The great Antichrist by J.V. ...

THE GREAT ANTICHRIST.

2 TIM. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

1. Know this, that in the last dayes shall come perillous times.

2. For men shall be lovers of their owne selves, cove∣tous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankfull, unholy.

3. Without naturall affection, truce-breakers, false ac∣cusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.

4. Trayterous, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more then lovers of God,

5. Having a forme of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof: from such turne away.

IN the last dayes the Scripture foretells the coming & continu∣ance of The Antichrist,a 1.1 the great Antichrist, the man of sin, whose members were many petite An∣tichrists, that is, the forerunning hereticks, for in them theb 1.2 mystery of iniquity

wrought in Saint Pauls time, who said, Ye know what withholdeth that he should be revaeled in his time, that is, the Romanc 1.3 Ethnick Empire, which when it was removed, then came in that Antichrist. The Persians succeeded the Chal∣deans, the Grecians subdued the Persians, the Romans followed the Grecians, and after the Roman Monarchy ceased in Augustulus, the Hes∣perian Caesar,d 1.4 the Starre Absynthites that fell from Heaven, about the yeare 666.e 1.5 Constans the Emperour gave the government of the City of Rome to the Pope. Then was Antichrist the bestia bicornis, the beast with two hornes, hisf 1.6 Eccle∣siasticall and Temporall power, whereas before he had onely the Spirituall power to bee Uni∣versalis Papa, supreame over all; so then Antichrist hath continued above a thousand yeares, by consent of the foresaid writers; Yet Andreas and Arethas upon theg 1.7 Apocalyps, with other Fathers, seeme to hold that Anti∣christ shall continue but three yeares and a halfe, which is true in a sense, for his three last yeares shall be most grievous to the persecuted Saints, suchh 1.8 tribulation as never was, in mockings, scourging, bonds, imprisonments, warre, blood∣shed, and he shall not suffer their bodies to be buryed. These are the perillous times spoken of in this Text, therefore have I made so large a pre∣face to it, wherein observe; first, a precept to get knowledge, know this; secondly, the subject, this in generall, but in particular it is a prophecy of

the perills of the last times; thirdly, the ad∣junct, in the last dayes; fourthly, the causes, 1. Opinions, 2^ly. Vices of men here particulari∣zed.

1. For the first observe in generall, Know∣ledge is a precious thing,i 1.9 The preacher was wise, and still taught the people Knowledge; all men na∣turally desire to know, knowledge of the An∣cients is commended in Scripture; David cites a Proverbe of the Ancients,k 1.10 As saith the Pro∣verb of the Ancient,l 1.11 of the first that made it, Wickednesse shall go forth from the wicked; His sinne goeth forth from himm 1.12 willingly, and his punishment goes after it, his ruine comes from himselfe. S. Paul thrice cites the Poets which weren 1.13 Prophets among the Heathen.

First, against Idolatry, Acts 17.o 1.14 Wee are his off-spring, therefore the Godhead is not like the worke of mans hand that hath neither reason, sense, or life.

Secondly, against Atheisme denying the im∣mortality of the Soule, 1 Cor. 15. Let us eate and drinke for to morrow wee shall dye, be not decei∣ved, evill communication corrupts good manners.

Thirdly, against Lying and Epicurisme, Ti∣tus 1.p 1.15 the Cretians are alwayes lyers, evill beasts, slow bellyes; Three mayne articles are confirmed by humane learning, but there are in those dayes ignorant sectaries that oppose all learning, pre∣tending inspiration by the Holy Ghost, as the Gnostikes of old, yet it was the commendation

of Timothy,* 1.16 that of a child he knew theq 1.17 holy letters; But why should I trouble your eares with invectives againstr 1.18 these? I leave them to meditate on three Proverbs,s 1.19 A wise man conten∣ding with a foole, whether he rage, or laugh, he hath no rest: A foole is wiser in his owne conceit, then seven men that can render a reason: Bray a foole in a morter, and his foolishnesse will not depart from him.

2. I proceed to the subject, which is a pro∣phecy of perillous times. This day is this Scrip∣ture fulfilled in your eares, animus meminisse hor∣ret, My heart trembleth at this, and is removed out of his place, but you must know it, and ther∣fore I must speake it; these are the perillous times ort 1.20 difficult, all men are in such straits that they know not how to deliver themselves, as Israel betweene the red Sea and the AEgypti∣ans; secondly, hard times, wherein men want food to eate, and rayment to put on, all men cry out, O tempora, O mores, oh hard times, and e∣vill conditions of men! Wee have heard of Germany and Ireland, and would not believe, now wee see and feele; thirdly, cruell times, the Son dishonours his Father, the Father riseth up a∣gainst his Sonne to put him to death, Brother robbs and kills his Brother. This Civill Warre in the judgment of theu 1.21 Heathen is the punish∣ment of rapine and fratricidy; fourthly, inexo∣rablex 1.22 times, they are for Warre when wee pe∣tition for Peace: woe to me that I dwell with

them that hate peace, and breath out slaughters, whose teeth are as speares and arrowes, and their tongue a sharpe sword, Lord deliver me from those foure generations of the last times, Prov. 30. 11. There is a generation that curseth his Father, and doth not blesse his Mother, do not the Martialists of these times thinke it zeale to kill Father and Mother in this cause? There is a ge∣neration pure in their owne eyes, and not purged from their filthinesse; Who are these but the im∣pure Hypocrites in my Text, There is a gene∣ration, How lofty are their eyes, and their eye-lids are lifted up? are not these the proud Pharisees? There is a generation, their teeth are as swords that cry out, Warre, Warre, and no Peace, that de∣voure the poore and needy by rapine and impri∣sonment, against reason and common rights.

I come now to the causes of these evill times, which are two: First, the Opinions. Secondly, the Vices of men, here mentioned, not reduced to the head of prophanesse, but Hypocrisy? The Hypocrites reigne, and the people are insnared, Iob. 34. Antichrist is the great Hypocrite, He∣retickes and Sectaries of these times are limbes of Antichrist, and make upy 1.23 Babel the Great, which is the confusion of all sects.

First, for their opinions, it is said in my Text, They are lovers of themselves, of their owne wills andz 1.24 opinions, for the time shall come, saith the Apostle, 2 Tim. 4. 3. that men will not en∣dure sound doctrine; enquire out of these two E∣pistles,

and the Epistle to the Romans, and wee shall find what sound doctrine is. First, the do∣ctrine of prayer for Kings, 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort first of all that prayers be made for Kings, but certaine Brownists of these times will not pray for the King, but revile him in their prayers. Second∣ly, the doctrine againsta 1.25 Women Preachers, I suffer not a Woman to teach, nor to usurpe au∣thority, but saith Isay,b 1.26 Women rule over you. Thirdly, the doctrine of obedience toc 1.27 superi∣ours; but now Servants run away from their Masters without their consent, and rise up a∣gainst them in the publick cause; doe these in∣duce sound doctrine?* 1.28 Fourthly, the doctrine of justification by faith, which Pelagians of old, and the Papists now deny. Fifthly, sanctification, Rom. 6. 1. which Gnostikes and Nicolaitans for∣merly, now Familists and Antinomians deny. Sixthly, the doctrine of predestination without foresight, Rom. 9. 1. which Papists and Armi∣nians oppose. Seventhly, the doctrine of subje∣ction to Kings, though they be Heathens and Tyrants, whichd 1.29 Gnostikes of old, and now Ana∣baptists and Brownists oppose, they can live without a King, though Saint Paul saith, Rom. 13. 1. Let every soule be subject, but these men thinke they have no soules, because they would have no King in Israel, that they may do that which is right in their owne eyes, Iudges 21. ult. The Christians of Rome paid tribute and custome to Nero and Trajan Tyrants, but these rob the King

of his due, and yet they say pro Rege; they say Kings of old were anoynted, therefore the peo∣ple was subject as to Gods ordinance, but now it is not so: To which I answere 1.30 with the Jew, no King the sonne of a King was anoynted, ex∣cept in case of division about the right, as Solo∣mon when Adoniah would be King, but the King∣dome came by succession, as every mans inheri∣tance descends from his fathers. Againe they say, The Kings of Jury made no such covenant as our Kings do; I answer with the same Jew, the con∣trary appears in the example of Ioash and Iehoia∣da, who made a covenant betweene the King and the people, and though Ioash were an Apostate and a Tyrant, yet the Traitours and murderers of the King were cut off by his sonne that reigned after him; the King and Kings sonne will never forget to punish Traytours, as appeares in the example of Davidf 1.31 on his death bed, who for∣got not Shimeie's curse.

Moreover they say, a King is a humane crea∣ture, and therefore may be removed by man: I answer, He is an ordinance humane, that is, ta∣ken out of Men, not from Angells, yet by Gods appointment he is supreame,g 1.32 1 Pet. 2. 13. and all inferiours are appointed by him; but the su∣preame powers, as Kings and Emperors areh 1.33 ap∣pointed of God, Roman. 13. 1. The Jewes had a Grand Councell of seventy one Elders, Numb. 11. Gather to mee seventy men of the El∣ders, and Moses who was King was above them

all, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Talmud Sanhed. Perek. 1. The lesser Sanhedrin was of two hundred and thirty some∣times: they go not forth to warre, nor gather the Councell of the Tribes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but by the Grand Councell of seventy one. They judge not the King at all, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 he goeth not forth of his Palace to mourne for the dead, &c. in Deut. 17. thou shalt set a King over thee, the King then is supreame; they ride not on his Horse, nor sit on his Throne to rule, yet the booke of the Law is with him when he goes to warre, or sits in judgment. There were three companies of Iudges in Jerusalem, at the doore of the mount of the House, in the Court, and in a paved Chamber, where the Grand Councell sate of seventy, and the King, from whence was no appeale, Deut. 17. Talmud Sanhed, Perek. 11. Lastly, the do∣ctrine of indifferent things they cannot indure, no Ceremonies, but their owne inventions, yet the primitive Christians, though differing in Ceremonies of meats and dayes, lived in mutu∣all charity, Rom. 14. 1. 2. The use of this is al∣ready made by the blessed Apostle, Rom. 16. 17. I beseech you brethren marke them that cause divi∣sions andi 1.34 scandalls (to make many stumble and fall) contrary to the sound doctrine yee have recei∣ved, and avoyd them, for they serve not the Lord Iesus, (as they pretend) but their owne bellyes, what care they if they can eate and drinke, and fare deliciously every day, if flockes or heards of poore mens be driven away, and they undone for ever? and by faire words, they deceive the hearts of

the simple, not of the wise, who see plainly their hypocrisie, but like Absolom, they steale away the hearts of the Kings well-minded Subjects by lyes: But I would have you, saith Saint Paul, sim∣ple in evill, and wise in that which is good, to hold fast the poynts of sound doctrine forenamed, and the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly;* 1.35 who is Satan? but he that will not endure sound doctrine, as is plaine by the cohe∣rence, who is all for Warre and bloud? but the God of peace shall subdue these Satans, and bruise them to powder, and that shortly; this God of peace be with you that hold fast the do∣ctrine yee have received, and follow not such as heap to themselves teachers like waves of the Sea, tossed with every wind of doctrine, and they heap upk 1.36 to themselves, they have their peculiar teach∣ers; one of Paul, another of Apollo, of Cephas, &c. a great presumption in these men; David had Ira the Jairite for his Priest, and Kings and No∣bles have theirs, and now there must be a parity, all the Vulgar sort must have their teachers, ac∣cording to their owne lusts, and private humours having itching and restlesse eares, weary of hea∣ring the truth, and therefore they turne to fa∣bles, wherein they still itch after novelties. This is the first cause of these perillous times, The o∣pinions of men. I come now to their vices.

4. Their selfwill in those wayes, they are lo∣vers of theirl 1.37 owne wills, Gen. 49. 5. like Si∣meon and Levi, they are brethren in evill, instru∣ments

of cruelty are in their habitations, or their m 1.38 Swords are instruments of cruelty to shed bloud under the cloake of Religion, as Sectaries do; Into their secret councell my soule come thou not, if my body be forced and my goods, yet inn 1.39 their association my heart be thou not united, for in their wrath they killed a man, one man of ten thousand, the Prince of the Land; and however this ONE be yet alive by miracle, yet many noble Lords & Gentlemen have perished, & bin taken, neither have these men rested here, but in their rage have digged down, (not a Wall) but Walls of Cities, and fortified Townes, and not onelyo 1.40 houghed Oxen, but slaine them, and driven away Sheepe and Oxen, robbing and spoyling, and all this in theirp 1.41 selfwill; these two brethren were disswa∣ded by the other ten, but they were selfwilled, and would slay without pity; so I am perswaded there are ten for two in this City and Kingdome for Peace, but when they speake thereof the two are for Warre, for they are selfwilled, and de∣light in bloud,q 1.42 and in their delight digge downe walls, and kill men and beasts, eradicate men, their wives and children, and turne them out of doores, because they are for peace, and these two, Simeon and Levi, will have no Accomodation. Cursed (saith the old Father) be their wrath, for it is fierce, and their fury bitter in the end, and in Judg. 21. 3. Israel wept aloud and bitterly, Alas! a Tribe is lost this day, and I am afrayd without a speedy peace, not one of ten, but all our twelve

Tribes will be lost; I will (saith the old Patri∣arch) divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel, Simeon had no portion, but Cities scatte∣red here and therer 1.43 throughout the Tribe of Ju∣dah, and Levi had forty eight Cities out of the other Tribes, that so they might never associate any more to shed bloud▪ and what can be expe∣cted of a selfwilled association and warre, but dispersion; the part that prevailes will root out the other with a finalls 1.44 extermination of fami∣lyes, and whether will yee flye yee Simeonites? and as for Levi, alas! he is vanished already; thus much for Selfwill, which is the first of the vices that cause such perillous times.

Secondly Covetousnesse, which is as all the rest here mentioned, a bosome sin of the Hypo∣crites, when the Pharisees heard that Christ preached against the service oft 1.45 Mammon, and confidence in riches, they derided him, for they were covetous; This love of money is the root of all evill, of the evill of sin, as Apostacy; of the evill of punishment, as perdition, 1 Tim. 6. 10. Love of money makes children fight against pa∣rents, subjects against their Soveraigne; hope of money brings forth murders, rapine, and ex∣tortion, but thou, O man of God,u 1.46 O Christian, flye these things; the Romane Curius refused the Samnites Gold, and was content with a dinner of herbes, an earthen dish, and a wooden stool,x 1.47 If we have food and rayment, let us be therewith content.

The third vice is Pride, whose daughter is vain∣glorious

boasting, for their pride I shall produc•• but one Parable againsty 1.48 those that trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and what pride is like this pride, to magnify themselves, and despise others? they thanke God they are not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, nor as the poore Publican, they boast as the Infidels, Jewes, and Pharisees; the Publican went home justi∣fied to his house rather then they: And Publi∣canes and Harlots shall enter into the Kingdome of God before them.

Fourthly, Disobedience to Parents, and Blas∣phemy, these two I joyne together; for reviling of superiours is blasphemy, whether you take Parents naturally, (for against such they unna∣turally fight) or politickly for Masters, against whom Servants rise up at this time to kill them, and Subjects against their Soveraigne, though likez 1.49 Antichrist, they pretend to be for Christ when they are against him; Augustus Caesar was calleda 1.50 Father and Prince, and therefore they that are disobedient to their Kings, are also to theirb 1.51 Parents, or superiours, men set over them, Rom. 13. 1. forecited, Let every soule be subject to the higher powers, the supreame powers then were Emperours, not Consuls and Senators, (as the States of Venice, Luca, Holland which were then ceased, for there were seven heads of the Beast, orc 1.52 seven kinds of government, wherof the two last were Emperours and Popes; the five first were fallen, the sixth of Emperours was in

Saint Johns time, and in Saint Pauls, and to this Saint Paul commands subjection, tribute, and custome,* 1.53 except they say that Saint Paul pro∣phesies in this chapter of a new government to be erected,d 1.54 which is not yet, and how it shall then concerne the Romanes let them shew: For the last and seventh head or King of the Romanes is the Papacy, to which I thinke they will pro∣fesse no subjection at all, if they have any con∣science of their oath; but it is objected, these Kings were Tyrants, therefore no duty belongs to them; the answer is in Nebuchadnezzar, whom likewise they hold to be a tyrant, yet Israel is commanded to serve him, Jerem. 27. 6. I have given all these Countries to Nebuchadnezzar, and they shall serve him. And Zedekias, because he broke his oath of subjection, was exoculated as a just recompence on his owne head.* 1.55 The Ga∣lileans stood for liberty with Judas, Acts 5. and denyed tribute to Caesar, and therefore Pilate mingled their bloud with their sacrifice.

Fifthly,* 1.56 these Hypocrites are unthankfull, ei∣ther they deny kindnesse which they have recei∣ved, or will not acknowledge it, or not requite it, they are the worst of all men that have enjoyed the Gospell of peace and plenty above eighty yeares, as long as ever Israel enjoyed in Moses dayes,c 1.57 Ehuds, Davids, and Solomons, and yet are unthankfull, murmurers at their portion, com∣plainers of the times, Oh foolish people, andd 1.58 un∣wise, ask thy Fathers and they shall teach thee; thy

Elders, and they shall declare unto thee the won∣derfull Reformation in this Nation, the slavish Invasion by Water, the Hellish Gunpowder-treason by Fire, and how God hath brought thee through fire and water, (wherein thou couldest not live) into a moyst place, wherein thou hast lived so many yeares in plenty, but Jesurun hath waxed fat and kicked, and for ingratitude is just∣ly with a Civill Warre consumed.

Sixthly, Unholy, ore 1.59 unquiet, and restlesse are the Hypocrites, they are all for Warre, and ac∣cuse Petitioners for Peace of a Catilinarian con∣spiracy; it is God thate 1.60 creates peace, man can∣not do it; it is as hard a work as the Creation, Ourf 1.61 Land is without forme and voyd, darknesse is on the face of the deepe, nothing is but confusion in our Church and State, it is the spirit of the Lord that moves on the face of these darke wa∣ters, saying, Let there be light, and there was light, this light that God creates is peace; secondly, this peace is a fruit, a fruit of the spirit, Love, Joy,g 1.62 and Peace, but whence comesh 1.63 warre and fightings? from the spirit of malice and envy; thirdly, it is said a fruit of the lips of the messen∣gers of peace. How beautifull on the mountains are the feet of those into whose lipps grace and peace is poured;* 1.64 fourthly, God creates a double peace, Peace, peace nationall and personall, which cannot be without truth, but there are restlesse men, whose sinnes torment their consci∣ence, and love no peace; the Text saith, They

arek 1.65 the wicked, emphatically remarkable wicked men, these Hypocrites revile others as wicked, when themselves are by the spirit of God styled the most wicked, that disturbe the Nationall peace, and trouble our Israel by killing and stea∣ling; They are like the troubled Sea that can∣not rest, Raging waves of the Sea, foming out their owne shame, whose waters rage continually, and cast up mire and dirt into the Royall face, both by word and writing. Woe to these Sectaries of Cain, who loved bloud and slew his brother, and was calledl 1.66 the first Disciple of the Devill; A∣bel was a Shepheard and a man of peace, and he slew him,m 1.67 because his works were righteous; These covetous hypocrites run greedily after the error of Balaam, who would have cursed & defied Israel for reward, & they shal perish in the gain∣saying of Core, who rose up and rebelled against Moses then 1.68 King, and against Aharon, who was the Priest of the Lord, so these endure neither God, the King, or any Ministers, but of the lowest of the people. To conclude witho 1.69 Isay, There is no peace saith my God with the wicked; these wicked will have no peace; for then all is lost, which they have spent in warre; their rest∣lesse disposition appeares in all the ensuing par∣ticulars; they are Covenant-breakers, False-accusers, Traytors, heady, high minded, &c. of each a word, and so an end.

Seventhly,* 1.70 they are Covenant-breakers, they have made a covenant with the King, and taken

the oath of Allegiance, but this oath they regard not, they have their Pope to dispense with it:p 1.71 Achitophel made a Covenant with David, but broke his Covenant, and therefore is accursed in Psal. 55. 21. He hath prophaned his Covenant. Zedechias rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar the King, (who was a Tyrant also, as they say) when he had made him sweare by God, and hardned his neck, so that the wrath of God came upon them, and there was no healing, 2 Chron. 36. 12. King So∣lomon chargeth all Subjects to obey the Kings commandement, and that in respect of the oath of God, Eccles. 8. 2, 3. but these urge the Kings oath, legibus quas vulgus elegerit, but themselvs keep no oath. Besides, these men make Covenants with the Subjects of the King, and the same day likeq 1.72 Jesuits break the same, their Jesuiticall faction, like Antichristians, dispenseth with the oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance, and their subscri∣ption was forced, and therefore they revolt: De∣us bone! is there any Religion in these? no Hea∣then story is able to parallell their sophisticati∣on. In 2 Sam. 23. 1. there was a Famine three yeares for Saul and his bloudy house, because he slew the Gibeonites▪ the reason was,* 1.73 because of the oath of the Rulers (thoughr 1.74 taken out of errour,) to avoyds 1.75 the scandall of the Nations, and the see∣ming, not reall prophanation of the name of God; but these Hypocrites are Truce-breakers, and hold it lawfull so to doe.

Eighthly, they are without naturall affecti∣on,

witnesse their zeale in killing and spoyling of Fathers, Sons, Brethren, Sisters, Kindred, &c. but of this before.

Ninthly, they are false-accusers, in Greeket 1.76 Devills, in Syrian Hypocriticall mockers at feasts, that like the Devill their father, tell lyes for morsells, Psal. 35. 15. In my affliction they re∣joyced, the abjects, viler then the earth, they rent me with their teeth, and ceased not, they print, preach, speake lyes against the Lords anoynted (as David was) every day.t 1.77 Lord deliver him from lying lipps, and from a deceitfull tongue.

Tenthly,* 1.78 Incontinent, what shall I say of their incontinency, both in the concupiscible and ira∣scible, no penalty is now inflicted, and it is a shame to speake of the things done of them in secret.

Eleventhly, these Hypocrites are fierce: Let Jehu speak for them all, Come, see my zeale, saith he to Jonadab, he killed the King and Queene, and seventy sonnes of the royall Progeny, all his kindred, and Priests,u 1.79 and destroyed Baal out of Israel; he would have no peace, What peace as long as the whordomes of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many, his Zeale was all for truth, (as he said) so the Sectaryes and others are all for truth, and no peace while Jezebel lives, their driving is like the driving of Jehu the sonne of Nimshi,x 1.80 for they drive furiously, or madly, but when by warre and bloud they have obtained peace,y 1.81 I wish they set not up a worse Idoll, then they have put downe, as Iehu their father did,

Baal was Mars the planet, Ralbag, or Iupiter Be∣lus, which Iehu destroyed, and set up thez 1.82 Calves, a farre worse Idoll, and made the common peo∣ple Priests; so I wish that these set not up, as they begin, the meanest of the people, and drive out the sonnes of Levi as Iehu did.

Twelfthly, they are haters of good, that is, moderate men, who are not carryed with their turbulent zeale, by which many a good Ionadab is deceived, and their hatred is irreconciliable to eradication of their familyes, expulsion of their wives and children, and banishment from Coun∣trey and friends, because they cannot endure to see them, or heare of them, and this to a politi∣call creature is worse then death, in Ioel 2. what have you to doe with mee, O Tyre and Sydon, who have taken my silver and gold, and brought them to your palaces, and the children of Judah yee have sold to the Grecians to remove them farre from their border: and doe not these haters of good men send their brethren farre away from their hou∣ses, lands, and friends, that they may seize on their inheritance; But thus saith the Lord to you Cains, behold I will raise them from the place whi∣ther you have sent them, and returne your recom∣pence on your owne heads, and I will sell your sonnes and your daughters to the sonnes of Judah, and they shall send them to the Sabeans, to a nation afar off, for Jehovah hath spoken it.

Thirteenth, they area 1.83 Traytours, fathers be∣traying children, and children betrayingb 1.84 fathers

to the death, the off-spring of the Wolfe and Ti∣ger, and the wild beasts their kindred, breaking the bonds of society betweene man and man, and delivering men up to Magistrates and Rulers, for a word, and that in secret, our Saviour pro∣phesyed of these Traytors, Luk. 21. 16. Your fa∣thers, and brethren, and kinsmen, and friends, shall betray you to death: do we not see this in these days of Civill warre, a father will not spare his child, a child will kill his father in battaile, and if he cannot so kill him, he will betray him to death, by discovering his secrets, or by false accusation, under pretence of justice; But the greatest Traytours are such as fight against the King, and they pretend all this is for the King,c 1.85 though his owne person have beene in imminent danger more then once: these are they that call dark∣nesse light, and light darknesse, evill good, and good evill, the use of this is made by Isay the Prophet, say not a confederacy to whom this people shall say a confederacy, neither feare their feare, but feared 1.86 God, and meddle not with Traytors that curse their God and their King, and looke up∣ward, for as it followes, they are proud and hea∣dy, and their councells shall be carryed head∣long.

Fourteenth, these Hypocrites are hasty in all their consultations, without deliberation they pretended Reformation must be done in a day, not considering the divers gradations of a Refor∣mation; Josiahs wonderfull Reformation was of

the continuance of three hundred yeares, the reignes of Asa, Iosaphat, Iehoiada, Iotham, Heze∣kiah, Manasseth, Iosiah, and then also was* 1.87 but fainedly, and not with the whole heart, and for punishment of Delinquents they are too hasty; have they never read ofe 1.88 David what he said of the sonnes of Zerviah, Ye are too hard for mee? he would, but could not punish these two great Delinquents, except he had involved his whole Kingdome in a Civill warre, as is now done; lastly, they are too hasty in their hostility; have they not read that Israelf 1.89 lost forty thousand in two dayes in a Civill warre through too much hastinesse, and precipitancy, not consulting with the Lord? and surely in this respect, these men have cause rather of mourning then rejoycing.

Fifteenth, these are lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God; whence come these warres and fightings,* 1.90 do they not from their lusts and pleasures that warre in their members? their pride, ambition, popularity, avarice, for hereby their portion (who were beggarly) is made fat,g 1.91 and their meate pleasant; they live by warre, therefore they burne incense to their net,f 1.92 and sacri∣fice to their dragge. They cry nothing but warre and bloud, digge they cannot, and to begge they are ashamed, therfore they resolve to kill, steale, rob, rifle, or doe any villany to satisfie their lusts, which they love more then God.

Sixteenth, They have a forme of godlinesse, but deny the power thereof, they have ah 1.93 portraiture,

picture or delineation of godlinesse, but no life at all therein; Consider the particulars, theyi 1.94 give almes, but it is to be seene of men, they make long prayers, but to be heard of men, they fast, butk 1.95 disgrace their faces, appearing as sad when they are not: what is this but a picture of godlinesse without life? it was never knowne from the beginning of the world, that a dead beast was offered in sacrifice to God, but the Hypocrites present dead sacrifices to God. A∣gaine, in their Sabbaths is a shew of godlinesse, but no life, for they say,l 1.96 When will the Sab∣baths be gone? and like the Pharisees their vi∣perous progenitors, abuse the letter of the Sab∣bath against doing good; they sitm 1.97 in Moses chaire to teach, and to judge others according to the Law, but doe the contrary, and breake all Lawes; they make long prayers to devoure Widowes houses,* 1.98 they enlarge their phylacte∣ryes of the hand and head, there's the letter, but no power; their heads are full of mischievous devices, and their hands are full of bloud, Theyn 1.99 are ever hearing and learning, there's the sha∣dow, but are never able to come to the know∣ledge of the truth; there's no power, except it be over silly women, as the Apostle here saith, These Hypocriteso 1.100 intrude into houses, and lead captive filly women, laden with sinnes, and led a∣bout with divers lusts. This time is a plaine in∣terpretation of this Prophesie. Another power they have got likewise, by the shew of godli∣nesse,

it is against the King, like Janis and Jam∣bres, the two Sorcerers of Egypt, that resisted Moses who wasp 1.101 King in Jesurun: These sorce∣rers were Hypocrites, for their miracles were but glisterings, and delusions of the eyes; The use of all this is,

First, our Saviour saith,q 1.102 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is Hypocrisie. Hereby wee are most like the Devill, who transformes him∣selfe into an Angell of light, and hereby wee be∣come limbes of Antichrist, the first borne of the Devill, who is the great Hypocrite,r 1.103 That hath two hornes like a Lamb, but speakes like a Dragon.

The second use,s 1.104 From such Hypocrites turne away, so saith Saint Paul, avoid their society, for they are selfopinionated, selfwilled, greedy of money, proud, unnaturall, truce-breakers, fals-accusers, traytours, heady, fierce, unthank∣full,t 1.105 popular, unquiet, haters of all moderate men, lovers of lusts and pleasures, and deceiving the world by a forme of godlinesse, so that they believe Rebellion to be Zeale, and Treason to be Religion; Depart from me, yee Hypocrites, yee bloudthirsly men. The Lord give us grace to de∣part from them here, lest wee haveu 1.106 our part with these Hypocrites hereafter in the lowest Dungeon of Gehenna, from which good Lord deliver us by Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and holy Spirit, be honour and glo∣ry for ever and ever. Amen.

FINIS.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 1 Ioh. 2. 18.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2 Thess. 2. 7.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Chrysost. in 2 Thess. 2. 7.
• d 1.4

  Revel. 8. Nauclerus,
• e 1.5

  Magdeburg. Centurists, Ba∣ronius, Annal. circa 666. An.
• f 1.6

  Revel. 13.
• g 1.7

  Cap. 11. 7.
• h 1.8

  Dan. 12. 1, 2. Revel. 11. 7, 8.
• i 1.9

  Eccles. 12.
• k 1.10

  1 Sam. 24. 13.
• l 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 David. Kimch.
• m 1.12

  Kimchi in locum. R. Solomon, R. David. ibid.
• n 1.13

  Syrian in Acts 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• o 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. wise men.
• p 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.16

  Epiphan.
• q 1.17

  Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• r 1.18

  the holy bookes. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 2 Tim. 3. 15.
• s 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2 Pet. 2.
• t 1.20

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Syr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 grievous times.
• u 1.21

  Scelus frater∣nae ••••ecis. Remi in via Remoria Ro∣mae. Horat. Suis & ipsa Roma viribus ruit.
• x 1.22

  Te saepe vo∣cantiduram, difficilis mane Horat. id est, inexorabilis.
• y 1.23

  Revel. 17. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est con∣fusio, à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Genes. 11. 9.
• z 1.24

  Syr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• a 1.25

  1 Tim. 2. 12.
• b 1.26

  Isay 3. 12.
• c 1.27

  1 Tim. 6. 1.
• * 1.28

  Rom 1.
• d 1.29

  Epiphan.
• e 1.30

  R. David. Kimchi.
• f 1.31

  1 King. 2. 8. Kimchi, Rasi Ralbag.
• g 1.32

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 1 Pet. 2. 13.
• h 1.33

  Syr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• i 1.34

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, Divisi∣ons to separate from the Church, of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to breake off.
• * 1.35

  Chrys. Theod.
• k 1.36

  2 Tim. 4. 3, 4. Sic Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & Syr. Chrys. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ralbag. in 2 Sam. 20. 23.
• l 1.37

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 2 Kings 10. 15. si vobis placuerit. Idem. R. David
• m 1.38

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 à Graeco 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. R. Solomo. Heb.
• n 1.39

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• o 1.40

  Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est murus & bos. R. David. R. Levi. R. Sol.
• p 1.41

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• q 1.42

  à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• r 1.43

  R. David, Abben Ezra, Ralbag. in Genes. 49.
• s 1.44

  As in Ire∣land.
• t 1.45

  Syr. ab 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Confidit. Luk. 16.
• u 1.46

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Oecum. Plutarch. in Curio.
• x 1.47

  2 Tim. 6.
• y 1.48

  Luk. 18. 9, 10.
• z 1.49

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉pro & contra.
• a 1.50

  Pater atque princeps Horat.
• b 1.51

  Syr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.52

  Revel. 17. 10, 11, 12. Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 seven Kings of the earth. Iulian. & Au∣gust. lib. 5. de Civ. Dei.
• * 1.53

  Chrysost. in 2 Thess 2.
• d 1.54

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.55

  Ios. lib. 18. Antiq.
• * 1.56

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Syr. sic Arab. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• c 1.57

  Judg. 3. 30.
• d 1.58

  Deut. 32.
• e 1.59

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Syr. à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ••exare, 1 Sam. 14. & David Kimchi in Psal. 1. 1.
• e 1.60

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Syr. à 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ••exare, 1 Sam. 14. & David Kimchi in Psal. 1. 1.
• f 1.61

  Isay. 57. 3. & ult. Rudis indige∣staque moles.
• g 1.62

  Galath. 5.
• h 1.63

  Iam. 4. 1, 2.
• * 1.64

  Psal. 45. Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Isay 57. 19. Kimchi. Rasi Chaldey.
• k 1.65

  Cum He" indicativ. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Kimchi.
• l 1.66

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Basil.
• m 1.67

  Iohn 1. 3.
• n 1.68

  Deut. 33.
• o 1.69

  Isay 57. ult.
• * 1.70

  Theoph.
• p 1.71

  Chald. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• q 1.72

  Fides non servanda hae∣reticis.
• * 1.73

  Jos. 9. 14. & 19.
• r 1.74

  R. David.
• s 1.75

  Ralbag. R. Isay.
• t 1.76

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Syr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• t 1.77

  Psal. 120. 1, 2.
• * 1.78

  Chrys.
• u 1.79

  2 Kings 10. 15, 16. & 28. 29. 30.
• x 1.80

  Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• y 1.81

  Austin. Ie∣rom.
• z 1.82

  The Calf was Serapis the AE∣gyptian God, aud there they learned Idola∣try, Vitulus ex vacca fulmine icta, genitus, quae rursus non parit, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a god worthy of the AEgyptians saith Camby∣ses in Herodot.
• a 1.83

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.84

  Proles lupi. Tigridisque∣silvas petat, Feras & inter quaerat affi∣nem sibi.
• c 1.85

  Principem occisum loqui malum fuisse, vel tyrannum dicere est. Tragicus. O dictu sce∣lus summus do∣minio, major exemplo fuit. Pax descendit assimilis Iovi Aurato in ul nas imbri.
• d 1.86

  Isay 8. 21.
• * 1.87

  Festina lente.
• e 1.88

  Ier. 3. 10. Zephan. 1.
• f 1.89

  Iudges 20.
• * 1.90

  Iames 4. 1.
• g 1.91

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dan. 11.
• f 1.92

  Habak. 1. 16.
• h 1.93

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• i 1.94

  Matth. 6. 1.
• k 1.95

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• l 1.96

  Amos 8.
• m 1.97

  Iohn 9. &c. Matth. 12. 1. Luk. 13. Matth. 23. 1, 3.
• * 1.98

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rasi. R. Da∣vid.
• n 1.99

  2 Tim. 3. 7.
• o 1.100

  2 Tim. 3. 6.
• p 1.101

  Deut. 33. 5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ralbag. Ab∣ben Ezra.
• q 1.102

  Luk. 12. 1, 2.
• r 1.103

  Revel. 13.
• s 1.104

  2 Tim. 3. 5.
• t 1.105

  Procus po∣puli.
• u 1.106

  Matth. 12. 51.