THE MARKS OF THE Apocalyptical Beast, PLAINLY DECIPHERED; AND The Danger of having COMMUNION with him clearly Discovered. The Testimony of a Reverend and Learned Divine concerning the following Treatise.  
As to the Treatise, Mr.— and I have perused it carefully; and not to speak to please, but as the thing is, it is very clear, strong, and useful, and very fit to open the Eyes of those Papists whom God hath a favour to: I wish the Nation enjoyed it, being it is so solid, short, and fitted for good.  
Printed in the Year, 1667.   

The Marks of the Apocaliptical Beast Deciphered and the danger of having Communion with him Discovered.  
IN the Thirteenth chapter of Revelation, we read of a strange Beast, with seven Heads and ten Horns, rising up out of the Sea; 
Vers. 1. Vers. 2. Vers. 5, 6. Vers. 7.  Monstrous in shape, Blasphemous in language, and impiously Cruel in practice; for he wars with the Saints, and overcomes them; who, by his Tone and Fraud, had gotten so large a Dominion and Empire, over the Souls, as well as Bodies, 
Vers. 3.  of deluded men, that the whole Earth, is said to wonder after the Beast; that is, to follow, or, as it is expressed more fully, to Worship him; 
Vers. 4, 8.  nor without much inward Amazement at his bewitching Figure (as being in part like to a Panther, 
Vers. 2.  which of all other creatures hath a most alluring shape) and seemingly invincible puissance; for, who, say they, is like to the Beast, who is able to war with him? But all this time they were ignorant; that, while they worshipped the Beast, 
Vers. 4. Rev. 12.9. Rev. 13.2, 4.  they only worshipped the Dragon (or the Devil) from whom that Beast, which they so stupidly admired and doted upon, did immediately derive all his Power and great Authority. And therefore all those deceived and mistaken Worshippers, how numerous soever, or what pretences soever they had to gild and colour their Irreligious and Blind Devotion with; yet they are declared by the Spirit of God, to be in a sad and deplorable condition, 
Vers. 8. Rev. 20.15  in that their Names are not written in the Book of Life, whose final Doom is, to be cast into the Lake of Fire.  
Lest this Punishment should be passed slightly over, as if it either were easy to be born, or that at last there were hopes of its ending, there is an Angel sent on purpose to proclaim it in a most particular and dreadful manner, 
Rev. 14.9, 10, 11  If any doth worship the Beast and his Image, and receiveth his Mark upon his forehead, or upon his head (i.e. who either openly professeth his obedience to the Beast, in receiving that visible Mark, or Name, or Character, by which his followers are signalised and distinguished from all others: or, whoever avoiding the Name, in a more concealed and politic way, doth secretly join his endeavours with those who seek to uphold the Beast in his Throne) even he shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God, 
See of this Phrase, Ps. 75.8. Isa. 51.22. Jer. 25.15.  which is without mixture, mingled in the cup of his Anger; and he shall be tormented in the sight of the Holy Angels, and in the sight of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the Beast and his Image, and if any doth receive the Mark of his Name.  
There is not, that I know of, in the whole Book of God, any Curse set out in more express and affrighting language; but, because we are all naturally apt to put far from us the evil day, 
Amos 6.3 Eccl. 8.11  and to think that a sentence deferred (till after the Resurrection) will never be executed; therefore in the Fifteenth chapter of Revelation, we have an account of seven Viols, 
Vers. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  or, goblets of Gold, all filled (up to the brim) with the wrath of God (which oftentimes in Scripture is compared to Wine, and, because of the effects of it, is called the wine of Trembling, 
Psal. 60.3 and Isa. 51.21, 22 Rev. 15.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. See Lam. 4.11. Eze. 5.13. Psa. 78.38 & 50 Deut. 32.23 Luk. 16.23, 24 Rev. 16.10, 11 2 Pet. 2.3  or Astonishment) whence they are called the seven last Plagues, or, Strokes, because in them the wrath of God is finished (i.e. is fully and perfectly accomplished, without any farther Reserve or Delay of Vengeance, as this Phrase in other places signifies.) God then, in the words of the Psalmist, saith, Not turning away his anger, but stirring up all his wrath, and weighing out a Path for his Fury, he heaps mischiefs, and spends his Arrows upon a rebellious and sinful world, with such an overflowing deluge of intolerable calamities, that the sufferers of them, like men already damned, do gnaw their Tongues for pain, and Blaspheme the God of Heaven; whereby, in stead of getting ease, they only ripen and fit themselves for their Appointed, and then approaching, Ruin. All which miseries, little differing from the torments of Hell but only in continuance, remain to be felt in this life, and that only by such, 
Rev. 16.2  as have the Mark of the Beast, and who worship his Image; So that if either fear of future and endless, or sense of imminent and unavoidable misery (which then is most likely to seize upon us, 
See 1 The. 5.1, 2, 3 Rev. 16.15 Luk. 21.34 35  when we think ourselves most secure) can prevail with us to mind our safety, we are bound, with all imaginable diligence and speed, to inquire who this Beast is, what is his Name, his Mark, his Number; least, either by our wilful or unwary worshipping of him, we become guilty of a Sin unpardonably heinous, and which God hath so expressly threatened that he will most severely and everlastingly punish.  
To direct us in this search, 
Rev. 13.18 1 Sam. 21.8 See 2 The. 2.7. Rev. 17.5 See Rev. 13.18. and 17 9  although the spirit of God hath left some things (and particularly the Number of the Beasts Name) still veiled, and (like Goliahs' Sword behind the Ephod) wrapped them up in a Mystery; and that on purpose to incite our study, and to quicken us the more vigorously to look after wisdom; yet so much is plainly discovered to us, that unless we resolve to be ignorant, and, as the Jews did at the shining of the glory of Christ, wilfully shut our eyes, we cannot but be led unto a plain and manifest discovery of this his disguised, but most dangerous and Implacable Adversary: For this end, the Seventeenth chapter of Revelation was purposely writ, which is to be looked upon, as the Key unto all the foregoing Vision; 
Vers. 3. Vers. 8.  but more particularly to that in the 13. chapter, with which the 17. perfectly agrees, in the description of the Beast, in the Number and final estate of his Worshippers; unto which there are added some other things by way of Explication. As  
First, 
Vers. 3, 4  Upon the Beast there is discovered to sit an Imperious and Whorish Woman, attired in a very sumptuous and pompous manner, bedecked with Gold, and precious Stones, and Pearls, 
Compare Hos. 2.13 Jer. 4.30 See also Prov. 7 10, 16, 17 2 Thes. 2.3, 4 1 Tim 4.1 2 Cor. 11.2, 3 Cant. 8.6 Isa. 47.5 Rev. 18.7 Nah. 3.4 with Rev. 14.8. and 18.23  just as the Church of Israel is described by the Prophets, when she was fallen from the Service of God, unto the worship of Idols; in resemblance of whom, this Woman may well be called, The Church Apostatical, as having now arrived unto the height of Apostasy, which before was prophesied of. For, as the true Church, the Virgin Spouse of Christ, is said to lean upon her Beloved, having dependence upon, and taking complacency in him alone; so this False and Adulterous Church, sits upon the Beast, by whom she is supported and upheld, in whom she glories as her Head, and by whose means she extends her sovereignty so far, that, like Babylon of old, she sits as Queen; and with Niniveth, that once Imperial City, she intoxicate the Nations, and bewitcheth them unto a Communion with her, in her Abominable and Idolatrous Practices. Whence it appears, that whatever she may vaunt herself to be, as the Mother Church, the Mistress of Faith, and the like; yet when the Mystery of her Iniquity comes to be revealed, and the Curtain drawn, she must then be called, 
Rev. 17.5  as the Spirit of God doth call her, in her true stile, The Mother of Harlots (i. e. of all false and Adulterous Churches) and of the Adominations of the earth, (i. e. of all Impious and Idolatrous Practices.) And that we might not wonder who this Woman should be, as men ignorant or surprised are wont to do (for even the holy Evangelist, 
Revel. 17 6.  who saw her but in a vision could not but greatly wonder at her) the Angel plainly tells us that this woman was nothing else but the City placed upon seven Hills, 
verse 9 verse 10, 11, etc. see Tacitus p. 1, 2. Verse 18.  which had already passed through five several forms of Governments; being then under the sixth, viz. that of Heathen Emperors, and (to leave no scruple or doubt remaining) which, at that time, when he saw this Vision, and wrote this Prophecy, had the supreme Dominion over the Kings of the Earth: Which City, if any one can be so far mistaken, as to deny to be Rome, he must find out some other City, unto whom those Properties will more exactly agree, which is altogether impossible.  
Secondly, 
Sedes Romana.  Though by this discovery of the Whore, we might satisfactorily enough be led unto a knowledge of the Beast, upon whom she fits: yet that we might be more certainly and infallibly guided, 
Rev. 17.3. Mark 1.  the Spirit of God is pleased to lay down some clearer Marks to make him evident and notorious to us.  
First, The Beast, is said to be of a skarlet-colour, and full of the Names of Blasphemy, 
Of his Blasphemy see Isa. 14.13, 14. Dan. 3.15. & 4.30. Of his Blasphemy see Dan. 8. 9-12. and 11.36, 37 He was called Do minus Deusque noster. Martial. Verse 6. Job. 22. 25-17. with 21.14, 15. Exod. 5.2. 2 Kings 19 10, 16.  not being it seems contented with one Name, as Nabuchadnezzar, Antiochus Epiphanes, Domitian, and other Tyrants and Oppressors, his Predecessors were; but this Beast, as he succeeded into their room, so he was to inherit their Nature, and to outdo them in the worst of their Actions; loading himself with many sacrilegious Names of Blasphemy, that so he might the more easily be discovered. What these Names are, is not particularly expressed, but they may easily be guessed at, by the character which is given of him in the 13th. Chapter: That he opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name, and his Tabernacle, and those that dwell in Heaven. The several parts of which description deserve to be particularly insisted on.  
1. To utter Blasphemy against God; or, to Blaspheme the Name of God, may be done two ways: Either,  
1. In direct and open denying the very Being of God, as the men before the Flood, Pharaoh and Senacherib did; Saying, Who is the Lord, that we should obey his voice? Or,  
2. When frail men, by reason of some outward success given them, do intrude themselves into the Place and Authority of God, by assuming some of his Divine and Incommunicable Attributes: Thus the Prince of Tyre Blasphemed God, when he said: I am a God, I sit in the seat of God; 
Ezek. 28.2, 3, 4.6.  of whom likewise it is spoken in a way of sacred Irony: Behold thou art wiser than Daniel, (i. e. than any of the Prophets, or divinely inspired men) there is no secret they can hid from thee: This arrogant Prince it seems not only challenging the Power of God unto himself, but likewise his Wisdom too, even pretending to a kind of Omniscience, and Infallibility, for he adds, with thy Wisdom, and with thy understanding thou hast gotten thee Riches: In conformity to which Description, the Apostle Paul gives us this full and perfect Definition of Antichrist, or, of the Beast we are enquiring after; He is one who opposeth (viz. 
2 Thes. 2.4. Psal. 82.  Christ and his Saints) and fare exalts himself above all that is called God, or Worshipped (whereby is meant, not only above Magistrates, who are called Gods, but likewise above every thing else, which is thought by men to be most capable of Divine Honour (so that he as God, sitteth in the Temple of God (i. e. in the Church, which was of old truly so, and still pretends to be so) declaring himself that he is God: Declaring, that is, Demonstrating and manifesting this, 
Mark 2.7.  by his pretending to a Godlike Power; as to be able to pardon sins, which none can do but God alone, To absolve from Laws, To Dispense with Oaths, To be Infallible, and the like, which Titles and Power whoever dares assume to himself; He is The Antichrist, a Blasphemer, and consequently, that Beast whose Marks we are seeking for, of which the first is, that he was to be full of such Names of Blasphemy.  
2. The Tabernacle of God, which this Beast is said to Blaspheme may either signify the Church of God, 
Eph. 2.22 1 Tim. 3.5, 15.  (which oftentimes is called the House of God) over which the Beast doth sinfully assume a power; or, which I rather take to be the meaning, The humane Nature of Christ, for thus the divine Writer to the Hebrews, doth elegantly call it, because it was the true Tabernacle, 
Heb. 8.2. and 9.11.  which God pitched and not man: Which Tabernacle is Blasphemed, when the Merit of those Sufferings, which God himself underwent in the Humane Nature, is lessened, and the blood of Christ not accounted sufficient to cleanse from sin, without something added by men to eek out its value; For since our Saviour expressly affirmeth, that he gave his flesh, 
Joh. 6.51  (i. e. his humane Nature) for the life of the World; and nothing can be more undeniable than that excellent Argument of a Divine Writer; 
Heb. 9.13, 14.  If the blood of Bulls and of Goats doth sanctify to the purifying of the Flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Eternal Spirit offered himself without spot unto God, purify our Conscience from dead works. The shedding of that blood (which was the price paid for the satisfaction of sin) being abundantly sufficient to merit forgiveness, for millions of worlds, because the Mortal Nature which suffered, by its Union with the Divine, was of Infinite and Incomparable Value; If then the Beast shall dare to extenuate and lessen it, by pretending that some part of the Ransom is yet unpaid, and that he hath power by his Indulgences to add something to it, this must needs be a Blasphemy of the highest kind, because it is in effect to say, that the Son of God did not finish the work, for the full performing of which, 
Heb. 10.5, 10, 14  a Body was prepared him.  
3. Those that dwell in Heaven, are the Angels and the departed Saints; who are then Blasphemed, when any thing is ascribed or done to them, which, were they now on Earth, they would not dare to own; Thus when the men of Lystra, who had the excuse of an amazing Miracle to justify them, did prepare to offer Sacrifice unto Paul and Barnabas; we read that those blessed Apostles did rend their , 
Act. 14.14 2 Kings 18 37. Mat. 26.65  which was usual in the cases of Blasphemy, and shows what Opinion they conceived of that Action. So when our Evangelist, perhaps only in a pious gratitude for such great discoveries, would have fallen down at the Angel's feet to Worship him; The Angel, in a kind of sacred horror, forbade him, 
Revel. 19.10.  saying, See thou dost it not, for I am thy fellow-Servant, Worship God: And a greater than he, even the Son of God himself, yet appearing in the form of an Angel, would not have Sacrifice offered to him, 
Jud. 13.16  but saith he to Manoah; If thou wilt offer a Burnt-Offering, thou must offer it to the Lord: If therefore Sacrifice and Adoration was not at all pleasing to those blessed Spirits upon Earth, 
1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 13.15  we cannot think but Prayer and Praise (which are a Christians Sacrifice) and other acts of Divine Worship, must needs be accounted by them as Blasphemous now they are in Heaven. For they have not altered their minds, nor are they now less zealous of God's Honour, than when they did on Earth express their utmost abhorrence of  did but seem to entrench upon it. So that to sum up all the parts of this first Mark together, for a sinful man, to assume the prerogative and incommunicable properties of God, to lessen the Invaluable Merits, and Satisfaction of our Lord Christ, and to enjoin undue honour unto Saints and Angels, such as were they now on earth, they would detest, these all are Blasphemies of the grossest nature, which  belcheth forth, he is the Beast we are commanded to beware of.  
Secondly, Another Mark, and that no little one, 
Mark. 2  by which the Beast may be known, is the numberless number of his followers; even the whole Earth, saith the Text, 
Rev. 13.3 with 17.8  or All that dwell upon the Earth: whereby is not meant every individual person throughout the world, but as is afterwards explained, Every Tribe, and Tongue, and Nation: That is, All the Professors of Christianity throughout the world, except the Elect, 
Mat. 24.24 Rev. 17.8 Rev. 13.7 Rev. 12.17  or They whose Names are written in the Book of Life: These are called the Saints, or the seed of the Woman, (i. e. the Sons and Daughters of the true Church) Whom the Dragon persecuted: Who keep (not the Traditions of men, but) the Commandments of God, and (in direct opposition to the Usurpations of Antichrist) do hold the Testimony of Jesus: Who, in comparison of that vast Rout, or rather Herd, which Worship the Beast, are styled a little Flock, left, as it were, 
Luke 12.32.  to humane view altogether Naked and Defenceless, in the midst of many fierce and ravening Wolves, 
Rev. 11.7  by whom they are no sooner discovered, but they are hunted, taken, and slain: Which General delusion and raging madness of the Bestal crew, together with the distressed condition of the Lamb's company, must needs, even in the eye of common Reason, make those swelling Titles of Universality, Visibility, Pomp, and Extent of dominion, very unsafe and most unfit to plead as signs of the true Church, since during the whole time of the Beasts Reign, they are applicable only unto his Followers.  
If any ask how it was possible, for the world, professing themselves (as they did) to be Christians, to become so stupid, 
Rev. 5.6  and senseless, as, instead of the Lamb Christ Jesus, to show a Tyrannical and outrageous Beast, his greatest Enemy; in answer to this, we must consider, that from the first moment, wherein the Beast was invested in his Sovereignty, there was universally conceived a slavish dread of his Power; which made the overawed and captivated world to cry out who is like unto the Beast? 
Rev. 13.4  who is able to war with him, For if those of Samaria were exceedingly afraid of Jehu, 
2 Kings 10.4.  and thought they reasoned well when they said, Behold two Kings stood not before him, how then shall we stand? How much less able than were any to resist the Beasts encroachments, who had ten Horns, i. e. Ten Kings his Vassals, 
Revel. 17.12, 13.  that owned him for their Head, and tamely gave up their Authority to be disposed of, and ordered by him? But besides this Argument from Force and Fear, which alone had been sufficient to enslave the world, there were two other causes, which did concur to make the spiritual Thraldom plausible and universally taking.  
1. There was a willingness in the world to be deceived; as the Israelites, being many years accustomed to the taste of Mannah (though it was bread of Heaven, 
Ps. 105 40 Psa. 78.24 25  and food for Angels) began to loathe it: so did the World grow weary of the plainness of Truth, which made God in his just judgement, give them up to be acted by a Spirit of Error, 
2 Thes. 2.10, 12 Joh. 7.18 1 Cor. 13.6 So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal. 52.3  because they loved not the Truth, saith the Apostle, but had pleasure in unrighteousness, or, in falsehood; as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 often signifies. Men having then their Ears open to receive, and their minds ready to believe a Lie; and offering themselves as a willing Prey, to every one that would but take pains to cousin them.  
2. To this propensity and readiness, which was in the world, for the embracing of any kind of Error, there was not wanting the Vigilance and care of a False-Prophet to promote and preach it. 
Rev. 16.13  Who being twin with the Ten-horned Beast, rising out of the Earth at the same time, 
Rev. 13.12  and ever present with him, used all his craft and industry to enlarge the Beasts Kingdom, as being himself a sharer both in the Profit and Power of it. And therefore by his false Doctrine, which he had power to confirm by Miracles, 
Verse 13,14  he easily persuaded the credulous world to enslave themselves unto the Beast, and willingly to receive his Mark; and if any refused it, 
Vers. 16,17  he caused them to be killed; Preaching no doubt, as his predecessors did before him, concerning the Apostles, 
Joh, 16.2  That, who so killed them did God good service: Which False-Prophet (in the usual Scripture Dialect (where the frog, the Locust, 
Exod. 8.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exo. 10.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Pet. 2. 1 Joh. c. 2. and c. 4 1 Tim. 4.1, 2.  and the like in the singular Number, doth comprehend the whole Species) signifies all those False-Teachers, which were to arise in the Church, whose Doctrine, and Manners, almost all the Apostles do fully declare. It is no wonder then, if such vast Multitudes, for so many ages, ran blindly into pernicious and destructive Errors, who, being first disposed by themselves unto the love of falsehood, were afterwards forsaken by God, and had besides many fly and cunning Impostors, to lead them farther astray: Their Eyes it seems being so dazzled with the false Fire, 
Rev. 13.13  which by Miracles came down from Heaven, that men were content to forget their way thither, and willing to be led to Hell in company. But had the world been then awakened, as now, through the goodness of God, some part of it is, they would have known that true Doctrine did always precede and give a lustre and credit to Miracles; for without their aid, Truth alone can maintain its Authority, as it did in John Baptists time: 
Joh. 10.41, 42  But Miracles without true Doctrine (of which the Word of God must be the Touchstone) are sometimes suffered by God to try the grounded sincerity of our Obedience: 
See Deut. 13.1, 2 Mat. 24.24 25. 2 Thes. 2.9 Rev. 13 13, 14. and 16.13, 14. & 19, 20  And therefore we are strictly cautioned, that we be not deceived by them: So that whenever Miracles are urged in defence of False or Questionable Doctrines, they only serve as Evidences to show that the False-Prophet is at work, and the way, for setting up the Kingdom of the Beast, or, the Throne of Antichrist, is secretly prepraring.  
Thirdly, Another Mark, 
Mark 3.  and equal in Evidence to any of the former, is the time wherein the Beast began (not to Be, but) to Reign: Of this, is to be understood that Enigmatical speech of the Angel, The Beast, which is not, although he is. 
Rev. 17.8  Which Phrase, as containing some singular sense, is repeated twice in one Verse; and this seems to be the meaning of it, that although the Beast, as to some of his parts, was then actually in Being, and some foundations were already laid for his future greatness (as likewise is elsewhere witnessed) yet he had not hitherto arrived to his full growth; or as the Apostle Paul's Phrase is. 
See 2 Thes. 2.6, 7 1 Joh. 2.18 & 4.3.  He was not revealed as yet; which word revealed, when it is applied to the Man of Sin, I take to signify the setting up of his Kingdom, and actual exercise of his Sovereignty, or, the visible displaying of his Power: For thus the revealing of Christ, is used for his Reigning, and that by the Apostle Paul, in the same Epistle, 
1 Pet. 1.7, 13. & 4.13 2 Thes. 1.5, 7  where he treats of Antichrist: what therefore the Apostle John speaks concerning the Beast, that, He is not, although he is; amounts to this, That, though he was in some degree already, even at that time (as a Poisonous Plant, may be said to be, as soon as it is sown, and hath taken root in the Earth) yet he was not come then unto his absolute Dominion, which, saith he afterward, you must then look for, when ten Kings, 
Rev 17. 12, 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 2 Thes. 2.6, 7,8  who are to be his Horns, do arise, with whom, at the very same instant of time, the Beast shall begin his Reign. This, though somewhat more darkly, was intimated by the Apostle Paul, when he says, The Mystery of Iniquity doth already work, only that which hindereth (shall hinder) until he be taken out of the way, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  and then that lawless one shall be revealed. Which words, the Primitive Christians did generally understand to signify the Roman Empire, 
Tertul. Apolog. c. 32  as Tertullian witnesseth in the name of them all; and this made them in all their meetings, to pray for the continuance of that Empire, that thereby the coming of Antichrist, and the Desolation to be wrought by him, might be prevented. For while the Empire of Rome was undivided, and in its height of Sovereignty, the Beast, whose seat was in the City, had neither pretence of Plea, nor force of Power, sufficient to make himself acknowledged as Sovereign there; but when that Empire was broken, and several Kingdoms did arise out of the Ruins of it (all which, for the better establishment of themselves, did agree to submit unto the Bishop of Rome, and to own him as their Head) then there was nothing left powerful enough to hinder the Beasts Usurpation: The time therefore, when these Monarchies or Principalities arose, must be carefully enquired after, because from thence we must date the beginning of the Beasts reign and Independent Supremacy; which was to last from that period of Time, even until the coming of Christ, 
See of this 2 Thes. 2.8 Dan. 7.21, 22. Rev. 16 13-16. & 19.19, 20, 21 See Dan. 7 etc. 8.20 Dan. 7.25 & 12.7 Rev. 12.14 Rev. 11.2, 3 & 12.6. & 13.5  who by the brightness of his personal appearance, will finally destroy the Beast, and fully plead the cause of his persecuted and cruelly slaughtered Servants against him. From what hath been said, three things do evidently follow.  
1. That the Beast is not one Man, as some do vainly imagine, but a Series or Race of Men succeeding one another in the same Bestial and Blasphemous Government and Titles,  
2. That the Time, Times, and half a Time, the 42. Months, The three years and an half, or, which is all one account, The 1260. Years, so often mentioned in Daniel, and the Revelation, as the precise time limited by God for the duration of the Beasts Dominion, must necessarily be understood of Prophetical days, that is, taking a Day for a Year; as it is in that famous instance of daniel's weeks, 
Dan. 9 Numb. 14.34 Ezek. 44, 5, 6  and more than once elsewhere in Scripture before; and this Interpretation as it is usual, so it is most agreeable to the design of the Spirit of God, who speaks of the Beast, as of one that was to reign a long time, and comparatively much longer than either the Christian, 
Rev. 17.10 11  or the Heathen Emperors before him, in whose place the Beast was to succeed, as the eighth in Number, but indeed the seventh Head, and was thence forward to continue, until the Lord Christ himself came to take away his Authority from him.  
3. That since the breaking of the Roman Empire, and the Rise of several Kingdoms or Principalities out of it (which by all writers is placed between the fourth and the fifth Century, though many differ concerning the particular Time of each) there have already lapsed above 1200. years; all which time we must, in conformity to this Scripture, be forced to acknowledge, that the Beast, who was to begin his Reign with those ten Kings, hath been visibly and powerfully reigning; and to speak more plainly, this the Spirit of God hath affirmed he was to do, and therefore hath done, in Rome itself, and thither we are directed by the Angle to seek him, that we may know who it is, whose Communion we are with so much care commanded to avoid.  
From what hath been said it is very evident, nor indeed can any thing possibly be more clear to all unprejudiced men, that as Rome was that City which was represented under the form of a Whorish Woman; so the Pope, or, Bishop of Rome, is the Beast who bears her; It is he, who for many hundred of years, hath fixed his Seat, and his Supremacy there; It is he, who challengeth Authority over all Kings and Earthly Magistrates (the greatest of whom have been forced to wait as Lackeys to make up his Train) It is He, who hath all these Names of Blasphemy (of being Head of the Church, Infallible, Pardoning Sin, 
Dan. 7.25  and the like) which the Spirit of God had before prophesied of, and witnesseth against: It is He, who hath attempted to change Times, and daily doth change Laws, dispensing for his own gain with whatever is Sacred and Holy: It is He, who Blasphemes those that dwell in Heaven, Canonising whom he pleaseth for Saints, and then commanding them to be worshipped as Gods; showing himself hereby, not only to be a God, 
Apolog.  but (as Tertullia's expression is) Deus Deificus, A God that can make Gods. So much is he advanced above the condition of a Mortal Man. And lastly, It is He, who hath the False-Prophet to Act and Preach for him, even an infinite number of Monks, Friars, Jesuits, and the like False-Teachers, who, being his sworn Subjects, by their Lies and Lying Wonders, do all strive to bring the World into the same Vassalage; not much caring what becomes of other Points; so that Men will but be Ignorant enough, and quietly hold the Fundamental Article of their Creed, that, the Pope is Head of the Church; but if any, suspecting him to be the Beast they are bid to beware of, 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mic 3.5  do once boggle at this, than these False-prophets, prepare, or, as the Hebrew word signifies, Hollow War against them, i. e, Wage an Holy War, the meaning of which Phrase, our Protestant Churches in France, Savoy, Germany, and other places, are too sensibly acquainted with, to need an explication.  
If this be so, for the proof of which, I have not followed any preconceived Notions of mine own, but the unerring guidance of Scripture-light, than it doth necessarily follow, that in the Church of Rome (I mean for those who knowingly live and die in Communion with Her, acknowledging the Pope for their Head) there is not any possibility of Salvation; and to affirm there is, is boldly to contradict the express denunciation of the Spirit of God, and therein to be mercilessly Cruel unto the Souls of those deluded men, under pretence of being Charitable. 
2 Th. 2.10 See 2 Cor. 2.15. & 4.3 Acts 2.47 1 Cor. 1.18 Judas. v. 4  The Apostle Paul says, that the Deceivableness of Unrighteousness works, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in them that perish, or, in the lost, who being always opposed to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or, the saved, it abundantly shows that all who continue their adherence unto the damnable Errors of that Church and Head, are wholly forsaken by God, and designed to Destruction. What may be said concerning former Times, when the Truth was not so clear, nor the Apostasy in all its parts so visible, I will not determine; It is possible, 
Acts 17.30 31  that, as heretofore, so then, God might wink at those times of Ignorance; but I am sure, he now calls upon all to repent, or else we must expect to perish in our Obstinacy. It is therefore very observable, 
Vers. 7 See Psal. 96.5. and 115.4, etc. Isa. 41. 1 Thes. 1.9  that in the 14th. of Revelation, first there comes an Angel to Preach the Everlasting Gospel; the sum of which is no other, than what the Prophets and Apostles did Preach of Old, That men should turn from Idols, to serve the living and true God; and worship him who made Heaven and Earth and the fountains of Waters: Upon the preaching of which Gospel, immediately there follows another Angel proclaiming that dreadful Judgement before mentioned, against such as worship the Beast, and receive his Mark or his Image. From whence I gather, that  may be the deal of God towards those in Spain and Italy, or other places, where the Preaching of the Everlasting Gospel is utterly suppressed, and those poor souls, who possibly may long for light, are forcibly detained in darkness; yet in such places, where the Truths of God are taught, and freedom given unto all that will come and hear them, there to continue in that sin of Popery, which God hath already declared he will not pardon, must needs be utterly inconsistent with any hopes of Happiness.  
Although I need not say any more for the proof of this, than what hath already been spoken, concerning the Judgement threatened against all such as obey that Man of sin, and Child of Perdition, the Pope, or the Beast, against whom the Lord hath an irreconcilable controversy, yet in compassion to the souls of those miserably deceived Papists, amongst us, I shall add these few things, farther. That  
1. If all, who either add to, or take away from, 
Rev. 22.18 19  the words of Scripture, are to expect all the Plagues threatened, and to be excluded from the happiness promised in it.  
2. If they, who Worship God after the Doctrines and Commandments of men, do only Worship him in vain; 
Mat. 15.9 13, 14.  and instead of gaining a reward for their Service, are to be plucked up, as Plants, not of the Father's planting.  
3. If they, who blindly, and with an implicit Faith, do follow after blind Guides, will certainly at last fall with them into the ditch, even the bottomless-Pit of destruction.  
4. 
Rev. 21.8. Psal. 97.7.  If Idolaters are to have their portion in the Lake which burns with Fire and Brimstone; and all such are to be confounded; i. e. To perish for ever, who serve Graven Images, and boast themselves of Idols.  
5. If they who believe a lie, 
2 Thes. 2. 9-12.  (as that a piece of Bread is turned into the very Body and Blood of the Son of God) and have pleasure in such unrighteousness, are all to be damned.  
6. If they who Worship Angels, hold not the Head, Christ; and therefore cannot look for any life from him.  
Lastly, If they who, in a proud conceit of their own Righteousness, either prefer it to, or else mingle it with the Righteousness of Christ for Justification, do commit the very sin of the Reprobate Jews, 
See Rom. 9 30-32. and 10.3. Gal. 2.21. and 5.4.  making the death of Christ in vain, and consequently have no Interest in the Redemption purchased by it: If I say these things are of that heinous nature, as who ever is guilty of any one of them, is by the Word of God pronounced Worthy of death; then the Papists, who (besides their bearing the Name of that accursed Beast, 
2 Pet. 2.1  the Pope) do hold all these, and many more such destructive Heresies are certainly in a state desperately and deplorably dangerous, and for any to teach otherwise, it is to speak peace, and Pity where the mouth of the Lord hath not spoken it.  
For us therefore, who, through the infinite goodness of God, have escaped the snare, to have any Church Fellowship, or to seek Reconciliation with them, it is not only ingratefully to slight the Mercy of our deliverance, but foolishly, if not impiously, to sell the Truth, or rather to betray it, into the hands of its most prejudiced, hardened, and implacable enemies: Let them therefore, in the Words of God by the Prophet to back-slidden Israel, 
Jer. 15.19  Return to us, by renouncing their Blasphemies, forsaking their Idolatries, and withdrawing their Obedience from that Beast they serve; but let not us return to them, by parting with one jota of Scripture-truths', 
Rev. 18.4 Deut. 7.25, 26. and 13 18, 19 Levit. 14.44. Rev. 18.23, 24.  lest by partaking in their sins, we become likewise sharers in their Plagues; and by touching the accursed thing, do make ourselves a Curse; and incur that guilt, which still cleaves, like an incurable Leprosy, unto that Idolatrous and bloody City of Rome: Against which City God hath formerly sent the Goths and Vandals, and other Executioners of his Vengeance, to scrape and to pair, and to cleanse her filth out of her; but she is now returned to her Trade again, still Worshipping Devils and Idols; 
Rev 9.20, 21.  and not repenting of her Fornications, Witchcrafts and Murders; It remains therefore, 
Heb. 6.8  that like the Barren Earth, which having oft been Reigned upon, brings forth only Briars and Thorns, she is nigh to a curse, and her end is to be burnt with fire: This glorious spectacle, 
Rev. 18 ib. v. 20 Rev. 6.10, 11 Rev. 11.17 18 2 Tim. 2.10, 11 Rev. 20.4, 6 Rev. 22 20 Cant. 8.14  though worldly-spirited men will lament and tremble at the sight of; yet the Heavens, and the blessed Inhabitants of them, are commanded to rejoice at: For which, the Souls of the Martyred Saints, that are already under the Altar; and all their Brethren, who are yet witnessing in the Wilderness do earnestly pray, as being then to receive a full Reward for their labours, and to Reign with Christ, for whom they suffered.  
Even so, come Lord Jesus, come quickly.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
THough a Doctrine, which is built upon and confirmed by the Scriptures, the word of God, needs not any Testimony from Man for its farther establishment; yet because this Truth comes forth at this time without a Name, and some of the Protestant-Readers may possibly suspect it to be New, and not agreeable unto the Judgement of our Reformed Churches; the Author therefore of the foregoing Treatise hath thought fit to add, that he hath delivered nothing for substance, but what is exactly consonant, not only unto the Scripture, but unto that Interpretation of it, which the most Learned and Judicious of our Protestant Writers have already given: And this was thought so clear a Truth in former times, that this Article, The Pope is Antichrist, hath been put into most of the Public Confessions of Faith of the several Churches: And in our own Church, he thinks it still is, but he is assured it was, till of very late years, the Judgement of almost all that were of any Reputation, either for Religion or Learning. It were easy to exscribe their Words and Arguments, but I shall content myself with the Testimony of One, whose imcomparable Learning and Piety, together with the eminent Place and Authority he enjoyed, may serve either to make his words to be received, or at least mine not over forwardly condemned. It is the Reverend Dr. Usher Archbishop of Armagh, 
Pag 438.  who in his Catechism writes thus,  
As Christ is the Head of the Church, which is his Body; so Antichrist is the Head of the Romish Church, which is his Body.  
Quest. Who is that Antichrist?  
Answ. He is one, who under colour of being for Christ, and under Title of his Vicegerent, exalteth himself above and against Christ opposing himself against all his Offices and Ordinances both in Church and Commonwealth; bearing Authority in the Church of God, ruling over that City with seven Hills, which did bear Rule over the Nations, and put our Lord to death; A man of Sin, a Child of Perdition, a Destroyer, establishing himself by lying Mircacles and false Wonders: All which MARKS together, do agree with none, but the POPE of ROME. 
Pag. 439.   
Quest. What is the use of all his Doctrine?  
Answ. That whosoever are partakers of the Sins of Rome, are also under the same curse— etc.  
Quest. What farther?  
Answ. That there can be no sound Agreement betwixt Popery, and the profession of the Gospel, no more than betwixt Light and Darkness, Falsehood and Truth, God and Belial, and therefore no RECONCILIATION can be devised betwixt them. For if the members of Antichrist shall be destroyed, we cannot in any sort communicate with them in their Errors, unless we will bear them company in their destruction also.  
The Author hath no more to add, but to beg of God, that he will own this Work by giving a Blessing to it, in this Dark and Cloudy day.  
FINIS.