THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. 2 TIM. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Know this, that in the last days shall come perilous times, &c. By J. V. Prisoner. Printed in the year of our Lord, 1643. THE GREAT ANTICHRIST. 2 TIM. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 1. Know this, that in the last days shall come perilous times. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. 3. Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. 4. Traitorous, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. IN the last days the Scripture foretells the coming & continuance of The Antichrist, a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, 1 Ioh. 2. 18. the great Antichrist, the man of sin, whose members were many petite Antichrists, that is, the forerunning heretics, for in them the b {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 2 Thess. 2. 7. mystery of iniquity wrought in Saint Paul's time, who said, Ye know what withholdeth that he should be revaeled in his time, that is, the Roman c {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Chrysost. in 2 Thess. 2. 7. ethnic Empire, which when it was removed, than came in that Antichrist. The Persians succeeded the Chaldeans, the Grecians subdued the Persians, the Romans followed the Grecians, and after the Roman Monarchy ceased in Augustulus, the Hesperian Caesar, d Revel. 8. Nauclerus, the star Absynthites that fell from Heaven, about the year 666. e Magdeburg. Centurists, Baronius, Annal. circa 666. An. Constans the Emperor gave the government of the City of Rome to the Pope. Then was Antichrist the bestia bicornis, the beast with two horns, his f Revel. 13. ecclesiastical and temporal power, whereas before he had only the spiritual power to be Universalis Papa, supreme over all; so than Antichrist hath continued above a thousand years, by consent of the foresaid writers; Yet Andreas and Arethas upon the g Cap. 11. 7. Apocalypse, with other Fathers, seem to hold that Antichrist shall continue but three years and a half, which is true in a sense, for his three last years shall be most grievous to the persecuted Saints, such h Dan. 12. 1, 2. Revel. 11. 7, 8. tribulation as never was, in mockings, scourging, bonds, imprisonments, war, bloodshed, and he shall not suffer their bodies to be buried. These are the perilous times spoken of in this Text, therefore have I made so large a preface to it, wherein observe; first, a precept to get knowledge, know this; secondly, the subject, this in general, but in particular it is a prophecy of the perils of the last times; thirdly, the adjunct, in the last days; fourthly, the causes, 1. Opinions, 2ly. Vices of men here particularise. 1. For the first observe in general, Knowledge is a precious thing, i Eccles. 12. The preacher was wise, and still taught the people Knowledge; all men naturally desire to know, knowledge of the Ancients is commended in Scripture; David citys a proverb of the Ancients, k 1 Sam. 24. 13. As saith the Proverb of the Ancient, l {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} David. Kimch. of the first that made it, wickedness shall go forth from the wicked; His sin goeth forth from him m Kimchi in locum. R. Solomon, R. David. ibid. willingly, and his punishment goes after it, his ruin comes from himself. S. Paul thrice citys the Poets which were n Syrian in Acts 17. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Prophets among the Heathen. First, against Idolatry, Acts 17. o {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. wise men. we are his offspring, therefore the Godhead is not like the work of man's hand that hath neither reason, sense, or life. Secondly, against atheism denying the immortality of the soul, 1 Cor. 15. Let us eat and drink for to morrow we shall die, be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good manners. Thirdly, against Lying and Epicurism, Titus 1. p {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. the Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies; Three main articles are confirmed by human learning, but there are in those days ignorant sectaries that oppose all learning, pretending inspiration by the Holy Ghost, as the gnostics of old, yet it was the commendation of Timothy, Epiphan. that of a child he knew the q Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} holy letters; But why should I trouble your ears with invectives against r the holy books. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, 2 Tim. 3. 15. these? I leave them to meditate on three Proverbs, s {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 2 Pet. 2. A wise man contending with a fool, whether he rage, or laugh, he hath no rest: A fool is wiser in his own conceit, then seven men that can render a reason: Bray a fool in a mortar, and his foolishness will not depart from him. 2. I proceed to the subject, which is a prophecy of perilous times. This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears, animus meminisse horret, My heart trembleth at this, and is removed out of his place, but you must know it, and therefore I must speak it; these are the perilous times or t {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} grievous times. difficult, all men are in such straits that they know not how to deliver themselves, as Israel between the red Sea and the Egyptians; secondly, hard times, wherein men want food to eat, and raiment to put on, all men cry out, O tempora, O mores, oh hard times, and evil conditions of men! We have heard of Germany and Ireland, and would not believe, now we see and feel; thirdly, cruel times, the Son dishonours his Father, the Father riseth up against his son to put him to death, Brother robs and kills his Brother. This civil war in the judgement of the u Scelus fraternae ●●ecis. Remi in via Remoria Romae. Horat. Suis & ipsa Roma viribus ruit. Heathen is the punishment of rapine and fratricidy; fourthly, inexorable x Te saepe vocantiduram, difficilis mane Horat. id est, inexorabilis. times, they are for war when we petition for Peace: woe to me that I dwell with them that hate peace, and breath out slaughters, whose teeth are as spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword, Lord deliver me from those four generations of the last times, Prov. 30. 11. There is a generation that curseth his Father, and doth not bless his Mother, do not the Martialists of these times think it zeal to kill Father and Mother in this cause? There is a generation pure in their own eyes, and not purged from their filthiness; Who are these but the impure Hypocrites in my Text, There is a generation, How lofty are their eyes, and their eyelids are lifted up? are not these the proud Pharisees? There is a generation, their teeth are as swords that cry out, war, war, and no Peace, that devour the poor and needy by rapine and imprisonment, against reason and common rights. I come now to the causes of these evil times, which are two: First, the Opinions. Secondly, the Vices of men, here mentioned, not reduced to the head of profaneness, but Hypocrisy? The Hypocrites reign, and the people are ensnared, Iob. 34. Antichrist is the great Hypocrite, heretics and Sectaries of these times are limbs of Antichrist, and make up y Revel. 17. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} est confusio, à {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Genes. 11. 9 Babel the Great, which is the confusion of all sects. First, for their opinions, it is said in my Text, They are lovers of themselves, of their own wills and z Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} opinions, for the time shall come, saith the Apostle, 2 Tim. 4. 3. that men will not endure sound doctrine; inquire out of these two Epistles, and the Epistle to the Romans, and we shall find what sound doctrine is. First, the doctrine of prayer for Kings, 1 Tim. 2. 1. I exhort first of all that prayers be made for Kings, but certain Brownists of these times will not pray for the King, but revile him in their prayers. Secondly, the doctrine against a 1 Tim. 2. 12. Women Preachers, I suffer not a Woman to teach, nor to usurp authority, but saith isaiah, b isaiah 3. 12. Women rule over you. Thirdly, the doctrine of obedience to c 1 Tim. 6. 1. superiors; but now Servants run away from their Masters without their consent, and rise up against them in the public cause; do these induce sound doctrine? Rom 1. Fourthly, the doctrine of justification by faith, which Pelagians of old, and the Papists now deny. Fifthly, sanctification, Rom. 6. 1. which gnostics and Nicolaitans formerly, now Familists and Antinomians deny. Sixthly, the doctrine of predestination without foresight, Rom. 9 1. which Papists and Arminians oppose. Seventhly, the doctrine of subjection to Kings, though they be Heathens and Tyrants, which d Epiphan. gnostics of old, and now Anabaptists and Brownists oppose, they can live without a King, though Saint Paul saith, Rom. 13. 1. Let every soul be subject, but these men think they have no souls, because they would have no King in Israel, that they may do that which is right in their own eyes, judges 21. ult. The Christians of Rome paid tribute and custom to Nero and Trajan Tyrants, but these rob the King of his due, and yet they say pro Rege; they say Kings of old were anointed, therefore the people was subject as to God's ordinance, but now it is not so: To which I answer e R. David. Kimchi. with the Jew, no King the son of a King was anointed, except in case of division about the right, as Solomon when Adoniah would be King, but the kingdom came by succession, as every man's inheritance descends from his fathers. Again they say, The Kings of Jury made no such covenant as our Kings do; I answer with the same Jew, the contrary appears in the example of Joash and Jehoiada, who made a covenant between the King and the people, and though Joash were an Apostate and a Tyrant, yet the traitors and murderers of the King were cut off by his son that reigned after him; the King and King's son will never forget to punish traitors, as appears in the example of David f 1 King. 2. 8. Kimchi, Rasi Ralbag. on his death bed, who forgot not Shimeie's curse. Moreover they say, a King is a human creature, and therefore may be removed by man: I answer, He is an ordinance human, that is, taken out of Men, not from angels, yet by God's appointment he is supreme, g {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, 1 Pet. 2. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 13. and all inferiors are appointed by him; but the supreme powers, as Kings and Emperors are h Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} appointed of God, Roman. 13. 1. The Jews had a Grand council of seventy one Elders, Numb. 11. Gather to me seventy men of the Elders, and Moses who was King was above them all, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Talmud Sanhed. Perek. 1. The lesser Sanhedrin was of two hundred and thirty sometimes: they go not forth to war, nor gather the council of the Tribes, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} but by the Grand council of seventy one. They judge not the King at all, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} he goeth not forth of his Palace to mourn for the dead, &c. in Deut. 17. thou shalt set a King over thee, the King then is supreme; they ride not on his Horse, nor sit on his Throne to rule, yet the book of the Law is with him when he goes to war, or sits in judgement. There were three companies of judges in Jerusalem, at the door of the mount of the House, in the Court, and in a paved Chamber, where the Grand council sat of seventy, and the King, from whence was no appeal, Deut. 17. Talmud Sanhed, Perek. 11. Lastly, the doctrine of indifferent things they cannot endure, no Ceremonies, but their own inventions, yet the primitive Christians, though differing in Ceremonies of meats and days, lived in mutual charity, Rom. 14. 1. 2. The use of this is already made by the blessed Apostle, Rom. 16. 17. I beseech you brethren mark them that cause divisions and i {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} that is, Divisions to separate from the Church, of {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} to break off. scandals (to make many stumble and fall) contrary to the sound doctrine ye have received, and avoid them, for they serve not the Lord Jesus, (as they pretend) but their own bellies, what care they if they can eat and drink, and fare deliciously every day, if flocks or herds of poor men's be driven away, and they undone for ever? and by fair words, they deceive the hearts of the simple, not of the wise, who see plainly their hypocrisy, but like Absolom, they steal away the hearts of the King's well-minded Subjects by lies: But I would have you, saith Saint Paul, simple in evil, and wise in that which is good, to hold fast the points of sound doctrine forenamed, and the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly; Chrys. Theod. who is Satan? but he that will not endure sound doctrine, as is plain by the coherence, who is all for war and blood? but the God of peace shall subdue these Satans, and bruise them to powder, and that shortly; this God of peace be with you that hold fast the doctrine ye have received, and follow not such as heap to themselves teachers like waves of the Sea, tossed with every wind of doctrine, and they heap up k 2 Tim. 4. 3, 4. Sic Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} & Syr. Chrys. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ralbag. in 2 Sam. 20. 23. to themselves, they have their peculiar teachers; one of Paul, another of Apollo, of Cephas, &c. a great presumption in these men; David had Ira the Jairite for his Priest, and Kings and Nobles have theirs, and now there must be a parity, all the Vulgar sort must have their teachers, according to their own lusts, and private humours having itching and restless ears, weary of hearing the truth, and therefore they turn to fables, wherein they still itch after novelties. This is the first cause of these perilous times, The opinions of men. I come now to their vices. 4. Their self-will in those ways, they are lovers of their l {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} à {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} 2 Kings 10. 15. si vobis placuerit. Idem. R. David own wills, Gen. 49. 5. like Simeon and Levi, they are brethren in evil, instruments of cruelty are in their habitations, or their m {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} à Graeco {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. R. Solomo. Heb. Swords are instruments of cruelty to shed blood under the cloak of Religion, as Sectaries do; Into their secret council my soul come thou not, if my body be forced and my goods, yet in n {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} their association my heart be thou not united, for in their wrath they killed a man, one man of ten thousand, the Prince of the Land; and however this ONE be yet alive by miracle, yet many noble Lords & Gentlemen have perished, & been taken, neither have these men rested here, but in their rage have digged down, (not a Wall) but Walls of Cities, and fortified towns, and not only o Heb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Heb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} est murus & bos. R. David. R. Levi. R. Sol. houghed Oxen, but slain them, and driven away sheep and Oxen, robbing and spoiling, and all this in their p {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} self-will; these two brethren were dissuaded by the other ten, but they were selfwilled, and would slay without pity; so I am persuaded there are ten for two in this City and kingdom for Peace, but when they speak thereof the two are for war, for they are selfwilled, and delight in blood, q à {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and in their delight dig down walls, and kill men and beasts, eradicate men, their wives and children, and turn them out of doors, because they are for peace, and these two, Simeon and Levi, will have no accommodation. Cursed (saith the old Father) be their wrath, for it is fierce, and their fury bitter in the end, and in Judg. 21. 3. Israel wept aloud and bitterly, Alas! a Tribe is lost this day, and I am afraid without a speedy peace, not one of ten, but all our twelve Tribes will be lost; I will (saith the old Patriarch) divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel, Simeon had no portion, but Cities scattered here and there r R. David, Abben Ezra, Ralbag. in Genes. 49. throughout the Tribe of Judah, and Levi had forty eight Cities out of the other Tribes, that so they might never associate any more to shed blood▪ and what can be expected of a selfwilled association and war, but dispersion; the part that prevails will root out the other with a final s As in Ireland. extermination of families, and whether will ye fly ye Simeonites? and as for Levi, alas! he is vanished already; thus much for self-will, which is the first of the vices that cause such perilous times. Secondly covetousness, which is as all the rest here mentioned, a bosom sin of the Hypocrites, when the Pharisees heard that Christ preached against the service of t Syr. ab {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Confidit. Luk. 16. Mammon, and confidence in riches, they derided him, for they were covetous; This love of money is the root of all evil, of the evil of sin, as apostasy; of the evil of punishment, as perdition, 1 Tim. 6. 10. Love of money makes children fight against parents, subjects against their sovereign; hope of money brings forth murders, rapine, and extortion, but thou, O man of God, u {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Oecum. Plutarch. in Curio. O Christian, fly these things; the Roman Curius refused the Samnites Gold, and was content with a dinner of herbs, an earthen dish, and a wooden stool, x 2 Tim. 6. If we have food and raiment, let us be therewith content. The third vice is Pride, whose daughter is vainglorious boasting, for their pride I shall produc● but one Parable against y Luk. 18. 9, 10. those that trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and what pride is like this pride, to magnify themselves, and despise others? they thank God they are not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, nor as the poor Publican, they boast as the Infidels, Jews, and Pharisees; the Publican went home justified to his house rather than they: And publicans and Harlots shall enter into the kingdom of God before them. Fourthly, Disobedience to Parents, and Blasphemy, these two I join together; for reviling of superiors is blasphemy, whether you take Parents naturally, (for against such they unnaturally fight) or politicly for Masters, against whom Servants rise up at this time to kill them, and Subjects against their sovereign, though like z {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} pro & contra. Antichrist, they pretend to be for Christ when they are against him; Augustus Caesar was called a Pater atque princeps Horat. Father and Prince, and therefore they that are disobedient to their Kings, are also to their b Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Parents, or superiors, men set over them, Rom. 13. 1. forecited, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, the supreme powers than were Emperors, not Consuls and Senators, (as the States of Venice, Luca, Holland which were then ceased, for there were seven heads of the Beast, or c Revel. 17. 10, 11, 12. Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} seven Kings of the earth. Julian. & August. lib. 5. de Civ. Dei. seven kinds of government, whereof the two last were Emperors and Popes; the five first were fallen, the sixth of Emperors was in Saint John's time, and in Saint Paul's, and to this Saint Paul commands subjection, tribute, and custom, Chrysost. in 2 Thess 2. except they say that Saint Paul prophesies in this chapter of a new government to be erected, d {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} which is not yet, and how it shall then concern the Romans let them show: For the last and seventh head or King of the Romans is the Papacy, to which I think they will profess no subjection at all, if they have any conscience of their oath; but it is objected, these Kings were Tyrants, therefore no duty belongs to them; the answer is in Nabuchadnezzar, whom likewise they hold to be a tyrant, yet Israel is commanded to serve him, Jerem. 27. 6. I have given all these Countries to Nabuchadnezzar, and they shall serve him. And Zedekias, because he broke his oath of subjection, was exoculated as a just recompense on his own head. Ios. lib. 18. Antiq. The Galileans stood for liberty with Judas, Acts 5. and denied tribute to Caesar, and therefore Pilate mingled their blood with their sacrifice. Fifthly, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Syr. sic Arab. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} these Hypocrites are unthankful, either they deny kindness which they have received, or will not acknowledge it, or not requite it, they are the worst of all men that have enjoyed the gospel of peace and plenty above eighty years, as long as ever Israel enjoyed in Moses days, c Judg. 3. 30. Ehud's, David's, and Solomons, and yet are unthankful, murmurers at their portion, complainers of the times, Oh foolish people, and d Deut. 32. unwise, ask thy Fathers and they shall teach thee; thy Elders, and they shall declare unto thee the wonderful Reformation in this Nation, the slavish Invasion by Water, the Hellish Gunpowder-treason by Fire, and how God hath brought thee through fire and water, (wherein thou couldst not live) into a moist place, wherein thou hast lived so many years in plenty, but Jesurun hath waxed fat and kicked, and for ingratitude is justly with a civil war consumed. Sixthly, Unholy, or e {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Syr. à {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ●exare, 1 Sam. 14. & David Kimchi in Psal. 1. 1. unquiet, and restless are the Hypocrites, they are all for war, and accuse Petitioners for Peace of a Catilinarian conspiracy; it is God that e {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Syr. à {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} ●exare, 1 Sam. 14. & David Kimchi in Psal. 1. 1. creates peace, man cannot do it; it is as hard a work as the Creation, Our f Isay. 57 3. & ult. Rudis indigestaque moles. Land is without form and void, darkness is on the face of the deep, nothing is but confusion in our Church and State, it is the spirit of the Lord that moves on the face of these dark waters, saying, Let there be light, and there was light, this light that God creates is peace; secondly, this peace is a fruit, a fruit of the spirit, Love, Joy, g Galath. 5. and Peace, but whence comes h Iam. 4. 1, 2. war and fightings? from the spirit of malice and envy; thirdly, it is said a fruit of the lips of the messengers of peace. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those into whose lips grace and peace is poured; Psal. 45. Heb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} isaiah 57 19 Kimchi. Rasi Chaldey. fourthly, God creates a double peace, Peace, peace national and personal, which cannot be without truth, but there are restless men, whose sins torment their conscience, and love no peace; the Text saith, They are k Cum He" indicativ. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Kimchi. the wicked, emphatically remarkable wicked men, these Hypocrites revile others as wicked, when themselves are by the spirit of God styled the most wicked, that disturb the national peace, and trouble our Israel by killing and stealing; They are like the troubled Sea that cannot rest, Raging waves of the Sea, foaming out their own shame, whose waters rage continually, and cast up mire and dirt into the royal face, both by word and writing. Woe to these Sectaries of Cain, who loved blood and slew his brother, and was called l {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, Basil. the first Disciple of the devil; Abel was a shepherd and a man of peace, and he slew him, m John 1. 3. because his works were righteous; These covetous hypocrites run greedily after the error of Balaam, who would have cursed & defied Israel for reward, & they shall perish in the gainsaying of Core, who rose up and rebelled against Moses the n Deut. 33. King, and against Aharon, who was the Priest of the Lord, so these endure neither God, the King, or any Ministers, but of the lowest of the people. To conclude with o isaiah 57 ult. isaiah, There is no peace saith my God with the wicked; these wicked will have no peace; for then all is lost, which they have spent in war; their restless disposition appears in all the ensuing particulars; they are Covenant-breakers, False-accusers, traitors, heady, high minded, &c. of each a word, and so an end. Seventhly, Theoph. they are Covenant-breakers, they have made a covenant with the King, and taken the oath of Allegiance, but this oath they regard not, they have their Pope to dispense with it: p Chald. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Achitophel made a Covenant with David, but broke his Covenant, and therefore is accursed in Psal. 55. 21. He hath profaned his Covenant. Zedechias rebelled against Nabuchadnezzar the King, (who was a Tyrant also, as they say) when he had made him swear by God, and hardened his neck, so that the wrath of God came upon them, and there was no healing, 2 Chron. 36. 12. King Solomon chargeth all Subjects to obey the King's commandment, and that in respect of the oath of God, Eccles. 8. 2, 3. but these urge the King's oath, legibus quas vulgus elegerit, but themselves keep no oath. Besides, these men make Covenants with the Subjects of the King, and the same day like q Fides non servanda haereticis. Jesuits break the same, their Jesuitical faction, like Antichristians, dispenseth with the oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and their subscription was forced, and therefore they revolt: Deus bone! is there any Religion in these? no Heathen story is able to parallel their sophistication. In 2 Sam. 23. 1. there was a Famine three years for Saul and his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites▪ the reason was, Jos. 9 14. & 19 because of the oath of the Rulers (though r R. David. taken out of error,) to avoid s Ralbag. R. Isay. the scandal of the Nations, and the seeming, not real profanation of the name of God; but these Hypocrites are Truce-breakers, and hold it lawful so to do. Eighthly, they are without natural affection, witness their zeal in killing and spoiling of Fathers, Sons, Brethren, Sisters, Kindred, &c. but of this before. Ninthly, they are false-accusers, in Greek t {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Syr. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} devils, in Syrian hypocritical mockers at feasts, that like the devil their father, tell lies for morsels, Psal. 35. 15. In my affliction they rejoiced, the abjects, viler than the earth, they rent me with their teeth, and ceased not, they print, preach, speak lies against the Lord's anointed (as David was) every day. t Psal. 120. 1, 2. Lord deliver him from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. Tenthly, Chrys. Incontinent, what shall I say of their incontinency, both in the concupiscible and irascible, no penalty is now inflicted, and it is a shame to speak of the things done of them in secret. Eleventhly, these Hypocrites are fierce: Let Jehu speak for them all, Come, see my zeal, saith he to Jonadab, he killed the King and Queen, and seventy sons of the royal Progeny, all his kindred, and Priests, u 2 Kings 10. 15, 16. & 28. 29. 30. and destroyed Baal out of Israel; he would have no peace, What peace as long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel, and her witchcrafts are so many, his zeal was all for truth, (as he said) so the sectaries and others are all for truth, and no peace while Jezebel lives, their driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, x Heb. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} for they drive furiously, or madly, but when by war and blood they have obtained peace, y Austin. Jerom. I wish they set not up a worse idol, than they have put down, as Jehu their father did, Baal was Mars the planet, Ralbag, or Jupiter Belus, which Jehu destroyed, and set up the z The Calf was Serapis the Egyptian God, and there they learned Idolatry, Vitulus ex vacca fulmine icta, genitus, quae rursus non parit, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, a god worthy of the Egyptians saith Cambyses in Herodot. Calves, a far worse idol, and made the common people Priests; so I wish that these set not up, as they begin, the meanest of the people, and drive out the sons of Levi as Jehu did. Twelfthly, they are haters of good, that is, moderate men, who are not carried with their turbulent zeal, by which many a good Jonadab is deceived, and their hatred is irreconciliable to eradication of their families, expulsion of their wives and children, and banishment from country and friends, because they cannot endure to see them, or hear of them, and this to a political creature is worse than death, in Joel 2. what have you to do with me, O Tyre and Sydon, who have taken my silver and gold, and brought them to your palaces, and the children of Judah ye have sold to the Grecians to remove them far from their border: and do not these haters of good men send their brethren far away from their houses, lands, and friends, that they may seize on their inheritance; But thus saith the Lord to you Cains, behold I will raise them from the place whither you have sent them, and return your recompense on your own heads, and I will sell your sons and your daughters to the sons of Judah, and they shall send them to the Sabeans, to a nation afar off, for Jehovah hath spoken it. Thirteenth, they are a {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. traitors, fathers betraying children, and children betraying b Proles lupi. Tigridisquesilvas petat, Feras & inter quaerat affinem sibi. fathers to the death, the offspring of the wolf and Tiger, and the wild beasts their kindred, breaking the bonds of society between man and man, and delivering men up to Magistrates and Rulers, for a word, and that in secret, our Saviour prophesied of these traitors, Luk. 21. 16. Your fathers, and brethren, and kinsmen, and friends, shall betray you to death: do we not see this in these days of civil war, a father will not spare his child, a child will kill his father in battle, and if he cannot so kill him, he will betray him to death, by discovering his secrets, or by false accusation, under pretence of justice; But the greatest traitors are such as fight against the King, and they pretend all this is for the King, c Principem occisum loqui malum fuisse, vel tyrannum dicere est. Tragicus. O dictu scelus summus dominio, major exemplo fuit. Pax descendit assimilis jovi Aurato in ul nas imbri. though his own person have been in imminent danger more than once: these are they that call darkness light, and light darkness, evil good, and good evil, the use of this is made by isaiah the Prophet, say not a confederacy to whom this people shall say a confederacy, neither fear their fear, but fear d isaiah 8. 21. God, and meddle not with traitors that curse their God and their King, and look upward, for as it follows, they are proud and heady, and their counsels shall be carried headlong. Fourteenth, these Hypocrites are hasty in all their consultations, without deliberation they pretended Reformation must be done in a day, not considering the divers gradations of a Reformation; Josiah's wonderful Reformation was of the continuance of three hundred years, the reigns of Asa, Josaphat, Jehoiada, Jotham, Hezekiah, Manasseth, Josiah, and then also was * Festina lente. but feignedly, and not with the whole heart, and for punishment of Delinquents they are too hasty; have they never read of e Ier. 3. 10. Zephan. 1. David what he said of the sons of Zerviah, Ye are too hard for me? he would, but could not punish these two great Delinquents, except he had involved his whole kingdom in a civil war, as is now done; lastly, they are too hasty in their hostility; have they not read that Israel f judges 20. lost forty thousand in two days in a civil war through too much hastiness, and precipitancy, not consulting with the Lord? and surely in this respect, these men have cause rather of mourning then rejoicing. Fifteenth, these are lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; whence come these wars and fightings, James 4. 1. do they not from their lusts and pleasures that war in their members? their pride, ambition, popularity, avarice, for hereby their portion (who were beggarly) is made fat, g {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Dan. 11. and their meat pleasant; they live by war, therefore they burn incense to their net, f Habak. 1. 16. and sacrifice to their drag. They cry nothing but war and blood, dig they cannot, and to beg they are ashamed, therefore they resolve to kill, steal, rob, rifle, or do any villainy to satisfy their lusts, which they love more than God. Sixteenth, They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, they have a h {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. portraiture, picture or delineation of godliness, but no life at all therein; Consider the particulars, they i Matth. 6. 1. give alms, but it is to be seen of men, they make long prayers, but to be heard of men, they fast, but k {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. disgrace their faces, appearing as sad when they are not: what is this but a picture of godliness without life? it was never known from the beginning of the world, that a dead beast was offered in sacrifice to God, but the Hypocrites present dead sacrifices to God. Again, in their Sabbaths is a show of godliness, but no life, for they say, l Amos 8. When will the Sabbaths be gone? and like the Pharisees their viperous progenitors, abuse the letter of the Sabbath against doing good; they sit m John 9 &c. Matth. 12. 1. Luk. 13. Matth. 23. 1, 3. in Moses chair to teach, and to judge others according to the Law, but do the contrary, and break all laws; they make long prayers to devour widows houses, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Rasi. R. David. they enlarge their phylacteries of the hand and head, there's the letter, but no power; their heads are full of mischievous devices, and their hands are full of blood, They n 2 Tim. 3. 7. are ever hearing and learning, there's the shadow, but are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth; there's no power, except it be over silly women, as the Apostle here saith, These Hypocrites o 2 Tim. 3. 6. intrude into houses, and lead captive silly women, laden with sins, and led about with divers lusts. This time is a plain interpretation of this prophecy. Another power they have got likewise, by the show of godliness, it is against the King, like Janis and Jambres, the two Sorcerers of Egypt, that resisted Moses who was p Deut. 33. 5. {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} Ralbag. Abben Ezra. King in Jesurun: These sorcerers were Hypocrites, for their miracles were but glisterings, and delusions of the eyes; The use of all this is, First, our Saviour saith, q Luk. 12. 1, 2. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Hereby we are most like the devil, who transforms himself into an angel of light, and hereby we become limbs of Antichrist, the first borne of the devil, who is the great Hypocrite, r Revel. 13. That hath two horns like a Lamb, but speaks like a Dragon. The second use, s 2 Tim. 3. 5. From such Hypocrites turn away, so saith Saint Paul, avoid their society, for they are selfopinionated, selfwilled, greedy of money, proud, unnatural, truce-breakers, fals-accusers, traitors, heady, fierce, unthankful, t Procus populi. popular, unquiet, haters of all moderate men, lovers of lusts and pleasures, and deceiving the world by a form of godliness, so that they believe Rebellion to be zeal, and Treason to be Religion; Depart from me, ye Hypocrites, ye bloudthirsly men. The Lord give us grace to depart from them here, lest we have u Matth. 12. 51. our part with these Hypocrites hereafter in the lowest Dungeon of Gehenna, from which good Lord deliver us by Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father, and holy Spirit, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. FINIS.