Tropes and Figures, Treatise 1 · Head 9 · Part 17

Tropes and Figures · Treatise 1 · Head 9 · Part 17

p. 297THE Church of ROME, Myſtery Babylon. The GREAT CITY, and GREAT WHORE, Revel. 17. Proved to be the ROMISH CHURCH: WITH THE Grand Objections of the Papiſts Anſwered.

REV. 14.8.

And there followed another Angel, ſaying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that Great City, becauſe ſhe made all Nations drink of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication.

REV. 16.19.

And great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the Cup of the Wine of the Fierceneſs of his Wrath.

REV. 17.5.

And upon her Forehead was a Name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS (or Fornications) AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

REV. 18.1, 2.

And after theſe things, I ſaw another Angel come down from Heaven, — And he cry'd mightily with a ſtrong Voice, ſaying, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the Habitation of Devils, and the Hold of every unclean Spirit, and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird, &c.

IN the handling of this great Subject, it ſeems needful to give an Account of the various Opinions, that have (more or leſs) pr…ſented themſelves to the World about it, which may be reduced to theſe four following Heads.

I. That it is Jeruſalem; and that for two Reaſons:

1. Becauſe the Man of Sin, or laſt Beaſt, that is to head this Babylon, is ſet forth by St. Paul, to ſit in the Temple of God, ſhewing himſelf to be a God.2 Theſſ. 2.4. Rev. 11.8.2 Thess 2:4Rev 11:8

2. Becauſe this City where the Beaſt reigns, and ſhall ſlay the Witneſſes, is ſpiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified.

p. 298II. That it is the Turkiſh Empire, or Power of the Saracens; which Mr. Mede ſomewhat touches, and in a brief way moſt learnedly argues againſt, in his third Book, pag. 644, 645.

III. That it is indeed Rome, the Seat of the fourth or laſt Empire, but Rome in its Heathen State, under the idolatrous and perſecuting Emperors: So the Rhemiſts would have it, if there be a Neceſſity to fix upon Rome to be this Apocalyptical, or Myſtery Babylon. For this Opinion the preſent Romaniſts have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond, who hath done very worthily at other Turns. See his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypſe.

IV. That it is the preſent Power and Church of Rome, who under pretence of the moſt high and Eccleſiaſtical Juriſdiction, doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdoms. Of this laſt Opinion were the ancient Waldenſes, who felt the bloody Power of Rome, venting it ſelf in moſt horrid and barbarous Cruelties againſt them, and that for a long Series of Time, as appears by our moſt Authentick, Ancient, and Modern Writers, who give a very ample Account of the great Perſecution of Chriſtians, for many hundred Years laſt paſt, in all Parts of the Chriſtian World, where they have had Power. To which Opinion of the Waldenſes moſt of our modern Proteſtant Divines agree, of which we ſhall mention only Cartwright, Fulk, the worthily admired, and Learned Mede, not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France; as may be ſeen in their Works at large.

But becauſe we will not take Things upon Truſt, nor refer the Reader to many Quotations, which he may want Books and Time to ſatisfy himſelf about; it appears needful, that we remove the Objections with as much Brevity as poſſible, before we ſtate the Metaphor, and run the Parallel.

Now that Babylon in all theſe New-Teſtament Texts cannot be fairly applied to Jeruſalem, the Turks and Saracens, nor terminate in the Heatheniſh State of Rome, we offer theſe following Conſiderations or Arguments:

I. It cannot be meant the City Jeruſalem:

1. Becauſe Jeruſalem did not reign over the Kings of the Earth in St. John's time, when he ſaw this Viſion, and wrote the Revelation, which this City Babylon is expreſly ſaid to do:Rev. 17.18.Rev 17:18 And the Woman which thou ſaweſt, is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. Jeruſalem having been not only under Captivity divers times before, but were then entirely under the Power of the Roman Yoke, as the whole Hiſtory of the Goſpel doth confirm, and themſelves did moſt plainly confeſs: We have no King but Caeſar.John 19.15.John 19:15

2. Jeruſalem was never in ſo high eſteem with the Beaſt, as to be capable to ride as Queen-Regent upon him, (as this Woman, Whore, or City is ſaid to do): And the Angel ſaid unto me, Wherefore didſt thou marvel? I will tell thee the Myſtery of the Woman, and the Beaſt that carrieth her, which hath the ſeven Heads, and ten Horns. Rev. 17.7.Rev. 17.7.Rev 17:7 compared with Verſ. 3. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the Wilderneſs, and I ſaw a Woman ſit upon a Scarlet-coloured Beaſt, full of Names of Blaſphemy, having ſeven Heads, and ten Horns, — For by the Woman ſitting, and Beaſt carrying, is undoubtedly ſignified, Influence, Power, and Dominion, which Jeruſalem was far remote from, not only under the Roman Monarchy, but alſo under the three Kingdoms that went before it, viz. the Babylonian, Grecian, and Perſian; as might be largely illuſtrated both out of Sacred and Humane Hiſtory.

3. Jeruſalem did not ſit upon many Waters, which is interpreted to be People, Nations, and Tongues; that is, had not Command or Dominion over them, as this Woman,Rev. 17.15.Rev 17:15 Whore, or City is ſaid to have: And he ſaith, The Waters which thou ſaweſt, where the Whore ſitteth, are Peoples, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues: The whole Land of Judea being under Tribute to the Roman Government at that time: And it came to paſs in thoſe Days, Luke 2.1.Luke 2:1that there went out a Decree from Caeſar Auguſtus, that all the World ſhould be taxed; Verſe 4.and particularly, Galilee, Nazareth, Judea, and the City of David, called Bethlehem.

4. Jeruſalem was not capable to enchant and bewitch all the Nations round about her, either by her Religion and Doctrine, or by great Gifts and Rewards.

p. 299(1.) Becauſe the Roman Power kept her under, and much in awe, on the one hand, not owning nor ſubſcribing to her Religion.

(2.) The Chriſtian Doctrine and Religion block'd up her Way, on the other hand, that ſhe could not extend her Influence to either neighbouring, or remote Nations, as this Woman, Whore, or City is ſaid to do: For thy Merchants were the great Men of the Earth; for by thy Sorceries were all Nations deceived.Rev. 18.23Rev 18:23

5. Jeruſalem, tho ſhe were guilty of much Blood, from the beginning of her Excellency and Glory, in Solomon's Time, killing Prophets, even all that were ſent unto her, murthered John Baptiſt, and our Lord and Saviour, as alſo the bleſſed Martyr, St. Stephen; yet in her could not be found that great Maſs of Blood that was ſhed, and Myriads of Chriſtian Saints that have been barbarouſly murthered, by Maſſacre, and publick Martyrdom, ſince they were ruined and deſtroyed by Titus Veſpaſian, which we find poſitively charged upon this City Babylon: Rev. 17.6.Rev 17:6And I ſaw the Woman drunk with the Blood of Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus, and I wondered with great Admiration; as indeed well he might, (as ſhall be ſhewn.Rev. 19 24.Rev 19:24) And in her was found the Blood of Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were ſlain upon the Earth; that is, ſince the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem.

6. And laſtly; Not to multiply more upon this Head, tho Jeruſalem was fearfully deſtroyed, as the Hiſtory of Joſephus ſhews; yet ſhall ſhe riſe again, be built upon her own Heap, be repleniſhed with her own Children, which this City Babylon under Conſideration ſhall never be, after this Cataſtrophe which John ſaw viſionally coming upon it: And a mighty Angel took up a Stone, like a great Mill-ſtone, Rev. 18.21.Rev 18:21and caſt it into the Sea, ſaying, Thus with violence ſhall that great City Babylon be thrown down, and ſhall be found no more at all.

II. It cannot be the Turks and Saracens, for two Reaſons offered by the Learned Mead, lib. 3. p. 643.

1. Becauſe tho they did ariſe to great Power in the World, yet they had not their Seat in that great City, which in St. John's Time reigned over the Kings of the Earth, which this Babylon is expreſly ſaid to have.Rev. 17.18.Rev 17:18

2. That they did not riſe by Apoſtacy from the Chriſtian Religion, which this Babylon (with her Head, the Man of Sin) did; for, as this worthy Author ſaith, the Turk (whatever he be) could be no Apoſtate, becauſe he was of a Nation that never was Chriſtian.

To which we ſhall add ſomething for the clearing of this Head, that we may diſcharge that Debt we owe to God, to the Church, and the World.

3. It cannot be the Turks, becauſe they are not ſtrangely and wonderfully myſterious, which this Babylon is ſaid to be: And upon her Forehead was a Name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, Rev. 17.5.Rev 17:5AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And the Angel ſaid unto me, Wherefore didſt thou marvel? I will tell thee the Myſtery of the Woman, Verſe 7.and the Beaſt which carrieth her, which hath the ſeven Heads, and ten Horns.

What ſpecial Myſtery hath ſhewed it ſelf to the World from the Turks and Saracens, more than from other common Empires or Kingdoms, that is matter of Admiration to the wiſeſt of Men? Is it matter of Wonder, that the Turks do own but one true, and moſt high God? Is it matter of Wonder, that they do own Jeſus Chriſt to be a Prophet, and a good Man? Is it matter of higheſt Wonder, that they prefer Mahomet above Jeſus? Is it matter of Wonder, that they appear true to their Contracts, in Matters of Civil Commerce? Is it matter of higheſt Wonder, for them to endeavour to keep what Dominion they have, and to enlarge it, to make Slaves and Prizes of thoſe profeſt Enemies they take Priſoners? We ſay, in none of theſe things is there any high Myſtery, or matter of greateſt Wonder, being Things common to all Places and Kingdoms inveſted with Power: For,

(1.) Did not the great King of Literal Babylon own the only true God, yet ſtill held the Church in Captivity?

(2.) Did not Iſrael own the ſame, and yet kept their Idols, after their Revolt from Judah?

(3.) Did not Judah prefer Moſes above and before Chriſt, and at that time when Chriſt was perſonally amongſt them, working moſt ſtupendous Miracles, which did evince his Divine Miſſion? Nay, did they not prefer a common and notorious Villain before the bleſſed Lord of Glory, when they deſired a Murtherer to be freed, and preſſed hard to have the good and bleſſed Jeſus, the Saviour of the World, killed? And did not this wiſe Apoſtle know this to be true in Fact, and to equal, nay, out-do p. 300any thing that the Turks or Saracens ever did, or can be accuſed of? And if St. John was tranſported with aſtoniſhing Wonder, at Matters much leſs than he had ſeen before, doth it not give good reaſon to ſuſpect him of Weakneſs and Defect, that he ſhould ſuffer himſelf to be ſurprized with the greateſt Wonder, at far leſs Things than he had ſeen and known before? Certainly therefore we muſt conclude, there was ſomething more of Myſtery in John's Viſion, than what hath been ſhewed to the World by the Great Turk, or any other Power; and indeed, undoubtedly, the greateſt Myſtery that ever the World was acquainted with: For the Characters of Babylon muſt either be ſingular, that is, ſuch as none have beſides; or elſe they muſt be tranſcendent, to go far beyond what others had in a leſſer degree. Otherwiſe John might have kept the Deſcription of Babylon to himſelf, there being no clear Diſtinctions, to render the wiſeſt and moſt diſcerning Men able to make a Judgment upon her. The Myſtery then that is written upon this Woman Babylon, ſeems clearly to lie in theſe Particulars following.

Firſt; That ſhe doth tranſact the moſt horrid Wickedneſſes that ever the World was, or is like to be, acquainted with.

Secondly; That under this monſtrous Guilt, ſhe is prodigiouſly confident, and without all regret, or ſhow of Shame, and moſt impudently boaſts of the higheſt Sanctity and Holineſs in the World, viz. That ſhe is totally pure, infallibly certain, and cannot err, &c. That this indeed is a Myſtery to be wondred at, let it be conſidered,

(1.) That a Shepherd ſhould be a Wolf, and devour that Flock which he pretends to be an Overſeer or Paſtor of.

(2.) That a profeſſed Servant of Jeſus Chriſt, and the meaneſt of Saints, ſhould exalt himſelf above his Maſter, and not above his Maſter only, but above the God of his Maſter, and all other deputed Gods, that are Vicegerents to the King of Heaven, by ſlighting and trampling upon the Holy Scriptures, and Laws both of God and Princes, diſpenſing with the Breach of them, indulging the higheſt Violation thereof, and ſetting up his own Inventions, Traditions, and Decrees above them; inſomuch that there is a thouſand times leſs danger (in their eſteem) in reſpect of Excommunications, and Corporal Puniſhments in this World, or of Damnation in the World to come, in breaking and violating the Laws of God and Princes, than there is in the Violation or Breach of the Inventions, Traditions, and Decrees of Myſtery Babylon, and her Head.

(3.) That one ſitting in the Temple of God, pretending himſelf as a poor Apoſtle, Vicar, and Succeſſor of Chriſt, nay, as the Succeſſor of a poor Fiſherman, ſhould wear the higheſt Enſigns of Imperial Dignity!

(4.) That he ſhould be ſo lordly, and prodigiouſly inſolent, (who was commanded to the greateſt Humility and Abaſement) as to tread upon the Necks of Emperors, kick off the Crowns of great Princes, and make Kings his Foot-Pages.

(5.) That he ſhould pretend highly, yea, moſt highly, to God, Chriſt, Religion, and Holineſs, and yet eſpouſe to himſelf, as the Darlings of his Boſom, not only the chiefeſt Sons of Belial, but all that will decline Sanctity and Religion, and embody themſelves with thoſe Firſt-born Sons of Wickedneſs, that are of the higheſt Magnitude, and engage themſelves in ſuch monſtrous and butcherly Practices, that humane Nature, as ſuch, could never act in the butchering of brute Beaſts.

(6.) That the Spouſe of this prodigious Monſter ſhould in Profeſſion own God, Jeſus Chriſt, and the Things of Religion, of which Juſtice and Charity, Holineſs and Compaſſion are not the leaſt Part; and yet under this Vizard, and in the very time of theſe Pretenſions, perpetrate the greateſt and moſt unparallel'd Villanies in the World: 1. In being the Top of Pride. 2. In committing palpable Idolatry. 3. Fill themſelves with Exceſs and Drunkenneſs. 4. To curſe, ſwear, and blaſpheme the very Name they profeſs to be ſacred. 5. To caſt down the Truth, burn the Bible, deface the holy Books and Laws of God. 6. To aſſume not only a Power to diſpenſe with Violations of the higheſt Nature, but to pardon and forgive them at pleaſure. 7. To commit Adultery, and account it a venial Crime. 8. To break Covenants, drive a Trade in Perjury, forſwear every thing they are juſtly charged with, and is fully proved againſt them. 9. To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power; contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places, Cities, Countries, and Kingdoms, by Fire, Sword, and moſt cruel Devaſtations. 10. To ſlaughter, kill, and barbarouſly murther, both Men, Women, and Children, even all that dare make a ſhew of Conſcience and Religion, ſo far as to abhor and diſſent from theſe Villanies.

p. 301This is ſuch a Scheme of Religion, and Syſteme of Divinity, to come from an Apoſtle, a Shepherd, a Vicar and Succeſſor of Chriſt, from a Church, Sheep, Saints, and the pretended Followers of the meek, peaceable, and innocent Jeſus, who taught altogether otherwiſe by his Doctrine and Example, that it might well be wondred at, and is the ſtrangeſt Myſtery that ever appeared, of which we challenge the whole World to ſhew the like in the Turks and Saracens. For Men to ſwear, lie, and forſwear themſelves, and yet be true Men: to contrive Rebellion, Murther, and Treaſon; and yet be as innocent as the Child unborn: to be elevated to the higheſt Pinacle of Pride, even above Emperors and Kings, above Jeſus Chriſt, and God his Father; and yet be humble and lowly: To commit groſs Idolatry; and yet be the Servants of the Living God: To be filled with, and make a Trade of Exceſs and Drunkenneſs; and yet be the Paterns and Standards of Sobriety and Temperance: To caſt down the Truth to the Ground, deface the Laws of God, and burn the Scriptures; and yet be the true Witneſſes to it: To forgive Sins, and yet be the greateſt of Sinners themſelves: To commit Fornication and Adultery; and yet be ſpotleſs and pure in Heart; To foment Wars and Broils in every Kingdom and Country where they have Power; to contrive the Ruine of Towns and Places, Cities, Countries, and Kingdoms, by Fire, Sword, and cruel Devaſtations; and yet be as harmleſs as Doves to all Mankind, the only Sons of Peace and Quietneſs: To ſlaughter, kill, and barbarouſly murther Men, Women, and Children, that dare not be ſo wicked as themſelves; and yet to be full of Mercy, tender Pity, and Compaſſion; an Apoſtle, Shepherd, Vicar, and Succeſſor of the meek and Lamb-like Saviour. And for the dear Conſort of this impious Head, or Man of Sin, to be not only confederate with him, but a Principal in all theſe unparallel'd Villanies, and moſt butcherly and rapacious Murthers; and yet be the Holy Catholick Church of God, the pure and ſpotleſs Spouſe of Jeſus Chriſt, the true Sheep, the harmleſs Lambs, the beſt of Saints, and cloſe Followers of the Lord Jeſus, who always taught the contrary by his holy Doctrine, and meek Example. We ſay, theſe Things not being found by ſecret Search, but are written in Capital Letters upon her Forehead, appear in open view, to be read by every one that is not wilfully blind: Let any one ſhew us a greater Myſtery in the World than this, and we will ſubſcribe to it.

4. It cannot be the Turks, becauſe they are not the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, which this Babylon is ſaid to be, Rev. 17.5. And upon her Forehead was a Name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS, AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And here we demand, in excuſe to the Turks, this one Thing:

From whence did proceed the Murthers, Maſſacres, and Martyrdoms of all the Religious Profeſſors of Chriſtianity, that have died by violence in the Chriſtian World, for the ſpace of twelve hundred Years laſt paſt? And from what People did proceed thoſe horrid Oaths, Blaſphemies, and Execrations, that the World hath wofully been acquainted with, moſt horrid and ſtrangely aſtoniſhing to repeat?

Came theſe unparallel'd Degrees of Impiety from the Turks? from the Waldenſians, Lutherans, Calviniſts, or any Non-conforming Proteſtants? No, no. Why, whoſe Language then is it? Whoſe! Why, 'tis the Language of the Beaſt of the bottomleſs Pit, and bloody Whore, who bare theſe blaſphemous Sons of her own Body, daily nouriſhes them at her Breaſt, and ſtrengthens them in their ſinful Courſes, by accounting them the Sons, the precious Sons of Sion, the true Sons of the Catholick Church, the Darlings of Heaven, the beloved Ones of the Virgin Mary, and giving them Pardons for theſe bold and Heaven-daring Sins, as often as they do commit them, and come to ask Pardon for them; ſo that Sin and Pardon is as conſtant and common with them, as Breathing and Eating. And theſe Things are done to ſeal and confirm Lies, which is the more heavy, heinous, and prodigious: For if Men may lie by allowance; may kill, and ſhed innocent Blood, without Controul of Conſcience, and Church-Cenſures; may ſwear and blaſpheme, and challenge God himſelf to damn them; may burn Men for Religion, conſume Cities to Aſhes, conſpire the Death of Kings, the Ruine and Overthrow of Kingdoms, whore, and murther Infants; and yet be accounted a Church, the Members and Parts of it, called Saints, holy Children, and Sons of the Moſt High God: Then may we claim a Patent, and take a Licenſe to change the Name of all Things, and alter all the Idea's of the Minds of Men; call and account Beelzebub a good God, and all his black Tribe, the pure Saints of the Moſt High; call the lower Regions of Blackneſs and Darkneſs, to which he is confin'd, p. 302the Heaven of Glory and eternal Light. Of which Things we ought in Juſtice to clear the Turks, until Witneſſes of undoubted Credit ſhall come forth, and evidence, that the Turkiſh State is the Mother of as great Abominations as theſe are.

5. And laſtly; The Turks cannot be Myſtery Babylon, becauſe they never were made drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus, which this Woman, Myſtery Babylon, is expreſly ſaid to be, Rev. 17.6. And I ſaw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus; and I wondred with great admiration. Now let any Man ſhew ſuch Bloodſhed, Saints Bloodſhed, by Maſſacres and Martyrdom, for the profeſſing of Chriſtianity, (which muſt be, if the Text be anſwered in that Clauſe, Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus,) by the Turks, either within their Dominions, or without, as hath been ſhed by a Generation nearer home, and we ſhall become like the Man without a Wedding-Garment, wholly ſpeechleſs, and ſay not a Word more about Babylon.

III. Now that Babylon in the Apocalypſe, is Great Rome, that in former Times reigned, and in future Times ſhall be deſtroyed, is owned by ſome of the Papiſts themſelves, and is aſſerted by all Proteſtants; the Difference betwixt them is brought to this narrow Point. The one wholly confines Babylon to Rome Heathen, and there totally to terminate; the other brings Babylon down lower, to Rome Antichriſtian, or Papal Rome. Now that this Work may be to Edification, and more full Satiſfaction in this great Caſe, we ſhall advance to the laſt and chief Secret that is to be opened and conſidered, namely, Whether all Things in John's Viſion or Prophecy, that are applied to Myſtery Babylon, did compleatly terminate in Rome Heathen, and come no further?

In Anſwer to this great Enquiry, we do, with the Body of Proteſtants, in oppoſition to the Papiſts, conclude the Negative, viz. That all Things in the Apocalypſe applied to Myſtery Babylon, did not terminate in Rome Heathen. The Reaſons of which Negative are as followeth.

1. Becauſe the Beaſt that Myſtery Babylon rides on, is the eighth Head, or laſt Ruling-Power of that City that is ſeated upon ſeven Hills, which muſt be Rome Papal, becauſe the whole Race of Rome Heathen was gone off, before the eighth Head came up. — The ſixth Head was in John's Time; the ſeventh was to come, and continue but a ſhort Space, The Beaſt that carrier the Woman, viz. Babylon, is of the ſeventh, but is the eighth, and ſhall be the laſt; for he goeth into Perdition. This being ſo evident from the Letter of the Text, needs nothing more to confirm it. Now that Rome Heathen was not the laſt Part of the Romiſh Power, is not only the full and joint Conſent of all Writers upon this Subject, but is ſo evident to all the Chriſtian World, that it would be Vanity it ſelf to make a Show of Proof. The Concluſion then is this: If the very laſt Part of the Roman Power carries the Woman Babylon, and that the Heathen State of Rome went off before, and was not the laſt; then Babylon could not terminate in Rome Heathen, but muſt come down to Rome Papal. See Rev. 17.3, 7, 9, 11.

2. If Babylon be totally terminated in Rome Heathen, then the Book of the Apocalypſe is of little uſe to the latter Ages of the Chriſtian World: For if the whole Tranſactions relating to the Perſecution of the Church, and the Slaughter and Deſtruction of God's Enemies, did end in Rome Heathen, then it ſerved only to give a characteriſtical Account of a Beaſt and Whore that was grown old, and ready to go off the Stage; but hath wholly left us in the dark, and given us no notice at all of that horrible Confuſion, and bloody Perſecutions, which have reigned in the Chriſtian World for more than a thouſand Years laſt paſt; which for Length of Time, Numbers of Murthers, and Manner of Cruelties, hath out-done all the Wickedneſs of Rome in its Heathen State. Which is not at all likely, that a Viſion ſhould be given, and a Revelation made, and call'd ſo, about a State that was almoſt expired, and the moſt great and principal Part wholly left out, and ſaid nothing to. Who can imagine, that a careful Saviour ſhould be ſo full in his Diſcoveries to the Jewiſh Church, concerning their Sufferings, and the Time under Egypt, and Babylon Literal; and be ſo ſhort and lean to his Goſpel-Church, to leave them altogether without any written Profpect, or extraordinary Prophet, to inform them what ſhould come to paſs in the World, from the going off of the Power of Rome Heathen, to the end of all the Churches Troubles, which have already laſted above a thouſand Years? The Conceit of which is fit but for two Ranks of Men to receive, viz. the Roman-Catholicks, and ſuch Proteſtants as look for Antichriſt to come at the end of the World, after the p. 303Reſtauration of the Jews to their own Land, and building a material Temple at Jeruſalem, where Antichriſt ſhall ſit three Days and an half, or Years, to kill two Men called the two Witneſſes.

3. If this laſt Babylon was wholly to terminate in Rome Heathen, then there was no Cauſe of Wonderment and great Admiration for a wiſe Man, to ſee in a Viſion an Heatheniſh State, under a Diabolical Influence, to perform Actions ſutable to their State, and not contrary to their Profeſſions: For what matter of Wonderment can it be to feel the Wind blow, to ſee the Sea foam, and hear the Waves rage and roar, when the Winds oppoſe its Effluxion? And what Cauſe of great Wonderment and Admiration for a wiſe Man, to ſee wicked Heathens oppoſe and perſecute Chriſtianity, when it is ſo ſutable to their Spirit, and agreeable to their Profeſſion ſo to do, we cannot yet underſtand, and we will diligently liſten to them who will undertake to inform us: For the thing is true, that a wiſe Man did wonder at the Sight he ſaw with great Admiration, Rev. 17.6. I ſaw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jeſus, and I wondred with great admiration. Wonder'd! O ſtrange! At what? To ſee that which was common to all Ages, the Seed of the Serpent, that profeſt Heatheniſm, the Wicked, even the worſt of the Wicked, by Principle and Profeſſion, to plot againſt the Righteous, and to gnaſh upon him with their Teeth; Idolaters, profeſt Idolaters, to perſecute the Servants and Worſhippers of the true God; thoſe that were born after the Fleſh, and lived after the Fleſh, to perſecute them that were born of the Spirit, and lived after the Spirit. Surely, if our Adverſaries Opinion was true in this Caſe, that Babylon is only Rome Heathen, St. John had forgot that Cain killed Abel, and Iſhmael perſecuted Iſaac; and took not ſo much notice of the Courſe of the World, common to every Age, as Paul did, who ſaid, But as he that was born after the Fleſh, perſecuted him that was born after the Spirit; as it was then, ſo it is now: And what ſtrange Wonder is in all this?

4. Rome Heathen never was eſpouſed, married, or united to the Lord Jeſus, in a ſpiritual way, viſibly owning his Laws, and ſubmitting to his Government, as a Wife ſubmits to, and obeys her Husband, and afterwards caſts him off, and chuſes another Head and Husband; and therefore cannot be Myſtical Babylon, or the great Whore: For tho theſe Heathens were great Idolaters, yet were they never charged with ſpiritual Adultery, nor could they, unleſs they had once, by viſible Profeſſion, made a Covenant with, or eſpouſed themſelves to the Lord Jeſus, which Rome Papal before its Apoſtacy did: Therefore Rome Heathen could not be the great Whore, or Myſtical Babylon.

5. Rome Heathen cannot be the Babylon ſet forth by St. John, unleſs ſhe be guilty of all the Chriſtian Blood ſhed upon the Earth ſince the Deſtruction o… Jeruſalem: For as the Guilt of all the Blood ſhed from righteous Abel, to the Death of Zacharias, is by our Saviour fix'd upon Jeruſalem, and cannot be removed to another People; ſo the Blood of all the Martyrs and Followers of Jeſus, is by this Revelation …x'd upon the laſt Babylon, R…v. 17.6. And I ſaw the Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and of the Martyrs of Jeſus. Chap. 18. v. 24. And in her was found the Blood of the Prophets, and of Saints, and of ALL that were ſlain upon the Earth. But Rome Heathen was not guilty of all the Chriſtian Blood that was ſhed upon Earth, by Murthers, Maſſacres, and Martyrdom, ſince the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem: For to look back but for ſix hundred Years laſt paſt, in which Time we ſhall find Hundreds of Thouſands of profeſt Chriſtians moſt butcherly and barbarouſly put to Death, for their Zeal and Love to the Chriſtian Religion, in the reſpective Nations of Europe, before which the Heatheniſh State of Rome was gone off about the ſpace of ſix hundred Years. So that if we will regard the full ſatisfying of this Prediction about My…ery Babylon, we muſt of neceſſity bring her down lower than the Heatheniſh State of Rome.

6. Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon under Conſideration, becauſe the Diſcoveries of other Prophecies, relating to the ſame State, no way agrees to the Power of Rome Heathen.

(1.) This State of Babylon is called the Myſtery of Iniquity. This no way agrees to Rome Heathen, but fully agrees to Rome Papal. Compare 2 Theſſ. 2.7. with Rev. 17.7. viz. For the Myſtery of Iniquity doth already work. — The Angel ſaid unto me, Wherefore didſt thou marvel? I will tell thee the Myſtery of the Woman, and of the Beaſt that carrieth her.

2. The Head of this State of Myſtery Babylon is called the Man of Sin, by way of Eminency, foreign, not only beyond the common Rank of Men, but beyond the higheſt Sons of Wickedneſs that went before him. And there is a great Truth in p. 304this; for if we conſider the Pope in reſpect of Pride, Hypocriſy, Idolatry, and Blood, he is the moſt unparallel'd Man of Sin.

(3.) This State, or Myſtery of Iniquity began to work in the Apoſtle's Days, which is no ways applicable to the Power of Rome Heathen; for that did not then begin, it being at that time in the very Meridian of its Greatneſs, and univerſal Sovereignty: Luke 2.1. And it came to paſs in thoſe Days, that there came out a Decree from Caeſar Auguſtus, that all the World ſhould be taxed.

(4.) This Man of Sin, Myſtery of Iniquity, or Head of this Babyloniſh State, is ſaie to be let or hindred in his Deſigns: He that now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the Way. 2 Theſſ. 2.7. But now Rome Heathen had no Lett or Hindrance, either from the Word of God, for that declared it (as it was a Civil Magiſtracy) to be God's Ordinance; nor from any oppoſite Power, either Civil or Military, they giving Laws to the greateſt Part of the World, and enjoying the Supreme Government of the beſt Kingdoms in the Univerſe, none being able to cope with them at that Time.

(5.) This Head of the Babyloniſh State is ſaid to ſit in the Temple of God, which the Power of Rome Heathen did not do, neither in the Temple of Jeruſalem, nor in the Church, wh…ch is more properly the Temple of God: For the Jews kept the Poſſeſſion of the Literal Temple, till it was deſtroyed; and for the Church of God, the Heathen Emperors never loved it ſo well, at to make their Reſidence in it. But the Biſhop of Rome, before he ſhewed himſelf to be that wicked One, viz. the Man of Sin, d…d evidently ſit in the Church or Temple of God, and ſo fulfilled this Prophecy in the very Letter of it.

(6.) He (that is, the Man of Sin, or Head of this Babyloniſh State) was to riſe by Apoſtacy, or falling away from the Chriſtian Religion: 2 Theſſ. 2.3. There ſhall come a falling away firſt; exactly agreeing with another Prophecy to the ſame purpoſe, 1 Tim. 4.1. Now the Spirit ſpeaketh expreſly, that in the latter Times ſome ſhall depart from the Faith, &c. But Rome Heathen did not riſe by Apoſtacy from the Chriſtian Religion, or a departing from the Faith, which they never profeſs'd, as is evident to the whole World: Ergo Rome Heathen cannot be this Babyloniſh State.

(7.) This Man of Sin, or Head of Myſtery Babylon, lay hid in the Apoſtle's Time, and was not revealed:2 Theſſ. 2.3. Rev. 17.9.2 Thess 2:3Rev 17:9 but the Power of Rome Heathen did not then lie hid, or wanted to be revealed; for it ſtood viſible and high, upon a Hill, even upon ſeven Hills, according to the Roman Poet, Ovid, (who lived about the very Time of Chriſt's being on Earth) in Lib. de Triſtibus.

Sed quae de ſeptem totum circumſpicit Orbem

Montibus, Imperii Roma, Deûm que Locus.

That is,

But Rome, which from her ſeven Hills the whole

Earth views around, the Place of Gods, and Rule, &c.

Ergo, Rome Heathen cannot be this Babyloniſh State.

(8.) This Myſtery of Iniquity is ſaid to oppoſe and exalt himſelf above all that is called God, or that is worſhipped, 2 Theſſ. 2.4. But this the Power of Rome in its Heathen State did not do; for they worſhipped, offered Sacrifices, and bore a Reverence to their Gods, which by Nature indeed were no Gods; and 'tis only the Head of Rome P…pal, that runs down all Gods but thoſe of his own making; Ergo, Rome Papal, and not Rome Heathen, muſt of neceſſity be this Myſtery of Iniquity.

(9.) The Riſe or Coming of this Myſtery of Iniquity, is after the working of Satan, 2 Theſſ. 2.9. But the Riſe of the Romiſh Greatneſs and Power, when Heathen, was not after the working of Satan,Dan 7.2, 3Dan 7:2Dan 7:3 but was ſaid by Daniel, to be produced by the Providence of God, or the four Winds of Heaven; and by the Apoſtle, to be Powers ordained of God. Rom. 13.1. Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be the Myſtery of Iniquity, &c. here meant.

(10.) This Myſtery of Iniquity is not only ſaid to come after the working of Satan, 2 Theſſ. 2.9. but alſo with All Power, &c. But the Riſe of Rome Heathen was not after that manner: Ergo, &c. To illuſtrate the firſt Propoſition, note, That the Term [All Power] marks out the Romiſh Pope ſo notoriouſly, that whoſoever runs may read it; for if we do but impartially conſider his impudent Uſurpations upon Crowned Heads, and his Pretences of Supremacy over the whole Chriſtian World; p. 305his proud imperious Decrees, Bulls, &c. his Diſpoſal of the Kingdoms of Princes, and the Inheritances, yea, the very Lives of private Perſons, of any Rank, that dare diſobey him; his Pretences to ſhut and open Heaven, Hell, and his feigned Purgatory; his carrying a Symbol of that vaſt and God-like Power, viz. a Brace of Keys hanging at his Girdle: All theſe will appear as clear Demonſtrations, that the Head of Rome Papal is the Head of Babylon, and the Grand Impoſtor, or the Capital Manager of this Myſtery of Iniquity, he having (moſt ſacrilegiouſly) aſſumed to himſelf all Heavenly Power of damning or ſaving, and all Earthly Power, both Temporal or Civil, and Eccleſiaſtical or Sacred.

(11.) This wicked Babyloniſh State comes forth with a great Pretence of Miracles, which are but falſe Signs, and lying Wonders, to deceive and cheat the People; and by this means they conquer Nations, and carry away their Kings to their wicked Intereſt. This Rome Heathen did not do. For tho the Heatheniſh Power of Rome did conquer Nations and Countries, with their Kings, yet it was by State-Policy, and Force of Arms, not by pretended Miracles, falſe Signs, and lying Wonders: Therefore Rome Heathen cannot be this Myſtery of Iniquity, or Babyloniſh State.

(12.) This wicked State, under conſideration, is declared not only to depart from the Faith by a palpable Apoſtacy, but to forbid Marriage, and command a long Lent, and many other Faſt-Days, whereon ſome Sorts of Meats are prohibited to be eaten; which doth ſo fully agree to the Papal State of Rome, that nothing can be more plain, unleſs the Spirit had expreſly told us, This will be fulfilled by Rome Papal. For theſe two things we have their Canons upon Record, the which if none can ſhew the like of the Heathen State of Rome, then Rome Papal ſhall carry the Title of this Myſtery of Iniquity, and Babyloniſh State.

7. If the Babylon, under conſideration, be only confined to the Power of Heathen Rome, then there is a more evident and apparent Myſtery upon the State or Power of Rome Heathen, than upon any Power or State that went before it, or ſhould come after it; for ſo the Text imports, Rev. 17.5. And upon her Forehead was a Name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, &c. But there did no ſuch Myſtery appear upon the Power or State of Rome Heathen, therefore this Babylon cannot terminate there. What great Myſtery appeared upon the Power and State of Rome Heathen, more than appeared upon the Power and State of the three foregoing Monarchies?

8. This Babylon cannot be confined to the Power of Rome only in its Heathen State, becauſe Babylon is to continue till the good People ſhall (with the Horns that did ſupport her, which is the laſt Part of the wicked and perſecuting Power, anſwerable to the ten Toes in Daniel's great Image) reward and deſtroy her, for the Injury that ſhe did unto them, according to theſe three Texts of Scripture, Rev. 18.4. Dan. 7.22, 26, 27. Rev. 17.16. And I heard another Voice from Heaven, ſaying, Come out of her, my People, that ye be not Partak…rs of her Sins, &c. Verſe 6. Reward her even as ſhe hath rewarded you, and deal unto her double according to her Works: In the Cup that ſhe hath filled, fill to her double: How much ſhe hath glorified her ſelf, and lived deliciouſly, ſo much Torment and Sorrow give her. And the ten Horns which thou ſaweſt upon the Beaſt, theſe ſhall hate the Whore, and ſhall make her deſolate and naked, and ſhall eat her Fleſh, and burn her with Fire: Which the Power of Rome in its Heathen State felt not, but ended its Courſe, without being deſtroyed by good People, and the ten Horns, which is the laſt Part of the Image-Government. And in the Days of theſe Kings, Dan. 2.44.Dan 2:44(viz. ten Toes, ten Horns, ten Kings) ſhall the God of Heaven ſet up a Kingdom which ſhall never be deſtroyed: And the Kingdom ſhall not be left to another People, but it ſhall break in pieces and conſume all theſe Kingdoms, and it ſhall ſtand for ever. Which could not be fulfilled in what Conſtantine did in the Time of Maxentius, as Dr. Hammond would have us believe, for theſe three Reaſons.

(1.) Becauſe the ten Horns, that afterwards the Roman Power fell into, were not come up, and ſo could not deſtroy the Power of Rome in its Heathen State.

(2.) Becauſe Babylon's Perſecution, Miſery, and Confuſion, did not utterly ceaſe, which it muſt have done, ſo as to riſe no more for ever, if the Power of Rome Heathen deſtroyed by Conſtantine, had been this Myſtery Babylon.

(3.) Becauſe tho there might be a Body of good People with Conſtantine, when he overthrew Maxentius, yet the Power of the Kingdom was not ſo eſtabliſhed in the hand of good People, as not afterward to be left to others, as the Text affirms; And the Kingdom ſhall not be left to another People: For (as we ſhall anon ſhew) the Kingdom or Power that ceaſed to be in the hands of Heathens, and by a mighty and divine p. 306Providence came to be in the hands of a worthy and renowned Chriſtian Emperor, came afterwards into the hands of very Devils incarnate, who acted all the Violence of the Heathen Power over again, and indeed out-did them.

9. Thoſe that are for confining this Babylon to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State, are not well aware what they do; for if they do demand it, their Oppoſites, who hold it to be Rome Papal, may grant it for Argument's ſake: But then the Remedy is worſe than the Diſeaſe; for they ſlip into ſuch a Precipice, as neither Baronius, Bellarmine, Dr. Hammond, or the Rhemiſts, can ſave or deliver them from. The true State of the Caſe is this:

Rome Heathen is Myſtery Babylon; this ſay the Papiſts: And the more willing they are to ſay ſo, becauſe it is a good Argument to prove that Peter was at Rome, he ſubſcribing his firſt Epiſtle from Babylon, 1 Pet. 5.13. The Church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, ſaluteth you, &c. But this being allowed, the worſt is to come. This Babylon is deſtroyed, when the Power of Rome Heathen is taken away, ſo as to be no more for ever; but then what Condition doth the State of Babylon fall into? Doth it become the Throne of the Lamb, the City of the Living God, the Habitation of Holineſs, and Dwelling-place of Zion, the true Church, the Place of the holy Ones, and Saints of the Moſt High? O no! What then? Hearken, and an Angel from Heaven ſhall tell you, Rev. 18.1, 2. And after theſe Things (of the Horns hating the Whore, making of her naked, and burning her Fleſh with Fire) I ſaw another Angel come down from Heaven, having great Power, and the Earth was lightned with his Glory; and he cried mightily, with a ſtrong Voice, ſaying, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen; and is become the Habitation of Devils, and the Hold of every foul Spirit, and a Cage of every unclean and hateful Bird. Now, you Papiſts, if you will needs have Babylon to be Rome Heathen, take it, and much Good do you with it; but then make Rome Papal better than an Habitation of Devils, if you can.

If it be not Rome Heathen, then adieu to Dr. Hammond, and the Rhemiſts, we have what we deſire: If it be, then Rome Papal is a far worſe Place than Rome Heathen or Babylon ever was; — And then what a fine Church do the People make themſelves?

10. If the Place, Seat, and City of Rome was not utterly ruined, (ſo as to be no more for ever as a Place of Commerce, Trade, and Human Society,) when the Heathen Power ceaſed, — then Rome Heathen cannot be this Babylon, becauſe at the Ending and Downfall of this Babylon, the Place, Seat, and City is utterly ruined, ſo as to be no more a Place of Trade,Rev. 17.16.Rev 17:16 Commerce, or human Society: And the ten Horns which thou ſaweſt upon the Beaſt, theſe ſhall hate the Whore, and ſhall make her deſolate, and ſhall eat her Fleſh, and burn her with Fire. Verſe 18. And the Woman which thou ſaweſt is that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth — for her Sins which God hath remembred, Rev. 18.8.Rev 18:8which have reached unto Heaven, therefore ſhall her Plagues come in one Day, Death, and Mourning, and Famine, and ſhe ſhall be utterly burnt with Fire: For ſtrong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Ver. 11, 12, 13. All Sorts of Merchandize, Traffick, Trade, and Commerce with humane Society, ſhall ceaſe, ſo as to be no more in her at all; and the good Things which ſhe in Fulneſs enjoyed before, even all Things that were dainty and goodly, are now departed from her, and ſhe ſhall find them no more at all, verſ. 14. for in one Hour is ſhe made deſolate. And a mighty Angel took up a Stone, like a great Mill-ſtone, and caſt it into the Sea, ſaying, Thus with Violence ſhall that great City Babylon be thrown down, and ſhall be found no more at all. Verſe 21. And the Voice of Harpers, and Muſicians, and of Pipers, and Trumpeters, ſhall be heard no more at all in thee; and no Craftſman, of whatſoever Craft he be, ſhall be found any more in thee; and the Sound of a Mill-ſtone ſhall be heard no more at all in thee. Verſe 22. And the Light of the Candle ſhall ſhine no more at all in thee; and the Voice of the Bridegroom, and of the Bride, ſhall be heard no more at all in thee. Verſe 23.

But the Place, Seat, and City of Rome was not ſo utterly ruined as to be no more for ever a Place of Trade, Traffick, Merchandize, and humane Society, when the Heathen Power of Rome ended.

Ergo, Rome Heathen cannot be the Whore of Babylon, under preſent Conſideration, whoſe Seat or City hath ſince had a powerful Government, reigning in Pride and Pomp, for ſome hundreds of Years.

11. If Rome Papal be Myſtery Babylon, the City of Pride and Confuſion, that is ſet forth by St. Jobn in the Apocalypſe; then neither the City of Jeruſalem, the Seat of the Turks and Saracens, nor Rome Heathen, is or can be the ſame: But Rome Papal is the Myſtery Babylon ſet forth by St. John in the Apocalypſe — Ergo neither the p. 307City of Jeruſalem, the Seat of the Turks and Saracens, nor Rome Heathen, can be the ſame.

The laſt Propoſition is thus proved:

If all the Marks and Characters left us upon Divine Record, to prove Myſtery Babylon by, do more aptly and fitly agree to Rome Papal, than to the City of Jeruſalem, the Seat of the Turks, or Rome Heathen: Then Rome Papal; and not any one of them, is Myſtery Babylon.

But the Marks and Characters left upon Divine Record, to diſtinguiſh and know Myſtery Babylon by, do more aptly and fitly agree to Rome Papal:

Ergo, Rome Papal, and not the other, is Myſtery Babylon.

For the clearing up of this Argument, we ſhall diſtinctly ſtate the Character of Myſtery Babylon, and run the Parallel betwixt her and Rome Papal, in this Method following.

1. Babylon is a Woman, which imports either a ſingle Perſon, rank'd in the Feminine Gender; or a Body of People related to ſome Head, Husband, or publick Perſon, to whom ſhe is joined in Wedlock, by Covenant, or Matrimonial Contract, as Eve was related to Adam, and therefore called Woman; or as Judah and Iſrael, who were joined in Covenant with God, and therefore called a Woman; or as the true Church now is married or joined to Chriſt, and therefore called a Woman. A ſingle Perſon, as Eve was, ſhe cannot be, becauſe the Character given of her in reſpect of her State and Actions, doth no way comport with it: She muſt therefore be a Body of People, related to ſome Head, Husband, or publick Perſon, as Judah and Iſrael of old was, who are often called by the Title of Woman; and in like manner Babylon, before her Degeneracy, were a People joined in Matrimonial Contract, by a Goſpel-Covenant and Profeſſion, to the Son of God.

If all theſe ſixteen Characters meet no-where ſo clear and evident as upon the Pope of Rome; then the Pope of Rome is the little Horn, and vile Perſon, ſet forth in the Book of Daniel:

But all the aforeſaid Characters meet no where ſo clear and evident, as upon the Pope of Rome, &c.

Ergo, &c.

To theſe Characters we ſhall add a few more out of the Evangeliſt Matthew, the 20th of the Acts, the firſt Epiſtle to Timothy, and the ſecond to the Theſſalonians, and ſo draw to a Concluſion.

Thus you have had a brief Deſcription of Myſtery Babylon, and the Antichriſtian Beaſt, who hath been ſo long a time ſo great a Plague to the World, but more eſpecially to God's Church; and we did intend to have added ſome probable Conjectures concer…ing the Time of her Fall, which, according to moſt Authors, will be in this preſent Age, &c. according to Peter du Moulin, Brightman, and others, before the Year 1690. 'Tis ſaid, The ten Horns ſhall hate her, &c. And I have met with a very ancient Prophecy, that ſays, There ſhall ariſe a Prince of the Illuſtrious Lilly, that ſhould make War with …landers, &c. And that he ſhould fall out with Rome, and make War againſt Italy, and in the fortieth Year of his Reign ſhould burn Rome with Fire. And according to the Deſcription there given of the Perſon, it ſhould ſeem to be the preſent French King; the Difference there ſeems now to be between him and the Pope, cauſeth many to ſpeak of it, &c. But this we muſt leave to what Time ſhall produce.

p. 331THE Tenth HEAD OF Metaphors, Allegories, Similes, AND Other Borrowed TERMS, CONCERNING Sin and the Devil.