C A P.11. A 11evelátion ofthe Apocalypfe. 36'7 andwith fir great labours, feemedto be overthroWn, and they onely Were counted happy by the moft, Whom timely death had deliveredfrom thefe tumults. Thus much faith;he. It is indeed very lamentable to ail the Godly,to remember that time,when as Holy and couragious Princes, who were onely enflamed with a delire to defend the truth, not only then-delves, but the Church together with them, (which being now newly born into the world, did as yet give a childlike cry amidff the wars) carne miferably into the power of their enemies. But now was the time ofdarknefs, wherein thefe tWo 'Prophets muff needs be (lain and lnadea mockingfocke. And vet weought to rejoyce even in thefe fameevils, which do bring with them a remembrance of the forewarnings ofGod, fuch as may confirm the confidence and faith ofour hope, as Tertullian fpeaketh in his Apology. 8. And their carcafes 'ball lie. This is the difference between Antiochue and the Beaft OfRome, he by burning up the Books of the Law, would not have their very carcafes to remain; the Beall fuffered the dead carcafes to abide, but onely for their greater reproach and flume. So cruell is he,that he is not fatified with blood, but he de- firethto torment them more cruelly. For their bodies that had been thrall through, Were cafb into theflreets ofthegreat City, to be afpehra.- ele to all men, and, to be' a triumphal! ornament for the Beall of Rom'. And indeed,what other thing was there left of the Scriptures by this time, but a meer C'arcafe,altoether void ofall authority , poVìer and life, When as all the interpretation oftkèmWas challenged as a prero, gative of the Chair, and a man might not once fo much as mutter qny thing, Which the Pope ofRome didnot infpire into him? The Holy Ghoff fpeaks fo accurately, that he leaveth them nothing to wrangle withal! : He knew, that whatfoever the Pope of Rome did againíf the truth of God, yet notwithilanding he would make his boaft, that there is nothing in the world that he counteth morepre- cious, honourable and Holy; then the Scriptures themfelves;but leaft a man fhould be deceived with a naked name, the Holy Ghoft faith plainly, that there was nothing ofthe Scriptures left among the Ro- mifh rout after theCouncell ofTrent, but a dead Corps, that had no lifenor power in In.thefgreets ofthe great City Whichfpiritually is called,Sodom and Egypt. This great City is all that place oflurifdi6tion,whereof'p me is the mother-City,in which fence the tenthpart of the City is Paidto fall, beneathverf.53. afireet is force part ofthe Romilh.Iu ifdiftion, wherein this fpeaacle is let forth to be beheld, the joy whereof fp.rcads
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=