likewise became sacred free from all men without touch of Beast exempt from cōptroulement lastly one that sets in foote among the decrées and procéedings of other Bishops Touching the inferiour Magistrates of Rome they were the Senate or bench of Aldermen the Lieutenants of Prouinces and such others who had not in their power any Soueraign authoritie of the Empyre but only such Iurisdiction as by way of commission was giuen vnto them from the high Magistrate the Emperour And euen so in the kingdome of Poperie the Cardinalles stood in stead of a Senate or bench of Aldermen for Church matters For they and only they forsooth are sayd to make a Romane Consistorie Then the Archbishops and Bishops were as it were Lieutenaunts of seuerall Prouinces and lastly such other like hauing delegatorie power from the Pope but no supreme authoritie in themselues but fetch it from him whom alone they make the fountaine or wel-spring in whom they say all Ecclesiasticall power doth consist which from him floweth and is deriued vnto others And as for those others they do receiue it from him as riuers from the head in whom all fulnes doth consist Lastly who is so ignorant that seeth not that the distinct offices of Bishops and Metropolitanes touching both their places of residence and liberties of function were deuised in way of imitation of that Romane Empyre insomuch as the Metropolitanes Sea must needs be there where sometimes the Lieutenaunts of the whole Prouinces made their aboad For thus much Anacletus himselfe a Pope of Rome witnesseth in his second Epistle as also all those Canons do the like which are extant 9. quaest 3. in the Popes Decrees So it falleth out likewise in this respect that Antichrist and that Romane route hath set vp agayne the whole Image and resemblance of that Italish and Idolatrous Empyre Let vs talke of Lawes wherein I sayd the third essentiall poynt of politicall regiment consisted The Romane Lawes what kinde of ones they were vnder the Emperours for the descicion of priuate controuersies appeareth out of the Pandects compiled by Tribonian as also out of the Code of Justinian Theodosius and those bookes that are intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In like sort the Papistical lawes such as were directed for the taking vp and ending of matters in debate were called Decretall Epistles in resemblance of the Emperiall rescripts being indeed nothing else but an imitation repetition poore fourbishing of the very Romane lawes practised vnder the olde Idolatrous Emperours which will appeare euident to as many as shall reade them and euen their owne Canonistes acknowledge no lesse for I will not further inlarge this matter by heaping vp further proofes in this behalfe Thus much therefore touching the essentiall poynts of the Romane pollicie the which in euery respect doth very trimly fit and agree with the regiment and administration practised in the kingdome of Antichrist and Poperie Now let vs take view of those parts which I tearmed accidentall for euen those also are reuiued and set on foote by the Papacie And those accidentarie poynts are especially three as is before specified whereof the first is the Latin tongue Touching which language the Romane Emperours caused it by decree to preuaile and beare rule in all matters iudiciarie insomuch as all sentences definitiue in causes iudiciall euen among such people and nations so farre as the Romish iurisdiction stretched as were vtterly ignorant in that tongue should be deliuered giuen out in the Latin tongue as is to bée seene in the L. praetor D. de re iudicat So likewise in the Papisticall and Antichristian gouernment this tongue only plaies Rex among them although notwithstanding the Greeke and Hebrew are farre to be preferred before it both in respect of worthinesse and for the commendation of antiquitie The second accidentall poynt is the attire of the bodie And as for the attire vsed at Rome it was in olde time of two sorts either common and vsually worne or else proper to certaine personages as Emperours Magistrates and such like The common and publike attire vsed of all was a Gowne and a Cap no Hat whereupon Virgill wrote thus The Romanes rulers of the world were clad in Gownes whereas the Grecians did vse a short Cloake for the attire of their bodies and Corkt shooes for their feete So in the Papacie a Gowne is their garment and a Cap the attire of the head and that as it were a peculiar and proper ornament for their Priests But in the Law of God the Leuites were enioined to weare Hats Exod. 28.40 So then nothing is more common in Popery then a Gowne or more comely and trimme in their opinions To conclude they made accoumpt of a Gowne to be an habite meete only for Worshipfull personages but as for a Cloake they coumpted it vnseemely base and a kind of discredit to weare it euen as on the other side it was sometime highly accoumpted of among the Pharisies as our Sauiour doth signifie Mark 12.38 The officers of Rome being at any time sent with commission into any Prouince went attired with a kinde of Coate-armour * Or an Herehaughts attire which was a garment like vnto a souldiers or trauailers Cloake short and ritchly beawtified by which ensigne as it were of honour Magistrates were discerned from those that were in their retinue or that serued in the Campe. Euen so vnto Metrapolitanes and Arch-bishops in the pride of Popery was alotted by lawe a roabe like vnto a Coape see Titull de vsu pallij in Decretalibus because they forsooth resemble the Lieutenants of seuerall Prouinces who as they had vnder thē many Shires inferiour officers so the Archbishops had vnder thē many Diocesses Bishops whome they call their Suffraganes Lastly other Magistrates of the said Romane Idolatrous Empire as namely the Senatours ware as an ensigne of honour a garment called Latus Clavus which was a roabe powthered with purple studds but as for the vesture called Dalmatica none but the Emperour might weare that So in the Popish prelacie such as beare office in the Church are more venerable persons then the rest haue their Stoales which is a garmēt as like vnto the Senatours Latus Clavus as may be but their Dalmatica as they also tearme it no Clearke of the Church must be so bold as weare it not the Deacons no nor the Bishops themselues without a speciall dispensation from the Bishop of Rome their great Emperour no more then any might weare Purpure the Emperours royall roabe or the Dalmatica saue only such as to whome the Emperour vouchsafed so much by expresse graunt as appeareth Can. communis Dist 23. There remaineth to speake of the place where the Emperours Court and Metropolitanes Chaire were planted That of the Emperours was in Italie and euen in Rome itselfe as beeing then vnlawfull for the Emperours while they remained Idolatrous to keepe the Emperiall Court else-where then in Rome So also
redeemed and so recouered the fauour of the people by the helpe and commendation of the sayd Bishop For before the people of Rome bare deadlie hatred agaynst this Phocas for the butcherlie murther so treacherously perfourmed by him vpon Mauritius and in regarde thereof they would none of him for their Emperour Therefore by the industrie of this Boniface Bishop in way of recompence of so liberall a largis Phocas was brought in fauour with the people of Rome who thereupon began in solemne sort to crie God saue the Emperour It may peraduenture be supposed also that Phocas was moued hereunto in regard of a constitution of Iustinian which is to be read lib. 2. Nouella 131. concerning the foure holie Counsells where the Emperour willeth the Bishop of Rome to sit first in the Synod and the Bishop of Constantinople after him in the second place Now touching this priuiledge graunted by Phocas it was afterward confirmed in a Synod assembled at Rome vnder the sayd Boniface the 3. Anno 607. as Sigisbertus affirmeth The which Synod consisted of three score and two Bishops thirtie Priests and thrée Deacons wherein there was full power graunted to the Bishop of Rome to ratifie and disanull the election of other Bishops After that in the Synod of Affricke which was neere about this time and was assembled vnder Constance the Emperour nephewe vnto Heraclius this title and inscription was made him Vnto Theodor Bishoppe of Rome aduaunced to the toppe of the holie Apostolike dignitie vnto the holie Father of Fathers to Theodor the Pope highest Prince of all Prelates the Synod of Affricke c. Thus then wee haue found out the foundations of this Antichristian Apostacie and periured state described here by Paule publikelie layd about the yeare of our Lord 604. but yet wee see that here wants of the former number of yeares for it is to bee sixe hundred sixtie and sixe How then Forsooth from that time forward the power of this kingdome and of this vniuersall Bishoppe that is of Antichrist began more and more to incroach in so much as now all matters appertayning to the Church of God began to bee directed at his appoyntment And to speake brieflie then began the increasing the partes and the whole constitution and frame of this Apostacie openly in the face of the Church to be laied out fashioned and strengthened euen as a little Infant which being within the mothers bellie receiueth there the knitting together and fashion of his members But as yet the foule puppie Antichrist was not fullie brought foorth For hitherto the power of this vniuersall Bishoppe was ouer-shadowed by the authoritie of the Empyre whereunto as yet he acknowledged himselfe subiect A proofe whereof may bee this that the election of the Bishoppes of Rome were yet now by the Emperours of Constantinople ratified and confirmed and the sayd Bishoppes were subiect to their censure and reformation yea and depriuation and that after the time that Phocas graunted them this priuiledge But at last after time the authoritie of the Romane Bishop began to increase in Italie and the Maiestie and power of the Romane Emperour who kept at Constantinople began to quaile daylie more and more or rather began now to bee euen at the last cast in Italie and lastly when at Rome the Romane Bishops became the Emperours Legates or Vicegerents or rather became caruers for themselues and began in their owne name and as of their owne authoritie to meddle in Church and Common wealth matters to dispose of publike and priuate affayres and by the consent of the people to rule the whole roast then at last they easilie intreated the Constantinopolitan Emperours to yeeld ouer vnto them and that by publike edict and vnder a faire Charter all that their interest and iurisdiction which they had ouer the Romane Bishops And further that they would will and commaund that whosoeuer hereafter were by the people and Clergie elected Bishops of Rome should forth-with without any confirmation therof had from the Emperour and without sending him a sacred Epistle as they tearmed it whereby they protested vnto him their loyaltie bee reputed for lawfull Bishoppes of Rome and bee by and by accompted to haue all lawe in their owne hands not subiect to the comptroulement or censure of any Whereby it came to passe that now the Romane Bishops needed not the confirmation of any no not the consent and approbation of the Romane Emperour himselfe who then kept at Constantinople but euen of their owne swindge as being now become their owne men tooke vpon them that authoritie power and dignitie So that from that time forward the sayd Bishops began to liue as men free from all iurisdiction of the Emperour that is without the checke or reach of any man or Magistrate whatsoeuer yea they began to bee compted like vnto GOD himselfe not to bee iudged or called into question by any mortall wight Canon nemini 17. quaest 3. and Canon Nemo quaest 3. Now this without doubt may seeme to bee the full height of the Antichristian kingdome and without all controuersie it is to bee so esteemed especially considering that it was erected came to light and obtayned so ample authoritie at such a time And this so great and ouer-spreading power of the Romane Bishop whereby he was exempted from all censure and iurisdiction of the Empyre was graunted first vnto him by Constantine Pogonatus the bearded an Emperour of Constantinople whose raigne is reckoned to be about the yere 666. or as some reckon 668. But yet Charles Sigonius lib. 2. of the kingdome of Italie had rather referre the graunt of this priuiledge vnto the yeare 684. Howsoeuer it be certaine it is that Benedict Bishop of Rome was the first that euer vsed the benefite of this ouer-lashing and licentious libertie And it is an easie matter for a Clearke or Scriuener to misse in the compt of a yeare or two which is to bee refourmed by making recourse to the Reuelation For it is well knowne to all men what great diuersitie is sometime found among the Historiographers about the supputation of yeares and times and that by reason that the Christian Church hath not alwaies obserued one and the same manner of reckoning Therefore in so great a somme as this it is like ynough that a few daies should either be added or detracted Whereby we see it now appeareth that the kingdome of Antichrist was framed and set vp the very same time and yeare that the spirit of God had fore-tould namely Anno Domini 666. And as for the kingdome of Mahumet it began about the yeare 623. vnder the Empyre of Heraclius and in the 30. yeare of his gouernment So that the kingdomes of Antichrist and Mahumet differ not much touching the time of their rising And as for this of Mahumet it increased so mightilie in a smal space namely within the compasse of 32. yeres that by meanes of his Gallies Nauie he sodainly brought vnder his
indefinitelie or without limitation a false Prophet and Papa a Pope cap. 12. pag. 48. That Antichrist did herein especiallie vsurp the name of God when he caused him-selfe to bee called the vniuersall Bishop of the Christian Church cap. 13. pag. 50. That Anti. did wickedly arrogate to himself the power of God cap. 14. pag. 53 Of the place where Antichrist should sit where it is apparant that neither Mahumet himselfe nor his accomplisses bee the men whome the Scripture termeth Antichristes cap. 15. pag. 56. That Rome which is in Italie is repaired out of the dust ruines of the old ouerthrone Citie is the Seate or Chaire pointed at and painted out by God himself for Antichrist that should come cap. 16. pag. 58 In what respect the assemblies of the Papistes and of Antichrist are called the temple and Church of God wherein answer is made to many of their obiections cap. 17. pag. 67. Of the time of the comming of Anti. and first that it is plainly to be gathered out of the Scriptures that he was not to be reueiled before the Romane Empire should begin to totter and that the kingdome of Christ should by the preaching of the Gospel begin to growe increase cap. 18. pag. 73. Whether Antichrist could come and settle himfelf before the Emperiall regiment of French-men were ended cap. 19. pag. 78. That the time of the comming of Anti. wherein he should seat and settle himself in the Church was by the spirit of God prescicely set downe to be 666. yeres frō the time to this prophecie of Iohn was made known the which terme of time did expire much about the raigne of Constantine Pogonatus the bearded an Emperour of Cōstātinople cap. 20. pag. 80. That those thousand yeres after which it is said Satan should be loosed cannot appertaine to the time of the comming of Antichrist cap. 21. pag. 89. That the practises which were vsed to frame and set vp the kingdome of Antichrist were diuellish and deceiptfull cap. 22. pag. 90. That the Antichristian kingdome was to rise by little little not at a suddaine according to the fore-warning of the spirit of God cap. 23. pag. 93. That these three things were the chiefe and principall grounds of the kingdōe of popery First the diuers heresies that sprang vp in the church touching the natures office of Christ Secondlie the bitter bickerings that were among the Bishops and thirdlie the large bounties of Emperours and certaine other men who both were able and superstitiouslie bent which they bestowed on the Church of Rome cap. 24. pag. 97. By what other degrees and occasions the authoritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either slilie drawne forward or stronglie established cap. 25. pag. 101. That the authoritie and power of Antichrist was at no time receiued without the resistaunce gaine-saying of some good Bishops cap. 26. pag. 104. Of the destruction and ouerthrowe of the kingdome of Antichrist which is to be brought to passe by the only breath of the Lordes mouth and not by any power or strength of a fift sixt or seauenth Monarchie to be raised or looked for cap. 27. pag. 107. What those ten Kings signifie which in the Reuelation are said should deuoure and consume with fire the harlot and her flesh cap. 28. pag. 111. Whether it be lawfull for Christians and such as professe the Gospell to wage war with the Papistes in purpose to ouerthrow the kingdome of Antichrist and to roote out his doctrine cap. 29. pag. 117. That the kingdome of Antichrist shall at the last be quite taken away by the last comming of Christ cap. 30. pag. 121. That the kingdome of Antichrist was to be broken and brought vnder foot by parts pece-meale not at once or in a short time cap. 31. pag. 123 That there is no corruption of Christian Relligion prophecied of which should succede this kingdome of Antichrist cap. 32. eadem Whether besides the fourth and Roman Monarchie there remaine any other a fifth to be erected Where a verie hard place of Daniell is expounded cap. 33. pag. 125. That the enlarging of the kingdome of Antichrist was in imitation of Christ to be performed by these two meanes especiallie namelie the publike preaching of a kinde of Doctrine and the vaunting shewe of diuers miracles cap. 34. pag. 137. Who be those three spirits whereof mention is made in the Reuelation and are said to be the chiefe ministers of the Antichristian kingdome cap. 35. pag. 140. Why the miracles that were wrought for the credit of the kingdome of Antichrist are termed by S. Paule Lying wonders cap. 36. pag. 144. That not euerie perticular man which heretofore liued or is yet aliue either did or doth approue of the kindgome of Antichriste no not when it had preuailed and gotten the vpper hand cap. 37. pag. 147. That only the reprobate and such as are forsaken of God haue and shall stiflie and obstinatelie stick to the kingdome of Antic cap. 38. pag. 148. What iust cause the Lord had to punish the world with this plague of blindenes that it should admit of this miserable state of the Antichristian kingdome and further wbat monstrous contempt of Gods word went before this Antichristianitie cap. 39. pag. 149. An aunsweare vnto three certaine principall arguments of the Papists wherewith they would iustifie them-selues and approoue this saide kingdome of Antichrist cap. 40. pag. 153. A proposition and position proouing the Pope to be Antichriste page 157. FINIS To the Reader THis I may protest gentle reader that touching the places of Scripture which I haue cited and interpreted out of Daniel and the Reuelation my purpose was to offer them to the censure of other and that I am not in mine opinion so resolut or perēptory that I wil not admit of other mens iudgments which iump not herewith Prouided alwaies that they containe nothing contrarie to the word of God or disagreing from the accomplishment or issue of things the which in my mind is the best interpretour of prophecies that can be Places of Scripture cited and by the way expounded in this treatise Daniell Chap. 2. verse 34. and 44. cap. 18. pag. 74. Chap. 7. verse 8. and 20. cap. 13. pag. 50. verse 13. cap. 18. pag. 74. Chap. 11. verse 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. cap. 33. pag. 125. 126. 2. Thess Chap. 2. v. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. through out this booke Reuelation Chap. 11. verse 7. cap. 9. pag. 23. Chap. 12. verse 3. cap. 9. pag. 23. verse 18. cap. 7. pag. 13. Chap. 13. verse 1. 2. 3. cap. 9. pag. 27. verse 11. cap. 9. pag. 23. verse 15. cap. 10. pag. 40. verse 18. cap. 20. pag. 88. Chap. 16. verse 13. 14. cap. 35. pag. 140. verse 16. cap. 19. pag. 65. Chap. 17. verse 9. cap. 16. pag. 59. verse 12. and 17. cap. 23. pag. 93. verse 16. cap. 28. pag. 111. Chap. 19. verse 20. cap. 9.
marke the verie wordes of Iohn and yet the Spirit of God in that place speaketh verie simplie and plainely For after he had foretould the state of Antichrist in the sayd 13. Chapter and also described what manner of one he should be he also in plaine sort did set downe the time wherein all those things should be fulfilled namely the yeare 666. which he tearmeth the number of a man that is a plaine number and easie to be knowne not hard to be reckoned euen as in Esay Cap. 8.1 a writing that is plaine and easie is called the penne of a man and in such sort to be coumpted as men vsually in those dayes were accustomed to number And these yeares beginne not at the time of Christes birth but rather of his suffering and from the time of Iohn Therefore the Spirit of God telleth vs that in the supputation of these yeares we must vse the ordinarie and common kinde of reckoning then practised And the reason why the Spirit of God is so carefull about aduertising vs héereof is least when question is made of the comming of Antichrist we should thinke that those yeares were in such sort to be coumpted as in Daniell Cap. 9.25 where the yeares of Christes comming are reckoned by wéekes of yeares for we should be deceiued if we should take that course Truth it is that God would haue the time and comming as of Christ so of Antichrist expressely set downe vnto vs but yet both of them after a diuers manner of reckoning For the time of the comming of Christ was to be coumpted among the Iewes by wéekes of yeares but the time of the comming of Antichrist by a familiar popular and common kinde of numbring such as all men did ordinarily vse For that kinde of coumpting by weekes of yeares is intricate hard and not so familiarly knowne vnto euerie man but this manner of reckoning which is by adding of yeare vnto yeare is vsuall and truly verie playne and common God vsed the former when he dealt with the Iewes among whome the number of seauen was a solemne matter and religiously accoumpted of and who were alreadie accustomed to obserue and coumpt manie things by multiplication of seauen weekes as namely the yeares of Iubile But he vsed this latter beeing more common which is done by adding eache seuerall yeare as it followed in succession vnto that that went next before when he had to doe with the Gentiles among whome the Church was to be planted and with whome that solemnitie of seauens or weekes of yeares were neuer knowne nor practised but only this other common manner whereby they onely added euerie yeare as it followed vnto those that were past and went before Againe the Interpretours of Daniell Cap. 9. bring another reason why God in pointing and limiting out the time of the comming of Christ wherein the great comfort of the Iewes should consist vsed rather the number of seauens namely to the ende that he might compare the time of their exile and banishment which was by the space of seauentie yeares with the time of theyr comfort and his mercie towards them which should ensue which was seauen times seauentie yeares that is 490. which number of yeares those seauentie weekes prescribed by Daniell do amount vnto Then after this sort must we number the yeares coumpt the time of the Beasts comming because the Spirit of God him-selfe doth prescribe vnto vs the same manner whereby it falleth out that that time wherein the kingdome and state of Antichrist began publikely openly and that especially to be framed and set vp in the Church of God was in the yeare after Christ 666. Although withall I am not ignoraunt that after the tyme of Christ there were dyuers kyndes of supputation of yeares in the Church of God while some began to reckon at the conception of Christ others reckon at the gouernment of Alexander and some againe reckon from the first yeare of Dioclesians Empyre but verely I my selfe doe thinke that in this place those 666. yeares are to be reckoned both from the death of Christ and from the time that this prophecie was reueiled in and especially for the more easie and readie reckoning let vs beginne to reckon from the time of Christes suffering so in the 666. yeare after his Passion that blasphemous kingdome of Antichrist whereof the Spirit of God had fore-warned had openly and euerie-where seazed vpon the Church of God Most certaine it is that at that verie time and in that verie yeare the Papisticall and execrable Masse a verie defacing and blotting out of the death of Christ began euerie-where priuately in Churches to be celebrated in the Latin tongue as Bale writeth in the first of his Centuries Cap. 80. namely in the time of Vitalian Bishop of Rome Againe this number 666. limited for the reueiling of Antichrist may seeme to some to be so set by God for that it containeth about the third part of those two thousand yeares wherein some thinke the world shall stand and continue from the time of Christ vnto the ende of the world only there is a little ouer-plus of yeares in this multiplication ouer and aboue the iust number of 2000. and those are to be allowed to this ende and purpose that Antichrist might haue a time wherein he should raigne and after haue a fall But touching this which I haue affirmed of the numbring of 666. yeares how true it is let vs now more attentiuely consider For the issue of things and the accomplishment of the Prophecie it selfe ought to be accoumpted an omni-sufficient witnesse and proofe of mine assertion The which that it may the better appeare this I say and affirme that it is most certayne and out of all controuersie that the strongest bulwarke or rather ground-worke of the Antichristian kingdome began then publikely and in verie deede to be layde and to be reared vp in the midst of the Church when one onely man by the publike consent of Christians began to be called and acknowledged by the name of Byshop of Byshops or Vniuersall Byshop and this began and that by the authoritie and will of the Emperour himselfe about the yeare of our Lord sixe hundred and foure as is manifest out of Chronicles For Boniface the 3. Bishop of Rome was pronounced by the Emperour Phocas as I haue shewed before vniuersall Pope and Bishop of all the world and that with this prerogatiue that this priuiledge to him graunted should continue for euer to his successours being Bishops of Rome and there seated This was done by Phocas in the first yeare of his raigne which is reckoned by all Historiographers to bee the yeare of our Lord 603. Neither did Phocas deale thus liberally with the Romane Bishop for nothing For whereas the said Phocas had villanously murdered his predecessour Mauritius the Emperour by this so bountifull a bribe bestowed on the Romane Bishops who alwaies could do much in the Citie with the people of Rome he
thought vpon the reducing or restoring of the Italian Empire vnto her former dignitie but laboured their vtmost her vtter ouerthrowe for they were barbarous men such as were the Rugians and Gothes who began now openly to beare rule in Italie Now all these Kings of whome I haue spoken raigned almost but an houre that is a verie short time and space yea they raigned and died much about a time in as much as all of them came to the Crowne within little lesse then the compasse of tenne yeares and it may be that the Image thereof I meane the state of Poperie may héerein resemble her * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 platfourme and agrée iompe there-with in hauing her tenne last Popes verie short liu'd for a finall conclusion and ruinous confusion of that kingdome Therefore both the number of the Kings which is specified in the Scriptures and the verie short time of their gouernment confirmeth my interpretation and proueth it to be most true which I had rather follow then that exposition which Primasius giueth of this place vnderstanding by an houre any time whatsoeuer either short or long where-vnto the 8. Chapter verse 1. of the same Reuelation is repugnaunt That these three things were the chiefe and principall groundes of the kingdome of Poperie First the diuers haeresies that sproong vp in the Church touching the natures and office of Christ Secondly the bitter bickerings that were among the Bishops and thirdly the large bounties of Emperours and certaine other men who both were able and superstitiously bent which they bestowed on the Church of Rome The 24. Chapter WHich being so we are now to lay open by what steppes this seate and tyrannie of the Romane Empire stept vp to such a tipe and magnificence and how at last it attained his finall furniture and perfection of building in the place of * Geddon-Harma desolation that is where the sheards and asshes of ruinous Rome were to be found The first and originall ground-workes in laying and establishing the kingdome of Antichrist were three to weete the errours of Heretikes the contentions of Bishops and the superstitious deuotions and excessiue liberalities of Christian Princes for so that their foolish and immoderate largisse bestowed vpon the Church is rather to be tearmed then true deuotions for they were too-too ouer-lasshing and cockering fauourers towards the Church and chiefely the Church of Rome And touching these three causes which I called ground-works of the Antichristian kingdome it may easily be perceiued that they likewise were three mightie and effectuall steps or degrees whereby Antichrist by little and little reared him-selfe vnto that huge and tyrannous power which afterwards he attained And first touching errours in matters of faith and religion truth it is that the Romane Church yea all the Westerne Churches remained more pure and sound then the Easterne and those in Syria by two especiall meanes the one for that in the Weast there were continuall persecutions stirred vp by the Emperours of Rome the other for that the wits of the Westerne men were alwayes more grosse and dull whereby it came to passe that they of the Easterne Churches repayred often in matters of doubt vnto the Church of Rome and required their iudgement and helpe in condemning newsproong Heresies and so by this meanes the credit and estimation of the Bishop of Rome began more and more in wonderfull sort to increase and be highly reputed of in the Church of God for the many and diuers Heresies that then were did not only shake the Christian faith but made it as a matter greatly doubted of among many in the East especiallie where-by also they made readie way for that generall back-sliding which after insued And therefore those Heresies are called by Chrisostome Armies of Antichrist especially such as sprang last whereby bitter contention was raysed and heald repugnaunt to the word of God touching the natures of Christ and of their vnion or lincking together of the office of Christ and of the merits of our workes suche as those were which were stirred vp by Arrius Nestorius Eutyches and Pelagius which Heresies were both most detestable and most forceible to ouerthrowe the vprightnesse of mens iudgements And therefore by this meanes vpon a suddaine the superstition of Mahumetisme began in the East and by occasion of the continuall dissentions that were among the Christians touching such points of Doctrine it was admitted willinglie and preuailed greatlie For the Easterne Churches were now tainted turmoiled and foulie deformed with an infinite number of heresies for looke how many heresies there are about matters of faith and doctrine so many foule blots and blemishes there are in the Christian Churches And truely Chrysost vpon Math. Hom. 49. obserueth very wel that after such time as Theodosius the great had once graunted temples and places of publike assemblies euen vnto heretikes it came to passe that the Churches receiued great deformitie wonderfull increase of heresies Therfore the Churches of the East séeing they had lost all credit and reputation of Christian profession among their neighbours countreymen at home they intreated Symmachus then Bishop of Rome that he would by his censure cōdemne the heresies of Acatius seeing that as then the Easterne Bishops had no such power authoritie ouer their people so also they desired of Agapetus that he would depose Antimus Bish of Constantinople as an heretike And to make short all Ecclesiasticall histories are plentifull in such examples This therefore was the first meanes whereby the kingdome of Antich began to get footing The secōd meanes hereof was the continuall dissentions garboiles brawles wofull contentions of the Bishops among thēselues whereby not only thēselues became odious among men but euen the doctrine of Christ wherof they were the pillers begā to grow into vtter cōtempt These sturs were very cōmon in the Easterne Churches but not so vsuall in the West by meanes of the continuall persecutions that were there for idlenes long rest doth make mē more wanton dissolute whereby it came to passe that the Bishops that were thus molested were glad faine to flie vnto an other Bish of greater coūtenance wherby they might be eased kept frō wrongful dealings offered thē by other Bishops Now as for the Bish of Rome he no doubt by meanes of the famousnes of the City it selfe seemed the most principal who also was ready willing to yéeld his helping hand in the redresse of other Bishops their distressed estates for both Athanasius being put out of his Bishoppricke by the Arrians made his repaire to the B. of Rome as vnto a sure refuge after him Fabianus before him many other did the like as appeareth by histories infinite it were to reckon vp all exampls in this behalf in so much as in processe of time this repaire vnto the Romane Bishops in times of exigence procured him great authoritie among all nations in Christendome and that indéede so
Antichrist was not come to his height or perfection and partlie also for that the minds of men were so fore-stalled by preiudice of an other matter and so dazeled yea and blinded with the glorious shewe of the Sea of Rome that they could neuer bee perswaded that such mischief could possibly euer rise from thence And although in time by little and little those foresaid tokens began to appeare and shew themselues whereby that horrible Monster might be discerned and withall although that Sea it selfe began now in that behalfe to bee suspected by manie yet so great was the dreadfull power and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome that they who had espied the light of the truth durst not for their liues mutter or speake the least word For if they did they were by and by not onlie condemned in the next Synods as Scismaticks but also put to death by Magistrates as Heretieks more pestilent and haynous then any that euer liued And so by meanes of feare and terrour they held their tongues Notwithstanding in the time of our Auncestours namelie about the yeare 350. when Leo the first was Bishop of Rome one Hilarious Bishop of Vienna in Fraunce did openlie gaine-saie the tyrannie of the Roman Bishop which then began to aduaunce and enlarge it self After that about 400. yeares ago there arose one Arnold in Italie surnamed Brixianus who with strong arguments and vehement perswasions for he was a man accompted for his time both learned and eloquent handled plainelie and vrged pithilie this poynt and that verie commonlie publicklie and euen in the midst of the Cittie of Rome itself by which his labours and force of the truth he moued manie indeed but yet generallie he could not preuaile So great a coyle t' was alwaies found To plucke the Romish Sea to ground In so much as one Bernardus Clareuallensis a man who otherwise stoode not so greatlie affected to the tirannie of the Romaine Bishop yet by meanes that men in those dayes were generallie so bewitched with a reuerend opinion of the Maiestie of that Sea tooke vpon him to tosse and canuasse that censure of Arnolds although it were most true and iust And this auncient and receaued opinion touching the sacred authoritie of the Bishop of Rome continewed many generations and was neuer in the meane time controuled by anie saue onlie the Greeke Bishops and that but by a few of them And in truth therein the Grecians shewed themselues to bee of a more free iudgement and wiser disposition then were our men and the Bishop of the Latine Churches for they as appeareth by the writings of Nilus Bishop of Thessalonica an eloquent man earnestly auouched that Antichrist was not onelie come and seated in the Church of God but that the Bishop of Rome himself was the very partie and this they enforced with such pregnant and strong proofes as the best proctours that euer that Sea had were neuer able as yet to ouerthrow But as for the Westerne Bishops they indeed disagreed in this pointe but not vpon anie good ground or setled iudgement but only caried away by the preiudice of commō custome nay they being deceiued by the great subtilty of Satan who now begā to worke the misterie of iniquitie as Paule had fore-tould proceeded further and gaue their helping hand to the spreding abroad of that pestilent infectiō the suppression whereof it behooued each christian to haue endeuoured and very busie and pettish they were in helping and vpholding it and in putting Oyle as you would saie to the fire And so in processe of time the said Bishop of Rome became as big as a Monstrous Giant which had a hundred Armes Briareus as it is in the Prouerbe who before was as little as a foolish Leueret At first in verie deed vnder the raigne of the Henries and after of the Fredericks Emperours of Germanie the Kingdome of Antichrist receiued great strength and encroched vpon the consciences of men of all sortes For although euen from the daies of the Apostles themselues Sathan began to lay the foundation thereof yet by reason of the bright shining light of the Gospel which in those dayes was kept in all integritie in the Churche hee tooke repulse and so by meanes of the worke which GOD himself had as it were newly proclaimed and taken in hand he was inforced to be quiet to defer his busines vnto some other time Afterwards looke what he had long since begon and somewhat brought forward hee found the meanes to finish and bring to perfection vnder the Raigne of Constantinus b Bearded or which had a great beard Pogonatus an Emperour of Constantinople Now Sathan being by the meanes and industrie of Antichrist as it were his legate once set ouer the Christian Church as it were in a Chaire of Estate he nestled himself therein so sure that after it proued a thing almost inpossible by any power or pollicie to remoue him thence but euen as the strong armed man of whome Christ speaketh in Mathew looke how more vehemently he was assaulted by the valiant Souldiers of Christs Church Arnold Wickliffe Husse Jerom of Prage and some moe such like So did he as busilie oppose against them more wicked and vncleane spirits as a supplie of fresh Souldiers in way of reskew For the pompe power of Antichrist was maintained by such men as were of as lewd a disposition and of as brazen faces as euer liued and that not onlie long agoe but euen of late in our dayes as by Eckius Faber Cochley and such other prating Iackes of the like stampe by whose toyle-some trauailes mingled with cauills coggs and couzning trickes the cause was a while cherished and vpheald But God the father of all mercies in great compassion pitying the estate of the world vouchsafed in this old-age thereof to raise and send amongst vs the light of his glorious Gospel the power whereof is the onlie instrument to bring Antichrist vnderfoote Therefore he lightened the minds of our vnderstandings displayed the foggie Mists of Antichristian darknes and stirred vp his worthy seruaunts as valiaunt Champions to bruse and breake to quell and kil the power of Antichrist For in this quarraile wherein Antichrist was to be encountered manie haue dealt with verie prosperous successe As first and cheiflie M. Luther and after him for let me speake it without the offence of some hee was not the last of the Prophets Hen. Bullinger Ralfe Gualter all which were great and excellent men both for learning and godlines and who of set purpose wrote treatises against Antichrist as for Iohn Caluin Theod Beza Ierom Zanchus verie worthie Captaines and continual wrestlers with Antichrist I purpose to pretermit as also those more auntient fellowes Math. Parris Mich. Cesennate Io. de Poliaco Militzius of Bohem by whose learned writings the foundations of the Antichristian Kingdome haue bin shaken yea and shiuered Notwithstanding seeing that there still remaine in the mindes of
which is the Pope and such as he consecrateth and imployeth about the broaching and maintenaunce of his Apostaticall doctrine as namely Bishops Monks Kings and others his drudges and bond-slaues These all euerie one as much as lyeth in his power indeauour and helpe forward that worke which the third Beast in the Reuelation hath in hand namely to put life againe into the Image of that Beast which had his deadlie wounde and to restore vnto it the power and aucthoritie which it had before while they labour with all their possible care and diligence that all men should take vpon them some ensigne or token of the profession and worship of the former Idolatrous Beast And in verie truth the Romane Emperours them-selues who were Idolatours were neuer so earnest and sharpe set in enforcing men to Idoll-seruice as these men haue done and that in seueare manner and sauadge kinde of crueltie Lastly the verie phrase or manner of writing in the Reuelation is wondrous like to that in Daniell Cap. 3. which seemeth of purpose to be affected by the Spirit of God least perhaps we should thinke that in both places one and the selfe-same thing were not meant How and in what manner Antichrist is said to fashion anew and to reuiue and set on foote the Image of the former wounded Beast that is the Romane Empire seated in Italie and setled in Idolatrie The tenth Chapter BVt the very word Image doth euidently lay open vnto vs both the thing it-selfe and the intent and meaning of the Spirit of God the which therefore is the more aduisedly to be considered of all and expounded by me Why may some say did euer the Pope cause men to worship any of the Romane Emperours specially any of those that were Idolatours Whereunto I aunswere that by the name of Image which by him is quickned not the persons of the Emperours are signified that made their abode at Rome but rather by that name was meant and specified the State fourme of the Romane Empire I meane the Italish and Idolatrous Empire the which being starke dead the Pope hath againe raised and made whole in euery point For euen at this houre the kingdome of Poperie doth as liuely represent the ould state of Idolatrie as if it were spit out of the mouth of it the which euery man may easily perceiue by the comparing of them both together and by the seuerall instances which héereafter insue The state and condition of the Romane Empire as well as of all other Kingdomes relieth vpon two speciall and principall grounds whereof the one respecteth Religion and the seruice of God the other outward and humane pollicie that is the well ordering guiding of the common wealth it-selfe Touching Religion and the seruice of God I pray ye what a manner of thing was it in the Romaine Empire being Italian and Idolatrous that is so long as Rome was the mansion place where the Emperours kept it was wholly Idolatrous and more wood and furious in infinite superstitions then any Nation of the world beside whatsoeuer Dionisius Halicarnasseus an Heathen in his second Booke of Antiquities doth thinke and giue out to the contrary And euen so in the Papacie there was and is as after shall appeare as grosse and outragious Idolatry as euer was heard of In both of them there were vsed Processions purging by Sacrifices Holy-water Praiers and Sacrifices for soules departed and Candles set vp in the worship of the dead Concerning the gouernment or pollicie of the Idolatrous Romane Empire it consisted both of matters essentiall and accidentarie I call such essentiall as without which a common wealth can not stand such as these thrée are 1 The kinde of gouernment it selfe as namely a Kingdome or an Aristocratie 2 The Magistrates who should mainteine the same 3 The Lawes that kéepe and preserue the publike quiet Accidentall I tearme those on the which the safetie and prosperous state of the weale publike doth not depend as the vniformitie of one language the attire of the bodie the Citie where the Princes Pallaice is seated Now the Romane kinde of gouernment or pollicie at such time as Iohn wrote his Reuelation was to see to Aristocraticall in respect of the authoritie of the Senate but in very deede it was a detestable tirannie and sauadge kind of Monarchie by meanes of the absolute power and authoritie which one only Prince and Emperour had ouer all And euen so in the Antichristian and Popish Iurisdiction the fourme of gouernment seemes to be Aristocraticall as wealded by the aduise and direction of the Beast but in plaine truth it is a plaine tyrannie For there is but one that hath a maine and deadly stroke in all matters namely the Bishop of Rome who hath to meddle in euery matter and at whose becke all men must bowe like slaues and peasaunts Wherevpon it is that I gather and conclude that in respect both of Church-matters and also of such as concerne the common-wealth Antichrist reuiueth and restoreth vnto vs the Image of that Beast that was so deadly wounded that is of the Romane and Italian Empire which was so fowly defaced and brought to confusion Now let vs go on and consider of the Magistrates of that Empire being yet Italian Idolatrous The Magistrates at Rome were of two sorts Supreme and Inferiour The supreme Magistrate was the Emperour And he contrarie to the receiued custome of all other Nations tooke vpon him to be both a King and a Priest For in all other places almost these two offices are seuered and administred by diuers As indeed the office of a Priest and of King are distinct and diuers But the Romane Emperour not content with these two dignities which are the highest vnder the coape of heauen tooke vpō him yet a third became also a Tribune of the people and that not annuall but standing and perpetuall Insomuch as this one high Romane Magistrate so long I say as the Empyre was Idolatrous and kept it selfe in Italie held in his hand at once these thrée the greatest and mightiest prerogatiues namely the Soueraigne kingdome and power ouer all the high Priesthood and chiefe stroake in matters of religion and the peremptorie power of a Tribune whereby he might at his pleasure nippe in the head all decrees whatsoeuer the other Magistrates were disposed to haue established To conclude he so handled the matter as that he might be coumpted to containe in himselfe a kinde of Deitie to bee Sacred not to bee touched most holie not to be reproued or comptrouled vnuiolable Now the Pope of Rome being the highest in that State made as bould to vsurpe and incroach vpon these three Soueraignties namely the super-eminent power and rule ouer all for he forsooth is to be supposed farre aboue all Iurisdictions himself hauing power to censure them the high Priesthood as arrogating to himselfe libertie to establish what he list in religion And lastly the stately Tribune-ship whereby he
him-selfe and that in the midst of the Church of God Whereby it appeareth first that this defection whereof Paule héere speaketh is not to be vnderstoode of the secte of Mahumet or the Turkes because they neither sit in nor pretend the Church of God but verie directly of the state of Poperie This speach of Paule might séeme to agrée with that of Daniell Cap. 7.8 20. where mention is made of a little horne which arose among the ten other hornes and is said there to speake presumptuous things But in my iudgement their opinion is truer who referre that place of Daniell not to Antichrist but vnto the gouernment of the Romane Emperours and especially to Vespasian who in regard of his vnknowne pedigrew is there tearmed a little horne Therefore touching this which Paule speaketh heere that Antichrist the Prince of this Apostacie should vsurpe the name of God the question is whether it be to be vnderstoode of the verie name and title of God or onely of the power of God which he should wickedly arrogate to him-sefe Some therefore do not thinke that the very expresse name of God is héere meant but only that he should rush into the office and vsurpe and challenge to him-selfe the power and maiestie of the highest But vndoubtedly seeing that the thing it-selfe which is the complishment of this so renowned a prophecie doth proclaime it openly that the Bishop of Rome the highest Potentate in the state of Popery hath made intrusion vpon them both in taking vpon him as well the very name as the authoritie of the Lord God this place without all question is to be vnderstoode of both And touching the name of God the Romane Bishop hath not made squaimish but verie flatly and without any circumlocution hath both admitted of the name him-selfe and neuer refused it at the hands of others For is he not by them called a God in the earth doth he not suffer the very Emperours them-selues to kisse his feete nay with an impudent face he acknowledgeth him-selfe to be so called he admitteth plausibly of it and inwardly ioyeth at the stately title as appeareth Distinct 21. throughout the whole Treatise Further where-as not only he suffereth himselfe to be called the vniuersall Bishop of the whole Church but accoumpteth that title and honour of right to belong vnto him doth he not in effect vsurpe and take vpon him the name of God for who else is the vniuersall Bishop of the Church but God him-selfe and Christ Iesus who only and rightly is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chiefe Sheepheard high Priest 1. Pet. 2.25 5.4 Hebr. 6.20 7.26 9.11 And what is it else I pray to be called Prince of Bishops and head of the Church then to be called a God as Cyprian in the Counsell of Carthage affirmeth The first and auncient Bishops yea of Rome it-selfe did so shunne and were so afraide of this blasphemous and abhominable title of vniuersall Bishop as being in their iudgements properly belonging to none but to Antichrist as that they in truth acknowledged openly affirmed and publikely proclaimed that he was the verie Antichrist of whome Paule speaketh in this place who soeuer would take vpon him to be so called so doth Gregorie the great giue it out Booke 7. Epist 3. to Eubolius Bishop of Alexandria and 80. to the same Bishop And againe Epist 78.79 reade also what is written in way of detestation of this proude title in the Canon of the first Session taken out of the third Counsell of Carthage and out of the Epistles of Pelagius Bishop of Rome in Ca. nullus Dist 99. Moreouer reade what the same Gregorie wrote to Mauritius Augustus Epist 194. 188. lib. 6. Item reade the Counsell of Carthage celebrated vnder Mauritius the Emperour who liued in the yeare of the Lord 595. died 604. At the first there arose an vnhappie contention betweene Iohn Bishop of Constantinople and Pelagius Bishop of Rome about this title Now Iohn being Bishop of Constantinople had Mauritius the Emperour of Constantinople on his side and so he began to be called the vniuersall Bishop and that at the instance and commaundement of Mauritius the Emperour who was so earnest in the cause that in anger he called Gregorie a foole for refusing to do so yea and procéeded so farre in displeasure against the Romanes as that he stirred vp those of Lombardie which then was a part of Italie to wage warre against them about that quarrell After Iohn succeed Cyriacus Bishop of Constantinople who also by the commaundement of the Emperour was called the vniuersall Bishop But then Pelagius Bishop of Rome began stoutly to oppose him-selfe against these two yea and that while Mauritius him-selfe as yet liued And after him Gregorie the great would none of that title but with-stoode it verie earnestly and when it was offered him he like a good and godly man refused it But Boniface the third being tickled with an itching humour after such stately preheminence and hauing opportunitie thereunto by meanes of the great fauour of Phocas who succeeded Mauritius in the Empire obtained that he who was Bishop of Rome rather then the Bishop of Constantinople should be called vniuersall Bishop Now the occasion of this their contention rose by meanes hereof for that the Bishops of Constantinople were woont publikely to consecrate the Emperours of Rome as Iohn installed the said Mauritius and also crowned Tyberius as Euagrius reporteth lib. 5. cap. 13. and Zonaras Tom. 3. Wherevpon they began to looke aloft and waxe insolent towards the Bishops of Rome as being more worthy then they On the other side the Romane Bishops relied much vpon the dignitie of old auntient Rome and looked thereby to haue themselues and their Sea respected And by this meanes that pestilent garboyle began in the Church In which quarrell the other Bishops did not sit still and play the lookers on but shewed them-selues partakers and in the ende after much contention the Romane Bishops preuailed through subtile practises but more by meanes of wicked treacherie In so much that on his side the prerogatiues of the Romane Sea were by the Emperour him-selfe proclaimed and the Bishop him-selfe blazed out with the title of Vniuersall Byshop the which to say the truth could not otherwise come to passe for that Antichrist must néedes haue bin seated at Rome and not at Constantinople as heereafter shall be declared And thus much touching the name of God vsurped by him That Antichrist did wickedly arrogate to himselfe the power of God The fourtenth Chapter AND concerning the power of God no doubt the sayd Romane Bishoppe takes that vpon him and aduaunceth himselfe aboue the diuine Maiestie For whereas the high power of God sheweth it selfe especially in these two poynts In the disposing of kingdomes Dan. 4.22 and in the frée gouernment of his Church that beastly fellowe hath incroached vpon both these And as
great as that the said Bishops did there-by easily take occasion to abuse it Where-vpon Bernard Lib. 1. 4. de considerat ad Eugenium complaineth greiuously that the Bishop of Rome bestirred him-selfe so as where-by he shewed that he had indéede all fullnesse of power but not of iustice when once it began to be iustified by Apostolike authoritie that monstrous men very prodigious beasts should be admitted vnto Bishopricks and high Ecclesiasticall preferments This therefore was the second degrée whereby the Antichristian kingdome was aduaunced The third last was the excessiue coying fauours that certaine Princes especially Emperours bare to that Sea for this third point was likewise a principall piller in that building for in those dayes not only all men of all sorts contended to their vtmost euen like mad men to lade those Bishops with immoderate wealth and possessions but euen Emperours them-selues heaped vpon them honours priuiledges and other dignities belonging to the maiestie of an Emperour or the office of a ciuill Magistrate in so much as they submitted vnto the censure and approbation of the Bishop of Rome both their owne Decrees and the Constitutions of the Synods Iustinian the Emperour sent Ambassadours vnto Iohn Bishop of Rome to procure his approbation of the booke of Ciuill Lawes which he had made and published as appeareth by the Epistle prefixed before the said Coade of Iustinian Yea some Emperours haue ouer submissie giuen it out thus that Their Lawes do not disdaine in waie of imitation to resemble the holie Canons as though forsooth the maiestie and aucthoritie of Emperiall Edicts were farre inferiour vnto that of the Popes Decrees and Canons And in truth where-as those Emperours did not so prouidently bestowe vppon those Bishops so great reuenewes what else did they bring to passe in the ende but only a dispersion of deadly poison in the Church the which some of the Popes owne claw-backs haue written was heard in the life of Silvester the firste distinctly vttered in the ayre what time so large reuenues were graunted to the Church of Rome by Constantine the great Ierom vpon Malachi writeth plainly that the Church after that it came to the protection of Christian Princes it increased in power and riches but decreased in vertue and godlinesse Lastly to what ende were there so many priuiledges graunted by them both to places and persons Ecclesiasticall especially to the Church of Rome whereby they were exempted from all power and iurisdiction euen of ordinary Magistrates so that they might be without checke of any hauing libertie to liue as licentiouslie as they list These were the vnhappie beginnings and procéedings of so great tyrannie whereby the kingdome of Antichrist and this generall Apostacie was founded increased and made strong And yet this so great power receiued also some furtherance euen by Iustinian the Emperour and somewhat before the time of Phocas by vertue of a lawe of his in Nouella authent 131. de quatuor sanctis concilijs By what other degrees and occasions the authoritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either stilie drawne forward or strongly established The 25. Chapter BVt Sathan the craftie work-maister wrought not only by these engines and subtile practises in aduauncing the kingdome of Antichrist but applied also other deuises of his as if he were to set abroach all the policies he had and vtmost indeuour he could in weauing this webb For vnto these beginnings and proceedings were adioyned other causes and occasions as hang-bies which were neither small in themselues nor feeble in their force Namely first the fame and renowne of the Citie of Rome it selfe which was called the head of the world Secondly the decaied estate of the Empire and the emptie seate thereof being at that time translated vnto Constantinople Thirdly the bountifull benefites of certaine Bishoppes of Rome bestowed vpon all Jtalie in generall and more perticularly and specially vpon Rome it selfe as testimonies of their loue and pledges of their care which they had of their Citizens and sheepe For Leo the first Bishop of Rome went out and met Attilas who was making inuasion vpon Italie and turned him backe hauing pacified him with a very milde speach in so much as that furious Beast at whose verie name al men trembled being soothed vp without once touching any part of Jtalie returned into Pannonia Pelagius the first Bishop likewise of Rome did so asswage Totilas a most cruell tyraunt by humble suite and petition as that when he had alreadie surprized Rome and in great rage was deuising how to bring it to vtter ruine yet he obtayned thus much of this angrie and furious Totilas that euen Totilas himselfe should inhibite further fierings and slaughter to bee committed in Rome There are other great good turnes recorded of other Bishops of Rome employed either vpon all Italie as by sending or intertayning Ambassadours or els perticularlie vpon Rome it selfe which things worthelie procured to them and their successours great and speciall fauour not only at the hands of Jtalians and Romanes but also of strangers and men of forraigne Nations Whereby it came to passe that for remedie agaynst the iniuries offered of some officers and Lieutenants yea such as were without the precincts of Italie appeales were made vnto the Bishops of Rome So did Victor Bishoppe of Fausienna call for assistance at the hands of Gregorie the first Bishoppe of Rome agaynst the Iudges in Affricke which committed many things with wrong and violence So likewise he tooke into his protection Isidore Mustellus and Constantius agaynst the hard proceedings of their Bishops And in like sorte he yeelded his helping hand vnto Adrian Bishop of Thebes agaynst Larissaeus the Metropolitanes of Iustiniana epist 46. induct 11. So also did the saide Gregorie write verie sharply vnto Brunchilda the Queene of Fraunce for that she did wickedlie permit the Jewes within her Dominions to intertayne and keepe Christians as their bond-slaues And to conclude thence it came to passe that verie barbarous people and the Princes of Gotland although as yet they were aliaunts and straungers from the profession of Christianitie had the Bisshoppes of Rome in very great accoumpt and indeuoured to increase and set out their creditte and estimation to their vtmost For Atalaricus King of the Gothes caused by publike edict and proclamation that Boniface the fourth and Iohn Bishoppes of Rome should bee highly reuerenced and worshipped by the people and Senate of Rome And after him Theodoricus a King likewise of Goteland commaunded the same to bee perfourmed To make short that I might herein comprize and shut vp all things as neere as I can the principall piller of this authoritie and tyrannous power was founded vpon that famous saying of Christ so much tost and boasted of but mis-vnderstood Feede my sheepe Iohn 21.16.17 The which the Bishops of Rome contending with tooth and nayle will needes haue to bee vnderstoode of Peter and his successours only and
in no case of Paule or of Iohn who was most beloued of Christ or of their successours affirming that they are the true and proper successours of Peter vnto whom alone this power doth appertaine Wherevpon it began that Peter was tearmed the Prince of Apostles and the Bishopps of Rome which boast themselues to be his successours make challenge of this priuiledge as tied so straight vnto this seate Citie of Rome as looke whosoeuer shall bee thereunto installed are without all controuersie indued with the like power But what saith Bernard vnto Eugenius Bishoppe of Rome touching this matter Epist 237. Surely in great disdaine he writeth thus A true successour of Paule will say with Paule not as being Lords ouer your faith but furtherers of your ioy And he that is an heire of Peter will giue eare vnto Peter speaking thus not as bearing rule ouer the Cleargie but as patternes vnto your flocke Who will perfourme this vnto me that I may see before I dye the Church of God as it was in olde time when the Apostles let downe their nets not to catch siluer or golde but to catch soules Whereby it sufficiently appeareth that he thought nothing lesse then that the Bishops of that Sea were to be reputed the true and lawfull successours of Peter or Paule These therefore were the beginnings proceedings degrees and supporters whereby the kingdome of Antichrist was strengthened and at Rome especially established That the authoritie and power of Antichrist was at no time receiued without the resistance and gain-saying of some good Bishops The 26. Chapter ANd yet this power and Empyre neither came to perfection at last neither was vsurped at first without the great grutching and resistance of manie For at all times yea after the Apostacie was once begun there were euer one or other either good men or Bishoppes which openly gain-sayd it and condemned it as wicked opposing also themselues agaynst it franklie and to their vtmost indeuour by whose meanes the Lord did sufficiently fore-warne his Church if it could bee wise to beware of this yoke of bondage And truely in the yeare 600. what time as yet it was in the swadling cloutes and beginnings all the Greeke Churches and especially that of Constantinople and which was dispersed ouer Dacia Illiricum or Slavonia stood stoutly and cried out agaynst that vsurped power Those Bishoppes which accused Symmachus Bishoppe of Rome before Theodoricus King of the Gothes among other crimes which they layd to his charge this was the principall for that he reputed himselfe as a lawles man without the checke or comptroulement of any that is not subiect to the censure of any man or Magistrate whatsoeuer as appeareth in Canon Nullus distinct 99. Dinoth an Abbot in Britaine that is in England did likewise lustely oppose himselfe agaynst the same Gildas in his treatise De castigatione Ecclesiastici ordinis of the correction of the Ecclesiasticall state teacheth that this pertaineth to all Bishops and not vnto any one where it is sayd Whatsoeurr thou shalt loose c. Agayne some of the chiefe and best learned Bishoppes of Germanie and Fraunce as appeareth out of the storie of Aventine in his Epistle to Anastasius resisted both the beginnings and goings forward of that kingdome For I will not speake of the Counsell of Carthage where when as the Romane Bishop would haue brought in this tyrannie he was openly by the whole assemblie accused and conuinced of forgerie The which treacherous tricke Marke Bishop of Ephesus obiected likewise publikelie agaynst him in the Counsell of Florence Anno 1439. Lastly Belisatius Captaine of the guard vnder Iustinian did of himselfe depose the Bishoppe of Rome being suspected of trayterous dealing agaynst the Citie In the yeare of our Lord 700. when as this throane of power and Apostacie was somewhat setled and that by the good liking and consent of a great many yet Paulus Bishoppe of Creta gain-sayd it and at no hand would graunt lisence vnto Iohn Bishop of the Citie Lampio to make an appeale vnto the Sea of Rome The Church of Ravenna admitted of no other head than her selfe neither would she although she were in Jtalie bee subiect vnto the Church of Rome as touching Maister Pope Nilus Archbishop of Thessalonica did likewise write a verie learned booke agaynst the primacie of the Pope And as yet Greece made open resistance agaynst this power and tyrannie of the Romane Bishop and alwaies disclaymed the same and that in such wise as when Iohn Palaeologe Emperour of Constantinople and Ioseph the Patriarch of that Citie and certaine other Bishoppes of Greece among whome Bessario was one had in the Florentine Counsell Anno Domini 1439. approued of this power of the Romane Bishoppe ouer all Churches they were for so doing reproued and excommunicated by the other Churches of Greece and the Easterne parts of the worlde Nay which is more the Pope himselfe doth yearely by couenant giue a peece of golde vnto as many Greeke Bishops as will vouchsafe in the celebrating of their Masses to call him chiefe Priest In the yeare of our Lord 1140. at what time Bernardus Abbas Clarevallensis liued Arnolde Brixianus an eloquent man and a Monke declaimed lustelie all his life time agaynst this Primacie and tyrannie of the Pope as Sigonius writeth lib. 11. de Regno Italico of whō also mention is made by Bernard himselfe in his 195. Epistle whome therefore Innocentius the second Bishop of Rome condemned for an Heretike when now all the worlde began to allowe of this Romish crueltie Therefore wee see that in all ages there were some which openly euen in the assemblies of Synods cryed out agaynst this vsurped power vntill at last as was fore-tould by the Spirit of God Antichrist and his doctrine preuailed and bare rule for so it pleased God to reuenge the contempt of his worde while in the meane time euery man held his peace and submitted himselfe thereunto in most miserable and slauish manner which continued to the wonderfull great hurt of all Christendome vntill such time as Iohn Wickliefe was raysed and stirred vp by God in England who opposed himselfe manfully agaynst it and was the first man that with great valour cut the very sinnewes of it a sunder After whom by the great goodnesse of GOD Iohn Husse and Ierom of Prage were giuen vs the verie two Oliue braunches spoken of Reuelation 11.4 After them succeeded Luther and after him Iohn Caluin and others valiant and couragious Souldiers armed with the Spirit of GOD who with great courage set themselues agaynst this doctrine and tyrannie the which for the most parte they haue by the grace of GOD shaken and brought to nought although notwithstanding it supporte it selfe as well as it maie with Figge-tree boughes Of the destruction and ouerthrowe of the kingdome of Antichrist which is to be brought to passe by the only breath of the Lords mouth and not by any power or strength of a fifth sixth or
parte of this description set downe by the Apostle First he saieth Except there come first a back-sliding or falling away Now it is a falling from the faith that he meaneth for his purpose was not to speake of the chaunges of Empyres or ouerthrowes of Kingdomes and agayne the worde Apostacie doth signifie no lesse 1. Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is They shall shrinke from sound doctrine And further all the Fathers giue it out that the comming of Antichrist shall bee ioyned with a miserable ouerthrowe of religion and godlinesse And whereas the Apostle calleth it simplie an Apostacie which should ensue he thereby sheweth that it should bee a generall and not a perticular defection For he speaketh absolutely without limitation And this may also more manifestly appeare by comparison of other places Luk. 18.8 The sonne of man when he commeth shall he finde faith vpon earth This is that Apostacie and want of faith whereof Paule spake Math. 24.12 Iniquitie shall be increased the loue of many shall be colde And Iohn in the Reuelation foretelleth That the Kings of the earth should commit fornication with the Harlot And that the inhabitants of the earth should bee made dronken with the wine of her whoredome And that all Nations shall drinke of her cuppe And lastly the euent of things which is the best expositour of these matters doth prooue that I say to bee most true For partly by Mahumetisme and partly by Poperie faith hath been long since almost cleane put out in so much as well nigh there is no remnant left in the world of the true and auncient faith and sinceritie After this the Apostle beginneth to describe Antichrist by his proper markes And that that man of sinne bee disclosed euen the sonne of perdition which is an aduersarie In these words he setteth out Antichrist as it were one man who although he be not indeed any one single or perticular man yet is he by the Apostle described vnder the person of one both in regarde of that kingdome which he maketh opposite to Christes and is one and also in respect of that one and the self-same spirit of Sathan wherewith all the Antichristes in the world are caried As the kingdome of Antichrist is one so also is the kingdome of Antichrist one and for that cause as Daniell long before had laied open seuerall kingdomes which were continued a long time by lineall descent and succession of Kings and people vnder the names of a Leopard a Lion and a Beare so also would the Apostle set out Antichrist and the whole bodie of the Antichristian kingdome vnder the figure or resemblance of a most wicked man And seeing the Bishoply kingdome doth fight and contend with the kingdome of Christ and seeing that in the same the Bishop as a principall Monarche doth beare the sway wee rightly tearme the Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a kinde of prerogatiue Antichrist The Apostle faith that this man was to be reueiled that is should openly affect and possesse a kingdome and exercise his tyrannie the which it is certaine the Pope hath practised aboue nine hundred yeares euen euer since that time wherein he would needes be called the head of the Church and take vpon him the chiefe stroake in the Church And to the end we may euidently perceiue that the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist as I affirme let vs prosecute the other parts of this propheticall description laied out by the Apostle He laies open Antichrist in the fourth verse following by three adiuncts or properties for first He shall oppose and exalt himselfe against al that is called God or that is worshipped Secondly He shall sit as God in the temple of God Thirdly He shall shewe himselfe that he is God These wordes containe much matter in them and offer great varietie of speach but I of necessitie must obserue a meane First therfore Antichrist was to become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to Christ an aduersarie contrarie in such sort as he should aduaunce himselfe aboue Christ So that Antichrist should take vpon him not only ciuill reuerence but euen diuine worship Can any man hereof make doubt but that this doth most fitly agree with the Bishop of Rome For he will needes be greater then God himselfe and setteth himselfe full butt agaynst him And that he would needes be greater then God we shall easilie perceiue if we consider what power and authoritie either of them do challenge to themselues It belongeth only to God to prescribe lawes to binde our consciences who only hath the soueraigntie ouer our soules The Bishop of Rome will needes beare rule ouer mens consciences wherein he attributeth to himselfe a diuine interest yea inioyneth in more hard and seuere manner then he supposeth that God himselfe ought to do For who knoweth not that a man might with greater securitie transgresse the lawes of God than the Popes Constitutions and that he that should offend the sayd Bishop should in more seuere manner smart for it than he that should with notorious wickednesse offend the Lord. To bee stayned with fornications adulteries and vnspeakeable impieties required no great penaunce such sinnes could bee done awaie at a light and easie price but to haue tasted once either of Porke or Beefe vpon a Fryday that could neuer be wiped out but by the bloud of him that offended and yet the one stands forbidden by God himselfe and the other by none but by the Bishop They make it for the most part but a mockery or May-game to breake the lawes of God but to transgresse the Bishops is right mortall and deadly To hurt God by periurie and blasphemy they make it no great sinne but to offend the Bishop only by vnreuerent speach is a huge trespasse and worthy to be reuenged by most extreame torture There are a thousand such like wherein the Bishop establisheth his authority to be reputed as farre more authenticall and holie then the power of God Then what is it to aduance him-selfe aboue God if this be not shall we looke that Antichrist should plucke God out of heauen and climbe vp into his Celestiall seate and the sayd Bishop is also an aduersarie vnto Christ and that not in any one parcell only but simply and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the whole I will in few words make it plaine for neither is colde more repugnant vnto heate or blacke to white more contrary then is Popery to Christianitie and the Bishops profession vnto the doctrine of the Gospell For what a kinde of God do they make of him when they serue such an infinite number of Idols and fill the whole world with their Idolatrie for where euer either among the Graecians or Aegiptians or the ould Romanes were Images more common or more frenticke idoll-worship then was and as we knowe is in the Romish Church and that of a sorie slender crust a God can be made as soone as a Priest shall haue breathed