The Acts of Christ and Antichrist, Part 1
The Actes of Christe and of Antichriste, concernyng bothe their life and doctrine: diligently gathered and now taken out of his workes, by Thomas Becon.
2. Corin. 6. ¶What fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse? Or what cō panie hath light with darkenesse? Or what concorde hath Christ with Beliall? Or what parte hath he that beleueth with an Infidell.
The Actes of Christ and Antichriste, concernyng bothe their life and doctrine.
Of their life.
FIrste.Psalme. 110. Christe as touchyng his deitie,Math. iiii. is the true and naturall Sonne of the liuyng and immortall God:Luke. i. and as cōcernyng his humainitie,Roma. i. he is the true and naturall Soonne of Marie the Uirgine.
Antichrist bothe bodie and soule is the childe of wrathe,Ioan. iii. and the Sonne of perdition, yea,Ephes. ii. and that synfull man. whiche is an aduersarie to God and all godlinesse,ii. Thessal. ii. to Christ and to all christianitie.
2 Christe beyng borne, brought into the worlde greate ioye, high peace, and euerlastyng saluation as the Aungell saied to the Shepheardes:Luke. ii. Beholde, I bryng you tidynges of greate ioy, whiche shall come to all people: For vntounto you is borne this daie in the Citee of Dauid, a Sauiour, whiche is Christe the Lorde.
Again, Glory be to God on hie, and peace on the yearth: and vntounto God a good will.
Antichrist beyng borne, bringeth with him not ioy, but greef of minde, not peace but trouble of bodie, not Saluation, but plaine distructiō bothe of bodie and soule to so many as embrace hym.
3 Christ, Luke. ii.when he should be borne, could hauehave no roume in the Iune, and therefore was borne in a Stable: and beyng wrapped in poore and homely swadlyng cloutes, he was laied in a maunger.
Antichrist, before he bee borne, hath a gorgious & richely apparelled house prepared for him, with all suche furniture, as becōmeth suche a wicked worldlyng.
4 Christ, Ihon. 1.when he was borne, was not ioyfully receiued of the worlde,Math. ii. no, not of thē to whom he was promised & sent, but rather hated & persecuted moste cruelly.
Antichrist beeyng borne, is moste tenderly embraced, loued, kissed, and coulled: and in all pointes warely kepte, and circumspectly attēded, that no greef or misfortune chaunce vntounto hym, so deare is he to the children of this worlde.
5 Christ, Math. ii.when accordyng to his age, he ought to hauehave been bothe tenderly and quietly norished, was compelled through the crueltie of Tyrauntes, to bee caried from countrey to countrey, and yet hardly founde he reste at any tyme, so in all pointes did the Crosse followe hym, euen from the verie cradle, as thei vse to saie.
Antichrist is bothe delicately and tenderly fostered, and brought vp without al noise and disquietnesse. All Epicures and worldlynges delight in hym. Thei seeke to pleasure hym. He is free at all tymes from all Crosse.
6 Christ, Luke. ii.when he was borne, had little resorte vntounto hym,Math. ii. for to releeue his poore and miserable state, beside the Shepheardes, and the wise men of the Easte, with a verie fewe other.
Antichrist hath the whole worlde flockyng to hym, which cease not to giuegive, and offer vntounto hym greate & precions giftes, although otherwise ouerflowyng with the aboundance of all thynges.
7 Christ beyng but twelue yeres of age was studious of Goddes worde,Luke. ii. and so desirous of the knowledge thereof, that forgettyng his carnall freendes, and their companie, he remained in the Temple of Salomon at Ierusalem, sittyng in the middes of the Doctours, hearyng them and posyng them.
Antichriste hateth the knowledge of Goddes worde, and so many as fauour it, forasmuche as it is contrarie to his filthy will, and beastly pleasure, and deliteth only in that doctrine, whiche serueth his voluptuous appetite.
8 Christe was obediente to Marie his mother,Luke. ii. and to Ioseph her houseband, shewyng hereby a good example of submission, and obedience to all children.
Antichrist will obeye no man, but rule ouer all men, giuyng hereby an example of pride, and disobedience to all men.
9 Christe (as some affirme) from the tyme of twelue yeres of age, till he was thirtie yere old, accompanied Ioseph his Mothers housebande, whiche was a Carpenter by his occupation,No manne ought to be idle in a christen common weale. and laboured diligently in that arte, by this meanes gettyng his liuyng with the trauaile of his hādes, and with the sweate of his browes, accordyng to the commaundemente of his heauenly Father,i. Thess. iiii. giuyng a good example in this behalf,ii. Thess. iii, to all that professe his name,Genes. iii. that none in a Christian Common weale ought to liue idlely,Psalm. 128. but eueryevery manne woorke some good thyng that he maie hauehave not onelyonly whereof to liue hym self,Marke. vi. but also to giuegive vntounto the needie. And hereof commeth it, that Christe is called a Carpenter in the Scripture.
Antichrist is altogether otherwise affected. For he vseth no exercise, that godly and profitable is, but liueth altogether idlely, of the labour of other mennes handes, and of the sweate of other mennes browes, contrary to the commaundemēt of God, beyng in deede a verie vnprofitable clod of the yearth. And as he hym self is estraunged from all Godlie and vertuous exercises:The idlenes of the popish spiritualtie, So likewise doeth he enfraunchise, and make free from all worke and laboure, all his spirituall smered shauelynges, appointyng thē, not to preache the woorde of God, nor to administer the Sacramente of Christe purely and sincerely, accordyng to Christes Institution, but to saie Mattens, Masse, and Euensong, and to sette forthe his ordinaunces and decrees, &c. that thei maie seem at the least to doe somewhat, although that somwhat in deede be nothyng.
10 Christ as he prospered in age,Luke. ii. so likewise did he in wisedome and fauour, with God and men.
Antichriste the older he waxeth, the worse he is, hated both of God and of all Godly men.
11 Christ disdained not to bee Baptised of Iohn Baptiste,Math. iii. a poore man and a priestes sonne.Marke. i.
Antichrist will hauehave nothing ministred vntounto hym,Antichrist cā not abide the Mariage of Priestes. but of great princes, mightie prelates, and such as be famous honourable and of greate glory in the worlde. As for poore menne hee regardeth not, and as touchyng the lawfull children of priestes, he can by no meanes abyde them as a matter condempned in his deuilishe decrees and Luciferlike lawes.
12 Christe although sente doune for that purpose,Math. iii. tooke not on hym the office of preaching,Marke. i. till he was openly called of his heauenly father hauing his vocation confirmed by a visible signe of the holy ghost,Luke. iiii. Ihon. i.which came doune from heauen vpō hym in the likenesse of a Doue.
Antichrist thrusteth hymselfe in the ministery without any certaine callyng, yea and that not to doe good, whiche is contrary to his nature, but to doe euill, euen to corrupt the congregation of God with his pestilente doctrine, and corrupte maners, and vnfruitfully to eate the Milke of the sheepe, and to bee apparelled with their wolle, by this meanes defraudyng both the true Ministers and also the pore members of Christ of their liuyng: being of the number of them, of whom God by the Prophet speaketh on this maner:Ieremi. xxiii. I spake not vntounto theym, and they prophecied I sent them not, and they ran.
13 Christe, although called of God vntounto the office of preachyng, and annointed with the Oyle of gladnesse, that is to say, the holy ghost, aboue his fellowes, fel not streight waies vntounto preaching, but sequestyng himselfe from the company of all men, gaue himselfe by the space of fortie daies and forty nightes to fastyng and praier, that he might be the more able to fulfill that worke, wherunto God had called hym,Psalm. xlv. vntounto the glory of gods most glorious name, and vntounto the profit of his holy congregation.
Antichrist after he hath thruste hymself into the ministerie,Math. iiii. rashly and without any aduisement,Mark. i. vnworthely and without any due preparation vntounto so worthy mysteries,Luke. iiii. as a filthy Sowe and vomityng dogge, taketh in hand the diuine offices, geuyng hymself neither to praier, nor yet to fastyng, but rather to carnall pleasure and beastly belly chere, nothyng caryng for the glory of God, nor for the profit of his people, so that he may liue wealthily and accordyng to the lustes of the fleshe.
41 Christe in the tyme of his fastyng and praier,Math. iiii. was greuously tempted of Sathan, and of the infernall army,Luke. iiii. whom all, hee mightely and valeauntlie ouercame with the moste mightie and valeaunt armoures of Gods worde.
Antichrist as he neuer fasteth and prayeth a right: so is he neuer tempted of sathan for the probation and triall of hys faith and constancie, as one that is already in Sathans nettes, and in his possession as a moste miserable slaue and vile paysaunt. And if at any tyme he will defende himselfe against Sathan, and suche like wicked spirits, he fleeth not vntounto the worde of God, but vntounto holy water, holy Bread, holy palmes, holy candels, holy fyre, &c.
15 Christe when he beganne to preache,Math. iiii. preached repentaunce and faith.Marke. i.
Antichrist preacheth penance and faith in his Pardons and bulles for the remission of sinnes.
16 Christ by his preachyng brought the people out of darkenes into light.Math. iiii.Esay. xix.Luke. ii.
Antichrist through his sermons bringeth his hearers out of the light of gods woorde, into the damnable darkenes of mens trifelyng tradicions.
17 Christe confirmed his doctrine with true and most certaine miracles.Math. xi.Luke. vii.
Antichrist ascertaineth his teachyng with false signes and fained wonders▪Math. xxiiii.Luke. iiii.Ioan. iiii
18 Christe painefully trauailed into many & diuers countreyes to preache Gods worde, sekyng the saluation of all men.
Antichrist sitteth at home in his palace vponupon his fine Cushins and Carpets both gorgiously and gloriously, not seekyng other mennes saluation, but his owne ease and promotion.
19 Christe, Math. x.that the moe with the more expedition might be conuerted and turned vntounto the faith of GOD and vntounto his holy Religion,Marke. vi. did chose vntounto him twelue Disciples.Luke. vi.
Antichrist to enlarge his kingdome taketh vntounto hym innumerable swarmes of Hipocrites,A swarme of Hipocrites. as Cardinals, Patriarches, Archebishops, Bishops, Priestes, Deacons, Subdeacons, Monkes, Friers, Chanons, Heremites, Anckers, Archedeacons, Commissaries, Officials, Pardoners, Proctours, Doctours, Scribes, Lawyers, Sonmners, Apparitours, Inquisitours, Accusatours, Persecutours, Traitours, Condemners, false Prophetes, liyng preachers, relique sellers, soule cariers, purgatory rakers, Massemongers, sainct worshippers, workselles, pilgrimage goers, Idolatours, Transubstantiatours, Breadhonorers, Traditionaries, Papistes, &c.
20 Christ did choose such to be his Disciples and Preachers of his heauenly fathers will,Math. viii. as were maried and had wiues… Cor. ix. Philip. iiii.Actes. xxi.and children.
Antichriste admitteth none vntounto his priestishe orders, but suche ars are wiuelesse, and professe for euer after to leade a single and vnmaried life.
21 Christe chosed Disciples to this end,Math. x. xviii. that they should be Preachers.Ihon. xx.
Antichrist chooseth his shauelynges to be Massemongers, Sacrificers, Purgatory rakers, charmers, and Coniurers of vncleane spirites, of Deuils, of Salt, of water, of bread, of waxe, of palmes. &c.
22 Christ would hauehave his disciples knowen by the fruites of the holy Ghost.Marke. xvi.Ihon. xv.
Antichrist hath his Chaplens knowen by docking and douking, by smering and shauyng, by massyng and mattensyng, by tippetyng and gownyng, &c.
23 Christ commaunded hys Disciples to preache repentaunce and remission of sinnes in his name to all nations.Luke. …
Antichrist commaundeth his Shauelinges to saye Mattens, Masse and euensong: to sing for soules in purgatory: to heare confessions, to enioyne penaunce,Math. x. to giuegive absolutions,Marke. xvi. to halow the font, &c.Actes. iii. iiii.
24 Christ confirmed the doctrine of his disciples with workyng of miracles.
Antichrist stablisheth the teachyng of his Chaplens, with the terrible and greuous thunderbolt of excommunication, with imprisonmente, with persecution, with sworde, fagot, fyre, halter, &c.
25 Christe sendyng forth his disciples to preache,Math. x. commaunded theim to doe their office freely, that is to say, to preache and to heale the sicke for nothyng, saiyng vntounto them: Freely ye hauehave receaued: freely giuegive.
Antichrist and his birdes are like vntounto Iudas. For they all doe so well louelove the purse,All for money. that without money a man can get nothyng of them. They blesse, they curse, they sing, they say, they patter, they praie, they mumble, they rumble, they tumble, they iumble, they talke, they walke, they bleare, they bleat, they fast, they eate, they talke, they walke, and what not? And all for money according to the common prouerbe: no peny, no Pater noster.
26 Christ, Math. x.when he sent forth his Disciples to preache,Ioan. xvi. said vntounto them: Beholde, I send you forth as shepe among wolues, For in the world ye shall hauehave trouble.
Antichrist sendeth forth his Trumpet blowers as wolues among shepe, readie to kill, flea and murder, if any withstand their Antichristian doctrine.Ioan. xv. The world, hateth them not, but loueth them derely, bicause they are of the world, and speake of the world.
27 Christ pronounced them blessed that are poore,Math. v. and he himselfe was so poore, that he had not where to rest his head,Luke. vi. beyng in this behalfe much inferiour to the birdes of the ayre,Math. viii. whiche hauehave their nestes, and to the foxes of the earth, whiche hauehave their holes.
Antichrist whiche calleth hymself christes vicare and Peters successour, agreyng with theim in doctrine and maners, as Beliall with Christ, and Sathan with God, hateth and abhorreth suche as are poore and without money, as people nothyng meete to bye his merchandise, Antichrist himselfe is so riche, and hath such abundance, that he is able to compare in substaunce with worldlye Princes and earthly potestates. He shameth not to say: Rome is myne, Cecilia is myne, Corcia is myne. The whole empire is mine. And in his lousy lawes and deuelishe decrees, he commaundeth that if any man either of lowe or high degree presume to take any of the Churche goods,☜ he should be withstanded, not onelyonly with the spirituall, but also with the temporall sword. And if any chaunce to dye for the defence of mother holy Church goods, he affirmeth plainly, that they dye a blessed death, and shall obtaine life euerlasting. O Antichrist. This Antichriste had rather hauehave the bloud of many thousandes both moste cruelly and vniustly shed, than he would loose one of his worldly pelfe, so swete vntounto him is the sauour of lucre.
28 Christ, Ihon. vi.when they would hauehave chosen hym to be their king, fled awaie aloue frō them into the Mountaines, and gaue him self to praier and spirituall meditations, vtterly eschewing al worldly pompe, glorie, and dignity: whiche thyng he shewed openly in ridyng simply and plainly vponupon a borowed Asse, accordyng to the prophecie of Zachary,Math xxi. whiche saieth:Marc. xi. Behold the king commeth vntounto thee,Luke. xix. meeke,Ihon. xii. simple,Zachar. ix. lowly,ii. Cor. viii. or of pore degree.Ihon. xviii. He became pore, saieth the Apostle that wee through his pouerty should waxe riche. And he said to Pilate: My kingdome is not of thys worlde.
Antichrist aduaunceth and lyfteth vp hym self aboue all Kynges, Princes, Rulers and Emperours, chalengyng vntounto hym aucthority and power, both to exalte and depose Kynges, Princes, and Emperours at his pleasure, which thyng, as we reade, he hath in tymes most cruelly and tyrantlike practised in diuerse and many noble Princes. He aduanceth hymselfe not only to excelle all power and aucthoritie, but also to be lorde of both realmes, heauenly and earthly, and that the Emperour is his Subiect,Dist. 96. Cap. Si Imperator. as it is mencioned in his owne decrees & lawes: againe, that if the Empire at any tyme be voide, he is right heyre to the same. And in token that he is lorde and kyng ouer three realmes, one more then GOD hymselfe hath, that is to saye, Heauen, Earth, and Purgatory, he weareth a triple crowne vponupon his pylde pate. This authority,The Popes triple crown, what it signifieth., this Antichrist receaued of the diuell,Math. iiii. for the seruice that he hath doone hym, whiche Christ vtterly refused, when he said vntounto hym: All these thynges all the kingdomes of the vvorlde and the glory of them, will I giuegive thee: if thou wilt fall doune and worship mee. This Antichrist and his adherentes, that so vilely deuise the higher powers,…. Peter. ii. are spoken of in the Epistle of saint Peter, whiche saieth: They walke after the fleshe, in the luste of vncleanesse, and despise authorie. Presumpteous are they and stubborne, whiche feare not to speake euill of them, which excell in worship. &c.
29 Christ came not to bee serued,Luke. xxii. but to scrue,Philip. ii. takyng vponupon hym the similitude of a seruaunté, and makyng himselfe of no reputation to serue and aduaunce vsus.
Antichrist wil be serued,Dist. 86. Cap. Quando. and suffer kinges to giuegive hym water, yea and saieth, it were a shame if he should otherwise humble hym selfe, as it appeareth in his owne lawes and decrees.
30 Christ full lowly and mekely washed his Disciples feete,Ioan. xiii. and taught theym so likewise, saiyng: I hauehave giuen you an example, that as I hauehave doone to you, so ye should do one to an other.
Antichrist saieth:Cap. Cūolim Emperours and Kynges shall knele vntounto me, and kisse my feet, and is not ashamed to expresse it in his lawe.
31 Christ went on hys feete with his disciples both in wette and drye, heate and colde,Ioan. iiii. to teache and instruct the people,Math. iiii. as it is euident throughout al the gospel.
Antichrist keepeth his feete full cleane with shoes of gold and siluer,The Pope is no preachyng Prelate. set with precious stones, & will not preache the word of God, but saieth, it is sufficient to cause other to preache, as it appeareth by hys lawe: Uerely after this manner mighte the Turke be Pope also.
32 Christ sat at meate among his Disciples full lowly and poorely:Math. xx. and hee did not require the highest seate.Luke. xxii.
Antichrist sitteth full high in a curious throne and will be serued gloriously with greate Princes and Potestates: and hee wil hauehave men with iagged cotes to carue his morselles, blasphemyng GOD with othes, and committing many other vices as ye maye daiely see.
33 Christ fasted, and sought for the fruite on the tree to eate,Luke. xxi. when he was hungrie, and found none thereupon.
Antichrist hath great prouision made in cities and townes to gette hym of the best that maie be found: and that must be well dressed and deintily to make good digestion, with Spices and Sauces, and sirops coloured out of kinde.
34 Christ lay and slepte in a bote on the harde bourdes,Math. viii. and had to his chamberlaines but poore fishers.Marke. iiii.Luke. xiii.
Antichrist lyeth full softe and easly in beds of downe, where he slepeth swetely, and no man may wake him, vntill he hauehave slepte enough. His Chamberlaynes are men of honour, which are full ready with marshals and vshers to keepe his chambers from noyse, and the Porter at the gate to keepe out the poore.
35 Christ was in hilles weping and praiyng,Luke. vi. and walked in deserte,Math. xiiii. feedyng many thousands both with meate & preaching.Ihon. vi.
Antichrist sitteth in his Castelles and Towers with minstrelsie, laughter, and all kinde of melodie. As for the hungrye and poore, they shall die and starue: for foode get they none of hym. He thinketh it great shame for hym, to followe Christes example. As touchyng preachyng, he doth not so muche as once dreame of it.
36 Christ rode poorely and simply on an Asse,Math. xxi. and had xii. poore men that followed hym one foote.Marc. xi.
Antichrist rideth royally on a moyle, or on a white palfrey, and hath moe than .xii. followyng hym on horesebacke to attend and waite vppon hym, with Sweardes, bylles, and halberds, as it were men ready to battayle.
37 Christ as de passed through cities and townes,Math. iiii. viii. x. xii. xv. hunted fiendes out of men, that they dwelled in, with the woordes of his mouth.
Antichrist hunteth the wilde deare, the foxe and the hare in his cloased Parkes, with greate cries and hornes blowyng, with Houndes and Rachettes runnyng, besides a great swarme of Sym Shakebucklers.
38 Christ praiyng to almightie God his heauenly Father,Ihon. xvii. in his praier called him holy Father.
Antichrist is called, the moste holy Father of sathans children, and like Lucifer taketh that name on hym.Ephe. iiii. His Disciples say,i. Timoth. ii. that he is God on earth: where as we are taught by Christes law,i. Timoth. ii. that there is but one God.
39 Christ sat in the middes of the Doctors,Luke. ii. not thinkyng scorne to enquire and to heare them in the lawe of his heauenly father.
Antichrist sitteth in his glorious throne and ministreth his owne lawes and traditions to all menne, and holdeth a small mater longe in pleatyng, whiche might sone be determined by the lawe of God, if hee would vse it. But then his winnyng should be the lesse, his lawe without profite, and his consistory colde.
40 Christ sent the holy ghost in feruent louelove and charitie,Ioan. 14. 15. 16. to teache them, whiche were the elect and chosen of God, al truth necessarie vntounto saluation.
Antichrist sendeth out his commissions all about to curse and aske vegeaunce on them, that resiste his tyranny: and will for money absolue them cleane againe. A paena & culpa toties quoties. All his doctrines hauehave golden tayles. For money is euer the ende.The vetue of money. Geue hym money, and ye hauehave fulfilled all his lawes.
41 Christ fulfilled and kept both the oldMath. iii. v. lawe and the newe, and al righteousnesse.
Antichrist will hauehave his owne traditions and lawes kept. But as for the lawe of God, it is cleane out of his minde.
42 Christ saied,Ioan. x…. that men should knowe his Disciples by their charity, if they loued one an other, as he had loued them.
Antichrist causeth his chaplens to bee knowen by their habites and vestures, by their long gounes and shauen crownes,How Antichristes chaplens are knowen. and punisheth them, if they vse not their habites. But for their couetousnesse, ambition pride, whoredome, and suche other wickednesse, he neuer punisheth them.
43 Christ promiseth forgiuenesse of sinne and the kingdome of heauen vntounto theym that will repent and amend their liues.Math. xli.Marke. i.Luke. xxiiii.Cap. Omnes.
Antichrist saith, that no man can be saued, except he be first shriuen of his Priestes and Friers. For they bryng in money.
44 Christ would not suffer,Mathew. xxi. that doues,Marke. x…. sheepe,Luke. xix. and oxen for the offering,Ihon. ii. should be solde in the temple of God, but draue out the byers and sellers with whippes.
Antichrist suffereth hys Chapmen in the Church to sell the Sacraments,Omnia venalia Romae. that they should freely minister to the Christen people. In his court also there is sellyng of Bishorikes, prebendes, free chappels, benefices, dignities, Abbotshippes, offices, &c. And all for money.
45 Christ lay in a stable with fewe cloates,Luke. ii. betwixt an oxe and an asse. For there was no place in the Innes for his parentes, bicause they were poore.
Antichrist lieth in rich chambers with quiltes, curtaines, carpettes, and cushins spred all aboute, with sweete smelles, pleasaunt odours, painted walles, with hanginges of clothe of golde.
46 Christ would hauehave men to visite the poore prisoners, to comfort them, and to deliuer them.
Antichrist hath no pitie on the poore: yea he persecuteth the poore Christians, putteth them in prison for y• truthes sake, and in fine, most cruelly murthereth them.
47 Christ did neuer imprison or persecute any man,Math. v. but he cōmaūded his disciples, that they should louelove their enemies,Luke. vi. and doe well to theym, yea and praie for them that did pesecute them.
Antichrist that taketh on hym to stande in christes steade, and to follow his example, persecuteth, punisheth, prisoneth, and putteth to death theym that are disobedient to his voluptuous pleasures. See ye not, howe faste he followeth Christes steppes.
48 Christ healyng the sicke,Math. viii. and doyng miracles,Luke. viii. did for the more part euer commaunde, that thei should tell no man, who had healed them.
Antichrist altogether desirous of vain glorie, worldely praise, and mortall renome, giueth greate giftes, and large benefices to Pardoners, to Proctours, to Lawiers, to Liers, to Minstrels, to Msasengers, to Friers, to Flatterers, and to suche like Parasites, to blase his name abroade, his holinesse and godlinesse, that he maie hauehave honour and worship in this wicked worlde.
49 Christ had no Courtes,Math. v. to pleate the matters of his Disciples in: for he commaunded them, that thei should not resiste euill.
Antichrist hath his Courtes, and many riche menne of Lawe to oppresse the poore, and to call vntounto iudgement whom he lusteth. For whatsoeuer cause he will, he vexeth all maner people without merciemercy. For forgiue he will not.
50 Christ bad them that he healed,Ihon. v. viii. to go their waie, and to synne no more.
Antichrist giueth licence to the people, to continue in sinne, and giueth them licence also to keepe, and maintaine Stewes and baudy houses, and receiueth money therefore.
51 Christ refused to bee Iudge betwene the twoo brethren,Luke. xii. in diuidyng their inheritaunce, as a matter not incidente to his office, whiche was to preache the will of his heauēlie Father, but appertaining vntounto worldly Iudges, and temporall magistrates.
Antichriste taketh vppon hym to bee Iudge in all maner of matters, Spirituall or Temporall, Ghostly or Worldly. There is no cause, whiche he will not take vppon hym to determine, namely, if thei bryng money. He will all menne, in matters from all menne,Non. q. 3. Conquestus. to appeale vntounto hym, and vntounto his Courte for sentence,Math. xxvi. without any resistance or against saiyng.Ihon. xviii.
52 Christe would not bee defended in a righteous matter, with martiall armoures, but he commaunded Peter to put vp his swearde into his sheath. For he that striketh with the swearde, saieth he, shall perishe with the swearde.
Antichriste commaunded Emperours, Kynges, Princes, and Lordes with their Subiectes, to take Sweardes, Speares, Halberdes, and Gunnes, and to helpe hym to slea all suche, as will not obeye his tyrannie. And this muste the Emperour doe, or els he must bee periured, yea, and also deposed, because he is no meete manne to reigne, forasmuche as he stoutly defendeth not the liberties of holie Churche. After this manner came it to passe, that Iulius secundus bishop of Rome caused to be slaine sixtene thousande men in one daie. Was not that well pastured? Was not this a worthie Uicar of Christ, and a noble successour of Peter?
53 Christ gaue free libertie to all men,Math. xv. to eate all meates at all tymes,Titus. …. for as muche as that,1. Timoth. …. whiche entereth into the mouthe, defileth not manne, but that commeth out of the mouthe. For all thynges are pure to theim that are pure: and nothyng is to bee caste awaie, if it bee receiued with giuyng of thankes. For it is sanctified by the woorde of God, and by praier. Yea, it is the doctrine of Deuilles, to forbidde that to bee eaten, whiche God hath made to bee receiued with thā kes giuyng.
Antichrist plainly condemneth al suche as presume to eate Egges, Milke,Dist. 4. Cap. statuimus. butter or Cheese, but specially Fleshe, on those daies yt he hath commaunded to be fasted, and denounceth them heretikes. This agreeth with Christe, as light with darkenesse. And yet hauehave wee been so blinded, these many yeres paste, through the iuglyng of our Spirituall Sorcerers, that we could neuer perceiue this Antichrist, till nowe in the latter daies, when that manne of synne muste bee reueled and vttered,ii. Thess. ii. accordyng to the Prophecie of the Apostle.
54 Christ gaue authoritie vntounto his disciples, to binde and to loose,Math. xvi. saiynge: Whatsoeuer ye binde in earth, shall bee bound in heauen. Ind whatsoeuer ye lose in earth shall bee loosed in heauen. But Christ spake nothing of binding and loosing in purgatory for money concerning the soules departed.
Antichrist chalengeth greater power, and larger authoritie. For he will loose soules out of purgatory, and commaunde the Angels to fetche them out: and all for money. For without money ye can gette nothyng of hym.
55 Christ is head of the Churche,Ephes. i. as the holy Apostle Paule doth testifie:Coloss. iii. and also he is the stone,i. Cor. ii. whereon the Churche is builded. And this Church is the congregation of faithfull Christen people, and the very body of Christ.
Antichrist saith, that he is head of that Churche:Dist. xix. Cap. and that the Sea of Rome is the stone,Enimuero. whereon that Churche is builded.Dist. xix. Cap. Can any thing be more contrary vntounto the honour and glory of GOD,Ita dominus. than thus to despoile hym of his kingdome whiche he so derely hath bought, shedyng his precious bloud for it?
56 Christ gaue vsus a lawe,ii. Tim. iii. whiche is the holy Scripture.ii. Peter. i. This holy Scripture as it was giuen by the inspiration of the holy ghost: so did the same spiritie infuse it aboundauntly into the heartes of the Apostles, and likewise doth at this present, with the faithfull: and of the same spirite hath this holy Scripture his endurance and true interpretation.
Antichrist is not ashamed too bragge, that hee is Lorde ouer the Scripture to alowe or disalowe it. For of me,Ca. Si omnes. saith he,O Antichriste. it taketh his full authoritie. And for a token of this, the Scripture of Christe is laied vnderunder his fete, when he is at Masse.
57 Christe commaunded by his Apostle sainct Paule,i. Timoth. ii. that a bishop should be apte to teache,Titus. i. and that hee ought to bee well learned, that he may be able by his wholsome doctrine both to exhort and to ouercome all theym that resiste and be against the faith.
Antichrist will neither teache nor dispute with any man in the holy scripture for the maintainaunce of the Christen faith, but onelyonly for to augment his owne kingdom, and to stablish his owne lawes. And if any dispute with him, they shall be cast first into prison: where he and his ministers hauehave deuised and inuented proper engins too wryng their fingers so sore,The crueltie of …he Papistes. that the bloud shall braste out of their fingers endes. Moreouer he will peine them and scourge them, and with infinite other tormentes punishe theim, to make theim forsake the trueth: and afterwarde make them sweare on a booke, that they shall tell no man of it. Thus cruelly doth Antichrist entreate man for the truthes sake againste all iustice. And if he can not subdue them to his will, then either he murdereth theim priuely in Prison, or els hee committeth them vntounto the seculer power as vntounto his Hangmen or Butchers to be burned. And thus is the disputation ended, and Antichrist hath gotten the victorie. Sed viuit dominus, qui custodit veritatem in seculum seculi,Psalme. 148. & facit iudicium iniuriam patientibus.
58 Christe cursed the Figge tree, vppon whiche he found no fruite,Math. xxix. and forthwith the Figge tree wethered, and neuer bare fruite after.
Antichrist hath cursed, and enterdited Landes and Realmes, and yet did not the people dye: but they prospered well: and the earth brought forth her fruite and encrease no lesse then before, yea, much more aboundauntly, thankes be vntounto God, that duplicate page duplicate page this saiyng may bee founde true, Maledicent illi,Psalm. 108. tu autem benedices. They shall curse, but thou shalt blesse.
59 Christ calleth hymselfe the good shepheard,Ihon. x. saiyng: I am the good shepheard. The good shepeheard geueth hys life for his sheepe.
Antichrist saieth, that he is a good sheepeheard, and yet he pollet and pilleth, hee sheareth and scrapeth the sheepe so neare, that he leaueth not one locke of wolle on their backes. And thinke ye not, that hee is in al pointes the selfe same shepeheard, of whom Zacharias prophecied? whiche saieth in the persone of God:Zachar. xi. Behold▪ I will raise vp a Shepheard in the Lande, whiche shall yot seeke after the thinges that be lost, nor care for such as go astray. He shall not heale the wounded. He shall not nourishe the thyng that is whole, but he shall eate the fleshe of suche as be fatte, and teare their clawes in peeces, &c. Hee shall nourishe hymselfe, and not the shepe. And this Prophete criyng out on hym, saieth: O thou shepheard and Idoll, forsakyng the flocke. As though hee shoulde say: thou bearest the name of a shepheard, but thou arte an Idoll, and counterfaite. Thou art called a Shephearde, but thou art a plaine murderer. Thou arte named a feeder, but thou art a destroyer. Is it to bee thought that this Shephearde will giuegive his life for his Shepe?
60 Christ chargeth Peter three tymes, to keepe well and nourishe his Shepe.
Antichrist chargeth his Officers,Ihon. xxi. to keepe well his money. And as for the Shepe, he hymself taketh paines to shere theim, and to keepe theim lowe with iufinite exactions.
61 Christ gaue a commaundement,Math. v. xix. that a manne should forsake his wife, or putte her awaie for no cause, but onelyonly for adulterie.
Antichrist if he bee well monied, will make diuorces for what soeuer cause a manne will hauehave hym: yea, and for money he will ioyne theim together, whom the Lawe of GOD by no meanes suffereth to marrie.
62 Christe beside the twelue Disciples, sent forthe to Preache seuentie and twoo other Disciples,Luke. x. whiche freely promised heauen to theim, that would beleue in the name of Christe.
Antichriste sendeth out his Preachers and Pardoners, whiche teache the people to beleue his power, and to truste to his Pardons for their saluation, addyng, that thei can not otherwise bee assoiled, nor come to heauen. And all for money.
63 Christe tooke awaie from his Disciples all temporall iurisdictiō,Luke. xxii. and worldly power, saiyng vntounto them: The kynges and Princes of the Gentiles hauehave rule & power ouer them: but ye shal not so hauehave.
Antichriste lifteth vp hym self aboue al power, and saieth: Emperours, Kynges, and Lordes bee my Subiectes. This is daiely read in his Bulles, wherein he cō maundeth the Nobilitie, like as a Master doeth commaunde his seruaunt.
64 Christ gaue commaundement to his Disciples,Math. xxiii. saiyng: Looke whiche emong you will bee greatest,Marke. viii. let hym bee the lowest of all.
Antichrist saieth: The Emperour must sweare vntounto me,Cap. tibi. domino. dist. 63. as vntounto his Lorde, that he will bee my subiect, and exalt and worship me with honour, as his owne Lawe testifieth.
65 Christe in all places of the holie Scripture reiecteth,Math. xv. and casteth awaye mennes Traditions and Decrees.Marke. vii. Thei worshipp me in vaine, saieth he, teachyng doctrines, that are the commaundementes of menne.
Antichriste magnifieth the Traditions and Decrees of his Canon Lawe,Cap. Si omnes. dist. 63. and saieth, that thei ought to bee kept as duely, as if GOD hymself had commaunded them: Or as if sainct Peter had preached them hym self.
66 Christe wishyng no man to erre,Ioan. xiiii. no manne to bee deceiued, no manne to perishe, or to bee damned, called hym self in his Sermons the waie, the truthe, and the life. I am saith he, the waie, the truth, and the life. Beleue in me and folowe me in my learning, and rule you by the scripture: For that shall bee your Iudge.
Antichrist saieth,Dist. 11. cap. ye shall in all thinges followe the Churche of Rome,Quis nesciat. Cap. Si Romanorum. meanyng thereby, hym self and his Cardinalles, as appeareth in his owne Lawe. And as for the Scripture, saith he, it standeth in my power and aucthoritie: For I maie make of it, whatsoeuer pleaseth me.
67 Christe loued them that were his ennemies,Luke. xxii. blessed theim that cursed,i. Peter. ii. and did good to them, that hated hym.
Antichrist can not finde in his harte, to louelove and blesse his ennemies, nor to dooe good to his aduersaries: but suche as in any point be against hym, he curseth with the great cursse, and will not absolue them, till thei hauehave made perfect submission, and paied greate sommes of money.
68 Christe commaunded his Disciples that thei should not resiste euill,Math. v. but if a manne strike them vponupon the one cheeke, that thei should offer hym the other also.
Antichriste will suffer nothyng, yea, he teacheth, that he maie auenge, and driue awaie force with force.
69 Christe by open voice from Heauen, was pronounced of God the Father,Math. xvii. to bee his dearely beloued Soonne:Marc. xi. and so many as purpose to bee saued, and to bee made enheritours of eternall life, are cō maunded to heare hym.
Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente,Dist. 93. Cap. Si cuius. that vnderunder paine of euerlastyng damnation, we heare hym, obeye, and obserue his Decrees and Lawes.
70 Christe laied lighte burdeines,Math. xi. and swete yokes vponupon his Disciples neckes.
Antichrist saieth intollerable burthēs,Dist. xix. Cap. memoriam▪ and moste greeuous yokes vponupon mennes shoulders: and notwithstandyng he saith: If any commaundemente or burthen bee so heauie, that it can not bee sustained and borne,Math. xxiii. yet shall ye obeye me. In this behalfe Antichrist, is like the olde Hypocrites emong the Iewes, of whom our Sauiour Christe speaketh on this maner: Thei binde together heauie burthens,Luke. xi. and greeuous to bee borne, and laie them on mennes shoulders: But thei theim selues will not heaue at theim with one of their fingers. Againe, woe vntounto you, ye Lawiers: For ye lade menne with burthens, whiche thei bee not able to beare: and ye your selues touche not the packes with one of your fingers.
71 Christe paied Tribute to Cesar:Math. xviii. and gaue commaundemente to all his,Math. xxii. that thei should giuegive to the Temporall Magistrate,Roma▪ xiii▪ whatsoeuer is due vntounto hym, as the Apostle saieth: GiueGive to eueryevery manne his duetie: Tribute to whom Tribute belongeth: Custome to whom Custome is due. &c.
Antichriste despiseth bothe this example and doctrine of Christe,Dist. i. Cap. Si quis. and excommunicateth all them, that aske any Tolle or Tribute, either of hym or of his. For he hath made theim all free by his Lawe, from all suche charges and paimentes.
77 Christe, when he liued in this worlde, was beneficiall,Math. 6. & 23. Osee. vi. liberall, and plentifull in doyng the workes of merciemercy to the poore, and exhorted other to doe the like, euer commendyng merciemercy, aboue Offerynges and Sacrifices.
Antichrist hath no pleasure at all in the woorkes of merciemercy, neither careth he for the poore: But his desire is, that menne should giuegive their money for Pardons, for Masses, for Dirges. &c. and bestow their gooddes vponupon Images gildyng, Tabernacles pointyng, chaūtries building, &c. so that he will no merciemercy, but all offerynges. And he that saieth: It is better to giuegive our charitie to the poore, (as Christ saieth) is counted halfe an Heretike, because he goeth about to marre Antichristes market.
73 Christe the Mirrour of meekenesse, and example of humilitie, charged his disciples, that thei should not desire to bee called masters,Math. xxiii. nor yet fathers on yearth.
Antichriste will not onelyonly bee called the Lorde and Maister of all Christendome, but also the moste holie Father in yearth, Goddes Uicar in yearth, Peters Successour in yearth, and Heade of the Churche in yearth. &c.
74 Christe disdained not to goe vntounto the Mariage,Ihon. ii. when he was called: and sanctified the same with the firste fruites of his miracles.
Antichrist despiseth mariage, and commaundeth his Shauelynges, by no meanes to bee at theim, as a kinde of life, vnperfecte, and vnworthie their high perfection, and pure state of their vocation or callyng.
75 Chirste refuseth not to goe,Math. viii. Ioan. iiii. whersoeuer he was desired, so he might doe good to other.
Antichriste is so delicate and fine, and vnpacient of labour, that he refuseth to goe any where, excepte it bee to profite, and to doe good to hym self,
76 Christ thought no scorne (suche wasMath. viii. his good will toward all men) euen with his hande to touche the Leper, when he healed hym.
Antichriste disdaineth once to looke vponupon the poore, so farre it is of that he will handle, and touche the miserable diseased and lothsome people with his holie handes. His delight is to hauehave to dooe with the greate God Mammon, and with the nise nimphes of Ladie Uenus court.
77 Christe had greate pleasure, and singuler delight,Math. iiii. to be emong thē that were sicke and diseased.
Antichrist hath al his delight and pleasure, to bee emong the minions of the worlde, and the lustie galauntes, Dicers, Carders, Minstrelles, Gameplaiers, and all suche as maie prouoke hym vntounto pleasure, mirthe, and ioye.
78 Christe kept companie with sinners: whores,Math. ix. and Publicanes, to the ende, that he might allure theim from wickednesse,Luke. xv. vntounto Godlinesse, saiyng: Thei that are whole, hauehave no neede of a Phisition, but thei that are sicke. For I am not come to call the righteous, but synners to repentaunce.
Antichriste delighteth to accompanie the Princes, and Rulers of this worlde, that he maie enlarge, and encrease sainct Peters patrimonie, and enriche Mother holie Churche, whiche beginneth now to waxe old, and hath greate neede of helpe. As touchyng them that are runne astraie from God, he knoweth none other waie vntounto saluation, but to exhort them to buy his Pardons, Masses, &c.
79 Christe in his Sermons had no respect of persones,Math. xxii. but rebuked al degrees a like, that were rebukeable.
Antichrist preacheth neuer, prateth oft, great and noble personages he flattereth although neuer so wicked and vngodlie, namely when he hopeth and looketh for gaine. As touchyng the poore and miserable, he thundereth at them with the sentence of the greate curse.
80 Christe, Luke. ix. iiii. Reg. i.when his Disciples Iames and Ihon, would hauehave had fire come doun from heauen, as in the daies of Elias vppon the Samaritanes, for their ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse, and so to hauehave destroied them, rebuked them, and saied: ye wote not, what maner spirit ye are of For the Sonne of manne is not come to destroie mennes liues, but to saue them.
Antichriste, when any, although neuer so little displeasure is doen against hym. so fumeth and fometh, so braieth and brauleth, so roareth and rageth, that straight waies, out of his firie place, he casteth out his moste greeuous thunderbolte, of that terrible great excommunication. If that will doe no good, then prouoketh he princes vntounto warres out of hand, and to murther for his sake, many thousande of innocent soules, neuer ceasyng from his furious madnesse, and madde furie, vntill he be auenged to the vttermoste, forgettyng this commaundement of GOD: vengeaunce is myne, and I will reward saieth the Lorde.
81 Christ alwaie defended his disciples against the Scribes and Phariseis,Deut. 32. with the aucthorities of Gods worde.Rom. xii.Math. ix.Math. xii.
Antichriste defendeth his adherentes with bannyng and cursing, with Sweard and Speare, with Bowes and Arowes, with Gonne and Pollaxe, and suche like martiall armoures,
82 Christ tooke paciently the opprobrious wordes that were spoken against his owne persone:Ioan. viii. but the railyng blasphemies vttered of the blasphemous enemies of the truthe againste the glory of GOD, he could by no meanes abyde, but mightely defended it.
Antichriste regardeth not the blasphemies spoken or written against the glory of God & the manifest truth of his blessed worde: but if any thing be spoken against hym and his deuilishe decrees, then rageth he like a mad man, and neuer ceaseth vntill he be reuenged, except his furie be apeaced with good sommes of money.
83 Christ proued and defended his Doctrine againste the enemies thereof,Math. 21. 2… ▪ with the testimonies of Moses,Ihon▪ i…. of the Psalmes and of the Prophetes.
Antichriste proueth and defendeth his Decrees and Traditions with generall Councels, with constitutions prouincial, with the authorities of forefathers, with the prescriptes of olde customes, with the Sophisticall and Carnall reasons of the Scholemen: and if al these wil not serue, with Fire and Fagotte, with Swearde and halter.
84 Christ so trauailed in goyng aboute from countreye to countreye,Ihon. iiii. preachyng the will of his heauenly Father, that hee was many tymes weary of his iourney.
Antichrist taketh his ease, sittyng at home in his riche Chaires, vponupon his golden Cushins and precious Carpettes. If at any tyme he will take the ayre abroad, either he is caried vponupon mens shoulders as a GOD of the Earth, or els he rideth vponupon his Moyle gorgiously trapped and harnessed.
85 Christ beholdyng the lamentable teares of the Widowe,Luke. vii. whose Sonne was dead and caried forth to be buried, had pitie and compassion on her, and saied vntounto her: Weepe not, and immediatly he deliuered her Sonne aliue againe vntounto her, that tofore was dead.
Antichrist euidently seyng greate enormities and manifolde,The Papistes can not abyde any reformation. most greuous abuses in the Churche of Christ, whereof he braggeth himself to be the head, although moued and prouoked with the humble supplications, feruent desires, and earnest praiers of many good and godly men both by writyng and otherwise, neither taketh awaie the enormities, nor correcteth the abuses, but rather as a sworne aduersary against God and all godlinesse, he goeth forth daily more and more to stablishe and confirme those abhominations seekyng no redresse, as the experience of this our tyme doeth moste manifestlie declare.
86 Christ disdained not to come vntounto Lazarus graue,Ioan. xi. nothyng beeyng dismaide with the euill sauour of the dead corps, although tofore therof warned, and to raise hym vp from death vntounto life.
Antichrist abhorreth nothyng more thā euill sauours, hauing his great delight in sweete perfumes and pleasaunt odours, beyng of the nūber of those which on this wise speake in the booke of Wisedome: Come on,Sap. iii. let vsus enioy the pleasures that there are, and let vsus sone vse the creature like as in youth. Lette vsus fill our selues with good Wine and Ointment, and let there no flower of the time goe by vsus. Let vsus crowne our selues with Roses, afore they be withered. Let there bee no faire Medowe, but our luste go thorowe it. Let eueryevery one of you be partaker of our voluptuousnesse. Lette vsus leaue some token of our pleasure in eueryevery place. For that is our portion, els get we nothyng.
87 Christe wepte when he came to raise vp Lazarus,Ioan. xi. consideryng with hym self, that synne is the cause, not onelyonly of the death of the bodie, but also of the death of the soule, and of all other euils & plages.
Antichrist reioiseth in euill doyng, and is gladde, when sinne reigneth, florisheth and triumpheth. For then is hys Marchaundise wel bought, as Pardons, Masses of Scala caeli, Absolution, &c.
88 Christ is that louyng and gentle shepheard,Luke. xv. which when one of his sheepe was gone astraie, lefte the residue, and neuer ceased till he had founde her out. Beeyng found hee sweetely laide her vppon his shoulder, and tenderly brought her home againe with greate ioy and muche gladnesse: and callyng together his louers and neighbors, he said vntounto them: Oh reioice with me: for I hauehave found my shepe, which was lost.
Antichrist is of an other disposition, and contrary minded. For if any runne astray neuer so little from his lowsie lawes, trifeling traditions, diuelishe decrees, and crooked constitutions, canckered customes, &c. straightwaies he is excommunicate, and cursed as blacke as a Crowe, with booke, bell, and Candell euen boune to the deepe dongeon of Hell fire without redemption, except he will be reconciled to Mother holy Church, and make suche satisfaction as shall bee thought meete of the most holy Father, and of his deuoute Chaplens. If he wil not obey, doune with hym, accite hym, suspend hym, apprehend hym, accuse hym, condemne hym, to the fort with hym, away with him.
89 Christ is that most louyng Samaritane,Luke. x. whiche had pitie on the wounded man, bound vp his woundes, poured oyle and Wine, set hym on his owne Beaste, brought hym into a common Inne, and made prouision for hym.
Antichrist is that abhominable theefe, and cruell murderer, whiche without all pitie and compassion robbeth, woundeth, and slaeth bothe the bodies and soules of men: the bodies, with his exactions, oppressions, pollinges, pillinges, tyranny, murder, death: the soules, with false doctrine, vnwritten verities, decrees, constitutions, infidelitie, misbeliefe, superstition, &c.
90 Christ is appointed of God the Father to be the Phisicion and Sauiour ofMath. ix. the worlde.Luke. i.
Antichrist is appointed of the Deuill the Father of lyers,Ihon. viii. to be the corruptour and destroyer of the world.
91 Christ is the light of the world. Who soeuer followeth hym and his doctrine,Ioan. i. viii. shall neuer stumble, nor erre.
Antichrist is the darkenes of the world. He that foloweth hym and his decrees, shall neuer walke the righte waie vntounto heauen, but cast hymself hedlong into vtter darkenesse,Math. xxii. where weepyng and gnashyng of teeth shall be.
92 Christe is that bread of lyfe,Ioan. vi. whiche came doune from heauen. He that eateth of that bread, shall neuer hunger, but hauehave life euerlastyng.
Antichrist is that bread of death, which came vp from Hell. Whosoeuer tasteth of that bread, he shall dye the death euerlastyng.
93 Christ is our peace maker.Ephe. ii.
Antichrist is our dissention maker.
94 Christ is our wisedome,i. Cor. i. righteousnesse, sanctifiyng and redemption.
Antichrist is our foly, wickednes, corruption, and destruction.
95 Christ is that lambe of God without spot,Exod. xii. whiche taketh awaie the sinne of the worlde.Ihon. i.
Antichrist is that wolfe of Sathan, full of all sinne and wickednesse, whiche daily encreaseth the synne of the worlde.
96 Christe is the head of Gods Church.Ephes. i.
Antichrist is the head of Sathans Sinagoge.Coloss. iii.
97 Christe is our mediatour,i. Cor. ii. aduocate and intercessour.i. Timoth. ii.
Antichrist is our disturber,i. Ioan. ii. bate maker,Rom. viii. and destroyer.Ioan. iii.i. Cor. x.
98 Christ is that Rocke, out of whiche issueth and floweth forth the water of life. Whosoeuer shall drinke thereof, shall neuer thurst more.
Antichrist is that vyle and stinkynge puddle: He that drinketh thereof, shall dye euerlastingly.
99 Christ is yt seed of the woman,Gen. ii. which hath troden doune the Serpentes head.Gala. 3.
Antichrist is that seede of the Serpent, whiche like a roaryng Lion, continually seketh whom he may deuour.
100 Christ is that blessed seede of Abraham,Gen…. xv. in whom all nations of the earth are blessed and saued.
Antichrist is that cursed seede of Sathan, in whom and through whom so many as leane to his wicked and damnable doctrine, perishe and are damned.
101 Christ is Alpha and O Mega, that is to saye,Apoc. i▪ the beginnyng and endyng of all our saluation.
Antichrist is the aucthour of all mischief and abhomination, so that whatsoeuer followeth hym and his Antichristian doctrine, may be sure to come vntounto damnation.
102 Christ praied to his heauenly father,Luke. xxii. that Peters faith might not fayle.
Antichrist praieth that Peters patrimony (as they call it) may neuer fayle.
103 Christ refuseth no paine to doe goodEsay. v. to his congregation.Math. xxiii.
Antichrist refuseth no payne, so that he may hauehave lucre and gaine.
104 Christ went vp willingly to IerusalemMarke. x. Ioan. x.to suffer death for the elect people of God.
Antichrist hateth nothyng more then the crosse. As for Gods people, he regardeth them not, except they bring money.
105 Christ, Ioan. xviii.when he might hauehave escaped, and gone awaie from his enemies, freely gaue himselfe into their handes to be crucified for the saluation of other.
Antichriste resisteth his enemies with tothe and nayle, with hande and Sword, and with all that euer he is able to make: neither suffereth he gladly any aduersity, except it be for the maintainaunce of hys owne pompe and glory, and for the enrichement of Saint Peters patrimonie.
106 Christ was striped out of his clothes, and was all to beaten and scourged,Math. 26. 27. and false witnes brought in against hym.
Antichrist is well clothed with precious garments, and hath chaunge for eueryevery day, and commaundeth other to be beaten and sore puished, and false witnesse to be brought in to testifie, whatsoeuer hee will hauehave against the poore innocent christen people.
107 Christ being most vniustly & wrongfully accused,Esay. 53. and hauyng many vntruthes obiected againste hym,Actes. iii, i. Peter. ii. as a Lambe dum before his shearer, opened not his mouth. When he was reuiled, he reuiled not againe: when he suffred▪ he threatned not, but committed the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteously.
Antichrist being iustly accused both of false doctrine and corrupt manners, and admonished to amend, will by no meanes geue eare, but seeketh al mea…es possible to bee reuenged. He will bee iudge of all menne, but iudged of none. He will condemne whom he lust, and he will not once be touched. His doctrine although neuer so vnpure, he defendeth with fyre and fagot, with sworde and halter. Whosoeuer disdaine to embrace and maintaine it, all theim hee excommunicateth, cut of from the body of Christ, appointeth them vntounto euerlastyng damnation, interditeth their Landes, Realmes and countreys, wheresoeuer they dwell, as experience in these our daies teacheth aboundantly. As concernyng hys life and maners, although neuer so wicked and detestable, no man may once reproue, except he will feele the bitter boltes of the most bitter curse.
108 Christ had a crowne of sharpe thornes set vponupon his head,Math. xxvii. with so great violence that the bloud runne doune ouer all his amiable face:Mark. xv. and boystrous nayles driuen thorowe his precious handes.Ihon. xix.
Antichrist weareth vponupon his head three crownes of gold, richly set with precious stones: and hath his handes and finger all royally decked with owches and ringes. He passeth poore Christe farre farre.
109 Christ tooke the crosse of painefull affliction vponupon hymselfe,Math. x. and commaunded his Disciples likewise to follow him saiyng: He that will not take his Crosse and folow me, is not meete for mee.
Antichrist taketh the Crosse of pryde, and hath it borne before hym, well gilte and ameled: to sette forthe his pride and pompe before the worlde like vntounto Lucifer. As for other crosse, he knoweth none.
110 Christ praied his Father to forgiue them that trespassed against hym:Luke. xxiii. yea he praied for them that put him to death.
Antichrist commaundeth both kynges and princes, and Emperours to auenge his quarell, and to slea all them that resist his mynde, promisyng thē that if thei die in his quarel, thei shall die glorious martyrs in the sight of God, & straight waies come vntounto heauen, yea, before their bloud bee colde. As touchyng forgeuenesse, he hath none acquaintaunce therewith.
111 Christ aproued his Lawe,Heb. ix. and confirmed it with his owne death.
Antichrist is full busy to destroye the law of Christ, and to maintaine his owne decrees, and that with the death of all them that will say the contrary.
112 Christ was buried in a poore monument, Sepulchre,Math. xxvii. or graue, without any funerall pompe.
Antichrist is buried in a glorious tōbe well gilt, and very gorgious set out, with many torches and greate solemnitie, and with Angelles gloriously portured, that beare his soule to heauen, when, notwithstandyng it is to be feared, that hee goeth to suppe with the Diuell, whom he hath so diligētly serued al the daies of his life.
113 Christ suffred death for our sinnes,Rom. iiii. & rose againe for our iustification:i. Cor. xv. or els al we should hauehave perished and been damned.Ioan. xii.
Antichrist for the forgeuenesse of oure sinnes and of our iustification, sendeth vsus to his Pardons and Bulles, to his yeres of Iubile, and Masses of Scala celi, yea he sendeth vsus to a Grayefryers Coule, and willeth vsus to be buried in that, promising vsus by that meanes both remission of synnes and euerlastyng life. Is not this too treade vnderunder foote the sonne of God, and to count the bloud of the Testament, as an vnholy thing, yea and to doe dishonour to the Spirite of grace? Is not this that beast, whiche opened his mouth to speake blasphemies againste the moste highest God, & against his most glorious name? Is not this that sinnefull man, that sonne of perdition, that aduersary, whiche exalteth hymself aboue all that is called God, or that is worshipped,Heb. x. so that he doth sit in the Temple of God,Apoc. xiii. boastyng hymselfe to be God?ii. Thess. ii. O Antichrist.
114 Christ after his resurrection appeared to his Disciples and brought vntountoIoan. xx. them peace and greate ioy.Luke. xxiiii.
Antichriste when hee commeth abroad and sheweth himselfe vntounto men, commeth like a game player in his Papalibus, full gloriously and gorgiously, and bringeth to the beholders blessynges, that is, crossinges, and wagginges of fingers, with suche other vaine and triflyng toyes.
115 Christ reproued in his Disciples vnfaithfulnesse,Luke. xxiiii. and hardnesse of hearte.Marke. vi.
Antichrist findeth faulte with his captiues, if they be vnfaithfull and disobedient to his decrees, and slacke in paiyng of money.
116 Christ sought all meanes possible to confirme the faithe of his disciples in the article of his resurrection.i. Cor. xv.
Antichrist seketh all maner of waies to plant, confirme and stablishe in the hartes of men his authority and primacie aboue, not only all Bishops, but also all kinges, Princes and Emperours.
117 Christ so talked with certaine of hys Disciples by the waie that their heartes burned within them:Luke. xxiiii. so swetely and louingly did he open vntounto theim the true & right vnderstandyng of the Scriptures.
Antichrist doeth so talke, and vttereth suche doctrine, that it enflameth not, but apalleth the heartes of the hearers: it quickeneth not, but rather dismaieth. For it is not the word of the spirite but of the fleshe: not of light, but of darkenesse, not of life but of death, and in fine, not of conuersion and saluation, but of desperation and eternall damnation.
118 Christe breathed vponupon his disciples,Ihon. xx. and gaue theim the holy ghoste, saiyng: Take ye the holy ghoste, that they beyng endued with his Spirite, might brynge forth the fruites of the same, and be therby, knowen to his Apostles.
Antichrist doth breath the spirit of Sathan into his shauelinges, and will that they shall be knowen to be his chaplaines by their long gownes, shauen crownes, horned cappes, flaryng tippets, &c.
119 Christ sent forthe his disciples for toMath. xxviii. preache vntounto all nations.Marke. vxi.
Antichrist sendeth forth his chaplaines to be Massemongers,Luke. xxiiii. soule cariers, Purgatory rakers, Godmakers,Ihon. xx. coniurers of salte water, bread, fyre, &c.
120 Christ commaunded his disciples to preache,Luke. xxiii. not mennes traditions, but the Gospell, that is to say, repentaunce and remission of sinnes in his name, to all creatures.
Antichrist commaundeth his praters to set forthe to the people his lawes, and decrees, and to entermedle them with tales out of Legenda aurea, and narrations out of Festiuall Martyrologe, &c. He sendeth forth also his Pardoners to publike fables and lyes vntounto the people, and therto graunteth he Letters and Seales, and many daies of Pardon, and all for money.
121 Christ willed his disciples to say vntounto their hearers,Marc. xvi. that whosoeuer beleueth and is Baptised, he shall be saued. But he that beleueth not, shall be damned.
Antichrist commaundeth his Trompetters, too blowe abroad into the eares of the people, that whosoeuer will buye his pardons, shall be absolued a paena & culpa toties quoties and then must he needes be saued. And he that teacheth otherwise, is an heretike. This his Bulles and Pardons do plainly testifie.
122 Christe charged his Disciples diligently to teach the people,Math. xxviii. to obserue and kepe those thynges, that he commaunded theim: and so doyng he promised to bee with thē vntounto the very ende of the world, meanyng not bodily, but ghostly.
Antichrist giueth a great charge to his Chapelaines to inculcke, and beate into the peoples heades, vnderunder paine of deadly synne, and euerlastyng damnation, the keepyng of his Canons and Lawes: and in so dooyng, he promiseth to assiste them continually with the Spirite of Errour and falshode.
123 Christe a little before his Ascension into the Kyngdome of his Father,Ioan. xxi. gaue a greate charge to Peter and his fellowe Apostles, that thei with al diligēce should feede his Lambes and Sheepe, with the moste wholsome pasture of his most swete woorde, saiyng: Pasce, pasce, pasce, Feede, feede, feede.
Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente to his Captiues, that thei shall poison the people with the Pharisaicall Leauen of his Lawe, and by no meanes teache them the truthe of Gods woorde, least thei should spie out his falsehod, and aboue all thynges plaie Tolle, Tolle, Tolle: Poll,☞ Poll, Poll, pill, pill.
124 Christe commaunded his Apostles,Actes. …. not to departe from Ierusalem, but to waite for the promes of the Father.
Antichrist thrusteth forthe into the ministerie, his Greaslynges and Shauelinges, without any consideration or motiō of Goddes Spirite. If thei can Masse it, or Mattens it, he careth for no more.
125 Christe, Luke. xxiiii.when he should departe, and goe vp into Heauen, lifted vp his hande, and blessed his Apostes, that is to say, wished well vntounto them.
Antichrist lifteth also vp his hāde, and blesseth the people, that is to saie, waggeth his fingers ouer them. But whether he curseth or blesseth, that is vncertaine.
126 Christe by the power of his Deitie,Marc. xvi. Ascenden into heauen,Luke. xxiiii. perfecte God, and perfect man.Actes. i.
Antichrist through the multitude of his moste detestable synnes, and vile wickednesse, descendeth into hell bothe body and soule, and hath his portion with Idolatours, Witches, Theefes, Adulterers, Whoremongers, cursed speakers. &c. in that Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone:Apoc. xxii. where he and all his shall bee tormented with moste intollerable paines, worldes without ende.
Hetherto of the life of Christe, and of Antichriste.