The Spouse of Christ, is now in the Lions Dens, and in the mountains of the Leopards: He knows how to preserve it there and how to bring it out from thence. Cant. 4. 8. It was a ⟨image ?⟩great Sight; and well might Moses wonder at it, when the Bush burned with fire, but was not consumed. The Church of God at this Day, is that Bush; which it threatened with the Fire of Persecution; and some part of it begins to burn: But we have this to comfort us, We know it shall never be consumed. God hath wonderful ways to save His servants; when the greatest Dangers do attend them. He maketh the Earth to help the woman. The Philistines must invade the Land, that so David might not be swallowed up by Saul. Sennacherib must hear a Rumour that the Ethiopians are preparing war against him, that so his design against Jerusalem may be diverted. Notable is that passage which Scultetus relates; that when the K. of France was become a prisoner to the Emperor of Germany (Charles the 5th.) He was set at liberty upon Condition that he would do his utmost to root Protestantism out of his Dominions. But soon after, they fell at variance again (the Pope blowing the bellows of contention) by which means, the Church in that part of the world, escaped the fury of those oppressors. Memorable also is it, That about the close of the Tridentine Council (or rather Conspiracy) there was a consultation in Italy, by the Pope & his Cardinals, for an utter extirpation of the Reformed Churches throughout Europe. Every Prince in Europe had a certain part designed, where this project should be put in practice. But the death of that Pope (Plus V.) hindered the prosecution of the Design until the Time of Clement VIII. when it was revived, and the bloody Resolution confirmed, by him, & his Cardinals, under their Hands, & Seals. A Kinsman to Cardinal Baronius, was chosen to carry those bloody Letters to the Princes aforesaid: but whilst he was in his Journey, the Lord awakened his conscience, that he retired into an obscure Village, and there spent three Days in Fasting, 1& Prayer to God: After which, in stead of going to Spain with the Popes bloody Commissions for the Destruction of the Protestants; He went into France, and there disclosed the whole Design to Mr. Figureus, an eminent Protestant-Minister; and in stead of shedding the Innocent blood of the Protestant Churches, he himself became a famous Protestant:
The Spouse of Christ, is now in the Lions Dens, and in the mountains of the Leopards: He knows how to preserve it there and how to bring it out from thence. Cant. 4. 8. It was a ⟨image ?⟩great Sight; and well might Moses wonder at it, when the Bush burned with fire, but was not consumed. The Church of God at this Day, is that Bush; which it threatened with the Fire of Persecution; and some part of it begins to burn: But we have this to comfort us, We know it shall never be consumed. God hath wonderful wayes to save His servants; when the greatest Dangers do attend them. He maketh the Earth to help the woman. The Philistines must invade the Land, that so David might not be swallowed up by Saul. Senacherib must hear a Rumor that the Ethiopians are preparing war against him, that so his design against Jerusalem may be diverted. Notable is that passage which Scultetus relates; that when the K. of France was become a prisoner to the Emperour of Germany (Charles the 5th.) He was set at liberty upon Condition that he would do his utmost to root Protestantism out of his Dominions. But soon after, they fell at variance again (the Pope blowing the bellows of contention) by which means, the Church in that part of the world, escaped the fury of those oppressors. Memorable also is it, That about the close of the Tridentine Council (or rather Conspiracy) there was a consultation in Italy, by the Pope & his Cardinals, for an utter extirpation of the Reformed Churches throughout Europe. Every Prince in Europe had a certain part designed, where this project should be put in practice. But the death of that Pope (Plus V.) hindred the prosecution of the Design until the Time of Clement VIII. when it was revived, and the bloody Resolution confirmed, by him, & his Cardinals, under their Hands, & Seals. A Kinsman to Cardinal Baronius, was chosen to carry those bloody Letters to the Princes aforesaid: but whilst he was in his Journey, the Lord awakened his conscience, that he retired into an obscure Village, and there spent three Dayes in Fasting, 1& Prayer to God: After which, in stead of going to Spain with the Popes bloody Commissions for the Distruction of the Protestants; He went into France, and there disclosed the whole Design to Mr. Figureus, an eminent Protestant-Minister; and in stead of shedding the Innocent blood of the Protestant Churches, he himself became a famose Protestant:
- 1Fulfilling of Scriptures. P 465.Fullfilling of Scriptures. P 465.
