and hearts of multitudes and corrupted great part of the World with the Wine of her Fornication even the common sort of people see Rev. 17. 2. And the inhabitants of the Earth have been made drunk with the Wine of her Fornication c. Paral. That Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only caused Kings of the Earth and great men to commit fornication with her by dancing after her Pipes in all her mysterious allurements and detestable errors but hath also intoxicated the Minds and Hearts of multitudes and miserably corrupted and bewiâ—ched great part of the World or common sort of people by her erroneous and wicked doctrine O what a world of poor people hath she a long time deceived and made to commit Spiritual Fornication with her in Italy Germany Poland France Spain Portugal Ireland and lastly in England and Scotland too besides many other Countreys 1. As first Is it not a strange intoxication that such a multitude of the Inhabitants of the Earth should believe that a wicked man should be appointed of God to be the Vicar of Christ as if God had no more regard to the Honour of his own Name and the good of his Church and Dignity of his Son than to substitute a Child of the Devil as all wicked men are to be Vice-gerent to the most holy Jesus in the highest transactions that relate to Heaven and the Souls of Men Surely if God shut Judas out of his Bishoprick for his wickedness tho an Apostle it can't stand consistent with his truth and holiness to set up or allow of a wicked and imperious Pope got up to the highest pinacle of pride and make him the Immediate Deputy and successor of Christ and to impose a Wolf as Shepherd upon the universal Church 2. One who saith that he is an infallible Judge to determine Articles of Faith and indued with power to Impose them upon great Penalties so that as a Lord he hath Dominion over Mens Faith Consciences and Souls too which the Apostles disclaimed 3. Is it not a strange intoxication that such a multitude of poor People should believe that the Church cannot err tho God and Thousands of good Men see and fully know there are not such abominable Errors in Principles nor such villanous Enormities cursed Actions cruel and immoral Practices in the World Nay such that Turks and Infidels do abhor Yet this doctrine that the Church is infallible and cannot err the poor deluded multitude believes and hate nay kill others that oppose it and venture Body and Soul upon it 4. Is it not a strange intoxication that such a multitude of the Inhabitants of the Earth should believe that the Pope tho never so wicked nay a priest tho he be a treacherous villain a contriver of Murther and an abominable Adulterer hath power to absolve his equals and fellow Sinners from all their Sins tho directly committed against God If he come to confession tho the pretended penitent keeps his old evil habit of wickedness still contrary to what God and Jesus Christ in his blessed Word saith where 't is recorded that 't is God alone that forgiveth Sins and bloâ—â—eth out our iniquities and that a man must be born again i. e. the evil habits must be changed and all wicked practices must be forsaken or no forgiveness nor entring into the Kingdom of heaven John 3. 3. 5. Is it not a strange piece of Witchcraft and Intoxication that such a multitude of the inhabitants of the Earth should believe that there is a Purgatory which is no part of Heaven nor Hell and that men may be redeemed out of it with Money tho God saith The redemption of the Soul is precious and ceaseth for ever Psal. 49. i. e. After the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all and that 't is only the Blood of Christ which purges and cleanses from all sin 1 Jo. 1. 9. and that we are not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the precious Blood of Christ as a Lamb without Blemish and without Spot 6. Is it not a strange Intoxication and a clear demonstration that the Inhabitants of the Earth have drunk of the Wine of this Whores Fornication that such a multitude of poor Souls should believe that a filthy and wicked Priest by speaking a few Words can not only make Bread and Wine sacred but also turn and change the Bread into the real Body and Blood of the Son of God and make whole Christ of a pittyful Wafer-cake by a charm of five Latin words viz. Hoc est enim corpus meum and this transubstantiated Idol they fall down before adore as their Maker anathematizing and cursing all that shall deny this Idol of indignation to be adored with the highest degree of Divine Worship which is proper to God only for she saith 't is her God as she singeth in her Roman Missal Plagas sicut Thomas non intueor Deum tamen meum te confiteor Wounds as Thomas did I not see Yet do I confess thee my God to be In this as one observes they out-do the vanity of the Heathens who thought none was so witless as to believe that that which is eaten is a God yet this God of theirs these Canibals devour even Flesh Blood and Bones in their conceit the poor deluded multitude believieng contrary to their own natural Reason and all their sences that they eat real Flesh when they eat that Wafer-cake the substance nor quality being changed the Form Colour and Taste of Bread remaining after the Words of Consecration 7. Is it not a strange Intoxication that such a multitude of people should believe that evil and idle doctrine of hers viz. that no person how good and pious so ever he be can be saved out of the Pale of their polluted ungodly and devilish Church notwithstanding 't is a great doubt and question whether any member of such a false Church can be saved sith the Holy Scripture saith that no Idolater hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of God and again that If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his mark in his Forehead or in his Hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God c. Rev. 14. 9 10. And he shall be tormented with Fire and Brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb c. Besides considering the Scripture directly holdeth forth that all who are born again or truly regenerate shall be saved let them be of what Church they will provided they are sound in the essentials of the Christian Faith and not guilty of Idolatry for certainly the new birth comprehends a change of all such erroneous principles as well as of other evil and corrupt habits and wicked practices 8. Is it not a strange kind of Spiritual Intoxication that such a number of the Inhabitants of the Earth should believe that 't is no Sin
or a great secular power clothed in Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal doth then Rome Papal 〈◊〉 Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon But there is no visible state in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast or secular power cloth'd in Scarlet Vestments as Rome Papal or Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon To reinforce this argument we challenge any Papists Atheists or any else to shew where there are any other people or party to whom these Characters agree as well as with Rome Papal and then we will let this argument sall X. The Beast that Mystery Babylon sits upon commands and governs is not only clothed in Scarlet but is also full of the names of Blasphemy Rev. 17. Paral. Now that the Church of Rome hath this mark also of Mystery Babylon is evident viz. that the Beast cloathed in Scarlet that bears up that whorish Churhc is full of the names of Blasphemy this appears by his ascribing that to creatures which belongs to God and Jesus Christ only and in divers other respects 1. When the cursed Beast is called our Lord. God the Pope and whatsoever he doth no man may say to him Why do you this And whosoever obeyeth not his precepts incurreth the Sin of Idolatry doth he not in this shew himself indeed to be God What greater Blasphemy can there be 2. When he is called universal Head of the Catholick Church is not this Blasphemy against Christ who alone is the head of the universal Church 3. When he is called the Lamb of God he Light of the World the Root of David the Lion of the Tribe of Judah 4. When the orders of the Church Oral Traditions and Decrees of Councils are said to be of greater authority than the Holy Scriptures Cardinal Hositis in his Advertisement to King Sigismund hath these expressions If they that is the Hereticks say it is written that is the voice of the Devil speaking in his members they call the Scripture Paper and Parchment and that 't is an absurd thing to attribute more authority to the Scripture than to the Church which they call a nose of Wax which suffers it self to be turned hither or thither as a man pleaseth and that the Scripture is the Daughter and their Church the Mother is not this horrid Blasphemy against God and the Holy Spirit who gave the Scripture forth and whose sacred off-spring they are 5. When the Virgin Mary Angels and Saints are invocated with Prayers and Addresses that only belong to the Divine Majesty as if those creature were infinite and could hear us at so great a distance as Earth is from Heaven which they could not do if perpendicularly over us much less from all parts of the World over which they cannot be whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Omnisciency and Divine adoration to Creatures which is only due to the Creator is not Blaspemy 6. Whether it be not Blasphemy as well as Idolatry to say that Images ought to be worshipped with the same honour and worship which is given to him whose Image it is For so Azorius affirms and Bellarmin saith that Images are not only to be worshippeâ— as they are exemplars but also properly and by themselves so as the worship may be terminated iâ— them 7. To conclude with this mark Whether it be not Blasphemy with a witness to affirm that a Priest can make a whole Christ of a Wafer Cake by uttering a few words And is not this to exalt the man of Sin above God himself For this which they affirm iâ— to do more than God indeed can do see Mâ— Pools Dialogue p. 109. there are some thingâ— which it is no dishonour to God to say he cannot do them because they are either sinful so God cannot lie or absolutely impossible God himself cannot make a man alive and dead at the same time God cannot make the whole to be less than a part of it he cannot make three to be more than threescore he cannot make a Son to beget the Father he cannot make the same man to be born at two several times as Popish Authon confess and therefore he can't make the same Body to be in two several places much less in two thousand places at one and the same time to which we may add Can God make that to be that which it is not All know the Bread is not Flesh but really Bread after Consecration Arg. If no people in the Christian world are born up and supported by a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy maintaining from him such blasphemous Opinions than Rome Papal or Church of Rome then Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon But there is no people in the Christian world that are born up by such a blasphemous Beast as the Church of Rome is Ergo Rome Papal as Mystery Babylon XI Mystery Babylon is not only said to sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy but also that she is adorned with great pomp and outward glory Rev. 17. 4. And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet and decked with Gold and precious Stones and Pearl c. Parallel Rome Papal or Church of Rome doth not only sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast c. but she is also beautified and adorned with great pomp and external glory beyond any people calling themselves a Church of Christ in all the Christian world This is such a visible brand and mark upon this people and well noted by all that much we need not speak to it for all the world knows the Church of Rome delights in outward Gaudery being a people whose Worship is filled not only with detestable Tradisions and blasphemous Doctrines but also to please the carnal and sensitive Eye she seâ— it off with rich and costly Pictures curiousâ— drawn and other outward gallantry 2. Looâ— into the Patrimony of consecrated Saint there you shall find riches and honour thâ— not durable riches and righteousness 3. Looâ— upon their Garbs and Vestments and theâ— you shall find her Popes and Cardinals gâ—â— stering in cloath of Gold and adorned liâ— Emperors and splendid Princes nay and are some of her Priests and Heads of Partiâ— What think you saith one of the Antiâ—â— Fathers of this Man the Pope sitting on hiâ— in his Throne glistering in Purple and cloâ— of Gold sitting in the Temple God shewing out himself as if were a God her Priests are adoâ—â— in such costly Habiliments that for riches thâ— might become the highest Order of â— Jewish Priesthood 4. Look on the Instâ—ments and Mode of their Worship and the you shall find rich Altars and Candlesticks Gold the Vessels for Oyl and Poâ—s of Pâ—sication as if their Predecessors had been Solomon's Temple 5. Look into 〈◊〉 Churches and there you shall find great oâ— ward glory and bravery 6. Enquire coâ—cerning her Revenues and vast Incomes aâ— there you
willed they set up and whom she willed they pulled down when she willed they raised Arms and when she willed they laid them down again what shall we say The Church of Rome hath had such power over the Kingdoms of Europe thâ—â— the power and wills of Princes have been controuled and over-ruled when in any considerable case they have gone contrary to the sense and interest of the Church and to such a degree as they have sometimes made thâ—â— do penance resign up their Crowns and receive them again as an act of kindness that he set them upon their Heads with his Foote such is the Pride and Grandeur of St. Peter Chair See our first Chapter If the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that above all others in the World hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth then Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon But the Church of Rome is that People Woman or Church that reigns and hath reigned over the Kings of the Earth Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome Mystery Babylon CHAP. III. Proving that literal Babylon in Chaldea was a Type or Figure of Rome Papal or the present Church of Rome and that in many particulars WE having shewed and clearly evinced by an induction of fifteen particulars that Rome Papal is Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth she having all the marks or characters directly meeting in her that are by the holy Ghost given of that great Whore we shall in the next place briefly consider how the acts and progress of the Romish Church do most fitly and fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of her in the holy Scripture and first with literal or Chaldean Babylon from whence I find most writers conclude she had the name Babylon given to her in respect of the growth acts and deeds of that old Babylonian Monarchy which we shall now open and run the parallel in divers particulars as followeth I. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King ever her called a Head of Gold also Lucifer or Son of the morning So likewise Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her called the Universal Bishop whose power is magnified above the powers of Emperors and all Kings and Princes of the Earth II. Literal Babylon had dominion over many Countreys or Provinces In like manner Rome Papal hath had dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kingdoms called ten Horns â— we have shewed III. Chaldean or Literal Babylon fell under a four-fold circumstance in respect of her Supream Head viz. Nebuchadnezzar 1. That he was when in great Pride he insultingly said Is not this great Babylon that I have built by the might of my power and for the honour of my Majesty 2. He was not when by the Watchers and the Holy Ones he was toss'd from his Throne and made to eat Grass with Oxen till seven times past over him 3. Yet he was When his Reason and the Hearts of his Nobles and Glory returned to him again 4. He went off finally when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor into whose hands the Kingdom was translated Rome or Mystery Babylon is foretold by the Angel to fall under a four-fold circumstance also in respect of the Beast that is said to carry the Whore and make War with the Saints and the Beast which thou sawest was is not and yet is and shall go into perdition Rev. 17. 8. 1. He was of old in his Pagan state triumphing in great glory and grandeur but received a wound yea a deadly wound in one of his Heads viz. in his sixth Head which was the Pagan power in Constantine's time and so he was not The Christian Emperors having the Government of the Roman Monarch and to the same purpose speak our late Annotators on the 13 chap. of Rev. v. 3. and chap. 17. 8. It must saith he be the sixth Head viz. the Pagan Emperors who had that mortal wound and that wound was the Conquering the Pagan Emperors and the abolishing of Paganism and Idolatry and putting an end or stop to Persecution which was done by the seventh Government viz. the Christian Emperors He yet is i. e. his wound was healed by the rising of the eighth Government which was of the seventh who appeared in a new dress viz. a beast with two horns like a lamb but spake like a dragon which was the Antichristian power or Papal Rome and more particularly the Pope time the best opener of these great Mysteries has fully discovered these things to 〈◊〉 4. He shall go into perdition i. e. be utterly destroyed by the bright appearance of the Lord Jesus and be cast at last into the botomless Pit after the 42 Months are expired so that in these four respects Chaldean Babylon it appears was a lively Type or Figure of Papal Rome who from hence also shews her self to be Mystery Babylon IV. The Chaldean Kingdom or Literal Babylon Invaded Judea Besieged and took Jerusalem and trampled it under foot c. Even so in like manner the last Beast the Pope and Papal power hath Invaded the City of the living God or true Gospel Church taking away all her sacred Rights Laws and Priviledges and not only Besieg'd her closely Block'd her up but trampled under foot the Holy City for a long space of time Rev. 11. â— V. Chaldean or Literal Babylon was a moâ— lofty proud and imperious people called the Lady of Kingdoms and the glory and beauty â— Excellency for which God doth severely threaten her Isa. 13. 19. Behold I am against thee O thou most proud saith â— Lord God of Hosts c. Isa. 50. 31. So in like manner Rome who is Myster Babylon notwithstanding her horrid crime and most amazing wickednesses is a vâ—â— proud and imperious people exceeding all â— the Christian World saying in her Heart sit a Queen am no Widow shall see no sorrow for which haughtiness and pride the Lord will suddenly remember her with Judgments and sore severity he being now risen up to make Inquisition for Blood and to avenge upon her the injury done to Sion Rev. 18. 7. How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much torment and sorrow give her VI. Chaldean or Literal Babylon set up Images and had Idols of Silver and Gold Wood and Stone to which they bowed and worshipped which were also representations of the Gods and Saints whom they adored to wit of Bel which was Jupiter and Nebo and Succoth berioth and the like and such who would not bow down to her Images she threatned to cast into the Fire into the burning fiery Furnace Jer. 5. 30. Jer. 10. 3 9. Isa. 46. 1. Dan. 3. 6. Rome in this shews her self to be her Antitype very plainly for hath she not ordained to her self Temples Images of Christ and the Virgin Mary and other Saints nay and not only these but the
in the case of Solomon and Darius being 62 years old when he took Babylon must be 81 when Cyrus came to the Government if he managed these affairs the two last years of his life as it 's probable he did and 83 when he died being the third of Cyrus his being concerned in the Government but the first of his absolute rule and then he gives liberty to the People of God to return and build the Temple Now this work after they entred upon it did soon meet with interruptions in the time of Cyrus that made the Decree for building the Temple Ezra 4. 5 24. But in the Reign of Darius as v. 25. with chap. 5. 1. In the second year of his Reign Hag. 1. 1. Zech. 1. 1. God stirred up the Spirit of his People to set about the work afresh incouraged from the Prophesying of those two Prophets speaking to them from the mouth of God and God disposing the Heart of that Prince to incourage it also so that it was finished in four years i. e. the sixth of his Reign Ezra 6. 14. 15. How many years this interruption continued or how many years it was between the first Decree of Cyrus when they laid the Foundation of the Temple including the years of Preparation Ezra 3. 8 10. and the Decree of this Darius in the sixth year of whose Reign it was finished the Prophet Zechariah gives us an account chap. 1. 12. to be seventy years for the seventy years here intended cannot be the seventy of their captivity in Babylon in which time they were to pray for the peace of the City and of the place where they were carried Captive For God promised that in the Peace thereof they should have peace till the time came of their return according to divine appointment they were to build Houses to Plant and to Marry Jer. 29. 5 6 7. without attempting to return to build the Temple till the seventy years were out therefore in that time to build Houses in Babylon and not God's House in Jerusalem was no crime But the great thing the Prophets Zechariah and Haggai reprove them for was this consider 1. The Prophets were contemporary and prophesied in the second of Darius the time that the Temple work is revived and finished 2. They tell the People 1. That God was displeased with their Fathers and now with them 2. For what he was displeased viz. For minding their own private things as Houses and Lands c. and letting the House of God lye waste 3. The effects in blasting all their labours c. 3. He promiseth them that upon their applying themselves to the work of finishing his House and the service of it he would abundantly bless them So that the Prophets applying it to that time we have reason to judge that it was no other but the interruption upon the work which was as all apprehend some considerable length of time but are at great uncertainty how to reckon it when the labour may be saved and we at no loss in the thing when the Holy Spirit hath reckoned it for us now the Scripture tells us that as the work was revived after seventy years Death upon it in the second year of Darius so it was finished in his sixth year Ezek. 6. 15. which sixth year was his last Artaxerxes succeeding him in the seventh of whose Reign there is another decree to beautifie the House of God and to provide it with Sacrifices Ezra 7. 21 22 23 24 27. for this decree relates only to the House of God and his worship therein In the twentieth of whose Reign another Decree comes forth to Build the City Neh. 2. 1. to the ninth and here begins Daniel's seventy weeks of years so that if this account be right we have a very plain and certain account of the time adding the seventy weeks of years to the death of Christ. I know it is the Opinion of most if not all to reckon otherwise and indeed they cannot otherwise do that go by History which tells of more Kings Reigning and that some of these I have mentioned did Reign longer as that this Darius in the sixth of whose Reign the Temple was finished Reigned in all nineteen years as Helvicus Juniâ—s Alsted and others say but whence have they the account which we with so much confidence take up from them It 's from no infallible Writ they say also that from Cyrus including him there was fourteen Kings Reigned in the Persian Monarchy before it was taken by the Grecians also that Cyrus in the nineteenth year of his Persian Monarchy Conquered Darius the Mede King of Babylon all which could not be For 1. The Babylonish Monarchy was to end and did in Nebuchadnezzar's Grandsons Reign Jer. 27. 6 7. which was Belshazzar 2. Darius who was of the Seed of the Medes Dan. 9. 1. Was King of Media and Persia when he took Babylon Dan. 5. 28 31. 3. There was to be but four Kings in Persia after Cyrus how then could thirteen Reign Dan. 11. 2. The Angel for the help of our Faith tells Daniel he would shew him the truth and that there should stand up yet that is after Cyrus for this Vision was in the third of Cyrus as before I have noted for the 10 11 12 chap. are but the continuance of the same Vision for as I have noted also Daniel died this year three Kings and the fourth shall be richer c. and shall stir up all against the Realm of Greece and here this Monarchy ends To sum up all that we have said there is I. -21. years Of Darius before Cyrus came to absolute Regal Power II. 70. years Interruption after Cyrus's Decree for building the House III. 4. years Of Darius in finishing it after they set to the work again IV. 7. years To the Decree of Artaxerxes to furnish it with Sacrifices V. 13. years To that of the 20th of Artaxerxes to Build the City Jerusalem In all 115 years after the 70 years Captivity in Babylon was out before they began to Build the City Jerusalem again In Daniel 9. 24. the Angel tells Daniel that 70 Weeks are determined upon his People and the Holy City to finish transgression to make an end of sin to make reconciliation for the people and to bring in everlasting righteousness Then v. 25. he divides them that from the going forth of the Commandment to Build the City should be seven Weeks that is before it should be Built and Finished so long in Building 49 years and 62 Weeks it should be Built but it should be trouble some times and so it was with the Jews what by the Grecian Monarchy and after the Roman for when the Messiah Christ came they were tributary to the Romans and in the midst of the last Week the Messiah should be cut off but not for himself by whose Death the Everlasting Covenant was Sealed Ratified and Confirmed and all the Typical Sacrifices and Oblations to cease as
Antychrist Stormeâ— Antichrist STORMED OR Mystery Babylon the great Whore and great City proved to be the present Church of Rome Wherein all Objections are fully answered To which is added The Time of the End or a clear Explanation of Scripture Prophecies with the Judgment of divers Learned men concerning the final Ruine of the Romish Church that it will be in this present Age. Together with an Account of the Two Witnesses who they are with their Killing Resurrection Ascention Also an Examination and Confutation of what Mr. Jurieu hath lately written concerning the Effusion of the Vials proving none of them are yet poured out With Mr. Canns Reasons to confirm the same Likewise a brief Review of D. Tho. Goodwins Exposition of the 11th chapter of the Revelations concerning the Witnesses and of that Street in which they should lie slain proving it to be meant of Great Brittain And a brief Collection of divers strange Prophecies some very Antient. By Benj. Keach Author of Sion in Distress To which is annext A short Treatise in two parts 1. The Calculation of Scripture numbers by Scripture only without the help of Humane History 2. Upon the Witnesses giving light to the whole Book LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1689. TO THE READER Christian Reader THat which induced me to publishthe insuing Treatise at this time is first the consideration of the present Providence of the great God under which we are exercised wherein it may appear to all that he hath with an out-stretched Arm begun to deliver his people and to plead the controversie of Sion against his old and implacable Enemies such a gracious dispensation as we have certainly never before seen and what the issue or event of it will be we cannot be ignorant if we consult his word Babylon must fall that is evident and that this Mystery Babylon is the Church of Rome is fully cleared in this Treatise which we hope may tend to convince such who have had any doubt upon their Spirits about it and confirm others in the stedfast belief thereof true 't is not above 6 or 7 years since we wrote something of the same nature but that lying in a folio a book that comes but into a few hands Besides this is great part new and many things of another nature insisted on I have been stirred up to make it publick in this small tract hoping that such who read it will see some further cause to hate the Whore and all her off-spring who still retain her Persecuting Spirit tho' blessed be God this Nation and Scotland likewise are stirred up of late with just revenge against her the Lord continue it for there is much work still to be done both here and abroad before that glorious state of the Church comes in which we have so long waited for as touching the time of Babylons final ruin and overthrow something we have here said and have also given the various Apprehensions of many learned and worthy Writers in respect of that as also touâ—â—ing the Slaying and Resurrection of the two Witnesses together with their Ascention which will have its further opening by the works and providence of God so that our light like the path of the Just shall shine more and more to the perfect day time will make manifest what is in the Womb of the present Providence That which adds further incouragement is I perceive almost every where Gods people are much upon the search into the Prophesies of the Scripture and Revelations of St. John about the time of the end We have given some brief hints touching the seven Seals Trumpets and the seven Vials or last Plagues spoken of by St. John which may we hope let in a little light into some mens understandings and tend to the putting of them upon a further search we conclude that the six first Seals spoken of Rev. 6. open things that were to come to pass in the World from the time that John received his Revelations until the years 311 or 320 or there abouts which produced 1. That fearful Apostacy from the Apostolical Faith and true Christianity of the Gospel Church 2. The utter overthrow of the sixth Head of the Beast or Pagan Emperors Reign and so put an end to the ten bloody Persecutions under them for under the sixth Seal was effected or brought to pass their final ruin signified by an Earthquake Rev. 6. Which overthrow was first begun by Constantine the great and fully compleated according to History by Theodosius about 379. under the 7 Seal there was silence in Heaven for half an hour viz. A short time of rest for the Church and Saints of God which began in Constantines dayes and lasted as some conceive till the troubles rose by the Arians which was if I mistake not about the latter end of his Reign but others say it continued till Theodosius died in the year 395. also under the Seventh Seal come in the Angels with their Seven Trumpets the 6 first Trumpets 't is concluded by most learned writers brought in those things that were effected or accomplished under the Papal power and Turkish Empire as also the death and Resurrection of the Witnesses and so brings in the second woe The seventh Trumpet as I conceive brings in the Ascention of the Witnesses and then comes out the seven Angels with the seven Vials and last Plagues the first of which I cannot believe hath as yet been poured out nor shall till the Ascention of the Witnesses which will be attended with that second Earthquake Rev. 11. and from that very time I conclude the Kingdom of Christ will begin which I know is quite contrary to what Dr. Goodwin Dr. More Du Moulin and of late Peter Jurieâ— have written the reasons why I am of this Opinion you will find if you read the latter part of this Treatise Dr. Goodwin if I mistake him not says that Waldo c. might be said to pour out the first Vial and that two or three more of them have since been poured out by the Angels or Ministers of God out of the Temple as they have been indued with more or lesser light but we cannot think any of the Sackcloth Witnesses who have lived under the time of the Beasts 42 months can be said to pour out any of those Vials because they are said to be clothed with pure white linnen and to have Golden Girdles about their breasts and for several other reasons which we have here given 't is indeed very strange to many wise men that Mr. Jurieu should so confidently affirm that all the Vials should be already poured out by Gods Ministers and that they are still in their Sackcloath and have so all along Others there are who Judge that the Seven Vials shall none of them be poured out till the Seventh Trumpet shall begin to sound which will effect her utter overthrow and so bring in the third woe of this
opinion was that Worthy and Learned Divine Mr. John Canne and some others time will open these things more clearly but I am perswaded whensoever those Vials and last Plagues come to be poured out Gods Judgments will be so manifest that they will be discerned and known of all and be quite different from all other Judgments that have fallen upon the Antichristian State and people from their first rise But since we are in the Judgment of all Godly and Learned men come towards the end of the wonders let none be discouraged for though there is very near a most dismal hour yet it will doubtless fall upon the heads of the wicked and such who are of Baby lons Race and Spirit the Godly shall see the Lord hath not forgotten them nor the righteous Blood that has been shed but will appear suddenly to plead Sion's controversie and set up his own Kingdom therefore let us be much in prayer and cry mightily to God and be ready to meet the Lord in his more glorious appearance for we are very confident a very dreadful hour is near and it will come upon carnal secure and all formal Protestants nay fear shall surprize the sinners in Sion tho' it will be a glorious hour to all that are found faithful to Jesus Christ I desire all enquiring persons to weigh well what we have said in the latter part of this Treatise and if it affords any further light to any of them let them bless God I am in hopes it will put many upon a further search into the Prophesies of the Scripture about the time of the end However I sha'l at present say no more but leave it to the blessing of the Lord till I see a little further what God is about to do and at present take my leave of thee and remain thy Servant in the Gospel Benj. Keach THE CONTENTS CHap. 1. Various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon 1. Not the World of wicked men 2. Not old Chaldea Babylon 3. Not Jerusalem 4. Not the Turks and Saracens 5. Not Rome Heathen 6. Not Rome towards the end of the World after some Papists say Rome shall Apostatize to Paganism again 7. By Mystery Babylon is meant the present Papal or Romish Church proved from p. 4. to p. 38. Ch. 2. Proving all the marks that the Scripture gives of Mystery Babylon meet directly in Papal Rome from p. 39. to p. 102. Ch. 3. Literal Babylon a Type of Mystery Babylon shewed in 12 particulars from p. 103. to p. 116. Ch. 4. Shewing the little Horn Dan. 7. to mean the Pope in 10 particulars from p. 117. to p. 127. Ch. 5. Proving that our Saviour in Mat. 13. 15. and St. Paul in Acts 20. 29. and 1 Tim. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 3. pointed out the Papal Church from p. 128. to p. 135. Ch. 6. Shewing the Judgment of divers Eminent Writers concerning who the two Witnesses are and who not p. 136. That they have been lately slain and are risen or about to rise p. 140 141. What the Ascention of the two Witnesses are and that 't is near p. 145. Ch. 7. Where is shewed the Judgment of many English Writers about the seven Vials with an Answer to Mr. Peter Jurieu who has lately asserted in his Treatise that they are all poured out Proving by many Arguments that there is none of them as yet poured out nor will till the seventh Angel blows his Trumpet from p. 153. That England is the Street of the great City where the Witnesses were to be slain or lye dead p. 182 183 c. The Kingdom of Christ begins at the Earthquake or at the beginning of sounding of the seventh Trumpee and that 't is at the door p. 186 187 188. Divers strange Prophesies p. 188 189. Postscript Wherein you have the substance of what a late nameless great French Writer has said in Answer to Mr. Jurieu about the Non-effusion of the Vials p. 193. Antichrist stormed Or Mystery Babylon the great Whore and great City proved to be the present Church of Rome or Papal Hierarchy CHAP. I. Wherein the various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon are discovered and all their Objections Answered who deny by her is meant the Papal Power or present State and Church of Rome 'T IS evident to all who are men of any Reading that most of our Eminent Protestant Writers both Ancient and Modern do affirm without the least doubt that the Church of Rome is the great Whore spoken of Rev. 17. called Mystery Babylon yet we find that most worthy men who have of latter times so well defended the truths of the Gospel in opposition to Popery have not so much bent their Study this way I mean directly to prove that which is our present task as it hath been to detect divers or most of her erroneous principles and detestable practices which is rather to Lop off some of the Branches of this Evil and Cursed Tree than to Dig it up by the Root for if it be clearly proved that she is that great Whore viz. Mystery Babylon the great Mother of Harlots down she goes at once and if we have not done it so effectually as it may be desired yet we are in hope wherein we have been defective it may stir up some abler Pen to perfect what we have anew undertaken But to proceed for the more orderly management of our present work it may not be amiss if we give you the various opinions that have more or less presented themselves to the World about who or what People this great Whore Mystery Babylon is which may be reduced to these seven following heads 1. And first of all as Reverent Mr. Pool observes some would have it to be the whole World of Wicked men 2. Others would have this Woman â—or this Babylon to be old Chaldean Babylon 3. That it is Jerusalem and that for two Reasons 1. Because the man of Sin or last Beast that is to Head this Babylon is set forth by St. Paul to sit in the Temple of God shewing himself to be God. 2. Because this City where the Beast reigns and shall slay the Witnesses is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt where our Lord was Crucified Rev. 11. 8. 4. That it is the Turkish Empire or Power of the Saracens which Mr. Mede somewhat touches and in a brief way most Learnedly argues against in his third Book pag. 644 645. 5. That it is indeed Rome the Seat of the Fourth or Last Empire but Rome in its Heathen state under the Idolatrous and Persecuting Emperors so the Rhemists would have it if there be a necessity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical or Mystery Babylon For this opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond who hath done very worthily at other turns but here has doubtless greatly mistaken his way see his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse 6. That it is the present power Church of Rome who under
policy and force of Arms not by pretended Miracles false Signs and lying Wonders therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this mystery of Iniquity or Babylonish State. 12. This wicked State under consideration is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a Palpable Apostacy but to forbid Marriage and Command a long Lent and many other fast days whereon some sorts of Meat are prohibited to be eaten which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome that nothing can be more plain unless the Spirit had expresly told us this will be fulfilled by Rome Papal for these two things we have their Canons upon Record the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this mystery of Iniquity and Babylonish State. 7. If the Babylon under consideration be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome then there is a more evident and apparent mystery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen than upon any Power oâ— State that went before it or shall come after it for so the Text Imports Rev. 17. 5 And upon her fore-head was a name Written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT c. But there did no such mystery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there what great mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies 8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State because Babylon is to continue till the good people shall with the Horns that did support her which is the last part of the wicked and Persecuting Power answerable to the teâ— Toes in Daniels great Image reward and destroy her for the injury that she did unto them according to these three Texts of Scripture Rev. 18. 4. Dan 7. 22 26 27. Rev. 17. 16. And I heard another Voice from Heaven saying Come out of her my People that ye be not partakers of her Sins c. ver 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and deal unto her double according to her Works In the Cup that she hath filled fill to her double How much she hath Glorified her self and lived Deliciously so much Torment and sorrow give her And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore shall make her desolate and naked and eat her Flesh and burn her with Fire which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People and the ten Horns which is the last part of the Image Government And in the days of these Kings viz. ten Toes ten Horns ten Kings shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed and the Kingdom shall not be leâ—t to another People but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms and it shall stand for ever Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the time of Maxentius as Dr. Hammond would have us believe for these three reasons 1. Because the ten Horns that afterwards the Roman Power fell into were not come up and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen state 2. Because Babylons Persecution mystery and confusion did not utterly cease which it must have done so as to rise no more for ever if the power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine had been this mystery Babylon 3. Because tho there might be a body of good people with Constantine when he overthrew Maxentius yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so Established in the hand of good People as not afterward to be Left to others as the Text affirms And the Kingdom shall not be Left to another People For as we shall anon shew the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens and by mighty and Divine Providence came to be in the hands of worthy and renowned Christian Emperors came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate who acted all the violence of the Heathen Power over again and indeed out-did them 9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State are not well aware what they do for if they do Demand it their opposits who hold it to be Rome Papal may Grant it for arguments sake But then the remedy is worse than the disease for they slip into such a Precipice as neither Baronius Bellarmine Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists can save or deliver them from The true State of the Case 〈◊〉 this Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon thâ—â— say the Papists And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good argument to Prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon 1 Pet. 5. 13 The Church that is at Babylon Elected together with you Saluteth you c. But this being allowed the worst is to come This Babylon is Destroyed when the power of Rome Heathen is taken away so as to be no more for ever but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb the City of the living God the Habitation of Holiness and dwelling place of Zion the true Church the place of the holy ones and Saints of the most High O No! What then Hearken and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you Rev. 18. 1. 2. And after these thinge of the horns hating the Whore making of her Naked and burning her flesh with Fire I saw another Angel come down from heaven having great Power and the Earth was Lightned with his glory And he Cryed mightily with a strong voice saying 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. Now you Papists if you will have Babylon to be Rome Heathen take it but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can If it be not Rome Heathen then adieu to Dr. Hammond and the Rhemists we have what we desire If it be then Rome Papal â—s a far worse if possible than Rome Heathen â—n Babylon never was And then what a fine Church do the People make themselves 10. If the place Seat and City of Rome was not utterly ruined so as to be no more for ever as a place of Commerce Trade and Humane Society when the Heathen Power ceased then Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon because at the ending and downfal of this Babylon the Place Seat and City will be utterly ruined so as to be no more a place of Trade Commerce or Humane Society Rev. 17. 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast these shall hate the Whore and shall make her desolate and shall eat her flesh and burâ— her with fire v. 18. And the woman which thou sawest
is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth Revel 18. 8 For her sins which God hath remembred which have reached unto heaven therefore shall heâ— Plagues come in one Day Death and Mourning and Famine and she shall be utterly burnâ— with Fire For strong is the Lord God wâ—â— Judgeth her v. 11 12 13. All sorts of Merchandize Traffick Trade and Commerâ— with Humane Society shall cease so as to be no more in her at all and the good thingâ— which she in fulness enjoyed before even alâ— things that were Dainty and Goodly are noâ— Departed from her and shall find them 〈◊〉 more at all ver 14. For in an hour is sâ—â— made desolate And a mighty Angel took up a Stone like a great Milstone and cast it into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all ver 21. And the Voice of Harpers and Musicians and of Pipers and Trumpeters shall be heard no more at all in thee And no Craftsmen of whatsoever Craft he be shall be found any more in thee and the sound of a Milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee ver 22. And the light of the Candle shall shine no more at all in thee and the Voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride shall be heard no more at all in thee verse 23. But the Place Seat and City of Rome was not so utterly ruined as to be no more for ever a place of Trade Traffick Merchandize and humane society when the Heathen Power of Rome ended Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be the Whore of Babylon under present consideration whose Seat or City hath since had a Powerful Government Reigning in Pride and Pomp for some hundreds of years VII As touching that notion of the Papists i. e. that by this great Whore mystery Babylon is meant Rome after she shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again at the latter end of the World it is such an opinion that has no foundation in Scripture nor in the Judgment of the Antients besides some of the Papists themselves reject it as improbable and detestable as our Annotators observe for then Sr. John in the Revelations passes by in utter silence all the transactings that have been in the World under Papal Rome even ever since the seven head or Christian Emperors Government went off of the Stage which is near 1260 years which is ridiculous to suppose Besides it cannot be understood of Rome in either of the other notions as hath been proved 1. Because Antichrist is to sit in the Temple of God 2 Thes. 2. 4. as God therefore not in a Pagan City The mystery of Iniquiry was working in the Apostles time but v. 7. the Roman Empire hindred the appearance of Antichrist till the Popes had wrung Rome out of their hands and were the sole rulers there then Antichrist shewed himself 2. Because there is nothing said of this great Whore or this Babylon but admirably agreeth to Rome in its present state We shall conclude with the whole If by mystery Babylon is not meant the whole World of wicked men nor old Chaldean Babylon nor Jerusalem the Turks nor Saracens nor Rome in its Heathenish State nor Rome after she shall desert the Pope and turn again to Paganism then it must be Papal Rome or the Romish Church But she is none of the former six we have proved Ergo she is Papal Rome Now to make way for the second Chapter we shall state this argument following If all the marks and characters left us upon divine records to know mystery Babylon by do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal then Rome Papal is mystery Babylon But all the marks and characters left upon divine record do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal or the present State and Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon CHAP. II. Wherein is clearly proved that all the marks of mystery Babylon doth fully meet in and agree to Rome Papal or the Church of Rome FIrst of all let it be considered Babylon is set forth by a Woman which Imports either a single Person ranked in the feminine Gender or a body of People related to some Head Husband or publick person to whom she is joyned in Wedlock by Covenant or Matrimonial Contract as Eve was related to Adam therefore called woman or as Judah Israel who were Joyned in Covenant with God and therefore called a woman or as the true Church now Marryed or Joyned to Christ and therefore called a Woman A single Person as Eve was she cannot be because the Character given of her in respect of her State and Actions doth no way Comport with it she must therefore be a body of People related to some Head Husband or Publick Person as Judah and Israel of old was who are often called by the Title of a Woman and in like manner Babylon before the Degeneracy where a People Joyned in Matrimonial Contract by Gospel Covenant and Profession to the Son of God. 1. Mystery Babylon it appears from hence Imports a body of people that were once united in a solemn Gospel Covenant to the Son of God and hence Metaphorically called a woman and I saw a woman set c. And the woman was arayed in Purple and Scarlet c. Parallel Rome Papal or Church of Rome is a body a great body of People which before their apostacy were a true Church by Gospel Covenant and profession united to the Son of God as her publick head and husband Rom. 1. 6. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. To all that be in Rome beloved of God called to be Saints 2. Mystery Babylon is a City a very great Mystical City in a threefold respect 1. In respect of power Rev 17. 2. In respect of people Rev. 18. 10. 16. 18 19 21. 3. In respect of place or Residence where this power and people is seated City being indefinitely taken for either of these or comprehending all as in these Instances Psal. 121. Isa. 14. 31. Acts 19. 28. Parallel So likewise the Church of Rome is a City a very great mystical City and may be so called in a threefold consideration 1. In respect of power which is twosold 1. Civil 2. Ecclesiastical signified by two horns like a Lamb. 2. In respect of people which are great the fame of which people as a mystical City or Church was great before the power and chief dominion of the place was joyned with it as a Church which came in by the Apostasy Rom. 1. 8. First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole World. And since they adulterated from their primitive Purity and become Antichristian they have been and still are a great people no united body calling themselves a Church of Christ in respect of number and for fame coming near them 3.
to Lie Swear and For-swear to Kill Slay and Murther such they call Hereticks tho never so Godly if it be for the cause of Holy Church with a thousand things of the like nature which the people do believe and dare not disown upon their Salvation but boldly adventure to ingage at all opportunitys to Fight and make War burn Citys lay waste Countries and Kingdoms and destroy by Massacres and all manner of Murthering ways all Ranks and Degrees of Men who oppose the horrid principles of this vile Church and cursed practices of these Sons of Belial Nay they will go boldly to their own deaths when convicted and justly condemned for such like villanies and deny to day what they were convicted of yesterday and tho never so notoriously guilty yet will take it upon their Death they are as innocent as the Child unborn what can this be tho they drink it down as sweet Wine but an Infusion of the rankest and most deadly Poyson that the lowest celler of the bottomless Pit can afford the very Wine of the Whores Fornication and the most dangerous Intoxication in the World Which is attended with this aggravation i. e. the best medicines of the wisest Physicians will not recover them for Babylon having made the multitude drunk with this sort of Poysoned Wine how rare is it to have any to come to themselves or to their right minds again And to shut up this Head take this argument Arg. If no people in the Christian World have made the multitude of the common People or Inhabitants of the Earth drunk i. e. corrupted and Intoxicated their minds with wicked Lyes Falshood and detestable Doctrines as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath done Then Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon But no People in the Christian World have made the multitude of the Inhabitants of the Earth Drunk i. e. corrupted and intoxicated their minds by wicked Lies falsehood and detestable Doctrine such as before mentioned as the Church of Rome hath done Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon IX Mystery Babylon is said to sit upon a Scarlet-colour'd Beast and this Beast is full of the names of Blasphemy And I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemy c. Rev. 17. 3. So that it appears the Woman and the Beast are distinct by the Woman is meant the false Church by the Beast is meant the secular power or civil state or the Antichrist or that Government that is the eighth and of the seventh who assumeth both the Civil and Ecclesiastical Authority by whom the Whore false Church and Worship is supported That the Beast and Whore are distinct is evident 1. From other Prophecies relating to the same thing 2. From the letter of the text 3. From arguments grounded on reason 4. From the confession of the Whore her self 1. From the Prophecies in the Scripture describing the same state of the Roman Monarchy Dan 2. the latter part of the Image is partly Iron and partly Clay two states that were really distinct that could never so in corporate as to become one 2. From the letter of the text I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beast full of the names of Blasphemies The colours of the Royal and Imperial vestments as the Angel declared them distinct so the Apostle saw them distinct 3. They appear to be distinct from argments grounded upon reason For 1. The Beast is in the Masculine Gender the Whore in the Feminine Gender 2. Because the Whore is said to ride upon the beast the one carrying the other 3. The horns being of the Beast 't is said shall hate the Whore if they were not distinct the Whore must hate her self and eat her own flesh c. which is nonsensical 4. The Beast shall abide tho in captivity after the Whore is thrown down and destroy'd 4. From the plain confession of the Whore her self they are distinct who saith I sit a queen I am no Widdow c. Ergo she has a Head or Husband which is the vile Person little Horn and Ecclesiastical Beast or that man of Sin St. Paul declared should rise after the then present Romish power which did lett was taken away which the primitive Fathers as Tertullian Cyprian Jerome and others understood to be the Imperial power in its pure civil iron or unmixt-state or Legs of the Image Dan. 2. Paral. Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath not only drawn into Idolatry the Kings of the Earth great men abusing God his Son Jesus Christ and the Christian Religion and the blessed books of the Old and New Testament but she hath made the lower and ruder sort of the people drunk too as hath been shewed And 't is no wonder she thinks she may do any thing having a dispensation from heaven as she pretends which the Pope keeps the Keys of fearing no power on Earth And now that she hath the secular power to support her upon which she sits or rides in great pomp is evident and that they are really distinct for what of the secular power is still left at Rome is under the conduct and management of the Church there being no civil administration of Justice or exercise of Laws but what is authorized and allowed by the Pope the Head of this Ecclesiastical State to make this further evident the Pope doth not only exercise a power of appointing seculars at Rome and near to it but he claims the like supremacy abroad in other Kingdoms if the secular Princes fall off from him or will not be reconciled to him and own him as head of the Church he will excommunicate and depose them and takes away their Crownâ— and Sceptres from them that the Pope is a temporal Prince as well as an ecclesiastical Bishop i. e. makes Laws exacts Tribute raises Souldiers and acts a Monarch is notoriously known which fairly affords him the title of Beast that his Royal and Scarlet Robes the Chair he sits in to his very Hose and Shoes with the Vestments of his Cardinals is Scarlet so that ye need not doubt but here you have the Scarlet coloured Beast besides no man can reasonably doubt that what the Civil power claims the Ecclesiastical power exercises and that this Princely Pope is in the Masculine and this Harlot or false Church in the Feminine Gender is owned by all partys That the Church state doth sit upon ride and govern the secular at Rome Italy and all its Territories that the Church of Rome owns that she is no Widdow but hath a head called his Holiness or supreme ruler of the Church is so evident that we cannot find them upon any file of record of controversy There remains therefore no more to be done here sith this black character of Mystery Babylon doth so well meet in the Romish Church Arg. If there be no visible state in the Christian World that doth so apparently sit upon command and govern the Beast
worthy Mr. Ainsworth observeth in her Divine service she has Babels very language an unknown Tongue so is it an Idol wholly made as the Scripture speaketh according to her own understanding and is all the works of the crafts-men the Prelates and Popes the lovers of this great Whore who have patched together in their several ages the limbs of this deformed monster the Mass and Canon thereof a sacrifice for the sins of the quick and the dead with the Litany and Collects Anâ—hems and Responds and in this Liturgy God and his Angels Apostles and Martyrs and Confessors with he Saints and she Saints and some that had Satans sanctity are wrapt up together with a Stage-play like worship with musical instruments to make them merry as Nebuchadnezzar with melody celebrated the dedication of his Golden Image which Portal and Missal these Artizans have framed exceeding all superstitions abominations and confession that ever were in the World the meer device and forgery of their own Brains by the help of the Devil provoking God to Jealousie and Wrath which suddenly she must pertake of without mixture 4. Mother of Harlots Hath not Papal Rome this very character upon her forehead It meets in none as in her all Protestants of what denomination soever utterly disallow of Fornication Whoredom and Adultery in persons of any Ranks whatsoever maintaining constantly that Marriage is honourable in all whereas the Church of Rome 't is notoâ—iously known gives publick toleration to â—bominable Whoredoms and the most shameâ—ess and unatural Bestialities as ever were in the World but this Epithet Mother of Harlots â—ay more properly refer to Spiritual Adultery â—nd that the Church of Rome is a Mystical Moâ—her is very plain and evident for do not all her Children own her to be the Mother Church â—nd therefore 1. Protestants are exhorted to return into the bosom of their mother 2. All polluted and national Churches in the European Kingdoms sprang from her as the Churches of France Spain Portugal c. and do call her Mother 3. All corruption in Doctrine and Discipline were bred and brought forth by her she is certainly the Mother of all these cursed titles and errors following viz. Universal Supream Infallible Head Holy Father the Pope his Holiness in the abstract our Lord God the Pope unerring Church Priestly Absolution selling Pardons Indulgences Dispensations adoring the Crucifix worshiping of Images Anointing and sprinkling of Holy-Water the adoration of the Mass nay and the adoring the Devils own Engine i. e. the Cross or Gibbet whereon the Devils Emissaries killed or crucified the Lord of Life and Glory for the curse of the Law was to be done away by â— cursed Death upon a tree oâ— which whosoever was hanged the curse of God was upon him this death the innocent Lamb Jesus Christ suffered fâ—â— our sakes at the hands of wicked Sinneâ— Pilate and the Jews the Children of the Dâ—vil who used all exquisite torments to makâ— his death miserable Crowning him wiâ—â— Thorns piercing his Hands Feet and Sides with Nails and a Spear hanging him on the Tree until he died And this pretended Tree or Cross Thorns and Nails with other counterfeits of them this Mother of Harlots teaches her Children to adore and honour with as good Ground and Devotion as one observes as the Ophites or Serpentories are said to honour the Serpent the Devils instrument for to bring man to the knowledge of good and evil And that all the World might take notice that Rome is the City where our Lord was crucified this Mother of Harlots doth proclaim that the Cross was that Altar whereon the great Sacrifice Christ was offered whereas the Scripture teacheth that the bodies of those Beasts whose blood was brought to make reconciliation in the holy place were burnt without the Host or Camp of Israel and not on the Altar which stood before the door of the Tabernacle according to which figure Jesus also that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered without the Gate of Jerusalem which was a reproach yet will these God-eaters and crucifiers of our blessed Saviour make the cursed Cross to be the Altar most holy and so greater than Christ the sacrifice as being that which sanctified him for the Alâ—ar sanctified the offering And hereupon they call the Cross blessed and ascribe unto it worthiness to bear the Talent of the World they account it among the most precious Reliques and not only the whole but every piece thereof they adore it salute it pray unto it and trust therein for Salvation crying Hail O Cross our only hope increase thou to the godly Righteousness and unto sinners give pardon save thou the company gathered together in thy praises yea the very sign of this Idol made in the Air upon the forehead or over any thing is Sacred and Venâ—rable and hath force to drive away Devils and do many like feats wherefore this abomination hath prevailed above other and is like Beelâ—ebub Prince of the Devils the Badg of the Beast and Character of Mystery Babylon Imprinted in Churches Chappels Altars Houses and High ways in Books Writings in Prayers Sacraments in Garments Bodies and Souls of Men both Quick and Dead nay nothing is well hallowed without it no Sacrament perfect without it And this great honour hath the Cross because the Devil and his Instruments Killed or Crucified our Saviour upon it so that a marvel it is how Judas lips scaped honour seeing he also was Satans instrument to betray Christ with a kiss wherefore this Spiritual Egypt Pseudo Catholick Church deserveth more to be branded by some Satyrist for worshiping monsters than the first Egypt whose less impiety a Heathen Poet did deride 4. As she is the Mother of Harlots and Mother of all corrupt Doctrine and Detestable Errors c. So also is she Mother of all personal vices and fleshly abominations as horrid Oaths and Blasphemies most astonishing perjury and subtil equivocation hypocrisies uncleannesses lying subornations secret poysonings stabing throat-cutings adulteries covenant-breaking and what not are these things allowed amongst Protestants No certainly yet they are not only allowed by this Whore but esteemed meritoâ—ious if it be done for the good and promoâ—ion of Holy Church and for these things may she not rightly be called Mystery Babylon the great the mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth Which I shall conclude with this Argument Argu. If this name Mystery Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth in all these respects we have noted doth not so fully and fitly agree to any People as they do to Rome Papal or Church of Rome then Rome Papal c. is Mystery Babylon but this name Mystery Babylon the great Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth in all these respects noted does not agree so fitly and fully to any people in the World as to the Church of Rome Ergo Rome Papal or Church of Rome is Mystery
Plagues of Egypt as it is generally held then it is probable when there is once a beginning they will suddenly all be poured out Some have observed from History in Exodus that within the space of 30 days the ten Plagues fell upon the Egyptians now if in the Antitype we reckon a day for a year as it is often in Prophetical Types then the seven last Plagues will be finished in thirty years when begun neither is it to be doubted but a short work will the Lord make upon the Earth Rom. 9. 28. when those Vials begin to be poured out upon the Earth wherefore is Babylon's fall set forth under the sign of a great Milstone cast into the Sea by a mighty Angel not only to denote her irrecoverable desolation but also what speedy and quick dispatch the Lord will make when he calls his Angels out of the Temple therefore shall her Plagues come upon her in one day Rev. 18. 8. in one hour v. 10 17 19. iâ— a moment suddenly Isa. 47. 11. why 〈◊〉 ought not to conclude her Plagues to intend â—ose 7 last Plagues all of them as well as some of them I know not I desire this may be considered hinted it before when I had not seen this worthy writer for this French Author makes Babylon a â—elling many hundred years which must doubtless be a grand mistake these Scriptures considered He further confirms this reason and answers Objections which I have not room to insert 5. I cannot conceive saith he how any of those Persons to whom the first second and third Angels are ordinarily applied do fairly or fitly parallel and agree with what the Scriptures hold forth certain it is none of the Angels came out of the Temple till John saw as it were a Sea of Glass mingled with Fire and them that had gotten the Victory over the Beast and over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his Name standing on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and they sing the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb Rev. 15. 1 2. All this well agrees with the description of the 14440. Rev. 14. 1 2. But to carry these things to Grostead Armachan Wickliff Luther c. if need were I could shew by many reasons of the improbability of it for tho' many of Gods people formerly received not the Mark of the Beast nor his Name yet to say any of them during the 42 Months got the Victory over the Beast or over his Image and number of his Name I cannot assent unto neither do I think their Opinion is well bottomed who hold this Victory over the Beast and singing the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb to be before the rising of the Witnesses which is the time of their prophesying in Sackcloth and whilst the woman is in the wilderness 'T is strange indeed to think the witnesses wearing Sackcloth or in a mourning condition can be said to sing the Song of Moses as having got Victory over their Enemies and yet overcome by their Enemies for the Song of Moses 't is well known to be that iâ— Exodus 15. Thou hast overcome the Horse and his Râ—der c. Again saith he by way of question p. 16. Why should the Song of Moses Rev. 15 c bâ— carried up to the times before the rising of the Witnesses and the new Song Rev. 14. 3. brought down many hundred years after this seems to be against the order of the Prophesie 2. The matter of the Song if rightly understood is not suitable to any time in which the Beasts reigned neither Lastly Can it be shewed that ever the Church of the Saints have had any occasion through any Deliverance or Victory to sing the Song of Moses c. I am of the same Opinion unless it be in these and the approaching days 6. That none of the seven last Plagues or Vials are yet poured out nor will be till after the rising of the Witnesses does appear for this reason viz. because none of the seven Angels come forth with their Golden Vials until the Tabernacle of the Testimony is opened in Heaven Rev. 15. 5. but that part of the Tabernacle of the Testimony is to be shut all the time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth may be gathered from Rev. 11. 1. with v. 19. Hence this Argument might be framed viz. No Angel is to come forth with his Golden Vial till the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven is opened But the Tabernacle of the Testimony is not to be opened till after the rising of the Witnesses Therefore no Angel with his Golden Vial is come forth till after the rising of the Witnesses The proof of this Argument are the Scriptures before viz. Rev. 15. 5. cap. 11. v. 1 19. Now if any do think that the four last Angels shall come forth from the Temple opened in Heaven and not the first three such an Opinion is against the Text expresly 〈…〉 saith the seven Angels come out of the Temple verse 6. Neither do I know any ground they have who think that the Angels pouring out the four last Vials shall have more Light Zeal Faith Holiness c. than the former three had but certainly there is a vast difference between the state of the Church now and that when they say the first Vial was poured out nay and the second or third too and none can doubt but the opening of the Tabernacle of the Testimony in Heaven points to some greater Church glory that shall be then or a different state of the Church than ever was before under the Beasts reign 7. Neither do I saith he think that the effects of any of the Vials which some suppose are poured out make good what is said Rev. 15. 4. For thy Judgments are made manifest which holds forth to me much more than what followed the preaching of Grostead Wickliff Huss Luther Melancthon c. or the Switzers Wars or of that of the Parliament in England for Gods Judgments notwithstanding what hath been yet done remain still more dark doubtful and disputable especially to the World than shall be under the effects of the Vials For the followers of the Beast as the Egyptians under their Plagues tho' they are hardened and repent not but blaspheme the God of Heaven not giving glory to him shall notwithstanding see the hand of God lifted up and be ashamed for their envy at his people Isa. 26. 11. So manifest at that time shall his Judgments be but hitherto no such things have appeared notwithstanding all the Judgments of God upon them so dark and hidden not manifested have the actings of God been to his Enemies nay and not clear or plainly manifested to his own people neither as it appears by their different apprehensions and opinions about what hath been past until these very days And hence it is also that Mystery Babylon ever unâ—il of late if
are risen or suddenly here in Great Britain will rise Bone methinks is coming to his Bone or already have not we seen of late a day like that spoken of Ezek. 36. 7 8. A noise like that of shaking and the Bones came together Bone to his Bone and Sinews and Flesh coming upon them and is not Breath come into them and do they not begin to live is not their hopes revived and are they not up upon their feet They â—ay be a very great Army in due time Look about you O ye Saints what is your expectations are ye ignorant of the signâ— of the times and willingly ignorant do you not look for great things or are ye still as men that dream know ye assuredly that the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ is near nor let none perswade you there is no greater glory nor different Kingdom state approaching than what hath been since the Resurrection and Ascention of Christ for 't is not till the ending or the latter end of the fourth Monarchy that the God of Heaven will set up his Kingdom in the glory of it when the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall fill the Earth as the waters cover the Seas all the Kingdoms under the whole Heavens shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High. Dan. 7 Look suddenly for a fearful and an amazing Earthquake for it will come it cann't be far off and it will be such a dispensation that England has not known it will be the time of Jacob ' s trouble but he shall be saved out of it woe to the Earth to the wicked to those who have had a hand in the slaying the Witnesses who are Enemies to the power of godliness who strive to keep up an Antichristian state their day is near and the time they must be judged God will now turn his hand upon his Enemies his wrath is come and the day in which he will plead the Controversie of Sion the Decree is gone forth and it cannot be reversed watch and pray take heed you are not found in the Earthly Spirit for if you are you will be shaken in pieces and full with the Enemy and rise no more yet I doubt not but the Enemy will strive kick and struggle exceedingly like a Beast that has received its deaths wound just as they go off the Stage and somewhat like this methinks we plainly see at this very time But tho' the work may seem to be obstructed yet I doubt not but it will revive again and in due time prosper and be accomplished The Mystical Numbers in Daniel and the Revelations calculated by the H. Scriptures only without the help of Humane History By a worthy Minister of the Gospel GOD having given the Scriptures to his Church 2 Tim. 3. 16. for her use and benefit here on Earth so the Times Numbers part thereof have are and will be of use to her Therefore the Angel Dan. 10. 21. for the opening the Vision and the confirmation of his Faith in the Will of God revealed therein v. 14. concerning his Church and what should befal her for times to come here on Earth tells him that he would shew him what was noted in the Scriptures of truth And although this part of the Word hath been most hard to be understood yet besides that common advantage to our Faith that the times are set by God not only in his own Eternal purpose but his revealed Will which is a good Foundation of Faith to believe and expect accordingly the more particular knowledge of them as truly opened must be of special use and help to our Faith both to prepare for suffering and expect deliverance With what diligence then should we with unbiassed minds make our applications to him that is the Revealer of secrets An Essay towards which followeth First I premise there is as sweet a Harmony in this part of the Word as in any other Secondly That this harmony and the right understanding of the Times set is to be found out in the Scriptures them selves The first number I shall begin with is that great number of 2300 days a day for a year as is usual in Scripture Dan. 8. 14. Which I conceive includes all the lesser in Daniel and the Revelations all of them being but parts of this God in his wisdom having so divided this number according to the several Circumstances of Providence the Church was to come under I conceive this number of 2300 was headed or doth take its beginning from the year God translated the Babylonian Monarchy to the Medes and Persians which was the third and last of Belshazzar's Reign who was also the last of the Babylonian Kings 1. Because I find no times set in Scripture to begin before they are given forth tho' several a great while after 2. The Question Dan. 8. 13. is How long is the Vision to give both the Sanctuary and the Host to be trodden under foot and the answer is to 2300 days So that time relates to the suffering of the Church then to come 3. Daniel chap. 8. 1. dates it in the Third of Belshazzar in the year he saw the Vision tho' when he saw it he was in Shushan a chief City in the Province of Elam which is in Persia. Daniel was in Babylon call'd to Expound the Hand-writing when the City was taken chap. 5. 13 30. But when Darius the Median had taken Babylon and had so inlarged his Dominions by the Kingdom of Babylon he for the better Government of the whole Dan. 6. 1 2. set over the Affairs of the Kingdom 120 Princes and three Presidents over them of which he made Daniel chief so that there is great reason why he should be in the Royal City Shushan But this falling out in the third of Belshazzars Reign that he lost his Kingdom Daniel dates the Vision that year tho' he was in Persia when he saw it God chap. 7. and in the first of Belshazzar's Reign shewed in Vision unto Daniel under the representation of four Beasts the four Monarchies which should rule in those parts of the World where his Church then was and was to be in after times during all her suffering state till Christs Kingdom on Earth was to come Dan. 7. 27 28. God having before shewed by Jeremiah chap. 25. 11. the sufferings of his Church under the first of these for 70 years The ending of that Monarchy and the 70 years was to be together in the self-same year which was also to fall out in the Reign of Nebuchadnezzar's Grandson Jer. 27. 7. which was this Belshazzar Now in the last of this Belshazzar and the first of the Medes and Persians God shews to Daniel how long the Church was to suffer under the three that were to succeed and 't was to be for 2300 years longer before the Churches deliverance was to be compleated and Peace and Righteousness established in the Earth under the blessed
a time between both the Church of God had been at as great uncertainty as if no time had been set almost Therefore if we take the finishing their Testimony to respect their work then it is our concernment to consider wherein this finishing part doth lye And that I conceive to be in a witness to the Kingly Office of Christ. His Prophetical and Priestly Offices were first Witnessed to And this hath been lastly contested for even to blood in the last Wars in England as the other had been upon which this last War hath been commenced The Testimony being further confirmed in the Martyrdom of many of those concerned in the finishing of this Testimony The sufferings of the Church in these late years has been carried on against her otherwise than in former ages in other Methods and under other names and pretences all bespeaking that the time of finishing the Testimony is come and the War commenced and it may be an overcoming if not killing also Sixthly where this shall be Ans. It will be there where this finishing part of the witness to Christ is born for there the last War is which is the last effort which Antichrist shall make against the Church of God and overcoming and killing will be And where they shall lye dead and where they shall rise when the Spirit of life from God comes upon them Now where shall all these things be The Holy Spirit tells us it shall be in the Street of the great City Rev. 11. 8. Not in all the Ten but in one Street and upon their resurrection the tenth part of the City falleth not the whole City at once v 13. So that in the Street or Kingdom where the Testimony hath been finished there all the rest follow and there the deliverance of the Church shall begin to an utter overthrow of all her Persecutors and Mortal Enemies Seventhly When this shall be Ans. To know the beginning and end of these times and things there are two ways of calculating The one is beginning at the Head of a number so reckoning forward to its end The other is back-wards as Daniel did Chap. 9. beginning our reckoning at the end of the number and so reckoning to the beginning Now by one of these two ways in Gods time we shall infallibly know But to the Question I suppose both ways may be a help to us now and Scripture numbers have a dependance one upon the other and there lies the harmony of them when that is understood The great number which includes all the rest throughout the sufferings of the Church of God under the three last of Daniels four Monarchies is that of 2300 years which I have indeavoured to carry on by Scripture to the end of it within forty five or forty four years from this year of our Lord 1686. There are two other great numbers in Daniel chap. 12. one of 1290. the other 1335. which is forty five more than the other so that altho' they both begin together they do not both end together by 45 years That they begin together is evident for the 45th is the addition of so many to the 1290. therefore blessed is he that lives to the forty five longer than the 1290. for altho' the Churches deliverance shall begin at the 1290. it shall not be compleated till forty five more Therefore blessed is he that lives till that time so that when ever these 1335. years begin they end with the 2300 years also Again the 1290. is thirty more than 1260. in Rev. 11. therefore tho' they may end together yet they cannot begin together And because of this expositors have generally judged that the 1290. in Daniel relate to the Jews and the 1260 to the Gentile Church but by what reason I cannot be satisfied Hence they head this 1290. at Julians attempting to rebuild the Temple The reason of which was this he had apostatized from Christianity and restored the Gentile Worship and Sacrifices and as an affront to Christians put the Jews upon Sacrificing also who told him that it was not lawful for them but in the Temple at Jerusalem therefore he orders them to build it which they attempted to do but could but attempt for God by his immediate power prevented them This Julian began his Reign in 365. and Reigned but three years so that this opinion time hath confuted For add 1290 to 368 it makes but 1658. at which time they reckon'd the Jews would be called but no such thing hath been Therefore they expounded all these places which we read Sacrifices with a supplement in Dan. 8 12. chap. 11. 31. chap. 12. 11. to intend the Jewish worship which Julian attempted to set up in confront to Christianity to be the abomination that makes desolate for all or any of which I see no reason It is properly translated Sacrifice in one place as chap. 9. 26 27. And this doth relate to the taking away of the Sacrifices then in being of Gods own appointment which accordingly were taken away as Christ himself also admonished Mat. 24. 15. by Titus c. 368 1290 1658 But the abomination which makes desolate I conceive is some corruption in the Gospel worship the true worship of God And therefore seeing we as before find the Apostle concerned so much in forewarning the Church by a Spirit of Prophesie of what had also been expresly foretold by the Spirit of God If it was expresly foretold it must be written some where or other and take the Apostles own exposition 1 Tim. 4. 1 2 3. Why may we not rather reckon this to be the abomination to astonishment foretold by Daniel and this came in in the 383. year when Syricius was Bishop of Rome and continued 15 years in his time Marriage was forbidden to the Priests and in the 425. year Caelestinus was Bishop of Rome and continued eight years He assumed the temporal power as 2 Tim. 3. 1 2 4 5. and why we may not head these numbers here I would be glad to understand In the last of which I conceive Antichrist did make his first visible appearance in the World so that add the 1260 to 425 it makes 1685 and you bring it to the end of 2300 days within forty five years or a year or two which time I conceive is alloted to pour out the Vials and to accomplish the great revolutions in that shall come upon the Earth in order to the possessing of the Kingdom that shall be given to the Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 26 27 28. There is time expressed by time times and dividing of time three times in Scripture as Dan. 7. 25. 12. 7. Rev. 12. 14. I find time thus expressed but in one place more and that is Dan. 4. 23. where it's certainly taken for years and by what rule we will construe it otherwise in other places I see not And that in Dan. 12. 11. seems plainly to relate to a special time of the Enemies accomplishing
Nevis St. Christophers â—arbadoeâ— Jamaica With an account of their Discovery Scituation and Product The Religion and Manners of the Indians c. To which is prefixed a Relation of the discovery of the New-World and of the remarkable Voyages of Sâ—bastian Cabot C. Frobisher Captain Davis C. Weymouth C. Hull C. Hudson Sir T. Caâ—endish the E. of Câ—mberland Sir W. Rawleigh other English Worthies VVith Pictures of the strange Fruits Birds Beasts Fishes Insects Serpents Monsters found in those parts of the World. pr. 1â— 13. A View of the English Acquisitions in Guineâ— the East-Indies With an Account of the Religion Government Wars strange Customs Beasts Serpeâ—â—â— Monsters other Observables in those Countries A description of the Iste of St. Helena and the Bay of Souldâ—nia intermixt with pleasant Relations pr. 1â— 14. 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will find she out-does all Commâ—nities in the World. Arg. If no people in the Christian World hath such riches splendour outward pomp and bravery in the maintenance and management of their Worship as Rome Papal or Church of Rome hath Then Rome Papal or Church of Rome is this gaudy Harlot or Mystery Babylon But there is no People or Church in the Christian World that hath such riches splendour outward pomp and bravery in the maintenance and management of their Religious Worship as the Church of Rome hath Ergo the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon XII As Mystery Babylon is thus adorned with outward pomp and external riches and glory so likewise another mark or character the Holy Ghost hath laid down of her is this i. e. upon her fore-head a name is written MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH Mother of Harlots may refer in part to external Whoredoms but chiefly 't is to be taken in a mystical sense i. e. she breeds and brings forth Spiritual Harlots viz. unclean Communities Parallel That this Character meets directly in the Church of Rome is very clear upon her forehead denotes as our late worthy Annotators observe the open guilt â—nd impudence of this Spiritual Harlot Mystery Babylon that is there is a Mystery in what follows in her name the Great not to be understood of the Chaldean Babylon but of a City or Policy under the Gospel as cap. 11. 8. she is called Spiritual Sodom and Egypt so in a spiritual or mystical sense she is called Babylon because a City like to Babylon for Idolatry and Persecution of God's Israel Not a meer Harlot but one that breed up Harlots and nourishes Idolatry communicating it to others and this is the true name of Rome instead of Mother Church 1. Here is a name written in capital Letters and written upon her fore-head so as to be read of all i. e. there is no way to hide oâ— cover her Whoredoms or to defend or deliver her self from being the Mother of Harlots if this were not to be seen and read by all inlightened Christians and Professors it would not not so much concern us for if the Book of the Revelations were not written for the Christian World it leaves us at an uncertainty nor are we in a capacity to make a Judgment in this great case who this great Whoâ—â— is 2. Nay and if this Babylon were a small and private People and Community of Christians or such who pretend themselves so to be she could not be called Great Babylon and Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth But Rome is a great People a great Whore or false Church and her detestable Spiritual Adultery appears obvious to the whole World nay her Images and Idolatry causes both Jews and Turks the more to hate and abhor that Christian Religion which she professeth as it has been manifestly made known by many worthy Writers 3. And for Mystery see what we have said in the first Chapter of this Treatise wherein is opened that strange Mystery of the Romish Church Is it not this Mystery Babylon that says she is the true Church by pretending to Visibility as one of the chief Evidences thereof and yet 't is positively said That the true Woman or Church of God was for the space of 1260 years in the Wilderness Rev. 12. where she was hid all that time or abode in an obscure condition Is it not a Riddle and confus'd Mystery that she being Queen Regent riding upon the Beast in state all along and yet that very poor and distressed Woman that fled into the Wilderness and abides there in a suffering condition all the time of the Beasts Reign Is not this a Riddle and strange Mystery that one pretending her self to be the only true Church of God and Mother of Peace Purity and Charity and yet notoriously known to be the breeder bringer forth and cherisher of Division Falshood most Bloody Butcheries and Barbarous Cruelties and Murders 4. She is called Babylon or Babel i. e. Confusion and doth not this agree to the Church of Rome doth she not openly shew her self to be the absolute Antitype of old Babel 1. In devising and setting up another way to Heaven than what God hath ordained and appointed viz. a Tower of their own raising not by Christ alone but by the demerits of their own good works and you know what some of those works are that she calls meritorious which is to destroy and cut the Throats of such she calls Hereticks i. e. godly Protestants This is the way she haâ— found out for the Salvation of her dear Children 2. In plucking up or endeavouâ—ing to rase out the true Worship of God as old Caldeaâ— Babylon did and setting up Idolatry in the room of it 3. The Church of Rome may well be called Babylon in respect of her Doctrine Principles and Modes of Worship which iâ— such a jumble strange mixture and heap oâ— Human Inventions that may well go foâ— â—onfusion it self see our third mark in her orders diversities and long muster Roll of officers that are so numerous as well as unâ—criptural that if mixture and confusion be â—ny where 't is to be found in this pretended Church where you have Pope Cardinals Priests and Arch-Priests Bishops Lord Bishops and Arch-Bishops Deans and Archâ—eacons Suffragans Patriarchs Abbots Friars Monks Nuns Seminaries Jesuits followers of St. Francis Jansenius Augustine Capuâ—hins c. and what not this Romish Harâ—ot hath received some of her jolly Church â—relats with their exorbâ—tant power from her heathenish Predecessors Romuâ—us and Numa Pompilius who made Flamins Arch-Flamins and a Ponâ—ifex maximâ—s to sacrifice unto the Gods and some of her ceremonies she has taken from other Infidels as the shaving of Priests Crowns like the Priests of Isis and Serapis in Egypt nay for confusion and filthy abomination she has out-done Heathen Rome for Numa the King of the Antique Romans forbad them to think that the Image of God had the shape of a man or form of other living Creatures yet this mother of Idolatry alloweth the Image of God the Father in form of an old Man and Holy Ghost in form of a Dove tho the holy Prophet inveighâ—ing against this detestable vanity demandeth To whom will ye liken God Or what similitudâ— will ye set up unto him Yet this whorisâ— Church to these teachers of lies as one observes and counterfeits of God to the shame of Christians adoreth these Images or rather the Devil in them whose worship it is and so fulfils that which is written of her Rev. 9. 20. That men would not repent of the works of their hands and of the worship of Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brâ—sâ— and of Stone and of Wood which neither can see neither â—ear nor go As she appeareth in all these things to be Mystery Babylon the great and abomination of the Earth so as