Antichrist Stormed, Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Wherein the various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon, are discovered and all their Objections Answered, who deny by her is meant, the Papal Power, or present State and Church of Rome.
'TIS evident to all who are men of any Reading, that most of our Eminent Protestant Writers, both Ancient and Modern, do affirm without the least doubt, that the Church of Rome is the great Whore spoken of, Rev. 17. called, Mystery Babylon: yet we find that most worthy men, who have of latter times, so well defended the truths of the Gospel, in opposition to Popery, have not so much bent their Study this way; I mean directly to prove that which is our present task—as it hath been to detect divers or most of her erroneous principles, and detestable practices, which is rather to Lop off some of the Branches of this Evil and Cursed Tree, than to Dig it up by the Root, for if it be clearly proved, that she is that great Whore; viz. Mystery Babylon the great, Mother of Harlots; down she goes at once; and if we have not done it so effectually as it may be desired, yet we are in hope wherein we have been defective, it may stir up some abler Pen, to perfect what we have anew undertaken;—But to proceed, for the more orderly management of our present work, it may not be amiss if we give you the various opinions that have more or less presented themselves to the World, about who or what People this great Whore Mystery Babylon is, which may be reduced to these seven following heads.
1. And first of all, as Reverent Mr. Pool observes, some would have it to be the whole World of Wicked men.
2. Others would have this Woman, …or this Babylon to be old Chaldean Babylon.
3. That it is Jerusalem; and that for two Reasons:
1. Because the man of Sin, or last Beast, that is to Head this Babylon, is set forth by St. Paul, to sit in the Temple of God, shewing himself to be God.
2. Because this City where the Beast reigns, and -shall slay the Witnesses, is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was Crucified, Rev. 11. 8.
4. That it is the Turkish Empire, or Power of the Saracens; which Mr. Mede somewhat touches, and in a brief way most Learnedly argues against: in his third Book, pag. 644, 645.
5. That it is indeed Rome, the Seat of the Fourth, or Last Empire; but Rome, in its Heathen state, under the Idolatrous and Persecuting Emperors: so the Rhemists would have it, if there be a necessity to fix upon Rome, to be this Apocalyptical, or Mystery Babylon. For this opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond, who hath done very worthily at other turns; but here has doubtless greatly mistaken his way; see his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse.
6. That it is the present power & Church of Rome who under pretence of the most High and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdom…. Of this last opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of of Rome, venting it self in most horrid and Barbarous Cruelties against them, and that for a long Series of time, as appears by our most Authentick, Ancient, and Modern Writers, who give a very ample account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred years last past, in all parts of the Christian World, where they have had Power. To which opinion of the Waldenses most of our Modern Protestant Divines agree, of which we shall mention only Cartwright, Fulk, the worthily Admired, and Learned Mede, not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France, as may be seen in their works at large.
7. Some of the Papists who grant that by Babylon, Rome is meant, but would have it to be Rome towards the End of the World, when they say Rome shall apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again; and now, because we will not take things upon trust, nor refer the reader to many Books and Quotations, it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much brevity as we can.
And first, That Mystery Babylon cannot be fairly applyed unto the whole World of wicked men, nor to old Chaldean Babylon, nor to Jerusalem, the Turks nor Saracens, nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome, no… Rome towards the End of the World, when they say Rome shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again.
And that none else can be meant or intended by her but the Papal Power of the Church of Rome.
1. Mystery Babylon cannot be the whole world of wickedmen; for in opposition to this, 1. The Apostle John speaks here of a certain great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, v. 18. This cannot be meant of the wicked world. 2. The World of wicked men, are those Inhabitants of the Earth, whom this Woman made drunk with the Wine of her fornication: Now she that made them drunk, and those that were made drunk, cannot be the same. 3. This Woman, v. 9. sitteth on seven mountains, and so do not all the wicked of the World. 4. We are Commanded to come out of this Babylon, but we are not obliged to go out of the World.
2. If she were the old Chaldean Babylon then, (1.) Where is the mystery mentioned Rev. 17. 5. (2.) Mystery Babylon here mentioned is by all acknowledged to be the Seat of Antichrist; So was never old Chaldean, (3.) Besides it is generally agreed to by all, not without good grounds, that Literal Babylon was no more than the Type of her, which is all we will speak to it.
3. It cannot be meant the City of Jerusalem.
1. Because Jerusalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time, when he saw this Vision, and wrote the Revelation, which this City Babylon is expresly said to do, Rev. 17. 18. And the Woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. Jerusalem having been not only under captivity divers times before, but was then entirely under the Power of the Roman yoke, as the whole History of the Gospel doth confirm, and themselves do most plainly Confess; We have no King but Caesar.
2. Jerusalem was never in so high esteem with the Beast, as to be capable to ride as Queen Regent upon him, (as this Woman, Whore, or City is said to do) Rev. 17. 7. And the Angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman, and the Beast that carryeth her, which hath the seven heads, and ten horns, Rev. 17. 7. compared with verse 3. so he carryed me away in the Spirit into the Wilderness, and I saw a Woman sit upon a Scarlet Coloured Beast, full of Names of Blasphemy, having seven Heads, and ten Horns,—For by the Woman sitting, and the Beast carrying, is undoubtedly signified, Influence, Power, and Dominion, which Jerusalem was far remote from, not only under the Roman Monarchy, but also under the three Kingdoms that went before it, (viz.) the Babylonian, Grecian, and Persian; as might be largely illustrated both out of Sacred and Humane History.
3. Jerusalem did not sit upon many Waters, which is Interpreted to be People, Nations, and Tongues, that is, had not command or dominion over them: as this Woman, Whore, or City is said to have, Rev. 17. 15. And he saith, The Waters which thou sawest, where the Whore sitteth, are Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues: The whole Land of Judea, being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time, Luk. 2. 1. And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the World should be taxed; and particularly Galilee, Nazareth, Judea, and the City of David called Bethlehem.
4. Jerusalem was not capable to Enchant and Bewitch all Nations round about her, either by her Religion and Doctrine, or by great Gifts and Rewards.
1. Because the Roman Power, kept her under, and much in awe, on the one hand, not owning nor subscribing to her Religion.
2. The Christian Doctrine and Religion; Blocked up her way on the other hand, that she could not Extend her Influence to either Neighbouring, or Remote Nations, as this Woman, Whore, or City is said to do, Rev. 18. 23. For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth; for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived.
5. Jerusalem though she were guilty of much Blood, from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory in Solomons time, Killing Prophets, even all that were sent unto her, Murthered, John Baptist, and our Lord and Saviour, as also the blessed Martyr St. Stephen; yet in her could not be found that great Mass of Blood that was shed, and Myriads of Christian Saints that have been Barbarously Murthered, by Massacre, and Publick Martyrdom, since they were ruined and destroyed by Titus Vespasian, which we find positively charged upon this City Babylon, Rev. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman Drunk with the Blood of Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus; and I wondred with great Admiration, as indeed well he might, (as shall be shewn:) And in her was found the Blood of Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were slain upon the Earth, that is, since the Destruction of Jerusalem.
6. And Lastly; not to multiply more upon this head, Though Jerusalem was fearfully destroyed, as the History of Josephus shews, yet shall she rise again, be Built upon her own Heap, be replenished with her own Children, which this City Babylon under Consideration shall never be, after this Catastrophe, which John saw visionally coming upon it; Rev. 18. 21. And a mighty Angel took up a stone, like a great Milstone, and cast it into the Sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
5. It cannot be the Turks and Saracens for two reasons offered by the Learned Mede, Lib. 3. p. 643.
1. Because, though they did arise to great Power in the World, yet they had not their seat in that great City, which in St. Johns time, reigned over the Kings of the Earth, which this Babylon is Expresly said to have.
2. That they did not rise by Apostacy, from the Christian Religion, which this Babylon, with her head (the Man of Sin) did; for, as this worthy Author saith, the Turk, (whatever he be) could be no Apostate, because he was of a Nation that never was Christian. To which we shall add somthing for the clearing of this head, that we may discharge that Debt we owe to God, to the Church, and the World.
3. It cannot be the Turks, because they are not strangely and wonderfully mysterious, which this Babylon is said to be, Rev. 17. 5. And upon her fore-head was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And the Angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou Marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman and the Beast which carryeth her, which hath the Seven Heads and Ten Horns.
What special mystery hath shewed it self to the World from the Turks and Saracens, more than from other common Empires or Kingdoms, that is matter of admiration to the wisest of men? Is it matter of wonder, that the Turks do own but one true and most high God? Is it matter of wonder, that they do own Jesus Christ to be a Prophet and a good man? Is it matter of highest wonder that they prefer Mahomet above Jesus? Is it matter of wonder, that they appear true to their Contracts, in matters of Civil Commerce? Is it matter of highest wonder, for them to endeavour to keep what Dominion they have, and to enlarge it, to make Slaves and Prizes of those profest Enemies they take Prisoners? We say, in none of these things is there any high Mystery, or matter of greatest Wonder, being things common to all Places and Kingdoms Invested with Power: For,
1. Did not the great King of Literal Babylon own the only true God, yet still held the Church in Captivity?
2. Did not Israel own the same, and yet kept their Idols after their revolt from Judah.
3. Did not Judah prefer Moses above and before Christ, and at that time when Christ was personally among them working most Stupendious Miracles which did evince his Divine Mission? Nay, did they not prefer a Common and Notorious Villain before the Blessed Lord of Glory, when they desired a Murtherer to be freed, and pressed hard to have the good and Blessed Jesus the Saviour of the World, killed? And did not this wise Apostle know this to be true in fact, and to Equal, nay, outdo any thing that the Turks, or Saracens ever did, or can be accused of? And if St. John was Transported with astonishing wonder, at Matters much less than he had seen before, doth it not give good reason to suspect him of Weakness and Defect, that he should suffer himself to be surprised with the greatest wonder, at far less things than he had seen and known before; certainly therefore we must conclude there was something more of mystery in Johns Vision than what had been shewed to the world, by the great Turk, or any other Power; and indeed undoubtedly, the greatest Mystery that ever the World was acquainted with: For the Characters of Babylon must either be singular, that is, such as none have besides; or else they must be transcendent, to go far beyond what others had in a Lesser degree. Otherwise John might have kept the Description of Babylon to himself, there being no clear Distinctions, to render the wisest and most Discerning men able to make Judgment upon her; The mystery then, that is written upon this woman, Babylon, seems clearly to lye in these particulars following.
First, That she doth transact the most horrid wickednesses that ever the world was or is like to be acquainted with.
Secondly, That under this monstrous Guilt, she is prodigiously Confident, and without all regret, or show of shame, and most Impudently boasts of the highest Sanctity and Holiness in the World, (viz.) That she is Totally Pure, Infallibly Certain, and cannot err, &c. That this indeed is a Mystery to be wondered at, let it be Considered,
1. That a Shepherd should be a Wolf, and devour that flock which he pretends to be an Overseer or Pastor of.
2. That a professed Servant of Jesus Christ, and the meanest of Saints, should exalt himself above his Master, and not above his Master only, but above the God of his Master, and all other Deputed Gods, that are Vicegerents to the King of Heaven, by slighting and trampling upon the holy Scriptures and Laws both of God and Princes, dispensing with the breach of them, indulging the highest violation thereof, and setting up his own Inventions, Traditions and Decrees above them; insomuch that there is a thousand times less danger (in their esteem) in respect of Excommunications, and Corporal Punishments in this World, or of Damnation in the World to come, in breaking and violating the Laws of God and Princes, than there is in the violation or breach of the Inventions, Traditions and Decrees of Mystery Babylon, and her Head.
3. That one sitting in the Temple of God, pretending himself as a poor Apostle, Vicar, and Successor of Christ, nay, as the Successor of a poor Fisher▪ man, should wear the highest Ensigns of Imperial Dignity!
4. That he should be so Lordly and prodigiously Insolent (who was commanded to the greatest Humility and Abasement) as to tread upon the necks of Emperors, kick off the Crowns of great Princes, and make Kings his Foot Pages.
5. That he should pretend highly, most highly, to God, Christ, Religion, and Holiness, and yet Espouse to himself, as the Darlings of his Bosom, not only the Chiefest Sons of Belial, but all that will decline Sanctity and Religion, and embody themselves with those first born Sons of Wickedness, that are of the highest Magnitude, and engage themselves in such Monstrous and Butcherly Practices, that humane Nature, as such, could never act in the Butchering Brute Beasts.
6. That the Spouse of this prodigious Monster should in Profession own God, Jesus Christ, and the things of Religion, of which Justice and Charity, Holiness and Compassion, are not the least parts; and yet under this Vizard, and in the very time of these pretensions, perpetrate the greatest and most unparallel'd Villanies in the World; First, In being the Top of Pride; Secondly, In committing palpable Idolatry; Thirdly, Fill themselves with Excess and Drunkenness; Fourthly, To curse, swear and blaspheme the very name they profess to be sacred; Fifthly, To cast down the Truth, burn the Bible, deface the holy Books and Laws of God; Sixthly, To assume not only a Power to Dispense with the Violation in the highest Nature, but to pardon and forgive them at pleasure; Seventhly, To commit Adultery, and account it a Venial Crime; Eighthly, To break Covenants, to drive a Trade in Perjury, forswear every thing they are justly charged with, and is fully proved against them; Ninthly, To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Countrey where they have Power, contrive the Ruine of Towns, Places, Cities, Countreys, and Kingdoms, by Fire, Sword, and most Cruel Devastations; Tenthly, To slaughter, kill, and barbarously murther both Men, Women and Children, even all that dare make a shew of Conscience and Religion, so far as to abhor and dissent from these Villanies: This is such a Scheme of Religion, and Systeme of Divinity to come from an Apostle, a Shepherd, a Vicar, and Successor of Christ, from a Church, Sheep, Saints, and the pretended followers of the Meek, Peaceable, and Innocent Jesus, who taught altogether otherwise by his Doctrine and Example, that it might well be wondred at, and is the strangest Mystery that ever appeared, of which we challenge the whole World to shew the like in the Turks and Saracens. For men to Swear, Lye, and to Forswear themselves, and yet be true Men; to contrive Rebellion, Murther, and Treason, and yet be as Innocent as the Child unborn: To be elevated to the highest Pinnacle of Pride, even above Emperours and Kings, above Jesus Christ, and God his Father, and yet be humble and lowly: To commit gross Idolatry, and yet be the Servants of the Living God: To be filled with, and make a Trade of Excess and Drùnkenness, and yet be Patterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance: To cast down the Truth to the ground, deface the Laws of God, and burn the Scriptures, and yet be the true Witnesses of it: To forgive sins, and yet be the greatest Sinners themselves: To commit Fornication and Adultery, and yet be spotless and pure in heart: To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Countrey where they have power; to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places Cities, Countreys and Kingdoms, by Fire, Sword, and cruel Devastations, and yet be as harmless as Doves to all mankind, the only Sons of Peace and Quietness: To slaughter, kill, and barbarously murther Men, Women and Children, that dare not be so wicked as themselves; and yet to be full of mercy, tender pity and compassion, an Apostle, Shepherd & Vicar, Successor of the Meek and Lamb-like Saviour. And for the dear Consort of this Impious Head, on Man of Sin, do not only confederate with him, but a Principal in all these unparallel'd Villanies, and most butcherly and rapacious Murthers; and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God, the pure and spotless Spouse of Jesus Christ, the true Sheep, the harmless Lambs, the best of Saints, and close followers of the Lord Jesus, who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine, and meek Example. We say, these things not being found by secret search, but are written in Capital Letters upon her forehead, appear in open view, to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind. Let any one shew us a greater Mystery in the World than this, and we will subscribe to it.
4. It cannot be the Turks, because they are not the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth; which this Babylon is said to be, Rev. 17. 5. And upon her forehead, was a Name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And here we demand, in excuse to the Turks, this one Thing.
From whence did proceed the Murthers, Massacres, and Martyrdoms, of all the Religious Professors of Christianity, that have died by violence in the Christian World, for the space of twelve hundred years last past? And from what people did proceed those horrid Oaths, Blasphemies, and Execrations, that the World hath wofully been acquainted with, most horrid and strangely astonishing to repeat?
Came these unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks? from the Waldensians, Lutherians, Calvinists, or any Non-conforming Protestants? No, no; why whose Language then is it? Whose! Why, 'tis the Language of the Beast of the Bottomless Pit, and Bloody Whore, who bare these Blasphemous Sons of her own Body, daily nourishes them at her Breast, and strengthens them in their sinful courses, by accounting them the Sons, the precious Sons of Sion, the true Sons of the Catholick Church, the Darlings of Heaven, the beloved ones of the Virgin Mary, and gives them Pardons for these Bold and Heaven daring sins, as often as they commit them, and come to ask Pardon for them; so that Sin and Pardon is as constant and common with them, as Breathing and Eating. And these things are done to Seal and Confirm Lies, which is the more heavy, heinous, and prodigious; For if men may Lye by Allowance; may kill, and shed Innocent Blood, without controul of Conscience and Church censure…; may Swear and Blaspheme, and Challenge God himself to Damn them; may burn men for Religion, consume Cities to Ashes, conspire the death of Kings, the Ruin and Overthrow of Kingdoms, Whore, and Murther Infants; and yet be accounted a Church, the Members and Parts of it called Saints, Holy Children and the Sons of the most high God: Then may we claim a Patent, and take a License to change the name of all things, and alter the Ideas of the minds of men; call and account Beelzebub a good God, and all his black Tribe, the pure Saints of the most High; call the lower Regions of Blackness and Darkness, to which he is confined, the Heaven of Glory and Eternal Light, of which things we ought in Justice to clear the Turks: until Witnesses of undoubted credit shall come forth, and evidence that the Turkish State, is the Mother of as great Abominations as these are.
5. And Lastly; The Turks cannot be Mystery Babylon, because they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus; which this Woman Mystery Babylon, is expresly said to be, Rev. 17. 6. And I saw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus: and I wondred with great admiration. Now let any man shew such blood-shed, Saints bloodshed, by Massacres and Martyrdom, for the Professing of Christianity (which must be if the Text be answered in that clause, Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus,) by the Turks, either within their Dominions, or without, as hath been shed by a Generation, nearer home, and we shall become like the Man without the Wedding Garment, wholly speechless, and say not a word more about Babylon.
6. Now that Babylon in the Apocalypse is Great Rome, that in former times Reigned, and in suture times shall be destroyed, is owned by some of the Papists themselves, and is asserted by all Protestants; the Difference betwixt them is brought to this narrow Point. The one wholly confines Babylon to Rome Heathen, and there totally to terminate; the other brings Babylon down lower, to Rome Antichristian, or Papal Rome. Now that this work may be to edification, and more full satisfaction in this great case, we shall advance to the last and chief Secret that is to be opened and considered, namely, Whether all things in John's Vision or Prophecy that are applied to Mystery Babylon did compleatly terminate in Rome Heathen, and came no further?
In answer to this great Enquiry, we do with the body of Protestants in opposition to the Papists, conclude the negative; viz. That all things in the Apocalypse applied to Mystery Babylon, did not terminate in Rome Heathen; the reasons of which Negative are as followeth.
1. Because the Beast, that Mystery Babylon, rides on, is the eighth Head, or last Ruling Power of that City that is seated upon seven Hills, which must be Rome Papal, because the whole Race of Rome Heathen was gone off, before the eighth Head came up—The sixth Head was in John's time; the seventh was to come and continue but a short space; The Beast that carries the Woman; (viz.) Babylon, is of the seventh, but is the eighth, and shall be the last; for he goeth into Perdition. This being so evident from the Letter of the Text, needs nothing more to confirm it. Now that Rome Heathen was not the last part of the Romish Power, is not only the full and joynt Consent of all Writers upon this subject, but is so evident to all the Christian World, that it would be vanity it self to make a shew of proof. The Conclusion then is this; If the very last part of the Roman Power carries the Woman Babylon, and that the Heathen State of Rome went off before, and was not the last; then Babylon could not terminate in Rome Heathen, but must come down to Rome Papal; see Rev. 17. 3, 7, 9, 11.
2. If Babylon be totally terminated in Rome Heathen, then the Book of the Apocalypse is of little use to the Latter ages of the Christian World? For if the whole. Transactions relating to the Persecution of the Church and the slaughter and destruction of God's Enemies, did end in Rome Heathen, then it served only to give a Characteristical account of a Beast, and Whore that was grown old, and ready to go off the Stage; but hath wholly left us in the Dark, and given us no notice at all of that horrible Confusion and Bloody Persecutions, which have Reigned in the Christian World for more than a thousand years last past; which for length of time, Numbers of Murthers, and manner of Cruelties, hath outdone all the wickedness of Rome in its Heathen State. Which is not at all likely, that a Vision should be given, and a Revelation made, and call'd so, about a State that was almost expired, and the most and great principal part wholly left out, and said nothing to. Who can Imagine, that a careful Saviour should be so full in his discoveries to the Jewish Church, concerning their sufferings, and the time under Egypt, and Babylon Literal; and be so short and lean to his Gospel Church, to leave them altogether without any written Prospect, or extraordinary Prophet, to inform them what should come to pass in the world, from the going off of the Power of Rome Heathen, to the end of all the Churches Troubles, which have already lasted above a thousand years? The Conceit of which is fit but for two Ranks of men to Receive, (viz.) The Roman Catholicks and such Protestants as Look for Antichrist to come at the end of the World, after the Restauration of the Jews to their own Land, and building a material Temple at Jerusalem where Antichrist shall sit three days and an half, or years, to kill two men called the two witnesses.
3. If this last Babylon was wholly to terminate in Rome Heathen, then there was no cause of wonderment and great admiration for a wise man, to see in a Vision an Heathenish State, under a Diabolical Influence, to perform Actions suitable to their State, and not contrary to their Professions for what matter of Wonderment can it be to feel the Wind blow, to see the Sea foam and hear the Waves Rage and Roar, when the Winds oppose his Effluxion? And what cause of great wonderment and admiration for a wise man to see wicked Heathens oppose and Persecute Christianity when it is so suitable to their Spirit, and agreeable to their Profession so to do, we cannot yet understand, and we will diligently Listen to them who will undertake to inform us: For the thing is true, that a wise man did wonder at the sight he saw with great admiration, Rev. 17. 6. I saw the Woman drunk with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and I wondred with great admiration. Wondred! O strange! At what? To see that which was Common to all ages, the Seed of the Serpent, that profest Heathenism, the wicked, even the worst of the Wicked by Principles and profession, to plot again… the Righteous, and to gnash upon him wit… their Teeth; Idolaters; Profest Idolaters, t… persecute the Servants, and Worshipers of th… true God; those that were born after the flesh and live after the flesh, to persecute them tha… were born of the Spirit, and lived after th… Spirit; Surely if our adversaries opinion w… true in this Case, that Babylon is only Rom… Heathen, St. John had forgot that Cain kille… Abel, and Ishmael persecuted Isaac; and too… not so much notice of the course of the World common to every Age, as Paul did, wh… said, But as he that was Born after the Flesh persecuted him that was Born after the Spirit as it was then, so it is now: And what strang… wonder is in all this?
4. Rome Heathen never was espoused married, or united to the Lord Jesus, in spiritual way, Visibly owning his Laws, and submitting to his Government, as a Wife submits to, and obeys her Husband, and afterwards casts him oft, and chuses another Hea… and Husband; and therefore cannot be mystical Babylon, or the great Whore: for though the Heathens were great Idolaters, yet were they never charged with Spiritual Adultery… nor could they, unless they had once by visible profession, made a covenant with, o… espoused themselves to the Lord Jesus, which Rome Papal before its Apostacy did; Therefore Rome Heathen could not be the great Whore or mystical Babylon.
5. Rome Heathen cannot be the Babylon …et forth by St. John, unless she be guilty of all the Christian Bloud shed upon the Earth since the destruction of Jerusalem, for as the guilt of all the Blood shed, from Righteous Abel, to the Death of Zacharias, is by our Saviour fix'd upon Jerusalem, and cannot be …emoved to another People, so the Blood of …ll Martyrs and followers of Jesus is by the Revelation fix'd upon the last Babylon, Rev. …7. 6. I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood …f the Saints, and of the Martyrs of Jesus, Chap. 18. v. 24. And in her was found the …lood of the Prophets, of Saints, and of all …hat were slain upon the Earth. But Rome …eathen was not guilty of all the Christian …lood that was shed upon the Earth, by Mur…ers, Massacres, and Martyrdoms since the …istruction of Jerusalem: for to look back, …ut for six hundred years last past, in which …me we shall find hundreds of thousands of pro…st Christians most Butcherly and Barbarously …ut to death for their Zeal and Love to the …hristian Religion, in the respective Nations …f Europe, before which the Heathenish state …f Rome was gone off about the space of six …undred years, so that if we will regard the full satisfying of this Prediction about Mystery Babylon we must of necessity bring her down lower than the Heathenish State of Rome.
6. Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon under consideration, because the discoverie: of other Prophecies, relating to the same State, no way agree to the Power of Rome Heathen.
1. This State of Babylon is called Mystery of Iniquity, This no way agrees to Rome Heathen, but fully agrees to Rome Papal; compare 2 Thes. 2. 7. with Rev. 17. 7. (viz.) For the Mystery of Iniquiry doth already Work—The, Angel said unto me; Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the Woman, and of the Beast that carryeth her.
2. The head of this State of Mystery Babylon, is called the Man of Sin by way of Eminency, foreign not only beyond the common rank of Men, but beyond the highes… Sons of wickedness that went before him▪ And there is a great Truth in this, for if w… consider the Pope in respect of Pride, Hypocrisy, Idolatry, and Blood, he is the most un… parallel'd Man of Sin.
3. This State or Mystery of Iniquity b… gan to work in the Apostles days, which … no way applicable to the Power of Rome Hea… then; for that did not then begin, it bein… at that time in the very Meridian of its Greatness, and universal Sovereignty, Luke 2. 1. And it came to pass in those days, that there came out a Decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the World should be Taxed.
4. This man of Sin, mystery of Iniquity, or head of the Babylonish State, is said to be let or hindred in his designs, He that now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way, 2 Thes. 2. 7. But now Rome Heathen had no let or hindrance, either from the Word of God, or that declared it (as it was a Civil Magistracy) to be Gods ordinance; nor from any opposite power, either Civil or Military, they giving Laws to the greatest part of the World, and enjoying the supream Government of the best Kingdoms in the Universe, none being able to Cope with them at that time.
5. This head of the Babylonish State is said to sit in the Temple of God, which the Power of Rome Heathen did not do, neither in the Temple of Jerusalem, nor in the Church, which is more properly the Temple of God: for the Jews kept the possession of the Litteral Temple, till it was destroyed; and for the Church of God, the Heathen Emperors never loved it so well, as to make their residence in it, but the Bishop of Rome before he shewed himself to be that wicked one (viz.) the man of Sin, did evidently sit in the Church or Temple of God, and so fulfilled this Prophecy in the very Letter of it.
6. He (that is, the man of Sin, or head of this Babylonish State,) was to rise by Apostacy, or falling away from the Christian Religion, 2 Thes. 2. 3. There shall come a falling away first; exactly agreeing with another Prophecy to the same purpose, 1. Tim. 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith, &c. But Rome Heathen did not rise by Apostacy from the Christian Religion, or a departing from the Faith, which they never professed, as is Evident to the whole World: Ergo. Rome Heathen Cannot be this Babylonish State.
7. This man of Sin, or head of mystery Babylon, lay hid in the Apostles time and was not revealed: but the Power of Rome Heathen did not then lye hid, or wanted to be revealed; for it stood visible and high, upon a Hill, even upon seven Hills according to the Roman Poet Ovid, (who lived about the very time of Christ's being on Earth) in Lib. de Tristibus.
Sed quae de septem totum circumspicit Orbem
Montibus, Imperii Roma Deûmque Locus.
That is,
But Rome which from her seven Hills, the whole Earth views around, the place of Gods and Rule &c. Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylonish State.
8. This mystery of Iniquity is said, to oppose and exalt himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, 2 Thes. 2. 4. But this the power of Rome in its Heathen State did not do; for they Worshipped, offered Sacrifices, and bore a reverence to their Gods, which by nature indeed were no Gods; and 'tis only the head of Rome Papal, that runs down all Gods: but those of his own making; Ergo Rome Papal, and not Rome Heathen, must of necessity be this mystery of Iniquity.
9. The rise or coming of this mystery of Iniquity, is after the working of Satan, 2 Thes. 2. 9. But the rise of the Romish greatness and power, when Heathen, was not after the working of Satan, but was said by Daniel to be produced by the Providence of God, or the four winds of Heaven; And by the Apostle, to the Powers ordained of God, Rom. 13. 1. Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be the mystery of Iniquity &c. here meant▪
10. This mystery of iniquity is not only said to come after the working of Satan, 2 Thes. 2. 9. but also with all Power, &c. But the rise of Rome Heathen was not after that manner: Ergo &c. To illustrate the first Proposition note, that the Term (all Power) marks out the Romish Pope so notoriously, that whosoever runs may read it; for if we do but impartially consider his impudent usurpations upon Crowned Heads, and his pretences of supremacy over the whole Christian World; his proud imperious Decrees, Bulls, &c. his disposal of the Kingdoms of Princes, and the Inheritances, yea the very Lives of private Persons, of any Rank, that dare disobey him; his pretences to shut and open Heaven, Hell, and his feigned Purgatory; his carrying a symbol of that vast and God like Power (viz) a brace of Keys hanging at his Girdle: All these will appear as clear demonstrations, that the head of Rome Papal, is the head of Babylon, and the grand Impostor, or the capital manager of this mystery of Iniquity, he having (most sacrilegiously) assumed to himself, all Heavenly Power of Damning or Saving, and all Earthly Power, both Temporal or Civil, and Ecclesiastical or Spiritual.
11. The wicked Babylonish State, comes forth with a great pretence of Miracles, which are but false Signs, and lying Wonders, to deceive and cheat the People; and by this means they Conquer Nations, and carry away their Kings to their wicked Interest. This Rome Heathen did not do; for though the Heathenish Power of Rome did Conquer Nations, and Countrys, with their Kings; yet it was by State policy, and force of Arms, not by pretended Miracles, false Signs, and lying Wonders, therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this mystery of Iniquity, or Babylonish State.
12. This wicked State, under consideration, is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a Palpable Apostacy, but to forbid Marriage, and Command a long Lent, and many other fast days, whereon some sorts of Meat are prohibited to be eaten; which doth so fully agree to the Papal State of Rome, that nothing can be more plain, unless the Spirit had expresly told us; this will be fulfilled by Rome Papal, for these two things we have their Canons upon Record, the which if none can shew the like of the Heathen State of Rome, then Rome Papal shall carry the Title of this mystery of Iniquity, and Babylonish State.
7. If the Babylon under consideration, be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome; then there is a more evident, and apparent mystery upon the State, or Power of Rome Heathen, than upon any Power o… State that went before it, or shall come after it; for so the Text Imports, Rev. 17. 5▪ And upon her fore-head was a name Written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, &c. But there did no such mystery appear, upon the Power, or State of Rome Heathen, therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there; what great mystery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen, more than appeared upon the Power and State, of the three foregoing Monarchies?
8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State, because Babylon is to continue till the good people shall (with the Horns that did support her, which is the last part of the wicked and Persecuting Power, answerable to the te… Toes in Daniels great Image) reward and destroy her, for the injury that she did unto them; according to these three Texts of Scripture, Rev. 18. 4. Dan 7. 22, 26, 27. Rev. 17. 16. And I heard another Voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, my People, that ye be not partakers of her Sins, &c. ver. 6. Reward her even as she hath rewarded you, and deal unto her double according to her Works: In the Cup that she hath filled, fill to her double: How much she hath Glorified her self and lived Deliciously, so much Torment and sorrow give her. And the ten Horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, these shall hate the Whore, & shall make her desolate and naked, and eat her Flesh, and burn her with Fire: which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not, but ended its Course without being destroyed by good People, and the ten Horns, which is the last part of the Image Government. And in the days of these Kings, (viz.) (ten Toes, ten Horns, ten Kings,) shall the God of Heaven set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be le…t to another People, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these Kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Which could not be fulfilled in what Constantine did in the time of Maxentius, as Dr. Hammond would have us believe, for these three reasons.
(1.) Because the ten Horns, that afterwards the Roman Power fell into, were not come up, and so could not destroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen state.
(2.) Because Babylons Persecution, mystery and confusion, did not utterly cease, which it must have done, so as to rise no more for ever, if the power of Rome Heathen destroyed by Constantine, had been this mystery Babylon.
(3.) Because tho there might be a body of good people with Constantine, when he overthrew Maxentius, yet the Power of the Kingdom was not so Established in the hand of good People, as not afterward to be Left to others, as the Text affirms. And the Kingdom shall not be Left to another People. For (as we shall anon shew) the Kingdom or Power that ceased to be in the hands of Heathens, and by mighty and Divine Providence came to be in the hands of worthy and renowned Christian Emperors came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate, who acted all the violence of the Heathen Power over again, and indeed out-did them.
9. Those that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State, are not well aware what they do; for if they do Demand it, their opposits who hold it to be Rome Papal, may Grant it for arguments sake: But then the remedy is worse than the disease; for they slip into such a Precipice, as neither Baronius, Bellarmine, Dr. Hammond or the Rhemists, can save or deliver them from. The true State of the Case … this:
Rome Heathen is Mystery Babylon; th… say the Papists: And the more willing they are to say so because it is a good argument to Prove that Peter was at Rome he subscribing his first Epistle from Babylon, 1 Pet. 5. 13▪ The Church that is at Babylon Elected together with you Saluteth you, &c. But this being allowed, the worst is to come. This Babylon is Destroyed, when the power of Rome Heathen is taken away, so as to be no more for ever; but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into? Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb▪ the City of the living God, the Habitation of Holiness, and dwelling place of Zion, the true Church, the place of the holy ones, and Saints of the most High? O No! What then? Hearken, and an Angel from Heaven shall tell you, Rev. 18. 1. 2. And after these thinge (of the horns hating the Whore, making of her Naked, and burning her flesh with Fire). I saw another Angel come down from heaven, having great Power, and the Earth was Lightned with his glory; And he Cryed mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the Habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now, you Papists, if you will have Babylon to be Rome Heathen, take it, but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils if you can.
If it be not Rome Heathen, then adieu to Dr. Hammond, and the Rhemists; we have what we desire. If it be, then Rome Papal …s a far worse (if possible) than Rome Heathen, …n Babylon never was: And then what a fine Church do the People make themselves?
10. If the place, Seat and City of Rome was not utterly ruined (so as to be no more for ever as a place of Commerce, Trade, and Humane Society) when the Heathen Power ceased, then Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon, because at the ending and downfal of this Babylon, the Place, Seat, and City will be utterly ruined so as to be no more a place of Trade, Commerce, or Humane Society, Rev. 17. 16. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, these shall hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate, and shall eat her flesh, and bur… her with fire. v. 18. And the woman which thou sawest is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, Revel. 18. 8▪ For her sins which God hath remembred which have reached unto heaven, therefore shall he… Plagues come in one Day, Death, and Mourning, and Famine, and she shall be utterly burn… with Fire: For strong is the Lord God w… Judgeth her, v. 11, 12, 13. All sorts of Merchandize, Traffick, Trade, and Commer… with Humane Society, shall cease, so as to be no more in her at all; and the good thing… which she in fulness enjoyed before, even al… things that were Dainty and Goodly, are no… Departed▪ from her, and shall find them … more at all, ver. 14. For in an hour is s… made desolate. And a mighty Angel took up a Stone, like a great Milstone, and cast it into the Sea, saying. Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all, ver. 21. And the Voice of Harpers, and Musicians, and of Pipers, and Trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; And no Craftsmen of whatsoever Craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a Milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; ver. 22. And the light of the Candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the Voice of the Bridegroom, and of the Bride, shall be heard no more at all in thee; verse 23.
But the Place, Seat and City of Rome was not so utterly ruined as to be no more, for ever a place of Trade, Traffick, Merchandize, and humane society, when the Heathen Power of Rome ended, Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be the Whore of Babylon under present consideration, whose Seat or City, hath since had a Powerful Government, Reigning in Pride and Pomp, for some hundreds of years.
VII. As touching that notion of the Papists, (i. e.) that by this great▪ Whore mystery Babylon is meant Rome after she shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again at the latter end of the World it is such an opinion that has no foundation in Scripture, nor in the Judgment of the Antients; besides, some of the Papists themselves reject it as improbable and detestable, as our Annotators observe, for then Sr. John in the Revelations passes by in utter silence, all the transactings that have been in the World, under Papal Rome, even ever since the seven head or Christian Emperors Government went off of the Stage, which is near 1260 years which is ridiculous to suppose.
Besides it cannot be understood of Rome in either of the other notions, as hath been proved.
1. Because Antichrist is to sit in the Temple of God, 2 Thes. 2. 4. as God, therefore not in a Pagan City. The mystery of Iniquiry was working in the Apostles time, but v. 7. the Roman Empire hindred the appearance of Antichrist, till the Popes had wrung Rome out of their hands, and were the sole rulers there, then Antichrist shewed himself.
2. Because there is nothing said of this great Whore or this Babylon, but admirably agreeth to Rome in its present state.
We shall conclude with the whole▪ If by mystery Babylon, is not meant the whole World of wicked men, nor old Chaldean Babylon, nor Jerusalem, the Turks nor Saracens, nor Rome in its Heathenish State, nor Rome after she shall desert the Pope, and turn again to Paganism, then it must be Papal Rome, or the Romish Church; But she is none of the former six we have proved: Ergo she is Papal Rome.
Now to make way for the second Chapter, we shall state this argument following.
If all the marks and characters left us upon divine records, to know mystery Babylon by, do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal, then Rome Papal is mystery Babylon, But all the marks and characters left upon divine record do most aptly and directly agree to Rome Papal, or the present State and Church of Rome: Ergo Rome Papal is mystery Babylon.