Reply Against Gilbert Brown, Part 2 · Section 2

Reply Against Gilbert Brown · Part 2 · Section 2

p. 298Maister Gilbert Browne.

Thirdly, Saint Paule ſayes, He ſhalbe an aduerſary, and is extolled aboue all that is called God, or that is worſhipped, &c. whi k no maner of way can aggree with the Pope. For he calles him ſelf the ſeruand of God, & praies moſt humbly to Chriſt, and deſires ſupport at his haly mother and Saints. If he will deny this, I cannot tell what any man can ſay to him, but whether God will or not, he will hauehave the Pope to be the Antichriſt, albeit it be repugnant to the word of God. Theſe are no darke prophecies, but manifeſt ſayings of Chriſt and his Apoſtles. I would wiſhe Maiſter Iohn to reade Saint Auguſtine de Antichriſto, tom. 9.

Maiſter Iohn Welſche his Reply.

The pretences of the ſtiles of humilitie and pietie, hinders not but he may be, and is in verie deed an aduerſarie to God and lifted vp aboue all that is called God.I come to your third reaſon. The Antichriſt ſhall bee an aduerſarie, and is extolled aboue all that is called God. I grant that: but your Pope is not an aduerſarie &c. This I denie: the whilk if you proue, then ſhall I grant he is not the Antichriſt. Let vsus ſee your prooues then, for they had neede to be ſure, ſeing all your religion and ſafetie of your Kirk depends vponupon it: and if yee cannot cleare him from beeing an aduerſarie to God, and from lifting vp him ſelfe aboue all p. 299that is called God, or that is worſhiped: then your head and your religion is gone. You ſay he is not an aduerſarie to God becauſe hee calles him ſelfe the ſeruant of God, and prayes moſt humblie to Chriſt. We anſwerd to this before. It is not his ſtiles whilk he ſacrilegiouſly claimes to him ſelfe, Mat. 7.15. Tit 1.19.Matt 7:15Titus 1:19nor yet his forme of godlines that can free him from this: for Wolues wil be clad in ſheeps skinnes, and falſe Apoſtles and Prophets hes pretended the authoritie and calling of God: and the Apoſtle teſtifies that there are many whilk profeſſe God in words, 2. Cor. 12.13.14.2 Cor 12:132 Cor 12:14but denies him in deedes: and Satan can tranſforme himſelfe in an Angell of light. 2. Theſ. 2. Reu. 1…2 Thess 2Rev 1And it was fore-tolde that the Antichriſt ſhould ſit in the Temple of God, that is, in an eniment & high roume in the Kirk of God, and that he ſhould hauehave two hornes like the Lamb, that is, as Auguſtine interpretes it, two Teſtaments as the Kirk hes: In Apoc. homil. 11.but yet ſpeakes like the Dragon, that is, as he interpretes it, who vnderunder the name of a Chriſtian pretends the Lamb, that he may ſpout in more ſecretly the poiſon of the Dragon: and that harlot who makes all nations drunken with the wine of her fornication ſhould hauehave a golden cup, that is, a ſhew of godlines, Apoc. 17.4 VponUpon Matthew treatiſe 28. and treatiſe 24.Rev 17:4that hee might the more eaſily deceaue. And Origene ſaies the Antichriſt holdes nothing but the name of Chriſt, neither does he his works nor teaches his trueth. Chriſt is the trueth, and the Antichriſt is a diſaguiſed trueth, a diſaguiſed iuſtice and merciemercy. Hee takes the teſtimonies of his falſe doctrine out of the Scripture, for theſe that will not bee pleaſed otherwiſe, and he ſitteth vponupon the chaire of the Scriptures, ſhewing him ſelfe as though he were God. Epiſtol. 7.And Cyprian ſayes that they teach diſpaire vnderunder the pretence of hope, and perfidy vnderunder the pretence of faith, and the night for the day, and perdition in ſtead of ſaluation, and the Antichriſt vnderunder the name of Chriſt. So then if ye will beleeue eyther the Scripture, or theſe teſtimonies of the Fathers, neither the ſtiles, nor yet the ſhew of godlines whilk your Popes hes will cleare them from being the Antichriſt.

And as to his humility towards men, we hauehave heard ſomwhat of it before: and as to his humility to God, we ſhal hear of it heirafter, whether he be ſo humble as he pretends or not And certainly, it had not bene poſsible that his ſpiritual idolatry and abhominations had bene ſo greedily drunken out p. 300by all nations, if they had not bene put in a)a)Reuel. 17.4Rev 17:4a golden Cupe, & his b)b)2. Th…. 2.11deluſions had not bene ſo ſtrong to deceaue, and they had not bene a c)c)& 10.deceaue-able vnrighteouſneſſe: that is, ſik a vnrighteouſneſſe as had the ſhew of righteouſnes, that it might the more eaſily deceaue: and the d)d)Reuel. 13.11Rev 13:11doctrine of the Dragon had not beene ſo eaſily and vniuerſally embraced, if hee had not had two hornes like the Lambe, that is, the pretence of the roiall and Prieſtly authority of the ſonne of God. So he hes taken on theſe maskes that he may the more eaſily deceaue. It is not then theſe viſards and maskes that will be able to hide him from theſe, whoſe eies the Lord hes opened. And as for the third thing, the inuocation of Saints departed, I ſay, this argument is ſo far from clearing him from being an aduerſary to God, that if there were no more, it is ynough to conuict your Popes and your Kirk, that they are aduerſaries to God. For he is an aduerſary to God, who robbes God of any portion of his glory, Iſa 42.8. Pſal. 50 14.15.Isa 42:8Ps 50:14Ps 50:15and giues it to his creatures: My glory, ſaies the Lord, I will not giuegive to another. But the Pope & his Kirk does ſo, in giuing inuocation or praiers (whilk is a part of Gods glory and worſhip) vntounto the Saints departed. For the Lord ſayes, Call vppon mee in the day of thy trouble, and I will deliuer thee, and thou ſhall glorifie mee: therefore your Popes and your Kirk are aduerſaries to God in this point. For wee a)a)Rom. 10.14.Rom 10:14ought to call vponupon them onlie, in whome only we ought to beleeue. But we ought only to b)b)Ierem. 17.5Jer 17:5beleeue in God: therfore we ſhould only pray to him through Ieſus Chriſt. And hee only ſhould be incalled vponupon, who knowes our neceſsities, & is able to heare our praiers, and to graunt them. But only God in Chriſt, the ſearcher of the heart doth theſe thinges: Therefore he only ought to be incalled vponupon. Heir therefore ye giuegive out a ſufficient euidence againſt your Popes & your Kirk, that you are Antichriſtian, and aduerſaries vntounto God: For that whilk ye bring heir to clenſe him, does fyle him.

The Pope may be an idolater, & yet a hypocrite, he may ſpeake like the Dragon, & yet be like the Lambe, he may confeſſe him in word, and deny him in deeds, he may be a rauenous wolfe, and yet clothed in a ſheepes clothingIndeede, I will neither deny the hypocriſie nor idolatry of your Popes, for they both aggree vntounto them: and that whilk Origen ſayes of the Antichriſt, is true of them: for they holde nothing of Chriſt, but his name: they neither doe his p. 301workes, nor teaches his truth. And yet for all their hypocriſie and pretence of godlineſſe and humility, theſe notes and markes of the Antichriſt, as the worde of God hes deſcriued him, doth eueryevery way aggree to them. So that if the word of God be true in ſetting downe the markes of the Antichriſt, your Popes who beares theſe markes, of neceſsity muſt bee the ſame. You wiſhe me in the end to read Saint Auguſtine de Antichriſto, tom. 9. It would appeare that you thinke, that the reading of that worke woulde hauehave altered my minde ſomewhat concerning your Popes, that they are not the Antichriſt: and it appeares to me, by that your earneſt deſire, that the doctrine ſet downe in that treatiſe is worthy of all credite and authority, and that your ſelf is of that ſelfe ſame iudgement concerning the Antichriſt with the author of that treatiſe: for I thinke you would not hauehave wiſhed mee to read that thing, whilk ye your ſelfe beleeues not to bee true. I therefore reade it, and reade it ouer againe. And beſide many other thinges, I finde this in it: that the Antichriſt ſhould be borne of a Virgine, by the helpe of the Diuell, as Chriſt was borne of the Virgine by the worke of the holye Ghoſt. I wondered that you ſhould hauehave wiſhed me to read that booke, in the whilk there was ſo manifeſt an error, and that contrary the doctrine of your own Kirk. You ſhould beware of this (M. Gilbert:) for if your head and Kirk get wit of it, they will not only count you a bad defender of the Catholick Faith, as you ſay you are: but alſo it may be they ſuſpect you of hereſie, who does wiſhe your aduerſaries to read that booke, wherein ſo manifeſt an error is, and that againſt the doctrine of your owne Kirk. For who will thinke of you, but that ye are of that ſame opinion your ſelf, ſeing ye are ſo earneſt with others to reade the ſame. Lib. 3. de Rom. Pont cap. 12.Bellarmine that great defender of your Catholick faith, was more wiſe then you in this point. For firſt he ſaies, there is a manifeſt error in that treatiſe: next he ſaies, It is certaine that that treatiſe cannot be Auguguſtines, but it is probable, ſaies he, that it is Rabanus his worke. So to conclude this, I aſſure you M. Gilbert, I am of the ſame minde that I was concerning your Popes, for all the reading p. 302of that worke: But I am not of the ſame minde towards you that I was before the reading of the ſame: for either I thinke ye hauehave bene very fooliſh in viſhing me to reade that whilk ye beleeued not your ſelfe to be true: or elſe, that ye defend a manifeſt error, not only againſt the truth, but alſo againſt the doctrine of your owne Kirk. And let your Pope who is the bond of vnity amongſt you, ſee to this: howe to reconcile you and Bellarmine, two defenders of his Catholick faith; you ſaying that that worke is Auguſtines, and Bellarmine flatly denying it, and affirming that it cannot be his: you wiſhing your aduerſaries to read it, and Bellarmine confuting a manifeſt errour in it. But betwixt you be it. Now this is all that you hauehave ſaide for the defence of your Pope, whilk are but as figge leaues, whilk cannot hide his nakedneſſe.

Arguments proouing that the Pope is that vndoubted AntichriſtNow I will let thee ſee (Chriſtian reader) what wee hauehave for vsus wherefore we affirme and teach, and is readie alſo (as thouſands hes done before vsus) to ſeale it with our blood that the Popes of Rome are the Antichriſt, whilk the Scripture hes fore-tolde ſhould come, time hes made manifeſt, and the Lord his mouth hes in a part conſumed. And firſt, I will lay this ground whilk (Maiſter Gilbert) cannot gaineſay, and the conſcience of all men will ſubſcriue to. That as the true Chriſt is ſufficientlye deſcriued in the olde and new Teſtament, ſo the Antichriſt is ſufficiently deſcriued there alſo: and as he is to be beleeued, vnderunder the paine of the endleſſe damnation of their ſoules to bee the true Chriſt, to whome the prophecies of the olde Teſtament concerning the Sauiour to come, doth aggre; and of whome the new Teſtament teſtifieth that they are accompliſhed: So hee muſt bee that Antichriſt whilk the Scripture fore-tolde was to come, to whome euerie one of the markes and properties of the Antichriſt ſet downe in the ſame, doth aggree, and in whome they are found to be accompliſhed. Let vsus therefore out of the Scripture ſearche the markes of the Antichriſt, and then let vsus ſee whether their Popes of Rome bee ſtamped with theſe markes or not. I ſpeake not nowe of the many Antichriſts wherof Iohn ſpeakes, 1. Ioh. 2.18.1 John 2:18whilk were fore-runners of that p. 303great defection, whilk was fore-tolde ſhoulde come in the Kirk of God: but of that chiefe and great Antichriſt, who not in one or two things only, but almoſt in all the points of his Religion, ſhould be contrary to Ieſus Chriſt, 1. Ioh. 4.3.2. Theſ. 2, Apoc 11 13.17.18.1 John 4:32 Thess 2Rev 11:13Rev 11:17Rev 11:18whome the places of Scripture noted on the margent, does deſcriue. And while as I affirme, that the Popes of Rome are this great Antichriſt, I vnderſtand it thus: that they are the Prince & head of that defection and apoſtaſie, whilk the Scripture fore-ſhewe and fore-told was to come in the Kirk. For I doe not thinke, that all the ſtrength and force of the Antichriſt, is included in the Pope: but the Pope & his kingdome whilk is contrary to the kingdome of Chriſt, is moſte truely called the Antichriſt: whereof, becauſe the Pope is the Prince and head: therefore by that figure, taking the part for the whole, I call him the Antichriſt. And in this we followe the ſcripture: for the Scripture ſpeaking of the Antichriſt, ſometime calles it a defection, and a myſtery of iniquity, and the ſecond beaſt that hes the hornes like the Lambe, and the harlote: and ſometimes points out the principall and chiefe in this kingdome, on whome the whole body of iniquity doeth hang: as when he writes heir, the man of ſinne, and ſonne of perdition, whilk is an aduerſary, who extolles himſelf aboue all &c. whilk is moſt properly ſpoken, not of the bodie, but of the head. Hauing ſhowne now in what ſenſe we take the Antichriſt, we will goe to the matter. And firſte to that 2. Theſſa…. where he is deſcriued, and that by no darke prophecies, as you ſay, but by plaine ſayings. Firſt therefore the Scripture calles him there, A man of ſinne, and ſonne of perdition. The whilk to be accompliſhed in your Popes, your owne hiſtories, Cardinals, Councels, fauourers, Friars, friendes, and themſelues, does ſufficiently teſtifie. So that if they ſpeake true of themſelues (whilk you cannot deny) then of all the monſters that euer the earth hes borne, ſome of your Popes hes bene the greateſt monſters. For in this point (Maiſter Gilbert) we deale not with you, as ye deale with vsus: for ye cite our enemies as witneſſes of vsus, whilk ſhould hauehave no credite and we cite your owne friends, and theſe of your owne religion. p. 304So that they ſhall be fetched out as witneſſes againſt you in this point, whether your Popes be the men of ſinne, & ſonnes of perdition, or not. What commandement is there of the firſt or ſecond Table, whilk they hauehave not violated in the higheſt degree. 1. Whoremongers. 2. Adulterers. 3. Sodomites. 4. Inceſtuous. 5. Foſterers and maintainers of harlots. 6. Tyrants. 7. Diueliſh, and Sorcerers. 8. In pride paſſing all creatures vnderunder heauen. 9. Atheiſts without God. 10. Periured. 11. Burreaus 12. Baudes, and marchantes of whores. 13. Sacrilegious. 14. Traitors. 15. Seditious. 16. Blaſphemous. 17. Parricides. 18. Poiſoners of Emperours, Senators, Cardinals, yea of their owne Parents and Siſters. 19. Helpers of the Turkes. 20. Drunkards. 21. Simoniaks. 22. Monſters. 23. Baſtards. 24. Arrians. 25. Idolaters. 26. and ſo contentious, that ſometimes there was two, ſometimes three, and ſometimes foure, all Popes ſtriuing for the Popedome together. It were longſome and tedious to bring in their monſtrous liues, as their own flatterers, Friars, Cardinals, and others of their own religion, hes written the ſame I will therefore only ſet downe a fewe for example, for the probation of this firſt point.

A confirmer and allower of horrible blaſphemie and idolatrie. he died, anno 816Leo the third, he by his authority allowed, and by his Buls confirmed a falſe and adulterous blood, whilk ſome lying deceauers affirmed to ſpring out of a certaine wodden Crucifixe, to be the true blood of the ſonne of God, and cauſed a ſolemne feſtiuall day to be made to the honor of … What horrible both blaſphemie and idolatry was this? The Diuell himſelfe could not hauehave done that whilk the Diueliſh Pope did. Radolphus monachus Benedict lib. 5. cap. 32. & Marianus Scotus who died, anno 1086 and Sigebertus a Monke, who liued anno 1110 and Martinus Polonus the Popes penitentiar, and Laonicus Athenienſis li. 6. apodeixeos, and flores tempor. & Franciſcus Petrarcha. & Ioannes Bocatius in libro de claris mulierib. cap. 99. and Antoninus arch. of Florence, and ſundrie others whilk for ſhortnes I omit, as Platine, Mantuanus Baptiſta, and ſundrie others.The Serpent whilk deceaued Eua, could not hauehave perſuaded men that Chriſt Ieſus, who (as the Apoſtle ſaies) but once ſhed his blood, and is now in glory at the right hand of his Father) did ſhed his blood againe, whilk this Pope confirmed and allowed.

Iohn the 8. a Woman, or rather Ioane alone of that name, before called Gilberta, a harlote: who in the time of her Proceſsion, brought forth a childe, and died thereof: ſate in the Papal ſeate of Rome, two yeare, and ſix moneths, that all p. 305might vnderſtand, that that prophecie of the great whoore that ſate vponupon many waters, whilk is ſpoken in the Reuelat. 17. was fulfilled in the Idolatrous Kirk of Rome. And becauſe ſome of you denies this, therefore I hauehave cited theſe authours, teſtifying the ſame.

Steuen the 6. he cauſed take out of the graue, the carcaſe of Formoſus, who had manſworne himſelfe: and ſpoiles it of the Pontificall habite, and commands it to be buried againe in the burial of the Laicks, cuts off two of his fingers, & caſts them into Tyber, and abrogates his decreets: and decreed that the ordinances of Formoſus ſhould be voide, whilk is a point of Donatiſme, as Sigebert a Monke noteth. Cruel Nero … rogater of their predeceſſors decreets.But Romanus the firſt, and Theodorus the ſecond, Popes, his ſucceſſors, they allow Formoſus, and abrogates the acts of Stephanus, and ſo did Iohn the 10. by a councell of 74. Biſhops, reſtored the acts of Formoſus to the full, and abrogated the acts of Stephanus, and condemned them. Yet for all this, Sergius the 3. hauing caſten downe Chriſtopher the firſt out of his Papal ſeate: and afterward did caſt him in priſon, where he died: and ſo obtained this Satanicall ſeat by the helpe of Marozia his harlote; hee cauſes take out the body of Formoſus, whilk had lyen eight yeares in the graue, degrades it from the Pontificall honour, cuts off the three fingers whilk Stephanus the 6. had left, and with them caſts his carcaſe in the riuer Tiber, & abrogates his acts, and ordained anewe them whilk was ordained by Formoſus, whilk is a point of Donatiſme. And this moſt filthie adulterer, begets Iohn the 12. an adulterous baſtard, who was Pope afterward, with Marozia his harlote.

Pope Lando he begets in adultery Iohn the 11. Petrus Pre monſtratenſis teſti…before hee was Pope: who afterward was Pope.

Iohn the 11. or 10. Lando his adulterous ſonne, he by the meanes of Theodora his impudent harlote, being then ruler of Rome, was firſt made Biſhop of Bononia, Luitprand… lib. 2. ca. 13. de impe Platine ſaies that this Iohn the 11… was the ſonne of Pope Sergi…, the 3.and then archbiſhop of Rauenna, and then laſt of all, Biſhop of Rome, with whome he wallowed himſelf in whoredome. But he by the meanes of Maroſia his harlots daughter, is caſt in priſon, and there ſmoared. And her baſtard ſonne, whome ſome calles p. 306Iohn the 12. whome Pope Sergius the third begat with her in adultery, is ſet vp in the Popedome: and he gouernes the ſame in that accuſtomed filthineſſe. So the Kirk of Rome was gouerned by harlots, as noteth Luitprandus lib. 3. cap. 12. and was made a harlote, as it was prophecied of her, Ap. 17.

Iohn, whome ſome calles the 13. of that name, he is ſik a monſter, that I knowe not if euer the earth did beare a greter, who had ſolde himſelf to all ſorts of licenciouſneſſe, adulteries, inceſts, and moſt horrible cruelties. Of his Cardinals, Luithprandus in lib. 6.of ſome he cuts out their tongues, of ſome he cuts off their hands, of ſome their noſes, of ſome their priuy members. He is accuſed in a Synode of his owne Biſhops, before the Emperour Otho, that he did not communicate, that he ordained Deacons in ſtables, that for money he made bairnes Biſhops: that he defiled Virgines & ſtrangers: that he made the pallace of Lateran a bordel-houſe, that be drāk wine to the Diuel: that in his gaming at the dice, he ſought the Diuels helpe, that he committed a threefold inceſt: one with two ſiſters, another with his father his concubine, the third with his Niece: therefore hee was depoſed from his Popedome. But afterwarde by the helpe of his harlots was reſtored to it againe, hauing deiected Leo the 8. who was placed in his roome by the Emperour. And laſte of all in the very act of adultery, he is ſtriken through, (as ſome ſaies) by the Diuell, God giuing out that ſentence againſt him, and ſo dies without repentance. A monſter of monſters. Cardinal Turre cremat…, ſumma de Eccl. li. 3. c. 13Sir 51:3Theſe are euill, but yet worſe (if worſe can be) did followe. For from Ioan the 8. who was a woman Pope and a harlote, for the ſpace of 156. yeares, as ſome reckons to Silueſter the ſecond, who gote the Popedom in the 1000. yeare of our Lorde. For that ſpace, I ſay, the Popes ſuppoſe they vowed holy chaſtity, yet they were ſold to all luſts, and liued in all licenciouſneſſe, harlotry, adulteries, inceſts, and in great contentions, cruelty, tyranny, and briberie: ſo that they might rather be called the Princes of Sodome and Gomorrha, then the Vicars of Chriſt. Genebrard a Papiſt ſaies, that for the ſpace almoſte of 150. yeares, from Ioan the 8. who died 884. anno, after Genebrards account: vntounto p. 307Leo the 9. anno 1048. about a fifty Popes did revolte wholly from the vertue of their anteceſſors, and were Apoſtaticall rather then Apoſtolical, and obtained the Popedome, ſome by money, ſome by force and bryberie: and ſo no maruell, ſaies he, ſuppoſe they vvere monſtrous, and entered not in by the dore, but by the Poſtern gate. Chronol. lib. 4. ſeculo 10. But from Sylveſter it appeares that the Diuell vvas then looſed in his full ſtrength and liberty: and the Antichriſt reigned then as a Dragon in the Kirk of Rome. For from him till Gregorie the ſeauenth, including them both, beeing 18. or 19. Popes, their ovvne Cardinall Benno vvrytes, that they vvere all inchanters or Sorcerers.

Sylueſter the ſecond, a teacher of theſe diueliſhe artes: he by a ſolemne bargane vvith the Diuell, that if he vvoulde promote him to the Popedome, he vvoulde giuegive him both ſoule and body aftervvard, obtaines the ſame. He had a copper-head in ſecreat, vvhilk alvvaies gaue him anſvvere of that vvhilk he demanded of the Diuell. He asked of the diuell hovv long he ſhould liue? vvho doubtfully anſvvering him, that he ſhould not die vvhill he ſaide a)a)Note what a thing is the maſſe ſeing with it the Diuel mocketh and deceaueth, euen the Pope himſelfe. Concerning theſe things whether they be true or not, ſee theſe Papiſts that writes the ſame, platin, Sabellicus Volater, Petrus Premoſtrat. Benno a Cardinal, and in particular Friar Iohn de Pineda part. 3. li. 19.Maſſe in Ieruſalem: he reioycing at that, and neuer being purpoſed to goe to Ieruſalem, yet not being vvare of the Diuell his ſubteltye, on a certaine day vvent to a certaine place in Rome, vvhilke vvas called Ieruſalem, and there ſaying his Maſſe in that Tē ple, is ſodainly taken vvith a feauer, and knovving by the noiſe of the Diuels, his death to be at hand, in the anguiſhe of his ſoule confeſſed his Diuelry, and as Benno a Cardinall vvrytes, he deſires his hands and tongue, & (as ſome other vvrytes) his priuye members alſo, to be cut off, vvith the vvhilk hee ſacrificed to the Diuell, and blaſphemed God. Novv iudge thou (Chriſtian reader) vvhether this ſeat and throne, and office of the Popedome, be of God, or not: whilk the Diuell can giuegive, and hes giuen to men, and vvhilk men can obtaine by Diuelrie. And iudge vvhether theſe men vvhome they call the head, light, and foundation of their Kirk, be Chriſts Vicars, or the Diuels Vicars, or not. Yea, iudge vvhether they are the very men of ſinne, and ſonnes p. 308of perdition, and the Antichriſts vvhilk the Scripture foretolde ſhould come in the Kirk, or not.) But yet this did not feare his ſucceſſors: for they follovved his foote-ſteppes in theſe Diueliſh artes.

Benedict the 9. a Magician, and obtaines the Popedome by that diueliſhe arte: a worſhipper of diuels, a filthie harlote his councellers diueliſh ſorcerers, a ſeller of the Popedome, ſuffocate by the Diuell.Benedictus the 9. he vvas ſo skilled in theſe Diueliſh arts of Magick, that before he vvas made Pope, in the vvoods he called vppon theſe euill ſpirites, and by his Diuelry cauſed vvemen to follovve him, for to ſatisfie his filthineſſe. He by theſe his diueliſh artes obtaines the Popedome, and makes his former companions Magicians, his moſt familiar counſellers. But he fearing himſelf, ſolde the Popedome vntounto his fellovve Magician, called Iohannes Gratianus, vvho vvas aftervvard called Gregorie the 6. for 1500. pound. Platine ſayes, that by the iudgement of God hee is damned for the ſelling of his Popedome. So after he is depoſed, he is ſuffocate by a Diuell in the vvoodes, & ſo he periſhes. Of vvhome it is reported, that after his death, he vvas ſene monſtrouſly to appeare to a certaine Eremite, in his body like a Beare, in his head and taile like an Aſſe: and being asked hovve he vvas ſo monſtrouſly transformed: he anſvvered, I vvander in this ſhape, becauſe I liued in the Popedome vvithout reaſon, vvithout a Law, and vvithout God, (out of thy owne mouth thou art condemned.) There vvas ſik tumults, contentions, and great ſlaughters for that throne, betvvixt Sylvester the 3. and Benedict his faction, that Benno a Cardinall ſayes, the Kirk vvas rent in peeces; and by hereſies, vnderunder the culour of ſvveete honie, vvas ſuffocate. And Platine a Papiſt ſayes, that the good was oppreſſed and reiected: and they that might doe moſt by pride and ambition clam vp to that throne. But Gregorie the 6. buyes the Popedome (as hes bene ſaid) & ſo at one time there are three Popes, whilk hes three ſundry ſeates in Rome, whome Platin calles, Teterrima monſtra moſt ougly monſters.

Gregorie the 7. called otherwiſe Hildebrand that moſt ougly monſter, Gregorie the 7. a vglie monſter, a magician, he poiſoned ſex Popes before him, a in…uder of himſelf in that throne, a worker of falſe miracles, his Bible a diueliſh book, a traitor to the Emperor.hee hauing by the meanes of Brazutus poiſoned ſix Popes his predeceſſors, to make a way to himſelfe vntounto the Popedome: he climes vp to that diueliſh throne that ſame p. 309night, without conſent either of people or Cleargy. Of whome Benno a Cardinall writes, that he was a notable Magician: that when it pleaſed him he would ſhake his ſleeue, and ſparkes of fire would come out, whereby hee deceaued the mindes of the ſimple. Of whome the ſaid Cardinall reports alſo, that comming to Rome at a time, he left his book of his Magical and diueliſhe artes behinde him through forgetfulneſſe: and remembring himſelfe, he ſends two of his moſt faithfull ſeruands about it, charging them ſtraitly that they opened not the booke: but they the more they were forbidden, they were the more curious: and ſo opening the booke, and reading it, beholde the Angels of Satan appeared to them in ſik a multitude, that skarcely did the two young men remaine in their wits: and the Diuels ſaid vntounto them, Wherefore hauehave ye called vsus? why doe ye wearie vsus? Tell vsus what we ſhall doe, otherwiſe vve will fall vponupon you? VntoUnto vvhome one of them anſvvered, Pull dovvne theſe high Walles vvhilk are neir Rome, vvho vvent and did it quickly, and ſo the young men came to Rome exceedingly terrified. This ſame Cardinall reportes of him that he ſeeking by many deceatfull meanes to put dovvne the Emperour, he hearing that the Emperour reſorted often to a certaine Kirk to his praiers, and hauing ſearched the place vvhere he vſed to bovve himſelfe: he hired a Villaine to lay great ſtones ouer the beames of the Temple where the Emperour praied: that they falling on the Emperour, might cruſhe him in peeces: and ſo it might be reckoned for a miracle of Gods iudgements. But it fel not out ſo: for the ſtone being ſo heauie, fell backvvard vponupon him: & breaking a table that vvas amongſt the beames, the ſtone and the miſerable man fell dovvne vponupon the floore of the Kirk: and ſo the miſerable Villaine is cruſhed in peeces, vvith the ſame ſtone vvhilk he had prepared for the deſtruction of the Emperour. The ſame Cardinall alſo reportes, Iudge Chriſtian reader whether this man be not the diuels Vicar, and not Chriſts Vicare.that he ſought a reſponſe of the ſacramēt of the lords body againſt the Emperour (as the Pagans vvont to do at their Idoles:) but whē he gote none, he caſt it in the fire. For the vvhilk cauſe the p. 310Biſhop of Porteous in open Pulpite ſaies, that Hildebrand and vve ſhould be burnt quick. He excommunicates Henry the 4. depoſed him from his empire, and ſet vp Rodolphus Duke of Sueuia in the Empire, and ſent him a crovvne vvith this verſe, Petra dedit Petro, Petrus Diadema Rodolpho.

He louſed all his ſubiectes from their oath of obedience to him, and forbade his Biſhops and Cleargy vnderunder the paine of Excommunication, to acknovvledge him. This Emperor vvith his vvife, and ſonne, came in the Winter, and ſtoode before his Pallace bare-footed, three daies, in linning cloathes: and all that time coulde not get acceſſe to this proude Antichriſt: vvho anſwered that his holineſſe vvas not at leiſure. Antoninus and Vincentius ſaies, that he granted to a Cardinall in the time of his death, that by the inſtigation of the Diuell he ſtirred vp hatred, enimity, and vvarres amongeſt many. Of vvhome alſo Cardinall Benno vvrites, that ſeeing the Diuell could not get Chriſt ſubverted by the Pagans: he laboured to ſubuert his name vnderunder the ſhape of a Monke, and pretence of Religion.

The moſt cruell, arrogant, and treaſonable tyrant Pope Alexander the 3. Alexander the 3. a cruell, arrogant & a treaſonable tirant. He betraied the Emperour to the Turke.He continevves a debate for that Satanicall ſeat 20. yeare: firſt vvith Victor, then vvith Paſchalis, Calixtus and Innocentius, vvho vvere elected Popes, and ſucceeded one after another. He excommunicates the Emperor Frederick, and Pope Victor. He betraies the Emperour to the Souldane, ſends his picture to him, and wrytes to him to cut him off, if he would liue in peace. He cauſed him to fal doun on the ground, and to ſeeke mercy, and then ſtramped vponupon his neck, (the Monarch of the vvorlde) repeating that ſentence of the Pſalme, Super aſpidem & baſiliſcū, &c. Thou ſhalt walke vponupon the ſerpent, & the cokatrice & thou ſhalt tramp down the lion & y^e Dragon. (O blaſphemous mouth, for this is ſpoken only of Chriſt.) And vvhen the Emperour anſvvered, Not to thee, but to Peter: he replyed, Both to mee, & to Peter.

Boniface the 8. that threeformed beaſt, of vvhome the common Proverbe is, Boniface the 8. a threeformed beaſt, a deceauer … …ell tirantthat he entered in like a Foxe, rang lyke a Lyon, and died like a Dog: hee moſte craftily deceaued his p. 311Predeceſſor Celeſtine, by cauſing one to ſpeake to him for manie nights through an vvhiſtle, as though it had beene the voice of an Angell: Celeſtine, Celeſtine renounce, for the burthen is greater then thou art able to beare. The vvhilk the ſimple man beleeuing, renounced the Popedome, and ſo he entered in his roome, and hauing inpriſoned the ſimple man his Predeceſſor, he vvas ſik a cruell tyrant that he perſecuted ſome of his Cardinals eueryevery vvhere, ſpoiling them both of their liuings, offices, and their heritages. He waſted and ſpoiled the places where they were reſet, ſo that they were compelled ſome of them to dwell in the woods, flying his cruelty. Some did venture vponupon the cruell hearted Pirats, thinking to find greater humanitie with them, nor with their holy Father the Pope. He was alſo without all Religion: for when the archbiſhop in Genua vponupon Aſhwedneſday, vponupon his knees, bare headed, doing his ſeruice in the Temple before the people: An atheiſt and mocker of Religion.this holy Father looking on him, took a great many of aſhes and caſt in his eies, ſaying theſe words, Remember man becauſe thou art a Gibelline, and with the Gibellins thou ſhall returne to aſhe. He nouriſhed Harlots, he begate baſtards, he affirmed that no man ſhould iudge him, though hee carried a nomber of ſoules with him to Hell.

Iohn the 23. taught, that the ſoules ſeparated from the bodies, did not ſee Gods face while after the reſurrection, Who after ſome is the 22. An heretick, a tirant, a perturbes of the publicke peace.and ſent Friars to preach it. He was declared by the people of Rome (as Marius ſayes) to be an heretick, a tyrant in the Kirk, and a perturber of the publicke peace of Chriſtians.

Benedict the 12. he bought from her other brother Gerardus with great giftes, a ſiſter of Franciſcus Petrarcha, Benedict the 12. a buyar of a harlots, a nuriſher of harlots, death to the people, a Viper to the cleargie, a wanderer from the truth.to commit villanie with. He nouriſhed many harlots, of whome it is written, Iſte fuit verò laicis mors, vipera clero, deuins à vero, he was a death to the people, a viper to the Cleargie, a wanderer from the truth.

One part of Chriſtendome, to wit, the Romanes, makes Vrbanus the ſext Pope: another ſorte makes Clement the ſeauenth Pope, whereby was ſik a ſchiſme, that it went to their ſucceſſors, and continued fourtie yeares. Theſe Popes did p. 312mutually by their bulles excommunicate one another: Popes ſchiſmaticks, theeues, tirants, wickedſowers of tares, traitors, heretickes, antichtiſts, and ſonnes of Beliall, by their owne do doctrine. Vrbane the 6 put 5. Cardinals in ſackes, & caſt them in the ſea, & drowned them, he condemned to deth 3. other Cardinals, commanded their heades to be cut off their bodies, to be roſted in a fomace, and being roſted to put them into ſackes and whenſoeuer he went from one people to another, he carried them vponupon horſes as ſpectacles: & that they might be known to be Cardinals, he placed their read hats vponupon the ſacks. Collenutius writeth this in his Neapolitane hiſtorie, was euer Nero or Heliogabulus ſo cruell?they ſent infamous libels one to another: wherein they called other mutually hereticks, ſchiſmatickes, Antichriſts, tyrants, theeues, traitors, ſowers of euill ſeede, and the ſonnes of Belial, and that worthily. Now becauſe the Kirk of Rome ſaies that the Popes cannot erre, and that their iudgement is infallible, and their decreetes moſte ſure: therefore, if this be true, by their owne teſtimonies they are hereticks, ſchiſmatickes, and Antichriſtes. &c. Illyricus teſtifies, that Theodoricus Niem the Pope his moſt inward Scribe, faithfully ſet downe the hiſtory of the ſchiſme of theſe Popes in three bookes: wherein he ſayes, that he fand the diueliſh craft of the Popes and their wickedneſſe whereby they horribly mocked God and Religion, vexed & tyrannized ouer the Kirk of Chriſt, to be ſik, that ſuppoſe he had red, heard, and ſeene meikle of their wickedneſſe before: yet hauing red that booke, he ſawe their wickedneſſe was ten-folde more then euer hee would hauehave ſuſpected. And therefore he ſayes, Truely nowe I aſſent vntounto the Canoniſts, who affirmes that the Pope is neither God nor man: for, ſaies he, they are incarnate Diuels, and in mallice and wickedneſſe is worſe then Sathan himſelfe.

Iohn the 24. after his Predeceſſor was poiſoned, threatned the Cardinals to chooſe whome he would: for this cauſe named they many, but with none of them was he pleaſed: then they praied to name whome he would Pope: he anſwered, GiueGive me S. Peters mantle, & I will put it vponupon him, who ſhall be Pope: and when they had giuen it him, he put it on himſelfe, and ſaide, I am Pope. He is accuſed before the Councell of Conſtance, of fourty waighty and graue crimes, whilk were ſufficiently prooued againſt him. And Bellarmine ſaies, there was 35. Bellarm. lib. 4. de Rom. Pont. c. 14.articles proued againſt him: that he poiſoned his predeceſſor Alexander, that he was an heretick, a Symonaick, a lyar, an hypocrite, a murtherer, a dicer, an adulterer a Sodomite, and what not? This alſo was laide to his charge, that he denied life euerlaſting, and therefore is depoſed, and another ſet in his roome. In his Epitaph it is written of him Peſtis auaritiae me caecum reddidit, …p…phi…aurū Plus iuſto ſitiens munera ſacra p. 313cradedi: that is, the peſt of auarice made me blinde, and thirſting ouer meikle for golde, I folde holy things too deare.

Sixtus the fourth that vile and beaſtly monſter. Sixtus the 4. an al lower of Sodomitrie, an inuenter and ſeller of new offices a builder of a ſolemne ſtewes in Rome, whereby he augmented his r…t.Weſſelus Groningenſis in his treatiſe of the Popes pardons, writes of him that he permitted to the whole familie of Cardinall Luciae, at the requeſt of Petrus Ruerius Cardinall, and his brother to vſe Sodomitrie, (O horrible abhomination!) the three moneths of the yeare, Iune, Iuly, & Auguſt. Agrippa ſayes, that among y^e Bawds, or maintainer of bordels of theſe latter times, Sixtus the fourth was famous: for he builded a meikle bordel-hous in Rome, both for whoredome & Sodomitry: he fed troopes of harlots, gayning thereby great ſommes of money: for eueryevery harlote of Rome, eueryevery weeke payed to the Pope, an Iulian pennie, whilk would amount in the yeare to twentie thouſand Ducats. But they ſay it is now augmented, that it commes to fourtie thouſand. In his Epitaph it is written, Riſerat vt viuens coeleſtia numina Sixtus, &c. that is, Epitaphium.While hee was liuing, he mocked God, and dying, he beleeued there was no God. Ane adulterer, the deſtruction of the towne, Pemicieſque deiwho paſt Nero in wickedneſſe, who was all wickedneſſe and vice together.

Alexander the 6. he made a couenant with the Diuel, E… Euſebio cap… uo Hieronymi Marii. Alexander the 6 a bargainer with the Diuel for the Popedome. His counſellor was the Diuel, as Simoniack, an Atheiſt a Traitor, a inceſtuous adulterer, with his owne daughter, a permitter of Sodomie, a poiſoner of his Cardinalles.and gaue himſelfe ouer to the Diuell, that by his helpe he might obtaine the Popedome: the whilk when he had obtayned, he ſo holily led his life, that he preaſed to doe nothing without firſt he had asked the aduiſe of the Diuell. A Simoniack an Atheiſt alſo: of whome it is written, Vendit Alexander cruces, altaria, Chriſtum: Emerat ille prius, vendere iure poteſt. That is, He ſelled the croce, altars, and Chriſt himſelf: he bought thē firſt, and therefore he might ſell them againe. A traitor alſo for two hundreth thouſand Ducats, whilk he receaued from the Turke: he poiſons the Turkes brother, Gemen Baiazetes, being then captiue in Rome. Who alſo called for the Turks to aſsiſt him againſt the french King. He committed vile inceſt with his owne daughter Lucretia, of whome it is written her Epitaph, Alexandri filia; ſponſa, nurus. He made one of his ſonnes Prince of S…cile, and another a Cardinall. He gaue libertie p. 314to Petrus Mendoza a Spaniard, a Cardinall, whoſe luſte could not be ſatisfied, neither with a troope of harlots, neither with the Queene her ſelfe, to commit Sodomitry with his owne baſtard ſonne Zanathenſis. (O horrible impiety!) He commanded to poiſon ſome of the Senators of Rome, and of his owne Cardinals, who were at a banket together with him ſelfe. But in the righteous iudgement of God, the Flagon being changed at vnawares by him that filled the Cups, he himſelf was poiſoned, and ſo periſhes. His Epitaph ſayes, Famae contemptor honeſtae, &c. contemner of honeſty, and all wickedneſſe it ſelfe. And in another of his Epitaphes it is written, that he deſtroied cieties and kingdomes, and waſted the world with ſworde, fire, and robberie, to enrich his baſtarde children: and that he tooke away the lawes both of God and men, and the Gods themſelues, that he might more licenciouſlie ſinne.In quodam commenta…io magiſt. Pariſienſ. Iulius the 2. a Sodomite, a cruel tirant, by whoſe tirannie 200 thouſand were ſlaine a mocker of Peters keies a ſeller of heauen, & yet gets not heauen himſelfe.

Iulius the 2. committed Sodomitry with two youthes of an honorable linage, whilk the Queene of France ſent to a Cardinall to be informed. He was ſik a cruell tyrant that by his tyranny in the ſpace of 7. yeare, there was two hundreth thouſand Chriſtian men ſlaine. Of whome it is written that when hee went to the warres, he caſt Peter his keyes in Tybris with this voice, Saint Peters keyes helpes not, let Pauls ſword defend vsus. Of whoſe pardons it is written, Vendit emm coelos, non habet ipſe tamen, he ſelles heauen, but hes not heauen himſelf.

Leo the 10. a beaſtlie monſter, an atheiſt, he accompted the goſpel of Chriſt a fable and yet a profitable fable for …hat diueliſh ſeatLeo the 10. a beaſtly man, borne to all licenciouſneſſe, a drunkard and Atheiſt without God, when one of his Cardinals Petrus Bembus was repeating a ſentence out of the Goſpel he anſwered blaſphemouſly, What profite that fable of Chriſt hes brought to vsus and our Kirk, it is ſufficiently knowne to all ages. Whereby, though all the world ſhould deny it, this horrible monſter ſufficiently declares, that he is that man of ſinne, & ſonne of perdition.

Clemens the 8. and after ſome the 7. it is written of him that he was a baſtarde, In comment. ſupera…e magiſt. Patiſienſ. Clemens the 8. an anatomie of al abhominationa Venefician, a Sodomite, a murtherer, a bawde, a Simoniack a harlote, periured, a ſacrilegious man, a Diuiner, and a crafteſman of all wickedneſſe. Of p. 315whome Paſquillus writes in his Epitaph, Hic eſt perquem tot proſtant in vrbe puellae, &c. that is, a defiler of maidens, a baniſher of honeſty and chaſtity, a honorer of all vncleane perſons, the infamy of the world, the decay of the Empire, a contemner of God, a man of wickedneſſe, a publick enemy, a falſe and vngrate man, a tyrant, and ſik a man as there was neuer a worſein the world.

Paule the 3. a vile beaſtly monſter as euer the earth bure: Paule the third a ſeller of his ſiſters chaſtitie, the poiſoner of his mother and two ſiſters, inceſtuous with his owne ſiſter, niece, & daughter.he ſold his ſiſter to be a harlote to Pope Alexander the 6. that he might be made a Cardinall. He deceaued a certain maid of honourable parentage, and defloured her vnderunder the hope of marriage, of whome he begat Petrus Aloyſius that vile Sodomite. He poiſoned his mother and ſiſter that he might enioy all the heritage himſelfe. He committed inceſt with another of his ſiſters, and afterward poiſoned her, becauſe ſhe loued others more then him. He committed vile inceſt and adultery both, with his Niece Nicolaus Quercaus his wife, who being deprehended in the very act by her husband, was ſo wounded by him, that he kept the marke thereof to his very end. He committed alſo inceſt and adultery with his owne daughter Conſtantia. And that he might the more licenciouſly enioy his beaſtly luſt with her, he poiſoned her huſband, Euſebius c… tivus.named, Boſius Sforſia. He exceeded Heliogabalus and Commodus in filthineſſe, defiling his owne ſiſter, niece, and daughter He had 45. thouſand harlots in a row, of whom he receaued tribute and toll eueryevery monethmonth, who was familiar with him day and night.

Iulius the thirde, what better was he, who againſt the wils of all his Cardinals made one Innocent with whome hee had done villanie, Cardinall: and admitted him to his domeſtick familiaritie. Vergerius writes, he abſtained not from his owne Cardinals and that he vſed ſik horrible blaſphemies, as the moſt vileſt bandes, and the moſt filthie villanes vſes in the contempt of God. When hee miſſed his diſh of Bacon whilk was not ſet at the table, at the command of his Phyſician, he braſt forth in this blaſphemie: bring me my diſh al diſpetto de Dio, that is, in deſpite of God. Againe, when he miſſed a diſhe p. 316of a could peacock, whilk he had cōmanded to keep to him, hauing other new roſted peakocks, he vomit out moſte horrible blaſphemie againſt God. And when one of his Cardinals anſwered, let not your holines be offended at ſo light a matter: he replyed, if God was ſo angrie for the eating of one apple, that hee caſte out our firſte parentes out of Paradiſe, vvherefore ſhall it not be Ieſum to me vvho is his vicare, to be angrie for a peacock, ſeing it is far greater nor an apple. Novv let men iudge, vvhether the Popes of Rome beares this marke of the Antichriſt or not, that is, vvhether they be men of ſinne and ſonnes of perdition or not. Much more might I hauehave brought for the manifeſting of this poynte, as the threttie ſchiſmes amongſt their Kirk, vvhilk neuer Kirk had ſo many, their mutuall contentions, ſtrifes, cruelties, exerciſed one towards another. But I hope this will ſuffice to ſatisfie the conſcience of all men, that the Popes are that man of ſinne, and ſonne of perdition. And certainlye if others had written their abhominations, then men of their owne Religion, their owne flatterers and friendes; it would hauehave ſeemed incredible. But their own writers hes by Gods prouidence, ſo diſcouered their abhominations, that I think the conſciences of all men may be at a point in this. This for the firſt marke.

2. Theſſal. 2.4.2 Thess 2:4The ſecond propertie of the Antichriſt, as he is deſcriued in that ſame place, is to be an aduerſary to God. For as the Diuell is called Sathan, that is, an aduerſary to God: ſo his chief Lieutennant Antichriſt, is called an aduerſary, that is, oppoſed and contrary to God, and that not in life onelyonly, but in doctrine, religion, and gouernement: and that not in one point only, but almoſt in all the ſubſtantiall points thereof. The whilk marke the Popes of Rome beares, and that not only in their liues, but alſo in the whole ſubſtantiall pointes of Religion. And to make this cleare, beſide that whilk hes bene ſpoken, we ſhall compare the doctrine of Ieſus Chriſt, and the gouernment of his Kingdome ſet down in the ſcripture, with the doctrine of the Popes, and the maner of their gouernement, that the contrariety of them may be known: p. 317ſo that it ſhall be ſeene, that colde is no more contrarie to heate, and black to white, nor Papiſme to Chriſtianity and the religion of the Kirk of Kome, to the Religion of Chriſt Ieſus. The doctrine of Chriſt ſtands eſpecially in theſe two things: in the knowledge of his perſon, 1. Cor. 3.1 Cor 3& in the knowledge of his offices. And therefore the Apoſtle ſayes, I deſire to knowe nothing but Ieſus Chriſt and him crucified. Ioh. 17John 17And Chriſt himſelfe ſayes, It is life eternall to knowe thee to be the true God, and whome thou haſt ſent Ieſus Chriſt. The doctrine of the Popes of Rome ouerthrowes both. And firſt to prooue this concerning his perſon, Rom. 1.3. Gal 4 4. Heb. 2.17.Rom 1:3Gal 4:4Heb 2:17the Scripture teſtifies that Ieſus Chriſt is cō ceaued of the ſubſtance of the Virgine Mary, & that he hes but one true bodie made of the ſeede of Dauid, and of the ſeede of the woman, and not many: and that he is like vntounto vsus in all things except ſinne. The doctrine of the Kirk of Rome is, Bellar. lib. 3. de Euchariſtia, fol. 399. Pope Iohn 22. lib. orat. infer. Antidotarius animae. the Prieſts make Chriſts bodie of breadthat Chriſt Ieſus his body is made of the bread and wine in the ſacrament: and their doctrine makes him to hauehave as many bodies as there is bits of bread in the ſacrament: and not to be like his brethren in all things except ſinne: for his brethren can be but in one place at once, with their owne due proportion viſiblie: But their doctrine of Tranſubſtantiation makes him to be both in heauen and earth, at once: in heauen viſibly, in earth inuiſibly: in heauen with his owne quantitie and proportion, in earth without his naturall proportion: & not in one place of the earth only, but in innumerable places thereof at once: ſo that this maine foundation of mans ſaluatiō, (without the whilk there is no eternal life) concerning the truth of Chriſts manhoode made of the woman, is alluterlie defaced and ouerthrowne by the doctrine of the Popes of Rome, in making him to hauehave infinite bodies, not made of the ſeede of the woman, but of bread & wine: or at the leaſt, made of two diuerſe ſubſtances. And as they ourthrow the doctrine of his perſon, ſo they ouerthrow the doctrine of his offices. His offices are three: a Prophet, a Prieſt and a King, whilk are all ouerthrowne by them. As he is a Prophet, he hes reuealed his Fathers vvhole a)a)Ioh. 15.19.John 15:19vvill vntounto his ſeruands, and hes left it in regiſter in his latter Teſtament, p. 318and hes forbidden b)b)Deut. 4.2. Reuel. 22.18.19. Gal 1.8.Deut 4:2Rev 22:18Rev 22:19Gal 1:8to eike, empaire, or to alter the ſame: and hes pronounced a woe and a curſe vntounto them that eikes, empaires, or alters the ſame: c)c)2. Tim. 3.15.16.2 Tim 3:152 Tim 3:16& that becauſe it is ſufficient to make a man wiſe vntounto ſaluation, & to make the man of God perfite vntounto eueryevery good worke: d)d)Prou. 8, 9. Pſal. 19.8.9.10. Pſal. 119.Prov 8:9Ps 19:8Ps 19:9Ps 19:10Ps 119& becauſe it is pure & perfite and eaſie to al them that will vnderſtand it. But they hauehave many waies corrupted this Teſtament of Chriſt, by mingling and adulterating the ſame: firſt in that they e)e)Cone. Trident. Seſ 4 Bud. aannot. prior is pandect. Andrad. lib. 4. Arias Montanus, tom. 8. bibl. reg. in prefat.giuegive diuine authority to the bookes called Apocrypha, whilk are humain. Next, in receauing, and commanding others to receaue Traditions with equall reuerence and affection with the Scripture. Thirdly, in their corrupt latine tranſlation, whilk they hauehave made authenticall, whilk ſome of themſelues confeſſes hes miſſed ſometimes the meaning of the holy Ghoſt. f)f)Conc. Trident. Seſ. 6. cap. 10Fourthly, in ioyning with the commandements of God their owne commandements, and that not as things indifferent, but as neceſſary to ſaluation. g)g)Seſſi. 4.Fifthly, in condemning al ſenſe & meaning of the holy Scripture, but that whilk they holde themſelues. Laſt of al, in quarrelling the Scripture of imperfection, obſcurity and ambiguitie, calling it dead & dumbe like a noſe of waxe. They therefore who hes altered, eiked, and corrupted the Teſtament of Ieſus Chriſt, confirmed by his death, whilk he hes left in write, for to inſtruct his Kirk in all things, and to make her wiſe to ſaluation, and perfite to eueryevery good worke, doth ſpoile the Lord Ieſus of his propheticall office: But the doctrine of the Kirk of Rome hes done ſo, Ergo they ſpoile Ieſus Chriſt of his propheticall office.

Heb. 9.11.12.15.2….25.26.27.28Heb 9:11Heb 9:12Heb 9:15Heb 9:2Heb 9:25Heb 9:26Heb 9:27Heb 9:28Thirdly, they are no leſſe ſacrilegious and iniurious to his Prieſt-hoode. His Prieſt-hoode ſtands in two things. Firſt, in purchaſing vntounto vsus, by the vertue of that one ſacrifice once offered vp vponupon the Croce, an euerlaſting redemption Next, in making continuall interceſsion for vsus with his Father: the whilks both are ouerthrowne by the doctrine of the Kirk of Rome. As to the firſte, it is ouerthrowne manye waies: as firſt, our ſauiour ſaies, that his ſoule was ſorrowfull vntounto the death: Mat. 26.37.38. &c. Heb. 57. Luc …0.44. Mat. 27.46.Matt 26:37Matt 26:38Matt 27:46and the Scripture teſtifies that for the feare of that Cupe be ſwate drops of blood: and he ſend vp ſtrong cries and ſupplications p. 319with teares, in the daies of his fleſhe: and therefore he thriſe vponupon his knees praies that if it had beene poſsible that Cupe might be remoued from him: and vponupon the Croce through the ſenſe and feeling of that wrath, he breakes forth in that complaint, My God, my God why haſt thou forſaken mee? Al whilk does teſtifie that he ſuffered more then a common death: to wit, the terrours of the wrath of God, whilk was due to the ſinnes of all the elect. But the doctrine of the Kirk of Rome ranuerſes this doctrine of our ſaluation, and teaches that Chriſt ſuffered not the wrath of God vponupon his ſoule: whilk if it be true, then Chriſt hes not paied our debt ſufficiently: for our debt was not onelyonly the naturall death of the bodie, but the wrath of God vponupon the ſoule: Ezech. 18.20.Ezek 18:20and therefore the Scripture ſayes, the ſoule that ſinnes ſhall die the death. Secondly, the Scripture teſtifies, Heb. 10.10.14 Ioh, 19, 18, 1, Timoth, 7, 6 1, Pet, 2, 24, 1, Ioh 1, 7,Heb 10:10Heb 10:14John 1:7that Chriſt his death and blood is a ſufficient ranſome for our ſinnes, & a ſufficient ſatisfaction vntounto the iuſtice of God: they by the contrary ioynes to his ſatisfaction, the ſatisfactions of men, both in this life, and in the life to come: in Purgatorie, and that not onelyonly for their owne ſinnes, but for the ſinnes of others. What is this elſe, but to make themſelues in a parte Sauiours of themſelues, & ſauiours of others alſo. Yea, what is this elſe, but to make themſelues God? for who can ſatisfie the iuſtice of God, but God himſelfe? Thirdly, as it hes bene prooued before, Chriſt offered vp himſelfe once, by ſhedding of his blood vppon the Croce, neuer to be offered vp againe, whilk hes purchaſed a euerlaſting redemption: the whilk is the onelyonly ground of mans ſaluation. Hovve they hauehave ouerturned this by their abhominable ſacrifice of the Maſſe, and their ſacrilegious Maſſe prieſts, I hope hes beene prooued ſufficiently before: So that they hauehave both euacuat the vertue of the ſacrifice of Chriſt vponupon the Croce, in ſetting vp an other ſacrifice for the dignitie of his royall prieſt-hoode, in ioyning vntounto him Collegues and fellow-prieſts to offer vp himſelfe daylie in their pretended ſacrifice. Fourthly, as they ſpoyle him of his prieſthoode, ſo doe they ſpoyle men of that redemption, righteouſnes, p. 320and ſaluation, 2. Timoth. 1.9. Tit. 2.11. Eph. 1.5. & cap. 2. Ioh. 3.16.2 Tim 1:9Titus 2:11Eph 1:5whilk his death hes purchaſed, both in the fountaine, matter, and forme thereof. The Scripture teſtifies, that the onelyonly fountaine and efficient cauſe of our ſaluation is gods free louelove and grace. They a)a)Maſuenda in diſput. Ratiſh. cum Bucero & Scholaſt.teach that a infidel by the workes of preparation (as they call them) euen done without Faith, may procure and merite Gods fauour. And alſo they ioyne with the grace of God, man his free will, as a partie worker with it, as though God did not renew it being corrupted, or repaire it being periſhed, Rom. 11.6. & 4.5.Rom 11:6Rom 4:5but only releeue it, being waike and raiſe it vp being faint: by the whilk they aboliſh (if the Apoſtle ſpeake true) the grace of Chriſt: for if our ſaluation be of grace, Rom. 5.19.Rom 5:19it is not of works, & if it be not of works thē it is not of grace, and ſo not at all. As to thē matter of our iuſtification, the Scriptures aſcriues it onelyonly to Chriſte his obedience and his death. They by the contrarie, ſuppoſe they graunt that Chriſt hes fulfilled the Law, and perfitely ſatisfie God, yet they teach that this righteouſnes of Chriſt is not our righteouſnes by the whilk we muſt be iuſtified, Rom. 4.22.23.24 3.5.6.7.Rom 4:22Rom 4:23Rom 4:24but they place it in our owne workes and in our owne merites. And of this comes the third, that whereas the Scripture teſtifies, that this righteouſnes of Chriſt is imputed vntounto vsus by faith, they acknowledge b)b)Bellarm. ſaies lib. 2. de Pontifie. 2. that the imputation of the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt is not required to our iuſtification. And the councell of Trent can. 10. accurſes them who ſaies that we are iuſtified iuſtos formaliter per Chriſti iuſtitiam) by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt.not this imputation, but places the forme of our iuſtification in the merite of our workes. And ſo they ſpoyle man of righteouſnes and ſaluation.

And as they hauehave ſpoyled Chriſt, of the firſte parte of his office of his prieſt-hoode, ſo doe they ſpoyle him of the ſeconde parte thereof, vvhilk conſiſts in his interceſsion: in ioyning vvith him innumerable interceſſors and mediators, aſvvell of Angels as of Saintes departed, at vvhoſe handes they ſeeke all maner of grace, vvhilk is onlie proper to Ieſus Chriſt to giuegive: & that not only for the vertue of y^e merites of Chriſt, but for their own merites & interceſsiō. EueryEvery Pariſh almoſt among them had their ovvn patrone: & eueryevery maladie diſeaſe or calamitie their own Saint or Angell to run to.

And as their doctrine hes robbed the Lorde Ieſus of his prieſtly dignitie, and man of the benefite of eternall life purchaſed to him by the ſame: So hauehave they robbed him of that p. 321glorie and vvorſhip that is due vntounto him, in plucking avvay his glorie frō him, & giuing it vntounto creatures 1. as vntounto Angels, & 2. vntounto Saints departed, & eſpeciallie vntounto the virgine Marie, 3. vntounto their relicts, 4. vntounto images of the Trinitie, of the Saints, of the Croce, 5. vntounto things conſecrated, as vvater, oyle, &c. 6. and vntounto the Sacrament of the Euchariſt, vntounto vvhome they giuegive that vvorſhipe vvhilk is onlie due vntounto God, as prayer, vvorſhip, vovves, ſacrifices, &c. So that if they may be iuſtly called the Antichriſt, vvhoſe doctrine ſpoyles Chriſt of the office of his mediation, & man of his ſaluation purchaſed thereby; and God of his due glory: vvhilk man is bound to giuegive him, for his creation, and redemption: and ſets vp other Sauiours and mediators, other prieſts and interceſſors beſide him, and teaches another way of mans ſaluation nor he hes taught, and worſhipes other Gods, nor the God that made heauen and earth, and after another māner nor he hes cōmanded: Then I ſay the Popes of Rome, may iuſtly be called and is in trueth the Antichriſt and aduerſarie to God: For they are guiltie of all this abhomination. And becauſe I know that the poore and ignorant people, and theſe that are blinded with the ſtrong deluſions of that man of ſinne, will not beleeue theſe thinges of him, and of his Kirk, but as Thomas ſaide of Chriſt, vnleſſe I ſee the print of the nailes, and put my finger in the print of the nailes, & put my hand into his ſide, I will not beleeue. Euen ſo, vnleſſe they ſee their idolatrie and grope it as it were with their hands, they will not beleeue it: therefore I am compelled for their conviction and information (that none of them that is ordained to ſaluation periſh) to let them ſe their idolatries, and to make them to grope their abhominations, and that by their owne books. For I ſhal not ſpeake heir begeſſe, for that were greate fooliſhnes to alledge heir anye other thing, nor that whilk is written in their owne bookes, ſeing he hes promiſed to giuegive an anſwere leaſt he ſhuld challenge me of lying of them. I proteſt therefore (Chriſtian Reader) that I ſhall forge nor faine nothing of them but ſhall onelie ſet downe thoſe things whilk ar to be found in their owne p. 322vvrittings. And firſt, they praye to the Archangels and Angels to defend them in battle, to defend them that none condemne them to keepe both their bodie and ſoule from godleſſe deſires and from vncleane cogitations, In their ſeruice and Maſſe book ſecundum vſum Anglic anum. Horae beatae Mariae, & ſuffragia &c. Printed anno 1520,to keepe their minde from pollution, to confirme them in the feare and louelove of Chriſt. Secondly, they pray to the Saints departed, that by their merites and interceſſion, they may be defended from all euils, obtaine all giftes, and get eternall life. Yea, they ſeeke of them, defence in this worlde from all euils, and euerlaſting life. And they pray to God the Father that by their merites & interceſſion, they may be deliuered both ſoule and bodie from hell fire, & maye obtaine through their merites, faith, patience, and euerlaſting life. So not onlie they make them interceſſours, but mediatours: at whome, and for whoſe merites, they ſeeke ſaluation. And vponupon this grounde came that Paganiſme whilk they hauehave brought in the Kirk of God, whereby euerie nation, village, familie, euerie eſtate, and euerie maladie or affliction hes their owne Saint to be a patrone for them. VponUpon the whilk alſo hes proceeded this canonizing of Saints, that is, to make men Gods. For they ſay that this canonizing of them is a)a)Antoninus part … ſumma tit. 12to let men vnderſtand that they ſhould be adored and called vponupon, as one of their owne Archbiſhopes Antoninus ſayes. For hee ſayes that 7. things appertaine to the canonizing of Saints. 1. To be reputed publickly to be a Saint. 2. To be prayed to by the kirk. 3. To hauehave temples & altars. 4. To hauehave offrings & ſacrifices offered to their honour. 5. To hauehave a feaſtiuall day. 6. To hauehave an Image with a candle in ſigne of their glorie. 7. To hauehave their relicts. And they ſaye that they may be directly prayed vntounto with the Lords prayer, vvhilk our Sauiour formed onelyonly to be ſaide to God the Father. Novv hovv ſhal they be excuſed from vile idolatrie in this? Lib. 5 cap. 4 Durand. ep. Nimi….Pope Innocent ſayes, that to the worſhip whilk is onelyonly proper to god appertaines, temples, altars, ſacrifices, feaſtes. And Durandus a Papiſt ſayes the ſame. If this then be true, vvhilk this Pope and this Papiſt ſayes, hovv then can they be cleared from idolatrie, that giues vntounto Saints that ſeruice, vvhilk by their own confeſsion is onelyonly proper to God, as Temples, Altars, Feaſtiuall dayes, &c? And vvhat ſhall vvee ſay to Franciſcus and Dominicus, Anno 1200.tvvo of their canonized Saints, in vvhoſe perſons p. 323they hauehave done that lay in them to hauehave aboliſhed the merite and the name of Chriſte? Of this Franciſcus they ſaye in their booke a)a)Bartol. de Pſ. lib. conformitat.of conformities, that hee is greater nor Iohn the Baptiſt. And preferring him in many things to him, they ſaye that Iohn receaued the word of repentance of Chriſt, But Franciſcus ſay they receiued it of Chriſt, and of the Pope, quod plus eſt, whilk is more. Of Iohn it was reuealed by an Angell to his Father, what hee ſhould be: but of Franciſcus it was reuealed to his Mother, and his Seruands by Ieſus Chriſt. Iohn was like the freind of the bridegroome: but Franciſcus was like the bridegroome himſelfe. They ſay, hee is better nor all the Apoſtles: For they left but their boates, but he left al to his very hoſe. They cal him Typicus Ieſus, a typical Sauiour, a ſingular crucified one, who receaued in viſion the ſame woūds whilk Chriſt hes, & ſuffred the ſame dollors: who is the way of life, who is the image of Chriſt, as Chriſt is the image of the Father. Yea whilk is more they prefer him to Chriſt Ieſus. They ſaye, Chriſt did but praye, Chriſtus ora… Franciſcus exorauit.but Franciſcus by prayer obtained. They ſay, the Baptiſme of Chriſt forgiues originall ſinne, but Franciſcus hoode much more. It is written alſo vponupon the porte of the Cordiliers of Bloyes, of this Franciſcus, that his ſinne ſhall be ſought for, but it ſhal not be found, whilk is onelyonly proper to Chriſt. Nowe theſe are not particular opinions but approued by the Kirk of Rome: For Pope Gregorie the 9. Alexander the 4. and Nicolas the 3. ordained all the faithfull vnderunder the paine of hereſie to beleeue all Franciſcus markes. And their bookes are ſet forth by their priuiledges.

As for Dominicus, Antoninus who was of that ordour compares him with Chriſt, & in a manner preferres him to him, Antoninus arch… epiſ. hiſt. 3. pars tit. 23, Cap. 1. par. 1. & 3Chriſt, ſayes he, did raiſe in all but three from the deade. Dominicus raiſed three in Rome, and by his prayer reſtored fortie to life. Chriſt after the reſurrection being immortall, went twiſe to his diſciples, the doore being ſhoote: But Dominicus (ſayes hee) hauing as yet but a mortal body, whilk (ſayes he) is more maruelous, Quod mirabiſi… eſt.went in to the Kirk in the night the doores being ſhut, that hee ſhoulde not walken his brethren. And ſo foorth of the reſte of the miracles wherein hee not only compares, but in a maner preferres him to Chriſt. Chriſt (ſayes he) ſaid after his death, all power is giuen to me in heauen & earth, This power (ſayes hee) is not in a little communicat p. 324to Dominicus, aboue all heauenlie, earthly, & infernall things, (and that in this ſame life) for he had the Angels to ſerue him, the elementes obeyed him. And in the end he applyes that whilk is only ſpoken of Chriſt in the 45. Pſalm, He is more beautiful nor the ſonnes of men: Alſo he ſayes, that there was two images, the one of Paule, the other of Dominicus. At the foote of Paules Image, it was written, per iſtum itur ad Chriſtum: By this man is the way to Chriſt. At the foote of the Image of Franciſcus it was written, by this man the way is made eaſie to Chriſt. And maruell not (ſayes hee) at this: for the doctrine of Paule and the reſt of the Apoſtles, induces men to beleeue and to obey the precepts of Chriſt: but the doctrine of Dominicus induces men to keepe the councels of Chriſt, and therefore the way to Chriſt by him is eaſier. So he preferres him to Chriſt in miracles, and to the Apoſtles. But what ſhall we ſaye to that that followes? Chriſtus eſt Dominus abſolute, & authoritatiue: Dominicus autem participaliter & poſſeſſiue.He is called (ſayes he) Dominicus becauſe he is like our Lord, and hee hes poſseſſiuè and in poſſeſſion that whilk Chriſt hes abſolutely and by authoritie. Chriſt ſayes, I am the light of the worlde: The Kirk (ſayes hee) ſings of Dominicus, ye are the lighte of the worlde. The Prophets teſtified of Chriſt, and ſo did they alſo (ſayes he) of Dominicus and of his ordour, as in the 11. chapter of Zacharie, Where it is ſpoken of Chriſt. I hauehave taken vntounto me two roddes, & I called one the ſtaffe of beautie, and the other the ſtaffe of bands. The ſtaffe of beautie (ſayes he) is the ordour of Dominicus: The ſtaffe of bands is the ordour of Franciſcus. So they abuſe the Scripture. Hee compares him alſo with Chriſt, and in a manner, prefers him to him. Chriſt (ſayes he) was borne vponupon the bare earth, but leaſt hee had beene ouer much hurte by colde, hee was put in to the cribe by his Mother: But Dominicus (ſayes he) beeing in the cuſtodie of his nurſe, euen then abhorring the pleaſures of the fleſhe, was founde oft times lying vponupon the bare earth. When Chriſt was borne a ſtarre appeared, ſignifying, that he ſhould illuminate the whole worlde: But (ſayes hee) when Dominicus was borne his godmother ſawe a ſtarre in his foreheade, a prognoſtication of a new light of the worlde. The prayer of the Lord was euer hard whē it pleaſed …im, but yet did not euer obtain that whilk hee prayed for, as when in the garden he prayed that the cuppe might be trāsferred from him: But (ſayes he) Dominicus deſired nothing of God, but that whilk hee obtained perfitely according to his deſire. p. 325Chriſt loued vsus and waſhed vsus from our ſinnes in his bloode: But Dominicus (ſayes he) not being voide of that perfection of louelove, hee tooke a threefold correction out of his owne hand euerie day, not with a corde, but with an yron rodde, euen to the effuſion of his blood, and for his owne faultes whilk were very few, Qu… minimae erant.another for them that were in purgatorie: the third for them that were in the world. And ſo deduces this compariſon through all the partes of Chriſt his life. And in the end he ſayes, that being to departe from this worlde, hee comforts his diſciples, ſaying: let not this trouble you, for in the place where I go to, I ſhall bee more comfortable to you, nor if I were with you: For after death yee ſhall hauehave me a better aduocate nor yee coulde hauehave in this life. What blaſphemies theſe are iudge thou (chriſtian Reader) and yet they are authorized by the Kirk of Rome, becauſe they ſerue to eſtabliſh the Popes ſupremacy: For Gregorie the 9. canonized him as a Saint, and appoynted a feſtiuall day to be keeped to his honour: Anno 1223.And hee that writes theſe thinges is an Arch-biſhope of Florence, a man famous among them. To him that will ioyne him ſelfe to this ordor of Frāciſcus & Dominicus, for to merite the kingdome of heauē, & to redeeme their owne ſoules, or the ſoules of their friendes (as their bul of Fraternitie ſayes) the Prouincial giues him the bulles of Fraternitie, by the whilk he is made capable of all the merites of the Conuent, and of the merites of all the Friars of that Prouince, of their Maſſes, prayers, faſtings, abſtinence, deuotions, watchings, diſciplines, &c. Whereby (as thogh it were to little for them to be Sauiours of them ſelues) they teache that they hauehave ſik aboundance of merites, as alſo may ſerue for others. They hauehave a prayer to Thomas Becket, In their porteous booke.who was made a Saint by Alexander the third in theſe wordes, Tu per Thomae ſanguinem quem pro te impendit, fac nos (Chriſte) aſcendere quò ille aſcendit. That is, make vsus (O Chriſt) to aſcend to heauē by the blood of Thomas, whilk he ſhed for thee. (Mocking as it were the bloode of Ieſus.)

Now as for the Virgine Marie, what tittle is proper to Ieſus Chriſt, whilk they hauehave not aſcriued vntounto her? What honour or worſhip is giuen to Ieſus Chriſt, whilk is not giuen to her? Damaſcene ſayes, praying to the Virgine Marie, I ſhall p. 326be ſaued by hoping in thee. Thou is the ſaluation of mankinde. Antoninus ſayes, Part 3. ſumma tit 12 & part. 4. tit. 15. cap. 14. para. 7. Quia Chriſtus non ſolum Aduo catus, ſed etiam Iude… eſt conſtitutus, cuncta itaque diſcuſſu…us, & quia nibilinultum remanebit &c. ideo Deus prouidit de Aduocata nobis nempe Maria, quae tota ſuauis eſt & mitis, & in qua nihil aſperum inuenitur: ad thronum igitur eius accedamus cum fiducia, vt …it Apoſt. Heb. 4. vt gratiam & miſericordiam aſſequamur, in tempore opportuno. Amen. Blaſphemouſlie applying that place of Scripture to her, whilk the holie Ghoſt hes ſpoken of Chriſt.Heb 4That all they vponupon whome the Virgine Marie turnes her eies are neceſſarily iuſtified and ſaued: and that Chriſt becauſe he is both aduocate and iudge together, is too rigorous: for this cauſe, ſaies hee, God hes prouided an Aduocate, meaning of the Virgine Marie, in whome nothing is to be found but ſweitneſſe. And hee ſaies, The Seraphims willing to hauehave retained Marie as ſhe mounted to heauen: Not (ſaies ſhee) for it is not meete that man ſhoulde liue his alone, (ſpeaking of the euerlaſting ſonne of God, who ſits at the right hand of his Father) I am giuen to him for to be a helpe to that worke of redemption by my compaſsion, and to that work of glorificatiō by my interceſsion: to the intent, that if he threaten to deſtroy the earth as in the time of the Deluge, I may appeare before him as the Rainebowe, to the intent that he may remember his couenant. And whilk is yet worſe, (if worſe can be) another Papiſt ſayes, applying that whilk is onelyonly ſpoken of Chriſt to her, God (ſaies he) ſaid to her in her birth, I hauehave giuen thee to be a light to the Gentiles, to the intent that thou may be our ſaluation, (applying it blaſphemouſly to Marie) to the end of the worlde, and a light to bee reuealed to the Gentiles. And againe he ſayes, that all graces whilk runnes downe from the Father and the Sonne, commes by her, who (ſaies he) is a mediatrix betweene God and men: and no grace commes from heauen, but through her hands, and all grace enters in her, and commes out of her. And he ſayes, She is a mediatrix of ſaluation, of coniunction, of iuſtification, of reconciliation, of interceſsion, of communication. And to be ſhort, he ſayes, the Father hes giuen to her the halfe of his kingdome, the whilk was ſignified in the perſons of Aſſuerus and Heſther: and that he hes retained to himſelfe iuſtice, & hes left to her to exerciſe merciemercy. So that we may appeale from the Courte of the iuſtice of God, to the Court of the merciemercy of the virgine Marie. Whereby they moſt blaſphemouſly prefer and lift her vp aboue the Lorde: for that Iudge vntounto whom appellation is made, muſt be ſuperior vntounto to theſe Iudges from whome the appellation is made: therefore they blaſphemouſly prefer the tribunall of Marie, to the tribunall of the God of heauen.

In their porteous and ſeruice, and Maſſe bookes.And what ſhall I ſpeake of her Letanies, Pſalteries, and houres? Of her houres where ſhe is called the Queene of merciemercy, p. 327who hes bruiſed the Serpents head, Gen. 3.Gen 3whilk thing is ſpoken only to the firſt Parents of the ſonne of God, and the reſtorer and ſauiour of mankind: the moſt godly, & moſt holy, the yet of heauen, the ſhyning port of life, the mother of grace and mercy: our life, our hope, who makes the worlde to ſhyne by the light of the brightneſſe of her peace, who only hes deſerued to be next in honour to the Trinity, by whom the whole worlde liues next God. She is called the comfort of the deſolate the ſaluation and hope of all them that puts their truſt in her, the fountaine of ſaluation, grace, godlineſſe, ioy, confort: the Queene of heauen, and ſtarre of the ſea, whome the Sunne honours: the promiſe of the Prophetes, the Queene of the Euangelistes, the teacher of the Apoſtles, the comforter of the Martyres, the ſaluation and conſolation of the quick & the dead, the bottomleſſe fountaine of all grace, the port of Paradiſe, the Ladie of glorie, the queene of ioy, the Lady of Angels, What is Chriſt then, and what place is left to him?the ioy of the Saints, the only hope of the miſerable, the Empreſſe of the Angels, the comforter of ſinners, the keeper of the heart, the praiſe of all the Saints. And of her is ſought in her houres and Letanies all theſe graces generallie whilk are onelyonly proper to God through Ieſus Chriſt to giuegive: as protection, receauing in the time of death, refuge in the time of miſerie, remiſsion of ſinnes, the keeping of ſoule and body, holineſſe of life, ſtaying of the peſt, calming of the ſeas, perſeuerance in grace, the eſchewing of ſinne ſaluation and eternall lyfe: and that by her merites and praiers their ſinnes may be forgiuen, and that beeing redeemed by her they may climbe vp to heauen. And they pray to Marie and Iohn Baptiſt, by the Redeemer, making Chriſt a mediatour betweene them and them. And they pray to Chriſt to defend them from his anger, and from the anger of his mother: & they pray her to giuegive her ſelf and her ſonne vntounto them. What horrible blaſphemie is this? O horrible blaſphemieWho can giuegive Chriſt but onelyonly God the Father. They ſay, God will giuegive them that worſhips her a rewarde heir, and heauen after. Howe ſhall I praiſe the redeemed by thee? (ſpeaking of Marie.) And in the Proſe of the Maſſe they hauehave this Praier, lure matris impera a Redemptori: that is, By thy motherly authority command the Redeemer. And as concerning her Pſalteries, how horrible is it to ſee all that Dauid ſpake of the Father, Sonne, and holy Spirit, to be transferred and applied to her, without exception, from the beginning to the p. 328end? changing onelyonly the ſtile of the eternall Lorde, in the ſtile of our Ladie, Horrible blaſphemyblaſpheming, Bleſſed is he who loues Mary, feares her, and praiſes her name, who hopes in her. The heauens declares thy glory, and the earth, and the fulneſſe thereof. Bleſsed are all they who loues thee, becauſe thou haſt waſhen their ſinnes in thy mercies. HaueHave mercy on me, ô mother of mercy, and according to the bowels of thy compaſsions waſhe me from all mine iniquities: Saue me for thy names ſake: Let Mary be lifted vp, & all her enemies will be ſeattered. Lorde giuegive thy iudgement to thy Sonne, and thy mercy to the Queene his mother. Ladie, ſaluation and lyfe is in thy hand. O how good is God to them that worſhips his mother. God a)a)What greater blaſphemie culd the Diuell himſelf vomite out.is the God of vē geance, but thou art the Queene of merciemercy. Come let vsus worſhip the Lady, let vsus praiſe the Virgine who hes ſaued vsus: let vsus confeſſe our ſinnes vntounto her: The Lord ſaid vntounto our Lady, Sit heir my mother on my right hand: O mankind reioice, becauſe God hes giuen to thee ſik a mediatrix and at the name of Marie let all knees bowe in heauen, in earth, and in Hell. Anno 1470This Ladie Pſalter was compiled by a Cardinall of Rome Bonauenture, who was canonized for a Saint, by Pope Sixtus the fourth. After the ſame manner hauehave they corrupted the ſongs of the Prophetes, of Simeon, and of the Virgine, blaſpheming after this manner, My ſoule reioyces in my Ladie, My ſoule magnifies my Ladie, &c. Now lets thou, ô Lord, the ſeruand of Marie departe in peace, becauſe my eies hes ſene the ſaluation of Mary. And to put an end to theſe abhominations, they aſcriue vntounto the Virgine that whilk the holy Ghoſt hes ſpoken only of Ieſus Chriſt, Proverb. 8, 22,the euerlaſting wiſdome of his Father, The lord hes poſſeſſed me in the beginning of his way: before he made any thing, I was ordayned from euerlaſting. And Pope Leo the 10. calles her Deam, a goddeſſe. In the generall councell of Lateran, in ſtead of praying to God through Chriſt for the aſsiſtance of his ſpirite, Epiſt, 17. Concil. Lateran, ſub Iulio 2, & Leone 10, ſeſ, 9, 10, &c Mattyrologium rom. act, 7, Antoninus hiſt, part. … tit, 23. cap, 3,they craue the helpe and aſsiſtance of Marie. And Pope Pius the fifth acknowledges her for the victory of the Chriſtians againſt the Turke, in their combate whilk was ſtriken in the ſea: and for that victory hes ordayned a yearly remē brance of her to be kept. And Antoninus one of their Archbiſhops ſaies, that Chriſt ſitting at the right hand of God the Father roſe vp angrie to hauehave ſlaine all the ſinners in the earth: and when none p. 329was able to reſiſt, his mother came to him and pacified him, till two of her ſeruands Franciſcus and Dominicus might be ſent to them: & that Chriſt anſwered, Beholde I am pacified and hauehave accepted thy face I appeale your conſcience, Maiſter Gilbert, before the Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, as ye muſt appeare before him in that great day whether theſe ſpeaches, be not the ſpeaches & blaſphemies of the Dragon, or not: & whether this doctrine & religion of yours, be not idolatrous, blaſphemous, & antichriſtiā, or not.

Not onlie hauehave they ſpoyled the Lord Ieſus of his mediation, interceſsion, and of his glorie due to him, and mankind of their ſaluation purchaſed by his blood, in aſcriuing it to Saints, Angels, and to the Virgine Marie: but alſo in aſcriuing them vntounto their conſecrate things, as their holy water, the tree of the Croce, the ſigne of the Croce, their golden, ſiluer, and ſtonie Croces. For a)a)Thomas … part. 3. ſummae queſt. 25. artic. 4. & Caicta. in comment in illum Iocum Thomas. Et Andradius in lib. 9. orthod. explic.vntounto the Croce they giuegive the worſhip of Latria, as themſelues teſtifies, whilk by their owne confeſsion is onelyonly proper to God. And their praier to the Croce, and the ſigne of the Croce, is to help them, defend them, and ſaue them: and they adore it & worſhip it. They pray ſiklike that the holy water may be ſaluation vntounto them, and that by the ſparging of the ſame: the health of their ſoule, the ſtrengthening of their Faith, the ſecurity of their hope may be giuen them.

VntoUnto the Images and reliques of the Saintes, they offer ſacrifice, in burning incenſe vntounto them, whilk the Scripture calles an oblation only proper to the liuing God. Therefore Ezechias brake the braſen ſerpent, becauſe they burnt incēſe vntounto it. Marc. 9.49. 2. Reg. 18, 4. 2. Reg. 23. Pontif. Rom. part 2. Tit. de benedict. nouae crucis. Careat omni peccato perpetrato.Mark 9:492 Kgs 18:42 Kgs 23And the burning of incenſe to Baall is counted idolatry. They pray for their golden, ſiluer, & ſtonie croces, that as the worlde was purged from the gyltineſſe of ſinne by the Croce of Chriſt, ſo by the merite of this Croce, theſe who offers it vp, may be forgiuen of all their actuall ſinnes. Is not this to ſet vp their ſtonie &c. Croces, in the roome of the blood of Ieſus Chriſt? They aſcriue to the tree of the Croce, that whilk is only proper to God, ſaying, Salua caeteruam: that is, Breuia. Rom. in feſt. invent. & exalt. ſanctae crucis.GiueGive ſaluation to the aſſembly gathered together in thy praiſes. They worſhip their images after the ſame māner, as the Ethnicks did their idoles. And as the a)a)Baruc. 6.3Ethnicks bure their golden, ſiluer, & timber Idoles vponupon … p. 330ſhoulders, ſo do the b)b)Baron. nota in Marti Rom. Sleidan. com. lib. 9. Iodoc. meg. pe regr. Hieroſ. ca. 3 Pellic. in Barue cap. 6Papiſts. The Ethnickes worſhipped their idols, the c)c)Conc. T…id. ſeſ. 25.Papiſts does the ſame, in falling down before the images of Saints. The Ethnicks decked their idoles with veſtiments, as though they had bene men: ſo does the Papiſts with their images, whilk d)d)Molin, epiſt. Valen. Salig. Eſpen. hiſt. Eccleſ. Eccleſia reform. in Gallia, lib. 4.ſom of themſelues thinks to be an abuſe, and woulde hauehave it aboliſhed. They lighted candles before their idoles, whilk their idoles ſawe not, ſo does the e)e)Eraſm. colloq, peregrin. relig ergo, Polyd. Virg, de invent. rer. li. 2, cap, 23. & lib. 6, cap, 13.Papiſtes. There the faces of their Gods were made black through the ſmoake of their incenſe whilk vvas brunt in their worſhip, as it is exponed by ſome: ſo does the f)f)Miſſ Rom. de rit. ſervand. in celebrat MiſſaePapiſts burne incenſe to their golden, ſiluer, and copper idoles. And to be ſhorte in this, as their Prieſtes had their heades and their beardes ſhauen: howe like are the g)g)Pontif. 20. part 1. Pier, Valer. pro ſacerd. barbisPapiſts Prieſts in this? They worſhip h)h)Thom. Aquin. part. 3. queſt, 25 art, 2, & 4. Ant. Poſſev. bibl. ſelect. lib. 1. cap, 10alſo the image of Chriſt, with the worſhip of Latria, whilk themſelues confeſſes to be proper onelyonly to God, confeſſed by one of their owne nomber, a learned i)i)Grego. de Valen. lib. 2. cap. 7.Ieſuite. And therfore he defends that ſome kind of idolatry is leeſome. And k)k)Bellarm. lib. 2. de Eccleſ. trium. cap. 23.Bellarmine ſayes, that the worſhip of Latria is giuen truly to the image of the Croce, and the Crucifixe ſuppoſe he ſayes, he thinkes it not ſaif to preach this to the people. They l)l)Conrad. Brun de imagin. cap. 7.ſtile the image of the Crucifixe, with the ſtiles only proper to God, The King of glorie, the Lord that is ſtrong and mighty in battel the Lord of ſtrength. Siklike, a)a)Ibidemwhen the image of the Doue at the Pentecoſte, is let downe in the Temple with fire and water, then the Prieſt ſayes, Receaue the holy Ghoſt. So b)b)Sacra. cerem. cecl, 20, lib, 1, tit. 7doe the Popes giuegive the ſtile of the immaculate Lambe, to the images of waxe. The ſecond ccAct. 4Acts 4councell of Nice, ſayes of the image of Chriſt, This is Chriſt: and the d)d)Seſſi. 25councell of Trent. And in their e)e)Ibid. Sacra,conſecration of their Images of waxe, they pray to God the Father, Let theſe immaculate Lambes, (ſpeaking of the images) receaue that ſelfe ſame vertue againſt all the crafts and deceats of the Diuell, wherewith that innocent Lambe his owne Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, deliuered from the power of the Diuell our firſt Parents. And they ſing of eueryevery one of theſe wax images, whilk they call their Agnus Dei, Omne malignum, that is, theſe vvaxe images breakes and annulles eueryevery ſinne, as Chriſts blood does. And to fill vp the heape of their iniquities, not only do they p. 331worſhip the thing ſignified by the images, but the images themſelues, as themſelues f)f)Polydor, Virg. de inven. lib. 6. cap. 13teſtifies. And g)g)Comment, li, …Pius ſecundus ſayes, that in the Kirk of Saint Mary &c. there is an image of the Virgine, whilk the people worſhips mira religione, with a maruelous Religion, as the giuer of raine and faire weather. And h)h)Lib, 2, de imag cap, 21Bellarmine ſayes, that the images of Chriſt and the Saints, ought to be worſhipped properly & by themſelues, as they are conſidered in themſelues, and not only as they repreſent another thing. And he i)i)Ibide … cap. …8ſaies that the image it ſelf ſhuld be worſhipped with that ſame kind of worſhip properly, with the whilk the thing it ſelf repreſented thereby ſhould be worſhipped. The ſecond generall councell of Nice is of the ſame minde. k)k)de reb… hiſ… lib. 5.Marinaeus Siculus teſtifies that in Spaine in a certaine Temple, the Crucifixe of Chriſt is adored: and he ſayes, Cuius imaginis inuocato numine: at the inuocation of the Godhead of the whilk image, ſundry receaued their health. Pope Iohn the 22. formed a prayer to be ſaide to the image of Chriſt his face, kept in a ſarke whilk they cal Veronica, and hes graunted ten thouſand dayes pardō to them, that ſaies this praier deuoutlie, Salue ſancta facies redemptoris noſtri. &c. In the whilk praier firſt theſe ſtiles are giuen to this image, as the face of our redemer, wherein ſhynes the brightneſſe of the Godhead, the beautie of the world, the glaſſe of the Saints, wherein the heauenly ſpirites deſires to look in, the ſtrength of our Chriſtian faith, the deſtroyer of hereticks, our ioy in this life. Secondly, they pray to this image, to purge vsus frō all the ſpots of our ſinnes, to ioyne vsus to the company of the bleſſed, to powre in light in our hearts by that vertue whilk is giuen to it, to increaſe our merite, and to lead vsus to heauen. When ſhall we tumble our ſelues out of the gulfe of theſe abhominations and idolatries? Blinde nowe muſt they be that ſees not their doctrine to be the doctrine of the Dragon. Therefore doe I ſtriue with you (ſaies the Lord) and with your poſterity. For goe through all the regions of the earth, and ſee if there be the like abhominations, as is amongſt them. For they hauehave chā ged the glory of God into vnprofitable idoles: O ye heauens be aſtoniſhed at this, and be confounded and be ye deſolat. For two euils hauehave they done: they hauehave forſaken the Lord, and Chriſt his ſonne the fountain of liuing waters, and hauehave p. 332made vntounto themſelues broken pits, whilk can holde no water: that is, they hauehave made vntounto themſelues falſe Gods and falſe Chriſts, whilk cannot bring ſaluation vntounto them. They hauehave giuen his glory vntounto others, ſo that of all Idolaters that euer hes bene, they are the greateſt. It is no wonder therfore ſuppoſe the Lorde hes cauſed it to be proclaimed by an Angell, Reuelat, 14That he that worſhips the beaſt and his image, ſhalbe tormented in fire and brimſtone, day and night, and the ſmoake of their torment ſhall aſcend for euermore, and they ſhall hauehave no reſt. I hope nowe the ſecond point is ſufficiently cleared, that they hauehave ſpoyled Chriſt of his Prieſt-hoode, and of that glory and honour that is due vntounto him.

Nowe as they hauehave ſpoyled him of his Prieſtly office, ſo hauehave they robbed him of his Kingly office. His Kingly office ſtands in two things: The one is, in the inward operation of his ſpirit: The other is, in the exerciſe and miniſterie of the vvord, ſacraments, and diſcipline, vvhilk he hes ordained for that end. As for the firſt. Hee by his Spirit prepares the harte by bringing vsus to a ſight and ſenſe of our miſerie, that vvee may runne to him to ſeeke for merciemercy: And then hee by his Spirit vvorkes that liuing faith, whilk makes vsus fullie aſſured of ſaluation, whilk workes by louelove, and brings foorth the fruites of holines and righteouſneſſe, vvhereof prayer is one ſpeciall. All whilk is taken away by their doctrine. As to the firſt: No ſufficient knowledge of their miſerie among them. For firſt their doctrine is, that we are not dead in ſinne, but man hes free-wil: and then that concupiſence after Baptiſme is not ſinne, & that the adoring and worſhipping of Images, is not the breaking of the ſecond command: And that the rewarde of euerie ſinne is not euerlaſting death. And that men euen without a)a)Maluenda in diſputat. Ratisb. cum Bucero, & omnes fere ſcholaſtici.faith maye merite the fauour of God, and that after they hauehave obtained faith, they may not only fulfill the law perfitely, but alſo doe more: yea, louelove God with a greater louelove nor he hes commanded, and lead a more ſtraite and heauenlye life nor either the law of God or man preſcriues, as Bellarmine ſayes: and that men may not onlie ſatisfie God for their owne ſinnes, and merite euerlaſting life to themſelues, but alſo may communicate of the ſuperabundance of their merits vntounto others.

p. 333Nowe, is it poſsible that theſe men who ſo liftes vp themſelues, in the conceate of their owne righteouſnes, can hauehave the knowledge and ſenſe of their miſerie? And as for this full aſſurance of faith, without doubting they call it Preſumption: And as for the fruites of holineſſe, without the whilk no man can ſe God, let their fruits of their vowe of ſingle life among their Clergie, & forbidding of marriage, whilk the Scripture ſayes, is the doctrine of diuels, beare witneſſe: whereby innumerable abhominations, murthers, adulteries, whooredomes, hes beene committed in their Cloyſters, & Nunneries, as their viſitation doth teſtifie. And in a fiſh ponde their was found 6000. bairnes heades, whilk moued Gregory to reuoke that determination of his vponupon this reaſon, that it was better to let them marrie, then to giuegive ſik occaſion of murther, as appeareth by an epiſtle of Hulderick Biſhop of Auſburgh written to Pope Nicolas the firſte. And Pope Pius the 2. ſayes, that marriage was taken away for ſome reaſons, but it ſhould be reſtored againe for greater. This is aſcriued vntounto him. And as for true prayers whilk ſhoulde be in the Spirite, Rom 8.26. 1. Cor. 14.Rom 8:261 Cor 14with ſighs and ſobbes that can not be expreſſed, in a knowne language, with words of vnderſtanding, that men maye ſaye Amen, to them; in ſteede of this they teach vaine repetition and babling in prayers, as though God were ſerued by reckoning vp their muttrings, ſo many Auees, ſo many Pater noſters vponupon a paire of beedes. They teache to pray in a ſtrange language, whilk is a ſigne not to them that beleeue, but to them that beleeue not, whilk can not edifie nor build vp, no not the tower of Babel it ſelfe, ſuppoſe it be a tower of confuſion. So by their doctrine they hauehave ſpoyled Chriſt of hi… ſpirituall gouernement in the harts of his owne by the worke of his Spirit.

And as for the outward gouernement by the word, ſacraments, and diſcipline: they hauehave both ſpoyled him of it, and alſo hes depriued the people of God of theſe meanes whereby their faith may be wrought, nouriſhed, and confirmed in their harts: For as for the word, beſide their corrupting of it what by Apocrypha, what by Traditions, vvhat by the commandements of the Kirk, vvhat by their corrupted tranſlation p. 334and their falſe interpretations, they hauehave ſtarued the people of God for the want of them, in keeping them vp in a ſtrange language, and reading them out ſo in their aſſemblies in a ſtrange language: ſo that the people maye hauehave eyes and not read them; eares and not heare them, mindes and not vnderſtand them, becauſe they are keeped vp in a ſtrange language. And therefore ſundrie of our predeceſſors hauehave beene accuſed and burnt by them, for reading parcels of them being tranſlated in the vulgare language. And as for y^e ſacraments, they hauehave increaſed the number of thē, by adding other fiue vntounto them: they hauehave impaired them of their vertue, corrupted them with errors, polluted thē with ceremonies, & hauehave ſpoyled the people of the fruite of them by reaſon they are miniſtred in a ſtrange tongue, and they hauehave turned the Sacrament of the Supper, in a propitiatorie ſacrifice for the liuing and the dead. They hauehave taken away the ſigne of the Sacramēt. They hauehave aboliſhed the humanitie of Chriſt by their monſtrous tranſubſtantiation. They hauehave taken away the Communion vvhilk ſhoulde be in the Sacrament, by their priuate Maſſes: & they hauehave ſpoyled the people of a ſweete pledge of their ſaluation, in taking away the cupe from them by their lamed cōmunion vnderunder one kind.

And as for the diſcipline of Chriſt, they hauehave renuerſed it alſo, the ordour vvhereof according to the ſcripture, is that the Kirk of Chriſt be gouerned by his owne a)a)Num, 3, 10. Heb 5, 4. Epheſ, 4, 11Heb 5:4miniſters, & his owne b)b)Exod, 25.30. Matth, 28, 20lawes, ſet down in the word, for the c)c)1. Cor, 12, 7, Eph, 4, 12ſaluation of his people, all whilk they hauehave taken away. And firſt concerning the Miniſters of Chriſt, Paſtours, Doctours, Elders, Deacons, vvhilk is giuen of God for the vvork of the Miniſterie and building vp of the bodie of Chriſte, they hauehave remoued them from the gouernement of the ſame, and hes ſet vp other office bearers, as Legats, Cardinals, Primats, Patriarcks, Archbiſhops, Lord Biſhops, Canones, Perſones, Vicares, Arch-deacons, Prieſts, Abbots, Prouincials, Popes inquiſitors, Commiſsioners, Officers, Procutors, Promoters, & the innumerable route of their Monkes, Friers, Ieſuites, whoſe ſectes and ordours as they hauehave beene reckoned by ſome, extends to an hundreth and one, all different in ceremonies p. 335and ordours one from another, all vnknowne in the Scriptures of God: Foxe-Monumēt…And transformed the gouernement of the Kirk of Chriſt, into an viſible Monarchie and kingdome of the Romanes, as it is named by Turrian d)d)Sand of the Popes ſuprem. Turrian de Eccleſ. & ordinar. Miniſt, li, 1, cap, 2a Ieſuite: And the popes hauing ſet themſelues in the roome of Ieſus Chriſt the King of his Kirk, hes not only tumbled out Chriſt his officers and ſet in their owne, of whome they exact an oath of obedience to them: but hes lifted vp themſelues aboue the hyer powers kings and magiſtrats, as ſhal be ſpoken hereafter. Clayming to themſelues both the ſwordes, and authority, to giuegive and to take kingdomes at their pleaſure, exacting an oath of obedience of them, making them their vaſſals and tyranizing ouer the Kirk of God. And as they hauehave ſhot out the miniſters who ſhould rule the Kirk of God, ſo hauehave they ſhot out his lawes whereby it ſhould bee ruled. For this new prince the Pope, hes ſhot out the canon of the ſcripture, from being a rule to gouerne his kingdome; and in ſteede thereof hes ſet downe his Canon law, Decrees, Decreetals, and ſo forth: whilks decretall epiſtles Gratian the gatherer of the canon-law, Diſtinct, 19, i… Canonicis.vvould hauehave reckoned in the number of the canonicall Scriptures. And to what end doth he vſe theſe lawes? Not to further the ſaluation of Gods people, but to ſatisfie his own, (if yet a horſe-leiche might bee ſatisfied) and his courteours inſatiable couetouſneſſe, ambition, and luſt. For this cauſe he hes taken in his owne hande, the election of Biſhops from them to vvhome it belonged. For this cauſe hee hes not permitted the cauſes of the Kirk to bee debaited vvhere they roſe, as equity, reaſon, & peace vvould he ſhould hauehave done: But he hes remoued them thence to be hard at Rome, what by reſeruing of cauſes to himſelf, what by appellations, what by exemptions: And for the ſame cauſe hes hee committed the feeding and guiding of the flock of Chriſte to brute and beaſtlie creatures, in giuing the charge and commodities of the Kirk to whome he woulde: by preſentations, preuentions, reſeruations, tranſlations, prouiſions, permutations, and commendations. Howe hes hee vvaſted and ſeazed vppon the Kirkes goodes, vvith his penſions and firſte p. 336fruites and appropriations, Ammian. Marcel lib. 27. Baptiſt, Man. Faſt lib. 5. B…rn. ep. 42 Cone. Baſil. ſeſ. 21ſo that he hes beene cryed out vponupon of ryot, pryde, extortion, and ſymonie.

And as for excommunication hee hath vſed it not againſt y^e a)a)Bernard. ad Eugen. lib. 1. & 3. Mantuan. ſyluar. lib. 2wicked, of whom a ſink hath flowed at al times in Rome, not againſt theeues, of b)b)Aeneas Siluius hiſt. de Aſia m…n. cap. 77.vvhome Rome is made a den, not againſt murtherers, for vvhome there is a c)c)Ibidem.ſanctuary in the houſes of Cardinals at Rome: not againſt adulterers, not againſt vvhoores, vvhereof the Pope receaued ſik tribute, as hes beene ſpoken: but againſt Emperours, eſtates, nations, vvho vvould not ſerue him at a beck, againſt anye man that denyed his pariſh prieſt a little teinds: againſt whole aſſemblies of the faithfull, vvhom hee by moſt villanous crueltie & trecherie, (as if they had beene ſheepe appoynted for the ſlaughter) hes red away by fire, by torment, by ſvvord.

And to ende this, what ſhall I ſpeake of his tyrannicall Lawes? whereby he hes oppreſſed the Kirk of God, as of ſingle life, auricular confeſsion, choiſe of meates, apparell & daies, of newe and ſtrange canonizing of Saints, of Pilgrimage to the holy land, of the vowes of Monkes and Nunnes, of the eſtates and rites of marriage, and of innumerable ceremonies, partly vnfrutefull, partly fooliſhe, partly impious. And what ſhall I ſpeake of his diſpenſations againſt the old Teſtament, againſt the Epiſtles of Paule, againſt all right and equity? That a a)a)King Henrie the 8brother may marry his owne brothers wife, and an b)b)Philip King of Spaine.vncle his ſiſters daughter. And Pope Martine the fifth approued the marriage of one with his ſiſter germaine. That Kirk offices, and liuings, may be giuen to c)c)Bernard. epiſt. 4…. & de conſid. ad Eugen. lib. 1. & 3.boyes, to Simonicall marchants, and vnlearned perſons: that d)d)Diſt. 70. cap. Sacerdotum. cap. de mult. de Praeb.one may hauehave plurality of benefices: that he e)e)Cap. Relatum de cler. cap licet canon de elect. in Sexto.who hes the benefice needs not to attend the office: that f)f)Cone. Conſtanſe…i. 19promiſe may be broken with God and man: that ſubiects may be diſcharged of their oath to their Princes. And laſt of all, what ſhal I ſpeake of his Indulgences and Pardons? in graunting ſo many hundreth & thouſand yeares pardon of their ſinnes to them that will deuoutly ſay their idolatrous praiers. Some giuing three hundreth daies pardon, as Pope Celeſtine: ſome ſeauen hundreth yeares pardon, as Pope Boniface: ſome ten thouſand yeares pardon, as Boniface p. 337the 6. ſome thirtie two thouſand, ſeuen hundreth, and fifty fiue yeares pardon: Portuus book of Sarum Prented anno. 1520.and Sixtus the fourth hes doubled the time of this foreſaid pardon: and ſome ten hundreth thouſand yeares pardon for deadly ſinnes, as Pope Iohn 22. Heir is pardon for all ſinnes, ſo that there be money. And as the Reuelation ſaies, Reuel 18. Baptiſt. mantua. calam. temp. l, 3.Rev 18The very ſoules of men are made marchandiſe of. And one of their owne friends ſaies, Venalia Romae Templa, ſacerdotes, altaria ſacra, coronae, ignes, thura, preces, coelum eſt venale, Deuſ que . That is, Kirks, Prieſts, altars, crownes, fire, incenſe, prayers, heauen and God ar to be ſolde in the Kirk of Rome. To conclude this then: he is the Antichriſt, whoſe doctrine and religion, miniſtery and diſcipline, is directly contrary to the doctrine, religion, miniſtery and diſcipline of Ieſus Chriſt. Againe, he is the vndoubted Antichriſt, whoſe doctrine ſpoiles Ieſus Chriſt of the truth of his humanity, of his Propheticall, Kingly, & Prieſtly offices, and ſets himſelfe and others vp in the ſame offices: & whoſe doctrine ſpoiles him of the glory whilk is due to him onelyonly, for our creation and redemption, and giues it to creatures: and laſt of all, he whoſe doctrine ſpoiles men of their ſaluation, muſt be that vndoubted Antichriſt. But the doctrine and religion of the Popes of Rome and his Cleargie (as hes bene proued ſufficiently) are ſik: Therefore they are that vndouted Antichriſt, whilk the Scripture foretolde was to come. And this for the ſecond marke.

The third marke of the Antichriſt, is that he exalts himſelf aboue all that is called God, and is worſhipped: that is, aboue all powers and maieſties, both heauenly and earthly. He ſayes not, Aboue God himſelfe, but aboue all that is called God: that is, aboue all powers heauenly and earthly, as hes bene ſaide. He then is the vndoubted Antichriſt whome the Scripture foretolde ſhould come, who lifts vp himſelf aboue al powers aſwell heauenly, as earthly: (this you cannot deny becauſe the Scripture ſo affirmes) But the Popes of Rome hes lifted vp themſelues aboue al powers, both heauenly and earthly: the whilk if it ſhall be proued, then of neceſsity it muſt follow, that the Popes of Rome are that vndoubted Antichriſt Nowe for proofe heirof, we ſhall ſet none other vponupon their p. 338aſsiſe, to file or cleanſe them in this point, but their own canon Lawe, their owne writers, their owne Biſhops, & them ſelues. Anto. ſum. part. 3 tit. 22. c. 5.Antoninus archbiſhop of Florence ſayes, That his power is greater, then any created power: and that it extends the ſelf to heauenly, earthly, and infernall things. Of whome, ſaies he, that is true whilk is ſpoken of Chriſt in the 8. Pſalme, Thou hes ſubiected all things vnderunder his feete, that are in heauen, in earth, or in hell, applying it to the Pope. What needes more? this is conviction ynough. But yet we will proceede and ſee how farre he hes lifted vp himſelfe aboue all theſe. As for them in the earth, there are two ſpeciall powers, the temporall power and the ſpirituall power. He claimes ſuperiority ouer both, as is manifeſt by their owne doctrine. The aaAnron. in ſum part. 3. tit 22 c. 5.Pope is ouer the worlde in ſteade of Chriſt. I am bbBoniface 8Caeſar, all the power in the heauen and in the earth is mine. We c)c)Extra de maiorit Vnam ſanct,affirme and defines that it ſtands all creatures vppon the neceſsity of their ſaluation to be ſubiect to the Pope. The d)d)Diſt. 40, cap Si Papa, Gloſ, extra, vacant, ad ApoſtPope ſhould iudge all, and be iudged of none, vnleſſe he be found an heretick. And ſuppoſe he ſhould drawe after him innumerable ſoules by heapes vntounto Hell, yet no mortall man ſhould be ſo bolde as to ſay to him, Lorde why doeſt thou this? How farre he hes lifted vp himſelfe aboue the temporall power, Kings, Princes, & Emperours, let both their doctrine, and practiſe beare witneſſe. The e)e)E monument. …oxiiPope is as the Sunne to rule ouer the day: that is, the spiritualty: and the Emperor as the Moone, to rule ouer the night: that is, the temporalty. And as the earth is ſeauen times greater then the Moone, and the Sonne eight times greater then the earth; ſo is the Pope fourty ſeauen times greater then the Emperor. (p) And as the Emperor or Romane Princes takes of me their approbation vnction, and imperiall crowne: ſo they muſt not diſdaine to ſubmit their heads to me, f)f)Pope Clement 5. de iureiurando.and to ſweare to me their oath of alleageance and fidelity. The g)g)Sext, de cretal. de ſentent. & reiudicata, cap, ad Apoſt. I…em GloſſaPope may depoſe Kings from their kingdomes, and abſolue their ſubiects from their oath of alleageance, and interdyte their kingdomes, and ſet vp others in their roome. Achilderik King of France, was depoſed; and Pipine ſet in his roome. Pope Zachary. Cauſa 15. queſt. 6. cap. Alius. Henry the fourth, Henry the fifth, Frederick the firſt, Otho the fourth, Frederick the ſecond, and Conradus his ſonne all Emperours, were excommunicate and depoſed by the Popes. Iuſtinianus, Otho the firſt, p. 339Frederick the firſt, Henry the fifth, Sigiſmundus, Carolus the fifth, all Emperours and Monarches, admitted by the Popes of Rome to kiſſe their feete. And if this had bene their practiſe only, and not their doctrine: this Pride and arrogancy might hauehave bene imputed to the perſons, and not to the ſeate. But his h)h)Author ceremoniarum, lib. …. & 3.doctrine is ſo: The Pope of Rome does reuerence to no mortal man. All men of whatſomeuer dignity or preheminence they are of, ſo ſoone as they come in the preſence of the Pope, ought to kneill thriſe downe, and to kiſſe his feete. The Emperour as ſoone as he ſees the Pope with his bare head, kneiling to the ground, he worſhips him, and kiſſes his feete The Emperour holdes the ſtirroppe, whill the Pope leape on. So did Conſtantine the great, ſayes their i)i)Diſt, 96, cap Conſtant.canon law. The Emperour at the banket holds the water to the Pope to waſhe his hands, & brings the firſt diſhe to the Popes Table. And if the Pope be to be carried in a chaire, he, or the King, if they be preſent, ought to carry the Pope in the chaire on their ſhoulders. So this is cleare both by their doctrine, and practiſe, howe farre they hauehave lifted vp themſelues aboue the Kings and Monarches of the world: ſo that Pope k)k)diſt, 96, ca, duoGelaſius ſayes, that Emperours are more inferiour to Popes then lead is to golde.

Their ſuperiority ouer the ſpirituall power of the Kirk of Chriſt, hes bene ſhowne in parte before. But for the further proofe of it, they ſay l)l)Pope Marcel, diſt, 17, cap, SynodumThat the Pope is aboue all generall Councels, and that they take their force and confirmation only by him. And m)m)Bellarm, de Primat, Pap.that he is ſupreame Iudge in all controuerſy of Religion, whoſe iudgement is alſo infallible. And n)n)Symmachus Pope 99, 3, Aliorum. Pope Innocentius 9. q, 3, cap Nemowhere God hes ordayned all cauſes amongst men to be iudged by men, he hes only reſerued the Pope to be iudged by himſelf, and that he cannot be iudged by any, neyther of Kings, nor of the Emperour, nor of the whole Cleargie, nor of the people. And that o)o)Anaſtaſ, q, 3. c… Antiquis, Item …1, q. 3, ca, Quam vis, & cap Quatuor, diſt, 19, cap, Sic omnes, 9, q, 3, cap, Patet Pope Innocem 2, art, 17, q, 4, cap Si quis. diſt, 19 ca, In memoriam. Sext, decret, tit 7, de renunciatione cap Quoniamhe is Iudge ouer all the Kirks: and that without a Councel, both to abſolue and condemne: and none to iugde of his iudgment: and all to appeale to him, and none from him, whoſe iudgement muſt ſtand, as giuen out of heauen by the mouth of Peter himſelf, whilk no man muſt breake or retraite, no man muſt diſpute or doubt of. And that p)p)Bellarmin, de Pont, lib, 4, cap, … & cap, 1…in omni re dubia, that is, in all controuerſies of Religion, be muſt obediently of all the faithfull be heard, whether he can erre or not And that be may make lawes to binde the conſciences of men, and that p. 340he q)q)Anto. fum. 3. part. tit. 22. c. 5.may creat newe Religions.

His power ouer them that are in Purgatory and Hell. r)r)Ibidem.According to his abſolute iuriſdiction, he hes power to ſpoile al Purgatory, by the communication of his Indulgences and Pardons, except only them who hes only the Baptiſme of the Spirit, and infants who ar in Limbo Patrum, and theſe a)a)Anton. tit. 22. c. 5.who hes not friends to doe for them The Pope may abſolue from an infinite paine: to wit, from the paine of Hell, as Gregorie did who by his praier abſolued the ſoule of Traian from the infinite paine of Hell. The bbClem. 6. in bulla & Anton. ibidem cap. 6Pope hes as great power in Purgatorie and Hell, as that he may deliuer as many ſoules as are tormented there, by his Pardons, and with all ſpeede place them in heauen, & ſeates of the bliſſed, as he pleaſes.

4. His power ouer heauen and all the powers therein.

All a)a)Boniface the 8power in heauen and earth is giuen to me ſayes Boniface the 8. The b)b)Clemen. 6. Bulla Troilus in tract de canonizatione ſanct.Pope hes ſo great power in heauen, that hee maye canonize any dead man, and place him among the Gods: and that againſte the iudgement of his Biſhops and all his Cardinals. He c)c)Clem, 6. in Bullacommaunds the Angels to take ſoules out of Purgatorie, and to carie them to heauen. His d)d)Balduspower is greater nor the power of all the Saints. God e)e)Anton. ibidem. tit 22. cap. 5hes ſubiected the Angels in heauen to the Pope, and he is greater nor they in foure reſpectes: and no leſſe honour is due vntounto the Pope, nor to the Angels: and then greater (ſayes hee) for the Pope receaues from the faithfull adoration, and kiſſing of his feete, whilk the Angell would not permit to be done to him by Iohn. What needes more now for the proofe of this marke? Doth not he lift vp him ſelfe aboue all that is called God, who claimes power ouer heauen & earth and hell? This they can not deny: But I aſſume, their owne Clarks, Doctours, Popes, and Bullets teſtifie this, whilk they can not chooſe but confeſſe alſo: Therefore of neceſsitie the Popes of Rome hes exalted themſelues aboue all that is called God, and therefore they are that vndoubted Antichriſt whilk was to come, and now is come.

And as they hauehave exalted themſelues aboue all heauenly powers, ſo hauehave they matched them ſelues with Ieſus Chriſt: for theſe things are onelyonly proper to Ieſus Chriſt, To hauehave all power giuen him, to hauehave all things ſubiect to him vnderunder heauen, to bee greater nor all the Angels, to receaue that worſhip whilk the Angels p. 341refuſes, to command the Angels, to make lawes to binde the conſciences of men, to create and inſtitute new religions. And yet the Pope hes arrogated all theſe things to himſelfe, as hes beene proued: Therfore he is that vndoubted Antichriſt: for he that makes himſelfe equall to the Son of God, lifts vp himſelf aboue all that is called God: (this can not be denyed,) But the Popes of Rome hauehave done ſo, in challenging to them ſelues theſe things whilk are onelyonly proper to the Sonne of God: therefore they muſt be the Antichriſt. Further, theſe thinges are proper to Ieſus Chriſt only, to the head, the ſpouſe, Epa. 5.23. Col. 1.8. Eph. 1, 21.22.23 Iſa 28.16. Iſa. 8 14. Matth. 21.42 Malach. 3.20. Matth. 28.18 2. Pet. 5.4. Col. 2.3Col 1:8Eph 1:21Eph 1:22Eph 1:23Isa 28:16Isa 8:14Matt 21:42Mal 3:20Matt 28:18Col 2:3and foundation of his Kirk, to be that corner ſtone, that precious ſtone, and that proued ſtone, to be that rocke of offence, to be the ſonne that giues light to 2his Kirk, to be the Prince of Paſtours, and to hauehave all treaſures of wiſedome and vnderſtanding hid in him, and to hauehave all power in heauen and earth giuen him, and to hauehave the fulneſſe of power. But all theſe things the Popes of Rome hes arrogated to themſelues, as is manifeſt by theſe places quoted in the margent. Bellarmine in prefat. de ſum. pontif. lib. 1. ceremo. tit 7. de maiorita. cap. Vnam ſanctam de conſtitut. cap. licet. In ſexto. de tranſlat. cap. Quanto. In gloſſa. Yea, he hes not left ſo much vntounto Chriſt as his ſtyle, but it is aſcriued to him: For a)a)de conſider. ad EugeniumBernard writting to him ſaies, Tu es vnctione Chriſtus, that is. Thou art Chriſt, &c. yea he hes claimed a greater power to himſelfe, nor euer we read that Ieſus Chriſt the Prince of glory and the Lord of life vſed, as to b)b)Clemen. 6. Papae Bulladeliuer damned ſoules out of hell, & make thē Saintes in heauen, & that as many as pleaſes him. So not onelyonly hes hee made himſelf equal in authoritie, in office, in ſtyles with the Prince of glory the Lorde Ieſus: but alſo hes lifted vp him ſelfe aboue him: And that there may be nothing wanting to make it manifeſt that hee is this Antichriſt, as though it had beene too little to him, to hauehave lifted vp him ſelfe aboue all powers in heauen, in earth, & in hel: & to hauehave matched him ſelfe with the eternall Son of God, both in workes, ſtyles, and offices and to arrogate a greater power nor euer he did exerciſe. He hes matched him ſelfe with the maieſtie of the God-head, claiming to himſelf theſe things whilk are onelyonly proper to the God-head, De tranſlat. cap. Quantoas the Papiſts will is for reaſone: He hes a heauenly at bitriment, he changes p. 342the nature of things: Of nothing he makes ſomething: He may depoſe & ſet vp in kingdomes whome he will: Panormitan de elect, cap, licet ab,He hes an abſolute iuriſdiction that no man may ſay to him, wherefore does thou this: He may liberare ex toto ſicut ipſe deus, that is, abſolue a man from the whole as GOD may do: Yea that he may doe all that God may doe except ſinne, the key not erring. All whilk thinges are onelyonly proper to the Maieſtie of God. And as he hes matched himſelf with the maieſtie of God himſelfe in his iudgement, will, and power: ſo doth hee claime to him the ſelfe ſame worſhip and adoration whilk is onelyonly proper to God: This worſhip is onelyonly proper to God To fall downe before his feete and to adore him, and therefore Sathan craued it of Chriſt, and he refuſed to giuegive him it: And Iohn would hauehave giuen it to the Angell, but the Angell refuſed it. Wherefore did Chriſt refuſe to giuegive it, and the Angell refuſe to receiue it, Reuel, 22, 8, 9 Math 4, 9, 10Matt 4:9Matt 4:10but becauſe it was writtē? The Lord thy God thau ſhalt worſhip, and him onelyonly ſhalt thou ſerue? But that worſhip whilk the diuell craued to be giuen to him, and whilk the Angell refuſed as proper onelyonly to God, that doth the Pope claime to him and receaue from others, as his owne Archbiſhops and canon law, and men of his owne religion doe teſtifie. Antoninus ſayes, he receaues adorations, proſtrations that is worſhip & falling down before his feete, 3, part, ſum, ti, 22, cap, 5. Printed Lugduni 1516 De donat, Conſtant, p4g. 1 ij 1 Lib, 3, inſt. Romaewhilk (ſayes he) the Angell refuſed to receaue of Iohn. Steuchus ſayes, Conſtantine the Empetour worſhipped the Pope as God, and gaue vntounto him diuine honors, & worſhipped him as the liuely image of Chriſt. And Blondus ſayes, that all the princes of the world worſhips the pope, vt ſummum Deum, as the moſt high God. Praefat, in inſtitutAnd Iohannes Faeber ſayes, the pope calles himſelfe by words, the ſeruand of ſeruands, but yet hee permits himſelfe to bee worſhiped whilk the Angell in the Reuelation refuſed. And Fryar Mantua ſayes, Cuius veſtigia adorat Caeſar; et aurato veſtiti murice regis. Whoſe feete (meaning the Popes) or footeſtepes Caeſar and the Kings of the earth adores or worſhipes. And yet leaſt any ſhoulde doubt whether he be the Antichriſt or not, hee is not onelyonly made equall with the Maieſtie of God, in power, arbitriment, and adoration, but alſo the very god-head it ſelfe, & the very ſtyle of the Maieſtie of God is aſcriued to him. Au…ntinus ſayes, Lib 7.the Popes of Rom: earneſtly deſires domination et Diuinitatem, p. 343diuinity or God-head. And de electione: It is ſaide: Cap, Fundamento in SextoThat he is tak n vp in the fellowſhip of the inuiſible trinitie. And Baldus ſayes: The Pope is a God in the earth: And the common voice of the Canoniſts is Domînus Deus noſter papa, that is, the Lord our god the Pope. And he is called by his Doctors Optimus Maximus, Canoniſt, extra, Iohan, 22, cap Cum inter in gloſſa Stapleton in praefat, in prine, fid, doct, Vict, in tom. 4, Hieron, praefat, diſt, 96, cap, Satis euidentermoſt good in grace, moſt greate in power. And Auentinus ſaies that it is written in his forehead, Deus ſum, I am God. And Gomeſius, ſayes the Pope eſt quoddam numen; a certaine God-heade ſhewing himſelfe to be a viſible God in the earth. And in the councell of Lateran, one ſayes to the Pope, Tu es alter Deus in terris: Thou art ane other God vponupon the earth. And the Tridentine chapter calles him, Terrenū Deum an earthly God: And his canon Lawe ſayes, It is manifeſt that the Pope was called God by Conſtantine.

What needs more? He muſt be blinded by God that ſees not the Popes to hauehave lifted vp themſelues aboue all that is called God & is worſhipped. But yet I ſaye further. He hes lifted vp himſelfe aboue the maieſtie of God: Firſt in making y^t to be Gods word, y^t is not Gods word, in decreeing the Apocrypha to be canonicall Scripture. diſtinct, 19, in CanonicisAnd his canon Law reckons in the decretall Epiſtles among the canonicall Scriptures of God. Now what is this but to preferre his authoritie to the authoritie of God? He denies forgiuenes to them that breakes his lawe, but he ſelles the break of Gods lawe for money. It is certaine that there is no redemption out of Hell: and yet the Popes of Rome claimes that authority to delyuer ſoules out of Hell, and to make them Saintes in heauen. It is impoſsible to God ex iniuſtitía facere iuſtitiam, 2, Timoth, 2, …3 Heb, 6, 18to make wrong to be right, becauſe the Scripture ſaies, He cannot deny himſelf, and he cannot lie. But the Popes a)a)de tranſlat, cap Quanto in gloſſa de conceſ, Praebend, cap, Propoſuit, 16, q, Quicunque in gloſſa 15, q, 6, authorit, in gloſſa, diſt. 32, LectoCanoniſts ſaies, that he may ex iniuſtitia facere iuſtitiam, of wrong make right. His Canoniſtes alſo ſaies, That the Pope may diſpenſe ſupra ius de iure, aboue right. And that he may diſpenſe againſt the lawe of nature, againſt the law of God, againſt the olde Teſtament, againſt the Apoſtles, and that he may b)b)Vt citatura Iuello pag. 59, defenſ, apolog. Foxe pag, 785 &diſpenſe againſt all the precepts of the olde and newe Teſtament. They ſay, he may diſpenſe againſt the degrees forbidden in the Lawe of God. And that he may according to his abſolute power diſſolue the bond of marriage, vponupon the conſent of both the p. 342duplicate page p. 343duplicate page p. 344parties, without any lawfull cauſe. And that he may diſpenſe with oathes and promiſes made either to God or men. And ſome ſaies, that he may diſpenſe that one may hauehave moe wiues then one at once, in ſome caſes. Now what is this elſe, but to exalt himſelf aboue the Lord? And in a c)c)Conell. Later. ſub Leone ſeſ. 10ſermon in the councell of Lateran, it is there ſpoken of him by one of his owne Biſhops, That all power in heauen and earth is giuen to the Pope. And that whilk is more, That in him is omnis poteſtas ſupra omnes poteſtates caeli & terrae: all power aboue all powers, both of heauen and earth. And Auentinus ſaies, that they deſire to be feared more then God. To conclude this then, He that hes exalted himſelf aboue al powers in heauen, earth, and hell: he that hes equalled himſelfe with the ſonne of God, the Prince of glory, and with the maieſty of God in ſtiles, authoritie, office, and power: & he who hes lifted vp himſelfe aboue the Lord Ieſus, & aboue the maieſtie of God; he muſt be that vndoubted Antichriſt, whilk the Apoſtle Paule hes deſcriued: But the Popes of Rome hes done ſo, both by their practiſe, and by their doctrine, as hes bene proued by their owne teſtimonies: Therfore they are that vndoubted Antichriſt who was to come. This for the thirde marke.

So Ierome ad Gelaſium, and Chryſoſt. vponupon that place, & The odoret, & Thom. of Aquine a Papiſt, expones this place, and Aug. de ciui. Dei, li. 20 cap. 19. expones this temple to be the Kirk of God, wherein the Antichriſt ſhal ſit.The fourth marke of the Antichriſt, ſet downe by the Apoſtle is, That he ſits in the Temple of God, as God. That is, in an eminent and high place in the Kirk of God. For leaſt men ſhould thinke that the Antichriſt ſhould be an open enemy to God, the Apoſtle ſayes, he ſhall ſit in the Temple of God, that is, in the Kirk of God: as it is taken, 1. Corinth. 6. where the Saintes in Corinth are called the temple of God. So the Antichriſt is foretolde to be a houſholde enemy, and not a forraine foe: and he ſhall withſtand Chriſt not openly, but couertly. And though he be a deadly enemy to Chriſt, yet ſhall he pretend that he is in the Temple of God: that is, a member of the Kirk: and that he hes a throne, that is, a high dominion within Gods Kirk. Reue. 13.11Rev 13:11And therefore in the Reuelatiō he is called a beaſt whilk hes two hornes like the Lambe: that is, who in outward ſhewe is like the Lambe, pretending his power and authority. And as Primaſius ſaies exponing that p. 345ſame place, Thoſe whome he ſeduces, he ſeduces them by hypocriſie of a diſsimulate trueth: for he ſayes, he were not like the Lambe, if he ſpak openly as the Dragon. And Auguſtine ſaies, Tract. 3 in epiſt IoannisLet vsus not take tent to the tongue, but to the deedes: let the tongue reſt, and aske the life. Whereby it appeares, that they alſo are Antichriſts, who denyes Ieſus Chriſt in their life. And therfore (alluding to Iudas) he is called the ſonne of perdition, who not by open warfare ſhould oppugne Chriſt, but by a kiſſe, as it were, ſhoulde betray him. And therefore he is deſcriued alſo vnderunder the forme of a woman, a harlote: Reuelation. 17 2. Theſ. 2.Rev 172 Thess 2whereby is ſignified that he ſhall not be an open enemie in profeſsion, but ſecreit and diſsimulate. And therefore the Cupe wherein ſhe reaches out her abhomination, is diſcriued to be of golde: that is, hauing a ſhewe of godlineſſe. And his vnrighteouſneſſe, that is, his doctrine, is called deceaueable, becauſe of the ſhewe of truth that it hes. And his iniquity is called a myſterie: that is, not a plaine and open impietie, but ſecreit: ſo coloured with ſhewes of trueth and godlineſſe, that eueryevery one cannot perceaue it. And yet for all this hypocriſie of his, for all this diſsimulation & ſhew of godlineſſe, he ſhall ſpeake like the Dragon: that is, his doctrine ſhall be the doctrine of Diuels. Apoc. 13.Rev 13His drinke ſhall be abhomination and fornication: that is, abhominable idolatry. Now to whome can this aggree? and in whome hes this bene fulfilled, except only in the Popes and Biſhops of Rome. For doth he not call himſelfe, the Vicare of Chriſt, the head of the Kirk and theſe that obeyes him onelyonly the true Kirk, and true Catholickes? Who hes hornes like the Lambe, and yet ſpeakes like the Dragon, but he? That is, Oraculo vocis mundi moderaris habenas, & merito in terris crederis eſſe Deus: that is, by the oracle of thy voice, thou reul… the world, and worthilie is thou beleeued in the earth to be God. This inſcription was written in Rome to Pope Sixtus the 4.who ſtiles themſelues the ſeruande of ſeruands, the Vicare of Chriſt, the head of the Kirk, &c. but they? and yet for all this, who hes euer liued, taught, or ſpoken ſo blaſphemouſly as they? In ſhewe of holineſſe moſt vaunting and yet for all this, of all the creatures vnderunder heauen, the moſt monſtrous. Of all idolaters, vnderunder the ſhewe and pretence of Religion, the vileſt and moſt abhominable: and of all creatures in the earth, they hauehave lifted vp themſelues fartheſt aboue God, and that vnderunder the pretence of humilitie. And therefore the Scripture ſayes, that the Antichriſt ſhall p. 346ſit in the Temple of God, not as a miniſter teaching & preaching the Goſpel of the Kingdome, in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon: but as God; that is, claiming to himſelf theſe things that are proper and peculiar to God. The whilk the Popes of Rome hes done, as hes bene proued before. So to conclude this: He muſt be the vndoubted Antichriſt, who ſuppoſe he hes lifted vp himſelfe, aboue all that is called God; yet he ſits in the Temple of God, as God: who hes two hornes lyke the Lambe, and yet ſpeakes like the Dragon: whoſe abhominations are drunken out of a golden Cupe; whoſe doctrine is deceiueable: & a myſterie that is, who vnderunder the pretence of Chriſt, ouerthrowes Chriſt: But ſo it is, the Popes of Rome are ſik, (as hes bene proued:) Therefore the Popes of Rome are the vndoubted Antichriſt. This for the 4. marke.

The fifth marke of the Antichriſt, as he is deſcriued by the Apoſtle is in theſe words: Tertul. de reſurrect. cap. 24 Ierome ad Gelaſium. Chriſoſtom vponupon this ſame place, and ſo alſo Ambroſe vponupon this place, & Aug. de ciuit Dei lib. 20 cap. 29. expones it of the Romane impire.Ye know (ſayes the Apoſtle) what withholdeth: namely, that he might be reuealed in his owne time. This Tertullian, Ierome and Chryſoſtome vnderſtandes of of the Romane impire: the whilk as long as it flouriſhed, & was in the full ſtrength, the Antichriſt could not climb vp to this his full hight & preheminence. So that it behoued that empire firſt to be tranſlated, and peece & peece diminiſhed before the Antichriſte coulde come vp to his hight, for that ſtayed him. Nowe it is manifeſt out of the 17. chapter of the Reuel…t. that Rome ſhould be the ſeat of the Antichriſt: And Bellarmine and the Rhemiſts does not deny it: & Rome was the ſeat of the Romane empire before. So then it behooued the empire to tranſlate his ſeat from Rome, that Rome whilk was firſt the ſeat of the empire, might be the ſeate of the Antichriſt. Now the iſſue and euent, is a ſure and cleere interpretation of this Prophecie: For Conſtantine the Emperour of Rome, tranſlated his ſeate from Rome, to Byzantium called Conſtantinople in Greece. And peece and peece that empire of the Greeke Emperour began to decay. And was tranſlated from the Greekes to the French-men by the Popes: and then from them to the Germanes, by the Popes alſo. So that both Rome and a great part of Italie, and at the laſt a great p. 347part of the Empire is falne in the Popes hand. So that nowe he vaunts himſelfe to be Monarch of the whole worlde, and all Kings and Princes gaue him their oath of allengeance: & the Emperours and Kings held their empires and kingdoms of him, and are but his vaſſals. (as their Canon Lawe ſaies) So that by the taking away of the Roman empire, the Popes did then climbe vp to their ſupremacie, & make themſelues manifeſt, that they were the Antichriſt. And ſo this doth alſo aggree to the Pope of Rome, and to none other. He is the Antichriſt, whoſe climbing vp was letted by the Romane empire, and who is builded vp vponupon the ruines of the ſame: But the Papacie is ſik: therefore the Papacie is that Antichriſtian kingdome.

It is ſaide ſextly, That Kingdome is that apoſtaſie and antichriſtian monarchie, whoſe foundation was beginning to be laide in the Apoſtles daies, whilk ſhould be firſt conſumed by the word of God & alluterlie aboliſhed by the brightnes of his comming, but the Papacie is ſik, therfore it is that antichriſtian kingdome Mat. 18.1.2.3.4. & …0.25, 26.27 Mar, 10.41. Luc 22.25. 2, Cor. 1. 24.1. Pet. 3.2.3Matt 18:1Matt 18:2Matt 18:3Matt 18:4Luke 22:25Luke 22:21 Pet 3:21 Pet 3:3that this myſterie began to worke in the dayes of the Apoſtles: that is, the foundation of that apoſtaſie was begun to be laid in theſe daies and that he ſhall continue til the Lordes comming: for he ſhall not be aboliſhed but by the brightneſſe of his comming, ſuppoſe he ſhall be firſt conſumed with the ſworde of his mouth: that is, diſcouered, and ſore beaten by the Lords word. All whilk aggrees vntounto Papiſtrie, for the foundations of it was ſoone laide, both of that Hierachie & ſupremacie of the Pope, and alſo of his damnable and erroneus doctrine. For that ſuperioritie of the miniſtrie one ouer another, of Biſhops ouer Paſtours forbidden by Ieſus Chriſt, ſoone crape in, whilk was the foundation or rather ſtaires, by the whilk the Pope clambe vp to his Popedome and ſupremacie: and the olde condemned hereſies whilk ſprang vp in the primitiue Kirk, manye of them were the foundation of theſe damnable doctrines, whilk the Popes brought in afterward, as is proued in the end of the firſt parte.

And as to his conſuming by the Lorde his mouth, the Lord hes accompliſhed that alredie in ſome meaſure, and ſhall aſſuredly fulfill it daylie more and more: For ſince the time of the burning of Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage, About the …eare of God 1415and ſince the time the Lord ſtirred vp Martine Luther, & ſundry others his faithfull ſeruands to preach the goſpell of Chriſt, whilk was as it were buried in the darkneſſe of Papiſtrie, the ſupremacie p. 348of the Pope hes taken ſik a daylie conſumption, that many of the Kingdomes of Europe now hes forſaken her, & the Lord hes put in their harts to hate her: But yet we know the dregges of it ſhall not be aboliſhed alluterlie, whill the bright comming of the Sonne of God.

It followes ſeauenthly, the maner how his kingdome and tyrannie ſhall be promoued, vpholden, and eſtabliſhed: To wit, By the effectuall working of Sathan with all power and ſignes & lying wonders, and with all deceaueableneſſe of vnrighteouſneſſe amongſt them that periſhes: Whilk the Apoſtle calles ſtrong deluſions. And with this, that of the Reuel. cap. 13. (in the deſcription of the ſecond beaſte, whereby it is meaned the Antichriſtian kingdome) does aggree that he did great wonders, and deceaued them that dwelt vponupon the earth, by the ſignes whilk was permitted him to doe. Now certainlie nothing can be ſpoken more aptly of the Popes kingdome nor this: Fot vnleſſe the Pope had had an effectuall power, ſtrong and diueliſh alſo, by ſignes and lying wonders: and vnleſſe his vnrighteouſneſſe, that is, his falſe doctrine had beene exceeding deceaueable: that is, covered with a faire colour of godlineſſe: and vnleſſe his deluſions had beene ſtrong, his kingdome had neuer beene ſo farre inlarged, and ſo firmely eſtabliſhed, as wee ſee it hes beene: and his damnable doctrine and errors woulde neuer hauehave deceaued ſo many nations as they hauehave done. For what is more common and vſuall in their mouthes nor miracles? What is it they vaunte ſo much of, as of their miracles? So that they make it an infallible marke of the Kirk. And howe I pray you hes a greate parte of their errours and ſuperſtitions, as the praying to Saints, and worſhipping of Images, & pilgrimages, and other of their ſuperſtitions and idolatries, as purgatorie, the reall preſence, their monſtruous tranſubſtantiation &c. how, I ſay, hauehave they beene ſo confirmed and ſo rooted in the hartes of ignorant people, but by their lying wonders and miracles, whilk they faine was done? Whereof their golden legend are full, and ſundrie yet liues who hes beene eye witneſſes of the falſet of their miracles. I will onelyonly ſet downe for example, ſome of the falſe miracles of two p. 349Nunnes heir: the one of Magdalena de la cruz, Abbeſſe of the monaſterie of the Franciſcan Nunnes, who was condemned by the Inquiſitours of Cordoua for her enormous offences and Couenant whilk ſhe made with the diuell, as they ſaye in their ſentence againſt her: ſhe by the aide of the Diuell with whome ſhe made a couenant when ſhe was nyne year olde, became a ſingular hypocrite, and by his helpe wrought manye miracles, as that ſhe appeared vntounto Mariners in a ſtorme being inuocated, and ſo the ſtorme calmed: that ſhe burned in flames like Seraphims, and was rauiſhed in the ſpirite, and harde wonders whilk mortall man could not vtter: (In this ſhe was made another Saint Paule) that ſhe was lifted vp in the aire, and the Sacrament went viſibly out of the hand of the Prieſt that ſaid Maſſe, through the aire, & entered into her mouth: And when the Sacramēt went by ſhe being in a garden, the wall of the garden opened the ſelfe, and then ſhe worſhiped it: Sik was the opinion of her holines that many Ladies of Spaine and the Empreſſe, ſeing themſelues at poynte of child-birth, ſent their mantels wherein the creature ſhuld be wrapped, that ſhe ſhould bleſſe them. She gaue to her beloued friends droppes of her monſtrous bloode, and made them beleeue it was the bloode of Chriſt, ſhe was condemned as a witch by the inquiſitors of Spaine about the yeare of God 1540. The other of a Dominican Nun Priores de la Anunciada of Liſbon in Portugale, about the 1586. yeare of God, that ſhee had deſerued to hauehave Chriſt viſible for her husband, that he appeared to her often times, & talked with her, as one friend would talke with another: that ſhe had the impreſsion of Chriſts 5. wounds vponupon her. And as the hiſtorie recordeth other infinite miracles did ſhe. So that manye became Nunnes through the opinion whilk was conceaued of her holines and miracles. This ſtory is written in french by one Steuen de Luſignan a Dominican Friar, and dedicated to the Queene of France, with this title, the greate miracles and moſte holye wonders whilk this preſent yeare 1586. hath happened to the right reuerend mother Priores of the monaſterie &c. in Liſbon, approued by Friar Lewes of p. 350Granada & by other perſons worthy of credite in Paris, printed by Iohn Beſſant 1586. Hee alledgeth three letters ſent from perſons of great credite for his warrant: But ſhee was diſcouered, and confeſſed her hypocriſie: and that ſhee painted the wounds on her hands, and drew bloode on her ſide, and fained all the reſt, that ſhe might be eſteemed holy, and therefore was condemned by the Arch-biſhops of Liſbon & Brage, the Biſhop of Guardia, the Inquiſitors, & ſundry others in the end of the 1588. yeare, as it is to bee ſeene in a booke printed at Siuill in Spaine 1589. Let theſe examples ſuffice to proue this marke that by lying wonders they hauehave eſtabliſhed their damnable doctrine. So that certainely their is no one thing that doth more confirme this, that their Popes is the Antichriſt, and their kingdome antichriſtian: nor the effectuall working of Sathan by lying wonders, whereby their diueliſh doctrine hes beene promoued and eſtabliſhed. And what ſeeke wee further? Is it not manifeſt by their owne hiſtories that their owne Popes to the nomber of 20. or moe hes wrought by the effectuall working of Sathan? So then to conclude this poynte: If the Apoſtle Paule bee a true Prophet, whilk I truſt no man will call in queſtion, and if hee bee the true Antichriſt to whome al theſe markes does aggree: that is, who is the man of ſinne, and ſonne of perdition; who hes lifted vp himſelfe aboue all that is called God, or that is worſhipped &c. whilk can not be denyed: then of neceſsity it muſte followe that the Popes of Rome are the ſelfe ſame Antichriſt whilk was foretolde to come, becauſe they beare all theſe markes of that Antichriſt whome the Apoſtle deſcriues, and no other.

And if wee will come to the Reuelation, where the Antichriſt is moſt clearely foretold: The markes of the Antichriſt, as they are ſet downe in the Reuel. chap. 13. aggrees to the Popes of Rome.Rev 13What is there in that Reuela. ſpoken of the Antichriſt whilk is not fulfilled in the Popes of Rome. In the 13. of the Reuelation mention is made of two beaſtes, by the firſte is ſignified the Romane Empyre by the whilk the Saints of god were perſecuted the firſt 300. years: by the other is ſignified the Kingdome of the Antichriſt, whilk roſe vp immediatly after the diminiſhing and deſtruction p. 351of the Romane Empyre: the whilk Iohn calles another beaſt, diſtinguiſhing it from the former: whilk hee diſcriues firſt from his outward forme and ſhape, that he hes two hornes like the lambe, but ſpeakes like the dragon, whilk hes beene accompliſhed in the Popes of Rome, as I hauehave ſhewed before. The ſecond from his vvorkes that he doth. Firſte, that hee did all that the firſt beaſt could doe before him. Secondly, that hee ſhall cauſe all to worſhipe the firſte beaſte, vvhoſe deadlye vvound w…s healed: Thirdly, that hee ſhoulde deceaue them vvhilk dwell vponupon the earth by the vvonders and ſignes vvhilk vvas permitted to him to doe. Fourthlye, that hee ſhould reſtore the image of the firſte beaſte. Fifthly, that hee ſhould ſuffer none to buye or ſell but ſik as receaued his markes on their fore-head and hands. And the laſte thinge from the whilk that Antichriſtian kingdome (whilk is repreſented by the 2. beaſt) is deſcriued, is the nomber of his name Al the vvhilk are ſo clearely accompliſhed in that papiſticall Kingdome, theſe many hundreth yeares, that hee muſte bee blinded of God, that ſees not that the Popes are the Antichriſt, and their Kingdome Antichriſtian.

As to the firſt. Who hes exerciſed all the power of the former Emperours of Rome but they? HaueHave not they claimed to themſelues the Monarchie of the vvhole vvorlde? Ths authoritie of both the ſwords? Hes not Emperours & Kinges ſworne their oath of alleageance and fidelitie vntounto them? taking their vnction, conſecration & crownes of thē? And payed tribute vntounto them? HaueHave they not kiſſed their feete? holden the ſtirrops? Led their bridles? Set thē on their horſe? HaueHave not the Popes of Rome excommunicated Emperours and Kings? Depoſed them from their Kingdomes? Stirred vp their ſubiects againſt them? Set vp others in their places? …nd finallie vvhat outward power or tyrannie did euer the Romane Emperours exerciſe ouer Kingdomes and nations? Yea vvhat crueltie, tyrannie, auarice, blaſphemie againſt God and his Saints, did they euer exerciſe, vvhilk the Popes of Rome hes not done? Yea, and hes ouercome them in all theſe things The vvhilk are ſo cleare and manifeſt, & p. 352that by their owne practiſes, that they can not bee denyed. Doth he not affirme in his canon law that Conſtantine gaue the Pope all the kingdomes in the earth? Diſt. 9.6. cap. Conſtantius. c Venerabilem de electio-Steuchus de donatione Conſtantini. Lib. 3. inſtan. Romae.And that all Kings reignes by the Pope? And that he transferres the Empire from nation to nation, and giues them to whome he will? And that all Kings are but the Popes vaſſals? And therefore ſayes Blondus, Now the Princes of the world adores and worſhipes the Pope as perpetuall Dictator, not Caeſars ſucceſſor, but Peter his ſucceſſor, and the foreſaide Emperors vicar. Yea, ſayes he, all Europe ſends greater, or at the leaſte as greate tribute to Rome, as they did in the former times: (to wit, to the Romaine Empyre. Ser. 1. de conuerſione.) And Bernard ſayes, they are the firſte in the perſecution (ſpeaking to the Kirk) whilk appeares to louelove the primacie in the Kirk, and to be the princes thereof. As to the ſecond, who is he that hes cauſed all to worſhip the firſt beaſte: that is, hes brought againe that tyrannous crueltie and dominion ouer the poore Kirk of God, in ſetting vp idolatrie and aboliſhing the true worſhip of God, whilk the Ethnick Emperours did, but the Popes of Rome? For was not the Emperour of the Eaſt excommunicate, becauſe hee woulde not ſuffer images in the temples? HaueHave not they filled the world with their Idolatrie as hes beene proued? Who hes made warre with the Saints and oppreſſed them in all the partes where there dominion might reach, but they? France, Germany, England, Scotlād, the Low countries, and al Europe beares witneſſe vntounto this. As to the thirde, who by lying wonders hes deceaued the world, but they? And as to the fourth, who hes healed the deadly wound of the firſt beaſt, in ſetting vp an impire heir in the Weſt in the perſon of Charles the great, whilk was more nor 300. yeares ſo deadlye wounded through the incurſion of other nations, that there was no impire in the Weſt: Who (I ſay) did all this, but the Popes of Rome? giuing vntounto them the ſtile or bare name, but taking by little & little y^e ſubſtance of the whole impire to thēſelues, ſo that Theodorik à Niem ſayes the Romane empyre is ſo little now in …lmany, Lib. 3. cap. 43.that their is ſome Biſhops or Archbiſhops that will ſpend twiſe as much, as they will doe of all the lands that is vnderunder their ſubiection: And ſome princes hes more land nor the Emperour hes. And if ye will looke to Rome (ſayes hee) p. 353and Italie, it was once the ſeate of the Empire, but now the Emperour hes nothing of it but the ſtyle. As to the fifth. Who is hee who hes cauſed make the image of the beaſt, and giuen a ſpirite vntounto it that it ſhould ſpeake: That is, who hes ſet vp a very image of the Romane monarchie and hierarchie, in the whole frame of their gouernement in the Kirk of God, but the Popes of Rome? So that the whole frame of their gouernement and hierarchie, is a liuelie patterne and image of the Romane impire. For as in the Romane impire, there was an Empeperour whome all did worſhip as God: vntounto whome there was ioyned a Senate, who was next in authority to him: ſo is the frame of the gouernement of the Papiſtical kingdome There is a Monarch the Pope; whome all are compelled, when they come in his ſight, to worſhip as an earthly God, to whoſe ſentence al muſt ſtand to, who iudgeth all, but can be iudged of none, who hes ioined with him a Senate of cardinals, who are next him in authority. Secondly, as in the Romane monarchie, the Emperour tooke vponupon him not only the higheſt Kingly authoritie in all matters civill, but alſo the Prieſtly authoritie, and power ouer religion: and not that onelyonly, but alſo to be Tribunes ouer the people, who had the power of forbidding and annulling of all decrees made by other Magiſtrates. Euen ſo the Popes of Rome hes vſurped all theſe three. Firſt, the higheſt roiall authority ouer all Kings and princes: next, to be lords ouer religion: ſo that as Antoninus one of his arch-biſhops ſayes, Summa par. 3 tit 22. cap. 5He may create new Religions: thirdly, to be tribunes; that is to diſanull what ſomeuer decree or iudgement, of anye Biſhop or inferiour iudges: yea of ſynodall and generall councels, if they be not ratified by him. Thirdly, as in Rome was the heade of the empire, the Emperour and his Senate with him, and as the Emperours had their Magiſtrates vnderunder them, in all their prouinces, and places of their dominions, from whome all their authoritie was, and who was at their beck and commandement: So in the Popes Kingdome, the Pope who is the head, and the Senate of Cardinals whilk is next him in authoritie, hes their ſeate in Rome: and they according to p. 354the olde patterne of the romane impyre, hes their Biſhops, arch-biſhops, Abbots, Priors, Monks, Friars, &c. in all the places of their dominion vnderunder them: who hes their whole authoritie from him, and who all are his ſworne men. So heir is then the liuelie image of the former beaſt.

And as to the ſext, Who did kill all them that would not worſhip the image. And this frame of gouernement of Popes, cardinals, Biſhops, Arch-biſhops, &c. and their Religion, but the Popes of Rome? The blood of infinite thouſands does teſtifie this. And wha hes brought all vnderunder their bondage, both one & other, that none might buy or ſel: that is, neither brooke Ciuill nor Eccleſiaſticall offices, but thoſe who were marked with his marke: that is, tooke on them his profeſsion, and was Catholickes (as he tearmes them,) Is not this ſufficiently knowne, that none might hauehave offices nor benefices in the Kirk, but they that receaued his marke, and ordours from him? And none might brooke their kingdomes and ciuill dignities, in ſo farre as lay in his power, but theſe that were of his profeſsion. Clement. lib. 2. …it. 9.Rex venit ante fores, iurans prius vrbis honores: Poſt homo fit Papae, recipit quo dante coronam. And Eraſmus ſayes in his Adagies, That neither Baptiſme nor marriage nor ſacrifice, nor pſalmes, nor prayer, nor Sacrament, nor graue in the papiſticall Kingdome are giuen without money.

Nowe laſte of all: to what kingdome or Kirk vnderunder heauen, ſince this Reuelation was written, does the nomber of the name of the beaſt, heir ſet downe, aggree; but to the Latine Kingdome of the Popes, and their Latine Kirk: for heir is ſet downe the name of the kingdome of Antichriſt. The nomber of the name of the beaſt heir ſet downe, is 666. and the letters of the name of this Antichriſtian kingdome foreign amounts to the ſame nomber of 666. foreign 30 1 300 5 10 foreign 50 70 200 all wh lk being ioined together, makes 666For what is the name of the Popiſh kingdome and hierarchie? Is not the Kirk called the Latine Kirk? Is not all the exerciſes of their Religion, almoſte in Latine? And ſuppoſe the old Teſtament be written in Hebrew, and the newe in Greek: yet, hauehave they not condemned the originals as corrupted, and hauehave they not authorized the Latine interpretation as only p. 355authenticall? So that Papacie, is the very kingdome of Latines. Nowe the letters of this Greeke worde foreign whilk ſignifies Latine (for the Reuelat. was written in greek) doeth amount to the ſame nomber 666. And what other kingdome or monarchy vnderunder heauē can they ſhowe whoſe name is ſik, Iren lib. 5. cap. 25 Sed & Latinis no men 666. numerum habet, & val de veriſimile eſt, quia veriſſimum regnum hoc habet vocabu…um. Latini enim ſunt qui nunc regnant 5 20 20 30 8 foreign. 200 10 1 10 300 1 foreign 30 10 20 1 foreign ROM … 200.6.40.10 ITH 10.400.that the letters thereof amounteth to this nomber? Ireneus an auncient writer, yea ſo auncient, that he ſawe and heard Polycarpus who was one of Iohns Diſciples, who receaued this Reuelation, mentioneth, that the name of this beaſt in this prophecie, is foreign And as the letters of this greeke worde foreign amounteth to this nomber 666: ſo does the letters of theſe Latine words, Eccleſia Italica, written in greeke letters, and of the Hebrew worde ROMIITH, that ſignifieth Romam. Is not this meikle nowe that this number of 666. aggrees to the name of the Papiſticall kingdome, both in hebrew, greeke, and latine. In greeke foreign that is Latine: in He…rew, ROMIITH, that is Rome: in latine Eccleſia Italica, that is, the Italian Kirk. For Italie is called Latium, that is Latine. What more woulde any man require? Will not this ſuffice to make it manifeſt, that the Popes are the Antichriſt, to whome eueryevery thing prophecied of the Antichriſt by the Apoſtle Paule, and this Reuelation of the ſecond beaſt, does ſo fitlie aggree? So that there can be none vnderunder heauen vntounto whome they can be applied, but only to the Popes of Rome. But yet for the full manifeſtation of this point, we will goe to the 17. of the Reuelation. For, as his Kingdome was figured vnderunder a beaſt that had two hornes like the Lambe, in the 13. chapter: ſo there is the principall throne and ſeat of his Kingdome, figured vnderunder a great harlote, with whome the Kings and nations of the earth hes committed fornication. The whilk harlote is moſte gloriouſly decked and richelie apparelled, Who hes a Cupe of golde in her hand, full of abhominations: in whoſe fore-heade a name is written: A myſtery, that Babylon, that mother of whooredomes, who is drunken with the blood of the Saints and Martyres of Ieſus, whilk is that great city, whilk raigneth ouer the kings of the earth, whilk ſitteth vppon ſeauen mountaines. For the maintenance of whoſe kingdome, ten p. 356Kings yealded vp their power & authority, to fight againſt the Lambe, and to ouercome him. That this great ciety is the ciety of Rome: it is ſo plaine, that he is more then blinde that ſees it not. For what ciety did raigne ouer the nations when this Reuelation was receaued, but Rome? and what ciety, Capitolinus, Palatinus, Auentinus, Caelius, Exquilinus, Quirinalis, Vi minalis.ſince the Pope clambe vp to his Kingdome, hes done the ſame, but Rome And what ciety ſitteth vponupon 7. hilles, but Rome, whoſe names are yet knowne? And what ciety hes bene the mother of all ſpiritual and bodily fornication, of all idolatry and abhomination, but Rome. Yea, what ciety hes bene ſo enriched with gold, purple, & precious ſtones, but Rome? And what ciety hes beene drunken with the blood of the Martyres and Saintes, but Rome? All theſe things are ſo manifeſt, that not only ſome of the Fathers, as a)a)in praefat. ad Dydimum, & in epi. ad Algaſium.Ierome, b)b)contra Marci. lib. 13. aduerſ. Iudaeos, cap. 9.& Tertullian ſawe it: but alſo ſome of themſelues confeſſes it, that this Babylon is Rome. Both Bellar. grants it plainlie, and alſo the Rhemiſts doe not deny it. I or c)c)Lib. 2. cap. 2,that great Ieſuite Bellarmine ſayes, that Iohn in the Reuelation euerye where calles Rome Babylon: and confirmes this, firſt by the teſtimony of Tertullian, and then by the circumſtances of the text For (ſaies he) there was no other ciety at that time that did raigne ouer the nations, but Rome. And it is moſt notorious (ſaies he) that Rome ſittes on ſeauen billes. What now would ye hauehave more? And in another d)d)L b. 4 cap. 4.place, It appeares, ſaies he, that in the time of the Antichrist, Rome ſhall be made deſolate, and ſhall be brunt, as it is gathered out of the 17. of the Reuel. and this ſhall not be vntill the end of the worlde. Theſe are plaine ſpeaches. And I ſay this great ciety of Rome, whilk is called heir myſticall Babylon, is not deſcriued heir, as ſhe was the ſeate of the heathen Emperors, when they raigned in her, as the Romane Kirk ſaies, but as ſhe is, and hes bene the ſeate of the Antichriſt. For in the time of the Emperours, ſhee made not the Kings of the earth commit fornication with her: that is, ſhee did not pollute them with her idolatry and religion, as it is foretolde of this Rome: for ſhe left eueryevery kingdome free to vſe their owne Idolatrie and ſuperſtition: But Rome ſince ſhe began to be the throne and ſeate of the Antichriſt, the p. 357Popes of Rome hes propagated her idolatry and worſhip to all nations, and hes made all nations drunken with the wine of her fornication: and hes obtruded her religion to all nations, againſt their wil, with fire and ſword. And from thence hes proceeded all the warres and blood-ſheds, in many nations of Europe, becauſe they did goe out of her, and departed from her idolatry.

Further, all the partes of her deſcription heir, aggrees to Rome, hauing the ſhewe of Chriſtianity, and not as ſhe was Ethnick vnderunder the Ethnick Emperors, as that purple and skarlet wherewith ſhe was clade, that gilding with golde & precious ſtones, and pearles: whilk the Arch-biſhop of Ratisbon, Albertus Magnus, and the gloſſe interprets of the ſimulation of pietie and meekeneſſe, and the ſpirituall graces of God: as faith, hope, charitie: all whilks (ſay they) ſhe ſhall in hypocriſie pretend: but yet in truth hauehave nothing ſik: but crueltie and vngodlineſſe, the whilk can no wayes aggree with Rome, as ſhe was in her Gentiliſme: therefore of neceſsity Papiſticall Rome is heir deſcriued, and not Ethnick Rome. Thirdly, that Rome is heir deſcriued, whilk was vpholden by the beaſt, vntounto whome the ten Kings yeelded vp their power, to fight againſt the Lambe, as is manifeſt by the 12. and 13. verſes of that 17. chapter. But this beaſt is not the empire of Rome, but the Antichriſtian kingdome: for theſe ten Kings had not receaued their Kingdomes all that time that the Romane Emperours were Ethnick, and long after: Therefore Rome as it is the ſeate of the Antichriſt, & not as it was the ſeate of the romane Empire, is heir deſcryued. And the Rhemiſts ſayes, that ſome expones theſe ten Kings, of ten kingdomes, In their annotations vponupon this place.into whilk the Romane empire ſhall be deuided, whilk ſhall all ſerue Antichriſt: therefore Rome as it is heir deſcriued, muſt be the ſeate of the Antichriſt.

Laſt of all, the Reuelation ſpeakes heir of that Rome that ſhalbe brunt with fire, & be made deſolate by the ten kingdomes, whilk God ſhould ſtirre vp to hate her; & he ſpeaks heir of that Rome whilk ſhalbe caſten in the middes of the p. 358ſea: after the whilk ſhall followe the day of iudgement: But this cannot be Rome as it was the ſeate of the Romane Empyre, The teſtimonies of themſelues prouing the Popes to be the Antichriſt, and Rome to be that miſtical Babilon.but as it is the ſeate of the Antichriſtian kingdome: for it is more then a thouſand yeares, ſince Rome left off her Gentiliſme, & yet this prophecy is not accompliſhed in her. VntoUnto theſe I ioine the teſtimonies of ſome of their owne Monks, Biſhops, Poets, Friars, hiſtoriographers, Emperours and Popes alſo, whereby it will be verefied, that this harlote is Rome, and the Popes thereof the Antichriſt. Bernarde a Monke of Cluniak, who liued about 400. yeare agoe, writing vntounto Peter the Abbote of that Monaſterie, ſpeaking of the tyrannous behauiour of the Cleargie and Biſhop of Rome, he accuſes them of ſacrilegious bryberie, of bying and ſelling of the Biſhops Pall, the Ring, and of all Lawes and equitie. And he ſayes in another place, Roma nocens nocet, at que viam docet ipſa nocendi, Iura relinquere, lucra requirere, pallida vendi: Non Deus eſt tibi Ieſus Roma periſti.

That is

This hurtfull Rome, does hurte, and teach to be wicked,

To leaue all lawe, and gaip for gaine, and ſell a Popiſh Tippet.

A greedie gulfe, a griping graue, a filthie iakes,

Both bottomleſſe, vnſatiate: and all alike ſhe makes.

By drinking thou art dry, & louder thou does cry, come bring me more:

I pray thee cry hoe: but thou ſaies no: I hunger ſore.

I thinke thou makes golde thy God, not Ieſus Chriſt.

Rome what ſhall I ſay? what ſhall I doe, or tell thee what is done?

Wealth weakeneth thee, wealth threatneth thee not to be Rome.

Then let me ſpeake it, and let me write it, Rome once thou waſt.

Then let me ſpeake it, and let me write it, Rome thou art gone.

And Iohn a Monke ſayes, Curia vult marcas, burſas exhaurit, & arcas: &c.

That is,

The Court of Rome does aime at markes, it ſouks the purſe, & ſoaks the arks:

If that you minde to ſpare your arkes, come not at Popes nor Patriarkes:

But if you frankly giuegive them markes, and with good gold ſtuf vp their arkest

I warrand then you ſhall be free, from any kinde of penaltie

Who is within? who is there? I. Why, what would ye? Come in.

Bring you ought? No. Stand ſtill. But I doe. Go ye then in.

The ſame Monke alſo ſaieth,

Roma manus rodit: quod rodere non valet, odit.

Dantes exaudit, non dantibus oſtia claudit.

Curid curarum genitrix, nutrix que malorum.

Ignotos notis, inho neſtos aequat honeſtis.

That is,

p. 359Rome is a raker, and ſpitefull hater of the emptie hand:

She heareth the giuer, but others neuer, but letteth them ſtand.

Her Courte a cage of cares: of miſchiefes eke the mother:

She vſeth knaues like honeſt men, and ſtrangers like a brother.

The Archbiſhop of Colon and Traverſe ſayes to Pope Nicolaus the firſt, Thou pretends the perſon of he Pope, but thou playes the tyrant. We feill a Wolfe vnderunder the weed of a Paſtor: the ſtile belies the parent. Thou by thy deedes makes ſhow as if thou were God: while as thou art the ſeruand of ſeruands, thou contendes to be Lord of Lords. According to the diſcipline of our Sauiour, thou art the leaſt of all the miniſters of the Temple of God. Thou through the deſire of ruling, goes to perdition. Whatſomeuer thing pleaſeth thee, is leeſome to thee. Fucus factus e… ChriſtianisAnd Gregory a Pope ſayes, I affirme this boldly vponupon good aſſurance, that whoſoeuer he be that calles himſelf, or is deſirous to be called vniuerſal Prieſt, in that hautines of his, is a fore-runner of Antichriſt, in that by ſwelling pride he preferreth himſelfe before others. Arnulphus Aurelaenſis vntounto the councell of Rhemes, teſtifies this of the Pope, Whome (ſaies he) reuerend Fathers thinke ye this man so be? who ſitting in a high throne, ſhynes in his purple and golden attyre? to wit, if he want louelove, & be puffed vp by knowl dge, he is the Antichriſt ſitting in the Temple of God, ſhewing himſelfe as though he were God. Bernard 400. yeare agoe, writing to Eugenius Pope of Rome, 2, Book to Eugenin concluſion he breaketh forth in theſe words. Thou hes more neede (ſaies he) to hauehave a rake in thy hand, 4. book to Eugennor a ſcepter to performe the office of a Prophete. And in another place, after he hes deſcriued and deteſted the pride of the Biſhops of Rome, at laſt he concludeth the matter in theſe wordes, ſaying to the Pope, Heirein (ſaies he) thou ſhowes thy ſelfe to hauehave ſucceeded not to Peter, but to Conſtantine. Peter is he who neuer knewe what belonged to ſik ſolemne ſhewing himſelfe abroade, in braueries of precious ſtones, or ſilkes, or …old, or ryding vponupon a white Palfray, or being garded with a troope of tall fellowes, or enuironed wich a c…mpany of ruffling ſeruing-men. Alſo in another place, In his epiſtle 230ſpeaking of the tiranny of the Biſhop of Rome, he maketh an exclamation in this ſort. At the firſt indeed (ſaies he) ye began to play the Lords but ouer the Cleargie, contrary to the counſell of Peter: 1. Pet, 5.3. 2. Cor. 1.24.2 Cor 1:24and within a while contrary to the aduiſe of Paule (Peters ftllowe Apoſtle) you will hauehave dominion ouer the faith of all men. But ye ſtay not there: ye hauehave taken vponupon you p. 360more: namelie, to hauehave a peremptory power in Religion it ſelfe. Nowe what remayneth whereon ye might further incroache, except ye will go about to bring the very Angels vnderunder your ſubiection. And in another place, VponUpon the Cantic ſerm. 33ſpeaking of the behauiours of the romiſh Prelats, Hence commeth (ſaies he) that whooriſh tricking, that ſtage-like attire, that prince-like pompe, whilk dayly we ſee in them: Hence proceids the golde that they vſe in their brydles, ſadles, and ſpurres: in ſo much that their ſpurres are more glittering then their altars. Hence came their ſtately Tables, their variety of diſhes, and quaffing cups: hence iſſued their ionketting, banketting, their drunkenneſſe and ſurfets: hence followed their Viols, harpes, and ſhalmes: hence flowed their ſellers and pantries ſo ſtuffed with wines and viands of all ſorts: hence gote they their lee-pots, and painting boxes: and hence had they their purſes ſo well lyned with coine. Fy vponupon it. Sik men they will needs be, & yet they are our great maiſters in Iſrael, as Deanes, arch-deanes, Biſhops, and arch-biſhops. Theſe works of theirs are little inferiour vntounto that filthineſſe whilk they committed in darkeneſſe. And laſtly he addes theſe words, For he is the very Antichriſt. Frederick the ſeconde, foretolde the ruine of Rome, more then 300. yeares ſince in theſe wyrds, writing to Innocentius 4. Pope:

Roma diu titubans, long is erroribus acta

Corruet, & mundi deſinet eſſe caput.

That is,

Rome rowling long about in errours, bound, & thrall,

Shall fall at laſt, and ceaſe to be the lofty head of all.

And in his verſe written againſt the Pope, hee affirmes plainely that he was that ſonne of perdition & that head of the wicked foreſpoken by Paule. And in his letters to the prelates of the world, he calles the Pope that greate dragon, that hes deceaued the whole world, that Antichriſt, and that counterfite Vicare of Chriſt. Eberharbus Biſhop of Salſburgh, Aboue 380. yeares agoe. Auentinus lib. 7ſpeaking of the Biſhops of Rome hee ſayes: they onelyonly deſire to reigne, they can not abide peace: They will not ceaſe till they hauehave ſtamped all vnderunder their feete, that they may ſit in the Temple of God, & be lifted vp aboue all that is called God, or that is worſhipped. He who is the ſeruād of ſeruāds, is the Lord of Lords, and deſires to be thought of, as if he were God: And hee ſayes, that man whome they vſe to call Antichriſt, bee ſpeaketh greate things as though he were God, in whoſe fore-heade that name of blaſphemie p. 361is written: I am God I can not erre. Franciſcus Petrarcha a light of that age for his manifolde learning, calles the courte of Rome Babylon, and that harlote of Babell that ſitteth vponupon manye waters, the mother of Idolatrie & whoordōe, the refuge of hereſies & errors. And Petrus Iohannes pronoūced the Pope to be the Antichriſt and the ſinagogue of Rome to be that greate Babylon. And Matthias Pariſienſis ſayes, that Antichriſt hes ſeduced al the vniuerſities and colledges of the learned, ſo that they teach nothing ſoundly now: & the edict of the empire, vnderunder Lodouick the fourth, ſpeaking of Pope Iohn the 22. ſayes, Chriſtians can not keepe the peace whilk is giuen them of God, for this Antichriſt (meaning the Pope) And in another edict it is written, as he is a diſaguiſed Paſtour, ſo is he a myſticall Antichriſt: and we declare him being the author of that Antichriſtian Empire, to be damned of hereſie, & depoſed by our right by the councell, ſentence, and common conſent of the princes and prelats of Germanie, the Prieſts of Italie, and people of Rome ſo deſiring. And Auentinus in the hiſtorie of Hildebrand writes, that almoſt all the plaine, iuſt, ſimple, & vpright hes written, that then (to wit when he was Pope) the Empyre of the Antichriſt began, becauſe they ſawe that come to paſſe at that time, whilk our Sauiour fore-tolde ſo manye yeares before. And to conclude this: Hadrian the 6. Pope, in his inſtructions of his legats to the conuention at Noremberge, he ſayes: Thou ſhalt ſaye, that wee grant freely that God hes ſuffered this perſecution to come vponupon the Kirk for the ſinnes of men, and eſpecially of the prieſts and prelats of the Kirk. And againe hee ſayes, we know that in this ſeate (ſpeaking of that Pontificall ſeate in Rome) many abhominable things hes beene for ſome yeares, as abuſe in ſpirituall things, exceſſe in commandements, and laſt of all, all things changed in worſe. And the Popes Cardinals (ſpeaking to Paule the third) ſayes. From this fountaine (holy Father) as from the Troyan horſe, ſo many abuſes hes ruſhed into the Kirk, and ſo heauie diſeaſes wherewith (as we may ſe) ſhe is brought into a deſperate eſtate, I omit the reſt: Yee may ſe the trueth is ſtrong that hes made their owne mouths to fyle themſelues. To conclude this then: Hee muſt be the vndoubted Antichriſt, and his kingdome Antichriſtian, vntounto whome the whole markes of the Antichriſt, as he is deſcriued in the ſcripture by the Apoſtle Paule, & Iohn in p. 362the Reuelation doth aggree: But they all aggree vntounto the Popes of Rome and his kingdome, as hes beene proued. Therefore they muſte bee that vndoubted Antichriſte who was to come. Secondly, he muſte bee that vndoubted Antichriſt, whome his owne Friars, Biſhops, Cardinals, and ſome of themſelues doth call Antichriſt, and aſcriue theſe things vntounto him that belongs properly to the Antithriſt: But his owne Friars, Biſhops, Cardinals, & ſome of themſelues hes ſo teſtified, as hes beene proued alſo: Therefore out of their owne mouths they are condemned to be that Antichriſt, & their kingdome Antichriſtian.

Now to put an end to this my reply, that religion is falſe whilk hes neither vnitie, ſucceſsion, nor antiquitie: this you can not deny, becauſe you make them the markes of your Kirk: But your religion hes neither vnitie, for that is broken by your manifolde contradictions and diſſenſions amongſt your ſelues, whereof I hauehave marked ſome, and the diligent reader of your workes may gather many moe: Chrachtouius in his booke called Bellum Ieſuiticum, hes gathered of two heads to wit the Maſſe and Antichriſt 205. contradictions, let the Chriſtian Reader iudge then what maye be gathered of the reſt, no ſucceſsion, neither perſonal, broken by their Popes who was Atheiſts, Schiſmatickes, heretickes, and by a vvoman Pope: neither in doctrine, being direct contrarye to the doctrine of Chriſt: no antiquitie, for the authors and origen of ſundrie maine poynts of your religion is ſet downe heere, and al your Romane Cleargie, hes not ſatisfied Maiſter Iewels challenge this 30. yeare agoe, concerning the noueltie of 27. of your opinions. Therefore ſince it hes neither vnitie, ſucceſsiō, nor antiquitie, it is a falſe religion by your own doctrine. Secondly, that religion whilk is contrarye the Scripture, contrary the practiſe of the primitiue Kirk whilk opens a dore to all licenciouſnes, whilk can bring no true peace & conſolation vntounto the conſciences of men, whilk bluſheth to be knowen and made manifeſt, whilk maintaineth manye greate abſurdities, horrible blaſphemies, abhominable idolatry that is the doctrine of Antichriſte, & the doctrine of diuels, p. 363whilk by their own mouthes is condemned, muſt be erroneous and falſe: But the religion of the Kirk of Rome is ſuch as hes beene euidently proued before, therefore it muſt be falſe. Woe therefore belonges to their ſoules that profeſſes it openly or ſecrectly.

REVEL. 14.

And another Angel followed ſaying, Babylon that great citty, ſhe hes fallen, ſhe hes fallen: for ſhe hes made all nations to drinke of the wyne of the wrath of her fornication. Ver. 9. And the third Angell followed them, ſaying with a loude voice, If any ſhall worſhip the beaſt and his image, and receaue the marke vponupon his foreheade, or vponupon his hand, he alſo ſhal drinke of the wine of the wrath of God yea of the pure wine, whilk is powred in the Cupe of his wrath, and he ſhalbe tormented in fire and brimſtone before the holy Angels, and before the Lambe, and the ſmoake of their torment ſhall aſcend for euermore: and they ſhall hauehave no reſt, day nor night, whilk worſhip the beaſt and his image: and whoſoeuer receaueth the printe of his name.

FINIS.