The Person and Period of the Antichrist, Discourse · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
169. THus we have ſeen the firſt Particular, to wit, the manner, it muſt be Gradually, and by a lingring Conſumption: now let us 2ly enquire after the means. We read that Jericho fell by the force of Faith, Heb. 11.30. It was not by their Silver Trumpets (which they had appointed for calling their ſolemn Aſſemblies, Num. 10.1,2.) nor by the power of their Arms (whereby they overcame Amalek, Exod. 17.12. but by Rams horns.
170. Rams horns were contemptible inſtruments, for battering down ſtrong and impregnable Walls, and yet carries a fair Congruity with the means of battering down the walls of Babylon. It muſt be by the Breath of Chriſts mouth [the preaching of the Goſpel] God overturns great things by baſe means, 1 Cor. 1.27,28. by treaſure in earthen veſſels, 2 Cor. 4.7.
171. The means that God uſes to pull down this Antichriſt, are reducible to two heads. 1ſt Perſons, and 2ly Things. 1ſt of Perſons: 1ſt in general. Many battering Rams hath God raiſed in thoſe two laſt Centuries of years, to break down the walls of this ſpiritual Babylon (which is Antichriſt complex) inſomuch as not only ſeveral ſtones have drop'd out of the walls, but her very Foundation ſhakes. And if our Mordecai be of the ſeed of the Jews, before whom this proud Haman (Antichriſt) hath begun to fall, he ſhall not prevail against him, but ſhall ſurely fall before him, Eſther 6.13.
172. The Perſons that God employs for the fall of Antichriſt, are principally three: 1. Powerfull Preachers, 2. Profound Writers, 3. Potent and pious Prinoes. 1. Of the powerfull Preachers, thoſe are intimated to us in thoſe 3 Angels in Rev. 14.6,8,9. that rais'd up the firſt batteries againſt Babylon, and made the firſt ſeparation from Antichriſt. The firſt of thoſe Angels brings the everlaſting Goſpel, flying in the midſt of Heaven, above all Human hindrances and oppoſitions, and Preaching the pure Worſhip of God, as oppoſite to the Idolatrous and impure Worſhip of Antichriſt.
173. This firſt Angel or powerfull Preacher, may well be ſuppoſed to be Waldus and his Followers, from whom ſprung the Waldenſes, who ſpread the Goſpel in France, Picardy, and the Lower and Upper Germany; in Bohemia, Savoy, and Lombardy, about 1100 Ye. after Chriſt, as the Hiſtory of the Waldenſes ſhew. And Biſhop Uſher, de Succeſſione Eccleſia, cap. 6.16.
174. The 2d. Angel (light increaſing then in the World) proclaims with open mouth, that Rome was Babylon, and the Pope that Beast deſcribed in the Revelation, and [the] Antichrist. This was only muttered at the firſt ſeparation from the Romiſh Church, by Waldus and his Companions, ſaying in modeſt terms only, Romanum praeſulem Reliquis Episcopis parem eſſe, (as Biſhop Uſher de Succeſſione Eccleſiae tells us loco predicto) that the Pope of Rome was but equal to all other Biſhops.
175. But in the following Ages, (boldneſs growing as well as knowledge) Eccleſia Romana, was proclaimed to be Meretrix Babylonica, (as Biſhop Uſher, Cap. 17. ſhews) that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon: This was done eſpecially by Wickliffe and his fellows, about the year of Chriſt 1371. This 2d. Angel (Wickliffe) ſeeing the Kingdom of Antichrist ſhaken by the Miniſtry of Waldus, that went before him; now declares boldly, that God had then laid the foundation of the deſtruction of it, (his cry was, Rev. 14.8. Babylon is faln, is faln) and would as ſurely deſtroy it ſhortly, as if he had ſeen it faln already.
176. Then comes the 3d. Angel, (more vehement than the reſt) and that was Martin Luther and his fellow-labourers: This Angel proceeds further, and preaches Damnation to all that would not come out of this mystical Babylon, telling the World more boldly, (than the other two Angels did) that God had a Cup of Indignation (without mixture, that is, not allayed with any mercy) for all thoſe that continued to drink of the Cup of Fornication: God would give them Wine for Wine, Wine of Wrath for Wine of Whoredoms, Rev. 14.9.10.11.
177. None of thoſe great Reformers whom God ſtirred up in thoſe Ages) were ſo like this third Angel, as Luther, who denounc'd horrible and hainous torments, eaſleſs and endleſs pains to the whole train of Antichrist, and ſuch as abode in the Worſhip of the Beast, Vrging ſeparation from Rome under the pain of damnation, and to Rebel againſt ſuch light, (as then was held forth) could not conſist with Salvation, as 2 Theſſ. 2.12. Luthers Epitaph was.
Pestis eram vivus, moriens tua mors ero, Papa.
178. Then 2ly. profound Writers have from the Quiver of common Reaſon, human Teſtimonies, and eſpecially from the Holy Scriptures drawn out, and ſhot ſuch arrows at the Beast, that though his first Wound was healed, Rev. 13.3. yet thoſe Wounds they have given him (thoſe laſt Centuries) are plainly incurable by any other Engine, ſave by private Treachery and publick Violence: The Beast can hardly lick himſelf whole again, no not with his Order of Jeſuits, and all their endeavours to uphold his tottering Kingdom.
179. Quot ac quantos Scriptores Evangelicos haec poſtrema aetas in lucem protulit, &c. how many famous Champions of the Proteſtant Religion hath been Valiant for the Truth, and ſtrenuouſly batter'd the Walls of Babylon: ſuch as Melancton, Oecolampadius, Zuinglius, Bullinger, Aretius, Gualther, Muſculus, Lauater, Polanus, Polyander, Zanchy, Beza, Chemnitius, Calvin, Pareus, Marlorat, and our own Jewel, Reinolds, Whittaker, &c. thoſe and many others, [non modò, docendo ſed etiam Scribendo, damnum Antichriſto vel maximum attulere,] did him very great harm.
180. Beſides many other famous Authors in former Ages, which Illyricus in Catologo Testium Veritatis, doth abundantly enumerate: Christ hath had his Witneſſes againſt Antichrist in all the Ages of the Beaſt, (though moſt and cleareſt in the latter Ages) which hath given their Teſtimony, both by Preaching and Writing (though but in Sackcloth) againſt the Antichriſtian Idolatry, all along the leaſe of 42. Months, that is granted to the Beaſt to tread down the holy City.
181. The Pen of thoſe famous Lights in their day, was an Artificial Tongue, whereby they ſpoke to Places and People abſent, as well as preſent, to them afar off, as well as to them that were nigh: and thereby abundance of knowledge was communicated to the World: Writing hath an Image (as it were) of Eternity in it, it makes a man live when he is dead, though the Prophets cannot live for ever, Zech. 1.5. yet their laborious Writings may preach, both when and where they themſelves neither may, nor can, nor dare, Hebr. 11.4.
182. But 3ly. and laſtly, Potent and Pious Princes, are Inſtruments in the hand of God to pull down Antichriſt: we read of an Angel that had on his head a Golden Crown, and in his hand a ſharp Siccle, Revel. 14.14. which may well reſemble ſome glorious Prince, that ſhall begin to execute Gods Judgments on Babylon, and v. 15. is ſome Zealous Preacher out of the Church that calls on him to do this Execution.
183. When Godly Princes do exerciſe their Power for Chriſt and againſt Antichriſt, then is it ſaid that Chriſt [the Son of Man] ſits in the Throne to Rule with them, having a Golden Crown upon his head, as he is deſcribed in that Viſion, Rev. 14.14. He is call'd the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 1.5. and then are Chriſtian Kings ſaid to be caught up to God and to his Throne, Rev. 12.5. when they do Authorize and Execute the Reaping of this Harveſt by their Kingly Power.
184. But more plainly and without a Parable, the Lord tells us, Rev. 17.16,17. that the ten Horns (which he calls ten Kings, v. 12.) ſhall hate the Whore, and make her deſolate and naked, they ſhall eat her Fleſh and burn her with Fire: for God hath put it into their hearts, &c. Thoſe very Kings that were the occaſion of his Riſe before, ſhall (by an overruling providence) be the Inſtruments of his Ruine; Firſt God in Juſtice gives them up to be Vaſſals to Antichriſt, and then in Mercy he moves them to deſtroy him.
185. Dr. Sibbs in his Evangel. Sacrifice Serm. Firſt, Relates the occaſion of Antichriſts Riſe thus; The Roman Emperor having Enemies in the Eaſt, was forced to Reſide at Conſtantinople, and Rome thereby being neglected, the Pope takes this occaſion to ſet up himſelf, to depoſe Childerick, (a weak Prince) and to ſet up Pepin (Father to Charles the great) to gratifie him. This brief Landskip he gives.
186. The Dr. relates alſo, how thoſe 10 Kings betray their own Kingdoms, in giving up their power to the Beaſt, therein doing wrong 1ſt to God, 2ly to Themſelves, and 3ly to their Subjects. And though it be ſaid, that God puts it into their hearts, to give up their Kingdoms to the Beaſt, Rev. 17.17. Yet we may not underſtand this, as done by either outward Command, or by inward Infuſion: but God finding them in an evil Eſtate, he uſes their ſin to his own End.
187. However this ſhall be done only, untill the words of God be fulfilled, ver. 17. And as ſure as God hath put it into their hearts to give up their Kingdoms to that Beaſt, ſo ſurely God will (in his own appointed time) put it into their hearts alſo to deſtroy the Beaſt. But whether they ſhall all agree in this latter, as 'tis ſaid they do in the former, is ſome doubt?
188. It is the judgement of ſome ſolid Interpreters, that thoſe very Kings which held Communion with the Beaſt, and after hate and burn Antichriſt, Rev. 17.16. ſhall yet lament to ſee the ſmoak of that burning, which they themſelves kindled, Rev. 18.9. which may intimate to us, that Croſs-Intereſts engag'd them in that burning of Babylon, more then any true Repentance of their Popiſh Religion.
189. Not much unlike the Proceedings of Iſrael againſt Benjamin, which when they had deſtroyed, they were ſorry they had gone ſo far. Such croſs-Intereſts fell out lately 'twixt the Pope and the King of France, about ſome affronts to the French Ambaſſador [Chigi] in Rome, whereupon the French King ſends an Army of twenty thouſand Men, over the Alpes againſt the Pope, and reduced the Pope from his Luciferian Highneſs to the Order of the Humbled Brethren.
190. This Commotion betwixt them two, made many good Men (that wait for the conſolation of Iſrael, in the Accompliſhment of that word [the Kings ſhall hate and burn the Whore] to be yet fulfilled) to hope that God was putting it into the heart of the King of France, to execute his Vengeance upon Babylon. However it was clearly diſcover'd to be the declining Age of Antichriſt, for the Pope durſt not uſe thoſe bruta fulmina of his Predeceſſors againſt the King, but muſt ſatisfie him in all things that he demanded, even to the erecting of a Trophy, &c.
191. It is moſt probable, that all thoſe Kings ſhall not hate the Whore, &c. But ſome of the Ten ſhall take part with Antichriſt, after the fall of Rome, till they be deſtroyed at Armageddon, [Rev. 19.18. Rev. 16.14. & 18.9. The fleſh of thoſe Kings were there eaten] and others of them ſhall deal with this Harlot, as Men do with a Strumpet, when they ſee what harm they have got by her, as Ezek. 16.36,37,38,39.
192. The great God (who hath the hearts of Kings in his own hands▪ and turns them as he pleaſes, Prov. 21.1.) will certainly raiſe up the Spirits of ſome of thoſe Kings, to repent of their Friendſhip with Antichriſt, and to rage againſt him as profeſſed Enemies, and to lay waſte his dwelling, and to deſtroy him for ever. Whereas the King of France (in that late Conteſt with him) powr'd out only ſome drops of the Vials upon him. Some of thoſe at laſt (if not he) ſhall pour upon him the whole ſhowre, and this, at the end of his Leaſe, at the expiration of his Power [foreign] to do 42 Months, Rev. 13.5.
193. Tis a ruled Caſe [what hath been, may be] now we have ſeen already in paſt Providences, how God hath cal'd of ſeveral Princes from all amity with Antichriſt; eſpeciall in the Northern Parts of Europe, ſince the Reformation of Luther. To ſay nothing of the Duke of Saxony, and Landgrave of Haſſia, &c. which came forth (with Luther, and other Reformers) to help the Lord againſt the mighty Beaſt. We find that ſeveral of the 1… Kings (that formerly gave up their Kingdoms to Antichriſt) are now faln off from him▪ ſince the Reformation.
194. God hath cut off ſeveral Kingdoms in the North from the Jurisdiction of Antichriſt, as England, Scotland, Denmark and Swedeland (which were 4 of the 10 Horns) and ſome of the Kings of thoſe Kingdoms have perſonally appeared againſt Antichriſt, ſome with their Pen, as King James, and ſome with their Sword, as Guſtavus Adolphus.
195. To ſay nothing of Germany, that in a great part broke of from Antichriſts See, under thoſe wonderfull Reformations wrought there, both in the Higher and Lower Germany. Nor of France, from whence came the Angel Waldus, that laid the firſt Foundation of Antichriſts ruine (as before) and which hath in a great part ſeparated from Rome; for the View of France tells us, the Hugonots had about 2150 Churches of the Reformed Religion, this was above 60 years ago; in all likelihood they are much increaſed now.
196. Thus though their Kings have not themſelves declared open Hoſtility, and hatred againſt Antichriſt, and ſo to weaken his Power by their perſonall Atchivements: yet their Kingdoms hath contributed much to the pulling down of this man of ſin. So that if we reckon France and Germany (though but in part, battering at Babylon) together with thoſe four before mentioned, England, Scotland, Denmark, Swedeland (which together with their Supream Magiſtrates, have for a long time oppos'd Antichriſt) we muſt needs ſay, that the Viall's already poured out, have dry'd up a great part of the Sea, or Juriſdiction of the Pope.
197. If Kings and Kingdoms have been thus bold with his Holineſs, under the former Vials, and while ſo much of his Leaſe was yet to run: how lively and vigorous may we expect them to be (in the power of God) under the latter Vials, and when his Term of Continuance is about expiring. The wheel of Providence will be quicker and ſharper in its Motions and Revolutions at the end of his Time.
198. Thus have we ſeen in the firſt place, the three perſonal Engines (in Gods hand) againſt this Beaſt. 1. Powerfull Preachers, 2. Profound Writers, and 3. Potent and pious Princes. Now 2ly come we to the things that the wiſe Jehovah hath, and doth uſe as Inſtruments for Demoliſhing this myſtical Jericho; and they are principally four, to wit, 1. Spiritual practicing, 2. Unanimous Praying, 3. Publick Printing, and 4. Powerfull Preaching, of all which very briefly, in the following Paragraphs.
199. Firſt an holy practice of Piety, a cloſe walking with God, and a living in the power of Godlineſs, doth prove an excellent Means for the extirpation of Popery; the reaſon is, becauſe Popery is nothing elſe but a meer Form, denying the Power. 'Tis a looſe Religion, and its Worſhip is a carnall compound of Fleſh-pleaſing things; it hath Muſick to gratifie the Ear, Perfumes to pleaſe the Noſtrils, and gawdy Pictures to bewitch the Eye, in theſe, and many other particulars, 'tis every way accommodated to an earthly Mind.
200. Popery is a drawing nigh to God with the body, when the heart is far from him, 'tis a being circumſtantial in Subſtantials, and ſubſtantial only in Circumſtantials; the Opus operatum of a Ceremony will expell Devils, and work Wonders; the Cheapneſs of their Pardons muſt needs render them notoriouſly licentious. How did Lewis of France multiply his execrable Oaths, when he thought the Kiſſing of his Crucifix was a ſufficient Expiation from them all.
201. Now 'tis a Phyſical Rule [Contraris curantur contrariis] one Contrary is beſt cured by another: ſo is this looſe Antichriſtian Religion by an holy Evangelical Converſation. Such a Converſation as this, doth not only put to ſilence the ignorance of fooliſh men from diſpraiſing, but alſo opens the Speech (of knowing Men (for comnending the way of Reformation, not only among Pagans (1 Pet. 2.1….15.) but alſo among Papa-gans; beholding men in the Fleſh, do live according to God in the Spirit, 1 Pet. 4.6.
202. This Engine I would commend to all thoſe of the Reformation, that they may adorn their Profeſſion, and bring it into credit, even among the Worſhippers of the Beaſt. That whereas the Papiſts ſpeak evil of the Proteſtants, as of evil doers, they may not only be aſhamed of falſely accuſing their good Converſation in Chriſt, as 1 Pet. 3.16. but alſo be conſtrained to ſay, that God is in them of a truth, as 1 Cor. 14.25. and thoſe are the Seed the Lord hath bleſſed, as Iſai. 61.9. Juſt as light expells darkneſs, ſo doth Evangelical Converſation the miſt of Popery.
203. The 2d thing is Unanimous Praying; how doth all the Saints of God in all the Nations of the World (with one conſent) pray againſt Babylon, and by the help of Gods Spirit, gets many a kind pull at her (as Sampſon did at the pillars of Dagons Temple, Judg. 16.29,30.) How doth praying Souls every where with one lip, as it were, bow themſelves with all their might to pull down this Antichriſtian Dagon.
204. As David danced before the Lord with all his might, 2 Sam. 6.14. ſo the Servants of the Lord, prays before the Lord with all their might, to make this Dagon fall before the Ark of God. Solomon ſaith [whatſoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might] Eccles 9.10. Now the Saints finding this great w… of Demoliſhing the Kingdom of Antichri… not more a work for their Hands, then for th… Hearts; therefore they do it with all th… might.
205. All the Servants of Chriſt ſhould b… Habakkuk's, that is, Wreſtlers: they ſhould come forth as Princes before the Lord in this Work, as Job 31.37. coming near to God with Princely minds, all the ſeed of Jacob ſhall he like their father Jacob, wreſtling till they have power with God, and have prevailed, Hoſ. 12.4, & 3. not letting God go without this bleſſing, Gen. 32.26. Prayer commands God concerning the work of his hands, Eſa. 45.11. All ſuch as love Chriſt and hate Antichriſt, ſhould be as the Sun when he goes forth in his might, Jud. 5.31. for diſpelling the Fog of Popery.
206. How ſhould all the Godly ſtrive together in their Prayers to God, even to an agony, Rom. 15.30. [foreign] to pull this Tower of Babel down, whoſe top hath well-nigh reach'd to Heaven. Theſe are the thundrings and lightnings that fill'd the Temple and brings the hailſtones and earthquake on the Mother of Harlots, Rev. 11. laſt.
207. The 3d thing is Typography or publick Printing, a rare Engine for Communicating the knowledge of the Truth, to the pulling down the ſtrong holds of Antichriſt. The Art of Printing was beſtow'd as a ſpecial Gift by a gracious God, on the laſt Age of the World, that Knowledge might fill the Earth, as the Waters cover the Sea, that is, that there might be a full ſea of Knowledge, Iſa. 11.9. for the expulſion of all Popiſh Ignorance, which they ſay is the Mother of their Devotion, but indeed of Deſtruction, Hoſ. 4.6. I am ſure 'tis no mother in Iſrael.
208. There is a witty Interpretation of that paſſage of Dan. 8.2,4. [Many ſhall run to and fro, and Knowledge ſhall be increaſed] that the paſſage of Commerce 'twixt one Nation and another, by the Art of Navigation being opened, it brought along with it a great increaſe of Knowledge. Many run (or paſs) by that Art from one Land to another, and ſo abundantly improve their Intellectuals thereby: It may as congruouſly be applyed to this Art of Printing, as to that of Navigation.
209 For hereby many Books run from one Nation to another, and ſo exceedingly increaſes Knowledge, as many Perſons do by Navigation: they may both equally be alluded to Daniels Text (as well the one as the other, both being inſtrumental Conveyances of all kind of Knowledge, divine and humane) though neither of them be the genuine Senſe of the place.
210. Alſted ſaith that this Art of Printing was firſt publiſhed at Moguntiae, Mentz, and from thence carried to Argentine, Strasburg, and other parts of Europe, to the great improvement of Learning: Other Authors ſay, it was firſt known to John Gottenburgh at Argentine, where John Mentelius Printed the firſt good Authors for the information of a blind ignorant World: and experience Juſtifies this aſſertion, that Typography as well as Navigation, hath been great advancers of knowledge.
211. Incredibilem Uſum Generi humano ha… ars Typographica in Omnes partes prebuit, ſaith Pareus, Medul. Hiſtor. Eccleſ. Pag. 311. It hath been of very great advantage to all parts of the Earth: Printing is like a Wing, on which knowledge flies through all the Habitable World, and is at this day a famous Inſtrument of Gods holy Spirit, to publiſh his Sacred and Infallible Truth, though Satan do uſe it alſo to ſpread his damnable Errors; The beſt things that are uſed are found alſo to be abuſed, yet loſe they not their due worth thereby.
212. Sympſon in his Church Hiſtory ſpeaks home to this point; ſaying, when Popedom was come to its height, then God graciouſly beſtowed this Art of Printing on Mankind, for the Unvailing and Unmasking of this Myſtery of Iniquity to the World: This was a marvellous providence of God in the 14th. Century; for ever ſince, Antichriſt hath begun to decline, and in the 15th. Century to languiſh more and more.
213. The 4th. and laſt thing for the bringing down of Antichriſt, is powerful Preaching, and this is held out in the very expreſſion of this 11th. clauſe of the Induction; to wit, his Conſumption or waſting away by the breath of Chriſts mouth, [2 Theſſ. 2.8. foreign; Spirit or breath] which is the adminiſtration of Chriſts Word by the help of his Spirit. This Ordinance of Preaching hath been a moſt effectual battering Ram againſt the lofty Walls of Babylon.
214. We may ſay of this as David ſaid of Goliahs Sword, [none like it, 1 Sam. 21.9.] oh that the Lord would give it to all places and People: not only Satan, but alſo his Eldeſt Son (Antichriſt) would fall like lightning thereby, Luke 10 17.18. Though Printing (as we have ſeen) hath its peculiar Excellency, yet in this reſpect, Preaching is above it, as it is attended always cum vivâ voce: for Milk in a warm Breaſt is more effectual nouriſhment, than Milk in a cold ſuckling Box; ſo a Sermon Preach'd batters Babylon more than one Printed.
215. The Rod of Chriſts mouth, and the breath of his lips, (the Prophet tells us) ſhall ſlay this Wicked one, Eſa. 11.4. Thus hath God raiſed up his Boannerges or Sons of Thunder, Marc. 3.17. the Syriack word comes of foreign Sons and, foreign to Thunder. Thus Nazianzen honours Baſil (the great) with this Epitaph, foreign. Sermo tuus tonitru, vitaque fulgur erat; He Thunder'd with his Doctrine, and Lightned with his Life, he had Urim and Thummim indeed.
216. Thoſe Three Angels who were the Three firſt powerful Preachers, for ſeparation from Antichriſt, [Waldus, Wickliffe, Luther,] were Sons of Thunder, eſpecially the laſt of them: what a [filius fragoris] was Luther, that did not throw bruta fulmina at the Pope, as the Pope did at him: but rather ſuch a Thunderbolt, as (according to Ovids Fiction) ſtruck Phaeton out of his Charet; ſurely the Thundring Sermons that have been preach'd by thoſe Sons of Thunder, have cauſed this Son of Perdition to ſhrink downward from his pinnacle of Pride many degrees.
217. The efficacy of this Ordinance of Preaching againſt the Walls of Babylon, is clearly held out in the type of the fall of Jericho, Joſh. 6.13. [7 Prieſts bearing 7 Trumpets of Rams-horns, went on continually and blew with thoſe Trumpets: the Prieſts going on before the Ark and blowing with their Trumpets.] This they continued to do all the 6. days, and v. 16. it came to paſs on the 7th. day when the Prieſts blew with the Trumpets, the People hearing the Trumpets v. 20. ſhouted with a great ſhout, and the Walls of Jericho falls down flat to the ground.
218. The Antitype to the Sounding of thoſe Ramshorns is the Miniſtry of the Word, which though it be contemptible to man, yet is it (in poor Fiſhermen) the power of God, a Weapon that is Mighty, for the pulling down of the ſtrong holds of Antichriſt, 2 Cor. 10.4,5. God hews down (his) Forts by his Prophets, Hoſ. 6.5. and Curſed is he that rebuilds them again, Joſh. 6.26. God writes him childleſs that does ſo, 1 Kings 16.34. all from eldeſt to youngeſt dye.
219. We read in 1 Kings 19.17. How it was not only the Sword of Hazael, and the Sword of Jehu, that cut off that Idolatrous houſe of Ahab, but ſuch as eſcaped their two Swords, ſhould Eliſha ſlay: Yet read we not any where of a material Sword that this Prophet uſed, but he ſlew them by a Prophetical denouncing of Divine Vengeance againſt Idolaters: Thus powerful Preaching is an hewing down of Antichriſt by the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Eph. 6.17.
220. As the Prophet Jeremy was ſet over Nations and Kingdoms to root out and to pull down, to deſtroy and to throw down, Jer. 1.10. to wit, by his Menances and Denunciations of Wrath, which ſhould as ſurely be effected, as if the Prophet had himſelf effected them: So are all the Miniſters of the New Teſtament ſet up againſt this Kingdom of Antichriſt, to root it out and to pull it down; yea, and to deſtroy that man of Sin, that (abuſing this ſame place of Scripture) aſſumes a power of ſetting up and pulling down Kings and diſpoſing of their Kingdoms at his pleaſure: God expounds it better, Jer. 18.7.9.
221. Oh pray then for ſuch Miniſters of the Lord as may blow continually the Ramshorns, as may lift up their Voices like Trumpets, Iſa. 58.1. as may (with the Sword of the Spirit) hew down this curſed Bramble, out of which ſo much fire hath iſſued, as hath burnt down the Cedars of Lebanon, Judg. 9.15. Oh pray, that the ſlain Witneſſes may Prophecy again and reveal Antichriſt, (that was born in darkneſs) for the quinteſſence of Preaching is a Revealing of the myſtery of Godlineſs and the myſtery of Ungodlineſs.
222. There be therefore many demonſtrative Arguments to prove the fall of Antichriſt by; as 1. He muſt fall, becauſe he hath no foundation in the Word of God, the Sandy foundation that he ſtands upon, cannot long uphold him; he is not built on the Rock of ages, he is no Plant of Gods planting: 2ly. There is not a promiſe for his ſtanding, in all the holy Scriptures, but a direful threatning againſt his ſtanding, Math. 15.13. [every Plant which God hath not planted ſhall be Rooted up.]
223. And 3ly. There is never a true Spiritual Prayer for him, neither in the Word nor … the World: but all Prayer is againſt him; E…ſiaſtical Hiſtory tells us, how Prayer broke the neck of Simon Magus, and it will at length alſo break the neck of Antichriſt. The Popiſh Queen of Scots ſeem'd ſomething ſenſible of this, when ſhe ſaid, ſhe fear'd Mr. Knoxs Prayer, more then an Army of Twenty thouſand men.
224. He is 4ly. Not only guilty of much Blood, (which cries for Vengeance upon him) but alſo he is drunk with it; therefore as he now Staggers, (like one that is drunk) ſo he muſt likewiſe both ſtumble and fall, Iſai. 8.15. Jerem. 25.27. then 5ly. Solomon ſaith pride goes before deſtruction, and an haughty ſpirit before a fall, Prov. 16.18. Antichriſts pride was related before, Parag. 52.55. and from 89. to 97. all which muſt bring his fall and deſtruction.
225. But ſixthly and laſtly, becauſe ſo many battering Engines are planted againſt him, not by weak man, but by the Mighty God, therefore down he muſt come, for ſtrong is the Lord that Judges him, Revel. 18.8. When Joſhua comes againſt Jericho in the name of the Lord, and ſurrounds it with the Ark of God and blowing of Trumpets, this plainly portends the downfall of it; So when our Joſhua or Jeſus hath batter'd Babylon with thoſe Perſons and things forementioned for ſome years already, (ſince Luthers days eſpecially) this plainly portends it cannot ſtand, but muſt tumble down.