawful means to prosecute that duty wherein he is crossed Submission indeed removeth fretting impatience Act. 21. 14. but it quickneth holy desires and diligence for Paul who as he reverenced God in all cross dispensations Phil. 4. 11. and so doubtless also in this doth yet use his utmost diligence to compass the duty wherein he was crossed and for that end he thought good to be left at Athens alone by sending Timotheus to supply his absence 4. Where there is love unfeigned and a sincere desire after the Churches good it will make the man indued with it postpone his own good and comfort unto theirs to wit his own temporal good to their spiritual 1 Cor. 8. 18. yea his own conveniency to their necessity both in things temporal and spiritual as here Pauls sincere and ardent affection to their good made him spoile himself of all good company and willing to be left at Athens alone 5. As in all duties so especially in duties of kindness to Christs afflicted members it is not so much to be attended what we do as from what inward principle we are acted And particularly the more of cheerfulness and hearty affection goeth along with our duty it is the more praise-worthy and accepted both by God and man and where there is sincere love what will it make a man not do endure or cheerfully suffer for the good of the party loved for Pauls love to them made him cheerfully and willingly deprive himself of all good company for their sake and the worth and acceptableness of what he did for them lyeth in this that he did it willingly we thought good saith he or had an eager affection and good will to be left at Athens alone Ver. 2. And sent Timotheus our brother and minister of God and our fellow labourer in the Gospel of Christ to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith He doth next shew what his fervent affection had moved him to do for them and for what end he did it He had sent Timotheus unto them and that he might shew his respect to them in the worth of him whom he had sent he doth commend Timotheus from three Epithetes as being first a brother the usual epithete of Christians Act. 11. 29. because they are born of God John 13. their one Father in Christ Eph. 4. 6. 2. A minister of God because of his office to Preach the Gospel 2 Tim. 4. 2. 3. Pauls fellow-labourer because he was his joynt-collegue in the Gospel that is in Preaching the Gospel And the end why he did then send him was first to confirm or underprop them as the word signifieth to wit lest they had been either drawn from the truth by deceitful reasonings Col. 2. 8. or driven from it by force of persecution Matth. 10. 22. Secondly to comfort them the word signifieth both to exhort and comfort and he was sent for both not only to comfort them under their sad sufferings but also to exhort them unto constancy notwithstanding of them Now the thing which he was mainly to confirm them in and by exhortation to press upon them is their faith that is their firm assent and adhering to the truths of the Gospel Doct. 1. Holy desire and fervent love to duty is most ingenious and witty to find out wayes for discharging the duty even when all ordinary access to it doth seem to be obstructed for love and desire in Paul to confirm and comfort these Thessalonians in their need makes him find out a way to do that by another which he could no wayes do himself And sent Timotheus to establish you 2. Church-guides or judicatories who are charged with the oversight of several Congregations where they cannot in person officiate themselves are not exonered by sending forth unto the Lords Vineyard any who may be had except they employ the fittest and such of whom there are grounds of hope that through the Lords help he may carry on the work for which he is sent for Paul not being able to go himself sends not every one but a man every way fitted for the work even Timotheus a brother c. 3. As Ministers especially they who are of elder standing and best known in the Church are bound to give their deserved testimony unto others of the Lords servants for gaining them respect and credit among the people of their charge So then is a Minister sufficiently qualified and worthy to be commended as a compleat Minister when first he is a man in all appearance truly pious for Paul commendeth Timothy from this he was a brother 2. When he is painful and laborious about his masters work Timotheus was a labourer 3. When he is a lover of unity and entertaineth peace with others of his masters servants striving to work with them Phil. 1. 27. and not against them in a way of his own separate from them Timotheus was a fellow-labourer And 4. When he is a lover of truth as well as of peace and studyeth unity but in so far as it thwareth not with vertue for he is commended as a fellow-labourer in the Gospel of Christ. Doct. 4. The office of an Evangelist among other things see upon Eph. 4. 11. was to confirm and establish in the faith those Churches which the Apostles had already planted for Timotheus an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4. 5. was sent by Paul to comfirm and establish this Church in the faith 5. Such is Satans enmity against the grace of faith and so many are his onsets what by one means what by another to brangle it Luk. 22. 31 32. as knowing therein the believers great strength doth lye 1 Joh. 5. 4. that even the strongest faith hath need of confirmation and establishment And it is the Godly mans wisdom and duty in trying times to have a special care to guard his faith as that grace which not only Satan striveth to shake most but also upon the stability whereof the safety strength and vigour of his other graces depend much for though Paul had praised their faith much chap. 1. 8. yet he sends here to confirm it and it especially more than any other of their graces to establish you concerning your faith saith he 6. A singular means for strengthning faith under sad afflictions and tryals is for Ministers to hold out and people to embrace those excellent comforts which the word of truth holds forth to the Lords people in suffering times Our standing at a distance from and questioning our interest in those do breed discouragement and terrour and thereby make
way for shameful fainting in duty and foul defection from truth Heb. 12. 13. for Timotheus was sent both to establish and comfort them concerning their faith Ver. 3. That no man should be moved by these afflictions for your selves know that we are appointed thereunto He doth here shew 1. The necessity at that time of his sending Timotheus to establish them to wit the prevention of an apparent hazard lest any of them because of Pauls or their own afflictions should have been drawn away by flattery or shaken and moved from truth like the taile of a dog following upon his master as the word signifieth 2. And because the same hazard did yet remain in part he useth two arguments for their present establishment against fainting either under his or their affliction The first in this verse to this purpose They themselves knew or were sufficiently instructed from the doctrine of the Gospel that all Christs followers Mark 8. 34. and chiefly the Apostles 1 Cor. 4. 9. were appointed or as the word is rendred Luk. 2. 34. set as a mark at which the arrows of affliction and persecution are shot Now they are thus appointed and set as a mark for trouble by God both in his eternal counsel Rom. 8. 29. and in his actual separating them from the world by converting grace 1 Pet. 2. 21. Doct. 1. A Ministers care should be extended towards all and every one of his charge not only the great the rich the strong in grace and eminent but even to the poor the outwardly base contemptible and to such as are but weak even babes in Christ Heb. 5. 12 13. and this as at all times so especially when they are exercised with sharp tryals and sore afflictions for Pauls care was thus extended towards all at such a time as is implyed while he saith That no man should be moved 2. The Lords faithful servants may be so much supported by grace under their saddest sufferings as that their fear and care will be more exercised towards others of the Lords people and about the possible sinful consequences of their trouble upon others than any thing that doth concern themselves for supponing the afflictions here spoken of to be Pauls own as certainly his own are not excluded we find him more afraid of their stumbling than careful of himself That no man saith he should be moved at these afflictions 3. As Christians under afflictions for truth are in hazard to be shaken brangled and tossed to and fro with the wind of strong tentations which take their rise from thence So the ordinary tentations wherewith the Tempter doth assault afflicted Christians have much of insinuating flattery in them while he seemeth to commiserate their present case and promiseth much contentment and ease if they step but a little aside from the way of duty for attaining to an outgate for the word rendred to be moved signifieth to be shaken as a dogs taile and drawn away by flattery That no man should be moved by these afflictions 4. So much ought we to adore and reverence the Lords supream dominion and absolute providence as presently without debate to stoop and imbrace whatsoever lot is measured out unto us by it for he perswades them to endure affliction without fainting from this that they and others were appointed thereunto by God 5. The faith of this that the Lord hath firmly decreed to bring his followers by the way of the cross to their crown and to make them first to suffer with Christ before they reign with him is an excellent remedy to stay and settle the believer against fainting and wavering under the sorest trouble for this is the remedy prescribed here by Paul for we are appointed thereunto saith he 6. Scripture comforts under afflictions cannot support a man except he know them and be acquainted with them and ignorance is often the cause of our great impatience for he makes their knowledge of Gods appointment necessary in order to their drawing comfort from it for saith he your selves know that we are appointed thereunto Ver. 4. For verily when we were with you we told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass and ye know He confirmeth here what he said of their knowing that Christians are appointed and called to undergo a suffering lot as appeareth by the causal particle for and withal doth add a second argument to preserve them from fainting to this purpose They themselves knew and could bear him witness that when he was among them at Thessalonica Act. 17. 1 c. he had foretold them that both he and they were to meet with much tribulation from their oppressing persecutors which prediction was now made out and verified by the event and therefore there was no occasion from them to faint because of affliction seeing they were so timously fore-warned of it Doct. 1. It is the duty of Christs Ministers to give timous warning unto the Lords people of tryals and hardships which they cannot choose but encounter in their Christian course lest otherwise when they are surprized with unexpected trouble they repent their undertaking and succumb Mark 14. 17. for Paul did timously and when he was with them foretel that they should suffer tribulation 2. When the Lords servants have an open door to Preach the Gospel unto a people they ought to stir their time and instruct their hearers in all necessary truths as not knowing how soon the door may be shut and the present opportunity of doing good removed Prov. 27. 4. for so did Paul when he was with them he told them of all necessary truths and of this in particular that we should suffer tribulation saith he 3. That the Lords people have had timous warning from the word of truth of their troubles which will attend them in their Christian course it ought in reason to keep them from fainting and stumbling at a cross when they meet with one for this is the Apostles scope in this verse to reason them up to a couragious frame of spirit under tribulation because he had told them before of it 4. As Ministers ought to be circumspect in their predictions foretelling nothing for certain but what the word of truth giveth ground to believe that it shall undoubtedly come to pass lest otherwise when the event doth not answer the prediction their Ministry be brought unto contempt So the fulfilling of such predictions doth strongly confirm the truth of the word and underprop the believer in the faith of it notwithstanding of any sad affliction or hardship he may be under for adhering to it for Paul foretold nothing but what the event did verifie and from this that the event did answer his prediction he doth perswade them not to faint but to adhere to truth although they were under present trouble for it We told you before that we should suffer tribulation even as it came to pass Ver. 5. For this cause when I could no longer forbear
the pale of Christs visible Church and otherwise both they themselves and Christian Religion should be reproached by those Heathens 2. Hereby and by Gods blessing upon their diligence Prov. 10. 22. they should attain to such a tolerable competency in things worldly as to have lack of nothing to wit which the Lord did see fit and convenient for them to have Psal. 84. 11. Doct. 1. Such is our love to sloath and ease Prov. 6. 9 10. and so prone are people to abuse the doctrine of Christian liberty as a pretence for shaking off the yoke of all necessary and painful duty Gal. 5. 13. that the most of people especially those who can by their wits find out a sinful shift covered over with some handsome pretext to subsist otherwayes can hardly be kept from giving themselves over to idleness or stirred up to look upon diligence in particular callings as a matter of conscience for therefore is it that Paul seeth it necessary to use so many arguments to enforce upon witty medlers in other mens affairs diligence in their own That ye may walk honestly 2. As diligence and industry in the duties of a mans particular calling is a piece of seemly decency and honesty so there is nothing more unseemly and base than a lazie sluggard who being neither profitable to himself nor others doth live as if he were only born to eat drink and sleep and do nothing else and though such idle sluggards be neither whoremongers nor thieves yet they may and should be justly branded with dishonesty and esteemed to lead no honest life for so much doth Paul teach while he calleth painful industry a walking honestly That ye may walk honestly saith he 3. It is the duty of Christians as in the first place to approve themselves to God Matth. 8. 4. and next unto good men Psal. 52. 9. So also in the third place to those who are without even naughty wicked and profane men in so far at least as that we do not scare them from Christ and give them occasion to speak evil of Religion 1 Tim. 5. 14. for so doth Paul enjoyn That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without 4. there is not any thing that makes both Religion and those who prosess the same more unseemly and unsavoury to profane men than when those who pretend much to Religion do under any pretence whatsoever live lazie sluggards in their particular callings exposing themselves and theirs to be a burden to others and to live upon the sweat of other mens faces They are so much convinced from natures light of the unseemliness of this sin that as they burthen Religion with all the blemishes of those who profess it So they cannot think that such a Religion â—ath God for its Author which giveth people liberty to live in the practice of such an evil for while Paul affirmeth that their painful diligence in a particular calling would be a walking honestly toward them that are without he insinuates that they would reproach them and Religion both with dishonesty if they lived idly 5. It is no small mercy for a man to have competency of things worldly so as he neither know the power and strength of those tentations which arise from pinching scarcity and want Prov. 31. 9. nor yet be necessitated to depend for a livelyhood upon the coldryff and oft-times merciless charity of others James 2. 15 16. for Paul teacheth them so much while he perswades them to painful diligence by a promise of desirable competency and that ye may have lack of nothing saith he 6. See a further note from the strength of this Argument to inforce industry and painfulness in our lawful callings upon Eph. 4. 28. doct 6. That ye may have lack of nothing Ver. 13. But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope In the second part of the Chapter The Apostle while he pâ—esseth a fifth branch of sanctification to wit moderation of sorrow for their friends who died in Christ many whereof were doubtless martyrs for the truth in those dayes of persecution chap. 2. 14. and while he gives them many sweet grounds of consolation against immoderate grief he falleth out in a digression concerning the state of believers after death and Christs second coming And in this verse he first proposeth his scope in all which is first to remove all ignorance uncertainty or want of full perswasion of the truth of those things which he is afterward to deliver and especially of the state of believers after death Next that hereby they might learn to moderate their sorrow and grief for their deceased friends and not to mourn excessively or desperately as otâ—ers to wit the Pagan Gentiles did who had no hope of life or of a resurrection following And while he calleth the dead after the usual manner of Scripture Act. 7. 60. 1 Cor. 15. 20. Joh. 11. 11. by the name of those who sleep he sets down the first head of doctrine concerning the state of believers after death which also serveth for an argument to moderate the excessive sorrow of living friends for them even this that their death is but a sleep not a sleeping of the soul which goeth immediately after death to glory Luk. 23. 43. but of their bodies which rest in the grave free from trouble and care as a man doth in his bed and it shall be raised up from the grave in the morning of the Resurrection Psal. 17. 15. by the voice of Christ with as little difficulty as one will awake his sleeping friend Joh. 5. 25. and shall arise refreshed reâ—reated and in full vigour 1 Cor. 15. 42 43. to go about their endless work of praises to God and the Lamb through the long lasting day of never ending eternity see v. 17. as a man after sleep ariseth refreshed for his work Doct. 1. As the children of God are often pressed down with more than ordinary sorrow and grief arising from cross dispensations So sometimes there is not so much cause of sorrow in the dispensation it self as in their own ignorance which mis-represents the Lords way of dealing and makes it look with a more terrible aspect than really it doth for those Thessalonians were excessively grieved for the death of their friends arising mainly from their ignorance of their happy estate after death as Paul doth here imply for I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep 2. As there is oft-times even in Gods children some dangerous ignorance of most necessary truths if not as to the substance yet as to the circumstances of them or at least a great inadvertence to and want of serious perpending of these truths in time of greatest need which is all one with ignorance of them as to any present good to be reaped by them Matth. 16. 9. So it is a considerable part of a
the wit of man when not sanctified and better imployed as to dare to pry into the most profound of Gods secrets and more particularly to search out and determine the peremptory time longer or shorter of Christs second coming the knowledge whereof God only wise hath reserved to himself alone Matth. 24. 36. for Paul supponeth there would be such curious enquiries both in that and in the following ages and therefore laboureth to divert the Godly from them while he saith of the times and seasons ye have no need that I write 4. The servants of Christ are wisely to divert the Lords people from all such curious enquiries as being a result of Satans policy thereby to withdraw them from the knowledge and study of necessary and revealed truths 1 Tim. 6. 4. and more especially they ought to divert from those enquiries which are about the peremptory time of Christs second coming seeing the knowledge thereof not only is impossible but also would prove unprofitable and hurtful as tending to make the world in all ages preceding that wherein he should come more secure and careless for so doth Paul here suppress all such curious enquiries while he saith But of the times and seasons ye need not that I write unto you Ver. 2. For your selves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night He gives a reason to prove the impossibility of knowing when Christ shall come whereof v. 1. Because they themselves know perfectly and exactly as having it plainly revealed by Christ himself while here on earth Matth. 24. 42. that the day of the Lord that is the day of Christs second coming so called because he shall then come as Lord to judge the quick and the dead 2 Tim. 4. 1. they knew I say that this day cometh in the present time that is hasteneth to come Rev. 22. 20. and shall come as a thief in the night that is suddainly and unexpectedly whether by night or by day as the thief who gives not warning before he come to steal See the same similitude used to shew that Christ shall come unawares and unexpectedly Matth. 24. 43 44. Rev. 3. 3. 2 Pet. 3. 10. whence he leaves unto them to gather that it is not possible to know the time and season of his coming Doct. 1. However in points of truth not clearly revealed and those which are not of such absolute necessity to salvation the Lords people may live in suspence without determining themselves peremptorily either to the one hand or the other Act. 1. 7. yet it is their duty and will be in some measure aimed at by them to have the exact knowledge of necessary truths and of such as are most clearly revealed for this truth about the unexpectedness of Christs second coming was necessary and clearly revealed and therefore they knew it perfectly or exactly 2. So ready are we to forget even those truths which we perfectly know under a violent fit of some tentation and when we need to remember them most Heb. 12. 5. that the Lords Ministers must not think it wholly unnecessary but sometimes profitable to inculate of new upon the Lords people and put them in remembrance of those truths which they already know for though they knew perfectly that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night yet he doth here tell them of it and inculcates it v. 3. Doct. 3. It is but a groundless dream and anti-scriptural opinion maintained by some of the ancients and now by the Papists that the Antichrist mentioned in Scripture shall be an individual person who shall have his rise in the world precisely three years and an half before Christs second coming for if so then at that time the very month and day of Christs coming to Judgement should be exactly known the contrary whereof is here affirmed to wit that the day of the Lord cometh unexpectedly and as a thief in the night 4. So great should be our desire to profit in knowledge and sanctified practice and our skill and dexterity to improve all occurrences for that end should be such as to bring meat out of the eater and from the worst of sinful examples to learn somewhat tending either by way of resemblance or otherwayes to clear or confirm spiritual truths to the understanding and to enforce the practice of some spiritual duty upon the will and affections Luke 18. 1 c. for the Apostle takes occasion to clear this necessary truth and to inforce the duty of watchfulness following upon it v. 6. from the sinful practice of a thief who cometh unexpectedly in the night to his prey Ver. 3. For when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape He doth here first both clear what was meant by the former similitude to wit the unexpectedness of Christs second coming and also prove that it shall be unexpected from the terrible effects thereof to wit sudden and unexpected destruction and that both of soul and body as the word is usually taken see 2 Thes. 1. 9. 1 Tim. 6. 9. which destruction shall come or as the word signifieth at unawares surprize the wicked for of those only he meaneth as v. 4. doth clear who at that time shall be arrived at such an height of carnal security as to say that is not only secretly promise unto themselves in their heart Psal. 14. 1. but also openly declare if not by their mouth yet by their deeds for men do speak also by these Tit. 1. 16. that they have no fear of approaching judgement and do look for nothing but continued peace and safety that is full immunity as his using two words to one sense doth imply from any trouble of that sort in their sinful course Next he gives some properties of this destruction first in a similitude of the pains and travel of a woman with child which besides the unexpectedness and suddenty of it as to the hour and moment of time wherein it shall come whereof already holds forth the horrible pain and torment of it the pains of a woman in child-birth being most sharp exquisite and for the time almost not supportable Secondly in plain and proper terms he shews it shall be inevitable They shall not escape In the Original the negation is doubled which according to the property of that language denyeth most strongly as if he had said there shall be no imaginary possiblity to get it shifted so that their destruction shall be 1. sudden 2. painful and 3. inevitable Doct. 1. As sin continued in begeteth carnal security and draweth the sinner at length to misbelieve and despise whatever the word of the Lord doth threaten against him for it Deut. 29. 19. So an height of security and atheistical contempt of divine threatnings is an infallible mark of a wicked godless and unrenewed heart for so much doth he teach while he
from the presence of the Lord and from his glorious power to wit joyntly and without intermission Ver. 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe because our testimony among you was believed in that day Here is the second end of Christs coming and it relateth to the Godly called here 1. Saints strictly taken for those who are inherently holy and real students of and proficients in that sanctification which is described upon 1 Thes. 4. 3. next believers who are endued with the grace of saving faith described 1 Thes. 1. 3. and all such believers and no doubt all such Saints also are to share in the end of Christs coming here mentioned which is to be glorified in them that is to put such a glory upon them both in soul Matth. 22. 30. and body Phil. 3. 21. as he himself shall be thereby glorified not only shall the glorified Saints themselves give glory to him but the glory of his mercy power goodness and other attributes shall in their glory be made manifest unto all the world upon occasion whereof the glorified Angels also shall glorifie him The Apostle adds that Christ the Judge shall also be admired in them that is shall put such glory on them as never was expected neither by themselves or others Isa. 64. 4. and therefore it shall be admired by all beholders and the mercy power and grace of Christ the bestower shall be admired and wondered at much more Only the Apostle having first as it were at the by and in a parenthesis applyed this general ground of consolation to them in particular by giving a reason for his so doing to wit because they had believed and given credit unto the doctrine of the Gospel to the truth whereof he and his associates had given testimony he doth in the end of the verse again repeat the time when this shall be to wit in that day of Christs second coming and not until then hereby to put a stop to their precipitancy in hastening too much after it Doct. 1. Jesus Christ the Judge shall not be so much transported with rage and fury against the wicked in the day of general judgement as to make him forget his tender mercies unto the Godly he knoweth how to make the same day the greatest for terrour unto his foes and yet the greatest for Joy unto his friends for Paul sheweth that he shall take vengeance upon the one and be glorified in the other both in one day when he shall come to be glorified in his saints Yea 2. The great errand of Christs coming to general Judgement is not so much to render vengeance unto the wicked as to glorifie and save the Godly the former being in some respect but as a mean to set forth the glory and solemnity of the latter Rom. 9. 22 23. for looking narrowly to the Text we find that Christ doth take vengeance as it were but in the by when he shall come as it were of purpose to put glory on his people Taking vengeance on them that know not God saith he v. 8. when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints 3. The rest remaining to the now afflicted and troubled people of God is a glorious rest and therefore not a total cessation from all action and duty as lifeless stones that rest should have no glory in it but from the sin infirmities and misery with which they are encompassed and attended now in the way of duty and from all such duty as implyeth any want or imperfection in the performer otherwise their rest were not compleatly glorious for Paul exponing and clearing the rest which was promised v. 7. saith he shall come to be glorified in his saints 4. Though the glory of Christ the Judge will be ser forth to the admiration of all beholders in the pouring forth of his wrath and vengeance upon Godless reprobates his proud and obstinate enemies yet his glory will be incomparably more and more admired in his putting glory upon the Elect in so far as the reprobate shall receive but what they deserve but as for the Elect besides the wonderful change which shall be wrought in them the glory put upon them shall be without yea and contrary to their deserving for Paul saith he shall come to be glorified and admired in his saints as if his glory to be had in judging reprobates were no glory being compared with that 5. There is such a necessary connexion betwixt the glory of Christ and the glory wherewith the Elect shall be glorified in Heaven that the former is the result of the latter Christ the head is glorified in that glory which he himself hath procured for 2 Tim. 1. 10. and shall bestow upon his members 2 Tim. 4. 8. and therefore we neither need nor should separate Gods glory from our own salvation but are to seek the latter jointly with and in subordination to the former for Paul sheweth that Christ shall be glorified in their glory When he shall come to be glorified in his saints 6. Though there be much foretold in Scripture of the glory which shall be put upon the Lords people in the last day 1 Joh. 3. 2. yet that which is revealed to that purpose is so little believed Mark 9. 24. and cometh so far short of that height of glory wherewith they shall be then adorned and crowned that Heaven and happiness shall be a far other thing than ever entered in the heart not only of natural men but also of the Godly themselves to think upon for therefore the first sight of it shall strike them with admiration as at a thing beyond their expectation and hope he shall come to be admired saith he 7. As Heaven and glory shall be enjoyed only by believers and Saints So all those are Saints who are believers and all are believers who are saints there being an inseparable connexion betwixt saving faith and inherent holiness as betwixt a necessary cause and the effect which floweth from it for he putteth the saints and them that believe the one for the other and sheweth that glory is the portion of such only to be glorified in his saints and admired in all them that believe 8. Though there be degrees of glory in Heaven Dan. 12. 3. yet the meanest believer shall enjoy so much as the most enlarged heart cannot once imagine or comprehend while we are here for Paul saith he will be admired in all them that believe even the meanest believer not excepted 9. Our choicest comforts while we are here on earth consist in those things which we have not in hand but shall enjoy hereafter and therefore the more we exercise our faith and patience our comforts will prove the more satisfying and lively for he shews that the great and good things which are here spoken of in order to their comfort shall not be performed before the last day to be admired saith he in all
way of his rising v. 6. which should keep him still at under until its removal v. 7. after which he would discover himself v. 8. In the fourth branch he foretelleth Antichrists ruine v 8. In the fifth he mentions the means and helps of his advancement to wit 1. Satans assistance 2. A faculty of working lying Miracles v. 9. and 3. Deceitful false doctrines v. 10 In the sixth he sets forth his success and describeth his subjects first from their eternal state they perish 2. From the cause of their perishing to wit their rejecting of truth v. 10. and their believing grossest untruths the Lord having given them up to the power of errour v. 11. Thirdly from the judgement following upon both the former sins v. 12. In the third part he confirms and comforts them against the power and terrour of this apostasie first from the certainty of their perseverance and salvation grounded upon their election v. 13. which he cleareth from their effectual calling v. 14. next by exhorting them to constancy in the doctrine received v. 15. Lastly by praying to God for them that he would comfort and establish them v. 16 17. Ver. 1. NOw we beseech you brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto him The Apostle being to establish these Thessalonians in the truths against a spreading errour concerning the time of Christ second coming which is expressed v 2. doth first in order to that end beseech them lovingly and meekly as brethren 2. He enforceth the exhortation or rather the disswasive with a kind of religious adjuration by Christs second coming about which the present errour was and by their gathering together unto him to wit at the last day when all the elect shall be fully gathered from the four winds Mat. 24. 31. and caught up to meet the Lord in the air 1 Thes. 4. 17. So that he doth in effect obtest them that as they would have comfort at Christs second coming and partake of that glory which the elect being gathered together shall receive from him then 1 Thes. 4 17. so they would obey the present exhortation and keep themselves at a distance from the following errour Doct. 1. The spirit of errour is so far from being banished and put to silence by the Churches afflictions and weighty sufferings that it sometimes takes occasion from those to rage the more among a people who being wearied with the cross have oft an open ear to receive whatsoever it is whether truth or errour which promiseth most of present ease and of a speedy delivery from their present strait for though this Church was presently under a suffering lot chap. 1. 4. yet this errour which did maintain that Christ was presently to come and put an end to trouble at the last day of judgement did spread fast among them hence Paul doth seriously exhort them to guard against it Now we beseech you brethren 2. The Ministers of Christ ought so to propound the sweet and ravishing consolations of the Gospel to an afflicted people as they do not omit to press such duties on them as their afflicted state calleth for or to tax them for yielding in the least to such tentations as Satan takes advantage from their affliction to assault them with and that because untenderness of this kind doth hinder the most sweet and powerful consolations of the Gospel to work and take effect Jer. 42. 10 11. with 44. 15 c. for Paul having comforted this afflicted Church chap. 1. doth now exhort them to duty and indirectly tax them for their being so soon taken with the present plausible errour Now we beseech you brethren 3. The Minister of Christ as he ought to entertain love betwixt him and the people of his charge and for that end to deal affectionately with them at all times So chiefly when he hath to do with those who are either tainted or in hazard to be tainted with errour especially so long as they are not incorrigible in their errour and that because a spirit of pride doth usually accompany a spirit of errour so that the person tainted with it can hardly endure to be contradicted Gal. 4. 16. if he be not convinced that he who contradicts his errours doth love his person and dealeth affectionately with him for therefore while Paul is about to meddle with their errour he dealeth most affectionately with them Now we beseech you brethren But 4. The Lords Minister ought not under pretence of tender and affectionate dealing with those who are tainted with errour to speak against their errours coldryfly as if it were a thing indifferent whether they returned to a right mind or not but as he would be faithful to God Gal. 1. 10. and the souls of people 2 Cor. 11. 3. he must deal seriously with them set their hazard before them and earnestly obtest them by that which is dearest to them to quit their errour and embrace the contrary truth for thus doth Paul beseech and in a kind adjure them by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto him 5. Errour about a truth or any circumstance of it doth in so far at least hinder or endanger the good and comfort which might be otherwise reaped by it for while Paul obtests them that as they looked for comfort at Christs second coming so they would beware of that errour which did antedate the time of it it is implyed that their embracing of that errour would in some respect hinder or at least hazard the comfort which they might have by the faith of that day We beseech you saith he by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 6. As Christ will certainly come to judge the world and all believers shall be gathered to him as Eagles do resort unto the Carcase Matth. 24. 28. so we ought to entertain thoughts of that day with a kind of religious awe and reverence to wit so as we do not mock at it 2 Pet. 3. 4. but that certainly believing it will be we order all our deportment as we may prepare and make ready for it 2 Pet. 3. 11 12. for he adjures and obtests them by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto him now we use not to obtest but by such things which are most certain and to which we owe a kind of religious respect and reverence 7. Then is the day of Christs second coming desirable and precious to us and thought upon as it ought by us when having made acquaintance and friendship with Christ our Judge we have ground of confidence that he will not be terrible but friendly to us in that day otherwise a man can never think upon it with love desire and religious reverence but will abhor the very thoughts of it for as this obtestation implyeth this day to have been desirable unto them and reverently thought upon by them so Paul doth shew from what this did flow even their interest
For therefore is the word falling away or apostasie set down indefinitely and without any restriction The second thing which was to fall our antecedently to that day is the revealing of the man of sin the great head and patron of this apostasie whom all accord to be that great Antichrist spoken of 1 Joh. 2. 18. and 4. 3. and the beast mentioned Rev. 13. 11 c. and the epithetes given him here declare so much though he be not expresly named Concerning whom the Apostle doth first foretel that he shall be revealed and made known though not so as that none should have any doubt concerning him for then how were it possible that all the world should wonder after the beast Rev. 13. 3. neither were such wisdom requisite to find him out and know him as is required Rev. 13. 18. yet so as they to whom the Lord hath given eyes to see shall evidently discern him Which revealing and making of him known was to be effectuated partly by the preaching of the Gospel which should discover him see v. 8. but chiefly by his coming to the height of his power and his exercising of open tyranny over the Church of God Next that the Lords people might the better know him when he should discover himself the spirit of God doth here describe him first from his nature he shall be a man and not a Devil as some did falsly imagine Now that he is called a man in the singular number with the article prefixed in the Original doth not inferr that he should be one single man and individual person without succession as the Papists imagine to defend their Pope from being the Antichrist here described but all in vain For 1. The same word with the article prefixed doth not alwayes point at one individual person but sometimes must be extended to many men or to any man indefinitely as Joh. 2. 25. 2 Tim. 3. 17. Secondly That the Antichrist cannot be only one individual person will be clear if we consider the many great things which Scripture foretelleth shall be effectuated by him whereof there is one here to wit the carrying on of that woful work of an universal apostasie from Christ and truth through the whole Christian world presently spoken of unto an height and head which surely behoved to be a work of more ages than one otherwise the argument here used by Paul would have been but of small force to prove that the day of judgement should not fall out in the present age because this falling away and apostasie behoved to be first It would have been I say of no force if that apostasie could have been brought about in the space of one age Besides the spirit of Antichrist was already working hidly and in a Mysterie in Pauls time see upon v. 7. and in Johns time 1 Joh. 4. 3. and was to continue until the time of Christs second coming see upon v. 8. and consequently he cannot be one only individual person But therefore thirdly By man or that man here is meant a series and constant succession of men of whom one was to succeed another in their grandeur power and wickedness against Christ and his Church as if they were all but one man acted by one and the same spirit even as the word High Priest in the singular number is taken Heb. 9. 7 25. and as Daniel chap. 7. under every one of the four beasts doth comprize a number of Kings succeeeding one another in the Babylonian Persian and Grecian Monarchies yea and as shall appear upon v. 7. the continued series and succession of Roman Emperours is spoken of as of one man withholding the Antichrist from coming to the height of his power and greatness Secondly the Antichrist in this verse is described from two of his titles first he shall be a man of sin It is an Hebraism implying that he shall be a notorious sinner himself Rev. 13. 5 6. and an Author of sin to others Rev. 13. 12 14. Like Jeroboam who caused Israel to sin 2 King 11. 10. Next a son of perdition that is one devoted to destruction Rev. 17. 8. as Judas was who therefore hath the same title Joh. 17. 12. and one who should destroy others and that both spiritually in their souls Rev. 17. 2. and corporally in their bodies Rev. 17. 6. for which cause he is called Apollyon or a destroyer Rev. 9. 11. Hence Learn first as love to ease and desire of freedom from trouble in the Lords people do make them antedate promised deliveries and dream of a triumph before they have entred the battel So the Lord in Scripture doth frequently sâ—t himself to dispossess his people of this lazy dangerous humour by shewing that they must first prepare for a long lasting battel before they can expect a compleat victory and full triumph for while these Thessalonians did dream of nothing but of a present delivery from all their trouble by Christs second coming the spirit of God doth here forewarn them to prepare for a long continuing battel with Antichrist and his followers for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first saith he 2. Not only particular Churches and persons but even the Catholick Church visible the elect only being excepted Matth. 24. 24. may fall away from the purity of the Gospel to dangerous and soul-destroying errours and therefore the Church of Rome can have no ground to plead for the contrary priviledge seeing not only her future apostasie is more than intimate Rom. 11. 20. but also it is here foretold that the Antichristian apostasie shall as a deluge overflow the whole visible Church yea and Rev. 17. 9. that Antichrist shall erect his throne in the City of Rome it self for saith he except there come a falling away first to wit a general apostasie See the Exposition 3. Not only are the saddest events which can befall the Church foreseen by God and powerfully overruled by him for his own glory and the good of his elect Rom. 8. 28. but he hath also in mercy fore-acquainted his Church with them that when they come to pass none should need to stumble at them for therefore it is that the Lord doth here forewarn his Church of this general apostasie except there come a falling away first 4. Even Satans Kingdom and his many instruments under him are most united in their woful work and in uniform means and wayes for carrying on their work of bearing down the Kingdom of Jesus Christ And therefore that union boasted of so much by Papists can be no infallible mark that they are the true Church for though Antichristianism shall be a Kingdom made up of divers members wherein shall be many successive heads in several ages see the exposition yet because of their unity and uniformity in driving on one and the same design they are all called by the name of one man and that man of sin be revealed 5. One step of apostasie from truth
in the Church maketh way for an higher It begins at lâ—ssâ—r truths and from those it advanceth further Satan doth so dâ—sign it that he may gain his intent against truth by pâ—â—ce-meale which he cannot attain by whole sale And the Lord himself doth so order it that he may punish begun apostasie by raining snares in his holy justice upon the guilty whereby they cannot but backslide more See v. 11. for he foretelleth that there shall be first a falling away and then the man of sin shall be revealed or discover himself in his own colours and be generally received and so the apostasie should heighten 6. The nature of man now fallen is a very sink of sin and being given over of God and tempted by Satan is ready to fall in any sin yea to many sins though never so gross and abominable and therefore let him that stands take heed lest he fall for the Antichrist is a man of sin a man by nature and yet a sink of all sin a son of perdition an opposer of God and Christ c. 7. As where sin goeth before perdition and destruction do follow after So the more eminent men are in their personal transgressions and the more active in driving on others to sin with them they may expect the more inevitable and dreadful destruction from the Lord as their reward for if Antichrist be a man of sin a notorious sinner himself an author of sin to others first he shall be a son of perdition next 8. Though they who are active in driving others on to sin shall smart most for it as said is yet those who are seduced and drawn over by them shall not escape for as he is the man of sin for his causing others to sin so a son of perdition for bringing spiritual perdition upon them also Ver. 4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God The Apostle doth describe the Antichrist thirdly from two of his properties first he opposeth himself or as it is in the original he is a prime opposite or adversary to wit unto Christ for therefore is he called Antichrist 1 Joh. 2. 18. now every heretick is in so far at least an adversary and opposite to Christ but he in a special manner for his opposition was 1. To be most potent as having a fixed orderly Kingdom whereof he is head set up in opposition to Christ 2. More universal as setting himself to undermine every Christian truth almost 3. He was to oppose Christ especially in those truths relating to Christs offices to which he was anointed as the name Christ and Antichrist in the greek imply Only know that what is spoken here of Antichrists opposition to Christ and afterwards of his shewing himself that he is God must not be understood as if he would profess so much in words which the Papists affirm for as followeth immediately he shall sit in the Temple of God and Antichristianism is called a mysterie v. 7. besides he shall be a false Prophet Rev. 16. 13. and have the horns of the Lamb Rev. 13. 11. and consequently a famous hypocrite and dissembler as some of the Papists are forced to confess yea and shall be adored by the world of professed Christians Rev. 12. 13. which is not imaginable if he were a professed enemy to Christ and an avowed Atheist And therefore his opposition to Christ and God here spoken of is real and in deeds but under a mask and pretence of friendship The Antichrists second property is his intolerable pride and arrogance first in relation to men and the chief of men He should exceedingly and above measure exalt himself as the word is rendred 2 Cor. 12. 7. and this above all that is called God I conceive he meaneth not the true God for he is spoken of after but earthly Magistrates who are called Gods Psal. 82. 1. above whom he should exalt himself by usurping power over them to enthrone and dethrone them at pleasure Rev. 17. 12 13. and this not only inferiour Magistrates and Kings over particular Kingdoms but Emperours and mighty Monarchs over many realms expressed here in these words or that which is worshipped The word in the Original doth signifie that which is holden in highest degree of reverence whether religious or civil and with a little variation was an usual stile given to the Roman Emperours which did difference them most from other Magistrates Act. 25. 21 25. Next his arrogance is set forth in relation to the true God which is brought in as an higher step following upon the former and joyntly herewith he gives a fourth branch of his description from the greatness of his power and the place where he shall exercise it First he shall sit the Apostle doth not mean local or corporal sitting but his supream and setled power rule and government set forth oft by sitting Psal. 9. 4. Ezek. 28. 2. Next the place wherein he shall sit or rule is the temple of God not the Temple at Jerusalem as some Papists affirm though others of them are forced to acknowledge the truth for that Temple is ruined many years since Matth. 24. 1 2. the re-edifying whereof ever since when several times attempted as Histories shew hath been signally impeded from Heaven And though it should be built again by Antichrist to be worshipped therein yet it could not be called the Temple of God but rather of the Devil and therefore hereby must be meant the Church of God not so much the material house of stones and timber where the Church doth meet as the Christian Church of visible professours in which the Antichrist shall set himself as head and chief and which he shall tyrannically oppress See the Temple of God taken in this sense 1 Cor. 3. 16. 6. 16. And here as I formerly said the Apostle intermixeth the second branch of the Antichrists arrogance to wit in relation to God whereby 1. He shall manage his rule and government in the Church as God pretending to have no less than divine authority even the same with God and Christ Rev. 13 11 he shall shew himself that he is God not professing so much in words as is already proved but as the Greek word signifieth shewing or attempting to shew by his actions that he is no less to be esteemed of than God while he either attributes unto himself or suffers others to ascribe unto him and discharge towards him such things as belong only to God as divine titles worship and properties Rev. 13. 4. Doct. 1. The spirit of God doth not judge of men so much by what they say as by what they do not by fair pretences but by the reality of their practises and willeth us to judge accordingly for though the Antichrist sit in the Temple of God pretending he doth all things for Christ and at his command yet because
he doth really and in deeds oppose Christ therefore he is called an opposite to him who opposeth himself 2. An opposiâ—e and adversary to God and Christ doth seldom prove a faithful friend to man whosoever doth once break his trust to the former he will not spare to trample upon the latter if it may conduce for his interest and doth not exceed the reach of his power for upon the Antichrist his opposing himself to God and Christ doth follow his arrogance to man in exalting himself above the supream Civil Magistrate even all that is called God or is worshipped See the exposition 3. A spirit of pride and arrogance is insatiable and indefatigable and extreamly daring It must be all and above all otherwise it is nothing and where it is attended with success it attempteth things almost impossible and remaineth indesatigable until the height aspired at be once attained for Antichrist in his arrogancy though he be but a false Prophet Rev. 16. 13. aspireth above Kings yea Emperours and ceaseth not until he work himself up above them all he exalts himself above all that is called God or is worshipped 4. One degree of sin doth so much make way for a further that those things which at the first men do stick at will through the continued custome of some lesser degrees of those same evils be easily swallowed at last and without reluctance for Antichrists arrogance against man maketh way for his arrogance against God and hardneth him in it as the Apostle insinuates while he saith so that he as God sitteth making this his pride against God follow upon the former 5. The Antichrist is not to be sought without the visible Church neither among the Turks as some do imagine nor yet among the Jews as the Papists do dream that Antichrist shall be one individual person without succession by Nation a Jew of the Tribe of Dan born of an Whore in Babylon a profest enemy to the very name of Christian Religion shall draw the Jews after him build the Temple at Jerusalem cause himself to be worshipped therein as the true and living God and yet be a secret worshipper of the Devil that he shall bring all Kingdoms under him Reign precisely three years and an half kill Enoch and Elias the fore-runners of Christ and at last himself be killed by Christ or an Angel forty five dayes before the day of Judgement which fable as it is maintained by them to defend their Pope from being Antichrist so it appeareth abundantly to be but a fabulous invention by the whole current of this Prophesie and especially by that which is here affirmed He shall sit in the Temple of God and therefore is to be found not without but within the visible Church even a Bishop claiming universal authority over the whole Church accompanied with an army of Priests as one of their own Popes did maintain a little before the Antichrist did come to his height He shall sit saith Paul in the Temple of God See the Exposition Ver. 5. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you these things The Apostle closeth the former description by giving them a gentle and indirect reproof for their oblivion and ignorance of the truths presently delivered as that which had unsettled them in the present truth concerning the time of Christs second coming and hereby addeth a weight to what he had now written about the Antichrist while he sheweth that it was not a doctrine newly invented but that he had formerly told them fully of it and instructed them in all its particular branches while he was with them at Thessalonica Act. 17. 1 2. and therefore they ought to have remembred it Doct. 1. As the Church enjoyeth now and then some peaceable times wherein the Gospel hath free passage without any considerable check or restraint either from errour or persecution So it is the duty both of Pastors and people to improve so rich a mercy to the best advantage and especially then the Lords servants should give frequent warnings of future evils that the people of God may fore-arm themselves against an approaching storm for while the Church at Thessalonica enjoyed some little respite from trouble Paul doth stir his time among them and gives them warning that the Churches tryals under Antichrist was coming When I was yet with you I told you these things 2. As it is a blame-worthy fault too frequently incident unto the Lords people to forget what necessary truths have been taught unto them by their faithful Pastors and especially those which tend to make them shake off security and ease and prepare for eminent tryals So forgetfulness of this kind doth encourage Satan to sow among them tares of errour which otherwise he would have but little heart to venture on as despairing his pains should meet with the desired success for Paul insinuates they had forgot and reproves them indirectly for it as that which had encouraged Satan to brangle them about the time of Christs coming which they could not have imagined to come in the present age if they had but remembred what he had taught them about the Antichrist Remember ye not saith he I told you these things Ver. 6. And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time Because the Apostle had shewn v. 3. that the Antichrist must be revealed antecedently to Christs second coming he doth now in the third branch of this prophesie speak something of the time when he should be revealed and of the lets and impediments which for the time did hinder his discovery And first he sheweth he was not yet revealed and therefore they were not to expect the day of Christs second coming so soon as they did while he mentions something which did then withhold or stay and hinder his revealing and publick appearing in the height of his power for a season the Lords overruling providence so ordering that he might be revealed not before but in his time that is the time prefixed by God for that thing Now by this stop and obstacle in the way of Antichrists rising greatness must be meant some man person or persons as appears from v. 7. where he is spoken of as such only he who now letteth and the general current of Interpreters both Popish and Protestant and many ancient Fathers also do agree that hereby is understood the supream authority and respect of the ancient Emperours in the Roman Empire who by their eminent temporal power did hinder the arising of Antichrists spiritual power over the Christian world and upon whose ruines the Antichrist was to arise and to possess their Throne and seat in the City scituate upon seven hills Rev. 17. 9. even Rome that great City which did then Reign over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17. 18. and though the Apostle had expressed so much to them while he was with them for therefore he saith they knew what did withhold yet he doth not
is here spoken of as a judgement sent by God God shall send them strong delusion 4. Where Gospel truths are not received in love and made use of as they ought absurd and monstrous errours will be ere long received and believed for truths for because they received not the love of the truth they are given up of God to believe a lye 5. When the Lord in his holy justice giveth loose reins unto Satan to tempt a sinner and withdraweth from him his restraining grace there is no sin so irrational or absurd to which the man so plagued of God will not run if it were even to receive most gross absurdities for divine truths and to believe them with a kind of firm assent beyond all doubt or suspicion for their believing lyes is here foretold as the consequence of Gods sending them strong delusion even that they should believe a lye Ver. 12. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness He describeth the Antichrists followers fourthly from that judgement which followeth upon their sin and is intended to be brought about by God as the end of his sending them strong delusion for the context shewing the result of this purpose from the former implyeth so much and the judgement is they shall all be damned to wit all guilty in the way mentioned upon v. 10. of the former sins which for further clearing of Gods justice he doth here again repeat 1. That which is spoken of v. 10. their not believing the truth after they had heard it to wit the truth of the Gospel see the Gospel so called and for what reasons upon Eph. 1. 13. doct 4. Next that which is expressed v. 11. here called their taking pleasure in unrighteousness that is false and unrighteous doctrine see upon v. 10. to which they did not only give their assent and approbation but also did find much inward satisfaction and had an inexpressible delight and pleasure in it as the word signifieth and in all the woful consequences of unrighteousness both to God and man to which it tended and therefore they should be without excuse and dying impenitent be damned without remedy Doct. 1. Though some sins and errours be a necessary result of Gods judicial giving up a man to the power of tentation and delusion as said is yet they cease not to be sin obliging the guilty party to undergo eternal wrath no less than any other sin and that because their former sins have justly procured that they should be so given up of God and though God in his justice doth punish sin with sin yet the sinner doth alwayes delight in sin as being the matter of his voluntary choice for he shews they shall be damned for believing a lye though the Lord being provoked as said is by their former sins had sent them strong delusion and that because they took pleasure in unrighteousness That they all might be damned saith he 2. It is a manifest untruth that every man shall be saved in his own Religion and that it is no hazard for a man to be of any Religion if so he follow his conscience believing what he thinks to be truth and walk according to the principles of that Religion which he professeth and believeth to be of God for here it is foretold that the devout followers of Antichristian lies though they did believe them to be truths yet should be damned That they all might be damned 3. Multitudes of sinners concurring in one and the same guilt doth neither lessen the guilt nor make God either through fear abate or from pitty moderate the deserved punishment for here it is foretold that they shall all be damned 4. That a man do savingly believe the Gospel it is not sufficient that he assent to the truth of it in his judgement but he must also embrace and receive the good things offered by it in his will and affections and that from love to it for that which he called the receiving of truth in love v. 10. he calleth believing the truth here Who believed not the truth 5. As no men no not the worst of men become extreamly evil at first but by certain steps ascend toward that height of sin at which they do at last arrive So when a man doth not only commit sin but takes pleasure in it maketh his boast of it it speaks him at the very height of sin and near a dreadful downfal in the pit of condemnation if Gods mercy by giving speedy repentance prevent it not for several steps are here implyed their not receiving truth their believing untruth and the height of all and nearest cause of their being damned is their taking pleasure in unrighteousness 6. A man deluded with errour may for a time find much seeming peace of conscience quietness of spirit soul-satisfaction and delight flowing from those erroneous doctrines which he believeth for truth and the more of this kind a man doth find in the way of errour he is the more deluded and his guilt the greater for their taking pleasure in unrighteousness or in unrighteous doctrine is spoken of as the utmost effect of that strong delusion sent them v. 11. and the highest step of their sin A necessary Appendix containing the application of this Prophecy and discovering who this Antichrist is HAving thus explained this dark Prophesie and made such doctrinal application of it as every verse apart did offer it now remaineth that for the more full understanding of the present Scripture a discovery be made who is this man of sin that great Antichrist whom the spirit of God doth here so fully describe which the event time and experience the surest commentaries for understanding dark prophesies have now made so fully clear that those who have eyes may see the truth of that assertion which hath been maintained almost in every age and now by all the Reformed Divines Whereby it is affirmed That the Pope of Rome ever since he usurped that fulness of power in all causes both humane and Divine which he hath now for a long time enjoyed hath been and yet is that man of sin that Child of perdition the very Antichrist here described And that because all the characters of this man of sin and every passage of this prophesie is verified in the Pope as shall be made appear by taking a review of every verse And first The third verse is verified in him for first the Church of Rome whereof the Pope is head hath made defection from the doctrine of faith and purity of worship held forth in the Gospel as appears from all the controverted points betwixt us and them which apostasie did spread it self over the face of the whole visible Church even as the apostasie here foretold to be under the Antichrist except there come a falling away 2. The Pope did not pretend to such power over the Church of Christ as he now exerciseth in Pauls time Their own Historians
power and authority of that Empire did weaken and decay The truth whereof is abundantly confirmed by History and acknowledged by Papists themselves Even as it is here foretold that the credit and authority of the Roman Empire did for a long time retard the Antichrists growing greatness and that the Antichrists power should rise upon the ruines of that Empire Ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed and he will lett untill he be taken out of the way See the Exposition Secondly A great many of Popish errours were already hatched in the Apostles time as that men are not justified by faith only but also by works Gal. 2. 16. that we must commend our selves to God by the Ministry of Angels and for that end give them religious worship Col. 2. 18. that we must abstain from certain kinds of meat Col. 2. 21. and Church-men from marriage that we ought to subject our selves to the wills of men in the use of things indifferent Col. 2. 20. and that superiority of power in one Church-man over the rest is a thing convenient and desirable 3 Joh. 9. which and such like Popish errours did then work secretly and under ground towards that height of credit and authority which they afterwards attained Even as it is here shewn that the mysterie of Antichristian tyranny and doctrine did work already in Pauls time Thirdly popish errours though most gross in themselves yet are covered over with such fair pretences that hardly can the poyson which lurketh in them be at first discerned unity is pleaded for as the foundation of their Hierarchy a pretext is made of humility for pressing the invocation of Saints and Angels and of sending our suits by their mediation to God Their doctrine of merit and justification by works and not by faith only is pressed as the only mean of exciting to diligence in duty and especially in the works of charity They press Pilgrimages Penances Abstinence from meats voluntary poverty vows to lead a single life under the plausible pretexts of attaining thereby to more than ordinary sanctity mortification of the flesh and such like Even as the Antichristian doctrine and tyranny is here called a mysterie The mysterie of iniquity doth already work See the Exposition And Fourthly Whatever Popish doctrine as it is popish pretend to of more than ordinary sanctity yet the native issue and result of all in those who do receive it is nothing else but impiety and iniquity Their vows of voluntary poverty do in the nature of the thing drive them to idleness beggery and to live upon the labours of others vows of leading a single life are accompanied with Fornications Adulteries and all manner of uncleanness in those who have not the gift of continency Their vows of blind and absolute obedience to their superiours do drive them to murther Kings and perpetrate other most desperate villanies and to think they merit Heaven by so doing if their superiours do enjoyn them Their strictest Penances Pilgrimages and Fastings from certain meats on certain dayes their auricular Confessions do cast them loose to live at a random in other things as thinking they have already made satisfaction to God by those things and knowing how to make up with a little pains whatever yet is lacking even as the Antichristian doctrine is here called a mysterie of iniquity Fourthly Whatever is affirmed of the Antichrist v. 8. is also verified in the Pope for first it is maintained by his flattering followers that he is above Law taketh Law from none and giveth Law unto all that he may dispence with Gods Law and of wrong make right by correcting and changing the Law Even as the Antichrist who is here said to be that wicked or lawless one 2. The Pope after long wrestling in the dark hath at last some hundreds of years since attained to an incredible height of power in the whole Christian world by his being possessed with the power of both swords but chiefly in the City and Territories of Rome where he is absolute Lord and Master ever since the Roman Empire did lose all interest in Europe as History doth make clear Even as the Antichrist is said here to be revealed immediately after the weakning of the Roman Empire And then shall that wicked be revealed To which add that seeing the Antichrist must be already come as I proved in doct 1. from this verse what power is there or hath been to whom all his characters here and elsewhere mentioned do agree so well as to the Pope 3. Since the first beginning of Reformation from Popery the power and credit of the Pope hath been much wasted and by little and little consumed by the powerful Preaching of the Gospel through which his Errours Tyranny Superstitions and Idolatry have been discovered to the world and openly disavowed by the Reformed Churches even as it is here foretold that the Lord shall consume Antichrist by the breath of his mouth 4. However the power and credit of the Pope and of his erroneous doctrine be much weakned yet so many and strong are those Engines which he employeth to defend his tottering Kingdom and so small ground hath been gained upon him these sixty years last past that there is little appearance he shall meet with a full and final overthrow in haste or before the time of Christs second coming even as it is here foretold there will be somewhat what of Antichrist in the world until then which Christ shall destroy with the brightness of his coming Lastly Whatever is affirmed of Antichrist v. 9 10 11 12. is also verified in the Pope for first Histories do testifie a great many Popes have come to the Popedom by Sorcery and express covenanting with the Devil for that end by Simony by poysoning their Predecessours or others who stood in their way and by such other devilish arts wherein as in several other things besides those Satan hath been extreamly active to advance Popes and Popery Even as it is here affirmed of Antichrist whose coming is after the working of Satan 2. A singular mean and help by which the Pope and Popish doctrine have come to credit and respect in the Christian world is signs and wonders alledged to be wrought by him and his followers this being their usual way when other proofs do fail to fly to miracles to confirm their superstitions and Idolatries so that there is scarcely any famous Church Image or statue or â—ounder of any new Religious Order or any Monastery or Religious place which is not famous by some one or other miracle and some of them for many reported to be done by them and in them yea they make the glory of working Miracles a mark of the true Church Even as it is here foretold of Antichrist that his coming credit and advancement should be with all power signes and wonders Thirdly Popish Miracles are all but false and lying wonders given out and supposed only to be such in so