Of Two Popish Monsters – A Popish Ass and a Monkish Calf, Part 1
¶ THE POVRTRAYTVRE OR SHEW of a wonderfull Monſter which was found at Rome, in the yeare of our Lord, 1496.
¶ A DECLARATION of the Monſtrous figure of a Popiſh Aſſe, which was founde at Rome in the Riuer of Tiber, In the yeare of our Lorde God, 1496.
¶ By Philip Melancthon.
GOD at all times doth liuely repreſentVVherfore god doth ſend Monſters. by certeine tokens and after a wonderfull ſort, either his wrath or …: And ch…efely the … chaunges, the encreaſinges … of Kingdomes and Empires: As wée maye ſée in Daniel Daniel.the eight, where after the fourth Monarch, the kingdome of Antechriſt is alſo foreſhewed: to the ende that all true faithfull men and Chriſtians ſhould bée admoniſhed in good time, and ſhoulde take heede of his trumperies and deceites, and of his Idolatryes, and execrable blaſphemies, and of all his diuine ſeruice: the which hée hath ſo greatly, and with ſuch craft vnderunder the ſhewe and appearaunce of truth valued, that it is to bée feared leaſt that the elect and faithfull bée deceiued and wrapt in his errours, as Ieſus Chriſt ſaith, Mathew Chapt 24.Mat. 24.
Euen ſo then God hath declared great meruailes and many monſterous tokens and ſignes duringe thatMany monſtrous ſignes … barberous and pernicious domination. And nowe hée hath ſette foorth this horrible figure of this popiſh Aſſe▪ whiche was founde dead at Rome in the ryuer of Tyber, in the y…e of … thouſande …re hundreth foure ſcore and ſi…téene: And in the ſame he repreſenteth and ſetteth out ſo properlye,… ſo openſye, and cleerelye, the manner of the Popes kingdome, that it ſéemeth that mans induſtrye or cunninge coulde not make nor ſette out one ſuch figure▪ Wherefore wée muſt confeſſe that God himſelfe hath ſet foorth this abhominnable Popedome vnderunder one ſuch figure, for to make it to bée behelde and ſéene of men.
Truely this is not a figure which is for to ſignifie and declare any grace or fauour: But it is a witneſſe of a …tible wrath… by the whiche GOD declareth his ho…t…le indignation to this … call doth …ation of the Pope, for … doth not onelyonly … chaſt figure, but alſo … …iſſhapen members …
Firſt of all, the heade of the Aſſe is a deſcriptionThe head of the Aſſe. The Church is a ſpiritual body and kingdome. of the Pope▪ For the Churche is a ſpirituall bodye and kingdome, aſſembled together in ſpirite. And therefore it cannot nor ought not to hauehave a mannes head, nor a viſible Lorde. But onelyonly the LORD IESUS, which formeth the heartes inwardlye, by the holy Ghoſt by fayth, kéepeth, reneweth, and gouerneth them as Lorde and head. Contrary vntounto theſe thinges the Pope hath made himſelfe the viſible and outwarde heade of the Churche: And for that cauſe the Pope is ſignified by the heade of this Aſſe, ioyned with a mannes bodye. For as it is not ſéemely that a mannes bodye ſhoulde hauehave an Aſſes heade: euen ſo is it altogether vnſmelye that the Pope of Rome ſhoulde bée the heade of the Church.
For the holy Scriptures doe vnderſtande by theVVhat ye Aſſe doth ſignifie in the holy Scripturt. Aſſe, the externall and carnall lyfe, and the Elementes of the worlde: As in the thirtéenth Chapter of Exodus. And as much difference as there is betwéene the brayne of an Aſſe and the reaſon and witte of a man, ſo muche difference there is betwéene the doctrine and ordinaunces of the Pope, and the Doctrine and inſtruction of the ſonne of God.
For in the Popes kingdome there is nothinge but mannes traditions and ordinaunces whiche beare authoritie▪ by the which hée hath enlarged his lymittes and boudes, and hath exalted himſelfe in dignitie: Theſe are the rockes vppon whiche hée is builded. But as ſoone as he ſhould heare the woord of Ieſus Chriſt to ſounde, and that hée ſhoulde ſuffer that … preached, hée ſhall ſodothelye come to … this is the cauſe wherefore alwayes hée … ſo muche the Counſells.
But although it bée not compared to the woorde of God and the holy Scriptures, but onelyonly to the naturall equitie and lyght of mans reaſon: wée ſhall finde that his brayne is the brayne of an Aſſe.
The whiche the Canoniſtes themſelues doe wytneſſe, ſettinge foorth this matter, that a méere CanoniſtA Canoniſt is an Aſſe. is a very Aſſe and a beaſt. Their bookes doe confirme the ſame ſo cléerely and playnelye, that hée which ſhall knowe them, will not aſke, what is hée whome they call Aſſe. For a Canoniſt is hée which hath ſtudyed in decrées, or in the right Canon, the Popes Scholler, hauing the Pope for his Schoolemaſter.
Secondly, the right hande lyke vntounto the foote ofThe right hand an Elephaunt, ſignifieth the ſpirituall gouernement of the Pope, by the which hée amazeth and feareth all the weake and fearefull conſciences And …n very deede, he hurteth and killeth an influit number of ſoules, through ſo many decrées and intollerable ordinaunces that hée maketh: by the which hée chargeth, tormenteth, and caſteth downe the poore conſciences, with ſinnes and terrible a…guiſhes, without any neceſſitie or …e…aſion. As the Elephaunt which is a beaſt very great and meruailous to behold, which deſtroyeth, treadeth downe, and breaketh all that that he can lay foote vponupon.
For what is the ſpirituall kingdome of theThe ſpirituall kingdom of the Pope. Pope, but a cruell but therye and …aughter of conſciences? The which tormenteth, burneth, woundeth and deſtroyeth the ſoules after a tyrannicall ſorte, againſt the woorde of GOD, conſtrayninge and compelling men to confeſſe him, induſinge and per…ading them to make vowes, eyther of pouertie, or of chaſtitie, and others: bringing in Maſſes, full of impietie and vngodlyneſſe and falſe penaunces: making promiſes, and after breakinge them: ſuffering and afterwarde forbidding, eſtabliſhing his pardons and bulles: And finally tourning the ſoules from the true fayth and Chriſtian lyfe, for to leade them vntounto a vaine and friuolous ſimulation of outward woorkes; and vntounto a falſe ſhewe of holyneſſe. According to that which is ſayde in Daniel, Chapt, viij.Daniel. … He will put to death the people of the Saints. And in the ſecond Epiſtle to Timothe, Chapter. iiij. But after2. Timot. 4. a. 3. their owne luſtes ſhall they (whoſe eares itch) get them an heape of teachers, and ſhall tourne their eares from the truth, and ſhall bée giuen vntounto fables.
For the right hand declareth the inward Miniſtery, proper to the conſciences and ſoules: where it is expedient that the ſonne of God our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt do reigne after a gentle faſhiō: but this gratious Lord, both exerciſe héere a pernicious, vniuſt, and cruell domination.
Thirdly, the left hand which is the hand of a man,The left hand the hand of a man. ſignifieth the ciuile power of ye pope. The ſonne of god hath manifeſtly forbidden that power or domination to the Prelates of the Church. Luc. 22 chap. ſaying:Luc. 22. b. 2… The kings of the Gentiles reigne ouer them, & they that beare rule ouer them, are called gratious Lords. But ye ſhall not be ſo.
Neuertheleſſe the Pope, through ſo many deceits, engines, crafts and enchauntments, is mounted vntounto ſo high power and authoritie through the inſtigation of the diuell, that his ciuill Iuriſdiction is no leſſe then the moſt purſſant King that one can finde. But he hath more, he gouerneth and hath vnderunder his féete all worldly Kingdomes and Empires, as ſouereigne Lorde ofAll kingdomes and empires are vnderunder y• Popes feete, Kinges and Princes, whome hée hath ioyned to him for to amplyfie, beautifie, confirme and mainteine his barbarous and cruell power and authoritie. And that is to the ende that the Prophecie of the eyght chapter of Daniell bée fulfilled, ſaying: Hée ſhall bée mightieDaniel. 8. g. 24 and ſtrong, but not in his owne ſtrengh.
Finally he is aſcended to ſuch dignitie, puffed vp with ſuch pride, fine with ſuch pompe & magnificence, that neuer one heard ſpeake of the lyke thing. There was neuer king or Emperour which hath made ſo many warres and which hath ſhed ſo much bloud. And in ſtéede that he ought to hauehave regard to the dignitie of the word of God, to maynteine, conſerue and kéepe the commodities and goods of the Church, according as his vocation & office doe require, he deſireth the chiefe and principal dominations of the world, he hath learned to make very braue and gorgeous apparaile, and to enflame and kindle warres. And giuing himſelfe vntounto all thoſe goodly thinges, hée treadeth vnderunder foote, the doctrine, he forſaketh the Church, he ſuffereth that all the holy things be ſet for a pray, that the prophane and temporall things be ſpoyled, that all be defaced and turned vpſide downe.
Wherefore behold what the hande of man ſignifieth:The Popish kingdome eſtablished through mans vviſedom For that kingdome hath bene eſtablyſhed onelyonly through the wiſedomes, opinions, and councells of men, without authoritie of the holy ſcriptures: when they ſay that it is a reaſonable thing, that the heire of the Apoſtolycall ſeate and the Vicar of Ieſus Chriſt, be not ſubiect vntounto any man. But thankes be vntounto our good God, the matter is come vntounto this poynt, that many of the common people, and others alſo of al eſtates, doe vnderſtande cleerely and playnely inough, the goodly ſhewes of ſo many execrable wickedneſſes, of which all that Popiſh vermine hath ſhamed themſelues, and hath defamed the renowne of the Chriſtians.
Fourthly, the right foote lyke vntounto an Oxe foote,The right fo…t ſignifieth the Miniſters of the ſpirituall gouernment, and as a man may ſay, the Porters, who in oppreſſing the poore ſoules, doe vpholde and mayneteine the Popes kingdome. Theſe are the Doctours in Decrées, the Doctours made by the PopesThoſe vvhichwhich doe vphold the Popes kingdom Bulles, Dataires, Preachers of Pardons, Maſſe Prieſts, Confeſſors aſwell of Moonkes as Nunnes: and the chiefeſt of all this vermine, are the ſcholaſticall diuines.
For what doth all that deteſtable filthie company, but to put into the headde, and to print into the heart of the people thoſe ordinaunces of the Pope, which are ſo harde and not to bee borne? And to ſette them foorth in all their Sermons, in all their doctrine, in their confeſſions: That thereby they may holde the poore conſciences captiue vnderunder the foote of the Elephant, the which were already too much afflicted and grieued? All thoſe raſcalls are as the foote, the foundation and piller of the Popes kingdome, the which coulde neuer ſo long time hauehave continued, without the buylding that thoſe héere with the reſt of their complices and adherents, hauehave buylded vppon.
I pray you what doth the Scholaſticall diuinitieScholaſticall diuinitie. conteine, but vayne, fonde, execrable, and diabolycall dreames, and the monſtrous dreames of Moonkes, by which they doe enchaunt, treade vnderunder foote, keepe vnderunder, and caſt downe headlong the poore troubled ſoules of the afflicted Chriſtians.
Mathew. 24. Falſe Chriſts and falſe Prophets ſhallMat, …4 ariſe &c. Thoſe hauehave made the Pope an earthly God, yea, they hauehave exalted and extolled him aboue God: And yet theſe proude Prelates hauehave reiected the word of GOD, contemned the holy Scriptures, and hauehave driuen out from among them and buried Ieſus Chriſt, onelyonly to féede and pamper their fatte paunches. For a ſimple Bull of the Pope, was more terrible and feareful then the Iudgement of almightie GOD, thundering out his commaundements and threatenings.
Fifthly, the lefte foote lyke vntounto the foote of a Griphin,The left foote of a Griphin. ſignifieth the Miniſters of the ciuile or ſecular power: That is to ſay the Canoniſts, the Chauncelours and the raſcalls making profeſſion of the Canon lawe, which of their owne accorde doe acknowledge and confeſſe, that the moſt holy Canons or Decretals, doe ſmell their moſt abhominable auarice and ambition.
For euen as the Griphins doe not eaſely let goe that that they hauehave once caught or layde holde on: Euen ſo theſe maynteiners and raueners of the Pope, doe holde faſt all that which they can get, and let not lyghtly goe the pray: and as through the hookes of the Canons they hauehave entrapped almoſt all the goods of al Europe: and they holde them ſo faſt, that one cannot pull them out of their clawes, for the Canons do ſerue to their inſatiable auarice. This deadly Harpy hath deuoured all the world: ſhe hath taken away all the goods: ſhe hath endamaged the ſoules and bodyes; ſhe hath ſtollen vntounto hir all honours.
Sixtiy, the belly and the ſtomacke, the which do reſembleThe belly and the ſtomacke of a woman the belly and ſtomacke of a woeman, ſignifie the body of the Pope: That is to ſay the Cardinals, Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Abbots, Moonkes, Prieſts, and other execrable ſpirituall Martirs, and all the reſt of his bawdes, and fatte hogges, which hauehave none other care all their lyfe time but to féede and pamper their paunches with delycious wynes and delycate diſhes: to ſéeke their eaſe and all the allurements and entiſements to whoredome, & to kéepe themſelues in al pleaſures and Idleneſſe, and to giuegive themſelues vntounto all monſtrous infamies. The which they may very well doe, and fréely: For they hauehave many priuiledges, wherewith they are wel armed and munited for to be exempted from all puniſhment. As we doe ſée this Popiſh Aſſe who ſheweth before all mens eyes openly,VVhat it is to she… the belly naked▪ and without any ſhame his belly of a woeman, naked and bare: euen ſo theſe, without any ſhame, doe lead a diſſolute and wanton lyfe, full of all filthineſſe and wickedneſſe. That which they doe is to the horrible offence and hurt and to the vtter ruine & deſtruction of the youth of all nations as the déede it ſelfe déeth ſufficiently declare.
There is a manifeſt deſcription of this in Daniel, and in the ſeconde Epiſtle vntounto Timothe the thirde…. T…. 3. a. 4 chapter▪ wher it is ſayd that t…ey are more gréedy vponupon voluptuonſneſſe then the louers of God. Alſo vntounto the Philippians the iij. Chapter. They doe make their bellyPhilip. 3. d. 19 their God.
Let vsus heare alſo that which is ſayd in the ſecondThe deſcription of the popish Clergie after 3. Peter. 2. Peter. 2. c. 10 Epiſtle of Saint Peter the ſeconde Chapter. Namely them that walke after the fleſh, in the luſt of vncleaneneſſe, and deſpiſe the gouernement: preſumptuous are they, and ſtande in their owne conceite, and feare not to ſpeake euill of them, that are indignity. When the Angells which are greater both in power and might, giuegive not railing iudgement againſt them before the Lord.
But theſe as brute beaſtes, ledde with naturall ſenſualitie and made to that ende, that béeinge taken they ſhoulde bée deſtroyed, ſpeake euill of thoſe thinges whiche they knowe not, and ſhall periſhe through their owne corruption. And ſhall receiue the rewarde of vnrighteouſneſſe, as they whiche count it pleaſure to line deliciouſlye for a ſeaſon. Spottes they are and blottes, deli…htinge themſelues in that they deceiue you, in feaſtinge with you. Hauinge eyes full of aduontrye, and that cannot ceaſe to ſinne, begylinge vnſtable ſoules: they hauehave heartes occupyed with couetouſneſſe, deteſtable followes.
Which forſakinge the right waye, hauehave gone aſ…raye followinge the waye of Balaam the ſonne of Boſor, whiche loued the rewarde of vnrighteouſneſſe: But hée was rebuked for his iniquitie, for the dumme beaſt, whereon hée ſate ſpeakinge with mans voyce, forbadde the fooliſhneſſe of the Prophet. Theſe are wells without water, and cloudes caryed aboute with tempeſt, to whom the blacke darkeneſſe is reſerued for euer.
For in ſpeakinge ſwellinge woordes of vanitye, they begyle with wantonneſſe through the luſtes of the fleſh men that were cleane eſcaped from them which are wrapped in errours, promiſinge vntounto them libertie, and are themſelues the bond ſeruaunts of corruption.
And truely this doth liuely ſette out the Pope, andThe liuely pa… …ing out of the popish kingdome. paynteth him in his right comoures, and vncouere… fu…ye the feminine bellye of the Popiſhe Aſſe.
Beholde howe the f…thy and vile ſingle lyfe of the papiſticall Prieſtes and Moonkes, muſt bée figured and declared, whiche hauehave defiled the holy maryage through execrable filthyneſſe.
For in verye déede, holyneſſe and honeſtye of Mariage cannot …ee ſette out and repreſented by ſuch an vnſhameleſſe and …honeſt Image. But rather it is beautified by the woorde and bleſſing of GOD, and by greate meruayles, and as it were decked and garniſhed with a goodly argument, and placed in a highe place.
It is … true that there are others alſo whiche d… hurte and de…le themſelues with a manifeſt turpitude and filthyneſſe, as wée maye ſpeake this of the Panyms and Turkes, and as there bée a greate manye prophane people amonge the Chriſtians, adulterers▪ whooremaiſters, whoores and moſt wicke Wolues.
Yet notwithſtandinge thoſe doe nothinge but that is to the great preiudice of theire renowne, and in daunger to looſe all honour: as they are neuer without feare, whether they bée hanged on the gallowes, o… that they bée euill ſpoken off, or that eueryevery manne doth mocke them, ly…nge out theire tongue, or that they bée torne in péeces by force or outrage. But theſe wicked villames, effeminate, impudent,The Pope and his, are without shame. bellyes full of all filthyneſſe, doe couer and cloake themſelues with the name of CHRIST, and dooe lette ſlippe the bridle vntounto all maddeneſſe and wickedneſſe, and doe giuegive themſelues licence without fearinge anye puniſhment, without caringe to bée rebuked: And not onelyonly that, but alſo with all theſe deteſtable villanyes, they woulde bée called ſpirituall, the holye Fathers, and the Catholicke Churche. And béeinge not yet content with that, they goe aboute to purſue, chaſtice, and ſpit…e in other mennes faces, bicauſe of the moate that they ſée in theire eyes, and of the Gnatte and lyttle Flye that they doe ſée them ſwallowe downe: And yet they will not that anye ſhoulde checke and rebuke the greate beame thatThe Popish Clergie wil not be rebuked. is in theire eye, nor the Camell that they hauehave ſwallowed downe: But on the contrary…, that the blemyſhes ſo apparaunte and euident maye bée hydde and couered, yea▪ beautified and ſette out with the tytle of IESUS CHRIST and of the Church.
Euen ſo truelye, there is neither ſacryledge…, nor murtherer, thée…e, nor whooremaſter, whiche abuſeth the maieſtie of the name of the ſonne of GOD and of the Churche, for to hide theire execrable filthyneſſe, but that whooriſh bellye of Antechriſt.
And therefore the murthers, theftes, the monſtrous whooredomes, the horrible wickedneſſes of this Idoll of Rome, doe ſurmounte a greate deale the wickedneſſes, crueltyes, and maddeneſſe, of Nero.
Seauenthlye, the ſcales of Fiſhes, wherewithThe ſcales o… fish. the arme, the féete, and the necke of that Popiſhe Aſſe are coured, and not the bellye nor the breſt, dooe ſignifie the Princes and ſeculer Lordes. For the ſea is oftentimes taken in the Scripture for the worlde, and the fiſhes for the men of the worlde: As Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe interpreteth the Nets of Saint Peter, Mat. 4. when hee ſayde, I will make you fiſhersMat. 4. c, 19. of men.
The ſcales doe ſignifie an embracinge or tyingeVVhat y• ſcales doe ſignifie in the Scripture. Iob. 41. 2. 6. together; as the Lorde fayth in the. 41. Chapter of Iob. His body is couered with ſcales, as it were with …eeldes lockt in, knit, and well compact together. One is ſo ioyned …o an other, that no ayre can come in. …uen ſo the Princes and other greate Lordes of the worlde hauehave alwayes cleaued and ſtande …aſtThe princes do cleaue alvvayes vntounto the Pope. together, and are yet at this daye lynked and tyed vntounto the Pope and to his barberous, and tyrannicall kingdome.
It is very true, that they cannot allowe, hyde, neither prayſe, nor cloake, his dronkenneſſe, his gluttonye, his horrible whoore…omes, his vnlawfull voluptuonſneſſe: For one cannot rightly there perceiue any ſcales which doe couer his ſtomacke and his belly. Notwithſtanding that by their cloaking thereoff, in … their eyes, and ſufferinge that that they doe ſee, they are ſo much the more ſurely tyed and lincked …aſt to the necke, legs; féete and armes: that is to ſaye, they doe embrace, defende and mainteine his greatneſſe and magnificence, and his barbarous and tyrannicall eſtate, as an eſtate lawfull and ordeined by the woorde of GOD. And that ſame doth exalt and li…t vp his creſt very proudly and with an arrogant and proude obſtination.
To conclude, they do confirme his ſpirituall and poli…ique gouernment, by decrées and ordinaunces not to be borne with: they doe beautifie them with goodly E…n…, and do eſtabliſh his pompes and royall faculties through ſtraunge doctrines.
Furthermore, to the ende that the ground & foundationAn…echriſt made ſtrong by the giftes and foundation… of Princes. of that retrayt of Antechriſt be more firme and ſure and to endure and continue the longer, they doe make lay mens teſtaments and willes, they heape vp to them reuenewes, they conſtitute Monaſteries, they buyld Temples, they doe ordaine Conuents and Colledges of vnmaried people, as of Markettes and open Faires of ſuch manner of Canoniſts, Dunces Sophiſters, Beggers, Preachers for money, Confeſſors and Doctors: and as of publique exerciſes and Theaters, of whom one can heare nothing to ſounde, but of the ſpillyng and marring of the celeſtiall doctrine. And for to ſpeake briefely, the great goods the riches and fauourers of the world are ſo wel and ſo firmely and ſtrongly tyed and faſtened vntounto him, that there is neyther winde nor blaſt, there is neither ſpiritual doctrine neither word of God, which can ſeperate or plucke them, from him.
Eightly, the head of the olde man iſſuing out ofThe head of the olde man iſſuing out of his buttockes. his buttockes, doth ſignifie the decreaſe, the oldeneſſe, and the ende of the Popes kingdome. For the fore part or the face in the holy Scriptures doth ſignifie the encreaſe or aduauncement: and the hinde part or the backe, or the buttockes, doe ſignifie the declynation and the ende, as you hauehave y• lyke ſpeach in the viij. chap. of Saint Paul to the Hebrewes: That which is diſanulledHeb. …, d. 1… and waxed olde, is ready to vaniſh away. Then that monſtrous figure declareth that the barbarous tiranny of the Pope is now come vntounto his laſt ende, and that of himſelfe it ought to waxe olde and come to nought without any ſwoorde or outwarde violence, as it is foreſhewed in the eight Chapter of Daniel, Daniel. …. g. 25.that he ſhall bée deſtroyed without hande. For there is ſo great encreaſe of ſuperſ…itions, and ſuch a bundell and fardell of vices, that of neceſſitie his owne waight muſt cauſe him to fall downe: and that the gronings, complaynts, and ſighings of all people & nations may be heard: Foraſmuch as the word of God hath diſcouered and reuealed before all mens eyes, his impietie, malice and crueltie.
Euen ſo the glory of this worlde paſſeth, and the playe is nigh at an ende. After this ſorte then wée doe ſée, that that Image or figure agréeth properly with all the Prophecie of the eight chapter of Daniel: and that the one and the other are agréeing with the Papiſticall kingdome.
Ninthly, the dragon comming foorth of y• arſe of thatThe Dragon comming foorth of the Aſſes arſe popiſh Aſſe, and caſting out of his open mouth a great flame of fire, ſignifieth the horrible buls and the terrible lyghtnings of excommunication, & the tempeſtious threatnings which the Popes and his adherents doe ſpewe out furiouſly vponupon all the worlde, when they doe ſée their ende nigh at hande, and that they muſt periſh ſodeinely.
For this is the latter and moſt furious rage andThe latter tempeſt of the Romish An…echriſt madneſſe of Antechriſt: this is his latter endeauour, yea, if peraduenture theſe rauenours may kéepe whole that abhomination, through the …ſtoniſhments and threats of the bulls, and afterwardes through lyes, wrongs, curſings, enchauntments, pricking iniuryes, and bitter ſcoffings of his goodly Rhethoricians, as Eccius, Fabor, Emſerus, Wicelius, and other lyke.The Popes Rhethoriciners Notwithſtanding the time is come that wée hauehave no more néede of ſuch ayde nor of ſuch defend…urs. For what ſhall the Dragon winne to bite the cloudes? What ſhal …e gaine to burne the aire with his flames? And truly there is none that feareth thoſe poyſoned bulls and full of curſings and enchauntments: Foraſmuch as the lyght of the truth is ſo cléerely kindeled and lyghted.
Tenthly, for that this Popiſh Aſſe hath bene foundRome, the place vvhere the popish Aſſe hath bene found…. at Rome, and not at an other place, doth confirme that which hath bene recited before, that the ſame cannot be vnderſtanded of any other power and domination then of Rome.
For at this daye in our time, there is no power which is lyke or more greater in the Citie of Rome, then that of the Pope. For GOD hath alwayes declared by meruaylous ſignes and tokens in thoſe places which thoſe ſignes doe ſignifie and betoken ſome thing, as it happened in Hieruſulem, and for that that this Monſter was founde dead, that is an argument that the ende of the Popes kingdome draweth on faſt.
And wée muſt hauehave neyther ſworde nor any ſtrength of man for to put it downe: But the heauenly vertue, ſhall cauſe that of himſelfe it ſhall bée ouerthrowen. For this prodigious Monſter was not killed by any counſell or meanes of men: But was founde dead, and was reuealed by the ſingular prouidence of God.
Finally, I would admoniſh eueryevery one not to deſpiſeVVe muſt not deſpiſe y• monſtrous ſignes ſuch a prodigious ſigne ſent of the Maieſtie of GOD, and to beware of the peſtilent contagiouſneſſe of Antechriſt and his members, and to flée from him. And to be afrayd of him.
It is moſt certeyne that GOD hath vſed towardes vsus a moſt greate benignitie and gentleneſſe, for that hée hath ſette foorth before vsus, Antechriſt in a figure ſo vyle and diſformed, as paynted in a table and lyuely ſette foorth, that one may eaſely aſſayle it with handes, that God will effectually prouide for our health, and deſireth that we be drawen out of that deteſtable retrayte of immortall impietie of that ſtraunge beaſt.
And as touching the Papiſts, according as their bay…yng phrenſie and their impe…uous madneſſe well meriteth, they may thinke on this, or let them not be angry: As in déede there is neither ſigne nor miraclesThe Pope & his do conde…p…e all ſignes and miracles. ſent by the hande of God, which can moue them neyther aſtoniſh or warne them. But as Gyants without feare, they doe beat and fight agaynſt the lyghtnings and thundrings▪ and doe follow their fathers, Pharao and Chore, whereoff the one was drowned in the waues of the Sea, and the other ſwallowed vp in the earth: and both of them are ſunke euen to the bottome of hell. But we for our parts lette vsus reioyce and take comfort, & let vsus put this ſigne in the number of thoſe who do declare vntounto vsus y• day ſo long deſired, ſo healthfull, ſo goodly, the comming of our Lord and redéemer Ieſus Chriſt.
In the meane time, let vsus ſuffer our enemies to do as they lyſt, and to kicke obſtinately againſt the pricke. And let vsus behold whether the troubles that they hauehave heaped vp more and more, ſhall be to moleſt and grieue God or themſelues. Neuertheleſſe I am not much angry with-them, foraſmuch as they are ſo deſperately madde, and that they doe ſo trouble the heauen with the earth.
O good God, if I were ſo paynted foorth at Gods hande, with a figure and ſhape ſo odious and terrible, I could in no manner abide and ſuffer it. For eyther I ſhould dye for very feare, except that I had an heart of yron or ſtéele, as they hauehave: Or els I ſhould burſt and cleane a ſunder, with deſpite, choler and madneſſe. What is he then that goeth about, eyther by counſell or by commaundement, to obtayne of them, that they would pardon the Lorde Ieſus one ſuch contumely and wrong which is done vntounto them by ſuch an Image or figure.
Inaſmuch as they being reprehēded or reproued with one onelyonly letter of the word of God, are ſodeinly enflamed with anger and rage? For as much as the Lord doth ſuffer them to ele…a… themſelues againſt him, although that they doe band…e his word after ſo wicked and cruell faſhion. Yea, in the figure of a Diuell theyHe meaneth the execrable Idoll of the Cake in the Maſſe. doe ſet him foorth the one to the other, for to laugh and mocke: and yet it doth not anger him▪ makinge him to beléeue that the ſame is good to his Church, and that they doe it by his commaundement. What is héeThe horror of the papiſticall impietie. that dareth thinke any other thing, or gayneſay them, except that he is willing that all their furies, paines, enchauntments, and torments of hell do fall vponupon him? For their fury is irremiſſible and is not without great force, for as much as they are of the high Gods exalted aboue all the gods, according to that that Saint Paul and the Prophet Daniel, ſpeaketh off.