The By-Way, Treatise · Section 25
SECT. XXV. The aforenamed corruptions, and most remarkable declination of the Church of Rome in the later ages, was foretold by Christ and his Apoſtles in the first Age.
AS the complainants hauehave made knowne vntounto vsus, that there was an Apoſtaſie, a falling away from the trueth in the later ages, ſo likewiſe you ſhall obſerue, that they told nothing of the defection in the Church, which was not foretold by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, at that time, when the Myſterie of Iniquitie began to worke; whereby you ſhall ſee, the one foretels, the other anſwers; the Apoſtles ſpake of errours and hereſies that were to come; the complainants tell you of errours and hereſies, that in their dayes were come, vt impleretur, that whatſoeuer was foretold, might bee accompliſhed. Now, that the Church of Rome hath fallen frō her firſt puritie, that ſhe is that Church at which the Prophecies long ſince pointed, and is now fallen, that the Pope is that Man of Sin, that ſits in the Temple of God, which was foreſpoken, and that there is not, neither can bee any other Church to which the Propheſies can fitly agree, I wil compare the Romiſh Doctrine with thoſe Propheſies, that her Tenets in the Church may appeare to the Euidence of things foretold, and her doctrine may appeare to be the accompliſhed Reuelation of St. Iohns Reuelation.
Firſt then let vsus examine, (by way of queſtion and anſwer) Whether the Church of God hath not fallen from her firſt ſinceritie more or leſſe in all ages.
How comes it to paſſe, that the Pope of Rome aſſumes to himſelfe the fulnes of power, and is aduanced aboue the kings of the earth (which are called Gods? I hauehave ſaid you are Gods Pſal. 82.6.) It was foretold: The Man of Sinne ſhall be reuealed, which is an Aduerſary, … Theſſ. 2.3, 4.and is exalted aboue all that is called God, and that is worſhipped, ſo that he as God ſitteth in the Temple of God, ſhewing himſelfe that hee is God.
How comes it to paſſe, that there are ſuch lying wonders, and falſe miracles wrought in the Church of Rome in theſe latter times? It was foretold:Math. 13 14 The ſonne of perdition ſhalbe reuealed, whoſe comming is by the effectuall working of Satan, 2 Theſſ. 2 9with all power, and ſignes, & lying wonders.
How comes it to paſſe, that the Shepheard of the flocke is become the wolfe, and the chiefe Paſtors teach peruerſe doctrine, to make Proſelytes of their owne? It was foretold: After my departure, Acts 20.29.grieuous wolues ſhall enter in among you, not ſparing the flocke, and ſhall ſpeake peruerſe things, to draw Diſciples after them.
How comes it to paſſe, that the common people are giuen to beleeue fables, and reade Legends in ſtead of Scriptures? It was foretold:2 Tim. 4.1. The time will come when they will not ſuffer holeſome doctrine, but hauing their eares itching, ſhall after their owne luſtes get them a heape of Teachers, and ſhall turne their eares from the trueth, and ſhall be giuen to Fables.
How comes it to paſſe, that the Church of Rome makes a diſtinctiō of meats, and forbids Marriage vntounto Prieſts? It was foretold: In the later times ſome ſhall depart from the faith, 1 Tim. 4.1.and giuegive heed to the ſpirit of errour, and doctrine of Deuils, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abſtaine from meats.
How comes it to paſſe, that Indulgences and Pardons are granted for mony, and made the treaſure of the Church? It was foretold: There ſhall be falſe teachers among … by whom the way of trueth ſhall be euill ſpoken of, 2 Pet. 2.3.and through couetouſneſſe ſhall with fained words make merchandiſe of you.Reu. 18.3.
How comes it to paſſe, that the number of the faithfull are ſo few, that at all times they cannot eaſily be diſcerned? It was foretold:Luk. 18.8. When the Sonne of man commeth he ſhall not find faith vponupon the earth. 2 Theſſ. 2.3Againe, The day ſhall not come except there bee a falling away firſt, and that man of Sinne be reuealed.
How comes it to paſſe, that the Deuil hath ſeduced the people in theſe latter aages? It was foretold: When a thouſand yeeres are expired, Reuel 20.7.Satan ſhall bee looſed out of his priſon, and ſhall goe to deceiue the people in the foure quarters of the earth.
How comes it to paſſe, that the Church of God, (which is tearmed a Citie vponupon a hill) ſhould bee obſcured, and ſcarcely diſcerned in theſe latter ages? It was foretold:Reuel. 12.6. The woman fled into the wilderneſſe, where ſhe had a place prepared of God, that they ſhould feed her there.
How comes it to paſſe, that in the time of peace and ſecuritie, errours were brought in by the enemy of the Goſpel? It was foretold: While the husbandman ſlept, Math. 13.25.there came the enemie, and ſowed the tares among the wheat: and the enemy was the Deuill.
Laſtly, how comes it to paſſe, that we hauehave made a departure from the Church of Rome? Vt impleretur: that it might bee fulfilled, which was ſpoken,Reue. 18.4. Goe out of her my people, that yee be not partaker of her ſinnes, and that ye receiue not of her plagues.
And certainly, all theſe ſayings are come to paſſe, that not one jott of his word ſhould paſſe not fulfilled, ſo that wee ſee not any things fulfilled in the Church of Rome, which were not foretold; neither was any thing foretold, but in the fulneſſe of time ſhall bee accompliſhed.