A voice from Heaven Calling the People of God to Separation, Sermon
A Voice from Heaven, Calling the People of God to a perfect ſeparation from myſtical BABYLON.
REV. 18.4.
And I heard another voice from Heaven, ſaying, Come out of her my People, that ye be not partakers of her ſins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
THis Book ſets forth the ſtate of the Church, and of the Empire under the two laſt heads of the fourth Beaſt: and it contains in it, in reference to the Empire, three great Propheſies.
Firſt, of the Seals, which I conceive refer unto Rome Pagan.
Secondly, Of the Trumpets, which refer unto Rome Chriſtian, after the time of Conſtantine the Emperour.
Thirdly, Of the Vials, which refer unto Rome Antichriſtian, after the Apoſtaſie ſpoken of 2 Theſ. 2.3. There muſt come a falling away firſt, that the man of ſin may be revealed, the ſon of perdition: the riſe of Antichriſt is ſet down in this Book, Ch. 13. under the repreſentation of two Beaſts, noting his double power; one temporal; ſo he is a Beaſt ariſing out of the Sea with ſeven heads and ten horns: The other Eccleſiaſtical: ſo he is a Beaſt ariſing out of the Earth, having two horns like a Lamb, &c. and his ruin is deſcribed Chap. 16. where are ſet down the ſeveral ſteps and degrees thereof.
Theſe words of the Text refer unto the time of the fifth Vial, which is to be poured out upon the Throne of the Beaſt, Chap. 16.10. which in this Chapter is more fully ſet forth, with the manner, and the ſeveral circumſtances thereof; when a mighty Angel ſhall cry 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 the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Theſe words now read unto you, Quamobrem aliquot Electi deliteſcunt adbuc in eluvione Romanae impietatis, quorum Deus meminit in communi perditione improborum. Bright.are taken out of Jer. 51.45. My people, go ye out of the midſt of her, and deliver ye every man his own ſoul from the fierce anger of the Lord; and they contain in them two things firſt, An exhortation unto the people of God, who are yet ſuppoſed to be mixt amongſt the Romiſh Idolaters; yea even then when Rome comes to receive its laſt plagues; in theſe words, come out of her my people.
Secondly, The reaſon given thereof, taken from a double evil; Firſt of ſin, that ye be not partakers of her ſins; Secondly of ſuffering, that ye receive not of her plagues.
Two things are to be ſpoken of by way of explication, before I can propoſe the Doctrine which I intend: and they are theſe, Firſt, What is meant here by Babylon.
Secondly, What is the deſtruction which is here threatned unto Babylon.
Firſt, what is meant by Babylon; for the underſtanding thereof, we read Chap. 17. ver. 3, 4, 5. Of a woman ſitting upon a ſcarlet coloured Beaſt, full of names of Blaſphemy, &c. and her name was written in her forehead, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots; Babylon therefore here ſpoken of, is deſcribed to be a Woman: and verſ. 18. the Woman is interpreted to be that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth; ſo that Babylon in the ſenſe of the holy Ghoſt, is a great City: and that antient Babylon cannot be here meant, is plain: partly, becauſe the ruin thereof was propheſied, Iſa. 21.9. Jer. 51.64. Thus ſhall Babylon ſink, and ſhall not ariſe from the evil that I will bring upon her. Which threatnings were inflicted long before Saint Johns time: but the City here ſpoken of did then raign over the Kings of the Earth: and John in this book doth ſpeak of nothing but the things that were, and that ſhould come to paſs hereafter: as appears Chap. 1.19. Write the things which thou haſt ſeen: the things which are, and the things which ſhall be hereafter; It appears alſo, becauſe the Spirit of God hath given us two words of purpoſe to keep us off from a literal ſenſe; one, Chap. 11.8. which is foreign, ſpiritually called Sodom and Egypt: it is a City therefore that is here ſpoken of, that hath the name of Sodom and Egypt, yet not to be literally, but ſpiritually underſtood: and the other is Chap. 17.5. foreign, Myſterie, Babylon the Great: it is not therefore to be literally, but myſtically interpreted: and what City in S. Johns time did rule over the Kings of the Earth, but Rome? called every where in this Book the great City, and by Hiſtorians Orbis totius compendium: & orbis terrarum lux & regina, &c. Cum caput illud O…bis …ccidet & foreign eſſe caeperit, quis dubitet veniſſe jam finem rebu… humanis orbique terrarum: Illa eſt enim civitas, quae adhuc ſuſtentat omnia, &c. Ne Tyrannus lumen illud effodiat, cujus interitu mundus ipſe lapſurus eſt, Lactan. de divin. praem. lib. 7. cap. 25.Yea, and A Lapide himſelf, though a Jeſuit, doth acknowledge all this to be meant of Rome, and can be underſtood of nothing elſe: only he refers it to Rome in the latter dayes of the world: his Obſervation upon Chap. 18. is this, Nota, Romam meretricem eſſe, & mercatricem, & cauponam, quae vine ſuo omnes inebriat & dementat. And this is called myſtically Babylon, upon a double account.
Firſt, becauſe of their reſemblance in ſin: Firſt in pride and Self exaltation: Babylon the glory of Kingdoms, the Beauty of the caldeans excellency, Iſa. 13.19. So Rome, ſhe ſaith in her heart. I ſit as a Queen, and am no widow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow. Revel. 18.7.
Secondly, In Tyranny and cruelty: Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lords hand, that made all the Earth drunken; the Nations have drunk of her wine; therefore are the Nations mad. Jer. 51.7. So myſtical Babylon is a woman that ſits upon many waters, rides upon the Scarlet coloured Beaſt, and hath a golden cup in her hand, and ſhe was found drunk with the blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jeſus, Rev. 17.6.
Thirdly, In their Witchcraft and Sorcery; therefore Caldeans and Southſayers are commonly put one for another: moſt of them being Magicians, and addicted unto thoſe unlawfull Arts: So Myſtical Babylon; by her Sorceries are all Nations deceived, Rev. 18.23. Which ſometimes makes me fear Popery in England much the more, becauſe it cannot but be apparent unto every judicious man, that Sorcerie grows common amongſt us: and we have many inſtances, that as Hereſie and Cruelty, ſo Hereſie and Sorcery have gone together.
Secondly, It is called Babylon, becauſe of the likneſs in the puniſhment.
Firſt, The Vengeance upon Babylon, was the Vengeance of the Temple, Jer. 50.28. the Violence done to me and to my fleſh be upon Babylon, ſhall the inhabitants of Sion ſay; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Caldea, ſhall Jeruſalem ſay, Jer. 51.35. So it ſhall be with Myſtical Babylon; in her was found the blood of of the Prophets, and of the Saints, and of all that were ſlain upon the Earth; and the Lord will avenge this blood of his ſervants at her hand, and will give them blood to drink, for they are worthy, Rev. 16.18. & 19.2.
Secondly, The deſtruction of Babylon did come ſuddenly; theſe two things ſhall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loſs of children and widdowhood, they ſhall come upon thee in their perfection, in the multitude of thy Sorceries, and the great abundance of thy Inchantments; Iſa. 47.9. So will the Lord deal with myſtical Babylon, ſhe ſhall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation: her plagues ſhall come in one day: Death, and mourning, and famine: and ſhe ſhall be utterly burnt with fire: For ſtrong is the Lord God who judgeth her, Rev. 11.10. & 18.8.
Thirdly, The deſtruction of Babylon ſhall be perpetual: it ſhall never be built, never be inhabited, nor dwelt in from Generation to Generation, but the wild Beaſts of the Deſart ſhall lie there, Owls ſhall dwell there, and Satyrs dance there, Iſa. 13.20,21. The ſame is ſaid of myſtical Babylon alſo: No crafts-man ſhall be found any more in thee, the ſound of the Milſtone ſhall be heard no more in thee, the light of the candle ſhall ſhine no more in thee, but thou ſhalt become the habitation of Devils, and the cage of every unclean and hateful Bird: Rev. 18.2.22,23.
Secondly what is the deſtruction threatned to Myſtical Babylon in this Book? Duplex Babylonis interitus in hiſce vaticiniis, primo pro urbe Beſtiae regia, puta urbe Romana; deinde pro Civibus aut Civitate Romana quam conſtituit Papa, &c. Mede clavis Apoc. Cap. 11.there is a double ruin & overthrow denounced againſt her: Firſt, as Babylon is taken for the City called the Throne of the Beaſt, Rev. 13.2. ſc. that which was unto the Heathen Emperours the Metropolis or Imperial City, this was given to this new Beaſt, and becomes his Throne alſo. Rev. 13.2.
Thus Babylon is to be deſtroyed under the fifth vial, Rev. 16.10. and unto this deſtruction the words of the Text refer.
Secondly, Babylon is not only taken for the City, but the Citizens, the inhabitants thereof; the chief part of which are the Pope, Cardinals, Biſhops, with their ſeveral Religious Orders, who after the burning of the City by the ten Kings, ſhall eſcape by flight, and ſhall ſend forth their Emiſſaries unto the Kings of the Earth, not ſubdued by the Lamb, and ſhall prevail with them to joyn in the ſame intereſt, and ſtir them up to unite in that great Battail Armageddon, where Antichriſt with all his ſcattered troups, and his confederates, even all the wicked of the Earth, ſhall be deſtroyed at once; for the Lord loves to ſee them periſh together, to bind them in bundles to burn.
This deſtruction of Babylon is reſerved to the laſt Vial, that upon the Ayr; and then ſhall great Babylon come up into remembrance before God to her utter ruin, that her name ſhall either be blotted out, or become a Curſe in the Earth.
Having thus opened the words, the Obſervation which I have pitcht upon, is this,
Doctr.That it is a ſpecial duty which the Lord requires of his people, living in ſuch times, that they make a ſeparation from Myſtical Babylon, and that eſpecially when her ruin draws near.
For the opening of it, there are two things to be conſidered.
Firſt, What ſeparation is required.
Secondly, What are the grounds and the reaſons of it.
Firſt, What kind of ſeparation doth the Lord require of his people? this we are the more narrowly to look into; becauſe it is a controverſie between us and them; and the queſtion, as Cardinal Perron propoſeth it, is, Liceatne à communione viſibilis Eccleſiae diſcedere? Cameron opuſc. miſcel. pag. 522.therefore I muſt give you this diſtinction.
Firſt, There is a ſeparation that is a ſin.
Secondly, There is a ſeparation that is a duty.
Firſt, There is a ſeparation that is a ſin; Theſe are they that ſeparate themſelves, ſenſual, not having the Spirit, Jude 19.foreign, the Decompound may ſeem to note thus much, that they ſeparate and ſeparate, till they have forſaken all the true Churches of Chriſt upon Earth; many there are for this kind of Separation, who ſay, there are no true Churches, Ordinances, Miniſtery, and with the foot of pride and contempt, not only depart from them all, but kick at them.
Unto theſe I would only ſay three things; Firſt, this Doctrine doth at once deſtroy the whole plot of this Book of the Revelation, wherein the Lord ſhews unto John all things that ſhould be acted for his Church unto the end of the World; and the Spectators thereof, which are as the Chorus, and upon every occaſion give their Acclamations, are the Churches.
Firſt, The Church is here meant, becauſe firſt there is Gods preſence amongſt his people, his Throne is there erected, Rev. 4.3. ſutable to that, A glorious high Throne is the place of our Sanctuary, Jer. 17.12.
Secondly, There is Gods worſhip, Rev. 4.8. They reſt not day nor night, ſaying, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.
Secondly, It is a Church of men, not of Angels: for they ſing, thou haſt redeemed us to God by thy blood, Rev. 5.9. which cannot be ſpoken of the Angels.
Thirdly, It is a Church of men upon Earth, and not in Heaven; for there are the ſeven ſpirits before the Throne, which notes the variety of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which are proper only to the Earth: for in Heaven gifts ſhall ceaſe, as alſo the preſent manner of adminiſtration from the Throne.
And there is before the Throne a Sea of glaſs, in alluſion to Solomons Sea, which was for the prieſts to waſh in, and that ſuppoſes defilement, which is not in Heaven.
Fourthly, It is a viſible, and not an inviſible Church: for here are Beaſts and Elders, which are Officers and Brethren, which belong only unto the Church viſible: and they are deſcribed here as met together to give God glory, which belongs only to viſible Churches, Rev. 9.9. And there be Angels round about the Throne, and the Beaſts, and Elders. Rev. 5.11. which ſhall not be in Heaven: for Chriſt ſhall put down all rule, and authority, and power, 1 Cor. 15.24. which is to be underſtood de principatu Angelico, as well as of any other power, and their ſhall be need of no ſuch guard in Heaven.
Fifthly, It is ſpoken of viſible Churches all the world over; for they ſay, Thou haſt redemed us by thy blood out of every Kinred, and Tongue, People and Nation, and haſt made us unto our God Kings and Prieſts, and we ſhall raign in the Earth: Rev. 5.10. But they that maintain ſuch a ſeparation from all Churches, muſt blot out this Chapter out of their Bibles; for the pure times of the Church, its conceived, did not continue above 360, or 365 years, and then The man of ſin began to be revealed: ſince which time this Opinion doth ſay, there have been neither Beaſts nor Elders to obſerve and give God the Glory of his actings, during the whole time of Antichriſts Tyranny.
Secondly, The Scripture doth clearly tell us, that during the whole time of this great apoſtacy of Antichriſt, there are ſome that the Lord will preſerve pure unto himſelf, and which he will own as Churches during the whole time of Antichriſt: his firſt riſe is ſet forth, Rev. 13. and then we have the ſtate of the Church deſcribed, Chap. 14.1,2,3,4. by which it appears that when the whole world wondred after the Beaſt, yet there were reſerved an hundred forty and four thouſand, who ſtood with the Lamb upon Mount Sion, having his Fathers Name, (not Antichriſts Mark) written in their forheads, and they ſung a new ſong, that is, did praiſe and worſhip God in an excellent and acceptable manner, which was hid from the reſt of the world who did worſhip the Beaſt: theſe are ſaid to be redeemed from amongst men, and were as the firſt fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, of that general Converſion which ſhall be when Antichriſt ſhall be deſtroyed.Canticum novum pro eximio. Pſal. 33.3. Iſa. 62.2. Rev. 21.5. vel novum de novo beneficio liberationis factae Iſa. 42.10. vel novum eſt innovatum, iterum at que iterum rep… tum.
And Chap. 15.1,2. we read of a ſea of Glaſs, upon which thoſe ſtood who had gotten the victory over the Beaſt, his Image Mark, and the Number of his name, & they had the Harps of God in their hands; they did worſhip God purely and publikely, during the time of Antichriſts raign, which is commonly interpreted of the reformed Churches; And immediately after Babylons ruine, we read of the four Beaſts, and the four and twenty Elders, who obſerve this, and give the Lord the Glory, ſaying, Amen, Halelujah, Rev. 19.4. therefore during the whole time of Antichriſt, there have been, and ſhall be ſome that are gathered into Bodies, members and Officers, Beaſts and Elders, owned as true Churches by Chriſt, who during the time of this Apoſtaſie, have kept their garments, are not defiled with women, but in reference to Antichriſts fornications, are Virgins, in whoſe mouth is found no guile, but they are without fault before the Throne of God; Rev. 14.4,5. How then ſhall any man ſay, that all Churches have been ſo corrupted by Antichriſt, as that they remain no more Churches unto Chriſt? when the Lord gives unto ſome of them this Teſtimony, that either they have not received the mark of the Beaſt, or have gotten the victory over it, and his Name, and the number of his Name, that is, whatſoever is Antichriſtian, and they remain as Virgins and without fault before his Throne.
Thirdly, Let all ſuch perſons conſider, that denying any true Churches of Chriſt, they muſt of neceſſity place themſelves in the Synagogue of Satan; which appears ſo much the more, becauſe they bring upon themſelves the guilt of the higheſt pride in the World, which was the Devils ſin; 1 Tim. 3.6. To unſaint a man is a great height of pride, much more to unchurch a Society, and that under the name of Antichriſtian, who profeſs to diſclaim Antichriſt, and whatſoever ſhall be made to appear to relate to him.
But what is it then to deal thus with all the Churches of Chriſt upon Earth? Societies where the Lord hath manifeſted his preſence, to the Converſion and Salvation of many thouſand Souls, who have this Teſtimony from the Lord, that they have gotten the Victory over the Beaſt, his Image, his Mark, his Name, thoſe whom the Lord owns, as having his Name written in their foreheads: And yet to unchurch all theſe, and number them with the Antichriſtian Party to deſtruction, is ſuch a piece of Pride, as one would hardly have thought could have entred into the heart of any but the Devil; And that this is more immediatly from Satan, I am inclined to think, from a paſſage I have met with in Auſtin; When Satan could not prevail to keep the Chriſtian Religion out of the world, but the Goſpel did ſpread even as a Sun-beam among the Gentiles, foreign. Euſeb.he did then perſwade the Heathen, and they were confident of it, that the Chriſtian Religion ſhould continue in the world but three hundred ſixty and five years, and then they ſhould return to Paganiſm again; but that ſo long Peter had bewitched the world by his Sorceries, that they ſhould believe in Chriſt: Definitum eſt quanto tempore manſura eſſet religio Chriſtiana: Petrum maleficia ſubjungunt, ut coleretur Chriſti nomen per trecentos ſexaginta quin que annos; deinde completo memorato numero annorum, fine mora ſinem ſumet. de civit. Dei. lib. 18. cap. 53.happily by this Propheſie he might intend, that about this time Antichriſt, the man of Sin ſhould riſe, and the Temple of God be given to the Antichriſtian Gentiles (Popery being nothing elſe but Ethniciſmus Redivivus) And ſo the Devils propheſie was after a ſort fulfilled, when after three hundred ſixty five years, or thereabouts, the apoſtacy of Antichriſt did over-ſpread the World: But theſe men undertake to make it good, and that even in as large a ſenſe as Satan would have it underſtood; ſc. that there are no true Churches, no true Ordinances ſince that time; and ſo ſince Antichriſts riſe, the Chriſtian Religion hath been deſtroyed, or in a manner utterly baniſhed out of the world. Qui fratres nullos extra ſuam partem agnoſcere volebant, & adverſus orbem terrarum ſacrilegae diſſenſionis altare erexcrunt. Auſt. de verit. Eccleſ. cap. 13.16.There are another ſort, who, though they deny not all Churches as the former, yet like to the Donatiſts of old, they acknowledge none but their own, all other they readily term Antichriſtian, and ſuch as they can hold no Communion with, though they profeſs to believe the ſame principles of Religion, and walk in holineſs of Converſation: yet they deny them Communion, as Churches, unleſs they come under their form. Now becauſe godly men may fall under this deluſion; therefore I deſire all ſuch perſons ſeriouſly to conſider theſe three things.
Firſt, Chriſt in the days of his fleſh ſeparated not from the Church of the Jews, though there were abundance, and thoſe very groſs Corruptions in it: Now the Diſciple is not above his Lord; it is not good to make our ſelves wiſer or more holy then he.
Secondly, When Chriſt holds communion as a head, we ſhould not deny it as members: Now Chriſt did not preſently give Babylon a Bill of Divorce, Corruption coming into that Church by degrees; and ſo long as Salvation was to be had, there this Voice was not heard from Heaven, Come out of her my people: they were not called to ſeparate from her Communion; and it muſt needs be dangerous for any perſon, to call a Society Loammi, which God hath not ſo named.
Thirdly, Where the Foundations of Religion are held, though there be many differences in circumſtantials, yet it is not lawfull to break communion with ſuch, much leſs under the name of Antichriſtian; For though the Sea of glaſs be mingled with fire, the fire of Contention, and though there be great differences in opinion, yet all may get the Victory over the Beaſt and his Image, his Mark, and his Name, and they may joyn together to praiſe God they have ſo, though it may be they are not all alike Victorious: Quas Eccleſias non diſſitemur retinere conjunctionem & communionem ſalutiferā cum Chriſto capite & fundamento ſanctae Catholicae Eccleſiae; cum illis decet nos retinere fraternam Communionem. Daven. ad. hortat. ad pacem Eccleſ. cap. 8.This therefore hath been a Rule given by Divines in ſeveral ages, for the reconciling of brethren among themſelves that hold the head, Keep to the Foundation, though in many things of leſs concernment they differ, and that is, that with all ſuch Communion is to be held, as with the Churches of Chriſt, their Errors not being ſuch as cut them off from Chriſt, or being inconſiſtent with Salvation. Upon this ground the antient Church did own the Donatiſts as brethren, and held it their duty ſo to do. Optat. Mile. vit. lib. 3. & 7. de Schiſmat. Donat. Nomen frateruitatis non putavit iſtis denegandum; immo impietatis eſſe putavit de iſto nomine vel tacere.Donatiſtas ab Orthodoxis pro fratribus agnoſci &c. Fraternitatis nomen Donatiſtis faſtidioſum, Orthodoxis vero neceſſarium, &c. For they durſt not deny Communion with them in Church Ordinances, whom they durſt not deny to enjoy Communion with Chriſt here, and of whom they could upon Scripture grounds hope they ſhould have Communion with them in glory hereafter. And if this be not a Rule by which we ought to walk, there can be no Communion beetwen Parties diſagreeing in any thing: For ſo long as there is blindneſs in the mind of man, and ſome things in the Scripture foreign hard to be underſtood, ſo long as there are different degrees of light, and men not made perfect in love, 'tis impoſſible that in every thing we ſhould agree: Yet ſo long as we hold the main, that wherein Salvation lies (for in brevi & facili ſtat aeternitas: Hilar.) ſo long as we differ not in Fundamentals, ſuch Doctrines which a man cannot be ignorant of, as Auſtin obſerves, ſine diſpendio promiſſae Salutis, without miſſing Salvation, this union in the great things of Religion ſhould ingage men to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and to take heed that they differ not in affections, where they cannot agree in opinion.
Secondly, There is a ſeparation which is a duty; Come out from among them, and be you ſeparate, 2 Cor. 6.17. which is by Cameron and others ſaid to be double; Exceſſus internus & externus, That is, a ſeparation from the corruption, and from the Communion of a Church.
Firſt, There is a ſeparation from the corruption of a Church; ſo we are to ſeparate in any Church in the world, that is, to abſtain from the evil thereof, and in our place to bear our Teſtimony againſt it: Thus we ſee, though the Lord Jeſus did hold communion with the Church of the Jews, ſaying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midſt of the Church will I ſing praiſe unto thee, Heb. 2.12. Yet he did ſeparate from all the Corruptions thereof, and was unto them a faithfull and true witneſs againſt their Erroneous Doctrines, Superſtitious Cuſtomes and Traditions: thus it was the duty of Gods people, from the firſt Working of the Myſterie of iniquity, to come out of Babylon; and therefore the Witneſſes began their Teſtimony, as ſoon as Antichriſt began his Apoſtacie to tread down the Temple of God, or rather the outward Court thereof: For they Propheſied in ſackcloth and aſhes a thouſand two hundred and ſixty days, which is contemporary with the whole time of the Reign of Antichriſt, as appears, Rev. 11.2,3. But yet that was not an immediate ſeparation from Communion; For the Church of God did a great while lie hid among them; There were tempora gemendi & latendi, as Cameron ſpeaks, times of their mourning in, and groaning under thoſe corruptions before a total ſeparation.
Secondly, There is a time alſo when the Lord doth require a ſeparation from Communion; When his people are to withdraw all communion from ſuch, to look upon them as a Church of Chriſt no more, to abhor them in regard of Communion, as an accurſed thing: Thus when the Lord had given the Jews a bill of Divorce, and broke off the natural branches, which is not ſpoken of breaking men off from grace or electing love, for the Election obtained mercy, when the reſt were blinded; but it is here meant of being broken off from a Viſible Church ſtate, the good Olive tree being a type thereof, Rom. 11.24. When the Lord had thus called them Loammi, his people were to hold Communion with them as a Church no more, God having caſt them off, and wrath being come upon them to the uttermoſt: So though Rome were ſometimes a true Church of Chriſt, and afterward corrupted by degrees; yet when the Lord divorced her as an Harlot, as the Mother of Harlots, calls her Babylon, and not Sion, then it is the duty of his people, not only to ſeparate from their corruption as before, but from their communion alſo.
I come now to give the reaſons of ſuch a ſeparation from Myſtical Babylon, which are theſe:
Firſt, Becauſe God hath put her away, hath ſaid of them they are not my people, but ſpiritually Sodom and Egypt, Antichriſtian Gentiles, ver. 11.2. when the Lord thus forſakes any people, we ſhould forſake them; when the glory of the Lord departs from a people, the Angels withdraw their Protection, and by the ſame degrees, Ezek. 10.4,5.18.19. and Chap. 11.22.23. whenſoever the glory of the Lord removed, the Cherubims alſo did lift up their wings; And as the departure of God is the ground of their withdrawing Protection, ſo it ſhould be of our withholding Communion.
Secondly, Such a ſeparation is to be made, becauſe in Babylon no Salvation can be had; A Reprobate may in truth be made partaker of all that is contained in the Religion of the Church of Rome. Eccleſia propriè dicta non probat quicquid probant mali Doctores admixti eccleſiae, nec quicquid boni Doctores haud bene docuerunt. Melan. Daven. adhort. cap. 4.It was Mr. Perkins his Obſervation long ſince, That a Papiſt by the Rules of his own Religion cannot go beyond a Reprobate; where Foundations are deſtroyed, Principles denyed, or corrupted, and this not the Doctrine of ſome particular men only, (for ſuch there may be in the pureſt Churches of Chriſt upon Earth; as in the Church of Corinth, there were thoſe that denyed the Reſurrection of the dead) but when it becomes the Doctrine of the Church, which they as a Church do profeſs to maintain, and refuſe to be reclaimed: then there is no more Salvation to be expected there; which is conceived to be the pouring out of the ſecond Vial upon Myſtical Babylon, Rev. 16.3. The Sea then became as the blood of a dead man, and every living Soul died in the Sea: By the Sea is meant their Doctrine, and the Comprehenſion or Collection thereof: as by the Rivers are meant thoſe that carry abroad this Doctrine in all places and all parts of the World. This Doctrine is become the blood of a dead man, ex corrupta fit corruptiſsima; it was corrupt before, yet ſome lived in it; but now every living thing dyed: That is, there was no more Salvation to be had by the Doctrine of their Religion; therefore with them no more Communion is to be held.
Thirdly, We are to ſeparate from her, becauſe ſhe is become a perſecutor of all the people of God through the world: She rides upon a Scarlet coloured Beaſt: an Embleme both of Majeſty, and Cruelty: ſhe is drunk with the blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus, and in her will be found the blood of the Prophets, of the Saints, and of all that are ſlain upon the Earth, Rev. 18.24. A ſeparation therefore is a duty, that we hold not Communion with her, whoſe trade is Perſecution.
Fourthly, Gods people are to ſeparate from Babylon, becauſe God hath ſet himſelf againſt her to deſtroy her with a great and eminent deſtruction. For when ſhe comes up into remembrance before God, ſhe that made all Nations drunk with the cup of the wine of her Fornication, ſhall be made to drink of the cup of the wine of the fierceneſs of Gods wrath, Rev. 16.19. and ſhall with violence, as a Milſtone, be caſt into the Sea, and be found no more at all, Rev. 18.19. It was proclaimed long ago, That if any man worſhipped the Beaſt, or his Image, or received his Mark, he ſhould drink of the wine of the wrath of God without mixture, and be tormented with fire and brimſtone in the preſence of the holy Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb, Rev. 14.10. Cujus vaſtitatis & confuſionis haec erit cauſa, quod Romanum nomen, quo nunc regitur Orbis, tolletur è terrâ, & in Aſiam Imperi… …eveitetur, ac rurſus Oriens dominabitur, at que Occidens ſerviet. de praem. divin. ſect. 7. cap. 15.And this Judgement the Antients did foreſee, and do expect: Horret animus dicere: dicam tamen, quia futurum eſt, Romanum nomen de terra tolletur, Lactan. I am affraid to ſpeak it, yet I will ſpeak, becauſe it ſhall come to paſs, that the name of Rome ſhall be blotted out, or taken away out of the Earth.
Fifthly, All Gods people are to ſeparate from her, that they partake not with her in her ſins; it hath been Antichriſts buſineſs from her very beginning to infect and corrupt others: and that ſhe doth after the manner of Harlots, in a way of Love, and in the moſt enticing manner: for ſhe gives the wine of her Fornication in a golden cup. This hath even been the manner of thoſe men, whoſe ſpirits Satan hath touched, from that impreſſion of devilliſhneſs left upon their ſpirits, to deſire and endeavor to draw others into fellowſhip with them in the ſame ſin, and the ſame condemnation: and as he that doth not reprove his brother, doth bear ſin for him, Lev. 19.17. So he that doth not give Teſtimony againſt ſin in that way which the Lord requires, brings upon himſelf the guilt thereof. It is not always enough to ſpeak againſt ſin, or to mourn for it, but a man is to ſeparate from them that walk in it; there is a time for Lot in Sodom to vex his righteous ſoul from day to day: but there is a time when he muſt come out of Sodom, unleſs he will periſh with it.
Sixthly, A ſeparation muſt be made, becauſe they that partake in their ſins, ſhall ſurely receive of her plagues, and God is no reſpecter of perſons, though ſuch as are juſtified, can never come under an eternal guilt: yet they may contract a temporal, which may involve them in the ſame temporal Judgements with the wicked, and ſo Sampſon like, they may die with the Uncircumciſed: The good Figs ſhall go into Captivity with the bad, though not to the ſame end, Jer. 24. If therefore Gods people deſire to be delivered from their plagues, they muſt not partake in their ſins, which they will alwayes do, until they forſake their Communion.
Uſe. Let this be unto all the people of God as a voice from Heaven, to perſwade them to come out of Myſtical Babylon: And the rather, becauſe the work of this day ſhould be, as to exalt God in this mercy and deliverance, ſo to make Popery odious ever after: therefore this day ſhould always revive our deteſtation, that being in our eye which Luther profeſſed to be his aim in all that he did, Brevi efficiam, ut anathema ſit, eſſe Papiſtam.
And we have the more need to be ſtirred up hereunto; becauſe ſince this Nation departed from Rome, there were never greater attempts, nor higher hopes to bring us back unto this ſpiritual Egypt, then there are at this day. To make this manifeſt, I ſhall propoſe to you ſome of my obſervations upon the preſent times, which ſeem to argue a tendency and inclination this way.
Firſt, A Univerſal unſetling of all things in Religion: all the Principles, and the Doctrines of Godlineſs are either denied or diſputed, though it be true, Spiritus Sanctus Scepticus non eſt: Luther.which is to me a ground of fear that there is an intent to bring in another Goſpel, Antichriſts Goſpel, foreign that lye; I dare not ſay, I dare not think that this is the intendment of all thoſe that go this way: but ſurely it is finis operis, though not operantis; Yet I am not without fear, that many do it deſignedly, and ſpeak lyes in hypocriſie to that very end: when we look upon the riſe of Antichriſt, we ſhall find that Satan before hand caſt out of his mouth a flood after the woman, which is interpreted to be the Arian hereſie, and abundance of corrupt Doctrines accompanying it, which though they paſs too and fro for ſome years, yet all ſetled and were gathered into the Sea of Rome at laſt; and it is to be feared Satan hath the ſame aim at this day, though Magiſtrates and men in Authority may profeſs never ſo much againſt it: Imperatores facti ſunt Chriſtiani, ſed diabolus nondum factus eſt Chriſtianus. Auguſt.
Secondly, Conſider the inſtruments that are abroad in the World; we read of frogs ſent out of the mouth of the Beaſt, Rev. 16.13. that is, by his eſpecial command and commiſſion; and theſe go forth unto the Kings of the Earth in all ſhapes; and we have cauſe to fear (nay apparent ground to believe) that beſides the men of corrupt minds riſen up among our ſelves, there are many of thoſe ſent in among us; it were well if we could look upon our Cities, Army, Navy, yea Councels to be free: and ſo much the rather it is to be feared, becauſe we ſee all antient Hereſies revived, Arians, Macedonians, Montaniſts, Patripaſsians, yea that conceit of Joachim Abbas, Joachim Abbas docebat, triplicem doctrinam à tribus perſonis dimanare; doctrinam, ſc. Legis à Patre, doctrinam Evangelii quod conſignatum habemus à Filio, tertiam doctrinam à Spiriu ſancto expectandam, quam appellat Evangelium aeternum. Daven. in Coloſ. Cap. 2. v. 2.that there is a Goſpel of the Spirit, another Goſpel then that preached by Chriſt and to obſerve by what mean perſons theſe doctrines are vented, and yet all the antient Arguments uſed to maintain them: A conſidering man obſerving this, can hardly imagine but that there be ſome that do ſecretly, and with the beſt advantage inſtil ſuch things into them, and that in an unobſerved way; for they are ſaid to be ſpirits, that is, though they act very powerfuly, yet inviſibly: their motions, ways and practices are not known.
Thirdly, Conſider that conſtant preſsing of liberty of Conſcience, which if granted, muſt be univerſal; for who hath power to lay a reſtraint upon one mans conſcience more then another? and therefore the Patrons of this opinion do plead for a toleration for Popery, upon a Religious account; and that it is no more to be impoſed upon, then any other perſwaſion: as alſo that doctrine of Mariana the Jeſuite, Marian. c. 10. Cont. Volit. l 2. Cap. 16.now ſo generally inſiſted upon, and pleaded for, Princeps nil ſtauat de Religione, The Magiſtrate is not to meddle with matters of Religion: there were two Doctrines antiently, which of neceſſity brought in Popery; though a man knew-nothing elſe of that Religion, ſc. That the true Church cannot err; and that the Church of Rome is that true Church: Now there are two other principles ſprung up in the world; Firſt, that the word in the heart, and the Spirit working there, is not to be tryed and examined by the word in the Book, that being but a dead letter, and for the Spirit to be examined by the word, is a minoration thereunto.
Secondly, as the word muſt not try the ſpirits of men, ſo Magiſtrates have nothing to do with their Religion. Theſe two principles received, lay all open to Popery or Atheiſm. And if Popery, as a Religion, receive but a Toleration, and the ſame Countenance that others do, (it being a Religion moſt agreeable to Nature, as corrupt, and ſo exactly fitted to it) it will ſoon have the moſt followers: for when Popery firſt appeared in the world, the whole world wondred after it, as it had done after Arianiſm a little before.
Fourthly, Look to the Apoſtacy of the preſent age, men falling from all things in Religion, and with an impudent face denying deriding all; the Scriptures, the Trinity, the Godhead of Chriſt, his ſufferings and ſatisfaction, Juſtification by imputed Righteouſneſs, the Law of God as the Rule of Obedience, and whatſoever Doctrines Chriſtian Religion is built upon: now we know that a great Apoſtacy did make way for Popery, 2 Theſ. 2.3. God giving them up to believe a lye: and by this means the man of ſin, foreign, the lawleſs one, was revealed; and there is great cauſe to fear, that the preſent Apoſtacy amongſt us may have ſuch a tendency: for we ſee men fall from one thing to another, untill they hold to nothing in matters of Religion: ſuch an Apoſtacy (as I think, I may without breach of Charity ſay) that hath not been the like in any Chriſtian Church, ſince that great Apoſtacy before named: and being thus become as it were an outward Court, may we not fear that God ſhould give us over to be trodden down of the Antichriſtian Gentiles again? and not receiving truth in the love of it, he ſhould give us up to believe that lye?
Fifthly, If we conſider farther, that Antichriſt ſhall have yet a day for it, the time of the killing of the witneſſes being yet to come: For they muſt Propheſie in ſackcloth and aſhes, a thouſand two hundred and ſixty daies, which is Contemporary with the whole reign of Antichriſt, which is two and forty months; and if we take the beginning from the diviſion of the Empire into ten Kingdoms, The ten Kings receiving Power the ſame hour with the Beaſt, I cannot find upon any account, the time of their Propheſie in Sackcloth and Aſhes to be fulfilled: and if ſo, their killing time, and the inſulting of the Antichriſtian party over their dead bodies, becauſe they were dead that tormented thoſe that dwell on the Earth, muſt be yet to come, and that neer unto the time of Antichriſts ruine; and who knows? yea hath not every one reaſon to fear that the preſent Apoſtacy and defection may lay the ground of, and prepare the ſpirits of men for ſuch a Perſecution?
Sixthly, What means elſe that general revolting unto the Doctrines of Popery, and Arminianiſm? The ſpirits of Popery, which the Jeſuits (being the Popes Janizaries) have laboured moſt in, and had great conteſts with the Dominicans about them, before ever the name of Arminius was heard of in the world: and that they are Symbolical, and the paſſage eaſie from one to the other, the examples of Bertius, Tilenus, Vorſtius, and many others do make manifeſt: But we need not go abroad for inſtances: We ſaw in Epiſcopal times, that thoſe that were moſt forward in receiving and propagating theſe Doctrines of the Jeſuits, they ſoon fell into the ſuperſtitions of Rome, in all their ways of Worſhip: and we have reaſon to expect that it ſhould be ſo in our time alſo: Thoſe Doctrines being as infectious now, as they have been in times paſt.
Seventhly, What may a man think of that general endeavor that there is to take off the odium from Popery and Papiſts among us? That courting of them, aſſociating, and complying with them; ſo that with too many a Papiſt finds more favor then a faithfull Miniſter of the Goſpel: Nay, what means that general neglect of the obſervation of this day, In perpetuam Pontificiorum ignominiam? Nay, why is it denyed by ſome, and the Religious obſervance thereof, as if it were not a thing plotted by them, but rather fained by us?
Eighthly, What is the meaning of that deſign now on foot againſt the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and their maintenance? both being ſo clearly laid down in the Scripture, and the latter having been ſo fully proved by the Law: Is it not to be feared that all this is, becauſe they are the men that are lookt upon to ſtand in the light, and do hinder the bringing forth of ſome ſuch accurſed birth, according unto the Politick Counſel of Contzen the Jeſuite, who exhorts them to take away thoſe that are forward and hot men, Zealous for truth: Haereſiarchae & doctores errorum Repub. pellendi ſunt una vice ſi commodè fieri queat, ſin minus, ſenſim & paulatim. li. 2. Politic. ca. 18. modus reducendae verae religionis.and then error (for ſo he calls truth) cui patrocinium deerit, ſine pugna concidet: or at leaſt they being removed, thoſe may be be brought in who are unable either to diſcern truth from error, or to convince the gainſayer, and ſo the blind leading the blind, both may fall into the Ditch.
Ninthly, That general outcry that is upon all Truths, Ordinances and ways of Religion among us, as Antichriſtian: Our Churches Antichriſtian, our Miniſtry Antichriſtian, our Laws Antichriſtian, &c. For it is Satans manner, when he would ſet up Antichriſt indeed, to blend all the things of Chriſt, with the Name of Antichriſt; thus giving the Wine of her Fornication in a golden Cup: For Antichriſt muſt blaſpheme Gods name, his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven: neither hath this been a late deſign only (for none of the Opinions or Practices that are amongſt us are new) but there was a book written many years ago, Entituled, Praemonitiones Chriſti & Apoſtolorum, de abolendo Chriſto vero per Antichriſtum: Wherein the Doctrine of the Trinity, the two natures of Chriſt, his ſuffering in the fleſh, and his ſatisfaction unto God for ſin: All theſe are ſaid to be Antichriſtian Doctrines, and endeavoured to be cenſured under that Notion of a deſign of Antichriſt, to undermine the true Chriſt; who, ſaith the Author, is Chriſt in the Spirit, and not in the fleſh: Let none therefore be moved to hear every thing now termed Antichriſtian, whether in Doctrine or practice, according unto the licentiouſneſs of men: but rather fear, leſt under the name of Antichriſtian, the things of Chriſt be caſt off, & he who is truly Antichriſt brought in, who comes with all deceivableneſs of unrighteouſneſs.
Tenthly, When I conſider alſo that general careleſneſs and inadventencie that is even amongſt the people of God concerning theſe things, a ſpirit of ſlumber (and it is to be feared in Judgement) being come upon them: ſo that no man mourns under it, no man lays it unto his heart. I can remember when the Doctrines of Arminianiſm were revived in England by Mr. Mountagues Book, what impreſſion it made upon the ſpirits of the godly, called then the Puritans of this Nation: what mourning, faſting, praying, writing there was againſt it; but now even Godly men ſleep, whilſt the Enemy ſows theſe Tares. This makes me to ſee need of preſſing this exhortation, that you come out, that you keep out of Babylon. Oh that the Lord would make it a Voice from Heaven to you! For though there be many abominable Hereſies, Sects, and Errors in this Land at this day, and in this City: Yet upon the forementioned grounds, I am enclined to conceive, that they all play ſmall game but the Papiſts, who inſinuate themſelves under all theſe Forms; and thereby intend worſe to us then a Powder plot, if the Lord prevent it not: and I am perſwaded they had never greater hopes of it.
Uſe. 2. But ſeeing God hath brought us out of Babylon, what may we do to keep our ſelves from returning thither again? Here I ſhall offer to you theſe few Directions, as Preſervatives.
Firſt, Receive the truth in the love of it, 2 Theſ. 2.10,11. For this was the cauſe that did provoke God to give men up unto that efficacy of deceit at firſt: Endeavor therefore to know, and to be eſtabliſhed in truth, that you be not carried away with every wind of Doctrine; and do not plead for truth, as Lawyers plead cauſes, by other mens evidences, but get an experimental knowledge thereof in your own ſouls: Conſider, it is the great depoſitum committed unto you to keep, Buy it therefore, and ſell it not: contend earneſtly for the faith, claim it as your inheritance for ever.
Secondly, Let all thoſe that fear God, unite againſt this common adverſary: your diviſions will always be his advantages, their way having always been to fiſh in ſuch troubled waters; Captare tempor a impacata, Rev. 15.1. though the Sea of glaſs be mingled with fire, yet they that have gotten Victory over the Beaſt, ſhould ſtand together upon the ſame Sea, with the Harps of God in their hands: Commune periculum concordiâ pulſandum. It is the obſervation of Bullinger ſeveral times in his Book de Perſecut. Eccleſ. That becauſe of the diſſention of Brethren among themſelves, God did give them up into the hands of the Enemy, ad abſtergendum aeruginem, quae quotidie magis as mag is creſcebat: Temporibus Aureliani Imperatoris, &c. Chriſtiani optime inter ſe conveniebant: ſed ardens illud fludium imminutum, diſſentiones auctae ſunt, praecipue inter Epiſcopos & doctores. Ideoque Dominus paſſus eſt infideles Ethnicos manum Eccleſiae injicere. Ita temporibus Conſtantini, &c.Yet let not this union be ſinfull, and unworthy: unto that I exhort you not; For Caſtam Chriſti ſponſum decet caſta concordia: but you that agree in the Foundations, the great things of Religion, though in certain forms you differ, or in truths of leſſer alloy, yet take Luthers Counſel to the Synod at Norinberg, to ſilence your diſputes untill a fitter opportunity. Meum conſilium eſt, ut cauſam hanc ſinatis ad tempus ſopitam jacere, hoc tempore enim & animis ſic affectis venenum eſt diſputare. And be ſure in your diverſity of opinion, you endeavor to keep unity in affection.
Thirdly, Suſpect all new Doctrines: For we are to enquire for the old way, the good way, that we may find reſt to our ſouls: we are to go forth by the ſteps of the Antient flocks: Novelty hath always leaven in it the people of God antiently feared not only novel Doctrines or Tenents, but new coined words, foreign, for with ſuch, falſe teachers uſe to come: Felix Eccleſin cum nova de Deo dicere laſcivia crederetur; that Church is in a happy condition when all Novelties in Doctrine are ſuſpected to be barely the fruit of wanton wits and prophane hearts.
Fourthly, Take heed of hearing any of thoſe that would bring in Popiſh leaven: Your ears are not your own, take heed what you hear; itching ears ſeldom conſent to true, but ordinarily to unſound Doctrine, 2 Joh. 10. If they bring not this Doctrine, receive them not into your houſe, bid them not God-ſpeed: Thoſe common civilities which unto ſome ſtrangers are a duty, they cannot without ſin be performed towards men that corrupt truths, and hunt ſouls.
Fifthly, Let Magiſtrates do their duty towards Religion: It is Bellarmines Doctrine, that they are Religionis defenſores, non Judices: but you (Right Honorable, with the reſt in Authority) ought to Judge which is the true Religion, and to endeavor to maintain it, Chriſtianity taking in all our relations: and the Lord having promiſed, Iſa. 49.23. That Kings ſhall be thy nurſing Fathers, and Queens thy nurſing Mothers: that which is promiſed to the Church as a mercy, Magiſtrates ſhould make Conſcience to perform as a duty. Do you therefore afford favor and encouragement unto thoſe that are good, and be you a terror unto them that are evil: Mark thoſe that cauſe Diviſions, and raiſe Diſtractions among you.
Sixthly, Give unto God the glory of the mercy of this day: Let your Vials be gold, and full of Odours. The Enemies fall before the praiſes, as well as the prayers of Gods people: Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings he hath ordained ſtrength, Pſal. 8.2. which is rendred by Chriſt, thou haſt perfected praiſe, Mat. 21.16. and this ſhall be powerfull, to ſtill the Enemy and the avenger. I ſhall conclude all with that, 2 Chron. 20.22. when they began to ſing, and to praiſe the Lord, the Lord ſet ambuſhments againſt the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mounſeir, that they helped to deſtroy one another.
FINIS.
End of the text · William Strong, A voice from Heaven Calling the People of God to Separation (1654)