Certain Discourses, Part 3

Certain Discourses · Part 3

p. 33A SERMON, Preached at Christ-Church Dublyn, before the Lord Deputie, and the Parliament of Ireland, by BP. BEDELL, Bishop of Kilmore in Ireland, Anno 1634.

Revel. 18. 4.

And I heard another voyce 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.

Right Honorable, Reverend, Worshipful and Beloved.

THe Censure that Saint Hierome passeth on this Book of the Revelation, Tot Sacramenta quot Ver…, so many Words so many Mysteries, p. 34hath often run in my mind, and made me even fearful to pronounce concerning the divers Visions in it, and even loath to meddle with it; Neither have I to my best rememberance, above twice in my whole life chosen any Text out of it to declare out of this place, which resolution I should stil have holden, save that I conceive some extraordinary fitness in this passage for the present occasion of this great meeting: And yet even now I shall treat of such a part, as is none of the hardest to be understood; so as with out lanching into any deep and subtle Disputations, we may keep us by the shore side. And if you will be pleased to favour my indeavour: with your religious Attention, and the weaknesse of my voyce with your silence, I will hold as straight a course as I can, and without further p. 35preamble come to the matter it self of this Text.

And first for the Connexion and Declaration of the Sence, you shall be pleased to understand, that in the former Chapter, Saint Iohn is shewed a sight whereat he wondered with great marvel.Verse 3. A woman sitting upon a Scarlet coloured beast, full of names of Blasphemy, which had seven heads and tenn horns; this woman had in her fore-head a name written, Babylon the great, the Mother of harlots and Abominations of the Earth. And in the rest of the Chapter the Mystery of the Woman, and the beast that bare her, being largely declared and one thing amongst the rest,Verse 9. that she sitts on seven hills,) the Conclusion is,Verse 18. That she is the great Citie which raigneth over the Kings of the Earth. In this Chapter Saint Iohn proceeds in the same p. 36ter, and tells, how he saw first a mighty Angel descending from Heaven and proclaiming the fall of this Babylon, (Verse 2. 3.) and towards the end of the Chapter, to confirm the matter wih a sign, another mighty Angel takes up a Milstone and throwes it into the Sea, with this word with like violence Babylon shall be thrown, and no more be found. Verse 21.In the middest between the Voyces of these two Angels is inserted a long Speech, uttered also by a Voyce from Heaven, begining at this fourth Verse which I have now read and extending to the twenty ninth, partly admonishing Gods People to come out of this Babylon in time, Verse 7.partly describing her pride and security going before her destruction, partly bringing in as it were the Funeral Song,Verse 10. that is, sung for her by her p. 73followers and Lovers partly exhortingVerse 20. Heaven with those that dwell therein to rejoyce at her ruine.

This is the Order now for the meaning of the words, that shall appeare best by resolving three Questions. 1. Whose this Voyce is? 2. To whom it speaks? And 3. What? We need not be long to seek Who it is that speaks; For both those that speak before and after are expresly called Angels, and he that now speaks lacks that Addition, and the interest that he challengeth in those that are spoken to, calling them My People, sheweth plainly (to use the words of our blessed Authour in his speech to Peter at the Sea of Tiberias) It is the Lord. John 21. 7John 21:7And albeit those relations between the Lord and his People are often mentioned in Scripture, without any p. 38restraint to any one person in the blessed Trinity, yet because he that here speaks telleth of the Lord Gods judgeing the great Citie, Verse the 8. As of another and third person, Strong is the Lord God that judgeth her. And again, Verse 20. Speaking to the Prophets and Apostles, saith, God hath avenged you on her. It is evident that he who hear speakes is the Mediatour, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who carries his people not in his minde onelyonly, but in the Explication of his name, Matthew 1. 21. He shall save his People from their sinnes. Whereto it fitly agrees that this Voyce is uttered, From Heaven, where our Lord Jesus is at the right hand of God: We see the speaker, now who are spoken unto Christs People: There is no doubt, but in some Sense all the World are Christs People, His p. 39Inberitance, his Possession. Psalm 2. 8.Ps 2:8And so much is often expres…y expressed,Exod. 19. 5.Exod 19:5 But yet the Scripture in many places intimateth, that this phrase restraineth from the World to some particular and choice people,Deut. 7 6. Chap. 10. 14, 15. and Chap. 3. and 9.Deut 7:6 namely Israel, The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a speciall people unto himselfe above all People that are upon the face of the Earth. So Chapter 10. The Lords portion is his People, Jacob the lot of his Inheritance; Exod. 19. 5.Exod 19:5Ye shall be my peculiar Treasure above all People, though all the Earth be mine.

Hence it is, that these two, My people, and Israel; are used indifferently in the same Sentence, as Psalm 57: Heare O my people O Israel, and so in many other places;Isay 81. 8. 13. yet even amongst these there is some time a difference put,Micah 6 2Mic 6:2 for all that are of Israel are not counted p. 40Gods People, to some of them it is said,Isay 1. 10.Isa 1:10 Hear the Word of the Lord ye Rulers of Sodome, give ear ye People of Gomorah: And for an upbraiding of their continual rebellions against the Lord, the Prophet Hosea is bidden to name one of his sons,Hosea 1. 9.Hos 1:9 Lo-mmi, ye are not my people; and when to all other their Rebellions they rejected, yea crucified the Lord of Glory, the Lord also rejected them, and as he threatned by his Prophet,Isa. 65. 15.Isa 65:15 called his servants by another name, Christians: Even these also are in a different manner socalled; sometimes all that are within the Covenant of Grace, and the Sacraments thereof are called Christs People; sometimes those that he hath foreknown, and that are within the grace of the Covenant;Rom. 12. 2Rom 12:2 God hath not cast away his People whom he foreknew according p. 41to that:Jer. 31. 33Jer 31:33 I will put my Law into their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, I will be their God and they shall be my People. And these are those here most properly spoken unto, as appears, because the Motives here used the fear of partaking in sinne and punishment, most properly work upon these, besides these being oppressed & holden in Captivity by the mystical Babylon here spoken of are in the 6. Verse Exhorted to cry her quittance in the same words almost which the ancient Church of Israel useth concerning the old Babel: Psal. 137. 8.Ps 137:8O Daughter of Babylon which art to be destroyed, happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

The third and last Point to be cleared remains, what the people of God are commanded to doe, goe out of her, saith our Lord Iesus Christ; p. 42That is doubtlesse out of Babylon,Isa. 21. 9.Isa 21:9 before proclaimed, to be fallen that is after the Prophetical phrase certainly to fall; Babel is fallen, is fallen whence this form is borrowed.

That Babel was a City in Chaldea, standing by the River Euphrates, where by the occasion of the presumptious Tower, the Languages of Mankinde were confounded, Genesis 11. 10. The first seate of Nymrods Tyranny, Chapter 10. 10. Nebuchadnezer the King thereof carried thither Captive, Iehoiakim and with him Daniel and his companions, together with the vessels of the House of God; about some twelve years after Zedekiah also was carried away Captive to the same place, Ierusalem burnt, the Temple desolated, and the whole people in a manner carried out of their own p. 43land to the same place of Babel, where they continued seventy years unto the overthrow of the Babylonian Monarchy by Cyrus.

The Prophets Isay and Jeremiah, foretel the ruine of this Babel, and delivering of Gods People from her Tyranny, whom they exhort upon her fall to returne into their own land: Hence is this forme taken, and this whole Chapter is compiled of little else, but the phrases of the Prophets touching Babel and Tyrus as the diligent reader by comparing the concording places may easily perceive:

This Exhortation to leave Babylon,Isa. 52. 11. Ser. 50. 8. and Jer. 51 6. 9.Isa 52:11Jer 51:6Jer 51:9 is, Depart ye, Depart ye goe out from thence, remove out of the middest of Babylon, and goe forth out of the land of the Chaldeans, flee out of the middest of Babylon, and deliver every man his Soul, be not cut p. 44off in her iniquitie for sake her, and let us goe every one into his own Countrey, Vers. 45. My people, goe ye out of the middest of her, and deliver ye every man his Soul from the fierce anger of the Lord, which as you see are almost the very words of this Text, so that which followes here in the seaventh Verse, I sit as a Queen and am no VVidow, and shall see no sorrow, is taken out of Isaiah 47. 7, 8.

The wayling of the Merchants of this Babel, and the store and preciousnesse of her Merchandize is borrowed from the like Description of the Costlyness of Tyrus, Ezekiel 27.Ezek. 27.Ezek 27 The inrecoverable ruine of this Babel shewed in the end of this Chapter, by the signe of a great Milstone cast into the Sea, is taken out of Ier. 51.Ier. 51.Jer 51 Where the Prophesie of that it self against Babel, p. 45is appointed to be bound to a Milstone, and cast into the river Euphrates, which ran through the old Babell, with this word. Thus shall Babel sinke, and shall not rise from the evil which I will bring upon her.

These Prophecies were accordingly accomplished, as you may see in Daniel, Daniel 5.Dan 5for she is related in a great Feast made by Belshazzar to a thousand of his Lords (wherein he would needs bring forth the Vessels of Gods House for his Nobles and Concubines to quaff in.) God wrote his Doom with a hand upon the wall of his Banquetting-house, and the same night the Medes and Persians under Darius and Cyrus, entered the Citie, slew the King, and proclaimed libertie to Gods People, Ezra 1. 1.Ezra 1:1to return into their Countrey and reedifie the House of God as you may see, and thus came Babel the p. 46Glory of Kingdomes (as it is called Esay 13. 19.) to Confusion: But this is the literal Babel, whereunto there is a reference in this Text, What now is the Mystical Babylon which here Gods People are bidden to leave. Questionlesse some City answering to this, in State, in Glorie in Oppression of the People of God, neither must we take it for the buildings onelyonly and houses, but for the State also and Policy; as besides the Evidence of the Type of old Babel, so taken by the Prophets, and the common use of all Authours in like Case doth lead us.

There be two Opinions recited by Cardinal Bellarmine in this matter, one that it should be the communitie of all the wicked and reprobate. But this hath no manner of agreement: with the Circumstances p. 47of the Text: This is not seated on seven hills, nor hath it seven Kings, five fallen, one being, and another to come, nor will those things that are foretold of the destruction of Babel agree to this Exposition, and is rejected by the learned of that side: And himselfe names another, (which he approves for the better) viz. that here by Babel is meant the Citie of Rome. As that was in Saint Iohns time, for as he shewes out of Tertullian, Look as old Babylon was the head of that Empire, whose King persecuted and lead into captivity, the People of God, so did Rome then: This is not onelyonly Bellarmines judgement, but Salmeron, Viegas, and others of that side that Babylon is Rome. They do well to yield to the clear evidence of truth so clear in deed as it would be p. 48too shameful impudence to deny it; For what City was there which in Saint Iohns time could have the addition of great, but onelyonly Rome, or did rule over the Kings of the earth, or (to omit all other Arguments was seated on seven hills: Septemque una sibi muro cirnundedit arces; It may be said Constantinople also is set on seven hills and not unfitly, for it was built in Emulation of Rome called new Rome, but not till some **Anno 330.Ages after Saint Iohns time, we need not spend more words in a plam matter having our Adversaries own Confession, Babylon is Rome, and old Rome; yea saith Bellarmine, Heathen Rome persecuting Rome: Hear I be…eech you, (Right Honourable and beloved) to observe well, not what Isay, but what Saint Iohn, what the Angels, what our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe doe p. 49tell and relate in this Chapter, touching the fall of this Babel or Rome. It is confessed; if Babylon be Heathen Rome, that is now falne, and hath been above a thousand years agoe, and consequenty thenceforth it is become An habitation of Devils, the hold of every foul spirit and a Cage of every unclean and hateful bird, for these are by the Angel conjoyned with the fall thereof in the 2 Verse, will Bellarmine and his fellowes now confess this to be so▪ I trow not.

But because it may be some body else will, that we may speak not only to the men, but to the matter. Observe that the ruine of Babylon here spoken of, is so described as to be sudden in one day, in one houre: her desolation is not only without recoverie, but even Consolation, Verse …. 10. 19.like to the throwing of a p. 50stone into the Sea, Verse 21. 22, 23.so as neither Musick, nor Minstrel, nor the sound of a Quern, or any Crafts-man, nor the voyce of a Bridegroome, or a Bride, nor light of a Candel shall be found in her any more, This cannot agree with the Conversion, or the Subversion of heathen Rome, for all these things are yet left now to be found there; and if men will not wilfully shut their eyes, they must (me thinkes) needs see that this Desolation did not then come upon Rome, nor is yet come upon her, And therefore it is not Heathen Rome, but after the embracing of Christian Religion, which is to fall, and consequently that out of which Christs People are called; Viegas of likelyhood was aware of this, and therefore hath devised another shift to escape by: He saith, Rome is here to be taken in a double p. 51estate. That before it received Christs Faith, and that which shall be in Antichrists time: when (as Saint Iohn saith in this and the former Chapter) It shall revolt from the Bishop of Rome, and from the Faith (as he saith) a little before Antichrists coming, or at least at the beginning of his Kingdome Rome shall be grown proud, and secure, so as to say, I sit as a Queen; and then by the ten Kings mentioned in the former Chapter (who had given their Kingdomes unto her;) shall she be ruined and burnt, &c In this Exposition, the revolt that he tells of from the Obedience of the See of Rome, is a Fancy of his own, and hath not the least ground in St. Iohns Vision, That the revolt from the Faith, whereof the Apostle Paul speaks, (2 Thessalonians 2.) is the very Apostacy of Antichrist the man of sinne, 2 Thes. 2. 3.2 Thess 2:3and sonne of perdition, that p. 52Rome in Antichrists time shall be secure, and account her self to sit as a Queen, and then be destroyed by the ten Kings that formerly had served and obeyed her; this is very true, as being …xpresly so laid down in the 16. and 17. Vers. of the former Chapter. But that which befell the Iewes in the looking for the Kingdome of Christ when it was already among them, happeneth to Viegas and those of his side, They fondly look for Antichrist the last head of the beast, whereupon the Babylonian Harlot sitteth above a thousand yeares after all the former, and consider not that this beast is one Principality under divers forms of Government, whereof five being fallen in Saint Iohns time, one then in being, and the other to endure, a short space. To make this short space a thousand years, or else to put in p. 53so many years of the Popes government over Rome before Antichrist come, who shall forsooth revolt from his Obedience: It seemes rather the dream of a waking man then to hold any likelyhood of Truth, Howsoever it resteth even by Vi…gas consent (notwithstanding his cunning combination of two states of Rome, that under Paganisme, and that under Antichrist, with a thousand years between) that Rome must have continued Christian for sundery Ages before her Desolation, and for ought doth yet appear the present Monarchy which she claims to exercise over the Christian World, is the Mystical Babylon out of which Gods People are called.

For the better clearing whereof, let us consider the Description that is made of this Babylon, by the p. 54Angels and our Saviour Christ himself more distinctly, to see whether it doe agree to the present estate of Rome or no: The Angel tells Iohn in the last Verse of the former Chapter, The woman which thou sawest is the great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, and before (Verse 5.) upon her forehead is a name written, Mysterie Babylon the great. Touching this greatness I may spare my pains to speak much, there is a learned Book of Iustus Lipsius which he intitles Admiranda, marvells, touching the greatness of Rome, not long after in concurrence thereto, there was another made by Thomas Stapleton our Countreyman Professour at Lovaine, which he intitles Vere admiranda, Marvels indeed, touching the greatness of the Church of Rome, wherein by comparison he p. 55indeavours to shew that for largeness of Extent, strength and power over Princes themselves, honour yielded unto it, the greatness and magnificence of the Romane Church doth far surpass the Roman Empire. These two books were both printed together, and set forth at Rome against the year of Jubilee, 1600. as if the Papacy laboured to carry in her forehead the name Great Babylon;

For the reigning over the Kings of the Earth by this great City, (which is another point of the Angels description.) It is true that heathen Rome had anciently in the borders and confines of the state, sundry Kings that held their Kingdomes of her, Such were the Herods, Aretas and Agrippa mentioned in the New Testament; but these were neither in number nor dignity, nor in the absoluten…ss of p. 56their subjection to be compared with those that the now Rome reigneth over: And no great marvel if the Roman Emperour armed with thirty or fourty Legions had many Kings at command (saith Stapleton) but that the Pope being altogether unarmed, should give Lawes to the Kings of the Earth: and either advance them to their Kingdomes, or depose them, who would not account worthy of great marvel? true, but the Angel shewes us the true reason,Verse 12. the ten hornes which thou sawest are ten Kings which have received noVerse 17. Kingdome as yet but receive power, as Kings at once with the beast, &c. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his Will, and to agree and to give their Kingdome unto the beast, until the Word of God shall be fulfilled.

And consider I pray you here the manner how they have given their Kingdomes to the beast; p. 57VponUpon the Election of any new Pope, they send a solemne Embassage to profess their Obedienee to him: And one of those (which is extant in Print, as great a Monarch as any the Christian World hath) Offers himself and all his Kingdomes, his Seas, Firm lands, Islands, Armes, Forces, Treasures, Ships, Armies, whatsoever he is, whatsoever he hath, whatsoever he is able to doe; and falling down at the Popes feet as a most obsequious Sonne: he acknowledgeth and confesseth him to be the true Vicar of Christ our Saviour on Earth, the successour of Peter the Apostle, in that See, the head of the Vniversal Church, the Provost, Parent, and Pastor of all Christians, praying him and humbly beseeching him that he would receive all whatsoever be hath offered to the profit & defence of the Church into his P…otection and Patronage: And these words, &c. p. 58are said with a gesture corespondent: the Embassador falling down upon his knees: let Lip…ius if he can with all his reading in Story, shew us such an Example of any King subject to old Pagan Rome:

It is true that Nero accounted it for his highest Glory to have set the Crown upon Tiridates the King of the Armenians head in the City of Rome, with great state and pomp. But let us see (saith Stapleton) If the Majesty of the Church of Rome hath not had an equal part of this glory, yea and a greater, and then he reckons how Pope Leo the third gave the Empire to Charles the great, and how other Popes conferred to others a great many other Kingdomes: One thing he forgets that neither Nero nor any other Emperour of old Rome ever Crowned any with his feet, as Celestine the third, p. 59did Henry the sixth, nor caused him to hold their stirrops, or kiss their feet, much less set their feet upon their neckes as Pope Adrian the fourth, and Alexander the third, did to the Emperor Frederick.

And that we may not spend more time in proving that the present Papal Rome reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, the Merchants of Babylon are now resolved That all the Kingdomes of the Earth are the Popes, insomuch that the best Title that any Prince can have to his Crown is, Dei & Apostolicae sedis gratia, by the grace of God, and Apostolick See.Lib. Rom. Pon…. 5. 1. 2. 6. And Cardinal Bellarmine recognizing his works retracts that which might seem to CrossAb Alex 6. this title about the Popes dividingCap. 7. 8. the new world to the Portugals and Spaniards: And tempers that which he had said that Christ himselfe p. 60whose Vicar the Pope is, had no temporal Kingdome, and lastly, asserts more roundly, contrary to his former opinion▪ viz. That the Church may deprive infidels of their Dominion which they have over the Faithfull, yea, albeit they do not endeavour to turn away the Fai…hful from the Faith: Howsoever she doth not alwayes so, because she wanteth strength, or doth not judge it expedient, but questionlesse, if those same Princes do goe about to turn away their people from the faith, they may and ought to be deprived of their Dominions: I shall not need to call to rememberance here what Faith or infidelity is at this day in the Roman Language when Paul the Fift, teacheth the Catholickes that they cannot take the Oath of Fidelity (salva fide Catholica) with safety of the Catholick Faith; which p. 61shewes, that if the Pope may deprive infidels of their Dominions, how much more such as are Christians, being thereby more under the verge of his Authority, concerning the Popes ruling over the Kings of the Earth, this may suffice.

The Angel which in the begining of this Chapter proclaimeth the fall of Babylon, saith that all Nations have drunke of the wine of the wrath of her Fornication, and the Kings of the earth have committed Fornication with her. In the Greek the Text is so, but might as well for the force of the Words, and better for the circumstances be rendred of the wine of the heat of her Fornication. foreign.And so Chapter 14. 8. This seems to be a Declaration of the liquor contained in the golden Cup which she hath in her hand full of …bominations and unclean Fornications, p. 63And in this Chapter Verse 23.See also Chapter 14. 10. by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived; by all which is meant that with hot intoxicating love drenches, she had besotted the Kings of the Earth to be enamored of her; How to declare this of Heathen Rome I cannot well tell, unless it were that by benefits, favours and shew of honor, Kings and Provinces were alured to bear the Romane yoak, and conform themselves to Rome, but for Papal Rome the matter is more easie, for under the pretence of religious Holiness, and Spiritual profit, the blessing of Almighty God, and of the blessed Apostle Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Christs Vicar and Saint Peters successor the Keyes of Heaven, fulness of Power: And the Apostolical Sees, Exemptions, Dispensaons, Pardons, Faculties, Indulgences, Iubilees, inlarging of souls out of Purgatory, p. 63she hath brought all sorts to her love and lure, Princes and great men, finding how needful her favour is for dispensing with some disadvantagious Oaths or incestuous marriages, or a soldering some crackt title to some signory, have been in Emulation and jealousie one with another about her love, and contented their subjects should flatter her and be seduced by her, so as at length she hath brought them to believe (at least to make profession that they believe) She cannot deceive them though she would never so fain, Volens Nolens errare non potest. If this cup of Inchantment were not; were it likely, were it possible, that she should perswade Christians to be content not to hear Christs Voice, speaking in his Word, not to receive the Holy Sacrament of his body and p. 64blood whole and intire though he so gave it; and the Church for many Ages so kept it, Not to pray with understanding in a known tongue not to take the ten Commandements as God pronounced and wrote them twice with his owne finger, but as she hath rased and deformed them, Not to say Amen to the Lords Prayer in the company with other Christians, because she would not allow it; were it not for this cup of Errour, could she have ever perswaded that she can dissolve the bonds of fe…lty betwixt Subject and Prince, depose and denounce Kings; and warrant their Subjects to kill them, and had she not first with this cup of Sorcery transformed men into beasts, could she have found any that would have adventured to execute these her ungodly and wicked designs?

p. 65Here by the way let me tell you of an old Babylonian trick, by which especially, the Westerne Babylon hath conveyed this cup of Errour into the hands of all Nations. We read in the first of D…niel, that Nebuchadnezzar commanded the Master of his Eunuches, That he should bring certain of the Kings …eed, and of the Princes Children in whom was no blemish, and of able witts, to te…ch them the Learning and …ongue of the Chaldeans; Thus were Daniel and his fellowes used, and had other name, and education given them that they might forget their own, (though Gods special Grace in them went beyond the p…llicy of Babylon.) Such and worse hath been and is the practice of new Babylon in drawing younger Brothers of great houses and good wits to Rome and Romish Colledges and p. 66Seminaries, some of their names changed; makeing them their chiefe instruments of State to mould and frame their own Families, and Countreyes to the Romane Doctrine and Obedience. Those of the Council of the Samaritanes that resisted the building of the Temple; render the reason of their careful advertising the King of hisEzra. 4Ezra 4 interest, viz. that because they were salted with the salt of the Palace it was not meet for them to see the Kings damage: how should not they that have had their Education at the new Babylons Charges; but in gratitude further her affaires, and draw all they may to her Obedience and Devotion: And thus much concerning Babylons Cup.

It followeth after in process of our Lords speech; upbraiding her that she glorifies her selfe and lives in p. 57wantonness and pride, and saith, I sit as a Queen and shall not be a widow, nor …re any sorrow, &c. It would require a long time to recite the Prov…rbs and by words only, which have been cast up and down, concerning the wantonness and uncleanness of Rome, since she came to be the seat of the Popes Court, and how she hath drawn to her self, and spent the wealth of all Nations; in this matter I will spare rather your Ears and this place, then my own pains; for the Boast of sitting as a Queen, consider her maximes; viz. The Church of Rome is the Mistress and Teacher of all Churches, without spot or wrinckle, and it is necessarie to salvation to every humane Creature to be under the Bishop of Rome, that no man may judge him nor say unto him Domine cut itafacias. If any man have a desire p. 58to see the vaunts of Rome. in this kind let him be pleased, to view the image of the Man of …in, exalting himself in the Temple of God, as it is drawn by Master Fox in the end of the former Tome of his Acts and Monuments Ecclesiastical, out of the Popes own Decrees and Decretals; And if any make scruple to look on that Book,De Rob. Pont. let him see Bellarmine undertaking that the Pope intending to teach the whole Cap. 3.Church can in no case erre in things appertaining to Faith; Ver. 5.no, nor yet the particular Church of Rome, that it is probable and pious to believe the Pope cannot become an Hereticke even as a particular Person; that he is the judge of Controversies in the Church, and his judgement certain and infallible: Add to these, that the same Bellarmine makes Temporal Felicity one of the notes of theDe Not. Eccl. l. 4. c. 8.Sir 50:4 Church.

p. 59One point more rests in the speech of the last Angel concerning Babylon in this Chapter, Verse the last, That in her was found the bloud of the Prophets, and Saints & of all that were slain upon the Earth: And in the former Chapter,Verse 6. Iohn saw the woman drunken with the bloud of Saints and Martyrs of Iesus: That Heathen Rome was such there is no doubt: And although Bellarmine would draw the Text another way to Ierusalem) that this is theVerse 11. 8. great City, where the bodies of two witnesses shall lie unburied, where also the Lord was Crucified, since in the Romane Empire, and by a Romane Deputy, and to a Romane Death, our Lord was put, But this doth no less stick by Christian Rome unto this day, to be drunken with the bloud of Saints and Martyrs of Iesus: Let Histories be turned, and p. 60an exact account taken, how many thousands (otherwise good Christians) have been slain and massacred merely for his pleasure sake, And because they would not submit to her Obedience; I think it will very evidently appeare that they are imcomparably more then all those that suffered Martyrdome for the Christian Religion under Heathen Romes persecution. To omit those whom as an Imperious Harlot she hath caused to be killed for calling her name in question.

Thus you see the Description of Babylon doth no lesse agree to the present, then the old Heathen Rome, the great City, her command over the Kings of the Earth; Her inchanting Cup, Her wantonness and delicacy, Her arrogancy and pride: Lastly, that bloudy and bloud thirsty Cruelty p. 61against the worshippers of Christ, exercised by her, and (which I desire you to observe) by her alone; for in no other part of the Christian world you shall find it.

To conclude then, since neither Heathen Rome onelyonly, as she was heathen (as Bellarmine would have it) can be Babylon, nor partly Heathen, and partly Antichristan, as revolted from the Pope, with a gap of a thousand years between (as Viegas divineth) And the Character that the Holy Ghost sets upon Babylon doth no lesse, but rather more agree to the present Pontifical Rome, then to the old Imperial. It is the falsely termed Christian, indeed the Antichristian Rome, which is the Babylon, out of which Gods People are called.

And how they are to go out of her, it rests to be considered: Bellarmine p. 62cites Saint Augustine to prove that it is Corde non Corpore, not in place but affection; But the Temple of Gods people departing from Babel would seemto imply both; And the rather because this great City is spirituallyRev. 11. 8Rev 11:8 called Sodo… and Egypt: now such was the departure of Lott out of Sodome and Israel out of Egypt.

It is true that by Cyrus his Edict Gods people were permitted to return into their own Countrey to the place where the Lords worship was then fixed; Now there is no such place specially appointed, as our Lord Iesus Christ shews in his speech with the woman of S…maria: John 4.John 4But certainly if any of Gods people cannot by separation in judgement and affection so live, as not to be partakers of the sins of Babylon, they are to go out bodily also, and in no wise to touch any unclean thing, p. 63Gods people are warned to do, even by the consideration of the Holy vessels of the Lord which they carried with them out of Babylon. The reason which confirms this charge of going out of Babylon, is drawn from the danger of participation in her sins, and in her Plagues, Isay 52. 11Isa 52:11that is, blowes, stripes, punishments, which are not onelyonly those mentioned in the 8 Verse, Death, Mourning, Famine, Fire, but as in the 14. Chapter (where the same Proclamation is made of her fall which is here) the drinking of the hot and unalaid wine of Gods vengeance, and to be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the Holy Angels, and the Lamb, and the smoak of their torments shall ascend for ever and ever. We have thus descussed the meaning of this Scripture, which being all laid together is this, Saint Iohn hears our p. 64Lord Iesus Christ admonishing from Heaven his faithful people to come out of the obedience of Romish, Popish Babylon, least partaking with her in her sins, they receive also of her stripes and punishments, both Temporall and Eternal.

Here concerning the person of the speaker mentioned in this first place, and that circumstance, that he speaks from Heaven, I will for the present say no more, but desire onelyonly that it may renew the religious attention of all; that each would say with himselfe, I will hearken what the Lord God will say, for he will speak Peace unto his People, and to his Saints that they turn not to folly: That every one would remember the words of the Apostle,Heb. 12. 25.Heb 12:25 see that ye despise not him that speaketh, for if you escaped not, when ye refused him that speaketh one Earth, much p. 65more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven; But these points shall be more profitably pressed when we shall have considered the speech it self.

Wherein observe first, he call …is people to come out of Babylon,) a plain Argument that there are many not onelyonly good Moral and Civil honest men there, but good C…ristians, not redeemed onelyonly, but in the possession of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which may be confirmed by these reasons.

First there is amongst these that are under the tyranny of the Romish Babylon, the Sacrament of entrance, into the Covenant of Grace; Baptisme, by which those that are partakers thereof are made Members of Christ, …he children of God, and heirs of Eternal lif…: & of these that have but this Seal of Gods Covenant, (viz. p. 66infants) are no small and contemptible part of Gods People, though as yet they cannot hear this Voyce of Christ calling out of Babylon; besides this there is publication of the tenure of the Covenant of Grace to such as are of years, though not so openly and purely as it might and ought, yet so as the grounds of the Catechisme are preached, sin is shewed, Christs redemption (or the story of it) is known Faith in him is called for,John 3. 18. 36. 5. 24.John 3:18John 3:36John 3:5John 3:24 and this Faith is by the Grace of God wrought in some: For the Word of God and his Calling is not fruitless, but like the rain returneth not in vain; and where true Faith is, Men are translated from death to life, he that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life.John 3. last vers.John 3

Some men perhaps may object the Faith which they describe and p. 67call by this name of Catholick Faith, Is none other but such as the Divels may have:

I answer, Religion is not Logick, He that cannot give a true definition of the soul is not for that, without a soul; so he that defines not Faith truely, yet may have true Faith; learned Divines are not all of accord touching the definition of it, But if (as by the whole stream of the Scripture it should seem) to be a trust and cleaving unto God; this Faith many there have, the Love of our Lord Iesus Christ is wrought in many there,John 14. 21. 23.John 14:21John 14:23 now he that loveth Christ is loved of him and of the Father also, and because the proof of true love to Christ is the keeping of his sayings, their are good works, and according to the measure of knowledge great conscience of obedience.

Yea will some man say, But p. 68that which marreth all is the Opinion of merit and satisfaction. Indeed that is the School Doctrine, but the Conscience enlightned to know it self will easily act that part of the Publican, who smote his breast and said, God be merciful to me a sinner. I remember a good advice of one of that side, let others (saith he) that have commi…ted few si…nes, and done ma…y good workes satisfie for their sins; But whatsoever thou d…st, refer it to the Honour of God: so as whatsoever good come from thee, thou resolve to doe it to please God, accounting thy works too little to satisfie for thy sins: For as for thy si…s thou must offer Christs works, his pains and wounds, and his death it self to him, together with that love of his out of which he endured these things for thee. These are available for the satisfaction for thy sins. But thou whatsoever thou dost or sufferest, p. 69offer it not for thy sins to God but for his love and good pleasure, wishing to find the more grace with him, whereby thou mayest doe more, greater and more acceptable works to him, let the love of God then be to thee the cause of well-living, and the hope of well-working: thus he, and I doubt not but many there be on that side that follow this Councel; here with I shall relate the speach of a wise and discreet Gentleman, my neighbour in England, who lived and died a Recusant; he demanded one time, What was the worst Opinion that we could impute to the Church of Rome? It was said, there was none more then this of our merits: De justisica. lib. 5. cap. 7.And that Cardinal Bellarmine not onelyonly doth uphold them, but saith, we may trust in them, so it be done soberly; And saith, they deserve Eternal life, not onelyonly in respect of Gods propromises p. 70and Covenant, but also in regard of the work it self: whereupon he answered, Bellarmine was a learned man, and could p…rhaps defend what he wrote by learning, But for his part he trusted to be saved onelyonly by the merits of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and as for good works he would do all that he could; Et valeant q…uantum volere possint.

To proceed: In or under the Obedience of Rome there is Persecution and that is a better mark of Christs people, then Bellarmines Temporal felicity all that will live godly in Christ Iesus (saith the Apostle) shall suffer persecution; ye shall be hated of all men for my Names sake (saith our Saviour) and so are all they on that side that are less superstitious then others, or dare speak of redress of abuses, yea, there is Martyrdome for a free opposing p. 81mens traditions, Image-worshipers, Purgatory, and the like.

Add, that inobedience to this call of Christ, there do some come dayly from thence, and in truth how could our Saviour, call his people from thence if he had none there? How could the Apostles say that Antichrist from whose captivity they are called shall sit in the Temple of God (since that Ierusalem is finally and utterly desolated) unless the same Apostle otherwhere declaring himself had shewed us his meaning, that the Church is the house of God, and again,1 Tim. 3. 15.1 Tim 3:15 ye are the Temple of the living God, and the Temple of God is Holy, which are ye; It will be said that there are on that side many gross errors, many open Idolatries, and superstitions, so as those which live there must needs be either partakers of them and like p. 82minded, or else very Hypocrites. But many errors and much ignorance; so it be not affected, may stand with true Faith in Christ, and when there is true Contrition for our sins, (that is, because it displeaseth God) there is a general and implicite repentance for all unknown sins, Gods Providence in the general revolt of the ten Tribes, when Elias thought himselfe left alone had reserved seven thousand,1 Kings 19. 18.1 Kgs 19:18 that had not bowed to the Image of Baal▪ and the like may be conceived he…e since especially, the Idolatry practised under the obedience of Mystical Babylon, is rather in false and will-worship of the true God, and rather commended, as profitable, then as absolutely, necessary, enjoyned and the corruptions there maintained rather in superfluous addition then retraction in any thing necessary to salvation.

p. 83Neither let that hard term of hypocrisie be used of the infirmity, and sometime, humble and peaceable carriage of some, that oppose not common errors, nor wrestle with the greater part of men, but do follow the multitude, reserving a right knowledge to themselves, and sometimes, (by the favour which God gives them to find where they live,) obtain better conditions then others can; We call not Iohn the beloved Disciple an hypocrite, because he was known to the High Priest, John 18. 15, 16.John 18:15John 18:16and could procure Peter to be let to see the arraignment of our Saviour: nor Peter himself that for fear denied him, much less Daniel and his companions that by suit obtained of Melzar theirDaniel I. V. 16. 2Dan 1 keeper that they might feed upon pulse and not be defiled with the King of Babels meat, and these knew themselves p. 84to be captives and in Babel. But in the new Babel how many thousands do we think there are that think otherwise that they are in the true Catholike Church of God, the name whereof this harlot hath usurped: And although they acknowledge that where they live are many abuses, and that the Church hath need of reformation, yet there they were born, and they may not abandon their Mother in her sickness. Those that converse more inwardly with men of Conscience on that side, doe know that these are speeches i… secret; which how they will be justified against the commands of Christ (come out of her my people) belongs to another place to consider. For the purpose we have now in hand, I dare not but account these the people of God, though they live very dangerously p. 85under the captivity of Babylon, as did Daniel, Mordecay, Hester, Nehemiah, and Ezra, and many Jewes more, notwithstanding both Cyrus Commission and the Prophets Command to depart.

This point may give some light in a Question that is on foot among learned and good men at this day, Whether the Church of Rome be a true Church or no, where I thinke surely if the matter be rightly declared, for the tearms, there will remain no question. As thus, whether Babylon pretending to be the Church of Rome, yea the Catholick Church, be so or not, or this, Whether the people of Christ that are under the captivity be a true Church or no, either of both waies declare in these tearms, and the matter will be soon resolved.

Except some man will perhapsObject. p. 86still Object, Though there be a people of God, yet they can be no true Church, for they have no Priesthood which is necessary to the Constitution of a Church, As Saint Cyprian describes it,Epist…la 6 9. Plebs sacerdoti adunata, people joyned to their priest, They have no Priesthood being by the very form of their Ordidination Sacrificers for the quick and the dead.

I answer,Answ. under correction of better judgements, they have the Ministery of Reconciliation by the Commission which is given at their Ordination; being the same which our Saviour left in his Church,John 20. 23.John 20:23 Whose sins ye remit they are remitted, whose sinnes ye retain they are retained.

As for the other power to sacrifice, if it be any otherwise then celebrating the Commemoration of p. 87Christs sacrifice once offered upon the Cross, It is no part of the Priesthood or Ministery of the New Testament, But as superfluous additions thereunto, which yet worketh not to the destruction of that which is lawfully conferred otherwise. This Doctrine I know not how it can offend any, unless it be in being too Charitable, & that I am sure is a good fault, and serves well for a sure mark of Christs sheep, And hath very good opportunity to help Christs people out of Babel: John 13, 35.John 13:35by this saith he, shall men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye have Charitie one to another; But they call us Hereticks, miscreants, Doggs, &c. and persecute us with more deadly hatred then Jewes and Turks, yea, this is Babylon, and perhaps some of Gods People in it that are misinformed of us. Thus did Saul for a while, yet a chosen p. 88vessel to bear Christs Name over the world. But let us maintain our Charitie to them as we are wont to bear with the weakness of our friends or children, when in hot Fevers or Plurisies they miscal us. Let us remember if they be Christs people, how little loving soever they be to us, they must be our beloved Brethren, and this of the Persons.

Now let us see their dutie. It is the Du…tie of those people of Christ to come out of Babylon; that is (as we have already shewed) the Obedience of the present Roman Monarchy, And for this, the very authority of Christs Voyce from Heaven should suffice: For his sheep hear his voice. But if that be yet doubted, whether the Papal Monarchy, be Babylon, let us for the present set aside the mystical Arguments from p. 89this place, and all other Prophetical Circumstances. And let the matter be tried by plainer Arguments, at the Bar of Reason out of the common Principles of Christian Doctrine,John 5. 39.John 5:39 as thus, Where the use of Christs Word is forbidden to his people,Luke 11. 52.Luke 11:52 where they lay away the Key of Knowledge, 1 Cor. 14. Matthew 28. 20.1 Cor 14Matt 28:20and Gods Worship is without understanding in an unknown tongue where Christs Sacraments are corrupted and maimed:Jer. 17. 5.Jer 17:5 Rom. 6. 9.Rom 6:9where Divine worship is communicated to Creatures, where Christs Glorious Body is defended to be torn not onelyonly with the teeth of the faithful but also of faithlesse men, yea of Rats and Mice, where besides a number of other superstitions, the effects of Christs blood, are communicated to Purgatory fire, to Saint Francis frock, and the Carmilites scapular, where the sole p. 90infallible interpretation, of Scripture, decission of Crntroversies, last resolution of our Faith, is placed in the brest of one man, who may be without true Faith and sound Knowledge of Religion or morall honesty it self, where the Doctrine is maintaiued as Catholike, that the Pope is Vice-God, Monarch of the Christian World, Almightie, that he can Depose Princes, and Expose them to their subjects to be killed, Command the Angels, with many more like blasphemies; From this place and society Christs people are to depart and separate themselves; But the present Romane Monarchy is such, The conclusion follows undenyable, Goe out of her my People.

Here will I crave leave to answer on Objection Object.that may be made by flesh and blood, to be retentive p. 91to keep Gods people from hearkning to this voyce of Christ; and is used for a motive to draw more also to the Obedience of Rome, Gods people, (of which number I hope I am one) may be saved; nay, which is more cannot perish, why should I then be so solicitous, if salvation may be had there; on the contrary they deny that you have either Church or salvation; Therefore it is the safest course, by the Opinion of both sides, to continue there still.

I answer;Answ. This is not the discourse of Christs sheep who make the hearing of his Voice, and doing of his Will, a higher end then their own salvation: but well may become the mouth of those deceivers that would seduce them.

It is the very language of the old 2Serpent, ye shall not surely die: The p. 92reason and rule of Obedience is not the avoyding of hell fire, or the attaining of bliss of Heaven, but the doing of the Will of God.

3And yet supposing this to be true, that salvation mae be had in Babylon; yet it is attained with great difficulty, and as it were through the fire. As the Apostle speaketh of those builders which foolishly lay upon the precious foundation of Christ, the hay, straw, and stubble of mens Traditions: And there is again a large entrance, to be afforded into the everlasting Kingdome1 Cor. 2.1 Cor 2 of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,2 Peter 1. 11.2 Pet 1:11 If the graces of Gods Spirit abound in us and make us not barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ.

4Again, ignorance, so that it be not wilful and affected may have some pardon, but to hold the Truth of p. 93God in unrighteousness, as all do that receive not the love of the Truth, and knowing how they which commit such things are worthy of death, yet doe … same and favour those that doe them.

The wrath of God from heaven 5is revealed against such, Romans 1. 18. 31. Even the danger of temporal punishment threatned to the sinnes of Rome is not to be neglected.

Suppose a man were sure to goe 6to Heaven; but (although to humane infirmity it may perhaps seem otherwise) even the Eternal punishments in Hell are not so great an evil as is the offence of God, and partaking of sin.

Looke therefore as this Sophisme 7of Sathan is in all other temptations to be answered; Thou maiest doe this and yet be saved being of the number p. 94of Christs people, for David, Peter, and others, although they did such things, yet found pardon and salvation, so here. Nay, I will not adventure Gods wrath, I have other sinnes enough to answer for, My Conscience is more then a thousand witnesses:2 John 8.2 John 1:8 I will not buy repentance so deare, and loose the things I have gotten.

Now should I come to the Motives from the Danger of sinne and of partaking in punishment. But the handling of these would require a long time: let me rather make some Application of that which hath been said already. And First and most properly to those that this Scripture most concerns and is directed unto: The People of God holden in the Captivitie of the Romane Babylon; But alass they are not here, for this is one part of their Captivity, that they p. 95are kept, not onelyonly from hearing the voyce of the Servants of Christ, or of Saint Iohn the beloved Disciple, but of himselfe speaking here from Heaven; And they are so contented, what remedy may there be for those that are thus bewitched, Unlesse you (My L. L^•. and Brethren) will be contented to become Faithfull Feoffees in trust, to convey this Voyce and Message of Christ unto them: and by my request you shall be pleased to doe it, with a great deale of Love. As this President of our Lord himselfe doth leade you as to Brethren, and, as you hope, faithfull People, loath to sinne against him, desirous to please him in all things; Tell them then, that it is acknowledged by their owne Doctours: That Rome is Babylon, and it is averred, that this is the p. 96present Papall Monarchie, that out of this they must depart by the Commands of our Lord Iesus Christs owne Voyce, under paine of being accessary to all her sinnes, and lyable to all her punishments, wish them to use the Libertie to reade the holy Scriptures, and to come out of the blinde Obedience of Mens Precepts and Traditions; be pleased to tell them further, that others may have some Collour of Excuse, that live in such places where they may not discover themselves without danger of the losse of their Goods, Honour or Life, they may doe it here, not onelyonly with safetie, but with Reputation and profit, intreat them to beware least they make themselves extreamely Cu…pable, not onelyonly of partaking with the former Idolatries, Extortions, Massacres, Powder Treasons, p. 97and King killings of that bloody City, but the new detestable Doctrines, Derogatory to the blood of Christ which moderate men even of her own Subjects detest. But which she for fear it should discontent her own Creatures, and devoted Darlings will not disavow: O if they would feare the plagues of Babylon, and that of all others the fearfullest:2 Thes. 2. 11.2 Thess 2:11 Blindness of mind, and strong Delusions to believe Lies, that they may be damned that believed not the Truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness: But you hope better things of them, accompanying Salvation; and this Message of our Lord Jesus Christ if you will be pleased to deliver, accompanying it with those Generall and common goods of Charitie and Meekeness, Integritie, good Example, and the speciall furtherance, which your Callings and Places in State, Church or Family can give it, doubtlesse to Christs people, will not be uneffectual.

p. 98Blessed be God that hath-long agoe stirred up the Spirits of our Princes,Ezra 1. ….Ezra 1 like Cyrus to give libertie to Gods People to go out of Babylon, Chap 6. 3. & 7. 12.And to give large Patents, with Darius, and Artaxe…xes, for the building of the Temple and establishing the Service of God.

And blessed be God, and his Majestie that hath sent us another Nehemiah, Neh. 2. 18.Neh 2:18to build up the walls of Ierusalem, and to procure that the Portion of the Levites should be given them.Chapter …0. 37. and 13. 10. Give me leave (Right Honourable) to put you in mind, that this also belongeth to your Care, to Cooperate with Christ in bringing his People out of the Romish Captivitie; And if to help away a poor Captive out of Turkie hath been Honourable to some Publicke Ministers: What shall it be to help to the enlargeing of so many thousand souls out of the bondage of Mens Traditions, and gaining to his Majestie so many entire Subjects, your p. 99wisedom (my Lord) is such, as it needeth not to be advised; and your Zeal as it needeth not to be stirred up: yet pardon me one word, for the purpose of helping Christs People out of Babylon.

They are called by himself often in Scripture, His Sheep; and verily, as in many other, so in this they are like to Sheep; which being Cooped up in a narrow Pent, though they find some Pleasure, and the Passage be set open, are not forward to come out; unlesse they be put on, but strain Courtesie, which should begin, yet when they are once out with a Ioyfull friske they Exult in their Freedome, yea, and when a few of the foremost lead, the rest follow; I shall not need to make Application: Do according to your wisedome in your place, and Christ whose Work it is shall be with you, and further your endeavours.

p. 100The like I say unto you the rest of my Lords, Fathers, and Brethren help your Friends, Followers, and Tenents out of Babylon, what you may in your places, you have the Examples, of Abraham, Ioshua, Cornelius praysed in Scripture for propagating the Knowledge and Fear of God in their Families and Commands with the report of Gods accepting it, and rewarding it, And this to the use of others.

But shall you not carry away something for your selves also; Yes verily, take to your selves this Voyce of our Saviour, Come out of Babylon; you will say we have done it already, God be thanked we are good Christians, good Protestants, some of us Preachers and that call up on others to come out of, 2 Cor. 5. 2.2 Cor 5:2Babylon; But if Saint Paul prayed the Converted Corinthians to be reconciled to God. And Saint Iohn writing to Belevers, p. 101sets down the record of God touching his Son,1 John 5. 13.1 John 5:13 That they might believe in the Name of the Son of God; why may not I Exhort in Christs Name and words, even those that are come out of Babylon, to come out of her, Qui monet ut facias, &c. He that perswades another to that which he doth already, in perswading incourageth him, and puts him on in his performance, but if there be any yet unresolved, and halting or hanging between two; (as the people did in Elias time) That present their bodies1 Kings 18. 21.1 Kgs 18:21 at such meetings as this is, when their hearts are perhaps at Rome; or no where; If any in some points rightly informed and cleared, in others doubtful, to such Christ speaks, Come out of her my People, presse on by prayer, Conference, reading, (If Christs Voyce be to be heard) If Rome be Babylon, Come out of her.

And let it be spoken with as litle p. 102offence as it is delight, We that seem to be the forwardest in Reformatino, are not yet so come out of Babylon, as we have not many shamefull Badges of her Captivity, witness her Impropriations, being indeed plaine Church-robberie, devised to maintain her Colonies of idle and irregular Regulars, Idle to the Church and State, Zealous and Pragmatical to support and defend her power pomp and pride, by whom they subsisted, witness her Dispensations or dissipations rather, of all Canonical Orders; bearing down all with her Non obstante, her Symoniacal and Sacrilegious Venality of Holy things, her manifold Extortions in the Exercise of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdictiction, which we have not wholly banished: Let each of us therefore account it as spoken to himself, (Come out of her my People.)

In this Journey let us not trouble and cast stumbling blocks before Gods p. 103People, that are ready to come out or hinder one another with Dissentions in matters either inexplicable, or unprofitable: let it have some pardon: If some be even so forward in flying from Babylon, as they fear to go back, to take their own goods for haste and let it not be blamed or uncharitably censured, if some come in the R…ear, and would leave none of Christs People behind them: No man reacheth his hand to another whom he would lift out of a Ditch, but he stoops to him. Our ends immediate are not the same, but yet they meet in one final intention; The one hates Babylon, and the other loves and pitties Christs People: There the one believes the Angel that cast the Milstone into the Sea; in the end of this Chap. with that word (so shall Babylon rise uo more.) The other fear the threatning of our Saviour against such as scandalize any of the little ones believing in p. 104him, that it is better for such a one to have a Milstone hanged upon his neck, and be cast into the Sea himselfe:

Finally, let us all beseech our Lord Iesus Christ to give us Wisedome and opportunity to further his work and to give success unto the same himself, to hasten the judgement of Babylon, to bring his People out of this bondage, that we with them and all his Saints in the Church Triumphant May there upon sing a joyfull Hallelujah, Matth. 18. 6.Matt 18:6as is expressed in the next Chapter.

Salvation, and Honour, and Glory, and 'Power, be unto the LORD our GOD, Amen. Halleluiah.