Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 9.

VVItnesse the little noyse it hath made in the world, 1 Kin.* 1.1 19. 12. in comparison of the Church of Rome, or the Prelaticall, or Presbiterian Church; as also how little it hath interposed the civill Magistrate, witnesse the Churches in London under that notion, to their immortall praise be it spoken, who when invited by the Levelling Party to disturbe the present Par∣liament in point of their civill Office, did manifest their utter dislike of such actions, desiring only to live under them, a peace∣able life, in all godlinesse and honesty, as by their Petition to the Parliament, will fully appeare; wherein also, the now Parliament is acknowledged by them to be the supreame power of the Nation;

yea I am much mistaken, if they were not the very first that did subscribe by Petition, to the present government of the Nation; for which, with the reasons afore mentioned, I conclude that that Church which you (by way of reproach) call Anabap∣tisticall, is the true Church of Iesus Christ, which hath been pre∣served from the power of the Dragon of Papacy, and his Angels of Prelacy, and Presbitery, which was ready to devoure it, so soone* 1.2 as it was borne (viz. in the Apostles times) but it was caught up unto God, and to his Throne, and is now to rule all Nations with a rod of Iron, this is the woman which fled into the Wilder∣nesse of the world, viz. amongst so many various opinions as hath been for these thousand two hundred and threescore yeares, du∣ring which time she hath by providence, been kept from their er∣rors, and preserved in her primative purity. This being the time that her Michael, and his Angels, viz. the Pastors of that Church,* 1.3 is to make warre against the Dragon and his Angels, and the old Serpent, called the Devill, and Satan, as viz. the Pope and his Hierarchies of Papacy, Prelacy, and Presbitery, and shall so pre∣vaile, as that there shall not be found any more place for him in his heaven, or ministry, which the Lord in mercy accomplish. Now this Church being so preserved, hath as much power to send out Labourers into Christs Harvest, to teach, and baptize, (for the rebuilding of the Church of Christ,) as any Church either in, or since the Apostles daies.

And thus by divine assistance, I have discovered unto you the three first Ingredients, whereby the Church of Christ may be brought into its former or primative condition, viz. 1. In its Pa∣stors, or Gatherers; 2. In its meet Members, whereby it ought to be compounded, as also the way, or rule, whereby they may be distinguished, from the men of the world, or worldly men, which directions, that they may be put in practise, (by all such who desire to see the flourishing of the Church of Christ in its pristine purity, as also the desolation of the scarlet Whore of spirituall Egypt and Babilon, (with all her accomplices) is the cordiall desire of the servant to all, who are so devoted.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Anabap∣tisticall church so called pro∣ved to be the true Church.
• * 1.2

  Rev. 12 5, 6.
• * 1.3

  Michael the now Angel of the Church of Christ Rev. 12 7, 8, 9