Revel. 13. 1 , 2.

And I stood upon the sand of the Sea , and saw a Beast rise up out of the Sea , having seven heads , and tenne horns , and upon his horns ten Crowns , and upon his heads the name of blasphemy .

And the Beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard , and his feete were as the feete of a Beare , and his mouth as the mouth of a Lyon : and the Dragon gave him his power , and his seate , and great authority .

YOU have heard from the last Chapter , that when the Dragon ( that is the Devill , as he ruled the Roman Pagan Empire ) was cast downe out of Heaven , ( that is , dethroned from his heavenly and Divine worship ) he endeavoured by all meanes to oppresse the Church ( that is , the woman ) that brought forth a Christian Emperour , her and her seed . 1. By persecution . 2. By an inundation of damnable Heresies , and barbarous Nations . 3. By open War ; which open war is exprest in the last verse of the former Chapter , and here more fully described in this Chapter , a whereof hath been now read .

The warre which is made against the Church , is here described to be managed by two beasts which the Devill raised up ; One he calls a Beast rising up out of the Sea , described from the first verse to the end of the tenth . Another Beast hee beheld coming up out of the Earth , from the 11 th . verse to the end of the Chapter .

Now the former of these Beasts is described by three arguments .

1. By his Originall or Fountain from whence he springs ; he riseth up out of the Sea , which is amplified by the place of Johns beholding him ; I stood upon the sand of the Sea .

2. He is described by his shape , here is his figure and resemblance : For his head , he had seven heads , and they amplified by honourable Ornaments ( or rather dishonourable indeed , but honourable in the beasts view ) namely upon his heads the name of blasphemy . 2. For his horns , he had ten horns , and they are set forth by their Crowns which he had on his horns ; He had so many horns , so many Crowns , upon his ten horns , ten Crowns . And as his shape is set forth by his head and horns , so also by his resemblance , or likenesse ; the whole shape or bulk of the Beast is like a Leopard : The Leopard is of the femenine gender , and signifies the female of the Panthers ; the she Panther , spotted and ravenous , famous for her speedy race , and yet of a good smell , by which she allures other beasts to her , and as she hath occasion , doth devoure them . And as his resemblance for his whole shape is like a Leopard , so for his feet he is like a Bear : And for his mouth , he hath the mouth of a Lyon : This is the second argument by which he is described .

3. The third argument whereby he is described is his state , and that amplified by three arguments . 1. By the efficient cause . 2. By the variable change of it : And 3ly . by a wise conclusion and observation . For the efficient cause of it , it is said to be the Dragon ; he gave him his power and authority . For the variable change of it , it was , 1. Great , for it is here called Power , and Seate , and great Authority . 2. One of his heads was wounded ; I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death . And thirdly , this wound was healed : this is the variable change of it . 1. Great authority , honourable seate . 2. Wounded to death . And thirdly , healed of that deadly wound . And this healing is amplified by five Effects , or Consequents . The first was the worlds wondering : All the world wondered after the Beast : The admiration was a● this great change ( so happily atchieved as they thought ) that he should recover that desperate danger . The second effect it wrought was , worship both towards himselfe : And secondly , to the Dragon that gave him power . The third effect of this healing was , liberty to blaspheme : There was a mouth given him to speake great things & blasphemies . A fourth eff●ct was , Authority and Power ( to do what ? ) First , To continue forty two moneths , vers. 5. Secondly , Power to make warre with the Saints , and to overcome them , that was the fourth effect that followed his healing . The fifth effect was amplitude , or largenesse of his Dominion : Power was given him over all Kindreds , Tongues , and Nations , vers. 7. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him , vers. 8. Which worshippers are described by their estrangement from the number of Gods elect , whose names are not written in the book of the life of the Lamb , and the Lamb set forth by the eternall efficacy of his death , Slaine from the foundation of the world . This is the second part of the description of the Beast .

The third part is a conclusion , which contains a word of Caution , and Consolation , or a word of Attention and Consolation in the ninth and tenth verses . If any man have eares to heare , let him heare ; as if it were a matter worthy of observation and diligent attention , and of exact understanding and of consolation , in the tenth vers . He that leadeth into captivity shall goe into captivity ; he that killeth with the sword , must he killed with the sword , &c. This is the former Beast and his description .

The latter Beast is in the eleventh verse to the end : I beheld another Beast coming up out of the earth , &c. He is described by his variety from the former beast : For his Original , he comes not as the other Beast out of the Sea , but from the Earth : And for his resemblance , he hath two horns like a Lamb , and he spake lik a Dragon . 2. He is described by his power , as in the twelfth verse , but I will not now speak further of him .

Now for the meaning of the words ; It is that which the holy Ghost calls us diligently to attend unto ; He that hath cares to heare , let him heare : If any man have an eare to understand , any apprehension of spirituall mysteries , any capacity of matters of Religion , let him heare what manner of beast the Devill stirred up , and set against the Church , to make war against the Saint● , as if it were a matter that few would understand but such as were of spirituall understanding , and who will listen duly to a diligent observation of this description , the matter whereof is weighty , and challengeth all our intentions ; and the more , because it is very rare to meet with that which will satisfie a diligent Reader in the Exposition hereof ; But yet so much light God casts almost into the head of every man that takes this Book in hand , especially in his name and feare ( according to his promise , Cap. 1. vers. 3 ) that he adds some light more than hath been before brought to his hand . Here you see are two Beasts , what is the former ? Many take it to be the Roman Empire , some take it to be the Roman Pagan , some the Roman Christian Empire , but I feare neither of them are right : It is not the Roman Papan Empire , that is , take the Empire as it was before the conversion of Rome from Pagan to Christian , in the dayes of Tyberius , and other persecuting Emperours , till Constantine : This Beast was not the Roman Pagan Empire , I will give you a double reason from the Text , the first is this .

1. The Pagan Empire was described as this Beast is , in Rev. 12. 3. Behold a great red Dragon , having seven heads aud tenn horns ; but with this difference , The seven heads had seven Crowns upon their heads : Now this Beast hath also seven heads , which make it like the other , but these Crowns are not upon the heads , but upon the horns , which maketh a great difference , an evident signe it is not the Roman Pagan Empire .

2. Againe , it is said of this Beast , that he continues 42. moneths , and that is as long as the Church was in the wildernesse ; for the Church continues in the wildernesse ( as in chap. 12. 6. ) a thousand two hundred and three-score dayes , which is just 42. moneths : And so Chap. 11. 2. It is said , The holy City they shall tread under foot forty two moneths , all the time that the two witnesses prophecyed in sackcloath , which was a thousand , two hundred and threescore dayes . Now it is certain the Roman Pagan Empire did not continue as long as the Church was in the wildernesse ; for the Church went not into the wilderness till the Pagan Empire ceased to be Pagan , and was translated to Christian . Now the Roman Pagan Empire was removed as by a great Earth-quake in Constantines time , and changed from Pagan to Christian ; it cannot therefore be the Roman Pagan Empire , though many judicious Divines have gone that way .

What then , may it be the Christian Empire ? Many have run that way , but neither is it so :

1. For it is said , this Dragon gave to him his power , his seate , and great authority ; now the seat of the Roman pagan Empire indeed was Rome , but the Dragon did not give the Christian Emperors Rome for their Seat , they would never sit there ; but the●e sate at Constantinople , and prepared it to sit there , and for that end Constantine named it after himselfe , Constantinople ; and if they had occasion to come into the Western parts of Italy , they would sit at Ravenna , but at Rome they would not come , unlesse it were Guest-wise .

2. Though it be true , as they say , the Roman Christian Emperour had a deadly wound given him by barbarous Nations , yet when it was healed , the whole world did not admire him : When Charles the great did heale the wound , yet all the world did not wonder after him ; It is true , France , and Germany , and Italy did admire him , but all the Eastern parts did not submit to him , no nor England , nor Scotland , nor Sweden , nor many other parts , they did not acknowledg the Western Emperour , gave him neither civill nor religious worship .

3. Neither doth this suffer it to be the Roman Christian Empire , that it should be a note of perdition and reprobation to honour the Roman Christian Emperours ; for they that have lived under the Roman Christian Emperour , have not hazarded their salvation by that subjection : but here it is said in the eighth verse , that they that honour this beast are such , whose names are not written in the booke of the life of the Lambe : So that for these reasons I dare not so conceive this Beast to he either Roman Pagan , or Roman Christian Empire .

What then , is it Antichrist ? The third sort of Interpreters run that way , and I would not exclude that wholly , but yet neither dare I consent to rest in it ; for when we open the Oracles of God , we must not alwayes give the Comments and Judgments of men for Scripture truths ( though the men be highly to be reverenced : ) But in this place their Interpretation doth not satisfie me , I will give my reason ; Antichrist doth evidently appeare to be the other Beast that comes out of the Earth , which is sayd to have two hornes like a Lamb , &c.

You may say , but Antichrist may be more wayes considered then one , as he is invested with temporall sovera●gnty and dominion , and so he may be the former beast : and as he is invested with spiritual supremacy , and so he may be the latter Beast ; and indeed so , many Interpreters take it : but consider these descriptions .

1. They differ in number ; John saith , I saw a beast rise out of the Sea ; and then it is said in vers. 11. I beheld another beast ; it is not therefore the same .

2. They differ , as in number , so in their originall ; the first rose out of the sea , the second out of the earth .

3. They differ in their shape ; The first beast had ten horns , the second had but two horns like a Lamb.

4. They differ ( and are apparantly distinguished in the exercise of their power , for he exerciseth all the power of the first Beast in his presence : And it is said also in the 12th . vers . He causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast : and he causeth them to make an image of the first beast , and he had power to gve life to the image of the beast , &c. So that the description seems to be different ; The second beast gives all his power to the first , and yet honours himselfe too .

But that which most of all prevailes with me , and which wholly captivates my Judgment to leane another way , is this , That whereas they say the first beast was the Pope , as Dominus in Temporalibus , as Lord in Temporalls ; and the second beast is the Pope , as he is Dominus in Spiritualibus . It is evident that the Pope did not invest himselfe with temporall authority at the first : But at first claimed spirituall and universall Episcopacy , over-sight over all the Churches ; he was first supream head of the Church in his spirituall Jurisdiction , and did not claime dominion in Temporalls till after his wound was healed , and then he took power to depose the Emperour of the East , and translated his Empire from Greece to France , this was his Dominion in earthly Monarchies which he took in the latter place : And therefore I would rather say , that the second beast is the Pope in both respects , as Lord and Soveraign , high Priest in Spiritualls , and the high Priest also over the Kings of the world in Temporalls : Hee had two hornes like a Lamb , as the successor of Peter , and as if he had nothing but from Christ , but he spake like a Dragon ; When he had once power by his Lamb-like horns , he then spake like a Dragon : Therefore to speak that which I conceive to be the truth , I do look at this first beast as indeed of like condition with the Pope , and very nearly joyned to him . The Pope is one of the heads and rulers of this Beast , but yet distinguished from the beast it selfe , and is not the same with the beast .

This therefore ( all things weighed according to the Text ) I conceive to be the first beast , the Roman Catholick visible Church .

The seven heads and ten horns are a clear description of the Roman State : 〈◊〉 . Now this State here is neither the Pagan Roman Empire , nor the Christian Roman Empire , as hath been shewed . And therefore it must needs be a third Roman State distinct from the former , and succeeding in their place ; and what is that but the Roman Catholicke visible Church ? Of this Church the Pope is the head both as universall Bishop over all Churches , and chiefly Lord in Temporalls , that had both Swords , and obtained both Authorities , to be highest supream head in Spirituals , as also supream head in Temporalls , he was Soveraign Governour in all : And the Roman-catholick visible Church , it comes just in the room of the Roman Empire : how was it described ? The beast that had seven heads , and ten horns , this comes in his room ; the one governs all the world in his way , and the other all the Churches another way : This is the Beast that the Dragon stirs up to make War with the Saints . Now to appply this description to this Church , for the better understanding of the Text.

Q● : I saw a beast rise out of the Sea : ] You may aske what is the Sea from whence this beast ariseth ?

Answ. The Sea is the collection of many waters ; The gathering together of the waters called the Seas , Gen. 1. 9 , 10. And what are the waters ? The waters which thou saw●st are People , and Nations , and Languages , and Tongues , Rev. 17. 15. So then , what is the beast here that ariseth out of the Sea ? It is some soveraign State that ariseth out of the connexion of many Nations into one body , as you know the Roman Catholick Church is not confined within the lifts of the City of Rome , ( though there the head is seated ) but the whole Roman Sea ; it is well called a Sea in that respect , it is that which comprehends all Nations , whether subject to the Eastern or Western Emperour ; yea and other Nations that did not submit themselves to the one or other , as if they did recollect themselves as into one Sea , all banks are broken down in the Sea , yet there is no distinction , but all is one Sea , one vast body : And such is the Roman Catholick visible Church , all partitions are here broken downe , all Churches make but one visible Catholick Church .

And again , it is well said to arise out of the Sea , according to the like description which Daniel makes of the foure Monarchs , in Dan. 7. Hee saw the foure windes of heaven strive upon the great Sea , and foure Beasts came up from the sea ; divers one from another : From the multiplyed agitations of the Sea it came to passe four great Monarchs did arise : Just thus , from the tumult of particular Churches did this Beast arise ; for when they could not agree in the Churches , but some were of one minde , some of another , it was the wisdom , as they thought , of Christian Princes and Bishops ( but it was but humane wisdome , and was indeed from the Dragon , and not from Christ ) they thought it would be best to have but one church , and the Bishop of Rome to be the head , though at first they divided them to four , but in the end they would have the Bishop of Rome over all , that so they might have unity ; for they say unity springs from one head ; and unlesse you have one head , you cannot have unity : Therefore , from the particular Church of a Congregation , they came to Diocesan , from Diocesan , to Metropolitan ; from Metropolitan to Patriarchal , from Patriarchal to Cecumenical : And so it comes to pass , all Churches must be gathered into one Sea , that is , one Catholick Church : For look what reason they had to set Bishops over particular Churches : So having many Bishops , by the same reason they must have some Metropolitan , and of many Metrapolitans , foure or five Patriarchs , and of them one Chief , that is the Pope , the Father of Fathers , he must be the grand Governour of all : Therefore doth he rise out of the Sea , out of the Sea of Tumult , and Sea of Contention : And if you take Sea for corruption in Doctrine , and worship , and Government ( as some good Interpreters do ) it was from thence also that this beast did arise ; This beast did arise out of them all ; for had either pure Doctrine , or worship , or Discipline been well looked unto , it had not been possible that such a beast as the Catholick visible Roman Church should have bin raised up .

It is further described to have seven heads , and ten horns : The holy Ghost describes them so fully , that we need no further interpretation of them : He tells us in the 17. Chapter of this book , the ninth and tenth verses ; The seven heads are seven Mountaines on which the Woman sitteth , which are the mountaines of the City of Rome , it is built upon seven hills , and the seven heads are also seven Kings , that is , seven Kingly governments , soveraign governments : The first were Kings , then Consuls , then Decemvins , then Dictators , then Tribunes , and then the Caesars : Five were fallen , that is , were past in John's time , the sixth were then extant , and they were the Caesars ; the Pope he makes the seventh : Now the Pope then is the seventh of these Heads , but the seventh head and the beast are two distinct things , though he be one that rules the beast , and hath a great influence in the guiding of it : Hee was to receive a deadly wound , and after became an eighth head , whereas he was but one of the seven : So that he is one of the Heads , but there is difference between the head and the beast , and the beast it selfe : And it is said , He exerciseth all the power of the first Beast ; that in conclusion , what the Pope decrees , that stands : So that it is not a generall Councell that determines any thing authentically without him , but he doth all that the first beast doth ; Hee would have the Catholick Church honoured , but it is that himselfe may be honoured , as the Lord of the Church : So therefore for the heads , these are the seven Heads .

And for the Hornes , he tells you they are so many Kings , which were not then risen to Soveraigne Power , but John saw it in a Mystery afore hand ; But when this Beast ariseth , this Pontifex maximus , then they receive a Kingdome at the same time , Chap. 17. 12. And the severall Kingdomes that then were broken off from the Roman Empire ( whereof England was one ) they were so many severall Kings that all gave their dominion to the Beast with one consent , and so were his protectors , ver. 17. They were his Beauty and his Strength , as the Hornes are to the Beast : So it is true , here is a great Beast indeed , of a vast comprehension , here is an universall visible Church , and he hath seven Heads ; that is , Seven Hilles , there he sits , and seven Governments ; There are seven Heads , both of the one and other , both Hills and Governments , whereof five were fallen , and the sixth was when John wrote : The seventh was to rise in their roomes , and that is , He that hath two Hornes like a Lambe , and spake like a Dragon , and doth exercise all the Power of the first Beast : what power is in the Church , the Pope hath the ordering thereof ; And it is said here , that these Hornes had ten Crowns , but so had not the Hornes of Pagan Rome . The heads of Pagan Rome had soveraign Authority , and lived like Princes , but so had not the Pope , they did not wear the Crowns though they affect temporall dominion , but leave the Crowns to the hornes , leave them to Crowned Kings that give their power to him .

Now upon these Heads are names of Blasphemy . ] The old High-Priest of the Jewish Synagogue he had a plate of pure Gold , and there was graven upon it , holiness to the Lord , Exod. 28. 36 , 37. This Beast hath not holinesse to the Lord , but names of Blasphemy , the Pontifex maximus ; His head is full of names of Blasphemy ; But the Pope exceeds all in this case , for who ever took upon him as he to pardon Sinne ? A name of Blasphemy ; To be Judge of Scriptures , a name of blasphemy : Hee hath many other names of Blasphemy ; he will dispence with Oaths of allegeance , and all civil subjection ; he will dispence with marriages most incestuous , and doth exalt himself above all that is called God , especially the Gods of the Earth . His heads are full of names of Blasphemy ( as we shall come to speak God willing , in the 5 and 6 verses . )

Now it is said of this Beast , he is like a shee Leopard . ] It is in the 17 Chap. compared to a woman , to shew , that the Roman catholick visible Church is as fitly resembled by a woman as a she Panther , & such is this Beast : Can a Leopard change his spots , Jer. 13. 23. Is it not a State full of spots , and the spots are not the spots of Gods people , but spots of herisie , and spots of Idolatry , & spots of Tyranny , and great variety of all spots of Blasphemy : To tell the spots of that Sea , were ineeed to enter into a Sea of wickednesse , which that Church abounds withall . Can a Leopard change his spots ; This church they make account cannot erre , & so how should they change ? for they that cannot erre , to what purpose should they change ? yet of a very sweet & fragrant smel , as they they perfume their Temples with incense , and love to please ambitious minds , and to fill covetous hearts ; they are sweet also , and faire to voluptous spirits , with their Brothel houses , &c.

But for the Leopard , Bear , and Lyon , I suppose there is speciall reference to them all , In Dan. 7. 4 , 5 , 6. where he resembles the Monarch of Babell to a Lyon , and the Monarch of Persia to a Bear , and the Monarch of Greece to a Leopard : There the Leopard is the last of the three , here it is the first , to shew a direct contrary course that this Beast takes in his rise to the old Monarchies . Of the great Monarchies , the first was a Lyon , full of magnanimity , the next was a Beare , full of cruelty , a Bear that devoures mucb flesh , and the Leopard , the spotted Beast comes after , cruell as the former : Now here the Leopard is first , the whole shape is sweet and savoury ; other beasts would follow him by the smell ; and so this church seemes in the wole bulk sweet and savory to inveagle all unstable Soules ; But where he gets hold , he layes his paw like a Beare , presseth hard , and holds fast , and will not let goe ; Just like the Persian State , they hold fast ; Never did any of the States last so long as the Papall State ; The Assyrian lasted , long but yet did not continue above a thousand years ; but this is to continue 1260. dayes , that is , so many yeares , in a great deal of Power and Authority ; And therefore as by subtilty he drawes others to him , so them hee holds fast , that it is marvellous hard to root out where he hath got hold ; you may cut off his head , as it is in England ; but it is a wonder to see what paines there is to have the Government of Christ brought in , and of the Beast cast out : they will make so many Statutes in Parliament , that you can have no wills confirmed , nor Marriages made , but by them , nor no Parliments Acts passe but through their hands ; you have so many matters in the State depending on them , that one would think it impossible ever to root them out : you may take off the Beast his head ; you may thrust the Leopard out at windows , but he will take hold with his feet , that you shall have much ado to root him out : The great profits , and great preferments they sink deep in the hearts of carnall men .

And he hath a mouth like a Lyon . ] How did the Lyon of Babell speak presumptuously ; what God is able to deliver you out of the firey furnace ? &c. and he commands all that will not worship his Image should be cast into the fyery furnace : Just such is the mouth of this Beast ; who so will not worship the Image of this Beast shall be killed , in the 15 v. of this chapter . So you see this is the Roman Catholick visible church .

And the Dragon gave this church power . ] All that the Roman Emperor could doe before , that doth the Catholick church ; that which the old Roman Emperor did by force of arms , that doth the Roman Church by the power of Religion and conscience : The Dragon gave him his power , and Seat , and great Authority . And Satan will worke by the power of conscience , making them believe that all must be subject to them : He gave them his Seat : what was the Seat of the old Roman Emperor ? It was Rome , Satan gave that to the Beast ; There is his Seat , and great Authority , insomuch that all the world were deeply taken with the reverence they owe as to the Imperial mother City ; So to this soveraign mother Church , & their holy Father the Pope that was the head of that Church : This is the plain description of this first Beast . I canot proceed now to open the wounding of one of the heads of this Beast , nor of the healing of that wound , nor of his warre against the Saints : I am the longer in this , because the more clearly these things are opened , the more fully will the counsell of the holy Ghost appear in the sequell . If any man have eares to heare , let him heare : doe not think that these things concern Students onely , and Scollars ; But what is this to common christians ? He that hath an eare , let him heare what the holy Ghost saith : It is the same charge which he gave concerning the Epistles which were common to all churches ; If any man have an eare let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches : Those generall doctrines necessary for all Christians to understand , the same charge is laid upon all to heare what is spoken concerning this beast ; If thou understandest Religion , if thou wouldst be , or art a member of a Church of Christ know this point ; If any man have an ear let him hear this .

But you will say to me ▪ shall we make it an Article of our Creed to believe the Catholick Church ; and shall we now make it an Article of Faith to beleive it to be a Monster ? I believe the holy Catholick Church , and shall we make it a Beast ?

To this I answer ; The holy Catholick Church we make it an Article of our Creed , that is , a company of the Godly called out of the world ; we look at them all as those for whom Christ shed his bloud : But we must not look at this as a visible Catholick Church , much lesse the Roman Church as the Catholick Church : we believe the Catholick Church is invisible ; we believe no visible Church , but Congregations ; and therefore if you come to heare of a Roman Catholick visible Church , whereof the Pope is the head , and who takes upon him all this Soveraignty and power here described , we look at such a body as a great B●ast : Communion of Saints wee acknowledge , and that all the Churches of Christ have one and the same power amongst them : The Church of this Congregation hath power within it selfe equall to what others have , and none have power one over another : None of us are like Leopards to other beasts , perfumed to draw other beasts after us , and then like Beares to clasp them in to be subject to this Church , & then speak like Lyons , that all shall be subject to our commands : This is a Beast , and this is no Catholick Church ; This is a Catholick Church of the Devill , but not of Christ . Thus have you the two first verses opened unto you .

Come we now to gather one briefe note from the words :

The visible Catholicke Roman Church is in the esteem of the holy Ghost a monstrous Beast , Doct. that is the note .

That it is the beast here described , you have heard it opened : Some Roman State it must be , and you have heard it can neither be Rome-Pagan , nor Rome-Christian : It must therefore be the Roman Church ; for it is described by seven heads , and ten horns , which are the Arms of Rome , as they are described in the Revelations .

That it is in the eyes of the holy Ghost a monstrous beast is here evident ; for imagine a beast set before you with seven heads , and ten horns , would it not seem a monster , and unnaturall ? that it should look like a Leopard , all sported , and feete like a Beare ? and look at his mouth , and that 's like a Lyon , is not this a monster ? to say nothing of his blasphemies , which makes him a wicked beast : but look at his visage which is here resembled , and what is here deciphered but a monster ? It holds forth his description in other places , in Chap. 16. 13. There came forth three unclean spirits out of the mouth of the Dragon ( that is the Devill ) and out of the mouth of the Beast , & out of the mouth of the false Prophet . And you shall also read , that the beast was taken , and with him the false Prophet ; these were two still , they could not be made one , Rev. 19. 20. And they were both cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone , both the the first beast and the latter beast , the beast and the false Prophet : He like a Lamb comes in sheeps cloathing , but inwardly is a ravening wolfe .

Now why is it such a monstrous beast ?

If God had made such a kinde of creature ; a Leopard is no monster , nor a Beare , nor a Lyon : But if you make a Beast of all these , that will be a monster , that is contrary to the course of nature , cleare besides the ordinary course of naturall generation , that makes a thing monstrous , this then is the reason of the point .

A beast ingendred against the course of nature , Reason . that is a monster , especially if there be so many uncouth shapes of which it is composed : And it is not so with this universall Catholick visible Church ? Doe but consider what kinde of Church the Lord instituted , the Church of a particular congregation : If thy brother trespasse against thee , goe and tell him his fault between thee and him , &c. If he will not hear thee , take with thee one or two more , &c. If he shall neglect to heare them , tell it to the Church , Mat. 18. 15 , 16 , 17 , 18. What , the Catholick visible Church , when will that meet think you ? And is it ever to be expected that when they do meet , that every brother of this countrey and other countreys must go to Rome , and tell the Trespasses of his brother against him , and send for those that have offended him , and thus and thus plead with them ? And when do you think that a Catholick Church will heale all offences between brethren ? Will not this be a monstrous beast when the Catholick Church must heare and remove offences ? That Church which Christ hath ordained will heare the offences of brethren , and a brother hath liberty to tell his offence to the Church , and at length the matter will be brought to an issue , when they they have two witnesses , then the Church sees what is to be done : Now to have a Catholick visible Church , what a monstrous disturbance will that be to the free dispensation of the government of Christ ? and yet the rulers thereof will be the only visible Church-governnours of the world .

Again , you read in 1 Cor. 14. 23. When the whole Church ( saith the Apostle ) shall come together into one place , &c. The Church therefore which the Apostles instituted may be gathered into one place , that all may heare , and all may be edefied : Why , is it possible that all Churches should be gathered into one place ? or should all heare if they were gathered ? or will they be ever so gathered ? what a wondrous beast will this be ?

Againe , whereas Christ hath said , his Kingdome is not of this world , and hath appointed to his Disciples , that they should not be Lords over Gods heritage , 1 Pet. 5. 3. and in Mat. 20. from 23. to 29. It shall not be so among you : But whosoever will be great among you , let him be your Minister : and let every soule be subject to the authority of the higher powers . Well now , if there must be a Catholick Church , and an Officer that shall rule all Nations , and that in so many Nations with Spirituall and Temporall Dominion , carry all before him , will it not be a Monster ? What a disproportion is this to the Churches of Christ , and to the Officers thereof ? Not to speak of their other monstrous usurpations of the head of this Church , but take the body as it is , how they speak like a Lyon , and hold fast when they get like a Beare , and are spotted like a Leopard , that they are nothing but hotch-potch , and mingle-mangle : If any man have understanding , let him understand what kind of Church this is that is thus deciphered , and described , this visible Catholick Church . For the Use .

It may first teach us the great and just reason which all Protestant Churches have to with-draw themselves from the fellowship of the Church of Rome , Vse 1. from the Catholick visible Roman Church , though they look at those that submit not to them as Schismaticks and Hereticks ; I pray you consider would they have us submit to this great beast ? would they have the Lambs of Christ ( for such are the Churches of Christ ) to submit to a Lyon , Beare , or Leopard ? Hath any Lamb in the world ( much lesse a Lamb of Christ ) so many Heads and Horns , and such spots , and such fee● , and such a mouth ? Therefore I pray you consider , it is not time for the Lambs of Christ , and for all the Churches of Christ to flye off from this Monster , and to abandon them utterly , as having no part nor portion with such a beast as this ?

Secondly , Vse 2. let this be another Use ; it may teach us how Christian Protestant Churches wrong themselves that leave any footsteps of this government in their Churches : For that is part of the image of the beast ; for the second beast , when he was advanced , he would have an image of the first beast , they must have Provinciall and Diocesan Churches , and National Churches , and carry I know not how many hundred congregations into one Nationall Church , and there must be some Diocesan and Metrapolitan church , and the rest must be inferiour to that : Though this be not so great a monster as the great Beast , yet it is an image of this beast ; can any brother tell his offence to such a church ? And will you have him stay till the whole National church meets ? Or will you have him stay till the Diocesan church meets , and carry his offences to the Visitation ? Do you think they will right his cause then ? Are a few such kind of men , the Chancellor , and Register , and Surrogate , and Apparitor , do you think the church that our Saviour bids us tell ? Are these they that are gathered together , that all may heare , and all may be edefied ? Do these serve the Lord Jesus , and not their owne bellies ? I say therefore , you may see what great reason men have to with-draw from subjection in spirituall matters to the Image of this great beast that in some measure represent the same state as they .

Thirdly , Vse 3. let it be a seasonable advertisement to all ( if I were to speak to Princes ) to all Princes , but however to all Magistrates , how to make use of their Authority to be as Protectors of the Church , & in respect of their spirituall estate , as children of the church , but not to give the horns to the church ( though horns be for beauty and strength : ) you see it makes the Church a monster , and it is to make a beast of the Church : And so if you should make Church-Officers Justices of Peace , or Councellors , or prostitute your own Government to them , that if the Church condemn any , then you must do so too ( as heretofore if a man were condemned by the Church , and by them delivered to the secular power , then burn him presently ; ) this puts your Horns upon the Churches head , unto monstrous deformity : And therefore it is necessary for Magistrates to keep their power in their owne hands , and not to take things Ipso facto , from the Church , but to consider what is done , and then they are to confirm what the Church doth according to God ; Here are ten horns , and these are tenne Kings by the holy Ghosts interpretation , and they adde to the monstrousnesse of this Beast , by giving their power thereto . Why , doth this mishape a Christian Church , for Magistrates to submit their crownes to the Church ? No , God forbid , it is an honour and happinesse to them , when Kings are nursing Fathers to the church , and bow down their faces to the earth , Isa. 49. 23. But why then doth he put it as a part of the mishapen state of the Church , that it had tenne hornes , to wit , because these Kings did give their strength and power to the Beast , that the Beast did act these Horns acording to the power of his lust , as Chap. 17. v. 17. as it was truly accomplished in all the Kings of Europe , that did submit all their Scepters , and Thrones , and Crowns , and Dignities to the Bishop of Rome ; That if hee command this or that , there must be room for him , what ever becomes of Princes , Laws , and Endeavours , and all acts and enterprises of War , or Peace : He had their horns on his head , he might push with them as he would : This made the Church a monster , when soveraign power was obnoxious to the Bishop of Rome , when without Excomunication , whether a cause were of God or no , Magistrates proceeded , if the Church had censured : As a Beast that hath horns on his head , as hee turns , so must the power of his horns be set and put forth : If therefore the Catholick Church , or any Officer of it shall condemn a man as an Heretick , and then deliver him to the secular power , they never dispute the cause , but take it for granted ; If their holy mother Church condemn him , the Secular Power must push and crush him to the very Earth , and trample him under foot , and rend his bowels from his body , if he once be delivered to them . Now this makes the Church a beast , that hath this power over the Princes of the Earth , that look what is their lust , or their ignorance , or their errour , and the contrary adjudged by them to be Heresie , that the Secular power must mayntain the one , and condemn the other . It is a comfortable thing for Churches to be strengthned and protected by civill Magistrates : But if they captivate their power to the Church , that what Church Rulers call for not according to the Word , but their Lusts , that the civill Magistrate must confirm , that makes the Church a Beast : And therefore be wise now O ye Kings , be instructed O ye Judges of the earth , serve the Lord with feare , and rejoyce with trembling , &c. Psal. 2. 11 , 12. Kisse the Lord Jesus , submit to him , and in him to the church ; Lick the dust off the feet of the church , dispensing his counsell and will : But when by implicite obedience the Common-wealth must he prostitute to the Beast , it makes the Beast more monstrous then it is : The authority of Princes in that kind makes such churches to be very beastly and ugly monsters .

Fourthly , Vse 4. let it be of this use to raise up our hearts in holy thankfulnesse to God , that hath delivered us from this Monster , both our Fathers from this great beast , and our selves from the remnants of the Image of this beast , from all Dioce●san and National Churches , and from Metropollitan & Catholick visible Churches that are Images of this great beast . You know how much the civill Laws of Christian Kingdoms doe strengthen Ecclesiasticall power , that if once a Church excōmunicat a man , you know the power of the Law , if once this or that court excomunicate a man , though it be but for not paying fees , when it may be he hath no money , or thinks it not lawfull to maintain them by his purse : yea when he is excommunicate , it may be for going to hear a Sermon in another place , when he hath nothing but reading at home ; or if a man fast with his neighbors in his house , then what power there is out of such a Court , civill Courts of Justice confirme , there comes a Significavit , that if he shall live so excommunicate : and if he continue and stay out a certain time , then the Common-wealth apprehends him , and never considers whether the cause be just or unjust : I confesse there is a liberty to traverse such a cause ; but if a man want money , or want friends , he may be taken and carryed to Prison , and there he may lie and rott for any of these mishapen Clergy men : But I say it is a great liberty to be freed from this great beast , that he hath no finger amongst us , we are out of his paw , and out of his smell : It was a matter in question here not long agoe , whether the Court should not take a course to punish such persons as stood excommunicate out of the Church , if they should stand long excommunicate , but it was a good providence of God that such a thing was prevented : Let not any Court , Ipso facto , take things from the Church ; If such a Law were made ( the Fathers live not for ever ; ) and if such a Law were once established , that a Church-member standing so long excommunicated , the Common-wealth then should proceed against him ; were this established , it would make a Beast of the Church ; we are subject to erre , and our posterity that comes after us may erre ( it may be feared ) worse ; It is therefore a mercy to be freed from the beast , from the paw of the Bear , and the mouth of the Lyon : It is such a mercy that they that got the victory over these , they stood praising God , as Chap. 15. 1 , 2. The Lambs company that stood on mount Si●on they stand and praise , and wonder at the gracious hand of God in this case ; And therefore we should in the fear of God be unfeignedly thankfull to God for our present liberties , and withall that we may be so , Let him that hath an eare to heare , heare ; If you be of Spirituall discerning , and know what these mercies mean , you will be really thankfull ; Therefore shew this thankfullnesse , not onely in searching the true meaning of the Text , and the true nature of this beast described in it , but also in standing fast in these great liberties wherewith Christ hath made us free , Gal. 5. 1.

You shall have many poore creatures that came hither to this Country , and will be ready to go back againe , they looke at things as mean and poor here ; believe it , such a man hath not an eare , nor an eye open , he knows not whether he goes : Hagar , Sarahs maid , whether goest thou ? saith the Lord to her : And so may I say to such , whether will you goe ? will you be gone back againe to Egypt ( God forbid I should count all our Native Country as Egypt ) but if you goe thither , you will have much adoe to escape the paw of of the Bear : If you be once incorporated into any of their Parishes , you will finde such beastly work in Church Government ( I may speak it without wrong to any , but that I may bear witnesse against what is corrupt ) that you will then finde the blessing of those that enjoy liberty and piety together , you must worship the beast or the Image of the beast ; A Diocesan , or Nationall Church , it is but an Image of the great beast , it is a plain pattern of the same ; and you will finde the body of the Church rent from you , or you will be rent from the body , if you shall walk roundly and sincerely in the ways of God ; you will finde sad work to have your own officers or others to rise up against you : but we have here cause to praise God for our present liberties , and therefore you are to be wary what you doe . If this be cause of thankfulnesse , turn not againe to that from which the Lord by his stretched out arme hath delivered you : And this let me say further , as it may provoke us to thankfulness , so to forego all the Profits of this life , rather then to be drawn to subjection to such a Spirituall Government ; you see what the holy Ghost counts it , seven heads , ten horns , heads full of names of blasphemy , horns crowned , and here is a beast like a Leopard , with feet like a Bear ; that all the Government of it looks like rapine and robbery , catching and snatching , rending and tearing , this is the sum and scope of it : And therefore be not deceived ; if men shall tender you faire termes that may smell sweet , you shall have liberty in this and that , and protection of a good State , but it is but the smell of a Leopard ; when you have yielded to such Conditions as may be tendred , you will finde such strong hold got of you , that you will never get out : And then you shall finde what ever Conditions are put in at first , the last Edition will be a mouth like a Lyon : They will bring you in with subtilty , like a Leopard , lay fast hold upon you like a Beare ; and before they have done , there will be a mouth like a Lyon : And therefore as we are to be thankfull , so we are to be faithfull to God , that hath purchased these great liberties for us , and be no more willing to be intangled with your former state , than you would be willing to fall into the mouth of a Lyon , or come under the paw a Beare .

Q● . But you will say , what is this to me , I am but a private Christian ?

Answ. Private Christians must not live alwayes in a private State , for that darkens a mans estate , if he knows not the order of Gods house , nor addresseth himselfe to it . It is true , if a man either were in the Temple , or looked towards it , his prayers were accepted ; but if a man have no minde to know the orders of Gods house , his ignorance of Church matters will darken his own spirituall estate : And therefore whosoever thou be , Sonne or Daughter ; If any have eares to heare , let them listen to what is here spoken , that so by the blessing of God , you may be the more able to finde the free passage of joy , and the power of godlinesse in all your private or publique conversation .