will find she out-does all Commâ—nities in the World. Arg. If no people in the Christian World hath such riches splendour outward pomp and bravery in the maintenance and management of their Worship as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this gaudy Harlot or Mystery Babylon But there is no People or Church in the Christian World that hath such riches splendour outward pomp and bravery in the maintenance and management of their Religious Worship as the Church of Rome hath Ergo the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon XII As Mystery Babylon is thus adorned with outward pomp and external riches and glory so likewise another mark or character the Holy Ghost hath laid down of her is this i. e. upon her fore-head a name is written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH Mother of Harlots may refer in part to external Whoredoms but chiefly 't is to be taken in a mystical sense i. e. she breeds and brings forth Spiritual Harlots viz. unclean Communities Parallel That this Character meets directly in the Church of Rome is very clear upon her forehead denotes as our late worthy Annotators observe the open guilt â—nd impudence of this Spiritual Harlot Mystery Babylon that is there is a Mystery in what follows in her name the Great not to be understood of the Chaldean Babylon but of a City or Policy under the Gospel as cap. 11. 8. she is called Spiritual Sodom and Egypt so in a spiritual or mystical sense she is called Babylon because a City like to Babylon for Idolatry and Persecution of God's Israel Not a meer Harlot but one that breed up Harlots and nourishes Idolatry communicating it to others and this is the true name of Rome instead of Mother Church 1. Here is a name written in capital Letters and written upon her fore-head so as to be read of all i. e. there is no way to hide oâ— cover her Whoredoms or to defend or deliver her self from being the Mother of Harlots if this were not to be seen and read by all inlightened Christians and Professors it would not not so much concern us for if the Book of the Revelations were not written for the Christian World it leaves us at an uncertainty nor are we in a capacity to make a Judgment in this great case who this great Whoâ—â— is 2. Nay and if this Babylon were a small and private People and Community of Christians or such who pretend themselves so to be she could not be called Great Babylon and Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth But Rome is a great People a great Whore or false Church and her detestable Spiritual Adultery appears obvious to the whole World nay her Images and Idolatry causes both Jews and Turks the more to hate and abhor that Christian Religion which she professeth as it has been manifestly made known by many worthy Writers 3. And for Mystery see what we have said in the first Chapter of this Treatise wherein is opened that strange Mystery of the Romish Church Is it not this Mystery Babylon that says she is the true Church by pretending to Visibility as one of the chief Evidences thereof and yet 't is positively said That the true Woman or Church of God was for the space of 1260 years in the Wilderness Rev. 12. where she was hid all that time or abode in an obscure condition Is it not a Riddle and confus'd Mystery that she being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in state all along and yet that very poor and distressed Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering condition all the time of the Beasts Reign Is not this a Riddle and strange Mystery that one pretending her self to be the only true Church of God and Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet notoriously known to be the breeder bringer forth and cherisher of Division Falshood most Bloody Butcheries and Barbarous Cruelties and Murders 4. She is called Babylon or Babel i. e. Confusion and doth not this agree to the Church of Rome doth she not openly shew her self to be the absolute Antitype of old Babel 1. In devising and setting up another way to Heaven than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own raising not by Christ alone but by the demerits of their own good works and you know what some of those works are that she calls meritorious which is to destroy and cut the Throats of such she calls Hereticks i. e. godly Protestants This is the way she haâ— found out for the Salvation of her dear Children 2. In plucking up or endeavouâ—ing to rase out the true Worship of God as old Caldeaâ— Babylon did and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 3. The Church of Rome may well be called Babylon in respect of her Doctrine Principles and Modes of Worship which iâ— such a jumble strange mixture and heap oâ— Human Inventions that may well go foâ— â—onfusion it self see our third mark in her orders diversities and long muster Roll of officers that are so numerous as well as unâ—criptural that if mixture and confusion be â—ny where 't is to be found in this pretended Church where you have Pope Cardinals Priests and Arch-Priests Bishops Lord Bishops and Arch-Bishops Deans and Archâ—eacons Suffragans Patriarchs Abbots Friars Monks Nuns Seminaries Jesuits followers of St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Capuâ—hins c. and what not this Romish Harâ—ot hath received some of her jolly Church â—relats with their exorbâ—tant power from her heathenish Predecessors Romuâ—us and Numa Pompilius who made Flamins Arch-Flamins and a Ponâ—ifex maximâ—s to sacrifice unto the Gods and some of her ceremonies she has taken from other Infidels as the shaving of Priests Crowns like the Priests of Isis and Serapis in Egypt nay for confusion and filthy abomination she has out-done Heathen Rome for Numa the King of the Antique Romans forbad them to think that the Image of God had the shape of a man or form of other living Creatures yet this mother of Idolatry alloweth the Image of God the Father in form of an old Man and Holy Ghost in form of a Dove tho the holy Prophet inveighâ—ing against this detestable vanity demandeth To whom will ye liken God Or what similitudâ— will ye set up unto him Yet this whorisâ— Church to these teachers of lies as one observes and counterfeits of God to the shame of Christians adoreth these Images or rather the Devil in them whose worship it is and so fulfils that which is written of her Rev. 9. 20. That men would not repent of the works of their hands and of the worship of Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brâ—sâ— and of Stone and of Wood which neither can see neither â—ear nor go As she appeareth in all these things to be Mystery Babylon the great and abomination of the Earth so as
pretence of the most High and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdomâ— Of this last opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of of Rome venting it self in most horrid and Barbarous Cruelties against them and that for a long Series of time as appears by our most Authentick Ancient and Modern Writers who give a very ample account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred years last past in all parts of the Christian World where they have had Power To which opinion of the Waldenses most of our Modern Protestant Divines agree of which we shall mention only Cartwright Fulk the worthily Admired and Learned Mede not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France as may be seen in their works at large 7. Some of the Papists who grant that by Babylon Rome is meant but would have it to be Rome towards the End of the World when they say Rome shall apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again and now because we will not take things upon trust nor refer the reader to many Books and Quotations it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much brevity as we can And first That Mystery Babylon cannot be fairly applyed unto the whole World of wicked men nor to old Chaldean Babylon nor to Jerusalem the Turks nor Saracens nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome noâ— Rome towards the End of the World when they say Rome shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again And that none else can be meant or intended by her but the Papal Power of the Church of Rome 1. Mystery Babylon cannot be the whole world of wickedmen for in opposition to this 1. The Apostle John speaks here of a certain great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth v. 18. This cannot be meant of the wicked world 2. The World of wicked men are those Inhabitants of the Earth whom this Woman made drunk with the Wine of her fornication Now she that made them drunk and those that were made drunk cannot be the same 3. This Woman v. 9. sitteth on seven mountains and so do not all the wicked of the World. 4. We are Commanded to come out of this Babylon but we are not obliged to go out of the World. 2. If she were the old Chaldean Babylon then 1. Where is the mystery mentioned Rev. 17. 5. 2. Mystery Babylon here mentioned is by all acknowledged to be the Seat of Antichrist So was never old Chaldean 3. Besides it is generally agreed to by all not without good grounds that Literal Babylon was no more than the Type of her which is all we will speak to it 3. It cannot be meant the City of Jerusalem 1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time when he saw this Vision and wrote the Revelation which this City Babylon is expresly said to do Rev. 17. 18. And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Jerusalem having been not only under captivity divers times before but was then entirely under the Power of the Roman yoke as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm and themselves do most plainly Confess We have no King but Caesar. 2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast as to be capable to ride as Queen Regent upon him as this Woman Whore or City is said to do Rev. 17. 7. And the Angel said unto me Wherefore didst thou marvel I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman and the Beast that carryeth her which hath the seven heads and ten horns Rev. 17. 7. compared with verse 3. so he carryed me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet Coloured Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns For by the Woman sitting and the Beast carrying is undoubtedly signified Influence Power and Dominion which Jerusalem was far remote from not only under the Roman Monarchy but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it viz. the Babylonian Grecian and Persian as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History 3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters which is Interpreted to be People Nations and Tongues that is had not command or dominion over them as this Woman Whore or City is said to have Rev. 17. 15. And he saith The Waters which thou sawest where the Whore sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes and Nations and Tongues The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time Luk. 2. 1. And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the World should be taxed and particularly Galilee Nazareth Judea and the City of David called Bethlehem 4. Jerusalem was not capable to Enchant and Bewitch all Nations round about her either by her Religion and Doctrine or by great Gifts and Rewards 1. Because the Roman Power kept her under and much in awe on the one hand not owning nor subscribing to her Religion 2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion Blocked up her way on the other hand that she could not Extend her Influence to either Neighbouring or Remote Nations as this Woman Whore or City is said to do Rev. 18. 23. For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived 5. Jerusalem though she were guilty of much Blood from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomons time Killing Prophets even all that were sent unto her Murthered John Baptist and our Lord and Saviour as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been Barbarously Murthered by Massacre and Publick Martyrdom since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon Rev. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman Drunk with the Blood of Saints and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondred with great Admiration as indeed well he might as shall be shewn And in her was found the Blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth that is since the Destruction of Jerusalem 6. And Lastly not to multiply more upon this head Though Jerusalem was fearfully destroyed as the History of Josephus shews yet shall she rise again be Built upon her own Heap be replenished with her own Children which this City Babylon under Consideration shall never be after this Catastrophe which John saw visionally coming upon it Rev. 18. 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great Milstone and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all 5. It cannot be the Turks and Saracens for two reasons
is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Revel 18. 8 For her sins which God hath remembred which have reached unto heaven therefore shall heâ— Plagues come in one Day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnâ— with Fire For strong is the Lord God wâ—â— Judgeth her v. 11 12 13. All sorts of Merchandize Traffick Trade and Commerâ— with Humane Society shall cease so as to be no more in her at all and the good thingâ— which she in fulness enjoyed before even alâ— things that were Dainty and Goodly are noâ— Departed from her and shall find them 〈◊〉 more at all ver 14. For in an hour is sâ—â— made desolate And a mighty Angel took up a Stone like a great Milstone and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all ver 21. And the Voice of Harpers and Musicians and of Pipers and Trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee And no Craftsmen of whatsoever Craft he be shall be found any more in thee and the sound of a Milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee ver 22. And the light of the Candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the Voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride shall be heard no more at all in thee verse 23. But the Place Seat and City of Rome was not so utterly ruined as to be no more for ever a place of Trade Traffick Merchandize and humane society when the Heathen Power of Rome ended Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be the Whore of Babylon under present consideration whose Seat or City hath since had a Powerful Government Reigning in Pride and Pomp for some hundreds of years VII As touching that notion of the Papists i. e. that by this great Whore mystery Babylon is meant Rome after she shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again at the latter end of the World it is such an opinion that has no foundation in Scripture nor in the Judgment of the Antients besides some of the Papists themselves reject it as improbable and detestable as our Annotators observe for then Sr. John in the Revelations passes by in utter silence all the transactings that have been in the World under Papal Rome even ever since the seven head or Christian Emperors Government went off of the Stage which is near 1260 years which is ridiculous to suppose Besides it cannot be understood of Rome in either of the other notions as hath been proved 1. Because Antichrist is to sit in the Temple of God 2 Thes. 2. 4. as God therefore not in a Pagan City The mystery of Iniquiry was working in the Apostles time but v. 7. the Roman Empire hindred the appearance of Antichrist till the Popes had wrung Rome out of their hands and were the sole rulers there then Antichrist shewed himself 2. Because there is nothing said of this great Whore or this Babylon but admirably agreeth to Rome in its present state We shall conclude with the whole If by mystery Babylon is not meant the whole World of wicked men nor old Chaldean Babylon nor Jerusalem the Turks nor Saracens nor Rome in its Heathenish State nor Rome after she shall desert the Pope and turn again to Paganism then it must be Papal Rome or the Romish Church But she is none of the former six we have proved Ergo she is Papal Rome Now to make way for the second Chapter we shall state this argument following If all the marks and characters left us upon divine records to know mystery Babylon by do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal then Rome Papal is mystery Babylon But all the marks and characters left upon divine record do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal or the present State and Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon CHAP. II. Wherein is clearly proved that all the marks of mystery Babylon doth fully meet in and agree to Rome Papal or the Church of Rome FIrst of all let it be considered Babylon is set forth by a Woman which Imports either a single Person ranked in the feminine Gender or a body of People related to some Head Husband or publick person to whom she is joyned in Wedlock by Covenant or Matrimonial Contract as Eve was related to Adam therefore called woman or as Judah Israel who were Joyned in Covenant with God and therefore called a woman or as the true Church now Marryed or Joyned to Christ and therefore called a Woman A single Person as Eve was she cannot be because the Character given of her in respect of her State and Actions doth no way Comport with it she must therefore be a body of People related to some Head Husband or Publick Person as Judah and Israel of old was who are often called by the Title of a Woman and in like manner Babylon before the Degeneracy where a People Joyned in Matrimonial Contract by Gospel Covenant and Profession to the Son of God. 1. Mystery Babylon it appears from hence Imports a body of people that were once united in a solemn Gospel Covenant to the Son of God and hence Metaphorically called a woman and I saw a woman set c. And the woman was arayed in Purple and Scarlet c. Parallel Rome Papal or Church of Rome is a body a great body of People which before their apostacy were a true Church by Gospel Covenant and profession united to the Son of God as her publick head and husband Rom. 1. 6. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. To all that be in Rome beloved of God called to be Saints 2. Mystery Babylon is a City a very great Mystical City in a threefold respect 1. In respect of power Rev 17. 2. In respect of people Rev. 18. 10. 16. 18 19 21. 3. In respect of place or Residence where this power and people is seated City being indefinitely taken for either of these or comprehending all as in these Instances Psal. 121. Isa. 14. 31. Acts 19. 28. Parallel So likewise the Church of Rome is a City a very great mystical City and may be so called in a threefold consideration 1. In respect of power which is twosold 1. Civil 2. Ecclesiastical signified by two horns like a Lamb. 2. In respect of people which are great the fame of which people as a mystical City or Church was great before the power and chief dominion of the place was joyned with it as a Church which came in by the Apostasy Rom. 1. 8. First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole World. And since they adulterated from their primitive Purity and become Antichristian they have been and still are a great people no united body calling themselves a Church of Christ in respect of number and for fame coming near them 3.
Great in respect of place or chief residence where this power and great people are seated and by way of eminency as a Mystical City it may indeed well bear the Bell away For what people have given further occasion to be spoken of in respect of power people and place of chief residence throughout the whole world as Rome has as will hereafter be made more evident III. Mystery Babylon is not only a mysticaâ— City and Woman but a bad Woman and City a City of Confusion For so the word Babel or Babylon signifies viz. Evil or Confusion Parallel Rome Papal or Church of Rome is not only a mystical Woman City but a very evil Woman a City indeed of confusion there is the name of the lamb much spoken of but his doctrine contemn'd slighted and under valued and his Laws and Ordinances trampleâ— upon and notoriously violated his institution not regarded nor his example imitated either by the Bishop himself his Cardinals or inferior Orders they having his humility and self-denial only in their mouths but none of it iâ— their hearts like those the apostle speaketh of who in words profess they know God but in workâ— deny him For under this verbal and pretended humility lies covered the greatest pride in the world and under this verbal meekness and self-denial the greatest oppression cruelty superstition covetousness vain glory and love of the world that ever was manifest as appears by their pompous and glistering garbs their cruel persecutions and the vast sums of money brought in from all parts of their dominions by sleights cunning and deceitful Cheats Besides a meer hodg-podg of principles one Order or Fraternity professing that which another writes against and cries down which is the more strange to come from a Church infallible and that cannot err Besides the strange mixtures in their visible worship of traditions and humane inventions of lying and diabolical tricks of blessing by a Cross Pardons and Indulgences for money consecrating holy water and cleansing by it which are too numerous and tedious to relate and less needful to mention because so well known to all men And let any people in the Christian world pretending to religion be compared to them for supernumeraries trifling â—nsignificant ceremonies crouded into their pretended worship Nay let all the people in the Christian world be laid in the ballance against the Church of Rome in this respect and they will be found inconceivably wanting for which we have this Reason to â—udge her to be Babylon or the City of confusion If there is more confusion in contrariety of principles practices contradicting pretensions supernumeraries foolish and unscripturâ— inventions crouded into their visible worship in the Church of Rome than is to be found amongst any sort of people pretending to Religion in all the world besides then is Rome Papal or the Church of Rome the great Babylon or City of confusion But there is more confusion in the forementioned respects to be found in the Church of Rome than in any other Church or people in the world pretending to Religion Ergo Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon IV. Mystery Babylon is not only set forth 〈◊〉 a Woman and City of Confusion but is also called A WHORE a word which carries in it one of the highest Impeachments yet no other that was given to Israel Judah Jerusalem in the days of old upon the very same reason Isa. 57 3. and 16. 17. and Hos. 4. 8. 5. 3. For they being joyned in covenant with God as a woman is to an husband to be the Lords to serve him in Obedience and Subjection did like to an adulterous Woman break Wedlock and set up other Lovers or Idols in his stead and continued so a long time till a Bill of Divorce wâ— given and God proclaimed them Adulteresses and that he was not their husband nor they his wife but a whore and divorced Yet it is observable that they tho they worshipped Idols cryed The Temple the Temple of the Lord are we and would by all means be accounted the Church of God. Paral. Even so in like manner Rome Papal or the Church of Rome is not only called a Woman But according to Scripture History and notorious matter of Fact she is a whore having utterly adulterated from what she was once and so may justly bear that brand or black name for in the Apostles time she joined her self to the Lord to be his by firm tyes of a Gospel covenant and profession and as a renowned Spouse of Jesus Christ owned and professed him in the time of heathenish Rome and received the Apostles and Servants of God amongst them and withstood the fury of the Emperors suffering Persecution and had their faith spoken of throughout the whole World but yet after all this like Israel of old She left God Jesus Christ and almost all his Holy Laws and Ordinances and made Idols to her self of Saints Angels Reliques and Images upon which she doted and forsook the Son of God upon the working and appearance of the vile person or man of Sin who exalted himself into the place of Christ and became her head by which means she is so far degenerated from what she once was that she retains nothing of what really appertains to true godliness but the bare names of God Christ and Christian Religion having corrupted the true worship of the Son of God her first Husband and notoriously abandoned obedience and subjection to him taking this vile person the Pope to be her head and chief guide and setting him up in the place of and in dignity above Christ her first head and only guide of her youth and yet like Israel of old still cryes The true Church the Holy Catholick Church and Mother Church are we having on her forehead a strange mystery written i. e. God Christ Truth Verity Unity Universality Infallibility And yet with that on her forehead and in her heart too is written Devil Pope Lying Blasphemy Idolatry Deceit Perjury Blood and Horrible Cruelty towards the best of men professing Christ and Religion in uprightness and truth for which her abominable Idolatry and change of her first Head and Husband and setting up this vile Person with which she commits most horrid lewdness or Spiritual Whoredom together with the Kings of the Earth she is ranked by the Holy Ghost amongst the worst of Women and stil'd the great Whore and as her type and predecessor of old a well favoured Harlot but since her Spiritual Adultery and Whoredom hath been so apparently proved upon her by many worthy and eminent authors or Protestant Writers we shall conclude this black character with this following Argument and proceed to the next mark If there be no body of professing People in the Christian World that have so apparently declined or adulterated from what they once were deserting the holy headship doctrine example and right government of Jesus Christ having set up another visible publick and universal head
to Lie Swear and For-swear to Kill Slay and Murther such they call Hereticks tho never so Godly if it be for the cause of Holy Church with a thousand things of the like nature which the people do believe and dare not disown upon their Salvation but boldly adventure to ingage at all opportunitys to Fight and make War burn Citys lay waste Countries and Kingdoms and destroy by Massacres and all manner of Murthering ways all Ranks and Degrees of Men who oppose the horrid principles of this vile Church and cursed practices of these Sons of Belial Nay they will go boldly to their own deaths when convicted and justly condemned for such like villanies and deny to day what they were convicted of yesterday and tho never so notoriously guilty yet will take it upon their Death they are as innocent as the Child unborn what can this be tho they drink it down as sweet Wine but an Infusion of the rankest and most deadly Poyson that the lowest celler of the bottomless Pit can afford the very Wine of the Whores Fornication and the most dangerous Intoxication in the World Which is attended with this aggravation i. e. the best medicines of the wisest Physicians will not recover them for Babylon having made the multitude drunk with this sort of Poysoned Wine how rare is it to have any to come to themselves or to their right minds again And to shut up this Head take this argument Arg. If no people in the Christian World have made the multitude of the common People or Inhabitants of the Earth drunk i. e. corrupted and Intoxicated their minds with wicked Lyes Falshood and detestable Doctrines as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon But no People in the Christian World have made the multitude of the Inhabitants of the Earth Drunk i. e. corrupted and intoxicated their minds by wicked Lies falsehood and detestable Doctrine such as before mentioned as the Church of Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon IX Mystery Babylon is said to sit upon a Scarlet-colour'd Beast and this Beast is full of the names of Blasphemy And I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy c. Rev. 17. 3. So that it appears the Woman and the Beast are distinct by the Woman is meant the false Church by the Beast is meant the secular power or civil state or the Antichrist or that Government that is the eighth and of the seventh who assumeth both the Civil and Ecclesiastical Authority by whom the Whore false Church and Worship is supported That the Beast and Whore are distinct is evident 1. From other Prophecies relating to the same thing 2. From the letter of the text 3. From arguments grounded on reason 4. From the confession of the Whore her self 1. From the Prophecies in the Scripture describing the same state of the Roman Monarchy Dan 2. the latter part of the Image is partly Iron and partly Clay two states that were really distinct that could never so in corporate as to become one 2. From the letter of the text I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemies The colours of the Royal and Imperial vestments as the Angel declared them distinct so the Apostle saw them distinct 3. They appear to be distinct from argments grounded upon reason For 1. The Beast is in the Masculine Gender the Whore in the Feminine Gender 2. Because the Whore is said to ride upon the beast the one carrying the other 3. The horns being of the Beast 't is said shall hate the Whore if they were not distinct the Whore must hate her self and eat her own flesh c. which is nonsensical 4. The Beast shall abide tho in captivity after the Whore is thrown down and destroy'd 4. From the plain confession of the Whore her self they are distinct who saith I sit a queen I am no Widdow c. Ergo she has a Head or Husband which is the vile Person little Horn and Ecclesiastical Beast or that man of Sin St. Paul declared should rise after the then present Romish power which did lett was taken away which the primitive Fathers as Tertullian Cyprian Jerome and others understood to be the Imperial power in its pure civil iron or unmixt-state or Legs of the Image Dan. 2. Paral. Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only drawn into Idolatry the Kings of the Earth great men abusing God his Son Jesus Christ and the Christian Religion and the blessed books of the Old and New Testament but she hath made the lower and ruder sort of the people drunk too as hath been shewed And 't is no wonder she thinks she may do any thing having a dispensation from heaven as she pretends which the Pope keeps the Keys of fearing no power on Earth And now that she hath the secular power to support her upon which she sits or rides in great pomp is evident and that they are really distinct for what of the secular power is still left at Rome is under the conduct and management of the Church there being no civil administration of Justice or exercise of Laws but what is authorized and allowed by the Pope the Head of this Ecclesiastical State to make this further evident the Pope doth not only exercise a power of appointing seculars at Rome and near to it but he claims the like supremacy abroad in other Kingdoms if the secular Princes fall off from him or will not be reconciled to him and own him as head of the Church he will excommunicate and depose them and takes away their Crownâ— and Sceptres from them that the Pope is a temporal Prince as well as an ecclesiastical Bishop i. e. makes Laws exacts Tribute raises Souldiers and acts a Monarch is notoriously known which fairly affords him the title of Beast that his Royal and Scarlet Robes the Chair he sits in to his very Hose and Shoes with the Vestments of his Cardinals is Scarlet so that ye need not doubt but here you have the Scarlet coloured Beast besides no man can reasonably doubt that what the Civil power claims the Ecclesiastical power exercises and that this Princely Pope is in the Masculine and this Harlot or false Church in the Feminine Gender is owned by all partys That the Church state doth sit upon ride and govern the secular at Rome Italy and all its Territories that the Church of Rome owns that she is no Widdow but hath a head called his Holiness or supreme ruler of the Church is so evident that we cannot find them upon any file of record of controversy There remains therefore no more to be done here sith this black character of Mystery Babylon doth so well meet in the Romish Church Arg. If there be no visible state in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast
or a great secular power clothed in Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal doth then Rome Papal 〈◊〉 Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon But there is no visible state in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or secular power cloth'd in Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon To reinforce this argument we challenge any Papists Atheists or any else to shew where there are any other people or party to whom these Characters agree as well as with Rome Papal and then we will let this argument sall X. The Beast that Mystery Babylon sits upon commands and governs is not only clothed in Scarlet but is also full of the names of Blasphemy Rev. 17. Paral. Now that the Church of Rome hath this mark also of Mystery Babylon is evident viz. that the Beast cloathed in Scarlet that bears up that whorish Churhc is full of the names of Blasphemy this appears by his ascribing that to creatures which belongs to God and Jesus Christ only and in divers other respects 1. When the cursed Beast is called our Lord. God the Pope and whatsoever he doth no man may say to him Why do you this And whosoever obeyeth not his precepts incurreth the Sin of Idolatry doth he not in this shew himself indeed to be God What greater Blasphemy can there be 2. When he is called universal Head of the Catholick Church is not this Blasphemy against Christ who alone is the head of the universal Church 3. When he is called the Lamb of God he Light of the World the Root of David the Lion of the Tribe of Judah 4. When the orders of the Church Oral Traditions and Decrees of Councils are said to be of greater authority than the Holy Scriptures Cardinal Hositis in his Advertisement to King Sigismund hath these expressions If they that is the Hereticks say it is written that is the voice of the Devil speaking in his members they call the Scripture Paper and Parchment and that 't is an absurd thing to attribute more authority to the Scripture than to the Church which they call a nose of Wax which suffers it self to be turned hither or thither as a man pleaseth and that the Scripture is the Daughter and their Church the Mother is not this horrid Blasphemy against God and the Holy Spirit who gave the Scripture forth and whose sacred off-spring they are 5. When the Virgin Mary Angels and Saints are invocated with Prayers and Addresses that only belong to the Divine Majesty as if those creature were infinite and could hear us at so great a distance as Earth is from Heaven which they could not do if perpendicularly over us much less from all parts of the World over which they cannot be whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Omnisciency and Divine adoration to Creatures which is only due to the Creator is not Blaspemy 6. Whether it be not Blasphemy as well as Idolatry to say that Images ought to be worshipped with the same honour and worship which is given to him whose Image it is For so Azorius affirms and Bellarmin saith that Images are not only to be worshippeâ— as they are exemplars but also properly and by themselves so as the worship may be terminated iâ— them 7. To conclude with this mark Whether it be not Blasphemy with a witness to affirm that a Priest can make a whole Christ of a Wafer Cake by uttering a few words And is not this to exalt the man of Sin above God himself For this which they affirm iâ— to do more than God indeed can do see Mâ— Pools Dialogue p. 109. there are some thingâ— which it is no dishonour to God to say he cannot do them because they are either sinful so God cannot lie or absolutely impossible God himself cannot make a man alive and dead at the same time God cannot make the whole to be less than a part of it he cannot make three to be more than threescore he cannot make a Son to beget the Father he cannot make the same man to be born at two several times as Popish Authon confess and therefore he can't make the same Body to be in two several places much less in two thousand places at one and the same time to which we may add Can God make that to be that which it is not All know the Bread is not Flesh but really Bread after Consecration Arg. If no people in the Christian world are born up and supported by a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy maintaining from him such blasphemous Opinions than Rome Papal or Church of Rome then Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon But there is no people in the Christian world that are born up by such a blasphemous Beast as the Church of Rome is Ergo Rome Papal as Mystery Babylon XI Mystery Babylon is not only said to sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy but also that she is adorned with great pomp and outward glory Rev. 17. 4. And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearl c. Parallel Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth not only sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast c. but she is also beautified and adorned with great pomp and external glory beyond any people calling themselves a Church of Christ in all the Christian world This is such a visible brand and mark upon this people and well noted by all that much we need not speak to it for all the world knows the Church of Rome delights in outward Gaudery being a people whose Worship is filled not only with detestable Tradisions and blasphemous Doctrines but also to please the carnal and sensitive Eye she seâ— it off with rich and costly Pictures curiousâ— drawn and other outward gallantry 2. Looâ— into the Patrimony of consecrated Saint there you shall find riches and honour thâ— not durable riches and righteousness 3. Looâ— upon their Garbs and Vestments and theâ— you shall find her Popes and Cardinals gâ—â— stering in cloath of Gold and adorned liâ— Emperors and splendid Princes nay and are some of her Priests and Heads of Partiâ— What think you saith one of the Antiâ—â— Fathers of this Man the Pope sitting on hiâ— in his Throne glistering in Purple and cloâ— of Gold sitting in the Temple God shewing out himself as if were a God her Priests are adoâ—â— in such costly Habiliments that for riches thâ— might become the highest Order of â— Jewish Priesthood 4. Look on the Instâ—ments and Mode of their Worship and the you shall find rich Altars and Candlesticks Gold the Vessels for Oyl and Poâ—s of Pâ—sication as if their Predecessors had been Solomon's Temple 5. Look into 〈◊〉 Churches and there you shall find great oâ— ward glory and bravery 6. Enquire coâ—cerning her Revenues and vast Incomes aâ— there you
Babylon XIII But further to put it out of all doubt who this Whore is 't is said she was drunk with Blood this is another Mark and Character the Holy Ghost hath given to know her by And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and I wondered with great admiration Rev. 17. 6. Now if the Church of Rome be guilty here or hath this black Mark and Character upon her she is the unhappiest Church and People in all the World and gives cause enough to Angels as well as to the Apostles and Holy Men to wonder i. e. to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended the Daughter of the great King of Heaven and Earth the only chast Spouse of the Lamb the Mother of all Peace Holiness and Innocency not only defiled with all those foul and abominable errors Idolatries and detestable pollutions but also guilty of so much Blood of Saints and of the precious blood of the Martyrs of Jesus and not only guilty of Blood but also drunk with Blood yea drunk with such Blood but that this the Church of Rome is guilty of nothing is more clear which indeed gives cause to every good man in the World to abhor her And that we may make this most evidently to appear 1. Consider what it is to be drunk 2. What things do necessarily contribute to it 3. Shew what the true and proper signs of it are 4. Whether such things can be fixed upon the Church of Rome 1. To be drunk is to take in excessively any thing as disorders nature in its course and operations this we take to be a general definition of it including the proper and metaphorical notions thereof 2. Such things as necessarily contribute to it are 1. Great and vehement desire or thirst after it 2. Plenty of the thing thirsted after 3. The greedy taking their fill of it 3. The signs of drunkenness are 1. When the faculties are so disordered that they will not submit to the best Reason that can be given them 2. When they will abuse those whom they are most obliged to love and respect 3. When they have cast off all considerations of their own and others good and for bear no mischief but what they are restrained from by force 4. That these things are evident in the Church of Rome will appear 1. Because she hath shed a Mass a very great Mass of Blood of Saints and of the Martyrs of Jesus who is able to account the numbers of them that she hath murthered in all parts of the Christian World only upon the account of Religion particularly in Bohemia Germany Poland Lithuania France Spain Italy Portugal Low Countrys England Scotland and Ireland 'T is enough to peirce an heart of Stone to hear of the barbarous crueltys and devilish inhumanities exercised for more than five hundred years upon the poor Waldenses and Albingenses by the hands of this Bloody Whore or Romish Harlot besides the wonderful numbers and multitudes of them for according to the account I have met with in History hundreds of Thousands nay some millions of those Godly Christians were most unhumanely butchered by the bloody Papists Children Born of her own Body nay in every street of this great City the Blood of the Saints hath run down like a River were this not notoriously known to the whole World I could give an account of the vast numbers slain in Bohemia in France and in Ireland of late years where there were not fewer than two hundred thousand souls sacrificed to allay the thirst of this Bloudy Whore. So that it is out of dispute she hath the first signs of a most filthy shameless drunken Strumpet i. e. she has been excessive in drinking of innocent Blood and 2. Not only so but she has drunk so much that she is intoxicated and disordered that she would never submit to the best reason that could be given her for she has been so mad that none could disswade her from exercising her cruelties on the Bodies of the Saints whose Blood she thirsted after in as unhumane a manner as incarnate Devils could devise as if to murther them was not sufficient nor could it satisfie her but she would have them die many deaths as hanging by the Feet by the Hands by the middle on a Beam by the Hair of the Head on Tenters pouring melted Lead on their Heads Boiling in Caldrons rosting alive and burning alive The poor Waldenses living in and about the valleys of Piedmont about the year 1560 were most cruelly and barbarously murthered to allay her excessive thirst some were stript stark naked and whip'd to death with Rods of Iron others drawn through the Streets and Burnt with fire brands some thrown down an high Tower and some cut in pieces with sharp Knives fourscore persons had their Throats cut as Butchers kill their Sheep threescore Women were so cruelly rackt that the Cords pierced their Arms and Legs to the Bones and then being cast into Prison they all died except nine of them young Virgins were Ravished in a Barbarous manner until they died Children were pull'd alive out of their Mothers Bellies and the Breasts of many Women cut off so that the Infants died of Famine and many other strange kind of tortures for many years together multitudes of those Godly Waldenses indured And the Albingenses who professed the same doctrine and principles were all along in the like or worse sort and manner if possible butchered in the City of Bezier there were saith my author threescore thousand persons slain the Priests and Fryers going about the Streets in the mean time with Crosses and Banners and singing Te Deum Laudamus in the year 1655 in the Valley of Lucerna and other places this bloody Strumpet thirsting still after the Blood of the Saints and like a filthy drunken wretch caused an Edict to be put forth that such who would not turn Papists within three days must take what would follow and indeed that was bad enough as you may see in Sir Samuel Morelands History of that late Persecution it began Jan. 25. 1655. upon which some Thousands of those poor Souls were forc't to fly for their lives in the depth of Snow when all the Valleys were covered with Water there being amongst them some Women with child others newly delivered some sick and diseased Children crying and lamenting Old Men and Women some decreâ—it leaning on their Staves all dragged or forc't over the Ice Snow c. with bitter tears sighings cries and wringing of hands beating of Breasts mourning and complaining of the cruelties of those merciless Papists but alas so drunk with Blood before that they like brutes regarded none of their cries no more than the bleating of Sheep but this is not all no sooner that they were forc't from their haâ—itations but their houses were pillaged rifled and ransackt of all that was left and this not sufficient neither to
willed they set up and whom she willed they pulled down when she willed they raised Arms and when she willed they laid them down again what shall we say The Church of Rome hath had such power over the Kingdoms of Europe thâ—â— the power and wills of Princes have been controuled and over-ruled when in any considerable case they have gone contrary to the sense and interest of the Church and to such a degree as they have sometimes made thâ—â— do penance resign up their Crowns and receive them again as an act of kindness that he set them upon their Heads with his Foote such is the Pride and Grandeur of St. Peter Chair See our first Chapter If the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that above all others in the World hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth then Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon But the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that reigns and hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome Mystery Babylon CHAP. III. Proving that literal Babylon in Chaldea was a Type or Figure of Rome Papal or the present Church of Rome and that in many particulars WE having shewed and clearly evinced by an induction of fifteen particulars that Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth she having all the marks or characters directly meeting in her that are by the holy Ghost given of that great Whore we shall in the next place briefly consider how the acts and progress of the Romish Church do most fitly and fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of her in the holy Scripture and first with literal or Chaldean Babylon from whence I find most writers conclude she had the name Babylon given to her in respect of the growth acts and deeds of that old Babylonian Monarchy which we shall now open and run the parallel in divers particulars as followeth I. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King ever her called a Head of Gold also Lucifer or Son of the morning So likewise Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her called the Universal Bishop whose power is magnified above the powers of Emperors and all Kings and Princes of the Earth II. Literal Babylon had dominion over many Countreys or Provinces In like manner Rome Papal hath had dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kingdoms called ten Horns â— we have shewed III. Chaldean or Literal Babylon fell under a four-fold circumstance in respect of her Supream Head viz. Nebuchadnezzar 1. That he was when in great Pride he insultingly said Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power and for the honour of my Majesty 2. He was not when by the Watchers and the Holy Ones he was toss'd from his Throne and made to eat Grass with Oxen till seven times past over him 3. Yet he was When his Reason and the Hearts of his Nobles and Glory returned to him again 4. He went off finally when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor into whose hands the Kingdom was translated Rome or Mystery Babylon is foretold by the Angel to fall under a four-fold circumstance also in respect of the Beast that is said to carry the Whore and make War with the Saints and the Beast which thou sawest was is not and yet is and shall go into perdition Rev. 17. 8. 1. He was of old in his Pagan state triumphing in great glory and grandeur but received a wound yea a deadly wound in one of his Heads viz. in his sixth Head which was the Pagan power in Constantine's time and so he was not The Christian Emperors having the Government of the Roman Monarch and to the same purpose speak our late Annotators on the 13 chap. of Rev. v. 3. and chap. 17. 8. It must saith he be the sixth Head viz. the Pagan Emperors who had that mortal wound and that wound was the Conquering the Pagan Emperors and the abolishing of Paganism and Idolatry and putting an end or stop to Persecution which was done by the seventh Government viz. the Christian Emperors He yet is i. e. his wound was healed by the rising of the eighth Government which was of the seventh who appeared in a new dress viz. a beast with two horns like a lamb but spake like a dragon which was the Antichristian power or Papal Rome and more particularly the Pope time the best opener of these great Mysteries has fully discovered these things to 〈◊〉 4. He shall go into perdition i. e. be utterly destroyed by the bright appearance of the Lord Jesus and be cast at last into the botomless Pit after the 42 Months are expired so that in these four respects Chaldean Babylon it appears was a lively Type or Figure of Papal Rome who from hence also shews her self to be Mystery Babylon IV. The Chaldean Kingdom or Literal Babylon Invaded Judea Besieged and took Jerusalem and trampled it under foot c. Even so in like manner the last Beast the Pope and Papal power hath Invaded the City of the living God or true Gospel Church taking away all her sacred Rights Laws and Priviledges and not only Besieg'd her closely Block'd her up but trampled under foot the Holy City for a long space of time Rev. 11. â— V. Chaldean or Literal Babylon was a moâ— lofty proud and imperious people called the Lady of Kingdoms and the glory and beauty â— Excellency for which God doth severely threaten her Isa. 13. 19. Behold I am against thee O thou most proud saith â— Lord God of Hosts c. Isa. 50. 31. So in like manner Rome who is Myster Babylon notwithstanding her horrid crime and most amazing wickednesses is a vâ—â— proud and imperious people exceeding all â— the Christian World saying in her Heart sit a Queen am no Widow shall see no sorrow for which haughtiness and pride the Lord will suddenly remember her with Judgments and sore severity he being now risen up to make Inquisition for Blood and to avenge upon her the injury done to Sion Rev. 18. 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow give her VI. Chaldean or Literal Babylon set up Images and had Idols of Silver and Gold Wood and Stone to which they bowed and worshipped which were also representations of the Gods and Saints whom they adored to wit of Bel which was Jupiter and Nebo and Succoth berioth and the like and such who would not bow down to her Images she threatned to cast into the Fire into the burning fiery Furnace Jer. 5. 30. Jer. 10. 3 9. Isa. 46. 1. Dan. 3. 6. Rome in this shews her self to be her Antitype very plainly for hath she not ordained to her self Temples Images of Christ and the Virgin Mary and other Saints nay and not only these but the
Plagues of Egypt as it is generally held then it is probable when there is once a beginning they will suddenly all be poured out Some have observed from History in Exodus that within the space of 30 days the ten Plagues fell upon the Egyptians now if in the Antitype we reckon a day for a year as it is often in Prophetical Types then the seven last Plagues will be finished in thirty years when begun neither is it to be doubted but a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth Rom. 9. 28. when those Vials begin to be poured out upon the Earth wherefore is Babylon's fall set forth under the sign of a great Milstone cast into the Sea by a mighty Angel not only to denote her irrecoverable desolation but also what speedy and quick dispatch the Lord will make when he calls his Angels out of the Temple therefore shall her Plagues come upon her in one day Rev. 18. 8. in one hour v. 10 17 19. iâ— a moment suddenly Isa. 47. 11. why 〈◊〉 ought not to conclude her Plagues to intend â—ose 7 last Plagues all of them as well as some of them I know not I desire this may be considered hinted it before when I had not seen this worthy writer for this French Author makes Babylon a â—elling many hundred years which must doubtless be a grand mistake these Scriptures considered He further confirms this reason and answers Objections which I have not room to insert 5. I cannot conceive saith he how any of those Persons to whom the first second and third Angels are ordinarily applied do fairly or fitly parallel and agree with what the Scriptures hold forth certain it is none of the Angels came out of the Temple till John saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and them that had gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his Name standing on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and they sing the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb Rev. 15. 1 2. All this well agrees with the description of the 14440. Rev. 14. 1 2. But to carry these things to Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. if need were I could shew by many reasons of the improbability of it for tho' many of Gods people formerly received not the Mark of the Beast nor his Name yet to say any of them during the 42 Months got the Victory over the Beast or over his Image and number of his Name I cannot assent unto neither do I think their Opinion is well bottomed who hold this Victory over the Beast and singing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb to be before the rising of the Witnesses which is the time of their prophesying in Sackcloth and whilst the woman is in the wilderness 'T is strange indeed to think the witnesses wearing Sackcloth or in a mourning condition can be said to sing the Song of Moses as having got Victory over their Enemies and yet overcome by their Enemies for the Song of Moses 't is well known to be that iâ— Exodus 15. Thou hast overcome the Horse and his Râ—der c. Again saith he by way of question p. 16. Why should the Song of Moses Rev. 15 c bâ— carried up to the times before the rising of the Witnesses and the new Song Rev. 14. 3. brought down many hundred years after this seems to be against the order of the Prophesie 2. The matter of the Song if rightly understood is not suitable to any time in which the Beasts reigned neither Lastly Can it be shewed that ever the Church of the Saints have had any occasion through any Deliverance or Victory to sing the Song of Moses c. I am of the same Opinion unless it be in these and the approaching days 6. That none of the seven last Plagues or Vials are yet poured out nor will be till after the rising of the Witnesses does appear for this reason viz. because none of the seven Angels come forth with their Golden Vials until the Tabernacle of the Testimony is opened in Heaven Rev. 15. 5. but that part of the Tabernacle of the Testimony is to be shut all the time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth may be gathered from Rev. 11. 1. with v. 19. Hence this Argument might be framed viz. No Angel is to come forth with his Golden Vial till the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven is opened But the Tabernacle of the Testimony is not to be opened till after the rising of the Witnesses Therefore no Angel with his Golden Vial is come forth till after the rising of the Witnesses The proof of this Argument are the Scriptures before viz. Rev. 15. 5. cap. 11. v. 1 19. Now if any do think that the four last Angels shall come forth from the Temple opened in Heaven and not the first three such an Opinion is against the Text expresly 〈…〉 saith the seven Angels come out of the Temple verse 6. Neither do I know any ground they have who think that the Angels pouring out the four last Vials shall have more Light Zeal Faith Holiness c. than the former three had but certainly there is a vast difference between the state of the Church now and that when they say the first Vial was poured out nay and the second or third too and none can doubt but the opening of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven points to some greater Church glory that shall be then or a different state of the Church than ever was before under the Beasts reign 7. Neither do I saith he think that the effects of any of the Vials which some suppose are poured out make good what is said Rev. 15. 4. For thy Judgments are made manifest which holds forth to me much more than what followed the preaching of Grostead Wickliff Huss Luther Melancthon c. or the Switzers Wars or of that of the Parliament in England for Gods Judgments notwithstanding what hath been yet done remain still more dark doubtful and disputable especially to the World than shall be under the effects of the Vials For the followers of the Beast as the Egyptians under their Plagues tho' they are hardened and repent not but blaspheme the God of Heaven not giving glory to him shall notwithstanding see the hand of God lifted up and be ashamed for their envy at his people Isa. 26. 11. So manifest at that time shall his Judgments be but hitherto no such things have appeared notwithstanding all the Judgments of God upon them so dark and hidden not manifested have the actings of God been to his Enemies nay and not clear or plainly manifested to his own people neither as it appears by their different apprehensions and opinions about what hath been past until these very days And hence it is also that Mystery Babylon ever unâ—il of late if
worthy Mr. Ainsworth observeth in her Divine service she has Babels very language an unknown Tongue so is it an Idol wholly made as the Scripture speaketh according to her own understanding and is all the works of the crafts-men the Prelates and Popes the lovers of this great Whore who have patched together in their several ages the limbs of this deformed monster the Mass and Canon thereof a sacrifice for the sins of the quick and the dead with the Litany and Collects Anâ—hems and Responds and in this Liturgy God and his Angels Apostles and Martyrs and Confessors with he Saints and she Saints and some that had Satans sanctity are wrapt up together with a Stage-play like worship with musical instruments to make them merry as Nebuchadnezzar with melody celebrated the dedication of his Golden Image which Portal and Missal these Artizans have framed exceeding all superstitions abominations and confession that ever were in the World the meer device and forgery of their own Brains by the help of the Devil provoking God to Jealousie and Wrath which suddenly she must pertake of without mixture 4. Mother of Harlots Hath not Papal Rome this very character upon her forehead It meets in none as in her all Protestants of what denomination soever utterly disallow of Fornication Whoredom and Adultery in persons of any Ranks whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable in all whereas the Church of Rome 't is notoâ—iously known gives publick toleration to â—bominable Whoredoms and the most shameâ—ess and unatural Bestialities as ever were in the World but this Epithet Mother of Harlots â—ay more properly refer to Spiritual Adultery â—nd that the Church of Rome is a Mystical Moâ—her is very plain and evident for do not all her Children own her to be the Mother Church â—nd therefore 1. Protestants are exhorted to return into the bosom of their mother 2. All polluted and national Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. and do call her Mother 3. All corruption in Doctrine and Discipline were bred and brought forth by her she is certainly the Mother of all these cursed titles and errors following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope his Holiness in the abstract our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution selling Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshiping of Images Anointing and sprinkling of Holy-Water the adoration of the Mass nay and the adoring the Devils own Engine i. e. the Cross or Gibbet whereon the Devils Emissaries killed or crucified the Lord of Life and Glory for the curse of the Law was to be done away by â— cursed Death upon a tree oâ— which whosoever was hanged the curse of God was upon him this death the innocent Lamb Jesus Christ suffered fâ—â— our sakes at the hands of wicked Sinneâ— Pilate and the Jews the Children of the Dâ—vil who used all exquisite torments to makâ— his death miserable Crowning him wiâ—â— Thorns piercing his Hands Feet and Sides with Nails and a Spear hanging him on the Tree until he died And this pretended Tree or Cross Thorns and Nails with other counterfeits of them this Mother of Harlots teaches her Children to adore and honour with as good Ground and Devotion as one observes as the Ophites or Serpentories are said to honour the Serpent the Devils instrument for to bring man to the knowledge of good and evil And that all the World might take notice that Rome is the City where our Lord was crucified this Mother of Harlots doth proclaim that the Cross was that Altar whereon the great Sacrifice Christ was offered whereas the Scripture teacheth that the bodies of those Beasts whose blood was brought to make reconciliation in the holy place were burnt without the Host or Camp of Israel and not on the Altar which stood before the door of the Tabernacle according to which figure Jesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the Gate of Jerusalem which was a reproach yet will these God-eaters and crucifiers of our blessed Saviour make the cursed Cross to be the Altar most holy and so greater than Christ the sacrifice as being that which sanctified him for the Alâ—ar sanctified the offering And hereupon they call the Cross blessed and ascribe unto it worthiness to bear the Talent of the World they account it among the most precious Reliques and not only the whole but every piece thereof they adore it salute it pray unto it and trust therein for Salvation crying Hail O Cross our only hope increase thou to the godly Righteousness and unto sinners give pardon save thou the company gathered together in thy praises yea the very sign of this Idol made in the Air upon the forehead or over any thing is Sacred and Venâ—rable and hath force to drive away Devils and do many like feats wherefore this abomination hath prevailed above other and is like Beelâ—ebub Prince of the Devils the Badg of the Beast and Character of Mystery Babylon Imprinted in Churches Chappels Altars Houses and High ways in Books Writings in Prayers Sacraments in Garments Bodies and Souls of Men both Quick and Dead nay nothing is well hallowed without it no Sacrament perfect without it And this great honour hath the Cross because the Devil and his Instruments Killed or Crucified our Saviour upon it so that a marvel it is how Judas lips scaped honour seeing he also was Satans instrument to betray Christ with a kiss wherefore this Spiritual Egypt Pseudo Catholick Church deserveth more to be branded by some Satyrist for worshiping monsters than the first Egypt whose less impiety a Heathen Poet did deride 4. As she is the Mother of Harlots and Mother of all corrupt Doctrine and Detestable Errors c. So also is she Mother of all personal vices and fleshly abominations as horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing perjury and subtil equivocation hypocrisies uncleannesses lying subornations secret poysonings stabing throat-cutings adulteries covenant-breaking and what not are these things allowed amongst Protestants No certainly yet they are not only allowed by this Whore but esteemed meritoâ—ious if it be done for the good and promoâ—ion of Holy Church and for these things may she not rightly be called Mystery Babylon the great the mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which I shall conclude with this Argument Argu. If this name Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth in all these respects we have noted doth not so fully and fitly agree to any People as they do to Rome Papal or Church of Rome then Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon but this name Mystery Babylon the great Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth in all these respects noted does not agree so fitly and fully to any people in the World as to the Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Mystery