ANTI-CHRIST Pointed and painted out in his true Colours. OR The Pope of Rome, proven to bee that Man of Sinne, and Sonne of Per­dition, fore-prophesied in Scripture. By the clear witnessing of Roman Catholicks themselues; Who lived and died in the Communion of that Church. For converting or convincing of anie Papist that is not wilfullie obdured.

DEUT. 32.31.

Even our enemies themselves being Iudges.

By WILLIAM GUILD, Doctor of Divinitie, and Preacher of GODS WORD.

Printed in Aberdene, by Iames Brown, 1655.

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND RELIGIOVS, ALEXANDER, LORD FORBES OF PETSLEGO.

Right Honorable, & Noble Lord,

IN the tyme of so great defe­ction frō the Trueth to Popery, within this Kingdom; and especiallie in these northern parts of late. If ever there was a necessitie layd upon the Lords Servants, To giue Warning from the Watch-tower,Ezek. 33▪3▪ as Ezekiell) spea­keth) [Page 6] and to blow the Trumpet,Iude 3. it is now: And, as the Apostle spea­keth,Act. 20.29. Earnestlie to contend for that Faith which was once delivered to the Saincts: Seing (as the Apostle Paull, in his tyme, did fore-warn the El­ders of Ephesus,) There are greevous Wolves, entred in amongst vs; not spa­ring the flock, Thes. 2.3. as also of our own selves mē ar arisēn speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after thē. And more particularly seeing that man of sinne & son of perdition, of whō he spea­keth, by his emissaries, with all sub­tilitie and sedulitie, is seeking to repare the breaches of that totte­ring Babell, which is near to her fall; by seeking with all deceave­ablenesse of vnrighteousnesse, (as the Apostle speaketh,) in them that perish to seduce vnstable soules:Thes. 2.10. and such who have not receaved the love of the Trueth, that they might bee sa­ved, that ther [...]fore through strong de­lusion [Page 7] they should believe a lie. Yet, notwithstanding, they shall not pre­vaile: For, howsoever,Rev. 13.11. that Beast spoken of in the Revelation, (whom all agree to bee that foretold Anti­christ,) by his false resembling of the horns of the Lamb, and preten­ding to bee CHRISTS Vicar, hath before tymes deceaved the inhabi­tants of the earth: and made them drunk with the wine of Whoorish Fornicatiō, (as Hose speaketh,) The spirit of whoredoms, Hoseae 4.12. causing them to erre. Yet now his lying mouth spea­king lyke the Dragon, is so well known to all GODS People that are come out of Babell, and follow the Lamb, that as the Apostle spea­keth concerning the Gospell, if it was hid, it was to them onlie that perish: Even so it may bee sayd in lyke manner; If in so clear a light of the Gospell, this bee hid from anie blinded papist, that poperie is Anti­christianisme, [Page 8] and the Pope that fore­told Antichrist, it is onlie to these who wilfullie continuing in their errour; appearinglie GOD hath de­stinated to destruction: and agaynst whom that sad threatning is de­nounced, (Rev. 14.10.) that they shall drink of the wine of the wrath of GOD; which is powred out without mixture into the Cup of His indignation, &c.

Seeing, therefore, of al Contra­versies between the Papists and Us, this is the chieffest; & of such con­sequence: That if we prove the Pope to bee Antichrist; Then all Poperie is overthrown, and all other Con­traversies between them and us, easilie decyded. The Pope & his in­fallibilie, beeing the Diana of Ephe­sus, 1. Sam. 5.4. ther Atlas, and Idoll Dagon, this Pillar of whose house being pulled down, the whole Fabrick, or Super­structure thereof falleth, as it did in [Page 9] Sampsons tyme: For,Iudge 16.29. then it will follow, that all Papists are limmes of Antichrist; and all Popish doctrines are Antichristian errors, opposite to the Trueth of CHRIST, and the Gospell. Therefore, for convin­cing the obstinate Papist, and con­verting the tractable. As also for establishing the wavering; and con­firming such as are rooted in the Trueth. I have taken pains, besyde clear Testimonies of Scripture, ad­duced heretofore, by manie worthie Servants of CHRIST, to prove the Point, in this short Treatise, by taking another course to my know­ledge, not taken hitherto by anie. That is, to evidence by the witnes­sing of Roman catholicks themselves, who lived and died in the Commu­nion of that Church. That the Pope is Antichrist, and that man of sinne, and sonne of perdition, fore-prophe­sied, by the Apostles, 2. Thessal▪ 2.3. [Page 10] And, that Beast spoken of by Iohn, Rev. 13.11. Whom the LORD shall consume with the Spirit of His Mouth; & abolish by the Brightnes of His Com­ming. That so, (as is sayd, Deut. 32.31.) Even our enemies being judges and as it was sayd to the wicked servant, Luke 19 22. Ex ore tuo, &c. Even so, out of the mouths of Ro­manists themselves, the Trueth here­by may bee established, and them­selves convinced.

Which pains that I have taken in this point, I have dedicated, to Your LORDSHIP, besyde other Mo­tives and Relation; Because of Your LORDSHIPS Known Religious Disposition & Love to the Trueth: The want wherof, is assigned by the Apostle, to bee the cause of that de­lusion of manie now adayes, and of their Apostasie from the Trueth: And which I may say is one of the greatest Evidences of GODS Love [Page 11] to You, and of the standing of Your Noble Familie; while as manie o­thers ar lyke Ionahs gourd fading and falling; Because of the want of that Love to the Trueth, and con­tempt of the Gospell: That is lyke that worm which was at the root thereof. In which Love of GOD, & His Trueth, and in joyning a Gospel lyfe, with a Gospell light; as Your Lordship groweth in years; that the LORD may lykewyse (as the Pro­phet speaketh,) Bee lyke Dew to You; and make You to grow in Grace as the Lillie; And, Hosea 14 5. to spreade Your Roots in the stabilitie thereof, lyke the Trees of Lebanon; shall bee ever the hear­tie Wish and Prayer, of

Your Lordships humble Servant in CHRIST, WILLIAM GUILD.

TO THE READER.

Christian & courteous Reader,

MArvell not, that after so ma­nie Worthies in CHRISTS Church, who have so largelie written of this Subject; That I should need anie more to put Pen to Paper in this particular. For, that which hath moved mee, is not onlie that these spoken of, have written partlie in Latin not vnderstood by all, & obvious to few. And, others that have written in English, have so copiouslie inlarged themselves by discourse therein; and are lykewyse rare here and in the hands of few. But, lykewyse my speciall Mo­tive hath bene the dayly increase of Po­perie almost, and the spreading it selfe everiewhere: Partlie, through these [Page 13] vnhappie differences in CHRISTS Church of late, within the three King­doms: And, partlie, through the sedu­litie of the masked Iesuites and Semi­narie Priests, who numerouslie now swarm everywher, upon the presumptiō of inpunitie, and lyke the Pharesees of old, do make Proselytes to themselves, in all parts. Which with griefe (I am sure) should zealouslie affect everie sound Professor. But, chieflie, Pastors, and such as have bene called to the ho­lie Ministerie, to give Warning from the Watch Tower: And, contend for the Faith once delyvered to the Saints: Against such disguysed wolves; com­ming in sheeps cloathing, to devour CHRISTS Flock. And, in particu­lar, to discover that Antichrist: And, let GODS People see who hee is: And▪ that these are his Emissaries, who seek so to seduce them. For, whose detection lykewyse, I have taken a course to my [Page 14] knowledge) not formerlie taken by anie: Both in respect of brevitie, and more easie perusall. As, lykewyse, for proving the Point, and everie parti­cular thereof, by vndenyble Testimo­nies; Writs, and Witnessing, of Roma­nists thēselves. Whereby is evidenced to anie not Prejudged, or Wilfullie Ob­dured, and Obstinate; that the Pope is that grand, Antichrist foreprophe­sied in Scripture: And, dare give a De­fyance to anie Priest or Papist, to in­stance anie other who-so-ever▪ to whom the whole Prophecies; and Properties▪ set down in Scripture, and in this subsequent Treatise; being collectivelie, and joyntlie taken; & as­sented by the Romanists themselves, doeth clearlie agree. Except onlie to the Pope. By which this being proven that hee is that Antichrist; It conse­quentlie followeth, That Popish do­ctrine, is Antichristianisme. And▪ [Page 15] that these who embrace the same, are Followers of Antichrist, and Drinks of that golden Cup, that is in the hand of that mysticall Whoore, full of Abhominations & Filthinesse of her Fornication: And, except they repent, and come out of Babell, as they are partakers of her sinnes: So they shall bee partakets of her plagues. And, one day, as is threatned, REVEL. 14.10. They shall drink of the wine of the Wrath of GOD; Which is powred out without mixture, in­to the Cup of His Indignation. Which I pray GOD, That everie one that is a Christian, may avoyd, and eschew.

A TABLE, Of the Contents of this Book.

  • CHAP. 1. THe Introduction to this Treatise, concerning Antichrist.
  • 2. That Antichrist is not one indi­vidual person, but a continued succession of manie.
  • 3. What manner of person Antichrist is; and how hee is described by Paull, 2. Thes­salon. 2.3. & proved to bee the Pope.
  • 4. How Antichrist is descrybed by Iohn, Revel. 9.
  • 5. How Antichrist is descrybed by Iohn, Revel. 13.11.
  • [Page 17] 6. How Antichrist is descrybed by Iohn, Revel. 17.11.12. &c. And, by all these places, proving the Pope to bee that Antichrist.
  • 7. Where Antichrist is to bee found; or his place in generall, 2. Thess. 2.4.
  • 8. Antichrists Seat, or his Place, in particular, proved to bee Rome, Re­vel. 17.9.
  • 9. Of the tyme when Antichrist should come, and bee revealed, 2. Thess. 2.7.8.
  • 10. Of the marks, wherby to know Antichrist. And, 1. Of his exorbitant and match­lesse pryde: In exalting himselfe, above all that is called god, 2. Thess▪ 2.4.
  • 11. Of Antichrists sitting in the Temple of god, as God: Showing him selfe, that: hee is god, 2. Thess. 2.4. And, of his names of Blaspemie. Revel. 17.3.
  • 12. Of the Popes not onlie equalling him­selfe with God▪ But also exalting him­selfe above God. Which is the hight of [Page 18] Antichristian pryde, and matchlesse impietie.
  • 13. Of Antichrists, or the Popes Idolatrie, and Spirituall whoredome, Rev. 17.6.
  • 14. Of Antichrists, or the Popes Bloodie Crueltie, Revel. 17.6.
  • 15. Of Antichrists, or the Popes Spirituall Merchandize, or Simonie, Rev. 18.13.
  • 16. Of Antichrists, or the Popes Lawlesse and most wicked lyfe, 2. Thess. 2.3.
  • 17. Of Antichrists, or the Popes and his Clergie, their feigned miracles, and lying wonders▪ 2. Thess▪ 2.9.
  • 18. Of the finall destruction of Antichrist; and ruine of that Papall Sea, Revel. 18.2. and 2. Thess. 2.8.

ANTI-CHRIST Pointed & painted out in his true Colours. OR The Pope of Rome, pro­ven to bee that Antichrist ▪ by the witnessing of Romanists themselves.
CHAP. I. The Introduction to this Treatiss, concerning Antichrist.

THE two greatest mis­takings in the world; & of greatest concern­ment; are the first of the obstinate Iew; the other, of the misled Christian. The one con­cerning the true MESSIAH CHRIST: The other, concerning his opposit An­tichrist, [Page 20] clear Prophecies of the Old Testament, so plainlie pointing out [...] the one; That it's a wonder, how the blynd Iew long ago should not have known CHRIST: And, no lesse playn praedi­ctions, & places of the New Testament, to the lyf painting out the other: That it is no lesse wonder, that seduced Christians so long, should not know who is that Antichrist. But, the lyke cause of such mislaking by both; Is, while the incre­dulous Iew, looked for a worldlie tempo­rall Monarch to come; Hee stood a­mongst the midst of them, who was the true SAVIOUR OF SOULES CHRIST, foretold by the Prophets: Even so while the seduced Christian looketh for an in­dividuall Antihrist, as yet onlie to come, of such a conceated Tribe, Nation, and Continuance, (as their Impostor's teach them.) In the mean tyme lykewyse, hee sitteth amongst the midst of them, as in the Temple of God▪ who is the De­stroyer of Souls Antichrist, foretold by the Apostles. So that the diversion of the eye from the right object; and not remarking what is present, to gaze ydle­lie, after a misconceated future, hath [Page 21] bene Satans policie, to make the Saviour of mankynd, unknown to the incredu­lous Iew; and is now the same to make that ABADDON, and Destroyer of Souls, unknown in lyke manner to the misled Christian.

But, will wee trace the footsteps of a revealed Way, and the Words of that E­vangelicall Prophecie; Forbidden to bee sealed up; but given to bee shown unto GODS Servants: And, whereof both sanctified Hearers [...]nd Readers,Rev. 22.10. are pro­nounced Blessed; wee shall clearlie see him to bee that Roman Antichrist: Pre­tending, notwithstanding, to bee Christs Vicar on earth: And, therefore, to bee horned, lyke the LAMB: But, if wee look to his mouth, or doctrine, wee shall fynd him to bee his main opposit; and, to speak lyke the Dragon.

Seing, then, that notwithstanding of the fals resemblance of the Lambs horns the blasphemous mouth of the Dragons Vicar, (rather than CHRISTS,) is so well known: And; that the retreat from mysticall Babylon, to holie IERUSALEM doth so clearlie sound. Seing, also, that, that whore and mother of whoredoms, [Page 22] is so clearlie discovered, is greatlie also deserted. And, at last, destroyed shall bee: And, as is sayd, REVEL. 16.12. The wa­ters of the great River Euphrates, is so much dryed vp; vpon which the Whore sitteth; which are Peoples, Rev. 17.15. and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues. Ierem. 51.33. And, that, (as the Prophet speaketh;) The tyme of Babell's Threshing is come: And yet a little while; and the tyme of her harvest shall come, when the LORD shall bring her down so, that her dust shall bee scraped from her: And, shee shall bee made lyke the top of a bare rock. My earnest wish, therefore, shall bee, That none bee so desperatelie mad, as to bee lyke Lots sonnes in law; Not to go out of Sodom, Rev. 11.8. (as shee is spirituallie called,) till by fyre and brimstone they bee consumed; nor, to abyde in Babell, after the call of evocation, to bee par­takers of her sinnes, till they receave of her plagues. But, as the wyse men followed the starre, till they found out CHRIST; that they might adore HIM. So that they being spirituallie wyse, may, in­lyke manner, follow the starre of GODS revealed Light: Whereby they may fynd out Antichrist: That so they may [Page 23] avoyd and abhorre him. By which (GOD willing,) they shall see both who hee is, and where hee is. Next, whence hee came, and when hee came. And, last, what are his marks, and whither hee goeth.

CHAP. II. That Antichrist is not one onlie indi­viduall person, but a continued suc­cession of manie,

FIrst, then, wee are to con­sider, that the name An­tichrist, as it is general­lie, or more largelie ta­ken; signifieth all that are anie wyse enemies to CHRIST, or the Trueth, as wee see it taken, 1. Ioh. 2.18. But, as it is taken more properlie and pe­culiarlie, or by way of eminēcy, it signi­fieth that man of sinne, and sonn [...] of perdi­tion: of whom the Apostle speaketh, 2. Théss. 2.3. Whom Iohn, also, Revel. 9.11. calleth that King, or Monarch over these Locusts, that came forth out of the [Page 24] smoak of the bottomlesse pit: And, Revel. 13.11. That Beast that arose out of the earth; horned lyke the Lamb: But speaking lyke the Dragon. And, whome all a­gree to be that Grand & fore-prophe­cied Antichrist. And, whom wee take not to bee anie one onlie individuall per­son; but a continued succession ef ma­nie. So that, when wee say, That the Pope is Antichrist. Wee mean not indi­viduallie; this or that Pope onlie: But, collectivelie, that the whole succession from Boniface the rhird; downwards is such: who about the year 607. obtayned from the Emperour Phocas; that Anti­christian Title,Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38. (as Gregorie calleth it,) Of Vniversall Bishop; or, Head of the Church. Which none of his Predeces­sours ever assumed. And, of whome the same Gregorie foretold, saying, The king of Pryde, is at hand, (meaning An­tichrist:) and, which is fearfull scarce to bee spoken, (sayeth hee;) an armie of priests, is prepared for him. So that here wee have who are the Locusts, of whom Iohn speaketh; and, who is their king over them, who is called ABAD­DON▪ and, who by a Popes own decla­ration [Page 25] is, to bee a Prince of Priests; as the Pope is styled.

And, seing this is a Principle; That the Pope can not erre: Especiallie, such a Pop [...], as Gregorie the Great, speaking de­finitivelie. Then, they must confesse, that Antichrist is come a thousand years ago. And, being a Prince of Priests; con­sequentlie, is a person Ecclesiasticall. Nei­ther is it vnusuall in Scripture, Ribera, in Apoc. 17. vers. 10. (sayeth their Iesuit Ribera,) that by one many a­lyke; and of the same incorporation, are sig­nified. Which hee proveth out of Matth. 22.11. Where by one man, manie are signified: and, out of Daniell, 7. and the Angels interpretatiō of the Ramme that hee saw having horns. Which Ramme, (sayeth the Angell, is the king of the Medes & Persians: Quibus verbis, (sayeth the Iesuit,) vt recte Hieronymus expo­suit, non hic aut ille Rex designatur; sed omnes reges Medorum atque Persarum sibi ordine succedentes, & quasi vnum corpus ef­ficientes: That is, by which words, as Ie­rom rightlie expoundeth, is designed; not this or that king: but, all the kings of the Medes and Persians; succeeding each one to another, in Order: And, [Page 26] making all up one bodie. Therefore, also,Aquin, in Apoc. sayeth Aquinas, accordinglie, that Antichrist is the whole bodie of such: And, not one man, so, also, speaketh the ordinar glosse, and Cardinall Hugo; cal­ling Antichrist the Vniverse, or whole succession of such. Yea, the Papists them­selves, when they say, That the Pope is the Vicar of CHRIST, and head of the Church. They mean not anie one Pope onlie: But, the whole succession of such, which they deryve from PETER.

Thus having shown, that Antichrist is not one onlie individuall person: but, a succession of manie. Wee come next, to consider, how hee is in holie Scrip­ture descrybed. And, before wee anie furder proceed, wee are to frame this irrefragable Argument, and playn De­monstration, thus:

Unto whom the Prophecies of holie Scripture, descrybing Antichrist, doe sole, and onlie agree, hee is that Grand Antichrist, foretold in the Scriptures. But, unto the Pope of Rome, the Prophe­cies of the holie Seripture, descrybing Antichrist, do sole and onlie agree.

Therefore, it followeth; That the [Page 27] Pope of Rome, is that Grand Antichrist, foretold in the Scriptures. The Major is undenyable, all the Controversie, ther­fore, is onlie in the probation of the Minor: which I shall (GOD willing) labour, to prove, by the Induction, of the Prophecies themselves: and, their Application, all of them, to the Pope. And, that being taken collectivelie or joyntlie, they are applyable to none else, but to him.

CHAP. III. What manner of person Antichrist is: and, how hee is described by Paul, 2. Thessalon. 2.3. and proved to bee the Pope.

FIrst▪ then; The Apostle Paull descryveth him, that hee shall bee the head of a falling away, or Apostasie, from the Fayth. For, so Bellar­min himselfe speaketh, saying; By this falling away, most rightlie, Bell. l. 3. de Pont c. §. ad postremū. may Antichrist be understood: For, he shall [Page 28] bee so an Apostate, that hee may bee called Apostasie himselfe Whence it followeth, That hee shall not bee (as the Papists fan­cie) an Obstinate Iew; who never pro­fessed the Christian Fayth. And, there­fore, can not bee sayd, to have made Apostasie from the Trueth thereof: But, an Apostate christian: Who still retay­ning the Christian name, shall notwith­standing make defection frō the Trueth of Christian doctrine. Therefore, say­eth Augustine, upon his resemblance of the hornes of the LAMB; Sub Nomine Christiano agnum praefert, Aug. him. 11. in A­pos. vt draconis vene­ua latentur infundat: That is; Under the Christian name, hee resembleth the LAMB, (sayth he,) that the more secret­lie hee may powre in the poison of the dragon. And, agayn, in the same place; Hee would not counterfit the lyknesse of the Lamb, (sayeth hee,) if hee did openlie speake agaynst him: But, doeth counter­fit Christianitie: That the more craftilie hee may deceave the simple. So, lykewyse, speaketh Origen, on Matth. 11.27. and others.

And, to make us the more clearly to know this Apostasie, whereof the Apostle [Page 29] speaketh,1. Tim. 4.1.3. hee instanceth two doctrines thereof; which hee calleth the doctrines of devils. Which the Pope, and his ad­herents doe teach: Thereby showing that of [...]im hee meaneth this Apostasie: To wit, the forbidding of marriage: Dist. 82. [...]. propo­suit. which under the name of uncleannesse, (con­trarie to GODS Word, calling it the Bed undefyled,) hee forbiddeth to the Cleargie: And, commanding, to abstaisn from meates, at certayn forbidden tymes as unlawfull, and for conscience sake,. Which in the contrarie, according to Chtistian libertie, GGD hath created, (sayeth the Scripture,) to bee receaved with thanks giving.

Where, lykewyse, it is to bee noted; That to show his deep dessembling, in opposing the Trueth of CHRIST, under the Christian name, it is sayd;1. Tim. 4.2. 2. Thess. 2 3. tha [...] hee shall speake lies in hypocrisie. And, therefore, getteth Iudas style, being cal­led the sonne of perdition: To show us, that as Iudas, was the chiefe ring-leader of those who came agaynst CHRIST. Yet, professing him selfe a Disciple of His; and saluting Him, Master, with a kisse. So is Antichrist, the chiefe ring-leader [Page 30] of these t hat are against Christs Trueth: Yet, professing him selfe a chiefe Disciple: Yea, CHRISTS owne Vi­car. Therefore: doeth their own fa­mous Florentine:Petraroha epist. 18. LIB. 1. e­pistol. re­rum seni­lium epist. Amico cui titulus, ca­lamitatem urbis Ro­mae descri­bit. And, so much extolled Petrarcha, say▪ what other is done conti­nuallie there, (to wit, at Rome,) by these enemies of CHRIST, and the Pharisees, of our times (says he) but like Iudas & the Roman Souldiers, whill they would seeme to worship Him, they sell Him, they crown him with thornes, they spit on Him, they mocke Him, they pearce Him, and of new they cru­cifie Him.

Next it is to be observed frō this same title common with Iudas which is given also to him, that he shal not only be a pro­fessor of the Christian name in hypocri­sie & by dissembling of unrighteousnes, but likewise (lyke Iudas) hee shall be a Preacher therof. Therefore sayth Hila­rie, Sub opinione falsae pietatis & specie e­vangelicae praedicationis, Hilar cō ­tra Aux­entium. Christo contrari [...]s erit, ut Dominus noster Iesus Christus dene­getur cum praedicari creditur, That is un­der the show of pietie and preaching of the Gospell, he shal be contrar to Christ, so that even then our Lord Iesus Christ [Page 31] shall be denyed, when it is beleeved that hee is preached. Therefore Rev. 9. Hee is called a fallen starre, whereupon sayth the Iesuit Ribera, Ex quo perspicitur prae­dicatorem aliquem magnum significari, Riberae in Apoc. 9. that is, whereby is evident that some great or eminent preacher is understood (says hee)

CHAP. IV. How Antichrist is described by the Apostle Iohn, Revel. 9.

THe Apostle Iohn doth lik­wise discribe Antichrist, REVEL. 9. to be a Staerre, and what is meaned by starres in the Revelation the first Chapter tells Re­vel. 1.16. To wit, Bishops & pastors of the Church, as the Iesuit Ribera upō that place acknowledgeth, and who is mea­ned by this Starre, ALFONSUS declareth saying, primae notae Episcopus, or an emi­nent Bishop. 2. He is called a fallen starr like Lucifer, therefore sayth their Lyr [...], Episcopus malus est, qui stelladicitur ratione officij. That is, he who is called this starre. [Page 32] Is a wicked Bishop, so called a starre by reason of his office. 3. Hee is said to bee a fallen starre from heaven to earth, that is, 1. From the puritie of heavenlie do­ctrine to that which savours onely of the earth, or humane invention & traditions, whereupon most points of of poperie ar grounded. 2. From a holy and heavenly disposition and seeking things aboue, to an earthlie disposition▪ affecting earthlie things, as riches, preferment, and Mo­narchik power & Iurisdiction, &c. Con­cerning which defection of the Roman Church, and the head thereof. Plati­na, the Pope's own Secretarie; in the lyfe of Marcellinus giveth this Testimo­nie; saying, Our Vices are come to that hight; that scarce there is anie place, left of obtaining Mercie at GODS Hands: For, how great is the Av [...]rice of Priests, (sayeth hee?) And, of these who are in highest place, (meaning the Pope;) Whas Lust? What Pomp, and Pryd? What Idle­nesse, and Ignorance of themselves; and, of TRUE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE? How little Religion? And, the little, that is rather Hypocricall, then true? 3. By fal­ling away from the Heaven, to the earth: [Page 33] is understood, His falling away from the true Church; (Which because of her heavenlie disposition, is so called in the Rev elation, in opposition to the earthlie sort: Called thereforethe earth; (as their Carthusian expoundeth.) So that, tho hee pretend to bee chieffe Pastor, and Head of the true Church. Hee is not so much as a true Member thereof: But, an Adversarie, and an Enemie thereto. Therefore, sayd Eberhardus, Archbishop of Salisburg of the Pope at an Imperiall dyat at Reinsburg, ANNO 1246. (as Aventin reporteth,) Sub Pontificis maxi­mi titulo & Pastoris pelle, lupum se [...]issi­mum, (nisi coeci sumus,) sentimus. Avent. [...]. 7. annal. Bojorum. p. 547. That is, Under the Tytle of Pope, or Chieffe Bishop; as under the Skin of a Shep­heard, wee feele (except wee bee blynd) a most cruell Wolffe. As, also, so spea­keth that noble PETRARCH, Vides enim non modo CHRISTI adversa­rium; Petrarch. epist. cui titulus ca­lamitatem vrbis Ro­manae de­plorat. p. 803. Sed quod est gravius, sub-CHRI­STI vexillo rebellantem CHRISTO, militantem Satanae, & CHRISTI San­guine tumidum. That is, Thou seest not onlie CHRISTS Adversarie, (mea­ning, the Pope,) but, which is more [Page 34] grievous to see, That under the Banner of Christian Profession, hee rebelleth agaynst CHRIST, fighteth for Sa­tan; and, is drunk with the blood of CHRIST:) To wit, in His Mem­bers.)

Next: Whereas hee claymeth, (as PETER'S Successour to have com­mitted to him the keyes of the King­dom of Heaven; the Apostle here sho­weth, That it is the key of the bottom­lesse pit, that is given to him, quia ei per­mittitur, (sayeth their own Lyra,) abu­ti potestate Episcopali. That is, Because it is permitted unto him, to abuse Episco­pall authoritie, or power. Which by the keyes is understood, in opening, or shut­ting; damning, or saving. Which power over the bottomlesse pit; who is hee that claymeth it so much, as the Pope? In throwing down to Hell, by his Thun­der-bolt of Excommunication, whom hee listeth; and, liberating Soules, out of his Hellish Purgatorie, whom hee pleaseth. So that as hee changeth his Station, and falleth from Heaven: So, hee loseth the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven: And, as hee becommeth the [Page 35] Angell of the Bottomlesse Pit; so sute­ablie he getteth the key thereof. And, from a Starre, which abefore, (while hee stood in his first Station▪ Vers. 11▪ as the Pri­mitive Bishops of Rome;) being now fallen by Apostasie, from the True Fayth,1. Tim. 4. (as the Apostle speaketh:) Hee becom­meth a Broacher of Darknesse: and, bringeth in both Errour and Ignorance, on the face of the Visible Church, as the Popish ordinarie glosse, and the Ie­suit Ribera expoundeth. And, therfore,Gloss. ord. in Rev. 9.2. & Ri­bera. is sayd to open the Bottomlesse Pit; which before by the preaching of the Gospell, in power & puritie was shut, (as it were,) Ignorance and Errour being thereby sup­prest. Out of which first proceedeth smoak: and out of the smoak, Locusts. Over whom hee becommeth a Sove­raign Head and Monarch. And, there­fore, (Vers. 11.) is called their king Abaddon, Appollyon: To show therby That first Ignorance and Errour, should bee brought in by him, in place of Know­ledge and Trueth. And, next; That Igno­rance and Errour, [...]red and brought forth the swarms of Locusts. Which Beda cal­leth the disciples of Antichrist: and, Lyra, [Page 36] ejus Sacerdotes & Ministros. That is, His Priests under him and ministers: Fol­lowing Pope Gregorie the first herein: Who declaring the Tytle of Vniversall Bishop, to be Antichristiā, propheticallie speaketh of his Successour, Boniface the third: who assumed that Tytle; saying, The king of Pryde, Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38. is at hand: and, which is fearfull to be spoken: An armie of Priests is prepared for him. The diverse Orders of whom; and, of the Popish Clergie, are here compared to Locusts: 1. Because of their swarming multitude. For which cause, the hudge armie of the Midia­nites, who infested Israell; are compa­red to them, Iudge 7.12. 2. Because of their devouring and eating up of everie Herb, Fruits of Trees; and eve­rie green thing, as wee see in that Plague of Egypt, Exod. 10.15. As the Romish Clergie, in lyke manner, haue inhanced to themselves, the best places & things in every land, where they didswarme. 3. They are verie busie still busing and leaping, from place to place: Even as Seminarie priests in lyke manner and Iesuits do, to advance and advantage themselves, and their Religion: And, lyke [Page 37] the old Pharisees, to make men their Proselits, the children of the Devill, se­ven tymes more than themselves. 4. As Locusts do most harm by their mouths: So do these Locusts by their false do­ctrine. 5. It is said, also, That power was given to these Locusts, as the power of Scorpions. Therefore, Vers. 10, It is sayd, That they have tayles lyke Scor­pions: and, their sting is in their tayle; whereby they hurt. By which tayles, are meant False doctrines: as wee see expoun­ded Isai. 9.15. Which are venemous, and infect poore soules. Therefore, sayeth their own Iesuit Ribera, Vulnera s [...]a & venenata infligunt. Riber [...], in Apoc. 9.3 That is; They sting with cruell, and venemous stin­ging. 6. And, this also, they doe, (say­eth hee,) Furtim & latenter. That is; Slighlie, and unperceaveablie, (as the Apostle speaketh,) By deceaveablenesse of unrighteousnesse: And, in a mysterie, lyke the envyous man, who did sow the Tares in the night. 7. Their stinging is not at first felt hurtfull: Because the same is in a sort pleasant: But, is found to bee thereafter paynfull, and deadlie: Even, so, is Popish doctrine, in death espe­ciallie, [Page 38] filling the hearts then of poore soules with doubtinges, terroures of conscience, and feare of Purgatorie, and the lyke: Which maketh them to bee f [...]ed therefrom; to bequeath such large Legacies for Soule-Masses and Diriges, &c. 8. The shape of these Lo­custs, are sayd, To bee lyke horses, pre­pared unto battell, denotating their for­ward, fearce, and furious oppositions; by all bloodie Plots, and Practises, agaynst the Trueth; as the poor Waldenses found, the Massacre of Paris can witnesse; and the intended Invincible Spanish Ar­mado, in 88. and English Pouder-treason, in 1605. 9. They had upon their heads. as it were, crownes; which their own Lyra expoundeth, To bee Tonsura cle­ricalis, propter quam, (sayeth hee,) ho­mines honorem illis deferunt. That is, Their shaven crowne; for the which, men have them in an honourable respect: And, wherehy is signfied,Rabanus Maurus, in institu­tione cle­ric. lib. 1. cap. 3., (sayeth their RA­BANUS MAURUS, and DURAND▪ in his Rationale divinorum.) That they are not onlie Priests, but Kings, and have a Royall Priesthood. 10. Their fa­ces, were as the faces of men: Showing [Page 39] their faire Pretences, and courteous hu­mane carriage: Through covetousnesse, (as PEYER speaketh,) With feigned words; making merchandize of soules. And,2. Pet. 2.3. therefore, also, are sayd, To have haire, lyke womens haire: Signifying thereby, their alluring wayes; to draw men, to their spirituall whoredome, and sensuall religion. Therefore, sayeth their own Iesuit, Ribera, Capilli ergo mulierum sig­nificant non solum eos humanitatem si­mulatoros esse▪ sed etiam blanditias, mulie­bribus similes adhibituros: That is▪ There­fore, their womens haire signifieth not only, that they shal counterfect humani­tie, But also, shall use alluring formes; like the in [...]ysings of womē. 11. But with­al it is said, that their teeth that are hid under this, are as the teeth of Lyons. Sig­nifying thereby either their crueltie a­gainst all their opposers as their own Ly­ra expoundeth, or their making a prey of such as they obtaine by their simulate humanitie & allurements, as experience hath taught of the Roman Clergie, and Iesuiticall sort especiallie, and as the A­postle foreprophecyed of such, who un­der pretence of long prayers should de­voure [Page 40] Widowes houses. 12. It is sayd of them that they had as it were Breast­plats of yron. Whereby (sayeth Bedae) is understood, Obdurata contra veritatē prae­cordia, that is their obdured hearts a­gainst the Truth, or as Andreas Cae­sariensis expoundeth, Quae obfirmatam no­tant duritiē, that is, which denotats their obfirmed induration, so that wee neede not to think it strange although in in so cleare convincing light we see them ob­dured in their errors. 13. They are said to have wings, signifying thereby not onely their sedulity, like the old Phari­sees compassing sea & land to make Pro­selits to themselves. But likewise their exalting and lifting up of themselves a­boue all others, as being the spirituall estate, and exeeming themselves from & aboue all Civill Iurisdiction. And last, IT IS said that they haue a KING over them, to show that the gover [...]ement un­der which they are, is Monarchicall, which Bellarmin proveth the papall to bee, and if we would know from a Car­dinals mouth who is this KING, Hugo Cardinalis telleth us that he is Antichrist, whose name is set down both in hebrew [Page 41] and greeke to be a destroyer, to showe that the LORD would haue him to bee knowne to be so, both to Iew & Gentile, that they may the better avoid him, and his craftie seduction; as our SAVIOURS Name is likewise set down in both these languages, to show that Hee is a Com­mon SAVIOUR to be embraced both by Iew and Gentile. And th [...]t this forena­med king of the [...]e Locusts is His maine opposite. [...] is called a destroyer (as the true KING of His Church is called a SAVIOUR.) 1. Because by his er­rors and Idolatrie he seeketh to destroy the Fayth, from which he hath made a­postacie, and the true Worship of GOD. 2. Because thereby he is also a destroyer of soules. 3. Because by his bloodie per­secution hee destroyeth the bodies of true Professours by fire and sword, as we see foreprophe [...]yed of him. Revel. 11.7. and therefore is said to bee Drunk with the blood of the Saints. REVEL. 17.6. And 4. He destroyeth and devoureth up mens goods, by his pardons, indulgencies, soule-masses, and making all things sell­able at Rome, as Aeneas Sylvius, Aen. Syl. Epist. Io­hanni Pe­riga [...]o. after­ward Pope Pius 2. testifieth, saying, Ther [Page 42] is nothing which the Court of Rome giveth without money, For the verie imposition of hands: and the gifts of the Holie Ghost are sold, neyther is the remission of sinnes bestow­ed vpon any without Money. Bap. Má­tuan de ca­lam. temp. As also Carmelite Frier Mantuan sayeth.

Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, saecra, coronae,
Ignes, thura, preces, coelū est venale, deus (que)

Now how agreeable [...]e all the former to the Pope and his clergie wee haue showne, and let any papist that breathes, showe the same can be so applyable to any other whom they call hereticks, and that they acknowledge or haue any one universallie over them: as king, and ex­ercising Ecclesiasticall Monarchicall go­vernement.

CHAP. V. How Antichrist is descrybed by Iohn, Revel. 13.11.

FIrst for our better infor­mation heerein, An­tichrist his first origi­nall, or manner of ris­ing, whence and how [Page 43] is set down to wit, as Revel. 13.1. The first beast there described (whereby the old Romam Empire is signifyed) is sayd to haue come out of the sea: that is, to haue risen to it greatnes by tumultuous warres, like stormie s [...]rges and waves of of the sea, and by Martiall atchievments. So the second beast, designing Antichrist by cōsent of all Interpreters & described verse 11. Is said to arise out of the earth, because 1. As the Iesuit Ribera expoun­deth, he shall arise from a verie small be­ginning to a great hight, as these things that from small seeds arise and grow out of the earth to be tall trees, which their own Franciscus Duarenus telleth us was the way of the Popes arising from Epis­copus unius urbis, Duarenus de Sacris ecclesiae ministeriis. to be Episcopus totius Or­bis; or Universall Bishop of the whole Church. 2. Hee is said to arise out of the earth, to show that as things that a­rise out of the earth, do rise and grow up unperceiveablie, ita vt crevisse non crescere cernimus, so should Antichrist arise piece and piece, working in a mysterie and by deceiveablenes of unrighteousnes.1. Tim▪ 4.3. which beganne in the seeds thereof in the Apo­stles tymes (as they declare and we may [Page 44] see COLOss. 2.) And as the tares which the envyous man did sow in the night tyme whill the servants were asleepe, did grow up to a good degree before they were espyed, so did Antichrist before hee was revealed and thereafter opposed. 3. This beast did arise out of the earth, as being hatched out of earthlie avarice & ambition, as Gregorie speaketh of Anti­christ, Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38. calling him therefore, The King of Pryde, who by usurping the title of Vniver­sall Bishop would exalt Himself like Luci­fer aboue all his fellow Angels, and who a­riseth out of the earth (sayeth their own Carthusian) that is (sayeth hee) Ex re­rum terrenarū opulentia, out of the aboun­dance of earthlie riches, wherewith that mysticall Whoore is so puft up, that shee is described so glorious, Revel. 17 4. and sayeth, I sitt as a Queene and shall see no sor­row.

Next seing that it is said that this beast is horned like the Lamb; but speaketh like the Dragon, Let us 1. see what is meaned hereby in generall, 2. What is to be [...]nderstood by these hornes in par­ticular. First then in generall hereby is showne that Antichrist is not an open & [Page 45] avowed, but a covered and disguysed e­nemy, like a Wolfe in sheeps cloathing, oppunging CHRIST and His Trueth not by force, but by fraud,2. Thess. 2 10. 2. Thess. 2 7. and all De­ceiveablenes of unrighteousnes speaking lyes in hypocrisie, Therfore Antichristianisme is called The mystery of iniquitie, where­upon the ordinare glosse sayeth, The im­pietie of Antichrist is mysticall, that is, cloaked under rhe name of godlienes, so that hee is a prime hypocrit, like Iudas after whom hee is called The sonn of per­dition, pretending himself to bee Dux foederis, that is, the prince of the Cove­nant, as Ierom calleth him,Hierom in Dan. 11. and conse­quentlie the Head of the Church, whill­as hee is the greatest opposer thereof, Neither could it be (sayeth Radulphus Fla­viacensis) that Antichrist should attayne unto Ecclesiasticall honours, in Levit. l. 18. cap. 1. apud Magde­burg. cent. 10. and (as the A­postle testifieth) sit in the Temple of GOD, that's the society of the Faithfull▪ & take the Chayre of honour, unlesse having first pre­tended a kind of conformitie with the Fayth­full, hee should deceive these of whom hee is to bee received. Next by the two bornes of the Lamb, whereby simple and un­sound Christians are deceived, are under­stood [Page 46] (sayeth their own Primasius & with him the ordinare glosse) the Two T [...]sta­ments, to wit, the Old and New which agree with the Lamb CHRIST, and which the beast shall attempt to usurp (as having au­thoritie over the Scriptures,) and coun­terfiting himself to be the Lamb (sayeth he) to wit, in power, as his Viccar upon earth, that so hee may (sayeth hee) invade the Lamb. to wit the more craf [...]ily. The Ie­suit Ribera also sayeth that by these two hornes is meaned, The beasts simulat meek­nes and holieres, (which the Pope also pre­tendeth being called his holines, and the servant of Gods servants, whill as hee is Lord of Lords. As likewise he is horned like the Lamb. (sayeth their ordinare glosse, because thereby hee will counterfit himself to haue innocencie of lyfe (preten­ding chastitie,) and true doctrine, (preten­ding infallibilitie. (Others also under­stand by these two hornes the Royall & Propheticall Offices of CHRIST. Which as CHRISTS Viccar the Pope doeth claime, as to be sole Monarch, and the infallible DOCTOR of the Church, and as Platina the Pops Secretarie repor­teth in the life of Paull the second that he [Page 47] said, that all Lawes were placed in the Cabi­net of his breast, so that what he determi­neth, all flesh must yeeld unto.

But it is said, that he is horned like the Lamb, whereby hee deceiveth many simple soules, yet he may be knowne by this, that hee speaketh like the Dragon, to wit, by his erronious doctrine clearlie opposite to what CHRIST speaketh in his holie Scriptures, as may be instan­ced almost in all the points of poperie, likewise (sayeth Ierom of Antichrist) Quasi Deus loquetur, Hierom. in Dan. 11. vt qui Dei assumit potentiam, that is, hee shall speak as if hee were GOD, as taking upon him divine authoritie or power, to wit, that he can­not erre, and againe in the same place, Religionem omnem suae subijcere potestati co­nabitur, (sayeth hee) that is he shall at­tempt to subject al Religion to his pow­er, yea more, augere tentabit (sayeth hee) Sacramenta Ecclesiae, that is he shall aug­ment the number of the sacraments of the Church, to wit, his fyve bastard sa­craments, all which that the Pope doth, none can be so impudent, as to deny. For how he subjects al Religion to him­self, let Cardinall Cusanus declare,Card. de Casa ep. 2 & 3. ad bohenos. who [Page 48] affirmeth that according to times and occa­sions hee may change the sense of Scripture, and when His sense or the Churches is changed, it is to be believetd that GOD chan­geth his Iudgement, which if this bee not the Dragons mouth. I know not what can bee it. In like-manner in the Popes Cannō Law,Dist 40. c. 6. si Pa­pa· ther it is said, that tho the Pope should leade in troups innumerable peo­ple after himself to hell. Hujus culpas re­darguere praesumat mortaliumnullus, quia cunctos ipse judicaturus, a nemine est judicā ­dus, that is, Let no mortall man notwith­standing presume to fynd fault with him because hee is to judge all men, but is to be judged by none: And if this againe be not the Dragons mouth; let a Pope him­self Gregorie the first declare,Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38. who spea­king of him, who should usurpe the An­tichristian tytle (as hee calleth it) of Uni­versall Bishope (Which the Pope now doeth) sayeth; Qui conabitur in culmen sin­gularitatis erumpere, vt & nulli subesse & solus omnibus praeesse videbitur, That is, who will strive to such a Hight of sin­gularitie, that he will be subject to none, and yet hee alone will bee aboue all o­thers;Card. Cu­san. lib. 2. cōcord. ec­cles. c. 34. Which Cardinall Cusan declareth [Page 49] to bee the right meaning of that tytle of Universall Bishope, which the Pope now assumeth, saying, that It importeth one to bee so Principall, as all others should be sub­ject to him, and hee to none. which made E­berhardus Archbishope of Salisburg like­wise in an imperiall dyat holden at Reins­burg, in the yeare, 1246.Avent [...] l. 7. ānal. Bojor. p. 54. As Aventin re­porteh, avowedly speaking of the Pope, to call him that Antichrist, saying, Perdi­tus ille homo quem Antichristum vocare so­lent, in cujus fronte blasphemiae nomen scrip­tum est; Deus sum, errare non possum, in templo Dei sedet ac longe lateque domina­tur, &c. That is, that man of perdition. whom they use to call Antichrist, in whose fore-head the name of Blasphe­mie is written, that is, I am God and can­not erre, he (I say) sits now in the Temple of GOD, (sayth he) & farre and wyde doeth raigne, And tho hee calleth himselfe the servant of servants; yet as if hee were GOD, (sayeth hee) Hee will bee Lord of Lords. Thus wee see how this apocalyp­tick & Antichristian beast speaketh like the dragon, of whose blasphemous & dra­gon mouth, we shal speak more herafter.

CHAP. VI. How Antichrist is described by Iohn, REVEL. 17.11.12. &c.

IN that place Antichrist is described by the Apo­stle, to be the last head or soveraign goverment which should raigne or rule over that Great Citie, Which in Iohn's dayes did raigne over the Kings of the earth, by which City Rome is understood by the consent of all,Bel. l. 2. De Pont. Rom. c. 2. For so sayth Bellarmin, Vrbs illa magna sedens super septem montes, & habens imperium super Reges terrae, Ro­ma est; That is, that great Citie, that fits on seven hills, and hath dominion over the Kings of the earth, is Rome: so like­wise sayeth the Iesuit Ribera, Ribera in apoc. 17.6 yea further, Hoc in nullam urbē aeque convenit ac in Ro­mam, That is, this cannot agree to no other towne or citie (sayeth hee) as to Rome.

By this great Citie then so situate and [Page 51] discribed, seing that it is granted that it is Rome; Wee are to consider, who is the the last head or soveraigne governement over the same, under which it shall go to utter ruine. (As wee see REVEL. 18.19. is foreprophecyed of her) and to showe this is the papacie, IT is showne unto us 1. By the origine and rysing thereof, to wit, that this head or soveraigne gover­nement over that citie should arise by the decay and fall of the old Romā empyre, and at the same time also, when by the same decay other Kings should arise to Monarchik Dignitie with her, which, verse 12. is called at one houre, as 1. Iohn 2.18.Verse 12. the last houre is taken for the last time: Neyther is it to bee understood that at one precise period of time, the papacy over Rome, and the rising of o­ther Kings should bee, whose kingdoms before were tributarie provinces onelie to the old Roman Empyre, but as Iohn's last houre includeth some ages, so this some difference of time, neither by ten Kings is a precise number of such to bee understood, but a definite number put for an indefinite, as we see usuall in scrip­ture Gen. 31.7. Numb. 14▪ 22. and as [Page 52] likewise BELLARMIN acknowledgeth.Bell. l. 3. De Rom. Pont. c. 8. Whence it is as sure that Antichrist is come, and not to come (as papists fancy) and hath the soveraigne governement over Rome, as it is visible to the whole World, that there are Kings now in the severall kingdomes of Europe, which be­fore were tributarie provinces onelie to the old Roman & now decayed Empire, seing that at one time he was to rise to his soveragnitie over Rome with them.

2. As it is showne unto us who shall be the last Head over Rome by the time of his rising to be so, when, even so it is showne unto us verse 8. Who he shall be by the place from which he ariseth, or whence, in these words; The beast that thou sawest was and is not, and (spea­king in the future) shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit, where first we must remember that by the beast in generall is understood in this prophecie the Ro­man Iurisdiction, whereof, the Apostle or rather the Angell maketh fo [...]re e­states. 1. That hee was, to wit, before Iohn's dayes in the person of fyve kings, that is severall sorts of governements, (as the Iesuit Ribera and others do expound) [Page 53] And which fyve, verse 10. are said to bee fallen, which were Kings, Consuls, De­cemuirs, Tribuns, and Dictators. 2. Is not (sayeth the Angell in Iohn's dayes) to wit, as before, under any of the former governements. 3. And yet is, to wit un­der the imperiall governement, which then stood, and therefore in the present time, is the sixt Head spoken of, verse 10. Whereof the angell sayeth, and one is. And 4. Speaking in the future and of the last sort of governement over that citie; hee sayeth, and shall ascend out of the Bottomlesse pit, &c. Where hee setteth down three things concerning the papall governement, 1. Whence it commeth. 2. The generall subjection thereto, and 3. The last totall ruine ther­of, and of Rome over which the same is chieflie exercised. First then hee sayeth that this beast or last Head shall ascend out of the bottomlesse pit, having refe­rence heerein to that fallen starre spoken of Chap. 9. Who verse 11. is called the Angell of the bottomlesse pit, agreed by all to be Antichrist, and expounded by Romanists themselves, (as I haue shown Chapter 4.) To bee some eminent [Page 54] Bishop, & who shal haue Monarchik so­veragnity, & therfore is called the King that shal be over the Locusts there de­scribed, which Beda calleth, the disciples of Antichrist, & Lyra, his priests over whom he is Prince, and Pope Gregorie calleth Th [...] Armie or swarme of Priests which were pre­pared for the King of Pride, who in his [...]yme was neere at hand, (a thousand yeares ago) as hee playnlie affirmeth.

2. The generall subjection that shall bee to this last Head, or sort of p [...]pall governement over Rome, is set down in these words. That they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder (whose names, are not written in the booke of life) when they behold the beast, Reference being had to that which is said Chap. 13.3. of the gene­rall subjection to the old Roman empire, That all the World wondered at the beast, which generall subjection also is set down verse 13. Where it is said, That the Kings, who received power as Kings at one houre with the beast, (meaning the Euro­pean kings) and (as verse 2.) Who had committed spirituall Fornication with the Whoore, being idolatrous, and having one minde with her, they should giue their power [Page 55] and strength unto the beast (as his secular arme) To make warre against the Lamb; That is, to persecute the professours of the Trueth of CHRIST, but at last The Lamb should overcome them, to wit, by conversion or eversion. And there­fore, 3. The last and totall ruine of Head and state under him is set down in these words (that as Antichrist is called The sonne of perdition 2. Thess. 2.3. So Hee should go into perdition.

Having thus spoken of the beast, as the eight and last Head of Rome (The seventh being that of the Gothes, which continued onelie 70 yeares, and there­fore is said verse 10. to continue but a short space.) The better yet to know him, wee haue to consider the mysterie of the woman that is born up and sup­ported by this beast, that is, by the papa­cie, which is the Roman Clergie, whom they call the Church or their Church­men. First then this is a woman, by which a Church is meaned, as wee see Revel. 12 1. 2. Shee is a Whoorish wo­man that is heere spoken of, like AHO­LAH and AHOLIBAH, or an Idola­trous Church. 3. As making the kings [Page 56] of the earth, and inhabitants thereof, drunk with the wine of her Fornication, and procuring, as hath beene said, such a generall subjection to her, Shee is a pretended catholick Church. 4. As a mother of Harlots, (as shee is called, v. 5.) Shee is a mother Church, and 5. my­sticall Babylon, which Iesuit Ribera and other Romanists expoundeth rightlie to be Rome, Shee is the Roman Church, all which being put together maketh up heer the cleare description of that Anti­christian Church, over which the Pope is Head and Monarch, which is, the Ro­mā, catholick, mother, Idolatrous church so much doted upon by seduced papists, and generallie submitted unto by them.

Out of which compleate description of Antichrist, let any papist under Hea­ven fynd out any other but the Pope, to whom the same in all points may bee ap­plyed, as being the eight head of sove­raigne authoritie over Rome, who arose thereto by the the decay of the Roman Empyre, and at the same time when o­thers arose to soveraigne authoritie with him, as kings over these Kingdomes which now they rule, and which before [Page 57] were tributarie provinces onelie to the Roman Empyre, & who claimeth a sup­preame ecclesiasticall authoritie over all priests and ecclesiasticall persons, as Uni­versall Bishope, and Monarch of the Church, and who also hath claimed and heeretofore obtained a generall subje­ction of all persons whatsoever to him and his sea (according to his decree ther­anent) as being head of the Roman Ca­tholick, mother Church,Extravag. Tit. 8. c. 1. unam sancta [...]. which hath de­pendance upon him and which he again supporteth by his pretended infallibility and power.

From all which former, wee therfore frame this argument; The eight head as governour, who now sits in Rome, and who arose at one time to soveraignitie over that Citie, when others arose to bee free kings over their kingdomes, which before were tributarie provinces to the old Roman Empire, (as all Histories re­cord) & hath procured all subjection of al persons to him & his sea, not by force, but by allurement, of a sensuall Religion, and like an intysing Whoore, hath made these that are subject to him to committ spirituall Fornication, which is idolatrie, [Page 58] and who also claimeth especiallie a su­preame ecclesiasticall authoritie over all priests and ecclesiasticall persons, as uni­versall Bishope, sole Monarch, and Head of the Romā Catholick mother church. This head I say described so by Iohn, is that grand Antichrist. But the Pope is such; Therefore he is that Grand Anti­christ. The major is scripture, expoun­ded as hath beene shown, by Romanists thēselves, & by evidence of histories. the minor likewise is cleare by fit applica­tion in all points, to the Pope, and ap­plyable to no other, and by his own un­denyable practise; Therefore the con­clusion inevitablie followeth.

CHAP. VII. Where Antichrist is to bee found; or his place in generall, 2 Thess. 2.4.

HAving thus seene who is Antichrist; Next we are to search and try where hee is, and first His place in generall. 2. in particular. First [Page 59] then as for his place in generall, Paull telleth us,2. Thess. 2▪ 4. That hee shall sit as GOD (pre­tending to be his Vice-gerent and usur­ping his power) in the Temple of GOD, by which not any one materiall Temple is to be understood, (as that of IERU­SALEM, which the papists fancie tha [...] Antichrist shall reedifye and which their own Pintus upon ISAIAH 25. [...]howes shal never be reedifyed.) But the Professour [...] of the Christiā Name in cōmon ar ther­by to be understood, which therefore haue the name of the Church,So also ex­poundeth Oecume­nius and Theophy­lact. and Auselmus in 2. Thess 2. sayeth thus, in mē tibꝰ christā nor [...] quo [...] seduces, qui fuerūe templ [...]m Dei. and as we see thē so called, (especiallie these who are truelie Christians.) 1. Cor. 3.16. & Ephes. 2.21. And therefore sayth Chri­sostome upon this place. 2 Th [...]ss 2.4. Se­debit in Templo DEI non eo quod est Hie­rosolymis, sed in Ecclesiis, That is hee shall sit in the Temple of GOD, not in that which is in IERUSALEM, but in the Churches, and what is meaned by these words of Sitting. Theodoret telleth us, (The Spirit of GOD using the same word that the papists use, speaking of the Pops raigne, saying, Sedittot annos, & calling Rome the Apostolicall Sea or Se­des Apostolica▪) Thus therefore sayeth [Page 60] Theodoret, Templum appellavit Ecclesias i [...] quibus primam sedem arripiet, That is, the Holie Ghost called the Churches the Temple, in which Antichrist shall usurpe the first seat or primacie. Thus also spea­keth Aquinas. Aquin. in 2. Thess. 2 4. Therefore it is expoun­ded (sayth hee) In templo DEI. Idest in Ecclesia, quia multi de Ecclesia eum accipient, vel secundum Augustinum, in templo DEI sedeat, idest, ut principetur & dominetur ta [...] ­quam ipse cum suis nunciis sit templū DEI, sicut CHRISTVS est cum suis. That is he shall sit in the temple of GOD, that is in the Church, because many that are of the Church shall receive him, or accor­ding to Aug [...]stin, he sits in the Temple of GOD, that is, the Prince or Monareh thereof, and hath Dominion therein, as if hee with his Cleargie were the church of GOD, as CHRIST is with His followers; So likewise speaketh the or­dinar glosse and Lyra upon this place, & the expresse words of Augustin are these Rectius putant latine dici, Aug. De civi [...]. D [...]i, l. 20 c. 19. sicut in graeco est. Non in Templo DEI, sed in Templū DEI sedeat, tanquam ipse sit Templum DEI quod est Ecclesia, sicut dicimus, sedit in amicum, idest, ut Amicus. That is, they think that [Page 61] more rightly it may bee said in the latin, as it is in the greeke, not in the Temple of GOD, but that Antichrist should sit as the Temple of GOD, that is, as if he were the Temple of GOD, which is his Church. Even as we say, hee sits for a Friend, that is as if hee were a friend, and (which tytle of the Church) we see that that the Pops parasits giveth unto him, calling him the Virtuall Church wherein onelie is infallibilitie.Rad. Ca­nonicꝰ fri­fingensis l. 2. c. 51. &c. Whereupon Rade­vicus a Roman channon, speaking of Pope Victor 2. sayeth thus, Ipse Anti­christi tempora prafigurans, usque adeo e­rectus est supra se, vt in Templo DEI sede­rit, ostendens se tanquam sit DEVS, & mul­ti abominationem desolationis stantem in loco sancto, non sine multa lachrymarum effusione corporis oculis inspexerunt. That is, he pre­figuring the tyme of Antichrist, was so farre exalted aboue himself, as that hee did sit in the Temple of GOD, showing himself as if he were GOD, and many did behold this abhomination of deso­lation standing in the Holie place, not without much effusion of tears, & which sitting of Antichrist as the vicar of Christ in the Church, (whose horns he resem­bleth, [Page 62] by a deceiveablenesse of unrigh­teousnes) did so seduce simple and un­sound Christians, that except by the Scriptures, hee could never otherwise bee knowne, nor his Dragon mouth per­ceived. Therefore sayeth Chrysostome, Haeresis impia quae est exercitus Antichristi, stabit in sanctis l [...]cis Ecclesiae, obtinens Eccle­sias vt si velit quis cognoscere quae sit vera Ecclesia, unde cognoscet similitudinis confu­sione, nisi tantummodo ex scripturis. That is, that wicked heresie, which is Anti­christs armie. shall stand in the holy pla­ces of rhe Church: pretending that they are the Church; so as if any would know what is the true Church. How or wher­by shall hee know this in so great a con­fusion of likenes, but allanerlie by the Scriptures?

From the former words then and ex­plication of them wee reason thus. He who sits in the Temple of GOD, that is, his Church, as GOD (His vice-ge­rent to wit, or vicar of CHRIST) and therefore usurpeth the first place and primacie therein, and as Monarch there­of who shall claime dominion over the same; Yea moreover, who shall sit in the [Page 63] Church as if he himself were the church (to wit, virtuall as they call him, and being onelie infallible) he I say who do­eth this is the grand Antichrist, But the Pope doeth this, Therefore hee is the grand Antichrist. The Major is Scrip­ture, expounded by fathers and Roma­nists thēselves, The minor is cleare like­wise by the Pops own claime & Bellar­mins doctrine of him. LIB. 2. de pont. Rom. cap. 12. and LIB. 2. d [...] Ecclesia, cap. 15.16. &c. Therefore the Con­clusion inevitablie followeth.

CHAP. VIII. Antichrists Seat, or his place in particular, Revel. 17.9. and 18. proved to be Rome.

AS for Antichrists seat or place in particular, It is described two wayes: REVEL. 17. First by the name of mysticall Baby­lon, verse 5. And there­after by the name of That great Citie▪ [Page 64] which in Iohn's dayes did raigne over the Kings of the Earth. Now that Rome is sig­nified by both these wee are to prove, & consequentlie, that Rome is the Seat of Antichrist; First then that by misticall Babylon, Rome is understood: resembling the Assyrian Babylon in pryde, Idolatrie, and filthynes; and especiallie in cruell persecution of the People of GOD. Wee have not onelie the testimonies of Fathers, as TERTULIAN, IEROM, AU­GUSTIN, AMBROSE, BEDA and OECU­MENIUS and especiallie IEROM writting to PAULINUS,Hier. ad Paul. Tō· 9. in LIB. didymi de Sp. Sancto in praef. ad finem. speaking thus of ROME▪ When I was in Babylon, (sayeth hee) and Lived an inhabitant of that Purple Whoore, I desired to treat some what of the holy Ghost, and to dedicate my worke to the Bishope of that Citie, and behold, the assemblie of the Pharisees There (meaning the Roman Cleargie) They cryed me down. And as for the testimonies of the fore-named Fa­thers. They ar to be found as followers, TERTULLIAN adversus Iudaeos, & LIB. 3. contra Matrimonium. AUGUSTIN de civitate DEI, LIB. 18. c. 2. AMBROSE in 2 Thess, 2. BEDA and OECUMENIUS in 1. Pet. cap. ult. out of which place [Page 65] by Peter's writing from Babylon which the Romanists themselves expound to be Rome, Lyra & Card. Ca­jetan in 1. Pet. 5.13. they would prove that Peter was a [...] Rome, for so Lyra and Cajetan ex­pound that place, as also Bellarmin and Baronius. Bell. De Rom. pont. l. 2.c. 2. Baron. an­nal. anno 43. Art▪ 17. Vieg [...] in Apoc. 17. Com. 1. Sect. 3. Ribera in Apoc. 17. num. 21. & 30. al­so, Bell. l. 3. de pont. Rom. c. 13 consesseth, per mer [...] ­tricem in­telligi Ro­mam. The Iesuit also Viega speaketh thus, Omnia quae in his capitibus de Baby­lone commemorantur, in Romam urbem ap­tissime quadrant; That is, all these things which are spoken of Babylon in these Chapters most fitlie agree to the City of Rome, Etiam quae erit tempore Antichristi; Even as it is to bee in the time of Anti­christ. The Iesuit Ribera likewise Arbi­tror ergo (quod Andreas Episcopus Caesareae, & Arethas in hujus libri Commentariis non­nullos sensisse testantur) Romam nomine Ba­bylonis designari, That is, I believe there­fore (that which ANDREVV also Bi­shope of Caesarea, and ARETHAS te­stifyeth that some others in their Com [...]mentaries upon this booke did [...]old) that by the name of Babylon, Rome is under­stood, and againe. Hui [...] conveniunt aptissi­me omnia quae de Babylone dicuntur in hoc libro, That is, all things that are spoken of Babylon in this book most fitlie agre­eth with Rome, which he proveth there­after [Page 66] by many Authorities and witnesses.

The onlie evasion that Romanists use is, that by Babylon, Rome is designed as it was Heathen in the dayes of NERO, and other heathen Empe­rours, or as it shall be in the end of the World under their fancied Antichrist yee to come, wherby as ever they grant that Rome is the proper seat of Antichrist. But to show their errour in the first, to wit, that it is not called Babylon as it was hea­then and under the old Roman Heathen Emperours, but under the Pops. First, Rome Heathen was under the sixt Head, which was imperiall governement, but Rome as it is described by Iohn, and to be the Seate of Antichrist, is under the last head which is papall governement. 2. Rome Heathen under imperiall governe­ment procured subjection of nations to her by force and martiall coaction, but Rome as shee is described by Iohn to be the Seate of Antichrist, and under papall governement procured subjection of na­tio [...]s to her by fraud and Whoorish al­lurements (as v. 4.) of craftie seduction. 3. Rome as the seate of Antichrist is de­scribed cōmitting spirituall fornication [Page 67] with the kings of the earth, who are cal­led, v. 12. the hornes of the Beast, to whome they giue their power, as his se­cular arme, to warre against the LAMB, by persecuting the saints of GOD His Martyr's: but when Rome was Heathen, these kings were not at all, for they were to rise a long time after Romes ceasing to be under the heathē Emperours. 4. Rome is described by Iohn as the Seate of Anti­christ, by way of prophecie, not what she was then in Iohns dayes, but what shee was after to be. And 5. Rome is descri­bed by Iohn under her eight or last head, (which I haue proven the Pope to bee) under whom she is to go to such utter ruine, as never any more to be inhabited, nor the light of a Candle to be seen in her, Where it is evident that this never yet befell to Rome Heathen under the old imperiall governement.R [...]vel. 18.21.22.23

Next, where they would alleadge, when the former evasion failieth them, that it is Rome, as it shall be in the end of the world, under the fancied Antichrist, yet to come. 1.Ribera in Apoc. 14, p. 446. (as hath bene said) here­by they confesse that Rome is the proper Seate of Antichrist. 2. If this were true, [Page 68] then the Beast spoken of should haue more Heads then eight, to wit, a nynth after the Papall governement; under which it is prophecied that it shall go to utter ruine, and so not to have a nynth head at all.Ribera in Apoc. 17. Num. 34. 3. The Iesuit Ribera sayeth of Rome, Si quando haec eadem fecerit, quae Iohannis tempore faciebat, iterum Babylon, vocabitur, That is, if Rome shall do these same things, which she did in Iohn's tym, then she shall justlie be called againe Ba­bylon, as she was before, and consequent­lie come to that utter ruine foreprophe­cied of her, Cap. 18.2. and 21. For it is manifest (sayeth hee) Quod peccata quae extremo tempore patrabit▪ Num. 46. omnino similia fu­tura iis quae fecit cum imperiū tenebant Im­peratores. That is, that the sinnes which she shall committ in the last times, shall be altogether alike with the sins which she committed when the Emperours of old did raigne over her. Now that she is guiltie of the same sins, and in a grea­ter measure; Let these ensuing Roma­nists themselves declare,Epist. 18. l. 1. 1. Their own famous Florentine, Arch-deane and cha­non Petrarch, who lived in the 1300 year of CHRIST, speaketh thus, Ecce [Page 69] jam oculis vides, jam manibus palpas, Epist. 18. l. 1. ep. re­rum seni­lium. ep­amico cu [...] titulus, ca­lamitaten [...] urbis Ro­mae descri­bi [...]. qualis est Babylon illa novissima, fervens, aestuans ob­seena, terribilis, &c. That is, behold now thou seeth with thy eyes, and feels with thy hands what a Citie this last spoken of Babylon is, hote burning in lust, fil­thie, and terrible, &c. Wherein what e­ver impietie (sayeth hee) or most wic­ked manners everie where, the whole World ever had or hath, thou shall fynd all accumulated there in one masse of impietie, and thereafter he sayeth; Yea, what other thing is done there, by the enemys of CHRIST, and Pharisees of our time, (to wit, the Roman cleargie) but like Iudas and the Roman Souldiers, while they would seeme to worship Him, they sell Him, they crowne Him with thornes, they spit on Him, they mock Him, they pierce Him, and of new they crucifie Him ▪ and then con­cluds thus▪ O Pudor, O Dolor, O Indigni [...]tas, talium hodie ur dicitur, est Rom [...]. Tha is, O sh [...]me, O griefe, O disgrace, for as hath beene said, of such persons consist­eth Rome at this day, and more particu­larlie speaking of the Pope he sayeth, Non Apostolicam sed predonis in morem videres, ne (que) signis virtutū ac miraculis, sed [...]ignis ca­strorum [Page 70] & miris instructum legionibus, quasi in has terra [...]non Petrū sed Hannibilē desti­ [...]asset, That is, where thou may see, not an Apostolicke man or successour, but one like a Robber, nor one Famous for signs of vertue or miracles, but for mili­tarie Ensigns and Armies mightilie fur­nished, as if he had not been appointed by CHRIST, to be a Successour to Peter, but rather against these land [...] to bee an­other Hanniball.

The next whom we produce is Platina the Pops owne Secretarie,Platina in vita Marcellin. who in the lyf of Pope Marcellin speaketh thus of the Roman Cleargie, Hi enim livore, super­bia, inimicitiis, odiis, inter se certantes, ty­rannidem potius quam Sacerdotium sapere videbantur, Christian [...] pietatis omnino obliti, [...]c divina mysteria potius prophanantes quā celebrantes, sed quid futurum nostra aetate aerbitramur, quum vitia nostra eo crevere u [...] vix apud DEVM miserecordiae locum nobis reliquerint? Tha [...] is, For these men by envy, pride, inimitie and hatred striving amongst themselves, did rather seeme to savour of tyrannie, then of Priesthood, being altogether forgetfull of Christian pietie, and rather prophaning holie my­steries, [Page 71] then celebrating them, but what think you will be the estate of things in our age to come? when our vices are grown to that hight, that they have left scarce any place with GOD, for mercy and forgivenes? & immediatlie thereaf­ter he sayeth, Quanta sit avaritia, & cor [...] maximê q [...]ireru [...] potiuntur, quanta libid [...] undique conquisita, quanta ambitio, & pom­pa, quanta superbia & desidia, quanta igno­ratio tum sui ipsius, tum doctrinae Christianae, quanta p [...]rvareligio, & s [...]mulata potius quā vera, quum corrupti mores vel in prophanis hominibus, quos seculares vocant, detestandi non attine [...] dicere, cum ipsi ita aperte & pa­lā peccent, a [...] s [...] inde laudem quaerere [...] ▪ That is, How great is the ava [...]ice of Priests, & chieflie of those, who are in highest place (meaning the Pope) What leacherie where ever it may bee exercised, what ambition and pomp, how greate pride & idlenes, how great ignorance both of themselves and of Christian doctrine, how little religion, and that rather Hy­pocriticall nor true, what great corrup­tion of manners, that even in prophane persons whom they call secular men were detestable, it belongeth not to [Page 72] speak, when as they sinne so openlie and in publick, as if by sinning so they were seeking praises to [...]hemselves. This made Nicolaus Clemangis in his book,Cap. 14. & 26. pag 64. & 65. De cor­rupto Ecclesiae statis, who was Arch-deane of Bajon, in the year 1400. to send Rome to that prophecie of Ezekiell, and in the two sisters AHOLAH and AHOLI [...]AH to reade her like guiltienes, and judgement to come upon her, and thereafter sayeth hee, F [...]c eorum vaticinia alio spectare, quid de tua Prophetia Iohannis scilicet in A­pocalipsi censes? an non illam saltem aliquae ex parte pertinere putas? Num pudorem ita cum sensu perdidis [...]i ut haec neges? Illā ergo i [...]tuer [...], & lege damnationem magnae Mere­tricis super aq [...]as multas sedentis, illic (que) tua facta praeclara contemplare & tuos fururos casus. That is, but let it be that the Pro­phecies of the Prophets look another way, what thinks thou of the prophecie of Iohn in the REVELATION that c [...]ncer­neth thy self? Doeth thou not think that in some part at least it belongeth to thee? Hath thou so farre lost shame & all feeling that thou dare deny the same, look therefore upon that prophecie, and reade the damnation of the great whoor [Page 73] that sitteth upon many waters, & in her behold they fyne deeds, and thy future fall; Therefore also said Bernard more particularlie, Bestia illa de Apocalypsi cui datum est os loqui blsphemias, & bellum ge­rere cum sanctis. Petri cathedram o [...]cupat, tanquam leo paratus ad praedam. Epist. 125. That is, that beast spoken of in the Reve­lation, to whom a mouth is given to speak blasphemies, and to make warr [...] against the saints, doeth now occupie Peters chay [...]e, as a lyon prepared for his prey.

By all which former famous testimo­nies of Romanists themselves, Wee see that Rome under papacie is presentlie, & hath beene long ago, that mysticall Ba­bylon, and great Whoore that siteth upō many waters, and who is that great City spoken of Revel. 17.18. And that shee is guiltie of no lesse sinnes, but rather greater, nor ever she was guiltie of in the time of the old Roman Emperours, both in the Head, and inferiour clergie, which made him to be long ago to be declared▪ and avowed to be Antichrist, Aventin l. 7. annal. Bojor. p. 547. & his cler­gie to be Ministers of Antichrist, as E­berhardus Archbishope of Salisburg in a [Page 74] solemne imperiall dyat at Reinsburg anno 1246. publickly professed. & as in ENG­LAND, anno 1340. A worthie gentleman Gefrey Chaucer, of woodstok & Elme es­quyre, Embassadour oftimes from king Edward the third to forraigne Princes, did plainlie expresse in his poeme of the plough-mans tale speaking first of the Pope himself thus;

CHRIST sent the poore to preach,
The royall rich Hee did not so,
Now dare no poore the people teach,
For Antichrist is all their foe.

And thereafter of his Clergie hee speaketh thus.

CHRITS Ministers clepen they beene
And rule all in robberie,
But Antichrist they serven cleane

Attyred in all tyrrannie. So speaketh also Bernard of the Roman Clergie, ser. 33. in CANTICA. Omnes amici & omnes inimici, Ministri sunt Christ [...] sed serviunt Antichristo; That is, All professe them­selves to be friends, but are all foe [...], they are called the servants of CHRIST, but they serue Antichrist.

From all the former wee agree thus▪ Misticall Babilon (called the whoore that [Page 75] siteth upon many waters) &c. Is the seat of Antichrist, as all do agree. But Rome under papacie is Misticall Babylon as hath beene proven by Romanists thē. selves. Therefore Rome, under papacie is the seat of Antichrist.

CHAP. IX. Of the tyme when Antichrist should come and be revealed, 2 Thess. 2 7 8

HAving spoken of the Place where Anti­christ is. We are next to enquire of the tym when he should come & be revealed, which the Apostle declareth to bee in these words When hee that letteth (speaking of his owne times) should be taken out of the way, 2. Thess. 2.7. and then that wicked man should be re­vealed, &c. To wit, Antichrists. Wherein wee have two things to consider. First, What the Apostle meaneth by him who did then lett or hinder Antichrists rising and revealing. 2. Whether he who then did lett be taken out of the way.

[Page 76] Bel. l. 3. de pont. Rō c. 5.First then Bellarmin acknowledgeth by the uniforme consent of Fathers, and of latter writers, that by him who did then lett, the old Roman Empire as it was then in it grandure and integritie, is understood; For who shall be taken out of the way, but the Roman state (sayth Tertul­lian) whose taking out of the way by the di­vision thereof amongst ten Kings shall bring in Antichrist, Tertul. de refur car­ [...]is. So also sayeth Ambrose, That after the decay of the Roman Empire, Paull sayeth that Antichrist shall appeare;in 2. Thess 2. Cyril Ca­techesi 16. So speaketh Cyrill, Ierom ad Algasiam, Oecumenius, Theophy [...]act, Sedulius, Pri­masius, & Auselmus upon that place of Paull, and m [...]re remarkable Chrisostome, who sayeth That when the Empyre shall be dissolved, hee shall seize upon the vacancie, and shall challenge to himself the rule or go­vernement both Humane and Divine, as Mantuan sayeth of the Pope, Ense potens gemino, &c. And as the Pope claimeth. Extrav. c. unam sanctam. Next, the same likewise doeth Romanists affirme, as Aquinas, Cajetan, Lyra and others upon this place of Paull.

It resteth then next to consider, If the [...]ld Roman Empire be taken out of the [Page 77] way (in so farre speciallie as it did lett Antichrists comeing or rising and appea­ring in his collours.) For probation whereof we haue a cloude of witnesses.

First Haymo a german Archbishope, who lived anno 800. writing upon this place sayeth, The Apostle showeth that our LORD shall not come to judgement, till first a decay be of the Roman Empyre, which wee now see fulfilled (sayeth hee) & that Antichrist doeth now appeare in the World, who shall kill the Martyrs of CHRIST; Lyra likewise upon the same words of Paull, sayth, That in his time (anno 1300) The whole Kingdomes of the World had al­readie revolted from the Roman Empire, de­nying subjection or tribute thereto. Aquinas in like manner upon these words sayeth thus, That it was a signe of CHRISTS comeing, to wit, the rule over all the World of the Roman Empire, so it is a signe of Anti­christs coming, to wit, the revolt of Coun­treyes frrm the Roman Empire, but (sayth hee) Countreyes haue long since revolted from the Roman Empyre, and now in place of of that temporall Monarchie hath succeeded one which is spirituall, into which the tempo­rall is changed, That is, in playner termes, [Page 78] that the Antichristian Monarchie fore­prophecied by Paull is in the place ther­of erected. Salmeron also the Iesuit (on 2. Thess. 2. disput. 2. sayeth, The Roman Empyre is long ago overthrowne and divided in many Kingdomes, and as it were (sayeth hee) altogether extinct. So that hee who is now called the Roman Emperour is but a very smallest shaddow (sayth he) of the old Em­pyre, in so farre as hee possesseth not the very City of Rome from which hee is styled Roman (sayeth hee.) The like doeth the Iesuits Iustinian, Viega, and A [...]osta affirme, commenting upon Paulls words, with Stapulensis and others.

The Author likewise of Fasciculus tem­ [...]orum; A Charter Monck showeth that this irrecoverable decay begane, anno, 639. So that now (sayeth hee) all the foure Monarchies are decayed and there rests none now but that of Antichrists. Which decay in like manner when it begane by the in­vasion of the Gothes and Vandall's and became thereafter divyded into so many Kingdomes, There Paulus Iouius in the beginning of his Historie declareth, and sayeth, That at that time, Potentia Caesarū [...]ato cessit, or, the old Romā Empire expi­red [Page 79] and (as it were) gaue up the ghost, (sayeth hee) where I cannot omitt, how that Bellarmin and others frō the greeke Article [...] and [...],Bell. l. 3. de pont. c. 2. that mā of sin, & son of perdition, would prove Antichrist to be an individuall person▪ & not collective or successive government of many, to whom I must for answer,2. Thess. 2 and 3. ask heere, whether doeth the like article v. 7. praefixed before [...], He who letelh, verse 7. denotat one individuall Roman Emperour who then lived and did lett, or acollective & successive government of many singular Emperours, who were to come one after another, till the abo­lishing thereof, which therefore in the preceeding verse is called [...].verse 6. And which I think no learned Romanist will haue face to deny.

Now, as for the revealing of this man of sinne, whereof Paull speaketh, There are two principall degrees; The first, when Boniface the third assumed to him­self the supremacie over the whole uni­versall Church, which he did when hee usurped the tytle of Vniversall Bishope & Head of the Church, which his prede­cessour Gregorie the first had declared to [Page 80] bee Antichristian, and that hee nor none of his predecessours had ever usurped the same, which was done about the yeare 607.

The second degree was when Boniface the eight (as their own author of Fascicu­lus temporm speaketh) In tantam arro­gantiam seipsum erexit, ut Dominum totius mundi se diceret, tam in t [...]mporalibus, quam in spiritualibus, That is, (sayeth hee) who exaltet [...] himself to that hight of pride▪ that he affirme [...] himself to bee the supreame Lord of the whole World, aswell in temporall as in things spiritual. Which is that proper mark of Antichrist, whereof the Apostle speaketh 2. Thess. 2.4. & which Gregorie also the first, setteth down in his moralls & expos [...]ō of Iob, 29. of whom also Platina the Pops Secretarie speaketh thus, Who endeavoureth (sayeth hee) more to strick with terrour, Empe­rours, Kings, Princes, Nations and People, then to promove Religion, and who attemp­ted as it pleased him, to give or take away Kingdomes, and to depose Kings from them or restore them to them. Sigeb. mo­nachꝰ Gēb lacen in Chr. anno 1088. Which is the Pops practise unto this day, and whereof their own Sigebert in his chronicle spea­keth [Page 81] thus, Haec novitas, non dicam Haeresis nondum in mundo pullular [...]. That is, be­fore this time, this noveltie, not to call it Haeresie, had not before that time sprung up in the World, which maketh this u­surpation of supremacie over Emperours and Kings by Gregorie the 7. (alias Hilde­brand) and Boniface the 8. his successour, after the Thousand yeare of GOD, to be esteemed the second degree of the re­vealing of Antichrist: Whence it was, that (as their own Aventin reporteh,Annal. B [...] jor. l. 5.) Plerique tunc Hildebrandum Antichristum esse praedicabant. That is, that sundrie did preach that Hildebrand was Antichrist, and under the tytle of CHRISTS vicar, did play the part of Antichrist▪ sitting in the Temple of GOD, and exalting himself a­boue all that is called GOD, as if hee were GOD: glorying also (said they) that he can­not erre, and what ever hee sayeth, that it is the Law of GOD. So that Omnes boni▪ aperti, justi, ingenui eo tempore Antichristi Regnū cepisse cernebant. That is, all good, playne, just, and ingenuous men, (sayth hee) saw that then beganne the King­dome of Antichrist. Wee hold then that Antichrist was come, and first revealed [Page 82] himself in Boniface the Third, and there­after came to his full growth and clearer revelation, in the person of Gregorie the 7. and his successours, Boniface the 8. and others, in whose time Platina reporteth that there was such a terrible Earth­quake that the like was never seene be­fore and a dreadfull Comet portending great calamity to come upon the World.

From all which former wee frame this argument, how soone as the Roman em­pyre (which did lett in Paul's time) was abolished and taken out of the way, then Antichrist was to come: and thereafter to be revealed. But the Roman Empyre which did lett in Paul's time, is manie ages agoe abolished, and taken out of the way: Therefore, many ages agoe Anti­christ is come, and revealed, and conse­quentlie is not yet to come, as the Pa­pists do fancie.

The major proposition is contained in scripture. 2. Thess. 2.7.8. Expounded to be the Roman Empire by the generall consent of Fathers and Romanists them­selves, the assumption likewise is clearly proven by a cloud of witnesses of Roma­nists themselves in like manner, there­fore [Page 83] the conclusion inevitablie follow­eth.

Having then seene 1. Who is Anti­christ, for his person. 2. Where he is, for place, & 3. When he was come, for time, Followeth now 4. How hee is to bee known by his marks, and first.

CHAH X. Of Antichrists exorbitant & match­lesse Pride, in exalting himself aboue all that is called GOD. 2. Thess. 2.4.

The first mark then wher­by the Scripture deseri­veth Antichrist to bee known, is his exorbi­tāt & matchless pride, For which Gregorie the first called him Rex superbiae, or the king of pride, and which pride the Apostle describeth in these words 2. Thess. 2.4. who opposeth & exalteth himself (sayth he) aboue all that is called GOD, that is, (as sayeth their own Carthusian) aboue al crea­tures, that are either reputed or for some singular eminencie are so called by participa­tion [Page 84] of name onlie, and not of essence; whom the Apostle 1. Cor. 8.5. distinguisheth in these who are either Earthlie or Heaven­lie, saying, For tho there be that are called gods whether in Heaven or upon Earth, &c. of which the earthly are princes, so cal­led Psal. 82.6. & the heavenly are angels so called, Psal. 97.7.

Extrav. l. 1. Tit. 8. [...]. unā san­ctam.Now to apply that the Pope exalteth himself aboue all Princes or Magistrates; that proud claime and decree of Boniface the 8. witnesseth: wherein he affirmeth that He is to judge al men, but is to be judged by none, and that all humane creature what­soever is to be subject to him under paine of damnation, and that he so farr exceedeth the Emperour, as the sun doth the moone; wher­upon (as hath beene said) the author of Fasciculus temporum. a charter Monck sayeth, That it was he tha [...] raised himself to such a hight of pride, as he called himself Lord of the whole World.

With this proud decree, so speaketh also his parasits,Rep [...]rt. Panor. tit. P apa. therefore sayeth Panor­mitan, The Pope (sayeth hee) Habet sub­ditas omnes creaturas, that is, he hath sub­ject to him all creatures, and none may decline, nor appeale from his Iurisdi­ction. [Page 85] Cardinall Turrecremata likewise speaketh thus,Turrecrē. l. 2. sum­mae c. 52. As CHRIST got Dominion from his Father (sayeth hee) aboue al prin­cipalities and powers, and over all creatures whatsoever that hath being, that all knees should bow to him▪ so hath he givē this ful do­mini [...] & power to Peter and his Successours.

Where I cannot omitt that which is related by that learned Italian, author of the historie of the Councell of TRENT.hist. of the councell of Trent. lib. 3. p. 395. who speaking of Paull the fourth, telleth That hee never spake with Ambassadours, but hee thundred in their ears, (sayeth hee▪) That he was aboue all Princes, and that hee would not that any of them should bee too homelie or familiar with him. That he could also change and dispose of Kingdomes, and was his successour who hath deposed Kings and Emperours, and did often repeat, for a begining of the authority exercised by him, that he had made Ireland a kingdome, and went on so farre (sayeth hee) that in con­sistorie, and at his table publicklie in the pre­sence of many; He said, he would not haue any prince for his Companion, but all sub­jects under this foot. (so he said, stricking it against the ground) as it is fitt, and as it is his will who hath built the Church, and hath placed them in this degree.

[Page 86]Yea not onelie will he haue kings and princes subject to him, and (as Platinae reporteth of Boniface the 8. as we haue showne) at his pleasure will depose them from their kingdomes,In praef. operis De principiis. Blondus Dist. 96. or repone them; but likewise he will haue them all to a­dore and worship him, as the supreame God on earth, (as Stapletoun and others style him. Therfore sayeth Blondus. Om­nes Principes orbis terrarum Po [...]tificem u [...] Deum summum adorant. That is, All the princes of the World adore the Pope as the most high GOD. Whence it is, that their Carmelit Frier Baptista Mantua­nus speaketh thus of him. Cujus vestigia adorant.

Caesar, & aurato vestititi murice Reges. Whence it is also that Stenchus speaking of the Emperour Constantins Donation of Rome to the Pope, sayeth, That at that tym Constantine adored the Pope as GOD. Pla­tina likewise in the life of Steven the se­cond telleth us how Pepin king of France at the Pops entrie within his bounds kis­sed his foot and adored him,Lib. 27. [...]ist. p. 5.7. and Paulus Iovius, speaking of Charles the fift his co­ronation at Rome, sayeth, That he religi­ous [...]ie kneeling, and grooflings having kissed [Page 87] his foot, he adored or worshipped the Pope, (by a religious adoration, as CHRISTS vicar upon earth.l. 7. c. 26. Baron an­anno 1191)

Ranulphus also in his polychronicon, and Baronius in his annal's, setteth down the manner of the Coronation of the Emperour Henrie son to Fredrick by Pop Celestin the third. That sitting in his pon­tificall Chayre, he held the imperiall Crown betweene his feet, and when the Emperour bowing his head lowlie had taken it up, and it was put upon his head▪ The Pope presentlie with his foot stric­king of the Crown, cast it down upon the ground in token that he had power, if he deserved, to depose him there from: and then the Cardinalls taking it up, set it agayne upon the Emperours Head, which made Matheus Parisiensis say of the forenamed Innocent,Math. pa­ris. in Io­hanne rege Angliae. that hee did know, and many wayes had learned by experience; Quod Papa super omnes mor­tales ambitiosus erat & superbus. That is, That the Pope beyound all mortall men was the most ambitious and proudest. As likewise made that worshipfull Gentle­man, and great poet in his time Gefrey Chaucer, of whom we spoke before,āno 1340 to [Page 88] say of the Pope, as head of the Roman Church. in his plow-mans tale.

Her head loveth all honour,
And to be worshipped in word & deed,
Kings mot to him kneell & cowr,
To the Apostles that Christ forebeed:
So seemeth hee aboue all.
And Christ aboue him nothing,
When he sitts in his stall.
Damneth & saveth as him think,
Such pride before God doth stink.

Yea not onelie is it enough that Empe­rours and Kings be subject unto him, & that he exalt himself aboue them, and that he make them kisse his foot, and kick off their Crowns off from their heads (tho he be the Emperour) but lyk­wise when he pleaseth, to treade upon their necks, as Abbas Vrspergensis repor­teth that Alexander the third, did to the Emperour Frederick at S. MARKS church in Venice. As also we haue it set down in the book of sacred Ceremonies,Fol. 26.35▪ & 41. That the Emperour or greatest Prince that is pre­sent at the Pops Coronation, is to carrie his trayne that day, to hold his stirrop at his leaping on and lighting: and if he go in litter, to carrie him on their shoulders, [Page 89] hold the basen to him, and bring in his first measse of meat. Whereof I may say, Is this the imitation of CHRISTS hu­militie which he recommended to His disciples? Or as Bernard sayd to Pope Eugenius, in the like case, did Peter so?l. 4. de cō ­sider. Ad Eugenium or played Paull such prancks? when hee was reprehending Eugenius for his pom­pous carriage and convoy, saying, Thou goeth in procession glistering with gold, and compast about with such a varietie of convoy, and by so doing what example getteth Christs sheep or edifying? If I durst say, (sayth he) it is the Divels pasture rather which they get, teaching them pride, nor Christs, and thou may see that all ecclesiasticall zeale is now hote, onlie for defending of worldlie dignitie (sayeth he) all men hunting after honour, but little or nothing after pietie. Thus you see how the Popes pride, & his Clergies was painted out in Bernards time neere 500. yeares agoe.

Next; let us see how the Pope exalteth himself aboue Angells, that are likewise called gods, Psal. 97.7.Roder. E­piscop. Za­morensi [...], l. 2. cap. 1. And first Rode­vicus a Popish Bishop who was Constable of the castle of S. ANGELO in his Book called Speculum vitae humanae sayeth That [Page 90] the Pope is ordayned to bee aboue not onelie humane but divine principalities, and not on­lie to rule mortall men, but immortalls, not onelie men▪ but Angells. After which hee applyeth to the Pope places of scripture which speake onlie of GOD, in IOB. That he is one, Ioh. 9.4. and there is not a second, and againe, Thou art mighty aboue the mightiest and wise in counsell, and elswhere in Scrip­ture, where it is sayd by the Prophet, to whō all power and dominion is given, & of whom David meaned, when he sayd he hath given him all power & dominion, & that all people and languages should be subject unto him. Of which blaphemous trash the reader may see more in the oration uttered before Pius the second, by the Deputies of Flo­rence, registrat by Antonius bishop of that Citie, as also in that of Iacobus Tecano Chamberlaine to Vrban the sixt, and Alvarez Pelagius Penitentiarie to Iohn the 22. As likewise in Augustinus tri­umphus, alias, de Ancona in his Booke De potestate Ecclesiae, dedicat to Iohn the 22. and thereafter to Gregorie the 13. Printed at Rome, 1582. With the Popes priviledge, and in Lancelotus Conradus his book of the same subject, approved by [Page 91] Pius the 4. And the Bishop of Bitonto in his Oration before the councell of Trent, with diverse others.

Next we see that he exalteth himself aboue Angells in respect, as Iohannes Fa­ber sayeth,Faber in Praef. he permitteth himself to bee adored, by religious adoration, as Paulus Iovius speaketh in the place before cited, which the Angell refused Revel. 22.9. because he was Iohn's fellow-servant, & yet the Pope hypocriticallie calleth him­self the servant of GODS servants; As also, wheras the Angells are only called holie, yet hee is called in the abstract, Holienesse it self.

Thirdlie, In the bull of Clement the sixt, in favours of these who should happen to die comming to his jubile, these were his words. Wee command the Angells to carrie their soules into Abrahams bosome which bull is extant, registrat in the trea­tise of Iohannes Phofferus Professour of divinitie in Friburg. DE MATERIA IN­DULGENTIARUM, anno 1472.

From all the which former, we frame this argument, hee who exalteh himself aboue all that is called GOD, is the Grand Antichrist, & man of sin, foretold [Page 92] of 2. Thess. 2.4. But the Pope doth this, as hath beene clearelie proven by Roma­nists themselves: Therefore the Pope is that Grand Antichrist and man of sinne,See also A ventin l. 7. ānal. p. 54. foretold of 2. Thess. 2.4.

CHAP. XI. Of Antichrists sitting in the Temple of GOD, as GOD, Showing him­self that he is GOD. 2. Thess. 2.4. And of his Names of blasphemie, Re­vel. 17.3.

HAving shown how An­tichrist exalteth him­self aboue all that is called GOD. Wee come next to his sit­ting as GOD, in the Temple of GOD, showing himself that he is GOD, as the Apostle speaketh, 2. Thess. 2.4. That is, so farre as any mor­tall man can in the hight of pride equall himself with GOD, which the Pope doeth 1. By usurping not only the Tytle of CHRISTS vicar upon earth, that [Page 93] is, as it is sayd of Moyses being to Aaron, in stead of GOD, Exod. 4.16. But also 2. In usurping blasphemouslie the verie name of GOD in the singular, which in the plurall onelie is communicated to Kings and Princes, Psal. 82.6. As it was written upon that Triumphall Arch at Rome.

Oraculo vocis mundi moderaris habenas,
Et merito in terris diceris esse Deus.

Therefore Panormitan calleth him Do­minus Deus noster Papa And of late Sta­pleton in the Dedicatorie Epistle of his Treatise De principiis Doctrin. Panor. [...]. per Vene­rabilem. Num. 2. & 4. f. 60. calleth Gregorie the 13. Supremum Numen in ter­ris, or the Supreame GOD upon earth, therefore sayth Frossardus in his fourth [...]ome and tenth Chapter, That as there is but One GOD in Heaven, so there is no rea­sen but there ought in like manner, to be but one god onelie upon earth, to wit, the Pope. Platina in vita Pauli 2. Wherefore, (as Platina recordeth) Pope Paull the second used to say, That hee had all Lawes in the cabinet of his owne breast, & could rescind or approve the actions of all mē [...] according to his pleasure. Whence also that worshipfull Gentleman forenamed Ge­frey Chaucer speaketh thus of the Pope [Page 94] in his tyme, in his Plow-mans tale.

And to Popes hest's such take more heed
Then to keepe Christs Commandement,
Of gold & silver mot be [...]is weed,
They hold him whole Omnipotent.

Whence it is likewise that their own Cas­sander of late sayth,Cass. de of­ficio pii vi ri, p. 792. excus. pa­risiis apvd Abraha­m [...]m Pa­card 1616 Pontificem vero Roma­num (quem Papam dicimus) tantum non Deum faciunt, ejusque authoritatem non modo supra totam Ecclesiam, sed supra ipsam scripturam divinam efferunt, & sententiam ejus divinis oraculis parem, imo infallibilem fidei regulam consti [...]nt. That is, They make the Roman Bishop, (whom wee call the Pope) little lesse nor GOD, & extolleth his authoritie not onelie aboue the whole Church, but also aboue the holie Scriptures (which is to be aboue GOD) and maketh his sentence or de­cree equall to the Oracles of GOD, (& consequentlie himself to bee equall to GOD,) yea to be the infallible Rule of Fayth.

3. Hee showeth Himself to be GOD, and sit as GOD in the Temple of GOD, whill as he usurpeth the other Tytles that are onelie proper to GOD, a [...]. 1. To be Head of the Church of GOD, [Page 95] as Bellarmin styleth him, ascribing that unto him with other tytles as followeth,Bel. l. 2. de pont. Roma. c. 31. & praef. de summo pō- Greg. l. 4. indict. ep- 36. which as it is contrar to holie scripture. 2. Cor. 11.2. Where CHRIST is cal­led the One and onely Husband of His Church, and consequentlie her onelie Head, so Gregorie the first calleth it A divelish usurpation, under pretence of humi­litie, by pride of a pompaticke tytle (sayeth hee) to attempt so the subjecting of Christs members to himself, as Head of the Church, quae omnia uni soli capiti cohaerent, (sayeth hee) That is, all which cohere to one onelie head thereof, to wit CHRIST, and againe writting to Iohn patriark of Constantinople who began first to usurpe the same, he sayeth If Paull eschewed that the members of the LORDS bodie should be particularlie subiected unto other heads beside CHRIST, altho they were Apostles, what will thou be able to answere at the strick Tryall of the last judgement to CHRIST the Head of His Vniversall Church, who preasseth by the tytle of Vniversall Bishope to subject all these his members unto thee as head? which wickednes (sayeth hee) what else is it but thereby to imita [...] him, to wit, Lucifer, who despysing the Legions of his [Page 96] follow Angels, joyned with him, in one societie; did attempt to mount above them to such a hight of singularity: That hee lyke­wyse, would bee vnder none; but hee alone would bee aboue all others: (which is, in­deed, to sit, as God, in the Temple of God.) And, therefore, such Style Gre­gorie declareth,Greg. l. 4. indict. Ep. 36. & 38. & l. 6. Ep. 30. & l. 7. ep. 30 to bee not onlie prowd and prophane; but also Antichristian. And which none of my Predecessours (sayeth hee,) Bishops of Rome, would ever consent to haue: Neither I my self, would consent thereto, for what were this, else but to lose the Fayth, (sayeth hee;) and, to make ship-wrack thereof

2. BELLERMINE styleth the Pope,l. 2. de pō. c. 31. The Husband of CHRISTS Church: contrarie to the place forecited, 2. Cor. 11.2, Of which sayeth BERNARD, to▪ Pope EUGENIUS; when hee had told,Ep. 137. That Christ is the onlie Hus­band of His Church: Wherefhre, (sayeth hee,) call not his Beloved Spouse Thyne, and challenge thou nothing as proper to thee over her. And, which Title their cano­nized AQUINAS, LYRA, & LOM­BARD; on 2. Cor. 11.2. showeth to bee proper onlie to CHRIST alone; and [Page 97] without blasphemie, is not communi­cable to anie.

3. Bellarmine, also,Praef. d [...] Rom. Pont. Greg. lib. 4. indict▪ Ep. 38. calleth the Pope Generall Father. A Title proper onlie to GOD: Therefore, sayeth Pope Gregorie to Iohn of Constantinople; who first at­tempted to usurp that Style. How wilt thou answer in the Day of that Terrible Ex­amination of CHRIST the Iudge; who is to come, who deserveth to bee called, not onlie Father, (sayeth hee,) but also, The Generall Father of all?

4. By the same Bellarmine, in the place forecited, hee is called That Corner Stone ▪ spoken of by Isai. cap. 28. proved, and precious; which Title to be onlie proper to CHRIST; and without grosse blasphemie, to bee communicable to none, these Romanists beareth witnesse: To wit, Hugo de S. Charo, Pintus, and Perusin, on this place, rendring these Reasons: 1. Because he, and hee onlie as a corner stone coupled together, both Iew and Gentile in one unitie of Fayth. 2. Hee is called PROVED, by the Pas­sion of His Crosse; which Hee onlie in­dured. 3. As, also, Hee is called PRE­CIOUS; In respect both of the Infinit [Page 98] Worth and Excellencie of His Person; being GOD and MAN: As lyke­wyse, by the Merit of His Sufferinges, whereby the world is redeemed.

Hee was called, That Light that came into the World: And, which the World re­ceaved not by Cornelius Mùs, Bishop of Bitonto, in a publick Oration, before the Councell of Trent; which is extant, and printed at Rome in Platea Parionis: which is spoken (Iohn 1.9.) onlie of CHRIST. And, which Tytle their own Lyra, Car­thusian, and Ferus, showeth to belong onlie; and is competent to CHRIST.

So, lykewyse, (as Antoninus, Arch­bishop of Florence reporteth in his Hi­storie,Ant. sum­ma hist. part. 3. See histo­rie of the Councell of Trent. p. 161.) when the Sicilian Ambassadours asking pardon of Pope Martin the fourth, delyvered their Ambassage in these terms: saying▪ Agnus DEI qus tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis. The Pope accepting of this Tytle, replyed disdaynfully: saying; In the terms where­by the Souldeours mocked CHRIST, Ave, Rex Iudeorum, & dabant illi ala­pas.

So that by assuming such Tytles pro­per onlie to GOD, and CHRIST [Page 99] IESUS, GOD and MAN; wee see hee sitteth as God, in the Temple of God: All which being so manie Blas­phemies, it is no marvell therefore, that, That Scarlet coloured Beast spoken of, Revel. 17.3. Is sayd, to bee full of the names of blasphemies. Amongst which in expresse terms Gregorie calleth the Ty­tle of Vniversall Bishop, Nomen Blasphe­miae; tho there were no more than that name alone, to proue the Pope to bee Antichrist.

From all which former, wee reason thus, he that sitteth in the tēple of God, as God, that is, as in Gods stead claiming to be his vicar generall, and who usur­peth alike Tytles with God, which are only proper to God: and in him are the names of blasphemie spoken of Revel. 17.3.Dist. 19. c. 6. in ca­nonicis. Who also equalleth his decrees & traditions with the verie oracles of God, hee is the Antichrist.

But the Pope doth all this, as we haue proven in all this preceeding Chapter, by the witnessing of Romanists themselves, Therefore, it followeth that the Pope is Antichrist.

CHAP. XII. Of the Popes, not onlie equalling him­self with GOD; But extolling himself aboue GOD himself. Which is the hight of Antichri­stian Pryde, and Matchlesse Im­pietie.

HAving shown, how the Pope exalteth himself against all that is called GOD, by participation onlie of name: And, equalleth himself, also, with him, who is GOD onlie, in Essence▪ Followeth, to show, How lyke Lucifer in his Meridian, or highest ascension, hee extolleth himself, aboue GOD. 1. Extolling his Autho­ritie, over the Scriptures; which are the WORD of GOD: And, consequent­lie, aboue GOD himself. 2. Making himself Iudge over GODS WORD: And, what it sayeth is lawfull. Hee saying; It is unlawfull. 3. In taking from GODS WORD; and cancel­ling some of His Commandements. [Page 101] 4. In the contradicting in expresse termes GODS WORD: For which Hee is justlie called Antichrist: That is, Con [...]rie in his Doctrine to CHRIST. And, 5. In dispensing against GODS WORD: And, allo­wing that which GODS WORD condemneth.

First, then, (as their own beforeci­ted Cassander speaketh,) Hee extolleth his Authoritie aboue the Scriptures, which are GODS WORD; in so farre (as Romanists teach;) That the Au­thoritie of the Church, (whereof hee is head,) is aboue the Scriptures: And, that Scriptures must follow the Church, (as her Lackey;) and not the Church the Scriptures. Therefore, sayeth, Cardinall Cusanus; Sequuntur igitur Scrip­turae Ecclesians; sed non è converso. Ep. 7. ad Bohemos. p. 8.5.8. That is, Therefore, the Scriptures follow the Church: But not that the Church is to follow the Scriptures; Quare nec mirum (sayeth hee,) si praxis Ecclesiae vno tem­pore inter interpretatur Scripturam vno mo­do, & alio tempore, alio modo, nam intel­lectus currit cum praxi. That is, There­fore, it is no marvell, if the practise of [Page 102] the Church interpreteth the Scripture at one tyme, one way; and at another tyme, another way: For, the meaning of the Scripture runneth with the practise of the Church; in so farre as, mutato judicio Ecclesiae, (sayeth hee,) mutatum est & DEI judicium. That is, The Church changing her judgement;Ep. 3. ad Bohemos. p. 8, 8. GOD must also, change His judgement. Then, which what can bee greater exalting a [...]oue GOD, and Blasphemie?

Secondlie; Hee extolleth himself a­boue GOD; in so farre as hee maketh himself judge over GODS WORD. And, what it sayeth, is lawfull: hee sayeth, is unlawfull. One example whereof in place of manie, wee haue in the Popes Ca [...]on Law: Where it is sayd, speaking of seco [...]d Marriages; [...]ausa 31. c. h [...]s ra­tione. Secundam quidem accipere vxorem, secundum prec [...]ptum Apostoli (propter incontinentiam homi­num,) licitum est, secundum veritatis au­tem rationem, vere fornicatio est. That is, TO MARIE a second wyf, according to the Apostles command, (because of mens incontinencie,) it is, indeed law­full. But according to the rule of trueth: it is truelie fornication. So that hee cen­sureth [Page 103] the Apostles command, which is GODS, to command sinne and un­cleanesse: And, not to bee according to the Rule of Trueth. Which is highest Pryde and Blaspemie: And, nothing elss, but the mouth of the Dragon.

Thirdlie; Hee extolleth himself a­boue GOD; in so farre,Contrarie to Revel. 22.19. as hee dareth to take from GODS WORD; and blot out some of his morall commande­ments. For example; The second Com­mandement forbiddeth three thinges: 1. The representing of GOD by anie image: 2. The worshipping of anie image: and, 3. Anie sign of religious a­doration; as bowing down to them. Now, lest the poor people should fynd how farre they are misled; and made to commit Idolatrie, by worshipping of images. Therefore, in their Catechismes they haue taken out the second Com­mandement of the morall law. Nay, they are become so shamelesse, when they are prest with this Lurd Impietie: That the Iesuit Vasquez saye [...]h; That▪ that prohibition was onlie a positiue ce­remoniall law;L. 2. de a­dor. disp. q. c. 3. §. 74. Ideoque tempore legis E­uangelica, (sayeth hee,) debet cessare. That [Page 104] is; And, therfore, in the tyme of the Law of the Gospell, it ought to ceasse, (sayeth hee,) as if Idolatrie were but a ceremonie; and that the Gospell did not forbid the same. Contrarie to 1. COR. 6.9.

Fourthlie: Hee extolleth himself a­boue GODS WORD, and HIS Commandements, in contramanding; and expresse contradicting of GODS WORD. Whereof the Apostle no­teth Therefore, two of his Doctrines; to bee Doctrines of Devils;1. Tim. 4.3.4. In forbid­ding of marriage; and, commanding to ab­stain from meats, which GOD hath crea­ted, to bee receaved with thanksgiving, of them which belieue; and know the Trueth; for everie creature is good, (sayeth the Apostle,) and, nothing to bee refused, if it bee receaved with thanksgiving. Yet, on the contrarie:Heb. 13.4 Albeit of marriage, that the Apostle sayeth, It is honourable a­mongst all, and the bed undefyled. 1. The Pope sayeth, It is not so amongst all: Because not amongst the Clergie, to whom hee hath therefore forbid­den the same.Dist. 82. c. prepo­suisti. 2. Neither is the bed of Marriage, a bed undefyled, (sayeth hee,) [Page 105] Because it is the vncleannesse of the flesh; and, they that are in the flesh, (sayeth hee in his Decretall of the Canon Law,) can not please GOD. Now, what do­ctrine this is; and, how opposite to GODS: The Apostle not onlie telleth us; But, also, that worthie Martyr, Ig­natius, the disciple of Iohn, in his sixt Epistle to the Philadelphians; saying, Si quis legitimam commixtionem, & libero­rum procreationem corruptelam, & pollu­tionem appellet, talis Apostatam illum dra­conem in se habitantem fovet. That is, If anie man shall call lawfull copulation in marriage, and procreation of children, to bee carnalitie and pollution Such a one entertaineth that Apostat dragon dwel­ling in him, (which is the devill.) Lykewyse, His prohibition and com­manding, to abstain from meats, at such or such tymes, for conscience sake▪ contrarie both to GODS WORD▪ and Christian Libertie; what elss is it, al­so: But, the same apostat dragons mouth? And, whyle as in lyke manner, anie who shall transgresse this his command con­cerning meats; or anie other, which are called Precepta Ecclesiae, shall bee, and [Page 106] haue beene more severelie punished than anie who transgresse the Commande­ments of GOD: What else is this, but the exalting himself aboue GOD?

I might instance here the whole Do­ctrines of Poperie expresslie contradicto­rie to the Doctrine of GODS WORD; As, The Forbidding the people to reade the Scriptures: Expresslie contrarie unto CHRISTS Commandement, Iohn 5.39. And, the Apostles, Col. 3.16. The Invocatio [...] of Saincts or Angels. Contra­rie to Rom, 10.14. Prayer. also in an unknown tongue. Contrarie to 1. Cor. 14.15. Representing GOD by anie I­mage. Contrarie to Isai 40.18. The worshipping of Images, or bowing to them. Contrarie to Exod. 20.5. The doctrine of Freewill in our conversion. Con­trarie to 2. Cor. 3.5. Iustification by works. Contrarie to Rom. 3.21. The doctrine of Merit. Contrarie to Rom. 6.23. The doctrine of Purgatorie: con­trarie to Revel. 14.13. Of Transubstan­tiation in the Sacrament: contrarie to 1. Cor. 11.26. Of Keeping back the Cup. from the people: contrarie to Matth. [Page 107] 26.27. and, 1. Cor. 11.28, And, Of the Masse: contrarie to Heb. 10.14.

Fyftlie: Hee extolleth himself aboue GOD;Summa Antonini part. 3. tit. 22. c. 6. by dispensing with the Law of GOD: Whereas it is a common recea­ved Rule; That no inferiour can dis­pense with the Law of a Superiour: but, on the contrarie.

Now, that the Pope arrogateth to himself, this power to dispense with the Law of GOD; both the Romish do­ctrine, and the Popes practise conform doeth show.

And, first,Tit. Papa, f. 141. for doctrine Angelus Cla­vasinus, in his Summa Angelica, giveth this reason, why the Pope dispenceth sometymes with GODS Law; Be­cause wee haue the example of GOD Him­self, (sayeth hee,) that oftentymes hee hath dispenced himself with his own law. And, the Pope may doe all thinges, (sayeth Pa­normitan,) which GOD Himself may doe. Lykewyse;Repert. Panor. tit. Papa, 4. c. prop [...]sui­sti, num. 12. f. 77. The Pope may dispence against both the Old and New Testament, (sayeth hee,) Cap. licet, n [...]m. 3. de fe­riis, f. 206. & Cap. 51. num. 4. de diver­tiis, f. 69. Imo Papa tollit jus divinum▪ dispensando contra Evangelium, (sayeth [Page 108] Petrus de Monte, in his Monarchia Papae.) That is, The Pope may take away GODS Law, by his dispensation against the Gospell.

Next: For practise the forenamed Angelus Clavafinus, in his Summa Angeli­ca, f. 241. relateth that Pope Martin, the fyfth, gaue one a dispensation To marrie his own sister: And, telleth us, That Sanctus Antoninus is a conjunct Re­corder of this with him.

Lykewyse: Villa, Scotus, and Orbellis, all three on the fourth of the Sentences,Villa dist. 27. f. 195 Scotus, dist. 33. q. 2. f. 255. Orb. dist. 33. §. 2. reporteth; How that Pope Lucius dis­pensed with one Panormitan, to haue two wyues at once. Tho also, an Arch­bishop; Out of the plenitude of his power, (sayd they,) against the Apostle, 1. Tim. 2.3.

And, how the Pope of late dispensed with the king of Pole, Sigismund, to marrie two sisters: As hee did Henrie the eyght before, to marrie his brothers wyf, is notore to the whole world.

From all which former, I argue thus: Hee who extolleth himself, not onlie aboue all that is called God: But, also, [Page 109] aboue GOD himself: who is so in essence; Hee is that Grand Antichrist; That Man of Sinne, in an eminent way; and sonne of Perdition; As the SCRIPTURE testifieth.

But, the Pope doeth this many wayes, as wee haue shown in this preceeding Chapter.

Therefore, Hee is that Grand Anti­christ.

CHAP. XIII. Of Antichrists, or the Popes idola­trie, and spirituall whooredome. Revel (17.6.

IN regard wherof Rome with her Papall Head,Gloss. or­din. inte­ger Anti­christus, caput & corpus. (Revel. 17.6.) is cal­led That Great Whoore, (and alluding to Her usuall. and usurped Ty­tle of Mother-Church.) Shee is called, The Mother of Harlots; and, abhominations of the earth: Being not on­lie guiltie herself of idolatrie, (called [Page 110] spirituall whooredome;) But, also, being the propagater thereof to all other parts under her jurisdiction. So that shee is lyke Ieroboam: Who not onlie sin­ned by Idolatrie himself; but also made all ISRAELL to sinne.

How guiltie then, the Pope, and the Roman Church under him is hereof, wee shall make manifest: 1. By their Adoration of Images. 2. By their In­vocation of Saincts and Angells: And 3. By their Adoration of the Hoste.

First, then, concerning the Adoration of Images; Decreed in their late Coun­cell of Trent, under Pius the fourth, Sess. 9. the doctrine; which by all their Schoolmen is asserted, (as testifieth their own Bishop Peresius, Peres. de traed. part. 3.) is this; That Ima­ges are to be worshipped, with the same worship as these whom they represent. And therefore, the Images of GOD and CHRIST, are to bee worship­ped, with the highest Divine Honour; which they call LATRIA. Which doctrine these who are here after na­med doe maintaine: To wit, Their ca­nonized Sainct, Thomas Aquinas. parte. 3. q. 25. art. 3. Alexander de Hales. part. [Page 111] 3. q. 30. art. vlt. Azorius, instit. moral. l 9. tit. 1. c. 6. Bonaventure, in tertiam Sent. Dist. 9. Cabrera in tertiā Thomae, q. 25. art. 3. disp. 2. num. 34. Iacobus At­lantus, in Rom. 1. f. 42. edit. venet. 1557. with dyvers others.

The Iesuit Vasquez, in lyke manner, disputeth the [...]uestion, and concludeth;Vasq. l. [...]. de ador. c. 1. disp. 6. num. 168. That if the worship of Images, bee a religious act at all, it may justlie bee called LATRIA: For LATRIA and Religion, are the same thing, (sayeth hee.) And, so sayeth their Bishop Peresius lykewyse, in the place forecited. And, as for such sub­tile distinctions; whereby they would palliat their Idolatrie. They are such, (as Bellermine speaketh;Bell. l. 2. de imag. c. 22. §. 4. which neither themselves vnderstand, who haue broached them. And, farre lesse the vnlearned peo­ple, (sayeth hee.) And, especiallie, that of DULIA; The Scripture witnessing, That the religious act therof, is proper to GOD onlie, Deutr. 6.13. 1. Sam. 7.3. and Act. 20.19. And, when it was given to anie creature, it was ever coun­ted Idolatrie, GAL. 4.8.

And, as this is their Idolatrous do­ [...]trine, concerning the sort of Adora­tion. [Page 112] So, lykewyse, concerning the ex­tent,Bell. l. 2. de imag. c. 21. & 23. or termination there of; Thus sayeth Bellarmine: To wit, That images are to bee worshipped properlie: That is, As they are considered in themselve [...] ▪ So that the wor­ship stayeth it self in the Image, (sayeth hee.) For, if the Image were not to bee worshipped; but vnproperlie. To wit, Because before it, or in it, or by it that which it re­presenteth, is adored. Then, surelie, it might bee simplie denyed, (sayeth hee,) That Images should bee worshipped at all.

Next: To come to the practise of Adoration of Images: It is more than manifest, Cass. con­sult. de i­mag. c. 21. (sayth their own Cassander,) Then can bee exprest by words; that the wor­ship of Images, is come to that hight: That the verie Pagans themselves haue given to their Idoles. Neither is that excuse of a­nie worth, (sayeth hee.) Which some vse to pretend, that they worship not the Images, Arnob. l. 6 adv. gentes Lact. l. 2. divin. in. stit cap. 2. Aug. in psal. 96. and 13. but them whom they represent, for this colour the Pagans also used for their idolatrie as wee see in Arnobius (sayeth he) and may be also seene in Aug. l. 3. de doct. Christ. c. 7. and elsewhere. And which ex­cuse likewise BELLARMINS forecited words refuteth, where he sayeth, That if [Page 113] the Image were not to bee worshipped, but improperlie: Because before it or in it; or by it that which it representeth is adored. Then, surelie, it might bee simplie denyed, (sayeth hee,) that Images should bee worshipped at all; yea, the same is come to that hight of madnes (sayeth their own Polidor Virgil.) That this part of Religion is little diffe­rent from impietie it self, L. 6. de in­ven. reris▪ c. 13▪ for there are very many so exceeding rude and stupid (sayeth hee) who worship images made of stocks & stones, brasse and marble &c. not as represen­ting figures, but as if they had sense and fee­ling, and confide more in these (to whom spe­ciallie they go in Pilgramage) then in Christ Himself.

Yea, some dote so upon images (sayth their own Gabriel Biell) that they believe a cer­tan Deitie, grace or holienes to bee in them, Biel. in ca­missae, lect▪ 49. whereby they are able to work miracles, re­store health, and deliver from dangers, and to preserue from hurts and snares, out of the con­fidence of the forenamed, being moved to wor­ship them, that they may obtaine some of the former things: Whence also it is (sayeth hee) that they obliege themselves to under­go Pilgramages▪ some to this and some to that Church, according as they respect the images, [Page 114] believing that this image in such a place is of greater vertue than in another, and is more famous for miracles, & of greater power, (a cleir example wherof we haue in the pil­gramages to our lady of Loretto & Hales) And if at any time miracles bee wrought upō men who haue recourse to them, this is not by vertue of the image (sayth he) but some tymes by the operation of the Devill, to d [...] ­ceiue such idolatrous worshippers, GOD so permitting, and their infidelitie so deserving the fame.

Secondlie of Popish Adoration and in­vocation of Saints.

This their idolatrie which they perform heerein, they seeke to palliat by this di­stinction, that they invocat them not as mediators of redemption, but onelie of intercession, which last, tho it be altoge­ther unlawfull, CHRIST being onely our Mediator of intercession in the hea­vens, & this being that part of his priest­lie office which he there performeth, & shall performe till his second comming, and wherein he will haue no partner nei­ther Saint nor Angel, yet to showe the [Page 115] contrare, to wit, that they invocate thē, as mediators of redemption, I shall prove the same. 1. Out of their Roman mis­sall, where they say to the virgine Marie,

O Faelix puerpera, nostra pians seelera,
Iure matris, impera redemptori.

And thereafter, ‘Tua semper ub [...]ra nostra sanent vuln [...]ra.’ That is,

O Happie Mother, who expiats our sinnes, by the authoritie of a Mother command our Redeemer, and let thy Pape milk heale our wounds. Wher we see the expiation of our sinnes, and hea­ling our souls wounds attributed to the virgin Marie and her milk, which is on­lie proper to CHRIST, and to His Blood, and that most blasphemouslie is ascribed to her a power now to cōmand her Sonne▪ and consequently the Creator to be subject to the creature, and there­fore also in a book called ANTIDOTUM ANIMAE. They speake thus, Tu ancillam Iesu Christi te vocare voluisti, sed vt doc [...] Lex divina, tu illius es Domina: nam Lex jube [...] & ratio, matrem praesse Filio.

The like blasphemous stuffe wee haue in that book written by a Iesuit of late [Page 116] named Carolus Bonartius, alias, Scribonius called Amphitheatrum honoris, Who in­quiring what is the best soules plaister, answereth,

Lac matris miscere volo cū sanguine Nati
Non possum antidoto nobiliore frui.

That is I will mixe (sayeth hee). the Mothers milk with the Sonnes Blood, for I can­not haue a more soveraigne plaister than this.

Yea, moreover they affirme (as wee haue it in their owne famous Gabriel Biell. Lect. 80. in Canone Missae.) That as Asuerus offered to Ester the half of his Kingdomes: so GOD hath di­vyded his Kingdomes betweene Himself and the virgin Marie (sayeth hee) giving to her, Mercie to bestowe, and reserving justice onelie to Himself, wherefore it is lawfull (sayeth BERNARDIN de busto) to ap­peale from the Sonnes justice to the Mothers mercie;In mari­ali part. 3 Serm. 3. And therefore, in like manner they haue turned the whole psalter of David which suteth mercie, from Domi­nePsalterum B. Virg. Lord, to Domina, our Ladie, as may be seene speciallie psal. 71. & 93. where they say psal. 71 Deus judicium tuum re­gi da, & misericordiam tuam Reginae matri ejus ▪ and psal. 93. They say of CHRIST, [Page 117] Deus ultionum Dominus, sed tu Benignae Mater misericordiae ad miserandum infle­ctis illum. That is, O GOD Thou art a LORD of revenge, but thou myld Mother of mercie thou art shee that mo­veth Him to pittie And not only call they her Domina but Dea, and therefore they sing unto her, Tunc tibi laudes Dea dicet omnis sexus & aetas. In lib. 8. Aug. de civit. Dei, cap. 27.

So that (as their own Vives testifyeth) They are come to that hight of Idolatrie in this poynt, that they worship no otherwise their he & she Saints (sayth he) then they do GOD Himself, neither see I (sayth he) in many things what differēce ther is between their opinion of Saints, & that which the ve­rie Heathen haue of their gods. Yea, They haue placed more confidence in their merits and intercession than in CHRITS merite, (sayeth their own Cassander, Cass. con­sult. art. 21.) and so ha­ving obscured that Office of CHRISTS onlie mediation, they haue in place thereof substitute (say [...]h he) the advocation of the Virgine Marie, and others.

I may heere adde their Idolatrous A­doration by kneeling and kissing of pre­tended Reliques of Saints, which being most part false through the avarice of Priests [Page 118] (sayeth their own Cassander) haue beene obtruded, Cass. Con­sult. Art. 21. for entysing of simple People, and fained miracles haue beene alleadged to haue beene wrought by them, whereby the supersti­tition of people hath beene greatly fostered.

Yea, not onelie are such Reliques wor­shipped by kneeling and kissing, but also by putting up prayers to them, as if they heard, or had sense or lyfe, for thus they pray to the Crosse, as Bellarmine granteth which hath now no being.

O Crux ave spes unica, Ange piis justi­tians, reisque dona veniam.

That is,

Hayle holy Crosse, our onlie Hope, who upon earth do liue,
To godlie righteousnes augment, to guiltie pardon giue.
So likewise they pray to the speare that pierced CHRISTS side.
Ave ferrum triumphale, faelix hasta nos amore per te fixo saucia.

That is

All hayle triumphant yron, and speare that happie is.
Lance us with love of Him, whom thou didst pierce, I wis.

And to that Picture of CHRISTS face on Veroni­cas Handkerchife, they pray thus. Nos de­du [...] ad patriam o faelix Figura, In mirabi­lia Romae. p. 24. ad videnda [...] [Page 119] faciem quae est CHRISTI purae.

And as for their worshipping and Ido­latrous praying to angels, chieflie whom they call their guardians, as the same is expreslie against COL. 2.18. Who affir­meth that these who do so under pretēce of Humilitie do not hold the Head, and consequentlie cannot retaine communiō with the Bodie, which is CHRISTS Church. So likewise that famous and an­cient Councell of Laodicea. CAN. 35. not farre from the COLOSSIANS did solem­lie decree against the same as manifest Idolatrie, and pronunced anathema to al such who did invocat Angels, because (say they) These who do so, haue foresaken Our LORD IESVS CHRIST, ( [...]) and given themselves to Idolatrie, which canon also Theodoret upon the second to the Colo­ssians citeth, and showeth that this was their pretence of humili [...]ie for their Ido­latrie, saying, that GOD was invisible and inaccessible, and therefore it was fi [...] that men should obtaine GODS favour by the means of Angels, which is now in like-manner the very excuse of Poperie.

Thirdlie, of Popish Idolatrie in Ado­ration of the Hoste.

But before I come to this their Idola­trous adoration, I cannot pass by First, Their blasphemous assertion. Which Gabriel Biell setteth down in these words of the Priest,Lect. 4. in canonē missae. saying, Hee that created mee hath given mee power to create Himself, and Hee that created mee without mee, is created by me. Their late Iesuit likewise Corne­lius a lapide sayeth,A Lapide in Isai 7.14, That CHRIST is borne and as it were begotten upon the Altar (sayth he) and if He were not yet incar­nat, yet as powerfullie Hee should be incar­nat by the words of consecration, as Hee was at first, wherefore the Priest (sayeth hee) is as the Virgin that boore Him, the Altar is the manger, & the little Emmanuell which he beareth, is CHRIST brought foorth under the little Hoste.

Next, as for the worship which is to be given to it, the Councell of Trent hath decreed that it is the highest Divine worship,Sess. 13. Can. 5. which they call Latria. Now if the conceate which Papists haue of Transsubstantiation proue false,Cap. 12. Their Iesuit Coster in his Euchiridion freelie [Page 121] confesseth That then they should committ the grossest Idolatrie, the like whereof (say­eth hee) was never heard nor seene in the whole world. Dist. 2. de consecr.. c. Hoc est. Now (beside the word of GOD against it, and their own exposi­tion of the words of consecretion in their cannon law, declaring them to bee figuratiue) according to their own prin­ciples they cannot certanlie know that Transsubstantiatiō is made by the priests consecration, and consequentlie that the Hoste which they worship is any other thing but bread, & therfor that their act of adoration is Idolatrie, seing the chāge doth whollie depend upon the consecra­tion,Concil. Trid.. Sess 7. can. 11. and the consecration again depen­deth upon the intention of the Priest, which none can certanly know but him­self, Bellarmin himself saying thus, Ne (que) potest quis certꝰ esse certitudine fidei se perci­pere verum sacramentū, De justif. l. 3. c. 8. cum sacramentum sine intentione ministri non conficiat [...]r, & in­tentionē alterius nemo videre possit. That is, Neither can any be sure by the certanty of faith that he receivth a true sacramēt, seing the sacrament is not made with­out the intention of him who ministrats it, & no man can see the intention of an­other. [Page 122] Whence it will follow that no Papist can be sure that he committeth not Idolatrie, but admit that the Priests intention should be right at the time of consecration, yet if either he that bap [...]i­sed him, or the Bishope that gau [...] him order haue missed in their right inten­tion, then he is neither a Christian, nor a Priest, and consequentlie what he doeth is no consecration, so that the bread re­meaneth bread still, and consequentlie the worshippers thereof are grosse Ido­laters, and all Papists are in no better case then the Samaritans were in, of whom our Saviour said, Yee worship yee know not what. Iohn 4.22

Where I cannot omitt that notable dis­course of Catarinus Bishop of M [...]nori in the Councell of Trent, Hist. of the Coun­cel of Trēt lib. 2. p. 240. consonan [...] to this of mine; If a Priest (said hee) having a charge of 4. or 5000. soules were an Ath [...]st or infidell in heart, but yet a formall Hypo­crit, and in absolving the penitent, baptising of Children, and consecrating the Eucharist, had an intention not to do what the Church doth, i [...] must be said, that the Children are damned (said hee) the penitents not absol­ved, and that all remain [...] without the fruit [Page 123] of the Communion, hee added, if any would say, these cases were rare, would to GOD it were so (said hee) and that in this corrupt age wee had no cause to doubt they were ma­ny. But suppose they are very few, or but one onelie, let there be a knave priest (sayth hee) who faineth, and hath not an intention to minister true baptisme to a Child, who af­ter being a man growne, is created Bishope of a great citie, and liveth many yeares in that Charge, so that he hath ordained a great part of the Priests, it must be said that hee not be­ing baptised, is not ordained, nor they ordai­ned who are promoted by him, so that in that Citie there will be neither Eucharist, (and consequentlie an Idolatrous adoration of bread) nor yet confession or absolution (said hee) because that cannot be without the Sa­crament of order, nor order without a true Bishope nor can he receive order who is not baptised, Behold then (said hee) millions of nullities of Sacraments by the malice of one Minister, and in one act onelie.

CHAP. XIV. Of the Popes or Antichrists bloodie crueltie, Revel. 17.6.

OF Antichrist his Bloodie Crueltie, Iohn speaking Revel. 17.6. Sayth thus, And I saw the Woman drunk with the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Ie­sus, which to be true of the pope, I will, 1. instāce their famous forecited Petrarch in the third Chapter of this Treatise,Petrarch. l. 1. ep. 18. & in that Epistle of his, wherin he deploreth the calamitie of the citie of Rome, & spea­king of the Pope and his Cleargie there, sayeth to his friend to whom hee writ­teth, being then at Rome, There thou se­eth (sayeth hee) not onlie CHRISTS Adversarie (meaning the Pope as Anti­christ) but which is more grievous to see, under the Banner of Christian profession, fighting against CHRIST, and drunk with his Blood (to wit, by persecution of his Saints.)

[Page 125] Bernard likewise in his first sermon of Pauls conversion cryeth out thus, Heu, Bern. ser. 1. cōvers. B. Pauls. heu, Domine Deus, quia ipsi sunt in perse­cutione tua primi, qui videntur in Ecclesia tua primatum deligere & gerere principatū, That is, Alas, alas, LORD GOD, that these are first in the persecution of Thee, who are seene to loue the primacie in thy Church, and to haue the chief place, (meaning the Pope) and thereafter to cleare himself more particularlie and plainlie he sayeth, Egressa est haec iniquitas à senioribus judicibus, Vicariis tuis, qui vi­dentur regere populum tuum, that is, This iniquitie is come foorth from the eldest that are Iudges, even these that pretend to be thy vicars, and who seeme to go­verne thy people.

In-like-manner that charter Monk, who is author of Fasciculus temporum, Fascicul. temp. ann [...] 900. hee cryeth out upon the 900. yeare of CHRIST, saying, O worst times that ever were (sayeth hee) wherein the godlie man doth perish, and trueth is decayed a­mongst the sonnes of men, and after rehear­sall of other vices in the Roman sea, hee sayeth, O what persecution is now? Alas, what company, what Assemblie, yea, what [Page 126] man may bee now secure.?

Likewise Platina the Popes Secreta­rie in the life of Silvester the third show­eth, That in these tymes good men were op­prest by the Popes, who had entered in by pride and Simonie, and which fashion (sayth hee) I wish our times had not observed, and except GOD prevent it wee are to see worse.

An example whereof both he in the life of Pope Honorius the second setteth down,In chron. Hir. San­giensi. as also the Abbot Tritemius in his Chronicle, Platina telleth us thus, That one Arnolphus, Christianae religionis praedi­cator egregius, Plat. in vi­ta Hono­rii 2. that is a notable preacher of the Christian religion, whom (sayth he) many of the Roman Nobilitie did follow as a true disciple of CHRIST, and as a Pro­phet, was killed by the Cleargie at Rome, Quia acerbe nimium in eorum lasciviam & libidinem inveheretur, & quia eorum pompam & in comparandis divitiis nimium studium improbaret, &c. Hunc laudibus ad Coelum tollebant, hinc odium, hinc irae, in perniciem bene sentientis usque ad necem ex­citatae. That is, because he vehementlie enveyed against their voluptuousnes & lusts, and because hee reproved their pride and their too great care to gather [Page 127] riches, whō the Roman Nobilitie extol­leth therefore with praises to the very heavens, but hence was the Cleargies hatred against him, hence was their wrath stirred up against him, who did rightlie think of these thinges (sayth he) even to the very murthering of him.

The like may be said of that famous Ierome of Sauanarola, whom for the same cause thy burned in ashes, as is said of him. Periit ignivomis Sa [...]anarola rogis. Hence it is also that Michaell Cecaenas (aboue 400 yeares ago) Generall of the gray Friers, or order of S. Francis, in his book, Contra tyrannidem Papae complay­neth, That there were two Churches, the one of the wicked, which then flowrished, & over which the Pope doth raigne (sayeth hee) and the other of godlie and good men which the Pope (sayeth he) doth persecute. which made likewise that forecited worship­full Esquyre and famous Poët in his time Chaucer to speak thus of the Pope and his Cleargie.Chaucer in his plough­mans Tale.

Were CHRIST on the earth eftsoone,
These would damne Him to die,
All his hestes they haue foregone
And sayes hi [...] Lawes beene H [...]resie,
[Page 128]And against his commands they cry
And damne all His to be hrend,
For it lyks not them such lose [...]grie
GOD Almightie them amend.

Whence it is likewise that the forecited Arch bishope of SALISBURG Eberhardus in his oration before the imperiall mee­ting at Reinsburg, anno 1246. Said of the Pope avowedlie, Vnder the tytle of High Priest and chief Pastor (sayeth hee) except we be blind, Aventin· annal. l. 7. p. 547. wee may see a most cruell devouring Wolffe.

And yet no marvell that they were so cruell against the faythfull witnesses of CHRIST in former times, who oppo­sed them, (as wee see foreprophecied, Revel 11.7.) When they were so cruell each one against another, as Platina wit­nesseth in the life of Sergius the third, who tooke the dead carkise of his Pre­decessour Formosus out of the graue, and as he had beene alive beheaded him, and thereafter did cast the trunck o [...] his body into Tyber, whereupon sayeth Platina, See how farre the Popes did degener from their Predecessours, who being most holy men and giving themselves to prayer, and preach­ing of Christian doctrine refused any such [Page 129] dignitie when it was offered, but these (sayth hee) hunting after the Popdome by Simonie and ambition, and having so attayned therto, misregarding all worship of GOD, Inimi­eitias non secus ac sevissimi quidam Tyranni inter se exercebant. That is, They did ex­ercise hatred & crueltie one against an­other amongst themselves, no lesse than the most cruell Tyrants that ever were, (sayeth hee)

What bloodie warres likewise they stirred up thorow all Christendome, that Noble Roman Vall [...] as the Abbot Trite­mius calleth him, telleth us in his treatise of Constantins counterfite donation▪ in the end thereof: saying, Papa & ipse bel­la pacatis populi [...] infert, & inter civitates & principes bella & discordias serit that is, The Pope both warreth himself against peaceable people, and soweth discord & warres amongst cities and princes, wher­upon hee (about the middle) exclameth thus. O Romani Pontifices [...]xemplum facino­rum omnium caeteris Pontificibus, O impro­bissimi Scribae & Pharisei qui sede [...]is super cathedram Moysi, & opera Dathan & Ahi­ron facitis. That is, O ye Bishops of Rome who are an example of all most wicked [Page 130] crymes to all other Bishops, O most wic­ked Scribes and Pharisees who sitteth in Moyses chayre, and yet doeth the works of Dathan and Abiron. The instance of the trueth whereof may be seene in that Tragicall Historie betweene the Empe­rour Frederick the second and Gregorie the nynth, set down trulie and impartial­ly by Pandolphus an Italian & Romanist, concerning which (sayeth that author) When I consider with my self that CHRIST (whose vicars the Roman B [...]shops boasteth themselves to bee) said to his disciples that they should follow Him, and imitate his ex­ample as their Master and Teacher, and commanded them further that they should not draw the sword, but put it up in the sheath, &c. And when I compare the Bi­shops of Rome, how neere they follow Him whose vicars they say they are, & considereth so many and great conspiracies, treasons: & rebellions stirred up by them. &c. And when I meditate with my self the destruction of so many great and famous Cities, the sub­version of such Common-Wealthes, the slaughter of so many men, and effusion of so much Christiā blood. &c. I am perswaded with my self to think and believe that to bee [Page 131] true (sayeth hee) which Aeneas Sylvius writteth in his historie of Austria, that there is no great and notable destruction, no noto­rious & speciall calamitie that hath hapned either to the Common-Wealth, or to the Church of GOD, whereof the Bishops of Rome haue not beene the authors.

And as for the Popes crueltie against the poore Waldenses the author of Fasci­culus temporum, a charter mo [...]k, telleth us in the life of Innocent the third, that an hundreth thousand of them wer part­lie s [...]ayne, and partlie put to flight by the Earle of Montferrat the Popes Generall, of whom their own Reynerus testifyth,L. contra [...] Wald. c. 4 That they lived before men both piouslie and justlie, and helieved all things rightlie con­cerning GOD, and the articles of the Creed, onelie that they hated and spake evill of the Church of Rome, calling her the malignant Church, and that whoore spoken of in the Revelation, and which sort of people (sayeth hee) are thought to haue continued from the very Apostles times, and were spread abroad in all places, for (as Yhuanus telleth us in the preface of the Historie of his time) being overcome by armes, they fled for refuge, some into the countrey of Provence and to the [Page 132] Alpes bordering upon France, and found in thes [...] places refuge for their lives & doctrine, a part also went into Calabria & continued there long (sayth [...]e) till the time of Pius the fourth, a part passed also into Germanie, and dwelt amongst the Bohemians, some also went to Pole and Liue-land, and others tur­ning Westward (sayeth hee) found refuge in Britane.

A notable example of which bloodie crueltie against the remainder of these Waldenses, Lib. 2. p. 119. Wee reade in the historie of the councell of Trent. anno 1545. While that bloodie councell was sitting, who inhabiting the Alpes of Provence were suddenlie and unexpectedlie persued by the President of the Parliament of Aix, Who neyther having Weapons, nor thought otherwise than by flight to de­fend thēselves, al such who could not flie, but stood to their mercie, without spa­ring old or young, of what age or condi­tion soever, they slew above 4000. persōs who without making defence begged for mercie, & razed the Countreyes of Cabriers in Provence and Merindoll, in the Countie of Viinoifin; wherein they for­merlie had their abode.

[Page 133]From which time of that bloodie cruel­tie against the Waldenses, what also hath beene likewise used against Iohn Huss & Ierom of Prague, and these who after thē they called Hussits in BOHEMIA, & Lollards in ENGLAND; The Historie of the councell of CONTSANCE, and of the BOHEMIAN warres by the Emperour Si­gismund and the popes Emissaries, writen by Aeneas Sylviꝰ afterward Pope. As also the annalls of ENGLAND, can testifie, and tho the exact number of them bee not set down who suffered death & tor­ments for the Trueth in severall places, yet it is certane that in lesse than 300. yeares, their number farre exceeded thē who suffered in the times of of the ten Heathen persecutions.L. 8. De­mōnst. 34. As Sanders the priest maketh mention in his book of the Churches visible Monarchie. AND from the rysing of the Iesuits to the year 1580. which was little more to that time nor 30 yeares, Baldwin de A [...]christo counteth almost nyne houndreth thou­sand to haue beene put to death.C. 6. nuus. 42. The Duke of Alva likewise used to glorie that in few yeares in the Low-countreys hee had cut off 36000. Hugenots, as [Page 134] Iunius likewise and Tilenus testifie.Iunius & Tilē. cont. Bell. l. 3. de pont. c. 7. Pau­lus Vargerius also a Roman Bishope (who best knew the same) testifieth that in the inquisition in the space of 30. yeares, 150000. were destroyed, as Downam of the Antichrist showeth.

The Author likewise of the Historie of the Councell of Trent, Lib. 5. p. 413. declareth that at Pope Paull the fourth his instigation, and by the great perswasion of the Car­dinall of Loraine for the French, and of Granuell Bishope of Arras for the Spa­niards, in a very short time, before the yeare 1558. 50000. were executed for religion by the hand of the Hangman in the Low-countreyes, besids these huge multituds that suffered in France in the raigne of Henrie the second, and his son Francis, who succeeded aswell in his Fa­thers crueltie: as in his kingdome, and who having appoynted the Inquisitor Antonius Democares to discover them of the religion, by the instigation of George Cardinall of Armignac destroyed in Paris Poytou, Tholouse and Aix of PROVENCE, and other places so great a number as could scarce be counted, and for disco­verie of such they caused the pict ure of [Page 135] the Virgine MARIE, and of saints to bee placed in every corner of PARIS, and throughout all FRANCE, and men to stand by them▪ with little boxes to ask almes for buying waxe candles to bee burnt before them, and whosoever re­fused to give, or bowed not to these images in passing by, was taken for a Hugenot & committed to prison, what crueltie was used likewise by Philip the 2. in Spayne against Iohannes▪ Pontius Count of Bayleno who with a preacher and many of the Colledge of S. Isidor, wer burnt as Heretiks, may be seen in the forenamed Historie of the Councell of Trent, Lib. 5. p. 417. also against Constantius Pontius con­fessor to Charles the 5. and 13 Noblemē. and 28 of the prime Nobilitie of Valla­dolid who were burnt in his presence, all done by thy Popes instigation.

As also that bloodie decree of Charles the 9. king of FRANCE in Iuly 1562. by the Parliament of Paris is not to be omit­ted, wherby it was decreed that it should be lawfull to slay all the Hugenots, which by publick order was read every sunday in every parish Church declaring them Rebells, publick enemies, infamous, and [Page 136] all their posteritie, and their goods con­fiscate. Hist. of the Councell of Trent, LIB. 7. p. 648.

I omitt the particularizing of the bloo­die warres of Germanie, in the time of Charles the fift Emperour, recorded by Sleidan. The bloodie persecution like­wise of queene Marie in ENGLAND, which the book of Martyrs reporteth▪ L 52. hist. [...]. 1001. That never enough detestable massacre of Paris also; wherein as Thuanus witnes­seth were killed 30000 protestants and aboue. The intended crueltie inlikeman­ner of that Spanish Armado, anno 1588. The Gun-powder Treason of England likewise. The bloodie warres and of long continuance in Germanie of late, and the Rebellion also and cruell mas­sacre of protestants in Ireland, all stir­red up by the Pope, and plotted by his Conclave at Rome.

So that justlie it may be said, as Revel. 18.24. That in Her was found the blood of the LORDS Prophets, and of his Saints, and of all that haue beene slayne upon the earth.

CHAP. XV. Of Antichrists, or the Popes spirituall Merchandise or Simonie, Revel. 18.13.

TO put a further Mark u­pon that Mysticall Ba­bylon and Her Anti­christian Head, Revel. 18.13. It is showne with what Merchan­dise her Merchants should traffeque, a­mongst which is recounted last, as the most speciall to summe up all, The Soules of men, or practise of that horrible sin of Simonie; in making merchandise of Spi­rituall things which concerneth mens soules and salvation. And which the Pope doth both by buying, and next by selling, as wee shall showe by Romanists themselves.

First then to begine at buying spiritual offices, and the highest of them, the Popedome it self, let that famous testi­monie of Platin [...] the Popes owne Secre­tarie make the same manifest, who in the life of Sylvester the third sayth thus, [Page 138] That these who most exceeded in pride and brybrie attayned to that degree of dignitie, all good men being born down & rejected▪ which custome (saith he) I wish our times had not keeped, but this is but little, and except GOD preven [...] it, we are see worse times, (sayth he) & to show it was an ordinar way of climbing up to the Popedom. In the lyf of Benedict the 4. (he sayth) That the Popes of that age were rather Monsters than men, a quibꝰ ambitione & largitione Petri sedes oc­cupata est, potiꝰ quā possessa, that is, by whō Peters most holy chayre was rather u­surped than justlie possessed. Wherupon in the life of another Pope, Sergius the third, he exclaimeth, saying, See then how farre these later Bishops of Rome haue dege­nerat from their predecessours, who being most holie men contemned that honour when it was willinglie offered unto them, being whollie gi­ven to prayer and preaching, whereas these later (sayth he) neglecting divine worship, and seeking and attayning to the Popedome by pride and Simonie, haue exercised such inimitie amongst themselves, like so many cruell tyrants. &c. The like he testifyeth in the life of Stevin the sixt, as also Onu­phrius Panvinius doeth the same in the [Page 139] life of Gregorie the sixth and others.

Glaber also a Monck about the yeare 1047.Glab. mo­nachꝰ clu­niacensis. who dedicat his historie to Abbot Odilon speaking of Sylvester the Third, sayeth thus. Now the Pope of Rome the Nephew of his Predecessours Bennet and Iohn is a Child about ten yeares old, L. 4. c. 5. & l. 5. c. 4. See al­so Baroniꝰ an. 1045. Interce­dente thesaurorum pecunia. That is, by the meanes of a treasure of moneyes (sayth hee) by which meanes likewise he tel­leth that the rest of the prelats in the Ro­man Church were advanced, Quos aurū potius vel argentum exaltabit quaem meritū, whereupon he concludeth saying, Pro [...] dolor de his evidentissime scriptura ait, imo os ipsius DEI, principes extiterunt, & non cog­novi. That is, Alas for greife, for of these the scripture (yea, GODS owne mouth) speaketh most clearelie, they became Rulers, but not by me, and I did no [...] know it, that is acknowledge them. This Sylvester the third, Bennet the ninth▪ and Gregorie the sixth, Platina in the life of Gregorie the sixth calleth Triateterri­ma monstra, that is, three most wicked monsters, and of that Sylvester sayeth, Lyke a Thief and Robber he entered not by the doore, but by the posterne. Cardinall Ba­ronius [Page 140] also calleth these three, Tricipitem bestiam portis inferi emergentem, Baron. an­nal. 1044 & 1031. That is; That three headed beast, or Cerberus that came from the gates of hell, & yet were in their times counted and called, the heads of CHRISTS Church. From this wicked practise of Simonie, Petrus Damianus Bishope of Ostia took occasion to complayne, that Peter who by a per­petuall curse damned Simonie before, was uow forced to set up a shop of Si­moniak trade, and in these verses to cry out.

Heu sedes Apostolica, orbis olim gloria,
Proh dolor efficeris, officina Simonis,
Terunt incude mallei, nummi sunt tar [...]arei.

This also made a Monk Bernard In his satyrs, wherein hee poynteth out the Pope and his Simoniak cleargie: to cry out likewise, saying.

O mala saecula, venditur inf [...]la pontficalis,
Infula venditur, non reprehenditur emptio talis.

Next; for selling spirituall and ecclesiasti­call Offices and other things. First let their famous Bernard and Abbot of Cla­revall speake, who sayeth in his sixt ser­mon vpon the 91. psalme. Ipsa quoque Ecclesiasticae dignitatis officia in turpem quae­stum [Page 141] & tenebrarum negotium transiere, nec in his salus animarum, sed luxus queritur divitiarum. That is, the very offices of ecclesiastick dignities are turned to fil­thie gaine & the work of darkness, nei­ther in these is sought the salvation of soules, but the aboundance of riches.

Whence it is that Baptista Mantuanus their carmelit Frier in his book, De cala­mitatibus temporū speaketh thus of Rome,

Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, sacra, coronae,
Ignes, thura, preces, coelū est venale, deus (que)

That is, all things are sellable at Rome. Churches, and priesthoods, altars and other sacred things, shaven crowns, pur­gatorie fire, incense and prayers, yea, Heaven and God Himself is there to bee sold.

Agreeable heereunto speaketh Clenard in his Epistle, being professor in Lovane, and thereafter in Portugall, saying,

Quisquis opes saeras nummo reperire pro­phano
Querit, eat Romam, sacra sunt venali [...] Romae.

Their famous Petrarch likewise in his E­pistle whose tytle is, Calamitatem Romae deplorat, and which hath beene before [Page 142] cited, speaketh thus, Do they not (sayeth hee) buy, sell, and make merchandise of CHRIST Himself? Whose Name night and day they extoll with praises, & cloatheth his Images with gold and silver. Marsi­lius Patavinus Inlikemanner anno 1320. in the 24. Chapter of the second part of his book, intituled Defensor pacis, sayth thus, These who haue visited the Church of Rome, which I may more truely call a shop of traffique, and an horrid den of theeves, (sayth he) they shall see playnlie that it is become a receptacle of al villanies, & Mer­chants for all wares both spirituall and tempo­rall, a very haven for all Simoniaks. So also speaketh that noble and learned Roman Laurentius Valla in his book, De donatione Constantini, saying of the Pope, That hee was not onlie a devourer of the People, and not onely destroyeth the Cōmonwealth, which Verres, nor Catelin, nor any robber durst. Sed & rem Ecclesiasticam & Spiritum san­ [...]tum questui habet, quod Simon ill [...] Magus etiam detestaretur, That is, but also he ex­poundeth to gaine ecclesiasticall things, yea the very Holie Ghost, which Simon Magus himself would detest. Inlikeman­ner Theodoricus Vricus of the order of [Page 143] the Augustin Monks, in his first book, De consolatione Ecclesiae, dedicat to the Emperour Sigismond, sayeth thus.

Heu Simon regnat, per munera quo (que) reguntur
Iudiciumque pium gaza nefanda vetat,
Curia papalis fovet omnia scandala mundi,
Delubra sacra facit, perfidiaque forum,
Ordo sacer, baptisma sacrum cum chrismate sancto,
Venduntur turpi conditione fori.

Which is Englished thus.

who now but Simō raigns? bribes al in all
And wicked pelf just judgemēt doth for­stall,
The popish court doth foster al disgrace,
And turns the church into a mercat place
Chrism, orders, baptism, all which holy a [...]
Are basly sold, as at a pedling fayre.

And if we will heare a Popes owne confessiō to wit Pius secundꝰ who before he was assumed to the Popedome & was called Aeneas Sylvius in his fourth epistle to Iohn Peregall his procutor then ar Rome writteh thus, There is nothing which the Court of Rome giveth without money (sayth he) for the very imposition of hands and gifts of the Holy Ghost are sold, neither is [Page 144] the remission of sinnes bestowed upon any (sayeth hee) but upon such as give money for the same.

And Platina the Popes secretarie, in the life of Boniface the ninth, telleth us that the Popes plenarie indulgences were e­very where so ordinarlie sold, that the authoritie of the keyes and Apostolick letters was altogether vilifyed.

And of late Claudius Espenceus a spa­nish Bishope, setteth down in his Com­mentar upon the first of Titus & second digression, a list of the many Tricks and devyces of the court and chancerie of Rome, by grosse Simonie to draw in mo­ney, referring these who desire further information heerein, to the book called Taxa cancellariae Apostolicae, & Taxa peni­tenti [...]ria, printed at PARIS by Tousant Denis, anno 1520. Wherein every sin or cryme whatsoever is rated, for obtay­ning of remission thereof. The like pra­ctise of Simonie and merchandise of spi­ritual things doth Lodovious vives regrait, upon Augustins eighteenth book of the Citie of God, and the 22 Chapter. As likewise the worthie▪ English Esquyre Gefrey Chaucer of Woodstock, in his [Page 145] plowe-mans tale, 400 yeares ago, saying of the Popes Clergie.

They Christs people proudlie curse,
With broad book and braying bell,
To put pennies in their purse
They will sell both Heaven and hell.

Whence it is that the Abbot of Vrsperg in his Chronicle and life of Philip the Emperour sayeth, That the waterfloods of all the treasures of the earth did flowe to Rome, to quench her vnsatiable thirst of mo­ney, as her Chancerie & penitentiarie courts sufficientlie can testifie.

Hence it was that in the raigne of Henrie the third of ENGLAND, it was found (beside large accidents) that the Popes set rent in England was equall to the Kings, to wit, at that time 60000. merks, as the Monk Mathew of WEST­MINSTER in his Flores historiarum, re­porteth in the yeare, 1245. Beside that hee exacted of all Residenters at their benefices the third thereof,Pag. 191. & 227. and from non-Residents the half of their yearelie rent and the goods of all who died un­tested. Duarenus likewise a French La­wier and Romanist in his book Pro desen­sione libertatis Ecclesiae gallicanae, witnesseth [Page 146] that in the time of Pius the third, the Pope drew out of FRANCE in one yeare for dispensations, pluralities of benefices, and the like; seven and twentie hundreth thousand crownes.

CHAP. XVI. Of Antichrists or the Popes lawlesse and most wicked Life, 2. Thess. 2.3.

FOR which respect An­christ is called ( [...]) That Man of sin, by way of Eminencie or excesse therein, and v. 8. That lawlesse and wicked one, who as he professeth in his Cannon Law, (dist. 40 cap. 6. Si Papa &c.) Is to judge all but to be judged by none, altho hee should not only go to Hell himself, but also leade innumerable troups of People with him.

Whence it is that of Benedict the ninth, Platina and Onuphrius reporteth,Plat. in vi­tae benedict 9. after his death he appeared to sundrie in an [Page 147] horrid and monstrous shape telling hee had beene such a Pope, and being asked how, or why he did so appeare, hee an­swered, Quia in vita Exlex & sine ratione vixi, that is, because I lived lawlesse, and as an unreasonable beast (said he) whence it is also, that Laurentius Valla that noble and learned Roman before cited, and channon of S. Lateran, speaketh thus, Nulla itaque usquam religio, nulla sancti­tas, nullus Dei timor, De dona­tione Con­stantini. & quod referens quo­que horresco, omnium scelerum impii homi­nes a Papa sumunt excusationem, That is, There is no religion at all to bee seene, no holienes, no feare of God, and which I tremble also to speake of al sort of wic­kednes, wicked men from the Pope him­self maketh their excuse.

To come then in particular, to the sins whereby it is evident that the Pope is that lawlesse and awlesse wicked one, or man of sin foreprophecied: in place of many (alreadie spoken of) I shall men­tion two onlie maine ones, whereby hee resembleth Satan, (the vicar of whose power hee is) to wit, crueltie and un­cleannesse, as satan is called an uncleane Spirit, and Murtherer from the begin­ning, [Page 148] of the which sin of crueltie and blood-thristines, having spoken before, It resteth now onelie to speake of the other, the sin of uncleanesse, wher­of their own Carmelite Frier Baptista Mantuanus thus speaketh.

Roma ipsa lupanar
Reddita, faemineo Petri domus oblita fluxu
Ad stygios olet us (que) lares, incestat olympū,
Nidore hoc, facta toto execrablis ore.

En­glished thus, ‘Rom's now a stew's wher Peter once did dwel infect with femal flux, it doth most beasty smel Doun to the hellish vaults, & up unto the skys And is so loathsō grown in al the worlds eyes.’

Which made also their owne most noble Petrarch in his Epistle, intituled, De inameno occiduae Babylonis statu, speak thus of that bestiall (and scarce to bee named amongst Christians) sin of So­dome, Hic Tauro supposita pasiphae mix­tum (que) genus (quod Maro ait) prolesque bi­formis, veneris monumenta nefandae &c. Qui jam pontificalis lasciviae ludi sunt (saith he)

Particular instances of which sins of uncleanesse I shall onlie relate out of their owne most famous Authors, as first, Sergius the Third who succeeded [Page 149] Formosus, whose dead bodie (as hath beene said) hee untombed, beheaded, and cast into Tyber, was a most uncleane beast, abusing his bodie with a most fa­mous strumpet Marozia upon whom hee begot, (as Onuphrius telleth us) Iohn who afterward succeeded Pope, by the name of Iohn 11. or as Platiua counteth Iohn the 10.

After which forenamed Sergius suc­ceeded Iohn the Tenth, (or as Platinae counteth the Nynth, elected to be Pope (by their owne Onuphrius testimonie) by the meanes of a most notable strum­pet, Theodora daughter of Marozia, who burnt in excessive lust with him, &c who was thereafter strangled by the means of Marozia, Sergius harlot, that so her son Iohn the eleventh, (or as Pla­tina counteth the tenth) might come to the Popedome.

This Iohn likewise son to Pope Sergius by his harlot Marozia, by her meanes comming to the Popedome, had his life suteable also to his birth and entrie, his life being wicked and his death violent. Which maketh their own Cardinall Bae­ronius in his tenth Tome of his Annalls, [Page 150] anno 912. art. 3. cry out thus, Quae tunc facies Ecclesiae Romans? quam foedissima, cum Romae dominarentur potentissimae aeque ac sordidissimae meretrices? quarum arbitrio mutarentur sedes, darentur Episcopi, & quod auditu nefandum est, intruderentur in sedem Petri earum amaesii, That is, O what face then had the Church of Rome, how fil­thie? wherein did rule and domin most powerfull and most filthie Whoores, at whose pleasure Bishops were made, and transplantation from one sea to another, and which is most horrible either to bee heard or spoken that their Whoore. ma­sters should be by them intruded even into Peters chayre.

After this wicked Monster Iohn the eleventh, succeeded in short time Iohn the twelth a boy of eyghteen yeares of age (as Baronius reporteth) by simonie of his parents, who from his youth (as both Platina and Onuphrius reporteth) Was defyled with all manner of wickednesse, being given (sayth Platina) only to dycing, hunting, and whooring, so that it is reported that this wicked Monster (sayeth he) was stricken thorow in the very act of Adulterie by the womans Husband, whom he had abu­sed, [Page 151] a famous husband indeed himself to the spouse of CHRISTS Church u­pon earth.

After this Monster of wickednes, suc­ceeded shortlie Boniface the Seventh, by strangling (as Onuphrius reporteth) of his predecessour, a most sacrilegious Theefe and Monster of crueltie (as Pla­tina calleth him,) aswell as of unclean­nesse. (a famous Pope indeed, to be cal­led his holienesse.)

After whom in short time stept up to the Popedome, Sylvester the Second, Who (as Platina and others do witnesse) gaue himself whollie by paction to the Devil to attayne to the Popedom, whose Bodie at last being rent and torne in pieces by the Devil, at his own direction beforehand, was laid upon a Cart and carried to the Church of S. LATERAN, where it was buried, and where before the death of any Pope since, his tomb is seene to sweate, (sayeth Platina) and a collision or rumbling of his bones is heard. (A worthie head indeed of such a bodie as is the Church of CHRIST.)

Afterward succeeded Benedict the ninth Who was a Monster of all sorts of wic­kednesse, [Page 152] and who after his death (as hath beene said) appeared in so mon­strous and uglie a shape, and declared that it was, because he had lived lawlesse and awles: and (as Baronius reporteth) who attayned to the Popedome by simo­nie of his parents, being onelie twelve yeares of age.

After Benedict the ninth, succeeded Sylvester the Third, Who entered (sayeth Platinae) not by the doore, but like a Theefe and Robber came in by the posterne.

After him in likemanner succeeded Gregorie the sixt, whom Platina with the former two, calleth Tria teterrima Mon­stra, and Cardinall Baronius the three headed Cerberus, and yet heads of the Church of CHRIST.

After this Gregorie the sixt, in short time succeeded Gregorie the seventh, cal­led before Hildebrand, or more rightlie, a Hells-brand, Whom the Councell of Brixia accused of these wicked crymes following, (as the Abbot of Vrsperg re­porteth) to wit,In vit [...] Hērici 4. Imp. f. 237. Simonie and intrusion, se­dition, adulterie, sacriledge, murther. perju­rie, witchcraft, & necromancie, & therfore accordinglie adjudged him worthie to [Page 153] be deposed.

Thereafter did Boniface the Eight suc­ceed in the Papall sea, who (sayeth Pla­tina) Strove more to shake with terrour Em­perours, Kings, Princes, Nations, & people, then any wayes make them religious, (farre contrare to CHRISTS example or PETERS, whose vicar or successour he [...] claimeth to bee) and of whome that Charter Monk, author of Fasciculus tem­porum, sayeth, That he entered like a fox, he lived like a lyon, and dyed as a dog.

But what shall I say of that notable Whoore and craftie Strumpet, who was Pope under the name of Iohn the sevēth▪ whose villanie & vyle uncleānes, was dis­covered by her bearing her birth on the very opē streets of Rome, by Gods speci­all providence, while she was going in procession to the church of Lateran, be­tweene the Theater called Colossum, & S. Clements Church, which thereafter since that time, Detestandi facinoris causa (sayeth Platina) never any Pope went, and for preventing the like whereof in time comming that hole in the Chayre wherein the Pope elected is first set, was devised, that by the last Deacon [Page 154] his genetalls may be handled for decla­ring him to be of the Masculine sex, as is reported by Platina, Martinus Polonus, Sigebert, Fasciculus temporum, and a cloud of many more popish historians.

Likewise may be added that incestous Monster. Alexander the sixth with his owne daughter Lucretia, Whose Epitaph was this.

Hoc jacet in tumulo Lucretia nomine, sed re
Thais, Alexandri filia, sponsa, nurus.

Whose life, as Guicciardin testifieth in his historie of Italie was nothing else, But an acting of all monstrous uncleannesse, Lib. 6. p. 202. immoderate ambition, pestiferous perfidie, unheard of avarice, (sayeth hee) & most horrible crueltie.

I could recite many more examples, but these may suffice, so that it is most true which the Iesuite Pererius speaketh of Antichrist,In dan. 9. lib. 4. § [...]ecpriora. that inwardlie and in se­cret Super omnes voluptuarius & libidino­sus erit, externa vero conversatione castitate mentietur, That is, aboue all men hee shall be given to voluptuousnes & leche­rie, but in outward conversion hee shall counterfite chastitie.

CHAP. XVII. Of Antichrists or the Pope and his Clergie their fained Miracles & lyeing wonders, 2. Thess. 2.9.

OF this the Apostle fore­warneth, speaking of Antichrist, and saying, 2. Thess. 2.9. Whose comming (sayeth hee) is after the working of Sa­tan with all power and signes and lyeing wonders, which he there calleth also, The deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnes, & which [...] called lyeing wonders,l. 20. c. 19. as Augustin teacheth in his book of the Citie of God, because they are either fained by men, or the tricks of lying spirits for inducing men to believe lyes, and so are eyther [...] falso as their Authour, or ad falsum in their end. All which popish miracles I distinguish in three ranks, the first is of these who are falslie reported, but not done, the second is of these that seeme to be done, but are onlie counterfited, the third is of these that are trulie done, but by satan. The first of which are bred of [Page 156] lyes, and nourished by credulitie, the se­cond sort is bred of fraud, and fed by superstition, it being hard to tell whe­ther Iuglers or priests (like these of Ba­al) haue beene greatest Cozeners. The third is, the working of Satan (as the Apostle speaketh 2. Thess. 2.9.) and his strong delusion of such, who because they receive not the loue of the trueth, therefore are given over to believe a lye, so that all popish miracles are either fals­lie reported, or falslie done, or falslie as­cribed to God, saint, or angel. Whereof I may say with the learned & noble Ro­mā Laurentiꝰ Valla, in his book, de dona­tione Constantini, Non desiderat sinceritas christiana patrociniū falsitatis, the sincerity of Christiā religion standeth not in need of the patrocinie of falshood, It is suf­ficientlie defended (sayeth hee) by it self, and by it owne light & veritie, without these counterfit and jugling tricks or fables, that are most contumelious (sayeth he) both a­gainst God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

The first end of which lying wonders, their owne Lyra showeth to be filthie gaine, saying upon Daniel the eleventh, and historie of the dragon, The people [Page 157] were then deceived sayeth hee) by their Priests who worshipped the Dragon, for their temporall gaine, and even so now in the Church there is sometimes great deceiving of the people, by miracles fained by priests and their adherents (sayeth he) for their gaine inlikemanner.

Their own Cassander likewise showeth us that the fostering of errour in the mynds of the people is another end,Consult. Art. 21. And that wicked men continuing in their wicked­nesse, notwithstanding haue believed, that by the intercession of saints only, they would rea­dilie be pardoned, which pernicious errour (sayeth hee) so farre as can be; hath beene confirmed by counterfit miracles. Of which sort that book called, the golden Legend and Speculum exemplorum is fraughted and full, and which their own Melchior Canus Bishop of the Canaries, ingenous­lie & with a sorrowfull heart (as he pro­fesseth) calleth both false and ridiculous.Loc. co [...]. 11. c. 6.

To begin then with these fained mi­racles whereof their owne Lyra speaketh which are for gaine, I will instance first, That notable one practised by Pope Bo­niface the Eight (as the Pope [...] owne Se­cretarie recordeth it,Platina i [...] vita Bonif. 8.) not for a pettie [Page 158] gayne like inferiour priests, but to at­tayne to a Popedome, which was thus.

Boniface perceiving his predecessour Caelestin (who had beene a Here [...]ite and was against his will elected Pope) to be a simple man, to move him to resign over the Popedome to him, suborned one in the night time to be in the house neare to his Chamber, & to counterfit himself to be an Angel sent frō God, & by spea­king thorow a hollow reed to him to di­rect him to dimitt the Popedom to Boni­face, if he would be saved, which the sim­ple man took to be a miraculous adver­tisment, and so dimitted the Popedome.

Another notable and later example in anno 1534. known to all FRANCE was this,See Sleid. com. lib. 9. f. 94. The provost of Orleans wife died, and forebade her body to be buried with great solemnitie (as use was) whereby the gray Friers in whose Church she was buried, being disapointed of the great gayne which they expected, suborned a young Frier, placed aboue the syling of the Church in the time of even-song, to make a great noyse, whereupon many resorting thither, and conjuration of the spirit being used to declare who hee [Page 159] was, Answered, that it was the soule of the Provost of Orleans wife, & was dam­ned for the Lutheran heresie (tho shee died a Roman Catholick) and she made that noyse that her bodie might be ray­sed out of the graue in that Church, and laid in some other cōmon & unhallowed place, which thing the Provost, & some both of his and her friends, suspecting this to be a fraudulent trick of revenge, because they had not gotten their expe­cted gaine at her death and buriall, they went to the King and desired the matter to be tryed, which being done before the Parliament of PARIS, it was at last found out and confessed; and the young Frier, with the first Devysers, who were Colimannus, and one Stephanus Atreba­tensis with their associats, were adjudged to be carryed to Orleans, where the fact was committed, and thereafter to bee brought foorth to the place where pub­lick execution is used upon Malefactors, and openlie there to confesse their fraud, and to be accounted thence-foorth infa­mous for ever.

Wherefore is it likewise but for gain? that the Pope ascribeth such wonders [Page 160] that his consecrated Aguus Dei's can work, if any do weare [...]hem about them, as is comprehended in these verses fol­lowing.

Fulgura doorsum depellit, omne malignum
Peccatū frangit, vt Christi sanguis, & angit,
Pregnans servatur, simul & partus liberatur
Munera fert dignis,
Let 88. disprove this.
virtutem destruit ignis,
Portatus mundae de fluctibus erip [...] undae.

So that the Pope cannot onlie work wonders himself, but as he pretendeth heere, can giue a constant vertue to a dead thing carryed about to do the like.

But of all popish miracles this may be accounted the greatest lyeing wonder, which a priest daylie doth work by his whispering over a little piece bread fyve words of consecration, that he thereby immediatly turneth the same into the substance of Christs flesh and blood, and that thus Christs body is multiplyed in so many thousands of places at once, where the masse is said, and the creature be­cometh the Creator of his own creator.

Next to come to these Fabulous fained wonders that are for confirmation of er­rours, they are either fabled to be so by men, or if they be reallie wrought they [Page 161] are (as their own Biell heereafter decla­reth) by the operation of the divel.

These then which are fabulouslie re­ported by men, we haue one, whereof Platina maketh mention in the life of Sergius tertiꝰ, to confirme the great reve­rence that is due to the Pope, which was, that after Sergius the 3. had raised out of the graue the bodie of his predecessour Formosus, & after beheaded him, as if he had beene alive, & did cast his bodie in­to the river Tyber, as unworthie of Chri­stian buriall, yet thereafter his bodie be­ing caught into a net by some fishers, and brought to S. PETERS Church, all the Images that were there, bowed to him and did reverence.

Another to confirme the reverence & adoration that is due to the Hostie, Bel­larmin telleth us in his third book of the Eucharist & 8. Chapter of a hungrie Mare, who notwithstanding, the Hostie comming by, left her corne and turned her about to worship the Hostie.

Another doth Gabriel Biell report, That some Shepheards in the field,Biel in c [...] ­non, missae, Lest .15. having laid down their bread upon a stone, and having pronunced over the same words [Page 162] of consecration, the bread turned into flesh.

Another to confirme the order of their Friers▪ It is reported that S. Dominik had such power over the Devil, that hee forced him, when he appeared to him, by his conjuration: so long to hold his Lamp in his hand till it was consumed, and that the Devill was not onelie troubled there with,Loc. com. 11. c. 6. but also greatly tor­mented. This their forecited Melchior Canus reporteth, and yet ingenouslie gi­ving his owne judgement thereupon, calleth it a thing that is most ridiculous.

And more particularlie to come to such sort of miracles that are reported to have beene done in Rome, in a most ancient book (which I haue beside me) called Mirabilia Rome, printed at Rome by one Iohn Besicken, anno 1500. in the tenth yeare of Pope Alexander the sixth.

1. In the Church of S. Paull, at the right side of the Quire, it is reported that there standeth the Crosse which spake to S. Bridget for her continuall Prayer before the same 2. That in S. Maries in the porch, are two Images of CHRIST, and the Virgine Mary, which [Page 163] a noble Roman Ladie, named Galla re­ceived while shee was at dinner, sent down to her from Heaven for her great devotion. 3. In the Church of S. Alexiꝰ upon the hill called Aventine that the image of the virgin Mary which is ther, spake to the keeper of that Church much to the praise of Alexius. 4. That in S. Maries Church, is Her image, which spake to Pope Gregorie, saying, Why doest thou not of [...]ner salute me, seing ever as thou passeth by thou saluts this my image? for which neglect upon his knees he presēt­ly craved Pardon, and ordayned that all who should salute her there, should haue 15. yeares of indulgence.

This made that learned Valla of their owne, cry out saying in his book of Con­stantins donatiō, O miram hominū demen­tiam qui his anilibus deliramentis fidem ha­bent. That is, O wonderfull madnesse of men who giue credit to such old-wyves fables & fancies. And therfore he subjo [...] ­neth saying, [...]r [...]bescat Christianus homo qui veritatis se ac lucis filium nominat pro­loqui quae non modo vera non sunt nec veresi­milia. That is, let any Christian man be ashamed who cals himself a son of truth [Page 164] and of the light to utter these thinges which not only are no-wyse true, but hath not a lyklie-hood of trueth.

Last of all to come to such signes and lyeing wonders that are for confirmatiō of popish errours and are by the delusion or operation of the devill, whose vicar the Pope is more trulie than CHRISTS, First, for apparition of soules, and con­firmation of purgatory whereas we have sundrie popish histories, let Chrysostome declare in his 29 Homile upon Mathew, what these are, for thus he speaketh, These voyces that say, I am the soule of such a one proceedeth (sayeth he) from the fraud and deceat of the devill, for it is not the soule that departed that sayeth that, but Satan (sayeth he) who that he may deceive the Hearers faineth himself to be that soule.

Next whereas for confirmation of the worship of Images & going to such pla­ces in pilgramage as Loretto, our lady of Hales, & the like, sundrie miracles ar ob­ [...]ruded to be believed to be wrought by them set down by Turselin the Iesuite. Their owne famous Gabriel Biell in his 49. lecture on the Cannon of the Masse speaketh thus. If at any time miracles be [Page 165] wrought upon men (sayeth he) who haue recourse unto them, this is not by vertue of the Images, but by the operation of the devil sometimes, to deceive (sayeth he) such dis­orderlie Worshippers, God so permitting, & their infidelitie so deserving the same.

Of all these miracles then, that are pre­tended to be wrought by the Pope, or the Roman Church,, we may justly an­swere them in Augustins words, & thre­teen treatise upon Iohn, saying. The Lord hath forewarned us of these who pretend mi­racles, fortelling us that in these last dayes false Prophets shall aryse, working signes & wonders that they may seduce (if it were pos­sible the very Elect, & that the cōming of An­tichrist shall be after the working of Satan, with all power or efficacie, and with signes & lyeing wonders. So that how many mira­cles or wonders Romanists do alleadge for them, to prove them to be the true Church, with so many argumēts do they furnish us against them, to prove their Church to be Antichristian, & the Head therof to be that foretold Antichrist.

For Moyses did showe Deu. 13.1. that a false Prophet may work a signe and wonder, and for this end to draw Gods [Page 166] people to idolatrie, as our Saviour like­wise did forewarne that false Prophets should aryse and work [...], great wonders.Math. 24.24. The Romanists therfore argue preposterouslie, while they would prove the trueth of their doctrine by mi­racles, whereas they should proue their miracles to be true, by the truth of their doctrine, and agrement with scrip­ture, this alone being the true and golden rule which Iustine Martyr set­teth down to know true and divine miracles and discerne them from o­thers,Quest. 5. to wit, by the doctrine which they confirme, if it be that, which is re­gistrat in the Word of God, to which they are seales

As for that Revel. 13.13. Where it is said, that the second beast (whereby Antichrist is meaned) doth great won­ders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven upon the earth in the sight of men, allusion thereby being made to that fact of Elias in destroying his ene­myes by calling for fire from heaven to come downe upon earth in the sight of men. 2. King. 1.10.11. Their owne Lyra expoundeth this saying, Hic accipi­tur [Page 167] ignis metaphorice sicut & alia quae hic dicuntur, That is, fire is taken here meta­phoricallie, as other things also which are heere spoken. And thereafter, Incon­spectu hominum, id est secundum falsa [...] estimationem credentium (sayeth he) that is, according to the false estimation of them who believed so. Whereby may be denotate the Popes thunder-bolts of excomunication against such as opposed him, and which (according to the false estimation of them who believed it) he hath power to throw downe to destru­ction both their soules and bodies as unto fire eternallie.

These things therefore being demon­strat concerning Antichrist, First, who he is for Person. 2. Where hee is, for Place. 3. When he came for Time, 4. What were his properties for Marks. To wit, 1. Exorbitant pryde under a pretext of humilitie. 2. Grosse Idolatrie, under colour of devotion and pietie. 3. Bloodie crueltie, palliated under the pretext of holie zeale and sanctitie. 4. Merchādize of spirituall things or simonie, joyned with horrid tytles of blaesphemie. 5. A Lawlesse life, and in lecherie, through fai­ned [Page 168] holienesse and continencie. And 6. Lyeing wonders, by subtilitie, abusing Christians simplicitie.

From all which former premisses in all the preceeding Chapters, I repeate that argument Wherewith I beganne, thus. Unto whom the whole prophe­cyes of holie scripture describing that grand Antichrist, and being joyntlie or collectivelie taken, doth sole and onelie agree. He is that grand Antichrist, fore­told in the scripture.

But unto the Pope the whole prophe­cyes of holie scripture describing that grand Antichrist, being joyntlie and col­lectivelie taken, doth sole & only agree. Therefore it followeth that hee is that grand An [...]ichrist foretold in the scrip­tures.

And I defye any Priest or papist to find out any other to whom these prophecies or properties collectivelie taken, (as said is) doth agree. And speciallie by the testimonies of these, that are of that per­sons profession, as we haue brought the testimonies of Romanists to prove these of the Pope.

Whence it is, that since the Pope came [Page 169] [...]o that Meridian or [...] of his hight, about the thousand yeare of God in the time of Gregorie the 7. (as hath beene said) and was fullie then seene to bee that man of sin spoken of 2. Thess. 2.4. The Lord hath stirred up from time to time in every Centurie since, some wit­nesses to avow him to be that grand & foretold Antichrist, as in the yeare of God, 1100. or thereby. The Bishope of Florence in the time of Paschalis the se­cond declareth clearlie that the Pope was that Antichrist. anno 1100 The same likewise did one Dulcinus Navarensis preach, as may be seene more ample in that book, called, Catalogus testium veritatis, & the Mageburg centuries, Cent. 12. As like­wise Ioachimus Abbas declareth the same, being asked by Richard the first of Eng­land, as witnesseth Roger Houeden in the life of Richard the first. So likewise did Honorius Augustodunensis dialog▪ de lib. Arb. & predest. And as their own fore­cited Aventin reporteth, All good, plaine, Iust, and ingenous persons (sayeth he) saw, that then beganne the kingdome of Anti­christ. Avent. annal. Bojor. lib. 5. c. 10.

Inlikemanner, anno 11200. one Wal­ter [Page 170] Mapez Arch-deane of Oxford, anno 1200 a fa­mous man both for life and learning, of whom Giraldus Cambrensis maketh men­tion, in his book, called, Speculum Eccle­siae lib. 3. c. 1. and 14. Avowedlie main­tained that the Pope was that Antichrist. The same did Eberhardus Archbishope of Salisburg in a publick imperiall dyet at Reinsburg, as Aventin recordeth in his 5. and 7. bookes of the Bavarian annals· As also Robert Grosthead called the worthy Bishopeof Lincolne, as Mathew Paris re­porteth in the life of Henrie the third Whose bones therefore were thereaf­ter caused to be raised by Pope Innocent and cast out of the Church.

anno 1300Likewise in the 1300 yeare of God, Marsilius Patavinus in his book called Defensor pacis, c, 25. affirmeth that the Pope was that foretold Antichrist. So likewise did that worthie gentleman & famous Poet in his time, Gefrey Chaucer in his plow-mans tale at large. As also Michael Caesenas principall or pryor of the gray Friers, with diverse others. But most speciallie their famous Petrarch in that Epistle where hee deploreth the ca­lamitie of the Towne of Rome cited a­before.

[Page 171]Inlikemanner, in the yeare 1400.anno 1400 Iohn Wickleff in England, whom thereafter followed Iohn Huss and Ierom of Prague in BOHEME, avowedlie taught and did proue the Pope to be Antichrist. Wit­nessing the same to their death. Which then many houndreths, yea thousands publicklie professed & maintained with their blood.

Last of all in the yeare 1500.anno 1500 or little after, beside Ierome Savanarola in Italie▪ The Lord stirred up Luther in Germany, Melancton and many more to discover & declare the Pope to bee that man of sin and foreprophecied Antichrist. which in all reformed Churches is now held for a most sure and true assertion, upon the grounds an d reasons that alreadie hath beene declared. So that it is no new doctrine, braoched onelie since Luther's tyme (as papists affirme) that the Pope is Antichrist. But grounded upon scrip­ture and avowed by many who lived and dyed in the externall Communion of the Roman Church, long before Lu­ther.

CHAP. XVIII. Of the finall destruction of Antichrist and ruine of the papall sea. 2. Thess. 2.8.

IT being alreadie showne concerning Antichrist, who he is, and where he is, when he came, & whence he came, and what are his marks also whereby hee may bee knowne, followeth now at last that wee see, what shall be his end, or whether he goeth, and this shall be according to his name given to him by Paull, & common with Iudas, that is, he is called the son of perdition, & accordingly to perdition he shal go. And as he is called Abbadon Apo­lyon a Destroyer, so shall destruction bee his later end. The manner whereof the Apostle setteth downe 2. Thess. 2.8. That first that wicked man shall be re­vealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and at last shall destroy him with the brightnesse of [Page 173] his comming. Which Cardinall Cajetan so expoundeth, By the breath of his mouth that is (sayeth he) by the spirituall vertue of the word of the Gospell piece and piece shal he turne away men from following of Anti­christ, and leade them to embrace the trueth. Which indeed is that victorie of the Lamb spoken of Revel. 17.14. And the effect of that glorious worke of Re­formation begunne before our dayes, & which shall hold on in magre of the op­position of all the enemies thereof, till it come to the finishing cubit, and Dagon utterlie fall before the Ark of God, so that it may justly then be said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, & that these loftie towres of hers are utterlie and for ever laid in the dust.Revel 18.

Of which her finall destruction long ago did her owne Nicolaus Clemangis Archdeane of Bajon and Parisian doctor of Theologie forewarne her in his book,P. 64. De corrupto Ecclesiae statu, saying. If there­fore according to Ezekiels parable of the two sisters Ahola and Aholiha, their elder sister (meaning Rome) hath done the like, yea, in a mad humor hath exceeded them in wic­kednesse and fornication, How shall she think [Page 174] upon impunitie? Therefore awake (sayeth hee) at last out of thy long sleepe (O unhapy Sister to that Synagogue) I say awake at last, and put an end (as I may say) to thy sleeping out of thy drunkenesse wherein so long thou hast continued. And see reade and understand that Prophet, and others, if by the testimonie of that prophet, thy ebrietie hath not besotted thy heart, If therefore there be any spark left unto thee of a sound minde, diligentlie (sayeth he) consider the Pro­phets speeches and thy owne estate, and that thy confusion is not sleeping, but it is at hand, and thou shall see what end abydeth thee, al­tho wickedlie and dangerouslie thou hast lyen so long in thy filthienesse; And if thou will not hear the Prophets, nor believe that they speak of thee, when they threaten so heavie judgements, thou trulie deceiveth thy self and by too dangerous an errour beguyleth thy self: For it is of thee that they speak, and thou should acknowledge, that these things which they threaten shall fall upon thee except thou repent. But giving and not granting that their prophecyes concerneth others than thee. What thinketh thou (sayeth hee) of that prophecy that meerlie concerneth thee, to wit, that of Iohn in th e Revelation? at least dost [Page 175] thou not think in some part that belongeth to thee? Or hast thou lost so all shame and sense tha [...] thou can deny that? Behold therefore that prophecie, and reade the damnation of the great Whoore that sitteth on many waters (sayeth he) and there behold thy wicked deeds, & thy fusure fall. A good progres [...] whereof to Gods glory and his saints re­joycing is alreadie seene, and as Euphra­tes was diverted by Cyrus frō the eastern Babylon before her overthrow, so by the diverting and drying up of these waters in a great part, whereupon the Whoore sitteth, by Gods people deserting this westerne Babylon & their comming ou [...] of her upon Gods call (as Lot did out of Sodom, Gods people out of Egypt, & th [...] Christians out of Ierusalem to Pella be­fore the destruction thereof) her over­throw and finall destruction likewise is shortly to follow, & as the Prophet spea­keth Ier. 51.33. As the tim of Babel's thre­shing is come, yet a little whyle, & the time of her harvest shall come, & tho she sit as a Queene and in her security sayeth, Shee is [...] Widdow, & shall see no sorrow, yet her destruction & plagues shall come upon her in a day when she looketh not for it, the rea­son [Page 176] whe [...]eof is rendered to be this, in o [...] ­position to her strength and all her adhe­rents, For strong is the Lord that judgeth her ▪ and loud is the cry of that blood, shed by her. Rev. 18.24. In which work (as was said of Esterne Babylon before) so happie shall they be whether princes, pastours, or people,Psael. 137.9. according to their severall sta­tions, that shall be found most instrumen­tall; The full performance whereof the Lord hasten to His glory and his saints rejoycing. AMEN.

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This Iohn the 12. in a Councell at Rome, anno 692. Under the Emperour Otho was (as their Onuphrius reporteth) mul­tis & magnis criminibus damnatus. Which their own Abbot Tritemiꝰ paticula­rizeth as horrid crueltie, multi­plyed incests, drinking to the devill,Chr. Trit. f. 42. at dyce invocati ng Ve­nus and Iuno with other hea­then gods, murther, perjury, and sacriledge, &c. Where­by any may judge how just­ly this Pope migh tbecal­led his Holienes.

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