An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent…

For a fourth use;¹ it may teach all the people of God not to measure a cause by the event, nor persons by accidents that do befall them, lest they should condemn the generation of the Just. It was a grievous temptation Asaph lay under, to see the ungodly prosper, and have what their hearts could desire, and himself plagued all the day long, and chastened every morning, Psal. 73. 3. to 13. and by this means he condemned the generation of Gods children: But no matter though the Beast prosper, and the Saints are overcome, yet the Beast is a Beast when he prospers, and the Saints are Saints, though they be overcome; therefore let us not judge of things according to their appearance.

For a fourth use;¹ it may teach all the people of God not to measure a cause by the event, nor persons by accidents that do befall them, lest they should condemn the generation of the Just. It was a grievous temptation Asaph lay under, to see the ungodly prosper, and have what their hearts could desire, and himselfe plagued all the day long, and chastned every morning, Psal. 73. 3. to 13. and by this meanes he condemned the generation of Gods children: But no matter though the Beast prosper, and the Saints are overcome, yet the Beast is a Beast when he prospers, and the Saints are Saints, though they be overcome; therefore let us not judge of things according to their appearance.

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Fifthly,¹ It may teach all the Saints in this Country, or where-ever, not to trust the pretences of deceitful men, especially such as are not sound in Religion, and take heed also how you trust upon your own strength (let me put them both together for brevity sake): We know not how soon any of us may be tempted in this kind, what wars may be raised against this Country (though we have none for the present, nor fear none) yet in time we know not what may come: what, are we better then our Fathers? The Beast of Rome still lives, his 42. months is not yet out (though his power he much weakened) but his Agents still live: He is able to blow a coal to those that look for salvation from him, to do this great and glorious service to the Catholic Church and cause: And if it please the Catholic Church, then it grows a great business to root out Heretics, to blast them by censures of Excommunication, and Civill State; if it were so, we stand upon our own defence you see. It behooves you therefore, as you desire to be faithful to God, to Religion, to your Churches and Common-wealths, to your Wives, Children, Estates, as you desire to be faithful to his Ordinances, to the Kingly, Priestly, and Prophetical Office of Christ, to attend to that which these Saints neglected, that is to say, to attend to the word of Faith, and to the wisdom of God: Trust not upon the experience of your Captains or Soldiers, to fight by Land or Sea: Trust not upon your Castles or Vessels by Sea, any thing you have, or