CHAP. I. The INTRODUCTION .

THat the corruption of the best things proves worst of all , The Introduction . is a Maxime with the Naturalists , not more venerable for the gray Hairs upon it , than the great Truth contained in it . Which , as it doth insinuate an aptness in the noblest Creatures to degenerate , so it pronounceth such degeneracy ( especially when 't is ripened to its height ) to be of vilest Nature , and most pernicious Consequence . And should we give our Thoughts that little trouble , only of glancing on the River Nilus , abundant proof will lie before us . We have therein a very Nonsuch , for the enriching that Aegypt , which it passeth through : and yet no River in the World can outvie the same , or match therewith , for generating so great a number , and such a terrible kind of Crocodiles , out of the putrefactions of it . Nay , nearer home , we have enough of Evidence . Our richest Soyls , where Cultivation is neglected , are still observed to produce the rankest and most noysome Weeds . Yea , and within doors too , we ever find that delicate varieties of Meats , and Drinks , more often far Occasions Surfeits , and those more mortal , than plain and simple Food .

2. Nor is this Rule less sure in Morals . Wheresoever Vice appeareth as a By-blow unto Vertue , ( for it can never prove legitimate thereunto , till Darkness may , and truly too , call Light its Parent ) it hath a fouler stain upon it , and is really more abominable , than it would have been , had it never claimed such a Pedigree . Hence is Hypocrisie , and the Subjects thereof , loathsome in the Eyes of God , and all good Men , to such a pitch as nothing more , or near so much . And reason good ; For in this case there is the basest Cheat , that can be , put upon us by the most ugly Monster , drest up in a Beauty's Visor : and Purity is forced to act so vile a Miscreant , as not only to be a Prostitute , but very Pimp unto Pollution . And what is more abominable ? But let us see the truth hereof made good in Instances . The Devil , that Prince of Darkness , notwithstanding his pretences to an Angel of Light , was not in his Primitive Estate more highly glorious , and more truly good , than his Apostacy hath now made him basely vile , and utterly naught . And , that I may touch the White I aim at , his eldest Son , the Man-of-Sin , and Bishop of Rome , ( nick-nam'd his Holiness ) was not in his low estate so much for Christ , as , since his Luciferian exaltation of himself , he hath been against Him , and prov'd the Antichrist : nor was his See , the seven-hill'd City , and Mystical Babylon , once more famous , as an Holy Temple with God , than at this day she is justly infamous for her degeneracy into a Stews of Filthiness , and very Synagogue of Satan .

3. And truly hereof this Holy Apostle , as well as other Pen-men of Sacred Writ , having by Divine Revelation so clear a foresight , it ought to be no wonder to us , to find his serious reflections thereupon provoke him to so just a severity in stigmatizing that stupendious Romish Monster , as we shall manifestly see he doth in the Text before us . For , to say plain truth , we have his frightful Picture in this very Chapter most lively drawn , in proper Colours , and just Dimensions : yet so , as that a faithful Christian shall not need to be seared at the sight thereof .

4. For , first , the Apostle bespeaks his Thessalonians with an affectionate suit , vers . 1.2 . And , having so prepared them , then , with no surprize , and little disturbance , he leasurely draws the Curtain , and lets them see , That Hell above ground , whereof we speak , to vers . 10. But , lastly , he gives in full security against all mischief thence ; to those , that is , who love the Truth ; to the end of the Chapter : for of those three parts the whole consisteth . But for a strict enquiry into these several things , the Reader must excuse me from any further concern therein , than what is necessary for clearing of the way , that leads directly to my Journey's end .

5. In order whereunto , we may observe , that where St. Paul , as a careful Husbandman , had diligently sown his Corn , the Enemy also had been busie to cast in Tares : and so the Doctrine of the Gospel fell under jeopardy to be corrupted with the Leaven of false Teachers . For , in the Apostle's absence , an erronious Opini●n was insinuated into the Christians Minds , namely , That C●●is●'s coming to Judgment was just at hand . Now whatsoever harmless dress the Deceivers had cloathed this Errour in , ( just as their true Successors , Romish Priests , and Jesuites , have learn'd to manage their Piae Fraudes after their Copy ) : As for Example , An honest aim , put case , to quicken their diligence to an holy preparation for that solemn Day : and 't is not in probable , that this pretence might lie uppermost with them : or say , the specious varnish of some Revelation from God , or Ora● Tradition from this Apostle , or at least some counterfeit Epistle from him ; ( which seems to be pointed at by those words in v. 2. By Spirit , or Word , or Letter , as from us ; and wherein Papists , their true Disciples , most exactly tread their steps ) : This Errour , how innocently soever by these , or other such-like Methods it might look , can find no favour at the Apostle's hands , and he would have it speed no better with them by any means , if an Apostle's earnest Supplication may find succesful influence on them ; as is most evident vers . 1 , 2. and beginning of the 3d .

6. And verily 't was most reasonable , nay flatly necessary , to lay so great a Bar in the way thereof . Because , besides the falshood of it in it self , and the distracting trouble the belief thereof must needs create in the Minds of Men , the Apostle easily foresaw , that a Mine was made , and Train was laid hereby for blowing up the Gospel it self , our Magazin and Storehouse of all present Comforts , and future Hopes . For , admitting once that the Day of Judgment ought to have been expected in that Age , which was to be suspended till many hundreds more , ( if not some thousands ) at least , should ●e expired , how easily would deceived Souls , that were disappointed of Christ's coming , when they thought verily he was to come , conclude , he was not now to come at all ? And then what follows next , but that the Gospel was no better than a Fable ? Which , as it was the Mark the Devil aimed at , so we may presume , he would have hit it too ( the rather from the Apostle Peter's words , Ep. 2. Cap. 3. v. 3 , 4. ) had not this full conviction of the Error utterly broken his Bow .

7. But in the next place our Holy Author backs his importunate Request with an Argument of greater importance ; because he was resolved to make sure work in an Affair of so great moment . And , as he had formerly urged this Argument by word of mouth , now he thinks meet to press it by writing also , vers . 3 , 4 , 5. The substance whereof is this ; That Day shall not come before a general Apostacy from the Faith hath ushered in , and enthron'd the Man of Sin ; that is , the Antichrist ; as Nulli dubium eum de Antic●risto ista dixisse . August . de Civ . D. lib . 20. cap . 19. all Men grant , the Apostle meaneth none but him . But though the Seed is sown already ( for the Mystery of Iniquity doth already work , vers . 7. ) it must needs require a far greater compass of Time , than what is concluded within the reach of one short Age , for bringing it unto its full Maturity : Therefore 't is impossible , That Day should be at hand . There was not at that time any such Apostacy ; there was not any Revelation of the Man of Sin ; yea and a Mountain , that bespake some hundreds of years for levelling of it , lay as a mighty Bar against the coming on of Both . Yet , as the Removal hereof was necessarily previous to their Advance ; so was the Presence of them unto Christs coming to Judgment . The expectation then of that days Approach must necessarily prove an idle Dotage .

CHAP. II . Of the Bar , unto the Revelation of the Man of Sin .

BUt here it will be worth our while , The Bar to Antichrists Revelation . by a brief Consideration of the Bar unto the Revelation of Antichrist , to make a fairer way for a fuller view of the Apostacy it self ; and then the Man of Sin , that heads it , which must succeed . This Bar , we must observe in our proceeding , lieth not simply against the Apostacy it self : but against the full growth , and plain Revelation thereof . This Apostle saith ( as we heard before ) The Mystery of Iniquity doth already work : only he , who now letteth , will lett , until he be taken out of the way . And another pronounceth of the same time , Even Now there are many Antichrists , 1 Joh . 2.18 . So that even then the Child was born , but not grown up : a Cloud was risen of the bigness of a Mans hand , but the Heaven was not altogether black with darkness yet : 't was still fair day , not Sun-set hitherto , and much less Midnight ; which was to be , when once what hindered was removed . But what was that , which letted then ?

2. For answer , I have met with three Opinions only . The first is , that the Holy Spirit is this Bar : so some Nameless Persons anciently held , according to {αβγδ} In locum . Oecumenius , Hom. 4. in 2 Thess. 2. Chrysostom also , long before , reporteth the same , and refutes it too ; saying , If the Apostle had intended the Holy Spirit , verily , he would not have spoken it obscurely , but plainly , &c. He adds Mox ibid . there further , Had the Holy Ghost been the Bar , Antichrist must have been come already : that is , in case he must have come upon the ceasing of his extraordinary Gifts ; For they are ceas'd a good while ago . But this conceit being not espoused , for any thing I know , by any considerable Person , then or since , need not detain us longer with it ; and therefore let it rest in its own obscurity .

3. A second carries greater probability with it , and is back'd with more Authority : namely , that the Gospel had not been preached yet throughout the World ; and that was it , which hindred then , both the general Apostacy , and the Revelation of Antichrist . So In locum . Theodoret heretofore , Ap. Marl . Expos . Eccl. Calvin , Bullinger , Sarcerius and Marlorat lately . Now 't is most certain , that 't was necessary the Gospel should be published , and entertained far and near , before there could be possibly an universal defection , and revolt from it . For 't is equally absurd to speak of quitting any Principle , or Practice , that Men did never believe or walk in ; as to say they left a Town , or Place , whereat they never were in all their life time : or that a Souldier revolted from a General , whose pay he never took , nor ever was listed under him : and the proper Notion of Budaeus Com . Graec . L. Apostacy concerneth Souldiers , that forsake their Colours . But notwithstanding this , had the Apostle so intended , he had not need at all , and therefore likely would not have spoken so darkly in the Case , ( as St. Chrysost . noted of the former Opinion . ) Moreover it appeareth , as by Euseb . H. Eccl. lib . 3. cap . 1. Church History , so by the Act. 1.8 . Rom. 1.8 . & 10.15 . & 15 ●9 . Col. 1.6 . Tit . 2.11 . Holy Scriptures likewise , that in the Apostles times the Gospel spread it self throughout the World : and supposing that , at the writing of this Letter , the business rather was in fieri , than facto esse ; to be sure 't was fully effected some hundreds of Years before this falling away , and revealing of the Man of Sin . So then it is not reasonable neither , to lay the Bar there .

4. Lastly , Therefore the greatest Names , and of the greatest Number , most surely with the greatest Reason on their side , do understand this Lett to be the Roman Empire : So that , He , who letteth , will lett , until he be taken out of the way , vers . 7. means but this , whilst the Roman Emperor shall hold his Power , and keep his Seat in the City of Rome , Antichrist must play least in sight : but , when this Empire shall decline , and place of Residence be removed , then expect to see the Man of Sin above Board , and in open view ; that Head of the great Apostacy shall then shew his Head , and soon stretch his Hands unto the utmost bounds of Christian Profession . And verily , that this should be the very intent of the Apostle here , methinks , is very evident , as partly from the Text it self , so chiefly from the Event of things .

5. 't is plain enough from the Text , which hath two Circumstances very significant to this purpose . First , The Cryptique and obscure manner of describing this Impediment . He referreth them only to what he had before , by word of mouth , delivered on this Subject , and will by no means have it down in black and white , to be upon Record against him . He knew , his Lord would have the Wisdom of the Serpent yok'd with the Innocency of the Dove ; Matt . 10.16 . and therefore quits himself as an apt Disciple . And what should this wary Carriage of the Business import else , but warm apprehensions , that he had of a dangerous provocation , which he should have given the Roman Emperor , especially such a Monstrous Tyrant , as Nero was , who then swayed the Scepter , in case he had in plainest Terms expressed his mind . Should the Apostle have written in this broad Language , The Revelation of Antichrist is obstructed by the abode of the Imperial Power at Rome ; when that is sunk , and gone from thence , which time is coming on , then shall the Man of Sin be seen as by a midday-Sun ; what else in all Reason could have followed hereupon but joynt endeavours of the whole Empire ( too much that way inclined already ) to have sent packing such a Prophet , and all Partakers with him , Root and Branch , from off the Earth ? But to have said with open mouth , that either of the other Opinions put this Bar , had made no noise at all , and could not endanger Christians , by enraging of the Gentiles . The presumption therefore is most strong , and just against both those , and for the last .

6. And then the hindrance being rendred as a Person , once and again in vers . 6. is the other Circumstance , that contributes further to the same purpose , which being not applicable to the Holy Spirit , for the Reasons before specified out of Chrysostom , and by the very harshness of the sound , appearing altogether unapplicable to the Non-preaching of the Gospel through the World , must leave the Roman Emperor as pointed at by the Finger plainly . Nor doth there any difficulty arise upon the use of the Singular Number here ; as if He that letteth , must necessarily be but One , when the Emperours of Rome were many after one another : for 't is very familiar in common Discourse , and likewise in the Scripture-Phrase , for a Single Person to denote a whole Succession : as will Chap 5. infra Sect . 3. hereafter in a fitter place receive a most abundant Proof .

7. But the Event of things ( which was the other Argument before proposed ) so fully answering this Interpretation , and neither of the other , makes it , and it alone , pass current . For , whilst the Roman Emperour kept his ground at Rome , there was no room for Antichrist in the Chair . But not very long after the changing of his Seat , and quickly upon the sinking of his Power , the Pope usurps an Universal Monarchy , and proceeds the Antichrist . The Man of Sin , before a Minor , is now Adult and come to age : was formerly disguised , is now revealed . To make this plain by History were too remote from my Design , and indeed is needless ; so many Reverend and Learned Vide Dr. Whitak . de R. Pentif . Dr. Abbot . Demonstr . Antic . Bish . Downam . Pope Antichr . Dr. Beard . Ant. P●pe of Rome . Countrymen of our own , to pass by Forreigners , having already fully done it to our hands . I conclude therefore that the Bar to Antichrists Revelation was the standing of the Roman Empire in its old Seat and Power . And , as the Babylonian must make room for the Persian , that for the Macedonian , and this for the Roman ; so the Roman was to yield to Antichrist ; and His at last to the Lord Jesus Christs : which is the observation of the good Father , Homil . 4. in 2 Th ss . 2. Chrysostom upon the place . Now the Roman Empire having been removed so many hundred years ago , yea and reduced to a very Skeleton , or rather Ghost and Shadow of Empire ( the Turk being Master of the East ; many States and Kingdoms sharing with the Pope in the Soveraignty of the West : only , as so many Fathers Blessings , they hold forsooth their several Parts from Him ; He would have them know , they are in duty bound to think so , and the German Emperour being rob'd off with an empty Title of King of the Romans ) the Impediment was so long since removed also , and together thereupon the Man of Sin revealed .

8. So much for the Reason of the thing . And now it may not be amiss ( because that also was before §. 4. s●pra . pretended ) briefly to shew , that the vogue of Commentators , the best as well as most , goeth this way roundly . I am content to take the pains of transcribing three or four of their Testimonies , and referring the Reader to the rest at easie Rates . De Resur . Carn . cap . 24. ad finem . Tertullian on the words [ He , who now letteth ] asks this Question , Who is that ? And answers presently , Who , but the Roman State ; the dividing whereof into ten Kings will bring in Antichrist ? Whereupon he Apol . cap . 32. elsewhere saith , that Christians , besides a Command from God upon them , to pray for the higher Powers , had further necessity to put up supplications for the Emperour , and whole Estate of the Empire ; because they knew , that great mischief hanging over the World ( he means by Antichrist ) was stop'd by standing of the Roman Empire . The Famous Bishop of Aug. de Civit . D. lib . 20. c . 19. Non absurdè de ipso Romano Imperio creditur dictum . Hippo , though he be far enough from being peremptory in the Point , and very modest in profession of his own Ignorance , yet , besides the notice which he gives that others had the same thoughts with us about this business , he plainly shews his own inclination that way also , whilst he saith ; 't is no absurdity to believe it spoken of the Roman Empire it self . But that Learned Presbyter Ad Algas . de quast . 11. Novi Test . Qu . V. Ep. 17. Hierom is very positive : and his words are these ; The Apostle would not openly say the Roman Empire must be destroyed , which they that ruled thought eternal : For had he boldly expressed it thus , Antichrist shall not come until the Roman Empire first be ruin'd , there might have seemed just cause to have been taken for Persecution of the Church , that was but then a springing . And after , It only remains , saith he , that the Roman Empire , whereto all Nations now pay homage , should go off the Stage , and be no more , and then shall Antichrist , that Fountain of Iniquity , come . One more shall serve our turn , and that is the indefatigable Preacher , but Chrysost . in 2 Thess. cap . 2. Homil . 4. Arch-Bishop of Constantinople , He , in his answer to the question [ what that is , that letteth the Revelation of Antichrist ? ] professeth his assent to them , that thought this Bar was the Roman Empire . And he lays no little stress upon that Circumstance before insisted on , namely the Apostles dark procedure in this Matter , saying , Should Paul have said , that yet a little while , and the Roman Empire shall be destroyed , they quickly would have buried him quick as a Destroyer , and all Believers with him , as those that liv'd and laid about them for that purpose . In fine , when the Roman Empire shall be taken away , them shall Antichrist come . Thus he , and a great deal more upon the Premises . For others , the Reader may consult the Cyrill . Hieros . Catech . 15. Ambros . Oecumen . Theodor . Theophyl . & Primas in 2 Thess. 2. Lactant . Instit . l. 7. cap . 15. & 25. Beza . Piscat . Paraeus . Rolloc . Erasm . plerique omnes , &c. cum ipsis Papicolis . Vide Bellar . de Rom. P. lib . 3. cap . 5. Margent , and he will find no lack of Ancient , or of Modern Authors , that concur with these .

CHAP. III . Of the Apostacy it self .

The Apostacy . HAving spoken now sufficiently of the Bar unto the Revelation of the Man of Sin , something is to be considered touching the Apostacy it self ; that so we may have free access to the Head thereof , which is the Antichrist . Concerning the Apostacy , or falling away then , it must not be denied , that some of the Fathers have understood it with respect , not unto the Faith of Christ , but to the Roman Empire . As if so be the Revolt intended , were not from the Doctrine of Christianity , but obedience to the Emperour : and so no Religious , but a Civil Apostacy were meant here . They are not many , nor considerable , when compared with others , that lye under this mistake . For 't is notorious , that the worthiest , as well as greatest part of the Chryst Theodo . Oecumen . Theoph . August . &c. Primitive Doctors did reject this Notion , and embrace the other . This is confessed by De Rom. P. l. 3. c . 2. Bellarmine himself : whom we may trust here without a Voucher . But the Popelings ( as the Flesh-flyes love to stick upon the sore , and let sound parts alone ) how unlike soever they are unto the Fathers in their Beauties , will prove their very Pictures in their Blemishes : and therefore they would be glad to have this sense obtain ; in hopes thereby to save his Holiness's skin . Yet their own great Interpreter In 2 Thess. 2. Melius intelligendum de recessu á Fide Catholicâ . Nicol . de Lyra , when he hath told us , some think is meant a Revolt from the Roman Empire ; some from the obedience of the Roman Church , tells us , he judgeth better to understand it of a departure from the Catholick Faith . Yea their Ubi supra . Pe . Apostasiam rectissime apud Paulum ipse Antichristus intelligi potest . Goliah , though he quarrel with himself , cannot avoid to agree with Truth at last . For his words are these : By the Apostacy in Paul , Antichrist himself may be understood most truly . For so by common consent the Greek Interpreters teach ; Chrysostom , Theodoret , Theophylact , and Oecumenius ; besides St. Augustine . And then I trow by Him it must be somewhat else than a Civil Apostacy . Nay he adds , Antichrist shall cause many to depart from God , and be himself the notable Apostate . Yet in next breath , By the Apostacy may be understood a Revolt from the Roman Empire , as many of the Latines do expound it : and those many are just three , whom there he names . Now if the other Interpretation be most true , 't is much to be feared this will prove most false . And yet Bellarmine said , Antichrist might most truly be understood by the Apostacy . §. 2. But our Apostle is the best Interpreter of himself . And he , in telling us the dismal Effects of this Apostacy , a deceit of men to their damnation ; the Persons hereunto obnoxious , those , that neither loved nor believed the Truth , but took pleasure in unrighteousness ; and lastly , the Mode and Method of compassing this fatal end upon them , by all deceiveableness of unrighteousness , and varnished lyes ( whereof Chap. 11. infra . hereafter more at large ; ) he , I say , in telling us these things , shews plain enough to him , that is not Stone-blind , that he intends a Religious Apostacy , and not a Civil one . But , if we compare the Account he elsewhere giveth of the same Apostacy with this before us here , a very Mole must see , and Papist can't gainsay the Truth propounded . Attend that place , and you find these words ; 1 Tim . 4.1 , 2 , 3. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly , that in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith , giving heed to seducing Spirits , and Doctrines of Devils , speaking lyes in Hypocrisie , having their Consciences seared with an hot Iron ; forbidding to marry , commanding to abstain from Meats , which God hath created to be recieved with thanksgiving of them , which believe , and know the truth . Where , as the falling away is from the Faith , that is the Doctrine of the Gospel ; so the guilt thereof lights on the Popish side ; yea on the Pope himself , as Head of this Apostacy ; and whom the Character of the Man of Sin given by the Apostle sits as exactly , §. 3. as ever did Glove the hand , that wore it . Only to conclude this Chapter , First , before I undertake that work , 't is marvelously worthy of our observation , that the two greatest Lights in the Greek , and Latin Churches , St. Chrysostome , and St. Augustine , were so remote from the apprehensions of these Gentlemen , that would have this Defection spoken of by the Apostle to be meerly from the Obedience of the Roman Emperor , and so possessed with the belief of its being meant of a departure from the Faith , that , by a Metonimy of the Effect , they interpret it of Antichrist himself , the Head thereof . The Former's words are these ; In 2 Thess. 2. Homil . 3. ad initium . What is it that he calls the Apostacy here ? He calleth Antichrist himself so ; as he that should seduce , and destroy very many . The De Civit . D. l. 20. c . 19. Refugam utique à Domino Deo . other saith thus ; The Day of the Lord shall not come , unless he come first , whom the Apostle calls Apostate ; verily from the Lord God . Whereas if we may justly speak so of all ungodly Men , how much rather of that Wretch ? So he . Now whether we follow them in this Trope , or rather understand it properly for a departure from the Faith ; and so that Man of Sin not exegetically , but distinctly ; for the Visible Head , and manager of this great Apostacy , ( which seems more suitable to the Apostles mind ) it comes at last to the same issue . And certain 't is , that one Egg is not more like another , than are the Man of Sin , and Pope of Rome . Did I say like ? They will be found the very same , which will be evident by the consideration of the Nature , Properties , and Actions , of the One and Other : and by which three Characters Antichrist is here described .