The Image of the Beast

You have here a brief and I hope Satisactory account (from many Learned Authoritys) of the Rise and Original of many of the Rites and Ceremonys now in Question (which have and do occasion so much trouble, and distress) the only right way to end disputes, and which was the method Christ took with the Pharisees, Mat, 19. 8. And which Dr. Pierce so wisely observes from him, in confuting the Papists. Whereby it is easily discerned what is from above and what from beneath, what from God, and what from Man. This proves their Rise, and Birth, to be many hundred Tears before Christ, therefore not from him for Christian Service.

The learned Causabon in his Original of Idolatry (Writ in French and collected (as his Epist tells us) from Elasopolitanes Commentaryes, Translated by Mr. Darcy) Says P. 73.

That the main and principal parts of the Mass are digested and brought in by Numa Pompilius, [the 2 King of the Romans, a great Magician about 700 years before Christ, P. 37.] The sarthar Additions were Invented, by other Roman Pontiss, and especially by a Monk called Gregory, the 1st of that Name, who attained the Papacy being Instructed in Pythagoricall Magic and Philosephy, having also studied the Laws of King Tullus Hostilius successor to Num4, and to the end he might Perpetuate his Name, Instituted divers additions to the Mass, &c.

You have therefore (for your better Information) this parallel Scheme here presented to you, of the Pagan and Papal, Rites and Ceremonys, where you find the great Harmony and agreement thatis between them theirin (The Child being not more like the Father, then Rome Papal is to Rome Pagan, in its Ecclesiastical Rites and Service) and therefore is it not significantly by the Holy Gost shiled the Image of the Beast? Rev. 13. 14, 15. &c. And did it not prove the healing the deadly wound given to the Dragonical Beast? verse 4. And who you will find not to be in greater Conformity to the Pagan, then in Nonconformity to the Christian Church, of which you have a brief Prospect from the Scripture. The true Standard to try and judge all Images and Idols by.

But you will say, why do you give the Heathen the Denomination of a Church, Is that proper? Yes why not? Do not you read of the Church of Evil-doers? Ps. 26. And Synagogue of Satan? Rev. 2. And I know no reason why Rome Pagan the Mother, may not be so called as well as Rome Papal, the Daughter, who fetches so much of her Ecclesiastical Policy, Church Rites, Services, & Ceremonys, from her; But did not Pagan Rome kilChrist, and disown Christianity which Papal Rome did not? It is true Rome Pagan, did Murder Christ in his person, and so doth Rome Papal in his members, which is kiling him a fresh, and though in words they seem with Judas to say hail Mr. And kiss him, with a Jesu Jesu, yet in works they deny, betray, fell, and Crucify, himand by Blasphemous Traditions, and Impious Superstitions, make void his whole Law, usurp his Throne and Authority, sit in the Temple of God as God, changing times, Laws, Ordinances.

As to the Authoritys to justify each Particular, which you might have expected under eachhead, I must refer you to a larger Piece, treating theirof, which doth it very distinctly, this being but an Epitome of it, though in the general you may understand the following Authors have been consulted hereupon, viz. Plutarch in Numa, Tacitus, Titus Livius Decad, Pliny Alex ab, Alexander, Blund De Rom triumph, Durand, Darcys translation of Cousabon, Dr. Moors, Mistry of Iniquity. And that 〈◊〉 worthy and most Excelent piece called Pagana 〈◊〉 &c.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 OR The IMAGE of the BEAST.Showing by a Paralell Scheme what a Conformist the Church of Rome is to the Pagan, and what a Nonconformist to the Christian Church, in it's Rites Services and Ceremonies.

The Dragonical or Pagan Church Consisteth in, viz.	The Beastly Papal Church is conformable to the Pagan in	The Christian Church consistoth in, viz.
1. It's Head.	1. It's Head.	1. It's Head.
The Emperor of Rome presiding by the Policy of Hell, over all Ecclesiastical affairs as well as Civil, was called Pontifex Maximus or high Priest; to whom was given Divine Honor and prostration at his Feet: And as head of the Church or high Priest had first Fruits. Annates Oblations, &c. paid him and also a Purpurate Synod or Princes in Purple to assist him.	The Pope of Rome presiding by the Policy of Hell, over all Ecclesiastical affairs; claiming the Civil also is called Pontifex Maximus or high Priest; to whom Divine Honor is given and prostration at his Feet: And as Head of the Church and High Priest hath first Fruits. Annates and Oblations, &c. paid him; And a Purpurate Synod, viz. Cardinals in Purple to assist him.	Neither Emperor, Pope nor King, but Christ himself to whom the Father has committed it, having purchased it also with his own blood, who as High Priest & King is the alone Author and Institutor, of it's Order, Rule and Worship, with all things that belong thereto, and necessary to be Observed therein. To whom Divine Honor is duly paid: God blessed forever the Government upon his Shoulders, without any Catholic Vicar to assist.
Secondly it's Members.	Secondly it's Members.	Secondly it's Members.
The Members and partes of the Church were the partes of the Empire, as divided into ten parts; Horns or Kingdoms. And those ten Kingdoms distributed into Nations, Provinces, Diocese and Cures, under respective Governors. Civil-Military, and Ecclesiastical.	The Members and parts of this Catholic Church, are the parts of the Empire, as divided into ten Horns or ten Kingdoms. And those ten Kingdoms distributed into Nations, I'rovinces, and Diocese, and Parishes, for the better Administration of Papal Juris diction	The Members of the Christian Church are not any Empire, Region, City Diocese, or Province, but only such of the faithful, or believers in all parts of the World, who are called to visible Saintship and orderly put together into distinct Congregations, as Christ has directed in the New Testament.
3dly, The God's they Worship.	3dly, The God's they Worship.	3dly, in Worshiping the true God, only and truly.
Besides their Supreame God Jupiter, or Jove, whose name they derived from Jehovah: the Governor of Heaven and Earth, They had diverse inferior Deities, God's▪ and Goddesses, whom they divinely worshiped, viz. Diva Vesta, (Juno or Luna) the Queen of Heaven (and Mother of God) with Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Phoebus Beacchus, Vulcan, to whom they as their Numens Heroes or Intercessors built Temples, erected Alatrs and Statues. Dedicated Feasts, and called the days by their names; They had Doemons Ethereal, and Tutular God's and Goddesses, to be applied to, by several Vocations, Country's, Cities, Families, Orders, Sick Persons; As Divus Neptunus for Mariners, Divus Pan for Shepherds, Diva Pales for Husbandmen, Diva Flora for the Courtesan, Diva Diana for the Huntsmen, Divus Esculapius for the Physician, Divus Bacchus for the Good fellow, Divus Mercurius for Tradsmen; They had gods for every Family, Country City, Decease, as Cant, sicat, Era, &c. Besides in the Pontifex Maximus, and Synod, was placed the right of Apotheosis, or God making, viz. to create and Inrole some deceased, worthy in the number of the God's to whom Temples, Altars, Orders, and Statues were appointed, and Festivals in their names celebrated.	Besides the Supreame God Jehovah, the Governor of Heaven and Earth they pretend to Worship, they have diverse inferior Deities, God's and Goddesses whom they divinely Worship, viz. Diva or Sancta Maria the Queen of Heaven (and Mother of God) with Divus Petrus. St. Paul, St. John, St. Thomas, St. Stephen, St. Andrew, &c. To whom they as their Numens, or Intercessors, build Temples, erect Altars, dedicate Feasts, paying also so much reverance to the Pagan God's, as to keep up their Names in the Day's of the Week, viz. Sunday, Monday, Tusday, Wedensday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. They have also Tutular and Ethereal God's, and Goddesses, to be applied to by several Vocations, Countrys, Citys, Families, Orders, Sick-Persons, as Divus or St. Nicolas for the Mariner, St. Windoline for the Shepherd, St. John the Baptist for the Husbandmen, St. Magdaline for the Courtesan, St. Hubart for the Huntsman, St. Crispian for the Shoemaker, &c. The City, Country, Family, and Physic God's are innumerable. St. George for England, St. Denis for France, St. Mark for Venice. &c. God's almost for every Disease, Besides the God making power, that is in the Pope and Cardinals to canonize what deceased worthy, they please and to appoint them Temples, Altars, Orders, Festivals.	Though there be that are called God's, whether in Heaven or in Earth (as there be God's many, and Lord's many) But to us there is but one God; the Father of whom are all things and we in him. And one Lord Jesus, by whom are all things and we by him; 1 Cor. 5. 6. Make no mention of the names of other God's, neither let it be heard out of thy Mouth, Ex. 23. 13. Thou shalt have no other God's besides me, thou shalt not make to thyself any graven Image, or any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or Earth beneath. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God; Ex. 20. 4, 5. What agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? For ye are the Temple of the living God? Wherefore come out from amongst them, and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing, &c. The things which the Gentles Sacrifice; they Sacrifice to Devils and not to God; and I would not that you should have Fellowship with Devils; 1 Cor. 10. 20. Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 16.
4thly. The Places of their Worship.	4dly, The places of their Worship.	4dly, In it's Worship, respecting place.
Temples or Fanes both rich and magnificent, they built in the names, and dedicated to the honor of their God's; As the Temple of Jupiter, the Capital of Rome was dedicated to him. Vesta the Q. of Heaven, and Mother of God, had a Temple, and Nunnery, dedicated to her; And so had all the rest of the God's. Saturn, Mars, Venus, Diana, Minerva, Neptune, Apollo, &c. Yea, one to all the gods called PANTHEON. They build their Temples East, and West, Worshiping towards the East. By their Auguri, and Auruspices, With many Frayers, Ceremonies, and Solemnitys. they consecrated first the Ground, and then the Temple, upon which it was built: Altars were erected in them, and sumptiously adorned, and Statues placed in them with lighted Candels which they Worshiped: A Feast of Dedicaiton was Annualy kept to the Honor of the Daemon, the Temple was dedicated to, which after their Rligious Rites were over, was spent in Revelling and Jollity: And This as God's House, they paid great Reverence to.	They Enjoy'd the Temples of the Heathen, only new consecrated and dedicated them to their own God's to whom they gave new Names at their Christnings, As St. Savior's for Jupiter's, St. Mary's for Vestas Temple, And so for the rest of their God's, St. Peters for Apollo's St. Paul for the Temple of Diana (so it was at London) St. Nicolas, for Neptunes, And all Saints, for PANTHEON. They build new Temples, East and West, and Worship as the Heathens did towards the East: And do by their Priests consecrate first the Ground, Then the Temple, upon which it stands; Altars are erected in them, and sumptiously adorned, and Statues, placed on them with lighted Candels, which they Worship; a Feast of Dedication is annually kept to the Honor of the Saint, the Temple is consecrated to, which is spent with Revelling and Jollity. And this as God's House they pay great Reverence to.	There having been no conse crated place, or holy Ground since the dissolution of the Temple, by God's appointment to build Temples, or holy places for Worship. The true Worshipers, who worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, are truly his Church, and House, where ever they meet, be it in Wood, Field, House, or Barn; so saith the Apostle, with all who in every place call upon the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord; 1 Cor. 1. 2. Whose House are ye. Heb. 3. 8. The most high dwelling, not with Temples made with Hands as saith the Prophet; What House will ye build me? Or what is the place of my Rest? Who Filles Heaven and Earth, Act. 7. 48, 49. No Altars and Candels Worshiping East and West, or Feasts of Dedications in Christ's Church, being all Pagan and Papal inventions.
5ly. The times of their Worship.	5dly, The times of their Worship.	5thly, In respect to the time of Worship.
They divided their days into Fasti feast days, Profaesti Working days, and Intercisi hase holy days; The feast days they dedicated, in the Names, and to the Honor of their God's werev ery many, some of their Capital Feasts were these, viz. Their Saturnalia, kept several days together in December, with Eul-game, Mrs. of Misrule, Mascarading; and all Debocheries, adorniag their Temples, and Houses with green Leaves, and Boughs, The Epiphony, (from the appearing of their God's) Their Proserpinalia, or Feasts of Candles. In February Their Palelia, or Shepherds Feast on Midsuner-day, Their Florialia on May-day, with great Jollity by the young People of both sexes, scattering Boughs and Flowers, and Dancing about May-poles, Their Ambervalia, or Procession, when they begged a Blessing on their God's, upon their Fields and Fruits; The Feast Easter to that Goddess in April. They had their Bacchanalia, their Ceralia, their Venalia & their Panathenea, a Feast to all their God's. Canonical hours for Sacrifice, and Devotion, and a Jubile, or year of Rest	They divided their days into Feasts, Fasts, Vigils, and Working days (as their • alender mentions) their Feasts dedicated in the Names, the▪ And to the honor of their Saints (orGods) are very many, some of their Capital Feasts are these, viz. Christmas (their Saturnalia) Observed directly, both in time and manner as theres was, with Eule-games, Mrs. of Misrule, Mascarad's, Debocheries, adoraing their Houses, and Temples, with green Leaves and Boughs. The Epiphony Feast, as there's. Also Candlemas the purification of the Virgin Mary. In February, as their Proserpinalia, or Candle Feast. Ther St. John the Baptist on Midsomer-day, as their Palelia, Also Philip and Jacob on May-day, kept as their Floras Feast, time, and manner, Also procession, or Perambulation, in Rogation Week, time and manner with their Ambervalia; Also the Feast of Easter, time, name, and manner, They have their Whitsonales, for their Bacchanalia, Their Allsaints, for their Panathenea, Canonical hours for Service, and a year of Jubile for Rest.	The firist day of the Week is the Christians Sabbath, and the only standing time for Rest, and Worship to be Observed Holy unto the Lord; The other six days being appointed for Labor, As the forth Commandment Orders, viz. Remember to keep Holy the Seventh Day, Six Days shalt thou Labor and do all thy Work. The Pope that changer of times saith, Thou shalt Labor but Three or Four Days; the rest are his Holy days. No set times, either sor Feasts, Fasts or Vigils are appointed by Christ, which are only to be Observed as accasion is Administred. All their Holy days, and Festivals, celeberated in Honor of the Papal and Pagan God's, Numens, or Daemons, are an abomination to the Lord, and a great oppression to the Nations. God requiring but a 7th part of time for his public Worship and Service; and they exact half, if not two Thirds of it for the Worship and Sevice of their Idols.
6thly, Their Priesthood.	6thly, Their Priesthood.	6thly, In it's Ministry.
They had Superior Priests, viz. Flamins and Arch-flamins, for Sacerdotal service in their Provinces, and Diocese, and Inferior Priests, distinguished by dignify'd names, Tonsures, Orders, Habits, the dignifyed Priests, were those who attended on the Capitall Temples, as the proper Priests of Jupiter, Appollo, Minerva, Vesta, Diana, Venus, Cybel, some of which were called Dialia, Martialia, Querinalia, Augures, Saliens, Fecialls, And more inferior Priests who had the care of the sacred Celebrations, in the cures called Curiones, there were proper Habits, for all the Priesthood, and particular Vestments, for their Divine Service, viz. Albes, Tunicles, Amicts, they had Tonsures, and shavings, so the Priests of Isis, Diana, Jupiter, divers orders of Priests, whereof most Caelebate, to whom Marriage was prohibited as the Priests of Vesta, Minerva, Appollo, and those of Cybil, who were castrated, Elected, and concecrated according to the Ritual of Numa, and put in to their cures, by the Pontifex, maintained, according to their Ecclesiastical constitution, the Pontifs, by Annates, Oblations, and the Priests by Benefices, Offerings, Obsequies, &c.	Their Priests were either superior, viz. Bishops and Arch-Bishops, for Sacerdotal service in Provinces, and Diocese, or Inferior, distingushed, by dignifyed Names, Tonsures, Orders, Habits, the dignify'd clergy were those who attended the Capitall, or Cathedral Churches, as Deans, Chaptrs, Prebends, Arch Deacons, And the more inferior Priests, who have care of Sacred Celebrations, in the cures, or Parishes, called i Cureats, Parsons, Vicars, Deacons, answering their Curiones, they have proper Habits for the Clergy, and particular Uestments for their holy ministrations, viz. Surplices, or Albes, Chasubles, or Tunicles, Uailes, or Amicts, to which they add Coaps, Ephods, Miniples, Zones, &c. They have Tonsuers, or Shaveings of their Orders, and most whereof Caelebiate, to whom marriage is forbidden, Elected, and consecrated, according to the Popes canons, and put into their Cores, by his Authority, maintained according to their Ecclesiastical customs, the Popes by Annates, Oblations, &c. The Priests by Benefices, Offerings, Oslations, Obseques &c.	In Christ Church there are only two sorts of Offices, and Officers, (by his New Testament appointment) viz. Elders, and Deacons, the Elders, to administer Ordinances, and Govern the Church. And Deacons, to make Provision for, to visit, and take care of the Poor, none of the Minestry, distinguished from the Layety, by Habits, or Tonsuers, which are all Pagan, and Papal, Inventions, and Abominations. The prohibition of Marriage being a Doctrine of Devils, Elected and Consecrated according to Christ's cannons, by the particular Congrigations, wherein they serve Christ, and according to Christ's Law, and primitive practice, are maintained by the vollentary contribution of the Flocks they feed, and Rule, having no Benefices or forced maintenanc of Tythes to live upon.
7thly, Their Rites and Ceremonies.	7thly, Their Rites and Ceremonies.	7thly, Their Rites and Ceremonies.
Their principal service compreh ending most of their Rits and ceremonys, was called the Mass, whereof ten principal parts, viz 1. The Asperges, which was their Sprinkling with holy water at the Temple door, all that attended that service for sanctification, 2dly, The Procession, when the Priest in his Uest, shaven crown, Taper in his hand, carried about Shrines, with supplication, and thanksgiveing, with Music. 3dly, Triming Altars, with Clothes, Lights, and Images. 4dly, The Confiteor, making Confession, and Supplication to the God's. 5dly, The Uertegines viz. Antick postures, and gestures, of the Priest at the Alter. 6ly, The Church Music, Uocal, and iustrumentall puting up Canticles, Paeans, Collects to their God's, with Organs, Flutes, Vials, &c. 7thly, The Thurall part, Offering, Insence, Odours, and Perfumes. 8thly, The Offertory, viz. Oblations, and Offerings. 9thly, The Round host, or small round Loaves, given to the Communicants. 10ly, The conclusion, with Ite missa est pronounced by the Priest they had many curvations, or bowings, fastings, flagellations or, whipings, lying-wonders, by Sorcery, and miraculous Appearing of their God's, Dirges, worshiping towards the East.	There principal service comprehending most of their Rites and Ceremonies, is called the Mass, where we find, 1. The Asperges, or Sprinkling with holy water, at the Temple door, for sanctification, all that attend the service. 2ly, The procession, wherein the Priest in his Uest, shaven crown Taper, in hand, carries about the Relicks or Shrines, with Supplication, and Singing, with Music. 3ly, Adorning the Altars, with Cloths, Lights, Images. 4ly, The confeteor or confession, 5ly, The Uertegines viz. Windings turnings, and lifting up of the Priests hands. 6ly, Their Church Music vocal and Instrumental, their puting up Songs, Collects, Anthems, &c. With Organs, Flutes, Uials, voices. 7ly, Offering Insence with Odours, and perfumes. 8ly, The Offertory or offerings. 9ly, The wafer or round Host, given to the Comunicants. 10ly, the conclusion with Ite missa est pronounced by the priest, they have curvations, Flagellations, penances, Lying wonders, dirges, worshiping towards the East, They have also several additions, to the Mass, as Letanys Epistles, Gospels, Canons, Tracts, Kiss-pix, crosses, Kneelings, &c.	No such things in Christ's service, by his appointment, as Liturgys, Letanys, Church music, Organs, Flutes, Uials, Singing of prayers, Anthems or collects, no burning Incence, Odours, Tapers, Candles, upon Altars, no cringings crossings, Kneelings, at Altars. bowing to the East, but praying in the Spirit, and praising in the Spirit, And receiving the Lord's Super, the Bread and the Wine, according to his Institution, without all their Pagan and Papal inventions and Superstitions.
8thly, Their Imposition, and Persecution.	8thly, Imposition and persecution.	8thly, In it's Love Meekness.
They violently impose their service, and Ceremonies, not suffering the Dissenting Christians, to buy or sell; persecuting them to confiscation and to Blood.	They violently Impose their Service, and Ceremonys, not suffering the Dissenters to buy, or sell, but persecute them to confiscation and Blood.	No forcible Imposition of Christ's Service, no Persecution, corporal mulects, and punishments, upon Dissenters, or gainsayers, but the exercise of all Love, Patience, and long suffering, with Gentleness towards them.