of the Protestants whom he knowes to be Father Sonne and Holy Ghost is the most vnciuill and euill-mannered God of all those who haue borne the names of gods vpoÌ„ earth yea worse then Pan God of the Clownes which can indure no Ceremonies nor Good manners at all Reading these with diuers such like my bowels trembled within me and my zeale for the Lord was set on fire and I said vnto my Soule Spare no arrowes but shoot against Babylon for that shee hath sinned against the Lord And I say more againe Anathema Maran-atha to him whose zeale for the Lord is not with such blasphemies incensed and set on fire against the blasphemers I dare not once suspect that Royall Maiestie though the blasphemous Pamphlet be dedicated presumptuously to it or Parlalament-Excellency or Senate-Integrity of this Christian-State hath euer had any speciall notice or information of so blasphemous a Pamphlet formerly in time of Conniuency and yet still to the ioy of the Aduersaries and vnspeakable scandall of the Pious and Godly hunting vp and downe this Kingdome Arise O God and put into the knowledge and heart of our Soueraign to auenge such thy blasphemous Aduersaries and all their witting Abettors with deserued reproach Amen! Wee pray againe Arise O Lord and auenge thy owne Cause and as dust before the face of the wind so scatter thou the Enemies of thy Glorious name Amen Amen And so humbly praying the God of Truth to make you all perfect in the knowledge and loue of Truth I rest a reuerent Euer-admirer of your Admirable learning in Truth and humbly pray that wee all may bee zealous Euer-imitators of our Glorious and Angel-like Predecessours for the Reformation and constant defence of that Pietie and Truth The Testimony of IESVS Amen Yours and euery one of yours in the LORD IESVS Richard Sheldon A Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse the first of September c. APOC. 14. 9. 10. 11. And the third Angell followed them with a lowd voyce saying If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receiue his marke in his forhead or in his hand The same shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath which is powred out without mixture into the Cuppe of his indignation And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in presence of the Lambe And the smoke of their torments ascendeth vp for euer and euer THe words which I haue read in the eares of this most Christian and honourable Assemblie are an obscure partiall prophecie of that mysticall Booke which to vse Hieromes Epist ad Paulin phrase hath no more words then it hath mysteries How then shall I who am of a dull apprehension of a stammering speech and of a weake spirit bee able to lay open the sence of the same except the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda giue me a spirit of courage confidence vnlesse the Lambe slaine which hath the seuen eyes that manifold light of knowledge impart vnto me some gratious measure of wisdome and vnderstanding O thou Gratious Lambe who scatterest of thy graces where thou pleasest illighten my vnderstanding that I may truely interpret this thy Scripture O thou Powerfull Lion of Iuda who openest no man shutteth open thou my mouth and set on fire mine affections that I may confidently and constantly with a lowd voice deliuer this thy truth to the glory of thy great name to the confusion of Antichrist and to the eternall comfort and consolation of our owne soules And the third Angell fellowed them with a lowd voyce saying If any man worship c. MY Text which in the whole is a most dreadfull Edict Diuision sent from the Court of heauen may be diuided into three Generall parts 1. an Inscription or Title And the third Angell followed them saying with a lowd voyce 2. Into an Hypothesis or Supposition If any man worship the Beast and the Image of the Beast and receaue his marke in his forhead and in his hand The 3. a most fearefull Threat and Denounciation the same shall drinke of the Wine of Gods wrath which is powred forth without mixture into the Cup of his indignation and hee shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in presence of the holy Angells and of the Lambe And the smoke of their torments ascendeth vp for euer and euer Thus our diuision And though for the auoiding of confusion and for breuity sake I doe onely thus in generall distinguish my Text into an Inscription a Supposition and a Denounciation yet if you shall be pleased to lend vnto me religious and attentiue eares you shall well obserue that in the prosecution thereof I shall lay open vnto you great secrets of highest consequence and necessitie prepare not your eares for any oratorious florishes for such from this and like places I for my part rather despise then honor or admire Wee begin with the Inscription And the third Angell followed them saying with a lowd voyce c. FOr Declaration hereof I prefixe certaine suppositions 1. Supposition First I suppose that which is most manifest according to the exposition of all to wit that this inscription doth present vnto our considerations an imaginary forevision of our Prophet foreseeing certaine zelous Preachers typed vnto vs Zealous Preachers typed by the 3. Angell by this third Angell who were with lowd constant and perspicuous voyces to denounce Gods fearefull iudgemeÌ„ts against the adorers and worshippers of the Beast Secondly wee suppose a like manifest truth concerning 2. Supposition the circumstance of time that these zelous Preachers typed vnto vs by the third Angell were immediately to follow other Preachers Pastours represented vnto vs by other two Zealous Preachers ioyning hand in hand for reformation Angells described in the 6. and 7. precedent verses of this Chapter The summe is a certaine ranke of holy Preachers fore-typed vnto vs by these three Angels immediately following each other through the middest of Heauen that is publikely and manifestly were to ioyne hand in hand in the consormity of the Doctrines sounded out by the three Angells for the reformation of the world for the repaire of decaied Christianity and for the beating downe of all manner of Antichristian superstition and idolatry For the clearer opening of which truth of the last branch of this our second supposition I suppose In the third place that the Preachers which the Holy-Ghost 3. Suâ—pâ—sition doth represent vnto vs by these three Angells were not to appeare neere the daies of the Apostles in the time of the Primatiue Church nor for a long time after no they These zealous Preachers when they are to preach 2. Thess 2. were not to appeare vntill the Diuells being let loose the Antichristian state was to be reuealed and the mistery of iniquity by the breath of Christs mouth was by degrees to be dissolued a truth so manifest that there is no colour to gainsay it
and holy Iude and from out of Daniel more there are very few Prophecies in the Scriptures of God or in the approued predictions of any of the seruants of God concerning Antichrist and his Gouernment which may not most probably if not euidently bee settled vpon the Papall State either the head or members thereof but that which hath beene deliuered may suffice for the euidencie of this truth especially with How Neutralizers betray Gods truth sincere professours those I meane which are not Neutralizers if any such heare mee this day Neutralizers I say or Interim-ists such as dare secretly mutter and mussitate Rome and the Reformed Churches agree in the substance of Religion that there is no fundamentall difference betwixt them and vs and againe that they teach no Heresies so that they altogether with vs make vp but one mysticall body of Christ O the vanitie of these men against the Spirit of God thus to dreame of the vniting of Sion and Babylon of Egypt and Hierusalem of Christ and Antichrist of light and darknesse of God and Beliall The 2. Thess 2. Spirit of God hath foretold that Christ shall in the brightnes of his comming by the Spirit of his mouth that is by the preaching of the Gospel in the dayes of reformation when that of the Reuelation shall bee accomplished Oportet te iterum c. Thou must againe prophecie to Nations Peoples Apoc. 10. 11. Tongues and many Kings the Spirit of God hath I say foretold that Antichrist shall bee dissipated and ruinated by No vnion betwixt the State of the Beast and true Christianity the brightnesse of his comming and the Spirit of his mouth and yet these men dare dreame of Christian vnion and brotherly consociation betwixt those whom the Spirit of God doth thus disunite and dissociate here by a perfect hate diuiding each from other and in the world to come by casting the Beast and his Admirers into the lake of euer burning fire and brimstone and by taking vp to the supper and ioyes of the Lamb those who haue here happily followed the Lamb in all things and haue also suffered for the testimonie of Iesus the Lamb. Now come we to declare how the Papall State compelleth all her followers to take certaine impious markes in their hands and likewise on their foreheads without which they may not bee allowed to buy or sell in that State If any one receiue the marke of the Beast either in his hand or in his forehead FOr declaration of this point according to my vse and that I may the better bee vnderstood I suppose these 1. Suppos things First that which I haue already euinced by the euidencie of Reason and the ioynt-consent of Antiquitie The marke and character of the Beast not to be taken for any beast-like marke by inustion or by incision that these markes and Characters of the Beast are not to bee taken for any corporall signes made either by the inustion of some hot-iron or by the incision of some sharpe instrument in the hands or vpon the foreheads of Antichrists followers no no the same is to bee vnderstood of some flagitious mysticall ceremonies taken in the hands or on the foreheads whereby the Takers are marked for deuoted Seruants of the Beast Secondly I suppose that no 2. Suppos State or Gouernment Antichristian or Hereticall Arrian Nestorian Pelagian or of any other forme whatsoeuer since the dayes of Christ did euer cause and compell their followers to take any speciall markes specializing their heresies or infidelities reall or ceremoniall in their hands or on their foreheads thereby to professe a Soule-allegiance to the whole forme of their sect and superstition saue onely the Papall State Thirdly I suppose that whereas it is said that those 3. Suppos who would not receiue such markes of the Beast should Without the Beasts marke no commerce haue no power either to buy or to sell in the Antichristian State that the same must bee vnderstood of a totall exclusion from all manner of communion and societie in that wicked State where that State doth preuaile and is not limited nor abridged by the moderation of any Temporall power Fourthly I suppose that this totall exclusion from all 4. Suppos No buying nor selling in the Papall State without taking of markes manner of buying and selling is so punctually compleated in the Papall State yea in all Popish Kingdomes where the Inquisition is on foot against all those who receiue not certaine markes of profession and obedience from that State that nothing can bee more assured or more manifest These things supposed how manifest is it that all Professours of the Papall State doe receiue in their hands or on their foreheads some ceremonious marke of obedience and profession which if they contemne to doe they are reputed in that state as Of-casts not to be admitted to All in the Papall State receiue marks any manner of commerce and communion Are they not all or ought they not all at least in purpose of mind to be anointed and marked on their foreheads with oyle consecrated I should say execrated by Papall Charmes wherby the same is become so sacred that the very presence Markes in the forehead and efficacie of the holy Ghost is said and by them is beleeued to bee therein so sacred that the hands of those who are anointed therewith on their foreheads may not presume to touch the said oyle or their owne bare foreheads so anointed so sacred that the foreheads of the anointed Foreheads marked must be bound with linnen fillets after the same inunction are for certaine dayes to be couered with linnen bands fastned thereunto that by such meanes the sacred oyle may be defended from the iniury of wind dust and weather and may by such continuance make better impression and pierce into the forehead such is the vanitie of these fooleries and impieties so sacred that the Popish Bishop anointing the forehead calls it and professes it to be Chrisma salutis The very crisme Their manner forme of marking of saluation I signe thee saith the Bishop with the signe of the Crosse and I confirme thee with the crisme of saluation in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost And may wee not here iustly exclaime against such sacriledgies A iust innection against marking vsed in Papacy thus to call a vile creature the very Crisme of saluation O blasphemy against the God of heauen not Christ alone by his bloud but the Beast by his charmed Chrisme doth and can giue saluation O presumptuous men who without any command or institution from God dare thus sacrilegiously presume to annexe the thrice sacred name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and this in a sacramentall manner for remission of sins The marks of the Papacie worthy to be execrated to a vile and meane creature Who that hath eares
to hear eyes to see and a heart to conceiue doth not obserue this flagitious cerermony to bee an Antichristian marke taken in the forehead A marke not onely because by a superstitious and transeunt motion signed by the thumb or finger on the forehead not onely a marke because the Chrisme is to bee fast bound to the forehead so that if it were possible it might make some reall impression in the flesh but a marke most properly because in that state no man is reputed a perfect comsummate Christian without the same a marke because by the order of that state no Rituall Roman in Ceremo de Baptismo fine man is to bee admitted to receiue the bodie of Christ before he haue the same Finally a marke most properly because in that state it is an Article of Faith that by the Cone Trident. vertue of the outward crismaticall vnction there is imprinted and ingraued in the verie soules of the anointed an indeleble spirituall character A marke then it is and by it they professe obedience to the Papall State and can wee require more for the cleering of this point I might here note others yea and shew how they giue markes on the foreheads or crowne of the head or both in their verie administration of the Sacrament of Baptisme it selfe not in regard of their baptising in the vsuall forme In the Impious marking in their administration of Baptisme name of the Father c. but for that they holding naturall water not to be sufficient nor fit matter of the Sacrament doe make a magicall and superstitious commixtion of water and oyles together first of the holy oyle alone so they call it secondly of crisme alone and thirdly of crisme and oyle together Thus they abuse the sacred Sacrament of Christ and with such charmed and commixt waters and oyles they marke all their followers in their foreheads Concerning the Papalls taking of the Beasts marke in their hands I first passe by because it is not generally of them all the superstitious vnction which their Deacons and Priests at their taking of Orders doe take into their Matt. 24. 24. handes in regard whereof it may bee probably thought that Christ is pleased if wee stand to the plaine litteâ—all sense to haue fore-prophecied against them vnder the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 false Christs false anointed-ones This marke I say I passe by The first marke that I note is that their taking in their hands for it is common to them all the marke of their superstitious woodden or siluer I call them blasphemous Agnus-deyes for that they hold the same Depellere omne malignuÌ„ to driue away all euil yea PeccatuÌ„ frangere c. to breake and destroy sin as the bloud of Christ yea there is no good which they they do â—ot bring no euill which they doe not remoue witnesse those knowne verses Balsamus munda cera cum Crismatis vnda c. Marks in the Papacy and the same also Antichristian Crosses their Graines Beads Medalls but aboue all their most blasphemous Agnus-deyes all markes because marked with some superstitious forme or other whereby they acknowledge a sacred Soueraignty in the Pope and his Antichristian State a Soueraigntie on earth by the vse of such superstitious trumpery to remit all sins with a most full and plenary pardon a Soueraigntie in the heauens by the vertue of such superstitious ceremonies to open heauen gates therein to admit all the superstitious receiuers of such marks A Soueraignty within the bowels of the earth thence to fetch out from out of their imagined Purgatory poor patient soules more or fewer according as it shall seeme expedient to the superstitious Blesser or rather Charmer of the said superstitious markes And may not these bee iustly reputed Antichristian markes markes because really such markes because mystically such distinguishing betwixt Popery and Christianity Antichristian for what more Antichristian then to tie remission of sins the opening of heauens gates the deliuering of poore patient soules out of Purgatory to the superstitious vse of such contemptible creatures hauing no other vertue of sanctification in them then what the charme of Papall breath may presume to haue giuen them O impietie of impieties a man dying if hee haue one of these Papall markes of graines or meddals c. in his handes if hee can but say Iesus in his heart hee shall assuredly haue a plenary pardon Papal blasphemy Idulgent variae concess Colleg. Angl. Imperatr nuper pro laborantibus apud Indos and remission of all his sinnes but if hee want or haue no such graine then no such assurance so they rather blaspheme then affirme Again another Antichristian marke taken in the hand in the Papall State I note this That then when those of that Synagogue are made Catechumens which to speake ordinarily they must bee before they bee baptized the Priest must put into their right handes the signe of the Crosse which signe or marke of the Crosse I doe not by The Crosse superslitiously abused a marke of the Papall State any meanes call Antichristian for so much as it is a signe commemoratiue or remembrance of Christs Crosse but I doe boldly and confidently call it Antichristian as it is abused by them in that state for they most flagitiously pretend that the putting of the said marke or signe into the hands of those that are to bee baptised is a necessarie preparation for the Sacrament of Baptisme and the due receiuing of the same and againe for that by that very signe and marke so made they promise defence against Satan perseuerance in faith and after death life euerlasting Ordo Romanu 〈…〉 enduÌ„ Catechumenum This marke such as receiued it not being baptised Infants doe afterwards take it yea some at the state of men and women A maine obiection answered for thus saith the Priest Trade tibi signaculum Domini nostri Iesu Christi in manu tua dextra vt te signes aduersam partem repellas in fide Catholica permaneas habeas vitam aeternam viuas in secula seculorum I deliuer thee in thy right hand this signe of our Lord Iesus Christ that thou mayst signe thy selfe driue away the aduerse part the deuill that thou mayst perseuere in the Catholike faith mayst haue life euerlasting and liue for euer and euer Here to answere an obiection by the way we may not thinke that the Papall State may bee cleered from the iust imputation of Antichristianisme for that together with their vaine vnctions and charmed oyles in their pretended Sacraments or Sacramentalls as they speake they doe ioyne the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost or for that they doe call on the mercies of God or for that they doe withall vse the signe of the Crosse no no this will not serue the turne for it is most certaine by expresse testimonie of Scripture that the Antichristian State must be a mystery
not an impudencie of Iniquitie A State so ruling 2. Thess 2. and powerfully working miracles euen in the Temple The Papall State Antichristian though they call vpon the blessed Trinitie and the mercies of God in their superstitious rites of God that the very Elect will be in danger to bee seduced A circumstance so plaine and so important that to mee they seeme no lesse then to dote who affirme that Antichrist shall deny the Lord Iesus Christ for what danger of seducing to the Elect where Christ is flatly denied No no the Antichristian State will pretend to be the very hornes of the Lamb a very Vice-gerency instead of Christ and such in truth is the Genuine signification of the word See Stephanus and all the Greek Lexicons See Matth. 17. 27. Matth. 20. Luke 11. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for according as the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may bee taken it signifieth both one in the stead and lieu of Christ and also one most opposite to Christ and such a one indeed shall Antichrist be He shall pretend to come in the name of Christ and yet shall hee be most opposite to Christ euen to the vtter perdition of the true followers of Christ The Magicians Witches and Coniurers call vpon the name of God vse Crosses both materiall and transions yea the Papall Artotheos God in bread Though the Magicians as it is most certaine though Witches as it is a thing knowne though Coniurers a thing likewise cleere doe vse to call vpon the name of God and the holy Trinity in their abominable practises though they vse frequent and often crossings yea can doe in some businesse nothing without crosses though they haue many materiall crosses sacred oyles hallowed waters yea the Papalls owne Christ in the Hosts which they doe vse and abuse in their most execrable exercises yet I hope no Intelligent Papall will deny but that such their practises may be iustly called abominable flagitious and of the deuill though in them I say they vse often crosses crossings with recrossings yea with adoring of their consecrated Hosts and callings vpon the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost and of the holy Angels and of the blessed Virgin her selfe Why then shall wee bee doubtfull to call these practises of Popery Antichristian though they adioyne to their fopperies and impieties the Inuocation of the name of God and though they vse therein the signe of Crosse The signe of the Crosse may be vsed as a laudable ceremony if voyd of scandall the which though it may bee vsed as a laudable ceremonie where iust scandall is not giuen yet as it is abused in the Papall State I boldly call it and such like Antichristian and markes of the Beast Antichristian because deliuered in the name of Christ as efficacious for temission of sinne for increase of grace for defence against Satan hauing for the same end no institution nor command from Christ Antichristian because perswading vs to looke for remission of sinnes otherwise then by the bloud of Christ Antichristian because drawing our confidence from Christ and placing it in the seruile vse of contemptible creatures Concluding this point I answer an obiection which thus may bee made The marke of Antichrist is but one but The Answere then can they bee the marke of the Beast Except many may bee thought to stand for one I answere True it is that the word of the Scripture is here deliuered in the singular How the markes of the Beast both many and one number marke not markes yet for that the said Scripture affirmeth that it is to bee taken in hand and forehead either ioyntly or seuerally it insinuates the markes to bee more then one and this is agreeing to the interpretation See Lira alios of diuers of the Ancient who by the marke in the forehead vnderstand open profession by mouth by the marke in the hand some publike act of obedience or some profession by oath by laying downe lifting vp or putting forth hand or finger But what neede wee to respect the Authoritie of men when as the Scripture it selfe tells vs explicating it selfe that no man shall bee allowed Apoc. 13. either to buy or sell who hath not either the marke of the The markes of the Beast more then one Beast or the name of the Beast or the number of his name Loe here not one but three except we shall not distinguish that which the Holy Ghost hath so distinguishedly deliuered vnto vs or that the name of the Beast or the number of his name shall not be expressed by some ceremonious misticall marke either of denomination or profession of denomination to be called Latines or Romans after the number of the name or by profession to professe the Italike Church or to bee called Papists after the Papists the proper and vnrefusable name of our Aduersaries name of the Beast Papa or some such like I say Papists after the name of the Beast for since the decree of Gregory the seuenth cleere it is that Papa is arrogated as a name peculiar to the Pope and doth significantly expresse the Dictatus Greg. 7. apud Baron ann 1175. whole state of Papacy after which the professours of that State because by faith they beleeue the Pope to be the visible Head thereof ought not to refuse if they vnderstand themselues to bee called Papists or Papalls no they ought rather to glorie in the same name Howsoeuer of this cleere it is that the Admirers of Antichrist may haue more markes then one and yet these more whether two or three may be called one because they agree in one analogicall reason and respect of appertaining and belonging to the Beast and this is without question the sense and intent of the Holy Ghost that no man shall bee permitted either to buy or sell in the Antichristian state who by some publike marke of profession or obedience shall not subject himselfe in a verie Soule-subiection vnto the same Now come we in few words to declare how that no man who wanteth such markes as are aboue expressed No man permittâ—d to buy or sell in the papal state who wanteth the former markes or some of them may be permitted either to buy or sell so our Prophet speaketh within the State of the Popes Dominions A most fearefull calamitie denoting an vniuersall Apostacie and defection designing also the state of the true Church for the whole time of Antichrists reigne to be obscure vnuisible vnconspicuous as being not allowed any manner The true Church inconspicuous in the time of Antichrist of commerce or societie at all what more apparent And is not this very thing to dispatch all in a word the very selfe-yoke of the Exactor and of that oppression which by the Pope iâ— laid vpon all Persons whatsoeuer who refuse or contemne the markes aboue expressed Let our Aduersaries a most fit name for the
holy Father the Pope so it may bee likewise a new principle of religious worship with them Wee adore and worship our Holy Father the Pope and as for their taking of diuers superstitious markes of communion vnder him in their hands and foreheads what more manifest as wee shall anon most fully declare Now the Pontificians to auoid this grieuous imputation sticking so close to their sides knowing for certaine that not any of their Popes euer as yet erected any such reall Beast or reall Image of Beast as is described by Saint Iohn to bee adored and worshipped hauing so many heads and Why Popish Rabbies dreame of a reall Beast to be set vp by Antichrist for adoration hornes in proportion like a Leopard hauing the feete of a Beare and the mouth of a Lion Againe they knowing for certaine that their Popes as yet neuer compelled their followers to receiue any rcall markes by inustion or incision in their hands or vpon their foreheads Here hence it is that they are so strongly addicted to the litterall interpretation of this prophecie of a reall Beast of a reall Image and of the reall adoring and worshipping of the same together with the receiuing of reall markes of the Beast by incision or by inustion in their hands or on their foreheads But O the vanity of this so doting an interpretation How verified against Psal 49. 13. them is that of the Prophet Man being in honour hath not vnderstood hee hath beene compared with the beasts and been made like vnto them For against this their vanitie many contrarieties impossibilities and absurdities doe concurre Contrarieties against Their vaine interpretation against all Antiquitie against their owne Tenents the ioynt interpretation of all the Auntients who all of them none excepted doe interprete the Beast either for the whole multitude of the wicked or for the wicked State and Empire of Antichrist himselfe Contrariety against their owne doctrine they all generally affirming that Antichrist shall suppresse all manner of Idolatry what likelihood then that hee shall set vp so absurd and mishapen a beast or image of the beast for idolatrous adoration and worship Contrarietie against their owne doctrine diuers of them teaching that the Beast typeth Contrarieties against the same forth and signifieth by one of his heads the very State and Empire of Antichrist himselfe yea Bellarmine frequent Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 5. in his ouersight and contradictions affirmeth as much Againe how many impossibilities doe present themselues against this their interpretation of such a reall beast reall markes reall inustions and incisions Impossibilitie for how Bell. lib. 3. de Rom. Pont. c. 8. possible that within the space of three yeeres and a halfe the full time of the Beasts reigne in the opinion of all Pontificians that the whole earth the Inhabitants of the whole earth should be brought personally and presentially to adore and worship such a Beast what shall the faire Beast bee carried vp and downe from Countrey to Countrey like their Holy Father vpon mens shoulders or like their Siluer-shrines vpon mens backes or like their God of bread by their handes in Siluer-turretts or shall it Dagonlike bee reared and set vp for a Pilgrimage-stocke in some Wood or Groue or in some Chappell as at Loretto Mount-serratâ— Sichem or shall this adoration onely bee done by some Puppet-images in the bosomes of the Beasts sworne deuouts like those of Diana or like those their bosome-Godlings worne by diuers of their deuouts in their bosomes prettie small Images of their Images adored and worshipped at Loretto Mountserrato Sichem Impossibilities against the same and elsewhere Answere O yee our Aduersaries and Aduersaries of Gods truth how this adoration of such a reall Beast or Image of the Beast shall be performed by the Inhabitants of the earth Againe impossibilities for how shall such a Beast except it be a liuing Gereon-like monster fight his battailes What weapons shall hee vse for the ouercomming of Gods Saints In what manner and forme of gouernment shall hee rule and gouerne the whole earth how shall hee speake or what language shall it vse how shall one of the Beasts heads be cut off Apoc. 13. so that the Beast shall thereupon dye and yet bee reuiued againe Let our Aduersaries remoue these impossibilities with many such like or else let them cease to dreame any longer after so doting a conceit of a reall Beast or Image of a beast to bee set vp by Antichrist to bee worshipped and adored Besides contraricties and impossibilities how absurd also Absurdities against the same is this their Paradoxe how absurd to thinke that wily Antichrist should reare vp such a beast to bee adored How absurd that the whole world should bee drawne to the adoration of such a beast How absured to dreame that the reall Ribera apud Viâ—gaâ— Vitgas in cap. 13. apoc sect 7. marke or image of a Dragon so Ribera the Iesuite or that the picture of Antichrists owne person so Viegas the Iesuite should by reall inustion impression or incission be burnt or cut into the very hands and fore-heads of the followers of Antichrist 3. Yee who pretend to bee followers and admirers of venerable Antiquitie yea your Tridentine Fathers command you not to interpret the Scriptures against the vnanimous consent of the Ancients tell vs who or how many of the Antient Fathers euer dreamed of this your conceite of such reall beasts markes inustions or incisions True it is somefew but those not very antient as Primasius and Ansbertus haue affirmed that the marke of the Beast shall bee composed of Apud Viogam in Apoc. 13. three Greeke letters P T X which ioyned and framed into one forme and figure doe compendiously represent the name of Christ But this their conceit by no meanes pleaseth our Aduersaries for thereout it may be inferred that in the opinion of the Ancients Antichrists mystery of iniquity shall be a pretensed mistery vnder the very name of Christ A very Vice-gerency in the stead and place of Christ the very thing which the Pope arrogantly assumes to himselfe that which his flatterers doe attribute vnto him that for which all the world admires after him Thus haue wee laid open and refuted the interpretation of our Aduersaries wee come now to declare the true sense of these words I pray againe O thou God who art the reuealer Our prayer of all secrets reueale this thy truth vnto vs First of the Beast and of the Image of the Beast in abstracto what they are afterwards in concreto and by way of application where Gerson tract contra heresin dei communione sub vtra specie to 1. p. 522. Ambros ser 8. in Psal 118. Dan. 7. What the Beast is that a very State wicked Empire is thereby signified they are who they are If any one adore the Beast and the Image of the Beast c.
contrary he shall inrich with wealth and treasury increase in glory and honor all those who shall fall downe adore and worship him and his State These most true suppositions which with an infinitie of testimonies and reasons might be confirmed being The Papall State the State of the Beast carefully preobserued I doe in the feare of God and out of the confidence of a good conscience constantly lay this imputation vpon the present state and gouernment of the Pope of Rome affirmimg his State and Gouernment to be that flagitious State which is here typed forth by the Beast and by the Image of the Beast And so hereby Articles agreed on by the Synod of Bishops and the Conuocation I demonstrate how true that is which wee haue and in the defence whereof I haue partly meditated this argument in our Articles of the Church of England That the Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in the Realme of England Pag. 68. For if his State bee Antichristian and of the Beast as his Maiestie also most truely in his Premonions to Christian Princes then it will follow vnuoidably that all his challenge for iurisdiction within the Realme of England is arrogancie and presumption This my imputation I will not endeauour to proue by enumetating an infinitie of their blasphemous superstitions and lawes against the Maiestie of God the glory of his Sonne and the honour of his Tabernacle the true vniuersall Catholike Church of Christ but I will onely doe it Gods holy Spiiit enabling mee by certaine generall demonstrations drawne from the consideration of the very proper conditions of the Antichristian State it selfe partly laid downe in my former suppositions but most fully in the Booke of God whereunto for breuitie sake I will only point my religious Audience First then I argue thus The State of the Beast must Fâ—rst reason bee a State vpon earth pretending to bee for Christ a Matt. 24. 6. comming in the name of Christ and bearing pretensedly the verie b Apoc. 13. 11. 2. Thessal 2. A vanity in Bellarmine affirming that Antichrist shall deny Christ hornes of the Lamb though in truth it shall speake like the Dragon Againe this State must bee not a proclamed impudencie of Iniquitie but it must bee a mystery of Iniquity a pretensed semblance of Christian Sanctitie A State so full of subtiltie and pretending the name of Christ euen to the doing of miracles and such miracles Matth. 24. 2. Thess 2. Hiâ—â—r orat in Auxâ—nt Hiero. Epist â—1 q. ad algas Oecâ—men Theophil in 2. Thess 2 Chrisost ibid alij See Remes Annotat in 2. Thes 2. annotat 5. that the very Elect shall bee in danger to be seduced It must also be a State ruling and sitting in the Temple of God that is in the visible Churches of God so certaine of the Fathers pretending therein in Gods stead to haue power ouer the verie soules and consciences of the faithfull yea and therein to haue in Gods stead a power dispensatiue ouer all the Lawes of God ouer all powers ordained by God ouer all that is sacred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Maiestie whatsoeuer And are not these and euery of these conditions most properly appliable to the present Papall Roman State onely and solely to the Papall State It alone pretends to wâ—are the Lambs hornes and to bee an absolute Vice-gerencie for Christ It alone requires that her Authoritie The Papall State pretinded to be Christs own state and power bee beleeued vnder necessitie of saluation with supernaturall faith Shee alone pretends to sit that is to rule in the temple of God that is the whole visible Châ—rch of God to rule I say the same with a rod of Iron and Direction Shee alone works in so powerfull and subtill a manner pretending Christs power miracles done in his name that thereby shee drawing to her band a whole multitude of Inhabitants of the earth hazards the soules of the very elect so that they are in danger to be seduced Thus our first proofe and yet here I must not omit to note that though the Papall State pretends the Lambs hornes that is to be Christs absolute and sole Vice-gerent yet notwithstanding it speakes like the Dragon How speakes like the Dragon For that it persecutes with Sword Fire and Fagot as the Dragon did all those who cleaue only to the Lambe for their saluation hoping only Reuel 13. 11. vpon the Lambes merites for their direction both in faith and manners resting onely on the Lambes Word The Roman Fathers like the old Emperours Instruments of the Dragon And are not these the very things for which the Dragon persecuted the first Christians in the Roman Emperours and doth hee not now persecute vs for the very same in the Roman Fathers Pope-Emperours It is the testimony of Iesus Iesus onely Iesus solely which the Dragon persecuted by the old Emperours and it is the same testimony of Iesus which the Dragon persecuteth in these Roman Fathers The Roman Emperours would not haue Iesus alone to be honoured against their Idoll-Gods And these Holy Fathers will not haue Iesus alone to bee acknowledged beleeued to saluation without their Godlings nor to bee onely heard for direction without their Traditions Because we will acknowledge nothing nor will beleeue no other necessary for saluation but Iesus onely Iesus This is that very testimony against which the Dragon now speaketh in the Roman Fathers and persecuteth in vs with the extremitie of Fire Sword and Faggot My second reason I frame thus The state Antichristian Second Reason wil require to be adored of all the Inhabitants of Earth not with ciuill and humane adoration onely but with a Apoc. 13. 15. 16 supernaturall adoration with a soule-Reuerence due to it as to an earthly God But this the Papall State most exactly Adoration giuen to the Papall State as to an Numen and Diuinity vpoÌ„ earth doth require and as yet no other State euer required the same neither can or shall any other with fire and faggot more rigorously require the same then the Papall State now doth require it It followeth then that the Papall State is that very State which is here typed by the Beast That the Papall State requireth such a soule-adoration and supernaturall obedience as due to an earthly Deitie it is more then most manifest For who hath not obserued that in a religious subiection to the Pope and in a Soule-vnion with the Pope consisteth the very life and Wherein consisteth the life of the Papacy essence of the Papall State Here hence it is that it is reputed a high point of the Maiesty of that State yea it is reputed as a partiall meanes to saluation that the Pope receiueth adorations and kissings of his feet from all the faithfull An act of Religion to kisse the Popes feet of the world and in their faith ought to receiue at lest in preparation
Doctrine of the first Angell feare God giue him glory and worship him alone neither can it be denied but that they are frequent in their inuectiues against Rome Popish as against Babilon and withall that they doe detest and diswade all manner of communion with the Pope and with the Church of Rome neither can it be denied that vpon such their preachings effects answâ—â—â—able to their pretences haue followed falls and defections of diuerse States Kingdomes from the Pope yet for that they mistake their marke in inueighing against our Holy Father the Pope Christs Vicar insteed of Antichrist barking against the Church of Rome which is the most chast Spouse of Christ as against the Beasts throane and seate here hence it is that we deseruedly account them as fore-runners of Antichrist but not any rank or order of Godly Preachers fore-signified by these three Angells so Bristow so Harding Answere so Saunders so Bellarmine so the whole army of Papall Rabbies O the vanity of this subterfuge who shall teach vs what is the beast and where is the throane and seate of the beast if not those very men who by the Spirit of God haue beene fore-signed for that function and in whom euery iot of the Prophesy is accomplished O the idlenesse of this euasion doth the spirit of God fore-expresse no other properties and tokens of those Preachers which were to inueigh against Antichrist and his seate then such as the very forerunners of Antichrist should to the full performe practise O the impiety of this pretence to affirme that the fore-runners of Antichrist shall builde their preachings vpon these foundations Feare God giue him glory and worship him alone Acts 4. 11. and vpon this there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen for saluation but the name of Iesus and of the Lambe If we had no other The calumnious and irreligious reasoning of our Aduersaries proofes to conuince the Pope to be an Antichrist yet this would abundantly suffice for that they account the Doctours and Pastours of the Reformed Churches to bee fore-runners of Antichrist in regard they contend to bound all true religious worship within that principle Feare God giue him glory and worship him alone and for that they summe Acts 4. 12. vp all happines of Faith within that Apostolicall decree there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen by which we must be saued but the name of Iesus Iesus that Lambe which solely and alonely taketh away the sinnes of the world Iohn 1. Thus haue wee by a breefe examination of the inscription our first generall part made a doore of entrance for the laying opeÌ„ of those great mysteries and difficulties which lie hid and couered in our second part the Hypothesis and supposition which the Spirit of God inabling wee shall now indeauour to lay open and declare If any one worship the Beast and his Image and receiue Second Generall part the Hypothesis or Supposition his marke in his hand or forehead the same c. HErein consists the greatest I may say all difficulty of our Text not in respect of the persons against whom the Supposition is made for the Hypothesis being vniuersall and indefinit If any it includes all excludes none All Emperours Kings Princes States Nobles Gentles Peoples Young or Old Rich or Poore all If any one worship the Beast and the Image of the Beast or receiue his marke in hand or on forehead they shall surely drinke of the wine of Gods wrath neither is their any difficulty to declare the sense of the word worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any one shall worship or adore the Beast or the image of the Beast for who is so ignorant as not to obserue The worship here condemned is a diuine religious worship not a ciuill reuerence that the adoration and worship here spoken of condemned is not a ciuill worship or politicke adoration giuen to any ciuill Authority or Maiesty no no it is a religious and diuine both externe and interne worship giuen to the State and See of the Beast and this vpon the acknowledgement of a diuine and Godlike kinde of Dignity and Maiesty residing in the Beast or in the Supreame head of that State which is typed by the Beast as hereafter wee shall more fully Wherein consists the difficulty of this text declare wherein then consists all the difficulty surely in declaring what is meant by the Beast what by the image of the Beast what by the taking of the Beasts marke either in hand or Bellar de Rom. pont lib. 3. Cap. 11. 15. Viegaâ— et Ribera in Apocalip ChristophorsoÌ„ treat of Antichrist against Downam part 2. Chapt. 8. alij on forehead O thou Lyon of Iuda thou that openest and no hand shutteth reueale this mistery vnto vs. Here we first obserue by the way and I desire your attention the feuer-trepidation and ignorance of certaine prime Ignatian other Pontifician Rabbies who fearing the true mysticall sense of this place doe again stall antiquitie and their owne tenents hold themselues to the very letter of the prophecie affirming that the followers of Antichrist shall be compelled to adore and worship a true reall beast and a true reall Image of a Beast wee must interprete them of a Beast hauing so many heads and hornes with Diadems theron as is described by the Prophet and also that they shall be Ier. 13. enforced like Fâ—lons by reall inustion or like the Priests A most impertinent subterfuge of our Aduersaries of Baal by cruell incision to receiue a reall marke of the Beast in their hands or on their foreheads Which their subterfuge while I deliuer doe yee smile at their follies or frowne at their impudencies or bewaile their obstinacies Perhaps you will rather admire what may be the reason why they flie to so doting an interpretation which if they doe then bee pleased to take the reason thereof to be this Many Doctors and Pastors of the reformed Churches so also his Praemonit pag. 111. most Excellent Maiestie in his Premonition to Christian Princes doe verily obiect against the Pope and his that by the adoration of the Beast and the Image of the Beast and by the taking of the Beasts marke in the hand or on the forehead is most liuely in a true mysticall sense typed forth No man kissing the Popes feet omits him adoration both going and comming when he kisses he is well nigh prostrate to the ground The forme and Ground of all Papall faith the Papall Antichristian State with the answerable practises thereof of their adoring the Popes Person with Diuine and religious adoration of their Soule-subiection to him in the vorie tye and band of supernaturall faith and sacred obedience to his damnable lawes and forged traditions so that as in a true sense it may bee an Article of Faith yea the forme and ground of all their faith in that Church Wee beleeue our