An exposition upon the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation by that reverend and eminent servant of the Lord, Mr. John Cotton ... ; taken from his mouth in short-writing, and some part of it corrected by himself soon after the preaching thereof ; and all of it since viewed over by a friend to him ... wherein some mistakes were amended, but nothing of the sense altered.

Rev. 13. latter part of the 7. vers.

And power was given him over all Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations.

WEe come now to the fourth thing which these words hold forth, and that is the power (or as the Greek word hath it) the authority which is here sayd to be given to the Roman Catholick Church, and that is, over all Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations.

The note is this,

To the Roman Catholicke visible Church was given very ample jurisdiction and authority over all the Christian world (if we may so speake) or as in the Text, over all Kindreds, Tongues, and Na∣tions.

And he meanes Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations of such Countreys which were wont to be subject to the Empire of Rome, which were then counted all the Civill Nations of the world.

To open it briefly: It was given him over all kindreds, tongues, and nations.

Here are three words, and one include another: Nation is the largest; for in a Nation there may be many Tongues, and in one Tongue there may be many Kindreds. He had dominion and soveraignty over all Nations, or over the ten Kings; that is to say, the body of Christian Princes, and all the Nations subject to them, they all gave their power unto the Beast, Rev. 17. 17. No nation professed Christianity, but professed also subjection to the Sea of Rome, that is, to the Romon Catholick visible Church: And the Papists are large in this; Bellarmine makes it a 4^th. note of the visible Church, amplitude of power, and he gives sundry instances: Stories are evident, that all Nations did professe this Religion (spe∣cially after the subduing of the Waldences, though they did before) setting aside that remnant of the womans seed that

were fled into the wildernesse: Now no Nation in Christen∣did professe other Religion then Popery, especially from the time of Charls the Great, to Charles the fifth, which was a matter of 720. years: There was no visible profession open, unlesse in some secret corners of the world: no Nation held forth any other Religion then Popish, nor professed subjecti∣on to any other Church. Now in every Nation there are, or may be divers Tongues, as in England, you have the English, and Welsh, and Cornish Tongues, besides others that are discrepant from English: But he saith not only every Nation, but every Tongue, that is, every Language, they all gave their power to the Beast: And in every Tongue we have ma∣ny Kindreds, and there is no man that could ever say but some of his kindred have been Popish, or are Popish to this day, if not all, yet some of the ancientest, and those the grea∣ter part, here is the universality of it.

And (I say) further, he had ample and great power; for to have power over all argues amplitude. It is said in the be∣ginning of the 8 vers. (which I will take in, and open here) it is said, They shall worship him: That's a great power when it doth amount to inward worship, not civill, but divine wor∣ship. It was divine worship that he challenged, and all Na∣tions gave him. To give Laws of faith, and worship, and go∣vernment to all Churches in Christendom, that was divine power peculiar to the Lord Jesus. It was divine power to challenge toihimselfe imposition of Kings, and deposition of Kings without consent of the people: To provoke the people to do it whether they liked their Prince or no, this is tran∣scendant above all created power. Besides, it was divine worship they gave, in giving him power over their Conscien∣ces, challenging to himself (and they also yeelding freely) a power to bind Conscience with the Laws he gave them, to loose their consciences either from the Laws of God, in mat∣ter of Oaths; to loose them from guilt of sinne, to loose their consciences from Contracts, from Confederacies, this is divine power; They all worship him, whose names are not writ∣ten in the booke of the Lamb, and some of them too for a sea∣son, but they continue not, God opens their eyes to repent

of it, and to rise from under it. It was divine power to cha∣lenge infalibility of Judgment, to judg of Scripture out of the Oracle of his owne braines: These were all divine worship they gave to the Catholick Church, and to the head of it, the Bishop of Rome. So that marvayl not (as the Text saith) there was given, Exasia, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not a lame power, but an unli∣mited power over all people in Church and Common-wealth, and over conscience. There is nothing wherein the Catholick Church had not power throughout all Christen∣dome.

Now further, the Text tells you, All this power was given: He did not wholly arrogate this power to him (though he did so too) but it was given him, though he took it, and took all advantages to get it. No man can receive any thing, ex∣cept it be given him from above. But he had it given him: Gi∣ven him, by whom? by God, by the Devill, and given him by Christian Kings, Churches, and Common-wealths, and Families.

First, it was given by God in his just judgment: God gave them up to delusions to believe lyes, 2 Thes. 2. 11. And he gave two reasons why God gave them up to those delusions.

1. To avenge their want of entertainment of the truth in love. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, vers. 10. 12. Because they would not receive Christ, nor the simplicity of his government and worship (in Church-state) therefore God gave them up to Satan, and to the man of sinne, and to the Catholicke visible Roman Church.

2. That they all might be damned that have pleasure in unrighte∣ousnesse, in the same verse. The Lord gave them up therefore to damnable distempers, damnable usurpations and Ord∣nances; the Lord gave them up for these two Reasons, and they are one subordinate to another.

Secondly, this power was given by Satan also. For it is said, The coming of Antichrist shall be after the working of Satan, with all powers, and signes, and lying wonders, and with all deceive∣ablenesse of unrighteousnesse, 2 Thes. 2. 9, 10. By the efficacy of delusion, which was by the jugling of those great men in

those times, for efficacy of delusion is by miracles, so by de∣ceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse, which is three-fold; The sophistry of Schoolmen, the policy of the Canonists that made their Laws out of the Popes decrees, still advancing the Popish Church, and the head thereof, partly by the devotion of Monks and Fryars: And if you aske why Satan did this, there is a double reason of that.

First, to revenge the injury which the Church did him by bringing forth a Man-child, a Christian Emperour to depose him from his glory, wherein he was worshipped as the great God of the world. Now when hee sees hee is cast off from the honour he had, and there was no more place left for him in heaven, it comes to passe that he pours forth a flood of barbarous na∣tions and damnable Heresies after the woman, and makes war with the remnant of her seed, Rev. 12. 13. 15.

2. A second Reason that stirred up Satan, was out of the ancient enmity against Christ, and the seed of Christ, Gen. 3. 15. I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed, which is Christ; and all the seed of Christ, which are both publique and private Christians, he hath an inveterate enmity against them all; and therefore he gives the Church of Rome all the power that Pagan Rome had.

The third sort of givers of this large power to this Beast, and the head of it, the Pope was.

The voluntary devotion of Christian Princes and States. They did voluntarily resign themselves up, and their King∣doms, and States, and Churches, and Common-wealth, and Consciences and all, to the obedience of the Sea of Rome, Rev. 17. 17. They with one accord gave their Kingdomes to the Beast; God put it into their hearts to do it; that is true, but they were left of God, and acted by Satan, and so were they brought about to give this power unto the Beast. Some were brought unto this by the Popes favour, and large gifts he be∣stowed upon them.

Charles the Great had his Empire from the Bishop of Rome, and translated it from Constantinople to France, and Germany, and therefore he had reason to stand to the Authority that set him up. And the ten Kings of Christendom that rose up∣on

the demolition of the Grecian Empire, which was then called the Empire of Rome, their absolute authority did much depend upon the Bishop of Rome; if the Grecian Empire had not yeelded, they had been liable in conscience to restore these ten Kingdoms: In point of State-policy, they had cause to be much observant to the Pope: But that is not all, for they could never have done it, had not the Subjects yeelded: And what moved them? Truly they were all taken with the Religion of the man of sinne: That flood of Heresies and Ab∣hominations which the Catholick Church did hold forth (as in a cup of poyson to the world) these earthly sort of Christians swallowed it all up. They were carnall, and yet superstitious and devout: Carnall, for want of saving grace and regeneration: And devout, for then generally Christians lay under the terrour of the Law, as in Rev. 9. 5, 6. The lo∣custs came in, which were the Fryars and Monkes, and they had this power to sting their Consciences even to the death, that a man would give all he had for pardon of sinne: Now having power to sting mens Consciences, but not to heale them; to kill, but not to make alive, they were now fitted to receive the Impression of the Popish Religion; and that re∣ligion to men so qualified and disposed, was fit to heal them overly, and to skin the wound of Conscience; and there are three things in that Religion that helped to skinne over the Conscience.

1. The suitablenesse of it to humane and naturall sences.

2. To carnall naturall reason.

3. To naturall Conscience.

For these three concur, and that strongly in this Religion, to carry all Christendome after it.

First, for naturall sense: All that have travayled into Po∣pish Countreys know that their Religion is composed to na∣turall sence.

1. To satisfie the eyes with goodly Images, and Pictures, and gorgeous Temples, and Vestures, that young and old are taken with these goodly spectacles.

2. For the eares; you know in their Cathedralls what cu∣rious musique they have, both vocall and instrumentall.

3. For the smell, you have Incense and sweet perfumes to entertaine you.

4. For the taste, you have double Feasts and solemn Feasts, many Feasts full of luxury and ryot.

5. For the Touch; there is toleration of Stews, to give up their names to Stews: They will not suffer men to live, unlesse they give up their names to be free of such unclean houses: And if you commit any lewdnesse, then it is easie to come off with some light penanc••s; and especially the purse, that will doe all. These things marvellously please the sense.

Secondly, for naturall Reason, it suits marvellously with naturall reason.

1. To hold forth an historical & implicite faith▪ Historical the Devils may have: and implicite, for a man to be∣lieve as the Church believes, and hee believes this Faith hath power to quench all temptations of the Devill.

2. To hold forth such a repentance as consists in Contri∣tion, Confession, and Satisfaction; Judas reached all this: For contrition, his heart was humbled in sence of his sinne. For confession, I have sinned in betraying inno∣cent blood: And for satisfaction; He brought again the thir∣ty pieces of silver; He would not meddle nor make with them.

3. To hold forth such an obedience as a man may be able to perform and keep the whole Law of God, which he thinks to be easie: And this doth please naturall Sence to work our own salvation.

4. To hold forth pardon of sin for money, and for bodily exercises.

5. Uncertainty of Salvation.

6. Such a frame of Church-government as keepeth all in a politick order and unity: That all Popish Churches be subordinate to such a Bishop, as he is to some Metropo∣litan, and they to some Primate, and all to the Bishop of Rome. And why? From one unity ascends, and it is good to keep unity: And so to look at a mans selfe as unworthy to come into the presence of God, and to call

upon Christ, and therefore manners would make a man cleave to some he-Saints or she-Saints, and they shall present their prayers to Christ, and Christ to the Father, which is very plausable to naturall reason: And for our Fathers which grew zealous of that Religion, we should not damn them to hell, Reason abhors that.

Thirdly, for naturall Conscience; it will counter-work with God, and walk in equipage with God all the way, that is to say, for a man to look to find according to his works, natural Conscience hath this in Nature, it is ingrafted in na∣ture from the God of Adam, from his Ordinance in Nature, or the rudements of it restored.

1. Election of Faith, or works foreseen.

2. Redemption of all men alike.

3. Conversion by the power of free-will. This is in the natures of all men, by the very Law and works of Nature.

4. Justification by works, naturall Conscience dictates that; Do this and thou shalt live; do it not, and thou dost forfeit the favour of God; but receive it, and thou hast fellowship with God.

5. Perseverance by our owne endeavours.

6. Glorification by merits of works.

All these suit with naturall Conscience, that Conscience is satisfied if the work be accomplished; if not, then they make satisfaction: If they faile in these works by giving way to this o•• that arrogance that the work is not compleat, then Conscience hangs in some dispence and demur: And if they cannot satisfie all in this world, yet they should do what they can by giving to this and that good use, and do pen∣nance for their sinne: And if all faile, they may make satis∣faction in Purgatory, and not sink downe to the nether most Hell: These things be very acceptable to naturall Consci∣ence. Thus we see how it comes to passe, that to this Beast was given authority and power over all Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations.

Obj. You will say to me, But doth not this crosse some other Text, in Rev. 5. 9. where it is said, the Lord hath redeemed his people out

of every Kindred, and Tongue, and Nation? If the Pope had this power over every Kindred, Tougue, and Nation, where stands Christs re∣demption?

I answer, for Christs Redemption, it is some out of every Kindred, Tongue, and Nation, whose names are written in the Lambs booke of life, but it was but a remnant: There is at this time a remnant according to the Election of Grace, Rom. 11. 5. But otherwise all Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations have been swallowed up by the usurpation of this Beast, and by their subjection to him: So that Christ hath his number out of all these; but it is the Beast that carryes away the bo∣dy of them, for that season especially: He did rule over them by a kinde of sacred Authority, in the consciences of men, because he had this absolute power in Churches, a great power for 1260. years together: whether you reckon from Constantines time, or Theodosius his time, he had a marvellous power in Kingdomes, Nations, and Common-wealths. But notwithstanding he had this power in those times, yet Christ kept the interest in his own chosen, as in Rev. 14. 1. where he had 144000. that were spotlesse virgins.

Answ. ••. The Lord Jesus will at length challenge all his own, purchase them into his own hand, when at the calling of the Jews, all the Kingdomes of the world shall be given to the Saints of the most high, Dan. 7. 26, 27. The Lord will take them all into his own hand, and power and jurisdiction, but he must first throw down this enemy that hath usurped o∣ver his purchased possession: But in the mean time this Beast swallows up all for so many Ages together.

For the use of the point.

First, it may be to refute the Papists that give this as a true note of the Church, namely, amplitude of dominion, as the Catholick Church had: They give this for an infallible note of the Church; now that note you see is here evidently ascribed to the people that worship the great Beast, of whom the Lord saith here (ver. 8.) their names are not written in the booke of the Lamb. So that this is a note, not of an Apostoli∣call Church, but it may be a note of an Apostaticall Church that is fallen away from the Apostles Doctrine: It is a true

description of that State of the Church. You see here Power was given over to the Beast over all Kindreds, Tongues, and Nati∣ons: And therefore amplitude of dominion is not an inse∣perable character of the Spouse of Christ; for it may be given to those that are not the Church of Christ, even to those that are but a Beast in the sight of God, not his Spouse. I may rather say the contrary, that amplitude of Dominion was never a note of a Church of Christ since the world began: For in the old Testament the State of the Church was Nati∣onall, and they had power over one Nation, and sometimes conquered others, as in David, and Solomons time, they con∣quered the Philistims, & Ammonites, and Moabites, and Edomites, but it was never over all the whole world, and that dominion which they had, they did not challenge it by Church power, but left them still to their own Religion, for the Common-wealth propagated their power by arms, having first occasi∣on of warre given them by their arrogance to them. In the dayes of the new Testament, the Church that Christ instituted reacheth no further then to their own members, and their own members reach no further then to one Congregation, that all might hear, and all might be edefied, 1 Cor. 14. 23. So that if Church power extends no further then the bounds of one Congregation; then that Church that swelleth and stre∣cheth forth her power all the world over, Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations; what an out-ragious swelling Beast is that, that reacheth such vast dominion beyond the pro∣portion that the Lord gave to his Church? If you should see a body swell to such a vast bignesse, that his armes shall reach from one end of the world to another, would it not be counted a monster? So in this case, the Lord hath limited the power of the Church within it selfe; it is a great power that they have, but not so great as to binde conscience, unless it be Ministerially, and so they have power to binde Kings in chains, and Nobles in lincks of Iron; but to have power, judiciary power over the Scriptures, and over the conscience, over and above the application of the word; it is such as the Lord never gave to any Church, but it is arrogated, and usur∣ped by the man of Sinne.

Secondly, it may serve to teach you the prouenesse of your natures to that which is evill, above that which is savingly and spiritually good. This power over all Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations, the Lord hath purchased by his death, Rev. ••. 9. He dyed and rose againe that he might be Lord both of quick and dead, Rom. 14. 9. And upon his resurrection, all power was given him in Heaven and Earth, Mat. 28. 18. He prayed for this power, and the Lord promised to give him it. Psal. ••. 8. Aske of me, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheri∣tance; and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession. This hath the Lord bought with his pretious bloud, and paid for by the power of his eternall Spirit; and yet never did the Lord Jesus enjoy this power to this day, which the man of Sinne hath enjoyed for so many years together. He will en∣joy it at lenght, when he shall call in the Jews, and with them the fulnesse of the Gentiles, and reigne in Soveraigne Authority both in Church and Common-wealth, according to all the Councell of his word and will: But yet it was ne∣ver known to this day that so many Nations did submit their thrones to the Dominion and Government of Christ, and to the Truth of Christ, and to worship him with the ser∣vants of God, notwithstanding the purchase which Christ hath made of this Soveraignty, and notwithstanding the efficacy of his prayer for obtaining this power, that hee might have dominion over all. As soon as Constantine brought the world to become Christian, the woman she fled into the Wildernesse: The true worshippers of Christ were soon troden under the hatches, a mountaine of corruption in Church Government overwhelmed them amain, that you cannot set the time when so many Nations served him, and were as ready to take up arms in his quarrell, as they have done for the man of Sinne.

You will say, did they not for the recovery of the holy Land, many Churches conspire and lay their heads together, and engaged themselves for this Warre? why, when they they undertook that Warre, was it Christ that commanded any such thing, that Churches should engage themselves, and their Estates, and Lives, and Souls, and all for the reco∣very

very of the holy City; was it not meerly undertaken by the Bishop of Rome, and by the motion of the Catholick Church in a Generall Councell? The Roman Catholick Church met in a Generall Councell, and they agreed to set about this expedition; They promised pardon of Sinne to the peo∣ple, and in hope of that, and such like things they went a∣bout it. It was service to the Beast, not to Christ: God ne∣ver acknowledgeth it as any service to Christs Kingdome: It was for the advancement of the head of the catholick Church▪ but as any grew more wise, they grew more afraid of them.

So that it is a wonder to see; never did the the Christian world give that Authority to Christ, as they have done unto the Pope, and his Institutions, which are not Ordinances of Christ. Yea let me say another word (which is above what I said:) It hath been a very rare and singular case when any man would acknowledge a particular visible Church, depen∣ding on no power, but Independant within it selfe: It is such a rarity that a man may here and there indeed finde it in times of persecution (in 3000. years): But after the Church come to peace, it is very rare to heare such a matter till you come down to the Waldences, and Albedences, and those poor Churches that were scattered in the Wildernesse. It is very hard to finde the Church of Christs Institution to remain in the world, whereas this Roman Catholick Church reigns in the world: This is a great power, and yet this power the Church of Rome had. The Harlot reigns over Kindreds, Tongues, and Nations, whereas the true Spouse of Christ hath scarce a subsistance in the world.

So that consider, if it did not smite with our hearts to close with the Inventions of men, with satanicall power ra∣ther then with Christ, it were not possible there should be such aberations from the Institutions of Christ, were it not for the impetuous licentiousnesse of the hearts of the Sonnes of men. And therefore when there is such a vast swelling, that many Congregations shall be but one Church; how shall we go home edefied by such discourse? This be∣longes to all the Churches, to take the opportunities that we have, that we may not runne headlong upon the devices of

men, or our owne wits, to that which is suitable to sence, and naturall reason, and walking according to the light of naturall conscience. Conscience was never so corrupt as in corrupt nature it is; and reason never so blinde as in corrupt nature it is, and sence never so luxurious. A man is ready to please sence, his pallat, his nostrils, his eye, and hand, and touch, and naturall reason, and conscience, a manis marvel∣lous free that way; so free, that the lesse a man discerne it, the more he is captivated to it. And therefore let every man know that we carry about with us a principle of subjection of our selves to the Ordinances of men rather then to Christ. If it be to speak to our owne honour and applause, we have words at will, and hearts that runne full stream that way; If it were to set out our selves, or our friends, we are open hearted, and open mouthed that way: but if it shall be to give glory to God, in the presence of a particular visible Church of Christs Institution, there we are marvellous un∣willing to submit to edifie our brethren, and glorifie God. If it were to an Ordinance of man, it is a wonder to see how men will runne and ride to give satisfaction to this and that Episcopal Court higher, and lower, and clear all scores there, that we may not be debarred of Christian buriall, or Church Communion, though it may be we cannot have it with mixture of corruption, and can scarse close with it, especially those that are enlightned:

But when we come to sanctifie God, & his praise, and hol∣ding forth our own shame, there is an inward principle in us to consider whether it stands with our honour, and credit, with our peace, and safety; a world of carnall reason and conscience will worke together in this case, and inwardly so reply, and muzzle the hearts and consciences of men, that it is a wonder to see what shifting and daubing there is, which they willingly give up themselves to, when they are called a∣bout the inventions of the Sons of men.

Thirdly, it may teach us, if the whole world have runthus mad and wild, to give their Crowns and Scepters, Churches, Common-wealths, and consciences, to have power put upon all these of their own choise by the man of Sinne, every Kin∣dred,

Tongue, and Nation: what a shame will it be if we be not as truely devout in our Religion? as it is said of Cornelius, Acts 10. 1. He was a devout man, a Godly man given up to God; So should we give up our selves to the Lord, and sacri∣fice our credit, and profit, and whatever wee have to the Lord. There have been men that have been content to forfit all their Kingdomes to the man of Sin; The Emperours in Germany have given their Crowns; The Kings of England, King John in his time did as much to the Popes Legat: And it hath been frequent with him, to set the Crowns upon their heads, and dash them down with his feet: These 42. moneths it hath been frequent with them to give up their Crowns to him, but much adoe to runne any hazard for Christ, though a petty jurisdiction: And yet none did ever truely runne hazard for the Lord, but the Lord took up their Crowns, and maintayned their cause and honour, and recoverd what ho∣nour they lost.

David by making known his Adultery, and by his repen∣tance for it, did recover what Power and Authority he might seem to loose in the hearts of his subjects: It is true, he had lost his Kingdome, but was it for his Repentance? No, but for his natural affection to his rebellious Sonne Absolom, and his incestuous Sonne Amnon, that should have been cut off: He lost his Crown, not for his Repentance, but for want of executing the Law of God upon his own children, as upon others, there was his Sinne: otherwise had he executed judgement upon his rebellious Sonne Absolom, as the Lord re∣quired (thou shalt pluck him from mine Altar, that Rebell) he had not lost his Kingdome: But if so be his naturall af∣fection over-rule him, that he doe not execute judgement, then no marvaile though they cast him out of his Kingdome, and cut his throat at length, if God doe not come between, as he did to David: But belive it, no man did ever loose by sanctifying God in his heart, by giving honour to him, and taking shame to himselfe: The Lord hath maintained peace in the conscience, & hath given it when it hath bin wanting, and the Lord hath been pleased to sanctifie their names, as they have sanctified his before men; whoever shall be ashamed of

me, and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull Generation, of him also shall the Sonne of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his Father, with the holy Angels, Mark. 8. 38. And it will shortly be the ruine of those things they would preserve, the ruine of a mans name and state, the ruine of his body and soul together, if a man shall dare in the presence of God to give the Glory doe to his Name to a Beast: The Lord will be a swift witnesse against all the workers of iniquity. Trust God with your honour and estate; did he ever ••aile any man to this day? Theodosius did submit himselfe, and gave glory to God, and acknowledged his offence to Ambrose the Pastor of his Church, and to the people of God, because he had sin∣ned against the Lord, to the offence of the Church of God: did it weaken his esteem? did not all the Churches hear of his repentance? Though there were some ruffinly Captains that would have had him cut off Ambroses head; no saith he, let him alone, he does it out of love to God and my soul: There∣fore with many teares, and much dejection of soul, he sancti∣fi••d God in his heart, and was afterwards received againe in∣to the Church, not onely to the great comfort of the Church where he lived, but of all others that were under his Govern∣ment, and he never lost the honour of his Government. No man ever lost by submitting to the Authority of Christ, we may trust the Lord for that: Authority is more worth then our haires, and yet he numbers our haires, and all the com∣forts of the world are not answerable to it: trust him with it, as he that is faithfull, and he will certainly provide that nothing shall be lost: commit your souls to him, as to a faith∣ful Creator; and the Lord finding his name sanctified in it be∣fore the people, he will certainly sanctifie us and our names before them as we sanctifie his. Let us yeild up our selves to the service of his Kingdome: when men have been contrary minded, the Lord hath pursued them with fearful judgements. You know the case of Nadab and Abihu, Lev. 10. 1. They came before God with strange fire, and the Lord makes a strange worke, and consumes them with fire. Annanias and Saphira that dealt deceitfully with the Church, some part they delivered, but kept back part of their substance: what

followed upon that? The Lord struck them dead; you will say, those were in those dayes in which God was neere to his Church. Beleive it, the Lord is as neere to his Church now (though not in miracles as then, there needs not miracles now:) The Lord will confirme his Truth, Rev. 2. 23. All the Churches shall know, that I am he which searcheth the reignes and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your workes: As men deal subtilly, he will deal subtilly; with the faithful, with plain hearted, with conscionable men, he will deal faithfully, and all the Churches shall know it: the Lord will not have his judicature in his Church bafled down with partiall, and Annanias his confession. The Lord will set his face against those men, and cut them off from the land of the living, that shall dis-regard his throne and Crown. And therefore it behooves all men whom it may at any time concern, to sanctifie his name; My sonne give glory to God, and tell me what thou hast done, Josh. 7. 19. And he ingenously tells him from first to last, which no body ever could tell: but saith hee, I saw among the spoiles a goodly Babilonish Gar∣ment, and two hundred sheckels of Silver, and a wedge of Gold of fifty sheckels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; well saith he, thou hast troubled Israel, and the Lord shall trouble thee: but yet this acknowledgement was the valley of Achor for a door of hope (Hos. 2. 15.) for their prosperity, and victory over all their enemies.

So that if all Nations and Languages be thus ready to sub∣mit to the inventions of men, how justly doth the Lord chal∣lenge due subjection to his will, to sanctifie him in our hearts, to throw down our Crowns (if we have them) at his feet, and glad we may do so. It is evident, Rev. 4. 10. that all the Church, (the four Officers, and 24. Elders) they all cast their Crowns down before him: Though they all did weare Crowns, all had Authority, yet they cast them all down at his feet, when they came before him that sate upon the throne, and before the Lambe: There they stooped; In the presence of Christ they threw down their Soveraign∣ty; and let the name of Christ be magnified, and his Ordi∣nances have free passage, but for them let their honour fall down.

Lastly, let it learn us thus much, to take to heart in these dayes the estate of our Ancestors and Fathers of old in those dayes: For if every Kindred have worshipped the Beast, then thy Kindred have done it, or Ancestors. We speak not in de∣derision of them, but they have all done it, the body of them (though here and there some may be left out) and all their power they have given to the Beast, to rule Families, Chur∣ches, and Common-wealths, and all our Kindred, and espe∣cially our Tongues have done it; not onely those that speak Dutch and Spanish, but we have been more devoted then any Christian Nations, in giving such vast revenues, and Monaste∣ries, and so large devotion to the man of sinne, none have been so devout as English: It is incredible to tell the great payments they made to the Pope, it is not to be numbred. And if all Tongues have submitted to the Beast, then they that speak English, as well as those that speak Scottish, or Welsh, or Brittish, the body of all Kindreds if not to this day.

It must therefore humble us in regard of this their sinne, which will be set upon our score, unlesse the Lord humble us for it: the contagion of their sinn reaches to us, and his jea∣lousie will cut off root & branch. Gods jealousie is kindled by Images and superstitions; I will visit the iniquities of their Fathers upon their children: men may suffer much for their Ancestors, and for their Kindred, Tongues, and Nation. And therefore it behoovs us all to be humbled for the sinne of our Ancestors; and they hoped to be saved by the intercession of Saints, &c.

This provokes the jealousie of God. Therefore if we would not have our teeth set an edge by these sour Grapes, it behooves us to be humbled, that the intaile of Gods curse may be cut off from us though it lay heavy upon them that went before us.

Notes

• Doctr. 4.
• Reason 1.
• Reason 2.
• Reason 3.
• Answ.
• Ʋse 1.
• Ʋse 2.
• Ʋse 3.
• Ʋse 4.