Antichrist stormed, or, Mystery Babylon the great whore, and great city, proved to be the present Church of Rome wherein all objections are fully answered : to which is added, the time of the end, or a clear explanation of Scripture prophecies, with the judgment of divers learned men concerning the final ruine of the Romish Church, that it will be in this present age : together with an account of the two witnesses, who they are, with their killing, resurrection & ascention : also an examination and confutation of what Mr. Jurieu hath lately written concerning the effusion of the vials ... : likewise a brief review of D. Tho. Goodwins exposition of the 11th chapter of the Revelations, concerning the witnesses, and of that street in which they should lie slain, proving it to be meant of Great Brittain : and a brief collection of divers strange prophecies, some very antient / by Benj. Keach ... ; to which is annext, a short treatise in two parts : 1. The calculation of Scripture numbers by Scripture only, without the help of humane history, 2. Upon the witnesses, giving light to the whole book.

CHAP. IV. Shewing that by the little Horn, Dan. 7. and vile person, Dan. 11, is meant the Papal power of Rome, or the Pope, who is the supream Bishop thereof, all the marks and chief characters of the little Horn, meeting directly also in him as the head of the present Church of Rome. (Book 4)

SOme will have this little Horn to be An∣tiochus Epiphanes, others Julius Caesar, others the Turks. I suppose Antiochus Epi∣••ha••es might be a type of this little Horn, for it could not, be Antiochus, because he rose up ••nder the Grec••an Monarchy, whereas this is ••••id directly to rise up under the fourth Mo∣••archy, or when the Roman Empire stood ••pon his last Legs.

〈…〉〈…〉 For concerning this little Horn: read 〈…〉〈…〉 Text Dan. 7. 7, 8. After this I saw in ••he night Vision, and behold a fourth Beast, readful and terrible, &c▪ v. 8. I considered ••••e Horns, and behold there came up among ••••em another little Horn, before whom there

was three of the first Horns, pluckt up by the Roots, and behold in this Horn were Eyes, like the Eyes of Man, and a Mouth speaking great things. And so the Popes of Rome were kept under by the Emperors, who kept a strict Eye over them, curb'd their insolencies, and ex∣orbitances, and at the first appearance nipping their aspiring projects in the very bud; Sometimes deposing and banishing some proud Prelates, when they shewed at what they le∣velled their designs. But after the power of Rome, which before was in tire in one Empe∣ror, fell into ten parts and divisions, which hap∣pened in or about the year of our Lord, 456▪ as Du Moulin, and the learned Mede shew 〈…〉〈…〉 large, out of the Roman Histories, upon th•…•… division and Weakening of the Empire, th•• Bishop of Rome took his Advantage to ma•••• his advance, and rose up to regal power, enact∣ing Laws, raising Taxes, and levying Soul¦diers; By which means he struck in wit•• partys, and encroached▪ upon Italy, and the parts adjacent.

2. This power arising upon the weaken∣ing and division of the old▪ State of the fourth Monarchy or Kingdom, is called a little Horn, because truely so at its first beginning Dan. 7. 8. And behold, there came up among them another little Horn &c. The Pap•••• power, or Bishop of Rome, before this divi∣sion,

was but low and small, being confined to his Episcopal power over the Church, till by his Arts he had got up gradually to the Regal Seat, and power of the Temporal Sword, which he managed with so much Craft and Policy, that afterwards he enlarg∣ed his Dominions; but is very rightfully in his Infancy stiled a little Prince, Power, or Horn, arising up amongst, or after the rest, which began presently after the death of Ju∣lian about the year 365, in which time was a most fearful Earthquake, the like never known before, betokening the decay of the fourth Kingdom, in its Civil State or Power by a division or falling of Nations, who set themselves against the power of Rome, and harassed, wasted and destroyed the Provinces thereof for near forty five years together. See Mede lib. 3. pag. 659.

3. This little Horn, after his rise to Temporal Power, plucks up three of the ten Horns by the Roots, Dan. 7. 8. Be∣fore whom there were three of the first Horns plucked up by the Roots. The Papal Rome having gained the Temporal Sword, tho▪ but a little Horn at his beginning; did practise and prosper so, that betwixt the year 365 and the year 456, or soon after, when Rome was sack'd by Gensericus, he gained such en∣largments, that he came to possess about three

parts of ten, of the former or old Roman do∣minions, according to the rule or measure of the Compass, as we find in Mr. Mede, Lib. 3. p. 658. and famous Du Moulin ubi supra, upon which three characters of the little Horn, we frame this short argument. If the Pope of Rome did rise to Temporal Power, upon the weakening of Caesarean Dominion (which before did hinder him in his aspiring usurpa∣tion) was but little in his first rise and appear∣ance, did enlarge and grow to a possession of power, about a third part of the old Roman Do∣minion; Then the Pope of Rome is the little Horn, the wicked power, and vile person s•…•… forth by the Prophet Daniel. But the an••••∣cedent is true.—Ergo, so is the consequent▪

4. This little Horn hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man, &c.—The Pope of Rom•• hath Eyes like the Eyes of a Man, i. e. the re∣semblance of a humane look, but a Heart lik•• the Dragon, out of which foul mouth he ut∣ters presumptuous things. His predecesson had Eyes like a Leopard, a Bear, a Lion, 〈…〉〈…〉 Dragon; But his high Eyes like a Man, 〈…〉〈…〉 which there are three things to be note•• (1.) He looks higher. (2.) Sees further and (3.) Is more enticing than those th•…•… went before him. (1.) He looks higher that is, makes pretence of Prety, and desig•…•… for Heaven. (2.) Sees further, that De

ceit, Flattery and Policy, will do more than strength. (3.) Is more inticing to Kings and People, than the Eyes of a Leopard, Lion, or Dragon, or the former powers in their Heathenish State.

5. This little Horn hath a Mouth speak∣ing great or presumptuous things, above the rate of ordinary men. Dan. 7. 8. The Pope of Rome hath a Mouth speaking great or presumptuous things above the or∣dinary rate of men. This is evident in ma∣ny respects, of which we shall give you but a few instances out of many. (1.) That he is (he says) the highest Deputy of God, above all the Kings of the Earth. (2.) That he is infallible and cannot err, which is an incom∣municable attribute of the most high. (3.) That he is universal Head and Bishop of the Catholick Church. (4.) He assumes the attributes of his Holiness and holy Father; such an oracle, that has right or power to give Laws to the World, to which all ought ••o subscribe and yield obedience, and none •…•…ught to dispute; greater and more loftily ••an no man speak, unless he will say, I am ••he supreme Being, and there is no God in Heaven or Earth above my self; which would ••e so highly ridiculous that every Idiot would be able to detect it.

6. The little Horn had his looks more

stout than his fellows, Dan. 7. 20. whose looks were ••ore stout, &c. The Pope of Rome has looks more stout than the Horns that have been contemporary with him; which appears in three things. (1.) In his terrible Bull•• that he makes to roar and stare most dread∣fully. (2.) In his power and acts of depo∣sing Princes. (3.) In asserting himself to be Gods Vicegerent, against whom no person, upon any cause or pretence whatsoever, ought to lift up hand or tongue upon the penalty of a total ruine in this World, and an eternal ruin in the World to come.

7. The little Horn makes War with the Saints▪ Dan. 7. 21. I beheld, and the same Horn made War with the Saints, and prevailed a∣gainst them, and for a long time, even to the wearing out of the poor Saints of the most high▪ v 25. The Pope of Rome hath made Wa•• with the Saints, and prevailed against them, and that to their ruine, as to Liberty, Estate▪ and even Life it self: as the true Witnesses of Christ have most sadly experienced in many Countrys, in divers by past ages, even for such a series of time, that may be properly called a wearing out of the Saints of the mo•…•… High.: for his cruelty ended not in a month or a year, but hath lasted for many hundred years: so that for length of time, number•• of Countrys and multitudes of Persons, there

is no Power that ever reigned, hath out-done or equalized this vile and bloudy Monster; upon which we frame this Argument.

If the Pope of Rome may be more fitly said to have Eyes like the Eyes of a Man, a Mouth speaking presumptuous things, and looks more stout than his fellows; to have made War with the Saints, to have prevailed against them, and worn them out, more than any o∣ther power that ever yet reigned; Then he is the little Horn, or vile person, under consi∣deration.

But the former is true.—Ergo, so is the latter.

8. The little Horn is diverse from the rest of the Horns▪ Dan. 7. 24. And he shall be di∣verse from the first, and shall subdue three Kings. The Pope of Rome is diverse from the rest of the Potentates, in these four respects, (1.) The manner of his rise, (2.) His pretentions to power. (3.) In his progress to his height of dignity. (4.) In his management of the power he has usurped. (1.) He was small or little in his rise, but an ordinary Bi∣shop, before he came to be a Temporal Prince. (2.) He pretends not to hold his Kingdom by Inheritance, or gift of the people, as o∣ther Kings do, but by a special and divine Patent. (3.) In his progress to the height of his dignity, by leaving his fixed station,

as pastor of a Church, and by Deceit, Trea∣son, and Violation of all Laws, mounts the Throne of imperial grandure. (4.) He rules by a supreme ecclesiastical power, as well as temporal; pretends to the Keys of Heaven, as well as the Sword of Justice on Earth, shewing himself to be the Beast that hath two Horns like a Lamb, spoken of Rev. 13. 11.

9. This little Horn hath so many marks upon him, that they are too numerous to han∣dle distinctly after our usual methods; and therfore we shall put the remaining part into a General rank and conclude this subject. The Pope of Rome hath so many marks or cha∣racters upon him, that are too numerous to be handled distinctly in a little room; and there∣fore we shall but touch upon them so far as they shew the Text made good, and form an Idea of truth in the minds of men.

(1.) He must change times and laws, (2.) Continue a long a space of time. (3.) He is a vile person. (4.) Had not the honour he hath* 1.1 fairly given him, either by God or man, but gained it by flattery. (5.) Removed the proceeding by the Arms of a flood. (6.) He became strong by a small people. (7.)* 1.2 He shall have power over the

fattest places of the Provinces, and there scat∣ter his Riches. (8.) Such as do wickedly a∣gainst Religion, he shall accept. (9) Un∣der him the Saints fall by capti∣vity* 1.3 and spoil, by sword and flame many days. (10.) Shall do accord∣ing to his own Will, not accounting him∣self tied to any Laws. (11.) He shall ex∣alt himself above every God, and speak marvellous things a∣gainst* 1.4 the God of Gods. (12.) Shall not regard the God of his ancestors, (13.) Nor the desire of Wedlock. (14) Nor any God in a pious way. (15.) Shall give honour to them that have armed forces. (16.) Shall own a strange God with splen∣did Ceremonies, Dan. 11. 38.

1. The Pope of Rome hath changed times and laws in two respects. 1. He hath set up and pluckt down Kings, which is called a Changing of times and seasons, Dan. 2. 21.

2. He has made strange alterations of the Laws, Orders, and Institutions used in the Church, in respect of Officers, administrations of Sacraments, and celebration of days. 2. Hath continued above twelve hundred years. 3. He is as vile a person as any in the World, tolerates all kind of wickedness, by his Dispen∣sations, Pardons, &c. 4. Had his exaltation neither by Inheritance, lawful conquest, nor

rightful gift from rightful donators. 5. He had the help of Phocas, to kill the Emperor, Mauritius; and by the help of Gothes and Vandals enlarged his power. 6. Became strong by a small People, having only a de∣clining Church, and apostate Christians to assist him. 7. He hath power over Italy, which is reputed to be the Garden of Europe, &c. 8. He accepted, entertained, and encou∣raged the people of any nation, that would turn wicked, and sacrifice all Prety and Reli∣gion, to serve his Interest. 9. Under him the Saints have fallen, by flames, captivity, and spoil, many days. 10. He hath done according to his own will, and doth not look upon any Laws to be obligatory to him, ei∣ther from God or men. 11. He (the Pope) hath exalted himself above every God, (that is, such that are so accounted amongst men, or Gods on Earth) by excommunicating, de∣posing, treading upon their Necks, and kick∣ing off their Crowns; by his Blasphemous Edicts and Injunctions he exalts himself above God himself, and his written Laws, &c, 12. He doth not regard the God of his Ancestors, either the Idols of the Emperors, or the God of the good Bishops that went before him▪ 13. He hath been remote from the desire of Women in a lawful way, nay, and frights his Clergy from it too, who are made uncapa∣ble

of Spiritual promotion, and censured as heinous transgressors, if married. 14. He hath not regarded in a pious way any God; for tho' he doth name the true God often, and in words profess him, yet in works he doth de∣fie him, and profane his holy name. 15. He gives honour to them who have armed Forces, and lends them assistance to carry on his black diabolical designs. 16. He hath own∣ed a strange God; a mark compleatly made up in the Mass, which is adored with splendid Ceremonies. 17. The people of the Saints, 'tis said, shall take away his power to con∣sume and destroy it, to the end; i. e. the Lords people in their representatives, shall take away the Papal power, &c. and is it not done in part already here in England? upon all we may frame this Argument.

If all these characters meet no where so clear and evident as upon the Pope of Rome; then the Pope of Rome is the little Horn, and vile person, set forth in the Book of Daniel.

But all the aforesaid characters meet no where so clear and evident, as upon the Pope of Rome, &c. Therefore the Pope is that little Horn.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dan. 11. 21.
• * 1.2

  ver. 22.
• * 1.3

  ver. 23.
• * 1.4

  Dan. 11. 35.