iniquitas in commum quia membra ejus non plus erubescent actum impietatis quà m pietatis qui fidem habent paucissimi erunt Carth. Bruno These words seem to be prophesied of these times Qui tenet i. e. qui fidem tenet ante Antichristi adventum teneat i. e. ne moveatur citò donec de medio fiat i. e. donec moriatur Fabr. Paulutius in locum Qui tenet teneat religionem donec de medio Ecclesiae fiat apostasia Estius Haec interpretatio non modò est absurda sed Graecis etiam nullo modo respondet Beza Romanus Pontifex qui tenet nunc Ecclesias teneat illas donec de medio fiat id est ab ipsâ Romanâ Ecclesiâ quae est Medium cor Ecclesiarum fiat iniquitas ob quam multae ab ea discedant Ecclesiae Anselme Sicut carbo ignis inter ligna occultè vim suam exerit vicina adurit sensimque proserpit donec in flammam incendium manifestum erumpat sic iniquitas à Daemone accensa occultè in impiis vim suam exerit serpitque donec in publicam omnium scelerum flammam sub Antichristo erumpat Cornel à Lapide 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 multa significat tenere retinere detinere impedire possidere occupare imperare rerum potiri exempla passim halemus Zanchius Note Verse 8. This opinion may seem to oppose the general opinion of the Protestants such as Beza Bishop Iewell Downam Whitaker Willet Brightman and several others who conclude the Pope is Antichrist For my part I grant as much from Scripture against the Pope as they as that he is the Head of the Western Apostasie sitting in pomp in Rome making peoples and Nations drunk with spiritual filthiness and that State that hath drove the Witnesses into Sackcloth that the Popedom is the State with the seven heads and ten horns but all this makes him not in the least the Antichrist that denies the Father and the Son 1 Iohn 2. 21. nor the beast of the earth Revel 13. 12 13. nor he that slayes the Witnesses Revel 11. 7. nor he that lifts himself up in the ruine of three Kings Dan. 7. nor he that is the son of perdition 2 Thess. 2. Who is not to be revealed until he have removed the two Witnesses out of the way This is the Antichrist the Fathers both Greek and Latine make mention of Cornel us à Lapide Exlex est quia nullis legibuâ—… subiicitur omnes autâ—…m leges contemnet conculcabit Zanchius Antichristus manifeste revelabitur fontem esse totius iniquitatis qui nec modò in membris suis nec tunc in sâ—…ipso timendus Anselmus Retegetur autem sic ut apertè conspiciatur in impio suo regno dominatu cognescatur esse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iste Anti bâ—…stus Zanchius Aperâ—…e dominabitur Pâ—…ator Note Spiritus oris non significat praedicationèm verbi Dei quia haec non interficiet Antichristum imò iâ—…sam tollet cum Eliam Enoch occidet Nil prodest ratio aut religio ubi vis imperat Spiritus oris Christi non est pâ—…aedicatio sed potiùs sententia judicium condemnationis Zelus justitiae faciet qui est amor Spiritus enim Christi est amor Christi hic zelus est Spiritus Sancti quem habet ad Ecclesiam Aquinas in Locum Et spiritu labâ—…orum suorum morte afficiâ—…t improbum Treâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuagint i. e. to a wonder in the spirit by by the lips he shall slay the wicked one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Conficiet Spiritu oris est Periphrasis verbi Dâ—…i virtutis ejus nam verbâ—…m breve consummatum facieâ—… Dominus super terram Zuinglius Note August Ambros. Ante diem judicii â—…ccidetur Antichristus nam post â—…jus mortem minimùm dabuntur hominibus quadâ—…aginta quiuque dies poeâ—…tentiae ut patet Dan. 12. 12. Cornel us d. Lapide alii docti Multorum opinio est inter Antichristi mortem Dominique adventum spatium aliquod temporis fore medium quâ—… pace aliquantulâ fâ—…uatur Ecclesia Estius in locum Fatâ—…or quidem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 voce saeâ—…è illum iudicii adventum significari sed id perpetuum non est Leigh Critic Sac. Haec verba non duntaxat de ultimo adventu Christi intelligenda sunt sed quotidiano adventu verbi Christi in corda fidelium Zuinglius Incertum est an loquatuâ—… de ultima Christi apparitione cùm judex è coelis patefiet Calvin in locum Adventus Domini extensè secundùm quandam latitudinem est intelligendus ut sub eo comprehendatur etiam adventus praedicatio praecursorum Estius in locum See the learned Annotations on Matth. 24. Iâ—… may be called the coming and appearing of Christ when he comes and appears in his Vice-gerents his two anointed Offices Magistracie and Ministery but at the raising of the Witnesses he eminently appears in these two Offices therefore 't is called Christs comming and appearing Verse 9. Theodoretus Hypolitus de Consummatione Sâ—…culi Rabanus de Antichristo Operatio Satanae omnis conatus ejus in hoc homine situs â—…rit Ant. Scaynus In ipso cum ipso per ipsum operabitur Satanas Tirinus In Antichristo est Diabolus â—…uggerens â—…icut dicitur de Juda Jo. 13. Introivit in eum Satanas scilicet instigando Aquinas Ità Gorranus Noâ—…e Mr. Ant. Burges Hot modo decipiat Antichristus primò per potentiam Secularem Secundò per virtutem miraculorum Quantum ad primum dicit in omni virtute scilicet Seculari Dan. 11. Dominabitur thesaurorum auri argenti Aquinas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Copiâ—… militares dicuatur non solum in sermone sacro sed etiam apud autores profanos Leigh Potestaccipi pro divitiis vi armorum Ant. Scaynus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nazian Jamb 15. 2. 2. Signa sunt quaedam miâ—…a etiam pâ—…rva prodigia verò magna quae aliquemprodigâ—…osum ostendunt quasi â—…ocul à digitâ—… Aquinas Miracula dicuntur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quia signa sunt praesentiae divinae atque eorum proprius usuâ—… est ut confirmetur fides nostra Leigh è Camera Miracula vocantur signa Synecdochicè quia miâ—…acula signa testimonia sunt divinae ad dicendum vocationis veritatis 〈◊〉 Note Annotations on the Bible Et prodigiis falsis Syr. Et prodigiis mendacibus Beza Quae causam habent occultam alicui non simpliciter dicuntur quidem mira non miracula simpliciter sed quae simpliciter causâ—…m occultam habeÌ„t sunt proprie miracula Aqui. Miraculum est quod â—…it super omnem naturae vim quódque omnium naturalium causarum creaturarum vires excedit transcendit Cornelius à Lapide Zanchius Miraculum mendax dicitur vel quia deficit à vera ratione sacti vel à vera ratione miraculi vel à debito fine miraculi Aquinas Cyrillus Catech 15. Non suâ—…t vera miracula vim naturae super antiâ—… sed praestigiae diabolicae vel certè vi potentiaÌ„ naturali patrata Tyrinus ex Cyrillo Theod. Utitur Antichristus ad fallendum sapieneâ—…tiâ verboâ—…um simulatione virtutum testimonio Scripturarum operationâ—… mirâ—…culorum promissione divitiarum terrore persecutionum Goran in Locum Verse 10. Mr. Leigh Magnâ comitace gratiâ se insinuandi captandique hominum gatiaâ—… sanctimoniâ simulatâ utetur Antichristuâ—… ad illiciendum homines Describit jam subditos hujus regni eóqueâ—…olatur pios ut ne metuant Antichristi potentiam quippe limitibus certis definitam 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys. Dicit charitatem veritatis quiâ—…isi formataâ—…ides per charitatem nibil est Aquinas Hic sensuâ—… sacilior est planior maglsque connexuâ—… versui sequenti opponitur enim amor veritatis errori sive amori ampâ—…exui erroris â—… Lapid ex Vâ—…tab In â—… fundamentum non est Christus â—…ui caetera praepoâ—…untur Aug. de Civit l. 21. c. 26. â—… Note Verse 11. Uâ—… volunt Deo ut fruantur mundo Aug. de Civit Dei lib. 15. c. 7. Object Answ. Vide Bazil Tom. 1. Homil. Aug. contra Julianum l. 5. c 3. Deus miâ—…tet quia Deus diacolum ista facere perâ—…et Aug. de Civit. l. 20. c. 19. Opponit Apostolus veritatem Christi non mendacio sed iniquitati Antichristi Cornell à Lapide Ità Scholiâ—… Docent Scripturas quas non intelligunt pâ—…iùs imperitorum magistri quà m 〈◊〉 ipâ—… Hieron Epist. Usâ—…patio est usu capioâ—… interruptio in jâ—… Civil Verse 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scholia Ità Beza Aquinas Gravius est diligâ—…e â—…eccatum quà m â—…accre Greg. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 propriè sigâ—…t aâ—…cui facerâ—… injuriam aliquem per vim opprimeâ—…e Alsted Rom. 12. The shaking of Heaven and Earth in the Scripture-sense is the overthrowing the Throne of Kingdomes and the strength of the Kingdom 's of the Heathen Hag. 2. 22. Note 1. Proposition 2. Proposition Observ. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Septuagint
years but by the Lawes of God and conscience might better by reason of his disabilities be excused from this high undertaking then any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For 't is not he that cannot do these things saith Nazianzen that shall be brought to judgment but he that can and will not shall bear the punishment Zeal rather then abilitie provoked the Author to this Work for how can any Christian endure to see and hear such ignominious things spoken and done against the City of our God without vexation If natural bowels caused Moses to pity that faulty Princesse his Sister when her face was leprous how much more ought the bowels of grace in us to cause us to mourn for our innocent mother the Church which is strip'd of all her wealth and children and with Job sits full of botches and boiles upon the dunghill of Anarchy without a comforter Vindication of a private innocent person upon a Civil account is honourable much more the vindication of a Church and State upon a Religious account This work properly belongs to the Sword and the Gown the Gown dirâ—…cts the Sword and the Sword protects the Gown and bâ—…th together protect the Church and State from injuries when bâ—…th by usurpation are exempted that Church and State lies open to all manner of Antichristian injuries and in such a case 't is the duty of a true born son of the Church to vindicate wherein he may the Church and State whereof he is a member There are foul aspersions cast upon the Church and State this day by the Papists and Apostates of this Age both which within these seven yeers were like the dogs in Egypt when Israel passed out dumb not daring to bark as now they do blasphemously against a Reformation then these Philistimes cryed as they in Samuel Wo unto us who shall deliver us out of the hands of these mighty Gods But since by the success of War they have taken the Ark they so much feared and broke the neck of Eli in the place of Iudgment I mean the Prince and the Priest for Eli was both they now subject the Ark of God to their cursed Dagon and where is he that fears the Lord and is not much affected with griefe herat Who cannot now read Ichabod upon the face of every thing Apostates those Vipers within the belly of the Church have gnawed their way out through the bowels of it and they proclaim it impudently that the Reformed Protestant Religion is Antichristianism which is as much as to say except you utterly renounce it you will undoubtedly be damned by it this our quondam brethren and fellow Professors of the same Religion with us say against us and our Religion from which they have Apostatized The Papists insult over us and our Religion to their great advantage and our shame for what say they Who would be of that Religion that leads men to Rebellion Murder Perjury Blasphemy Heresie and all manner of heathenish practices whereas we old Roman Catholiks are firm to the principles of our Religion we are where we were hundreds of years agoe Those and such like aspersions on the true Religion together with the innumerable swarmes of Romish Popish Seminaries dispersing their doctrines and books together into every corner of the nation have brought of late very many fishes to their nets which so encourageth them that they have dared to attempt the Seduction of many eminent and solid protestants Some persons of honor they have on our knowledg drawn lately from the Protestant Religion by their impetuous urging of the late monstrous actings of the English Protestants Thus do these two parties or rather one party in two shapes like a pair of sheers in the Divels hand cut the Protestant cause in pieces To the first of these our treatise answers describing the Antichrist and his followers from many texts especially from 1 John 2. 16 22. 1. They went out from us us i. e. The Ministry they forsook the Assembly of Saints 2. They are not of us i. e. they are false brethren that once in outward profession were of the Church but when they saw their time 〈◊〉 the Church by a separation from the Church Assemblies and the orâ—…ined Ministers of those Assemblies this is the disposition of the Antichrist and his followers And then there is the siâ—… which formally maketh Antichrist in v. 22. and that chiefly lieth in two things 1. In denying Iesus to be the Christ Now he that denieth the annointed offices of Iesus denieth Iesus to be the Christ. The annointed offices are the Kingly office and the Priestly office which whosoever resisteth rebelleth against or revolteth from is said to deny So Rom. 13. 2. He that resisteth thâ—… lawful Magistrate is said to resist the ordinance of God and so far as he resists Gods ordinance he resists God for man can make-no other visible resistance of God 2. The second thing which maketh Antichrist formally to be the Antichrist is he denieth the Father and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 This canâ—… be interpreted but of the offices of Christ Fâ—…r if it 〈◊〉 a liâ—…ral meaning there are millions of Antichrists in the world and the generality of them out of the Church which is absurd and erroneous to affirm But that we may unlock this mysterie of Johns with his Masters Key let us turn to Luke 10. 16. and Matth. 10. 40. And we shal plainly see what 's meant by denying the Father and the Son in plain termes 't is the rejecting and despising of the Ministers the Ambassadors of Christ mark the words He that despiseth you despiseth me Saith Christ to his Apostles by whom were represented the Ministers of Christ in the succeeding ages and he that despiseth me i. e. the Son despiseth him that sent me i. e. the Father So that he that despiseth a Minister of the Gospel or any of the annointed offices of Iesus despiseth the Father and the Son what then dâ—…th he do that destroys these offices Thus you have a spiritual description of the Antichrist in vindication of the Church of England from Apostates in it and Tyrants and usurpers over it More you may find in the insuing discourse But to the last the Papist though nâ—…t the least enemy of the Protestant Church though lesse violent yet not lesse subtil nor malicious then the former Whereas they say our religion leads us to heresie murder rebellion blaspemy and Profaneness we that are protestants deny it by affirming 1. That there is not one principle in the Protestant Religion that tollerates heresie murder rebellion or blasphemie 2. That the general consent of the Protestant Churches are against heresie rebellion murder and blasphemie and have publickly protested against it 3. Those that have by their pens or publick acts pleaded for or practised murder rebellion heresie or blasphemie are such as have made an open Apostasie from their former professions and practices or such as have concealed from the publick view
yeares and the halfe of three years in that dominion where he slew the Witnesses There is much difference amongst the learned about this man of sin in the Text Hierome and Beda and Damascen l. 4. c. 28. do affirm that this man of sin is a Devill but the most learned confute this affirming that he is a man acted by the Devil not a reall Devil that he is one single person not onely the restrictive articles to each of his names do evidence but the things attributed to him as also the time of his continuance do convince us that the Antichrist is one single person He is a little horn saith Daniel speaking great words against God and wearing out the Saints for a time times and the dividing of that time which according to Daniels interpretation can be but four years and a half in probability at the most the like doth Revel 11. say of the Antichrist Severall of the Papists make two Antichrists the one apparent in the world that is Mahumetans the other to come in the end of the Roman Monarchy who they say shall slay Enoch and Elias that is the two witnesses and reign three years and a half and then he shall be destroyed by Christs comming to Judgement CHAP. II. THe greatest scruple about Antichrist ariseth from 1 Iohn 2. 22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Iesus is the Christ he is the Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son Now say many Antichrist when he comes he shall be known above all others to be that notorious liar in denying Jesus to be the Christ and denying the Father and the Son But he whom some call the Antichrist in this age acknowledgeth the Father and the Son and confesseth and professeth that Jesus is the Christ Therefore he cannot be the Antichrist I will but open this Text let others apply it in the Text you have the Antichrists title he is the liar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore he is called the false prophet Revel 19. and Revel 13. 14. he is said to deceive the inhabitants of the earth by his signes which Matthew 24. expounds lying wonders The Antichrist is the great liar which implies two things 1 That he is one that apostatizeth from the truth and fights against that truth he professeth He is an apostate professor as I may say to lie is to go against the conscience mentiri est contra mentem ire He speaks that with his tongue that his heart is an enemy unto Therefore Antichrist Revel 13. 11. speaks as a Dragon i. e. as the Dragon spake to Eve in Paradise every word against his conscience not one true word though every word full of flattery and false promises and pretences 2 It implies that he is the great Covenant-breaker For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Piscator observes is fidem datam violare Thus you have Antichrist by his title the liar the eminent hypocriticall Christian-professing apostate who violates his faith and allegiance 2 Here is his sin the great lie that he tells to the World and that is He denies Iesus to be the Christ. Observe the Apostles stile in setting out the Antichrist in this place who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say the learned signifies fidem authoritatémque detrahere in Matth. 10. 33. and Act. 3. 13 14. and Matth. 27. 28. it signifies a treacherous rebellious unnaturall revolt from ones lawfull Prince accompanied with such malice against his person that they rest not satisfied but in his blood and utter destruction Thus the Jewes are said to deny Christ and in Heb. 11. 24. it is used after such a sense Moses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he refused to be called the Sonne of Pharaohs daughter He cast off his mother he scormed to be called the son of an uncircumcised Egyptian he would be no longer her son nor would he do homage to her as a mother In this sense the word in this place is to be taken thus the liar is the denier of Iesus to be the Christ. These words carry more in the sense then every man perceives the most men understand it of denying the Lord Jesus to be the true Messias But if this be the Character of the Antichrist then there are ten thousand thousand Antichrists in the World all the Turks and the Iews are the Antichrist and therefore we must look for some further meaning in these words He denieth that Iesus is the Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the anointed He as much as in him lies rebels against and destroys Christ that destroyes the Offices of Christ but the Propheticall Sacerdotall and Kingly Office which makes Jesus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the anointed this Antichrist denies i. e. treacherously rebelliously unnaturally and maliciously destroys Ergo he is the liar i. e. the false prophet that deceives and that great hypocritical professor but malicious apostate the Antichrist who by his denying of the anointed Offices which represent the Deitie on earth is said to deny the Deity both the Father and the Son all Supremacie Herein he speaks great words saith Daniel against the God â—…f gods So that that which gives the esse formaâ—…e to the Antichriâ—…t is the sâ—…aying of the Witnesses and exaâ—…ting himself above them as these with other Texts make it manifest Or thus in Christs own words the Antichrist denies the Father and the Son in separating from the Ministery of Christ 1 Iohn 2. 19. That 's the great mark of Antichrists followers who in despising the Ministers sent by Christ despise both the Father and the Sonne and in rejecting of them reject the Father and the Son Matth. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. He that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that seâ—…t me i. e. both Father and Son And thus you have him set forth under the title of the man of the sin in plain terms the murtherer of the Witnesses The second name given to him the son of the perdition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this title there is say the learned an Hebraisme whereby is meant 1 Passively one destinated to destruction as Matth. 23. 5. 2 Actively one that is a destroyer of others Take what others say of this son of the perdition He is passively so saith Gualther because he apostatizeth from Christ. And he is actively the son of perdition because he causeth others to apostatize from Christ. The self-same sense and expression the Scholiasts have upon the same words Estius observes upon both the expressions the man of sin the son of perdition First he is the man of the sin and then the son of perdition his sin assuredly brings his ruine But why the son of perdition the learned answer that it is an Hebraisme and signifies as much as perditissimus perditioni natus ac devotus aliorúm que pernicies pestis exitium Zanch. But possibly he may be called the son of the
in their sin untill they die Since they refused counsell and knowledge and the fear of God they shall have none of it I will refuse them saith the Lord they shall be given up to strong delusion to believe a lie Since they would not feed on Angels food at Christs Table they shall feed on the Devils excrements amongst the swinish herds of heretitcks destinated to damnation As Christ by his gracious wisdome did save an adulterous woman from the judgement of adulterous men by causing the shamefull sin of the condemned to flie upon the guilty consciences of the condemners So God in his glorious wisdome brings to damnation hypocrites by letting seducers baits catch those seduced souls that so greedily catch at them whereby they shamefully like those accusers of the woman go away and leave Christ his Ministers and his Ordinances In all this God is true though every one of them be liars That they should believe a lie so Beza renders it and the Syriack To a word that they should believe that lie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lie what lie Mr. Leigh answers Antichrist Since they would not imbrace Christ the truth they shall be given up to blindenesse and hardnesse to imbrace Antichrist the lie A lie is falshood appearing in the cloke of truth and so is Antichrist which these Apostates shall imbrace They rejected and revolted from Gods anointed ones which were the Cedars of God and chose to themselves the bramble and under this scratching thorn those goates shall sit till a fire come forth from the Lord and devour both it and them They heap to themselves ignorant and unlearned Teachers perverting the Word to their damnation such as Ierome speaks of The very name Antichrist imports a lie for he is one against the truth against Christ who is the way and the truth If love of the truth be meant Christ as Chrysostome Oecumenius Theodoretus and severall other learned Authors affirm then most probably the imbracing a lie is here meant the subjecting to and closing with Antichrist or as very probably truth is put for the anointed offices the two Witnesses which these Apostates reject and imbrace the Antichrist who in opposition to them is called a lie usurpation is a lie the great usurper is the Antichrist who supplants the Witnesses and therefore called in the abstract the lie He is called in 1 Iohn 2. 22. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the liar who is the Antichrist who denies the Father and the Sonne that is the constituted offices in the Church Luke 10. 16. for he that denieth them denieth Christ and he that denieth Christ denieth God CHAP. VII THat they all might be damned who believed not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse This Verse windes up Pauls prophecie of the Antichrist and his followers It hath two parts in it The first shewes us the last of Antichrist and his subjects viz. their finall damnation The last part is an exegefis of the two foregoing verses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they might be damned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here used for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word properly signifies to judge but in the worser sense it is often in the New Testament put for to condemn as Luke 19. 22. Out of thy mouth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I condemne thee and so generally Expositors understand it that their judging here shall be cum judicio damnationis with the judgement of damnation Here we have the dreadfull Catastrophe of Antichrist but especially his companions his men of name and something more me thinks I see as matter of comfort in the Text viz. the time when he shall be thus with his followers damned or cast into hell as Revel 19. 20. expresseth it Compare it with 2 Tim. 3. 8 9. and it informes us that they shall proceed no further then to oppose the Witnesses as Iannes and Iambres did Moses Aaron when they have resisted the truth i e. the Witnesses maintaining the truth in opposition to the lie Antichrist when they have corrupted their own and others mindes with heresies and blasphemises and when they have shewed themselves reprobates concerning the faith then they shall proceed no further they shall then receive the wages of their work damnation These that Paul prophesies of to Timothy are the same that here he prophesies of to the Thessalonians for they are all professors of Religion all in one livery practising the same devillish things and being alike corrupted and depraved We finde Antichrist and his followers in Revel 11. and Chap. 13. proceeding no farther then the slaying of the Witnesses and triumphantly insulting over them and their authority for three dayes and an halfe and then on a sudden unexpectedly a cloud is seen and a loud voice is heard the Witnesses rise the 7000 names of men are slain by a great Schisme Commotion or Earth-quake which finisheth the second wo and then followes presently the third wo or seventh trumpet and then the Dragon the beast and the false Prophet are cast into hell and Hallelujahs and praises throughout the Church are thundered and no more of Antichrist appears for ever So that I will say to the true Church as Christ in Matth. 24. When ye see these things begin to come to passe know that the time of Antichrists damnation is nigh at hand even at the door Who believed not the truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Holy Ghost seems to point at some peculiar eminent truth which these hypocrites and Apostates did reject and would not believe for 't is not to be imagined that they rejected all truth and turned Infidels and Heathens for then they must necessarily cast off the profession of Christianity which they that follow Antichrist do not do and therefore I conceive it is some eminent truth which God permits to be opposed purposely to trie the knowledge faith love sincerity Christianity and courage of his people and to discover the rottennesse hypocrisie and back-sliding of formal professours this God usually doth in every age some eminent truths or other he permits to be opposed and calls out eminent professours to witnesse unto blood on their behalfe There 's never an Article in the Creed but at one time or other hath been thus victoriously in blood defended all being delivered to us sealed with our holy Ancestors blood Thereby teaching us our duty in a time when truth 's opposed God permits certain truths in severall ages to be opposed in Queen Maries dayes the doctrine of the Sacraments was opposed and the true way of externall worship and then God first sealed his truths with his Martyrs blood and then delivered them to us their posterity Now in the time of Antichrists appearing the great truth which shall be called in question to the trial of the Saints and the discovery of hypocrites and formall professors who shall reject this is the two great Offices originally Christs derivatively those whom he
pragmatick fellows made it a snare to tender consciences of the Kings party by pressing it upon them and oppressing those that refused it This was doubtlesse a grosse sinne but it cannot properly be laid to their charge as if they thereby intended to make a party for themselves against the King but to make all within their Garisons and Commands both Ministers and People true Subjects to the King to the Lawes and the Protestant Religion Whiles this was strictly observed in the Parliaments Quarters Iesuites and Popish Priests were not so frequent nor so bold as since they have beene amongst us 3. As to that of throwing down of Bishops a double scandal is taken if not given thereby 1. In their manner of proceeding without and against the King which in it self was absolute usurpation for though they did send to the King to passe it yet they resolved upon his denyal to proceed which was an absolute denyall of his Negative voyce in which implicitely they denyed him to be their Soveraign 2. In throwing down the ancient Government of the Church by Bishops which Government hath continued in the Church since the Apostles time unquestioned until within these hundred yeers and then the Orthodox onely questioned their Persons not their Office onely the Anabaptists cryed down the Office as Antichristian Now for the Parliament under pretence of Reformation of Religion to cast off that primitive Government universally received in the Churches without and against the consent of the King and solemnly ingage others in the same thing seems to be a most rash and incâ—…nsiderate act done out of blinde mislead zeale or an ungodly act done wilfully to bring to ruine the Protestant Church of England to rob the Church of its Maintenance and ruine the learned Clergie of the Nation Here we must answer leâ—…t both innocent persons and a good Cause suffer 1. The Parliament intended not by throwing down the English Hierarchie to throw down any Worship Discipline or Government according to the word of God for then their second Article would clash with the first in the Covenant so that their meaning is they will extirpate so much of Prelacy as shall be found contrary to the word of God and the Example of the best reformed Churches I suppose by Churches they meant the purest Primitive Churches for all these late Reformed Protestant Churches did before we thought of a Reformation yeild that we were better reformed then they We hold the Calvinists the best reformen Churches but saith learned Beza to the praise of the English Protestant Bishops Let the Church of England injoy this singular bounty of God which I wish may be hers for ever So far was he from thinking it a piece of Reformation to pull them down Calvin Bucer Luther Melancton Zâ—…nchy Chamier are all of them no enemies to Bishops though professed enemies to the Superstitious Idolatrous Practices of Bishops in that Age. Every solid Protestant is so far from thinking the Office of a Bishop to be Antichristian that he rather thinks it a high degree of Antichristianism to oppose that Office this is as we have shewed to deny the Father and the Son for he that denyeth an Apostle or the Successoâ—…s of an Apostle in the Office of the Ministry denyeth Christ and he that denyeth Christ denyeth God that sent him Charity therefore makes me hope that the sincere Protestants what ever other subtil Foxes designed intended no otherwise by that second Article in the Covenant then to reduce the Church of England to a Primitive Purity by removing Popish Prelates and all those humane Institutions depending on the English Hierarchy if through Error they were mis-led from the right means to this end the discovery of that Error may seasonably reduce them into a right way for wise men never think it a shame to repent It is most certain that the intent of the sincere Covenanters was to reâ—…ine not ruine the Ministry by pulling down the English Hierachy they struck not at the order of the Ministry but at the degree of Episcopacy they struck at the Discipline of the English Church therein more then at the Ministry for they pulled down Bishops as they were Superintendants over their brethren not as Ministers so that they took away their degree above their brethren but left them standing in their order as Ministers Bishops lost not their Order by the Covenant but their Degree for though they are in a distinct degree above the Presbyters which have ever been allowed them in the purest Churches since Christ time yet they never were a distinct order from the Presbyters neither the Scripture nor the Fathers make them so so that Aerius an ancient Writer in that saith truth a Bishop and a Presbyter are joined in the same Commission the Bishop imposeth hands so doth the Presbyter the Bishop administers the Sacraments and dispenseth the Ordinances so doth the Presbyter so that essentially there is no difference betwixt them what is is only gradual Now here lies the great question Whence they had this degree above their fellow Ministers in the Church If they had this from Apostolical Institution then without all doubt it was a grieveous sin in any Civil Power to pull it down and they that convenanted so to do did unadvisedly and foolishly But if this degree of Episcopacy be but an Ecclesiastical Institution though of great Antiquity the case is altered there cannot be an absolute necessity of its immutability Meer humane Institutions admit of alterations Hierom and Epiphanius say They were set up as a remedy against Schism and Heresie long after Presbytery But to come to the thing suppose this degree to be as probably it is an Apostolical Institution which continued unquestionable in the Church for many hundred years Yet here the question will still be Whether since the grand Apostasie that Paul prophesies of there hath not been an Apostasie from this Institution whether this Institution in the Apostasie did not contract much corruption This is granted by all the Protestant English Bishops especially by the late Lord Primate of England B. Laud in his Conference with Fisher Bishop Jewel and Bishop Downam hence these two latter conclude That the Hierarchy of Rome is so corrupted and apostatized from its Primitive Institution that it is become the Antichristian State nay more then that they call it the Antichrist That question then which concerns us is Whether the Hierarchy of England were so exactly conformable to the Primitive Institutution as that it needed no alteration These two things are granted 1. That the persons in that Hierarchy needed to be reformed for some of them were profâ—…ssed Papists and the most of them bitter enemies to a powerful and a painful Orthodox Ministry 2. That whatsoever is built upon an humane foundation may upon humane or divine considerations be taken down again if so then those Titles Offices and Dignities conferred meerly by men may be taken away but
perdition in regard of his nature and quality as also in regard of the time of his appearing he is the son this correlate tearm implies a father now we shall finde his father if we look but out of what wombe he came Revel 11. 7. he came out of the bottomles pit who hath the power or key of the bottomless pit but the Star faln from heaven Revel 9. 1. and that is generally by the learned'st Protestants concluded to be the Popedome who after it had opened the bottomlesse pit and let out all its locusts those monsters that poisened Nations and caused the Western Church so foully to apostatize for that 's the meaning of the 10 first verses of Revel 9. the last that appears is v. 11â—… a King whose name is in Hebrew Abaddon and in Greek Apollyon that is to say a destroyer This King most probably is the Antichrist the son of perdition and my grounds are for it because as I said before his originall is one and the same that Antichrists is his end is the same his titles are the same and the time of his appearing is at one and the same time a word on each 1 His originall is the same in Revel 11. 7. he is the beast of the bottomles pit 2 His titles are the same for here he is also call'd King and so Revel 11. 7. beast implies as Revel 17. 8. there the same beast which ariseth out of the bottomlesse pit is called the eighth that is King say the learned so that his titles are the same 3 His time of appearing is the same for here he appears the last viper of the Popedome of Romes hatching and so he appears in Revel 11. 7. after the witnesses have finished their testimony and in Revel 13. after the beast of the Sea hath tyrannized in his day and in Revel 17. he is called the eighth beast bearing up Rome when she is going to ruine and Daniel 7. calls him the little horn the last which riseth up after the ten It is supposed by some upon very good grounds that that King Apollyon Revel 9. 11. is brought in abruptly there or should be within a Parenthesis as not relating to the next following verse but set down in the end of the Vision of the Roman Apostasie to note that this King Apollyon is to appear in the latter end of the Apostasie being the Antichrist that slays the Witnesses therefore Apollyon the eighth King Revel 17. therefore King Apollyon he is to go to perdition at the great battel Revel 19. therefore Abaddon 4 His end is the same for in Revel 17. 8 11. there twice he is said to go to perdition and twice mention is made in Dan. 7. of the destruction of the little horn which is the same beast now if this King be the Antichrist then Pauls son of perdition hath the Pope for his father and hence peradventure he is called the son This son of perdition may well be called the son of the Pope if we look to the resemblance that is betwixt the father and the son The Pope the father pretends to exceeding much piety and godlinesse and so doth the Antichrist the son therefore the Antichrist is called the false prophet and Paul 2 Thess. 2. 9. calls him that person that comes with power and lying wonders and signes and all deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse insomuch that if it were possible the very Elect would be deceived by him and his followers and then in his tyranny over the Saints he much resembles his father the Pope for the Popedome drove the true Church out of Rome which was once the purest Church and the famousest in the World and drove it into the Wildernesse and caused the Witnesses to sit in sackcloth that is in the poorest lowest vildest and most abject state The Popedome secluded the Emperours of Rome from their right of Dominion in Rome and hath made them sit in sackcloth mistake me not for by the Emperours of Rome I do not mean the Emperours of Germany no they are as excentrick and as unlawful in their constitution as the Pope himself who is Pope by the election of his own creatures there will be found in the world one day one that hath a lawfull title to the Empire by succession whose predecessours had their title founded upon a lawfull Conquest Now as the Pope the father together with the Eastern Apostasie drives the successors of the lawful Emperour of Rome into the wilderness which is the true Churches place observe that Revel 12. 14. so in that place the Antichrist slayes the witnesses that is the lawful anointed ones of God who finish their testimony to the truth against the grand apostasie and usurpation of Rome and after he hath slain them usurps their power and authority just like the Pope when he had drove the Emperour out of Rome seated himself in his throne and authority and trampled under feet the Ministery of Rome that neither Synods nor Censures of the Ministery were of any force except such as were of the Usurpers faction and cried him up for a Saint and a petty god Herein the Antichrist the son is also like the Pope his father Hence from the resemblance of their tyranny in Revel 13. 12. the beast of the earth which is the son of perdition Paul here mentions is said to exâ—…rcise the power of the first beast before him Or he may be called the son because as a son is born to be a support to his father in his old age so is this son of perdition destinated to bear up Rome in her old age when she is neer her grave going down to destruction Hence the Antichrist is seen to carry Rome Revel 17. 7. the woman with seven heads and ten horns when v. 1. her judgement is seen in a vision whence I conclude the Antichrist riseth long after the â—…ope and doth at that same time appear in the world when the Judgement of Rome is neer at hand this is the opinion of the most of the Fathers for Iohn in Revel 11. 7. sees not this bettomless pit beast until the Witnesses had finished their testimony nor doth he see the beast of the earth which is the same beast of the bottomlesse pit untill Revel 13. 10 11. the beast of the Sea which had led captivity was going into captivity and then appeares the beast of the earth and up comes his new Government and Tyranny Nor is the beast of the bottomlesse pit Revel 17. 8. which is the eighth Verse 11. seen carrying the woman with seven heads and ten horns until the judgement of the great Whore is seen Verse 1. so that there is great ground to believe that this son of perdition ariseth after the Apostasie and appears in the World about the time when the Apostasie shall be ended that is when God shall throw down those usurpers in the Churches and usurpers in those States which have bin the
is not totally to be rejected as contrary to that opinion of the Witnesses for the doctrine of the Gospel going forth of the mouthes of the Ministery and guarded backed and defended by the sword of the Magistracie is that that would have kept Antichrist from rising but here is the mischief Antichrist by his policy divides Magistracie and Magistrates and Ministery and Ministers and thereby ruines both And this is one signe of Antichrists comming for he divides a Kingdome against it self and friends and families he divides asunder But I digress Others say the let was the Paganisme of the Roman Emperours which untill removed hindred Antichrist from getting into the Throne 'T is true indeed Antichrist must be one that professeth Christ not a Heathen nor profest Atheist as the Papists say but Paganisme could not be the let for the Antichrist is not tied to the Roman Throne nor was Atheisme to possesse the Roman Throne until Antichrist came The general opinion of Expositors is that the Roman Empire is the let this is the opinion of the Fathers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say the Scholiasts and they speak best and truest and to this many learned and pious Protestants consent I do not love to stretch out contra torrentem brachia as here I must in contradicting this opinion if they mean the Heathen Roman Empire it cannot be for that was long since ruined and then Antichrist must by all the Fathers opinion be long since ruined also he being to continue in his tyranny but three yeers and an half as they say if they mean the Roman Christian Empire as Carthus Bruno affirms in some sense it is true for the Christian Magistracie of Rome did doubtless hinder much of the Antichristian pride from rising Yet this cannot be true in any sense unless we will grant which I think may lawfully be granted that the lawful Emperour of Rome by the Apostasie was drove Revel 12. into the Wilderness where he did in sackcloth i. e. in a clouded obscure remote place and state continue and in that state kept the Antichrist from rising Upon the overcomming and depressing of whom the Antichrist arose if this be granted it falls into the lap of that opinion of the Witnesses being the let of the Antichrist and in all probability we can then point at the place and person both of the Witnesses and the person that slayes them and where but we forbear it being not to do Others say the grand Apostasie did let and hinder the Antichrist from appearing This also in some sense is true for the grand Apostasie is to precede the Antichrist and so Antichrist was not to be untill towards the end of this Apostasie but this Apostasie in its own nature did no more hinder the Antichrist then the father hinders or lets the birth of the son because he is ordeined to be before him or then the horses let or hinder the Chariots appearing because they go before it and it comes after the grand Apostasie is the begetter and the drawer on of the Antichrist not the hinderer of it and therefore that as v. 7. clears cannot be the great let of Antichrist but as we have said the great let must necessarily be as in verse 4. him whom the Antichrist doth oppose and exalt himself above and those Revel 11. 7. and 10. which he overcomes and kils and they rejoyce that the old tormentors are removed which did oppresse them and keep them under therein keeping Antichrist from rising There is one opinion which I forgot I finde it but in one Author and besides himselfe I think it scarce ever entered into the heart of any Expositor he holds that Paul by the let here doth not mean that which hindered Antichrists but Christs appearing This opinion is distant toto Coelo from all other but that neither makes it truer or falser onely stranger But to this opinon we answer that it is not to be received because it is contrary to the scope of Pauls words and to the method 't is contrary to the scope of the matter which in verse 4. and verse 7. treats of Antichrists rising revealing and reigning and that which hinders him so that he in verse 6 hath relation to he in verse 4. as that wicked in verse 8. hath relation to he in verse 4. also We will once more touch upon this Text to see what may by Gods grace be drawn from the method and the words The Text as we said is Pauls inference from what he had laid down in the premisses In this inference we have the repetition of his Argument laid down in verse 3 4. In verse 4. there is the let which is all that is called God or is religiously reverenced and in verseâ—… â—… the man of sin to be revealed in his time viz. after the apostasie Now saith Paul ye know the let that keeps Antichrist from rising before his time before he appear in the world the Witnesses must be 1260 dayes in the Wildernesse and they keep Antichrist that while from appearing in the World He shall not appear untill the Witnesses have finished their testimony this Paul clearly holds out in this Text to us and then he ariseth and opposeth and exalâ—…eth himself or makes war and overcomes them nothing more clear then this Therefore Paul in verse 3 and Iohn in Revel 11. puts the Antichrist after the grand apostasie which argues the same truth for so long as the apostasie continues so long are the Witnesses in sack-cloth Revel 11. 1 â—… 3. So that Antichrist's being placed after the apostasie is as much as his rising when the Witnesses have finished their testimony 't is all one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some learned men say 't is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies to let or hinder and in this sense Ambrose Aquinas Ansâ—…lme Cajetan Aretius and very many others interpret the word Others say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much in signification as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is the obteining of the desire Others translate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tenere so Paul useth it 1 Thess. 5. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Keep or hold fast that which is good But the word properly signifies a powerfull and over-prevailing force in withholding that which would otherwise prevail so the Witnesses by their government and discipline whiles united kept Antichrist from rising that is from acting his rebellion and treason and blasphemy CHAP. VI. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he might be revealed The Syriack renders it quin reveletur This word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ierome thinks is a new coined word taken out of the Septuagint mint who did frequently coine new words to set out such rare mysteries as they found in the Scripture his reason is because he findes not such a word amongst all the Heathen Authors The word signifies to unvail a hidden thing therefore the Revelation in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉
is so called because there the mystery of ruining the Pagan Empire and the mystery of the grand apostasie and the mystery of the Antichrist and the mystery of Christs comming to raise up the Witnesses â—…uine the Antichrist Rome and the Devil and convert the twelve Tribes to the Gospel is all revealed to Iohn therein But this word seems to me to import something more viz the revelation of some choice secret which the world shall be ignorant of it shall be hid from them and onely revealâ—…d to some peculiar ones as a choice mystery So you have the word in Luke 10. 22. No man hath known who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and he to whom the Son will reveal him that choice and beloved soul to whom Christ will communicate this â—…are secret 't is not to every one nor to many but onely to some few choice peculiar ones so you have the same word Matth 11. 25 there Christ gives thanks to his Father that he had hid the mystery of the Gospel from the wise and learned and revealed it to babes and sucklings to some few weak despised ones in the World So when Antichrist comes the World shall not know him to be Antichrist for they shall wonder after him and wonder at those that call a person of such successes and such goodly pretences Antichrist he shall be known to be the Antichrist but by a few it shall be a speciall blessing and peculiar favour of God to know Antichrist very few shall know him and those that do know him it shall be revealed to them he shall deceive if it were possible the very elect so far shall he be from being known to all men to be the Antichrist and therefore let no man vainly dream that Antichrist when he is in the height of his tyranny shall then be generally known to be the Antichrist No he shall be cried up of the loose hypocriticall and apostate professors for an eminent Saint and the destroyer of Antichrist Take this as a generall note of Antichrist that few in the world shall know him to be Antichrist onely those few peculiar choice ones to whom he shall be revealed It shall be a speciall gift given as a choice Cabinet-secret from God to know the Antichrist when he comes As few knew Christ when he came and appeared in the flesh so few shall know the Antichrist to shun him The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is limited with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as in Matth. 11. 25. to signifie that this revelation is a mystery onely unfolded and made known to some few persons but hidden from the world The generality of men in the world know it not they have eyes and see not that is these mysteries other things they see and know but not this this must be revealed to them that shall understand it Thou bast hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes In his time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to a word in that his time tâ—…ese words are very emphaticall and significant in that his time it denotes that the Antichrist hath a peculiar time distinct from other enemies and proper onely to himselfe to appear in 't is called that his time in a double respect 1 In regard of the season when he appears 2 In regard of the measure of that time how long he continues when he appears Paul doth not say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that his articulate determinate time his time and season of accomplishing all his villainie his mature time so the word signifies Mark 11. 13. when Christ came to the leaved fig-tree he found nothing but leaves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for it was not the time of figs so we translate it if it should be understood of time in generall that it was not a time to expect figs we shall justifie the wicked servants words who called Christ an austere man reaping before the time of bringing forth so that this tree might justly have said to Christ as the Devils Why art thou come to curse me before my time but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here restrictive and onely respects the opportunity of bringing forth figs it was the time of bringing forth figs with other trees but this tree had lost the season the opportune time and so with humble submission I conceive this hard Text is to be unfolded but this by the way Yet so as it informes us that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at large comprehends the person place and time it signifies the appointed fit season whether dayes moneths or years There is a certain articulate time a prefixed time when Antichrist must appear this time is say the Fathers towards the end of the Roman Monarchy and say the Scriptures when the Witnesses have finished their Testimony And secondly it is called that his time in respect of the length of it that his time of a time times and the dividing of times Dan. 7. 25. or that his time of a time times and a particle of time which is the time of his tyrannizing over the Church during the time of the slain Witnesses lying dead for these two things are observable 1 That so long as the Witnesses are in sackcloth so long the Roman Apostafie continues 2 So long as the two Witnesses lie slain so long the Antichrist tyrannizeth over the Church both which are manifest in Revel 11. and Dan. 7. 25. Mistake me not for I do not mean that Antichrists time is finished when the Witnesses arise and his 7000 names of men are slain by a great Commotion which we read Earthquake For in Revel 11. I finde not one word spoken of the slaying of the Antichrist at the great Earthquake verse 13. Where by the way you must observe that this Earthquake is not the same with that great Earthquake Revel 16. 18. for that in Revel 11. 13. is the finishing of the second wo and that in Revel 16. 18. is the finishing of the third wo which is called the seventh Trumpet Revel 11. 15. which is the last wo-trumpet cleerly expressed both in Revel 11. 15. and Revel 16. 17. What then is the difference betwixt the Earthquake at the rising of the Witnesses which fulfils the second wo and that in Revel 16. 18 and Revel 11. 15. which is the finishing of the third wo I shall only make that difference which the Scripture makes in Revel 11. 15. that houre that the Winesses rose the tenth part of the City fell by a great Earthquake in which Earthquake were slain of men 7000. The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not properly signifie an Earthquake as Piscator well observes it signifies a Concussion or quaking saith Scapula The word is not tied down to the earth it may signifie a heart-quake or a head-quake or a Common-wealth-quake as well as an Earth-quake