The World hears thefe Teachers, who are, and men decei And hence first we learn, That Antichrift and 1. Ufe. his Prophets, the worldly Teachers, come with All natural fuch Deceiveableness of Unrighteoufnels, that no Na- ved by Antitural or Worldly Men whatever, of whatever Parts, chrift, whatLearning, Knowledge, Righteousness, can pof- accomplishfibly difcern them. If Men are but Natural men, ments may though never fo accomplished, Antichrift deceives be them all, and makes them his Difciples. For Antichrift comes fo fubtilly, and in fuch glorious appearances of Holiness and Religion, that none can know Him and his ways, except they be fingularly taught of God; according to that of Chrift to his Difciples, To You it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, to them it is not given. And to whom it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Christ, to them alfo it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Antichrift; and none can truly know, either the one or the other, without a fpecial Gift from God. Whence it is most evident, That Men are not able to understand Antichrift, and his Kingdom, and Things, as they are men learned in Philofopby, and in the Knowledge of the Tongues, or as they are men of fuch and fuch Degrees and Titles in the University, or of fuch and fuch Ecclefiaftical Orders 1 in the Church: I fay, Men by all fuch Abilities and Accomplishments (as they fpeak) are not able to difcern Antichrift, but rather are the more ready to be overcome by Him, feeing by all these Humane and Ecclefiaftical Things, Antichrift can lay the fafter hold on them, and make them the more his own. And ever their Antichrift is unknown to known to them. And Antichrift must needs be unknown to fuch them, feeing men, in as much as Chrift Himself, as he is held Chriftis un forth in the word, and whatever he is and doth, both in Himself and Members, is wholly unknown to them; yea, is fo ftrangely unknown, that by a prodigious mistake, they do judge Chrift, and his Members, and their Doctrine to be Antichrift, and his Members, and their Doctrine: And on the contrary, they do judge Antichrift, and his Members, and their Doctrine, they do account and efteem of, as of Chrift Himself, and his Members, and their Doctrine. And thus, is the multitude of Carnal Christians, (which are even the whole world almost) through the effectual Operation of Satan, brought to think and believe assuredly, that the Prophets of Antichrift, who handle the Scriptures carnally,and after the mind of Man, do verily teach the very Doctrine and Truth of God; and of this they are fo confident, that they would have the worldly Powers and Magistrates to force all Men to believe as they fay, and to practise as they command. Yea, these worldly Men, with all their worldly Accomplishments, are fo deluded by Antichrift, that whilft they oppofe and perfecute the Faithful People of God, or rather Chrift Himself, and his word, works, Truth, and Righteousness in them, they verily think they oppofe and perfecute Antichrift Himself, and the falfenefs of his Members. And as the Scribes and Pharifees, the chief Teachers of the Jewish Church, being Deceivers themselves, did yet call Chrift a Deceiver, and in killing and crucifying Him, thought they did God good Service; fo the CarClergy, and the Head of them, being Antichrifts themselves, do yet tell of, and terrifie People with another Antichrift: And being Seducers themselves, do yet rife up against the very Members of Chrift, as Seducers, that thereby they may may boaft themfelves to be Righteous. So throughly and perfectly hath Antichrift deluded and inchanted them, through the cup of the Wine of his Fornications. Thus the whole world is overcome by Antichrift, and cannot by all their Higheft Attainments difcern Him from Chrift; only they, who are born of God, and are his true Children, and (being plain, fimple, meek, and lowly in Spirit) are taught of God, Thefe only know Antichrift, and overcome Him; but these are the little flock. Secondly, In that the World Hears the Minifters 2. Vse. of Antichrift: We are given to understand, That men that spirit canare of a Worldly Spirit, and through that, are ad- not underdicted to the World, and to feek and follow after ftand the the Profits, Pleasures, and Honours of this Life, Antichrift. they cannot poffibly understand the Impostures and Deceits of Antichrift and his Teachers, but they all are feduced and overcome by them. Whoever therefore do profefs or pretend to Religion and Godliness, and nevertheless live in the Spirit of this World, and are fwallowed up with the Cares and Comforts of this World; all fuch Christians are a fit prey for Antichrift: Seeing, 1. Such Carnal Chriftians are fo addicted to worldly occafions, that they cannot attend to the word of God in the Spiritual Senfe of it, which is only known by Temptation, Prayer, and Gods own Teaching. And hereupon they want the true light, by which only Antichrift can be dif cerned. For Antichrift comes in fo great fubtilty and likeness to Chrift, that he cannot be perceived, but by Chriftians much acquainted with the word, and much mortified and quickned through it. 2. Such Carnal Chriftians, as they neglect the word in the Spirituality of it, so alfo they do love M m this Men of a worldly Deceits of 3. Use. a numerous this world, and this quenches in their hearts the And thus the world loving and feeking it felf, and its own things, receives Antichrift, whilft it cannot difcern Him. Wherefore the Scriptures do every where give Chriftians fo many warnings against Covetoufaefs, which takes from men all true defire after Chrift, and all regard fenfe, and knowledge of Antichrift. Chrift therefore faid to his Difciples, Take heed and beware of Coveronfuefs; for where the Treafure is, there will the Heart be, alfo, &c. And thus all they, who are Lovers of Themfelves, and of this world, the greater outward profeffion they make of Religion, the more ready are they to receive and entertain the Minifters of Antichrift, and their Doctrine, feeing they are, and speak of the World. 3. Seeing the World hears Antichrift, and his The carnal Teachers, we are to take notice, that the Carnal and Antichriftian Ministers have a Numerous AuAuditory. ditory, all the worldly People cleaving and joyning to them, because they speak that which is in their Hearts. And therefore it is faid, Revel. 17. 15. Thit the waters, whereon the great Whore (that is, the Ecclefiaftical State which chiefly confifts in the Clergy) futeth, are People, and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues; So that the falfe Prophets have all the world to hear them, except the Faithful and Spiritual People, and Multitude is a cer tain Sign of their Courch. And Revel. 15. v. 7. li is faid, that Power was given to Antichrift over al Kindreds, and Tongues, and Nations, and that al taat dipell on the earth fhall worship him, whofe Names AT C are not written in the Lambs Book of Life. So that Antichrift by degrees, and by his feveral Forms and Appearances, one ftill more deceitful than another, doth win to Himself all mankind, but the very Elect. And fo from time to time hitherto, he hath gotten to Himfelf National Churches, even the Generality of all the People, of whole Nations, Kingdoms, and Common-wealths, to hear his Teachers, and to receive and fubmit to his Doarine and Difcipline, as moft true and Orthodox. And thus hath Antichrift multitudes, even the whole world to follow his Teachers, and to fubmit to them. But let not the true Church, and little Flock of Crucified Jefus, be offended hereat, feeing they are but the world who hear Antichrifts Teachers, that is, they are fuch People. 1. Whofe inward Nature is earthly, carnal, devilish. chrifts Pro phets. 2. Such, who love an outward Form of Religi- The Hear on and Godliness, whilft they are bitter Ene- ers of Antimies to the Power of it. 3. Such, who love fuch a Doctrine and Religigion, as may ftand with their old corrupt Nature, and may beautifie and fupport it; and fo may make them painted Sepulchres, outwardly fair, whilft they are inwardly abominable. 4. Such, whole love the World, in the fenfe of. 5. Such, as profefs Chrift and his Gospel, as to |