An Alarm to the Last Judgment

THE FIRST CHAPTER Containing the Preface.

B EFORE that we treat and discourse of the general Signs and Fore-runners of the Last Judgment, it shall not be impertinent, in few words, to show and demonstrate the Subject it self: for where there is no Substance, there are no Accidents; and where there is no Foundation, there is no House, or Building. Therefore that the truth of these Signs may more manifestly appear, and that we may more orderly proceed; I thus, by warrant of God's Word, and weight of invincible arguments, evince, and prove, these three main principles of Faith and Religion. First, that there shall be an universal Judgment, wherein all reasonable creatures shall be called to an account. Secondly, that JESUS CHRIST the Son of God, is appointed of God, to be the Judge of the Judge, both of the quick and the dead. Lastly, that this world (in respect of the fashion, form, and corruptible qualities thereof) shall have an and, and come to destruction. That there is a set and prefixed day of Judgment (though unto us profitably unknown) and that there shall be a general Judgment, I thus declare.

First, the sacred Scriptures are pregnant and plentiful in this point, Job 19.25. Psalm. 9.8. Isa. 66.15. Dan. 12.2. Math. 25.31. Luke 18.17. John 5.28.29. and chap. 12.44. Act. 17.31. Rom. 2.16 1. Thess. 4.16.17. and chap. 5.2. 1. Pet. 4.8. Tit. 2.13. Apoc. 20.11. 12.13. Heb. 9.27.28.

Secondly, the doctrine of the last Judgment, is a very ancient, and principal Article of the Apostles Catechism; and therefore no person, unless he be a mere Atheist, or Infidel, can, or will deny it.

Thirdly, the General Resurrection, the necessary and immediate antecedent of the judgment, and those that shall arise and appear in judgment, who are the proper object of it, do enforce it; yea, and what arguments serve to prove the Resurrection, the same justify the last judgment.

Fourthly, the general and particular judgments, calamities, and punishments, both in the old and New Testament, and in all succeeding ages, are Types, Similitudes, and Foresignifications of it. Of this kind were Noah's Flood (or Deluge) wherein the world was drowned; the over-whelming of Pharaoh and the Egyptians in the red Sea; the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah ; the destruction of Jerusalem; the ruin of the four great Monarchies of the world, that afflicted God's chosen; and of late time, the sinking and dispearsing of the Spanish invincible Armado, Anno Christi 1588, in the English Seas, and by the coasts of Ireland.

Fifthly, unless there should be a final judgment, wherein every man is to receive a reward according to his works, God could not declare himself perfectly just. For all sins in this world committed, come not to light: neither are all punished that are apparent. Tyrants, and Oppressors; yea Christ's Arch-enemies, the Turk and Pope, &c. live long, and prosper in their wickedness. And if God should censure all sins that are done in the earth, then no other judgment would be expected: wherefore the Lord beareth long with sinners, and suffereth the offenses of the Reprobate to grow rotten ripe, that he may fully and finally punish and plague them at the last day. Forbearance is no quittance: Christ cometh with woollen feet (i. fair and softly) but striketh with Iron hands, that is deadly.

Sixthly, unless there come a day of general release and absolution for the godly, yea a day of full deliverance, and glorious triumph, God cannot declare himself completely and infinitely merciful. For it seemeth to go well with the wicked, in this world, and ill with the good: The godly are oppressed and persecuted, troubled and tormented, molested, martyred, massacred, and both inwardly and outwardly afflicted; therefore the just Lord cannot but at length reward the patience and piety of his servants: Great shall their reward be in heaven: He shall recompense the lightness of their momentary afflictions, with an exceeding and super-excellent weight of glory.

Seventhly, the fear, trembling, astonishment, horror of conscience and dreadful despair in many malefactors (specially persecutors and murderers) even of those that escape the judgment of the Magistrate, doth evidently argue that there will come a day of reckoning, and that there is an hell fire, whereof these are certain flashings, and fore-runners.

Lastly (to be brief) the children of God look and long for, groan and pant for this day and time; which is the day of their Marriage, of the bodies ascent into heaven, and of their entrance and inauguration into the Kingdom of Glory. These spiritual sighs and sobs, are special effects of God's spirit, infallible characters of God's children, and the very earnest of our inheritance. Inward desires make a louder sound in God's ears, then bare words uttered with the tongue, and therefore cannot miss the mark, viz. eternity of blessedness.

Now that Jesus Christ, not only as he is God, whereby in the decree, efficacy, and authority of the judgment, he is equal with God the Father, and the Holy Ghost; but also as he is man, in regard of the sentence to be pronounced, and the visible execution of the judgment; is and shall be the Judge both of the quick and dead, the Scriptures put it out of question, Dan. 7.9.10. John. 5.27. Act. 10.42. 2. Cor. 5.10. 2. Tim. 4.1.

Secondly, it is an Article and foundation of faith, firmly to be believed.

Thirdly, it is one end, and that a principal one, of Christ's Resurrection & Ascension: It is a part of his Kingly Office which he shall then most openly and eminently execute.

Fourthly it standeth with all equity, that He that, when he lived on earth, and was most unjustly judged, accused, indicted, condemned and executed, should at length, gloriously, and in the view of all the world, judge, arraign, condemn, and fee execution done upon his enemies.

Lastly, to stop the mouths of, and to put all Atheists to silence, the Heathenish Prophetess Sibylla testifieth as much, saying

That is:

And that this miserable and corruptible world, with all the contemned creatures shall (not in respect of matter and substance, but outward form, and accidental qualities) have an end and consumption, thus I compendiously make it manifest. First, by express Scripture: Secondly, by Argument. Heaven and earth shall pass away: The fashion of this world passeth away. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with heat, the earth also and the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. I saw (saith Saint John ) a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the heaven and earth fled away, and there was found no place for them. Secondly, by argument, I thus make good my assertion. The world being but a creature had a beginning, and therefore it shall have an end; Omnia orta intereunt. The world as in the several parts, so in the whole, daily fadeth, decayeth, weakeneth, and is in an irrecoverable consumption, therefore it must needs, at length, come to an end. A ruinous house will in tract of time fall, and a sick body cannot hold out long. The world must be renewed at the last day ; for there shall be a new heaven, and a new earth: Ergo the old heaven and earth must (of necessity) be first abolished. Lastly, some of the Pagan Philosophers and Poets (whensoever, or wheresoever, they had so much light) acknowledge as much.

The Platonists held, that the world should be destroyed: so did the Sibyls Prophecy: The Poet Ovid in the first book of his Metamorphosis, and Lucan in the first book belli Pharsalici, justify as much; and man's sin hath justly deserved and procureth it.

CHAP. II. Of the Signs and Fore-runners of the last judgment in general.

ALBEIT the day and hour of the last judgment is unknown to all men, to the very Angels of heaven, yea albeit the Son himself being on earth knew it not; yea, although no man knoweth the year when the Son of man will come to judgment (For it is not for us to know the times and seasons which the Father hath put in his own power) yet the Lord Jesus, that he might not so much leave the wicked his irreconciliable enemies, without all excuse and pretence of ignorance, and withal appall, affrighten and astonish them, specially when his second coming nearly approacheth, doth kindly and lovingly forewarn his children, that they should neither be amated, nor found unready (for a man forewarned is half armed.) And that he might comfort and encourage them against the manifold scandals, troubles, and miseries of this present life; He hath (I say) in the Scriptures, left and given them many general and notable Signs, Tokens and Fore-runners of his coming, which they daily do, and always ought, to take notice of, that when they see these things come to pass they might hold up their heads, knowing that their Redemption draweth near.

These Signs and Prasagia are like to so many tender Green, and leauy branches of the Fig-tree that shewerh the Summer of their happiness to be nigh. These are like the white and yellow ears of corn that declare the Harvest to be at hand; and these are (as it were) so many sounding Trumpets, or Alarums, to awaken us. And as the Sun being about to arise, first sendeth forth his bright beams a far off, and enlighteneth the East; so our Lord Jesus the Sun of righteousness, doth before his second coming, send certain general Signs, and (as I may say) Herbingers, that men might the more carefully wait for, and more diligently address and prepare themselves against that time. The Tempests threaten before that they arise: the Houses crack before they fall, and the Smoke goeth before the flame: So these Signs and Fore-warnings go before the consummation of the world.

These Signs & Fore-runners are of three sorts: namely, those that are already accomplished and fulfilled: Secondly, those that are mixed signs and praedemonstrations in continual action and motion; and those that yet remain in their due time to be performed. Of these plainly, and in order: But (that I may clear the coast, and proceed with more dexterity and profit) two principal questions by many moved, are to be seasonably decided. First, why God doth not, and will not, reveal unto any the hour, day, year, and time of the last judgment. Secondly, why the Lord seemeth so long to delay and put off that day and judgment; especially seeing that he promiseth to come quickly, and that his children so long wait and so earnestly pray for that time.

I answer to the former question: The Lord will have the day, hour, year, &c. of the universal judgment concealed. First, because it is the Glory of God to conceal a thing, and not to reveal some things before the event, which is the best & surest interpreter. Secondly, that he might bridle and repress the impudent boldness, and rash curiosity of those, that vainly, yea presumptuously, pry, and search into things forbidden, unnecessary, and impossible to be known, & in the mean time neglect the searching out of, and the due practice of things in the word of God revealed and commanded. Thirdly, and lastly, not only to try and make known the modesty and humility of his deer servants, whether that they will break into the closet of his secrets or no; but also to keep them from the slumber of security, and to stir them up to watch for, and prepare themselves against that day. Vtiliter (saith an ancient Father) latet vltimus dies vt obseruentur omnes dies : That is, it is for our profit that the last day is unknown, that we may observe and watch all days.

The second question.

Why doth the Lord so long defer his coming to judgment?

Ans. First that the Prophecy of the Revelation, and of other Scriptures should be fulfilled: For heaven and earth shall pass away, but no point or tittle of God's word shall pass away vnaccomplished.

Secondly, that the sins and abominations of the wicked and profane, who abuse and despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth them to repentance: and who misspend and lavish their time that God hath allotted for their repentance; might be left without plea or excuse, and that their sins being heaped up to heaven, might be punished with eternity of torments.

Thirdly, that none of the Predestinate should perish, but that in this world they should come to the acknowledgement of the truth, to repentance, and so consequently to salvation.

Lastly, to try, declare, cherish, and exercise, the patience, faith, hope, and charity of his chosen, that live amongst such an infinite number of lewd, Atheistical, scandalous, superstitious and venomous people, and yet by the grace of God, directing and preserving them, are blameless, harmless, without rebuke, and shine as light in the midst of a crooked and perverse Nation.

CHAP. III. The first general Sign, the desolation and destruction of the Temple and City of Jerusalem, and the utter overthrow of the Jews Common-wealth.

THE first general Sign of the end of the world, is the utter ruin and laying waste of the City of God, Jerusalem, of the holy Temple, and the ruin of the Jews policy and Commonwealth. The Temple and City was destroyed by Titus and Vespasian, Roman Emperors, the nine and thirtieth year after the Ascension of our Lord into heaven: And the Jews ever since have been led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem hath been trodden down of the Gentiles, and the wrath of God is come upon them to the full, now whether the believing Jews shall towards the end of the world, be temporally restored into their own Country, rebuild Jerusalem, and have a most reformed, and flourishing, Church and Commonwealth (as some by extraordinary expositions, seem to gather out of the Scriptures) the issue and event will discover. But (to finish the point in hand) the desolation of the Temple and City of Jerusalem, by reason of the similitude and correspondency, of things, persons, and events, is a type and figure of the destruction of the world.

CHAP. IIII. Of the Preaching of the Gospel unto all Nations.

THE second general Sign is the publishing, Preaching, and proclaiming of the blessed Gospel in and through all (the habitable, and then known, especially the Eastern) world, by the Ministry of the twelve Apostles: These as Christ's Ambassadors, and like twelve Beams of the Sun of Righteousness, being effectually called to this heavenly Function, furnished with most rare, extraordinary, and miraculous gifts above all former Prophets, and having a Charge and Commission, with a promise annexed, to Teach and Baptise all Nations, and to Preach the Gospel to every (reasonable) creature; did accordingly perform it, and sealed and confirmed it with their blood and martyrdom; so that the line of the Apostles went out into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world, Rom. 10.18. and prospered and was fruitful: And since that time he that sitteth on the White (Triumphant) Horse, and hath a Bow in his hand, and a Crown on his Head, i. the Lord Jesus, and his Vicars, viz. Christian Kings and Emperors, have gone forth Conquering and to Conquer.

Lastly, the Lights, Lamps, Fathers and Pillars of the Primitive Church, Saint Origen, Saint Jerome, Saint Ambrose, and others, write, and avow, that all Nations were enlightened by the Apostles; so that the Apostolical calling and gifts being ceased, and the Gospel once universally having been published, no such solemn Legacy is the second time of us, or our Successors, to be expected.

CHAP. V. Of a general Apostasy from the Gospel of Christ.

THE third general Sign, already past, is not only the decay and ruin of the ancient and mighty Roman Empire, whereof now a name and a shadow, and not the tenth part of the Demaines and Dominions remaineth, that by the overthrow of it Anti-christ might arise, prevail, and tyrannize; and the Turk likewise domineer, but a general, and almost universal Apostasy, revolt, and departure of all Nations, from the Gospel of Christ, partly to Mahomet, as we see is come to pass in the East parts of the world, and partly to the Romish Anti-christ as we see verified in the Western parts. This Apostasy began Anno Christi 606 (or there-abouts) Fore-runners whereof were, and foundations whereof laid long sithence, those proud, ambitious, and erroneous Prelates, that taught Justification before God to proceed of man's works; that taught invocation, and worshipping of Angels and Saints; that brought in Traditions ; adored Relics; immodestly, and immoderately extolled single life, against God's express Word, forbad meats, and marriages, defended the doctrine of Free-will in the work of our salvation, brought in an infinite number of old and idle ceremonies; yea, overmuch magnified the Sea and Primacie of Rome. Nemo repent fit turpissimus: The Mystery of iniquity began in the Apostles times, and went on by degrees, and (at length) the venom and poison of false and damnable doctrine did infuse and diffuse it self into all the veins and vital parts of the Church: so that that of Isaiah is verified in the Romish Synagogue, From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and putrifying soars. Neither ought this to seem strange unto us, seeing that before the Incarnation of Christ, the like Apostasy befell to us Gentiles, about the year of the world 2455, and continued about foureteen hundred years: and the like apostasy or revolt happened to the ten Tribes, Anno Mundi two thousand nine hundred sixty five, and lasted some thousand years. For it pleased God in his justice by leaving men to their own wills, and by sending them strong delusions, to vindicate and revenge the contempt and refusal of his holy Gospel once offered unto them, and sincerely Preached amongst them.

CHAP. VI. Of the revealing and discovery of Antichrist.

THe fourth general Sign already (at least in great part) accomplished, is the displaying and discovery of Anti-christ by the Ministry of God's word, &c.

This Anti-christ, Bishop, or Pope of Rome, is that Great Star (or Bishop) that whē the third Angel sounded, fell from heaven ( i. the Church) burning, viz. before his fall, as it were, a Lamp, and fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters: i. Corrupted and poisoned the Church, and the Bishops, Pastors and Ministers of it. This is the Angel of the bottomeless Pit: i. came from thence, and thither will return, with all his favorites & followers. This is the King of the Locusts, i. the Head and Prince of the Monks, Friars, Jesuits. This is that Man of sin; i. nothing but sin; yea a Teacher and Commander of it. The Son of Perdition: i. that is damned himself, and draweth innumerable with him to the same destruction. He opposeth himself, and exalteth himself above all that is called God: i. Kings, Emperors, Princes, and Angels, that are in Scripture oftentimes styled Elohim, or God's. He sitteth in the Temple of God, i. (as most Interpreters, old and new, expound it) the Church of God, because it was a true Church, and is so reputed; and a true Church lurketh amongst them: Showing himself that he is God: that is, not only assumeth to himself the title of God, viz: Holiness, and so to be called; but taking upon him power to Change times, Place and displace Kings; Forgive all sins; dispense with the degrees of Marriage forbidden in Moses Law; To command the Angels: to allow all villainy, and (without control) to do what he list. His will standeth for a Law: And forsooth the Holy Ghost dwelleth in his breast; and he cannot err ( viz. but damnably.) His Seat is the new Babylon, i. Rome, that is seated (or was so in Saint John's days) upon seven known Hills, and then reigned over the Kings of the earth; for some 250 Provinces and Kingdoms, were subject to the Roman Emperor. In a word, all the Popes from Boniface the third, unto the now Pope Paulus quartus, are that great Anti-christ, in a continued seat, succession, tyranny, false doctrine, and Regiment, that Saint Paul, and Saint John so much speak of.

He hath been revealed some three hundred years ago, by worthy John Wickliefe, and others: But specially and notably from Anno Christi 1517, until this present date 1615, by Apostolical Martin Luther ; and by many most learned, holy, and famous Doctors & Pastors in Germany, France, England, Bohemia, and other Countries and Kingdoms. The light of the Gospel, and the exact knowledge of the fountain Languages, hath, and daily doth, discover, dispel, and scatter, the darkness, shades, mists, and clouds of Popery. God (in mercy) continue and increase, amongst us the number of such worthy instruments, and grant that these flying Angels, may, without interruption, pass through the midst of this (Europaean) Heaven, and Preach the everlasting Gospel to all Nations, Languages, and People, and that they may speedily and zealously embrace and retain it, Amen.

CHAP. VII. Of the great persecutions under the Roman Anti christ.

THE fifth general Sign, already (at least for the most part) accomplished, are the great persecutions, massacres, murders, wars, poisonings, rackings, excommunications, banishments, imprisonments, and all kind of cruelties against Protestant Princes, Prelates, Pastors, Professors, Churches, Kingdoms, Provinces, under the Romish Fox, Wolf, Anti-christ, and his Butcher-like and blood-sucking followers; especially (over all Europe) in these last hundred years immediately expired. Their Religion is rebellion, their faith is faction, their badge is blood. Rome hath been, & (to their power) yet is, the Shambles and Slaughter-house of the Saints. How many hundred thousands of Christians in Europe hath not that viperous and bloody generation slain and destroyed? But we see and hope that the most part of these troubles are over-blown; that the Church hath and shall have a further rest and breathing time: that the Papists shall be drunk in their own blood, and Babylon shortly be burnt with fire. And admit that the Romanists (for our trial, or, to punish our coldness and remissness in the profession of the pure worship of God) practice, or attempt ought, in Germany, France, the Low Countries, or, our secure, England; yet we trust it is but a Lightning before death: and a principal means to put an edge to our prayers; to scour off the dross of our drowsiness, and to enkindle the zeal of Protestant Kings, Dukes, Pastors and Professors against them, to their fatal and utter ruin; which the Almighty grant, for Jesus Christ his beloved Sons sake, Amen.

And thus much of the general Signs of the last day, perfectly fulfilled, which is the first part of the Treatise.

CHAP. VIII. Of the vanity, corruption, and manifold abuse of the creatures.

T HE first general mixed Sign in continual action and motion, is the vanity, decay, mortality, and marvelous abuse of the creatures, daily growing and prevailing until the consummation and end of the world. The world waxeth old as a garment; it, and all the parts of it, fade, waste, consume, and draw toward their fatal period. All things (by sinful, licentious, and rebellious man) are abused, perverted, mis-applied (against the Creators scope, and the creatures desire) to unlawful, or immoderate profit and pleasure; yea to revenge, and open persecution. The Sun and Moon, those two great Eyes of heaven, are often darkened, and fearfully eclypsed, and (as learned Astronomers have observed) many thousand miles nearer the earth then in times past. The Planets and the other Stars, like so many Candles and Spangles in the heavens, are much decayed in their virtues and operations, and by hurtful effects and influences, often annoy corn, man, beasts and plants.

The Air that we breath in, is oft troubled, infected, and consumeth into the clouds; and many frightful and ominous fights appear in it.

The Earth, the common mother of us all, is many ways cursed, it is sore weakened, shaken eft-soones by earth-quakes, the Sea oft encroacheth upon it, and marreth the beauty of it, deadly damps proceed out of it: it is in many places much more barren then in former times; or else aboundeth with weeds, thorns, and unprofitable things.

The Sea ebbeth and floweth, it corrodeth and eateth upon the firm Continent, roareth, is tempestuous and unquiet, and drowneth both men and Ships.

Rivers are often dried up, and change their channels.

In Plants, Hearbs, Trees, there is not the same vigor, efficacy, feeding, and medicinal virtue, which was in times past.

Men are not so tall of stature, not so long lived, not so strong as in the days of old: They are more frail, feeble, mortal; and though they are more illumined, more witty, and learned, by many degrees, then in old time; yet they generally are more crafty, wicked, mischeiuous: they have science, but not so much conscience.

Excess in Building and Apparel, sunt aegrae Reipub. indicia, that is signs of a sick state: They serve rather for show then substance, and are more glorious then lasting. Many Chymnies and little Smoke, fair houses and small hospitality; gallant houses and great enclosures, often eat up men, and dispeople the Land.

Apparel is used more for neatness then necessity, for garishnesse then seemelinesse; fair feathers make farie fools, and now a days apparel maketh a man: For matter, men (and especially the woman-kind) that often carry all their riches on their backs, and that have decked bodies but deformed souls, exceed their calling and ability, they cut not their coat according to their clothe; and this the poor Tenants find and feel. Alas poor souls! And as for fashion and form (now the Fashions kill an horse) the French, Spanish, Italian, and every new fangled form, is in request. If they were as monstrous in their bodily shapes, as they are prodigious in their attire, all men might justly wonder at them, and abhor them. The Peacock is a goodly Bird but hath foul feet: and they that affect fineness in apparel, neglect the sanctification of the soul; and (in a word) the levity of Apparel, doth argue the lightness and changeableness of the mind.

Marriages are more desired for riches then Religion, for goods then goodness; and the face is more respected then grace; but like beginnings have like endings, and like cause like effect, like parents, like posterity.

In Diet many great and rich men observe no time, order, measure; they look that the meat be rather toothsome then wholesome; they pamper the body but pine the soul; they stuff themselves but starve the poor; hence ensue surfeits, sicknesses and untimely deaths.

And touching drinking, men were never so much given to immoderate drinking, and to be drowned in drunkenness, as in this dropsy age; not the fiery Tragon (yet there are too many ominous fires) but the watery Trigon reigneth: Men make their bodies Tuns to receive the Wine and the Ale, and when the Wine and Ale is in, the Wit, yea Grace is out: They drink away all grace out of their hearts, money out of their purses, honesty out of their lives, and oftentimes die, and are damned in their drunkenness.

And that Indian, and costly, weed, now only and commonly in request, whereof so many thousands live (and yet they sell nothing but smoke, that though it came not out of the bottomeless pit, it leads many into it) I mean that smoking and devil-choking Tobacco: For if the smoke or vapor that came out of the liver of a Fish could drive the devil out of Tobias daughter: Of how greater force is the Nicotium or Tobacco? This Simple and Drugge serveth to dry up the drunken dropsy, that men may gull in the more drink. It is a nourisher of lust and drunkenness; yea of all idleness and prodigality, and a shortner of the life, rather then a lengthner of it.

Docet experientia rerum. O would some strait and strict Statute were made against this waste-time and waste-money Tobacco; for now it is a raging and unruly evil, better beseeming Pagans then Protestants.

CHAP. IX. Of the daily weakening and wounding of Anti-christ.

T HE second general Sign in continual and present motion is the daily weakening and wounding of Anti-christ and Popery in Christendom, by Writing, by Disputes, and by the Word and the Sword. The breath of the Lord's mouth, i. the mighty and powerful Preaching of the word of God must consume him: viz. by degrees and times. And hence it is, that the Pope and Papists are such deadly enemies to the sincere and plentiful Preaching of the Word. The three orders of Angels, i. of Pastors and Preachers, must reveal, prophecy the ruin of Anti-christ, and under pain of damnation, labor to revoke the favorites of Anti-christ from their pernicious errors and heresies.

The Christian Magistrates, Princes, Dukes, Judges, Captains, &c. must and shall lead the Babylonians into captivity, slay diverse of them with the sword; render double unto these seducing idolaters; hate the whore, make her naked, eat her flesh and consume her with fire: And this is in continual execution; and both Magistrate and Ministers, Captains and Colonels, are in the Scriptures commanded and enjoined to prosecute this business. God stir up their zeal and resolution; For Cursed is he that helpeth not the Lord against the mighty, or, that goeth negligently about the work of the Lord.

CHAP. X. Of the falling of particular persons from the revealed truth, and their return to the errors of Anti-christ.

THE third general Sign, in continual motion, is, that in the latter days, certain shall depart from the faith ; some Princes, some Prelates, some Ministers, some Professors. They affect not, nor love, the sweet and sugared Gospel of Christ, but rather delight and dote upon sense-pleasing superstition; and hence being justly forsaken of God, these ignorant and unstable souls return with the dogs to their former vomit, and with the swine to their wallowing in the mire of Popish defilements.

These that thus fall away in this great light of the world, whether to Anti-christ or to Epicureanism, and Atheism, are Comets soon consumed, and not fixed Stars that always abide in the Firmament. These are like Chaff blown away with every blast of trouble, but not good Graine that abideth. Finally, they are they that build their house upon the sandy foundation of man's inventions, or at least of Historical and Temporary Faith ; and therefore as soon as the winds blow, and the waters flow, it falleth. For if they had built it upon the Rock Christ, and kept Faith and a good Conscience, they had stood firm and fast, like the Mount Zion, which standeth fast forever and can never be removed.

But, thanks be to God, this wind shaketh no corn: though the Church of Rome gain in one place, it looseth in another: that which is gained in the shire is lost in the hundred.

CHAP. XI. Of a general corruption in life and manners, which is more to be feared in these latter days then corruption in doctrine.

THE fourth general Sign in daily motion and increase, is the invndation of all manner of sin and wickedness, and a general corruption of men's manners. This plague reigneth and rageth: vices and abuses creep upon men by stealth, by their contagion infect them, and pass from one to another. Our age is (as it were) the Sinke of all former ages, into which all filthiness runneth. The more Light we have, the more Lewd we are: the more we are warned, the more wicked we show our selves. Men indeed have a Form and profession of godliness, but deny the power thereof in their hearts. Men generally so now live, as though there were no Judge to call thē to an account, no heaven for reward, and no hell for punishment: and, as though the Preachers threats and thunderings were but scare-bugs; yea, as though God had granted out a general indulgence unto all manner of sin.

Charity is waxen cold, yet self-love aboundeth. Usury by the Scriptures, all ancient Fathers, and Councils, condemned to hell, and in former generations scarce heard of, is now become a common Trade. O Legal, nay ô Lawlesse thieves! Might overruleth Right ; the poor is the rich man's booty. Idleness, excessive pride in apparel, blasphemy, Saboth-profanation, lying, yea, and drunkenness, abound and are unpunished. These are privileged sins, and seem to have some special charter and immunity, yea impunity. But the judgment of God sleepeth not, and one day shall pay for all. What should I speak of fraud, deceit, filthy living, back-biting, malice, envy, and going to the Law (to feed the greedy Griffins) for every trifle? Men (in a manner) mind nothing but eating, drinking, buying, selling, building, marrying, and giving in marriage; planting, setting, &c. not dreading the last day (though nearly approaching) much less preparing themselves by faith and repentance, against the second coming of our Lord Jesus. But when they shall say peace, peace, sudden destruction shall come upon them as the travail upon a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. Finally, there is no truth in men's promises; whereas in time past every man's word was thought as good as an Obligation. There seemeth almost no faith left upon the earth, whether we respect God or man: Good men decay and evil men abound; yea, one may with better like and applause live loosely then Religiously: For every religious man (though never so discreet) shall usually be mistermed a Puritan, a Precisian, a Schismatic, a factious and seditious person. And alas! what ill have these honest and harmless men done? or who are these that so exclaim and declaim against them, but Libertines, Atheists, Papists, Drunkards, Gamesters, Epicures, and the like, whose tongue is no slander? What shall we conclude of all these, and the sins of all Callings and Trades, in Church, Family, and Commonwealth, which would be too long now to recite, All these daily and wonderously increasing, do presage and evince that the end of all things is at hand; and therefore we should be sober, and watch and pray, but above all things have fervent charity amongst our selves.

For as ulcers and bodily diseases coming thick, and members out of joint, are fore-runners of death near at hand: so these common and prodigious offenses and scandals evidently argue, that the day of the Lord is not far off.

It shall be our wisdom, and good for us in this common pestilence of Manners, to get and preserve the Antidotes and Counter-poisons of faith and a good conscience; that though we live in all evil world which will grow worse and worse, yet we be not infected by it: And it is the greatest trial, yea and the highest commendations for any man to be godly, good, and devout, amongst those that are openly wicked: For it showeth that grace in him is more strong to preserve him, then wicked and profane men to poison, or pervert him.

CHAP. XII. Of the utter ruin, sacking, and burning of Rome, the seat of Anti-christ.

T HE first general Sign of Christ's coming, that is yet not begun, is the ruin and utter desolation of the City Rome: For the Throne of the Beast must grow dark; Babylon must fall, it must fall, and come into remembrance before God: at one instant must her plagues come, viz famine, mourning, death ; it must be burnt with fire, and all her precious things, all her Musicall instruments, and idol furniture be wholly consumed, and ever after unto the coming of our Lord, Baybilon must be an house of devils, and a Cage of every hateful and unclean Bird: Some of the ten Horns: i. one of the last Emperors, or some valiant Duke, must be the chief instrument to execute God's fore-determined vengeanee upon her. The Romanists and Italians and others, that are willed to come out of Babel, and to render Double unto the Whore for that she had done unto them, shall assist the principal instrument.

That Rome shall (literally understood) be utterly desolated before the end of the world; not only all Protestant Interpreters of the Revelation hold, but also the Sibyllae ; yea diverse chief Papists, as namely, Vega, Ribera, Bellarmine, the Rhemists, and others confess.

Touching the year and point of time, when Rome shall be destroyed, albeit we dare not (as some do) determine of some thirty years hence, and some more probably of a shorter time, yet we are persuaded that it is near at hand, and (perhaps) much nearer then most imagine. For the power of the Pope in foreign Kingdoms is much lessened; his authority in civil causes everywhere falleth to the ground; yea in his own Dominions, in Venice, Florence, Milan, &c. Many that have been by him seduced begin to kenne and smell him out; To speak nothing of England and other Protestant Kingdoms that have wholly forsaken him. Now let us come unto some forcible reasons and arguments, whereby we may make strong our assertion.

CHAP. XIII. How after the destruction of Rome the Papists, and lovers of the Whore, shall practice, by violence, utterly to root out all Christians, but shall be finally and utterly overthrown.

A Second general Sign of Christ's coming, not yet begun to be fulfilled, is the utmost endeavor and practice of the Romanists (that shall suruiue when Rome is burnt) to root out and extinguish by the sword, all Christians: And this clearly appeareth, out of the 19 chapter of Saint John's Revelation, and by the consent of diverse learned and judicious Interpreters.

The Beast ( i. the second beast the Pope) and the (Popish) Kings of the earth, and their Armies (viz. huge and many) gathered themselves together to make war against him that sat on the Horse (i. Christ, and Christian Princes his Instruments) and against his Army, 1. All Protestant Soldiers. But behold, and wonder at the event, and give the Lord the glory of the victory: The Protestants shall Eate (i. destroy) the flesh of (Popish) Kings, Captains, Mighty men, of horses, horse-men, bond, free, great small: Then the beast and the false Prophet shall be taken. So perish all thine enemies ô Lord; but let them that love thee, be as the Sun when it goeth forth in his might.

So you see that the Papists shall seek by a general consent, to recover their ruins and regain their losses, but with no success; yea with their fatal overthrow: It is no striving against the Lord.

CHAP. XIIII. A third general and memorable Sign of the approach of the last judgment; namely, the conversion of the Jews.

A Third general and eminent Sign, not yet fulfilled, is the general Calling, and Gathering of the whole Nation of the Jews unto the faith, and into the Church of Christ: And this is pregnantly gathered of Scripture: John. 10.16. There must be one Fold (of Jews and Gentiles) and one Shepherd. Every Tribe must mourn apart, for Christ (by them crucified) the parents (by the Sword of God's Word, at least) must thrust through the false Prophet when he Prophecieth: The Prophet shall be ashamed of his vision (i. his false doctrine) lay aside his rough garment (taken up by apish imitation of the true Prophets) and return to his former husbandry. Then shall we see (in earth) The holy City new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband: whereof so many glorious things are spoken in Scripture, and literally to be understood in many points.

These upon the fame and brute of their first conversion, and the report of their purpose to return into their own Country; near whereunto, and in the Confines whereof many of them dwell, shall be assaulted by the great Turk, the King of the North, who with all his forces shall endeavor to extinguish them, and kill every mothers son: so that there shall be such a time of trouble to them, as never was since there was a Nation, even to that same time ; But then Michael the great Prince, i. The Lord JESUS or his mighty instruments, shall Stand up and (finally) deliver them. None of all these Prophecies are yet performed, therefore they must, of necessity, be fulfilled in their appointed times.

The Jews being once converted, shall be a most famous, reformed, and Exemplary Church of all the world, and all Nations shall flow unto it, and it shall be, as it were, a visible heaven upon earth; but it shall not (perhaps) many years continue. For the further proof of their further conversion (to omit sundry glorious promises of God in Isaiah, Ezekiel, the Psalms, and which are thought hitherto but in (small) part to be performed) I allege these reasons ensuing.

CHAP. XV. Of the extreme and final desolation of the Turk and his Monarchy.

THE great Turk, who in Daniel is called the King of the North, and all his innumerable Army, shall in a place called Armageddon i. the Mountain of Delight, Beauty, or Holiness, or Judea, lying between the (Syrian) Sea, and the great River Euphrates, be utterly confounded. For this Turkish Gog and Magog shall plant his Palace there; he shall gather the (converted) Jews to battle, he shall go upon the breadth of the earth, and compass the Campes of the Saints about, and the beloved City: i. Jerusalem, or the Church of the Jews: For he shall fear least the Jews, so infinite in number, gathering themselves together should come, or conspire, to dispossess him of his (usurped) Kingdom: wherefore he shall do his utmost, utterly to extinguish and root out these (poor) Jews: then there shall be such a time of trouble, as never was heard of (in that Nation) but Michael the great Prince (whether the Lord JESUS, or some powerful Instrument of his) shall stand up for his chosen, and deliver them: Fire shall come down from God out of heaven, and devour their enemies; that is, (as Ezekiel more fully speaketh of the matter) though he come like a storm against the people of Israel, and as a Cloud to cover the land, yet God will make a great and general shaking in the Land of Israel ; He will call for a Sword against him, he will plead against him with Pestilence and with blood ; he will rain upon him and his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an over-flowing rain, and great hail-stones, fire and Brimestone. Finally, there he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

He is an arch-enemy of the Lord JESUS and his Church; he began with the Romish Antichrist, and why then shall not he be confounded with him, or not long after him?

CHAP. XVI. Of the false Christ's, and the false Prophets (their ministers) that shall arise in the last age of the world.

EVEN as (Tipice) between the death of Christ, and the destruction of Jerusalem, there arose false Messiasses in that generation: so correspondently, in the last generation of mankind, not long before the end of the world, there shall arise false Christ's (that shall take upon them the very person of Christ, and usurp his name) and false Prophets ( viz. their Ministers) that shall say they are sent of Christ, that shall win credit unto them, and do great Signs and Wonders to deceive (if it were possible) the very Elect. And this God shall suffer to come to pass, to try, prove, and make manifest, whether his elect people will assent unto, and be carried away with such false Christ's, and false Prophets, or no? And to vindicate and (spiritually) punish, in the Reprobate and Vnbeleeuers, the refusal and extreme contempt of his sweet and blessed Gospel, Preached amongst them, and offered unto them.

Quest. But how may these false Christ's that shall be raised up by the devil, in the last age (or how shall they) be discerned and distinguishd, from the false Messia's before the destruction of Jerusalem that drew great multitudes after them?

Ans. These last shall be false Christ's taking upon them the very name of Christ, but the former were false Messiae, that imagined Christ to be a mere man, neither did they assume unto themselves the Title of the Son of God. Secondly, our Lord Prophecyeth of false Christ's that shall arise in the end of the world, and seduce, as well the Gentiles as the Jews; but those before the overthrow of Jerusalem only deceived the Jews. Lastly, those false Messiae did show forth no Signs or Wonders, and therefore could not so effectually deceive others; But these false Christ's, by feigned Miracles, satanical illusions, and efficacy of error, shall seek to win them credit and authority; and therefore of this time that saying of our Lord's shall be, or may be, (specially) verified: Shall the Son of man when he cometh find faith upon the earth?

Quest. Shall the miracles of these false Christ's and false Prophets be true and Divine, as those of our Lord IESV, and of the Apostles, were?

Ans. No: The Miracles done by CHRIST and his Apostles, were true miracles in matter and form, having their beginning from God, setting forth the glory of God, and confirming the truth: But the Miracles of these false Christ's and false Prophets, shall be lying Miracles, illusions, or cunning conclusions, proceeding from the devil; not profitable and wholesome, but rather pompous and permicious, and tending only to confirm and maintain lies and errors.

CHAP. XVII. Of the strange Euents, Signs, Prodigies, and fearful wonders of the last age.

A Sixt general Sign not yet fulfilled, but to come to pass, are prodigies, strange things, and ominous and most fearful events. These shall presignifie the change and end of all things to be even at hand, in so much that the very brute creatures shall feel the power of Christ ready to come to judgment. Of this sort are terrible Sights in the Air, dreadful earth-quakes, frequent and fearful fires; upon the earth distress of Nations with perplexities, the Sea & the waves extraordinarily roaring: men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: Famines, troubles, Wonders in heaven above, and Signs in the earth beneath blood and fire, and vapors of Smoke. The Sun shall be turned into darkness, and the Moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord cometh; the Stars shall fall down from heaven: i. either such in show and appearance, or Meteors and blazing Stars. Of this sort also are thundering Winds, and troublesome Tempests, invndations of waters, excessive Rain, drying up of Fountaines, failing of Beasts, Birds, Fishes: unequal and unnatural Seasons of the years, Winterly Summers, and Summer-like Winters, extreme barrenness of the earth, and horrible confusions.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the general and marvelous deadness of heart, and senseless benumbedness of the last times.

A Seuenth general Sign, shall be a dead slumber, spiritual Lethargy, and a brutish security in all sorts of people; which, though it hath been in the time of Noah, not long before the universal Deluge ; and in the time of just Lot, at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and in other ages of the world; yet it shall most apparently reign and prevail in the last age; So that no Alarums, no thundering judgments, no strange Sightes, Monsters, Wonders, Doctrine, Counsel, Admonitions, Warnings, shall be able to arowse and waken them from this sluggish and deaf security: They shall drown themselves in pleasure and in drunkenness; mind nothing but the world, wealth, oppression, revenge: But the Son of man shall come to such, in an hour they wot not of, and shall find them sleeping: The day of the Lord shall come as a Thief in the night: For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction shall come upon them as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. Securitas initium calamitatis: God give us grace, to watch and wait for that day, and to attend to the sound of the Trumpet, that being found watching and well-doing, we may stand before the Son of man, and enter into our Lord's joy. Amen.

CHAP. XIX. Of the gradual, yet sudden darkening of the lights of heaven.

THE last general Sign is, not only the wonderful roaring of the Seas, but a gradual, yet sensible and strange darkening of the lights of heaven ; this is the nearest general Sign, and the more to be heeded when it cometh: For presently after shall come our LORD JESUS, who by the brightness of his coming, shall (utterly) obscure and hide the light of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Neither must this seem incredible or impossible, for the like hath been seen in time past (though not universally over the whole world, but in some kingdom and particular place of it) At mid-day, as Saint Paul went to Damascus, he saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the Sun, shine round about him and thē that journeyed with him: If it exceeded the brightness of Sun, then it obscured the Sun, and (as it were) put out the light of it.

Secondly, at the death of Christ, the Sun was darkened and terribly eclypsed: And darkness was upon all the land (of Judea) from the sixth hour to the ninth: i. from noon to three of the clock in the afternoon.

Thirdly, strange and wonderful sightes and prodigies were fore-runners of the destruction of Jerusalem: and why not likewise of the end of the world?

Lastly, the poor Mariners and Sea-faring men have particular and lamentable experience of such darkness, when suddenly the storm ariseth, and all their lights are put out, and they oftentimes are over-whelmed. In Saint Paul's voyage to Rome, when he and his company were exceedingly tossed upon the Seas, neither Sun nor Stars in many days appeared.

Let us therefore as the children of the Light, and the day, put on the Armor of light, that this darkness when it cometh discomfort us not, much less be a fore-runner of everlasting darkness, Amen.

CHAP. XX. Divers difficult and curious questions, soberly handled, and religiously resolved.

CHAP. XXI. The wholesome Application, and profitable Uses of all these Signs and Fore-runners.