Whole Works, Tracts 2 · Tract 3 – Tract 4
Antitheſis, wherin are compared together Chriſtes actes and the Popes, gathered by Iohn Frith and annexed vntounto the Reuelation of Antichriſt, which he tranſlated. 1529.
¶ Antitheſis.
WE hauehave annexed (Chriſten Reader) vntounto the end of the Reuelatiō, a little treatiſe after the maner of an Epitome and ſhorte rehearſall of all thynges that examined more diligētly in the aforeſayd booke, wherein their falſe and cloked hipocriſie is aboundantly opened, by the compairing of Chriſtes Math. 7.actes and theirs together, for Chriſtes rule can not bee deceauable, whiche ſayth that we ſhould know thē by their workes, for Paule ſaith 1▪ Cor. 11.that ſuch falſe Apoſtles are wicked workers which be tranſfigured into Chriſtes Apoſtles. And no maruell for Sathan hym ſelfe, is ſome tyme tranſfigured into an aungell of light, therefore it is no great thyng, if that his miniſters do take vponupon them a ſimilitude, as though they were the miniſters of iuſtice, whoſe ende ſhalbe accordyng to their workes. Chriſten men ſhould marke ſuch and flye away from thē for ſuch ſerue not Chriſt but their owne bellyes. And by ſweete preachynges, and flattering wordes deceaue the hartes of the innocētes. And euen as Iannes and Iambres 2. Timb. 3. Exod. 8.withſtode Moſes, euen ſo theſe reſiſte the truth, men they are of corrupt myndes, and lewed as concernyng the fayth, but they ſhall preuayle no lenger, for their madneſſe ſhalbe vttered vntounto all mē as theirs was. Thus the people be blynded fallyng into vnbelefe. And are deceaued thorough the ſleghty conueyaunce of Antichriſt and his adherents. Saint Iohn ſaid, that there Iohn. 4.were many Antichriſtes in his time no wonder if now be mo, howbeit by their workes they ſhalbe knowē and alſo by their wordes, for they ſhall contrary Chriſt both in lyfe & learnyng, whom they profeſſe to folow. Nowe let vsus conſider Popes, Cardinalles, Byſhops, Suffraganes, Archdeacons, Deacons, Officials, Perſons, Abbotes, with Deans, and Friers, Sumners, Pardoners, and theſe Papal Notaries, take hede to Monkes, Chanons, Ankers, and He remites, Nunnes, and Siſters, and marke how they folow Chriſt. We will chiefly touch the head whiche is the Pope, although it may be verified through all his members.
Firſt.
Math. 8.CHriſt was poore, ſaying. The Foxes hauehave holes, and the byrdes of the ayre hauehave neſtes, but the ſonne of mā hath not whereon to lay his head.
The Pope and his adherents are rich, for the Pope ſayth Rome is myne, Sicilia is myne, Corſica is myne. &c. And his adherentes hauehave alſo, frutefull poſſeſſions, this eueryevery man knoweth.
2. Chriſt was méeke and lowe, and Iohn. 6.forſooke this worldly glory, and fled alone vntounto the mountaynes, when Iohn. 6.the people woulde hauehave made him a kyng. Saying my kingdome is not of Iohn. 17.this worlde.
The Pope, is full high and proud, ſaying, I am a Lorde of both the realmes, earthly and heauenly, and the Emperour is my ſubiect: This witneſſeth his lawe. Di. 96. ca. Si imperator.
3 Chriſt full lowly and méekely waſhed Iohn. 13.his diſciples féete.
The Pope ſayth, the Emperours and kynges, ſhall knele and kyſſe my féete, and is not aſhamed to expreſſe it in the lawe. ca. Cū olim. de priuil. ele.
4. Chriſt came not to be ſerued but to ſerue, takyng vponupon him the ſimilitude Luke. 22. Phil. 2.of a ſeruaunt, humbling hymſelfe and made himſelfe of no reputation to ſerue vsus.
The Pope will be ſerued, and ſayth it were a ſhame if he ſhoulde ſo humble himſelfe. Diſt. 86. ca. Quando neceſsitas.
5. Chriſt went on his féete with hys diſciples both in wette and dry, heat and cold, to teach the people, as it is euident through the Goſpels.
The Popes and Byſhops will kéepe their féete ful cleane with ſhoes of gold and ſiluer. Sith with precious ſtones, and will not preach them ſelues, but ſay it is ſufficient, to cauſe other to preach. cap. Inter ceteram de offic. Iuor. After this maner might the Turke be Pope alſo.
6. Chriſt wold not ſuffer that doues, Math. 21.ſhéepe, & oxen for the offeryng, ſhould be ſold in the tēple of God, but draue out the buyers & ſellers with whipes.
The Pope and Byſhops, ſuffer chapmen in the Church that miniſter the Sacramentes for money, dayly vntounto the common people. And they geue great pardon vntounto it, that they may be partakers of the wynnyng, to maynteine theyr cradles and other neceſſaryes with all, this may you ſée dayly.
7. Chriſt ſaith, ye hauehave it for nothing Math. 10.therfore ſhall you geue it for nothing.
The Pope hath Iudas mynde, for you get nothyng of hym without money, for he ſelleth both prayer & preachyng.
8. Chriſt ſate at meate among hys Luke. 22.Diſciples ful lowly and poorely. Not requiryng the hygheſt ſeate.
The Pope ſitteth full high in a curious throne and will be ſerued gloriouſly with long knéelyng and mē to kerue his morſſels, wt iagged coates blaſphemyng God with othes, & many other vices as we may ſée dayly.
9. Chriſt was in hilles with wepyng Math. 14. and. 15.and praying and walked in deſert, féedyng many thouſandes, both with meate and preachyng.
The Pope ſitteth in hys Caſtels & towers with minſtrelſie & laughter. And the hungry poore ſhall ſit at the gate, he will not ſerue them hym ſelfe for ſhame he thinketh it were.
10. Chriſt lay and ſlept in a boate on Math. 8.the hard bordes and had to his chamberlaynes but fiſhers, crying to hym vppon the Sea in the tempeſt when they were a feard to periſh.
The Pope ſléepeth full ſoft & eaſely, and no man may awake hym vntil he hauehave ſlept inough, for his chamberlaynes ſhalbe ready with Marſhals and vſhers, to kéepe his hall and chamber from noyſe. And the portar at the gate to kéepe out the poore. Their Lord they will not awake.
11. Chriſt faſted & ſought the frute on the trée when he was hungry, and Math. 21.founde none theron.
The Pope hath great prouiſion at Cities and Townes to get him of the beſt that may be founde, well dreſſed and dayntely to make digeſtion, with ſpicery, ſawces, and ſiropes, coloured out of kynde.
12. Chriſt lay in a ſtable, with few clothes, betwixt an oxe and an Aſſe for Luke. 2.the place was narrowe.
The Pope, in rich chambers, with quiltes, curtaines, carpettes and quiſh…ons ſpread all about with ſwéete ſmelles and paynted walles.
13. Chriſt choſe to hym poore men, and commaunded them to be ſimple as doues.Math. 11.
The Pope choſeth ſubtile mē and crafty, full of pride or els they are not méete for hym.
14. Chriſt rode ſimply on an Aſſe, Math. 21.& had twelue that folowed him a foote all about.
The Pope on a mule or a white palfray much hygher then hys maſter dyd. And hath many mo then twelue folowyng hym on horſebacke with ſwoordes and bucklers, as it were to battaile.
15. Chriſt bade hys Diſciples to go Mark. 16.into all the world and to preach the Goſpell to eueryevery creature.
The Pope and hys Byſhops forbyd it in the payne of diſobediēce and excommunication, ſaue onelyonly ſuch as they will aſſigne.
16. Chriſt was naked, beaten, ſcourged, Iohn. 19.and falſe witneſſe brought agaynſt hym.
The Pope and his adherentes are wel clothed with precious garments, and hauehave chaunge for ech day, & falſe witnes they hauehave inough, not againſt them, but to teſtifie with them what ſoeuer they will hauehave agaynſt the innocentes.
17. Chriſt came to ſéeke the poore & comfort them, he was not chargefull vntounto them, but was milde, and had pitie on them.
The Pope and Byſhops, ſomon & cite them be they neuer ſo poore, not regarding their aduerſitie. But curſe if they come not. So that they go away ſoryer, and ſicker in ſoule, and in purſe then they were before.
18. Chriſt commaunded that we ſhould not ſweare at all, neither by Math. 5.heauē, neither by the temple. &c. But that our wordes ſhould be, yea, yea, nay, nay.
The Pope ſayth, if any man wyll receaue any office vnderunder vsus, he ſhalbe ſworne before, yea, and geue a great ſumme of money. Ca. Signifi. de elect.
19. Chriſt had a crowne of thorne thruſt vponupon his head, ſo that ye bloude Iohn. 19.ranne downe vpō his amiable countenaunce, and ſharpe nayles thorow his precious handes.
The Pope muſt weare thrée crownes Ca. Conſtāt. dist. …vi.of golde, ſet with riche precious ſtones, he lacketh no Diademes, hys handes and fingers with owches and ringes are royally dight, he paſſeth poore Chriſt farre.
20. Chriſt tooke the croſſe of painfull affliction vponupon himſelfe, and cōmaū ded his diſciples to folow him, ſaying, Math. 10.he that taketh not his croſſe, and folow me, is not méete for me.
The Pope and hys Byſhops take the croſſe of pryde, and hauehave it borne before them, well gilt and amelde, to hauehave a worſhippe of thys worlde, as for other croſſe know they none.
21. Chriſt prayed his father to forgeue Luke. 23.them that treſpaſſed hym, yea, and for them that put him to death.
Our Byſhoppes, pray the kyng to be auenged on them that reſiſte their mindes, with forgeuenes they hauehave no acquaintance.
22. Chriſt bad his diſciples to preach Math. 10.the Goſpell.
The Pope and his Byſhops wyll hauehave men to preach fables, and therto graunt letter and ſeall, and many dayes of pardon.
23. Chriſt commaunded hys diſciples Iohn. 19.to know his lawe, and bad the Iewes to ſerche the Scriptures. And Exod. 16.Moſes exhorted ye Iſraelites to teach the lawe of God to their younge children. And that they ſhoulde hauehave it bounde as a ſigne in their handes, that it myght euer be before theyr eyes: And cauſed them to write it on the poſtes and doores of their houſes.
The Pope and his Biſhoppes ſay, that it is not méete for vsus to know it, they make it hereſie and treaſon to ye kyng to know Chriſt or his lawes, they hauehave digged ciſternes of theyr owne traditions, and hauehave ſtopped vp the pure fountaynes of Iſraell. Oh Lord, (in whom is all our truſt) come downe from the heauens, why dooſt thou tary ſo long, ſeyng thyne aduerſary thus preuayling agaynſt thée?
24. Chriſt approued hys lawe and Heb. 9.confirmed it with his owne death.
The Pope and B…ſhoppes vsus full buſie how they may deſtroy it, and magnifie more theyr owne lawe then Chriſtes, to maintayne theyr fatte bellyes.
25. Chriſt would men viſited priſoners, to comfort and deliuer them.Math. 25.
The Pope with his adherentes, diſcomfort the poore and the true, and put them in priſon for the truth.
26. Chriſt whom they call their example, did neuer priſon nor perſecute any.
The Pope and his champyons, perſecute, puniſhe, priſon, and put to death, them that are diſobedient to their voluptuous pleaſures. Ye ſée how ſtrayghte they followe Chriſtes ſteppes.
27. Chriſt cōmaunded his diſciples that if any man treſpaſſed agaynſt Math. 18.them, they ſhoulde go & reproue hym priuely, if he would not obey and be reconcyled, then ſhoulde they take with them one witnes or twayne, if he would not then heare them, that they ſhould tell it to the whole cōgregation. And if he would ſtill continue in his ſtubbernes, that they ſhould auoyde his company.
The Pope and Byſhoppes wyll caſt ſtraight into priſon, there to remaine in yrons to make them reuoke the truth, and graunt to their willes, and if he be ſtronge and will not forſake the truth, they will condemne him without audience, for feare of loſing of their temporall winning. And offering to their wombes, and taking away of their temporaltyes, wherewith the church is venomed.
28. Chriſt charged Peter thriſe, to Iohn. 21.kéepe well and nouriſhe his ſhéepe.
The Pope chargeth much more to kéepe well his money. As for the ſhéepe he ſhereth and puniſheth wyth infinite exactions.
29. Chriſt healing the ſicke and doing Math. 8. Marke. 1. Luke. 5.many myracles, did lightly, euer commaunde that they ſhoulde tell no man who did heale them.
The Pope and Byſhoppes, geue great giftes to minſtrelles and meſſengers, to leude lyers and flatterers to crye their name about, that they may hauehave worſhyppe in this worlde.
30. Chriſt had no ſecular courtes to Math. 5.pleade ye matters of his diſciples, for they would not reſiſt euill.
The Pope and Biſhoppes, hauehave many with men of lawe to oppreſſe ye poore againſt mercy, forgeue they will not, but euer be auenged.
31. Chriſt in cities and townes hunted Math. 8. & 17.the féendes out of men that they dwelled in, with the wordes of hys mouth.
The Pope and Byſhoppes, hunt the wilde Deare, the For, and the Hare, in their cloſed parkes, wyth great cryes, and hornes blowinge, with H…undes and ratches running.
32. God was called the holy father Iohn. 22.of Ieſu Chriſt his ſonne.
The Pope is called moſt holy father of Sathās children, & taketh that name on him wyth Lucifers pride: his diſciples ſay ye he is god on earth, and we are taught by Chriſtes lawe to hauehave but one God.
33. Chriſt ſate in the middes of the Luke. 2.Doctors, aſking, and hearing them.
The Pope and Byſhoppes ſit in thrones wyth glorious myters, iudgeing and condemning by theyr owne made lawes. A litle matter, long in pleating, which myght be ſoone determined by the lawe of God, if they would vſe it, but then were their winning the leſſe, and their lawe wythout profite.
34 Chriſt taught that a man ſhoulde forſake his wife for no cauſe but for Math. 5.aduoutry.
The Pope and Byſhoppes wyll make deuorces for money, as often as they liſt, and ſo they pille the poore and make themſelues rich, nothyng regardyng to breake the law of God.
35. Chriſt ſent the holy ghoſt in feruent louelove, to teach all the truth vntounto Actes. 2.them which were choſen of God.
The Pope and Byſhoppes ſende commaundements all about to curſe and aſke auengeaunce on them that reſiſte theyr tyranny, And abſoile thē agayne cleane for money: all their doctrines hauehave golden tayles, for money is euer the ende, geue them money, and you hauehave fulfilled all theyr lawes.
36. Chriſt fulfilled and kept the olde Math. 3.lawe and the new, and all righteouſneſſe.
The Pope and Byſhoppes kéepe their owne traditions and lawes, but the lawe of God is cleane out of their myndes.
37. Chriſt ſayd, that men ſhoulde Iohn. 12.know his diſciples by their charitie, becauſe they ſhould louelove one another as he hath loued them.
The Pope cauſeth his to be knowen, by theyr ſhauen crownes, by gathering vp of tithes, maſſe pence, and offeringes, by the gylden trentalles, and ſalaryes to ſing, by Peter pence gathering, and ſhriuing for monye, by peny wedding, and holy water ſprinkling, and many mo markes hath he geuen them, As for charitie, they know it not at all.
38. Chriſt bad them that hee healed Iohn. 9.to go and ſinne no more.
The Pope and Biſhops hauehave fayned penaunce, and commaunde men to faſt bread & water, to go barefoote, without a ſhurt, & to offer to certaine idols money or cattell, ſome Maſſes muſt be ſong for them becauſe theyr confeſſours ſhould hauehave ſome profite, Some muſt go about the church, and Churchyard, with a taper burnyng in hys hand. And euer ſome be puniſhed by the purſe, though they offend not.
39. Chriſt ſent to preach ſeuēty and Luke. 10.and two Diſciples, whiche promiſed fréely heauen to them that would beleue in the name of Chriſt.
The Pope and Byſhops ſende about foure ſectes of beggers to geue pardon vnderunder their maſter Antichriſt. And to ſell heauen to whom ſo euer they liſte, the Apoſtles knew no ſuch thynges.
40. Chriſt was buryed in a garden Iohn. 19.in a poore monument without any funerall pompe.
The Pope and Byſhops are buryed in tombes well gilt with many a torch and great ſolemnitie, with angels gloriouſly portered that beare their ſoules to heauen. Notwithſtandyng it is to be feared that they go to ſupper with the deuill.
41. Chriſt ſayth if thou wilt be perfite Math. 19.go and ſell all thy goodes and geue it vntounto the poore for then ſhalt thou hauehave treaſure in heauen.
The pope ſaith if thou wilt be perfite geue me thy money & I will geue thée a pardon that ſhall abſolue thée cleane a poena & culpa I will for thy money geue thée, the kaye of heauen gates.
42. Chriſt ſaid vntounto his Apoſtles the Luke. 22.Kynges and Princes of the Gentiles hauehave rule and power ouer them, but you ſhall not ſo hauehave.
The Pope ſayth, all Emperours, Kynges and Lordes be my ſubiectes, This is dayly read in his Buls, wher in he commaundeth the nobilitie, like as a maſter doth his ſeruaunt.
43. Chriſt ſayth, he that among you Math. 23. Marke. 9.wilbe greateſt, let him be all your ſeruauntes.
The Pope ſayth, The Emperour muſt ſweare an oth vntounto me as vntounto his Lord, that he will be my ſubiect & eralte and worſhyp me with honour. Ca. Tibi Domino. Di. 63.
44. Chriſt ſayth that we worſhyppe …ath. 17.hym in vayne with mens doctrines & traditions.
The Pope ſayth my traditions in the ſpiritual law, ſhall be kept as duely, as if God had commaunded it him ſelfe, or S. Peter had preached it hym ſelfe. Ca. Si omnes. Diſt. 19.
45. Chriſt ſayth I am the way and Iohn. 14.the truth folow me in my learnyng. And rule you by ye Scripture for that ſhall be your iudge.
The Pope ſayth, ye ſhall in all thynges folow the Church of Rome (by that meaneth he him ſelf and his Cardinals) Diſt. xi. Cap. quis ne ſciat. And as for the Scripture, it ſtandeth in my power & authoritie, for I may make of it what ſoeuer I will. Diſt. xix. Cap. Si romanorum.
46. Chriſt ſaith he that beleueth and Marke. 11.is baptiſed, he ſhall be ſaued, but he that beleueth not ſhalbe damned.
The Pope ſayth hee that geueth much money for my pardō ſhalbe abſoyled a poena & a culpa. And thē muſt he néedes be ſaued. And he that teacheth otherwiſe is an hereticke, this teſtifieth his bulles and pardons.
47. Chriſt promiſeth forgeuenes of Math. 4.ſinne. And the kyngdome of heauen vntounto them that repēt and will amend their lyues.
The Pope ſayth, that no man can be ſaued except he bee firſt ſhreuen of his Prieſtes & Friers, for they bryng in money. Cap. omnes.
48. Chriſt ſayth you ſhall louelove your Math. 5.enemyes, and ſhall do good vntounto them that hate you.
The Pope ſayth, they that be enemyes, to me & my Cardinals, be curſed with the great excommunication, and cā not be abſoyled without much money, this is euident inough.
49. Chriſt commaunded his Diſciples Math. 17.not to reſiſt euill, but if a man ſtrike them on ye one cheke, that they ſhould offer him the other alſo.
The Pope ſayth we may auenge and driue away force with force. D… ſen. excom. cap. dilecto.
50. Chriſt (ſayth God the father) is Math. 11.my deare ſonne, hym ſhall you heare, for hys yoke is ſwéete and his burden lyght.
The Pope ſayth you ſhall heare me, and my commaundement ſhall be kept and receaued of eueryevery mā. Diſt. 93. cap. Si cui…s. And if my cōmaundement and burthen were ſo heauy that it cā not well be ſuſtained and borne, yet ſhall ye obey me. Diſt. 19. cap. In memoriam.
51. Chriſt ſayd vntounto the. ij. brethren, Luke. 12.who hath ſet me to be your iudge in temporal goodes. As though he ſhould ſay. It pertaineth not to me, but vntounto worldly iudges.
The Pope ſayth I am iudge in all maner of cauſes for they bryng money vntounto me. 9. q. 3. Conqueſtus.
52. Chriſt ſaith geue the Emperour Math. 23.ſuch as pertayneth vntounto hym as tribute and cuſtome, for I hauehave payde Math. 17.tolle for me and Peter.
The Pope ſaith I care not for this, But I excommunicate all them that aſke any toll or tribute of me and my ſhauelynges, for I hauehave made them all frée. Cap. Nouit. de ſenten. excom. Et ca. Si quis. de conſ. dist. i.
53. Chriſt ſayth. Peter put vppe thy Math. 26.ſword into the ſheath, for he that ſtriketh with ſword ſhall periſhe with the ſword.
The Pope ſayth, you Emperours, Kynges, Princes, and Lordes, take ſwordes, ſpeares, halberdes, clubbes and gunnes, and helpe me to ſlea thē, that will not obey my tyranny. This muſt an Emperour do or els he muſt be periured. After this maner hath Iulius the Pope ſlayne. xvi. thouſand men in one day, was not that wel paſtored? Dyd not he well nouriſh the ſhéepe which Chriſt dyd committe vntounto his tuition?
54. Chriſt ſayde. Drinke you all of this cuppe, for this is the bloude of Math. 26.my promiſe.
The Pope ſayth, I will not graūt this, for my prieſtes alone ſhal drinke of it (becauſe it may crye auengeaūce on them alone) the other ſhall not drinke of it in the payne of hereſy.
55. Chriſt ſayth: Ye are my frendes Iohn. 15.if you do all thinges that I my ſelfe commaunde you.
The Pope ſayth, you ſhall do as I bid you, for I hauehave power and authoritie to make lawes. And after them ſhall you liue. 25. q. j. ca. Sunt quidam.
56. Chriſt ſayth that chaſtitie is not Math. 19.geuen vntounto eueryevery mā, they that hauehave it geuen, let them take it geuing thā kes to God. And let the other vſe the remedy which God hath prepared, for it is better to mary then to burne.
The Pope ſayth, all monkes, Fryers, 1. Cor. 7.and Nunnes, ſhall vowe and ſweare chaſtitie, be it geuen them or not, my Prieſtes alſo ſhall not be wedded, but as for to kéepe whores, and rauiſhe other mens daughters & wiues, ſhalbe diſpenſed withall. I will ſée no ſuch thinges, for my Byſhoppes hauehave yearely great mony by it, like as baudes be wont to hauehave.
57. Chriſt ſayth, all meates that mā Math. 15. Roma. 14. Colloſ. 2. Tit. 1.taketh with thankes ſtaineth not the ſoule, for all things are pure to them that are pure.
The Pope ſayth, he that eateth egges, butter, or fleſhe in theſe dayes that I hauehave commaūded to be faſted, doth not onelyonly ſtayne his ſoule wyth ſinne, but alſo is to be denounced an hereticke. Diſt. 4. ca. Statuimus. This agréeth with Chriſt euen as the lyght doth with the darcknes. And yet hauehave we bene thus blynded long, that we could neuer perceaue this Antichriſt till now in the laſt dayes.
58. Chriſt ſayd vntounto his Diſciples, Math. 16. Math. 18. Iohn. 15.that you bynde in earth ſhalbe boūde in heauen, and that you loſe in earth ſhalbe loſed in heauen.
The Pope chalengeth greater authoritie for he will loſe ſoules out of Purgatory, and commaunde the angels to fetch them out and all for money, without money you get nothing.
59. Chriſt ſayth whē you hauehave done Luke. 17.all thynges that I hauehave commaunded you, yet ſay that you are vnprofitable ſeruauntes.
The Pope ſayth do thoſe thynges that I commaūd thée, and take a ſure conſcience vntounto thée that thou art a iuſt and a religious mā, and that thou haſt deſerued heauē. And as for I myſelfe, If I do wrong in eueryevery thyng, … Oh abhomination.bring many thouſandes with me into damnation, yet ſhall no man rebuke me, but cal me the moſt holieſt father. Dist. 40. ca. Si Papa.
60. Chriſt teacheth vsus to fulfill the Math. 2…. Oſea. … Math. 9.woorkes of mercy to the poore, euer commendyng mercy aboue offerings and ſacrifice.
The Pope teacheth vsus to geue our money for pardons, maſſes, diriges, to images and Churches, ſo that we may offer vntounto their bellyes. And he that ſayth it is better to geue our charitie to the poore (as Chriſt ſayth) is counted halfe an hereticke, becauſe he goeth aboute to marre the Popes market.
61. Chriſte ſuffered death for our Roma. 4. Iohn. 11.ſinnes and aroſe for our iuſtification, or els we all ſhould hauehave periſhed.
The Pope ſayth if thou bye my pardō, or els be buried in a gray Friers coate thou muſt néedes be ſaued, ſo that Chriſt hath ſuffered in vayne, ſith a Friers coate will ſaue a man.
62. Chriſt onelyonly is our mediatour 1. Iohn. 2.which maketh vnite betwixt hys father & vsus, howbeit the prayer of a iuſt Iames. 5.man is very good and profitable.
The Pope ſayth. The greateſt power and ſaluation next to Chriſt is myne. Diſt. 60. cap. Si Papa. I maruell then why he is ſo curious to cauſe vsus to worſhip the Saintes y• are a ſléepe. And not rather hym ſelfe, ſith he chalengeth a greater power then euer they dyd while they lyued.
63. Chriſt ſayth, who ſoeuer breake Math. 5.one of my leſt cōmaundementes, ſhal be called the leſt (that is to ſay none) in the kyngdome of heauen.
The Pope ſayth, what pertaineth his law vntounto me. I am ſubiect to no lawes. 25. q. 1. cap. Omnia. therefore doth the Pope but ſeldome right. And is alwayes agaynſt right yea and agaynſt his owne lawes, as often as men do bryng hym money, for that loueth he aboue all thynges.
64. Chriſtes law is fulfilled through Roma. 13.charitie.
The Popes law is fulfilled by money, if thou hauehave no money to geue them, thou ſhalt carye a fagot, though thou offende not, money them & they ſée thée not, do what thou wilt.
65. Chriſt is the head of the Church Ephe. 1. Colloſ. 1. 1. Cor. 10.as the Apoſtle doth teſtifie. And alſo the ſtone whereon the Church is builded. And this Church is the cōgregation of the faythfull and the very body of Chriſt.
The Pope ſayth, I am the head of the Church. Diſt. 19. cap. Enim vero. And the ſeate of Rome is the ſtone wheron the Church is builded. Diſt. 19. Ita Dominus. Can any thyng be more contrary vntounto the honour and glory of God, then thus to diſpoyle hym of his kyngdome, whiche he ſo dearely hath bought ſhedyng his precious bloud for it?
66. Chriſtes law whiche is the holy 2. Pet. 2. 2. Timo. 3.Scripture came by the inſpiryng of the holy ghoſt whiche dyd infuſe it aboundauntly into the hartes of the Apoſtles, and of the ſame ſpirite hath it his enduraunce and interpretation.
The Pope ſayth, I am Lord of the Scripture to alow and diſalow it, for of me doth it take his full authoritie. ca▪ Si omnes. And for a token of this, is the Scripture of Chriſt, layd vnderunder his féete when he is at Maſſe.
67. Chriſtes Apoſtle ſayth, that a Tit. 1.Byſhop ought to be ſo well learned, that he with the Scripture, be able to ouercome all them that be agaynſt the fayth.
The Pope and Byſhops will diſpute in Scripture with no man, but caſt them firſt in priſon, and proper engynes they hauehave inuēted to wring their fingers ſo ſore, that the bloude ſhall braſte out at their fingers endes, they pyne them, and ſcourge thē with infinite other tormētes payning thē, to forſake the truth. And after make them ſweare on a booke that they ſhal tell no man of it, thus cruelly do they entreate them againſt iuſtice. And if they can not ſubdue them to theyr willes, then do they committe them vntounto ye ſeculare power to be burned.
68. Chriſtes accuſation, and cauſe Iohn. 19.why he was condemned vntounto death, was writtē ouer his head in Hebrew, Gréeke, & Latine, that all men might know the cauſe, this was an argument that they vſed iuſtice (although they condemned him vniuſtly) ſithe men might ſée the offence and iudgement ioyned together.
The Pope and Byſhoppes condemne men, and committe them vntounto the ſeculare power, that they ſhold execute the ſentence. But this is a miſcheuous abomination, that they will not ſuffer the ſeculare power, to know the cauſe why they put men to death, worſhipfull, dis diuines, Maſter Doctor. O you gentle nobilitie, ponder this matter indifferently. Beware how you do execution, except you know the cauſe why. Thinke you the bloude ſhall not be requyred on you, if for an others pleaſure you deſtroy the worke of God. They will ſay vntounto you, as the Iewes ſayde vntounto Pilate concerning Chriſt: If he were not an euill doer we would not hauehave deliuered him vntounto you. Truſt not their wordes, for (no doubt) they are lyers, know the cauſe your ſelues, and heare the matter vnfaynedly. Thinke you they woulde not let you know the cauſe and iudgement, if they did iuſtice and not tyrannye? Be therefore no longer …oyes to thē, which ought to be your ſeruauntes, God hath geuē you his ſpirite, grace and vnderſtanding, hide not the talent that God hath geuen you, but do your diligence to ſée iuſtice executed, ſecluding all tyranny, for that is your office appoynted you of God.
69. Chriſt ſayth, bleſſed are ye when Luke. 6.men hate you, curſe you, and excommunicate you for the righteouſnes, that is to ſay, you nothing giltye nor worthy ſuch affliction.
The Pope and Byſhoppes ſaye that their curſe is ſore to be feared, yea and that it maketh men as blacke as a coale in the ſight of God, though they hauehave not offended. In ſo much that they muſt néedes be damned except they abſoile them agayne: howbeit Chriſt ſayth, that they are bleſſed: wherfore Chriſt is falſe, or els they are moſt vayne lyers.
70. Chriſt ſayde, when thou makeſt Luke. ….a dinner or feaſt, call not thy frendes, kinſmen, and neighbours that are riche, but the poore, lame and blinde, which are not able to recompēce thée, then ſhalt thou be happye, for it ſhall be rewarded thée in the reſurrection of the iuſt.
The Pope and Byſhoppes wyll call none ſuch, for they thinke it great ſhame, but they call men of great authoritie and riches, which wil receiue them wyth an other feaſt, they had leuer hauehave their bellies well ſtuffed in this world, then to tary for the promiſe of Chriſt. They thinke it long a comming.
71. Chriſt ſayth, eyther make ye trée Math. 5. Luke. 6.good and his fruite good alſo, or els make the trée naught and his fruite naught alſo: meaning, that the trée firſt ſhoulde be good, and then bringe forth good fruite, the fruite maketh not the trée good, but the trée maketh the fruite good, although we can not know that the trée is good, but by hys fruite (for we can iudge nothing but by his outward operation) yet God ſéeth the quicknes in the roote, which in the tyme that God hath appointed him, ſhall bring forth his fruite. And approueth ye trée to be good, although he ſéeme dead vntounto vsus. The trée is fayth, which is the mother of all good workes, which euer worketh by charitie when he ſéeth occaſion.
The Pope and Byſhops ſay, that the fruite maketh the trée good, cleane contrary to all Scripture and reaſon. And thus turne they the trées and the rootes vpwarde, while they affirme that fayth ſpringeth and is made good of workes. And not the contrary, euē as a man would ſay, the fruite bringeth forth and maketh good the trée. And not the contrary. O what madnes is is? They woulde make men beleue if they ſhoulde longe continue, that ye Moone is made of grene cheſe.
72. Chriſt ſayth, I am the doore of the folde, he that entreth not in by the doore, but by ſome other waye, is a théefe & a murtherer, and regardeth not the ſhéepe.
The Pope, yea and all the cleargie (for the moſt part) enter not in by Chriſt, but they runne in and are not called nor ſent of Chriſt, One entreth by a bagge of money, wherewyth he buyeth a fatte benefice. An other entreth by ſeruing great men, and corying fauour. An other, becauſe he is a great man borne, muſt be made a Cardinall, or els a Bpſhop. Some hauehave voyſons of Abbayes and other places, to ſpeake a good worde for them to the kyng or other great men. Some enter thorowe their curious ſinging, and minyon daunſing, fewe or none for vertue & learninge.
73. Chriſt ſayth, I am a good ſhepheard, A good ſhephead geueth hys lyfe for hys ſhéepe.
The Pope and Byſhoppes ſay alſo, that they are good ſhepheards, how be it, they pille and ſhere the ſheepe ſo nigh, that they leaue not one locke of wolle on their backes. And in all pointes may be likened vntounto the ſhepheardes that Zacharias propheſied of: which ſayth, I ſhall rayſe vp a ſhepheard in the earth, which ſhal not viſite the thinges that are forſaken, and ſhall not ſéeke that which is gone aſtray, neither yet heale the diſeaſed, nor nouriſhe and mayntayne that which ſtandeth, but ſuch a ſhepheard that ſhall noriſhe himſelfe and not the ſhéepe, and cryeth out of hym, ſaying. O thou ſhepheard and idoll, thynke you that this ſhepheard wyll geue his lyfe for the ſhéepe?
74. Chriſt ſayth, deſire you not to be called maſter, for you hauehave but one Math. 23.maſter, which is Chriſt, and all you are brothers.
The Pope will be called moſt holy, hys Cardinalles, moſt reuerend, hys Byſhoppes reuerend, hys Abbottes and Priors moſt, and other glorious titles hauehave they, that paſſe maſter, farre. And except thou call them by thoſe names and titles, thou ſhalt runne farre into their indignation, let Chriſt ſay what he wyll.
75. Chriſt commaunded his Diſciples Math. 23.that they ſhould call no man father on the earth, ſhewing them that they had but one father, which is in heauen.
The Pope muſt be called moſt holy father, if thou geue him not that name he will excommunicate you out of his ſinagoge, reaſon not with him, you may ſhew him the ſcripture, but it auayleth not, for he will wreſt it & wring it into a thouſand faſhions. And will neuer leaue it vntill he hauehave brought it vntounto his owne purpoſe.
76. Chriſtes faithfull ſeruaunt Stephen, Acte. 7.ſayd, that God almighty dwelleth not in temples y• are made with mans hands, according vntounto the prophetes ſaying. Heauen is my ſeate, Eſay. 66. 2. King. 7.and the earth is my footeſtole. What houſe will you builde for me, ſayth the Lorde? which is the place of my reſte? Did not my handes make all theſe thinges?
The Pope and his adherētes ſay, that he dwelleth in this place and that place, the Friers ſay we hauehave hym, you muſt bye hym of vsus, the Monkes ſay, he is with vsus, be good to our monaſtery, and you ſhall be ſure to hauehave hym. And ſo runne the ſely ſoules frō Herode to Pilate. But they finde not Chriſt, for he dwelleth in no place but in the hart of a faithful mā, which is the very temple of God.1. Cor. 3.
77. Chriſtes Apoſtle Paule ſayth, We ought not to thinke that God is Actes. 17.like gold, ſiluer, kar…ed ſtones, or any ſuch thyng as man imagineth.
The Pope and his adherentes ſay that he is lyke a ſtocke and a ſtone, & cauſeth men to make images of hym, though God commaunded contrary ſaying. Thou ſhalt make no grauen image, neither any maner of ſimilitude Exod. 20.of thoſe thynges whiche are in heauē aboue or on the earth beneath. Neither of thoſe thynges whiche are in the water, or vnderunder the earth, neither ſhalt thou honour or worſhyppe them. Good Chriſten beware of theſe Idolles as Saint Iohn councelleth thée, truely I thinke it be one of the Iohn. 5.greateſt cauſes of this exce…ation which God hath ſent into the world for ſinne.
78. Chriſt ſayd vntounto Peter, thou art Symon the ſonne of Iona, thou ſhalt Iohn. 1.be called Cephas which if it be enterpreted ſignifieth a ſtone as S. Iohn ſayth in his Goſpell.
The Pope ſayth that Cephas ſignifieth Dist. xxij. ca. ſacroſancta.the head, and of that gathereth he to be head of all the Byſhops, here doth he playnly contrary to Goſpell whiche expoundeth Cephas to bee a ſtone, what impudencie is this? I thinke he would ſay alſo that an Aſſe were a man if he thought to get any auauntage through it.
There are infinite other thynges wherein hee contrarieth Chriſt in ſo much that if it be diligētly examined, I thinke there is no word that Chriſt ſpake, but the other hath taught or made a law agaynſt it. Howbeit for to auoyde tediouſnes, we ſhall leaue them vntounto your owne iudgement, for they are ſoone ſearched out & eſpyed. Iudge Chriſtē reader all theſe things with a ſimple eye, be not parcially addict to the one nor to the other. But Iudge them by the Scripture. And knowledge that to be the truth which Gods word doth alow, auoydyng all other doctrine for it ſpringeth of Sathan, be not aſhamed to confeſſe poore Chriſt (and to take him for thy head) before theſe rauenous Wolues, for then ſhall he cōfeſſe thée agayn before Math. 10.his father & the aungelles in heauen. Then ſhalt thou bee inheritour with Ieſu Chriſte, And the faythfull ſonne of thy father whiche is in heauen, to whom be all glory eternally.
Amen. ¶ Here endeth the Antitheſis betwene Chriſte and the Pope.