The first inditement against Antichrist for contra­dicting Gods Word.

COncerning the first. Though the author to the He­brewes Contradicting the Scriptures. Heb. 6. 1. aduise vs to goe more forward in our building of Christianity, then laying a foundation of truth, yet he assureth vs, tht without a good foundation there is neither building, nor meanes to avoide dirision: what shall wee say then to the despiser of both, whose Math. 7. 26. impi [...]ty and presumption haue not onely cast corrupt handes on the sacred word of truth, but inconsiderate Armes to tearein peeces the holy structures, yea with vio­lence to pull the infants from the sucking brests of their sweete mothers. To begin therefore with a strong posi­tion of, Cursed be he, that doth either adde to my law, or Deut. 12. 3. & 4. 2. Iosh. 1. 7. Prou. 30. 6. Reu. 11. 1 [...]. dimiuish from ir, &c. What hellish furie durst lay hold vp­on the second Commandement, so that neither in their Ladies nor Iesus Psalter is it to be found. And come to the repre­hension [Page 10] of their Idolatry, or prophanatiō of God by pour­traitures, Idolatry. Images, & pictures in priuat and publicke: in the Church and the streetes: in the house in the closet: in the garments and Vtensills: they are so farre from Apology distinction, or nicely, that the common people flie to their bookes shewing there is no mention of such a prohi­bition, nor doe they any other, then the mother Church commandes. O vnheard-of madnes! O irreligious A­postacy.

In the first to the Hebrewes, the Originall hath it thus, Heb. 13. and bearing vp all things by his mightie word hath by himselfe (or onely) Purged our sinnes. Now behold what dares not By himselfe put out. Sathan doe? deride God in the 2 of Genes. and tempt God in the 4. of Math. alleadging Scripture in both to serue his turne, yea drawing the bow home of sacred truth to hit the marke of his aime, but what dares not the Pope doc? euen more then the diuell himselfe; dash away or quite extinguish such places of Scripture, as may seeme to con­tradict his fictions, and lay his filthines to ouerture, and the hissing of the passengers. For in this text hee hath quite put out by himselfe, and presumed to put in merits, by-workes, both satisfactory and supererogatiue, trentalls, Masses, Dirges, and other trumperies full of Leprous steines and corruption, which I passe ouer because they rather appertaine to the second inditement.

In the 1 of Timothy 2. 5. The words are plaine, neither 1 Timoth. 2. 5. one Medi­ator. patible of other construction, and I am sure vnsufferable of contradiction. For there is one God, and one mediator betweene God and man, which is the man Christ Iesus. But what dares not the Pope doe? quite reiect this, and with conceited ele­gancy by way of comparison argue thus; that as the necke is betweene the head, and the body, so the Virgin Mary is betweene Christ and his Church, no graces or spirituall [...]n­fluences are granted from Christ, but they passe by the hands of his mothers intercession, and thus there is an Aue mary still to obtaine present and future blessings: mira­cles are done indeed in the Church, but by her meanes [Page 11] through Christs power, they haue afforded her attributes of redemption, sauing, protection, defence, ruling, com­manding: for which purpose Leoes vision is a fearefull and prodigious Atheisme, wherein such as ascended the red ladder vnder Christ fell downe from diuers steppes but, such as went vp the white ladder vnder the Virgin entred hea­uen without difficulty. If I should proceede with Rom. 8. Rom 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. Math. 11. 28. 34. Hebrewes 7. 25. Math. 11. 28. in which places Christ is our onely Mediator, and maketh intercession for vs, I must needes impute arrogancy, nay blasphemy vnheard-of to the Papacy either to make [...]er a Mediatrix, or pray to Saints for their assistance: but harken to more impietie; they haue deuised her to bee such a boundles Ocean of goodnes, that shee many times entertaineth such whom Christ refuseth, yea they goe further in the glorifying of Saints, and crying to the Popes themselues to make inter­cession for them. O vnlimitable audaciousnes, and ridi­culous foppery! yet so manifest, and absurdly entertained, that whole volumes are written in the defence, and as many about the discouery of the falshood.

In the 5 of Iohn 39. It is plainely sayd: Search the Scrip­tures Iohn 5. 39. Reading the Scriptures. Act. 17. 11. for in them you thinke to haue eternall life, and they are they, which testifie of me, whereupon it is recorded. Act. 17. 11. that the noble men of Thessalonia, and Berea receiued the word with all readines, and searched the scriptures daily; to which purpose the holy Ghost yeeldeth a reason, 2 Tim. 3. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 16. For the whole scripture is giuen by inspiration, and is pro­fitable to improue, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnes. Now what Barbarous tyrany is this of the Church of Rome worse then Turkish crueltie, not onely to locke vp these pretious treasures from the very eyes of ouer-looking, with a supposition of pollution by ignorance, but to af­fright the people with death, as by their bloody Inquisi­tion is apparant, if any daring hand, or hungry soule out­reach at this heauenly Manna, and looke with cheerful­nes toward mount Sion for their saluation: so that no lay man may presume at all, nor others to read the word of [Page 12] God in the vulgar tongue.

In the 1 Corinth. 14. the inhibition is not barely set 1 Cor. 14. Against an vn­knowne lan­guage. downe for vsing an vnknowne language in the Church, or if you will in publike congregations, but illustrated with Similes, and excellent enforcements to diuert vs from such absurditie, and irregular abuses in edifying. But alas how are our soules entangled, how is an insupportable burthen of traditions thrust vpon vs, how are we inforce­red with a tedious Catalogue of principles and Canons of the mother Church? And although the Apostles iustified the obeying of God before men, yet now. Non cuiuis licitum est dicere Papae, cur hoc faecis, Nay we must not aske a question for conscience sake, nor say a prayer in our mother tongue for seare of Lutherano, diauoto, Here­tico, and in the inquisition to be clothed with the Sambe­nito, a punishment as vituperious as the carting of Bawdes in England. Nay if a modest sinner should but reueale those diurnall liftings vp of the soule, which Saint Austin and other fathers call ciaculationes, and that to be done in their natiue speech, it were sufficient to bring them within the griping reaches of accusation, and vnsatisfied ielousie of alteration in religion, or repugnancy of the mother Church. O intollerable mischiefe! and neuer heard of frency to runne away with such madnes against God and his truth!

In the 20. of Mathew, ver. 20. the storie of the mother Math. 20. 20. Against ambi­tion in the C [...]ergy. of Zebedcus children with that sweete reprehension of ambitious tumors, is recorded at large. But how, not as barely exhortatory by way of defence of righteousnes, humillitie, loue, patience, and other spirituall graces, but with forcible interdiction of, With you it shall not bee so: although the Lords of the Gentiles and other corrupt worldlings defiled with contaminating pride, and [...]nsa­tiable affectings of authority, hunted after popular esti­mation and eminency before others, yet would not Christ haue so much as elation of hart among his disci­ples, nor desire of superioritie ouer their brethren for [Page 13] any assumpted gift or grace whatsoeuer. Nay though it were true, that God had made their faith the rocke of foundation for his Church, and themselues the Pillers and Lampes of his temple. But now behold the error of the Church of Rome, the error said I, the intollera­ble pride, and Antichristian impietie, vsurpation, and insatiable supremacy; hee must not onely exalt himselfe aboue his brethren, and make that Conclauc of Cardi­nalls an vndeniable Court of his greatnes and authoritie, but stand like a Colossus ouer the neckes of Princes, and as their own stories haue enlarged, presumed to ouer­turne the Crownes of Emperors with his feete; nay more then so? the Pope is carried on mens shoulders, and hath reached at heauen it selfe, and as the com­mentaries report of Prometheus that stole Iupiters fiers, they haue with a Luciferian pride arrogated the name of God, and equalled their fictions and absurd miracles with the best of the Prophets, and the mightiest word of truth.

In the 1. Tim. 4. 1. 2. &c. there are three fearefull attri­butes 1 Tim 4. 1. 2. Forbidding meates and marriages. set downe, appropriate to such as forbid marriages, and the eating of meat, which God hath sanctified, name­ly, 1. Doctrine of Devills: 2. speaking lyes through hypocrisie: 3. and haue their Conscience burned with an hot iron; So that reasonable soules are almost terrified with the Iudgement, and cannot thinke it possible to avoyde eternall flames, if they should once attempt to crosse the true meaning of the holy Ghost. Yet see, what man dare doe? the Pope hath inuented a law of Celebacy, a vow of chastitie, a deuise of sequestration for Priests, and a manifest opposition to this veritie, denying marriage, which God honoured with his presence, and branding it with the tearme of filthy pollu­tion, and defiling copulation, nay, though that Christ e­steemed and named it honourable: Yet haue these Aduer­saries cast a defiance in the face of the Scriptures. But with­all what haue they done by way of conniuency, permitted Whoredome, and whereas they can say in some sort; Si [Page 14] non castè, tamen cautè, they haue published a greater audaci­ousnesse in defending their contaminated hearts, and adul­terate eyes. For they haue not spared to put to their hands and seales to the pattents of Abbots, and other religious persons, wherein is this Proviso: Licitum erit Domino no­stro Abbatt semel in mense habere mulierem ad purgandas renes. Nay, if I should search them further, I am affrayde of pre­tended villany to march arme in arme with their adulte­ries and fornication: For by experience I alledge it, that in the Orchards of their Frieries and Nunneries, amongst other exornations and furnitures of comelines, they haue whole trees of Sauine, and to what vse that serues, Physi­cians Sauine. and Mid-wiues know too well, and how it may be a­bused, an honest mother cannot relate without teares and wringing of handes.

As for meates they haue not onely limited vs in their vse, but made a distinction of times, and set a seale vpon dayes, as if it were high treason to breake open the inclosures of such institutions, yea, an vnanswerable offence to steppe a­side from their authoritie and limitation. Nay, though God sa [...] all that he made to be good, and blessed vs in the fruition of his blessings, though the Prophets haue cursed the obseruers of dayes and times, new Moones, and feasts: though Christ told his Apostles, that whatsoeuer went into the man did not defile him: though Peters vision cleared that scruple of vncleanenesse in all meates, which God had sanctified: yet is it a Pontificean verdict of dam­nation, to infringe the letter of their Lithurgie, and the people are made to beleeue, that the eating of white meats in Lent, will open the iawes of Hell so much the wider: O irrel [...]ious Religion, and Satanicall inuention!

In the twentith of L [...]uiticus, God hedged in the Iewes, Levit. 20. Marriage. touching marriage, and enacted certaine precepts of holi­nesse, as binding voyces to all gouernments, kingdomes, and posteritie: yet haue we not experience of the Popes repugnancie in this kinde? And that many vnlawfull mar­riages, as farre as Incest, haue beene borne withall, and had [Page 15] Apostolicall benediction: yea, from their very Monasteries, both Fryers and Nunnes haue beene taken out, to circle their heads with C [...]ronets, and fill their armes with bed­fellowes, even contrary to their first footing in Religion, and p [...]mordiall contract with professed holinesse.

How plaine are those words, 2. Thes. 2. Matth. 24. A­poc. 13. That that man of sinne should be reuealed, whose com­ming is by the working of Sathan, with all power and signes, and lying wonders: Yet you see in despight of this, or de­rision of the Predict [...]on, the Pope of Rome dare be called Ʋice-deus, as in the Dictates of Gregory the seauenth. And Miracles. the Church of Italie produce so many Miracles, that di­uers of their owne Diuines haue made a stop in their rea­ding, but I referre you to its proper place, that is, the third Inditement, which I frame in this accusation; onely by the way consider, how aduerse this man is to the Scrip­tures, that dare iustifie himselfe to be Antichrist in this one poynt, as it were in despight of the holy Ghost.

In the tenth of Iohn, Christ saith; My sheepe heare my Iohn 10. Hearing the Word. voyce: and in the twentie-one of Iohn, the 15. verse. he bid­deth Peter three times to feed his sheepe, the reason is, because it is apparant, that without Preaching neither can faith be obtained, nor God himselfe so magnified, as he ought: but how poorely the Church of Rome distributes this gift, and in what broken Pipes the water runs from a sparing Spring, I might say corrupted Fountaine, if not infectious streame: let the impartiall Trauellers report, who haue visited the Congregations on both sides. For I dare be bold to say, that except some speciall Citties, wherein Priests and Fryers discourse of the Legend of Saints, magnifie the Popes supremacy, dilate of the or­ders of the C [...]urch, manifest the necessitie of Indulgen­ces and pardons, and talke of Purgatory and Charitie to Monasteries, the Countrey villages know not what a Sermon meaneth, onely M [...]sse and Ma [...]tens, with some voraginous deliuery of wonders, and when they iesture it in the best manner, not a place of Scripture alledged, [Page 16] nor a poynt of Diuinitie discussed, but some morall Precepts against notorious impreties, wherein yet the Phylosophers and melancholly Stoickes went beyonde them.

In the 13. of Iohn, and the 35. verse, Christ saith plain­ly; Iohn 13. 35. Louing one another. All men shall know, that you are my Disciples, if you loue one another. But how well this Precept is obserued amongst the Romanists, I appeale to themselues, and their owne writings, what bitter inuectiues betweene Scotists and Thomistes? What fearefull raylings betweene Popes and Cardinals? What Calumniations betweene Fryers and Monkes? What desperate quarrels betweene Domini­cans and Franciscans? What scandalls betweene Iesuites and Seculars? before euer Watsons Booke of Quodlibets and Quidlibets excited laughter in some, despight in ma­ny, and dis [...]tastings in all.

I could name patience and meekenesse as a marke of the Church of God, but to looke vpon the angry face of Rome, and the affrightings of Clergie Commissioners, when their Religion is opposed, and fooleries derided, is more tyrannous, then the ten Persecutions in the Primitiue Church; and the murthering the brethren in Turkey, is but a flea-biting to the burning and torturing of Martyres. In Portingall they brought one Gardner to death an Englishman, with such vnheard-of crueltie, that the Clergie put a Deuills-coat vpon him, full of horrible shapes, gagd his mouth, hung him vp in chaynes, and made him liue in torments, when death tooke pittie vp­on him. How ridiculous was the burning of Paulus Fa­gius and Bucers bones in the beginning of Queene Ma­ries raigne, after three yeares bur [...]all, and God knowes whether their bones or no. Such things are written of Bonners crueltie, besides the Stories in the Acts and Mo­numents, that the inhumanitie exceedeth all the extraua­gancies of Heathenish Tyrants. The other day when Fryer Paul of Ʋenice could not bee caught in person, they burnt him in Rome by pourtraiture, and sent twise [Page 17] to murther him in priuate. Shall I name the mischiefes against Queene Katherine Parre, in the latter end of Henry the eight, by the workings of the Bishops, especially Gardiner? Shall I recite the murthers of the two Kinges of France, the Prince of Orange, and divers others, who seemed to oppose their disor [...]ered proceedings? It were a wonder to tell you, how Queene Elizabeth, the won­der of all times, escaped their malice: but to end with the Powder plot, it must make an end of this Controuersie, that the Pope of Rome is a meere Tyrant in earth, and the Doctrine of Rome most opposite to the Gospell of Iesus Christ.

Humilitie, last of all is such a marke of the true Church Humilitie. of God, that in diuers places, you haue the very garments of a Prophet named; Elias vesture; Isaiahs nakednesse; Ieremies du [...]geon; Amos frocke; Christs seameles coat; Iohn Baptists Cammells hayre, and such like. But the Pope must be a God on earth, and the Cardinalls take place of all Princes, that are not absolute Monarkes. Their Carosses are so sumptirous and stately, that they haue foure veluet chayres within, and sixe stately Moiles without, and how they ride with publicke Curtezans to the Conclaue, is well knowne. Baptista Fulgosus recor­deth, Pride of Rome. that Peter Riarus, first a Fryer Minorite, afterward Cardinall to Sixtus the fourth, had Gownes of cloth of Gold, Couerings and Tikes of Beds sutable, and all o­ther Furniture of the best Silke. There was a Feast made at Rome by a Cardinall to Elenor of Aragon, as shee went to marry Hercules de Est, Duke of Ferrara, which lasted seauen houres, with all varietie of Musicke, and delicate Acates, which had also playes and dances. Another Car­dinall had a Concubine, called Tiresia, whose Chappinos were embroydred with Pearle and precious Stones, to an inestimable value. But what neede I goe so farre as Rome to instance this Inditement of opposing the Word of God against them, when I can name you such Prelates in Eng­land, [Page 18] that for pride, and wealth exceed any Cardinalls of Rome, and liued, as if they would tell vs plainely, Anti­christ was discouered, and there was neither heauen nor hell to bee thought vpon, but the present brauery of the world, and the magnificence of a Courtly and maiesticke life.

In the time of William Rufus, you had an Otho, Bishop of Baieux, and Earle of Kent. In the time of Henry the second, you had a Thomas of Canterbury, that affrighted the King with Excommunication. In the time of Richard the first, you had a Bishop of Durham, who gaue ten thou­sand pound for an Earledome. In the dayes of King Iohn, Stephen Langhton opposed the Maiestie of England. In the time of Henry the fift, the Bishop of Winchester lent the King twentie thousand pound. In the time of Henry the sixt, Cardinall Beuford was infamed for pride, and wealth. In the time of Henry the eight, Woolsey writ, Ego & rex meus, and so exceeded in magnificence and greatnesse, that all Europe wondered at the prosperitie of our coun­trey, and yet repined, that such a Prince would endure the ambition and impietie of a Prelate. To conclude, Cardinall Poole was cosen to Queene Mary, and there­fore endured for his magnificence and pompe: but yet all these belonged to the Church, and should haue beene Preachers of the Word of God, but they proued Wolues in Sheepes clothing, and the humbled soule made this Vse of their liues, that Antichrist was discouered, and so beng the mayne Aduersary, must needes oppose the Word of God, and doe contrary things to truth and Christianitie. And thus much of his first Indite­ment.

The second Inditement of Antichrist for teaching The second inditement. mens traditions, and foisting into the doctrine of the Church, both Heresies, errors, and ab­surdities.

BEfore I goe any further, let mee answere certaine obiections, which I should haue done in my former Inditement; namely what greater humillity can there bee, then for the Capuchines and Friers Mendi­cants to refuse and despise the vanities of the world, and bee contented with pouertie, disgrace, scornes, and neuer-heard of humiliation; insomuch that Princes haue euen pricked their proud swelling hearts, and let out the corrupt blood, bringing them downe to prostitution and contentment in Vnsauerie pouertie: as you saw, Duke Iogenx became father Angelo: Faelix of Sauoy thrust himselfe into a Monasterie: Charles the fift forsooke the world, and left amongst all his [...]ewells, as principall, his whippe of small cordes, wherewith hee lashed his sides: and many other Princes finished their dayes in Religious houses. I answer with the Prophet, who required these things at your hands, and when it is the best humiliation it is contaminated and defiled with wrong circumstances, and though it tend to the worshipping of Angels, it is but diuelish and Colos. 2. 23. vnprofitable.

Againe, concerning outward garments, coules, weedes haire or hempen girdells, penance, whipping, fasting, Kings. and such like tormenting the flesh: is it any other, then the priests of Baall cutting and lashing themselues? then [...]dolatrous sacrifices, wherein the Heathen practised the shedding of blood, and continued with Monstrous mur­thers, and Diuelish shapes to the people. Rent your Ioel. hearts, and not your garments, saith the Prophet, and when you fast or mourne, hang not downe your heades like [Page 20] Bulrusshes, or doe as Hipocrites doe, sayth Christ.

Last of all concerning good workes and releeuing the poore, which they tearme Charity; What profit can Math. 6. such things doe, where is presumption of merit? what good can they procure, when they are full of corrupti­on? why doe you plead for pouerty, when you grow so rich your selues, and fill your treasuries with all manner of gifts from liuing and dying men? what talke you of religion? When you minde nothing but pollicies of State, and to trouble all Christendome with deuises: as for the outward forme of good deedes I will bee bold to say wee haue had amongst our selues more Colledges builded, Almes-houses erected, Chappels edi­fied, Churches repaired, Poore relecued, Prisons visi­ted, and Lands giuen to pious vses, and that within these fiftie yeeres; then in two hundreth yeeres before, let them name what Countrie they please: and thus much for the Obiections, now to my purpose in hand.

To make you a Collection of all the deuises and tr [...] peries in Poperie, were to make a rope of sand, and begin a worke which could haue no end: For this wodden wheele hath beene so often turned, that the Coggs are worne asunder and either they must erect a new frame, or inuent a new superstition. For all the old is discouered, and in a Booke called the Bechine of the Romish Church, the face of reuelation, like your face in a glasse, will reflect vpon you. O that I neede bring you no further then that pulling hooke to shake the walls of Papistrie to rubbish, but because va­rietie hath a passage of pleasure among Nouelists, I am contented to search further, and thus expose vnto you, what I finde in other treasuries.

Nicholas the second, in a certaine Sinod at Rome de­creed year 1059 that Christs body was present in the Eucharist to bee handled with hand, and torne a peeces with teeth.

In the Conuenticle of Florence the doctrine of Pur­gatory, and the Popes supremacie was ratefied by the year 1439 authoritie of that Sinode, and the doctrine of the seuen Sacraments propounded to the Arminians was confir­med and so established, that the Councell of Trent agreed to the same, withall the other errors and superstitions of year 1564 Popery.

Irenaeus saith, that the Apostles did first Preach the Gospell and afterward deliuered the same in Scriptures, Lib. 3. cap. 1. that they might be a foundation and pillar of our faith; Lib. 4. de. verb. cap. 4. but Bellarmine sayth, they are neither necessary, nor sufficient without traditions.

The Scotists and most Papists maintaine, that the Vir­gin Mary was neither conceiued in sinne, nor euer com­mitted any; and yet the Apostle sayth, that by one man Rom. 5. Galath. 3. sinne entred into the world, and death by sinne went o­uer all, yea he sheweth, that the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne.

It is well knowne and publikely printed both in the Iesuits doctrine of Collen, the workes of Thomas Aquinas, Bellarmine and others, that the Papists maintaine iusti­fying by the Law, Merit by Workes, no necessity of confession of faith, when yet the Scripture saith, Christ is made vnto vs iustice, wisedome, Sanctification, and 1 Cor. 1. Redemption, and that Abraham beleeuing, it was im­puted to him for righteousnes, yea Isaiah hath it thus Isayah 53. in plaine tearmes, wee are healed by his stripes, the Apostle speaketh in this manner. It is manifest, that no Gal. 3. Rom. 4. man is iustified by the Law before God, and that Abra­ham was not iustified by the workes of the Law.

Nauarrus teacheth, that lay men may not dispute of E [...]ch. cap. 11. The Ch. igno­rantia de [...]u [...] ­ [...]a trinit. matters of faith vnder penaltie of the Popes excom­munication, and Linwood holdeth it sufficient for lay men to beleeue the Articles of the Creed implicitely without publike confession, or other Christianlike yeel­ding a reason of their Saluation and good life.

Whereas our Sauiour saith Math. 11. My yoke is easie, Math. 11. [Page 22] and my burthen light. Thomas Aquinas sets it downe thus, that the Precepts of the law, or the Gospell, are more Math. 11. greeuous and combersome then the law of Moses: and the censures of Collein with Bellarmine himselfe say plain­lie, 2 quest. 107. that wee cannot bee saued, vnlesse in our owne per­sons wee fulfill the Law.

Mathew Paris in his collection from the yeere 1256. year 1256 aduertiseth vs, that the Friers determining to ouerthrow the Gospell of Iesus Christ, published another new one by the name of Euangelium aeternum, as if the word of God should continue but for a time; to which they added cer­taine fooleries out of the writings of Abbot Ioachim, and continued in such blasphemie, as if their deuises should out-last the Gospell of Saluation.

The Master of the Sentences determineth, that the fa­ther and the holy Ghost might haue beene made man, Lib. 3. dist. 1. and yet may, the maine Heresie of the Patripassians; who held that the father suffered death for vs: and the scoolemen mainetaine, that the Sonne of God, might haue assumed the nature of a woman, which derogateth from the Misterie of Christs incarnation. Besides, they affirme, that Christ was neuer troubled in soule with any perturbation or affliction, contrary to the plaine Iohn 12. Math. 26. text of Scripture, Nam anima mea perturbata est, and Ambrose sayth, hee hath taken our will and our sadnes vpon him.

The Master of the Sentences publisheth, that all that Lib. 4. distin. 1. died vnder the Law, and not Circumcised, were damned; and the Sinod of Trent pronounceth them Ana­thema or accursed, that say there are more or fewer Sa­craments, then seuen, that is to say, 1. Baptisme, 2. Confirma­tion, 3. the Eucharist, 4. Penance, 5. Extream Vnction, 6. Or­der, and 7. Matrimony: and yet the misterie of the great Apoc 17. Whore is called Sacramentum mulieris, and Saint Austine neuer knew any more, then two, Baptisme and the Lords Supper, that is out of Christs sides slowed water and blood, to which agrees Tertullian, Dionisius, Are [...]pagita, Chrisostom, [Page 23] Cyrill, Gregory, Cyprian, Rabanus, Pas [...]hasius: besides, it is absurde to thinke, that Marriage, Pri [...]sthood, and Penance were of one nature vnder the Law, and another vnder the Gospell.

Nauarrus in his Enchiridion, and Bellarmine in his Dis­courses Lib. 1. de Sacr­ [...]. 14. of the Sacraments, maintaine, that the Sacra­ments of the new Law both containe grace and conferre grace, Ex opere operato, which also may appeare by the Canons of the seauenth Session of Trent. But Lord, what absurdities must now follow? First, to attribute as much to Matrimony, Confirmation, and extreame Ʋnction, as to Baptisme, and the Lordes Supper. Secondly, What con­trarietie is this for Priestes to forsweare marriage, seeing it containeth grace, and worketh it. Thirdly, If grace be nothing else but Charitie, or a habit not distinct from it, how may Charitie be contayned in Oyle, or the rites of Matrimony, or externall signes. Fourthly, Who can shew, or dare maintaine, that such as receiue their Popish Con­firmation, orders, extreame Vnction, or are married, are more iust, then they were before. Fiftly, Last of all God hath promised to worke by his Sacraments, but wee doe not reade, that euer he promised Iustification, or grace to married folke, or to such as are greased by extreame Vnction, or to any such, who with Bell [...]rmine and Canisius say, that Sacraments are onely externall signes, whereby it must needes follow, that Christs body and blood in the Eucharist are no Sacrament, because they appeare not to the eyes nor are apprehended by other sences.

By the effects of holy water sprinkling, and washing, the Papists hope to be clensed from sinnes, but the Home­robaptists among the Iewes were therefore reputed Here­tiques, as Epiphanius affirmeth; and the Prophets tell vs, that neither Cal [...]mus, nor thousands of riuers of Oyle, neither riuers, nor the whole Ocean can purge or purifie vs from our transgressions.

In those dayes, the Dositheans were reputed Heretiques, for affectation of Virginitie, and punishing their bodies. [Page 24] yet now the Papists are transported with another Doc­trine, yea, many others. For the Councell of Constance con­demned Iohn the 23. for denying the immortalitie of the soule; yet such is the corruption of nature, and impietie of Popes, Epicu­rean Phyloso­phers. Rome, that Alexander the 6. Leo the 10. Clement the 7. and diuers other Popes borrowed this Heresie from the Saddu­ces, or rather Epicurean Philos [...]phers, and blasphemed God in their repugnancy: yea that beastly opinion of the Ca­pernaites concerning the eating of the flesh of Christ really, was maintained by Pope Nicholas, in a certaine Chapter beginning; Ego Berergarius, &c.

If Simon Magus was detested by the Apostle for [...] money to buy the graces of the Spirit: What shall be­come of Papists in their Mart of Masses, Po [...]tsaile of Indul­gences, chaffring for Benefices, and selling all things for money, more execrably, then euer Iudas did Christ. As for that small account, or slighting the sinne of vsing common Women, hearken I pray you, what is recorded of Saint Austen; Docebat detestandam turpitudinem indiffe­renter vtendi faminis.

If you reade Ecclesiasticall Histories, you shall finde ma­ny Heretickes condemned for doing those thinges, where­in Heretickes. the Papists doe now transgresse, and inueigh against true Christians, for reputing their Doctrine loathsome. The Basileans by Irenaus were esteemed Heretickes for Images, Enchantments, and diuers superstiticus exorcizations. Carpocrates, and Marcellina one of his followers, adored the Images of Iesu, Paul, Homer, and Pythagoras: and who doth not know, what estimation George the Dragon-kil­ler, Saint Katherine, aed Papia haue in Europe? And the Marcosians were condemned for Baptizing in an vn­knowne Language, and annointing with Chrisme, &c. Witnesse all this, and much more Ireneus and Epiphanius, &c.

The Messalians were condemned for vsing much bab­ling, and multiplicitie of prayers: What thinke you then of the Papists Rosary, and certaine numbers of Creedes, A­ne [...], [Page 25] and Pater-nosters. The Angelikes and Caians inuoca­ted Angels, which Heresie proceeded from Simon Magus, and is disallowed of by Epiphanius, Tertullian, Austin, and others, and yet the Papists haue still a Masse in the honour of Angels. The Seuerians are traduced for forging of Mi­racles, and one Philumena accused for drawing a loase of bread out of a narrow mouthed glasse, but what is this to the Papists Legend? And how can Bellarmine make mira­cles Austin. c. 24. Haeres. a marke of the Church, or other Iesuites maintaine the notorious absurdities of Popery.

Now if it be thus, that these things are prooued against them, that infinite thousandes of errours, like so many Lo­custs in a filthy standing lake, increase to an vnsufferable fulsomnesse in the Church of Rome, that diuers reformed places haue yet cleansed themselues from their pollution, and that the true seruants of God doe daily rise, like the childe Daniel, to examine the hypocrisie and vnsauoury lust of the Iudges. O let no i [...]dicious men for any worldly respect whatsoeuer, come so neere the Chariot wheeles of this Strumpet, as to be dasht with the filth and durt, which it casteth vp: let the true ser [...]an [...] of God come out of Ba­bell. For questionles it will fall, and then whosoeuer shall presume of her strength, glory, and mightinesse, will bee pressed, and ouer-whelmed with her rubbish, if they tarry within: let all regenerate soules come to the pure streame of the Scriptures to drinke the waters of life, and not seeke the pudled filth and noysome lake of mens deuises and in­uentions, which must needes either choake with the mudde of superstition, or poyson with the venome and mixture of vnequall impositions. As for pollicie, tempo­rizing, making leagues, ciuill honestie, and such like for­bearances, with so great an aduersary to Christ. Why should not the Iewes vse the language of Canaan? Why did Iosuah tell the people, he and his house would serue God? Why did Iob cry out, though thou kill me, I will not for­sake thee? Why did Elias and Micha proue Antagonists to foure hundred false Prophets? Why did Amos oppose [Page 26] Amasiah? Why did all the Prophets stand in the gappe a­gainst the corruption of time, and the mayne currant of the world? Why did Christ weepe for the hardnesse of mens hearts, and call the Priestes, Pharises, Scribes, and Lawyers, hypocrites? Why did Paul confesse, that after the way they called Heresie, he serued the God of his fathers? Answere a Gods name, you that must answere before the iudgement throne of the Lambe: How comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruine, and Rome it selfe at last be destroyed, after the man of sinne is consumed with the breath of Gods nostrills? But we will yet goe forward. For there are more mustred Armies readie to march vpon them, and come to the charge, to their vtter ouer-throw and execution.

Shall I now name certaine blasphemies, and nefarious actions committed by the Popes themselues, and borne withall, or published in the Church of Rome; by which you may see, how this Inditement is vnanswerable, and there must needes follow a Iudgement of condemnation after the Arraignement.

Beno the Cardinall recites a story, that Gregory the 7. con­sulted Fearefull acti­ons of Popes. with his God in the Host, or the Eucharist; and be­cause he could receiue no answe of it against the Emperor, he threw the Sacrament into the fire: and Pius the fift, cast an Agnus De [...] into Tyber, and burnt another, as Hierome Ca­tena affirmes. Clement the 6. would haue men pray and cry to the Pope, Lord open thy treasure the fountaine of liuing Ch: Vnigenit. ext. water. Horatius Tursellinus in an Epistle to Peter Adobran­dini sayth, that God made the Virgin Mary as much as could be the companion of his Matestie, And Bernardine with Bonauenture, giue her power ouer her sonne, Iure ma­tris. Virgin Mary. In the Roman breu [...]ary, shee is called Dulcis amica Dei: and in the Missall of Sarum, the Sauiour of the world.

Bellarmine alloweth a saying of the Fryers to the Cruci­fixe, thou hast redeemed vs, thou hast reconciled vs to the Father.

The Turkes and Saracens honor the bookes of the Olde The Scrip­tures. [Page 27] Testament, but the Papists prophane the Scriptures. The Rhemists call it, a killing letter. Stapleton endeuors to proue, that all Heresies proceed from the Scriptures. Kellison sayth, that the Deuill doth wappe himselfe from toppe to toe in Scriptures. Turrian writing against Sadeel, calleth the Scriptures Delphicum gladium, an Instrument to all purpo­ses. Bellarmine accuseth them as imperfect and insufficient. Piggius and Eckius mis-termeth them a dead Letter. Cardi­nall Poole, an Incky Gospell. Montanus, a nose of Waxe. and many others, a Ship mans-hose.

Steuchus in his Treatise for the defence of Constantines donation, calleth the Pope a God; and the Abbot Panormi­tanus Blasphemies. expresly sayth, that Christ and the Pope haue but one Consistory. Iulius the second, vpon Easter day fought with the French at Rauenna. Gregory the 7. mustred his Armie a­gainst Henry the 4. on good Fryday, and thought to mur­ther the Emperour in Saint Maries Church, by throwing a stone vpon him from a vault. Sixtus the 4. euen at the eleua­tion of the Sacrament, endeuoured to kill Laurence and Iu­lian Volater [...]. de medices.

Although Leo the 10. called the Gospell a Fable, and the wicked and monstrous liues of the Popes were euer dis­couered: yet did the people fall downe like beastes before them, worshipping them as God: and Paulus Aemilius tel­leth, Lib. 2. how the Embassadors of Sicily cryed thus to the Pope; Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. To which purpose, Simon Begnius, Bishop of Mo­drusa, calleth Leo the 10. his Sauiour; and Stapleton writing to Gregory the 13. tearmeth him Supremum numen in terris, and these attributes follow; The vicar of Christ, the Mo­narch of the Church, the head, the spouse, the foundation of the Church: yea Thomas Waldenses flattereth Martin the 5. with Salua nos Domine, perimus; and Cornelius, Bishop of Be­fo [...]o in the conuenticle of Trent, calleth the Pope the light which came into the world.

But now if you would demand the reason of all these blasphemies, and filthy wickednes, it is apparant by a simile [Page 28] of bitter streames from sower springs: these things were Authors. Beno. Platina. Nauclecus. Theoderick. deuised and maintained by such men, as were branded in their liues for notorious and infamous liuers. Benet the 9. and Syluester the 2. gaue themselues to the Deuill. Twen­tie two Popes practised Magicke. Gregory the seauenth was condemned for a Negromantick at a Councell: and the Councell of Pise accused Gregory the 12. and Benet the 13. for wicked liuers. Alexander the 6. was an Atheist, that is, beleeued there was no God. Iohn the 22. in the Councell of Constance was conuinced for making question of the Re­surrection. Leo the 10. and Clement the 7. were also repu­ted Atheists: Paul the 3. consulted with the Deuill, and Iulius the 3. sayd, he would eat, [...] dispetto di Dio: yea Boc­cace in his second Nouell, bringeth in a Iew wondring how the Cittie of Rome ws kept from sincking to Hell, consi­dering the sinnes and abominations both of the Popes, the gouernment, and the people.

Here might properly be brought in certaine proofes and enlargements: 1. That Popery is a sinke of Heathenish Idolatry: 2. That their religion neuer came from true Ieru­salem: 3. That it was neuer taught by the Prophets, or A­postles: 4. That it was not knowne to auncient professed Emperours, and Christian Kinges: 5. That the auncient Brittaines were not conuerted to the now Popish religion. 6. That Popish religion is falsely called Catholicke: 7. That there were neuer such doctrine, and principles in the Pri­miti [...]e Church: 8. That it is repugnant to auncient Coun­cels: 9. That it is contrary to the Fathers of the Church: 10. That it was neuer testified by the blood of Christian Martyres, &c. But it would proue too great a mountaine of amasement, and be extended to a greater volume, then I propose, therefore I referre you to such sufficient authors as are euery where extant, for the good of all Christians.

The Masse by their owne confession was framed at s [...] ­uerall Popery a hu­mane deuise. times, and by diuers authors. For how euer the law of God was giuen at an instant, and the Gospell of Iesus Christ, with the doctrine of Christianitie, comprised in one [Page 29] volume, called the Testament, yet hath this sabricke of Po­pery beene many hundred yeares a framing, and the mate­rialls come into millions of handes, that had not time to this houre to dispatch the building, and couer the struc­ture. Thus Walafridus, Platina, Nauclerus, and others re­port: that Caelestine made the introit, Iudica me Deus: Da­masus added the confession: Gregory the Antiphona and Ki­rie eleeson: Telesphorus, gloria in excelsis: and Gelasius certaine clauses of the Orisons: Thomas Aquinas deuised the office on Corpus Christi day: but who contriued the Masses for S. Francis, S. Dominicke, and other late Saints, the Papists themselues cannot tell. The Psalter of our Lady was inuen­ted by Bonauenture. You see the Priests offer Christ for the sinnes of the quicke and dead, for sicke horses, and piggs, &c. I hope you all thinke this a deuise of man, and in no Scripture at all. Oh Iesus, didst thou spit, and salt, or light Candles in Baptisme? Didst thou vse any mimicke gestures when thou institutedst the Sacrament of thy Supper? Is it not a strange deuise, that no Priest may say Masse without water and fire? The worship of the Sacrament and the cu­stodie thereof in a Pixe was inuented by Honorius. What thinke you of Canonicall houres, and the reliques of Mar­tyres, who deuised them I pray you? All their Letanies and Prayers to Saints and Angells, yea, peraduenture to such as are gone to the Deuill, as the Heathen canonized such for Gods, as were lecherous and incestuous persons, were framed by sundry Popes and Fryers. The Popes tri­ple crowne, kneeling to the Crosse, and a thousand of o­ther trumper [...]es, were the excrements of hot braines, and men, who knew no better, or at least would not, then to increase their honor, and ambition, and wealth. The feast of Iubile was ordained by Boniface the 8. Corpus Christs by Clement the 5. Of our Ladies conception by Sixtus quartus, of her assumption by another; and all the rest of the cere­monies and superstitious rites by one wicked Pope or ly­ing Priest or other. For because Paul sayd, the rest I will set in order when I come, these men haue assumed to them­selues [Page 30] a power to deuise vnheard-of impieties, and yet as Physicians guild their bitter pills with some flourishing golden vertue; they stoppe all mens mouthes with order, and ordinances of the Church: but the Saints of God can tell them, that Ieroboams calues were erected by order. For the Text saith, the King called a councell: and the Statutes of Omri, with all the abominations of the Priestes, and Kinges of Israell were confirmed, and maintained by order; therefore order disordred may turne to confusion, and de­solation. And so I proceede.

Bernard of Luzenburg sheweth, how the Doctors of Popish deui­ses agree with Heathenish customes. Collen auerred, that Aristotle was the forerunner of Christ in naturalibus, as Iohn Baptist in diuinis, and that they would proue the distinction of the three persons in Trinitie by Philosophy. Gratian talking of diuers orders, and degrees in D [...]cretis dist. 21. the Roman Hierarchy, confesseth, that this difference was deduced from the Gentiles: Gregory the 1. writing to Meli­tus, permitted the English to build boothes in the day of the dedication of their Churches, and to kill Oxen for the Beda lib 1. cap. 30. prayse of God; and was not this the custome of the Pagans seruing Idols. Boniface the 4. consecrated the Church called Pantheon in Rome, where Cibele and all the Heathen gods were adored, to our Lady and all Saints, as if he would shew, that the worship of Saints must succeed in the place of Idols, and Heathen gods. Who knowes not, that the Priestes of the Gentiles did shaue their heades and beards, the Priestes of Baal launce themselues, the Priests of Cibele whippe themselues, and the Priests of Bell and the Dragon made the King beleeue, the Idoll did eat vp his prouision? and who sees not the Papists to i [...]stifie the imitation, and yet as the Lapwig runneth away with the shell on her head, they carry it with zeale, deuotion, and austeritie of pe­nance. Bellarmine, Thomas Aquinas, and others, proue the Popish Monarchy by the Gentiles gouernment: the seauen Sacraments by Philosophicall arguments, and that one bo­dy may be in many places at once by sophisticate principles. Is not the worship of Saints and Images a meere tricke of [Page 31] the Gentiles, and are not all the de [...]ises of adoration sprung from hellish [...]dolatrie? The temple of Romulus and Rhemus is now the Church of Saint Cosmas and Damianus, the tem­ple of Faunus is conuerted into the Church of S. Steuen, The temple of Iuno Cupra into the Chappel of our Lady of Loretto, where the altar stood dedicated to Apollo, is now one erected to Saint Iohn, & the Image of Brasse of Iupiter is now Saint Peters, as their antiquaries iustifie. There was one supreme God among the Gentiles, and many inferi­ors vnder him, so the Papists acknowledge one God in tearmes, but haue an hundred inferiors for euery action and disease: the burning of incense commeth from the Gentiles, and they assite Virgils testimony with other prets, the washing of hands, their skippings and turnings, their sacrifices with fire and water, their tunickes, Albes, and o­ther pompous ceremonies, their Purgatory and beliefe of good and bad Genius, their worship, of trees, stones, and fountaines with infinite other absurdities & abominations, are all the deuises of Gentils, and customes of Pagans: which if it be so, Answere a Gods name, you that must an­swer before the iudgement throne of the Lambe, how comes this about; if the Papacy shall not come to ruine, and Rome it selfe at last be destroyed, after Antichrist is disco­uered, and the man of sinne consumed with the breath of Gods nostrills?

I must beginne with a smile. For you cannot choose, Popery kee­peth Christi­ans in igno­rance. but laugh when you heare of the Colliers faith to beleeue, as the Church beleeues, though it was not knowne, what that beliefe was, the obscuring of the Scriptures, the inhi­bition of their reading, their praying in an vnknowne tongue, their not suffering men to dispute, their preaching of stories and tales without one word of edifing, their suppressing of religious bookes, and infinit other palpa­ble enormities, what are they any other, but instrumentes of Sathan to keepe vs in securitie, or Synens hands to rocke the Cradle of our frailtie, till wee fall a sleepe yea snort a­gaine in the Cimerian caue of darkenes, ignorance, and [Page 32] superstition. Oh harken for Gods sake what Historio­graphers write of ignorance, dulnes, and stupidity in spirituall affaires. Alphonsus a Castro lib. 1. de haeresi. sayth that diuers Popes were vtterly vnlearned. Lazier­dus Author Pla [...]. speaking of Gregory. 6. reciteth, that he caused another to be consecrated with him for saying Masse, because hee himselfe scarce knew a letter, but this matters not, for Ielium approues, that the Pope cannot be deposed for want of learning. Pope Zachary condemned Virgilius a Bishop of Germany as an heretike for saying, there were Antipodes. Paul the second was so vnlearned, that he determined them to bee Heretikes, that named the word Academy. Iohn Pe­cham in the Prouinciall constitution supposeth it [...]uff [...]cient for Priests either by themselues or substitutes, once a yeere, to tractate, or at the most euery quarter, of the ten Commandements, of the law, the twelue Articles, the two commandements of the Gospell, the seuen workes of mercy, the seuen deadly sins, the seuen vertues, and the seuen sacraments without curiositie, or putting it home to edifying & vses of the conscience. Durandus teacheth, that the two points of a Bishops Miter signifies the old and new Testament, but Lewis marcilius an Augustine Frier said that the stropps of the Miter, which the Bishop hangs at his backe did foreshew, that they neither vnderstood old nor new Testament. Aluarus Pelagius complaines, that the Bishops of Spaine committed thousands of soules to yong nouices, that were fitter to play with Apples and Peares; shall I name the Sermons of the Frier Menot, Maillard, Bromyard, and their fellowes, they were so full of ridiculous fables that the people went to Church to sport themselues in the hearing. The Germans of late complained to Adrian 6. that Bishops aduanced vnlear­ned ideots, vnfit, vilde, and ridiculous. It is well known, that many Priests and Friers could not say Masse, nor distinguish of dayes, but by the great letters; and all your Schoolemen and Inquisitors generally fill their studies with bookes of Rhetorike, stories, legends Decre­talls, [Page 33] Canons, Ciuell law and such trash. For is not stubble trash compared to the come [...] but neither Bible nor ex­positors of Scriptures, scarce a father or diuine author shall bee found amongst them, for in truth how euer now a daies they swell with the tumor and accent of great Schollership and learning, they are still for the most part illiterate, and ignorant, and that reputation they haue, proceedeth either from their auditors and disciples want of knowledge, or their Glosses, and tedious Cataloging of vncertaine authors, who handle curious questions, and at the best school-diuinitie.

Nouation cannot stand without Christian pollicie, nor Popery repug­nant to the lawes of na­ture and nati­ons. pollicie bee maintained without obseruation and perfor­mance of othes, promises, compacts, leagues and treaties of trade and commerce: yet you shall see, what either the scorne of Papist, negligence, presumption, equinocation, or one tricke or other hath done.

Formosus being deposed for-swore his Bishopricke, yet regarded not his oath, but resumed the same. In the life of Henry 4. Emperour, Gregory 7. was inuested Pope con­trarie to his oath. Paschall the second, solemnly swore to the Emperour being his prisoner, but at least subiect to his danger, that hee would keepe and religiously obserue the Articles set downe betweene them, bur hee proued so false & repugnant that after he had escaped, he rebelled and excommunicated the Emperour. Charles the French Theodori [...]k: King cha [...]geth Gregory 12. and Benedicke 13. of violation of their faith, and Om [...]phrius alleadgeth against Alexander 6. that hee was a delinquent in more then punicke perfidious­nes, Guicciardine speaking of Climent 7. sayth plainely [...]ra di poca s [...]de, Iulius, 2. Leo 10. and diuers others endeuored to proue, that the Pope was not bound by any oath, but he might both infring the same and incite others to disho­norable practises. Henry the 4. as Helmoldus complaines ac­cuseth the Pope for the rebellion of his subiects, and this by his instigation the tumults of Germany were raised, and the people set all in combustion vpon the Popes warrant [Page 34] and pardon, In the Counsell of Constance the Pope and his complices perswaded the Emperour to violate the safe conduct of Iohn Husse, whereupon that damnable position of fides non est consernanda cum hereticis, was ratified, and concluded; which if it bee so, what trust can bee secured of any contract or treatie, but still vpon aduantage the aduersary will breake out, and imitate the Panther who sheweth not her tallents, till the beasts be within her reach? Did they not of late dayes perswade the Emperour Charles 5. to breake with Luther▪ Paul the 3. in a Bull against Hen­ry 8. denounced them accursed, that would not infringe all oathes and alleageance either couenanted with the King, or his subiects. Eugen [...]us 4. was the cause or motiue that Ladislaus of Poland infringed his oth with the Turke. Innocentius the 3. blew vp that winde of rebellion against King Iohn. And Pius the first cursed heauen and earth, that he could thriue no better against Queene Elizabeth.

Gregoey 7. contrary to all the lawes of honor and nati­ons imprisoned the Emperors Embassadors, and another killed the Emperor Fredericks Embassadors, who brought good newes of the successe in Palestina. I will not name the Marquis of Montigni and Earle of Bergnes sent into Hesmoldus author. Spaine, who were put to death by the Inquisitors. Paschall 2. and his adherents armed the sonne against the father. Gregory 9. performed the like by Henry the sonne against Frederick 2. witnes Auentinus. Innocentius 3. confounded whole kinreds with intestine warre. Marius Belga affir­meth that Gregory 4. was the radical cause of Ludouicus Pius warres, when his children rebelled. But what say you to Alphousus Dias, that came post from Rome to haue his owne brother murthered for embracing the true reli­gion.

If I should goe forward in the discouery of all the errors, Heresies, and absurdities in Popish religion, I should loose my selfe in a labyrinth, wander in a wilder­nes, and though I were a good swimmer, yet proue like a man entangled in weedes ready to sincke without some [Page 35] charitable supportation: therefore I will cast vp no more earth vpon this banke, but referre you to other mens groundes, where you shall haue minds of all manner of mettalls, and so you may repaire to those furnaces, that trie gold from drosse, and s [...]ew you the puritie of Scrip­ture from the durt and filth of Poperie; onely one word concerning the authoritie and pretogatiue of Kings which the Popes haue endeuored to impaire and by all meanes to disanull.

Innocentius the 3. compareth the Pope to the Sunne and Popery prei [...] ­d [...]ceth the au­thoritie of Princes. the Emperour to the Moone, Cap. de maior, & obed: Clement the 5. in the Chap. Romani princip. auou [...]heth, that the Emperours haue submitted their [...]eades to the Bishop, and how they ought to take an oath of fealtie and obedience to the Pope. In the Chap. Pastoralis, the Pope determineth that by right of the papacy hee hath superioritie ouer the Empire, and that in the Vacancy▪ hee himselfe is Emperour. Boniface the 8. writing to the French King gaue him to vnderstand, that hee was the Popes subiect, Scire & Volu­mus &c. and therefore hee had two swordes to inuest and depose Kings, as well as the Keies to open and locke the dores of heauen. Iosephus Ʋ stanus, lib. de osculat. pedum Lib. 5. cap 6. de pontif Rom. Pontif. inferreth, that the Pope may depose the Emperour. In the Bull of Pius the 5. against Queene Elizabeth, the Pope dares presumptuously affirme, that hee is made a Prince and set ouer all nations and kingdomes to dissipate and spoile, to plant and to build &c. yea in the Iesuits new year 1594 doctrine Bella [...]mine saith, that the Pope hath power to change kingdomes, and to take from one to retribute to another. Chincard a Iesuite was hangd in Paris for writing diuers seditious positions concerning the Popes authority in disposing of the Crowne of France and transplanting it from the family of Burbon. William Rainold an English man vnder the name of Rosse doth in expresse tearmes defend the league against the French King: and affirmeth, that the right of all kingdomes is layed vpon the Popes foundati­on, wherevpon as in some sort you haue heard before, Gre­gory [Page 36] the 7. raised the wars of Germanie against Henry Empe­rour. Paschall 2. raised the son to rebell against the father, whereby hee was taken prisoner and so resigned, but yet the Pope prosecuted the sonne with as great hatred, as the father. Innocentius 2. went by force of armes to conquer Roger of Sicily, and had surely done it, if the sonne had not succored and assisted his father. Adrian 4. and Alexander 3. did so preuade against Frederick 1. that hee held the stirrop to the one, & was trod vpon by the other. Celes [...]in the 3. cast the crowne from the head of Henry the 6. with his foote. Innocent the 3. brought the Emperour [...]hilip and Otho to destruction. Gregory the 9. and Innocent the 4. furiously assaulted Frederike 2. with such soldiers, as had made a vow to fight against the Saracens. Iohn 22. Benet. 12. and Clement, 6. with implacable hatred prosecuted Lewis of Bauaria, for no other reason, but because hee tooke vp­on him the Imperiall diadem without the Popes consent. thus was Harold ouercome by the conqueror through the Popes curses, and King Iohn besides his other troubles lost all Normandy. How did Boniface 8. infest both Italy and Spaine, attempting to subi [...]gate Philip of France, & the house of Colonia and Italy? I will come no further, for euery man knowes our moderne stories, & that the Maiesty of Eng­land hath written a discourse against this Pontificeous vs [...]r­pation; is it not high time then to bring this man to the bar of Gods iudgement seate, & indite him of high trea­son against the glory & transcendent power of heauen, and for this intollerable pride against the Princes of the earth, who are the chiefe and absolute substitutes of God in their Kingdomes, and must answer in their stewardship for vn­fashionable mixtures, & vniustifiable diuiding their great­nes, with one, that hath nothing to doe with worldly en­combrances, or distributing inheritances, but rather should be an humbled minister of God, & a seruant indeed to dis­pence holy things to the people? therfore I wonder how the Papists in England seeing, hearing, and knowing this Anti­christian opposition to Gods truth and the gouernment of all [Page 37] Common welths can haue their hearts more hardned then stone (for the stones rent asunder at the Passion of Christ, when the lewes laughed their saluation to scorne) and their eares stopped worse then the adders with her taile, & will not hearken to this Inditement, nor allow of these vnan­swerable proofes, & vndeniable inferences. Answer a Gods name, yee that must answer before the iudgement throne of the Lambe, how comes this blockishnes and stupiditie, how, comes all this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruine, and Rome it selfe be destroyed after Antichrist is dis­couered, and the man of sin reuealed, whom God will con­sume with the breath of his nostrels? and thus much for my second Inditement.

The third Inditement of Antichrist for abusing the people with lying miracles.

I am glad I haue done with these tedious relations, and wonderfull proofes against the vsurpation of Antichrist, because I would make you glad too, and exh [...]lerate your sad hearts with a modest mirth, which must needes be raysed from these deuises of men, and lying miracles. But be not too forward, nor preiudicate against me in casting a­way the booke, as vnderualewing the same, as though you shall be acquainted with no other things then is in the Le­genda aurea, or Doctor Sheldons discouery of Popish miracles, or common Relations whereby you may say I know the stories already, for I hope I shall not name one of them, yet excite laughter by relating such particulars, as shall en­force your meditation, how the Deuill had no greater cun­ning, nor preuaileable ar [...]e then to support the Romish reli­gion by such palpable, grosse, filthy, and idle inuentions; or ma [...]o better iudgment or if you will infused grace, then to be seduced with absurditie, and impossibilitie, for what is there in this doctrine of Papistry more then in the poeti­call fiction of the Gods, the tales of Homer, Herodatus, Ouid, B [...]ocace and the rest, the cunning of crafty women, and false [Page 38] Priests and Prophets, who made an Art of morning diui­nation, prophesying, & calculating natiuities, the deceites of lying tongues, the presumption and bragging of in­chanters, and the ceremonies of Augurers, Pithonists, and Arts masters in incantations; against whom the Poets them­selues had many inuectiues, and condemned the Priests of that time, as we doe the Friers of this age: for which purpose I haue cited some few extracts of sufficient authors.

In another place.

In another place.

In another place the wicked woman takes vpon her to say. Metamorp.

In another place.

And in another place.

And in many other places the selfe same things are ob­iected against imposturing men in what art soeuer, as now the true Christian imputes to coosening Monkes & Friers; [Page 39] let the carnall Gospeller and lukewarme professor come out with piae fraudes neuer so much.

But to the purpose in hand.

They begin with Nero, whose bodie they will haue the Nero. Deuills to keepe after he had kild himselfe, whereby great harme, besides nocturnall terrours was done to the people; till by a Miracle of our Lord, the body was taken away, found farre of, and at last buried, whereby the firmament was quieted, and the fiendes departed.

They follow with a tale concerning Ʋespasian: they will Vespasian. haue Waspes to breede in his nose, but as soone as he be­leeued the history of Christ, or at least made them beleeue his conuersion, he was cured, and the nest fell away like a core, or if you will a combe full of holes.

Traian was a great enemy to Christians, as by his perse­cutions Traian. appeared: yet Saint Grego [...]y acquainted with many excellent things in his gouernment, prayed to our Lord to keepe his soule out of Hell; but receiuing no absolute an­swere, more then a tempest, he left it disputable amongst the Doctors, whether he be saued, or no, as it is of Sampson, Salomon, Origen, and others, of whom the Church of Rome disputeth Pro & Con, and as their passion leades them, vn­der-takes to deliuer out of Hell it selfe.

They tell a strange tale of Fabianus, Bishop of Rome, Fabianus. and a martyr, who was chosen by the descending of a white doue vpon him, and saying, thou shalt be Pope: wherein there is some probabilitie: For in the life of Ma­homet, it is recorded, that he made the people beleeue, that the holy Ghost vsed to appeare to him visibly, and acquaint him with the secrets of heauen, to countenance which im­posture, he had taught a doue indeede to come and take pease out of his eare, which he many times performed in the sight of the people.

They confesse, that Marcelinus was Pope: yet he offred Marcelinus. incense to Idols for feare of death: but at last he repented, and was a martyr: notwithstanding, for his offence his bo­dy lay three dayes v [...]buried, till by a vision of S. Peter and [Page 40] Marcelinus, it was allowed for sufficient penance, so at last it had the ceremonies of a mortyr.

About the time that the Saxons entred into England, they haue a miracle of the seauen sleepers, who were two hun­dred Seauen slee­pers. yeares in a caue, and then came abroad with strange discoueries; the Storie is much enlarged by them with their seuerall names, and we haue the play: and why may not this be true, considering Epimenides going to seeke his Fa­thers sheepe, tooke vp his resting place through the heat of the day in a caue, and there slept fiftie yeares without alte­ration of his bodie, either in constitution, or complexion.

Leo Tuscus was a Confessor, Martyr, and Pope, in which Leo Tuscus. time he was tempted by a woman, who would needs kisse him, but the holy man by no meanes consented to such immodestie: yet with much strugling shee kissed his hand, whether he would or no, whereupon he commanded it to be cut off, because no corrupt flesh should remaine about him; which when the people perceiued, they earnestly in­tercessed our Lady for him, and shee most mercifully resto­red it againe, as if a broken peece were to be cemented, and then he sayd Masse as before, and acknowledged our Lady his Sauiour.

What you call the Stonendy on Salibury-plaine (being in­deed Stonendy and Merlin. the monument of Aurclius Ambrose, from whom the towne of Amsbury tooke originall, and denomination) they will haue a deuise of Merlins, who brought them by miracle out of Ireland, from the hill Kian, called Giants Kar­rol, and so placed with wonderment, as you see them. This Merlin liued in the time of Vter Pendragon, and was as won­derfull in his actions, as his birth: he was they say the sonne of a Succubus, and Incubus, and performed strange things for the King: especially in imitation of the story of Iupiter and Mercury, who in the likenesse of Amphitrio lay with Alcumena, and so begat Hercules: he transhapt Ʋter the King into the Earles figure of Cornwall, and Vlfrie the cham­berlaine into Iordane his man, whereby he came into the castle of Tintagill, and accompanied the faire Igrena, and so the valiant Arthur was borne.

When S. Augustine preached at Rochester, the Saxons S. Austin. and Panimes derided him, and cast ray tailes vpon him, with the garbish of noysome fish: whereupon he prayed to God, that the children of Kent might be borne with tailes: and so to the terrour of the Inhabitants, and yet conuersion of many, it came to passe, as they foolishly beleeue.

When Oswald King of Northumberland was slaine by the Oswald. Saxons, they cut off his head, which they buried in the Ab­bey of Berdnay, whereupon he was consecrated a martyr, and our Lord for the confirmation of his sanctitie, caused many miracles to be done, both by him, and for him: which wrought so effectually in the hearts of the people, that they were soone conuerted to Christ; and beleeued in the holy Church.

Because Pasculus the Deacon Cardinall held against Sim­machus, Pasculus. with the faction of Laurentius to his death, there­fore he was put to the paines of Purgatory, and to keepe the bathes. This story is from Gregory in Dialogis, who ad­deth, tht it was visibly manifested to the people, who were thereby detayned in awe and obedience, and euer af­ter feared to offend the censure of the Church.

You shall reade, that Iohn the second Pope of Rome, had Pope Iohn 2. a great contention with Iustinian the Emperour, about the two natures of Christ, insomuch that the Emperour would needes enforce him to be of his opinion: but the valiant Bishop, moued with zeale and piet [...]e answered thus; I thought I had come to Iustinian a Christian Emperour, but sure I haue found Dioclesian a persecuting tyrant: at which wordes the Emperour fell downe on his knees, as Saul from his horse in his iourney to Damascus, acknowledging the power of the Church, and confessing, it was a miracle, for he had seene a strange vision.

Because Mauritius the Emperour in the latter end of his Mauritius. raigne contested with Saint Gregory, and would not ac­knowledge his holinesse for superiour: there appeared a man of Rome vnto him, clothed in a religious habit, yet [Page 42] holding a naked sword in his hand, and thus menaced him; Thou shalt be destroyed: whereupon Phocas taking ad­uantage of this Vision, or if you had [...]ather of a great con­spiracie and coniuration against him, opportunely made himselfe head of the Faction, and so bere [...]t him both of life and Empire.

After Gregory the great, succeeded Samianus, who pre­sumptuously Samianus. traduced the said Gregory for pride, and vain­glory, especially that his almes and liberalitie tended to os­tentation. Wherevpon followed some distemperature, and oppression of his best faculties, with a continuall suppositi­on, that Gregory did still haunt him, and rebuke him: which ended not without a Vision, in which he smote him on the head. This proued ominous, for vpon the conceit he presently sickned, and dyed; and so the Church made a story of it, that it was long of the blow, which Gregory gaue him.

You shall reade, that the Emperour and other Princes Heraclius. of Europe prospered in the recouery of Ierusalem, and so returned the holy Crosse thither againe, which when He­raclius of Constantinople vnderstood, he would needes make a iourney to Ierusalem, which must bee performed with great pride, pompe, and ostentation. But see the miracle; When he came to Ierusalem, and thought to make his en­trance into the Cittie with glorious magnificence, the gates shut themselues against him of their owne accord, and the more violent he was to enter, the more stronger and closer they kept themselues: till he bethought him­selfe of a contrary course, which was humiliation, and acknowledging of mercy, then did they open againe of themselues, and he was louingly receiued of the Bi­shops.

Deodans and Agatho were Popes, who healed Lepers with Healing of Lepers. kissing them; and performed many Cures without Salue, or Medicine: For so you reade, that the Apostles did the like by imposition of handes, &c.

In the daies of Martine the first Pope of Rome you shall Martine 1. read, that his enemies conspired his death, for which pur­pose they sent one Spartarius of Olympus to kill him, which in the time of his saying of Masse, and sacring the Host was reuealed: but see the miracle! As he approached neere him, he was strucke blind, whereby the Pope auoided the danger, and the Church increased in reputation.

The reuerend Beda became blind for age, and was ther­fore Beda. mocked and scoffed of the people, as the children called Elias bald pate: in which time of his contempt, and despight, they brought him to preach to a company of stones; he supposing they had beene men, went forward in his exhortation, and when he had finished, the stones spake vnto him, thanked him, and said, Amen venerabi­lis Beda.

Carolus Martelius to supply his wants in the warres, Carolus Martellus. bereaued many Churches of their Treasure, Chalices, and so impouerished the Clergy, by reason of which intrusion and exaction, when hee died, he was visibly carried into Hell, as they faine: to proue the truth whereof, Eucharius Bishop of Aurelian, as he was at his praiers saw him bo­dy and soule tormented in a locall place, which because many doubted of, and that an Angell could not reueale such a vision, the Abbot of S. Denis would needs run to his Sepulcher, and opening the chest found a huge Dra­gon in it, which leaped in his face, and made him a little afraid.

They also write of Leo the fourth, a Pope of Rome, Leo 4. a Pope. who going in Procession to Saint Peters Church, was surprised by his enemies, and in reuenge they cut out both tongue and eies: yet was our Lady so gracious vn­to him, that though he wanted the instruments, he had the f [...]culties of seeing and speaking.

The enmity was so great betweene Sergius and Formo­sus Sergius & [...]o [...] ­mosus. Popes of Rome, that Sergius cut off his head, and threw the body into Tiber, which was yet taken vp by cer­taine Fisher-men, and brought solemnly to Christian bu­riall. [Page 44] But see the wonder [...] no sooner came it into the Church, but all the Images of the Saints bowed downe, and made it reuerence.

It is a position in Papistry, neither to discouer any thing Benedict. 9. which may tend to the diminution of the Pontifi [...]ian glo­ry, nor to reueale any thing confessed, nor practise what may proue schismaticall against the Popes holinesse, nor in a word, neglect the superstitious care of their Church ceremonies: yet here they themselues tell a story of Bene­dictus the ninth, that hee was damned for his vitious life, and visibly seene tormented in Hell: yea such was the effi­cacy of the curse against him, that after death he appeared to the terrour of many in a most horrible shape and figure, his head and taile like an Asse, and his body like a Lions.

All men agree to the history of Edward surnamed the Ed. Confessor, that he was a religious Prince, and replenished with those excellent gifts of wisedome, and piety; but few men can iustifie that this was obserued in his life. As hee kneeled at Masse in the very instant of the eleuation of Christs body, he saw Swaine King of Denmarke drowned in the sea with all his army, at which hee so smiled, that at last it tended to a laughter; whereat the company won­dred, and were bold to demand, what the matter meant: wherupon he discouered the secret, & called certaine Earles to participate of the vision, amongst whom the Earle of Glocester saw the Bread turne apparantly into the likenesse of a young child. But to adde more truth to this miracle, the hangings in the Quier a [...] West minster consist of this sto­ry, and there you may see the conceit of the businesse. O the superstition of those daies, and palpable grosnesse of the Clergies collusion! This King gaue also his Signet for the loue of S^t. Iohn to a poore man, but see the wonder­full care and respect of the Apostle, hee sent it him ba [...]e againe in the belly of a fish, for when a goodly fish was presented to the King, as the Cooke dressed the same, the Kings Seale was found in the entrailes: others tell the sto­ry in this manner, that Saint Iohn tooke it so kindly be­ing [Page 45] now at Ierusalem, that he returned it backe againe by two pilgrimes, whom he posted into England in one night for the same purpose, so the ring was deliuered, and Saint Iohns commendation presented to the king.

Gregory the seuenth was Cardinall, and Legat in France Gregory 7. before he was Pope, where he so religiously proceeded a­gainst Simoniacks, that he called diuers to account (as we say) in foro publico: amongst whom a certaine Bishop by bribing and corrupting his accusers thought to escape: but Gregory knowing by reuelation the deceit, preuented it in this manner; he commanded him to say Gloria patri, if he had not abused the holy Ghost, which by no meanes he could doe, whereupon he was adiudged guiltie, and depriued of his Bishopricke. But see the mischiefe: after­wards he could say it well enough, and made them all wonder at the alteration.

I beleeue though you haue read many Chronicles, you William R [...]fus King. yet haue not read of this storie concerning the death of William Rufus, that a little before he was shot by Sir Walter Tirrell, he dreamed, he was let bloud, & in so great a quan­titie, that a streame of it leapt vp on high toward heauen, more than a hundred fathom, and the day was presently darkened as the night. Againe, a Monke of his house drea­med, that king William went into a Church with a great company of people, and amongst them all he tooke the Image of the Crucifix, and most shamefully rent it with his teeth, but the Crucifix meekly suffred all, till like a mad man he pulled the armes off, threw it vnder feet, and tram­pled vpon it in despight, had not a great fire come out of the Cruc [...]fix mouth, which preuented the king from com­mitting further outrage, and awaked the Monke. This dreame was with much adoe declared to the king, and his owne dreame with more adoe disputed vpon, and both the dreames made a matter of fearefull prediction, so that the conclusion extended to caution and premonition to his Maiestie, that there was sure some misfortune immi­nent ouer him.

Thomas Becket was one of the Popes champions, and Eng­lands Thomas Becket. traitors, of whose lies and miracles I am ashamed to wrice: for they will haue him turne a Capon into a Carpe, as he was at dinner in Rome on Saint Marks day, and when he was martyred, to heale the sicke, wounded, and luna­ticke, with the touch of his tombe and relickes: my author recounts two and twentie miracles done for his sake.

When Saint Bernard was canonized a Saint, and Saint ern [...]rd. consecrated in his shrine or chappell, his Abbot forbad him to doe any more miracles, because there came such a concourse of people, that he was notable to entertaine them nor willing to be so continually imploied: the like or much more is fathered vpon Simon de Momford Earle of Lei­cester, Momford. a notorious rebell against Henrie the third, but be­cause he went vnder the vmbrela of a good Common­wealths man, and maintainer of the liberties of Church, they inuented many a lie for him, that he might preserue his reputation after death, &c.

When Robert Bruise rebelled against Edward the first, he was proclaimed a traitor, and after taken and beheaded, yet did they hang vp his body in chaines: but there came so many deuils by night to torment it with hookes, that they were faine to watch it, guard it, and make fires about the place.

I cannot but enlage the storie of Thomas the good Earle Sir Simond Frizell. of Lancaster, one of the greatest subiects of the world, whom Edward the second most vnkindly put to death, and wherein they went along with his worthines, allow them the praises of their good report, but when they come to de­uices and superstitious conceits, I leaue them to their owne fallacies, and cannot choose but laugh at their fictions: for they not onely repute him a Martyr, but diuulge that ma­ny a miracle was shewne by him, or done for him. A [...] a The Earle of Lancaster. Priest restored to his sight, who had beene long blinde, by wiping his eies with the Altar cloth. A child drowned and found dead the third day in a well, was brought to his tombe, and not onely recouered by touching the defunct, [Page 47] but receiued life, which continued many yeeres. Diuers mad men and distracted women by leaning their heads only vpon his tombe, were restored to a temperature in their senses. A rich man of Gascoign: halfe dead and rotten on the one side, so that you might see his liuer, was blessed by his Tombe with vnusuall recouery: and many such like miracles were performed by him, whereupon the Spencers both prohibited the concourse of people, and ac­cesse to his Chappell.

I could name the rest, but these as the rest are the durty waters from a corrupt and puddled channell, and must both discouer the impiety of such a profession, and wic­kednesse of such Priests that will hang gew gawes and grosse deuices about the necke of religion, to make her seeme more gawdy, and a very puppet in the world: yet such was the pleasure of diuine Iustice to permit the Deuill to put on a cloake of sanctity to deceiue whole multitudes who were subiect to vanity: such the coherence of Scrip­ture, that Papistry should haue her Progresse, as you haue heard: and such was the deceit of men, that they were de­tained in ignorance, because they delighted in ceremonies rather than substance, in painted deuices and outward or­naments, rather than inward or spirituall worshipping of God, in fooleries to please the naturall man, rather than senselesse kneeling in vaine to the aire (as they would ex­cuse it) when men see no pourtraiture nor resemblance, and yet the Scripture saith, that Moses saw no image. Thus was sinne not onely multiplied in the world, but men for the hardnesse of their hearts detained in blind­nesse of superstition: thus these miseries fell vpon them for denying and abusing that purity of Christianity, which the Apostles established in the Primitiue Church, and thus God would be glorified in reseruing still a Church to him­selfe, and opening the eies of humbled soules, to see the paths of their saluation according to the praier of Christ, Father I thanke thee that thou hast reuealed thy will to babes and silly men, when the mighty, rich, and full were [Page 48] sent empty away, and the proud boasters of learning and knowledge excluded. But if you would bee acquainted with a wonder indeed, and see a miracle, obserue how this small graine of mustard seed, this handfull of Gods people, these despised creatures, this poore Church, this derided profession did in the end proue a flourishing tree, an Vniuersall Congregation, a magnified people, a migh­ty Monarchy, a glorified compan [...], so that (as you haue heard) the Kings of the earth haue laid downe their crownes before simple Preachers, who haue but come with the eccho of Christs voice: the Angells in heauen therefore sing Hal [...]luiahs, and the God of all hath a stone ready in his hand to strike Babel to confusion. Answer then a Gods name, you that must answer before the iudg­ment Throne of the Lambe: how comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruine, and Rome it selfe be destroi­ed, after Antichrist is discouered, and thus arraigned and in­dited, and the man of sinne reucaled by these lying mira­cles, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils.

But before I doe in arenam descendere, and play my Masters prise indeed, that is, strike all dead with the ven­geance of Gods iudgement against those that will not re­turne Isaiah 55. to the pure waters of life, and hearken to the Pro­phet, who bids them come and buy without money; I haue a little more to say, and some remainder of the for­mer account to make vp.

They talke of a great battell against the Turks, who year 1457 were ouercome by miracle: for a [...]ter some exorcisme of holy men, the Turkes fled crying, that a great army of Knights followed them, who seemed souldiers, but were indeed Angels. And why might not this bee done, as well as Elisha to shew his seruant a multitude of chario [...]s, 2 Kings. and horses, so that there was more with them, than against them.

They will haue a stone in Anglesey of that property, Anglesey. that how farre soeuer a man carries it in the day, it will re­turne [Page 49] of it selfe at night into the Iland: for triall where­of, Hugh of Shrewsbury in the time of Henry the first, bound it to another huge stone with iron chaines, and threw them into a deepe water, but in the morning the stone was found in Anglesey againe: afterward a Chu [...]le fastened it to his owne leg, but his thigh rotted, and the stone went away.

In the time of Theodosius the Emperor, Ʋ [...]gus king of The Picts and Sam. Andrew. Picts in Scotland, infested a great part of Brittanic, till at last they were beset with a formidable armie, and thought ve­rily to be destroyed: but Saint Andrew taking pittie vpon him, comforted him, and assured the victorie, if he would giue the third part of the land to the Church, which he solemnly ratified: so a crosse was aduanced in honour of Saint Andrew, and the armie marching forward with the Standard, the Brittons were amazed at such an vnlooked for returne and recouerie of their enemies, and the Picts most fortunatly preuailed.

I will not tell you, though my author doth, that Ire­land Saint Patr [...]t and Ireland. had as many venomous creatures, and noysome snakes, as other countries, vntill sanctus Patricius chased them away with his staffe: nor of their witches, which were turned into Hares, because they be common tales with sot [...]ish, ignorant, and superstitious people, both in Eng­land, Thessaly, Norway, and other countries: yea of mine owne knowledge in the Ilands of the Arches, the tale of Lucius Appuleius, or the golden Asse, is beleeued, and re­puted a truth. But this I will be bold to say, that the life of Saint Patrike is wel written in a good Latine phrase, and dedicated to that euer memorable Earle and worthy pat­terne of hospitalitie and honorable behauiour, the Earle of Clenricard: wherein are such strange things, and of that va­rietie, that neither Moses nor Christ came neere him for actiue imployment, if without pietie we may belecue that storie. As for S. Patriks Purgatorie, or the great lake of Vl­ster, as incredible things are reported of them, as of Saint Patrike himselfe. The storie is thus enlarged: A woman [Page 50] drawing or taking water out of a wel, and hearing her child crie, run to it for haste, and forgat to couer the same, which in the meane while swelled ouer so immeasurably, that it drowned all the countrey, but the maine reason was, be­cause the people were Sodomites, and God thus sent his vengeance vpon them.

In the sixth yeere of the reigne of Henrie the fourth, S [...]roope Arch­ [...]shop of Yo [...]ke. Scroope Archbishop of Yorke was executed for treason. He desired the hangman to giue him fiue strokes in remem­brance of Christs 5. wounds, which he performed accor­dingly: whereupon at the same instant, the king sitting at dinner had fiue strokes on the necke by a person inuisible, after which he proued a leper, for recouery whereof he de­termined a iourney to Icrusalem, but was preuented by sicknes, though his treasure & furniture of his houses were shipped, and so he died in the Abbey of Westminster in a chamber called Ierusalem: many strange miracles were performed for this Bishop.

Anno 36. of Henrie the eight, a Priest did pronounce at Pauls Crosse, and there confessed in publike, that he himselfe saying Masse pricked his finger and be-bloudied Alying Priest. the Corporas with the Altar clothes, purposing to make the people beleeue, that the host had bled miraculously, &c.

As it was in the time of Henrie the 6. about Ioan la pu­zil de dieu at Orleans, who was afterwards burnt for an im­posturing whore, by the Duke of Bedford at Roan: so fell it out with Elizabeth Barton a Nun, & holy Maid of Kent, whose miraculous lies are rather fearefull than ridiculous: Holy mai of Kent. for she not onely deceiued the Bishops, but brought her selfe with ten other to a lamentable Catastrophe. Looke Hall, Grafton, and diuers Chronicles.

I am almost wearie with wearying you in the discourse of these fopperies, but should wearie you and torment my selfe altogether to relate the like of other countries, not packed vp (as I told you before) in the Legenda Aurea, or Nauclerus, or Costerus, or other sufficient authours, who haue for the same purpose [...]raduced these wonderfull de­ceiuers, [Page 51] and papisticall cousening Priests, or if you will, in­cendiarie Iesuites, who still run at randome to seduce sim­ple people, and confound weake and easie beleeuing soules. Therefore I desist from further disturbance, and onely re­quest thus much from a poore afflicted spirit, and euery way vnfortunate man, (as we now in these times profanely abuse that Character) to tender your owne saluation by considering what a strange religion this is, and aboue all other in the world, agreeing and concurring with the re­uelation of Antichrist, especially in this point of signes, and wonders, and lying miracles, so that if this fall to my share, that am the meanest of a thousand, what can others doe, that haue Beniamins portion fiue times doubled: both concerning Scripture, Historie, Fathers, Knowledge, Iudgement, Eloquution, and other faculties. As for such as are yet willing to be deceiued, and hauing heard of that great dutie of perseuerance in holy matters, peruert it to obstinacie and pertinacitie in idolatrous superstition, I say no more, but answer a Gods name you that must answer before the iudgement throne of the Lambe; How comes this about? if the Papacy shall not come to ruine, and Rome it selfe be destroyed, seeing Antichrist is discouered and thus arraigned and indited, the man of sinne reuealed by these lying miracles, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils. And thus much for his indite­ment: now to his punishment and vtter extirpation.