The second part of the 13. Chapter of the Revelation, beginning at the 11. Verse.

AS in the former part of this Chapter, the Prelacie and Clergie in generall, who under the title of the Catholike Church Militant, [Page 19] exalted themselues to work iniquitie, and bring the Nations into cap­tivitie and bondage to their traditions, were resembled by a seven­headed Beast: so here, after much striving amongst themselues who should be the chiefe and greatest, not being content with their former riches, honour, and earthly promotion, but aspiring higher, at last the Prelate of Rome in particular, attained to this title and dignitie, to be Christs Vicar, Peters successor, and universall Bishop; and under that Title pretended a fulnesse of power and supremacie over all persons and causes, and therefore is here resembled and fore-shewed by a Beast, &c.

First, whereas it is said of this Beast that it came up out of the earth, thereby is signified, that the high degree and dignitie whereunto the Prelates of Rome haue aspired, and exalted themselues, is not from heaven, it is of the earth, earthly; it is a plant which our heavenly Fa­ther hath not planted, and therefore shall in the end be rooted out.

Concerning the comming up of this Beast, it is to be minded, that the Ministers of the word of God (of which ranke of men this Beast boasteth himselfe to be the cheife) if they were in their right kinde should be as the Starres of heaven, lights and guides unto others: But at the opening of the Rev. 6. 13. sixth Seale Iohn saw the Starres fall from heaven to the earth, as a fig tree casteth her greene figges when she is shaken of a mighty winde; whereby was signified, that the Ministers of the word of God would in time degenerate and goe out of kinde; they would, contrary to the Apostles rule, set their affections on earthly things, they would for filthy lucre make Marchandize of the people and Word of God; they would gather riches, and grow wealthy by the wages of un­righteousnesse, and so become the great men of the earth: all which is fulfilled and come to passe, as all may see that are not wilfully blinde.

Among the rest of the fallen Starres, to one was given the key of the bottomlesse pit, Rev. 9. 1. whereby was signified that power and preheminence should be given to one of the fallen Starres aboue the rest: which thing was effected and came to passe, when Phocas be­ing Emperour he promoted Boniface then Prelate of Rome to be univer­sall Bishop, and to haue power and jurisdiction over all other Bishops: Which thing vvhen Phocas had done, this Abaddon King of Locusts, with the rest of the brood of the bottomelesse pit that succeeded him, who had the opening and shutting of Purgatory at their pleasure, so pre­vailed in time, that they exalted themselues aboue Emperours and Kings; which thing they could never haue done, had they not first be­sotted the Nations in blinde devotion to impoverish themselues to feed these Locusts under the title of the Church, and in hope of meriting thereby, and to be released from their sinnes, and from the supposed paines of Purgatory: For had the Pope, that Prelate of Rome, been as destitute of worldly wealth, and as well furnished with spirituall grace, as Peter and Iohn were when they went up into the Temple to pray, Acts 3. 1. 6. and healed the lame man, he had never set his foote upon the Empe­rours neck. For as much therefore as the Romish Prelate from a meane [Page 20] and lowly estate and degree in the world, hath crept up and been exal­ted aboue Kings and Emperours: and seeing worldly wealth and riches haue been the meanes whereby he hath got the preheminence, very sig­nificantly was this upstart resembled and prefigured, by a Beast comming up out of the earth.

Againe, it is said of this Beast, that it had two Hornes like the Lamb: By Hornes in the Scripture is usually signified power and autho­rity, and by the Lamb is meant Christ Iesus, who had all power in hea­ven and earth given to him, Math. 28. 18. So that hereby was shewed, that the Prelate of Rome would challenge and usurpe great power and au­thority which he perswadeth the world doth belong unto him, as be­ing Christs Vicar, and under this pretence usurpeth a two-fold power and jurisdiction, both Civill and Ecclesiasticall, not in earth onely, but in heaven also; what he bindeth in earth, is bound in heaven, and whom he will he can release from the paines of Purgatorie, and place them in heaven: Therefore in token of this his power he is armed with two swords, which thing was plainely signified by the two Hornes which he had like the Lamb. But though the Beast would be the Lambs equall, and resemble him in power, yet his voyce bewrayes him to bee but a counterfeit, and a dissembling hypocrite: he speakes like the Dragon, he pretendeth property to that which is not his own, and ex­alteth himselfe against those unto whom he should submit and giue ho­nour: Even as the Dragon said of the Kingdomes of the world; All these are in my power, I giue them to whom I will? So likewise saith this Luk. 4. 6. Beast his Vicar, the Prelate of Rome: The Empire and Kingdomes of the earth are in my power, and at my disposition, and to me it be­longeth to depose and set up Emperours and Kings at my pleasure, as shall bee behoofull for the peace of the Church. And thus may the Beast in this bee knowne by his voyce, likewise in divers other particular blasphemous speeches and divelish doctrines.

Further it is said of this Beast, That he exerciseth all the power of the first Beast before him, and causeth the earth, and them which dwell therein, to Vers. 12. worship the first Beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

In that this Beast is said to exercise, All the power of the first Beast before him, thereby was signified, That what the first Beast could doe by her motherly authority and power under the usurped title and name of the holy Church, the same could this Beast doe, by the authority & power of his fatherhood under the title & pretence of Christs Vicar, Peters successor, universall Bishop, &c. But that this Beast may yet further be discerned, it is said of him, That he caused the earth, and those which dwell therein to worship the first Beast, &c. By causing the earth to worship the first Beast, was foreshewed, that the Pope would exact of the earth the tenth part of the fruits therof for the maintenance of the holy Church, & this is indeed to worship: For as the paying of Tithes in the time of the Law was a part of the true outward worship of God, so this is the worship of the Beast. And further, by causing the Inhabitants of the earth also to [Page 21] worship the first Beast, was shewed that he would carefully see due homage, service, and obedience to be yeelded and performed to the holy Church: so that though the Prelate of Rome as a sonne of perdi­tion, did exalt himselfe aboue measure, yet still doth he maintaine the power and dignity of the Catholick Church; the estimation of her Motherhood must still bee maintained, her voyce must still be heard and obeyed; not to come when she calls is contumacie and contempt not to be indured; they that dare so farre to despise her authoritie, as not to obey her Paritors Processe, are by her doome to bee accounted cur­sed children, and worthy of no lesse censure and punishment then to be struck with that terrible Thunderbolt of her Excommunication, the violence whereof is such, as who can indure it? Who will not rather ride, runne, dance attendance, crouch, kneele, pay, pray, or doe any thing else which Maister Officiall or his Register wil enioyne them, then undergoe so heavy a burthen as the censure of Excommunication? Thus will the Pope haue the magnificence of this Diana to bee maintained, The earth and those which dwell in it must yeeld unto her the Tithe of all their increase, as also Mortuaryes, Offerings, and many other Church duties which she requireth of them; for she is a goddesse and must bee worshipped. And this diminisheth the Popes glorie never a jot, the two estates of the Whoore and false Prophet, can well agree and stand toge­ther, as father and mother in one family, and therefore the second Beast, as father of all, wil haue the first Beast worshiped, that is, obeyed & main­tained in glorie, as mother of all. And further obserue, in that the Pope hath executed all authoritie of the Catholike Church, thereby is confir­med the truth of the exposition, that the first Beast was the Catholike Church, and the second Beast the Pope, as hath beene before observed.

And he doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come downe from Vers. 13. heaven on earth in the sight of men.

First, by the wonders which he did, was foreshewed what wonder­full things the Prelate of Rome, that false Prophet should bring to passe, as namely, under the title of the servant of the servants of God (which indeed all Ministers of the Word, and other Church Officers ought to be) to creep up and exalt himselfe aboue Emperours and Kings, and all other estates in the earth, which being considered, is indeed a thing wonderfull: for first, the Prelacie and Clergie in respect of the pretended holines of their Orders were exempted and freed from being subiect to any secular jurisdicton and power, the meanest of them might not be produced before any secular ludge, for any crime or offence how Vide Consi­lium Matis. Can. 9. 10. havnous soever, yet unto this Beast, they must be obedient in all things, as servants to their Lord; upon him they must depend with all observa­tion, as children upon their fathers: And as for Emperours and Kings, and other worldly States, it is plaine to bee seene that though they stand highly upon their titles and dignities, not to haue them empayred, or in any thing diminished, which is a thing which they will withstand to the shedding of aboundance of bloud; yet to be made such vassals to [Page 22] this Beast, as to hold his stirrop, to leade his horse by the bridle, to kisse his feete, they thought it no abasement, but an honour: And notwithstanding that very many of that beastly ranke haue been noto­rious wicked men, and abominable livers, yet haue they the craft so to delude and besot all people of all degrees in the world, as to bring them to beleeue that the truth is so infallibly annexed to that seate of the Beast, that it is not possible for him to erre in iudgement; yea, he made the world to beleeue it as an Article of faith, that his determi­nation and iudgement of any controversie or point of doctrine, is a more indifficient and infallible rule of faith then is the holy Scriptures: That these and the like grosse doctrines are beleeved and received, are great wonders.

Further, He maketh fire to come downe from heaven on the earth in the sight of men; &c.

By fire in this place was fore-shewed the punishment which should be inflicted on the Saints, which was burning with fire: And in that the fire was sayd to come from heaven, thereby was foreshewed, that the Iudges of the earth, Who are Psal. 82. 6. called Gods, and their seats as the Throne of God in heauen, should bee so corrupted by the Pope, as that they should beleeue the Saints and Servants of God which refused to obey the Pope and his Lawes, to be therefore Hereticks, Schismaticks, refractarie, rebellious and disobedient persons, and therefore should condemne them to be burnt to death: This they haue done, thinking they did God therein good service, and that it was the iust iudgement of God upon them. Thus he made fire to come downe from heaven: For true it is, that the iudgements rightly pronounced by the lawfull Magistrates are the iudgements of God, and their punishments, Gods punishments, and therefore it is that Maigistrates are called Gods: but seeing Magistrates haue beene thus corrupted by the Pope, and made to pronounce unrighteous and unjust judgements, wee are to esteeme them as the judgements of the Dragon; and yet neverthelesse their au­thority and power lawfull and ordained of God. Thus the Beast decei­veth them that dwell on the earth, by meanes of those Miracles (falsly so called) which he had power to doe in the sight of the Beast, as is shewed in the verse following.

And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the meanes of those mira­cles Vers. 14. which he had power to doe in the sight of the Beast.

Those which the Beast deceiveth are sayd to dwell on the earth, that is, haue their affections fet upon earthly things, and not upon heavenly, so that they will not for loue of the truth forsake their earth­ly possessions and pleasures: these are they which are deceived by these lying wonders of this Beast; but those that are strangers and pilgrimes in this world, whose affections are set upon heavenly things, and not upon earthly, these are not deceived nor deluded by him: these making tryall of him by Gods word haue found him to be a lyer and a deceiver, and beleeue him not, but taking their liues in their hands, witnes against [Page 23] him to the death, that his power and working is of Satan, and that his wonders are lyes.

And whereas it is sayd, that he had power to doe these miracles in the sight of the Beast: therby is confirmed & made manifest that which before is shewed page 23, that this sonne of perdition, the chief darling of his ho­ly catholick Mother, is present with her, and in her bosome, and for her sake and in her behalf exerciseth his power, shee retayning still her for­mer authoritie without any diminishing thereof, as is evident unto all that are acquainted with the acts of that Church. Thus much for the second parte of this chapter.

The 3. part of the 13. Chapter of the Revelation: Wherin is foreshewed a third Beast, which was set up by the com­maundement of this second Beast the Pope, who sayd to them that dwelt on the earth, that they should make an Image to the Beast which had the wound with a sword and did live.

HEre we may see that the Pope by his commanding power, was the cause of setting up this Image, and for the better and more cleare understanding, what this Image is; Let us consider a little the pat­terne whose image and likenes it beareth, namely the first Beast.

The first Beast, as hath beene shewed was the representative body of the Catholicke Church Militant, consisting of the selected Prelacy and Preisthood of sundry Nations gathered together into one Councell, or Synode, with authoritie to make lawes and canons for the universall Church, to be observed uniformely of all Nations, under pretence of the insufficiency of the Scripture for the government of the Church, and the worship of God. In like manner the Pope (in his wisedome seeing it ne­cessary for the good government, maintenance, and upholding of his kingdome, and the rooting out of Heretickes, and seditious persons (as they call them,) which daylie increased in every Countrie,) did ordeyne and command Vide con­ciliū Lateran secundum, Can. 6. that in every Province there should yerely be held and kept a Provinciall counsel or Synode consisting of the Prelats and divers other selected persons which should look to those matters, to which Sy­node he also gave power to make lawes and ordinances, to which the people should be conformable and obedient: This is the Image which he caused the dwellers on the earth to make of the Beast, which had the wound with a sword and did live.

Further it is sayd, Vers. 15. And power was given him to giue life unto the Image of the Beast, that the Image of the Beast should both speake, and Ver. 15. cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast, should bee killed.

In this verse wee may obserue: first, that a gift was given to the Pope to bestow upon this Image: secondly, what this gift was, viz. [Page 24] to giue life or breath to the Image: thirdly, the end and effects of the gift, which was, that the Beast should speake, and cause that as many as would not worship the Beast should be killed: As there was given by the Dragon to the first Beast great power and authoritie, and also a mouth to speake blasphemies and to make warre with the Saints, in like manner by the same Dragon was this gift given to the Pope, to giue life or breathe to this Image: By life is here meant authoritie, which is the life of a Synode, without which it is of no force, and so this Image should haue been no more then a very image or picture, and set up to no purpose, but the Pope having received it, gaue authority to the Image that he should speake, that is, make and set forth Canons and Lawes; for to speake is so understood: as for example: A King is said to speake to his subiects when he setteth forth his Lawes and Proclama­tions: so this Beast having made Canons and Decrees, speaketh to her vassals and subjects by them. Moreover, the Image caused that as ma­ny as would not worship him should be killed: Here the pride and cru­elty of this Image is set forth, to be answerable to the first Beast, and therefore rightly is he called her Image: for as the first Beast made wart with the Saints and overcame them, and all that dwelled on the earth worshiped him, &c. so whosoever would not worship this Image, that is, heare his voyce and keep his commandements, there was no way for him but death. All the worship that the Lord requireth of his servants, is * That they feare him, walke in all his wayes, loue him, and serue him with all their Deu. 10. 12. 13. hearts, and with all their soules to keep the commandements of the Lord, and his or­dinances. And this is indeed the true worship of God, In like manner this Image wilbe worshiped, his lawes must be observed & his canons obey­ed without examining and trying of them, be they never so unholy and unjust: They that do not observe and obey them, be they never so upright and holy men, they shalbe therefore indited, araigned, judged and con­demned to death, as being in their estimation Hereticks, Schismatickes, disobedient and rebellious persons, contemners of God and of the Church, yea as the filth and ofscowring of the world, and unworthy of the societie of men.

And he causeth all both small and great, rich and poore, free and bond, to receive a marke in their right hand and in their foreheads.

This Image challenging worship to be performed unto him, of all people of all sorts and degrees, according to the authoritie given him by the Pope, was by some contradicted and despised, wherfore the Image in policie for the better triall of those that were his trustie subjects and slaves, ordeyned: that all his Ministers should receive a marke, at the re­ceiving whereof, they should vowe and sweare to be of his dominion & under his Banner, to fight against Christ and his Saincts. What this marke is, and what is the manner of giving and receiving of it, is now to be declared.

The For proofe of this looke no further then in the 36. Canon of the Church of Eng. made An. 1603. Prelacye and Clergy being as hath been before shewed, assem­bled with authority to make lawes, did ordeyne that every Bishop in [Page 25] his diocesse should carefully observe that none should preach or execute the function of a parish Parson, Vicar or Curat in any parish, but he that would sweare to observe their Lawes & Canons, and thereupon should receive the Letters of Orders of the Bishop of the Diocesse, which Letters of Orders signed and sealed by the Bishop, is the Marke of the Beast here mentioned, and doth testify in the behalfe of the Bearer ther­of that he is their sworne servant, under holy orders, either a Priest, a Deacon, or half Preist &c, and that he is a man found capable & meete for the cure and charge of soules, and therfore to what parish soever these tryed Lads are sent to doe service, upon sight of this Marke they must be received without any opposition, upon penaltie of the Law up­on those that shall refuse them.

Here may be objected, that this Marke is onely received by the Clergie, and not by the people of all sorts, rich and poore, bond and free, according to the Text. I answer, that all persons which receiue these false Priests doe likewise receiue, and submit to that authority which sent them, and also the Marke by which they are sent, as is evi­dent, when a Priest commeth to take possession of a Parish to which he is by the Bishop appointed; he is not received upon his word, nor be­cause he tolleth the Bell, and putteth on the Surplice, and useth other Ceremonies inioyned him by the Prelate: But, shewing the fore-said Marke of the Beast they receiue both him and it, and communicate with him: Thus all, both small and great, rich and poore, bond and free, that receiue and submit unto their appointed Priest, receiue a marke in their foreheads, or in their right hands, by receiving and sub­mitting to him: For as our Saviour Christ saith of his Apostles and Ministers, He that receiveth you receiveth me, he that heareth you heareth me: Luk. 10. 16. Joh. 13. 20. So those that receiue, heare, and ioyne in fellowship with these false Ministers, doe heare, receiue, and ioyne to the false power which sent them, and the marke by which they are sent.

Whereas it is said, that they received this marke in their foreheads, or right hand, thereby was shewed that this marke should be an apparant testimony that they were servants of the Beast, and that they were of that Band which had ioyned hands, and made a league to walke in the wayes of destruction.

Further it is said, Vers. 17. And that no man might buy or sell saue he that had the marke of the Beast, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name.

Here are propounded three conditions, and whosoever had not one of them, thereby to be knowne to bee of that Kingdome, might not buy or sell, or haue any thing to doe amongst them. For the better un­derstanding hereof let us minde, that although these three Beasts in re­spect of their severall power and jurisdiction did differ one from ano­ther, The Catholike Church being the chiefe, and the Pope inferiour to her, and the Image of the Beast as it were a servant or handmaid in­feriour to them both, yet notwithstanding they were one body, being ioyned and knit together by the power of the Dragon, and haue so farr [Page 26] prevailed over the Nations as that they haue brought all, both small and great, rich and poore, bond and free, to be in subiection to their kingdom, which beareth the name of the holy Catholike Church or Sea of Rome, but the Holy Ghost calleth it Reu. 14. 8. Babylon the great Citie: for as the materiall Babylon was a Citie which dwelled Esa. 51. 13. upon many waters, which caused her to abound in riches and treasure: so this mysticall Babylon, this great Citie of Rome, I meane the Ecclesiasticall State, is said also to sit upon many waters, which the Holy Ghost expoundeth to be People and Nations, as in the 17. Chapter and 15. verse: The wa­ters on which the Where sitteth are Peoples and Multitudes, and Nations and Tongues: And these waters haue been the meanes of the flowing and increasing of the wealth and riches of this Citie, so that their Mar­chants, that is, the Prelates haue grown rich and become the great men of the earth, by traficking in them; also the Ship-masters (which are the Parish Priests) and all Ship men and Marriners (which are the inferiour guides, and Ecclesiasticall Officers) haue gathered crummes and waxed rich thereby, and therefore at the destruction of this great Citie shall stand a farre off and howle to see the desolation thereof, and their owne gaine taken away, for from thence-forth no man will buy their commodities any more. Here note, that these foresaid spirituall prrsons are the sellers, and the Lay-people are the buyers, and the wares which are bought and sold in this kingdom are all called spirituall, as pardons for sinne, and indulgences of divers sorts, which is a speciall commodi­tie, and bringeth in aboundance of treasure; also their Pistling, Gos­peling, Canting, Homeling, Massing, which must bee maintained with the Tithes, or Tenth of all things, which they usually call the maintenance of the Ministery; also the Sacrifices (unacceptable to God and well-pleasing to the divell) which are dayly offered at their Altars, and at divers Images of Saints; also the body of their Maker and Savi­our: besides Marrying, Baptizing of children, Churching of women, Houseling the sick; burying the dead, these, and many such like, are the spirituall wares sold in this kingdom which haue particular prizes set on them: Now so it is, that these wares are priviledged that none may either buy or sell them saue he that hath the marke of the Beast, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name. What the Marke of the Beast is, hath been before shewed: Secondly, the name of the Beast is to be considered, For the manifestation whereof let us consider and minde, that those which did preach and professe Christ and his doc­trine, are said to haue and to beare his name. The Lord Christ Iesus said unto Ananias in a Vision concerning Paul, That hee was a chosen Vessell to Acts 9. 15. beare his Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel: By the name of the Lord, here was meant that Paul should preach the doctrine of Christ, and those that beleeved by his Preaching were said to beleeue in the name of Christ, and were therefore baptized into his name, and called Christians: Acts 11. 26. The Disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Also the disciples and followers of Christ are said to haue the [Page 27] Lambs Fathers name written in their forehead: According to this is the mea­ning of the name of this Beast, which the Holy Ghost setteth down in a mysterie in the 17. chapter and 5. verse, Babylon the great, the mother of Harlots, and abominations of the earth: But the Papists call it, not Babylon the great, but the great universall or Catholick Church; not the mother of Harlots, but the mother of all true Beleevers; not the mother of all abominations of the earth, but the Pillar and ground of Truth, that can­not erre: This is the difference betwixt the name which God giveth them, and which they take and attribute unto themselues: But let them speak the best of themselues, and let us consider and answer them in their own language, they call themselues the Catholick Church, and their pro­fessed vassals and subiects are therfore called Catholicks, and whatsoever they bee, that do either preach or professe the Catholick faith, that is, beleeue as this Catholick Church beleeveth, that it is mother of all true Beleevers, that it cannot erre, &c. they are Catholicks, such per­sons wheresoever they liue, if they thus beleeue (although they never receiued the marke of the Beast, nor can receiue it) yet this profession is enough to entitle them in the right of buying or selling these fore­said wares, such persons haue the name of the Beast, and therefore they may buy pardons of the forgiuenesse of part or all their sinnes, and use any of these things which they suppose necessary for their soules health (but indeed destruction) yea, after their death they may, for a summe of mony given to the foresaid Marchants by their charitable successors, be released out of Purgatorie: thus, by their owne description wee haue found out the name of the Beast, and who they are that haue re­ceived it.

The third condition is the number of his name, as the Beast had one generall name (which the Catholick Church) whereby he was known from all other States and Kingdomes in the world, so it hath a number of names belonging to the particular parts and members thereof to di­stinguish one from another, as in the 17. Chap. and third verse, The Beast was full of names of blasphemy. As the true Church, which is that body whereof Christ Iesus onely is the Head, is compleate and furnished, when it is coupled and knit together by every ioynt and member which Christ Iesus hath given for the furniture thereof; namely, Apostles, Pro­phets, 1. Cor. 12. Ephe. 4. 11. Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers: So this false Church being fur­nished with those parts and members which that great red Dragon hath invented and set up under the title of Ministers of Christ, to worke up­on the children of disobedience, namely, the Pope, Patriarches, Cardi­nalls, Arch-bishops, Bishops, Deanes, Arch-deacons, Abbots, Priors, Prebends, Canons, Chancellors, Commissaries, Registers, Doctors, with the rest of the selected Synode or Councell: so (I say) this Church or Beast, being furnished with these his parts and members, is an intire body, and these members are the full number of his name; that is, they are the number of whom the Catholick Church consisteth, and from them all inferiour power and offices of Ministerie, as Monkes, Fryars, Parsons, [Page 28] Vicars, Curats and Iesuits are derived. This I understand to be the num­ber of his name, and this exposition agreeth with that in the verse fol­lowing, where it is said, let him that hath understanding count the Number of the Beast. By the number of the Beast what can bee under­stood but the Number of the particular parts whereof he consisteth? And where it is said, For it is the number of a man: What can bee un­derstood but that it beareth the resemblance and likenesse of a man? as followeth to be declared. Thus wee see who may buy and sell in this Kingdom, and who may not.

Here is wisedome, let him that hath understanding count the number of the Vers. 18. Beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Here is shewed, first, what is required in searching out this mysterie, and that is wisedom and understanding, not such as is from beneath, but from aboue, which commeth down from the Father of lights, from whom commeth every good and perfect gift, hee it is that giveth wise­dome to the simple, and the understanding of his secrets to those that feare him, which should teach those that desire to know the Mysteries of his will to labour to be such as to whom he hath promised to reveale them, then, whatsoever we aske we shall receiue of him, for to such hee giveth liberally and upbraideth not.

Secondly, here is shewed a direction how to imploy a mans wise­dom in finding out this Mysterie, and that is by counting or reckoning the number of this Beast.

Thirdly, a reason why the number of the Beast is to be counted, Be­cause it is the number of a man; that is, it agreeth with and is answerable to the parts of a man, and so is the more easily to be found: for as wee know the true Church of Christ is compared in the Scriptures to the naturall body of a man, as in 1. Cor. 12. 12. For as the body is one and hath ma­ny members, and all the members of that one body being many are one body, so also is Christ Jesus: And in the 27. verse, the Apostle speaking of the church of Corinth, hee saith: Yee are the body of Christ and members in particular, &c. So in the Ephes. 1. 22. 23. Christ is given to be head ouer all things, to the Church which is his Body. Thus as the true Church is called and compared to a body; so the catholicks affirme that they onely are that church and that body, and that the particular parts and members of their church are the full number thereof. Now whereas they say they are the church, let us say they are the Beast; and whereas they say, their particular parts and members make up the number of the Church, let us say their par­ticular parts and members make up the number of the Beast, and so we finde the true interpretation of this Scripture.

Further, here is set downe the number of the Beast, which is 666. By this number I do not understand any set number, and that the parts and members of the Beast are no more nor lesse, but thereby I under­stand is meant a full and compleate number, as before was shewed. As all the parts and members of a man ioyned together make a whole per­fect man, so doe the particular parts and members of the Beast make a [Page 29] perfect and entire Beast. Thus briefly, according to the ability which God hath given me, I haue gone over this chapter, wherein is briefly set forth the workers of iniquitie which haue, and yet still doe pre­vaile over Gods people, under the title of Ministers of the Gospell and Church of Christ, as they were represented under the forme of three severall Beasts: The first Beast representing the Generall Coun­cells, or (as the Papists call it) the Catholick Church. The second Beast representing the Pope. And the third Beast the Provinciall Coun­cels which were established by the Pope.

The which three Beasts bearing rule and dominion in these times whereinto wee are fallen, and being enemies and opposers of Christ and his Kingdome, it doth behooue us to know them, to end that wee may eschew them and their evill wayes, and seek after the truth, making straight steps unto the Kingdome of God.

Now that we our selues may make particular use hereof, it is ne­cessarie for us to examine the Nationall Synode, or Convocation, con­fisting of the Prelacy and clergie of this Land, who whilst they re­mained under the yoke and bondage of the church of Rome, and whilst they exercised their power which was first given them by the Pope, for, and in the behalfe of that church and dominion, they were they very Image of the first Beast before mentioned: But being now separated from the Pope, and Church of Rome, they thinke (as it should seeme) that their spirituall Pontificall power and authority which they exercise is lawfull and warrantable, and to bee submitted unto: They being gathered together boast themselues to bee the representatiue body of the Church of England, and the true Church of Christ, and that they haue power to make Lawes and Canons for governement thereof, and for the worship of God, which all men ought to yeeld obedience unto, as appeareth by divers of their books of Canons.

But wee are not to take this upon their word, but to make triall thereof by the word of God, whether it be true or false. If the word of God did giue them such power and authority, then indeed wee were bound in conscience to yeeld all ready obedience to their Lawes and Canons: But the most wise God and disposer of all things, who knoweth the vanity of mens mindes, would not haue his people to hold their faith in respect of mens persons, and at their plea­sure to alter and change the same, and therefore did not giue to any of his Ministers power to make Lawes in matters of Religion and for the worship of God, but gaue them power onely to teach the Nations to obserue the things which hee had commanded them, as in the eight and twentieth chapter of Mathew, the nineteenth & twentieth verses. And the Apostle Paul biddeth the Corinthians, 1. Cor. 11. 1. to bee followers of him as hee followed Christ: And in the same Chapter hee also saith, That which hee had received of the Lord, hee delivered unto them. Acts 15. [Page 30] Also the Assembly of the Apostles and Elders of the Church of Ierusa­lem, they would not impose any yoke of bondage upon the Churches of Christ, but held it to be a tempting of God so to doe, as before hath been shewed: And this agreeth with that in Deutr. 12. 32. Whatsoever I command you take heed you doe it; Thou shalt put nothing thereto, nor take ought therefrom: By which Scriptures it is plaine, that the chiefest Mi­nisters of the Gospell had no such power as these Prelates presume to haue, as we shall finde by examining their particular Canons and Con­stitutions, of which, for examples, I will onely note some few of their late and best reformed Book, made An. 1603. in the first yeere of the Kings Maiesties raigne, by which it will be apparant that they passe the bounds of the subjects of Christ, and that they haue no power from him to make such lawes; but by so doing they usurp the place of God to reigne in mens consciences, for unto him onely it doth belong to make Lawes in matters of Religion and for the worship of God, to which, men are onely bound to yeeld obedience, without adding, or detracting, and that for this their presumption they are liable to the curse of God, be­ing indeed the Image of the Beast here spoken of, that is originally sprung from the Dragon, and hath received power of Law-making from him. Concerning the first and second Canons wherein they pretend their zeale for the abolishing of all forrein power repugnant to the ju­risdiction of the Kings Majestie over the Ecclesiasticall estate, he being the highest power under God to whom all men owe most loyall obedi­ence; and that his Maiesty hath the like authority in Causes Ecclesiasti­call as the godly Kings had amongst the Iewes. To these I do [...] most wil­lingly assent and agree: And further doe desire, that (as the Pope) so the Prelacie with all their Antichristian Adherents which usurp spirituall power and superiority, aboue the Maiesty of Christ Ie­sus, being a strange and forraine generation, brought in and establish­ed in this Land by the Pope of Rome, may also bee abolished and cast out after him: for by them the Pope liues in hope hereafter to be ser­ved, as he hath been heretofore, to the great vexation of the Kings and Princes of this Land, yea to the losse of their Crowne and liues.

But to be short, I will proceed to mention some few of their canons, whereby iniquity is established for a Law, and their beastlinesse disco­vered. In the third canon it is enacted, that whosoever shall affirme the Church of England, by Law established, not to be a true and Aposto­licall Church, teaching and maintaining the doctrine of the Apostles, that person shall be excommunicated, ipso facto. That there are some, yea many doctrines of the Apostles maintained in the Church of Eng­land, I do not deny, so there are in the Church of Rome: But that the Ecclesiasticall state, or spirituall body politick, which is called the Church of England, which consisteth of Arch bishops, Diocesan Lord Bishops, Suffragans, Deanes, Arch-deacons, Prehends, Canons, Chan­cellors, Commissaries, with the rest of the Clergie, as heads and guides of that body to go before, and the whole multitude of the Layitie (as [Page 31] they call it) which is as the Tayle to follow those Heads, that this politicall Body is the Spouse and church of Christ, as they affirme in their seuenth, eigth, and ninth canons, that I do deny: For first, if it were true, that they are the Ministers of Christ and members of the Body of Christ which is his Church, we should finde warrant for them in his Testament, wherein is set downe the Ministers which hee hath set in the Church; namely, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and 1. Cor. 12. Ephes. 4. 11. Teachers, and also their office and administration: But in all the new Testament, no Arch-bishops nor Lord-bishops, no Deanes nor Arch-deacons, Prebends, Priests nor canons, no chancellors nor commissa­ries, and other their court officers, nor any such administration as they challenge and execute, can there be found, they are a strange genera­tion that is risen up out of the earth, for earthly-minded and vaine men haue invented them, and therefore the body which consisteth of them cannot of right be acknowledged to be the Body of Christ, whose Mi­nisters in respect that they are called according to the commandement of Christ, are from heaven: But it is indeed the Image of the first Beast, whose mouth was as the mouth of a Lyon, his body like a Leopard, and his feete as the feete of a Beare, an ougly compounded and deformed monster. And as their names are strange, and different from the Minis­ters of Christ, so is their practise contrary: they are not servants to the Flock and Church of Christ, and helpers of their ioy, but they are au­thors of their woe, challenging and exercising Lordship and dominion over their faith; for in stead of a due administration of the word of God, they haue mingled a cup of fornication for the people to drinke, that is, devised a forme of booke-worship, with orders, rites and cere­monies, which they haue imposed on the people under the title of Di­vine Service, and which they must obserue without adding thereto, or taking any thing from it, as in the 4. 6. 7. 8. and 14. canons.

Further they are not painefull preachers, but lazy Lords, they are not followers of Christ and of his word, but are contemners thereof, casting it behind their backs, and will not be reformed, nor ruled by it, they are Lawmakers much like Nebuchadnezar, for as he would destroy all that would not worship his golden Image; So whosoever doth refuse to yeild obedience to their Lawes, shalbe most severely punished, as is playne by diverse penalties annexed unto their Cannons.

In consecrating and ordeyning Preists, they are like to Ieroboam, for as he consecrated whome he would of the basest of the people, to be the Preists of the high places which he had set up; so doe they ordeyne for the most part ignorant fellowes to be their parish priests and inferior Ministers: wherein though they doe most absurdly, yet will they not be contradicted, as we may see by the 57. Canon, where it is sayd whosoever shall refuse to comunicate with a dumbe and unpreaching Minister, Let him be ex­communicated. And although their owne Doctors complayne and cry out against it, yet they will not amend: amongst the rest it is worthy to be observed what their owne great Champion profound Mr. Hooper sayth, [Page 32] viz. That both Arguments from light of nature, Lawes and Statutes of scripture, the Canons that are taken out of auncyent Synodes, the decrees and constitutions of sincerest tymes, the sentences of all antiquitte, and in a word every mans consent and conscience, is against ignorance in them that have the cure and charge of soules. If it be so, how unreasonable and beastly is it for the Prelats to ordeyne al­lowe and approve of such for the Ministers of Christ, of which there are many hundreds in the land, whome the Prelats are not ashamed to for­bid to expound the Scriptures, as in the 49. Canon, where it is sayd, that some of their parish priests shall not take upon them to expound in their cure or elswhere, any Scripture, or matter, or doctrine, but shall onely study to reade &c. It is greatly to be wondered at, that so many grave heads as were gathe­red together and sate consulting about these matters, should breed and bring forth such absurd and impious Canons. If there were nothing else, this allowance of dumbe Ministers, is sufficient to shew the vanitie of their mindes and the darknesse of their foolish hearts: So that we may truely say of them, that when they professed themselves to be most wise, by exalting and making themselves equall with God, in making lawes for the government of his house the Church, even then they became most foolish and void of judgment.

As for the best sort of their parish Preists which are men of learing and gifts, they must also be confined within their limitts, they must wor­ship God according to the rules prescribed them by these their spirituall Fathers, as in the 38. Canon. If any minister shall omitt to use the forme of Prayer, or any of the orders or Ceremonies prescribed in the Communion Booke, let him be suspended, and if he doe not conforme within the space of a moueth, let him be deposed. The absurdities and blasphemies conteyned in that Comon prayer Booke are many, which having been discovered and layd open by divers treatises already published in print, I will omit, onely this I will add, that in the imposing of that service Booke, or any other, this great iniquitie is committed by the imposers therof; That they doe exalt them­selves both against Christ, who is ascended into heaven Ephes. 4. 8. 11. 12. and hath given gifts to his Ministers, for the gathering together of the Saincts, for the worke of the ministery, and for the edification of the Church his body, and also they exalt themselves against the holy Ghost, who onely hath power Rom. 8. 26. to helpe our infirmities, & to furnish men with gifts to worship God aright. Further their preachers may not teach against their corrupt Church state and Mi­nistrie, though they know it to be Antichristian, nor against the forme of worship prescribed in the said comon prayer Booke, nor against the cere­monies, nor the government of the church of England by Archbishops, Bishops, Deanes, Archdeacons, and the rest that beare office in the same, nor against the manner and forme of making and consecrating Bishops Preists or Deacons, nor against the Lawes and Ordinances Ecclesiasticall es­tablished in the sayd Church, whosoever transgresseth in these things, shalbe excommunicated ipso facto, as is playne in the 4. 6. 7. 8. & 54. Ca­nons. Thus by excommunicating and cursing they labour to mainteine and defend their corruptions, but not one iote of Scripture dare they [Page 33] shew, and no marvell; seeing the whole scriptures are against mens in­ventions and traditions, of which nature these abuses are, being left here by the Pope, and reteyned and renewed by his Prelates. As they may not teach against these things, so on the contrarie, they may not teach the true and right way which Christ hath prescribed in his Testa­ment, how we must worship God, nor how the true Church of Christ ought to be gathered and constituted, the Ministers thereof ordained, nor the manner how it ought to bee governed, as appeareth in the 9. 10. 11. and 12. Canons. By which we may see in what bondage their Preachers are kept, they must hide their Talent in the earth, and put their candle under a Bushell, lest men by the light thereof should come to the knowledge of the truth and beleeue it. Also it is to be observed as a generall rule, that none, good or bad, learned or unlearned, can be suffered to receiue their Orders of Priesthood or Deaconship, or be admitted to preach, or execute a Ministerie in their Parish Churches, unlesse they sweare to conforme to the worship and ceremonies prescri­bed by these Prelates, and also submit to their Antichristian rule and governement, which they challenge to themselues, as being Lords over all: Thus by swearing they make their inferiour Priests to sell them­selues to work wickednesse; which trick they haue cunningly devised to bring the Land in subjection to their Antichristian yoke: And upon the taking of this Oath they receiue the Prelates Marke, which is cal­led in this Chapter, the Marke of the Beast; which is understood to be the Letters of Orders under the Prelates hand and seale to testifie that they are made Priests or Deacons, according to the order and canons prescribed in that behalfe, in this their Convocation, as wee may see in the 36. 48. and 50. Canons: And for refusing to worship them in these things, many are put back, and those that formerly haue been ordey­ned, for refusing so to doe (which they call revolting) haue had their penall Lawes executed upon them, which is Suspension, Degradation, and Excommunication, and after these many other afflictions in body, goods and name; being accounted factious and seditious persons, that haue no right to buy or sell their wares.

Concerning the people whereof the Church of England consisteth, it is necessary that wee finde them such as the Scriptures doe require, otherwise they cannot be accounted the Church of Christ, and to this end obserue these few places following, Ezeckiel 44. 19. Thus saith the Lord, no stranger uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh shall enter in­to my Sanctuarie: And the people of Israel for suffering such uncircum­cised strangers to enter into the Sanctuary of the Lord, hee calleth them a rebellious people, that had polluted his Sanctuarie, and broken his Covenant; And in the 23. verse, The Lord teacheth his Ministers to put difference betweene the holy and prophane, the cleane and uncleane; And accor­ding to this was the practise of the Apostles in the primitiue Age, who by preaching the Word gathered none but such as beleeved, and volun­tarily submitted themselues to walke according to the profession of the [Page 34] Gospell; and if any did cunningly creepe into the fellowship of the Saints, and not walk accordingly, they were to bee cast out by the Church, as in the 1. Cor. 5. Likewise the Apostle Paul hee separated the Disciples of Ephesus from those that beleeved not; so the Apostle Acts 19. 9. taught the Corinthians, 1. Cor. 6. 14. 15. &c. Bee not unequally yoked to­gether with unbeleevers, for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with unrighteous­nesse? And what communion hath light with darknesse? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath hee that beleeveth with an Infidell? And what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? For yee are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walke in them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people; Wherefore come out from amongst them, and bee yee separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the uncleane thing, and I will receiue you.

Now if we compare the Church of England with these Scriptures we shall finde that the practise and proceedings thereof, hath been, and is contrary. The people thereof (for the most part) are such as visibly and apparantly liue in all kinde of licentiousnesse, and in their workes deny God, being abominable and disobedient. For these Lordly Prelates be­ing armed with the sword of Civill authority, and having the Law of their side, they haue not laboured by painefull preaching to draw men to the obedience of the faith, and to the fellowship of the Gospell apart from the prophane and wicked, that speake evill of the wayes of the Lord, but they haue compelled and inforced all sorts of people, both religious and prophane, not onely such as feare God, but also such as feare him not, by bodily punishments to be conformable to the profession which is by their Canon Law established in this Church: As if the Word of God, that sword of the Spirit were not mighty enough in operation for the gathering together of the Saints. That this is their practise is plaine by the 90. and 114. Canons, where it is said, that Mi­nisters and Church-wardens must present all persons aboue the age of 13. yeeres, that come not to the Church and receiue the Sacraments; after which presentation, if they doe not conforme they shall bee ex­communicated, imprisoned, and haue their goods attached: This is the meanes which hath been used for the gathering of this Church of England, whereby they haue confounded and mingled them together whom God hath commanded to be separated: wherein what do they lesse then thinke themselues wiser and stronger then God? The Word of God is the seed whereby the Church of God is begotten, and those that are begotten by any other meanes are bastards, and not sonnes: for as that woman is an Harlot which hath children by any but her law­full Husband: so that Church whose members are gathered by any other way or meanes, then by the Word of God, perswading and mouing their hearts, the same is not the Church of Christ: But this hath been the manner of gathering the Church of England, and therefore it is unworthy to be adorned with the title of the Church of Christ, but ought to be accounted the Image of the first Beast before spoken of, [Page 35] that is, of great Babylon which is an habitation of divells, an hold of sowle spi­rits, and a cage of every uncleane and hatefull Bird.

And for confirmation hereof by the testimonie of their own mouthes, let us but consider the estimation which the members of this Church haue one of another: Some there are amongst them, who for making more conscience of their waies then the rest, are in derision called Puritans or Precisians; these on the contrary seeing the ungodly conver­sation of the rest of their brethren, esteeme them as wicked, prophane, carnall and unregenerate men, such as (for the most part) are mockers, contemners, and evill speakers of the Truth, and in whom is no ap­pearance of Religion and the feare of God; and therefore they distin­guish the better sort from these prophane persons by the name of Pro­fessors. This is the estimation which they haue one of another, which is a manifest note that they are not come into the order of the Church of Christ. I deny not but there are many amongst them, that are the Saints and Servants of Christ, that are godly and zealous people, which so farre as they know, they labour to yeeld obedience to the comman­dements of Christ; and although by meanes of their Guides which make them to erre and goe astray, keeping them in ignorance of this doctrine, yet it shall go well with them: Such persons (I say) are fit stones for the building of the Church of Christ, but so long as they re­maine in this confusion, they can no more bee said to be the true visi­ble Church of Christ, then a heape of stones fitted for a building can bee said to be a house; therefore they must be separated from the wic­ked, and placed together according to the order prescribed by Christ Iesus, and practised by his Apostles, as in the new Testament, before they can be so esteemed.

As these Prelates will haue this Church of England to be accounted the true Church of Christ, so they will haue the true Church of Christ to be accounted false, schismaticall and hereticall, as in the 9. 10. and 11. Canons: by which it doth appeare, that if any people separate from this corrupt Church state, and ioyne together apart from the wicked and prophane, to walke in all the wayes and ordinances of Christ prescribed in his Testament, acknowledging Christ Iesus to be the onely King, Lord, and Law-giver in matters of Religion and the worship of God, which is the true and right rule whereby Gods people ought to walke, and by so doing they become indeed the true Church of Christ, to whom hee hath promised his presence and blessing: yet not­withstanding such persons are for this to be accounted Schismaticks, and to be excommunicated ipso facto, as holding wicked errours. Thus they open their mouthes wide to speake evill of the waies of God, where­by also they appeare to be the very Image of the Beast that blasphemed the Tabernacle of God, as is shewed before upon the sixth verse.

Further, whereas the Apostles did ordaine divers Elders in every Church, to whom they gaue charge to feede the Flock of Christ where­of the Holy Ghost had made them Overseers: On the contrary these [Page 36] Prelates in stead of Elders to feed one Flock, they do ordaine one idle Priest to be fed of divers Flocks; that is, some to haue two, some three, and some foure Benefices, and this they are not ashamed to publish, as appeareth in the 41. Canon, by which it is allowed, that Licences and Dispensations shall be granted to Masters of Arts, and other Graduates, to haue pluralitie of Benefices, so that they be within the compasse of 30. miles.

Concerning their Copes, Surplices, Crossing in Baptisme, and other their foolish ceremonies, which they themselues acknowledge to bee things indifferent, yet those that refuse to use them through the ten­dernesse of their consciences are therefore greatly afflicted and perse­cuted, so farre are they unlike the Apostle (who would not use 1. Cor. 8. 13. ne­cessarie things that were offensiue to his brethren) as that they them­selues will, not onely use those things which are unnecessarie, but al­so in their use, iustly scandalous and offensiue; yea, and compell their brethren also to use them, which if they refuse, they shall enjoy nei­ther liberty, nor worldly possessions. How unworthy this their prac­tise is for those that would bee accounted Christians, let the world iudge: certainely, it is so contrary to Christian Charitie, as that it is to be accounted Heathenish impiety, and beastly cruelty, and it is as a Marke in their foreheads to testifie unto the world that they are those which our Saviour Christ speaketh of, that should come in sheepes cloathing (that is, pretending themselues to bee the Ministers of the Gospell, and such as desire peace and unity) but inwardly are rave­ning Wolues: such as do sow strife and contention, and by this meanes they grow rich, filling themselues with the spoyle of their brethren, whom they persecute, as Lyons, Beares and Leopards fill themselues with their prey.

These, and many other evils by their Canon Law established, and to the dishonour of God and vexation of his people daily practised, haue been much opposed, and the iniquity of them sufficiently mani­fested, but as yet it remaineth like unto the Decrees of the Medes and Persians, that may not bee changed: yea, they boast and say (like their old Mother) that without their Lawes the Church of Christ would run into confusion, as if the Testament and Lawes of Christ were not sufficient for the governement of his Church and Kingdome. Thus they open their mouthes and reproach the Almightie: But hee who sitteth in the heavens laugheth them to scorne, and will vexe them in his sore displeasure, if they repent not.

By these few examples of their wicked practises, I haue briefly shewed that this Church of England still remaineth under the bondage of Antichrist, and is ruled and governed by the Image of the Beast men­tioned in this 13. chapter, which usurpeth that power which is onely proper to Christ Iesus.

And whereas it is objected in the behalf of the Church of England, that it is fallen and separated from Babylon, the universall Church of [Page 37] Rome, and therfore it is the true Church of Christ, and needs no other separation. To this I answere, that true it is that that great Citie is now divided into three parts, as was foreshewed in the 16. chapter of this pro­phecie, and the cities of the Nations (that is the Nationall churches, wherof the church of England is one,) are fallen from it; but this is no argument that therfore they are the true churches of Christ that are di­vided from Rome, unlesse they be united and joyned to Christ, and fra­med and built together according to the patterne prescribed in his Tes­tament. It is indeed an argument that their kingdome shall not long stand, as our Saviour Christ teacheth, Mat. 12. Every kingdome divided a­gainst it self, is brought to desolation: and every Citie or House divided against it self shall not stand. And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himselfe: how shall then his kingdome stand? Thus by the division of this great Citie, Gods people may receive comfort and rejoyce in assured hope, that the fall and destruction of Babylon is neere, and that the Lord will shortly be a­venged of their iniquities, which should teach us to come out from amongst them, that we partake not of their synns, and so receive of their plagues, and to have no fellowship with their unfruitfull workes of darknesse, but rather reproove them, and stedfastly resist and fight against them. So shall we receive the crowne of righte­ousnesse, which God the righteous Judge shall give at his appearing. To whome be glory and Dominion for ever & ever Amen.