others before them at his instigation have done the cause whereof I shall now a little enquire into When this unwearied Enemy of mankind after whose ruine he thirsteth perceived that by means of the wonders lies and delusions of Antichrist a great multitude even the third part of the sons of men were to be Apoc. 9. 18. subdu'd and invassal'd to him and so perish he took care to conceal him and give in a wrong and false information of him to the world well knowing that many would follow him headlong to destruction being partakers of his sins must also partake of his misery and judgments who otherwise had they understood who he was might have been aware of his Deceipts and escaped Wherefore he craftily infused into mens minds a false notion of Antichrist setting him out in counterfeit lying colours one while perswading the world that he must be a Spirit otherwhile that he should be Nero who in th' end of the world a little before the Day of judgment should be rais'd up to torment th' inhabitants of the Earth And then which most prevail'd that he must be a Jew of the Tribe of Dan and at 30. years old appear with a vast Army and in three civil years and an half over-run and subdue all the Kingdomes of Europe and bring in subjection most of th' other habitable parts of the Earth as it is written Power was given to him over all kinreds tongues and Nations and that he should be a most potent Monarch Apoc. 13. 7. far exceeding all that were before him and raign from sea to sea and from the River to th' ends of the Earth and that he must raign in Jerusalem and kill Enoch and Elias and at last mount Oliveâ— cleaving asunder be there swallowed up and sink down quick into Hell with divers other such Legendary fancies as our In Apoc. 13. 18. Author noteth never ment not sent from God And all this hath been chiefly mannag'd and carry'd on by th' art and contrivance of Fryers Monks Jesuits and others sworn Vassals of the Beast on design purpose thereby to raise a dust and cause a mist to darken the truth divert the worlds eye from beholding the great and very Antichrist sitting at Rome and domineering in the Church of God unto a fictitious imaginary one that must never come 19. But all these proving forgeries and devises and the Romanists case being grown desperate and past recovery they are at last befriended by the subtle Familists who have the forehead to affirm in their canting language that Antichrist is the Tower of Babel or the self-will of the Ham-like man c. and that the Babylonish Whore is Sin or the Soul captivated in vanity or the self-born will c. with other like idle ridiculous fancies absurd inventions as you may see in Behmens Mysterium magnum and the rest of his monstrous writings And herein whether the very Jesuits and other learned writers of the Church of Rome have not been far more honest and ingenuous I refer my self to th' impartial Reader For they being convinc'd and overborn by the light of truth and many direct evident places of Scripture do in their Commentaries on the Revelation and other writings confesse the matter and plainly tell us that by Babylon in the Apocalyps is to be understood no other then the very City of Rome in Italy where the Pope now reigns and which they also grant and affirm must be burnt with fire and utterly laid wast before th' end of the world by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power to the Beast Two or three of the chief whereof for the Readers satisfaction and to put the matter out of doubt I shall here produce and cite their very words as they fairly lie in their own writings 20. And first let Ribera the Jesuite speak Scriptores qui aliter interpretati fuerant veritate coguntur nobis favere Romam esse hanc urbem fornicariam vastandam c. The writers Saith Ribera Com. in Apoc. 17. n. 20. 22. he who did otherwise interpret are forc'd by the truth to yield to us that this whorish City to be destroyed and laid wast is Rome Et verba praecedentia Deus dedit in corda eorum ad desolationem incendium Romae pertinent c. And the following words God hath put into their hearts have respect saith he to the desolation and burning of Rome c. And Id. in Apoc. 14. n. 39. elswhere he writeth That under the name of Babylon is to be understood Rome non solum qualis sub ethnicis Imperatoribus olim fuit sed etiam qualis in fine Seculi futura est not only as it was under the heathen Emperors but as it shall be towards th' end of the world Again whereas she saith in her heart I 〈◊〉 a Queen and am no Widow c. he clearly alludes saith Id in Apoc. 18. n. 18. 19. he to the words of Isaiah c. 47. concerning the Chaldean Babylon which was a figure of this second Babylon c. And he addeth concerning her punishment he likewise saith These two things shall come upon thee in one day losse of Children and Widdow-hood But the words of John saith he are not to be taken as spoken of Rome when the Apostle lived but they are to be understood of the latter age of the world when the servants of God are commanded to depart out of her lest they be punished with her c. Thus Ribera To him consents Viega of the same Society Vt intelligeremus saith Blas de Vieg in Apoc. 17. Com. 1. Sect. 3. n. 5. he sermonem esse de urbe Romana c. That we may understand that the words are concerning Rome the Angel concludeth And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth For in St. John's time the City of Rome had command over almost all the Kings of the earth Again Cum fidelibus Id. in Apoc. 18. Com. 1. Sect. 1. n. 16. praecipitur c. When the faithful are commanded to depart out of Rome lest they be involved in her calamity 't is thence evident saith he that not onely Ethnick Rome is there by ment but that which shall flourish in the latter end of the world With them accords Cornelius a Lapide Dico Babylonem saith Cornel. à Lap. in Apoc. 17. 1. he hic Capite sequenti est Roma c. I affirm that Babylon both here and in the following Chapter is Rome as it was in the time of St. John and as it will again â—e in the time of Antichrist In another place thus he Id. in Apoc. 18. 4. writes Audivi aliam vocem è coelo dicentem c. I heard a voice from heaven saying depart out of her my people He warns the Christians saith he to flee out of Rome heathenish in th' end of the world when it is to be destroyed Again
he Id. in Apoc. 17. writes Cum liber signatus puta Apocalypsis sit prophetia de futuris in fine mundi c. Seeing the Book of the Revelation is a prophesie of things to be done in th' end of the world under Antichrist it follows that these things are to be understood of the City of Rome which shall be towards th' end of the world consequently saith he Rome must return to her pristine splendor Idolatry c. And further Hii odient fornicariam c. these shal hate the Whore that is Babylon i. e. Rome saith this Jesuite To them subscribes Suarez and confirms it in these words Sub Suar. T. 2. Qu. 59 Disput 56. Sect. 2. aenigmate purpuratae Meretricis Apoc. 17. exprimitur Roma c. Vnder the figure of Babylon Apoc. 17. is represented Rome as 't is manifest from the last words of the Chapter And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth for no other City had then universal dominion besides Rome And concerning her ruine thus he Idem contra Praef. monit Doctis Regis Jacobi l. 5. c. 7. writes Desolatio Romae quae praedicitur Apoc. 18. erit sempiterna c. The desolation of Rome foretold Apoc. 18. will be perpetual therefore 't is certain that this prophesie was not fulfill'd in any of the former destructions or calamities that befell Rome Thus Suarez one of the chiefest late Writers of that side To these I might add Lessius Salmeron Tirinus Estius Malvenda Alcasar with their two Cardinals Baronius their Annalist and Bellarmine their Goliaâ— to make up the Jury full who all unanimously agree and give up their verdict that Rome is signified and figur'd under the name of Babylon yea and divers of them affirm that she being guilty of the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus must be burnt with fire and made desolate by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power strength unto the Beast before th' end of the world But their words at present I omit and refer the Reader to their Writings and Commentaries on the Thess Apoc. and other Scriptures relating to this particular or to the Treatise entituled Romae Ruina finalis An. D. 1666. c. 4. where he may finde them and others with their words and judgements in this matter cited and produced at large And now I submit it to the judgement of the Reader to determine whether of the twain have delt more fair and honest in this particular the deluded Jesuits or blasphemous horrible Familists and resume the consideration of this excellent Author his incomparable writings 21. After he had laid before Q Eliz. the absolute necessity of Repentance and shewed what graces she must attain and way she must walk in to obtain that everlasting Crown and Inheritance promised the Fathers and all their faithful Seed he thus Advert to Q. Eliz. p. 51. 52. concludeth And this is the generation of the Counsel wisedome of God the true description of all her Children which if you understand and do thereafter then shall you discern those reprobate times and save your self from the visitation to come What man is he that travelling by desert places and seeing the day at his going down hasteth not to recover his Inn for fear leâ—t the night leave him in distresse Hasten then after the Counsel and Correction of God while yet the Day lasteth for behold the Night commeth And these are all which I advertise you few as they be and simple as they go yet if truth deceive me not their right understanding is far finer Gold then is your Scepter and much more honouraâ—le then your Fathers House And this shall be for a SIGN that I speak not of my self Behold the Mountain which you fear so much I mean the Beast the Man of sin Lucifer son of the morning the Horn that hath so many hundred years blasphemed Heaven and oppressed Earth behold I say though now he be so great as that he makes the Earth to tremble and shake with a word only the very roots of Kingdomes the time hasteth and is at hand wherein he shall be made so little as neither name nor remnant of him nor son nor sons son shall be found upon the Earth For his days are numbred sign'd and seal'd up in the Book of God and yet Seaventy and seven Viz. 77. years which added to 1589. the year wherein this Author writ that Treatise reacheth to the year 1666. days and his number 666. shall be fulfilled And all his Princes his Sorcerers and multitudes of People which now rejoyce and clap their hands drunken with the whordoms and prosperity of Babel shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands as fast for Beltis their God is dead And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion c. 22. In which passage this is remarkeable that he gives this for a SIGN that he speaks not of himself namely the destruction of Rome in 1666. By which 't is clear that he puts the credit and truth of those other great and weighty matters throughout his writings concerning the Principles of the doctrine of Christ regeneration way to salvation so much now questioned and gainsaid upon this conclusion that is to say to be receiv'd as the very truth if that come to passe but rejected if not as if he had said If iâ— come not to passe that Rome the Seat of Antichrist be destroyed and burnt with fire by the Kings of the earth that formerly had given their power and strength to the Beast at th' end of 77 years after this viz. in the year Apoc. 17. 666. then look upon my writings as no other then my own private conclusions But if you see the judgement foretold executed on that great City in that year 666. then receive what I have writ as the truth concerning those other things far more excellent of greater concernment then this But hitherto his writings have bin by all sober discerning Christians that have seen them receiv'd and imbrac'd as a great Treasure containing in them most spiritual and heavenly truths consonant and agreeable to the doctrine of Christ his Prophets and Apostles And p. 32. To the Church of Rome he saith And this is the high and holy one To the Church of Rome p. 32. that beareth record with his poor Servant that wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighs and tears And that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out uuto you testifying with him these things are true And p. 19. he asks his Adversaries Which of you reproveth him that writeth of a lie And yet none of them ever answer'd or convinc'd him of a lie though divers whereof some now living have in vain attempted it to their
over all the Earth in great feare fitting on it And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intellection these twelve onely both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her as also because they onely were native Romans descended of the Julij Seruij Saluij Flauij c. unlike therein unto the rest which were all or almost all like changeâ—ble stuffe of diverse colours so of diverse Nations Their rising continuance and end is toucht in their proper place And three heads Her three heads are three Kingdomes fore ordaiued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride when all her wings and feathers should faile her And are reserved to execute her last will and finish her Funeralls as shall be hereafter more at full declared Vers 2. And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the Earth and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings And of necessity it must goe well with her whom every wind doth blow to good Witnesse the limits of her territories from Ganges to Gades and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope as testifieth one of her owne which saith that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean and the feare of her name unto the Heavens Vers 3. And I saw that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers but they became little feathers and small And the Prophet saw that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her marking such aâ— intended to root up the Crowne and dignitâ— of her Empire to plant themselves therein and their house for ever But their thoughts prevailed not for as the verse concludeth their power waned and they perished like the rest what those contrary Kings were their number names attempts and end shall be delivered in their place Vers 4. But her heads rested and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t' accomplish and finish the wickednesse of this great City were quiet and at rest as not yet during the raigne of her feathers conceived and brought forth And the Prophet observed that th' one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows yet rested it with them Concerning these three Kings their names their greatnesse and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place Vers 5. Then I saw and behold the Eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon the earth and over them that dwelt therein Vers 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth And the Prophet beheld that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neighbours subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her in such sort as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven that was not either rooted out by her or enforced to receive their Governors from her Vers 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes and spake to her feathers saying Vers 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his owne place and watch by course Vers 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last And the Prophet observed that this powerfull Citie in the dayes wherein over gorged with pride she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes took such order for in evill she was very methodicall that her Kings and Kaysers should neither sleep nor watch that is neither perish nor rule all at once but rise in a successive course as in the verses following is manifested And she further commanded that the three last Kingdomes ordained to conclude the number of her fins should take their ease and not awake till their time appointed Vers 10. Neverthelesse I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body As he that undertakes a dangerous leap doth first retire the better t' advance his strength so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth under the forme of a ten-horned beast signifying thereby that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings for the hornes betoken Kings and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite Aâ—d addeth further that his teeth were of iron his nails of brasse inferring thereby the unresistable force of his lâ—gions and Leaders And proceeding saith that there arose amongst his Kings one of an exceeding strange nature signifying by that one a strange race and succession of Princes far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predecessors obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and brazen nails as did th' Emperors which arose before them but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high blaspheming his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven who by a hidden and unknowne force should subdue the third part of the world meaning all Europe with her Princes By which delineation it is evident that the holy-Ghost accounteth the challenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome all one power all one Empire whether it obtaine the spoile by force or by fraud that is by power of Emperors Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes who should be far unlike them as Daniel himselfe saith And he shall be unliketo he first Meaning in sorme of claiming obtaining and maintaining Jurisdiction not in pride purpose and determination So as wemay behold such an unlikely likenesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters of whom it is said facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen qualem decet esse Sororum And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th' Empire of Rome whence we note that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes teeth and nails our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle with wings fethers and heads whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt as she could no longer flye over all in her proper colours and stile of Roma triumphante devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne for to be high was all her care and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa And this is it which this verse teacheth that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt as the feare of her armes and forces might no longer flie into all Kingdomes commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum lying
eat her flesh as England and others have done yet these three heads shall love her still and to their dying day shall burne in delight with her but when those three and every of them shall also forsake her thâ—re shall not be found either Kingdom or creature under heaven that shall fall downe and worship her Vers 31. And behold the middle head was turned with them that were turned with it and did eat up the two under wings which thought to reigne And the Prophet saw this middle head the head of evill impart his fellowship to all Princes and Kingdoms which desired to be in league with it But my taske which hasteth to an end will not suffer me now and here to sound this gulfe of Santa Liega sufficeth that for Sions sake the Prophet passing by doth point thereat And the Prophet beheld that this middle head did devour and eat up the under wings namely the power of the Longohards and th' intestine faction which thought also to reigne The first by the sword of Charls surnamed for his exceeding power the great who at the command of Babylon his god aseended into Italy took her King Desiderius prisoner and led him captive into France and gave his Kingdome to another And thus vanished this seventh contrary fether after it had humbled the whore and spread it selfe over all her quarters 200. and 4 years and the fear thereof descended it appeared no more Th' other first began in the days of Cono th' Emperor who having an action of contrary opinion against Gregory the second for so the beast was then called followed it so hotly that he brought his holines into such disgrace as that he kindled a desire in the hearts of many to change their Prelate for a Prince and to edifie their first and ancient forme of government again This desire thus begun by time as naturally all conspiration doth 798. gathered stâ—ength and adventured but somewhat too young to check the beast who by reason he was so wel guarded by his foreâ—aid head champion Charles easily neckt it Notwithstanding some 100 and 50 years after this ulcâ—r now grown to a riper head under the practise of one Alberique and Octavian his son brake out anew and charg'd the beast in so sharpe a manner as without doubt he had received the maâ—e had not his head in the midst avoided it once againe whose name was now chang'd from Charles the great to Otho the great who as being by oath devoted came to Rome banisht her new risen Consuls hang'd her Tribuns and mounted her Prefectus urbis Mr. of misrule naked on an Asse crowned and aâ—tended through the city with great derision from thence committed to prision and there executed with exquisite torments And by this means the heat of this defection was so asswag'd that it 967. appeared not for 7 years after but then under the leading of one Cincius flam'd out anew in so furious a sort as it had doubtles fir'd the beast out of alâ— his holds had 974. not his middle head Otho the second hasted into Italy to quench the same who knowing how much it imported to punish exemplarily so dangerous an evill prepared in the Vatican a â—umptuous feast invited therto all the nobility and chief of the City when all were come saluted and set caused forthwith to be proclaim'd that no man on pain of death should either speak or move at any thing that should be seen or heard presently entred armed men and compassed the place â—ound where the guests were whereat whilst every one amazed doubting what this first course meant this middle-head drew forth a paper and whose names were therein written commanded to be drawn from the table and in presence of all there to be slaine The rest were courteously entertained and were as merry as the fear of so cruel a feast would give them leave Ne yet for all this the feaver so left these patients but that 1136. they fell some 162. years after into relapse again but Frederique the first for so was now this head called with the blood of 1000. and the wounds and imprisonment of as many more so branded this Hydra which had been so often headed as it could never after recover head againe but her breath departed and her purpose vanished and appeared no more Ver 32. And this head did put the whole earth in fear and ruled therein and over the dwellers thereof with much labour and it held the government of the world more then all the wings that had been That this head and his fellows have more maintained and advanc'd the rage and blasphemy of the beast then all the fethers that arose before them and made more diligent and cunning inquisition after the blood of Sion then they is it not eternally cronicled in the registers of every particular Nation And therefore they are called the heads of th'eagle and who knoweth not that heads are more able in evil then fethers And the Prophet beheld that this head continued longer held the government of the world more then all the fethers that had been for from the rising of the first fether Julius Caesar to the end and expiration of Momyllus Augustulus the last were not 560 years whereas this head arose in the year 801 and hath already continued above 700 and 90. and yet still continueth and shall till he that now is be taken away Vers 33. And after this I saw and behold this middle head sodenly vanished as did the wings In that the Prophet saw this middle head sodenly vanish as did the wings he signifieth that it shall not be rooted out by force or sword of any but depart quietly and die as it were in bed but yet as the truth fore-saith in the chap. following not without paine meaning that th'Electors shall not choose to the liking of the beast nor the beast consecâ—ate to the liking of them And in this difference this head shall die ne shall this difference be exempted from paine Vers 34. But the two heads remained which also reigned over the earth and over the inhabitants thereof And when the power of this great head which is now so little like a tale thaâ—'s told shal be clean ended yet the fear of th' other two shall still remain and have dominion over the earth those that dwel therein â—ill the fulnesse of their malice and tiranny be accomplisht also which may not long be unfulfild for behold in the very next verse their destruction cometh Vers 35. And I saw and beheld whilst the head on the right side devouâ—ed that which was on the left By the right head is ment as through all this prophecy the strongest so as the Prophet implyeth that the sword of Spaine shall dâ—vide the strength of France that her pride by division made lesse may at the last as every divided Kingdom doth returne to nothing Neither shall the prosperity of this right head
also two Candlesticks which carry in them the light of my truth and power of my Spirit the great Moderator of heaven and earth VERS 5. And if any man will hurt them fire shall come forth of their mouth and devoure their enemies and if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine ANd if any man shall wrest their word from the aime and intention of their meaning saith the Lord or turne their Prophesie out of the way by perverting or clipping the honour or purpose of their word the fire of my wrath denounced by the the mouth of these my two Testaments for though they be two yet they have but one mouth shall surely judge and execute those lovers and makers of lies and for the more assurance of this sentence against them the Lord doth iterate the curse and vengeance of his heavy displeasure saying And if any man will hurt them so must he be slaine meaning I say by hurting all manner diminishing of the words of their testmonie by fals blasphemous and lying expositions as some have done VERS 6. These have power to shat heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesie and they have power over the waters to turne them into blood and to smite the earth with all manner of plagues so often as they will FOr the Lord hath touched the mouth of these his two Prophets as he did the mouth of Jeremy the rest of his servants of whom he saith Behold this day have I set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to pluâ—k up root out destroy and throâ— down build and plant And in another place Therefore have I cut them downe by my Prophets and slaine them by the words of my mouth Such priviledges the Lord hath given to these his two Testaments that if they once shut the heavens that it raine not in the dayes of their Prophesy that is to say if they denounce a famine of the bread of liâ—e to wit the word and knowledge of God or pronounce a sword to come upon a Nation Kingdome or People which the Lord here signifieth by turning waters into blood or if it pleaseth them to Prophesie which the Lord here calleth to strike of any Pestilence Earth quake or other judgement to come such power is given them that if they say the word it is done as it is written Heaven and earth shall perish but the words of their Prophesie shall not passe till all be fulllfiled VERS 7. And when they shall have finished their testimony the beast which ascendeth from the depth shall wage battell against them and kill them ANd when his servants the Prophets and Apostles shall have fulfilled their course and be translated from the land of their labours to the land of rest leaving to the world the inheritance as it were of their ministry sealed up in the two Testaments of God to preserve the feare of his Name and the knowledge of his pleasure among the Sons of men which the holy Ghost calleth finishing their testimony Ant christ the Beast whose proper p'ace whence he is and whither he must is here described by the name of the depth shall not onely hurt and wound them by slanderous and lying Expositions as his Clerks and Assects doe but shall set his feet upon their Necks and tread downe their divine authority by the advancing of his cursed keyes and the beauty of his whorish Church above them which the Spirit calleth waging battell inhibiting them to Prophesie or teach the words of their testimony vulgarly And not onely putting them to silence but also reproving condemning them for corrupters seducers and sowers of heresies among the people which presumpâ—uous blasphemy and murder the Spirit discovereth in saying that he shall overcome them and kill them VERS 8. And their carkasses shall remaine in the street of the great City which is spiritually called Sodome and Egypt where their Lord also was crucified ANd the letter or text of their testimony which the Spirit calleth their corps or carkasses shall remaine in their Hoâ—ses Cels Temples hang at their girdles through all the Cities and Kingdomes where the Beast and his Church is adored which in regard of their number be here named the great City so in respect of their execrable worship and adulterous service contrary to God and his holy City they are here called also spiritually Sodome meaning that as Sodome her Sister did for sake the lawfull use and prescription of nature and wrought filthinesse against nature so these loathing truth and loving lies should erect strange oblations and propitiations as contrary to the offerings and satisfactions of the Saints as was the sin of Sodome opposire to nature And the Spirit further calleth them by the name of Egypt for that in blindnesse and hardnesse of heart they every way match the presumptuous and indorate Egyptians still pursuing and persecuting the truth as Pharaoh did Israel till the God of Israel destroy them by the Spirit of his mouth as he did Pharaoh and his hoast by water And in further detestation of the cruell murther and immanitie of this Beast and his adherents the holy Ghost layeth the blood of the Prince of the Covenant to theiâ— charge also as cunningly as they think to convey his murther and post it over to Jerusalem For as the Lord doth lay the blood of his servant Abel to the charge of the Scribes and Pharisees of his own time although he were slaine long before those Pharisees were borne or Jerusalem builded because they were the very image and lively imitation of his brother that murthered him so the holy Ghost doth here lay the innocent blood of the Lord of glory to the Charge of this Crucifier and his Citizens because they are the Children and Generation of that high Priest and those murtherers which cryed Away with him crucifie him crucifie him And that we should not marvell thereat the holy Ghost in another place goeth further and saith In her shall be found the blood of the Apostles and Prophets also and all that ever for the testimonie of the truth were staine on earth VERS 9. And there shall of the tribes and people and Gentiles see their dead bodies three dayes and a halfe and shall not suffer their corps to be laid in monuments ANd all Nations and Kingdoms where the Beast is worshipped whom the holy Ghost for their prophanation in life and Religion calleth Gentiles shall have handle and gaze upon the letter and corps of his two witnesles three days and a halfe that is to say the time times and halfe a time wherein the Beast shall Reigne and persecute even three propheticall yeares and 〈◊〉 accounting as in Ezekiel all dayes 〈◊〉 Neither shall they suffer the word of 〈◊〉 Proâ—â—efie to be read opened understood and â—â—d up in the hearts of the people the true and naturall monuments and sepulchers wherein the testimonie of their words ought to be interred VERS 10. And the inhabitants of
with a word of audience Behold the third woe will come meaning the great and terrible day of the Lord fore-denounced by his servants the Prophets in the which all Nations shall stand as Prisoners before him and receive every one according to the wayes wherein their heart hath walked And because the day of the Lords comming in glory and consummation of the world shall not lonâ— tarry after the determination and consumption â—â— Antichrist as in the last verse of the thirteenth Chapter following shall be more fully declared the holy Ghost addeth the word quickly as a precise note of his speedy comming which our Lord also in another place confirmeth by a like word immediatly saying And immediatly after the tribulation of those dayes speaking of the tyrannous reigne of the Mat. 24. selfe same Antichrist they shall see the Son of man comming in the clouds of the aire VERS 15. And the seventh Angell sounded with a Trumpet andthere were made loud voices in heaven saying The Kingdomes of this world are made our Lords and his Christs and he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen TH' understanding of this verse dependeth upon the 8. Chapter where it is said And when he had opened the seventh Seale there was made silence in heaven c. And I saw seven Angells stand in the sight of God and there were given them seven Trumpets c. Where the holy Ghost meaneth by the Lamb the Son of God and by opening the seaventh Seale a more particular discovery of all such things as concerne the estate of his Church from his ascension to his comming in Majesty divided into seven acts declared by seven Trumpets sounded by seven Angels of which acts the sixth was the pageant of the deâ—olation of Antichrist the seventh and last is the comming of the Lord in the clouds of Heaven and consummation of the world uttered in these words And the seventh Angel sounded with a Trumpet and with a loud voice proclaimed the Kingdomes of this world so long time usurped by Monarchs and Antichrists which by right of Lordship and Inheritance did evermore belong to the God of Heaven and Prince of the Covenant shall how at length be restored to the right Lord and lawfull owner and of his reigne dominion and glory there shall be no end as the Spirit concludeth saying And he shall reigne for ever and ever Amen VERS 16. And the four and twenty Elders which sat on their seats in the sight of God fell on their faces and adoring God said We thanke thee Lord God Omnipotent which art which wast and which shalt come because thou bast received thy great power and brightnesse BY the foure and twenty Elders is meant the testimony of Moses and the Prophets who for that they spake by the seven-fold Spirit of Majesty which burneth night and day about the Throne of God are here said to sit on their seats in the sight of God And for that their judgements denounced from time to time agaiâ—st Antichrist and his Worshippers are now justâ—â—â—â—â— upon them and the everlasting Kingdome of the Lord their God who hath stretched his wings from Sea to Sea and from the river to the end of lands is now set up for evermore therefore the Spirit saith that they fell on their faces and adoring the justification of God brake forth in praises and thanksgiving saying We thank thee Lord God Omnipotent c VERS 17. And the Gentiles were angry and thy wrath is come and the time of the dead to be judged and to render reward to â—hy Servants the Prophets and Saints and to theâ—â—haâ— feare thy Name little and great and to destroy theâ— that have corrupted the earth ANd all Kiâ—gdomes Nations and people which have evill intreaâ—ed Jerusalem and made a sport of the shame and affliction of Jacob shall now reap the fruit of their savage and heaâ—henish lives and mangre their fury shall endure the wrath and judgement of him who with justice judgeth and fighteth as the Spirit affirmeth saying And the Gentiâ—â— were angry and â—hy wrath iâ— come and the time of the dead to be judged And the Spiâ—it further â—estifieth that the Lord for whole glory that day was made shall render to every one their due hire or wages foâ— so â—â—e Originaâ—l importeth commonly inteâ—preted reward first to his Saints and servants and all that ove come their hiâ—e and wages which by promise and for his ownâ— Name sake is due unto them Next to all exâ—craâ—le Atheists blasphemous Catholicks incredulous Heathen liers Hereticks carnall Gospellers and all other brazen and unregenerate Châ—istians the hire and wages whâ—ch to their works and deeds anâ— merits â—s due â—s the Spâ—rit concludeth saying And to render reward unto thy servants the Prophets and Saints and to them that feare thy name little and great and to destroy them that have corrupted the earth But concerning this seventh age wherein the Lord shal come in Majesty to judge the quick and the dead the Holy Ghost deferreth yet a while to speake moâ—e particularly thereof and resumeth more exactly to intreate of the terme and persâ—cution of Antichrist and his aâ—complices against the Church and Spouse of Christ that so the glory of his justice in theiâ— just refuration and judgement may bee more bright and manifest CHAP. XII 1. A confirmation of the Prophecy following 2. The description of the Church and of her Primitivâ— fruit 4. The Chur hes first persecution raised by Ethnick Rome by whose immanity it came to passe that her beauty was no more seen in her visible and eminent graces but lived here and there dispersed and scattered over the face of the Earth 8. The great battell betweene Christianisme and Pâ—ganisme Christ and his Truth overcommeth Jupiter and hiâ— profenation 18. The Emperour reâ—oveth his Throne pretending to stop the float of th' Enemy but intending to root out the dispersed remnant of the Church VERS 1. And the Temple of God was opened in heaven and the Aâ—k of his Covenant was seen in his Temple and there was made lightnings voices thunders earth-quakes and great haile TH ' Apostle having drawne in the former part of this Prophesie a slight draught as it were and designment of Antichâ—ist doth now in the Prophecy following revisit and perfect the discovery of the Beast and hang him up to the view and discerning of heaven and earth And to the end that this his worke of manifestation may carry in it faire and uncontrollable credit the Apostle in this Verse assureth us that he revealeth no other word concerning the Church and her pressures here on earth during the personall absence of her Lord then that which he heard at the Councell table of God which he delivereth in a manner of speech usuall with the Prophets And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven and the Ark of his Covenant was seen in the Temple alluding to the Temple of Jerufalem and â—ignisying thereunder that the words
they testified the glory of God as doe the heavens by their obedient conversions the Spirit crowneth them with the name of the heavens saying Therefore rejoyce O heavens and you that dwell in them And on the other part pronounceth Wo first to all Nations and Kingdomes accessary to these spirituall whoredomes of the Dragon whom according to their earthly mind he most aptly resembleth to the earth next to the Empire it selfe as the scelerum caput and stable of iniquity whom for his fearfull power and unbridled rage the Spirit most elegantly calleth by the name of the Ocean and the Sea and concludeth his wo with a reason why because both in one and other the power of Satan had taken such deep root that the more the light of the truth did bewray their madnesse the more they strove and stormed against it and so much the rather because their sin was now at the highest and that the Kingdome of Christ did gather so fast upon them that of necessity a mutation of their fortunes must needs follow with a subversion not onely of their Paganisme but also of their power Caesaricall which the Spirit closely soldeth up in these words Knowing that he hath but a little time which one Apostle also observeth 2 Thess 2. VERS 14. And when the Dragon saw that he was thrown to the earth he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man-child ANd when the raging Romane Empire saw that his maintenance of Jupiter and his idol art of making shrines was to descend for ever as among many voices some even to this day are heard to cry veâ—geance upon his idol inforcâ—â—g them with shame to resigne their usurped titles of gods and claime of heaven to the true Lord and owner thereof he tooke the course of the wicked whose custome is as one of their owne noteth Malitia alia aliam trudere and to add sin to sin as a holy one saith to Deut. 29 quench his thirst-with drunkennesse for so proceeded this Beast adding to his blindnesse boldnesse redeeming his blasphemy with rage and persecution and was so far from comming to himselfe and taking up repentance to wash away his crying sins that as the Spirit concludeth he more and more pursued the Church and persecuted the woman which brought forth her first borne and primitive fruit here called for their faith their patience and their godly valour the man-child VERS 15. And there was given unto the woman two wings of the great Eagle that she might Flee into the desart unto her place where she was nourished for a time and times and halfe a time from the face of the serpent BUt the Lord who had so dearly bought his Shunamite was no leâ—â—e carefull to preserve and carry her to the place of her rest with a strong and out-stretched providence even upon his own 2 wings whose feathers were made of the truth of his promise sealed and delivered by the hand of his two witnesses which the Bridgroome of purpose left with the Spouse to accompany and guide her whensoever she removeth If she travell by day they are her leading cloud if by night they are her pillar of fire if she flie they lend her wings if she wander they harbour her if she be naked they cover her if in prison they visit her if captive they redeem her if she be weak they sustaine her if blind they lead her if she be heavy they comfort her if sick they recover her if she doubt they resolve her if she erre they direct her if she thirst they give her to drink and if she hunger they feed her and make her so strong of constitution that afflictions are rejoycings to her banishment a haven dispersion a friend losse and death advantage And by these comforts as by hands they convey her to her solitude and restlesse place of rest as the Spirit discovereth saying But there were given to the woman two wings of the great Eagle that she might Flee into the desart unto her resting place where ever since her primitive dispersion she hath lived strewed and scattered far and neer over the face of the earth seen and knowne of her Lord by whom she is protected and of the Children of wisdome of whom she is justified and so doth and must remaine hidden and retired into the privy Chambers of Gods providence and her owne Conscience during the Reigne of Antichrist whose curst and arrogant supremacie was to rise out of the ashes of the Dragons Emperiority as the holy Ghost prophecyed And thus hiding her eminent primitive graces must closely and silently keep the Lords watch and stand upon her honourable guard three propheticall years and a halfe here as in Daniel determined by a time and times and halfe a time from the reach and rage of the Serpent his taile and successors VERS 16. And the Serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as it were a Flood that he might make her to be carried away with the Flood ANd when the Dragons train of Cesars who for their malice to the truth and seducing the Nations are here called by the name of the ancient enemy and seducer of mankind the Serpent saw that they could no longer havock the Church of God by reason of her close sight and secret dispersion they devised to pursue her with their bloody edicts and sacrilegious constitutions which they breathed out against her in such raging and furious manner as the Spirit therefore resembleth the violence of their barbarous inquisitions and unprincely rescripts unto the unmercifull rage and current of a flood hoping that as by their unplacable fury they had dispersed and driven the Spouse to corners so by the due execution of their cruell promulgations they might utterly consume her generation and blot out all letters of her honorable name for to that white onely they aimed as the Spirit concludeth That he might make her to be carried away of the Flood VERS 17. And the Earth holp the Woman and the Earth opened her mouth and swallowed up the Flood which the Dragon cast out of his mouth BUt in reliefe of the Churches pressures and persecutions her Lord gave charge unto his hand-maid the Earth to comfort help and succour her his Spouse and as Moab was charged to hide the chased Israel of God and not bewray him that was fled and escaped but to dwell with him and to give him covert and protection from the face of the destroyer so here the Earth was commanded to reach forth her helping hand and to take in and harbour the Lords exiles in the secret chambers of her desarts mountaines and caves that so she might either afford her close and quiet safeguard or in witnesse of her faith aâ—d proofe of her patience receive the blood which her cursed brethren spilt which courtesie and tender favour the Spirit remembreth to the perpetuall praise of the benefactors of the Spouse saying But the earth holp the woman and opened
and lay his foundation as low as hell and build his turrets as high as heaven and place his Miter above the stars yet in that day hâ— shall die the death of the uncircumcised and perish like the Amorite whose fruit is destroyed from above and root from beneath and the Amos 2. 9. multitude of his offences shall consume the multitude of his forces and it shall be more possible for him and easie unto him to weigh the fire or measure the wind or call againe the day that is past or recover the verdure of the withered grasse as a holy one faith then to avoid this counsell and decree of his downfall here determined by the Spirit against him saying And the number of him is 666. And then all Kingdoms and people shall see th' eternity of that eternall City as one of her own calleth it and th'immortality of her soul meaning the soveraign power and supremacie of her Caesars and high Priests to wither die and sorsake the earth for ever and as Babylon her mother left unto her th' inheritance of her pride and prophanations so shall she also leave unto her the heritage of her death and judgements for as her glory hath been great so shall her dishonour when all her excellency shall be translated into shame and sorrow Now therfore as King Belshazzar cried aloud when he saw the hand-writing against him that they should bring the Chaldeans Astrologians and inchanters to read and interpret so thou that once and long before our dayes hast been deemed by Laws of all Nations a power so soveraigne and holy call now about thee thy Councell and thy Clergy who call themselves good men learned and wise whose onely grace is to love antiquity gravity wisdome and constancy caâ—l them I say cloath them with purple and chaine them with gold yet shall they not deliver thee from this judgement to come but as the mill-stone which â—he mighty Angel tooke and cast into the sea which may not rise and float againe with such violence thou and thy Church in that houre shall be thrown down and shall be found no more And all such Kings on earth or rather Kings of earth whose love thou hast stollen to the losse of their souls that have lived in drunkennesse delights and wantonnesse with thee shaâ—l weep and waile for thee as for their fiâ—st-borne when they shâ—ll see the smoake of thy torments ascend and the Apples which thy soule Iusted after to depart from thee and no man to buy thy tâ—ash and commodities any more for that God which judgeth thee is a strong Lord and thy derision shall be the joy and Allelujah of Sion But her faire and â—aâ—cyon day may not long endure before the Lord that with justice judgeth and fighteth shall come in the clouds of heaven to render unto every man according to the wayes wherein his heart hath waâ—ked as more directly is revealed in the 20. Chapter following But as concerning the day and houre of the comming of that Lord who for the glory of his name shall bring these things to passe it is fast sealed up in the treasury of God far beyond the aime of all â—is servants on earth or Angels in heaven and yet his beloved servant Daniel is bold in spirit and layeth downe the yeare to be the five and fortieth yeare according to his Chaldaicall supputation after the consumption and extermination of Antichrist that it may be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Verily the Lord of hoasts will doe nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his Servants the Amos 3. 7. Prophets DAN 12. 11 12 13. And from the time that the daily Sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes Blessed is he that waiteth and commeth to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty dayes But goe thou thy way till the end be for thou shalt rest and stand up in thy lot at the end of the dayes FINIS
to their use of honour and dishonour when he shall come in glory to judge and reward the world separate the stranger from the child the goaâ— from the sheep the sinner from the just and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written Many are called Lords of Sodome may it then pleaâ—e your dead and dry eyes to consider that in this great company of hearers two speciall differing companies are commended unto yee th' one that hearing the voyce obeyeth and doth it th' other that hearing transgresseth and doth not called in Scripture Haâ—ed bond forsaken cast out children of evill vessells of wrath and such like compared to a Man who built a house and laid no foundation and when the day of reckoning the day of tempest came the building fell and the fall thereof was great and lamentable for ever But they that heaâ—ing the Commandements of God observe and do them are called in Scripture beloved free chosen beautifull children of promise vessells of mercy Israel Jacob his people his heritage a holy Nation a holy City a kingly holy Priest-hood his house his Temple his Tabernacle Saints Sion Hierusalem from above the pillar and upholder of truth his vine his Church his Body his Spouse and such like compared to a Builder that digged deep and laid his foundation on the Rock whose work endured the day to come and gave glory to the worker to a Graine of Mustard-seede whose great increase for his little body is marvellous compared with other hearbs to Leaven which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid to a Pearle of price for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea by Land by fire by water to attaine to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality that the possessor selleth all he hath to make a purchase thereof to a Seede prospering from Blade to stalk from stalk to head the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how And this is the generation of them that seek him the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written But few are chosen And of this company and no other speaketh the Scripture which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And againe And behold I am with you from day to ever even to the worlds end And againe Feare not little flocke for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome And againe And I will intreate the Father and he shall give you another Comforter who shall remaine with you for ever And againe But when the Spirit of truth commeth he shall leade you into all truth And this is the City and house spirituall built upon the head of the corner which through the strength and glory of the foundation remaineth and liveth for ever as it is written And upon this Rock will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God the stones of life and glory everlasting disdained and trodden under of worldly builders prepared notwithstanding from above and appointed to serve for his Tabernacle and place of his dwelling for he that is highest dwelleth not in Temples made with hands as testifieth the Prophet Heaven is my seat and earth is my foot-stoole what place of rest will yee build unto me saith the Lord O house of Israel These things had yee understood then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes and like unto the housholder which bringeth forth of his store and provision as time and occasion serveth old and new And this is she which erreth not dissenteth not for all her Children are endued with a tongue and taster of truth all are prepared with one and selfe-same water all are purged by one and self-same fire all are Servants to one and self same Lord who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified and made them of sinners Sonnes of God as it is written He that sanctifieth and they which are sanctified are all of one And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding arrayed in a white and righteous garment which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day waiteth and attendeth his comming whose modest countenance whose chast and comely steps walk in our streets and the world regardeth not for her name is hidden written in the heart not in the skinne and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within not in the 〈◊〉 without whose praise is not of men but of God And yet thou sayest let me see her behold he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells that he knoweth not any one this day after the flesh that taketh part with him what then shall I say I am left alone God forbid for I see and heare with th' ears and eyes of my soule the groans the chains and tears of seven thousand whose obedience is greater then mine and of which number I am the least and as a poore and miserable and borne out of time am not worthy to be one of them And this is she who once Balaam walkt in thy streets and all th' earth was filled with her beauty untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head pursuing her blood and generation for there is enmity betweene him and her her seed and his for ever but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury And in those dayes her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings whose Feathers were made of the word of truth and she flew into the Wildernesse where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her enemy a time and times and halfe a time and there remaineth shee her houre her day her moneth and her yeare eating no other thing then that which God giveth her And thy Father fell heavy exceeding wroth thereat and sat him downe by the Sea side in a Throne newly erected to th' honour of his name mourning and pining that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so And calling his powers and counsell about him devising found out a way t' appease his wrath namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind and while he sat in Consistory seeking best means t' accomplish his purpose thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters and presently his dump was turn'd to a dance thy heads and hornes were so like his owne that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day and having nothing greater to shew his love parted with thee his Kingdomes and glory thereof planted thee in his old and ancient Throne where once his name was honoured and gave into thy hand his great power and chiefest of his hoast Wonders Lyes Murder and bad thee warre and have no feare for it was appointed the third borne among the Sons of men should be subdued unto thee And it pleased
are Caesars and unto God the things which are Gods Which many blind and fleshly humours not considering have laboured and brought forth such errour and distraction as we see every where this day Some so drunken with the primacies and prerogatives of Caesar as that they feare not to revile the freedome appertaining to the Kingdome of God Others so headlong carried with a false pretended liberty and freedome of a Christian as that they care not to deny the lawful sword and authority of Caesar so that amongst so many so few from time to time are found that can discerne how Saints are free and yet subject to Caesar But God loveth Sion and hath chosen it for in her is truth without confusion And this is the generation of the counsell and wisedome of God and the true description of all her children which if you understand and doe thereafter then shall you discerne those reprobate times and save your selfe from the visitation to come What man is he that travelling by desart places and seeing the day at his going downe hasteth not to recover his Inne for feare lest the night leave him in distresse Hasten then after the counsell and correction of God whilst yet the day lasteth for behold the night commeth And these are all which I advertise you few as they be and simple as they goe yet if truth deceive me not their right understanding is far finer gold then is your Scepter and much more honourable then your Fathers house And this shall be for a signe that I speake not of my self Behold the Mountain which you fear so much I mean the Beast the Man of sin Lucifer Son of the morning the Horne that hath so many hundred years blaphemed heaven and oppressed earth behold I say tho now he be so great as that the makes the earth to Isai tremble and shake with a word only the very roots of Kingdoms the â—ime hasteth and is at hand â—herein he shall be made so little as neither name nor remnant of him nor son nor sons son shall be found upon the earth For his days are numbred signed and sealed up in the bâ—ok of God and yet seventy and seven days and his number 666. shall be fulfilled And all his Princes his Sorcerers and multitudes of people which now rejoyce and â—lap their hands drunken with the whoredoms and prosperity of Babel shall then lie comfortles and wring their hands as fast for Beltis their God is dead And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion but her light may not long endure as testifieth the Prophet and then and in those dayes shall be finished the secret knowne to the Lord alone even the great mystery and redemption of God forespoken of by the Dan. 12. 22. mighty Angel who stood upon Sea and Land and swore by him that liveth for ever and ever That time should be no more And when these things shall come to passe as Revel 10. 6. verily in their appointed time they shall then shal they kâ—ow that in the days of their rebellion there was a voyce of a servant of God heard amongst them 1 T. L. restifie these things with mine owne hand in sober humbleneâ—â—e commending them to your Majestie onely in regard of my duty and for no other reward Give your promotions to those sons of Beor that rise so early â—nd saddle their Asses to post after them for I your servant have bread and water enough thanks be to my God and am therewith as well content as if my Lands were as large as are the royalties of the little bird who possesseth all the fields over which it flyeth Proverb 1. Because ye have despised all my counsell and refused my corrections I will also laugh at your destruction and mock when your feare commeth FINIS BABYLON IS FALLEN OR A Prophesie that had lain hid above two thousand years Foreshewing The rising continuance and fall of the Empire and Supremacie of Rome with all matters of moment that were to come to passe during the reigne of the Emperours and Popes The last being the vanishing of the Germane Empire lately fullfilled The next the dividing of the Kingdome of France by the Sword of Spaine The third that of Spaine by the Sword of other Nations The fourth the destruction of Rome and desolation of her Church in the yeare 1666. The fifth the descending of the Kings of the East and of the whole world unto the battell of the great day of God Almighty The first title was onely Babylon is Fallen with these words of the Prophet For I heard the railings of many and how they watch for my halting saying it may be that he is deceived Jer. 20. 10. LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE ROBERT Lord DEVOREUX Earle of Essex REading of late my Lord a Chapter of Esdras folding up in a mysticall and dark discourse a living Representation of a long time whereof the most is past and some little to come â— thought it no lost labour to take my Pen and unfold the same that therein wee may behold which naturally all desire to see as well the issues of things to come as what is past or now in being and thereafter to qualifie and moderate our hopes and call our troubled thoughts which otherwise run with reins on Neck within the Circle and limitation bounded and drawn from above And finding this Prophesie written by a Man greatly beloved of God and thereto which rare is a Princes Favourite high in grace with a King of Persia I presumed the rather to present this my Labour to your Hon. Lordship as upon whom God hath vouchsafed like great and rare graces ' Tsufficeth that your Honour read it greater favour Esdras seeketh not He Labours not to praise or please which now a dayes finds many friends but to admonish and forewarne which fataly finds none till 't be too late He fears not the Noble and Learned Reprover of supposed Predictions for he hath heard him honour the Prophesies of Holy Writ wherein himselfe hath no less honour gotten then given His other Enemies have wisht me to conceal and tâ— reserve them to a more open hearing But Esdras is at thâ— next leaf my Lord and craves your Honours patience for an Hour BABYLON IS FALLEN ESDRAS 4. Chap. II. Vers 1. Then I saw a Dreame AFter this the Prophet saw a Vision concerning the beginning continuance and fall of th' Empire and supremacie of Rome And this Vision was shewed him in the dayes of Artaxerxes King of Persia About four hundred years before the first stone of Julius Caesar her Empire was laid And behold there arose from the Sea an Eagle And there arose among the Nations the fierce and fearfull Kingdome and Empire of Rome seene in Vision by the Prophet Daniel some few years before Which had twelve fethered wings Wherein should arise and raigne twelve Emperours which should spread their Power like wings
by meanes of this distres very weake and in danger of falling her counsell and body politique devised by lies and witch-craft wherein was all her pleasure from her youth to restore the supremacy and honor of her name under the colour of Ecclesia Dei Wherein this race of presumptuous hornes excelled the sin of all the hornes that foretime ruled in her for they as in whom Satan dwelt but literally did but in open hostility fight against the highest setting before him a God made of a wicked man whose fathers blood cryeth out for vengeance night and day whose bed-fellow was Soror conjux and whose wife was id quod di cere nolo But this race of presumptuous and deceitfull Kings as in whom Satan dwelleth spiritually in a hidden treasure of blasphemy sets up the highest against himselâ—e and under the Visor of the Church and the name of God blasphemeth his Sanctuary and the Lord thereof No marvaile then tho she and Sion be at ods for as gold can body it selfe with any mettall lique fiable latten excepted which notwithstanding in outward face and shew of all mettalls is most like unto it so no Church is more capitall enemy to the true Church then she who in outward gesture grace and countenance is likest like the chast and virgine spouse and is indeed a whore Vers 11. Then I numbred her contrary feathers and behold they were eight of them In the third verse of this Chapter the Prophet made mention of these contrary feathers which in their thoughts conspired to raise their house with the ruins of Rome And here proceedeth more particularly to declare their number foretelling there should be eight of them whom we will here call out by name that if occasion serve we may the better know them The first were West gothes under the leading of Alaricus 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 The second Hunnes whose King was Attalas The third Vandals their head Genserick The fourth Odoacer The sist East gothes their chiefe Theodoricke The sixt Totilas bred in Spaine with such followers as for those times that Countrey yeilded The seventh Longobards with their guide Alboinus The eighth and last a home conspiracy more to be feared as all included diseases are most dangerous then all the rest And altho many others besides these as Radagaise the Alani now called Almans the Burgonians conducted by Gundibald the Vngers Saracens c. were all in their time as costly enemies to the Empire as some of these yet none did humble the great City the mother of wickednesse but these eight onely And therefore the rest may not be allowed to sit at this table but may serve to justifie the judgement of the Beast which was thus wounded againe and stricken of all as she had wounded and stricken all And if in reading doubt arise how these eight fethers may be contrary to the Eagle that is resisters of her power and dominion and yet be feathers of the Eagle that is mainteiners of the same The answer is that they were adversaries and contrary unto her as she stood upon tearmes of Imperium orbis terrae but after she had chang'd her coppy and claimed supremacy under the cloake of Mater Ecclesia they were for the most maintainers of her pride and became drunke also with her worship as other Kings and Princes of th' earth And thus much for their numbers and names their severall attemp's their prosperities and end shall be presented in their place Vers 12. After this I saw and behold upon the right side there arose one feather and raigned over all the earth This feather here described is the first of the twelve namely Julius Caesar who like an ill interpreter translated Senatum populumque Romanum into Caesarem Augustum Whose image which in this verse is so lively resembled consisteth of two features the first sheweth the manner of his rising in these words And behold upon the right side there arose one feather Which serve instead of art to discover the very true lâ—nes and cast off his happiness For the house of Cornelii was as eloquent as he and Marius doubtles as good a leader as he and Catilin as nobly borne as he and all these arose t' invade the Common wealth and to traâ—slate it into a Kingdom as well as he but none of them rose on the right side but he And thus much for the manner of this speech so we take thâ—s wâ—th all that these words rightside in their naturall and proper intent doe signifie as through all this chap. the surest and strongest side The second feature in this resemblance to be observed is his power set forth in these words And he reigned over all the earth For after he had subdued France broken the heart of Germany made his name known to England he returned into Italy overthrew the great Protector of the liberty Sr. Pompey and his host in the fields of Pharsalie And like the fire of heaven as one of her Poets saith with such celerity drew after the reliques of that stricken faction both in Africa and Spaine that in two years space he brought to passe that neither City nor creature durst open against him which done he ascended into Italy and took upon him as Lord thereof triumphing in the spoiles of the world and the blood of his Country And knowing that the name of a King which he so much affected was odious to the quality and nature of that people invaded the government under the Maske of a perpetual Dictator preserving thereunder for he was wise above all the feathers some â—â—pe of recovering their lâ—te slâ—ine liberty but indeed establishing a Kingdome from which it could never redeem it self again Ver. 13. And when it had reigned the end of it came and the place thereof appeared no more But this new borne prosperity as is the nature of all â—his worlds felicity lasted but a while for in the third year of his Dictatoâ—ship he was slaine in the Senate by the conspiration of 24. of whom the most both in his own so dangerous is the name of trust and other mens opinions were thought his chiefest friends And thus was this feather blown away after it had enjoyed his pleasure 56 years and reigned 3. A man for letters arms and counsel famous far above all his succeeders and in discreet bounty and Princely clemency rare vertues in such a fortune without controversie surpassing all Princes made of earth Ver. 14. So the next stood up and reigned and it continued a long time but after it had reigned his end also came and as the first it appeared no more Next after him arose Octavius the adopted son of Iulius otherwise also neer him in bloud as being the son of his neece Accia who having taken revenge upon the murtherers of his father and obtained in all his wars forreine and at home triumphed Lord over all adding to his fathers pompe which he had bought so dear th'
tragicall succession of all the Eagles wings from her first fether Iulius Caesar in whom the power of her pride began to the third Valentinian with whom it ended who after they had shewed themselves and trodden downe the earth 500 and 30 years they departed for ever the stage of this world al their pomp and glory descended appeared no more And here my pen like to th' earth which being delivered from her oppressors did thirst to be refreshed so having overcome this part of her task did think to find some ease but in their hopes they are both deceived for after the Eagles fethers descended the sorrows of the earth increased more and more and there arose as seldomes comes the better a race of Sodomiticall and unnatural Kings who under the visar of Successors to Peter and Vicars to the Lambe so far excelled the whordoms of their fathers the Emperors whose Vicars and Successors indeed they are that they inforced the highest to pour his determined vengeance upon the children of men Who according to the judgement fore-denounced by his servant Iohn Poured out his wrath upon the Sea that it became like to the blood of the dead that is Revel 16. to say upon the great City and Empres of the world by scourge after scourge how often and grievous in the â—iew of her contrary fethers may appear so at the full avenging himselfe there was not a drop of Roman blood to be found on earth these many hundred years And as the defection and uncleannes wasâ— generall so was the punishment for as the Apostle in the same cha prophesied The wrath of the highest was poured out upon Revel 16. the rivers and fountains likewise and they were turned into blood also that is upon all people and nations whatsoever in such sort as there is not a Kingdom this day on earth to be found that hath not been since the rising of the beast cut down by sword and yeelded her stock to strange griffs as by the bloody Registers of every particular nation doth so cleerly appear as if it were written with the beams of the sunne And as the days were evill above measure so they exceeded in darknes and ignorance that my pen hath no lesse trouble to be delivered of the rest of her labour then had the then-dwellers on earth to indure the pains of their oppression and travel but to take into my way again the Prophet addeth Nor the two wings Figuring by the two wings the two first contrary fethers Alaricus and Attalas The first arose in the 19 of Honorius predecessor to the third Valentinian And was the first that slew the great City the murtheres of all the world measuring â—â—er by famine sword and fire according to the square whereby she had judged others almost twelve hundred years Which wofull end or rather beginning of her wofâ—â—ll end made a certain ancient friend of hers bewâ—iling the night wherein she was smitten to cry Nocte Moab capta est nocte cecidit murus eius quis cladem illius noctis quis funera fando explicet And when this fether Hierout had thus trodden down the pride of the Eagle in the year 410. a 1157 years after Romulus had raised her wals with the blood of his brother proceeded to rip up her bowels spoyling and burning her principall parts Latium Campania Apulia Luâ—ania Calabria where raging in his highest thoughts devising how to spread his glory over all was by sodain death blown away and his place appeared no more Th' other arose in the 27. of the third Valentinian in greater fear then did the first devouring at his entrance all that rest of Italy which Alaricus had left uneaten Aquileia Verona Mantua Cremona Brixia Concordia with all the now territory of Venice but by the cunning dealing of the deceitfull King whose name was then Pope Leo was entreated to sell the great City and to depart Italy which he left as a wast stinking in her fiery ruins and so repassing the Danub returned into his Scythia again where the year following in top of his fulnâ—s was in a night found strangled in his own blood whereinto he was dissolved by th' intemperate use of a wedding feast and a new Spouse And thus perished this son of Mundzuccus the scourge of God and terrour of men for so he called himselfe and which not only the fiâ—rs of Italy but his very shape may well justifie for he is described a man of little stature square set great head little eyes thin hair'd thinner bearded a nose great and prominent his colour fowl and gypson like Ver. 23. And there was no more upon the Eagles body but two heads that rested and six wings And there were no more triumphing fethers to be found on her for all her glorious power was descended to two weak and feeble heads which for they reigned not in the strength of their predecessors the Prophet dayneth not to call ruling fethers but resting heads Th' one slept in th' east at Constantinople whom Gen. Martiâ—n serick the third contrary fether not long before had dishonorably taken prisoner Th' other in the west at Ravenna taken with such a Valontin Lethargy that he neither heard nor felt the Massacre of Ungary committed by Hunns nor the loud and pitifull cry of his chiefest provinces Spain and Africa devoured by Gothes and Vandals nor the tears and deep lament of Gaul and Britain overflown with Franks and Angles people from beyond the Rhene who not onely with their blood and posteritie but with their name also have stain'd both Kingdoms to this day So as the Prophet well concludeth there was no more to be found upon th' Eagles body but these two drowsie heads which rested and six contrary fethers viz. 1 Genserique 2 Odoacer 3 Theodorick 4 Totilas 5 The Longbards 6 And th' intestine faction Of which in the verses following Ver. 24 Then I saw also the two wings divided themselves from the six and remained under the head that was upon the right side but the four continued in their place And the Prophet saw that two of the six divided themselves in counsel manner of proceeding from th' other four for whereas the four sought to be Lords of Rome in fee resolving in their thoughts t' extinguish the name and majesty of her Empire for ever these 2. were of an other mind for they agreed to remain under the countenance favour of th'eagles right head contented to wear a crown tho with leave of it meaning by the right head th' east Empire so called in regard it was far stronger in power then the west whose broad-speading honor as in the verse foregoing was now become a starv'ling only his name and appellation continued some ten successions viz. 1 Valentinian 2 Maximus 3 Avitus 4 Majorianus 5 Severus 6 Anthemius 7 Olybrius 8 Glycerius 9 Iulius Nepos 10 Momyllus Which all also vanished as before is Toucht in 20
years And th' Eagles pomp which was at full in Augustus was interred with Augustulus for so was Momyllus called and with him descended the name and title of Imperium Romanum for ever And the two wings thus divided in policy from the the four were Genserick and Theodorick Of which the first trained into Italy by treason of th'Empres entred Rome 43. years after she had been humbled by the Goths and led into captivity all her treasure and as is the fatal reward of such offenders the traitres also her selfe And after 14 days thus loaden departed into his Africa again where-over he reigned in peace and pleasure 51 years Th' other having obtained of th'east-head the scepter of Italy according to his patent proceeded and got it by Conquest from Odoacer But after he had reigned there-over 30 years descended also leaving his 494. fame and kingdom to his posterity having fulfild his pleasures 42 more But this Counsel pleased not th' other 4. for as the verse concludeth they remained in other thoughts drifting in their place to rise and reigne without leave or license of any Ver. 25. So I looked and behold the under-wings thought to set up themselves and to have the rule And as the Prophet beheld the four contrary fethers which were left he saw how they also strove in their hearts to establish themselves but like a dream their purpose vanished in the next immediate ver following Ver. 26. Then was there one set up but shortly it appeared no more Then arose Odoacer the first of the four leading a people begotten in the bowels and inmost parts of the North who hearing of the divided and weake estate of the Empire was encouraged to move from beyond 476. the Danub in much fear blood descended into Italy slew her last Lord and Emperor Momillus Augustulus destroyed the name of her Consuler dignity and blotted â—ut for ever the memory of her holy Senate the murderer of Romulus their first King and Julius their first Keysar and not daring as base begotten to put on the presence and stile of an Emperor which name this fether fatally resisted contented himself with the title of King of Italy But his glory indured not for after he had reigned eighteen yeers Theodorick as in the 24 verse took his Kingdom from him by force and his lise by fraud and he descended and appeared no more Ver. 27. And the second was sooner gone then the first After him arose Totilas the second fether of the four by birth a Spaniard by blood a West-gothe whose fearfull fires burn in Rome to this day but these daies were more in trouble and as the Prophet fore-saw in number fewer then Odoacers from his first rising alway in arms and after many hopes and as many dispaires was at last put to flight by Narses whom the East-head had made Governour of Italy and flying was wounded so deadly that as soon as he gat his Inne he lost his life after he had worne the Crown if to fight for a Crown be to wear a Crown 11 yeares Ver. 28. Then I beheld and loe the two that remained did think also in themselves to reign So as of all th' eight there remained but th' Longâ—bards and th' intestine faction which thought also in themselves to reigne The fâ—rst in flamed by the letters of Narses and with the goodness of Italy left their northern denns and like a fearfull storme fell downe upon it and in two yeares overthrew it crowning their Leader Alboinus 570 King thereof at Milan who after he had spread himselfe over the great City and over all her Italy three years and a halfe was murthered by the treason of Rosamond his wife leaving his Kingdom but not his honor to his successors who possessed it for 24. generations The eight and last and of all other the most dangerous was a home conspiracy plotting to raise from the dead th' ancient long-before buried government of Rome to reedifie her S. P. Q. R. and to root out the Priestly preheminence and Church-superiority which had so cunningly eaten and destroyed the secular which faction after it had taken fire in the hearts of many and secretly burned a long time at length brake out like the fury and violence of a risen stream so as it might not be quencht but with much blood and exceeding labour as in the 31. verse appeareth Ver. 29. But whilst they so thought behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest which was in the midst for that was greater then the two And whilst they thus thought behold there awaked one of the three Kingdoms appointed to finish and end the wickednesse of th' Eagle figuring by this resting head the new west Empire which title of Supremacy the beast bestowed as hath been alwayes his practise to run with the strongest upon Charls King of France and son to Pepin the Traitor This head is said to be awaked when it was first raised which was in the year 801. wherein it received his Augustal robe his crown and stile viz. Carolo Augusto a Deo Coronato magno piissimo Imperatori Romanorum vita victoria And the title of dignity Imperiall which had laien dead above three hundred years was in this year on Christmas day thus raised up to life again to the end it might defend the proceedings of the great adulteres and murderes of the earth as by the form of oath exhibited at his consecration appeareth In nomine Christi spondeo atque polliceor ego A. Imperator coram Deo beato Petro Apostolo me protectorem ac defensorem fore bujus Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae in omnibus utilitatibus quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio pro-ut sciero poteroque In that this head is said to be in the midest is meant that it should be chosen from among the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth as by experience hath been proved First from France then from divers Kingdoms and parts of Germany where it still remaineth And that the fear and power of this head hath been greater then any other Christian King or Kingdome whatsoever is it not sufficiently read in the particular registers of every Nation Vers 30. And I saw that the two heads were joyned there-with By the two heads are shadowed the two Kingdoms of France and Spaine whose unhallowed league the Prophet fore-seeing saith they should be joyned with this middle-head and like three parts in one accord and agree together to humble themselves their authority and power before the beast and for their idolshepheard should fight against the Highest till by the breath of his mouth they be scattered like the dust which the winde disperseth And these are the three heads mentioned in the first fourth and ninth verses of this chapter and are therefore said to finish and determine the last end and wickednesse of the whore because tho all other Kingdoms hate her and make her desolate and naked and
be long free from like retaliation but as the truth fore-saith He that divideth with the sword shall perish by the sword For how may Esdr 4. 12. the sword for ever escape him whom heaven hateth and earth doth persecute and of whom may be truly said which was spoken of Ismael Manus eorum contra omnes omnium contra illos And thus shall these heads perish and hast the faster to their end because the judgement of the beast is nigh in the very next verses attending to come in Vers 36. Then I heard a voice which said look before thee and consider the things which thou seest Vers 37. So I saw and behold as it were a Lyon came hastily out of the wood roaring And I saw that he sent out a mans voice unto the Eagle and spake saying Vers 38 Hear thou and I shall tell thee what the most High doth say unto thee The roaring of the Lion is the breath of the Highest which shall rebuke th' Eagle for her unrighteousnes and cast before her all her spoyls and set her alive in judgement and with the spirit of his mouth rise up against her and lay unto her charge as in the text following Ver. 39. Art not thou he which of the 4 Beasts remainest whom I made to reigne in my world that by them the end of things might come Vers 40. And the fourth is come and hath overcome all the beasts that were past and obtained power over the world with great fearfulnes and over the whole compasse of the earth with extream oppression and hath possessed so long time all the world with deceit Ver. 41. For thou hast not judged the earth with truth Ver. 42. But hast troubled the meck and hurt the peacefull and thou hast loved lyers and destroyed the dwellings of them which brought forth fruit and hast cast down the wals of such as did thee no harme Ver. 43. So as thy unjust dealing is ascended to the most High and thy pride unto the Mighty Ver. 44. And therefore he that is Highest hath beheld the proud times and behold they are ended and their abominations are finished And if thou plead not guilty hereunto behold a thousand witnesses shall rise up against thee and prove the inditement true that the just judgement which hath so long attended for thee may at the length be pronounced against thee in form as in the text followeth Vers 45. Therefore appeare no more thou Eagle nor thy fearfull wings nor thy wicked fethers nor thy malitious heads nor thy cruel claws nor thy vaine body And least in thy drunkennes thou maist think thy sin may over-shoot this judgement to come and in thy madnes glorifie thy selfe as thou hast ever done perswading thy selfe thou shalt ever be because thou hast been long and like a fool hast not considered the more thy yeares the nigher thy grave behold thus saith the truth In the year which shall be 1666. this Rev. 13. 18. judgement here pronounced shall lay hands on thee And as all thy fearfull wings and fethers be already descended and blown down so before that day which is so nigh at hand the tyranny of thy malitious heads and cruel claws shall be consumed and brought to nought And in that day thy vaine body shall be burnt with fire and shall so cleane be cut off from the land of the living that neither son nor nephew as the Prophet Esay 14. 22 Esay 14. 24 saith nor branch nor remnant of thy name shall be found upon the earth For as it is purposed so shall it come to passe and as it is consulted it shall stand Go to now take counsell of thy Seers and call thy inchanters about thee build thy devices as high as heaven and lay their foundations low as hell yet shall they not deliver thee from the day appointed but as Salmanazar destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battel wherein the mother with the children was dasht in peeces or like the milstone which the mighty Angel did cast into the Sea with such violence shalt thou be thrown down and be found no more And all hell shall be moved at thy comming and prepare it self and raise up all her dead against that day to meet thee and all the Princes and Kings of Nations whom thou hast slaine with the cup of thy fornication shal rise out of their torments against thy coming and at thy fight shall wonder and cry and Esay 44. 10 say unto thee Art thou become weak also as we art thou become like one of us Is thy pomp bowed down unto the grave and are thy pleasures departed like ours and is the worm spread under thee and do the wormes cover thee also how art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer son of the morning which hast cast lâ—ts upon the Nations and saidst in thine heart I will ascend into heaven and exalt my throne above besides the stars of God and I will sit upon the mount even the holy mount of his Sanctuary and Congregation I will ascend above the height of the clouds and will be like the most High And all hell which once did wonder worship and kisse thy feet beholding now thy nakednes thy shame and judgement shall die for grief of mind and dying shall say Is this the man that made the earth to tremble and Esay 14. with his word did shake the Kingdoms that made the world a wildernes and a wast of the Cities thereof Then shalt thou lying in tormenâ— death gnawing on thee answer them and say We have erred from the way of truth and the light of righteousnes hath not shined upon us nor hath the Wisd 5. Son of understanding risen over us we have wearied onr selves in the ways of wickednes and we have gone through dangerous paths but the way of the Lord we have not known What hath pride profited us or what profit hath the pomp of riches brought ns all these things are vanished like ashadow and as a Post that passeth by And casting up thy eye to heaven shalt see the righteous stand in great boldnesse before thee and before the face of such as tormented them and took away their labors and thou shalt fear exceedingly at the sight of them and be amazed at their wonderfull deliverance and dye for grief of mind and dying shalt say These are they whom we sometimes had in derisron and in a parable of reproach we fools thought their life madnesse Wisd 5. and their end without honour But how are they counted among the children of God and their portion among the Saints Vers 46. That all the earth may be refreshed and come again as one delivered from thy violence that she may hope for the iudgement and mercy of him that made her And thy death shall comfort and refresh the earth and deliver Sion from her great and violent oppressions but their prosperities may not long endure as testifieth the Prophet Daniel
For may Israel dwel safe and the kings of th' East not know it Nay verily they shall arise and Dan. 12. 12. Ezek. 39. come downe like a storme and like a cloud shall cover the earth and compasse round the tents of the Saints and the beloved City till fire descend from God out of Rev. 20. 9. heaven as it is written and devoure them And in those days shall be finished the mistery of God fore-declared to his servants the Prophets and witnessed by the mighty Angel which came down from heaven stood upon the sea and upon the earth and raised up his hand and voice to heaven and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold it is come and it is Rev 10. Ezek. 39. done saith the Lord this is the day whereof I have spoken For the hope of which day the stones of Syon dye day by day tho little â—steeming seven thousand deaths in regard of the precious assurance ingraven in their breasts that they shall then and in that day behold the L. that hath so mercifully gathered them from among the Nations That hath so wonderfully preserved them from the sorcery of Babylon which hath destroyed all the earth That daily leadeth them in and out before the scorners the covetous and foolish wise of this world so prudently and so invisibly that they seeing are not seen and living are not known That hath bestowed on them a thousand treasures more then these so secretly as no man suspecteth but they that have them That hath so surely and fully perswaded them that tho they now goe on their way weeping yet they shall then returne againe with joy and bring their sheafes with them and all the earth shall then know which now is hid how much the Lord their Redeemer loved them and night and day shall praise and magnifie the just judgement and mercy of him that â—ath done all these things for them Which day in due time He that is Highest shall manifest to all He that is Prince and Lord above all who onely hath immortalitie and dwelleth in the light which none can attain unto whom no man ever saw nor can see unto whom be all honour and power everlasting Amen Zach. 2. 7. Save thy selfe O Zion thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babel ANd thus my Lord at length I am come a shoar delivered from a dangerous scopulous sea as any is in all the Ocean of the scripture praying if I have made too bold t' impart my voyage to your Lordship you would be pleased to ascribe it to the common humour of Travailers who cannot chuse but tell what adventures they have passed and what wonders they have seen Strange and long were it to tell your Honour all I saw and I fear in respect of your hours I have been too long to tell so much too much doubtlesse in regard of my Pen which is so sad and so uncourtly as were it not for that naturall engraven Noble courtesie wherewith your Honour is beautified above all comparison your Honour might not endure her plaine and carelesse apparition And thus most humbly commending my service to your Honours disposing take a shorter leave then else I would because I am setting forth to sea againe in hope God willing if bread and water fail me not to discover the Revelation and to make knowne to my gracious Soveraigne Princesse that I also among the rest may be bold to speake though I care not to be known FINIS A BREIFE EXPOSITION OF THE XI XII and XIII Chapters of THE REVELATION WHEREIN MOST OF THE GREATEST MYSTERIES conteined in the whole Book are unfolded The Contents are in the next Page LONDON Printed by M Simmons in Alderse-gate-Street 1651. The Contents of these Three CHAPTERS TH' estate of the Primitive Church before her dispersion The Churches first persecution by the Heathen Emperours The Flight of the Church into the Wildernesse The two Witnesses The rising of Antichrist his seven heads and ten hornes The second Beast and his two hornes The practise of Antichrist and his Clergy against the Church The Image of the Beast The Marke of the Beast The Name and Number of the Beast The End of the Beast and destruction of his City The yeare of th' End of the World discovered by th' Author TO His dread and Soveraigne Lord JAMES the first of England Scotland France and Ireland King c. Grace and Peace HOw many there are most Noble King that have aimed at the unfolding of this divine and hidden Prophecy would require the skill and vertue of a Prophet to refer 'T sufficeth to know they have all left the mark very faire and open for others to hit Wherein howsoever their Zeale by priviledge of charity may find excuse yet their ignorance and errour within these cases â—â— no lesse hurtfull to the Reader then dangerous to the Writer may not find the like grace What I have seen or dreamt I feare not to offer to the censure of time the discoverer of error and Mother of truâ—h appointed from above th' only indubitate touch stone of all divine and Propheticall enterprises And although your Highnesse may doubt of my bold and hardy direction in this dangerous and scopulous sea wherein so many great and learned Pilots have overshot the Cape as one that feareth all Physitians for that he hath fallen into the hands of so many unskillfull yet forasmuch as the Church is sicke and the physick of this prophesie needfull I could not chuse but speak the things I know leaving to your Princely gust to iudge whether the Needle of my Compasse bee truer toucht then theirs And for this prophesie was directed chiefly unto Kings unto a King I have the rather presumed to recommend the same and unto You most noble King before all other whofe fame of wisedome Justice and goodnesse hath advanc'd your name and Scepter higher then any power of greatnesse can doe And although it bee presented by one awaked out of time yet if it may find but litle protection under your gracious favour for a season yeares and age I doubt not will give it aâ—â—â—iration and honour enough 〈◊〉 hope of which grace most humbly I reverence your most Princely hands commending all their labours to the God of Heaven who hath exalted your arme so high and made you so honourable throughout his world CHAP. XI 1. The regenerate Christians only are the Church and heritage of God 3. The residue are outcasts and refused 7. Of the two testifiers and preservers of truth 13. Antichrist killeth them but the Lord restoreth them life againe 15. Great dissention ariseth thereupon the day of judgement is foreshewed VERS 1. And there was given me a reed like unto a mete yard and the Angel that stood by me said Rise and measure the Temple of God and the Altar and them that adore therein AS in a common field a good Surveyor doth measureout
which did cast him into his minority and wardship againe And this his last estate of regiment imperiall the holy Ghost here calleth his taile which confisteth of a rout of Monarchs seventie Keysars long who for that they so furiously persecuted and havocked the blood of the chiefest Saints and servants of God the Spirit saith that with his cursed taile he drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And not contented with the slaughter of his fairest lights and stars of his Church proceeded to desolate the whole hoast of heaven even all the seed of the Spouse named before the Churches child and here her Son meaning those in whom by the ministry of his fairest stars his Servants the Apostles Christ was now formed and of whom the Church was now ready to be delivered for so much the Apostle unfoldeth in these words And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when shee should bring forth he might devoure her son VERS 6. But she brought forth a man-child who was to governe all Nations with an iron rod and her Son was taken up to God and to his Throne BUt notwithstanding all their fury the Church brought forth her first fruit which for their faith charity labour and patience the spirit nameth a Man-child and because they followed the Lord in the Regeneration and overcame by keeping his words and works unto the end they received the selfe-same honour which to their Lord alone and in chief belongeth namely that they shall judge the Tribes of Israel and have dominion over the Nations and shall rule them with a rod of iron and break their glory like a potters vessel as the Lord hath promised Mat. 19. Apoc. 2. And in remembrance of the tender care and providence of God over the seed and first fruit of his Church the Spirit concludeth that when they had ended their course they were taken up to God and to his Throne far from the reach and rage of their enemies VERS 7. And the woman Fled into the wildernesse where she had a place prepared of God that there they might feed her a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes BUt the Church of God here named the woman mother of this faire and primitive fruit being no longer able to weather out her stormes was enforced to hide her beauâ—y and to retire her selfe into the secret chambers of Gods providence and heâ— owne conscience and to take up her lodging in the desart not that her light was utterly extinguished as her enemies reproach her for although she were dispersed distressed and enforced to hide her extraordinary and eminent graces yet the beauty of her true repentance and of her lively faith seconded with a charitable life and patient expectation of better things to come stâ—ll shined as a Candle in a darke place and like a ship preserved in a tempest she remained still the same of whom the world was not worthy never wanting the loving protection of her dearest Lord who in all her troubles was mindfull of her as of Elias his servant or Israel his first-borne carefull to provide her both of honourable harbour and princely diet Her resting place was restlesse strewed and scattered far and neare over the face of the earth for such a lodging oid best beseeme her broken and restlesse heart which sojourned in earth but dwelt in heaven and did also best defend her person from the furious inquisitions of her enemies Neither was her Lord lesse loving and provident concerning her food for he preserved for her diet the two witnesses of his eternall Covenant that â—â—â—m their breast she might suck the puâ—e and who some milke of grace and life that so she might be both nobly haâ—boured and priâ—cely sed during the tedious and odious Reigâ—e of the great Whore the Church of Rome who during her exile should â—surp her Chair and under the vizard â—f her name should persecuâ—e her name and generation a thousand two hundred and sixty years here as before mystiâ—ally deciphered under a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes VERS 8. And there was wages a battell in heaven Michael and his Angels fought with the Dragon and the Dragon fought anâ— his Angels ANd at the same timâ— that the Temple of God was opened in heaven the Apostle also foresaw that great and bloody contention then which since the dayes of heaven was â—ever waged greateâ—â— great in regard of the Aâ—mes and great in respect of the cause The Armies great as well for the greatnesse of the Generals as for the valour and number of their Forces The Generall on the oâ—e side was the power of God sciphered by Michael the Prince of the Covenant who stood for the children and people of the Highest The Gâ—nerall on the other side was the power of Satan figured by Ethnick Rome here as before called the Dragon In their Forces are to be considered the Leaders and the Souldiers The Leaders and Captaines on the part of Michael were Divus Petrus Divus Paulus Divus Johannâ—â— and the rest of that divine and Noble orâ—â—r of Saints And on the Dragons paâ—t were Leaders and Chieftains Divus Tiberius Divus Caligula Divus Claudius Divus Nero and the rest of that most filâ—hy and execrable traine So great was â—he multitude and number of Souldiers that none of what degree sex age or condition soever but must be prest for the one side or for the other the valour and veâ—tue of the Sâ—uldiers exceeded all praise few subdued many the weake overcame the stong a handfull of Chrâ—stians a world of infidels The cause was great and higher then the heavens whether God or Beâ—al Christ or Jupiter Christianisme or Paganisme were more venerable for antiquitie majestâ— call for amplitude more constant for continuance and in all other respects of wisdome honour and Majestâ—e more worthy to be imbraced and adored of the sons of men which was for life contenâ—ed by the Dragon his Angels and Assects and was â—oâ— life withstood and disapproved by Michael and his Angels and their followers The issue of this contention followeth VERS 9. But they prevailed not neither was their place found any more in Heaven AS the battel was great so was the victory glorious for though â—he Dragon with his sapient Senates his prophane Angels and his uncleane abbettors intended all their forces moving as it is in proveâ—b heaven and earth to make room for the aâ—omination of Jupter and to keep under water the everlasting Lord and Prince or the Coâ—enant as among the many Moâ—uments of time is sufficiently proved and maintained by Orosius and by him to whom he wrote in his bâ—ok de Civiâ—ate Dei yet the Spirit foreseeing the Dragons â—olâ—y and how in vaine he kickt against the spur in scorne of his presâ—mption saith But he prevailed not and concluding affirmeth that the possession of heaven so long time usurped byâ— incestuous murtherers and execrable curtizans gods
and goddesses of their owne forging must be resigned now to the true Lord and owner of all who hath taken his place at the right hand of the Father and hath deposed for ever from their usurped titles of deitie all gods and goddesses phantasmes made of worms created and divified by th'inventions relations consecrations and canonizations of the Dragon his Taile and successors as the spirit discovereth in saying Neither the place of them was found any more in Heaven VERS 10. And that great Dragon was throwne downe the old Serpent called the Devil and Satanas which seduceth the whole world and he was cast into the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him ANd the great and prophane power of the Roman Monarchy which had so long time oppressed and corrupted the earth was now at length detected and thereupon disseized of and from her usurped claim of heaven for ever as the Spirit discovereth in saying And that great Dragon was throwne downe And for that the Devil did corporally dwell as it were in her spreading the beams of his wickednesse at full in all idolatry impietie and presumption against God and in all oppression injustice and immanitie towards man the Spirit crowneth her with the cognoments of her Sire calling her for her malice to the truth a Serpent for her crimination of the Saints a devil and for hostility to God and his Saints Satanas speaking therein after the manner of the Lord himselfe who calleth his treacherous steward a Divel though he were a man because the fullnesse of Satan did dwell in him filling his heart withâ—such a perfect hatred of his innocent Lord and â—amentable love of his guilty penie that he sold Caâ—aan for Egypt heaven for hell and God for silver And because th' impietie of Governors is not onely their owne decay by evil doing but also by enforcement and evil example the ruine of their people the Spirit layeth the seduction of the whole earth to the charge of the Dragon for ruling it after the level and prescription of Rome saying which seduceth the whole world and thereupon giveth just judgement and sentence of death against him namely that as in his beginning he crept out of the earth and by the scale of his wickednesse ascended so high as to presume to thrust his haughty head into heaven and build his nest above the stars as did his antecefsors Assur Beltassar Darius Alexander and the rest of their compeers so by a like power of sword and cruelty he shall shortly returne to his friends againe and be made even with the earth from whence his stock and first estate was borrowed and the power of his Cesars counsell of his Senators sophistry of his Sorcerers which with such indurate and obstinate minds stood for th' honour and worship of Devils should be no longer able to uphold the reverence of their Jupiter Capitolinus who was now detected for a Rogue and by the voices of Michaels Angels as by whips and pasports was sent home againe to the place of his birth namely the earth from whence his mortall and vile genealogie was taken and with with him also were Cesars undivified and for all their Senates proud relations were made to take up the grave for their latter end and shame for their same and wormes for their heritage as the Spirit soretelleth saying And be was cast downe unto the earth and his Angels were throwne downe with him VERS 11. And I heard a great voice in heaven saying Now is made salvation and force and Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ because the accuser of our brethren is cast downe who accused them before the sight of our God day and night NEither was this famous victory obtained in â— corner or spoken in the ear but as the Spirit reporteth so valourously gotten and so audibly proclaimed that all the world heard the repoâ—â— thereof witnesse the records of those times at whiâ—h the holy Ghost pointeth in these words And I heard a loud voice in beaven saying and sounding the victory of Christ and Christianisme against the Dragon and his Angels his sorcerers and their prophane and â—dolatrous paganisme in these devout and divine notes Now is made salvaâ—ion and force and the Kingdome of our God and the power of his Christ and yieldeth a reason of this so pious and triumphant joy because the folly and fury of the Dragon and his Angâ—ls which so continually accused the Saints and servants of God for pestilent fellows movers of sedition maintainers of sects polluters of the Temple teachers of new Gods enemies to Caesar word-soweâ—â— babblers blaspâ—emers is now upon setting and going downe for ever Which death and downfall of their spirituaâ—l whoredome the holy Ghost diâ—closeth in saying Because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth And for the greater comfort of the Church and judgement of her enemies concludeth that there is a perfect Court-roul kept as well of the sufferings of the Saints as of the slanders of their soes so openly â—ommitted in the face of the Court and before a â—udge of so clear a fight and eternall memory as that they shall never be discharged or forgotten which the Spirit inferreth in saying Who accused them before the â—â—ght of our God day and night VERS 12. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives even unto the death LAst of all the holy Ghost discovereth the spirituall armour and weapons wherewith the Angels and servants of Michael obtained this famous victory over the Dragon and his Sectaries and saith that they were tempered of these two divine vertues faith and patience For by the shield of faith which the Spirit by a metonymie calleth the blood of the Lamb and with the sword of his two witnesses and by the word of their testimony they overthrew all forces and arguments drawne from reason or reading which the Spirit observeth in these words And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and all such arguments as were drawne from the block as fire sword persecution interdiction and such like the Children of the Church quenched them with tears prayers patience and martyrdome as their Lord had given them charge and left them example which the Spirit uncovereth in saying And they loved not their lives even unto the death VERS 13. Therefore rejoyce O Heavens and you that dwell in them Wo to the Earth and to the Sea because the Divel is discended to you having great wrath knowing that he hath but a little time AS after victory followeth division of spoile so the Spirit shuts up this heavenly conquest with triâ—mph and joy inviting thereunto all the Saints and â—ervants of God which have from time to time mainâ—ained and defended th' honour of his Name against the Dragon his sorcerers and sorceries And beâ—ause by their good profession and godly conversation
the Lambs but in truth the divels calleth also their lying signes heavenly fires saying So that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men not that they were in deed and in truth so but that they seemed so to be in the eyes of men because they were wrought by these vagabond exorcists under a pretended and colourable imitation of the name of the Lord Jesus who of all heavenly powers and fires is the true Lord and soveraigne commander so these Clerks of Antichrist must be sutable in their wickednesse that as their doctrine was opposite to the truth of Christ so their wonders might contrary the power of Christ by a colourable imitation of the miracles of Christ and might be a true and perfect depravation of the same VERS 14. And he seduced the inhabitants on the earth through the signes which were given him to doe in the sight of the Beast saying unto them that dwell on the earth that they should make the image of the Beast which had the stroke of the sword and liveth ANd the Spirit further disclosing the happy successe of these unhappy brokers and slaves of Antichrist touching their mists and miracles foretelleth us that as the first Elias by the miracles of heavenly fire did induce and draw the good unto the feare of God so these imposters of Antichrist by the lure of their false and lying fires should seduce and draw all dunghill and earthly minded men from the feare of God in such sure and devoted sort as that they should perswade them to make the picture and image of the Beasts Religion and to embrace and erect such a Christianisme as should in all points counterfeit and represent the Paganisme of the Dragon attiring and decking Jupiters prophanation with the holy and honourable names of God Jesus Spirit Scriptures Church Sacraments Saints c. like excellent Comedians who deck themselves with Crownes Scepters Purples and representations of Kings when as indeed they are but the idlest and basest of the people And as the Loâ—d commanded his servant Moses to erect such a tabernacle of witnesse here on earth as should be in all points after the idea modell and platforme of that divine and eternall Tabernacle which he saw in the mount so Antichrist Lord of misrule commaâ—ded his propudious Clergie to cause all people nations and Kingdomes to set up such a Christianity as should in all points answer the idea modell and platforme of that prophane and execrable heathenisme wherewith he saw the Gentiles enamoured and hereby so strongly seduced the inhabitants on earth that they verily thought the mystery of iniquiry to be pure and undefiled christianity and that the abomination of desolation forespoken by Daniel the Prophet is the only true ancient Catholique and Apostolique religion teaching them that perish by consenting unto lies that they ought to worship God as the Gentiles did worship Jupiter perswading them that as the Gentiles had their Arae so Christians must have their Altars and as the heathen had their bloody Sacrifices so Christians must have their unbloody sacrifices and offer bread and wine to God as the heathen did to Ceres and Bacchus and as the Pagans had their Pontifex maximus so Christians must have their Pope and as Ethnicks had their Sacerdotes so must Christians have their Priests and as the Gentiles had their Gods and Goddesses so must Christians have their he saints and she saints and as the Dragon had his Pantheon so Antichrist must have his All saints and as theheathen had their idolls so Christians must have their images â— and as the Pagans did consecrate their Temples to idolls so Christians must dedicate their Churches to Saints and as the Ethnicks had their supplications so Christians must have their processions and as the Gentiles had their Lustrations so Christians must have their holy water and as the Dragon in his Church-service had his Cerei so Antichrist in his Church-service must have Candles and as the Dragon had his Acerrae or Thuribles so Antichrist must have his Censors and as the Dragon had his Novendiall sacrifices so must Antichrist have his Masses of Requiem and as the Dragon had his Hecatombes so Antichrist must have his Trentals and as the Dragon had his Colledges Sodalium and Arvalium fratrum so must Antichrist have his Cloisters of Monks and Friers and as the Dragon had his Vestals so Antichrist must have his Nunns and Sanctimonials and as the Dragon did celebrate the birth dayes of his Caesars so Antichrist must solemnize the nativity of his Saints and as the Dragon had his Annals so must Antichrist have his Legends and as the Dragon had his secularia Spectacula to Antichrist must have his Jubilees and as the Dragon had his Bacchanals so Antichrist must have his Carnivals and as the Dragon had his Lupanaries so must Antichrist have his Stewes and as the Dragon had his inchanters so Antichrist must have his Exorcists and as the Dragon had his Asyla so Antichrist must have his Sanctuaries and as the Dragon had his Exequies and Parentals so Antichrist must have his Diriges and his de profundis and as the Dragon had his comitia centuriata so Antichrist must have his Councels oecumenicall and as the Beast had his comitia curiata so Antichrist must have his Councells Provinciall and as the Dragon did divisie his Caesars so must Antichrist Canonize his Saints and as the Dragon enacted civil lawes so Antichrist must enact canon lawes and as the Dragon had his imperiall Rescripts so Antichrist must have his Decretal Epistles and as the Dragon had his Tribunitiall intercessions so Antichrist must have his uncontrollable interdictions and as the Dragon had and used his Proscriptions so Antichrist must have and use his excommunications and as that Beast commanded his heathen to please their goddesse Iuno with Cane vota libens so this Beast commanded Christians to please their God with vowes and as the Dragon had his Triceps Hecate so Antichrist must have his Triple Tiara to signifie his triple pretended jurisdiction and as the Dragon had his Hexaphorom so must Antichrist be carried up and downe briefly as the Dragons Priests did teach the heathen to worship Iupiter as God so Antichrists Clergy must teach their Christians to worship God as Iupiter and look what forme of religion what manner of life the Dragon led the same must Antichrist in his person parallel and maintaine And to the end we may undoubtedly discern what and of whose image the Apostle speaketh the Spirit remembreth now the third time his recured wound which here speaking more plainly out he calleth the stroke of a sword not that it was the only stroke for many swords did pierce the Dragon as his had pierced many but the first stroke of a sword which from the beginning and rising of the Dragons Empire and regiment by Caesars did remeasure the fury of the sword upon his own head and