Prophecies concerning the return of popery into England, Scotland and IrelandProphecys concerning the return of popery into England, Scotland and Ireland

Certainly these petty parties, who scarce know what they drive at, and are full of varieties in their Fancies, Forms and Factions, these cannot produce so constant a current and so strong a tide, as is always urging against the Church of England and the honour of the Reformed ⟨p. 27⟩Religion; but they are driven on by a subtle and secret, yet potent impulse, as waves of the sea, not only dashing and breaking upon each other, but (all of them) battering the Honour and Stability of the Church of England, as the great rampart or bank which stands in the way of the See of Rome, mightily opposing and hindering heretofore both fanatic Confusions, Papal Usurpations, and Romish Superstitions; whose advantages now are evidently prepared and carried on by those, that under the name of Reformation will most effectually at last overthrow it.

Certainly these petty parties, who scarce know what they drive at, and are full of varieties in their Fancies, Forms and Factions, these cannot produce so constant a current and so strong a tide, as is always urging against the Church of England and the honour of the Reformed ⟨p. 27⟩Religion; but they are driven on by a subtle and secret, yet potent impulse, as waves of the sea, not onely dashing and breaking upon each other, but (all of them) battering the Honour and Stability of the Church of England, as the great rampart or bank which stands in the way of the See of Rome, mightily opposing and hindering heretofore both fanatick Confusions, Papal Usurpations, and Romish Superstions; whose advantages now are evidently prepared and carried on by those, that under the name of Reformation will most effectually at last overthrow it.

For after these petty spirits, who have been and are the great Dividers, Despisers and Destroyers of the reformed Church of England, have a few years longer played their mad pranks in this sometime so flourishing and fruitful vineyard of the Lord, (pulling up the hedge of Ecclesiastical Canons, and Civil Sanctions, throwing down the wall of Ancient Discipline and Catholic Government, breaking in pieces the wine-press of holy Ordination and Ministerial Authority and Succession, pulling up both root and branch of holy Plants and regular Planters;) what (I beseech you) can hinder these subtle Foxes and wild Boars of Romish Power and Policy, to enter in, and not only secretly, but openly (as occasion shall serve) to destroy all the remaining stock of the true Protestants and Professors of the Reformed Religion; who at first soberly protesting against Popish Errors and Deformities, afterwards praying (in vain) for a joint and just Reformation, did (at last) reform themselves, after the rule of God's Word, interpreted by the Catholic Practise of purest Antiquity.