The Seven Vials, Explication 2 · Part 6

The Seven Vials · Explication 2 · Part 6

p. 81The Sixt Vial powred out.

Ver. 12. And the sixt Angell powred out his Viall vponupon the great River Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried vp, that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared.

Ver. 13. And I saw three vncleane Spirits, like Froggs, come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet.

Ver. 14. For they are the Spirits of Divels, working miracles, which goe forth vntounto the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battell of the great day of God Almighty.

Ver. 15. Behold I come as a Theefe in the night, Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, least he walke naked, and they see his shame.

Ver. 16. And hee gathered them together into a place, called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon.

Having found the former Vialls so punctually fulfil. I…k in our forepassed times, and that also in such an exquisite successiue order, as hath beene shewed; this present sixt Viall doth challenge the next turne to be poured out. Not that the former Vialls are now ceassed, and so call in, and giuegive way to this. For all these Vialls are so poured out, as, like to Ioshuaes speare stret…hed forth,Iosh. 8.…6.Josh 8:6 they are not called in againe, nor ceasse their severall consequent effects, till the very last of th…m be poured p. 82out, which shall end in the vtter …uine and confusion of Antichrist, with all his Adherents, and partakers. For still the noysome and grievous sores (the issue of the first Viall) are vponupon all those, that hauehave the …east… Marke, and worship his image, as incurable: still the maine Sea of Romes docttines continues altogether as the blood of a dead man: still, the Rivers issuing from the same, of the like nature, blood: still, the Sunne of the Gospell (maugre all his malignant opposites) shineth gloriously (blessed be God, who hath power over these plagues) scortching the Adversaries with fire of spitefull envie, though the light thereof will not lead them to repentance: still, the fift viall, darkening the throne and Kingdome of the Beast, is in force, and shall never with all their Index Expurgatorius be expunged; and now followes in order the pouring out of the sixt Vial, ratifiyng the former fiue, and preparing the way for the seventh, when all the plagues in a full confluence shall be accomplished.

In the words of this Vial we may obserue foure generall branches: 1. A preparation to Babylons ruine: v. 1…. 2. An Agency for the mustering together of Babylons forces to fight the great battell, ver. 13.14. Thirdly, Christs watchword to his souldiers, ver. 15. Fourthly, the place where the maine battell is fought, ver. 16.

First, for the Preparatiue to Babylons destruction; ver. 12. And the sixth Angel poured out his Viall upon the great River Euphrates, and the water thereof dried vp, that the way of the Kings of the East might be prepared.

In these words two things seeme very obscure, and full of difficultie: as 1. the great River Euphrates ▪ 2. the Kings of the East; But for the first, it is well knowne, that the ancient heathen Citie Babylon, situate betweene Assyria and Chald…a, so famous in Scripture for Captiving of Gods people, was strongly fortified by that great and goodly River Euphrates, by meanes whereof it was impregnable. For neither had Darius won it, but by the p. 83horrid and vnnaturall stratagem of …, one of his Nobles: Nor Cyrus, the first vanquish… of it, but by a rare devise of draining the River aboue by sundry artificiall sluces, giving his men in charge, whom he left before the Citty, that when they should … to be decreased, and four … they should … take the opportunitie, wade ouer, and suddenly … Babylon in her deepe security, which fell out accordingly. But here is not an artificiall draining, but some miraculous drying vp of the great Riuer Euphrates ▪ by diuine hand, as Ier. 50.38. Or as it was in the … and Iordan, whose waters, miraculously driven, backe yeelded a dry passage to Gods people on foot. The meaning here is, that the maine defence and fortification of the Mysticall Babylon, vponupon the pouring out of this sixt Viall▪ shall be so miraculously exhausted▪ as that a free and easie way is made for her fatall and finall destruction. Euphrates being also a word, that signifieth a strong fortification. And what hath b…ne this spirituall Babylons supporter all this while? What but profound ignorance? But now this deepe River is in a maner dried vp. The light of the Gospell hath so vnmasked the whole Mystery of iniquity, that a man may see the bottome of it. All their arguments, which formerly were very currant▪ and plausible with the credulous world, are now at a N…nplus. They are now forced to put vp their pipes, to silence their pen…s (as wee see of late all husht on a sodaine, as it were miraculously, all amute) betaking themselues to their pikes and sword… ▪ as we shall see by and by in the next branch of this Viall. If we should goe about to branch Euphrates here into the severall derivations, as either from the Hebrew, signifying to fructifie, or from the Gr…ke▪ either from foreign, to exhilarate, or foreign, or foreign, to speake or argue well, all would meet againe in the channell of ignorance, which being dryed vp, now all their Profite and pleasure, all their subtilt…e of Arguments p. 84fall away. But we need not seeke after artificiall derivations of Euphrates here, as Cyrus once did, for the taking of Babylon. If the Reader will hauehave but a little patience, he shall perhaps see Euphrates quite dryed … when once he hath …, and concocted the other concurring circumstances of this …ial. For this great mysticall River being miraculously dryed vp▪ mak… way for the Kings of the East. Who are those? Some vnderstand, that Rome shall be ruined by Easterne Kings ▪ some, that hereby … the conversion of …he Iewes, and Ma…umetans, inhabiting most in the East. And to make the easter way to it, they dispatch Rome it selfe out of the way, in the fifth Vial, as we touched before. So that they vnderstand here the very litteral… River Euphrates of the old Babylon ▪ which (say they) shall be miraculously dried vp, to giuegive the Iewes pa…age to return to their Ierusalem, and there professe Christ, and Christian Religion. But, first, this sorts not with the fift Viall, the Beasts throne and Kingdome still standing, though darkened. Secondly, neither doth this exposition, being too litterall▪ beare Analogy to the vniforme tenour of these Vialls, all of them having especially a mysticall interpretation. Nor is the Citty of Rome only, but the whole Pontifician hierarchy, here comprized within the compasse of Euphrates. So that the sense is, the whole Kingdome of the Beast, vponupon this sixt Viall; is drawing on apace to the vtter ruine, and that by the Kings of the East, who are mystically to be vnderstood. The old Babylon was destroyed sometimes by the Kings of the East, as the Persians and Assyrians; sometimes by the Kings of the West, as the Chaldeans; in …, by the Kings of the North, as Alexander of Macedon ▪ But here the Kings of the East, who shall conquer Mysticall Babylon, are all those, wh… (Chapter 17.14.) being on the Lambes side, are described to be the called, and chosen, and faithfull. These are Kings, so stiled in Scripture, as Chapter 1.6. and elsewhere. And they are p. 85called Kings of the East mystically, in … Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse, arising vntounto th…m with healing vnderunder his wings. Mal. 4. As Esay also speaks of Christ, and his Church. Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen vponupon thee. For behold the darknesse shall couer the …arth, and grosse darknesse the people▪ … the Lord shall rise vponupon thee, and his glory shalbe seene vponupon thee▪ and the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to …he brightnesse of thy rising. Esay 60.1, 2, 3. This Prophecy (no doubt) did point to the birth of Christ, that Sunne of righteousnesse arising, and very likely also to those sages o… wise-men of the East, the first fruites, and type of the Gentile-Church, who came to worship him, and who by their Prince-like deportment, and the rich gifts which they presented to Christ, did easily shew themselues to be no lesse then great men, yea Princes or Kings; which is very agreeable to Esays Prophecy, The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising. But howsoever, sure I am, that by faith in Christ, they are spiritually Kings of the East, as being sonnes of the resurrection, who are compared to the Morning light,Pro. 4.1….Prov 4:1 that shineth more and more vntill the perfect day. Thus as there were Kings of the East to entertaine Christ at his first comming in humility: so … a way is prepared for the Kings of the East, the elect o… God, to meet Christ at his comming in Majesty, as in the pouring out of the seventh Viall, wherein the Lord shall abolish that wicked one with the brightnesse of his comming. And it was an Angell ascending from the East, who had the seale of the living God, wherewith he sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads, Chap. 7.…, 3.

Indeed the Beast-marked, and those that worship his Image, are not a little superstitions in observing of the East; they cannot pray, but with … the East, as if they were Iewes, … of the Messias▪ … worshipping p. 86the Sin towards the …st▪ But what hauehave the children of light to doe with superstitious rites of the children of darknesse?

Againe▪ in the second place▪ by the Kings of the East, we may vnderstand all those earthly Kings▪ who formerly being made drunke with the Whores Cup▪ C…. 17.13.17.and having their eyes dazeled, yea blinded with the golden lustre of it, had given their power, strength and Kingdome vntounto the Beast: but now, Gods word and will being to be fulfilled, and the time of their Babylonian confederacy and captivity expired, they having their eyes inlightened with the Sunne-beams of the Gospell, are now admitted into the number of the Kings of the East, Gods called, and chosen, and faithfull, with them to hate the Whore, and make her desolate, and naked▪ to eat her flesh, and burne her with fire. Chap. 17▪ 16.

But for the generall Conversion of the Iewes, so c… dibly expected of many, wh…soever …ither probable or demonstratiue Arguments may be brought for it from Scripture, yet this place seemes not so pregnant for it Nor doe I louelove to controvert it▪ … est ut … …randum est vt fiat. I… is indeed generally held both of ancient and moderne Divines Saint Augustine saith,Aug. Qu. Euang. Qu. 33. To 4. Erit quandoque aperta v…cati… I…d…tum i… salute Evangelij. But whether in loci… sui… …, or … he determines not. This I am perswaded of, tha… what, or howsoever their calling shall be, if it shall come i… vponupon the fullnesse of the Gentiles, su…ely it is more then probable that it is very neare at hand, forasmuch as the Gentiles seeme to become to the f…ll height, to a high water, if not rather beginning to vaile, and … ▪ For men of all sort… will not for all the preaching and pressing of the Gospell, stirre one foot from their habituall and predominant reigning sinnes, to increase the Tyd… with the flood of repentance towards God, being read… rather with the backsliding st…eame of Apostacy, to fall p. 87backe againe into the … and … Sea of Marab, and of all rebellion against God.

But in a word (to resolue this kno… here) the drying vp of Euphrates, that so the way for the Kings of the East may be prepared, is a cleare all … borrowed from the estate of the heathen Babylon, and here applyed to the mysticall Babylon. In Scripture we read, that when God was abou… to destroy the former Babylon, Ier. 50.38.Jer 50:38he threatned to dry up her waters, specially Euphrates, her chiefe defence. And when he is abo… to deliver his people, and destroy their enemyes, the Aegyptian…, he drieth vp the Sea. So here he giveth vsus to vnderstand, what he is about to doe concerning the mysticall Babylon, and the spirituall Aegyptians, namely to bring vponupon them even vponupon the whole Papall Hierarchy, vtter dest…ction, and to worke a mighty …nd marvelous deliverance for his owne people. This must need… be the expresse and cle…re meaning of the Holy Ghost in these words. Nor are we to pitch our eyes vponupon any reall, or visible Euphrates, or vponupon the externall forces and powers of the mysticall Babylon, …s though they were mean… in this Vial to decay, or be dryed vp. Let no man imagine, that by the great River Euphrates here dryed vp, is meant the previous ruine of the house of Austria, so making way for the ruine of Rome. For certainely they must fall both together, as the Oake and the I…i… clasping each other. The ruine of the house of Austria, is not to be a forerunner, but a concomitant of Babylons fall. Nor is it possible for the Papacy to stand, if once the power of Austria were shaken. Rome, Spayne, Fran…e, and all their confederate powers may stand together in their full strength, and yet the great River Euphrates, vponupon the powring out of this Vial ▪ be sayd to be dryed vp.

How can that be, will some say;Qu. Or when is this Vial poured out, that way should be made for the ruine of Romes Hierarchy?

p. 88There are too many … now adayes. And I … wise, but vnhappy Statesman of this Kingdome said,Sir Walter Raleigh in his Preface towards the end. that whosoever in writing a moderne history, shall follow … too neere the …eales, it … haply strike out his teeth. And who knowes not, that the pouring out of …ot coal… vp▪ on a furious and outragious Beast, may make him …ick, and fling about him? And though his Beastly head seeme pretty remote, yet he wants not his brood every where, …eady to revenge his quarrell, and returneth to him that meddleth, as hot coales as he bringeth. And besides, would th…e not be found mockers enough (of whom Saint Peter speakes) who, if a man should apply this Viall to these times, would be ready to breake out … to profuse laughte… ▪ That the Mysticall Babyl… should now begin to be said to hauehave her great River … dried vp, her chiefe strength and forces decaying and declining, and so making way to her destroyers, the Kings of the East, the sonnes of the Gospell: what more ridiculous? What more incongruous, or contrary to all common sense and reason? The Pope and his p… ty get grou…d every day, prevaile and prosper in all their attempts; the Protestants side goes to the wall…, and talke you of a present declination, drawing on to the destruction of the Papall power? Can you … any likelihood, that his great River Euphrate… in … vp, when but of late dayes (to omit the … confluence of other Rivers, as the rich Elu… ▪) … beene inriched and inlarged with the co…fluence of the sweet Rhi… now falling into it, who…e … who faire Polatinate?

But what hauehave I to doe to satisfie such men, … the estimate of divine Mysteries, according to … low scantling of common sense and opinion? … will they say, if the very swallowing vp of the noble Rhine, proue in the end the drying vp of the great Riv… Euphrates? Doe we not know, that iudgement must begin p. 89at the house of God ▪ And what followe… vponupon i…, but the vtter perdition of the Gospell? And doe they not know, that before how …ur go… humility, and … high mind before a f…ll ▪ And is not the present presumption of Babylon, and of her party, a pregnant pre…age of her speedy ruine? How soone did [Is now this great Babel] turne the prowd King thereof a grazing? Dan. 4. And when that insolent Tyrant Belshazzar was a quaffing, and profaning those sacred vessells, the spoyles of the Lords Sanctuary, how sodainly appeared the handwriting vponupon the wall, Men…, Mene, T…ke…, …? Dan. 2…, 26, 27, 28, &c. Let the proud King of the Mysticall Babylon, read the interpretation, and apply it. How doth Babylon at this present triumph and pride her selfe in the sacred spoyles of Gods people? Now is she drinking healthes to her lovers in the full bowles of her late conquests over the poore Protestants; and to fill vp the measure of her drunkennesse, she hath already swallowed downe at one gulp the blood of all the flocke of Christ, even to the last drop, through the wide gulf… …f her bottomlesse confidence, and in…ari…ble thirst. Babylon then being arrived at the toppe of all presumption▪ is not this a presage of her sodaine downefall? Was it not just so in the punishment of heathen Babylon? And …ust so shall it be in the mysticall Babylon, wh… saith the Scripture: She saith in her heart, I sit …, and … widow, and shall see no … ▪ Rev. 18.7▪ ….Rev 18:7Therefore shall her plagues …me in one day, death and mourning, and famine, … she shall be vtterly burnt with fi…e: For strong is the Lord God who iudgeth her, And I pray you tell me (you that hauehave learned but your ABC in Gods booke, and a…e not altogether transported with the groundlesse & vnnaturall Aphoris…es of Atheism…) where is a mans strength and safeguard become, when once he i… possessed, with the proud spirit of carnall presumption… Doth not God then forsake a man, and expose him …o ruine, when once he is come to his full height of confidence p. 90in his owne strength? And when is …he … bursting, then when it is swollen so bigg, as it cannot be stretched any further? It is … present case▪ And where God utterly forsakes, is not the great River Euphrates of a mans defence dryed vp▪ And we know… that all, and chiefely great Rivers defensi… to Citie… … States, are speciall defences given of God, and come neither from the art nor industry of man. The hearts of Kings are in the hand… of the Lord, as the Rivers of … he turneth them which way soever …e will. So that the drying vp of the great River Euphrates is he… to be understood of the removing of the limits and bounds, which the Divine, and all limiting providence hath prefixed for the continuance of Antichrists dominion. And now the time being neere the expiration, therefore vponupon the pouring out of this Vial is Babylons, Euphrates said to be dryed vp, because God is about to accomplish his will in her destruction. It being the proper worke of God to dry up Rivers, to determine the times and seasons, which the Father hath put in his owne power. So that the mention of drying vp Rivers, as Euphrates, giues vsus to expect, the delive…nce of Gods people is at hand, as we see in the dryng up of the Red sea, and of Iordan. This is a matter of speciall …, to be apprehended by faith of the people of God which the enemyes by sense cannot apprehend. Therefore is … wr…pped vp in a mysticall phrase of speach. On the contrary▪ is not the present deiection …nd affliction, yea in a manner the deplored, and (if … apprehension may be iudge) desperate condition of Christs … afflicted f…llow…rs, a good signe, … deliverance is not farre off▪ What say you to the state of Israell in Aegypt, and that even then, when Moses was sent to fetch them out by … strong hand (as now in this V…l God is abou… to delive… his people from the Beasts) when now (vponupon Moses hi… coming) they began to be in worse case, and harder bondage, then ever before, their Taskmasters are more severe p. 91and strict, then ever; the poore caitiffes must make good their intollerable taske, and daily tale of bricke, and yet now they are denied straw, which formerly was allowed them; they are now (poore soules) scattered over all Aegypt, to goe scrape vp stubble in stead of straw. Is this the way to be delivered? Yea, doe they not exclaime vponupon Moses & Aaron, as Mockers, and makers of them more vile and miserable, and in stead of delivering them, to plunge them into more deep, intollerable, and inextricable bondage? But patience a while. GiueGive God leaue but to worke, and to vse his owne meanes, without prejudicating his maner of doings; suffer him to magnifie his power vponupon Pharaoh, and his Aegyptians, in inflicting his mighty plagues vponupon them: and then behold the salvation of the Lord. Exod. 14.16. Lo here, the Aegyptians (the while) did more domineere and triumph over the poore Israelites, then ever, their more grievous pressures put them further off from all hope of deliverance: and yet all this was a beginning and preparatiue to that Aegyptian wracke in the Red Sea, which was taught to giuegive Gods people a safe convoy. And what shall we say to the estate of Israell in Gideons dayes, who when the Angell came and saluted him, saying, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour: Hee answered,Iudg. 6.Judg 6 Oh my Lord if the Lord be with vsus, why then is all this befallen vsus, and where be all his miracles, which our fathers told vsus of, saying, Did not the Lord bring vsus vp from Aegypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken vsus, and delivered vsus into the hands of the Mideanites. And what marvaile was it? Baalls Altar and Groue were among them, yea and that neere vntounto Gideons fathers house. But God by night warnes Gideon to throw downe Baalls Altar, which his father had made, and to cut downe the Groue by it, and offer sacrifice of peace vntounto the Lord. Here then was the maine obstacle of Israells welfare first removed. Hereupon Gedeon marcheth in his might, goes on, and prospereth: Now p. 92a Barley Cake smites the Midiani…s tents; now a handfull of men, even three hundred with their swords and lampes dare surround the enemy, and giuegive …hat huge host a miraculous discomfiture, even without stroke-striking; for feare of whom twenty thousand of Israell being faint-hearted had forsooke the field, and retired home. Thus God can help at a pinch, even against al liklihoods, and when his enemies are in the height of their presumption, and his owne people at the lowest ebbe of strength and meanes to helpe themselves; when once Baalls Altar is cast downe. Hilary saith, proprium esse s… lius Ecclesiae, vt tunc vincat, cum caeditur: tunc intelligat, cum arguitur: tunc secura sit, cum deseritur: tunc obtineat, cum superata videtur: It is the Priviledge of the Church, then to vanquish, when it is wounded: then to vnderstand, when it is reproved: then to be secure, when it is forsaken▪ then to obtaine the victory, when it seemeth to be overcom…. Need we now to apply these examples to our present purpose? Who so dull, as to require it? Doth he not see Israell every where to goe downe the wind, and to be come in a maner to the very precipice of ruines? Doe not the Egyptian Taskmasters every day vexe them more and more? Is there not now (in all appearance) lesse hope of deliverance, then ever? But what then? Is Gods hand therefore shor…ened, that it cannot sau…? Shall outward appearances prescribe or limit his power? Or shall the most extreme difficulties proue impossibilities to his Omnipotency? Or is not God the same God still to Israell? Or is he not still good to Israell? Or doth he afflict them, because he ha…es …hem▪ Or doth he humble them, that he may for ever cast them off, and not rather thereby to take occasion, to raise and restore them in due time? Or doth he suffer the Beast, the Antichristian power to prevaile and prosper, vsing him as a rodd to scourge his foolish and wanton children, because he loveth or favoureth the Antichrist, his mortallest enemy? Yea is not this cruell rodd reserved and p. 93destinated to the fire, so soone as the Father hath thereby disciplined his Children, as now they humble themselues, repent of their sinnes, reforme their wayes, remoue the stumbling blockes, and provocations of Gods jealousie, fall downe; and with greater fervency and importunity of strong cries sollicite their offended Father, and so shake off from them that drowsie security, and lethargy, wherewith the world is so desperately possessed? And in the meane time, is the Beast so senselesse, (and so senselesse he is) as not to discerne these seven last Plagues of Gods wrath to fall vponupon his marked ones only, even as the ten Plagues fell vponupon the Egyptians, and not vponupon his owne Israelites? Gods Israell indeed is sore afflicted and humbled, but all the Plagues light vponupon the Beast, and his Crue. Afflictions admonish and occasion Israell to repent, to humble themselues, to seek reconciliation with their heavenly Father; thus afflictions are good Medicines and Monitors for their betterment: whereas on the other side, the Plagues which fall vponupon the brood of the Beast, worke in them no repentance at all, but cause them to vtter their impatience, and to belch out their blasphemies, as effects issuing from the filthy source of their superabundant, and incorrigible corruptions.

Shall I say then that this sixt Viall is already begun to be powred out? That needs not neither: though if we did, the former example might stay our faith from falling into the pitt of incredulity, in case those two blind guides in divine wayes, carnall sense, and humane reason, should take vponupon them to conduct it. But yet least so hard a morsell might overcome the weake stomack, before it be better concocted: proceed wee to that which followeth in this Viall; which if we find not plainly enough fulfilled in these our dayes, it will be in vaine for the best Oratour to goe about to perswade it.

The second Branch therefore of this Viall, is an Agency p. 94dispatched for to prevent the Kings of the East from the surpri…all of Babylon. See the Royall Paraphrast K. ….Ver. 13. And I saw three vncleane spirits like Frogs come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet; for they are spirits of Divells working miracles, which goe forth vntounto the Kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battell of the great day of God Almighty. In this Agency we hauehave first the Agents: described, first by their nature, noting their singular activity and agility, as also subtilty and pregnancy of wit, being called spirits: and what place so closse, what walls so thicke, what sinque ports so well watcht, as can keep out spirits? Secondly, for their numerosity, Three, a number of perfection: it imports abundance of them in the time of this Viall. Thirdly, by their quality, vncleane. Fourthly, by a similitude, like Froggs. Fifthly, by their commission, armed with a threefold authority, they come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet. Secondly, the execution of their Agency, which is set downe, first, in the extent of it, they go forth vntounto the Kings of the earth, and of the whole world. Secondly, in the intent of it, to gather them together to the battell of the great day of God Almighty. And lastly, by what meanes they perswade the Potentates of the earth, to wit, by working miracles, namely false miracles, forasmuch as they are the spirits of Divells. Nor are we to omit Iohns testimony concerning this brood, saying, And I saw &c: which giues vsus to note this Agency, as a thing very conspicuous, and evident to the view of (at least) every spirituall Beholder▪ ye… so palpable, as that the very externall sense, the eye, may easily obserue it. And this invites vsus to a speciall attention of this whole matter. The drying of the great River Euphrates was not with [I saw] for that is a matter of faith, not of sense.

Now for these Agents, who ever they be, the Royall Paraphrast saith, they are Ecclesiasticall Factors, and Agents, p. 95as the Divells last brood. Every man with halfe an eye may plainly see whom he meant▪ vnlesse the brood of Arminians as later, come in to claime their Copy-hold. Henry Bullinger writing his excellent Commentary vponupon the Revelation about seventy yeares age, vnderstands by these Factours the Popes Legates à latere, who negotiated in all Kings Courts their Masters cause. It was indeed an application very sutable for those times of his, wherein this last brood was scarcely hatched. Whom if he had lived to see, as our times hauehave done, he would no doubt hauehave recanted his errour; he would hauehave excused the Popes Legates, as of a more leaden mertall, then to be compared to such actiue spirits, as here are; and to be too much loaden with their Pontificiall Pomp and traine, to act or attempt any rare projects, or dexterous atchieuements, as we hauehave seene acted by these nimble froggs. The Legates still could not come to Court, but in at the broad gate, in the view of all▪ but these sprightfull froggs can creep or skip in at the Wicket, or backdore, and negotiate more businesse by lurking in some corner or skirt of the Court, then the Legate with all his Traine. Nor was it so profitable to the Beast, to maintaine a pompous Legate in every Kings Court, vnlesse as Cardinall Campei…, he could come with his Sumpters stuffed with old shoes, and carry them home againe loaden with old gold, England having been of old the Popes best Exchange for such Marchandize: but this last brood, these vncleane spirits, these Froggs (what shall I call them) vse to come as naked over, as a Frogg, not sumptuous (except when they metamorphose themselues into the Court fashion, or like Ruffians thereby to cover & colour over their Frog-like nature, … they should bee knowne for …pyes, make bares, pragmaticall incendiaries, poysoners of the very ayr, where they breath, and most artificially palliated Traytors, and enginers of all mischiefe) but nimble to practise all juggling …eates for their Masters advantage.

p. 96And not vnfitly doe they resemble froggs. First, the frog is an …nclane crea…re, conversant about the muddy puddles: so these▪ Therefore called vncleane spirits, both in regard of their originall, breathed out of three fowle mouths, the fowle F…end, the fowle Beast, and the false Prophet, as fowle as the …est▪ as also for their owne naturall vncleannesse, their very consciences being defiled.

Thirdly, in regard of their doctrine, which they breath into their Disciples, which, for all their false pretences, can never purge men from their sinnes, but leaues them more vncleane.

Fourthly, in that they doe mingle, and meddle themselues with all secular courses, but chiefly with State-businesses, as King Iames saith, which by their wicked counsells clossely inspired, they wholly pollute and defile, whereby they become sinfull acts, and impious resolutions. But in the last place (not the least) they proue vncleane spirits, by working a generall effect of vncleannesse and prophanesse in all sorts and rankes of men, and that through their audacious and clamarous, croaking and crying downe of all piety and sanctitie of life, branding not only the true religion of Christ, but the power thereof in our sanctification with hypo…icrisy, or some odious nickname of I wot not what heresie. Whereby it commeth to passe, that he that refraineth from evill, maketh himselfe a prey, and he that runne… riot in all kind of iniquity and profanesse is accounted the best Christian. These vncleane spirits would perswade the world, that he is the best Minister that preacheth least, that hath most preferments and cures of soules, but liues at ease himselfe▪ and playes the good-fellow; that the Lords day is best observed but with one Sermon a… most▪ and with one Play at least. These be the vncleane spirits that revell most in the time of this Viall… wherein whose will not ru…e with the streame of all impurity and impiety, th… blast them with the p. 97name of heresie, as Pope Paul ▪ …. did those th… studied Academicall learning, or as Traian put men to death, only because they were Christians. So that these vncleane spirits like froggs pollute the waters where they liue with the filthy froth of their frye, so causing an vniversall surface of all iniquity, in the time of this Viall, more then ever. The Royall Paraphrast saith of them▪ They are likened to Froggs, for that they are bred of an old, filthy, and corrupt false doctrine, which for a long space hath blinded the world before their comming▪ as froggs breed of rotten and slimy coruption; or for that they preferr… themselues before all other Ecclesiasticall orders preceeding them▪ as vnperfect and vnprofitable, hopping and leaping aboue them. Againe, the frogg hath no oth…r song, but one, Koax, Koax; and therein is very importunate; so these vncleane spirits, what is all their Croaking▪ but one song▪ The Church, The Church, the Catholick Church▪ the holy Mother Church of Rome, the Apostolicke Sea, one supreme Pastor, and Iudge of controversies, who cannot erre, and the like. This is their three mans song, wherein they goe as in a circle. Thus, by counterfeiting the froggs, they doe, as the Aegyptian Magitian… seeke thereby, (even by their very clamarousnesse and obstreperousnes, to disgrace Moses and Aaron Gods Ministers in their office, who preach the truth. Fourthly, froggs bring forth their young, as the Beare vnformed, having only a black head, and taile: such is the spirituall offspring of these Froggs, whose faith is informis, or vnformed, implicit, and even blacke with ignorance. Hence the Proverbe, Nihilò rana gyri…a prudentior: no wiser then the young frye of a frogg. Which may be applied to all seduced and blind Papists, who are not able to render a reason of their faith. Fifthly, Froggs liue in abundance of waters, and of idlenesse. Whence the Proverb, foreign, Thou pourest out wine vntounto the froggs; as we say, To poure water into the Sea. And in what abundance of voluptuousnesse and ease these frogg… liue, all the world knows. p. 98Againe, the Frogg is a nimble creature, and when yo… thinke to take her vp in your hand,Pag. 324. she skips away, and hides her in the mudd: such are these actiue spirits. In a word, K. Iames of happy memory in his Premonition, to all Christian Monarchs, free Princes and States, about these froglike spirits, hath these words: calling them a new sect of Spirits, raised vp for the defence of that **As Pope In…ocent 3. at the Councel of Lateran (at what time Dominicke sollicited the erection of his Dominican Order) dreaming that the Lateran shook, and was like to fall, but that in came Dominicke, and supported it with his shoulders, did therevpon call Dominicke, & erected his Order: so in the time of the Councel of Trēt the Pope, yet dreming but with his eyes broad awake, seeing his Lateran throne to threaten a fall by the Gospell, so powerfully preached by Luther, & Calvin & others, did theru ponerect & confirme the Iesuiticall, or Ignatian Order, these three spirits, as his Romā Triary, to stand out, & support his tottering Babell Tower.tottering throne, called three in number, by reason of their thre… fold direction; being raysed and inspired by the Dragon Satan, authorized and maintained by the Beast the Antichrist▪ and instructed by the false Prophet, the Apostaticke Church, that hath the h…rnes like the Lambe, but speaketh like the Dragon: These spirits indeed thus sent forth by this threefold authority for the defence of their triple-crowned Monarch, are well likened to Froggs; for they are amphibious, and can liue in either element, Earth or water; for though they be Church men by profession, yet can they vse the trade of Politike Statesmen; going to the Kings of the earth, together them to the battell of that great day of God Almighty. What Massacres hauehave by their perswasion been wrought through many parts of Christendome, and how evilly Kings hauehave sped that hauehave ben councelled by them; all the vnpartiall histories of our time doe beare record. And whatsoeuer King or State will not receiue them, and follow their advice, … out must that King or State be, even with Gunpowder, ere it fayle. And these froggs had reason indeed to labour to become learned, thereby to dissipate that grosse mist of ignorance, wherwith the raigne of Antichrist was plagued before their coming forth. So farre the judicious King. Thus we need goe no farther for a cleare interpretation of these words.

Hence also we may note the vnaminous spirit of these three, the Dragon, the Beast, and the false Prophet, out of whose mouth these three Froglike spirits proceeding, may put vsus, in mind, as of their tripple authoritie, so of their triple malignity, as the crafty cruelty of the Dragon, the vsurped power of the Beast, and the sophistry of the false Prophet. They are called also the spirits p. 99of foreign.Divells: to note their Politicke …, going in the habit of illuminate … & Rabbies, in the long robes of profound Craftsmasters, and expert Statesmen, who in the time of this Viall bring into the world new Maxims of state, infused into them from those, whence they come. But they work… …. This may seeme to excuse Priests and Iesuites from being of the number of those spirit… for what miracles doe they? Yes surely great miracles, if ye may bel…eue them. Although what true miracles can false Prophe… the spirits of Devils doe? But it sufficeth, that these Prophets be the only Miracle mongers. And a… King Iames excellently, They doe miracles of deceit, for they doe wonderfully deceiue men. And doe they not vndertake to do miracles every day, while they would make the worshippers of the Beasts Image belieue, that they doe a Miracle in…u…ning a thinne Wafer cake into the very body of Christ, flesh, blood, and bone? Only the Apostle tells vsus, that Antichrists miracles are lying wounders, serving only to deceiue them that perish through strong delusion sent them from God, that they should belieue a lye, 2 Thess. 2.9, 10, 11, 12.2 Thess 2:92 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:112 Thess 2:12and so might be …. And is it not miraculous; that they can by their inchan…ing spells make of wise men starke ideots, offensible men senselesse, of reasonable men brutish, as to believe, that to be a miracle, which they, see with their eyes to be nothing lesse? It is the property of a miracle to put it selfe vponupon the triall of a mans infallible sense, specially of the eye. But here is no such thing to be serue. When Christ turned the water into wine, it had now both the colour and savour, and substance, and true spirit of naturall wine. Thus it was with a true Miracle, the first that Christ wrought in Cana of Galilee. It was not such still, as the guests could not discerne from water, either by their eye, or tast, or smell, but were by the strength of their faith, or conceit, to imagine it to be wine. But the miracle (forsooth) of Popish Transubstan… … cannot indure the couch of …ens… triall; the p. 100eye see… nothing▪ but a … Wafer; the mouth tasts nothing but a thinne shiver of b…ead▪ Where then is the Miracle▪ That must be begged of the blind credulous vulgar to be believed only. Thus it becomes a Miracle of implicit faith. And what can he believed more miraculous, then that an impotent Priest should be able to doe that, which …lls not within the compasse of Gods omnipotency? For to cause one and the some naturall circumscript body to be in a thousand distin… places at one and the same moment of time … to be in the highest heavens, and here vponupon … at the same instant, is a meere contradiction, a meere lye, and … impossible for God to doe it: but a silly Priest can easily doe this with saying over but fiue words. To cause the same circumscript body, consisting of so many dimensions, such a length, such a breadth, such a thicknesse▪ to remaine the same in all the quantities of it, and yet to be confined and circumscribed within the narrow limits of a thin and narrow Wafer Cake, the body suffering the while no diminution, is a meere contradiction, a meere lye, and so is impossible for God to doe it: but a so…y Priest can miraculously doe it, sw…llow downe the intire body of Christ, with all the dimensions and large quantity of it, at one morsell, downe his wide Weson. To cause the same body, consisting of flesh, blood, and bone, all of a solid substance, to remaine in their solid constitution without alteration, and yet at the same time vnderunder the formes of a Wafer, Cake to melt in the mouth, where neither flesh, blood nor bone are to be felt (as Christ shewing to his doubting Disciples his naturall body, saith, Handle mee, and see; a spirit hath not flesh and bones, Luk. 24.39.Luke 24:39as ye see me hauehave.) is a meere contradiction, a meere lye, and so impossible for the Omnipotent to do it: but an vnclean spirit of the Divell breathed from the mouth of the vnreasonable Beast can do it. In a word; to cause the same blessed body, which was borne of the blessed Virgin, and now glorified in heaven, to b… … p. 101cr…ated of the very substance of bread … into it, is against the truth of God, … of our Creed▪ B…r…e of the Virgin Mary, a mor… wicked heresie, then that of the **For the Ma…chee… said, that Christs bodie came downe from heaven, & so passed thorow the wombe of the Virgin, as through a trunke, or pipe, participating nothing of the substance of it: But the Papists most basely mak Christs body of a peece of bread.… of Christ… humanity to be of the … and so overthrowing mans salvation…, which could … be wrought, but by the Sonne of God in … nature, that had sinned, and so it stands no… with th… … and glory of God to make such a counterfeit body▪ yet … Priest can doe it. And such are the Miracles, which these froglike vncleane spirit… of Diuells due worke daily.

Againe, these spirits or Agents are here called the spirits of Divells. VVe read not in all the Scripture of any men so called▪ Iudas onelyonly is called a Divell. These, … spirits of Divells, to note them to be Divells incarnate▪ and that the spirit of the Divell is more predominant, more raigneth and rageth in the world in the time of this Viall▪ then ever, from the beginning of the world; and that especially in these sprightfull Agents with their confederates and consorts. This being that …, wherein the Divell hath but a short space to …aigne, and therefore he now playes the Devill▪ Chapter 12.1….

And these got to negotiate with the Kings of the earth. Will not lesse serue▪ These be … Froggs indeed, that like to those Aegyptian frogge, da…e leap and crawle vp into Kings chambers. So prudent are they in their generation. They are no peddling merchants, but professe to be great Iewellers, fit to … with Princes. For so they may sweep wh…le Kingdome along. If they can … the great Landlord, they will be sure of the Tenants. But whereabout doe they negotiate with Kings… Surely in no small State-businesses, but euen to stirre them vp to take part with the Beast, and to make war…e with the Lamb, to fight against the Gospell, …, or suppresse the true Religion, and the Professors of it; a matter (I wi…) of no small consequence, for any state p. 102page missing

p. 103Although perhaps, … great many will not belieue this, at least such as …, and will not … ▪ but willingly winke, for feare they (should be eye witnesses of their owne wofull wr…ck and other…, which on … cowardise hath prouided … when was there ever a greater, and more generall confidence of these Froggs, then now? Yee all are … ▪ A man would thinke some Bull had of late roared from Rome ▪ causing all the Froggs to couch close in their holes. This … may be a shrowd signe of s…me such thing in good earnest. Whereas otherwise it is one stonifician poynt of pollicy, when any Bulls come from Rome, to cast a hood over the hornes, to dissemble and choake it altogether. Iust so it was in King … of happy memory, when a Bull came fro… the … P…pe Paul… 5 so unreasonable, as the Papists gaue ours, … maliciously counterfetted by some, who bore … will to them; vntill the same was confirmed by a second Bree…e from the same Pope▪ both …, and answered by his Majesty. But we need not … could to confirme the late former, sith we see … so good effect in the obedient silence, and calmnesse of hi… Catholicke sonnes, who▪ according … that speciall charge given by the Pope in that late Breeue, are now all hush'd, expecting the signall of the … day, th… hauehave so long longed for. For we must no… dreame, that these froggs are asleep all this while. They lye but closse, … froggs in the deepe of winter, waiting till the spring c…ll them forth, to croake, and hum … tog…ther … Confederates to the battell. Yet they ar… as busie and closs… negotiating now as ever. Even now … they a gathering, as fast as they can, the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole world (a great part for the whole) to the battell of the great day of God Almighty. They are no… content, in every state, where they may … egge on Kings to suppresse the truth, and the Professors of it, in their severall dominions, as in … and p. 104the rest: but they labour to muster all the Kings of Christendome together, to make warre against the Gospell, and vtterly (to their vtterm…s…) extinguish it at onc…. Doe but goe to D…v…r …lift…, and lo…ke beyond th… seas▪ and then tell me whether eve… thi… Viall at least in this one point) was so apparantly poured ou…. And such is the condition of the time of this Viall, that these froggs shall never l…ue croking their Kings together, vntill they hauehave brought them to the …aine batt…ll▪ The… still sollicit the Kings of the earth. But our hope and comfort is, that which they make account to be their day, is and shall proue the great day of God Almighty. He it is that meanes to strike the stroke, and to make it his owne day, even the great day of God Almighty▪ which shall be a day of darknesse and gloominesse to all Gods enemies. The zeale of the Lord of hosts will performe this. He is the God Almighty.

Next followeth the third branch or symptome of this Viall, to wit, Christ… watch word to his souldiers; and this hath a twofold references … the present condition of the … of this Viall, and so it is for a Prese… vatiue: secondly, … th… subsequent great battell, begun to be pitched in this Viall, and which is to be strucke … the next, and so it is for a Prep…ratiue▪ Nor let any imagine, much lesse …ffirme, that his Watchword is not proper for this place▪ as if it were surre…titiously or by some errour crept, or c…vayd into this place. For if all Divines we … to study, where this Watchword might best stand, they could not find a …tter place.

The Watchword is, Behold I … as a Thi…fe ▪ Behold is a note of atte…t…on, as elsewhere vponupon the like occasion, so here vsed to awaken all true Christians to a watchfull expectation of Christs comming to …udgement. And being inserted in this Viall, it argueth the supine drowsinesse of the presen… age, wherein it is poured out. Which sleepinesse and carnall securi…y is a symptome, well sympathizing with the time of this sixt Viall, as p. 105being … forerunning signe of the gr…t day of God Almighty, approaching in the next Viall. A… the Apostle of the day of the Lord, saith,1 Thess. 5.3.1 Thess 5:3 When they shall say Peace and safety, then sodaine destruction commeth vponupon th…m. The time of this sixt Viall being that, likened to the daye… of No…h, Matth 24. From this generall Lethargy, and carnall securitie the Lord rowseth vp all his servants here, with a Behold, Matth. …4.43. Luke. 12.39. 1 Thess. 5.2.4. 2 Pet. 3.10. ch. 3.3.Matt 4:43Luke 12:391 Thess 5:21 Thess 5:42 Pet 3:10noting his suddaine and vnexpected coming, therein compared to the coming of a Thiefe in the night, which comparison the Holy Ghost often v…eth. For what more suddaine then the thee…es coming. He cometh in the dead time of the night, when all are a sleepe in security; as Math. 25. Christ comes when all the ten virgins as well the wise as the foollish, slumbred and slept. And this sheweth that the time of this sixt Viall i… very moment any, drawing on, and hastening the seuenth and last, euen by the strong hand of head-strong iniquity mounted to the highest pitch. In so much, as in the seventh Viall Christ will take the carnall secure world napping, when they least dreamed of his coming, Behold I come as a thiefe.

But least the wise also might be taken tardy (the spirit though willing, yet the … weake, as Christ said to his sleepy Disciples in the garden) he sheweth the happy estate of those, which like the fiue wife Virgins hauehave their Lampes ready trimmed with oyle to meete their Bridegroome: Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his g…ments, least he walke naked, and they see his shame. And though this spirituall watch be at all times necessary for Gods children: yet most of all in the time of this sixth Viall. This watching here is implyed to be properly against those dangers, which attend the time of this present Viall; and those are of two sorts: 1. The danger of false doctrines: 2. The danger of corrupt conversation, and debosht course of incorrigible life. Both these are comprised in the next words, & keepeth his garments, least he walke naked, and they see his shame. For garment… p. 106are to be vnderstood here two waye…: 1. the garment of faith, which is Christ our Elder brother, in all hi… righteousnesse imputed vntounto v…, and put vponupon v…, covering vo…ing all our nakednesse, and hiding our shame from the pure eyes of God, which cannot behold any thing vncleane. Thus is Christ made vntounto vsus of God (… garment of foure quarters) wisdome and Righteousnesse, and sanctification and redemption. 1 Cor. 1.30.1 Cor 1:30In this garment of our elder brother we obtaine the blessing,Gen. 27.Gen 27 while it causeth, our persons to be accepted, yeelding a fragrant smell in Gods nostrills, being … field, which the Lord hath blessed. This is that garment of saluation, and robe of righteousnesse. Esai. 61.10. This is the Lord our righteousnesse ▪ made ours by faith.Ier. 23.6. & 33.16. Compare diligently, and with iudgement these two places together. Psal. 32.1, 2.Jer 23:6Jer 33:16Ps 32:1Ps 32:2 Thus our nakednes & shame points to Gen. 3.10. and the covering of it to Gen. ….21. Where the Lord God himselfe maketh Coat… of skins to cloth Adam and Eve, being (in all likely-hood) the skinns of sacrificed Beasts, a type of Christ our Sacrifice, by whose righteousnes, as a skin, our sinne is covered, and our persons clothed. Although the time of this present Vial would strip vsus of this **Such, as of skinnes, durable and lasting.durable and substantiall covering, and inste…d thereof b…ing v… backe aga…ne to Adams invention, to invest our selues in his … figleaues, of selfe saving righteousnesse.

The Second garment which we must looke vntounto, is our inward garment, woven of sundry graces infused in to vsus by Gods Spirit. These by the continuall … of Gods Spirit and grace, must be woven out of our owne bowels, as the laborious thread of the silke worme thereof to m…ke a garment to cover our nakednesse, and shame from the eyes of men. And thi… i… the garment of sanctification. And forasmuch, as even the best of God… Saints may so farre forget themselues, as foolishly to fa… fowle vponupon the worlds reproach: here they are stirred vp by Christ (as it were) to take the needle of sharpe compunction, and the well twisted thread of faith, hope and Charitie, therewith to sow vp the r…nt againe, and p. 107by how much they hauehave, of carelesne… and coldnesse of affection towards God, and of he…dlesse attention and watchfulnes over their owne wayes, any way offended God or man: now upon renuing their covenant with God in Christ by faith and repentance, they may double and treble their care and zeale of glorifiyng God, edifiyng men by their example, for the time to come, so as their nakednesse and shame may be for ever covered.

But how cometh the danger of loosing our spirituall garments to be coincident & proper to the time of this Viall? Surely not without cause. Vve hauehave seene already the three vncleane spirits out of the mouth of the Dragon, and of the Beast, and of the false Prophet, as abundantly and most eminently predominant in the time of this sixt Viall: and can we expect any other, but that the world in this age should be mightily poss…ssed with the lying spirits of false Prophets, which going in sheepes clothing (being inwardly ravening wolves. Matth. 24.) would not only flea off the fleeces and fells, but also slay and devoure the sheep themselues? And when did ever false doctrines, and false Prophets out of that aforesaid triple-mouth, ever dare grow to so great a head and height (since the pouring out of the fourth, and fifth Viall) as we may begin to behold in this succeeding age? Would not the false Prophets of the Beast stripp vsus of our glorious robe of faith, while they would gueld faith of its natiue and prime quality, namely, certainty and assurance of salvation by Christ? Did not thus the apostatized Church of Rome in her Councell of Trent found her Apostacy from Christ, and from having any more communion with him, vponupon the groundlesse ground of doubtfull vncertainty, cancelling and accursing the only saving faith of Christ, by depriving it of those essentiall properties, certainty, assurance, affiance, without which saving faith can be no more saving faith, then fire can be fire without the essentiall quality of heat▪ No marvaile then, if hereupon, having cut off p. 108their right hand, to wit, the only saving and iustifying faith, by which only Christ our Righteousnesse, as a most pure and perfect garment or vesture is put vponupon vsus: they, with the left hand of human… invention and presumption, learned from apostatized Adam, are driven to weaue to themselues the Cobweb of selfe-iustification out of their owne poysonous bowells, as the Prophet makes the comparison: Esa. 59. No marvaile, if having denied that only affiance-full saving faith, which resteth assured of Gods promises, building his salvation vponupon the eternall and vnchangeable free louelove of God in Christ, electing and predestinating him to eternall life, the evidence and earnest whereof is witnessed vntounto him by the spirit of God, by whom also he is sealed to the day of finall redemption: no marvaile (I say, if men, forsaking this only firme foundation of God, whereon the faithfull are vnmoveably built, they doe invent new-old sandy foundations, building their salvation vponupon their owne fickle arbitrary will to receiue or reject grace offered, to retaine or relapse from grace (as they call it) once received, so hanging their salvation by a small haire vponupon a rotten pin. No marvaile then, if they deny faith's natiue certainty, and consequently abolish the very essence of it. For what certainty can a man hauehave of salvation, when he builds it not vponupon God, but man? In this regard therefore (so peremptory and importune are the false Prophets in the time of this sixt Viall) Christ admonisheth all his to looke most diligently to the garment of their faith.

And because the spirit of Prophecy is noted here by the spirit of Christ, to be a pregnant symptome of thi… Viall, it will not be impertinent, but rather very important and necessary, to take a briefe view (at least) of such principall doctrines, as in our dayes hauehave dared with open face, not only to confront, but altogether to suppresse and put to silence the fundamentall truthes of God. VponUpon consideration whereof, we may take the p. 109better estimate and aime, how farre forth the pouring out of this sixth Viall may seeme to fall vponupon this present age· Nor meane I here simply and solely the false docttines of Rome, and het Emissaries, which hauehave their issue immediatly and directly from that bloody Sea of the Trent Councell, mentioned before, and such as come out of the mouth of the Dragon, and of the Beast, and of the false Prophet; but a certaine collaterall offspring of false teachers, who vnderunder the name even of the true Church, doe confederate and side with the Iesuites, like Sampsons Foxes tied taile to taile. These are the only Rabbies of repute, that venditate and vent their false doctrines every where, both with their pen and tongue (at least when their pleasure is, and leisure serveth from their pragmaticall speculations, to make some rare Sermon, or Masterpeece, wherein it is their glory to seeme most learned, and the auditors happinesse, least to vnderstand them) that claim to themselues the sole title (in a manner) of the whole Church of England, as being the only Oracles, from whom all others must receiue the infallible Dictates of faith. Whatsoever, before this time, hath beene the ancient, constant, vnanimous, vniforme doctrine of the Church of England, grounded vponupon the Scriptures, sealed with the blood of so many Martyrs, witnessed by the writings of so many learned Bishops and Doctors, who lived and died in that doctrine, yea ratified by solemne Act of Parliament (which I am sure was never yet repealed, nor shall be, I trust, while England standeth) must now fall vnderunder the checke and censure of a few (at least, in their owne conceit) great Rabbies (as reserved cases for the Pope and his Cardinalls in the Court of Rome) by them to be new minted, and not to passe currant, but with the mixt base allay of the alchimy, extracted from the brainsicke limbecks of some projecting Chimists. So that not vnjustly may these also challenge a copartnership, as coagents with these former frog-like spirits, to the Kings of the earth, and to animate p. 110and inci…e them to take vp armes against Christ, and his Gospell. For by them the doctrine of Arminius is both openly avowed, and stiffely maintained, which differ nothing at all from those gracelesse Conclusions, which the Iesuites hauehave sucked from that bloody Sea of Trent, running through all the veines of the Pontifician body. To giuegive the Reader a tast hereof, I will set downe one maine Iesuiticall Proposition (among other) of Molina the Iesuite. In Praedestinatione nulla est alia Certitudo, Proposit. P.M. linae. Societatis Iesu. Protos. 15.quam Praescientia, et certitude tota, quòd Praedestinatus sit in vitam …ternam pervinturus, a Praescientia sola pendet: that is, In Predestination there is none other certitude, then of Prescience or foreknowledge, and all the certainty, that one predestinated shall come vntounto life eternall, dependeth vponupon Prescience alone. In which one Proposition is packed vp the whole mystery of Arminius, which foundeth mans salvation not vponupon Gods free grace in predestinating, but in mans free will foreseene, which foresight or prescience in God hath no other stability or certainty, but the mutability or vnconstancy of mans free-will in receiving or rejecting grace offered, and of mans power in retaining or relapsing from that grace once received. Which Iesuiticall Proposition, with the rest, is thus censured by the Dominicans. Propositio est contra sacras literas et Patres, Censura …arundem Proposit. a PP. Dominicanis Censura 15.repugnat & potissime authoritati Apostoli ad Rom. 4. Vt secundum gratiam firma sit pr… missio; qu…ni locum expendit optime S. Aug. de Praedestin▪ Sanctorum, cap. 11. Vbi ex hoc loco probat &c. This Proposition is against holy writ, and the Fathers; and chiefly it is repugnant to the authority of the Apostle Rom. the 4▪ that according to grace the promise might bee firme. Which place Saint Augustine doth excellently discusse in his booke of the Predestination of the Saints, Cap. 10.11.where from this place he proueth, that Predestination i… certain and infallible in regard of grace it selfe: for that Prescience, being but a naturall seeing (… were) through a Perspecti…e, is not grace. So they.

p. 111But to come to our Iesuited Arminians. These are they who domineering now in the Church of God, razing the very foundation of mans salvation, to wit, Gods eternall free grace and favour towards his elect: may giuegive vsus strongly to suspect, if not rather constantly to belieue, that this Vial is already begune to be poured out. Well, of what sort or ranke so ever they be, the Lord here warneth his servants to beware of such, as would strip vsus of the robe of grace and glory. Although it was well hoped, that vponupon a publicke Edict prohibiting and silencing all quarrels about the Arminian doctrine, no Popish Arminian would hauehave ben so bold, as to vent any more books in print, tending to Popery and Arminianisme, and much lesse that any publicke examiners of Books durst hauehave approved & priviledged such bookes for the Presse: yet see the mischiefe of it, by this meanes all bookes, that are written in defence of the truth, either against Arminians, or the Papists, can find no favour to passe the Presse: but such bookes, as can cunningly and slyly, vnderunder the vaile of the Church of England, reconcile Popery and Arminianisme together, may only passe for currant cum privilegio. Then which, what can be more dishonorable to his gracious Maiestyes proclamation, what more derogatory to the Gospell, what more pernicious to trouble the peace of the Church & state, let all indifferent men iudge. A few shall suffice for instance; onelyonly I omitt, for the present, to mention the names of the bookes or authours, if happily they may check themselues, and retract their errours, or call in their bookes, by the same authority whereby they were published, least persisting in them, they proue heresyes, and that not of the lowest kinde, and so come to fill vp the measure of this Viall.

In a booke printed of late,Pag. 68. there are some things much favoring Popery, and tending to the nuzzling at least of silly ignorant Papists in their blind, Idolatrous, and faithlesse religion; if not also to animate simple minded p. 112Protestants to become simple silly Papists, and so to loose that garment of salvation, which the only religion and …aith of Christ, truely professed and maintained only by the true Protestants, can invest vsus with. For the purpose, there are these words. We & our adversaries consent, that there is salvation to some in the Romaine Church. And who are those, some? It is expressed; wee acknowledge an honest ignorant Papist may be saved. And againe, we hauehave not so learned Christ, as to deny salvation to some ignorant silly soules, whose humble, peaceable obedience maks them safe among any part of men, that professe the foundation, Christ. Suffice it to name this here, as confuted in the second Vial

Not many yeares after that book, and fewer afore this present, comes out another booke (whose chiefe autors or fautors let time try out) which comming in hood-winkt vnderunder a kind of some monastick vaile of canonicall Devotion, framed also after an old worm eaten forme, published in the dawning of the Gospell in England, would prettily vnderhand draw in Popery again among vsus, & tanquam postliminio restore it to some place & grace againe in this state; at leastwise reconcile the two jarring sisters (as the former author calls them) the Church of England the Younger, and that of Rome the Elder together, yea to reduce the Church of England to an vnion with that of Rome, as being the holy Catholicke Mother Church. But this booke we hauehave elsewhere answered.

Take one instance more. But the other day comes forth a third booke, the Author of it (I dare say) of no small correspondence, with the former. He on the other side pleads for Arminius, and that not now obvoluto capite, as the former; but aperta fronte, & ex profess…. In his Epistle Dedicatory (wherein he seekes to indere his service to a great Macanas of one of our famous Academies (God grant he aime not at some of the learned Chaires, wherein to vent his not popular, nor Pulp…t speculations) p. 113he giues a dangerous by-blow to the opposites of Arminius, and his doctrines, in these words, If the man which most mislikes the Arminian or Lutheran doctrine in the points most controverted through reformed Churches, will but agree with me in these two, That the Almighty Creatour hath a true freedome in doing good, and Adams offspring a a true freedome of doing evill, I shall not dissent from him in any other points controuerted, vnlesse it be in this one, that there needs be no other controversie at all betweene the Arminians and their opposites in point of Gods Providence and Predestination. In so saying, he would seeme to imply, that the opposites of Arminius in the point specially of Predestination, doe hold a kind of stoicall fatality, and servitude in Adams offspring, necessitated by divine Decree vntounto all their evill actions. Which insinuation, how true it is, let all men, that hauehave read the workes of the Oppugners of Arminius indifferently judge; whether this be not a most notorious calumny. As if the Divine Decree did impose necessity vponupon mens wills to prosecute evill actions, because it leaveth them to their wicked wills, which of their owne nature corrupted are now free only vntounto evill. Indeed God in justice leaving man, fallen, to himselfe, leaveth him to the swindge of his corruptions, which of themselues necessarily, and yet freely runne to all excesse of riot, being altogether averse and adverse to that, which is simply good. As the Scripture saith, God saw eueryevery imagin…tion of the thoughts of mans heart to be only euill continually. Gen.

But touch we a little vponupon some passages of the boo…. The Author in the former part having soared aloft, (as he would seeme, as they say Simon Magus did at Rome) and that having his wings imped with the feathers of Philosophy, to search into the nature of the Divine Essence, whereabout he hath spent much in transcendentall (to vse his owne terme) speculations, and quintessentiall extractions, farre beyond all Divines, that went before him, eiher moderne, or ancient, yea beyond Saint Augustine, p. 114and Saint Gregory, whom he mentioneth to hauehave come short of that knowledge of God, which himselfe hath reached vntounto: he cometh in the latter part to make vse and application of the former, whence he would draw sundry cōclusion for the maintenance of the Arminian doctrine; which that he may doe, you must giuegive him leaue to show his singular opinions different from all ancient Divines, and allow him a latitude to speake ad placitum, what him listeth, tanquam e Cathedra, from Pythagoras his Chaire.

But the summe is, though he promiseth much, and professeth to know, and teach more of the Divine nature, then ever yet the world knew: yet, in the vp shott of all his discourse, he mightely confineth and limitteth Gods infinite Attributes, yea and his most liberall will it selfe to a very narrow roome, causing all of them, to hang and turne vponupon the only hinge of his prescience, As he saith, There is a goodnes obiectiue (in the creature) precedent in order of nature to the Act or ex…pcise of Gods will. And, vnlesse a thing had bin good, God had not willed it. And, When it is sayd, [things are good, because God wills them] this illatiue inferres only the cause of our knowledge, not of the goodnesse which we know. Thus by these and suchlik transcendentall speculations, whatsoever good is in the creature, must primarily proceed from some selfe-cause, or without God, and not from any cause primary absolute and independent in God. For if the act of Gods willing of good be prevented at least in order of nature by the obiectiue goodnesse in or of the creature: then the cause of the creatures goodnes is not from Gods will in order of nature and causes, but from the creature, or I wot not what externall cause out of God. And if Gods eternall will be not the prime and absolute cause of all goodnesse in the Creature: certainly his e…ernall Prescience much lesse. And so God, who is Caus… C… sarum, is stript of this honour and prerogatiue, and so robd of the glory of all that goodnesse which is in the p. 115Creature. Thus our Author, and those of his minde, to auoyd a supposed, and misiudged inconuenience, fall into a mischiefe (yea into most impious blasphemy, placing and preferring the Creature before and aboue the Creator, and so making the Creature God, as hauing a selfe-being;) least by granting Gods infinitely free, wise, just, good, and absolute independent will (according to the counsell whereof hee worketh all things, saith the Apostle) to bee the prime and originall cause of all things in the world (as his reuealed will is the rule of all things) they should seeme to admit,Ephes. 1.11.Eph 1:11 that Gods will were also the cause of Sinne: therefore they choose rather to make the Act of Gods will the effect, then the cause of the creatures goodnesse: sith this they allow to be the obiect preceding Gods will in order of nature, and not the consequent effect of it. But it is a fundamentall Principle vndeniable, Deus, ordine naturae, nihil praevidit creatum, antequam voluit creandum: God, in order of nature, foresaw nothing created, before hee first willed it to bee created. In the Creation God first gaue vntounto the Creature its Beeing, and then hee saw, that it was good. He did not first see them to be good, and after gaue them their Beeing. But, as Reuel. 4.11. For his wils sake they are, and were created. So that Gods will, in order of Nature and of causes, is before the Creatures beeing or goodnesse; his will first makes them the subiect of goodnesse, before they become the obiect of his Prescience. For nothing can be foreseene, before it first bee conceiued to hauehave a beeing: and a beeing of it selfe it cannot hauehave, but from the Will of the Creator, the prime efficient cause thereof.

It is pittie, that such as should be good Diuines, and would bee esteemed great Scholasticks, doe not bend their studies rather to finde out vponupon what strong foundation of diuine reason the ancient, catholicke, and generally receiued Doctrines of God are built, then to seeke after I wot not what sublimated speculations▪ and p. 116so boldly without the guidance of Scripture, as the cleerest Perspectiue, aspire to pry into the diuine essence, so farre, as to make a man more blind. It faring with such, as with a man, who with open eyes daring and outstaring the bright shining Sunne, is so blinded, that he hath lost the faculty of discerning the difference of obiects and colours of things below. Why doe they not rather consider of the sundry distinct Acts of Gods one and the same will? As, eyther the generall Act of his will, dispositiue, by which he disposeth and ordereth all creatures, in their motions or actions good or bad, to hi… owne glory. This dispositiue Act some call the diuine Prouidence, which extendeth it selfe to the least creature, as the Sparrow, to the least haire of our head; for in him (saith the Apostle) we liue, and moue, and hauehave our Being: or else other Acts of his will being eyther a lesser or larger latitude, as the Act of his will operatiue and productiue, as the principall efficient cause of the goodnesse or good actions in the Creature; this will of God giuing an habituall being of goodnesse to Adam in his Creation, onelyonly leauing him to the exercise thereof, according to mans owne power and will, whereof he had sufficient: but Adam being fallen, the gracious will of God not onelyonly rayseth him vp, and puts him in a better state, then before, by working grace and faith in his heart: but still goeth on with him, working in him,Phil. 1.6. & 2.13▪Phil 1:6Phil 2:13 preworking to him, and coworking with him, to bring his worke of grace to perfection. In the third place there is an Act of Gods will permissiue,Rom. 9.22.Rom 9:22 and this is properly restrained to all euill morrall actions. Aquinas hath an excellent saying,Pars 1. q. 19. Art. 9▪ c. ad 3. Deus ne que vult mala fieri, ne que vult mala non fieri: sed vult permittere mala fier…, & hoc est bonū? God neither willeth euill to be done, … willeth euil not to be done: but willeth to permit euill to be done. And this is good. Jbid.For, saith he, though euill to be done, & euill not to be done, be contradictoriously opposite: yet to will euill to be done, & to will euill not to be done, are not contradictoriously p. 117opposed, sith both is affirmatiue. But the Author hath quite forgot to bee a practicke president of that to others, whereof, like a great Master, he would prescribe the only rule and way of the attaining to the true knowledge of God. For he would hauehave them to fetch the knowledge of God from the fountaines, and not from the trenches. I would himselfe had done thus, and not rather raked his doctrines out of some puddle eyther of Philosophie, or Schoole-diuinitie, to which he would reduce, and refine Saint Augustine, and Saint Gregorie.

But pardon my digression. I proceed. The author vponupon his former premisses in placing the goodnesse of the Creature in order of nature before Gods absolute will, and consequently making the creatures goodnesse onelyonly the preceding obiect, and not the consequent effect of Gods will, as the supreame and prime cause of all goodnesse in the creature, flowing from thence as the streame from the fountaine, inferreth many insolent conclusions. I will name but some of them, and but name them onelyonly, with a touch, and away. For example: That God hath an infinite louelove to all mankind without difference, without exception. And surely wonderfull is that foreign or louelove of mankind in God. But by your leaue, there is great difference betweene mankind before the fall, and after. Before the fall, God loued man as a good creature, such as he had made him: but after the fall, man hauing defaced Gods image, and receiued the stamp of Satans image, is now become of himselfe, and of his owne making, or marring rather a corrupt creature, hatefull to God. Againe, is there not great difference betweene Gods louelove to man considered in the first Adam in the state of innocencie: and betweene Gods louelove to man after the fall, as considered in Christ the second Adam? yet our Author puts none at all.

Againe, he bringeth the doctrine of the Church of p. 118England as he interpreteth and that in three Collect…, to proue the infinite louelove of God to mankind, in that God will hauehave all men indifferently and without exception, to be saued. Surely the Author seemes to be very hard driuen, and brought to a low ebbe, that is faine to fetch his water out of a poore Collect or two. What childe of this famous Church, doth not reuerence and submit to the authoritie of this his Mother? But who shall be the Church of Englands interpreter? Any priuate spirit? Or who dare say, that the doctrine of the Church of England is any other then the doctrine of the Scriptures? For once diuide the doctrine of our Church from the Scripture, and then we shall quickly come to that passe, to belieue as the Church belieueth; or, as the Church of Rome belieueth. And how is that? As the Scriptures teach? No; but as the Pope teacheth, and interpreteth; or, as the Pope belieueth. How belieuest thou? as the Church of England. How is that? As such, or such a learned great man, or great learned man (perhaps as great in conceit in the Church of England, as the Pope in Rome) belieueth or interpreteth. But it was the custome of the ancients, in case of controuersie in faith, to call, Ad fon…es; they went not to the cesterne, but to the fountaines, the Scriptures. If any therefore should presume to interpret the words of the Church of Englands doctrines to any other sense, then the Scriptures teach, is worthy at least of his Mothers rod, if not of his fathers high displeasure. But do not the Scriptures put an infinit difference betweene Gods louelove to his owne elected ones, and others, who are none of Christs sheepe. Read John 13.1. The father loued his owne. And 2. Tim. 2.19. And Iohn 17.2.9.11.12▪ 24. Yea, and doth not our Mother Church of England reduce Gods louelove to mankinde in redeeming of vsus, to his elect people in sanctifying of them by his spirit? I would such great Rabbies were a little better versed in their Catechisme, before they vented such nouell p. 119Aphorismes. We hauehave to answere touching our Creed. Thirdly, I belieue in God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me and all the elect people of God. This is our Mothers doctrine, according to the voice of her Husband, Iohn. 17. Prou. the sixt verse vntounto the end of the chapter. Enough to put to silence all Arminian vniuersalists. Read also the 17. Article of Predestination, which fully cleared the Church of Englands minde in this point.

But thirdly, he will proue that God loues all men alike, because all men are alike redeemed by his Sonne. And this he will also proue from the doctrine of the Church of England. Which is answered, as before. The Scripture saith [in matter of censure] heare the Church: but in matter of faith and doctrine, heare him, that is, Christ. The Church must euer submit her doctrines to the touchstone of the Scripture. And so the Church of England doth I am sure. And what saith the Scripture of the redemption by Christ, and for whom. Read Ioh. 10.5. I lay downe my life: for whom? for the sheepe. And Act. 20.28. The Lord hath with his owne blood purchased: whom? The Church of God. But other Scriptures say, that Christ died for all men. Those all must be reduced to all Christs sheepe, being scattered ouer all the world; for these onelyonly he laid downe his life: these onelyonly he purchased with his blood: these onelyonly he prayes for▪ whom he laies downe his life for, Joh. 17.9. read the place, and marke it well; and consider.

But in this point we need no other opposition but the Authors Tenet, Pag. 170.then his owne contradictory confession. He saith, Nothing can make the Creature hatefull or odious to the Creator, besides its hatred or enmity of that louelove, by which it was created, and by which he sought the restauration of it, when it was lost. Nor is it (saith he) eueryevery degree of mans hatred or enmity vntounto God, but a full measure of it, which vtterly exempts man from his louelove. VponUpon whomsoeuer he would father this doctrine, sure wee are, the Apostle saith,Ephes. 2.3.Eph 2:3 that by nature we are borne p. 120the children of wrath, as well as other. Doe we not then bring enough with vsus into the world to pull Gods hatred vponupon vsus, besides the height of malice against God contracted in the world? Doth not the least sinne deserue Gods hatred and wrath vponupon vsus?

But this hee contradicteth againe, saiyng, That Christ onelyonly receiued our infirmities, Pag. 181.and originall disease, and not the contempt of him, and his law. Now if Christ did receiue our infir…ties onelyonly, and originall disease: yet euen those then cost Christ his pretious blood, yea, and made him a curse for vsus, and to cry, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me. And was there euer any sorrow like to his sorrow? But you say, Christ receiued not the contempt of him, and his law. You meane then, that Christ died not for contemptuous sinners? And if Christ died not for the rebellious contemner, what shalbe become of a great many in these daies, that not onelyonly contemne, but oppose, and seeke to oppresse the knowne truth? Surely the state of such is very exceeding dangerous, yet I dare not say desperate, which yet should be desperate, if Christ died not for the greatest sinnes, euen sinnes of rebellion and presumption, as well as of infirmity. Was there not in the law a Sacrifice,Leuit. 6.Lev 6 as well for sinnes of presumption, as of infirmity. And was not that Sacrifice a type of Christ. And doth not God in the 50. Psalme, preach repentance euen to the contemner of his knowne word? But if he repented, how should he be pardoned, vnlesse Christ tooke vponupon him the centempt of him, and his law? But I hope some of the Authors con…orts, (at least) will discipline him well fauourdly for such a doctrine as no lesse vncomfortable, then vnsound. In vaine else doe Preachers beat the ayre in preaching repentance to habituated contemners, if Christ bore not all kind of sinne vponupon him. We read of no sinne, but it is pardonable, sauing that against the holy Ghost; and that also, say the Fathers, if a man could repent of it, were pardonable; and if pardonable vponupon faith and repentance, no doubt p. 121but Christ tooke even that vponupon him also. Indeed if a man runne on in sinne, with a high hand, hating to bee reformed, contemning the Ministry of the word, and so persist and dye in his impenitency, it is euident that Christ the Lambe of God hath not taken away the sin of that man.

But in the fourth place, he saith,Pag. 180. That God loues all men vnfainedly as they are men, or as men, which hauehave not made vp the full measure of iniquity. But hauing made vp that, or hauing their soules betrothed vntounto wickednesse, he hates them. His hate of them as reprobates, is no lesse necessary, or vsuall, then his louelove of them as men. But though he necessarily hates them, being once become reprobates, or hauing made vp the full measure of iniquitie; yet was there no necessitie laid vponupon them by his eternall Decree, to make vp such a measure of iniquitie. So he yet a little before, where he saith, God vnfainedly loueth all men: God doth not louelove▪ but hate the Reprobate, although they be men▪ yea the greatest part of men: I well hoped, that confessing there are Reprobates, he would come to some more reasonable tearmes about his vniuersall Redemption. But reading on to the words aboue related, I was put by that hope, when I saw he allowed none for Reprobates, but such, as by filling vp the measure of their iniquitie become thereby Reprobates. But when comes a man to make vp the measure of his iniquitie? Before hee dye? Who can tell that? Or else, who dare say, such a man is a Reprobate, because he goes on in his sinne with a …igh hand and repenteth not? Indeed such impenitency is for the time a signe of a Reprobate: yet not sure; for he may by Gods grace come to repent. And if by Gods great grace he come to repent before he dye: how was he then a Reprobate? Vnlesse yee will say, that a Reprobate may be saued. But then yee should contradict your selfe, saying, that Christ tooke not vponupon him the sinnes of such Reprobates.

But by saying, There was no necessity laid vponupon them, p. 122by his eternall Decree, to make vp such a measure of iniquity. Doth he acknowledge an eternall Decree then of reprobation? No surely, for he cannot conceiue (at least he pretends so) how there can bee an eternall Decree of reprobation, without a necessary inference of a necessity laid vponupon Reprobates, to fill vp the measure of their iniquity, will they, nill they. Surely, God doth not impose a necessity vponupon Reprobates to continue and make vp the measure of their sin, because of his eternall Decree: but they being thereby justly left to the swing of their owne will, and to the tyranny of Satan, are by Satan and their own seruile lust necessitated, yea by him as their rider whipt and spurd a gallop, till they become to the end of sins race, the wages whereof is death. And as we say, They must needs goe, whō the Diuell driues. And saith the Apostle,2. Tim. 2.26.2 Tim 2:26 such the Diuell takes captiue at his wil. Yet in the same place, of such the Apostle leaues vsus not without hope, If God peraduenture will giuegive them repentance, to the acknowledgement of the truth, and that they may recover themselues out of the snare of the diuell. Wee are to vse meanes of repentance to such, as are most deboyst, and desperate sinners, because we know not who are Reprobates, vnlesse God reueale them vntounto vsus▪ as he did to Samuel, forbidding him to pray for Saul, seeing the Lord had reiected him.

The Author hath warily (to my obseruation) auoyded to touch vpō the example of Jacob & Esau in the womb, of whom the Apostle saith, that before they had done either good or euill actually,Pag. 171. God loued Iacob, and ha…ed Esau. Only in one place he saith, that God hateth no man (not Esau) as he is a man (which is true) but as a sinner, but as an enemy or contemner of his goodnes. But Esau in the wombe, before he had done any actuall euil, was hated of God. But that the Author attributes to Gods prescience only, and not to his justice, in hating Esau, as hee now found him in the wombe, the child of wrath, and impe of damnation, condemned in originall sin, and in the fall of Adam, on whom the sentence of death passed. p. 123And as for Pharaoh, Pag. 179.he maketh him only an extraordinary and singular example, out of the sphere of common Reprobates, as no way conce…ning them; although the Apostle propounds him as a type of Reprobates, as Esau was; Pharaoh and his Aegyptians being typically the malignant enemies and Oppressors of Gods Church, such as Reprobates are. For vponupon the example of Gods hardening Pharaohs heart, the Apostle inferreth this generall conclusion, Therefore hath he mercy, on whom he will hauehave mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth: Rom. 9.17, 18.

In a word, to omit many other particulars (the whole requiring a full and intire confutation) to proue that Gods will is to hauehave all men saved without difference, he quotes a place out of Ezechiell thus: As I liue, saith the Lord, I will not the death of him that dieth, Pag. 172.but rather that he should repent, and liue. This place is, by the Arminians perverting, and misunderstanding, their common refuge, whereby to elude all other places of Scripture, which doe clearly and vnanimously informe vsus in the mystery of God touching our salvation. Yet the Author hath so set it downe, as it is no where to be found, no not in Ezechiell, totidem verbis. But not to quarrell about words, Ezechiell indeed hath a saying somewhat like vntounto it, as Chapter 18.32. and Chapter 33.11. The maine thing the Author stands vponupon, is Gods Oath; whence he would conclude, that it is Gods vnfained will to hauehave all men saved, not only genera singulorum, all sorts of men, but singula generum, every one of all sorts. Now who will charge God of dealing deceitfully, yea although he did not sweare at all, but gaue vsus his bare word only? Let God be true, and every man a lyar. Yet the Author putts a great difference betweene Gods Oath, and his bare word; as if God were not as well to be believed vponupon his bare word, as vponupon his Oath. But why then doth he sweare? For no other cause, but when he is to deale with an incredulous and vnbelieving people; as many times a man cannot be believed on his word, vnlesse p. 124he sweare. And with whom had God now to deale▪ Was it not with an incredulous and rebellious people? See Ezech: 33.10: the people say, If our transgressions and our sinnes be vponupon vsus, and we pine away in them, how should we then liue? The people were so farre gone in sinne, that now they despaired of Gods great goodnesse and mercy, yea that they thought now the sentence of judgement was so passed vponupon them, as it could not be reversed, although they should repent, and turne from their sinnes. Now out of this stubborne infidelity the Lord by his Prophet labours to pull them, as it were by the threefold cable of his Oath. Thus God is faine to condescend to the weake condition of his people, by attempering his word in the ministry thereof in such wise vntounto them, as it may become the more fit and potent instrument to worke in them repentance, and conversion vntounto God.

And whereas our Author would pin vponupon his opposites an imputation of mainteining a necessary contradiction or opposition betweene Gods reveiled & secret will, as if in his revealed will he willeth all men to be saved without exception, but in his secreet will restraineth them to a few: it is a meere cavil, and uniust quarrell▪ For howsoever God in his word hath manifested the mystery of his freegrace and louelove in his immutable counsell of electing a certaine n…mber of men vntounto salvation; a Fundamentall, which all Arminian sophistry stands amaz…d at, and against which the gates of hell shall never prevaile: yet seeing God hath not revealed vntounto men in particular who they be that are elect, but in this poynt hath given vsus his revealed will, not only for the regulating of all our thoughts, words, and actions, but also as the only ordinary meanes to bring all his people elect to an effectvall participation and fruition of grace and glory by Iesus Christ: and seeing no man in particular, though never so wicked, and so farre gone in sin, and sunke downe in rebellion, is (for ought he knoweth) p. 125excluded from salvation, if vponupon the word of grace preached he belieue and repent (which was the case of this people in Ezechiel) and seeing faith & repentance is requyred in every one that heares the word, that he may be saved, and not the elect themselues are exempted from this condition of believing: therefore after what maner soever God doth accommodate and apply himselfe vntounto vsus in the dispensation of his word, whither by ptomises or threatnings, whither by word or oath, he doth but as a fisherman, that to diverse kinds of fish vseth divers hookes, baites, and lines, some stronger, some weaker, as the Apostle saith, I am become all things to all men, that I might by all meanes saue some. And who be those some? Certainely in the end they proue to be no other, but Gods elect. Gods word being like to a dragne…, which taketh all manner of fish at least by the externall calling, (many are called) which drawne to shore in the Resurrection, the good are gathered into vessells (few are chosen) and the bad are cast away.

Now forasmuch as Gods secret ones, his elect, before their effectuall calling to the state of grace, are in all kind… and degrees naturally as wicked and corrupt, as any of the serpents seed, blind, incredulous, rebelious as those people of the Iewes were; and seeing wheresoever the word comes to be preached, there are ever some whom God will effectual…y saue by the ministry of it (as might be proved, if we had not exceeded the bounds of a digression) or at least wise, Gods word wherever preached, returneth not in vaine, but accomplisheth that which God will hauehave it, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sends it, Esa 55 11: cannot God then vse his owne meanes and wayes to call men to repentance, and so fit his i…str…ments, as whereby effectually to worke the grace of faith and repentance in their hearts; but m…n must quarrell the wisdome of God herein, and so pervert the externall dispensation of his will, as either his written word must interfere vponupon his secret … ▪ p. 126or else downe must fall the whole eternall and immutable Counsell of God? Which what is it else, but to pull God out of heaven, and as the heathen Oratour said, More Gyganta… bellare cum Dijs? Againe, sith no man knowes who are of the elect, who otherwise, but that every one being alike by nature a sinner, and so (for ought we know) may come to be saved by the word of faith preached: cannot this word then be preached to all indifferently, vnlesse all without exception be saved by it effectually? Let vsus hearken to this word, and obey it. The Elect who they be, is one of Gods Secrets: The Lord know…th who are his: and, Let eueryevery one that nameth the name of Christ, depart fr…m iniquity. And, as Moses saith, The secret things belong vntounto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed, belong vntounto vsus, and to our Children for ever, that we may doe all the words of this Law. Deut. 29.29. To conclude then, it is not good to remoue the ancient baunds of Gods eternall truth, least men pull the Curse vponupon them:Deut. 27.17. Pro. 22.28.Deut 27:17Prov 22:28 it is a sound and safe rule, first to let all positiue truthes in Scripture to stand vnmoveable in their full strength: and if there be any other places, either of …xhortation, or admonition, or redargution, or the like, whereby God vsually worketh vponupon mens affections, these must not overthrow Gods fundamentall truthes, laid downe positiuely and expresly in his word, whereupon our judgements and faith must rest firme and fixed. Neither let men too curiously pry into the Arke of Gods secrets, as to know how many, or who they are, that shall be saved: but as Christ answered to his inquisitiue Disciples, moving a fruitlesse question, [Are there few that shall be saued?] Striue ye (saith he) …o enter in at the strait gate. Luk. 13.23, 24. Meddle not we with others matters, but labour we to be found in Christ, and so to belieue and follow Gods word, as we may come to find our selues in the number of Gods elect, reioycing that our names are written in heaven; as Christ, checking Peter about Iohn, said, Follow thou me. Ioh. 21.22.

p. 127I hauehave beene the longer in noting the corrupt and rotten doctrines of these times, now growne to such a height, as they threaten to pull Christ out of his Chaire, and to divest his true Disciples of the garment of faith, and salvation; to the end, that the discovery of them (though but briefe for the present) may cause vsus the more carefully to attend, and put in practise Christs watch word, and no lesse serious, then seasonable admonition in this place. And so much the more, by how much the abounding of false doctrines in these our times, even razing the foundation of Gods Grace, may point vsus, as it were with the finger, and induce vsus to belieue, that now already this sixth Viall is begun in a great measure to be poured out, hastening on the next; and so to stirre vp our dull sides to keepe the stricter watch. And here also we are given to note by the way, how the great battell is first begun to be fought after a spirituall manner, by the armies and forces of false Prophets in this Viall, never more plentifull, powerfull, and perillous then now; and so much the more perillous, by how much they cover their heresies with the guilefull pretences of the Reformed Religion, as of the Church of England. This spirituall warre of theirs is nothing els▪ but a beating vp of the Drum, and sounding the Alarme in the eares of the Kings of the earth, to induce, seduce them to a confederacy and part-taking with the Beast against the Lambe, with Antichrist against Christ. But the Lambe shall certainly overcome them. Magna est veritas, et praevalet.

And againe, because ever, where false doctrines begin to venditate themselues (specially such as strike at the very root of the Gospell, Gods free grace, and saving faith) they draw after them a traine of all vices, and daring sinnes at their heele… (as Simon Magu… did that huge troope of his Samaritan Disciples) intoxicating the heart and affections with the Circean Cup of their selfe-seducings, forgoing and forgetting all conscience p. 128and honesty to become great and high, as if their ambition aimed at the very throne of the Beast himselfe: therefore also Christ admonisheth his servants, to keepe a diligent watch over their wayes, and guird the garment of sobriety closse about them, least it be torn from their back, either with the malignant teeth and tongues of false Prophets, and croking Froggs, which with their Sardonian smiles would scoffe Lady vertue and Grace ou… of her …ober habit, to put on the new fangle fashions of the time: or by the impetuous torrent of all lawlesse examples of profuse and prodigious manners, of proud and ambitious …onnes of Belial, the only heires apparant to all earthly greatnesse. And by watching here is implied, that carnall security, and beastly …urquedry, all excesse in eating and drinking (which are enemies to watching) are proper symptomes of this Viall. And aboue all, drunkennesse. For that strips a man of his garment, makes him naked, and men see his shame. Noah was once drunke, and he lay vncouered in his Tent, that his shame was seene. But now he is accounted no man, that will not drinke drunke, till he lie vnderunder the Table, like a dogg at his vomit, or wallow in the kennell, like a hogg in the mire. Thus it is in this Viall, as in the dayes of Noah, they eat, they dranke: noting the excesse of all deboshtnesse. In this regard therefore, Christ admonisheth his servants to w…ch, and that the more diligently, because of the dangerous state of the time of this Viall, overgrowne with carnall security, and overflowne with that borrowed German sinne of drunkennesse. And to incourage his servants, (least they should be too much dejected with the worlds …omps and affronts, as standing too strictly vponupon points) Christ pronounceth them to be blessed, that watch and looke well to their garments of faith and holinesse, howsoever the misdeeming world deeme them fooles …or their labour.

In the second rela…ion, Christ here insert… this gratious admonition and watchword, not only as a preservatiue p. 129from the present corruptions, but as a preparatiue to fore-arme them against the imminent perill and triall of the great day of God Almighty. This is that Panoply…, or complete armour recommended vntounto vsus, Eph. 6: which taking vponupon vsus, we may be able to stand fast in the evill day. It is saving faith, and a good conscience, which as an armour of proofe, will beare a man out, and bid defiance to all worldly feares. And vnlesse we renew our Covenant with God of faith and obedience, and so set our selues in a way of reformation, thus having God reconciled vntounto vsus, and made on our side: It may be said to vsus, as to those in Amos, Woe vntounto you, that desire the day of the Lord; To what end is it for you▪ The day of the Lord is darknesse, and not light: Amos. 5.18. Certainly to all those, who appertaine to the confederacy of the Beast and false Prophet, to all profane and impenitent persons, the great day of God Almighty shall be a darke and dismall day. Men may see this (if they will) in the previous light skirmishes, what is like to be their successe in the maine battell. No prosperity, no successe even to those that professe to stand on Truthes side, so long as their face is turned the other way, or which is worse, while Iulus-like they looke both wayes, halting betweene two with prevaricating feet, having on the Linsey-Wolsey garment, neither hot, nor cold, and the like. What hauehave these to doe with the great day of God Almighty? Certainly such, if they repent not of their damnable heresies, doe bring vponupon themselues swift destruction;2 Pet, 2.1, 2, 3. Forasmuch as by their pernicious wayes, which many doe follow, the way of truth is evill spoken off; whose iudgement therefore now long ago lingreth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. But on the contrary, he that hath on the former armor, his garments of justification by faith, and of sanctification joyned with repentance, desireth nothing more, then to see this great day of God Almighty, even hastening vntounto it, as Saint Peter speaketh: 2 Pet. 3.

And he gathered them together into a place, called in the p. 130Hebrew tongue, Armageddon. In which fourth and last clause of this Viall, are three things, or circumstances, very remarkable. First, of the Person that assembleth or rangeth the Warriours; and that is, the great Muster-Master, even the Lord of Hosts, He gathered. Secondly, of the Persons assembled, Them; and those are the very enemies of his Church, that warre against the Lambe, and those on his side, who are the Called, and chosen, and faithfull. Thirdly, of the Place, where the battell is pight▪ and to be fought, called here Armageddon. We will speak of the last first, as most difficult.

This word Armageddon, is diversly taken by Interpreters: Mr. Fox.Some referre it as alluding to that place called Mageddo in the fifth of Iudges, where Deborah and Barack discomfited the host of Sisera, at the waters of Mageddo. Whereupon Deborah in her gratulatory song, singeth, by a Propheticall spirit, So let thine enemyes perish, Iudg. 5.2.28, 29Judg 5:2Judg 5:28Judg 5:29O Lord. And surely if we compare the presumptuous confidence of the enemyes of Gods Church in this Vial, to that of Sisera, and of the Ladies of his Court, against Israell, triumphing before the victory, it may be a good allusion. To which discomfiture also the Prophet Dauid alludes (Psal. 82.) where he prayeth against all the enemyes of the Church, which prowdly say, Let vsus take to our selues the houses of God in possession; Let vsus make havocke of these Puritan Gospellers, and of the name of Protestants: Do thou unto them, as to the Madianites,Psal. 83.9.12. Iudg. 5.21.19.Ps 83:9Ps 83:12Judg 5:21Judg 5:19 as to Sisera, as to Iabin, at the brooke of Kison, to wit, at the waters of Mageddo.

Mr. Forbes.Others apply this place not only to the overthrow of Gods enemies, but withall to the valley of Mageddo, where King Iosias was slaine, which was cause of great lamentation to Iuda. 2 King. 23. 2 Chron. 35.2 Kgs 232 Chr 35But whereas this might make against the destruction of Antichrist, and his Confederates here, which shalbe cause and matter of much joy & comfort to Gods people: the some Author solues it thus, that vponupon the fall of Antichrist, the whole Nation of the p. 131Iewes shalbe …onverted, and shall hereupon take vp a bitter lamentation for their long and obdurate obstinacy, now in a godly sorrow for their sinne, weeping to see him whom they had pierced, according to that, Zach. 12.

Some relate others opinions of Armageddon, Mr. Bullinger.as either to signifie excidium rivi, the cutting off of the River, as alluding to Babylons Euphrates: or exercitus vastationis, the Army of desolation. Others deriue it of Har, which is Hill, and Magedon, delightsome or pretious, alluding to the Church of God, the Mountaine of Gods delight, as Psal. 82.1, 2.

The Royall Paraphrast in his Epistle before his Paraphrase, sets downe first his owne opinion,King Iames. deriving the word of Harma, or Guarma, and Geddon, as much as, destruction by deceit; because (saith he) it is the name of the place, where the wicked being assembled together by the alluring and deceit of Satan, and his three spirits of Devills, …o make warre with the faithfull, were all destroyed by God, and so their destruction came, and was procured by deceit. To which also he is pleased to adde two opinions of others: as, first, to signify destruction by waters, to wit, peoples: or, secondly, to allude to Ioshuah's discomfiting of the Kings, Gods enemies vponupon the Hill of Mageddon; as here, Har, and Mageddon, the Hill of Mageddon.

But now in such a variety of opinions, where shall we pitch? Surely we may safely take direction herein from the Royall Paraphrast, who saith, I condemne not others, but rather allow them to interprete this booke diversly, King Iames in his Preface the Epistle to the Church Militant, before his Paraphrase.so being it agree with the analogy of faith, with the method of the text, et cum serie temporum; for these three being observed, it may fall out, that diverse diversly expound one place, and yet all be according to the truth, and meaning of the spirit of God. An excellent rule (well beseeming that Pacifique Prince) to reconcile diversity of opinions, so they bound themselues to the analogy and confines of faith. So that in all these differences of derivations of this word Harmageddon, finding none of them to swerue from the Analogy p. 132of the text, we may safely imbrace all. Only two are most pregnant, and may seeme to challenge the most certaine credit afore all the rest. First, that this great battell shall be vponupon the Hill of Gods delight, to wit, his Church, and especially there, where the Gospell is most conspicuous, and shineth most clearely, against which, the envy of the Antichristian army, shall advance the Standard. Paralell hereunto is that battell of Gog and Magog (chapter 20) the secret and open enemies of Gods Church, wherein they shall compasse the tents of the Saints about, and the holy City, even the Church of Christ. And we hauehave a notable type hereof in the Prophecy of Daniell; where the great Antiochus (a liuely type of Antichrist) is said, in that his fatall battaile to his owne confusion, to pitch the Tents of his Pallace between the Seas, in the glorious holy Mountaine. Dan. 11.45.Dan 11:45This may prefigure Antichrists assaulting the people of God in Armageddon, to wit, the glorious holy Mountaine, the Church. And doth not the glorious Church in England stand betweene the Seas? The second is, that of y^e royall Paraphrast, though no way second, but rather may challenge precedency before all the rest, for the singular allusion of it, Destruction by deceit. Which doth highly make for the honour of that Lord of Hosts, who by his wisdome and power shall wind and turne all the wiles and stratagems of the old Dragon, and false Prophet, all the power and puissance of the Beast to their owne destruction. And for this cause it is said here, He, to wit, God shall gather them together into a place, called Harmageddon.

But this may seeme strange, that God should lead this potent and proud army even to his owne Mountaine of Delights, his Church. No, not strange. Did not the Holy spirit lead Christ into the wildernesse, to be temped of the Devill? And hath not God power over all these plagues? And was it not he, that brought that daring Assyrian Host against the holy Citty in Ezechia's raigne, as even that blasphemous Rabsache seemed to p. 133vaunt, and all to da…nt poore Iuda. A…d was it not He, that said to Barak, I will draw out vntounto thee to the River Kish…n, Sisera &c. Iudg. 4.7. Read also Ioel 3: where the Lord being about to deliver his people from the Babylonian bondage, he saith, ver. 2. I will gather all Nations, and will bring them downe into the valley of Iehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people &c. And ver. 11. Thither cause thy mighty ones to come downe, O Lord; that is, Gods enemies, as ver. 12. Read the whole chapter. It is a notable type of this in the seventh Viall. But what was the event of all? How sped the Devill? How sped Rabshache with his mighty Host? How Sisera? How, I pray you, should they speed, when a more potent, a more politicke Adversary, even the Lord of Hosts, take… their conduct into his owne hand, and puts his bridle into their nostrills? Can an enemy, though never so powerfull, looke to prosper in any great attempt, when his adversary hath a secret disposing hand to direct and sway all his designes which way himselfe pleaseth? The King of Syria's Counsells, and his words spoken in his bed chamber against Israel, could they take place, when both there was a faithfull Elisha, to warne the King of Israell of them, and a prudent King, willing to be directed by his good counsell? What shall become of Pharaoh and his huge host, when as God hardeneth his heart, making him foolhardy to pursue Israell, and that even through the red Sea, on whose dry channell when he first set his proud foot, he might easily hauehave read his owne fatall wrack from those watery mountains on each side, (like swelling walls ready to burst) so soone as once Gods people were safely arrived? Iust so is it here. He, the Lord assembleth Antichrists forces into the place called Harmageddon. And can they then looke for any better successe, then such as Pharaoh, and his Aegyptians found? Surely no. Be confounded then with feare, ô ye Antichristian adversaries of Christ, and his Church. Against whom doe you confederate, and band your forces p. 134together … Of vponupon what presumption? Hath not the Virgin, the Daughter of Sion despised thee, O enemy? Hath not the daughter of Ierusalem shaken her head at thee? Whom hast thou reproched, and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice? Is it not against the holy one of Israell? Esa. 57.22. Is it not He; that puts his hooke in thy nose, leading thee to the place of thy perdition, where thou notwithstanding in the beastly-wide throat of thy false confidence hast already swallowed downe the destruction of Gods people, as at a morsell? Oh that this might sinke into the hard skull of thy senslesse Beastly-head to be better advised, and without feare o… witt to enter the lists, where the Almighty takes vp the quarrell against thee! But now it is hid from thine eyes. Thou wilt needs try thy Triarian forces in one maine battell, wherein thy Pontifician Omnipotency dare cope with divine Omnipotency, if haply the triple-crowned Godhead on earth, may dethrone the God of heaven, as often he hath done the petty Gods on earth.

Nor can the time of this Vialls full accomplishment, for the bringing of this maine battell to a head, be farre off from the first pouring out. The iniquity raigning in this Viall, and the mad malice of the enemy, and Gods fatherly care for his Church, least it should be swallowed vp, doe all conspire and concurre to hasten this great Day of God Almighty. The time of this Viall comprehending those dangerous last dayes, whereof Christ saith, For the Elects sake those dayes shall be shortened: Mat: 24.22. And this seemeth to be spoken not so much in regard of outward pressures, and persecutions of the Church, as of intestine false doctrines, very potent and prevalent in this Viall. By which the Church of God being so mightily oppugned and assaulted, not without good reason may the battell of the great day be said, in the spirituall part, to be already begun. Begun, say I▪ Nay, I trust, it is as good as done, the victory remaining on the Lambes side, and those with him, the Called, and p. 135chosen, and faithfull. And how doughtily hath the Dragon, and his party, those vnclean spirits bestirred themselues, in this spirituall or Ecclesiasticall conflict against the truth and Gospell of Christ? Who seeth not with what confidence they hauehave beene puffed vp, as if already they had won the field? What a high hand had they gotten over the Church of Christ, in suppressing the truth (in as much as in them lay) that it might not be maintained either in Print, or in Pulpitts? How began all kind of wicked heresy, opposing and impugning Gods Grace, and Mans Salvation, to strout and vaunt it selfe, both by Printing, and Preaching, bidding open defiance to the truth, and the Professors of it? Insomuch as it was (in mans eye) whether for a penny should get the conquest, couragious Truth, or outrageous Errour. The conflict was so eagre, as I said to my friends for their comfort, it was the Devills last heaue. But blessed be God, we hauehave seene his head already broken; and his whole body will follow after. And as Christ hath begun to conquer in behalfe of his truth; so this is an inducement to that other conquest at the battell of the great day of God Almighty over all the Antichristian enemies, in the behalfe of all his children, the Professors and followers of his truth.

In the meane time, O Virgin daughter Sion, here is exceeding joy, and abundant consolation for thee. Thou hast many, mighty, malicious, mischievous enemies. But thy God hath given thee sufficient proofe of his protecting hand. As he hath begun, so hee will make an end. The Church shall yet be assaulted on every side by all the forces the enemy can make. But it is the Lord God Almighty that leadeth them to destruction, as followeth in the next Viall.

But me thinkes I heare againe some object (as not yet satisfied) that those Froggs hauehave in other ages beene as busie, as now, and therefore this time cannot so rightly challenge and appropriate to it selfe the pouring out p. 136of this Viall. Why? What hauehave I said? That this Viall is already poured out? Pardon me for that. Let the truth it selfe be the triall of the time, and the time the triall of the truth. It is true indeed, that those Froggs ever since their first hatching, hauehave not beene idle, but as actiue as spirits; yet one thing is further to be noted, as a peculiar marke or symptome of this Viall, namely, that th…se Froglike spirits, comming out of the mouth of the Dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the false Prophet, giuegive vsus thus much to note (and it is very notable) that the age of this Viall (when ever it is) is haunted and possessed with a triple spirit domineering and revelling in the world; yea, and especially in the Church of God; As Christ saith, Mat. 24.15. Mar. 13.14. When ye see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place, where it ought not (let him that readeth, consider it) then let them that are in Iudea, in the Church, looke to it. For out of the Church no discerning of the times of these Vialls. It is out of the Temple, that the Angells poure out their Vialls: vsefull only to the Church of Christ. The first is, the spirit of craft, and serpentine cunning, comming out of the mouth of the Dragon (Chapter 13.2 and 12.3. and 20.2. and 12.9.) the Devill, the old subtile serpent, more crafty then any Beast of the field o… Gods making. For so much doth the mention of the Dragon here import, whence these spirits come. The second, is the spirit of vsurped power and domination, signified by these spirits, coming out of the mouth of the Beast. For the Beast, signifieth especially that power Imperiall of Rome, which the Pope vsurpeth, as ye may see in the 13. Chapter. The third, is the spirit of false doctrines, and lying Prophets, and Ministers; which is signified by the spirits coming out of the mouth of the false Prophet. Now, when ever we find a time, wherein the spirit of craft, of lawlesse vsurped power, and of false doctrines are most predominant, and arrived to as great a height, as is possible, without p. 137the full abrogation of all lawes humane, and divine: we need then goe no further to seeke out the most speciall time, wherein this Viall is poured ou…. So that when ever you see the world fully possessed with the spirit of new pollicies and projects, of the quintessences of all quaint and witty devices (but all distilled from the Limbeck or Limbo of the Dragons crafty head) all of them tending to that very end and scope, which the Dragon mainly aimes at, namely the ruine of well settled states, and of the true Church of God: when ever you see, from the Dragons mouth, inspiring his machiavellian Athe…sticall instruments and Ministers, the subtile spirits vnderunder this Viall, to goe about to governe the state of the world, both Ecclesiasticall and civill, by the cleane strength of their vncleane braines: which must needs concurre with the high contempt of Gods wisdome and word, with the senselesse scorne of all ancient, true policy, prudence, & providence, which the wisest Statesmen of the world hauehave vsed, for the well managing & making of their estates not only secure, but glorious: when ever you see plenty of pragmaticall Punies or skipiack-froggs, which by the inspiration of the Dragon, dare vndertake with the very Engines of their wit (as Archimedes did Sirac…sa, which yet was surprized, while he was over busily a drawing of his circles) to maintaine their goodly Provinces against all incounters: when ever you see the world so pestered with these working spirits, as nothing can be expected, but the utter wrack of whatsoever is the object of the Dragons malice and envy: then (be sure) is the time of the pouring out of this Viall, of those spirits raigning, which come out of the mouth of the Dragon.

Againe, when ever you see high and mighty spirits (especially Ecclesiastickes, signified by the vsurping Beast) to mount vponupon the wings of their ambition to such a height of vnruly rule, as to vsurpe a lawlesse and boundlesse power over all, whose lusts must stand for p. 138lawes, who Sampson-like knap insunder, as tow, the strongest chaines of all law and conscience, who (Beast-like will be confined within no lists of common reason, and humanity, who goe about to overturne all well settled Monarchies, being firmely built vponupon fundamentall lawes of the State, and would turne them into lawlesse Tyranny, or Anarchy; then (be sure) is the pouring out of this Vial, wherein these spirits come out of the mouth of the vnreasonable Beast, the true Hieroglyphick of all lawlesse vsurpation and Tyranny, of all senslesse sensuality.

In a word, when everye see false Prophets abound, but especially such, as bring in old but new refined Heresies, yet clothed with the name of the true Church, qualified with the wit of the Dragon, and armed with the power of the Beast (for these three spirits go linked together) and labouring to make one intire Church for the Dragon and for the Beast, then be sure is the time of this Vial, wherein these spirits come out of the mouth of the false Prophet.

And not without cause is the false Prophet added to the Dragon, and the Beast; sith he is the feweller and bellowes, not only to nuzzle and nourish the world in all wickednesse, in the craftie fetches of the Dragon, and the prowd vsurpations of the Beast, but also to blow the coales, to incite and provoke the Potentates of the earth to transcend all bounds of lawes, Divine & humane. Satan wants not, (much lesse will he want in the time of this Viall) his wicked and lying Prophets, to sow pillowes vnderunder all elbowes, labouring to make Princes glad with their lyes (as the Prophet speaketh) and sicke with bottles of wine, …. 3, 5.even with the sugred lees of their flatteries and falshoods. And ever in a corrupt age, especially the false Prophet is one maine stickler. As Esay saith, From the Prophets of Ierusalem is profanesse gone sorth into all the land. … 23.15. … 9.15.And, The auncient and honourable he is the head, and the Prophet, that teacheth lyes he is the taile. And p. 139false Prophets are those spirits, that goe to the Kings of the earth, to gather them to battail… against Christ, and his servants▪ and goe about to possesse them with the spirit of the Dragon, and of the Beast, to puffe them vp aboue themselues, to make them forget the Decree, the Law, to the perverting of the judgement of the afflicted. They so aaBut the second Psalme addeth, Ye shal… dy, like men.tell them they are Gods, as if they should not die like men: that the sublime power in earthly Potentates, is a participation of Gods owne bbGods Omnipotency is one of the divine Attributes, incommunicable as his Omniscience, & Omnipre…ence.Omnipotency: that, their distance from common men is as the ccContrary to Deut 17.20.Deut 17:20heavens in respect of the earth: that, Iustice can be no Rule, or Medium, whereby to giuegive God, or the King his right: that ddGods word & Ordinance, is the Rule of iustice, which squares out all our service to God and man.the observation of his mans lawes (though just and good, and which tend as well to the safety of the King, as of the Subiect, and which all are sworne to obserue, the due observation whereof is according to Gods sacred Ordinance, and the wilfull violation a contempt of the same) doth (notwitwithstanding) preiudice and prepond…rate divine Determinations: that, to ffThis, with the rest, is a doctrine well be seeming a lying Prophet, and a seditious Spirit, sent out to animate Kings against, & their own people.obserue humane lawes, is a kind of preposterous zeale, eeThe keeping of a subordinate Law, to wit, of man, doth not preiudice Gods supreme law: but Gods law binds vsus tokes▪ mans law for conscience sakeelevating the authority of divine Determinations. Such strange Paradoxes and Aphorismes, how farre they may sor… with Satans madnesse in the time of this Viall, I referre to the most judicious to judge Melius est (saith the Preache…) a sapiente corripi, quàm st…lt…rum adulatione decipi. And, saith the Wiseman, ggEccles. 7.5. Pro. 22.11.Eccl 7:5Prov 22:11He that loveth purenesse of heart, for the grace of his lips the King shalbe his friend. Our gratious Soveraigne God ever preserue from all false Prophets, that their lyes may never prevaile to corrupt or abuse the vnparallel'd goodnesse and sweetnesse of his Princely naturally noble disposition.