SECT. XXV.

THE AFORENAMED CORRUPTIONS, AND MOST RE MARKABLE DECLINATION OF THE CHURCH OF ROME IN THE LATER AGES, WAS FORETOLD BY CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLES IN THE FIRST AGE.

As the complainants have made knowne unto us, that there was an Apostasie, a falling away from the trueth in the later ages, so likewise you shall observe, that they told nothing of the defection in the Church, which was not foretold by Christ and his Apostles, at that time, when the Mysterie of Iniquitie began to worke; whereby you shall see, the one foretells, the other answers; the Apostles spake of errours and heresies that were to come; the complainants tell you of errours and heresies, that in their dayes were come, ut impleretur, that whatsoever was foretold, might bee accomplished. Now, that the Church of Rome hath fallen from her first puritie, that she is that Church at which the Prophecies long since pointed, and is now fallen, that the Pope is that Man of Sin, that sits in the Temple of God, which was forespoken, and that there is not, neither can bee any other Church, to which the Prophesies can fitly agree, will compare the Romish Doctrine with those Pro

phesies

I

phesies, that her Tenets in the Church may appeare to the Evidence of things foretold, and her doctrine may appeare to bee the accomplished Revelation of St John's Revelation.

First then let us examine (by way of question and answer) Whether the Church of God hath not fallen from her first sinceritie more or lesse in all ages.

How comes it to passe, that the Pope of Rome assumes to himselfe the fullness of power, and is advanced above the kings of the earth (which are alled Gods*?) It was foretold: The Man of Sinne shall be revealed, which is an Adversary, and is exalted 'above all that is called God, and that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe that hee is God. (2 Thess. ii. 3, 4.)

How comes it to passe, that there are such lying wonders, and false miracles wrought in the Church of Rome in these latter times? It was foretold: The sonne of perdition shall be revealed, whose comming is by the effectual working of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders. (2 Thess. ii. 3. 9.)

How comes it to passe, that the Shepheard of the flocke is become the wolfe, and the chiefe Pastors teach perverse doctrine, to make Proselytes of their owne? It was foretold: After my departure, grievous wolves shall enter in among

* I have said you are Gods. (Psal. lxxxii. 6.)

you, not sparing the flocke, and shall speake perverse things, to draw Disciples after them. (Acts xx. 29.)

How comes it to passe, that the eommon people are given to beleeve fables, and reade Legends instead of Scriptures? It was foretold: The time will come when they will not suffer holesome doctrine, but having their eares itching, shall after their owne lustes get them a hcape of Teachers, and shall turne their eares from the trueth, and shall be given to Fables. (2 Tim. iv. 3, 4.)

How comes it to passe, that the Church of Rome makes a distinction of meats, and forbids Marriage unto Priests? It was foretold: In the later times some shall depart from the faith, and give heed to the spirit of errour, and doctrine of Devils, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstaine from meates. (1 Tim. iv. 1. 3.)

How comes it to passe, that Indulgences and Pardons are granted for money, and made the treasure of the Church? It was foretold: There shall be false teachers amongst you, by whom the way of trueth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousnesse shall with fained words make merchandise of you. (2 Pet. ii. 1, 2, 3.)

How comes it to passe, that the number of the faithfull are so few, that at all times they cannot easily be discerned? It was foretold: When the Sonne of man cometh he shall not find faith upon the earth. (Luke xviii. 8.). Againe, The day shall not come except there bee a falling away first, and that man of Sinne be revealed. (2 Thess. ii. 3.)

How

How comes it to passe, that the Devil hath seduced the people in these latter ages? It was foretold: When a thousand yeeres are expired, Satan shall bec loosed out of his prison, and shall goe to deceive the people in the foure quarters of the earth. (Rev. xx. 7, 8.)

How comes it to passe, that the Church of God, (which is termed a Citie upon a hill) should bee obscured, and scarcely discerned in these latter ages? It was foretold: The woman fled into the wildernesse, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there. (Rev. xii. 6.)

How comes it to passe, that in the time of peace and securitie, errours were brought in by the enemy of the Gospel? It was foretold: While the husbandman slept, there came the enemie, and sowed the tares among the wheat and the enemy was the Devil. (Matt. xiii. 25.)

Lastly, how comes it to passe, that we have made a departure from the Church of Rome? Ut impleretur: that it might bee fulfilled, which was spoken, Goe out of her my people, that yee be not partaker of her sinnes, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Rev. xviii. 4.)

And certainly, all these sayings are come to passe, that not one jott of his word should passe not fulfilled, so that wee see not any things fulfilled in the Church of Rome, which were not foretold; neither. was any thing foretold, but in the fulnesse of time shall bee accomplished.

SECT.

SECT. XXVI.

THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TREATISE, SHEWING IN SUNDRIE PARTICULARS, THE CERTAINTIE AND SAFETIE OF THE PROTESTANT, AND THE UNCERTAINTIE

WAY.

AND DANGER OF THE ROMISH

THE Philosopher tells us, that Truth and Falsehood are neere neighbours, and the outmost postes of their doores are both alike; yet their way is contrary for the one leadeth unto life, the other unto death. If we shall inquire further how to distinguish the house of Truth from the house of Errour, hee gives this Character. The door of Falsehood is painted and beautifully adorned, but the door of Truth is plaine and homely; and heereby it appeares, that many times men are deceived, and mistake the doore, and goe into Errour's house, when they seek the Trueth.

These two ways I have briefly survayed, and distinguished by two several Titles, The Safe Way, and The By-way: The one (like the house of Truth) is plaine and naked, and knowne only by the Scriptures; and this is Via Tutu, a certaine and Safe Way. The other (like the house of Falsehood)