we are the childrē of god 1 Ioh. 5 10. Rom 8. ve 9. 15. Eph. 1 13 we delight in the law of God take no pleasure in sin Heb. 11. 25. but are grieued with sin 2. Pet. 2 8. and say with S. Paul I do not the good thing which I would but the euil which I would not Rom. 8 19. And euery one whose heart and conscience can truly thus perswade him is vndoubtedly the elected child of God Where contrarily the reprobate delite in sin because they are of the world Ioh. 8 23. therfore loue the world Ioh. 15 19. the things of the world as the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and pride of life 1 Ioh. 2. v. 15. 16. And shal receiue the wages of vnrighteousnesse as they which count it pleasure to liue delitiously for a season 2 Pet. 2 13. affections Col. 3 2. and consult no longer with flesh and blood but enter into counsell with thine owne soule for the apprehending of this eternall life which life for the maruellous excellencie thereof being that hid treasure that precious pearle Matth. 13. verse 44. 46 can not be sufficiently expressed by all the glory of the world The holy Ghost chusing out the most precious things that nature can affoord to describe vnto vs the heauenly Ierusalem our euerlasting citie saith thus The citie was pure gold like cleare glasse the foundations of the wall thereof were garnished with all maner of precious stones the gates of perle the streets of pure gold c. It needeth neither Sunne nor Moone to shine in it for the glorie of God did light it The people which are saued shal walk in the light of it the kings of the earth shall bring their glorie and honour vnto it Reu. 21 18 c. O how excellent things are spoken of thee thou citie of God Psa 87 2. The eye hath not seene nor the eare heard neither came into mans heart the glorious things which God hath prepared for them that loue him 1. Cor. 2 9. These maruellous things as Saint Peter saith the Angels desired to prie into 1 Pet. 1 12. For indeede the Angels receiued first knowledge of Gods eternal wisdome and purpose in Christ concerning these things by the Church Ephs 3 10. And euery creature with feruent desire wayteth when the sonnes of God shall be reuealed Rom. 8 19 shine as the sunne in the kingdome of their father Mat. 13 43. For although we be now the sonnes of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 3 26 yet doth it not now appeare what we shal be 1 Ioh. 3 2. because that through Christian mortification 2 Cor. 4. verse 10. 11. and 5 15. wee are in this world as dead and our life is hid with Christ in God but when Christ which is our life shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glorie Col. 3 3 c. For the Lord Iesus Christ shall chaunge our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie Phil. 3 21. and then we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3 2. Moses vpō mount Horeb sawe but some glimse of the shadowed maiestie of God for else no man hath seene God in his essentiall glorie at anie time Ioh. 1 18 and the skin of his face so shone withall that neither the Israelites nor Aaron him selfe were able to looke vpon him vntil he had put a visour ouer his face Exod. 34 29 c. Elias also vpon the same mount at Gods visible presence couered his face with his mantell 1 King 19. verse 8. 13. And of all other Moses was once so hardie that he desired the Lord to shew him his very diuine maiestie but that request obtained would haue cost him his life and in mercie therefore it was denied him Exod. 33 18 c. But what speake we of mans disabilitie in this behalfe Neither the Angels them selues are able to behold the Lord in his full maiestie nor men to endure euen the sight of an angel as we see prefigured by the face and feeet-couering in Isayes vision Isa 6 2. Seeing then after this life we shall alway haue the fruition of this excellent and heauenly glorie which now neither men nor Angels can sustaine not vpon an earthly mountaine in a material Tabernacle with Peter Mat. 17 4 but in Heauen in that precious and heauenly Ierusalem Heb. 12 22. with God the Father the Sonne and the holy Spirit that most blessed and glorious Trinitie in whose presence is the fulnesse of ioy and at whose right hand there are pleasures for euermore Psal 16 11. together with all the goodly companie of Angels Zech. 3 7. Heb. 12 22. and holy Saintes Mat. 8 11. seeing I say we looke for new heauens and a new earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnes 2. Pet. 3 13. and for such a kingdome Luk. 12 32. for he is faithfull that hath promised Hebr. 10 23. what manner persons ought we to be in holy conuersation and godlinesse looking for and hasting vnto the cōming of the great day of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ to iudgement giuing diligence that we may be found in him in peace without spot and blameles 2. Pet. 3 11 c. And in the meane time let Moses shewe vs the shortnes of this life Psal 90 10. And that couetous foole in S. Luke teach vs that the incerteinty therof is more daungerous then the shortnes Luk. 12 20. let vs vse this world as though we vsed it not 1. Cor. 7 31 for the fashion thereof is as chaungable as our garment Psal 102 26. Let the holy ghost perswade vs to carie our selues without couetousnes and to be content with those thinges Reade Mat. 6 25 c. and Psal 37. which we haue for he hath said I will not faile thee neither forsake thee so that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper neither will I feare what man can do vnto me Heb. 13. verse 5. 6. And for our continuall assured hope of the glorious life to come let vs reioyce in the Lord alway Philip. 4 4. Let vs cast away euery thing that presseth downe and the sinne that hangeth so fast on let vs runne with pacience the race that is set before vs looking vnto Iesus the author finisher of our faith who for the ioy that was set before him endured the crosse despised shame and is set at the right hand of the throne of God Hebr. 12. verse 1. 2. This Iesus being the fore-runner for vs is entred into heauen Hebr. 6 20. and gone to prepare a place for vs Ioh. 14 2. where we haue alreadie an interest by Christ our head as hauing our conuersation with him in heauen from whence we looke for the sauiour euen our Lord Iesus Christ Phil. 3 20. Who shall then separate vs frō the loue of Christ shal tribulation or anguish or persecution or famine or nakednesse or perill
as S. Peter writeth 2. Pet. 3 7. offreth him this speciall grace purposed in him selfe from euerlasting whereby the Lord both cleared his iustice and shewed his mercie that the seed of the woman should bruse the serpents head Gen. 3 15. Adam beleeued this short sentence and through faith in this promise was saued In the assurance of this promise were all the fathers and faithfull before Noahs flood saued The floud came in the yeare of the world 1656. For notwithstanding the hoâ—ie exercises which the Lord had enioined Adam his ofspring to practise by offrings sacrifices as types patterns of that promised seede Christ the lambe of God which therefore in purpose of God in promise to man and in type of h It is verie like that the skins of those beastes which were slaine for sacrifice at that instant of the promise of redeÌ„ption serued to cloth Adams nakednesse GeÌ„ 3 21 that as their bodies were burnt in sacrifice to prefigure Adams deliuerance from hel-fire so their hides likewise might hide his shame keepe his bodie from cold and continuallie put him in mind of the Lords mercifull couenant And thiâ— meÌ„t the Lord in commaunding the Israelites to weare that blew gard as a memoriall of his lawes in the borders of their garmentes Num. 15 vers 38. 39. but the apparel of christians is the Lord Iesus Christ his â—ertues as faith righteousnesse holinesse of life c. Rom. 13 14. Gal. 3 27. Eph. 4 24. which in the parable are called the wedding garmâ—nt Mat. 22 11. read Reuelat. 3. vers 4. 18 14 5. sacrifice was slaine from the beginning of the world Reu. 13 8. as we plainlie see by Adams sonnes offrings Gen. 4. vers 3. 4. Which were doubtles according to Gods owne appointment â—nd accepted onlie by faith Hebr. 11 4. And were also the faithfull i The first borne in euerie familie till the â—aw was the sacrificer but as the law the Leuites were appointed thervnto Exo. 19 22 24 5. Num. 8. vers 18. 19. whose offrings as is verie like were approued by site sent froÌ„ heauen to consume their sacrifices coÌ„pare these quotations GeÌ„ â— 4. Leu. 9 24. 1 King 18 38. 1 Chr. 21 26. 2 Chr. 7 1 Hebr. 11 4. practises of all the ten fathers before the floud as we may well perceiue by this that the Lord reuealed to them what beasts fowls were clean what vncleane Gen. 7 2. and 8 20. As likewise after the floud and before the law the example of Noah Genes 8 20. Melchi-zedek Genes 14 18. Abraham Gen. 12 vers 7. 8. 13 18. Isaak Gen. 26 25. Iaacob Gen. 31 54. and of Iob Iob 1 5. 42. vers 8. 9. witnesseth And notwithstanding also those reuerent statelie sagies the ten k Before Noahs floud they liued with bread salets rootes frutes and all increase of the earth c. Gen. 1. 29. milke butter c. of the flockes or heards Gene. 4 2. not hauing commandement to touch the life of anie creature for meat but at the floud the Lord so weakned the state of mans bodie in shortning his daies that maÌ„ stood in neede of fish and flesh also to susteine life for before the floud the eating neither of fish nor of flesh was permitted Gen. 9 3. long-liued fathers before Noahs floud set downe in their order by Moses Gen. 5 3. c. Who were all graue prophets preachers to proclaime Gods mercies to faithfull penitents and to denounce his iudgements against the stubburne sinners of that age yet they conuersing with Cains posteritie whose companie by Cains far banishment the Lord would haue had his to auoide Gen. 4 14. were now become most profane and wicked corrupting the true religion and worship of God in so much that at this time of the floud there was but onelie Noah the tenth father of that age whom the Lord found faithfull vppon the whole earth Gen. 6 9. 7 1. And although the Lord had warned them sixe score yeares before of that vniuersall diluge and destruction and that they both heard the continuall admonitions vehement preachings of these three excellent fathers Methushelah Lamech and Noah all the time l The floud came the 17. day of the 2. moneth Gen. 7. 11. which is our October as comparing Ex. 12 2. with 23 16. you may plainlie perceiue and in the moneth before died Methushelah 5. years after the death of Lamech Noah his 3. sonnes Sem Ham Iapheth with their 4. wiues Gen. 6. vers 10. 18. were those 8. persons saued froÌ„ the floud in the Arke 1. Pet. 3 20. by whoÌ„ see how the earth is replenished with inhabitants Gen. 10. of the caution in Gods decree 800. years after counting from the confusion of tongues GeÌ„ 11 8. for the children of Israel to succeede Hams posteritie the cursed Cananites Deut. 32 8. Noah Sem. almost of that long â—pace of repentance and also saw Noahs diligence in preparing the Ark by Gods commandement Genes 6. vers 13. 14. against that dreadfull day yet so wicked â—nd desperate they were that they toke no notice thereof though it stood vppon â—he destruction both of their bodies and â—oules for they knew nothing of it as â—ur Sauiour testifieth till the floud came swept them all away Mat. 24 39. Some â—ew yeares after the floud this promise was renewed for Noah as a Prophet told â—ore distinctlie of what familie this seede â—hould come saying Blessed be the Lord God of Sem Genes 9 26. noting thereby â—wo things vnto vs both that this blesâ—ng should come of the linage of Sem his â—econd sonne and also that the rest of the â—orld as heathen idolaters should be â—uered from Sems familie for a time â—hich came to passe in the tenth generaâ—on after at Abrahams calling from VR â—f Chaldea Moses recordeth Sems geneâ—tion to abraham Gen. 11 10. c. Abraâ—am was borne in the yeare of the world 2008 and two yeares after the death of Abraham Noah which was 352 yeares after the floud when now all the families of the earth sauing Melchi-zedek who by all likelihod was that old Sem Gen. 11. versâ— 10. 11. 14 18 c. were fallen to idolatrie and atheisme euen Terah the father of Abraham Iosh 24. verse 2. 14. But wheÌ„ Abraham was 70. yeares old the Lord m By three proofs especiallie the scriptures coÌ„mend Abrahams faith vnto vs 1. by his willingnesse in forsaking his fathers house kinred and countrie to follow Gods calling he wist not whither Gen. 12 1. Act. 7. 3 Gal. 3. vers 6 17. Hebr. 11 8. 2. by his assured hope in Gods promise to obteine a sonne when in reason ther was no hope Rom. 4 19 c. 3. by the readie offring vp of his son Isaak in hoÌ„ he had receiued the promises Heb. 11 17. c. In him therefore we see a worthie pattern of our faith Gal. 3
Rom. 2 7. 〈◊〉 6 10. not for their worthinesse Iob. 15. vers 15. 16. and 14. 4. and 9 3. Psal 130 3. Luke 17 10 but for his own free promise Hebr. 10 23 and grace Phil. 2 13. T it 3 5. which he approueth in theÌ„ Isai 43 25. Micha 7. vers 19. 20. 2 Cor. 12 9. merit by theÌ„ for the true Christians soule is purified in obeying the truth through the spirite to loue brotherlie without faining 1 Pet. 1 22. mortifying the deedes of the bodie by the same spirit Roman 8 13. for like as by faith he is made the child of God Gala. 3 26. euen so Christ dwelleth in his heart by faith to inable him to comprehend with all Saints the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge that he may be filled with all fulnesse of God Ephes 3 17 c. being made partaker of the godlie nature in that he fleeth the corruption which is in the world through lust ioining vertue with his faith with vertue knowledge and with knowledge temperance c. 2 Pet. 1 4 c. for a christian is able to do all things through the help of Christ which strengthneth him Phil. 4 13. eueÌ„ to loue his enemies to blesse them that curse him to do good to them that hate him to pray for them which hurt him and so â—indlie resembling the naturall sonne of â—is heauenlie father Mat. 5 44 c. whose workmanship he is created in Christ Ieâ—us vnto good workes which God hath ordeined that he should walke in them Eph. 2 10. And not to be wearie of well doing Gal. 6 9. but by the grace of God Heb. 12 28 to go forward in the worke of his saluation with careful feare c There be two kinds of feare in holie scripture a filiall or childly feare proceeding of the reuerence of Gods maiestie Ier. 5 22. and loue of his mercie Ps 130 4. Prou. 28 14. Isai 66 5. Ier. 2 19. Mal. 1 6 1 Ioh. 4 18. And a seruile or slauish feare proceeding from an euill conscieÌ„ce abhorring and trembling at gods presence Gen. 3 8. Deut. 28 65. 〈◊〉 Prou. 29 25. Isai 57 20. Hab. 2 4. Iam. 2 19. trembling Phil. 2 12. And this is the true making his calling and election sure vnto his own hart soule as Saint Peter willeth 2 Pet. 1 10 which else is vndoubtedlie sure vnder the Kings broad seale with God as Saint Paul testifieth 2 Tim. 2 19. It is most certaine therefore which the Apostle saith that we are ingrafted by baptisme with Christ to the similitude of his death and resurrection knowing that our old maÌ„ that is the works which by nature we haue drawen from sinfull Adam is crucified with Christ that the course reigne of sinne in our mortall bodies might be destroied seing we are dead with Christ as touching sinne as our dipping in the water of Baptisme signifieth but are risen againe to a newnesse of life vnto God in Iesus Christ as our taking vp againe from the same water presenteth giuing our bodies as instruments and seruants of righteousnesse and holinesse of life Rom. 6 5 c. For our Lord Iesus hath therfore redeemed vs with his most precious bloud from that dreadfull and damnable state wherein our father Adam was wheÌ„ he fled to the trees for a vaine couert from the Lords presence in Paradise that we now being deliuered out of the bands of Satan and the hands of the wicked our enemies spirituall and corporall might serue him without feare in true holinesse and righteousnesse all our life long Luke 1. vers 74. 75. And not that we should d If when the Lord who with a word of his mouth made heauen and earth Ps 33 6. shall likewise with his word raise vp the dead out of their graues at the last day Ioh. 5 28â— none will thinke that they haue any power in that worke to quicken themselues why in our spirituall rising froÌ„ sinne wherein we were dead Eph. 2 1. when hee sayth vnto vs Awake thou that sleepest and stand vp from the dead Christ shall giue thee light Eph. 5 14. Should we once dreame that we are helpers with Gods grace for our sufficiencie is of God 2 Cor. 3 5. who worketh in vs both the will and the deed euen of his good pleasure Phi. 2 13. And keepeth vs by his power through faith vnto saluation 1 Pet. 1 5. read Rom. 8 30. 9 16. See S. Pauls conclusion Rom. 3 28. where he opposeth faith to the whole law vers 21 12. and 4 13 c. Read Phil. 3. vers 6. 9. and Gallat 3. vers 11 12. Iohn 17. Tit. 3 5. merit any thing of our saluation by our works as those Marchants teach and so deny the Lord that bought vs for wheÌ„ we haue done all those things which are commanded vs we are vnprofitable seruants and haue done but that which was our dutie to do Luk. 17 10. for Iesus â—hrist alone hath made vs his peculiar â—eople and sheepe of his pasture and not â—e our selues Psal 100 3. And as all were â—ead in Adams transgression so Christ â—ied to redeeme all that they which liue â—hould not henceforth liue vnto themâ—elues as they did in ignorance before â—heir calling Rom. 6 19. Tit. 3. 3. 1 Pet. 1 4 but vnto him which died for them â—nd rose againe 2 Cor. 5 15 who his own â—elfe alone hath trodden the wine-presse of the bloodie furie of all our spirituall eâ—emies Sathan sin hell death c. for the â—escue of his church and redemption of his people euen by the might of his own â—rme without any helper Isai 59 16 and 63. vers 3 5. Heb. 1 3. and freely bought out our transgressions by his bitter passion and purchased for vs Gods euerlasting fauour again and that vnspeakeably more aboundant Ioh. 10 10. Rom. 5 17. and 8 17 and more sure 1 Pet. 1. ver 3. 4. 5. through the same his obedient sufferings for vs Phil. 2 8. Hebr. 5 8 then euer had Adam in his innocent roialty Good works then serue to many excellent purposes but cheefly to the glory of God as our Lord commandeth Mat. 5 16. And they so testifying our faith and obedience towards God in the sight of men do iustifie vs before men as S. Iames witnesseth Iam. 2. ver 22. 23. 24. Thus haue we seene that Iesus Chrisâ— Act. 4 12. 15 11. 1. Pet. 1 20. 1 Ioh. 5 11. Heb. 11 2. c. is the only and all sufficient means ordained of God before the foundation of thâ— world for the only saluation of the holy Patriarkes and Prophets and of all men euen from Adam in all ages as wel before the comming of Christ in the flesh as after to the worlds end so that the saying of the Apostle is clearly verefied Iesus Christ yesterday and to day the same also is for euer Heb. 13 8. Hereby likewise we see that their purgatorie is but the
prince of this world Ioh. 12 31. ouercome the world Ioh. 16 33. Thus therefore against Satan and his kingdome with all our spirituall enemies being first subdued by Christ we are set to fight that we might be most sure of the victorie seeing our Captaine hath giuen them their deaths wound Wherefore now if we do but resist the Deuill in a stedfast faith as S. Peter aduiseth 1 Pet. 5 9 he will flie froÌ„ vs as Saint Iames saith Iam. 4 7. We see then that Christ our Captain dealeth with vs in this christian fight as Captaine Ioshua did with the chiefe warâ—iers of Israell in the Lords battell against â—he Amorits who causing the 5. Kings of â—he Amorits to be brought out vnto him â—orth of the caue at Makkedah where for â—eare they had hid themselues said vnto â—he chiefe of the men of war which went with him Come nere set your feet vpon â—he neckes of these kinges c. feare not â—or be faint-hearted but be strong for â—hus wil the Lord do to all your enemies â—gainst whom yee fight Iosh 10. vers 24. â—5 And though we be able to do all â—hings through the help of Christ which â—trengthneth vs Phil. 4 13. for it is he â—hat shall tread downe our enemies Psal 〈◊〉 8 13. yet whatsoeuer faileth in vs to â—erforme against our spirituall aduersaâ—ies that Christ himselfe most tenderlie â—ffecteth for vs as good Captaine Gideâ—n did touching those kinges of Midia Zebah and Zalmunna against whom Ieâ—her his eldest sonne durst not draw his 〈◊〉 Iud 8 20. yea we shall walke vpon â—he lion and the aspe the yong lion and â—he dragon shall we tread vnder feete Ps â—1 13. for euen like as in olde time Christ was the Captaine and guide vnto the Isâ—raelites to conduct them safely througâ— the great and terrible wildernesse in thâ— borders of Moab wherein were fierâ— serpents Scorpions Deut. 8 15. whicâ— conduction as the Prophet noteth oughâ— neuer to be forgotten Iere. 2 6. Euen sâ— Christ hath giuen vs power to treade oâ— serpents and scorpions and ouer all thâ— power of the enemie that nothing maâ— hurt vs Luk. 10 16. Isa 11 6. 65 25. Hoâ— 2 18. NotwithstaÌ„ding theÌ„ that for Christs sake we be killed all day long counteâ— as sheep for the slaughter yet in all thesâ— thinges we are more then conquererâ— through our Captaine that loueth vs Rom. 8. verse 36. 37. for though we walkâ— in the flesh yet we do not war after thâ— flesh for the weapons of our warfare anâ— not carnall but mightie through God toâ— cast downe holdes casting downe the imaginations and euerie high thing thaâ— is c For an exaÌ„ple here of see with what violence Satans power falleth down at the Apostles preachings Luk. 10 18. Read act 24 26. where Paul a prisoner maketh Felix the presideÌ„t to quake exalted against the knowledge oâ— God and bringing into captiuitie euerie thought to the ordinance of Christ Cor. 10. vers 3. 4. 5. And our Captaine is faithfull which will not suffer vs to be â—mpted aboue that we be able but will â—uen giue the issue with the tentation â—hat we may be able to beare it 1 Cor. 10 â—3 Therefore let vs not be afraid for any â—errour 1 Pet. 3 14. But as our Captaine â—esus that he might sanctisie the people â—ith his owne bloud suffred without the gate euen so let vs go forth out of the â—ampe to this fight bearing his reproch Heb. 13. vers 12. 13. Knowing this that if we suffer with Christ we shall also be glorified with him Rom. 8 17. though we know that this our strife against sin Hebr. 12 4 is alway in our Captaines sight Psal 33 vers 18. 19. yet the more to encourage vs thereunto he telleth vs that he knoweth our tribulations Reuel 2 9. for he knoweth whereof we are made Ps 103 14 and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities because his owne selfe was in all thinges tempted in like sort Hebr. 4 15. therefore he supporteth vs when we faint and saith to euerie one of vs My grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12 9. feare none of those thinges which thou shalt suffer but be thou faithful vnto the death I wil giue thee the crowne of life Reuel 2 10. Masse Their Masse likewise is most flatlie against Heb. 2 17. 3 1. 4 14 c. 5 5. 6 20. 7. vers 16. 21. and 8 1. and 9 11. and 13 12. the word of God for whereas Iesus Christ is our onlie High-sacrificer to offer and present vs blamelesse in his own merits and righteousnesse vnto God his father and that by offring vp his bodie on the crosse for our sinnes once for all Heb. 9 25 c. and 10. 10 c. These marchants haue of their owne braine deuised a strange sacrifice and priests for the nonce to offer it in Christs stead to God as propitiatorie both for the quicke and dead which contumelious blasphemie vnto Christ besides that so they crucifie againe to themselues the sonne of God and make a mocke of him Heb. 6 6 who seeth not to be wickedlie deuised of those marchants to make marchandise of Gods people for their owne filthie lucre And where they say as blasphemously for all their cosoning is blasphemie Reuel 13. 1 that the Iewes f The Iewes falslie charged by the Papistes haue falsified and corrupt the old Testament and therefore that the doctrine thereof is doubtful they speake most ignorantly and vntrulie for we haue Christes word to the contrarie who saieth g That place is otherwise taken but the plaine wordes of the text wash this crime away Verilie I say vnto you till heauen and earth perish one iot or one title of the law shall not scape Mat. 5 18. Of all the h The prickes which now are vsed for vowels in reading that tongue were inueÌ„ted 400. yeares after by the Massorites Hebrew letters of the Iewes their jod was the least which after the Greeke is called a jote and for the littlenesse a little whereby our Lord to signifie the integritie of the old Testament here warranteth vnder an oth that not euen so litle of the law shall faile Besides our Sauiour rectifying the false interpretations Mat. 5 21 c. 15 4 c. of the law by the Scribes Pharisies neuer chargeth them of altering anie text thereof yea rather he coÌ„firmeth the puritie of the law by sending the people to the diligent reading of Moses and the Prophets Mat. 23 1 c. Luk. 10 26. 16 29. Iohn 5. 39. And there is no one point of doctrine conteined in the new Testament that is not also confirmed and approued by the old Luk 24 44. Act. 17. vers 2. 3. 26 22. 1 Cor. 15. vers 3. 4. And the new Testament is the accomplishing and fulfilling of the olde Mat. 5 17. Rom. 10 4. But as
these Marchants haue most falslie belied the Iewes for the old testament so they themselues haue verie despitefullie i The Papistes blasphemouslie miscall the holie scriptures why blasphemed the new testament and holie scriptures and all because they tell vs how these iugling marchantes cosen the world terming theÌ„ a nose of waxe a shipmans hose an ynken gospel to be of no better authoritie then Aesopes fables and most wickedlie censuring the holie Ghost the composer of Dauids Psalms with that prophane verse Scribimus indocti doctique poâ—mat a passim Whole bookes of verses commonlie Aswell th' unlearnt as learnt write we This is that Torch-blasing-star wormwood which infecteth the pure waters of Gods word with his bitter blasphemies whereof they die that drinke it Reuel 8 11. refusing the waters of life Iohn 4 10. Therefore turne away from such saith the holie ghost 2 Tim. 3 5. And go out of her my people that you be not partakers in her sinnes and that yee receiue not of her plagues Reuel 18 4. And here because we are come to S. Iohns Reuelation which contemeth a generall prophecie of all the afflictions generall and particular that the Church of Christ shall endure till the last day and by most euideÌ„t tokens pointeth at Rome froÌ„ whence those euils should issue let vs giue the Catholiks a tast of that their filthie cage Reuel 18 2 by viewing the intercourse of Gods scourge among the Rome wicked The k Nimrod ChaÌ„s nephew built Babylon and Ninive of the AssyriaÌ„s by which two countries Gods church of the Iewes indured manie times most cruell tyrannie at length miserable captiuitie Israel by the AssyriaÌ„s anno mundi 3264. 2 King 17 6. and 122. yeares after Iudah by the Babylonians ibid. 24. 10 c. Ier 50 17. wherefore the Lord assureth his church to be especiallie reueÌ„ged of these two Mic. 5 6. Babylonians the most ancient afflicters of the church of God GeÌ„ 10. verse 8 10 hauing a long time tirannized in the world at length by the prouidence of God grew to such an head that they ouercame manie and mightie nations Ierem. 25 27 in so much that they presumed and preuailed against the Lords people leading them away captiues and destroying their citie and temple in reuenge whereof they were vanquished of the Medes and Persians Iere. 50 28. 51 11. Dan. 5 vers 30. 31. The Macedonians subdued the Medes Persians Dan. 7 6. and 8. vers 5. 6. 7. 20. 21. The Seleucians or Asians suppressed the Macedonians Dan. 7 7. The Romanes foiled the Seleucians Dan. 11. vers 30. 44. Finallie the Romanes by litle and litle through mutuall dissention and ciuil discord hauing altered and diminished their owne state first begin to persecute Christ in his swadlings infancie forcing him to be layd in a manger Luke 2 7. Secondly they most vniustly exacted Tribute of him being the great kings sonne and therefore free Matth. 17 24 c. Thirdly they condemned him to death Matth. 20 19. Iohn 11 48 18 35. 19 15. Act. 4 27. Reuel 11 8. And lastly they l This notable destruction and desolatioÌ„ by the Romanes as well for the auncient prophecie so long before as for some future straunge euent our Lord him selfe aduiseth vs euerie one to consider Mat. 24 15. destroyed the Citie and Temple Dan. 9. 26. Luke 21 20 as the Babylonians had done before and why shall they not haue the Babylonians reward eueÌ„ vtter destruction for the same Read Zech. 14. ve 1. 2. 3. The holy Ghost calleth this ougly cage and cursed citie Rome for the filthinesse thereof Sodome and for her crueltie to Christs Saints Egypt and in respect of Pilate the Roman Deputie that deliuered Christ to death Ioh. 19. vers 15. 16 he calleth it the place where our Lord was crucified Reu. 11 8. And euen like as the former BabiloÌ„ in the East parts of the world most cruelly afflicted Gods people the Iewes Isa 47 6. Ier. 50 17 so this Citie in the West S. Iohn calleth Babylon Reu. 16 19. 18 2 c. which by the spirit of prophecie he saw should no lesse cruelly persecute the Saints seruaÌ„ts of Christ And for this similitude of Rome with BabyloÌ„ S. Iohn calleth Rome or rather Antichrist the king of that Antichristian vsurpatioÌ„ Isa 21 2. Iere. 51 25. by the Hebrue word abaddon destroyer Reu. 9 11 as the prophets Isay Ieremy had many hundred years before called old Babylon the king therof And because John wrot to the Greek churches of m This was Asia minor where Iaphets sons inhabited among whom S. Paule had long before this time planted the Gospell Act. 19. vers r. 10. 26. 20 18 c And were thus through pietie perswaded to dwel in the Tents of Sem. Gen. 9 29. as likewise for pollicie they were perswaded 500 years before to dwell and confederate with Sem against Babylon Isai 21 2. Gen. 10. vers 2. 22. Antichrists characterie name Asia Reâ— 4 he interpreteth the hebrue in their own tong Apollyon destroyer as S. Paule likewise calleth him the son of perdition or destruction 2 Thes 2 3. And S. Peter respecting their whole corporation nameth them priuy-inbringers of the heresies of destruction 2. Pet. 2 1. Wherefore Irenaeus or some graue father in that age haue wisely as the holy Ghost aduised Reu. 13 18 gathered his characterie name of the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both which exactly containe that number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 666 the Beastes name the former noting Rome the Citie and language of Antichrist the latter Italie his peculiar Church and countreye VVhich Citie the Angell telleth Iohn is built vpon seuen mountaines Reuel 17. vers 9. 18. As also Virgil Georg. 2. 1 Trist El. 4 3 7. and most plainly Ouid more then once doth witnesse Rome to be Sed quae de septem totum circumspicit orbem Montibus imperij Roma deumque locus My home is Rome imperiall the place of gods no doubt Which from seuen mountains doth behold the whole world round about This Romish Babylon papall corporation S. Iohn calleth not a Virgin as yet the Prophet Isai named old Babylon Isai 47 1 but an abhominable whorish woman who for her filthie n Because Antichrist must sit in the teÌ„ple of God i. presume authoritie ouer matters of Christian faith religion 2 Thes 2 4 And haue a shew of godlines 2 Tim. 3 5. the holie spirit to helpe our infirmities speaking euideÌ„tly as S. Paul testifieth 1 Tim. 4 1. which S. Iohn calleth spirituallie Reuel 11 8 layeth out in open plaine termes the name Mysterie written in the forehead of Antichrist calling it Great Babylon the mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Re. 17. 5 fornications and whoredomes far more impure then Babylon was far vnfit for so puer a name Reuel 17. vers 3.