from this marke of Antichrist saith the Pope never did yet it is truly verified of him both in mysticall and literall sense 1. In the true and mysticall sense for this booke hath as many mysteries as words by fire from heaven in Scripture is meant Gods wrathfull vengeance executed upon sinners called the fire of his wrath In this sense the Popes flatterers call them gods of revenge Hildebrand in an epistle to the Germanes having excommunicated Henry the fourth called him afflatum fulmine smitten with a thunderbolt Here wee have the Pope confessing that hee brings fire from heaven Did they not vaunt and Kings and people feare that being stricken with the bull of excommunication they were smitten with a divine revenge as with fire from heaven 2. In the literall sense boast they not of Zachary the Pope as hee was in his progresse to Ravenna that in the day he was protected with a cloud from the heat of the Sunne and in the night armies of fire in the heavens gave him light What shall I speake of the fiery streames which they say have reached from heaven to earth to point out the lost host as was wont to be read on Corpus Christi day What of the fiery tongues which they fetched from heaven on some of their Saints to make them equall with the Apostles or of the fire from heaven to destroy the enemies of some of their martyrs Their Legend is full of such fables but this shall suffice for the pointing of Antichrist of Rome by that wonder in that text which is true both in the true mysticall sense and in their false literall But these are called lying wonders and collusions 1 In their originall they proceed from the father of lies who is a lying Spirit in the mouthes of all false Prophets 2. Their matter is lies appearances juglings at best wonders not miracles such as Iannes and Iambres seduced Pharaoh withall 3. Their end is lying and seduction confirming lies idolatry superstition and apostasie so leading and settling men in errour for destruction III. The Dragon seduceth numbers by open tyranny and persecution we see how the apprehension of Christ drove away all his Disciples for a time and how the fanne of tribulation blowes away the chaffe from the wheat for ever And thus the whole world was seduced here in speciall manner being forced by open tyranny and rage of the Imperiall Dragons to the levell and prescript to the rites and religion of heathenish and idolatrous Rome Thus hee seduceth us outwardly Within us he hath many meanes and wayes to seduce us as 1. By exciting and stirring our originall sinne blinding our mindes with clouds of darknesse and our understanding with mists of errour working on our wills to embrace things whith corrupt judgement directeth unto stirring our affections to rebell against right judgement and will And thus hee seduceth us by our selves Iam. 1. Every man is seduced by his owne concupiscence 2. By working on our naturall faculties both our spirits and senses Hee knowes how to dull our spirits and make us drowsie and easily give off in any good meditation or service And contrarily hee can refresh and excite them in evill to make them watchfull and of long continuance and constancy in such objects And for our senses hee can draw the eye to behold wishingly the forbidden fruit the eare to set open it selfe to receive lies and slanders the tongue to blaspheme curse sweare lie and revile the smell to wind a commodity which must be compassed by oppression wrong or the like 3. By finding out our inclinations and intents and purposes that he may suggest according to those inclinations as it were hanging his weight upon us to force our owne disordered motions Thus hee doth and can out of our owne universall corruption and from observation of our counsells speeches and gestures lay fit traines for us first receiving true intelligence from our selves by observing our motions lusts affections and then sits himself down in counsell with us in our secret chambers in all our consultations of sinne himselfe being the President of our privy Councell 4. By sweetning his allurements so as no temptation is so bitter or poysonfull against God or man but hee can guild and sugar it and then layeth them in secret and in the darke so as we easily take and no sooner take than are taken by meanes the waters are both stolne and sweet IV. The last thing in opening the doctrine is the reasons why the dragon seduceth the whole earth Namely 1. The just judgement of God upon the world for the contempt of his word and the unkinde usage of the Gospell by which the world meriteth to bee seduced see 2 Thess. 2. 10 11. 2. The desperate wickednesse of Satan 1. Proclaiming open warre against God and withstanding the word of God the faith of men the glory of Jesus Christ. 2. Exercising incessant fury against mankinde all which he seeketh to bring back into his owne damnation 3. Advancing himselfe in his horrible pride to enlarge his owne kingdome to establish his greatnesse upon earth and to shew himselfe the Prince of the world In the generality of persons that the whole earth is seduced by Satan wee learne First how false a note of truth a multitude is the way of the world is the way of errour and of seduced persons to destruction rather conclude with our Saviour the multitude walkes in the broad way but strait is the way that leadeth unto life and few finde it The wisedome of a Christian is not to number voyces but weigh them and not to looke who goe in the way so much as in what way wee goe neither to hold it a good plea I did but as the most did seeing the whole earth is here seduced and deceived Secondly marvell not that many bee seduced and carryed away from God and his truth into so grosse and palpable errours seeing the dragon seduceth here all the earth 1. It is a generall but a righteous judgement of God to give up them that love seduction to be willingly blinded and carryed to destruction 2. Heresies false doctrines and delusions are just punishments of the contempt of the Gospell and word of truth 3. The world is the Princedome of Satan he must prevaile and command his subjects and tyrannize over all earthly and worldly minded men Let us not marvell that Papists are so resolute in such horrible delusions not onely against the cleare light of the Scripture but against common sense as stifly to maintaine transubstantiation judicial forgivenesse of sinnes by a Priest purging of sinne by penall workes and satisfactions salvation by merite of workes worshipping of Angels Saints Images Crosses crusts blocks stones and a thousand such senselesse dotages seeing the Lord hath smitten them with blindnesse that they cannot see the truth Let us not be moved that Popery doth so prevaile in all Countries that Princes and people learned and unlearned
in the day goe to thy rest a few houres will bring the Sunne and morning which shall discover all things againe Commend thy cause in well doing to him that judgeth righteously Flie not on men to be revenged but flie to him and waite for two things First Gods time Ioseph lay in irons till the time appointed came and the counsell of the Lord had tryed him Psal 105. 18. Secondly Gods meanes Object I see none all wayes of clearing my selfe are shut up Ans. Yet God hath wayes enough 1. Angels Mary had innocence but no way in earth to discover it Ioseph was putting her away but the Angell from heaven acquites her God watcheth in the night over our innocency as over hers 2. Good men hold themselves made by God keepers of their brothers credit Ionathan will speake for David though a speare bee throwne at him 3. Evill men themselves Saul shall preach Davids innocency and Pilate the Judge condemning Christ shall acquite him This of the first point 2. In that the Saints here praise the Lord for that the accuser is cast downe wee learne that when the Lord hath scattered the clouds and mists of false accusation for us and made our innocency appeare wee must by all meanes shew our selves thankfull for it The eighteenth Psalme is a Song of thanksgiving in the day that God delivered David from the hands of Saul who accused him of treason and aspiring and affecting the Kingdome see vers 43 46 48 49. Hest. 9. 26. the dayes of Purim were instituted for a perpetuall and publike praise of God both for the clearing of the Jewes innocency falsly accused by Haman and the overthrow of the accuser 1. As God doth all things for his owne glory so especially here his glory shineth in much brightnesse for First he riseth up in righteous judgement and manifesteth the whitenesse of his Throne whiter than Salomons which was of white Ivory demonstrating the purity of the Judge and judgement and here advanceth his Throne above all the thrones of the world which cannot cleare themselves from corruption Secondly he advanceth his power above all enemies they are potent to suppresse the truth but he is omnipotent to support it Thirdly hee magnifieth his wisedome in preventing all the cursed policies and counsels of his enemies against the Saints and either turneth them to folly or bringeth them on their owne heads as Achitophel and Haman Fourthly hee expresseth his affection to his people in turning the enemies curse into a blessing as in the instance of Balak and Balaam Numb 23. 11. I called thee to curse mine enemies and loe thou hast blessed them The more Pharaoh oppressed the Israelites the more they increased Now as the Lord putteth forth his glory so hee expecteth that his people should declare it and ascribe the same unto him considering that if they honour him not hee loseth all his honour upon earth for wicked men shut their eyes against it and further how well it pleaseth him when the Saints goe out of themselves and ascribe al their safety onely to his mercy disclaiming their owne strength merit or goodnesse and onely glory all the day in him whom they acknowledge the Patron and defender of truth and innocency 2. After all victories the Saints used to praise the Lord when they saw him rise up for them against his enemies But in casting downe accusers is an happy victory wherein many hellish plots are overthrowne many stratagems discovered and armies of diabolicall enterprises chased the fury and force of enraged enemies is defeated themselves turned backe and cloathed with confusion The heathens would not carry a victory without sacrificing to their gods and shall the Saints deny the Lord this sacrifice of praise when their enemies are cast downe before them 3. When the Lord heareth our prayers he is greatly to be praised Psalm 28. 6. Praised bee the Lord for hee hath heard the voyce of my prayer And how can a godly heart who hath commended his cause and innocency unto Gods clearing and findeth that the Lord who seemed to have beene departed and not to respect him or his righteous cause is now returned and manifesteth his presence in stopping and restraining the fury of the enemie and bringing forth into light the innocency of his servants how can a good heart now but returne with praises to God who hath heard all his prayers and brought about all his hearts desire 4. The benefit it selfe to have slanders and evill surmises dispersed is not so small and worthlesse as it is not worth thankes How thankfull would wee be to that man who when wee could not tell what to doe in a great cause concerning our estate would step in as a faithfull witnesse on our side but how much more when the Lord vouchsafeth to witnesse for us seeing we can neither deserve this favour nor repay any thing else for it Therefore let us not deprive him of his praise which is his tribute Psal. 50. 15. I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie mee And it is the end of all Gods intention in the donation of mercy and ought to be our end in the fruition of it Againe it is a note of an evill man to be more ready to pray for supplies in his straites then to praise God for supplies in his liberty and inlargement Finally it was ever the constant practice of the Saints Psal. 59. 16. I will sing of thy power and praise for thou hast beene my defence c. Quest. How may we expresse our thankfulnesse for this mercy Ans. 1. If God honour or preserve our names wee must much more honour and uphold his referring all our credit and reputation to maintaine his name and honour contrary to those who know not how to wield honour and greatnesse but in swearing cursing gaming and the like 2. This we shall doe by carefull and watchfull upholding the holinesse innocency of our own lives For the end of our redemption from our enemies is to serve our God in holinesse and righteousnesse all our dayes Luke 1. 15. And it is the end of our justification both before GOD and man that wee should shine out in holinesse and walke beseeming so great salvation Verse 11. But they overcame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their Testimony and they loved not their lives to the death AFter the Church in this triumphant song hath sung out the praises of God the giver of all victory in the former verse now in this are set forth the due praises and commendation of the army or band of Michael who had valiantly stood with their Generall in the conquering and subduing the Dragon In the words are two things First a report of the victory and that the Saints were masters of the field But they overcame him Second the reasons or causes of this victory and they were of two sorts 1. The meritorious cause and principall efficient
condition saveth it Thirdly it is the onely gainefull service to thy selfe above all other Thy body thou givest to his mercy who might command it to punishment Thou offerest it weake and sinfull to receive it sinlesse and glorious Thou givest it for a while to dishonour and abasement to receive it for ever glorified Thou walkest here a while in blacke that thou mayest ever walke in white hereafter Thou sufferest a short paine but gainest joyes long and weighty 2 Cor. 4. 18. A bitter breakfast said our Martyr but a better dinner In a word what is there but cleare gaine in exchanging a miserable life for a moment into an eternall happinesse which eye never saw nor heart of man can thinke As there is no losse in serving God so much lesse in suffering for Christ. Be faithfull to the death thou shalt have a crowne of life there is gaine enough 5 Looke at the enemies they are no way so much disappointed as when a godly man loveth not his life unto death but willingly forgoeth it for the name and profession of Christ. For whereas they intend nothing but evill as Iosephs brethren God turneth all to good yea to the best as appeares in these instances 1 They hope to bring Gods people to a very few and worke wisely to keepe them under as Pharaoh But how are they disappointed for the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church the more they are oppressed the more they increase This camomile the more it is troden under the feet of tyrants the more it spreadeth rooteth and increaseth This palme tree cannot be so oppressed with the weight of bloodie decrees but it shall more apparantly rise up from under it 2 They hope and intend to bring infamie and ignominie on their names for ever by devising the most opprobrious and exquisite torments for them But how are they disappointed for as sweet drugs stamped and pounded cast the sweetest smell so the Saints pounded in the morter of affliction sweet incense is never so sweet as cast into the fire so is it heere 3 They intend nothing but their death the chiefe of all evills which they can inflict but are disappointed for they suddenly deliver them from all evills of sinne and punishment and send them speedily to the fruition of their chiefe good which is God himselfe and all the pleasures at his right hand While they devise to kill them they doe but cure them While they thinke to banish them out of the earth they call them out of their banishment Pharaoh by tyranny will chase Israel out of his land but it is but to thrust them on to their Canaan They intend by their furious fires to burne and consume Gods golden vessells but they shall onely purge them from their drosse The heaviest flayle of affliction shall but cleanse and sunder Gods wheat from the chaffe Never were the three children so glorious as in the midst of the furnace never was the tyrant so pusled so confounded so conquered From the Meditations come to the Practises which may helpe us in this great resolution and performance 1 Labour daily in subduing and mortifying corrupt lusts Get daily power to dye to all sinne else canst thou never dye in the quarrell of grace And of all lusts beware of three which are strongest lets First selfe-love he that cannot denye himselfe can never take up the crosse Selfe-love makes a mans life so sweet and deare unto him as he cannot abide to heare of heaven it selfe in exchange so that he that hath not power to deny himselfe let him be never so wise learned civill yea or religious he will at last dishonour God by backesliding and deniall of Christ. Secondly love of the world which will not harbour with love of Christ this easily makes him look backe whose hand is on the plough Demas forsook the truth to embrace the world And if thou dost not master this lust though thou wert as neare Christ as Iudas thou wilt turne from him yea against him Thirdly pride and applause of men which will never endure the shame of the crosse To batter down this high turret the Apostle Heb. 12. 2. bids us looke on Jesus who endured the crosse and despised the shame He not onely sustained but sanctified to us the mockings and contradictions of sinners 2 Another practise is to labour for sound judgemēt in matters of faith This only produceth a threefold action which must necessarily go before undaunted profession First a sound apprehension firmely and distinctly to beleeve the truth of religion For wee must first beleeve with the heart and then confesse with the mouth Rom. 10. 9. 10. and 2 Cor. 4. 13. I beleeved and therefore I spake Secondly from sound judgment issueth an high estimation of Christ and his truth above all the world or life it selfe All things are doung in comparison of him both in themselves and in the judgement of a sound Christian. And as the Lord himselfe hath magnified truth above all things so doth sound judgment framed to his Thirdly from sound judgment issueth a wise and advised resolution to hold the best fastest and keepe this whatsoever wee let go for it and not to shrinke from the truth for saving our life no more then our Lord himselfe did This sound judgment will keepe out a treacherous purpose of saving thy selfe by betraying the truth either by silence policie or open deniall 3 Another practise is to get sound affections to Christ and his truth especially two First love that is truths keeper every Apostate knew the truth but never any loved it And only love of Christ is stronger then death Secondly sound joy by which we are made not only contented but joyfull in sufferings for Christ which is indeed a matter of true rejoycing Act. 5. 41 The disciples were glad when they were counted worthy to suffer 1 Pet. 4. 13. Rejoyce in that ye are partakers of Christs sufferings Hence the Martyrs in the Primitive Church were so forward to offer their lives up to Christ as the woman of Edissa came running with her child in her armes into the fire lest the Christians should be burned ere she came and not she with them the like of Blanditta a peerelesse woman of Accolus a mirror of patience so our owne Martyrs who sang in the midst of the flames and had more joy then their tormēters This joy none can take away 4 Because to lay downe ones life is not the past of mans weakenesse but of Gods goodnesse and to suffer for Christ is a worke above naturall strength and the holy Ghost onely can stablish men to this triall we must not presume of our owne strength as Peter but pray for the mighty power of the Spirit to make us of weake strong and that he who hath given us to beleeve would also give us to suffer and strengthen us to all patience with joyfulnesse Col. 1. 10. Consider that none have
must expresse against sinne treading in the steps of our Lord and Master Marke 3. 5. hee looked about him angrily but mourned for the hardnesse of their hearts So mee knesse forbids us not anger against mens sinnes but injoynes us pity and compassion to their persons Wee must hate the workes of the Nicolaitans and bee angry not so much against the men as their wilfulnesse and obstinacy 4. Meeknesse seasoneth zeale and zealous reproofes with Sugar that is some manifestation that the sinner may see himselfe not hated when his sinne is sharply reproved and moderateth it with a readinesse of minde to heale the sinner so soone as he seeth his wound It stints the number of stripes as in the law that they exceed not The Apostle was zealous against the incestuous Corinthian but so that upon his sorrow hee is carefull to comfort him lest hee be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow 2 Cor. 2. 7. Acts 2. 37 38. when they were pricked at their hearts Peter comforts them and Paul the Jaylor Acts 16. 31. And hee that mournes and prayes for his brothers sinne as Christ over Jerusalem and Moses for the Idolatrous Israelites Exod. 32. will rejoyce in nothing more than such a one wonne by the rebukes of the Word and receive him as joyfully as the father his lost sonne returning Well if Ministers must bee faithfull in delivering the legall part of the Word then those Ministers are reproved 1. Who want breath to blow this Trumpet dumbe and unable persons blinde guides and insufficient men who in that place let in a fludgate of sinne and mischiefe amongst the people 2. Such as are more able but as unfaithfull they winke at sinne and will not see it or coldly reprove it as afraid to blow the trumpet too loud for waking the sinner these are farre from making sinners afraid of sinne Should such a trumpet blow and not make men fear Amos 3. 6. Is not Gods word a two-edged sword to pierce the very heart of the sinner and the hammer of God to breake the heart to pieces and will this be done with dallying reproofes as if men were at foynes No no if the Minister can doe it with down-rightblowes hee shall finde them little enough Besides is not sinne growne to a great height and impudency as a disease come to the height of his crisis and is that curable with a gentle remedy No it is the blewnesse of the wound that must purge most evils of this age and the stripes within the bowels of the belly Prov. 20. 30. Add here to that all sinners are not alike for as in a materiall house all stones are not alike some are soft and easily hewed for the building some are of an harder and flinty or marble disposition which require sharpe tooles and strong blowes to frame them to their place so in the house of God some stones are more soft sooner humbled and reformed but most are harder as the Adamant and easily yeeld not to the strokes of the Word lightly to smite these is but to hearten and harden them in sinne 3. Of all other the most mischievous are they in their places that either out of a carelesse and unconscionable coldnesse or out of ayme and desire to please or feare to displease or out of purpose to get applause of being peaceable men or out of base covetousnesse flatter men in their sinnes cloake their knowne evils and dissemble their vilenesse All is well so that it may bee well to themselves all the praises of piety shall guild rotten posts for base hire and reward Oh the sinne of these men is passing great who incourage and uphold men in their wickednesle betray them into the hands of the devill drowne them deeper in the pit of destruction and set their feet on their neckes to keepe them under from ever rising any more whereas they should lend an hand and reach them the line of a faithful reproofe to helpe them out 2. This shewes the corruption of many who cannot abide to heare the threatnings of Gods word Oh our Preachers are so tart and sowre they preach nothing but hell and damnation and seeke to bring men into despaire they cannot abide these Bonarges sonnes of thunder they would faine once change them with â—ome sweet-tongued Prophets and Zidkiahs that will sew pillows under their armes and by their flatteries cause them to erre To these I answer 1. Hee is farre from reforming his sinnes that will not abide them to bee reproved and his heart shall never be pricked with godly sorrow that will not have his sinnes pricked with the sharpe needle of the Law 2. Hee is farre from pardon of his sinnes that will not heare of them David because hee willingly heares of his sinne presently heares of pardon but Herod because hee will not heare Iohn Baptist speake of his sinne never heares of pardon 3. A property of a good heart is to delight in the Law of God in the inner man Rom. 7. 22. and hold it a sweet benefit by it that it still discovers the secret evils which must bee repented of and reformed The joy of a godly soule is to bee anatomized by the Word and searched But hee is a bankrout that cannot abide his estate to be cast up 4. It is a property of soundnesse to justifie the Lord in all his sayings as David did being reproved by Nathan of foule things Psal. 51. 4. A true humble spirit acquainted with repentance will acknowledge that no part of Gods Word can bee so sharply spoken as justly If God bee sharpe in reproving and threatning it will stoupe and say it is most just I have matter enough in me and given cause enough if he threaten me with a thousand hels and damnations When the Lord threatneth Eli with the destruction of his house 1 Sam. 3. 18. hee yeelds himselfe It is the Lord let him doe what seemeth him good When Esay threatneth Hezekiah with the like destruction of his house and state hee yeeldeth 2 Kings 20. 19. The Word of the Lord is good Hee might have beene more severe and brought it in my dayes Mat. 15. 27. Christ calleth the Cannanitish woman dog she justifieth him in his saying and saith Truth Lord I am no better but give me some crummes of mercy If legall doctrine strike thee downe in thy selfe and send thee forth to seeke mercy as she here is a note of soundnesse 5 There is not a more certaine note of a wicked man and hypocrite then to taxe Gods word of too much severity If God threaten Cain for killing Abel oh his punishment is greater then he can beare he could beare an heavier sinne lightly but the punishment and threatning is too heavie Let Iohn Baptist reproove Herod for incest the reproofe is too harsh and heavie he shuts Iohn up in prison So Act. 7. 51. Steven calls the Jewes stiffe-necked uncircumcised resisters of the holy Ghost whereas they should have justified
most gracious pardon So for people and Kingdomes What may wee gather from the great and open prevayling of Antichrist in any Kingdome which will be apparant in the infinite increase and boldnesse of Papists and Recusants in such places in the swarmes and numbers of the people after a strange boldnesse running and resorting to their Masses in the open increase of multitudes of locusts and frogs Jesuites and Priests croaking in corners and streets challenging seducing and deceiving and as diligent as the dragon himselfe whose tayle they are to wrap men not loving the truth in this fearefull wrath and deepe perdition What may bee hence gathered but the provocations of such a kingdome kindling so great a wrath of God against them Did Antichrist ever come into a kingdome and the sins of that kingdome not let him in Were men not fierce against the Lord in contemning and despising his truth in open â—rophanation of his Sabbaths in desperate scoffing at religion in bringing in their sinnes to their height Had they not lost their first love their zeale their taste of Manna were not they unthankfull to the Lord for setting them out of this Aegypt and were they not looking and running back to the Onions and flesh-pots which made the Lord shake the fiercest Arrow of his Quiver against them Could any thing but hellish prophanenesse and contempt of so shining grace have entred such a wrath amongst them as heaven nor hell in this life cannot inflict a greater for Turkish tyranny is light in comparison of Antichristian Oh that our Apostasie to a very formall and powerlesse godlinesse were laid to heart as the hatcher and breeder of such wrath which will not bee so easily removed as let in Did wee still march couragiously as wee began in the beginning the reformation wee should not then need to feare our former oppression and tyranny Let us bee wise by the rod shaken over us lest the stroke and smart fall also on us and shew us our folly 5. Labour to preserve one another from this damnable way To which wee have these and sundry motives First wee pull one another out of fire and water and should much more out of the fire and water of Gods wrath yea out of hell and damnation Secondly all our Saviours course was to winne soules to seeke and save what was lost Thirdly God hath made every man his brothers keeper who hath commanded to pull our neighbours yea enemies Oxe or Asse out of a ditch And therefore every man must bee servant to every man as Paul to winne some and not bee carelesse whether hee stand or fall sinke or swimme live or die And wee must by all good meanes preserve and strengthen our brethren Ministers by discrying the danger this is our chiefe intent not wrath and anger to our people Private men by exhortation brotherly conference wise reproofs of the obstinate c. All by godly life and holy innocency which is a meanes both to stop the mouthes of malicious Papists and winne such as are tractable Knowing that he hath but a short time In these words is the reason of the dragons wrathfull disposition where consider three things 1. How Satans time is said to bee short 2. How hee knoweth it is so 3. What use he makes of this knowledge For the first Quest. How can that be said a short time which hath continued now since the writing of this Prophesie sixteene hundreth yeares or not much lesse Ans. A time long in it selfe must bee said to bee short respectively So this 1. In respect of God to whom a thousand yeares which is a long time in it selfe and to us is but as one day and so even thus long since our Lord said Rev. 21. 6. Behold I come shortly 2. In comparison of former times so this continuance of Antichrist which is simply in it selfe a long time is comparatively said to be short in respect of the time and ages going before it And so the whole time of the New Testament which is in it selfe a very long time is called the ends of the world 1 Cor. 10. 11. the last houre 1 Ioh. 2. 18. for so the manner of Scripture is which distributeth the world into three ages the first from Adam to Moses the second from Moses to Christ the third from Christ his first comming to his second This last period was called the last houre not because presently upon Christs Incarnation or Ascension the world was to end for how then could the Church have beene gathered through the Christian world but because 1. This was the last and full time in which all was consummated and ended which was fore-prophesied in former ages touching mans redemption even the full and last revelation which is to bee in earth and no other change of worship and Ministery is to bee expected as in the former till the great and last day in which the great Judge shall put an end to dayes and time which shall bee no more and to the warfare of the whole Church 2. It shall bee a farre shorter time than that which went before yea in likelyhood shorter than either of the former periods or ages for seeing it shall bee bitter and sharpe by the tyranny of Antichrist for the Elects sake Christ saith these dayes shall be shortened Mat. 24. For the second Quest. How doth Satan know his time to bee short Ans. 1. Because hee knowes his time is determined for the wicked spirits know perfectly by the accusation of their conscience and partly by the sentence already passed upon them that a day of further torment awaites them whence they say Mat. 8. 29. Art thou come to torment us before the time 2. Hee knowes this time is hastening upon him sundry wayes 1. By prediction and observation of Scriptures He observed the Apostles saying that on us the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 11. joyning himselfe with those Christians that then lived and all the rest that were to live till the end of the world being all comprehended in one body and all subjected to the same last dispensation of grace which was not to bee ended or changed but by the returne of Christ to judgement 2. By daily experience hee seeth the decrepit age of the world as in the severall parts so in the whole If old buildings cracke it threatneth ruine 3. Hee knowes and observeth most of the signes of Christs second comming to be past as 1. That many false Prophets inspired by himselfe are risen up and have deceived many as was foretold Matth. 24. 24. This is an argument of the last houre 1 Iohn 2. 18. we know it is the last houre for many Antichrists are come that is petty-Antichrists the prodromi and forerunners of that great one 2. That the Gospell hath beene preached through the world predicted Mat. 24. 14. and accomplished Rom. 10 18. Their sound is gone through all the world and their words unto the end of
to Herod as Pilate and therefore here private quarrels shall give place that they may joyne and befriend one another in mocking and condemning Christ. 3 The policy of the dragon who well knowes that united forces are strongest and therefore holds all the kingdome of darknesse together for the overthrow of the contrary power for if Gods kingdome should prevaile downe goes theirs It is the voice of them all If we let this man alone the Romanes will come to take our nation It is the prudence of the captaine to keepe his band from mutiny and Satan knowing that a kingdome divided against it selfe cannot stand labours to hold it in peace against the common enemie 4 The common corruption and consent of wicked and unregenerate natures all are of the same poysonfull nature all led by the same spirit that ruleth in the world All their wils given up to the devill to rule and move at his pleasure All their counsels and intendments against Gods people mischieuous like the poyson of dragons Deut. 32. 33. detestable to God and dangerous to mâ—n All alike flexible to sinne for by the infection of sinne one wicked man can soone draw another and all are as ready to such motions as gunpowder to take a sparke of fire All their delights are the same in the ruine and spoile of the Church so far as they can They all eat up Gods people as bread Psal. 14. like dragons who so hate mankind as they devoure men not for hunger but for spight and hatred taking great delight in eating his pray So these delightfully oppresse the people of the high God First See how they are deceived that make unitie a note of the Church Here we see the kingdome of the devill at unitie making up but one dragon all the devils in hell are one in their aimes and ends in their wils and endeavours against the kingdome of Jesus Christ. All the wicked in the world Jewes Turkes Papists Atheists Epicures all disagreeing among themselves yet all joyne in one against Jesus Christ. The world ever afforded a generall unitie against Christ. How was unitie a note of the Church when all cryed crucifie him and were all with one voice against Christ So when the whole world was an Arian Secondly See what is the unitie and peace wee must preach for a unitie in veritie Eph 4. 3. endeavour to keepe the unitie of the spirit in the bond of peace It must be the peace of God that must rule in our hearts Col 3. 15. It is an idle thing to call for and commend an unlimited peace a carnall peace a peace without yea against grace and truth the dragon can maintaine an unitie against veritie And the Scripture every where disclaimeth carnall peace Mat. 10 34. The Angels signe first glory to God and then peace with men but it is not for Gods glory to runne and combine with evill men follow peace and holinesse And the kingdome of God is first righteousnesse then peace Rom 14 17. Nay it is an holy and honourable contention to contend for the faith for truth in doctrine in manners against superstition and corruption and wicked men and manners although the dragon will call it faction turbulence and daunt men w th noyse of troublesome make-bates as truly as Eliah was accucused to trouble all Israell when he destroyed the Altars of Baal Or the Angell might be blamed for troubling the water for the curing of mens diseases Thirdly As hatred of truth unites the hearts of all wicked men against it So let the love of faith and truth unite our hearts for it that we might serve the Lord with one accord and with one minde and one mouth we may glorifie God 1 Hereby wee shall prevent the dragon who while he will not suffer his kingdome to be rent in the maine sowes tares of dissention and division in the Lords field As an old polititian he knows how much it makes for his party if he can raise a mutiny in the contrary army 2 As there is not a greater benefit on earth then communion of Saints so there is no greater damage and detriment to Satan and his kingdome then when it is carefully and fruitfully preserved hence he bestirres himselfe and prevailes with many who would be counted peaceable men to live in open malice by seaven yeares together to the scorning of many of Gods graces for which they shal be countable 3 What a shame that men of wicked opinions and lewd practices can close and combine theÌ„selves against God and his Sonne against his truth and servants and we that professe the doctrine of grace and love and in judgement hold the same truth yet in affection and conversation breake one from another as if we had no such bands upon us as wicked men yea devils have Do not birds of a fether fly together Do not Atheists swearers adulterers drunkards theeves and all wicked ones sharpen their swords whet their tongues and dragons stings to revile these Do not devils stand together against the truth and shall we speake as the dragon do as the dragon be not halfe so fast for the truth as they against it can no Christian bands tye us as fast as malice and hatred of Christ doth them A great red Dragon Now we come to the five properties of this dragon The first of which is his magnitude or greatnesse which propertie is expressed for more terrour seeing the greater the dragon is the more dreadfull he is Hee is great in foure respects First In respect of the head of this dragon Satan who is the greatest in all the world for power rule dominion in which sense he is called Mat. 12. 29. The strong armed man Ephes. 6. 12. principalities powers and spirituall wickednesse in high places yea and more he is called The God of the world Some of the Ancients have compared him to Behemoth Job 41. 33. In the earth there is none like him nor any power to compare with him and He is without feare of men Secondly In respect of the members the dragon is great both for 1 Multitude 2 Qualitie 1 For multitude All the numberlesse number of wicked men and devils are the body of this dragon The greatest army that ever was gathered in the world are now mustred against the Woman of all tongues nations and ages 2 For qualitie They be great and potent instruments for the dragon hath under his colours the most and most potent Monarchs of the world to fight for him The most politicke Counsellers and Achitophells to plot for him the greatest armadoes and Armories of warlike instruments and all mortall weapons to wound and kill for him The greatest Antichrist and Cham of Rome that servant of servants and all his armies of Priests Jesuites orders Fryers and sisters to blesse and curse as another Balaam for him He hath great mynes and mints of gold and treasure to
be His incurable envy of the happy estate of man not onely that of Adam in Paradise whereof he quickly spoyled him but especially that which in the secoÌ„d Adam we are restored unto for this maketh him even ready to burst for envy that whereas himself is cast down from heaven his first habitation everlastingly reprobated from God from his favour presence place of glory without all hope of mercy bouÌ„d in chaines of blacke darknesse to the judgement of the great day mankinde should by vertue of a Covenant of grace be elected and raised to a fee simple of eternall glory purchased by the Sonne of God sealed by his Spirit and apprehended by the faith of every beleever His earnest desire and study to hold men in the state of nature for he knoweth there hee hath them sure enough but if there appeareth any change hee bestirreth himselfe and teareth and vexeth the parties from whom he must needs depart as in the instances of the Gospell This appeareth in that 1. So long as men are in their naturall estate hee knoweth they are out of the favour of God enimies to God and God to them but in the beginning of their change they become friends to God and no sooner can God be friend a man but Satan taketh him for his foe and enemy no sooner canst thou have peace with God but warre with Satan 2. In the state of nature a man fighteth stoutly against grace and righteousnesse all his members are given up as weapons of unrighteousnesse for the devill and sinne but now in the beginning of this change he taketh the Lords presse-money renounceth his old Captaine fighteth under Gods Standard whom the dragon most maligneth and now no marvell if Satan advance his flags of defiance against him because hee standeth on the contrary part 3. While a man is in the state of nature he knoweth he is a slave to sinne and a bondman to the Devill ruled at his will under an heavier bondage than Israel under Pharaoh but let him desire once to get out of this thraldome Pharaoh did never storme so much against Israel as the dragon will against him The Iaylor is quiet so long as he is sure of his prisoners but let any of them seeke an escape or to break prison then he bestirreth himselfe and loadeth that party with fetters and useth him with all rigour so doth the dragon so soone as ever hee seeth one begin to stirre in his conversion 4. In the naturall state hee knoweth a man goeth merrily to hell in which way he never disquieteth him as Iacobs sonnes going into Aegypt found no let but if he set his face or foot towards the Land of Promise he shall never want enemies or difficulties no more than they did Seeing Satan ever standeth before the woman as Pharaoh to surprize the infant in grace even in the birth wee see how neare wee are alway to danger and what need wee have still to stand upon our watch for shall Satan stand seeking to devoure us and shall not wee â—â—and in a watchfull resistance it is the Apostles inference 1 Peter 5. 8 â— Your Adversary seeketh to devoure whom resist stedfast in the faith for why hath the Spirit of God thus described our enemy and his enterprizes against us but that we might make our advantage of it and not being ignorant of his wiles might bee so much the more watchfull What man that knoweth there lyeth a porent enemy before him who watcheth to murther him will not bee watchfull to save his owne life and defeat his enemy or what needeth an enemy any other weapon than his adversaries security as appeareth in Iael against Sisera whose safety had beene in the watch of himselfe But in this watch observe these Rules See thou stand in thy owne ranke and watch-tower thou hast a promise of safety onely in thy way the surest fortification is diligence in the generall and speciall calling whereas idlenesse is the devils pillow and Anvile See thou standest armed at all points seeing Sathan standeth armed before thee never lay off any one piece of spirituall armour Men in peace hang up their armour by the wals till it rust and take dust but buckle it fast to thee as having still an enemy before thee seeking to disarme thee as hee did Israel whom hee made naked by the Calfe and by Balaams wyles laid them naked to Gods vengeance Because no strength else is comparable to his that standeth before thee but the strength of the Captaine stand in his strength and bee instant in prayer and strong cries for his helpe If a man were in the hand of theeves meaning not onely to robbe him but to cut his throate how would hee cry for helpe This is our continuall estate and therefore we have neede to pray continually the holding up of Moses hands in prayer is the strength of Israel and so is it the victory against the spirituall Amaleck Note the grouÌ„nd of the dragons malice and of the quarrell of the wicked men no other cause but that they are children of the Church or otherwise causelesse in them Pharaoh killed the Israelites Infants causelesly Assur oppresseth Israel without a cause Isa. 52. 4. Iohn 10. 32. For which good worke doe yee stone me they pretend blasphemy something done or not done by them No the quarrell is more ancient more grounded more inward than any thing done by them they know how Esau striveth with Iacob in the wombe before birth it is malice bred in the bone A wicked man will raile on a good man hee never saw nor knew and if a wicked man knew that a childe in the wombe would prove a good man and sonne of the CHVRCH hee would hate it before the birth The just wrath of the dragon against David Psa. 35. 19. and against the Sonne of David in Iohn 15. 25. Never set thy selfe to any good course but expect the dragon to stand before thee make account of all his malice and whatsoever op position the world his armour-bearer can molest thee withall no condition or calling can secure thee for 1. Let a Magistrate set himselfe faithfully for the Lord to uphold the pure worship of GOD and zealously stand for GOD for good causes and persons Now the dragon is grieved that a man is come that seeketh the wealth of Israel Nehemiah 2. 10. now stand before him Sanbellet and Tobiah and with these many complices conspire against Hierusalem to hinder him and hence he thrusts into the ordinance as many disaffected persons to true religion as he can 2. Let a Popish Preist breathe out fury and rage against the truth and revile all the generation of them that seeke GOD and cast them in bonds and trouble He thriveth and is in as great credit as Saul was in that way but let him once see a light shining round about him and being converted faithfully preach the Gospell which
Diotrephes who pratled against them with malicious words neither received the brethren but forbid them that would and thrust them out of the Church 3 Ioh. 10. 2. By stirring up false teachers flatterers and deceivers who insensibly rob the Church of her treasure which is true and holy doctrine The envious man by them soweth his Tares whilest men sleepe Matth. 13. Hence we read of sundrey doctrines of devils 1 Tim. 4. 12. namely the forbidding of meats and mariages so called because the devill who still laboureth to corrupt the Ministerie in and by these fights against Michael and his Angels 4. Where hee cannot hinder the powerfull preaching hee fighteth by making the truth of the Gospell preached ineffectuall sundry secret wayes as 1. By blinding some that they cannot see the truth shining upon them 2 Cor. 4. 4. holding them fast in incredulity and contumacy 2. Snatching the Word from others who heare it carelesly so the dragon prevaileth against many as ye heard Luke 8 12. 3. Thrusting from their practice such as heard with attention when men heare and put not on the new man it is a giving place to the devill Eph. 4. 27. 4. After the knowne and professed truth by pulling away many from the simplicity of the Gospell by revolt and apostacie 1 Tim. 5. 15. many goe backe after Satan 2 Cor. 11. 3. I feare lest as Satan deceived Eve by his craftinesse so also hee deceive you Thus in all changes of religion numbers have gone backe after Satan Now after the manner let us see the reasons of this fight Contraries must needs fight here be two contrary kingdomes the kingdome of light and of darknesse two contrary Princes the God of heaven and the god of the world the Author of truth the father of lyes two contrary bands no marvell if the whole band of the dragon would pull downe the whole Kingdome of God how can the kingdome of sinne but fight against the kingdome of grace There is a deadly hatred of the dragon against God and Jesus Christ. 1. All the spawne of the malignant dragon seeketh by all meanes to hinder and obscure the knowledge and glory of God and to set up honour and yeeld obedience to the dragon for God see wee not how Antichrist sitteth in the Temple of God and demeaneth himselfe as if he were God but what moveth him the dragon acteth him with strong delusion and his comming is by the efficacy of Satan 2 Thess. 2. and the same efficacy of Satan casteth downe Idolaters at the feet of antichrist to receive lawes from him to binde conscience to worship at his word a breaden god made by a Baker in stead of the Maker of the world which is nothing but to adore the dragon no other wayes than the Jewes who are said to offer to devils when they offered to Idols Psal. 106. 1 Cor. 10. 2. In the dragon and all his angels is an unconquerable hatred of Christ and his members hee perpetually opposeth the humanity the divinity the offices of Jesus Christ that hee should not be truly knowne and beleeved in the world and this reason our Saviour giveth why the Scribes Pharisees and other wicked men were so busie against his person and doctrine Iohn 15. 24. They have hated both mee and my father for the hatred of Christ they never cease to persecute the Church his Spouse and the faithfull his members so our Saviour saith If the world have hated me it will hate you also Iohn 16. 3. and this they will doe to you because they have not knowne me nor my father The dragon and his Angels fight to add unto and inlarge so far as he can his kingdome and dominion he would have al the world his throne to domineere in he would thrust Jesus Christ out of all his right he would bring in all mens soules into his owne dānation and because he cannot get all he is restlesse and never giveth up his quarrell why else doth the Antichrist of Rome the chiefe Commander under the dragon maintaine and abet such bloody quarrels against the Reformed Churches but because hee would have small and great rich and poore free and bond to receive his marke in their hands and foreheads Rev. 13. 16. Haman must have all knees bow to him else hee is sicke of anger and prepareth for the death of every Mordecai that refuseth They therefore fight to uphold the dominion hee hath gotten in the world as great Princes goe to warre to maintain their rights and territories in every part of their countrey even so if the Gospel come into any countrey to turne them from darknesse to light from the power of Satan to God what tumults tragedies doth the dragon and all his angels excite and stirre up against it and what else doe all the present warres in this part of the world tend unto but to hold the Countries subject unto Antichrist under the power of the dragon still and to keepe out and chase out the sound and mention of Christ as the truth is in Jesus Christ. Beware of this note of a wicked man to fight against Christ. Ob. We professe Christ and are baptized into Michaels name have taken our presse-mony of him and therefore what is this to us Sol. Can. 1. 5. The sonnes of my mother contended with me and thus was I wounded in the house of my friends Is this Christs voyce would wee know these dissembled friends the markes are cleare 1. Those that wilfully resist any of Gods ordinances fight against God Acts 5. 39. If this be of God yee cannot destroy it but bee fighters against God therefore hee that fighteth against the standard of Michael that is the voyce of the Gospell is a ranke rebell to Christ as hee that shooteth against the Kings standard He that resisteth the power of the word which is Michaels Scepter will give it no place nor obedience in themselves and scorne it in others that mutiny against preaching and preachers of truth and practice of sincerity fighteth as directly against God as hee that would wrest the Kings Scepter out of his hand He that resisteth the holy observation of the Sabbath is an ordinary breaker of it by worke or play that scornes strict and circumspect walking is a fighter against God 2. Those that in thēselves or others uphold the dragons dominion these apparently fight against Christ not one of their lusts must fall downe before the word looke in what sinne the devill did raigne for that they strive and contend still and none so great enemies as those that strive against their sinnes they must sweare and lie and game they must outface conscience and scorne godlinesse so also they are loath the devill should lose any ground in others and therefore they strengthen sinners and incourage them in all their wayes of loosnesse gaming wasting out their time and drunken companionship resisting tumultuously a faithfull Ministery 3. Those that strive
out of the Church into the earth and there among earthly and carnall men holdeth his power still Ephes. 2. 2. The Prince that ruleth in the aire worketh among the sonnes of disobedience 2 Thes. 2. 9. Sathan worketh in Antichrist by all deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish 2 Cor. 4. 4. The god of this world blindeth the mindes of infidels or unbeleevers And why 1. Sathans raigne is in the reigne of sin that is his scepter a wicked heart in which sinne raigneth is his chaire of estate But sinne raignes not in the elect that are under grace Rom. 6. 14. 2. Sathan being the Prince of darknesse rules in the kingdome of darknesse whence wicked spirits are called rulers of the darknesse of this world Ephes. 6. 12. The devill is the father of all spirituall darknesse of lies heresies false doctrines false worship and all workes of darknesse This is the world of darknesse in which hee ruleth as a king in his Kingdome But the godly are gotten out of this Egypt out of the reach of this hellish Pharaoh and are gotten into Goshen the Church where light is Ephes. 5. 8. Ye were once darknesse but now are light in the Lord. 3. Sathan is the father of sinne and sinne is the mother of death by which necessary connexion appeares who are his subjects over whom hee holdeth his full and absolute power to weet a world of dead men dead in trespasses and sinnes destitute of the life and Spirit of God and as dead men laid and buryed in the earth among these hee ruleth As the demoniake in our Saviours time lived among the graves and there tyrannized so doth Sathan being cast out into the earth which is as another Golgatha But the godly are quickned by Christ being formerly dead in trespasses and live now the life of the Sonne of God and have part in the first resurrection Gal. 2. 20. And so are exempted from the power of Sathan Which is a ground of comfort to all true hearted Christians that stand in the spirituall combate 1. Thou fightest against a conquered and bound enemy who is cast out of all thy Lords dominions 2. Hee is cast into the earth and keepeth state in the world as the god of the world but thou art called out of the world and brought from the earth Object If hee be cast out how comes it to passe that I am so afflicted with horrible hellish and violent temptations Answ. 1. The Dragon is not cast out of all power till hee bee cast into hell but hee is cast out of full power in the godly 2. There is a reserved wrigling power of the Dragon which may assault thee but hee shall never hurt thee that art one of Gods chosen neither by his temptation nor persecution For first though they may afflict and exercise thee yet all the gates of hell cannot overcome or extinguish thy faith Secondly though they may trouble thee and hinder thee in the way as the Moabites did Israel by their wiles yet can they not in the end of it which is life and glory Thirdly though they may hinder the sense and comfort and joy of thy salvation yet can they not the right nor assured hope of thy happinesse Object I finde these temptations prevaiâ—e in mee and if the devill raigne in sinne I feare he is not cast out of mee Answ. There is the least feare of that sinne that is most feared The feare of sinne keepes downe the raigne of it But for the strengthening of such as are in combate we must know that the best have sinne but sinne hath not them the best slip and fall but lye not in falls the best do the acts of sinne but not habitually they trade not nor walke in sinnes at least with delight as men in a pleasant way the best have flesh but walke not according to flesh And therefore although thou findest sinne present with thee yet if thou canst finde the power of it weakened if thou sometimes sinnest but art so farre from tumbling and trading in sinne as that thou hatest what thou doest all is safe the dragon is cast out for all that 2. Here is a rule of tryall to know our estate whether wee belong to heaven or are yet in the earth under the dominion of Sathan If Sathan uphold his power and state in sinne and unrighteousnesse within thy heart thou art apparently in the earth and of the earth Christ hath no part in thee nor thou in him Art thou an enemy to grace to the doctrine of grace Art thou a stubborne and obstinate sinner an enemy to the perswasions of the Word and Spirit a sonne of disobedience a rebell against all thou hearest Art thou a lover of thy sinnes an hater of them that hate and discover them Art thou of the Dragons trade and walkest in fraud lying accusing and envying Gods children Dost thou cast thy selfe out of the Church and wilfully excommunicate and separate thy selfe from God from his house and worship from his Saints and people Now this doctrine tells thee that for these accursed qualities the devill himselfe was cast out by Christs victory and so shalt thou as an enemy of Christ shall Christ cast him out and keepe thee in who resemblest him no confounded shall ye be together and eternally excommunicate from God and his Church 3. This is a ground of instruction if Sathan bee once cast out to keepe him out and let him enter no more When Christ cast out a devill he said Go out of him and enter into him no more So hee never recovereth his power against the Church againe being once cast into the earth Apostasie and revolt from the truth once received gives him a stronger and surer possession then before For he never comes againe but hee brings seaven worse spirits then himselfe And now seeing that Sathan is cast out of our Church into the earth let us not turne to worldly rudiments and that earthly religion and doctrine of Popery and Antichristian idolatry which is from earth set up and upheld by earthly power and policie thrusting it selfe on the world by serpentine craft lying pretenses of miracles martyrdome concord of doctors perpetuall succession from the Apostles c. But let the Dragon rage and dominere in the earth whither hee is cast and in that fleshly doctrine which carrieth away earthly and unstable men Let him make spoile in his owne dominion amongst Papists and Idolaters and hypocrites and atheists Let us keepe that pretious truth which is committed to us and hold fast that which Michael hath wonne for us shall wee runne after the dragon cast into the earth Consider hereunto 1. How can that be a religion of God that openeth a wide gate to all manner of hatefull and unnaturall sinnes by licenses pardons before and after sanctuaries c. that exempts subjects from lawes obedience oathes and allegiance to Princes that under pretence of Christ
it in matter of salvation and so as may stand with his Churches profitable exercise and excitation In these foure regards they are all cast out with their Head Here is terror for al the angels agents of the dragon who hence may perceive that Jesus Christ hath already got the same victory over them as over the dragons and devils themselves and duely waites a fit time for full execution and manifestation Consider what a fearefull thing it is to bee a wicked man a servant of sinne an enemy of grace a scorner of religion or religious persons or exercises a Sabbath-breaker a drunkard a vicious person an unbeleever or impenitent person here is an angell of the dragon who if hee persist in this estate is as certainly cast out into destruction by Christ as is the dragon his head and mover what else doth our Saviour teach Mat. 25. 41. but that the dragon and his angels are equally accursed and wicked men sunke downe in the same curse as they all of them being equally against Christ and Christ against them all Our Saviour for the comfort of the Elect saith Iohn 12. 26. Where I am there shall my servant bee so in proportion where the dragon is there must his angels and agents bee Object But I hope for salvation by Christ I am baptized and come to Church and heare the Word and love God above all and my neighbour as my selfe c. Answ. Many shall come to Christ at the last day and professe as much or more and yet being angels of the dragon are cast out with him Mat 7. 22. Thou art not an open enemy yea but art thou a covered secret enemy of Christ No pretence or conceit of a good estate can hinder thee from being an angell of the dragon or from being cast out with him First if thou discernest not the things of God but art uncapable unteachable savouring the things of the flesh not of the Spirit and findest most sweetnesse and contentment in the things of this life thou art apprently cast out as yet with the dragon without the Kingdome of God Secondly if thou hearest never so much and blessest thy selfe in thine iniquity if thou hearest for fashion without conscience or desire after Gods wayes if thou secretly loathe or fret at the Word powerfully preached or holdest any sin against it it is a deadly favour to thee thou art cast out with the dragon to whom also it is a sentence of damnation Thirdly if thou avoidest the society of godly men and in heart lovest not such as bee truely religious but hatest them because they follow goodnesse and hauntest with wicked and profane persons and delightest in them runnest with them and chusest them for thy companions thou art as yet in the same darknesse with the dragon 1 Iohn 2. 11. Fourthly if thou speakest evill of the way of God and despightest the truth revilest such as more openly professe it disgracest the publike or private exercises of religion or discouragest such as undertake them thy profession keepes thee not from being cast out with the dragon Michael hath cast thee out having said Hee that is with us cannot lightly speake evill of us Marke 9. 39. 2. From this glorious victory of Michael over the angels of the dragon note the vaine and bootlesse enterprises of the angels of the dragon against the Church They rage and bragge and plot and fret and all to cast the Church out of the earth but cannot prevaile for First themselves are cast out into the earth their power and liberty is onely to hurt earthly minded men that preferre earth before heaven and contemne the heavenly truth preached but in regard of the Saints they have short hornes they can hurt none marked sprinkled or sealed Secondly the Church cannot bee cast out of the earth unlesse the angels of the dragon were stronger than Michael they may chase the Church out of one corner into another but out of the earth they cannot because his Kingdome is everlasting Thirdly they are but angels of the dragon and their Head being spoyled of his power what hope have they to prevaile Did the Papists consider that being angels of the dragon cast out already by Michael they are in extreme danger it would abate something of the bragging pride hopes and insolency did they thinke that the great angell of the dragon the Antichrist of Rome were already cast out by the sentence and power of Michael it would abate their hopes If it doe not lessen theirs let it raise ours that however they may afflict some particular Church yet shall they never obtaine their purpose as they hope and desire but shall bee cast out by Michael as the dung of the earth Consider three grounds hereof First that they fight against Christ the Truth and the truth of Christ they fight against the Lambe but the Lambe must overcome and against the truth of Christ which is of that nature that the more it is opposed and oppressed the more it riseth and increaseth Secondly consider how Michael hath already cast them out in their projects and designes all deliverances of Christian Princes have beene from this victory of Michael our owne countrey and Princes abroad are instances enough as in 88. 1605. c. Thirdly against all the angels of the dragon oppose our Archangell described in Rev. 10. 1. c. 1. A mighty Angell protector of his Church 2. Comming from heaven in a gracious and powerfull presence to help his Church 3. Cloathed with a Cloud once of flesh now of divine Majestie as in the wildernesse 4. A Rainbow on his head a league of grace and peace first with God then from the rage of Antichristian enemies 5. His face as the Sunne enlightning his Church dispersing clouds and stormes bringing faire gleames of warme comfort 6. His feet as Pillars of power and might to sustaine his Church and of fire to consume the enemies as Chaffe and stubble 7. In his hand a little booke open Christ opens it to the world and holds it open though Antichrist would shut up the truth and did a long time 8. Hee set his right foot on the sea and his left on the earth that is now takes power and dominion upon the Continent and Ilands and raiseth Christian Emperours and Princes by professing the truth to restore him his right detained by Antichrist 9. Hee crieth with a loud voyce as when a Lyon roareth the more that tyrants and Antichrist roare and rage against the truth with their Buls the more doth this Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah put forth the mighty voice of the Gospel and as with rams horns casteth downe the wals of Antichristian Iericho 10. He sweares in verse 6. that time or delay shall be no more namely not so miserable and mournfull as they were under the sixe Trumpets when Antichrist domineired and none durst resist who would not be presently turned to ashes but better times should
Note the reason why Satan and Antichrist are such enemies to the Word and Scriptures of God namely because it is the hammer of his kingdome and the meanes of the Saints victory against them They know well that nothing can conquer errour but the truth and nothing can chase away darknesse but light And their owne experience by Gods blessing upon the meanes at this day tells them how sound doctrine hath and doth winne ground and victory over their Antichrist whose armed Princes cannot long support him against it Truth is strongest and shall prevaile Marvell not that our Country-Papists hate to death sound and faithfull Preachers while they can indure wel enough frothy and loose doctrine they have reason they feele these by the sound application of the Word shaking their tottering kingdome so doe not the other Marvell not if they maligne and scorne zealous Professors but formall Protestants that hover as meteors in their religion they brooke well enough for those hold out the word of life and light which is the ensigne of victory over them so doe not the other 5. Seeing the Word is so powerfull a meanes of victory let it bee the word of our Testimony and let us learne to give testimony to it First in word and profession speake boldly for the truth and that in the day and where thou maist bee heard not as Nicodemus in the night Secondly in holy life and conversation see it bee a counterpaine of holy doctrine Thirdly in passion and suffering for it whatsoever awaites so holy a doctrine Consider hereunto 1. Christ himselfe was a faithfull witnesse of the truth shall not the servant stand where the Lord stands 2. The end of every Christians comming into the world must bee the same with the end of Christ comming into it but that was to beare witnesse unto the truth Ioh. 18. 37. 3. Consider the dignity of truth it is Gods own therefore the Apostle was not ashamed of it And the truth of God is the Pillar and stud of the world 1 Tim. 3. 15. Not to uphold this Pillar is to let the world fall to confusion 4. The impudency of men against the truth Esa. 3. 9. they are not ashamed to invent and abet lies and open injustice against the Word and bringers of it and are wee ashamed to testifie to the truth 5. Christ will confesse such hereafter as confesse him here Mat. 10. 32. but will bee ashamed of them that are now ashamed of him when the unbeleevers and fearefull shall bee cast into the lake Rev. 21. 8. 6. It is the honourable office of the Spirit of God Iohn 15. 26. He shall testifie of mee and yee shall witnesse also And they loved not their lives to the death This is the second instrumentall or adjuvant cause of the conquest of the Saints namely their constancy and valorous Martyrdome Where to open the meaning we have many questions to resolve Quest. 1. Whether may not a Christian lawfully love his life Answ. The love of a mans life must be considered 1. Simply 2. Comparatively In the former respect it is simply lawfull for a man to love his life for First it is a naturall instinct which God hath put in all creatures for their own preservation and it is an unnaturall sin for a man to sinne against his owne life Secondly the law of God which bindes us not to kill our selves or others bindes us also to preserve our lives and the lives of others And the same law that bindes us to preserve the life of our enemies beast bindes us much more to preserve our owne lives Thirdly in the Gospell the Apostle saith No man ever hated his owne flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it Eph. 5. 29. and even the body is a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Ghost But in comparison it is not lawfull as to love a mans life more than God or the truth of God or above Christ and the faith and religion of Christ to love the naturall life and meanes of it above the spirituall and heavenly this is sinfull for First we must buy the truth but not sell it at any rate all the lives of men and Angels are not to bee valued with God and his truth Secondly the wise merchant sels all for the Pearle that is for Christ and his Gospell and goeth away rejoycing Thirdly in this comparison not to hate father and mother and wife and Children yea and his owne life is to renounce Christ Luke 14. 26. but this hatred is not single but comparative and respective In which comparison our Saviour saith Hee that saveth his life loseth it and hee that loseth it saveth it as he that spareth his seed loseth it and hee that soweth it saveth it And thus are the words here to be meant that the Saints preferred the faith truth of Christ before their owne lives and loved death more than their lives when by it they could more glorifie Christ For so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is they fleighted contemned yea despised their lives and rather exposed them to hazzard and losse then to bee removed from their holy profession Thus are they said not to love their lives that love Christ and his truth more Quest. 2. Can none overcome but Martyrs and those that die for Christ Ans. Many that give not their lives for Christ overcome and conquer for God calls not all to that honour and service of Martyrdome but even in such as give not their lives to the death for Christ must be three things First preparation and disposition they must bee ready to give their lives for Christ if hee please to call them to it as those that prize Christ and his grace above their lives and in way of thanfulnesse to him that gave his life for them do sacrifice theirs to him Secondly affection of which our Text speakes They loved not their lives to the death The love of their lives must bee subordinate under Christ. This will follow the former where Christ is prized hee will beeloved and victory which alwayes implies not the action of Martyrdome implyeth ever the affection rather to die than deny the Lord Jesus Thirdly expectation to bee Martyrs in action as wel as in affection if the Lord please so to imploy us Rom. 8. 35. All day long are wee counted as sheepe for the slaughter Where these three are the Lord who esteemes of men not by events but affection and the ready minde accounts of them as Martyrs as Aquila and Priscilla are said to lay downe their neckes for Christ Rom. 16. 4. their readinesse is reckoned for the deed Quest. 3 It seemes then a man may not flye in persecution May he Answ. Yes some flight in persecution is lawfull For First Christ himselfe alloweth his Disciples to flee Mat. 10. 23. If they persecute you in one City flee into another Secondly we have good examples of
offers a blessing to a place and people for their instruction and comfort of themselves and families to mutinie and murmure against Gods bountie and fall to threatnings if any such blessing be let in Is this love of truth that when Popish seducers come and open their packe and by bookes and perswasions broach their fundamentall errors that sophistry and plausible slights should drive some to a stand and demurre whether they be in the right others to a profession that there is not so much difference betweene them others to an indifferency that they have resolved to be with the stronger and all this after threescore yeares of the shine of the light among us Now open your eyes and behold what is all this but a fearefull stroke of Gods wrath plaguing them for not receiving the truth in love by giving thē up thus to be deluded If CHRIST cannot prevaile the Divell must Beware then of so desperate a sin and let it awaken us to entertaine Christ in his truth and Gospell better then we have done For motives hereunto 1 Consider that in our text looke on the dangerous estate of all resisters and contemners of the truth For First they are no children of wisdome for wisdome is justified of all her children Secondly they judge themselves unworthy of eternall life Act. 13. for they have no name to be saved by they lye without redemption uncalled unsanctified unsaved If Christ be the light they are in darknesse If he be the Saviour and head of the Church these are no members share in none of his merits Thirdly Christ will proove too strong for him that rejecteth or resisteth him Bring those mine enemies that I may stay them Luke 19. 27. Fourthly Christ will not stay where he is not welcome but will be gone he will not stand casting pearles before swine Mat. 7. 6. and he hath places enough to offer his grace to who will better esteeme his word and worke he need not sticke to a people unwilling resisting Know you that there is no such need of plotting and devising how to be rid of Christ and his Gospell he goeth fast enough of himselfe from ungratefull persons as you may see in the Nation of the Jews Mat. 21. 43. and those famous Churches of Greece and the Gentiles now sunke under Mahomet Fiftly who be they but despifers of the Gospell and not lovers of the truth that are in danger of Antichrists seduction and lye open to all his slights and subtilties And this is the just plague awayting such as being enlightned thrust away the truth with both hands and shut the doore of the Kingdome against themselves Now let us looke to it that as we have the truth wee have also a love and sound embracing of it lest it come to passe that God in his wrath be provoked to deprive us of judgment and understanding and deliver us to such blindnesse as the Papists themselves shall not be more effectually deluded then we shal be that against the light of Scripture yea against common sense and reason wee shall sup the poyloned broth of Popery and as stiffly as that seduced synagogue maintaine such shamefull absurdities as are Transubstantiation judiciall forgivenesse of sinnes by Priests salvation by the merit of workes worshipping with heathenish idolatry Saints Angels images relickes crosses bread and bones and a thousand such senselesse dotages Sixtly cōsider how the divel into whose hand they are given up prevailes against these men and bindeth them with strong chaines and bolts of unrighteousnesse to damnation First They being permitted to him he blindeth their eyes and hardeneth their hearts to destruction Secondly He not only strips them of the benefit of Christs victory but useth them as vassals to fight against Christ and his Church and to withstand his victory 3 He makes them not onely to live in the darke but to love the darknesse and hate the light because their deeds be evill 4 He makes their damnation more grievous then if they had never heard of Jesus Christ for before they sinned of ignorance but now of malice and wilfulnesse before they sinned without Christ now they sinne against Christ. This made Christ mournefully weepe over Jerusalem who could not see her owne mournefull estate Wee can give Christ no occasion to mourne over us but we have much more cause to mourne over our selves 2 Add hereto the benefit of receiving Christ and his truth into the inner roume of our hearts For First it is the only antidote against the poyson of Antichrist and heresie It is not the profession or knowledge but love of the truth that armeth a Christian against the efficacie of his power this shall strongly fence him when the greatest profession yea the deepest learning and knowledge that ever men or Angels had shall not do it Secondly Christ never comes but to make us gainers he commeth to Jerusalem to gather her as an hen her chickens Mat. 23. 37. It may be wee may lose swine by him as the Gadarens but it is to chase away divels Iusts and sinnes in which the divels rule It may bee wee may part with some goods as Zatheus but it is to bring salvation to our house What if wee must sell all with the young man it is to have treasure in heaven Keepe Christ and we have treasure and wealth enough Now the meanes to further us in this dutie of embracing Christ and his truth are of two sorts First To east off the lets and impediments that hinder Secondly To get neare us the helps and furtherances The first let is ignorance of Christ of his worth and offers of grace Ioh. 4. 10. if thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that talketh with thee thou wouldest have asked c. A foolish cocke contemnes a pearle can skill of nothing but barly A rude man knows not the worth of a jewell but a Lapidary who knows it and the wealth of it will buy it and by it enrich himselfe This shews that both Preachers and hearers are ignorant of this saving knowledge who say to the Almighty Depart from us wee have no desire to know thy wayes nor that the meanes of knowledge be setled among us The second lett is envy and hatred of Christ and the truth truly dealt with This sinne in the high Priests and Pharises got Christ upon the crosse Ioh. 12. 19. See ye not that the world goeth after him if we suffer this man downe goeth our credit all will beleeve him and wee shall displease the Romans the Romanists and be great losers Ioh. 11. 48. Luk. 19 14. the citizens hated the Nobleman and sent him word We will not have this man to rule Whosoever expresseth hatred to his word and ordinances to his graces and vertues to his servants and children this man hates his person and sends him word hee will not have him to reigne over him And many such messages Christ hath dayly sent him from us The third
lett is earthlinesse and covetousnesse the love of swine The losse of swine and feare of losse sends Christ packing from the Gadarens We have too many Gadarens who cannot distinguish betweene Christ and a pig unlesse it be to preferre a pig before him Oh if Christ come among us and settle neare us wee shall lose this profit and that poore Christ brings a charge with him and when men are resolved not to part with a nutshell for Christ say what they will and heare as many Sermons as they do they had rather have a legion of divells stay among them then Christ. Love of swine makes the Gadaren put off all love to his owne soule yea and all charity frō their neighbours they are contented better with a legion of divells among them with their swine then with Christ without them The fourth let is love of lusts and our darling sinnes And these are dearer to men then their swine these foule and swinish lusts in which they wallow as swine make men fall quite out with Christ and his truth For Christ and his word never speakes good to an evill man He is one that knows all and will tell thee all that ever thou hast done Ioh. 4. He will be rough against thy darling sinnes He will whip out buyers and sellers from the Temple and let no sinne take Sanctuary Thou art a great swearer he will say thou must not sweare at all and then thou must sew up thy mouth and not speake at all Thou art an adulterer and he will cry out against him that lookes on a woman to lust after her Thou art mighty to drinke he will disgrace thee and barrethee out of heaven He is so precise as he will urge thee to set a watch before every word that no filthy or foolish talking nor jesting proceed thence He will be urging to continuall hearing of the word and observation of the whole Sabboth which to many is a misery of miseries and bands and yokes fit for none but slaves These men so farre in love with their sinnes cannot but hate Christ and cast him out of their coasts darknesse cannot but hate light and Christ hath foretold it Ioh. 7. 7 the world hateth me because I testifie of it that her workes are evill And his Ministers finde it in theirs how they would resist himselfe in person because his word makes all things manifest Eph. 5. 13. It discovers the drunkard adulterer atheist swearer gamester Sabbath-breaker and if a man be any of these or all these how can he but wish Christ and his word a thousand miles off him Now of the meanes to helpe us to receive Christ and his truth 1 To set our hearts upon the truth as our treasure But it but sell it not Count all drosse in comparison of Christ. Chuse the good part with Mary This affection keepes the word but the wicked wanting it lose it at last though they seeme to hold it a long time The good Merchant rejoyceth to finde the pearle therefore he will sell all to purchase it 2 To grieve when we finde not such sweetnesse in the word as wee would and as sometimes we have done Suspect now Christ stands aloofe for some disrespect of him he dislikes something in his entertainment Nay we must grieve not only when our selves preferre other things before it but when others do so Psal. 119. 136. Rivers of waters runne downe mine eyes because they keep not thy word How then did he mourne for his owne faylings 3 Wayte at the gates of wisdome frequent her threshold heare her voyce let that voyce perswade thee be ruled by her counsells hate all vaine inventions discovered by it whether errors in doctrine or corruptions of life Embrace her servants for he that receiveth you receiveth me love them for their glad tidings Evill men may heare much but seldome refraine from any evill way They pretend great love to Christ but hate to the death his servants 4 Let it worke upon our hearts till wee finde a resolute purpose to hold Christ and his truth through crosses losses and troubles for the defence of it till we attaine the resolution of ancient Beleevers who willingly suffered the spoiling of their goods Heb. 10 34. and till our lives be not deare unto us nor loved to the death in comparison of Christ and his Gospell as the blinde man confessed him though he were sure to be excommunicate Ioh. 9. 5 Follow the meanes by which the truth may come to dwell plentifully in us and amongst us The former by frequent hearing meditation reading and prayer especially aske wisdome and yee shall finde it Christ is the gift of God the way to obtaine him is prayer If thou hadst knowne the gift of God thou wouldest have asked c. The latter is by bringing it in reckoning with others often speaking of it conferring especially whetting it on our families and friends as Abraham did 6 In holy conversation and practise of life shew the life and counterpaine of the truth So much of the truth we know truly as we practise He hath received Christ who expresseth the vertues of Christ. Let it therefore be our care to leave a patterne and sweet sent of grace and truth every where behind us as our Lord himselfe did Who hath great wrath knowing that he hath but a short time The words conteine the second reason of that dreadfull woe denounced upon the earth and sea taken from the wrathfull disposition of the divell who in the former words is said to have descended and amplified by the reason of it because he hath but a short time Quest. What is meant by this great wrath of the dragon Answ. The sly stealing of Antichrist upon the world by a Catholicke Apostacy is here called the great wrath with which the Divell commeth into the earth For whereas he could not succeed by open tyranny of the Imperiall dragons but that Christian religion was more propagated and many dayly pulled out of his power by the preaching of the Gospell and that Christianity prevailed against Idolatry and Ethnicisme now as a furious person whose plots have not hitherto succeeded he comes with a new mischiefe more spitefull then the former he rayseth a mist of blacke darknesse to obscure the sunne of grace and secretly worketh in the mysterie of Antichrist God permitting him to come with strong delusions on the blinde side of the world Now he that could not by open force destroy the Church or cast out Christ doth under the name of Christ and pretence of the honour of Christ and his religion fight more furiously and prevayle more forcibly then ever he formerly could by open persecution and tyranny The words therefore foretell and threaten the mighty enterprises and secret stratagems of the dragon by Antichrist who was in after-times to prevaile in all the Christian world This is the great wrath here spoken of and teacheth that The greatest wrath that ever Satan
opposing Christ when by the clouding vailing of the truth of the Gospel she saw her selfe spoyled of the shining clothing of the Sun when shee saw the Moone that was under her feet set above her head when now her Pastors and Bishops whom persecution could not conquer were addicted to pompe wealth contention primacy and greatnesse when now she saw her selfe robbed of her crowne of twelve starres that was upon her head and those starres were fallen from their Orbe and Firmament when her Pastors forsaking Apostolike doctrine and striving for superstitions and to stuffe the Church with humane devises and traditions in stead of Christs most sacred institutioÌ„s when she saw that not now the bodies of men were slain and wounded as in former persecutions but their soules and consciences were everlastingly wounded with heresies errours and Apostasie for the truth now shee flies into the wildernes now she dares not shew her face in those particular coÌ„gregations in which formerly her beauty glory was conspicuous her case now is as of a chaste spouse who seeing a painted harlot and a bewitching whore taken into her place and those offices of love and duties of marriage bestowed on her which is the wives right shee is willing to give place and take her selfe to a solitary and sorrowfull life to be so unkindly cast off so doth the true Church and Spouse of Christ hide her selfe from those adulterate doctrines superstitions and Idolatries which thrust out Christs owne pure Ordinances Here are two things 1. What is this flight 2. What are the meanes For the flight 1. This flight of the Church is not a ceasing to bee but to be seene for Christ will have alwayes a true part of his Catholike Church upon earth that shall hold and professe constantly the true faith without change So as the Church ceaseth not to bee when shee ceaseth to bee seene but hath a true being when she is least visible 2. This ceasing to bee seene is not in respect of particular Christians but of particular Congregations the which although they may cease because by persecution or heresie the externall government may faile for a time the Pastors may be interrupted the sheepe may bee scattered the discipline hindered and the externall exercise of religion suspended and sincerity of religion exceedingly corrupted yet there shall not cease to bee many godly members dispersed here and there who shall hold the truth for substance and so now though there were no or few assemblies in which God was purely worshipped while superstition tyranny and Idolatry usurped all places yet many beleeving Christians were reserved to Christ in secret although either not knowne or of no reckoning in the world but contemned and oppressed 3. This ceasing to be seen in particular Christians is not inrespect of their persons as men which are as visible as ever but in respect of the visible exercise of Gods Ordinances of the Word Sacraments Prayer and outward forme and government which persecution had now restrained 4. This invisibility in respect of visible exercises is not in regard of the Christians themselves but of the blinde world for the persecuted Christians may have a secret knowledge among themselves and a secret profession and exercise of religion and yet the blinde world take no notice of theÌ„ yet the Church not destroyed nor ceaseth to bee no more than the Sunne ceaseth to shine though a blinde man cannot see it in the day nor a seeing man in the night and no more than a man ceaseth to bee a man because he is hid Now from the cause of this invisibility and flight learne that errour and heresie is more hatefull to the Church than persecution and tyranny Corruption of doctrine and changing the truth into a lie more straightneth and scattereth the Church than sword and torments of tyrants that drives the the Church to her winges not this that manifests the true Church and members but this hideth and obscureth her Let the example of the Church make us wise 1. To feare the dragon more when hee fawneth than when he rageth more in his Foxes skinne than in his Lyons skinne He is more dangerous when he would teach Christians to deny the truth than when he would force them His wiles are more mischievous than his violence his Doctors more dangerous than his Captaines 2. More to feare losse of truth than losse of wealth losse of the Gospell than losse of goods or life This is true godlinesse which teacheth Mary to fasten upon the good part whatsoever become of the worse 3. Hold him that would spoyle us of the truth a greater robber than him that would steale our goods an heretike worse than a tyrant 4. Be more carefull to hold the truth and keepe our part in the Gospell than our portion of goods and wealth The Church to hold the truth chuseth a poore desolate solitary and sorrowfull estate and a wise Merchant will sell all to buy the pearle But where is this care or where bee the Children of this mother who for the truth sake would follow her into the wildernesse who either care for the presence of truth or feare the losse and removall of it Where be the buyers of the truth in this age when so many value it not worth a shoo-string How few feare the prevailing of Popery for the truth sake though perhaps for their peace sake or wealth sake they had rather have things stand at a stay Now in the meanes of the womans deliverance are five things in this verse 1. The meanes themselves two great wings of an Eagle 2. Whence shee did flie with them from the face of the serpent 3. Whither into the wildernesse called her place 4. To what end to bee noâ—rished and preserved there 5. How long for a time times and halfe a time In the first are 1. What these wings are 2. The number 3. Whence she had them they were given her 4. The similitude wings of a great Eagle By Wings are meant the speciall meanes of the Churches escape from danger so called because they resemble the wings of the birds in a twofold use First as a bird by his wings flyeth swiftly from the danger and so saveth his life even so the Lord by these meanes foreseene and appointed by himselfe worketh a swift escape and speedy safety in the present perils of his Church Secondly as the bird hideth her young under her wing Mat. 23. 37. so by and under these meanes the Lord hideth his Church as under the wings of his Providence where she lyeth most safe and secure till the danger be over Psalme 91. 8. Hee shall cover thee under his wings For the number they are two enough to fly withall no bird hath or needeth more for her flight The Church is supplyed with as many meanes of her good as the Lords wisdome seeth her need to require at all times This number of two hath
they brew and digest the bread of affliction they prepared for others 2 Let us acknowledge with much thankfulnesse the truth of this prophesie Wee have seene the earth drinke up many floods cast out of the dragons mouth by Antichristian tyranny sufficiently strong and deepe to have carried her quite away Among many instances I will record two in fresh memory and not farre off In the yeare 1521. when Luther had appeared before Caesar at Wormes to give account of his doctrine and doings what a mighty flood issued out of the mouth of the dragon which in the Imperial edicts threatned nothing but death and bloodshed against the Professors of the Gospell and this flood like Danubius ranne through all Germany But now see how the earth drunke up the flood Shortly after arose an exceeding great trouble in Spaine to the pacifying of which the Emperour went in person and so the Professors of the Gospell had a little breathing till the States of the Empire assembled at Norinburge got those cruell Edicts mitigated and qualified to the great prosperity of the Gospell The other in our owne Kingdome in the dayes and memory of our Fathers When in the raigne of Queene Mary many were carryed away with that raging and high-swelling flood of the sixe Articles and the enemies were devising not to strike off the branches onely but as one perswaded to strike at the root in cutting off the then Lady Elizabeth being then in prisonand very unlike ever to get out of their bloody hands now see how the Lord caused the earth to helpe his Church for who was the meanes to keepe them off her and her head on her shoulders but King Philip of Spaine an earthly Idolater who had no reason but to bee a greater enemy to her than her sister or that state Now the earth dranke up the flood and a few moneths set that happy Lady and the Church and Kingdome by her in such glory and prosperity as ancient ages had never seene and future ages perhaps both wish and admire 3. In the present tryals and persecutions of the Church when wee see the floods swell even almost over her head and Antichristian Armies every where gathered and carry afore them whole Provinces and Churches be not dismayed but stand still and see the Lords salvation he will appoint one meanes or other to swallow up all these floods as here hee commanded the earth to â—each her helping hand both to take in and harbour the Lords exiles in the secret chambers of her desert Mountaines and Caves as also to drinke in the dangers for them Nay more the Lord who causeth the earth to helpe the woman will in and by these persecutions helpe up his Church and truth Act. 8. 1. The wicked men of earth raise great persecution against the Disciples at Jerusalem and scatter them but they being scattered and dispersed spread the Gospell through all the Regions of Iudea and Samaria In the story of the Waldenses is reported that the banishing of Waldo his followers out of LyoÌ„s was a means which God used to spread the doctrine of the Gospel in the darkest times of Antichrist almost over all Europe Thus the Lord bringeth light out of darknesse to his Church the earth shall not bury the truth but spread it neither shall these Antichristian floods drowne the woman but shall onely water her furrows And let the Church be instant with the Lord he wil in the end of these businesses shew he hath a reach beyond all Actors and lookers on the wrath of men shal turn to his praise themselves shal drink the rivers of blood which they intend against the woman and shall root themselves out that the Gospell which they fight against may finde footing in the most desolate Popish Countries and the time and their pride hasteneth it Let us alwayes set these props under our faith to support us through our tryals whether wee see meanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is enough to see the power and faithfulnesse of God who can and rather than faâ—â—e will worke the Saints delivery by unknowne and even by contrary meanes Waite upon the Word If hee seeme not to regard thee in danger awake him by thy prayers hee may delay helpe a while but he cannot dehy thee helpe but hee must deny himselfe but either hee will lead thee out by preventing the danger or helpe thee through it and make thee more then a Conquerour in it by a conquered death 4. As the Church abroad is tryed and in resistance of the floods of violence and lies under the fire and sword of the enemy so the dragon ceaseth not amongst us in our peace to cast out such floods as hee can of scandalls slanders and reproaches of Gods people against which wee must foâ—tifie our selves with assurance that all these floods shall be drunke up and dryed up also for us For 1. Our Head is the truth and as strength of truth prevailed in his owne person and rose againe from underground so it shall in all his members by his mighty power 2. Gods promise is to bring forth our righteousnesse as the light even as a bright morning comes after a sad night of black darknesse 3. Gods providence watcheth as well the names and reputation of the Saints as their persons because as their persons are nearely joyned to Christ so are their names nearely linked to his and their honour is his as their reproach is his Heb. 13. 13. 4. Looke upon the unknowne meanes used by God to drinke in these floods Sometime from heaven The Angell turnes away the flood of scandall which had like to have drowned the Virgin while Ioseph was thinking to put her away Mat. 1. 20. Feare not to take her Sometime the earth as here rather than faile shall drinke it up The Judge shall pronounce Christ innocent Saul shall proclaime Davids innocency 1 Sam. 24. 18. Thou art more righteous than I. Lastly though truth and innocency may bee clouded a long time yet it shall bee disclosed and time the mother of truth shall dry up and drinke in all wicked accusation when all secrets shall bee disclosed as well for the opening of innocency as the shutting of the mouth of guiltinesse Vers. 17. Then the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make warre with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Iesus Christ. THE dragon being againe defeated of his purpose in drowning the woman seeth that hee cannot hurt her yet he cannot but hate her the more Hee cannot meet with her to doe the mischleâ—â— that he would for she is out of sight neither can the floods cast out of his mouth reach her for shee is safe and hid and the earth shall drinke it for her yet hee abates not of his wrath against her and for the wrath hee beares to her hee goes and makes warre with her issue described here
joyne to it For efficacy of doctrine is no proofe of truth because there is an efficacy of errour by which the dragon prevailes against all the earth But is the doctrine effectuall to turne men from the power of Satan to God then it is true not else Nor yet be much dismaied that among our selves after the knowledge and profession of the truth so many should turne away to Popery and are seduced by Priests and Jesuites for how can a carnall doctrine but prevaile among carnall men what looke they after in their religion but men on earth at Princes lawes times persons and earthly respects not one of them after God or his word or rules of direction from it but hate the Scripture as a theef the gallows their Religion then must needs be good But none are altogether given up to Antichristianisme but they they are first given up to Satan to bee seduced Oh that Papists would heare and lay to heart that they are pitifully seduced by the chiefe seducer under Satan which is a plaine signe of perdition for among whom doth Antichrist raigne but onely them that perish Rev. 14. 6 How can they expect to raign in the heavenly Jerusalem with Christ who stick in mysticall Babylon unto Antichrist how shall hee triumph in heaven with Christ that fights on earth for Antichrist But well may we with a sea of teares take knowledge of the generall sinne of our land in the hatred and abuse of the light and bringers of it for which the Lord may justly deliver us up to delusion and efficacy of errour and if we goe on resolved to give no better entertainment to the light the Papists themselves are not more effectually deluded in maine points than it may please God many among us may bee Finally marvell not that so many great wise and learned men in the world oppose resist the truth plot cōtrive against Gods Ordinances servants for how can earth but stand in opposition to heaven they are but pieces of earth and of the world delivered up to Satan to deceive earthly affections lusts motions desires carry them away earthly policie dignity favour ease wealth is all they aime at their way and their end earth is their portion and they the dragons for the dragon seduceth all the earth and only that Doth any resist and oppose heavenly doctrine he is earthly-minded he savours the earth some base lust or sinne is the dragons chaine to hold him under delusion to destruction Thirdly wee learne hereby to beware of seduction and carefully prevent it Quest. What meanes may we use thereunto Answ 1. Get out of the estate of nature into the estate of grace become a beleever by faith get into the hand of Christ and none shall pluck thee thence Iohn 10. Give all diligence to make thine election sure by adding grace to grace and bringing forth fruits of faith the dragons delusions are onely effectuall in them that perish 2. Get out of the world answer the voyce of Christ calling thee out of the world for what is the whole earth but a company of seduced and deluded people If thou art still in the world hee that seduceth all the world cannot but carry thee away from God Demas embraced the present world and forsooke the truth The young man went heavily from Christ for hee had great possessions nay they had him rather The dragon thought to have seduced Christ himselfe by the profer of the world All this will I give thee Oh therefore get thee with all speed out of the world in affection in conversation love it not live not after it 3. Avoid persons and places of seduction Persons are 1. False teachers and false Prophets that come in sheepes clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves Mat. 7. 15. not Priests and Jesuites onely who study the art of deceiving but sweet-tōgued Prophets who by libertine doctrine or loosenesse of life leade the way to wickednesse They are accursed in the Law who make the blinde goe out of the way and all the people must say Amen Deut. 27. 18. 2. Perswaders to Popery and false worship whereof there are not a few at this day and such as perswade to any schisme or separation from the truth Let servants be choice what Masters they serve and bee sure their Masters serve the same Master in heaven with them but above all beware of a Snake in the bosome our weaknesse needeth a faithful Counsellor so neare us For places 1. Beware of ignoran tand rude places which are destitute of instruction and able instructers where the eye is blinde that man is misled any whither and such a people are led away as a prey to the dragon a wicked Ministery makes a naked people Where doe the Frogs and Locusts Priests and Jesuites sculke and croake bin ignorant and untaught places where men are taught no difference betweene the mists of Popery and the shining light of the Gospell where the watchmen are blinde the embassadours dumbe and teachers untaught need teachers themselves in the principles of Religion 2. Avoid infected places where abominations are set up and maintained no poyson kils more certainly or speedily Whether they be Popish Countries to which the Spirit of God would have us bid farewell Revel 18. 4. Goe out of her my people lest yee partake of her sinnes and plagues Or Popish houses where deceivers are harboured idols and lies set up and worshipped a little Breaden god adored true religion reviled and the mysterie of iniquity embraced Avoid these This is the third meanes to avoid seduction 4. Sticke close to the word of God which onely can hold us upright Mat. 22. 29 Ye erre no knowing the Scriptures Here in cleaving to the word First indeavour to grow up in sound judgement for the discerning af doctrines and signes which carry great pretenses of truth and by which the dragon usually seduceth many 1 Iohn 4. 1. Beleeve not every spirit but trie the spirits whether they bee of God for many false spirits are gone out into the world Alas how doe the body of our people lye open to seduction and are ready to entertaine any doctrine any religion for want of this abilitie They embrace a religion because it is established by authority commauded by the law professed by the Prince embraced by the multitude freest fr ōtrouble But aske them a reason of their faith call them to account in Catechisme you would thinke them speechlesse you can force no answer savouring of judgement or reason is there then no need of this exhortation Secondly grow up in sound love to the Word for else thou canst not but bee given up to beleeve lyes 2 Thess. 2. 10. it is not learning knowledge wisedome that can arme or fence us from delusion but love of the truth as in the instances of Adam Iudas Hymeneus and Philetus c. but love of the truth will quench in us love of the world and selfe-love and