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

So that it is a wonder to see; never did the the Christian world give that Authority to Christ, as they have done unto the Pope, and his Institutions, which are not Ordinances of Christ. Yea let me say another word (which is above what I said:) It hath been a very rare and singular case when any man would acknowledge a particular visible Church, depending on no power, but Independent within it self: It is such a rarity that a man may here and there indeed find it in times of persecution (in 3000. years): But after the Church come to peace, it is very rare to hear such a matter till you come down to the Waldenses, and Albedences, and those poor Churches that were scattered in the Wilderness. It is very hard to find the Church of Christs Institution to remain in the world, whereas this Roman Catholic Church reigns in the world: This is a great power, and yet this power the Church of Rome had. The Harlot reigns over Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations, whereas the true Spouse of Christ hath scarce a subsistence in the world.

So that it is a wonder to see; never did the the Christian world give that Authority to Christ, as they have done unto the Pope, and his Institutions, which are not Ordinances of Christ. Yea let me say another word (which is above what I said:) It hath been a very rare and singular case when any man would acknowledge a particular visible Church, depending on no power, but Independant within it selfe: It is such a rarity that a man may here and there indeed finde it in times of persecution (in 3000. years): But after the Church come to peace, it is very rare to heare such a matter till you come down to the Waldences, and Albedences, and those poor Churches that were scattered in the Wildernesse. It is very hard to finde the Church of Christs Institution to remain in the world, whereas this Roman Catholick Church reigns in the world: This is a great power, and yet this power the Church of Rome had. The Harlot reigns over Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations, whereas the true Spouse of Christ hath scarce a subsistance in the world.

So that consider, if it did not smite with our hearts to close with the Inventions of men, with satanical power rather then with Christ, it were not possible there should be such aberrations from the Institutions of Christ, were it not for the impetuous licentiousness of the hearts of the Sons of men. And therefore when there is such a vast swelling, that many Congregations shall be but one Church; how shall we go home edified by such discourse? This belongs to all the Churches, to take the opportunities that we have, that we may not run headlong upon the devices of