The fall of Babylon, or, Seasonable reflections on the novelties of Rome with the rise, growth, and final overthrow of Antichrist now at hand, occasioned by the preface to a treatise called Nubes testium, or, A collection of primitive fathers giving testimony to the faith once delivered to the saints, being (as the author stileth it) a full discovery of the sentiments of the ancient fathers in the chief points of controversy at present under debate : written upon the first coming forth of the said treatise (but not permitted to be then made publick) for the benefit of all who abominate the corruptions of the great whore and would not be partakers of her sins of plagues / by B.W.

CHAP. IV That a very great Eclipse there was, the Church, at least a great part of it, was to suffer.

NOW this is no more than Christ and his Apostles have foretold: For, first, Doth not our Lord himself foretel, that 'tis impossible but that Offences will come, Luke 17. 1.

That there shall arise false Christs, and false Prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch, that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect: Behold, I have told you before, Matth. 24. 11, 24, 25.

And after him St. Paul, Acts 20. 29, 30. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you, not sparing the Flock. And 1 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith, giving heed to seducing Spirits, and Doctrines of Devils; speaking lies in Hypocrisie, having their Conscience seared with a hot Iron: forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe, and know the Truth. And again,

2 Tim. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. This know also, that in the last days perillous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to Parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce∣breakers, false-accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof. And doth not the same St. Paul tell us, 2 Thessal. 2. 7. that the mystery of iniquity did already work, that there must come a falling away, and the man of sin, the son of Perdition be revealed? Doth he not (of which by and by) tell us, what this shall be, and what it was that at present hindred?

Thus likewise St. Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. But there were false Prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false Teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies,

even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction: And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of: And through Covetousness shall they, with feigned words, make merchandize of you, whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damna∣tion slumbreth not. A farther Character of whom is given, v. 12, 13, 14, 15, &c. And

2 Pet. 3. 3. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days Scoffers, walking after their own lusts, &c. which St Jude repeats, v. 18. minding them, That the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ had told them, there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

And is it likely they should so preserve the Testimony of the An∣cients, as to make them convincing in the chief points of Con∣troversie, either at present, or indeed almost in any points un∣der debate, whose great study it should be to corrupt all the principles of the Christian Religion, to seduce and destroy Christs Flock? To bring in Doctrines of Devils, and speak lies in Hypocrisie?

Is it likely they should be the Instruments to preserve the word of Truth and Salvation, who are so zealous to bring in damnable Heresies, 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, 3. Read over their Cha∣racter again, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. and see whether that looks like the Character of such, who in all Ages were to be the Guardians and Champions of Truth?

Is it probable those, who are ready to deny the Lord that bought them, will stick at any thing to advance their Covetous, Ambi∣tious, and Carnal Designs? No: If such there were to come, 'tis not to be question'd but they would be indifferently zealons to hold the Truth in Righteousness; 'tis not to be expect∣ed the Man of Sin, and Son of Perdition, should scruple at cor∣rupting Truth in the Chanels, who makes it his greatest gain and interest to stop it in the Fountain.

So that we see there wants not sufficient Prediction of a very great Eclipse the Church, or at least great part of it was to suffer; and that such an Eclipse as while it lasted, there was lit∣tle hopes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of so preserving the Testimonies of the Ancients, as to make them convincing in the chief points of Controversie at present, or indeed almost in any points whatever under debate.

The next Enquiry is, when this was to be?