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

Secondly,¹ let this be another Use; it may teach us how Christian Protestant Churches wrong themselves that leave any footsteps of this government in their Churches: For that is part of the image of the beast; for the second beast, when he was advanced, he would have an image of the first beast, they must have Provincial and Diocesan Churches, and National Churches, and carry I know not how many hundred congregations into one National Church, and there must be some Diocesan and Metropolitan church, and the rest must be inferior to that: Though this be not so great a monster as the great Beast, yet it is an image of this beast; can any brother tell his offence to such a church? And will you have him stay till the whole National church meets? Or will you have him stay till the Diocesan church meets, and carry his offences to the Visitation? Do you think they will right his cause then? Are a few such kind of men, the Chancellor, and Register, and Surrogate, and Apparitor, do you think the church that our Saviour bids us tell? Are these they that are gathered together, that all may hear, and all may be edified? Do these ⟨p. 17⟩serve the Lord Jesus, and not their own bellies? I say therefore, you may see what great reason men have to with-draw from subjection in spiritual matters to the Image of this great beast that in some measure represent the same state as they.

Secondly,¹ let this be another Use; it may teach us how Christian Protestant Churches wrong themselves that leave any footsteps of this government in their Churches: For that is part of the image of the beast; for the second beast, when he was advanced, he would have an image of the first beast, they must have Provinciall and Diocesan Churches, and National Churches, and carry I know not how many hundred congregations into one Nationall Church, and there must be some Diocesan and Metrapolitan church, and the rest must be inferiour to that: Though this be not so great a monster as the great Beast, yet it is an image of this beast; can any brother tell his offence to such a church? And will you have him stay till the whole National church meets? Or will you have him stay till the Diocesan church meets, and carry his offences to the Visitation? Do you think they will right his cause then? Are a few such kind of men, the Chancellor, and Register, and Surrogate, and Apparitor, do you think the church that our Saviour bids us tell? Are these they that are gathered together, that all may heare, and all may be edefied? Do these