For 1 What was the Church in the cradle and beginnings of it Was it not a true Church and yet had no Antiquity 2 Antiquity is either in time or in truth To plead antiquitie of time and lose antiquity of truth as they have done is but antiquity of error rejected by the Scriptures and Fathers And errour was borne into the world the same day with truth and is in time almost as ancient 3 If antiquitie in time must carry it then not Rome can be the true Church but Antioch where we are sure the Apostles taught and whence was the first name of Christians Nay Jerusalem must be the Mother-Church because from thence was the Gospell preached to all the Gentiles Acts 1. 8. 4 They challenge antiquitie as falsely as the former note for their whole doctrine departing from ours is a novelty never heard of in the Church for the space of sixe hundred yeares after Christ. Never was nor will be answered that famous challenge of the Iewell of Bishops who cals but for one testimony out of pure and unsuspected antiquity for the space of the first sixe hundred yeares after Christ for any one of the seaven and twenty points propounded and never any such was brought till this day Neither have they been at leasure now above twenty yeares to answer that famous probleme of that blesse Saint Mr. Perkins in which he avoucheth it impossible for any Papist in the world to prove out of the true writings of Fathers and Councells and out of the true sense of those writings that the now Romane faith wherein it differeth from the reformed Church is the Catholike faith and substantially cleareth it in sixty two points of difference between us What a number of points might I alledge wherein they are gone both from the Scriptures and their owne writers and as many for which they have no Scripture but the Churches authority Auricular confession the Canon Law saith it is by a tradition of the Church and by no authority of old or new Testament For the not marriage of Ministers Bellarmine and Cassander confesse it to be an humane institution Cassander and the Councel of Trent call it onely an Ecclesiasticall decree For the Communion in one kind their owne Cajetane confesseth that the contrary custome endured long in the Church and they had cuppes for the nonce to serve the people with wine For their Transubstantiation Tonstall saith No man was bound to beleeve it till the Lateran Councell which is not much above foure hundred yeares agoe And Bellarmine himselfe saith there is no Scripture to enforce it but the Churches determination Why do they brag of antiquity and confesse so many novelties His third note is perpetuitie and duration Indeed the same note with the former increasing the number numbering not the number numbered For 1 Tares must continue with the wheat till harvest must they therefore be wheat for their perpetuity And Antichrist hath continued a long time since the Apostles dayes and shall till Christ at his appearing abolish him doth this make his Synagogue a true Church 2 Time was when there was a true Church and yet this could be no note of it and time shal be when by their confession their Church shall faile and not endure to the end Ribera on Rev. 14. Rome is called Babilon because at the end of the world she shal be the shambles of all Idolatry and the kennell of Antichrist So as this by their doctrine is no proper but a separable note from the Church 3 The true Church and Mother Church hath and ever shall continue in the world though not in outward pomp and glory yet in that inward and spirituall beauty and glory which she shall not lose though she be in the wildernesse and sit sometimes defolate as a widow When this true Church loseth her visibility she loseth not her being no more then the Sunne ceaseth to be risen when it is hid under a cloud The fourth note to know this woman saith Bellarmine is multitude and amplitude As deceitfull as any of the former besides that it is the same with his first For what difference betweene Catholike and universall For 1 That was a true Church of two in Paradise When also it was in one family before the flood In the flood consisted but of eight persons In the Old Testament in one little kingdome In the New was but a little flock Luk. 12. 32. August saith The Church was in one Abel in one Henoch The Papists themselves say that in the time of Christs passion the true Church and faith was preserved onely in the Virgin Mary which is false but yet a strong argument against them that hold multitude a sure signe of a true Church 2 Multitude is a streame that the Church must row hard against unlesse we be sure it be the truely beleeving multitude Sathans number infinitely exceeds Christs must it therefore be the true Church That one sect of Mahomet is farre more numerous then all the Romane religion by their note that must be the true Church and not they Time was when the whole world was made an Arrian and scare five Orthodoxe Bishops to resist it and they also persecuted shall the generall spreading and infection of it prove it no poyson Antichrist at his comming drawes multitudes after him by strength of delusion 2 Thes. 2. 9. And this is their Romane Antichristian religion drawing multitudes because it is a naturall religion but turnes them not from darknesse to light not from sinne to God We conclude or rather exclude this note with Athanasius against those Arrians They have the multitude we the faith Let their multitudes goe in the broad way we must walke in a narrow way which a few onely finde His fift note is succession of Bishops A false and deceitfull note For. 1 A false Church may have succession of person onely as Caiphas succeeded Aaron and yet abandoning truth and rejecting the head must needs be a false Church 2 The first Evangelicall Churches were true Churches but wanted their succession unlesse they will say that Christ and his Apostles succeeded the Scribes and Pharisees If a Church may be a true Church without and before succession how can succession be a note of a true Church 3 Right succession is twofold First externall secondly internall or personall or doctrinall Where both succession of Chayre and doctrine concurre there is a true succession But in the Church of Rome is neither I Not of doctrine because they hold not Apostolike doctrine The doctrine of the now Church of Româ— being cleane contrary to that it was when Paul wrote to the Romans as might appeare in a number fundamentall points II Not of Seate First because they never proved nor can prove that they have the seat of Peter or that ever Peter
the first love procureth the Candlesticke to bee removed Alas how is it that our love to the Word is so abated anciently in the beginning of the Gospell they would measure many miles to a Sermon wee will scarce step out of doores nay we put away the word of subjection and drive it away from us as the Jewes did Acts 13. 26. How lamentably are wee falne from the honour and high respect of the word bringers the feet of faithfull Messengers were wont to be beautifull now entertained with scorne and reproach and the more faithfull the more vile and disgraced such as the world is unworthy of are thought unworthy to live in it In good Ieremies case since I cryed out of oppression and wrong I am a derision daily every one mockes me and the word of God is made a reproach unto me Ier. â—0 7. And will the Lord continue his best mercies which are generally thrust away with hatred and scorne How are wee generally fallen off from the obedience of the Word how few can abide the sincere obedience of it in themselves or others how many esteeme the most conscionable obedience of it the most odious thing that may be terming it by disgracefull names that nothing is growne more reproachfull in most places than holy obedience Now is it possible that the Lord should suffer his priviledges to abide with them who abide not in obedience nay of all things cannot abide it Besides what a generall inclination is in our people to looke backe and runne backe to Popery to goe a whoring after their abominable Idols 2. Nationall sinne hastning the Church into the wildernesse is resistance and opposition of the power of godlinesse and religion when men generally content themselves with a forme of godlinesse but resist the power and proclame a defiance against Christ plainly in their course saying Wee will not have this man rule over us would God this sinne were not so plainly the sinne of the age as that hee that runneth might not rea d it for 1. How few can abide the power of grace in others and then is it first expulsed in themselves how few can brooke that man that frequenteth the hearing of Gods Word useth duties of piety at home that will not sweare drinke riot nor be filthy and loose in speech 2. How is the practice of Christianity growing more reproachfull than to live in any sinne and in many places is more safe to be extreamly flagitious and a noted vicious person than a godly liver and would be daily seene were not wicked men restrained by good lawes 3. How is the glorious name of a Christian become a scorne and reproach amongst the basest of men and the most abject as dogs dare barke and doe most against them who most faithfully labour to expresse the power of the Gospell 4. How doe the most like better of prophane men than of the most religious accounting of such as honest men fitter companions than such as unfainedly feare the Lord 5. How doe men generally disswade their friends from their strict courses as from that which they esteem most prejudiciall to their welfare how doe they pursue and chase godly men as their enemies as if one world were not made or fit for them both and yet what is the expectation but of wrath when they are gone and hunted away would not this drive our Church into the wildernesse if it should not be prevented thankes bee unto God for the meanes of prevention Quest. What are the signs of a Church hastning into the wildernesse Ans. The withdrawing or abating the signes of Gods presence as 1. When the sincere preaching of the word is removed Gods gracious presence is not more visible in any thing than in a faithfull Ministery nor a Christian state is more happy and conspicuous in any thing than in sound and lively doctrine in which God hath promised his presence to his Church to the end of the world Now when God removeth this the Church is going into an afflicted estate a signe that Saul is cut off when God will speake no more to him Every man in the removall of a sound Ministry may discerne the Lord removing himself 2. When the outward ordinance remaineth but without fruit and power a dead and sleepy Ministery under which men remaine blinde and unconverted God is going apace from such a people for as the inward power of the word is an infallible signe of Gods presence who by his spirit warmeth some hearts enlightneth some pierceth some converted some so hath the Lord apparently withdrawne himselfe when his word is without power that men grow not better but worse by it and if this bee generall it is a fore-runner of the Churches flight into the wildernesse How few hearing judgements denounced feare with melting hearts but rather as the Smiths Anvil the more strokes the harder How doe most fashion themselves to the licentiousnesse of the times and not to the fashion of the Word how are many more blinde more deafe more hardened apparently more prophane in life more corrupt in judgement more resolute in Popery than before In a word so small is the power of the Gospel that wee may feare lest it be taking her farewell where it may expect to prevaile more unlesse wee doe prevent it by our speedy amendment 3. As all Politicians hold that a signe of a commonwealth falling and neare the period isto restore favour and increase the number of mutinous and once rebellious Citizens so of the ruine of the Church when the number of ancient enemies are suffered daily to encrease as the heresie of Arius increased the orthodox Pastors and Professors decreased till the whole world marveiled that it became an Arrian and as the Antichristian heresie increased so dyed the visibility of the Church being forced to flie into the wildernesse If Papists and Antichristian Babylonians increase upon us in numbers power in boldnesse who are inraged with fury against us they wil easily grow too strong for us if we throw them down and make them hide their heads whom God honoureth most as in whom his image most shineth how can the Church but goe into the wildernesse where did these Wolves and Lyons ever rest but they devoured the flocke of Christ witnes the forraigne parts at this day Lenity to Vipers destroyeth common-wealths and Churches 4. Peace prosperity and wealth generally abused this was a fore-runner of the Churches flight into the wildernesse in this Text. The Historian telleth us that Foelix noÌ„ est diuturnus but is either punished of God for the abuse or by men for envy sometimes for feare of their greatnesse so it is with the Church ease slayeth her hurtfull riches wound her security feedeth upon her If we see our peace generally abused to pride and wantonnesse to boldnesse in sinning and going on in impenitency to neglect and contemne the meanes of grace and hardening our hearts saying to Prophets prophesie not in that
most gracious pardon So for people and Kingdomes What may wee gather from the great and open prevayling of Antichrist in any Kingdome which will be apparant in the infinite increase and boldnesse of Papists and Recusants in such places in the swarmes and numbers of the people after a strange boldnesse running and resorting to their Masses in the open increase of multitudes of locusts and frogs Jesuites and Priests croaking in corners and streets challenging seducing and deceiving and as diligent as the dragon himselfe whose tayle they are to wrap men not loving the truth in this fearefull wrath and deepe perdition What may bee hence gathered but the provocations of such a kingdome kindling so great a wrath of God against them Did Antichrist ever come into a kingdome and the sins of that kingdome not let him in Were men not fierce against the Lord in contemning and despising his truth in open â—rophanation of his Sabbaths in desperate scoffing at religion in bringing in their sinnes to their height Had they not lost their first love their zeale their taste of Manna were not they unthankfull to the Lord for setting them out of this Aegypt and were they not looking and running back to the Onions and flesh-pots which made the Lord shake the fiercest Arrow of his Quiver against them Could any thing but hellish prophanenesse and contempt of so shining grace have entred such a wrath amongst them as heaven nor hell in this life cannot inflict a greater for Turkish tyranny is light in comparison of Antichristian Oh that our Apostasie to a very formall and powerlesse godlinesse were laid to heart as the hatcher and breeder of such wrath which will not bee so easily removed as let in Did wee still march couragiously as wee began in the beginning the reformation wee should not then need to feare our former oppression and tyranny Let us bee wise by the rod shaken over us lest the stroke and smart fall also on us and shew us our folly 5. Labour to preserve one another from this damnable way To which wee have these and sundry motives First wee pull one another out of fire and water and should much more out of the fire and water of Gods wrath yea out of hell and damnation Secondly all our Saviours course was to winne soules to seeke and save what was lost Thirdly God hath made every man his brothers keeper who hath commanded to pull our neighbours yea enemies Oxe or Asse out of a ditch And therefore every man must bee servant to every man as Paul to winne some and not bee carelesse whether hee stand or fall sinke or swimme live or die And wee must by all good meanes preserve and strengthen our brethren Ministers by discrying the danger this is our chiefe intent not wrath and anger to our people Private men by exhortation brotherly conference wise reproofs of the obstinate c. All by godly life and holy innocency which is a meanes both to stop the mouthes of malicious Papists and winne such as are tractable Knowing that he hath but a short time In these words is the reason of the dragons wrathfull disposition where consider three things 1. How Satans time is said to bee short 2. How hee knoweth it is so 3. What use he makes of this knowledge For the first Quest. How can that be said a short time which hath continued now since the writing of this Prophesie sixteene hundreth yeares or not much lesse Ans. A time long in it selfe must bee said to bee short respectively So this 1. In respect of God to whom a thousand yeares which is a long time in it selfe and to us is but as one day and so even thus long since our Lord said Rev. 21. 6. Behold I come shortly 2. In comparison of former times so this continuance of Antichrist which is simply in it selfe a long time is comparatively said to be short in respect of the time and ages going before it And so the whole time of the New Testament which is in it selfe a very long time is called the ends of the world 1 Cor. 10. 11. the last houre 1 Ioh. 2. 18. for so the manner of Scripture is which distributeth the world into three ages the first from Adam to Moses the second from Moses to Christ the third from Christ his first comming to his second This last period was called the last houre not because presently upon Christs Incarnation or Ascension the world was to end for how then could the Church have beene gathered through the Christian world but because 1. This was the last and full time in which all was consummated and ended which was fore-prophesied in former ages touching mans redemption even the full and last revelation which is to bee in earth and no other change of worship and Ministery is to bee expected as in the former till the great and last day in which the great Judge shall put an end to dayes and time which shall bee no more and to the warfare of the whole Church 2. It shall bee a farre shorter time than that which went before yea in likelyhood shorter than either of the former periods or ages for seeing it shall bee bitter and sharpe by the tyranny of Antichrist for the Elects sake Christ saith these dayes shall be shortened Mat. 24. For the second Quest. How doth Satan know his time to bee short Ans. 1. Because hee knowes his time is determined for the wicked spirits know perfectly by the accusation of their conscience and partly by the sentence already passed upon them that a day of further torment awaites them whence they say Mat. 8. 29. Art thou come to torment us before the time 2. Hee knowes this time is hastening upon him sundry wayes 1. By prediction and observation of Scriptures He observed the Apostles saying that on us the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10. 11. joyning himselfe with those Christians that then lived and all the rest that were to live till the end of the world being all comprehended in one body and all subjected to the same last dispensation of grace which was not to bee ended or changed but by the returne of Christ to judgement 2. By daily experience hee seeth the decrepit age of the world as in the severall parts so in the whole If old buildings cracke it threatneth ruine 3. Hee knowes and observeth most of the signes of Christs second comming to be past as 1. That many false Prophets inspired by himselfe are risen up and have deceived many as was foretold Matth. 24. 24. This is an argument of the last houre 1 Iohn 2. 18. we know it is the last houre for many Antichrists are come that is petty-Antichrists the prodromi and forerunners of that great one 2. That the Gospell hath beene preached through the world predicted Mat. 24. 14. and accomplished Rom. 10 18. Their sound is gone through all the world and their words unto the end of
the earth For First this was Christs commandement Goe teach all nations Mat. 28. Secondly the Apostles obeyed this commandement and fulfilled it Col. 1. 6 13. The Gospell is come unto you as it is unto all the world Thirdly the incredible swiftnesse and power of the Gospell shewes the divinity of it in that before the destruction of Jerusalem or within thirty yeares it was spred into all the inhabited world as many Fathers hold And therefore if any barbarous nation or new-found land bewray utter ignorance of Christ either they were not inhabited or they have had some sound of the Gospell but have suffered it quite to die and bee lost 3. The detection of Antichrist is so plaine and manifest in this fifteenth age past as children can point at him 2 Thess. 2. 3. 4. Horrible persecutions wasting the Church not onely by heathen Emperours but ever since by fiercenesse of Antichrist the Apollyon of Rome foretold in Mat. 24. 6. 5. Generall defection from the faith foretold in 2 Thess. 2. 3. through the spreading of the leaven of Popery which drove the woman into the wildernesse 6. Universall corruption of manners and obstinacy against the truth see Luke 17. 26. and 2 Tim. 3. 1. By all which signes Satan knowes that the last day which is the time of his torment is not farre off For the third Quest. What use makes Satan of this knowledge Answ. Knowing that hee shall shortly bee cast and confined into hell hee recompenseth the shortnesse of his time with cruelty of wrath This knowledge of his damnation doth but whet up his malice against mankinde and seeing that the sentence passed against him hasteneth upon him hee is so much the more busie to pull as many as possibly he can into his owne ruine and damnation a manifest signe of furious and desperate wickednesse Certaine things are hence to bee collected and observed I. There is a determinate time of Satans rage and of the Churches conflict against him The warre lasts not alwayes And why 1. There is an houre for the power of darknesle and but an houre that is a certaine and determinate time in which by Gods permission he may put forth his malice in the world but beyond it hee cannot passe Luke 22 53. 2. As it was with the Head so also with the members There was a time when Christ was assaulted and tempted in the wildernesse and a time when the Devill left him not willingly but because hee could stay no longer the date of his Commission being expired So there is a time when his members and disciples in the ship of the Church shall be tossed and almost covered with waves and a time when there shall bee a great calme Mat. 8. 26. 3. The wickeds rod must not alwayes lie in the lot of the righteous Psal. 125 3. Our mercifull God seeth our weaknesse and need of breathings and refreshings and so mingleth his cup according to our health and strength and as wee are able to beare Whereas were Satan and his Impes left to themselves they would never cease smiting and afflicting 4. Our experience sealeth the truth of the promises who after a storme meet with a calme after a weary hill a sweet dale and after darknesse see light And it assureth of the maine promise of all that after a good fight fought there is a crowne of righteousnesse to bee given by the righteous Judge Which incourageth us with constancy and patience to stand out a little while in this fight Re. 3. 10. there is but an houre of temptation and cannot wee watch one houre are wee sure of victory if wee stand to it but one houre more and shall wee faint Heb. 10. 37. Yet a very little while and hee that will come shall come therefore cast not away your confidence but care a while and be ever safe Behold the field is even almost wonne the battell even at an end and wee are in the last houre of conflict a few stragling enemies are to be rooted out and therefore let us renew our courage and strength as those that are not at leasure either to feare or feele the blowes seeing victory is in our hands already Also it may comfort us in all the assaults and troubles of this life in ward and out ward seeing God hath determined them all and hee that hath appointed the beginning hath appointed the end also The try all is but a storme or cloud and it will vanish And if Satans rage bee limited to a time to a short time so is the wickednesse of his instruments and this time they shall not passe And if now bee the season in which the Lord useth them justly as rods to afflict his children yet ere long these rods must be cast into the fire 2. Note here that the sharper the aslault of the dragon is so much the shorter it is the fiercer the wrath the lesse time it lasteth For why 1. The harder a man worketh the sooner will his worke be done the more busie and violent Satan is the sooner will his measure be full the sooner shall the Elect bee tryed and purged and chased to heaven and the sooner will hee bring destruction on the wicked whom he gallops to hel and hastens to swift damnation 2. Violent things cannot bee lasting or perpetuall and extremes are nearean end It is true that wicked spirits and men are in their affection endlesse and perpetuall in their violence against God and all good things and persons and therefore according to this affection their plagues are endlesse but actually violent they cannot alwayes be First because themselves cannot long subsist but must give place to death and hell Secondly if themselves would never end yet would God put an end to their violences as Matth. 24. unlesse God had put an end and measure to those miserable dayes of Jerusalems destruction no Jew had beene left but for a few Elect God shortened them Which greatly comforteth Gods people in the midst of the great confusions and tumults now stirring in the world 1. Doe wee see iniquity abound and sinne more shamelesse than in former times Is the Sunne in the heavens a witnesse against the earth of such contempt of the Gospell and despight of the grace of GOD the bringers and messengers of it and professors of the grace of God as former times of the Gospell cannot parallel Doe wee see envy cove tousnesse idlenesse and scorne of godlinesse in Ministers see we the raigne of drunkennesse adultery pride blasphemy obstinacy and desperate impenitency in people such as is wonder the earth openeth not her mouth as hell to swallow up her inhabitants so highly sinning against such a light Now hence wee must conclude that the devill is come downe in this age with more than ordinary wrath and in more tyrannous manner than in former dayes And in this outrage of sinne see the outrage of Satans wrath and
opposing Christ when by the clouding vailing of the truth of the Gospel she saw her selfe spoyled of the shining clothing of the Sun when shee saw the Moone that was under her feet set above her head when now her Pastors and Bishops whom persecution could not conquer were addicted to pompe wealth contention primacy and greatnesse when now she saw her selfe robbed of her crowne of twelve starres that was upon her head and those starres were fallen from their Orbe and Firmament when her Pastors forsaking Apostolike doctrine and striving for superstitions and to stuffe the Church with humane devises and traditions in stead of Christs most sacred institutioÌ„s when she saw that not now the bodies of men were slain and wounded as in former persecutions but their soules and consciences were everlastingly wounded with heresies errours and Apostasie for the truth now shee flies into the wildernes now she dares not shew her face in those particular coÌ„gregations in which formerly her beauty glory was conspicuous her case now is as of a chaste spouse who seeing a painted harlot and a bewitching whore taken into her place and those offices of love and duties of marriage bestowed on her which is the wives right shee is willing to give place and take her selfe to a solitary and sorrowfull life to be so unkindly cast off so doth the true Church and Spouse of Christ hide her selfe from those adulterate doctrines superstitions and Idolatries which thrust out Christs owne pure Ordinances Here are two things 1. What is this flight 2. What are the meanes For the flight 1. This flight of the Church is not a ceasing to bee but to be seene for Christ will have alwayes a true part of his Catholike Church upon earth that shall hold and professe constantly the true faith without change So as the Church ceaseth not to bee when shee ceaseth to bee seene but hath a true being when she is least visible 2. This ceasing to bee seene is not in respect of particular Christians but of particular Congregations the which although they may cease because by persecution or heresie the externall government may faile for a time the Pastors may be interrupted the sheepe may bee scattered the discipline hindered and the externall exercise of religion suspended and sincerity of religion exceedingly corrupted yet there shall not cease to bee many godly members dispersed here and there who shall hold the truth for substance and so now though there were no or few assemblies in which God was purely worshipped while superstition tyranny and Idolatry usurped all places yet many beleeving Christians were reserved to Christ in secret although either not knowne or of no reckoning in the world but contemned and oppressed 3. This ceasing to be seen in particular Christians is not inrespect of their persons as men which are as visible as ever but in respect of the visible exercise of Gods Ordinances of the Word Sacraments Prayer and outward forme and government which persecution had now restrained 4. This invisibility in respect of visible exercises is not in regard of the Christians themselves but of the blinde world for the persecuted Christians may have a secret knowledge among themselves and a secret profession and exercise of religion and yet the blinde world take no notice of theÌ„ yet the Church not destroyed nor ceaseth to bee no more than the Sunne ceaseth to shine though a blinde man cannot see it in the day nor a seeing man in the night and no more than a man ceaseth to bee a man because he is hid Now from the cause of this invisibility and flight learne that errour and heresie is more hatefull to the Church than persecution and tyranny Corruption of doctrine and changing the truth into a lie more straightneth and scattereth the Church than sword and torments of tyrants that drives the the Church to her winges not this that manifests the true Church and members but this hideth and obscureth her Let the example of the Church make us wise 1. To feare the dragon more when hee fawneth than when he rageth more in his Foxes skinne than in his Lyons skinne He is more dangerous when he would teach Christians to deny the truth than when he would force them His wiles are more mischievous than his violence his Doctors more dangerous than his Captaines 2. More to feare losse of truth than losse of wealth losse of the Gospell than losse of goods or life This is true godlinesse which teacheth Mary to fasten upon the good part whatsoever become of the worse 3. Hold him that would spoyle us of the truth a greater robber than him that would steale our goods an heretike worse than a tyrant 4. Be more carefull to hold the truth and keepe our part in the Gospell than our portion of goods and wealth The Church to hold the truth chuseth a poore desolate solitary and sorrowfull estate and a wise Merchant will sell all to buy the pearle But where is this care or where bee the Children of this mother who for the truth sake would follow her into the wildernesse who either care for the presence of truth or feare the losse and removall of it Where be the buyers of the truth in this age when so many value it not worth a shoo-string How few feare the prevailing of Popery for the truth sake though perhaps for their peace sake or wealth sake they had rather have things stand at a stay Now in the meanes of the womans deliverance are five things in this verse 1. The meanes themselves two great wings of an Eagle 2. Whence shee did flie with them from the face of the serpent 3. Whither into the wildernesse called her place 4. To what end to bee noâ—rished and preserved there 5. How long for a time times and halfe a time In the first are 1. What these wings are 2. The number 3. Whence she had them they were given her 4. The similitude wings of a great Eagle By Wings are meant the speciall meanes of the Churches escape from danger so called because they resemble the wings of the birds in a twofold use First as a bird by his wings flyeth swiftly from the danger and so saveth his life even so the Lord by these meanes foreseene and appointed by himselfe worketh a swift escape and speedy safety in the present perils of his Church Secondly as the bird hideth her young under her wing Mat. 23. 37. so by and under these meanes the Lord hideth his Church as under the wings of his Providence where she lyeth most safe and secure till the danger be over Psalme 91. 8. Hee shall cover thee under his wings For the number they are two enough to fly withall no bird hath or needeth more for her flight The Church is supplyed with as many meanes of her good as the Lords wisdome seeth her need to require at all times This number of two hath
will use the wings of faith and confidence of prayer and patience the wings of piety and holinesse and these weake wings of mine shall leane upon the strong wing of God til his appointed time and deliverance come 5 Learne when it is lawfull to fly in persecution namely when God hath given wings to fly withall but the woman must not fly before she have wings When thou hast wings thou mayest use them Quest. How shall wee get wings to fly from danger Answ. 1. Become Eagles and you shall have Eagles wings so Christ calleth the godly Luk. 17. 37 Eagles First To fly aloft and lift up our neasts even in the rocke converse and dwell in heaven and there hide our selves Secondly To be of sharpe and strong sight to see our meat a farre off to fetch the promises from farre and feed on them as present to behold Gods face in Christ cleared as the sunne in his strength by the Eagle-eye of our Faith Thirdly Not to be wearie of flying or faint in wayting but renew our strength as the Eagle Psal. 103. and goe and grow from strength to strength Fourthly Where the body is thither to resort Luk. 17. 37. follow after Christ and frequent the places and meanes where he is preached fly after him by holy thoughts and desires ascending to heaven where he is 2 To get wings to fly danger be sure of a commandement and warrant as Ioseph for the safety of Christ his wife and himselfe Mat. 2. and as Elias fly for thy life into the wildernesse when thou art sent First heare that voice Get out of her my people and that Esa. 26. 20. Get thee into the chamber my people till the storme be over 3 Fly to God by earnest prayer He that wanteth wings to fly to God wanteth wings to fly danger First get the wings of a Dove to fly to GOD and then shalt thou get the wings of an Eagle Psal. 55. 6. 4 Fly from sin by the wings of repentance and godly sorrow Thus Iohn Baptist commanded the Jewes to fly from judgment to come Mat. 3. 7 8. This is the way to fly present wrath else thy flight will be to little purpose flying froÌ„ a Lyon thou meetest with a Beare and it is like the flight of Amaziah 2 King 14 19. who fled but death met him in his flight From the presence of the dragon This is the second generall in the verse Quest. How can the woman fly from him whose throne is in al places being the god of the world and himselfe every where compassing the whole earth And if she fly any where among wicked men it is but to fly from the divel to the devill her state is not bettered Besides is she so swift to fly that the divell cannot overtake her Answ. This flight from the dragon is not in respect of place and bodily motion but in respect of state and condition so as here wee must not understand a change of place but a change of condition and ornaments 2 It is not an absolute avoyding of the dragons presence for both he and his army ever compasse the Saints but it is respective namely from his deadly power in persecuting as when the power of tyrants is so restained that they cannot reach and overtake the Saints to murther and destroy them as formerly in the dayes of heathen Emperors 3 The woman could never fly from Satans temptation or molestation but by this flight might did avoyd the serpents face that is open persecution and tyranny as Paul was saved from the mouth of the Lion Nero. 2 Tim. 4. 17. The sense then is that the Church was now more safe from open persecution and oppression than before called here the face of the dragon as they that fled out of Jerusalem Act. 8. 1. fled not from the temptation of the devill but from the reach of the high Priests Object But you say that the Text and this flight is to bee understood of the times of Antichrist and was there ever more horrible spoyle and tyrannie against the Saints and faithfull Christians than all that time was ever the dragons face more furious than in Antichristian religion which never met with any godly man of any degree whom they spared Answ. Antichristianisme being contrary to Christianity must bee most cruell and fierce as that is most meeke and peaceable so was it ever an Apollyon and destroyer of Gods Saints but First not in open profession of hostility against Christ as the Imperiall dragons the Antichristian dragon is as fierce but he hides his face and under a colourable pretext and profession of Christ destroies Christ and Christian profession Antichrist comes not like a Turk with a flag of defiance against Christ but like an Herodian pretending his worship intendeth his murther Secondly for the time of the blacknesse of Popery though they persecuted to death all the Professors of the true religion whom God had set out in the severall ages to witnesse his truth and to confirme the rest of the Saints yet the Lord hid most of the Saints from their rage and fury the intentions of Antichristian enemies were bloody and tyrannous but the Lord by preserving his Church caused them to faile in execution because hee kept them from the face and knowledge of the dragon and saved them from the mouth of the Lyon experience hereof was manifest in Queene Maries dayes in the Massacre of 1572 and Gunpowder treason Into the wildernesse Hither doth the woman flie and it is called her place appointed her by God for her safety Of this wildernesse wee have spoken at large Verse 6. and will now onely note this lesson that the woman The true Church is not alwayes glorious but alwayes safe She is not alwayes glorious and externally conspicuous to the world For sometime she is hid in the wildernesse in an afflicted and sorrowfull condition Was not the Church hid and obscure when as cleare an eye as Elias could not see it yet were 7000. reserved was shee not hid and inglorious in Christs time in a few obscure persons Ioseph Mary Simeon a few shepheards fishers women Publicanes and other meane despised persons persecuted excoÌ„municated by the Priests Scribes Pharises and Elders of the people Was not the Church obscure under the heathen Emperours when the Pastors were slaine the Churches spoiled the Scriptures of God burned no Christian suffered to live no sooner was any knowne but accused no sooner accused but condemned and executed In the ages next to them the whole world wondred to see it selfe so suddenly become an Arrian aâ—d that there were in the world scarce five Catholike Bishops who durst shew themselves in that age Where was now the glory of the Church Hilary a Bishop in France living in those times about the yeare 370 tels us where then we might finde the Church If any would finde the Church saith hee it must
and his Apostles as by the Scripture wee are ready to cleare in all points and therefore wee have true succession of persons whether wee can name them or not By which reason wee bring them backe to the matter and cause whence they are willing to slide by bringing us unto persons 2. I answer If wee were not so able as by Gods grace we are to answer them calling for names this were not to bee laid to the charge of our religion but of theirs seeing the craft and tyrannie of their Antichristian Synagogue hath made our search more laborious For they have chased the Church into the wildernesse and forced her to hide her selfe out of sight and then aske us for all those names that fled into the wildernesse and lived and dyed there many hundred yeares since They burne the persons and records and then call us to account to shew them their murders They oppressed their persons as heretikes and suppressed their workes as hereticall and used all cruelty and craft to extinguish their names and memories for ever and now shamelesly they call upon us to put life into all those asnes whose blood their cruell hands have spilt upon the face of the whole earth And whereas the names which they call for are to bee had out of history themselves by falsification of all Antiquity and story and by shamelesse purging of all bookes from all truth which might make against them have made this taske more difficult and themselves not more insolent than fraudulent 3. I answer that there was never any age since Christ wherein our religion in what it is substantially contrary to Popery was not taught and professed must needs bee more ancient than the now Roman faith yea the only true Catholike faith from which theirs is a Catholike Apostasie This assertion they have proved abundantly 1. By Doctor White in his Way to the Church Digress 52. where hee hath cleared that from the yeare 600. before which there was no substantiall or fundamentall innovation received into the Church though some corruptions were creeping in before till the present age there was no halfe age wherein hee nameth not sundry the Teachers and Professors of our religion and resisters of the Papacie while it was in the shell Mee thinkes the Jesuites should answer something to those names before they call for more 2. The same is further cleared by one of themselves whose witnesse is the stronger because it was the testimony of an enemy and Inquisitor as is judiciously noted by that learned and worthy Bishop Doctor Vsher in his booke de statu Ecclesiae cap. 6. pag. 151. There were saith Reinerius the Inquisitor many sects of heretikes in times past but none ever were more pernicious to the Church of God than that of the Waldenses or pooremen of Lions for three causes 1. Because of the continuance of it sor some say it was from Sylvesters time and some say it was from the Apostles themselves 2. Because it was more generall for there is almost no land wherein it doth not spread and creepe 3. Because all other by some foule blasphemy against God make men abhorre them but this hath a great shew of piety for they live justly before men and beleeve all well concerning God and all the Articles which are contained in the Creed onely they blaspheme and hate the Roman Church and the multitude is easily drawne to beleeve them This is the testimony of a Popish Inquisitor Whence I inferre thus If these men held the whole body of religion now maintained in the Reformed Churches and the same positions against the Roman religion which wee doe as is undeniable by their Confessions Catechismes and Commentaries upon the grounds of religion manifest as else where so especially in that late and worthy booke intituled Luthers fore-runners or The history of Waldenses strangely reserved by God for these times the same also is apparent in the Articles objected against them by the Inquisitors set downe by Papists themselves and for which these godly Martyrs lost their lives by hundreds and thousands If they were so ancient as from the Apostles or Sylvester a circumstance not to bee contemned If they were of such just life and sound beliefe as the enemy reports them to bee If they were so many in number and so dispersed into all Countries and so assisted as none durst stop them for the multitude of their favorites If Reinerius himselfe say true that himselfe being often in the Inquisition and present at their examination found forty Churches in his walke infected with that sect and in one Parish of Cammach were ten open schooles of them If at one time were observed eight hundred thousand persons that made profession of the faith of the Waldenses I would now aske a Jesuite whether his fellow hath not named him persons enough in all ages of such as ever since Christ held and maintained and sealed with their blood our faith and religion And whether any credit is henceforth to bee given to his fellowes who say that our religion was never heard of in the world till Luther and was but sixe yeares old when King Edward the sixt dyed but every thing is nourished by that whereof it is bred and their religion being a compact of lies must bee upheld by lying whereof it is framed 4. I answer There was never any age since Christ in which the Popes Headship the maine pillar of Popery hath not beene resisted as hereticall and contrary to Orthodoxe religion The Jesuites have names enough in that learned booke of Doctor Crakenthorpe entitled Of the Popes temporall Monachy who as if hee had intended to prevent the Papists unreasonable demaund of names hath cleared by many names in every Century since Christ that the Popes temporall authority was resisted and by whom and that the sandy foundation of it namely the pretended donation of Constantine is but a fiction and a trick of a false finger by which Popery hath beene through outfacing supported a long time I need hold no Candle to this Torch onely I wish the Jesuites to answer those names before they call for more or else they must goe shorter by the head 5. There was never any age since Christ in which the Pope was not detected and proclaimed to bee Antichrist before his appearing implicitè and after it explicitè and expresly This I have ready to prove by names in al ages since Christ in way of cōfutation of a Jesuites booke sent to mee to review who impudently affirmeth that Luther was the first that called the Pope absolutely Antichrist 1. The Church is ever safe as the Arke on a world of waters Christ is the Pilot. 2. None can take her out of his hands Iohn 10. he is stronger than all 3. He knowes who are his and where and how to deliver them 4 Quod inimici in perniciem machinantur deus convertit in adjutorium feare not the tumults of
Princes nor Antichristian forces so long as Christ is in the ship it shall not miscarry To be nourished The fourth generall in this verse is the end why the woman fled into the wildernesse and that is both to be preserved safe and provided for there And this place is an allusion to the ancient story of the former Jewish Church whom when she cannot be safe in Aegypt God brings into the wildernesse where not having any provisiō by ordinary meanes he doth extraordinarily feed her by Manna from heaven for the space of forty yeares And thus he dealeth now with the Church of the Gentiles under the Antichristian tyranny heavier then that of Aegypt When the woman can finde no safety or peace amongst men in the publike profession and exercise of Christian Religion the Lord retyres her into secret places which afford her private exercises of religion and in this hidden desert and afflicted estate provides secret meanes of her feeding and safety The Church of God and every member in the most hard times and desert condition shal be assuredly fed and provided for Of all places the wildernesse was most unlikely to afford food and provision where was neither sowing nor reaping planting nor watering the earth affords them neither fruit nor corne for forty yeares and now the Lord affords them for one yearely a dayly harvest not of corne but of bread not from earth but from heaven he spreads for them a large table in the wildernesse and feeds them with dainty food and quailes at his pleasure So Elias flying from Iezabel was sent by God into the wildernesse where he might seeme more miserable as exposed to famine a more dreadfull death then the sword But he fled to be fed there and the ravens shal be his stewards and Caterers before he shall sterve in the wildernesse 1 The truth of Gods promise cannot faile Psal. 37. 3. Trust in the Lord and thou shalt be fed assuredly and vers 19. the upright men in dayes of famine shall have enough Psal. 84. 11. He withholdeth no good thing from them that walke uprightly He should deny his truth his faith himselfe if he should not feed and provide for his and therefore if all fields should faile and the whole earth grow barren GOD cannot fayle but feed those that trust in him 2 Gods power confirmes it who is not tyed to ordinary meanes nor limited to places nor hath bound up our life in the fruits of the earth but man lives by every word of God not only ordinary but extraordinary so as if men will not or cannot feed Elias ravens can and shall And all that he can doe with meanes he can without them 3 His love is to his owne as unchangable as his power is infinite He may alter their place and state but not his love He may change their condition but not his owne affection And if the love of the creature be so bountifull and communicative how can there be any lacke in his love which is a full sea and fountaine and all affection in the creature to his is scarce as the drop of a bucket 4 His neare relation to his Church causeth it Every man provides for his owne family else he is worse then an Infidell 1 Tim. 5. 8. Wee belong to Gods houshod and family and if an evill father can and will give good things to his children much more our heavenly father He will blesse and feed his inheritance Psal. 28. 9. And if there be no Master but will maintaine his servant in his own work much more will our Lord and Master in heaven 5 His infinite wise providence who mingleth his chastisements with mercy and crusheth not his Church out of measure nor tramples her under his feet when he suffers men to trample on her It is enough to bring her into the wildernesse and that not to starve her but to provide for her He leads her thither but leaves her not there but as a father affords her meat and cloth and at last provides her an inheritance Object But Gods people are often in want hunger thirst as Lazarus Paul the Apostles and Christ himselfe Answ. God who would not allow beggers from dore to dore which is against all order and rules of charity hath ordeined there should be poore alwaies with us to be examples of their patience and objects of our charity And many of these the deare servants of God may know great want and scarcity so did the Church Heb. 11. 37. Because corporall benefits are not alwayes not to all the godly allowed in any great measure but then only when Gods glory and their owne salvation call for them But what they are scanted in temporall things they are supplyed in spirituall which they alwaies certainly injoy And when they are most scanted they are not forsaken but have enough to bring them home and are denyed only of those things which might proove burdens Now this serves to comfort the Saints in want and to cherish our faith For First what the Lord will do he can do and wil do all for our good Secondly his providence is waking when wee sleepe Manna shall fall in the night when Israel sleepeth God watcheth to feed his Church when she sleepes He watcheth for Mordecai when he sleeps for the babe and his Mother in the night when they sleepe Thirdly his absolute soveraignty and power may make the wildernesse our portion for a time he may pitch us here or there in a faire place or in a foule in a moyst or in a dry and wee must be willingly disposed by him whose wisdome over-reacheth ours Fourthly when all meanes are turned against us he is most able and willing to succour us Ioseph and Mary shall have gold and precious things brought them a farre off when they thinke not of it Let us therefore labour to see our want of faith our greatest want and if we know not what to do let our eyes be toward him And if our thoughts be inquisitive as Isaac how shall I do for this or that or where is the ram say to thy soule as Abraham My soule God will provide Now stirre up thy faith which leaneth not on meanes or things seene but on the naked word Abraham leaned only on Gods truth and power when al was contrary Rom. 4. 20. 2 This may provoke and encourage every one in the study and practise of piety which hath so sure a reward and patron And though wee may not serve God for temporalls as hypocrites can do yet wee must honour him who hath undertaken the care not of our inheritance only hereafter but of our present maintenance and love him unfainedly who makes good unto us even the promises of this life made unto godlinesse aswell as of that to come And though this may seeme a smaller mercy because it is so common to the worst yet it is not common to enjoy temporalls
in the promise which makes them sweeter then ordinary even the love-tokens of a father and not the wages of an hireling 3 This may assure the Church and members that in the hardest times of straightnesse and persecution they shal be spiritually fed which is here chiefly aymed at For all the adversary power of Antichrist or dragons cannot hinder God from providing and preserving to the Church faithfull Pastors secretly and conscionably to feed the woman in the wildernesse in season and out of season And as none can send Pastors but he so none can hinder the Pastors whom he sendeth to dispense his allowance whom he furnisheth raiseth and protecteth till his worke bee done and the Churches need supplyed The starres are in his hand who then can hinder them But if they could intercept his messengers they cannot hinder himselfe who can and will by himselfe feed the woman if all means else should faile as Eze. 34. 14. I will feed them my selfe And if himselfe feed not all Ministeriall labour is but lost Quest. How doth the Lord himselfe feed the Church Answ. 1. By the word of his grace He leadeth his sheepe into the greene pastures of his wholsome word By writing his word in their hearts and carrying his law into their secret parts He onely who hath his chaire in heaven can teach the heart And who can hinder his strong arme and mighty power or the might and power of his word which is omnipotent as himselfe or who can stand in his way to hinder his accesse into a beleeving soule 2 As he did with his ancient people so still he feeds the Church with bread from heaven by the gracious gift of his Sonne whose flesh is meat indeed and whose blood is drinke indeed even that onely true Manna and bread from heaven He is the gift of God Ioh. 4. if thou knewest the gift of God This is that shepheard mentioned Ezek. 34. 23. I will set up a shepheard and he shal feed them even my servant David And if CHRIST will come in and feed in and with a beleeving soule who shall hinder him 3 He will feed her by his Spirit of grace who is greater in her thē the spirit that ruleth in the world His office is to open the heart to worke faith to bring in holy light and illumination and light of consolation to bring things into remembrance to uphold by his mighty power to perseverance and salvation against all the adversarie powers of it 1 Pet. 1. 5. 4 See hence what a bootlesse thing it is for enemies to strive and struggle against the word and truth of GOD. The woman must be fed even in the wildernesse First Where God hath any called or to call his word shal be taught either openly or secretly Secondly Christ compares the course of the Gospell to the course of the lightning which flyes swiftly and suddenly from one side of heaven to another and cannot be stopped for the Gospell passeth and is protected with divine power Thirdly how impossible was it for all the tyranny and policy of the devill and flesh to hinder the power of the Gospell in the most tyrannicall times of heathen Emperors How miraculously and fully was the Church fed in that wildernesse But in this wildernesse mentioned a wonder it was that so many ages of Antichrist the enemies having as many eyes as Argus and as vigilant to destroy and root out the memory and mention of sound Professors and wanting no will nor humane power yet could not prevaile but that the darkest and most violent ages of Popery yeild us witnesses of the truth in whom wee see that the Woman in the wildernesse must be fed In our fathers dayes it was a wonder that those hot and fiery dayes of Queene Mary wasted not all that sincerely stood with Christ against Antichrist and his breadden god And when they threw down all the meanes of knowledge and Instruction how admirable was it that so many poore soules did steale up so much knowledge and resolution as to be invincible in maintaining and suffering for the truth Who sees not that the woman in the wildernesse must be fed and provided for This makes the enemies at their wits ends they cannot worke wisely enough to destroy her but ascamomile the more it is pressed the more it spreadeth and riseth up This makes the Church impregnable No hold in earth so strong but may be wonne if not by sword yet by famine onely this fort cannot be famished All the inquisitions in the world cannot intercept her food Antichristian forces may besiege her but cannot take her c. This sets them in a rage they give her bread of affliction to eate and teares to drinke she thrives with it they give her ashes and mould up her bread with them and give her blood to drinke she is in better plight with that then Kings children with dainties Thus God confoundeth them and convinceth them that they even fight against God who makes the blood of Martyrs the seed of the Church He makes poison feed her for she must be fed A time times and halfe a time In these words is the fift generall in this verse namely the time how long the Woman was fed The Lord when for the sinnes of the Church he was urged to bring some severe rod and correction that he might expresse his remembrance of mercy in judgment and shew that in love and measure he meant to chasten used to foretell the very time of deliverance before the misery was inflicted Thus the expiration of that great oppression of Israell in Aegypt was foretold about 350. yeares before it began that they must be strangers 400. yeares Num. 14. 34. Israel must walke and wander in the wildernesse forty years according to the forty dayes of searching the land The Babylonish captivity was for continuance of seventy yeares long before signified and then to determine and expire The bondage of the Jews under Syrian tyrants was precisely foretold to last sixty and two weekes So in the New Testament the sorest oppression that ever befell the Church namely by Antichrist is in these words before hand described for continuance and determination For that the persecution of Antichrist and the time of it is here noted is the consent of Interpreters For the text denyes it selfe to be meant of the Turkes treading the holy City Jerusalem underfoot because the two Prophets must helpe her Now what can two Prophets do against Turkish tyranny It is not Prophecy can represse them but sword and power with which he comes armed openly against Christ and not by under-hand seduction and lyes which must be resisted and conquered by Prophecy But where and when the period for beginning and ending of this time is very obscure and perhaps as yet unknowne to man the Spirit of God being more willing to lead us in the search then in the
of the Primitive Church under persecution were by Plinius Secundus an heathen Philosopher justified and discharged of all the foule things devised against them even to Trajan that persecuting Emperor as in these words of his letter The whole summe of that sect consists in this that they use at certaine times to convent before day and sing hymnes to Christ their God and confederate among themselves to absteine from all theft murder and adultery to keepe their faith and defraud no man which done then to depart for that time and after that to resort againe to take meat in companies both men and women and yet without any act of evill about the yeare of Christ 100. So did Aristides a Philosopher in Athens justifie the same poore Christians from those horrible slaunders in an oration before the Emperor Hadrian in the yeare 120. And many such examples the story affordeth But our text speaking of after times in the tyranny of Antichrist wee want not a number of instances amongst themselves falsifying their owne wicked slaunders against the Professors of true Religion We have heard Reynerius a great Inquisitor justifying the Waldenses that they lived justly before men and beleeved all well concerning God and all the articles which are conteined in the Creed To the same effect answered the Visitors of K. Lewis 12. of France and of Francis 1. which made one of them sweare that they were a better people then he or his people See many instances of many adversaries of the woman giving honourable reports of her enforced thereto by force of truth it selfe in hist. Waldens lib. 1. cap. 5. 3 The floods of cruell edicts and decrees cast out of the mouth of the dragon were often swallowed and hindred by earthly occasions and incumbrances which rise among the wicked and inhabitants of the earth themselves and the Lord ordinarily ordereth the counsells and quarrells of his enemies among themselves every one having his owne speciall ayme so as shal be good for the Churches escape As Paul got free by casting a bone betweene the Pharises and Sadduces So the Church escapeth often while bones of quarrells and contention are cast betweene wicked Princes In the yeare 1526. Charles 5 Emperour and Francis 1. King of France agreed to joyne all their power and forces and raise a flood wholly to carry away the woman and root out every where the mention of Lutheran Religion but the earth holpe the woman for the Pope himselfe intending their destruction as fiercely as they on other occasions brake the league and made the Emperour so much businesse in Italie that he professed by publique writing that the Pope was in the fault that he had not wholly suppressed the heresie of Lutherans Thus while the wicked plague the ungodly the Church hath some rest and breathing from their wicked decrees as in one other instance appeares anno 1530. For what a cruell edict did the Emperor Charles 5. thunder against the Professors of the Gospell that every one feared to be quite carryed away by that flood which rose out of the dragons mouth at the Dyet of Ausperg But see how God commanded the earth to open her mouth and swallow this flood that it should not hurt but helpe the woman Instantly the Turke as if he had beene earryed by the haire of his head came into Austria invading the Empire and now it was no time to wish the Emperor to graunt peace to the Protestants against the former edict that he might obteine of them ayde against the Turke the common enemie of Christendome In the greatest dangers of the Church she shall alwaies have some helpe and though she be much pressed she shall not be oppressed Wee see many floods may rise up and swell as a spring-tide to carry her away but they cannot drowne her The same was typified in that horrible persecution of Antiochus who when he was most raging and made most havocke in the Church yet was the woman holpen with a little help Dan. 11. 34. God stirred up Mattathias and his sonnes who were but an handfull to Antiochus his army and so prospered their small helpe that the cruelty and tyranny of that monster was stayed for the time Even so in the highest floods of Antichrist of whom Antiochus was a most eminent type the poore woman hath ever had a little helpe 1 Because of the presence of God who sitteth on the floods whose presence with the Church makes her safe Esa. 43. 2. â—eare not Iacob thou art mine there is the ground of safety in the covenant of God when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the floods that they do not overflow thee c. If his promise faile not he must be with his in the hotest fires of persecution and in the most unpassable floods of calumnies and here sies 2 Gods wakefull providence and protection ever deviseth and affordeth some helpe Moses was cast on the waters but God provides him a basket to helpe him out Ionas was cast into the sea God provides a Whale to carry him out Noah was tossed on a world of floods but God became pylot and he that shut him in helped him out And as the great flood could not drowne the Arke but the earth at length swallowed and dryed it up much lesse can these lesser floods drowne the Arke of the Church on which Gods protection is no lesse 3 Christs headship ever affords some helpe A man cannot drowne so long as his head is aloft let him be in never such deepes Christ the head of the Church is ever aloft and cannot sinke If al the floods that ever were cast out of the mouth of the dragon could have carryed him away then had they more easily carried away his body the Church but they could not sinke or drowne him therefore is she safe 4 The Church can pray in faith and the prayer of faith is a strong cable and sure meanes of her safety and stayeth her till seasonable helpe come Psal. 32. 6. Therefore shall every godly man pray and then surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come neare him Ionah prayed in the floods of great waters and was safe being coÌ„passed with waves weeds rockes and mountaines chap. 2. 1. Thesefore is the Church unmooveable and shall so continue to the end of the world seeing no flood shall carry her away and God whose she is is never wanting never wearie in helping her He had saved her from the dragon by raysing up a man-child he saved her the second time by hiding her and now the third time he drawes her out of the floods which intended to drowne her so as earth and hell wearie themselves in vaine in devising to overthrow her The more impudent the Papists who say we teach that the Church fayled from off the earth all the time of Antichrist for the space of a thousand
they brew and digest the bread of affliction they prepared for others 2 Let us acknowledge with much thankfulnesse the truth of this prophesie Wee have seene the earth drinke up many floods cast out of the dragons mouth by Antichristian tyranny sufficiently strong and deepe to have carried her quite away Among many instances I will record two in fresh memory and not farre off In the yeare 1521. when Luther had appeared before Caesar at Wormes to give account of his doctrine and doings what a mighty flood issued out of the mouth of the dragon which in the Imperial edicts threatned nothing but death and bloodshed against the Professors of the Gospell and this flood like Danubius ranne through all Germany But now see how the earth drunke up the flood Shortly after arose an exceeding great trouble in Spaine to the pacifying of which the Emperour went in person and so the Professors of the Gospell had a little breathing till the States of the Empire assembled at Norinburge got those cruell Edicts mitigated and qualified to the great prosperity of the Gospell The other in our owne Kingdome in the dayes and memory of our Fathers When in the raigne of Queene Mary many were carryed away with that raging and high-swelling flood of the sixe Articles and the enemies were devising not to strike off the branches onely but as one perswaded to strike at the root in cutting off the then Lady Elizabeth being then in prisonand very unlike ever to get out of their bloody hands now see how the Lord caused the earth to helpe his Church for who was the meanes to keepe them off her and her head on her shoulders but King Philip of Spaine an earthly Idolater who had no reason but to bee a greater enemy to her than her sister or that state Now the earth dranke up the flood and a few moneths set that happy Lady and the Church and Kingdome by her in such glory and prosperity as ancient ages had never seene and future ages perhaps both wish and admire 3. In the present tryals and persecutions of the Church when wee see the floods swell even almost over her head and Antichristian Armies every where gathered and carry afore them whole Provinces and Churches be not dismayed but stand still and see the Lords salvation he will appoint one meanes or other to swallow up all these floods as here hee commanded the earth to â—each her helping hand both to take in and harbour the Lords exiles in the secret chambers of her desert Mountaines and Caves as also to drinke in the dangers for them Nay more the Lord who causeth the earth to helpe the woman will in and by these persecutions helpe up his Church and truth Act. 8. 1. The wicked men of earth raise great persecution against the Disciples at Jerusalem and scatter them but they being scattered and dispersed spread the Gospell through all the Regions of Iudea and Samaria In the story of the Waldenses is reported that the banishing of Waldo his followers out of LyoÌ„s was a means which God used to spread the doctrine of the Gospel in the darkest times of Antichrist almost over all Europe Thus the Lord bringeth light out of darknesse to his Church the earth shall not bury the truth but spread it neither shall these Antichristian floods drowne the woman but shall onely water her furrows And let the Church be instant with the Lord he wil in the end of these businesses shew he hath a reach beyond all Actors and lookers on the wrath of men shal turn to his praise themselves shal drink the rivers of blood which they intend against the woman and shall root themselves out that the Gospell which they fight against may finde footing in the most desolate Popish Countries and the time and their pride hasteneth it Let us alwayes set these props under our faith to support us through our tryals whether wee see meanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It is enough to see the power and faithfulnesse of God who can and rather than faâ—â—e will worke the Saints delivery by unknowne and even by contrary meanes Waite upon the Word If hee seeme not to regard thee in danger awake him by thy prayers hee may delay helpe a while but he cannot dehy thee helpe but hee must deny himselfe but either hee will lead thee out by preventing the danger or helpe thee through it and make thee more then a Conquerour in it by a conquered death 4. As the Church abroad is tryed and in resistance of the floods of violence and lies under the fire and sword of the enemy so the dragon ceaseth not amongst us in our peace to cast out such floods as hee can of scandalls slanders and reproaches of Gods people against which wee must foâ—tifie our selves with assurance that all these floods shall be drunke up and dryed up also for us For 1. Our Head is the truth and as strength of truth prevailed in his owne person and rose againe from underground so it shall in all his members by his mighty power 2. Gods promise is to bring forth our righteousnesse as the light even as a bright morning comes after a sad night of black darknesse 3. Gods providence watcheth as well the names and reputation of the Saints as their persons because as their persons are nearely joyned to Christ so are their names nearely linked to his and their honour is his as their reproach is his Heb. 13. 13. 4. Looke upon the unknowne meanes used by God to drinke in these floods Sometime from heaven The Angell turnes away the flood of scandall which had like to have drowned the Virgin while Ioseph was thinking to put her away Mat. 1. 20. Feare not to take her Sometime the earth as here rather than faile shall drinke it up The Judge shall pronounce Christ innocent Saul shall proclaime Davids innocency 1 Sam. 24. 18. Thou art more righteous than I. Lastly though truth and innocency may bee clouded a long time yet it shall bee disclosed and time the mother of truth shall dry up and drinke in all wicked accusation when all secrets shall bee disclosed as well for the opening of innocency as the shutting of the mouth of guiltinesse Vers. 17. Then the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make warre with the remnant of her seed which keepe the Commandements of God and have the testimony of Iesus Christ. THE dragon being againe defeated of his purpose in drowning the woman seeth that hee cannot hurt her yet he cannot but hate her the more Hee cannot meet with her to doe the mischleâ—â— that he would for she is out of sight neither can the floods cast out of his mouth reach her for shee is safe and hid and the earth shall drinke it for her yet hee abates not of his wrath against her and for the wrath hee beares to her hee goes and makes warre with her issue described here
Ioy of the Church Whereof 1 The Acts It singeth out 1 The praises of God the giver of all victory 2 The praises of Michael the Generall v. 10. 3 The praises of the Armie or Angels of Michael ver 11. Where 1 The report of the Victory But they overcame him 2 The Causes of it 1 Principall and meritorious The blood of the Lambe 2 Instrumentall 1 The word of their testimony 2 Their constancy in martyrdome they loved not their lives c. 2 The Object Where 1 The matter ascribing 1 To God Salvation Strength Kingdome 2 To Christ power 1. Title Christ 2. Relation to the Father his Christ 3. Attribute power 2 The Reason Where 1 His Crimination 1 What are these accusations 2 Who are accused Brethren 3 Where before God 4 When day and night 2 His Dejection at the tribunall 1 Of God 2 Of men 2 The wofull estate of the enemies v. 12. 1 The woe denounced 2 The Persons on whom the inhabitants of the earth and sea 3 The Reason twofold 1 The comming downe of the Devill 2 His wrathfull Disposition with the cause Where 1 How his time is said to be short 2 How hee knoweth it is so 3 What use hee makes of this knowledge VI. The fury of Satan renewing the assault v. 13. to the end where 1 The new Onset v. 13. In it 1 The person persecuting the Dragon 2 The person persecuted the woman 3 The time and manner when she had brought forth the manchilde 2 The escape of the party assailed v. 14. Where 1 The Kinde It was by flight 2 The Meanes Here 1 The meanes themselves 1 What Wings 2 Number two 3 Whence given her 4 Similitude Eagles 2 Whence she did fly with them from the face of the Serpent 3 Whither into the wildernesse called her place 4 To what end to be nourished and preserved there 5 How long for a time times and halfe a time 3. Another Device of the Dragon against the Womans good-name v. 15. Where 1 The Mischiefe intended In it 1 What the floods of water are 2 What the spring of thē the dragons mouth 3 What the end to carry the woman away 2 The Remedy against it v. 16. 4 Enmitie against her Issue v. 17 Where 1 The Dragons wrath and warre appearing by the 1 Captaine 2 Weapons 2 The persons with whom Described 1 By their paucity the remnant of her seed 2 By their property twofold 1 They keep the Commandements of God 2 They have the Testimonie of Iesus Christ. CHRISTS VICTORIE OVER THE DRAGON REV. 12. 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven THE principall scope of the whole Booke of the REVELATION is to describe three things 1 The Malice of the Devill against the Church 2 The Battels and conflicts of the Church 3 The Victory and conquest of the Church This Chapter is as it were an Epitome of the whole booke which under a most sweet and pleasant Type then which the whole Scripture containeth not a more excellent or elegant propoundeth them all in so rich and orient manner as we cannot wish to behold a more native face and Image of the Church of all ages then is presented to us in this glasse held before our eyes by the Spirit of God To the end that we should so looke on the dignitie and proper ornaments of the Church as yet to take notice what grievous conflicts she is to sustaine by reason of the malice of the old Serpent lying alwaies in ambush against her And yet so to looke upon her tryals as that wee may at the same time behold Gods providence so preserving and strengthning her as she goes ever away conquering and triumphing The Chapter hath six principall parts 1 A lively description of the true Church ver 1. 2. 2 A description of the Devil her chiefe and furious assailant ver 3 4 5. 3 The fierce battaile betweene these two parties ver 7. 4 The victorie of the Church and the Dragons overthrow ver 8 9. 5 The triumph of the godly for that victorie ver 10 11 12. 6 The furie of Satan renewing the assault ver 13. to the end of the Chapter This is the naturall resolution of the Chapter and without further curiositie by Gods assistance wee will prosecute these parts But before them all is a generall Preface making way to them in these words And there appeared a great wonder in heaven In which words are foure things 1 What is this wonder 2 The greatnesse of it 3 The manner of appearing 4 The place whence in Heaven By wonder 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or signe is meant a new vision or an unusuall type of a strange battell and marvellously to be wondred at 1 For the rarenesse of the combatants a Woman and a Dragon 2 For the glory of the Woman Who ever saw woman or creature in such glorious attire as to be cloathed with the Sunne crowned with starres trampling the Moone under her feet But wee shall see this woman in a more strange and admirable habit then if a woman were so arrayed 3 For the admirable hugenesse of the Dragon and power that with his tayle could cast downe the third part of the starres of heaven ver 4. 4. For the issue and strange event Is it not a wondrous thing for a woman to conflict with so hideous a Dragon and overcome him Here are many wonders in one 2 The greatnesse is next It is a great wonder for three causes 1 It concernes the Church the Spouse of Christ a great personage 2 It containes many great and dreadfull occurrences concerning her 3 Many other great things are signified in this type and vision 3 The manner of the appearance of this vision For it may be asked How did St. Iohn see this signe or wonder Answ. God offered his visions to holy men two waies 1 To the eies of their bodies while they were waking as to Abraham Gen. 15. 5. Behold the Heavens and if thou canst number the starres so shall thy seed be 2. To the eyes of their mindes their bodies being cast into a dead sleepe or trance This is called a being in the Spirit Ezech 37. 1. And thus the Evangelist Iohn saw his visions Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords day that is by the power and extraordinary worke of Gods Spirit I was cast into a trance Rev. 20. 4. I saw the soules c. which are not visible but by the eies of the minde Ob. But this manner of revelation seemes rather to be some uncertaine dreame then a sure and infallible kind of instruction Ans. No. This was very usuall for the Lord thus to reveale his will to his servants and for sundrie speciall ends used by him 1 That the soule for a time after a manner loosed from the body and drawne from the senses might have a nearer fellowship with God and so be fitter to receive divine light from the Spirit
as others yet wee doe not warre after the flesh but we fight against the flesh and are not patrons and defenders of the corruptions of the world no nor of the faults which wee our selves are ready enough to act Neither can there be more evident badges and liveries of mere worldly men that are all earth then these 1. to affect and desire onely or principally 2. to imitate and conforme 3. to justifie and defend the crooked waies of the world So much of the Preface now of the Vision A Woman cloathed with the Sunne In this verse and the second verse is the description of one of the Combatants by two arguments 1 her person a woman 2 her properties which are foure 1 her apparrell cloathed with the Sunne 2 her place the Moone under her feete 3. her crowne of twelve starres on her head 4 her fruitfulnesse and pregnansie being with child she cried c. First we must enquire of the person and who this woman is and afterward to the arguments and parts of the description Woman in this mysticall book signifies three things 1 Idols because 1 they are as entising and alluring as wantō women 2 Idolaters goe a whoring after them as uncleane persons after light women chap. 14. 4. these are they which were not defiled with women 2 Women signifies in this book the City of Rome the seat of Antichrist cha 17. 3 the Woman sitting upon the scarlet coloured Beast 1 because in her outward pomp and glorie she is opposed to the chaste spouse of Christ whose glorie is all within 2. because with her the great Kings of the earth have committed fornication chap. 17. ver 2. 3. because she is the mother of fornications called the great whore ver 1. to whose filthines and Idolatries all other are but punies and learners 3 Woman signifies in this booke the true Church the wife and Spouse of Iesus Christ his love his dove his undefiled and so is the word taken in this place Quest. If by the woman be meant the Church whether the Church militant or triumphant for it seemes this woman is gotten above the earth and treads the Moone under her feet and is decked with wondrous glorie Answ. This cannot be meant of the Church triumphant for three reasons 1 This woman is in travaile and paine Now the triumphant Church is past all paines and all her teares are wiped away chap. 21. 4. 2 The Dragon makes this woman flie into the wildernesse this chap. ver 6. but the Church triumphant is now in her palace no more in the wildernesse no more chased with the Dragon for there he hath nought to doe 3 This woman needs food in the wildernesse and is nourished there by meanes appointed by God ver 6. But the Church triumphant hath no need no want no hunger no thirst no meanes of life but Christ himselfe not his two Prophets therefore it agrees onely to the Church militant Quest. But if it be meant of the Church militant whether of the Church of the Iewes or of the Gentiles Answ. It is a true vision of the Catholike Church in all ages but is most applicable to the church of the new Testament and Gentiles For 1. Iohn tels us his Prophesie is of things to be done afterwards even after his trance in Pathmos Chap 1. 1. 2. The last words of the 17. verse of this Chapter bring us downe to the times after the Apostles dayes namely to the bloody persecutions of the Heathen Emperors and to the rage of Antichrist against them that kept the testimonie of Iesus 3. This woman was fed in the wildernesse when the outward court was given to the Gentiles and when the two Prophets prophesied in sackcloth to feede her by their holy doctrine all the time of her being there this is confirmed chap. 11. ver 2. 3. compared with chap 12. ver 6. Quest But why is the Church compared to a woman Answ. In two respects First as simply considered in her selfe and this for three causes 1 Because to the woman was first made the promise of the blessed seed who was to breake the Serpents head and it is still made good to the Church under the same similitude for to her all the promises of God properly belong 2 In her selfe considered she is weak and feeble as a woman without her husband Ioh. 15. 5. without me yee can doe nothing All our sufficiency is of God even to thinke a good thought or to name Iesus 3 In her selfe she is as a pure and chast virgin not defiled with Idolatry which is a spirituall harlotry nor running as the Romish strumpet after unchast and wanton lusts 2 Cor. 11. 2. a pure virgin keeps and preserves her selfe for one husband and no more Secondly as the Church stands in relation to other she is fitly called woman For her relation is threefold 1 To God and in this relation she is the daughter of God Cant. 7. 1. Oh daughter of a Prince Psa 45 10 hearken O daughter c. and therefore fitly resembled by a woman whose father is God and whose birth is not after the will of man but borne of God 2 To Christ and in this relation she is the spouse of Christ and so fitly represented by a woman First contracted and espoused to Christ in his incarnation or first comming Cant. 4. 10. my Sister my Spouse And what is the whole booke of Canticles but an holy description of the holy handfasting and contracting of this holy couple Secondly married as his bride and taken home in his second comming to dwell with him for ever 3 To Christians and in this relation she is their mother and so fitly resembled to a woman For a woman through the company of her husband is fruitfull and bringeth forth children so the Church by her conjunction with Christ and the power of his word bringeth forth and nurseth and bringeth up many children to God as this woman ver 2 5. And hence was that speech of the Ancient Hee hath not God for his father that hath not the Church for his mother As this woman is the Spouse of Christ all the professed members of the Church must learne to performe the duties of loving Spouses to Iesus Christ. And it will sort well with this occasion in the one to teach the other and with one labour prosecute urge two great duties Both to put women in mind what dutie they owe as wives to their husbands and all of us as Christians and spouses of Christ that the same duties are due from us to our spirituall head and husband Quest. What are these duties Answ. They are foure 1 To cleave to her husband For when God saw it was not good for the first Adam to be alone he made the woman out of Adams owne ribbe being cast asleepe and brought her and married her unto him as an undivided companion of his
1. 9. Whosoever are enlightened with light of nature or grace have it from this Sunne And not onely these but they who in heaven shine in the light of glory doe borrow of this light Dan 12. 3. they shine as the starres which receive all their shine from the sunne And more they shall shine as the Sunne in the kingdome of their Father Mat 13 43. Because they shall participate of the sunnes brightnesse 2 The effects without are foure and in respect of these also Iesus Christ is compared to the sun 1 The sunne driveth away darknesse otherwise there would be a perpetuall night And at the rising of the sunne things which before were involved in the darkenesse of the night appeare as they are so this Sunne of the Church drives away the darknesse of ignorance the night of our miserie chaseth away the black and thick mist of our sinnes bringeth back the light of knowledge and the day of grace to us who else had layne in perpetuall night and shadow of death And now foule things appeare as they are and sinne appeares out of measure sinfull 2 As the sunne by his beames gives direction to all the waies of our naturall and civil life so this Sun by the beames of his wisdome grace directeth us in all the wayes of spiritual eternal life And as a man can do nothing cōmendably without the light of the sunne so without this Sun we can doe nothing at all 3 The sunne is the most comfortable Creature in all the world warming and refreshing with his beames all living Creatures yea under God quickning creatures dead in themselves so Iesus Christ is the life of the Church and the quickner of all the elect unto eternall life they being in themselves dead in trespasses and sinnes He also warmes his Church with the beames of his love which reflect backe as the sunne beames doe upon himselfe both the head and members He comforteth with his gracious aspect all the faithfull in all corners of the world who had never had life nor breath nor shew of grace without his shine upon them 4 The sun of the world maketh preserveth the severall seasons the Summer the winter the spring the Autumne Iesus Christ the Sun of his Church hath in his power al times seasons He hath in his hand the seed time in grace here the harvest of glory hereafter He appointeth the Summer season and prosperitie of the Church He changeth that season bringeth on her a sharpe winter of trouble affliction All the vicissitudes and changes in the Church are appointed and directed by his wisdome Dan. 2. 21 Nothing befalls the Church by chance but by his most oculate providence 1. Is Christ the Sonne of the Church wee are taught many things As First to a knowledge our Sunne yea to admire our Sunne as ten thousand times passing the sunne of the world For 1 That is a meere creature though glorious but this Sun is the mighty God the creator of that 2 That serves the outward man in the things of this life this the spirituall man in the things of life eternall 3 That riseth on good and bad but this onely on the good onely on Ierusalem Isai. 60 1. Thy light is risen upon thee 4 That riseth every day and every day setteth but this Sunne riseth and never setteth Isai. 60. 20. 5. That obscureth the starres this enlightens beleevers by his presence who shine as starres 6 That may be eclipsed or darkned but the light and grace of this Sunne can never lose or lessen his shine and glory it may be a while clouded from us but never eclipsed in it selfe Secondly We are taught to rejoyce in our Sunne All creatures rejoyce in the sunne but hatefull Bats and Owles which flye the light All creatures in nature follow the sunne and thrive and prosper in it the silly plants as Marigold Dazie Turnsoll so all that are new Creatures doe follow and prosper in this sun And if wee be so we wil draw neere to the Sunne that we may have the blessed beames of his grace to shine upon our cold and frozen hearts that by his spirituall heate we may be revived and refreshed to everlasting life We can open our windowes to let in the Sun-shine to our comfort and why should we not set open the doores and windowes of our hearts that the beames descending from Iesus Christ may enter in enlighten and comfort us Oh our little respect of the ministery shewes plainly enough wee would shut out this Sunne if we could Many of our hearers doe what lyes in them Thirdly we are taught to be thankfull that this blessed Sunne is risen unto us who were in woefull darknesse How thankfull was Paul and those in that dangerous voyage with him Act. 27. 20. when not having seene Sun Moone nor starres for many dayes they saw againe the desired light of the Sun But in so dangerous a tempest of Gods wrath as we had for ever beene tossed and drowned in to get a glimpse of this Sunne of righteousnesse is a farre greater cause of thankfulnesse to God which disperseth all clouds and stormes and brings a most calme and comfortable season The poore men in the Gospell to whom Christ restored sight how glad and thankful were they so soone as they were able to behold the sunne They leapt for joy praised God and preached Christ they made it knowne they had met with Christ No lesse joyfull is he whose eyes of mind Christ hath opened to discerne his change that hee is turned from darkenesse to light Fourthly wee are taught to imitate our Sunne labouring to preserve our purity though wee see much foule behaviour and being conversant among sinners and in many occasions yet as our Sunne did we must keepe our selves pure and not be plucked away with the errour of the wicked as Lot in Sodom abstaining from evill and all the appearance of it Fiftly Wee are taught to walke beseeming our Sunne 1 Warily and uprightly because this Sunne discovers those rubbes and perills by which men fall and hurt themselves In a mistie and darke night to stumble and fall is no such great disgrace but at noon day the sunne shining argues blindnesse or heedlesnesse or some great distemper of body and mind For Christians now to sinne against such light is farre more shamefull then in darkenesse of Popery and ignorance 2 Watchfully In the darke night men may sleep but in the day and sunshine it is time to awake from sleepe and shake off security and walke as in the day The sun of the world may be seene of all eyes but it sees nothing But our Sun seeth all things even the hidden secrets of hearts which no eye else can see neither can any deepe bee hid from his infinite light and knowledge This should move us to watch all our wayes and actions thoughts
and speeches for we may bleare mens eyes but not his 3 Decently and comely When the sunne is up men must doe lawfull and justifiable things because all eyes are upon them Let the theefe cover himselfe with darkenesse let the adulterer watch the twilight let Papists and Atheists and profane persons doe shamefull things without shame But let us in so open a light doe things comely let not the light make us ashamed of any indecent and uncomly or unconscionable action let not the sunne see our nakednesse without shame or holy blushing 4 Painefully and diligently When the sunne riseth man goeth forth to his labour by Gods ordinance Ps. 104. 25. so while the sunne and day and light lasts us let us walke and worke hard for faith for repentance for oyle for the wedding garment See Iohn 12. 35 36. 2 A ground of comfort that this Sunne shall never fall to his Church The sunne may be hid and clouded for a time but at length shall breake forth with much brightnesse and comfort So Iesus Christ may hide himselfe and the cloud of our sinnes and corruptions may get betweene him and us but at length his grace and light shall shine forth againe and manifest it selfe to every soule to which it ever arose So for the publique estate of the Church As the Sunne of the world may withdraw and remove it selfe and doth in winter so as all things seeme dead and lost but be the winter never so sharpe and tedious the sunne comes backe againe and brings with it a sweet and pleasant spring So the Church may sustaine a blacke and bitter winter be afflicted and shaken with many stormes blustrings of furious enemies but these shal blow over and it shall see a happy spring againe Our sun is in the heavens and so long as the enemies cannot reach him to pull him thence whatsoever winter the Churches abroade doe now sustaine whatsoever winter our Church at home may endure faith and patience will waite and attaine a sweet spring and fruitfull summer againe which shall make the enemies gnash their teeth and the Church sing for joy as men do sing in harvest Amen We have seene what the garment is Now of the application Clothed where consider 1 How the Sonne is a garment 2 How it differs from other garments 3 How the woman is clothed with it First Iesus Christ the Sunne is in many places of the Scrpture called by the name of a garment by resemblance because his righteousnesse and meritorious obedience supplieth all the offices of a precious garment to the Church of God In observing the use of a garment we shall see what usefull offices Christ performes to his Church his body Quest. What are the chiefe ends of garments Answ. Garments serve 1 for necessity 2 ornament 3 distinction 1. The necessity of a garment is in three things 1 To cover bodily nakednesse and to hide all corporall shame and defects so the Church wrapped in this robe of Christs righteousnesse hath all her sinnes which are her speciall nakednesse and shame hid and covered from the eyes of God When Adam had sinned he saw his nakednesse and sewed figg-leaves but neither they nor any thing he could devise could hide it till God made him a cover Neither can any of the sonnes of Adam by their owne reach or power attaine a cover but the Son of God the second Adam onely can afford a garment to hide sinfull nakednesse from the eyes of God 2 To defend the body from the injurie of weather both of Summer and winter so onely Christ his meritorious righteousness can save shelter the soule from the burning heat of his Fathers wrath and from the pinching and shaking terrours of a mans self-accusing conscience Onely Christ can cover his Church from the stormes and blasts of temptation by Satan and from the raging tempests of persecution by tyrants and enemies Isai 4. 5 6. Iesus Christ was the true Cloud and Pillar protecting his people through the wildernesse by day and by night who makes a gracious promise that upon all the glory shal be a defence aud a couering shal be for a shadow in the day for the heat and a place of refuge and a cover for the storme and for the raine He will for ever supply all to his Church of all ages whatsoever he did to Israel by that Cloud which was but a shadow of his protection 3 To preserve and cherish naturall life for a while by keeping in and repressing naturall heat which else would spend too fast So doth Iesus Christ and his pretious merits preserve and cherish spirituall life and heate in the soule nay which no clothes can brings in a new and heavenly heat life where was nothing but a cold death and maintaines it not for a time onely but unto life eternall Whence this second Adam is called 1 Cor. 15. 45. a quickning spirit a spirit not changed into a spirit but for that his body after the resurrection became and remaines spirituall and glorious and quickning not onely because his holy flesh is united to the quickning word but because by his death he brings life unto the world dead and rotten in sinnes and corruptions 2 Garments serve not onely for necessitie but also for ornament When Rebecca was given to Isaac to be married Abrahams servant gave to her from Isaac in token of love not onely raiment and garments but also Iewels of gold and of silver and precious bracelets to put on her hands Gen. 24. 22. 53. A manifest type of the Church married to her Isaac Iesus Christ who endoweth her not with garments only to cover her nakednesse but Iewells also to adorne her See Ezec. 16. 10 11. the Lord covers his spouse with fine silke and deckes her with ornaments bracelets and chaines Quest. What are these ornaments An. The blessed and beautiful graces of humility faith hope love good conscience layed up in the closet and Casket of the heart within and the shining and grace of holy life and vertuous conversation of Saints which as a cleane garment adornes the righteousness of faith where ever it is Because whersoever the merit of Christ is applied there the spirit of Christ is conferred who effectually worketh all these shining graces by which the whole man is sanctified and the spirits mansion adorned 3 Garments serve for distinction as the liverie given to servants shewes to whom they belong what Masters they serve Even so the righteousnes of Iesus Christ is 1 In the external professiō of Christ a liverie and garment discerning and distinguishing the Christian from all Heathens Turkes and Infidels 2 In the sound application of it there is a reall distinction of the servants and sons of God from the slaves of sinne and the Devill not onely without the Church but within the bosome it A King is not better knowne by his purple then a
hotch potch of his religion Gal. 6 12. false teachers to avoid persecution will make and coyne a new Gospell joyne Moses and Christ justification of faith and workes And many admirers of the moone can finely joyne Papists and Protestants religion together and binde them together with a rope of sand can justifie and qualifie their toyes and inventions and for advantage like hucksters for the Apostle calls them sellers for gaine blend our wine with puddle waters of mens devices There are too many of these patchers that will patch old ragges with new garments and in the meane time bring in disgrace those that are so strict that cannot blend as they doe For what cares he to tread religious persons under foot if times do so that can suffer religion to be troden downe with silence nay with approbation but how impossible is it to have the Sun and moone shine together 5 He that maketh his gaine his godlinesse that bestowes more thoughts care time for the world then heaven That can stand in all windes for profit and by right or wrong get the world That cares not for nor desires but feares the appearing of the Sonne of God the Sunne of righteousnesse to judgement Let this man resolve that the Moone is upon his head or in his heart and not under his feet To conclude thou that wouldest know that the Moone is under thy foote and that thou art a sonne of this woman thou must 1 Magnifie Christ above a 1000. worlds 2 Set up Gods service above the world 3 Subordinate the Moone to thy religion 4 Hate and detest mixture in religion 5 Esteeme godlinesse the greatest gaine hate that gaine that is severed from godlinesse and long for the appearing of Jesus Christ thy happie and perfect gaine And upon her head a Crowne of twelve starres The third propertie followes in the description of this woman who is set forth by a Crowne upon her head Where consider three things 1 Why this woman is crowned 2 The matter of the Crowne a Crowne of twelves starres 3 The place of it on her head 1 The Churches Crowne betokeneth foure things 1 The honor of her person that she is a Queene for no women are crowned but Queenes or Kings wives The true Church is no lesse being espoused to Jesus Christ the King of his Church Psal. 45. 9. upon thy right◠and thy Queen doth stand Salomons wife being a type of the Church set upon the right hand of Jesus Christ the true Salomon 2 Her eminency and glory for a Crowne was ever an ensigne of royall dignitie and crowned persons were ever in ranke above other ordinary persons So is the Church of God of the blood royall and advanced to partake of the divine nature raised to the height of spirituall and eternall glory which common persons are not and therefore the Lord hath fitted her with an incomparable ornament for no ornament is comparable to a Crowne 3 Her rich and abundant estate for a crowne is the richest thing that the world can give So this Queene partaketh of all her husbands wealth and shareth in the riches of that glorious inheritance Eph. 1. 18. And as the crowne compasseth her head so the Lord compasseth her with the riches of grace and of glory in all fulnesse and perfection For seeing Christ is hers so are all things with him 1 Cor. 3. 21. 4 Her victory and conquest For crownes are set upon the heads of conquerors Rev. 6. 9. And to him that overcommeth is granted to sit on the throne Rev. 3. 21. So the Church hath overcome and conquered sinne Satan death hell flesh and all enemies hath in the power right of her husband troden them all under feete For as the wife partaketh of all her husbands victories so she of Christs 2 The matter of this Crowne of twelve starres Other Princes weare crownes of gold beset with pearles and precious stones but this Queene hath a Crowne of twelve starres What cares she for gold and stones that hath the Moone under her feet Quest. What is meant by this crowne of twelve Starres Ans. The shining doctrine of the twelve Apostles here compared to bright and beautifull starres by whose meanes this woman gat this victorious Crowne For this was the Crowne and ornament of the Primitive Church that she was reared and advanced by the diligent and personall preaching and sufferings of the blessed Apostles Ob. But if this was the Churches Crowne then the Church of after ages and at this time hath lost her crowne and ornament Answ. No. For 1 that doctrine is delivered to us in writing to which while we hold our selves fast we are not despoyled of our ornament 2 The substantiall ministeriall duties which the Scriptures ascribe to the Apostles are not to be restrained to their persons but are to be extended to all those that are their true successors which preach the same Christ and him crucified and administer the same Sacraments And Christ is now with the Apostles in their successors to the end of the world as he promised Mat. 28. 20. And this seemes implyed in the number of twelve which is a number of universalitie and perfection including all that purely preach Christ as the Apostles did 3 The Pastors of the Church as they succeed the twelve Apostles in this function of crowning the Church so also have they the name of starres in many places So the Church hath still a crowne of twelve starres 3 The place of this Crowne on her head Some understand by head the beginning of the Church of the New Testament and so it is true she had then the Crowne of Virginitie and purity above all after-times when yet Apostolicall doctrine was not so corrupted by humane devices additions and traditions as shortly after it was But that is not all for the true Church was never without this Crowne But this Woman after the manner of other Queenes is said to weare her crowne on her head To note 1 That her glory and crowne is in and from her head For as the man is the glory of the woman so is Christ the object of the Apostolike doctrine the glory of his spouse the Church 2 That her Crowne is not of or from this world for the moone is under her feet The Crowne is not thē set upon her head whē she is rich glorious to the world but when the shining light of heavenly veritie is set aloft as the starres are above to direct her in all doctrines and actions When by the light of the Scriptures all the firmament of the Church is guided and ruled in all actions aswell inferiour as superiour then is shee a crowned Queene 3 To note a note of visibilitie The head is most conspicuous and the most apparent part of a man and a Crowne set upon the head may be seene a far off as the starres
such a dignity as all the honor and happinesse crownes and kingdomes which earth can give are but chaffe light and worthlesse A poore and despised Lazarus is happier then all Divesses in hell or earth Did the greatest prophane Monarch in earth know but the happinesse and honor of a poore Saint and his owne woefull estate hee would seeke to change estates with him and if he had a thousand kingdomes he would give them to boote and whatsoever were dearer to him Let no godly man fal out with his estate because it is meane in the world nor any wicked man scorne it Haman would have beene Mordecaies Lackie still but must up to the gallowes 3 Let the godly learn to carry thēselves as Princes so as beseemes such as are anoynted and crowned Kings David in private estate carryed himselfe as a shepheard but crowned a King demeaned himselfe like a King So Saul in private estate followed his fathers Asses but once anoynted was changed into another man 1 Sam. 10. 9. So is the Christian. Qu. How may the Christian behave himselfe as a King An. 1 As Kings we must spend our time and thoughts not in base and inferiour trades or affaires but in the great affaires of the kingdome If a King should lay aside his Crowne and betake himselfe to some handicraft every body would marvaile and shal Christians that are crowned as Princes cast aside this Crowne to bend their thoughts and endeavors either wholly or principally to the attaining of the world 2 As Princes sort themselves not with base and beggarly company but with nobles and Princes So the Christian must not sort himselfe with wicked men that are vile and beggarly in grace but with such as are noble wise counsellors ' and excell in vertue 3 Bee valorous as Kings and couragious against bold and audacious enemies never out of cowardise or timerousnesse contracting base leagues with professed enemies but be still in the field against wicked persons practises and wicked spirits True valour hath two excellent properties First to disdaine the reproches of base and abject persons A noble man scornes to fight with a peasant as a stout man with a boy so the Christians must scorne to revenge themselves on leud and wicked persons or foule their fingers with them not holding such fit matches for them And secondly a noble and generous minde will contemne the losse of any thing goods lands and life before he wil be stained in his honor so a Christian will suffer the losse of all he hath in the world and of the world too before he will basely forsake his Lord. It is truely counted fortitude in a common souldier to follow his captaine through all adventures yea with losse of life and is it not so in a Christian much more 4 Bee armed like Princes with the armour of God and weapons mighty through God against all principalities and enemies in strong holds this is stronger then Castles Guards and all defenced Cities 5 Be bountifull as Princes Christians must be mercifull liberall to distribute as Salomon gave silver in Jerusalem as stones 1 King 10. 27. The godly must be rich in good workes 1 Tim. 6. 18. As Kings are ever giving or forgiving giving to them that can repay them nothing so must we 4 Learne that counsell to the Angell of the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3. 11. hold that which thou hast and let none take away thy Crowne Kings stand to the death to defend their Crownes so must the beleever stand a professed enemie to all the enemies of the Kingdome of Christ yea stand out in the extreame perill of his life in the defence of his Crowne Qu. May the Crowne be taken away An. The crowne is either First of eternall life which cannot be lost in respect of Gods purpose and preservation though in respect of our infirmity it else might Ob What meanes the threatning An. It is conditionall except thou persevere but Saints doe persevere by 1. Gods keeping them 2. Christs intercessiō that their faith faile not 3. Their prayer of faith and watchfulnesse 4. Their obedience to holy exhortations and menaces Or Secondly the Crowne is the Crowne of holy Ministery and profession called Rev. 3. 10. The fast holding of the word of my patience And this Crowne is especially meant and will be lost if Christians hold not fast But the Christian must stand in defence of shining and saving doctrine of the Scriptures which is his crowne and let none take it away 1. Not the world must draw thee from the knowledge and practise of the sound doctrine of the Apostles What a base thing were it to raise up the Moone above this Crowne of twelve starres Consider Demas and Iudas 2 Let not persecution or temptation pull away thy crowne but demeane thy selfe as a Prince who with valour and courage will endure all difficulties that offer themselves so as he may uphold his Crowne so must thou contentedly digest and stoutly contemne all tribulations and afflictions that happen for the Gospels sake Considering First the way that Christ went was from the Crosse unto the Crowne and he was consecrated Prince of our salvation through affliction Heb. 2. 10. and 12. 2. Secondly that thou must be conformable unto him 3. Let not thy owne lusts and strong corruptions make a mutiny or rebellion in thee to bereave thee of thy Crowne A carefull Prince is vigilant to extinguish and suppresse civill warres especially Doe thou bestirre thee in subduing and resisting the unruly wils affections inclinations and passions of thine owne soule that thy whole man may be brought into the obedience of Christ. He is not worthy the name of a Prince who suppose hee had the rule of all the world were not able to rule himselfe 5 Note what a dangerous thing it is 1 To strive against and resist the word and Gospell of Christ a note of a rebell who pulls the Crowne off the head of the Church To pull downe faithfull Preachers is to pull the Crowne from off the Queenes head and yet this will worldly men do so ill can they brooke faithfull dealing with their soules 2 It is no lesse dangerous to wrong the godly the members of the Church It is above scandalum magnatum in Gods star-chamber an high treason against the spouse of Jesus Christ. What saith Ahashuerosh of Haman Will he force the Queene before my face And then they covered his face as unworthy to see any more light So Christ will say of his Queene And how darest thou wrong the members of the Church in Gods sight Thou shalt dearely buy thy presumption Thus much of the 3. first properties of the Church Who so long as she shined in the clothing of the sun and held the Moone under her fcet and carryed the starrie Crowne upon her head so long she continued the chast spouse of Christ. But in processe of time when in
stead of the Sunne she put on and arrayed her selfe with purple and scarlet and set the Moone above her head affecting admiring and aspiring after earthly wealth and dignitie and in stead of twelve starres in her Crowne shee decked her crowne with gold and pearles and precious stones Then she became the harlot sitting on the scarlet coloured Beast and the mother of whordomes and abominatiōs of the whole earth Rev. 17. 3 4 5. They are deceived that suppose the glory of Christs true Church consisteth in scarlet and purple in gold and silver in pompe and externall honor in princely Lordship and Popedome Let the whore of Babylon decke her selfe with these enticing trickes But the spoule of Christ is knowne by her crowne of starres and that inward simple and native beauty and glory which useth to draw not the worlds admiration but contempt upon it Ver. 2. And she was with child and cryed travelling c. Now followeth the fourth propertie in the description of this woman namely her pregnācy and fruitfulnesse in travelling and bearing of children In the verse are two generall parts I. Her conception and carrying of her child in that she was with child ready to be delivered II. Her painefull travell and birth that she was pained and cryed to be delivered In the meaning are three questions to be resolved 1 What is meant by this conception and being with child of this woman An. It is no new or strange thing in the Scriptures to finde the Church compared to a woman with child Isa. 54. 1. Reioyce thou barren c. The Church of the Gentiles which before was barren but now hath more children then the married wife that is the Jewes who came of Sarah opposed to Agar The reason is because of the similitude and agreemēt between the bringing forth of children to God in grace and that to man in nature The resemblance stands especially in five things 1 As wee had two parents saith Augustine who begat us to death Adam and Eve so must wee have two parēts to beget us unto life Christ his Church and these two must be one flesh by the bond of marriage 2 As a woman becomes a mother by meanes of her marriage and company with her husband so doth the Church by her marriage and conjunction with Christ bring forth many Children to God For had she not beene the spouse of Christ and the Lambes wife she had beene for ever barren Sarah was a type of this bride Therefore as Sarah was of a barren wombe and unfit for conception but by the word and promise of God brought forth Isaac who was therefore called the sonne of the promise So the Church was of a fruitles and barren wombe and had never brought forth children to Christ were it not for the covenant and promise of God by which all the faithfull are formed in her wombe who are therefore also called children of the promise Rom 9. 8. The children of the promise are the seed 3 When Jesus Christ the father the second Adam and quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. soweth the seed of grace and spiritual generation partly externally by the preaching of the word which is called the immortall seed of Gods word that endures for ever which therefore carryeth life and quickning with it as being the power of God to salvation Rom. 1. 16 and partly in wardly by the Spirit of God a powerfull agent without whose mighty operation all would proove but a false conception The Church as a Mother receiveth conceiveth it in the wombe of faithfull and pure hearts So Mary pondred all things in her heart And Heb. 4. 2. the word must be mingled with faith or else it profiteth not to this conception 4 As a Woman having conceived brings not forth presently but keepeth her moneths and seasons appointed by God till her very houre come so the Church brings not children to God at her owne pleasure and will but when she hath gone out the full time moneths appointed by God for the new birth of every one of them which is finished by degrees and in due season this is in the text 5 As a mother come to the full moneths of birth bringeth her child into the light So doth the Church bring her children into the light by two meanes partly by profession of the doctrine of grace and partly by the practise of the gifts of grace Then doth she nurse her new-borne babes with the syncere milke of Gods word drawne out of her owne two breasts the Testaments of holy Scripture whereby they out-grow their infancy and come to their age in Christ. 2 Why is this woman said now to be with child and ready to be delivered What was she barren ever before this time An. No. For first she had beene very fruitfull before as ver 17. there is mention of the remnant of her seed Secondly all the sonnes and children of God in all ages were children of this woman Thirdly this vision being to be referred to the times after the Apostles before and about the times of the tyrannicall Heathen Emperors both Scriptures and stories record that there was a wonderfull increase of Christians almost all the world over so as the Tyrants were still kept in worke though they slew them by tenne thousands and hundred thousands Therefore wee must distinguish of the Churches travell This travell is either 1 Generall in the bringing forth of faithfull men to Christ in generall and this is not directly aymed at here Or 2 Speciall and particular of some speciall Childbirth which now she was payned for and cryed to the Lord with ardent prayers for and which was shortly to be borne and brought forth This seemes plaine in the fift verse For what she was with child with that she brought forth and that was a particular manchild of whom we will enquire in the place 3 Why she is said to cry in paine ready to be delivered An. For two reasons 1 To hold the resemblance For as God hath by his inevitable sentence for the sinne of man annexed sharpe sorrow to the birth of every Child Gen. 3. 16. In sorrow shalt thou conceive and bring forth so the text implyeth not a little sorrow in bearing and bringing forth children to God 2 For a more speciall reason in the text which in a word was this The Church being now in and under cruell persecutions and lamentable oppressions and being in her selfe as Woman weake and helplesse exposed to all tyranny and unjust vexation seeth the want of a protector and powerfull defender of the Christian faith and Christian people And therefore as earnestly desires by some of her owne Sonnes deliverance from those paines and oppressions as a woman in travell doth desire riddance from her paines and sorrowes 1. The Church of God is a fruitfull Mother daily bringing forth children to Jesus Christ. Psa. 87. 5. Of Sion shall be said
many shall be borne in her The Church typed by Salomons wife hath in stead of parents children whom she maketh Princes in all lands Psa. 45. 16. Cant 7. 2. The navell of the Church is described to be as a round bowle or cup and as a heap of wheat hedged about with Lillies A bowle or cuppe never wanting sweet and gracious liquor A round bowle a capacious figure in signe of fruitfulnesse and equally affected as a round figure to fruitfulnesse on every side Which fruit is to God as precious and fragrant as an heape of wheate hedged about with Lillies Cant. 1. 15. the spouse hath made her bed ready for the sweet embraces of her bridegroome and professeth that her bed is greene for two causes First because of the flourishing of it It must be a greene bed in which Christ himselfe resteth and delighteth It flourisheth with peace There is quiet rest in a pure and peaceable conscience there is in that bed and heart a sweet repose Secondly because of the fruitfulnesse of it It is ever greene by many children daily begotten and borne unto God This doctrine is strengthened by three reasons 1 Because she is the Mother of all beleevers Gal. 4. 26. Jerusalem which is from above is the Mother of us all that is all the elect and beleevers whether in heaven or earth Hence her name is Catholike first in respect of all ages secondly all places thirdly all kindes of persons And therefore it is that the number of her children are numberlesse Rev. 7. 9. I beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations kinreds people and tongues stood before the throne with long white roabes and palmes in their hands 2 Shee must needs be a fruitfull mother who is mother to all the Sonnes and Children of God according to that auncient saying Wheresoever God is the father the Church is the Mother so that Not borne of the Church not borne of God And who but she is Mother to all that innumerable company of Saints in earth and in heaven For there is no entrance into that Jerusalem which is above but by that Jerusalem which is from above 3 She must be a fruitfull Mother that doth perpetually bring forth children from the beginning to the end of the world For as Christ is an everlasting Father so hath he an everlasting issue The faithfull are called the seed of Christ begotten by the travell of his soule Isa. 53. 10 11. in whom his dayes are prolonged here upon earth and himselfe being personally in heaven yet continues here in earth to the end of the world in this heavenly propagation Seeing then this is an ever-childing mother that never growes old we may conclude that never was any so fruitfull Never to content our selves with our first birth of our naturall Mother unlesse we be borne againe of this Mother For 1 Naturall birth suppose it never so royall or noble is but of mortall and corruptible seed but this is of seed incorruptible and immortall 2 Naturall birth is from the first Adam in sinne this is from the second Adam in righteousnesse 3 By the first birth we dye because we come of them that have dyed but by this we are quickned never to dye more 4 Naturall birth can onely advance to a naturall happinesse but this to a supernaturall and heavenly 5 By the first birth thou art an heyre of hell and till thou art borne againe canst never see the kingdome of God Joh. 3. 5. by this second to an heavenly inheritance unfading reserved in the heavens 6 The first birth never so glorious and royall shall rot in dust and consume with time this because it is of an immortall seed shall never fayle but persevere to all eternity when time shall be no more Nay further stand not upon it that thou art borne within the Church no nor of Christian parents for it is nothing to be a Jew without if not within it is nothing to be in the Church unlesse thou be of the Church it is nothing to be the seed of Christians unlesse thou be the seed of Christ. The birth of Ismael was as good for parentage as Isaacks both from Abraham But get good assurance that thou art borne of this Mother in which is more honour and comfort then to be the Sonne of an Empresse If thou wouldest be assured of the inheritance get good assurance of thy legitimation for the sonne of the bond woman shall not inherit with the sonne of the free woman Wouldst thou be assured of safetie in dangers and protection in perillous times be sure thou know and acknowledge thy Mother that under her wing and in her lappe thou maiest rest securely seeing that out of the true Church as out of the Arke is no safetie no salvation Qu. How may wee come to know this Mother to be our Mother that we may have comfort of our new and heavenly birth An. The true knowledge of this woman stands in two generals I. To know her the true Mother and spouse of Christ in her selfe II. To know her to be also our Mother 1 The former is so much the more necessary because the Church of Rome not onely a stepmother but a professed harlot challengeth herselfe to be this woman and the Mother of this living child and by fifteene notes as arguments alleadged by her deare sonne Bellarmine De notis Ecclesiae obtrudeth herselfe as the Mother of all beleevers in the new Testament I am not at leasure to unloose all the bundle which perhaps he thought would prevaile by their number if there should be no weight found in them but I wil onely mention the first five and by them we shall easily discerne the rest Bellarmine his first note that the Romish Church is the true Mother is because she is called every where Catholike But this is a false note For 1 A consequence holdeth not from being named to being Christ was called a Demoniacke and Impostor must he therefore be so Rev. 3. 9. Many call themselves Jewes and are not And chap. 2. 2. Some say they are Apostles and are not 2 What where the Churches in the Prophets and Apostles dayes as Jerusalem Corinth Galatia Ephesus Were they not true Churches yet were they never called Catholike 3 They onely thus style themselves because saith the Father Never was there any heresi which did not desire to be accounted and to seeme Catholike But falsely for two reasons 1 Because they have departed from the Catholike faith 2 Because it is but a particular Church if so much and can no more be catholike then a finger can bee a hand or a hand a man True it is that the true Churches doe call them Catholike but how onely Ironically and so that note endeth either in a jest or Irony His second note is Antiquitie which is as deceitfull as the other
language Now to discover satans wile herein is a part of the cure Thirdly He assailes us in our sleepe For then we are weake and exposed to all danger The envious man sowes tares while men sleepe In sleepe Iaell easily slew great Siserah with a nayle a hammer And the dragon knowes how easie a conquest he obtaineth in our sleepe of securitie David in his ease and rest was soone cast downe wherefore we must watch and pray Fourthly In our nakednesse as 1. When wee are out of our way and calling Israel by sin had made themselves naked to the darts of the dragon and of God himselfe 2 When wee are impotent and inordinate in our naturall desires cares and corrupt affections Salomon saith A man that cannot refraine his appetite is as a Cittie without wals Prov. 23. 28. naked and exposed to all dangers and as a captaine where the wales are lowest or weakest there laies his battery So the great dragon markes our inclination and thrusts us downe the hil where we are ready to runne headlong of our owne accord And as he findes dispositions set he baites his hook and fits them with temptations and objects fit for their ambition or voluptuousnesse or covetousnesse and so findes strength enough in our selves to overthrow us Esau by his broth Lot by his Wine Iudas by money a roote of evil fel upon many temptations and snares Hence are those many exhortations to take heed that our hearts be not oppressed with surfeiting drnnkennesse or cares of this life 3 When wee are in idle or evill company we are naked and then the dragon hath us at advantage When was Peter set upon Not so long as he was in the company of Christ and his disciples whose presence might have bin meanes to uphold him But when he runnes among the high Priests servants and sits downe by a warme fire Now he is fit to be wrought upon he will now be brought easily to deny and forsweare his Lord. Fiftly In the day of our death which is most unfit for resistance seeing now the body is sick pained and hath many other things to thinke upon many feares many terrors many things to settle c. To teach us to pray before hand for the day to die daily to pull out the sting of death bereave our sins of life before hand Secondly Concerning actions we shal observe the dragons subtilties 1 In respect of good actions 2 Of evill actions 1 In good actions or duties he sets all his seaven heads on worke 1 To hinder 2 To blemish 3 To disgrace them 4 To frustrate them First Because there is nothing but it stands in the dragons way He is restlesse in hindering all that is good and the better it is the more buisy to prevent it As 1 The greatest worke that ever was wrought was that of mans redemption How craftily did he seeke to hinder this in Peter Master pitty thy selfe 2 The greatest duties that the Lord hath injoyned us are those which we are to performe in his publique ordinances as preaching hearing praying and all parts of publique worship Hence he raiseth persecutions against the Church to hinder these and disperse the Saints Acts 11. 19. And he can hinder the free passage of the gospell and stop the Apostles themselves in the course of their ministry 1 Thes. 2. 18. But I speake not here of his force but see how finely his heads can contrive it He can pretend unitie and peace and order decency and obedience and every thing that is good to stop the course of the Gospell and hinder it So he did in Q. Maries daies He can hinder hearing of the word and reading the scriptures by undeniable reasons Why doe not you thinke that men may be saved without all this preaching and running to sermons And is it not unreasonable to urge every common man to know the deepe points which belong to Divines to Church men and booke learned men but for private and unlettered men a little knowledge is best and the heart may be good where the skill is but small Besides you have a calling to follow a charge of children perhaps live of your labour how can you spare time for such occasions And who sees not that the world was better when there was lesse preaching men were more devote lesse contentious And one Sermon well learned is better then all this preaching and many learned men wish there were more praying and lesse preaching for so much preaching brings but preaching into contempt Never were these seven heads more beaten then in beating downe preaching the onely hammer against the kingdome of the devill and never were they more busie working in this subject in mans memory then at this day never were his subtilties and wit more applauded and more approoved then now 3 He strives subtilly against all grace because it makes us like unto God As in Peter Satan winnowes to shake all grace out of our hearts and to hold it out Especially those of faith repentance and holinesse First Our faith is a sweet morsell to Satanâ— because we cannot resist him unlesse we be stedfast in faith His incessant worke is either to hinder us from attaining or retaining it for if he can hold off or wrest from us this sheild he hath devoured us already and this he can contrive nimbly What seeft thou in thy selfe worthy of the fauour of God a man of so many so great sins for thee to assure thy self of thy salvation is boldnesse and great presumption Discernest thou not how many doubts afflict thee how many crosses are upon thee for thee to say thou hast faith is but to feed a fancy as if sinnes doubts and crosses could not stand with faith in our Father Secondly Repentance for this cuts him short of all He cannot perswade that it is not necessary to salvation where the word is taught but he will firmely perswade not to repent yet but deferre it till a more convenient time for now thou art in thy youth and pleasures of the world or in the profits of the world for thee and thine and these thou must now enjoy and conveniently enough repent afterward Old age and sicknesse is fitter for sad thoughts and religious exercises are tedious and unpleasant And God hath mercie in store when ever thou returnest unto him he will put away all thy sins if they be never so many And Christ hath store of blood and merit and thy sinnes cannot be so many or heynous as to exceed his merits And therefore seeing thou mayest enjoy both the pleasures of this life and of the other refuse neither Thirdly Holinesse and exercise of all good works and vertues He can tell how to undermine all good duties most subtilly 1 Mountaines of feares losses crosses and difficulties 2 What need such care and watch and working doth not faith alone justifie You will live like
strive with unreasonable men that are not guided by truth humility charity or Christianity but by fury railing pride pretences of law threatning and violence the dragon will shew not his hornes only but his crownes to See wee the wicked of the world giving up their crownes to the dragon and with all their strength and power and authority setting their crownes on the dragons head wee on the contrary must learne with all our power to set up and uphold the Crown and Scepter of Christ in our selves and others for as all the limbes of the dragon reioice to see him crowned and domineere to the ruine of the Church so let all the children of Sion reioyce in their King Psal 149. 2. Shall the Papists triumph and glory wheÌ„ the Antichristian forces prevaile against the reformed religion and shall not wee when the woman prevaileth against the dragon Quest. How may I uphold Christs Crowne and Scepter against the dragon Ans. 1. Cast down thy Crowne at the feet of the Lambe and worship him that sitteth on the Throne as the Seniors Rev. 4. 10. this is done by 2 practices 1. If thou deny thy selfe and diselaime whatsoever is in thy selfe as being void of all power and strength to attaine any thing that is good 2. If thou ascribest all power to God and Iesus Christ of creation and providence of preservation yea of finall victorie against all enemies whom hee will make his footstoole and set his feet upon their neckes and crownes as Ioshua did II. Alow thy heart for his throne and chaire of state that in it he may sit and command and beware of resisting his person or entrance or peaceable possession in thy soule Psal. 24. open thy gates that the King of glory may enter avoid whatsoever would hinder his peaceable entrance or coÌ„tinuance especially in foure things 1. Infidelity for Jesus Christ is no way received but by faith Iohn 1. 12. 2. Impenitency he dwelleth no where but in an humble and contrite soule 3. Raigaing sinneâ— which are as iron gates and percullices to keepe out Jesus Christ out of his kingdome and hold the sinner in rebellion against his Sove aigne and King where any sin raigneth there Christ cannot raigne and as no man can serve two contrary masters being enemies so no man can bee subject to two kings enacting contrary lawes 4. Idolatry what communion betweene Christ and Antichrist 2 Cor. 6. 15 16. III. Take the oath of allegeance to Jesus Christ to submit to his lawes willingly David tooke this oath Psal. 119. 10. I have sworne and will performe to keepe thy righteous judgements A seeming subject is most pernicious such as the Pope and Jesuites have catechized to refuse the oath of allegeance to our Soveraigne they are among us but not of us Such subjects to Christ are wicked men and hypocrites Christians onely in name and profession are counterfeit are in the Church but not of it 1 Joh. 2. they want all the notes of good subjects which are 1. To know and attend to the lawes and word of his King the word of the Law and the Gospell is the municipall lawes of this kingdome called the word of the kingdome a good Christian will attend to the word preached as a good subject to his Kings Proclamation 2. To obey his lawes yeelding obedience to the whole law in true indeauour so did David have respect to all the Commandements Psal. 119. 6. and also faith and repentance to the Gospell 3. Neither this by constraint but as a willing people Psal. 100 of unwilling made willing drawne by the Father as the sheepe of Christ to heare his voyce and follow him IIII. Resist the Dragons incroachments upon this Kings kingdome know the enemies the Devill world sinne Pagans Papists Heretiques Atheists they would pull thee from allegeance to former slavery furnish thy selfe with weapons against all the enemies of the kingdome which are the word faith hope love righteousnesse patience especially prayer against the kingdome of darknesse and the proceeding of the enemies of the Church Hester must stand up and intercede for her people let us not faile at this time Shal the Pope injoyne a fast for the prosperity of the warres against the Church and wee shamefully neglect it And his tayle drew downe the third part of the Stars Having spoken of the five properties by which we have heard the Dragon described wee come to the second part of the description which is by two effects The former against the Starres of heaven in this verse The latter against the woman in the next verse For the meaning every word is mysticall wee must stand a while in the interpretation in which are foure things to be considered First what is meant by the Starres of heaven Ans. Fondly doe the Papists understand here by the dragon Lucifer drawing downe with him in his fall many Angels which they say are meant by Stars of heaven not attending the scope of the place for I reade not in all the Scripture where Satan is called Lucifer Calvin cals it a grosse ignorance to father Satans name upon Isa. 14. 12. but it is called by this name Rev. â—2 10. 1. These Starres fell to earth after Iohns prophesie whereas they fell before mans sall 2 These starres fell in the Church when the battell was pitcht against the woman but Satan fell and his angels before there was any Church in the world or before there was any mention either of Christ or his Church 3. Those fell with the dragon these cast downe by the dragon 4. These starres were cast downe by the dragon to the earth from mysticall heaven to mysticall earth but those Angels were cast downe by GOD from heaven into hell where they are reserved in chaines of darknesse to the judgement of the great day and both taken in their proper acceptation But this place is an allusion to Dan. 8. â—0 where Antiochus Epiphanes a type of Antichrist is said to cast the starres unto earth and tread upon them where he calleth by the name of the Host of heaven those whoÌ„ our Euangelist calleth the starres of heaven that is the Ministers and Pastors of the Church called by this name as we have declared verse 1. 1. As they are set in their orbes by God and receive their light from the Sunne and move in their certaine order and station so are these set in their severall stations to keepe the watch of the Lord by a perpetuall decree so long as day and night succeed one another 2. As they shine in the darknesse of the night so doe these give light to the Church in the darke night of this world partly by doctrine and partly by holy example Matth 5. 14 Ye are the lights of the world and the light of the starres is not for themselves 3. As starres are eminent and in high place above the earth so the Pastors and Teachers are in eminency as
them downe all at once he is their Lord and they his servants who is able and willing to aide them in their faithfulnesse he is the Bridegroome and they friends of the Bridegroome wooing and adorning his Spouse they are preferred before others in nearnes to Jesus Christ as having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a mediation betweene God and man especially resembling Christ yea and are Coworkers with God and Saviours Obed. 21. of men and stand in the stead of Christ 2 Cor. 4. 20. Christ will looke to their standing as to his own V. Because of the manifold and sundry wayes by which the Lord usually seeth to defeat the dragons projects that they shall not cast down all the stars as 1. He having undertaken to supply his Church the dragon cannot throw downe one but he raiseth another if not in the same place yet he pricketh down his faithfull servants here and there so as such as wil know them may by their paines have recourse unto them If God take away an Elijah hee raiseth up for him an Elisha with his spirit doubled upon him 2 King 2. 15. If Herod take away Iohn Christ the Bridegroome himselfe standeth up for him if the Iewes take away Christ there are twelve Apostles succeed him and they being departed and taken away by the dragon a succession of infinite Pastors is raised for them with whom the Lord Jesus is present unto the end of the world 2. When the dragon is most fierce he hath a secret chamber to hide his servants in till the storme be over Isa. 26. 20. In the storme raised by Ahab he hath an Obediah to hide a 100 of them a third part from Iezabels rage If Christ the babe be hunted in Iury he shall be sent into Egypt 3. He can withhold the dragon even by that which he most pursueth and hateth God can make the reverence and holines of a man which they above all things persecute binde their hands as all men held Iohn as a Prophet and Herod feared him and the Iewish dragōs would often have assailed Christ himself but feared the people that admired his holines and goodnesse They that went to apprehēd Christ came without him saying Never man spake like this mā 4. He can and doth often make the dragons themselves protectors as Claudius Lysias a heathen to set a strong garrison about Paul when forty mē had sworne his death Act. 22. 27. Hee can make Pilates wife and Pilates selfe plead for Christ and King Achish protect David against Saul 5. Hee can make the dragon quarrell with himselfe and so for a time divert the fury from the stars he can make the Mideanites turne their swords one against another he can send an evill spirit betweene Abimelech and the men of Shechem and a fire shal goe forth from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and from the men of Shechem to consume Abimelech Iudg. 9. 20 23. And thus when wicked men fall out among themselves the godly escape betweene them as Paul between the Sadduces and Pharises When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh even his enemies his friends although often against their owne intentions 6. Hee can make them safer in the dragons paw or mouth than if they were at large and liberty the three children were safer in the furnace than they were out of it Daniel safer in the denne than in the Court and Ieremy 38. 28. was safer in prison than they that were at liberty for when they were caried away and spoyled he was preserved in safe custody for the future service of the Church 7. He can and doth make the dragon storme and rage to see and say as Pharaoh did that the more he oppresseth them the more they rise and encrease This serveth to dishearten and confound the enemies of God and his Church they cannot worke wisely enough to cast downe all the starres all the power of earth or hell shall not effect their desires they take crafty counsell against Gods secrets ones Psal. 83. 3. Gebal and Ammon and Amilecke c. but God with whom is wisdome and strength overthrowes their devises that never did they nor shall see all their hearts desires To comfort the Church of God against the dragons power they must know his power is limited and restrained so that two third parts are still saved the power of God which is the onely wall and fence against the proud and raging waves of the sea that they overflow not all the earth Psal. 104. 9. hee restraineth and breaketh the proud and swelling waves of the dragon saying Thus farre shalt thou come and no further thou shalt not meddle with my remnant my third part these I hold in my right hand and thou shalt not plucke them thence Feare not then the threats of dragons what they can doe what they will doe against the starres they can doe nothing but 1. What God wil permit them to execute for the sinnes of the Church which cast downe more starres than all the dragons 2. Nor till Gods time be come Christ cannot bee stoned apprehended till the houre of the power of darknesse be come nor any member 3. Not till the worke be done in that place for which God sent them Paul being in Corinth resisted and blasphemed shooke his raiment and said Your blood be upon your owne head and purposed to depart thence the case of many a good Minister but God comforteth him by a vision and promiseth his presence with him and biddeth him goe on for he had many people in that city to call till the worke was done he must not goe and so he stayed a yeare and sixe monthes more Acta 18. 9. To stay the hearts of godly men when they see true Ministers shining as starres cast downe by the dragon as of late in forraine parts where the dragon hath prevailed espie here the dragons malice who will do as much spoile in the Church as God permitteth him to doe but though he may prevaile against some yet he cannot against all God wil uphold two third parts to witnesse against the dragon that is so many as shall serve his providence in the salvation of all his Saints wheresoever scattered in the world So long as any are to bee saved by being brought to the faith the word of faith must bee preached Ascribe all the glory to the power of God and his Providence if we enjoy the shine of any starre or see abroad any shining starre standing in his place It is no thanke to the dragon or the enemies who weary themselves in casting about to cast them all downe and would if the Lord did not uphold thē to the Churches neede I have heard the railing and feare on every side but the Lord is with me as a mighty Gyant Psal. 1 36. 9 he made the stars for the night he taketh special care of them men may call them at
their pleasure hee calleth them all by their right names Object What need we care for them seeing God is so carefull Sol. Provoke not God to remove them 1. See the neede of starres for illumination warmth moisture refrigeration by them discerne seasons of grace guide thy course on the sea of this world starres were made not for ornament onely but for use heate influence 2. Make use of their light some hate the light as of commets portending evill to them and blesse themselves from them 3. Reioyce in their light constantly not as the Iewes did in Iohn that counted him a light for a season men receive Preachers as new Starres or Commets gaze a while but care not how soone they be wasted The second effect by which the dragon is described is by his mischievous attempt against the woman as the former was against the starres this effect is set downe 1. By his action he stood before the Woman 2. His intention to devoure the childe when it was brought forth I. In his action observe two things 1. What it is to stand before the woman 2. How he standeth before her 1. To stand before the woman is an allusion to the ancient Story both of the dragon standing before Eve the woman that is the mother of the world and of the Church to seduce her as also of Pharaoh called the dragon of Aegypt watching the destruction of the male children of the Church so soone as the mothers should bee delivered of them to which places out of doubt the text hath reference This standing before the woman implieth two things 1 His readinesse and nearnesse as one at hand narrowly watching observing to assault and destroy the blessed seed 2. His instance and diligence in the purpose hee departs not farre nor long but standeth and abideth proceedeth and persisteth in his mischievous purpose and intention against the Church and members he standeth still but not idle 2. How he standeth before her and that is two wayes 1. By fraud and secret trechery he layeth traines out of sight for her hurt and by flattery seeketh to bring and lure her into his snare 2. By open force and violence to subdue such as by secret traines he cannot allure II. His intention to devoure the childe hee seemeth to doe nothing lesse but the Spirit of God uncaseth him sheweth us the true end of all his couÌ„sels and indeavours Let the dragon dissemble never so much friendship as to Eve in eating his minde is murderous for hee standeth not afore us to abridge us of our liberty or goods or outward comfort onely but his direct aime is to compasse our death and destruction of soule and body Quest. But what had the child done or when should he devoure it Sol. He watcheth the destruction of it before it be borne if the woman miscary not in bringing forth some abortive birth then he bestirreth himselfe to destroy the young and tender birth so soone as it taketh breath in the Church Where in the dragon note three things 1. The groundednesse and setlednesse of malice in the nature of the dragon who out of his wickednesse unstirred and unprovoked carrieth deadly wrath against the children of the Church There is a naturall enmity and antipathy betweene the seed of the dragon and the seed of the woman for what can the childe doe against him before hee is borne 2. The policy of the dragon who will not suffer the womans children to grow up to strength and stature but will oppresse them even in the biâ—â—â— or as soone as they are borne while they are tender and least able to resist hee knoweth the fittest time to blast grace is in herba in the cradle in the beginnings 3. The implacablenesse of this savage dragon whose pittilesse disposition nothing can move not infancy not tendernesse not innocency not causelesnesse nothing can pleade or prevaile for a drop of compassion nay these rather cause and stirre up his wrath and kindle his rage and fury more against them and this is the enemy with whom we have to deale whom Gods spirit hath thus graphycally and punctually described that we might stand so much the more watchfully and preparedly against him So soone as any childe commeth to bee borne of the Church Satan watcheth by all means to destroy him 1 Pet. 5. 8. Satan as a roaring Lyon seeketh whom to devoure The principall businesse of Satan in the world hath ever been to take out of the way and to destroy vijs modis by secret fraud or open force all that should bee spiritually begotten of the Church especially such as should stand up to maintaine the religion of Christ. How Herod the dragon stood before the woman seeking to slay the childe Iesus so soone as he was borne appeareth Mat. 2. 16. hee could not hinder his holy conception his quickning birth but his hope is to devoure him being borne the same fury he sheweth to the members and to come to that our text aimeth at how the dragon by the heathen Roman Emperours and bloody Tyrants Nero Domitian Trajan and the rest did by most cruell Edicts torments and unheard of punishments and persecutions stand in the whole Empire with the greatest vigilancy that might bee to swallow up whatsoever Christian should be borne in the Church utterly to extirpate all Christians and extinguish the Christian faith is manifest in every leafe and line of that bloody Story But especially the dragon by those tyrants watched and observed most diligently lest any defender of the Christian faith either in Magistracy or Ministery should spring up in so much that if any President or Governour was more moderate or lesse rigorous against ChristiaÌ„s he was presently devoured by the dragon as a favourer or childe of the woman His incessant labour to hinder the glory of God for whereas the glory of a King is the multitude of his subjects he cannot abide that Gods glory should bee increased by the increase of the subjects of his Kingdome He is the Arch-tyrant and head of all tyrants in the world and setteth up and holdeth up his kingdome by tyranny and injustice and as Attaliah could never thinke her selfe stable in her usurped authority till she had slaine all the Kings seed 2 Kin. 11. 1. so this monster of tyrants and scourge of the world thinketh his kingdome can never bee sure and stable if he kill not all the Kings seed the sonnes of this woman the Church His extremâ— hatred of the true religion the true service of God amongst the Israelites was an abomination to the Aegyptians and therefore like dragons they oppressed them The dragon never ceaseth to hinder or corrupt the purity of Gods worship or to persecute whom he cannot hinder Let Israel but talk of going to worship in the wildernesse the hellish Pharaoh presently begins to rage to augment the burthens and never cease his unjust vexation till himselfe cease to
properly ruleth all nations with a rod of Iron Psal. 2. so this sonne of the woman in this verse so as we see a notable correspondence in the birth of this man-childe to the birth of Christ that man-childe who was figured by all those man-children that first opened the wombe under the law so as it cannot be denyed but that this vision looketh backe to the history of Christs birth and is first true in the most and maine passages of it of Iesus Christ And this be named once for all the vision Quest. But is not Christ here directly meant Ans. It seemeth to mee by many strong reasons in the text that Christ is not properly and directly meant by this man-childe for I. If by this man-childe here be meant Christ then by the woman must be meant not the Church as we have interpreted proved but the Virgin Mary as some Papists imagine although even some of them finding many parts of the description of this woman not agreeing to her conclude as Ribera out of Methodius that not Mary but the Church is this woman II. The man-childe here borne is the sonne of the Church but Christ is not the sonne of the Church therefore hee is not this man-childe for Christ is the Sonne of God and the sonne of Mary but not the sonne of the Church nay hee is the Father of the Church Esay 9. 6. and the Church is called his seed Esay 53. but no where is hee called the sonne of the Church nor the seed of the Church III. This woman is said to travell to bring forth this man-childe but the Church is never said to travell to bring forth Christ. Indeed the Apostle Galat. 4. 19. saith Hee travelled in birth with the Galathians to forme Christ in them by his Ministery but not that he travelled of Christ but of them to bring them forth Christians IIII. We must remember that Iohn writeth here a Propheticall history of things to come to passe after his time and not of things formerly passed and therefore neither of the personall nor mysticall birth of Christ for first consider him 1. Personally he was before this time not borne only but dead and risen and ascended to the Throne of God all this was past and Iohn had seene it and needed no new vision to manifest this unto him which he knew before and had so largely described in his Euangelicall Story 2. If wee consider the mysticall birth of Christ in the hearts of beleevers by the preaching of the Gospell this also had beene done formerly in abundant measure and was a thing not to come and to bee done but onely to bee continued so as it cannot bee meant of Christ either personally or mystically V. It will not agree to Christ that is said of this man-childe that presently he was taken up to God after his birth without mentioning any of the great workes for which hee was borne and came into the world for Christ was to doe more than be borne and ascend hee must fast and teach and pray and doe many powerfull miracles and suffer and bee buried and rise and then ascend neither is the word fitly here used to note the ascension of Christ that hee was caught up to the Throne of God as it were by the power of some other for hee is said to goe up Acts 1. 19. and to ascend as doing it of his owne power indeed we weake creatures are said to bee caught up 1 Thess. 4. 17. by a mighty power without our selves as this man-childe in the Text but it is not so with him in his ascending who had all power in heaven and earth Mat. 28. c. last Object But there bee two things in the Text which seeme so proper to Christ as that they cannot agree or be ascribed to any other First that hee ruleth the Nations with a rod of iron and this is Christs property Psal. 2. 9. and cannot agree to any other Ans. All power is Christs originally and primarily but wee may not forget that hee promiseth the same power by Communication to his members Revel 2. 26. To him that overcommeth I will give power over the nations and he shall rule them with a rod of iron not that the soveraign power of Christ over the whole earth is communicable to any creature for none of his Offices can passe from him to another but noteth that beleevers have benefit part in his exaltation and power and therefore wee must not marvell if we finde this power which is properly invested in Christ to be communicated and in part executed for him by others Object 2. But this man-childe is taken up to the Throne of God now who but Christ ever sate in heaven in the Throne of God Sol. In the Throne of Gods right hand as Mediator and head of the Church in heaven properly so taken onely Christ sitteth and no other creature man nor Angel but the Throne of God in Scripture is taken mystically and figuratively for 1. There is an heaven upon earth the Church which is many times called by the name of heavē as in this Chapter And a kingdome of grace in which the Lord hath set up his Throne unto which he lifteth whom hee pleaseth now wee are sonnes of God 1 Iohn 3. 2. Ephes. 2. 5. 6. Now we are saved by hope Rom. 8. 24. 2. Heavenly glory is called figuratively a Throne wherein howsoever Christ only sitteth by his owne right and priviledge yet the Saints also by communication and participation are admitted to sit on the Throne with him as members with the head Rev. 3. 21. To him that overcommeth will I give that he shall sit with me on my Throne as I overcome and sit with my Father on his Throne Thus the twelve Disciples are promised to sit on twelve Thrones and the twenty foure Elders representing the Church of the old and new Testament sate upon twenty foure Thrones Revel 11. 26. so as this is no barre but some besides Christ may be meant by this man childe 3. In the worldly administration howsoever the kingdome and Throne be the Lords and all power belongeth unto God yet it pleaseth him in the government of the world to take up Rulers and Princes after a sort into his owne Throne and setteth them in highest place next himselfe to rule over the Nations and putteth a rod of power into their hands investing them not with his power onely but with his name also I said ye are gods thus he taketh them into his owne Throne putteth on them a part of his owne Majesty whereof their Thrones and Seates carry a little representation and in this sense is this phrase here taken Having shewed that this man-childe is not to be meant of Christ and answered the objections that have caried some to that interpretation let us inquire who he is and looking neare unto the Text and scope of the place the series of times
and dependance of the words with antecedents and consequents By the man-childe I understand some potent Prince or Princes or some speciall deliverers whō God stirred upto succour and to relieve the Church against those Tyrannicall Romish Emperors persecutors By whom the dragon was defeated and disappointed whose aime was to devoure all the seede of the woman for these were 1. Sonnes of the Church 2. A man-childe stout strong valiant 3. Ruled over the Nations with a rod of iron viz. an unresistable power and over-ruling the nations and Princes that were enemies to the Church 4. Was taken into the Throne of God that is advanced unto chiefe government for the refreshing and defence of the Church and curbing the rage of those imperiall dragons And running over the story of those times the best commentary of a Prophesie I finde that in the yeare 182 after Christ the Church had tolerable peace under Commodus the Emperour in whose raigne the Gospell was greatly spread Hist. Eccl. cap. 21. but he being no Christian or sonne of the Church but a flagitious man was not this man-childe In Anno 247. the first Christian Emperour was Philip of whom we read that he submitted himselfe to the discipline of the Church Eccles. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 25. I doe not see but now the man childe might begin to be borne Afterward in 319. after the long and bloody raigne of Maxentius of whō the story saith that there was no great City in which 100. Christiās were not daily drawne to execution God raised up Constantine the Great an obedient and loving sonne of the Church and tooke him up to his Throne of government next to himselfe for under God was none greater than he and put into his hand not a scepter of gold onely an ensigne of dignity and regall or rather imperiall authority but a rod of iron the strongest of metals fit to beate downe all before it by which rod hee flew foure savage dragons who stood against the woman Maximian and his sonne Maxentius Maximinus and Licinius and by the same wonne all the West Empire ruled over Italy Spaine France Germany Brittaine besides his dominion in Affrike he restored peace to the Church abolished tyrannicall decrees commanded that none should injure any Christian was himselfe the greatest protector of Christianity that wee reade of in that story To these we may adde the two Theodosi's Christian Emperours and others in authority sonnes of the Church by whom shee was succoured and protected from the dragon in these tyrannicall times Ob. But the Text speaketh but of one man-childe but you interpret it of many Ans. I tie not the man-childe to one individuum or person but to all such set in dignity as God stirred up as protectors and nursing fathers to the tender Church and her babes in these terrible times for these Reasons The manchilde not one individual person but so many Protectors as Christ stirreth up 1. The manner of Prophets in the singular number to set downe a series or row of persons whereof one chiefe is still in being and continued by the succession of many Dan. 7. 17. Foure Kings are not the singular persons but the foure kingdomes and governments in the succession of sundry Kings And foure great beasts vers 3. by every beast is not signified a singular person but a State and succession 1. By the Lyon the Kingdome and successive Kings of the Assyrians and Babylonians 2. By the Beare the kingdome and successive Kings of Medes and Persians 3. By the Leopard the Greekes and Macedonians 4. By the beast with iron teeth and ten hornes the kingdome of Seleucidae and Fagedi 2. In Pauls Epistle 2 Thess. 2. 3. The man of sinne is not one person but a state and row of men who have beene the heads of Apostasie in the kingdome of Antichrist all which make up one man or person after a sort not one in number or nature but one in order succession power will and continuance So in the same Chapter the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hinderer of this man of sinne is not one Roman Emperour but the Empire 1. The state and succession of Emperors which was by succession yet the Apostle saith Hee that withholdeth Even as Saint Iohn 2. Epist. 7. cals many deceivers or Antichrists one Antichrist so many men of sinne one man of sinne many withstanders one withstander 3. In the Revelation nothing more ordinary cap. 13. 1. the beast rising out of the Sea is not one person but the state and succession of Antichrist Cap. 17. 9. the seven heads of the beast are so many States and Governments as Christ himselfe confesseth and the whore in verse 1. is not one person but the Romane state departed from Christ to Antichrist and prostituting her selfe to all idolatry and impurity of doctrine and manners the successors of Antichrists Kingdome Cap. 2. 1. The Angel of the Church of Ephesus not one man or Pastor but many for there were many Pastors and Angels therein Acts 20. 17 18. 4. Even in this Chapter wee have described the woman verse 1. not one Church but the succession of the Church in many ages yet called but a woman And verse 3. the dragon in this vision the whole spawne and row of dragons and tyrants raised by Satan against the woman even ten bloody persecutors all called one dragon for reasons you have heard and there is no reason but the manchilde may be as well collectively taken according to the manner of all Prophets and prophesies The dragon watcheth the woman but in vaine for shee bringeth forth for all that The Church shall bring forth children to God in despight of the dragon especially such children as the Text aimeth at to serve his Providence in the defence upholding of his Church Es. 66. 7. Acts 7. 20. Moses was borne in despight of Pharaoh as the circumstance of time there noteth Christ himselfe was brought forth in despight of Herod and all his plots which appeareth most plainely in those children of the Church excellent instruments prophesied of many yeares before they were borne and named of God whom it had besteaded the dragon that they had never beene brought forth if hee could have hindered them as first Isaac in whom all nations should be blessed by that blessed seed that should descend of him whereof he was a type and in whom the birth of Christ was foretold sundry thousands of yeares before it came to passe would not the dragon have hindred both the type and the truth from being borne if hee could so as all Gods promises and the Covenant of Grace in them should have beene falsified by the dragon 1 Kings 13. 2. wee read of Iosiah named before he was borne 323. yeares and of his piety and zeale in destroying dolatry and defacing of the kingdome of the devill and had it not beene much for the dragons kingdome to have hindred his birth if hee could Esay 44. 28.
corne and let thistles and tares grow in their place and though they may bee stout and will not heare their duty from us yet wee must not faile in our duty for company but let them know they shall not faile to be called upon and if their sinne be not lesse by it it shall bee the greater Thus shall we testifie our love to God to them to their place nay procure the love of God upon our selves and them for as an irreligious Governour is set up by Gods displeasure over a people so a wise and religious Ruler is a gift of Gods love 2 Chron. 9. 8. God set Salomon a wise and religious King on his throne because hee loved Israel and this is true not onely in the supreme but in those that are sent from him And the woman fled into the wildernesse Some may think it strange that the woman should now flie for which fact shee seemeth to have but little reason seeing her sonne the manchilde was in the former words so exalted to the throne of God and so able to defend her with his iron rod this may seeme to weaken the former exposition but we must knowthere might bee sundry causes besides outward force even many inward dislikes and distastes that might haften her out of sight 2. This verse is here inserted by the Spirit of God by anticipation that is when a thing is mentioned in a former place which was done after for here is mentioned the thing but neither the time nor reason for both which wee must consult the thirteenth and fourteenth verses to which time and place this verse doth properly belong for else would follow First that the woman did flie before the battle begun which all this while was but preparing which is not likely Secondly that shee flew twice 3. That shee did flie before wings were given her all which unlikelihood must needs follow if the verse bee not anticipated for it is plaine by those verses that the slight was afterward that the battell with Michael was fought after shee overcame the dragon after the new assault of the dragon against her and after shee had wings given her to save herselfe by flight Quest. Why is this verse so inserted out of his order and due place Ans. The reason seemeth to be this In the former verse the spirit of God had shewed that the dragon although he watched to destroy the man-childe yet hee was safe being taken up into the throne of God and now if question should be made But what became of the woman he would presently adde the woman was safe too and by what meanes as he by his advancement into the throne so shee by flight but not at the same time for many things came betweene Now as the Spirit of God mentioneth this flight but by the way so shall wee speake of it as here wee finde it reserving the reason of it and meanes and other circumstances to the fourteenth verse where wee shall more fitly meet with them This flight of the woman seemeth to be an allusion unto Israel flying into the wildernesse from Pharaoh that red and bloody dragon pursuing them even to destruction In which flight there are three things considerable 1. The place where she flies with a secret reason implyed because that was the place prepared by GOD. 2. Her sustentation that they should feede her 3. Her mansion or continuance 1260. dayes I. In the place two things are inquired First what is the desart Secondly what is the flight 1. The desart is not to be understood of a certaine place as the desart of Arabia or Libia or any other set place to which the Church was to be tyed to at that time as the Donatists dreamed that this wildernesse must bee theirs in Affrike but a certaine state and condition of the Church opposed to her high and heavenly condition wherein shee shined crowned with twelve starres as verse the first The wildernesse then is nothing else but an afflicted wasted and solitary condition of the woman excluded from her former glory forced now to hide her face from the world and to live in poverty and exile and in a private and solitary condition and as creatures that live in the desart flie the sight and aspect of men so shee vanished and disappeared from the eyes of men not daring to bee seene the same shee was before 2. The flight into the wildernesse is not by change of place but by change of her state and ornaments Especially by the flight are noted 1. The speedy corruption of all things in the Church for flight is a quicke motion 2. The dissipation and deprivation of particular and visible congregations To cleare this observe that presently after Constantine had procured peace to the Church and put an end to the bloody persecutions of those imperiall dragons shee came under worse tyrants than ever before which were security ambition wealth and ease for the former tyrants by their tyranny exercised and excited faith and piety but this deadeth and eateth out all the former made the Church glorious and shining as fire doth gold but this darkened her and dusted her as appeareth in these instances 1. Persecution forced them to cleave close to the simplicity integrity of doctrine and rites which Christ himselfe instituted and his Apostles observed but now ease and idlenesse maketh the Pastors at leasure to devise and mingle pure doctrine with uncleane and superstitious rites they now begin to dedicate Temples to Martyrs and proceed to make commemoration of them after to seeke out reliques of Saints hence Origen and others begin to dispute doubtfully of the intercession of Saints for us and Nazianzen Audi quoque tu anima magni Constantini 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 si quis sensus insit and after in short time grew impiously to invocate them and after to pray for the dead then came in superstitions as a flood and this was the beginning of the womans flight namely the sudden corruption of doctrines and rites 2. Against the former tyrants they contended earnestly for the faith now ease and wealth maketh them wanton proud and contentious one with an other for primacy praecedency ambition prelacy patriarkhood and motherhood These contentions lost and neglected faith truth and charity 3. All the time of the persecutions the woman held her foundation had the cloathing of the sunne upon her that is the righteousnesse of Christ but now they begin to gard it and lace it with the righteousnesse and sanctity of their owne merits 4. Against all Tyrants shee retained the crowne of twelve starres on her head but now shee must change them into temporall crownes and glorious titles of Patriarkes universall Bishops and Pastors of Pastors yea Princes of Pastors Now must this woman either appeare in the habit of a harlot or flie from the sight of men and so as a faithfull Spouse and Virgin of Christ shee chooseth in a meane estate to retaine her virginity
purity faith rather than enjoy the pompe and glory of the world by waxing wanton against Christ Hence note The true Church is not alwayes conspicuous visible and glorious to the world but may be hid obscured and oppressed So was the Church of God in Aegypt thrust out into the wildernesse than which no place is more solitary none more free from the pompe and glory of the world What glory and visibility had the Church in Elias time when hee complained that hee was left alone his life was sought so that hee was faine to flie into the wildernesse to save his life yet were there seven thousand that bowed not their knee to Baal What glory and visibility had the true Church in the Babylonish captivity being compared to dead bones dryed and scattered in the open field Ezek. 37. 2 What visibility had it in the death of Christ when the shepheard being smitten the sheepe were scattered or after his ascention when all the earth worshipped the Beast Rev. 13. 12 Because the Church is a selected company called out of the world a little flocke Iohn 15. 9 as a Parke of God paled in from the waste of the world hortus conclusus Cant. 4. 12. the Garden and Paradise of God wherein wilde beasts may not enter Now God hath put such a distance and enmity betweene them as that the blinde world neither can nor will abide to see her but to chase her out from her how can the world see her that is called out of the world The true Church is such a body as is not alwayes visible to mans eye suppose good men even Elias himselfe for it is Gods onely priviledge to know who are his the foundation being in Gods election and the union spirituall The Churches desert and merit abusing peace and prosperity driveth her here into the wildernesse maketh the Lord strip her naked and set her as in the day she was borne and not onely sendeth her into the wildernesse but maketh her as a wildernesse and leaveth her as a drie land as Hosea 2. 3. The Churches safety as Elias to bee safe was sent into the wildernesse so here the Church provideth for her safety in evill times by flying into the wildernesse Hence is showne hatred to the Dove of Christ dwelling in the Rocke Cant. 2. 19. that is as the Doves by the Kites or Hawkes are chased into the Clifts and Rockes to hide them so the Dove of Christ. The militant condition of the Church in the world suffereth her not alwayes to bee conspicuous and visible neither is shee tyed to any one estate or any one place Not to one estate being compared to the Moone which is sometimes in full sometimes in waine sometimes shining and sometimes hid and not seene and to the Arke tossed with waves and billowes sometimes aloft and presently downe againe in the deepes and to the ship in which Christ was a sleepe so ready to sinke as the Disciples crie Lord save us and this is the continuall estate of the Church in the troublesome sea of this world The Mirtle trees in the bottome Zach. 1. 8. Neither to any certaine place whether Rome or Antioch or Hierusalem but forced oft-times to change her seate as well as her state and tossed hither and thither as 1 Cor. 4. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wee have no dwelling place Heb. 11. Hence are the Papists confuted who 1. Affirme the Catholike Church to be a visible company of men under one visible head for what visible head hath the Church in the wildernesse 2 Denying that ever their Church fled into the wildernesse or that ever she disappeared from the world wherein they plainly deny her to be the true Church and this no other who fled into the wildernesse and if their doctrine bee true that the Church must ever bee as a City on a hill the spirit must bee false and the Scriptures which affirme shee must flie into the wildernesse from the fury of Antichrist The Papists object many things against our doctrine but how impertinently and vainely will appeare if we set downe the right state of the question betweene us both in their tenents and in ours 1. They say that the Catholike Church which hath alwayes continued hath beene alwayes visible now would I to beate out their meaning aske what is the triumphant Church in heaven visible or by what glasse or spectacle can they see that glorious company of Prophets Apostles Patriarkes Martyrs and Saints which is the chiefe part of the Catholike Church as Heb. 12. 23. Or is their Church in purgatory visible when two chiefe parts of it by their doctrine are invisible and the other part in earth but a handfull to them Well then they must meane the militant Catholike Church which is a speech absurd enough for as one halfe can never be the whole so cannot the militant Church be Catholike no more than a finger can be a hand or a hand the body or perhaps they would have us beleeve two Catholike Churches whereas our Creed teacheth us to beleeve but one But we will take their meaning namely that God hath alway a Church consisting of a great multitude as conspicuous to the world as any earthly kingdom part whereof and alwayes the head shall bee visible at Rome and the rest visibly subject to the Bishop of Rome Now what we hold concerning the point I will propound in sundry conclusions and then examine some of their chiefe arguments By the Church which wee hold invisible wee meane the Church mentioned in the Creed which is but one and Catholike even the multitude of all elect which are or were or ever shall be and to this company all they and onely they whether they be in the way or in the Countrey doe belong For we beleeve according to our Creed that the Church is holy and no wicked person belongeth unto it and that it is a communion of Saints onely to which belongeth remission of sinnes and life everlasting and we cannot but wonder that Papists who mumble up so many Creeds should so fondly hold that the Catholike Church should consist of good bad for are the wicked the body of Christ as they say the Church is or is not Christ the Saviour of his body If wicked and reprobates are the body of Christ why then are they not saved This Catholike Church we say is invisible to the world for 1. Gods election the ground and foundation of it is invisible 2. The greatest part of elect are not subject to sense not the Saints in heaven neither many true beleevers on earth nor numbers of the elect not yet borne or borne againe 3. Visible things are not beleeved but invisible faith is of things not seene and if wee beleeve the holy Catholike Church we cannot see it Now every Popish argument must either prove this to bee visible which none of them doe or they touch not us
or our cause Concerning the militant Church what wee hold will plainly appeare in these Conclusions 1. That God will alwayes have a true part of his Catholike Church in the earth that shall hold and constantly maintaine the true faith in their severall ages to the end of the world and that the true Church cannot faile upon earth 2. That this part of the Catholike Church cōsisteth of men which are visible exercise visible ordinances of word Sacraments government c. and often in times of peace appeareth glorious in many particular and visible congregations for we never deny that particular Churches are often visible 3. That these visible particular Churches are not alwayes visible after the same manner neither is any part of the visible Church alwayes so necessarily visible but it may be discontinued and disappeare as all the visible Churches in the old and new Testament ever have done 4. This number of men in whom this part of the Church consisteth may come to be a few and by tyranny or heresie their profession may bee so secret amongst themselves that the world shall not see them neither can any man point to any particular Church and yet the Church is not destroyed for as the Sunne is a shining Sunne in it selfe though in the night we see it not nor in the day a blinde man cannot discerne it so the Church wanteth not her shining glory in her selfe though in the night wee see is not nor in the day a blinde man cannot discerne it the Church wanteth not her shining glory though the blinde world especially in the night of persecution cannot discerne it 5. Although the Church cannot faile upō earth yet the external governmēt of it may faile for a time the Pastors may be interrupted the sheepe may bee scattered the discipline hindered the externall exercise of religion suspended and the sincerity of religion exceedingly corrupted so as the members of the Church are onely visible to the true members within themselves By which conclusions we shall easily meete with the subtilty and vanity of all their reasons which ordinarily conclude from the externall forme to the failing of it selfe in the being and from the invisibility to the blind world to the invisibility amongst themselves as if they would conclude A man is hid therefore he is no man or A blinde man cannot see therefore no other man also or because hee that is without dores cannot see what I doe within therefore neither hee that is within with me Having thus bounded and laid the question let us see how they bend the force of their arguments Ob. 1. The body of Christ is visible but the Church is the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12. 27. Ye are the body of Christ speaking to men visible Ans. 1. They might tell us what they meane by the body of Christ the Scriptures make mention of a threefold and never a one visible to humane sense 1. His naturall body that is invisible in the heavens 2. His Sacramentall body that is invisible in the Sacrament 3. His mysticall body and that is spirituall and no object of sense II. They might alleage the Scriptures sincerely and not as they use deceitfully to suppresse the words of the Text which would fully answer their arguments the words of the Textare Yee are the body of Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for your part which words suppressed by them sheweth us 1. That hee speaketh of a particular Church which then was visible but this is farre from proving the Catholike so to be which is the question 2. That both parts of their reason be false the former because it is not generall for the whole body of Christ is not visible and the later because the Corinthians were not the whole body of Christ for the Apostle saith they were both part of it Object But the Apostle writeth to visible men Sol. 1. From a particular to a generall the reason cannot hold because I see some men by me therefore I can see all men that ever were or shall bee or because I can see a particular congregation at Corinth I can see the Catholike Church in heaven and earth borne and unborne in the way in the countrey Such fond reasons may bee plausible to Romish blinded and hooded sots but as the Sunne maketh mists to vanish so the light of the Gospell doth these mists and fogges of subtilty and deceit 2. They might remember that the Church is a society of men not as men for so a number of Turks might be the body of Christ or a nest of Arians but as beleevers therfore the Church as the Church cannot be seene but beleeved which force of words hath made Bellarmine himselfe to confesse whose words are Videmus enim coetum hominum qui est Ecclesia sed quod ille coetus sit vera Christi Ecclesia non videmus sed credimus and what say wee more or lesse 3. They seeme either not to know or to dissemble the reason why the Church is called visible which is not because the men are visible but because of the external visible forme which being interrupted the visibility is gone though the persons not seene to the world they remaine seene amongst themselves 4. How absurd is it to define a Church by our senses and measure them by flesh and bones this is as one saith Chirurgum agere non Theologum hee that doth so would make a better Surgeon than Divine but these muzes cannot long hide them Hence then I conclude this first objection from their owne premisses thus If the Church be the body of Christ then it is not visible because it is not his naturall body for Christ had not two naturall bodies but his mysticall then invisible this being the true difference betweene a mysticall and a physicall body the one is subject to sense the other the object not of sense but of faith Object II. But the Pastors and Doctors the Sacraments the preaching of the Word the building of the Church are visible ergo the Church is visible Sol. 1. All this concludeth but particular congregations to bee visible which wee deny not but no reason can conclude hence the visibility of the Catholike Church and then it is too short to reach our cause and controversie 2. Consider the visible Church two wayes First according to her external matter and forme and thus consisting of men met together to performe externall Ecclesiasticall actions so farre I say a particular Church is visible Secondly according to her inward forme and so farre as they be of the Catholike Church by effectuall vocation faith righteousnesse and holinesse thus are the same members invisible for though wee see the men professing the faith yet who knoweth which or whether of them professe in soundnesse or in hypocrisie 3. Although a Church be now visible in eminent Pastors in numerous professors and in their glorious fruition of Christ and his ordinances yet no Church in the
world Romane or other hath priviledge to be alway so visible but way and doe disappeare and become invisible Ob. III. The Church is the kingdome of Christ but every kingdome comprehendeth a visible company ergo the Church is visible Sol. The Proposition we grant true of the Catholike Church else it is weake and false the Assumption is false standing upon the foote of an absurde comparison of a spirituall kingdome with a temporall True it is that every worldly kingdome standeth upon a visible company of members under one head and king but Gods kingdome is spirituall and invisible for who ever saw with the eye of flesh a spirituall kingdome which commeth not with observation Having cleared the doctrine propounded and freed it from Popish objections wee will make the first Use of it to answer the common usuall Question of our Adversaries viz. Where was your Church an hundred yeares agoe or before Luthers time Ans. 1. Our Church was never utterly extinct as Papists say nor without beeing since the world had beeing but was ever the same 1. In her selfe her inward glory was ever the same her inward graces the same the same Faith Hope Love Repentance the same ornaments but as a great Princesse in costly robes keeping her chamber and not comming abroad in the sight of others 2. Shee was the same to God ever deare to him and provided for by him for food and harbour all the time shee was hid from the world As the woman here 3. Shee was ever the same to Jesus Christ the same ship of Christ that ever she was and Christ in her present even when shee is covered with waves and holdeth her up onely undrounded in the tempest onely she was not 1. In the same state shee was hid amongst themselves as in a barren and wilde Antichristian wildernesse as a little wheate in a heape of Chaffe and as a little gold insensible amongst much drosse 2. Not the same to the eye of the world for the world was unworthy of her and although she shined in her selfe yet for the sins of the world she shined as a candle in a darke place II. As the Church was ever the same so was the true religion which wee professe before Luther 1. In the institution of it in paradise 2. In the promulgation of it by the preaching of Patriarks Prophets Apostles and their successors 3. In the profession of faithfull beleevers Martyrs and Confessors of it in all ages but the true religion being chased out of sight by the horrible idolatry and tyranny of Antichrist who had given to traditions and Antichristian pollutions wings to flie above the Scripture and trodden under foote the purity of holy religion God of his mercy raised up Luther whose holy paines preaching and writing was not a novation but a renovation not a planting of a new religion but a renewing replanting of the ancient and true religion not an institution but restitution of the truth of God not an introduction but reduction not inducing a novelty but reducing the true and holy religion of the Prophets and Apostles While wee are here below wee must make account of the wildernesse and wisely prepare for all estates and conditions for it is not the lot of the members of Christ still to enjoy such externall peace such free exercises of Gods Ordinances and such multitudes to joyne in the externall profession of Christ and his Gospell as wee by Gods special grace doe now enjoy and we may be forced to flie into the wildernesse ere we be aware let us looke upon Israel Gods own people in the wildernesse make â—ccount to follow theÌ„ in their passage through that terrible and dreadfull desart knowing that 1. A wildernes is a place unpeopled unfrequented and such is the state of the Church in respect of the small number of professors in comparison of the rest We must not therefore thinke worse of the truth and doctrine for theirfew either faithfull teachers or faithfull followers of it as neither must we esteem the better of the dolaters for their large and numerous multitudes that stand with them 2. The wildernesse is a place of temptation Israel tempted by God in the wildernesse tentatione probationis Israel tempted God in the wildernesse tentatione dubitationis Is God amongst us Satan tempted Israel in the wildernesse tentatione deceptionis we must therefore make account of and fore cast temptation and arme our selves If we were as holy as our head Christ himselfe we shall be led forth to be tempted in the wildernesse 3. The wildernesse is a place of journey and so full of changes as Israel in the wildernesse had 42. stations and were ever in their journey we must not thinke this wildernesse our resting place but expect changes of places and conditions and as Christian Pilgrims be content with the toile of our travell being assured that 1. We have the Lord before us both in his presence and direction 2. As they we still journey toward Canaan as our aime 3. As they had their eyes and thoughts on their Canaan so wee settle our affections on heaven our Canaan and the things that lead and helpe us thither 4. The wildernesse was a place of warre and conflict in which Israel was beset with enemies round Canaanites Philistians Amalekites so wee must not make account of setled peace here but expect Amaleck and Ogg Sehon Gyants and tyrants Antichristian Amaleck Popish Philistims Romish Canaanites bold obdurate enemies who will disclame the house of God disgrace the religion of God revile and resist the servants of God for propounding the truth of God no expectation of truce or peace till we recover our Canaan 5. The wildernesse is a place full of annoyances wants and dangers the Israel of God must make account of wilde beasts fiery Serpents want of bread want of water and never expect any harvest in the wildernesse hence therefore we must learne 1. To arme our selves with faith patience and constancy without which wee must needs fall short of Canaan 2. Christian moderation that wee may know with Paul Philip 4. 11. to want to abound to be full to be empty 3. Never to thinke our selves well till we be hence where we are out of hope of any harvest but of sorrow and danger To comfort Gods people who are contemned despised and brought to a few having not onely the whole world against them but sometimes in the house of God where they expect most comfort are rated and scorned by those whom God hath enjoyned to speake peace to his people and to whet their tongues against vilde persons and bold sinners rather than harden and hearten them against the generation of them that seek God But hence all that feare God may be strengthened and encouraged yea contented to be brought into the wildernesse for 1. It is no new estate to the true Church but a condition with which she is anciently acquainted and all
weeke of dayes but of a week of yeares containing seven yeares Exodus 23. 20. the common weeke of dayes resembling and signifying a weeke of yeares so also not only of a yeare of dayes but a yeare of yeares every such yeare containing 360. yeares as the common yeares amongst Hebrewes and Grecians continued so many dayes II. For the period of these dayes when they begun or ended 1. Wee must remember that wee have said that this is inferred by anticipation and is to be referred unto the fourteenth verse 2. That it is the same time with times time and halfe a time there mentioned the finding out of which will helpe us to the clearing of this 3. That it must set in after the second assault of the dragon mentioned verse the 13. and is not properly to be handled now while wee are in the first assault of the dragon by heathen Emperors 4. It must be the same time with the 42. months Cap. 11. 2. wherein Antichrist shall treade downe the holy Citie for these being months of yeares reckoning to every month thirty dayes according to the Hebrewes and Aegyptians are just thirty yeares in every month of yeares and so forty two months of yeares make just the same number of 1260 yeares here mentioned agreeing with the three yeares and a halfe prophesied by Daniel for the raigne of Antichrist which being yeares of yeares because prophetical every month containing 12. months of years which make 360. which number being multiplyed by three and an halfe amount in the totall to 1260. yeares as in our Text. 5. It cannot be meant as the Papists fable of their Antichrist who say they must raigne three yeares and an halfe of naturall yeares we must watch the subtilty of Papists who would have us to seeke the rise of Antichrist in the end of the world after this ruine but the three yeares and an halfe are propheticall yeares and make just 1260 yeares all which time the Church is in the wildernesse Neither can this time begin as Iunius and sundry other worthy mē do affirm at the passiō of Christ determined in the time of Boniface the 8. for it must be of things after Iohn and after Domitian yea after the heathen Emperours after the first conflict with the dragon which lasted many hundred yeares after Christ. 6. Now whether it bee a finite time for a definite as amongst other godly learned our late grave and gracious Bishop Abbot demonstrateth pag. 108 controversie or whether wee may with proofe or probability define some certaine period for beginning or end of it we will reserve the determination of it to the proper place in the fourteenth verse and will not be wanting in diligence to finde out and settle on the truth as the Lord shall reveale Quest. III. Why doth the Spirit of God here so strictly and precisely reckon up the time of the womans oppression under Antichrist and the womans persecution in the wildernesse by so many dayes and not roundly and shortly by so many months and yeares Ans. For foure causes 1. To note the singular watchfulnesse and Providence of God over the woman who is daily and hourely with his servants present to take notice of every dayes sorrow and suffering which himselfe appointeth and determineth 2. To shew that all the children of the Church should take notice of their daily neede of spirituall food and gather it daily in the meanes as Israel needed daily provision of Mannah in the wildernesse God gave thē not an harvest once a yeare or month but a daily harvest to supply their need they must continue their dependance on his hand for a dayly showre of Mannah 3. To note the continuall use of the Scripture for our strength and comfort for these witnesses waite on the daily necessities of the Church and supply the soule with daily bread these witnesses are not like some that come once a moneth or once a quarter but are in perpetuall watch-tower to feed the woman daily 4. To note the wisedome of the Lords provision who feedeth his Church as Israel in the wildernesse but by the day or as Elias in the wildernesse morning and evening the Lord alloweth enough for the day but is not prodigall 1. Because he will preserve in her an appetite 2. To shew the price of his food it is precious hidden and heavenly Mannah sweet as Mannah or honey more durable it maketh her live for ever see Psalme 19. 10. c. 119. 103. 3. To inure her to contentednesse in all things with daily bread and if hee feed her from hand to mouth she must thinke it well hee oweth her not so much he would have all the children of the Church to curbe greedy desires and be contented with things present Note what a long time is set downe for the womans abode in the wildernesse under Antichrist 1260. yeares Teaching us Doct. That the Church may bee a long time under grievous affliction so was Israel a stranger and under strange and strong burthens in Aegypt foure hundred yeares the Jewes in the Babylonish captivity seventy yeares the ten generall persecutions lasted 300. yeares till Constantine but here is one of Antichrist beyond them all Quest. What is the reason is not God able to deliver his Church sooner or doth hee delight in the misery of his Church Ans. 1. Neither of both but first by protracting the warre he sheweth his continuall power and care in preserving her through her assault and leading her through the Pikes into safety and now subscribeth to the truth of his promises 2. Shaketh her out of security and forceth her to keepe on her armour and to stand upon her watch the lesse hope of rest or truce that she can expect 3. By continuance of her tryall hee will continue her faith and patience excite her prayers and exercise all her graces especially traine her in humility while the continuance of her smart holdeth in her sight the continuance of her sinne 4. That her deliverance long deferred may bee more desired and sweeter when it commeth how sweet was Israels passage out of Aegypt after 400. yeares 5. That shee may take notice of the severity of Gods justice and what continuall torments are reserved for his enemies seeing hee lingreth such heavy sorrowes on his owne servants If the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appeare Quest. How standeth this with those places that say our afflictions are light and momentany 2 Cor. 4. 17. and that God hideth his face but for a moment Esa. 54. 8. Are 1260. yeares but a moment Answ. 1. The afflictions of the Church are light and short first not simply and absolutely but in comparison to aeternall glory 2. Not in themselves or their owne nature but in respect of grace that maketh them light when sinne is repented and pardoned in the soule 3. Not in the smart the effect of them for so often they are long but in respect of sinne
the cause deserving them they are light and short 4. Not to sense but to faith they are short which apprehendeth Gods favour presence and promise of a good issue 5. Not in the glasse of the law but in the Gospel they are short in Christ his sweetning them sustaining us and shortning them 6. Not in respect of the terme of this life for so they are long but in respect of aeternall glory and rest following them they are but a moment Long and durable sorrowes are no signes of Gods hatred Eccles. 9. 1. for then the Church could have no certainty of Gods favour say not with thy selfe none was ever so afflicted with long and bitter sorrowes and God is gone for ever and a day and his mercy is cleane shut up in displeasure but consider 1. He left not the Church in this long tryall in so dreadfull and forsaken wildernesse the Arke was safe on a world of waters 2. Whether thy sinnes have not been long a growing on therefore they will not hastily away but are like spots long settled in cloth and require much scouring and rubbing 3. Whether ever thy heart and joyes would bee pulled off the world if the Lord should not with strong hand force thee out as Israel out of Aegypt dealing as the nurse weaning the childe being fond on the breast layeth mustard on it to make it distaste it 4. Whether thou hast not more cause in durable tryals to suspect thy want of love to God rather than Gods want of love to thee and whether thou hast not with thee harde knots that had neede of hard wedges To terrifie Gods owne children from presuming either to attempt or hold any of their sinnes embolden not thy selfe to sinne because thou art neare or deare to God for 1. Hee lookes to have more service from thee that standest nearer him in profession than others his eye is most on his garden and hee will bee sanctified in all that come neare him if thou wilt grow wilde it were good for thee to stand in the waste and not in the profession 2. If thou wilt hold thy sinne against him thou shalt know that though hee will not take away his grace so he will not take away his rod. Comfort the godly in their tedious and durable tryals 1. Though they belong yet the Lord supplyeth them all the time with needfull supplies and comforts hee sendeth none into the wildernesse to famish but to feed them and what comfort so ever they want yet they want not the two witnesses for if she did she were sure to perish yet were shee not sustained by the word the Lord Iesus should bee quite cast out of his possession and so lose his kingdome on earth which cannot bee 2. How long so ever they bee they are all determined by God for entrance continuance and conclusion there is a certaine time which they shall not passe for hee that setteth the bounds to the raging Sea hath set bounds to the raging of devils and wicked men and saith thus farre they shall come and no farther and then after many dayes hee will bring her out of the wildernesse into a more convenient and comfortable estate which shall be as an harbour or haven so much more sweet and desirable as the waves and billowes of a trouble some sea have been dreadfull and dangerous As there is an houre for the entrance of power of darknesse Luke 22. 53. so it is appointed for durance Exodus 12. 41. wee have seene a great part of these yeares passed and they draw to expiration therefore doe the enemies of the Church bestirre themselves because the time is but short yet this time is determined when the Church shall be eased Vers. 7. And there was a battell in heaven Having largely described the combatants in the former part of the chapter now the Spirit of God commeth to declare the battell it selfe unto which there hath been such preparation and this is no small controversie or trifling conflict but the greatest battell that ever was fought in the world and that in three respects 1. In respect of the place other battels are fought on earth but this in heaven not the heaven taken naturally but figuratively not in the highest heaven which is no place of dragons or quarrels but in the heaven on earth which is the Church militant called by the name of heaven as we have shewed verse the first for many reasons 2. It is great in respect of the armies whether we consider the greatnesse of the Generalls Michael the dragon or the valour or numbers of their forces for both these Generals come with their Angels which are great in multitude in power 3. Great in respect of the quarrell and cause namely whether Iehovah or Iupiter bee superiour whether Christ or Beliall whether Christianisme or Paganisme must prevaile whether Christian religion or Idolatrous worship bee more ancient more venerable more ample and of more worthy respect and acceptance This Verse propoundeth 1. The battell And there was a battell 2. The armies Michael and his Angels The former part predicteth this feirce fight where for the meaning are four Questions Quest. 1. Why I call it a prediction or prophesie being delivered in the time past and not in the time to come it is not said there shall bee a great battell but there was as if it had beene past rather than to come Ans. The manner of the Prophets in speaking of future events is to propound them in the time past Esay 53. 5 6 7. 1. For their more evidence and certainty in themselves as surely they shall come to passe as if they were past already 2. For the surer confirmation of the faith of the Church who are bound as certainly to beleeve bee they never so unlikely as if they were past already 3. That wee might more easily conceive of the words of the Prophets to be true and the word of God to whom past and present are both alike and who hath power to speake unto us in what manner himselfe pleaseth Quest. 2. Of what battell is this to bee understood Ans. 1. It is not to be meant of that battell between Michael and the dragon in the wildernesse for that was past but this was of a future event after Iohns time and that battell was betweene the Generals onely 2. Neither is it to be meant of that perpetual war in the militant Church between the elect and the reprobates both men and Angels which hath continued in the severall ages of the world from the beginning under the conduct of those great Captaines Christ and the dragon for this here is of a warre not yet begun when Iohn prophesied but that was 3. We properly understand it of some speciall and notable part of that warre which in the spring of the Euangelicall Church Satan raised to the overthrow of the salvation of it Now whether the Spirit of God had an aime at the warres of
in common but not in respect of invisible bands and grace in any particular member 3. They may prevaile for a time to molest many members of the Church but never finally to waste and destroy the whole Church 4. They may prevaile in temporals by which GOD will not have the peace and victory of the Church measured but can never prevaile against the salvation and sound grace of any member 5. Let us not be daunted at the forces and winnings of Antichrist nor stand amazed at his strength I say confidently could wee be daunted at our owne sinnes which are his strength of all enemies wee need least feare him for 1. Hee is sentenced to destruction Gods curse hath blasted him 2. Our Michael hath merited and atchieved victory over him and hath begun it in us by detecting him and though he give us not victory all at once yet he will not give him over till he have utterly abolished him 3 Antichrist is strong and mighty but 1. It is but for the time of his reprieve which time of God when it commeth Gideon and an handfull of men shall prevaile against an host of Mideanites lying like grasse on the ground Iudg. 7. 12. 2 All his power shall turne against him 3 The Church is still stronger than he for they are strongest with whom the Lord is who wants no Armies or Hosts of Creatures to save or smite by 4. Antichrist gets no victory which he shall hold God may by him bring the Church low to teach them dutie and then raise them againe as Israel can learne that in Babylon which they cannot in Sion but Babel must be destroyed and the King of Babel stript naked to Gods wrath for ever so of this Westerne and spirituall Babylon and the head thereof they shall all goe into perdition Now this is a ground of consolation to all true-hearted Christians both in respect of the Church in generall and in respect of their owne speciall condition For the Church in generall no attemps of the dragon and his Angels can overthrow the Church of God Zech. 12. 3. Shee is an heavy stone to lift at if all the people of the earth bee gathered against her they shall onely teare themselves in pieces and how can it be otherwise for 1. They have the power and favour of the King for them and what subject dare stand out against them And blessed is that people whose GOD is the Lord Psal. 144. 15. for though none be so assaulted none are so protected none so victorious 2. So long as the Lords counsell must stand the Church cannot fall Prov. 19. 21. many devises are in lewd mens hearts but the counsell of the Lord must stand who thinkes thoughts of peace and safety to his people 3. So long as the Lord breakes the counsell of the heathen and enemies and ruleth in the midst of his enemies we need not much feare the plots the power the pride the hopes of wicked mē who wait upō lying vanities they may consult against the life of the innocent but til the time be come wherein God cals forth his servants to glorifie him in suffering they cannot touch a haire of their heads they may vow not to eate nor drinke till they have slaine Paul Acts 23. 22. but they could not touch him as they did with the Head so may they with the body they tooke counsell to cast him downe an hill but hee made void their counsell and found a way to passe through the midst of them all for his time was not come Luke 4. 30. 4. In the greatest confusions of the earth when the very foundations seeme to be cast downe and the wicked seeme to carry all and say we have prevailed yet now while they have the Church under they cannot hold it under but now faith prevailes and gloriously riseth unto victory could they hold under our Head or hinder his powerfull resurrection no more can they the happy resurrection of the Church out of the grave of death and darknesse but after two dayes hee will revive it and in the third day he will raise it Hos. 6. 2. The dry and dead bones scattered shall live and bee covered with sinewes and flesh and skinne which lay drie and dispersed in the open field of their captivity Ezek. 37 6. and therefore as our Head triumphed gloriously over the grave and death so doth his Church even in the greatest afflictions Mica 7. 8. Rejoyce not against me O mine enemie though I fall I shall rise when I sit in darknesse the Lord shall bee a light unto mee The Church denies not but she may be cast downe but not cast off she denies not but she may sit in the darke but not without all light shee denies not but that God himselfe may afflict her and shee feele his wrath because she hath sinned but onely for a time till hee come to put a difference betweene her and the enemies and then the scoale shall be changed the enemies shall come into her place and shall be covered with shame and trodden as the mire in the street that is utterly confounded and despised How hath the Lord commented this our Text and observation in all the Countries round about us What hath the Spanish Inquisition which hath consumed many thousands of the Saints destroyed the Church No it hath but watred it with blood and the devillish cruelty of it hath made them an hatefull nation in all the parts of the world Did their French Massacre destroy all as they thought when thirty thousand Protestants were murdered against all lawes oathes and promises no here were the boughs lopped but the root remained and within few monthes so sprouted that a mighty army in defence of the Protestants drew that mighty King to such dishonourable conditions of peace as he never enjoyed To come to our selves In the yeare 88. when the great Armado came which the proud enemy called the inuincible Navie to destroy the mother and children and to bring to utter desolation both the Church and kingdome and take possession of all could they conquer yea though their treachery was not lesse than their power and their advantage no lesse upon an unprovided people deluded at that time by their pretensed propositions of peace No but as they came out one way against God so God chased them an hundred wayes and made their confusion the stupor and admiration of all the world In the yeare 1605. when our Romish Babylonians prepared that infernall furnace to destroy the name and mention of our religion and to turne all into a popish Chaos and confusion as neare as they were what effected they did not Gods power and Gods curse upon them and their wicked counsels overtake them in their hellish enterprises against his owne religion who ever saw Hamans device more sensibly falling upon his owne head When the Aegyptians saw Gods power against them in their enterprises against Israel they could confesse the Lord
more place in the Church to domineere and tyrannize against the Saints as they had done but they are now conquered and expulsed out of heaven Quest. 3. What conquest was this or when was it obtained Ans. The conquest of Michael against the dragon was 1. Generall 2. Speciall The former was when before this time the dragon was most powerfully conquered 1. By the death of Christ spoyling all principalities and powers 2. By his powerfull resurrection thereby conquering and triumphing over sinne death hell Satan the world the grave c. 3. By the powerfull preaching of the Apostles in the conversion of the world to Christ. 4. By the profession confession and Martyrdome of the Apostles themselves whereby the most potent tyrants were convicted and subdued This generall overthrow is not here properly meant but a speciall victory and overthrow of some speciall dragons that rose up afterward to waste the Church because this is a prophesie after S. Iohns time the proper interpretation and accomplishment whereof is plentifully cleared in Ecclesiasticall History For 1. What place had the dragon in the Church when those fierce Tyrants and tygers those imperiall dragons Nero Domitian Dioclesian Trajan and the other who shed a sea of Christian blood to abolish the very name of Christ were miserably destroyed and extinct by foule and fearefull deaths and destructions and some of them as Iulian the Apostate being wounded to death blasphemed with extreme fury cryed with his bowels and blood in his own hands Vicisti Galileae 2. What place had the dragon in the Church when noble Constantine had slaine those foure savage Tyrants and Monsters Maximinus Maxentius Licinius and Maximinian and became the great Protector of Christian faith and to signifie that now the dragon was overcome not without Gods speciall Providence he set up upon the gates of his Palace his owne picture with a dragon lying slaine under his feet and a Dart thrust through him as Eusebius reports which is a plaine demonstration of the accomplishment of this Prophesie 3. What place had the dragon in the Church when by the free preaching of the Gospell by orthodox Pastors and Bishops the Idols and heathen gods were cast downe their worship abolished their Temples destroyed Paganisme was turned into Christianisme and Christs Kingdome grew so fast as that it was received through the world in the places and countries where the dragons had formerly cast it out 4. What place had the dragon in heaven when those innumerable droaves of Heretikes such as Valentinus Basilides Manes Marcion Photinus and especially Arrius who had infected the whole world and other most deadly enemies to Christs person natures and offices were first wounded and smitten and condemned with the sword of the Spirit the hammer of heresies and after with the hand of God upō them in miserable and wretched deaths as Histories are plentifull in observation Thus have wee seene the truth of this Prophesie when and how the dragon and his Angels were cast out of heaven and their place was found no more Quest. 4. How can it be said that the dragons place was no more found in heaven seeing he returnes againe and renewes his warre against the woman vers 13. and 17 Answ 1. Our Saviour in Iohn 12. 31. saith The Prince of the world is cast out and so the death of Christ hath cast him out of possession so as although hee may come to claime yet never to possesse 2. He may come to assault the Church molest the woman but never to dispossesse her of her heavenly happinesse all the dammage he brings her is but nibling at her heele he cannot reach her head Ioh. 14. 30 The Prince of the world came against Christ but found nothing in him that is had no power no advantage against him and so it is in proportion with the members 3. Hee may shew himselfe in temptations and in raising horrible and hidious persecutions as at this day but without all power or hope of prevailing He comes not to stand to it if hee bee resisted nor to overcome in the issue but to be overcome and at last so fully overcome as his place shall never bee found in heaven nor in the Church but shall be bound fast in chaines of blacke and hellish darknesse for ever Doctr. Note hence that all the enemies of the Church shall bee finally destroyed so as their place shall bee no more found Iob. 20. 7. The wicked shall perish for ever like his dung and the eye that hath seene him shall say where is hee Psal. 37. 10. 36. Yet a little while and the wicked shall not bee yea thou shalt diligently consider his place and it shall not bee and He flourished as a greene Bay-tree but hee passed away and loe hee was gone I sought him but he could not be found For why 1. Gods curse takes hold on them and is too strong for them Genes 12. 3. I will curse them that curse thee This curse cuts off First their persons Psal. 37. 38. They that are cursed of God shall bee cut off Secondly their plots counsels hopes aymes and wishes as in the same place The end of the wicked shall be cut off and frustrate Thirdly their present jollity even in this life often the curse meets them in every corner as the Angell with his sword did Balaam so in Pharaoh Haman Iudas Iulian and almost all tyrants and heretikes came to lamentable destruction Fourthly alwayes their hoped happinesse in the life to come for as GOD hurles the wicked man out of his place in earth so hee sends him into his own place as is said of Iudas that he may dwell for ever in the place of his iniquitie Iob 8. 4. 2. Gods justice pursueth and hunteth the wicked man to destruction let him seeke never so many muses and burrows of craft and policie to hide himselfe in the Lords revenge followes him step by step till it overtake him 2 Thess. 1. 6. It is a righteous thing with God to render tribulation to them that trouble you Achan troubleth all Israel and the Lord troubleth Achan Ioshua 7. 25. the enemie makes the Saints drinke the cup of affliction but they taste but the top which is medicinable but the Lords justice reserves for him the dregs and bottome of his cup of wrath for poison they chase the Saints unjustly out of the earth with a sea of sorrow but the Lord justly casts them out of earth and heaven into a bottomelesse sea of everlasting wrath 3. They must bee covered with shame that warre with Sion Psal. 129. 5. First because she being Gods owne Spouse and delight hee accounteth her cause to be his her sufferings his her enemies his and cannot but out of love and jealousie avenge her quarrels and execute vengeance on her adversaries Deut. 32. 43. Secondly because her sonnes are the blessed seed If Mordecai be the seed of the Jewes Haman shall fall before him and make no
would be taken but the Lord provides a ransome for him the enemy himself shal pay his ransom himselfe shall suffer for him he shall sinke and perish that the other escape Herod seekes the Babes life his owne life shall ransome it and that the Babe may escape he shal die that sought the Babes life 4. The pride of wicked enemies must needs give them a fearefull fall For if for the humiliation and scourge of the Church God suffers him to prevaile a while the more he prospers in his way the more he provokes God and prides himselfe against him till hee be at the height fit to bee taken downe Rabshakeh because the gods of the Nations could not deliver the people out of his hands growes to high blasphemie against the God of heaven Psal. 73. 6 9. Pride compasseth them as a chaine and then they talke presumptuously and set their mouth against heaven so doe Papists at this day 5. As his seed time is so is his harvest like to bee As a man sowes so shall he reape he is ever sowing iniquitie and cannot but reape affliction Prov. 22. 8. his owne wickednesse takes him by the heele as hee brewes sorrow so must he drinke hee drinkes deepe of the cup of sinne and must drinke deepe of the cup of vengeance according to his conception so is the birth like to bee he hath conceived mischiefe and must bring forth wrath his sorrowes are comming on him as on a woman in travell as certain as sharpe but hopelesse and desperate Object The enemies have a wealthy and flourishing estate Answ. 1. All they have is from the wrath of God and shall in wrath be snatched away from them so that their place which knew them shall know them no more 2. Riches shall not availe in the day of wrath nor can deliver from death Prov. 11. 4. However our adversaries would blinde their Proselytes they shal know that wealth can never buy heaven nor release from hell nor Purgatory the next chamber to it as idle Monkes have dreamed Ob. But they are strong and potent and prevaile Answ. 1. They may prevaile for a time but shall not escape 2. It is enough they deceive themselves with a conceit of stability and sure footing but let not us be deceived for company but looke into the Scriptures we shall see that nothing is more vaine than a wicked mans prosperitie Psal. 37. 2. they are soone cut downe and wither as grasse there is a little flourish but no stability if the flower bee not cut downe it withers of it selfe and verse 20. They shall be consumed as the fat of Lambes offred in daily sacrifice which no sooner came to the fire of the Altar but it melted and vanished into smoake so are these and how thē are they stable shal we compare their vain and unstable stability with any thing more vaine Psa. 1. 4. see him compared to chaffe 1. Nothing is more vile than chaffe it is good for nothing so is nothing more vile than a wicked enemie of God and his Church 2. Nothing more vaine so nothing more light than a wicked man hee is lighter than vanity and can hold no waight Psal. 62. 10. let him be waighed as Baltasar he will be found too light and the heavier he is with sinne the lighter hee is to God 3. Nothing is sooner blowne away than chaffe nor nothing more easie to bee blowne away out of his place than a wicked man they may shew like Mountaines but are but heapes of chaffe they may seeme like rocks for firmnesse and stability but wanting solidity before God have no stablishment David did but looke off them and they were gone and their place not found Object But they continue long in their fiercenesse against the Church and we cannot hope of any issue or end of their malice Ans. For the time of Gods patience they are still but whē that is expired they are hurled away out of their places as chaffe lyes still unmoved in a calme season till a strong winde arise and then it is seene no more so wicked men who are chaffe may be still till the wrath of God as a storme or whirlewinde arise and carry them quite away see Hos. 13. 3. Againe though the Lord seeme silent while hee doth not teare them in peeces like a Lyon yet hee doth alwayes as a moth consume them when his wrath blazeth not out in flames at once to burne up these thornes yet it feeds on them as fire on fewell and moulders them away insensibly Object They have many faire pretenses for their practises they intend the advancement of religion the setting up of the ancient Catholike faith the suppressing of heretikes the blowing up these apostates and heretikes with whom no faith is to bee kept Ans. Iezabel may for a time cover her cruelty with pretext of piety and religion 1 King 21. but God will ere long shew that piety shall be no cloke to villany and murder Secondly let this provoke the enemies to some moderation toward the people of God if not for love of grace in them yet for love of themselves hee that would not goe under continuall expectation of sudden ruine let him cease his enmity against the people of God nothing in the world can save a wicked man from being cast away in his malice cast not downe thy countenance on them as Cain who was therefore cast out of his fathers house raise not false reports against them nor receive any invent not words against them as did Davids enemies Haman was hanged on his owne gallowes for such inventions and suggestions against Israel Afflict them not by word or deed by fraud or force for this is a token of perdition 2 Thess. 1. For the notes of a man whose place shall not bee found but hastening his ruine First one in the Text hee that is a plotter against Christ the Head or against his Members runnes upon the point of this heavy curse Iudas plots against Christ and presently his place was not found hee went to his owne place Act. 1. 25. the Jewes plotted against Christ and the Romans came and tooke away their place and Nation The Nation or kingdom that wil not serve thee shal perish so he that cōtrives against the members of Christ hasteneth his own ruine God gives such over to run riot that every one may see the end of their way Saul when he hunts David and had set an envious eye upon him and watched him mischief that all Davids piety and wisedome and innocency cannot prevaile but hee bolts on GOD gives him up to runne to witches which himselfe had condemned that all might see God gone from him Even so when men contrive against Gods servants against their owne consciences and their owne protestations as Saul did to David make grace and innocency their Butt to shoot at and as much hope to make a league with hell as with them God gives them
Spirit in his motions but resist and quench them nor in Gods house the Church which they care not for though God bee there specially present nor in their servants and friends who have the promise of his presence if two or three consent in any good thing but hate them and all that love God or speake of his name least of all can they abide his presence comming to judgement 2. How many in so great light walke in the dark worse than the Gentiles most of whom were more just in their dealings more respective of their oaths more sober more temperate more chaste than thousands of deboiste drunkards filthy whore-masters and foule swines whose damnation will be heavier than the heathens it shall be easier for them than for these in the day of the Lord. 3. What a number stand out against Christ as First they that stand not with him Matth. 12. 30. Those that gather not with him doe scatter as our neutrals mungrils lookers on who thinke they can bee of neither part which is impossible thou that art not the Kings friend art his enemie Doest thou not promote the Gospell and therein the state and right of Jesus Christ thou art then against it If being called thereunto thou imployest not thy gifts to win men out of their sinnes and to gaine them to the faith thou standest against Christ and manifestly upholdest the state of the dragon Secondly those that stand against him being opposite to the Ministerie to the pure worship of God c. resisters of the graces of his servants strong limbs and supporters of Antichrist Masse-mongers Antichristian Captaines and savage persecutors of true religion This is the first sort of rules The second is of such as shew the presence of a stronger than the dragon which is Michael onely One tryall is repentance onely that looseth the snare of the devill 2 Tim. 2. 26 It is true that so long as sinne is present in us Satan shall never be cast out of all power in us but if once sinne by repentance be deposed from the raigne of it though not from all presence then is Satan cast out of his full power and as sinne can never get the dominion againe no more can the devill Another sure note is faith which is our victory and casts out the dragon as also brings Christ into the soule who dwelleth in our hearts by faith Eph 3. 17. Get assurance of faith and the dragon is cast out and get increase of faith for the Disciples of Christ could not cast out devils Mat. 17. 20. not for want of faith but for the weaknesse of it Cast into the earth The third thing in the overthrow of the dragon assigneth the place into which he was cast namely into the earth and that for two reasons 1. To manifest and clear the certainty of his overthrow and the Churches victory as Goliah was seene to be overthrowne when David threw him downe to the ground 2. And more specially to shew who they bee whom the devill now tyrannizeth over Hee was thrown out of the boūds of the true Church now he exerciseth his rage in the earth that is among reprobates carnall and earthly minded men whether heathens without the pale of the Church or carnall Gospellers who are within her lappe but rejecting the power of grace sticke to earthly profits courses affections amongst all these the dragon still domineereth and ruleth them all at his wil who reject the rule of God and his Sonne Jesus Christ. Quest. Why was he cast into the earth and not into hell if the Lord could doe it why did hee leave his worke imperfect Answ. 1. Our Lord Jesus Christ wanted then no power nor now doth lacke might to doe it but can tread downe Satan every moment to nothing Neither did Christ leave his worke imperfect but on the Crosse performed all that was required either for the full delivery of his Chosen or for the finall victory over all his enemies but his heavenly wisedome putteth forth this power not all at once but by degrees and in some measure of time which at length is to take full and perfect effect for Christ must tread all his enemies under his feet and they must become his footstoole 1 Cor. 15. 2. This place speaketh not of an absolute ejection out of the Church for Satan was afterward let loose for a thousand yeares but of a limited restraint of him First to a certaine time and place that hee could not oppresse the young and tender Virgin of Christ either by upholding heathenish Idolatry or by hindring the free course of the Gospell and religion of Jesus Christ and Secondly to a certaine measure for he was not so cast out of the Church as that hee ceased to molest and tempt the godly or that he spared to doe what he could to hinder and disgrace the Christian Religion but he was so farre cast out as that hee could not exercise his whole and former power either in violence of temptation or recover so soveraigne authority among the heathens as a little before hee had exercised Quest. But had it not been better for the Church that the Lord Jesus had cast him downe into hell and confined him there Answ. 1. Satan is already cast into hell and there reserved in chaines of darkenesse to the judgment of the last day 2 Pet. 2. and Iude 6. But that is by the generall sentence of God upon him for his first Apostasie which our Text aymeth not at which is a speciall sentence and judgement in one particular Again that generall sentence is now in execution upon him but not fully and perfectly till the day of judgement till which time for the revenge of the wicked world God suffers the evill spirits to range as Lyons to the hurt of men 2. It is not prejudiciall but profitable to the godly that Sathan is cast into the earth and not shut up in hell Not prejudiciall to the elect for hee prevaileth onely against the wicked called here the earth into which he is cast It is not denyed but that hee may and doth molest the godly but his molestation hinders them not but hasteneth them to their happinesse It is profitable for the Church sundry wayes that God still permitteth Sathan some power in the earth 1. That wee might see how strong and furious our adversary is and what need wee have of Gods power to restraine him 2. To manifest the glory of God both in the admirable confusion of this strong enemy and in the no lesse powerfull defence and protection of the Elect. 3. To shake us out of pride security and forgetfulnesse of our selves and our estate who are in daily encounter against the Dragon 4. To quicken and excite our prayers faith watchfulnesse which wee would easily give over if we had no tempter or enemy Note from this that the devill exerciseth no dominion but in and among wicked men For hee is cast
it in matter of salvation and so as may stand with his Churches profitable exercise and excitation In these foure regards they are all cast out with their Head Here is terror for al the angels agents of the dragon who hence may perceive that Jesus Christ hath already got the same victory over them as over the dragons and devils themselves and duely waites a fit time for full execution and manifestation Consider what a fearefull thing it is to bee a wicked man a servant of sinne an enemy of grace a scorner of religion or religious persons or exercises a Sabbath-breaker a drunkard a vicious person an unbeleever or impenitent person here is an angell of the dragon who if hee persist in this estate is as certainly cast out into destruction by Christ as is the dragon his head and mover what else doth our Saviour teach Mat. 25. 41. but that the dragon and his angels are equally accursed and wicked men sunke downe in the same curse as they all of them being equally against Christ and Christ against them all Our Saviour for the comfort of the Elect saith Iohn 12. 26. Where I am there shall my servant bee so in proportion where the dragon is there must his angels and agents bee Object But I hope for salvation by Christ I am baptized and come to Church and heare the Word and love God above all and my neighbour as my selfe c. Answ. Many shall come to Christ at the last day and professe as much or more and yet being angels of the dragon are cast out with him Mat 7. 22. Thou art not an open enemy yea but art thou a covered secret enemy of Christ No pretence or conceit of a good estate can hinder thee from being an angell of the dragon or from being cast out with him First if thou discernest not the things of God but art uncapable unteachable savouring the things of the flesh not of the Spirit and findest most sweetnesse and contentment in the things of this life thou art apprently cast out as yet with the dragon without the Kingdome of God Secondly if thou hearest never so much and blessest thy selfe in thine iniquity if thou hearest for fashion without conscience or desire after Gods wayes if thou secretly loathe or fret at the Word powerfully preached or holdest any sin against it it is a deadly favour to thee thou art cast out with the dragon to whom also it is a sentence of damnation Thirdly if thou avoidest the society of godly men and in heart lovest not such as bee truely religious but hatest them because they follow goodnesse and hauntest with wicked and profane persons and delightest in them runnest with them and chusest them for thy companions thou art as yet in the same darknesse with the dragon 1 Iohn 2. 11. Fourthly if thou speakest evill of the way of God and despightest the truth revilest such as more openly professe it disgracest the publike or private exercises of religion or discouragest such as undertake them thy profession keepes thee not from being cast out with the dragon Michael hath cast thee out having said Hee that is with us cannot lightly speake evill of us Marke 9. 39. 2. From this glorious victory of Michael over the angels of the dragon note the vaine and bootlesse enterprises of the angels of the dragon against the Church They rage and bragge and plot and fret and all to cast the Church out of the earth but cannot prevaile for First themselves are cast out into the earth their power and liberty is onely to hurt earthly minded men that preferre earth before heaven and contemne the heavenly truth preached but in regard of the Saints they have short hornes they can hurt none marked sprinkled or sealed Secondly the Church cannot bee cast out of the earth unlesse the angels of the dragon were stronger than Michael they may chase the Church out of one corner into another but out of the earth they cannot because his Kingdome is everlasting Thirdly they are but angels of the dragon and their Head being spoyled of his power what hope have they to prevaile Did the Papists consider that being angels of the dragon cast out already by Michael they are in extreme danger it would abate something of the bragging pride hopes and insolency did they thinke that the great angell of the dragon the Antichrist of Rome were already cast out by the sentence and power of Michael it would abate their hopes If it doe not lessen theirs let it raise ours that however they may afflict some particular Church yet shall they never obtaine their purpose as they hope and desire but shall bee cast out by Michael as the dung of the earth Consider three grounds hereof First that they fight against Christ the Truth and the truth of Christ they fight against the Lambe but the Lambe must overcome and against the truth of Christ which is of that nature that the more it is opposed and oppressed the more it riseth and increaseth Secondly consider how Michael hath already cast them out in their projects and designes all deliverances of Christian Princes have beene from this victory of Michael our owne countrey and Princes abroad are instances enough as in 88. 1605. c. Thirdly against all the angels of the dragon oppose our Archangell described in Rev. 10. 1. c. 1. A mighty Angell protector of his Church 2. Comming from heaven in a gracious and powerfull presence to help his Church 3. Cloathed with a Cloud once of flesh now of divine Majestie as in the wildernesse 4. A Rainbow on his head a league of grace and peace first with God then from the rage of Antichristian enemies 5. His face as the Sunne enlightning his Church dispersing clouds and stormes bringing faire gleames of warme comfort 6. His feet as Pillars of power and might to sustaine his Church and of fire to consume the enemies as Chaffe and stubble 7. In his hand a little booke open Christ opens it to the world and holds it open though Antichrist would shut up the truth and did a long time 8. Hee set his right foot on the sea and his left on the earth that is now takes power and dominion upon the Continent and Ilands and raiseth Christian Emperours and Princes by professing the truth to restore him his right detained by Antichrist 9. Hee crieth with a loud voyce as when a Lyon roareth the more that tyrants and Antichrist roare and rage against the truth with their Buls the more doth this Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah put forth the mighty voice of the Gospel and as with rams horns casteth downe the wals of Antichristian Iericho 10. He sweares in verse 6. that time or delay shall be no more namely not so miserable and mournfull as they were under the sixe Trumpets when Antichrist domineired and none durst resist who would not be presently turned to ashes but better times should
follow both for the respiration of the Church and the overthrow of the tyranny of Antichrist Lastly the mysterie of God shall bee finished namely in the seventh Trumpet an end shall bee of the tyranny of Antichrist and the Church shall obtaine happy dayes Our Papists thinke not of this Time Viall or Prophesie let us rejoyce in the neare approach of it which shall take them as Birds in a Nett in the evill day 3. Note the unspeakable happinesse and comfort of the Saints who are free from all the hurt of all the angels of the dragon so as neither things present nor things to come can shake them from their happie estate for thus doth the Apostle Rom. 8. 38. boldly both glory and conclude from this perfect victory of Michael over all the angels of the dragon 1. For things present they are either within us or without us Within us is a remainder of the power of the dragon a bosome enemy as Dalilah ever ready to betray us our owne flesh and the dragon often ploughes with our owne heifer But as neare and wily as it is Michael hath cast it out among the dragons angels not that it be not but that it raigne not in us Our Michael hath destroyed the body of sinne in us and now though there bee many damnable sinnes in us yet there is no condemnation to Beleevers sinne may cast us down but cannot cast us off so long as Michael puts under his hand The blood of Michael cleanseth from all sinne and is never drie Without us is a remainder of the dragons power partly in evill spirits partly in evill men both of them cast out by Michael Evill angels will ever bee molesting the godly because they weaken the dragons Kingdome but to little purpose they may plucke at us but cannot plucke us away they may reach at us by temptation but Michael that saves us not alwayes from their tempting saves us ever from their tyranny and dominion Wee are not free from tryall by them but from the efficacie of errour we are free they may reach at us by accusation by collusion by delusion they will be filching the Word from us and sowing tares and errours among us but by no meanes can hinder the salvation of the Elect nay they cannot but further it for the case is not now with us as it was in the first Adam from which height one apostate angell could cast us downe for that happinesse was in our owne hand and keeping without a Mediatour but this in the hand and keeping of a Mediatour and therefore all of them cannot cast us downe from it the gates of Hell cannot prevaile They perhaps may because they cannot hinder us in the end molest and vexe us in the way by witchcraft by possession or the like as Paul was buffeted by a messenger of Satan and a daughter of Abraham was vexed eighteene years and Christs blessed body was afflicted and transported by the devill from place to place but Michael hath foyled all of them and made this 1. Onely a bodily and externall annoyance by which hee hath leave to winne the wall without not the castle of our hearts within not the wealth of grace not the center of good conscience 2. A temporary chastisement to the Beleever which shall determine in death at farthest but in wicked men it is taking of eternall possession 3. Michael hath left a strong remedie of fasting and prayer and covered us with the armour of God that we may be more than Conquerors even of this molestation Evill men are malignant against the Church and raise up many a storme and tedious persecution but all these angels of the dragon cannot hurt or prejudice their salvation nay as Iosephs brethren while they intend evill God will turne it to good for while they would chase them out of the earth they chase them to heaven as the Aegyptians did Israel to Canaan for First our Michael hath made persecution a fire burning the Bush but not consuming it or as a stout Generall besieging the City of God but not taking it Secondly hee hath made the Church persecuted as a bush of sweet wood the more scorched the more fragrant and sweet-sented Thirdly hee hath made the persecutors his scullions to make bright his Vessels his Fullers to whiten his children his Goldsmiths to melt his gold and purifie it not to consume it his Threshers onely with this flayle to beate out his Wheate from the Chaffe Fourthly he makes the persecuted as his Worthies and Champions placed on the Theater of the world in whom hee puts forth his owne power and makes them more than Conquerours Fiftly hee sets himselfe a companion in suffering and they beare but the markes of Christ are set in the right way in which Michael himselfe went to the Crowne Now because the sword cannot cut asunder the union betweene Christ the Head and his members nor the world the dragons sworne armour-bearer can foyle their faith and graces but as Saul and his armour-bearer who fell together therfore are they also truely said to be cast out with their Prince and Captaine 2. The things to come are those quatuor novissima death the grave hell and judgement but all these are cast out likewise 1. Death in his nature is the devils weapon to murder all mankinde but Michael hath made him of an enemy a friend of a gate to hell a Gate to heaven to Beleevers Death is as a Drone who hath lost his sting and as a fiery serpent seemes to sting deadly but one looke to the Brazen Serpent is a ready cure This sonne of David drawes out this Goliahs sword to cut off his owne head yea out of the eater this Sampson draws meat he makes death determine all the battels betweene the spirit and the flesh and to conjoyne us nearer unto himselfe so as in the dolours of death the Saints who onely taste of death rejoyce and triumph as Moses on his Pisgah when he got the first sight of Canaan 2. The grave which is a Cave of death and a dreadfull dungeon of rottennesse and a darke vault of oblivion is by Michael changed into a sweet bed of rest and the darknesse makes it but fitter to sleepe in in which the body lyeth without sinne or sense of paine a member of Christ retaining for ever an happy union with Christ as well as the soule of whom the whole beleever being a member the grave can no more hold him under for ever then it did the head himselfe who having gloriously risen againe by the same power will raise the members which raised himselfe the glorious head 3. Hell in it owne nature is the appointed prison of the soule separated from God But Michael hath shut up the mouth of it and suffered the sorrows of it for all beleevers and now it is onely prepared for the dragon and his angels 4. The last judgement is as the day in which Pharaohs baker
great and chearfull noise not of men wishing for good but of a multitude chearing themselves and congratulating together in the victory of Michael and the ruine of the dragon For this preface is a prophesie foretelling something to come although delivered in time past after the manner of Prophets II. Whos 's voice was this Answ. Sundry of great learning and piety hold this voice to be the joy and acclamation of angels in heaven for the happy victory of the Church because it is said verse 12. Rejoyce ye heavens c. But this seemeth not to be so for two reasons in the context First they say The accuser of our brethren is cast out but the angels are not our brethren they are our fellow-servants Revel 22. 9. and chap. 19 10. where the same Greeke words shut out the word one in our English translation which the new translation observeth This is plaine in that opposition Heb. 2. 16. Hee tooke not the seede of Angels but of Abraham that hee might be like his brethren as the angels were not Secondly these are said to overcome by the blood of the lambe and by the blood of their owne testimony or martyrdome which cannot agree to angels who can bee no martyrs Others hold it to be the voice joy of the Saints in heaven who acknowledge us their brethren and rejoyce in our joy and in the overthrow of the Churches enemies But this being an exultatiō arising out of a particular victory namely the first great victory of Michael against the imperial dragōs it is not so easie to conceive how the particular passages of the Churches affaires may be knowne or revealed to the Saints in heaven For the brittle glasse of the Trinity blowne by the Papists is long since broken It is out of doubt that they do most perfectly rejoyce with us in the generall victory of Michael against the dragon and in the finall conquest of the Church and ruine of all the enemies which they know well enough and by better experience then our selves But that they rejoyce in the particular passages of the Church on earth wee may either doubt ordeny it Neither can it be cleared why they should more see the particular comforts of the Church then her particular combats and sorrows which if they should see and not sorrow for how could they be in perfect charity and if they should see and sorrow for how could they be in heavenly happinesse I expound it therefore to bee the cheerfull noise of innumerable citizens of the Church militant provoking themselves to sound forth the majesty and praise of God for his great mercy to his Church and his great judgements against the dragon and his angells III. Why is it called a lowd voice Answ. For foure reasons 1. For the multitude of them that joyne in this victoriall and gratulatory verse and voice the consent of many is called but one voice even all the Saints in those times were knit in one consent all of them enjoying the benefit of the deliverance as well as they that got the victory 2. For the magnitude of the joy for so great a victory It is fit the joy should be correspondent to the blessing which indeed was an heape or bundle of blessings both spirituall and temporall 3. Because this victory was to be audibly proclaimed to the whole world and not in a corner every where shall these devout and divine notes testifie how Christ and Christians have prevailed against all profane paganisme idolatry and tyranny 4. From the faithfull and sanctified persons it was very lowd for it was beyond a voice whereas in the slow and formall thankes of men without godlinesse there is nothing be yong a voice which can scarce get without their mouths that either God or man may heare them But this voice was joyned with faith and feeling and issued from fervencie and love which were as wings to lift up and mount it to heaven and make the earth ring againe from which warme and stirring affection if this voyce of praise did not proceed it were still-borne dead without life and motion All the faithfull whēthey see the overthrow of the enemies of the Church must break out into the joyful praises of God Psal. 58. 10. The just shall rejoyce when they see the vengeance and shall say Verily there is a God that judgeth Exod. 15. 1 When Pharaoh and his host were drowned Moses and Miriam solemnly sung out the praises of God So did Deborah and Barak in the overthrow of Iabin and Sisera and appointed a song of tryumph to be publiquely sung in Israel to keepe in minde and memory that honourable victory Iudg. 5. 1. And as here all the band of Michael tryumph in the overthrow of the dragon and his kingdome so was it alwaies the use of the Church to sing out the praises of God for the overthrow of the enemies Thus did they sing to Saul his thousands and to David his tenne thousands when hee had slaine Goliah 1. Sam. 18. Thus in Hesters time in testification of the praise of God and their owne duty was instituted a feast to be annually kept for the destruction of Haman and the Jewes joyfull deliverance Hest. 9. 31. But is not this contrary to Christian and brotherly charity which ought alwayes to wish desire and delight in the salvation and prosperity of men rather then to rejoyce in their ruine and overthrow and that hatefull sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is condemned as most unbeseeming Christians I answer so long as it appeares not to us that any enemy of God is destinated to destruction we ought to pray for his conversion and salvation alwayes attempering our prayer to the glory of God the justice of God and the amplifying of his kingdome But where God hath revealed his justice and now hope of amendment is cut off in such persons wee must rejoyce that they are falne But with two conditions 1. With holy affections not as they are our enemies but as they are Gods enemies not rejoycing in the evill that hath overtaken their persons but in the good that befals the Church by the overthrow of their state power courses which were directly set against God 2. With mixt affections consider them as men so humanity bids us sorrow in their ruine consider them as men in whom the will and justice of God is revealed and now piety steps in and makes us rejoyce in the righteousnesse of it Object 2. Oh but it is said in Prov. 24. 17. Bee not glad when thine enemy falleth and let not thy heart rejoyce when he stumbleth how will this stand with this doctrine Answ. The answer will bee plaine if wee consider the enemies and the affection here meant 1. Salomon speaketh here of private enemies thine enemy such as have done wrong to us Wee may not rejoyce in any evill befalling our enemies as ours But our Text and doctrine speakes
wicked men goe on in sinne as if they were able to make their party good against him 2. They are his enemies who will not suffer him to raigne over them Luke 19. 27. but cast off his yoake and tread his Scepter under foot Enemies to his Word are enemies to himselfe as First such as forbid to preach the Word as the enemies of Ieremy chap. 11. 19. and the Rulers to the Apostles Did not wee charge you to preach no more in this name Acts 4. 17. and 5. 28. Secondly such as consult evill against the Preachers of the Gospell under colcurs and pretences like those who said they were Abrahams seed yet went about to kill Christ why because his Word had no place in them Iohn 8. 37. Violencing of Christ in himselfe or his members is a signe of an enemy of Christ. Thirdly such as snuffe and murmure at holy and wholesome doctrine and conceive wrath where they should apply the truth for their owne reformation Iohn 6. 41. They murmured because hee said I am the bread that came down frō heavē Why he preacheth himselfe and hath his owne ends and what hath hee to doe with us what calling hath hee to bee so busie But what is it not the truth that is spoken canst thou hate the truth and not bee an enemy of Christ Oh what a fearefull thing is it to stand thus in enmity against Christ his Word or servants the power of Christ one day with one word shall smite them to the earth as all his apprehenders Ioh. 18. 6. and thou that wilt not bee subject to the rod of his mouth shalt be crushed with his rod of iron Ps. 2. 9. 3. That great Antichrist and all his deluded armies regular and secular are the greatest enemies to the whole Kingdome of Christ whose whole doctrine and religion is but a disthroning of the Sonne of God from his power and regency And now they fight with all their power and politike plots Abroad their forces are every where prepared with death destruction in all their way at home their friends fight with lies slanders and such other weapons as beseeme their lying and slanderous religion were their religiō truth and from truth it would not need such weapons to support it But can they prevaile against the power of Christ no the breath of his lips shall slay both the Captaine and the troupes led by him whose names are not written in the Booke of life Re. 17. 14. They shall fight with the Lambe but the Lambe shall overcome and Will not God avenge his Elect who cry night and day and whose blood they have shed like water and there with watered all the earth as a flowing Sea 4. Enemies of Christ are such indifferent men as having power place and calling out of policy and selfe-seeking are content and silent to see Popery prevaile and doe not stand out in these times to helpe the Lord and his people against his enemies I meane especially those Ministers that doe not their uttermost to detect the frauds and impostures of Antichrist nor to confirme their people in the truth against the same For as he were no other then a Traitour to his King that shall see and suffer any other to thrust himself upon the Kingdome and claim all royall authority make Edicts to draw all the subjects to his faction so is hee to Jesus Christ who can patiently digest that the man of sinne should thrust himselfe upon the Church as the Head of it and take on him to pard on sinne to make lawes to binde conscience and make new Articles of faith and proclaime himself King of the Church by fraud force cōpell men to take his mark in their hands foreheads Surely as the power of Christ shall shortly overtake this sonne of perdition who exalts himselfe above all that is called God and takes on him in the Temple as if hee were God so shall it meet with all those that take part with him as they doe that discover him not nor discover themselves against him 5. They are enemies to Christ who are enemies and rebels against the power which hee hath committed to Civill Princes The Arch-rebell of the world against Christ and Christian Princes is Popery neither can those Papist which hold the Principles of Jesuited Priests at this day but bee rebels to Christ and to our Christian King For 1. They must hold our King a slave and Vassall to the Pope and under his power to bee King or not for the spiritual power may depose Princes and place other in their stead when necessity requires saith Bellarmine l. 5. c. 7. and Suarez Defens fid l. 3. c. 23. 2. They must hold that the Pope may command other Kings to punish him if hee please to call him Heretike or Schismatike and if they doe not hee may constraine them by excommunication Bell. ibid. 3. They must hold that subjects may depose their Princes if Hereticall or Tyrannicall and although Christians did not depose Nero Dioclesian Iulian c. it is because they wāted force for by right they might if they had power enough Bell. ibid. Neither did they use cunning when they wanted power as now our Catholikes and honest Powder-traytors because it was fit for the foundations of the Church to bee laid in patience and suffering Neither was it expedient in those times to doe all that law and right admitted Mariana de Rege l. 1. c. 6. But in all memory of men such as have undertaken the killing of Tyrants have beene in high estimation saith hee and commends the person and fact of Clement on Henry 3. 4. They must hold that although S. Paul saith Let every soule bee subject to the higher powers yet S. Paul never added That every one should bee subject to powers excommunicate or deposed by the Pope neither can the one hee inferred from the other being meere contraries for à deposed King is no longer an higher power Suarez Defens l. 6. c. 4. sect 5. And this is the reason that Bellarmine against Barclay c. 3. introduceth the Pope answering the people which would continue in the obedience of the deposed King thus I doe not free thee from the naturall or Divine commandement when I absolve thee from the tie of obedience for I doe not permit thee thou shouldest not obey thy King which were against the Divine law but I make him that was thy King to bee so no longer as a servant set at liberty is bound no longer to that Master 5. They must hold that Clerkes are no subjects and that the King hath no power over them either in spirituall or temporall things So saith the Cardinall It cannot bee proved that the Kings of this age are lawfull Superiors and Iudges of Clerkes if by the same meane it be not proved that Children are above their fathers sheepe above their Pastor temporall things above spirituall and Not onely in spirituall things
his good service and change his minde ere morning How impudently and instantly did Ieremies accusers pursue him The false Prophets and Priests accuse Ieremy to the Princes and all the people saying This man is worthy of death for he hath prophesied against this City as yee have heard with your eare Ier. 26. 11. Hee is charged that hee sought not the wealth but the hurt of the people that hee discouraged the people by his preaching and weakned the hands of the men of warre But when they could not by slandering and false accusing impeach his innocency nor get the law passe upon him they come basely to the King and besought him to put him to death Ier. 38. 4. 1. This comes of extreme hatred of grace and incessant wrath against the light whether in doctrine or in practice for all wicked men are carried by the same wicked spirit and Prince of darknesse and all of them plot and contrive how to disparage and discourage both the one and the other This extreme malice makes them shamlesse in accusing as in Satan whose malice against God made him accuse GOD himselfe to Adam There is no light so bright and shining but they will darken no conversation so cleane and unspotted but without all shame and feare they can traduce Now what an impudency is it to barke aganst the Sunne 2. Tyranny of sinne where it raigneth carrieth a man beyond all humanity and all bounds of modesty to act and pursue whatsoever gracelesse fact the devill moveth against all lawes of God and nature It carrieth Cham away to deride his owne fathers nakednesse and Absolon to rise in rebellion against his owne indulgent naturall father and to take his wives in the sight of Israel putting off all shame and forehead and all but the name of a man The reason hereof is because a slave must not contest with his Lord nor stand reasoning the case with himselfe but must doe what the devill will have him to doe hee must be ruled at his will beside the similitude betweene the devill and a man given up to this sinne of accusation for many other sinnes men have common with beasts fiercenesse craft indociblenesse filthinesse but this sinne men have peculiarly common with devils and participating with his sinne participate in his name called Diaboli 2 Tim. 3. So as when the devill groweth modest and moderate and out of the goodnesse of nature is ashamed of any sinne which hee can either act or get acted then may wicked men cease to bee impudent in accusing but not before 3. Satan and his instruments have alwayes bad causes in handling and accordingly must bring them about by bad and wicked meanes such as most shamefull lyes and slanders and most impudent accusations which the lesse ground or colour of truth they have the more clamor impudence and instance must they thrust them forward withall If so then take no offence against the truth or true religion because it hath beene and alwayes is exposed to false accusations by the father of lyes and his lying of-spring who all know that if the Gospell succeed and flourish their kingdome cannot stand if the light approach darknesse is chased away So long as may bee verified of Satan and his fellow-accusers what is said in Ier. 3. 3. Thou hast an whores forehead and couldst not be ashamed so long the Church must bee as it hath beene in all ages and times of the world stifly and instantly accused of rebellions insurrections seditions treasons and the most grievous scandals that hell can devise Here for the better proceeding consider three things 1. The markes of impudent accusers and accusation 2. Motives to beware of this sinne 3. Meanes by which godly men may fence themselves from the same I. The markes are sundry 1. It is a diabolicall impudency to accuse of that whereof the accused are not onely guiltlesse but to which they are cleane contrary Were it not an high impudency to accuse the Sunne of darknesse or piety it selfe of the highest wickednesse to accuse the godly of that which their whole course actually confuteth How blacke was the devill faine to appeare in the dayes after the Apostles when the Heathens cryed out of Christians as the causes and authors of all publike calamities and plagues If Nilus overflowed not their field if earthquakes pestilence or famine came on them presently the poore Christians were cast unto the Lyons How like unto those Heathenish cryes are those of this day that godly persons keepe no lawes disobey Princes are seditious enemies to the State c. But is not all cleane contrary for if there bee any true peace in any Land it is for and by the Gospell which is a Gospell of peace How like unto those were those horrible slanders cast upon the Protestants of Paris to make them odious Priests and Fryers in their Sermons perswaded the people that the Lutherans met at banquets in the night and putting out the Candles went together Jacke with Jill after a beastly maner Other Sorbonists accused them that they held there was no God that they denyed the humanity and divinity of Christ the immortality of the soule the resurrection of the dead and the whole body of religion and all this when the confession of their faith was extant to the contrary How is the government of Jesus Christ thrust away by most impudent pretexts that Christian policy is an enemy to civill policy whereas the Kingdome of Christ not being of this world incroacheth not into matters of civill government and civill policy is so farre from being abated or abolished as that it is strenthened and stablished by the preaching of the Gospell The Romanists to shew their brood and off-spring and the Jesuites the first-borne of Satan are attained to such an impudence as they may teach their Tutor to accuse 1. In that they fasten impudently on us hundreds of wicked doctrines which our religion is a flat enemy unto as That wee require onely faith to salvation That we condemne all good workes That we say the Church hath failed many hundred yeares till Luther and Calvin That we teach God the Author of sinne That wee wrest the sword out of Princes hands c. and infinite more which they write and print with such invincible impudency as shewes them to have lost with truth all forehead and blushing 2. In their devillish devises and accusations of holy and godly men bothliving and dead That Calvin called upon the devill That Bucer at his death denyed Christ to be come That Master Perkins dyed in despaire of whose gracious and happy end my selfe was an eye-witnesse What marvell if they could devise such Cart-loads of slanders after their death who could not stay till they were dead Of Beza they wrote a booke that hee dyed a Catholike with many strange stories of his death which booke himselfe being alive confuted with great zeale Of Luther they published an horrible miracle
Patriarkes Iacob fled from Esau Moses out of Egypt Elias from Iezabel David from Saul of Apostles Paul escaped from Damascus being let downe through the towne wall by night in a basket Act. 9. 25. Nay our Lord himselfe sundrie times withdrew himself and escaped out of his enemies hands A Lambe naturally flyes the fiercenesse of the wolfe and the lambes of Christ may flye from men of fierce and woolvish disposition But the cases when a man may flye are worthy the consideration As first if authority send him into banishment as Iohn into Patmos Secondly if the persecution be present not feared or a farre off and personall against that speciall person that person may for the heat of persecution depart for a time with purpose to returne to his office againe when the fire is quenched Thirdly when hope is cut off it is apparant that our presence can do no great good or service there where the persecution is raised a man may reserve himselfe somewhere else for the presentand after use of the Church Fourthly if upon examination a man finde himselfe not sufficiently armed against the temptation and that he wants gifts strength courage for such a trial he may step aside till he can gaine theÌ„ of God for as the Lord layeth nothing upon his servaÌ„ts above their strength so they must not undertake any thing above their power if they will not tempt God Fiftly if God open a dore and make way for our safety that without scandall or violence or publique wrong we may avoyd when we see lawfull meanes offered to helpe our selves then not to flye may be a tempting of God Now the cases which make it unlawfull to fly in persecution are 1 When a man is so bound by his calling as he cannot step aside without the hazard of Gods glory and detriment of the Church And therefore Magistrates Ministers must see they have a speciall loose from their callings ere they flye all the Saints must seek the Kingdome of Christ before all things if it make to that to fly a man may fly if that may be a greater gaâ—er to abide by it then he must stay 2 If a man fly with intent to avoyd his calling generall or speciall Christ would allow his disciples to fly from wolues danger but not from office Mat. 10. 24. they may fly but so as they must disperse the Gospell to other Cities The flight of the faithfull is the seminary of the Church and Kingdome of Christ not to make the truth a loser but a gainer 3 When a man aymes principally at sauing himselfe as when Gods glory the good of the Church and the victory of the truth are small things to him in respect of his owne safety whereas no man must fly but with resolution rather to suffer then deny God if the time be come 4 When a man is in hands and God hath shut all doors of escape now the time is come he is called to suffer the Apostles being in prison would not breake prison by force which is to resist Magistracy but when the Ange'l opened the doores and made them way they thankfully accepted the providence of God for their safety Our Lord Jesus who often fled because his houre was not come when his houre was come fled not 5 When a man hath received the Spirit of strength and fortitude he may not fly to avoid the triall Act 20. 22. I goe bound in the Spirit to Ierusalem knowing that nothing but bands abide me every where Object But to flye out of flesh and feare is forbidden in 1 Pet. 3. 14. Answ. 1 Some flight may proceed from other warrantable causes as namely to fly idolatry to goe where meanes of religion and the pure worship of God is to enjoy meanes of salvation and glorifie God elsewhere Therefore all is not caused of feare 2 All feare is not unlawfull but onely inordinate feare no more is al flying but inordinate The sin then is not in the flying it selfe but in the inordinate and distrustfull manner Object To flye is to deny Christ. Answ. No but to fly in the right conditions is 1 A secret profession of Christ a denyall of a mans selfe a leaving of wife children goods country and deare things for Christ and an undergoing a great deale of trouble for him 2 As confession is open or secret so Martyrdome is bloody or unbloody this confession is an unbloody martyrdome and no true Martyr is a denyer of Christ. Quest 4. But how can the Saints overcome by Martyrdome and passion which apparantly overcomes and destroyes them Answ. This is strange in bodily battells uncoÌ„ceivable but in this spirituall warre and fight it cannot be but that they most overcome when they are most overcome When did Christ most overcome but when he was most overcome and where made he his greatest conquest but on the crosse The reasons are 1 The nature of the Christian war is divers from other warre In other fields the enemie is without here the strongest enemie is within there the enemie is another person from the souldier here the enemie is the same person with the Christian souldier and therefore then is the field wonne when themselves are most overcome the Christian souldier hath more adoo to conquer himselfe then all his enemies beside and is then the greatest conqueror 2 The maine battell of the enemies without is not against the bodies and outward estates of men but against their soules and their eternall state of happinesse And in this they never conquer so apparantly as when their bodies are most conquered Rom 8. 36. Wee are all day as sheepe for the slaughter but yet more then conquerors Then persecutors hasten the Saints to happinesse when they most conquer their bodies 3 The persecutors quarrell is not so much against their persons as against their cause even the truth it selfe where in they are sure to carrie victory whatsoever become of their persons for they are well appointed to answer all arguments which are of two sorts First such as are drawne from reason reading learning or the like All these arguments of humane perswasions and forces out of subtilty and wit they overthrow by the word of their testimony the sword by which the two witnesses conquer Another sort of arguments is drawne from the blocke such as fire sword persecution inquisition interdiction excommunication abjuration c. All these fierce and furious arguments they overcome with teares prayers patience and Martyrdome And even in the death of their persons are most glorious conquerors in their cause in their deepest sorrows they rejoyce and glorie as in an happie triumph clapping their hands and singing Psalmes in the Flames yea sometime professing the fire to bee as a bed of Downe or roses so as they are conquerors of their Adversaries when they most conquer and destroy them 4 The persecutors lay their great ordinance and battery against their graces rather thaÌ„ their persons which
Antichristians who are the beast rising out of the earth And they are called inhabitants of the sea for their tumult and incōstancy casting up as the sea nothing but mire and dirt and carryed as waves of the sea by every winde Jude 13. But if any thinke the Evangelist aymeth more distinctly at some particulars I am not ignorant that some by earth understand the common multitude of wicked persons enemies unto Christ and by sea the ecclesiasticall men who have corrupted the earth with bitter brinish and salt doctrine of errors and humane traditions and thus still oppose them But I conceive a further drift of the Spirit of God well suiting to our whole exposition and period of time which this part of the Chapter aymeth at That rather by earth are meant all such nations and Kingdomes of earth subjected to the spirituall whordomes of the dragon so called for their earthly profession affection and practise and by sea the then Roman Empire it selfe so called 1 For the floods of impietie that issued from it as the floods and rivers do all from the sea it was the head of wickednesses 2 For the unbridled rage of it and the unresistable power which was then the great Ocean swelling over all bankes So as the sense seemes to be Wo to the earth and all wicked nations that are enemies to the Church of God but especially wo to the sea the great Empire whose sinnes the dragon hath brought to a great height so as the great mutation of that great estate is now neare and the subversion of the Imperiall and Cesariall power is at hand For now at this time so effectually did the dragon worke in the delusions of Antichrist as that he whose comming was in all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse was shortly to swallow up the Imperiall power and so to take him out of the way which stood betweene him and his greatnesse as was formerly prophesied 2 Thes. 2. and not long after accomplished When the Church is happy in the midst of persecutions wicked and earthly men are unhappy and miserable So is it here rejoyce ye heavens but wo to the earth and sea Eccles. 8. 12. 13. Though a sinner do evill an hundred times and his dayes be prolonged yet surely I know that it shal be well with them that feare God which feare before him but it shall not be well with the wicked Esa. 3. 10. Say yee it shal be well to the just but wo to the wicked it shall not be so to him it shal be evill to him the reward of his hands shal be given him Psal. 37. 37. Marke the upright man and behold the just for the end of that man is peace but the transgressors shal be destroyed together One reason hereof is in the text Satan being cast out of the men of the Church gets into the swine of the world and carries them into the lake first of sin then of destruction In their best estate they are Satans possession 2 It must be so by the perpetuall rule of divine justice who neither shuffles good and evill men together as men do nor mistakes persons and actions Among men there is a righteous man to whom it commeth according to the worke of the wicked and the contrary Eccles. 8. 14. But the Lord judgeth with righteous judgement Neither doth he forget any of their workes A wise man that delivers the City by his wisdome may be forgotten among men Eccles. 9. 15. as Ioseph was but the Lord forgets not the goodnesse of his servants nor his enemies sinnes but sets up all on their heads for the day of reckoning and recompense Revel 22. 12. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me to render to every man according to his workes The just Judge of all the world must do right 3 According to a mans seed time so commonly is his harvest Gal. 6. 7. As a man sowes so must he reape he that sowes to the flesh must reape corruption but he that sowes to the spirit shall reape life everlasting Doest thou sow chaffe and darnell and weeds and lookest thou for a crop of wheat Sow righteousnesse and thou shalt have a sure reward Prov. 11. 18. but if thou sowest iniquitie looke to reape affliction 4 The truth of God in accomplishing his word must leave the godly most happy while the wicked are wrapped in hellish woes and horrors The same weight of truth which carries downe wicked men into their place hoiseth up the godly as in the other scoale For as all the precious promises of the word belong to the one whereof earth nor hell can defeat them so al the woes and execrations of Scripture belong to the other and shal be true upon him so long as God is true in himselfe There is not a wicked man but he hath all the threatnings of God all the curses of the law and all the terrors of his owne conscience standing and shall stand for ever in force against him if hee stand out impenitently against GOD. Now this is a direction to Ministers for the course and carriage of their doctrine to sing both mercy and judgment and to come both with a rod and the spirit of meekensse Wee must speake peace to godly men but feed the impenitent with judgement This text and all texts and the whole tenor of the Scriptures go before us in this course Unhappy men are they that speake all peace and preach nothing but promises as if all men were godly and the congregations not mixt or if they distinguish of men it is to encourage hearten and harden wicked men for their owne gaine and dishearten and disgrace such as feare the Lord. 2 It is a direction to all men to carry our affections differently according to the differences of men expressing our love and kindnesse to men fearing God and our dislike of evill and wicked men 1 So doth the Lord and his Spirit in this text and whosoever are guided by the Spirit of grace will shew themselves in the helping up and encouragement of godlinesse and furthering the joy of the faithfull and in the discouraging and daunting so far as lyeth in him the wickednesse of men 2 A note of a good man is that a vile person shall be contemned in his eyes and he will love them that feare the Lord. 3 True judgment helps him to discerne between an Israelite and Ismaelite and true affection will cleave to the one and disclaime the other Gods Spirit teacheth none to esteeme carefull Christians vile persons nor to cleave to enemies and resisters of the grace of God who are indeed vile persons and so are they that sort with them or plead for them and as sin makes men vile to God so it makes them seeme to good men 3 It is an incouragement to godly men in the way of holinesse for they are in the way of happiness nothing can make them fall short of
watched and brought upon the world since the fall was the raysing of Antichrist He had beene mischievous before and wrathfull in open tyranny but now he putteth forth a greater wrath in secret delusion Which truth will appeare if we consider 1 Antichristianisme in it selfe 2 In comparison with open tyranny 3 In the more feareful fruits and grievous effects of it 1. Antichristianisme in it selfe is the most fearefull plague that ever the wrath of God or Satan strucke the world withall if we consider 1. The cause 2 The effect 3. The generality In the cause it proceedeth from the greatest wrath that ever God put forth upon earth for 1. It is a wrath from the divine iustice due to the most fearefull sinne in the world which was the worlds reiecting the truth of the Gospell wherein the wrath of God is come both upon the Jew and Gentile to the uttermost 2. It is a wrath of the dragon whetted by the wrath of God in which God sendeth the strongest and most prevailing delusions that ever were in which that wicked spirit who seemed to bee cast out of the world by the preaching of the Gospell is returned againe and hath brought seven worse spirits than himselfe 3. It is a wrath not onely punishing sinnes of such a deepe staine but with most fearfull sinnes such as immediately forerunne damnation even that universall damnation of all those who chased away the truth of God to embrace the delusions of Antichrist 2 Thess. 2. 10. God shall send strong delusions that all they may be damned who loved not the truth 4. It is a wrath so great as the Spirit of God finds no parallell to compare it with but the great day of Gods wrath and therefore in the opening of the sixt Seale Revel 6. 12. which describeth the comming of Antichrist into the world hee resembleth the time of his appearing to the greatest day of wrath that ever was before it and describeth it by all those fearefull events which shall accompany Christ himselfe when he commeth to his last and universall iudgement The signes of the wrath of that great day of wrath are seven by this wrathfull day of Antichrist notably resembled 1. Great and fearfull earthquakes shall goe before the comming of Christ Matth. 24. 7. Even so at the comming of Antichrist the foundations of the earth shal be shaken a new face of things shal appear the pillers and foundations of old Apostolicall doctrine and discipline shall bee shaken downe and a new Ecclesiasticall Monarchy shall eate up the ancient civill and Imperiall government which was the studd and pillar upholding the earth and societies of men 2. The Sunne shall bee darkned as sackcloth Mat. 24. 29. and Christ the sunne of righteousnesse who shined so cleare in the firmament of the Church the onely Saviour Mediatour and satisfaction shall bee wholy darkned and horribly ecclipsed in the day of Antichrist the holy doctrine concerning his person natures offices and benefits shall be cleane obscured as the Sunne at midnight a blacke vaile of traditions and a thicke curtaine of humane constitutions blacked and darkned all his most sacred Ordinances the Sacraments by theatricall pompes and devises shal be adulterate the worship of Christ by adoration of Idols and veneration of creatures wholy depraved Now is the Sunne of the Church turned into darknesse 3. The Moone shall be turned into blood So the Church which as the Moone receives all her light from the Sunne of righteousnesse shal seem all blood partly by the cruell and bloody warres and partly by the bloody persecutions of Antichrist who shall boast of both swords and fill both his hands with weapons of wrath and cruelty 4. The Starres shall fall from heaven Marke 13. 25. So in the appearing of Antichrist the Bishops and Pastors shall become Apostates from the truth and of shining starres in holy doctrine holy life and beautifull graces in their severall Orbes shining in humility charity sobriety diligence and heavenly-mindednesle shall fall to pride ambition contention wordlinesse warre seats of Judicature and whatsoever is earthly and sensuall and pompous 5. At the comming of Christ the heaven shall depart as a scrole so in the day of Antichrists comming the Church the heaven upon earth shall bee shut up and hide it selfe and shall not bee visible and conspicuous to the world And although many good and godly men still in all ages contested against Antichrist yet were they condemned for heretikes and were counted no part of heaven nor faithfull members of it 6. The Mountaines and Ilands were removed out of their places By Mountaines are meant Kings and Emperours who by the fraud and power of Antichrist were removed from their high places and authority which was swallowed and ingrossed by Antichrist and by Ilands the people and nations who were all forced upon paine of damnation in stead of obedience to Christ to submit themselves to the tyrannie of Antichrist Nothing so firme as Mountaines nothing so farre off as Ilands but Antichrist reached them 7. As in the day of Christs wrath the wicked shall in utter despaire of their estates call for the hils and Mountaines to cover them and hide them from it so shall the great day of Antichrist drive great ones to utter despaire not knowing what shall become of them and of their estates and this shall bee the hire and recompence of all the ayders and supporters of Antichrist in the day of their particular iudgement if their consciences bee awakened at farthest in that last and great day of wrath in the generall iudgement Thus wee see the Scripture setting out the day of Antichrist to bee as wrathfull as the great day of Christ which of all dreadfull things is to all wicked men most terrible Secondly now consider the great wrath of Antichristianisme in the effect and we shall see it the most horrible mist and black darknesse that ever the world was stricken withall Other heresies and hereticks which made way to this are called the black horse Revel 6. 5. as being contrary to the white horse Verse 2. which was the integrity of Apostolike doctrine but those did obscure and darken the light as in the evening But when Antichrist comes this heresie chaseth away all light as at midnight Not that the Church ceaseth to bee no more than the Sunne ceaseth to be at midnight but it appeareth no more in that Horizon or Hemisphere thā if it were not all Heaven passeth as a scrole which is no lesse but lesse seene Hence is the Kingdome of Antichrist called spiritually by the name of Aegypt Rev. 11. 8. for it resembleth that Kingdome especially in three things 1. In Idolatry 2. In cruelty and oppression of the Israel of God 3. Most of all in blindnesse and darknesse with which that Kingdome was covered for three dayes Exod. 10. 21. And betweene the darknesse of that Aegypt and this there is apt resemblance 1. Of all the plagues of
overcome evill with goodnesse II. The person persecuted is the woman The proper object of the devils malice next unto Christ himselfe is the Church of Christ and so inevitable a condition is persecution as nothing in the world can keepe it long off For 1. Here is a woman weake in her selfe and impotent whom none but a coward would contend withall but the dragon is inured since the first skirmish in Paradise to offer violence and wrong to such as can least repell it frō whom the Priests and Jesuites have learned the principles of their trade in seducing seely women and ignorant sots who have no strength nor weapons 2. This woman hath Michael standing with her and hath brought forth a potent man-childe to helpe her yet hee weigheth not all the strength and power gathered for her Hee that dare assault Michael himselfe in person will for all him fiercely and fuririously assault the woman 3. Here is a woman cloathed with the Sunne having the Moone under her feet crowned with a crowne of twelve Starres arrayed with righteousnesse and holinesse as the Spouse of Christ the groūd and pillar of truth But this abates not the dragons wrath but kindles it that shee is the justified and innocent Spouse of Christ Besides here are many things worth winning from her 4. This is the same woman that hee had immediately before persecuted and now againe renewes his persecution for loath hee is to afford this Dove of Christ any rest for the soale of her foote The Church then cannot bee discerned by that durable and lasting peace and glory which Papists make a mark of their Church but rather by durable and lasting conflicts and obscurity For trouble is the best tryall of religion and Christ was best knowne by his Crosse and so also is his Spouse Object The dominion of Christ shall be everlasting in glory and Jerusalem is a vision of peace Answ. True but his kingdome not being of this world it is in respect of the spirituall and invisible Kingdome of Christ the glory of which the world cannot see and of that sweet and inward peace of conscience and joy of sanctified soules which the stranger enters not into Object But what hath the poore Woman done Answ. The dragon persecutes not for evill but for good here the better worke the worse wages and no other reward can godly men expect at the hands of wicked ones to whom they have beene instrumēts of greatest good David mitigateth Sauls vexation by his harpe but how vexeth he David for recompense Let us therefore make no account of rest and peace here which is not the Churches resting place Our Lord taught us to make other accounts Ioh. 16. 33. In the world yee shall have affliction Wee would have Canaan before the Canaanites be subdued But wisdome will expect freedome when the combate is ended not before It is enough we have our earnest in hand to begin withall wee must looke for our wages in the end of our worke and the crowne after the victory 111. The time of this persecution seemes very expresse in the text namely when the dragon had beene cast unto the earth and after the woman had brought forth her man-child The dejection we have shewed to be the suppressing of the power of the heathenish tyrants and Emperours who upheld pagan idolatry oppressed the Christian Church and withstood the power and passage of the Gospell The bringing forth of the man-child wee have shewed to be the raysing up of Christian Princes and Emperors the protectors and maintainers of Christian faith who succeeded after the heathen Emperours Wee must therefore secke out this fierce persecution in the times of Emperors by profession Christian even in those times when the woman might have expected rest and peace by this manchild who now had the rod of iron in his hand And by looking into the story and event of those times which is doubtlesse the most true and proper interpretation of prophecies wee finde among the Emperours Christian after Constantine a twofold persecution of the dragon one civill the other ecclesiasticall and more pernicious The former was by the cruelty of divers Christian Emperours after Constantine as Constantius Iulian Apostata Valence and others who had nothing but the pretext and name of Christian but indeed differed nothing from most fierce and savage tyrants wasting the Church and the Orthodoxe pastors and professors The latter namely ecclesiasticall much more pernicious then the former was when the dragon poysoned the Church partly with damnable heresies of Arius Eunomius c. for the maintenance whereof the Emperors most violently persecuted the sound Bishops Pastors and Professors the dragon that could not now prevayle by slaughters and Butcheries as before doth now by poysonfull lies partly with pride pompe ambition and fierce contention of Orthodoxe Bishops for primacy and superiority over other Churches and Pastors For now the man-child having furnisht the Church with peace ease wealth lands patrimony large revenues and immunities the maine studie is for the increasing and maintaining of their pompe And as ease wealth and security increaseth so the care of soundnesse of faith and sincerity decaieth Presently from pride grows hot contention among themselves Councell is called against Councell Synod against Synod the greatest strife is for Patriarchicall seats and quarrels for primacy precedency Churches immunities Clergy-priviledges Peters patrimony and revenues of holy Church To these ends the principall employment of those Bishops was for setting up altars images crosses unctions orders of Monkes and Nunnes consecrated garments habits shavings and an hundreth toyes which tooke up their thoughts time and lives while the primitive simplicity of Christ and his truth with Christian faith and religion slipped from betweene their fingers Thus Antichrist came to his hight and turret and thrust in on the blind world as an armed man Now was the woman disrobed the Church spoiled of her chiefe ornaments and graces wherein she shined and was indeed crowned in her low and afflicted estate Now were the Ministers who made way unto Antichrist lifted up and intended every thing but conscionable Ministery Now Ierome justly complaines that after the Christian Church found Christian Princes she became in wealth and power greater but lesse in vertue and piety And this I take to be the most violent assault by most virulent poison cast out of the mouth of the dragon especially aymed at in this text yea the most bloody and fierce persecution which then began to assault the woman who had brought out the man-child from under which she is not yet recovered as we shall see if God permit The point is this Prosperity and peace much more baneth and woundeth the Church then tyranny and persecution Deut. 32. 15. Israel when he should have bene upright waxed fat and spurned with his heele for sooke the God that made him and regarded not the strong God of
still in the Temple of God neither is the woman yet got out of the wildernesse Neither doth this time begin presently after the revelation of it for there must come betweene the womans dwelling in heaven the cloathing of her with the Sunne the Crowne of twelve Starres the treading of the Moone under foot the assault of the dragon the birth of the manchilde the foyling of the dragon and after all these the flight as wee have heard and all these are not done on a sudden but require many hundred yeares for their effecting 5. Propos. If it cannot bee knowne certainly unto us à priori who have not seene the accomplishment and conclusion of this Prophecie yet it shall bee knowne to the Church à posteriori as other parts of this divine Revelation are by the events and performance Some godly men have conjectured à priori and set downe their opinions which how farre they carry truth time will discover I will onely alleadge three late Writers and leave their opinions to your consideration 1. Of Pareus who on Revel 11 2. saith if it were lawful for him to conjecture hee would say this terme might begin in the yeare 606. when Boniface 3. gate up into the chaire of pestilence and then it must end in anno 1866. but that of this terme saith he God will cut off some for the Elects sake 2. Of Moulin a French Writer in the booke intituled The accomplishment of the Prophecies dedicated to his Majesty who begins the time in the yeare when the Pope laid the foundation of his temporall Empire anno 75 5. to which number if ye add these 1260. yeares of this Hierarchicall Kingdome and Empire it must last to the yeare 2015. of Christ according to which reckoning it hath 391. yeares yet to come but that saith hee of this time some may be shortned for the Elects sake 3. Of learned Brightman who supposeth it to begin about the yeare of Christ 426. and to expire in the full account about the yeare 1686. yet these daies as neare as they be for the Elects sake may be shortned For on Chap. 19. 4. he tels Rome when shee kept a Jubilee 30 yeares ago that within a Jubilee of 50 yeares from thence shee should keepe a Jubilee not so much for her owne joy as the joy of all Gods people over her who shall rejoyce in her utter destruction and therefore shee had more need intend her funerals than Jubilees How true this is he knows who inspires his speciall servants Onely wee see greater likelihood of it every day than other The Lord hath said it wee must waite and pray him to hasten his owne worke for the joy and deliverance of the Church 6. Propos. In all these difficulties and differences among the most learned scarce one consenting with another in the period of entrance I add the last conclusion that the safest opinion of the most modest and learned is that a number finite is put for an indefinite and that this number is indefinite not that it is not certaine and defined to God but that it abides undefined as yet and uncertaine to us for the terme of beginning and expiration This is the judgement of the modest and learned Bishop Abbot in the 108. page of his demonstration against Antichrist It is the judgement of Bishop Cowper In this opinion rests that learned Pare us because he saith hee findes not a better nor safer To these agreeth To stanus and other the soundest of our Writers And in this the safest and soundest I also will rest Now to sundry Observations which wee have noted concerning the time on Verse 6. wee will briefly add these following 1. No sorrowes or afflictions can steale upon the Church but all are knowne foreseene and determined by God Here the woman chased into the wildernesse is knowne of her Lord the place provivided by him and shee in it provided for all the time Her state is hidden to the world retyred in her selfe but not hidden unto God but by him she is hidden in the chambers of his Providence during all this tyrannie and raigne of Antichrist In all our sorrowes and restraynts consider they are foreseene of God and we are not unseene in them Let us with Hagar in the wildernesse say Thou God seest mee Have I also looked after him that seeth me 2. God hath measured all the afflictions of the Church that although tyrants may disturbe and hinder pure religion by force and violence yet is it but for an appointed time Antiochus may interrupt Jewish religion and bring in Swines flesh into the Temple but it is but for three yeares and ten dayes a time times and piece of time Antichrist that great Apollyon may make havocke and â—â—ead under foot the holy city but it is but for 42. moneths a time times and halfe a time even three Propheticall yeares and an halfe Iezabel wasts the Church and causeth the Prophets to hide themselves in Caves and flie for their lives but it was but three yeares and an halfe in the letter The Jews may bury Christ in the grave rol a stone upon him and seale watch the sepulcher but they can keep him down only three dayes Know that what affliction soever thy selfe or any member or the whole Church sustaineth it is not endlesse neither shall the whole nor parts suffer one houre more then Gods wisdome hath assigned The proudest waves cannot passe those bounds and bankes which Gods power hath set them 3 All the sorrowes of the Saints are by Gods divine power overruled to their good and safety to preserve them from some present danger spirituall or temporall and to chase them under Gods hiding place as David Psalm 32. 7. Truly may the woman say Periissem nisi periissem I had not beene safe if perill had not driven mee into the wildernesse And did not the Lord see his Church safest in the wildernesse he would not suffer her hid there the greatest part of the time of the New Testament He over-ruleth death it self to be the greatest of al deliverances 4. In all the sufferings and oppressions of the woman this comfort abideth by the godly that shee is not left of God nor destitute of his presence nor of his Providence for supply nor without a promise of deliverance nor without faith of the accomplishment nor without a joyfull assurance that the time of this oppression is not farre from expiration Verse 15. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a â—lood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood THE woman chased out of sight being now in the wildernesse in a close and secret dispersion in corners But this contents not the dragon that shee is out of sight because she yet is and hath a beeing he is still unquiet because she is not brought to utter havock and confusion he would afford her no roome in
law endictes every wicked man hating the godly of murder 1 Ioh. 3. 15. not only because hatred is a degree of it but because his will and desire carries him to the highest degree and execution of it 2 Members must be conformed to the head in obedience both active and passive What floods the dragon raised and cast out of his mouth to carry Christ away is manifest in the story imputing to him sorcery blasphemy sedition treason and all that was hainous and poysonfull If they called the Master of the house Belzebâ—b what will they not call his servants 3. The more innocent thou art looke thy suffering to bee the more for malice is most against grace and innocency When good men are generally maligned and floods of water cast after them the generall conceit and speech of other is some fault there is were there not some fire there could not bee so much smoake some indiscretion some oversight some fault No no there is shining grace wisdome holinesse watchfulnesse the dragon will revile good men be they never so discreet and innocent yea for innocency as Christ himselfe Againe seeing it is inevitable that the godly should bee molested with these floods and rising of waters let them for their comfort and direction thinke of these Rules 1. Against the multitude of Antichristian enemies who increase and combine as a flood to overflow all bankes oppose the promise of God Esa. 17. 12 1â— They shall make a noise as the noise of many waters but God shall rebuke them hee hath passed sentence against them which is not farre from execution and Chap 59. 19. The enemy shall come like a flood but the Spirit of the Lord will chase him away and daily shall they be blasted by the breath of his mouth all his forces cannot prosper being gathered against the Lord Deut. 33. 27. 2 Against the floods of Antichristian heresies and false doctrines wee must stablish ourselves First with true humility to containe our selves within bounds of truth Pride and conceit makes heretikes Secondly with sound love to the truth this onely will make us hate all false inventions Psal. 119. 113. Thirdly with true obedience to the truth revealed Ioh. 7. 17. If any man will do my will he shall know the doctrine whether it bee of God By these meanes wee shall sticke fast to the Rocke and hold fast by truth and not be carryed away with this flood Fourthly when they trouble our waters with traditioÌ„s fables for they are called troubled waters oppose the sweet and cleare crystall fountaines of the Scriptures the waters out of the Rocke and out of the fountaines of Iacob Deut. 33. 28. this shall bee sufficient against the full sea of Antichristian brinish salt and damnable doctrines 3. Against the drowning waters of scandals reproaches threatnings wicked Edicts false accusations or violent executions oppose those sweet refreshing waters of comfort Esa. 55. 1. These promise First Christs presence who rebukes winde and sea and makes a calme Secondly strength and patience because they are the rebukes of Christ. Thirdly a clearing of thine owne innocency as the light Againe oppose thine innocency purity sound conscience honest conversation and then assure thy selfe no reproach can take away thine innocency no more than thy head Lastly waite on God as David in Shimeis rayling hee may doe thee good for their evill hee may blesse thee for their cursing and honor thee the more for their dishonour as Mordecai And many of his servants have experience that the more evill men seek to cast them downe and carry them away with floods of injuries the more God doth establish and uphold them and carry them up above the waves and billowes which threaten to drowne them Vers. 16. And the earth helped the woman and the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the stood which the dragon cast out of his mouth AGainst new dangers the woman hath still new remedies for unwonted dangers unwonted helpes Against the former dangers shee had wings to flie from them here the earth sets in for her helpe the dragon casts the flood out of his mouth and the earth takes it into her mouth By the earth is not meant the earthly globe which Mathematicians call the center of the world in which wee walke neither may wee understand it properly of this vast Element but improperly and metaphorically as wee did the flood in the former words drunke up by it By earth therefore is meant 1. In generall all the meanes by which the former flood was drunke up and the phrase is an allusion to an ancient story in Numb 16. where the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up Corah and all his company who had cast floods of reproachfull waters against Moses Aaron even so here before the Lord will suffer his Church to be drowned and overwhelmed he will command the earth to open it selfe and swallow up all such as enterprise against it as formerly he had to swallow alive Corah Dathan Abiram and all their complices 2. More specially by the earth wee meane those speciall providences by which the former floods were dryed up as 1. The floods of herefies spewed out of the dragons mouth were swallowed up of the earth for First it was the earthly and wicked Synagogue that embraced all the dragoÌ„s plausible heresies such as whose names are writen in earth but not any whose names were written in the Booke of life the true Church drunke not a drop of that poyson spewed out of the dragons mouth Secondly because that the Synods and Councils gathered out of all the earth resolved and swallowed up those pernicious heresies against the grounds of Christian religion For as of old the Councell of Nice swallowed up the poysoned flood of Arrius the Constantinopolitan supped up the hereticall flood of Macedonius and Eunomius the Ephesine of Nestorius and the Chalcedon of Eutiches so we might name a number of Canons out of Councels gathered under Antichrist resisting many main Romish errors and hereticall doctrines as the sixt generall Councell about the yeare 700. decreed against the Church of Rome the marriage of Ministers and forbad to make the Holy Ghost in likenesse of a Dove The Councell of Portugall at Bracca appointed the Cup in the Communion Sundry other Councels as of Constantinople under Leo Isauricus and after under Constantius Copronimus and of Frankeford under Charles the Great all against Images and many of their owne contradicting their fellowes in matters of greatest difference as might be cleared at large but is done already by Doctor Hall in his booke intituled The peace of Rome 2. The floods of slaunders and false suggestions have beene dryed up even by the earth earthly men and enemies of the Church who have acquitted and discharged the Christians of those horrible scandalls which were out of the dragons mouth sent after them to drowne them as in the ancient Story the Christians
The soule hath as well his eye of faith as the body the eye of sense and by that we see not the head only but the members and beleeve and live in the Communion of Saints And went to warre The wrath of the dragon produceth the warre of the beast and Antichrists wars are the dragons wars the dragon by and in Antichrist makes warre upon the Church For 1 The wrath of the dragon is in them as the chiefe moover inspirer and General who seales commission to his universal Vicar and Liâ—utenant who receives power from him Revel 13. 2. 2 The cruelty of the dragon is in them who as he is an homicide and manslayer from the beginning so is this an Apollyon a destroyer a scarlet beast of a bloody coulor dyed in the blood of Saints a woman drunke with blood 3 The scope of the dragon is in them universall and unmercifull destruction of bodies and soules Rev. 13. 15. Whosoever will not worship the beast he commaunds them to be slaine But this is a small thing to his spirituall warre in which he comes with effectuall delusions among them that perish that all they might be damned c. 2 Thes. 2. 10 11. 4 The meanes of the dragon is in them As the dragon seekes to draw the worship of God upon himselfe from God Mat. 4. so doth Antichrist sit as God and all the earth must worship the beast As the dragon to attaine his ends will salsifie and vilifie the word of God so the beast slayes the two Prophets Rev. 11. 9. that is as some interpret the two Testaments He must needs destroy soules if first he can destroy the Scriptures And never were the two witnesses so warred against as by Antichrist 5 The subtilty of the dragon is in them even all his seaven heads He fights not only like a Balak with open fiercenesse but like a Balaam a false prophet by his wiles and delusions He comes not so much with displayed banners as with hostility wrapped up with all guile and deceitfull pretenses He will not be seene to warre as an enemie and persecuter of the Church but under specious termes of the Patron and just defender of the Catholike Church Now if the warres of Antichrist be the dragons warres of all other wee must hold them the most pernicious to mankinde and of all other deprecate these and wish rather to fall into the hands of any Turke or tyrant then into the hands of Antichrist For First other tyrants are raysed by the generall wrath of the dragon against mankinde but this from the greatest wrath against the Church the seed of the Woman Secondly those are satisfied with our goods lands liberty or life and intend no further but this not so content must have our religion consciences and salvation our heaven and God from us Thirdly their weapons are corporall and onely wound and slay the body Let Nero Domitian Decius Dioclesian or the Turke or Scythian come they can bring sword fire wilde beasts melted ledd gibbets and other exquisite bodily torments But the cruelty of Antichrist beside all these brings strong delusions idolatry apostacy heresie And this spirituall persecution is so much more cruell as the soule is more excellent then the body and so much more dreadfull as the destruction of both together is more desperate then of one alone Wee must not measure the cruelty of Antichristian warre as theirs by the privation of mortall life but by the invaluable losse of life eternall 2 Note the miserable estate of such as fall unto the part of Antichrist they are intereffed in the dragons warres and directly fight against Christ against their owne salvation and others Wee must esteeme them greater enemies then any tyrants or robbers that would only bereaue us of our goods or lives These slaves of Antichrist are become bondslaves to the dragon for none worship the beast but they first worship the dragon Rev. 13. 4. 3 Let it moove us to stand so much the more resolutely against Popery and the impostures of Antichrist seeing wee stand against the wrath of the dragon for the right and honour of Jesus Christ against his sworne enemie and for our owne salvation This will be the honour of the Saints that they perish not only as sheepe woryed by the wolfe but as the valiant souldiers of Jesus Christ who even in martyrdome are more then conquerors With the remnant of her seed The number of faithfull Christians that sticke close to Christ against the corruptions of Antichrist is but a small number and as small in worldly reputation Christs company was alwaies a little flocke Luk. 12. 32. And Israel is as the sand of the sea yet a remnant onely shall be saved Rom 9. 29. This phrase is a metaphore taken from tradesmen who having cut out a whole piece of cloth leave some small remnant or remainder even so the true professors of the Gospell are but as a small remainder of the whole piece and people of the world Beside it is but the remnant of her seed As a little seed-corne is reserved out of a great heape for store which is nothing to the whole croppe so is the small number of true Beleevers reserved by grace to the whole field and croppe of the world as it was in the state of the ancient Church in captivity Zech. 3. 1. Is not this a brand pulled out of the fire the state of the people being as a great tree cut downe and cast into the fire of which one little brand was snatched out of the flame and returned from captivity and the dragon would have had that brand burnt to ashes too so here he warreth on the remnant of the seed of the woman in the wildernesse So also is the number of Gods company sayd to be one of a City and two of a tribe as if in a great inundation of water which carrieth away a whole towne or country some one or two houses or persons should escape or as if in a blazing and universall fire devouring a whole City one or two houses should bee left standing 1 Few are chosen Mat. 20. 17. God hath decreed that few shal be saved The earth affords much clay for potters but little oare for gold Common stones are many pearles but a few In the universall Church signified by the Arke were but few even eight soules saved all the rest drowned 1 Pet. 3. In particular visible Churches there are but a few names that defile not their garments Rev. 3. 4. All are not Israel that go for Israel and all that go for Virgins are not admitted to the bridegroomes chamber 2 The gate to heaven is straight and few finde it Mat. 7. 14. None know it of themselves and of them that know it few will endure the persecution the sharpenesse the selfe-deniall the mortification the losses the crosses with which that straight way is strawed the most
domestickes to be with him to be eye-witnesses and eare-witnesses of all he did or spake so as they were to deliver nothing but of their certaine knowledge the things they had heard and seene and handled 1 Ioh. 1. 1. So as ignorant persons that care not for the knowledge of the mysteries of the Gospel are as fit to witnesse to Christ as a blinde man to judge of colours 2 For this knowledge and perswasion because it must be from a divine teacher as the thing witnessed is we must not content our selves with the report of men or an humane apprehension of the matters of religion but be sure wee have the spirit of God inwardly to teach us for the naturall man cannot discerne the things of God Ioh. 15. 26. When the Comforter shall come he shall testifie of me and ye shall witnesse also but not before they have received the Spirit 3 Faithfulnesse sincerity to testify the truth only the whole truth A man of integrity is a fit witnesse in this great cause of Christ. Many professe oâ—e thing practise another have a forme of godlinesse but deny the power of it These are unfaithfull and disgraceful witnesses that say unsay a discredit to the cause a shame to themselves Their word and witnesse goes for nothing mens tribunalls cast out such witnesses with disgrace much more the Lords 4 Plainnesse and opennesse that men may know what they witnesse that their testimony may be an evidence not to fumble or flatter or blanch the truth Ministers must explane the Testament of Christ and speake plainly that Christ by it gives nothing but to his friends and kindred to his mother brethren sisters even such as heare the word and keepe it that he bequeathed the inheritance to the sanctified not the profane that pearles are not cast to swine that howsoever wicked ones will scrape acquaintance with Christ at this day and at the day of judgment for that they were just sober charitable civill harmelesse yea beyond many of us in their civill entertainments of Christ yet shall they not be found in the genealogie are not of the house of faith nor of the blood of Christ. 5 Courage and boldnesse to stand to their witnesse Pilate gave a good testimony of Christ his innocency but wanting courage he went against his owne testimony Now this courage is necessarie First to stand out against numbers of false witnesses One Elias must stand against foure hundred false Prophets the Apostles against the whole Councell Act. 5. 32. Secondly to contemne the wrath of the adverse part armed with furie and madnesse against them Act. 5. 33. they brust for anger and consulted Thirdly to abate the madnesse of adversaries as did the courage of the disciples having the better end of the staffe Act. 16. 39. the magistrates came and besought them and brought them out and desired them to depart out of the City Motives thus to give witnesse to Jesus Christ. 1 All creatures even the unreasonable witnesse to the glory of God Act. 14. 17. he left not himselfe without witnesse in that he gave raine and fruitfull seasons If we should hold our peace the very stones would cry 2 It is so honourable a service as the Angells themselves desire to stoope and bow unto it 1 Pet. 1. 12. Even they affectionatly long and desire to behold and witnesse the spirituall riches of the Church by Jesus Christ. The faces of the Cherubins were alwaies upon the Arke they could never looke enough nor with admiration enough upon the affaires of the Church How ready and faithfull have they been on these errands and messages c. 3 To faithfull witnesses God witnesseth that he is their God as the Patriarkes Heb. 11. 16. he is not ashamed to be called their God 4 Professors and slaves of Antichrist are bold to witnesse their false faith with resolution of minde danger of body losse of goods lands liberty and life and shall Christs servants be ashamed in his testimony 5. The Saints have not counted their lives deare to them nor loved them to the death for Christs sake as wee have seene on Verse 11. Hee is a very Jade that will not follow a free Leader 6. The season and time invites it If men will not now witnesse to Christ in the dayes of truth and protection what will they doe in the fiery tryall for what dayes doe so many conceale their resolution why doe so many desire rather to bee counted wise than religious And I stood on the Sea-shore or land These words belong not to this Chapter but to the next vision neither read in the first person He stood that is the dragon as some read on the sand that is on a sandie and mouldring foundation or on a multitude of wicked men as the sand but in the first person I stood that is I stood in vision on the sand to see the beast rising out of the sea so as the words are a transition to the vision of the beast in the next Chapter So I have by the grace of God finished this taske and text which hath notably suted with the occurrences of these latter times and seasonably met with the present occasions and state of the Churches at home and abroad I will not goe forward in this mysticall booke for in this chapter I have led you into the heart and kernell of the whole booke and given not a darke light to the whole Besides you loue variety and my selfe ayme at some other plainer doctrine Bella minas fluvios mulier cum semine sancto Sustinet victrix astra Ducemque petit FINIS AN ALPHABETICALL Table of the chiefe things contained in the foregoing EXPOSITION A Accusations of the godly in things true and false pag. 553 The godly lye open to all maner of false accusation and why 561 False accusation the nearest and expressest image of the diuell 571 Disswasions â—rom it 577 How to fence our selues against it 582 Accusers of the godly shall one day haue their mouths stopped 588 Actions that are good studiously hindred by Satan 157 Blemished two waies 161 Affect men differently as they differ in good or euill 673 Afflictions of the Church may be long and grieuous 325 how long and short too 326 Agreement of disagreeing enemies against the Church 130 Angellsâ—ignifie â—ignifie any seruants souldiers of Christ 342 Resemble them 347 What the good Angells doe for the children of God 345 Antichrist arising is the great wrath of the dragon demonstrated 693 By what stayres he arose 739 Time of his reigne â—â—cording to Papists confuted 786 His warres come of the dragons wrath Reas. 828 Antichristianisme an vniuersall heresie 699 Worse then temporall enemies three waies 700 Effects of it far worse 703 Apologie for our innocency needfull 586 Armoâ— of God taken froÌ„ us or turned against us 171 Assaults and stratageâ—s of Satan against the Saints 168 B Be busy more and more for grace goodnes
reas 726 Beast that Antichrist noted and described 820 Beginning of good watched by Satan to hinder it 248 Benefits of receiuing Christ and his truth 688 Birth of children in nature and grace how they are alike 92 The spirituall farr better then the naturall 97 Appeares in fiue things 110 Effected with paine foure reasons 118 Hinderances of the new birth 120 Resolue to goe through all 124. motiues 125 Body of Christ threefold 300 Blood of Christ how we ouercome by it 605 How all our enemies are ouercome by it 606 Answers all obiections for us 607 Bootlesse to struggle against the truth or Church 782 Brethren seuerall sorts 554 All brethren that professe Christ and how 555 Mockers enemies taxed 559 Brotherly loue commended to Christians 557 motiues ibid. Objectiōs answered 558 Conditions of it 559 C Callings generall and speciall disordered 174 Censure not euery one that is accursed 568 Christ cleaue to him in person affection affliction 19 Depend on him for direction protection prouision 20 Honour him 22 Please him six waies 23 More excellent then the world and so esteemed of the godly 68 Receiued into us how 455 Church six priuiledges of it as Christs Spouse 25 What her crowne is 77 How it continues 78 How on her head 79 See more 219 A fruitfull mother of children vnto God 95 mother-Mother-church which 98 Popish notes disproued 99 Fiue true notes auowed 104 Markes of true children of the Church 110 Sorts of them 4. 271 Safe euer by the saluation of God 508 Not alway glorious but alway safe 768 In hardest times assuredly fed and prouided for 777 Comming of Christ expells Satan 444 Why and how 446 Conclusions about the churches visibilitie 297 Consolation in the great power of Christ 538 Conversion casts out euery deuill why and how 471 Courage necessarie for great performances 279 Motiues to it 280 Meanes 281 Crowne of Christ set hold it on his head 222 Crowne Princedome of Satan what how wherein 200 Cruelty in the deuill and his instruments 142 Whence and why permitted 144 D Dangers what to doe in them 812 Dayes put for yeares 321 Death of Christ how necessary 537 Deceiue the world how 411 Delight in earth discouered to be predominant foure notes 13 Desart what in this Chapter 292 Despaire not of the worst 452 Despise life and all for Christ why and how 624 Meditations and practises 632 Differences of Gods working and Satan in the same action 733 Disgrace put vpon good actions 162 Disloyalty taught by Popish religion 533 Diuell called a dragon in foure respects 127 So are also his instruments 128 Why comprised here in the name of one dragon 128. 129 Notes of him cast out 431 Motiues to cast him out 454 Meanes 455 Dragon embleme of persecuting Princes why 129 Defeated many wayes 242 Meanes to ouercome him 736 Not cast out till Christ his Gospell come 425 Ouercome not onely by Christ but by Christians 599 Dominion exercised among wicked men only 439 E Eagles wings what they are 758 Ease in our Christian profession not comfortable 339 End of magistracy what and wherein 289 Enemies of Christ who 530 Enemies of the godly haue foure chiefe sinnes in their oppositions 566 Enemies of the Church shall be finally destroyed foure reasons 390 Enemies spirituall ouercome by the power of Christ in us 550 Enterprise of wicked enemies bootlesse 465 Entertaine Christ his truth motiues meanes letts 686 Euili actions how by Satan put forward 166 Exorcisme to dispossesse a diuell 449 Expect floods of opposition and persecution 804 F Faith our victory how 606 Faiths power wherein bewrayed 548 False feares what mischiefe to the Christian combatant 178 Families how the deuill is cast out of them 258 Fence against the deuill how 407 Fidelitie to God and the Church requisite exemplified 7. 8 Fight against Christ. how the wicked doe so 357 Notes of them 362 Flight of Satan sometimes fained 175 Flight of the Church what when how 752 How from the face of the dragon 766 Floods of waters signifie afflictions and why 793 Out of the dragons mouth three sorts of them 795 Fly in persecution when lawfull and not lawfull 619. 765 Food for the soule what and how certaine 781 Friendship pretended to deceiue 153 Frustrate Fruitlesse how good things are made to be 164 G Garment of Saints is Christ for necessity ornament distinction 39 Better then the other in fiue respects 42 How put on 43 Motiues to put it on 46 and that continually 49 Expresse the shining of it 50 Not disgrace it on others 52 Keepe it cleane why how and who offend 54 God saueth his Church by meanes though he could without them 759 giues sufficient meanes 760 Godlinesse wherein the power of it is seene 549 Good gifts how giuen to euill men 149 Great aduersaries of the Church 136 Great helps against them 138 Great encouragements likewise 140 H Happinesse of Christians cannot be preuented nor discontinued 30 nor a whit prejudiced by any enemies 467 Hatred in wicked ones against the good vnknowne or unseene fiue Reasons 824 Hearing of the word hindred by Satan 169 Hell why the deuill is not confined to it 437 Helpe euer afforded to the Church in the greatest persecutions Reas. 811 Many times when she least expects it four Reasons 814 Heauen the Church militant so called 5. and 642 True Christians already in heauen how 8 Many therefore no true members of the Church 12 Heresie more hatefull to the Church then tyranny 755 Heresies drunke up of the earth how 807 Hornes what they signify 186 Horned beasts against the Church that is hurtfull men 188 I Iesuites and other Papists impudent in false accusations 574 Impotency of Satan in doing mischiefe 238 Instances of Satan neare us or standing before us 254 Instructions by consideration of Christs power 542 Instruments of speciall good fitted of God thereunto 276 Instruments of the diuel notes of them 355 cast out together with himselfe 460 How seeing they preuayle so much 462 Impudent and instant in false accusations 569 Markes of them 572 Ioy none but the godly called to it and why 643 Ioy of Heauen must now be expressed and how that may be 649 How heauenly earthly joyes may stand together 655 Ioyne all in fight against Satan 344 Iudgment-day signes of it shewed in the comming of Antichrist 695 K Keyes a signe of power and in Christs hand 426 Kingdome of God what and how it florisheth 509 Kingdome of Antichrist resembled by Egypt how 697 L Lambe Christ so called why what vse 603 Lamentable estate of wicked men 352 Law and terrors needfull to the best 659 Legall and Evangelical keeping of the commandements 835 conditions of keeping of them 836 sure coffers to keep them 837 markes of them that keep aright 837 motiues 840 Lets of receiving Christ his truth 689 Lessons to be learned of Satan to redeeme time 723 Life how it may be loved 617 Light skirmishes get
the devill great advantages 176 Love of Christ which will hold out to the death foure notes of it 631 Love the godly unseene and how 828 Luther where the Church was before his time 303 771 Lying signes and wonders why 412 M Magistrates must resemble God in foure things 286 Manchild Christ like it not the same 261 Constantine with the like so called 266 collectively reasons 267 Martyrs overcome the Dragon and others too with three qualities 618 how in suffering they overcome 622 Meanes to a voide the Dragons wrath 708 Michael notes Christ 341 Ministers starres in the Church 81 must resemble starres how and wherein 82 motives to ministeriall duties 84 dignity duty end and comfort of a good Minister 122 225 must preach woes as well as comforts 656 reasons 657 objections remooved 658 who blame worthy 663 Ministery though sharpe must be endured motives 668 Modesty commended 7 Moone resembles the world in foure things 62 must bee kept below Christ both the best and worst of the world 65 for five reasons 66 must bee held with foure cautions 67 notes of one whom the world hath overcome 75 and one that hath the moone under his feet 77 Mourne to see Gods Kingdome opposed or not enlarged Multitude no sure note of the Church 414 N No newes to see the Church goared and persecuted 193 No calling or condition can secure a good man from opposition 253 No prevailing against the Church 365. objections answered 369 No easie thing to bee a Christian 627 yet many make such account foure sorts 629 Notes of one seduced of the devill 421 Notes of one lying under the Dragons power or wrath 705 Notes of one whose place shall not bee found among Saints 398 Notes of one prevayling against the Dragon 377 and of one in whom the Dragon preuailes 379 Number of ten implies perfection 188 Number of true enemies to Antichrist small foure reasons 831 O Occasions for Satan to take advantage at us 155 Offence not to be taken at the Apostasie of Ministers or others 237 Order our desires and conditions how 750 P Patience needfull 221 Peace how affirmed of the Church 333 Persecutor one in all ages how what use 731 Persecution from whom to be expected 735 inevitable to the Church why what use 736 even by Christian Emperors twofold 739 sometimes hindred by earthly occasions 809 Personall reproofe necessarie 666 Popes headship ever withstood 776 Power of Christ twofold 527 his power as Mediator superior to all created power 528 how discerned to be in us 545 Praise God for the overthrow of the Churches enemies 477 Objections answered 478 479 conditions meanes and motives 485 Preaching why resisted as it is 450 who condemne tart preaching 665 their sinne 666 Prepare for adversity or flight into the wildernes 304 Prevent it how 308 Profanenesse in preferring the world before Christ 69 helpes against it 70 motives 71 Prosperity of the Church sends it into a wildernesse how 293 use it warily 307 hurts more then persecution how why 340 ill fruits of it 743 no note of the Church 737 Profession of religion practises of it to cast out Satan 457 Providence God feeds his in greatest scarcity and why 316 Protectors of the Church be such three meanes 275 Q Questions of the spirituall combate two 254 R Reinerius the Inquisitors testimony of the Waldenses 774 Reioyce to see Gods Kingdome of grace prevayle 510 Reioyce in spirituall conquests and temporall 483 Recusants should consider foure things 710 their pitifull case 712 Religious courses thought uncomfortable and why 648 Repent and get out of security 675 Repiners at the Churches prosperity no true Christians 490 513 Revenge on the contempt of the Gospell instances 682 Restlesse malice of Satan his instrumēts though crost why 800 Romish religion cruell therfore false 146 Romish Church called a woman why 15 no true Church for that she giveth salvation to others then God 500 S Saints on earth have Kingly dignity and how 84 must be thankfull chearfull and live as Princes 87 and not lose their crown what 90 Salvation wholy from God to the Church and members 494 give him all the glory 497 Satan an enemie to whom 405 cast out by Christ and his members how 424 cannot hinder the birth and rising of excellent instruments 269 his chiefe aime is to throw down such instruments 232 prevent him 235 pray for such 236 Seduction how to be avoyded 417 Serpent an embleme of the divell 403 Sharper assalts are the shorter why what use 720 Sinnes as signes of wrath toward a Church 308 Slanders of Papists against the doctrine and life of Protestants 797 how dryed up of the earth 808 Souldiers of Christ why used by him 343 Subiection to Magistrates 283 Subtilty of the divell and his instruments 149 instances 152 comforts against it five 184 Superiors instructed to humiliy moderation and mercy 560 Sunne Christ resembled by it for affects and effects 36 but farre better 36 so admire him rejoyce in him bee thankfull for him imitate him and walke as beseemes him foure wayes 36 c. Starres of the Churches fal to the earth three wayes 226 yet not all why 231 T Tayle of the Dragon what and who 228 Terror by Christs power for Christs enemies 530 Testimony Gods word how Christs and ours 610 why the testimony of Iesus 841 testifie to the Gospell foure wayes 610 motives 616 Thankes to bee given for clearing our innocencie 595 how to be expressed 597 Thrones and rulers are of God 286 Treason taught among Papists not Protestants 285 Tryall of religion persons and places whether for Christ or no 429 Time times halfe what 785 Time of Antichrist short how 715 Time of Satans rage in any mischiefe determinate why what use 718 791. foretold why 784 Turke not so pernicious as Antichrist 839 V Valor of Christians in 2 things 89 Victory triumph after it not before three reasons 639 who faulty 640 Visibility and outward splendor no note of the Church 207. and 294 770. objections answered 299 Visions kinds differen reas 3 4 Vnhappy are the wicked while the godly are happie rejoyce 671 Vnitie no note of the Church 132 what unitie to preach ibid. and practise 133 W Waite for deliverance out of trouble and how 496 Walke wisely as well as warrantably 182 Watch in prosperitie with directions 747 Watch against satan three rules 251 Warfare of the Church on earth 335 Want of temporals comforts against it 779 Weapons of Antichrist spirituall and temporall 822 Where Christ may not prevail the devill shall reas 679 Wicked men uphold the devills crowne dignity described 105 they cannot safely rejoyce 645 Wicked companionship to be forsaken 474 Wildernesse or sad estate the estate of the Church 295 cōfort contentment in it 306 Winges of the woman what why whence 756 Wisedome of the serpent in foure things 179. meanes to get it five 182. practise of it 183 Witnesses who
the two witnesses are 315 Withstand Satan sixe rules 258 Wiues duties to their husb 18. c. Wizzards no good Christian that seekes to them 506 Woe what note it is 6â—6 Woman the Church militant so called 16 17 Word of God by it wee overcome spirituall enemies how 611 treachery of Papists disarming us of it 613. word neglected or despised leaves wicked sinners 614 World must not get our affections conformity patronage 14 Y Youth taxed for slipping their time 723 Z Zeale meeknes how to be tempered in Ministers others 661 ERRATA Pag. 14. read it lyeth in wickednesse p. 38. r let the light make us ashamed p. 75 r. in the full and all is gone p. 103. r. personall and doctrinall and they have not the succession of Peter who have not the faithof Peter p. 112. r. may well mistrust their conversion p. 135 r. in Iohns time having command c p. 199. r. must not touch Iobs life p. â—74 r. either of their faith or salvation p. 282. r. meditate often on Gods promises p. 285 r laudatorie oration p. 310 r. word of salvation p. 522. r. Nathan or Gad p. 607. r. dead workes Heb. 9. 14. p. 7â—5 r. more easily drawne p. 803 r. all these happie meanes p. 837 r. Oh how love I thy Law FINIS Hebr. 11. 4. Hebr. 12. 1. 1 Tim. 9. 12 2 Tim. 2. 5. 4 8. 2 Chr. 19. 11 20. 17 Phil. 1. 27. Parts of the Chapter 1 What is this Wonder The greatnes of the wonder in 3. things The manner of apperance of this vision Sundry ends why God thus revealed himselfe Spiritus Deâ— alli cit Satanae cogit vi The place where this wonder appeareth By heaven commonly in this booke is meant the militant Church For 3. reasons 1. 2. 3. Attention affection incited by sundry arguments 1. 2. 3. The modesty of this holy Evangelist His fidelity 1 To his Lord. 2 To the Church True members of the Church are in heaven upon earth 1 In expectation 2 In inchoation Saints in heaven fully freed from all evils 1 From the evill world foure waies 2 From the corruptions of the world 3 From wicked persons societies Conformity of Saints in earth with Saints of heaven 1 In vision of God 2 In framing to the Charter of heaven 3 In keeping a perpetuall Sabbath 4 In fruition of the presence of Christ. 5 In enjoying God the meanes of their lives Vse No true members of the Church 1 That have no birth but from earth 2 That have no inheritance but in earth 3 That have no conversation but in earth * 4 That have no delight but in earth Discernable by 4 notes Vse The Christian is in the world not of the world The world may not gaine our affections 2 Nor our conformity 3 Nor our patronage 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Woman in this mysticall booke signieth 3. things 1 Idols 2 City of Rome 3 The true Church This woman is not the Church triumphant for 3. reasons Church compared to a womâ—â— 1 In respect of her selfe 3 Causes 2 In relation to others 1 To God 2 To Christ. 3 To Christians The spouse of Christ 1 must cleave to her husband 1 In person for 4. reasons 1. 2. 3. 4. 2 In affection 3 In affliction 2 She must depend upon her husband 1 For direction 2 For protection 3 For provision 3 She must honour her husband 4 She must please her husband In 1 Not pleasing her selfe 2 Nor pleasing men 3 Observing what will best please him 4 By decking the soule with graces 5 By respecting his friends 6 By delight in his presence Sixe priviledges of the spouse of Christ. 1 Free election 2 Divine pacification 3 Gracious assimilation in 4. things 1. 2. 3. 4 Free donation in 4. things 1. 2. 3. 4. 5 High exaltation in 3. things 1. 2. 3. 6 Eternall consolation Answereth all objections 1 In things which might prevent our happinesse 2 In things that might discontinue to our happinesse In posse non peccare In non posse peccare Christ the Sun is there opposed 1. to shadowes of the ceremoniall Law 2 To our naturall darknes 1 Vnity 2 Light Solis Jubar in vegore miridâ—aâ—o oculos intueÌ„lium perstringit et talis est gloâ—ia Christi summa et inaspectabilis 3 Purity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Multioculum 4 Power 5 Participation Effects of this Sunne of the Church 1 Illumination 2 Direction 3 Refection 4 Distinction of seasons Vse The Sunne of the Church infinitely surpasseth the sun of the world in 6. things 2 Rejoyce in our Sunne 3 Be thankful for our Sunne risen 4 Imitate our Sunne 5 Walke beseeming our sunne 1 Warily 2 Watchfully 3 Decently 4 Diligently Vse The Sunne of the Church never setteth Christ a garment why Necessitie of a garment in 3 things 1 To cover the body 2 To sence the body 3 To cherish the body 2 vse of garments is for ornament 3 For distiction This garment differeth from other garments in 5. things 1 The author 2 The matter 3 The price 4 The vse 5 The duraÌ„ce The woman cloathed with this Sunne 1 On Gods part by imputation 2 On mans part by application Quidam induunt Christum tantum quoad Sacramenti perceptionem alij et ad vitae sanctificationem Five graces requisite to the clothing of a christian â— Repentance 2 Faith 3 Prayer 4 Holinesse 5 Hope 1 Duty hence to put on this garment is necessary 1 To save from evils Cant. 1. 7. The Church wold find Christ at noone in the heat of the the sun of persecution to be refreshed by him 2 To procure us all good 2 wayes The putting on of this garment is a continuall act of this life And in much weaknesse for 2. reasons Christians must expresse the bright shining of this garment 1 In renovatioÌ„ of nature 2 In the shine of spirituall graces 3 In shining conversation Reasons 5. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vse Not to cast dirt upon so pretious a garment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Not to leave it off for the frown of men 4. reasons 2. 3. 4. We must keep cleane this costly garment for 3. reasons 1. 2. 3. How to keepe our garment cleane 3. rules 1. 2. 3. Vse 7 Sorts of men defile their garments 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. Vse Beware of stayning thy holy profession 1. 2. 3. 4. Saints by calling be Saints in conversation Six helps to keep our garments cleane 2. 3. 4. 5. Property 2. The world compared to the Moone in 4. things 1 In inferiority 2 In mutabilitie 3 In obscurity 4. In the use The treading of the Moone under feet is the contempt of the world A sound Christian despiseth the best of the world And the worst of the world And all the world in comparison of Christ. Reasons 5. 1. 2. 4. Sound judgment holds earthly things good with 4 Cautions 1. 2. 3. Why the christian prizeth Christ above all the world
themselves 3 Effeminatenesse 4 Contention Weeds grow abundantly in rank soyle 2. Vse 1. Judg. 4. 12. Vse 2. 3 Chiefe ends of prosperity perverted by our selves 3. Rules of direction herein Vse 3. All our watch is little enough in prosperity Foure instances of the dangers of prosperity Vexatio dat intellectum Jnselix Ecclesiae foelicitas Magnae foelicitatis est a foelicitate non vinâ—i Vse 4. How to order our selves 1. In prosperity be sober Phil. 4. 11. 2. In adversity bee thankfull Gods workes are all 1. Wise. 2. Seasonable 3. Profiâ—able Foure conclusions to understand aright what is this flight Observ. Heresie is more hatefull to the Church than tyranny Vse Nobis melius visum â—st locum mutare quà m fidei veriâ—â—atem aedificiâ—ruâ—que 〈◊〉 amaenitatem amittere c. Hier. Ripario What these wings are The number of them Whence she had them Wings of a great Eagle note 4. things Psal. 37. 24. God ordinarily saveth his Church by wings and meanes The Church hath wings and meanes sufficient to avoyd danger 3. reas 4 Grounds of coÌ„fort hence Gods deliverance implyed to be 1 Speedy 2 Unresistable 3 CoÌ„fortable In all dangers to fly under the shadow of these wings 4. â—eas 1. Prâ—v 18. 10. 2. 3. 4. Be sure that thy wings be given thee of God Then we may fly persecutioÌ„ when we have wings from God 4 Rules to obtaine them 1. Job 39. 30. 2. 3. The flight from the dragon is in respect of state not of place The third generall in this verse Observ. Church not alwayes seen Ecclesia aliquando in uno Abelo in uno Enocho in uno Noacho in uno Abrahamo Aug. Delituit iâ— cavernis non eminuit in primarijs sedibus Cont. Auxent But alwayes safe foure Reasons 1 2 3 Servatus etc puerulus ille quem Herodes intâ—rfiere volebat Oral 1. contra Arian 4 Vse The Popish Chuch hath no true succession of doctrine nor persons Neither can such a visible perpetuall successioÌ„ stand with so many schismes in the Papacy 30. averred by Onuphâ—ius 26 confessed by Bellarâ—ine The late miserable shift of Romanists Fox 211. Morellmemorials pag. 54. out of the story of Waldens pag. 11. Monarchomac pag. 23. Vse 2. Aug. Epist. 105. ad Sixtum Doct. The Church shal be provided for in â—ardest times Reas. 1. 2 3 4 5 Use 1. 4 Grounds of comfort Vse 2. 2 Tim. 4. 8. Vse 3 The Church in hardest times shall be fed Rev. 1. 16. God by himselfe feedeth his Church three wayes 1 2 Rev. 3. 20. 3. Use 4. The Woman must be fed in the wildernes 3. reas 1. 2. 3 Not to be literally meant of 3. yeares and an halfe as Papists dreame 3 reas Tempus hoc divino quidem confilio definitum est Ecclesiae exilio humano vero calculo quantum ad terminos impervestigabile Dies velannus certe statui non potest in quem erunt excquiae tamen ex alijs scripturis perspicuum esse arbitror non differend as ad longissimum ul'ra sexaginta annos in cap. 19. 4. Vse Gen. 16. 13. All afflictions of the Church measured by God Why great tryals are compared to floods of waters Five Reasons For their 1. Danger 2. Abundance 3. Depth 4 Instance 5 Swelling 1. Floods of heresies Against the Scriptures De authorit Sc. â—â— l. 3. â—ct Mon. pâ—g 1076. Against Christ. Accedenâ—â— gratia dei vere possamus aliquo mo do ex proprys et ad â—qualitatem ac per hoc iustè et ex condigno satiâ—facere Bellar. Sleidan l. 13. 3 A flood of cruell edicts Doct. No ill successe can make the dragon cease assaulting Reas. 1. In all evill a man is a similitude with Satan 2. And a restlesnesse in sin 3. And a fulnesse of poyson 4. And a resistance of meanes of their owne good Vse 1. Vse 2. Sonnes of the woman must expect these floods Vse 3. 1. Directions against the flood of violeÌ„t enemies 2. Against the floods of Antichristian heresies Jer. 2. 2. Against the floods of virulent reproaches The earth is taken not properly no more than the former floods Floods of he resies drunke up by the earth Two wayes Floods of slanders dried by the earth how Floods of cruell edicts drunke by the earth how Act. 23. 6 7. Doctr. In greatest floods the Church hath alwaies a little helpe Reas. 1. Gods prescÌ„ce 2. Gods providence 3. Christs headship 4 Prayer of faith Use 1. Vse 2. 1 Get to the rocke Exod 14. 22. Iosh. 3. 17. Leane upon Gods power Cleave to the word Keep Christ in the ship Doctr. 2. The Church often hath most helpe where she least expects it Reason 1. 2. 3. 4. 1 Sam. 23. 26. Use 1. The earth must drinke up her owne floods Vse 2. Late experience of this truth Vse 3. The scattering of the Saints is the dispersing of the Gospell Vse 4. Psal. 37. Veritas temporis filiâ— The Captaine of this warre under the dragon The weapons of this captain twofold Doct. Wicked men hate the Saints whom they never saw Reas. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vse 1. Vse 2. Use 3. Doctrine Reason 1. 2 3 4. 5. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Doct. Ier 3. 14. Reason 1. 2 3 4 Object Answ. Use 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Vse 4. Vse 5. Phil. 3. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 5. 2 King 4. 33. Eph. 3. 14. Observ. 1. Reason 1. 2 Vse 1. 2 Observ. 2. Reason 1. 2. 3. Vse 1. Vse 2. Vse 3. Observ. 3. Reason 1. Vse 1. 2. 3. Observ. 4. Reason 1. 2 3. 4 Vse 1. Vse 2. Use 3.
in their stead Gods plagues are removed and turned into all kindes of blessing The custome of the Church is every private Christians instructiō we must therfore provoke our selves to rejoyce in the overthrow of the dragons kingdome that both in respect of our selves and others First when in our selves we see our spirituall enemies throwne downe by the power of the Word None of us but professeth his part in that great victory of Michael from those dreadfull enemies sinne Satan hell death and damnation as this is the highest raised mercy that ever God gave us so ought it chiefly to raise our spirituall joy to sing the Song of Moses the servant of the Lord and of the Lambe as it is penned and pricked for us Revel 15. 3. Great and marvellous are thy workes Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes O King of Saints Are wee delivered from the leprosie of sinne let us not forget to goe backe as the nine Lepers to give praise but challenge our owne dulnesse who can as soone forget such good turnes as Pharaohs butler did the good turne of Ioseph Gen. 40 23. So likewise when wee see our temporall enemies who want no will nor malice to do us mischiefe but are muzled hampred and fall before us now wee ought to lift up the voice of thanksgiving as Psal. 9. 1 2 3. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart I will bee glad rejoyce and sing to thy name for that mine enemies are turned backe and thou hast maintained my right Psalm 22. Save mee from the mouth of the lions and I will declare thy name to my brethren But with this pure affection onely as they are enemies to Gods Kingdome and so farre resist us as wee seeke to uphold the same Secondly without our selves wee must breake forth into praises when wee see the powers of the dragon cast downe in others whether spirituall or temporall When wee see the holds of ignorance errour wickednesse overthrowne by the preaching of the Gospell when wee see the walls of hellish Jericho battered by the sound of the rammes hornes of the Gospell when wee see countries or persons converted and yeeld up themselves to the obedience of the word Here is matter of joy and praise that the tents and curtaines of the Church are spred out and enlarged and the kingdome of Christ prevailes against the power of the dragon Thus the seventy Disciples having beene sent out returne to Christ with joy saying Lord even the devils are subdued unto us nay our Lord himselfe rejoyceth that Satan fell downe like lightening from heaven Or if wee see the temporall enemies of the Church overthrowne if we see Amalec stricken downe before Israel Hamans devise broken Antichrists power weakened and lessened Popish forces repulsed Do wee see Pharaohs chariots and his hosts cast into the sea and his captaines drowned in the red sea Exod. 15. 4. Do wee see the windes blow and the sea cover them that they sinke as lead in the mighty waters as our enemies did in 88 Do wee see hellish powder-plots digged as doepe as hell prevented and the diggers falling into their owne pits How should wee now take up the songs of praise and tryumph that the Lord hath done so great things for us whereof wee rejoyce Psal. 126. 4. Now for the better performance of our duty herein consider three things 1. The conditions of this praise 2. Meanes to attaine it 3. Motives to it I. For rules of direction our text hath foure conditions 1. That all the praise honor of victory belongs to God as in the next vers For God only can overthrow the devils kingdome hee onely hath power above the dragon the Churches victory is the worke of his finger as the Church acknowledgeth Exod. 15. 1. I will sing unto the Lord for hee hath tryumphed gloriously Iudg. 5. 3. I will sing unto the Lord I will sing unto the Lord God of Israel Salvation is the Lords Psalm 3. 8. 2. So soone as we see the victory so soone should we sing out the Lords praises as the Church here Wee must not put off our vowes nor suffer the blessing to grow stale before wee have performed them Israel on the shore seeing the Egyptians dead on the sea banke Then sang Israel Exod. 15. 1. So soone as the Jews had obtained victory over their enemies they consecrate the very next day after the victory to the publique praise of God so while the sense of mercy affects us and while our hearts are warme with it wee must praise the Lord. 3. As here is a lowd voyce for this great victory so according to the greatnesse of the benefit our praises must bee A great victory calls for a great voice of many The blessing conferred upon any part of the Church is the blessing of the whole and the whole must joy In so common mercy none must sit out none must say what is it to mee 4. As the Church here so must wee sing out the majesty of Gods name not with a cold affection but with a mighty fervencie and ardor of spirit to stirre up and kindle in others the feare and love of God For this hearty and spirituall fervencie is the lowdnesse of the voice which God requireth and how can hee kindle or inflame another who himselfe is not warme or kindled II. Meanes to helpe us in this duty are these 1. Earnestly to affect the prosperity and welfare of the Church as feeling members and sharers of her joyes and sorrows preferring the joy of Jerusalem before thy chiefe joy Sound affection will imprinta sound notice of blessings which else passe away as nothing concerning our selves 3 Not to forget but remember Gods mercifull deliverances Psalm 103. 1. My soule praise the Lord and forget not all his benefits as if hee had said If thou forget thou canst not praise and if thou praise not thou wilt forget them To this end write and register them make a day-booke of the noble acts of the Lord. Psalm 102. 18. Let it bee written for the generation to come that the people not yet borne may praise the Lord and that thy selfe looking backe upon one mayest finde out and espie many other 3. Often speake of them and raise monuments of them in thy heart as the stones in Gilgal the setting up of Altars and imposition of names in the old Testament Tell the children of the acts of God that they they may tell their children The Passover was instituted among other ends for this that the children in times to come might know how God destroyed the Egyptians and passed over Israel Exod. 12. 26. So must wee tell our children of 88 Of the powder-treason and other deliverances and make much of their monuments to the perpetuall glory of God shame of Papists and comfort and instruction of the Church 4. Often recount the great benefits redounding to the Church by Gods execution of judgement upon the
wicked enemies of it For 1. By these overthrows the most desperate enemies are daunted for a time and by the terrour of judgements discouraged from their mischievous enterprises against the Church Did not Gods plagues on the Egyptians stop their unreasonable violence against Israel yea however the kings heart was hardened to destruction yet the people were overcome so as to do them all the good they could leaving themselves bare and naked to adorne and enrich them with their Jewels And how hath the heavy hand of God felt by our enemies made them lesse bold to attempt the like mischiefes yea rather inclined them to be at a kinde of peace with us 2. By the dreadfull overthrows of wicked men the Lord sets up his Church and makes even the enemies themselves submit and stoop to her Psalm 18. 44. When Davids sword prevailes in the Lords battels strangers shall bee in subjection though dissemblingly The proud Aramites were forced to submit themselves wiih halters about their necks to the King of Israell 1. King 20. 31. 2. Chron. 32. 22. When that memorable judgement was executed against the King of Assur and his proud army many are said to bring offerings to Jerusalem and presents to Hezekiah who was magnified thenceforth of all nations So by the fearfull hand of God against proud Herod the Lord made his word to prosper and beleevers to multiply Act. 12 23. 24. 3. By the judgements of God powred out upon wicked men they themselves are convinced in their consciences and forced to acknowledge themselves in a wrong course and that the state of the godly whom they persecute is farre more happy then their owne If Balaam in his prosperity wished himselfe in the number of Gods people what did hee when the sword came against him in the slaughter of the Midianites Numb 31. 8. And when the Egyptians were hurled among the waves did they not wish themselves in the state of the meanest Israelites And shall not all wicked enemies who now brave it out against the Saints do so also when the waters of Gods wrath arise and beginne to returne forcibly upon them III Motives to this duty are these 1. The end proposed by the Lord of all his actions is the setting up of his glory but especially when in overthrowing the dragon hee sheweth forth all his glorious attributes of power justice hatred of sinne revenge of sinne as also of mercy care and love of his Church the over-mastering of her enemies for the terrour of all proud adversaries and the encouraging and confirming the faith of the Saints 2. As this is the Lords end so wee cannot disappoint him of this end without our own great prejudice For as thankfull praises for old mercies invite new so ingratitude being a bundle of many sins hinders the course and current of Gods blessings unto us If we would continue perpetuate mercies to ourselvs we must not deprive the Lord of his due praises 3. The Lord hath manifested his pleasure and that hée is well pleased to have the mindefulnesse of his mercies towards his people to dwell with his Church to beget in them more love of himselfe and a greater desire of promoting his kingdome Hence himselfe pleased to be the institutor of feasts speciall services for perpetuall memory of mercies deliverāces as the Paslover to perpetuate the memory of the Angels passing over the Israelites houses in slaying the first born of Egypt saving thē frō the revenging Angell And in their entring into the land of Canaan hee appointed the feast of Tabernacles in remembrance of all that providence and preservation of them and theirs from all enemies while they dwelt not in walled townes but in Tabernacles forty yeares in the wildernesse 4. The very Heathens themselves after their victories would institute publique solemnities to their gods in way of thankfulnesse and dedicate dayes and temples to them for remembrance and shall Christians come behinde them and as the manner is after victories eate and drinke and bragge and sweare in the meane time forget their songs to the Lord 5. We cannot better or liker to our life of heaven exercise our selves on earth when all the Saints shall solemnly and tryumphantly sing and sound out the glory of God for their finall deliverance from the Dragon and all his Angels by Jesus Christ when the Angels Saints Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Martyrs and all the blessed company of heaven shall joyne in the song of Moses and the Lambe Now the Saints on earth must resemble and begin this life of heaven and seeing all other services and spirituall duties shall cease and onely this shall remaine in heaven our care must bee that it cease not upon earth This doctrine casts out of the society of the Church such as grieve and repine at her prosperity and happy victories for he cannot be a member of the Church who rejoyceth not in her joy nor a sonne of this mother who is not glad in her prosperity Is it a note of a righteous man to rejoyce when hee seeth the vengeance Psalm 58. 10. what is hee then that pineth when hee seeth Gods revenge powred on the heads of his adversaries 1. Such as grieve when Antichrists kingdome is shaken when they heare any newes of defeating his forces and cannot containe or conceale themselves but by magnifying the Catholike Captaines and contemptuous discourses against the Protestants forces bewray what they are and on what part they stand good subjects must they needs bee while they bewray such sure affections to the enemies of GOD our religion our Countrey our King and our Kings Children and good souldiers to Christ and trusty who are sorry when their Generall gets a victory I cannot tell whether to impute their boldnesse more to want of grace in disclaiming the truth or want of wit in such discovery of themselves 2. Such as rage and storme against the power of the Word which discovers the nakednesse of Popery So shamelesse and foolish are some ignorant sots and so earnestly set for their Popish Dagon that if they heare any thing against the doating doctrines of Popery they are ready to tumult as the Ephesians for their Diana It is nothing with them to revile the Ministers and give them all the lie and charge them with ignorance or falsification But what need clearer evidence to cast them for treachery against Christ his truth and holy religion established by the lawes in regard of which if folly it selfe did not leade them they would forbeare 3. Such as cannor endure our solemnities and daies of publike joy for our deliverances against the bloody Papists but as Vipers swell with poyson and griefe that their mother hath any cause of joy and that the Church and Kingdome was lifted up by God from such destruction as never came into the heads of any wretches but Papists or devils The barbarous heathens could not expresse their joy sufficiently in their triumphs gratulatory rites
set many wits on worke to tel us what they be But they agree not nor can seeing the meanes of the Churches safety are infinite Some define them to be faith and patience which lift her from earth to heaven Some say they are the two Testaments the Old and the New in which the Churches defence lyeth Some say they are the two Tables containing love of God and of our neighbour Some that the one is the wing of prayer the other of charity Some that the one is the contempt of earth and the other the aspiring to heaven But we need not be so acute and if wee should settle upon any two things wee should perhaps misse the minde and ayme of the holy Spirit of God as most of these must needs do The likelyest if we would restraine the number and conceive it definite were the providence of God protecting and his oracles directing the woman in this speedie flight But the number is definite for indefinite and two in this place for the propriety of the subject and metaphore For for a bird to have more wings then two or fewer then two to fly withall were harsh and improper Not that wee are not to conceive more meanes of Gods providence and the Churches safety then two for these two wings are the same with the seven pipes serving to the lamps Zech. 4. 2. alluding to the pipes of the candlesticke which were seven of which he speaketh in that place and as the number of seaven aptly agreeth with that allusion so onely the number of two aptly agreeth with this But whence had the Woman these things They were given her The text implyeth two things First That the Church had no wings of her owne all her safety and defence is layd out of herselfe as a weake woman can make small shift for herselfe against such an army of dragons Secondly Though it be not sayd who gave her the wings yet it is implyed they were given of God for he is the father of lights from whom commeth every good gift and he that prepared her the place vers 6. prepared her wings to flye to it with him onely is counsell and strength he onely can afford meanes of escape and evasion he stretcheth out his strong and oculate providence as two wings the feathers of which are the truth and faith of his promise sealed and delivered by the hand of his Two Witnesses and thus he saveth her Lastly for the similitude wings of a great Eagle So many phrases in this booke so many mysteries Here is an allusion to Exod. 19. 4. you have seene how I have caryed you on Eagles wings and brought you unto me By those Eagles wings someunderstand Moses Aaron their leaders but they themselves also were carryed upon these wings By them is meant the powerful meanes of opening a way in the sea rayning Manna from heaven breaking a rocke for water covering them with a cloud by day and night c. In this text these wings of a great eagle note to us 4. things 1 As the eagle out of her love to her young ones fluttereth and steareth them out of the neast to a safer place when she feares danger so the Lord for the love of his Church in danger urgeth her out of her neast and rest and leads her into a safer place in the wildernesse Christ out of Iudea Israel out of Egypt 2 As the eagle having gotten her young ones forth when they begin to fly supports them with her wings lest they should fall Deut. 32. 11. so the Lord supports his Church in her flight from falling carefully seeing to her that she take no hurt 3 As an eagle especially a great eagle hath strong wings agill and able to carry her in a strong flight to flye farre from danger so the Lord in the needs of his Church provides some great and powerfull meanes and by them as by strong wings sets his Church beyond al the reach of hurt and danger Thus Nebucad-nezzar a great man is called a great eagle with great and long wings and full of feathers fit to accomplish GODS word against Zedekiah Ezeck 17. 2. 4 As the eagle flyeth high aloft in the aire and beyond all sight of men by the length and strength of her wing so the Lord drawes his Church neare unto him from out of the sight of men and neare Heaven and the nearer him the further from danger Observ. 1. God who could save the woman by his word without wings doth not ordinarily save her but by wings For Gods providence excludes not but includes meanes of safety Moses must be saved from the waters to be a Deliverer but he must be put into a basket pitcht and prepared for him They in the ship Act. 27. must be saved from drowning but they must abide in the ship and then some on plankes some on boards and pieces of the ship came safe to land Exod. 15. 25. God could have sweetned the bitter waters with a word but Moses must cast in a piece of wood to sweeten them He could have divided the sea and dryed the way by his strong word but doth it by a strong East winde Which teacheth us not to neglect the meanes appointed by God for our good for God who tyeth not himselfe to wings tyeth the woman to use them when he pleaseth to afford them Hezekiah must be healed by a lumpe of dry figs. Nature teacheth that he that would reape must sow he must eate that must live and he must fight that would have victory So grace teacheth that he that would reape one harvest in glory must sow the seed of grace in the seedtime and he that would live eternally must feed on Christ by hearing reading beleeving and obeying his word and he that would be crowned must strive lawfully Observ. 2. The Woman having no wings of her owne hath wings given her of God which teacheth that the Church and members of it shall have wings sufficient to avoyd all hurtfull danger in due season For 1 Our text saith God will afford two sufficient for escape and wings of an eagle to fly swiftly and make a speedy escape and wings of a great eagle to fly strongly and aloft and far from danger 2 Gods presence is not an idle presence with his people but he is present to save Ier. 30. 11. I am with thee to save thee 3 The Arke was a type of the Church and that was all and alwaies covered with wings of Cherubins signifying the divine protection alwaies watching and covering the Church and spreading his wings over the faithfull to repell any harme further then he will turne any evill to his owne glory and his Churches good For wee must know that all promises run with exception of the crosse and God in his wisdome doth not alwayes give to every member of the Church wings to fly from externall tyranny and persecution but dealeth as a good husband man