Truth. 1. But first, whole nations are no churches under the gospel.
Popery not so easily turned from as is conceived.
2. Secondly, bring the nations of Europe professing protestantism to the balance of the sanctuary, and ponder well whether the body, bulk, the general, or one hundredth part of such peoples, be truly turned to God from popery:—
Who knows not how easy it is to turn, and turn, and turn again, whole nations from one religion to another?
Wonderful turnings in religion in twelve years’ compass in England.
Who knows not that within the compass of one poor span of twelve years’ revolution, all England hath become from half papist, half protestant, to be absolute protestants; from absolute protestants, to absolute papists; from absolute papists, changing as fashions, to absolute protestants?
The pope not unlike to recover his monarchy over Europe before his downfall.
I will not say, as some worthy witnesses of Christ have uttered, that all England and Europe must again submit their fair necks to the pope’s yoke; but this I say, many scriptures concerning the destruction of the beast and the whore look that way. And I add, they that feel the pulse of the people seriously, must confess that a victorious sword and a Spanish inquisition will soon make millions face about as they were in the forefathers’ time.