Troposchemmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. KTroposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K
Benjamin Keach 1640–1704London: printed by John Darby, 1682
[12], xvi, 436, 48, 437-444 p. · 337k words · Wing K101A · ESTC R7039
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Which may be taken in a threefold Sense: (1.) For reproaching the Name of God. (2.) For telling Lies in Divine Things. (3.) For ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God. And tho we will not excuse the Beast from the two former, yet for brevity's sake we shall take the latter, viz. the ascribing that to Creatures, which belongs to Him, that saith, I am God, and my Glory will I not give to another. |
X. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, sits upon, commands, and governs that Beast, or Scarlet Power, that is not only clothed with Scarlet Vestments, but is full of the Names of Blasphemy, which appears by his receiving, allowing, and encouraging the ascribing that to Creatures, which belongs to God, and to his Son, of which we give you but these Instances: (1.) When this human, sinful, and wicked Head, is called our Lord God the Pope, whether this is not Blasphemy against God? (2.) When he is called, Universal Head of the Catholic Church, which none is but Christ. (3.) When he is called the Lamb of God, the Light of the World, the Root of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, whether this is not Blasphemy against the Son of God? (4.) Whether when the Orders of the Church, Oral Tradition, the Decrees of Councils, are said to be of greater Authority than the Scriptures, which they call a Nose of Wax, the Heretics Ink-Rule, are perniciously mischievous to the People; whether this be not Blasphemy against God that spake, and the Word of God spoken? (5.) When Angels, the Virgin Mary, and other unknown Saints, shall be invocated with Addresses only becoming the Divine Majesty; as if these Creatures were infinite, and could hear us at so great a distance as is Earth from Heaven, which they could not do, if perpendicularly over us▪ much less from all parts of the World, over which they cannot be; whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Adoration to the Creature, that is only due to the Creator, who is over all, God blessed for ever, be not Blasphemy? (6.) To conclude, Whether making a God of a piece of Bread, and calling the profane Priest the Maker of the Creature, be not ascribing that to the Creature, which only belongs to God? Is not this the vilest Blasphemy in the World, worse (if possible) than Atheism it self? For as Philosophers observe, 'tis better having no Opinion of God, than such an one as is unworthy of Him;
Which may be taken in a threefold Sense: (1.) For reproaching the Name of God. (2.) For telling Lies in Divine Things. (3.) For ascribing that to Creatures which belongs to God. And tho we will not excuse the Beast from the two former, yet for brevity's sake we shall take the latter, viz. the ascribing that to Creatures, which belongs to Him, that saith, I am God, and my Glory will I not give to another. |
X. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, sits upon, commands, and governs that Beast, or Scarlet Power, that is not only cloathed with Scarlet Vestments, but is full of the Names of Blasphemy, which appears by his receiving, allowing, and encouraging the ascribing that to Creatures, which belongs to God, and to his Son, of which we give you but these Instances: (1.) When this human, sinful, and wicked Head, is called our Lord God the Pope, whether this is not Blasphemy against God? (2.) When he is called, Universal Head of the Catholick Church, which none is but Christ. (3.) When he is called the Lamb of God, the Light of the World, the Root of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, whether this is not Blasphemy against the Son of God? (4.) Whether when the Orders of the Church, Oral Tradition, the Decrees of Councils, are said to be of greater Authority than the Scriptures, which they call a Nose of Wax, the Hereticks Ink-Rule, are perniciously mischievous to the People; whether this be not Blasphemy against God that spake, and the Word of God spoken? (5.) When Angels, the Virgin Mary, and other unknown Saints, shall be invocated with Addresses only becoming the Divine Majesty; as if these Creatures were infinite, and could hear us at so great a distance as is Earth from Heaven, which they could not do, if perpendicularly over us▪ much less from all parts of the World, over which they cannot be; whether this ascribing Infiniteness and Adoration to the Creature, that is only due to the Creator, who is over all, God blessed for ever, be not Blasphemy? (6.) To conclude, Whether making a God of a piece of Bread, and calling the prophane Priest the Maker of the Creature, be not ascribing that to the Creature, which only belongs to God? Is not this the vilest Blasphemy in the World, worse (if possible) than Atheism it self? For as Philosophers observe, 'tis better having no Opinion of God, than such an one as is unworthy of Him;
which we shall close with this Argument.
Arg. If no People in the Christian World are born up and supported by a Beast full of Names, full of such Names or Inscriptions of Blasphemy, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is: Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, must be this Babylon treated of.
But there is no People in the Christian World born up and supported by such a blasphemous Beast, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is.
Ergo, &c.
⟨p. 316⟩To reinforce this Argument, let it be considered, that none can pretend to fix this Character or Mark upon any Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome, called Heretics, who have no such Beast to support them, nor ascribe such blasphemous Titles, or Adoration to any Creature in Heaven or Earth: For they acknowledge the one God, the Object of Divine Worship; one Mediator between God and Man, the Lord Jesus; and God's sacred Truth to be the only Rule; disowning all Principles and Practices contradictory thereunto: Ergo, 'Tis not the Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome that are here meant.
XI. Babylon, that sits upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast, is adorned with great Pomp, and outward Glory, very well fitting that Spirit that delights in Grandeur:1 And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet, and decked with Gold, and precious Stones, and Pearl, having a Golden Cup in her hand, full of Abomination, and Filthiness of her Fornication. Which must be such as none of her Neighbours can match her in, else no Note of Distinction. |
XI. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, doth not only sit upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast, but she is beautified and adorned with great Pomp and outward Glory, by which she commends her self to that part of the World that delights in her Gaudery, being a Woman whose Worship is filled with detestable Doctrine, which she holds forth to them with Pictures and Gallantry of all sorts. (1.) Look into the holy Patrimony of consecrated Saints, there you find Riches and Honour, tho not durable Riches, and Righteousness. (2.) Look unto their Garbs and Vestments, there you shall find Cardinals like splendid Princes, Heads of Parties and Provinces in such Habiliments, that for Riches might have become the highest Order of the Jewish Priesthood. (3.)
which we shall close with this Argument.
Arg. If no People in the Christian World are born up and supported by a Beast full of Names, full of such Names or Inscriptions of Blasphemy, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is: Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, must be this Babylon treated of.
But there is no People in the Christian World born up and supported by such a blasphemous Beast, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is.
Ergo, &c.
Look into the Instruments, and Mode of their Worship, and there you shall find the Altar and Candlesticks, the Vessels for Oil, and Pots of Purification, as if their Predecessors had been at Solomon's Temple, and had brought a Pattern from thence; and yet in this Golden Cup, or framed Piece of Gallantry, there is nothing to be found, but foul and adulterated Wine, most fitly to be called by the Angel, Abomination, and Filthiness, and the Wine of Fornication: Which we conclude with this Argument:
Arg. If no People in the Christian World hath such Riches and Splendour, such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of their Worship, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath: Then Rome Papal must be this gaudy Harlot, or Whore of Babylon.
But there is no People in the Christian World that hath such Riches and Splendour, such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of Religious Worship, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome must be this Whore, or well-favoured Harlot treated of.
The Argument is full and clear, and so well fortified, that we think it needs no Rear-guard to enforce it; and therefore, tho it be short, and low of Stature, we shall leave it amongst our Infantry, and draw up our right and left Wings, yet further to assault Babylon.
XII. This Woman or City, that is thus adorned with outward Pomp and Glory, hath upon her Forehead a Name written, MYSTERY, 1BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Which may be true ⟨p. 317⟩both in a Literal and Mystical Sense, the Breeder of Misses, Concubines, and Whores, to gratify the Sensual Appetites of her Lecherous Sons; but chiefly in a Mystical Sense, she Breeds, and brings forth Spiritual Harlots, viz. Unclean Communities. |
XII. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, if she be not concerned here, we will acquit her of being Mystery Babylon.
1. Here is a Name written in Capital Letters, and written so as to be read publicly too. 'Tis not written upon any part of the Woman, that may be hid or covered with a Garment, but on that part which is kept bare, and is easiest to be seen, her Forehead, her public, visible, and known Parts.
⟨p. 317⟩(2.) Here is Babylon, or Confusion, a mixed Body, that is far from that good and pure Order, which in Words she pretends.
(3.)
Here is Mystery in the case, and a great Mystery to a Wonderment, even to the surprising of every wise and thinking Man, ver. 6.
(4.) Here is a Mother, a Mother of a very spurious Illegitimate and unclean Off-spring, Harlots, and Abominations, many Abominations, and great and reigning too, Abominations of the Earth, i. e. that large Part of the Earth, where she is situate, and doth reside. A little unto each or these, as the Time and Space we are limited to will allow.
A Name upon the Forehead] if this were no• to be read and seen by most Christians and Professors, it would not much concern the Christian World for whom it must be calculated; for others that own not the Christian Religion, are not in a Capacity to make a Judgment upon the Case: for if this Book of the Revelations were not written for the Christian World, it leaves us not any Certainty where the case is to be considered, and the Matter to be judged. Now if it be calculated for the Christian World, then it must be upon such a People, that is most public and visible, and apparent, which agrees to none so fitly as to the Church of Rome: which, by their own Confession, is the most potent and visible in the Christian World, for where have the inconsiderable Heretics (so called) whose Beings are in Corners, such a Name, as may be read or known by all, or the principal part of the Christian World? Now to clear these poor innocent (so called Heretics, from being concerned in this Character, we imagine at least it cannot refer to them:
1. Because they have no Forehead so broad to bear the Inscription, which we will engage to make good against any Romanist in the World.
2. Because they are so plain and honest a People, and their Principles so easily and well known, that it is wild and ridiculous to call them Mystery Babylon, there neither being any hellish depth nor confusion in what they profess, as might be fully evinced by unquestionable Instances; for what confusion or hidden thing can be in this, that there is one God the Object of Worship, one Holy Book called the Bible, the Rule of Worship, one blessed Kingdom, Heaven, or World to come, the Reward of Worship; and all that act Faith, Hope and Charity, upon these three great Fundamental Principles, shall inherit that blessed Kingdom, or World to come?
3.
Here is Mystery in the case, and a great Mystery to a Wonderment, even to the surprizing of every wise and thinking Man, ver. 6.
(4.) Here is a Mother, a Mother of a very spurious Illegitimate and unclean Off-spring, Harlots, and Abominations, many Abominations, and great and reigning too, Abominations of the Earth, i. e. that large Part of the Earth, where she is situate, and doth reside. A little unto each or these, as the Time and Space we are limited to will allow.
A Name upon the Forehead] if this were no to be read and seen by most Christians and Professors, it would not much concern the Christian World for whom it must be calculated; for others that own not the Christian Religion, are not in a Capacity to make a Judgment upon the Case: for if this Book of the Revelations were not written for the Christian World, it leaves us not any Certainty where the case is to be considered, and the Matter to be judged. Now if it be calculated for the Christian World, then it must be upon such a People, that is most publick and visible, and apparent, which agrees to none so fitly as to the Church of Rome: which, by their own Confession, is the most potent and visible in the Christian World, for where have the inconsiderable Hereticks (so called) whose Beings are in Corners, such a Name, as may be read or known by all, or the principal part of the Christian World? Now to clear these poor innocent (so called Hereticks, from being concerned in this Character, we imagine at least it cannot refer to them:
1. Because they have no Forehead so broad to bear the Inscription, which we will engage to make good against any Romanist in the World.
2. Because they are so plain and honest a People, and their Principles so easily and well known, that it is wild and ridiculous to call them Mystery Babylon, there neither being any hellish depth nor confusion in what they profess, as might be fully evinced by unquestionable Instances; for what confusion or hidden thing can be in this, that there is one God the Object of Worship, one Holy Book called the Bible, the Rule of Worship, one blessed Kingdom, Heaven, or World to come, the Reward of Worship; and all that act Faith, Hope and Charity, upon these three great Fundamental Principles, shall inherit that blessed Kingdom, or World to come?
3.
Because they are so retired and private, that had they a Forehead broad enough for the Inscription aforesaid, yet they sit so low that Nations cannot easily read it; and if we acquit the poor innocent Protestants, who must we fix these Characters upon? If all Dissenters from the Church of Rome be clear, then it must unavoidably be fixed upon Rome her self: if any demand for what Reason, the Answer is,
First, Because when the Protestants are exempted, then there is none left to bear the Inscription, but the Church of Rome.
2. She hath a Forehead broad enough to bear Mystery and Confusion, for there is not a greater hellish depth and Confusion to be found upon any People, than upon the Church of Rome, as will appear in its place.
3. Because the Dissenters, with respect to Appearance, and the exercise of Power, are very small and inconsiderable, in comparison of that overgrown monstrous Body of the Church of Rome; for to call the Dissenters great, and the Church of Rome small, is as congruous, as to call the Ocean a little Spring, and the smallest Brook the Ocean.
Secondly, Babylon, Confusion, or a mixed Body, is far from that pure Order, which in Words Rome pretends unto, and can by no means agree to the Protestants; for they are so strict in their Discipline, that they admit of no such mixture that deserves the Name of Confusion, they will receive none into their Communion without much Caution and Satisfaction; and when received, keep them no longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily, according to the Principles upon which they first received them; and as for their Officers they are soon summed up, being no more than Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons. But the Roman Church may be called Babylon, or the City ⟨p. 318⟩of Confusion very reasonably, because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old, that was her Type, and from whence she derives her Name.
1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by, than what God hath ordained and appointed, (viz.) a Tower of their own making.
2. In having so many Languages amongst them, which is like the Confusion of Babel.
3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World, therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms, which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters.
4.
Because they are so retired and private, that had they a Forehead broad enough for the Inscription aforesaid, yet they sit so low that Nations cannot easily read it; and if we acquit the poor innocent Protestants, who must we fix these Characters upon? If all Dissenters from the Church of Rome be clear, then it must unavoidably be fixed upon Rome her self: if any demand for what Reason, the Answer is,
First, Because when the Protestants are exempted, then there is none left to bear the Inscription, but the Church of Rome.
2. She hath a Forehead broad enough to bear Mystery and Confusion, for there is not a greater hellish depth and Confusion to be found upon any People, than upon the Church of Rome, as will appear in its place.
3. Because the Dissenters, with respect to Appearance, and the exercise of Power, are very small and inconsiderable, in comparison of that overgrown monstrous Body of the Church of Rome; for to call the Dissenters great, and the Church of Rome small, is as congruous, as to call the Ocean a little Spring, and the smallest Brook the Ocean.
Secondly, Babylon, Confusion, or a mixt Body, is far from that pure Order, which in Words Rome pretends unto, and can by no means agree to the Protestants; for they are so strict in their Discipline, that they admit of no such mixture that deserves the Name of Confusion, they will receive none into their Communion without much Caution and Satisfaction; and when received, keep them no longer than they appear to walk strictly and holily, according to the Principles upon which they first received them; and as for their Officers they are soon summed up, being no more than Bishops, or Elders, and Deacons. But the Roman Church may be called Babylon, or the City
In plucking up, or razing out the true Worship of God, which was settled at Jerusalem, and setting up Idolatry in the room of it.
5. In Captivating God's People, who were carried away into literal Babylon.
6. In their Doctrines, Principles, and Modes of Worship, which is such a jumble, mixture, and heap of Things, that may go for Confusion it self.
7. In their Orders, Diversity, and long Muster-Roll of Officers, that are so numerous, as well as unscriptural, that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where, 'tis to be found in this Church, where you have, Popes, Cardinals, Arch-Bishops, Abbots, Provincials, Heads of Fraternities, Priests, Monks, Fryers, Followers of Dominick, St. Francis, Jansenius, Augustine, Capuchins, &c. and what not? All which is many times more like to be Babylon, Mixture, or Confusion, than the Dissenters from the Romish Church.
Thirdly, For [Mystery] which is in the Description, it no where agrees to them, whom they call Heretics, but agrees very well to the Church of Rome, in four Things.
1. In calling themselves the Church of God, and yet are the Synagogue of Satan, that's a Mystery.
2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ, and yet an abominable Whore; that's a Mystery.
3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace, Purity, and Charity, and yet the Breeder, Bringer forth, and Cherisher of Division, Falsehood, most bloody Butcheries, and barbarous Cruelties, this is a Mystery.
4. In being Queen Regent, riding upon the Beast in State, and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness, and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign, this is a Mystery. See our fourth Argument: One Proof of their Church is visibility; yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness, or in an obscure Condition, &c.
Fourthly, [Mother of Harlots, and Abominations] better agrees to the Church of Rome, than to Protestants.
'Tis against the Principles of Protestants, to allow Fornication or Adultery, in Persons of any Rank whatsoever, maintaining constantly, that Marriage is honourable, but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg; whereas Rome gives public toleration to notorious Whoredoms, and the most shameless and unnatural Bestialities, as the whole World knows.
In plucking up, or razing out the true Worship of God, which was setled at Jerusalem, and setting up Idolatry in the room of it.
5. In Captivating God's People, who were carried away into literal Babylon.
6. In their Doctrines, Principles, and Modes of Worship, which is such a jumble, mixture, and heap of Things, that may go for Confusion it self.
7. In their Orders, Diversity, and long Muster-Roll of Officers, that are so numerous, as well as unscriptural, that if Mixture and Confusion may be thought to be any where, 'tis to be found in this Church, where you have, Popes, Cardinals, Arch-Bishops, Abbots, Provincials, Heads of Fraternities, Priests, Monks, Fryers, Followers of Dominick, St. Francis, Jansenius, Augustine, Caphucins, &c. and what not? All which is many times more like to be Babylon, Mixture, or Confusion, than the Dissenters from the Romish Church.
Thirdly, For [Mystery] which is in the Description, it no where agrees to them, whom they call Hereticks, but agrees very well to the Church of Rome, in four Things.
1. In calling themselves the Church of God, and yet are the Synagogue of Satan, that's a Mystery.
2. In calling themselves the pure Spouse of Christ, and yet an abominable Whore; that's a Mystery.
3. In pretending to be the Mother of Peace, Purity, and Charity, and yet the Breeder, Bringer forth, and Cherisher of Division, Falshood, most bloody Butcheries, and barbarous Cruelties, this is a Mystery.
4. In being Queen Regent, riding upon the Beast in State, and yet being that good Woman that fled into the Wilderness, and abides there in a suffering Condition all the time of the Beast's Reign, this is a Mystery. See our fourth Argument: One Proof of their Church is visibility; yet it is evident the true Church for the space of 260 Years was to be in the Wilderness, or in an obscure Condition, &c.
Fourthly, [Mother of Harlots, and Abominations] better agrees to the Church of Rome, than to Protestants.
'Tis against the Principles of Protestants, to allow Fornication or Adultery, in Persons of any Rank whatsoever, maintaining constantly, that Marriage is honourable, but Whoremongers and Adulterers God will judg; whereas Rome gives publick toleration to notorious Whoredoms, and the most shameless and unnatural Beastialities, as the whole World knows.
Fifthly, [For Mother of Harlots] in a Spiritual Sense, she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church. And
1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother.
2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms, sprang from her, as the Churches of France, Spain, Portugal, &c.
3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother, that is to say, the false Titles and Errors following, viz. Universal, Supreme, Infallible Head, Holy Father the Pope, His Holiness in the Abstract — Our Lord God the Pope, unerring Church, Priestly Absolution, Selling of Pardons, Indulgences, Dispensations, adoring the Crucifix, worshipping of Images, foolish Crossings, Anointings, and Sprinkling with Holy Water, the adoration of the Mass, and many such things, which from the beginning was not so.
4. For Personal Vices: from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies, most astonishing Perjury, and subtle Equivocations, and Hypocrisies, all manner of Uncleannesses, Lying, and Adulteries, Covenant-breaking, and Bloody-mindedness: is this allowed and practised by the Protestants? No, No, they are the Brats and Offspring of this lewd and filthy Mother, who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices, for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth. Which we conclude with this Argument.
⟨p. 319⟩Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth; doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants, nor any other People, as it doth to Rome Papal, or Church of Rome. Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome (and not the Protestants, &c.) is Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.
But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants, &c. as it doth to Rome Papal, or Church of Rome.
Ergo, Rome Papal (and not the Protestants) is Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.
XIII. This Mystery Babylon, Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, is very drunken Company; for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication, and commits Adultery her self;
Fifthly, [For Mother of Harlots] in a Spiritual Sense, she is owned by all her Children to be the Mother-Church. And
1. Therefore Protestants are exhorted to return into the Bosom of their Mother.
2. All polluted and National Churches in the European Kingdoms, sprang from her, as the Churches of France, Spain, Portugal, &c.
3. All Corruption in Doctrine and Discipline may call her Mother, that is to say, the false Titles and Errours following, viz. Universal, Supream, Infallible Head, Holy Father the Pope, His Holiness in the Abstract — Our Lord God the Pope, unerring Church, Priestly Absolution, Selling of Pardons, Indulgences, Dispensations, adoring the Crucifix, worshipping of Images, foolish Crossings, Anointings, and Sprinkling with Holy Water, the adoration of the Mass, and many such things, which from the beginning was not so.
4. For Personal Vices: from whence come horrid Oaths and Blasphemies, most astonishing Perjury, and subtile Equivocations, and Hypocrisies, all manner of Uncleannesses, Lying, and Adulteries, Covenant-breaking, and Bloody-mindedness: is this allowed and practised by the Protestants? No, No, they are the Brats and Offspring of this lewd and filthy Mother, who indulgeth those abominable pernicious Practices, for which she is rightly called Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth. Which we conclude with this Argument.
but she is a Beastly drunken Whore, that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness, which is, to be drunk with Blood, the best Blood, the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ;1 And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and I wondered with great Admiration. |
XIII. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, if she be guilty here, it is enough to make not only good Men, but even Angels wonder, to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended, the Daughter to the great King of Heaven, the Spouse of the Lamb, the Mother of all Peace, Purity, Holiness, Innocency, Charity and Chastity; I say, to see a Woman by Profession, such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions: and if Rome Papal, or Church of Rome be guilty in this point, she is the unhappiest Church in the World; for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her, and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge; for if she be Mystery Babylon, the Mother of false Churches, and Abominations of the Earth, there is no avoiding, but she must be this drunken Strumpet. But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses, we will,
1. Consider what it is to be drunk.
2. What things do necessarily contribute to it.
3. The true and proper Signs of it.
4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal, or Church of Rome? And then conclude this Head.
1. To be Drunk, is an excessive taking in of such Things, as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations. This we take to be a general Definition of it, including the Proper and Metaphorical Notations thereof.
2. Such things as necessarily contribute to it; are, (1.) Great and vehement Thirst: (2.) Plenty of the thing thirsted after. (3.) The greedy taking their fill of it.
3. The Signs of Drunkenness are. (1.) When the Faculties are so disordered, that they will not submit to the best Reason that can be given them. (2.) When they will abuse those whom they are most obliged to love and respect. (3.) When they have cast off all consideration of their own and others Good, and forbear no Mischief but what they are restrained from by force.
4. That these things are evident in the Church of Rome, and cannot be so fairly fixed upon her Opposites, or supposed Heretics, appears:
1.
but she is a Beastly drunken Whore, that makes her self drunk after the worst manner of Drunkenness, which is, to be drunk with Blood, the best Blood, the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus Christ;
Because she hath shed a Mass, a very great Mass of Blood upon the account of Religion, (all which was unlawfully shed) of this the whole Christian World is a Witness.
2. To clear her supposed Heretics from this red and bloody Crime.
(1.) It is against their Principle to kill Men for Religion, and this they do avowedly profess, pleading for Liberty of Conscience, in Matters purely Religious in all places.
(2.) They have wanted Power to do it, in case they had been for it in Principle, all Power being in the Hands of Papists before the Reformation.
⟨p. 320⟩(3.) Where there hath since been a Protestant Seat or Kingdom, governed by Laws different from that of the Popish Countries, yet they have not made use of their Power and Laws, to take away the Lives of Papists merely for Religion; and if it hath happened at any time, that some Ecclesiastical Persons have been put to Death by Protestants; it has been but very rare and seldom, and the Cause not for their Religion, but for Sedition, Rebellion and Treason: otherwise they have lived peaceably under Protestant Governors, enjoying their Civil Right in Common with other Men. And for the confirming of this, we make a Challenge to all Christendom to come forth and make it appear, Where England, Scotland, and Ireland, the United Provinces, &c. since the Reformation, have, by Massacres, Murders, or Martyrdom, put one thousand, nay one hundred to Death of Men, Women and Children, only because they professed the Romish Religion, or any Religion different from theirs: so far have they been from making themselves Drunk with the Blood of Saints, and Religious Men. And if this cannot be done, then having brought our Character within the Confines of the Christian World, we must necessarily charge this Drunkenness, by Blood, upon the Church of Rome.
This Head we will conclude with the following Argument.
If no Sect of People in the Christian World be guilty of so much Blood, drunk with Blood, innocent Blood, Blood of Saints, as the Church of Rome is. Then the Church of Rome is this Woman, that St. John saw, to his great astonishment, Drunk, with the Blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jesus.
But there is no Sect of People, &c. guilty of so much Blood, or Drunk with the Blood of Saints, &c.
Ergo, The Church of Rome is this Woman, &c.
⟨p. 320⟩XIV.
Because she hath shed a Mass, a very great Mass of Blood upon the account of Religion, (all which was unlawfully shed) of this the whole Christian World is a Witness.
2. To clear her supposed Hereticks from this red and bloody Crime.
(1.) It is against their Principle to kill Men for Religion, and this they do avowedly profess, pleading for Liberty of Conscience, in Matters purely Religious in all places.
(2.) They have wanted Power to do it, in case they had been for it in Principle, all Power being in the Hands of Papists before the Reformation.
Babylon is a Church, or Body of People, that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads, or seven sorts of Sovereign Governments 1. Kings. of whom Romulus was the first.1 2. Consuls.2 3. Military Tribunes. 4. Decemvirs. 5. Dictators. 6. Heathen Emperors. 7. Christian Emperors.) Rev. 17.9, 10, 11. And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom, the seven Heads are seven Mountains, on which the Woman sitteth. And there are seven Kings, five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come: but when he cometh he must continue a short space. And the Beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and of the seven, and goeth into Perdition. |
XIV. Besides all that hath been said, we hope to very good Purpose, if we find not Rome here, we will let her go for ever: For (1.) This is the place which hath had seven Sovereign Governments, five of which were gone off the Stage, and the sixth, (viz. the Heathen Empire) was in Being in St. John's time. (2.) The seventh was to appear and to continue but a short space (viz. the Christian Empire): for it cannot be the Papal Power, because that was not up in St. John's time, so not the sixth Head; and as the Papal Power, for that Reason, could not be the sixth Head, so for a very good Reason it could not be the seventh Head, because that whensoever that did appear, it was to continue but a short space; which respects not the Papal Power, but answers the Christian Empire; for the Papal Power has continued longer than any of the other Sovereignties that went before: and if the Papal Power be neither the Sixth, nor seventh Head, then it must needs be the eighth, which is of the seventh, and goes into Perdition, or else it must be no Head or Power at all. But a Head and a Power it is, a great Head and Power it hath been, therefore it is the eighth Head which carries the Whore, according to the express Le•ter of the Text, and shall go into Perdition. And that by the Woman, City, or Whore, that sitteth upon the seven Mountains, is meant Rome, we have no cause to doubt, because the great Sons of Rome themselves, as Baronius, Bellarmine, and many others do confess it; but would defend their Mother from being a Whore, by putting it off to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State; to which we have fully answered already:
And do say, that Rome Papal is neither the sixth Head, nor the seventh, but the very last Beast, or eighth Head, in which there is a Secular and an Ecclesiastical Power joined together; which makes up a Beast, a most Blasphemous Beast, and a Whore, a ⟨p. 321⟩most Devilish, Drunken, and Bloody Whore, which hath her Seat upon seven Mountains, on which this City of Rome was built, as before. This Paragraph we shall shut up with this Argument.
Arg. If Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, be born up by a Secular Power, which had seven sovereign Governments, seated upon seven Hills. Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is the very Mystery Babylon, that the Apostle John saw in his Apocalyptical Vision.
But Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is born up by a Secular Power, which had seven Sovereign Governments, and seated upon seven Hills.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is the very Mystical Babylon, &c.
This Argument shines so clear, that unless our Adversaries can assign any Protestant State, by them called Heretical, that these Characters do better and more fully agree to, it must pass for current Coin; and which we shall be ready to receive from them: So we proceed.
⟨p. 321⟩XV. Mystery Babylon, is not only a Beastly Woman, that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads, or seven sorts of Sovereign Governments, and was seated upon seven Mountains; that professeth her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction: but such a Woman, and such a City, that in the Eye of the Vision, had, did, or was, to Reign over the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 17.18. And the Woman which thou sawest, is that great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. |
XV. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is not only a Beastly Woman, that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, that sits upon a Beast, or the Remains of that Power, which had seven sorts of Sovereign Governments, and is seated upon seven Mountains; that professes her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction: but is such a Woman, and such a City, that since the Vision and Prophecy of St. John, hath for several hundreds of Years reigned over the Kings of the Earth; she hath governed a great part of Italy, if we will believe her self, ever since Constantine, who gave it as a Patrimony to St.
Peter, she hath had her Kingdom over Germany, so long upon France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, England, Scotland, and Ireland; so that their Kings have been governed by her; whom she would, they killed; whom she willed, they worshipped, and so became guilty of drinking the Wine of her Fornication; whom she willed, they set up; whom she willed, they plucked down. What she required, they paid themselves, and made their People pay also. When she willed, they raised Arms; and when she willed, they laid them down again. What shall we say, the Church of Rome hath had such a Power over the Kingdoms of Europe, that the Power and Wills of Princes have b•en controlled and over-ruled, when in any considerable Case they have gone contrary to the Sense and Interest of the Church, and that to such a Degree, as they have sometimes made them do Penance, resign up their Crowns, and then receive them again as an Act of Kindness, from the Chair of St. Peter. Which affords us ground for such an Argument as this.
Arg. If there be no great and considerable Body of People in the Christian World, that hath so evidently and apparently reigned over the Kings of the Earth, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath done: Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is this Babylon, City, or People, that St. John sets forth.
But there is no such great and considerable Body, &c.
Ergo, Rome Papal, &c. must be this Babylon, &c.
The Major is undeniable: The Minor is so notoriously known to the whole World, that the Papists can never avoid the Force of it, unless they can produce some Protestant Kingdom, or State, that domineered over the Kings of the Earth in a more eminent way and manner, than Rome is here charged with: But that is impossible. The Conclusion is therefore true.
⟨p. 322⟩And now having thus in fifteen Particulars run the Metaphor by way of Parallel, betwixt Mystery Babylon, and Rome Papal, as the same is set forth in the Apocalypse, other Histories, and known Experiences, we shall, before we quit this Task, briefly consider, how the Acts and Progress of the Church of Rome do most fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of Holy Scripture, namely, with Literal Babylon, that was h•r Type, and from whence she derives her Name; from the Prophecy of Daniel, concerning the little Horn, vile Person, or Man of Sin, which is her Head;
Peter, she hath had her Kingdom over Germany, so long upon France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, England, Scotland, and Ireland; so that their Kings have been governed by her; whom she would, they killed; whom she willed, they worshpped, and so became guilty of drinking the Wine of her Fornication; whom she willed, they set up; whom she willed, they plucked down. What she required, they paid themselves, and made their People pay also. When she willed, they raised Arms; and when she willed, they laid them down again. What shall we say, the Church of Rome hath had such a Power over the Kingdoms of Europe, that the Power and Wills of Princes have ben controuled and over-ruled, when in any considerable Case they have gone contrary to the Sense and Interest of the Church, and that to such a Degree, as they have sometimes made them do Penance, resign up thir Crowns, and then receive them again as an Act of Kindness, from the Chair of St. Peter. Which affords us ground for such an Argument as this.
Arg. If there be no great and considerable Body of People in the Christian World, that hath so evidently and apparently reigned over the Kings of the Earth, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath done: Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is this Babylon, City, or People, that St. John sets forth.
But there is no such great and considerable Body, &c.
Ergo, Rome Papal, &c. must be this Babylon, &c.
The Major is undeniable: The Minor is so notoriously known to the whole World, that the Papists can never avoid the Force of it, unless they can produce some Protestant Kingdom, or State, that domineer'd over the Kings of the Earth in a more eminent way and manner, than Rome is here charged with: But that is impossible. The Conclusion is therefore true.
the Prophecy of the Apostle Paul, in two remarkable Epistles, the First to Timothy, and the Second to the Thessalonians; and conclude. The Sum we shall cast into one general Argument, and so proceed to the various Branches of it. The concluding Argument is this:
Argument. That People whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon, which was a Type, with the Prophecy of Daniel about the little Horn, and Revelations of the New Testament about the last Scene of Things, is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon.
But Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is that People, whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon, the Prophecy of Daniel, and Revelation of the New-Testament, about the last Scene of Things.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon.
The Truth of this Argument we will endeavour to illustrate by this Induction of Particulars following.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
AS Literal Babylon was the Head-City of the First or Chaldean Kingdom, called the Glory of the Chaldean Kingdom,1 and great Babylon, &c. | SO Rome Papal is the Head-City of the last Kingdom, called, Great Babylon, or the great and Mother-City, Rev. 17.18.
II. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King over her, called Lucifer, or Son of the Morning. | II. So Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her, called the Angel of the Bottomless-Pit, Son of the Evening, Darkness, or Perdition.
III. Literal Babylon had Dominion over many Countries or Provinces. | III. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, hath Dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms, no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kings, called ten Horns.
IV. Chaldea, or Literal Babylon, fell under a fourfold Circumstance, in respect of her Supreme Lord, or chief Head: As, (1.) That He was, when in great Pride he did insultingly say, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built, by the Might of my Power, for the Honour of my Majesty? (2.) He was not, when by the Watchers, and the holy Ones, he was tossed from his Throne, and made to eat Grass with Oxen, till seven Times (or Years) past over him. (3.) Yet was, when his Reason, and the Hearts of his Nobles returned to him, and gave him a ⟨p. 323⟩Re-advancement. (4.)
the Prophecy of the Apostle Paul, in two remarkable Epistles, the First to Timothy, and the Second to the Thessalonians; and conclude. The Sum we shall cast into one general Argument, and so proceed to the various Branches of it. The concluding Argument is this:
Argument. That People whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon, which was a Type, with the Prophecy of Daniel about the little Horn, and Revelations of the New Testament about the last Scene of Things, is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon.
But Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is that People, whose Acts and Progress do most fitly and fully comport with Literal Babylon, the Prophecy of Daniel, and Revelation of the New-Testament, about the last Scene of Things.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is undoubtedly the wicked and bloody Whore of Babylon.
The Truth of this Argument we will endeavour to illustrate by this Induction of Particulars following.
Metaphor. | Parallel.
AS Literal Babylon was the Head-City of the First or Caldean Kingdom, called the Glory of the Caldean Kingdom,
Went off finally, when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor, into whose Hands the Kingdom was translated. | IV. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is foretold by the Angel to fall under a fourfold Circumstance, in respect to her Supreme Lord, or chief Head, the last Beast, by her called, Our Lord God the Pope. (1.) When he carries the Whore in State, makes War with the Saints, and overcomes them; when his Adherents say, Who is like unto the Beast? who is able to make War with him? Then He was. (2.) He is not, when the Horns shall hate the Whore, make her desolate, eat her Flesh, and burn her with Fire; And good Men join issue with them, to take away the little Horn's Dominion, and lead him into Captivity, whose Life shall be prolonged for a Season and Time, even unto the time of the End. (3.) He yet is, when by virtue of a false Prophet, and ⟨p. 323⟩all the Helps Satan the Dragon can afford him, he shall make a Rally of the careless Nations, to bring up against the Jews, after the Restoration, to complete the Battle of Armageddon, foretold by divers Prophecies. (4.) He shall go off the Stage for ever, as the Man of Sin, great Opposer of Christ, and Son of Perdition, when God shall send his Son from Heaven to fight against, and slaughter his deceived Nations; of whom it is said, The Lord shall go forth, and fight against those Nations, 1as when he fought in the Day of Battle: Which will be so dreadful a Fight or Battle, as never yet was fought, for Slaughter and Blood; and so destroy this vile Person with the Brightness of his Appearance, to fulfil 2 Thess. 2. and cast him, as the Son of Perdition, into the burning Flames, to fulfil Rev. 19.20. And the Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh. And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom, The Beast that was, and is not, and yet is, is of the seventh Head, and is the eighth, and goeth into Perdition.
V. The first Beast, or Head of the Chaldean Kingdom, or Literal Babylon, did invade Judea, besiege Jerusalem, take the City, and trample it under foot, till raised again by an Edict from the next great King of Persia. | V. The last Beast, or Head of the Roman Kingdom, called Mystery Babylon, doth invade Zion, the Gospel-Church, hath closely besieged her, and blocked up her Privileges, and trampled under foot the holy City, for a long space of Time,
The first Beast, or Power of the Chaldean Kingdom, called Literal Babylon, did take away the two Olive-Trees, that stood before the God of the whole Earth. | VI. The last Beast, or Power of the Roman Kingdom, hath taken away, or endeavoured to slay the two Witnesses, that bore up the Light and Testimony of God to the World.
VII. Chaldea, or Literal Babylon, did set up Image-Worship, commanding, upon pain of Burning, the Worshippers of the true God to fall down. Jer. 5.38. Dan. 3.6. It is the Place of graven Images, and they are mad upon their Idols. And whoso falleth not down, and worshippeth, shall the same Hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery Furnace. | VII. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, requires Worship to be given to the Crucifix, the Image of the Virgin Mary, and other Saints, but especially to the Idol of the Mass; so that whosoever will not own that most ridiculous Idolatry, of a piece of consecrated Bread, coming out of the Priest's unhallowed Hands, to be their God and Saviour, shall be burned at a Stake; as many blessed Men and Women, young and old, were in the Marian Days. See Fox's Acts and Monuments.
VIII. Chaldea, or Literal Babylon, was the Place of Captivity and Spoil; for she carried the Servants of God away captive, and made a Spoil of their Treasures, and rejoiced in so doing.1 Here we shall find Ezekiel, and Daniel, and Thousands more in Captivity; here we shall find the Spoils of Jerusalem, and the Enemy rejoicing in the Spoil. Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced at the Destruction, ye are grown fat as the Heifers at Grass, and bellow as Bulls, &c. | VIII. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is become the place of Captivity and Spoil; for 'tis by her Orders, Dictates, and Influence, that the Servants of God have been carried away captive, and their Goods and Possessions made a Spoil of in all parts of the Christian World. In her Dominions it was, where we find John Hus, Jerome of Prague, the Noble Lord Cobham, and thousands more, captivated and destroyed. 'Tis in their Jails we find good Men imprisoned; in Popish Countries we find the Inquisition, and other cruel Usages: For who is it in all the Christian World besides, that imprisons, spoils, and destroys Men for their Religion, that persecutes the People of God, but the Vassals of this sinful City of Rome?
The first Beast, or Power of the Caldean Kingdom, call'd Literal Babylon, did take away the two Olive-Trees, that stood before the God of the whole Earth. | VI. The last Beast, or Power of the Roman Kingdom, hath taken away, or endeavoured to slay the two Witnesses, that bore up the Light and Testimony of God to the World.
VII. Caldea, or Literal Babylon, did set up Image-Worship, commanding, upon pain of Burning, the Worshippers of the true God to fall down. Jer. 5.38.
Her wicked Sons did not only kill and spoil in Bohemia, Piedmont, and other Countries, but they rejoiced in their horrid ⟨p. 324⟩Wickedness, as appears in the Histories of the Saints Sufferings, written by Mr. Fox, Mr. Clark, Sir Sam. Moreland, and others, &c.
IX. Chaldea, or literal Babylon, notwithstanding her great Wickedness, yet was the most lofty and proud of all Countries besides, called the Lady of Kingdoms, and the Glory and Beauty of Excellency, for which God doth severely threaten her.1 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most Proud, saith the Lord God of Hosts: 2For thy Day is come, the time that I will visit thee. | IX. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, notwithstanding her great Crimes, and most horrid Wickedness, yet hath been the most Proud of any City or People in the Christian World, who saith in her Heart, I sit a Queen, am no Widow, shall see no Sorrow; for which Haughtiness and Pride of hers, the Lord will remember her with Judgment, and Severity, when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood, and avenge upon her the Injury done to Zion: Rev. 18.7. How much she hath glorified her self, and lived deliciously, so much Torment and Sorrow give her, &c.
X. Chaldea, or literal Babylon, was not only a People of great Pomp, Pride, and Covetousness, but of great Riches and Treasures. Thou that dwellest upon many Waters, 3abundant in Treasures, thine end is come, the end of thy Covetousness. | X. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is not only a People of great Pomp, and Pride, arrayed with Purple, Scarlet, Gold, Pearl, and precious Stones, but she sits upon many Waters, is Covetous, as well as Proud, and full of Treasures: and indeed it must needs be so; for besides the Gifts that were first given in the time of Constantine, (as is pretended) she hath made a Prey upon Nations, a Spoil upon Saints, had the Gifts of Kings, had vast Revenues settled upon her Orders and Clergy; she has peeled the People by selling Pardons, and Indulgences, raising Peter-Pence, and the like; so horribly covetous is she, that she is not willing any should go to Heaven without the Gift of Money to holy Church, by which slight she is grown so exceeding Rich, and full of Treasure, that she can afford a golden Cup to present her intoxicating Wine in, to be clothed with Scarlet, decked with Gold, Pearl, and precious Stones; she makes the Merchants of the Earth rich that do trade with her;
To reinforce this Argument, let it be considered, that none can pretend to fix this Character or Mark upon any Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome, called Hereticks, who have no such Beast to support them, nor ascribe such blasphemous Titles, or Adoration to any Creature in Heaven or Earth: For they acknowledg the one God, the Object of Divine Worship; one Mediator between God and Man, the Lord Jesus; and God's sacred Truth to be the only Rule; disowning all Principles and Practices contradictory thereunto: Ergo, 'Tis not the Protestant Dissenters from the Church of Rome that are here meant.
XI. Babylon, that sits upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast, is adorned with great Pomp, and outward Glory, very well fitting that Spirit that delights in Grandure:
And the Woman was arrayed in Purple and Scarlet, and deck'd with Gold, and precious Stones, and Pearl, having a Golden Cup in her hand, full of Abomination, and Filthiness of her Fornication. Which must be such as none of her Neighbours can match her in, else no Note of Distinction. |
XI. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, doth not only sit upon a Scarlet-coloured and blasphemous Beast, but she is beautified and adorned with great Pomp and outward Glory, by which she commends her self to that part of the World that delights in her Gaudery, being a Woman whose Worship is filled with detestable Doctrine, which she holds forth to them with Pictures and Gallantry of all sorts. (1.) Look into the holy Patrimony of consecrated Saints, there you find Riches and Honour, tho not durable Riches, and Righteousness. (2.) Look unto their Garbs and Vestments, there you shall find Cardinals like splendid Princes, Heads of Parties and Provinces in such Habiliments, that for Riches might have become the highest Order of the Jewish Priesthood. (3.)
Look into the Instruments, and Mode of their Worship, and there you shall find the Altar and Candlesticks, the Vessels for Oil, and Pots of Purification, as if their Predecessors had been at Solomon's Temple, and had brought a Pattern from thence; and yet in this G•lden Cup, or framed Piece of Gallantry, there is nothing to be found, but foul and adulterated Wine, most fitly to be called by the Angel, Abomination, and Filthiness, and the Wine of Fornication: Which we conclude with this Argument:
Arg. If no People in the Christian World hath such Riches and Splendor, such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of their Worship, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath: Then Rome Papal must be this gawdy Harlot, or Whore of Babylon.
But there is no People in the Christian World that hath such Riches and Splendor, such Pomp and Gallantry in the Maintenance and Management of Religious Worship, as Rome Papal, or Church of Rome hath.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome must be this Whore, or well-favoured Harlot treated of.
The Argument is full and clear, and so well fortified, that we think it needs no Rere-guard to enforce it; and therefore, tho it be short, and low of Stature, we shall leave it amongst our Infantry, and draw up our right and left Wings, yet further to assault Babylon.
XII. This Woman or City, that is thus adorned with outward Pomp and Glory, hath upon her Forehead a Name written, MYSTERY,
BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Which may be true
⟨p. 317⟩
both in a Literal and Mystical Sense, the Breeder of Misses, Concubines, and Whores, to gratify the Sensual Appetites of her Letcherous Sons; but chiefly in a Mystical Sense, she Breeds, and brings forth Spiritual Harlots, viz. Unclean Communities. |
XII. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, if she be not concerned here, we will acquit her of being Mystery Babylon.
1. Here is a Name written in Capital Letters, and written so as to be read publickly too. 'Tis not written upon any part of the Woman, that may be hid or covered with a Garment, but on that part which is kept bare, and is easiest to be seen, her Forehead, her publick, visible, and known Parts.
⟨p. 317⟩
(2.) Here is Babylon, or Confusion, a mixt Body, that is far from that good and pure Order, which in Words she pretends.
(3.)
of Confusion very reasonably, because she so fitly answers literal Babylon of old, that was her Type, and from whence she derives her Name.
1. In setting up another way for Men to go to Heaven by, than what God hath ordained and appointed, (viz.) a Tower of their own making.
2. In having so many Languages amongst them, which is like the Confusion of Babel.
3. In bearing the Glory and Sway over the Kingdoms and Countries of the chiefest part of the World, therefore called the Lady of Kingdoms, which is no way applicable to the poor Dissenters.
4.
⟨p. 319⟩
Arg. If this Name Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth; doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants, nor any other People, as it doth to Rome Papal, or Church of Rome. Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome (and not the Protestants, &c.) is Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.
But this Name Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, doth not so fully and fitly agree to the Protestants, &c. as it doth to Rome Papal, or Church of Rome.
Ergo, Rome Papal (and not the Protestants) is Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots.
XIII. This Mystery Babylon, Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth, is very drunken Company; for she not only makes others drunk with the Wine of her Fornication, and commits Adultery her self;
And I saw a Woman drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and I wondred with great Admiration. |
XIII. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, if she be guilty here, it is enough to make not only good Men, but even Angels wonder, to see a Woman pretending to be nobly descended, the Daughter to the great King of Heaven, the Spouse of the Lamb, the Mother of all Peace, Purity, Holiness, Innocency, Charity and Chastity; I say, to see a Woman by Profession, such a drunken beastly Strumpet in Works and Actions: and if Rome Papal, or Church of Rome be guilty in this point, she is the unhappiest Church in the World; for she then gives cause to every good Man in the World to abhor her, and indeed she hath very good luck if she scape this Charge; for if she be Mystery Babylon, the Mother of false Churches, and Abominations of the Earth, there is no avoiding, but she must be this drunken Strumpet. But because it is never safe judging a Cause before Trial and Examination of Witnesses, we will,
1. Consider what it is to be drunk.
2. What things do necessarily contribute to it.
3. The true and proper Signs of it.
4. Whether such things can be fixed upon Rome Papal, or Church of Rome? And then conclude this Head.
1. To be Drunk, is an excessive taking in of such Things, as disorder Nature in its Course and Operations. This we take to be a general Definition of it, including the Proper and Metaphorical Notations thereof.
2. Such things as necessarily contribute to it; are, (1.) Great and vehement Thirst: (2.) Plenty of the thing thirsted after. (3.) The greedy taking their fill of it.
3. The Signs of Drunkenness are. (1.) When the Faculties are so disordered, that they will not submit to the best Reason that can be given them. (2.) When they will abuse those whom they are most obliged to love and respect. (3.) When they have cast off all consideration of their own and others Good, and forbear no Mischief but what they are restrained from by force.
4. That these things are evident in the Church of Rome, and cannot be so fairly fixed upon her Opposites, or supposed Hereticks, appears:
1.
(3.) Where there hath since been a Protestant Seate or Kingdom, governed by Laws different from that of the Popish Countries, yet they have not made use of their Power and Laws, to take away the Lives of Papists meerly for Religion; and if it hath happened at any time, that some Ecclesiastical Persons have been put to Death by Protestants; it has been but very rare and seldom, and the Cause not for their Religion, but for Sedition, Rebellion and Treason: otherwise they have lived peaceably under Protestant Governours, enjoying their Civil Right in Common with other Men. And for the confirming of this, we make a Challenge to all Christendom to come forth and make it appear, Where England, Scotland, and Ireland, the Ʋnited Provinces, &c. since the Reformation, have, by Massacres, Murders, or Martyrdom, put one thousand, nay one hundred to Death of Men, Women and Children, only because they professed the Romish Religion, or any Religion different from theirs: so far have they been from making themselves Drunk with the Blood of Saints, and Religious Men. And if this cannot be done, then having brought our Character within the Confines of the Christian World, we must necessarily charge this Drunkenness, by Blood, upon the Church of Rome.
This Head we will conclude with the following Argument.
If no Sect of People in the Christian World be guilty of so much Blood, drunk with Blood, innocent Blood, Blood of Saints, as the Church of Rome is. Then the Church of Rome is this Woman, that St. John saw, to his great astonishment, Drunk, with the Blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jesus.
But there is no Sect of People, &c. guilty of so much Blood, or Drunk with the Blood of Saints, &c.
Ergo, The Church of Rome is this Woman, &c.
⟨p. 320⟩
XIV.
Babylon is a Church, or Body of People, that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads, or seven sorts of Soveraign Governments 1. Kings. of whom Romulus was the first.
3. Military Tribunes. 4. Decemvirs. 5. Dictators. 6. Heathen Emperors. 7. Christian Emperors.) Rev. 17.9, 10, 11. And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom, the seven Heads are seven Mountains, on which the Woman sitteth. And there are s•ven Kings, five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come: but when he cometh he must continue a short space. And the Beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and of the seven, and goeth into Perdition. |
XIV. Besides all that hath been said, we hope to very good Purpose, if we find not Rome here, we will let her go for ever: For (1.) This is the place which hath had seven Soveraign Governments, five of which were gone off the Stage, and the sixth, (viz. the Heathen Empire) was in Being in St. John's time. (2.) The seventh was to appear and to continue but a short space (viz. the Christian Empire): for it cannot be the Papal Power, because that was not up in St. John's time, so not the sixth Head; and as the Papal Power, for that Reason, could not be the sixth Head, so for a very good Reason it could not be the seventh Head, because that whensoever that did appear, it was to continue but a short space; which respects not the Papal Power, but answers the Christian Empire; for the Papal Power has continued longer than any of the other Soveraignties that went before: and if the Papal Power be neither the Sixth, nor seventh Head, then it must needs be the eighth, which is of the seventh, and goes into Perdition, or else it must be no Head or Power at all. But a Head and a Power it is, a great Head and Power it hath been, therefore it is the eighth Head which carries the Whore, according to the express Le•ter of the Text, and shall go into Perdition. And that by the Woman, City, or Whore, that sitteth upon the seven Mountains, is meant Rome, we have no cause to doubt, because the great Sons of Rome themselves, as Baronius, Bellarmine, and many others do confess it; but would defend their Mother from being a Whore, by putting it off to the Power of Rome in its Heathen State; to which we have fully answered already:
And do say, that Rome Papal is neither the sixth Head, nor the seventh, but the very last Beast, or eighth Head, in which there is a Secular and an Ecclesiastical Power joined together; which makes up a Beast, a most Blasphemous Beast, and a Whore, a ⟨p. 321⟩most Devilish, Drunken, and Bloody Whore, which hath her Seat upon seven Mountains, on which this City of Rome was built, as before. This Paragraph we shall shut up with this Argument.
Arg. If Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, be born up by a Secular Power, which had seven sovereign Governments, seated upon seven Hills. Then Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is the very Mystery Babylon, that the Apostle John saw in his Apocalyptical Vision.
But Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is born up by a Secular Power, which had seven Soveraign Governments, and seated upon seven Hills.
Ergo, Rome Papal, or Church of Rome is the very Mystical Babylon, &c.
This Argument shines so clear, that unless our Adversaries can assign any Protestant State, by them called Heretical, that these Characters do better and more fully agree to, it must pass for current Coin; and which we shall be ready to receive from them: So we proceed.
⟨p. 321⟩XV. Mystery Babylon, is not only a Beastly Woman, that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, that sits upon a Beast that had seven Heads, or seven sorts of Soveraign Governments, and was seated upon seven Mountains; that professeth her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction: but such a Woman, and such a City, that in the Eye of the Vision, had, did, or was, to Reign over the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 17.18. And the Woman which thou sawest, is that great City, which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth. |
XV. Rome Papal, or Church of Rome, is not only a Beastly Woman, that has made her self Drunk with the Blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, that sits upon a Beast, or the Remains of that Power, which had seven sorts of Soveraign Governments, and is seated upon seven Mountains; that professes her self the Mother of all Spiritual Power and Jurisdiction: but is such a Woman, and such a City, that since the Vision and Prophecy of St. John, hath for several hundreds of Years reigned over the Kings of the Earth; she hath governed a great part of Italy, if we will believe her self, ever since Constantine, who gave it as a Patrimony to St.
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⟨p. 322⟩
And now having thus in fifteen Particulars run the Metaphor by way of Parallel, betwixt Mystery Babylon, and Rome Papal, as the same is set forth in the Apocalypse, other Histories, and known Experiences, we shall, before we quit this Task, briefly consider, how the Acts and Progress of the Church of Rome do most fully comport with other Types and Prophecies of Holy Scripture, namely, with Literal Babylon, that was h•r Type, and from whence she derives her Name; from the Prophecy of Daniel, concerning the little Horn, vile Person, or Man of Sin, which is her Head;
and great Babylon, &c. | SO Rome Papal is the Head-City of the last Kingdom, called, Great Babylon, or the great and Mother-City, Rev. 17.18.
II. Literal Babylon had a great Head or King over her, called Lucifer, or Son of the Morning. | II. So Rome Papal hath a great Head or King over her, called the Angel of the Bottomless-Pit, Son of the Evening, Darkness, or Perdition.
III. Literal Babylon had Dominion over many Countries or Provinces. | III. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, hath Dominion over many Countries or Kingdoms, no less than the Territories or Jurisdictions of ten considerable Kings, called ten Horns.
IV. Caldea, or Literal Babylon, fell under a fourfold Circumstance, in respect of her Supreme Lord, or chief Head: As, (1.) That He was, when in great Pride he did insultingly say, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built, by the Might of my Power, for the Honour of my Majesty? (2.) He was not, when by the Watchers, and the holy Ones, he was toss'd from his Throne, and made to eat Grass with Oxen, till seven Times (or Years) past over him. (3.) Yet was, when his Reason, and the Hearts of his Nobles return'd to him, and gave him a
Went off finally, when God brought the Medes and Persians against his Successor, into whose Hands the Kingdom was translated. | IV. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is foretold by the Angel to fall under a fourfold Circumstance, in respect to her Supreme Lord, or chief Head, the last Beast, by her called, Our Lord God the Pope. (1.) When he carries the Whore in State, makes War with the Saints, and overcomes them; when his Adherents say, Who is like unto the Beast? who is able to make War with him? Then He was. (2.) He is not, when the Horns shall hate the Whore, make her desolate, eat her Flesh, and burn her with Fire; And good Men join issue with them, to take away the little Horn's Dominion, and lead him into Captivity, whose Life shall be prolonged for a Season and Time, even unto the time of the End. (3.) He yet is, when by virtue of a false Prophet, and ⟨p. 323⟩all the Helps Satan the Dragon can afford him, he shall make a Rally of the careless Nations, to bring up against the Jews, after the Restauration, to compleat the Battel of Armageddon, foretold by divers Prophecies. (4.) He shall go off the Stage for ever, as the Man of Sin, great Opposer of Christ, and Son of Perdition, when God shall send his Son from Heaven to fight against, and slaughter his deceived Nations; of whom it is said, The Lord shall go forth, and fight against those Nations, 1as when he fought in the Day of Battel: Which will be so dreadful a Fight or Battel, as never yet was fought, for Slaughter and Blood; and so destroy this vile Person with the Brightness of his Appearance, to fulfill 2 Thess. 2. and cast him, as the Son of Perdition, into the burning Flames, to fulfill Rev. 19.20. And the Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh. And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom, The Beast that was, and is not, and yet is, is of the seventh Head, and is the eighth, and goeth into Perdition.
V. The first Beast, or Head of the Caldean Kingdom, or Literal Babylon, did invade Judea, besiege Jerusalem, take the City, and trample it under foot, till raised again by an Edict from the next great King of Persia. | V. The last Beast, or Head of the Roman Kingdom, call'd Mystery Babylon, doth invade Sion, the Gospel-Church, hath closely besieged her, and block'd up her Privileges, and trampled under f•ot the holy City, for a long space of Time, Rev. 11.2.
VI.
. It is the Place of graven Images, and they are mad upon their Idols. And whoso falleth not down, and worshippeth, shall the same Hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery Furnace. | VII. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, requires Worship to be given to the Crucifix, the Image of the Virgin Mary, and other Saints, but especially to the Idol of the Mass; so that whosoever will not own that most ridiculous Idolatry, of a piece of consecrated Bread, coming out of the Priest's unhallowed Hands, to be their God and Saviour, shall be burned at a Stake; as many blessed Men and Women, young and old, were in the Marian Days. See Fox's Acts and Monuments.
VIII. Caldea, or Literal Babylon, was the Place of Captivity and Spoil; for she carried the Servants of God away captive, and made a Spoil of their Treasures, and rejoiced in so doing.
Here we shall find Ezekiel, and Daniel, and Thousands more in Captivity; here we shall find the Spoils of Jerusalem, and the Enemy rejoicing in the Spoil. Because ye were glad, because ye rejoyced at the Destruction, ye are grown fat as the Heifers at Grass, and bellow as Bulls, &c. | VIII. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is become the place of Captivity and Spoil; for 'tis by her Orders, Dictates, and Influence, that the Servants of God have been carried away captive, and their Goods and Possessions made a Spoil of in all parts of the Christian World. In her Dominions it was, where we find John Hus, Jerome of Prague, the Noble Lord Cobham, and thousands more, captivated and destroyed. 'Tis in their Jails we find good Men imprisoned; in Popish Countries we find the Inquisition, and other cruel Usages: For who is it in all the Christian World besides, that imprisons, spoils, and destroys Men for their Religion, that persecutes the People of God, but the Vassals of this sinful City of Rome?
Her wicked Sons did not only kill and spoil in Bohemia, Piedmont, and other Countries, but they rejoyced in their horrid ⟨p. 324⟩Wickedness, as appears in the Histories of the Saints Sufferings, written by Mr. Fox, Mr. Clark, Sir Sam. Moreland, and others, &c.
IX. Caldea, or literal Babylon, notwithstanding her great Wickedness, yet was the most lofty and proud of all Countries besides, called the Lady of Kingdoms, and the Glory and Beauty of Excellency, for which God doth severely threaten her.1 Behold, I am against thee, O thou most Proud, saith the Lord God of Hosts: 2For thy Day is come, the time that I will visit thee. | IX. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, notwithstanding her great Crimes, and most horrid Wickedness, yet hath been the most Proud of any City or People in the Christian World, who saith in her Heart, I sit a Queen, am no Widow, shall see no Sorrow; for which Haughtiness and Pride of hers, the Lord will remember her with Judgment, and Severity, when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood, and avenge upon her the Injury done to Sion: Rev. 18.7. How much she hath glorified her self, and lived deliciously, so much Torment and Sorrow give her, &c.
X. Chaldea, or literal Babylon, was not only a People of great Pomp, Pride, and Covetousness, but of great Riches and Treasures. Thou that dwellest upon many Waters, 3abundant in Treasures, thine end is come, the end of thy Covetousness. | X. Rome, or Mystery Babylon, is not only a People of great Pomp, and Pride, arrayed with Purple, Scarlet, Gold, Pearl, and precious Stones, but she sits upon many Waters, is Covetous, as well as Proud, and full of Treasures: and indeed it must needs be so; for besides the Gifts that were first given in the time of Constantine, (as is pretended) she hath made a Prey upon Nations, a Spoil upon Saints, had the Gifts of Kings, had vast Revenues setled upon her Orders and Clergy; she has peeled the People by selling Pardons, and Indulgences, raising Peter-Pence, and the like; so horribly covetous is she, that she is not willing any should go to Heaven without the Gift of Money to holy Church, by which slight she is grown so exceeding Rich, and full of Treasure, that she can afford a golden Cup to present her intoxicating Wine in, to be clothed with Scarlet, deck'd with Gold, Pearl, and precious Stones; she makes the Merchants of the Earth rich that do trade with her;
