The Acts of Christ and Antichrist, Part 2

The Acts of Christ and Antichrist · Part 2

¶Of the doctrine of Christe, and of Antichrist.

FIrste. Christe Ioan. xviii.John 18saieth, that heIhon. xvii. came for thisIoan. 14. 15. 16.John 14:15John 14:16 purpose into y^e worlde, euen to testifie & beare witnesse of the truth, and that his woorde is the Truthe: Againe, that the holie Ghoste shall leade vsus into all Truthe: hereby manifestly declaryng, that in his holie woorde, is contained sufficiente doctrine for our saluation,ii. Timoth. ii.2 Tim 2 as saincte Paule saieth: All Scripture giuen by inspiration of GOD, is profitable to teache, to improue, to amende, and to instructe in righteousnesse, that the manne of GOD maie bee perfecte, and prepared vntounto all good woorkes. Likewise saied the woman of Samarie to Christe: I knowe that Messias shall come, whiche is called Christ: When he is come, he shall tell vsus all thynges.Ioan. iiii.John 4 And the Apostle in his exhortation to the Elders of Ephesus, said: I hauehave kepte nothyng backe,Actes. xx.Acts 20 that was profitable vntounto you, &c. Againe, I hauehave shewed you all thynges.

Antichriste saieth, that though it bee truthe, that is contained in the Bible, yet all truthe necessarie to saluation, is not there to bee founde, but there are other truthes as necessarie to bee beleued,Unwriten vereties. vnderunder paine of damnation, as those that bee contained in the holie scripture, and thei bee called vnwritten verities. He saieth moreouer, that his Decrees and Lawes, are necessarily to bee kepte, as the Commaundementes of God, and addeth moreouer, that thei bee of equall aucthoritie with the worde of God.

2 Christe saieth,Ioan. vi.John 6 that no man can come vntounto hym,Esay. liiii.Isa 54 except his Father drawe hym: Againe, that all shall bee taught of God: Signifiyng hereby, that no man can vnderstand, and perceiue the misteries contained in the woorde of God, excepte thei bee reueled, and opened vntounto hym by the Spirite of God, whiche alone is the aucthour thereof:i. Cor. ii.1 Cor 2 for asmuche as a naturall manne, can not come vntounto the vnderstandyng of those thynges, that belong vntounto the Spirite of God.ii. Peter. i2 Pet 1 And as sainct Peter saith, that the Scripture is not a priuate interpretation, that is to saie, not to bee expounded after the iudgemente of reason, and as eueryevery man of his owne braine fantaketh, but as GOD is the alone aucthour of the worde, so is the true vnderstandyng thereof to bee begged of God alone, by feruent praier, and by diligente conference of the scriptures. Dauid consideryng this, praied to God on this maner: Open thou myne eyes,Psalme. 119.Ps 119 that I maye see the wonderous thynges of thy lawe. Make me to vnderstande the waie of thy Commaundementes, and so shall I talke of thy wonderous woorkes. O learne me true vnderstandyng and knowledge. O giuegive me vnderstādyng, that I may learne thy commaundementes. &c. And Sainct Paule writyng to Timothe,ii. Timoth. i.2 Tim 1 saieth: God giuegive thee vnderstandyng in all thynges.

Antichriste saieth, that the interpretation of the Scripture, hangeth of the iudgement of the Fathers, and old auncient writers, and of the aucthoritie, and consente of the Churche of Rome, whiche is the true Churche, and mother of all churches, and can by no meanes erre, without the approbation of the whiche, no interpretation of the Scripture can bee good and catholike.

3 Christe will all menne to searche the Scriptures,Ihon. v. and to leane vntounto them,Psalm. 19.Ps 19 in all matters of controuersie,Esay. viii.Isa 8 as faithfull witnesses of the Lordes truthe.

Antichriste commaundeth, that when any question arise, aboute matters of Religion, menne should hauehave recourse vntounto the Canons, and generall Councels, but spicially vntounto the See of Roome, where all doubtfull matters are to bee decided. As for the Scripture, it hath no more aucthoritie, then it pleaseth the Churche, that is to faie, the Pope and his adherentes, to giuegive vntounto it.

4 Christe teacheth, that all mennes traditions, oughte to giuegive place vntounto the woorde of God: and that whatsoeuer is decreed of menne, although of neuer so greate ancthoritie and wisedome, contrary to the woorde of God, is vtterly to bee neglected, reiected, and caste awaie.

Antichriste teacheth plainely, that all suche constitutions, and ordinaunces of men, as bee decreed, and set forthe by the aucthoritie of Counselles, and holie Fathers) whiche are alwaies gathered together by the instincte, and consent of the holy ghost) although thei are not, nor can not bee grounded on Goddes worde, are notwithstādyng good and profitable: and menne are bounde vnderunder paine of deadly synne, to obtaine and keepe them. For the Churche can not erre.

5 Christe teacheth,Luke. iiii.Luke 4 that there is but one onelyonly,Luke. iiii.Luke 4 true liuyng and euerlastyng God whiche alone is to be honoured, worship ped, and called vponupon: by whose name also alone we ought to sweare.

Antichriste also after a certaine sorte, confessed also one God with vsus, and that he is to be honoured and called vponupon, but not alone. For he teacheth, that the sainctes in heauen, bothe maie and ought to be honoured and called vpō, yea, and that we maie also sweare by their names.

6 Christe in his holie Lawe,Exod. xx.Exod 20 bothe by Moses, the Prophetes, and Apostles, forbiddeth to make, sette forthe, or kepe any Image to bee worshipped. But aboue all thinges, he forbiddeth vsus to make any Image of God.

Antichrist saieth, it is lawfull not onelyonly to hauehave images and to sette them vp in Temples,Images. Chapels, Oratories. &c. but also to worshippe theim, to kneele before theim, to kisse them, to praie before them, yea, & to them, to knele before them, to set candels before them, to decke and trimme them, to offer vntounto them, to sense them, to put of our cappes vntounto them, and at the laste,Beliques. what not? Antichriste also diggeth out of the ground the olde rotten bones or reliques of sainctes, translateth them, encloseth them in Golde, keepeth them in precious shrynes and costly Clausures, and setteth them forth to the people to be kissed,The Image of the Trinity described. and worshipped. Moreouer he is not ashamed contrarie too the manifeste woorde of God, to make the Image of the blessed Trinitie. He formeth and frameth God the father like an old broken backed man, with a white head, winckled forehed, holow eied, slender cheeked, sharpe nosed, tothlesse, wide mouthed, hangyng doune lipped, crooke chinned, graye bearded, small necked, leane handed, and in fine, altogether monstrous. GOD the Sonne Antichrist setteth forth as a lusty younge younker with his yelow lockes: and God the holy Ghost he maketh like a yong lustie White flickeryng Doue. But this blasphemous image causeth hee to be set in Churches and in all other places, not onelyonly to be considered, but also to be worshipped vntounto the greate dishonour of god, the slaunder of the Christen religion, the offence of all good men, and vntounto the glorie of all Gods ennemies. But what dareth not Antichrist doe?

7 Christ teacheth,Ioan. iiii.John 4 that the true worshippers muste worshippe God in spirite andMath. xv.Matt 15 trueth: againe, that they worship God in vaine, whiche honour hym after the traditions of men.

Antichrist affirmeth, that it is lawfull to worship God any maner of waie, so it commeth of a good entent, good mynde, good zeale, good deuotion, &c. For God casteth awaie the good intent of no man. Antichrist therefore teacheth vsus to worship God with Golde, Siluer, precious stones, sumpteous vestures, candels, palmes, Ashes, bread, water, Salt, &c. With long patteryng, curious singyng, pleasaunt pipyng, loude ringyng, &c. With Surplesses, Copes, Uestimentes, Caps, Coules, &c. with Massyng, with Pilgrimage goyng, with Pardons biyng, with Beades saiyng, &c. And all these thinges he taught to be more precious and acceptable in the sight of GOD, than to helpe the poore, or to doe any worke of merciemercy. For that is done but to manne, the other vntounto God.

8 Christ in his sweete Sermon that hee made,Math. v.Matt 5 in the mount saieth, that he came to fulfill the Lawe, that is to saie, to accomplishe, whatsoeuer was prefigured of him in the ceremonies of the olde Testament, so that by his comming he hath put away and vtterlie abolished all Ceremonies, euen as the shadow is remoued by the entrance of the light. For as the Apostle saieth.Heb. x.Heb 10 The lawe he meaneth the ceremoniall law was nothyng els than a shadow of good thinges to come. The good thinges are come and geuen, therfore the shadow ceaseth: wherby we euidently learne that the Christians are nowe free from suche cloudy lawes & darke ceremonies.

Antichrist teacheth, that although the CeremoniesCeremonies of the olde law be abolished by the commyng of Christ, yet that hindreth nothing but that the Church, which is the spouse of Christ, may appoint what Ceremonies she wil, without any offence of her husband Christ, whiche delighteth in her and in her doynges, as in himselfe, yea and that so muche the more bicause among the christians there are many rude grosse, and thei must be rudely and grossely handled, and brought by little and little vntounto perfection thorowe suche Ceremonies, and outward obseruaunces: whiche Ceremonies and Ordinaunces of Christes spouse the Churche, are with no lesse reuerences to bee obserued, than if they had beene commaunded of Christe her husbande.

9 Christ Iesus in his doctrine teacheth, that he alone is our Sauiour, our Redeemer, our Bishop, or Pastour, our head, our reconciliatour, our peacemaker, and in fine, all our hope and comfort, in so muche that whosoeuer beleueth in hym, shall not perishe, but hauehave euerlastyng life.

Antichriste in his doctrine teacheth, that saluation and remission of synnes, is to bee obtained also at his handes, at his Pardons, Indulgences, yeres of Iubile, Masses, Coules, Pilgrimages, &c. Againe, that he is heade of the vniuersall Churche of Christendome, Christes Uicare, Peters Successour, the higheste Bishop, the greatest Priest, the moste holie, and moste blessed Father, to whom aboue all other, the keyes of the kyngdom of heauē are committed, fo that whatsoeuer he bindeth in yearth, is also bounde in heauen: and whatsoeuer he looseth in yearth, is in like maner loosed in heauen, so that whosoeuer cleaueth vntounto hym, can not perishe, but hauehave life euerlastyng.

10 Christe taught vsus,Ioan. xiiii.John 14 that whensoeuer wee will desire any thyng of God the Father,Ioan. xvi.John 16 wee should aske it in his name.i. Timoth. ii.1 Tim 2 For no manne commeth to the Father,i. Ihon. ii. but by hym.Rom. viii.Rom 8 And in the writynges of the Apostles wee reade,Roma. v. that Christe alone is our Mediatour, Aduocate, and Intercessour, by whom alone wee hauehave free, and gracious accesse vntounto God the Father, and easely obtaine of hym all good thynges.

Antichriste setteth forthe vntounto vsus,Inuocation of Sainctes. other Mediatours, Aduocates, and Intercessours, euen the soules and spirites of them that are departed: and commaundeth vsus to call vponupon them, to make intercession vntounto theim, that thei for vsus maye call vponupon God, praie vntounto hym, and make Intercession vntounto hym, that by this meanes, our praiers maie be the soner heard, and our petitions the more easely graunted. Thus Antichrist goth about to make Christ, Iacke out of office.

11 Christe hangyng on the Crosse, and ready to giuegive vp his Spirite, into the hā des of his heauenly Father,Ihon. xix. saied: It is finished: signifiyng hereby, that by the one and alone Sacrifice of his Passion and death, al thyng is wrought, and perfectly doen, whatsoeuer appertaineth vntounto the saluation of mankinde, so that now there remaineth no more any Sacrifice, or oblation for synne, as the Apostle saieth: With one onelyonly Oblation hath Christe made perfect for euer,☜ them that are sanctified. Againe: We are sanctified by the offeryng vp of Christes bodie,Heb. x.Heb 10 doen once for all.

Antichriste hath sette vp diuerse Sacrifices for synnes,The Sacrifice of the Masse. but namely the vile and abhominable sacrifice of the Masse, whiche he calleth a propiciatorie, expiatorie, and satisfactorie Sacrifice for the synnes of the quicke and the deade, necessary Ad salutem. This Sacrifice he braggeth to bee of like dignitie, and of equall price with that Sacrifice, whiche Christ the high and euerlastyng Bishop, offered on the Altar of the Crosse, yea, to bee the verie same: againe, that he and his Chaplens in that Sacrifice of the Idolatrous Masse, doe daiely offer vp the Soonne of God to the Father of heauen, for the daily synnes of the people. Antichrist moreouer is not ashamed to saie, that Christe by the Sacrifice of his death, doen on the Altare of the Crosse, did onelyonly put awaie originall synne: but he and his shauelynges, by the Sacrifice of their Masse, putteth awaie all other synnes at all tymes, bothe actuall, veniall, mortall, &c.

12 Christe in his blessed Testament teacheth,i. Ihon. ii. that wee are purged,Heb. ix.Heb 9 cleansed, and made pure from all synne by his bloud.Apoc. i.Rev 1

Antichriste for the mainteinaunce of his idle Cleargie, that thei might liue of the laboure and sweate of other mennes hands and browes, hath deuised an other Purgatorie after this life,Purgatory. wherein the soules of them, that hauehave not doen due satisfaction for their sinnes in this worlde, muste bee moste miserably tormented, vntill either thei by sufferyng moste greeuous paines, hauehave satisfied the iustice of God, or els thei bee deliuered by the Sacrifice of the Masse offered for theim, or by some other charitable deedes of merciemercy. Is not this to counte the bloud of the Testamente,Hebre. x. as an vnholie thyng, and to doe dishonour to the Spirite of grace.

13 Christe teacheth,Ephes. ii.Eph 2 that the Churche, whiche is the felowship of Sainctes,Ioan. x.John 10 and companie of faithfull people, is built vppon hym self, whiche is the true rocke, is gouerned by his Spirite, heareth his voice, and is ruled by the same.

Antichrist saieth, that the Churche is not builte on Christe alone, but also on Peter and his successours: againe, that it is not onelyonly gouerned by the woorde of GOD, but also by the Decrees of the Churche of Rome.

14 Christe saieth,Ihon. x. that thei, whiche are his Shepe, and belong vntounto his Shepefold, that is, vntounto his holy congregation, heare not the voice of straungers, but flee frō them, giuyng eare onelyonly to the voice of their owne Shepehearde.

Antichrist saieth, that thei whiche are of the Churche, maie not onelyonly heare the voice of Christe, but also the woordes of the Bishop of Rome, whiche is Christes Uicare: and knowledge hym to bee the vniuersall Bishoppe, whose voice to heare, and whose decrees to obey, we are bound vnderunder paine of euerlastyng damnation.

15 Christe ordained in his Churche,Ephe. iiii.Eph 4 to sette forthe the Gospell of our saluation,i. Cor. xii.1 Cor 12 and to gouerne his flocke, Apostles, Prophetes, Euangelistes, Pastoures, teachers. &c.

Antichrist appointed in his Churche, Monkes, Friers, Chanons, Nonnes, Ankers, Ankresses, Recluses, Priestes, Sacrificers, Soulecariers, Purgatorie rakers, Pardonners, Proctours, Somners, Apparitours, Commissaries, Officialles. &c.

16 Christe in his holie Lawe,Math. xix.Matt 19 freely per: mitteth all spirituall Ministers,i. Timoth. ii.1 Tim 2 Bishops Deacons,Titus. i.Titus 1 &c. to marrie.

Antichriste in his Deuilishe decreesThe Mariage of Priestes. forbiddeth, and condemneth the mariage of spirituall Ministers.

17 Christe by his holie Apostle,Heb. xiii.Heb 13 calleth Mariage honourable, and the bedde vndefiled, yea, & that emongest all men, none excepted.

Antichrist shameth not to call the mariage of the Spirituall Ministers, an vncleane, filthie, and fleshly kinde of liuyng.

18 Christe gaue equall power to all the Ministers of his Churche.Ioan. xx.John 20

Antichriste denieth that, and saieth, that the Bishoppe hath more aucthoritie then the Prieste, and the Archebishoppe more then Bishoppe, and the Pope, more then thei all.

19 Christe in his blessed Newe Testamente,Actes. vi.Acts 6 appointeth Deacons to be Ministers vntounto the poore,Deacons. and to see that thei lacke no good thyng:Bishops. And the Bishoppes or Spirituall Ouersears, he ordained them to preach the worde, to enstruct the people, to minister the Sacramentes, &c.

Antichrist ordaineth Deacons to saie mattens of the daie, to reade the Gospell at Masse, to stande on the Priestes right hand, to helpe hym in all thinges, to hauehave a shauen crowne, to liue vnmaried, &c. Archdeacons he hath also appointed certaine tymes in the yere to visite the churches,Archdeacōs. to see if the church and churchyarde be in good state: if the Uestmentes, Alter clothes, Copes, Banner clothes, Crosse clothes, Curteines, Towels, Boxes, Pyxes, Chrismatories, Fontes, holy water bucket, holy bread basket, Bels, Candelstickes, Sensers, Crosses, Cruettes, and suche like ornamentes of the Churche be well and sufficiently repared: againe, if the Hosts be well kept of the Curate, that they be not moulde, fustie, euill sauoured, cankered, worme eaten, &c. As for prouision makyng for poore and needie people, there is no mention. That ought to bee collected of the Archdeacons among the mercifull Christians,☞ for the ayde and reliefe of the poore members of Christe in their visitation, is nowe vnfrutefully deuoured, spent, and consumed of the Archdeacons themselues and of their Officers, so that the office of an Archedeacon at this time in the kingdome of the Pope is now come altogether vnprofitable, and to muche chargeable to the Churche of God.

20 Christ appointed his Apostles to bee the ministers and seruauntes of his holyi. Cor. iiii.1 Cor 4 Churche.i. Peter. v.1 Pet 5

Antichrist ordaineth his Priestes and Prelates to be Lordes and Masters ouer Gods people: yea, he maketh them to be of greater authoritie and power thā Emperours, Kinges, Princes, &c. of higher dignitie, than all the Angelles in heauen, or than the blessed Uirgin Mary. Moreouer he doeth so greatlie aduaunce the dignitie of his smered shauelynges,Sacramētes. that he calleth them the maker of their maker. And to set forthe their royall and kingly priesthode, he maketh them euer to weare a shauen crowne.

21 Christ instituted in his holy testament two Misteries,Math. xxviii.Matt 28 or Sacramentes, that is to say,Marke. xvi.Mark 16 Baptisme and the Lords Supper,Ihon. iii. whiche he added to his worde,Math. xxvi.Matt 26 as Signes and Seales of his good wil vntounto vsus,Marc. xiiii.Mark 14 that thei might be the same to the eye,Luke. xxii.Luke 22 that the worde is to the eare:i. Cor. xi.1 Cor 11 and so ioyned together thorowe the operation of the holy ghoste, bryng saluation too the faithfull beleuers.

Antichrist not content with so small a number, hath added fiue moe, so that now they be seuen in number, which are more openly knowen, than they neede here to be rehearsed.

22 Christe, Math. xxviii.Matt 28as concernyng the outward Ministerie,Marc. xvi.Mark 16 ordained the Sacramente of Baptisme to consiste of the worlde, and of the water.

Antichriste not content with so slender furniture, hath added many thinges, as the Exorcismes or Coniurations of the deuill out of the childe, salte, spittle, crossing, halowyng of the Fonte, candleburnyng, with diuerse other toyes.

23 Christ at the institution of the sacrament of his bodie and bloud vsed only the worde,Math. xxvi.Matt 26 bread and wine.

Antichrist mingleth Wine and water together in his ministration, and miserably handleth the words of the institution.

24 Christe appointed his holie Supper to bee a Sacrament,Luke. xxii.Luke 22 that is to saie, an holie signe of his bodie and bloud.i. Cor. xi.1 Cor 11

Antichriste saieth plainely, that the Lordes Supper is not onelyonly a Sacramente, and holie signe of Christes bodie and bloud, but it is also the thyng it self, that is Christes naturall body and bloud with as good reason,☜ as though a manne should saie, that the Iuiebushe, whiche hangeth before the Tauerne, is not onelyonly a signe, that there is Wine to sell, but also that it is the Wine it self. Notwithstandyng, whosoeuer denieth thys hys Doctrine, muste needes bee counted an Heretike, and iudged to bee burned at a stake.

25 Christe makyng the breade and wine Sacramentes,Math. xxvi.Matt 26 and holie signes of his bodie and bloud,i. Cor. x. xi.1 Cor 10 altered not the substaunces of that holie breade, and holie wine, but thei remained in their olde nature, substaunce, and propertie, as tofore.

Antichriste teacheth in his dotyng and Deuilishe Decree, that after the woordes of consecration, This is my bodie, This is my blood:Transubstantiation. there remaineth no substaunce of breade and wine, but the substaunce of breade is tourned miraculously, by the vertue of cōsecratyng wordes, into the substaunce of Christes naturall bodie: and the substaunce of the wine, into the substaunce of Christes naturall bloud, the accidentes of breade and wine onelyonly remainyng, without their proper substaunces. O prodigious and monsterous doctrine.

26 Christ ordained his holy Supper, to be a remembraunce of the sacrifice,Luke. xxii.Luke 22 which he offred on the alter of the Crosse for the redemption of the worlde, that when wee behold the Sacramental bread and wine broken and shed, we should call to remembraunce that Christes body was broken, and his bloud shead, for the remission of our sinnes,i. Cor. xi.1 Cor 11 as he hymselfe saieth: Dooe this in remembraunce of mee. Item the Apostle: So ofte as ye shall eate of thys Bread, or drinke of this Cup, ye shall remembre the Lordes death till he come.

Antichrist teacheth, that it is not only a remembraunce of the Sacrifice, but also the Sacrifice it self,Receauing of the Sacrament. of the same dignity, might, and power.

27 Christ ordained that all that bee partakers of his holy Supper, shoulde not onelyonly eate of the Mistery of his body, but also drinke of the mistery of his bloud.

Antichrist taketh away f…om the Communion of the Laity, yea and of the Spiritualty also (except they Masse it themselues, and make Gods body) the Cup of the mistery of Christes bloud, contrary to the commaundement of Christe,Math. xxvi.Matt 26 and contrarie too the practise of the Primatiue Churhe.

28 Christe, Actes. iii.Acts 3bicause he would take awaie his naturall bodye from the yearth, and place it vntill the day of iudgement in the glorious kingdome of his heauenly Father, ordained the Sacrament of thankesgiuyng to be a memoriall of the same.

Antichrist teacheth plainly, that whersoeuer the consecrate hoaste is, though it be in infinite places,The vbiquitie of Christes naturall body. there is also the body of Christe, euen the …ry same body of Christe, that was borne of Mary the Uirgin, & hanged on the altare of the Crosse. He saieth moreouer, that the sacred hoast beyng whole, is but the body of Christe: and the same hoaste beyng broken in an hundred peeces, eueryevery parcell thereof although neuer so little, is but the body of Christe, euen as he hanged on the Crosse. O doctrine more than twise monstrous.

29 Christe in his holy woorde teacheth, that the Sacramentall Bread and wine should bee eaten and dronken,Luke. xx.Luke 20 in the remembraunce of his body breakyng and bloudshedyng.i. Cor. xi.1 Cor 11

Antichrist commaundeth, that the Sacrament should be heaued and lifted vp aboue the priestes head, that it may be worshipped of the people, hanged vp in the Pixe, caried about in solemne Procession in pompes and vayne pastymes.

30 Christ teacheth that the next waye toMath. iiii.Matt 4 heauen is to repent vsus of our former life,Marc. i.Mark 1 and to beleue the Gospell.Luke. xxiiii.Luke 24

Antichrist saieth, that the rediest waie vntounto saluation, is to bye his Pardons, to put on a Grayfryers Coule, to purchase certaine Masses of Scala celi, to truste in the praiers and intercessions of sainctes, to bye the Suffrages of the Churche, to prouide to bee partaker of the Monkes praiers, watchinges, fastinges vowes, deuotions, &c.

31 Christ declareth in his heauenly doctrine,i. Ihon. i. that there is no satisfaction too God the father for our synnes,Galat. vi.Gal 6 but onelyonlyEphes. ii.Eph 2 Coloss. i.Col 1his helthfull and most precious death.

Antichrist saieth, that the woorkes of penaunce do satisfy the diuine iustice, and appeace his wrath kindled against vsus for synne.

32 Christ declareth in his doctrine,Luke. xv.Luke 15 that when we hauehave offended our heauenly Father,Ioan. xvi.John 16 and gone astraye from the pathes of his holy commaundementes:Math. xvii.Matt 17 we shoulde conuert and tourne vntounto hym,i. Ihon. i. and make our hūble confession vntounto hym, and craue forgiuenesse of our synnes at his hande, for his sonne Christ Iesus sake.

Antichrist sendeth vsus vntounto his Priestes, commaunding vsus to publish and confesse our synnes vntounto hym, and take penaunce and absolution at his hande, with this faithe, that so doyng we are forgiuen and deliuered from all synne.

33 Christ saith,Ioan. xi.John 11 that whosoeuer beleueth on hym,Rom. iii.Rom 3 although he were dead, yet shall hee liue, ascribyng oure iustification and righteous makyng to faithe alone.

Antichrist teacheth that not by faithe alone, but by faith, hope, charity, and workes together, we are iustified,Roma. iii. v. when notwithstandyng the Apostle saieth,Galat. ii.Gal 2 that we are iustified by faithe without the workes of the lawe. And the greatest parte of the auncient writers ascribe iustification to faith alone without workes.

34 Christ by the Apostle saith,Galath. v. that faith worketh by louelove, signifiyng here by, that faith is the mother of charitie, and that charitie issueth and floweth out of faithe, as the small riuers, out of the great and mayne fountaines.

Antichrist saith, that faith is wrought by Charitie, and also that charitie is the Parent or Mother of faith, so that in the matter of iustification charitie goeth before faithe. Is not this that Antichriste, that shoulde tourne the rootes of Trees upwarde?

35 Christe saieth, either make the Tree good,Math. xii.Matt 12 and his fruit good also, or els make the Tree nought, and his fruite nought also: meanyng that the Tree shoulde bee … good, and thā bring forth good fruit. The fruite maketh not the Tree good, but the Tree doth make the fruite good, although we can not know that the Tree is good, but by his fruites. For we can iudge nothyng but by his outwarde operation, yet God seeth the quickenesse that is in the roote,lindx; whiche in the tyme that GOD hath appointed hym, shall bryng forth his fruite: and approueth the Tree to be good, although it seemeth dead vntounto vsus. The Tree is faithe,Note well. whiche is the mother of al good workes, and euer worketh by charitie, whensoeuer occasion is offered. And for this cause is a faithfull man in the Psalmes compared to a Tree planted by the riuers syde,Psalm. i.Ps 1 which yeldeth and bringeth forth her fruite in her time.

36 Christe comaundeth that the poore should bee bidde too dinner,Luke. xiiii.Luke 14 and that wee should geue to the needy,Math. vi.Matt 6 and so laye vp treasure for our selues in heauen.

Antichrist sommoneth and citeth them bee they neuer so poore, not regardyng their lette and aduersitie, but he curseth them, if they come not at the time appointed: and if they come, they go away sorier and sicker both in Soule and Purse, then they came.

37 Christe teacheth that wee should not sweare at al,Math. v.Matt 5 but that we should vse in our communication to affirme,Iac. v.Jas 5 yea, and to deny, naye. For whatsoeuer is more commeth of euill.

Antichrist saieth:Cap. Significasti de elect. if any man will receaue any Office vnderunder vsus, hee shall bee sworne before, that he will be true, faithfull and iuste vntounto vsus. If any manne also hauehave any thyng to doe in his Courtes, he must first of all sweare by God and by the holy Gospell, that this or that is true: againe, that hee shall truely and faithfully aunswere to all suche thynges as shall be required of hym.

38 Christ commaunded his Disciples to knowe his Lawe:Ioan. v.John 5 and badde the Iewes searche the Scriptures. And Moses exhorted the Israelites to teache the Lawe of God to their young children,Deut. vi.Deut 6 and that they should hauehave it bounde as a signe in their handes, that it might be euer before their eyes: he caused them also to write it on the postes and doores of their houses.

Antichrist saith, it is not meete for the lewde people to knowe the Misteries of Gods woorde, but to beleue as Mother holy churche teacheth them without any further inquisition: yea he maketh it Heresie and Treason againste Kynges and Princes to knowe Christe or his Lawes. He hath digged Cesternes of his owne traditions, and hath stopped vp the pure fountaynes of Christes doctrine. He can not abyde, that the Laity should reade the Scripture, least they should perceaue his iuglyng: neither can hee suffer that the Scriptures should bee painted either in publique Temples, or in priuate houses. The blinder the people be, the warmer is his Kitchin.

39 Christe taught his disciples on this wise:Math. xviii.Matt 18 if thy brother trespasse against thee, goe and tell hym his faulte, betwene hym and thee alone. If he heare thee: thou hast wonne thy brother. But if he heare thee not, then take yet with thee one or twoo, that in the mouthe of twoo or three witnesses, eueryevery matter maie bee stablished. If he heare not them, tell it vntounto the congregation. If he heare not the congregation, let hym be vntounto thee as an Heathen man, and as a Publicane.

Antichriste vseth an other kynde of doctrine. For if any offende and displease hym, he will straight waies (suche is his burnyng charitie) caste them into prison, there to remaine in hard and cold yrons, to make theim to reuoke the truthe, contrary to the truthe, and contrary to their owne conscience, and so at the laste too graunte to his will. But if he bee strong through the Spirite of GOD (without whom, no man is able to stande in suche a case) and will not forsake the truthe: then after long and many moste greuous tormentes, secretely ministered to those constant, and faithfull Martyrs of Christ, at the laste he bryngeth foorthe, accuseth, iudgeth, condemneth, and in fine, deliuereth to the temporall officers, as to their Butchers and hangmen, to bee burnte at a stake vntounto ashes. As for that charitable reconciliation, that our Sauiour Christ gaue in commaundemente, vntounto as many as take vponupon them to bee his Ministers, he vtterly refuseth, and will none of it.

40 Christe saieth: If thou wilte bee perfecte, goe and sell all that thou haste,Math. xix.Matt 19 and giuegive it to the poore: and thou shalte hauehave treasure in heauen.

Antichriste saieth: If thou wilte bee perfecte, giuegive me thy money, and I will giuegive thee a Pardon, by the vertue whereof thou shalte bee absolued a paena & culpa, and make thee as cleane, as that daie thou were borne: Yea, I will for thy money, giuegive thee the keyes of heauen gates, so y^t thou shalt enter in, without any stop.

41 Christ saieth:Ihon. xv. Ye are my freendes, if ye do those thinges, that I cōmande you?

Antichriste saieth:25. quest. Cap. Sut quidam. Ye shall dooe as I commaunde you. For I hauehave power and authoritie to make lawes, and after them shall ye liue.

42 Christ saieth: When ye hauehave doen al thynges that I hauehave cōmaunded you:Luke. xvii.Luke 17 yet saie, that ye are vnprofitable seruauntes.

Antichrist saieth: Doe those thinges that I commaunde you, and take a sure cōscience vntounto you, that ye are righteous in the sight of God, & hauehave deserued heauen: yea, if you doe all that I commaunde you, ye shall not onelyonly hauehave good workes enough, wherewith to saue your selues, but also to saue other. And these woorkes are called Opera supererogationis, Dist. 40.As for myself,Si Papa. though I doe neuer so wickedly, so that through my wicked and leude behauiour, I bryng many thousandes with me into damnation: yet maie no man rebuke me, but call me the mooste holieste Father.

43 Christe saieth:Math. v.Matt 5 Whosoeuer breaketh one of the leaste of my commaundementes: he shalbe called the least in the kyngdome of heauen.

Antichriste roareth out and saieth: What hauehave I to doe with Christes lawe? I am subiecte to no lawes, but all lawes are obedient to me, and to my power. By this meanes Antichrist doeth but seldom right, but is alwaie against the right, yea and against his owne lawe also, as often as menne bryng him money. For that loueth he aboue all thynges.

44 Christe saieth:Math. v.Matt 5 Blessed are the peacemakers, for thei shall bee called the sonnes of God.

Antichriste saieth: Blessed are they that fight, and goe together by the eares, for the defence of sainct Peters patrimonie: for thei shall bee called the children of our Mother holie Churche.

45 Christe saieth:Luke. vi.Luke 6 Woe bee to you that laugh now: for ye shall wepe and lament.

Antichrist saieth: Blessed are thei, that make mery, and take no thought: for thei are sure to hauehave a good, and ioyfull portion in this worlde.

46 Christe saieth:Ioan. viii.John 8 My kyngdome is not of this worlde.

Antichriste saieth: My kyngdome is of this worlde. The Emperour with his Empire, the Kyng with his kyngdome, the Duke with his Ducherie, and all other with al that euer thei hauehave, are mine, and at my commaundemente: Yea, my kyngdome is, not onelyonly in this worlde, but also in Heauen, and in Purgatorie, yea, and in Hell also. For euen out of Hell doe I deliuer damned soules, by the vertue of my Masses: and the paines of diuerse there also doe I mitigate, by thynges doen at myne appointemente. Thus am I lorde of Heauen, of Hell, of Yearth, of Purgatorie.

47 Christe saieth,Ihon. … that no man can come to hym, that is to saie, beleue in hym, excepte his heauenly Father, by his holie Spirite drawe hym.

Antichrist saieth: If any will not beleue: Fire, Fagotte, Sworde, and Halter shall make hym to beleue.

48 Christe by his holy Apostle teacheth that a Bishoppe,ii. Timoth. ii.2 Tim 2 whiche ought to bee the seruaunte of the Lorde Christe, muste bee quiet and gentle, no fighter, nor tyraunte, but suche one as is readie to enfourme suche as doe erre, and with wholsome doctrine, to reduce theim vntounto the waye of truthe.

Antichriste commaundeth,The cruelty of the Popish bishops. that suche as are Bishoppes, should bee stoute and sturdie, and couragious in the defence of his doctrine. If any bee stubborne, and will not relente: his will is, not that they should refourme hym by the woorde of GOD, wherof the greatest part of them hath no knowledge at al, but handle them accordyng to the Decree of his Lawe, whiche is to burne them. It maie not be considered, whether the matter be right, or not. Nos habemus legem,Ioan. xix.John 19 & secundum legem nostram debet mori.

49 Christ commaunded in his doctrine, that the Tares whiche grow emong the Wheate,Math. xiii.Matt 13 should not bee plucked vp, but suffered to grow vntil the Haruest come, when the Wheate shall bee gathered of the Reapers into the barne, and the Tares shall bee burnte with vnquencheable fire.

Antichriste cleane contrary behaueth hymself. For the good Wheate he plucketh vp and burneth, and the Tares he suffereth still to growe.Note. By the good wheate, I vnderstande the true and faithfull Preachers of Goddes worde, and so many as vnfeignedly embrace, and professe the sincere & pure religion of Christ. These as his moste extreame enemies, Antichrist persecuteth, apprehendeth, accuseth, iudgeth, condemneth, and giueth ouer to the Seculare power, with fire to bee consumed vntounto ashes. By the Tares, I meane Tyrauntes, Persecutours of Goddes truthe, commonly called Inquisitours, Canonistes, Scotistes, Hypocrites, Monkes, Friers, Chanons, Nonnes Arkers, Ankresses, Uotories, Uowesses, Pardonners, Proctours, Promotours, Purgatorie rakers, Massemongers, Pilgrimage gadders, and all other supersticious and vngodlie people. These as his moste deare and tender frēdes, he kisseth and culleth: he promoteth, and auaunceth vntounto high dignities, promotions, Bishoprickes, Cardinalshippes, Archedeaconries, Prebendes, Parsonages. &c. and diligentely watcheth, as a moste diligente watcher, and Pastour ouer his flock, that no crosse, no aduersitie, no misfortune, no trouble chaunce vntounto them, but all game and glee, all sporte and comforte, all ioye and solace. &c.

50 Christe taught not his owne,Ioan. vii.John 7 but his Fathers doctrine: and what he receiued of his heauenly Father, that taught he to the people.

Antichriste setteth naughte by the worde of GOD, excepte it bee to colour his wicked tyrannie withall. He teacheth his owne deuilishe Decrees, and triflyng Traditions, and enforceth the peopl…, euen with violence to followe them.

51 Christe would hauehave his doctrine no further beleued,Ihon. v. then it did consente, and agree with Moses, the Psalmes, and the Prophetes.

Antichrist will hauehave his Traditions and Constitutions, beleued and obeyed, though Moses and the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles should saie naie. For thei bee of no further aucthoritie, then it shall please hym to limite, and appointe.

52 Christe saieth:Math. xi.Matt 11 Learne of me▪ For I am humble and meeke.

Antichrist saieth: ye that belong vntounto me; muste bee stoute and lustie. For I your Lorde am lustie, and stoute in all quarters rounde aboute, neither will I loute or stoupe, either to Kyng or Kesar. Yea, whom it pleaseth me I will exalte and aduaunce, and at my pleasure will I hym againe depose. All without exception, yea, the verie Angelles also in heauen shall obeye me, and accomplishe my commaundement.

53 Christe entreatyng of Fastyng, appointeth no certaine daies or tymes,Math. vi.Matt 6 but leaueth it free to all that professe his holy Lawe that thei maie faste, when occasion is offered, and when the Spirite of God moueth theim, yea, and that after suche sorte,The ende of fastyng. as thei bee taught in the woorde of God, that is to saie, to mortifie their carnall affectes, to subdue the bodie to the spirite, and to spare out of our owne beallies, that wee maie hauehave the more liberally, to giuegive vntounto the poore, accordyng to this commaundemente of GOD by the Prophete: Breake thy breade to the hungrie: and leade the needy waifaryng man into thy house. When thou seest a naked man, couer hym,…say. lviii. and despise not thy flesh.

Antichriste prescribeth certain daies to bee fasted, yea, and that vnderunder paine of euerlastyng damnation, as the tyme of Aduent, Lent, Embryng daies, Saincts euens, &c. All these daies must bee fasted, of all maner of people, that bee twelue yere olde and vpwarde.

54 Christe saieth:Math. xxi.Matt 21 My house is the house of Praier.

Antichriste saieth: My house is the house of money. He that bryngeth not money, commeth not in there, neither is there any place for hym.

55 Christe saieth:Luke. xvii.Luke 17 The Kyngdome of God commeth not with waityng for, that is to saie, with outwarde obseruaunces, and externall ordinaūces at the appointment of men, For beholde, the kyng…me of God is within you.

Antichrist saieth: Weare this cappe, or that Caule, this graie habite, or that white habite. Professe this rule, or that rule, Faste this day or that daye. Bye this Pardon or that Pardō, &c. and thou shalt be saued.

56 Christ saieth: If any man saye vntounto you:Math. xxiiii.Matt 24 Loe here is Christ, or there: beleue it not. For there shall arise false Christes and false Prophetes, and shall shew great wonders and miracles, insomuche that if it were possible, the verie electe should be deceaued. Beholde, I hauehave tolde you before. Wherefore if they saye vntounto you: Beholde, he is in the deserte, goe not ye forthe: Beholde, he is in the secrete places, beleue it not.

Antichrist saieth: Loe here is Christe at this Altare, and at that Altare: in this Priestes hande, and that Priestes hande: in this Pixe and that Pixe, in this Boxe and that Boxe. Come, and see thy Maker. Worshippe hym, meekely kneelyng vppon thy knees. Holde vp thy handes vntounto hym. This is he that killed thy father. This is the Aplemaker of Kente. If thou wilte not beleue that this is thy Maker, thou shalt burne for it without redemption.

57 Christe saieth:Math. xxiiii.Matt 24 The Gospell of the kingdome shall bee Preached in all the world, for a witnesse vntounto all nations, and then shall the ende come.

Antichrist saieth: I and my Complices, the Cardinalls, Bishops, Priestes, Monkes, Fryers, Lawyers, &c. will to the vttermost of our power suppresse the preachyng of the Gospell, and so many as either preach it or professe it, that the end of this worlde may not come. And so shall wee still continue in pleasure, ioye and myrthe. For that is our portion.

58 Christ saieth:Math. x.Matt 10 Whosoeuer shall giuegive vntounto one of these little ones to drinke, a cup of colde water onelyonly (in the name of a Disciple (verely I say vntounto you, he shall not loose his rewarde.

Antichrist saieth: What hauehave I to doe with the poore? EueryEvery man for himself, & the Deuill for vsus all. Whosoeuer giueth any thyng to this fraternitie or that fraternitie, to this Guilde or that Guilde, to this Cloisture or that Cloisture, to thys Chauntry or that Chauntry, to this pardon or that pardon, to this altare and that altare, to this morowe Prieste and that morowe Prieste, &c. He shall not loose his rewarde. And the more hee giueth, the greater shall be his rewarde.

59 Christ saith:Math. x.Matt 10 Beware of men: for they shall deliuer you vp too the counsels, and shall scourge you in their Sinagoges. And ye shal be brought to headrulers and kinges for my sake, &c.

Antichrist saith: Ye my Shauelinges with the reast of myne Adherentes, feare no manne liuyng. For they shall not once touche you.Psalm. 105.Ps 105 Is it not written. Nolite tangere Christos meos, & in Prophetis meis ne malignemini? Are ye not my greased, my sineared, and mine holy annointed. Are not ye my Prophettes and Preachers? Doe not ye execute my wil and pleasure? Who then may be bolde to touch you? I hauehave made a decree to curse all them that laye violente hande either of Prieste or Clerke, and that they shal not be assoiled, but onelyonly at my hande, and where I appoint. Therefore feare ye not, neither be he dismaide. And as for any bringing of you before y^e head rulers, take no thought. I hauehave enfraunchised you and made you free from all their power and aucthority, so that they hauehave nothyng to do with you in any matter. I hauehave made you a pecular kingdome by your selues. You may conuent all menne before you, and summone them to appeare before you in your spirituall courtes, to lay to their charge whatsoeuer shall please you: but with you they shall hauehave nothyng to doe. No, they shall reuerence you, thei shall crouch and knele vntounto you. They shall Maister you, They shall Lorde you. They shall Grace you. Yea, the basest among you all thei shall salute with Domine, that is to saie, Lorde, or Sir.

60 Christe saieth:Luke. xi.Luke 11 Blessed are they that heare the word of God, and keepe it.

Antichrist saith: Blessed are they that heare my decrees, and obserue them.

61 Christ saith: Beware of the Scribes,Luke. xx.Luke 20 whiche will go in long clothing,Math. xxiii.Matt 23 and louelove greetinges in the markets and highest seates in the Sinagoges, and the chiefe roumes at Feastes, whiche deuoure Widowes houses, by fainyng long praiers: the same shall receaue the greater damnation.

Antichrist saieth: Though my Choploches Chaplens, and chapmen be in this behalfe like vntounto the sausy Scribes, fine Pharesies, lustye Lawyers, patterynge priestes, braggyng Bishops, liyng Leuites, satanicall Saduces and suche other, whiche liued amonge the Iewes in the daies of Christe, so that they also goe in long gownes, louelove gretinges in the markets, and the hiest seates in the Sinagoges, and the chiefe roumes at feastes, and deuour widdowes houses vnderunder the pretence of long praier, &c: yet see, that ye neither contemne nor condemne theym, but make much of them, reuerence them, worship them, and honour them: for they are in dignitie more excellent than Angels, in honour farre passyng Kynges, Princes, Emperours, or any other mortall creature, although neuer so noble. For they are the makers of hym, that made them and the whole worlde.

62 Christ in his Sermons cried wreck,Math. xxiii.Matt 23 woe, and damnation vponupon those Scribes, Pharesies, and Hipocrites, whiche tithed Mynte, and Anyse, and Comyn, and lefte the weighty matters of the Lawe: iudgement, merciemercy, and faith.

Antichrist saith: What hauehave I to doe with iudgement, merciemercy, and faith. Bring in your Tythes. Paye your Offeringes. Geue your Dirige groates, your Masse pence, and your Confessional pence, with al your other good and godly deuotions. Bye my Pardons Geue ten shillings for a trentall, fortie pence to the hye Altare, twelue pence to the Sepulchre light, sixe pence too Lampes. Euer bee geuyng of somwhat, though it be but a Cheese, or a peece os Bacon to the holy order of swete Sainct Fraunces, or to any other of my Fryers, Monkes, Chanons, &c. Holy Churche refuseth nothyng, but gladly taketh whatsoeuer commeth.

63 Christ by the parable of the ten Uirgines,Math. xxv.Matt 25 wherof fiue were wise, and fiue foolishe, declareth twoo thynges manifestly. One is, that no man hath good dedes sufficient for hym selfe. The second is, that after this life no good deedes doone can profite vntounto saluation.

Antichrist teacheth the contrary, and saieth: Some men in this worlde growe vp vntounto suche perfection in doyng good workes, that they hauehave not onelyonly plentie and enough for their owne saluation, but they hauehave also sufficient for other: where as we be taught in the worde of God, that no man liuyng can iustifie himselfe in the sight of GOD. He teacheth also, that the good deedes done of other for theym that are departed, profite them greatly, either vntounto the diminishyng of their paine, if they be in hell, or vntounto the aduauncement of their glory if they be in heauen, or vntounto the dispatchyng of their tormentes if they be in purgatory.

64 Christ in his doctrine teacheth,Ioan. iii.John 3 that whosoeuer beleueth in hym may bee sure to hauehave euerlastyng life, as it is written: He that beleueth on the Sonne of God,Esay. xxvii.Isa 27 hath euerlastyng life.Rom. x.Rom 10 But hee that beleueth not on the Sonne of God,Ihon. xi. shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth vpō hym. Againe, eueryevery on that putteth his trust in hym, that is to saie, Christe, shall not bee confounded. And our Sauioure Christe hymselfe saieth: I am the resurrection and the life: He that beleueth on me, yea though he were dead yet shall hee liue. And whosoeuer liueth and beleueth in mee, he shall neuer dye. Sainct Paule beyng certaine of his saluation thorowe faithe in Christe, saieth: I am now readie to bee offered, and the tyme of my departyng is at hande. I hauehave fought a good fight.ii. Timo. iiii. I hauehave fulfilled my course. I hauehave kepte the faithe. From henceforthe there is laied vp for me a croune of righteousnesse, whiche the Lorde, whiche is a righteous Iudge, shall giuegive me at that daye, not to me onelyonly, but vntounto all theim also that louelove his commyng.ii. Tim. i.2 Tim 1 Again, I knowe and am sure, that he (in whom I hauehave put my truste) is able to keepe that, whiche I hauehave committed to his keepyng againste that daie.

Antichriste saieth: No manne in this worlde, can bee certaine and sure of his saluatiō, and therefore he ought to doubt, and to stande in feare, whether he shall be saued, or not, accordyng to that whiche is writter: Nemo nouit, an amore, vel odio sit dignus, Eccle. ix.Eccl 9sed omnia in futurnm seruantur in certa. Antichrist wreasteth these textes.No man knoweth, whether he be worthie louelove or hate:i. Cor. iiii.1 Cor 4 but all thynges are kepte vncertaine for the tyme to come. Againe, Nihil mihi conscius sum: at non in hoc iustificatus sum: I knowe nothyng by my self: yet am I not thereby iustified.

65 Christe in the Parable of the menne,Math. xx.Matt 20 that were hired to woorke in the Uineyarde, some at one tyme of the daie, some at an other, some betymes, some late, and yet notwithstandyng, all receiued like reward at night, semeth euidently to teach, that all the Sainctes of God hauehave one, and the same full glorie in Heauen, and that one hath not a greater rewarde then an other, but the same ioye, the same glorie, and the same honour is giuen, without any difference to all the soonnes of GOD a like, forasmuche as it commeth not of workes, but of grace: Againe, that there is no respect of persons with God. By grace are ye saued, saieth S. Paule,Ephes. ii.Eph 2 through faithe, and that not of our selues. It is the gifte of God, and commeth not of woorkes, least any manne should boast hym self. Againe,Roma. vi. Euerlastyng life is the gifte of God, through Iesus Christe our Lorde.

Antichriste teacheth,Ioan. xiiii.John 14 that as there be many mansions in the kyngdome of Heauen, so are there many diuersities, and differences of glories and ioyes in the same, for the inhabitauntes thereof. As there is one maner glorie of the Sunne, and an other glorie of the Moone, and an other glorie of the Starres,i. Cor. xv.1 Cor 15 (for one starre differeth one frō an other in glory) so is the state of the Sainctes in Heauen. One hath an higher place then an other, one more glorie then an other, eueryevery man according to his degree, eueryevery manne accordyng to his woorkes, merites, and desertes. Hereof it should then followe, that there is respecte of persones with God, and that the heauēly glory is ours, not of merciemercy, but of merite, not through Christ, but through our owne workes.

66 Christe saieth: Whosoeuer putteth awaie his wife (excepte it bee for fornication) and marieth an other,Math. xix.Matt 19 breaketh wedlocke: giuyng here libertie to the giltlesse and innocent manne, hauyng an harlot to his wife, and suche one as hath broken her weddyng vowe and promise, and hath ioyned her self to an other man, by this meanes cuttyng of her self, from the bodie of her housebande, and makyng her self one fleshe with an whoremonger, not onelyonly to bee diuorced from that harlotte, sometyme his wife, but also to marrie againe, and take an other woman to his wife, in the feare of God. It is a common saiyng,Iere. ii.Jer 2 saieth Ieremie: If a manne put awaie his wife, and she goyng awaie from him, marrieth an other manne, shall he resort any more vntounto her after that? Shall not that woman be defiled and vncleane?

Antichriste in his lawe saieth: If a manne hauehave an whore to his wife, it shall bee lawfull for hym to bee deuorced from her, bothe from bedde and borde, but he maie by no meanes marrie again, liue as he maie.

67 Christe also by his holie Apostle giueth libertie,i. Cor. vii.1 Cor 7 to the faithfull man or woman, beyng coupled in marriage to suche an Idolatour or Infidell, as will by no meanes forsake his Idolatrie or Infidelitie, but rather goeth about not onelyonly to defende it, but also to bryng his faithfull yokefellowe vntounto it, so that the faithfull can not liue with the vnfaithfull with a good conscience, and accordyng to the woorde of God, to marrie againe. These bee the woordes: If the vnbeleuyng departe, lette hym departe. A Brother or a Sister is not in subiection to suche. But God hath called vsus in peace.

Antichriste will by no meanes suffer any diuorcement so to bee made, that mariage shall followe, although the giltlesse persone burne neuer so greately, and bee neuer so muche combered, bothe in bodie and conscience. Take the whore againe if ye will, other wife get ye none.

68 Christe saieth:Math. xix.Matt 19 Honour thy Father and thy Mother: In the whiche cōmaundemente is required of children, that thei giuegive not theim selues to Mariage, without the consent of their godlie parentes. Therefore read wee that emong the people of God, none were coupled in Matrimonie, but with the consent of the parentes. What the Ciuill Lawe determineth also in this matter, the learned knowe.

Antichriste in the bestowyng of children in Mariage, requireth not the consente, and good will of the Parentes: but if thei theim selues Marrie, without the knowledge, or consent of their Parentes or Tutours, he alloweth it to bee well doen, and the Mariage to bee lawfull. By this meanes is a greate parte of that honoure taken awaie from Fathers and Mothers, that is due vntounto them by their children.

69 Christe beyng presente at a mariage,Ihon. ii. with his Mother, and with his disciples, teacheth euidentely, that Matrimonie ought to bee solemnely, and openly proclamed and celebrated, and that it ought not to bee doen in corners.

Antichriste for money graunteth dispēsations to all men, for to Marie where thei will, when thei will, and with whom thei will. All thynges are decent and law full, if money come. All thynges obeye money.

70 Christe in his doctrine did neuer forbidde mariage to be contracted betwene any persones, excepte those degrees onelyonly, whiche his Heauenly Father had tofore forbidden by his seruaunt Moses.

Antichriste in his Lawe prohibiteth many and diuerse degrees to Marrie together, whom God hath sette at libertie. He hath decreed also that Christen Gossippes, that is to saie, those men and womē that hauehave been Godfathers, and Godmothers together of one childe at Baptisme, maie not Marrie together, nor yet their children. If thei doe, he praclaimeth their Marriage to bee incestuous, and that diuorcemente muste bee made out of hande. This is to bee vnderstanded, excepte thei purchase a licence of hym for money, for money maketh all thynges lawfull in the Courte: Neither are his Lawes any other thyng, then Nettes for money.

71 Christe freely permitteth Marriage to all degrees, none excepted, if thei hauehave not the gift of continencie: neither doeth he appoincte any tyme, when it shall not be lawfull to solemnise Matrimonie, but giueth libertie to all menne, at all tymes freely to Marrie.

Antichriste as wee hauehave tofore heard, denieth Marriage to all his clatteryng Clergie, rather sufferyng them to burne, and to runne a Whoryng, then he will suffer them to hauehave wiues of their owne, that this Prophecie of sainct Paule mayi. Timoth. iiii.1 Tim 4 bee fulfilled. The Spirite speaketh euidently, saieth he, that in the latter tymes, some shall departe from the Faithe, and shall giuegive heede vntounto the Spirities of errour, and Deuilishe doctrines of them, whiche speake falsly through Hipocrisie, and hauehave their consciences marked with an hotte yron, forbiddyng to Marrie, &c. And as he forbiddeth certaine degrees of menne to Marrie, so doeth he forbidde at certaine tymes of the yere, to celebrate Matrimonie, in somuche that whosoeuer presumeth in those forbidden tymes to Marrie, is not onelyonly accursed, but his Marriage also is not lawfull. Notwithstandyng, if any man will bryng money, and purchase a licence to Marrie. he shall easely obtaine it, though it were on good Fridaie, so deare and tenderly beloued is that greate God Mammon, in Antichristes courtes. But if it bee lawfull at these tymes to Marrie for money: Is it not lawfull to marrie without money? Doth money make a thyng either lawfull, or vnlawfull? God destroye thy kyngdome, O Antichriste. Thy money perishe with thee. For thy harte is not right in the sight of God.

72 Christe in his holie Gospell commaundethActes. viii.Acts 8 vsus to praie,Math. vi.Matt 6 but he prescribeth no certaine tyme of Praier.

Antichriste appoincteth certaine tymes to Praie, whiche tymes whosoeuer doeth not obserue, he is coumpted grecuosly to offende.

73 Christe by his blessed Apostle sainct Paule,i. Timoth. ii.1 Tim 2 giueth vsus libertie to praie in euerie place, liftyng vp pure handes without wrathe, or doubtyng. And he hym self in the Gospel, saied to the woman of Samaria. Woman, beleue me, the hower cō meth, and now is, when the true worshippers, shall worshippe the Father in Spirite,Ihon. iiii. and in the truthe. For suche also the Father requireth to worshippe him. God is a Spirite: and thei that worship hym, must worshippe hym in spirite and in the truthe.

Antichrist teacheth, that though wee maie praie to GOD in all places, yet ought wee moste chiefly to praie in suche places, as his Bishoppes and Prelates hauehave consecrated, and hallowed for money, as Oratories worthie for their vertue and holinesse, wherein our Praiers maie the soner bee hearde, and the better accepted. And yet in these places appointed of hym for Praier, one is counted more holie then an other, and more meritorious to praie in, as the Churche is holier then the Chappell, & the Chancell holier then theim bothe: and yet the Chauncell holier then them both: and yet the Cathedrall Church, otherwise called the mother Church more holy than them all three. But to praie at the Shrynes of his canoniced Sainctes, or in places of Pilgrimage, where the Deuill worketh stiracles. I would saie, miracles, but namely at Rome, at Compostella, at Ierusalem, &c. this passeth all. Praiers made in those places with this confidence, that they be the sooner hearde, and the better accepted by the reason of the places, flye to heauen, as it were a polde henne.

74 Christ appointed a certaine forme ofMath. vi.Matt 6 praier, after the whiche we should directeLuke. xi.Luke 11 our Praiers vntounto our Heauenly Father: wherein also he declareth, what thinges wee shoulde specially aske of GOD the Father.

Antichrist appointeth diuers and many formes of praiyng, not to God, but to this he Sainct, and to that she Sainct, yea and that for manie and sundry causes, to eueryevery sainct for a contrary thing. And thus are men taught to worship the creature in steede of the creator, robbing God of his glory, and committyng moste wicked and damnable idolatrie.

75 Christ saieth:Math. vi.Matt 6 when thou praiest, thou shalte not bee as the Hipocrites are, For they vse to stande praiyng in the Sinagoges, and in the corners of the stretes, that they may be seene of men.

Antichrist saieth: I will that my Chaplaines and my quire men shall pray, sing and saie in none other places, then in the Sinagoges, that is to saie, in Churches and Chappelles and suche other Oratories, yea and specially, when the people are moste of all gathered together, although they vnderstande not one worde, what is either song or said, or on the Organs plaid. And bicause they may be seen of men, and hauehave the greater assembly of people at their praiers, he commaundeth that now one Bell shal be rong, now two, now three, now all the belles in the steple, by the which diuersitie of ringing menne maye the better knowe not onelyonly when Antichristes Chaplaines and their complices may be sene to praie, but also when it is Festum simplex, or Festum duplex, or Festum principale, that is to saie, single feast, or double feast, or principall feast.

76 Christ saith: when ye praie,Math. vi.Matt 6 bable not much, as the heathen doe. For thei thinke it will come to passe, that they shall bee hearde for their much babling. Be ye not therefore like vntounto them.

Antichrist doth so lade and burden hysThe long praiers of the Papists. captiues with innumerable multitudes of praiers, that they hauehave almost no tyme to breath. They hauehave Mattens of the day, and Mattens of oure Ladie with Prime and howres. They hauehave long Nocturns. They hauehave long Letanies, long Seuen Psalmes, long fiftene Psalmes with many and diuers Orisons. They hauehave long Masses and long commemoration. They hauehave long Diriges and long commendations. They hauehave Euensong of the daie, with Euensong of our Lady, and Complin to them both. And all these thinges must be saied or song vnderunder paine of deadly synne. But how thei be mumbled and iumbled vp, all the world may see: Uerely without all godly affection of the minde. The hearte goeth one waie, and the voice an other way, so that they agree together as Harpe and Harow, and come one to an other as iuste as Iermyns lippes, Of such kinde of beadmen speaketh our Sauiour Christ on this maner:Math. xv.Matt 15 This people draweth nighe,Esay. xxix.Isa 29 and honoureth mee with their lippes, but their heart is farre from mee, Uerely they worship mee in vaine, teachyng doctrines, euen the commaundementes of men.

77 Christ would hauehave suche louelove among vsus that bee his Disciples, that we should gladly, willingly, and freely without money pray one for an other.

Antichrist willeth his Chaplaines to praye for none, excepte they hauehave money, accordyng to the common prouerbe: No peny no Pater noster. If money come, they will be ready at all times to sing and say: If there bee no money, then here is the doore and there is the waye: Farewell gentle Geffray: and as the Porters crye in Sturbridge Fayre: a newe Maister a newe, and hang vp the olde. They will no longer sing or saye, than ye hauehave Money for to paie. Bring money and ye shal hauehave Masse of Scala celi, Masse of Requiem, Masse of Recordare, Masse of Si iniquitates, with an hundred kind of Masses besides for whatsoeuer purpose ye will. For our Massemongers hauehave Masses in store for all kynde of thinges good or badde. OnelyOnly bryng Money, and ye shall wante nothyng, so desirous are Antichristes men of money, O Mammonistes.

78 Christ by his Apostles commaundethi. Timo. i. that eueryevery congregation should hauehave his pastour or preacher, to feede the Christen flock with the most holsome fode of Gods worde, so that eueryevery spirituall Minister should attende vppon his owne cure, and not bee distracte with the care of diuers congregations.

Antichrist can not away with this,Pluralities of Benefices that one man should hauehave but one benefice, and one liuyng, therefore he dispenseth with his Chaplains for money, to hauehave as many Benefices as they can get, neuer takyng thought for the discharge of the cures. He graunteth them dualities, trialities, pluralities, and tot quots, to snatche as many as they can catch. Though God would hauehave one Pastour to hauehave but one flocke, and one Beneficed man to enioye but one benefice: yet Antichrist contrarie to this moste righteous will of GOD, graunteth to one man for money through dispensation to hauehave multitudes of Benefices both against all right and conscience, and againste the auncient practise and vsage of Christes church. It is more tollerable and praise worthy, that two or three pastoures should hauehave the ouersight of one Congregation beeyng large and great in multitude of people (as we read, that in the City of Philippos, Philip. i.Phil 1there were diuers bishops and diuers Deacons that did attend vponupon the flocke of Christ) than one man to hauehave the charge of many Parishes. How can one manne bee in diuers places? can one man doe that whiche is denied to Angels? I meane to be in many and diuers places at once. Will they commit the charge of them to other? and hire other to satisfie their office? But our Sauiour Christ saith:Ioan. x.John 10 A good shepheard giueth his life for his Sheepe. An hyred seruant, and he that is not the shepheard, neither are the sheepe his owne, seeth the Wolfe commyng and leaueth the sheepe, and flieth, and the Wolfe catcheth and scattereth the Sheepe. If Antichristes Chaplaines be not able to serue so manie Cures (as they are not able in deede) as they place other in their stead, so let them resigne and giuegive ouer, to their Curates and Ministers those benefices, where thei serue, and they themselues serue not, that they may be the more able to doe their dutie. And would God suche order might be taken,☜ that one Benefice might bee made of suche valour, that it might aboundantly suffice on man and suche as necessarily appertaine vntounto hym, that these pluralities of Benefices may once bee taken awaie, which without doubt hath bene the occasion and yet is, of the destruction of many mens soules.

79 Christe by his blessed Apostle commaundethi. Timoth. iii.1 Tim 3 that suche should bee chosen toTitus. i.Titus 1 be Bishops and Pastors of Gods flocke, as be apte to teache, that is to saye, to exhorte by wholsome doctrine, and to improue them that say against it.

Antichrist repelleth and putteth backe none from taking cure of soules, if he can reade his Portasse and his Missall, and be weli seene in the Pye. As for preachyng and teachyng, except it be foure tymes in the yere to reade to the people a generall curse, or to tell them some narrations out of the Festiuale, or Sainctes lyes, lyues I should saie, out of Legenda Aurea, he careth not for it, yea, he abhorreth it. Moreouer Antichrist is growen vp vntounto suche fauour and madnesse, that he is not ashamed for Money to dispense with Boyes, and to licence them to hauehave cure of Soules, and to enioye spirituall promotions, whiche ought to bee the liuynges of the true and faithfull Pastours, and of suche as labour and trauaile in the Lordes haruest, where as the boyes are not able too hauehave cure of their owne Soules, beeyng more meete to be taught, then to teache. O thou Antichriste whiche burnest with an vnquenchable thirst of worldly goods, what an whorishe forehead haste thou put on, that thou darest commit the cure of Soules, and the liuinges appointed for the same, to children, to boyes, to suche as be like Moyles and Horses, that hauehave no vnderstandyng? Is it sitting, meete and conuenient, that those soules, which were so derely bought with the precious bloud of Gods owne Sonne, should be committed to the cure, charge, and ouersight of boyes and children? Is not this to offer the flocke of Christ, a spoyle to the wolfe? Is not this to throwe mens soules headlong doune into the deepe dungeon of hel fyre for lacke of knowledge? Is not this vtterly to deface the ministery, and cruelly to spoyle the worthy pastours of their liuinges, and the Christen people of doctrine and true administration of the Sacramentes? wo worth thee, O Antichrist with thy God that wicked Mammon.

80 Christe by his holy Apostle,i. Peter. v.1 Pet 5 chargeth all Postours to feede their flocke diligently, and to bee residente vponupon their Benefices, and not like an hirelyng or theef, to forsake the flocke, and to hauehave no care thereof.

Antichriste contrarie to this charge, and commaundemente of Christe, graunteth for money: non Residences to so many as come, not caryng for the flocke, so he maie hauehave the money, nor yet regardyng the will of God, so that his pouche maie bee filled with golde and siluer. Let the Shepe of Christ runne a straie where thei will, hange on eueryevery Brier, fall into eueryevery ditche, bee deuoured of eueryevery wolfe yea, sincke doune into Helle: he forceth not. For money he licenceth the Shepeheard to goe whether he will, to be where he list, and to doe, what hym moste delighteth. The Pastour hauyng a good opiniō of his Dispensation, and non residence, is ledde with no care toward his flocke, but doeth what he will, and yet gorgiouslie and deliciouslie, although absent, liueth of the Wolle and Milke of the flocke, like a Theefe, whiche as our Sauiour Christe saieth, Commeth not but for to steale, to kille, and to destroye. Againste these non Residenciaries,Ihon. xi. GOD crieth out by the Prophete, and saieth: O Pastour and Idole, that forsaketh his flocke. By an other Prophete GOD crieth out also againsteEzech. xiii.Ezek 13 those Shepeheardes, that feede theim selues, and not the flocke, saiyng: Woe bee vntounto those Shepeheardes that feede them selues. Should not the Shepheardes feede the flocke? Ye hauehave eaten vp the fatte. Ye hauehave clothed you with the Wolle. The beste fedde hauehave ye slain, but the Flocke hauehave ye not nourished. The weake hauehave ye not holden vp: The sicke hauehave ye not healed: The broken hauehave ye not bound together: The outcastes hauehave hauehave ye not brought againe: The loste hauehave ye not sought, but churlishely and cruelly hauehave ye ruled thē. Thus are thei scattred here and there without a Shephearde, yea, all the beastes of the fielde deuoure them, and thei goe a straie.

81 Christe saieth,Marke. x.Mark 10 the workeman is worthie of his meate.i. Cor. ix.1 Cor 9 And the Apostle saieth. The Lorde hath ordained, that thei that Preache the Gospell, should liue of the Gospell. Againe he saieth:i. Timo. iii. The Elders that rule well, are worthie of double honour, moste specially thei that labour in the worde and teachyng. For the Scripture saieth: Thou shalte not moosell the mouthe of the Oxe, that treadeth out the corne. And the labourer is worthie of his rewarde.

Antichriste suffereth monstures,Againste the impropriations of Benefices. and vnprofitable cloddes of the yearth, to liue and to waxe fatte of the gooddes of the Churche. Moreouer, in diuerse and innumerable places of Christendome. Antichrist taketh awaie the corne, and the best fruites of Benefices, from the true and faithfull Pastours, wherwith thei should liue, and suche as belong to them, and bee the more able to maintaine hospitalitie, to releue the poore, to comfort the waiefaryng man, and to succour the poore afflicted Christians, and he giueth it to mō struous Monkes, to flatteryng Friers, to chatteryng Chanons, to patteryng Pristes, and to suche like vnprofitable members of the christen common weale, wherby it is come to passe, that the true Shepheardes, whiche watch ouer those flockes of the Lorde, are moste miserablie handeled, vniustlye and against all right & conscience depriued of their duetie, and throwen (alas for pitie) into extreme pouertie: hospitalitie decaieth, the poore are not succoured, the needie are not reliued, yea nothyng is done in those Parishes by the Pastours, whereby the comfortlesse may be comforted. No maruell when the Papistes themselues, hauehave not wherwith to relieue their owne necessitie, but are compelled daily, as we may see before our eyes (such is their miserie) to leaue their flockes, whiche as Sheepe destitute of shepheardes, wander here and there, and too seeke other places, where they maie hauehave whereof to liue, whereas if they had that whiche is due vntounto theim, but otherwise vniustly taken awaie from theim by Antichristes decree, they should not onelyonly be able to liue themselues, but also abundantly to relieue the poore. O Antichrist, what deuill breathed this wicked affection into thy hearte, that thou shouldest take awaie from the painefull Pastours their right, and geue it to idle and sluggishe Monstrous, whose God their bellie is.Phillip. iii. The Idolatrous Princes in tymes paste gaue greate aboundance of worldly possession to their idolatrous priests. And arte thou nothyng ashamed to take that awaie from the priestes of Christ, whiche both the law of God, and the lawe of man hath geuen theim. To robbe and spoile a priuate man of his goods, hath alwaies bene counted an hainous fault and synne worthy of death: and shall it be lawfull for thee (O thou Antichriste) to take awaie from the Ministers of Christ their duety and their right, and to geue it where it pleaseth thee, O thou Godrobber. Is not this to commit sacrilege, and also to deny the workeman his meate, the laborer his rewarde, the Shepheard his Milke, the vinekeper his wine, the warriour his wages, and to moosell the oxes mouthe, that treadeth out the Corne. And that wicked Spirite occupieth their myndes also in these our daies, whiche againste all right, and againste their owne conscience, vntounto their greate damnation, except thei shortly repent and amende, go forthe to kepe, hold, and possesse these liuyngs and gooddes of the poore Pastours? Antichriste as thei them selues confesse, neither can thei denie it, by his Deuilishe Decree moste vniustly, and moste tyrauntlike, tooke awaie, the beste portion of the Tithes frō the true owners, and gaue them to a sort of monstruous Hypocrites: why then are thei now retained of theim, that seeme to bee enemies to Antichriste, to condemne his Antichristian actes, and to wishe that all abuses might be taken awaie, and that a perfecte reformation might bee made, accordyng to the woorde of GOD? Can there bee any greater abuse, then accordyng to Antichristes Lawe, wrongfullie and vniustly to withholde from the true Pastoure, and Preacher of the Lordes woorde, that whiche is properly his due? The wise man saith:Eccle. xxxiiii.Sir 34 the bread of the nedy is the life of the poore: he that defraudeth him of it, is a murtherer and a manslaier. What then is to be thought of thē, which take awaie frō the Ministers of the Lordes worde, the Tithe corne, whereof thei should hauehave bread to eate, and to giuegive vntounto the nedie? Is not this to plaie the part of a murtherer? The nedie Pastour & his familie, would gladly eate bread, and the corne, whereof it should be made, is taken awaie frō thē, and vnfruitfully consumed and deuoured of those, whiche do no good at al to the parishes. Is not this to pluck the meate out of y^e mouthes of the pastor, and his familie? Whiche thyng what other is it, then to plaie the murtherer? I deserue damnatiō, if I fede not the nedy: shal it thē be lawfull for me to take awaie the right of y^e nedy? If I giuegive not of mine owne to the hungrie, I synne: & shall I be counted to doe wel, when I wil not suffer other mē to enioy their own, but through the pretēce of an Antichristiā decree, violently withhold it frō thē? Uerely it were better for suche, as thus vniustly by y^e vertue of Antichristes lawe, to possesse y^e lawfull duetie, of the lawfull Pastours, to rē der those dueties to the owners, though their delicate fare should somewhat be abated thereby, then to goe foorthe thus wickedly to retain, that is not their own. What doeth it profite a man, saieth our Sauioure Christe, to winne the whole worlde, and to lose his soule. it is truelie saied of the Wiseman: Better is a little with the feare of the Lorde, then greate treasure,Math. xvi.Matt 16 with sorrowe.Prouer. xv. xvi. and xvii.Prov 15 Again: Better is a drie morsell with quietnesse (of conscience:)i. Timoth. iii.1 Tim 3 then an house full of fatte offerenges with strife,Titus. i.Titus 1 that is to saie, with greef of mynde. Once againe he saieth: Better it is to hauehave a little thyng with righteousnesse, then greater treasures with sorowe. Moreouer, the blessed Apostle S. Paule in the description of a bishoppe, or spirituall Pastour, sheweth, that he ought to bee a maintainer of hospitalitie. Now what hospitalitie can there bee maintained, where those thynges are takē awaie, that cheefly vphold, and maintaine hospitalitie, yea, without whiche no hospitalitie can be had? Take awaie corne, whereof breade and drinke is made, whiche is the beste portion, that delongeth vntounto the maintenaunce of hospitalitie, and what remaineth behinde, wherewith the Pastour maie be able to keepe open his doores, and to releeue either hym self, or any other? Take awaie his Corne, as it is at this day come to passe, through Antichristes decree, and the vpholders of thesame: maie not then the Spirituall minister be called Pastor a pascendo, sicut mons a mouendo? God hauehave merciemercy on vsus, and sende vsus once a redresse of this greate abuse, yea, of this thefte, sacrilege, and tirannie.

Furthermore,Malach. iii.Mal 3 God by his Prophete commaundeth, that all maner of Tithes should bee brought into his Barne, that there maie be meate in his house? Is not the Pastours Barne, his Barne? And is not the Pastours house, his house? Now God commaundeth that all tithes should be brought into the Pastours barne, that there may be meate in the Pastors house. But how can there bee meate in the Pastors house, whiche God calleth his owne house, because his poore-mēbers are, and ought to bee, refreshed in the same, when as the cheef and principall tithes, can not be suffered through Antichristes decree, to be brought into the Pastours Barne, whiche GOD calleth his owne Barne? God cammaundeth one thyng, and Antichriste willeth the contrarie, and yet the wicked worldlynges, and voluptuous Epicures, whose GOD the beallie is, goe forthe to maintaine the same, and vniustly to possesse the gooddes of the true, and faithfull Pastoures, so greately hath the God of this worlde blinded their eyes, I meane the Deuill, and that wicked Idoll Mammon, that this saiyng of the Apostle maie be founde true in them all: All seeke their owne, & not the thynges, whiche are Iesus Christes.Philip. ii.Phil 2 By this wicked Decree of Antichrist, is the lawe of God broken, the true pastors depriued of their liuyng the poore people robbed of their beleefe, hospitalitie decaied, parishes left desolate the Pastorall houses fall into ruine, the people are vntaught, scholes are not maintained, the youth is neglected, both old and yong rū clene out of order, no degree doeth his office, the ministers is despised, the worde of God neglected, y^e preachers of God nothyng regarded, and in fine, an whole sea of euills brasteth into the boū des of the Christian common weale, and would God with the same, there were not made a Shipwracke of all goodnesse and godlinesse. Notwithstandyng, who lamē teth these thynges, and earnestly seeketh a redresse thereof? God amende all that is amisse: and sende corne where none is.

82 Christe in all his doctrine teachyngMath. xix▪Matt 19 humilitie, when a certaine manne called hym good, aunswered, that no manne is good, but God alone.

Antichriste beyng moste wicked, and moste synfull, will bee called the beste, and the moste holie.

83 Christe continually studied to dooe good, bothe to the bodies and soules of menne.

Antichrist doeth his whole endeuour how he maie hurte, bothe the bodies and soules of menne: the bodies by bringyng theim, and their gooddes into captinitie, the soules by drounyng theim in superstition, and Idolatrie.

84 Christ in all his doynges,Ihon. viii. sought the glorie of God his Father.

Antichrist in all his actes, seketh his owne glorie, and wisheth to bee taken of all men as a God, callyng hym self Gods Uicare in yearth, and supreme head of the vniuersall Churche of Christe, throughout the whole worlde.

85 Christ promised to the thefe hangingLuke. xxiii.Luke 23 by hym on the Crosse, Paradise freely.

Antichriste for money promiseth remission of synnes, deliueraunce out of Purgatorie, and euerlastyng life.

86 Christ had no greate regard of themMath. xii.Matt 12 that were his kinsefolke, after the fleshe.

Antichrist hath a speciall regard vntounto theim, and exalteth theim vntounto moste high dignities and promotiōs, although moste vnworthie.

87 Christe when his Disciples at anyMath. xx.Matt 20 tyme were at contention,Luke. xxii.Luke 22 brought theim againe straighte waies vntounto vnitie and concorde.

Antichrist setteth them together by the eares, that are at peace, and neuer ceaseth to set Kynges, and Princes at variaunce. For then goeth it beste with his Kyngdome.

88 Christ did chose suche to attende vpō hym, as were homelie, simple, and plaine.

Antichriste admitteth none vntounto his seruice,Actes. iiii.Acts 4 but suche as bee full of gile,i. Cor i.1 Cor 1 craft, and subtiltie.Iacob. ii.

89 Christe compelleth no man againste his will, to beleue his Gospell.

Antichriste with suspension, and Excommunication, with apprehension, and persecution, with Fire and Faggot, with Sweard and Halter, enforceth menne to receiue his Deuilish Decrees, and trifelyng Traditions.

90 Chirste in all his aduersitie, fledde vntounto Praier.

Antichriste in his trouble, flieth vntounto armour.

91 Christ fought against Sathan with Goddes worde.Math. iiii.Matt 4

Antichriste fighteth againste his aduersaries, with the Temporall Sweard.

92 Christe made hym self subiect to the Lawe:Galat. iiii.Gal 4 when notwithstandyng he was Lorde of the Lawe.

Antichriste hymself will be obedient to no Lawe, and giueth licence for money to other also to breake lawes.

93 Christe by fulfillyng the Lawe,Galat. iii.Gal 3 deliuered vsus from the cursse of the Lawe.

Antichrist through his disobedience vntounto Lawes, openeth a windowe vntounto al wickednesse, and through his euill example, prouoketh other to fal vntounto leudnesse, and so to run into the cursse, and displeasure of God, vntounto their greate damnatiō.

94 Christe in his doctrine taught none other, but the lawe of his heauēly father.

Antichriste teacheth Lawes of his owne makyng, not onelyonly not agreeable, but also contrarie to the woorde of God, and with violence, enforceth men to kepe the same.

95 Christe by no meanes could abide,Luke. xxii.Luke 22 that his Disciples should striue for theMath. xx.Matt 20 supremacie.

Antichriste chalengeth supremacie, not onelyonly ouer the Clergie, but also ouer Kynges, and Emperours, yea, and ouer the whole worlde.

96 Christe by his doctrine and death,Ephes. ii.Eph 2 made the Iewes and Gentiles,Ihon. x. whiche to fore were at variaunce, one Spirituall Kyngdome.

Antichriste through his wicked traditions, and Deuilishe Lawes, hath made the Greke and Latine Churches, whiche before were at greate vnitie and concord, concernyng matters of Christen Religion, to be at variance, one affirmyng this, an other deniyng the same.

97 Christe in his laste Sermon,Ioan. xiii. xv.John 13 gaue a speciall commaundemente to his Disciples, that thei should louelove one an other.

Antichriste straightly chargeth his Champions, that thei striue and fight valiantly, for the liberties of holie Church, and that thei by no meanes louelove, and fauour suche as hate his decrees & Lawes.

98 Christe in the aforesaied Sermon,Ihon. xv. makyng mention of his corporall departure out of this worlde, promised to sende to his Disciples the holie Ghost, whiche should leade them into all truthe.

Antichriste in stede of the holy Ghost sendeth Pardoners, Friers, Canonistes, and Scotistes, to teache vsus not the waie of truthe and saluation, but the waie of falsehode and damnation.

99 Christ in his holy Gospell teacheth,Math. xxviii.Matt 28 that although he bee absent, concernyng his corporall presence, yet is he alwaie presente with his holie congregation, as touchyng his Diuine Maiestie, grace, might, vertue, and power.

Antichriste saieth, that Christ is not only spiritually, but also corporally with vsus, so that the Priest maketh hym daiely, handleth hym daiely, breaketh him daiely eateth hym daiely, offreth hym daiely, &c.

100 Christe with his doctrine,Ihon. viii. bryngeth to all them that receiue it with sure faith remission of synnes, and euerlastyng life.

Antichriste with his Decrees, bringeth to all his Captiues death, and euerlastyng damnation.

¶GiueGive the glorie to God alone.

Imprinted at London, by Ihon Daie.

¶Cum gratia & priuilegio Regiae Magistatis per decennium. 1577.

End of the text · Thomas Becon, The Acts of Christ and Antichrist (1577)