The Judgment of Babylon, Tract · Sermon
A 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 Verba, ſo many Words ſo many Myſteries, hath 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 preamble 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 John 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, that ſhe ſitts on ſeven hills, Verſe 9.) the Concluſion is,Verſe 18. That ſhe is the great Citie which raigneth over the Kings of the Earth. In this Chapter Saint John proceeds in the ſame matter, 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 followers and Lovers partly exhorting Heaven with thoſe that dwell therein to rejoyce at her ruine.Verſe 20.
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 21.7And albeit thoſe relations between the Lord and his People are often mentioned in Scripture, without any reſtraint 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 Inheritance, his Poſſeſsion. Pſalm 2.8.And ſo much is often expreſly expreſſed,Exod. 19.5. But yet the Scripture in many places intimateth, that this phraſe reſtraineth from the World to ſome particular and choice people, namely Iſrael, Deut. 7.6. Chap. 10.14, 15. and Chap. 3. and 9.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.Ye 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. Micah 6 2 yet even amongſt theſe there is ſome time a difference put, for all that are of Iſra…l are not counted Gods People, to ſome of them it is ſaid,Iſay 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. 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. called his ſervants by another name, Chriſtians: Even theſe alſo are in a different manner ſo called; ſometimes all that are within the Covenant of Grace, and the Sacraments thereof are called Chriſts People; ſometimes th…ſe that he hath foreknown, and that are within the grace of the Covenant; God hath not caſt away his People whom he foreknew accordingRom. 12.2 to that:Jer. 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.O 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; That is doubtleſſe out of Babylon, before proclaimed, Iſa. 21.9.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, Jehoiakim 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, Jeruſalem burnt, the Temple deſolated, and the whole people in a manner carried out of their own land 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, is, Depart ye, Iſa. 52.11. Ser. 50.8. and Jer. 51.6.9.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 off in her iniquitie forſake 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. 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. Where the Propheſie of that it ſelf againſt Babel, is 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.for 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.to return into their Countrey and reedifie the Houſe of God as you may ſee, and thus came Babel the Glory 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 of 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 too 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 plain matter having our Adverſaries own Confeſſion, Babylon is Rome, and old Rome; yea ſaith Bellarmine, Heathen Rome perſecuting Rome: Hear I beſeech you, (Right Honourable and beloved) to obſerve well, not what Iſay, but what Saint John, what the Angels, what our Lord Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe doe foretell 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 conſequently 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 8.10.19.like to the throwing of a ſtone into the Sea, Verſe 21.22, 23.ſo as neither Muſick, nor Minstrel, nor the ſound of a Qu…rn, 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 t…ken in a double eſtate. 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, and ſonne of perdition, 2 Theſ. 2.3.that Rome 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 expreſly 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 Johns 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 ſo 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 Viegas 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 Angels 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 indeavours 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 conſines 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 their 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 no Kingdome as yet but receive power, Verſe 17.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; Ʋpon the Election of any new Pope, they ſend a ſolemne Embaſſage to profeſs their Obedience 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 Ʋniverſal Church, the Provoſt, Parent, and Paſtor of all Chriſtians, praying him and humbly beſeeching him that he would receive all whatſoever he hath offered to the profit & defence of the Church into his Protection and Patronage: And theſe words, &c. are ſaid with a geſture coreſpondent: the Embaſſador falling down upon his knees: let Lipſius 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, did 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. Ab Alex 6. Cap. 7.8. And Cardinal Bellarmine recognizing his works retracts that which might ſeem to Croſs this title about the Popes dividing the new world to the Portugals and Spaniards: And tempers that which he had ſaid that Chriſt himſelfe whoſe 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 Faithful 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 ſhewes, 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. And ſo Chapter 14.8.foreign. This ſeems to be a Declaration of the liquor contained in the golden Cup which ſhe hath in her hand full of Abominations and unclean Fornications, And 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, Jubilees, inlarging of ſouls out of Purgatory, ſhe 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 blood 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 fealty 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?
Here 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 Daniel, that Nebuchadnezzar commanded the Maſter of his Eunuches, That he ſhould bring certain of the Kings ſeed, and of the Princes Children in whom was no blemiſh, and of able witts, to teach them the Learning and Tongue 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 pollicy 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 Seminaries, 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 his intereſt,Ezra 4 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 wantonneſs and pride, and ſaith, I ſit as a Queen and ſhall not be a widow, nor ſee 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 cur ita facias. If any man have a deſire to ſee the vaunts of Rome in this kind let him be pleaſed, to view the image of the Man of ſin, 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, let him ſee Bellarmine undertaking that the Pope int…nding to teach the whole Church can in no caſe erre in things appertaining to Faith; De Rob. Pont. Cap. 3. Ver. 5.no, no, 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 Controverſi…s in the Church, and his judgement certain and infallible: Add to theſe, that the ſame Bellarmine makes Temporal Felicity one of the notes of the Church.De Not. Eccl. l. 4. c. 8.
One point more reſts in the ſpeech of the laſt Angel concerning Babylon in this Chapter, Verſe the laſt, That in her was f…und the bloud of the Prophets, and Saints & of all that were ſlain upon the Earth: And in the former Chapter,Verſe 6. John ſaw the woman drunken with the bloud of Saints and Martyrs of Jeſus: That Heathen Rome was ſuch there is no doubt: And although Bellarmine would draw the Text another way to Jeruſalem) that this is the great City, Verſe 11.8.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 Jeſus: Let Hiſtories be turned, and an 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 against 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 cites 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 ſeem to imply both; And the rather becauſe this great City is ſpiritually called Sodom and Egypt: Rev. 11.8now 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 Samaria: John 4.But 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, Gods 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, that is,Iſay 52.11 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 Lord 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, ſee that ye deſpiſe not him that ſpeaketh, Heb. 12.25.for if you eſcaped not, when ye refuſed him that ſpeaketh one Earth, much more 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 his people to come out of Babylon,) a plain Argument that there are many not onelyonly good Moral and Civil honeſt men there, but good Chriſtians, 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, the children of God, and heirs of Eternal life: & of theſe that have but this Seal of Gods Covenant, (viz. infants) 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. 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.
Some men perhaps may object the Faith which they deſcribe and call 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 Jeſus Chriſt is wrought in many there,John 14.21.23. 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 that 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 ſinnes, and done many good workes ſatisfie for their ſins; But whatſoever thou doſt, 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 ſins 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, offer 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: And that Cardinal Bellarmine not onelyonly doth uphold them, but ſaith,De juſtifica. lib. 5. cap. 7. we may truſt in them, ſo it be done ſoberly; And ſaith, they deſerve Eternal life, not onelyonly in reſpect of Gods promiſes and Covenant, but alſo in regard of the work it ſelf: whereupon he anſwered, Bellarmine was a learned man, and could perhaps defend what he wrote by learning, But for his part he truſted to be ſav…d 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 quantum 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 mens 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. 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 minded, 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. that had not bowed to the Image of Baal; and the like may be conceived here 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.
Neither 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.and 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 their keeper that they might feed upon pulſe and not be defiled with the King of Babels meat, Daniel 1. v. 16.2and theſe knew themſelves to 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 in 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 under 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.
Object. Except ſome man will perhaps ſtill 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, Plebs ſacerdoti adunata, Epiſtola 6 9.people joyned to their prieſt, They have no Prieſthood being by the very form of their Ordidination Sacrificers for the quick and the dead.
Anſw. I anſwer, 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. 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 Chriſts 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.by 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 veſſel 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 Duetie 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 this 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, as thus,John 5.39. Luke 11.52. 1 Cor. 14. Matthew 28.20. Jer. 17.5. Rom. 6.9. Where the uſe of Chriſts Word is forbidden to his people, where they lay away the Key of Knowledge, and Gods Worſhip is without underſtanding in an unknown tongue where Chriſts Sacraments are corrupted and maimed: where 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 infallible 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 maintained 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.
Object. Here will I crave leave to anſwer on Objection that may be made by fleſh and blood, to be retentive to 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.
Anſw. I anſwer; 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 Serpent, ye ſhall not ſurely die: The reaſon 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.
And 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 Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt,1 Cor. 2. 2 Peter 1.11. If the graces of Gods Spirit abound in us and make us not barren and unfruitful in the knowledge of Chriſt.
Again, ignorance, ſo that it be not wilful and affected may have ſome pardon, but to hold the Truth of God 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 the ſame and favour thoſe that doe them.
The wrath of God from heaven is 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 to 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 of Sathan is in all other temptations to be anſwered; Thou maieſt doe this and yet be ſaved being of the number of 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.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 are kept, not onelyonly from hearing the voyce of the Servants of Chriſt, or of Saint John 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. Ls. 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 preſent Papall Monarchie, that out of this they muſt depart by the Commands of our Lord Jeſus 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 Culpable, not onelyonly of partaking with the former Idolatries, Extortions, Maſſacres, Powder Treaſons, and 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: Blindneſs of mind, and ſtrong Deluſions to believe Lies, 2 Theſ. 2.11.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.
Bleſſed be God that hath long agoe ſtirred up the Spirits of our Princes,Ezra 1.1. 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 Artaxerxes, 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. 2.18to build up the walls of Jeruſalem, and to procure that the Portion of the Levites ſhould be given them. Give me leave (Right Honourable) to put you in mind,Chapter 10.37. and 13.10. 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 wiſedom (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 Joyfull 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.
The 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, Joſhua, Cernelius 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.Babylon; But if Saint Paul prayed the Converted Corinthians to be reconciled to God. And Saint John writing to Believers, ſets down the record of God touching his Son,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 bodies at ſuch meetings as this is,1 Kings 18.21. 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 offence 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 Jurisdictiction, 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 People, 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 Rear, 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 no more.) The other fear the threatning of our Saviour againſt ſuch as ſcandalize any of the little ones believing in him, 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.as is expreſſed in the next Chapter.
Salvation, and Honour, and Glory, and Power, be unto the LORD our GOD, Amen. Halleluiah.