CHA P.3. Epiflle to the Theffalonians. VEIE.2. , II I ;loch and Elias; whole priuiledge it was, r not tofeedeath; a goodly priuiledge to bee taken from the malice of their times, that they might bee referued for the more cruell Rage of Antichrifl : and was this fo notable a crowne of Henochs Faith and Walking with God, Heb.t r.5. To the fourth,Perfecution fo violent & notorious that al publique Seruice ofGod (hall ceafe,Mat. 24.2e. Apoc.2o.7 `Dana 2.rt. Re,. That peereleffe perfecution mentioned by the Euangeifl, is by Saint -- Lukesexpofition the necefli- ty and tribulation Lewes were to endure at the liege and furprifall of Ierufalem by Titles and Vefpatian; See Luk, a t. and compare circumflances in (Matthew; together with what lofephus reports of the accomplifhment ; thou wilt he forced to fay, its meant of levees ofthofe times, not pof- fibly intended to "[ewes or Chriflians from Antichrifl. 2. Yet none denies but perfecution by Antichrifl fhould be, bath bin extreme : But t. of foules rather then ofbo- dies,when they are flamed for want of knowledge;% rackeel Gy tortures of Confcience, tranfmitted by Cartloads CO Hell, by him to whom no man faith,curitafacís. 2. Of bo- dies of Saints allo, if we will ponder cruelty , rather then number Martyrs : in vaine doth the Cardinali from Hicrom and E_ufebius cite the multitude of Saints Maflà_ credby Domitian,&c. for how mould Antichrifi match them in multitude ? When the names left are fo few, and the whole world performes vaf alage vnto him ? Yet vpon the Saints falling vnder their tyranny what Phalaris, hash exceeded his cruelty ? Reade our cí`Vlartyrologies. As touching the iffue or effeel of his perfecution, Ceffa- tion of publique worfhip. Refp. I.If thereby hee meaner lawfirdl and prefcribed worfhip, I contradict not : Anti - chrifi brings it with him : for many yeeres together,'what but bauling and meere Bablifine was heard in our Tern. pies? What feene, but horrible fuperflition and Idola- trie, in worfhipping of Images, inuocation of Saints,ado. ration ofHofles,&c ? Whereto if any chewed himfelfe op- pofitc,or vnwilling, fauadge cruelty was efleemed lenitie in his torture. The place of Daniel at firfi view difclaimeth their gloffe. To Y 13eb.tl.5 2 Apoc.9.5.6. Io. Artic.go, .s
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