A SERMON PREACHED AT PAUL'S CROSS: LAYING OPEN THE BEAST, and his MARKS.  
Upon the 14. of the Revelations, verse. 9 10. 11.  
By RICHARD SHELDON, a Convert from out of BABYLON.  
Doctor in Divinity, His Majesty's Chaplain.  IEREM. 50. 14. Put yourselves in array against Babylon, round about it: all ye that bend the Bow, shoot at her, spare no Arrows: for she hath sinned against the Lord. 
AT LONDON Printed by William jones, dwelling in Red-Crosse Street. 1625.   

TO THE TRULY REVEREND, AND RELIGIOUS Doctors and Pastors of the Reformed Churches of Great Britain; and namely, to john D. Boys, Deane of Canterbury; john D. Young, Deane of Winchester; Francis D. White, Deane of Carlisle; and to William D. Kingsley, Archd. and M. john Sanford Prebend of Canterbury, etc.  
R. REVEREND:  
YOu cannot but have observed, how when in time of ignorance, error, and transgression, a Riddle was proposed in the Court of King Darius, what of all things was greatest and strongest: there were who stood for Wine, some for Kings, a third sort for Women; but Zorobabel enlightened by the God of Truth, gave his verdict for Truth: That Truth was of all things greatest and strongest: Which his opinion, if it were then applauded by the people, approved by the Senators of State, honoured and rewarded by King Darius himself; we, who believe the manifestation of the Word-Truth, and the illightning of the World by the Word of Truth; may not marvel to observe that Truth, now in this last hour (justified of her own children) sits Ouant and Triumphant, not only over Wine, womans, and Kings, as they are in the common usance of mankind; but also over and against Wine, womans, and Kings, as they are abused by that usurping King of Kings, Who sits in the Temple of God, out-shewing himself as if he were a God; who though by sly contempt of Conjugal Chastity (in his seduced Votaries) seems to pretend Virginal purity, yet how vain such his pretences have been, the pens of his own have evidently discovered; though he and his would be thought not to over-delight in any delicacies or delicious Wines; yet in this respect precisely taken; they do cark and care for the flesh, posting from all quarters and coasts, delicacies and delicious viands, and Wines for their Holy Father, and his Purpurats: yea, providing for English Seminarists in Rome, not plain Romanisco, the common and usual briskish Wine of Italy, but Vino deripa Wine of the Bank (fit to beget Spanish jinnets) must be their cotidian liquor. Though inwords he pretend himself to be Servant of the Servants of God, yet Truth evinces him to assume unto himself either directly or indirectly (that is the lest) an overtopping Sovereignty over all that is sacred and venerable.  
The prevailing of Truth against this Man of untruth, hath not in any thing more evidently appeared, then in a gracious precedent illustration of Truth (before the powerful and illustrious coming of the God of Truth) whereby he, who formerly by the Inhabitants of the Earth, was admired and adored as a Vice-God, a Vice-Christ; is now by the consent of renowned Peoples, by the approvance of sagest Peers of States, by opinion of judicious Kings and Princes, by censure of learnedest Clerks in Christendom, found to be the Apocalistticall Beast himself: and their Pontificious, Omnipotency, and Burghesian Eternity to be naught else, than the very top-crowne of Antichristianisme. For the laying open and professing of this kind of Truth, the Spirit of God, who in the thickest of Egyptian darkness, did here and there in times past excite some Worthies: hath in this last hour, (the third, fourth, and fifth Angels, even yet pouring forth their Vials:) Like as in other Church's others, so in this renowned one of Great Britain raised up you, an Army of Valiants, arightly ordered; who with tongue and pen do happily and dexteriously (without ceasing) perform the same.  
To which service it hath pleased him, who brought me from out the Babylonian Vr, to call me, an unworthy one, and one fare less, than so great and gracious a miseration; wherein, how fare and graciously, the Spirit of Truth hath enabled me in this and my other writings, I do with all lowly reverend and indifferent respect refer and remit to you all; all Lovers of Truth; and to the thrice Reverend and venerable Sees and Chairs of your learning, the renowned Universities of this I'll I said with indifferent respect: for although I may not account 〈◊〉 them Twins in every respect alike, yet in regard of that Light (for the discerning betwixt Truth and falsehood) which they have happily received from the God of Light, I dare write them, Semblable and Symbolising Orbs, illustrating this famous Church of Britain, yea emaning forth their illustrius Beams, to the utmost of the world. And by how plentiful and liber all a hand, he hath imbreathed of his Spirit into; and hath poured of his dew of Hermon upon the Head of the most Gracious Primate of England (A thrice-worthy and best deserving Patron of all Converts, and under God the only Feeder of Me and Mine) unto the very skirts of the Garment, it doth most linely appear, by many, not wand'ring, but fixed Stars, seated and resplendent in this most illustrious Church of Great Britain.  
Amongst whom, with special and deserved respect, I have presumed (before this my Epistle) to prefix the names of some, by them speaking to you all: From them, & from you all, humbly desiring a favourable and gracious countenancing both of Me, and Mine; in particalar of this my Argument of Truth and Ingenuity; for following my Text closely, I have endeavoured (such is your wont) to open the genuine sense of the Holy Ghost therein contained: in the prosecution whereof, if some bitter and tart speeches against the Beast, etc. do occur; from the Lord they are.  
Secondly of duty, for according to my bounden duty and service, I have herein endeavoured to blazon the deserved honour of my Sovereign Lord and Master: for his undoubtable integrity in the thrice holy Religion he professeth, which by some (not piercing into the secrets of State) may unworthily have been questioned.  
Thirdly of Sincerity, for in regard of the sincerity of my conversion from out of Babylon, I dare boldly style myself, A Nathaniel in whom there is no guile.  
Fourthly, I said of Zeal; for zeal against a certain blaspheming Rabshaketh of the Beast, hath brought forth this argument of zeal against the Beast, and the obstinate Admirers and Adorers of the Beast? It was my hap to receive from the hands of a worthy Knight and his Lady, a certain blasphemous Pamphlet (put into their hands by Seducers) entitled, A humble Appeal to his most Excellent Majesty, and written by one john Hunt, calling himself, A Roman Catholic. This blasphemous Rabshaketh, I find in the sixth Chapter of his Pamphlet, formally and avoidable (I say formally and undeniably) blaspheming our most Glorious God. (God be merciful to me in repeating the words:) These are his words, That the God of the Protestants (whom he knows to be Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) is the most uncivil and evill-mannered God, of all those, who have borne the names of gods upon earth: yea worse than Pan, God of the Clowns, which can endure no Ceremonies, nor Good manners at all: Reading these, with diverse such like, my bowels trembled within me, and my zeal for the Lord was set on fire, and I said unto my Soul, Spare no arrows, but shoot against Babylon, for that she hath sinned against the Lord: And I say more again, Anathema, Maran-atha, to him whose zeal for the Lord, is not with such blasphemies incensed and set on fire, against the blasphemers. I dare not once suspect that Royal Majesty (though the blasphemous Pamphlet be dedicated presumptuously to it) or Parlalament-Excellency, or Senate-Integrity of this Christian-State hath ever had any special notice or information of so blasphemous a Pamphlet; formerly in time of Connivency, and yet still (to the joy of the Adversaries, and unspeakable scandal of the Pious and Godly) hunting up and down this Kingdom: Arise, O God, and put into the knowledge, and heart of our Sovereign, to avenge such thy blasphemous Adversaries, and all their witting Abettors with deserved reproach, Amen! We pray again; Arise, O Lord, and avenge thy own Cause, and as dust before the face of the wind, so scatter thou the Enemies of thy Glorious name, Amen, Amen.  
And so humbly praying, the God of Truth, to make you all perfect in the knowledge and love of Truth; I rest a reverend Euer-admirer of your Admirable learning in Truth: and humbly pray, that we all may be zealous Euer-imitators, of our Glorious and Angellike Predecessors, for the Reformation and constant defence of that Piety and Truth, The Testimony of JESUS, Amen.  
Yours, and every one of yours, in the LORD JESUS; Richard Sheldon.   

A Sermon Preached at Paul's Cross the first of September, etc.  APOC. 14. 9 10. 11. And the third Angel followed them with a loud voice saying, If any man worship the Beast and his Image; and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand. The same shall drink of the wine of God's wrath, which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torments ascendeth up for ever, and ever. 
THe words which I have read in the ears of this most Christian, and honourable Assembly; are an obscure partial prophecy of that mystical Book, which (to use Hieromes 
Epist. ad Paulin:  phrase) hath no more words, than it hath mysteries; How then shall I who am of a dull apprehension, of a stammering speech, and of a weak spirit, be able to lay open the sense of the same? except the Lion of the Tribe of juda, give me a spirit of courage & confidence, unless the Lamb slain, which hath the seven eyes (that manifold light of knowledge) impart unto me some gracious measure of wisdom and understanding. O thou Gracious Lamb, who scatterest of thy graces where thou pleasest; illighten my understanding, that I may truly interpret, this thy Scripture! O thou Powerful Lion of juda; who openest & no man shutteth; open thou my mouth, and set on fire mine affections, that I may confidently and constantly with a loud voice, deliver this thy truth, to the glory of thy great name, to the confusion of Antichrist, and to the eternal comfort and consolation of our own souls!  

And the third Angel followed them with a loud voice saying If any man worship, etc.  
MY Text (which in the whole is a most dreadful Edict 
Division.  sent from the Court of heaven) may be divided into three General parts 1. an Inscription or Title, And the third Angel followed them saying with a loud voice. 2. Into an Hypothesis or Supposition. If any man worship the Beast and the Image of the Beast, and receive his mark in his forehead, and in his hand. The 3. a most fearful Threat, and Denounciation; the same shall drink of the Wine of God's wrath, which is poured forth without mixture, into the Cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in presence of the holy Angels, and of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torments ascendeth up for ever, and ever. Thus our division. And though for the avoiding of confusion, and for brevity sake, I do only thus in general distinguish my Text, into an Inscription, a Supposition, and a Denounciation; yet, if you shall be pleased to lend unto me religious, and attentive ears, you shall well observe, that in the prosecution thereof, I shall lay open unto you, great secrets, of highest consequence and necessity; prepare not your ears for any oratorious flourishes; for such, from this and like places, I for my part rather despise, than honour or admire. We begin with the Inscription.   

And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, etc.  
FOr Declaration hereof, I prefix certain suppositions; 
1. Supposition.  First I suppose, that which is most manifest according to the exposition of all, to wit, that this inscription doth present unto our considerations, an imaginary forevision of our Prophet, foreseeing certain zealous Preachers (typed unto us 
Zealous Preachers typed by the 3. Angel.  by this third Angel) who were with loud, constant, and perspicuous voices, to denounce Gods fearful judgements, against the adorers and worshippers of the Beast.  
Secondly we suppose, a like manifest truth, (concerning 
2. Supposition.  the circumstance of time,) that these zealous Preachers (typed unto us by the third Angel) were immediately to follow other Preachers & Pastors, represented unto us by other two 
Zealous Preachers joining hand in hand for reformation.  Angels, described in the 6. and 7. precedent verses of this Chapter. The sum is, a certain rank of holy Preachers, fore-typed unto us by these three Angels immediately following each other through the midst of Heaven, (that is, publicly and manifestly,) were to join hand in hand, in the consormity of the Doctrines sounded out (by the three Angels) for the reformation of the world, for the repair of decayed Christianity, and for the beating down of all manner of Antichristian superstition and idolatry. For the clearer opening of which truth of the last branch of this our second supposition, I suppose,  
In the third place, that the Preachers which the Holy-Ghost 
3. Supposition.  doth represent unto us by these three Angels, were not to appear near the days of the Apostles, in the time of the Primative Church, nor for a long time after; no, they 
These zealous Preachers when they are to preach. 2. Thess. 2.  were not to appear, until (the Devil's being let lose) the Antichristian state was to be revealed, and the mystery of iniquity by the breath of Christ's mouth, was by degrees to be dissolved; a truth so manifest, that there is no colour to gainsay it; for against the Beast, the adorers thereof, and the receivers of the Beasts marks, these Preachers (typed by Angels) were to sound forth their doctrines of reformation; I say doctrines 
Preachers of Reformation  of reformation, for by invincible arguments it may be made manifest (which for brevity, I must omit) that these Preachers are to be reputed of the number of those, of whom it is said, that they were to prophecy again, before many peoples, & 
Apoc. 10. 11.  Nations, and tongues, and Kings. Prophecy again saith the spirit of God; why again? but for the reformation of the glorious perfection of Christianity, decayed and ruinated, by the tyranny of the Beast.  
Fourthly, I suppose, that upon the Preaching of such Pastors, 
4. Supposition.  typed unto us by Angels; effects answerable to their doctrines, were infallibly to ensue; a general reformation of 
Reformation infallsbly to follow upon the appearing of these Preachers. Math. 24.  the world; the fall of Babylon, the Throne and Seat of the Beast; & also great zeal of Christians, for their utter detesting of the marks of the Beast; for heaven and earth shall pass and be changed, but the word of God shall not pass away vnaccomplished.  
From out of these suppositions not to be gainsaid; I deduce 
A conclusion most evident for the honour of the Reformed churches.  this conclusion; that where and when, we first find a rank of godly Preachers sounding out in their due order the doctrines of these three Angels, with answerable effects following thereupon; that there, then, and by them, we must take this Prophecy of the Holy-Ghost, to be accomplished and fulfilled. And so we come to observe, what the Doctrines of these three Angels are, what their order of delivering of them is, and withal to make most clear application of the Prophecy, to the Doctors and Pastors of the Reformed Churches.  
The first Angel, described verse 6. flies through the midst of 
v. 6.  heaven, having an everlasting Gospel, that he might preach the 
The Doctrine of the first Angel, the groundwork from whence all Reformed Churches have begun their reformation.  same to the inhabitants of the earth, to every nation, tongue, tribe, and people; saying with a loud voice, fear God, and give him glory, for the hour of his judgement is come, and worship him, who made heaven and earth, the sea and fountains of waters. And is not this the first principle for reformation, (fear God and give him glory,) the everlasting Gospel, whereon, the Doctors and Pastors of the reformed Churches, have begun their doctrine of reformation, and have laid open the Idolatrous enormities, and superstitious mysteries of the Antichristians? This they have protested to Counsels, so they have professed to Kings and States, their sound hath gone forth into the 
Rom. 10. 18.  whole earth, and their words have (and shall) spread abroad into the ends of the earth.  
The second Angel in the 8. verse sounds out, the ruin & 
v. 8.  fall of Babylon; She is fallen, she is fallen, Babylon that great City is fallen, for she hath made all Nations drink of the Wine of her whoredoms. And have we not here the never intermitted cries, voices, alleluiahs, and exultations of the Doctors and Pastors 
The Doctrine of the second Angel delivered and received in the Reformed churches.  of the Reformed Churches rejoicing against Babylon, the seat of Antichrist? in regard of the great errors and defections thereof (upon their doctrines and preachings) partly rejoicing for so much as is already accomplished, in Germany, Bohemia, Swethland, Denmark, England, France, Burgundy, and elsewhere, partly fore-preaching her utter ruin and desolation to be at hand, even then, when the fifth viol of God's 
Apoc. 16. 10.  wrath shall be cast into the Throne of the Beast, the very Seat of the Antichristian state.  
The third Angel follows, denouncing (according as my 
in the 9 10. 11. verse. The Doctrine of the third Angel with answerable effects in the Reformed churches.  text hath it) Gods eternal wrath against all those, who should worship the Beast, and the image of the Beast, and should receive his character in their hands, orforeheads. And are not such the never intermitted forewarnings, and doctrines of the reformed Churches, earnestly (and in God's name) persuading every person, to renounce all manner of communion with the Antichristian Synagogue of Rome, the effects of which their doctrines and persuasions, how glorious they have been, what eye observes not, and what Christian heart joys not to have observed?  
These things being thus manifest, shall we not henceout 
Applicatió of the prophecy most evident in the Pastors of the Reformed Churches.  infer most clearly, that the Pastors of the Reformed Churches, are the very men who were fore-typed by these three Angels, sounding out the fear and worship of God alone, denouncing forth the ruin of Babylon? threatening aloud, most heavy judgements against all those, who should worship the Beast, and the image of the Beast, and receive the mark of the Beast in their hands or on their foreheads? we say, and truly say; 
Isa. 41. 23.  (for it is an argument of Gods own making) If any Prophet shall foretell things before they do hap, if the things foretold, do happen according as they are foretold that they should happen; that the foretellers of such things, are to be reputed for true Prophets. Why then shall we not answereably say, that these things, which happen agreeingly to a fore-prophesy, of Gods own Spirit, & accordingly as Gods Spirit hath foretold that they should happen? that they are the very things, which the Spirit of God did fore tell should so happen? If then the Pastors and Doctors of the Reformed Churches, do the very things, Preach the very Doctrines, observe the very order in their doings and preachings, which the Spirit of God under the type of these three Angels, hath foretold, should be so done, should be so preached, should be so observed, against the Beast and Antichristian state of Rome, for the reformation of decayed Christianity; why then, are not they the very men, whom the holy-Ghost hath here by these three Angels fore-shewed unto us. The full accomplishing of any Prophecy is the opening, yea is the 
Ire●● lib. 4. 42.  proof of a Prophecy; a kind of proof, often used by the Scriptures, when they add and attest. That it might be fulfilled 
Matth. 1. 22. & 2. 15. john 15. 25.  which was spoken by the Prophets, etc.  
This Prophecy is accomplished in the Reformed Preachers, most punctually; assuredly then, the truth and intent of the Prophecy, aimed at them, and intended them: dissolve me this riddle ye Pontificialls, either you for yourselves, or (in your behalf) some of your favourites, I mean newtralizing Interimists; pretended Pacificatours, but in truth Rome's subdolous factours!  
It cannot be denied (our Adversaries will say) but that the Preachers of the Reformed Churches, have pretended to 
An suasion of the Adversary most idle.  begin all their reformation from the Doctrine of the first Angel, fear God, give him glory, and worship him alone; neither can it be denied, but that they are frequent in their invectives against Rome Popish, as against Babylon; and withal that they do detest, and dissuade all manner of communion, with the Pope and with the Church of Rome, neither can it be denied that upon such their preachings, effects answ●●●able to their pretences have followed, falls and defections of divers States & Kingdoms from the Pope; yet for that they mistake their mark, in inveighing against our Holy Father the Pope (Christ's Vicar) instead of Antichrist; barking against the Church of Rome, (which is the most chaste Spouse of Christ,) as against the Beasts throne and seat; here hence it is, that we deservedly accounted them as forerunners of Antichrist, but not any rank or order of Godly Preachers, fore-signified by these three Angels: so Bristol, so Harding, 
Answer.  so Saunders, so Bellarmine, so the whole army of Papal Rabbis. O the vanity of this subterfuge! who shall teach us what is the beast, and where is the throne and seat of the beast, if not those very men who by the Spirit of God have been fore-signed for that function, and in whom every jot of the Prophecy is accomplished? O the idleness of this evasion! doth the spirit of God fore-expresse no other properties and tokens of those Preachers, (which were to inveigh against Antichrist and his seat,) then such as the very forerunners of Antichrist should to the full perform & practise? O the impiety of this pretence, to affirm, that the forerunners of Antichrist, shall build their preachings upon these foundations, Fear God, give him glory and worship him alone; 
Acts 4. 11.  and upon this, there is no name given us under heaven for salvation, but the name of jesus, and of the Lamb. If we had no other 
The calumnious and irreligious reasoning of our Adversaries.  proofs, to convince the Pope to be an Antichrist, yet this would abundantly suffice, for that they account the Doctors and Pastors of the Reformed Churches to be forerunners of Antichrist; in regard they contend, to bond all true religious worship, within that principle: Fear God, give him glory, and worship him alone; and for that they sum 
Acts 4. 12.  up all happiness of Faith within that Apostolical decree, there is no name given us under heaven by which we must be saved but the name of jesus; jesus that Lamb, which solely and alonely, taketh away the sins of the world. 
john 1.   
Thus have we by a brief examination of the inscription (our first general part) made a door of entrance, for the laying open of those great mysteries and difficulties, which lie hid and covered in our second part, the Hypothesis and supposition which (the Spirit of God enabling,) we shall now endeavour to lay open, and declare.   

If any one worship the Beast, and his Image, and receive 
Second General part, the Hypothesis or Supposition.  his mark in his hand or forehead, the same, etc.  
HErein consists the greatest (I may say all) difficulty of our Text, not in respect of the persons, against whom the Supposition is made; for the Hypothesis being universal and indefinite, (If any) it includes all, excludes none; All, Emperors, Kings, Princes, States, Nobles, Gentles, Peoples, Young or Old, Rich or Poor; all; If any one worship the Beast, and the Image of the Beast; or receive his mark in hand, or on forehead, they shall surely drink of the wine of God's wrath: neither is their any difficulty to declare the sense of the word worship, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any one shall worship or adore the Beast, or the image of the Beast; for who is so ignorant as not to observe, 
The worship here condemned is a divine religious worship, not a civil reverence.  that the adoration and worship here spoken of condemned, is not a civil worship or politic adoration given to any civil Authority or Majesty? no, no; it is a religious and divine (both extern and intern) worship, given to the State and See of the Beast; and this, upon the acknowledgement of a divine and Godlike kind of Dignity and Majesty residing in the Beast, or in the Supreme head of that State, which is typed by the Beast; as hereafter we shall more fully 
Wherein consists the difficulty of this text.  declare; wherein then consists all the difficulty? surely in declaring what is meant by the Beast, what by the image of the Beast, what by the taking of the Beasts mark either in hand or 
Bellar: de Rom. pont: lib. 3. Cap. 11. 15. Viega● et Ribera in Apocalip: Christophorson treat: of Antichrist against Downam part: 2. Chapt. 8. alij.  on forehead. O thou Lion of juda, thou that openest, and no hand shutteth, reveal this mystery unto us.  
Here we first observe by the way (and I desire your attention) the fever-trepidation, and ignorance of certain prime Ignatian & other Pontifician Rabbis; who, fearing the true mystical sense of this place, do (again stall antiquity, and their own tenants) hold themselves to the very letter of the prophecy; affirming, that the followers of Antichrist shall be compelled to adore and worship, a true real beast; and a true real Image of a Beast; (we must interpret them of a Beast having so many heads and horns with Diadems thereon, as is described by the Prophet) and also, that they shall be 
jer. 13.  enforced like Felons (by real inustion) or like the Priests 
A most impertinent subterfuge of our Adversaries.  of Baal, by cruel incision, to receive a real mark of the Beast in their hands, or on their foreheads. Which their subterfuge while I deliver, do ye smile at their follies? or frown at their impudencies? or bewail their obstinacies? Perhaps you will rather admire, what may be the reason, why they fly to so doting an interpretation; which if they do, then be pleased to take the reason thereof to be this. Many Doctors and Pastors of the reformed Churches (so also his 
Praemonit. pag. 111.  most Excellent Majesty, in his Premonition to Christian Princes) do verily object against the Pope and his, that by the adoration of the Beast, and the Image of the Beast, and by the taking of the Beasts mark in the hand, or on the forehead, is most lively (in a true mystical sense) typed forth 
No man kissing the Pope's feet, omits him adoration both going and coming; & when he kisses he is well nigh prostrate to the ground. The form and Ground of all Papal faith.  the Papal Antichristian State, with the answerable practices thereof; of their adoring the Pope's Person with Divine and religious adoration; of their Soule-subiection to him, in the vorie tye and band of supernatural faith, and sacred obedience to his damnable laws, and forged traditions: so that, as in a true sense it may be an Article of Faith (yea the form and ground of all their faith) in that Church, We believe our holy Father the Pope; so it may be likewise a new principle of religious worship with them; We adore and worship our Holy Father the Pope: and as for their taking of diverse superstitious marks, of communion, under him in their hands and foreheads, what more manifest? as we shall anon most fully declare.  
Now the Pontificians, to avoid this grievous imputation sticking so close to their sides) knowing for certain, that not any of their Popes ever as yet, erected any such real Beast, or real Image of Beast (as is described by Saint john) to be adored and worshipped; having so many heads and 
Why Popish Rabbis dream of a real Beast to be set up by Antichrist for adoration.  horns, in proportion like a Leopard; having the feet of a Bear, and the mouth of a Lion: Again, they knowing for certain, that their Popes as yet never compelled their followers to receive any rcall marks by inustion, or incision, in their hands, or upon their foreheads: Here hence it is, that they are so strongly addicted, to the literal interpretation of this prophecy, of a real Beast, of a real Image, and of the real adoring and worshipping of the same; together with the receiving of real marks of the Beast, by incision or by inustion, in their hands, or on their foreheads. But O the vanity of this so doting an interpretation! How verified against 
Psal. 49. 13.  them, is that of the Prophet? Man being in honour, hath not understood, he hath been compared with the beasts, and been made like unto them.  
For against this their vanity, many contrarieties, impossibilities, and absurdities do concur? Contrarieties against 
Their vain interpretation against all Antiquity, & against their own Tenants.  the joint interpretation of all the Ancients; who all of them (none excepted) do interpret the Beast, either for the whole multitude of the wicked; or for the wicked State and Empire of Antichrist himself: Contrariety against their own doctrine, they all generally affirming, that Antichrist shall suppress all manner of Idolatry; what likelihood then, that he shall set up so absurd and mishapen a beast, or image of the beast for idolatrous adoration and worship? Contrariety against their own doctrine; diverse of them teaching, that the Beast typeth 
Contrarieties against the same.  forth and signifieth by one of his heads, the very State and Empire of Antichrist himself; yea Bellarmine (frequent 
Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 5.  in his oversight and contradictions) affirmeth as much.  
Again, how many impossibilities do present themselves against this their interpretation, of such a real beast, real marks, real inustions and incisions? Impossibility; for how 
Bell. lib. 3. de Rom. Pont. c. 8.  possible, that within the space of three years and a half (the full time of the Beasts reign, in the opinion of all Pontificians) that the whole earth (the Inhabitants of the whole earth) should be brought personally and presentially to adore and worship such a Beast? what? shall the fair Beast be carried up and down, from Country to Country like their Holy Father, upon men's shoulders; or like their Siluer-shrines, upon men's backs? or like their God of bread; by their hands in Siluer-turretts? or shall it (Dagonlike) be reared and set up for a Pilgrimage-stocke in some Wood, or Grove, or in some Chapel? as at Loretto, Mount-serrat●, Sichem? or shall this adoration only be done, by some Puppet-images (in the bosoms of the Beasts sworn devouts) like those of Diana, or like those their bosome-Godlings, worn by diverse of their devouts in their bosoms, pretty small Images; of their Images adored, and worshipped at Loretto, Mountserrato, Sichem, 
Impossibilities against the same.  and elsewhere? Answer, O ye our Adversaries, (and Adversaries of God's truth) how this adoration of such a real Beast, or Image of the Beast, shall be performed by the Inhabitants of the earth?  
Again, impossibilities; for how shall such a Beast (except it be a living Gereon-like monster) fight his battles? What weapons shall he use for the overcoming of God's Saints? In what manner and form of government shall he rule and govern the whole earth? how shall he speak, or what language shall it use? how shall one of the Beasts heads be cut off, 
Apoc. 13.  so that the Beast shall thereupon dye, and yet be revived again? Let our Adversaries remove these impossibilities (with many such like) or else let them cease to dream any longer, after so doting a conceit, of a real Beast, or Image of a beast, to be set up by Antichrist, to be worshipped and adored.  
Besides contraricties and impossibilities; how absurd also 
Absurdities against the same.  is this their Paradox? how absurd to think, that wily Antichrist, should rear up such a beast to be adored? How absurd, that the whole world should be drawn to the adoration of such a beast? How absured to dream, that the real 
Ribera apud Vi●ga● & Vitgas in cap. 13. apoc. sect. 7.  mark or image of a Dragon (so Ribera the jesuite) or that the picture of Antichrists own person (so Viegas the jesuite) should by real inustion, impression, or incision, be burnt or cut, into the very hands and foreheads, of the followers of Antichrist?  
3. Ye, who pretend to be followers and admirers of venerable Antiquity: yea, your Tridentine Fathers command you, not to interpret the Scriptures, against the unanimous consent of the Ancients; tell us, who, or how many of the Ancient Fathers ever dreamt of this your conceit of such real beasts, marks, inustions, or incisions? True it is somefew, but those not very ancient, as Primasius and Ansbertus have affirmed, that the mark of the Beast shall be composed of 
Apud Viogam in Apoc. 13.  three Greek letters P T X which joined and framed into one form and figure, do compendiously represent the name of Christ. But this their conceit, by no means pleaseth our Adversaries, for thereout it may be inferred, that (in the opinion of the Ancients) Antichrists mystery of iniquity, shall be a pretenced mystery, under the very name of Christ; A very Vice-gerency in the stead and place of Christ; the very thing, which the Pope arrogantly assumes to himself; that which his flatterers do attribute unto him; that, for which all the world admires after him.  
Thus have we laid open and refuted the interpretation of our Adversaries, we come now to declare the true sense of these words. I pray again, O thou God, who art the revealer 
Our prayer.  of all secrets, reveal this thy truth unto us! First, of the Beast, and of the Image of the Beast in abstracto what they are, afterwards in concreto and by way of application, where 
Gerson. tract. contra heresin dei communione sub utra specie. to. 1. p. 522. Ambros. ser. 8. in Psal. 118. Dan. 7. What the Beast is, & that a very State & wicked Empire is thereby signified.  they are, who they are.  

If any one adore the Beast, and the Image of the Beast, etc.  
IF we compare Scripture with Scripture (the best rule and surest way for interpretation;) then agreeing to the interpretation of all the Ancients, we shall find, that as in Daniel, by the four beasts arising from out of the Sea, were signified the four Monarchies of the world; the Assyrian, Persian, Grecian, and the Roman: so likewise here, by the beast arising out of the Sea, with such a variety of horns, heads, and diadems; we are to understand some Prime or Principal State, or Empire (having either successively or jointly different forms of Government) to be presignified and fore-shewed: 
Bell. de Antich. cap. 5. & 15.  which is so apparent a truth, that the Pontifician Rabbis themselves, yea Bellarmine (their Hercules) acknowledgeth it for very probable, that the Apocalipticall beast, with so many heads, horns, and diadems, doth signify the Roman State, with their several forms of Government; yea and that by one of the heads is signified, the most wicked and execrable State of Antichrist himself. Thus have we found, what is typed by the beast; if then we will resolve, the Hypothesis and supposition, it is thus: If any one worship the beast; that is, if any one worship and acknowledge the State of Antichrist, etc. But 
What the Image of the Beast is.—  what is the Image of this Beast, which is likewise forbidden, under most fearful punishment, to be worshipped and adored?  
The Image of any thing, must be a special resemblance, of that whereof it is an Image; If perfect and natural, it must 
Two sorts of Images.  have a likeness, not only representative, but also in nature, and being of existence; so the natural son, is a perfect image of his father, like in representation, and like in being and existence: If the image be imperfect; then, though it be different from the thing (whereof it is an image) in nature and being (as the image of a man, drawn by the Painter on a Tablet) yet in form and virtue of representing, it must have a representative form of likeness, as the same 
The Image of the Beast may be taken in a double sense.  image drawn by the Painter hath: Now then, the image of that State, or form of Government, which is signified by the beast, may either be a perfect image thereof, like in representing, and like in existence and being, to weet, a State representing that State; one wicked form of Government representing another; or else it may be an imperfect image, in some likeness either by expression of the pen of the Writer, or the pencil of the Painter, representing the same. 
Sarisburg. in policrat. l. 5. c. 16. fol. 169.  For example, we may take the forms of government of Papal Legates and Nuncios, sent forth (to use Sarisburiensis his words) from the presence of Satan, for the dissipation and destruction of the Church; We may (I say) take them, for perfect images (because of like nature) and also representing the absolute, sacred Monarchy of their Holy Fathers the 
The State-Legatine an Image of the State-Papall.  Popes; a State Legatine, representing a State Papal: but for inperfect Images, we may either take that, which is done by the adulatorious pens of the Canonists, describing the absolute state, or sacred Numen of their Lord God the Pope, or 
A threefold Image of the State-Papall.  that, which by the Popes themselves is expressed, in their Bulls, Constitutions, Clementines, decretals, or Extravagants; or finally that, which the Painter, Statuary, or Goldsmith, performs in painting, carving, or casting of the Pope's sacred Tiare, or Triple-crowne: by which sacred Tiare, or triple Crown, is represented unto us, a lively image of the Papal 
The Papal Tiare, or triple crown an Image of the Papal State.  State, both in heaven above, below on earth, and underneath even in hell itself. In heaven by the top-crowne thereof; for it being most certain, that no man can enter into heaven, except absolved from his sins; so likewise in the Papal state it is as assured, that none can be absolved from their sins, but by authority derived from the Pope, yea, and in cases papal and reserved, either the Pope himself in person, or his chief Penitentiary must absolve, and so unlock heaven gates, or else there can be no entrance thereinto. By his second crown, is signified, that his power upon earth; unto which it is necessary, under the forfeit of salvation (so defineth Pope Boniface) that every humane Creature be subject; nay, 
Bonif. unam Sanctam de maioritate.  it is not enough for every one in particular and (ipso facto) in very deed, to be subject to such his power; but every one out of necessity of salvation, must further believe, that all others, even every humane Creature, is subject thereunto. O presumption! it is not enough, for a man in himself to be ipso facto, by very deed subject to the Pope, to give unto him his Soul and Conscience, in faith and obedience; but he must further profess and believe (with a divine faith) all the body of Christianity to be subject unto him. Lo how Supereminent his Monarchy is upon earth; exalting himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, over all that which is called God; or which is called Augustum, sacred. Now his power over Hell (for Purgatory is in the suburbs of Hell) signified by the third and last of his triple-crownes, is so sacred and so absolute; that he can fasten upon base creatures (Grains and Medals) such a saving power, and efficacy, that whosoever shall use the same; with such conditions as by his fatherhood are prescribed; he shall thereby, deliver souls (more or fewer) out of the flames of their imagined purgatory. Lo how Pape, a word of wonder, comes from Papa the world's wonder.  
Thus have we expressed, what is meant by the Beast, and 
What is the Beasts mark.  by the image of the Beast; now come we to declare, what is the Beasts mark, what the taking thereof, whether in hand or on forehead. I should trifle the time, contemn all learned Antiquity, fall into a labyrinth of contrarieties, impossibilities, and absurdities, if I should but only dream of a corporal mark to be engraven by incision, or to be burnt by inustion (as the fashion of men is to do with their cattles) 
Praemonit. pag. 111.  in the hands, or upon the foreheads of Antichrists followers: no, no; the mark must be metaphorical (as his Majesty most excellently) by some rite of profession; it must be mystical, by some rite of subjection; the mark on the forehead, some sacrilegious ceremony, whereby the authority of that Blasphemous 
The marks of the Beast not real by incision or inustion, & diverse reasons for the same.  State is professed: the mark in the hands, some like impious ceremony, or thing accepted of in the hand, whereby subjection and obedience to that wicked State is performed. And this without all doubt, is most agreeing to truth: (to truth I say) for as the marks of Christ his flock, 
2. Timoth. 2. 9 Greg. 29. moral. cap. 2.  are not any real marks, by incision or inustion: but the profession of his faith, with obedience to him, with the acceptance of some religious Ceremonies, or godly Sacraments taken for that purpose: so likewise, shall the marks of the Beast, 
Christ's marks mystical and spiritual; so the marks of Antichrist.  and Antichristian State (for contraries are of the same kind) be some sacrilegious ceremonies, or sacraments. Again, agreeing to truth; because such marks, being required as necessary for allowed commerce in the Antichristian State; most meet, that they should be answerably taken, like to other marks of humane society and communication. Agreeing to truth; because they being taken, as marks of a continued religious (or rather superstitious) worship, by repetition 
The marks of the Beast to be reiterated.  of superstitious acts, whereby faith and obedience to Antichrist is acknowledged; most meet, that they should be such, as may be often reiterated. For we may not think that Antichrist, a most ambitious and arrogant Lord, will be contented with an once, and a one subjection, signified by a mark once violently imprinted: no, no, this will not serve his turn; for howsoever, the hearts of his followers may stand affected to him, yet he will assuredly require very frequent acts and rites of profession, and obedience to be made unto him: what need then of such a horselike impression, that cannot be reiterated? Further, most agreeing to truth: for it being most certain (and let the Adversaries deny this if they can) that the adoration of the Beast, and of the Image of the Beast, and the taking of the Beasts mark in hand, or upon forehead, shall be some superstitious services, and idolatrous worships yielded to the Beasts State, yea the primest of his services: Why then, shall not the same be performed by some flagitious acts, or sakerments of subjection unto the Beasts State?  
Lastly, most agreeing to the truth, for if the name of the 
An unavoidable reason & proof.  Beast, and the number of the name of the Beast, be not by real characters, to be written in the hands, or upon the foreheads of Antichrists followers (as it is most manifest, and our Adversaries deny not) but only mystically to be taken, for that they shall be either called after his name, or after the number of his name: for example, ●ither Papists after the name Papa, (a name which Gregory the seventh decreed should be peculiar to the Pope's alone) or else Latines or Romans, after the number 
Dictat. Greg. 7. apud Bar●. ann. 1175.  of his name, Latins, after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Romans after Hebr. Romijt. Why then, shall not likewise the marks of the Beast be mystically interpreted, of some superstitious rites or ceremonies, taken in hand or forehead? whereby subjection is professed unto the Beast, as to a sacred Majesty upon earth?  
Thus by God's gracious assistance, it resteth proved, what the Beast is, to weet, a flagitious state of Government, set up against that of Christ, though pretended to be the very same with that of Christ himself, as hereafter we shall prove more fully. It resteth also proved, what the Image of this Beast is, A scelerate and idolatrous representation of the same, either by a like subordinate state unto it; or else by some other similtudinary means, as is above expressed: and lastly it resteth proved, what the taking of the beasts mark in the hand or forehead is, to weet, An impious acknowledgement, and adoration of the Antichristian State, by some superstitious rite, sakerment or ceremony taken in hand or forehead: and yet the greatest difficulty and obscurity remains behind; which now comes to be cleared and opened by us: to weet, upon what form of Government now upon earth, may we fasten so grievous an imputation? Is this wicked State and form of Government, yet come or are we to look for it? O thou innocent Lion, who hast the key of David, who openest 
The Author's prayer.  and no man shutteth, unseal unto us the secret of this thy sacred mystery!  
For the clearing of this great difficulty, we must suppose 
First supposition.  these things. First, that this Antichristian State, typed by the Beast and the Image of the Beast, together with the adoration thereof, and the flagitious subjection yielded thereunto (typed by the taking of the mark of 
The state of the Beast, can be no mere politic Civil State or Empire.  the beast, and of the name or the number of the name of the beast in hand or on forehead) cannot justly be applied to any civil form of Government, in regard of any civil subjection yielded thereunto: No, no, it is most certain, that all such civil States are the Ordinances of God; and that all civil subjection (out of conscience) yielded to such powers, is expressly required by God; yea so strictly, that whosoever shall deny the same, 
Rom. 13.  they shall thereby purchase to themselves condemnation.  
Secondly, I suppose, that the Antichristian State here 
2. Suppos. The State of the Beast a pretended sacred State.  condemned, is a State pretending to be divinely Sacred (as Christ's one Rod and Sceptre) so powerful, that it shall presume to change laws and times; so arrogantly sacred, that it shall undertake to institute other rites and ceremonies, than those Christ hath appointed, for the abolishing of sin, and for sanctifying of the Soul: A State challenging 
Matt. 24. 6. Apoc. 13. 15.  to be acknowledged, by a religious supernatural faith; and by divine worship to be honoured, and this so strictly (in the very name of Christ) that whosoever shall refuse to do the same, must be destroyed.  
Hereout, I thirdly suppose; that the Antichristian State 
3. Suppos.  typed, shall in all arrogancy presume to exercise her power 
The State of the Beast shall exact supernatural faith and obedience and is a pretended State over the consciences of men. 4. Suppos.  over the souls & consciences of men, requiring from them a divine faith in the profession of her power; exacting from them an absolute obedience out of conscience to her Authority; to admit of all her Rites, all her Laws, even as the very Rites and Laws of God himself.  
In the fourth place I suppose; that the Antichristian State, shall not only pretend a spiritual power (typed by 
The State of the Beast a Monarchy vp●n divine, pretence.  the horns of a Lamb) but also an universal (direct or indirect) temporal power: For he shall speak like the Dragon, and consequently shall with infinite afflictions vex those, who adhering to the doctrines of the Preachers, typed by 
Apoc. 14. 9 10.  the three Angels, are only and solely for the Faith of jesus, against his superstitious rites; are only and solely for obedience to the Commandments of God, against his humane traditions, are only and solely for the worshipping of God, against the adoration and worship of any creatures, against all his enforced Thelo-threskies, and will-worships. On the contrary he shall enrich with wealth and treasury; increase in glory and honour; all those, who shall fall down, adore and worship him, and his State.  
These most true suppositions (which with an infinity of testimonies, and reasons might be confirmed) being 
The Papal State the State of the Beast.  carefully preobserued: I do in the fear of God, and out of the confidence of a good conscience constantly lay this imputation, upon the present state and government of the Pope of Rome; affirmimg his State and Government, to be that flagitious State, which is here typed forth by the Beast, and by the Image of the Beast: And so hereby 
Articles agreed on by the Synod of Bishops, and the Convocation.  I demonstrate, how true that is which we have (and in the defence whereof I have partly meditated this argument) in our Articles of the Church of England, That the Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in the Realm of England: 
Pag. 68  For if his State be Antichristian, and of the Beast (as his Majesty, also most truly in his Premonions to Christian Princes) than it will follow unuoidably, that all his challenge for jurisdiction within the Realm of England, is arrogancy and presumption. This my imputation I will not endeavour to prove, by enumetating an infinity of their blasphemous superstitions and laws against the Majesty of God, the glory of his Son, and the honour of his Tabernacle (the true universal Catholic Church of Christ) but I will only do it (Gods holy Spiiit enabling me) by certain general demonstrations, drawn from the consideration of the very proper conditions of the Antichristian State itself; partly laid down in my former suppositions, but most fully in the Book of God, whereunto for brevity sake I will only point my religious Audience.  
First then I argue thus: The State of the Beast, must 
F●rst reason.  be a State upon earth, pretending to be for Christ 
a Matt. 24. 6.  coming in the name of Christ, and bearing pretensedly the very 
b Apoc. 13. 11. 2. Thessaly. 2. A vanity in Bellarmine, affirming that Antichrist shall deny Christ.  horns of the Lamb, though in truth it shall speak like the Dragon: Again, this State must be not a proclaimed impudency of Iniquity; but it must be a mystery of Iniquity, a pretenced semblance of Christian Sanctity: A State so full of subtlety, and pretending the name of Christ, even to the doing of miracles, and such miracles 
Matth. 24. 2. Thess. 2. Hi●●r. orat. in Aux●nt. Hiero. Epist ●1 q. ad algas. Oec●men. Theophil. in 2. Thess. 2 & Chrisost ibid. alij. See Rheims Annotat in 2. Thes. 2. annotat. 5.  that the very Elect shall be in danger to be seduced. It must also be a State ruling and sitting in the Temple of God, that is in the visible Churches of God (so certain of the Fathers) pretending therein (in God's stead) to have power over the very souls and consciences of the faithful: yea, and therein to have (in God's stead) a power dispensative over all the Laws of God; over all powers ordained by God; over all that is sacred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Majesty whatsoever. And are not these, and every of these conditions, most properly appliable to the present Papal Roman State? only and solely to the Papal State? It alone pretends to w●are the Lambs horns, and to be an absolute Vicegerencie for Christ: It alone requires that her Authority 
The Papal State pretinded to be Christ's own state.  and power▪ be believed (under necessity of salvation) with supernatural faith: She alone, pretends to sit (that is to rule) in the temple of God, that is the whole visible Ch●rch of God: to rule (I say) the same with a rod of Iron and Direction. She alone, works in so powerful and subtle a manner (pretending Christ's power) miracles done in his name, that thereby she (drawing to her band a whole multitude of Inhabitants of the earth) hazards the souls of the very elect; so that they are in danger to be seduced. Thus our first proof; and yet here I must not omit to note, that though the Papal State, pretends the Lamb's horns; that is, to be Christ's absolute and sole Vicegerent: yet notwithstanding, it speaks like the Dragon; How, speaks like the Dragon? For that it persecutes with Sword, Fire, and Faggot (as the Dragon did) all those who cleave only to the Lamb; for their salvation hoping only 
Reuel. 13. 11.  upon the Lamb's merits; for their direction both in faith and manners, resting only on the Lamb's Word. 
The Roman Fathers like the old Emperor's Instruments of the Dragon,  And are not these the very things, for which the Dragon persecuted the first Christians in the Roman Emperors? and doth he not now persecute us for the very same in the Roman Fathers Pope-Emperours? It is the testimony of jesus: jesus only, jesus solely, which the Dragon persecuted by the old Emperors; and it is the same testimony of jesus, which the Dragon persecuteth in these Roman Fathers: The Roman Emperors, would not have jesus alone to be honoured, against their Idoll-Gods; And these Holy Fathers, will not have jesus alone, to be acknowledged & believed to salvation without their Godlings, nor to be only heard for direction, without their Traditions. Because we will acknowledge nothing, nor will believe no other necessary for salvation, but jesus, only jesus: This is that very testimony, against which the Dragon now speaketh in the Roman Fathers, and persecuteth in us, with the extremity of Fire, Sword, and Faggot.  
My second reason I frame thus; The state Antichristian 
Second Reason.  will require, to be adored of all the Inhabitants of Earth; not with civil and humane adoration only; but with a 
Apoc. 13. 15. 16  supernatural adoration, with a soule-reverence due to it, as to an earthly God. But this the Papal State most exactly 
Adoration given to the Papal State, as to an Numen and Divinity upon earth  doth require; and as yet no other State ever required the same; neither can, or shall any other (with fire and faggot) more rigorously require the same, than the Papal State, now doth require it: It followeth then, that the Papal State, is that very State which is here typed by the Beast: That the Papal State requireth such a soule-adoration, and supernatural obedience, as due to an earthly Deity, it is more than most manifest: For, who hath not observed, that in a religious subjection to the Pope, and in a Soule-union with the Pope, consisteth the very life and 
Wherein consisteth the life of the Papacy.  essence of the Papal State? Here hence it is, that it is reputed a high point of the Majesty of that State (yea it is reputed as a partial means to salvation) that the Pope receiveth adorations and kiss of his feet, from all the faithful 
An act of Religion to kiss the Pope's feet.  of the world; and in their faith ought to receive (at lest in preparation of mind) from all the Inhabitants of the Earth. Lo, how that of the Prophet is accomplished, That 
Apoc. 13 4.  the whole earth admired after the Beast. This reason I confirm with the words of Odoard Guilliand, Bishop of Cas●n●● 
Odoard. Guilli●dus de Civili & moral. Facult. lib. 14 cap. 3.  a City of Flaminia in Italy. This man in a certain book of his, dedicated to Clement the eighth, doth excellently describe unto us, the Divinity and Godhead of their Holy Fathers the Popes. A Papa (saith he) tanquam à Capite in universum Ecclesiae corpus, hoc est in omnem Christianan rempublicam, spiritus influunt celestium gratiarum sensum fructumque praestantes, & efficacem motum ad sempiternam beatidinem, merito igitur Sanctissimus, & Beatissimus appellatur, & ab omnibus religionem Christianam profitentibus, quasi quidam Deus adoratur, & colitur. From the Pope, as from the head, there doth flow into the whole body of the Church, that is into the whole Christian commonwealth, certain spirits of heavenly graces, which do yield both sense and fruit, and efficacious 
The Pope to be adored as a certain God.  motion to everlasting happiness: worthily therefore, is he called most Holy, and most Blessed, and of all those who profess Christian Religion, he is to be adored and worshipped as a certain God. Thus he, and such is the blasphemous note and tune of diverse of them, flat opposite to that confession of the Saints in the Revelations: Salvation cometh from our God, that sitteth upon the Throne, and from the Lamb. And shall 
Apoc 7. 10.  we desire more to lay open the blasphemous presumption of that State? or shall we dare to affirm, that such Admirers 
Reuel. 13. 3.  after the Beast, that sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if he were God are in the 
2. Thess. 2. 4.  state of salvation) if they be wilfully obstinate and reluctant against the truth sufficiently proposed unto them?  
In the third place I reason thus; The Antichristian 
Third Reason.  state, is that very Government, against which in the very height of her pride and presumptions, certain zealous and Godly Preachers (foresignified by the three Angels, 
Reuel. 14. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.  flying through the midst of Heaven, and having the everlasting 
The preaching of the three Angels accomplished against the Papal State.  Gospel) were to oppose themselves, by preaching the fear and worship of God alone, and keeping of his commandments, and consequently, were to beat down all manner of Idolatry and Wilworship reared up against the same: were again in the second place, to sound out the ruin and desolation of that State; and consequently, were to check the insolent confidence of her followers and Admirers, glorying in her ever infallibility and indefectibilitie: And lastly, were in the third place, to dehort from all manner of communion with that state; and agreeingly were to teach all true Christians to detest the marks and characters of that State. And is not this the very selfe-Gospel 
The Papal State persecuteth the Preachers typed by the three Angels.  of Reformation, which the Pastors and Doctors of the Reformed Churches do now sound out against the Papal State, yea and (according to the prediction of the Prophets) to the begun ruin of the Papal State? This reason 
Apoc. 14. 2.  may be confirmed, if with all we consider, that even as it is foretold in the Revelation, the same. Chapter; The Antichristian State, would conceive so great rage against the said Preachers (typed by the three Angels) for such their preaching and doctrines, that thereupon it would raise, 
Reve. 14. 12, 13  or cause to be raised against them most fearful persecutions; persecutions so great and so manifold, that the Spirit of God though it meet to prearme his chosen against the same, with these and such like comfortable instructions: Here is the faith and patience of Saints; here are those, who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of jesus. Blessed are those, who die in the Lord, who die for the Lord; From henceforth saith the Spirit, they shall rest from their labours. 
Reuel. 2. 29.  Thus there; In which most comfortable instructions, doth not the Spirit of God manifestly premonish, and prearme us of these times against the Pope? Hear all ye, that have ears to hear, what the Spirit of God saith to the Churches. 
The Pastors of the Reformed churches suffered from the Pope, according as by God's Spirit it hath been foretold   
For, is not this the very thing, which is now, and hath formerly been acted in the world? Do not the Pastors and Doctors of the Reformed Churches, and other faithful, suffer for this very cause? for that they sound out publicly the doctrines of the three Angels; the Everlasting Gospel? of the fear of God alone? of the ruin and fall of Babylon? of the State of the Beast? and against the taking of the marks and characters of the Beast in hand or on forehead? and from whom, or by whose means do they suffer for such things, but from the Papal state? What Inquiries are made after them? What hideous Inquisitions are reared for them? What Crosse-warres have been proclaimed against them? Ask our Fathers of old in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, England, Denmark, Scotland, Burgundy, and where not? Our Adversaries the Pontificians cannot deny this, it being the very desire of their Fathers and of their own souls. Let it then rest proved, that the principle prophecy against the State of the Beast, being accomplished in the Papal State, that the Papal State is the very State of the Beast. And so I adjoin a fourth reason thus.  
That is, the Antichristian State (typed by the Beast, and 
Fourth Reason.  the Image thereof) or typed by the seven and eight 
August. 20. de Ciuit c. 19 Hier. ad Algas. quest. 11. in Dan & ad Gerontiam de monogamia. Tertul. de resurrect. carnis Cir. catech. 15. Chrys. Ambros. Theophil. Oecume Primasi in 2. These. 2. The Papal State hath done out of the way though Roman Empire. See glos in Canon si Imperatori Radevic. de gestis Friderici. Sidon. l. 11. de regno Itali●.  heads thereof) which was in the very government of Rome itself, to succeed the Roman temporal Empire: So diverse of the Ancient Fathers, Austen, Hierom, Lactantius, Tertullian, with others have affirmed: unto which Antichristian State also, ten Kings (a number certain for an uncertain) springing out of the ruins of the Roman Empire, were for a time to give their powers (for the honouring and supporting of her) and yet afterwards (forsaking her) would bend their forces against her (God, putting the same into their hearts) to make her desolate, and consume her with fire. And is not this the very Papal State itself, succeeding in the Government and Empire over Rome, the Roman Temporal Empire? For in Rome who knows not, that it is reputed no less crime than le-so-Sanctitie, to affirm the Emperors (that are now) to have aught to do therein, independently from the Pope? or that they have any Imperial Sovereignty over Rome: no, no, in the faith of the Pope and his, Imperator Presens, the present Emperor is but Homo ligius Papae: A liege devout servant to the Pope. Again, to too apparent it is, that those Kings and Kingdoms, into which the temporal Roman Empire (upon her ruin) was divided, did (the Dragon putting the same into their hearts) yield and submit their powers and crowns unto the Papal State, for the support of the same: And is it not most manifest, that the said Kings and Kingdoms (God putting the same into their hearts) have already begun to hate the Papal State, to make it desolate, & to consume it with the fire of the zeal of God's glory and truth, God grant they continue the same unto the end: but should any States or Kingdoms which have begun in the spirit decline to the flesh, yet shall they never be able to make frustrate and void Gods infallible and inevitable decree, of the utter ruin and fall of the Autichristian State, even as of a millstone cast into the bottomless Sea, whereof there remaineth 
Apoc. 17.  neither token nor memory: And so I add a fifth proof.  
The Antichristian State, is that State which was to have 
Fifth Reason.  her Sea, and to reside in mystical Babylon; mystical Babylon that Great City which is situated upon seven Hills: that 
Reu. 17. 9 4, 18, etc.  City, which in S. john's time had rule and command over the Kings of the Earth; that City which was to be a whore 
The Antichristian Throne in Rome.  and Apostata from her first faith, by superadding many doctrines of devils, and errors of wicked spirits; and yet 
1. Tim. 4.  was insolently to glory of her everin errabilitie, and that she should see no widowhood: that City, which was to 
Reuel. 17. 2.  make drunk with the cup of her abominations (pretending to be the sole mother of Christianity) all the Kings and 
Ibid. 4.  Kingdoms of the Earth; that City which was to be ruddy with the blood of Saints, those Saints which were to suffer for the testimony of jesus, I interpret for the sole faith of jesus, as the only means of salvation. That City which 
Ibid. 5.  was to have the name Mystery written in her forehead, full of mysteries; professing mysteries; making mysteries: That City which was with honour, riches, and glory to enrich and make glorious all her Lovers and Admirers, the Inhabitants of the Earth. And are not all these things most punctually accomplished in the Papal State? I need not to repeat nor to make any particular application; but I say again, and again, are not all these things, with all other such like (fore prophesied by the Spirit of God, against the Antichristian State) fulfilled and accomplished in the Papal State, which hath its residence in Rome, its Throne and See in Rome, etc.  
Some of our Adversaries (that so we may answer an 
A vain objection  objection by the way) do against this reason, pretend a very idle evasion; they acknowledge, that Rome shall be the Seat of the Antichristian State, and of the Beast; but Rome Ethnic, say they, not Rome Christian; Rome as it was before the days of Constantine, but not Rome as it is now in these our times. O the vanity of this answer, Rome 
The Answer.  Ethnic, as it was before the time of Constantine, is to be the Throne of the Antichristian State, and Seat of the Beast? and yet in their own opinions Antichrist is not to come until a very short time before the consummation of the world, and then also his reign (in their opinions) is to be only of three years and a half continuance. O that these wise Sages would inform us, how this their Inerrable and Infallible Papal See (so they glory) shall become Ethnic and Heathenish? By what precursour of Antichrist shall it be so made Heathenish? for the entertaining of the Great Antichrist? shall Antichrist himself make it Heathenish and Ethnic? shall he rear up the adoration of many Gods (the proper character and badge of Heathenism,) that, they cannot say, for they profess (vainly) that Antichrist shall suppress all manner of Idolatry, he cannot then be in their judgements the Author of Heanish Idolatry; vain then and most vain is their pretended reason.  
Again, like vain is their answer, when they pretend, 
A second evasion.  that the Beast which shall sit at Rome, is not the same, with that Beast which arises out of the Sea, having seven heads 
Apoc. 13.  and ten horns. For do they not all confess, that both 
Answer.  Beasts do type unto us Antichrist, yea the Great Antichrist? which Antichrist, in all their judgements shall be so individually, one only man, that herehence they think they have an invincible buckler of defence against us, that their Popes are not Antichrist, nor the Beast; for that they are not one only man, but many, yea very many, a whole Generatinn of men: how then can they avoid, but that it is one and the same Antichrist which is typed by both the Beasts? for if Antichrist typed by both, be individually one, then of necessity one and the same State is typed and signified by both the Beasts: And if Antichrist (typed by the one Beast) sit at Rome; he cannot also sit at Babylon, unless it be by turns; or that the fair Beast be divided into two parts, the one to have his Throne at Rome, the other to have his seat at Babylon: Let it then thus rest proved, that the present Papal state, is the very Antichristian state, typed by the Beast.  
This imputation, which is so grievous and heavy; howsoever 
divers learned Authors of the Papists Church, have reputed the Papal State Antichristian and of the Beast.  it may to some as halt betwixt God and Baal (for many such medleys these times have) seem injurious; yet is it not much more, then that, which some ingenious professors (of diverse points of Popery) have prophetically and covertly heretofore delivered, to the everlasting confusion of that State: Bernard was not fare from the sight hereof (for to him in part God's spirit had revealed this truth) when as, in respect of the infinite abuses of the Papal state, he cries out that the Churches of his times, 
Bernard l. 4. de considerate.  were rather folds for devils then for sheep; and in his sermon upon the conversion of S. Paul, he complaineth; that 
Ser. 1. in Conuers. S. Pauli.  the whole Church of Christianity (so I interpret) seemed to have conspired against God; yea so conspired, that in regard 
In Psal. qui habitat. Psal. 91.  thereof, he is bold thus to pronounce elsewhere: It remaineth (saith he) that the Man of Sin, and Son of Perdition be revealed; not only the day, but the very noone-devill; which is not only transformed into an Angel of light, but is extolled above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. Thus he; where I cannot but note, that Bernard using the phrase of the Apostle, that Antichrist (in regard of the excess of impieties and abominable iniquities) was shortly to be revealed, shortly to be revealed; I cannot, I say, but note how that Bernard did think, that Antichrist and his state, did then work powerfully and rage's tirannously; and where if not there, in that, rather Court then 
Ber. Epist. 235. ad Curia Roma.  Church of Rome, unto which Bernard writing, dareth to proclaim thus. In the very house of God, we observe things horrible; These horrible things, which Bernard observed in Rome, to us is revealed to be the very State of Antichrist himself, and of his Admirers that worship him.  
Was Peter de Aliaco, that venerable Prelate of Cambray, 
Aliac. de Reformat. Eccles. oblat. Conc. Constant.  fare from the sight of this truth, whereas he dares to affirm, that the Church in his days, was come to that pass, that it deserved to be ruled only by Reprobates? Was Gerson fare off, when as he confidently affirms, that (through papal 
Gerso. to. 1. de Conc. Gener. & unius obed. q. 5.  abuses) the Churches of his times, were come to be, totas brutales, carnales, monstrosas, nihil sapientes; Brutish, carnal, monstrous, understanding naught. I interpret naught, that was good or pious. Was joannes Sarisburiensis fare off, 
Policatat. l. 6. c. 17.  when as he professeth that the Church of Rome, was become a den of thiefs; the secret of the Sanctuary was become a Stew; yea, and that the Church of Rome was become a stepmother 
Apud Auentinun.  to all? I pass by many others, yea Synods of Popish Bishops in France and Germany, in plain words terming the Holy Father Antichrist. How downright is Bernard Morlanensis, calling the Pope, Ipsum Regem Babylonis, 
Morlane de contempt. num. 3. apud usherum.  the very King of Babylon;  
Heu sua propria deputat omnia Rex Babylonis,  
Out alac the King of Babylon reputes all for his own.  
A complaint which Bernard used against the Holy Fathers. 
Lib. do consid. clarissime.  But howsoever I pass by the testimony of these, and diverse others, yet I may not omit the ingenuous confession of a venerable Priest of Burgandie. This man, doth so largely and punctually point out, and declare unto us, the antichristianity of the Popish Church, that he seems to have had that revealed unto him, which he durst not 
Circ. An. 1200.  commend to writing; even that very truth of Papal antichristianity, which to us is made so manifest: Intuere, 
Honor. Augustodunensis. in dialog.— in Auctau● Biblioth. Pat. ad Calcem. Edit. Paris. 1610. collect. ex ushero.  saith he, Principes & ludices, in his posita est Bestiae Sedes, etc. Behold, saith he, the Princes and judges, in them is set the Seat of the beast; They are ever intent to evil, ever unsatiably occupied in businesses of Iniquity: They do not only themselves scelerately; but they teach others so to do: They sell holy things, they buy crimes, and their whole endeavour is, that they may not go alone to hell. verte te ad Clerum & videbis in eyes, bestia tentorium, etc. Turn thyself to the Clergy, and in them thou 
A notable description of the state of the Beast in the Papacy.  shalt see, the very tent of the beast; They neglect the service of God, they study earthly gain; their Priesthood they pollute by uncleanness, the people they seduce by hypocrisy, they deny God by their wicked lives, they shake off all Scriptures, which serve for salvation; by all means they set themselves as snares, and a ruin to the people, whom (being blind themselves) they lead blind to destruction. Contemplure & Monachorum Conciliabula, & videbis in eyes bestiae tabernacula, etc. Contemplate the Conuents or Conventicles of Monks, and in them thou shalt see the Tabernacles of the beast, by their feigned profession (deriding God) they provoke his wrath; by their wicked life and manners they trample down all regular discipline; by their habit they deceive the world, and being themselves deceived, they deceive many: they are entangled with worldly businesses, being slugish in the service of God: many of the● are given and addicted to luxury and gluttony; some of them rot in the dirt and filth of uncleanness. Aspice etiam habitaculae monialium, & in eyes cernes bestiae preparatum thalamum, etc. Look upon the habitacles of Nuns; and in them, see a bride-chamber prepared for the beast: These from their tender age learn impudence, to the increase of their damnation, they draw unto them many companions; they hasten to be covered with Veils, that by such a means they may let lose the bridles of luxury; they do prostitute themselves, in a worse sort than any fornicators, and as an unsatiable gulf, they are never filled with the dung of uncleanness; These do ensnare the souls of young men, and then they rejoice when they have ensnared many; and she reputes herself worthy of the Palm of victory, who excelleth in villainy. Verte te ad plebem reliquam, & in ea videbis bestiae effigiem, etc. Turn thee to the other of the people, and in them thou shalt see the very shape of the beast: Priests they despise, they contemn to hear aught of God, they lead their whole life in pride, boasting, and vanity, and are reprobate to every good work. Also the unlearned multitude hath the very Idol of the beast, the true God they have not known, but with all devotion they serve the God of their belly; they are carried with various desires of the flesh, and in every respect they lead a beastlike life. Thus he (with more to like purpose) describeth the bestiality of the Papal State. Can you desire more, or will you require more?  
And thus have we, by evidency of Scripture, and other venerable authority, fastened unuoydably the Antichristian State and Government upon the Pope of Rome, and his purpured brethren; and thereby also have I shown the vanity of his ambitious claim of supremacy over this Church and Kingdom; for no one point is more Antichristian in him, than his usurped claim of supremacy; and for my part, I am of opinion (and I dare undertake very probably to confirm the same) that whosoever denies the Pope to be Antichrist (that son of perdition, who 
2. Thess. 2.  sitteth in the Temple of God) may justly be suspected, to favour his most ambitious claim of supremacy; this I mean of those who understand themselves, and the extent of these terms; the Papal State, Antichristianity, Papal Supremacy, Roman Monarchy, etc.  
For further confirmation, of this our principal point in hand, I could produce more proof, or Grounds and Principles of reasons, from out of Saint Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians; to Timothy and to the Romans; yea, from out of the Epistles of Saint Peter, and holy jude; and from out of Daniel: more, there are very few Prophecies in the Scriptures of God, or in the approved predictions of any of the servants of God (concerning Antichrist and his Government) which may not most probably (if not evidently) be settled upon the Papal State, either the head or members thereof: but that which hath been delivered, may suffice for the evidency of this truth, especially with 
How Neutralizers betray God's truth.  sincere professors: those I mean which are not Neutralizers (if any such hear me this day) Neutralizers, I say, or Interimists; such as dare secretly mutter and mussitate; Rome and the Reformed Churches agree in the substance of Religion, that there is no fundamental difference betwixt them and us; and again that they teach no Heresies; so that they altogether with us make up but one mystical body of Christ. O the vanity of these men! against the Spirit of God, thus to dream of the uniting of Zion and Babylon; of Egypt, and Jerusalem; of Christ, and Antichrist; of light, and darkness; of God, and Beliall: The 
2. Thess. 2.  Spirit of God hath foretold, that Christ shall in the brightness of his coming, by the Spirit of his mouth, (that is, by the preaching of the Gospel in the days of reformation, when that of the Revelation shall be accomplished, Oportet te iterum, etc. Thou must again prophesy to Nations, Peoples, 
Apoc. 10. 11.  Tongues, and many Kings.) the Spirit of God hath (I say) foretold, that Antichrist shall be dissipated and ruinated, by 
No union betwixt the State of the Beast and true Christianity.  the brightness of his coming, and the Spirit of his mouth: and yet these men dare dream of Christian union, and brotherly consociation betwixt those, whom the Spirit of God doth thus disunite and dissociate; here, by a perfect hate, dividing each from other, and in the world to come by casting the Beast and his Admirers, into the lake of ever burning fire and brimstone; and by taking up to the supper and joys of the Lamb, those, who have here happily followed the Lamb in all things, and have also suffered for the testimony of jesus the Lamb.  
Now come we to declare, how the Papal State compelleth all her followers, to take certain impious marks in their hands, and likewise on their foreheads: without which they may not be allowed, to buy or sell, in that State.   

If any one receive the mark of the Beast, either in his hand or in his forehead.  
FOr declaration of this point (according to my use, and that I may the better be understood) I suppose these 
1. Suppos.  things: First, that which I have already evinced, by the evidency of Reason, and the joint-consent of Antiquity, 
The mark and character of the Beast, not to be taken for any beastlike mark, by inustion or by incision.  that these marks and Characters of the Beast, are not to be taken for any corporal signs, made either by the inustion of some hot-iron, or by the incision of some sharp instrument, in the hands, or upon the foreheads of Antichrists followers: no, no, the same is to be understood of some flagitious mystical ceremonies, taken in the hands, or on the foreheads: whereby the Takers are marked for devoted Servants of the Beast. Secondly I suppose, that no 
2. Suppos.  State or Government, Antichristian or Heretical, Arrian, Nestorian, Pelagian, or of any other form whatsoever, since the days of Christ, did ever cause and compel their followers to take any special marks (specializing their heresies or infidelities) real or ceremonial in their hands, or on their foreheads (thereby to profess a Soule-allegiance to the whole form of their sect and superstition) save only the Papal State.  
Thirdly I suppose, that whereas it is said that those, 
3. Suppos.  who would not receive such marks of the Beast, should 
Without the Beasts mark no commerce.  have no power, either to buy or to sell in the Antichristian State; that the same must be understood of a total exclusion from all manner of communion and society in that wicked State: where that State doth prevail and is not limited nor abridged, by the moderation of any Temporal power.  
Fourthly, I suppose, that this total exclusion from all 
4. Suppos No buying, nor selling in the Papal State, without taking of marks.  manner of buying and selling, is so punctually completed in the Papal State (yea in all Popish Kingdoms, where the Inquisition is on foot) against all those, who receive not certain marks of profession and obedience from that State, that nothing can be more assured, or more manifest.  
These things supposed, how manifest is it, that all Professors of the Papal State, do receive in their hands, or on their foreheads, some ceremonious mark of obedience and profession, which if they contemn to do, they are reputed in that state as Ofcasts, not to be admitted to 
All in the Papal State receive marks.  any manner of commerce and communion: Are they not all, or ought they not all (at least in purpose of mind) to be anointed and marked on their foreheads, with oil consecrated (I should say execrated) by Papal Charms? whereby the same is become so sacred, that the very presence 
Marks in the forehead.  and efficacy of the holy Ghost is said, and by them is believed to be therein: so sacred, that the hands of those, who are anointed therewith on their foreheads, may not presume to touch the said oil, or their own bare foreheads so anointed; so sacred, that the foreheads of the anointed, 
Foreheads marked must be bound with linen fillets.  after the same inunction, are for certain days to be covered with linen bands fastened thereunto, that by such means the sacred oil may be defended from the injury of wind, dust, and weather, and may by such continuance make better impression, and pierce into the forehead (such is the vanity of these fooleries, and impieties:) so sacred, that the Popish Bishop anointing the forehead, calls it and professes it to be, Chrisma salutis, The very crisme 
Their manner & form of marking  of salvation, I sign thee (saith the Bishop) with the sign of the Cross; and I confirm thee, with the crisme of salvation, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  
And may we not here justly exclaim against such sacriledgies? 
A just innection against marking used in Papacy.  thus to call a vile creature, the very Crisme of salvation! O blasphemy against the God of heaven! not Christ alone by his blood, but the Beast by his charmed Chrism, doth and can give salvation? O presumptuous men, who without any command or institution from God, dare thus sacrilegiously presume, to annex the thrice sacred name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, (and this in a sacramental manner for remission of sins) 
The marks of the Papacy worthy to be execrated.  to a vile and mean creature! Who that hath ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart to conceive, doth not observe this flagitious cerermony, to be an Antichristian mark taken in the forehead? A mark, not only because by a superstitious and transeunt motion, signed by the thumb or finger on the forehead: not only a mark, because the Chrism is to be fast bound to the forehead, so that if it were possible it might make some real impression in the flesh: but a mark most properly, because in that state, no man is reputed a perfect comsummate Christian without the same: a mark, because by the order of that state, no 
Ritual. Roman. in Ceremo de Baptismo, fine.  man is to be admitted to receive the body of Christ, before he have the same. Finally, a mark most properly, because in that state, it is an Article of Faith, that by the 
Cone. Trident.  virtue of the outward crismaticall unction, there is imprinted and ingraued in the very souls of the anointed, an indelible spiritual character: A mark than it is, and by it they profess obedience to the Papal State, and can we require more for the clearing of this point? I might here note others, yea and show how they give marks on the foreheads, or crown of the head, or both, in their very administration of the Sacrament of Baptism itself; not in regard of their baptising in the usual form, In the 
Impious marking in their administration of Baptism.  name of the Father, etc. but for that, they (holding natural water not to be sufficient, nor fit matter of the Sacrament) do make a magical and superstitious commixtion of water and oils together: first of the holy oil alone (so they call it) secondly, of crisme alone; and thirdly of crisme and oil together. Thus they abuse the sacred Sacrament of Christ, and with such charmed and commixed waters and oils, they mark all their followers in their foreheads.  
Concerning the Papalls taking of the Beasts mark in their hands, I first pass by (because it is not generally of them all) the superstitious unction, which their Deacons and Priests (at their taking of Orders) do take into their 
Matt. 24. 24.  hands; in regard whereof it may be probably thought that Christ is pleased (if we stand to the plain literal sense) to have fore-prophecied against them, under the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, false Christ's, false anointed-ones: This mark (I say) I pass by. The first mark that I note, is that their taking in their hands (for it is common to them all) the mark of their superstitious wooden or silver 
I call them blasphemous Agnus-deyes, for that they hold the same, Depellere omne malignun, to drive away all evil, yea, Peccatum frangere, etc. to break and destroy sin, as the blood of Christ, yea there is no good which they they do ●ot bring, no evil which they do not remove; witness those known verses. Balsamus & munda cera cum Crismatis unda, etc. Marks in the Papacy, and the same also Antichristian.  Crosses, their Grains, Beads, Medals; but above all, their most blasphemous Agnus-deyes (all marks, because marked with some superstitious form or other) whereby they acknowledge, a sacred Sovereignty in the Pope and his Antichristian State: a Sovereignty on earth, by the use of such superstitious trumpery to remit all sins, with a most full and plenary pardon; a Sovereignty in the heavens, by the virtue of such superstitious ceremonies to open heaven gates, therein to admit all the superstitious receivers of such marks: A Sovereignty within the bowels of the earth, thence to fetch out, from out of their imagined Purgatory poor patiented souls, more or fewer, according as it shall seem expedient, to the superstitious Blesser, or rather Charmer of the said superstitious marks: And may not these be justly reputed Antichristian marks? marks, because really such; marks, because mystically such; distinguishing betwixt Popery and Christianity? Antichristian, for what more Antichristian, then to tie remission of sins, the opening of heaven's gates, the delivering of poor patiented souls out of Purgatory, to the superstitious use of such contemptible creatures? having no other virtue of sanctification in them, than what the charm of Papal breath may presume to have given them? O impiety of impieties! a man dying, if he have one of these Papal marks of grains, or medals, etc. in his hands, if he can but say, jesus in his heart, he shall assuredly have a plenary pardon 
Papal blasphemy. Idulgent. variae concess. Colleg. Angl. & Imperatr nuper. pro laborantibus apud Indos.  and remission of all his sins: but if he want, or have no such grain, than no such assurance: so they rather blaspheme, then affirm.  
Again, another Antichristian mark taken in the hand, in the Papal State, I note this: That then, when those of that Synagogue, are made Catechumen (which to speak ordinarily they must be before they be baptised) the Priest must put into their right hands the sign of the Cross; which sign or mark of the Cross, I do not by 
The Cross superslitiously abused a mark of the Papal State.  any means call Antichristian, for so much as it is a sign commemorative or remembrance of Christ's Cross; but I do boldly and confidently call it Antichristian, as it is abused by them in that state: for they most flagitiously pretend; that the putting of the said mark, or sign into the hands of those that are to be baptised, is a necessary preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism, and the due receiving of the same; and again, for that by that very sign and mark so made, they promise defence against Satan, perseverance in faith, and after death life everlasting: 
Ordo Romanu 〈…〉 endun Catechumenum This mark, such as received it not being baptised Infants, do afterwards take it, yea some at the state of men and women. A main objection answered.  for thus saith the Priest, Trade tibi signaculum Domini nostri jesu Christi in manu tua dextra, ut te signs & adversam partem repellas, & in fide Catholica permaneas, & habeas vitam aeternam, & vivas in secula seculorum. I deliver thee in thy right hand, this sign of our Lord jesus Christ, that thou mayst sign thyself, drive away the adverse part (the devil) that thou mayst persevere in the Catholic faith, mayst have life everlasting, and live for ever and ever.  
Here (to answer an objection by the way) we may not think, that the Papal State, may be cleared from the just imputation of Antichristianisme, for that together with their vain unctions, and charmed oils, in their pretended Sacraments, or sacramentals (as they speak) they do join the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; or for that they do call on the mercies of God; or for that they do withal use the sign of the Cross: no, no, this will not serve the turn; for it is most certain (by express testimony of Scripture) that the Antichristian State, must be a mystery, not an impudency of Iniquity: A State so ruling 
2. Thess 2.  and powerfully working miracles, even in the Temple 
The Papal State Antichristian, though they call upon the blessed Trinity, and the mercies of God in their superstitious rites.  of God; that the very Elect will be in danger to be seduced: A circumstance so plain, and so important; that to me, they seem no less then to dote, who affirm that Antichrist shall deny the Lord jesus Christ; for what danger of seducing to the Elect, where Christ is flatly denied? No, no, the Antichristian State will pretend to be the very horns of the Lamb; a very Vice-gerency instead of Christ, and such in truth is the Genuine signification of the word 
See Stephanus, and all the Greek Lexicons. See Matth. 17. 27. & Matth. 20. Luke 11. 11.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for, according as the Preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be taken, it signifieth both one in the stead and lieu of Christ, and also one most opposite to Christ; and such a one indeed shall Antichrist be: He shall pretend to come in the name of Christ, and yet shall he be most opposite to Christ, even to the utter perdition of the true followers of Christ. 
The Magicians, Witches, and Conjurers call upon the name of God, use Crosses, both material and transions, yea the Papal Artotheos' God in bread.   
Though the Magicians (as it is most certain) though Witches (as it is a thing known) though Conjurers (a thing likewise clear) do use to call upon the name of God, and the holy Trinity in their abominable practices; though they use frequent and often cross, yea can do (in some business) nothing without crosses; though they have many material crosses, sacred oils, hallowed waters, yea the papals own Christ in the Hosts; which they do use and abuse in their most execrable exercises: yet I hope, no Intelligent Papal will deny, but that such their practices may be justly called abominable, flagitious, and of the devil: though in them (I say) they use often crosses, cross, with recrossing; yea, with adoring of their consecrated Hosts, and callings upon the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and of the holy Angels, and of the blessed Virgin herself: Why then, shall we be doubtful to call these practices of Popery Antichristian, though they adjoin to their fopperies and impieties, the Invocation of the name of God, and though they use therein the sign of Cross: 
The sign of the Cross may be used as a laudable ceremony, if void of scandal.  the which, though it may be used as a laudable ceremony (where just scandal is not given) yet, as it is abused in the Papal State, I boldly call it (and such like) Antichristian, and marks of the Beast: Antichristian, because delivered (in the name of Christ) as efficacious for temission of sin, for increase of grace, for defence against Satan; having for the same end, no institution nor command from Christ: Antichristian, because persuading us to look for remission of sins, otherwise then by the blood of Christ: Antichristian, because drawing our confidence from Christ, and placing it in the servile use of contemptible creatures: Concluding this point, I answer an objection, which thus may be made. The mark of Antichrist, is but one, but 
The Answer.  then, can they be the mark of the Beast, Except many may be thought to stand for one? I answer, True it is, that the word of the Scripture, is here delivered in the singular 
How the marks of the Beast, both many, and one.  number; mark, not marks: yet, for that the said Scripture affirmeth, that it is to be taken in hand and forehead (either jointly or severally) it insinuates the marks to be more than one; and this is agreeing to the interpretation 
See Lira alios.  of diverse of the Ancient, who by the mark in the forehead, understand open profession by mouth; by the mark in the hand some public act of obedience, or some profession by oath, by laying down, lifting up, or putting forth hand or finger: But what need we to respect the Authority of men, when as the Scripture itself tells us (explicating itself) that no man shall be allowed 
Apoc. 13.  either to buy or sell, who hath not either the mark of the 
The marks of the Beast more than one,  Beast, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name: Lo here, not one, but three; except we shall not distinguish that, which the Holy Ghost hath so distinguishedly delivered unto us: or that the name of the Beast, or the number of his name, shall not be expressed by some ceremonious mystical mark, either of denomination or profession; of denomination to be called Latins or Romans, after the number of the name; or by profession to profess the Italike Church, or to be called Papists after the 
Papists the proper and unrefusable name of our Adversaries.  name of the Beast, Papa, or some such like. I say Papists after the name of the Beast: for since the decree of Gregory the seventh, clear it is that Papa is arrogated as a name peculiar to the Pope, and doth significantly express the 
Dictatus Greg. 7. apud Baron. ann. 1175.  whole state of Papacy: after which, the professors of that State (because by faith they believe the Pope to be the visible Head thereof) ought not to refuse (if they understand themselves) to be called Papists, or papals, no they ought rather to glory in the same name: Howsoever of this, clear it is, that the Admirers of Antichrist, may have more marks than one, and yet these more (whether two or three) may be called one; because they agree in one analogical reason and respect, of appertaining and belonging to the Beast, and this is (without question) the sense and intent of the Holy Ghost, that no man shall be permitted either to buy or sell, in the Antichristian state; who by some public mark of profession, or obedience, shall not subject himself (in a very Soule-subiection) unto the same.  
Now come we in few words to declare, how that no man who wanteth such marks, as are above expressed, 
No man permitted to buy or sell in the papal state, who wanteth the former marks, or some of them  may be permitted either to buy or sell (so our Prophet speaketh) within the State of the Pope's Dominions. A most fearful calamity, denoting an universal Apostasy and defection; designing also the state of the true Church, for the whole time of Antichrists reign, to be obscure, unvisible, & unconspicuous, as being not allowed any manner 
The true Church inconspicuous in the time of Antichrist.  of commerce or society at all: what more apparent? And is not this very thing (to dispatch all in a word) the very selfe-yoke of the Exactor, and of that oppression, which by the Pope, i● laid upon all Persons whatsoever, who refuse or contemn the marks above expressed? Let our Adversaries (a most fit name for the Papists) shewus, if they can, any State, Kingdom, or Commonwealth (where the Papal Canons are not limited, or moderated by the Temporal Magistrate) in which any man or person, may be permitted either to buy or sell (that is, to have any peaceable commerce or society at all) who refuseth or contemneth the above-expressed marks.  
What else, but refusal and contempt of the said marks (since the absolute reign of Popes, in the Temple of decayed Christianity) hath caused so many commotions and subversions of States and Kingdoms? What else, hath been the Lake and Head of so many fearful hideous massacres? of such immane disquisitions, and Inquisitions? 
Refusal of Papal marks, cause of infinite calamities & oppressions  of such merciless stranglings and burnings? of so many rebellions, & insurrections? what else hath brought forth such an infinity of thunderclaps? of Interdicts and Excommunications? of threats and depositions? of imprisonments and proscriptions, what tongue can number them all? what heart can sufficiently deplore them all? Present examples hereof we have, so that he is a plain stupid, who observeth them not; he deserves not the name of a Christian, who condoles them not; neither is he worthy the name of a zealous Christian, who to the utmost of his power, withstands them not. And thus have I, by many reasons, suppositions, and demonstrations, confirmed and delivered, that, which his most Excellent Majesty hath in a few lines most solidly and Christianly objected, in his most Christian Praemonition (a praemonition worthy eternal memory) to Christian Princes; to weet, That the Papal State, is the very State of the Beast: My interpretation and exposition then, of this Text, in this place, and at this time, may not come unwelcome, which cometh countenanced, by such an Authority; Great is Truth, and is will prevail. And so a few words of our last Part, the dreadful threat, and denunciation of God's wrath, against the followers and Admirers of the Beast.    

The same shall drink of the wine of God's wrath, which is 
Third Part.  poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.  
Hencefrom we must learn a lesson of instruction, to lay to our hearts, and to fix in our remembrances, this fearful denunciation of the Angel, against all those, who shall either worship the Beast, or the Image of the Beast; or who shall receive the Beasts mark, either in their hands, or on their foreheads; that they shall drink, of the wine of God's wrath, which is poured out without mixture, in the cup of his indignation; and that they shall be tormented for ever, with fire and brimstone, in presence of the holy Angels, and of the Lamb. And who is not awaked? moved? yea, astonished to hear such a thunder? to observe such a storm? A thunder, arising from the breath of Angels, of the Lamb, and of Gods own mouth: A storm, not of fire alone, but of fire and brimstone; not a nights-storme, but an ever-during storm, poured from out of the cup, of God's heaviest wrath and indignation: What more dreadful; what more to be dreaded? O religious cares, and Christian hearts, let the fear of these things, teach us to put on a spirit of resolution and constancy, against the charms and deceitful sorceries, of all the subdolous Helen's, Sinon's, and Circeyes 
Great wariness to be usea against the Sinon's of Antichrist.  of Aniichrist: Those, who are of ordinary rank, it may be thought sufficient for them (for the avoiding of eternal damnation) that they go out of Babylon; that they adore neither the Beast, nor the Image of the Beast; neither do take his mark in their hands, or upon their foreheads: but for others, who sway and bear Staffs and Swords of Magistracy; who sit in the Chair of Prelacy, if these (God having put into their hearts to have preached, and to have written against the Whore: if these do not endeavour (to the utmost of their powers) to make her desolate? What else shall remain for them, but a fearful expectation of God's just judgement, together with the Beast, to drink of the Cup of his indignation and of the dregs of the Viols of his fury?  
I say not this, as though any Christian Magistrate may not suffer any peaceable professors of the Antichristian State to live (yea to live peaceably) within the precincts of his dominions: not so; for we cannot but think, that 
How worshippers of the Beast may be tolerated  as their are stratagems in war, so also that there are policies in. State: A wise General will be content, to lose some small quarter of his Army, so the day may be his: A wise and Christian Sovereign, may in wisdom give way a little in one place, so that Christ may gain more else where; especially, if there may be any probable hope, that Christ may be there preached, where (through the tyranny of Inquisition) he is scarce yet truly heard of. Constantius the Emperor (being moved thereunto by the Arrian Bishops) required of Athanasius, that the Arrians might be allowed 
Aremarkeable answer of Athanasius.  one Church at Alexandria: to which proposition, that ever renowned Prelate, made this answer: Most willing (said he) upon this condition, that the Orthodox may have one Church allowed them at Antioch: which his answer, though 
Baron. Anal. An●. Do. 349. n. 15.  it seemed most reasonable and equal to the Emperor; yet the Arrians, would none of it; so bad a cause did they maintain, and so loath were they to measure to others, with that measure: wherewith they would have others measure unto themselves.  
And who is he, if he be persuaded that truth is with us 
Our Adversaries dare not allow one Church for two; not one Minister for three Popish Priests.  (as most certain it is) and that also in the end, truth must and will prevail? Who I say is he, who would not wish with his whole heart that in all Cities and Towns, of any Protestant States and Kingdoms, that our Adversaries the Papists, might be allowed two Churches and two Priests, upon this condition, that in like Cities and Towns (number for number) of any Popish Kingdoms, or States; the Protestants and sincere Christians might be allowed but one Church and one Minister. This option, though it may seem unequal (two against one) for as it is in the proverb, Not Hercules against two; yet sure I am (so great ever is the diffidence of Heretics, and fear of those that are false) that they will never give their assent thereunto: which being so, what a vanity were it to think, that our Adversaries, shall ever be able to prevail by the way of truth? No, no, where they have not the means of promotion, nor teeth of Leviatham, and power of the Sword in their hands, there they are very feeble and weak; except it be upon some wanton and instable persons (laden with sin) who think that to be a most facile religion, which teacheth dames and maids, men and boys, to disburden their loaded souls into a Priest's lap; to confess and to be absolved, and then all to be cocksure: for, say they, the Priests sentence on earth, is also ratified in the very heavens; yea, though the sentence be given, well-nigh in the very heat of the sin; yea more, in the gilt of cankeriated and seared consciences, prepared and ready to return (as the dog to the vomit) to the same sin again.  
How vain to think, that our Adversaries, shall be ever able to prevail by the way of truth, when as their fingers never cease (by additions, detractions, and immutations) to corrupt (they say to correct) Ancient Authors? when as they dare not suffer any of theirs to read any of our 
See Azor. institut. moral. p. 1. l. 8. c. 16.  books? but curse with bell, book, and candle, all those who (without special licence) shall attempt the same? And though they may be thought to deal discreetly, in 
Manifest timidity in the Popes, not to allow the reading of any of our books, no not to their Prelates.  that they do not indifferently permit the reading of our books, to the promiscuous multitude; yet that they should not allow their learned Laics; more, their learned Priests; more, their learned Pastors; more, their Doctors and Prelates to read our books? What else can be the cause, but a conscience of their own weakness? On the contrary, Truth goeth on so confident (like a Lion) and courageous, in all Protestant States, or most of them; that well-nigh an infinity of Popish Authors are therein permitted; and yet, notwithstanding such an infinite liberty (which 
How Popery tolerated, and yet to little effect.  in a true sense may be called a toleration of Popery, even in her cunningest and readiest mystery of deceit) yet how few, of our learned, judicious, and understanding professors, are by such means drawn away from us to them? blasts and puffs of discontent, do indeed drive away some from us: But, should such a liberty of our books be allowed amongst them, it were not possible, but that the tenth (if not more) of theirs (both learned and judicious) would repair to us: And is not this, an argument Ostensine, that truth is with us, and not with them? And again, that their books, though tolerated amongst us (to use Chrysostoms' phrase) do rather confirm and settle solid minds, then move or shake them. 
Chrysost in 1. ad Corinth.   
Thus much have we noted of their books tolerated: but (to add a few words for your instruction) where (in any State Protestant) it may happen any Ignatians, or other Popish Priests and Friars to be tolerated, or connived at; what is the primest and onlyest weapon and means, by which they use to negotiate Souls, and to draw seduced fools, into their net of perdition: surely, it is fraudulent latency and seerecie; to work in secret, not suffering them, whom they assault (if possibly they may be so persuaded) to make known their attempts, to any of our learned Doctors and Pastors. Carbo, contesting and opposing 
The fraudulent endeavours of Popish Friars, etc.  against Silla his sworn enemy, was wont to affirm of him: That in Silla he fought both against Fox and Lion, yet that he feared more from the Fox, then from the Lion: Our Contestation and opposition, being against these our most devoted Enemies (Roman Silla's) we are in them to oppose both against Fox and Lion, yet (in my opinion) we may justly fear, more from the Fox, then from the Lion: I mean, more from their crafty subtlety; then from their open hostility and immunity. Amongst all the subtleties of the Fox, his hole is the primest; Amongst all the subtleties of the Ignatians, Friars and Monks (where the public face of religion is nor theirs, but they may only happen to be tolerated or connived at) no one 
Their greatest subtlety is Latency.  subtlety is like to that of their latency: who, as they (there) desire to go disguised in their habits, and to walk in many colours, and forms saving their own: yea, and had rather be connived at, to go so disguised, then to be tolerated, to go in their own habits themselves (for being subdolous workmen, they shun nothing more than the light:) so above all things they endeavour, that the persuasions which they use, to draw any from the truth, may be secret, latent, and not known: If then, the wisdom of any Protestant State, should (for some high respects) think it 
A necessary advice.  meet to tolerate, or to connive, at such manner of persons; then, above any cautions to be used, against their subtleties, divices, and circumuentions; I dare be bold to give this, and (in the fear of God, and in his presence) to charge you with it; that so soon as any of you may be assaulted, with their secret and sugared persuasions (to forsake God's truth, and to embrace their Idolo-many) that forthwith, and with all speed, ye make the same known, to some learned and discreet Divines: who, by the rule of reason, by the Authority of venerable Antiquity; but, above all, by the sacred Word of God (the rule of our Faith) may prearme you against all their superstitious, and sophistical vanities: I said before, discreet & learned Ministers; for above all things those who are so assaulted, must beware of those men, who are Semi-Admirers after the Beast, I mean such, who (who having put on the Dalmatian Apostatising spirit, or at least, are beginning to put on the same) do hold that the Papal Church, is the true Church of Christ; and that the obstinate Papists, so living and dying (without repentance) are in the state of salvation: Further, who affirm and dare to dogmatise, that there are no Heresies publicly defended and maintained in the Papal State; and that there is no fundamental difference, betwixt the Roman and the Reformed Churches: and yet, lest these Neutralizers should be taken in their hypocrisy, they will fairly mince the matter, and refine their words: For, they will acknowledge the Roman Church to be (O Egregious) aliqualiter corruptam, in somewhat corrupted: These, these Sinoes' ye must by all means avoid, for howsoever they seem to be ours, yet they are not in truth of us; but are ready to go out of us, driven by any blast of discontent, or alured by any jail of promotion, and that we have now more such amongst us, it ariseth from the vanity of false hopes and expectations. And yet let me not here be mistaken, in that which I so resolutely affirm against the salvation of Papists; or of their being in the state of salvation: This I affirm, not of or against all, but against wilful unrelenting and unrepentant Papists. For no doubt can be made, but that in the Popish Church, there are and have been diverse (which if we will speak properly, and according to the nature of terms, we may not call Papists) who (ignorant of the altitudes of the Beast, or not obstinately wedded thereunto) are in the way of salvation: but I say of such, that they are in the Popish Church, though not of the Popish Church, and that they suck only, the good which is in that Church; but have a reluctancy against the errors and superstitions; against the immanities' and presumptions of the Beast, and of his State. If any one ask me, how this can be so: my answer is very facile; for that in that Church, there is the Creed of the Apostles; there are 
How salvation may be thought to be had in the Popish Church.  also the holy Scriptures (though partly corrupted) why then shall it be thought impossible, for many in that Church, to profess the holy Creed in its true sense? and to embrace so much of the holy Scriptures (in the true sense) as is necessary to salvation? And as for practise, most certain it is, that diverse in that Church, neither adore their Images; nor their God in bread; nor greatly heed praying to Saints; nor the Pope's Supremacy; nor Purgatory flashes, with such like: and as for Papal Pardons, Grains, Medals, Agnus-deyes (with such like trumperies) they do both scorn and detest them, though for fear of the pharisees they dare not so profess. Of these and such like, I will confidently think and affirm, that they may so fairly be in the way of salvation, as Nicodemus was, 
john 3. 2.  whilst he came to Christ by stealth in the night; and as some of those thousands were (of whom God to Elias) who had not bowed their knees to Baal.  
This point, I might further enlarge, and more fully confirm, but time permits me not so to do; yet time, (by your Christian patience and leave) shall yield me liberty, to give a necessary instruction unto such (if any such hear me this day) who trembling and fearing where there is no just cause of fear, do fearfully presage, and fear to themselves, that there may happen (and also that the same is at hand) some general fall, and change from Religion 
A vain fear of change of religion, convicted and reproved.  to Popery, in this renowned State and Kingdom. Against the vanity of this conceit (though I nothing doubt, but that there are, who endeavour such a fall, and most perfidiously endeavour it) let me thus confirm and arm you: That such a thing is Morally, Royally, and Divinely impossible: First, it is morally impossible, that a Kingdom, so settled and established in Christ's Gospel, should ever endure to behold, the puppet plays of Popery; had the truth been so established in King Edward's reign, as now (by God's favour) it is; we should not have seen, nor heard of so sudden a change, as was made presently after: but what was the cause thereof, the Calves of Bethel, were then fresh in remembrance; the Beast then but entered into her consumption with us, the words of God there and then are fulfilled, when and where her flesh is eaten, and her bones consumed. The Gospel was indeed planted in King Edward's days, but not watered before Queen Mary's Tragedy. The good seed was cast into the ground, but it rooted not, till it was watered (and after it was watered) with the blood of Saints; ever since, it hath flourished as the Palm, and shall still (God saying Amen) flourish, maugre the malice of Satan, and of Antichrist.  
Cast your eyes round about this present World, reflect your memories into Generations, all Generations past; and show me (if you can) any State or Kingdom, which having once fully (fully I say) shaken off the Papal yoke, by a perfect reformation, did ever setledly receive the same again? How many pretended unions of subjection (above half a score) have been made, betwixt the Church of Rome, and those of Constantinople, and of the East? and as yet they have not setledly agreed, neither will they ever so do. The Muscovian Empire, which is now of the Greeks' belief, had it not rather fall into the hands of the Turk, then into the Bear's Feet? And is not such the resolved affection of most Reformed professions & States? Not for any love they bear to the Turkish profession (as Turce-Papizing Reinolds calumniously 
Coluino, turc. lib. 7.  infers and deduces) but for that, there is a Greater Clemency in Turk, then in Pope; the later, incessantly persecuting with fire and faggot all reformed Professors, whom the other Clemently tolerates, and respectively protects: as likewise he doth those of the Papal faith, who are tolerated likewise (if peaceable) within the bounds of his Empire. And to conclude this point, where the light of the Gospel hath been throughly preached; and the puppetlike vanities of Popery have been lively displayed, it is not possible that any Intelligent or understanding Nation, should be brought to creep to a wooden stock, or to fall down and adore, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a God of bread, which after digestion, is to be cast in secessum, into the privy, or which locked up in a Tabernacle may be knawen by a Mouse or Rat, or consumed by Worms, etc. Thus is alteration and change of religion, in this renowned State (and what Statesman knoweth not so much?) shown to be morally impossible: more might be added, I said in the second place, that such a change was divinely impossible; for how else (to dispute probably, and why may not such be the sense of the Holy Ghost?) shall the words of God be accomplished, that those States and Kingdoms, 
Apoc. 17. 1●.  which first loved the whore, should afterwards hate her, yea so hate her, that they should eat her flesh, and consume her bones with fire: and what is this else but to make her desolate, without any hope of ever recovering her former state again? The Scripture speaketh thus of all the haters of the whore; haters of the whore (I say) such as make a perfect reformation, not in part, but wholly; not in substance only, but in ceremonies likewise; such as eat and devour the delicacy of all her superstitious rags, and consume the very body of her errors and heresies; the Scripture affirming this of all the haters of the Whore, may we not with great probability apply and assume the same to this renowned State and Church, which is become as an Assyle and Sanctuary to all sincere haters of the Whore, to all such whom the Tyranny of the Whore and her Confederates may force into exile; and to all such whom the force of Truth may effectually move to abandon all subjection to the Whore. The Word of God is gone forth; and by what is already happily begun, let us be most assured, that her utter ruin will in time be accomplished: what? if our disguised Adversaries vaunt (to their deceived Dames and deluded wantoness) the contrary? what though our Lukewarm Laodiceanizers (halters betwixt Baal and God) dream to the contrary; gaping after preferments by such means, which are never likely to come to pass? what? though the Covert-chaffe of Communion-Recusants, do now show itself to be Church-Recusants; dreaming after we cannot tell what? what though there be such shadows of vain hopes? The words of God must be accomplished, and ere it be long (hypocrites in all States & Churches, being to their shame discovered) The man of sin, and son of perdition will be brought to utter ruin and 
Change of Religion royally impossible.  perdition: Come Lord jesus, come quickly. I said in the third place, that such a change was Royally impossible: For how possible, that our Religious David, should not be Semper Idem, always the same? How possible but he, who hath gone in and out before us in this holy war? Yea more, Cecinit classicum, hath sounded out his most Christian & learned Alarm; wherein the Papal State is most lively and 
Praemonit. reg.  learnedly declared to be the State of the Beast: and wherein there is more learning and Divinity, then can justly be refuted by all Papal Rabbins; I add, or by any of their dissembling Favourites: How possible (I say) that he, who hath so happily begun in the spirit, should end in the flesh? Shall any of us, dare to be so irreverent against Majesty (so Christian a Majesty) as once to think, that he will do aught against the knowledge of his own conscience? (a sin against the Holy Ghost) or that he will suffer, that truth to be imprisoned, impugned, which his Royal Pen hath so learnedly and Christianly defended and maintained? Far be all such surmises from the hearts and tongues of all dutiful Subjects, who also ever will (as they ought) interpret, Arcana Regni, Secrets of State, in the best sense. But if, we will not persuade ourselves, that such a change is Royally impossible; in regard we have a Religious, Learned & Resolved Prince, in all points of Christianity; yet let us be persuaded, that such an alteration is Royally impossible, in respect we have an Intelligent, and a Politic wise Prince: for who cannot but know, that with such a change he must put on, lugum exactoris, The very yoke of the Exactor, and that he and his Successors, must of Absolute Monarches, & Sovereign Commanders, become blind devouts to Papal Breefs, and liege Servants also to the Sovereign Lord (of all Lords) the Pope. For in Papistry it is an Axiom, that the Nation and Kingdom, which shall not serve the Pope, shall, must, and aught to perish. Let us then rest resolved, that such a change is altogether both unlikely and impossible: Let us cast off such fears, & rather take heed that our Adversaries do not think that we have conceived any such fear; for upon such conceptions, they will begin new stratagems, and will think the day to be half theirs, if they once apprehend that we are afraid of their prevailing.  
I sum up this my discourse, and advice thus; let every soul here present, fear, lest through demerits of our sins, we may be drawn from the steadfastness of our profession; let us also in devor by force of truth, and firmness of persuasions, to draw the Papist from the Idols of his Heresies, Superstitions, and Impieties. Ulysses his followers stopped their 
A necessary caveat.  ears, so to escape the charms of Circe's; Ulysses himself (his ears being unstopped) binds himself fast to the Mast of the Ship, that so he might escape her veneficious charms: Ye that are but weak in zeal, or not fully instructed, stop your ear against Rome's Charmers, charm they never so gloriously; but ye who are better instructed, and who dare to hear their disputes, their conferences, their arguments; tie your souls inviolably to the Mast of Christ his Ship, his sacred Word; with the cords 
A true rule of Catholicisme: Vincent Litivensis contra Hereses.  of the rule of Faith; which rule is no other, than that form of doctrine which is Catholic: that Quae semper, quae ubique, quae ab omnibus credita fuit; That doctrine which always, which in all places, and of all persons hath been believed. Under this Mast only (Gods sacred Word catholicly, not Popishly interpreted) shall ye be safe and secure, against all the novel vanities, and vain novelties; against all the impious blasphemies, and blasphemous impieties; against all the arrogant presumptions, and presumptuous arrogancies of the Antichristian State of Rome.  
Let us then, O Christian souls! be resolute & constant for the testimony of jesus! he who looks back (having put his hand to the plough) is not fit for the Kingdom of God: neither is he fit for the religious chase, & zealous pursuit, which is to be made after so execrable a Beast, who may either look back by returning, or withdrawing his first works (like some Godless Dalmatian Apostata) or who like some profane Helcesaean (dissembling his Faith) may shake hands in somewicked communion with the Beast, or with these sworn champions of the Beast; or finally, who like some Godless Adiaphorizer, may either say in his heart or speak with his mouth, that any man (so he profess Christ, believe on Christ) may be saved in such his faith and profession, be it Popish, be it Muscovish; be it Pelagian, be it Donatian, be it of any other, falsely named, form of Faith whatsoever. O Christ, what times dost thou suffer, when we are thus enforced to speak against such an excess of impiety and irreligiosity!  
I conclude, the God of Gods hath spoken, Mercy and judgement belongs to him: mercy from him, for all those, who shall sincerely serve and worship him; judgement against all those, who shall worship the Beast, or the Image of the Beast: mercy for ever, for all those who under the Lamb, are called chosen and faithful; judgement against all those, Who shall receive the mark of the Beast in their hands, or on their foreheads: mercy for all those, Who may dye in the Lord, for they shall rest from their labours: (which God of his infinite mercy grant to every soul here present:) judgement against all those, who shall admire after the Beast; for they shall drink of the cup of God's wrath and indignation.  
From us, who worship the Lamb, but abhor the Beast; who only adore God's Word, but execrate the Beasts Traditions: From us, who have in hate all the marks and Characters of the Beast, and who are signed with the Spirit of the holy Lamb in the day of our Redemption. From us (I say) to our God, together with the Lamb that sitteth upon the Throne, and their ever blessed Spirit, be rendered benediction, clarity, power, wisdom, honour, thanksgiving, virtue, and obedience, from this time forth for evermore,  
Amen.   
Laus Deo.