God and now already fulfilled by him 346. If there be controversie about beginning those Accounts though of Dispensations that are past and of Promises that are fulfilled amongst the best Chronologers at this day How much more difficult must it needs be to pitch upon a certain period of Time for the fall of Antichrist which is a dispensation yet to come and the promise hereof only expected to be accomplished The highest attainment of notions herein can but amount to a probable Conjecture and the many Mistakes of good Men that are extant at this day doth much confirm it Aliena errata me cautum faciunt Other mens mistakes make me wary 350. To find out therefore by Scripture-light what I conceive most probable about this great Subject I shall wave those numbers of Daniel which so many have insisted on as before manifested because they are obvious to sundry Exceptions As that they have already had their accomplishment in Antiochus c. and keep to the Apocaliptick number against which no such exception can be made 351. The Apocaliptick Number being taken for granted to hold out the undoubted Term or Lease of Antichrists Reign in the world to wit 42 Months which being dissolved by Reduction into days allowing 30 days to a month according to the old account make up the just sum of 1260 Days Those two Computations of 42 Months and 1260 Days being granted to be one and the same for though they be mentioned apart in Rev. 12.6 ch 13.5 yet are those two numbers put together in Rev. 11.2,3 that by this linking them together all doubt might be taken away in accounting the 42 Months to be the same Computation with 1260 Days 352. And it being taken pro Concesso likewise that those 1260 Days are not Solar days either Natural of 24 hours or Artificial from Sun-rise to Sun-set but Prophetical days as in Daniels Week or 7 Days which signifie 7 Years Dan. 9.24,26 So 30 Days for 30 Y. and 1260 Days for 1260 Years as 70 seven-nights of Days signifie in the Prophet 490 Y. thus also in Ezek. 4.5,6 and Num. 14.34 ut supra Upon this Hypothesis I build my Conjecture about the Ruin of Antichrist granting him according to Gods Lease to him 1260 Y. to continue in the World 353. Now for guiding us in this intricate Labyrinth of Reckoning the continuance of Antichrists Kingdom the Holy Ghost hath given us some certain Hints and Intimations which like Ariadne'e Threed may help us herein for the greatest knot of difficulty in this Work hath evermore been acknowledged to find out where to foot the account Now may we but meet with direction from Scripture where the Epocha or Root of this Account must begin it will be manifest enough where to end it namely at the Expiration of those 1260 Years CHAP. XIII 354. THe first of those Scriptural Hints or Intimations for footing our Accompt is in Rev. 17.12 from the rising of the 10 Kingdoms The Holy Ghost saith expresly there that the ten Kings should receive power as Kings one hour with the Beast which phrase implies that they both had their Rise about the same time and in the same Age 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is in some Readings at one hour as in Joh. 4.52 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is translated at the 7th hour and this Reading plainly imports that the 10 Kings rose with the Beast and the Beast rose with the 10 Kings at one and the same hour the 10 Kings be the 10 Horns of the Beast that beareth them 355. And though in the course of Nature horns do grow up after the Beast be come forth into the World yet 't is not so in this monstruous Beast for he brings his horns with him Rev. 13.1 the Beast that bears the Horns and the 10 Horns rise together at one hour and now our work is to make enquiry when the Ten horn received their power 〈◊〉 Kings Chronicles doth shew us how the Goths and Vandals broke off from the Imperial Yoke sundry Nations which were subject to it and gave opportunity to set up those ten Kingdoms which remain in Europe to this day 356. Those ten Horns rose not all at once but gradually as was observed before of the Beast that bears them now the first rising of any of those Horns was in the days of the Emperor Honorius about the Y. of Christ 410. when the Emperor being driven away from his Imperial Seat by those barbarous Nations was constrained for the recovering of Rome again to allow them by Covenant to set up a Kingdom in France that was the 1st Horn and about the Y. 415. the same Honorius was forced to allow the like in Spain and by the Y. 456. all the 10 Horns who gave their Kingdoms to the Beast were up 357. This is not only confirmed to us by Sigonius Sleidan Orosius Alsted Pareus c. but also by the Jesuit Petavius in his Rationarii Temporum parte primâ lib. 6. pag. 275. writing thus Alaricum ut averteret Honorius Gallias Hispanias ei concessit c. Now after that Gensericus the Vandal had spoiled Rome about the Year 456. or not much after not only those two Horns of France and Spain were extant but the whole Empire appear'd to be divided into ten Kingdoms which 〈◊〉 had all one mind and gave their power and strength to the Beast Rev. 17.13 that he should rule in their Dominions and so though they had the title of Kings yet they obey'd rather then ruled 358. Now if we take this hint and character of the Holy Ghost and reckon from it not from the appearance of the first of those Horns about 410. though then was laid the foundation of the Beasts Kingdom but from the time that all the 10 Horns were set up for he is represented in his Rising as a compleat Beast having 7 Heads to plot with and 10 Horns to push with against the Church of God those ten horns or Kingdoms must set up Antichrist and those ten Horns were all come forth about the Y. 456. to which if we add those 1260 Y. it will make Antichrists period to fall out about 1716. 359. I must acknowledge this Rev. 17.12 will admit of various Interpretations as this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be taken indefinitely for a short space as in those Phrases this is your hour and the power of darkness Luke 22.53 and the hour of temptation Rev. 3.10 and tho we take it thus it is yet comfortable for neither the Pope nor his ten Horns shall abide for ever 't is but for a short space v. 10. but for an hour t is but short to God though long to us and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be read after the Beast as signifying those ten Kingdoms rose after Antichrist but we read it not so and however t is not long after t is but an hour after they both rise in the same Age this Beast puts forth his horns betimes
the Pope that Beast described in the Revelation and the Antichrist This was only muttered at the first separation from the Romish Church by Waldus and his Companions saying in modest terms only Romanum praesulem Reliquis Episcopis parem esse as Bishop Usher de Successione Ecclesiae tells us loco predicto that the Pope of Rome was but equal to all other Bishops 175. But in the following Ages boldness growing as well as knowledge Ecclesia Romana was proclaimed to be Meretrix Babylonica as Bishop Usher Cap. 17. shews that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon This was done especially by Wickliffe and his fellows about the year of Christ 1371. This 2d Angel Wickliffe seeing the Kingdom of Antichrist shaken by the Ministry of Waldus that went before him now declares boldly that God had then laid the foundation of the destruction of it his cry was Rev. 14.8 Babylon is faln is faln and would as surely destroy it shortly as if he had seen it faln already 176. Then comes the 3d. Angel more vehement than the rest and that was Martin Luther and his fellow-labourers This Angel proceeds further and preaches Damnation to all that would not come out of this mystical Babylon telling the World more boldly than the other two Angels did that God had a Cup of Indignation without mixture that is not allayed with any mercy for all those that continued to drink of the Cup of Fornication God would give them Wine for Wine Wine of Wrath for Wine of Whoredoms Rev. 14.9.10.11 177. None of those great Reformers whom God stirred up in those Ages were so like this third Angel as Luther who denounc'd horrible and hainous torments easless and endless pains to the whole train of Antichrist and such as abode in the Worship of the Beast Vrging separation from Rome under the pain of damnation and to Rebel against such light as then was held forth could not consist with Salvation as 2 Thess 2.12 Luthers Epitaph was Pestis eram vivus moriens tua mors ero Papa 178. Then 2ly profound Writers have from the Quiver of common Reason human Testimonies and especially from the Holy Scriptures drawn out and shot such arrows at the Beast that though his first Wound was healed Rev. 13.3 yet those Wounds they have given him those last Centuries are plainly incurable by any other Engine save by private Treachery and publick Violence The Beast can hardly lick himself whole again no not with his Order of Jesuits and all their endeavours to uphold his tottering Kingdom 179. Quot ac quantos Scriptores Evangelicos haec postrema aetas in lucem protulit c. how many famous Champions of the Protestant Religion hath been Valiant for the Truth and strenuously batter'd the Walls of Babylon such as Melancton Oecolampadius Zuinglius Bullinger Aretius Gualther Musculus Lauater Polanus Polyander Zanchy Beza Chemnitius Calvin Pareus Marlorat and our own Jewel Reinolds Whittaker c. those and many others non modò docendo sed etiam Scribendo damnum Antichristo vel maximum attulere did him very great harm 180. Besides many other famous Authors in former Ages which Illyricus in Catologo Testium Veritatis doth abundantly enumerate Christ hath had his Witnesses against Antichrist in all the Ages of the Beast though most and clearest in the latter Ages which hath given their Testimony both by Preaching and Writing though but in Sackcloth against the Antichristian Idolatry all along the lease of 42. Months that is granted to the Beast to tread down the holy City 181. The Pen of those famous Lights in their day was an Artificial Tongue whereby they spoke to Places and People absent as well as present to them afar off as well as to them that were nigh and thereby abundance of knowledge was communicated to the World Writing hath an Image as it were of Eternity in it it makes a man live when he is dead though the Prophets cannot live for ever Zech. 1.5 yet their laborious Writings may preach both when and where they themselves neither may nor can nor dare Hebr. 11.4 182. But 3ly and lastly Potent and Pious Princes are Instruments in the hand of God to pull down Antichrist we read of an Angel that had on his head a Golden Crown and in his hand a sharp Siccle Revel 14.14 which may well resemble some glorious Prince that shall begin to execute Gods Judgments on Babylon and v. 15. is some Zealous Preacher out of the Church that calls on him to do this Execution 183. When Godly Princes do exercise their Power for Christ and against Antichrist then is it said that Christ the Son of Man sits in the Throne to Rule with them having a Golden Crown upon his head as he is described in that Vision Rev. 14.14 He is call'd the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 and then are Christian Kings said to be caught up to God and to his Throne Rev. 12.5 when they do Authorize and Execute the Reaping of this Harvest by their Kingly Power 184. But more plainly and without a Parable the Lord tells us Rev. 17.16,17 that the ten Horns which he calls ten Kings v. 12. shall hate the Whore and make her desolate and naked they shall eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire for God hath put it into their hearts c. Those very Kings that were the occasion of his Rise before shall by an overruling providence be the Instruments of his Ruine First God in Justice gives them up to be Vassals to Antichrist and then in Mercy he moves them to destroy him 185. Dr. Sibbs in his Evangel Sacrifice Serm. First Relates the occasion of Antichrists Rise thus The Roman Emperor having Enemies in the East was forced to Reside at Constantinople and Rome thereby being neglected the Pope takes this occasion to set up himself to depose Childerick a weak Prince and to set up Pepin Father to Charles the great to gratifie him This brief Landskip he gives 186. The Dr. relates also how those 10 Kings betray their own Kingdoms in giving up their power to the Beast therein doing wrong 1st to God 2ly to Themselves and 3ly to their Subjects And though it be said that God puts it into their hearts to give up their Kingdoms to the Beast Rev. 17.17 Yet we may not understand this as done by either outward Command or by inward Infusion but God finding them in an evil Estate he uses their sin to his own End 187. However this shall be done only untill the words of God be fulfilled ver 17. And as sure as God hath put it into their hearts to give up their Kingdoms to that Beast so surely God will in his own appointed time put it into their hearts also to destroy the Beast But whether they shall all agree in this latter as 't is said they do in the former is some doubt 188. It is the judgement of some solid Interpreters that
those very Kings which held Communion with the Beast and after hate and burn Antichrist Rev. 17.16 shall yet lament to see the smoak of that burning which they themselves kindled Rev. 18.9 which may intimate to us that Cross-Interests engag'd them in that burning of Babylon more then any true Repentance of their Popish Religion 189. Not much unlike the Proceedings of Israel against Benjamin which when they had destroyed they were sorry they had gone so far Such cross-Interests fell out lately 'twixt the Pope and the King of France about some affronts to the French Ambassador Chigi in Rome whereupon the French King sends an Army of twenty thousand Men over the Alpes against the Pope and reduced the Pope from his Luciferian Highness to the Order of the Humbled Brethren 190. This Commotion betwixt them two made many good Men that wait for the consolation of Israel in the Accomplishment of that word the Kings shall hate and burn the Whore to be yet fulfilled to hope that God was putting it into the heart of the King of France to execute his Vengeance upon Babylon However it was clearly discover'd to be the declining Age of Antichrist for the Pope durst not use those bruta fulmina of his Predecessors against the King but must satisfie him in all things that he demanded even to the erecting of a Trophy c. 191. It is most probable that all those Kings shall not hate the Whore c. But some of the Ten shall take part with Antichrist after the fall of Rome till they be destroyed at Armageddon Rev. 19.18 Rev. 16.14 18.9 The flesh of those Kings were there eaten and others of them shall deal with this Harlot as Men do with a Strumpet when they see what harm they have got by her as Ezek. 16.36,37,38,39 192. The great God who hath the hearts of Kings in his own hands and turns them as he pleases Prov. 21.1 will certainly raise up the Spirits of some of those Kings to repent of their Friendship with Antichrist and to rage against him as professed Enemies and to lay waste his dwelling and to destroy him for ever Whereas the King of France in that late Contest with him powr'd out only some drops of the Vials upon him Some of those at last if not he shall pour upon him the whole showre and this at the end of his Lease at the expiration of his Power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to do 42 Months Rev. 13.5 193. T is a ruled Case what hath been may be now we have seen already in past Providences how God hath cal'd of several Princes from all amity with Antichrist especiall in the Northern Parts of Europe since the Reformation of Luther To say nothing of the Duke of Saxony and Landgrave of Hassia c. which came forth with Luther and other Reformers to help the Lord against the mighty Beast We find that several of the 1â— Kings that formerly gave up their Kingdoms to Antichrist are now faln off from him since the Reformation 194. God hath cut off several Kingdoms in the North from the Jurisdiction of Antichrist as England Scotland Denmark and Swedeland which were 4 of the 10 Horns and some of the Kings of those Kingdoms have personally appeared against Antichrist some with their Pen as King James and some with their Sword as Gustavus Adolphus 195. To say nothing of Germany that in a great part broke of from Antichrists See under those wonderfull Reformations wrought there both in the Higher and Lower Germany Nor of France from whence came the Angel Waldus that laid the first Foundation of Antichrists ruine as before and which hath in a great part separated from Rome for the View of France tells us the Hugonots had about 2150 Churches of the Reformed Religion this was above 60 years ago in all likelihood they are much increased now 196. Thus though their Kings have not themselves declared open Hostility and hatred against Antichrist and so to weaken his Power by their personall Atchivements yet their Kingdoms hath contributed much to the pulling down of this man of sin So that if we reckon France and Germany though but in part battering at Babylon together with those four before mentioned England Scotland Denmark Swedeland which together with their Supream Magistrates have for a long time oppos'd Antichrist we must needs say that the Viall's already poured out have dry'd up a great part of the Sea or Jurisdiction of the Pope 197. If Kings and Kingdoms have been thus bold with his Holiness under the former Vials and while so much of his Lease was yet to run how lively and vigorous may we expect them to be in the power of God under the latter Vials and when his Term of Continuance is about expiring The wheel of Providence will be quicker and sharper in its Motions and Revolutions at the end of his Time 198. Thus have we seen in the first place the three personal Engines in Gods hand against this Beast 1. Powerfull Preachers 2. Profound Writers and 3. Potent and pious Princes Now 2ly come we to the things that the wise Jehovah hath and doth use as Instruments for Demolishing this mystical Jericho and they are principally four to wit 1. Spiritual practicing 2. Unanimous Praying 3. Publick Printing and 4. Powerfull Preaching of all which very briefly in the following Paragraphs 199. First an holy practice of Piety a close walking with God and a living in the power of Godliness doth prove an excellent Means for the extirpation of Popery the reason is because Popery is nothing else but a meer Form denying the Power 'T is a loose Religion and its Worship is a carnall compound of Flesh-pleasing things it hath Musick to gratifie the Ear Perfumes to please the Nostrils and gawdy Pictures to bewitch the Eye in these and many other particulars 't is every way accommodated to an earthly Mind 200. Popery is a drawing nigh to God with the body when the heart is far from him 't is a being circumstantial in Substantials and substantial only in Circumstantials the Opus operatum of a Ceremony will expell Devils and work Wonders the Cheapness of their Pardons must needs render them notoriously licentious How did Lewis of France multiply his execrable Oaths when he thought the Kissing of his Crucifix was a sufficient Expiation from them all 201. Now 't is a Physical Rule Contraris curantur contrariis one Contrary is best cured by another so is this loose Antichristian Religion by an holy Evangelical Conversation Such a Conversation as this doth not only put to silence the ignorance of foolish men from dispraising but also opens the Speech of knowing Men for comnending the way of Reformation not only among Pagans 1 Pet. 2 1â—.15 but also among Papa-gans beholding men in the Flesh do live according to God in the Spirit 1 Pet. 4.6 202. This Engine I would commend to all those of the Reformation that they may adorn their
A DISTINCT DISCOURSE AND DISCOVERY OF The PERSON and PERIOD OF ANTICHRIST WHEREIN A Diligent Enquiry is made concerning the time of his Rise Reign and Ruine The Answer whereunto is not peremptorily Imposed but modestly Proposed In magnis Voluisse sat est Difficilium facilis est Venia Published for publick good by Christopher Ness Minister of the Gospel in Fleet-street LONDON Printed for the Author and to be sold by him 1679. TO THE Right Honourable ANTHONY Earl of Shaftsbury Lord President of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council Right Honourable THe Etymologist Defines nobilis quasi prae Aliis Virtute notabilis and the Heathen Sage saith Nobilitas sola est atque Vnica Virtus The Antiquity of a Noble Race is but the matter of true Nobility 't is Vertue that is the Form which quickens it and gives life to it If Nobility which is but the Moss of time do not grow upon the back of Vertue it wants its true Supporter and soon dwindles into nothing Quoe nos non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra Voco 'T was once a tart Sarcasm Meum Genus a me Incipit tuum Verò in te Desinit Antiquity of Pedegree is only a Nobility by Parchment That Nobility is most truly Divine where God is the top of the Kindred and Religion the Root of it Tantus quisque est Quantus est apud Deum My Lord this happy Conjunction of Honour and Vertue in your Lordship I speak without Vanity doth plainly declare you an Honourable Patriot yea and in this sad conjuncture of Affairs you have shone forth through the good hand of God upon you as a Star of the first Magnitude in our British Horizon now when Hell and Rome have been Clubbing their most sublimated Wits to destroy King and Kingdom Employing their deceitfull Dalilah's to cut off the Locks of our Land and their crafty Vlysses's to steal away our Palladium to wit our Religion which is both our Ornament and our Muniment from us Then did the Lord raise up your Lordship as the Atlas of England to support a sinking Nation it would be prodigious ingratitude not to acknowledge it Undoubtedly my Lord God hath given you I speak it not with the stinking breath of a sordid Sycophant a great Soul in a little Body for some eminent Generation-Work and all your former Sufferings and present Diseases serve but as a dark Soil in a well drawn Picture to set off your splendour and excellency God hath given you a profound Judgment and a most charming not an effeminate Eloquence which is hitherto an effectual Instrument in the Lords hand to conjure down those Incarnate Devils that Beelzebub and his Eldest Son the Pope have raised up amongst us Your Lordship hath not been like the Nobles of the Tekoites that would not put their neck to the Lords work as if it had been below their Greatness Neh. 3.5 but rather like the Nobles of Israel who digged Wells with their Staves of Honour for the common good Numb 21.18 You have done Worthily in Epphrata and is famous in Bethlehem God hath wip'd off the Scandalum Magnatum Psal 37.6 Go on noble Sir as another Joseph Daniel or Nehemiah to save much People alive from the hands of Popish Cut-Throats Nulla infoelicitas frangit quem nulla Foelicitas Corrumpit let your Goodness so Sanctifie your Greatness that you may improve this upper-Ground whereon you stand and hold not your Peace for our inlargement in this day Esth 4.14 The work of your day is to pull down this cursed Antichrist here treated on and to set up our blessed Christ in his Throne wherein that you may be daily more signally and more singularly usefull is the Cordial Prayer of Your Honours much Devoted Servant Christopher Ness Candid and Christian READER THe whole sum of our Blessed Bible is that God made the World and in it Men that of them he might Constitute a Church wherein he might be purely Worship'd according to the Doctrine of the Law and of the Gospel to the end of the World This Church of God is always under some special Promise and Prophecy The Comming of Christ in the Flesh was the grand Promise and Prophecy to the Old Test Church and the Comming of Christ in the Spirit in sending the Comforter in extraordinary Gifts was the grand Promise and Prophecy to the New Those were Promises and Prophecies of the former days all which have had their full Accomplishment There be also Promises and Prophecies of the latter days to wit of Christs Comming in Glory to confound Antichrist and all his proud helpers Those are yet to be accomplished as the Church of God was ever very inquisitive after the time of the 1st and 2d Comming of Christ Matth. 2.4,7 Luk. 2.25.26 and Act. 1.4 always waiting for the Consolation of Israel Even so should we do now for Christs 3d. Comming that he may not come like a Thief in the Night upon us Revel 16.15 and 1 Thess 5.2 The Promises are the Magna Charta or Grand Charter of the Church purchased by Christ Propounded Ratified and Accomplished in him 2 Cor. 1.20 The Promises are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exceeding great and precious 2 Pet. 1.4 They are first exceeding Great as they are above our Fears Wants Prayers Hopes Tasts and Imaginations 2ly Exceeding pretious as proceeding from a pretious God purchased by a pretious Christ and both applied to and sealed on our hearts by his pretious Spirit they are more pretious than the most pretious Stones in the World though some Pearl be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of an infinite price and value all the comforts in Heaven and on Earth are wrapp'd up in the Swathing bands of the Promises all our present comfort and future hope are hid in them they are as good Money as any in our Purse as good bonds as any in our Desk and as good Jewels as any in our Cabinet more especially the Promises of the latter day which are called better Promises Hebr. 8.6 yea the best Promises both in the Word and in the World our Lord like the Bridegroom of the Feast Joh. 2.10 keeps his best Wine till the last Now t is a thousand pitties we should be so ignorant of them or unacquainted with them knowing so little what they are and where they lay we are not such Strangers to our Money Bonds Jewels c. If an Herod diligently enquire Matth. 2.7 how much more ought every true lover of Christ As an help in this Enquiry God gave the Spirit of Prophecy a Daniel to the Old Test Church and a John to the New Divine Prophecies are blessed Comments upon Divine Promises that the Promises are all sealed breeds Comfort but that none of them are Dated as well as Sealed this breeds uncertainty especially considering how apt we are to Antedate Promises and to Post Date Threatnings but that Prophecies are Sealed breeds sorrow this made John weep Revel 5.4 whereas the opening
beast excercises all the power of the first beast Rev. 13.12 that is takes on him Civil Authority and using a Secular as well as an Ecclesiastical Sword he must sit in the same Seat where the Imperial civil Courts hath been kept and there set up his own Courts that as a compleat Plenipotentiary he may hear all causes Civil aswel as Sacred Rev. 13.2 52. That he must 5ly exercise this his Monarchy and Kingdom in the great City that Rules over the Nations appears from Rev. 13.2 The Dragon gives to the beast not only his power but also his Seat where his Throne had been and the woman that Rides upon the beast is call'd plainly the great City which then had the Empire and Reigned over the Kings of the Earth Rev. 17.18 call'd the great whore Sitting upon many waters to wit many Nations of sundry languages Rev. 17.1,15 which shows not onely the largeness of Antichrists Territories but also the Instability of his Kingdom which hath no better a foundation than as built upon Unconstant-waters 52. That he must carry himself 6ly in the Church of God as if he were God is expresly declared in 2 Thess 2.4 Antichrist must exalt himself above all that is called God or worshipped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either with Civil or Religious worship There are that are called Gods 1 Cor. 8.5 to wit Magistrates Psal 82.6 Those he exalts himself above in deposing Kings and disposing Kingdoms yea not only above those titular gods but also above the true God In ambitione plus-quà m Luciferianâ beyond Lucifer himself for he said only I will be like the most High Esa 14.14 But Antichrist will be above the most High not only in dispensing with but also in contradicting his Laws 53. Antichrist must 7ly Seduce with lying wonders this is proved from 2 Thess 2.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To astonish his beholders and to maintain his Reputation he should come with signs and wonders wrought by the power of Satan Those should be the means of his advancement he doth great wonders Rev. 13.13 calling fire down from heaven as if another Elijah the spirits of devils issuing out of the mouth of this Antichrist works wonders Cap. 16.14 54. Antichrist must have 8ly a threefold brand put upon him as appears from 2 Thess 2.3,8 1st a man of Sin 2ly a Son of perdition 3ly a wicked one all those Epithets to shew what a notoriously Sinfull lost lawless one he should be the 1st 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 denotes him the eldest Son of all the children of Belial a Superlative Sinner the worst of men as Christ to whom he is contrary was the best the 2d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 describes him a man of destruction actively a destroying Son call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 9.11 So he is to the Church of God and for destruction passively to be cast into Hell Rev. 19.20 the 3d. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as above fig. 13. deciphers him one that neither fears God not reverences man as Luke 18.2 for the Laws of neither can keep him within compass 55. That he must be further Stigmatiz'd 9ly for being Idolatrous the first Adjunct is manifest from Rev. 17.2 not onely in his own person but like another Jeroboam making others to sin with his Intoxicating cup of Fornication thus is Idolatry termed by the Holy Ghost Ezek. 16.17 the 2d adjunct is Ambitious 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one advancing himself above every Monarch on earth and more than equalling himself with the great God of heaven as above fig. 52. 2 Thess 2.4 his 3d. Title Cruel is Represented by the woman made drunk with the blood of the Saints Rev. 17.6 and by the name of a devouring beast so oft put upon him as before in fig. 7. his 4th Title Unclean is shadowed out by those names of Sodom and Egypt Rev. 11.8 and by those names of great whore and mother of fornication 56. 10ly Antichrist is one to be revealed in those last times appears plainly from 2 Thess 2.7,8 he must be in the world along time before he be Revealed while he remains a mystery of iniquity or iniquity in a mystery he is under a vail The depths of Satan Rev. 2.24 Unknown Unrevealed This mystery was working out of sight in persons as Diotrephes and in Doctrines as touch not tast not c. forbidding Meats and Marriages betimes but his Revealing is an Antecedent of Christs coming 2 Thess 2.3 57. The 11th clause in the Definition of Antichrist is he must be consumed with the Spirit of Christs mouth 2 Thess 2.8 The manner 1st it must be gradual not all at once but a lingring death this the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies a wasting a little and little till he be Annihilated and 2ly the means of his consuming the spirit or breath of Christs mouth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to wit by the preaching of the Gospel whereby the Spirit of Christ works powerfully yet gradually in the hearts of men to bring them off from supporting Antichrists Kingdom This is call'd by the Prophet the Rod of his mouth and the breath of his lips Esa 11.4 and the Sword of his mouth Rev. 2.16 1 Kin. 19.17 58. The 12th Clause is Antichrist is one that must be destroyed with the brightness of Christs coming 2 Thess 2.8 wherein 1st the manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be brought to nought and utterly abolished though he Seat himself among the Stars yet from thence the Lord will bring him down Obad. v. 4. even into utter destruction 2ly The means 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which may not be taken strictly for that precise point of time wherein Christ shall come personally to judge the world See infrá 227 Paragraph as Estiâ—… observes on the place but largely for the Spiritual manifestation of Christs presence in his Church before which this Antichrist shall melt away as dew before the Sun even to an utter extirpation 59. Thus in those 12 clauses I have shewn the Scriptural marks and definition of Antichrist which are beyond Controversie and Undeniable these are the claws of the beast Ex ungue leonem A Lion is known by his paw my Assumption now is that this difinition doth quadrare cum Papâ suits with the Pope hoc restat ad probandum I Argue thus Hypothetically If the Pope have those marks and this definition of Antichrist then he is the thing defined but the Antecedent is true ergo the Consequent or Categorically thus whoever hath those marks and this definition is the Antichrist but the Pope has them ergo this is to be proved by an Induction CHAP. IV. 60. THe 1st part of the Induction The first thing to be now demonstrated for clearing my assumption is that the Pope and his Church hath apostatized from the Faith which is evidenced thus the Church of Rome with her Pastors in the primitive Apostolical times was a beloved Spouse of Christ as that famous Epistle of the
others thus promoting Sorcery and Conjuration and if those be not evidences of the Popes coming by the working of Satan what can be To say nothing of the Key of the bottomless pit which Satan hath given to him as before 84. The 4th part of the Induction is usurping a Monarchy in the Church which is taken pro Confesso by all Popish writers that the Pope doth who challengeth to himself the Monarchy of a double power Spititual and Temporal Insomuch that his Parasites have courted him with that double title proper to our Lord Christ of King and Priest yea and this as Peters Successor as if Peter had not only the Keys committed to him but the Sword too whereas their own Image-makers frame Peter with the keys and Paul with the sword See instances Paragr 90. 85. Boniface was hard put to it for warranting his double Sword when he had no better proof then that of Luke 22.38 behold Lord here are two swords Here he understand the Church and Christ he saith doth not tell them these two swords are too many in the Chuâ—ch but only it is enough and Peter had one of those swords by Christs allowance for Christ bad him put his sword into his sheath and why may not Peters Successor have a Temporal sword too Therefore this same Boniface the 3d. upon a great Jubilee appear'd one day with a goodly Mitre in his Pontisicalibus and the next day with a Crown and a naked Sword born before him a clear evidence of his usurpation of this double Monarchy 86. That the Monarchical power is usurp'd by the Pope in the Church appears in his calling himself the Monarch of the Church acting absolutely as to Spirituals and universally as to Temporals so far as they say they are in ordine ad Spiritualia Thus Bellarmine affirms that the Pope hath power to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms for advancing the Catholick Church Thus this grand Thief and Robber so call'd John 10.8 sitting in the Temple of God robs both God of his part and Caesar of his too committing high Treason against both God and Caesar 87. Indeed the Apostle 2 Thess 2.4 does not say that he sits 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Temple but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Templum upon or against the Church as Austin reads it and others to show how tyrannical a Monarch he will be but the Enallage of the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is usual in Scripture as Mat. 2.23 Mark 1.9 So the reading holds in the Temple or Church of God That the Pope sits in the Church res ipsa loquitur and himself boasts of his Apostolical Seat which was indeed a true Church in Paul and John's time though now degenerated in the Pope's time thus the Temple of Jerusalem was call'd the Temple of God even when it was become a den of thieves or the Pope may be in the Church as a Wenn is said to be in the Body 88. The 5th clause of the Induction is that his Seat must be in the great City that ruleth Nations this is so accommodated to the Pope that none can contradict it for he hath erected his Episcopall See upon the 7 hill'd City call'd by the Antients 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Rev. 17.9 calls it the city on 7 Hills to wit Rome which in Johns time was the great City by way of eminency superlatively great call'd the Lady of kingdoms and the Mistriss of the world For John liv'd under the 12th Caesar when Rome was predominant almost over all Lands and was dignified with this Encomium Orbis in Urbe CHAP. V. 89. THe 6th clause exalting himself as God above all that is called God is the 6th part of the Induction which doth exactly quadrare cum Papa the Pope is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2.4 that lifts up himself above all Kings and Emperours who are as titular Gods on earth This is as clear in all Histories as if writ with a Sun-beam though in profession the Pope be stiled Servus servorum yet in practice he is found Rex Regum many instances we read of those Earthly gods holding his Stirrop kissing his Toe as well as waiting at his Gate his leasure and pleasure 90. To particularize the Popes pride and exaltation in some few instances Boniface the 8th wrote thus Imperiously to the French King we would have thee to know that thou art Subject to us as well in temporal as spiritual matters So t is Recorded in the Hist of France Pope Pius in his 2d Epistle to Mahomet the Turkish Emperour pag. 396. promises to make him Emperour of the East as his predecessors had made Charlemain Emperour of the West if he would turn Christian and supply the necessities of the Church Remondus in his Antipap Chap. 20. Relates of Pope Innocent saying the Church hath given me a Mitre for my Prelacy and a Crown for my Kingdom as I am Vicar of the King of kings and Lord of lords 91. Platina writes that Pepin one of the Kings of France having kissed the Toe of Pope Steven the 2d held his bridle for him on horseback and serv'd him as his Lackey or Footboy in vita Stephani secundi The Emperor Frederick holding the stirrop to Pope Adrian the 4th and mistaking the wrong stirrop the Pope rages against him although the Emperor excused himself saying he had not been brought up with holding Stirrops and Benedict the 9th sent a Crown to Peter King of Hungary with this Motto Petra dedit Romam Petrâ— tibi Papa Coronam But more proudly did he that set the Crown on Henry the sixt's head and kick'd it off with his foot again 92. Yet most proudly of all did Alexander the 3d carry to Frederick Barbarossa the Emperor who comes creeping to the Pope for an Absolution and kissing his Feet the Pope like a proud devil Incarnate sets his foot on the neck of the Emperor then prostrate before him saying those words of the Psalmist Ps 91.13 Thou shalt tread upon the Lion and Adder the Dragon and Basilisk thou shalt tramph under foot The Pope calls himself the Sun and the Emperor but the Moon in a lower orb to him 93. Nich. Vignier in his Eccles History relating the manner how the Emperors were consecrated and crowned says that after Mass the Pope in his Pontifical Chair holds the Crown betwixt his feet which the Emperor bowing down his head lifts up from his feet and presently the Pope strikes the Crown of with his foot from the Emperors head down to the ground to signifie that he hath power to depose them again at his pleasure and then the Cardinals that stand round about takes up the Crown and sets it on with great reverence is not this like one of the spuâ—… or kicks of the beast 94. Thus the Pope though he pretend himself to be Peters Successor yet walks he not in Peters steps for whereas Peter takes up
own Baronius tels us how Simon Magus made Images to walk by the power of the Devil and their Stories of Images weeping nodding and stretching forth the hand as with a blessing are all dough-Cakes baked in the same Oven the same Devil exercises his art of deceit both under the first Beast to uphold the Heathenish Idolatry and under the 2d Beast to maintain Antichristian Superstition 107. Henry Stephanus in his Apology for Herodotus tels us of some Answers that were given to such Superstitious Fools as pray'd to Images by some Juggling Priests that lay hid behind the Images Polidore Virgil a Papist says those Answers were made by Priests that crept into the hollow of the Image Thus Devils Incarnate by their own Confession makes their Images to speak to say nothing of their blessing-Image at Westchester moved by a Wire and a Priest behind it and other lying wonders 108. It is a good Rule when Miracles are wrought to be Patrons of Sin they come from Satan Such were those wonders that Simon Magus wrought not only to raise up an admiration of himself but also to bring men off from Holiness and from embracing the Gospel Origen tels Celsus that Antichrists Miracles were to bring men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the deceitfulness of Sin but Christs Miracles were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Salvation of Souls true Miracles oppose Satans Kingdom and are Mercies as well as Miracles 109. Satans wonders that he works whether mediately or immediately may amaze men but do not benefit them unless by way of Collusion as one Devil in the exorcist may cast out another out of one possessed which is done by the Devils consent and not by the power of any of their Exorcisms a Devil will willingly quit a demoniack for the hardening of mens hearts and for the further advancing of his own Kingdom Thus Austin de unitate Ecclesiae Cap. 16. calls the Miracles of his time either figmenta mendacium hominum or portenta fallacium Spirituum forgeries of lying men or prodigies of deceitful Devils 110. Chrysostom on the 23. Homily on John the 5th said thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thou hast no need of Miracles for those are Signs to the unbelievers and Stella one of their own Religion speaks well of this point saying Miracles as Scaffolds are necessary in the building of an house but when the house is finished they are but impediments to the Passengers so now if Miracles were done it would argue a weakness in the confirmation of our Faith by the Miracles of Christ and the Apostles 111. Miracles now are rather hurtful then profitable and he that looks for wonders now is a wonder himself as Austin de civit dei lib. 22. Cap. 8. or saith qui credente mundo ipse non credit magnum est ipse prodigium he that seeks for wonders now when the Faith of the Gospel hath been preach'd to the World and confirmed by Miracles is himself the greatest wonder our Lord hath told us John 10.41 that Gods Ministers may teach Truth and yet work no Miracles and such may be the Devils Impostors that come with Signs and Wonders Deut. 13.1.2 Matth. 24.24 112. The wonders then which the Popish Church brags of are but fallacious and counterfeit wonders spoken of 2 Thess 2.9 and so are the very brand of Antichrist so that while they boast of them and make them a note of the Church they declare to all the World that their Church is the Antichristian Church were they true wonders wrought by a Divine power they would then be Gods Seals which are never set to confirm an untruth but their wonders contradict the Doctrine of Christ and so are the badge of Antichrist 113. Suppose the Jesuit Acosta should for gaining the poor Indians to this Popish Religion foretel them that for a Sign to them the Sun should be Ecclips'd at such a time This would be a wonder to them that are ignorant of the natural Causes thereof yet no true one in genere Miraculorum though in genere Rerum it fall out-so 'T is a lying wonder from the Jesuits because it is given out with a purpose to deceive Miracles are not a touchstone to try the truth of Doctrine by but we must try miracles by the word of God 114. I have been longer upon this Clause because the Church of Rome lays a great stress of her excellency above all Churches in her Miracles whereby they as it were graphically decipher themselves to be the Antichrist If any desire to see more of Antichrist's lying wonders let him read Osianders Epitome 7. Cent. fol. 260 261. 9 Cent. fol. 84. 120. 11th Cent. fol. 236. and Fullers Chur. Histor concerning Abbies and Monasteries pag. 332. 333. 115. The 8th part of the Induction is the threefold brand that God hath stigmatized him withall in his word The man of sin the son of perdition and the wicked one to show what a complex of many gross Impieties the Antichrist should be and how fitly this character corresponds with the Pope not only Dr. Prideaux in his Introduction Pareus Medull Histor Ecclesiast Osianders Epitome and all our Church Histories abundantly declare but also their own Historians make most shamefull descriptions of their Popes Lives 117. T is a good Rule Firmum est genus probationis quod etiam ab adversario sumitur ut Veritas etiam ab inimicis Veritatis probetur 'T is a strong proof when enemies of the Truth are constrained to bear witness of the Truth and Vives de instrumento probabilitatis saith thus Amici contra amicum Inimici pro Inimico invincibile Testimonium est which in plain English is thus explained the Testimony of a Papist against a Papist and of a Papist for a Protestant is without exception 117. Let us therefore take a brief account out of some Popish writers whose Testimonies are unquestionable and so make a compendious Landskip of a few Popes Lives to shew what men of sin yea rather monsters then men they were To begin with Sabinianus who succeeded Gregorius Magnus he who abominated the title of Universal Bishop as smelling too much of Antichrist this Pope their own Writers brands thus Sabinianus culpabili vitâ formidabili morte notatus est he lived wickedly and died miserably Fasciculus Temporum ad Ann. 614. 118. What a villainous prank did Stephanus the 6th whom many call Stephen the 7th play such as never was plaid before as Cardin Baronius Tom. 10. Annal. ad Ann. 897. Num. 2. expresses it with the Carcase of his Predecessor Formosus which he took out of the grave brought into judgement before a Councel of Bishops spoil'd it of his Papal Robes clad it with a Lay-mans garment indicted arraigned and condemn'd it cut off 3 fingers of it and cast it into Tyber Yea depriving all them of their Orders whom he had ordained reordaining them again Hoc prae sui immanitate omnibus incredibile videtur saith Baronius
consummate the Revelation of his will Antichrist 3ly cannot be a singular Person because he began in the Apostles time and was to continue till the brightness of Christs coming did destroy him 4ly 'T is therefore a Succession of men now above a 1000. year old as the Emperor that letted him was yet called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Thess 2.6 with this Article 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 140. But 2ly they object that Antichrist must Reign 3. years and a half only and no more but the Pope hath Reigned long beyond this precise time Answer how can this be that he should subdue so many Kingdoms and make all the World wonder after him in so narrow a compass of time and that he should intoxicate Nations with his Cup of Fornication and himself with the blood of Saints in 3. years and half 141. Besides 2ly Antichrist is call'd Terraefilius as he is one base-born thus the 2d Beast is said to come up out of the Earth Rev. 13.11 because of his low and Sordid Original it follows then to be altogether improbable if not impossible that one of so base an extract should raise himself into such high Renown not only at home to obtain this Imperial Seat but also abroad to dispose of so many Crowns and Kingdoms in the space of 3. years and half If so this Beast would far exceed in his expeditious exploits the swiftness of the Graecian Goat to wit Alexander that is said not to touch the Ground for swiftness Dan. 8.5 yet had he 6. years to Conquer the East in though he was born heir to a Crown 142. Their 3d. objection is how can the Successor of the Apostle of Christ be at any time Revealed to be the Antichrist the Pope is not only Peters Successor but Christs Vicar professing Christianity so no Enemy to Christ as the word Antichrist imports 1. Answer This makes him not only a mystery of Iniquity but the first-born of the Devil who transforms himself into an Angel of light while he is indeed the Prince of darkness and should he not profess Christianity he could not come with all deceivableness as is said 2 Thess 2.7.10 he must sit in the Temple Austin Reads 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon or against the Temple as if a Tyrant riding upon the Church or as if an Enemy Warring against the Church we Read it in the Temple 143 The 2d Answer to this 3d. objection is It is not a little doubted whether ever Simon Peter was at Rome at least Bishop of it but it lies out of doubt Simon Magus was there The Distich runs thus An Petrus Romae fuerit sub Judice lis est Simonem Romae nemo fuisse negat From this Simon they learned to set Spiritual things as Pardons c. to sale for Money Romae omnia venalia but if we grant the Pope to Succeed Peter 't is in that one thing of denying his Master or he Succeeds him as Night Succeeds Day as the Storm a Calm and as Sickness Succeeds Health how unlike Peter the Pope is See Parag. 94. before mentioned 144. However this man of Sin pretends to be Peters Successor yet sure he never took in Peters Counsel of not Lording it over Gods heritage 1 Pet. 5.3 If this had been this bramble would not have advanced himself to be King over all the Churches and Vineyards of God Judg. 9.15,20 And were this Peters Successor stinted to Peters allowance Silver and Gold have I none Act. 3.6 he would soon be weary of that Chair that had so scant a Cushon in it and so mean a Purse to maintain it Besides Damasus writes that the Bishop of Rome from the first of them to Telesphorus yea and till the days of Silvester in Constantines time as others say were poor Martyrs and persecuted Ministers Those were like Peters Successors indeed 145. Their 4th Objection is that if Rome have any relation to Antichrist it was when it was Rome Heathen for then did it persecute Christ indeed in the 10 first Persecutions Answer Rome Heathen cannot be this Antichrist for first it was when Rome degenerated into a Whore that Antichrist Rose this cannot correspond with Rome Heathen which never was a Loyal Spouse 2ly It was when the Provinces fell off from Rome and set up ten Kings of their own The ten Horns receive Power as Kings one hour with the Beast Revel 17.12 146. Yea further 3ly Rome Heathen was no mystery of Iniquity never pretended friendship to Christ but was always an open Enemy did no Miracles nor hath it a congruity with the rest of the Characters of Antichrist and 4ly Antichrist is when the 7th Government Succeeded but those Caesars was the 6th Rev. 17.10 in whose time John lived saying One is 147. A fift objection against the Premisses is that Antichrist is not yet Risen because the preaching of the Gospel in all the World must be a precedent Sign of Antichrists coming Matth. 24.14 which as they say hath not been done therefore Antichrist is not yet born Answ 1st Christ saith nothing in that Matth. 24. of the coming of Antichrist but speaks in General only of the Rising of false Prophets 2ly Christ says indeed that the Gospel shall be preach'd in all the World before the end come v. 14. not before Antichrist come 3ly that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then is the end is meant of the City and Temple of Jerusalem if we compare v. 14. with v. 16. and Luk. 21.20 148. And 4ly as it is but a petitio principii to make the End there spoken off to be the end of the World so 't is no better to make the end of the World Contiguous to and Contemporary with Antichrist for the Apostles tell us that in their time Antichrist was already come 1 Joh. 4.3 and 2 Thess 2.7 5ly but grant that the End there spoken of should be the end of the World as Hierom c. interprets it Yet we cannot infer from hence that the Gospel must be preach'd to all the World before the coming of Antichrist as they imagine but only before the End of the World 149. But 6ly their own Maldonate in Matth. 24.14 acknowledges the accomplishment of this very Prophecy before Jerusalem was destroyed all the World is Synecdochically taken for the most parts of it Thus one Paul fils all with the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum Rom. 15.19 and all the other Apostles were gifted with all Languages that they might preach to all Nations had they not done so those Tongues Act. 2. had been given them in vain contrary to Deus natura nil faciunt frustrà 150. Chrysostome hath a good observation if one Paul saith he could Season so many Countreys as from Jerusalem to Spain Rom. 15.24,28 the former laying far East and the latter much West we may easily conceive what the other Apostles did who divided the world amongst them Yea their owh Stapleton relates how Thomas the Apostle preach'd to the
fragoris was Luther that did not throw bruta fulmina at the Pope as the Pope did at him but rather such a Thunderbolt as according to Ovids Fiction struck Phaeton out of his Charet surely the Thundring Sermons that have been preach'd by those Sons of Thunder have caused this Son of Perdition to shrink downward from his pinnacle of Pride many degrees 217. The efficacy of this Ordinance of Preaching against the Walls of Babylon is clearly held out in the type of the fall of Jericho Josh 6.13 7 Priests bearing 7 Trumpets of Rams-horns went on continually and blew with those Trumpets the Priests going on before the Ark and blowing with their Trumpets This they continued to do all the 6. days and v. 16. it came to pass on the 7th day when the Priests blew with the Trumpets the People hearing the Trumpets v. 20. shouted with a great shout and the Walls of Jericho falls down flat to the ground 218. The Antitype to the Sounding of those Ramshorns is the Ministry of the Word which though it be contemptible to man yet is it in poor Fishermen the power of God a Weapon that is Mighty for the pulling down of the strong holds of Antichrist 2 Cor. 10.4,5 God hews down his Forts by his Prophets Hos 6.5 and Cursed is he that rebuilds them again Josh 6.26 God writes him childless that does so 1 Kings 16.34 all from eldest to youngest dye 219. We read in 1 Kings 19.17 How it was not only the Sword of Hazael and the Sword of Jehu that cut off that Idolatrous house of Ahab but such as escaped their two Swords should Elisha slay Yet read we not any where of a material Sword that this Prophet used but he slew them by a Prophetical denouncing of Divine Vengeance against Idolaters Thus powerful Preaching is an hewing down of Antichrist by the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God Eph. 6.17 220. As the Prophet Jeremy was set over Nations and Kingdoms to root out and to pull down to destroy and to throw down Jer. 1.10 to wit by his Menances and Denunciations of Wrath which should as surely be effected as if the Prophet had himself effected them So are all the Ministers of the New Testament set up against this Kingdom of Antichrist to root it out and to pull it down yea and to destroy that man of Sin that abusing this same place of Scripture assumes a power of setting up and pulling down Kings and disposing of their Kingdoms at his pleasure God expounds it better Jer. 18.7.9 221. Oh pray then for such Ministers of the Lord as may blow continually the Rams-horns as may lift up their Voices like Trumpets Isa 58.1 as may with the Sword of the Spirit hew down this cursed Bramble out of which so much fire hath issued as hath burnt down the Cedars of Lebanon Judg. 9.15 Oh pray that the slain Witnesses may Prophecy again and reveal Antichrist that was born in darkness for the quintessence of Preaching is a Revealing of the mystery of Godliness and the mystery of Ungodliness 222. There be therefore many demonstrative Arguments to prove the fall of Antichrist by as 1. He must fall because he hath no foundation in the Word of God the Sandy foundation that he stands upon cannot long uphold him he is not built on the Rock of ages he is no Plant of Gods planting 2ly There is not a promise for his standing in all the holy Scriptures but a direful threatning against his standing Math. 15.13 every Plant which God hath not planted shall be Rooted up 223. And 3ly There is never a true Spiritual Prayer for him neither in the Word nor 〈◊〉 the World but all Prayer is against him Eâ—…siastical History tells us how Prayer broke the neck of Simon Magus and it will at length also break the neck of Antichrist The Popish Queen of Scots seem'd something sensible of this when she said she fear'd Mr. Knoxs Prayer more then an Army of Twenty thousand men 224. He is 4ly Not only guilty of much Blood which cries for Vengeance upon him but also he is drunk with it therefore as he now Staggers like one that is drunk so he must likewise both stumble and fall Isai 8.15 Jerem. 25.27 then 5ly Solomon saith pride goes before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16.18 Antichrists pride was related before Parag. 52.55 and from 89. to 97. all which must bring his fall and destruction 225. But sixthly and lastly because so many battering Engines are planted against him not by weak man but by the Mighty God therefore down he must come for strong is the Lord that Judges him Revel 18.8 When Joshua comes against Jericho in the name of the Lord and surrounds it with the Ark of God and blowing of Trumpets this plainly portends the downfall of it So when our Joshua or Jesus hath batter'd Babylon with those Persons and things forementioned for some years already since Luthers days especially this plainly portends it cannot stand but must tumble down CHAP. IX 226. HAving thus demonstrated Antichrists lingring Consumption and the means whereby it is accomplished which is the 11th clause I come now next to the 12th and last part of the Induction to wit his utter extirpation he must be destroyed by the brightness of Christs coming the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hath an elegancy in it as its simple is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be idle The Beast hath power 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Mr. Mede Reads faciendi to do 42. Months Rev. 13.5 but the brightness of Christs coming puts a Period to his lease of doing cuts the traces of this wicked plower and then he can't plow or do no more Ps 129.3,4 he will be then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one out of Employment and out of being also 227. Some indeed take this brightness of Christs coming to be at the day of Judgment because it s said then He shall come in flaming Fire 2 Thess 1.8 and then shall the Beast and false Prophet be put to death and cast into the Lake Rev. 19.20 This interpretation makes the final abolishment of Antichrist to be much later then indeed it shall be 228. This coming of Christ is not saith Dr. Sclater to be taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in that Individual point of time wherein Christ shall come to Judge the World at the last day but it must be taken extensely and with some latitude so as under it may be comprized the Anterior part and the foregoing both Signs and times thereof and he approves of that Critick Scholiast that says this phrase is not to be understood of his comming in Person to General Judgment but of the manifestation of His Presence in the Church by effects of Power Justice Grace and Mercy 229. If this Extirpation of Antichrist be the same thing with the downfall of Babylon that is describ'd Revel 18. then under correction saith
in Heaven 3ly That Reign in Heaven is for more time than a 1000 years 't is for Eternity 244. And 4ly Satan must be let loose again as before which cannot be after the day of Judgement 5ly This marriage of the Lamb with the bride and so by consequence this glorious estate of the Church must be a state on Earth because it is said at that time the Tabernacle of God is with men and God will dwell with men Rev 21.3 Now were it a state in heaven then it should rather be said that men dwells with God then God with men 245. There must therefore be a Coming of Christ I say not personal before the Day of judgement to receive his Kingdom of the Father Dan. 7.13 Not the natural or essential Kingdom which he has as he is God for ever but a dispensatory Kingdom delegated to him as he is Mediator which when he hath put down all Power all the 4 Monarchs and all the 10 Kings of the last Monarchy the Beast and false Prophet yea Gog and Magog after the 1000 Years of the Churches peace and after his Judging the World he resigns up his Kingdom again 1 Cor. 15.24.25 246. Thus we see there is a coming of Christ which will be a Restitution of all things Acts 3.21 Whereas the coming of Christ at the Day of judgement shall be the Dissolution of all things and this coming of Christ may be cal'd Epiphany from the brightness of it for then the clouds of Antichristianism shall be dissolved and so shall it be not only bright to the Church but destructive to Antichrist who shall be Destroyed by the brightness of the coming of this Sun of Righteousness at his presence will the mountains of the Man of Sin melt away like Snow before the Sun Psal 114.7 247. This is the Brightness of Christs coming that brings in Antichrists utter extirpation 2 Thess 2.8 For at the sounding of the 7th Trumpet in the Seal-prophecy the Angel swears that time should be no longer to wit for Antichrist Rev. 10.6,7 then the mystery of God shall be finished and then Christ comes at the 7th Trumpet and takes to himself his great Power and reigns Rev. 11.15,17 Then all Kingdoms become the Lords though the Nations be angry at it 248. In the like manner at the pouring out of the 7th Vial in the Book-prophecy it is said It is done Rev. 16.17 that is all is finished concerning Antichrist not only his Seat and Kingdom is ended but the Beast and the false Prophet are taken in Person and all his Retainders are utterly destroy'd by Christ Rev. 19.20,21 And then begins the Kingdom of Christ. 249. Thus we have seen at large how Antichrist's doom is to be destroyed O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed Psal 137.8,9 This Beast must go into perdition Rev. 17.8 't is said Go not Run for it must be gradually done every Vial must bring a degree of Ruine on him as before Now those two last clauses of the Induction are subordinate but not contrary for Antichrist may be both consumed and destroyed ever since the Separation and Reformation he hath been wasting away 250. But when Christ shall come with a brighter Manifestation of himself of his Grace and of his Gospel to the World then men shall be clearly convinced that this is the great Whore that bewitches the Nations with her wine of Fornication and that she is a common Strumpet with the Kings of the earth Rev. 17.2 The Lord will then also mightily discover her to the Kings of the earth that have given up their Power to her and cause them to hate her and to burn her for a Witch Rev. 17.16 As the Beast hath killed with the Sword so he shall be killed with the Sword himself at last Rev. 13.10 after a long Consumption and Captivity as if one kind of death were to little for him 251. This Antichrist therefore is a Son of perdition passively as well as actively for he must go into perdition but whether by the battle of the Warriour and by Garments rolled in bloud at first some doubteth Osiand Epitome 7. Cent. Pa. 315. However it shall be by burning and fewel of fire Esa 9.5 God will kindle a fire in the hearts of those Kings and they shall make Rost-meat of the Whore at last she shall have bloud to drink for she is worthy sooner or later Rev. 16.6 cap. 18.6 And something hereof is mention'd in the 3d Vial Rev. 16.6 CHAP. X. 252. NOw come we to the great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the grand Enquiry concerning the time of the fall of Antichrist which hath puzl'd so many grave holy and learned Interpreters There is a strange Itch and a strong propension of desire to know this Oh that we may go to Christ privately as the Disciples did Mat. 24.3 and say to him tell us when shall these things be and what shall be the sign of the Coming of Christ We are ready to say with Balaam Numb 24.23 who shall live when God doth this 253. Various Calculations and Computations of time about Antichrist's fall are extant at this day even by many good Men and great Lights in their Generation My present Work shall be to draw a compendious Scheme of the several Conjectures of those most illuminated Servants of Christ passing by others I conceive were less enlightned and then superadd my own Conceptions quales quales sunt though I may say with Luther Ego nullus sum in Propheticis I am neither a Prophet nor the Son of a Prophet 254. There be two several ways of Computation especially according to the diversity of mens Apprehensions which they take to find out the time of Antichrists fall some grounds their Conjectures upon that Number given to Daniel who was the great Revealer of those Secrets in the Old Testament as John was in the New Dan. 12.11 That from the time of the daily Sacrifices taking away and the Abomination of desolation setting up there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety Days or Years 255. To omit all forrain Writers which would make the work more tedious I shall only speak of our own Countrymen who according to their Light hath made inquiry into this great Mystery Some of those follow the Computation of Daniel as 1st Dr. Willet in his Comment on this Dan. 12.12 who relating Bullinger's Opinion That those 1290 Days have reference to the last destruction of Jerusalem because the Jewish War before the final destruction of their great City lasted so many Days 256. The Doctor answers Bullinger thus That those 1290 Days must not be reckoned from the beginning of the Jewish War but from the setting of the Abomination in the Temple by Antiochus which lasted 3 Years and an half and seeing the Number 1335. mentioned in the 12. ver differs from 1290. just 45 Days he conceives that hath relation to Judas Macabaeus his cleansing of the Temple 45 days before
Antiochus his death Now all this he makes a Type of things to come looking on Antichrist in the New Test to be the Antitype of Antichrist in the Old and corresponding each with other in Nature and Circumstance 257. Hereupon he speaks to the Conjecture of some that because there be 45 days difference betwixt 1290. 1335. do gather from thence that after Antichrist it destroyed Christ will come in Glory at the end of 45 days but he answers to this that then it would be known by Daniels Prophecy when the day of Judgement is which is contrary to the Scripture of the New Testam Mat. 24.36 Luke 12.40 but rather thus saith he Christ by the brightness of his Coming will cleanse his Temple as Judas Macabaeus did and 45 days after he will slay Antichrist Here we have at least an obscure Intimation of the time of the fall of this Man of Sin 258. But more plainly Mr. Symonds Pastor of Roterdam reckons by Daniels Numerical Rule and observing how Julian the Apostate endeavoured to set up the Abomination-Temple of the Jews and to restore Judaism in despight of Christ himself whom he would have proved a Liar thereby and all those Christians that lived in his Empire how also Christ from heaven fought against his enterprize with Thunder and Lightning and with an Earthquake from below that cast up the very foundation which he had laid 259. Hereby Christ whom he would have prov'd a Liar fulfill'd his own Prophecy more fully then it was before That not only above ground but not so much as under ground one stone shall not be left upon another Mat. 24.2 Thus by a most eminent hand the Lord took away the Jews daily Sacrifice and rooted up their Abomination-Temple yea and at the same time the Delphich Temple of the Heathens was utterly destroyed to tell all the world that neither Judaism nor Paganism should be set up any more but the Kingdom of Christ 260. These transcendent Providences Mr. Symonds and others I say observing are thereby perswaded to begin this 1290 days or years at this Exploit of Julian which some say was in An. Dom. 360. and so the period of that Computation ends in 1650 Y. of Christ which is long ago expir'd only there is a reserve of 45 Years which prolongs this account to 1695. 261. There be other holy Men that cast their eye in this work not upon Daniels number only but on Johns also as Mr. Tilling-hast who begins his account of 1290 Years at the Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple by Julian which he says was in the Y. of Christ 366. to wit 6 Years lower than the former Calculation this for Daniels number but then the 1260 or the 42 Months which is Johns number he begins at the Year 396 after Christ 262. And he gives this reason for the latter because saith he at the Ye 396. was the time of the Beasts rise for then came in the Worshipping of Images Prohibition of Marriages Traditions and Antichrists exalting himself above the Magistrate Now both those Numbers to wit that of Daniels the Prophet of the Jewish Church holding out the time of the Rejection of the Jews and of Antichrists domineering over beleeving Gentiles jump exactly into one Period sc 1656 Y. which also is elapsed and yet no Vial it powred on the Seat of the Beast 263. Dr. Goodwin likewise goes this way comparing Daniels and Johns Prophecy together and making that Angel with the little book in Rev. 10. to be the same that appear'd to Daniel Dan. 12. for saith he both those Angels 1 use the same Ceremony to wit the lifting up of the right hand towards Heaven 2 both swearing the same Oath to wit by him that liveth for ever Dan. 12.7 and Rev. 10.5,6 3 both their Swearing hath one end about the same thing and to the same purpose 264. For that Prophecy of Daniel contains but more darkly the same things that the Revelation of John more clearly handles as namely the Tyranny of the 4th Monarchy and the oppression of the Church thereby First by the Empire then under the last head of it the Pope of whom Daniel had Prophecy'd Chap. 11. from v. 36. to the end after whose time ended should come in a fift Monarchy of the Saints as Ch. 7. all which things are more distinctly presented to us by John as namely under the 7th Trumpet after the time of the Pope ended a glorious Kingdom should come in Revel 11.15.17 265. And 4ly as they both agree in one subject matter so likewise in setting down the time determined of God how long this last head the Pope oppressing the Church should continue to wit for a time times and half a time Daniel mentioning it thus Darkly and Indefinitely and when this last head shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy People then all those things shall be fulfilled Dan. 12.7 but t is more clearly and distinctly mentioned by John as became a Revelation Chap. 11. so as indeed the 11th of Revelation is but an Explication of the 12th of Dan. for the better comfort of the Church 266. Then coming to pitch upon the time of Antichrists fall Dr. Goodwin concurs in his Conjectures with those that reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Y. and fixing the beginning of this account in Julians time which was the last time both of the ceasing of the daily Sacrifice set up by him and a setting up Heathenish Idolatry in the World and he says we may not reckon from Titus Vespasians time who destroy'd the Temple for then the term is expired long ago 267. And he finding two Periods of time most chiefly pitcht upon by writers of this age for great changes in the Churches of Christ the one about 1656. and the other upon 1666. he I say falls in with both those Periods shewing how both may stand together for the 5. Vial saith he hath 2 several powrings forth of 2 several portions the one is the top and the other is the dregs or bottom The top of the Vial may be powr'd out in Y. 1656. to prepare for the other but in Y 1666. the dregs of its wrath shall fall on the Seat of the Beast 268. The latter of those Periods he reckons by Johns Number of 42. Months or 1260. Y. fixing the head of this account in the Year 406. after Christ when Pope Innocent the First challeng'd and Usurp'd Jurisdiction over all Churches Those two Numbers put together make exactly 1666. but the former of those Periods he reckons by Daniels Number of 1290. Years which he begins at Julians Exploit Y. 365. or 366. because accompts of Years since Julians attempt of building of the Temple is various which latter added to 1290. Y. makes exactly also 1656. according to his 1st Period 269. He proceeds further saying Daniel being inquisitive after the times when those things should he finished The Angel which is Christ saying Revel 11.3 I will give
power to my two Witnesses c. which no created Angel could say gives him two Periods the one 1290. as before the other 1335. which is the ending of the dispatch of those great things before the Kingdom of Christ as the other is the beginning thereof and which from Julians time ends about 1700. Y. of Christ There be 45. Years to accomplish all the preparatory work in as Antichrists Ruine Jews Call c. and the first Period brings blessed times but blessed is he that cometh to the end of the 45. Y. for then is Christs Kingdom 270. There be a 3d. sort of Holy and Learned Interpreters that neither build their conjectures on Daniels prophetick Number wholly nor yet as it stands in conjunction with the Apocalyptick number of John but solely upon those numbers they find in the Revelation which are of two sorts 1. That 42. Months or 1260. Days or Years which is the very term of time the Beast hath given him to tread down the holy City Revel 11.2.3 and to do or continue in Revel 13.5 271. The 2d Apostolick Number is that famous 666. Revel 13. last which seems to cast up the Number of the Beast to wit the date and end of his Tyrannical Kingdom whose days shall then be numbred that is finished as the phrase is of old Babylon's ending Dan. 5.26 God hath numbred thy Kingdom and finished it and the Holy Ghost hath computed it as they have conceived to be in the Year which according to mens computation shall be called Six hundred sixty six Years Number expressing time for Aristotle defines Tempus to be Numerus motus secundum prius est posterius Time is the number of Motion 272. And of this Judgment is an unknown English writer in 1589. of Christ Intituling his Book To the Church of Rome and Subscribing himself by the two Letters T. L. whose Writing speaks him a man of a Savoury Spirit and of no mean ability I have read it with much complacency who says that in that Year 666. The great man of Rome shall fall as the Uncircumcised 273. In the Number of the Beast he saith the millenary Number is omitted not only as Known and unchangable for Antichrist was to Reign no more Thousands then One but also as Respecting the common use of all Nations as well Hebrews as Gentiles who in their Stiles for brevities sake do both speak and write by the Imperfect Number omitting the Millenary as Munster in his Calendario Hebraico well observes more then after the Perfect adding the Millenary 274. There be others indeed that finding the Number of the Beast to be 666. have therefore made this Number to design out the very Year of Antichrists beginning or Revelation of his Tyranny and Kingdom to wit in the Year of Christ 666. so Mr. Stephens and the rather because they find in Eccles History that in that very Year the Latin Service began in the Church which is the Popish Service in all Lands see Osiander Epitome Cent. 7. Pag. 189. see Paragr 289. 275. But Number when it is put to signifie Time as Dr. Goodwin saith doth not so properly signifie the beginning of Time as the ending of it When the Number is finished and as it were cast up and made compleat then is his Time Numbred and the account of it summ'd up and not before and therefore Daniel useth this Phrase Thy days are Numbred to denote to us the ending of the Time of the Babylonish Kingdom and not the beginning of it as was said before 276. Therefore many godly-learned declining this latter Notion hath yet gone over into the Opinion of the former with T. L. saying this Cumputation being called the Number of a man that is the ordinary vulgar way of Reckoning years and measure of time in the stile of the whole Christian World holds out the very year of Antichrists Expiration when his Number shall be summ'd up that is in that Year which is according to mans Computation of years ordinarily stiled 666. as we usuall say 88 for 1588. 277. Yet Mr. Durham in his Comment on the Revelation puts another sense on that Number 666 saying it neither denotes the time of Antichrists Rise or of his Ruine but to shew saith he that this Beast is not any ordinary Heretick but a Chief one that hath a great Number of lying Doctrines his name of Blasphemy compact together and we are call'd in Rev. 13. last to weigh his Heresies judiciously not to number his Figures Arithmetically 278. He that hath understanding of spiritual Truths and his Senses exercised to discern them will ponder the Doctrines of Antichrist in the ballance of the Sanctuary 〈◊〉 Belshazzar was numbred and found light Antichrist's number is the number of Man for there is no Article in the Greek not the Wisdom of God his Doctrines are not of God but of Man yea Doctrines of Devils And there be sexcenti errores Pontificii as some Book-titles be as if Antichrist were a Compound of 666 grand errors 279. Mr. Cotton upon Rev. 13.18 declares his opinion of this 666 that it is neither the Number of his Years when he began nor the Number of his Years when he shall end not the former saith he for though some think Antichrist arose to a name in the Y. 606. yet they cannot though Boniface then took upon him the title of Chief Bishop make that 666. seeing there is 60. Y. difference and 't is probable the Holy Ghost would not have err'd so much in such an express Number Besides Antichrist was begun before this 606. and this Headship or spiritual Advancement is but a part of Antichrist 280. Nor can the latter be saith he for 666. cannot be the number of the end of Antichrists Years seeing he continues still to this time which is almost a Thousand years since 666. and to say that in this round Number something is omitted as when we say 88 we mean 1588. yet in Scripture-phrase saith he such small Numbers are not regarded and seeing Wisdom is required to find out this Number what wisdom were it for the Holy Ghost to leave out a thousand as we leave out when we say 88. for 1588. the Holy Ghost he saith doth not so here and therefore it cannot hold out the number of his Period 281. He thinks as the number of the Beast is an opposite number to the Number of the Lamb which consists all of 12. as of every Tribe 12000 and the City had 12 foundations c. Rev. 21.14,16,17 the whole fabrick of Jerusalem is 12. the foundation is Apostolical but in the Number of the Beast there is nothing Apostolical six falls short of twelve Boniface summs up all their Canons in one Book which he adding to the 5 Books of Decretals calls it Sextus thus all their Religion is wrap'd up in 6 Volumes and the 6. they call the most perfect of all hence the Number 6. is pitched on here the number of a man for
all Hereticks must be compell'd by force was a fair foundation for and an Introduction to that force of Arms which Antichrist used afterwards against the Saints under the name of Hereticks in all his Dominions the other War is not only describ'd in the Parties against whom it is raised but also in the success of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saints are the Party against whom and Victory is the Success of the Beasts War whereof no mention is made in the former if we compare Revel 12.17 with Revel 13.5.7 in all which 3 places this phrase 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used Revel 13.5 holds out the Term of the War Revel 12.17 the War it self and Revel 13.7 names not only the Seed Saints but the Success too 389. Thus as we have a double account of the Beasts War so likewise of the Womans flight into the Wilderness as before therefore can we not so fully fix upon either of those two last Intimations unless we could find out the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Article and point of time when those double computations began wherein I must confess my self to be at a loss and the more because I am at this day deprived of the help of my own Library may we but fully inform our selves of the exact Epochas and beginnings of all those Hints aforesaid it would bring not a little light to this intricate Question the full discovery of which I must refer to men of greater abilities and opportunities for Chronology 390. There is also a 6th Intimation to wit the treading under foot of the outer Court or holy City by the Gentiles for the time of 42. Months Revel 11.2 which is the very express Term of the Lease of the Beast as Revel 13.5 Mr. Mede makes this likewise to Contemporize with the Beast having one and the same beginning and ending not only because of the Equality of their times as before but also because of the Identity of their Expiration for when the great Earthquake hath destroyed the Imperial City and with it the Kingdom of the Beast Rev. 11.13 and the Kingdoms become the Lords v. 15. those very Gentiles that had trodden underfoot the holy City so long are then cast out at which they are enraged v. 18. 391. The outward Court and the holy City Mr. Mede makes to be Synonimus and mutually to expound themselves because the outward Court was the place of Worship for the People of the holy City as the Inner Court was for the Priests and Levites And those Gentiles that tread it down are not Pagans but Papagans which are Idolaters like unto the Gentiles who are also call'd Sodom and Egypt yea and the Synagogue of Satan â—… those shall possess the Holy City or Europe the allotted Seat of the Church they shall tread under foot the outward Face of the visible Church for 42. Months 392. Now could we but find out the beginning of this treading down of the Holy City this would guide us as by a Synchronism to the time of Antichrists fall but I shall not insist upon this neither not only because a late Learned Critick makes this casting out of the Outward Court to the Gentiles a Dispensation under the 6th Trumpet and in the last times of Antichrist as if he should recover all those Kingdoms again before his fall that have made a protestation against him hence are they call'd Protestants and not to contemporize with him from first to last but also because this hath such a fair Coincidency with the time of the Witnesses in Sackcloth which I purpose to speak more largely to in the next place CHAP. XIV 393. I Come now to the 7th and last Intimation for guiding of us into this intricate point about the fall of Antichrist to wit the Sackcloth Prophecy of the two Witnesses which to be Contemporary with the Dominion of the Beast none ever denied but that the Sixth Trumpet ends them both is granted of all so having one and the same term of time it necessary follows they must both begin together the Witnesses must begin their mourning Prophecy when Popery and Antichristianism begins unto both which the 7th Trumpet puts a final Period So that may we find out the Epocha of their Sackcloth Prophecy it will give great light to the time of Antichrists fall 394. This Prophecy of the two Witnesses may be truly call'd crux Interpretum it hath put so many Learned and Holy Men to a kind of torture in the Interpretation of it and we may say of this Scripture as Maldonate of another Scripture Locus facilior si nemo exposuisset It hath been so ruffled with variety of Interpretations that they have made it seem darker by their Various and Heterogenal Conjectures God hath left many places of Scripture dark to our understandings nè illas Scripturas semel lectas fastidiremus that we should not disdain the plainness of it Austin yet may we not make bawds of our own wit to beget our own sences on Scripture for that is to break the bones of the Lamb and to do Violence to the Law of God Zeph. 3.4 we should carry no sence to Scripture but only fetch one from it 395. That God had his Witnesses all along the Reign of Antichrist is manifest by Johns measuring out a Church for God under the Antichristian Persecution to wit the Church in the Wilderness as before Ruled by the Reed of Gods Word and fed by the two Prophets there Revel 12.6,14 that they to wit those two Prophets should feed her though not fully feast her in her Wilderness-state and those Witnesses should have the Temple given them in the Desert while Antichrist exercises his Idolatrous Worship in the Outward Court and Holy City wherein true Christian profession and Worship hath been before 396. Those witnesses which are in general terms call'd the holy People Dan. 12.7 and must be scattered and slain before all these things of Antichrist be fulfilled are largely described in the 11th of Rev. with many particular and distinct Characters An inspection into which may contribute some light in our enquiry after the Epocha or Beginning of this Sackcloth-prophecy which doth so exactly commensurate the times of the Beasts dominion their slaughter being the last bite of the Beast as Christs death slew death the Distick is Mors mortis morti mortem nisi morte dedisset Aeternae vitae janua clausa foret So the death of Christs Witnesses brings death on the Beast that slew them 397. In this description observe 1. their Names 2. their Number 3. their Condition 4. their Actions 5. their Death or end and 6. their Resurrection 1st Their Names which are not proper but appellative being two 1. Witnesses 2. Prophets 1st they are call'd Witnesses as being in all Ages to witness against Antichrist and to testifie to the Truth but most eminently t is probable in the last Age when they come to be slain for their Testimony 2ly They are
in Germany in Bohemia Anno Dom. 1618. and in the Palatinate 1621. and later in Piedmont at Lucerne about 1655. as Mr. Tillinghast 408. Dr. Twiss Judgeth that this slaughter of the Witnesses hath been on foot many years ago not by Judicial proceedings only in the Martyrdom of Gods Saints but by the Sword of War also 1. In the Low-Countreys by Duke d' Alva then in France by the Guisses in that bloody Massacre of Admiral Coligni and many Thousand Protestants then in Germany as above after that in Ireland where some Hundred-thousands were butcher'd by the Irish Rebels and since that in England by the Antichristian brood with so manifest opposition unto Truth and Holiness under a Protestant Prince as he thinks the like was never known since the beginning of the World 409. Though it be very Consentaneous to our minds to think this Slaughter over yet seems it not to be so to the Truth who would not saith Mr. Mede much rather hope that so lamentable an accident to the Church were past than fear it to be yet to come but a mistake on that hand is more dangerous then on this for the expectation of a future Calamity conduceth more to Piety then an over-credulous Security thereof as if it were already past We are prone by nature to put the evil Day far from us Amos 6.3 to keep on our watch-tower in expectation of this Dispensation doth most promote the power of Godliness 410. There be several Arguments that Captivates my Judgment in this point that the Witnesses are not yet slain the 1st Reason 1. Before the Witnesses be slain I conceive their Testimony must be full before it be finished But in those Slaughters foremention'd and in those by Queen Mary in our Land the Testimony that was given them was to the Doctrine of Christ but never that I know of to the Discipline of the word which hath been the Controversy of our present Generation 411. As the first Reason is taken from the want in those former Slaughters of a plenary Testimony so the 2d Reason is drawn from a Concomitancy of it Various are the Concomitants that attend this Dispensation as 1st The pouring out of the 5th Vial upon the Seat of the Beast to darken Antichrists Kingdom and to extinguish the glory of it for this Slaughter is his last scattering of the holy People with which he should accomplish his Time Dan. 12.7 This shall be the last bite of the Beast then his power to do mischief for 42. Months shall End at the same hour is a great Earthquake Revel 11.13 saith Mr. Mede 2ly It must be about the end of their Sackcloth-Prophecy which evidently continues still for God hath not said yet to his Witnesses as he said to Joshuah coming out of Babylon Take away those mournful Garments and give change of Raiment Zech. 3.4 412. And 3ly upon the accomplishing of 3. Years and half attends it also a glorious Resurrection which the Spirit of Life from God causeth Setting them upon their Feet to Preach against Popery again to the great confusion of their Enemies Revel 11.11 yea and a more glorious Ascention into a more Excellent Church-state than before v. 12. those I call Concomitants not because they are so strictly taken but because they fall withiâ— the Verge of that Dispensation so as to evincâ— those foresaid Slaughters in Germany France c. not to be the Slaughter because noâ— thus attended it being above an 100. Years since the Eldest and far above 3. Years and half since the latest of them and likewise because I would distinguish them from Remoter Providences 413. The 3d. Reason is taken from the Consequences of it as 1st The passing away of the second woe v. 14. which is the 6th Trumpet to wit the Turkish Power and Tyranny that stands in its full strength and height at this day notwithstanding all those late Stones of the Jews Embodying themselves against it 2ly The blowing of the 7th Trumpet which comes quickly after the former v. 14 and brings in the Kingdom of Christ v. 15. now since the Smalcaldian War is 120. Y. yet Antichrist Reigns not Christ Rome is in her Ruff the Witnesses in their Sackcloth and no foundation of any of the Praemisses apparently laid 414. It is therefore safest for us not to flatter our selves as if this evil day were past and gone for so long as the 5th Vial is not powr'd out on the Seat of the Beast Rev. 16.10 we may daily expect that the Beast will be powring out some of the Vials of his Wrath on us and it is not determined in Scripture what time this last War of the Beast shall take 〈◊〉 before he hath fully Conquer'd and Slaughâ—…d them which may be a Salvo to the â—…esaid opinions that those Slaughters were â—…innings and parts of this last War 415. And also a Salvo to a latter Opinion â—…en any of the aforesaid to wit that the late â—…ssion of Parliament which put forth the Godly Ministry out of place as well as Maâ—…racy at one time was the time of killing 〈◊〉 Witnesses which I shall speak more to 〈◊〉 the place of killing them This also may 〈◊〉 look'd on as some skirt at least of the last â—…wer of Antichrists Rage but however 〈◊〉 last War must end about 3. years and half before the downfall of Antichrist how long soever it continue for otherwise it would â—ake an Inequality in the Synchronism betwixt â—…e 42. Months and 1260. days should it be â— litte before or a little after 416. Thus of the time of Slaying them now 2ly Of the place where the Witnesses be Slain there they lie dead now much controversy hath been about this Street what it should be Mr. Mede makes it the whole Territory of Romes Dominion taking 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the largest sence as Synonymical with the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chuts which it oft Answereth in the Septuagint-translation as he saith Discoursing of it very Critically and Learnedly 417. Graserus a Judicious Divine conceives this place of the Slaughter to be noâ— the whole Territory of Romes Dominion buâ— the Universal States and Kingdoms of thâ— Protestant Religion saying quod hactenâ—… per partes Impleri nunquam desiit jam plenariâ—… Universaliter perficietur this Slaughter that in some place or other never Ceased but hath been in fulfilling by parts in every Kingdom where the Witnesses have been but at last he saith there shall be a General totall Ecclipse of the Churches at once for 3. years and half 418. Mr. Tillinghast goes still narrower looking upon this street to be Germany as it is one of the ten Kingdoms that belongs to the Beast as if the great City consisted of 10. Streets and this to be one as the 10th part of that Dominion this makes the Opinion probable that it shall be one of the ten Kingdoms as one of the ten Streets of the great City especially considering how the
for want of room I can but name and which brings forth the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the ruine of Rome Now can we but find out where to head the Prophecy of those Witnesses in Sackcloth it would more clearly guide our Conjectures about the fall of Antichrst for there is an exact equality betwixt the 42. Months the Beasts time being measured by Months because his work is Idolatry a work of darkness moon or night-work and the 1260 Days the term of the Witnesses whose work belongs to the day under the conduct of the Sun of Righteousness 439. Without controversie assoon as Antichrist is reveald and enthron'd in his Pontificalibus the Witnesses then begins to put on their Sackcloth beholding his silken dust and his Golden Damnation and to mourn at the revelation of this Mystery of Iniquity So they thus contemporizing in their beginning must necessarily do so in their ending too So that this 3 Y. and half foremention'd must be a part yea and the last part of both those Terms and as to their beginning of this Sackcloth-prophecy I shall refer my opinion to an Appendix annexed to the end of this Treatise 440. Let no Man marvel that I do but grope in this method not only because I am remov'd by this Dispensation from my Library but also because it is an untrodden Path and though I would not say with Zabarel hoc ego primus vidi savouring too much of vain affectation Yet this I may truly say that never any Authors that I am acquainted with or heard of propounded this Method to find out the true Calculation of Antichrists time by those several Intimations fore-spoken of an improvement whereof may bee made by abler hands than by poor I. John came first to the sepulchre and saw indeed the linnen clothes but Peter went in and took a particular View John 20.4,5,6,7 441. And what hath all those learned and holy Men foremention'd done but groped at it yea and hath missed the mark those lights hath been in the dark yea even those that found the reserve of 45 Years to retreat to in their Interpretations seeing they make the former Period of those Years to bring with them some eminent Blessedness Paragr 269. such as the scattering of the Holy People to be accomplished and the Witnesses rising to die no more which things Experience tells us are not fulfilled according to their Calculations of the beginning of this Reserve the end whereof should bring in the Kingdom of Christ 442. Above all those eminent Lights Mr. Burroughs seems most cautelous in his Conjectures about Antichrists downfall who observing the variety and uncertainty of all Chronologies takes an 100. Y. compass to foot his Account in saying betwixt 4 500. Y. after Christ Antichrist rose though he lean most to that Opinion expressed before Paragr 299. so that his Interpretation holds good at any time till 1760. Y. after Christ be expired In his first Vol. of Lectures on Hosea and the last Pages 443. ☞ Now whether this Calculation of Mr. Burroughs do hold or no or ours from the rising of the 10 Horns to 1716. Y. in Paâ—…gr 358. or from the removal of the Rom. â—…pire from the Seat of the Beast which the â—…cient Church look'd much at using to pray â—…t the Continuance of it because they knew â—…hen it was broken Antichrist would come 〈◊〉 1736. in Paragr 365. or from the healing â—f the Wound to 1866. as in Paragr 376. or 〈◊〉 any of the other hit or no However Gods â—…ime shall not miss who keeps his word to a Day Exod. 12.41 Though we mistake our reckonings yet God cannot mistake his and will make Antichrists feet slide in due time Deut. 32.35 This may both comfort and strengthen us 444. Beside the uncertainty of Chronologys and our own aptness to Antedate Promises and to Postdate Threatnings it must be consider'd that it is much safer to Postdate Prophecies then to Antedate them for Antedating of them brings a disapointment unavoidable then if Hope deferred make the heart Sick Prov. 13.12 Hope disappointed must strike the heart dead Oh how tedious is that time to the big-bellied Woman which is beyond her Reckoning every hour is a day every day is a week and every week a long tedious Month to her and such inconveniencies hath come by those several misreckonings already past besides the Atheism it occasions in mens hearts against the word of God 445. However God is a God of Judgement and knows how to time all his Promises and Providences in their best Season And this peremptoriness of Opinion where out knowledge can be but Conjectural till we see the event of things cannot be good as in that last point of the Witnesses 1. They may be a long time of this 1260. days in Slaying before they be fully Slain so t is hard to say positively where or when and 2ly we must distinguish betwixt Exemplications and Genuine Interpretations the killing of the Witnesses may be Exemplified in many Ages and Countreys which yet may not be the sole proper and positive Accomplishment of that Prophecy concerning them 446. Concerning this day that is known only to the Lord Zech. 14.77 we can but say we think we have the mind of Christ while this Vail and face of Covering is undone away Esa 25.7 we speak by permission and not of Commandment Yet this we may certainly say that Antichrists Kingdom hath been a long time a decaying Kingdom by sundry Vials already powr'd upon it a Scotch mist is upon it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 16.10.11 as if the 5th Vial in some sprinklings were upon it Christ hath won much ground from Antichrist already whatever may be as the last lightning before his everlasting fall the Assyrian may get Emanuels Land Esa 8.8 447. Ish-bosheths Kingdom was a type of â—…tichrists as Davids was a type of Christs â— Sam. 3.1 David had a Divine promise for 〈◊〉 foundation so waxed Stronger and Stronger â—…t the other having no support but by an â—…rm of Flesh which withered up like Jeroâ—…ms waxed weaker and weaker And as â—…is man of shame for so Ish-bosheth in Hebrew â—…gnifies was destroyed by some of his own Captains 2 Sam. 4.2.6 so this Man of Sin must be destroy'd by some of his own Kings Rev. 17.16 and those whom the Lord shall 〈◊〉 her end call out of Babylon are Commanded â—o Reward her double Rev. 18.4.6 when â—er favourite-Kings stand affar off and dare 〈◊〉 help her v. 9.10 448. It is true after all this Sheba the Son of Bichri makes a Rebellion against David â— Sam. 20. Bichri Hebrew Signifyes the first-born that Son of Perdition who begets Sheba Hebr. Seven or 7 Capital Sins which may Rebel against our David and Inâ—…ade Emmanuels Land again but Wisdom â—akes Councel takes off Shebas head yields it up to Davids General that so a Mother in Israel and the Inheritance of the Lord might not be destroyed v. 15.16.19.22 God will
put this Wisdom into the hearts of some of those Kings and they shall say with Darius why should wrath be on us and our Realms 449. God hath given all the Kingdoms of the World to this David Psal 2.6 long before the Devil proferr'd him a Sophistical Representation of them in Matth. 4.8.9.10 All these will I give thee which the Centurists interpret I will make thee Pope because Rome was then the Mistress of the World and is call'd the World Luke 2.1 and no where could such glory be seen as was a fit temptation for Christ but the Pompe of the Roman-Empire thus Satan offers to Christ that which he knew should be the Seat of Antichrist he would have the Singular Seeed of the Woman to become the Singular Seed of the Serpent and makes Rome a Stumbling-block betimes yea and after he had offerr'd Christ all Kingdoms he accuses him by his Instruments for aspiring to one and that a little one the King of the Jews but as Christ said to Satan Get thee behind me so will he say to this his Eldest Son to wit Antichrist 450. Though Christ refused what Satan offerr'd yet will he take to himself the Kingdoms that God hath given him Revel 11.15.17 and Christs Rise shall be Antichrists Ruine Antichrists Evening shall be Christs Morning Zech. 14.7 though Antichristianism may revive at last as Heathenism did in Julian before its utter Extirpation for she says the day before destruction came I am no Widow as if Married to her 10. Sons again Revel 18.7.8 and though he should plant the Tabernacle of his Palace Inter Maria â—etween the Seas as above Dae 11.45 â—et shall he come to his end and none shall help â—im when the Whore sings her own Requiem I sit as Queen in that day is her Ruine 451. But the great Cry of Gods People is â—… Lord how long and why are his Chariots so â—…ng in coming as wearied with their Wilderness-State their Eyes failing while they look for their God we measure Christs slackness in coming 1. By the shortness of our own lives 2. By the scantness of our own patience and 3ly By the edge of our own desires to see his Coming Now a little time in all these Respects is a long time Yet in deed and in truth Christ is not slack as some men count slackness 2 Pet. 3.9 after some of those 3 ways our time is always ready but His time is not yet John 7.6 only this he comforts us withall in due Season ye shall Reap if ye saint not be not weary in well doing Gal. 6.9 452. Oh pray that our Carcases may not sell in this Wilderness that we may pass over this Jordan into that good Land even to that goodly Mountain and Lebanon Deut. 3.25 Dr. Stoughton tells of a Prophecy that Antichrist should never overcome Venice Paris and London what is done to the 2 former is known Oh pray he may never totally overcome this last alas we are tainted both with Egypts Idolatry and Wilderness-sins only here 's our hope God dealt with Israel in the Wilderness after the tenure of the Old Covenant so they fell there through Unbelief and enter'd not into Gods Rest But God will deal with us after the tenure of the New Covenant the free Grace whereof comes riding Triumphantly over all our Unworthiness Mercy Triumphs over Justice Oh pray that though we be not worthy we may be accounted worthy to escape those things that may come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man in a better Dispensation Luk. 21.36 An Appendix concerning the Witnesses CHAP. XVI 1. AS the Oracles of God which were committed to Israel were by a special Miracle of Mercy preserved in the Captivity of literal Babylon So the Truth in the Old and New Testament hath been no less wonderfully continued all along the Tyranny of Mystical Babylon And as God preserved his Truth so his Church in Babylon during the Rise and Reign yea and till the Ruine of Antichrist though the Apostacy was General yet was it not so Universal in all Individual Persons in those Tongues Kindreds and Nations that wondred after the Beast but that there was yet a Remnant according to the Election of Grace Rom. 11.4.5 As in the Baalish Apostacy God reserv'd 7000. that bowed not to Baal So in the Antichristian Defection God had his 144000. Virgins that were not polluted with the Babylonish Whoredoms Revel 14.1,4.5 2. As there were all that time the true Seed of the Woman which kept the Commandments of God and had the Testimony of Jesus Christ Revel 12.17 against whom the Dragon raged yet the Gates of Hell could not prevail so during all the Reign of Antichrist God raised up his Ministers who in their several successive Ages in several Countreys gave their Testimony as Gods Witnesses against the Spiritual Whoredoms and Idolatrous Worships of Antichrist and nourished the Church in the Wilderness Revel 12.6,14 The smoak of the bottomless Pit was never so thick as to darken wholly the light of the Gospel and the Dragons Tail never so long as to knock out every Star out of Heaven or the Church the Lamb hath all along a Remnant of poor afflicted Pastors as well as of People reserved in the midst of Babylon which were called chosen and faithful Revel 17.14 Those are the Witnesses which the Holy-Scripture foretells should Prophecy in Sackcloth 1260. days or which is all one all the 42. Months of the Reign of Antichrist 3. Though it cannot be denied but the People of God all this term mournfully bewail'd the Abominations of those times wherein Antichrist trod down the Holy City so may be call'd quodam modó Witnesses in Sackcloth Yet the Godly Pastors of this People distinct from them in Office and in the Act of their Prophetical Function are more properly and peculiarly call'd the Witnesses for 1. The first Reason is the People are not call'd any where in Scripture Prophets as those Witnesses be The 2d Reason is the People are the Church in the Wilderness which those Prophets fed Revel 12.6,14 so may not be confounded with them unless we will make a double pair according to the notion of some from Rev. 11.4 the 2 Olive trees to be the 2 Prophets and the 2 Candlesticks to be 2 Churches which the People make up in the Wilderness 4. The 3d. Reason is from the power the Lord gave those Witnesses not only to pray and mourn which is the work of private Christians as well as of publick Ministers but also to Prophecy not so much by praedicting future things as by Preaching the Everlasting Gospel against the Son of Perdition as their proper Function which is not the Function of the People the 4th Reason Prophets are usually distinguished from the People where they are placed both together as Mat. 10.41 Prophets and Righteous men are distinct so in Revel 17.24 Prophets and Saints the 5th Reason Ministers have in all ages born
Receptus videatur qui posteriori seculo veluti maturus faetus est editus and in Century 6. Cap. 1. pag. 1. G. Antichristi Regnum quod quasi in alvum Ecclesiae superiori seculo receptum est hoc seculo vitam Incrementa accepit quasi ad maturitatem suam ad ipsum partus Tempus sub Phocâ imperatore est deductum Antichrist lay lurking in the Womb all the 5th Century and when he was fully ripen'd for the Birth he was brought into the World by Phocas in the 6th Century This is a clear proof from many Learned men 34. So likewise Osiander in his Epitome Histor Eccles Cent. 5th Pag. 1. says that then might be Antichrists Birth and Craddling as well as Conception Antichristianismus saith he hâc in Centuriâ conceptus and Pag. 179. haec fuere Antichristi Romani incunabula not yet made manifest and Cent. 6. Pag. 1. he saith In hâc Centuriâ Antichristus pedem in Ecclesiâ dei posuit fixit and Cent. 7. Epist 2d Pag. tunc Antichristus Rom. sedem suam plenariè in Ecclesiam dei collocavit quam ipsius Antecessores aliquoties inferre conabantur Antichrist fix'd his foot he took full possession of the Church of God in the 7th Century which his Predecessors did but endeavour to do 35. And Cent. 7. Pag. 1. he saith Antichristus adjuvante Phoca Ecclesias dei sub jugum suum misit Antichrist by the help of Phocas brought the Church of Christ under his Yoke for till Boniface the 3d. those words Volumus Jubemus which he calls vox Superba Antichristi was not heard of and the Bishop of Rome became not Antichrist donec Malefacius ille Bonifacius a Phoca Imperatore obtinuit c. till he obtain'd a full power of calling together and breaking up Synods of Confirming and Abolishing the Decrees of the Synod till then he did not Seat himself in the Church of God as Paul foretold it should come to pass 2 Thess 2. Osiand Epit. Cent. 7. Pag. 14. 15. 36. Illyricus also makes this Boniface the 3d. primum in Regno magnae bestiae Regem the first King in the Beasts Kingdom who had the mouth of a roaring Lyon and spake like a Dragon Revel 13.2.11 2ly He makes Pope Joan to begin the Kingdom of the great Whore and 3ly He makes Pope Sylvester the 2d to begin the Kingdom of the great Dragon because then began the Pope-Conjurers Necromancers Robbers Murderers c. then 4ly He makes Innocent the 4th to begin the Kingdom of the Locusts by whom the Fryar-Mendicants came and spread themselves all over the World and lastly The declining Kingdom of Antichrist he reckons from Julian the 2d who threw Peters Keys into Tyber as Unvaileable and took Pauls Sword which he said should prevail Illyr Catal. Test Ver. Pag. 650. 37. Illyricus likewise Relates a famous Story of Agestinus in this 6th Century that was expell'd the Colledge for his Witnessing against Popish fooleries to Eustasius for Redress of this grievance the Synod at Matiscon was summon'd by King Lotharius wherein Agestinus makes a particular Invective against the Superstitions of that day in Y. of Christ as Helvicus reckons 625. and could we have a faithful account of this Synod saith Illyr freed from the Monkish Writers some grave Witnesses against Antichrist would be found Illyr Pag. 676. Alsted also begins the Infancy of Antichrist at Innocent the 1st Year 404. his Childhood at Boniface the 3d. Year 606. his Youth at Leo the 3d. Year 800. his grown Age at Hildebrand Year 1075. and his old Age at Leo the 10th Year 1517. then rose Luther against Leo's Indulgences Alsted Chroonl Pag. 392. 394. 38. And in the 7th Century Bishop Usher demonstrates that at least the Church did live then though she had not sound health in giving her Testimony against Antichrist as many Bishops exploded Antichrists Images at Constantinople in Y. 754. and further shows how the Brittish German and Gallick Churches gave the like Testimony sighing out their proh dolor like mournfull Witnesses with the Oriental Churches against Image-worship Usher de Successione Ecclesiae pag. 33 34. 39. But in the 8th Century Gregory the fourth unlike to the first of that name forenamed appeared such a man of Sin in his proud Tyrannical Usurpations that Italy it self had several Sackcloth-witnesses against that Antichrist as Baronius confesses Ann. 863. Sect. 42. Inter quos fuit Basilius Zosimus Metrophanes cumque ipsis multi alii qui hujusmodi tyrannidem deplorabant ad Ecclesiarum defensionem multis cum lacrymis opem ab aliis implorabant Many Witnesses then deplored Antichrists Tyranny and implored the help of others against him Usher de continua Success pag. 39. 40. In this Century also Albertus Clemens complures alii à Bonifacio dissenserunt Histor Magdeburg Cent. 8. and vehemently opposed him Avent Annal. lib. 3. I name but few witnesses in those Cent. because it is not doubted of by any but by Enemies and they be too many to be quoted See Magde Cent. 7. pag. 277. 40. Then in the 9th Century Agobardus Rabanus Maurus Bertram yea and Scotus were all Orthodox about the Lords Supper and opposed the Popish Doctrine of the Real Presence with the Authority of Austin as well as of the Scripture Fox Martyrol 1st Vol. pag. 187. And he shews how Scotus also assented to the Graecian Church more than to the Roman See also Jus divinum Ministerii p. 54. Osian Epit. 9. Cent. pa. 44. li. 4. c. 1. Clark Martyr Engl. pa. 42. Dr. Humphry Regius Professor at Oxford tells this story of Scotus out of Crinitus in his Preface to Praxis Jesuitism pag. 22. that Scotus was supposed to be poyson'd by some of his own Popish Scholars for his Testimony against Popery in that Point And about the latter end of this Century Arnulphus Bishop of Aurelia speaks boldly in a Synod at Rhemes Quid hunc in sublimi solio residentem veste purpured aurea radiantem quid hunc inquam censetis Antichristus est and sadly mourns there quòd Religione profligatâ nomen Dei impunè humilietur Cultus divinus etiam à summis Sacerdotibus condemnatur who is this that sits on his Throne in Scarlet 't is Antichrist who by a loose Religion lays the Truth wast yet scapes scot-free Usher Ibid. pag. 44. 41. In the 10th Century though Bellarmin says Nullum seculum indoctius infoelicius Yet God had his Witnesses against Antichrist as appears by our own Aelfricks Homily in the Saxon Tongue appointed to be read at Easter to the People in Confutation of the Real Presence neither was this the Opinion of one Bishop to wit Aelfrick only but Wulfsine Bishop of Sherbourn and Wulfstane Bishop of York and divers other Learned Men in that time but especially Berengarius was a witness in Sackcloth against Transubstantiation an error that crept late into the Church and yet was the first that was most vigorously