them who pretend to be Successors of Christ and his Apostles Now in the Pope and his Adherents you will see the â—ost odious pride set forth that ever the World was conscious unto without any Cloak and shame And all their business is to get power what designs they have for preferment in the World how studiously they have and do prosecute it they blush not to own openly before Angels or Men. This worldly Ambition to rise higher and higher is their design and Trade of Life As the Bishop of Rome at first from the chief Pastor of that City affected to be an Archbishop over the Suburbian Towns and Cities then a Patriarch over many Cities and because two opposed him in Italy a long time Ravenna and Milane he gets power over them and then he must be Oecumenial Bishop over all the World But Constantinople resisteth for a long time yea arrogateâ—h within the Empire the same Titles Who more earnest against it than Gregory whom they call the Great and more forward to charge the assuming of this Title as Antichristian But then when once they began by powerful means and many indirect courses to be owned as universal Bishop then inlarging their boâ—nds not only over the Ecclesiastical Power but Civil and all Kings and Princes must stoop to them as well as Bishops So that here was the progress and gradation first from the Chief Presbyter a Bishop over many Presbyters in the same City then a Metropolitan over many Bishops in one Province then a Patriarch over many Provinces in one Diocess for iâ— the Roman Division there were seven Provinces in one Diocess then Universal Bishop in the whole World then the only Shepherd and Bishop and others but his Substitutes pretty steps of ambitious incroaching But yet exalting himself further challenging all power in Heaven and Earth And the like is practised by his followers at this day in the Church of Rome from private Priests they grow up into some Prelature as Arch-Deacons Deans then a Bishoprick then a better or richer then Archbishops Cardinals then Pope And the Devil is grown so impudent by the help of these Churchmen as that it is counted a great piece of spiritual wisdom publickly owned in the World to be able by these steps to get higher and higher and Lord it over Godâ— Heritage as if ambitious affectation were the honour of Christianity and Gospel humility would expose the Church to scorn and pomp and grandeur were a greater Ornament to Religion than Graâ—e when in the mean time they have nothing to prove them to be true Pastors of the Church but Iudas his Kiss a little owning of Christ to countenance their Ambition Secondly the particular instances wherein the pride of Antichrist is set forth are two 1. His exalting himself above all humane Powers He opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped Here the object is set forth by two terms 1. All that is called God 2. Or worshipped They both belong to the same thing 1. That which is called God that is Magistrates Princes and Kings Psal. 81.1 He judgeth among the Gods and verse the sixth I have said ye are Gods all of you are Children of the most high and Joh 10.34 35. It is written in your Law I said ye are Gods If he call them Gods unto whom the word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken c. God hath cloathed Magistrates with his own honour so far that he hath put his name upon them and their eminency is a part of his Image as it lyeth in Superiority Dominion and Power Though Magistrates be but like their Brethren as to their common nature yet in respect of their Office they have the glorious Title of Gods conferred upon them as being his Vicegerents and bearing his person in Government they are honoured with his name So that without impeachment of Blasphemy those that excel in the Civil power may be called Gods Now over these Antichrist exalteth himself that is above all Kings and Potentates Secondly The other notion is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we render it or is worshipped the Greek word is whatever is held in the highest degree of reverence whatever is August or Illustrious as the Emperours of Rome were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Acts 25.21 Paul appealed to be referred to the hearing of Augustus it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not Augustus Caesar who was then dead but his successour Well then here is the Character of Antichrist That he exalteth himself above all Civil Authority Authâ—â—â—ed and permitted of God not only above ordinary Magistrates but Kings and Emperours Now we find in History no less than twenty Kings and Emperours trampled under foot by the Pope of Rome some of whom he had excommunicated and deposed from their Kingdoms and their people dispensed withal in denial of their subjection to them others brought to cruel shameful Deaths and their Kingdoms miserably rent and torn to the destruction of Millions of men by their means He that hath any knowledge of the Histories in Christendom cannot but know these things how he treadeth on their necks kicketh off their Crowns with his Feet and hath brought them to the vilest submissions And if Kings and Emperours have received more spirit and courage and the Popes of Rome learned more modesty now adays thanks is due to the light of the Gospel which hath shined so far and to such a degree as to the consuming of Antichrist though not to his utter destruction Secondly The next instance of his pride is his usurpation of divine honour expressed in two clauses 1. The one sheweth the usurpation it self That he as God sitteth in the Temple of God 2. The other the degree of it shewing himself as God Both must be explained and vindicated 1. For tâ—â— usurpation it self he sitteth as God in the Temple of God By the Temple of God is meant the Church 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and the spirit of God dwelleth in you if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are So 2 Cor. 6.16 What agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols for ye are the Temple of the living God The external visible Church which professeth the Faith of Christ and beareth his name So that the place wherein Antichrist shall arise is the visible Christian Church not Rome Ethnick but Christian. But is then the Church of Rome the Church of Christ Answ. It was one part of it before it was perverted it usurpeth still that name it retaineth some relique of a Church mangled as it is saith Calvin in his Epistles I think I have given some strong reasons that it yet retaineth some shew of a Church Now in this Temple of God he sitteth as an Officer and Bishop there as I before explained it And whereas other Princes are said to
time concerning Christs sudden comeing to Judgment 2. The confutation of it it is disproved by two antecedents and fore-runners of his coming 1. A general Apostasy or a defection of the visible Church from the true State of Christianity 2. The Revelation of Anti-Christ described here by his names and proper Titles 1. That Man of Sin 2. And Son of Perdition 1. Let us speak of the general Apostasy that must be before Christs coming to Judgment Except there come a falling away first Now concerning it take these Propositions 1. That Apostasy is any defection from him to whom we owe and have performed subjection or a falling from that Lord to whom we owe fealty I am sure in religious matters it importeth a defection from our right and proper Lord Thus the Devil is an Apostate because he abode not in his first estate Iude 6. And the Angels which kept not their first estate but left their own habitation he hath reserved in everlasting Chains c. Abode not in the truth John 8.44 Ye are of your Father the Devil and the lusts of your Father ye will do He was a Murderer from the beginning and abode not in the Truth That is forsook his obedience to God and so became the Ring-Leader of all rebellious Creatures So it is true of our first Parents They were Apostates they did revolt from God and their obedience to him Therefore it is said Rom. 5.19 By one mans disobedience many were made Sinners So of their Posterity their Apostasy is described by turning back from following the Lord Zeph. 1.6 and departing from God that is his worship and service Isa. 59.13 In transgressing and lying against the Lord and departing away from our God Let us then be agreed of this notion of Apostasy which is evident that it is a falling off from the obedience which we owe to our rightful Lord. 2. The Apostasy mentioned in the Text was not civil The falling away of many Kingdoms from the Roman Empire But an Apostasy of the visible Church from him who is Lord of the Church I prove it partly from the persons to whom the Apostle wrote who did not intermingle themselves with State affairs or were not concerned in the Interests of the Roman Empire further than that they lived within the bounds of it And this Apostasy must be understood as they would conceive of Apostasy with respect to the main cause wherein they were concerned and ingaged which was the profession of Christianity Partly From the use of the word in the Christian Doctrine falling away there is certainly falling away from the Faith and purity of the Gospel Luc. 18.13 Which for a while believe and in time of temptation fall away And partly because to them it was expresly foretold that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Some shall fall away or depart from the Faith 1 Tim. 4.1 Lastly Because those who are most concerned to maintain the notion of the civil Apostasy from the Roman Empire are most notorious in this defection It is true the Roman Empire lost Asia and the places adjacent by the Invasion of Eastern Nations but it was thrust out of Rome by the Rebellion of its Subjects and chiefly by the influence of the Pope there as Histories manifest So that this interpretation will not help them a jot but hurt them not a little So that here is a defection from our proper Lord and a spiritual defection not a civil 3. The proper Lord of the Christian Church is Jesus Christ who hath purchased it with his blood and died and rose again and revived that he might be Lord of dead and living Rom. 14.9 and again Eph. 5.23 Christ is the head of the Church and the Saviour of the body He that saveth and recovereth the Church out of the general Apostasy of Mankind and restoreth them to their due obedience and proper happiness He only is fit to be head of the Church and this only is Christ we expect no opposition here 4. The Apostasy from the Lord will be determined chiefly by these two things By undermining his Authority or destroying the interests of his Kingdom by these two we may understand the falling away which is to come first 1. By undermining his Authority Certainly his Authority is undermined when others presume to usurp his place without his leave Therefore to super-induce an universal head of the visible Church which Christ never appointed is manifestly to usurp his Authority though the party so intruding should pretend to hold his Soveraignty from Christ and under him yet this is treason against Christ for here is an authority set up without and therefore against his consent Put the Case in a temporal Kingdom and the thing will be clear And thus the Pope is an usurping head of a Rebellion against Christ. Where did Christ institute him to take this Office Tu es Petrus is such a stale pretence so often baffled and defeated and pretended upon so small grounds as that Christ hereby conveyed singular authority to Peter above the rest of the Disciples That from Peter it descendeth to his Successors and to those of Rome if ever he were at Rome and not those of Antioch that it is endless to pursue the absurdities of this impertinent allegation The argument holdeth the more strongly when the Pope condemneth all the Churches that will not be his Subjects how holy good and obedient to the Laws of Christ soever they be Surely if any thing this is an Apostasy or a revolt from our rightful Lord and to consent to this Rebellion and Usurpation is to be drawn into a Conspiracy against Christ and to submit to the head of the most pernicious Schism that did ever rend the Church of Christ and to betray the Liberty of the People of our Lord to a Tyrannical Usurpation 2. Or corrupting and destroying the interests of his Kingdom certainly wherever there is a degeneration from the purity and simplicity of the Gospel the interests of Christs Kingdom are destroyed I fear saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.3 lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. The ancient pure Apostolick Christianity doth only preserve the Interests of Christs Kingdom in the World there is no way of safety but by keeping there for since Godliness is a mystery and we shall see afterwards the iniquity that is contrary is a mystery also 2 Thess. 2.7 The mystery of iniquity doth already work We need to be exactly careful to keep close to the doctrine worship and Discipline of the first Gospel Church for if these had remained pure Antichrist had never risen Christs Institutions would have preserved his Interests in the World But as these were corrupted the Apostasy prevailed When the Faith of the Gospel was turned into dead opinions and curious questions if not direct errours and the worship of the Gospel was corrupted by giving divine honour
owned as Apostolical Tradition but what is delivered as such by their Authority which is to leave the Church to the tyranny and usurpation of a corrupt Faction to declare for Apostolicaâ— Tradition any thing which serveth their end and Interest and for which no true historical Evidence is produced Now the unjust and fraudulent practices which they have used to promote this usurpation over the Churches of Christ render them false Men most unfit to be trusted in this kind Partly with respect to the Manner they will have these things to be received pari reverentia pietatis affectu with the same reverence and pious affection with which we receive the Holy Scriptures and so Man's Post is set by God's and unproved Traditions equall'd with Doctrines of Faith Their Opinion is bad enough but their Practice is worse for there they shew they value these things more than the Scriptures As Superstition always aboundeth in its own things Did ever any of their Doctors say the same things of Traditions which they take the boldness to say of Scripture Did they ever call them Pen and Inkhorn or Parchment Divinity a nose of Wax a dumb Rule an obscure and ambiguous Doctrine These Blasphemies they vent boldly against the Scriptures but did they ever spake these of Traditions And again common People are a thousand times better instructed in their Tradition than in the Doctrine of Salvation They skill more of Lent and Ember-weeks c. than they truly understand the Doctrine of Man's Misery and Remedy And call you this Reverence and pious Affection to the Scriptures and Traditions Partly because they would never give us a Catalogue of unwritten Traditions necessary to be observed by all Christians It may be lest they should amaze the People with the multitude of them or else that the People may not know how many of their Doctrines are destitute of Scripture proof and so they plainly be discovered to be Imposers on the belief of the Christian World 6. Though we blame this in Papists yet we reject not all Traditions 1. Because Scripture it self is a Tradition as we proved before and is conveyed to us by the most credible means which we have no reason to doubt of The Scriptures of the Old Testament were preserved by the Jews to whom were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3.2 Protestants received all the Books which they admitted into their Canon And for the Books of the New Testament the Christian Church hath received them as the Writings of those whose names they â—ear And by the constant Universal Tradition of the Church they are transmitted to us and we have no more reason to doubt of them than we do of Statutes and Laws made by Kings and Parliaments who lived long before we had a being Yea we may be much more confident as the Matter is of greater weight and consequence and these Writings have the signature and stamp of God's Spirit on them and have bin blessed by God to the converting and sanctifying of many Souls And have bin delivered down to us by a succession of Believers unto this very day And by them Christianity hath bin preserved in the World notwithstanding the wickedness of it and hath held up head against all the encounter of Time The persecutions of Adverse Powers have not suppressed it nor the disputes of Enemies silenced the profession of it but still from Age to Age God's Truth is received and transmitted to Posterity 2. Because the truth of Christianity depending upon Matter of Fact chiefly Christ's rising from the Dead it can only be proved by a Testimony which in so extraordinary a case must be made valuable and authorized to the World by the Miracles accompanying it Now the notice of these things is brought to us by Tradition which being unquestionable giveth us as good ground of Faith as it did to them that lived in the Apostles Time and heard their Doctrine and saw their Miracles God's wonderful Works were never intended for the benefit of that Age only in which they were done but for the benefit also of those that should hear of them by any credible means whatsoever Psal. 145.4 Ioel 1.3 Psal. 78.3 4 5 6 7. these things were told them that they might set their hope in God c. 3. Because there are some Doctrines drawn by just consequence from Scripture but are the more confirmed to us when they are backed with constant Church usage and practice as Baptism of Infants Lord's Day singing of Psalms in our Public Worship c. 4. Because there are certain words which are not found in Scripture indeed yet agreeable thereto and are very useful to discover the frauds of Heretics as Trinity Divine Providence consubstantial procession of the Holy Ghost Satisfaction c. 5. We reject not all Church-History or the Records of Ancient Writers concerning the Providences of God in their Days in owning the Gospel which make much for our instruction in Manners and help to incourage us to put our trust in God 6. There are certain Usages and innocent Customs or Circumstances common to Sacred and other Actions which we despise not but acknowledg and receive as far as their own variable Nature and Condition requireth not rejecting them because anciently practised nor regarding them when the general Law of Edification requireth the omission of them But that whâ—ch we detest is that the Traditions of Men should be made equal in dignity and authority with the express Revelation of God Yea that manifest Corruptions and Usurpations as making Rome the Mistress of other Churches and superinducing the Pope as the Head of the Universal Visible Church and the Vicar of Christ without his leave and appointment and such-like other Point should be obtruded upon the World as Apostolical Traditions and to be received with like religious reverence as we do Articles of Faith set down in Scripture This is that we cannot sufficiently abhor as apparently false and destructive to Christianity SERMON XIV 2 Thess. 2.16 17. Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God even our Father which hath loved us and given us everlasting Consolation and good hope through Grace comfort your Hearts and stablish you in every good Word and Work The Apostle 1. Giveth thanks for their Election and Vocation Ver. 13 14. 2. Exhorteth them to stick fast to the Truths delivered by Epistles or word of Mouth Ver. 15. 3. Prayeth for them in the words now read So that is the third means of confirming their Faith in the Truth of the Gospel Prayer to God for them Now in a Prayer all things are plain we must put off our Shoes when we draw nigh to God appear before the Lord with naked and bare Feet Therefore here nothing of difficulty will occur our Prayers the more simply and plainly they are exprest the more sincere they are In this Prayer observe I. The Persons to whom this Prayer is addressed Now our Lord Iesus Christ himself and God
Idolatry is often called Adultery or Fornication spiritual uncleanness disposeth to bodily and bodily to spiritual Usually a corrupt state of Religion and corrupt manners go together otherwise the dance and the fiddle would not suit The World cannot lie quiet in a course of sin if there be not some Libertine Atheâ—stical Doctrine and carnal worship to counâ—enance it Rev. 11.10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth 3. The man of sin is also the Son of Perdition 1. Actively False Religions strangely efferate the mind Jude 11. These go in the way of Cain and Hosea 5.2 Revolters are profound to make slaughters men think no cruelty nor dishonesty unlawful which serveth to promote the interests of their Sect and lose all Charity to those that are not of their way 2. Passively shall be destroyed Sometimes grievious Judgments come in this World for the corruptions of Religion but in the World to come dreadful is the end of Apostates 2 Pet. 2.20 21. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ they are again inâ—angled therein and overcome The latter end is worse with them than the beginning for it had better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after they had known it to turn from the Holy Commandement delivered unto them SERMON IV. 2 Thess. 2.4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped So that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God IN this matter of Antichrist we have made this progress First that he arose upon and by a falling away from the ancient pure state of Christianity Secondly That the Holy Ghost points him out by his names and Titles which are two the man of Sin wherein he is resembled to Antiochus and the Son of Perdition wherein he is resembled to Iudas As Antiochus he is one that by force and power should change the Laws and Ordinances and compel men to his abominations As Iudas he should betray Christ by a Kiss for Worldly gain and be one that is in pretence an Apostle but indeed a real Adversary to Christ. Now after the Apostle had pointed at him by his names and Titles he describeth him by his practices wherein his names and titles are verified for here he proveth that he should be as Antiochus by his exalting himself above all that is called God which is said of Antiochus Dan. 11.36 And the King shall do according to his will and he shall exalt and magnify himself above every God and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods And as Iudas one sitting in the Temple of God that is he sitteth there as exercising a publick Ecclesiastical Office yea challenging the highest Seat in it He sitteth there Potestate Regiminis by the power of his Government he doth Chathedratica potestatâ— praesidere Estius His sitting there as chief shews him as Iudas his sitting here as God and exalting himself above all that is called God sheweth him Antiochus But to handle the words more closely Antichrist is here set forth 1. As opposite to Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one set to the contrary that is in respect of Pride chiefly Christ was the pattern of humility Antichrist is the King of Pride Christ would not so much as assume to himself an Authority to divide the Inheritance between two Brethren Luke 12.14 Man who made me a Iudge or a Divider over you but Antichrist will depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms 2. The instances of his Pride 1. In exalting himself above all human power who exalteth himself above all that is called God or is worshipped 2. An usurpation of divine honour he as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing himself that he is God Let us open these things more particularly 1. He is represented in the term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as one diametrically opposite to Christ and contrary to him who is the true Head and Lord of the Church Acts 10.36 He is Lord over all but Antichrist opposeth himself that is sheweth himself in a quite contrary appearance That which is most remarkable in Christ and should be in all his followers is humility He expressed a wonderful contempt of the riches and greatness of the World and all the honour which is of man taking the form of a Servant and making himself of no reputation and living a mean inferiour life He came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many Matth. 20.28 He kept no state nor affected pomp of Attendants though he were Lord of all yet he became poor to make us rich 2 Cor. 8.9 But it may be this was proper to him doth he expect it from his Servants and Officers in the Church Yes this is the grace which he hath recommended to all his Followers Matth. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and lowly But especially to the Ministers of the Gospel our Lord foresaw what spirit would work in them and therefore he forewarned them of Pride and Lordliness Matth. 20.25 26. Ye know that the Princes of the earth do exercise dominion over them and they that are greaâ— exercise Authority upon them but it shall not be so among you but whosoever will be great among you let him be your Minister Among Christs Servants he that is chief must be chief in service even as a servant unto all Luke 22.26 He that is chiefâ— as he that doth serve Domination Greatness Principality and Power is allowed in the Civil State for there it is necessary yet it is excluded the Church This affecting preheminence and chiefness is the bane of the Church It is taxed as a great sin in Diotrephes 3 Ioh. 9. Be it either over their fellow Labourers or the people of the Lord. You see how tender the Apostles were in this point everâ— where they disclaim this affectation of Lordship 2 Cor. 1.24 Not that we are Lords of your Faith but helpers of youâ— joy And Peter recommendeth it to his Fellow Elders 1 Pet. 5.3 Neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage but being examples to the flock And if the Apostles would not assume Lordship who may It is true there is a Government in the Church and the people are to obey their Guides Heb. 13.17 And to have them highly in honour for their works sake 1 Thessa. 5.13 but yet the Pastors of the Church should govern by Light and Love not by pomp and force and not be known by such pomp and Authority as begets fear Well now let us see the opposite state If humility and meekness be in the very Essence of Christianity and woven throughout the whole frame of it then it is Antichristian to be Lordly and proud especially in
Reign so many years the Pope is said to sit so long It 's his Sedes his Cathedral or Seat And again here he is said to sit as God that is as God Incarnate for Christ is the true and proper Lord of the Church None should Reign there but he And the name of this Man of sin is not Antitheos but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not one that directly invadeth the properties of the supreme God but of God Incarnate or Christ as Mediatour he sitteth negatively not as a Minister but positively as supreme Lord upon Earth whom all must adore and worship and Kings and Princes kiss his feet In short he usurpeth the Authority due to Christ. Now I shall prove that by a double argument 1. By usurping the Titles due to Christ. For he that will make bold with names will make bold with things as to be Sponsus Ecclesiae the Husband of the Church As Innocent called the Church Sponsam suam his Spouse Caput Ecclesiae the head of the Church which is proper to the Saviour of the body Supreme visible and universal head which only Christ is who hath promised to be with her to the end of the World and will be visible to those who do at length approach his Court in Heaven where his Seat is To be chief Pastor Christs own Title And when the chief Shepherd shall appear 1 Pet. 4.5 To be Pontifex Maximus The greatest High Priest Whereas Christ alone is called the High priest of our profession Heb. 3.1 and the great High Priest over the House of God Heb. 4.14 So his Vicar General upon Earth whereas the ancient Church attributed this to the Holy Ghost calling it Vicariam vim spiritus sancti he supplies his room and absence Now Titles including Power certainly they are not to be usurped without Warrant Therefore to call the Pope the chief and only Shepherd and the like It is to usurp His Authority to whom these things originally belong Secondly He doth usurp the thing implyed by the Titles the Authority over the Church which is only due to God Incarnate Supreme Authority may be considered either as to the claim right property and preheminence which belong to it or to the exercise 1. The claim and right pretended He sitteth as God in the Temple of God that is by vertue of his office there claimeth the same power that Christ had which is fourfold 1. An unlimited power over all things both in Heaven and Earth This was given to Christ Matth. 28.18 and the Pope as his Vicar challengeth it But where is the Plea and ground of the claim For one to set up himself as a Vice-God without Warrant is Rebellion against Christ. To set himself in his Throne without his leave surely none is fit to have this Authority that hath not his power to back and to administer and govern all things for the Churches good which power God would trust in the hands of no Creature 2. An Universal Headship and Supremacy over all the Churches of Christ. Now this supreme power over all Christians is the right of God Incarnate and whosoever challengeth it sits as God in the Temple of God and it is very derogatory to the comfort of the faithful that they should in all things depend upon one man as their supreme Pastor or else be excluded from the hope of Salvation Certainly this power as to matter of fact is impossible to be managed by any man considering the vast extent of the World and the variety of Governments and different Interests under which the people of God find shelter and protection and the multitude and diversity of those things which are comprized in such a Government And as to matter of right it iâ—â—acrilegious For Christ never instituted aâ—â— such Universal Vicar and Bishop It is a dignity too high for any Creature none is fit to be Universal Head of the Church but one that is God as well as Man 3. Absolute Authority so as to be above controul When a mortal man should pretend to be so absolute as to give no account of his actions that it shall not be lawful to be said to him what dost thou and all his Decrees must be received without Examination or Complaint this is such a Soveraignty as belongs to none but God Job 9.12 Behold he taketh away who will hinder him who can say unto him what dost thou Now this is in their Canon law that the Pope is to be judged by no man that though he should lead Millions of Souls into Hell none can say Domine cur ita facis 4. Infallibility and freedom from errour which is the property of God he neither is deceived nor can deceived Let God be true and every man a Lyar. Now that corrupt and fallible man should arrogate this to himself such an unerring in judgment is to usurp divine honour in matter of right and in matter of fact For the Pope to arrogate this is as great a contradiction to all sense and reason as if a man sick of the Plague or any other mortal Disease should say that he was immortal and in that part wherein the Disease was seated 2. As to the exercise there are two acts of supreme Authority 1. Legislation 2. Judgment 1. Legislation It is the peculiar and incommunicable property of Christ to be Lord and Lawgiver to the Church Isa. 33.22 The Lord is our Iudge The Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King he will save us God alone hath such interest in his people as to prescribe supreme or universal Laws to them and we are his Subjects Jam. 4.12 There is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy Now whosoever will make Laws that shall immediately bind the Conscience they invade Christs Soveraignty This is spiritual Tyranny and the worst sort of Tyranny to arrogate a power over the subjects of Christ and their Consciences as Lord of their faith He that taketh upon him to rescind and make void his Institutions and Ordinances and set his own in their place and give that reverence and honour to them which only belongeth to the Ordinances of Christ He is Antichrist whatever he be 2. As to Judgment It is an exercising an Authority no less than Divine So to take upon him to absolve man from his duty to God or the penalty which sin hath made his due The one is done by Dispensations the other by Indulgences And therefore whoever by Dispensations antiquates and dispenses with the Laws of God himself is thus guilty As dispensing with marrying the Brothers Wife Nay one of the Popes dispensed with one that took his own Sister to Wife I do not alledge this so much for the particulaâ— facts but to shew the power which they challenged to be inherent in themselves Bellarmine saith Christ hath given Peter and his Successors a power faciendi peccatum non peccatum to make a sin to be no sin and again If the Pope should
beloved flee from Idolatry and v. 20. But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to Devils and not to God and I would not that ye should have fellowship with Devils and 2 Cor. 6.16 The worship of Angels Interdiction of certain meats then will-worship and shews of humility Col. 2.16 Let no man judge you in meat and drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath days and v. 18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of Angels intruding into those things which he hath not seen vainly puft up with his fleshly mind and v. 22 23. Why are ye subject to Ordinances after the Commandments and Doctrines of men which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility and neglecting of the body Contempt of Magistracy 2 Pet. 2.10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise Government presumptuous are they self-willed and are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities Thus you see how it began to work and that the Devil from the beginning had sown these tares But was it then in the Apostles time that the mystery of Iniquity did begin to work then 1. We see what need we have to withstand the beginnings and not give way to a further encroachment on the Church of God and 2. That the word of God should dwell richly in us for we have to deal with mystical Iniquity III. Proposition That when that impediment shall be removed then Antichrist shall be revealed only he that now letteth will let till he be taken out of the way where observe 1. It was before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which letteth now it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that letteth the Empire and the Emperour and mark a long succession of Empires is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 why not then a long succession of Popes the Man of Sin the Son of Perdition 2. He that now letteth will let Antichrist was but in fieri and that secretly and in a mystery there was desire of rule some superstitious and false Doctrines some mixture of humane inventions borrowed both from Jewish and Heathenish Rites mingled with the worship of God some secret rising of Antichristian Dominion some playing at lesser Game as Victor took upon him to excommunicate the Eastern Churches for the matter of Easter but before this obstacle was removed he could not fully appear and invade the Empire of God and Men till the Emperour was removed out of that City while the Heathen Emperours prevailed there was no place for Church-mens Ambition their times were times of Persecution and it is not Persecution but Peace and Plenty that breedeth corruption in the Churches 3. He that is the Emperour must be taken out of the way that is either by the removal of his Person and Throne from the City of Rome or till the Roman Empire be ruined as it was in the East by the Turk in the West by the Incursions of many barbarous Nations parting it into ten Kingdoms and then by the Translation of the Empire to Charles the Great Well then note three things for the time of Antichrist 1. Before the obstacle was removed he could not appear 2. When this obstacle was removed presently he appeared 3. The degrees of the falling of the one are the degrees of the exaltation and establishment of the other for Antichrist did grow up upon it But they say the Roman Empire is not quite fallen there being a Roman Emperour still But 1. The present Empire is but inane nomen or umbra Imperii a meer name or shadow of the Empire 2. He that then letted in S t Pauls time was the suâ—cession of the Roman Emperours but this is the German Empire now if the Roman Empire were the only impediment the Apostle useth tâ—e word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore as soon as that should be removed Antichrist would infallibly be revealed 3. Though this Empire be not abolished but removed out of Rome it is enough to make good Pauls Prophecy Dixit Apostolus Imperium esse de medio tollendum non prorsus delendum Whitaker Well then since the Seat is left void either the Prophecy is not accomplished at the time or else the Pope is Antichrist for the Nations are long since fallen away from the Roman Empire and the Emperour hath no power nor Authority at Rome Vse To give a new note to discover and desery the man of sin certainly Antichrist is already revealed and we may find him somewhere I prove it by two Argumentâ— 1. The mystery began to work in the Apostles dayes therefore surely it is compleated by this time and not reserved to a short space of time a little before Christs coming to Judgment 2. This spiritual usurped Power wâ—s to break forth upon the fall of the Empire accordingly so it did though it grew to its monstrous excess and height by degrees as to Ecclesiastical Dominion in Boniface the Third who obtaineth from Phocas the Title of Universal Bishop whereas Gregory the Great calleth Iohn of Constantinople the fore-runner of Anti-christ for arrogating the same title as to Kings and Princes SERMON VI. 2 Thess. 2.8 And then shall that wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming THese words contain both the rise and ruine of Antichrist his Revelation and Destruction 1. As to his Revelation there are two things 1. The Title given to Antichrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wicked 2. His appearing in the World upon the taking away the impediment shall be revealed 2. As to his ruine three things are observable 1. The progress of his destruction which is here considered as begun or as consummated 1. A diminishing of Antichristianism whom the Lord shall consume 2. The finishing thereof in the word destroy 2. The Author the Lord. 3. The means 1. Gods word called his breath or the spirit of his mouth 2. The brightness of his coming namely when he shall come to judge the World in the Glory of the Father First Of the rising of Antichrist and then shall that wicked be revealed 1. The Title given to Antichrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that lawless one or Son of Belial it is the property of Antichrist to boast himself to be above all laws and to be judged by no power upon earth for therein he resembleth Aâ—tiochus of whom it is said he shall do according to his own will Dan. 11.36 Now if this bâ— one of his Characters it will not be hard to find him out for who is that infallible Judge that taketh upon him to decide all Controversies and judgeth all things and is judged of no man and whosoever doth but mutter against his Dâ—crees and delusions if a private person he is to be destroyed with Fire and Sword if a Prince to be
scope not to spare â—he flesh but to save the Soul and to save the Soul with the loss of other things and that will make us true to Christ. But there are many foreign reasons for which men may sâ—ew some love to Religion As first Policy as Iehâ— took up Ionadab into the Chariot with him 2 Kings 10.15 there is his complement to him Ionadab was a good man and this honoured him before the people to see Iehu and Ionadab so well acquainted Sometimes respect to others upon whom we depeâ—d many seem to be good because they dare not displease others that have authority over them or an interest in them as Ioash was religious all the days of Iehoiada for he stood in awe of him 1 Chron. 24.2 Now such sorry Religion dependeth on foreign accidents The life of others or presence of others and therefore it cannot be durable whereas in presence or absence we should work out our Salvation with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 otherwise men only keep within compass for a while but they have the root of sin within them still Or it may be novelty as our Lord telleth the Jews Iohn was a burning and shining light and ye were willing to rejoice in his light for a season Iohn was an eminent man for pureness of Doctrine and vigour of Zeal and the more corrupt sort of Jews Pharisees as well as others admired him for a while but they soon grew weary of him it was a fit of zeal for the present Lastly This love may be to the excellency of gifts bestowed upon some Minister or Instrument whom God raiseth up or some countenance of great men given to their Ministry may stir up some love and attendance on their Ministry and some respect is given for their sakes when men have no sound grace in their hearts There is a receiving of the word as the word of man and a receiving of the word as the word of God as the Apostle intimateth 1 Thess. 2.13 The receiving of the word as the word of man so it worketh only an humane passion a delight in the gifts of the Ministry used Ezech. 33.32 Thou art to them as a lovely Song of one that hath a pleasant voice Then there is a receiving it as the word of God and then we receive it with much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost 1 Thess. 1.5 Our Gospel came to you not in word but in power â—nd much assurance and joy in the Holy Ghost Now if we do not receive the truth upon Gods recommendation and confirmation we do not love truth as truth our contest is not who hath most wit and parts but most grace 5. They do not receive the love of the truth when it doth not produce its solid effects which is a change of heart and life And they are not brought by the Gospel to a sincere repentance and conversion to God or receive the truth so as to live by it but whilst they have the names of Christians have the lives and hearts of Atheists and Infidels These were those that debauched Christianity and meritoriè and effectivè by their provocations and negligence brought this degeneracy into the Church and Judgment on the Christian World Certainly a man hateth that Religion which he doth profess when he will not live by it This perfidiousness and breach of Covenant was that which provoked God to permit these delusions in the Church The wordly sensual carnal Christians that hate that life which their Religion calleth for The Godly Christian and the Carnal Christian have the same Bible the same Creed the same Baptism yet they hate one another as if they were of different Religions and confound the distinction between the World and the Church because the World is in the Church And of sensual and godless men we must speak as Heathens as if they were without God they abhor that Religion which they do profess That is they abhor not the name but they abhor those that are faithful to it and serious in it who desire to know God in Christ and desire to love him and live to him It was that Christ taxed in the Pharisees they honoured the dead Saints and abhorred the living Matth. 23.29 30 31. Wo unto you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites because ye build the Tombs of the Prophets and garnish the Sepulchres of the righteous and say if we had been in the days of our Fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the Prophets Wherefore ye be witnesses unto your selves that ye are the Children of them which killed the Prophets Christ hath not worse Enemies in the World than those that usurp his name and pretend to be his Officers and yet eat and drink with the drunken and beat their fellow Servants Matth. 24.49 Christ will disown such at the day of Judgment Matth. 7.22 23. Many will say unto me in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out Devils and in thy name done many wonderful works and then will I profess unto them I never knew you Depart from me ye that work iniquity And such do most dishonour him in the World A righteous sober godly life is the best evidence of our love to the truth 2. How just this punishment is 1. Because God hath ever held this course on the Pagan World who kept not the natural knowledge of God he gave them up to vile affections Rom. 1.28 The Jews who rejected Christ Joh. 5.43 I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not another will come in his own name and him will ye receive When Christ cometh meerly for our benefit the unthankful World will not make him welcome but they will take worse in his room So towards Christians At first men would not receive the Gospel while it was pure and in its simplicity as taught by Christ and his Apostles and sealed by the blood of the Martyrs till it was backed by a Wordly Interest and coâ—rupted into a Wordly design and then they had it and all manner of superstitions together and with these strong delusions there came just damnation So still the pure Gospel is refused and God sendeth Popish Seducers as a just Judgment men only prize the light as it may serve their turn 2. The neglect and contempt of the truth is so hainous a sin that it deserveth the greatest punishment Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation now it is revenged by these errâ—rs as a just judgment on the perverseness and unthankfulness of the World The duties of the Gospel being so unquestionable shew their perverseness The priviledges of the Gospel being so excellent their unthankfulness is more intolerable 1. Vse is to shew us what cause we have to fear a return of Popery Alas where is this love of the truth 1. Some are Gospel-glutted loath Manna a full-fed people must expect a Famine Amos 8.2