A SERMON PREACHED AT PAVLES CROSSE: LAYING OPEN THE BEAST, and his MARKS.

Vpon the 14. of the Reuelations, vers. 9. 10. 11.

By RICHARD SHELDON, a Conuert from out of BABYLON.

Doctor in Diuinitie, His Maiesties Chaplaine.

IEREM. 50. 14.
Put your selues in array against Babylon, round about it: all yee that bend the Bow, shoot at her, spare no Arrowes: for shee hath sinned against the Lord.

AT LONDON Printed by William Iones, dwelling in Red-Crosse Street. 1625.

TO THE TRVLY RE­VEREND, AND RELIGIOVS Doctors and Pastors of the Reformed Chur­ches of Great Britaine; and namely, to Iohn D. Boys, Deane of Canterbury; Iohn D. Young, Deane of Winchester; Francis D. White, Deane of Car­lile; and to William D. Kingsley, Archd. and M. Iohn Sanford Prebend of Canterbury, &c.

R. REVEREND:

YOu cannot but haue obserued, how when in time of ignorance, errour, and transgressi­on, a Riddle was proposed in the Court of King Darius, what of all things was grea­test and strongest: there were who stood for Wine, some for Kings, a third sort for Women; but Zorobabel inlightened by the God of Truth, gaue his verdict for Truth: That Truth was of all things grea­test and strongest: Which his opinion, if it were then ap­plauded by the people, approued by the Senators of State, honored and rewarded by King Darius himselfe; we, who beleeue the manifestation of the Word-Truth, and the il­lightning of the World by the Word of Truth; may not maruell to obserue that Truth, now in this last houre (iustified of her own children) sits Ouant and Trium­phant, not onely ouer Wine, Women, and Kings, as they [Page] are in the common vsance of mankind; but also ouer and against Wine, Women, and Kings, as they are abused by that vsurping King of Kings, Who sits in the Tem­ple of God, out-shewing himself as if he were a God; who though by sly contempt of Coniugall Chastitie (in his seduced Votaries) seemes to pretend Virginall purity, yet how vaine such his pretences haue beene, the pennes of his owne haue euidently discouered; though hee and his would be thought not to ouer-delight in any deli­cacies or delicious Wines; yet in this respect precisely ta­ken; they doe carke and care for the flesh, posting from all quarters and coasts, delicacies and delicious viands, and Wines for their Holy Father, and his Purpurats: yea, pro­uiding for English Seminarists in Rome, not plaine Ro­manisco, the common and vsuall briskish Wine of Italy, but Vino deripa Wine of the Bank (fit to beget Spanish Iinnets) must bee their cotidian liquor. Though inwords he pretend himselfe to be Seruant of the Ser­uants of God, yet Truth euinces him to assume vnto himselfe either directly or indirectly (that is the lest) an o­uertopping Soueraigntie ouer all that is sacred and ve­nerable.

The preuailing of Truth against this Man of vntruth, hath not in any thing more euidently appeared, then in a gracious precedent illustration of Truth (before the powerfull and illustrious comming of the God of Truth) whereby he, who formerly by the Inhabitants of the Earth, was admired and adored as a Vice-God, a Vice-Christ; is now by the consent of renowned Peo­ples, by the approuance of sagest Peeres of States, by opi­nion of iudicious Kings and Princes, by censure of lear­nedest Clerkes in Christendome, found to be the Apo­calistticall Beast himselfe: and their Pontificious, Om­nipotency, [Page] and Burghesian Eternity to be naught else, then the very top-crowne of Antichristianisme. For the lay­ing open and professing of this kind of Truth, the Spirit of God, who in the thickest of Egyptian darknesse, did here and there in times past excite some Worthies: hath in this last houre, (the third, fourth, and fifth Angells, euen yet powring forth their Vialls:) Like as in other Churches others, so in this renowned one of Great Brittain raised vp you, an Armie of Valiants, arightly ordered; who with tongue and penne do happily and dexteriously (without ceasing) per­forme the same.

To which seruice it hath pleased him, who brought me from out the Babilonian Vr, to call me, an vnworthy one, and one farre lesse, then so great and gracious a miserati­on; wherein, how farre and graciously, the Spirit of Truth hath enabled me in this and my other writings, I doe with all lowly reuerent and indifferent respect referre and remit to you all; all Louers of Truth; and to the thrice Reuerend and venerable Sees and Chayres of your learning, the renow­ned Vniuersities of this Ile I said with indifferent re­spect: for although I may not account [...] them Twins in eue­ry respect alike, yet in regard of that Light (for the discer­ning betwixt Truth and falshood) which they haue happi­ly receiued from the God of Light, I dare write them, Semblable and Symbolizing O [...]bs, illustrating this fa­mous Church of Britaine, yea emaning forth their illu­strius Beames, to the vtmost of the world. And by how plentifull and liber all a hand, he hath imbreathed of his Spirit into; and hath powred of his dew of Hermon vpon the Head of the most Gracious Primat of England (A thrice-worthy and best deseruing Patron of all Conuerts, and vnder God the only Feeder of Me and Mine) vnto the very skirts of the Garment, it doth most linely appeare, by [Page] many, not wandring, but fixed Starres, seated and re­splendant in this most illustrious Church of Great Bri­taine.

Amongst whom, with speciall and deserued respect, I haue presumed (before this my Epistle) to prefix the names of some, by them speaking to you all: From them, & from you all, humbly desiring a fauourable and gracious countenancing both of Me, and Mine; in particalar of this my Argument of Truth and Ingenuity; for following my Text closely, I haue endeuoured (such is your wont) to open the genuine sense of the Holy Ghost therein contained: in the prosecuti­on whereof, if some bitter and tart speeches against the Beast, &c. do occur; from the Lord they are.

Secondly of duty, for according to my bounden duty and seruice, I haue herein endeauoured to blazon the deserued ho­nor of my Soueraigne Lord and Master: for his vndoubt­able integrity in the thrice holy Religion he professeth, which by some (not peircing into the secrets of State) may vnworthily haue bin questioned.

Thirdly of Sincerity, for in regard of the sincerity of my conuersion from out of Babylon, I dare boldly stile my selfe, A Nathaniel in whom there is no guile.

Fourthly, I said of Zeale; for zeale against a certaine blaspheming Rabshaketh of the Beast, hath brought forth this argument of zeale against the Beast, and the obstinate Admirers and Adorers of the Beast? It was my hap to re­ceiue from the hands of a worthy Knight and his Lady, a certaine blasphemous Pamphlet (put into their hands by Se­ducers) intitled, A humble Appeale to his most Excellent Maiestie, and written by one Iohn Hunt, calling himselfe, A Roman Catholike. This blasphemous Rabshaketh, I find in the sixt Chapter of his Pamphlet, formally and vnauoyd­ably [Page] (I say formally and vndeniably) blaspheming our most Glorious God. (God bee mercifull to mee in repeating the words:) These are his words, That the God of the Protestants (whom he knowes to be Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost) is the most vnciuill and euill-mannered God, of all those, who haue borne the names of gods vpō earth: yea worse then Pan, God of the Clownes, which can indure no Ceremonies, nor Good manners at all: Reading these, with diuers such like, my bowels trembled within me, and my zeale for the Lord was set on fire, and I said vnto my Soule, Spare no arrowes, but shoot against Babylon, for that shee hath sinned against the Lord: And I say more againe, Anathema, Maran-atha, to him whose zeale for the Lord, is not with such blasphemies incensed and set on fire, against the blasphemers. I dare not once suspect that Royall Maiestie (though the blasphemous Pamphlet be dedicated presumptuously to it) or Parla­lament-Excellency, or Senate-Integrity of this Chri­stian-State hath euer had any speciall notice or informa­tion of so blasphemous a Pamphlet; formerly in time of Conniuency, and yet still (to the ioy of the Aduersaries, and vnspeakable scandall of the Pious and Godly) hun­ting vp and downe this Kingdome: Arise, O God, and put into the knowledge, and heart of our Soueraign, to auenge such thy blasphemous Aduersaries, and all their witting Abettors with deserued reproach, Amen! Wee pray againe; Arise, O Lord, and auenge thy owne Cause, and as dust before the face of the wind, so scatter thou the Enemies of thy Glorious name, Amen, Amen.

And so humbly praying, the God of Truth, to make you all perfect in the knowledge and loue of Truth; I [Page] rest a reuerent Euer-admirer of your Admirable lear­ning in Truth: and humbly pray, that wee all may bee zealous Euer-imitators, of our Glorious and Angel-like Predecessours, for the Reformation and constant defence of that Pietie and Truth, The Testimony of IESVS, Amen.

Yours, and euery one of yours, in the LORD IESVS; Richard Sheldon.

A Sermon Preached at Pauls Crosse the first of September, &c.

APOC. 14. 9. 10. 11. ‘And the third Angell followed them with a lowd voyce say­ing, If any man worship the Beast and his Image; and re­ceiue his marke in his forhead or in his hand. The same shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath, which is powred out without mixture into the Cuppe of his indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in presence of the Lambe. And the smoke of their torments ascendeth vp for euer, and euer.’

THe words which I haue read in the eares of this most Christian, and honourable Assem­blie; are an obscure partiall prophecie of that mysticall Booke, which (to vse Hieromes Epist. ad Paulin: phrase) hath no more words, then it hath myste­ries; How then shall I who am of a dull ap­prehension, of a stammering speech, and of a weake spirit, bee able to lay open the sence of the same? except the Lyon of the Tribe of Iuda, giue me a spirit of courage & confidence, vnlesse the Lambe slaine, which hath the seuen eyes (that ma­nifold light of knowledge) impart vnto me some gratious measure of wisdome and vnderstanding. O thou Gratious Lambe, who scatterest of thy graces where thou pleasest; il­lighten my vnderstanding, that I may truely interpret, this [Page 2] thy Scripture! O thou Powerfull Lion of Iuda; who openest & no man shutteth; open thou my mouth, and set on fire mine af­fections, that I may confidently and constantly with a lowd voice, deliuer this thy truth, to the glory of thy great name, to the confusion of Antichrist, and to the eternall comfort and consolation of our owne soules!

And the third Angell fellowed them with a lowd voyce saying If any man worship, &c.

MY Text (which in the whole is a most dreadfull Edict Diuision. sent from the Court of heauen) may be diuided into three Generall parts 1. an Inscription or Title, And the third Angell followed them saying with a lowd voyce. 2. Into an Hypo­thesis or Supposition. If any man worship the Beast and the I­mage of the Beast, and receaue his marke in his forhead, and in his hand. The 3. a most fearefull Threat, and Denounciation; the same shall drinke of the Wine of Gods wrath, which is powred forth without mixture, into the Cup of his indignation, and hee shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in presence of the holy Angells, and of the Lambe: And the smoke of their torments ascen­deth vp for euer, and euer. Thus our diuision. And though for the auoiding of confusion, and for breuity sake, I doe onely thus in generall distinguish my Text, into an Inscription, a Supposition, and a Denounciation; yet, if you shall be plea­sed to lend vnto me religious, and attentiue eares, you shall well obserue, that in the prosecution thereof, I shall lay open vnto you, great secrets, of highest consequence and necessi­tie; prepare not your eares for any oratorious florishes; for such, from this and like places, I for my part rather despise, then honor or admire. Wee begin with the Inscription.

And the third Angell followed them, saying with a lowd voyce, &c.

FOr Declaration hereof, I prefixe certaine suppositions; 1. Supposition. First I suppose, that which is most manifest according to the exposition of all, to wit, that this inscription doth pre­sent [Page 5] vnto our considerations, an imaginary forevision of our Prophet, foreseeing certaine zelous Preachers (typed vnto vs Zealous Preach­ers typed by the 3. Angell. by this third Angell) who were with lowd, constant, and perspicuous voyces, to denounce Gods fearefull iudgemēts, against the adorers and worshippers of the Beast.

Secondly wee suppose, a like manifest truth, (concerning 2. Supposition. the circumstance of time,) that these zelous Preachers (typed vnto vs by the third Angell) were immediately to follow o­ther Preachers & Pastours, represented vnto vs by other two Zealous Preach­ers ioyning hand in hand for re­formation. Angells, described in the 6. and 7. precedent verses of this Chapter. The summe is, a certaine ranke of holy Preachers, fore-typed vnto vs by these three Angels immediately fol­lowing each other through the middest of Heauen, (that is, publikely and manifestly,) were to ioyne hand in hand, in the consormity of the Doctrines sounded out (by the three Angells) for the reformation of the world, for the repaire of decaied Christianity, and for the beating downe of all man­ner of Antichristian superstition and idolatry. For the clea­rer opening of which truth of the last branch of this our se­cond supposition, I suppose,

In the third place, that the Preachers which the Holy-Ghost 3. Su [...]p [...]sition. doth represent vnto vs by these three Angells, were not to appeare neere the daies of the Apostles, in the time of the Primatiue Church, nor for a long time after; no, they These zealous Preachers when they are to preach. 2. Thess. 2. were not to appeare, vntill (the Diuells being let loose) the Antichristian state was to be reuealed, and the mistery of ini­quity by the breath of Christs mouth, was by degrees to be dissol­ued; a truth so manifest, that there is no colour to gainsay it; for against the Beast, the adorers thereof, and the receiuers of the Beasts markes, these Preachers (typed by Angells) were to sound forth their doctrines of reformation; I say doctrines Preachers of Reformation of reformation, for by inuincible arguments it may bee made manifest (which for breuity, I must omit) that these Preachers are to bee reputed of the number of those, of whō it is said, that they were to prophesy againe, before many peoples, & Apoc. 10. 11. Nations, and tongues, and Kings. Prophesy againe saith the spi­rit [Page 4] of God; why againe? but for the reformation of the glo­rious perfection of Christianity, decayed and ruinated, by the tirany of the Beast.

Fourthly, I suppose, that vpon the Preaching of such Pa­stors, 4. Supposition. typed vnto vs by Angels; effects answerable to their doctrines, were infallibly to ensue; a generall reformation of Reformation in­fallsbly to follow vpon the appear­ing of these Preachers. Math. 24. the world; the fall of Babilon, the Throane and Seate of the Beast; & also great zeale of Christians, for their vtter detest­ing of the markes of the Beast; for heauen and earth shall passe and be changed, but the word of God shall not passe away vnaccom­plished.

From out of these suppositions not to be gainsaid; I de­duce A conclusion most euident for the honor of the Re­formed churches. this conclusion; that where and when, wee first find a rank of godly Preachers sounding out in their due order the doctrines of these three Angells, with answerable effects fol­lowing thereupon; that there, then, and by them, wee must take this Prophesy of the Holy-Ghost, to bee accomplished and fulfilled. And so wee come to obserue, what the Doct­rines of these three Angells are, what their order of deliue­ring of them is, and withall to make most cleare application of the Prophesy, to the Doctours and Pastours of the Refor­med Churches.

The first Angell, described verse 6. flyes through the middest of v. 6. heauen, hauing an euerlasting Gospell, that hee might preach the The Doctrine of the first Angell, the groundworke from whence all Reformed Chur­ches haue begun their reformati­on. same to the inhabitants of the earth, to euery nation, tongue, tribe, and people; saying with a lowd voyce, feare God, and giue him glory, for the houre of his iudgement is come, and worship him, who made heauen and earth, the sea and fountaines of waters. And is not this the first principle for reformation, (feare God and giue him glory,) the euerlasting Gospell, whereon, the Doctours and Pastours of the reformed Churches, haue begun their doct­rine of reformation, and haue laid open the Idolatrous en­ormities, and superstitious mysteries of the Antichristians? This they haue protested to Counsells, so they haue profes­sed to Kings and States, their sound hath gone forth into the Rom. 10. 18. whole earth, and their words haue (and shall) spread abroad into [Page 5] the ends of the earth.

The second Angell in the 8. verse sounds out, the ruine & v. 8. fall of Babilon; She is fallen, she is fallen, Babilon that great City is fallen, for shee hath made all Nations drinke of the Wine of her whoredoms. And haue we not here the neuer intermitted cries, voyces, alleluiahs, and exultations of the Doctours and Past­ours The Doctrine of the second Angel deliuered and re­ceiued in the Re­formed churches. of the Reformed Churches reioycing against Babilon, the seat of Antichrist? in regard of the great errours and de­fections thereof (vpon their doctrines and preachings) partly reioycing for so much as is already accomplished, in Germany, Bohemia, Swethland, Denmarke, England, France, Burgundy, and elsewhere, partly fore-preaching her vtter ruine and desolati­on to bee at hand, euen then, when the fifth viole of Gods Apoc. 16. 10. wrath shall be cast into the Throane of the Beast, the very Seate of the Antichristian state.

The third Angell followes, denouncing (according as my in the 9. 10. 11. verse. The Doctrine of the third Angell with answerable effects in the Re­formed churches. text hath it) Gods eternall wrath against all those, who should worship the Beast, and the image of the Beast, and should receaue his character in their hands, orforeheads. And are not such the neuer intermitted forewarnings, and doctrines of the refor­med Churches, earnestly (and in Gods name) perswading euery person, to renounce all manner of communion with the Antichristian Synagogue of Rome, the effects of which their doctrines and perswasions, how glorious they haue bin, what eye obserues not, and what Christian heart ioyes not to haue obserued?

These things being thus manifest, shall we not henceout Applicatió of the prophesy most e­uident in the Pastours of the Reformed Chur­ches. inferre most clearely, that the Pastours of the Reformed Churches, are the very men who were fore-typed by these three Angells, sounding out the feare and worship of God alone, denouncing forth the ruine of Babilon? threatning aloud, most heauie iudgements against all those, who should worship the Beast, and the image of the Beast, and receaue the marke of the Beast in their hands or on their foreheads? we say, and truly say; Isa. 41. 23. (for it is an argument of Gods owne making) If any Pro­phet shall foretell things before they do happē, if the things [Page 6] foretold, doe happen according as they are foretold that they should happen; that the foretellers of such things, are to bee reputed for true Prophets. Why then shall we not answere­ably say, that these things, which happen agreeingly to a fore-prophesy, of Gods owne Spirit, & accordingly as Gods Spirit hath foretold that they should happen? that they are the very things, which the Spirit of God did fore tell should so happen? If then the Pastours and Doctours of the Refor­med Churches, doe the very things, Preach the very Doct­rines, obserue the very order in their doings and preachings, which the Spirit of God vnder the type of these three An­gells, hath foretold, should be so done, should be so preach­ed, should be so obserued, against the Beast and Antichristi­an state of Rome, for the reformation of decayed Christianity; why then, are not they the very men, whom the holy-Ghost hath here by these three Angells fore-shewed vnto vs. The full accomplishing of any Prophesy is the opening, yea is the Ire [...] lib. 4. 42. proofe of a Prophesy; a kind of proofe, often vsed by the Scriptures, when they adde and attest. That it might be ful­filled Matth. 1. 22. & 2. 15. Iohn 15. 25. which was spoken by the Prophets, &c.

This Prophesy is accomplished in the Reformed Preach­ers, most punctually; assuredly then, the truth and intent of the Prophesy, aymed at them, and intended them: dissolue me this riddle yee Pontificialls, either you for your selues, or (in your behalfe) some of your fauourites, I meane newtra­lizing Interim-ists; pretended Pacificatours, but in truth Romes subdolous factours!

It cannot bee denied (our Aduersaries will say) but that the Preachers of the Reformed Churches, haue pretended to An [...]uasion of the Aduersary most idle. beginne all their reformation from the Doctrine of the first Angell, feare God, giue him glory, and worship him alone; nei­ther can it be denied, but that they are frequent in their in­uectiues against Rome Popish, as against Babilon; and withall that they doe detest, and diswade all manner of communion, with the Pope and with the Church of Rome, neither can it be denied that vpon such their preachings, effects answ [...]a­ble [Page 7] to their pretences haue followed, falls and defections of diuerse States & Kingdomes from the Pope; yet for that they mistake their marke, in inueighing against our Holy Father the Pope (Christs Vicar) insteed of Antichrist; barking a­gainst the Church of Rome, (which is the most chast Spouse of Christ,) as against the Beasts throane and seate; here hence it is, that we deseruedly account them as fore-runners of An­tichrist, but not any rank or order of Godly Preachers, fore­signified by these three Angells: so Bristow, so Harding, Answere. so Saunders, so Bellarmine, so the whole army of Papall Rab­bies. O the vanity of this subterfuge! who shall teach vs what is the beast, and where is the throane and seate of the beast, if not those very men who by the Spirit of God haue beene fore-signed for that function, and in whom euery iot of the Prophesy is accomplished? O the idlenesse of this eua­sion! doth the spirit of God fore-expresse no other proper­ties and tokens of those Preachers, (which were to inueigh against Antichrist and his seate,) then such as the very fore­runners of Antichrist should to the full performe & practise? O the impiety of this pretence, to affirme, that the fore-run­ners of Antichrist, shall builde their preachings vpon these foundations, Feare God, giue him glory and worship him alone; Acts 4. 11. and vpon this, there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen for salua­tion, but the name of Iesus, and of the Lambe. If we had no o­ther The calumnious and irreligious reasoning of our Aduersaries. proofes, to conuince the Pope to be an Antichrist, yet this would abundantly suffice, for that they account the Doctours and Pastours of the Reformed Churches to bee fore-runners of Antichrist; in regard they contend, to bound all true religious worship, within that principle: Feare God, giue him glory, and worship him alone; and for that they summe Acts 4. 12. vp all happines of Faith within that Apostolicall decree, there is no name giuen vs vnder heauen by which we must be saued but the name of Iesus; Iesus that Lambe, which solely and alone­ly, taketh away the sinnes of the world. Iohn 1.

Thus haue wee by a breefe examination of the inscription (our first generall part) made a doore of entrance, for the lay­ing [Page 8] opē of those great mysteries and difficulties, which lie hid and couered in our second part, the Hypothesis and suppositi­on which (the Spirit of God inabling,) wee shall now indea­uour to lay open, and declare.

If any one worship the Beast, and his Image, and receiue Second Generall part, the Hypo­thesis or Supposi­tion. his marke in his hand or forehead, the same, &c.

HErein consists the greatest (I may say all) difficulty of our Text, not in respect of the persons, against whom the Supposition is made; for the Hypothesis being vniuersall and indefinit, ( If any) it includes all, excludes none; All, Emperours, Kings, Princes, States, Nobles, Gentles, Peoples, Young or Old, Rich or Poore; all; If any one worship the Beast, and the Image of the Beast; or receiue his marke in hand, or on fore­head, they shall surely drinke of the wine of Gods wrath: neither is their any difficulty to declare the sense of the word wor­ship, [...] If any one shall worship or adore the Beast, or the image of the Beast; for who is so ignorant as not to ob­serue, The worship here condemned is a diuine religious worship, not a ci­uill reuerence. that the adoration and worship here spoken of con­demned, is not a ciuill worship or politicke adoration giuen to any ciuill Authority or Maiesty? no, no; it is a religious and diuine (both externe and interne) worship, giuen to the State and See of the Beast; and this, vpon the acknowledge­ment of a diuine and Godlike kinde of Dignity and Maiesty residing in the Beast, or in the Supreame head of that State, which is typed by the Beast; as hereafter wee shall more fully Wherein consists the difficulty of this text. declare; wherein then consists all the difficulty? surely in de­claring what is meant by the Beast, what by the image of the Beast, what by the taking of the Beasts marke either in hand or Bellar: de Rom. pont: lib. 3. Cap. 11. 15. Viega [...] et Ribera in Apoca­lip: Christophorsō treat: of Anti­christ against Downam part: 2. Chapt. 8. alij. on forehead. O thou Lyon of Iuda, thou that openest, and no hand shutteth, reueale this mistery vnto vs.

Here we first obserue by the way (and I desire your atten­tion) the feuer-trepidation, and ignorance of certaine prime Ignatian & other Pontifician Rabbies; who, fearing the true mysticall sense of this place, doe (again stall antiquitie, and their owne tenents) hold themselues to the very letter of [Page 9] the prophecie; affirming, that the followers of Antichrist shall be compelled to adore and worship, a true reall beast; and a true reall Image of a Beast; (wee must interprete them of a Beast hauing so many heads and hornes with Diadems ther­on, as is described by the Prophet) and also, that they shall be Ier. 13. enforced like F [...]lons (by reall inustion) or like the Priests A most imperti­nent subterfuge of our Aduer­saries. of Baal, by cruell incision, to receiue a reall marke of the Beast in their hands, or on their foreheads. Which their sub­terfuge while I deliuer, doe yee smile at their follies? or frowne at their impudencies? or bewaile their obstinacies? Perhaps you will rather admire, what may be the reason, why they flie to so doting an interpretation; which if they doe, then bee pleased to take the reason thereof to be this. Many Doctors and Pastors of the reformed Churches (so also his Praemonit. pag. 111. most Excellent Maiestie, in his Premonition to Christian Prin­ces) doe verily obiect against the Pope and his, that by the adoration of the Beast, and the Image of the Beast, and by the taking of the Beasts marke in the hand, or on the fore­head, is most liuely (in a true mysticall sense) typed forth No man kissing the Popes feet, omits him ado­ration both going and comming; & when he kisses he is well nigh pro­strate to the ground. The forme and Ground of all Papall faith. the Papall Antichristian State, with the answerable practises thereof; of their adoring the Popes Person with Diuine and religious adoration; of their Soule-subiection to him, in the vorie tye and band of supernaturall faith, and sacred obedi­ence to his damnable lawes, and forged traditions: so that, as in a true sense it may bee an Article of Faith (yea the forme and ground of all their faith) in that Church, Wee beleeue our holy Father the Pope; so it may bee likewise a new princi­ple of religious worship with them; Wee adore and worship our Holy Father the Pope: and as for their taking of diuers superstitious markes, of communion, vnder him in their hands and foreheads, what more manifest? as wee shall anon most fully declare.

Now the Pontificians, to auoid this grieuous imputation sticking so close to their sides) knowing for certaine, that not any of their Popes euer as yet, erected any such reall Beast, or reall Image of Beast (as is described by Saint Iohn) [Page 10] to bee adored and worshipped; hauing so many heads and Why Popish Rab­bies dreame of a reall Beast to be set vp by Anti­christ for adora­tion. hornes, in proportion like a Leopard; hauing the feete of a Beare, and the mouth of a Lion: Againe, they knowing for certaine, that their Popes as yet neuer compelled their fol­lowers to receiue any rcall markes by inustion, or incision, in their hands, or vpon their foreheads: Here hence it is, that they are so strongly addicted, to the litterall interpretation of this prophecie, of a reall Beast, of a reall Image, and of the reall adoring and worshipping of the same; together with the receiuing of reall markes of the Beast, by incision or by inustion, in their hands, or on their foreheads. But O the vanity of this so doting an interpretation! How verified a­gainst Psal. 49. 13. them, is that of the Prophet? Man being in honour, hath not vnderstood, hee hath beene compared with the beasts, and been made like vnto them.

For against this their vanitie, many contrarieties, impossi­bilities, and absurdities doe concurre? Contrarieties against Their vaine in­terpretation a­gainst all Anti­quitie, & against their owne Te­nents. the ioynt interpretation of all the Auntients; who all of them (none excepted) doe interprete the Beast, either for the whole multitude of the wicked; or for the wicked State and Empire of Antichrist himselfe: Contrariety against their owne doctrine, they all generally affirming, that Antichrist shall suppresse all manner of Idolatry; what likelihood then, that hee shall set vp so absurd and mishapen a beast, or image of the beast for idolatrous adoration and worship? Contrarietie against their owne doctrine; diuers of them teaching, that the Beast ty­peth Contrarieties against the same. forth and signifieth by one of his heads, the very State and Empire of Antichrist himselfe; yea Bellarmine (frequent Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 5. in his ouersight and contradictions) affirmeth as much.

Againe, how many impossibilities doe present themselues against this their interpretation, of such a reall beast, reall markes, reall inustions and incisions? Impossibilitie; for how Bell. lib. 3. de Rom. Pont. c. 8. possible, that within the space of three yeeres and a halfe (the full time of the Beasts reigne, in the opinion of all Pontifici­ans) that the whole earth (the Inhabitants of the whole earth) should be brought personally and presentially to adore and wor­ship [Page 11] such a Beast? what? shall the faire Beast bee carried vp and downe, from Countrey to Countrey like their Holy Fa­ther, vpon mens shoulders; or like their Siluer-shrines, vpon mens backes? or like their God of bread; by their handes in Siluer-turretts? or shall it ( Dagonlike) bee reared and set vp for a Pilgrimage-stocke in some Wood, or Groue, or in some Chappell? as at Loretto, Mount-serrat [...], Sichem? or shall this adoration onely bee done, by some Puppet-images (in the bo­somes of the Beasts sworne deuouts) like those of Diana, or like those their bosome-Godlings, worne by diuers of their deuouts in their bosomes, prettie small Images; of their Ima­ges adored, and worshipped at Loretto, Mountserrato, Sichem, Impossibilities against the same. and elsewhere? Answere, O yee our Aduersaries, (and Ad­uersaries of Gods truth) how this adoration of such a reall Beast, or Image of the Beast, shall be performed by the Inha­bitants of the earth?

Againe, impossibilities; for how shall such a Beast (except it be a liuing Gereon-like monster) fight his battailes? What weapons shall hee vse for the ouercomming of Gods Saints? In what manner and forme of gouernment shall hee rule and gouerne the whole earth? how shall hee speake, or what lan­guage shall it vse? how shall one of the Beasts heads be cut off, Apoc. 13. so that the Beast shall thereupon dye, and yet bee reuiued a­gaine? Let our Aduersaries remoue these impossibilities (with many such like) or else let them cease to dreame any longer, after so doting a conceit, of a reall Beast, or Image of a beast, to bee set vp by Antichrist, to bee worshipped and adored.

Besides contraricties and impossibilities; how absurd also Absurdities a­gainst the same. is this their Paradoxe? how absurd to thinke, that wily An­tichrist, should reare vp such a beast to bee adored? How ab­surd, that the whole world should bee drawne to the adora­tion of such a beast? How absured to dreame, that the reall Ribera apud Vi­ [...]ga [...] & Vitgas in cap. 13. apoc. sect. 7. marke or image of a Dragon (so Ribera the Iesuite) or that the picture of Antichrists owne person (so Viegas the Iesuite) should by reall inustion, impression, or incission, be burnt [Page 12] or cut, into the very hands and fore-heads, of the followers of Antichrist?

3. Yee, who pretend to bee followers and admirers of ve­nerable Antiquitie: yea, your Tridentine Fathers command you, not to interpret the Scriptures, against the vnanimous consent of the Ancients; tell vs, who, or how many of the Antient Fathers euer dreamed of this your conceite of such reall beasts, markes, inustions, or incisions? True it is somefew, but those not very antient, as Primasius and Ansbertus haue affirmed, that the marke of the Beast shall bee composed of Apud Viogam in Apoc. 13. three Greeke letters P T X which ioyned and framed into one forme and figure, doe compendiously represent the name of Christ. But this their conceit, by no meanes pleaseth our Aduersaries, for thereout it may be inferred, that (in the opinion of the Ancients) Antichrists mystery of iniquity, shall be a pretensed mistery, vnder the very name of Christ; A very Vice-gerency in the stead and place of Christ; the very thing, which the Pope arrogantly assumes to himselfe; that which his flatterers doe attribute vnto him; that, for which all the world admires after him.

Thus haue wee laid open and refuted the interpretation of our Aduersaries, wee come now to declare the true sense of these words. I pray againe, O thou God, who art the reuea­ler Our prayer. of all secrets, reueale this thy truth vnto vs! First, of the Beast, and of the Image of the Beast in abstracto what they are, afterwards in concreto and by way of application, where Gerson. tract. contra heresin dei communio­ne sub vtra spe­cie. to. 1. p. 522. Ambros. ser. 8. in Psal. 118. Dan. 7. What the Beast is, & that a very State & wicked Empire is there­by signified. they are, who they are.

If any one adore the Beast, and the Image of the Beast, &c.

IF wee compare Scripture with Scripture ( the best rule and surest way for interpretation;) then agreeing to the inter­pretation of all the Ancients, wee shall find, that as in Daniel, by the foure beasts arising from out of the Sea, were signified the foure Monarchies of the world; the Assirian, Persian, Gre­cian, and the Roman: so likewise here, by the beast arising out of the Sea, with such a varietie of hornes, heads, and dia­dems; [Page 13] wee are to vnderstand some Prime or Principall State, or Empire (hauing either successiuely or ioyntly different formes of Gouernment) to be presignified and fore-shewed: Bell. de Antich. cap. 5. & 15. which is so apparent a truth, that the Pontifician Rabbies themselues, yea Bellarmine (their Hercules) acknowledgeth it for very probable, that the Apocalipticall beast, with so many heads, hornes, and diadems, doth signifie the Roman State, with their seuerall formes of Gouernment; yea and that by one of the heads is signified, the most wicked and execrable State of An­tichrist himselfe. Thus haue wee found, what is typed by the beast; if then we will resolue, the Hypothesis and supposition, it is thus: If any one worship the beast; that is, if any one worship and acknowledge the State of Antichrist, &c. But What the Image of the Beast is.— what is the Image of this Beast, which is likewise forbid, vnder most fearefull punishment, to bee worshipped and adored?

The Image of any thing, must bee a speciall resemblance, of that wherof it is an Image; If perfect and naturall, it must Two sorts of Ima­ges. haue a likenesse, not only representatiue, but also in nature, and being of existence; so the naturall sonne, is a perfect image of his father, like in representation, and like in being and existence: If the image bee imperfect; then, though it bee different from the thing (whereof it is an image) in na­ture and being (as the image of a man, drawne by the Pain­ter on a Tablet) yet in forme and vertue of representing, it must haue a representatiue forme of likenesse, as the same The Image of the Beast may be ta­ken in a double sense. image drawen by the Painter hath: Now then, the image of that State, or forme of Gouernment, which is signified by the beast, may either bee a perfect image thereof, like in re­presenting, and like in existence and being, to weet, a State representing that State; one wicked forme of Gouernment representing another; or else it may be an imperfect image, in some likenesse either by expression of the penne of the Writer, or the pencill of the Painter, representing the same. Sarisburg. in policrat. l. 5. c. 16. fol. 169. For example, wee may take the formes of gouernment of Papall Legates and Nuncios, sent forth (to vse Sarisburiensis [Page 14] his words) from the presence of Satan, for the dissipation and de­struction of the Church; Wee may (I say) take them, for per­fect images (because of like nature) and also representing the absolute, sacred Monarchy of their Holy Fathers the The State-Lega­tine an Image of the State-Papall. Popes; a State Legatine, representing a State Papall: but for inperfect Images, wee may either take that, which is done by the adulatorious pens of the Canonists, describing the ab­solute state, or sacred Numen of their Lord God the Pope, or A threefold I­mage of the State-Papall. that, which by the Popes themselues is expressed, in their Bulls, Constitutions, Clementines, Decretalls, or Extrauagants; or finally that, which the Painter, Statuary, or Gold-Smith, performes in painting, caruing, or casting of the Popes sacred Tiare, or Triple-crowne: by which sacred Tiare, or triple Crowne, is represented vnto vs, a liuely image of the Papall The Papall Tiare, or triple crowne an Image of the Papall State. State, both in heauen aboue, below on earth, and vnder­neath euen in hell it selfe. In heauen by the top-crowne thereof; for it being most certaine, that no man can enter into heauen, except absolued from his sinnes; so likewise in the Papall state it is as assured, that none can be absolued from their sinnes, but by authoritie deriued from the Pope, yea, and in cases papal and reserued, either the Pope himselfe in person, or his chiefe Penitentiary must absolue, and so vnlock heauen gates, or else there can bee no entrance thereinto. By his se­cond crowne, is signified, that his power vpon earth; vnto which it is necessary, vnder the forfeit of saluation (so defi­neth Pope Boniface) that euery humane Creature be subiect; nay, Bonif. vnam Sanctam de maioritate. it is not enough for euery one in particular and (ipso facto) in very deede, to bee subiect to such his power; but euery one out of necessitie of saluation, must further beleeue, that all o­thers, euen euery humane Creature, is subiect thereunto. O pre­sumption! it is not enough, for a man in himselfe to bee ipso facto, by very deed subiect to the Pope, to giue vnto him his Soule and Conscience, in faith and obedience; but hee must further professe and beleeue (with a diuine faith) all the bo­dy of Christianitie to bee subiect vnto him. Loe how Su­pereminent his Monarchie is vpon earth; exalting him­selfe [Page 15] [...], ouer all that which is called God; or which is called Augustum, sacred. Now his power ouer Hell (for Purgatory is in the suburbs of Hell) signi­fied by the third and last of his triple-crownes, is so sacred and so absolute; that hee can fasten vpon base creatures ( Graines and Meddalls) such a sauing power, and efficacie, that whosoeuer shall vse the same; with such conditions as by his fatherhood are prescribed; hee shall thereby, deliuer soules (more or fewer) out of the flames of their imagined purgatory. Loe how Pape, a word of wonder, comes from Papa the worlds wonder.

Thus haue we expressed, what is meant by the Beast, and What is the Beasts marke. by the image of the Beast; now come wee to declare, what is the Beasts marke, what the taking thereof, whether in hand or on forehead. I should trifle the time, contemne all learned Antiquitie, fall into a laberinth of contrarieties, im­possibilities, and absurdities, if I should but onely dreame of a corporall marke to bee ingrauen by incision, or to be burnt by inustion (as the fashion of men is to do with their cattell) Praemonit. pag. 111. in the hands, or vpon the foreheads of Antichrists followers: no, no; the marke must bee metaphoricall (as his Maiestie most excellently) by some rite of profession; it must bee mysticall, by some rite of subiection; the marke on the forehead, some sacrilegious ceremonie, whereby the authoritie of that Blas­phemous The marks of the Beast not reall by incision or inusti­on, & diuers rea­sons for the same. State is professed: the marke in the handes, some like impious ceremonie, or thing accepted of in the hand, whereby subiection and obedience to that wicked State is performed. And this without all doubt, is most agreeing to truth: (to truth I say) for as the markes of Christ his flocke, 2. Timoth. 2. 9. Greg. 29. mo­ral. cap. 2. are not any reall markes, by incision or inustion: but the pro­fession of his faith, with obedience to him, with the accep­tance of some religious Ceremonies, or godly Sacraments taken for that purpose: so likewise, shall the markes of the Beast, Christs markes misticall and spi­rituall; so the marks of Anti­christ. and Antichristian State (for contraries are of the same kinde) bee some sacrilegious ceremonies, or sacraments. Againe, agreeing to truth; because such markes, being requi­red [Page 16] as necessary for allowed commerce in the Antichristian State; most meete, that they should be answerably taken, like to other markes of humane societie and communication. A­greeing to truth; because they being taken, as markes of a continued religious (or rather superstitious) worship, by re­petition The markes of the Beast to be reiterated. of superstitious acts, whereby faith and obedience to Antichrist is acknowledged; most meet, that they should bee such, as may be often reiterated. For we may not thinke that Antichrist, a most ambitious and arrogant Lord, will bee contented with an once, and a one subiection, signified by a marke once violently imprinted: no, no, this will not serue his turne; for howsoeuer, the hearts of his followers may stand affected to him, yet hee will assuredly require very fre­quent acts and rites of profession, and obedience to bee made vnto him: what neede then of such a horse-like impression, that cannot bee reiterated? Further, most agreeing to truth: for it being most certaine (and let the Aduersaries deny this if they can) that the adoration of the Beast, and of the Image of the Beast, and the taking of the Beasts marke in hand, or vpon forehead, shall bee some superstitious seruices, and ido­latrous worships yeelded to the Beasts State, yea the primest of his seruices: Why then, shall not the same bee performed by some flagitious acts, or sakerments of subiection vnto the Beasts State?

Lastly, most agreeing to the truth, for if the name of the An vnauoydable reason & proofe. Beast, and the number of the name of the Beast, bee not by reall characters, to bee written in the hands, or vpon the foreheads of Antichrists followers (as it is most manifest, and our Aduer­saries deny not) but only mystically to be taken, for that they shall bee either called after his name, or after the number of his name: for example, [...]ither Papists after the name Papa, (a name which Gregory the seuenth decreed should be peculiar to the Popes alone) or else Latines or Romanes, after the num­ber Dictat. Greg. 7. apud Bar [...]. ann. 1175. of his name, Latines, after [...], Romans after Hebr. Romijt. Why then, shall not likewise the markes of the Beast bee mystically interpreted, of some superstitious rites [Page 17] or ceremonies, taken in hand or forehead? whereby sub­iection is professed vnto the Beast, as to a sacred Maiestie vpon earth?

Thus by Gods gracious assistance, it resteth proued, what the Beast is, to weet, a flagitious state of Gouern­ment, set vp against that of Christ, though pretended to bee the very same with that of Christ himselfe, as hereafter wee shall proue more fully. It resteth also proued, what the Image of this Beast is, A scelerate and idolatrous re­presentation of the same, either by a like subordinate state vnto it; or else by some other similtudinary meanes, as is aboue expressed: and lastly it resteth proued, what the taking of the beasts marke in the hand or forehead is, to weet, An impious acknowledgement, and adoration of the Antichristian State, by some superstitious rite, saker­ment or ceremony taken in hand or forehead: and yet the greatest difficultie and obscurity remaines behind; which now comes to bee cleared and opened by vs: to weet, vp­on what forme of Gouernment now vpon earth, may we fasten so grieuous an imputation? Is this wicked State and forme of Gouernment, yet come or are we to looke for it? O thou innocent Lion, who hast the key of Dauid, who openest The Authors prayer. and no man shutteth, vnseale vnto vs the secret of this thy sacred mysterie!

For the cleering of this great difficulty, wee must sup­pose First supposition. these things. First, that this Antichristian State, typed by the Beast and the Image of the Beast, together with the adoration thereof, and the flagitious subiection yeel­ded thereunto (typed by the taking of the marke of The state of the Beast, can be no meere politick Ciuil State or Empire. the beast, and of the name or the number of the name of the beast in hand or on forehead) cannot iustly bee applied to any ciuil forme of Gouernment, in re­gard of any ciuill subiection yeelded thereunto: No, no, it is most certaine, that all such ciuill States are the Ordi­nances of God; and that all ciuill subiection (out of consci­ence) yeelded to such powers, is expresly required by [Page 18] God; yea so stricktly, that whosoeuer shall deny the same, Rom. 13. they shall thereby purchase to themselues condemnation.

Secondly, I suppose, that the Antichristian State heere 2. Suppos. The State of the Beast a p [...]etended sacred State. condemned, is a State pretending to bee diuinely Sacred (as Christs one Rod and Scepter) so powerfull, that it shall presume to change lawes and times; so arrogantly sacred, that it shall vndertake to institute other rites and ceremo­nies, then those Christ hath appointed, for the abolishing of sin, and for sanctifying of the Soule: A State challen­ging Matt. 24. 6. Apoc. 13. 15. to bee acknowledged, by a religious supernaturall faith; and by diuine worship to bee honoured, and this so strictly (in the very name of Christ) that whosoeuer shall refuse to doe the same, must be destroyed.

Hereout, I thirdly suppose; that the Antichristian State 3. Suppos. typed, shall in all arrogancie presume to exercise her pow­er The State of the Beast shall exact supernaturall faith and obedi­ence and is a pre­tended State ouer the consciences of men. 4. Suppos. ouer the soules & consciences of men, requiring from them a diuine faith in the profession of her power; ex­acting from them an absolute obedience out of consci­ence to her Authoritie; to admit of all her Rites, all her Lawes, euen as the very Rites and Lawes of God him­selfe.

In the fourth place I suppose; that the Antichristian State, shall not onely pretend a spirituall power (typed by The State of the Beast a M [...]nar­chy vp [...]n diuine, p [...]tence. the hornes of a Lamb) but also an vniuersall (direct or in­direct) temporall power: For he shall speake like the Dragon, and consequently shal with infinite afflictions vexe those, who adhering to the doctrines of the Preachers, typed by Apoc. 14. 9. 10. the three Angels, are onely and solely for the Faith of Iesus, against his superstitious rites; are onely and solely for obedience to the Commandements of God, against his humane traditions, are onely and solely for the worship­ping of God, against the adoration and worship of any creatures, against all his enforced Thelo-threskies, and wil­worships. On the contrary he shall inrich with wealth and treasury; increase in glory and honor; all those, who shall fall downe, adore and worship him, and his State.

[Page 19]These most true suppositions (which with an infinitie of testimonies, and reasons might be confirmed) being The Papall State the State of the Beast. carefully preobserued: I doe in the feare of God, and out of the confidence of a good conscience constantly lay this imputation, vpon the present state and gouernment of the Pope of Rome; affirmimg his State and Gouern­ment, to be that flagitious State, which is here typed forth by the Beast, and by the Image of the Beast: And so here­by Articles agreed on by the Synod of Bishops, and the Conuocation. I demonstrate, how true that is which wee haue (and in the defence whereof I haue partly meditated this ar­gument) in our Articles of the Church of England, That the Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in the Realme of England: Pag. 68. For if his State bee Antichristian, and of the Beast (as his Maiestie, also most truely in his Premonions to Christian Princes) then it will follow vnuoidably, that all his chal­lenge for iurisdiction within the Realme of England, is ar­rogancie and presumption. This my imputation I will not endeauour to proue, by enumetating an infinitie of their blasphemous superstitions and lawes against the Maiestie of God, the glory of his Sonne, and the honour of his Tabernacle (the true vniuersall Catholike Church of Christ) but I will onely doe it ( Gods holy Spiiit enabling mee) by certaine generall demonstrations, drawne from the consideration of the very proper conditions of the Antichristian State it selfe; partly laid downe in my former suppositions, but most fully in the Booke of God, where­unto for breuitie sake I will only point my religious Au­dience.

First then I argue thus: The State of the Beast, must F [...]rst reason. bee a State vpon earth, pretending to bee for Christ Matt. 24. 6. com­ming in the name of Christ, and bearing pretensedly the ve­rie Apoc. 13. 11. 2. Thessal. 2. A vanity in Bel­larmine, affir­ming that Anti­christ shall deny Christ. hornes of the Lamb, though in truth it shall speake like the Dragon: Againe, this State must bee not a procla­med impudencie of Iniquitie; but it must bee a mystery of Iniquity, a pretensed semblance of Christian Sanctitie: A State so full of subtiltie, and pretending the name of [Page 20] Christ, euen to the doing of miracles, and such miracles Matth. 24. 2. Thess. 2. Hi [...]r. orat. in Aux [...]nt. Hiero. Epist [...]1 q. ad algas. Oec [...]men. Theophil. in 2. Thess. 2 & Chri­sost ibid alij. See Remes An­notat in 2. Thes. 2. annotat. 5. that the very Elect shall bee in danger to be seduced. It must also be a State ruling and sitting in the Temple of God, that is in the visible Churches of God (so certaine of the Fa­thers) pretending therein (in Gods stead) to haue power ouer the verie soules and consciences of the faithfull: yea, and therein to haue (in Gods stead) a power dispensatiue ouer all the Lawes of God; ouer all powers ordained by God; ouer all that is sacred [...] all Maiestie whatsoeuer. And are not these, and euery of these con­ditions, most properly appliable to the present Papall Ro­man State? onely and solely to the Papall State? It alone pretends to w [...]are the Lambs hornes, and to bee an absolute Vice-gerencie for Christ: It alone requires that her Autho­ritie The Papall State pretinded to be Christs own state. and power▪ bee beleeued (vnder necessitie of saluati­on) with supernaturall faith: Shee alone, pretends to sit (that is to rule) in the temple of God, that is the whole vi­sible Ch [...]rch of God: to rule (I say) the same with a rod of Iron and Direction. Shee alone, works in so powerfull and subtill a manner (pretending Christs power) miracles done in his name, that thereby shee (drawing to her band a whole multitude of Inhabitants of the earth) hazards the soules of the very elect; so that they are in danger to be seduced. Thus our first proofe; and yet here I must not omit to note, that though the Papall State, pretends the Lambs hornes; that is, to be Christs absolute and sole Vice-gerent: yet notwithstanding, it speakes like the Dragon; How, speakes like the Dragon? For that it persecutes with Sword, Fire, and Fagot (as the Dragon did) all those who cleaue only to the Lambe; for their saluation hoping on­ly Reuel. 13. 11. vpon the Lambes merites; for their direction both in faith and manners, resting onely on the Lambes Word. The Roman Fa­thers like the old Emperours In­struments of the Dragon, And are not these the very things, for which the Dragon persecuted the first Christians in the Roman Emperours? and doth hee not now persecute vs for the very same in the Roman Fathers Pope-Emperours? It is the testimony [Page 21] of Iesus: Iesus onely, Iesus solely, which the Dragon perse­cuted by the old Emperours; and it is the same testimony of Iesus, which the Dragon persecuteth in these Roman Fathers: The Roman Emperours, would not haue Iesus a­lone to be honoured, against their Idoll-Gods; And these Holy Fathers, will not haue Iesus alone, to bee acknow­ledged & beleeued to saluation without their Godlings, nor to bee onely heard for direction, without their Tra­ditions. Because we will acknowledge nothing, nor will beleeue no other necessary for saluation, but Iesus, onely Iesus: This is that very testimony, against which the Dra­gon now speaketh in the Roman Fathers, and persecuteth in vs, with the extremitie of Fire, Sword, and Faggot.

My second reason I frame thus; The state Antichristi­an Second Reason. wil require, to be adored of all the Inhabitants of Earth; not with ciuill and humane adoration onely; but with a Apoc. 13. 15. 16 supernaturall adoration, with a soule-Reuerence due to it, as to an earthly God. But this the Papall State most exactly Adoration giuen to the Papall State, as to an Numen and Di­uinity vpō earth doth require; and as yet no other State euer required the same; neither can, or shall any other (with fire and fag­got) more rigorously require the same, then the Papall State, now doth require it: It followeth then, that the Papall State, is that very State which is here typed by the Beast: That the Papall State requireth such a soule-ado­ration, and supernaturall obedience, as due to an earthly Deitie, it is more then most manifest: For, who hath not obserued, that in a religious subiection to the Pope, and in a Soule-vnion with the Pope, consisteth the very life and Wherein consisteth the life of the Papacy. essence of the Papall State? Here hence it is, that it is re­puted a high point of the Maiesty of that State (yea it is reputed as a partiall meanes to saluation) that the Pope re­ceiueth adorations and kissings of his feet, from all the faith­full An act of Religi­on to kisse the Popes feet. of the world; and in their faith ought to receiue (at lest in preparation of mind) from all the Inhabitants of the Earth. Loe, how that of the Prophet is accomplished, That Apoc. 13 4. the whole earth admired after the Beast. This reason I con­firme [Page 22] with the words of Odoard Guilliand, Bishop of Cas [...]n [...] Odoard. Guil­li [...]dus de Ciuili & moral. Facult. lib. 14 cap. 3. a Citie of Flaminia in Italy. This man in a certaine booke of his, dedicated to Clement the eighth, doth excellently describe vnto vs, the Diuinitie and Godhead of their Holy Fathers the Popes. A Papa (saith hee) tanquam à Capite in vniuersum Ecclesiae corpus, hoc est in omnem Christianan rem­publicam, spiritus influunt celestium gratiarum sensum fruc­tumque praestantes, & efficacem motum ad sempiternam beatidi­nem, merito igitur Sanctissimus, & Beatissimus appellatur, & ab omnibus religionem Christianam profitentibus, quasi quidam Deus adoratur, & colitur. From the Pope, as from the head, there doth flow into the whole body of the Church, that is into the whole Christian common-wealth, certaine spirits of heauen­ly graces, which doe yeeld both sense and fruit, and efficacious The Pope to be adored as a cer­ [...]aine God. motion to euerlasting happinesse: worthily therefore, is hee called most Holy, and most Blessed, and of all those who professe Christi­an Religion, hee is to bee adored and worshipped as a certaine God. Thus hee, and such is the blasphemous note and tune of diuers of them, flat opposite to that confession of the Saints in the Reuelations: Saluation commeth from our God, that sitteth vpon the Throne, and from the Lamb. And shall Apoc 7. 10. wee desire more to lay open the blasphemous presumpti­on of that State? or shall wee dare to affirme, that such Ad­mirers Reuel. 13. 3. after the Beast, that sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe [...] as if hee were God are in the 2. Thess. 2. 4. state of saluation) if they bee wilfully obstinate and reluc­tant against the truth sufficiently proposed vnto them?

In the third place I reason thus; The Antichristian Third Reason. state, is that very Gouernment, against which in the very height of her pride and presumptions, certaine zealous and Godly Preachers (foresignified by the three An­gels, Reuel. 14. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. flying through the middest of Heauen, and hauing the e­uerlasting The preaching of the three Angells accomplished a­gainst the Papall State. Gospel) were to oppose themselues, by preach­ing the feare and worship of God alone, and keeping of his com­mandements, and consequently, were to beat downe all manner of Idolatry and Wilworship reared vp against the [Page 23] same: were againe in the second place, to sound out the ruine and desolation of that State; and consequently, were to check the insolent confidence of her followers and Ad­mirers, glorying in her euer infallibility and indefectibili­tie: And lastly, were in the third place, to dehort from all manner of communion with that state; and agreeing­ly were to teach all true Christians to detest the marks and characters of that State. And is not this the very selfe-Gos­pel The Papall State persecuteth the Preachers typed by the three An­gels. of Reformation, which the Pastours and Doctours of the Reformed Churches doe now sound out against the Papall State, yea and (according to the prediction of the Pro­phets) to the begun ruine of the Papall State? This reason Apoc. 14. 2. may bee confirmed, if with all wee consider, that euen as it is foretold in the Reuelation, the same. Chapter; The An­tichristian State, would conceiue so great rage against the said Preachers (typed by the three Angells) for such their preaching and doctrines, that thereupon it would raise, Reue. 14. 12, 13 or cause to bee raised against them most fearefull persecu­tions; persecutions so great and so manifold, that the Spi­rit of God though it meet to prearme his chosen against the same, with these and such like comfortable instructi­ons: Here is the faith and patience of Saints; here are those, who keepe the commandements of God, and the faith of Iesus. Blessed are those, who dye in the Lord, who dye for the Lord; From henceforth saith the Spirit, they shall rest from their la­bors. Reuel. 2. 29. Thus there; In which most comfortable instructi­ons, doth not the Spirit of God manifestly premonish, and prearme vs of these times against the Pope? Heare all yee, that haue eares to heare, what the Spirit of God saith to the Churches. The Pastors of the Reformed churches suffered from the Pope, according as by Gods Spirit it hath bin foretold

For, is not this the very thing, which is now, and hath formerly beene acted in the world? Doe not the Pastors and Doctors of the Reformed Churches, and other faithfull, suffer for this very cause? for that they sound out pub­likely the doctrines of the three Angells; the Euerlasting Gospell? of the feare of God alone? of the ruine and fall of [Page 24] Babylon? of the State of the Beast? and against the taking of the markes and characters of the Beast in hand or on forehead? and from whom, or by whose meanes do they suffer for such things, but from the Papall state? What In­quiries are made after them? What hideous Inquisitions are reared for them? What Crosse-warres haue beene pro­claimed against them? Aske our Fathers of old in France, Italy, Germany, Spaine, England, Denmarke, Scotland, Bur­gandy, and where not? Our Aduersaries the Pontificians cannot deny this, it being the very desire of their Fathers and of their owne soules. Let it then rest proued, that the principle prophecie against the State of the Beast, being accomplished in the Papall State, that the Papall State is the very State of the Beast. And so I adioyne a fourth reason thus.

That is, the Antichristian State (typed by the Beast, and Fourth Reason. the Image thereof) or typed by the seuen and eight August. 20. de Ciuit c. 19. Hier. ad Algas. quest. 11. in Dan & ad Gerontiā de monogamia. Tertul. de re­surrect. carnis Cir. catech. 15. Chrys. Ambros. Theophil. Oe­cume Primasi in 2. Thes [...]. 2. The Papall State hath done out of the way tho Ro­man Empire. See glos in Ca­non si Impera­tori Radeuic. de gestis Friderici. Sidon. l. 11. de regno Itali [...]. heads thereof) which was in the very gouernment of Rome it selfe, to succeed the Roman temporall Empire: So diuers of the Ancient Fathers, Austen, Hierom, Lactan­tius, Tertullian, with others haue affirmed: vnto which An­tichristian State also, ten Kings (a number certaine for an vncertaine) springing out of the ruines of the Roman Em­pire, were for a time to giue their powers (for the honouring and supporting of her) and yet afterwards (forsaking her) would bend their forces against her (God, putting the same into their hearts) to make her desolate, and consume her with fire. And is not this the very Papall State it selfe, succee­ding in the Gouernment and Empire ouer Rome, the Ro­man Temporall Empire? For in Rome who knowes not, that it is reputed no lesse crime then le-so-Sanctitie, to affirme the Emperours (that are now) to haue ought to doe ther­in, independently from the Pope? or that they haue any Emperiall Soueraignty ouer Rome: no, no, in the faith of the Pope and his, Imperator Presens, the present Emperour is but Homo ligius Papae: A liege deuout seruant to the Pope. A­gaine, [Page 25] to too apparent it is, that those Kings and Kingdoms, into which the temporal Roman Empire (vpon her ruine) was diuided, did (the Dragon putting the same into their hearts) yeeld and submit their powers and crownes vnto the Papall State, for the support of the same: And is it not most manifest, that the said Kings and Kingdomes (God put­ting the same into their hearts) haue alreadie begun to hate the Papall State, to make it desolate, & to consume it with the fire of the zeale of Gods glory and truth, God grant they continue the same vnto the end: but should any States or Kingdomes which haue begun in the spirit de­cline to the flesh, yet shall they neuer bee able to make frustrate and void Gods infallible and ineuitable decree, of the vtter ruine and fall of the Autichristian State, euen as of a milstone cast into the bottomlesse Sea, whereof there re­maineth Apoc. 17. neither token nor memory: And so I adde a fifth proofe.

The Antichristian State, is that State which was to haue Fifth Reason. her Sea, and to reside in mysticall Babylon; mysticall Baby­lon that Great Citie which is situated vpon seuen Hills: that Reu. 17. 9. 4, 18, &c. Citie, which in S. Iohns time had rule and command ouer the Kings of the Earth; that Citie which was to be a whore The Antichristian Throne in Rome. and Apostata from her first faith, by superadding many doctrines of deuills, and errors of wicked spirits; and yet 1. Tim. 4. was insolently to glory of her euer-in errabilitie, and that shee should see no widow-hood: that Citie, which was to Reuel. 17. 2. make drunke with the cup of her abominations (pretending to bee the sole mother of Christianitie) all the Kings and Ibid. 4. Kingdomes of the Earth; that Citie which was to be ruddy with the bloud of Saints, those Saints which were to suffer for the testimony of Iesus, I interpret for the sole faith of Iesus, as the onely meanes of saluation. That Citie which Ibid. 5. was to haue the name Mystery written in her forehead, full of mysteries; professing mysteries; making mysteries: That Citie which was with honour, riches, and glory to inrich and make glorious all her Louers and Admirers, [Page 27] the Inhabitants of the Earth. And are not all these things most punctually accomplished in the Papall State? I need not to repeat nor to make any particular application; but I say againe, and againe, are not all these things, with all other such like (fore prophecied by the Spirit of God, a­gainst the Antichristian State) fulfilled and accomplished in the Papall State, which hath its residence in Rome, its Throne and See in Rome, &c.

Some of our Aduersaries (that so wee may answere an A vaine obiection obiection by the way) doe against this reason, pretend a very idle euasion; they acknowledge, that Rome shall bee the Seat of the Antichristian State, and of the Beast; but Rome Ethnike, say they, not Rome Christian; Rome as it was before the daies of Constantine, but not Rome as it is now in these our times. O the vanitie of this answere, Rome The Answere. Ethnike, as it was before the time of Constantine, is to be the Throne of the Antichristian State, and Seat of the Beast? and yet in their owne opinions Antichrist is not to come vntill a verie short time before the consummation of the world, and then also his reigne (in their opinions) is to be onely of three yeeres and a halfe continuance. O that these wise Sages would informe vs, how this their Inerra­ble and Infallible Papall See (so they glory) shall become Ethnike and Heathenish? By what precursour of Antichrist shall it bee so made Heathenish? for the entertaining of the Great Antichrist? shall Antichrist himselfe make it Hea­thenish and Ethnike? shall he reare vp the adoration of ma­ny Gods (the proper character and badge of Heathenisme,) that, they cannot say, for they professe (vainely) that Anti­christ shall suppresse all manner of Idolatry, hee cannot then be in their iudgements the Author of Heanish Idola­try; vaine then and most vaine is their pretended reason.

Againe, like vaine is their answere, when they pretend, A second euasion. that the Beast which shall sit at Rome, is not the same, with that Beast which arises out of the Sea, hauing seuen heads Apoc. 13. [Page 26] and ten hornes. For doe they not all confesse, that both Answere. Beasts doe type vnto vs Antichrist, yea the Great Anti­christ? which Antichrist, in all their iudgements shall bee so indiuidually, one onely man, that herehence they think they haue an inuincible buckler of defence against vs, that their Popes are not Antichrist, nor the Beast; for that they are not one only man, but many, yea very many, a whole Generatinn of men: how then can they auoid, but that it is one and the same Antichrist which is typed by both the Beasts? for if Antichrist typed by both, be indiuidually one, then of necessitie one and the same State is typed and signified by both the Beasts: And if Antichrist (typed by the one Beast) sit at Rome; hee cannot also sit at Babylon, vnlesse it bee by turnes; or that the faire Beast bee diuided into two parts, the one to haue his Throne at Rome, the other to haue his seat at Babylon: Let it then thus rest proued, that the present Papall state, is the very Antichristian state, typed by the Beast.

This imputation, which is so grieuous and heauie; how­soeuer Diuers learned Authors of the Papists Church, haue reputed the Papall State An­tichristian and of the Beast. it may to some as halt betwixt God and Baal (for many such medleys these times haue) seeme iniurious; yet is it not much more, then that, which some ingenious professours (of diuers points of Poperie) haue propheti­cally and couertly heretofore deliuered, to the euerlasting confusion of that State: Bernard was not farre from the sight hereof (for to him in part Gods spirit had reueal [...]d this truth) when as, in respect of the infinite abuses of the Papall state, hee cries out that the Churches of his times, Bernard l. 4. de considerat. were rather folds for deuills then for sheep; and in his sermon vpon the conuersion of S. Paul, hee complaineth; that Ser. 1. in Con­uers. S. Pauli. the whole Church of Christianity (so I interpret) seemed to haue conspired against God; yea so conspired, that in regard In Psal. qui ha­bitat. Psal. 91. thereof, hee is bold thus to pronounce elsewhere: It re­maineth (saith hee) that the Man of Sin, and Sonne of Perditi­on bee reuealed; not onely the day, but the very noone-deuill; which is not onely transformed into an Angell of light, but is [Page 28] extolled aboue all that is called God, or that is worshipped. Thus hee; where I cannot but note, that Bernard vsing the phrase of the Apostle, that Antichrist (in regard of the excesse of impieties and abominable iniquities) was short­ly to bee reuealed, shortly to bee reuealed; I cannot, I say, but note how that Bernard did think, that Antichrist and his state, did then worke powerfully and rage tirannous­ly; and where if not there, in that, rather Court then Ber. Epist. 235. ad Curia Roma. Church of Rome, vnto which Bernard writing, dareth to proclaime thus. In the very house of God, wee obserue things horrible; These horrible things, which Bernard obserued in Rome, to vs is reuealed to be the very State of Antichrist himselfe, and of his Admirers that worship him.

Was Peter de Aliaco, that venerable Prelate of Cambray, Aliac. de Refor­mat. Eccles. ob­lat. Conc. Con­stant. farre from the sight of this truth, whereas hee dares to af­firme, that the Church in his dayes, was come to that passe, that it deserued to bee ruled onely by Reprobates? Was Gerson farre off, when as he confidently affirmes, that (through papall Gerso. to. 1. de Conc. Gener. & vnius obed. q. 5. abuses) the Churches of his times, were come to be, totas brutales, carnales, monstrosas, nihil sapientes; Brutish, carnall, monstrous, vnderstanding naught. I interpret naught, that was good or pious. Was Ioannes Sarisburiensis farre off, Policatat. l. 6. c. 17. when as hee professeth that the Church of Rome, was be­come a den of theeues; the secret of the Sanctuary was become a Stew; yea, and that the Church of Rome was become a step­mother Apud Auentinū. to all? I passe by many others, yea Synods of Po­pish Bishops in France and Germany, in plaine wordes ter­ming the Holy Father Antichrist. How downe-right is Bernard Morlanensis, calling the Pope, Ipsum Regem Babylo­nis, Morlane de cō ­tempt. num. 3. apud vsherum. the very King of Babylon;

Heu sua propria deputat omnia Rex Babylonis,
Out alac the King of Babylon reputes all for his owne.

A complaint which Bernard vsed against the Holy Fa­thers. Lib. do consid. clarissime. But howsoeuer I passe by the testimony of these, and diuers others, yet I may not omit the ingenuous con­fession of a venerable Priest of Burgandie. This man, doth [Page 29] so largely and punctually point out, and declare vnto vs, the Antichristianitie of the Popish Church, that hee seemes to haue had that reuealed vnto him, which hee durst not Circ. An. 1200. commend to writing; euen that very truth of Papall An­tichristianitie, which to vs is made so manifest: Intuere, Honor. Augu­stodunensis. in dialog.—in Auctau [...] Bib­lioth. Pat. ad Calcem. Edit. Paris. 1610. collect. ex vshero. saith he, Principes & ludices, in his posita est Bestiae Sedes, &c. Behold, saith he, the Princes and Iudges, in them is set the Seat of the beast; They are euer intent to euill, euer vnsatiably oc­cupied in businesses of Iniquitie: They doe not onely themselues scelerately; but they teach others so to do: They sell holy things, they buy crimes, and their whole indeuour is, that they may not goe alone to hell. verte te ad Clerum & videbis in eis, bestia tentorium, &c. Turne thy selfe to the Clergie, and in them thou A notable de­scription of the state of the Beast in the Papacie. shalt see, the very tent of the beast; They neglect the seruice of God, they studie earthly gaine; their Priesthood they pollute by vncleannesse, the people they seduce by hypocrisie, they deny God by their wicked liues, they shake off all Scriptures, which serue for saluation; by all meanes they set themselues as snares, and a ruine to the people, whom (being blind themselues) they lead blind to destruction. Contemplure & Monachorum Concilia­bula, & videbis in eis bestiae tabernacula, &c. Contemplate the Conuents or Conuenticles of Monkes, and in them thou shalt see the Tabernacles of the beast, by their fained profession (deriding God) they prouoke his wrath; by their wicked life and manners they trample downe all regular discipline; by their habite they deceiue the world, and being themselues deceiued, they deceiue many: they are intangled with worldly businesses, being slugish in the seruice of God: many of the [...] are giuen and addicted to luxury and gluttony; some of them rot in the durt and filth of vncleannesse. Aspice etiam habitaculae monialium, & in eis cer­nes bestiae preparatum thalamum, &c. Looke vpon the habita­cles of Nuns; and in them, see a bride-chamber prepared for the beast: These from their tender age learne impudency, to the increase of their damnation, they draw vnto them many compa­nions; they hasten to bee couered with Vailes, that by such a meanes they may let loose the bridles of luxury; they doe pro­stitute [Page 31] themselues, in a worse sort then any fornicators, and as an vnsatiable gulfe, they are neuer filled with the dung of vn­cleannesse; These doe ensnare the soules of young men, and then they reioyce when they haue ensnared many; and shee reputes her selfe worthy of the Palme of victory, who excelleth in villa­ny. Verte te ad plebem reliquam, & in ea videbis bestiae effigiem, &c. Turne thee to the other of the people, and in them thou shalt see the very shape of the beast: Priests they despise, they contemne to heare ought of God, they lead their whole life in pride, boa­sting, and vanitie, and are reprobate to euery good worke. Also the vnlearned multitude hath the very Idoll of the beast, the true God they haue not knowne, but with all deuotion they serue the God of their belly; they are carried with various desires of the flesh, and in euery respect they lead a beast-like life. Thus hee (with more to like purpose) describeth the beastiali­tie of the Papall State. Can you desire more, or will you require more?

And thus haue wee, by euidencie of Scripture, and o­ther venerable authoritie, fastned vnuoydably the Anti­christian State and Gouernment vpon the Pope of Rome, and his purpured brethren; and thereby also haue I shew­ed the vanitie of his ambitious claime of supremacie ouer this Church and Kingdome; for no one point is more Anti­christian in him, then his vsurped claime of supremacy; and for my part, I am of opinion (and I dare vndertake very probably to confirme the same) that whosoeuer de­nies the Pope to be Antichrist (that sonne of perdition, who 2. Thess. 2. sitteth in the Temple of God) may iustly bee suspected, to fa­uour his most ambitious claime of supremacie; this I meane of those who vnderstand themselues, and the extent of these termes; the Papall State, Antichristianity, Papall Supremacie, Roman Monarchy, &c.

For further confirmation, of this our principall point in hand, I could produce more proofe, or Grounds and Principles of reasons, from out of Saint Pauls Epistles to the Thessalonians; to Timothy and to the Romans; yea, from [Page 30] out of the Epistles of Saint Peter, and holy Iude; and from out of Daniel: more, there are very few Prophecies in the Scriptures of God, or in the approued predictions of any of the seruants of God (concerning Antichrist and his Go­uernment) which may not most probably (if not euident­ly) bee settled vpon the Papall State, either the head or members thereof: but that which hath beene deliuered, may suffice for the euidencie of this truth, especially with How Neutrali­zers betray Gods truth. sincere professours: those I meane which are not Neutra­lizers (if any such heare mee this day) Neutralizers, I say, or Interim-ists; such as dare secretly mutter and mussitate; Rome and the Reformed Churches agree in the substance of Religion, that there is no fundamentall difference be­twixt them and vs; and againe that they teach no Here­sies; so that they altogether with vs make vp but one my­sticall body of Christ. O the vanitie of these men! against the Spirit of God, thus to dreame of the vniting of Sion and Babylon; of Egypt, and Hierusalem; of Christ, and An­tichrist; of light, and darknesse; of God, and Beliall: The 2. Thess. 2. Spirit of God hath foretold, that Christ shall in the brightnes of his comming, by the Spirit of his mouth, (that is, by the preaching of the Gospel in the dayes of reformation, when that of the Reuelation shall bee accomplished, Oportet te iterum, &c. Thou must againe prophecie to Nations, Peoples, Apoc. 10. 11. Tongues, and many Kings.) the Spirit of God hath (I say) foretold, that Antichrist shall bee dissipated and ruinated, by No vnion be­twixt the State of the Beast and true Christianity. the brightnesse of his comming, and the Spirit of his mouth: and yet these men dare dreame of Christian vnion, and brotherly consociation betwixt those, whom the Spirit of God doth thus disunite and dissociate; here, by a perfect hate, diuiding each from other, and in the world to come by casting the Beast and his Admirers, into the lake of euer burning fire and brimstone; and by taking vp to the supper and ioyes of the Lamb, those, who haue here hap­pily followed the Lamb in all things, and haue also suffe­red for the testimonie of Iesus the Lamb.

[Page 32]Now come we to declare, how the Papall State compel­leth all her followers, to take certaine impious markes in their hands, and likewise on their foreheads: without which they may not bee allowed, to buy or sell, in that State.

If any one receiue the marke of the Beast, either in his hand or in his forehead.

FOr declaration of this point (according to my vse, and that I may the better bee vnderstood) I suppose these 1. Suppos. things: First, that which I haue already euinced, by the e­uidencie of Reason, and the ioynt-consent of Antiquitie, The marke and character of the Beast, not to be taken for any beast-like marke, by inustion or by incision. that these markes and Characters of the Beast, are not to bee taken for any corporall signes, made either by the in­ustion of some hot-iron, or by the incision of some sharpe instrument, in the hands, or vpon the foreheads of Anti­christs followers: no, no, the same is to bee vnderstood of some flagitious mysticall ceremonies, taken in the hands, or on the foreheads: whereby the Takers are marked for de­uoted Seruants of the Beast. Secondly I suppose, that no 2. Suppos. State or Gouernment, Antichristian or Hereticall, Arrian, Nestorian, Pelagian, or of any other forme whatsoeuer, since the dayes of Christ, did euer cause and compell their followers to take any speciall markes (specializing their heresies or infidelities) reall or ceremoniall in their hands, or on their foreheads (thereby to professe a Soule-allegi­ance to the whole forme of their sect and superstition) saue onely the Papall State.

Thirdly I suppose, that whereas it is said that those, 3. Suppos. who would not receiue such markes of the Beast, should Without the Beasts marke no commerce. haue no power, either to buy or to sell in the Antichri­stian State; that the same must bee vnderstood of a totall exclusion from all manner of communion and societie in that wicked State: where that State doth preuaile and is not limited nor abridged, by the moderation of any Temporall power.

[Page 33]Fourthly, I suppose, that this totall exclusion from all 4. Suppos No buying, nor selling in the Pa­pall State, with­out taking of markes. manner of buying and selling, is so punctually complea­ted in the Papall State (yea in all Popish Kingdomes, where the Inquisition is on foot) against all those, who receiue not certaine markes of profession and obedience from that State, that nothing can bee more assured, or more manifest.

These things supposed, how manifest is it, that all Pro­fessours of the Papall State, doe receiue in their hands, or on their foreheads, some ceremonious marke of obedi­ence and profession, which if they contemne to doe, they are reputed in that state as Of-casts, not to be admitted to All in the Papall State receiue marks. any manner of commerce and communion: Are they not all, or ought they not all (at least in purpose of mind) to be anointed and marked on their foreheads, with oyle con­secrated (I should say execrated) by Papall Charmes? wher­by the same is become so sacred, that the very presence Markes in the forehead. and efficacie of the holy Ghost is said, and by them is be­leeued to bee therein: so sacred, that the hands of those, who are anointed therewith on their foreheads, may not presume to touch the said oyle, or their owne bare fore­heads so anointed; so sacred, that the foreheads of the a­nointed, Foreheads mar­ked must be bound with lin­nen fillets. after the same inunction, are for certaine dayes to be couered with linnen bands fastned thereunto, that by such meanes the sacred oyle may be defended from the iniury of wind, dust, and weather, and may by such conti­nuance make better impression, and pierce into the fore­head (such is the vanitie of these fooleries, and impieties:) so sacred, that the Popish Bishop anointing the forehead, calls it and professes it to be, Chrisma salutis, The very crisme Their manner & forme of marking of saluation, I signe thee (saith the Bishop) with the signe of the Crosse; and I confirme thee, with the crisme of saluation, in the name of the Father, and of the Sonne, and of the Holy Ghost.

And may wee not here iustly exclaime against such sa­criledgies? A iust innection against marking vsed in Papacy. thus to call a vile creature, the very Crisme of [Page 34] saluation! O blasphemy against the God of heauen! not Christ alone by his bloud, but the Beast by his char­med Chrisme, doth and can giue saluation? O presumptu­ous men, who without any command or institution from God, dare thus sacrilegiously presume, to annexe the thrice sacred name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, (and this in a sacramentall manner for remission of sins) The marks of the Papacie worthy to be execrated. to a vile and meane creature! Who that hath eares to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to conceiue, doth not obserue this flagitious cerermony, to bee an Antichristian marke ta­ken in the forehead? A marke, not onely because by a su­perstitious and transeunt motion, signed by the thumb or finger on the forehead: not onely a marke, because the Chrisme is to bee fast bound to the forehead, so that if it were possible it might make some reall impression in the flesh: but a marke most properly, because in that state, no man is reputed a perfect comsummate Christian without the same: a marke, because by the order of that state, no Rituall. Roman. in Ceremo de Baptismo, fine. man is to bee admitted to receiue the bodie of Christ, be­fore he haue the same. Finally, a marke most properly, because in that state, it is an Article of Faith, that by the Cone. Trident. vertue of the outward crismaticall vnction, there is im­printed and ingraued in the verie soules of the anointed, an indeleble spirituall character: A marke then it is, and by it they professe obedience to the Papall State, and can wee require more for the cleering of this point? I might here note others, yea and shew how they giue markes on the foreheads, or crowne of the head, or both, in their ve­rie administration of the Sacrament of Baptisme it selfe; not in regard of their baptising in the vsuall forme, In the Impious marking in their admini­stration of Bap­tisme. name of the Father, &c. but for that, they (holding naturall water not to be sufficient, nor fit matter of the Sacrament) doe make a magicall and superstitious commixtion of wa­ter and oyles together: first of the holy oyle alone (so they call it) secondly, of crisme alone; and thirdly of crisme and oyle together. Thus they abuse the sacred Sacrament of [Page 35] Christ, and with such charmed and commixt waters and oyles, they marke all their followers in their foreheads.

Concerning the Papalls taking of the Beasts marke in their hands, I first passe by (because it is not generally of them all) the superstitious vnction, which their Deacons and Priests (at their taking of Orders) doe take into their Matt. 24. 24. handes; in regard whereof it may bee probably thought that Christ is pleased (if wee stand to the plaine litte [...]all sense) to haue fore-prophecied against them, vnder the name of [...], false Christs, false anointed-ones: This marke (I say) I passe by. The first marke that I note, is that their taking in their hands (for it is common to them all) the marke of their superstitious woodden or sil­uer I call them blas­phemous Agnus­deyes, for that they hold the same, Depellere omne malignū, to driue away all euil, yea, Pecca­tū frangere, &c. to breake and de­stroy sin, as the bloud of Christ, yea there is no good which they they do [...]ot bring, no euill which they doe not re­moue; witnesse those knowne verses. Balsamus & munda cera cum Crismatis vnda, &c. Marks in the Papacy, and the same also Anti­christian. Crosses, their Graines, Beads, Medalls; but aboue all, their most blasphemous Agnus-deyes (all markes, because marked with some superstitious forme or other) whereby they acknowledge, a sacred Soueraignty in the Pope and his Antichristian State: a Soueraigntie on earth, by the vse of such superstitious trumpery to remit all sins, with a most full and plenary pardon; a Soueraigntie in the heauens, by the vertue of such superstitious ceremonies to open heauen gates, therein to admit all the superstitious receiuers of such marks: A Soueraignty within the bowels of the earth, thence to fetch out, from out of their imagined Purgato­ry poor patient soules, more or fewer, according as it shall seeme expedient, to the superstitious Blesser, or rather Charmer of the said superstitious markes: And may not these bee iustly reputed Antichristian markes? markes, be­cause really such; markes, because mystically such; distin­guishing betwixt Popery and Christianity? Antichristian, for what more Antichristian, then to tie remission of sins, the opening of heauens gates, the deliuering of poore patient soules out of Purgatory, to the superstitious vse of such contemptible creatures? hauing no other vertue of sanc­tification in them, then what the charme of Papall breath may presume to haue giuen them? O impietie of impie­ties! [Page 36] a man dying, if hee haue one of these Papall markes of graines, or meddals, &c. in his handes, if hee can but say, Iesus in his heart, hee shall assuredly haue a plenary pardon Papal blasphemy. Idulgent. variae concess. Colleg. Angl. & Impe­ratr nuper. pro laborantibus apud Indos. and remission of all his sinnes: but if hee want, or haue no such graine, then no such assurance: so they rather blas­pheme, then affirme.

Again, another Antichristian marke taken in the hand, in the Papall State, I note this: That then, when those of that Synagogue, are made Catechumens (which to speake ordinarily they must bee before they bee baptized) the Priest must put into their right handes the signe of the Crosse; which signe or marke of the Crosse, I doe not by The Crosse super­slitiously abused a marke of the Papall State. any meanes call Antichristian, for so much as it is a signe commemoratiue or remembrance of Christs Crosse; but I doe boldly and confidently call it Antichristian, as it is a­bused by them in that state: for they most flagitiously pretend; that the putting of the said marke, or signe in­to the hands of those that are to bee baptised, is a necessa­rie preparation for the Sacrament of Baptisme, and the due receiuing of the same; and againe, for that by that very signe and marke so made, they promise defence against Satan, perseuerance in faith, and after death life euerla­sting: Ordo Roma­nu [...]endū Catechumenum This marke, such as receiued it not being baptised Infants, doe af­terwards take it, yea some at the state of men and women. A maine obiecti­on answered. for thus saith the Priest, Trade tibi signaculum Do­mini nostri Iesu Christi in manu tua dextra, vt te signes & ad­uersam partem repellas, & in fide Catholica permaneas, & ha­beas vitam aeternam, & viuas in secula seculorum. I deliuer thee in thy right hand, this signe of our Lord Iesus Christ, that thou mayst signe thy selfe, driue away the aduerse part (the de­uill) that thou mayst perseuere in the Catholike faith, mayst haue life euerlasting, and liue for euer and euer.

Here (to answere an obiection by the way) we may not thinke, that the Papall State, may bee cleered from the iust imputation of Antichristianisme, for that together with their vaine vnctions, and charmed oyles, in their preten­ded Sacraments, or Sacramentalls (as they speake) they doe ioyne the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost; or for [Page 37] that they doe call on the mercies of God; or for that they doe withall vse the signe of the Crosse: no, no, this will not serue the turne; for it is most certaine (by expresse te­stimonie of Scripture) that the Antichristian State, must be a mystery, not an impudencie of Iniquitie: A State so ru­ling 2. Thess 2. and powerfully working miracles, euen in the Tem­ple The Papall State Antichristian, though they call vpon the blessed Trinitie, and the mercies of God in their superstiti­ous rites. of God; that the very Elect will be in danger to bee sedu­ced: A circumstance so plaine, and so important; that to mee, they seeme no lesse then to dote, who affirme that Antichrist shall deny the Lord Iesus Christ; for what dan­ger of seducing to the Elect, where Christ is flatly denied? No, no, the Antichristian State will pretend to be the very hornes of the Lamb; a very Vice-gerency instead of Christ, and such in truth is the Genuine signification of the word See Stephanus, and all the Greek Lexicons. See Matth. 17. 27. & Matth. 20. Luke 11. 11. [...], for, according as the Preposition [...] may bee taken, it signifieth both one in the stead and lieu of Christ, and also one most opposite to Christ; and such a one indeed shall Antichrist be: He shall pretend to come in the name of Christ, and yet shall hee be most opposite to Christ, euen to the vtter perdition of the true follow­ers of Christ. The Magicians, Witches, and Con­iurers call vpon the name of God, vse Crosses, both materiall and transions, yea the Papall Arto­theos God in bread.

Though the Magicians (as it is most certaine) though Witches (as it is a thing knowne) though Coniurers (a thing likewise cleere) doe vse to call vpon the name of God, and the holy Trinity in their abominable practises; though they vse frequent and often crossings, yea can doe (in some businesse) nothing without crosses; though they haue many materiall crosses, sacred oyles, hallowed waters, yea the Papalls owne Christ in the Hosts; which they doe vse and abuse in their most execrable exercises: yet I hope, no Intelligent Papall will deny, but that such their practises may be iustly called abominable, flagitious, and of the de­uill: though in them (I say) they vse often crosses, crossings, with recrossings; yea, with adoring of their consecrated Hosts, and callings vpon the name of the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, and of the holy Angels, and of the blessed Virgin [Page 38] her selfe: Why then, shall wee bee doubtfull to call these practises of Popery Antichristian, though they adioyne to their fopperies and impieties, the Inuocation of the name of God, and though they vse therein the signe of Crosse: The signe of the Crosse may be vsed as a lauda­ble ceremony, if voyd of scandall. the which, though it may bee vsed as a laudable ceremo­nie (where iust scandall is not giuen) yet, as it is abused in the Papall State, I boldly call it (and such like) Antichristi­an, and markes of the Beast: Antichristian, because deliue­red (in the name of Christ) as efficacious for temission of sinne, for increase of grace, for defence against Satan; ha­uing for the same end, no institution nor command from Christ: Antichristian, because perswading vs to looke for remission of sinnes, otherwise then by the bloud of Christ: Antichristian, because drawing our confidence from Christ, and placing it in the seruile vse of contemptible creatures: Concluding this point, I answer an obiection, which thus may bee made. The marke of Antichrist, is but one, but The Answere. then, can they bee the marke of the Beast, Except many may bee thought to stand for one? I answere, True it is, that the word of the Scripture, is here deliuered in the sin­gular How the markes of the Beast, both many, and one. number; marke, not markes: yet, for that the said Scripture affirmeth, that it is to bee taken in hand and fore­head (either ioyntly or seuerally) it insinuates the markes to bee more then one; and this is agreeing to the inter­pretation See Lira alios. of diuers of the Ancient, who by the marke in the forehead, vnderstand open profession by mouth; by the marke in the hand some publike act of obedience, or some profession by oath, by laying downe, lifting vp, or putting forth hand or finger: But what neede wee to re­spect the Authoritie of men, when as the Scripture it selfe tells vs (explicating it selfe) that no man shall bee allowed Apoc. 13. either to buy or sell, who hath not either the marke of the The markes of the Beast more then one, Beast, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name: Loe here, not one, but three; except we shall not distin­guish that, which the Holy Ghost hath so distinguishedly [Page 39] deliuered vnto vs: or that the name of the Beast, or the number of his name, shall not be expressed by some cere­monious misticall marke, either of denomination or pro­fession; of denomination to be called Latines or Romans, after the number of the name; or by profession to pro­fesse the Italike Church, or to bee called Papists after the Papists the pro­per and vnrefu­sable name of our Aduersaries. name of the Beast, Papa, or some such like. I say Papists af­ter the name of the Beast: for since the decree of Gregory the seuenth, cleere it is that Papa is arrogated as a name pe­culiar to the Pope, and doth significantly expresse the Dictatus Greg. 7. apud Baron. ann. 1175. whole state of Papacy: after which, the professours of that State (because by faith they beleeue the Pope to be the vi­sible Head thereof) ought not to refuse (if they vnder­stand themselues) to bee called Papists, or Papalls, no they ought rather to glorie in the same name: Howsoeuer of this, cleere it is, that the Admirers of Antichrist, may haue more markes then one, and yet these more (whether two or three) may be called one; because they agree in one analogicall reason and respect, of appertaining and be­longing to the Beast, and this is (without question) the sense and intent of the Holy Ghost, that no man shall bee permitted either to buy or sell, in the Antichristian state; who by some publike marke of profession, or obedience, shall not subject himselfe (in a verie Soule-subiection) vn­to the same.

Now come we in few words to declare, how that no man who wanteth such markes, as are aboue expressed, No man permit­t [...]d to buy or sell in the papal state, who wanteth the former markes, or some of them may be permitted either to buy or sell (so our Prophet speak­eth) within the State of the Popes Dominions. A most fearefull calamitie, denoting an vniuersall Apostacie and defection; designing also the state of the true Church, for the whole time of Antichrists reigne, to be obscure, vn­uisible, & vnconspicuous, as being not allowed any man­ner The true Church inconspicuous in the time of Anti­christ. of commerce or societie at all: what more apparent? And is not this very thing (to dispatch all in a word) the very selfe-yoke of the Exactor, and of that oppression, which [Page 40] by the Pope, i [...] laid vpon all Persons whatsoeuer, who re­fuse or contemne the markes aboue expressed? Let our Aduersaries (a most fit name for the Papists) shewvs, if they can, any State, Kingdome, or Common-wealth (where the Papall Canons are not limited, or moderated by the Temporall Magistrate) in which any man or person, may be permitted either to buy or sell (that is, to haue a­ny peaceable commerce or societie at all) who refuseth or contemneth the aboue-expressed markes.

What else, but refusall and contempt of the said markes (since the absolute reigne of Popes, in the Temple of de­caied Christianitie) hath caused so many commotions and subuersions of States and Kingdomes? What else, hath beene the Lake and Head of so many fearefull hideous massacres? of such immane disquisitions, and Inquisiti­ons? Refusall of Papal markes, cause of infinite calami­ties & oppressions of such mercilesse stranglings and burnings? of so many rebellions, & insurrections? what else hath brought forth such an infinity of thunderclaps? of Interdicts and Excommunications? of threats and depositions? of im­prisonments and proscriptions, what tongue can number them all? what heart can sufficiently deplore them all? Present examples hereof wee haue, so that he is a plaine stupid, who obserueth them not; hee deserues not the name of a Christian, who condoles them not; neither is he worthy the name of a zelous Christian, who to the vtmost of his power, withstands them not. And thus haue I, by many reasons, suppositions, and demonstrations, confir­med and deliuered, that, which his most Excellent Maiesty hath in a few lines most solidly and Christianly objected, in his most Christian Praemonition (a praemonition worthy eternall memory) to Christian Princes; to weet, That the Papall State, is the very State of the Beast: My interpreta­tion and exposition then, of this Text, in this place, and at this time, may not come vnwelcome, which commeth countenanced, by such an Authoritie; Great is Truth, and is will preuaile. And so a few words of our last Part, the [Page 41] dreadfull threat, and denuntiation of Gods wrath, against the followers and Admirers of the Beast.

The same shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath, which is Third Part. powred out without mixture into the cup of his indig­nation. And he shall be termented with fire and brim­stone, in the presence of the holy Angells, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoake of their tor­ment ascendeth vp for euer and euer.

HEnce-from we must learne a lesson of instruction, to lay to our hearts, and to fixe in our remembrances, this fearefull denuntiation of the Angel, against all those, who shall either worship the Beast, or the Image of the Beast; or who shall receiue the Beasts marke, either in their hands, or on their foreheads; that they shall drinke, of the wine of Gods wrath, which is powred out without mixture, in the cup of his indignation; and that they shall be termented for euer, with fire and brimstone, in presence of the holy Angells, and of the Lamb. And who is not awaked? moued? yea, astonished to heare such a thunder? to obserue such a storme? A thunder, a­rising from the breath of Angels, of the Lamb, and of Gods owne mouth: A storme, not of fire alone, but of fire and brimstone; not a nights-storme, but an euer-during storme, powred from out of the cup, of Gods heauiest wrath and indignation: What more dreadfull; what more to bee dreaded? O religious cares, and Christian hearts, let the feare of these things, teach vs to put on a spirit of resolution and constancy, against the charmes and deceit­full sorceries, of all the subdolous Hellens, Sinons, and Cir­ceyes Great warines to be vsea a­gainst the Si­nons of Anti­christ. of Aniichrist: Those, who are of ordinarie ranke, it may bee thought sufficient for them (for the auoyding of eternall damnation) that they goe out of Babylon; that they adore neither the Beast, nor the Image of the Beast; neither doe take his marke in their hands, or vpon their foreheads: but for others, who sway and beare Staues and Swords of Ma­gistracy; [Page 42] who sit in the Chaire of Prelacy, if these ( God ha­uing put into their hearts to haue preached, and to haue writ­ten against the Whore: if these doe not endeauour (to the vtmost of their powers) to make her desolate? What else shall remaine for them, but a fearefull expectation of Gods iust iudgement, together with the Beast, to drinke of the Cup of his indignation and of the dregs of the Violls of his fury?

I say not this, as though any Christian Magistrate may not suffer any peaceable professours of the Antichristian State to liue (yea to liue peaceably) within the precincts of his dominions: not so; for wee cannot but thinke, that How worship­pers of the Beast may be tolerated as their are stratagems in warre, so also that there are poli­cies in. State: A wise Generall wil be content, to lose some small quarter of his Army, so the day may be his: A wise and Christian Soueraigne, may in wisdome giue way a lit­tle in one place, so that Christ may gaine more else where; especially, if there may be any probable hope, that Christ may bee there preached, where (through the tyranny of Inquisition) he is scarce yet truly heard of. Constantius the Emperour (being moued thereunto by the Arrian Bishops) required of Athanasius, that the Arrians might be allow­ed Aremarkeable answere of Athanasius. one Church at Alexandria: to which proposition, that euer renowned Prelate, made this answere: Most willing (said he) vpon this condition, that the Orthodoxe may haue one Church allowed them at Antioch: which his answer, though Baron. Anal. An [...]. Do. 349. n. 15. it seemed most reasonable and equall to the Emperour; yet the Arrians, would none of it; so bad a cause did they maintain, and so loth were they to measure to others, with that measure: wherewith they would haue others measure vnto themselues.

And who is hee, if he be perswaded that truth is with vs Our Aduersa­ries dare not al­low one Church for two; not one Minister for three Popish Priests. (as most certaine it is) and that also in the end, truth must and will preuaile? Who I say is hee, who would not wish with his whole heart that in all Cities and Townes, of any Protestant States and Kingdomes, that our Aduersaries the Papists, might bee allowed two Churches and two Priests, [Page 43] vpon this condition, that in like Cities and Towns (num­ber for number) of any Popish Kingdomes, or States; the Protestants and sincere Christians might bee allowed but one Church and one Minister. This option, though it may seeme vnequall (two against one) for as it is in the prouerb, Not Hercules against two; yet sure I am (so great euer is the diffidence of Hereticks, and feare of those that are false) that they will neuer giue their assent therunto: which being so, what a vanitie were it to thinke, that our Aduersaries, shall euer bee able to preuaile by the way of truth? No, no, where they haue not the meanes of pro­motion, nor teeth of Leuiatham, and power of the Sword in their hands, there they are very feeble and weake; ex­cept it bee vpon some wanton and instable persons (la­den with sinne) who thinke that to be a most facill religi­on, which teacheth dames and maides, men and boyes, to disburden their loaded soules into a Priests lap; to con­fesse and to bee absolued, and then all to bee cock-sure: for, say they, the Priests sentence on earth, is also ratified in the very heauens; yea, though the sentence bee giuen, wel-nigh in the very heat of the sinne; yea more, in the gilt of cankeriated and seared consciences, prepared and ready to re­turne (as the dog to the vomit) to the same sinne againe.

How vaine to thinke, that our Aduersaries, shal be euer able to preuaile by the way of truth, when as their fingers neuer cease (by additions, detractions, and immutations) to corrupt (they say to correct) Ancient Authors? when as they dare not suffer any of theirs to read any of our See Azor. insti­tut. moral. p. 1. l. 8. c. 16. bookes? but curse with bell, booke, and candle, all those who (without speciall licence) shall attempt the same? And though they may bee thought to deale discreetly, in Manifest timidi­ty in the Popes, not to allow the reading of any of our bookes, no not to their Pre­lates. that they doe not indifferently permit the reading of our bookes, to the promiscuous multitude; yet that they should not allow their learned Laicks; more, their learned Priests; more, their learned Pastors; more, their Doctors and Prelates to read our bookes? What else can bee the [Page 44] cause, but a conscience of their own weaknesse? On the con­trary, Truth goeth on so confident (like a Lion) and cou­ragious, in all Protestant States, or most of them; that wel­nigh an infinitie of Popish Authors are therein permitted; and yet, notwithstanding such an infinite libertie (which How Popery to­lerated, and yet to little effect. in a true sense may bee called a toleration of Popery, euen in her cunningest and readiest mystery of deceit) yet how few, of our learned, iudicious, and vnderstanding profes­sors, are by such meanes drawne away from vs to them? blasts and puffs of discontent, do indeed driue away some from vs: But, should such a libertie of our bookes bee al­lowed amongst them, it were not possible, but that the tenth (if not more) of theirs (both learned and iudicious) would repaire to vs: And is not this, an argument Osten­sine, that truth is with vs, and not with them? And againe, that their bookes, though tolerated amongst vs (to vse Chrysostoms phrase) do rather confirme and settle solid minds, then moue or shake them. Chrysost in 1. ad Corinth.

Thus much haue wee noted of their bookes tolerated: but (to adde a few words for your instruction) where (in any State Protestant) it may happen any Ignatians, or o­ther Popish Priests and Friers to bee tolerated, or conniued at; what is the primest and onlyest weapon and meanes, by which they vse to negotiate Soules, and to draw seduced fooles, into their net of perdition: surely, it is fraudulent latencie and seerecie; to worke in secret, not suffering them, whom they assault (if possibly they may bee so per­swaded) to make knowne their attempts, to any of our learned Doctors and Pastors. Carbo, contesting and oppo­sing The fraudulent endeuours of Popish Friers, &c. against Silla his sworne enemy, was wonted to affirme of him: That in Silla hee fought both against Fox and Lion, yet that hee feared more from the Fox, then from the Lion: Our Contestation and opposition, being against these our most deuoted Enemies ( Roman Sillas) we are in them to oppose both against Fox and Lion, yet (in my opinion) we may iustly feare, more from the Fox, then from the [Page 45] Lion: I meane, more from their craftie subtilty; then from their open hostilitie and imm [...]nitie. Amongst all the subtilties of the Fox, his hole is the primest; Amongst all the subtilties of the Ignatians, Friers and Monkes (where the publike face of religion is nor theirs, but they may onely happen to be tolerated or conniued at) no one Their greatest subtilty is La­tency. subtiltie is like to that of their Latencie: who, as they (there) desire to go disguised in their habits, and to walke in many colours, and formes sauing their owne: yea, and had rather be conniued at, to goe so disguised, then to bee tolerated, to goe in their owne habits themselues ( for be­ing subdolo [...] workmen, they shun nothing more then the light:) so aboue all things they endeauour, that the perswasions which they vse, to draw any from the truth, may be secret, latent, and not knowne: If then, the wisdome of any Pro­testant State, should (for some high respects) thinke it A necessary ad­uice. meet to tolerate, or to conniue, at such manner of per­sons; then, aboue any cautions to bee vsed, against their subtilties, diuices, and circumuentions; I dare be bold to giue this, and (in the feare of God, and in his presence) to charge you with it; that so soone as any of you may bee assaulted, with their secret and sugred perswasions (to for­sake Gods truth, and to imbrace their Idolo-many) that forthwith, and with all speed, yee make the same knowne, to some learned and discreet Diuines: who, by the rule of reason, by the Authoritie of venerable Antiquitie; but, a­boue all, by the sacred Word of God (the rule of our Faith) may prearme you against all their superstitious, and sophistical vanities: I said before, discreet & learned Mini­sters; for aboue all things those who are so assaulted, must beware of those men, who are Semi-Admirers after the Beast, I meane such, who (who hauing put on the Dalma­tian Apostatizing spirit, or at least, are beginning to put on the same) doe hold that the Papall Church, is the true Church of Christ; and that the obstinate Papists, so liuing and dying (without repentance) are in the state of sal­uation: [Page 46] Further, who affirme and dare to dogmatize, that there are no Heresies publikely defended and maintained in the Papall State; and that there is no fundamentall difference, betwixt the Roman and the Reformed Chur­ches: and yet, lest these Neutralizers should bee taken in their hypocrisie, they will fairely mince the matter, and re­fine their words: For, they will acknowledge the Roman Church to be (O Egregious) aliqualiter corruptam, in some­what corrupted: These, these Sinoes yee must by all means auoid, for howsoeuer they seeme to bee ours, yet they are not in truth of vs; but are ready to goe out of vs, driuen by any blast of discontent, or allured by any gayle of pro­motion, and that wee haue now more such amongst vs, it ariseth from the vanitie of false hopes and expectations. And yet let mee not here bee mistaken, in that which I so resolutely affirme against the saluation of Papists; or of their being in the state of saluation: This I affirme, not of or against all, but against wilfull vnrelenting and vnre­pentant Papists. For no doubt can be made, but that in the Popish Church, there are and haue bin diuers (which if wee will speake properly, and according to the nature of termes, wee may not call Papists) who (ignorant of the altitudes of the Beast, or not obstinately wedded thereun­to) are in the way of saluation: but I say of such, that they are in the Popish Church, though not of the Popish Church, and that they suck onely, the good which is in that Church; but haue a reluctancie against the errours and superstitions; against the immanities and presumpti­ons of the Beast, and of his State. If any one aske mee, how this can bee so: my answere is very facill; for that in that Church, there is the Creed of the Apostles; there are How saluation may be thought to be had in the Popish Church. also the holy Scriptures (though partly corrupted) why then shall it bee thought impossible, for many in that Church, to professe the holy Creed in its true sense? and to im­brace so much of the holy Scriptures (in the true sense) as is necessary to saluation? And as for practise, most [Page 47] certaine it is, that diuers in that Church, neither adore their Images; nor their God in bread; nor greatly heed praying to Saints; nor the Popes Supremacie; nor Purga­tory flashes, with such like: and as for Papall Pardons, Graines, Meddalls, Agnus-deyes (with such like trumperies) they doe both scorne and detest them, though for feare of the Pharisies they dare not so professe. Of these and such like, I will confidently thinke and affirme, that they may so fairely bee in the way of saluation, as Nicodemus was, Iohn 3. 2. whilst hee came to Christ by stealth in the night; and as some of those thousands were (of whom God to Elias) who had not bowed their knees to Baall.

This point, I might further enlarge, and more fully confirme, but time permits mee not so to doe; yet time, (by your Christian patience and leaue) shall yeeld mee li­bertie, to giue a necessarie instruction vnto such (if any such heare mee this day) who trembling and fearing where there is no iust cause of feare, do fearefully presage, and feare to themselues, that there may happen (and also that the same is at hand) some generall fall, and change from Re­ligion A vaine feare of change of religi­on, conuicted and reproued. to Popery, in this renowned State and Kingdome. Against the vanitie of this conceit (though I nothing doubt, but that there are, who endeuour such a fall, and most perfidiously endeuour it) let me thus confirme and arme you: That such a thing is Morally, Royally, and Diuinely impossible: First, it is morally impossible, that a Kingdome, so setled and established in Christs Gospel, should euer indure to behold, the puppit playes of Popery; had the truth bin so established in King Edwards reigne, as now (by Gods fauour) it is; wee should not haue seene, nor heard of so sudden a change, as was made presently after: but what was the cause therof, the Calues of Bethel, were then fresh in remembrance; the Beast then but en­tred into her consumption with vs, the wordes of God there and then are fulfilled, when and where her flesh is eaten, and her bones consumed. The Gospel [Page 48] was indeed planted in King Edwards dayes, but not wa­tered before Queene Maries Tragedy. The good seed was cast into the ground, but it rooted not, till it was watered (and after it was watered) with the blood of Saints; euer since, it hath flourished as the Palme, and shall still (God saying Amen) flourish, maugre the malice of Satan, and of Antichrist.

Cast your eyes round about this present World, reflect your memories into Generations, al Generations past; and shew me (if you can) any State or Kingdom, which hauing once fully (fully I say) shaken off the Papall yoke, by a per­fect reformation, did euer setledly receiue the same again? How many pretended vnions of subiection (aboue halfe a score) haue beene made, betwixt the Church of Rome, and those of Constantinople, and of the East? and as yet they haue not setledly agreed, neither will they euer so do. The Muscouian Empire, which is now of the Greekes beliefe, had it not ra­ther fall into the hands of the Turke, then into the Beares Feet? And is not such the resolued affection of most Re­formed professions & States? Not for any loue they beare to the Turkish profession (as Turce-Papizing Reinolds ca­lumniously Coluino, turc. lib. 7. inferres and deduces) but for that, there is a Greater Clemencie in Turke, then in Pope; the later, in­cessantly persecuting with fire and faggot all reformed Professors, whom the other Clemently tolerates, and re­spectiuely protects: as likewise he doth those of the Papal faith, who are tolerated likewise (if peaceable) within the bounds of his Empire. And to conclude this point, where the light of the Gospel hath beene throughly preached; and the puppet-like vanities of Popery haue been liuely displaied, it is not possible that any Intelligent or vnder­standing Nation, should bee brought to creep to a wodden stocke, or to fall downe and adore, [...], a God of bread, which after digestion, is to be cast in secessum, into the priuy, or which locked vp in a Tabernacle may be knawen by a Mouse or Rat, or consumed by Wormes, &c. Thus is al­teration [Page 49] and change of religion, in this renowned State (and what States-man knoweth not so much?) shewed to be morally impossible: more might bee added, I said in the second place, that such a change was diuinely impos­sible; for how else (to dispute probably, and why may not such be the sense of the Holy Ghost?) shall the words of God be accomplished, that those States and Kingdomes, Apoc. 17. 1 [...]. which first loued the whore, should afterwards hate her, yea so hate her, that they should eat her flesh, and consume her bones with fire: and what is this else but to make her desolate, without any hope of euer recouering her former state a­gaine? The Scripture speaketh thus of all the haters of the whore; haters of the whore (I say) such as make a perfect reformation, not in part, but wholly; not in substance on­ly, but in ceremonies likewise; such as eat and deuoure the delicacy of all her superstitious rags, and consume the very body of her errours and heresies; the Scripture affir­ming this of all the haters of the Whore, may we not with great probabilitie apply and assume the same to this re­nowned State and Church, which is become as an Assyle and Sanctuary to all sincere haters of the Whore, to all such whom the Tyranny of the Whore and her Confe­derates may force into exile; and to all such whom the force of Truth may effectually moue to abandon all sub­iection to the Whore. The Word of God is gone forth; and by what is alreadie happily begun, let vs bee most as­sured, that her vtter ruine will in time bee accomplished: what? if our disguised Aduersaries vaunt (to their decei­ued Dames and deluded wantons) the contrary? what though our Luke-warme Laodiceanizers (halters betwixt Baal and God) dreame to the contrary; gaping after prefer­ments by such meanes, which are neuer likely to come to passe? what? though the Couert-chaffe of Communion-Re­cusants, doe now shew it selfe to be Church-Recusants; drea­ming after we cannot tel what? what though there be such shadowes of vaine hopes? The words of God must be ac­complished, and ere it be long (hypocrites in all States & [Page 50] Churches, being to their shame discouered) The man of sinne, and sonne of perdition will bee brought to vtter ruine and Change of Reli­gion royally im­possible. perdition: Come Lord Iesus, come quickly. I said in the third place, that such a change was Royally impossible: For how possible, that our Religious Dauid, should not bee Semper Idem, alwayes the same? How possible but hee, who hath gone in and out before vs in this holy warre? Yea more, Cecinit classicum, hath sounded out his most Christian & lear­ned Alarum; wherein the Papall State is most liuely and Praemonit. reg. learnedly declared to be the State of the Beast: and wher­in there is more learning and Diuinitie, then can iustly be refuted by all Papall Rabbins; I adde, or by any of their dissembling Fauourites: How possible (I say) that he, who hath so happily begunne in the spirit, should end in the flesh? Shall any of vs, dare to be so irreuerent against Ma­iesty (so Christian a Maiesty) as once to thinke, that he will doe ought against the knowledge of his own conscience? (a sin against the Holy Ghost) or that he will suffer, that truth to bee imprisoned, impugned, which his Royall Pen hath so learnedly and Christianly defended and maintai­ned? Far be all such surmises from the hearts and tongues of all dutifull Subiects, who also euer will (as they ought) interpret, Arcana Regni, Secrets of State, in the best sense. But if, we will not perswade our selues, that such a change is Royally impossible; in regard we haue a Religious, Lear­ned & Resolued Prince, in all points of Christianitie; yet let vs be perswaded, that such an alteration is Royally impos­sible, in respect we haue an Intelligent, and a Politick wise Prince: for who cannot but know, that with such a change he must put on, lugum exactoris, The very yoke of the Exac­tour, and that he and his Successors, must of Absolute Mo­narchs, & Soueraigne Commanders, become blind deuouts to Papall Breefs, and liege Seruants also to the Soueraigne Lord (of all Lords) the Pope. For in Papistry it is an Axiome, that the Nation and Kingdome, which shall not serue the Pope, shall, must, and ought to perish. Let vs then rest resolued, that such a change is altogether both vnlikely and impossible: [Page 51] Let vs cast off such feares, & rather take heed that our Ad­uersaries do not thinke that we haue conceiued any such feare; for vpon such conceptions, they will begin new stratagems, and will think the day to be halfe theirs, if they once apprehend that we are afraid of their preuailing.

I sum vp this my discourse, and aduise thus; let euery soule here present, feare, lest through demerits of our sins, we may be drawne from the stedfastnes of our profession; let vs also in deuor by force of truth, and firmnesse of per­swasions, to draw the Papist from the Idolls of his Heresies, Superstitions, and Impieties. Vlisses his followers stopt their A necessary ca­ueat. eares, so to escape the charmes of Circes; Vlisses himselfe (his eares being vnstopped) binds himself fast to the Mast of the Ship, that so hee might escape her veneficious charmes: Yee that are but weake in zeale, or not fully in­structed, stop your eare against Romes Charmers, charme they neuer so gloriously; but yee who are better instruc­ted, and who dare to heare their disputes, their conferen­ces, their arguments; tye your soules inuiolably to the Mast of Christ his Ship, his sacred Word; with the cords A true rule of Catholicisme: Vincent Liti­uensis contra Hereses. of the rule of Faith; which rule is no other, then that forme of doctrine which is Catholike: that Quae semper, quae vbique, quae ab omnibus credita fuit; That doctrine which al­wayes, which in all places, and of all persons hath beene beleeued. Vnder this Mast only ( Gods sacred Word Catholikely, not Popishly interpreted) shall yee bee safe and secure, against all the nouell vanities, and vaine nouelties; against all the impious blasphemies, and blasphemous impieties; against all the arrogant presumptions, and presumptuous arro­gancies of the Antichristian State of Rome.

Let vs then, O Christian soules! be resolute & constant for the testimony of Iesus! he who lookes backe (hauing put his hand to the plough) is not fit for the Kingdome of God: neither is he fit for the religious chase, & zealous pursuit, which is to be made after so execrable a Beast, who may either looke backe by returning, or withdrawing his [Page 52] first works (like some Godlesse Dalmatian Apostata) or who like some profane Helcesaean (dissembling his Faith) may shake hands in somewicked communion with the Beast, or with these sworne champions of the Beast; or finally, who like some Godlesse Adiaphorizer, may either say in his heart or speake with his mouth, that any man (so he professe Christ, beleeue on Christ) may bee saued in such his faith and profession, be it Popish, be it Muscouish; be it Pelagian, be it Donatian, be it of any other, falsly named, forme of Faith whatsoeuer. O Christ, what times doest thou suffer, when wee are thus enforced to speake against such an excesse of impietie and irreligiosity!

I conclude, the God of Gods hath spoken, Mercy and Iudgement belongs to him: mercy from him, for all those, who shall sincerely serue and worship him; iudgement a­gainst all those, who shall worship the Beast, or the Image of the Beast: mercy for euer, for all those who vnder the Lamb, are called chosen and faithfull; iudgement against all those, Who shall receiue the mark of the Beast in their hands, or on their foreheads: mercy for all those, Who may dye in the Lord, for they shall rest from their labours: (which God of his infinit mercy grant to euery soule here present:) iudge­ment against all those, who shall admire after the Beast; for they shall drinke of the cup of Gods wrath and indignation.

From vs, who worship the Lamb, but abhorre the Beast; who onely adore Gods Word, but execrate the Beasts Tra­ditions: From vs, who haue in hate all the markes and Characters of the Beast, and who are signed with the Spi­rit of the holy Lamb in the day of our Redemption. From vs (I say) to our God, together with the Lamb that sitteth vpon the Throne, and their euer blessed Spirit, be rendred bene­diction, Claritie, power, wisdome, honour, thanksgiuing, vertue, and obedience, from this time forth for euermore,

Amen.

Laus Deo.

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