Viner Major. Tuesday the eighth day of Nou. 1653.  
ORdered that Mr. Strong be desired from this Court to Print his Sermon Preached at Paul's, on the fifth of this instant November.  
Sadler.   

A Voice from Heaven, CALLING The PEOPLE of GOD to a Perfect SEPARATION FROM Mystical Babylon. AS it was delivered in a Sermon at Paul's before the Right Honourable the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London, on Novem. 5. 1653.  
By William Strong, PREACHER of the GOSPEL at the ABBEY WESTMINSTER.  
LONDON, Printed by Robert White, for Francis Titan, and are to sold at the Sign of the three Daggers in Fleetstreet, near the Inner Temple Gate. 1654.   

To the Right Honourable THOMAS VINER, Lord Mayor of London, and the Right Worshipful the Court of Aldermen of the City of London.  
Right Honourable!  
THough there be many reasons which might persuade met silence, especially at such a time, in which some men are made Transgressor's for a word, nay every word makes them Transgressor's; and benè latere, wisely to conceal a man's self, specially in matters of Religion, is one great part of the wisdom of this Age; Yet by your Command, and in obedience to your Order, I have adventured this Sermon into public view; which I confess I was the more easily induced to, because it tends to keep up the memorial of that ancient mercy, which (I conceive) God would not have forgotten by us: as also because (unto my grief) I hear, that its commonly whispered by many, that it was only plotted by King James, like to that of Gowries Conspiracy, for some Politic end. But who ever shall look into the story, as related by Thuanus, (surely no enemy to the Papists) shall see reason enough to conclude the story most true, and the design on their part real; 
De libertate conscientiarum desperata, etc.  The occasion he tells us, was a deep discontent, for not attaining a toleration of their Religion; 
Sic a Theologis suis disserebatur, Regem deponere, & regna concedere penes supremum Ecclesiae judicium esse, etc.  that the Popish Divines had several Debates about it, to set the Consciences of the Conspirators free from their obedience and Allegiance: great Consultations were held with foreign Princes, great assistances promised, persons brought from several parts, many of them related to the jesuites, and of that faction, to act in this design; 
E sodalitio Jesuitico machinatio sanguinolenta, & si fuisset per acta, ipse ex animo & intimis sensibus detestaturus erat. Et tam atrox & immano faci●…s Catholicos suscepisse plus morte sibi dolere.  as appears in the confession of Garnet, who did acknowledge when he came to die, that the thing was so horrid, that it grieved him more than death itself, that the Catholics should have a hand therein. And yet will men who cry out against Antichrist, plead so much for him, as to make this a feigned story, and by this means make all our former praises to be mockings of God, and taking his name in vain, and bring the guilt of the blood of all the Conspirators upon this Nation. But whither will ignorance and interest carry men? even to despise the mercies of God, Condemn the practices of the Godly, justify the wicked, and for some petty end, take part with their greatest enemies.  
In this Sermon, warning is given unto the people of God against Popery, which may seem to some men altogether needless; a melancholy conceit, and nothing else, especially in such a time as this, when we seem to be so zealous in departing from Antichrist, that we are ready to go too far the contrary way; and to forsake the things of Christ, under the name of Antichristian. But I have read of a Wolf in Sheep's clothing; and do never look upon Satan as a roaring Lion, more than when transformed into an Angel, and do never fear Antichrist more, than when he professes to fight under Christ's banner. But in the Scripture we have variety of Notes by which Antichrist is described, and by these we shall best judge who are Antichristian in their Spirits, Principles, and Practices.  
First, Antichrist came in with an Apostasy; when men fell away from God, the way of truth and Holiness, which before they professed. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 2. Thes. 2.3.  
2. He brought in a Lie in Doctrine and worship, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 2. Thes. 2.11. and that even in fundamentals; Antichrist denying the Father and the Son, 1 John 2.22.  
3. Antichrist did impose upon all men under the danger of persecution; 
Papalem excommunicationem notari. Mede  he did make all, small and great, rich and poor, bond and free, to receive his mark, and no man might buy and sell (trade with him in things spiritual) that received it not, Revel. 13.16,17.  
4. He speaks Blasphemy against the Saints of God, and their worship; he blasphemes the Tabernacle of God, and them that dwell in Heaven, Rev. 13.6. And there hath not been an age since the mystery of iniquity began to work, wherein more of these notes were to be found, then in that wherein we live; if therefore the Spirit of Antichrist in these great things prevail so much among us, and yet we cry out even against the things of Christ as Antichristian, it may justly make men fear that this is the decoy, the great deceit being to bring in Antichrist under the colour of opposing him, and being zealous against him.  
And though we have cause to fear the effectual working of this deceit in all parts of this Nation, yet who sees not that the great plot is upon this City? by reason of its confluence from, and its influence upon all parts of the Nation: here they shall be favoured, followed, of what opinion so ever they be: it's your duty therefore Right Honourable, to look upon it with the more watchful eye: take care of these wanderers, wandering Stars the Scripture calls them, that have no fixed places, that have various motions; now they are here, but if you look for them aanon they are to be found in some other part of the Heavens: these are the men that raise Stirs, cause Tumults, make Factions, to that end that they may swim in such troubled waters, and seem somebody in a Party; who if they stood single, would be wholly inconsiderable. These prove slanderers also, and whom they can not, dare not oppose, they dare asperse, 
Jer. 20.10.  Report say they, & we will report it; this is but the beginning of evil. Such are to be noted by you, discountenanced, warned; and so much the rather, because all the disturbances that are among us, are because the people as Clouds are carried about with such winds; if we could allay the winds, the Heavens would be clear; We speak much of settlement; the best way to settle men is to remove those that unsettle them; and to establish them, is to discountenance those whose business is to beguile unstable Souls, that they may make merchandise of them. And when in this work it shall be told you, that it belongs not to you to meddle with Religion; your power is only in things Civil, being a Civil Magistrate; Do you consider, the foundation of honesty is laid in Godliness; and all the duties of the second, are grounded in the obedience of the first Table. That men are to obey you for conscience sake, and conscience respects God only; and if you set their consciences at liberty in the things of God sinfully, you may expect that God shall let their consciences lose from obedience unto you, judicially; for surely they that are to obey you only out of conscience to God, if they make no conscience of obedience to him, it cannot be rationally expected, that they should be conscientious in obedience towards you. The Magistrate is to rule with God; and his great care is to be, that nothing provoke God to departed from his Government; for (what ever men imagine) it is the Lord that builds the house, that keeps the City: 
Ezech. 10.2.  and fire taken off the Altar, burns more fiercely, when scattered over the City, then common fire. Let therefore the great things of Christ, and of his Gospel be your care, and be you very vigilant against all the wiles of Antichrist, for he is a Beast issuing out of the Earth, 
Rev. 13.11.  of a base original, and yet growing up insensibly; 
Stirpium more. Mede.  and his horns are like a Lamb, when he speaks like a Dragon. The more subtlety there is in this Adversary, the greater circumspection is required in you. So shall you be chosen Instruments in the Lord's hand, to keep this people from returning to Babylon; so shall you eminently serve your Generation, lay down your sword in peace; and the ruin intended, endeavoured upon this City, shall not be in your hands, which is the humble and hearty prayers of him who is  
Yours to serve you in the Gospel, W. S.   

A Voice from Heaven, Calling the People of God to a perfect separation from mystical BABYLON.  REV. 18.4. 
And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her my People, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.  
THis Book sets forth the state of the Church, and of the Empire under the two last heads of the fourth Beast: and it contains in it, in reference to the Empire, three great Prophecies.  
First, of the Seals, which I conceive refer unto Rome Pagan.  
Secondly, Of the Trumpets, which refer unto Rome Christian, after the time of Constantine the Emperor.  
Thirdly, Of the Vials, which refer unto Rome Antichristian, after the Apostasy spoken of 2 Thes. 2.3. There must come a falling away first, that the man of sin may be revealed, the son of perdition: the rise of Antichrist is set down in this Book, Ch. 13. under the representation of two Beasts, noting his double power; one temporal; so he is a Beast arising out of the Sea with seven heads and ten horns: The other Ecclesiastical: so he is a Beast arising out of the Earth, having two horns like a Lamb, etc. and his ruin is described Chap. 16. where are set down the several steps and degrees thereof.  
These words of the Text refer unto the time of the fifth Vial, which is to be poured out upon the Throne of the Beast, Chap. 16.10. which in this Chapter is more fully set forth, with the manner, and the several circumstances thereof; when a mighty Angel shall cry with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird.  
These words now read unto you, 
Quamobrem aliquot Electi delitescunt adhuc in eluvione Romanae impietatis, quorum Deus meminit in communi perditione improborum. Bright.  are taken out of Jer. 51.45. My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his own soul from the fierce anger of the Lord; and they contain in them two things first, An exhortation unto the people of God, who are yet supposed to be mixed amongst the Romish Idolaters; yea even then when Rome comes to receive its last plagues; in these words, come out of her my people.  
Secondly, The reason given thereof, taken from a double evil; First of sin, that ye be not partakers of her sins; Secondly of suffering, that ye receive not of her plagues.  
Two things are to be spoken of by way of explication, before I can propose the Doctrine which I intent: and they are these, First, What is meant here by Babylon.  
Secondly, What is the destruction which is here threatened unto Babylon.  
First, what is meant by Babylon; for the understanding thereof, we read Chap. 17. ver. 3, 4, 5. Of a woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured Beast, full of names of Blasphemy, etc. and her name was written in her forehead, Babylon the great, the Mother of Harlots; Babylon therefore here spoken of, is described to be a Woman: and vers. 18. the Woman is interpreted to be that great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth; so that Babylon in the sense of the holy Ghost, is a great City: and that ancient Babylon cannot be here meant, is plain: partly, because the ruin thereof was prophesied, Isa. 21.9. Jer. 51.64. Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not arise from the evil that I will bring upon her. Which threaten were inflicted long before Saint John's time: but the City here spoken of did then reign over the Kings of the Earth: and John in this book doth speak of nothing but the things that were, and that should come to pass hereafter: as appears Chap. 1.19. Writ the things which thou hast seen: the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; It appears also, because the Spirit of God hath given us two words of purpose to keep us off from a literal sense; one, Chap. 11.8. which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt: it is a City therefore that is here spoken of, that hath the name of Sodom and Egypt, yet not to be literally, but spiritually understood: and the other is Chap. 17.5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Mystery, Babylon the Great: it is not therefore to be literally, but mystically interpreted: and what City in S. John's time did rule over the Kings of the Earth, but Rome? called every where in this Book the great City, and by Historians Orbis totius compendium: & orbis terrarum lux & regina, etc. 
Cum caput illud O●bis ●ccidet & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 esse caeperit, quis dubitet venisse jam finem rebu● humanis orbique terrarum: Illa est enim civitas, quae adhuc sustentat omnia, etc. Ne Tyrannus lumen illud effodiat, cujus interitu mundus ipse lapsurus est, Lactan. de divin. praem. lib. 7. cap. 25.  Yea, and A Lapide himself, though a Jesuit, doth acknowledge all this to be meant of Rome, and can be understood of nothing else: only he refers it to Rome in the latter days of the world: his Observation upon Chap. 18. is this, Nota, Romam meretricem esse, & mercatricem, & cauponam, quae vine suo omnes inebriat & dementat. And this is called mystically Babylon, upon a double account.  
First, because of their resemblance in sin: First in pride and Self exaltation: Babylon the glory of Kingdoms, the Beauty of the chaldeans excellency, Isa. 13.19. So Rome, she saith in her heart. I sit as a Queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Revel. 18.7.  
Secondly, In Tyranny and cruelty: Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the Earth drunken; the Nations have drunk of her wine; therefore are the Nations mad. Jer. 51.7. So mystical Babylon is a woman that sits upon many waters, rides upon the Scarlet coloured Beast, and hath a golden cup in her hand, and she was found drunk with the blood of the Saints, and the Martyrs of Jesus, Rev. 17.6.  
Thirdly, In their Witchcraft and Sorcery; therefore Chaldeans and Soothsayers are commonly put one for another: most of them being Magicians, and addicted unto those unlawful Arts: So Mystical Babylon; by her Sorceries are all Nations deceived, Rev. 18.23. Which sometimes makes me fear Popery in England much the more, because it cannot but be apparent unto every judicious man, that Sorcery grows common amongst us: and we have many instances, that as Heresy and Cruelty, so Heresy and Sorcery have gone together.  
Secondly, It is called Babylon, because of the likeness in the punishment.  
First, The Vengeance upon Babylon, was the Vengeance of the Temple, Jer. 50.28. the Violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitants of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Caldea, shall Jerusalem say, Jer. 51.35. So it shall be with Mystical Babylon; in her was found the blood of of the Prophets, and of the Saints, and of all that were slain upon the Earth; and the Lord will avenge this blood of his servants at her hand, and will give them blood to drink, for they are worthy, Rev. 16.18. & 19.2.  
Secondly, The destruction of Babylon did come suddenly; these two things shall come to thee in a moment, in one day, the loss of children and widowhood, they shall come upon thee in their perfection, in the multitude of thy Sorceries, and the great abundance of thy Enchantments; Isa. 47.9. So will the Lord deal with mystical Babylon, she shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation: her plagues shall come in one day: Death, and mourning, and famine: and she shall be utterly burnt with fire: For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her, Rev. 11.10. & 18.8.  
Thirdly, The destruction of Babylon shall be perpetual: it shall never be built, never be inhabited, nor dwelled in from Generation to Generation, but the wild Beasts of the Desert shall lie there, Owls shall dwell there, and Satyrs dance there, Isa. 13.20,21. The same is said of mystical Babylon also: No crafts-man shall be found any more in thee, the sound of the Millstone shall be heard no more in thee, the light of the candle shall shine no more in thee, but thou shalt become the habitation of Devils, and the cage of every unclean and hateful Bird: Rev. 18.2.22,23.  
Secondly what is the destruction threatened to Mystical Babylon in this Book? 
Duplex Babylonis interitus in hisce vaticiniis, primo pro urbe Bestiae regia, puta urbe Romana; deinde pro Civibus aut Civitate Romana quam constituit Papa, etc. Mede clavis Apoc. Cap. 11.  there is a double ruin & overthrow denounced against her: First, as Babylon is taken for the City called the Throne of the Beast, Rev. 13.2. sc. that which was unto the Heathen Emperors the Metropolis or Imperial City, this was given to this new Beast, and becomes his Throne also. Rev. 13.2.  
Thus Babylon is to be destroyed under the fifth vial, Rev. 16.10. and unto this destruction the words of the Text refer.  
Secondly, Babylon is not only taken for the City, but the Citizens, the inhabitants thereof; the chief part of which are the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, with their several Religious Orders, who after the burning of the City by the ten Kings, shall escape by flight, and shall send forth their Emissaries unto the Kings of the Earth, not subdued by the Lamb, and shall prevail with them to join in the same interest, and stir them up to unite in that great Battle Armageddon, where Antichrist with all his scattered troops, and his confederates, even all the wicked of the Earth, shall be destroyed at once; for the Lord loves to see them perish together, to bind them in bundles to burn.  
This destruction of Babylon is reserved to the last Vial, that upon the Air; and then shall great Babylon come up into remembrance before God to her utter ruin, that her name shall either be blotted out, or become a Curse in the Earth.  
Having thus opened the words, the Observation which I have pitched upon, is this,  

Doctr.  That it is a special duty which the Lord requires of his people, living in such times, that they make a separation from Mystical Babylon, and that especially when her ruin draws near.  
For the opening of it, there are two things to be considered.  
First, What separation is required.  
Secondly, What are the grounds and the reasons of it.  
First, What kind of separation doth the Lord require of his people? this we are the more narrowly to look into; because it is a controversy between us and them; and the question, as Cardinal Perron proposeth it, is, Liceatne à communione visibilis Ecclesiae discedere? 
Cameron opusc. miscel. pag. 522.  therefore I must give you this distinction.  
First, There is a separation that is a sin.  
Secondly, There is a separation that is a duty.  
First, There is a separation that is a sin; These are they that separate themselves, sensual, not having the Spirit, 
Judas 19  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the Decompound may seem to note thus much, that they separate and separate, till they have forsaken all the true Churches of Christ upon Earth; many there are for this kind of Separation, who say, there are no true Churches, Ordinances, Ministry, and with the foot of pride and contempt, not only departed from them all, but kick at them.  
Unto these I would only say three things; First, this Doctrine doth at once destroy the whole plot of this Book of the Revelation, wherein the Lord shows unto John all things that should be acted for his Church unto the end of the World; and the Spectators thereof, which are as the Chorus, and upon every occasion give their Acclamations, are the Churches.  
First, The Church is here meant, because first there is God's presence amongst his people, his Throne is there erected, Rev. 4.3. suitable to that, A glorious high Throne is the place of our Sanctuary, Jer. 17.12.  
Secondly, There is God's worship, Rev. 4.8. They rest not day nor night, saying, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.  
Secondly, It is a Church of men, not of Angels: for they sing, thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, Rev. 5.9. which cannot be spoken of the Angels.  
Thirdly, It is a Church of men upon Earth, and not in Heaven; for there are the seven spirits before the Throne, which notes the variety of the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which are proper only to the Earth: for in Heaven gifts shall cease, as also the present manner of administration from the Throne.  
And there is before the Throne a Sea of glass, in allusion to Solomon's Sea, which was for the priests to wash in, and that supposes defilement, which is not in Heaven.  
Fourthly, It is a visible, and not an invisible Church: for here are Beasts and Elders, which are Officers and Brethren, which belong only unto the Church visible: and they are described here as met together to give God glory, which belongs only to visible Churches, Rev. 9.9. And there be Angels round about the Throne, and the Beasts, and Elders. Rev. 5.11. which shall not be in Heaven: for Christ shall put down all rule, and authority, and power, 1 Cor. 15.24. which is to be understood de principatu Angelico, as well as of any other power, and their shall be need of no such guard in Heaven.  
Fifthly, It is spoken of visible Churches all the world over; for they say, Thou hast redeemed us by thy blood out of every Kindred, and Tongue, People and Nation, and hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign in the Earth: Rev. 5.10. But they that maintain such a separation from all Churches, must blot out this Chapter out of their Bibles; for the pure times of the Church, it's conceived, did not continue above 360, or 365 years, and then The man of sin began to be revealed: since which time this Opinion doth say, there have been neither Beasts nor Elders to observe and give God the Glory of his actings, during the whole time of Antichrists Tyranny.  
Secondly, The Scripture doth clearly tell us, that during the whole time of this great apostasy of Antichrist, there are some that the Lord will preserve pure unto himself, and which he will own as Churches during the whole time of Antichrist: his first rise is set forth, Rev. 13. and then we have the state of the Church described, Chap. 14.1,2,3,4. by which it appears that when the whole world wondered after the Beast, yet there were reserved an hundred forty and four thousand, who stood with the Lamb upon Mount Zion, having his Father's Name, (not Antichrists Mark) written in their foreheads, and they sung a new song, that is, did praise and worship God in an excellent and acceptable manner, which was hid from the rest of the world who did worship the Beast: these are said to be redeemed from amongst men, and were as the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, of that general Conversion which shall be when Antichrist shall be destroyed. 
Canticum novum pro eximio. Psal. 33.3. Isa. 62.2. Rev. 21.5. vel novum de novo beneficio liberationis factae Isa. 42.10. vel novum est innovatum, iterum atque iterum rep●…tum.   
And Chap. 15.1,2. we read of a sea of Glass, upon which those stood who had gotten the victory over the Beast, his Image Mark, and the Number of his name, & they had the Harps of God in their hands; they did worship God purely and publicly, during the time of Antichrists reign, which is commonly interpreted of the reformed Churches; And immediately after Babylon's ruin, we read of the four Beasts, and the four and twenty Elders, who observe this, and give the Lord the Glory, saying, Amen, hallelujah, Rev. 19.4. therefore during the whole time of Antichrist, there have been, and shall be some that are gathered into Bodies, members and Officers, Beasts and Elders, owned as true Churches by Christ, who during the time of this Apostasy, have kept their garments, are not defiled with women, but in reference to Antichrists fornications, are Virgins, in whose mouth is found no guile, but they are without fault before the Throne of God; Rev. 14.4,5. How then shall any man say, that all Churches have been so corrupted by Antichrist, as that they remain no more Churches unto Christ? when the Lord gives unto some of them this Testimony, that either they have not received the mark of the Beast, or have gotten the victory over it, and his Name, and the number of his Name, that is, whatsoever is Antichristian, and they remain as Virgins and without fault before his Throne.  
Thirdly, Let all such persons consider, that denying any true Churches of Christ, they must of necessity place themselves in the Synagogue of Satan; which appears so much the more, because they bring upon themselves the guilt of the highest pride in the World, which was the Devil's sin; 1 Tim. 3.6. To unsaint a man is a great height of pride, much more to unchurch a Society, and that under the name of Antichristian, who profess to disclaim Antichrist, and whatsoever shall be made to appear to relate to him.  
But what is it then to deal thus with all the Churches of Christ upon Earth? Societies where the Lord hath manifested his presence, to the Conversion and Salvation of many thousand Souls, who have this Testimony from the Lord, that they have gotten the Victory over the Beast, his Image, his Mark, his Name, those whom the Lord owns, as having his Name written in their foreheads: And yet to unchurch all these, and number them with the Antichristian Party to destruction, is such a piece of Pride, as one would hardly have thought could have entered into the heart of any but the Devil; And that this is more immediately from Satan, I am inclined to think, from a passage I have met with in Austin; When Satan could not prevail to keep the Christian Religion out of the world, but the Gospel did spread even as a Sunbeam among the Gentiles, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Euseb.  he did then persuade the Heathen, and they were confident of it, that the Christian Religion should continue in the world but three hundred sixty and five years, and then they should return to Paganism again; but that so long Peter had bewitched the world by his Sorceries, that they should believe in Christ: 
Definitum est quanto tempore mansura esset religio Christiana: Petrum maleficia subjungunt, ut coleretur Christi nomen per trecentos sexaginta quinque annos; deinde completo memorato numero annorum, fine mora sinem sumet. de civet. Dei. lib. 18. cap. 53.  happily by this Prophecy he might intent, that about this time Antichrist, the man of Sin should rise, and the Temple of God be given to the Antichristian Gentiles (Popery being nothing else but Ethnicismus Redivivus) And so the Devils prophesy was after a sort fulfilled, when after three hundred sixty five years, or thereabouts, the apostasy of Antichrist did overspread the World: But these men undertake to make it good, and that even in as large a sense as Satan would have it understood; sc. that there are no true Churches, no true Ordinances since that time; and so since Antichrists rise, the Christian Religion hath been destroyed, or in a manner utterly banished out of the world. 
Qui fratres nullos extra suam partem agnoscere volebant, & adversus orbem terrarum sacrilegae dissensionis altare erexcrunt. Aust. de verit. Eccles. cap. 13.16.  There are another sort, who, though they deny not all Churches as the former, yet like to the Donatists of old, they acknowledge none but their own, all other they readily term Antichristian, and such as they can hold no Communion with, though they profess to believe the same principles of Religion, and walk in holiness of Conversation: yet they deny them Communion, as Churches, unless they come under their form. Now because godly men may fall under this delusion; therefore I desire all such persons seriously to consider these three things.  
First, Christ in the days of his flesh separated not from the Church of the Jews, though there were abundance, and those very gross Corruptions in it: Now the Disciple is not above his Lord; it is not good to make ourselves wiser or more holy than he.  
Secondly, When Christ holds communion as a head, we should not deny it as members: Now Christ did not presently give Babylon a Bill of Divorce, Corruption coming into that Church by degrees; and so long as Salvation was to be had, there this Voice was not heard from Heaven, Come out of her my people: they were not called to separate from her Communion; and it must needs be dangerous for any person, to call a Society Loammi, which God hath not so named.  
Thirdly, Where the Foundations of Religion are held, though there be many differences in circumstantials, yet it is not lawful to break communion with such, much less under the name of Antichristian; For though the Sea of glass be mingled with fire, the fire of Contention, and though there be great differences in opinion, yet all may get the Victory over the Beast and his Image, his Mark, and his Name, and they may join together to praise God they have so, though it may be they are not all alike Victorious: 
Quas Ecclesias non dissitemur retinere conjunctionem & communionem salutiferā cum Christo capite & fundamento sanctae Catholicae Ecclesiae; cum illis decet nos retinere fraternam Communionem. Daven. ad. hortat. ad pacem Eccles. cap. 8.  This therefore hath been a Rule given by Divines in several ages, for the reconciling of brethren among themselves that hold the head, Keep to the Foundation, though in many things of less concernment they differ, and that is, that with all such Communion is to be held, as with the Churches of Christ, their Errors not being such as cut them off from Christ, or being inconsistent with Salvation. Upon this ground the ancient Church did own the Donatists as brethren, and held it their duty so to do. 
Optat. Mile. vit. lib. 3. & 7. de Schismat. Donat. Nomen frateruitatis non putavit istis denegandum; immo impietatis esse putavit de isto nomine vel tacere.  Donatistas' ab Orthodoxis pro fratribus agnosci etc. Fraternitatis nomen Donatistis fastidiosum, Orthodoxis vero necessarium, etc. For they durst not deny Communion with them in Church Ordinances, whom they durst not deny to enjoy Communion with Christ here, and of whom they could upon Scripture grounds hope they should have Communion with them in glory hereafter. And if this be not a Rule by which we ought to walk, there can be no Communion beetwen Parties disagreeing in any thing: For so long as there is blindness in the mind of man, and some things in the Scripture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hard to be understood, so long as there are different degrees of light, and men not made perfect in love, 'tis impossible that in every thing we should agree: Yet so long as we hold the main, that wherein Salvation lies (for in brevi & facili stat aeternitas: Hilar.) so long as we differ not in Fundamentals, such Doctrines which a man cannot be ignorant of, as Austin observes, sine dispendio promissae Salutis, without missing Salvation, this union in the great things of Religion should engage men to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and to take heed that they differ not in affections, where they cannot agree in opinion.  
Secondly, There is a separation which is a duty; Come out from among them, and be you separate, 2 Cor. 6.17. which is by Cameron and others said to be double; Excessus internus & externus, That is, a separation from the corruption, and from the Communion of a Church.  
First, There is a separation from the corruption of a Church; so we are to separate in any Church in the world, that is, to abstain from the evil thereof, and in our place to bear our Testimony against it: Thus we see, though the Lord Jesus did hold communion with the Church of the Jews, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto thee, Heb. 2.12. Yet he did separate from all the Corruptions thereof, and was unto them a faithful and true witness against their Erroneous Doctrines, Superstitious Customs and Traditions: thus it was the duty of God's people, from the first Working of the Mystery of iniquity, to come out of Babylon; and therefore the Witnesses began their Testimony, as soon as Antichrist began his Apostasy to tread down the Temple of God, or rather the outward Court thereof: For they Prophesied in sackcloth and ashes a thousand two hundred and sixty days, which is contemporary with the whole time of the Reign of Antichrist, as appears, Rev. 11.2,3. But yet that was not an immediate separation from Communion; For the Church of God did a great while lie hid among them; There were tempora gemendi & latendi, as Cameron speaks, times of their mourning in, and groaning under those corruptions before a total separation.  
Secondly, There is a time also when the Lord doth require a separation from Communion; When his people are to withdraw all communion from such, to look upon them as a Church of Christ no more, to abhor them in regard of Communion, as an accursed thing: Thus when the Lord had given the Jews a bill of Divorce, and broke off the natural branches, which is not spoken of breaking men off from grace or electing love, for the Election obtained mercy, when the rest were blinded; but it is here meant of being broken off from a Visible Church state, the good Olive tree being a type thereof, Rom. 11.24. When the Lord had thus called them Loammi, his people were to hold Communion with them as a Church no more, God having cast them off, and wrath being come upon them to the uttermost: So though Rome were sometimes a true Church of Christ, and afterward corrupted by degrees; yet when the Lord divorced her as an Harlot, as the Mother of Harlots, calls her Babylon, and not Zion, than it is the duty of his people, not only to separate from their corruption as before, but from their communion also.  
I come now to give the reasons of such a separation from Mystical Babylon, which are these:  
First, Because God hath put her away, hath said of them they are not my people, but spiritually Sodom and Egypt, Antichristian Gentiles, ver. 11.2. when the Lord thus forsakes any people, we should forsake them; when the glory of the Lord departs from a people, the Angels withdraw their Protection, and by the same degrees, Ezek. 10.4,5.18.19. and Chap. 11.22.23. whensoever the glory of the Lord removed, the Cherubims also did lift up their wings; And as the departure of God is the ground of their withdrawing Protection, so it should be of our withholding Communion.  
Secondly, Such a separation is to be made, because in Babylon no Salvation can be had; 
A Reprobate may in truth be made partaker of all that is contained in the Religion of the Church of Rome. Ecclesia propriè dicta non probat quicquid probant mali Doctores admixti ecclesiae, nec quicquid boni Doctores haud bene docuerunt. Melan. Daven. adhort. cap. 4.  It was Mr. Perkins his Observation long since, That a Papist by the Rules of his own Religion cannot go beyond a Reprobate; where Foundations are destroyed, Principles denied, or corrupted, and this not the Doctrine of some particular men only, (for such there may be in the purest Churches of Christ upon Earth; as in the Church of Corinth, there were those that denied the Resurrection of the dead) but when it becomes the Doctrine of the Church, which they as a Church do profess to maintain, and refuse to be reclaimed: then there is no more Salvation to be expected there; which is conceived to be the pouring out of the second Vial upon Mystical Babylon, Rev. 16.3. The Sea then became as the blood of a dead man, and every living Soul died in the Sea: By the Sea is meant their Doctrine, and the Comprehension or Collection thereof: as by the Rivers are meant those that carry abroad this Doctrine in all places and all parts of the World. This Doctrine is become the blood of a dead man, ex corrupta fit corruptissima; it was corrupt before, yet some lived in it; but now every living thing died: That is, there was no more Salvation to be had by the Doctrine of their Religion; therefore with them no more Communion is to be held.  
Thirdly, We are to separate from her, because she is become a persecutor of all the people of God through the world: She rides upon a Scarlet coloured Beast: an Emblem both of Majesty, and Cruelty: she is drunk with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and in her will be found the blood of the Prophets, of the Saints, and of all that are slain upon the Earth, Rev. 18.24. A separation therefore is a duty, that we hold not Communion with her, whose trade is Persecution.  
Fourthly, God's people are to separate from Babylon, because God hath set himself against her to destroy her with a great and eminent destruction. For when she comes up into remembrance before God, she that made all Nations drunk with the cup of the wine of her Fornication, shall be made to drink of the cup of the wine of the fierceness of God's wrath, Rev. 16.19. and shall with violence, as a Millstone, be cast into the Sea, and be found no more at all, Rev. 18.19. It was proclaimed long ago, That if any man worshipped the Beast, or his Image, or received his Mark, he should drink of the wine of the wrath of God without mixture, and be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb, Rev. 14.10. 
Cujus vastitatis & confusionis haec erit causa, quod Romanum nomen, quo nunc regitur Orbis, tolletur è terrâ, & in Asiam Imperi●…●…eveitetur, ac rursus Oriens dominabitur, atque Occidens serviet. de praem. divin. sect. 7. cap. 15.  And this Judgement the Ancients did foresee, and do expect: Horret animus dicere: dicam tamen, quia futurum est, Romanum nomen de terra tolletur, Lactan. I am afraid to speak it, yet I will speak, because it shall come to pass, that the name of Rome shall be blotted out, or taken away out of the Earth.  
Fifthly, All God's people are to separate from her, that they partake not with her in her sins; it hath been Antichrists business from her very beginning to infect and corrupt others: and that she doth after the manner of Harlots, in a way of Love, and in the most enticing manner: for she gives the wine of her Fornication in a golden cup. This hath even been the manner of those men, whose spirits Satan hath touched, from that impression of devilishness left upon their spirits, to desire and endeavour to draw others into fellowship with them in the same sin, and the same condemnation: and as he that doth not reprove his brother, doth bear sin for him, Leu. 19.17. So he that doth not give Testimony against sin in that way which the Lord requires, brings upon himself the guilt thereof. It is not always enough to speak against sin, or to mourn for it, but a man is to separate from them that walk in it; there is a time for Lot in Sodom to vex his righteous soul from day to day: but there is a time when he must come out of Sodom, unless he will perish with it.  
Sixthly, A separation must be made, because they that partake in their sins, shall surely receive of her plagues, and God is no respecter of persons, though such as are justified, can never come under an eternal guilt: yet they may contract a temporal, which may involve them in the same temporal Judgements with the wicked, and so Samson like, they may die with the Uncircumcised: The good Figs shall go into Captivity with the bad, though not to the same end, Jer. 24. If therefore God's people desire to be delivered from their plagues, they must not partake in their sins, which they will always do, until they forsake their Communion.  
Use. Let this be unto all the people of God as a voice from Heaven, to persuade them to come out of Mystical Babylon: And the rather, because the work of this day should be, as to exalt God in this mercy and deliverance, so to make Popery odious ever after: therefore this day should always revive our detestation, that being in our eye which Luther professed to be his aim in all that he did, Brevi efficiam, ut anathema sit, esse Papistam.  
And we have the more need to be stirred up hereunto; because since this Nation departed from Rome, there were never greater attempts, nor higher hopes to bring us back unto this spiritual Egypt, then there are at this day. To make this manifest, I shall propose to you some of my observations upon the present times, which seem to argue a tendency and inclination this way.  
First, A Universal unsettling of all things in Religion: all the Principles, and the Doctrines of Godliness are either denied or disputed, though it be true, Spiritus Sanctus Scepticus non est: 
Luther.  which is to me a ground of fear that there is an intent to bring in another Gospel, Antichrists Gospel, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that lie; I dare not say, I dare not think that this is the intendment of all those that go this way: but surely it is finis operis, though not operantis; Yet I am not without fear, that many do it designedly, and speak lies in hypocrisy to that very end: when we look upon the rise of Antichrist, we shall find that Satan before hand cast out of his mouth a flood after the woman, which is interpreted to be the Arian heresy, and abundance of corrupt Doctrines accompanying it, which though they pass too and fro for some years, yet all settled and were gathered into the Sea of Rome at last; and it is to be feared Satan hath the same aim at this day, though Magistrates and men in Authority may profess never so much against it: Imperatores facti sunt Christiani, sed diabolus nondum factus est Christianus. August.  
Secondly, Consider the instruments that are abroad in the World; we read of frogs sent out of the mouth of the Beast, Rev. 16.13. that is, by his especial command and commission; and these go forth unto the Kings of the Earth in all shapes; and we have cause to fear (nay apparent ground to believe) that besides the men of corrupt minds risen up among ourselves, there are many of those sent in among us; it were well if we could look upon our Cities, Army, Navy, yea Counsels to be free: and so much the rather it is to be feared, because we see all ancient Heresies revived, Arians, Macedonians, Montanists, Patripassians, yea that conceit of Joachim Abbas, 
Joachim Abbas docebat, triplicem doctrinam à tribus personis dimanare; doctrinam, sc. Legis à Patre, doctrinam Evangelii quod consignatum habemus à Filio, tertiam doctrinam à Spiriu sancto expectandam, quam appellat Evangelium aeternum. Daven. in Colos. Cap. 2. v. 2.  that there is a Gospel of the Spirit, another Gospel then that preached by Christ and to observe by what mean persons these doctrines are vented, and yet all the ancient Arguments used to maintain them: A considering man observing this, can hardly imagine but that there be some that do secretly, and with the best advantage instil such things into them, and that in an unobserved way; for they are said to be spirits, that is, though they act very powerfuly, yet invisibly: their motions, ways and practices are not known.  
Thirdly, Consider that constant pressing of liberty of Conscience, which if granted, must be universal; for who hath power to lay a restraint upon one man's conscience more than another? and therefore the Patrons of this opinion do plead for a toleration for Popery, upon a Religious account; and that it is no more to be imposed upon, than any other persuasion: as also that doctrine of Mariana the Jesuit, 
Marian. c. 10. Cont. Volit. l 2. Cap. 16.  now so generally insisted upon, and pleaded for, Princeps nil stavat de Religione, The Magistrate is not to meddle with matters of Religion: there were two Doctrines anciently, which of necessity brought in Popery; though a man knew-nothing else of that Religion, sc. That the true Church cannot err; and that the Church of Rome is that true Church: Now there are two other principles sprung up in the world; First, that the word in the heart, and the Spirit working there, is not to be tried and examined by the word in the Book, that being but a dead letter, and for the Spirit to be examined by the word, is a minoration thereunto.  
Secondly, as the word must not try the spirits of men, so Magistrates have nothing to do with their Religion. These two principles received, lay all open to Popery or Atheism. And if Popery, as a Religion, receive but a Toleration, and the same Countenance that others do, (it being a Religion most agreeable to Nature, as corrupt, and so exactly fitted to it) it will soon have the most followers: for when Popery first appeared in the world, the whole world wondered after it, as it had done after Arianism a little before.  
Fourthly, Look to the Apostasy of the present age, men falling from all things in Religion, and with an impudent face denying deriding all; the Scriptures, the Trinity, the Godhead of Christ, his sufferings and satisfaction, Justification by imputed Righteousness, the Law of God as the Rule of Obedience, and whatsoever Doctrines Christian Religion is built upon: now we know that a great Apostasy did make way for Popery, 2 Thes. 2.3. God giving them up to believe a lie: and by this means the man of sin, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the lawless one, was revealed; and there is great cause to fear, that the present Apostasy amongst us may have such a tendency: for we see men fall from one thing to another, until they hold to nothing in matters of Religion: such an Apostasy (as I think, I may without breach of Charity say) that hath not been the like in any Christian Church, since that great Apostasy before named: and being thus become as it were an outward Court, may we not fear that God should give us over to be trodden down of the Antichristian Gentiles again? and not receiving truth in the love of it, he should give us up to believe that lie?  
Fifthly, If we consider farther, that Antichrist shall have yet a day for it, the time of the kill of the witnesses being yet to come: For they must Prophesy in sackcloth and ashes, a thousand two hundred and sixty days, which is Contemporary with the whole reign of Antichrist, which is two and forty months; and if we take the beginning from the division of the Empire into ten Kingdoms, The ten Kings receiving Power the same hour with the Beast, I cannot find upon any account, the time of their Prophecy in Sackcloth and Ashes to be fulfilled: and if so, their kill time, and the insulting of the Antichristian party over their dead bodies, because they were dead that tormented those that dwell on the Earth, must be yet to come, and that near unto the time of Antichrists ruin; and who knows? yea hath not every one reason to fear that the present Apostasy and defection may lay the ground of, and prepare the spirits of men for such a Persecution?  
Sixthly, What means else that general revolting unto the Doctrines of Popery, and Arminianism? The spirits of Popery, which the Jesuits (being the Pope's Janissaries) have laboured most in, and had great contests with the Dominicans about them, before ever the name of Arminius was heard of in the world: and that they are Symbolical, and the passage easy from one to the other, the examples of Bertius, Tilenus, Vorstius, and many others do make manifest: But we need not go abroad for instances: We saw in Episcopal times, that those that were most forward in receiving and propagating these Doctrines of the Jesuits, they soon fell into the superstitions of Rome, in all their ways of Worship: and we have reason to expect that it should be so in our time also: Those Doctrines being as infectious now, as they have been in times past.  
Seventhly, What may a man think of that general endeavour that there is to take off the odium from Popery and Papists among us? That courting of them, associating, and complying with them; so that with too many a Papist finds more favour than a faithful Minister of the Gospel: Nay, what means that general neglect of the observation of this day, In perpetuam Pontificiorum ignominiam? Nay, why is it denied by some, and the Religious observance thereof, as if it were not a thing plotted by them, but rather feigned by us?  
Eighthly, What is the meaning of that design now on foot against the Ministers of the Gospel, and their maintenance? both being so clearly laid down in the Scripture, and the latter having been so fully proved by the Law: Is it not to be feared that all this is, because they are the men that are looked upon to stand in the light, and do hinder the bringing forth of some such accursed birth, according unto the Politic Counsel of Contzen the Jesuit, who exhorts them to take away those that are forward and hot men, Zealous for truth: 
Haeresiarchae & doctores errorum Repub. pellendi sunt una vice si commodè fieri queat, sin minus, sensim & paulatim. li. 2. Politic. ca 18. modus reducendae verae religionis.  and then error (for so he calls truth) cui patrocinium deerit, sine pugna concidet: or at least they being removed, those may be be brought in who are unable either to discern truth from error, or to convince the gainsayer, and so the blind leading the blind, both may fall into the Ditch.  
Ninthly, That general outcry that is upon all Truths, Ordinances and ways of Religion among us, as Antichristian: Our Church's Antichristian, our Ministry Antichristian, our Laws Antichristian, etc. For it is Satan's manner, when he would set up Antichrist indeed, to blend all the things of Christ, with the Name of Antichrist; thus giving the Wine of her Fornication in a golden Cup: For Antichrist must blaspheme God's name, his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven: neither hath this been a late design only (for none of the Opinions or Practices that are amongst us are new) but there was a book written many years ago, Entitled, Praemonitiones Christi & Apostolorum, de abolendo Christo vero per Antichristum: Wherein the Doctrine of the Trinity, the two natures of Christ, his suffering in the flesh, and his satisfaction unto God for sin: All these are said to be Antichristian Doctrines, and endeavoured to be censured under that Notion of a design of Antichrist, to undermine the true Christ; who, saith the Author, is Christ in the Spirit, and not in the flesh: Let none therefore be moved to hear every thing now termed Antichristian, whether in Doctrine or practice, according unto the licentiousness of men: but rather fear, lest under the name of Antichristian, the things of Christ be cast off, & he who is truly Antichrist brought in, who comes with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.  
Tenthly, When I consider also that general carelessness and inadventencie that is even amongst the people of God concerning these things, a spirit of slumber (and it is to be feared in Judgement) being come upon them: so that no man mourns under it, no man lays it unto his heart. I can remember when the Doctrines of Arminianism were revived in England by Mr. Mountagues Book, what impression it made upon the spirits of the godly, called then the Puritans of this Nation: what mourning, fasting, praying, writing there was against it; but now even Godly men sleep, whilst the Enemy sows these Tares. This makes me to see need of pressing this exhortation, that you come out, that you keep out of Babylon. Oh that the Lord would make it a Voice from Heaven to you! For though there be many abominable Heresies, Sects, and Errors in this Land at this day, and in this City: Yet upon the forementioned grounds, I am inclined to conceive, that they all play small game but the Papists, who insinuate themselves under all these Forms; and thereby intent worse to us then a Powder plot, if the Lord prevent it not: and I am persuaded they had never greater hopes of it.  
Use. 2. But seeing God hath brought us out of Babylon, what may we do to keep ourselves from returning thither again? Here I shall offer to you these few Directions, as Preservatives.  
First, Receive the truth in the love of it, 2 Thes. 2.10,11. For this was the cause that did provoke God to give men up unto that efficacy of deceit at first: Endeavour therefore to know, and to be established in truth, that you be not carried away with every wind of Doctrine; and do not plead for truth, as Lawyers plead causes, by other men's evidences, but get an experimental knowledge thereof in your own souls: Consider, it is the great depositum committed unto you to keep, Buy it therefore, and sell it not: contend earnestly for the faith, claim it as your inheritance for ever.  
Secondly, Let all those that fear God, unite against this common adversary: your divisions will always be his advantages, their way having always been to fish in such troubled waters; Captare tempor a impacata, Rev. 15.1. though the Sea of glass be mingled with fire, yet they that have gotten Victory over the Beast, should stand together upon the same Sea, with the Harps of God in their hands: Commune periculum concordiâ pulsandum. It is the observation of Bullinger several times in his Book de Persecut. Eccles. That because of the dissension of Brethren among themselves, God did give them up into the hands of the Enemy, ad abstergendum aeruginem, quae quotidie magis as mag is crescebat: 
Temporibus Aureliani Imperatoris, etc. Christiani optime inter se conveniebant: sed ardens illud fludium imminutum, dissentiones auctae sunt, praecipue inter Episcopos & doctores. Ideoque Dominus passus est infideles Ethnicos manum Ecclesiae injicere. Ita temporibus Constantini, etc.  Yet let not this union be sinful, and unworthy: unto that I exhort you not; For Castam Christi sponsum decet casta concordia: but you that agree in the Foundations, the great things of Religion, though in certain forms you differ, or in truths of lesser alloy, yet take Luther's Counsel to the Synod at Norinberg, to silence your disputes until a fit opportunity. Meum consilium est, ut causam hanc sinatis ad tempus sopitam jacere, hoc tempore enim & animis sic affectis venenum est disputare. And be sure in your diversity of opinion, you endeavour to keep unity in affection.  
Thirdly, Suspect all new Doctrines: For we are to inquire for the old way, the good way, that we may find rest to our souls: we are to go forth by the steps of the Ancient flocks: Novelty hath always leaven in it the people of God anciently feared not only novel Doctrines or Tenants, but new coined words, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, for with such, false teachers use to come: Felix Ecclesin cum nova de Deo dicere lascivia crederetur; that Church is in a happy condition when all Novelties in Doctrine are suspected to be barely the fruit of wanton wits and profane hearts.  
Fourthly, Take heed of hearing any of those that would bring in Popish leaven: Your ears are not your own, take heed what you hear; itching ears seldom consent to true, but ordinarily to unsound Doctrine, 2 Joh. 10. If they bring not this Doctrine, receive them not into your house, bid them not God-speed: Those common civilities which unto some strangers are a duty, they cannot without sin be performed towards men that corrupt truths, and hunt souls.  
Fifthly, Let Magistrates do their duty towards Religion: It is Bellarmine's Doctrine, that they are Religionis defensores, non Judices: but you (Right Honourable, with the rest in Authority) ought to Judge which is the true Religion, and to endeavour to maintain it, Christianity taking in all our relations: and the Lord having promised, Isa. 49.23. That Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers, and Queens thy nursing Mothers: that which is promised to the Church as a mercy, Magistrates should make Conscience to perform as a duty. Do you therefore afford favour and encouragement unto those that are good, and be you a terror unto them that are evil: Mark those that cause Divisions, and raise Distractions among you.  
Sixthly, Give unto God the glory of the mercy of this day: Let your Vials be gold, and full of Odours. The Enemies fall before the praises, as well as the prayers of God's people: Out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings he hath ordained strength, Psal. 8.2. which is rendered by Christ, thou hast perfected praise, Mat. 21.16. and this shall be powerful, to still the Enemy and the avenger. I shall conclude all with that, 2 Chron. 20.22. when they began to sing, and to praise the Lord, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mounseir, that they helped to destroy one another.  
FINIS.