to put a handsome shape on this device or how the World can know upon any sure gronud 1. How Peter was at Rome or that he was setled in a peculiar manner Bishop in that See which neither Scripture nor the most ancient records of the Church gives the least shadow of ground for 2 How the Pope becometh his Successor or upon what warrant yea that this should be an Article of mens faith where the Scripture is wholly silent 3. How that pretended succession to Peter in that particular Diocess of Rome should have a Catholick Power and Headship over the whole Church annexed thereto so as all who succeed in in the one must also in the other 4. How a warrantable Succession of each particular Pope can be made sure to the Apostle upon this pretended right and that he hath lawfully succeeded since if this be nul and the election be unlawful they have then with their own consent no promise of Assistance nor obedience in this case due 5. When it is so clear that the Power of the Keyes were given no less to the rest of the Apostles then to Peter as is express Matth. 18 18 19. yea that Peter claimed no such presidence amongst the rest of the Apostles as may be seen Act. 15. upon what ground can they thus refound so great a claime as this Oh what an amazing infatuation are those in who should take this upon trust the very recital whereof is so obvious a refutation of it self And that on such a pretended Power and Supremacy of Peter the whole weight and superstructure of the Romish Hierarchy must leane yea which is of a higher concerne that on this by undeniable consequence must be rolled over a weight no less than the eternal interest and perishing of many millions of souls who upon this Plenary Power and Infallibility of the Pope thus founded upon such a ground do adventure with such an Acquittance and Absolution as their security into another World 5. That notable device of Purgatory may be a convincing witness to the horrid imposture of Popery than which nothing could have been more subservient to that great designe of a lucrative interest and to keep the people under a continued aw and terror yea what improvement for so many ages they have made of this for their own private gain that it may be seen the Romish Church should lose one of the greatest revenues it hath if purgatory were not kept up amongst them is beyond reckoning by themselves what continued income this hath had quantum haec fabula profuit Romanae Ecclesiae But Oh! such as will thus adventure hereon may have saddest cause to feare that this Purgatory on their immediat parting with time be found a real hell whence no release or Possibility thereof can be though all the treasures of the earth could be given for the same and then shall know this sad verification of this truth 2 Thes 2 11 12. Which so expresly points at Antichristian Popery for this cause God shall send them strong delusion to believe a lye because they received not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved that they all may be damned who believe not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness 6. What strange account do their legends give of their pretended Miracles as the most effectual way to gain câ—edit to these Doctrines which they see can have no possible founding 〈◊〉 the Scripture such as that we may judge those who are but in the least knowing amongst them wonder how Credit could be expected from any thereto such as they tell us of S. Francis how he was greater then John the Baptist and better then all the Apostles who in Vision received the Wounds of Christ suffered the same griefs in whom all vertues of the Saints as well under the Old as under the New Testament ar put unitivè conjunctivè and after most blasphemously puts him in the same roome with our most blessed Lord by reason of a scedule which they say Leo the Friar saw descend from Heaven and fell on the Head of Francis whereon was write this man is the grace of God and example of all perfection c. This Book wherein these yea where more horride blasphemies are written called liber conformitatum impressis Bononiae Fol. 3 250. is called by them their golden book with this express clause underneath by a general consent of the Chapter of that Order â—ye have searched this book and found nothing worthy of correction Such an instance also is he whom they call St Dominick of whom they shew that Christ raised three only from the dead but S. Dominick three in one City that he had the Angels at his Service but it may be easy to judge what Angels they were how the Elements did obey him and the Devils trembled at him how he had a star in his forehead when he was Baptized and restored fourty strangers to life that where over whelmed in a ship and long under the water with much more of this kind published to the World by Anthony an Archbishop of his Order Anthon. Arch. Pag. 3 23. but with these famous instances may be sitly joined two Nunes no less known and publick who if they had lived in one time and their order could have allowed it might have been suteably matcht with other the one is Magdalena de Cruce Abbess of a Monastery of Franciscan Nunnes who by the Power of the Devil appeared to Mariners in a storme at sea when invocate and the storme calmed was sometimes lift up into the air and the Sacrament went up visibly out of the Priests hand that said Mass through the air before all that look on unto her was of such repute that not only many ladies in Spain but the Queen also when she was near to be brought to bed sent the mantles wherein the Child was to be wrapt for her to bless yet at length upon clearest discovery and her own confession found to be a witch in express compact with the Devil since she was nine Years old so as the Spanish Inquisitors could not get shifted some forme of Sentence against her Anno 1540. A passage the truth whereof the Romish Church will not offer to disown the relation being so publick and known by their own writers And indeed she was well suted to be an Abbess of S Francis Order The other Instance is that relation set forth by one Stephen de Lusignan dedicated to the French Queen of the great Miracles in the Year 1586 which hapned to the Prioress de le Annonciado of Lisbon in Portugal approved by the greatest Church men there whose names are set down how usually Christ appeared to her and talked with her and had the impress of his five wounds put upon her with many such strange things so as severals were incited through the fame of her to become Nunnes yet at last was by a mervellous providence from the Lord
14 9 10. as should cause men to tremble who are not under a strange height of induration and now since the breaking up of so great a light and these clear discoveries of the truth are the Waters become bloody Revel 16 3. Qu. Yet can all this make out the charge of Antichristianism or that the Pope is the Antichrist who is so expresly foretold 2 Thes 2 3 4 Ans To resolve such a thing these are undeniably clear 1. That the Holy Ghost in the Scripture hath been in a more than ordinary way particular in pointing Antichrist out by such notorious marks and characters that after ages might know him if they will not shut their eyes and that a most exact portraicture is there drawn of such an adversarie what should be his form and shape with the manner of his appearance 2. Except we deny our Senses it is certain that we see with our eyes such an one as is there shewed forth so as none ever knew the face of a Man by his Picture drawn to the life in a frame better then the Church this day may know Antichrist and that this is he who so clearlie answers all these marks which in the Scripture are given of him even he Whose coming shall be after the working of Satan with all power signs and lying wonders forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath appointed to be used with thanksgiving who sitteth in the Temple of God and exalteth himself above all that is called God bewitcheth the Kings of the earth with his inchantments and is drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Christ Iesus yea whose Traffick and Merchandice is not onlie Gold and Silver but The souls of men Rev. 18 13. And can we be in the dark to know or discover who this Antichrist is whose Doctrine is stated in so direct an opposition to Jesus Christ and the great design of the Gospel 3. Antichrist must be already come and revealed else according to the Scripture that Prophecy can never have its accomplishment since even in the Apostles times this Mystery began to worke and he who for a time did withhold his coming the Heathen Empire of Rome hath been long since taken out of the way and as the Scripture points his first coming and appearance in the first times of the Church so his last close and final ruine to be near the second coming of the Lord 4. It is thus undeniable that this adversarie can be no single person or of a short continuance but is a politick Bodie and Kingdom centred and united in one supream Head and with a succession for many ages 5. It is clear that these expresse Marks and Characters given by the Scripture for the Churches knowing of Antichrist could answer to no Adversarie else which Jesus Christ ever had under the New Testament either Pagan or Mahumetan Qu. Since Antichrists fall must be by the Word as is clear 2 Thes 2 4. whom the Lord shall consume by the breath of his mouth can it be now applicable to the Romish Church whilst Popery is so spreading even in those Parts where the Word is most powerfully preached Ans This needs not be strange if we consider 1. That Antichrists fall according to the Scripture must be by degrees as his rise was 2. That where the truth is not received in love 2 Thes 2 18. it cannot long want judicial effects to be given up to strong delusions 3. It is easie to see how such as at this day have fallen off to Poperie are not upon debate or by arguments to their judgement engaged but it is the visible product of a licentious time and from an unusual growth of Atheism and Ignorance yea those only are found to change their Religion who never in earnest embraced any 4. Yet can none deny those great and extraordinarie effects the preached word hath had to recover the Church from Antichristian darknesse in these last ages to which those famous Plantations of the Gospel in Britain Ireland France Germany the Low countries c. are to this day a witnesse where the greatest Atheists may see an immediate appearance of God and something above nature with that convincing increase of light as enforceth such even to gnaw their tongue with pain who do nor cease to oppose the truth Some serious Considerations further anent Popery and the import of that great controversie betwixt the Romish and reformed Churches at this day THough there seems small grounds of hope to convince such who in the holy judgement of God are given up to that strong delusion of Popery and ceaseth not to oppose themselves to the clearest discoveries of the truth yet this being so sad and deplorable a sight to see how much of the Christian World thus Perish who will not once open their eyes and is so clear that under the greatest of judgements this way must involve them if the Scripture of God have any weight or credit with such yea since this is so grave and concerning a duty now in these last times to beaâ— witness against Antichrist and pursue without ceasing that call whatever success it should have that men would come out of Babylon and hasten from under approaching wrath and judgment I shall here add to what is premitted before upon this subject some serious Considerations concerning Popery with an appeale to the Conscience of the Adversary yea to their reason and judgment if they will allow its free exercise herein anent the truth thereof CONSID. 1. FIrst At what a rate by clear and undeniable consequence from the Romish Doctrine and principles one can be Popish conforme to their way and what is necessarily imported in being a Roman Catholick as they thus terme themselves which is not more strange and astonishing in it self than may be clear in these particulars 1. That it is to deliver up their reason and judgment to the conduct of such of whom they must see true cause to feare adventuring upon in the smallest of their outward interests And where it is so visible its money for merite and that all can be sold at this market upon such a price yea where the poore only must be left hopeless who thus hath not to expiate their guilt and purchass a plenary indulgence as Petrarch of old was enforced to say that if Judas could come with the price of his Masters blood to the Romish market he might be welcome to buy an absolution where no sin needs want a dispensation to allow it or a pardon for its commitment if their purse can possibly answere thereto 2. This is to quite that judgment of discerning given them of God and be shut out of all Proper knowledge of the Scripture with their own consent except these of the Clergy so as they must not trust their own eyes but others in the great interest of their eternal state and thus take the Romish Authority for their Bible yea such whom they cannot
and humane inventions thus Fredrick the third King of Suily a religious Prince in such dark times was staggered about the Christian faith and made to question if the Gospel was not some humane device as is published at length in his conference with Arnoldus de Villanova a learned man upon these grounds 1. That the whole Clergy great and small conformed their lives no wise to the Scripture had no regard to the souls of the people and discharged sacred offices for a forme only or else in scorne and mockery which then was so noture as it could not be hid 2. That those of the more severe order of Monks did obviously evidence hypocrisy impiety wantonness rapine yea incredulity about the Gospel it self 3. That in a Doctrine so weighty and of such consequence as the Christian faith the Romish Church seemed so little concerned were intangled in worldly affaires and no course set on foot for propagation of the Gospel to satisfy whom Arnoldus shewed how expresly such defection and these corruptions were foretold under the New Testament as that conference published by him self shewes And besides it is known what advantage the visible grosness of Popery gave to Mahumidanisme and for many's falling off from the visible Profession of Christianity which caused Averroes the Philosopher to cry out Cum Christiani Deum suum manducent sit anima mea cum Philosophis Yea enforced such who gave any serious look to the Scripture to say that either the Scripture was not the Word of God or such as professed the same were not Christians And when thus Atheisme may be seene to follow Popery as its native effect and mutually concurre together Oh! what might be feared from such an obvious conjunction of both in this time if the truth and faithfulness of God were not his Churches security CONSID. V. FIfthly Sould it not seeme strange and such as no reason can truely answere why in these times Kings great men of the earth hath given their power to support the Romish interest when this so visibly is destructive to the just right and interest of all Magistrats but that we see it is of God in giving than so far up in his secret judgment until the Scripture be fulfilled as is clear Rev. 17 17. for Its sure otherwise these things can not be hid from their eyes 1. That as the grandour of the Romish Church grew up how the Kings of the earth by giving their power thereto lost their own and by their concurrace in this designe were no less evidently depressed than the other raised so as all who look in on the history of such times may clearly see the several steps of the Popes advance in coming to his height and of the Empir's declining and fall both in the Easterne and westerne parts most visibly meet in one and the same history yea thus how quickly Magistracy and the power thereof was turned to an Image and shadow that it could not further live and act but as it was enlivened with the Romish breath yea how quickly in a few ages after Phocas the greatest of the westerne Emperors were forced to bow at the Popes feet so as Henry the fourth was put to stand three dayes in the cold winter barefooted at the Pop's gates ere he could be reconciled upon some pretended quarrel he had against him yea the Popish writers accounts it their honour to tell the world how Fredrick Barbarossa the first Emperor of that name was made to lay his neck under Pope Alexanders feet until he trampled thereon blasphemously making use of that Scripture Ps 91. that thus he would tread upon the Lyon and the Dragon before he could obtain his son's liberty then in prison in Venice and at the Pop's disposing And here we may have a conspicuous Commentar on that Scripture 2 Thes 2 3. that this let which was to be taken out of the way of the man of sin's being revealed as is there foretold was not the heathen Empire of Rome only but the Roman Empire in its integrity and strength even after it was Christian 2. It is undeniable from the Romish Doctrine and Principles that power the Pope and Rulers of their Church owns to dethrone Kings and tranferre their Kingdomes to others and by there Interdiction to loose subjects from any tye or alledgeance to their Prince to bind or loose mens consciences as they find their own interest stand and by that plenitude of their Churches power to exempt Ecclesiastick Persons from the Lawes of Magistrats so as they may not be judged by these for the most horride and notorious Crimes which the Civil Power ought to punish whilst their Church immunities are a City of refuge for retreat 3. And as the Romish Religion stricks at the very roo◠of Piety and Godliness when by the Popes Power yea of ordinary Priests it can dispense with the most horride Acts of wickedneis murther adultery rapts incest sodomy and hath their rates stated at what price they can purchass a full absolution for the same so doth it thus no less visibly strick at the greatest security of Government and that which foundeth the strongest Obligations to all Civil and Moral Duties which is to have the aw and regard of Religion kept up in a nation 4. It is clear also how the Romish Doctrine subverts truth and righteousness amongst men which is the greatest security of all Personal interests when it avowedly warrants equivocation both in Oaths and Words and in such doubtful tearmes to sweare as may be directly contrair to the intention of the judge requiring the same so as an Oath in judgment cannot be the end of controversy yea by their Doctrine expresly teaches also that a man is not bound to repent presently for the most hainous sins but is only necessar in the last extreame of Life 5. Are not the Principles of the Romish Religion such as are visibly destructive even to humane society in so professed owning under a pretended zeal against heresy for such is the Doctrine of Christ unto them those Prodigies of cruelty which we should think humane nature though corrupt could not but tremble at without being transformed into the very image of the Devil Such as the French and Irish Massacres the Netherland persecution under the Duke of Alva the Spanish Inquisition and those bloody years under Queene Mary's reigne in England do before all the world witness yea it s obvious how no cruelty even of the Heathens in the first times of the Church can almost be found to parallel with Popish cruelty where they can have a doore opened for this Oh! That it should be so little seen and laid to heart at this day how the common interest and concerne of all Princes and Magistrats even upon their own civil rights is to contend against this greatest adversary that ever Jesus Christ had upon the earth and if now be not believed saddest experience may yet make this clear that in those parts where the truth hath been received and embraced and by the good hand of the Lord rescued from the yoke and dominion of Antichrist that its sure the security of the Church and Commonwealth is there necessarily conjoyned so that if the Protestant interest should weare out and the truth decline the land cannot possibly be safe where once this had been received The Romish interest now seemes to gain ground yea a strange and unusual conjūction to promote that way but it s well we know a more blessed and infallible security than outward appearances to rest upon and with that assurance as we can be perswaded of an eternal salvation by Jesus Christ It is sure also 1. That the victory and decision of this warre shall be on the Lambs side and those that are with him must overcome when the living God hath past his word thereupon to his Church and though we may set no bounds as to any particular time we have solide ground to believe that a more remarkeable stroke above all that hath been hitherto hasteneth upon the Kingdome of Antichrist 2. That who soever withdraw and think it their interest now to keep a distance in any adventuring for the truth yet light and deliverance shall arise to the Church from another airth but this shall not be their escape and outgate Yea though it seeme a strange contradiction to sense and reason it is to be the matter of our faith that assuredly now the rise and advance of the reformed Church is on foot and her sharpest conflicts and wrestlings must tend thereunto 3. Though the Spirit of intercession and prayer may be too discernably found under a sad restraint as to what hath been in former times in the Church yet this sure that many prayers and groans once put up by an innumerable company who now are in heaven in behalf of the Church and for that solemne day of Babylons fall yet waits and still cryes before the throne such prayers wherein they had greatest access and liberty by the help of the Spirit for powring out their souls thus before the Lord. 4. It 's sure we are to believe that instruments shall be yet raised and called for that end with a mervelous appearance of God upon them to execute the judgment written against this Adversary and O what a blessed and honourable service shall it be 5. Should this not otherwise be made out but through a sea of blood and wounding the heads over many Countries yea in a way as we have clearest ground to judge which humane reason could never reach It is sure this cannot be wanting and when the God of truth hath said such an enemy shall be brought down his Counsel must stand though all the Kingdomes of the earth stood in the way thereof Oh! at what a rate does these now run themselves in the way of his wrath and vengeance and to be partakers of the same plagues with Antichrist who yet will not cease for giving their power to support that accursed and falling interest FINIS