Of Two Popish Monsters – A Popish Ass and a Monkish Calf, Part 2
¶ THE APPROBATION of Martyn Luther.
THis Popiſh Aſſe is of himſelfe a monſtrous figure, fearefull & horrible, and the more that one doth behold him, the more terrible he appeareth. But behold which is the moſt terribleſt of all, that God himſelfe hath formed and reuealed this monſter, as a figure full of fearefulneſſe. For if any workeman had drawen it, painted or engraued it, one might well mock of it, and not to paſſe on it. But bicauſe that the holy diuine maieſtie hath formed and made it and that he hath ſet before vsus ſuch a figure, it behoueth all men to tremble▪ when and as often as the ſame doth come in their remembraunce: and that they be eſtonned & amazed, as of a thing of which one may eaſily coniecture of the thought, counſell and will of God.
Is there any man in the world which would not be afraide, if he ſhould ſee a wicked ſpirite, or a phancie, or if he doe heare any ſodeine bruite or noiſe, or any groningGod doth shewe himſelfe irreconcilable vnderunder ye figure of the Popish Aſſe. or lamentation of ſpirites. Yet notwithſtanding one ought not to eſtéeme the ſame but as a falſe viſage or a play of little children, in compariſon of this Image and monſtrous figure. In which god himſelfe appeared in a terrible forme, ſhewing an vnappeaſable ſeueritie. Wee muſt neceſſaryly ſay, that there is a terrible indignation of God kindled againſt that Idoll of Antechriſt, the which all that company and raſcalls of the Pope, doe ſtirre vp and prouoke as of a ſet purpoſe and of an hard froward ſtubburneneſſe: & the beginings doe agrée ſo well and ſo fitly, that one can in no wiſe doubt.
For as much then as Sodome had of ſo long time and through ſo execrable miſdéedes prouoked Gods wrath: and as the ruine béeinge nigh at hande, there reſted but a little time to repent them: then ſhée dyd giuegive hir ſelfe fréely vntounto all execrable wickedneſſe, and hardned hir ſelfe with ſuch obſtinacy, that ſhe did plainly mocke God, and did exalt hir ſelfe againſt him with an intollerable fierceneſſe and cruelneſſe. But ſcantly the heauen had giuen hir cléereneſſe the next day morning, but beholde it was ſodeinly ſwallowed vp & conſumed. We muſt not doubt, but that all that band of the Pope doth ſpinne all one thréed. They hauehave hetherto let …ippe the bridle vntounto all deteſtable filthyneſſe: rebellious people & altogether obſtinate againſt God: beeing drawen from the iuſt obedience of mans▪ dominations, as if they were bretheren germaines of Epicures: yea, and not beléeuing as the Diuells doe, who doe tremble when they heare God ſpoken off▪ as the Scripture ſayth: and vnderſtandinge nothing of heauenly things, hauehave no more care of the bleſſed life and of eternall health and ſaluation then the moſt groſſeſ… Aſſe that euer was. As in very déed they hauehave this opinion of the Goſpell, that it is a fable: and doe iudge of the Chriſtian faith, yt it is the faining of a Poet without grace or fauour, according to that goodly ſentence & Oracle of Epicures, al is nothing els but duſt & mockery, and all is nothing. And although that before the time of their fall & ruine they are exhorted by ſo many ſtraunge figures and fearefull ſignes ſent of GOD, for to call them to repentaunce: yet neuertheleſſe they are the more obſtinate and out of all order: in ſuch ſorte that they doe heape vp, nouriſh and augement more and more, a proude, negligence and arrogant profanations: In ſo much that with muche adooe they themſelues can ſuffer their raſhneſſe, boldeneſſe and wickedneſſe. And as though there were no heauenly and celeſtiall anger, nor maieſtie in heauen for to breake and diſperſe their rages▪ in the meane ſeaſon doe mocke of theſe fearefull ſignes, as if they were deceiuing ſhadowes, or flying dreames.
Such a fooliſh boldneſſe and brutiſh aſſuraunce is an euident argument of the inen…rrable wrath▪ of the Lorde, who will ſuppreſſe and conſume thoſe hoggiſh Epicutes, and dull aſſes, before they are aware of it. Then onelyonly with feare and trembling they will learne to crye and howle. But God of his owne accorde will not … them▪ as it is ſayde in the firſt Chapter of the Prouerbes▪ …ée hauehave forſaken my coun…ay…e,Pro. 1. d. 25 and hauehave deſpiſed all my corrections: Therefore ſhall I laugh in your deſtruction, and mocke you, when the thing that yée feare commeth vponupon you.
One may knowe for a truth that Sathan is a great and a mightie ſpirite▪ who holding vnderunder him ſhe vnderſtandinges and mindes of men as ſlaues, bendeth, and driueth them with ſuch violence, that not onelyonly they doe plunge themſelues within the vices (which ſéemeth rather to bée a woorke of a little diuell▪ learning his occupation). But alſo doe make open warre againſt God of their owne frée will. For we muſt thinke, what that tyranny is: how deſperate that furor and madneſſe is▪ when a miſerable man being conſtrayned and compelled in his conſcience, can put foorth that woords, and to confeſſe for certeyne, this is the woord of God, of which I doe not doubte: But although that the ſonne of God hath pronounced if, the Apoſtles hauehave preached it: Yet neuertheleſſe I will ſhut the eyes, I will ſtop the eares for to reiect it, & will withſtand it hand & foote, & will perſecute & condemne it as a pernicious hereſy. And if ther be any one in ye meane time which wil render obedience vntounto god, to beléeue the goſpell, and will not conſent with me: I will kill him▪ I will baniſh him from his enheritance, I will not ſuffer him to dwell in any place: And will doe all that in deſpite of the word of God.
O good God, had I euer thought in al my lyfe time, to hauehave ſéene ſo great ſinnes, ſuch a rage and ſo furious crueltie of the enemyes of ye Goſpell, at ſuch time as I did not yet but lay the firſt foundation of this cauſe? And neuertheleſſe (alas) I doe ſee thoſe thingsThe vvorde of God & his truth called hereſie by the Papiſts. now, béeing conſtrayned to heare, that the word of god the truth that is confeſſed and knowen, to be called hereſie: and to be baniſhed and driuen away moſt vilaynouſly, as buryed.
Of right ſuch vip…rs are figured and noted by the Dragons head, which commeth out of the arſe of this Popiſh Aſſe, ſpewing out a retrayt full of filthineſſe.The Popish Aſſe a peece of carrion vvithout lyfe. But thankes be vntounto God, both the Dragon and the Popiſh Aſſe are but a péece of carrion, and ſhall take vntounto them agayne neyther lyfe nor ſtrength, nor ſhall neuer recouer their dignitie & tyranny (the which they doe promiſe neuertheleſſe) for any thing that the diuell doth in them. For it is ſayd in the Créede, I beléeue in God the father almightie. It is ſaid alſo that he that abideth in vsus, is more greater then hée that is in the world. And although that the diuell hauehave great power, yet he ſhal not be altogether puiſſant. This is an infallible rule.