The down-fall of Babylon: OR, The Ruin of Antichrist: Being that mystery of Iniquity, which beginneth to work in the children of disobedience, the Independents. By Alexander Mingzeis Minister of God's Word. Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last day's scoffers, walking after their own lusts. And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the Fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2. Pet. 3.3.4. Printed in the Year 1647. To His Sacred Majesty CHARLES, By the grace of God, of England, Scotland, Fance, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Dread Sovereign: WHither should Faith have its refuge, but to Faith's Defender? If Apostates dare abuse authority then surely truth may take sanctuary under your sacred protection. There are a fry of Locusts (in these licentious times) smarmd out of the bottomless pit, which have almost consumed our Vine. And while we have gone about to drive out one Antichrist, a worse is come in his room. Help therefore, O King, to drive out these Caterpillars. Let not those which deny authority usurp authority. Your humble Subject takes God to witness that he aims not at the godly or truly religious, but only at such, as whose consciences accusing them may have time and leisure enough to repent, and amend. The Lord turn them, and preserve and keep your Majesty from all danger for ever, Amen. Your Majesty's most humble and Loyal Subject, Alexander Mingzeis, Minister. The Downfall of Babylon, etc. Christian Reader: ME thinks the very word sets forth and declares the odiousness of the Sect: for it intimates in the first place, that as they depend of none, so they are worthily called Independents, and may in time prove pendants, if not dependants. First, therefore they depend of none neither God nor man. Of God they do not, because they have denied Christ, the truth and principles of the Oracles of God. As first the use of the moral law. 2. The use of Scripture in general. 3. In special or particular. First, therefore they have and do deny Christ, by their cursed and blasphemous detractions and calumniations. First in giving forth that Christ did more hurt in teaching the Lords prayer, As divers both in Country and City. and saving the Thief upon the cross, then ever he did good in all his life. 2 In giving forth that he was but illegitimate, As a Weaver in Kent, and a woman in the City. A Gentleman in Hartfordshire, a I have been credibly informed. 1. John. 2.12. 2. Pet. 2.1. and a Carpenter's Son. 3. And lastly there and have been some of them which have and do flatly deny that ever there was such an one as a Christ in the world, etc. John saith that he is Antichrist which denieth the Father and the Son, that is, which denyeth Christ to be the Son of God, and have not our adversaries done so? The Apostle Peter telleth us, that there shall be false Teachers among us in the last times, who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And have not our adversaries done so? And St. Judas saith, that they were before of old ordained to this condemnation, Judas 4. which should turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews deny Christ, but never accused him of folly and ignorance, as some of our adversaries have done. The Turks confess him to be the great Prophet and Messi as that should come into the world, Deut. 18.15. Dan. 9 25. only they deny him to be the Son of God; but they never gave forth that he was illegitimate, and a Bastard. Therefore Independents are worse than either Turks or Jews, Heathens or Infidels. Rev. 13 4. The Divine Evangelist maketh mention of a beast that should arise out of the Sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and speaking blasphemies, 5.6. to whom the Dragon should give his power. ●. 2. And what is this beast, but the pernicious sect of the Independents? for are they not risen out of the sea of the promiscous and various multitude of people? 2. Is not their power almost become infinite and boundless, noted by the beasts seven heads and ten horns? 3. Hath not the Dragon, or Devil given them this power, (for sure I am) neither God nor man ever gave it them? 4. And lastly, do they not in a most ample and large manner open their mouths to blasphemy with the beast; yea in such a measure as was never heard of among Jews or Gentiles, Turks or Barbarians, insomuch that it is a wonder the Land doth not sink under the burden of them. But to this it will be objected, that this is but the error of a few, and is not known nor acknowledged by them all. I answer, by a part we may judge of all, even as Apelles took Hercules length and stature, by the measure of his foot. Besides (as our adversaries cannot deny) but that those which have opened their mouths in such a measure of blasphemy against Christ, are also those which are of their own sect and opinion, neither have they been rebuked by them, or written or spoke against so fare as ever I have read or understood (by any of them) for the same. Secondly, as these our adversaries have denied Christ; so they have, & do deny the use of the moral Law, bearing us in hand, that it is of no force, strength, or virtue. And indeed what can be better for lawless, people, then to have the Law abrogated and abolished? Therefore (albeit there may seem to be no dispute against those that deny the principles of faith and reason) yet have I undertaken (for conscience sake, and their own good) to show unto them the use and necessity of the Law, and that it is in as great force, strength, and virtue (according to the enlightening, and directing power of it) as ever it was. And that first by the testimony of Christ himself, who plainly telleth us, that he is not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets, Mat. 5.17. but to fulfil them. Rom. 3.31. And the Apostle that he did not make void the Law, but did establish it. And the reason is, because the Law is holy, 7.12. and the commandment is holy, just, and good. Therefore David made it his delight, Psal. 119.70. and the Prophet Isaiah concludeth; Isay. 8.20. To the Law, and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no truth in them. I must confess, as many as are led by the spirit of Christ, Gal. 5.18. are not under the curse or rigour of the Law, by reason that in respect of ourselves, and our own weakness the Law can make nothing perfect; Heb. 7. 1● but that hinders not the Law to be still in force, and perfect in itself, Ps. 19.7. not only as it is a rule of righteousness, and a light unto us, but also as it serveth to convince the conscience, and to lay it open. And therefore David used it as a lamp unto his feet, Psal. 119.105. and a light unto his paths. And the Apostle plainly concludeth, that he had not known sins, Rom. 7.7. but by the Law. Wherefore take away this light, this lamp, and this rule, and our adversaries may do what they list, blow out this candle, and they may go whether they please; but they must not think to escape in the dark or to go away in a mist; for we shall be able (even by the very lantern of this Law) to trace and find them out. And therefore they deny it lest they should be found out, & ruled by it. Joh. 3.19. For light is come into the world, and men love darkness, rather than light; because their deeds are evil. Thirdly, our adversaries (the Independents) do not only deny Christ, and the use of the moral Law; but also the whole Canonical Scriptures, in calling them a dead letter, and in comparing them to a fountain scaled up. Notwithstanding the Prophet Isaiah proclaimeth unto all, Isay. 55.1. to come freely to the waters, and to buy wine and milk without money, and without price: And the Prophet Ezechiel compares them to the waters issuing forth under the threshold of the Sanctuary, Ezech 47.5. which grew into a river, and became impassable. David tells us, that the Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; that the testimony of the Lord is sure, Ps. 19 7. making wise the simple, and that the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart, the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. And Paul saith in Timothy, that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, 2 Tim. ●3. 16. and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. In the Epistle to the Hebrews, he tells us, that the word of God is quick and powerful, Heb. 4.12 and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and that it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And in the Epistle to the Romans he plainly concludeth the Gospel to be the power of God unto salvation. Ro. 1.16. And therefore if our Gospel he did (saith the Apostle) It is hid to them that are lost, 2 Cor. 4. 34. in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ (who is the Image of God) should shine unto them. I wonder what St. John meaneth, whereas he saith: Joh. 1.1. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. I hope our adversaries will not say, that God is a dead letter. But it is not the sense or scope of Scripture (will they object) which they call the dead letter but the letter itself, which is the creature. I answer, than the Creator (with the scapegoat) may pass free, but take away the letter, I wonder what will become of the sense, and scope of Scripture. Yes, our new Enthusiasts and speculative Divines have found out a way to come by the sense and scope of Scripture, without the letter, and that is by Revelation, and inditing of the spirit. But what spirit is that, which inditeth without Scripture? Must not Gods word and spirit be one? 1 Joh. 5.7. And doth not the Apostle say plainly, that if we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel then that which hath been preached, Gal. 1.8. let him be accursed And is it not a new Gospel to deny Christ, to deny the Scriptures, to deny Magistracy, to deny Ministry, and to deny the creature, or that man hath a reasonable soul? But seeing I have proved Independents already to be worse than Jew's, Turks or Infidels; let us now see what difference there is between them and Papists. Papists say that the Holy and Canonical Scriptures are imperfect and obscure; therefore they restrain them from the Laiety. Independents say that they are but a dead letter, and therefore useless, and unprofitable, and restrain them from all men. The Pope arrogates the knowledge and interpretation of Scripture only to himself, so do Independents. The Pope he saith, that he is above and without all Law, because he hath the Law written in the table of his breast; so do Independents. Only herein is the difference (if there be any) that the Pope and Papists (in some nature) refuse not to be tried by Scripture; but our adversaries do; for so much as they (notwithstanding Malechie saith, Mal. 2.7. the Priest's lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the Law at his mouth) arrogate the key of knowledge, and of interpreting the Scriptures only to themselves, A woman in Midlesex. and plainly give forth that the Scriptures are to be tried by their spirit, and not their spirit by the Scriptures. Being contrary to Saint John's rule, 1 Joh. 4.1. which adviseth us not to believe every spirit; but to try them, whether they be of God, adding the reason, because many false spirits are gone forth into the world. But how should we try them? whenas they have wrung the rule of truth and touchstone of God's word, out of our hands, in calling it a dead letter, and useless creature. The Pope he saith he cannot sinne, only out of Peter's chair, he confesseth he may err; but our adversaries plainly tell us, that they cannot sinne at all; And why? Because God sees no sin in Jacob, Num. 23.21. nor transgression in Israel. And he that is borne of God sinneth not; Neither indeed can he sin, because his seed abideth in him. O happy people, a royal Priesthood, and a holy Nation. 1 Pet. 2.9. I wonder they do not also say, that the shout of a King is among them. How hath God sent them the spirit of delusion, 2 Thes. 2.11. that they might believe a lie, 12. to the end that they might all be damned, which believe not the truth? For are they ignorant, or do they take no notice that Israel was even then committing whoredom with the Daughters of Moab, Num. 25.1. when Balaam did pronounce them without sin. And doth not the same author which saith; 1 Joh. 3.9. he which is borne of God cannot sinne; also to conclude, 1 Joh. 1.8. that he which saith he is without sin, deceiveth himself, and the truth is not in him. Ps. 32.1 I confess, the man is blest, to whom the Lord doth not impute sin. But that hindereth not, but that God seeth sin in Jacob, and transgression in Israel. 1 Sam. 7. 32.33. Yea, and that he will punish it with the rods of men; though he take not his everlasting mercies from us. But here I shall entreat thee (Christian Reader) to consider what will become of this doctrine of our adversaries. They say God seethe no sin in Jacob, nor transgression in Israel; therefore be secure, and let us sin, that grace may abound. 2. Observe, that if there be no sin, than the soul is made righteous; but a righteous soul needs no Saviour; therefore no wonder, that our adversaries deny Christ. Again, where there is no sin there is perfection of grace; but where there is perfection of grace, there must also be perfection of glory (for so much as glory is the reward of grace) therefore by their own consequent they must, and do enjoy Heaven upon earth, which hath and doth make some of them not only not ashamed to deny the resurrection, and general judgement, but also plainly to give forth, The F●milist, and the Millenatie. that the resurrection is already past, that Heaven is upon earth, and that they enjoy Christ here in the flesh: If this be not Apostasy, I know not what is; I cannot but wonder therefore that our adversaries would separate themselves from us, Judas 19 seeing we have more reason to separate ourselves from them. But they are gone from among us, because they were not of us, 1 Joh. 2.19. and herein they are fare worse than the Pope, for albeit he have swarved in some things; yet hath he not denied the Articles of the Faith, as it is proved our adversaries both have and do. And therefore also I must confess, I should have taken the Pope to have been the Antichrist; but that I find a worse to stand up in his room. It is said of that man of sin, and son of perdition: ● Thes. 2.1. That he opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that as God he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. And do not our adversaries so? For in the first place they take themselves to be the only people of God, condemning all but themselves. 2. They oppose and advance themselves above all that is called God: Above Christ, above the Scriptures, above people, above Priest, above Magistrate, above Minister, and above all the world: So that their power may well be compared unto the Bear's foot, spoken of in the Revelation, which in Daniel is said to break in pieces, Rev. 13 2. Dan. 7.6. to devour; yea, and to stamp all things under its feet. I read of a woman (in the Revelations) that was clothed with the Sun, Rev. 12.1. and had twelve Stars upon her head, and had the Moon under her feet; but I never read of a woman that trampled both Sun, Moon & Stars, & all under her feet. Fourthly, our adversaries do not only deny Scripture in general, by calumniating, and traducing it: But also in particular in flatly denying some part of it. As first the book of Psalms, questioning the Author; because some of the Psalms bear the Titles of others besides David. 2. They question the first and second book of the Kings, because they are thought to contain no other thing then what is expressed and set down in the first and second book of the Chronicles. 3. They question some of the smaller Prophets (as Amos by name) because he was a herds man. Amos 1.1. 4. In the new Testament, some of them question Saint Luke's Gospel, and the Acts, because the Author was a Physician. The book of the Hebrews, because the Author is uncertain. The Epistle of Saint Judas, because there was one of Christ kinsmen of that name in Mathewes Gospel, because he was a Publican, and the Revelation, because it was written in John's banishment, when he was in the Isle of Patmos. Finally, and in a word, they make but little or no account of the whole book of the old Testament; because they conceive old things are done away, and all things are become new. 2 Cor. 5.17. Not weighing that the two Testaments are like twins, or the two Tables of stone, in so much that whosoever embraces the one, must also make use of the other; because what is contained in the one, is also concluded in the other. For as the old Testament which containeth the Law, doth also include the Gospel, by way of promise, and Revelation: So the new Testament, which containeth the Gospel, Joh. 13 34.35. doth also include the Law, by way of precept, which is love, Ro. 13.10. being the fulfilling of the Law. Gen. 38.27. So that (like Thamar's twins) they seem to go hand in hand: What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Lastly, as our adversaries (the Independents) deny God, deny Christ, deny the Scriptures: So likewise they deny all humane power and authority, whether it be Ecclesiastical or Civil Government. And first they deny humane authority in the Church; for they will have no superior in the same, and their reason is, Mat. 23.8. because they are brethren; forgetting that Timothy was Bishop of Ephesus, and Titus Bishop of Crete. And that Paul gives charge to the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, that they should take heed unto themselves, Act. 20.28. and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost had made them over seers: And the Author to the Hebrews, plainly exhorts us, to obey them that have the rule over us, Heb. 13.17. seeing they watch for our souls, as they that must give account for them, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, seeing that is unprofitable for us. And the Apostle in Timothy exhorts, that the Elders which rule well, 1 Tim. 5.17. should be counted worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in the word and doctrine; where we shall find 3 orders or degrees of Rulers in the Church, in the Apostles time. First of Bishops (though they be now cried down) which succeeded the Apostles. 2. Of Elders which were also preaching Ministers; but had not so great a power as Bishops. 3. Of Deacons, or reading Ministers, which had no power in the Church but only to serve the poor and administer the sacraments, as appeareth by the 6 of the Acts, and 5 verse. I deny not, but that there were also Lay-Elders, whom we call Churchwardens; but they served only to keep the treasury of the Church, and to see good order, and decorum kept in it. And were joined with the preaching Elders; but might not meddle with the dispensation of the word. Secondly, as Scripture doth allow of Ecclesiastical government; so of civil or political. And first whereas our blessed Saviour told Pilate that he could have no power ever him, Joh. 19.11. but that it was given him from above. Where observe that Christ was subject even to a heathen Prince, a Tyrant, and an Infidel. And the Apostle exhorteth us to be subject unto the higher powers, Ro. 13.1. declaring withal (as Christ had done before) that there is no power, but what is ordained of God. And therefore Peter earnestly exhorteth us, 1 Pet. 2.13. that we should submit ourselves to every very ordinance of man for the Lords sake, etc. Act. 25.11. This made Paul appeal from Festus to Caesar, though a Heathen and Infidel, as Christ had done before to Pilate. What are these therefore that despise dominion, Judas 8. and speak evil of dignities? Saint Judas will tell us, that they are those who separate themselves, 19 sensually, having not the spirit; though they boast most of it. And the Apostle Peter will tell us that they are presumptuous, 1 Pet. 2.10. and self-willed, and such as promise others liberty, 19 when themselves are the servants of corruption. Thirdly, Whose judgement (saith the Apostle) lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. I wonder therefore in the end what will become of this people; they will admit us no Magistracy, they will admit us no Ministry, they will admit us no Government, they will admit us no King, they will admit us no government, they will admit us no Church, they will not admit us the Scriptures, The Millenary, they will not admit us Christ: For have not some of them plainly given forth, that we are no Church? Mr. Hollis by name. nay, that our Church is no better than an house of office: That we have neither Urim nor Thummim. A Maid. Nay, that we are not a people, or at the least not the Lords people. I wonder what they will make us believe at the last; surely, that we are not ourselves; but (blessed be God) we know both what and whom we have believed. 2 Tim. 1.2. The compassionate Samaritance. page 29. Though they cry down King, cry down Parliament, cry down order, cry down Bishops, cry down learning, cry down all; to the end that all things may be brought into disorder, and confusion. Satan seems to be let lose among us, Rev. 20 7. and the bottomless pit to be set open; Rev. 9.2. for of men or reasonable creatures, they would make us worse than stocks and stones, or blockheaded asses; for have and do they not plainly give forth, that a man hath no soul, Mr. Derby by name. and that stocks and stones have as much in them of God as man hath? Nay that God is in these dumb and senseless creatures, A Captain Mr. By'r by name. and that they are God. What is or will become of thee, O England, as long as thou intertainest such Doctors in the midst of thee? For sure I am, never Atheist, Heathen, or Infidel ever durst or would speak like unto this people, who change the glory of the uncorruptible God, Ro. 1.23. into the Image of a corruptible creature, or of a calf that eateth hay. Psal. 106.20. And pity it were, but that we should case hay with a calf, or be counted worse than stocks or stones, or than Oxen or Asses; if we should believe all what our adversaries teach and hold forth unto us. O England, thou wast once the glory and mirror of Nations, the wonder of the world; but now thou art become the scorn and derision of the people. The seat of Antichrist, a nest of vipers, and a cage of unclean birds, even a place where Satan's Throne and Kingdom is. Rev. 2.13. Arise therefore, repair thy beauty, drive out those locusts and caterpillars, which destroy the vine: Rid thyself of Atheism, blasphemy, Antichristianisme, and profaneness, the which that thou mayest do, God grant, for Christ's sake, Amen Postscript. OBserve (with me) Christian Reader, that as Independents are worse than either Jew, Turk, Barbarian; so they are worse than that man of sin, and Son of perdition, to wit the Pope. First, in restraining Scripture from all by their calumniation and traducing of it. 2. In regard they challenge the knowledge of it only to themselves. 3. In regard, they give forth, that they cannot sinne. 4. In denying the Articles of the Christian Faith. 5. And lastly, in advancing themselves above all that is called God, or that is worshipped. And as they exceed Antichrist in these five things; so they are like him in two. First in calumniating and traducing of Scripture. 2. In bringing in stocks and stones to be worshipped, and acknowledging a divine power to be in them: So that instead of Christ and of his word, they labour and endeavour to bring in Antichrist, and their own brain sick fancies, and Atheistical whimsies, and opinions. And instead of Christian and Civil Government in Church and State, they labour and endeavour to bring in their own licentious liberty, which is nothing but disorder and confusion. And instead of a Christian or reasonable soul, they would make us believe that we are no better than an Ox or an Ass, or a Calf that eateth hay. Finally, and in a word, for Christ, they would have Antichrist, for the Scriptures, their own brain sick fancies and opinions; for Christian Discipline, Order, and Government, they would have nothing but disorder and confusion. For a Church they would have a Jake, for a steeplehouse a chimney-house, and for the immortal and everliving true God, they would have us to embrace, and worship stocks and stones, and other dumb and senseless creatures. But from such a people (good Lord) deliver us. Have a care therefore (O England) and heed that while thou art excluding or banishing one Antichrist, thou have and do not entertain a worse in his room, which God forbidden, for Christ's sake, Amen. FINIS.