THE FIRST CHAPTER Containing the Preface.

BEFORE that wee treate and discourse of the generall Signes and Fore-run­ners of the Last Iudgement, it shall not be imper­tinent, in few words, to shew and demonstrate the Subiect it selfe: for where there is no Sub­stance, there are no Accidents; [Page] and where there is no Founda­tion, there is no House, or Buil­ding. Therefore that the truth of these Signes may more mani­festly appeare, and that we may more orderly proceed; I thus, by warrant of Gods Word, and waight of inuincible argu­ments, euince, and proue, these three maine principles of Faith and Religion. First, that there shall bee an vniuersall Iudge­ment, wherein all reasonable creatures shall be called to an account. Secondly, that IESVS CHRIST the Son of God, is appointed of God, to bee the Iudge of the Iudge, both of the quick and the dead. Lastly, that this world (in respect of the fashion, forme, and corruptible qualities thereof) shall haue an and, and come to destruction. [Page 3] That there is a set and prefixed day of Iudgement (though vn­to vs profitably vnknowne) and that there shall bee a generall Iudgement, I thus declare.

First, the sacred Scriptures are pregnant and plentifull in this point, Iob 19.25. Psalm. 9.8. Isa. 66.15. Dan. 12.2. Math. 25.31. Luke 18.17. Iohn 5.28.29. and chap. 12.44. Act. 17.31. Rom. 2.16 1. Thess. 4.16.17. and chap. 5.2. 1. Pet. 4.8. Tit. 2.13. Apoc. 20.11. 12.13. Heb. 9.27.28.

Secondly, the doctrine of the last Iudgement,Heb. 6.2. is a very anci­ent, and principall Article of the Apostles Catechisme; and therefore no person, vnlesse hee bee a meere Athiest, or Infidell, can, or will deny it.

Thirdly, the Generall Resur­rection, the necessary and im­mediate [Page 4] antecedent of the iudgement,Sublatis de­stinatis ad finem, tolli­tur finis. and those that shall arise and appeare in iudgement, who are the proper obiect of it, do enforce it; yea, and what ar­guments serue to proue the Re­surrection, the same iustifie the last iudgement.

Fourthly, the generall and particular iudgements, calami­ties, and punishments, both in the old and new Testament, and in all succeeding ages, are Types, Similitudes, and Fore­significations of it. Of this kind were Noahs Floud (or Deluge) wherein the world was drow­ned; the ouer-whelming of Pha­roah and the Aegyptians in the red Sea; the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah; the destruction of Ierusalem; the ruin of the foure great Monarchies of the [Page 5] world, that afflicted Gods cho­sen; and of late time, the sinking and dispearsing of the Spanish inuincible Armado, Anno Christi 1588, in the English Seas, and by the coasts of Ireland.

Fiftly, vnlesse there should be a finall iudgement, wherein euery man is to receiue a re­ward according to his workes, God could not declare himselfe perfectly iust. For all sinnes in this world committed, come not to light: neither are all pu­nished that are apparant. Ty­rants, and Oppressours; yea Christs Arch-enemies, the Turke and Pope, &c. liue long, and prosper in their wicked­nesse. And if God should cen­sure all sinnes that are done in the earth, then no other iudge­ment would bee expected: [Page 6] wherefore the Lord beareth long with sinners, and suffereth the offences of the Reprobate to grow rotten ripe, that hee may fully and finally punish and plague them at the last day. For­bearance is no quittance: Christ commeth with woollen feete (i. faire and softly) but striketh with Iron hands, that is deadly.

Sixtly, vnlesse there come a day of generall release and absolution for the godly, yea a day of full deliuerance, and glorious triumph, God cannot declare himselfe completely and infinitely mercifull. For it seemeth to goe well with the wicked, in this world, and ill with the good: The godly are oppressed and persecuted, trou­bled and tormented, molested, martyred, massacred, and both [Page 7] inwardly and outwardly af­flicted; therefore the iust Lord cannot but at length reward the patience and pietie of his ser­uants: Great shall their reward be in heauen: Math. 5.5. Hee shall recompence the lightnesse of their momenta­ny afflictions, Rom 8.18. 2. Cor. 4 17 18. with an exceeding and super-excellent weight of glorie.

Seuenthly, the feare, trem­bling, astonishment, horror of conscience and dreadfull des­paire in many malefactors (spe­cially persecutors and murde­rers) euen of those that escape the iudgement of the Magi­strate, doth euidently argue that there will come a day of recko­ning, and that there is an hell fire, whereof these are certaine flashings, and fore-runners.

Lastly (to be briefe) the chil­dren [Page 8] of God look and long for, groane and pant for this day and time; which is the day of their Marriage, of the bodies ascent into heauen, and of their entrance and inauguration into the Kingdome of Glory. These spirituall sighes and sobs,Rom. 8.22. are speciall effects of Gods spirit, infallible characters of Gods children, and the very earnest of our inheritance. Inward de­sires make a lowder sound in Gods eares, then bare words vttered with the tongue, and therefore cannot misse the marke, viz. eternitie of blessed­nesse.

Now that Iesus Christ, not onely as he is God, whereby in the decree, efficacie, and autho­rity of the iudgement, hee is equall with God the Father, [Page 9] and the Holy Ghost; but also as he is man, in regard of the sen­tence to bee pronounced, and the visible execution of the iudgement; is and shall be the Iudge both of the quicke and dead, the Scriptures put it out of question, Dan. 7.9.10. Ioh. 5.27. Act. 10.42. 2. Cor. 5.10. 2. Tim. 4.1.

Secondly, it is an Article and foundation of faith, firmely to be beleeued.

Thirdly, it is one end, and that a principall one, of Christs Resurrection & Ascension: It is a part of his Kingly Office which hee shall then most openly and eminently execute.

Fourthly it standeth with all equity, that Hee that, when hee liued on earth,Mat. 26.64 and was most vn­iustly iudged, accused, indicted, [Page 10] condemned and executed, should at length, gloriously, and in the view of all the world, iudge, arraigne, condemne, and fee execution done vpon his enemies.

Lastly, to stop the mouths of, and to put all Atheists to si­lence, the Heathenish Prophe­tesse Sibylla testifieth as much, saying

That is:

And that this miserable and corruptible world, with all the contemned creatures shall (not in respect of matter and sub­stance, but outward forme, and accidentall qualities) haue an [Page 11] end and consumption, thus I compendiously make it mani­fest. First, by expresse Scrip­ture: Secondly, by Argument. Heauen and earth shall passe away: Mat 24.35 1. Cor. 7.31 2. Pet. 3.10 The fashion of this world passeth away. The heauens shall passe away with a great noise, the ele­ments shall melt with heate, the earth also and the workes that are therein, shall be burnt vp. Apoc. 20.11 I saw (saith Saint Iohn) a great white throne, and him that sate on it, from whose face the heauen and earth fled away, and there was found no place for them. Second­ly, by argument, I thus make good my assertion. The world being but a creature had a be­ginning, and therefore it shall haue an end; Omnia orta intere­unt. The world as in the seuerall parts, so in the whole, daily fa­deth, [Page 12] decayeth, weakneth, and is in an irrecouerable consumpti­on, therefore it must needs, at length, come to an end. A rui­nous house will in tract of time fall, and a sick body cannot hold out long. The world must bee renewed at the last day;2. Pet. 3. for there shall be a new heauen, and a new earth: Generatio vnius est corraptio alterius. Ergo the old heauen and earth must (of necessitie) be first abolished. Lastly, some of the Pagan Philosophers and Poets (whensoeuer, or wheresoeuer, they had so much light) ac­knowledge as much.

The Platonists held, that the world should be destroyed: so did the Sibyls Prophecie: The Poet Ouid in the first booke of his Metamorphosis, and Lucan in the first booke belli Pharsalici, iustifie as much; and mans [Page] sinne hath iustly deserued and procureth it.

CHAP. II. Of the Signes and Fore-runners of the last iudgement in ge­nerall.

ALBEIT the day and houre of the last iudgement is vn­knowne to all men, to the very Angels of heauen, Mat. 24.36 yea albeit the Sonne himselfe being on earth knew it not;Mar. 13.32 yea, although no man knoweth the yeare when the Son of man wil come to iudgement (For it is not for vs to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power) yet the Lord Iesus,Acts 1.7. that hee might not so much leaue the wicked his irrecon­ciliable [Page] enemies, without all excuse and pretence of igno­rance, and withall appall, affrighten and astonish them, specially when his second com­ming neerely approacheth, doth kindly and louingly fore­warne his children, that they should neither be amated, nor found vnready (for a man fore­warned is halfe armed.) And that hee might comfort and encou­rage them against the manifold scandales, troubles, and mise­ries of this present life; Hee hath (I say) in the Scriptures, left and giuen them many generall and notable Signes, Tokens and Fore-runners of his comming, which they daily doe, and al­waies ought, to take notice of, that when they see these things come to passe they might hold vp Luk. 21.28. [Page] their heads, knowing that their Redemption draweth neere.

These Signes and Prasagia are like to so many tender Greene, Mat. 24.32 and leauy branches of the Fig-tree that shewerh the Sum­mer of their happinesse to bee nigh. These are like the white and yellow eares of corne that declare the Haruest to bee at hand; and these are (as it were) so many sounding Trumpets, or Alarums, A simili­tude. to awaken vs. And as the Sunne being about to arise, first sendeth forth his bright beames a farre off, and enlight­neth the East; so our Lord Iesus the Sunne of righteousnesse, doth before his second com­ming, send certaine generall Signes, and (as I may say) Her­bingers, that men might the more carefully waite for, and [Page] more dilligently addresse and prepare themselues against that time. The Tempests threaten before that they arise: the Hou­ses crack before they fall, and the Smoake goeth before the flame: So these Signes and Fore-warnings go before the consummation of the world.

These Signes & Fore-runners are of three sorts: namely, those that are already accomplished and fulfilled: Secondly, those that are mixt signes and praede­monstrations in continuall acti­on and motion; and those that yet remaine in their due time to be performed. Of these plain­ly, and in order: But (that I may cleere the coast, and proceede with more dexterity and profit) two principall questions by ma­ny moued, are to be seasonably [Page 17] decided.Questions First, why God doth not, and will not, reueale vnto any the houre, day, yeare, and time of the last iudgement. Se­condly, why the Lord seemeth so long to delay and put off that day and iudgement; especially seeing that hee promiseth to come quickly, and that his chil­dren so long waite and so ear­nestly pray for that time.

I answer to the former questi­on: The Lord wil haue the day, houre, yeare, &c. of the vniuer­sall iudgement concealed. First, because it is the Glory of God to conceale a thing, Prou. 25.2. and not to re­ueale some things before the euent, which is the best & surest interpreter. Secondly, that hee might bridle and represse the impudent boldnesse, and rash curiositie of those, that vainely, [Page] yea presumptuously, pry, and search into things forbidden, vnnecessary, and impossible to be known, & in the meane time neglect the searching out of, and the due practise of things in the word of God reuealed and commanded. Thirdly, and lastly, not onely to try and make knowne the modesty and humi­lity of his deere seruants, whe­ther that they will break into the closet of his secrets or no; but also to keep them from the slumber of security, and to stir them vp to watch for, and pre­pare themselues against that day. Vtiliter (saith an ancient Father) latet vltimus dies vt ob­seruentur omnes dies: That is, it is for our profite that the last day is vnknowne, that wee may obserue and watch all daies.

[Page 19] The second question.

Why doth the Lord so long deferre his comming to iudge­ment?

Ans. First that the Prophecy of the Reuelation, Apoc. 6 11 & 11.10. and of other Scriptures should bee fulfilled: For heauen and earth shall passe away, Mat. 24.35 but no point or tittle of Gods word shall passe away vnac­complished.

Secondly, that the sinnes and abhominations of the wicked and profane, who abuse and de­spise the riches of Gods good­nesse,Rom. 2.4. forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth them to repentance: and who mispend and lauish their time that God hath allotted for their repentance;Ioh. 14.22. might be left with­out plea or excuse, and that [Page 20] their sinnes being heaped vp to heauen, might bee punished with eternity of torments.

Thirdly, that none of the Predestinate should perish,1. Tim, 2, 4 but that in this world they should come to the acknowledgement of the truth,2, Pet, 3, 9. to repentance, and so consequently to saluation.

Lastly, to try, declare, che­rish, and exercise, the patience, faith, hope, and charity of his chosen, that liue amongst such an infinite number of lewd, Atheisticall, scandalous, super­stitious and venemous people, and yet by the grace of God, directing and preseruing them, are blamelesse, Phil. 2.15. harmelesse, without rebuke, and shine as light in the midst of a crooked and peruerse Nation.

CHAP. III. The first generall Signe, the deso­lation and destruction of the Temple and Citie of Ierusa­lem, and the vtter ouerthrow of the Iewes Common-wealth.

THE first generall Signe of the end of the world,Mat. 24.12 is the vtter ruin and laying waste of the Citie of God,Mat. 13.12 Ierusalem, of the holy Temple, and the ruin of the Iewes pollicie and Common­wealth. Dan. 9.26. The Temple and Citie was destroyed by Titus and Ves­pasian, Romane Emperours, the nine and thirtieth yeare after the Ascension of our Lord into heauen: And the Iewes euer since haue bene led away cap­tiue into all nations,Luk. 21.24 and Ieru­salem hath beene troden downe [Page 22] of the Gentiles,1. Thess. 2.15. and the wrath of God is come vpon them to the full, now whether the belee­uing Iewes shall towards the end of the world, be temporal­ly restored into their owne Country, rebuild Ierusalem, and haue a most reformed, and flou­rishing, Church and Common­wealth (as some by extraordi­nary expositions, seeme to ga­ther out of the Scriptures) the issue and euent will discouer. But (to finish the point in hand) the desolation of the Temple and Citie of Ierusalem, by rea­son of the similitude and cor­respondencie, of things, per­sons, and euents, is a type and figure of the destruction of the world.

CHAP. IIII. Of the Preaching of the Gospell vnto all Nations.

THE second generall Signe is the publishing, Prea­ching, and proclaiming of the blessed Gospell in and through all (the habitable,Mat. 24 14 and then knowne, especially the Easterne) world, by the Ministerie of the twelue Apostles: These as Christs Embassadours, and like twelue Beames of the Sunne of Righteousnesse, being effectually called to this heauenly Functi­on, furnished with most rare, extraordinarie, and miraculous gifts aboue all former Pro­phets, and hauing a Charge and Commission, with a promise an­nexed,Mat. 28.19. to Teach and Baptise all [Page 24] Nations, Distribu­tiue▪ and to Preach the Gos­pell to euery (reasonable) crea­ture; did accordingly performe it, and sealed and confirmed it with their bloud and martyr­dome;Psal. 19.6. so that the line of the Apostles went out into all the earth,Col. 1.6. and their words vnto the end of the world, Rom. 10.18. and prospered and was fruitfull: And since that time he that sit­teth on the White (Triumphant) Horse, and hath a Bow in his hand,Apoc. 6.2. and a Crowne on his Head, i. the Lord Iesus, and his Vicars, viz. Christian Kings and Emperours, haue gone forth Conquering and to Con­quer.

Lastly, the Lights, Lampes, Fathers and Pillars of the Pri­mitiue Church, Saint Origen, Saint Ierom, Saint Ambrose, and [Page 25] others, write, and auow, that all Nations were enlightned by the Apostles; so that the Apostoli­call calling and gifts being cea­sed, and the Gospell once vni­uersally hauing beene publish­ed, no such solemne Legacy is the second time of vs, or our Successours, to be expected.

CHAP. V. Of a generall Apostasie from the Gospell of Christ.

THE third generall Signe, already past, is not onely the decay and ruine of the anci­ent and mighty Romane Em­pire,2. Thess. 2. whereof now a name and a shadow, and not the tenth part of the Demaines and Do­minions remaineth, that by the ouerthrow of it Anti-christ might arise,Apoc. 13.14. preuaile, and tyran­nize; and the Turke likewise do­minere,2. Thess. 2.3. [Page 31] but a generall,Apoc. 9.1.2. and al­most vniversall Apostasie, re­uolt, and departure of all Na­tions,Apoc. 13.7 8. from the Gospell of Christ, partly to Mahomet, as we see is come to passe in the East parts of the world, and partly to the Romish Anti-christ as wee see verified in the We­sterne parts.cap. 18.3. This Apostasie be­gan Anno Christi 606 (or there-abouts) Fore-runners whereof were, and foundations whereof laid long sithence, those proud, ambitious, and erroneus Pre­lates, that taught Iustification before God to proceed of mans workes; that taught inuocation, and worshipping of Angels and Saints; that brought in Traditi­ons; adored Reliques; immo­destly, and immoderately ex­tolled single life, against Gods [Page 32] expresse Word, forbad meates, and marriages, defended the doctrine of Free-will in the work of our saluation, brought in an infinite number of old and idle ceremonies; yea, ouer­much magnified the Sea and Primacie of Rome. Nemo repen­tè fit turpissimus: The Mysterie of iniquity began in the Apo­stles times, and went on by de­grees, and (at length) the ve­nome and poyson of false and damnable doctrine did infuse and diffuse it selfe into all the veines and vitall parts of the Church: so that that of Isaiah is verified in the Romish Syna­gogue, From the sole of the foote euen to the head, Esay 1.6. there is no soundnesse in it, but wounds and bruises and putrifying soares. Neither ought this to seeme [Page 33] strange vnto vs, seeing that be­fore the Incarnation of Christ, the like Apostasie befell to vs Gentiles, about the yeare of the world 2455, and continued a­bout foureteen hundred yeares: and the like apostasie or re­uolt happened to the tenne Tribes, Anno Mundi two thou­sand nine hundred sixty fiue, and lasted some thousand yeares. For it pleased God in his iustice by leauing men to their owne wils, and by sending them strong delusions, to vindi­cate and reuenge the contempt and refusall of his holy Gospell once offered vnto them, and sincerely Preached amongst them.

CHAP. VI. Of the reuealing and discouerie of Anti­christ.

2. Thess. 2.3.THe fourth generall Signe already (at least in great part) accomplished,Apoc. 11.4 5.6. chap. 14. à v. 6. ad 12. is the dis­playing and discouery of Anti-christ by the Ministery of Gods word, &c.

This Anti-christ, Bishop, or Pope of Rome, is that Great Starre (or Bishop) that whē the third Angel sounded, Apoc. 8.10 fell from heauen (i. the Church) burning, viz. before his fall, as it were, a Lampe, and fell vpon the third part of the riuers, and vpon the fountaines of wa­ters: i. Corrupted and poisoned the Church, and the Bishops, Pastors and Ministers of it. This is the Angell of the bottome­lesse [Page 35] Pit: i. came from thence, and thither will returne, with all his fauourites & followers. This is the King of the Locusts, Apoc. 9.11 i. the Head and Prince of the Monks, Friars, Iesuites. This is that Man of sinne; 2. Thess. 2 3. i. nothing but sinne; yea a Teacher and Com­mander of it.Passiuè & actiuè. The Sonne of Per­dition: i. that is damned him­selfe, and draweth innumerable with him to the same destructi­on. Hee opposeth himselfe, Ver. 4. and exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God: i. Kings, Emperours, Princes, and Angels, that are in Scripture oftentimes styled Elo­him, Psal. 82.1. or Gods. Hee sitteth in the Temple of God, i. (as most Inter­pretors, old and new, expound it) the Church of God, because it was a true Church, and is so reputed; and a true Church lur­keth [Page 36] amongst them: Shewing himselfe that he is God: that is, not onely assumeth to himselfe the title of God, viz: Holinesse, and so to be called; but taking vpon him power to Change times, Place and displace Kings; Forgiue all sinnes; dispense with the de­grees of Marriage forbidden in Moses Law; To command the An­gels: to allow all villany, and (without controule) to do what he list. His will standeth for a Law: And forsooth the Holy Ghost dwelleth in his breast; and he cannot erre (viz. but dam­nably.) His Seate is the new Ba­bylon, i. Rome, that is seated (or was so in Saint Iohns dayes) vp­on seuen knowne Hils, and then raigned ouer the Kings of the earth; for some 250 Prouinces and Kingdomes, were subiect [Page 37] to the Romane Emperour. In a word, all the Popes from Boni­face the third, vnto the now Pope Paulus quartus, are that great Anti-christ, in a continu­ed seate, succession, tyrannie, false doctrine, and Regiment, that Saint Paul, and Saint Iohn so much speake of.

He hath bene reuealed some three hundred yeares agoe, by worthy Iohn Wickliefe, and others: But specially and nota­bly from Anno Christi 1517, vn­till this present date 1615, by Apostolicall Martin Luther; and by many most learned, holy, and famous Doctors & Pastors in Germany, France, England, Bo­hemia, and other Countries and Kingdomes. The light of the Gospell, and the exact know­ledge of the fountaine Lan­guages, [Page 38] hath, and daily doth, discouer, dispell, and scatter, the darknesse, shades, mistes, and cloudes of Poperie. God (in mercy) continue and increase, amongst vs the number of such worthy instruments, and grant that these flying Angels, may, without interruption, passe through the middest of this (Eu­ropaean) Heauen, Apoc. 14.6 and Preach the euerlasting Gospell to all Na­tions, Languages, and People, and that they may speedily and zealously embrace and retaine it, Amen.

CHAP. VII. Of the great persecutions vnder the Romane Anti christ.

THE fift generall Signe, al­ready (at least for the most [Page 39] part) accomplished, are the great persecutions, massacres, murders, warres, poisonings, rackings, excommunications, banishments, imprisonments, and all kind of cruelties against Protestant Princes, Prelates, Pastors, Professours, Churches, Kingdomes, Prouinces, vnder the Romish Foxe, Wolfe, Anti-christ, and his Butcher-like and bloud-sucking followers; espe­cially (ouer all Europe) in these last hundred yeares immediate­ly expired. Their Religion is rebellion, their faith is faction, their badge is bloud.Apoc. 18.24. Rome hath been, & (to their power) yet is, the Shambles and Slaughter-house of the Saints. How many hundred thousands of Christi­ans in Europe hath not that viperous and bloudy generati­on [Page 40] slaine and destroied? But we see and hope that the most part of these troubles are ouer-blowne;Apoc. 6.11 that the Church hath and shall haue a further rest and breathing time:Mark. 13.7 that the Papists shall be drunk in their owne bloud, and Babylon shortly bee burnt with fire. And admit that the Romanists (for our tryall, or, to punish our coldnesse and re­missenesse in the profession of the pure worship of God) pra­ctise, or attempt ought, in Ger­many, France, the Low Coun­tries, or, our secure, England; yet wee trust it is but a Light­ning before death: and a prin­cipall meanes to put an edge to our prayers; to scowre off the drosse of our drowsinesse, and to enkindle the zeale of Prote­stant Kings, Dukes, Pastors and [Page 41] Professours against them, to their fatall and vtter ruin; which the Almightie grant, for Iesus Christ his beloued Sonnes sake, Amen.

And thus much of the generall Signes of the last day, perfectly fulfilled, which is the first part of the Treatise.

CHAP. VIII. Of the vanity, corruption, and ma­nifold abuse of the creatures.

THE first generall mixt Signe in continuall acti­on and motion, is the vanity, de­cay, mortalitie, and maruellous abuse of the creatures, daily growing and preuailing vntill the consum­mation [Page 43] and end of the world. The world waxeth old as a gar­ment; it, and all the parts of it, fade, waste, consume, and draw toward their fatall period. All things (by sinfull, licentious, and rebellious man) are abused, per­uerted, mis-applyed (against the Creators scope, and the crea­tures desire) to vnlawfull, or im­moderate profite and pleasure; yea to reuenge, and open perse­cution. The Sunne and Moone, The Sun & Moone. those two great Eyes of heauen, are often darkened, and feare­fully eclypsed, and (as learned Astronomers haue obserued) many thousand miles neerer the earth then in times past. The Planets and the other Starres, Starres. like so many Candles and Spangles in the heauens, are much decayed in their vertues and operations, [Page 44] and by hurtfull effects and in­fluences, often annoy corne, man, beasts and plants.

The Aire.The Aire that we breath in, is oft troubled, infected, and con­sumeth into the cloudes; and many frightfull and ominous fights appeare in it.

The Earth.The Earth, the common mo­ther of vs all, is many waies cur­sed, it is sore weakned, shaken eft-soones by earth-quakes, the Sea oft encroacheth vpon it, and marreth the beauty of it, deadly dampes proceed out of it: it is in many places much more bar­ren then in former times; or else aboundeth with weeds, thornes, and vnprofitable things.

The Sea.The Sea ebbeth and floweth, it corrodeth and eateth vpon the firme Continent, roareth, is tempestuous and vnquiet, and [Page 45] drowneth both men and Ships.

Riuers are often dryed vp,Waters. and change their channels.

In Plants, Plants. Hearbs, Trees, there is not the same vigor, efficacy, feeding, and medicinable ver­tue, which was in times past.

Men are not so tall of stature,Men. not so long liued, not so strong as in the daies of old: They are more fraile, feeble, mortall; and though they are more illumi­ned, more witty, and learned, by many degrees, then in old time; yet they generally are more crafty, wicked, mischeiuous: they haue science, but not so much conscience.

Excesse in Building and Appa­rell, Building. sunt aegrae Reipub. indicia, that is signes of a sick state: They serue rather for shew then substance, and are more glori­ous [Page] then lasting. Many Chym­nies and little Smoake, faire hou­ses and small hospitality; gallant houses and great enclosures, of­ten eate vp men, and dispeople the Land.

Apparell. Apparell is vsed more for neat­nesse then necessity, for garish­nesse then seemelinesse; faire fe­thers make farie fooles, and now a dayes apparell maketh a man: For matter, men (and especial­ly the woman-kind) that often carry all their riches on their backes, and that haue decked bodies but deformed soules, ex­ceed their calling and ability, they cut not their coate accor­ding to their cloath; and this the poore Tenants finde and feele. Alas poore soules! And as for fashion and forme (now the Fashions kill an horse) the [Page 47] French, Spanish, Italian, and euery new fangled forme, is in request. If they were as mon­strous in their bodily shapes, as they are prodigious in their at­tire, all men might iustly won­der at them, and abhorre them. The Peacock is a goodly Bird but hath foule feete: and they that affect finenesse in apparell, neglect the sanctification of the soule; and (in a word) the leuity of Apparell, doth argue the lightnesse and changeable­nesse of the mind.

Marriages are more desired for riches then Religion,Marriages for goods then goodnesse;Genus & forma sine re vili­or alga est. and the face is more respected then grace; but like beginnings haue like endings, and like cause like effect, like parents, like poste­rity.

[Page 48] Diet.In Diet many great and rich men obserue no time, order, measure; they looke that the meat be rather toothsome then wholesome; they pamper the body but pine the soule; they stuffe themselues but sterue the poore; hence ensue surfets, sick­nesses and vntimely deaths.

Drinkes.And touching drinking, men were neuer so much giuen to immoderate drinking, and to be drowned in drunkennesse, as in this dropsie age; not the fi­ery Tragon (yet there are too many ominous fires) but the watry Trigon raigneth: Men make their bodies Tuns to re­ceiue the Wine and the Ale, and when the Wine and Ale is in, the Wit, yea Grace is out: They drinke away all grace out of their hearts, money out [Page 49] of their purses, honesty out of their liues, and oftentimes die, and are damned in their drun­kennesse.

And that Indian, Tobacco. and costly, weed, now onely and common­ly in request, whereof so many thousands liue (and yet they sell nothing but smoake, that though it came not out of the bottomelesse pit, it leades many into it) I meane that smoaking and deuill-choaking Tobacco: For if the smoke or vapour that came out of the liuer of a Fish could driue the deuill out of Tobias daughter: Of how grea­ter force is the Nicotium or To­bacco? Tob. 6.16.17. This Simple and Drugge serueth to dry vp the drunken dropsie, that men may gull in the more drinke. It is a nourish­er of lust and drunkennesse; yea [Page 50] of all idlenesse and prodigali­ty, and a shortner of the life, rather then a lengthner of it.

Docet experientia rerum. O would some straite and strict Statute were made against this waste-time and waste-mony To­bacco; for now it is a raging and vnruly euill, better beseeming Pagans then Protestants.

CHAP. IX. Of the daily weakening and woun­ding of Anti-christ.

THE second generall Signe in continuall and present motion is the daily weakning and wounding of Anti-christ and Popery in Christendome, by Writing, by Disputes, and by the Word and the Sword. The [Page 51] breath of the Lords mouth, 2. Thess. 2.8. i. the mightie and powerfull Prea­ching of the word of God must consume him: viz. by degrees and times. And hence it is, that the Pope and Papists are such deadly enemies to the sincere and plentifull Preaching of the Word. The three orders of Angels, Reu. 14. v. 6. ad 11. i. of Pastors and Prea­chers, must reueale, prophecy the ruin of Anti-christ, and vn­der paine of damnation, labour to reuoke the fauourites of Anti-christ from their pernici­ous errours and heresies.

The Christian Magistrates, Princes, Dukes, Iudges, Captaines, &c. must and shall leade the Ba­bylonians into captiuity, slay diuers of them with the sword; render double vnto these sedu­cing idolaters;chap. 18.6. chap. 17.6. hate the whore, [Page] make her naked, eate her flesh and consume her with fire: And this is in continuall execution; and both Magistrate and Ministers, Captaines and Colonels, are in the Scriptures commanded and enioyned to prosecute this bu­sinesse. God stirre vp their zeale and resolution;Iudg. 5.23. For Cursed is he that helpeth not the Lord against the mighty,Ier. 48.10. or, that go­eth negligently about the work of the Lord.

CHAP. X. Of the falling of particular per­sons from the reuealed truth, and their returne to the errors of Anti-christ.

THE third generall Signe, in continuall motion, is, [Page 53] that in the latter daies, certaine shall depart from the faith;1. Tim. 4.1. some Princes, some Prelates, some Ministers, some Professours. They affect not, nor loue, the sweet and sugred Gospell of Christ, but rather delight and doate vpon sense-pleasing su­perstition;2. Thess. 2.11.12. and hence being iust­ly forsaken of God, these igno­rant and vnstable soules returne with the dogs to their former vomite, and with the swine to their wallowing in the mire of Popish defilements.2. Pet. 2.

These that thus fall away in this great light of the world, whether to Anti-christ or to Epicurisme, and Atheisme, are Comets soone consumed, and not fixed Starres that alwaies abide in the Firmament. These are like Chaffe blowne away with [Page 54] euery blast of trouble,Psal. 1.4. but not good Graine that abideth. Fi­nally, they are they that build their house vpon the sandy foundation of mans inuentions, or at least of Historicall and Temporary Faith;Mat. 7.26 27. and therefore as soone as the winds blow,Math. 13.10. & 21. and the waters flow, it falleth. For if they had builded it vpon the Rock Christ, and kept Faith and a good Conscience, they had stood firme and fast, like the Mount Syon, Psal. 125.1 which standeth fast for euer and can neuer be remoued.

But, thankes be to God, this wind shaketh no corne: though the Church of Rome gaine in one place, it looseth in another: that which is gained in the shire is lost in the hundred.

CHAP. XI. Of a generall corruption in life and manners, which is more to bee feared in these latter daies then corruption in doctrine.

THE fourth generall Signe in daily motion and en­crease, is the invndation of all manner of sinne and wicked­nesse, and a generall corruption of mens manners. This plague raigneth and rageth: vices and abuses creepe vpon men by stealth, by their contagion in­fect them, and passe from one to another. Our age is (as it were) the Sinke of all former ages, into which all filthinesse runneth. The more Light wee haue, the more Lewd wee are: the more wee are warned, the [Page 56] more wicked wee shew our selues. Men indeed haue a Forme and profession of godli­nesse,2. Tim. 3 1. but deny the power there­of in their hearts. Men gene­rally so now liue, as though there were no Iudge to call thē to an account, no heauen for re­ward, and no hell for punish­ment: and, as though the Prea­chers threates and thundrings were but scare-bugs; yea, as though God had granted out a generall indulgence vnto all manner of sinne.

Mat. 24.11 Charitie is waxen cold, yet selfe-loue aboundeth. Vsury by the Scriptures, all ancient Fa­thers, and Councels, condemned to hell, and in former generati­ons scarce heard of, is now be­come a common Trade. O Le­gall, nay ô Lawlesse theeues! [Page 57] Might ouer-ruleth Right; the poore is the rich mans booty. Idlenesse, excessiue pride in ap­parell, blasphemie, Saboth-pro­fanation, lying, yea, and drun­kennesse, abound and are vnpu­nished. These are priuiledged sinnes, and seeme to haue some speciall charter and immunity, yea impunity. But the iudge­ment of God sleepeth not, and one day shall pay for all. What should I speak of fraud, deceit, filthy liuing, back-biting, ma­lice, enuy, and going to the Law (to feed the greedy Grif­fins) for euery trifle? Men (in a manner) mind nothing but ea­ting, drinking, buying, selling, building, marrying, and giuing in marriage;Luk. 17.26.27.28. planting, setting, &c. not dreading the last day (though neerely approaching) [Page 58] much lesse preparing them­selues by faith and repentance, against the second comming of our Lord Iesus. But when they shall say peace, 1. Thess. 5.3. peace, sudden de­struction shall come vpon them as the trauaile vpon a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. Finally, there is no truth in mens promises; whereas in time past euery mans word was thought as good as an Obliga­tion. There seemeth almost no faith left vpon the earth, whether we respect God or man: Good men decay and euill men abound; yea, one may with bet­ter like and applause liue loosely then Religiously: For euery reli­gious man (though neuer so dis­creete) shall vsually bee mis­termed a Puritane, a Precisian, a Schismatick, a factious and [Page 59] seditious person. And alas! what ill haue these honest and harmelesse men done? or who are these that so exclaime and declaime against them, but Li­bertines, Atheists, Papists, Drun­kards, Gamesters, Epicures, and the like, whose tongue is no slander? What shall wee con­clude of all these, and the sinnes of all Callings and Trades, in Church, Family, and Common­wealth, which would bee too long now to recite, All these daily and wonderously encrea­sing, doe presage and euince that the end of all things is at hand; and therefore wee should bee sober, and watch and pray, 1. Pet. 4.7.8. but aboue all things haue feruent charity amongst our selues.

For as vlcers and bodily dis­easesA simili­tude. [Page 60] comming thick, and members out of ioint, are fore-runners of death neere at hand: so these common and prodigious offences and scan­dals euidently argue, that the day of the Lord is not farre off.

It shall bee our wisedome, and good for vs in this common pestilence of Manners, to get and preserue the Antidotes and Counter-poisons of faith and a good conscience; that though wee liue in all euill world which will grow worse and worse, yet wee bee not infected by it: And it is the greatest try­all, yea and the highest com­mendations for any man to bee godly, good, and deuout, amongst those that are openly wicked: For it sheweth that [Page 61] grace in him is more strong to preserue him, then wicked and profane men to poison, or peruert him.

CHAP. XII. Of the vtter ruin, sacking, and burning of Rome, the seate of Anti-christ.

THE first generall Signe of Christs comming, that is yet not begun, is the ruin and vtter desolation of the Citie Rome: For the Throne of the Beast must grow darke;Apoc. 16.10 Babylon must fall, it [Page 63] must fall, and come into remem­brance before God: Apoc. 18.8 at one instant must her plagues come, viz fa­mine, mourning, death; it must be burnt with fire, Ver. 12.13. and all her pre­tious things, all her Musicall instruments, and idoll furniture be wholy consumed, and euer after vnto the comming of our Lord, Baybilon must be an house of deuils, Ver. 2. and a Cage of euery hatefull and vncleane Bird: Some of the ten Hornes: i. one of the last Emperours, or some valiant Duke, must be the chiefe instrument to execute Gods fore-determined vengeanee vp­on her. The Romanists and Ita­lians and others, that are willed to come out of Babell, Ver. 6. and to ren­der Double vnto the Whore for that she had done vnto them, shal assist the principall instrument.

[Page 64]That Rome shall (literally vnderstood) bee vtterly desola­ted before the end of the world; not onely all Protestant Inter­preters of the Reuelation hold, but also the Sibyllae;Lact. de diu. praemio. lib. 7. c. 11. yea diuers chiefe Papists, as namely, Vega, Ribera, Bellarmine, the Rhemists, and others confesse.

Touching the yeare and point of time, when Rome shall bee destroyed, albeit wee dare not (as some doe) determine of some thirty yeares hence,The time of the bur­ning of Rome. and some more probably of a shor­ter time, yet we are perswaded that it is neere at hand, and (per­haps) much neerer then most imagine. For the power of the Pope in forraigne Kingdomes is much lessened; his authoritie in ciuill causes euery where fal­leth to the ground; yea in his [Page 65] owne Dominions, in Venice, Florence, Millain, &c. Many that haue beene by him seduced be­ginne to kenne and smell him out; To speak nothing of Eng­land and other Protestant King­domes that haue wholy forsaken him. Now let vs come vnto some forcible reasons and argu­ments, whereby wee may make strong our assertion.

CHAP. XIII. How after the destruction of Rome the Papists, and louers of the Whore, shall practise, by vio­lence, vtterly to roote out all Christians, but shall bee finally and vtterly ouerthrowne.

A Second generall Signe of Christs comming, not yet begunne to bee fulfilled, is the vtmost indeuour and practise of the Romanists (that shall suruiue when Rome is burnt) to roote out and extinguish by the sword, all Christians: And this cleerely appeareth, out of the 19 chapter of Saint Iohns Reue­lation, and by the consent of di­uers learned and iudicious In­terpreters.

The Beast (i. the second beast [Page 73] the Pope) and the (Popish) Kings of the earth, Apoc. 19.19. and their Ar­mies (viz. huge and many) ga­thered themselues together to make warre against him that sate on the Horse (i. Christ, and Chri­stian Princes his Instruments) and against his Army, 1. All Pro­testant Souldiers. But behold, and wonder at the euent, and giue the Lord the glory of the victory: The Protestants shall Eate (i. destroy) the flesh of (Po­pish) Kings, Vers. 18. Captaines, Mighty men, of horses, horse-men, bond, free, Vers. 20. great small: Then the beast and the false Prophet shall bee taken. Iudg. 5. vlt. So perish all thine enemies ô Lord; but let them that loue thee, bee as the Sunne when it goeth forth in his might.

So you see that the Papists shall seek by a generall consent, [Page 74] to recouer their ruines and re­gaine their losses, but with no successe; yea with their fatall ouerthrow: It is no striuing against the Lord.

CHAP. XIIII. A third generall and memorable Signe of the approach of the last iudgement; namely, the conuer­sion of the Iewes.

A Third general and eminent Signe, not yet fulfilled, is the general Calling, 2. Cor. 3.15 and Gathe­ring of the whole Nation of the Iewes vnto the faith, and into the Church of Christ: And this is pregnantly gathered of Scripture:Isay 59.20. Ioh. 10.16. There must be one Fold (of Iewes and Gen­tiles) and one Shepheard. Rom. 11.25 Euery [Page 75] Tribe must mourne apart, Zach. 13.2. for Christ (by them crucified) the parents (by the Sword of Gods Word,chap. 13.3. at least) must thrust through the false Prophet when hee Prophecieth: The Prophet shall bee ashamed of his vision (i. his false doctrine) lay aside his rough garment (taken vp by apish imi­tationVer. 4. of the true Prophets) and returne to his former husban­dry. Ver. 5. Then shall wee see (in earth) The holy Citie new Ierusa­lem, Apoc. 21.2. comming downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband: where­of so many glorious things are spoken in Scripture, and lite­rally to be vnderstood in many points.

These vpon the fame and brute of their first conuersion, and the report of their purpose [Page 76] to returne into their owne Country; neere wherevnto, and in the Confines whereof many of them dwell, shall bee assaul­ted by the great Turke, Dan. 11.44 45. the King of the North, who with all his forces shall endeuour to extin­guish them, and kill eue­ry mothers sonne: so that there shall bee such a time of trou­ble to them, Chap. 12.1 as neuer was since there was a Nation, euen to that same time; But then Michaell the great Prince, i. The Lord IESVS or his mighty instru­ments, shall Stand vp and (finally) deliuer them. None of all these Prophecies are yet per­formed, therefore they must, of necessity, be fulfilled in their ap­pointed times.

The Iewes being once con­uerted, shall bee a most famous, [Page 77] reformed, and Exemplary Church of all the world,Isay 2.2. and all Nati­ons shall flow vnto it, and it shall bee, as it were, a visible heauen vpon earth; but it shall not (perhaps) many yeares con­tinue. For the further proofe of their further conuersion (to omit sundry glorious promi­ses of God in Esay, Ezechiel, the Psalmes, and which are thought hitherto but in (small) part to be performed) I alledge these rea­sons ensuing.

CHAP. XV. Of the extreme and finall desola­tion of the Turke and his Mo­narchy.

THE great Turke, who in Daniel is called the King of the North, Dan. 11.40 and all his innume­rable Army, shall in a place cal­led Armageddon i. the Moun­taine of Delight,Apoc. 16.16. Beauty, or Holinesse, or Iudaea, lying be­tweene the (Syrian) Sea,Dan. 11.45 and the great Riuer Euphrates, bee vtter­ly confounded. [...] For this Tur­kish Gog and Magog shall plant his Palace there; he shall ga­ther the (conuerted) Iewes to battell, Apoc. 20.9 he shall goe vpon the bredth of the earth, and compasse the Campes of the Saints about, and the beloued Citie: i. Ierusa­lem, [Page 83] or the Church of the Iewes: For he shall feare least the Iewes, so infinite in number, gathering themselues together should come, or conspire, to dispossesse him of his (vsurped) Kingdome: wherefore he shall do his vtmost, vtterly to extin­guish and roote out these (poore) Iewes: then there shall bee such a time of trouble, as neuer was heard of (in that Na­tion) but Michael the great Prince (whether the Lord IE­SVS,Dan. 12.1. or some powerfull Instru­ment of his) shall stand vp for his chosen, and deliuer them: Fire shall come downe from God out of heauen,Apoc. 20.9 and deuoure their enemies;Ezech. 38.9. that is, (as Eze­chiel more fully speaketh of the matter) though he come like a storme against the people of Israel, Ver. 16. [Page 84] and as a Cloud to couer the land, yet God will make a great and generall shaking in the Land of Israel;19 Hee will call for a Sword against him,22 hee will plead against him with Pestilence and with bloud; hee will raine vpon him and his bands, and vpon the many people that are with him,Dan. 11.45 an ouer-flowing raine, and great haile-stones, fire and Brime­stone. Finally, there he shall come to his end, and none shall helpe him.

He is an arch-enemy of the Lord IESVS and his Church; he beganne with the Romish Antichrist, and why then shall not he bee confounded with him, or not long after him?

CHAP. XVI. Of the false Christs, and the false Prophets (their mini­sters) that shall arise in the last age of the world.

EVEN as (Tipicé) betweene the death of Christ, and the destruction of Ierusalem, there arose false Messiasses in that ge­neration: so correspondently, in the last generation of man­kind, not long before the end of the world,Mat. 24 24 there shall arise false Christs (that shal take vpon them the very person of Christ, and vsurpe his name) and false Pro­phets (viz. their Ministers) that shall say they are sent of Christ, that shall win credit vnto them, and do great Signes and Wonders to deceiue (if it were possible) the [Page 86] very Elect. And this God shall suffer to come to passe, to try, proue, and make manifest, whe­ther his elect people will assent vnto, and bee carried away with such false Christs, and false Pro­phets, or no? And to vindicate and (spiritually) punish, in the Reprobate and Vnbeleeuers, the refusall and extreme con­tempt of his sweete and blessed Gospell,2. Thess. 2.11.12. Preached amongst them, and offered vnto them.

Quest. But how may these false Christs that shall bee rai­sed vp by the deuill, in the last age (or how shall they) bee dis­cerned and distinguishd, from the false Messia's before the de­struction of Ierusalem that drew great multitudes after them?

Ans. These last shall bee false [Page 87] Christs taking vpon them the very name of Christ, but the for­mer were false Messiae, that ima­gined Christ to be a meere man, neither did they assume vnto themselues the Title of the Sonne of God. Secondly, our Lord Prophecyeth of false Christs that shall arise in the end of the world, and seduce, as well the Gentiles as the Iewes; but those before the ouerthrow of Ieru­salem onely deceiued the Iewes. Lastly, those false Messiae did shew forth no Signes or Won­ders, and therefore could not so effectually deceiue others; But these false Christs, by fai­ned Miracles, satanicall illusi­ons, and efficacy of errour, shall seeke to winne them credit and authority; and therefore of this time that saying of our Lords [Page] shall bee, or may bee, (specially) verified:Luke 18.8. Shall the Sonne of man when hee commeth finde faith vp­on the earth?

Quest. Shall the miracles of these false Christs and false Pro­phets bee true and Diuine, as those of our Lord IESV, and of the Apostles, were?

Ans. No: The Miracles done by CHRIST and his Apostles, were true miracles in matter and forme, hauing their begin­ning from God, setting forth the glory of God, and confir­ming the truth: But the Mira­cles of these false Christs and false Prophets, shall bee lying Miracles, illusions, or cunning conclusions, proceeding from the deuill; not profitable and wholsome, but rather pompous and permicious, and tending [Page 89] onely to confirme and maine­taine lies and errours.

CHAP. XVII. Of the strange Euents, Signes, Prodigies, and fearefull won­ders of the last age.

A Sixt generall Signe not yet fulfilled, but to come to passe, are prodigies, strange things, and ominous and most fearefull euents. These shall pre­signifie the change and end of all things to be euen at hand, in so much that the very brute crea­tures shall feele the power of Christ ready to come to iudge­ment. Of this sort are terrible Sights in the Aire,Luk. 21.11. dreadfull earth-quakes, frequent and feare­full fires; Vers. 25 vpon the earth distresse [Page 90] of Nations with perplexities, the Sea & the waues extraordinarily roaring: 26 mens hearts failing them for feare, and for looking after those things which are comming on the earth: Mar. 13.8. Famines, troubles, Wonders in heauen aboue, Act. 2.19. and Signes in the earth beneath bloud and fire, and vapors of Smoke. The Sunne shall bee turned into darkenesse, 20 and the Moone into bloud, before that great and no­table day of the Lord commeth; the Starres shall fall downe from heauen: i. either such in shew and appearance, or Meteors and blazing Starres. Of this sort also are thundring Winds, and troublesome Tempests, in­vndations of waters, Lact. de diu. praemio. lib. 7. c. 15. excessiue Raine, drying vp of Fountaines, failing of Beasts, Birds, Fishes: vnequall and vnnaturall Seasons [Page 91] of the yeares, Winterly Summers, and Summer-like Winters, ex­treme barrennesse of the earth, and horrible confusions.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the generall and maruellous deadnesse of heart, and sense­lesse benummednesse of the last times.

A Seuenth generall Signe, shall bee a dead slumber, spirituall Lethargie, and a bru­tish security in all sorts of peo­ple; which, though it hath bene in the time of Noah, Luke 17.26.27. not long before the vniuersall Deluge; and in the time of iust Lot, at the de­struction of Sodom and Gomor­rah, and in other ages of the world; yet it shall most appa­rantly [Page 93] raigne and preuaile in the last age; So that no Alarums, no thundering iudgements, no strange Sightes, Monsters, Won­ders, Doctrine, Counsell, Admoni­tions, Warnings, shall bee able to arowse and waken them from this sluggish and deafe se­curity: They shall drowne them­selues in pleasure and in drun­kennesse; mind nothing but the world, wealth, oppression, re­uenge: But the Sonne of man shall come to such, in an houre they wot not of, and shall finde them sleeping: Mar. 13.36 1. Thess. 5.2. The day of the Lord shall come as a Thiefe in the night: For when they shall say peace and safety, Ver. 3. then sudden de­struction shall come vpon them as trauaile vpon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. Securi­tas initium calamitatis: God [Page] giue vs grace, to watch and waite for that day, and to attend to the sound of the Trumpet, that being found watching and wel-doing, wee may stand be­fore the Sonne of man,Luk. 21.36 and en­ter into our Lords ioy. Amen.

CHAP. XIX. Of the graduall, yet sudden dark­ning of the lights of heauen.

THE last generall Signe is, not onely the wonderfull roaring of the Seas, but a gra­duall, yet sensible and strange darkening of the lights of heauen; this is the neerest generall Signe, and the more to bee hee­ded when it commeth: For pre­sently after shall come our LORD IESVS, who by the [Page 95] brightnesse of his comming, shall (vtterly) obscure and hide the light of the Sunne, Moone, and Starres. Neither must this seeme incredible or impossible, for the like hath beene seene in time past (though not vniuer­sally ouer the whole world, but in some kingdome and particu­lar place of it) At mid-day, Act. 26.13. as Saint Paul went to Damascus, he saw in the way a light from hea­uen aboue the brightnesse of the Sunne, shine round about him and thē that iourneyed with him: If it exceeded the brightnes of Sun, then it obscured the Sun, and (as it were) put out the light of it.

Secondly, at the death of Christ, the Sunne was darkened and terribly eclypsed:Mat. 27.44. And dark­nesse was vpon all the land (of Iudaea) from the sixt houre to the [Page] ninth: i. from noone to three of the clock in the afternoone.

Thirdly, strange and wonder­full sightes and prodigies were fore-runners of the destruction of Ierusalem: and why not like­wise of the end of the world?

Lastly, the poore Marriners and Sea-faring men haue parti­cular and lamentable experi­ence of such darkenesse, when suddenly the storme ariseth, and all their lights are put out, and they oftentimes are ouer-whel­med. In Saint Pauls voyage to Rome, when hee and his com­pany were exceedingly tossed vpon the Seas, neither Sunne nor Starres in many daies appea­red. Act. 27.28.

Vse [...]Let us therefore as the chil­dren of the Light, and the day, put on the Armour of light, that [Page 97] this darkenesse when it com­meth discomfort vs not, much lesse bee a fore-runner of euer­lasting darknesse, Amen.

CHAP. XX. Diuers difficult and curious questi­ons, soberly handled, and reli­giously resolued.

CHAP. XXI. The wholesome Application, and profitable Vses of all these Signes and Fore-runners.