TO THE CHURCH OF ROME.

MANY and sundry voices have beene heard out of the Wildernesse in these latter dayes, whereunto had wee given good and diligent eare, we had perhaps discerned the time of our visitation; neverthelesse, he that writeth testifieth, the Kingdom of God is at hand.

WHat neighbour or friend is he, who seeing his next or beloved in danger, doth not cry, [...]ake heed? and though such one may be found, yet [...]annot we hold our peace: Generations sinfull and [...]dulterous, why should we feare or shame, to speake [...]mongst yee? your number? and hath it not been alwayes the complaint of the holy Ghost, in the dayes of the Prophets, Apostles, and to this houre? Lord who hath beleeved our sayings? and to whom is thy arm re­vealed? your nostrils? whose power is breath not to be counted of? nay, we are not only ready to give up our bodies, but our souls to be sacrificed, in wit­nesse of the cause pleaded before yee this day; or should our voyce be ashamed of her preparation? behold yee scorners, like as a mighty wind, that pas­ [...]eth your eare, and bloweth not upon yee; so shall yee heare great things to day, and not be moved [...]herewith; and poore, and slight, and simple as she goeth, she hath authority to give joy to the living, and life unto the dead. Amongst whom liest thou [Page 2] buried, rotten, and past rising up againe: thou, that si [...]test carelesse, like a Queen in pleasure, and glorifi­en th [...] sel [...]e, saying in thy heart, I am alone, and be­sides me is no other, I may not be widow, or deso­late for ever, a [...]d, like a foole, hast not considered, th'older thou art, the nigher to thy grave. But thou sayest, tush, am I not great? Where dwelleth then the power that may doe all these things? Where­fore thus saith the truth, although thou be now so high, as that the word forespoken is fullfilled in thee, And who is like unto the beast? or who may war with him? behold the day hasteth, and is at hand, wherein th [...]u shalt be made so little, that thy name and remnant shall not be found upon the earth; and all thy many hornes, and multitude of Witches, (whose arme and counsell have been thy help and treasure from thy youth,) shall fall and perish, as fire consume [...]h straw, and not be able to deliver thee any more; for thy dayes are numbred, and yet two Moneths, two Weekes, two dayes and a halfe, and thy number six hundred sixty six shall be fullfilled: Happy man that liveth to see that day, and behold there be living that shall see it.

And Tyre and Sydon, with all thy Cedars, though now they surfet in wealth, in pride, and pleasure, shall then lie comfortlesse and wring their hands, for Babylon their Lord is dead. And thy death shall be the life of Israel but his light may not long indure (as test [...]fieth the Prophet.) And then, and in those dayes shall be fullfi [...]'d the great mystery of God, proph [...]ied by the mighty Angell, who set his right foot on the Sea, and left upon the Land, and lifting up his stro [...]gest arme to Heaven, swore by him that liveth for ever and e [...]er, There shall be time no more.

He that blasphemeth, let him blaspheme still; and he that liveth at ease, take his pleasure still, never­thelesse the speciall day is at the doore, to give to e­very [Page 3] one according to his wayes. And yet thou sayest, I am his house, his sanctuary, and place of his dwelling: wherefore (Discoursers) [...] once shall be wrought in your eye to day, all the gate [...] of his City shall be laid open before yee, and none of yee shall enter into it.

All are wise, and every one shall give account ac­cording to that he hath received; I aske then, and have not all received? yes verily, the voice of God is written up, and placed in th'eyes or hea [...]ts of all, as it is wirtten, Their sound is gone forth over all the earth, and their words unto the worlds end. But all have nor o­beyed, as test [...]fieth the Prophet; and therefore the Kingdome of Heaven is likened to a Field containing Corne and Weedes: to a Net. enclosing fish of all sorts, good and bad: to a Wedding, whereunto all were bidden, those that refused, those that came prepared, and those that came and were [...] appar­relled: to Servants, good, diligent, faithfull, bad, slow, and unprofitable: to Virgins, some wise whose lamps did watch while they slept, [...] foolish whose lamps did sleep with them: to a house, of great and large receit [...] garnished with v [...]ssells of gold and silver, of wood and clay, then and in that day to be imploy­ed to their use of honour and dishonour, when he shall come in glory, to judge and reward the world, separate the stranger from the child, the goa [...] from the sheep, the sinner from the just: and this is the Kingdome whereof it is written, Many are called

Lords of Sodome, may it then plea [...]e your dead and dry eyes to consider, that in this great company of hearers, two speciall differing companies are com­mended unto yee: th'one that hearing the voyce, obeyeth and doth it; th'other, that hearing trans­gresseth, and doth not; called in Scripture, Ha [...]ed, bond, forsaken, cast out, children of evill, vessells of wrath, and such like: compared to a Man, who built a [Page 4] house, and laid no foundation, and when the day of reckoning, the day of tempest came, the building fell, and the fall thereof was great, and lamentable for ever. But they that hea [...]ing the Commande­ments of God, observe and do them, are called in Scripture, beloved, free, chosen, beautifull, children of pro­mise, vessells of mercy, Israel, Jacob, his people, his heri­tage, a holy Nation, a holy City, a kingly & holy Priest-hood, his house, his Temple, his Tabernacle, Saints, Sion, Hieru­salem from above, the pillar and upholder of truth, his vine, his Church, his Body, his Spouse, and such like: com­pared to a Builder, that digged deep, and laid his foundation on the Rock, whose work endured the day to come, and gave glory to the worker: to a Graine of Mustard-seede, whose great increase for his little body, is marvellous compared with other hearbs; to Leaven, which seasoneth the whole wherein it is hid; to a Pearle of price, for which the Jeweller adventureth by Sea, by Land, by fire, by water to attaine; to a Field wherein lyeth hidden a treasure of such quality, that the possessor selleth all he hath, to make a purchase thereof: to a Seede, pros­pering from Blade to stalk, from stalk to head, the Lord of the ground neither sleeping nor waking knowing how: And this is the generation of them that seek him, the portion and Kingdome whereof it is written, But few are chosen. And of this company and no other, speaketh the Scripture, which saith: Where two or three be gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And againe: And behold I am with you from day to ever, even to the worlds end. And againe, Feare not little flocke, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a Kingdome. And againe, And I will intreate the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, who shall remaine with you for e­ver. And againe, But when the Spirit of truth com­meth, he shall leade you into all truth. And this is the [Page 5] City and house spirituall, built upon the head of the corner, which through the strength and glory of the foundation, remaineth and liveth for ever, as it is written, And upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against her. And this is the Church and Sanctuary of God, the stones of life and glory everlasting, disdained and trodden un­der of worldly builders, prepared notwithstanding from above, and appointed to serve for his Taberna­cle and place of his dwelling: for he that is high­est, dwelleth not in Temples made with hands, as testifieth the Prophet. Heaven is my seat, and earth is my foot-stoole, what place of rest will yee build unto me (saith the Lord) O house of Israel? These things had yee understood, then had yee beene wise and learned Scribes, and like unto the housholder, which bring­eth forth of his store and provision, as time and oc­casion serveth old and new.

And this is she which erreth not, dissenteth not, for all her Children are endued with a tongue and ta­ster of truth: all are prepared with one and selfe­same water: all are purged by one and self-same fire: all are Servants to one and self same Lord, who by the sweet and accepted Sacrifice of his owne body hath sanctified, and made them of sinners. Sonnes of God, as it is written: He that sanctifieth, and they which are sanctified, are all of one.

And this is shee which prepareth her selfe for the Wedding, arrayed in a white and righteous garment, which her Lord the Bride-groome giveth her with Lamp watching night and day, waiteth and attend­eth his comming, whose modest countenance, whose chast and comely steps, walk in our streets, and the world regardeth not; for her name is hidden, writ­ten in the heart, not in the skinne, and the light of her beauty is in the spirit within, not in the [...] without, whose praise is not of men, but of God. [Page 6] And yet thou sayest, let me see her: behold, he that writeth testifieth before the Throne of God and all his holy Angells, that he knoweth not any one this day, after the flesh, that taketh part with him: what then, shall I say I am left alone? God forbid, for I see and heare with th'ears and eyes of my soule, the groans, the chains and tears of seven thousand, whose obedience is greater then mine, and of which num­ber I am the least, and as a poore, and miserable, and borne out of time, am not worthy to be one of them.

And this is she who once (Balaam) walkt in thy streets, and all th' earth was filled with her beauty, untill thy Father lifted up his sawcie head, pursuing her blood and generation: for there is enmity be­tweene him and her, her seed and his for ever, but she laid her Babe before the Throne of God, whose eye defended it from all his teeth and fury. And in those dayes, her Lord the Bridegroome gave her two wings, whose Feathers were made of the word of truth, and she flew into the Wildernesse, where she had a rest provided from the face and feare of her e­nemy, a time, and times, and halfe a time; and there remaineth shee, her houre, her day, her moneth, and her yeare, eating no other thing then that which God giveth her. And thy Father fell heavy, exceeding wroth thereat: and sat him downe by the Sea side, in a Throne newly erected to th'honour of his name, mourning and pining, that the woman with her Boy had scap't his hands so. And calling his powers and counsell about him, devising, found out a way t'ap­pease his wrath, namely to be reveng'd but on the remnant of her seed which shee left behind: and while he sat in Consistory, seeking best means t'ac­complish his purpose, thou liftedst up thy Nose out of the many waters, and presently his dump was tur­n'd to a dance, thy heads and hornes were so like his [Page 7] owne, that he rejoyced wholly to see thy unhappy day, and having nothing greater to shew his love, par­ted with thee his Kingdomes, and glory thereof, planted thee in his old and ancient Throne, where once his name was honoured, and gave into thy hand his great power, and chiefest of his hoast, Wonders, Lyes, Murder, and bad thee warre and have no feare, for it was appointed, the third borne among the Sons of men, should be subdued unto thee. And it pleased the Lamb to give thee leave among the rest, to bid battel to the seed and remainder of his hand­maid, and to give up their blood to the pleasure of thy Swords, during the thousand two hundred and sixty, the dayes of relegation: but when those two and forty moneths shall be expir'd, thou shalt lay downe thy proud waves, and he that is highest, shall set thee alive in judgement, and the earth shall ac­cuse thee of deceit, the Heavens of blasphemy, and thou shalt be divided, and cut out in pieces, for thou hast troubled the meek, and him that pursued peace, hast loved lyers, destroyed the true and fruitfull branch, and overthrowne the walls of such as mour­n'd, and did thee no harme. And in that day, thy Crownes shall be turn'd to baldnesse, thy silke to na­kednesse, thy sweet and pleasing voices to houling, thy lights to darknesse, and the blood of his servants shall he weigh before thee, and value it unto thee, and thy parts shall burne untill thou pay the price thereof. And that judgement may even now be­gin to take hold of thy bones, it shall be shewed thee this day, what manner of men they are, which heare, and doe the Commandements of God, their bredth, their length, their heigth, their depth, their name and their countenance, shall be laid before thee, and thou, thy Prophets and Children, shall see, and won­der, and die.

All are learned, all have knowledge, and the cove­nant [Page 8] of death was written in our hearts, when wee were yet but tender, lodged and sleeping in the loins of Adam, wrapt us up in our sins, and transgressions, like as the Spider in his toile the silly Flie, against the day of slaughter. But he that is highest, pittying the world which he loved so, in the riches of his be­nignity, devised a way, to set free againe the work of his hand, which law through sin had imbondaged to death, and made a testament of life and peace, in the blood and mediation of his Son, the price and re­demption of that which was lost, and wrote inheri­tors of his mercifull Covenant, all and as many as be­leeved in the Mediator thereof. And unto Adam, his lost Child, gave it he, saying; The seede of the wo­man shall bruise the Serpents head, and all the Children of Promise tooke hold thereon, imbracing the seed which by the death of death, delivered the sinner: And unto Abraham his Servant renewed he his Co­venants; Cast me out Agar with her Sonne (quoth he) for that which is borne after flesh is bond, and shall not inherite with the free. And remembring his mercy, promised in his time to visite Sara, and to raise unto him a seed, which should be the joy of ma­ny Nations: and Abraham beleeved, and got a grave and honourable name above all his Brethren, name­ly, to be the Father of all those many Nations, that were to inherite the Covenant and Testament of promise. And by the hand of Moses his faithfull, calling Israel unto him in the Wildernesse, before the fearfull Mount, gave unto them the Covenant of captivity once for all, written downe by the hand of his Angell, in two Tables of stone, commanding it to be set up in the eye of Israel, that they might see and read their wounds and transgressions, which had sub­dued them to death, and calling to mind his Testa­ment of mercy, wherein from beginning his soule de­lighted, promised by the same Moses, to raise them [Page 9] up a Prophet from among their Brethren, like unto him, and every soule that would inherite his favour and Covenant of promise, should heare him. And Moses calling Israel together, testified unto them that day, heaven and earth bearing witnesse, he had set life and death, curse and blessing, to wit, the Cove­nants of works and faith, of Law and grace before them. But Israels heart was fat, and understood not all these things, and seeking the inheritance by the Law of works which had concluded them being yet unborne under curse and reproofe, fell out, and lost the way which led to the blessing and land of the Fathers covenanted by promise; but by David his Boy, whom his heart approved, calleth them back againe, [...] (saith hee) [...], giving them to understand the table of Sina, whereon they thought to save themselves; justified to their face, all their doings were abominable, as it is written: The Lord looked downe from heaven upon the Sons of men, to see if there were any that understood and sought after God. But behold, they are all gone astray, all are become abominable, there is not one that doth good, no not one. There is not a godly to be found on earth: not a righteous amongst the sons of men, all lie in wait for blood, and every man hunteth his neighbour as with a net: he that is best is but a bryer, and he that is most righteous as a thorne. And ever and anon remembring his mercy, testified by the same David, that if they would attaine the Land and In­heritance promised the Fathers, they should not of­fer him his beasts or his birds to eate, but unharden their hearts, and heare his voyce that day, that then it should come to passe, they should enter into his re­pose, and Canaan spirituall, into the which their Fa­thers could not for their unbeliefe. All the Pro­phets bearing witnesse thereunto, that looke how high the heavens were distant from the earth, so far [Page 10] were his offerings differing from theirs: for all their wayes and thoughts were spotted like to the garment of a Tyger, transgressors of his fiery Covenant which he strake with their Fathers in Horeb, as it is written, And the testament which I gave them they kept not, and my soule despised them (saith the Lord) And still and evermore remembring his mercy, commended unto them the day to come, wherein he would strike a new and an everlasting Commandement with the house of Israel, not like to that he covenanted in the Wildernesse, which neither they nor their Fathers were able to beare, but his new Covenant should be a Covenant of mercy and love, and no man should be able t'attaine it, by rending his Garment, by Rams, or streams of Oyle, but by rending his heart, by hea­ring and beleeving the redemption which should be set in Sion: for he had said, and would not repent for ever, The just shall live by faith. But Israel was hard, and evermore in heart turned back into the Wilder­nesse, chusing rather to be the Sons of Agar, inhabi­tants of Sina, which ingendereth to death, then chil­dren of promise, Citizens of Jerusalem from above, which begetteth to life: refused his Law and Testa­ment of grace, so often covenanted and commended unto them: which he notwithstanding in fulnesse of time performed unto Jacob, sending downe out of his bosome the Mediator thereof, apparrelled in blood, mounted on his little hill in his city of peace, with promise, that every sinner should be deliver'd from shame, that putteth trust in him. And when the time came, was found walking in the st [...]eets of Jerusalem, his steps beautifull, as are the steps of God: the flames and Angells of heaven, ascending and de­scending at his commandement; and it was fulfil­ed which was spoken, In Jury is God knowne, great is his name in Israel: and opening his mouth taught them, and marvellous gracious and true were the words which proceeded from him: told them [Page 11] their Fathers were wonderfully indeed fed and cloa­thed in the Wildernesse, and yet were dead, because they were not fed nor cloathed with him, who fee­deth and arayeth to life everlasting: and the food and rayment which he gave, was his blood, and they that are fed and apparrelled therewith, are those that beleeve in him: commanded them not to work as did their Fathers in the Wildernesse, but as did A­braham, whose Children they pretended to be and were not, for he beleeved in him, being yet but pro­mised, whom they refused, now performed, and wit­nessed plainly in their eares that day, there were no other works but these alone, that led from the rod of th'oppressor to the Land of promise, saying, This is to doe the work and commandement of God, to believe in him whom God hath sent. Which thing your Fathers the Pharisees denying to doe, evermore seeking (after their hard and brazen progenitors) t'esta­blish a righteousnesse and justice of their owne, to work the works and Commandements of God, ac­cording to their way and meaning, by doing, refu­sing the justice appointed by God, to work his works and Commandements according to his way & mea­ning, by beleeving: rushed against the square, appro­ved, precious stone which was set up in Sion, and were bruised and broken to death everlasting.

And doest thou know (Balaam) what it is to be­leeve in him whom God hath sent? We speak the things we know, and testifie what we have seen and learnt: That which is borne from below is flesh, subdued un­to sin, imbondaged to death, and cannot see th'in­heritance and Kingdome of God; wherefore it was requisite a new birth to be established, subduing the flesh unto the spirit, delivering from the power of sin, and breaking the chaines of death. Without the which, vaine and impossible is the Commande­ment, to believe in him whom God hath sent: as it is written, Ʋnlesse a man be begotten by water and by the holy [Page 12] Ghost, he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God.

So many Baalists heapt on another, at your con­spiracy he [...]d at Trent, against God, and his anointed, and knew not what it is to be borne of water and of the holy Ghost? have ye indeed so planed the c [...]a­tures of God, wrought in them a beliefe, ye are suc­cessors and dispensers in heavenly things, and under­stand not earthly?

There was a man sent from God, his name was John, your Fathers ran out in troops to see him, a strange and sour fellow, was not lodg'd like a Prince, nor cloathed like a Courtier, neither wine nor water dranke he, no other drinke but [...]ears, and in his mouth never entered bread.

Murderers, how chanceth it, that hanging up his dead body in your Courts and Caves, drawing it through your streets once a yeare at the least, deny­ing it the naturall courtesie of buriall, you have not considered that he was appointed from heaven, the Minister of the Baptisme of water? as of himselfe he testifieth in a place, saying: He that sent me to baptize with water said unto me, on whom thou seest the Spirit dis­cend and tarry he it is that baptizeth with the holy Ghost. Doe yee know wherefore his Lord gave him that ho­nourable testimony? namely, that he was more then a Prophet, and that among all the sons of women, there was none to be found his greater? because, who so is not prepared by him, which was appointed the Minister of the baptisme of water, shall never be purged by his Lord which comes after, who sanctifi­eth with fire and with the holy Ghost: for this was the Angell, appointed to goe before the face of the great Dominator, and teach the Children that sat in Prison, in darknesse, and shadow of death, that if they would be Sons of the Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they should prepare their hearts by water, as did the Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And [Page 13] therefore his Lord in parable calleth him the Mour­ner, wot ye why? because who so sorroweth not with him, shall never rejoyce with the Bridegroome, shall never see the birth of the holy Ghost, the faith which beleeveth in him which God hath sent.

The poor woman which entred into the house of Si­mon the Pharisee, where her Lord was at meat, and fal­ling downwashed & kissed his feet, how commeth it to passe, (ye wise) that nayling up her dead body in your Groves and Temples to the view, ye have not consi­dered her tears and her love, preaching and crying so many hundred years, the birth of water▪ of the holy Ghost? but yee say, when Elias commeth he shall restore all! Murderers, and doe ye indeed lie in wait for another Elias? behold the first came, and had not his God delivered him from your hands by won­der, sending downe his Chariot and Horsemen of fire, ye had slaine him with the rest of his Prophets, for ye sought his life also: and the second came, a righteous and holy man, and behold, as innocent as ye pretend to be, his righteous blood shall be found in your Courts, and his holy head in one of your ves­sells: and doe ye yet more attend a third Elias, like to your stiffe reprooved brethren, which walke stink­ing in your streets to day, gaping the comming of a second Messias? wherefore thus saith the truth, there shall no Elias come: and he that reading, con­sidereth the dwelling, the fare, and rayment of the se­cond Elias, how read and swolne were his eyes with tears, how dry his lips with sighs, and doth not weep and wayle with him, if seven thousand Mourners should rise from the dead, they cannot make that man to sorrow. This was the voyce, who in the dayes of his flesh, called unto Israel from out of the Wilder­nesse, crying that if the would be sons and daugh­ters of God, they should not look up unto their pa­ [...]entage, boasting their pedegree, [...]etcht from the [Page 14] loins of Abraham, but should take up the true and perfect sorrow for their sin, and th' unspeakable de­ [...]i [...]e to be reconciled to God, as did his servant Abra­ham: that then the God of Abraham would turne to th [...] Children, a [...] he did unto the Fathers, write his Laws [...]n their hearts, cover their offences, and be un­to them a God, and a Father, and they to him sons and daughters: and every one which was to receive the light that followed, in whose hand was the po­wer to make of a [...]nner a Son unto God, hearkened to the Mourner of Israel, sate downe, and sorrowed with him.

And he that sorrowed, sorrowed indeed, his eye refused sleep, his mouth dened t'eate, lost and dead was his cheere, his mirth was t [...]n'd to sadnesse, and if an asked what ill he had; seight, and could not speake, so great was his sorrow: and walking all a­lone, sought for the night to cover him; and ever as he went, wrote up with tears, the day was not made for him, that is in sorrow: and in the night as dark as 'twas, his eye which now had cleane forgot­ten rest, beheld as in a table painted out, his wounds and transgressions, and feare, and judgement: the Arrows of the Highest peirced him so, that he be­sought the day to wake, for help and ease of sorrow; but when the day arose, the Sun discovered his fil­thinesse, drew him forth naked before the light and Throne of God, laying truely to his charge, it was he that had polluted th'earth: and what pen may tell his feare? or who may conceive his sorrow? Like as the Hart chased with Hound, recovering in going downe of his strength some little advantage, stand­eth, hearing the cry of them that trace his blood so truely, feeling the strength of his legs departed, look­eth about for the water brook to recover his force a new, and finding not, panteth and shutteth oft his fearfull eye, ready to give up the living breath which [Page 17] holdeth his silly bones together: so trembleth this guilty soule, and finding the pleasure of his pleasures past, departed like friends in adversity, that knew him now no more, would faine looke up to heaven, as to the water brooke, but durst not, for he had sin­ned against it, and before him that sitteth thereon, fell downe, and broken to water, washed with tears the day wherein he was borne, and charged it with cruelty, to call him out of his mothers womb, when there was no need of him. Alas, might not the Sun have gone his course (quoth he) tho I had never beene? or had the Covenant of night and day been lost, and if my mothers womb had been my grave (quoth he?) and seeing his feare so multipli­ed, he might no longer live, wrote up with tears his last complaint, and laid it before the Throne of God, confessed he was nothing worth, beseeched him to remember the Testament of his mercy, the delight and pleasure of his soul, before the foundations of creatures were laid, in it, to pitty and call againe, the poore and lost work of his hand, which sin and filthinesse had led away to death.

And this is he, that is poore, and bruised, that la­boureth and is heavy laden, sick, lost, dead, and li­veth now no more: this is he that travelleth▪ like a woman, that laboureth, that weepeth while the world sporteth, devising pleasantly to passe the time away. And this is he that is turned, begotten by water, prepared by the Mourner, and unto whom God hath sworne by the honour of his name, Hee shall not die.

Murderers, stand forth, tell me, may ye set your penance by this mans repentance? behold this man, of a hill, is become a valley: of a flint, soft and ten­der as water: of a prudent and wise, become a babe: and like unto the little one, which holding on his mothers breasts, cryeth, and feareth the regard of a [Page 18] stranger: so weepeth he if sin doe but see him: Thou, standing on the tops, despisest him that lyeth below, judgest him a foole, and one that knowes not to use the time, and after thy heart hard as Adamant, subdued to filthinesse, despairing of a better promise, canst not goe downe and sit, and tell tears with him: bearing thy selfe alost, movest like an Oracle, faist, but thou art wise: and like a foole, hast not consi­dered the word that solloweth [...].

O just and righteous judgement of God, which by a low and simple word, hath sealed to reprove the wisedome of the world, and hidden from her proud and prudent Children, the knowledge of his truth and heavenly things, and shewed it to babes: for e­ven so it pleaseth him.

Murderers, may your penance yield such fruit as bringeth forth this mans repentance? behold this man hath lost his tast, and relish in sin for ever, and in the wayes wherein his soule delighted once, and tooke his course with pleasure, now grieveth, fea­reth, bewaileth [...]he day that ever he walkt there­in: what wilt thou minister to this man, to recover him to joy againe? oyle? corne? wine? youth? strength? beauty? the world and glory thereof? nay, he sigheth, and cannot find his help in them: his stripe is of that quality, as nothing can heale, but the favour and countenance of him, whom he hath offended: and [...]urning his eve unto the wall, co­vereth his head with deu [...] and heavinesse, weepeth and will not be comforted, untill he find the thing his soule so desireth: peace, love, and reconciliation with God.

I call ye all before the judgement seat of God this day, and lay unto your charge, ye have not knowne nor learnt these things, and are neverthe­lesse the worthy fruits, which the preparer of Israel hath cryed out unto ye, these many hundred years to bring forth.

Reproved and unbaptized hearts and ears, like to your fathers, which evermore resisted the holy Ghost, so do ye: vvhat hath he at any time vvrit­ten with tears, and ye not opened and read laugh­ing? vvhen hath he commended ye his orders in grave and funerall robes, and ye not reproved, say­ing, his humour is to melancholy? what voyce hath he sent in lovv and servants tire, and ye not despised, and said, his invention is simple? vvhen hath he encountred those bar'd and bolted hearts of yours, with great and strong cryes, and ye not blasphemed, and told him h'is mad? and hovv may he cook or spice his Commandements, to have them approved of your mouths, so vvayward and out of tast? Children of goe to death, which of you reproveth him that writeth of a lye? wherefore thus saith the truth, poore Sodome shall rise in that day, and lift up their bloubred heads out of their darke dwelling, and the eye of the Judge shall pity their captivity in respect of yours; for had they heard the Mourners song as you have heard to day, the light of their repentance had shined amongst us even to this houre: but this is the [...] pour'd out upon yee, such a botch, such a [...] as the day shall come, that a­mong all the sinfull generations of men, no one may be found so adulterous, that will approve there had been on earth at any time, a race so stif and cast away, as hearing all these things, would not­vvithstanding vvorship Bel. And he that is highest, shall shevv his name, in getting honour over ye, and because ye vvould not learn and vvalk in his vvayes, shall give ye up unto your ovvne, in blindnesse, l [...]ke Sodomites, groping after, and pursuing the blood of his Testament, till ye fall head-long dovvne into the deep, vvhere Pharaoh and his men of vvarre do lie: and all the World shall knovv and feare the [Page 20] holy one, the Redeemer of Israel, the Lord of Hoasts, who hath justified the judgements of his Servants upon ye. But wee will cast ye aside a while, and re­turne to the poore and broken soule, whom we have left in travell, and guard and watch him day & night: behold and learne his end, he that is wise will marke his deliverance, and happy man that can tell his teares, and sit and sorrow with him.

To this man maketh God answer, early or late de­livereth him: and how much the longer withholdeth his countenance, retyring as it were his pitty from him, so much the more entendeth t'advance his love and mercy towards him, to make him great and a pillar in his house a comforter of the weake and bro­ken knees of others, and in his time sendeth downe his promise, the rich and hidden treasure which from the beginning dwelled with himselfe, and with his holy one, who day by day laboureth, washeth, and bindeth up this broken one, not leaving t'apply unto his stripe, untill he have wrought and shaped in him a full and perfect assurance, that God hath given him unto his Sonne: in him and through him, forgiven and covered all those his transgressions, which cryed our so justly against his bloud: and whereas in the day of his trespasse, was a stranger, and an enemy, now in his Son, and for his sake, is reconciled and be­loved, and is unto him as a sonne, and he to him a Father, the treasure which his soule in the great day of his trouble so unspeakeably desired, and there­withall commandeth him to beare written up in the apple of his eye night and day, to read and consider, what great things have been done for him.

This man is now so assured his [...]innes are forgiven him, as sure and perswaded, that his Lord and Redee­mer was once dead, now liveth, & never dyeth more, what Register may record the sinnes of him, whose transgressions God forgetteth? what power may dis­cover [Page 21] the nakednesse of him, whose shame and offence God covereth? who shall be able to cast away whom God approveth? or lay to the charge of him, whom God chooseth? may sinne wherein he was conceived? may trespasse and filthinesse wherein his youth de­lighted? may the bold and bloudy offences, which his age hath committed? may flesh and infirmities wherewith he is clothed? may powers and blasphe­mies, wherewith he is compassed? nay, this man is at rest, fully perswaded, God being with him, nothing may prevaile against him; as it is written, God justify­ing who may condemne? This man is now so assured, God loveth him, as that he is sure and fully perswaded, neither fire nor sword, neither death, nor life, neither Angels, nor powers, nor principalities, neither things present, nor things to come, neither natures above, nor depths below, nor any creature other whatsoe­ver, may separate him from the love which God bear­eth him, in Christ Jesus his Lord.

And this is the saith of Abraham, and of Abrahams posterity, which reacheth justice to the sinner, and life unto the just, as it is written: But the just shall live by faith. And this is the faith, whereof th'holy Ghost pronounceth, by the mouth of his servant Paul, in a place, saying: Being justified therefore by faith, wee have peace with God in Christ Jesus our Lord. For he is truly justified, whose sinnes are forgiven, as it is written: Blessed is the man whose sinnes are forgiven, and whose transgressions are covered. And he is truly at peace and one with God, that is beloved of him: and all this grace is reacht unto him in Christ, and through him, as it is written: For death and bondage was given by Moses; but grace and truth by Christ Jesus. And this is the rest, and peace from above, the birth and bap­tisme of the holy Ghost, the fire that purgeth the sonnes of men, transforming them from sinners, into the sonnes of God: and no man shall see it, or have [Page 22] his part therein, that cannot sing the song of the lit­tle children, which sat in the market place, crying and calling one t'another: We have mourned, and yee have not sorrowed.

Murtherers, stand forth; tell me, may you compare your beleefe with this mans saith? behold, thou be­leevest one onely God Father Almighty, of whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ his onely Sonne, for whom, and by whom are all things: and one Spirit God holy Ghost, proceeding from the Fa­ther and the Sonne, the power, the life, and quick­ner of all things: and thou beleevest that the Sonne in the fulnesse of time, descended from the bosom of his Father, came into the world, was made flesh, conceived by the holy Ghost, borne of a Virgin, and that he dyed and rose againe, for the redemption of all that beleeve in his holy name: and thou belee­vest, those that beleeve in him are his Church, chosen and gathered from all the winds, a Company unde­filed, a holy Universitie, as he is holy that hath cho­sen them: and thou beleevest they wayle and weep, and joy together, and thou beleevest their Lord is mounted up into the heavens, seated on the right hand of God, all power in heaven and in earth sub­dued unto him: and thou beleevest all flesh shall rise and stand before him, every man to receive accord­ing to his thoughts. And all these things beleevest thou? thou doest well, thy father the Devill belee­veth them also: and it is so farre, that this faith may save either thee or him, as that it shall encrease both your stripes: for unto whom much is committed, of him much shall be required: and he that knoweth and doth not, shall be beaten with many rods: And better it were thou hadst never been borne, then to have heard and beleeved all these things, and not to have sorrowed with the Mourner. And this was the faith of Simon Magus, one of your first-borne, who [Page 23] hearing Philip preaching, th'Incarnation, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and forgivenesse of sinnes in his holy name, and seeing the great and wonderfull works wrought by the same, beleeved the promise and revelation of life, and was baptized, as it is written; And Simon also beleeved, and was bapti­zed: and yet was neither begotten by water, nor by the holy Ghost: he beleev'd as did the lyar his father, of whom he learnt his jugling, to plane the creatures of God, and was reborne by water from below, not able to beget the sinner a new: for it is impossible that bloud of beasts, or water of fountaines, may ei­ther purge or prepare the sinner. And therefore Pe­ter comming to Samaria, to purge those sinners whom Philip had prepared by water from above, laid his finger to the wound: fellow (quoth he) thou hast no part nor fellowship with us, nor in this administrati­on, and shewed him the cause why, namely, his un­repentance: giving him t'understand, it was not pos­sible for his soule to be purg'd of that gall and bit­ternesse wherein it lay, because his heart was not pre­pared by water. And this was the faith of the Tray­tor, thy predecessor (Balaam) who sold the truth and life everlasting, for the reward of iniquitie like unto thee, he knew and beleeved as thou doest, that the bloud of his Master was innocent bloud, and was baptized with the selfe same baptisme wherewith thou art baptized, and yet was neither begotten by water, nor by the holy Ghost, for it was not possible for him to be purg'd with Peter, his heart unbroken, hard, and cruell, r [...]fusing to sorrow with the Mour­ner. And this was the faith of Julian thy Pastor (I touch your mysterie now Sir Balaam) whose broad seale and subscription, hangeth even this day unto thy letters Pattens, confirming thy Throne and Vi­cardome to thee and thy posterity, was baptized with the selfe-same baptisme where-with thou art bapti­zed, [Page 24] and begotten by the selfe-same faith which thou beleevest, and yet th'uncleane spirit re-entred his house prepared and swept, and his blasphemous end is knowne to yee all this day, to be worse then his beginning: but had he been begotten by the faith which Abraham beleeved, th'enemy at the returne with his seven thousand powers, had found his house guarded by the stronger, the watchman of Israel had defended his gates, and kept his walls from ruine: but it was not possible for him to be clensed with Abraham, his heart not prepared with water like unto Abrahams, for his soule was found among the stiffe uncircumcised children, which would not regard their fellowes, crying: Wee have mourned, and ye have not sorrowed. But I will leave thy penance, thy be­liefe, with all and every point of thy Doctrine, to him that commeth after, behold, a voyce shall rise against thee, discover thy blasphemies contained in thy con­spiracy held at Trent, against the holy one of Israel, and Jacob his chosen, and strike thee so, with the two witnesses of God, out of whose mouth comes fire to destroy the gainesayer, that all thy Magicians, all thy false reformed Prophets, shall not be able to recover thee to life againe: and returne unto the man who once laboured and was lost, but now refreshed and is found againe, whose warre and woes are turned to such a peace and joy, as the world can neither give, nor take away from him: and let us make research in­to his life, beholding how he worketh: he that is wise will marke his steps, and follow where he go­eth.

Like as the good and fruitfull Tree, planted by the river side, bringeth forth her fruit in time and due season: so fruitfull now is this branch become, and after the two noble parts of his faith, spreadeth out his root to moistnesse, and bringeth forth, a dou­ble fruit. Th'assurance of mercy and forgivenesse of [Page 25] his sinne, worketh in him such a true and perfect ha­tred of sinne, as no man knoweth but he that is bap­tized in Silo with him: and this hatred dwelleth not idle, hidden up, and sleeping in him, but as a Citie built upon a hill, sheweth his bastions and beauty to the passers by: so breaketh forth this fire within him, making knowne to all his members, the power and strength thereof: retiring them from their old and wonted wayes, remembring unto him, with what a precious bath and price he is washt and bought from th'uncleane and vaine conversation wherein once he walked, now and ever after to be holy, as he is holy that hath chosen him. What fountaines may yeeld water enough to bewaile the state of this man? for in his members he findeth a law, bidding and com­manding unrighteousnesse, intising to regard his plea­sures past, maintaining to be bold to returne againe, casting before him day and night the vomit, which now his soule hath cast up, and bleedeth to see or to remember more: and in his spirit findeth another law, remembring unto him the day of his trouble, when feare and judgement led him chained to death, and how he followed weeping, and had nothing to say for himselfe: how then and in that day, he pitty­ed and delivered him, with charge to remember, with what a great and precious charge he was redee­med and recovered againe, commanding him there­fore not to dare to look backe, or grieve the seed of God, the holy one, that hath done all these things for him. Ah poore and miserable soule, who shall de­liver him from his body of sinne? for to the law of his spirit consenteth he, loveth and faine would doe thereafter, but cannot, for he dwelleth in a house of rebellion, not contented alone to pursue him by day, as it is written: All the day long am I punished, and cha­stised every morning; but while the night lendeth the little ease unto his heavie eye, his members watch to [Page 26] sinne. Like righteous Lot in Sodome, so dwelleth he closed in a Citie, whose buildings are transgressions, whose streets are wayes of error, whose bulwarkes are the strength of death, whose gates doe leade to hell: dying daily, tormented daily, crying daily, to be de­livered from sinne, or from the body thereof▪ and in a great and strong patience, though now of all crea­tures most miserable, scorned of Angels, disdained of men, hated of the world, pursued of his owne, un­speakeably endureth all: hoping with a hope, which cannot be confounded, for the revelation of his life, laid up in the bosom of his Lord and Redeemer, then and in that houre to be declared and given him, when he shall come to judge the world with a righ­teous judgement: rendring to every man just and truly, according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked. And this is the death to sinne, the great af­fliction, happy man that hath his part therein, for he shall see the day wherein he shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more, wherein the Sunne shall not burne him by day, nor fire by night any more: for the Lambe that loveth him, shall feed and cover him, and lead him to the fountaines of water of life, and satisfie him, and deliver his eye from teares, and he shall weepe no more.

Th'other branch of his faith, namely th'assu­rance that God loveth him, worketh in him of the contrary part, such a love of God, and of his Lord and Redeemer, as no man knoweth but he that hath it: and this hidden and secret name, resteth not idle, covered or sleeping in him; but as a Sacrifice salt­ed, doth prove it selfe seasoned to the mouth of the taster: so breaketh forth this hidden light, and sheweth her beams unto the Worlds end: accord­ing to the Commandement: He that loveth God, lo­veth his brother also: not him alone, with whom he prayeth, weepeth, rejoyceth daily, which love is [Page 27] commended unto him by the names of [...] and [...] but now loveth he every man as his brother, knowledging every man his neighbour on whom he may have mercy, every man his brother whom he may love: which love is commended unto him by the names of [...] and [...], and called in Scripture, the love of God. Because it is not learnt of flesh, nor after the will of flesh, but of God, and by his example: who being fellowed in glory with the highest, disrobed himselfe of his beau­ty, came downe into the world, was found amongst us, in weaknesse, in flesh and shape of a servant, obe­dient to death, even to the death of the Tree, for the Redemption of those, that were his sworne enemies. And this is the Love, which the World can neither give nor receive, the Love which forbeareth and is gentle, void of envy, vanteth not, whose counte­nance is humbled, whose steps are modest, alway seeking good to others, not giving place to anger, never found devising or joying in evill, but alway rejoycing in the company of truth: beareth all things, beleeveth all things, hopeth all things, en­dureth all things. And this is the perfection, the new Commandement, the Garment dipt in the pre­cious price, whose often praise▪ shineth in the two Lamps which burne before the Throne of God, and no man can see it, or have his part therein, that hath not received the promise, and spirit of adoption, wherein he cryeth, Abba father. What wilt thou doe to this man to take his love from him? wilt thou revile him, charge him with names of Heretick, Sectary, private spirit, Devill? he (bearing in mind thy blasphemy of old, and how thou didst call his Lord [...] and knowing the Disciple is not above his Master, nor servant greater then he that sent him,) openeth his mouth and blesseth thee: for he remembreth the Commandement of his [Page 28] Lord, Blesse them that curse yee. Wilt thou hate him? lye in wait for him? and sweare in thy heart to be his enemy? he weepeth, and loveth thee: for hee remembreth the Commandement of his Lord: But I say unto you, love your enemies. Wilt thou bend thy brow and fist against him? lay thy hand to the sword, and drive him into the corners of th'earth: hee goeth weeping and prayeth for thee: for he re­membreth the Commandement of his Lord: Pray for them that persecute ye. Wilt thou lay thy hand and authority upon him? draw him through thy streets, and beat out his braines with the stones thereof? he lifting up his voyce, commendeth his spirit and last request, unto his God and Father, be­seeching him, to forgive his blood unto thee, and sleepeth, for he remembreth how in like case, his Lord the Lamb did so. And this is the renovation spirituall, and first resurrection, Happy man that hath his part therein, for the second death shall take no hold on him. Who layeth to the charge of this man? Who may reprove his light, his steps, and his corrected customes?

This man if he have beene a Worshipper of the Beast, returning to himselfe, falleth downe, and bro­ken to water, powreth out his complaint before the Throne of God, confesseth he was conceived in darknesse, his birth was blasphemy, his bringing up destruction, beseecheth him to remember his Testa­ment and Covenant of mercy, wherein from the be­ginning his soule so delighted, in it to pity, and ga­ther up againe the blood, which sin and abhominati­on hath spilt; and raised up, comes out of Her, ever after offereth Sacrifice well washt with water, the fire of heaven consuming, and giving up the savour before the Throne of God, to whom, in his Lord and Redeemer, he is now reconciled, and dyeth inward night and day, remembring the treason of his life past.

This man, hath he been an adulterer, or a defiler of his body, returning to himselfe, falleth downe at the feet of God, and broken to tears, cryeth, Sodome was his Mother, Gomorrah his Father, beseecheth him to remember him, to remember his Covenant and Testament of mercy, wherein his soule so ever­more delighted, in it to turne and love againe, the poore confounded work of his hand, by [...]in and fil­thinesse cast out to death, and raised up, doth so no more, ever after holdeth his body chast or honoura­ble, and bleedeth inward night and day, remembring th'uncleanenesse of his youth.

This man, hath he beene covetous? an Userer, an Extortioner, a Fighter, a Loyterer, a Theefe, a Drunkard, Contentious, furious, a darke and dou­ble-dealer, a lover of his flesh, or any such like? re­turning to himselfe, falleth downe, and molten to tears, powreth out his cryes before the Throne of God, confesseth he was conceived in death, his tea­chers and his blood-friends, the powers and strength of hell: beseecheth him to remember his everla­sting Testament, wherein his soule so greatly de­lighteth; in it to pity and recover againe, the poore and broken work of his hand, which [...]in, and foolish­nesse hath slaine: And raised up, doth so no more, ever after breaketh his bread unto the hungry; re­storeth the poore mans pledge, that lyeth bleeding by him, rendreth to him to whom he hath done wrong; hath peace and love with all men; eateth not unlesse he labour; and by his true and faithfull paines, getteth his bread; receiving his increase with moderation and thanksgiving, beareth al things, forbeareth all things, speaketh the truth from his Heart, and in his Tongue useth no deceit, setteth by himselfe now no more, but is become vile and lowly in his owne eyes, and mourning consumeth inward ni [...]ht and day, remembring the trespasse of his time lost.

Come forth ye Theeves and Murtherers, out of your Dens and Pallaces, you that have filled the aire with voices boasting your works, and called the hea­vens into the field, despised their wayes in respect of your works. Like as if the Thistle should bragge of his Figges, or Thorne should vaunt it selfe against the Vine of Canaan, and say, her berries were better Grapes then hers: Vipers tell us, may the fruit be good when the Tree is bad? Serpents, how can you do good works, your selves being evill? but be­cause ye have call'd him out, modest and fearfull as he is, he comes, accepteth the controversie, and may ye indeed, set your prayers and your pilgrimages by his? may ye compare your fasts, your mercy, and your almes with his? Looke how a graine imbalan­ced against the round world, is found light and to beare no scale at all: so are ye found blind, dead, and abominable, weighed with this man, held up by the finger of him, whose Hand is an everlasting Scep­ter, a rod and rule of equity.

Murtherers, dare ye to set your prayers by his? Behold this man, early in the morning, and late in the night season, with broken and humbled knees, presenteth himselfe before the Throne of God: and having n'other Father but him alone, in sure confi­dence lifting up his voyce, confessing his poverty, shame, and confusion: giveth all praise, honour, and glory, unto his Holy name: and utterly ashamed now, of his owne will and walks, beseecheth him to powre downe his promise, the ruler and governour of his Kingdome, that being sanctified and guided by it, he may ever after walk in his Commandements, and worke his holy will, even as his servants, which minister before his Throne in Heaven. And there­to knowledging he is fed and cloathed, not by his owne carke and care, but by the Hand and provi­dence of his Heavenly Father, commendeth unto [Page 31] him his body, and the life thereof, beseeching, though he be not worthy the least of his mercies, it may please him notwithstanding, to continue his love and graces towards him, and calling to mind his seven-fold offence committed before him that day, falleth downe, dissolved into water, beseecheth him to looke upon his Lord and Redeemer, in him, and for his sake, to cover his fault and offence committed, calling him to witnesse unto his poor and dryed soul, how that the Sun hath not gone down upon his an­ger that day, and seing the weaknes, wherein he dwel­leth, the power and pride of unrighteousnesse, where­in he's as with a Garment mantled, in great and strong teares, cryeth unto his God and Father to deliver him from th' Aegypt, and wounds of th'enemy, that no temptation may lead him to commit evill in his sight. And therewithall in quietnesse and sure trust, reclineth himselfe upon th'arme of his Heavenly Fa­ther, knowing in it dwelleth all strength, Kingdome and power, to save and deliver the soul that putteth trust in him. And thus, and so prayeth he, in forme and manner as his Lord hath taught him.

Thou watchest and risest early, like him that wait­eth innocent blood, and comming forth, bowest thy selfe before the tran [...]gression and abhomination of th'Heathen, and not considering the Sunne is darke­ned, openest thy bold and filthy mouth, blasphe­ming his Tabernacles which are in Heaven, setting them up as did thy Fathers in the Wildernesse, Mo­loch and Repham, gods of Aegypt, to grieve th'ears of the Holy Ghost.

For as betweene God and the sinner, there is but one Mediator, and Reconciler, Jesus Christ the righ­teous: so there is but one onely Advocate, and In­tercessor betweene God and the beleever, namely, the Spirit, which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne, whose right hand dwelleth in the bosome [Page 32] of the Redeemer, and left in th'heart of the belee­ver: and lifting up from hand to other, his poore and broken voices pointed with teares, placeth them before the Throne of God, and giveth them such grace through his presentation, that they stand a­mong his holy Angels, beholding his face day and night, depart not his eye nor memory, till all their requests be granted. And this is the great and ho­nourable Advocate, whose i [...]tercession so farre ex­celleth in power, in worthinesse, in grace, in glory, th'intercession of the mother of Christ, his brethren, his sisters, his Prophets, his Apostles, his Servants, his Saints and Martyrs, as is the blood of the Lamb of God more excellent and precious, then is the blood of Abel. And this is the high and holy one, that beareth record with his poore servant, which wrote these things, and we know that his record is true, thereunto bearing witnesse, thousand sighes and tears, and that it might be confirmed, under three, the love of God diffused in his heart, the Garment dipt in the blood of the Lamb, cryeth out unto yee, testifying with him these things are true. And be­ing compassed with testifiers, in number so sufficient, in quality so honourable, yet have yee not received our witnesse, and behold on earth there are none to be found, that have, or may, or shall beare witnesse to the truth, but these three alone.

Murtherers, may yee compare your pilgrimages with his? behold, thou goest from Citie to Citie, from one place to another, and weariest thy selfe in wayes and labours, which no man requireth at thy hands, and when they say unto thee, Goe into the wildernesse to this or that Hermites Cave, there shalt thou see the life, and imitation of the Lambe, and of his servant John: or come to this grave, goe to that, here at Loretta, there at Compostella, there shalt thou see the powers of God, and of his holy one, thou [Page 33] [...]not caring no [...] considering they are the comman­ [...]ements of abhomination that [...]itteth in the place [...]here he ought not) goest, beleevest, adding to thy [...]lasphemy, scorne and derision, offering to the High­ [...]st, the labour and stinke of thy feete, for the sinne [...]f thy soule.

This man, all the dayes of his life, are the dayes of his pilgrimage, wherein like the childe that be­ [...]aileth the death of his Mother, covered with darke [...]nd mourning colours, wandreth the desarts of this [...]ife, in an assured hope, one day to come to a Citie [...]romised, whose walls are made of everlasting stones, whose foundation is the strength of God, whose tow­ [...]r's his glory. And if any voyce say to him, goe into [...]he wildernesse to this or that Fremites denne, there [...]halt thou see Christ: to these or to those dead bones, [...]here shalt thou see his works of wonder: he abhor­ [...]eth it, for he remembreth the commandement of his Lord. But goe not, beleeve not, take heed, behold, I have fore [...]old yee all.

Murtherers, may vee compare your fastings with his? Behold thou eatest fish once and twice a weeke to honour God withall. Egyptians, who hath required this honour at your hands? careth he whether thou eate the flesh of fish, or the flesh of Beasts? hath he not made meat for bellies, bellies for meats: and shall he not destroy both it and them? And knowest thou indeed that which entreth into the belly goeth out into the draught, and du [...]st presume t'honour him with either one or other? wherefore thus saith the truth, the sacrifice and fasts of Hierusalem shall [...]ise in judgement against th'offerings, and fish-fasts of Babylon; and had yee knowne what that Scripture meaneth▪ No man drinking old Wine, will straight way commend the new, for he saith th'old is better, then had ye never condemned the new and true fast, t'establish a fast more vile and filthy then was the fast of Phari­sies.

This man, all the dayes of his pilgri [...]ge are a con­tinuall fast, night and day fasteth he, his bread is be­come affliction, his wine is turned to trouble, because the Bridegroom is taken from him, and his Lord whom he loveth so, is gone into a farre Country. And as concerning meates and bellies, this man is taught of God, that besides the person of a Christian, (in which respect all the creatures of God are clean unto him, received in godlinesse, moderation, and thankesgiving) he sustaineth the person of a Citi­zen, and knowing his King, his Governours, or State, whereunder he is placed, for good and probable causes, tending to the peace and maintenance of the many (which God especially will have preserved) have authority to command, and forbid in meates, in drinkes, in cloath, in dayes, and such like: so eateth, so drinketh, so weareth, so keepeth he, as his Prince commandeth, giving to his Prince th' obedience that to a Prince belongeth, and honoureth his God with th' honour, which to God appertaineth.

Murtherers, may ye compare your almes, and mer­cy with his? Behold, thou devourest the widdow, and waterest the seed of adulterie, and sayest thou feedest Orphans, arrayest thy selfe with the spoile of Kingdomes, and nourishest Dragons, egges of Ser­pents, and every unclean bird, and sayest thou feedest the sonnes of Prophets: Foole, how canst thou give a drinke of cold water to a Prophet, thy selfe being none of the generation of Prophets? Balaam, doest thou know him that wrote these things? or hast thou considered his hunger and his wants, as thou regard­ing passest by, like one of the dead and rotten graves of Sodome, covered with white, with Crimson, and pavonats, [...] written on thy head before, and on thy scull behind [...]? desireth he thy gold, thy pots, thy puddings, and thy purples, which thou hast bought so deare? nay, Balaam, he serveth that [Page 3] Lord, whose inheritance is th' earth and the plenty thereof: hath he sadled his Asse at any time, and po­sted after Balaks preferment like unto thee? Nay, Balaam, then let his soule be given up to an unre­pentance, like as is thine, hast thou any thing to give, that he desires to receive? no Balaam, he seeks not thine but thee, and this is his desire, that thou and all the world this day were like unto him, excepting his sinne.

Murtherers, and dare yee talke of mercy? then tell us, when have ye seene Christ hungry, and given him t' eate? when have ye seene him thirstie, and gi­ven him to drinke? when have ye found him a stran­ger, and opened unto him? when have ye met him naked, and cloathed him? when have yee knowne him weake, and comforted him? in prison, and visi­ted him? Can ye minister to whom yee know not? can ye feed, harbor, cover, comfort, visit, whom yee see not? behold (Pharises) I tell ye a mysterie, yee shall never see nor know, those little ones his brethren to whom yee should have ministred, unlesse your hearts can melt and sorrow with them: have ye not read (ye wisards) that the blind shall see, and they that see shall be made blind? This is the judgement which God hath sent into the world, and it is marvellous this day in our eyes: behold, this man, as touching the mercy which he ought to doe, eateth his bread with the empty, and with the drie and thirsty ground weepeth he, the pilgrim and the sojourner, are ever found within his Courts, his gates are never shut, with the naked fitteth he, and with his garment covereth his shame; with the broken, and imprisoned, passeth he his time, with plentifull and many teares comfor­ting them, nay, who hungreth, and he not pined? who thirsteth, and he not dryed up? which is a stran­ger, and he not throwne out? who naked, and he not confounded? who weake, and he not spent? who ly­eth [Page 36] imprisoned, and he not tormented? And as con­cerning the mercy, which he ought not to leave un­done, this man, if he have, according to the Com­mandement of his Lord, to him that asketh giveth, and to the borrower lendeth, looking for his reward and interest, in the resurrection of the just: if he have not, applyeth his hand and backe to the burthen, knowing he may not eate unlesse he labour, in great patience and thankfulnesse, turning over the leaves of his life, so richly contented, as if his Royalties were as large, as are the dominions of the little bird, who raigneth as wide as her silly wing may carry her, and wheresoever dismounting, setteth her little foote, looketh about for her provision, as if she were at home.

And this is the first, the next, and last, of the li­ving stones and temples of God, which he (before the day knew his comming up, or going downe,) chose and adopted, in the precious bloud of his eternall Testament, to be unto him a House, a Church, a Ta­bernacle, and everlasting possession.

And he that writeth beareth witnesse, and testifieth unto the world, all those, whether Kings or Servants, wise or simple, learned or Ideots, rich or poore, old or young, bond or free, that shall be found to have worshipped the Beast, received the print of his name, and set up in their Tents and dwellings, his Table, and imitation, rejoyce and clap their hands there­over, shall be throwne out, and have their part with blasphemers, whose fire quencheth not, whose stinke is everlasting, and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever, nor see his holy Citie.

And all those, that so poyson, doctrines of death, lifting up their bold and shamelesse voyce, like Canti­banks in market places, avouching the goodnesse and proofe of oyles and oyntments, which cannot give a foot to the lame, nor eye to the blind, as Arrians, Ʋ ­biquitists, [Page 37] Libertins, Familists, Coinonists, or any such other Antichrists like to them, shall be cast out, and reape their part with lyars, and Sorcerers, whose worme dyeth not, whose cry is everlasting, and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever, nor see his holy City.

And all those that fellow and shuffle themselves in companies, marching under names and titles, whatso­ever as Hussit's, Lutherans, Calvinists, Evangelists, Prote­stants, Praecisians, or any such other like to these, & have not their parts in great sorrow and fear, the preparati­on and beginning of the wisdome from above, shall stand without among the Dogges, the Covetous, the Murderer, th' Adulterer, and him that is defiled with unspeakeable uncleannesse, and shall not enter into the rest of God for ever, nor see his holy City.

And now I trust (Balaam) thou seest what thou art not: it resteth it be shewed thee what thou art.

There was a booke written by the finger of God, and as a Table in a good and perfect light, placed in the midst of th' aire, that all the world might see and read the thrice abominable mystery, foretold by the Spirit, his Prophets, and Apostles, to be wrought by thee and thy Fathers house: And had her proud and prudent Children, but wip't their eyes wi [...]h sackcloath, they had beheld thy inchantments long ere this, and loosed from the bonds of thy father, the great jugler and Planer of the World, had departed thy Courts, and fled unto the Mount and little hill of God, where the Lamb doth sit. Neverthelesse for Sions sake, and for to still her cryes, The morning star, the branch and begotten of David, will open the mouth of one of his servants, and give him power to disvaile the Revelation, and he his Servant shall discover thy madnesse, and shew unto the world the things, which thou, thy witches, and thy Wise, had hop't to be past finding out.

Thy conception. Thy birth. Thy nurture. Thy perfection. Thy name. Thy marke. Thy number. Thy heads. Thy hornes. Thy vicardome. Thy keys. Thy swords. Thy succession. Thy Guardrobe. Thy Church, her Ornaments, Idols, Altars, Gold, Silver, Pearle, Stone, Silk, Copes, Banners, Stincks, Pro­cessions, Reliques, Oyle, Wine, Wafers, Musick, Lights, lies. Thy end. Thy death. Thy judge­ment.

And in that day, thy name and generation shall stinke, from the Center of th' earth, unto the highest Heaven. And thou, that hast throwne fire into all thy Neighbours Tents, and with thy Sorcerers and men of wisedome, not consider'd, that though it be­gin to destroy in Canaan, it shall assuredly end in Chaldea, shalt now be called into battell thy selfe, and that thou mayest not hope to save thy blasphemous head with thy lying taile any more, behold, the dayes which were prophesied, are come into the world: and such voices shall rise up against thee; as that it shall be easier unto thee to command the thunder silence, when he begins to roare in the midst of th' ayre, or to returne th' Arrows of Heaven into the p [...]ace from whence they come, or to meete the whirle-winde comming in his strength like a King, his men of Armes, and Fifers by his side, and shoul­der him out of his point into another: it shall be easier for thee (I say) to doe all these things, then t'answer the voices which shall be heard against thee. And I thy Brother am in Babylon, mourning o­ver thee and it, and there will tarry, notwithstanding the rage and violence of all thy Spades, thy Speares and Arcu buzadoes, this day, and tomorrow, and the third will pay my vows. Amen.

TO HIS MOST EXCEL­LENT SOVERAIGNE PRINCESSE Queene Elizabeth.

IF it be impertinent and out of season, in regard of your other pleasures, to adver­tise these few words, let truth be blamed: for I your servant cannot but speake the things I know, and testifie that which I have seen and heard: what though I be no Minister, nor Sonne of a Minister? Shepheards and Clownes have beene Divines sometimes, and why not I? I doe not adver­tise you concerning the wisdome of a Princesse of this World, how to relieve your people if they be oppres­sed, nor how to curb them if fullnesse make them wanton, nor how to raise a little weale to great, nor how to uphold it from falling downe againe (for all these things may you doe and perish) but I adver­tise you concerning a wisdome from above, which if you understand and doe thereafter, then shall your Scepter be a Scepter of continuance, and you a Prin­cesse and a Queene for ever, not like to Babylon, nor Monarch of the East, nor like the rakehell rout of Emperors and Kaisers of this world, which for a sea­son flourish, and then goe downe to hell: but like unto his Servant David, who in the dayes of his flesh, [Page 42] performed the duties of a King of this world, and yet remaineth a King for ever, for he observed the counsell and wisdome from above, which made him so faire in situation, like to Mount Sion, never to re­move. And this wisedome which we speake is a Law, not that of fearfull Sinai, a Law of condemna­tion, a Statute of execution, a Covenant of death, condemning the transgressor to everlasting captivity; But it is a Law proceeding out of Sion, a Law of par­don, a Statute of deliverance, a Covenant of life, re­deeming the sinner from the wrath of the day to come. And therefore this wisedome is called in Scripture, the new Covenant, the Covenant of Levi, the everlasting ordinance, the truth, the light, the life, the reward, the promise, the power, the salvati­on, the redemption, the sanctification, the justice, the counsell, the correction, the hidden purpose, the secret intent, the mysterie and Kingdome of God.

And one in a certaine place, calleth it the wisdome from above, because it is not a vertue ingendred, or in begotten by any grace or benefit of nature, grow­ing to perfection by long studie and large experi­ence, Iam. 3. 17. but a mysterie and secret from above, which God determined before all worlds, and hath revealed it to the glory of those whom he hath chosen, and this is the wisdome whose nature we advertise, not in the tea [...]mes and eloquence of the Theologall discourses of this age, but in the power and strength of God, able to raise from death to life, the soule that understandeth it. The whole nature and work of this heavenly wisdome, is perfectly set out and de­clared unto us in these two. First, in her Tree, next in the fruit thereof. Her Tree in Scripture is disci­phered by the names of cleansing, or washing, or purging, and sometimes expressed by a borrowed word, as a new making, a new birth, a birth from a­bove, a re-begetting, and is so called, not in a natu­rall, [Page 43] but in a spirituall meaning, not because it redu­ceth us into our parents, calling us out of their bow­ells againe, but by comparation & way of similitude, that like as by our naturall and fleshly generation, we are borne servants and sons of wrath, which sometimes we were not, so by this spirituall generati­on and birth from above, wee are borne free, and made the sons of God, which by nature wee are not: for that which is of nature is flesh, subdued unto sin, imbondaged to death, and cannot see the inheritance and Kingdome of God; but that which is born from above, is Spirit, redeemed from the captivity of sin and of death, and chosen to inherite the Kingdome and promise of God. And this birth and propagati­on from above, is wrought and brought to passe by these two, to wit, by water and by fire, whereof this purgeth, the other prepareth. I doe not meane the water of Jordane, nor any waters from below, for it is impossible for the water of fountaines, to breake, to mollifie, or to prepare the sinner, but the water of this birth is a force and vertue from above, which turneth, and as it were transhapeth the hard and stony heart of the sinner into tears, preparing it by this kind of water, to receive the promise and redempti­on of God. And therefore the Scripture compa­reth the man that is begotten by water, to a Mount that is become a Valley, unto a Cedar now become a Plant, to a rough and crooked way that is become a plaine, unto a wise and prudent one, but now be­come a babe, unto a stone transformed to flesh, and to a substance hard as Diamond, translated to a na­ture as soft as water: by these and such like speech­es, describing the man whose heart is turned from all the joyes and contentments of sin, into a feare and sorrow for them, and from all her temporary and false pleasing lusts, into a restlesse and indicible desire to be restored to grace, and reconciled to God again. [Page 44] For the hill doth not more differ from the Valley, the Cedar from the plant, the crooked from the plaine, the discreetly aged from the little child, the hardnesse of flint from the softnesse of flesh, the sub­stance of Diamond from the nature of water, these (I say) differ not each from other more, then this man now from that he was. And this is the birth and preparative of water, called in Scripture the Baptisme of John. Whose ministry was ordained (as testifieth the Prophet) to prepare the way before the great Redeemer, and Messenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 1. 4. 6. by turning the hearts of the Children into water, like to the hearts of their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that God might also turne unto them in mercy and love, as hee did unto those their Fathers And therefore his Lord in a certaine Scripture, gave him (in regard of his ministry) that honourable te­stimony, namely, that he was more then a Prophet, Mat 11 9. 11. and that among al the Sons of women there was none found his gr [...]ater, because whoso is not first prepa­red by the ministry of John, who was appointed the minister of the baptism of water, shal never be purged by his Lord which comes after, who sanctifieth by the ministry of the Baptisme of fire. I doe not meane the fire of this world, nor yet the Element so called, for it's imipossible for any such fires, to purge, to sanctifie, or to refine the sinner. But the fire of this birth is a heavenly power, and finger from above, which wri­teth in the heart prepared by water, and in no other Tables, the indeleble Covenant of mercy and love, which (before all worlds) in the precious blood of the Mediator thereof, God made with Abraham and his Sons for ever; namely, that he would remember their sins, and their iniqui­ties no more; and that he would be to them a God To [...]. and a Father, and they to him a people, Sonnes and Daughters. And this is the word, and ingraving of [Page 45] God, which being written in a molten heart, and blowne downe with water, refineth it to the sey of Rom. 10. 8. Deut. 30. 12. the gold of Ophyr. And this is the birth and purga­tion of fire, called in Scripture the Baptisme of the ho­ly Ghost, the life, the justice, the promise, and felicity of God, as holy David describeth, saying, Blessed is the man whose sins are covered, and whose God is the Lord Psalme 32. 2. 33. 12. JEHOVAH.

And this is the Tree and first beginning of the wisedome and counsell of God, and hee that cannot attaine thereto, shall never see the raigne and pros­perity of Israel, according to the eternall decree, pro­ceeded out of the mouth of the highest, never to be repented of, or called back againe; Ʋnlesse a man be John 3. 5. begotten by water and by the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God.

The fruit of this Tree of life spreadeth it selfe into foure branches, and as the Heavens by immutable ordinance, shut up the course and labour of the yeare in foure seasons, so hath the Scriptures complected the whole voyage and travell of this sanctified and new begotten servant, in these foure; Peace, Pati­ence, Hope, and Love. I doe not meane the peace betweene Amon and Moab, that is to say, the smooth, the Civill and dissembling truce of the Kings and Councellors of this world, but a peace which passeth their affairs, a peace which is heavenly and from above, even the peace and reconciliation betweene God and the sanctified, in the price and mediation of the Lord of the Covenant: for what power, what pre­paration, what terror, or what else may feare him, in whose heart the finger of God hath once engraven a full and perswaded assurance, that neither fire, nor sword, nor death, nor life, nor powers, nor principal­lities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor natures above, nor depths below, nor any creature other whatsoever, may separate him from [Page 46] the love which God beareth him, in Christ Jesus his Lord? May the sin wherein he was conceived, or the follies and offences wherein his youth delighted, or the bold and bloody treasons which his age hath committed? or flesh and blasphemies wherewith he is intrenched? nay, this man is at rest, fully perswa­ded God being with him, nothing may prevail against him, as it is written, If God justifie, who can condemn [...]? Isa. 50. Rom. 8. And this is the peace which the world cannot give, nor take away from any, to whom it is given; the peace which the Holy one, the Redeemer of Israel speaketh of in a certaine place, saying; Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, but not as the world gi­veth: let not your hearts therefore be troubled, nor feare. John 14. 27.

And forasmuch as to be at peace and one with God, is to be at war and odds with sin, and with all her pleasures, this man in wonderfull patience prepa­reth and armeth himselfe to meet the enemy. And tho his flesh with all her desires, like multitudes of Armies incompasse his soule, be sieging, pursuing, tor­menting it day and night, as it is written; Wee are Ps. 44. given up like sheep to be eaten, and for thy sake, O Lord, we are slaine all the day long, yet in silence and quietnesse he endureth all, sustained by the Word, which saith, In patience possesse your soules: Looking assuredly for the promise of good things to come, and that with such a Luke 21. 19. stable and full perswaded expectation, as no power in Heaven above, or in the earth below, may shame or confound his hope: fully perswaded that tho now he live closed in flesh, as in a City of transgression (like righteous Lot in Sodome) scorn'd of Angels, despis'd of men, hated of the world, and pursued of his owne, yet that his mourning shall tarry but till morning [...] for then his life shall be revealed, which now lyeth hid, laid up in the bosome of his Lord and Redeeme [...], and shall be declared and given him even in that morning, when he shall come to judge the world [Page 47] with righteous judgement, rendring to every man just and truly according to the wayes wherein his heart hath walked. And in the exercise of these three, consisteth the death to sin, called in Scripture by the names of Mortification, the great affliction, the Dust, the Tears, the shame and oppression of Sion. Happy man that hath his part therein, for he shall live to see the raigne Rev. 7. 14, 15, 16, 17. wherein the Sun shall not burne him by day, nor fire by night, any more, and wherein he shall not hunger, nor thirst, nor want, nor weep any more.

The fourth and last branch of this Tree of life, is Love, the light and perfection of the whole estate and travell of a Christian: for can a City built upon a hill, hide her face from the passer by? or may a Sa­crifice salted, convey his seasoning from the mouth of the taster? may the Sun shine, and not shew his beauty? or may a Candle burne, and not bewray her light? And tho these creatures could forget their natures, yet cannot the plant in whose heart the eternall Covenant of Love is once engraven, forget to burne with like affection, first toward God, then to­ward men. I meane not those alone which have re­ceived like part and fellowship with him, but towards those also that are his enemies, which love is commen­ded to us by the names of [...], and is called in Scripture the love of God, because it is not learnt of flesh, nor after the will and wisedome of flesh, but by the sample and patterne of that love, wherewith God first loved us. Who being fellowed in glory with the highest, as testifieth the Prophet, Zach. 13. 7. disrobed himselfe of all his beauty, and came downe into the world, and was fonnd in dishonour, in weak­nesse, in flesh, and shape of a servant, obedient to the shame and curse of the Tree, for the redemption of those that were his sworne enemies.

And this is the love, whose rich and plentifull na­ture, the Apostle describeth, saying, Love forbeareth, 1 Cor. 13. [Page 48] and is gentle, void of envy, and of doing wrong; vaunteth not her selfe, nor disgraceth others, seeketh not her owne, nor giveth place to anger, never deviseth or joyeth in evill, but alwayes rejoyceth in the company of truth, beareth all, belee­veth all, hopeth all, endureth all.

And this is that Love, and that new Commande­ment, whose often praise shineth in the two lights and Lamps of God, which burn before his Throne day and night, and no man can attaine thereto, or have his part therein, that hath not first been cleansed by the promise of the Father, which is the Spirit of a­doption wherein he cryeth Abba Father.

And this is that Holinesse and Newnesse of life, which the Scripture so often commendeth unto us, by the names Vivification, renovation spirituall, and the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are they that have their parts therein: for on such the second death shall have no power, as it is sealed in the book of life.

And this is the first and last, the beginning and the end of the counsell and wisedome of God, even his se­cret, hidden, eternall, and onely ordinance, wherein (before the day knew his comming up, or going down) he purposed to save and to recover againe the thing which was lost. And they that understand it, and doe thereafter, are those which are registred in the book of life called in Scripture by so many faire and beau­tifull names, as, A righteous Tree, a pleasant Land, a ha­bitation of Justice, a holy Mountaine, a City of truth, a City sought out and not forsaken, a holy City, a holy Nation, the plantation of God, the Mountaine of the Lord of Hosts, the pillar and sustainer of truth, Beloved, Beautifull, Free, Faith­full, Chosen, Kings, Priests, Saints, Sion, Daughter of Sion, Mother of the just, Jerusalem, Children of promise, Vessells of Mercy, Israel, Jacob, Judah, Ephraim his first borne House of Levi, his Temple his Tabernacle, his Sanctuary, his Peo­ple, his Vine, his Body, his Spouse, his Church: and such like. And these are the Stones of Sion, which altho they [Page 49] be (for their transgressions, as testifieth the Prophet) scattered among the heathen, and unbaptized in heart for a season, given up to the pleasures of Murtherers, Jer. 4. 31. 30. 15. Isa. 54. as to the paines of a woman that travelleth, account­ed vile, desolate, despised, cast away, no body, no where, compared with the glorious Synagogues and Church­es of this world, yet what saith the Scripture: Rejoyce thou barren that bearest no children, breake forth into joy and gladnesse, thou that travellest not, for the desolate hath many more then the married wise, saith the Lord: Meaning thereby that tho his captive Daughter Sion, during the days of her soiourning in earth, as in a strange Land, be bowed downe, and layed low like a street, for the beasts of the field, Citizens of the earthly Jerusalem, to tread upon and goe over: yet when the morning Isa. 52. commeth, the morning of extermina [...]ion, determined to come upon the whole earth: she shall arise and shake of her graves, her tears, and dust wherein she lyeth, and put on a garment of light of beauty, and joy everlasting. And all the delices, the pompes and paraments of her oppressors, shall vanish as a dreame, Isa. 60. 14. Ier. 20. 16, Ezek. 28. 25. Dan. 7. 27. Ioel 3. Amo. [...] 9. Mic. 5. 8. Sap. 1. 9. Hag. 2. 23 Za. 2. 8. Mal. 4. 1, 2, 3. and themselves covered with torments, shall be sold for slaves to the daughter of Sion, whom in the days of their pleasures they so much despised, as i [...] testified by the Prophets.

And this is the Church and City of God, not like un­to the shamelesse and adulterous Congregations of these times, pure in skin, and soule in heart, which [...]oast to be that they are not, each discovering other spots themselves full of Ulcers, daily squaring and fal­ling out like Theeves about the treasures and riches of God, which appertaine to truer men then they. Nei­ther is she like those foolish and irr [...]formed reformers, that in all this time have not learnt to discern between the Image of God, and the Inscription of Caesar: I mean those that have not yet learnt, that every one that fea­reth God, what or whersoever he be, sustaineth two persons, the one of a Citizen, the other of a Christian. [Page 50] Touching his person of a Citizen, if he be called to be a Prince and Ruler over his brethren, knoweth that this his authority is the allowed and approved rule and lawfull Seniory, to constitute and determine every vo­cation, and therein in those especially, that attend up­on the Altar, carefully foreseeing, that in their sort they be provided for, according to the word which comman­deth: Deut. 25. Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox that tread­eth out the Corne, prescribing, to every one committed to his charge, in meats, in drinks, in cloth, in day, and such like, according to his wisdom, heedfully respecting, in guiding the Bark of his Government (as the Pilot doth the Needle) the commandement of God and qua­lity of his people. On the other side, if he be called a servant, and to live in subjection, knoweth that the ma­gistracy whereunder he is placed, whether it be of one, of few, or many is his allowed seniory and lawfull pres­bytery, and unto whom by immediate prescription and authority from God, belongeth to defend the innocent and correct the faulty, and thereafter feareth he, ta­king up his vocation, as his Prince alloweth, contented with such dismes as his Prince provideth, eateth, drink­eth, weareth and keepeth as his Prince prescribeth, gi­ving to his Prince the obedience which to a Prince be­longeth. And as concerning his person of a Christian, this man, whither he be placed in authority, or under authority, knoweth that neither Thrones, nor Chaires of state, nor gracious titles of Lordship and Soveraignty availe him any thing, but that he is called to a like sub­jection, and equall participation with the rest of his fellows, as it is written, He that is greatest, let him be as Luke 22. 26. the least, and he that is chiefest, as him that serveth. For all are baptized with one baptisme, the water of repen­tance, all are sanctified with one fire, the Word of Faith, all are children of one Mother, Jerusalem from above, all are subjects to one Lord, who by his obedi­ence and Sacrifice once for all, hath sanctified and re­conciled them, and made them of ser [...]ants and sons of [Page 51] wrath, his brethren and sons to his owne father, as it is Heb. 2. 11. written, He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. And thus and so walketh this man, giving tri­bute to whom tribute is due, fear to whom fear belong­eth, and honour to him to whom it pertaineth, accord­ing to the commandement of his Lord, which saith, Give then to Caesar the things which are Caesars, and unto God the things which are Gods. Which many blind and fleshly humours not considering▪ have laboured and brought forth such errour and distraction, as we see every where this day. Some so drunken with the primacies and pre­rogatives of Caesar, as that they feare not to revile the freedome appertaining to the Kingdome of God.

Others so headlong carried with a false pretended li­berty, and freedome of a Christian, as that they care not to deny the lawful sword and authority of Caesar, so that amongst so many, so few from time to time are found, that can discerne how Saints are free and yet subject to Caesar. But God loveth Sion, and hath chosen it, for in her is truth without confusion.

And this is the generation of the counsell and wise­dome of God, and the true description of all her chil­dren, which if you understand and doe thereafter, then shall you discerne those reprobate times, and save your selfe from the visitation to come. What man is he, that travelling by desart places, and seeing the day at his going downe, hasteth not to recover his Inne, for feare lest the night leave him in distresse. Hasten then after the counsell and correction of God, whilst yet the day lasteth; for behold, the night commeth.

And these are all which I advertise you, few as they be, and simple as they goe, yet (if truth deceive me not) their right understanding is far finer gold then is your Scepter, and much more honourable then your Fathers house. And this shall be for a signe that I speake not of my self. Behold the Mountain which you fear so much, I mean the Beast, the Man of sin, Lucifer, Son of the morning, the Horne that hath so many hundred years [Page 52] blaphemed heaven and oppressed earth, behold, I say, tho now he be so great, as that the makes the earth to Isai. tremble, and shake with a word only, the very roots of Kingdoms, the [...]ime hasteth, and is at hand, [...]herein he shall be made so little, as neither name nor remnant of him, nor son, nor sons son, shall be found upon the earth. For his days are numbred, signed and sealed up in the b [...]ok of God, and yet seventy and seven days, and his number 666. shall be fulfilled. And all his Princes, his Sorcerers, and multitudes of people, which now re­joyce and [...]lap their hands, drunken with the whore­doms and prosperity of Babel, shall then lie comfortles, and wring their hands as fast: for Beltis their God is dead. And the death of Babylon shall be the life of Sion, but her light may not long endure, as testifieth the Prophet, and then and in those dayes shall be finished the secret knowne to the Lord alone, even the great mystery and redemption of God, forespoken of by the Dan. 12. 22. mighty Angel who stood upon Sea and Land, and swore by him that liveth for ever and ever, That time should be no more. And when these things shall come to passe, as Revel. 10. 6. verily in their appointed time they shall, then shal they k [...]ow that in the days of their rebellion, there was a voyce of a servant of God heard amongst them.

1 T. L. restifie these things with mine owne hand in sober humblene [...]e, commending them to your Majestie onely in regard of my duty, and for no other reward. Give your promotions to those sons of Beor, that rise so early, [...]nd saddle their Asses to post after them: for I your servant, have bread and water enough (thanks be to my God) and am therewith as well content, as if my Lands were as large as are the royalties of the little bird, who possesseth all the fields over which it flyeth.

BABYLON IS FALLEN. ESDRAS 4. Chap. II.

Vers. 1. Then I saw a Dreame.

AFter this, the Prophet saw a Vision, con­cerning the beginning, continuance, and fall of th'Empire and supremacie of Rome. And this Vision was shewed him in the dayes of Artaxerxes King of Persia, About four hundred years before the first stone of Julius Caesar. her Empire was laid.

And there arose among the Nations, the fierce and fearfull Kingdome and Empire of Rome, seene in Vi­sion by the Prophet Daniel, some few years before.

Wherein should arise and raigne twelve Empe­rours, which should spread their Power like wings, o­ver all the Earth, in great feare fitting on it. And it seemed good unto the Prophet to touch by an intel­lection these twelve onely, both for they are a Jury sufficient to argue the whole suite of Emperours which did arise and reigne in her: as also because they onely were native Romans, descended of the Julij, Seruij, Saluij, Flauij, &c. unlike therein unto the rest, which were all (or almost all) like change­ [...]ble stuffe of diverse colours, so of diverse Nations. [Page 2] Their rising, continuance, and end, is toucht in their proper place.

Her three heads are three Kingdomes, fore ordai­ued to uphold and maintaine the power of her pride, when all her wings and feathers should faile her. And are reserved to execute her last will, and finish her Funeralls, as shall be hereafter more at full declared.

Vers. 2. And I saw, and behold, she spread her wings over all the Earth, and all the winds of the aire gathered themselves and blew on her.

By the winds are meant her prosperous and happy successe in all her proceedings. And of necessity it must goe well with her, whom every wind doth blow to good. Witnesse the limits of her territories, from Ganges to Gades, and from the Sythian Sea unto the Cape of hope: as testifieth one of her owne, which saith: that she extended her tents to the borders of the Ocean, and the feare of her name unto the Heavens.

Vers. 3. And I saw, that out of her feathers grew up other contrary feathers, but they became little fea­thers, and small.

And the Prophet saw, that among the Princes and Governors which ruled in her, there arose and grew up certaine Kings which were contrary unto her, marking such a [...] intended to root up the Crowne and dignit [...] of her Empire, to plant themselves therein, and their house for ever. But their thoughts pre­vailed not, for as the verse concludeth, their power waned, and they perished like the rest: what those contrary Kings were, their number, names, attempts and end, shall be delivered in their place.

Vers. 4. But her heads rested, and the head in the midst was greater then the other heads, yet rested it with them.

But the three Kingdoms fore-appointed t'accom­plish and finish the wickednesse of this great City, were quiet and at rest, as not yet (during the raigne of her feathers) conceived and brought forth. And the Prophet observed, that th'one of those Kings was greater in power then both his fellows, yet rested it with them. Concerning these three Kings, their names, their greatnesse, and all that appertaineth shall be spoken in due place.

Vers. 5. Then I saw, and behold the Eagle flew, with her feathers, and reigned upon the earth, and over them that dwelt therein.

Vers. 6. And I saw that all things under heaven were subject unto her, and no man spake against her, no not one creature upon earth.

And the Prophet beheld, that this proud City flew with her Emperours and Legions over all her neigh­bours, subjecting all the dwellers on earth under her, in such sort, as there was not a Nation or People to be found under heaven, that was not either rooted out by her, or enforced to receive their Governors from her.

Vers. 7. And I saw that the Eagle stood up upon her clawes, and spake to her feathers, saying,

Vers. 8. Watch not altogether, sleep every one in his owne place, and watch by course.

Vers. 9. But let the heads be preserved for the last.

And the Prophet observed, that this powerfull Ci­tie, in the dayes wherein (over gorged with pride) she stood upon termes of her counsell and armes, [Page 4] took such order (for in evill she was very methodi­call) that her Kings and Kaysers, should neither sleep nor watch, that is neither perish nor rule all at once; but rise in a successive course, as in the verses following is manifested. And she further comman­ded that the three last Kingdomes, ordained to con­clude the number of her fins, should take their ease and not awake, till their time appointed.

Vers. 10. Neverthelesse, I saw that the voyce went not out of her heads, but from the midst of her body.

As he that undertakes a dangerous leap, doth first retire, the better t'advance his strength: so to bound fairly over the darke understanding of these words, we must of necessity looke back and carry before us the true birth and perfect nature of this Empire: which the Prophet Daniel in his vision designeth un­der the forme of a ten-horned beast, signifying there­by, that it should be a power upheld by a succession of many Kings; for the hornes betoken Kings, and the number of ten comprehends all be they never so many, as all numbers are contained under 10. or made of their reduplication be they never so infinite. A [...]d addeth further, that his teeth were of iron, his nails of brasse, inferring thereby, the unresistable force of his l [...]gions and Leaders. And proceeding saith, that there arose amongst his Kings, one of an exceeding strange nature, signifying by that one, a strange race and succession of Princes, far differing in shape and forme of regiment from all their predeces­sors, obtaining dominion not by iron teeth and bra­zen nails, as did th'Emperors which arose before them, but by deceit and by a mouth which spake presumptuous things against the most high, blasphe­ming his name, his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven, who by a hidden and unknowne force, should subdue the third part of the world, meaning [Page 5] all Europe with her Princes. By which delineation, it is evident, that the holy-Ghost accounteth the chal­lenged Prerogative and supremacy of Rome, all one power, all one Empire, whether it obtaine the spoile by force, or by fraud, that is, by power of Emperors, Chap. 7. 24. or craft of Popes, who should be far unlike them, as Daniel himselfe saith; And he shall be unliketo he first. Meaning in sorme of claiming, obtaining, and main­taining Jurisdiction, not in pride, purpose and deter­mination. So as wemay behold such an unlikely like­nesse between them as was betweene the two Sisters, of whom it is said.

And thus much concerning the Prophet Daniels description of th'Empire of Rome; whence we note, that the same power which Daniel there describeth by a beast with hornes, teeth and nails, our Prophet here doth delineate by an Eagle, with wings, fethers, and heads: whose imperiall wings after they were so clipt, as she could no longer flye over all in her pro­per colours and stile of Roma triumphante, devised how by deceit she might uphold her throne (for to be high was all her care) and found nothing so fit as to disguise her selfe, and challenge prelation under the maske of Roma la Santa. And this is it which this verse teacheth, that when the sinfull Citie saw her fethers so pluckt, as the feare of her armes and forces, might no longer flie into all Kingdomes, commanding them under the paine of Imperium Romanum; lying by meanes of this distres, very weake and in danger of falling; her counsell and body politique, devised by lies and witch-craft (wherein was all her pleasure from her youth) to restore the supremacy and ho­nor of her name, under the colour of Ecclesia Dei.

Wherein this race of presumptuous hornes excel­led the sin of all the hornes that foretime ruled in [Page 6] her, for they, as in whom Satan dwelt but literally did but in open hostility fight against the highest, set­ting before him a God made of a wicked man, whose fathers blood cryeth out for vengeance night and day, whose bed-fellow was & Soror & conjux, and whose wife was id quod di cere nolo. But this race of presumptuous and deceitfull Kings, as in whom Satan dwelleth spiritually, in a hidden treasure of blasphe­my, sets up the highest against himsel [...]e, and under the Visor of the Church, and the name of God, blas­phemeth his Sanctuary, and the Lord thereof. No marvaile then, tho she and Sion be at ods, for as gold can body it selfe with any mettall lique fiable, latten excepted, which notwithstanding in outward face and shew of all mettalls is most like unto it: so, no Church is more capitall enemy to the true Church, then she who in outward gesture, grace and counte­nance, is likest like the chast and virgine spouse, and is indeed a whore.

Vers. 11. Then I numbred her contrary feathers, and behold they were eight of them.

In the third verse of this Chapter, the Prophet made mention of these contrary feathers, which in their thoughts conspired to raise their house with the ru­ins of Rome. And here proceedeth more particularly to declare their number, foretelling there should be eight of them whom we will here call out by name, that if occasion serve, we may the better know them. The first were West gothes, under the leading of A­laricus. 1 2 3, 4 5, 7 8 The second Hunnes, whose King was Attalas. The third Vandals, their head Genserick. The fourth Odoacer. The sist East gothes, their chiefe Theodo­ricke. The sixt Totilas, bred in Spaine, with such fol­lowers as for those times that Countrey yeilded. The seventh Longobards, with their guide Alboinus. The eighth and last, a home conspiracy, more to be feared [Page 7] (as all included diseases are most dangerous) then all the rest.

And altho many others besides these, as Radagaise, the Alani now called Almans, the Burgonians condu­cted by Gundibald, the Ʋngers, Saracens, &c. were all in their time as costly enemies to the Empire, as some of these, yet none did humble the great City, the mother of wickednesse, but these eight onely. And therefore the rest may not be allowed to sit at this ta­ble, but may serve to justifie the judgement of the Beast, which was thus wounded againe and stricken of all, as she had wounded and stricken all.

And if in reading doubt arise, how these eight fethers may be contrary to the Eagle, that is, resisters of her power and dominion, and yet be feathers of the Ea­gle, that is, mainteiners of the same; The answer is, that they were adversaries and contrary unto her, as she stood upon tearmes of Imperium orbis terrae: but after she had chang'd her coppy, and claimed supre­macy under the cloake of Mater Ecclesia, they were for the most, maintainers of her pride, and became drunke also with her worship, as other Kings and Princes of th'earth.

And thus much for their numbers and names, their severall attemp's, their prosperities and end, shall be presented in their place.

Vers. 12. After this I saw, and behold upon the right side there arose one feather, and raigned over all the earth.

This feather here described is the first of the twelve, namely Julius Caesar, who (like an ill inter­preter) translated Senatum populum (que) Romanum, into Caesarem Augustum Whose image, which in this verse is so lively resembled, consisteth of two features▪ the first, sheweth the manner of his rising, in these words. [Page 8] And behold upon the right side, there arose one feather.

Which serve instead of art, to discover the very true l [...]nes, and cast off his happiness.

For the house of Cornelii was as eloquent as he, and Marius doubtles as good a leader as he, and Catilin as nobly borne as he, and all these arose t'invade the Common wealth, and to tra [...]slate it into a Kingdom as well as he, but none of them rose on the right side but he. And thus much for the manner of this speech; so we take th [...]s w [...]th all, that these words (rightside) in their naturall and proper intent, doe signifie (as through all this chap.) the surest and strongest side.

The second feature in this resemblance to be ob­served, is his power, set forth in these words. And he reigned over all the earth.

For after he had subdued France, broken the heart of Germany, made his name known to England, he returned into Italy, overthrew the great Protector of the liberty Sr. Pompey and his host, in the fields of Pharsalie. And like the fire of heaven (as one of her Poets saith) with such celerity drew after the re­liques of that stricken faction, both in Africa and Spaine, that in two years space he brought to passe, that neither City nor creature durst open against him: which done, he ascended into Italy, and took upon him as Lord thereof, triumphing in the spoiles of the world, and the blood of his Country.

And knowing that the name of a King (which he so much affected) was odious to the quality and nature of that people; invaded the government under the Maske of a perpetual Dictator, preserving thereunder (for he was wise above all the feathers) some [...]pe of recovering their l [...]te sl [...]ine liberty, but indeed esta­blishing a Kingdome from which it could never re­deem it self again.

Ver. 13. And when it had reigned, the end of it came; and the place thereof appeared no more.

But this new borne prosperity (as is the nature of all [...]his worlds felicity) lasted but a while; for in the third year of his Dictato [...]ship, he was slaine in the Se­nate, by the conspiration of 24. of whom the most both in his own (so dangerous is the name of trust) and other mens opinions, were thought his chiefest friends. And thus was this feather blown away, after it had enjoyed his pleasure 56 years, and reigned 3. A man for letters, arms, and counsel, famous far above all his succeeders, and in discreet bounty, and Prince­ly clemency (rare vertues in such a fortune) without controversie, surpassing all Princes made of earth.

Ver. 14. So the next stood up and reigned, and it con­tinued a long time, but after it had reigned his end also came, and as the first it appeared no more.

Next after him arose Octavius, the adopted son of Iulius: otherwise also neer him in bloud, as being the son of his neece Accia, who having taken revenge up­on the murtherers of his father, and obtained in all his wars, forreine and at home; triumphed Lord over all, adding to his fathers pompe (which he had bought so dear) th'honors of Parens patriae, and Augustus.

And this fether continued (as the Prophet saw) a long time, for it reigned Triumvir with Anthonie and Lepidus two yeares, and as Duumuir with Anthonie a­lone ten years, and then devouring his fellow in a Sea-fight at Actium, reigned all alone 44 years.

But after it had reigned, his end also came, and (as the Prophet concludeth) he discended like the first, and appeared no more. For by the treason of Livia his wife, impatient to tarry th'inthronizing of her son (as is the nature of ambition the nearer the goale, the faster it runs) his lingring soul was taken from him at Nola in the 70. & sixth yeare of his trans­gression, [Page 10] when he had reigned 20. lesse.

Ver. 15. Then there came a voice unto it, and said.

Ver. 16. Hear thou that hast kept the'earth so long, this I say unto thee before thou beginst t'appear no more.

Ver. 17. There shall none after thee attain unto thy time, nor yet to the halfe thereof.

That we may know there is no God like unto the highest, who onely holdeth the measures and times of all things in his hand, the Prophet fore-sheweth, that none of the twelve should continue like to Octa­vius, nor yet attain unto halfe his time: which ac­cording to the word of the Lord was accomplished; for his son Tiberius of all the rest reigned longest, and lon ger by eight years then any of the rest, and yet could not attaine to half the time of his father, which descended before him.

That God only might be honored in all his works, and justified when he speaketh.

Ver. 18. Then arose the third, and reigned as th'other afore, and it appeared no more also.

Then stept up Tiberius, and reigned in great abo­mination, as did his fathers before him, but after a while he descended also and appeared no more. Ne all his skill in sortilege and wisedome mathematical, whereunto he had sold himself from his youth, could either foretel or forewarne him of Caius his Nephew, by whom he was poysoned. in the 70 and 8 year of his mortality, and three and twentieth of his reign.

Ver. 19. And so came it to all th'others, one after a­nother, so that every one reigned, and then appeared no more

In like sort (saith the Prophet) did all the rest which of the 12 remained, succeslively rise, reigne, and perish.

Of whom the first, in blasphemy excel­ling, , was murthered by the Captain of his guard, Caligula. [Page 11] after he had sate in the chaire of the scornfull 29. years, and in the throne of his fathers almost 4.

The Second, onely▪ wise in evill, was poy­soned Claudius. by his incestuous wife, his neece Agrippina, in the 64 year of his filthines, and 14. of his raign.

The third, a monster, deformed in life, in Nero, marriage, and end: his life scornfull to the height of his Fathers, his marriage thrice more detestable, his end more unnatural then any of theirs, for after he had raigned in fin fourteen years, & sin in him eighteen more, fell by his own sword into the grave of his fa­thers; and in him descended the house of the Julii.

The fourth was of another extraction, but Galba. not of a better, descended of th'antient family of the Sulpitii. rose up late, put perished early; for he was 60. and three years old before he tasted th'Empire, which he got and lost in 7 months.

The fifth likewise of a new house, but of Otho. th'old building, got possession by the blood of his Predecessor, and by spilling his own in three months and odde dayes, lost it again, after he had walkt in the abomination of his fathers, eight and thirty years.

The sixt also, was new and old, in no­thing (save gluttony) excelling his fellows, in life Vitellius. and death like filthy; descended in the eighth moneth of his tyranny, after he had wearied himselfe in the pleasures of Caprineum (where first his youth was branded) [...]7 and 50 years.

After him arose the seventh, who bought the Crown with the blood of his Mr. and ware it in Vespatian. base Covetousness ten years, but then was likewise blown down, having fulfild the pleasures of 59 more.

The eight was he which executed the ven­geance Titus. due to the great murtheres, th'earthly Hieru­salem: who in the 40 year of his pleasure, after he had raigned 2 years and so many months, was also [Page 12] blown down, not without the suspected treason of his brother and successor.

The ninth and last, and (if it were possi­ble) Domitian. the worst of all, who after he had raigned in the lust of his fathers 15 years, and lived therein 30. more, was murthered by the Gentlemen of his Chamber, and beaten down after the rest which de­scended before him. So that every one of them (as this verse Prophesied) reigned, and then appeared no more.

Ver. 20. Then I looked, and behold in processe of time, the fethers that followed stood up on the right side, that they might rule also, and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more.

And the Prophet observed and saw (after the twelve were descended) the Emperors that followed to rise, that they might rule also, and as many of them as rose on the right side, that is: in the str [...]ngth and power of the twelve, did in their place (according to the proclamation published in the eight verse) spread their wings and raigne also, as

• Nerva
• Traian.
• Adrian.
• Antoninus.
• Marcus.
• Commodus.
• Pertinax.
• Julian.
• Severus.
• Caracalla.
• Macrinus.
• Heliogobalus.
• Alexander.
• Maximinus.

And the rest to the third Valentinian.

In whose days the power of th'Eagle was so woun­ded, by th'incursion and saccage of the two first con­trary feathers, that she could never after recure her selfe again, but lay sick and kept the chamber some ten generations, which also lasted but twice so many years, to the rising of Momillus in whom descended all that was left of the Empire, name and title for ever.

So that all the feathers which the Prophet beheld in processe of time to follow the twelve, and in thei [...] [Page 13] strength, their sin and cruelty, to defile the earth: namely from Domitian, to the third Valentinian, were 50 & 3 Kings. All which in a while (as this verse conclu­deth) vanished like the 12. and appeared no more.

Ver. 21. And some of them were set up, but ruled not.

• As, Vindex.
• Piscenius Niger.
• Albinus.
• Diadumenus.
• Maximus.
• Balbinus.
• 30. Tyrants.
• Firmus
• Saturninus.
• Proculus.
• Bonosus.
• Aper.
• Eugenius.
• Quintillus.
• Rusinus.
• Constantinus
• non Magnus.
• Heraclianus.

And others, as in the description of times, may more plainly appear.

Ver. 22. After this I looked, and behold, the twelve fethers appeared no more.

Under the 12. wings or fethers (for both betoken one) are comprehended by an intellection (as in the first verse) all, which in the strength of the 12. followed from Domitian, to the third Valentinian, who perished in the year 455. after he had raigned 30. and lived 5. more.

And thus according to promise made in the first Ver. is presented a tragicall succession of all the Eagles wings, from her first fether Iulius Caesar, in whom the power of her pride began, to the third Valentinian, with whom it ended; who after they had shewed themselves, and trodden downe the earth 500 and 30 years, they departed for ever the stage of this world, & al their pomp and glory descended, & appeared no more.

And here my pen like to th'earth which being deli­vered from her oppressors, did thirst to be refreshed: so having overcome this part of her task, did think to find some ease, but in their hopes they are both deceived, for after the Eagles fethers descended, the sorrows of the earth increased more and more, and there arose (as seldomes comes the better) a race of Sodomiticall, and unnatural Kings, who under the visar of Successors to Pe­ter, and Vicars to the Lambe, so far excelled the whor­doms of their fathers the Emperors (whose Vicars and [Page 14] Successors indeed they are) that they inforced the high­est, to pour his determined vengeance upon the chil­dren of men. Who according, to the judgement fore­denounced by his servant Iohn, Poured out his wrath upon the Sea, that it became like to the blood of the dead: that is Revel. 16. to say, upon the great City and Empres of the world, by scourge after scourge (how often and grievous in the [...]iew of her contrary fethers may appear) so at the full avenging himselfe, there was not a drop of Roman blood to be found on earth, these many hundred years.

And as the defection and uncleannes was [...] generall, so was the punishment: for (as the Apostle in the same cha. prophesied.) The wrath of the highest was poured out upon Revel. 16. the rivers and fountains likewise, and they were turned into blood also, that is: upon all people and nations whatso­ever, in such sort, as there is not a Kingdom this day on earth to be found, that hath not been (since the rising of the beast) cut down by sword, and yeelded her stock to strange griffs, as by the bloody Registers of every particular nation doth so cleerly appear, as if it were written with the beams of the sunne.

And as the days were evill above measure, so they exceeded in darknes and ignorance; that my pen hath no lesse trouble, to be delivered of the rest of her la­bour, then had the then-dwellers on earth, to indure the pains of their oppression and travel; but to take into my way again; the Prophet addeth.

Figuring by the two wings, the two first contrary fe­thers, Alaricus and Attalas.

The first arose in the 19 of Honorius, predecessor to the third Valentinian: And was the first that slew the great City the murtheres of all the world, measuring [...]er by famine, sword, and fire; according to the square whereby she had judged others almost twelve hundred years. Which wofull end (or rather beginning of her wof [...]ll end:) made a certain ancient friend of hers, bew [...]iling the night wherein she was smitten, to cry. [Page 15] Nocte Moab capta est, nocte cecidit murus eius, quis cladem illius noctis, quis funera fando explicet? And when this fe­ther Hierout. had thus trodden down the pride of the Eagle, in the year 410. a 1157 years after Romulus had raised her wals with the blood of his brother; proceeded to rip up her bowels, spoyling and burning her principall parts, Latium, Campania, Apulia, Lu [...]ania, Calabria, where raging in his highest thoughts, devising how to spread his glory over all, was by sodain death blown away, and his place appeared no more.

Th'other arose in the 27. of the third Valentinian, in greater fear then did the first, devouring at his entrance all that rest of Italy which Alaricus had left uneaten, Aquileia, Verona, Mantua, Cremona, Brixia, Concordia, with all the now territory of Venice: but by the cunning dealing of the deceitfull King, whose name was then Pope Leo, was entreated to sell the great City, and to depart Italy, which he left as a wast, stinking in her fiery ruins, and so repassing the Danub, returned into his Scy­thia again: where the year following in top of his fuln [...]s, was in a night found strangled in his own blood, whereinto he was dissolved, by th'intemperate use of a wedding feast, and a new Spouse.

And thus perished this son of Mundzuccus, the scourge of God, and terrour of men (for so he called himselfe) and which not only the fi [...]rs of Italy, but his very shape may well justifie; for he is described a man of little stature, square set, great head, little eyes, thin hair'd, thinner bearded, a nose great and prominent, his co­lour fowl and gypson like.

Ver. 23. And there was no more upon the Eagles body, but two heads that rested, and six wings.

And there were no more triumphing fethers to be found on her, for all her glorious power was descended to two weak and feeble heads, which, for they reigned not in the strength of their predecessors, the Prophet dayneth not to call ruling fethers, but resting heads.

Th'one slept in th'east at Constantinople, whom Gen. Marti [...]n. [Page 16] serick the third contrary fether, not long before had dis­honorably taken prisoner.

Th'other in the west at Ravenna, taken with such a Valontin. Lethargy, that he neither heard nor felt the Massacre of Ungary, committed by Hunns; nor the loud and pitifull cry of his chiefest provinces, Spain and Africa, devou­red by Gothes and Vandals; nor the tears and deep la­ment of Gaul and Britain overflown with Franks and Angles, people from beyond the Rhene, who not onely with their blood and posteritie, but with their name also have stain'd both Kingdoms to this day. So as the Prophet well concludeth, there was no more to be found upon th'Eagles body, but these two drowsie heads, which rested, and six contrary fethers, viz.

1 Genserique. 2 Odoacer. 3 Theodorick. 4 Totilas. 5 The Longbards. 6 And th'intestine faction. Of which in the verses following.

Ver. 24 Then I saw also, the two wings divided them­selves from the six, and remained under the head that was upon the right side, but the four continued in their place.

And the Prophet saw, that two of the six divided themselves in counsel & manner of proceeding, from th'other four: for whereas the four sought to be Lords of Rome in fee, resolving in their thoughts, t'extinguish the name and majesty of her Empire for ever, these 2. were of an other mind, for they agreed to remain under the countenance & favour of th'eagles right head, con­tented to wear a crown tho with leave of it: mea­ning by the right head th'east Empire, so called, in re­gard it was far stronger in power then the west: whose broad-speading honor (as in the verse foregoing) was now become a starv'ling, only his name and appellation continued some ten successions, viz. 1 Valentinian. 2 Maximus 3 Avitus. 4 Majorianus. 5 Severus. 6 Anthemius. 7 Olybrius. 8 Glycerius. 9 Iulius Nepos. 10 Momyllus. Which all also vanished (as before is Toucht) in 20 years. And th'Eagles pomp which was at full in Augustus, was interred with Augustulus (for [Page 17] so was Momyllus called) and with him descended the name and title of Imperium Romanum for ever.

And the two wings thus divided in policy from the the four, were Genserick and Theodorick.

Of which the first, trained into Italy by treason of th'Empres, entred Rome 43. years after she had been humbled by the Goths, and led into captivity all her treasure, and (as is the fatal reward of such offenders) the traitres also her selfe. And after 14 days thus loa­den, departed into his Africa again; where-over he reigned in peace and pleasure 51 years.

Th'other, having obtained of th'east-head the scep­ter of Italy, according to his patent proceeded, and got it by Conquest from Odoacer. But after he had reigned there-over 30 years descended also, leaving his 494. fame and kingdom to his posterity, having fulfild his pleasures 42 more.

But this Counsel pleased not th'other 4. for as the verse concludeth, they remained in other thoughts; drifting in their place to rise and reigne, without leave or license of any.

Ver. 25. So I looked, and behold, the under-wings thought to set up themselves, and to have the rule.

And as the Prophet beheld the four contrary fethers which were left, he saw how they also strove in their hearts to establish themselves, but like a dream their purpose vanished, in the next immediate ver. following.

Ver. 26. Then was there one set up, but shortly it appear­ed no more.

Then arose Odoacer, the first of the four; leading a people begotten in the bowels and inmost parts of the North, who hearing of the divided and weake estate of the Empire, was encouraged to move from beyond 476. the Danub, in much fear & blood descended into Italy, slew her last Lord and Emperor Momillus Augustulus, de­stroyed the name of her Consuler dignity, and blotted [...]ut for ever the memory of her holy Senate, the mur­derer of Romulus their first King, and Julius their first [Page 18] Keysar; and not daring as base begotten, to put on the presence and stile of an Emperor (which name this fether fatally resisted) contented himself with the title of King of Italy.

But his glory indured not: for after he had reigned eighteen yeers, Theodorick (as in the 24 verse) took his Kingdom from him by force, and his lise by fraud; and he descended, and appeared no more.

Ver. 27. And the second was sooner gone then the first.

After him arose Totilas the second fether of the four, by birth a Spaniard, by blood a West-gothe, (whose fearfull fires burn in Rome to this day) but these daies were more in trouble, and (as the Prophet fore-saw) in number fewer then Odoacers; from his first rising al­way in arms, and after many hopes, and as many dis­paires, was at last put to flight by Narses, whom the East-head had made Governour of Italy, and flying was wounded so deadly, that as soon as he gat his Inne he lost his life, after he had worne the Crown (if to fight for a Crown be to wear a Crown) 11 yeares.

Ver. 28. Then I beheld, and loe the two that remained, did think also in themselves to reign.

So as of all th'eight, there remained but th'Long [...] ­bards, and th'intestine faction, which thought also in themselves to reigne.

The f [...]rst in flamed by the letters of Narses, and with the goodness of Italy, left their northern denns, and like a fearfull storme fell downe upon it, and in two yeares overthrew it, crowning their Leader Alboinus, 570 King thereof at Milan; who after he had spread him­selfe over the great City, and over all her Italy three years and a halfe, was murthered by the treason of Ro­samond his wife, leaving his Kingdom but not his honor to his successors, who possessed it for 24. generations.

The eight and last, and of all other the most dange­rous, was a home conspiracy, plotting to raise from the dead, th'ancient long-before buried government of Rome to reedifie her. S. P. Q. R. and to root out the [Page 19] Priestly preheminence and Church-superiority, which had so cunningly eaten and destroyed the secular: which faction after it had taken fire in the hearts of ma­ny, and secretly burned a long time, at length brake out, like the fury and violence of a risen stream, so as it might not be quencht, but with much blood and ex­ceeding labour, as in the 31. verse appeareth.

Ver. 29. But whilst they so thought, behold, there awa­ked one of the heads that were at rest, which was in the midst, for that was greater then the two.

And whilst they thus thought, behold there awaked one of the three Kingdoms, appointed to finish and end the wickednesse of th'Eagle, figuring by this resting head, the new west Empire, which title of Supremacy the beast bestowed (as hath been alwayes his practise to run with the strongest) upon Charls King of France, and son to Pepin the Traitor. This head is said to be awaked, when it was first raised, which was in the year, 801. wherein it received his Augustal robe, his crown, and stile, viz. Carolo Augusto a Deo Coronato, magno & pi­issimo Imperatori Romanorum, vita & victoria. And the title of dignity Imperiall, which had laien dead above three hundred years, was in this year on Christmas day, thus raised up to life again, to the end it might defend the proceedings of the great adulteres and murderes of the earth, as by the form of oath exhibited at his conse­cration appeareth; In nomine Christi spondeo, atque polli­ceor ego A. Imperator, coram Deo & beato Petro Apostolo, me protectorem, ac defensorem fore bujus Sanctae Rom. Ec­clesiae, in omnibus utilitatibus; quatenus divino fultus fuero adjutorio, pro-ut sciero, poteroque.

In that this head is said to be in the midest, is meant, that it should be chosen from among the Nations and Kingdoms of the earth, as by experience hath been proved: First, from France, then from divers King­doms and parts of Germany, where it still remaineth.

And that the fear and power of this head hath been greater then any other Christian King or Kingdome [Page 20] whatsoever, is it not sufficiently read in the particular registers of every Nation?

Vers. 30. And I saw, that the two heads were joyned there-with.

By the two heads, are shadowed the two Kingdoms of France and Spaine, whose unhallowed league the Prophet fore-seeing, saith; they should be joyned with this middle-head, and like three parts in one, accord and agree together, to humble themselves, their autho­rity and power before the beast, and for their idol­shepheard should fight against the Highest, till by the breath of his mouth they be scattered, like the dust which the winde disperseth.

And these are the three heads mentioned in the first, fourth, and ninth verses of this chapter; and are therefore said to finish and determine the last end and wickednesse of the whore, because tho all other Kingdoms hate her and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh, as England and others have done: yet these three heads shall love her still, and to their dying day shall burne in delight with her, but when those three and every of them, shall also forsake her, th [...]re shall not be found either Kingdom or creature under heaven, that shall fall downe and worship her.

Vers. 31. And behold, the middle head was turned with them that were turned with it, and did eat up the two under wings which thought to reigne.

And the Prophet saw this middle head (the head of evill,) impart his fellowship to all Princes and King­doms, which desired to be in league with it. But my taske which hasteth to an end, will not suffer me now, and here, to sound this gulfe of Santa Liega; sufficeth that for Sions sake the Prophet passing by, doth point thereat.

And the Prophet beheld, that this middle head did devour and eat up the under wings, namely the power of the Longohards, and th'intestine faction, which thought also to reigne.

The first by the sword of Charls, surnamed (for his exceeding power) the great, who at the command of Babylon his god, aseended into Italy, took her King Desiderius prisoner, and led him captive into France and gave his Kingdome to another. And thus vanished this seventh contrary fether, after it had humbled the whore, and spread it selfe over all her quarters 200. and 4 years, and the fear thereof descended, & it appeared no more.

Th'other, first began in the days of Cono th'Emperor, who having an action of contrary opinion, against Gre­gory the second (for so the beast was then called) follow­ed it so hotly, that he brought his holines into such dis­grace as that he kindled a desire in the hearts of many to change their Prelate for a Prince, and to edifie their first and ancient forme of government again. This desire thus begun, by time (as naturally all conspiration doth) 798. gathered st [...]ength, and adventured (but somewhat too young) to check the beast, who by reason he was so wel guarded by his fore [...]aid head & champion Charles, ea­sily neckt it. Notwithstanding some 100 and 50 years after, this ulc [...]r, now grown to a riper head, under the practise of one Alberique and Octavian his son, brake out anew, and charg'd the beast in so sharpe a manner, as without doubt he had received the ma [...]e, had not his head in the midst avoided it once againe, whose name was now chang'd from Charles the great, to Otho the great: who as being by oath devoted, came to Rome, banisht her new risen Consuls, hang'd her Tribuns, and mounted her Prefectus urbis, Mr. of misrule, naked on an Asse, crowned and a [...]tended through the city with great derision; from thence committed to prision, and there executed with exquisite torments. And by this means, the heat of this defection was so asswag'd, that it 967. appeared not for 7 years after: but (then under the lead­ing of one Cincius) flam'd out anew, in so furious a sort, as it had doubtles fir'd the beast out of al [...] his holds, had 974. not his middle head (Otho the second) hasted into Italy to quench the same: who (knowing how much it im­ported [Page 22] to punish exemplarily so dangerous an evill) prepared in the Vatican a [...]umptuous feast, invited ther­to all the nobility and chief of the City: when all were come, saluted and set: caused forthwith to be proclai­m'd, that no man on pain of death, should either speak or move at any thing that should be seen or heard: pre­sently entred armed men and compassed the place [...]ound where the guests were; whereat whilst every one amazed, doubting what this first course meant, this middle-head drew forth a paper, and whose names were therein written, commanded to be drawn from the table, and in presence of all there to be slaine. The rest were courteously entertained, and were as merry as the fear of so cruel a feast would give them leave. Ne yet for all this the feaver so left these patients, but that 1136. they fell some 162. years after into relapse again; but Frederique the first (for so was now this head called) with the blood of 1000. and the wounds and imprisonment of as many more, so branded this Hydra, which had been so often headed, as it could never after recover head againe, but her breath departed, and her purpose vanished and appeared no more.

Ver 32. And this head did put the whole earth in fear, and ruled therein, and over the dwellers thereof, with much la­bour: and it held the government of the world more, then all the wings that had been.

That this head and his fellows, have more maintai­ned and advanc'd the rage and blasphemy of the beast then all the fethers that arose before them, and made more diligent and cunning inquisition after the blood of Sion then they, is it not eternally cronicled in the registers of every particular Nation? And therefore they are called the heads of th'eagle, and who knoweth not that heads are more able in evil then fethers? And the Prophet beheld that this head continued longer, & held the government of the world more then all the fethers that had been, for from the rising of the first fe­ther Julius Caesar, to the end and expiration of Momyllus [Page 23] Augustulus the last, were not 560 years, whereas this head arose in the year 801, and hath already continued above 700 and 90. and yet still continueth, and shall, till he that now is be taken away.

Vers. 33. And after this I saw, and behold, this middle head sodenly vanished as did the wings.

In that the Prophet saw this middle head sodenly va­nish, as did the wings, he signifieth that it shall not be rooted out by force or sword of any, but depart quiet­ly, and die as it were in bed; but yet (as the truth fore-saith in the chap. following) not without paine: meaning, that th'Electors shall not choose to the liking of the beast, nor the beast consec [...]ate to the liking of them. And in this difference this head shall die, ne shall this difference be exempted from paine.

Vers. 34. But the two heads remained which also reigned over the earth and over the inhabitants thereof.

And when the power of this great head (which is now so little) like a tale tha [...]'s told shal be clean ended; yet the fear of th'other two shall still remain, and have dominion over the earth, & those that dwel therein, [...]ill the fulnesse of their malice and tiranny be accomplisht also: which may not long be unfulfild, for behold, in the very next verse their destruction cometh.

Vers. 35. And I saw, and beheld, whilst the head on the right side, devou [...]ed that which was on the left.

By the right head is ment (as through all this prophe­cy) the strongest; so as the Prophet implyeth, that the sword of Spaine, shall d [...]vide the strength of France, that her pride by division made lesse, may at the last (as eve­ry divided Kingdom doth) returne to nothing, Neither shall the prosperity of this right head, be long free from like retaliation, but as the truth fore-saith, He that divi­deth with the sword, shall perish by the sword. For how may Esdr. 4. 12. the sword for ever escape him, whom heaven hateth, and earth doth persecute? and of whom may be truly said, which was spoken of Ismael, Manus eorum contra omnes, & omnium contra illos.

And thus shall these heads perish, and hast the faster to their end, because the judgement of the beast is nigh, in the very next verses attending to come in.

Vers. 36. Then I heard a voice, which said, look before thee, and consider the things which thou seest.

Vers. 37. So I saw, and behold, as it were a Lyon came hastily out of the wood, roaring; And I saw that he sent out a mans voice unto the Eagle, and spake, saying:

Vers 38 Hear thou, and I shall tell thee, what the most High doth say unto thee.

The roaring of the Lion is the breath of the Highest, which shall rebuke th'Eagle for her unrighteousnes, and cast before her all her spoyls, and set her alive in judge­ment, and with the spirit of his mouth rise up against her; and lay unto her charge as in the text following.

Ver. 39. Art not thou he which of the 4 Beasts remainest, whom I made to reigne in my world, that by them the end of things might come?

Vers. 40. And the fourth is come, and hath overcome all the beasts that were past, and obtained power over the world with great fearfulnes, and over the whole compasse of the earth with extream oppression, and hath possessed so long time all the world with deceit.

Ver. 41. For thou hast not judged the earth with truth.

Ver. 42. But hast troubled the meck and hurt the peace­full, and thou hast loved lyers, and destroyed the dwellings of them which brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the wals of such as did thee no harme.

Ver. 43. So as thy unjust dealing is ascended to the most High, and thy pride unto the Mighty.

Ver. 44. And therefore he that is Highest, hath beheld the proud times, and behold they are ended, and their abominations are finished.

And if thou plead not guilty hereunto, behold, a thou­sand witnesses shall rise up against thee, and prove the inditement true; that the just judgement which hath so long attended for thee, may at the length be pro­nounced against thee, in form as in the text followeth

Vers. 45. Therefore appeare no more thou Eagle, nor thy fearfull wings, nor thy wicked fethers, nor thy malitious heads, nor thy cruel claws, nor thy vaine body.

And least in thy drunkennes thou maist think, thy sin may over-shoot this judgement to come, and in thy madnes glorifie thy selfe as thou hast ever done, per­swading thy selfe thou shalt ever be, because thou hast been long, and like a fool hast not considered, the more thy yeares the nigher thy grave; behold, thus saith the truth; In the year which shall be 1666. this Rev. 13. 18. judgement here pronounced shall lay hands on thee. And as all thy fearfull wings, and fethers, be already descended and blown down; so before that day (which is so nigh at hand) the tyranny of thy malitious heads, and cruel claws, shall be consumed and brought to nought. And in that day, thy vaine body shall be burnt with fire, and shall so cleane be cut off from the land of the living, that neither son nor nephew (as the Prophet Esay 14. 22 Esay 14. 24 saith) nor branch nor remnant of thy name, shall be found upon the earth. For as it is purposed, so shall it come to passe; and as it is consulted it shall stand.

Go to now, take counsell of thy Seers, and call thy inchanters about thee; build thy devices as high as heaven, and lay their foundations low as hell, yet shall they not deliver thee from the day appointed: but as Salmanazar destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battel, wherein the mother with the children was dasht in pee­ces; or like the milstone, which the mighty Angel did cast into the Sea, with such violence shalt thou be thrown down, and be found no more.

And all hell shall be moved at thy comming and prepare it self, and raise up all her dead against that day to meet thee, and all the Princes and Kings of Nations, whom thou hast slaine with the cup of thy fornication, shal rise out of their torments against thy coming, and at thy fight shall wonder, and cry, and Esay 44. 10 say unto thee. Art thou become weak also as we? art thou become like one of us? Is thy pomp bowed down unto the grave? and are thy pleasures departed like ours? and is the worm spread [Page 26] under thee, and do the wormes cover thee also? how art thou fallen from heaven O Lucifer, son of the morning, which hast cast l [...]ts upon the Nations, and saidst in thine heart; I will ascend into heaven, and exalt my throne above, besides the stars of God, and I will sit upon the mount, even the holy mount of his Sanctuary, and Congregation: I will ascend above the height of the clouds, and will be like the most High.

And all hell, which once did wonder, worship and kisse thy feet, beholding now thy nakednes, thy shame and judgement, shall die for grief of mind, and dying shall say, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, and Esay 14. with his word did shake the Kingdoms? that made the world a wildernes, and a wast of the Cities thereof? Then shalt thou lying in tormen [...], death gnawing on thee, answer them and say: We have erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousnes hath not shined upon us, nor hath the Wisd 5. Son of understanding risen over us, we have wearied onr selves in the ways of wickednes, and we have gone through dangerous paths, but the way of the Lord we have not known. What hath pride profited us? or what profit hath the pomp of riches brought ns? all these things are vanished like ashadow, and as a Post that passeth by. And casting up thy eye to heaven, shalt see the righteous stand in great boldnesse before thee, and before the face of such as tormented them, and took away their labors, and thou shalt fear exceed­ingly at the sight of them, and be amazed at their won­derfull deliverance, and dye for grief of mind, and dying shalt say, These are they whom we sometimes had in derisron, and in a parable of reproach: we fools thought their life mad­nesse, Wisd. 5. and their end without honour. But how are they counted among the children of God, and their portion among the Saints.

Vers. 46. That all the earth may be refreshed, and come again, as one delivered from thy violence, that she may hope for the iudgement and mercy of him that made her.

And thy death shall comfort and refresh the earth, and deliver Sion from her great and violent oppressions: but their prosperities may not long endure, as testifieth the [Page 27] Prophet Daniel. For may Israel dwel safe, and the kings of th'East not know it? Nay verily they shall arise, and Dan. 12. 12. Ezek. 39. come downe like a storme, and like a cloud shall cover the earth, and compasse round the tents of the Saints, and the beloved City, till fire descend from God out of Rev. 20. 9. heaven (as it is written) and devoure them. And in those days shall be finished the mistery of God fore-declared to his servants the Prophets, and witnessed by the migh­ty Angel which came down from heaven, & stood upon the sea, and upon the earth, and raised up his hand and voice to heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever [...]. Behold it is come, and it is Rev 10. Ezek. 39. done saith the Lord, this is the day whereof I have spoken.

For the hope of which day, the stones of Syon dye day by day: tho little [...]steeming seven thousand deaths, in regard of the precious assurance ingraven in their breasts, that they shall then and in that day behold the L. that hath so mercifully gathered them from among the Nations: That hath so wonderfully preser­ved them, from the sorcery of Babylon, which hath destroyed all the earth. That daily leadeth them in and out, before the scorners, the covetous, and foolish wise of this world, so prudently and so invisibly, that they seeing are not seen, and living are not known. That hath bestowed on them, a thousand treasures more then these, so secretly, as no man suspecteth but they that have them. That hath so surely and fully perswaded them, that tho they now goe on their way weeping, yet they shall then returne againe with joy, and bring their sheafes with them: and all the earth shall then know, which now is hid, how much the Lord their Redeemer loved them, and night and day, shall praise and magni­fie the just judgement and mercy of him, that [...]ath done all these things for them.

Which day in due time, He that is Highest, shall manifest to all: He that is Prince and Lord above all, who onely hath immortalitie, and dwelleth in the light, [Page 28] which none can attain unto, whom no man ever saw, nor can see: unto whom be all honour and power ever­lasting. Amen.

ANd thus my Lord at length I am come a shoar, delivered from a dangerous & scopulous sea, as any is in all the Oce­an of the scripture: praying, if I have made too bold t'impart my voyage to your Lordship, you would be pleased to ascribe it to the common humour of Travailers, who cannot chuse, but tell what adventures they have passed, and what wonders they have seen. Strange and long were it to tell your Honour all I saw: and I fear in respect of your hours I have been too long to tell so much: too much doubtlesse, in regard of my Pen, which is so sad and so uncourtly, as were it not for that naturall engraven Noble courtesie, wherewith your Honour is beautified above all com­parison, your Honour might not endure her plaine and carelesse apparition. And thus most humbly commending my service to your Honours disposing take a shorter leave then else I would, because I am setting forth to sea againe, in hope God willing, if bread and water fail me not, to discover the Reve­lation, and to make knowne to my gracious Soveraigne Prin­cesse, that I also among the rest may be bold to speake, though I care not to be known.