each intercommoners severall by stake or by rod so in the wide and common field of Christians the Lord commandeth his servant John to survey and apportion out his Church and partage which he severeth from the residue of carnall Gospellers and such like outcasts in recommending unto us their inward frame and renewed graces under the â—ppellation and names of the Temple of God the Altar and them that adore therein meaning that as in the Tabernacle of the congregation the holy and most holy places wherein stood the Table of the Shew bread Candlestick Altar of incense Ark propitiatory and oracle of god over-covered within and without with Angel gold into which places none but the priests might enter adore were separated by a vail from the outer Court where the brazen altar was erected for all the house of Israel to enter and sacrifice which therefore was call'd the Court of the people so in the common field and Vniversitie of Christians they onely are the Church and heritage of God which are sanctified in heart and holy in life and conversation and separated by the vail of regeneration that is to say by the tears of true repentance and the assurance of pardon and reconciliation unto God in Christ Iesus ingraven in the tables of their hearts by the finger of the Spirit from all carnal professors and nominal Christians in whom is but an outward face and protestation of the name of Christ onely VERS 2. But the base Court which is without the Temple cast out and measure not for it is given to the Gentiles and the holy City shall they tread under foot two and forty months BUt as for those Common Caâ—holique Christians here resembled to the base Court which is without the Temple because they are but overcast onely with a profession of my name which heare my word participate my Sacraments and yet are separated by an unregenerate heart as by a vai ' from those Altarsand priests in whom my name is honoured cast forth saith the Lord and measure not for howsoever such unleavened companions seem to boast in the name of my Church and in the protestation of a Christain calling yet they are so farre from belonging to my peculiar saith the Lord as that I have given them up in reckoning with the reprobate of the Gentiles and they shall justifie mine account and rejection of them by their like uncircumcised carriage and heathenish conversation for they shall no lesse defile my holy Citie that is to say they shall no lesse hate accuse persecure and keep under water the true and sanctified Christian then do the heathen and uncircumcised as by over-long experience is wel known to the Church of God which hath been is and shall be till her captivitie be returned opposed for melancholy mad new factious schismaticall hereticall by Christian Catholiques politicians Atheists carnall Gospellers and such heathenish protestors like to theis And that the Church of God may not look for other or better entertainment at these her intercommoners hands she is here by the predeterminate counsell of God to be troden like a way by these Gentiles and heathenish Christians 42 moneths meaning moneths of yeers to every moneth accounting by propheticall suppâ—tation thirtie yeers as in the verse following shall be further manifested confounding therein the Remisa ies of Rome who sweat to perswâ—de that they are but moneths of days thereby to turne the worlds eye from the great Antichrist that now is to a pettie Antichrist which shall never come VERS 3. And I will give to my two witnesses and they shall prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixty days cloathed in sackcloth DUring which time of the Churches disgrace and desolation for the greater comfort of her Children and judgement of her adversaries I will saith the Lord I by a wonderfull outstretehed providence will preserve unto the world the light and power of my two Testaments to guide their knowledge and conversation into the wayes of peace Whereby the Lord manifestly reproveth the grosse and vaine expectation of those that translate his meaning in this place to the coming of Henoch and Elias whereas of Henochs return either in flesh or in spirit there is no syllable of promise in all the Scriptures and as touching the spiâ—ituall returne of Elias promised is already Mal 4. 5. Mat. 11. 14. performed as the Lord himselfe proveth Now touching the time of their keeping watch while the world sleepeth the Lord voweth it shall be 42. moneths before mentioned which being dissolved into dayes after the Kalender of the Hebrews whose year did drive thirty dayes to every moneth and twelve moneths to every year amount to the just number of 1260. days here specified which computation of the years is observed throughout the whole Bible Daniel onely excepted who counteth after the use and stile of the Chaldeans in whose tongue and amongst whom he wrote and consequently the moneths being Propheticall that is to say moneths of years to each accounting thirty years the reâ—gne of Antichrist must needs endure 1260. years Which manner of reckoning years by dayes though it seem strange is usuall notwithstanding with the Prophets of God and therefore is called Propheticall as Ezekiel a day for a yeare and Ezek 4. 6. Dan 9. 24. Daniels seventie weeks are weeks of years every week containing seven years as throughout this Prophesie Also the moneths are moneths of years to every moneth accounting thirty years From whence we conclude Antichrists three years and a halfe both here and in Daniel deciphered by a time times and halfe a time to be years of years every year containing 12. moneths of years which amount to 360. years and multiplied by three and a halfe do in the totall amount to 1260. years And to the end the world may take better notice of these his two testifiers and preservers of truth the Lord commendeth the knowledge of the parties by the description of their Garments in saying they are cloathed in sackcloath thereby not onely diffevering their testimonies from all the soft and courtly commentaries of flesh and blood which for the most are raised with infected matter and vested with affected stile but also teaching us that no man can retaine to the Lord before whom they minister unlesse he serve in the same livery that they doe and can turne over the leaves of his life and pilgrimage in fasting and sackcloth and true repentance as these his servants the Prophets and Saints have done VERS 4. These are the two Olive branches and the two Candlesticks which stand in the presence of the Lord of the Earth ANd these my two Testaments are those two Olive Trees saith the Lord described by my Prophet Zachary which stand and fructifie before the Ruler of the earth for ever and ever For their leafe that is to say their word and judgements shal neither wither nor fade though heaven and earth should perish and melt away And they are
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
in honour of his people Gothia or after his owne name Ataulpha which counsell and purpose of his had it beene effected Sir Antichrist with all his primacies and supremacies had bid us good night long ago and all his gainfull enâ—erludes of Fides vestra and Ne deficiat fides tua and Pasce oves and Tibi dabo claves and Quorum remiseritis with all his pestilent painted traine of succession had been dasht in repeating before ever they had come on stage But to the end this recovery might be the plague sore of the earth his deadly wound was healed as the Spirit saith But the wound of his death was cured For by the pleasing prayers and subtile intercessions of the Emperours fister Placidia whose beauty and body was espoused to Ataulphus for such a time his fury was averted and his designe dissolved and himselfe not onely content at her amorous mediation to grant the City of Rome pardon for her name but also to leave her eclipsed and dying honour with all her Italy to her stupified Honorius who for feare was crept into his earth at Ravenna and taking his Spouâ—e Placidia with such dower as himselfe listed departed Italy and pitched his Tabernacle in France then one of the chiefest Provinces of the West Empire And to this Plaister the Spirit pointeth in saying But the wound of his death was cured And the holy Ghost foreseing the greatnesse of the Beasts power to come which was yet but like unto his sin and how that Satan his creator who had formed him after the image and perfection of his owne wickednesse should afford him such letters commendatory to all the world which naturally loveth wicked inventions that the primacie of his Church and supremacie of his person should overspread all and obtaine the praise of â—he earth concludeth of him in this manner And all the earth was in admiration of the Beast VERS 4. And they adored the Dragon which gave power to the Beast and they adored the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast or who may war with him ANd the children of misheliefe ascribed to the Dragon inhibited honours decking his heathenish Christianisme with names of holy and most holy titles due to God alone and they adored his execrable inventions and doctrines of divels worshipping and divifying his uncircumcised train of Caesars who had granted unto Antichristsuch power incomparable and uncontrollable jurisdiction which the Spirit anatomizeth in these words And they adored the Dragon which gave power to the Beast And as in evil there is no meane so these children of unbeliefe went on and bestowed like titles and magnifications upon this base and vile Antichrist who as the Prophet long agoe foretold us by policie should prosper and by peace destroy many and strike Dan. 8. his adorers with such a spirituall drunkennesse that they should not onely hang their gold but their faith also upon him and verily beleeve that this vile and despicable Antichrist Delegate to Romulus and Deputie to Caesar was Vicar to the Lamb and successor to Peter And thus rejoycing over the errour of their owne fantasie should with Pigmalion admire and dote upon the idol of their owne carving and falling downe should adore and â—rie with that drunken King Great art thou O Bell and in thee is no deceit which occasioneth the Spirit in detestation of their madnesse to disclose their shame saying And they adored the Beast and said who is like unto the Beast or who may war with him VERS 5. And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given to it to worke fourty two moneths ANd as the Dragon did bequeath unto Antichrist his throne and his power in so large and ample manner that his priestly key was in cutting and killing so like the Dragons sword that he that is wise may easily perceive one craftsman made them both so Satan the Master and seducer of them both endowed his Antichrist with mouth and lips so like his own that whoso hears him open may truly say Quam similes habent labra lactucas like lips like lettice at which the Spirit pointeth in saying And there was given to it a mouth and proveth it by an argument drawne from the fruit of his lips speaking great things Dan. 7. and blasphemies Whereof the Prophet Daniel also inditeth him foreâ—elling that he should open his execrable mouth and speake words against the most High of which presumptuous and blasphemous magniloquence the holy Ghost arraigneth him more particularly in the verse following And the Prophet also forther reporteth that times and laws and great power should be given into his hand for Dan. â— a time and times and the dividing of a time butting and bounding his tyrannous reigne and government within the self-same circle and period as here the Spirit doth by another like propheticalâ— construction saying And power was given unto it to worke forty two moneths VERS 6. And he opened his mouth unto blasphemie against God to blaspheâ—â—e his name and Tabernacle and those which dwell in heaven IN dâ—scovering the blasphemous mouth of Antichrist the holy Ghost doth first and principally challenge him for presuming to lay hand upon his divine and spirituall sword and to weare the name and title of Vicar to the Lamb which title name and honour is onely due to the Spirit of the Lamb the onely moderator comforter commander of all the Lambs affaires and forces in heaven and in earth and of tâ—is principall blasphemy the Apostle condemneth him in saying And he opened his mouth unto blasphemy against God Next the Lord challengeth him for presuming to blaspheme the word of God superadvancing his whorish Church above the divine eternall testimony in and by which the Son of God is named and knowne which contumely offered to his most holy word the Lord accounteth as done to himselfe and his most holy name for so the holy Ghost speaking of that Lord that is faithfull and true who with justice judgeth and fighteth saith that he was cloâ—â—hed with a garment sprinkled with blood and his name is called The Word of God The pourtraiture of which divine and essentiall word is the ingraven Scripture of his most holy and written word and of this blasphemy the Spirit inditeth him in these words To blaspheme his name Lesse marvell then if like a raging â—lood down bearing all before him and over flowing all banks of obedience towards God he dare extoll his cursed head above all that is called or named God that is to say all magistracie authority and power secular which by Gods owne ordinance and commandement is the onely true lively and immediate representation of his owne person justice and government here on earth in and over all temporall causes and persons as well Ecclesiasticall as civill of which high treason one Apostle also convinceth him 2 Thess 2. No marvell then if thus daring to blaâ—pheme the Lord of the house and
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
the Lamb to give thee leave among the rest to bid battel to the seed and remainder of his handmaid and to give up their blood to the pleasure of thy Swords during the thousand two hundred and sixty the dayes of relegation but when those two and forty moneths shall be expir'd thou shalt lay downe thy proud waves and he that is highest shall set thee alive in judgement and the earth shall accuse thee of deceit the Heavens of blasphemy and thou shalt be divided and cut out in pieces for thou hast troubled the meek and him that pursued peace hast loved lyers destroyed the true and fruitfull branch and overthrowne the walls of such as mourn'd and did thee no harme And in that day thy Crownes shall be turn'd to baldnesse thy silke to nakednesse thy sweet and pleasing voices to houling thy lights to darknesse and the blood of his servants shall he weigh before thee and value it unto thee and thy parts shall burne untill thou pay the price thereof And that judgement may even now begin to take hold of thy bones it shall be shewed thee this day what manner of men they are which heare and doe the Commandements of God their bredth their length their heigth their depth their name and their countenance shall be laid before thee and thou thy Prophets and Children shall see and wonder and die All are learned all have knowledge and the covenant of death was written in our hearts when wee were yet but tender lodged and sleeping in the loins of Adam wrapt us up in our sins and transgressions like as the Spider in his toile the silly Flie against the day of slaughter But he that is highest pittying the world which he loved so in the riches of his benignity devised a way to set free againe the work of his hand which law through sin had imbondaged to death and made a testament of life and peace in the blood and mediation of his Son the price and redemption of that which was lost and wrote inheritors of his mercifull Covenant all and as many as beleeved in the Mediator thereof And unto Adam his lost Child gave it he saying The seede of the woman shall bruise the Serpents head and all the Children of Promise tooke hold thereon imbracing the seed which by the death of death delivered the sinner And unto Abraham his Servant renewed he his Covenants Cast me out Agar with her Sonne quoth he for that which is borne after flesh is bond and shall not inherite with the free And remembring his mercy promised in his time to visite Sara and to raise unto him a seed which should be the joy of many Nations and Abraham beleeved and got a grave and honourable name above all his Brethren namely to be the Father of all those many Nations that were to inherite the Covenant and Testament of promise And by the hand of Moses his faithfull calling Israel unto him in the Wildernesse before the fearfull Mount gave unto them the Covenant of captivity once for all written downe by the hand of his Angell in two Tables of stone commanding it to be set up in the eye of Israel that they might see and read their wounds and transgressions which had subdued them to death and calling to mind his Testament of mercy wherein from beginning his soule delighted promised by the same Moses to raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto him and every soule that would inherite his favour and Covenant of promise should heare him And Moses calling Israel together testified unto them that day heaven and earth bearing witnesse he had set life and death curse and blessing to wit the Covenants of works and faith of Law and grace before them But Israels heart was fat and understood not all these things and seeking the inheritance by the Law of works which had concluded them being yet unborne under curse and reproofe fell out and lost the way which led to the blessing and land of the Fathers covenanted by promise but by David his Boy whom his heart approved calleth them back againe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith hee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giving them to understand the table of Sina whereon they thought to save themselves justified to their face all their doings were abominable as it is written The Lord looked downe from heaven upon the Sons of men to see if there were any that understood and sought after God But behold they are all gone astray all are become abominable there is not one that doth good no not one There is not a godly to be found on earth not a righteous amongst the sons of men all lie in wait for blood and every man hunteth his neighbour as with a net he that is best is but a bryer and he that is most righteous as a thorne And ever and anon remembring his mercy testified by the same David that if they would attaine the Land and Inheritance promised the Fathers they should not offer him his beasts or his birds to eate but unharden their hearts and heare his voyce that day that then it should come to passe they should enter into his repose and Canaan spirituall into the which their Fathers could not for their unbeliefe All the Prophets bearing witnesse thereunto that looke how high the heavens were distant from the earth so far were his offerings differing from theirs for all their wayes and thoughts were spotted like to the garment of a Tyger transgressors of his fiery Covenant which he strake with their Fathers in Horeb as it is written And the testament which I gave them they kept not and my soule despised them saith the Lord And still and evermore remembring his mercy commended unto them the day to come wherein he would strike a new and an everlasting Commandement with the house of Israel not like to that he covenanted in the Wildernesse which neither they nor their Fathers were able to beare but his new Covenant should be a Covenant of mercy and love and no man should be able t' attaine it by rending his Garment by Rams or streams of Oyle but by rending his heart by hearing and beleeving the redemption which should be set in Sion for he had said and would not repent for ever The just shall live by faith But Israel was hard and evermore in heart turned back into the Wildernesse chusing rather to be the Sons of Agar inhabitants of Sina which ingendereth to death then children of promise Citizens of Jerusalem from above which begetteth to life refused his Law and Testament of grace so often covenanted and commended unto them which he notwithstanding in fulnesse of time performed unto Jacob sending downe out of his bosome the Mediator thereof apparrelled in blood mounted on his little hill in his city of peace with promise that every sinner should be deliver'd from shame that putteth trust in him And when the time came was found walking in the stâ—eets of
travell and guard and watch him day night behold and learne his end he that is wise will marke his deliverance and happy man that can tell his teares and sit and sorrow with him To this man maketh God answer early or late delivereth him and how much the longer withholdeth his countenance retyring as it were his pitty from him so much the more entendeth t' advance his love and mercy towards him to make him great and a pillar in his house a comforter of the weake and broken knees of others and in his time sendeth downe his promise the rich and hidden treasure which from the beginning dwelled with himselfe and with his holy one who day by day laboureth washeth and bindeth up this broken one not leaving t' apply unto his stripe untill he have wrought and shaped in him a full and perfect assurance that God hath given him unto his Sonne in him and through him forgiven and covered all those his transgressions which cryed our so justly against his bloud and whereas in the day of his trespasse was a stranger and an enemy now in his Son and for his sake is reconciled and beloved and is unto him as a sonne and he to him a Father the treasure which his soule in the great day of his trouble so unspeakeably desired and therewithall commandeth him to beare written up in the apple of his eye night and day to read and consider what great things have been done for him This man is now so assured his â—innes are forgiven him as sure and perswaded that his Lord and Redeemer was once dead now liveth never dyeth more what Register may record the sinnes of him whose transgressions God forgetteth what power may discover the nakednesse of him whose shame and offence God covereth who shall be able to cast away whom God approveth or lay to the charge of him whom God chooseth may sinne wherein he was conceived may trespasse and filthinesse wherein his youth delighted may the bold and bloudy offences which his age hath committed may flesh and infirmities wherewith he is clothed may powers and blasphemies wherewith he is compassed nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevaile against him as it is written God justifying who may condemne This man is now so assured God loveth him as that he is sure and fully perswaded neither fire nor sword neither death nor life neither Angels nor powers nor principalities neither things present nor things to come neither natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord. And this is the saith of Abraham and of Abrahams posterity which reacheth justice to the sinner and life unto the just as it is written But the just shall live by faith And this is the faith whereof th' holy Ghost pronounceth by the mouth of his servant Paul in a place saying Being justified therefore by faith wee have peace with God in Christ Jesus our Lord. For he is truly justified whose sinnes are forgiven as it is written Blessed is the man whose sinnes are forgiven and whose transgressions are covered And he is truly at peace and one with God that is beloved of him and all this grace is reacht unto him in Christ and through him as it is written For death and bondage was given by Moses but grace and truth by Christ Jesus And this is the rest and peace from above the birth and baptisme of the holy Ghost the fire that purgeth the sonnes of men transforming them from sinners into the sonnes of God and no man shall see it or have his part therein that cannot sing the song of the little children which sat in the market place crying and calling one t'another We have mourned and yee have not sorrowed Murtherers stand forth tell me may you compare your beleefe with this mans saith behold thou beleevest one onely God Father Almighty of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ his onely Sonne for whom and by whom are all things and one Spirit God holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne the power the life and quickner of all things and thou beleevest that the Sonne in the fulnesse of time descended from the bosom of his Father came into the world was made flesh conceived by the holy Ghost borne of a Virgin and that he dyed and rose againe for the redemption of all that beleeve in his holy name and thou beleevest those that beleeve in him are his Church chosen and gathered from all the winds a Company undefiled a holy Universitie as he is holy that hath chosen them and thou beleevest they wayle and weep and joy together and thou beleevest their Lord is mounted up into the heavens seated on the right hand of God all power in heaven and in earth subdued unto him and thou beleevest all flesh shall rise and stand before him every man to receive according to his thoughts And all these things beleevest thou thou doest well thy father the Devill beleeveth them also and it is so farre that this faith may save either thee or him as that it shall encrease both your stripes for unto whom much is committed of him much shall be required and he that knoweth and doth not shall be beaten with many rods And better it were thou hadst never been borne then to have heard and beleeved all these things and not to have sorrowed with the Mourner And this was the faith of Simon Magus one of your first-borne who hearing Philip preaching th'Incarnation Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus and forgivenesse of sinnes in his holy name and seeing the great and wonderfull works wrought by the same beleeved the promise and revelation of life and was baptized as it is written And Simon also beleeved and was baptized and yet was neither begotten by water nor by the holy Ghost he beleev'd as did the lyar his father of whom he learnt his jugling to plane the creatures of God and was reborne by water from below not able to beget the sinner a new for it is impossible that bloud of beasts or water of fountaines may either purge or prepare the sinner And therefore Peter comming to Samaria to purge those sinners whom Philip had prepared by water from above laid his finger to the wound fellow quoth he thou hast no part nor fellowship with us nor in this administration and shewed him the cause why namely his unrepentance giving him t' understand it was not possible for his soule to be purg'd of that gall and bitternesse wherein it lay because his heart was not prepared by water And this was the faith of the Traytor thy predecessor Balaam who sold the truth and life everlasting for the reward of iniquitie like unto thee he knew and beleeved as thou doest that the bloud of his Master was innocent bloud and was baptized with the selfe same baptisme
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
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
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
his annoiuted Deputies he dare blaspheme the house of God wherein his name is honoured cursing reviling and reputing it a house of schismatiques heretiques excommunicates which blasphemous and undeserved wrong the holy Ghost layeth to his charge in these words and his tabernacle And last of all to shew that there is neither end nor measure in his black presumptuous and blasphemous mouth the Spirit further chargeth him with blaspheming the Saints and servants of God deceased cursing reviling and condemning their doctrine and yet blessing adoring and erecting their shadowes sepulchers and shrines for mediators intercessors and reconciliators betweene God and the sinner like their cursed fore elders the Israelites who boasted in the descent of their Father Abraham and yet balsphemed the faith of Abraham their Father of which blasphemous and indicible contumely against the Son of God and his most holy Spirit the Apostle condemneth him saying And those that dwell in heaven VERS 7. And it was given unto him to make battel with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him upon every people tribe tongue and Nation ANd as after lightning followeth thunder so after Antichrists blasphemy followeth his persecution as the Spirit testifieth saying And it was given him to bid battel to the Saints which the Prophet Daniel by way of exposition also plainly fetteth forth saying That he should murther and consume the Saints and servants of the most High and with the cursed Philistims should make his festivalls of Samsons afflictions And in further amplification of this his carnificious fury the Spirit setteth forth the largenesse of his charter and commission by an excessive loquution foretelling us that it should be so large and generall that the fire of his prophane and sycophanticall keys should take hold upon every nation and tribe as if we please to cast an eye upon the time past and confer what he had with what he hath we shall easily discerne the meaning of the holy Ghost in these words And power was given him upon every tribe people tongue and nation VERS 8. And all that inhabit the earth adored it whose names be not written in the booke of life of the Lamb which was slain from the beginning of the world THe holy Ghost having in the former part of this Chapter discovered the birth place person power blasphemie and persecution of Antichrist descendeth now to the description of his creatures and devotaries foretelling us that they should be such onely for unto such onely the particle all is here restrained as have their portion and interest in this life whose pâ—eâ—y heaven hope and glory is here and not elsewhere which kind of out and overcast Châ—istians the Spirit describeth by a periphrasis most proper to theâ—r naturall and inbred disposition saying thâ—y are those that inhabite the earth therein discovering them as by a difference divisive from such as are the Lords pilgrims and strangers on earth having here no permanent abode or place of rest but seeking the things which are above attend with patience the revelation of a life and City to come not made with hands where their Lord and their Redeemer liveâ—h And the Spirit proceeding sheweth further the supreme hidden and unperceivable reason why the adorers of Antichrist thus defiled the ornaments of their calling and why they loved lyes more then truth the Beasts penance more then Gods repentance the Beasts beliefe more then faith towards God the Beasts miserable merits more then the fruits of the Spirit hatred of sin and love of God because as holy David saith they were not found in the Lords record nor written with the righteous for so much the Spirit unfoldeth saying whose names be not written in the Booke of life of the Lamb which was slaine from the beginning of the world VERS 9. If any man have an eare let him heare TH' Apostle having sufficiently deciphered the nature and carriage of Antichrist and his creatures commeth now to discover his reward and judgment which howsoever it tarry little or long is of necessity the reward of sinne But before the Spirit draweth out his sword it pleaseth him in his accustomed mercy to awake his Church and her enemies and to move them to a feare and reverent attention by a generall summons proclaiming If any man have an eare let him heare VERS 10. He that shall lead into captivity goeth into captivity and he that shall kill with the sword must be killed with the sword here is the patience and the faith of the Saints THe holy Ghost in this verse calleth Anâ—ichrist to the Barre and sets him befâ—re the world for the very hee on whom the wrath of God and his heavy displeasure is to be executed For he who under colour and pretence of weeding out and rooting up of heretiques hath bâ—ought into the Church captivity inquisitions tortures and torments to the horrible murther and slaughter of the Saints when in such cases notwithstanding he had neither precept nor example in the life of the Lamb or his Apostles so to doe hee even hee saith the Lord is that party against whom this just judgement of taliation is laid up in store to be executed upon him in that day when the Lord shall bring againe the captivity of his Church which for their sings he hath given up to the sword and fury of the Beast untill she have boâ—ne the burthen of her shame and as the Prophet saith renewed her beauty by her sorrows and her glory by Ezek. 39. her persecutions and then shall be fullfilled that which was spoken by the Prophet Wo to thee that spoyledst and wast not spoyled and didst deale wickedly Isa 33. when they did not wickedly against thee for when thou shalt cease to spoyle thou shalt be spoyled and when thy sin is ended thou shalt be rewarded as here also the Spirit denounceth contesting that God shall scourge him with his owne inventions and repay him home in his owne coine saying He that shall lead into captivity shall goe into captivity and he that shall kill shall be killed And in consolation of the Spouse concludeth that howsoever Antichrist and his Delegates foolishly thought by afflicting the Church to destroy the Church yet in her afflictions consisteth the very strength and approbation of her children for by the things they suffer they learne obedience and through patience their faith is consecrated by the which they are perfected and made inheritable of the promise of God all which mercy and favour is commended unto them under the hand and seale of afflictions by which their mad and drunken adversaries thought to consume them and like fools did not consider that as the workman doth square the stone by strokes and as the Snake doth cast his old skinne by passing through sharpe stones so the Lord doth renew his Spouse by stripes and brusheth off her old affections by passing her through the asperitie of tribulation which holy and hidden consideration causeth
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
the Familists when I alledg'd St. Paul's words 1 Cor. 15. 19 If onely in this life we have hope in Christ we are of all Men most miserable to prove the Resurrection and his assured hope of Salvation in the world to come he denied it in hearing of divers saying that the Apostles meaning was if we had only hope in this life not the thing hoped for we were most miserable but now saith he we have both the hope the thing hoped for the promise the thing promised al that may be expected we have in this life as he affirmed agreeable to the rest of their blasphemous Principles Familists then to receive and enjoy eternal rest an Inheritance amongst Gods Elect the faithful Iews Gentiles in that Land promised the Fathers I say commending his writings as a most inestimable Treasure to all sober Christians hoping that themselvs may see and find that they are undoubtedly the very truth as in due time will appear desiring them as they tender and value their own everlasting peace and happiness as they must certainly answer it at the great Day of the coming of Christ Resurrection of the dead that they would above all things take heed of and avoid the horrible infatuations the pernicious poisonous Doctrines Principles of the shameless blasphemous Familists so directly contrary to so wholy absolutely inconsistent with the grace of God and state of Salvation I take my leave and rest their Christian Friend J. W. Lond. Apr. 15. 1661. A VOYCE Out of the WILDERNES CRYING With many Tears and strong perswasions to the World for REPENTANCE Proving by undenyable Grounds from the Word of God that the great Day of his righteous Judgement shall certainly be in this present Age before 61. Years after this present Yeare 1651. shall be expired And unfolding many great and wonderfull Mysteries of God forespoken in his word to come to passe and be fulfilled from the rising of Julius Caesar first Emperour of ROME to this present time and from hence to that Great Day of the Lord. Things that were never discovered by any Writer before this knowne and such as greatly concerne the Church and Chosen of God in this last time Exprest in a very high Propheticall stile and clear evidence of the Spirit and of Power from above which the judicious Christian Reader may well perceive LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE CHURCH OF ROME MANY and sundry voices have beene heard out of the Wildernesse in these latter dayes whereunto had wee given good and diligent eare we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation neverthelesse he that writeth testifieth the Kingdom of God is at hand WHat neighbour or friend is he who seeing his next or beloved in danger doth not cry â—ake heed and though such one may be found yet â—annot we hold our peace Generations sinfull and â—dulterous why should we feare or shame to speake â—mongst yee your number and hath it not been alwayes the complaint of the holy Ghost in the dayes of the Prophets Apostles and to this houre Lord who hath beleeved our sayings and to whom is thy arm revealed your nostrils whose power is breath not to be counted of nay we are not only ready to give up our bodies but our souls to be sacrificed in witnesse of the cause pleaded before yee this day or should our voyce be ashamed of her preparation behold yee scorners like as a mighty wind that pasâ—eth your eare and bloweth not upon yee so shall yee heare great things to day and not be moved â—herewith and poore and slight and simple as she goeth she hath authority to give joy to the living and life unto the dead Amongst whom liest thou buried rotten and past rising up againe thou that siâ—test carelesse like a Queen in pleasure and glorifien thâ— selâ—e saying in thy heart I am alone and besides me is no other I may not be widow or desolate for ever aâ—d like a foole hast not considered th'older thou art the nigher to thy grave But thou sayest tush am I not great Where dwelleth then the power that may doe all these things Wherefore thus saith the truth although thou be now so high as that the word forespoken is fullfilled in thee And who is like unto the beast or who may war with him behold the day hasteth and is at hand wherein thâ—u shalt be made so little that thy name and remnant shall not be found upon the earth and all thy many hornes and multitude of Witches whose arme and counsell have been thy help and treasure from thy youth shall fall and perish as fire consumeâ—h straw and not be able to deliver thee any more for thy dayes are numbred and yet two Moneths two Weekes two dayes and a halfe and thy number six hundred sixty six shall be fullfilled Happy man that liveth to see that day and behold there be living that shall see it And Tyre and Sydon with all thy Cedars though now they surfet in wealth in pride and pleasure shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands for Babylon their Lord is dead And thy death shall be the life of Israel but his light may not long indure as testâ—fieth the Prophet And then and in those dayes shall be fullfiâ—â—'d the great mystery of God prophâ—â—ied by the mighty Angell who set his right foot on the Sea and left upon the Land and lifting up his stroâ—gest arme to Heaven swore by him that liveth for ever and eâ—er There shall be time no more He that blasphemeth let him blaspheme still and he that liveth at ease take his pleasure still neverthelesse the speciall day is at the doore to give to every one according to his wayes And yet thou sayest I am his house his sanctuary and place of his dwelling wherefore Discoursers 〈◊〉 once shall be wrought in your eye to day all the gateâ— of his City shall be laid open before yee and none of yee shall enter into it All are wise and every one shall give account according to that he hath received I aske then and have not all received yes verily the voice of God is written up and placed in th' eyes or heaâ—ts of all as it is wirtten Their sound is gone forth over all the earth and their words unto the worlds end But all have nor obeyed as testâ—fieth the Prophet and therefore the Kingdome of Heaven is likened to a Field containing Corne and Weedes to a Net enclosing fish of all sorts good and bad to a Wedding whereunto all were bidden those that refused those that came prepared and those that came and were 〈◊〉 apparrelled to Servants good diligent faithfull bad slow and unprofitable to Virgins some wise whose lamps did watch while they slept 〈◊〉 foolish whose lamps did sleep with them to a house of great and large receitâ— garnished with vâ—ssells of gold and silver of wood and clay then and in that day to be imployed
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
among al the Sons of women there was none found his grâ—ater because whoso is not first prepared by the ministry of John who was appointed the minister of the baptism of water shal never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth by the ministry of the Baptisme of fire I doe not meane the fire of this world nor yet the Element so called for it 's imipossible for any such fires to purge to sanctifie or to refine the sinner But the fire of this birth is a heavenly power and finger from above which writeth in the heart prepared by water and in no other Tables the indeleble Covenant of mercy and love which before all worlds in the precious blood of the Mediator thereof God made with Abraham and his Sons for ever namely that he would remember their sins and their iniquities no more and that he would be to them a God To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a Father and they to him a people Sonnes and Daughters And this is the word and ingraving of God which being written in a molten heart and blowne downe with water refineth it to the sey of Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 12. the gold of Ophyr And this is the birth and purgation of fire called in Scripture the Baptisme of the holy Ghost the life the justice the promise and felicity of God as holy David describeth saying Blessed is the man whose sins are covered and whose God is the Lord Psalme 32. 2. 33. 12. JEHOVAH And this is the Tree and first beginning of the wisedome and counsell of God and hee that cannot attaine thereto shall never see the raigne and prosperity of Israel according to the eternall decree proceeded out of the mouth of the highest never to be repented of or called back againe Vnlesse a man be John 3. 5. begotten by water and by the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God The fruit of this Tree of life spreadeth it selfe into foure branches and as the Heavens by immutable ordinance shut up the course and labour of the yeare in foure seasons so hath the Scriptures complected the whole voyage and travell of this sanctified and new begotten servant in these foure Peace Patience Hope and Love I doe not meane the peace betweene Amon and Moab that is to say the smooth the Civill and dissembling truce of the Kings and Councellors of this world but a peace which passeth their affairs a peace which is heavenly and from above even the peace and reconciliation betweene God and the sanctified in the price and mediation of the Lord of the Covenant for what power what preparation what terror or what else may feare him in whose heart the finger of God hath once engraven a full and perswaded assurance that neither fire nor sword nor death nor life nor powers nor principallities nor things present nor things to come nor natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord May the sin wherein he was conceived or the follies and offences wherein his youth delighted or the bold and bloody treasons which his age hath committed or flesh and blasphemies wherewith he is intrenched nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevail against him as it is written If God justifie who can condemnâ— Isa 50. Rom. 8. And this is the peace which the world cannot give nor take away from any to whom it is given the peace which the Holy one the Redeemer of Israel speaketh of in a certaine place saying Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you but not as the world giveth let not your hearts therefore be troubled nor feare John 14. 27. And forasmuch as to be at peace and one with God is to be at war and odds with sin and with all her pleasures this man in wonderfull patience prepareth and armeth himselfe to meet the enemy And tho his flesh with all her desires like multitudes of Armies incompasse his soule be sieging pursuing tormenting it day and night as it is written Wee are Ps 44. given up like sheep to be eaten and for thy sake O Lord we are slaine all the day long yet in silence and quietnesse he endureth all sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse your soules Looking assuredly for the promise of good things to come and that with such a Luke 21. 19. stable and full perswaded expectation as no power in Heaven above or in the earth below may shame or confound his hope fully perswaded that tho now he live closed in flesh as in a City of transgression like righteous Lot in Sodome scorn'd of Angels despis'd of men hated of the world and pursued of his owne yet that his mourning shall tarry but till morning 〈◊〉 for then his life shall be revealed which now lyeth hid laid up in the bosome of his Lord and Redeemeâ— and shall be declared and given him even in that morning when he shall come to judge the world with righteous judgement rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked And in the exercise of these three consisteth the death to sin called in Scripture by the names of Mortification the great affliction the Dust the Tears the shame and oppression of Sion Happy man that hath his part therein for he shall live to see the raigne Rev. 7. 14 15 16 17. wherein the Sun shall not burne him by day nor fire by night any more and wherein he shall not hunger nor thirst nor want nor weep any more The fourth and last branch of this Tree of life is Love the light and perfection of the whole estate and travell of a Christian for can a City built upon a hill hide her face from the passer by or may a Sacrifice salted convey his seasoning from the mouth of the taster may the Sun shine and not shew his beauty or may a Candle burne and not bewray her light And tho these creatures could forget their natures yet cannot the plant in whose heart the eternall Covenant of Love is once engraven forget to burne with like affection first toward God then toward men I meane not those alone which have received like part and fellowship with him but towards those also that are his enemies which love is commended to us by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is called in Scripture the love of God because it is not learnt of flesh nor after the will and wisedome of flesh but by the sample and patterne of that love wherewith God first loved us Who being fellowed in glory with the highest as testifieth the Prophet Zach. 13. 7. disrobed himselfe of all his beauty and came downe into the world and was fonnd in dishonour in weaknesse in flesh and shape of a servant obedient to the shame and
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
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
the earth shall be glad over them and shall send gifts one to another because these two Prophets tormented them that dwell upon the earth ANd all the worshippers of the Beast here noted for their number by the inhabitants of the earth shall clap their hands over their owne inventions and rejoyce in the death of the truth and make merry with Bonefires Vigils Festivals Processions and in token of joy they shall send as the Spirit saith gifts one to another Kings and Princes and people shall present and endow the Beast and his Church with donations immunities possessions gold and silver offerings c. and the Beast on the other side shall requite their kindnesse with titles bels pardons buls and such like and the Spirit yeildeth a reason of this their wicked and ungodly comfort because they had put out the eyes of his two Prophets that their whoredomes and pâ—ophanations might not be reproved then which nothing can be greater torment to the wicked nor more unsavoury to them that perâ—sh VERS 11. And after three dayes and a halfe the Spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet and great feare fell upon all that saw them ANd forasmuch as in the death and extermination of Antichrist by way of dependencie consisteth the life and resurrection as it were of the Scriptures the Spirit foresheweth that after the reigne and persecution of the Beast which here as in the ninth verse is determined by three dayes and a halfe God will raise up faithfull and prudent Priests Shepheards of understanding hearts who shal rightly â—ivide the words and testimonies of his two witnesses which the holy Ghost signifieth in saying that the Spirit of life from God entred into them for as the letter text of the Scripture is the corps thereof so their true intent and meaning is the Spirit and life of them and by the faithfull ministry of such as the Lord shall raise in and about that time and for that purpose the testimony of his two Prophets shall be restored to their strength and as it were to their walking againe which the Spirit signifieth in saying They stood upon their feet as well to the terror and astonishment of all lying and stupidious expositors as to the fear and admiration of the children and justifiers of wisdome as the holy Ghost concludeth saying And great feare fell upon all that saw them VERS 12. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying Come up hither and they went up into heaven in a cloud and their enemies saw them ANd the restauration of the true meaning of the Scriptures which their enemies so long kept under by all unjust and cunning shifts shall be more famously knowne and published then that they may any longer hinder or stop the glorious course of their wonderfull instauration which the Spirit intendeth in saying that I heard a voice from heaven saying Come up hither meaning that it should be more possible for their enemies to stay Elias Chariot from ascending or pull the wind back from pursuing his point then to resist the wisdome of the same the which shall vindicate the abuse of the Scriptures and by the power of their ministry as in the strength of a cloud shall hold them up and restore them to their spirituall and heavenly meaning againe and the Beast with all his Sorcerers and lyers which have been their long and ancient enemies shall see the glory of their regeneration and wonder and die VERS 13. And in that houre there was made a great earthquake and the teâ—â—h part of the City fell and there were slaâ—â—â— in the earth-quake names of men seven thousand and the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven ANd at such time as it pleased God to begin his work of instauration and to cause the day-spring of his Gospel to shine out of the night of Antichrists darknesse the abominable and desolate profanation of the Beast which had so long time over-cast the earth was in such sort discovered that the very root of his throne and usurped authoritie was dangerously shaken which the holy Ghost closely foldeth up in saying There was made a great earth-quake And further fore sheweth that out of this concussion there should arise so great defection that the tenth part of his worshippers should revolt from him and that this revolt and defection must cost the lives of many thousand men which the Spirit uttereth in a manner of speech strange to us butusual with the Scriptures calling men names of men as Chap. 3. 4. and meaning by seven thousand many thousand using the determinate number of seven indefinitly and for a number indeterminate as it is also in Scripture often Which broils and bloodshed concerning the institution of religion are so sufficiently reported in the Commentaries of Bohemia and Germanie and in the troubles of France and Flanders and other Nations as if it were purposely registred in proofe of this prophesie Lastly the Spirit concluding foretelleth that many kingdoms in this defection should quite forsake the Beast and haste them out of Babylon home again to build the walls of Ierusalem and to restore the morning and the evening Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving as in the former time and in the dayes of old in saying And the rest were cast into a feare and gave glory to the God of heaven VERS 14. The second Woe is gone and behold the third Woe will come quickly THe first woe was the blasphemy of Arianisme which the holy Ghost in the niâ—th Chapter most aptly resembleth unto a smoake ascending from the depth saying That the Sun was darkned and the aire with the smoake of the pit meaning by the Sunne the Son of God and by the aire the word of his truth by whose onely meane and interposition the object of his Deitie was truly discerned and in regard of this first woe which was kindled by Arius wherewith the inhabitants of the earth as the Spirit foretold us should be tormented five moneths meaning moneths of yeares which by Propheticall account amounteth to one hundred and fifty years which was the time of the Arian persecution as in the Ecâ—lesiasticall Histories more plainly appeareth The holy Ghost I say in regard of this first woe calleth the tragicall reigne of Antichrist the second woe whose long time of tyranny within this Chapter in a generall manner is declared and in the 13. Chapter following more particularly and exactly discovered though at the writing of this Prophesie it had his being onely in the foreknowledge of God and was not yet begun to be acted much lesse fully ended yet in respect it is here in a geneâ—all manner fully revealed the Lord to whom all things past and to come are present saith The second woe is gone upon determination whereof the third woe must ensue which for it surpasseth both the former in terror and greatnesse the holy Ghost bringeth it in
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
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
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
the Spirit to honour the sufferings of the Saints so highly as to ascribe unto them the chiefest stayes and supportations of their precious hope and calling namely patience and faith saying Here is the patience and faith of the Saints VERS 11. And I saw another Beast comming up from the earth and he had two hornes like the Lamb but he spake like the Dragon THe holy Ghost in the verse foregoing having pronounced sentence of death against Antichrist before he comes to the execution thereof descendeth to the arraignment and condemnation of his Clergie that so they may be carted to the valley of Hinnom both together whom the Lord here figureth under the name of the Beast saying And I saw another Beast comprehending under the singular number of one Beast by a manner of speech common to the holy Scriptures the whole corporation and university of false and lying teachers who from the first Eremite Hypocrite Father Priest Monk Fryer to the last trumping and vagabond Iesuite have avouched the honour and adoration of Antichrist And is most aptly deciphered by their earthly sensuall and divellish minds in pointing to their countrey and place of extraction whence and where such weeds doe grow saying comming up from the earth And commendeth their making and acquaintance to us by two exquâ—site tokens the one their person the other their doctrine Touching their shape and person the Spirit saith that it was in robe and exteriour appearance the very face and countenance of the Lamb deckt and garnished with his owne two hornes to wit the Law and the Gospel wherewith the Lamb doth save and kill for so the Spirit saith And he had two hornes like the Lamb. But as concerning the use and force of the hornes the Spirit saith they were therein so contrary to the Lamb that when they did open either to teach the Law or preach the Gospel they spake and taught like the Dragons Doctours and like the Priests of Jupiter teaching and preaching unto the children of the world that they ought to worship the God of heaven as the Dragons Priests had taught their fathers to worship the Gods of the heathen Which detestable prophanation of the worship of God and preposterous adoration of his name the Spirit detecteth in saying But he spake like the Dragon VERS 12. And all the power of the first Beast he did in his sight and he made the earth and the inhâ—bitants therein to adore the first Beast whose wound of death was cured BY the power of the first Beast is meant the purpose and plot of the Dragon for the upholding and establishment of their false and godlesse religion to the prophanation and extinction of the true worship and service of God which forasmuch as he could not effect by force and open eâ—mitie I meane by the bloody persecutions of his prophane and Ethnick Caesaâ—s he did devise to put a new string to his old bow and to work it out by fraud and falshood of friends and thereupon perswaded his Ethnick Caesars that in policie it was the best to play Christians forasmuch as the world was now so given as Jupiter with all hâ—s idols must needs give place to Christ because most voices went that way And the better to bring the mystery of iniquity to passe he caused his new christened Caesars to set up a race of sycophâ—nticall high and princely Priests who under colour of proctering the affairs of the Lamb should cunningly clâ—p Jupiters coat upon the Lambs back and bestow all the ceremonies and ritualls of Jupiter and his idolls upon Christ that so by turning Jupiters worship into Christianisme he might turne the worship of God into Paganisme and idolatry and that so he might at the least prophane and desolate the true worship of the true God whose Majesty and truth of deitie they could no way blemish And for the better successe in this their project should cause to be erected throughout all Kingdomes and Natâ—ons certaine covents and swarmes of false ungodly and prostituted Clerks who by avouching and maintaâ—ning against all commers that Antichrists name is Simon Peter and that the supremacie his Caesâ—rs and his Kings gave him is the very keys of heaven and hell which the Lamâ— committed to the dispensation of his Saints and servants and that the throne aâ—d seâ—r of wickâ—dnesse is Peters Chaire and Sea Apostolique and that the execrable forme of Jupiters worship wherein his Lords and Caesars deligâ—ted is the very true worship and service of God which â—he Lamb and his Apostles delivered And by these mists legerdemains and new editions of old idolatry should establish in the sight of Antichrist the â—elfe same pâ—ophanation and devout impiety which his Antecessors the Caesars so ardently embraced for so much the Spirit rippeth up in saying And all the power of the first Beast he did in the sight of Antichrist and thereby so strongly deluded and seduced the children of disobedience most properly here as elsewhere described by the name of the earth and the inhabitants therein that they loathed the Sacâ—ifices of the God of heaven and refused to worship as the Lord commanded and chose rather as the Spirit saith to adore the first Beast that is to say to worship the God of their fathers as the Dragon commanded them just after the prescription of his Caesars and manner of the heathen And that we may the better discerne from whom those Proctors of Don Antâ—christ borrowed this their abominable Church-service the Spirit remembreth the repaired wound of their masters creditors pate mentioned in the third verse Whose wound of death was cured VERS 13. And he did many signes so that he made fire to come downe from heaven to the earth in the sight of men THe holy Ghost having arraigned and condemned the Clergy of Antichrist touching their doctrine proceedeth further to detect their abomination and forgery in seeking to confirme their false doctrine by lying signes and works of wonder condemning therein first their vanity secondly their presumption For as nothing can be more vaine and ungodly then to seeke by lying signes and wonders to confirme the doctrine of the Lamb and his servants which is all sufficiently established by their owne magnificent and divine miracles unto which the Church of God upon her allegiance is enjoyned to subscribe so nothing can be more presumptious and wicked then to attempt by fignes and wonders the confirmation of any other doctrine then that which the Lamb and his two witnesses have sealed and delivered unto us according to the statute of God Deut. 13. And though their signes were many as the Spirit reporteth saying And he did many signes yet were they but forgeries and lies not wrought in truth and dignity but in falshood and fallacy as our Lord himselfe and his servant Paul foretold us Mat. 24. 2 Thess 2. In which regard the holy Ghost squaring the miracles of these exorcists after the rule of their doctrine which was in shew
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