were put to death for the Gospell of Christ out of Bohemia were banished aboue two hundred Ministers of the Gospell and in France was a  grieuous Persecution raised against those which were called Waldenses But for all this they shrunke not from the Truth therefore the Lord will cloath them with the white garmēt he will not blot out their names out of the Booke of Life but will confesse them before his Father and his holy Angels Sleid. Com. Lu. Osiand Epit. l. 2. cent 16. c. 70. 71. 72. 73. Lu. Osian l. 3. cent 16. c. 20. Hee that hath an eare let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from the yeare 1516. to 1558. set out in the Church of Sardis CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that such as bee come from vnder Antichrist may yet bee in a dying condition Secondly that there may bee a name of life by profession when such parties may bee dead in practice Thirdly that where there is no care to strengthen that which is good it will dye and euill grow vp in the roome thereof Fourthly That God alloweth not of the workes which are not perfect before him Fiftly that to amend and to be reformed is to call our selues backe to the Truthes receiued Sixtly that God will surely punish his if they will not otherwise be reformed Seuenthly that some are kept pure and vndefiled when others be stayned with vncleannesse Eighthly that the better part are euer the fewest Ninthly that God in mercy holds them worthy of reward which will not pollute themselues with others in sin Tenthly that the better men be though neuer so few the more accepted be they with God THE SIXT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SIXT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Philadelphia The Philadelphian state of Christs Church being the second of the Reformed Churches beginning from the Reigne of Elizabeth our late Queene of happy memory in the yeare 1558. at which time we may begin this sixt state of Christs Church for that the Popes power began now more to bee diminished then euer before and to be cast into such a consumption that hitherto he languisheth thereof in all these parts of Christendome God adding the Wisdome and Zeale of our learned Souereigne by his Pen to pierce thorow the heart of his vsurped Supremacie The period of this not yet come the yeare as in all the former states of the Church cannot bee set downe 1. To this Christ setteth out himself to be holy and true to haue the Key of Dauid to open and 1. BEcause now Christ at this time would chiefly exalt Piety exalt his Truth and shew that as he is King and as power belongeth to him so would hee none to shut and to shut and none to open now exercise the same that the Church might know that hee hath taken to him his great power and hath reigned And indeed in what age since the Apostles time hath true Pietie and the Truth beene more liuely set forth I say true Pietie and holinesse not that fained and counterfeit Sanctitie so much extolled when that Romane Beast did beare rule ouer all How hath the Gospell shined foorth to vs the wayes of darkenesse most powerfully hath the Lord shewed himselfe by his faithfull Seruants and great fruit haue they reaped of their labours Blessed be his Name cap. 11. 17. 2 Heere the LORD openeth a doore and none shutteth 2. For now the Gospell hath gotten free passage which the Enemies by their Tridentine Councell by their Iesuiticall or rather Iebusiticall Sect by their Seminarie Priests by their Conspiracies Trecheries Treason raysing of Rebellion in England  and Ireland by their murthering of Princes by their bloudy Persecutions in France and most cruell Massacre by their Spanish Inuasion by their Hellish Gunpowder-plot haue not beene able to hinder so wide hath the Lord opened the hearts of men to receiue the Truth as no plot nor police of that man of sinne hitherto hath beene able to shut them against the Truth as it is well knowne to vs all at this day William of Nass Prince of Orenge Hen. 4. K. of France his Predecessors before 3. This is commended for keeping Christs Word and for not denying his Name hauing but a little strength 3. Little was the strength of the Reformed Churches in this state for not a few yeares in respect of the power of Princes true vnion of hearts Diuision being great betweene Lutherans and others and Wisedome of policie in comparison of the Papists who were strongly vnited Pope Kings and Princes combining in league together and vsing  all subtile wayes and forcible meanes to ouerthrow the Professours of the Gospell who yet keepe the Word of God and did not deny the Doctrine and Worship of Iesus Christ to bee brought backe againe to Popery French Histor Mer. Gallobelg Lu. Osiand cent 16. 4. Christ to make his Lona knowne promiseth to this that the counterfeit Iewes and Synagogue of Satan shall come worship at his Angels feet so much is now the differēce of this from the Pergamine Angell who did dwell where Satans thron was 4. This Philadelphian state of the Church through the loue of Christ euen of mercie and not of any merit shall become most honourable The Lord will subdue all her Enemies those counterfeite Catholiques who did reigne in the Pergamine state who as Iewes bragge that they are the only people of God and will cause them to submit themselues humbly vnto the true Ministery of his Seruants which wee are to expect how contrarie soeuer it seemeth to mans reason and earnestly let vs pray for the same 5. To this is 5. There remayneth for made a promise of deliuerance in the time of temptation which is fore-told to come ouer all the World Christ his Church in this Philadelphian state a time of tryall yet to came our sinnes deserue it this so vniuersall a peace so abused by carnal security may make vs looke for troubles what this temptation is and when it shall be is not so certainly to be defined except it bee that in cap. 16. 18. but be it what it may bee let it come whensoeuer God shall sent it the Church hath a promise of deliuerance and shall escape the perill of it 6. To this Christ promiseth to come quickly and exhorteth it to hold fast that no man take away the Crown of reward 6. Because as may seeme by these words the Church in this her last time of tryall shall bee greatly assaulted and in danger to perish through the power and force of that temptation therefore as the Lord promiseth deliuerance so hee promiseth not to deferre it off but will quickly set her free 7. The Conquerer here is promised to bee made a 7. All this fore-sheweth after the deliuerance from this Temptation sore-spoken of that faithfull Pillar in the Temple so as hee shall goe no
with the Turkes the scourge  of Christendome and at length the Lord with the Sword of his mouh set vpon the Antichrist of Rome as in the next state of the Church is cleerly shewed d Eutrop. l. 13. Blond l. 1. Decad. l. 2. 3. Oros l. 7. c. 37. Procopode bello Goth. e Blond l. 10. Hee that hath an care let him eare what the Spirit saith to the Churches for great shall be their reward who ouer come euen to eate of the hidden Manna to haue the White Stone and a new name written therein And thus much for the state of the Church from Gratian to the yeare 1100. and odde set out by the Church of Porgamus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that Sathan will striue for Dominion hee will haue his Throne neither he nor his are willing to bee vnderlings Secondly that where the very Throne of Sathan is there yet may bee some people belonging to the Lord. Thirdly that the faithfull hold fast their profession in the midst of persecution and will not deny the Truth Fourthly that the Enemies of the Truth are of a murthering disposition they will slay and shed the bloud of the Saints Fiftly that it is a fault in a Church though otherwise prayse worthy to haue such in her as openly teach contrary to the Truth to corrupt the true Worship of God and a Christian Conuersation Sixtly That the Sword of CHRISTS mouth is the weapon to fight against false Teachers with THE FOVRTH GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FOVRTH CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Thyatira The Thyatirean state of the Church 1. THis is next to Pergamus situate from it East-ward and so turning towardes the Sunne 1. THis state is next the former and becommeth better then it was beginning from after the 1100. and odde yeares when the Lord raysed vp the Waldenses vnto Luthers time 1516. 2. To this Christ sheweth himselfe to bee the Sonne of God with eyes of flaming fire and feet of Brasse 2. Because in this state of the Church he shewed himselfe to be so and for that hee would giue light of vnderstanding to many and expel the grosse darknesse from them and tread down powerfully his enemies make his seruants to abide durable like Brasse in the furnace of afflictions against the Iesabel of Rome 3. This is commended largely for vertues and to be better at the last then at the first contrary to Ephesus 3. Such God raised vp in this space of time worthy praise whō he qualified with many Graces Charity Seruice Faith Patience and Works worthy amendment of life as may bee seene in those Waldenses and Albigenses who spred the Truth into all parts of Europe so many of all sorts embraced the same and stood constantly in the Truth and were readie to dye for it against the Pope and his tyrannicall power pursuing them with fire and sword but when the Lord raysed vp Iohn Wickliffe and after him Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage the Church of Christ became much more excellent and daily better and better the Lords hand at this time helping by the Art of printing found out by a Germane in Anno 1440. Acts Monu of the History of the Wald. p. 209. Doctor Vsher lib. de Eccles Christ Succes c. 8. 9. 10. Of the Martyrs then see Fox his  Acts Mon. p. 387. Funct Chron. p. 159. 160. Bucholtz Chronol Nauclerus Catal. test veritatis Sleid. de 4. Imp. l. 3. p. 346. Polydo Virg. l. 2. c. 7. de inuentione rerum 4. Heere was the woman Iesabel seducing the people to Idolatry corporall vncleannes 4. Heere was the Romane Church now become a Iesabel abusing Kings to take her part setting vp Baals Priests and Prophets but putting to death the Prophets of God murthering the Saints of God but vpholding as before Idolatry and allowing fleshly vncleannesse as is shewed in the Pergamine state for this see Sixtus quartus his allowance of Sodometry but for the spirituall Adultery of this Whorish Church euery stocke and stone their madde running on pilgrimage to this hee that she-saint proclaimeth the shame thereof to the World La. Osiand Epit. Centur. l. 3. c. 4. cent 15. Agrip. de vanit Scient c. 64. de leonina Wesellus Gron. de indulg Papalibus cited by Morn  in propos 64. of his Myst of Iniquity 5. This was threatned to bee cast into a Bed her Fauourites Louers into great afflistion and to kill her children with death 5. And indeed this Harlot at this time fell sick of a Consumption of which euer since shee hath languished vpon Kings and Princes her Louers the Lord brought great afflictions sometime through the factions of the Popes sometime by their taking vpon them to take Kingdomes from one and to giue them to another other-while by Kings and Princes falling out one with another among themselues neither was it a light tribulation that fell vpon the Kings and Princes subiect to the Pope whē at his command they must arme themselues either one against another if he pleased to hold any for Heretickes or did excommunicate any or held any to bee disobedtent to his lusts or ioyne all against the Saracens to regain Ierusalem whilst the Pope played the false-hearted Wretch at  home which cost the liues of aboue ten Millions of people the children of that Iezabel of Rome And after these the LORD brought the Turkish fury vpon those Antichristian Kingdomes Morn in his Mystery of Iniquity sheweth these things at large Acts Mon. 183. 603 p. 675. Synodus sub In. 3. PP Anno 1204. apud Lateranum pro recuperanda Hierus Chron. Chronicorum Plat. in vita Inno. 3. 6. In this Church there were such as knew not the depths of Sathan to whom if they hold fast what they haue receiued a promise was made that they should bee rewarded 6 In this Church there haue bin and yet are vnder that Antichrist and wicked Iesabel such as know not that Mystery of Iniquity the depths of that Romish doctrine to whom there is hope of mercy and victory in the end if they hold fast the Truth which God hath reuealed vnto them 7. There is rule and power promised heere vnto such as shall preuayle euercome 7. Heere it began to come to passe for the true Church long hidden beganne powerfully to preuayle of which the LORD gaue strong perswasions to many  who so confidently deliuered their mindes of the decay of the honour of this Iesabel of Rome and how the Word of God and the true Church of Christ should flourish as that their speeches were held as Propheticall See Morney his Mystery of Iniquity in the Opposition after the 64. Proposition who mentioneth Sauanarola Wessellus Ioh. Osterid Paulus Scripto Ioh. Keiserb Andr. Proles Ioh Hilton which last foretold plainly the yeare of Luthers beginning to preach Morn his Myst of Iniquity Acts Mon. p. 768. 769. 580. Hee that
hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit saith to the Churches And thus much for the state of the Church from yeares aboue 1100. vnto Luthers beginning to preach 1516. set out in the Church of Thyatira CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that now in this time the depth of Sathans policies began to bee vsed Secondly that maugre his malice and mischiefe the true Church getteth strength Thirdly that when God purposeth to better the estate of his Church hee will qualifie his Seruants with better gifts to further his purpose Fourthly that in a sound Reformation the Church is not the best at the first but groweth better and better so as the last workes thereof are more then the first Fiftly that the tolleration of a Iesabel false Doctrine and false worship is a foule fault in the true Church Sixtly that the end of Sathans Instruments is to seduce the godly and to bring them to commit wickednesse Seuenthly that though God giue the wicked space to repent yet will they be nothing the better for it Eighthly that not only the chiefe Authours of euill but such as consent to them are lyable to the same iudgement except they repent Ninthly that neither Iesabel with her Abettors nor yet the depths of Satan can hinder the Churches increase in wel-doing when God wil aide her with his Grace Tenthly that there may be many where the false Church is which may bee ignorant of the depth of that sinfull state Eleuenthly that the Truth which we receiue must be held fast vnto the end THE FIFT GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE FIFT CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Sardis The Sardine state of Christs Church the first of the Reformed Churches 1. THis was next after Thyatyra still East ward farther from the North. 1. THis was the next after the Thyatirian state at the end whereof this beganne more cleerely to breake out by the light of Truth about the yeare 1516. when Luther began to preach and continued to the yeare 1558. 2. In this is no mention as in the former of Balaam Nicolaitans thron of Sathan or Iesabel 2. Because now the Church was come out of Romish Babylon for neither Balaam that false Prophet of Rome nor the filthy Nicolaitans of that Seate nor that Iesabel the Church of Rome had any thing to doe with this Church of Christ which the Lord by Luther and other famous  men brought out from that Spirituall bondage as before hee did the Children of Israel out of Egypt by Moses and Aaron with a strong hand and out-stretched arme Sleid. Comment Fox his Acts Mon. p. 767 768. c. 3. In this Christ setteth out himselfe by the seuen Stars and seuen Spirits of God 3. For that now hee would rayse vp many learned Ministers of the Gospell who as Starres should shine and giue light to such as should sit in darknesse and to whome hee would giue plentifully the Graces of his Spirit to set forth his Truth as he did to Luther Zuinglius Melancthon Oecolampadius Bucer and to many bright Starres of his Truth in Wittenberge in Heluetia and other places Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Cent. 16. Fox his Acts Monuments p. 773. 4. This had a name to bee aliue but was dead 4. This comming from vnder Antichrist had a name to be aliue and to bee a Reformed Smyrna had not so good a name as shee deserued but this a much better then she is worthy of Church in Luthers dayes but she became as dead being farre from that life of Grace which should haue beene in her and from that liuely reformation which the Lord required at her hands For howsoeuer the Lutheran Churches acquite themselues of the Pope and were no more the children of that Iesabel of Rome yet retayned they such corruptions and errors and at this day so vphold them as their state is rather dying then liuing except they returne See the Booke of Concord and the Augustane Confession 5. The workes of this were imperfect 5. So was and is this of the Lutherans reformation as may appeare by the difference betweene them and other Reformed Churches in that which is commonly called Lutheranisme the points whereof may bee gathered out of their Bookes of the body of Diuinity their Augustane Confession and Disputations  against vs by which may appeare their imperfect workes vnworthy a Church Reformed and that blessed Instrument Luther that Lucifer and bright Starre of Light who did shine well in the dawning of the day before the Sun-shine of Truth arose and spred out his beames to his after followers for them to see more cleerly if they would not haue winked and shut their eyes against the Light shining vpon them See Reneccius his Panoplia Brentius Iac. Andraeas Seluec Chemnisius Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 3. cent 16. c. 30. 6. This is threatned for the defects and the Lord saith that hee will come suddēly vpon them 6. And indeed so did the Lord come vpon these Hee sent a new and strange kind of sicknesse called the Sweating Sicknesse which in a short space with an incredible swiftnesse passed through almost all the parts of Germanie they were also greatly troubled with Warres as may bee seene in that which is called  the Smalcaldicke Warre made by the Emperour through the Popes instigation Saxonie receiued moreouer great losse by Fires and also by horrible Tempests of Thunder and Lightning and thus came the LORD vpon them Sleid. Comm. Funct Chron. Bucholc Chron. Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. l. 2. l. 3. c. 2. 7. In this Church were some few which had not defiled their garmēts 7. In this imperfect state begun by the Lutherās there were some which acquit themselues more cleerely from the Errours and Superstitions of Antichrist who set forth a Confession more agreeing in all things to the truth then that Augustane Confession these were called by the Lutherans Sacramentaries and Zuinglians and afterwards Caluinists for opposing their Consubstantiation and other their Errours Sleid. Comment Lu. Osiand Epit. Cent. 16. 8. These in this Church were most 3 So these few then hath the Lord giuen honour vnto and approued of Christ accounting them worthy to walke with him in white approoued as worthy of his fauourable acceptance and grace for soundnesse of Truth and that by the consent of many Churches agreeing therein See the Harmonie of Confessions 9. In this is promised to them that ouercome the reward of Victory 9. Now this was very needfull for those times for that many were put vnto the tryall not a few suffered banishment and imprisonment for not consenting to the Booke of Interim set out by the Emperours Authority to whom many through feare yeelded as those of Wittemberge and Lipsia who for the meane which they sought to hold as appeareth by the forme of Religion which they published were called Adiaphorists and Intermistickes Persecution was raised here in England by Queene Mary by whom many
tryalls shall be and whether this present distraction of all the face of Christendome be the houre of temptation to try them that dwell vpon the Earth it is to me vncertayne but certaine it is that the Church God will preserue and make her renowned and this will he doe shortly for the Enemie is vnder the Vials of Gods wrath as it is apparant in Chap. 16. and what did this Messenger from Heauen the mighty Comet foreshew but these Warres and good successe thereby to the Church For the Comets now for the yeares since Luthers time haue euer with troubles yet foretold good prosperity to the Gospell The date of the increase of Romes glory was out long since and now is the time of the Churches increase daily till the ruine of Rome which as it is fore-told in this Prophesie of Saint Iohn so shall it come to passe in all probable coniectures is very neere at hand This may we vndoubtedly look for The deuises of that man of sin the Machauilian policy of the Viperous generatiō of Iesuits nor all the power of Papists shall preuent it for the Word of the LORD hath spoken it and Heauen and Earth shall perish before one Iota of the Truth shall fayle Herein let vs incourage our selues against the crowing of our Aduersaries who see not destruction before them as in this Prophesie of S. Iohn is plainly foreshewed THE HONOVR OF ENGLAND OF this Church Spouse of Christ thus set out in the seuen-fold estate thereof the Lord of his mercie hath made vs of this Nation a most liuely member and aboue other Countries hath maruellously ennobled this Iland and famous Kingdome of great Brittaine First though wee liue farre off in these Northerne parts from Iudea yet very shortly after our Sauiours Ascension the Gospell of God was brought vnto vs and by whom was it not by Ioseph of Aramathea the onely rich and noble Counsellor that did the first honour to our Lord Iesus after his death in begging of his body and burying it in his own Sepulchre where before neuer any was laid This man was the Ambassadour as Stories witnesse from Christ to vs here hee also vouchsafed to liue and here among vs peaceably to end his dayes Greatly did the Lord honour vs in giuing to vs the first King that euer was Christian named Lucius who submitted his Crowne and Scepter vnto Christ Was not Constantine called the Great the first Christian Emperour and did not he arise from hence was he not here borne and here proclaymed Emperour who slew the Heathen Tyrants and destroyed the greatest Enemies of the Gospell The first famous Scholler publick Professour of Diuinity opposing Antichrist was it not our learned and famous Iohn Wickliffe By whose Writings spred into Bohemia by occasion of a Marriage betweene one of our Kings here and that Kings Daughter sprung vp the renowned Martyrs Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage The first King like valiant Iehu marching as it were against the Iesabel of Rome that absolutely shooke off the Popes Supremacie that vsurped Power and Luciferian Pride of that man of sin and trod it vtterly vnder his feete was Henry the Eighth and yet for all that dyed he in peace The first King that was but a child and yet set vp the true Worship of God and banished Popery out of his Kingdome was our King Edward the Sixt that noble Prince a very Iosiah full of the loue and zeale of his God The first Princesse at whose rising the power of the Popedome began to abate which suffered Persecution for the Gospell which so constantly defended it as being to death semper eadem at home and abroad was it not the euerlastingly renowned the late Queene our Dread Souereigne Elizabeth Was not She a Succour to the Saints and a Terror to all her Enemies round about The first King and so Learned as hath not the like beene in the Christian World publishing by his learned Pen vnto all the Princes in Christendome that the Pope is Antichrist is now our Dread Souereigne LORD and King who hath helped to poure out the fourth Viall of Gods wrath vpon the Sunne that is vpon the Supremacie of that Antichristian state The Throne of that Beast shaketh and Romes ruine is not farre too maugre the rage and furie of all her Supporters Shall I heere speake of our wonderfull preseruations Strangely did God saue his poore flocke heere from the bloudy Wolues in the time of the ten Persecutions vnto the dayes of Dioclesian But then lest it should want this honour also this Nation was renowned with Martyrs What shall I speake of our late Deliuerances so admirable and vnheard off The Attempts were many and sundry against our late Queene and Souereigne How did Pope and Papal power seeke to inuade her Kingdome How did Rebels arise to molest her How did Traytors seeke her bloud and many wayes sought her death yet behold the protecting hand of God Shee dyed in peace neither did the Enemies hand preuayle against her And can the Gunpowder Treason that matchlesse villanie and more then Hellish intended cruelty be euer of vs forgotten At one blast they mercilesly intended to destroy and that suddenly King Prince and State Church and Common-wealth yet see the mercie of our God wee are preserued and in the snare which they made for others was their owne feet taken Let vs looke about see whether other Princes and States haue obtayned the like protection or rather haue they not suffered violence at the hands of these Miscreants and beene murthered of them It was an honour to our Nation that wee stood out so long at first against the Iurisdiction of the See of Rome for it was no small time ere shee could obtrude her vaine Ceremonies vpon vs when other Countries were infected and had begun to drinke of her cup. And it is to vs no lesse honour that wee haue so shaken off her yoke as we are become an Assaile and place of safegard to such as daily forsake her so opposite vnto her and so vexing her as she through the paine thereof sticks not to blaspheme the holy Doctrine and Worship of our God euen God and his Tabernacle as Iohn speaketh which also maketh her to striue by all meanes possible aboue all the Nations to regaine vs to her which neuer shall be or by more then Machiauilian policies to vndermine vs and to bring vs to destruction Because God hath made vs in powring out the Vials of his wrath vpon the Earth Sea Riuers and Sunne of that State not the least Instruments and it may bee will also giue vs or those that belong vnto vs that high honour to bring her to confusion and to burne that Whorish Citie with fire great likelihoods there is of this but the certaintie I leaue to God who knoweth all things And may we not hold it an honour to our Nation that wee should bring forth men so Renowned as among our
eare let him heare what the Spirit saith vnto the Churches Thus much for the state of the Primitiue Church vnto the dayes of Constantine the Great liuely set out in this Church of Ephesus CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE WHerein wee may obserue these things First Where God so weth the Seed of his Word by his Apostles there Sathan would thirst in his false Apostle to sow Tares Secondly That in those Primitiue Times there were excellent Angels full of good workes patient and laborious Thirdly That the faithfull Angels could not endure or beare with those which were euill so zealous were they for the Lord and his Truth Fourthly That Sathans instruments will assume to themselues faire Names and Titles Fiftly That therefore the Church will try and examine them and so either admit them or reiect them as shee shall finde cause Sixtly That excellent men may decay in their first Loue. Seuenthly that euen the decay of loue may cause God to remooue his Candlesticke except men repent THE SECOND GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE SECOND CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Smyrna The Smyrnean state of Christs Church 1. THIS was the next to Ephesus Northward and so in degree worse in respect of the wicked in it For Sathan in Ephesus had but his seeds-men false Apostles but heere the Deuill hath a Synagogue 1. THIS was the next to the Primitiue Church from Constantine the Great to Gratian the Emperour Anno 383. The Primitiue Church was troubled with Seeds-men of Sathan but here within this space were Assemblies and Synods of Deuillish Heretickes Socrat. Scholast l. 2. c 5. Histor Tripart l. 2. cap. 10. Funct Chronol Sozem. l. 3. c. 11. 2. The LORD setteth out himself first in his Diuinitie in more hidden termes and then in his humanity plainly 2. For that at this time his Diuinitie was questioned denyed of many but no doubt made of his Humanitie though one Apollinaris held the Humanitie and Diuinitie one Nature both distinctly Socrat. Schol. l. 1. Hist Trip. l. 9. c. 3. Basil Epist 74. Aug. l. de Haeres 3. The Angell of this Church was laborious greatly afflicted and poore 3. There were at this time painfull Pastors but much afflicted by the fury of the Arians as may bee seene in that one renowned Athanasius withstanding Arius his Associates also in Macarius Marcellus Paulus and other Bishops companions with them in the Truth and in affliction Eustathius with many Priests and Deacons sent into banishment Ruff. l. 1. Ruff. l. 2. c. 7. Hieron in Catal. Ammianus l. 15. Basil de Trinit Socrat. li. 1. c. 20. 21. l. 2. c. 7. 8. 10. 12. 4. 13. 14 17. Athan. Apol. 2. Athan. Epist. ad vitam solitariam agentes 4. But this Angell was rich towards God 4. So these men were endued with great graces as appeared by their Learning Zeale and holy Constancie so as taking Athanasius the Standard-bearer for an instance they became honorable and were highly esteemed  of wanted not entertainment Socrat. Scho. l. 2. 18. Hieron in Chronol 5. This Angell was blasphemed by counterfeit Professors calling thēselues Iewes and were not but the Synagogue of Sathan 5. So these Angels were not abused by Heathen Tyrants as formerly but by hereticall Christians Arian Bishops counterfeiting sometime to bee of the Orthodox Verity but were damnable instruments of Sathan of whose blasphemies and slanders against the true Pastors and especially against Athanasius Eustathius Bishop of Antioch Macarius and others wee may reade in diuers Authors Socrat. Scho. l. 1. c. 10. 18. 25. Hist. Magd. cent 4. c. 9. Socrat. l. 1. c. 20. 21. 23. Atha Apol. 2. Theod. l. 1. c. 26. l. 2. c. 8. 9. 10. Sozom. l. 2. c. 25. Hieron in Catal. Atha in Epist ad vitam solitariam agentes 6. This Angel is encouraged and willed net to feare 6. So the Lord encouraged and raysed vp godly men of an vndaunted Spirit not fearing troubles to maintayne the truth as Atha Alexander of Constan.  Osius Bishop of Corduba Paphnutius Spiridion Basil and many others cited by Lu. Osiand in those troublesome times vnder Arian Emperours and among furiously raging Heretickes Socrat l. 1. c. 5. 18. 25. l. 4. 21. Niceph. Atha in Epist ad solitariam vitam agentes Histor Magd. cent 4. Ruffi l. 1. c. 4. Theod. l. 1. c. 7. in Epit. cent l. 1. c. 3. cent 4. 7. This Angel was foretold of imprisonment and persecution by the Deuill but yet the persecution should not continue long 7. This came to passe vnder Constance and Valens the Arian Emperours led by Satan to practise and to permit to bee practised all crueltie against the Orthodoxe Fathers and true Christian Beleeuers of which wee may reade at large in diuers Authors But the Lord suffered not long this cruell persecution nor the Persecutors to reign long for this cruel Valens reigned but 13. years An. 381. Atha in Ep. advit solit agentes in Apol. ad Constan Sozom. l. 3. 4. 6. Theo. l. 2. 4. Socrat. l. 2. 38. 4. 2. 6. 13. 14. 16.  17. 19. Greg. Nazi Orat. ad Episcop ad Arian in laudem Basil Hieron Socrat. l. 4. c. 13. 8. This Angell was exhorted to bee faithfull to the death and was promised to bee rewarded with a Crowne of Life 8. So there were many most valiant and faithfully constant to the death as is before shewed in Athanasius and others and heere I cannot but mention Basil and his most vndaunted Spirit before the Arian President of Antioch Valens the Emperour beeing there present by which holy and faithful resolution they haue gotten heere the Crowne of Prayse and in Heauen the Crowne of Glory Socrat. li. 4. c. 21. Sozom. l. 6. 16. Theod. l. 4. c. 19. Hee that hath an eare let him heare what the Spirit faith to the Churches He that ouercommeth shall not be hurt of the second death Thus much of the state of Christs Church from Constantine to Gratian set out in this Church of Smyrna CONSIDERATIONS FOR INSTRVCTION AND VSE FIrst that when the Church decayeth Sathans Kingdome increaseth In the former Church were onely Seeds-men of Sathan but the Church decaying in loue here Sathan hath his Synagogue Secondly the troublesome estate of his Church is well knowne to Christ Thirdly That such as be vnder affliction and poore in outward estate may yet bee inwardly rich before God Fourthly that very Enemies and Blasphemers of God and his people the very Synagogue of Sathan would yet bee held and taken for true Worshippers of God Fiftly that God permits sometime the Deuill and his Instruments to vexe his people but yet both the manner and time is set downe by the LORD And therefore no cause to feare THE THIRD GOLDEN CANDLESTICK THE THIRD CHVRCH In the Type In the Antitype The Church of Pergamus The Pergamine state of Christs Church 1. THIS was next Smyrna and the most
Aduersaries are had in high esteeme Haue not wee our venerable Beda And shall we boast of Alexander de Hales the Father of the Summists called Fons vitae or of Iohannes Scotus termed Doctor Subtilis or of Iohn Bachon or Bachonthorpe named Doctor resolutus or of Thomas Bradwardine Archbishop of Canterbury honoured also with this Title of Doctor profundus What shall I tell of our fortunate Drake circling the whole Earth and returning home in safetie I let passe many things in this kind one instance may serue for all What an honour was this that once the Emperour in person should take wages and serue our King in his Warres An honour neuer afforded to any other Nation in Christendome Thus euen thus hath God vouchsafed vs glory and riches and honour and strength Wee can liue of our selues succour others wee may and of their aide wee stand in little need If valorousnesse of spirit be not abated our Enemies may be made to feare I hope as God hath thus aduanced vs the glory of his Name is this day before vs and the good of our Countrey in euery action for aduancement of Religion the peace of the people Hee that receiueth much oweth much and is bound to loue the more Let mee say as once Moses did the name Israel being changed into England And now O England what Deut. 10. 12. doth the Lord thy God require of thee but to feare the Lord thy God to walke in all his wayes and to loue him and to serue the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soule to keepe his Commandements and his Statutes this day for thy good That so as God himselfe wished to Israel it might go well with vs and with our Children for euer Let not O Nation thus beloued hautinesse and pride impouerish thee let not oppressions bring thee vnderoot and presse thee downe Let not vanities put contempt vpon thee nor ryot and luxurie consume thee Let not prodigalitie and the idle race of a disordered route waste thee Let not bribery eat vp thy Iustice nor wātonnesse defile thy chastitie nor worldlinesse destroy thy charitie nor this cursed selfe-loue breake the bond of vnity nor thy too gentle conniuencie increase Popery nor the too great security in these dayes of peace eate vp thy deuotion and make the grow into contempt with thy God Be this oh be this farre from thee thou the Lords Vine-yard of whom the Lord expecteth better fruits for his so great goodnesse towards thee I hope the honourable Ioseph of Aramethea will make thy Nobles to contemne the World and to giue their honour vnto Christ Thy Wickliffe awake vp thy Cleargie to watch the Wolues which seeke to deuoure thine and their flockes Thy subtill Scotus thy resolute Bachon thy profound Bradwardine thy Hales the Summist and thy venerable Beda will cause thy Schooles of Learning to flourish and prick men forward to an emulation and to striue to excell euen them in excellencies Thy former Kings and Princes banishing Popery make the zealous against it that it neuer heere any more get footing againe within thee Thy now Dread Souereigne so learnedly discouering that Antichristian State cause thy Apostating Children to bee ashamed of the Whorish inuentions of that man of sinne and so at length distaste the smell of the Romish or rather Rammish Renegadoes and leaue of their folly and madnesse Lastly thy wonderfull preseruations thy plenty thy peace thy beautie thy outward glory mooue vs all from the highest to the lowest to render all prayse and thankes possible to the high God Creatour of Heauen and Earth for such mercies towards thee and to endeuour our selues by the lawfull right and religious vse of all the blessings in thee still to preserue yea and to make more renowned thy name and fame among all the Nations and before the face of all thine enemies Thus wee ought to doe let vs pray that we all may so do Amen THE GREAT MYSTERY OF GODS MERCIE WHereas I made mention in the beginning of the Iewes Conuersion I thought it not amisse here to insert the verity thereof By Iewes I vnderstand the naturall of-spring of Abraham Isaac Iacob and the twelue Patriarchs called Israel the twelue Tribes dispersed to whome the Apostle Iames wrote in his time who now are Iames 1. 1. 2. all knowne onely by the name of Iewes these are now the Israel of Rom. 11. 26. whom the Apostle speaketh and these shall bee conuerted to Christ and become a Nationall people receiue the Doctrine of the Gospell and make profession of the Lord Iesus as of their true Messiah and Sauiour with vs. This is the Mystery of Gods Mercie There is a double Mysterie Ephes 6. 36. of which Saint Paul speaketh to the Romanes It was a mystery that we Gentiles should bee fellow-heires with the Iewes which they knew not off and it is a Mystery that the obstinate Iewes shall returne to Christ and bee visible members of CHRISTS Church with vs Gentiles which Mystery Saint Paul would not haue vs Rom. 11. 25. ignorant of The first Mystery blessed bee God is made knowne in our saluation this other Mystery shall also bee made manifest in time in their saluation It was not a Mystery to the Iewes that some Gentiles should be conuerted for they had many Proselytes but the Mystery was that God would take to him Kingdomes and Nations of the Gentiles which thing they could not endure to heare off So it was no mysterie to the Gentiles in Act. 22. 22. Saint Pauls time that some of the Luk. 20. 16. Iewes then and afterwards should beleeue in Christ for they had examples of thousands of Iewes conuerted but the mysterie was and yet is this which the Apostle would haue the Gentiles know that the obstinate Iewes euen the Nation of them should in time turne againe to Christ and professe his Name publikly with vs. This is a truth beleeued long since Very many learned hold it professed and by learned men of late maintayned as may bee seene in the Commentaries of very many which haue written vpon the 11. chapter to the Romanes and on the 7. chapter of the Reuelation of St. Iohn whose names I here omit to recite because I stay not vpon mens assertion though the voyce of so many learned is a very great inducement but vpon such reasons and proofes of Scripture as may perswade to the faith of this Truth And first who can consider of the wonderfull hand of God in their so Their miraculous preseruation may moue to beleeue it miraculous preseruation to this very day now for the space of almost 1600. yeares in the great confusion of States but the same may lead him to an expectation of their future good They bee here and there dispersed they dwell but by permission wheresoeuer yet haue they not been swallowed vp of Nations nor so mingled but that they be a knowne distinct people
by name seuered from all others This is so strange a preseruation for so long a time as the like hath not befallen to any other vnder the whole heauen Where was there euer a Nation such a people so wholly cast out of their Countrey and after dispersed which hath not beene swallowed vp and lost but these This prouidence so singular must needs prognosticate some future good For was not the Iewes preseruation in their dispersing abroad by their Babylonian captiuitie in an 127 Prouinces for this end to bring them in the appointed time into Iudea againe And for what other end is this so long preseruation of them but to recall them and to make them his people in his good time The Israelites the ten Tribes called the Kingdome of Israel were remoued by the Assyrian because God would not bring them to that Kingdome againe as God brought the Iewes from Babylon their place was lost and they dispersed soone became they an vnknowne people without distinction mingled among No Israelites now but vnder the name of Iewes the Nations and are none of them at this day though there be otherwise fabulous narrations hereof but such as go vnder the name of Iewes which howsoeuer so called are of all the Tribes of Israel For it is said in Esdra 7. 7. that there went vp of the children of Israel with him to Ierusalem and Saint Iames writeth to the twelue Tribes dispersed which hee well knew to bee then in the world else hee would not haue so written to them And yet in all the Acts of the Apostles onely we heare of the name of Iewes vnder which name and among whom there were of all the Rom. 11. 1. 25. 26. twelue Tribes which Saint Paul calleth by the name of Israel And in the Prophets it is shewed that the two Nations should come to be one the ten and two Tribes make one people and so the twelue Tribes to be vnder one name And therfore in the Iewes conuersion is also the conuersion of the Israelites so the twelue Tribes What if they cannot rehearse their It is not necessary they should know distinctly their Tribes Genealogies and set down now their Tribes distinctly There is now no necessitie of it the reasons of the distinct keeping of tribe from tribe are taken away And where is it prophecied that in their conuersion they are to bee knowne by Tribes distinctly The twelue may bee and that vnder one name which is enough to make good the prophecie that Israel shall be saued Besides this so wonderfull a preseruation Their increase is great on Rom. 11. 25. there is another thing to moue vs to thinke God will bee with them euen their exceeding encrease for as Beza relateth from an vniuersall speech out of Asia and Africa that they are so multiplyed as that yet the blessing of Abraham to haue his seede after the flesh to be innumerable is plainely seene vpon them preparing them for the conquest of their owne Countrie when the Lord shall assemble them together for that end For our better assurance and settling of our hearts herein let mee set before you how the Apostle sheweth this plainely in the Epistle to the Romanes chap. 11. and how it is also confirmed in many other places of the new Testament Rom. 11. Chapt. THe scope of this Chapter is to Scope of the Chapter proue that God hath not finally cast away his people the Iewes or Israel his people Vers 1. This scope the Apostle proueth by the conuersion of some then in his time and by the conuersion of the rest though then left in their obstinacy when God should call them Of the conuersion of those in his time he speaketh in Verses 1 2 3 4 5. giuing an instance first of himselfe and then of others whom he calleth the remnant then saued in so general a casting off of al the Nation as aforetime it fell out in the dayes of Eliah which remnant so saued were so not for their workes but they were saued according to the election of grace and of Gods foreknowledge Of the conuersion of the other in the time to come whom hee calleth the rest in Verse 7. the Apostle also doth assure vs though for that present time and now euen at this day they bee blinded as was foretold in the Prophets and in the Psalmes Verses 8 9 10. The summe of all that which is in the Chapter concerning these so blinded and hardened hitherto is this That the rest of Israel left in their The summe of the Chapter obstinacy for a time were not finally cast off that they and their succeeding posteritie should vtterly perish God forbid saith the Apostle but that in the Lords time when the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall come in all Israel shall be saued that is as those which were before the reiection of the Nation were and as those remnant chosen out in Saint Pauls time so shall the hardened and stiffe-necked Iewes left of God in the appointed time returne to God Euen the Nation of the Iewes called Israel shall be saued For so Israel is to be vnderstood in cap. 10. 21. where hee taketh occasion to enter vpon this disputation and so also in cap. 11. vers 7. and in vers 26. where he concludeth the point That the Apostle meanes the body By Israel is meant the body of that Nation of the Iewes it is plaine by this that he speaketh of their fall and fulnesse in vers 12. both which words hee expoundeth himselfe Fall is in vers 15. interpreted casting away and fulnesse the receiuing of them in the same verse Now the fall and casting of them off was from a visible and nationall being of Gods people and Church therefore their receiuing must bee vnderstood by the Law of Opposites of their being a visible Church of Christ and a Nationall people professing the true God and worship of his Name And as the casting off is meant of naturall Iewes Israelites the posteritie of Israel and the twelue Patriarchs so must the receiuing of them be vnderstood in like sort for else should not the Law of Opposites be kept neither should the Apostles discourse haue dependancy of one thing with another But lest this truth might yet bee doubted of the blessed Apostle doth not onely affirme it but doth also confirme it by very many reasons such as followeth 1 From the end of their stumbling Vers 11. they stumbled not to fall and so to rise no more God forbid saith the Apostle that we Gentils should haue so desperate a conceit of them The end was saith he not their destruction but our saluation for this the Lord pleased to make as a way to bring to vs the Gospell and to make vs his people which the Iewes in their standing did hinder did oppose and no way could endure to heare of Acts 22. 22. 1. Thess 2. 16. II. From the end of our
Conuersion Verse 11. also which is in time to bring them backe againe vnto the Lord by prouoking them to iealousie of which Moses fore-told Deutronomie 32. 21. III. From the great good which Verse 12. shall come to vs by their recalling euen to enrich vs the more in grace This the Apostle doth proue by an Argument à Minori ad Maius For saith he if their fall and dimishing brought to vs saluation how much more then shall their returne in fulnesse bring vs riches and glorie So then it is thus betweene vs and them Their fall was to bring vs to God our Conuersion is appointed in time to prouoke them to returne and this their returne will increase our happinesse IV. From the Apostles magnifying Verse 13. 14. his office and from his endeuour in his Ministerie among the Gentile seeking to winne these to prouoke them and to saue at the least some of them though as yet in his time hee could not recouer the Nation yet hee aymed at that which hee knew should be Which endeuour he presseth himselfe Verse 15. vnto from the consideration of the good to vs Gentiles called the reconciling of the World and from the wonderfull worke of God in them whose recouery shall be as the raysing vp people from the dead of which Ezechiel the Prophet speaketh in chap. 37. V. From the hereditarie right to Verse 16. be Gods people holy to the Lord as the ancient Israelites were Ier. 2. 3. by couenant made with their first Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob which hee setteth out by a double similitude the one from the first fruits which sanctified the rest and the other from the roote the sap whereof is carryed into the branches VI. From the humble carriage Verse 17. to 23 which the Apostle requireth vs to shew towards them as not being abiects and flat cast-awayes but as to those of whose ingrasting in againe there is good hope This is the mayne scope of the Verses 17. to the midsts of 23. and the particular of the words are to draw the Gentiles on to a humble behauior towards the Iewes without any proud insulting ouer them VII From the possibilitie of their Verse 23. ingrafting in againe from the power of God for God is able to doe it though this their conuersion seeme neuer so impossible to man VIII From the easinesse of effecting Verse 24. it à comparatione minoris The Lord against nature grafted vs Gentiles cut out of the wild Oliue tree into the good Oliue which was a hard thing then more easily shall they bee grafted againe into their owne Oliue tree If wee that were none of the Church without the couenant Aliens from the common weale of Israel could be made Gods people then much more they which were Israelites hauing the adoption were once in the Couenant to whom The prerogatiues of the Iewes the Law was giuen to whom the seruice did appertaine to whom the promises were made they also descending from the holy Patriarchs and of whom Christ after the flesh came may bee recalled home and made againe the people of God IX From the hidden secrecie of Verse 25. this point concerning the length of time how long they the Israelites shall continue in this their obstinacie It was not for euer but onely till the fulnesse of the Gentiles should come in which thing here the Apostle calleth a Mystery whereof hee would not haue vs Gentiles ignorant X. From the Apostles owne conclusion Verse 26. which hee maketh vpon this Discourse and large Dispute which is this very confidently set downe that so all Isreal shall bee saued of the meaning of which words before is spoken XI From the Propheticall authoritie Verse 26. 27. out of the Old Testament foretelling vs of this their Couuersion as also is prooued before XII From Gods loue vnto the Verse 28. 29. Fathers for whose sake the Lord is constant towards you as he that calleth and bestoweth his gifts without repentance being stable as the Psalmist saith in his Couenant Psal 103. 17. 18. XIII The example of Gods mercifull dealing with vs Gentiles hee plainly concludeth the like vnto the Iewes The Lords mercie in times past vnto vs Gentiles when we were vnbeleeuers should mooue vs to be well perswaded of the Iewes Conuersion though as yet they bee not beleeuers For in this vnbeliefe as the Apostle saith God hath shut vp all first wee Gentiles and then they the Iewes that both might bee saued by Gods meere mercie Our vnbeliefe hindred not our calling no more shall their vnbeliefe hinder their recalling so will God in mercy bee glorified in both To this testimonie of the Apostle to the Romanes I will here adde other Witnesses of Scripture out of the mouth of Christ and from others also for more confirmation of this truth The Testimonies of the Olde Testament are amply produced by one very lately come forth who hath also cited Mat. 23. 24. 2. Thess 8. 8. Reuel 1. 7. 16. 12. 19. 5. 20. 21. 22. which I therefore omit referring the Reader to the Booke called The Worlds great restauration Other places I will heere speake of to further this light that the eyes of such as see not may behold how cleere this point is Luke 21. 23. 24. THere shall be great distresse in the Land and wrath vpon this people and they shall fall by the edge of the Sword and shall bee led away captiue into all Nations and Ierusalem shall be trodden downe of the Gentiles vntill the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled Heere our Sauiour fore-telleth First the great misery of that Nation in their owne Land Secondly that the Sword shall come vpon them and by Warre they shall bee ouercome and slaine Thirdly that such as remaine of them shall become Captiues Fourthly that they shall not bee lead into any one Countrey but bee dispersed in all Nations Fiftly that this treading downe of Ierusalem shall bee by the Gentiles all these things are prooued infallibly true to the eyes of all the World Sixtly that this treading downe thereof by them is not foreuer but for a time vntill the times that is the fulnesse Rom. 11. 25. of the Gentiles be fulfilled that is bee come in Therefore there is a time that the Nations shall bee brought backe againe and bee made a people vnto God in the time and season Luke 1. 69. 75. ZAcharie in this his prayses foretelleth of Christs Birth as if then borne and then what hee shall bee to them euen to that people to wit a horne of saluation He that shall saue them from their Enemies and from the hands of all that hate them and shall so set them free as that they shall all their dayes serue him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse Which Propheticall speech as it may bee spiritually vnderstood of the whole Israel of God so nothing hindereth but that this may be litterally