Now should I come to the Motives from the Danger of sin 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 Captivity of the Roman Babylon; But alas they are not here, for this is one part of their Captivity, that they ⟨p. 95⟩are kept, not only from hearing the voice of the Servants of Christ, or of Saint John the beloved Disciple, but of himself speaking here from Heaven; And they are so contented, what remedy may there be for those that are thus bewitched, Unless you (My L. L•. and Brethren) will be contented to become Faithful Feoffees in trust, to convey this Voice and Message of Christ unto them: and by my request you shall be pleased to do it, with a great deal of Love. As this President of our Lord himself doth lead you as to Brethren, and, as you hope, faithful People, loath to sin against him, desirous to please him in all things; Tell them then, that it is acknowledged by their own Doctors: That Rome is Babylon, and it is averred, that this is the ⟨p. 96⟩present Papal Monarchy, that out of this they must depart by the Commands of our Lord Jesus Christs own Voice, under pain of being accessary to all her sins, and liable to all her punishments, wish them to use the Liberty to read the holy Scriptures, and to come out of the blind Obedience of Mens Precepts and Traditions; be pleased to tell them further, that others may have some Colour of Excuse, that live in such places where they may not discover themselves without danger of the loss of their Goods, Honour or Life, they may do it here, not only with safety, but with Reputation and profit, entreat them to beware least they make themselves extremely Culpable, not only of partaking with the former Idolatries, Extortions, Massacres, Powder Treasons, ⟨p. 97⟩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 fear the plagues of Babylon, and that of all others the fearfullest:1
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 ⟨p. 95⟩are kept, not onely from hearing the voyce of the Servants of Christ, or of Saint Iohn 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. L•. 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 ⟨p. 96⟩present Papall Monarchie, that out of this they must depart by the Commands of our Lord Iesus 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 onely with safetie, but with Reputation and profit, intreat them to beware least they make themselves extreamely Cu•pable, not onely of partaking with the former Idolatries, Extortions, Massacres, Powder Treasons, ⟨p. 97⟩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:1
- 12 Thes. 2. 11.
