An Alarm to the Last Judgment, Part 1
An Alarum to the last Iudgement.
THE FIRST CHAPTER Containing the Preface.
BEFORE that wee treate and discourse of the generall Signes and Fore-runners of the Last Iudgement, it shall not be impertinent, in few words, to shew and demonstrate the Subiect it selfe: for where there is no Substance, there are no Accidents; and where there is no Foundation, there is no House, or Building. Therefore that the truth of these Signes may more manifestly appeare, and that we may more orderly proceed; I thus, by warrant of Gods Word, and waight of inuincible arguments, euince, and proue, these three maine principles of Faith and Religion. First, that there shall bee an vniuersall Iudgement, wherein all reasonable creatures shall be called to an account. Secondly, that IESVS CHRIST the Son of God, is appointed of God, to bee the Iudge of the Iudge, both of the quick and the dead. Lastly, that this world (in respect of the fashion, forme, and corruptible qualities thereof) shall hauehave an and, and come to destruction. That there is a set and prefixed day of Iudgement (though vntounto vsus profitably vnknowne) and that there shall bee a generall Iudgement, I thus declare.
First, the sacred Scriptures are pregnant and plentifull in this point, Iob 19.25. Psalm. 9.8. Isa. 66.15. Dan. 12.2. Math. 25.31. Luke 18.17. Iohn 5.28.29. and chap. 12.44. Act. 17.31. Rom. 2.16 1. Thess. 4.16.17. and chap. 5.2. 1. Pet. 4.8. Tit. 2.13. Apoc. 20.11. 12.13. Heb. 9.27.28.
Secondly, the doctrine of the last Iudgement,Heb. 6.2. is a very ancient, and principall Article of the Apostles Catechisme; and therefore no person, vnlesse hee bee a meere Athiest, or Infidell, can, or will deny it.
Thirdly, the Generall Resurrection, the necessary and immediate antecedent of the iudgement,Sublatis destinatis ad finem, tollitur finis. and those that shall arise and appeare in iudgement, who are the proper obiect of it, do enforce it; yea, and what arguments serue to proue the Resurrection, the same iustifie the last iudgement.
Fourthly, the generall and particular iudgements, calamities, and punishments, both in the old and new Testament, and in all succeeding ages, are Types, Similitudes, and Foresignifications of it. Of this kind were Noahs Floud (or Deluge) wherein the world was drowned; the ouer-whelming of Pharoah and the Aegyptians in the red Sea; the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah; the destruction of Ierusalem; the ruin of the foure great Monarchies of the world, that afflicted Gods chosen; and of late time, the sinking and dispearsing of the Spanish inuincible Armado, Anno Christi 1588, in the English Seas, and by the coasts of Ireland.
Fiftly, vnlesse there should be a finall iudgement, wherein eueryevery man is to receiue a reward according to his workes, God could not declare himselfe perfectly iust. For all sinnes in this world committed, come not to light: neither are all punished that are apparant. Tyrants, and Oppressours; yea Christs Arch-enemies, the Turke and Pope, &c. liue long, and prosper in their wickednesse. And if God should censure all sinnes that are done in the earth, then no other iudgement would bee expected: wherefore the Lord beareth long with sinners, and suffereth the offences of the Reprobate to grow rotten ripe, that hee may fully and finally punish and plague them at the last day. Forbearance is no quittance: Christ commeth with woollen feete (i. faire and softly) but striketh with Iron hands, that is deadly.
Sixtly, vnlesse there come a day of generall release and absolution for the godly, yea a day of full deliuerance, and glorious triumph, God cannot declare himselfe completely and infinitely mercifull. For it seemeth to goe well with the wicked, in this world, and ill with the good: The godly are oppressed and persecuted, troubled and tormented, molested, martyred, massacred, and both inwardly and outwardly afflicted; therefore the iust Lord cannot but at length reward the patience and pietie of his seruants: Great shall their reward be in heauen: Math. 5.5.Hee shall recompence the lightnesse of their momentany afflictions, Rom 8.18. 2. Cor. 4 17 18.with an exceeding and super-excellent weight of glorie.
Seuenthly, the feare, trembling, astonishment, horror of conscience and dreadfull despaire in many malefactors (specially persecutors and murderers) euen of those that escape the iudgement of the Magistrate, doth euidently argue that there will come a day of reckoning, and that there is an hell fire, whereof these are certaine flashings, and fore-runners.
Lastly (to be briefe) the children of God look and long for, groane and pant for this day and time; which is the day of their Marriage, of the bodies ascent into heauen, and of their entrance and inauguration into the Kingdome of Glory. These spirituall sighes and sobs,Rom. 8.22. are speciall effects of Gods spirit, infallible characters of Gods children, and the very earnest of our inheritance. Inward desires make a lowder sound in Gods eares, then bare words vttered with the tongue, and therefore cannot misse the marke, viz. eternitie of blessednesse.
Now that Iesus Christ, not onelyonly as he is God, whereby in the decree, efficacie, and authority of the iudgement, hee is equall with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost; but also as he is man, in regard of the sentence to bee pronounced, and the visible execution of the iudgement; is and shall be the Iudge both of the quicke and dead, the Scriptures put it out of question, Dan. 7.9.10. Ioh. 5.27. Act. 10.42. 2. Cor. 5.10. 2. Tim. 4.1.
Secondly, it is an Article and foundation of faith, firmely to be beleeued.
Thirdly, it is one end, and that a principall one, of Christs Resurrection & Ascension: It is a part of his Kingly Office which hee shall then most openly and eminently execute.
Fourthly it standeth with all equity, that Hee that, when hee liued on earth,Mat. 26.64 and was most vniustly iudged, accused, indicted, condemned and executed, should at length, gloriously, and in the view of all the world, iudge, arraigne, condemne, and fee execution done vponupon his enemies.
Lastly, to stop the mouths of, and to put all Atheists to silence, the Heathenish Prophetesse Sibylla testifieth as much, saying
foreign, &c.
foreign.
That is:
Christ shall come in the cloudes
In glorie, with his sinlesse Angels.
And that this miserable and corruptible world, with all the contemned creatures shall (not in respect of matter and substance, but outward forme, and accidentall qualities) hauehave an end and consumption, thus I compendiously make it manifest. First, by expresse Scripture: Secondly, by Argument. Heauen and earth shall passe away: Mat 24.35 1. Cor. 7.31 2. Pet. 3.10The fashion of this world passeth away. The heauens shall passe away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with heate, the earth also and the workes that are therein, shall be burnt vp. Apoc. 20.11I saw (saith Saint Iohn) a great white throne, and him that sate on it, from whose face the heauen and earth fled away, and there was found no place for them. Secondly, by argument, I thus make good my assertion. The world being but a creature had a beginning, and therefore it shall hauehave an end; Omnia orta intereunt. The world as in the seuerall parts, so in the whole, daily fadeth, decayeth, weakneth, and is in an irrecouerable consumption, therefore it must needs, at length, come to an end. A ruinous house will in tract of time fall, and a sick body cannot hold out long. The world must bee renewed at the last day;2. Pet. 3. for there shall be a new heauen, and a new earth: Generatio vnius est corraptio alterius.Ergo the old heauen and earth must (of necessitie) be first abolished. Lastly, some of the Pagan Philosophers and Poets (whensoeuer, or wheresoeuer, they had so much light) acknowledge as much.
The Platonists held, that the world should be destroyed: so did the Sibyls Prophecie: The Poet Ouid in the first booke of his Metamorphosis, and Lucan in the first booke belli Pharsalici, iustifie as much; and mans sinne hath iustly deserued and procureth it.
CHAP. II. Of the Signes and Fore-runners of the last iudgement in generall.
ALBEIT the day and houre of the last iudgement is vnknowne to all men, to the very Angels of heauen, Mat. 24.36yea albeit the Sonne himselfe being on earth knew it not;Mar. 13.32 yea, although no man knoweth the yeare when the Son of man wil come to iudgement (For it is not for vsus to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power) yet the Lord Iesus,Acts 1.7. that hee might not so much leaue the wicked his irreconciliable enemies, without all excuse and pretence of ignorance, and withall appall, affrighten and astonish them, specially when his second comming neerely approacheth, doth kindly and louingly forewarne his children, that they should neither be amated, nor found vnready (for a man forewarned is halfe armed.) And that hee might comfort and encourage them against the manifold scandales, troubles, and miseries of this present life; Hee hath (I say) in the Scriptures, left and giuen them many generall and notable Signes, Tokens and Fore-runners of his comming, which they daily doe, and alwaies ought, to take notice of, that when they see these things come to passe they might hold vp Luk. 21.28.their heads, knowing that their Redemption draweth neere.
These Signes and Prasagia are like to so many tender Greene, Mat. 24.32and leauy branches of the Fig-tree that shewerh the Summer of their happinesse to bee nigh. These are like the white and yellow eares of corne that declare the Haruest to bee at hand; and these are (as it were) so many sounding Trumpets, or Alarums, A similitude.to awaken vsus. And as the Sunne being about to arise, first sendeth forth his bright beames a farre off, and enlightneth the East; so our Lord Iesus the Sunne of righteousnesse, doth before his second comming, send certaine generall Signes, and (as I may say) Herbingers, that men might the more carefully waite for, and more dilligently addresse and prepare themselues against that time. The Tempests threaten before that they arise: the Houses crack before they fall, and the Smoake goeth before the flame: So these Signes and Fore-warnings go before the consummation of the world.
These Signes & Fore-runners are of three sorts: namely, those that are already accomplished and fulfilled: Secondly, those that are mixt signes and praedemonstrations in continuall action and motion; and those that yet remaine in their due time to be performed. Of these plainly, and in order: But (that I may cleere the coast, and proceede with more dexterity and profit) two principall questions by many moued, are to be seasonably decided.Questions First, why God doth not, and will not, reueale vntounto any the houre, day, yeare, and time of the last iudgement. Secondly, why the Lord seemeth so long to delay and put off that day and iudgement; especially seeing that hee promiseth to come quickly, and that his children so long waite and so earnestly pray for that time.
I answer to the former question: The Lord wil hauehave the day, houre, yeare, &c. of the vniuersall iudgement concealed. First, because it is the Glory of God to conceale a thing, Prou. 25.2.and not to reueale some things before the euent, which is the best & surest interpreter. Secondly, that hee might bridle and represse the impudent boldnesse, and rash curiositie of those, that vainely, yea presumptuously, pry, and search into things forbidden, vnnecessary, and impossible to be known, & in the meane time neglect the searching out of, and the due practise of things in the word of God reuealed and commanded. Thirdly, and lastly, not onelyonly to try and make knowne the modesty and humility of his deere seruants, whether that they will break into the closet of his secrets or no; but also to keep them from the slumber of security, and to stir them vp to watch for, and prepare themselues against that day. Vtiliter (saith an ancient Father) latet vltimus dies vt obseruentur omnes dies: That is, it is for our profite that the last day is vnknowne, that wee may obserue and watch all daies.
The second question.
Why doth the Lord so long deferre his comming to iudgement?
Ans. First that the Prophecy of the Reuelation, Apoc. 6 11 & 11.10.and of other Scriptures should bee fulfilled: For heauen and earth shall passe away, Mat. 24.35but no point or tittle of Gods word shall passe away vnaccomplished.
Secondly, that the sinnes and abhominations of the wicked and profane, who abuse and despise the riches of Gods goodnesse,Rom. 2.4. forbearance and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodnesse of God leadeth them to repentance: and who mispend and lauish their time that God hath allotted for their repentance;Ioh. 14.22. might be left without plea or excuse, and that their sinnes being heaped vp to heauen, might bee punished with eternity of torments.
Thirdly, that none of the Predestinate should perish,1. Tim, 2, 4 but that in this world they should come to the acknowledgement of the truth,2, Pet, 3, 9. to repentance, and so consequently to saluation.
Lastly, to try, declare, cherish, and exercise, the patience, faith, hope, and charity of his chosen, that liue amongst such an infinite number of lewd, Atheisticall, scandalous, superstitious and venemous people, and yet by the grace of God, directing and preseruing them, are blamelesse, Phil. 2.15.harmelesse, without rebuke, and shine as light in the midst of a crooked and peruerse Nation.
CHAP. III. The first generall Signe, the desolation and destruction of the Temple and Citie of Ierusalem, and the vtter ouerthrow of the Iewes Common-wealth.
THE first generall Signe of the end of the world,Mat. 24.12 is the vtter ruin and laying waste of the Citie of God,Mat. 13.12 Ierusalem, of the holy Temple, and the ruin of the Iewes pollicie and Commonwealth. Dan. 9.26.The Temple and Citie was destroyed by Titus and Vespasian, Romane Emperours, the nine and thirtieth yeare after the Ascension of our Lord into heauen: And the Iewes euer since hauehave bene led away captiue into all nations,Luk. 21.24 and Ierusalem hath beene troden downe of the Gentiles,1. Thess. 2.15. and the wrath of God is come vponupon them to the full, now whether the beleeuing Iewes shall towards the end of the world, be temporally restored into their owne Country, rebuild Ierusalem, and hauehave a most reformed, and flourishing, Church and Commonwealth (as some by extraordinary expositions, seeme to gather out of the Scriptures) the issue and euent will discouer. But (to finish the point in hand) the desolation of the Temple and Citie of Ierusalem, by reason of the similitude and correspondencie, of things, persons, and euents, is a type and figure of the destruction of the world.
CHAP. IIII. Of the Preaching of the Gospell vntounto all Nations.
THE second generall Signe is the publishing, Preaching, and proclaiming of the blessed Gospell in and through all (the habitable,Mat. 24 14 and then knowne, especially the Easterne) world, by the Ministerie of the twelue Apostles: These as Christs Embassadours, and like twelue Beames of the Sunne of Righteousnesse, being effectually called to this heauenly Function, furnished with most rare, extraordinarie, and miraculous gifts aboue all former Prophets, and hauing a Charge and Commission, with a promise annexed,Mat. 28.19. to Teach and Baptise all Nations, Distributiue▪and to Preach the Gospell to eueryevery (reasonable) creature; did accordingly performe it, and sealed and confirmed it with their bloud and martyrdome;Psal. 19.6. so that the line of the Apostles went out into all the earth,Col. 1.6. and their words vntounto the end of the world, Rom. 10.18. and prospered and was fruitfull: And since that time he that sitteth on the White (Triumphant) Horse, and hath a Bow in his hand,Apoc. 6.2. and a Crowne on his Head, i. the Lord Iesus, and his Vicars, viz. Christian Kings and Emperours, hauehave gone forth Conquering and to Conquer.
Lastly, the Lights, Lampes, Fathers and Pillars of the Primitiue Church, Saint Origen, Saint Ierom, Saint Ambrose, and others, write, and auow, that all Nations were enlightned by the Apostles; so that the Apostolicall calling and gifts being ceased, and the Gospell once vniuersally hauing beene published, no such solemne Legacy is the second time of vsus, or our Successours, to be expected.
I. Aetiologià.
The Lord would hereby enlighten all Nations, and by the Arme of his Gospell draw all the elect effectually vntounto him:Rom. 1.16. For the Gospell is the power of saluation to eueryevery one that beleeueth, to the Iew first, and also to the Greek. This is the Golden Scepter of Christs Kingdome which when it is holden forth,Psal. 110.2. and by the elect touched, it is the instrument of their saluation.
II. Aetiologià.
Secondly, the Lord would, and will, hauehave the Preaching of the Gospell to all Nations, to bee a Testimoniall, Mat. 24.14(at least of conuincement) vntounto them, that they should pretend no ignorance, nor hauehave any thing to say in their defence: For they that know, or (at least) hauehave sufficient meanes to know Gods will, and do not embrace and execute it, shall be beaten with many stripes: Luk. 12.47i. their paines in hell shall bee greater then of those, who neuer enioyed the meanes of saluation: yet they sinning without Law, shall perish without Law.Rom. 2.12.
Question.
It seemeth that the Gospell hitherto, hath not bene known, much lesse Preached by the Apostles, to the Americans and West Indies, those huge and vaste Countries, for there is no monument or record of any such matter: and therefore the time is to come when they shall bee enlightned, and receiue the Gospell of our Lord Iesus.
Ans. I must in this difficult point answere, as distinctly, so by distinction. First, I answere that the Apostles and Euangelists, hauing taught and Preached the Gospell, to the most famous, knowne and populous Kingdomes, Prouinces, Cities, and Townes, it is very probable that they, or their Successours, did Preach the Gospell to the vnknowne, obscure, and most barbarous Nations, such as are the Americans, West Indies, and North Parts of the world: And what if now either driuen thitherby Tempests, or forced by enemies, they might in time grow barbarous, and loose all knowledge of Christ? Againe, I deny not but that the Gospell may, and shall be at length published and made knowne to the Americans, if they neuer formerly heard of it; for the mercy of God in Christ is of infinite extent. And if the very Iesuites (though arch-heretickes, and the fire-brands of sedition) perhaps sow some seeds of Christianity amongst them: How much more purely and plainely, may the English, Hollanders, and other Professours, in time, performe it? Fourthly, it diuers parts of Europe, hauehave within these hundred yeares last expired, since the reuealing of Antichrist, and the dispersion of the mists of Poperie, beene so greatly illuminated: why may not (specially after the generall calling and conuersion of the Iewes, which wee continually expect, and pray for, and which shall be the Enliuing and Resurrection of the world) the Americans,Rom. 11.12 West Indians, and other Nations; yea euen in the Turkes Dominions, be enlightned?
Lastly, it is sufficient to conuince the world of vnbeleefe, and to leaue the Inhabitants without excuse, if onelyonly the Fame, Rumor, and Report, yea the duplicate page duplicate page very Sound of the Gospell hath come vntounto them: For they might hauehave enquired, trauelled, and proceeded further. But time and experience will cleere this doubt.
CHAP. V. Of a generall Apostasie from the Gospell of Christ.
THE third generall Signe, already past, is not onelyonly the decay and ruine of the ancient and mighty Romane Empire,2. Thess. 2. whereof now a name and a shadow, and not the tenth part of the Demaines and Dominions remaineth, that by the ouerthrow of it Anti-christ might arise,Apoc. 13.14. preuaile, and tyrannize; and the Turke likewise dominere,2. Thess. 2.3. but a generall,Apoc. 9.1.2. and almost vniversall Apostasie, reuolt, and departure of all Nations,Apoc. 13.7 8. from the Gospell of Christ, partly to Mahomet, as we see is come to passe in the East parts of the world, and partly to the Romish Anti-christ as wee see verified in the Westerne parts.cap. 18.3. This Apostasie began Anno Christi 606 (or there-abouts) Fore-runners whereof were, and foundations whereof laid long sithence, those proud, ambitious, and erroneus Prelates, that taught Iustification before God to proceed of mans workes; that taught inuocation, and worshipping of Angels and Saints; that brought in Traditions; adored Reliques; immodestly, and immoderately extolled single life, against Gods expresse Word, forbad meates, and marriages, defended the doctrine of Free-will in the work of our saluation, brought in an infinite number of old and idle ceremonies; yea, ouermuch magnified the Sea and Primacie of Rome. Nemo repentè fit turpissimus: The Mysterie of iniquity began in the Apostles times, and went on by degrees, and (at length) the venome and poyson of false and damnable doctrine did infuse and diffuse it selfe into all the veines and vitall parts of the Church: so that that of Isaiah is verified in the Romish Synagogue, From the sole of the foote euen to the head, Esay 1.6.there is no soundnesse in it, but wounds and bruises and putrifying soares. Neither ought this to seeme strange vntounto vsus, seeing that before the Incarnation of Christ, the like Apostasie befell to vsus Gentiles, about the yeare of the world 2455, and continued about foureteen hundred yeares: and the like apostasie or reuolt happened to the tenne Tribes, Anno Mundi two thousand nine hundred sixty fiue, and lasted some thousand yeares. For it pleased God in his iustice by leauing men to their owne wils, and by sending them strong delusions, to vindicate and reuenge the contempt and refusall of his holy Gospell once offered vntounto them, and sincerely Preached amongst them.
CHAP. VI. Of the reuealing and discouerie of Antichrist.
2. Thess. 2.3.THe fourth generall Signe already (at least in great part) accomplished,Apoc. 11.4 5.6. chap. 14. à v. 6. ad 12. is the displaying and discouery of Anti-christ by the Ministery of Gods word, &c.
This Anti-christ, Bishop, or Pope of Rome, is that Great Starre (or Bishop) that whē the third Angel sounded, Apoc. 8.10fell from heauen (i. the Church) burning, viz. before his fall, as it were, a Lampe, and fell vponupon the third part of the riuers, and vponupon the fountaines of waters: i. Corrupted and poisoned the Church, and the Bishops, Pastors and Ministers of it. This is the Angell of the bottomelesse Pit: i. came from thence, and thither will returne, with all his fauourites & followers. This is the King of the Locusts, Apoc. 9.11i. the Head and Prince of the Monks, Friars, Iesuites. This is that Man of sinne; 2. Thess. 2 3.i. nothing but sinne; yea a Teacher and Commander of it.Passiuè & actiuè. The Sonne of Perdition: i. that is damned himselfe, and draweth innumerable with him to the same destruction. Hee opposeth himselfe, Ver. 4.and exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God: i. Kings, Emperours, Princes, and Angels, that are in Scripture oftentimes styled Elohim, Psal. 82.1.or Gods. Hee sitteth in the Temple of God, i. (as most Interpretors, old and new, expound it) the Church of God, because it was a true Church, and is so reputed; and a true Church lurketh amongst them: Shewing himselfe that he is God: that is, not onelyonly assumeth to himselfe the title of God, viz: Holinesse, and so to be called; but taking vponupon him power to Change times, Place and displace Kings; Forgiue all sinnes; dispense with the degrees of Marriage forbidden in Moses Law; To command the Angels: to allow all villany, and (without controule) to do what he list. His will standeth for a Law: And forsooth the Holy Ghost dwelleth in his breast; and he cannot erre (viz. but damnably.) His Seate is the new Babylon, i. Rome, that is seated (or was so in Saint Iohns dayes) vponupon seuen knowne Hils, and then raigned ouer the Kings of the earth; for some 250 Prouinces and Kingdomes, were subiect to the Romane Emperour. In a word, all the Popes from Boniface the third, vntounto the now Pope Paulus quartus, are that great Anti-christ, in a continued seate, succession, tyrannie, false doctrine, and Regiment, that Saint Paul, and Saint Iohn so much speake of.
He hath bene reuealed some three hundred yeares agoe, by worthy Iohn Wickliefe, and others: But specially and notably from Anno Christi 1517, vntill this present date 1615, by Apostolicall Martin Luther; and by many most learned, holy, and famous Doctors & Pastors in Germany, France, England, Bohemia, and other Countries and Kingdomes. The light of the Gospell, and the exact knowledge of the fountaine Languages, hath, and daily doth, discouer, dispell, and scatter, the darknesse, shades, mistes, and cloudes of Poperie. God (in mercy) continue and increase, amongst vsus the number of such worthy instruments, and grant that these flying Angels, may, without interruption, passe through the middest of this (Europaean) Heauen, Apoc. 14.6and Preach the euerlasting Gospell to all Nations, Languages, and People, and that they may speedily and zealously embrace and retaine it, Amen.
CHAP. VII. Of the great persecutions vnderunder the Romane Anti christ.
THE fift generall Signe, already (at least for the most part) accomplished, are the great persecutions, massacres, murders, warres, poisonings, rackings, excommunications, banishments, imprisonments, and all kind of cruelties against Protestant Princes, Prelates, Pastors, Professours, Churches, Kingdomes, Prouinces, vnderunder the Romish Foxe, Wolfe, Anti-christ, and his Butcher-like and bloud-sucking followers; especially (ouer all Europe) in these last hundred yeares immediately expired. Their Religion is rebellion, their faith is faction, their badge is bloud.Apoc. 18.24. Rome hath been, & (to their power) yet is, the Shambles and Slaughter-house of the Saints. How many hundred thousands of Christians in Europe hath not that viperous and bloudy generation slaine and destroied? But we see and hope that the most part of these troubles are ouer-blowne;Apoc. 6.11 that the Church hath and shall hauehave a further rest and breathing time:Mark. 13.7 that the Papists shall be drunk in their owne bloud, and Babylon shortly bee burnt with fire. And admit that the Romanists (for our tryall, or, to punish our coldnesse and remissenesse in the profession of the pure worship of God) practise, or attempt ought, in Germany, France, the Low Countries, or, our secure, England; yet wee trust it is but a Lightning before death: and a principall meanes to put an edge to our prayers; to scowre off the drosse of our drowsinesse, and to enkindle the zeale of Protestant Kings, Dukes, Pastors and Professours against them, to their fatall and vtter ruin; which the Almightie grant, for Iesus Christ his beloued Sonnes sake, Amen.
And thus much of the generall Signes of the last day, perfectly fulfilled, which is the first part of the Treatise.