Antichrist Stormed

p. 1CHAP. I. Wherein the various Opinions concerning Mystery Babylon, are discovered and all their Objections Answered, who deny by her is meant, the Papal Power, or present State and Church of Rome.

'TIS evident to all who are men of any Reading, that most of our Eminent Protestant Writers, both Ancient and Modern, do affirm without the least doubt, that the Church of Rome is the great Whore spoken of, Rev. 17. p. 2called, Mystery Babylon: yet we find that most worthy men, who have of latter times, so well defended the truths of the Gospel, in opposition to Popery, have not so much bent their Study this way; I mean directly to prove that which is our present task—as it hath been to detect divers or most of her erroneous principles, and detestable practices, which is rather to Lop off some of the Branches of this Evil and Cursed Tree, than to Dig it up by the Root, for if it be clearly proved, that she is that great Whore; viz. Mystery Babylon the great, Mother of Harlots; down she goes at once; and if we have not done it so effectually as it may be desired, yet we are in hope wherein we have been defective, it may stir up some abler Pen, to perfect what we have anew undertaken;—But to proceed, for the more orderly management of our present work, it may not be amiss if we give you the various opinions that have more or less presented themselves to the World, about who or what People this great Whore Mystery Babylon is, which may be reduced to these seven following heads.

1. And first of all, as Reverent Mr. Pool observes, some would have it to be the whole World of Wicked men.

2. Others would have this Woman, ◊or p. 3this Babylon to be old Chaldean Babylon.

3. That it is Jerusalem; and that for two Reasons:

1. Because the man of Sin, or last Beast, that is to Head this Babylon, is set forth by St. Paul, to sit in the Temple of God, shewing himself to be God.

2. Because this City where the Beast reigns, and -shall slay the Witnesses, is Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was Crucified, Rev. 11. 8.

p. 34. That it is the Turkish Empire, or Power of the Saracens; which Mr. Mede somewhat touches, and in a brief way most Learnedly argues against: in his third Book, pag. 644, 645.

5. That it is indeed Rome, the Seat of the Fourth, or Last Empire; but Rome, in its Heathen state, under the Idolatrous and Persecuting Emperors: so the Rhemists would have it, if there be a necessity to fix upon Rome, to be this Apocalyptical, or Mystery Babylon. For this opinion the present Romanists have no better Advocate than Dr. Hammond, who hath done very worthily at other turns; but here has doubtless greatly mistaken his way; see his Annotations upon the 17th Chapter of the Apocalypse.

6. That it is the present power & Church of Rome who under pretence of the most High p. 4and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, doth influence and govern the Secular Power and State of Kingdom◊. Of this last opinion were the ancient Waldenses who felt the bloody Power of of Rome, venting it self in most horrid and Barbarous Cruelties against them, and that for a long Series of time, as appears by our most Authentick, Ancient, and Modern Writers, who give a very ample account of the great Persecution of Christians for many hundred years last past, in all parts of the Christian World, where they have had Power. To which opinion of the Waldenses most of our Modern Protestant Divines agree, of which we shall mention only Cartwright, Fulk, the worthily Admired, and Learned Mede, not forgetting famous Du Moulin of France, as may be seen in their works at large.

7. Some of the Papists who grant that by Babylon, Rome is meant, but would have it to be Rome towards the End of the World, when they say Rome shall apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again; and now, because we will not take things upon trust, nor refer the reader to many Books and Quotations, it appears needful that we remove the Objections with as much brevity as we can.

And first, That Mystery Babylon cannot be fairly applyed unto the whole World of wicked men, nor to old Chaldean Babylon, nor to p. 5Jerusalem, the Turks nor Saracens, nor terminate in the Heathenish State of Rome, no◊ Rome towards the End of the World, when they say Rome shall Apostatize from the Pope to Paganism again.

p. 5And that none else can be meant or intended by her but the Papal Power of the Church of Rome.

1. Mystery Babylon cannot be the whole world of wickedmen; for in opposition to this, 1. The Apostle John speaks here of a certain great City which reigneth over the Kings of the Earth, v. 18. This cannot be meant of the wicked world. 2. The World of wicked men, are those Inhabitants of the Earth, whom this Woman made drunk with the Wine of her fornication: Now she that made them drunk, and those that were made drunk, cannot be the same. 3. This Woman, v. 9. sitteth on seven mountains, and so do not all the wicked of the World. 4. We are Commanded to come out of this Babylon, but we are not obliged to go out of the World.

2. If she were the old Chaldean Babylon then, (1.) Where is the mystery mentioned Rev. 17. 5. (2.) Mystery Babylon here mentioned is by all acknowledged to be the Seat of Antichrist; So was never old Chaldean, (3.) Besides it is generally agreed to by all, not without good grounds, that Literal Babylon p. 6was no more than the Type of her, which is all we will speak to it.

3. It cannot be meant the City of Jerusalem.