over all the Earth in great feare fitting on it And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intellection these twelve onely both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her as also because they onely were native Romans descended of the Julij Seruij Saluij Flauij c. unlike therein unto the rest which were all or almost all like changeâ—ble stuffe of diverse colours so of diverse Nations Their rising continuance and end is toucht in their proper place And three heads Her three heads are three Kingdomes fore ordaiued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride when all her wings and feathers should faile her And are reserved to execute her last will and finish her Funeralls as shall be hereafter more at full declared Vers 2. And I saw and behold she spread her wings over all the Earth and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings And of necessity it must goe well with her whom every wind doth blow to good Witnesse the limits of her territories from Ganges to Gades and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope as testifieth one of her owne which saith that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean and the feare of her name unto the Heavens Vers 3. And I saw that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers but they became little feathers and small And the Prophet saw that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her marking such aâ— intended to root up the Crowne and dignitâ— of her Empire to plant themselves therein and their house for ever But their thoughts prevailed not for as the verse concludeth their power waned and they perished like the rest what those contrary Kings were their number names attempts and end shall be delivered in their place Vers 4. But her heads rested and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t' accomplish and finish the wickednesse of this great City were quiet and at rest as not yet during the raigne of her feathers conceived and brought forth And the Prophet observed that th' one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows yet rested it with them Concerning these three Kings their names their greatnesse and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place Vers 5. Then I saw and behold the Eagle flew with her feathers and reigned upon the earth and over them that dwelt therein Vers 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her and no man spake against her no not one creature upon earth And the Prophet beheld that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neighbours subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her in such sort as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven that was not either rooted out by her or enforced to receive their Governors from her Vers 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes and spake to her feathers saying Vers 8. Watch not altogether sleep every one in his owne place and watch by course Vers 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last And the Prophet observed that this powerfull Citie in the dayes wherein over gorged with pride she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes took such order for in evill she was very methodicall that her Kings and Kaysers should neither sleep nor watch that is neither perish nor rule all at once but rise in a successive course as in the verses following is manifested And she further commanded that the three last Kingdomes ordained to conclude the number of her fins should take their ease and not awake till their time appointed Vers 10. Neverthelesse I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the midst of her body As he that undertakes a dangerous leap doth first retire the better t' advance his strength so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth under the forme of a ten-horned beast signifying thereby that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings for the hornes betoken Kings and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite Aâ—d addeth further that his teeth were of iron his nails of brasse inferring thereby the unresistable force of his lâ—gions and Leaders And proceeding saith that there arose amongst his Kings one of an exceeding strange nature signifying by that one a strange race and succession of Princes far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predecessors obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and brazen nails as did th' Emperors which arose before them but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high blaspheming his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven who by a hidden and unknowne force should subdue the third part of the world meaning all Europe with her Princes By which delineation it is evident that the holy-Ghost accounteth the challenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome all one power all one Empire whether it obtaine the spoile by force or by fraud that is by power of Emperors Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes who should be far unlike them as Daniel himselfe saith And he shall be unliketo he first Meaning in sorme of claiming obtaining and maintaining Jurisdiction not in pride purpose and determination So as wemay behold such an unlikely likenesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters of whom it is said facies non omnibus una nec diversa tamen qualem decet esse Sororum And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th' Empire of Rome whence we note that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes teeth and nails our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle with wings fethers and heads whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt as she could no longer flye over all in her proper colours and stile of Roma triumphante devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne for to be high was all her care and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa And this is it which this verse teacheth that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt as the feare of her armes and forces might no longer flie into all Kingdomes commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum lying
he Id. in Apoc. 17. writes Cum liber signatus puta Apocalypsis sit prophetia de futuris in fine mundi c. Seeing the Book of the Revelation is a prophesie of things to be done in th' end of the world under Antichrist it follows that these things are to be understood of the City of Rome which shall be towards th' end of the world consequently saith he Rome must return to her pristine splendor Idolatry c. And further Hii odient fornicariam c. these shal hate the Whore that is Babylon i. e. Rome saith this Jesuite To them subscribes Suarez and confirms it in these words Sub Suar. T. 2. Qu. 59 Disput 56. Sect. 2. aenigmate purpuratae Meretricis Apoc. 17. exprimitur Roma c. Vnder the figure of Babylon Apoc. 17. is represented Rome as 't is manifest from the last words of the Chapter And the woman that thou sawest is the great City that raigns over the Kings of the earth for no other City had then universal dominion besides Rome And concerning her ruine thus he Idem contra Praef. monit Doctis Regis Jacobi l. 5. c. 7. writes Desolatio Romae quae praedicitur Apoc. 18. erit sempiterna c. The desolation of Rome foretold Apoc. 18. will be perpetual therefore 't is certain that this prophesie was not fulfill'd in any of the former destructions or calamities that befell Rome Thus Suarez one of the chiefest late Writers of that side To these I might add Lessius Salmeron Tirinus Estius Malvenda Alcasar with their two Cardinals Baronius their Annalist and Bellarmine their Goliaâ— to make up the Jury full who all unanimously agree and give up their verdict that Rome is signified and figur'd under the name of Babylon yea and divers of them affirm that she being guilty of the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus must be burnt with fire and made desolate by the Kings of the Earth who formerly had given their power strength unto the Beast before th' end of the world But their words at present I omit and refer the Reader to their Writings and Commentaries on the Thess Apoc. and other Scriptures relating to this particular or to the Treatise entituled Romae Ruina finalis An. D. 1666. c. 4. where he may finde them and others with their words and judgements in this matter cited and produced at large And now I submit it to the judgement of the Reader to determine whether of the twain have delt more fair and honest in this particular the deluded Jesuits or blasphemous horrible Familists and resume the consideration of this excellent Author his incomparable writings 21. After he had laid before Q Eliz. the absolute necessity of Repentance and shewed what graces she must attain and way she must walk in to obtain that everlasting Crown and Inheritance promised the Fathers and all their faithful Seed he thus Advert to Q. Eliz. p. 51. 52. concludeth And this is the generation of the Counsel wisedome of God the true description of all her Children which if you understand and do thereafter then shall you discern those reprobate times and save your self from the visitation to come What man is he that travelling by desert places and seeing the day at his going down hasteth not to recover his Inn for fear leâ—t the night leave him in distresse Hasten then after the Counsel and Correction of God while yet the Day lasteth for behold the Night commeth And these are all which I advertise you few as they be and simple as they go yet if truth deceive me not their right understanding is far finer Gold then is your Scepter and much more honouraâ—le then your Fathers House And this shall be for a SIGN that I speak not of my self Behold the Mountain which you fear so much I mean the Beast the Man of sin Lucifer son of the morning the Horn that hath so many hundred years blasphemed Heaven and oppressed Earth behold I say though now he be so great as that he makes the Earth to tremble and shake with a word only the very roots of Kingdomes the time hasteth and is at hand wherein he shall be made so little as neither name nor remnant of him nor son nor sons son shall be found upon the Earth For his days are numbred sign'd and seal'd up in the Book of God and yet Seaventy and seven Viz. 77. years which added to 1589. the year wherein this Author writ that Treatise reacheth to the year 1666. days and his number 666. shall be fulfilled And all his Princes his Sorcerers and multitudes of People which now rejoyce and clap their hands drunken with the whordoms and prosperity of Babel shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands as fast for Beltis their God is dead And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion c. 22. In which passage this is remarkeable that he gives this for a SIGN that he speaks not of himself namely the destruction of Rome in 1666. By which 't is clear that he puts the credit and truth of those other great and weighty matters throughout his writings concerning the Principles of the doctrine of Christ regeneration way to salvation so much now questioned and gainsaid upon this conclusion that is to say to be receiv'd as the very truth if that come to passe but rejected if not as if he had said If iâ— come not to passe that Rome the Seat of Antichrist be destroyed and burnt with fire by the Kings of the earth that formerly had given their power and strength to the Beast at th' end of 77 years after this viz. in the year Apoc. 17. 666. then look upon my writings as no other then my own private conclusions But if you see the judgement foretold executed on that great City in that year 666. then receive what I have writ as the truth concerning those other things far more excellent of greater concernment then this But hitherto his writings have bin by all sober discerning Christians that have seen them receiv'd and imbrac'd as a great Treasure containing in them most spiritual and heavenly truths consonant and agreeable to the doctrine of Christ his Prophets and Apostles And p. 32. To the Church of Rome he saith And this is the high and holy one To the Church of Rome p. 32. that beareth record with his poor Servant that wrote these things and we know that his record is true thereunto bearing witnesse thousand sighs and tears And that it might be confirmed under three the love of God diffused in his heart the garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb cryeth out uuto you testifying with him these things are true And p. 19. he asks his Adversaries Which of you reproveth him that writeth of a lie And yet none of them ever answer'd or convinc'd him of a lie though divers whereof some now living have in vain attempted it to their
among al the Sons of women there was none found his grâ—ater because whoso is not first prepared by the ministry of John who was appointed the minister of the baptism of water shal never be purged by his Lord which comes after who sanctifieth by the ministry of the Baptisme of fire I doe not meane the fire of this world nor yet the Element so called for it 's imipossible for any such fires to purge to sanctifie or to refine the sinner But the fire of this birth is a heavenly power and finger from above which writeth in the heart prepared by water and in no other Tables the indeleble Covenant of mercy and love which before all worlds in the precious blood of the Mediator thereof God made with Abraham and his Sons for ever namely that he would remember their sins and their iniquities no more and that he would be to them a God To 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and a Father and they to him a people Sonnes and Daughters And this is the word and ingraving of God which being written in a molten heart and blowne downe with water refineth it to the sey of Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 12. the gold of Ophyr And this is the birth and purgation of fire called in Scripture the Baptisme of the holy Ghost the life the justice the promise and felicity of God as holy David describeth saying Blessed is the man whose sins are covered and whose God is the Lord Psalme 32. 2. 33. 12. JEHOVAH And this is the Tree and first beginning of the wisedome and counsell of God and hee that cannot attaine thereto shall never see the raigne and prosperity of Israel according to the eternall decree proceeded out of the mouth of the highest never to be repented of or called back againe Vnlesse a man be John 3. 5. begotten by water and by the spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God The fruit of this Tree of life spreadeth it selfe into foure branches and as the Heavens by immutable ordinance shut up the course and labour of the yeare in foure seasons so hath the Scriptures complected the whole voyage and travell of this sanctified and new begotten servant in these foure Peace Patience Hope and Love I doe not meane the peace betweene Amon and Moab that is to say the smooth the Civill and dissembling truce of the Kings and Councellors of this world but a peace which passeth their affairs a peace which is heavenly and from above even the peace and reconciliation betweene God and the sanctified in the price and mediation of the Lord of the Covenant for what power what preparation what terror or what else may feare him in whose heart the finger of God hath once engraven a full and perswaded assurance that neither fire nor sword nor death nor life nor powers nor principallities nor things present nor things to come nor natures above nor depths below nor any creature other whatsoever may separate him from the love which God beareth him in Christ Jesus his Lord May the sin wherein he was conceived or the follies and offences wherein his youth delighted or the bold and bloody treasons which his age hath committed or flesh and blasphemies wherewith he is intrenched nay this man is at rest fully perswaded God being with him nothing may prevail against him as it is written If God justifie who can condemnâ— Isa 50. Rom. 8. And this is the peace which the world cannot give nor take away from any to whom it is given the peace which the Holy one the Redeemer of Israel speaketh of in a certaine place saying Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you but not as the world giveth let not your hearts therefore be troubled nor feare John 14. 27. And forasmuch as to be at peace and one with God is to be at war and odds with sin and with all her pleasures this man in wonderfull patience prepareth and armeth himselfe to meet the enemy And tho his flesh with all her desires like multitudes of Armies incompasse his soule be sieging pursuing tormenting it day and night as it is written Wee are Ps 44. given up like sheep to be eaten and for thy sake O Lord we are slaine all the day long yet in silence and quietnesse he endureth all sustained by the Word which saith In patience possesse your soules Looking assuredly for the promise of good things to come and that with such a Luke 21. 19. stable and full perswaded expectation as no power in Heaven above or in the earth below may shame or confound his hope fully perswaded that tho now he live closed in flesh as in a City of transgression like righteous Lot in Sodome scorn'd of Angels despis'd of men hated of the world and pursued of his owne yet that his mourning shall tarry but till morning 〈◊〉 for then his life shall be revealed which now lyeth hid laid up in the bosome of his Lord and Redeemeâ— and shall be declared and given him even in that morning when he shall come to judge the world with righteous judgement rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked And in the exercise of these three consisteth the death to sin called in Scripture by the names of Mortification the great affliction the Dust the Tears the shame and oppression of Sion Happy man that hath his part therein for he shall live to see the raigne Rev. 7. 14 15 16 17. wherein the Sun shall not burne him by day nor fire by night any more and wherein he shall not hunger nor thirst nor want nor weep any more The fourth and last branch of this Tree of life is Love the light and perfection of the whole estate and travell of a Christian for can a City built upon a hill hide her face from the passer by or may a Sacrifice salted convey his seasoning from the mouth of the taster may the Sun shine and not shew his beauty or may a Candle burne and not bewray her light And tho these creatures could forget their natures yet cannot the plant in whose heart the eternall Covenant of Love is once engraven forget to burne with like affection first toward God then toward men I meane not those alone which have received like part and fellowship with him but towards those also that are his enemies which love is commended to us by the names of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is called in Scripture the love of God because it is not learnt of flesh nor after the will and wisedome of flesh but by the sample and patterne of that love wherewith God first loved us Who being fellowed in glory with the highest as testifieth the Prophet Zach. 13. 7. disrobed himselfe of all his beauty and came downe into the world and was fonnd in dishonour in weaknesse in flesh and shape of a servant obedient to the shame and
are Caesars and unto God the things which are Gods Which many blind and fleshly humours not considering have laboured and brought forth such errour and distraction as we see every where this day Some so drunken with the primacies and prerogatives of Caesar as that they feare not to revile the freedome appertaining to the Kingdome of God Others so headlong carried with a false pretended liberty and freedome of a Christian as that they care not to deny the lawful sword and authority of Caesar so that amongst so many so few from time to time are found that can discerne how Saints are free and yet subject to Caesar But God loveth Sion and hath chosen it for in her is truth without confusion And this is the generation of the counsell and wisedome of God and the true description of all her children which if you understand and doe thereafter then shall you discerne those reprobate times and save your selfe from the visitation to come What man is he that travelling by desart places and seeing the day at his going downe hasteth not to recover his Inne for feare lest the night leave him in distresse Hasten then after the counsell and correction of God whilst yet the day lasteth for behold the night commeth And these are all which I advertise you few as they be and simple as they goe yet if truth deceive me not their right understanding is far finer gold then is your Scepter and much more honourable then your Fathers house And this shall be for a signe that I speake not of my self Behold the Mountain which you fear so much I mean the Beast the Man of sin Lucifer Son of the morning the Horne that hath so many hundred years blaphemed heaven and oppressed earth behold I say tho now he be so great as that the makes the earth to Isai tremble and shake with a word only the very roots of Kingdoms the â—ime hasteth and is at hand â—herein he shall be made so little as neither name nor remnant of him nor son nor sons son shall be found upon the earth For his days are numbred signed and sealed up in the bâ—ok of God and yet seventy and seven days and his number 666. shall be fulfilled And all his Princes his Sorcerers and multitudes of people which now rejoyce and â—lap their hands drunken with the whoredoms and prosperity of Babel shall then lie comfortles and wring their hands as fast for Beltis their God is dead And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion but her light may not long endure as testifieth the Prophet and then and in those dayes shall be finished the secret knowne to the Lord alone even the great mystery and redemption of God forespoken of by the Dan. 12. 22. mighty Angel who stood upon Sea and Land and swore by him that liveth for ever and ever That time should be no more And when these things shall come to passe as Revel 10. 6. verily in their appointed time they shall then shal they kâ—ow that in the days of their rebellion there was a voyce of a servant of God heard amongst them 1 T. L. restifie these things with mine owne hand in sober humbleneâ—â—e commending them to your Majestie onely in regard of my duty and for no other reward Give your promotions to those sons of Beor that rise so early â—nd saddle their Asses to post after them for I your servant have bread and water enough thanks be to my God and am therewith as well content as if my Lands were as large as are the royalties of the little bird who possesseth all the fields over which it flyeth Proverb 1. Because ye have despised all my counsell and refused my corrections I will also laugh at your destruction and mock when your feare commeth FINIS BABYLON IS FALLEN OR A Prophesie that had lain hid above two thousand years Foreshewing The rising continuance and fall of the Empire and Supremacie of Rome with all matters of moment that were to come to passe during the reigne of the Emperours and Popes The last being the vanishing of the Germane Empire lately fullfilled The next the dividing of the Kingdome of France by the Sword of Spaine The third that of Spaine by the Sword of other Nations The fourth the destruction of Rome and desolation of her Church in the yeare 1666. The fifth the descending of the Kings of the East and of the whole world unto the battell of the great day of God Almighty The first title was onely Babylon is Fallen with these words of the Prophet For I heard the railings of many and how they watch for my halting saying it may be that he is deceived Jer. 20. 10. LONDON Printed by M. S. 1651. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE ROBERT Lord DEVOREUX Earle of Essex REading of late my Lord a Chapter of Esdras folding up in a mysticall and dark discourse a living Representation of a long time whereof the most is past and some little to come â— thought it no lost labour to take my Pen and unfold the same that therein wee may behold which naturally all desire to see as well the issues of things to come as what is past or now in being and thereafter to qualifie and moderate our hopes and call our troubled thoughts which otherwise run with reins on Neck within the Circle and limitation bounded and drawn from above And finding this Prophesie written by a Man greatly beloved of God and thereto which rare is a Princes Favourite high in grace with a King of Persia I presumed the rather to present this my Labour to your Hon. Lordship as upon whom God hath vouchsafed like great and rare graces ' Tsufficeth that your Honour read it greater favour Esdras seeketh not He Labours not to praise or please which now a dayes finds many friends but to admonish and forewarne which fataly finds none till 't be too late He fears not the Noble and Learned Reprover of supposed Predictions for he hath heard him honour the Prophesies of Holy Writ wherein himselfe hath no less honour gotten then given His other Enemies have wisht me to conceal and tâ— reserve them to a more open hearing But Esdras is at thâ— next leaf my Lord and craves your Honours patience for an Hour BABYLON IS FALLEN ESDRAS 4. Chap. II. Vers 1. Then I saw a Dreame AFter this the Prophet saw a Vision concerning the beginning continuance and fall of th' Empire and supremacie of Rome And this Vision was shewed him in the dayes of Artaxerxes King of Persia About four hundred years before the first stone of Julius Caesar her Empire was laid And behold there arose from the Sea an Eagle And there arose among the Nations the fierce and fearfull Kingdome and Empire of Rome seene in Vision by the Prophet Daniel some few years before Which had twelve fethered wings Wherein should arise and raigne twelve Emperours which should spread their Power like wings
of this Revelation are no lesse sooth and true then if he had received them from the Oracle of God which spake from over the Ark of his Testament within the Temple of Jeruâ—alem whose words and answers for their divinity Majesty power and glory are here as elsewhere figured by voyces proper to God and not to man as Fightning thunders earth quakes and haile VERS 2. And a great signe appeared in Heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne and the Moone under her feet and on her head a Crowne of twelve Starres BUt before the Spirit takes in hand to discover the persecutors of the Church it pleaseth him fiâ—st to describe the Church it selfe that so the barbarous immanitie of her enemies may be more apparent and justly abhorred being used against a creature of such virginall innocent and patient modestie who for her rare and admirable beauty is here called a great signe or heavenly apparition symbolizing her â—earfull modest sober and matron-like behaviour with th' appellation and quality of a woman for so she is in holy Scriptures often called The fairest woman the Kings daughter daughter of Sion daughter of Jerusalem the Spoâ—se of Christ Mother of the just c. And to the end she may the better be discerned of us the Apostle describeth her garments and wearing saying she was cloaâ—hed with the Sunne meaning that she had put on the Lord Jesus Sunne of justice that is to say her Soule was vested with an assurance of the mercy and love of God in Christ Jesus her Lord which justice or justification of the Spouse and her children is called in holy Scripture by way of Metaphor the white stone and the wedding Garment For as a Stoale or Garment covereth the shame and nakednesse of our vile bodies so the mercy and love of God insured us in Christ Jesus our Lord hideth the shame and nakednesse of our sinfull souls And to prove that her Garment was truly woven of the two divine threads to wit the assurance of mercy and the assurance of love in Christ Jesus her Lord the Spirit giveth in for evidence the fruits of this her lively and justificall faith closely hiding her newnesse of life her hatred of sin and her love of God as under a vaile in these words And the Moone under her feete signifying thereby that she had now quite forsaken and forgotten her fathers house that is had slaine her naturall sinfull and wonted affections and was revived and renewed in mind and with her Lord was now risen and ascended up as he into the heaven of heavens so she to a new custome and carriage of life far above and higher then the Moone for all her study and hearts delight was now in heaven where her hope her love her life and her dearest Lord liveth and reigneth God to be praised for ever and ever Amen Last of all the Spirit setteth forth her head-attire whereby her honour and estate was best knowne and wherein she most delighted saying that she wore on her head a Crowne made of a mettall much finer then gold for it was made of the doctrine of the 12. Apostles who for that they are the Lords lights and lanterns to guide the feet of sinners when sin hath benighâ—ed them are here cal'd by the names of Stars And on her head a crowne of twelve Starres VERS 3. And being great with child she cryed travelling and labouring to be delivered ANd by the words which her eares received her heaâ—t conceived and she was great with feare and godly sorrow tâ—avelling under the burden of her sins and restleâ—â—e desire to be reconciled to God which anguish and paines of her sorrowfull heart and broken spâ—rit the Apostle most excellently compareth to the sorrows of a woman in travell In which her spiriâ—uall labour and paine she could by no means be relieved or eased untill her Lord were fashioned in her that is uâ—till her heart were sanctified by faith for no Treacle could hâ—al her miserable wounded soul but the assurance of mercy onely nor any water could quench the burning flaâ—es of her restles desire but the love of God onely insured her in Christ Jesus her Lord and written in the fleshly tables of her heart by the finger of God according to his promise his first and last and everlasting covenant VERS 4. And another signe appeared in heaven for lo a great red Dragon having seven heads and ten hornes and on his heads seven diadems AS night doth follow day and the shadow the body so must the Câ—osse â—olâ—ow Christ and affiction his Church whose Sunne could no sooner shine but the envious man raised up a mighty storme of persecution to cloud the brâ—ghâ—esse of her beautifull beams which for the extraordinary surie thereof the Apostle calleth a wonder or signe meaning the Churches first and primitive persecution raised by Ethâ—ik Rome who for hiâ— power immanitie and malice to the Church of God is here called a great red Dragon and both for that his Throne and City was feated on seven hills as also for that he was in all â—mpietie pride and prophanation the totall sum and epitome as it were of all the seaven Monaâ—chies unto whom from the beginning of time to the end thereof was given and gâ—anted the charter and commission of blaspâ—eming God and corrupting his world as in the 13. Chapter following is more particularly discovered the Apostle addeth Having seven heads And in regard his power did beat downe the power of all Nations and made spoile and purchase of all Kings and Kingdomes on earth the Spirit saith he had ten bornes for the hornes signifie Kings and Kingdomes and the number of ten include all be they never so many as all numbers are made of ten and their reduplication be they never so infinite And because he came to advance his â—ead so high by the power of his sword his Leaders and legions the Spirit crowneth his heads with magnificence and diadems saying And on his heads seven diadems VERS 5. And his taile drew the third part of the Starres of heaven and cast them to the earth And the Dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered that when she had brought forth he might devoure her Son THe head of this great red Dragon was his Regall first estate governed by Romulus and six other successive King coaâ—s which Seneca calleth his infancy or nonage wherein he lived swathed and nourished in blood 244. years as his owne Historian reporteth The body of this great red Dragon was his Consuls second estate which Seneca calleth his full age part Aristocraticall part Democraticall and was therefore stiled Senatus populusque Romanus from whence partly by reason of his over-weâ—ghâ— and fulsome abundance as one of his owne noteth Romanis laxitas mundi rerum amplitudo damâ—o fuit and partly for want of enemies abroad to wreak their proud and kingly humours on he fell into th'intestine evill of civill wars at home
covered with white with Crimson and pavonats 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 written on thy head before and on thy scull behind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 desireth he thy gold thy pots thy puddings and thy purples which thou hast bought so deare nay Balaam he serveth that Lord whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof hath he sadled his Asse at any time and posted after Balaks preferment like unto thee Nay Balaam then let his soule be given up to an unrepentance like as is thine hast thou any thing to give that he desires to receive no Balaam he seeks not thine but thee and this is his desire that thou and all the world this day were like unto him excepting his sinne Murtherers and dare yee talke of mercy then tell us when have ye seene Christ hungry and given him t' eate when have ye seene him thirstie and given him to drinke when have ye found him a stranger and opened unto him when have ye met him naked and cloathed him when have yee knowne him weake and comforted him in prison and visited him Can ye minister to whom yee know not can ye feed harbor cover comfort visit whom yee see not behold Pharises I tell ye a mysterie yee shall never see nor know those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them have ye not read ye wisards that the blind shall see and they that see shall be made blind This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world and it is marvellous this day in our eyes behold this man as touching the mercy which he ought to doe eateth his bread with the empty and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he the pilgrim and the sojourner are ever found within his Courts his gates are never shut with the naked fitteth he and with his garment covereth his shame with the broken and imprisoned passeth he his time with plentifull and many teares comforting them nay who hungreth and he not pined who thirsteth and he not dryed up which is a stranger and he not throwne out who naked and he not confounded who weake and he not spent who lyeth imprisoned and he not tormented And as concerning the mercy which he ought not to leave undone this man if he have according to the Commandement of his Lord to him that asketh giveth and to the borrower lendeth looking for his reward and interest in the resurrection of the just if he have not applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour in great patience and thankfulnesse turning over the leaves of his life so richly contented as if his Royalties were as large as are the dominions of the little bird who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her and wheresoever dismounting setteth her little foote looketh about for her provision as if she were at home And this is the first the next and last of the living stones and temples of God which he before the day knew his comming up or going downe chose and adopted in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament to be unto him a House a Church a Tabernacle and everlasting possession And he that writeth beareth witnesse and testifieth unto the world all those whether Kings or Servants wise or simple learned or Ideots rich or poore old or young bond or free that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast received the print of his name and set up in their Tents and dwellings his Table and imitation rejoyce and clap their hands thereover shall be throwne out and have their part with blasphemers whose fire quencheth not whose stinke is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy Citie And all those that so poyson doctrines of death lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce like Cantibanks in market places avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments which cannot give a foot to the lame nor eye to the blind as Arrians Vbiquitists Libertins Familists Coinonists or any such other Antichrists like to them shall be cast out and reape their part with lyars and Sorcerers whose worme dyeth not whose cry is everlasting and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies marching under names and titles whatsoever as Hussit's Lutherans Calvinists Evangelists Protestants Praecisians or any such other like to these have not their parts in great sorrow and fear the preparation and beginning of the wisdome from above shall stand without among the Dogges the Covetous the Murderer th' Adulterer and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever nor see his holy City And now I trust Balaam thou seest what thou art not it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art There was a booke written by the finger of God and as a Table in a good and perfect light placed in the midst of th' aire that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery foretold by the Spirit his Prophets and Apostles to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house And had her proud and prudent Children but wip't their eyes wiâ—h sackcloath they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this and loosed from the bonds of thy father the great jugler and Planer of the World had departed thy Courts and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God where the Lamb doth sit Neverthelesse for Sions sake and for to still her cryes The morning star the branch and begotten of David will open the mouth of one of his servants and give him power to disvaile the Revelation and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse and shew unto the world the things which thou thy witches and thy Wise had hop't to be past finding out Thy conception Thy birth Thy nurture Thy perfection Thy name Thy marke Thy number Thy heads Thy hornes Thy vicardome Thy keys Thy swords Thy succession Thy Guardrobe Thy Church her Ornaments Idols Altars Gold Silver Pearle Stone Silk Copes Banners Stincks Processions Reliques Oyle Wine Wafers Musick Lights lies Thy end Thy death Thy judgement And in that day thy name and generation shall stinke from the Center of th' earth unto the highest Heaven And thou that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome not consider'd that though it begin to destroy in Canaan it shall assuredly end in Chaldea shalt now be called into battell thy selfe and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more behold the dayes which were prophesied are come into the world and such voices shall rise up against thee as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre or to returne th'
Arrows of Heaven into the pâ—ace from whence they come or to meete the whirle-winde comming in his strength like a King his men of Armes and Fifers by his side and shoulder him out of his point into another it shall be easier for thee I say to doe all these things then t'answer the voices which shall be heard against thee And I thy Brother am in Babylon mourning over thee and it and there will tarry notwithstanding the rage and violence of all thy Spades thy Speares and Arcu buzadoes this day and tomorrow and the third will pay my vows Amen ESAY Bell is fallen Nebo is smitten down whose Images were burthens for the Beasts and Cattel of the field to overcharge and weary them FINIS AN ADVERTISEMENT TO Q. Elizabeth Presented to her Majestie by the Author thereof First Printed in Anno Dom. 1589. And sundry times since TO HIS MOST EXCELLENT SOVERAIGNE PRINCESSE Queene Elizabeth IF it be impertinent and out of season in regard of your other pleasures to advertise these few words let truth be blamed for I your servant cannot but speake the things I know and testifie that which I have seen and heard what though I be no Minister nor Sonne of a Minister Shepheards and Clownes have beene Divines sometimes and why not I I doe not advertise you concerning the wisdome of a Princesse of this World how to relieve your people if they be oppressed nor how to curb them if fullnesse make them wanton nor how to raise a little weale to great nor how to uphold it from falling downe againe for all these things may you doe and perish but I advertise you concerning a wisdome from above which if you understand and doe thereafter then shall your Scepter be a Scepter of continuance and you a Princesse and a Queene for ever not like to Babylon nor Monarch of the East nor like the rakehell rout of Emperors and Kaisers of this world which for a season flourish and then goe downe to hell but like unto his Servant David who in the dayes of his flesh performed the duties of a King of this world and yet remaineth a King for ever for he observed the counsell and wisdome from above which made him so faire in situation like to Mount Sion never to remove And this wisedome which we speake is a Law not that of fearfull Sinai a Law of condemnation a Statute of execution a Covenant of death condemning the transgressor to everlasting captivity But it is a Law proceeding out of Sion a Law of pardon a Statute of deliverance a Covenant of life redeeming the sinner from the wrath of the day to come And therefore this wisedome is called in Scripture the new Covenant the Covenant of Levi the everlasting ordinance the truth the light the life the reward the promise the power the salvation the redemption the sanctification the justice the counsell the correction the hidden purpose the secret intent the mysterie and Kingdome of God And one in a certaine place calleth it the wisdome from above because it is not a vertue ingendred or in begotten by any grace or benefit of nature growing to perfection by long studie and large experience Iam. 3. 17. but a mysterie and secret from above which God determined before all worlds and hath revealed it to the glory of those whom he hath chosen and this is the wisdome whose nature we advertise not in the teaâ—mes and eloquence of the Theologall discourses of this age but in the power and strength of God able to raise from death to life the soule that understandeth it The whole nature and work of this heavenly wisdome is perfectly set out and declared unto us in these two First in her Tree next in the fruit thereof Her Tree in Scripture is disciphered by the names of cleansing or washing or purging and sometimes expressed by a borrowed word as a new making a new birth a birth from above a re-begetting and is so called not in a naturall but in a spirituall meaning not because it reduceth us into our parents calling us out of their bowells againe but by comparation way of similitude that like as by our naturall and fleshly generation we are borne servants and sons of wrath which sometimes we were not so by this spirituall generation and birth from above wee are borne free and made the sons of God which by nature wee are not for that which is of nature is flesh subdued unto sin imbondaged to death and cannot see the inheritance and Kingdome of God but that which is born from above is Spirit redeemed from the captivity of sin and of death and chosen to inherite the Kingdome and promise of God And this birth and propagation from above is wrought and brought to passe by these two to wit by water and by fire whereof this purgeth the other prepareth I doe not meane the water of Jordane nor any waters from below for it is impossible for the water of fountaines to breake to mollifie or to prepare the sinner but the water of this birth is a force and vertue from above which turneth and as it were transhapeth the hard and stony heart of the sinner into tears preparing it by this kind of water to receive the promise and redemption of God And therefore the Scripture compareth the man that is begotten by water to a Mount that is become a Valley unto a Cedar now become a Plant to a rough and crooked way that is become a plaine unto a wise and prudent one but now become a babe unto a stone transformed to flesh and to a substance hard as Diamond translated to a nature as soft as water by these and such like speeches describing the man whose heart is turned from all the joyes and contentments of sin into a feare and sorrow for them and from all her temporary and false pleasing lusts into a restlesse and indicible desire to be restored to grace and reconciled to God again For the hill doth not more differ from the Valley the Cedar from the plant the crooked from the plaine the discreetly aged from the little child the hardnesse of flint from the softnesse of flesh the substance of Diamond from the nature of water these I say differ not each from other more then this man now from that he was And this is the birth and preparative of water called in Scripture the Baptisme of John Whose ministry was ordained as testifieth the Prophet to prepare the way before the great Redeemer and Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. 4. 6. by turning the hearts of the Children into water like to the hearts of their Fathers Abraham Isaac and Jacob that God might also turne unto them in mercy and love as hee did unto those their Fathers And therefore his Lord in a certaine Scripture gave him in regard of his ministry that honourable testimony namely that he was more then a Prophet Mat 11 9. 11. and that