A Treatise Concerning Antichrist, Book 1 · Chapter 2

A Treatise Concerning Antichrist · Book 1 · Chapter 2

p. 7Chap. 2. Of the place or seate of Antichrist.

1. ANd first as touching the place or seate of Antichrist, I reason thus, Mysticall Babylon spoken of in the seuenteenth and eighteenth of the Apocalypse, is the seat of Antichrist:

Rome is Mysticall Babylon, spoken of in the seuenteenth and eighteenth of the Apocalypse. Therefore Rome is the seat of Antichrist.

As touching the proposition, you are to vnderstand that Babylon in the scriptures is taken sometimes literally, and sometimes mystically: literally, for Babylon either in Chaldaea, or in Egypt. Babylon in Chaldaea was the Metropolis or imperiall city of the Babylonian and Assyrian Monarchy. Babylon in AEgypt is called Babylis and Cayrus, of which some vnderstand the Apostle Peter to speake 1. Epist. 5. 13. Babylon mysticall in the Apocalypse, is the seat or chiefe city of Antichrist, resembling the 1. Pet. 5. 13. Apoc. 17. 5.1 Pet 5:13Rev 17:5Assyrian Babylon in pride, idolatry, filthinesse, and especiallie in most cruell persecution of the church of God. And for the same causes Apoc. 11. 8. is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt. Sodom, Ap. 11. 8.for pride and filthinesse: Egypt, for idolatrie and for cruelty towards the Israel of God. And as the church of Christ in the Apocalypse is called Ierusalem mysticallie, or the holy city: so the church & especially the Metropolis or chiefe city of Antichrist, is mysticallie called Babylon. This as it is the receiued opinion of the faithfull, so may it euidently be gathered out of the seuenteenth and eighteenth of Apocalypse, which without all doubt p. 8are prophecies concerning Antichrist, and the Antichristian city and seat, as the Papists themselues often confesse.Bellarm. lib. 3. de P…t. R. c. 2. Sander. demonstr. 13. & 18. &c

2 For that which the Papists sometimes obiect, That by Babylon is meant not any one city or company, but the vniuersall company of the reprobate, it is vnworthy the answering. And the argument which our Rhemists bring to proue their assertion, is without sence, to wit in their annotation vponupon Apoc. 18. 21. where the Angell throwing a great stone into the Sea, saith, with such violence shall that great city Babylon be throwne, and bee found no more. By this (say they) it seemeth cleere, that the Apostle meaneth not any one city, but the vniuersall company of the reprobate, which shall perish in the day of iudgement. But I answere, that the destruction of the vniuersall company of the reprobate in the day of Iudgement, is described afterward chap. 20. 11. And this destruction, as appeareth plainely by the circumstances of the text, especially in the ninth verse, and those which follow vntounto the eighteenth, shall be before the day of Iudgement, and therefore is not the destruction of the vniuersall company of the wicked. For if the vniuersall destruction of the wicked were here signified, then none of the wicked should …uruiue after this destruction to lament the same, as there shall, vers. 9. 10. 17. And that the vniuersall societie of the wicked is not meant by Babylon, euidently appeareth by the whole discourse, chapters 17. and 18, where the holy ghost speaketh of a city ruling ouer the princes of the earth, situated vponupon seauen hilles, sitting vponupon many waters, that is, ruling ouer many people, nations and languages, with whome all princes and inhabitants of the earth hauehave committed fonication, whose destruction is bewailed of all sorts of the wicked, none of which people or princes, or wicked ones that mourne for her, should be of the vniuersall company of the reprobate (as vndoubtedly they are) if Babylon signified the whole number of the wicked. And whereas they alleadge Ierem. 52, where onelyonly the history of the Babylonian captiuity is recorded, to prooue that Babylon signifieth the whole number of Gods enemies: it argueth, that they hauehave not so much as any shewe of reason to obiect against the truth of this proposition, namely that mysticall Babylon is the seat, or as they speake, the See of Antichrist, p. 9See…. 18.and therefore from henceforth vntill something further be obiected, I will take it for graunted.

3. But let vsus come to the assumption, viz, that Rome is mysticall Babylon: which I will proue by three arguments. First, because the description of Babylon, and of the whore of Babylon set downe by the holy Ghost, Apoc. 17. agreeth in all points to Rome and the Romane state. But most plainely in these two; First that the whore of Babylon is that great citie which in the Apostles time, had the kingdome ouer the Apoc. 17. 8.Rev 17:8Kings of the earth. And secondly, that this citie is situated on 7. hilles: which two notes most properly describe Rome. Apoc. 17. 9.Rev 17:9And so Propertius describeth it,

Septem vrbs alta iugis, toti quae praesidet orbi, That is the citie Eleg. 10. lib. 3.mounted on 7. hilles, ouer-ruling the whole world. That Rome was the Imperiall citie of the world, and the Metropolis of the Romane Monarchy, it is out of Question, neither is there any of our aduersaries either so ignorāt o…so shameles as to deny it. Prō hēce therfore I reason thus: That citie which in th'apostles time had dominion ouer the Kings of the earth, is the whore of Babylon. Rome is that citie which in th'apostles time, and since also vnderunder the Pope, had the dominiō ouer the kings of the earth: therefore Rome is the whore of Babylon. And that Rome also Georgic. 2. in fine.was situated on 7. hils, it is most manifest. Of her Virgi… saith,

Scilicet & rerum facta est pulcherrima Roma,

Septem quae vna sibi muro circumdedit arces.

Varro speaking of a festiuall day, which amōg the Romanes Lib 5. de ling. la….was called Septimontium, he saith it was so called, ab his 7. mō tibus in quibus vrbs sit a est. that is, of the 7. hilles whereon the citie was situated. And Plutarch vponupon the same occasion calleth Problem, Rom. Romae inst…. lib. 1, num. 65.Rome foreign. 1. Septicollem, that is Seuen hilled. Blondus saith, Montes in vrbe septem numerantur, The hilles within the citie are seuen in number. and the names of these 7. hilles are commonly knowne, & vsually named in Romane authors, viz, Palatinus, Capitolinus, Qutrinalis, Coelius, Esquilinus, Viminalis, Auentinus.

4. Yea but say our English Rhemists, The Angel himselfe In Apo. 17. 9.here … …eth these 7. hilles to be allone with the 7. heads, and p. 10the 7. kings. And yet the hereticks take them literally for 7. hilles: whereas the number of 7. is mysticall, signifying vniuersally all of that sort. And they might marke, that the Propets visions here are most by seuen, whether he talke of heads, hornes (which notwithstanding are not 7. but 10.) candelsticks, churches, kings, hilles. For answere whereunto, we must know that the beast wheron the whore of Babylon sitteth, is generally the Empire of Rome, but more specially vrbs Romae, the citie of Rome, which was the imperiall, and is the papall seate. This beast is said to hauehave 7. heads: which the holy Ghost expoundeth two waies. 7. capita vrbis, the 7. heads of the citie, are 7. hilles: the 7. heads of the Empire or people subiect to Rome (which also are compared to waters whereon the whore sitteth) are 7. kings, Apo. 17. 1. 15.that is seuen seuerall regiments, or heads of gouerment, (for so the holy Ghost elsewhere calleth them,) wherby the Empire or Dan. 8. 21.Dan 8:21people of Rome hath at diuers times beene gouerned: to wit, Kings (which also were seuen.) Consuls, Decemuirs, Tribunes (not tribuni plebis, but tribunt militum consulari potestate), Dictators, Emperours, and Popes. Now the Apostle doth not say, the seuen heads are seuen hilles, and the seuen hilles are seuen Kings: but the 7. heads are seuen hilles, and they (namly seuen heads) are (also) seuen kings, as Bellarmine also acknowledgeth. For this interpretation which they giuegive to Lib. 3. de pont. Rom. cap. 5.Rom 5the Angel, First, is inconuenient. For heads doe more fitly resemble kings which are the heads of the body politicke, then hilles doe. And secondly false, for if the hilles be kings, then the citie which is the woman vers. 18. sitteth vponupon the seuen kings, for she sitteth on the hilles, vers. 9. Neither is this interpretation of seuen heads, that they be seuen hils, any interpretatiō Apoc. 17. 9. 18.Rev 17:9Rev 17:18at all, except we vnderstand hilles properly. Moreouer both the hilles and kings are said to be seuen, not because 7. is a mysticall number, signifying all the kingdomes of persecutours, but because they are 7. indeed. Which also may be said of the 7. candlesticks & 7. Churches. Apoc. 1. & 2. & 3. which they bring for an instance. Of the hilles there is no questiō: and it is as true of the Kings, and therefore the Angell nūb. eth them vers. 10. Fiue (saith he) are fallen, one is, and the other is p. 11Apoc 17. 10.Rev 17:10not yet come: which is verified of these 7. regiments wherof I spake. For the regiments of Kings, Consulles, Decemuirs, Tribunes, Dictators, were ceassed in the Apostles time: One (that is of the Emperours) then was, and the seuenth, that is to say, of the Popes, was not yet come. And as touching the Romane Empire erected and reuiued by the Pope: it is the beast that was a flowrishing imperiall state, but is not Apoc. 17. 8.Rev 17:8indeede and in trueth the Empire of Rome, but rather an image of it. Apocal. 13. although it bee in name and title the Empire of Rome. This beast that was and is not, it is also the eight head or regiment, and is one of the seuen, namely of Apoc. 17. 11.Rev 17:11Emperours.

5. Secondly that Rome is mysticall Babylon, it may bee Hieronym. in Esay cap. 47. v. 1. item, in epist. ad Marcell…: quaest. 11. ad Algasiam: in praef. de spirit. sanct. ad Paulin.Isa 47:1proued by the testimonies of very good Authours. Ierome saith, Romanam vrbem in Apocalypsi Ioannis & Epistola Petri Babylonem specialiter appellar…, that the citie of Rome is called Babylon specially, in the Reuelation of Iohn, and epistle of Peter. Augustine calleth Rome the second Babylon, and Babylon of the West. To these we may adde Tertullian, Primasius, Victorinus (who saith, the seuen heads are the seuen hilles on De ciuit. Dei. lib. 18. cap. 22. & 27.which the woman, that is, the citie of Rome doth sitte) Prosper, and many others, Sibylla also oftentimes expresly calleth Rome Babylon.Lib. aduers. Indaeos 3.

6. Thirdly, by the confession of our aduersaries themselues. De promiss. & praedict.For first to proue that Peter was at Rome, they say, that by Babylon mentioned, 1. Pet. 5. 13. is meant Rome: although there can no sufficient reason be giuen, why the Apostle if he had meant Rome, should not rather hauehave vsed the name of Rome, then of Babylon. Secondly, the Rhemists conuicted with clearenesse of truth writing on the last verse of the 17. of the In Apoc. 17. 18.Rev 17:18Apocalypse confesse, that if by Babylon is meant any one citie (which before we hauehave proued) it is most like to be old Rome. And on the 5. verse they doe confesse, that as the persecuting Emperours, which (as they say) were figures of Antichrist, did principally sit in Rome; so it may well be, that the great Antichrist shall hauehave his seate there. And againe on the 18. verse they alledge a reason For (say they) by the authoritie of the p. 12old Romane Empire, Christ was put to death first: applying the prophecie of the 11. Chapt. verse 8. to Rome: thereby at vnawares confessing that Rome is that great citie, which as in the 17. of the Apocalyps is called Babylon mystically, so in that place is termed spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was also crucified. Thirdly, the authour of the Wardword, not knowing how to denie this so euident trueth, is content thus farre to agree with vsus, that Rome is Babylon. For not onelyonly S. Iohn (saith he) in the Apocalyps, but Peter also in his Epistle doth call Rome Babylon, and we doe not denie it. Bellarmine also confesseth so much, Per meretricem intelligi Romain, that Lib. 3. de pont. R. c. 13.by the whore of Babylon is to be vnderstood Rome, and proueth the same by the testimonie of Tertullian and Hierome. Therfore seing mysticall Babylon is the chiefe citie and See of Antichrist, as our aduersaries cannot denie with any shewe of reason: and seing Rome is mysticall Babylon, as hath bene proued not onelyonly by reason & testimonies, but also by the confession of our aduersaries: the conclusion must necessarily be inferred, that Rome therefore is the seate of Antichrist.

7 What then what cā the Papist answer to this syllogisme?

Mysticall Babylon is the seat of Antichrist,

Rome is mysticall Babylon,

Therfore Rome is the seat of Antichrist.

It may well be, …y the Rhemists, that the great Antichrist shall hauehave his seate there. And we doe not denie saith the authour of the Wardword, but that Rome is Babylon. And Bellarmine doth not onelyonly say it, but proue it. How then? Forsooth wee must distinguish of Rome. For Rome is either Heathenish or Christened. Heathenish Rome vnderunder the persecuting Emperours was Babylon: But Rome Christened is the Apostolicke See, and as it were the Ierusalem of the Christians. But this cuasion of theirs, howsoeuer they please themselues in it, is friuolous and absurde, as shall appeare by these reasons. For 1.first, if Rome be Babylon, as now at the length they confesse, and consequently the seate of Antichrist, as they cannot denie with any shewe of reason: I would faine know of them, whether vnderunder the heathenish Emperours Rome could be called p. 13the seat of Antichrist, because Antichrist did then sitte in Rome, or because he was to sitte there after the Heathenish Emperours were remoued. If they say, because he sate there then, their answere is ridiculous, and contrary to all that themselues hold concerning Antichrist. Therefore they must needs confesse, that Rome is called Babylon and the seat of Antichrist; not because Antichrist sate there whiles it was heathenishe, but because he was to sitte there after the Emperours were remooued.

8 And that the holy ghost by Babylon doth not meane Heathenish Rome vnderunder the persecuting Emperours, either onelyonly or principally, but Rome christened vnderunder the Pope, it may further appeare out of the whole discourse of Saint Iohn in the seuenteenth and eighteenth of the Apocalypse. The whore of Babylon is the great city, which in the Apostles 2.time, and since vnderunder the Popes, reigned ouer the kings of the earth; called a whore, and the mother of fornications: not onelyonly because her selfe hath by spirituall fornications plaid the strumpet, according to that which is sayd of Ierusalem: Fidelis ciuit as fact a est meretrix, The faithfull city is become an Esay. 1.Isa 1harlot: but also infected al kings and nations, subiect vntounto her, with her superstition & idolatry. But Rome heathenish, which neither dealt by whorish sleights and allurements, but by martiall pollicy and power, neither had professed her selfe to bee the Church and spouse of Christ, could not so fitly be called an harlot, whereby is signified an adulterous and apostaticall state. And besides, Heathenish Rome for the most part permitted to eueryevery countrey their owne religion: and was so far from enforcing her religion vponupon other nations subiect vntounto her, that as in her was erected the Pantheon in honour of all the Gods (which Boniface the fourth hauing obtained of Phocas Marcellin. lib. 16. Rosin. lib. 2. c. 9.consecrated to the virgin Mary and all the Saints) so shee admitted the idoles, religions, and superstitions allmost of all other countries, excepting the religions of the Egyptians and the Iewes, because they did not forsooth beseeme the maiesty of the Empire. But Popish Rome, of Bethel is become Bethauen, and of a faithfull city an harlot, exceeding all others in p. 14whorish entisements, cousenages, impudencies, cruelties, and all filthines: insomuch that we may truely say with Mantuan, Roma est iam tota lupanar, Rome wholy is become a stewes: and with Petrarch, that shee is scelerum aetque dedecorum omnium sentina, The sinke and sewre of all villantes and shamefull practises: and hath not onelyonly plaid the harlot her selfe, but is become the mother of all fornications, that is, idolatry and superstitions, and the fountaine of all other abhominations in the christian world. With which the cup of her fornications inebriateth (which more argueth the sottishnes of the Romish religion) all kings and people that consent vntounto her, and with fire & sword, obtrudeth her superstitions and Idolatrous religion, vntounto all nations that they can make subiect to that See.

9 Againe, if Iohn had spoken of old Rome, which then openly persecuted the saints, then had he not spoken of a mysterie 3.(as he doth) neither would he so greatly hauehave wondred to Apoc. 17. 5. 7.Rev 17:5Rev 17:7see the whore of Babylons eitheir idolatry or cruelty, against the Saints (as he doth vers. 6.) if by the whore were meant old Rome, whose Idolatrie and crueltie to Iohn was not strange. And further that the holy ghost by Babylon meaneth Popish 4.Rome, it may be proued out of the rest of the 17. chapter beginning at the 8. verse: where the Angell declareth vntounto Iohn the mysterie of the beast, whereon the woman sitteth, which hath the 7. heads and ten horns. For although this beast, as appeareth by conference with the thirteenth chapter, may signifie in generall the Romane state as it is opposed to Christ, Apoc. 13. 1. 2. &c.Rev 13:1Rev 13:2which in respect of the regiment, hath been subiect to seauen heads of gouernement, in respect of the imperiall citie is seated on seauen hilles, and in respect of the Empire was diuided in the Apostles time, into ten prouinces or kingdoms, as Strabo and others testifie: yet, here the Angell speaketh especiallie of the Romane state and Empire renewed, and as it were re…ed by the Pope. To the which, as also to the Papacy (which is the second beast in the 13. of the Apocalypse) though they be either of them but seuerall heads of the beast (vers. 10, & 11.) yet the holy ghost giueth the name of the beast. For this beast saith he, on which the woman sitteth, was & is not, and p. 15shall arise out of the depth: and again, that it is the beast which was and is not, though it be. And vers. 11. hauing shewed that the 7. heads of this beast signifie both the imperiall seat standing on 7. hils, & also 7. kings, that is, 7. chiefe gouernments: he saith, that this beast which was and is not, is the eight (namely head of gouernment, or foreign, for he speaketh in the masculine foreign) and is one of the seauen, namely of Emperors. All which cannot be vnderstoode of the Romane Empire, as it was heathenish, but as it is Popish. For this head which had bene and after was not (for it lay voide from the time of Augustulus vntounto Charlemaigne, the space of 325. yeers, viz, from the yeer 475, vntounto the yeere 800) was after to arise (for so hee saith foreign) being reuiued by the Pope, who was to put Ap. 13.life into the image of the former beast. For this Empire erected by the Pope, although it hath the name of the beast ascribed vntounto it, yet it is but the image of the former beast, & therfore is not, in truth & imperiall authority & dominion, the Empire of Rome, although in title it be. And further it is said, that this beast is the 8. head, & is one of the 7. which cannot be vnderstood of the heathenish Emperors but of the Popish. If therfore this beast whereupon the whore of Babylon sitteth, ruling & guiding the same, as the rider doth the beast on which he sitteth, be not the old Empire but the new, erected by the Pope: then the whore of Babylon is not old Rome vnderunder the heathenish Emperors, but Rome christened vnderunder the Pope. But the first is true, therefore the last.

10 And siftly the ten homes (saith the Angel) which thou sawest are ten kings, that is, the chiefe gouernors of the ten prouinces 5.or kingdomes, who before the dissolution of the Empire in Apoc. 17. 12.Rev 17:12the west, had not as yet receiued the kingdome; because they stil remained as procōsuls or propraetors, that is deputies & lief tenāts vnderunder the Emperor. But after the Empire was dissolued in the west, they receiued power as kings about the same time with the beast. i. Antichrist the Pope (for so Antichist both in the 13. chap. & in the 17. is cōsidered, 1. as a head of the beast, & 2. as a beast by it selfe.) For albeit neither hee could raigne in Rome, nor they in the prouinces, by soueraign authority, while p. 16the Empire stood in the west, and flourished; yet when it was once decaied, (but especially when the Emperour also of the cast had by the Popes meanes lost his title in Italy and Rome, and was by him bereaued, as the authour of the booke called fasciculus temporum saith, of the westerne Empire) then he seizeth on Rome, and a great part of Italie, and they on the seuerall prouinces. And that these ten hornes are the heads of ten kingdomes, which together with the beast (meaning Antichrist) shall diuide among them the Romane Empire, (for that is signified when it is saide that they receiue power as kings, that is, soueraigne authoritie, the same houre with the beast) it is the receiued opinion of the best writers. Yea Bellarmine himselfe saith, Ioannes dicit decem reges, qui sibi diuident Rom. imperium, odio habituros purpuratam meretricem. i. Romam, Lib. 3. de Pont. R. cap. 13.et eam desolatam facturos, Iohn doth say that the ten kings which shall diuide among them the Romane Empire, shall hate the harlot arayed with purple, that is (saith he) Rome, and shall make her desolate. And therefore the holy ghost in that place speaketh not of Rome as it was vnderunder the Heathenish Emperours, nor of the Empire as it was Heathenish, for then it was not dissolued; and long before the dissolution, had Rome ceassed to be Heathenish: but of the Empire erected and renewed by the Pope; which although it neither enioyeth Rome it selfe the imperiall seate, nor yet the prouinces which in times past belonged to the Empire, yet hath the name and title therof. And consequently, he speaketh of Rome as she should bee, not onelyonly after the dissolution of the old Empire in the west, but also after the erection of the new, that is to say of Rome Popish.

11 Of these ten hornes it is further said, that they hauehave all 6.one minde, being all of the same Popish religion, al of them Apoc. 17. 13.Rev 17:13with one consent wholie deuoted to the Pope, and sworne vntounto him. To whome for a time they giuegive ouer themselues, and their whole power to helpe and support the beast, thinking themselues bound (as hee hath perswaded them) to exercise their temporall sword, that is, their ciuill power, for the De maiorit. c. unam sanctam.church, meaning himselfe, and at his beck and commandement. p. 17And being ioyned to him & vnited one with another by holy leagues (as they call them) make holy warres, forsooth, against Apoc. 17. 13. 14.Rev 17:13Rev 17:14Christ the lambe in his true members. But when as Christ shall begin to consume Antichrist with the preaching of his worde, (as he is sure to ouercome because he is the Lord of Lords) then these ten hornes which before had ioyned with Antichrist, and had committed spirituall fornication with the whore, shall begin to hate the whore and to leaue her desolate and naked. Which cannot be vnderstood of old Rome, but of Apoc. 17. 2.Rev 17:2that which now is, wherof this Prophecy already is in part fulfilled. For since the reuelatiō of Antichrist in these latter times, the Pope hath lost, as Bellarmine cōplaineth, magnā Germaniae partem, Suetiam, Gothiam, Noruegiam, Daniā vniuersam, bonā Lib. 3. de pont. R. cap. 21.Angliae, Galliae, Heluetiae, Poloniae, Boemiae ac Pānoniae partem, that is, a great part of Germany, al Sueuia, Gothland, Norway, Denmarke, a good part of England, (but he might as well hauehave said all England, and thereunto added, Scotland and Ireland) a good part of Fraunce, Heluetia, Polonia, Boemia, & Pannonie. So that diuerse of these 10. Kings hauehave already forsaken the whore of Babylon, and hauehave bereaued her of a great part of her maintenance, and left her, as much as in them lieth, naked, & the rest in Gods good time will accomplish his will.

12. Seuenthly, It is apparāt that Iohn his treatise of Rome, 7.extendeth vntill the destruction thereof. If therfore by Babylon Apo. 17. & 18.is meant only heathenish Rome vnderunder the persecuting Emperours; then the destruction which the holy Ghost denounceth against the whore of Babylon, did befall Rome, whiles it was heathenish. But it is absurde to say that this destruction befell heathenish Rome. For first this destruction is an vtter & finall destruction. Apocal. 18. 21. 22. 23. And before this destruction the Empire was to be diuided into ten kingdomes, which first should ioyne with Antichrist, and afterward oppugne him. Which is vtterly false of Rome heathenish, but yet is begunne to bee fulfilled of Rome Popishe, and will in due time be accomplished. And againe it is most plaine that Iohn 8.intreateth of the state and conditiō of Rome, as it shalbe in the time of Antichrist. But Antichrist, as the Papists themselues p. 18confesse, was not to come whiles Rome was heathenish, but after the dissolution of the Romane Empire. And lastly, Hierome and other of the fathers, in whose times Rome was not Heathenish, doe notwithstanding call it Babylon. Not that 9.then it was, or had beene before, but because it should be according to the Prophecies of the holy Ghost, the seat of Antichrist, whose comming he and other of the fathers supposed not to be farre of: and therefore Hierome in his Epistle to Marcella, vseth this argument as the principall to perswade her to come from Rome (which then was not Heathenish) because it is Babylon.

13. These arguments might suffice to proue that not Rome Heathenish vnderunder the Emperours, but Rome Christened vnderunder the Popes, is mysticall Babylon the chiefe citie and See of Antichrist. But yet for better euidence of this trueth, and for the clearer manifestation of Antichrist, I will further proue vntounto you, that Rome Christened and professing her selfe to be the Church of Christ, is the seate of Antichrist. For if Antichrist shall sitte at all in Rome, then shall hee sitte in Rome Christened professing her selfe to bee the Church of Christ. But he shall sitte in Rome (as hath beene proued in parte and shall further bee cleared) therefore in Rome christned, and professing her selfe to be the Church of God. The proposition is built vponupon this foundation, that Antichrist shall sitte in the Churche of God, and therefore if Antichrist shall sitte at Rome, he shall sitte in Rome professing her selfe the Church of God. Now then that Antichrist shall sitte in the Church of God, I proue by the testimonie of Saint Paule, affirming 2. Thessal. 2. 4. that Antichrist shall sitte in the temple 2. Thess. 2. 4.2 Thess 2:4of God. But because the Papistes labour by might and maine to extort this place from vsus, as seruing rather to proue their conceipt, that Antichrist shall sitte in the temple of God at Ierusalem: I will therefore deliuer the place from their corruptions, and also make good our interpretation. For first, the temple at Ierusalem, and citie it selfe, as it was a type of the church of Christ: so when the church of Christ was once planted by the preaching of the gospell throughout the worlde, p. 19it was vtterly and finally to be abolished, according to the Prophecie of our Sauiour Christ, Mat. 24. 14. And then shalbe the end, namely of the temple and citie of Ierusalem. For after the tēple was once vtterly destroied by Titus Vespasian, as Christ Mat. 24. 2.Matt 24:2had foreshewed, it is neuer to be reedified. For as Daniel saith, according to the vulgar translation, which with the Papists is the onelyonly authentike Text of Scripture, Chap. 9. 27. Et erit Dan. 9. 27.Dan 9:27in templo abominatio desolationis, & vsque ad consummationem & finem perseuerabit desolatio, And there shalbe in the temple the abomination of desolation, and vntounto the consummation and end, the desolation shall continue: or as Hierome speaketh In Dan. 9.Dan 9more plainely, VsUs que ad consummationem & finem mundi perseuerabit desolatio: The desolatiō shall cōtinue vntounto the cō summation and end of the world. Our Sauiour Christ also Luo. 21. 22. 24. foretold, that Ierusalem being destroied by the Luc. 21. 22. 24.Luke 21:22Luke 21:24Romanes, should be troden vnderunder foote by the Gentiles, vntill the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled, that is vntill the second comming of Christ, which in the next wordes is described. Wherefore when as Iulian the Apostata endeuoured by the Iewes to reedifie the temple that hee might conuince the preaching of Christ of falshood, (foreign Lib. 3. cap. 20. Socrat. lib. 3. cap. 20. Sozom. lib. 5. cap. vlt.foreign, as Theodoret speaketh) which hee could not doe, vnlesse Christ had taught that it should not be reedified. Our Sauiour Christ by fire first from heauen, and after out of the earth, and by a feareful earthquake hindered this enterprise, thereby approuing his godhead, and shewing that he was not pleased, as Sozomen saith, with the renewing of the temple. It seemeth also to hauehave bene the iudgement of Cyrill with many others in the primitiue church, that the tēple should neuer be reedified: and Hierome saith, that the opinion which is Ad Marcell.for the restoring of the temple, is a Iewish fable. Whereas therfore the Papists teach, that Antichrist shall cause this temple to be built, and that he shall hauehave his seat there, which they know shall neuer be: what doe they else but make a mockery of all the prophecies of the holy Ghost concerning the comming of Antichrist, and with Iulian goe about to giuegive the lie to Daniel and our Sauiour Christ.

p. 2014. Againe, if th'apostle had by temple meant such a temple as should be built by Antichrist, hee would not hauehave called it the Temple of God, but rather of the Diuell. Non enim templum alicuius idoli (saith Augustine) aut daemonis, De ciuit. Dei lib. 10. c. 19.templum Dei Apostolus diceret. For the temple of some idoll or Diuell, the Apostle would not call the temple of God. Neither are wee by the temple of God to vnderstand a materiall building, for such (as Bellarmine truely saith) are not called the temple of God in the newe Testament. And therefore the more grosse is he to vnderstande it of a materiall temple, and of a corporall sitting. For first, materiall temples in the writings of th'apostles are not called the temples of God: but the congregations of Gods people are the temple of God. See 1. Cor. 3. 16. 17. 2. Cor. 6. 16. Ephes. 2. 21. Apoc. 3. 12. And according to the Scriptures phrase speaketh Lactan…us, Sol… Instit. lib. 4. cap. 30.(saith hee) catholica Ecclesia est, quae verum cultum retinet, hic est fons veritatis, hoc est domicilium fidei, hoc templum Dei. It is the catholicke Church alone which retaineth the true worship: this is the welspring of trueth, this is the house of faith, this is the temple of God. The temple of God therefore signifieth the congregation or companie of them which professe the name of Christ. In this temple Antichrist sitteth, that is, ruleth and raigneth. For wee are not to vnderstand it of the corporal gesture, as appeareth by that which followeth, he shal sitte in the temple of God as God, that is, he shall rule and raigne as if he were a God: for that is meant by Gods sitting, who doth not sitte after a corporall maner. In the temple Psalm. 9. 5.Ps 9:5of God therefore, which is his Church, Antichrist sitteth, that is ruleth and gouerneth, challenging a soueraigne and vniuersall dominion ouer all those that professe the name of Christ, as being the head, husband and Lord of the vniuersall church: which agreeth most fitly and properly to the Popes of Rome. Neither are we to omit the phrase of sitting. For whereas princes are said to raigne so many yeares, the Popes are saide to sitte, and the chiefe place of his dominion is called his Sedes, that is Sec or seat.

15 And this our interpretation is confirmed by the testimonies p. 21of the auncient. The temple of God (saith Theodoret) he calleth the churches, wherin Antichrist shal challēge to himselfe in 2. Thess. 2.2 Thess 2the first seat, endeuouring to shewe himselfe to be God. And againe, Dei autem templum vocat ecclesias, The temple of God Epitom.he calleth the churches. Hierome, & in templo Dei (saith he) vel Hierosolymis vt quidam putant, vel in ecclesia vt veriùs arbitramur: Ad Algasiam quaest. 11.And he shall sit in the temple of God, either at Ierusalem as some thinke, or in the church, as we more truely suppose. Chrysostome, in 2. Thess. 2.2 Thess 2foreign, where it seemeth foreign is put corruptly for foreign, for so the greeke scholiast, whoe vsually reporteth worde for worde, out of Chrysostome saith, foreign see Oecumen. in 2. Thess. 2.2 Thess 2foreign, In the temple,) Hee saithe not in the temple at Ierusalem, but in the churches of God. And likewise Theophylact, not in the temple which is at Ierusalem in 2. Thess. 2.2 Thess 2specially, but simply in the churches and in eueryevery temple of God. Augustine of these words saith, But in what temple of God he shall sit as God, it is vncertaine; whether in that ruine of De ciuit. Dei lib. 20. c. 19.the temple which king Salomon built, or else in the church. For the Apostle would not call the temple of an idoll or diuel, the temple of God. Whereupon some (to whose iudgement not only Augustine in this place, but Primasius also subscribeth) some I say by Antichrist in this place will hauehave understood not the prince Bellarmine citeth it, as Augustines owne iudgement. cap. 13.himselfe, but his whole body after a sort, that is the multitude of men pertaining vntounto him together with the prince himselfe. And they thinke it might better be read in the latine as it is in the greeke, non in templo Dei, sed in templum dei sedeat, tanquam ipse sit templum Dei quod est ecclesia. Sicut dicimus sedet in amicum. i. velut i amicus, &c. He sitteth not in the temple of God, but as the temple of God, as if he were the temple of God which is the church, euen as we say sedet in amicum, that is, he sitteth as a friend. Which exposition most fitly agreeeth to the Pope, and church of Rome who esteeme themselues alone to be the catholike church, and all others professing the name of Christ, to be heretikes and schismaticks. By this which hath bene saide, it is plaine that by the temple we are to vnderstand the church of God. And yet this doth no more proue the church of Rome p. 22to be the true church of God, then they can proue the temple of Antichrist at Ierusalem, where they say he should sit, to be Of this see more in the 2. booke, & 13. chap. §. 4. 5. & 6.the temple of God. It is sufficient that the church where Antichrist sitteth, hath bene the true church, and still is in title and profession; although in truth it bee but an Apostaticall church. Eor Antichrist, as he was to sit in the church, so he was to be the head of the Apostasie, and of those that fal from god: who notwithstanding (according to that exposition in Augustine) shall sit in templum Dei as though they alone were the true church of God.

16 But the Papists confirme their exposition, viz, that the temple of God signifieth the temple at Ierusalem, out of the Apoc. 11. 8.Rev 11:8eleuenth of the Apocalypse & eight verse. Where Iohn sheweth (say they) That the bodies of Enoch and Elias being slaine by Antichrist, shall lie in the streets of Ierusalem. Whereunto I answere, that Iohn in that place neither speaketh of Enoch and Elias, not yet of Ierusalem. And whether he speake of the persecution of Antichrist, there may be some doubt; because he seemeth verse. 2. and 7. to speake of the same persecution of the holy city that is the church, vnderunder the heathen; & namelie the persecuting Emperours, for 42. moneths, which is mentioned Apocalypse 13. 5. But supposing it to be vnderstood of Antichrist his persecution, let vsus consider the force of their argument. Where the two witnesses of God are slayne by Antichrist, there is (say they) the seat of Antichrist: At Ierusalem the two witnesses of God shall bee slaine, therefore at Ierusalem shall be the seat of Antichrist. The proposition they take for graunted, the which notwithstanding is not generallie true. For the two witnesses of God may bee slaine in that place by the authoritie and commaundement of Antichrist, where his proper seat is not. For as our Sauiour Christ was put to death, by the authority of the Romane Empire, at Ierusalem, where notwithstanding was not the imperiall seat of the Emperour: So the witnesses of our Sauiour Christ might be slaine by the authority and commaundement of the Antichrist of Rome, either at Ierusalem or else where, where notwithstanding is not the proper seat of Antichrist, This alone p. 23is sufficient to ouerthrow their whole argument. For if their proposition be not generally true, then their whole argumentation from a particular proposition is mere sophistry.

17 Notwithstanding, their assumption is also to be denyed, because the holy ghost speaketh not of Ierusalem (as Hierome proueth) but of Rome, or rather of the Empire of Rome. Yea but (say they) Christ also was crucified where the two witnesses should bee slayne: at Ierusalem Christ was crucified, and not at Rome, therefore at Ierusalem the two witnesses should bee slayne. I answere to the assumption: Christ was crucified at Ierusalem, and in the great city also, that is to say, within the Romane Empire, wherein and by authoritie where of our Sauiour Christ was put to death. In which sence the Rhemists seeme to apply this prophecy to Rome. If by the great city (say they) is meant any one city, it is most like to be old Rome, For by in Apoc. 17. 18.Rev 17:18the authoritie of the old Romane Empire Christ was put to death first. Whereunto I might adde, that euen in Rome it selfe Christ hath bene crucified in his members: and that within Ierusalem Christ was not crucified Heb. 13. 12. Now that Ierusalem is not here meant, but Rome, or rather, the Romane Empire, I proue; first, because it is called the great citie. By which title throughout the Apocalypse is meant Babylon or Rome, as appeareth by conference of these places. Apoc. 14 8. and 16. 19. & 18. 10. 16. 18. 19. 21. but especially Apoc. 17. 18. where the woman, that is, the whore of Babylon is said to be the great city which reigneth ouer the kings of the earth: And of this great city▪ i. Empire of Rome (which as it is called Sodome, which is the name of a city, so also Egypt, which is the name of a kingdom) the streets may fitly signifie the cities or townes of the seuerall prouinces. Once only is this title giuen to Ierusalē, & then not to the earthly Ierusalem, but to the heauenly. Ap. 21. 10. And so Augustine expoūdeth this place, In pla Homil. 8. …n. Apoc.te is ciuit at is magnae. i. in medio ecclesiae, in the streets of the great city, that is, in the middest of the church. Sauing that by the name church; he must needs vnderstand an adulterous & apostaticall church (which elsewhere is called the whore of Babylon), because as it foloweth in the text, it is called spiritualy Sodō or E- p. 24For euen as in the middest of the church euen at Ierusalē christ was crucified, so also the two witnesses of Christ were to bee slaine in the middest of the church, & euen in that city which professeth her selfe to be as it were the Ierusalem of Christendome. Secondly, the great city whereof he speaketh, is called spirituallie Sodom or Egypt. Sodom, for her pride and vncleannes, Egypt for her idolatrie and crueltie towards the Israell of God. Which titles most fitly agree to Rome: which is not inferiour either to Sodome in pride and vncleannesse, or to Egypt in grosse idolatry, and sauage cruelty towards the Mat 4. 5. Mat. 27. 53.Matt 4:5Matt 27:53church of God. But they are not in this place ascribed to Ierusa lem, which in the Apocalypse and elsewhere in the new testament, is called the holy city, euen then when it had crucifyed our Sauiour Christ. And not to seeke further, euen in that eleuenth chapter of the Apocalypse vers. 2. neither is the citie of Ierusalem in the Apocalypse any where spoken of in the ill Hicrome ad Marcell.part. This is also Hieroms argument in his Epistle to Marcella. None of the holy scripture (saith he) can be contrary to it selfe, and much lesse the same place of scripture. For about ten verses before, Ierusalem is called the holy city. Now if it be called the holy city euen after the passion of our Lord, how is it againe call…d Cap. 13.spirituallie Sodom and Egypt? But Bellarmine answereth, that Hierome did not write this in good sooth: by which aunswere it were easie to elude any testimony: as though Hierome made no conscience to write vntruthes, especially in so waightie a Irenaus.matter, although in the name of others. Thirdly, before the time of this reuelation which was in the latter end of Domitians raigne, the temple and city of Ierusalem were vtterly destroyed, and neuer so to be reedified as to become the seat of Antichrist, therefore this place cannot be vnderstood of Ierusalem. Wherefore these obiections notwithstanding, our assertion remaineth fi…e and stedfast, that Antichrist was to sit in Rome christened, and professing her selfe the church of God. Euen as the Bishops of Germanie in Auentinus applying both this prophecie of Paul, and that of Iohn Apocalypse 17, to the Lib. 5. hist. Boe.Antichrist of Rome, In Babylonia say they, in temple Dei sedet: he sitteth in Babylon in the temple of God.

p. 2518. Now let vsus further consider what other euasions they vse to auoide this trueth. First they say, that Babylon did not signifie any one citie, but the whole societie of the wicked. Secondly, if it signified any one citie, that then it was olde Rome. Now thirdly, if the whore of Babylon doe signifie Rome christened, that yet notwithstanding it is not (as Bellarmine De Pont. Rom. lib. 3. c. 13.is not ashamed to say) the seat of Antichrist. But if Rome christened or Church of Rome be the whore of Babylon (as wee hauehave proued though our aduersaries should not confesse it) then is it so called because shee is an adulterous and apostaticall church, which hath fallen from Christ to Antichrist, whom in steed of Christ she acknowledgeth to be her husband and head: then is she the mother both of all fornications, Apoc. 17. 5.Rev 17:5that is of all superstitious and idolatrous worshippe, and also of al abominations, as Atheisme, Machiauellisme, Sodomy and Antichristian heresies, with whom the Kings and inhabitants Apoc. 17. 2. 4.Rev 17:2Rev 17:4of the earth hauehave committed fornication, being made drunke and intoxicated with the golden cuppe of her fornications, that is, of her glorious idolatries and Antichristian heresies: who as she is cloathed with Scarlet, so is she died red, and Apoc 17. 4. 6.Rev 17:4Rev 17:6drunke with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Iesu: as being that citie and church wherin the two witnesses of Christ are put to death. Apoc. 11. And cā she then be the whore of Babylon, and not the Antichristian citie and state? especially considering these two thinges which the Papists themselues are forced to confesse, first, that the state of Rome is here figured as it shalbe in the time of Antichrist: secondly, that Antichrist shalbe one of the seuen heads, & namely the last head of the Romane beast, and consequently shall hauehave Rome for his principall seat. Let vsus see then whether the Iesuit be able to bring so much as a shew of reason against this truth. For it may be you expect his proofe. Antichrist, saith he, Lib. 3. de pont. Rom. cap. 13.Rom 13making his collection out of Apoc. 17. 16. shall hate Rome, and shall fight with her, and shall make her desolate, and burne her. Whereupon it followeth manifestly, that Rome shal not be the seat of Antichrist. But it should seeme the Iesuit was in a dreame when he framed this argument. For it is euident that not Antichrist, p. 26but the ten hornes, that is the ten Kings, shal hate the whore, that is, the Antichristian city & president therof: & accordingly Tertullian, Prostituta illa ciuitas, à decemregib. dignos exitus referet, That city which hath prostituted her selfe to De resurrect. carn. c. 25.play the harlot, shall frō the ten Kings receiue her deserued end. And so in another place himselfe being better awaked reasosoneth from that place. The ten kings (saith he) which shall diuide among them the Romane Empire, and in whose time Antichrist shall come, shall hate the purple harlot that is Rome and make her desolate, how then shall shee be the seat of Antichrist? Whereunto I answere, that the very contrary is to be inferred vponupon that place: where it is said that the 10. hornes, that is the 10. kings, which shall diuide among them the Romane Empire, shal in deed for a time ioyne with Antichrist, and giuegive their power vntounto him. But when as Christ shall begin to waste and to weaken him with the spirit of his mouth, that then these 10. Kings shall oppose themselues against the Antichristian citie and the head thereof. Which, euent and experience in parte hath proued to bee true in some of these 10. Kings, as hath before beene shewed. From that place therefore wee §. 11.may reason thus; The purple harlot which the 10. Kings shall assault is the city of Antichrist. Rome is that purple harlot, as the aduersarie himselfe confesseth, therefore Rome is the citie of Antichrist.

19. Their last refuge is this: that Rome Christian, where the Pope sitteth, doth not stande vponupon 7. hilles, but is remoued from the seuen hilles into the plaine of Campus Martius: and that the Pope sitteth on the other side of the riuer vponupon the mount Vatican. Saunders therefore thought it to bee but a childish argument to proue from the 7. hilles that the seate of Antichrist is at Rome. But we would knowe of him whether it be the same Rome where they say Peter sate or not. If it be the same, then it standeth on seuen hilles, if it bee not the same, how is it then the Apostolicke seate and chaire of Peter? True in deede it is, that in the time of the Emperours the Pomarium of the citie was enlarged, so that it enclosed a good parte of Campus Martius: and that since some more p. 27auncient partes of the citie being decaied, the greatest parte of priuate buildings stande in the plaine. Yet notwithstanding euen to this day, the seuen hilles are enclosed within the walles of the citie, and vponupon them there doe yet remaine, besides some of the Popes palaces and courts, diuers churches and houses of religion and other buildings of note: as that learned diuine of blessed memory D. Fulke particularly sheweth In Apoc. 17. 9.Rev 17:9in his answere to the Rhemists. Neither doth the enlarging of the citie in one parte, and the decaying of it in another, proue it not to be the same citie. And although the Pope doth liue in the Vatican, or in any other pallace of his whersoeuer: yet who knoweth not, that Rome is the Papal or as they cal it the Apostolick seat, appointed as they aaRod. Cupers de eccles. pag. 37. num. 1.say by Christ himself. Neither can the Pope as bbCupers dae eccles. p. 226. num. 16.they teach chaunge his seate: or if he should, he should ceasse to be the successour of Peter. For whosoeuer is chosen Bishop of the citie of Rome, he (say they) is the successor of S. Peter, the vicar of Christ, and Bishop of the world. And as Rome in generall is the Popes seat, or See; Cupers pag. 37. num 4.so more specially the cathedrall church of Laterane, whereof more properly the Pope is Bishop, as the husband of one wife. Cupers. pag. 221. n. 31.In which respect they say, that as S. Peter and his successours bee the head of the whole church or vniuersitie of the faithfull, so the Laterane church being referred to other materiall Cupers. pag. 106. num. 11.churches, is the head of all churches of the world. VntoUnto this church was adioyned the chiefe pallace of the Pope, which was inhabited by them vntill the time of Boniface the 9. as Onuphrius testifieth, that is to say 1400. yeares almost after De 7. vrb. eecl.Christ: howsoeuer since the time of Leo the 10. who lodged therein, it is within these last hundred yeares decaied. Now it is well knowen that the pallace and church of Laterane standeth on the mount Coelius in the most remote part of the citie, and furthest distant from the Vaticane. So that all these shifts and euasions of the Papists notwithstanding, it is euident, that Rome, which we hauehave now proued to be the seat of the Pope, is by the former reasons alleadged, the seat of Antichrist.