observe one speciall thing to wit that the Gospel which this Angel flyeth withall containeth the brief summ of all the doctrine which Luther Calvin Peter Martyr and the rest have taught out of Gods Word and agreeth in all points with it For what other thing did they all preach teach and write but that men should turn from idols to the living God from fearing glorifying and worshipping creatures to feare worship and glorifie God alone which hath made all things What other thing doe all the preachers of this age publish and proclaime in all their Sermons but this Feare God and give glory onely to him Is not this the Epitome and short sum of all the doctrine of the Preachers of England Scotland Germany France Denmarke and all the rest and therefore I conclude that this Angel must needs be understood of the Preachers of this last age which now these fourscore yeeres have sounded the trumpet of the Gospel against all the inventions of Popery And blessed be God wee see these things fall out in our dayes and are eye-witnesses of the fulfilling of them And there followed another Angel saying Verse 8. It is fallen it is fallen Babylon that great city for she gave to all nations to drink the wine of the wrath of her fornication Here is set down the blessed effect of the preaching of this everlasting Gospel which is the downfall of Babylon For as when the cleer Sun ariseth upon the earth the thick mists and clouds are dispersed even so when the bright beames of the Gospel doe shine forth unto the world Babylon that dark kingdom vanisheth away incontinently And as it is written in the eighteenth chapter so soon as the earth was lightened with the glory of this everlasting Gospel Babylon immediatly falleth Therefore now before I go any further my purpose through the assistance of God Five maine points is to prove these five points out of this verse and that which followeth unto the twentieth chapter to wit First that Babylon here signifieth Rome Secondly that Rome shall fall and how Thirdly that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter desolation in this life Fourthly by whom and when it shall be overthrown Lastly the causes of the utter ruine and overthrow thereof How Rome is to be taken But before I go about to prove that Babylon here is Rome I would have it carefully observed what is meant by Rome viz. not the topography of Rome that is so much ground only as is compassed within the wals of that city but the regiment government and prerogative that is claimed by vertue of that Monarchy whereof Rome is the head By Rome is meant the power and authority of Rome or to speak plainly by Rome is meant the Roman Monarchy Further we are here to observe the reason why the holy Ghost calleth Rome Babylon for Rome literally and properly taken is not Babylon in as much as they were two divers cities one in Italy the other in Chaldea but Rome is called Babylon mystically figuratively and as the holy Ghost speaketh spiritually and by a kind of allusion Chap. 11.8 A reason why Rome is called Babylon For as the old Eastern Babylon did a long time oppresse the Church of the Jewes so Rome this Western Babylon hath long oppressed the Church of the Christians As the Eastern Babylon did many yeers hold down the people of God in miserable bondage and servitude so the Western Babylon did a long time keep the Christian Church in spirituall thraldome and misery In which respects Rome is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt to Sodom for filthinesse and to Egypt for idolatry and keeping Gods Church in spirituall bondage and slavery And thus we see the reason why Rome is called Babylon which is not simply and properly but after a sort that is by a phrase of speech or Trope which they call a Metonymie or changing of names when that is given to one thing which is proper to another for the likenesse of quality that it hath with it or adjoyned unto it Now having shewed the reason why Rome is called Babylon and what is meant by Rome we are to proceed to the first point which is to prove that Babylon in this place signifieth Rome which although it be granted of all sound Divines and avouched in the writings of the best learned both new and old so as it shall need no great proof yet will I add three or foure reasons out of this book to make it more plain and apparant First therefore I do thus reason out of the seventeenth chapter and last verse Babylon is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth But there was no other city which did reigne over the kings of the earth when John wrote this book but onely Rome Therefore Rome is Babylon For as for Jerusalem it was at that time made an heap of stones The first proposition is avouched by the Angel of God expounding unto John what is meant by the great whore whose damnation hee had shewed him before and by the woman which sate upon a scarlet coloured beast The woman which thou sawest Chap. 17.18 saith the Angel to Saint John is that great city which raigneth over the kings of the earth that is to say Rome or the Romish synagogue and malignant Church For the Angel could not speak more plainely except he should have named Rome then to say thus The woman the great whore of Babylon is the great city which raigneth over the kings of the earth For if one should say The great citie of England every man knoweth that thereby is meant London if one should say The great citie of France every one knoweth that thereby is meant Paris so when the Angel saith The great citie which reigneth over the kings of the earth all that lived in those times knew that thereby was meant Rome Babylon is Rome for Rome was the chief citie of the Monarchy and is put in this book for the whole Monarchy and the religion thereof as hath been said before My second reason is this Chap. 17. Babylon is the mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Babylon is that great whore with whom have committed fornication the Kings of the earth and the inhabitants of the earth made drunk with the wine of her fornication But Rome and none but Rome is such a one Therefore Rome is Babylon My third argument is this Babylon is that city which hath had seven severall governments But only Rome hath had seven severall kinds of government Therefore Rome is Babylon The proposition is proved from the words of the Angel expounding unto John what is meant by the seven heads of the scarlet coloured beast whereupon the woman sate The seven heads saith hee are seven kings Chap. 17.9 that is seven orders or states of kingly government for seven kings in this place are not put for seven severall men which were kings
all Popish proceedings which is here meant by the two witnesses For assuredly these two witnesses doe not signifie Enoch and Elias as the Papists and some others doe dreame but they signifie all the faithfull Preachers and Professors of the truth which in all ages both former and later have opposed themselves against the Pope his Clergy his doctrine his religion and all his abhominable proceedings They are called witnesses because they should beare witnesse unto the truth They are said two in number for three reasons First because they were very few in those dayes when Poperie did so generally prevail for two is the smallest number Secondly because the law of God doth admit of no lesse number in witnesse-bearing as it is written In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand Thirdly it is an allusion to Zorobabel and Jehoshua which were the two restorers and builders of the Temple after the captivitie Hag. 2.5 Christ saith here that he will give power to his two witnesses for no man hath any power in heavenly things except it be given him from above and especially to stand fast to the truth in the heat of persecutions and troubles It is said that these two witnesses shall prophesie that is preach declare and speake For so Prophesie is taken in the former chapter and last verse so also in other places of the Scripture The time of their prophesying being 1260 dayes hath been expounded before These two witnesses are cloathed in sackcloath which signifieth that they should lead a sorrowfull life here in this world For in old time when men did fast and mourne they did use to put on sackloath It followeth then that these faithfull Preachers and witnesses of the truth did not spend their dayes in mirth jollity and worldly pompe and bravery as did the Popes Clergie and pompous Prelates of Antichrist Now if any man will demand how this may appeare that there have been alwaies some raised up of God to write preach declare and speake against the whore of Babylon even then when shee was aloft and raigned as the Queene and Lady of the world I answer that Histories are very plentifull in this point which at large doe shew that in all countries and kingdomes of Europe there were ever some stirred up to impugne and resist the whore of Babylon As In England Robert Grosted Bishop of Lincolne An. dom 1293. An. 1400. John Wickliffe supported by Edw. the 3. and divers of the Nobility in England In Germany Taulerus a Preacher An. 1354 1356. 1357. 1359. 1359. 1360. Franciscus Petrarcha Johannes de rupe scissa Conradus Hager Gerhardus Rhidor Petrus de Corbona Johannes de Poliaco 1420. John Zisca In Bohemia John Husse An. dom 1414. 1416. 1370. Jerome of Prague Mathias Parisiensis In Spaine An. 1250. Arnoldus de nova villa In Italy An. 1500. Jerome Savanarola a Monke Silvester a Frier In France An. 1160. An. 1252. An. 1290. An. 1290. Waldas of whom came the Waldenses or poore men of Lyons in France Guilielmus de sancto amore Robertus Gallus Laurentius In Ireland An. 1362. Armachanus an Archbishop In Suevia An. 1240. Many Preachers at once In Grecia An. 1230. All the Churches of Grecia renounced the Church of Rome for their abominable Idolatry It were too tedious to recite all which the Stories doe report to have withstood both Pope and Popery even when it did most of all beare the sway these may suffice for the understanding of the Text. As for those which have been raised up since the decay and fall of Popery I meane since Luthers time they are so many and so well knowne that I need say nothing These are two Olive trees and two Candlesticks standing before the God of the earth vers 4. Here the two witnesses are compared to two Olive trees because that as the Olive tree doth drop downe his oyle and fatnesse so the faithfull Ministers doe droppe downe upon the Church the sweet oyle of the Spirit which is all heavenly and spirituall graces as the Metaphor of oyle is often so taken in the Scriptures They are also compared to two Candlesticks because that as the candlestick beareth up the candle set upon it so the Ministers of the Gospell beare up and hold forth the light of Gods word even in the greatest darknesse These candlesticks are said to stand before the God of the Earth because God beareth rule not only in heaven but in earth also even then when all things in the earth seeme to be most troubled and the Church militant â—nder greatest persecutions as now it was And if any will hurt them ver 3. fire proceedeth out of their mouthes and shall devoure their enemies for if any will hurt them so must he be killed vers 6. These have power to shut heaven that it raine not in the dayes of their prophesying and have power over waters to turne them into bloud and to smite the Earth with all manner of plagues as oft as they will Here is shewed that if any despise the simplicity of these two winesses and offer them wrong because of their basenesse and contempt in the world that there is a fire commeth out of their mouth that is the fiery and mighty power of the word of God uttered out of their mouthes which overthroweth and overturneth their enemies nay as fire it consumeth them to ashes for the Ministers of the Gospell are armed with ready vengeance against all disobedience 1 Cor. 10. Therefore they be starke mad and know not what they doe which oppose themselves against the true Ministers of Christ For the sword which they fight with slaieth the reprobates in their soules though not in their bodies for the ministry of the word is the savour of death to all unbeleevers That which is here spoken of shutting the heavens that it raine not and turning the waters into bloud 1 King 17. is an allusion to Elias and Moses whereof the one by his prayer shut the Heavens the other by his rod turned the waters into blood Now the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell are compared to these two not because they should worke such outward miracles as they did but because they should be furnished with spirituall power which is farre greater For most sure it is that the invisible and spirituall power where with the Ministers of the Gospell are armed is very great and glorious though the world see it not nor know it not For the Apostle saith The weapons of our warfare are not carnall but spirituall 2 Cor. 10.6 mighty through God to cast downe holds casting downe the imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God c. And when they have finished their testimony ver 7. the beast that commeth out of the bottomlesse pit shall make warre against them and kill them Here is set downe the greater cruelty
God that love the Church and that love the truth greatly to rejoyce in the destruction of Rome because this monster shall no longer oppresse the Israel of God And sure it is that the more zealous and godly that a man is the more hee will rejoyce at the destruction of Popery for a man cannot love God and his Church that doth not laugh in the destruction of that Antichristian and bloudy kingdome Let no man here say This is cruelty this is want of charity and want of pity to laugh in the destruction of any or to rejoyce at other mens harmes But the most wise God saith Chap. 8.6 Reward her even as shee rewarded you and give her double according to her works and in the cup that shee hath filled to you fill her the double In as much as shee glorified her selfe and lived in pleasure so much give yee to her torment and sorrow And therefore I affirme that no man ought to be moved with any compassion or pitie for the overthrow of Rome But herein that saying of the Prophet is true Psal 137.9 Blessed is hee that taketh and dasheth her children against the stones And again Bend thy bow Jer. 50.14 shoot at her sâ—are no arrowes for shee hath sinned against the Lord. Moreover wee are to observe that forasmuch as the Lord willeth and commandeth all men to reward Rome as she hath rewarded us and to give her double according to her works therefore we ought every one of us as much as in him lieth and as his calling will bear to doe his uttermost to pull down Rome the Magistrate by the sword the Minister by the word and the people by their prayers For even Christian Kings and Princes and all the Nobles of the earth must not be negligent to fight against Rome For herein that saying is true Jer. 48.10 Cursed is hee that doth the work of the Lord negligently and cursed is hee that keepeth back his sword from bloud For this cause I doe upon my knees night and day most humbly and instantly intreat the God of heaven that as he hath put into the heart of our most gracious and excellent King to hate the whore of Babylon and to be his greatest instrument in the whole world for the weakning and overturning of Rome and the defence of his most glorious Gospel which is his crowne and glory in all the Churches and his great renown in all Christian kingdomes so hee may constantly continue and never cease drawing out the sword of justice till he have utterly rooted out of his dominions all the cursed crew of Popish Jebusites and all such as have received the beasts mark and especially the Jesuites and seminary Priests which are the Divels brokers the Popes agents and the King of Spaines factors in all kingdomes Here also I do most humbly even upon my knees with dropping eyes yea if it were possible with tears of blood beseech and intreat the learned and reverend Fathers of our Church that they would bend all their power and authority with all their might and maine against the Romish strumpet and the rather because in these daies she seemeth to make a head again having so many and great favourers that she and her complices dare perk with their nebs and very boldly and confidently prate of a toleration Here also I doe most humbly and earnestly intreate all my learned and godly brethren the Ministers and Preachers of this Church of England that in all their publick teachings and private proceedings they would make strong opposition against Rome and Romish religion And I beseech the God of gods that we may all joyn together with united forces to march on valiantly against the armies of Antichrist and to spread the everlasting Gospel far and neer to the utter overturning and beating down of this western Babylon and that howsoever wee may amongst our selves differ in judgement in some things yet that there might be no breach of love nor alienation of affection amongst us but that wee may all goe together hand in hand and arme in arme to preach Gods everlasting truth and to set our selves against the common adversaries For if that we will not set our selves against them yet they will be sure to set themselves against us And thus much concerning the third main point which is the finall fall and destruction of Rome even in this world Now it followeth to speak of the fourth main point which is By whom and when Rome shall be overthrowne But for the better understanding of this point concerning the persons that shall overthrow Rome wee are to observe that Saint John describeth the whore of Babylon sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast Chap. 17.4 having seven heads and ten horns whereby is meant the Roman Monarchy as hath been shewed before After this the Angel expoundeth unto John what the heads and horns of the beast mean and saith that the ten horns are ten kings Verse 12. or kingdomes which yet have not received a kingdome but shall receive power as kings at an houre with the beast The sense is that these ten kingdomes had not received such power and authority under the Emperors as they should under the Popes for there was great difference in these kingdoms under the Popes from that which they had been under the Emperors For they received far greater power and they carried another mind toward the Papacy then the nations did before toward the Empire for they did submit themselves to the Papacy for conscience and love even as to the holy Church which they never did to the Empire And this is the reason why the holy Ghost saith They had not received a kingdome but should receive power as kings at an houre with the beast Which is not to be understood simply but after a sort for they had received kingdomes under the Emperors but not in such sort as afterward they did under the Popes For the Roman Monarchy under the dominion of the Popes was in his greatest height and altitude and the Kings of Europe grew up together with the Papacy in power might and dominion And Saint John addeth Chap. 17.13 that these ten kings or kingdomes were all of one mind and did give their power and authority unto the beast that is they did with might and main labour to uphold the Babylonicall strumpet But the Angel telleth John flatly that the ten horns that is the ten kingdomes of the Empire which before had given their names their power and authority to the beast to uphold her and defend her should now in these last dayes all change their mindes and turne against her For saith the Angel to John Chap. 17.36 The ten hornes which thou sawest upon the beast are they which shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and shall eat up her flesh and burn her with fire Here then it doth plainly appeare who they be that shall overthrow Rome
this their cheer and their dainties are reckoned up to be the flesh of Kings and Captains c. Now out of this may be strongly concluded that hereafter in all time to come when the armies of the Pope which is the beast the armies of the king of Spain who hath given his power and authority unto the beast and is his great upholder when the armies of the Cardinall his great confederate when the armies of the Leaguers his great adherents yea when all these and all other Popish armies shall joyne and band themselves together against the Christian kings and defenders of the Gospel they shall have a notable overthrow insomuch that their dead carcasses shall even cover the earth and the fowles of the air shall come to their great supper which the Lord of hosts will make ready for them For assuredly and out of doubt they that live shall see the fulfilling of all this and shall see the Popish armies goe down by heaps in all countries and kingdomes and be made meat for the fowles of the air The Popish armies shall go down by heaps Chap. 16.6 Chap. 13.10 For the holy Ghost saith They shall come to Armageddon that is the place where their armies shall be destroyed And again If any lead into captivity hee shall go into captivity If any kill with a sword he must be killed with a sword For as the Popish forces have in former times taken captive the people of God and cruelly murthered them so now the time draweth on apace wherein themselves shall be taken and put to the sword And therefore now at last I conclude that Rome shall fall finally and come to utter destruction in this life For as Rome did rise up by degrees in this life so Rome shall fall by degrees in this life as Rome grew up to her full height and highest pitch in this life so it shall come to her lowest ebb and greatest declination in this life I meane before the coming of Christ unto judgement For the falling down of haile like talents upon the kingdome of the beast shall be in this life The extraordinary earth-quake upon the dominions of Antichrist shall be in this life Rome shall be utterly destroyed in this life The coming of the Popish armies to Armageddon shall be in this life The mourning of the kings merchants and mariners for the overthrow of Babylon shall be in this life The great battell betwixt the beast and him that sitteth upon the white horse shall be in this life before the day of judgment The powring forth of all the seven vials of Gods wrath upon the kingdome of the beast shall be even in this life For it were an absurd thing to say any of these things shall be after this life or to say that these things shall not be till the very coming of Christ for they are all things to be effected here in this earth and the holy Ghost doth describe them as things to be done upon the face of the earth for otherwise we could have small comfort in any of these things if they should not be done here in earth or if they should all be deferred till the very coming of Christ and in the meane time Antichrist shall prevaile But it will be objected that S. Paul saith The Lord shall consume Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and abolish him with the brightnesse of his coming 2 Thes 2. Therefore before his coming he shall not be utterly abolished True it is indeed An objection answered he shall not utterly be cut off in all his members till the very coming of Christ For there will be some Papists remaining in all countries even unto the end there be some nay many that will carry the beasts mark even untill the last day But the holy Ghost in this Prophecie speaketh of the revolting and falling away of kingdomes and countries from the See of Rome whereby it shall come to passe that it shall be exceedingly weakned and brought so low that the kings of the earth shall easily take it or as the holy Ghost speaketh Chap. 16.26 shall easily passe over their Euphrates being dryed up and enter their Babylon But then will some man say Shall there be no Pope at all a little before the coming of Christ I answer and not I but the holy Ghost for me hee shall be a poor Pope a naked Pope Chap. 17.16 The Pope shall bee brought very low 2 Sam. 3. a desolate Pope a Pope whose flesh shall be torn whose flesh shall wither as we shall hear anon Hee shall be such a Pope as Ishbosheth was a King when Abner and all Israel fell away from him He shall be such a Pope as the king of Portugal is a king But it will be objected How know you this are you a prophet can you fore-tell of things to come I answer Saint John was a Prophet and indued with a Propheticall spirit in this matter of his visions and revelations and I speak no more then Saint John hath set down And therefore I hope I speak within my compasse for I doe but relate Saint Johns words and explain them in such measure as I am able This Prophecie doth plainly declare that Babylon shall fall Rome shall come down the Pope shall never be esteemed again and I do beleeve it to be so I beleeve God I beleeve his word I beleeve all that is spoken in Scripture and I do indeavour to perswade others also For sith the holy Ghost hath so plainly and so fully fore-told it why should we not beleeve it why are wee so slow to beleeve all that is written in the Scriptures Hath God spoken it and shall it not come to passe shall any jot of his word fail shall we think he jesteth with us when he doth so often and so seriously tell us of the downe fall of Rome Surely surely the cause why men are not fully perswaded of the finall fall of Rome is because they do not diligently peruse this book of the Apocalypse But let them be studious and diligent in this book and they shall be out of all doubt that Rome is the great whore of Babylon that the Pope is Antichrist and the Papacy the beast But now me thinketh I hear some men say How is it like that Popery shall fall down more and more here among us sith it hath so many friends backers and upholders and seemeth to gather strength and make an head again I answer that all is but a lightning before death I answer that all is but the stopping of a water-brook or making a dam overthwart it which will cause it to swell more and to break over with great violence I answer that all is no more then is fore-told that the Jesuits shall come forth like frogs out of their puddles and marish grounds and keep a croaking for a time till they have croaked their own destruction and many others For they shall
never set Popery here in England to stand and continue do what they can I must needs confesse that our sins being so horrible and outragious as they are and being grown to such an height and ripenesse doe deserve some fearfull vengeance and that God hath a just controversie against us as sometimes hee had against Israel Hos 4. because there was no mercy nor truth nor knowledge of God in the land but swearing lying killing stealing and whoring and bloud toucheth bloud and therefore saith God The land shall mourn c. But yet I hope for his covenant sake for his great mercies sake for his names sake for his glory sake and for his Churches sake he will be gracious and favourable unto us and not bring upon us that vengeance which our sins have deserved or at least wise though he correct us as indeed he hath just cause and we may justly fear it yet hee will doe it in mercy for our amendment and not in wrath to our destruction as hee saith by his Prophet I will not utterly destroy thee Jer. 30.11 46.28 10.24 but I will correct thee by judgment and not utterly cut thee off But howsoever it shall please the most wise God to deale with us yet this I say and am perswaded of that Popery shall never be established again in this kingdom my reason is because the everlasting Gospel carried abroad by the Angel that flyeth in the middest of heaven shall spread still more and more throughout all the kingdomes of Europe as appeareth chap. 14. v. 6. for otherwise how shall Rome fall how shall the Jewes ever be converted Rom. 11.24 how shall fire come down from heaven and devoure both Gog and Magog Chap. 19. as the holy Ghost fore-telleth shall come to passe and as we shall hear more anon Moreover S. John telleth us plainly Chap. 10.1 that in these last dayes the Gospel shall be preached to many people and nations and tongues and to many kings And further hee saith that in this age wherein we live many shall renounce idolatry repent and give glory to the God of heaven But some man may say How prove you that this kingdome is one of them which Saint John speaketh of and which hee meaneth wherein the Gospel shall be preached unto the end of the world I answer that it is proved out of the seventeenth chapter of this Prophecie where the holy Ghost telleth us flatly that those ten kingdomes of Europe which had a long time been the ten horns and strength of the beast Chap. 19.13 and being of one mind had given their power and authority unto the beast should now in these last dayes rise up against the whore of Babylon Verse 16. make war against her hate her and make her desolate But this kingdome is one of those ten hornes and one of those ten kingdomes which a long time had given her power and authority to the beast Therefore as this kingdome hath happily begun to hate the whore and to make her desolate and naked so undoubtedly she shall continue unto the end of the world * England other kingdoms which have forsaken the beast shal so continue unto the end of the world For if this kingdome and other kingdomes which now hate the whore doe not continue how shall she be made desolate and naked c. Then it should seem the beast shall revive and recover himselfe again and so St. John shall be found a false Prophet But God is true and all men are lyers and St. John shall be found a true Prophet and therefore these kingdoms of Europe which have begun to hate the whore shall continue and never give her over till as the holy Ghost saith they have eaten her flesh and burnt her with fire that is till they have utterly devoured her But here it will be objected that in the latter dayes iniquity shall have the upper hand I answer first that I find no such place of Scripture But this I find that our Lord Jesus fore-telleth his disciples that very shortly after his death and resurrection many seducers and false teachers should arise which should deceive many and draw them away from the love of the Gospel and saith he Mat. 24.12 because iniquity shall be increased the love of many shall be cold But this speech of our Saviour doth not properly concern our times but yet it must needs be granted that the wicked shall wax worse and worse and the world shall not amend but still be worse and worse and grow to a greater height and ripenesse of sin as appeareth in this Prophecie Yet for all this we must note withall that the number of true beleevers in those last daies shall be very many Ch. 11.1 11 13. as this book doth also teach But it may be objected How can this geare stand together that in the last dayes there shall be multitudes and millions of reprobates and most wicked and abominable persons and yet withall a great increase of true beleevers I answer that the world will be alwaies like it selfe impious and unbeleeving But the Church shall purely worship God and that with daily increasing even unto the end But now me thinketh I heare some man say What likelyhood is there of all this which you write touching the overthrow of Rome Doe wee not see that Rome is yet strong Doth not Italy Spaine the greatest part of France and Netherland and Germany stand for her defence Hath not the whore still many and great bearers and upholders What likelyhood is there then that ever she shall be brought so low as you speak of I answer that in this case wee must not ask the question We may not say What likelihood is there of this What likelyhood Wee must not consult with flesh and bloud wee must not take counsell of humane reason For God is marvellous in his devices and when he hath once decreed and determined of any future event hee will compasse it by means far surpassing all humane reach and capacity yea by such plots and devices as mans wit could never have once dreamed of For hee hath all means in heaven and earth in his hands and is admirable in all his proceedings and therefore wee may not ask this question What likelyhood or how can it be or how can it possibly come to passe What likelyhood was there an hundred yeeres past when Rome was in her delight and all the kingdomes of Europe stood for her that ever she should have been forsaken of so many of her old friends as at this day she is What likelyhood was there that when the Pope could command the Emperor and all the Kings of Europe and their kingdomes that ever hee should have been brought so low as at this day he is God be thanked What likelyhood was there that ever poor Martin Luther should stand out with the everlasting Gospel in his mouth against the