patience of the Saints may be accordingly as I may say working with Providence and preparing them for what in his Wise Councils an Allseeing God hath so suited to that variety there is in humane affairs and therefore not without a latitude for their beginning or ending And so the Rule is Habakkuk 2. 3. For the Vision is for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lie though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry But then if Antichrist were come before the 500 th year of Christ what was there did then appear in the World which could in any sort answer the black Character the Apostle gives of him 2 Thess 2. v. 4 8 9 10 To this I answer That as the Apostle tells them to whom he there writes That the Mystery of Iniquity already works there is no doubt but that he was born This Mystery had not been so long conceiving to bring forth Nothing however he had not then attain'd the mature age of this Man of Sin and Son of Perdition And there will be little reason to think otherwise if we consider that agreeable to the three Names by which the Holy Ghost sets out the Reign of Antichrist I mean of Sodom Revel 11. 4. of Egypt Revel 11. 8. and of Babylon Revel 17. 5. the first to signifie that Corruption of Manners the second that Tyranny the third that Superstition and Idolatry which was then to obtain there was something of all these to make out that Apostasie or falling away which was to precede his coming And here not to lead the Author beyond his own Collection of Primitive Fathers I could shew him St. Augustin St. Hierome St. Chrysostome with many others giving Testimony in this matter in their several Invectives against those Enormities which were so predominant among the Clergy with those many burdensom Rites and Ceremonies which were introduced with the Adoration and Intercession of Saints and the like sufficient to discredit the Purity of the Church and at least Evidence that Antichrist was at hand I could shew where St. Hierome gives Rome no other Name than that of Babylon and reproves her for the sins of Sodom viz. Pride Fullness of Bread and abundance of Idleness and a refusing to strengthen the hand of the poor and needy Ezek. 16. 49. and some degree at least of an Egyptian Tyranny what hath been already observ'd of Leo Magnus will go a great way in the proof hereof in that high hand with which she began then to carry things in the Church How far they were gone in Superstition and Idolatry Theodoret whom the Author so often appeals to in his Collection will sufficiently inform us in his eighth book de Graec. Affect Curat where 't is his profest business to invite the Heathens to change the worship of their Pagan Heroes and Deified Persons into that of the Martyrs To this I might add the Testimony of Lactantius Antonius Eremita Hilarius and Epiphanius with Salvian and many others For 't is no difficulty to make good the Charge Only the advantage the Author hopes for from it is That it being so early may justifie him in urging this it self as matter of Antiquity the Use we make of it is to satisfie Him that these Errors and Enormities did so soon obtain not that because they so soon obtain'd they were therefore the more justifiable So then there 's no question but Antichrist was then born though not arrived to the adult and mature age of the Man of Sin For that as we before observ'd was to be reckon'd from another Epocha viz. That of the first taking of Rome Anno 410. And but reasonable it should be so He who let being to be taken out of the way 2 Thess 2. 7. before the other Beast as He is stiled Revel 13. 10. could come up out of the Earth For 't was the Anarchy as St. Chrysostom expresses it that should make way for his Usurpation as de facto it did the Bishop of Rome still holding his own and indeed gaining by the common Calamity Nor is there any thing which the Holy Ghost himself hath more clearly pointed out then this very Epocha For what are those reflections I took notice of before viz. If any man have an Ear let him hear Revel 13. 9. and in the close of the tenth verse Here is the Patience and the Faith of the Saints which sets the Period to the Roman Empire and the Sufferings of the Christians under it but to quicken our attention as to what is thereby immediately usher'd in so to lead us on to a more strict Observation of what follows which being the Description of Antichrist that other Beast which was to grow up upon the Ruins of the Roman Empire and being in effect the same with what is foretold of him in that foremention'd 2 Thess 2. 7 8. cannot especially the Holy Ghost again pointing to it v. 18. in these words Here is Wisdom but guide us to some notable Epocha of his Reign to be calculated from thence And what was that but the very time when He should as St. Paul had foretold and I have before taken notice of exalt himself above all that is called God or that is worshipt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the very stile of the Roman Emperors so that He as God sitteth in the Temple of God shewing Himself that He is God which how eminently He did it Anno 1076. hath been already shew'd But 't is his Birth not his mature Age we are now speaking of And there 's another note of Direction the Holy Ghost hath supplied us with Revel 17. 12. which in a manner confines it to the very Period of 455. or the second taking of Rome 't is that of the ten Horns or ten Kings which when St. John wrote had receiv'd no Kingdom but were to receive their Power one hour with the Beast They and He to commence their Reign at the same time and to have the same continuance and Duration with one another And now to settle the Synchronism when was it they who where thus to be contemporary with the Beast receiv'd their Kingdom Was it not in or about 455 or 456 which immediarely succeeded the second taking of Rome by Gensericus that the Division of the Empire was made into so many several Kingdoms And whereas these ten Horns or ten Kings are said Rev. 17. 13. to have one mind and to give their Power and strength unto the Beast What is that but a Confirmation of the means whereby Antichrist should arrive at the heighth of his Usurpation exercising as 't is Revel 13. 12. all the Power of the first Beast before Him and causing the Earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first Beast whose deadly wound was healed i. e. Princes and People to pay their Homage which was due to the first Beast viz. the Emperor to Himself in whom as to the continuing
Reign what he now hath it is as He is Jesus who was Crucified that He is made both Lord and Christ Acts 2. 36. And 't is the same thing for Him nay it may be more effectual to sit as King in his Throne in Heaven and from thence influence his Subjects by encouraging strengthning comforting and giving Success to what they undertake as if in Person He were to appear at Jerusalem and there begin his Kingdom to march at the Head of his Armies and so go on Conquering and to Conquer No his personal Reign in the Sense those who are so much for it would have it to be would be rather to lessen his Kingdom to confine the Glory of it to his Presence as Man i. e. Where he should chuse to reside on Earth for every where He could not be if He were so to Reign no we know when He was here Place and Time He was subject to which whilst He sits in Heaven at the Right-hand of his Father can be no more restrained than that Power and Majesty to which he is there admitted But I may not digress What manner of Kingdom soever it shall be that it shall be introduced with the Confusion of Antichrist that it shall bring Freedom and Deliverance to his People that it shall be ushered in with binding Satan for 1000 Years is no doubt Revel 20. 1 2 c. Happy Age of the Church when she shall be so set free from the heavy Yoak of Babylon as never to be in danger to come under it again For so likewise the Apostle assures us 2 Thess 2. 8. He shall consume him by the Spirit of his Mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming But then are there no other degrees of the fall of Babylon Is there nothing more particular whereon in the long tract of time Antichrist is to Reign and before he comes so near his Fall the true Believer may exercise his Faith and see that what is promised to be at last thus fully accomplished hath its Beginning in the mean time at least some certain Prognosticks of His final Ruin in its due Season Yes for that Reason it hath pleased Him who was found worthy to open the Book with seven Seals to give us a double Account hereof one more general the other more particular in the 14th and 16th Chapters of the Revelation And for the better satisfaction of the Author of Nubes Testium and all others who are under the same Cloud with him I shall not think it tedious to say something on both and then leave it to Them and all Mankind to judge where the charge of Novelty lies and how great their danger is on whom the Scandal rests The more general Account of this is what we read Revel 14. Where having provided for the security of true Believers by the Mark of his Father's Name written in their Foreheads vers 1. Thereby directing us to the pure Profession of the Faith maintained by them amidst the Corruptions embraced by those who worshipped the Beast and his Image and had received his Mark in their Forehead or their Hand vers 9. Exprest by their not being defiled with Women for they are Virgins by their following the Lamb whithersoever he goeth by their having no guile in their Mouth and being without Fault before the Throne of God vers 4 5. He proceeds vers 6. to shew what it was by which he would advance his Kingdom and that was the Everlasting Gospel to be Preached unto them that dwell on the Earth and to every Nation and Kindred and Tongue and People the effect whereof on Antichrist should be to declare his certain Ruin in these Words Babylon is fallen is fallen that great City because She made all Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath or poison of her Fornication vers 8. This as the general Fate that should attend her which with respect to the several Advances towards it is farther described vers 9 10 11. By that constant Succession of God's Judgments on those who should worship the Beast and his Image and receive his Mark in their Forehead or their Hand for the smoak of their Torment was to ascend for Ever and Ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Age after another and they to have no rest Day nor Night never to be in any fixed state of Ease and Prosperity till the Divine Judgment the Hour whereof is said to be come ver 7. Shall be fully executed on them in their final Ruin And that again exprest in the two great Parts of it when He who sat on the white Cloud all things clear and serene about Him like unto the Son of Man having on his Head a golden Crown and in his Hand a sharp sickle shall first thrust in his Sickle to reap the Harvest and then to gather the Clusters of the Vine of the Earth The more particular is what we read Revel 16. And that too ushered in with the great Care God in his Providence hath for those who should have resisted the Corruptions of Antichrist who though they stand on the Sea of Glass mingled with Fire to signifie the sharp Tryals and Persecutions of the true Church yet 't was so as to be assured of Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his Name ch 15. 2. They had it all the time of their Sufferings as they were born up against these Corruptions should have it at last as they were to triumph over those their Enemies which had thus beset them which being presented to St. John in his Vision he is farther made to hear a great Voice out of the Temple saying to the seven Angels Go your ways and pour out the Vials of the Wrath of God upon the Earth chap. 16. 1. Which are what are now to be spoken to in their order Only before that can be done with that clearness such a Discourse as this should carry with it 't will be necessary we premise some previous Remarks CHAP. VIII Some Remarks necessary to be premised for the clearing up what will afterwards be said of the several Vials 1. THat as to the time of pouring out the Vials it cannot be till Antichrist should be so far advanced as to have made an Image to the Beast that had the wound by the Sword and did live Revel 13 14. And to have imposed his Mark though his name and number of his name were not then compleated for 't is on those who had received the Mark of his Name and worshipped his Image that the first Vial was to be poured out Rev. 16. 2. 2. That it is not necessary the Trumpets and Vials it being their several Objects and the distinct Capacities of those on whom they were to take place in which they chiefly differ should be all of them restrained to distinct times Some of the Trumpets undoubtedly had sounded before any of the Vials were to be poured
Passion and Interest and avoid the Censure and Prejudices which have usually attended those who have hitherto though with ever so great Care and Industry Fidelity and Piety ingaged in the same undertaking and as he wholly depends upon Thee O Blessed Father Son and Holy-Ghost O most mysterious and adorable Vnity in Trinity Trinity in Vnity whose Nature and Ways are unsearchahle Let him accordingly meet with that success which may make it appear that that blessed Spirit who was promised to guide the Disciples into all Truth and shew them things to come John 16 13. first inspired thy unworthy Servant and moved him to so holy a Work in the discharge whereof to thee O Father Son and Holy Ghost be Praise Glory and Honour to thy distressed Church the use and benefit of what Thou shalt instruct me to deliver and to thy poor Servant Comfort and sure confiderce of thy Assistance and Direction through Jesus Christ my Lord Amen Amen What here follows is the Copy of a Dedication written to the King on the occasion of what is now Published it being written on the same Page with the Prayer above 't is thought fit to add it here without altering it in any thing from what it is in the Manuscript To the K. Octob. 9. 1686. SIRE THE final Ruin of Antichrist is at hand it will not be many Tears before this will he fully compleated it will begin in a very short time the Pope is the great Antichrist the power of the Papacy his Antichristian Kingdom I do not say how this shall be accomplished whether by Noise Confusion and Violence or by the Spirit of the Lord working in the Hearts of Kings and Princes to take away the Power they have so long given to the Beast or by a general Conversion of the Heathen World and coming in of the Jews all conspiring towards the overthrow of Superstition and Idolatry and making Way for the true Kingdom of Christ on Earth in that universal Piety and Holiness which shall prevail throughout the World only that this shall be and that the time is at hand is what I think I can by God's Assistance demonstrate I most dutifully premonish and in the Name of Christ beseech your Majesty not to be found in the RVINS OF ANTICHRIST or to share in his Plagues Your most Dutiful W. Sire As you value either a Temporal or Eternal an Earthly or Heavenly Crown despise not the Warning Let not the Drolls of the Ignorant or Prophane rob you of the Price put in your hand to get Wisdom Prov. 17. 16. FINIS This refers to Page 151. l. 7. And in the Preface to page 15. l. 4. LEst there should be any Mistake about the Period fixt for the Fall of Antichrist which in the Preface p. 15. l. 4. is said to be in the latter end of 1696 or the middle of 1697 whereas p. 151 there is but one of those numbers mentioned viz. 1696 and the other supposed in the different Calculation it is thought fit here for the clearing of both to add the Calculations from whence those Numbers arise which are thus 1260 Days or Years are assigned for the Reign of Antichrist which beginning at 455 after Christ the time upon so many accounts fixed for it as is at large there discoursed gives us 1715 and the odd Days Hours and Minutes in 1260 for that is the number from whence the abatement must be made it being only of that Period the Holy-Ghost so often speaks under the different Measures give us in the whole 18 years and 125 days 9 hours i. e. five days to be taken from every year will in in 1260 years give us 17 years and an half and 5 hours taken like manner out of the said 1260 will make 262 days 12 hours and then for the 49 minutes to be also thus taken out those in 1260 years amount to 42 days and 21 hours For 49 minutes multiplied by 1260 give for the whole number of Minutes 61740 which divided by 60 for hours give 1029 hours and that again by 24 for days gives 42 days 21 hours Now out of 1715 take 18 years and 125 days and 9 hours and that will throw it back to the latter end of 1696 i. e. 125 days and 9 hours in that year which generally speaking I say to be about the later end of that year Not that for the Reasons there mentioned and those p. 146. I would presume so to fix this in a Point as not to allow a great Latitude for the completion of such Predictions which number is to be taken the event must shew and when that comes that will regulate all our Chronology but that it lies within the compass of the numbers there offered I cannot have the least Scruple God Almighty clear up the Minds and Eyes of Men to wait for behold and adore his wonderful Works for I cannot but add it again BEHOLD I COME AS A THIEF The Translation of the Manuscript p. 49. c. is as here follows THIS Book is dated in the Year 1120 and the Title that is prefixed to the Treatise of Antichrist is this As the Smoak goes before the Fire as the Battle before the Victory so the Temptation of Antichrist goes before Glory and then the Book it self follows thus Who Antichrist is Antichrist is the falshood of Eternal Damnation covered with the appearance of Truth and of the Righteousness of Christ and his Spouse Opposed in like manner to the way of Truth of Justice of Faith of Hope of Charity and to a moral Life and the ministerial truth of the Church 't is menaged by false Apostles and most obstinately maintained on all hands Or else Antichrist is a Cheat which hides the Truth of Salvation both in Substantial and Ministerial Matters or else is a fraudulent opposing of Christ and his Spouse and every faithful Member And so it is not any particular Person set in any Degree Office or Ministry i. e. commonly so considered but it is the same falshood opposed to Truth which is covered with and makes shew of Beauty and Piety out of the Church of Christ as in certain Names Offices Scriptures Sacraments and in many other things which sort of Iniquity with its Ministers great and small and all those who with a wicked and blind Heart follow them His names such a Congregation taken together is called Antichrist or Babylon or the fourth Beast or Where or the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition His Ministers are called False Prophets Lyars Ministers of Darkness the Spirit of Error the Where in the Revelation the Mother of Fornication Clouds without Water Autumnal Trees dead and twice pulled up by the Root Waters of the cruel Sea Wandring Stars Balaamites and Egyptians Why called Antichrist He is called Antichrist because being covered and decked with the Livery of Christ and of his Church and of his faithful Members he acts contrary to the Salvation wrought by Christ and truly administred
THE Fall of Babylon OR Seasonable REFLECTIONS ON THE Novelties of Rome WITH The Rise Growth and Final Overthrow of ANTICHRIST now at Hand Occasioned by the Preface to a Treatise called NVBES TESTIVM OR A Collection of Primitive Fathers giving Testimony to the Faith once delivered to the Saints Being as the Author stileth it A full Discovery of the Sentiments of the Ancient Fathers in the chief Points of Controversy at present under debate Written upon the first coming forth of the said Treatise but not permitted to be then made Public For the Benefit of all Who abominate the Corruptions of the Great WHORE AND Would not be partakers of her SINS or PLAGVES By B. W. D. D. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 London Printed for George Powel and to be sold by Randal Taylor near Stationers-Hall MDCXC TO THE KING OF ENGLAND And all Crowned Heads and Soveraign Princes whatever IT is the Advice of the Royal Prophet to you his Royal Brethren Psal 2. 10 11 12. Be Wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his Wrath is kindled but a little Blessed are all they that put their trust in him And the reason of it was beeause he that sitteth in the Heavens who is so much Superiour to the highest of them all had set his King upon his holy Hill of Zion ver 6. and as the result of his Eternal Decree had bid him ask of him and he would give him the Heathen for his Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his Possession ver 7 8 and as the Effect of that his Royalty he should break them with a Rod of Iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel Now the time seems to draw on when this is to befully accomplish'd and is it not the duty of the Watchman to give the warning before it is too late For what will it advantage to be told of Danger when it will not be in your Power to prevent it To be minded of the Approach of Christ's Kingdom when his Iron Rod shall be shaking over you and your Power your Interests your Alliances your Glory your Wealth and Kingdoms all dashing in pieces against one another For if you chance to be of those who give your Power to the Beast this will unavoidably be your Fate both yours and Babylon's in one Hour to come to Confusion Rev. 18. 10. For the preventing whereof this following Treatise is here with all humility presented and may it among those many Voices and Trumpets which have of late sounded to the World have that good effect to awaken your most Serene Majesties to what alone is your true interest of State and that is to hate the Whore and make her desolate and naked Rev. 17. 16. for otherwise there can be nothing better expected than to partake of her Plagues Rev. 18. 4. Would you Soveraign Princes as it befel Nebuchadnezzar your Golden Head as he is called Dan. 2. 38. be contented it should be be said to you the Kingdom is departed from you and they shall drive you from amongst Men Dan. 4. 31 32. Would you be contented to see the Hand put forth before you and MENE MENE TEKEL written on the Walls of all your Palaces as it was to Belshazzar when he lifted up himself against the Lord of Heaven Dan. 5. 23 c. If not then vouchsafe to take the Warning and submit in time to that Kingdom which it is said the God of Heaven should set up in their Days and in the days of those other Monarchies which were to succeed in the World Dan. 2. 44. For it was not for nothing that so much Scorn and Contempt was thrown upon those mighty Monarchs Monarchs who were so indeed for they wanted no Allies or Confederates to support them for they were Kings of Kings Dan. 2. 37. and all People Nations and Languages trembled and feared before them whom they would they slew and whom they would they kept alive and whom they would they set up and whom they would they put down Dan. 5. 19. Believe it great Sirs it was not for nothing that such memorable Examples were set forth it was for your Admonition upon whom the Ends of the World are come as it is 1 Cor. 10 11. 'T was that after Ages might grow Wife as knowing there is no resisting that Soveraign who is higher than the highest no withstanding that Power which can so easily break in pieces and consume all other Kingdoms but it self shall stand for Ever Dan. 2. 44. It hath in Effect done all this already the Babylonian the Persian the Greek Monarchies have already been utterly destroyed by it and the Roman so far as to stand upon its last Legs or rather to express it in the words of the Vision Dan. 2. 33. to have both its Legs and Feet so broken as to stand only on some of its Toes Some of those ten Kings I mean which after the taking of Rome became the parts and support of that Empire And as Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar Thou art this Head of Gold Dan. 2. 38. So to you O Kings may it be said you are those Toes it is on you subsists what is still behind of the last Monarchy as it hath been divided into several Kingdoms and of how great concern must it be to you to be rightly informed how you may perpetuate your Royalty and so establish your Thrones that you may not be of those whom the Stone cut out without Hands shall smite and break in pieces Dan. 2. 34 Think let Men what they will of the outward Weakness of Christs Kingdom of the little Assistance it hath or is like to meet with in the World let there be no Hand seen to cut out this Stone no humane Strength or Policy that is ready to contribute toward the forming of it yet it will grow into a great Mountain and fill the whole Earth ver 34 35. The Gold the Silver the Brass the Iron and Cley must all give place to it it is a goodly Image indeed which these make in Nebuchadnezzar's Vision but it is but an Image and must vanish before this Stone as the Dream that first prefented it Be Wife now therefore let me again repeat it O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth let nothing draw you from what is your true Interest let none of the Allurements none of the Sorceries of the great Whore of her who hath glorified her self and lived deliciously who hath said in her Heart I sit a Queen and am no Widdow and shall see no Sorrow but whose Plagues notwithstanding shall come in one Day let no tenderness for her with whom any of you have lived deliciously make you pity bewail and lament her lest your Judgment too come in
Rome Boasts can stand in stead in the day of Wrath No Think of nothing but the Blood of Christ and that Sacrifice offer'd by him our only Advocate and Mediator but whose True Members Rome hath so long Persecuted And let me in all Humility beseech you once more to think and that is on those who have been using all their Sorceries to deceive you in these weighty matters and to rob you and your Subjects of the benefit of that Blood Think too Great Princes how they have entrenched on your Royal Dignity in every advance they made towards their Greatness It was by taking him out of the way that hindred that Antichrist the Man of Sin and Son of Perdition i. e. By the removing the Roman Emperor that he was first capable of Exalting himself Consider how by their siding one while with the Eastern another while with the Western Emperor after the Empire ceased at Rome they made these to clash against one another themselves still gaining by the Rupture Consider how it was in the Prosecution of this their wicked purpose they called in first the Emperor of Constantinople and then Pepin against Aistulphus King of Lombardy And what became of his Territories and the Exarchat of Ravenna in the Issue which instead of being restored to the Emperor as was demanded by his Ambassadors were decreed by Pepin to the Pope Consider they are Contemplations worthy your Royal Thoughts what was their Design in beginning a new Empire in the VVest and clapping the Crown by surprize on the Head of Charles the Great as it is reported to have been done whilst he was upon his Knees at his Devotion What indeed but to lessen the Eastern Empire and from the Authority Leo the then Pope assumed to himself to Found for the future a Right in Creating and Confirming all Princes See the Tenure Great Monarchs they prescribe for all your Royalties to be held by And if whilst it was to serve them they call you the Vicars of Christ for there was a time when themselves told you this was your Stile yet how soon did they forget the Allegiance due to it and under that very Stile since usurpt the Power over you and your Kingdoms Will it not be too great an humbling to you Mighty Princes to shew you no fewer than seven Emperors i. e. Henry the Fourth Henry the Fifth Conrad Frederic Barbarossa Philip Otho Frederic all almost successively Excommunicated some of them deposed and others brought to that degree of Submission as to hold the Pope's Stirrup one having his Crown kicked off of his Head by him all spurned and trampled on as if they had been the vilest Vassals And is it any wonder that Kings and other Princes have the honour to follow their Emperors herein Baronius in his Annals Anno 1162 brings in the Kings of France and England at once performing the Office of Yeomen of his Stirrup and leading his Horse one by one Rein the other by the other till from the place where they met Him they had conducted Him to the place of his Reception And lest full Homage should not be paid to Him he gives an account at the same time of a Prince of the Saracens bowing the knee before him kissing his feet and this in the Name of his Master the King of the Mahometans 't was to Alexander the third whom Baronius so much magnifies for his meekness moderation and goodness Ann. 1177. that these Ceremonies were perform'd in which he likewise joins all Orthodox Kings and Princes as crowding in for a part in so glorious a service And the Truth is your own Records great Prince will give you but too many Instances of that Injustice that Insolence those Indignities of all sorts with which the Romish See hath so often treated the most Royal Persons Sicily Lombardy Sardinia Portugal Spain France and indeed almost what Christian State is there for the Eastern Empire hath not been free from their Pretensions that yields not Precedents of this Nature Scarce any War any Contest any Rebellion of Subjects against their Princes any difference between Princes in which they have not been Parties if not the Promoters Scarce any Boat in which this Fisherman this Peter let me use the Stile he pretends to hath not had his Oar scarce any troubled Waters in which he hath not Fished But I must not pass by what by us of these Kingdoms must not be forgotten viz. The treatment of Innocentius the Third towards King John by his Legate Pandulphus when having interdicted the Kingdom for six Years together an admirable way to propagate Faith by shutting up the Church Doors denying the use of the Sacraments refusing Christian Burial to all c. And in a word treating the whole Nation as well as the King who had offended him as if they were Heathens or Dogs excepting such only whom the purchase of their Money i. e. the Mammon of Vnrighteousness had made good Christians He forced him to take off the Crown from his Head and lay it down at his Feet to be disposed of as the Pope should please and taking it up kept it three or four Days not restoring it but upon condition that he and his Successors should hold the Kingdom of the See of Rome at the annual Tribute of a thousand Marks viz. Seven Hundred yearly for England and three Hundred for Ireland whereupon they both became subjected to the Pope To what degree that Exaction grew ought to all concerned in either Kingdom to be the lasting Subject of their Indignation To this I might add that great Diminution it is to you in the exercise of your Royalty in what of your Kingdoms you do enjoy to rule by the Laws of those who have so unworthily usurped upon you the Canon-Law I mean and other their Constitutions brought in upon some of you to the subversion of all the ancient Rights of your Countries I was going to say to the dis-inherison of you and your People And how are those of you in effect deposed whilst you still seemingly sit on your Thrones where the Inquisition a name at which Humanity startles is made the standing Law of your Kingdoms or where the Decrees of Draco are recalled and whatever can drain your Subjects of their Wealth or Blood made the false Eulogies of flourishing Kingdoms Says St. Paul Let no Man deceive you by any means speaking with reference to Antichrist that Man of Sin and Son of Perdition 2 Thes 2 3. And let me in all humility make the same Address It is too long already that this great Impostor hath been so audaciously enterprizing upon you wait no longer Royal Sirs for the decision of the point it is manifest and you have but too many Demonstrations of it who is this Man of Sin and Son of Perdition viz. He who thus hath opposed and exalted himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of
refuse to restore both their Ecclesiastical and Civil Rights He might by Execrations or Censures and Arms be compelled to his Duty Being assisted by this Opportunity some Bishops and Princes of Germany who had been long aggrieved by this wild Beast into the place of Henry who by his great wickedness and forseited the Kingdom chose Duke Rodulphus who with that modesty and integrity which becomes a King forthwith sent Messengers to me by whom I might understand that He was forced to undertake the Government of the Kingdom but however that He was not so desirous of Reigning but that he had rather obey us than those who had promised the Kingdom that He would be always in the Power of God and us and that we might believe that He will do this hath promised to give his Sons Hostages At this Henry began to be incens'd and to beseech us at first that by * * Banning Cursings we would hinder Rudolphus from seizing the Kingdom I said I would see to whom the Right belonged and for that Reason would send Messengers who should take Cognizance of the whole Affair and would judge thereupon whether of them had the better Cause Henry forbad that our Messengers should declare him King and slew many of the Clergy and Laity Robbed and Profaned several Churches and by this means bound himself the faster with the Bonds of an Anathema or Excommunication denounced against him Wherefore trusting in the Judgment and Mercy of God and the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin and supported also with your Authority Henry himself and his Abettors do I bind with the Bonds of an Anathema and the second time deprive him of Royal Authority and forbid all Christians absolved of that Oath whereby Fealty is used to be Sworn to Kings in any thing to obey Henry and that they accept Rudolphus for King whom many of the Princes of the Province or Empire rejecting Henry have chosen to be their good King For 't is fit that as Henry for his Pride and contumacy is deprived of all his Privileges so Rudolphus who is acceptable to all should for his Piety and Religion be endowed with Royal Dignity and Power Go to now therefore ye most most Holy Princes of the Apostles and what I have said interpose your Authority to confirm that all men at length may understand whether you can bind and loose in Heaven and also on Earth are not able to take away or give Empires Kingdoms Principalities or whatever else mortal Men can enjoy For it ye can judge those things which belong to God what are we to think of inferiour and profane things It it belongs to you to judge the Angels who rule over proud Princes what doth it become you to do to their Servants Let Kings and all the Princes of the World now learn by the Example of this Henry what your Power is in Heaven and how great you are with God and let them hereafter dread to contemn the Commands of Holy Church And this Sentence forthwith execute ye on Henry that all may know that 't is not by mere chance but through your Assistance that the Son of Iniquity hath fallen from the Kingdom Only this I would request from you that being led to Repentance He may through your intercession obtain Grace in the Day of Judgment And now And now Whether this be not to have a Mouth speaking great things and Blasphemies Whether this be not to speak as a Dragon let the World judge Nay I was going to say the World hath already judged it For so Aventinus tells us l. 5. p. 352. Annal. Boior that upon this and the great outrages thereon committed by Rudolphus and his Adherents most Men openly as well as privately began to cry out against so great a Villany in publick to curse Gregory and wish all Mischief to this Hildebrand publishing that 't was out of Malice and an intemperate lusting after Rule that he was thus hurried on Headlong and declaring him to be Antichrist Nay farther yet He hath herein judged Himself For was it not hereupon that He undertook to foretel that before the Feast of St. Peter and he did all He could to verifie what he had foretold by tampering with Assassines to murder him Henry should die or lose his Kingdom this He did publickly in a Sermon to the people ascending the Pulpit of St. Peter's and in his Pontifical Habit adding that He would no longer be accounted Pope if this Prophecy should fail as Benno is cited to attest it Histor Magd. Cent. 11. cap. 8. p. 435. Shew any thing like this in any other History whether Civil or Ecclesiastical besides that of Rome and we will give up the Cause and allow any to be Antichrist besides Him whom this concerns we will strike Hildebrand out of the List and He shall not be so much as thought of neither He nor any of his Proud Successors in the day when Babylon is to come into remembrance Rev. 16. 19. It may seem a long Digression what we have here run but it being of so high import towards the clearing up so great a part of the Book of the Revelation as what relates to Antichrist in his Rise Progress and full Growth is I could not well pass by what is here said of Hildebrand especially considering How at the same time that we erre no longer in the Person 't is decreed by the third Roman Council under Him Ut Papae nomen Unicum esset in Universo orbe Christiano nec liceret alicui seipsum vel alium eo nomine appellare that there should be but one who should have the Name of POPE in the whole Christian World and that it should not be lawful for any other to call himself or any one else by that Name so then here 's the mark of the Beast the Name and Number of his Name all concurring in One Anno 1076. For then it was viz. in the same Council in which Hildebrand and depos'd the Emperor that this Name was thus appropriated to the Bishop of Rome As Longus à Coriolano relates p. 317. And 't is very observable what we meet with to this purpose in Aventinus Annal. Boior l. 7. p. 420 421. where the Covetousness Luxury Strife Hatred Envy Ambition c. of the Romish Chair is most highly inveighed against in opposition to the Humility Meekness Patience Charity which the great Shepherd of our Souls gave as the Rules of his Religion and was Himself the great Pattern of them And in particular this Hildebrand of whom we have been speaking is pitcht upon as most guilty of the contrary Vices and that under the express stile of Antichrist the Person who there charges Him is the Chief Priest of Juvavia his words are Hildebrandus ante annos centum atque septuaginta primus specie Religionis Antichristi imperii fundamenta jecit Hoc bellum nefandum speaking of what opposition the Emperors had constantly found from the Popes after
so small a scantling as that of three years and a half be agreeable to the Description of the Person who here avows himself to have received this Revelation from God and to give it to his Servants I mean that of his being Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending the Lord which is and which was and which is to come the Almighty Revel 1. v. 8 v. 17. of his being the first and the last he that liveth and was dead and behold he liveth Amen and hath the Keys of Hell and of Death VVhy this asserting his own Duration and Power if all were but to give them the Prediction of so short a time Or whether to suppose this 2. Would be agreeable to what he bids St. John write viz. the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter Is it likely that so great a part of this book as from the seventh to the twentieth Chapter which yet is the only professed book of prophesie given in the whole time of the Gospel should run out in the History of three years and a half Or farther whether 3. T were agreeable to the answer those under the Altar receive chap. 6. 11. upon their expostulating after the ten persecutions for I take them to cease there How long O Lord holy and true dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the Earth viz. that they should rest yet for a little season little agreeable to the Divine Goodness which always expresses the sufferings of his people in the gentlest terms that so their Faith might fail under them see 2 Cor. 4. 17. until their fellow servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were should be fulfilled should relate only to three years and a half For if so then Antichrist must have then immediately succeeded i. e. about the year 314 when Constantine reostored Peace to the Church and freed her from Persecution and have had his period 1375 years ago Again let it be yet consider'd whether 4. It be agreeable to an Empire in its succession and such the Beast which is likewise Antichrist is in its rise continuance and fall to reckon but three years and a half Whether such a Duration bear any proportion to the other Heads of the Beast VVhether 5. It be agreeable to the work the Whore that sitteth upon many Waters Revel 17. 1. which is one of Antichrists Denominations was to do viz. To deceive all Nations with her Sorceries ch 18. 23. To make so many Kings commit Fornication with her v. 9. And make War with the Saints and to overcome them and to have Power over all Kindreds and Tongues and Nations ch 13. 7. VVhether 6. It be agreeable to the degrees by which Antichrist was to arrive at his highest pitch The Image he was to make to the Beast whic had the wound by the sword and did live The power he had to give life to the Image of the Image of the Beast that the Image of the Beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast should be killed c. ch 13 14 15 16 17. and causing all both small and great rich and poor free and bond to receive a mark in their right hand and in their foreheads and that no man might buy or sell save he that had the mark or the name of the Beast or the number of his Name Could such power be arrived at in so short a compass of time Or whether lastly 7. It be agreeable to the several parts of his fall exprest whether by the seven last plagues or Vials of Gods wrath or by the Angels putting in his Sickle first for the Harvest ch 14. 15. and then for the Vintage v. 17 18 19. by the one to begin by the other to finish the fall of Babylon if all were but for three years and a continuance Most certainly a longer time must be allotted for Babylon which is one of Antichrists names to fill up her Iniquity if in her were to be found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were to be slain upon the Earth ch 18 19. which is added there as the reason of her ruine as she i. e. either Pagan or Antichristian Rome was to bear the guilt of all the innocent blood that had been shed from the time of the first planting of Christianity agreeable to the sentence that in a like case was long before given on Jerusalem Matth. 23. 35. that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the Earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias whom ye slew between the Temple and the Altar So then 't is scarce to be doubted but that this continuance of Antichrist was to be for as many years as there are Prophetick days in a time times and half a time in forty two months or one thousand two hundred and sixty days And now having thus in what was necessary to be observ'd concerning the rise and growth of Antichrist taken notice as of the several periods the Holy Ghost hath set for either and the different use we are in this matter to make of the several Epocha's of the taking of Rome viz. in 410 and 455 and the division of the Empire into ten Kingdoms upon the last and thereto added the Testimony of other Writers with some Reasons why a time times and half or the dividing of a time forty two months or one thousand two hundred and sixty days which are all the same cannot be taken for natural but Prophetick days i. e. for intire years I might fairly take leave of this point in which I have been forced to be long but I hope not tedious But considering of how great moment 't is that every thing should be clear and coherent in such a weighty matter as this is which hath been discoursing I must farther ask the favour of the Reader that I may reflect a little on what Daniel in his Prophesy affords us towards the farther Illustration hereof and the Place that chiefly serves to this purpose is that of his 12th Chapter vers 10 11. Which may be applicable Either For the fixing the time of the Revelation of Antichrist i. e. His coming to his full growth or Maturity or For the settling the Duration of his Reign As to the first of these viz. The fixing the time for the Revelation of Antichrist 't is to be considered from whence the Calculation is to be taken and where to end As to the time from whence it was to begin the Angel tells us 't was from the time that the daily Sacrifice should be taken away and the Abomination that maketh desolate set up And when was that We have the Historical Relation of it Maccab. 1. 54. Now the fifteenth day of the Month Casleu in the hundred forty fifth Year they set up the Abomination of Desolation
upon the Altar and builded Idol-Altars throughout the Cities of Judah on every side vers 55. And burnt Incense at the doors of their Houses and in the Streets vers 56. And when they had rent in pieces the Books of the Law which they found they burnt them with Fire vers 57. And whosoever was found with any of the Books of the Testament or if any consented to the Law the Kings Commandment was that they should put him to Death ver 58. Thus did they by their Authority to the Israelites every Month to as many as were found in the Cities Which happened to be before Christ 167 Years Now take 167 out of 1290 and you leave 1123. But as the learned Mede observes we are not to take it from the first but any of the Years of the Profanation of the Temple which lasting 6 Years if we take it from the middle will fall on 1120 the very Year when the forementioned Treatise was set out by the Waldenses or Albigenfes declaring Antichrist to be come Or If we understand it of the Time his Reign was to continue then 't will not point out so much to the time of the setting up the abomination that maketh desolate by Antiochus Epiphanes as to that time whereof the other was the Type i. e. As we observed before to the time when Antichrist for of him Antiochus is generally agreed to the be Type began to exalt himself which we shewed to belong to the times of Leo Magnus and to fall in with the time the ten Horns or ten Kings were to take their Kingdoms and that was in or about 455. From whence reckoning 1290 we are brought to the 1745 th year after Christ But this exceeding 1260 the Years the Angel had before mentioned by 30 If we take out the said 30 will leave 1715 Concerning which it may be worth our while to enquire whether in likelihood that be not the time for the expiration of the Reign of Antichrist A Period which we are led to from the other measures of Prophetick time which we shall have occasion to take notice of in this following Discourse As whether with respect to the Jews for whom Daniel there puts the Question a thing never yet taken notice of by any whom I have yet met with the Year 1745 be not a likely Epocha for their return to the true Worship of God in its full Purity As the other is for the downfal of Antichrist and the beginning of those happy Times to them and the fulness of the Gentiles which shall be in very great Glory at this Period As also Whether from thence reckoning the Millennium to ensue we have not the full Period of the Worlds duration Or If we take it in the Answer the Angel had before given to Daniel chap. 8. 14. Of 2300 Days reckoning them from the time when Daniel saw the Vision which was as Calvisius gives it us in his Chronology Anno Mundi 3393 or before Christ 555 we fall again upon the same number of 1745 for the time of the Vision concerning the Daily Sacrifice and the transgression of Desolation to give both the Sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under foot vers 14. And then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed Which being as I have observed the answer given to Daniel Sollicitous of the Welfare of his People may very well point out the time for their being called again and to be received into the Enjoyment of those Glorious things which were promised them in the times of the Messias And the Calculation of it is thus 555 before Christ added to 1745 after Christ gives 2300 the Time assigned for the fulfilling of those things by the Angel And whatever we are to understand by that Phrase whether it relate to the Millenium so much spoken of or the Resurrection foretold vers 1 2 3. Or whatever else I leave it to the more Learned at present to determine but whatever we are to understand by that Phrase 't is then 't is promised to Daniel That he shall stand in his Lot vers ult But go thou thy way till the End be for thou shalt rest and stand in thy Lot at the end of thy Days But then this number exceeding the other in the same place of Daniel viz. Dan. 12. 11 12. by 45. If we take out the said 45 will leave us to consider what may happen with relation to that People in the Year 1700 And the issue of the Wars that are at present between the Imperialists and the Turks with those other Commotions which may be very shortly expected in the Eastern part of the World will in all likelihood explain this I would not be too positive in things of this Nature but who can be silent where God speaks What I have farther to remark hereon may be seen afterward in that scene of Affairs which is offered at in the Explicatiou of the sixth Vial to which I refer the Reader 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The next thing to be spoken to is How this great Eclipse in the Church was to clear up again CHAP. VII How this great Eclipse in the Church was to clear up again AND now we are again to follow Daniel in his Prophesy who tells us Chap. 7. 27. That the Kingdom Dominion and greatness of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the People of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and all Dominions shall serve and obey him Which the Angel thus expresses Revel 11. 15. The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever Whereupon the twenty four Elders which sate before God on their Seats fell upon their Faces and worshipped God saying We give thee Thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and wast and art to come because thou hast taken to thee thy great Power and hast reigned vers 16 17. Agreeable to what is ascribed to him Revel 19. 12. Allelujah Salvation and Glory and Honour and Power unto the Lord our God for True and Righteous are his Judgments for he hath judged the great Whore which did corrupt the Earth with her Fornication and hath avenged the Blood of his Servants at her hand And again vers 6. Allelujah for the Lord Omnipotent Reigneth So that as to the clearing up this Eclipse the delivering the Church from that Cloud which so long was over it 't will be by the ruin of Antichrist and Christs taking to Himself the Kingdom his Enemy had so long usurped What manner of Kingdom that shall be Whether Temporal or Spiritual or both VVhether so as that himself shall Personally Reign or only by his Sub-Administrators is not my business here to determine though I think too the distinction of Reigning Personally or by his Sub-adminishrators how great Disputes and Controversies soever it hath bred in the World is very trifling for 't is his personal
chosen Emperor in the place of Lewis whom he had deposed they deny him to be lawfully chosen as being neither chosen nor Crowned in the Places proper for either as also because it was all a clancular proceeding and when there was no Vacancy of the Empire whereupon they chuse King Edward the third of England but he having Affairs of his own to mind returns his Thanks for the great honour done him and waves it The Pope however sends his Legate after the Death of Lewis to absolve the Princes of the Empire who adhered to Lewis on condition they would swear that the Emperor had no Power to depose the Pope and that from thenceforward they would not obey their Emperor unless he be approved as Emperor by the Pope The Ecclesiasticks most readily approve this and the Laicks as fiercely oppose it whereupon the Pope is forced to abate something let me so express it of this great Heat with which they had so long scorched Men and remit this Oath and absolve them from the Excommunication And this may be sufficient to explain this Vial Only here as before it will be asked what is this to the Fall of Antichrist These and such like Instances for many more might be given and particularly in our own Story witness 1. the Controversy between William the second and Urban the second Anno 1097. in the Case of Anselm's appealing to the Pope who was thereupon about to Excommunicate the King but having a little before excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fourth he forbore it lest otherwise Excommunications by being made common might be slighted as also 2. between him and Henry the first in the case of Investitutes in which Anselm likewise opposed the King in behalf of the Pope's Pretensions to them 3. Between him i. e. his Legate and King Stephen and again 4. in the case of the Legatine Powee between him and Henry the Second 5. Between him and King John whom the Excommunicated and Interdicted the Kingdom and upon his submission to him at the instance of Pandulphus at whose Feet he laid down his Crown to be disposed of as the Pope should please which Pandulphus took up and kept it three or four days nor restoring it then but upon condition that he and his Successors should hold the Kingdom of the See of Rome at the annual Tribute of 1000 Marks which was the great occasion of that Slavery in which Rome so long held this our Nation all tending to aggrandize him in his most insolent Tyranny but if so yet 't is too for the Encrease of that Guilt which will at last be so thorowly avenged as will appear by that time we shall have rellected on the following Vials The first whereof i. e. the fifth is directly on Antichrist i. e. The very Seat of the Beast The second or sixth is likewise on Antichrist though so as to affect the whole Seat of the Roman and Mahometan Empires i. e. The Eastern and Western Empires thus joined again for they shall be both then hastening towards the day of Vengeance And as for the third or seventh it is to end in the final Ruin of both and all the Antichristian Powers under them or rather in the Kingdom of Christ set up against Antichrist in its utmost extent in that lasting Triumph he shall then give his Church over him and all other her Enemies But then as in this Vial we have been now speaking of so in that which next follows this will be again to be observed that it is not necessary it should immediately succeed the other or not to be to begin till the other is fully expired no it is necessary in the nature of the thing that several of the Vials should be contemporary with one another forasmuch as they are Punishments for Sin and did not the Sin continue to which Men are often judicially given up the Punishment inflicted for it would not be so agreeable to the manner of Gods proceeding in the ways of his Judgment the Rule being Isaiah 27. 9. By this therefore shall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged and this is all the fruit to take away his Sin Now then these being spoken of as distinct Vials i. e. The Punishment and Sins which bring them on if instead of having their Iniquity purged Men shall run into more gross and hainous Iniquity if instead of that Fruit they ought to bring forth upon the Chastisement which is to take away their sin they shall fructifie only in Malice and Wickedness if which is the case in these Vials they who are punished for having the Mark of the Beast on them and worshipping his Image shall continue still to wear that Mark and worship his Image which I take to belong to the second third and fourth Vials for on such it is not so properly on the Beast himself they are poured out what can be expected but that the Plague should go along with the Sin that calls for it down And that if the Beast himself do not so immediately suffer in those Vials that it should be because to Him more particular Judgments are reserved or both He and they to go on from one wickedness to another till there be no Remedy 2 Chron. 36. 16. CHAP. XV. Of the fifth Vial Rev. 16. 10 11. AND the fifth Angel poured out his Vial upon the seat of the Beast and his Kingdom was full of Darkness and they gnawed their Tongues for Pain And blasphemed the God of Heaven because of their Pains and their sores and repented not of their Deeds What is the seat of the Beast but Rome What the Vial poured out upon his seat but the depriving it of what gives it its Lustre Dignity and Wealth i. e. as it is exprest in the former Vial of its Sun the Pope I mean whose more benign aspect and influence were so highly beneficial to it whilst it was the place of his Residence but being removed thence how is its Greatness and Glory forthwith Eclipsed How all things black and dark and under the thickest Cloud Now when happened this but when Clement the fifth Anno 1305 being chosen Pope in his absence in France called the Cardinals thither and settled his Residence at Avignon 'T was now the City that was full of People sat solitary and became as a Widdow now she that was great among the Nations and Princess among the Provinces became Tributary Lam. 1. 1. She that before received the Riches of so great a part of the World that had so great Honour and Devotion paid to her now sends her Wealth and pays homage herself to another shrine This lasted for seventy four Years together till Gregory the Eleventh brought back his See to Rome but so that after his Death the French Cardinals would have a Pope of their Nation and accordingly chose Clement the 7 th the rest of the Cardinals having chosen Urban the sixth Urban keepeth at Rome but Clement at Avignon The Schism continued
for above forty Years for the cure whereof a Council is called at Pisa which creates Alexander the fifth Pope so that now there are three Popes at once Gregory the Twelfth for he was chosen to succeed at Rome Bennet the thirteenth to succeed Clement the seventh in France and Alexander the fifth and not long after John the 23d and after him Martin the fifth upon which the Schism ended But such were the contests prevarications and cruelties of those Times such the Barbarities of these Vicars of Christ as they would all fain be stiled that it is a shame they should be named among Christians I shall give but one or two Instances The first is that of Urban the 5 th wrapping up five Cardinals in Bags and commanding them to be cast into the Sea The second that of Innocent the seventh who when the Romans were earnest with him to take away the Schism that had been so long in the Church and that he would extinguish the Wars and Seditions the King of France having promised his Assistance herein and Peter de Luna the Antipope no way resisting such an accord he sent the Romans who thus addrest him to Lewis his Nephew then residing at the Hospital of the Holy-Ghost in Saxia and by his Authority they are forthwith all Murthered and thrown out at the Windows and the reason given for it was Eo modo tolli seditiones Schisma non alio quidem posse That that was the way that Seditions and Schisms were to be taken away and that it could be done no other way So Longus a Coriolano p. 373 374. He that shall read the History of those times shall not need to go far for an Expositor to explain to him what is to be understood by the Beasts Kingdom being full of Darkness and they gnawing their Tongues for pain such the Envy and bitter Malice they had against one another such the Torment Vexation and Rancour of their envenomed Minds such the disorder and confusion that was among them every thing dark and black as Hell it self from whence it came As neither will he for a Comment on what follows viz. Their blasphemingthe God of Heaven because of their Pains and their Sares and repenting not of their Deeds For what could be so highly to the dishonour of God himself what so much to Blaspheme his Name as to pretend Religion the cause of Christ and the Right of governing his Church for all their excess and outrage And to say no more to use his Holy Name in thus Excommunicating one another What so much for the Disgrace of those Princes and others who were so highly scandalized at such Enormities as to continue still in Communion with those who had let me so speak Excommunicated all Holiness and Charity I may say even Christ himself and his Gospel from their Church For was it not too in this Season that the Gospel was made to give place to the Papal Constitutions the Word of God made of none Effect through the Traditions of Men Mark 7. 13. I mean in that Authority to which the Canon-Law was advanced Which being begun by Cyratian Anno 1145 enlarged by Boniface the 8th Anno 1298 and having the Clementines added to it by Clemeus the 5th Anno 1308 and the Extravagancies by John the 22d Anno 1320 became the Rule and Standard of Popery And what could this produce but the grossest darkness in the Kingdom of the Beast For what must the mist be that is cast hereby upon the Understandings of Men when instead of that Word which is a Lamp unto our Feet and a Light unto our Path Psalm 119. 105. Only such a fatuus ignis as that of foolish Man's Invention is shall be allowed to guide us How is this for the Blind to lead the Blind and what 's the Consequence thereof what can it end in but in making both fall into the Pit Indeed this I could not here well pass by as being at least part of that heavy Judgment which was then infâ—…icted on Antichrist not but that this darkness began earlier to spread it self over the Kingdom of the Beast than the time we mark out for that particular Vial said here to be poured on his Seat according to what we have already taken notice of viz. That it is not necessary that each Vial in its full extent should be just confined to some one Period wherein none other of the Vials were pouring out and will in some degree continue as long as any thing of this Kingdom shall remain for indeed the Kingdom of the Beast is nothing else but the Kingdom of Darkness it being only by Error and Ignorance he can hope to prevail For let but the light of the Gospel once clearly shine forth and all Mists and Clouds will vanish forthwith and this Kingdom of the Beast it is by that at lastit is to be overthrown will vanish with them But one thing more is to observed of this Vial as it was poured out upon the Seat of the Beast and that was as now Princes began to despise the Power of the Popes and make themselves their Judges it was what they had sometimes attempted before but the Popes still got the better of them in the contest but now they effectually made them to be deposed and submitted them to the Authority of Councils as in that of Constance Nay they came to that Indiffereucy that several of them owned neither the Pope at Rome nor at Avignon and Charles the 6th King of France went so far as by a publick Edict to decree ne quis suorum Romanum aut Avenionem excutreret ad Pontifiem That none of his Subjects should go either to Rome or Avignon to the Pope Besides it was what did not a little encrease their pains and sores what happened to the Seat of the Beast under this Vial from Wiclef and his Followers who so highly declaimed against the Pope as being Antichrist and so stronuously opposed the Doctrines of Purgatory of Images of Invocation of Saints of Transubstantiation of Indulgences c. For however Wiclef's Doctrine was condemned at Constance Jerome of Prague and John Hus Burnt for defending it yet how did the Light of the Gospel by them Preached begin to dispel the Mists and Clouds which this Kingdom of Darkness had cast abroad How did it but make way for that clearer Light which shone forth yet clearer at the Reformation When according to Hus's Prophecy viz. Nunc quidem torretis Anserem at veniet Cycnus quem non poteritis torrere post centum Annos Deo mihi respondebitis Now indeed you rost a Goose alluding to his own Name which signifies a Goose but there will come a Swan whom you shall not be able to rost after 100 Years you shall answer to God and me Luther appeared against the Corruptions of the Church of Rome And here let us leave them full of Darkness as they are and gnawing their Tongues for
their Territories and striking so great a Consternation into them for it is upon Euphrates in the Sense we give of it in this Vial that the Vial is poured that they every where fly and are scattered should affect to look towards Constantinople or Asia and in the success of such Wars should give that Apprehension to the Eastern and other Princes round about whereupon or for what other cause God in his wise Providence shall think fit they the Princes and Countreis might be named too for they seem to be noted in the Scripture of Truth but I forbear to be too curious in such a matter should forthwith gather together to dispossess them but with that fatal disaster to them all that in this high Project they should clash between themselves and as it is Prophesied Psalm 2. 9. Be dasht in pieces like a Potters Vessel Whereupon the Jews whose right it is and who about that time shall in all likelihood be gathering thitherward should without any the least Opposition seat themselves in their own Land according to the Prophecy given out Zechar. 4. 6. Not by Might nor by Power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts Suppose too that at or about the same time some Christian Prince leaguing with the Mahometans or otherwise weakning the Papacy by his or his Peoples falling off from Rome should be instrumental in the Downfal of Babylon or those Princes who have already deserted that great Where as she is called Rev. 17. 1. joined with the other of the ten Horns which shall likewise in due time desert her They have no other way to keep their Crowns on their Heads should all conspire to hate her and make her desolate and naked and eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire Rev. 17. 16 Not that I will exclude from hence the Concurrence of the two Witnesses themselves i. e. Those suffering Christians who were to prophecy a Thousand two Hundred and threescore days in Sackcloth as it is said Rev. 11. 3. The same time for 42 Months are made up of so many days that the Court without the Temple was to be given to the Gentiles and the Holy City to be trod under Foot ver 2. of that Chapter For as it is said of them That if any will hurt them fire proceedeth out of their Mouth and devoureth their enemies and if any Man will hurt them he must in this manner be killed v. 5 and ver 6. These have power to shut Heaven that it rain not in the days of their Prophecy And have power over Waters to turn them into Blood and to smite the Earth with all Plagues as often as they will with reference to those Judgments which for their sakes shall be brought upon the Antichristian World so when they shall have finished their Testimony have had War made against them by the Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless Pit and shall be overcome and killed by him ver 7. But so that their Bodies shall not be suffered to be put in Graves ver 9. No by the Peoples and Kindreds and Tongues and Nations they shall be still kept above Ground for those three days and half as is there exprest they are to lye in the street of the great City The Spirit of Life from God is to enter into them they to stand upon their Feet and great fear to fall upon them which see them ver 11. And they to hear a great Voice from Heaven saying unto them Come up hither and to ascend up to Heaven in a Cloud and their Enemies behold them ver 12. And the same Hour to be a great Earthquake and the tenth part of the City to fall and the names of seven thousand Men to be slain and the Remnant to be affrighted and give Glory to the God of Heaven Which what it can signifie but the reinstating them in the enjoyment of their Rights and Religion for so standing upon their Feet and ascending up to Heaven may import with the great Change that shall thereon ensue in the falling off of one of the ten Kings or Kingdoms into which at the Rise of Antichrist the Roman Empire was divided for that is the tenth part of the great City or Rome as she is said afterwards ch 17 18. to Reign over the Kings of the Earth from all subjection to the Beast And the Names of seven thousand men being to be Slain many point at the overthrow of those who as to any commerce and good they bring to the World are but us the meer Names of men the Priests and Monks I mean with the other parts of their corrupt Hierarchy which in all probability must be then quite extinct slain not so much in their Natural as Politic or Religious Capacity however we shall call it which I suppose to be understood by their being said to be slain in the Earthquake and not with the Sword i. e. abolisht in that great change and Revolution there shall then be And the Remnant being affrighted and giving Glory to the God of Heaven must signifie the Conversion of that 10th part of the City the great City as 't is before v. 8. which in the Book of the Revelation signifies the Antichristian Empire i. e. Rome in the full extent of its Territories as said to Reign over the Kings of the Earth Revel 17. 18. which is said to fall fall from Rome from her Superstitions and Idolatries fall from her as she is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where also our Lord was Crucify'd as she in her Corruptions and Tyranny is what the two former were and by her Power for 't was the Roman Governour who sentenced our Lord to the Cross crucified the Lord and hath ever since been crucifying his Members But then how much of this Transaction shall belong to the Witnesses I am not capable to say that they shall have their part in it not only in being themselves restored but in striking Terror into their Enemies in dismaying and disabling them from all opposition I make not the least question The Event must shew how this shall be and things are not so far off that we should be discouraged to wait for the Completion Behold saith our Lord I come as a Thief And how will men wonder that they were so much in the dark as to the Mystery How will they be ashamed that they have no better watcht and kept their Garments That they have walk'd so naked so unprovided for such a day That though the work hath been doing they observ'd it not But if they had it would not have been said Behold I come as a Thief 'T will notwithstanding all the warnings God hath given of it all the preparations there are towards it be sudden be surprizing I repeat it again Behold I come as a Thief I said just now notwithstanding all the warnings God hath given of it i. e. of what is to happen under this Vial viz. the recalling the Jews the
bringing in the fulness of the Gentiles the final fall of Babylon notwithstanding too all the preparations towards it Towards the first the recalling of the Jews there cannot be much preparation for their return is to be as life from the dead Rom. 11. 15. as the Resurrection of dry bones Ezek. 37. by bringing them out of their Graves v. 13. only as 't is Ezek. 36. 37. Thus saith the Lord I will yet for this be enquired of by the House of Israel to do it for them but 't is what he will do first for them in pouring upon them the Spirit of Grace and Supplication Zach. 11. 10. And it may be there never was a greater longing in that people for their return than now is never a fairer disposition towards Christianity But in that God will have his own way But as for the Mahometans that they seem to be preparing for it their entertaining several of the Christian Tenets and Principles as may be seen in Rycaut's History of the present state of the Ottoman Empire p. 231 and otherwhere may informus As With respect to the Fall of Babylon there is nothing can more speak that to be drawing on than the Irreverence with which even those who still retain the same Profession with her do almost every where Treat her witness the Wits of France and Italy it self who either run into direct Atheism or have private Opinions and Sentiments of their own with which they qualifie those Absurdities in that Religion which they have not yet found a way intirely to reject I shall not need on this occasion to mention the Quietists or any other sort of Scepticks in that Communion but shall conclude this with that of our Saviour Mark 3. 24. If a Kingdom be divided against it self that Kingdom cannot stand But to return supposing the sense of the Vial to be as we have assigned it it will still remain upon as to shew what in likelihood is the time when this Vial shall begin when to end Now for this can we have a better Guide than the Holy Ghost himself Let us see therefore what he hath said in this matter We have it Rev. 9. 13 14. And I heard a Voice from the four Horns of the Golden Altar which is before God saying to the sixth Angel which had the Trumpet loose the four Angels which are bound in the great River Euphrates What was the binding of the Angels But that stop Providence was pleased for the time appointed to put to their Acting what before they were loose or free to What their being loosed but the same Providences permitting them to Prosecute their former designs the taking off that check and restraint the same wise Providence had laid on them Now when was it they were thus bound when was it they were to be thus loosed But to this we must premise another Question viz. Who these four Angels were To this the Context must give us Light and that it will if we consider of whom the Holy Ghost had been speaking Now those the Holy-Ghost had been speaking of are generally agreed to be the Saracens or Turks For they were those Locusts as they are called ver 3. which came up out of the Smoak to whom was given Power as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power and who are said ver 11. To have a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomless pit whose name in the Hebrew Tongue is Abaddon but in the Greek Tongue hath his name A polly on i. e. A Destroyer I may say too in the Arabick for both Saracen and Turk in their Original are derived from Verbs which among other significations have that of to spoil or destroy according to which John Baptist a Egnatius speaking of the Origin of the Turks saith Vagi dispalatique quove cuique sors affuit latrocinantes magis quam belligerantes pro vincias vastarunt Wandring and straggling about as every ones chance was they wasted Countries more like Robbers than Warriors Indeed both these Names are but the same and by an usual change in the Oriental Languages of Shin into Tau they seem to have but one Original but this by the by They might be said to come up out of the Smoak as it was by their Alcoran and the gross Errors therein broached the Mists and Vapours exhaled out of the bottomless Pit i. e. Derived from Hell it self that the Sun and the Air were darkned such the Cloud hereby cast upon the true Religion the Light of the Gospel and its Professors That they are said to be Locusts may be as for their Numbers and the Country from whence Mahomet sprang viz. Arabia where these most abound so from what they resemble the Locusts in as they waste and destroy all where they come That they are commanded not to hurt the Grass of the Earth neither any green thing neither any Tree but only those Men which have not the Seal of God in their Foreheads shew that they are not natural Locusts but such who liko Locusts shall make spoil and havock of those who are hereby signified That they are said to have power given to them as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power must relate to the manner in which by their first coming into Europe they plagued those against whom they had their Commission which was not to Kill but only torment for the time there assigned i. e. for five Months the time which Locusts usually make their stay or 150 Years signified by those 5 Months as a day in the Prophetic stile is taken for a Year and de facto it happened and hath been already toucht on in our Chapter of the first Vial. That they are said to have a King over them which is the Angel of the bottomless pit whose name in the Hebrew Tongue is Abaddon but in the Greek Tongue hath his name Apollyon ver 11. Is a manifest Declaration as under whom he acts i. e. Him whose place of Residence is the bottomless pit or Hell 't is his Message and Errand he is sent on though by the Permission of the divine Providence so what the Message is for which this Angel or Messenger is dispatched thence viz. 'T is to destroy and waste those persons and Countries to whom he is sent Be it Hebrew or Greek in which he hath his Name this is his Business this his profession to be a Destroyer He pretends to be descended from Abraham and Sarah and claims the promise of all Kingdoms for his Followers as being the only true Believers to Mustliman imports and avows the prosecuting all with War who observe not the Rules of his Religion Elmachin Histor Sarac p. 3. So then granting the Saracens or Turks to be those the Holy Ghost there points to how come they to be called the four Angels seeing they were all of the same Original and Religion Now this will be cleared by considering what time the Holy Ghost may here be supposed to aim at
represented under the Figure of a Woman and that as with respect to the several successions of Government in the Roman Empire so too with respect to the great Corruptions in the Church which was to be seated in it 2. Her Cruelties likewise are there set forth as under the emblem of a scarlet-coloured Beast ver 3. So by her being drunken with the Blood of the Saints of the Martyrs of Jesus ver 6. And 3. How she is said to come to her End ver 16. viz. By those very Horns or ten Kings who had given their Power and Strength to her ver 13. Hating her and making her desolate and naked and eating her Flesh and burning her with Fire So then the great City here spoken of is Rome as she Reigneth over the Kings of the Earth not Rome as confined within the Walls of the City which bears that name but as she extends her Territories as far as the Roman Empire or as it is now changed into Papal reaches And as to the dividing this City into three parts I shall offer these two Conjectures the first is Monsieur Jurieu's whose Learning Piety and Zeal I extreamly reverence and it is this viz. That upon the Preaching of the Reformers the Antichristian Empire was divided into three Parts one part remained to Antichrist himself one sepaated from him under the name of the Confession of Ausburgh the third under the Confession of them who are simply called the Reformed Sueden Denmark and a great part of Germany make the 2d Part England the united Provinces the Reformed in France the Suisses and port of Germany make the third Here saith he are the three great Parts which divide the Western Church which is the great City The second Conjecture I have to offer in this matter is the Division of it as it is that City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth And that is as at present and since the Reformation there have been these three distinct Parts of this great City The first of such Kings or Kingdoms that have wholly fallen from her such are all who profess the Protestant Religion Secondly of such which however they have not left her Communion yet have cast off her Supremacy and Infallibility i. e. As the distinction is since taken up are of the Church tho' not of the Court of Rome This I suppose to be verified where-ever the Council of Trent by which Rome subsists is not received and where the Regalia Investitures c. are disputed and where too these or any other the Arcana Imperii the secret Grounds and Foundations by which the Papacy upholds it self have been prosessedly disputed contradicted and by the publick Decrees of their Universities or otherwise declared against or rescinded And then Thirdly of such as still continue in their Obedience to her What follows And the Cities of the Nations fell I take to be but the Consequence of the former for if the great City be Rome in the extent of her Empire or Government lesser Cities will import lesser Governments and their falling with respect to Rome must be a falling from her Laws in being no longer governed by the Papal Decrees the Canon Law or whatever else she Rules by but by their own Models both for their Civil and Religious Government But if still we would have something more particular here why may not the united Provinces and Hans Towns in Germany afford us a Comment on it Sed monum de Tabulà 'T is added And great Babylon came in remembrance before God to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the fierceness of his Wrath. And every Island fled away and the Mountains were not found This seems to be the great Catastrophe of all every thing else is but preparatory this the consummating of the Judgment of the great Whore And may she soon have this Cup to drink I perswade my self it is not far off What the Cup is is more expresly set down chap. 18. 2. 8. Babylon the Great is fallen is fallen and is become the Habitation of Devils and the hold of every foul Spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird this was her Sin this is her Doom Therefore shall her Plagues come in one day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnt with Fire For strong is the Lord God who Judgeth her When it comes to pass it will explain it self nor shall I therefore add any thing farther on it Only what is to be meant by every Island flying away and the Mountains not being found which is yet behind to be spoken to would be known And for that I content my self with applying the notion of Islands to those numerous Monasteries and Convents and Religious Houses of any sort among them For what is an Island but a part of the Earth environed by the Waters and having no Commerce or Union with the Continent And are not such Houses and Places with respect to the several Countries in which they are divided as it were from the Earth Do they not subsist by Laws and Constitutions of their own Do they not pretend to be sequestred from the rest of the World To have no converse in Worldly Affairs but to be wholly separated to observe the Rules of their several Orders These to me are the Islands here spoken of Islands in respect to their distinct Governments in the same Sense that the great City is the whole Roman or Papal Empire And as for what we are to construe these Mountains of I can see nothing more proper to answer this Allusion than the great and eminent Men among them who in Scripture are so often exprest by Hills or Mountains as Men of low Estate are by the Valleys such are their Bishops Archbishops Cardinals Abbots Priors Generals of their several Orders and highest of all the Pope himself and his Legates Now the flying away of the one and the others not being found signifies the sudden Destruction and Confusion that will overtake them all in that day when all States and Orders their whole Hierarchy with all its Dependants shall at once Vanish And such a Storm follow them that adhere to them exprest by Men i. e. Men of ordinary rank and station the Laity of that Religion such Hail out of Heaven fall upon them as it were by the immediate Hand of God bringing these Judgments on them that wicked and impeniteut Wretches as they are for otherwise they would have taken the Warning and come out of Babylon as it is ch 18. 4. would not have been Partakers of her Sins that they might not have received of her Plagues but cursed Wretches as they are still to adhere to her in her Abominations nothing but Blasphemy is left them they Blasphemed God in the prophane use of his name all the time of their Apostacy they now without looking up to that Heaven from whence these Plagues come Blaspheme him because of the plague of the Hail