Rev. 13.1.

2

Thef. 2.

formity, that is between that Antichrift and the Papifm.

1. It must be an Empire; for it is called a beast: now in the Prophetick ftyle, a beast always fignifies an Empire, when Kings are treated of. The Papifm is an Empire in all the forms of worldly Empires, ancient and modern. We have proved it with the greatest evidence in our prejudices.

2. It must alfo be a Religion; for it is called a mystery; and it must be a falfe Religion, for it is called a mystery of Iniquity, and an apoftacy. There is only the Papifm, in which an Empire and a Re Tim. 4. ligion are found both together. 'Tis true, Mahomet made an Empire and a Religion at the fame time. But in Mahometanifm, the Religion is not the Empire, nor the Empire the Religion; and the Priefts are not Soveraign Lords under the pretext of Religion. Mahometanifm is divided into many Empires, and yet there is but one Religion; a proof that the Religion and the Empire are not the fame thing.

The Pa

only Reli

Prophet

always liRev. 19.

ving.

3. Antichrift must have a Prophet, i. e. a man pifm is the that faith he is infallible, and that pretends to progion that nounce Oracles as well as the ancient Prophets. boafts of a For with the beaft is joined the falfe Prophet. 7 he beast was taken, and together with him the falle Prophet, that wrought figns before him. There is no Religion in the World but the Papifm, that pretends to have an infallible head, always pronouncing Oracles when it is neceffary, always speaking, and always living. This is a very peculiar Character, and which fhould make us well difcern him.

25.

Tim. 4

4. The corruption of the Religion of Antichrift 2 Thef 2. muft principally confift in Idolatry; for it is called apoftacy, a Doctrine of Damons, fpiritual whoredom!

Rev. 17.

The

The Papifm is a Religion, in which Idols are reestablisht under new names. We have alfo clearly proved it.

Antichrift

idolatry of

5. This Antichriftian Idolatry must be an ido- The Idolatry of Chriftians, which must be exercifed in the latry of Church, and not without, by the Spouse of Jefus must be an Christ, and not by a stranger. For this idolatry is Chriftians. called adultery, and conjugal unfaithfulness. The Rev. 17. Papifm with its Idolatry, retains the foundation of the Church, and preferves Christianity.

18,

6. The chief City of this Empire and of this Re- Rev. 17.9 ligion must be a City feated on feven Mountains, and the great City which in the time of Saint John ruled over the Kingdoms of the Earth; that is to fay, Rome. The Papifm hath for the capital of its Empire and Religion new Rome, built where the ancient one was.

7. This Empire was to form it felf, not by force, but by craft, by feduction and by the confent of the Kings of the Weft, that were to give their power Rev. 13. to the beast. The power of the Papism and the 13. Bishop of Rome come by illufion, rather than by the violence, that both Kings and people have fuffer'd.

8. This Antichriftian Empire must be a continuation of the fourth Monarchy, which is that of the Romans, as hath been fhewn by the vifion of Dan.2.7. Daniel's Statue; by that of the four beafts, and by Rev. 13. the beaft of the 13th of the Revel. The Papifm is a true continuation of the Roman Empire, having the very fame feat, and very near the fame Pro

vinces.

9. This Empire must be only an Image of an Empire, an Image of the Roman Empire. Yet Rev. 13. this Image muft fpeak, and must be worshipped in 14. 15. all the Earth. The Papifm hath no arms., nor

citadels

Rev. 13. end 17.

Rev. 13.5.

Rev. 13.7.

Rev. 13.3,

Rev.13.11.

citadels, that really make an Empire; it hath nothing but fuperftition and foolish fondness for all its arms; however it speaks, it threatens, it promifeth, it teacheth, it feduceth, and by this means it reigns.

10. The Empire of Antichrift must have ten horns, that is to fay, ten Kings, vaflals and fubjects, props and upholders of its throne. The Papifm hath always had under it ten principal Kings, that have worshipt and maintain'd its power.

11. Antichrift muft fpeak great things in his own behalf, but againft God, for they must be blafphemies. The Papifm faith of it felf and its capital, great and mighty things, faying that Rome is eternal, that she is infallible, that the Pope is Superiour to all the Kings of the Earth, the Spouse of the Church, the Vicar of 7. Chrift, God upon Earth, his Holiness, and moft holy Lord. And these arrogant pretenfions are true blafphemies against God, against J. Chrift, and against the true Church the Spouse of J. Chrift.

12. Antichrist muft raife wars and cruel perfecutions on the account of Religion. For 'tis given to him to make war against the Saints, andto overcome them. The Papifm hath bathed it self in humane and Chriftian blood for fix or feven hundred years.

13. The Empire of Antichrift must be an Empire raifed up again,

up again, an head mortally wounded, but healed again. The Empire of the Papifm is the Roman Empire, that was brought to nothing by the Goths and Vifigoths, but is raifed upagain by the Popes.

14. Antichrift muft afcribe to himfelf two powers, like to thofe which J. Chrift hath. Now the Lord hath temporal and spiritual power. There

1

is no Potentate in the World, that faith he hath this double power, but the Pope, the head of the Papifm.

18.

must be in

pire, and

man.

15. Antichrift must be an Empire, as hath been Ret. 14. proved; and the name of this Empire muft contain The nurt the number 666. There is no Empire in the World ber 666. whofe name contains 666,but that of the Latin and the name the Roman; which is the name that the Papifm glo- of an Emries in. And this fhould be well obferved to lay no in the open the vanity of the obfervations of the Papifts, name of who to elude this fo plain a Character feek for certain names of men, in which they would find 666. They would fain find it in the name of Luther; and very lately M. Simon would find it in Roterodami. We must let them know, they do nothing; that here 'tis not the name of a man,but ofan Empire,that is treated of. Now they will fearch in vain,they will not find any Empire in the world whofe name con tains 666, befides the Roman, or Latin Empire.

16. The Kingdom of Antichrift must be a So- Rev. 11. dom, full of impurities and abominable crimes. The Papifm in all the fore-going ages, hath been a fink of all the abominations of the Earth. There are no filthy and odious crimes, of which its Clergy and its fubjects have not made themselves guilty. The proof of it at large may be feen in our juft prejudices.

17. This Antichriftian Empire muft be a cruel Rev. 18.4. Egypt, a Babylon, in which God will preserve his people notwithstanding its corruptions. Come forth of Babylon my people. There is no falfe Religion, that hath poffeffed the Church more ages, and in which God hath been able to preferve his Elect than the Papifm..

18. Antichriftianifm must be eftablifht in the Temple of God, i, e. in the Church. There is no King

S 2

dom,

2,Thef,2.

Rev. II.

Rev. 13.

II.

The Em

of the

little,

dom, Empire and corrupt Religion together with it, that is establisht in the Chriftian Church, but the papism.

19. The Antichriftian Empire must be exceeding proud. For its head muft fit in the Temple of God, as if he were God. The papifm hath carried pride beyond whatsoever can be imagin'd. 'Tis noto

rious.

t

20. Antichrift must worship Mahuzim, i. e. Patrons and Protectors. The Papifm worthip its Guardian Angels and Saints, under whofe protection it puts it felf.

21. Antichriftianifm must be a Paganism raifed up again. For the outward Court must be left to the Gentiles for 42 months. The Papifm hath all the parts of a paganism built on Chritianity, as hath been fo evidently proved.

22. Antichrist muft ufurp the power of J.Chrift. For he shall have the horns of a Lamb, and shall Speak as a Dragon. The Papifm hath ufurp'd all the power of J. Chrift, The Pope acts, fpeaks,cenfures, abfolves, damns, dethrones Kings, &c. in the name and by the authority of J. Chrift.

23. The Antichriftian Empire muft not be formpire of the ed with noife; this beast must not ascend out of the Papifm afcended out fea, as a monfter that comes out of the deep, very Earth by great and wholly formed in the twinkling of an eye, little and and which devours as foon as it is on the Earth. It must arise out of the Earth as a plant,that is nothing in the beginning, and which after many years grows a great Tree. For the fecond beaft afcendeth out of the Earth, and not out of the Sea. The Empire of the papifm came by little and little as a Tree,which for many years hath been but a little herb.

Rev. 13.

11.

24. The Empire and the Religion of Antichrift, must be establisht by falfe figns and false wonders?