A Consent of Scripture, Text 2
ROME, BABYLON in a myſtery, which crucified CHRIST. Apo. 11.
In the deluge of Ieruſalems deſtruction do ende Daniels laſt ſayinges,Daniels booke cōteineth 600 y. 70. 490. 40. Gen. 5, 29. touchyng order of tyme. Chap. 9, 27. His whole booke conteyheth ſo long a warnyng geuen to the Ievves, as GOD by Lamech gaue to the olde worlde, when he named Noah A ſpeciall Comforter. But the Ievves went in the miſbeliefe of the olde worlde. The Lorde by theſe times had ſhaken not only the Earth,Heb. 12, 26. Him that came not in the name of the father, but in his ovvne name, they receyue. Ioh. 5. Dan. 9, 27. Math. 14, 15. Mark. 13, 14. Zacha 11, 1, 2. Ezek. 47. and earthly Emperours, but alſo the Heauens & the olde Ceremonies, that figured the doctrine of the kingdome: that ſuch as ſhoulde not be ſhaken myght be ſetled. Yet the Ievves denying the true Meſſias, cleaue to Bar-chozba, who ſayd that he was Chriſt: for him they rebelled, though after he reigned two yeeres and an halfe, they kylled hym. Talmud in Sanedren. Cha. Chelek. Pa. 93 & 97. Thereupon the Romane abominable infidels with force of deſolation come to the mountayne and place once holy: and worke a finall iudgement vponupon it. Then Libanus did open the gates: fyre brent the Ceders, the Firre, and Oke houled: when Nations warred agaynſt Ieruſalem, tooke the Citie, rifled the houſes, defiled the women. And now is the day of liuely waters iſſuing from a Ieruſalem from eaſt to weſt: To which Citie they who wyll not come from all the families of the earth to worſhyp the king IEHOVAH of hoſtes, their fleſh, eyes, and tongue ſhall conſume. Zach. 11. 14. accordyng to this, after the fall of that Ieruſalem God reuealeth to Iohn beyng in obſcure Patmos: Apo. 20, 19. Apo. 21.How the Romanes wyll fight alſo agaynſt the heauenly Ieruſalem: the glory of which he ſeeth moſt goodly. Concernyng the Romanes: theſe two thynges he diſcouereth, the prophane Emperours tyranny: and after their fal, the Popet double impietie poyſoned with hypocriſie. The Stories of both, be moſt manifeſt of any Stories: and the Pſeudo-catholikes owne teſtimonies wyll confirme the matter.Apoc. 1. Tren 5. Euſ. Chr. 3, 18 That Rome is condemned in the beginnyng for baniſhyng Iohn, all graunt, that know Domitian. That Rome holdeth on to the ende, in the Cup of the laſt wrath it is euident:Apoc. 12, 3. and 13, 1, 11. Apoc. 8, 3. Apoc. 17. Kinges. 1 Conſules. 2 Decemuires. 3 Dictators. 4 Triumuires. 5 Caeſares. 6 Popes & Emperours 7 & 8 L…uy. 1. Tul. Off. 3. Apoc. 17. Dan. 7. when the citie ſhall peryſhe which had the reigne ouer the Kinges of the earth. Cha. 16 & 17. Let vsus conſider the ſtate of Rome, and marke how ſitte armes it hath, in two beaſtes of ſmall difference: both ſeauen headed: in one horned lyke a Lambe: in a Woman, Locuſtes, and in the Serpent: whoſe power extreamely is executed. Rome ſtoode vponupon ſeauen Hilles, and had the policie altered fiue t…mes before Caſares, they make the fixt: After Emperours and Popes togeather, made a ſeauenth, which after a ſort ſhould be an eyght. That power is noted by a beaſt of ſeauen heades: wherupon the Angel expoundeth it of ſeauen Hilles, & ſeauen Kinges. Any political ſtate is in the Ebrew phraſe calde a King, as Dan. 8, 21. Rome was infamous for cruelty euer ſince Romulus kylde his brother: but ſpecially in the ten Perſecutors and the Popes. The one beaſt the later hath for that, purple coloure. The beaſt Chap. 13. hath a cleere note from famous ſtories. Whereas the Image of the Emperours in Daniel were a Lion, Beare, Leopard, & abeaſt with ten hornes: Rome hauing ſubdued all thoſe Countries, thereaftet is a Beaſt with ten hornes, lyke a Leopard, footed lyke a Beare,Apoc 17, 12. Steuchns agaynſt Laur. Valla booke. 2. mouthed like a Lion. Alſo the other Beaſt hath ten hornes very fitly: both for the ten Perſecutors, and ten Kingdomes that Iohn foreſaw ſhould be vnderunder the Popo: and Steuchus doth pretely confeſſe: and the Greke Scholiaſt foretolde that it would fall out ſo. The kingdomes 1. of Spayne and Portugall. 2. of Hungary. 3. of Englande. 4. of Denmarke. 5. of Ruſcia. 6. of Creatia and Dalmacia. 7. of Aragon. 8. of Bohemia. 9. Sueuia and Noruegia. 10. of Dacia: Theſe Steuchus recordeth to hauehave geuen their power to the Beaſt. For they payde tribute to the Pope, who calde his throne the Apoſtolike ſeate,Apoc. 13, 5. & had the mouth of the Dragon. The Greke Scholiaſt ſpeaketh moſt fitly vponupon this place: ſaying, that the ten Hornes are ten Kinges, which in the later times ſhall ariſe from the Romane power, among whom the A…tichriſt ſhal ryſe. Areth… was no Prophet, yet the playnnes of the matter cauſed him to ſay this much. And in theſe ten Kingdomes is reuiued a ſpice of the gouernement of the people of Rome: Which then when Iohn wrote had deuided their Countryes of Lieutenantſhyppes into ten: as Srabo, who ſaw Iohnt dayes, lately had recorded Geo 17. This Empire notwithſtandyng their ſtrength was ouerthrowen for the Emperours fylthy lyfe, ſpecially for kyllyng them that had the teſtimony of IESVS. For the Lord Ieſus fought agaynſt them in iuſtice and power,Apoc. 10. Apoc. 6, 2. The vvhyte Horſe, the 1 and 5 ſeale. as riding on a white Horſe, with a Bow, and Arrowes ſharpe in the hart of the kinges enimies. The holy Martyrs, who had hartes lyke Lions, they layed vnderunder the Aulter, ſtyrred vp the holy and iuſt LORD, to iudge and reuenge their blood, vponupon thoſe beaſtes that ruled the earth. They in patience, as Oxen ſacrificed, yeelding their blood, ſaw a iuſt recompence of bloodſhed. For all their prophane Emperours almoſt (ſome ſomwhat fauoured Chriſtians) brought their heades, with blood to the graue: as they came not vp without great bloodſhed. The vēgeance of God was to them as a red Horſe,The red Horſe the 2 ſeale. with a rider hauing a great ſword▪ and a commiſſion to take peace from the earth: that men ſhould kyll one another. Famine in great warres is not greatly ſtrange: but here ſcarcitie exceeding plentiful did they ſee who were men in deede, a puniſhment of the Goſpel reiected. Many learned men of the heathē noted the pitifull ſtate: but had not the iudgement of a man to know that for ſauage cruelty agaynſt the Goſpell, this puniſhment was ſent. The wyſe myght ſee a blacke Horſe ſent from God,The blacke Horſe the 3 ſeale, with a ryder hauyng a balance weighing Corne, as Spice for dearth: though Oyle and Wine, and ſome ſuſtenaunce of the earth was granted by the patience of God. Gods patience not being regarded, he ſent among the Caeſaret vponupon the perſecution by Diocletian, threefold iudgementes to the Emperours, as ſword, hunger, and death all togeather. They who with Eagles eyes, woulde come to ſee Chriſt his iuſtice, myght now beholde a pale Horſe▪ hauyng death and hell ryding vponupon hym.Tbe pale Horſe the 4 ſeale. Sozimus, booke 2. noteth that Licinius one of the ſtriuers at once of his 130000. ſouldiers loſt all ſauyng three. The 6 ſeale. Then ſuch ſlaughter made the Caeſaret, and the Auguſti, of them ſelues and of their people, that the Kinges, and Dukes, and Earles, and eueryevery free man, and ſeruaunt, were fayne in all places to hyde them ſelues from them that fauoured Chriſtianitie, whom God made the ſtronger. The prophane men for Idolatry felt ſuch wrath as did Samaria, when Iſra…h kingdome ended: when they well myght ſay to the Mountaynes, fall vponupon vsus, and hyde vsus. Yea, they that thought them ſelues to be the Sunne, Moone, Starres, Heauens, and Mountaynes of the Worlde, and to rule all Ilandes, are brought to ſuch deſtruction, that the whole worlde as touchyng them is altered: The Earth is ſhaken, the Sunne blacke the Moone blooddy, the Starres fallen, the Heauen rowled as a rowle,Apoc. 6, 14. and eueryevery Mountayne and Iland hauehave ſuch alteration of dwellers as yf they were mooued from their place. Theſe ſpeeches may fitly be applyed to the tymes of Conſtantius and Conſtantinus, the fyrſt Chriſtian Emperours. The lyke tropes are in Eſa. 34. of matters fallen out before theſe tymes: though moſt properly it wyll fall out, when vponupon the Popes vtter deſtruction the whole worlde ſhalbe ended. But once it muſt be meant touchyng the deſtruſtion of the Empire.
CONSTANTINVS hating the idolatry of olde Rome, The Beaſt hath one head vvoū ded to death. Apoc. 13, 3. Sozimus bok. 2. Oroſius. 7. Ierom to Placidia. Rome became a pray, & ſk…ffe to moſt nations. Sigibertus. Homer. Iliad. 8. ver. 448. Appi. in Libyc. The vvounded head healed. Steuchus againſt Valla. Booke. 1. Apoc. 13, 3. Apoc. 17, 11.made Byzantium the princes ſeate: called it NEW ROME, and endowed it with the priuileges of OLDE ROME: and gaue it alſo another name. CONST ANTINO-POLIS. The Empire being there placed, the OLDE ROME that in Italy was litle ſet by, and by Gods iuſt iudgement often ouerrun. For Alaricus and the Gothes ſpoyled it, and ſo preuayled there, that they purpoſed to hauehave named it GOTHIA. Genſerieus and his Vandales rifled it, that they beſtowed fourtene dayes in ranſaking it. Odoacer with many nations ſurpriſe it, & reigne there many yeeres. But many more yeeres doth Theodoricus with his Oſtrogothes rule it. Totilas the Goth brent it, as Scipio did Carthage. Then Scipio ſpake verſes of Homer: which Hector had foreſpoken of Troyes ruine. Polybius demaundyng of what Citie he ſpake: he ſayd, of ROME: that the day ſhould come, that it ſhould be made like Carthage. That ſaying of Scipio is applyed to Alaricus his time: it might be to Totilas, who brought ruinous Rome to an extreamer ruine. And ſo the citie there was defaced. But when the PONTIFICALITIE is ſet vp by the decree of GOD, then all Heathen from eaſt to weſt worſhyp the Pope no otherwyſe, then of olde t…e they dyd the Emperours: whereas if it had not been for the pontificalt…ie, ROME ſhoulde neuer hauehave bene reuiued, but left a moſt fylthy habitation of hogges. This Steuchus confeſſeth. So by the POPE the Beaſt that was dead, is made aliue. Chap. 13. And that which. Cha. 17. for eſtimation once had bene and after had not bene, now againe for eſtimation is: and the POPE rulyng ouer the Empire, maketh the ſeuenth and the eyght Policy in ROME. Apoc. 13, 11.To make that poynt more playne, of reuiuyng Rome by the POPES, we hauehave a new viſion. For they are a Beaſt with hornes lyke a Lambe, and the mouth of the Dragon: who maketh the image of the former Beaſt to hauehave lyfe, ſpirite, voyce, and worſhyp of nations, with kylling the men, and confiſcating their goods,Reade the forged donation of Conſtantine. that yeelde not to their ioyned power. Hereupon it hath bene clearly ſhewed by the Learned, that for Lawes, Apparell, and Idolatry, the POPES are a lyuely image of the prophane Emperours: with a religion more after Homer, then after the Scripture. Moreouer to declare what ſhould be meant by Hornes like a Lambe: in the vſurping Vicar of Chriſt, we hauehave a certayne name poynted at: whoſe frame and force wyll ſhew the matter. Many mens names there be in the HOLYBOOKE, of fit markes for thynges that men conceyue of God, or would fynde in them ſelues. And in the ſuppoſed barren places,Ezra. 2, 13. as in Ezra great fertility of wyſedome groweth. From thence hyther God geueth vsus a number attributed vntounto a man, which wyll ſhew vsus what mans name beyng opened for the force wyll vtter the ſtate of the Beaſt: and we ſhould make more accompt of the golden wiſedome herein conteyned, then SALOMON would of the 666 Talentes of Gold,As in the booke of Numbers, ſo in Ezra the names & numbers are to be diligently regarded. which he receyned yerely. 2. Chr. 9, 13. The booke of Numbers, as Ierome marked, conteyneth the myſterie… of Arithmetique. For that Booke Midrat Tillin ryghtly obſerueth great Religion conteyned, in the names that be therein: that they are not Egypticall, but fyt for Gods chyldren. As doubtles they are apt touching notation for the firſt borne, recorded in the Heauens. Heb. 10. ELI-TZVR, GOD-IS-MY-ROCKE: TZVRI-SHADDAI, MY-ROCKE-IS THE ALSVFFICIENT, Theſe ſhew how the ſumme of Religion is conteyned in their names, whereby that nation would not ſoone vnderſtande the terme ROCKE, Math. 16. of a bare man of Abrahams ſeede, nor ioyne with POPES for the ſupreame Rocke of the Church. The booke of Ezra is much of the ſame kinde: but in that age men had leſſe regard to the diſigent wyſedome of their Fathers, as the Mid…a… alſo remembreth. Thence we hauehave a name marked by a number: wherin both muſt be conſidered. The number ordeyned is 666: by which we fynd out a mans name fyt for the wofull POPES. In Ezra Chap. … ▪ 13. it is written, The ſonnet of ADONI-KAM vvere 666. Here then a name of a man by a number is ſhewed: And what myght his name meane? Adoni-kam, is by interpritation A God ſtandyng vp.
What name can better agree with the POPE, the man of ſinne that ſpeaketh with the mouth of the Dragon moſt tragically, I am a God vponupon the earth.Baldus in C. eccleſia vt ſit peudeat fol. in cap. ego N. de Iurciur. Dan. 11. …. Theſſa. 2. 1. Macha. 1, 57. R. Abr. Adon…. Zonaras. bo…ke. …. The Pſeudo-catholikes them ſeluesſay: the POPE is GOD vponupon the Earth. The POPE is Lord of Lordes, and hath the authoritie of the King of Kinges ouer his Subiectes. And is not he then the only man to whom properly belongeth the name ADONI-KAM? Seeing he ſetteth vp him ſelfe in the Temple of God, as yf he were GOD. Antiochus Epiphanes who ſtarted from Rome and ſet in the Temple the Idole of Iupiter Olympius, dyd not ſo much exalthym ſelfe aboue God. The POPE began to ſtand vp a Lord, when impudent Boniface gate the ſupremacy by the murtherer Phoca…. But that myſtery of iniquity wrought further to the quickenyng of the Beaſt, in that ſad tyme of Gregory the thyrde. For he to ſtrengthen Idolatry, excommunicated LEO the Greeke Emperour, putryng downe Images, though he dyd that by the conſent of councell, vponupon the expreſſe commaundement Exod. 20. That excommunication kindled ſedition, which inflamed the Longobardiet agaynſt the Emperour.
After that he loſt fyrſt the Exarchy of Rauenna, and in proceſſe of tyme the gouernement of Italy. When the Longobardi increaſed ſtyrres in Italy, and the Greke Emperours troubled at home, vponupon the former ſedition for Images, were leſſe able to helpe Italy & Rome: Charle… the great is mooued to warres vponupon an iniury done by Deſiderius king of the Longobardie… to him ſelfe. And (as defenders proſper) He put Defiderius beſides his owne kingdome, and holdyng Italy then by that conqueſt: kept it ſtyll. This breach in the Empire came by the POPE, and his Idolatry. Charles the great gaue much reuenwes to aduaunce holy knowledge, being taught by Englyſh Alcoinus: and ſundry of hi… poſterity folowed hym. All their liberality the POPES labour to turn… from paynefull ſtudy, to ſuperſtition and their owne power: And a… the laſt perſwade the people, that they had authority ouer the Empire: and preſcribe Idolatry through al the Empire: reuiuyng the old Beaſt.
The State of Rome▪ for crucifying our Lorde *
Babylon y• mother of fil…y fornicatiō.
The empire Romania, the vſurping vi…ar, y• belly god cleargy, Satans Throne. Ap. 8. 9. 1. 12. 13. 17 *
Now for the other poynt,To beare the number of the beaſts name vvhat it is. the bearyng of the NVMBER of his name: it is all one as to hauehave a marke in hand or forehead, worke or any profeſſion: but that the alluſion is fetched from Ezra. 2, 13. For as the ſonnes of ADONIKAM make vp the number 666: So they that be the POPES babes, and holde hym to ſtande vp as GOD in the Church, are ſayd to hauehave his names number. And for moſt cleere condemnyng of Rome, marke who the Woman is that rideth vponupon the Beaſt. Apoc. 17. One running by may ſee. Any lyuing when Iohn wrote would graunt Rome to be there condemned.†Tertul. againſt the Ievves, and Ierom. Ep. 17. Cha. 6. and the Greke Scholiaſte deadly cōdemnyng Rome, made the leſuites mad to ſeeke rediculous diſtinctiōs. See their Teſtaments notes. Apo. 17. There they byte theyr …vvne tongue. In S. Ieromes dayes it was doubtles, the Grekes ſtyll are of that iudgement: Rabanus and Albertus note how manifeſt it is: the Ieſuites can not deny it: but they ſhal ſtriue againſt their owneſelues. And that place is a key to opē a gate to the other viſions: through al which Rome is cōdemned extreamly.
From this BABYLON came Idolatry, which cauſed CHRIST to caſt fyre into the Earth. And though as it were ſeauen Trumpets ſounded all poyntes of dealyng and doctrine, men would not heare what GOD ſpake to the congregations.*1. Trumpes. Full often dyd the Emperours badnes (ſpecially in Mauricius and Phocas) cauſe hayle and fyre to be myxt with blood.§2. Trumpet. The ſupremacie of POPES was a Mountayne of fyre caſt into the Sea.‡3. Trumpet. Their ceaſſyng to be Paſtors maketh a Starre fall from Heauen. Thereupon to the Church cloſely, as openly by Mahomet folow great harmes. The Starre fallen from Heauen, was an Angell of a congregation: his ſedition is a Torch: his deadly corruptyng Scriptures is Woormewood making bitter waters. In a ſhort tyme they that ſeemed to be as thoſe in Gen. 37. 10. the Sunne,4. Trumpet. Gagneus a Papiſt condemneth here Popes Cardinales, and Bysh…ps. 5. Trumpet. Moone, and Starres, be much darkened. After this the Starre that fell from the heauenly congregation, the Pope worketh ſtrange thynges: by the Keyes of the Pit he looſed out a ſmoake of hereſies, that darkened Sunne and Ayre: al brightnes of Scripture. Thence aryſeth his Cleargie, which moſt lyuely is expreſſed. They be Locuſtes for their idle bellies, and troupes of loyterers: they be Scorpions for cloſe poyſonyng doctrine:Eſa. 9, 15. And the Tayle is the Prophet that ſpeaketh lyes. They are for the Warres which they make, and ſtrengthenyng of their owne Authority: as Horſes ready for battell: with wynges of Charrets: with teeth of Lyons, with habergions of Iron. For ouerrunnyng Magiſtrates, they hauehave crownes of counterfeyte Golde: for priuate ſtate in pretence: they hauehave faces of‡Here the terme Man is vſed, as Dan. 7 in the Lion, Ver. 4. and litle horne v. 8. compared vvith Cha 11, 21. for priuate, and vvithout right of gouernement politicall. men: for Cloyſterkeeping & womanly life: and for many of woman ſexe, they hauehave heare lyke women. Theſe notes al agree moſt fitly to the Pſeudocatholiques.
Now conſider Moamed or Muchumet, whom God gaue vp to a blynde mynde, and effect in errour, that by hym Chriſtians myght ſee, what miſchiefe myght aſwel come by Popes ſupremacy. This Moamed an Iſmaelite beyng a poore man, tyll he maryed a wydow welthy and of high countenaunce: hauyng the Fallyng ſicknes, whereby the wydow was ſory that ſhe matched with hym, perſwaded her by hym ſelfe and others, that his fyttes were but atraunce: wherein he talked with the angel Gabriel. The woman made women beleeue that her huſbande was a Prophet: afterwardes men by helpe of certayne Haeretiques ſet the falſe Prophet forward. From Iudaiſme, Arrius, Neſtorius, and his owne brayne, he frameth a doctrine. Much he was oppoſite to the Pope, as in polygamy agaynſt his Monachy: much in the ſame kynde, as that he hath the Keyes of PARADISE: as the Popes were then, ſomewhat talkyng of S. PETERS keyes. Both had Keyes of the Pit. He preuayleth ſo by force of his wilde company, and guile deceyuing the ſimple: that before his death he winneth‡As Iſmaels 12 ſonnes of olde dvvelt frō Sur to Chauilah. Arabia, and the countries about Enphrates. 6. Trumpet. The Saracens be as naturally of Sara, as the Pope hath truely h…lynes, and as the Papiſtes are Catholiques.The ſonnes of Iſmael aſhamed of Agars name, borow from Sara the tearme of Saracenes. The Pope was bolder, that taketh from God the title HOLYNES. His ſonnes of darkenes folow him that appropriate the name of Catholikes, beyng but Pſendocatholiques. Both in their deceyte encreaſe much: the one by ſucceſſe in warres, and one poynt of playne trueth: that Images might in no wyſe be worſhypped. Th…other proſpered by teachyng a ſhort way, ſuppoſed of Saluation, to know and feare God ſo farre as an Idole did moue to vnderſtandyng and reuerence. The Pope was mighty in cauſing Starres to fall from Heauē. Agarenet preuayled in conqueſt of the earth. Theſe countries in ſpeedy proceſſe were ouerrun, Phanicia, Palaeſtina, Ieruſalem, all Syria, Of Moamed reade Cedre. Fol. 633. and Volater. Lib. 12. in Arab.Perſia, Armenia, Spayne, Sicily, Crete, much of Italy, Calabria, and all Longobardia: euen to Rome once great. But God would hauehave there a throne for a vicar of Pilates holynes: and Cittim to holde ſuch Abadd… vntyll the ende. At the laſt thus the Turkes ioyne with them. When the Saracene… had conquered much they make fyue myghty Empires. In Spayne, Lybia, Egypt, Babylon, and Perſia. Muchumet of Imbrael king of Perſia hauyng warre agaynſt Babel and India: hyreth three thouſand Turkes, Herodto. in Melp.to whom one Tangolipex was generall. They by name and place ſhoulde ryſe from Togarma. In Herodotus the name Iyrkes is recorded: where the place ſomewhat argueth the men to be the ſame. Theſe helping Muchumet, at laſt fell to a mutany, and to auoyde puniſhment, ſhronke to a place of great vantage for ſafety. Whom Muchumet ſeeking to repreſſe, by vnheedines loſt 20000 of his men: beyng angry, pulde out his Captaynes eyes, and threatned to put all the other Souldiers to open ſhame. The Souldiers fearyng, fled to Tangolipex. Muchumet with all his power commeth agaynſt him: is kylde in the fielde, and Tangolipex proclaymed Sultan: (That is, Ruler) of all that Muchumet had. The terme Sultan is in Daniel 3.In the Caldy. Dan. 3. The Saracens deſcription it much after the Papiſtes. That Iſrael was ſkattered neare the Turkes: I ſhewed before. Thus from Euphrates, Saracenes and Turke… ſpring to hauehave thouſandes of thouſandes: to be foure Angels of Gods wrath vponupon Idolaters, ready for houre, day, monethmonth▪ yeere: as Idolatry & other ſinnes prouoked God. As their conuerſatiō, ſo their deſcription is after the Pſeudocatholiques rate. which through theſe fynde meaſure for meaſure. Their force is Horſes: their courage is Lions heades. Their great deſolation which they make, burnyng where they goe, is Habergions, fyery blew and brimſtony. Their might, and doyng this vponupon a worde, is fire, ſmoke, and brimſtone, commyng out of their mouthes. Their falſe Doctor, guyding their rule, is the tayle lyke a Serpent, that draweth as Papiſtry to the ſeconde death.
The Greke Emperours vnderſtood that for Idolatry they were puniſhed:Cedrenus & Nicephorus tell this, though vvith malice. and by learned counſell did repreſſe it vehemently: From Leo Iſauricus to Theophilus: who coulde not abyde any Picture to allure the mynde: which ought to regarde not ſhadowes, but trueth. Yet after his death Idolatry confyrmed in olde Rome, came ſo to new Rome: that Saracenes Angels from Euphrates were let looſe.Papas is Father, & Popes Deuels. Euſt. vpō. Homer. The deſcription of Satan by Romes armes openly argueth Rome to be Satās throne. This came from Papes turned to Popes: from Fathers to Deuels. The deſcription of Satan the Dragon is therefore lyke the Romane power, with red coloure, ſeauen heades and Diadems, and ten hornes. Though Satan ſtryued by myght and guyle: yet from the tyme of our Lord his death he was tyed a thouſande yeeres from deceyuing generally. For Martyrs and other faythfull that thouſand yeeres learned the lyfe of Chriſt: and reigned with hym. As for the faythleſſe dead in ſinne, Satan was not tyed to them, who would not be holy and happy, in knowyng the firſt reſurrection. But after a thouſand yeeres, Satan was let looſe eueryevery where, and few found Martyrs that helde cleere the teſtimony of Chriſt. Gregory the ſeauenth manifeſtly helde the throne by Satan. And Vrbanus that confirmed his decrees, was in the ſame condemnatiō. He no leſſe beſieged the holy city of Chriſtians in al his proceedinges, and became a mountayne of Fyrein the myddes of the Sea: Specially in kindlyng the‡In they. 1085 Volater. Of th…s vvarres. vvriteth Guilhelmus Yyrius, Abbas, Vrſpurgenſis Benedict a Coltis, Paulus Aemilius, Volaterranus, G…o. 1…. and in part Latine vvriters of Engl…sh ſtories. Warres for Ieruſalem: and cauſing that place to be counted ſtyll holy. There nygh 200 yeere fell the force of the Weſt: whereby Emperours & Kinges were weakened, to be vnderunder the Popes. VponUpon the ſame the Saracenes more hated the Chriſtians of the eaſt: When they marked our Idolatrous and ſuperſticious conſpiracies. So long ſharpe warres neuer were in the worlde, of ſuch calamities to both ſides. The places by olde names, fal properly within the text: for plagy Antioch was buylt by that GOG Ezek. 38. And Ieruſalem was called the Holy Citie: notwithſtanding here the foure quarters of the earth, & troublers of the Chriſtians be meant.*So …hat, Ap…: 14 the blood reaching to the Horſe brydles 1600 furlonges, fitly is ſpoken of this vvarres for the lande of Iſrael: for in Salomons Temple blood reached to the horſe brydles: and the vvhole land of Iſrael, (through all vvhichwhich this vvarre vvent) is holden 1600 furlongs large in R. Menachem vponupon Gen. fol. 60. Now the Pope king Abaddon of Gyges ſleight by mans helpe cannot be ouerthrowen. But Michael that ſtoode on the waters, & calmed the old Gogs waues, ſtandeth and ſweareth in like ſort agaynſt him. Seauen thunders declare the thunder of his power: ſeauen Angels power vponupon the beaſt going to deſtruction, the laſt Plagues from ſeauen Cuppes of Gods wrath.
In quietnes they hauehave fylthy Boyles, in troubles leſſe and more, their waters are turned to Blood. That holynes throne is vile in Satans darknes, and for trechery they finde burnyng affliction. For Idolatry ſtyll they from Eaſt and Euphrates myghtely preuayle: and when they ſtyrre their Kinges agaynſt vsus in the Weſt: their three froggy ſpirites, that of imperiall power, that of falſe prophecy, that of Satans ſleight: all three bryng their Nauy, and other force, as to the waters of MAGEDDON, to be cut in peeces. They ſhall feele the ſeauenth Cuppe of wrath, and heare the ſeauenth Trumpet: when Nations oppreſt by them, learne ſkylfully to ſyng, HALLELV-IA: and with vnderſtanding can prayſe the Lord. Euen the Lord muſt conſume this bad king Abaddon of Cittim Italy in the ende, at his glorious appearyng.§For lyght & compariſon of both, you shall hauehave a fuller. Mappe, and Pictures. As thoſe Beaſtes in Daniel by the fyrſt commyng of CHRIST into the worlde, were wholly conſumed: for whom God ſate on a fyery Throne: So the Beaſt compounded of thoſe Armes, ſhall peryſh at the ſeconde: For whom a whyte throne of iuſtice is openly reuealed. By ſentence thence the falſe Prophet POPE, and the Beaſt of his auctority ſhall aye feele Gods wrath vntyll they both be caſt to the Dragon into Brimſtony fyre. Euen ſo, Amen. Holy and iuſt are thy iudgementes O Lord, the king of the Sainctes.
After the deſtruction of Babylon, let vsus behold the ſaluation of Syon: which mountayne the Lordes death lyftted aboue all Mountaines:Eſa. 2, 2. Mich. 4, 1. Apo. 14. that all Nations might folow the Lambe vponupon it. At Ieruſalem the Diſciples receyued power from aboue: beyng togeather about an hundreth and twentie ſoules: to declare the great workes of God, in rayſing his ſonne from death. Then were Ievves from all Nations vnderunder Heauen at Ieruſalem. Saint Luke reckoneth them much after the countryes, into which men were firſt ſcattered vponupon the confuſion of tongues, for the building of Babylon: and according to the kingdomes that oppreſſed the faythfull Ebrevvet after Babels ruine by Sem and Iapheths poſteritie. The number of an hundred and twentie to ſpeake to all Ievves, that from farre Countryes came to Ieruſalem: was fit to reuiue the ſtory of their diſpertion vnderunder Darius and Cyrus: Ierom vponupon Dau. 6. Dan. 6. and 9. 2. Chro. 36, 22. Ezra. 1 3. Luke. 19, 11.when by decree of Madai and Faras the God of heauen was preached: Cyrus ſent Iudah to buylde Ieruſalem: and Gabriel tolde what yeere, day, and houre, CHRIST ſhoulde dye. That Prophecy made them come that yeere to Ieruſalem, to looke for the kingdome of Heauen to appeare. Then from Syon was the Law to goe foorth,Eſa. 2, 3. and the worde of the Lord from Ieruſalem, euen when the moſt Holy by his death had confirmed the teſtament for many. The learnyng of ſaluation by Grekes hence fyrſt taught: was that dwellyng of Iapheth in Sems tentes. Hytherto was that place glorious by the bleſſing of Sem, *That Melchiſedec vvas cmmonly holden to be Sem, theſe Authors of ſundry religions I had at hande to name, to ſtay ſuch as thinke that a nevv opiniō. Hebrewes vponupon Gene. 14. Rabbi Leui, Ben-gerſō, Abē Ezra, Baalhaturim, R. Symeon ben Iochai, Ramban, S. Iarchi from Hagada, Moſes Hadarſon in Pet. Galatin, Midras Tillin Pſa. 76. Cimchi, Pſa. 110. Seder-ol. Talmud in Nedarim, and Aboth R. Nathan, …. Bochai vponupon Gen. fol. 21. vvho noteth for the phraſe that in Sems generations, Dying is not mentioned vntyl Thara (vvhichwhich vvas mentioned in all from Adam to Noe) becauſe CHRIST shoulde come of Sem, vvho lyueth for euer. Conſider Syrach, 49. The learned Latines alſo commonly holde Sem to be Melchiſedec. Selneccerus vponupon Gen. 14. Namely take th…ſo, Ierom, Luther, Melanthon, Carion, Peucerus, Chytreus, Nau…clerus, Lyra, Gul…elmus Tyrius, Lib. 23. Cha. 9 Rigiſtrum Chroniearum, Aquinas, …aſſamus, bad Genebrard, often vponupon ſundry occaſions in Chro. fol. 27, 28, 36, 38, 39. 41, 46, 54, 58. Contemne not our ovvne nation, Engl…she vvriters 400 yeres olde, Bale votar. Page. 3. Lanquet in his Chro. and the Tables ioyned to the Bibl, collected by R. F. H. Alſo the Calender tranſlated from Arquery. A lew vvoulde loath him that vvoulde holde any man then aliue, greater then Abraham, not beyng of the ryght lyne of the Fathers. Of the like mynde is S. Aug. in qu…ſt. ex vtro que mixtim, Cap. 109.who vnderunder the perſō of Melchiſedec, was ſtyl alyue in deſcription. Gen. 14, 18. To which deſcription the Ievves were to looke, that CHRIST myght be knowen to be God the iuſt king, heyre of the worlde, faythfull ouer his owne houſe, a fyniſher of Aarons office, of al Sacrifice & Offryng, an eternall ſacrificer by once offeryng hym ſelfe. In this Citie they receyued power in a ſtrong wynd, in fyery clouen tongues, were fylled with the holy Ghoſt, and could ſpeake to eueryevery one in his owne language. So the Ieruſalem from aboue was to be buylt, that all nations myght woorke in it, as contrariwyſe by tongues not vnderſtoode, the worke was but Babylon a confuſion: and men …kattered cauſed the name Synear: and were eſtranged from the Tentes of Sem: and lyfe of God, without whom beyng their guyde, they peryſh for euer. Hence the Diſciples went foorth to teach how CHRIST was to ſuffer: to aryſe from death, and to geue ſaluation to the worlde.
That worke they perfourmed by the ſtrength of God: who confirmed their doctrine with ſignes, wonders, powers, and gyftes of the holy ſpirite, accordyng to his wyll. Some of theſe godly Angels ſoone dyd ſeale their doctrine with their blood: ſome later ended their goodly combat: ſome lyued to ſee CHRIST come in his kingdome with power: when the worde was fruitefull in all the worlde: & that citie was buylt by Fyſhers of Galilee, which is called IEHOV AH-THERE.
Then Tongues, Nations, and people of all Kingdomes departed from the power of darknes, by fayth and obedience to the kingdome of Chriſt, geuyng honour and glory for euer to the king euerlyuing, holy, vnuifible, God, only wiſe. Of the Ievves there helde ſtyll the fayth an infinite number, tearmed by thouſandes 144 after their reckoning of many. Theſe with vsus Heathen come to the feaſt of Tabernacles with Palme, crying HOSANNA, Saluation to God, and to the Lambe. This company of faythfull ſ…les, called to the bleſſed mariage of the Lambe, are a Ieruſalem from Heauen. Apoc. 3. & 21. Ebr. 12. Though ſuch glorious thynges be ſpoken concernyng this citie of God: the perfection whereof cannot be ſeene in this vale of teares, yet here God wipeth all teares from our eyes, and each bleſſing is here begunne. The name of this Citie much helpeth Ievv and Gentile, to ſee the ſtate of peace. For this is called IERVSALEM: and that in Canaan hath Chriſt deſtroyed. This name ſhould cleerely hauehave taught both the Ebrevves not to looke and pray dayly for to returne to Canaan: and Pſeudocatholiques not to hauehave fought for ſpeciall holynes there. We lyue in this by fayth, and not by eye ſight: and by hope, we behold the perfection. Of this Citie ſaluation is a wall, goodly as Iaſper, cleere as Cryſtal. The foundations are in number twelue: of twelue precious Stones, ſuch as Aaron ware on his breſt: all the woorke of the Lambes twelue Apoſtles. The Gates are twelue, each of Pearle: vponupon which are the names of the twelue Tribes of Iſrael: of whoſe fayth all muſt be, which enter in. Twelue Angels are conductours from eaſt, weſt, north, & ſouth: euen the ſtarres of the Churches. The citie is ſquare: of Burgeſſes ſetled for all turnes. Here God ſitteth on a Throne, lyke a Iaſper and Ruby, comfortable and iuſt. The Lambe is the Temple: that a thyrd Temple ſhould not be looked for to be buylt.Novv that Melchiſedec repreſenteth GOD, theſe very Ebrewes graunt. R. Symeon in Zoar, and R. Menachem, fol. 45. that he repreſented CHRIST. R. Iſaac ben Arama vponupon Gen. 47. and Moſe… Hadarſon vpo… Num. 16. they holde that. Yet their darknes cannot comprehende the light of God dvvelling in Chriſt. Thrones twiſe twelue are for all the Chriſtians: borne of Iſraels twelue, or taught by the Apoſtles: who for dignitie are Seniores: For infinite, are tearmed but foure and twenty, in regarde of ſo many Tribes and Apoſtles. Here the Maieſty is honorable: as at the delyuery of the Law, from whoſe throne thunder, …oyces, and lyghtninges, do proceede. Here oyle of grace is neuer wantyng: but burnyng with ſeuen Lampes, the ſpirites of*Talmud in Sanedrin, Cha. Chelec, fol. 73. b. Meſſias, of wit & wyſedome▪ of counſell and courage, of knowledge and vnderſtandyng, and of the feare due to the eternall. Here the valiant patient, witty, and ſpeedy, with ſharpe ſight, are winged as thoſe Seraphim that wayted on Chriſt: when ten calamities, and vtter deſtruction was …olde for the low Ieruſalem. They of this Citie are not as Iſrael, after the fleſh, which would not ſee for all the wonders that our Lord did. But theſe redeemed by his precious Blood are full of eyes, lyghtened by Lampes, the glory of IEHOV AH, and beholdyng Chriſt through all the Prophetes: a perfourmer of our fayth,Iohn. 6. Dan. 9, 24. Apoc. 6. Eſay. 60. Apoc. 21. Eſay. 35, 8. Aggi. 2, …. Dan. 2, 44. Epheſ. 1, 4. Epheſ 2, 19. Ioh. 7, 38. Cant. 4, 15. Apoc. 2. Pſal. 95, 7. ſealed of God: ſealer of all viſion, opener of ſeales for the ſtories of the Church. Here is the true lyght, where the ſaued-walke. Hither kingdomes bring their glory: Hither the bleſſed Nations cary their Iewels. This is a kingdome vncorrupted, which ſhall not be geuen to a ſtrange and vncleane people. They muſt be written in the booke of the Lambe, and choſen of eternitie, ſanctified of God, which here be citizens. Through this there guſheth a ſtreame better then the foure in Eden: a ſtreame of lyuely waters by beliefe in Chriſt, as thoſe waters flowyng from Lebanon. Here is that Tree of lyfe in the myddes of the Paradiſe of God, with leaues to heale the nations, that wylbe cured, whyle it is ſayd to day: with twelue fruites, to geue foode continually: to ſuch as feede alſo vponupon the h…d Manna: who after death, receyue the crowne of iuſtice and lyfe,2. Tim 4, 8. Apoc. 2. Apoc. 3. the mornyng ſtarre, white clothyng, and the white ſtone: wherein a name is written, equall to all the Law. Deut. 27, 2. The firſt ſtate of the firſt Adam in the firſt Paradiſe was glorious: This is better. And as Moſes began with the terreſtriall, ſo the holy worde endeth in the celeſtiall: that to wheeles full of eyes, may the writ of trueth be compared. The full conſent and melody of Prophetes and Apoſtles: how their Harpes are tuned on Mount Syon, it wyll fully appeare in the full ſight of peace: when our bodyes are made conformable to Chriſt his glorious body in the worlde to come:Phil. 3, 21. and our eyes ſhall ſee the Lord in that Syon. For that commyng, O thou whom my ſoule loueth, be lyke to the Roe vponupon the mountaynes.Cant. 1. &. 3. Amen, euen ſo come Lord Ieſus. Then we ſhall in perfect holynes worſhyp thee: to whom the Angels alwayes geue holy worſhyppe: ſaying, prayſe, and glory, and wiſedome, and thankes, and honour, and power, and myght, be vntounto our God for euermore.
Amen.
Imprinted at London, for Gabriell Simſon and William White.
End of the text · Hugh Broughton, A Consent of Scripture (1587)