onely deceiued the world but excelled the proudest Emperors when their sinnes came to ouerflowing in State Maiestie Pompe couetousnesse tyranny and all other impieties discouered in Scripture But the Prophet goes forward with the Empires dissolution that is to say with the whole narration of the story of the Nations that infested Italy beginning with Alaricus who set himselfe vp in the 19. yeere of Honorius conquering Latium Campania Apulia Lucania Calâ—bria proceeding with Attila who in the 27. of the 3. year 410 Valentinian destroiâ—d Aquileia Verona Mantuâ— Cremona Brixia Coneordia with the new territory of Venice and ending with Genserick Odâ—acer Totila the Lombards and the intestine faction and these are the two heads and Vers 23. six wings now you must consider that in this fearefull time the proud Attila did fell the city of Rome to Bishop Leo as some report and so was contented to forsake Italy by which occasion the Popes became Masters of this great City and in processe of time wrought out their supremacy not onely ouer Italy but ouer Europe For as these Tyrants vexed one another and the successors which followed were subiect to extirpation namely Valentinian Maximus Anitus Maiorianus Seuerus Anthemias Olibrius Glycerius lxlius Nâ—pos Momilâ—us otherwise Augustulus the Popes raised their structures out of their ruines and the rubbish of the Empire serued to aduance the fabricke of the Papacy Thus the Eagles displaid wings were spread in the time of Augustus and broken and spoiled in the daies of Augustulus who was that Momilâ—us the last named and so the prophecy followeth to the 29. verse with the varietie of the warres troubles and gouernment of all the contrary feathers named before to the time of the intestine sedition which had pretence of renuing the stile of Senatus populusque Romanus but now the Bishop of Rome tampers for his supremacy and inuesteth Charles King of France Emperor and this is that which Esdras meaneth by the awaking of one of the three heads that were at rest for the Vers 29. 801 three heads personate Germany France and Spaine who shall according to the interpretation of this Vision still by one meanes or other maintaine the dignity of the Popedome though all the rest of the Kings and Princes of Europe forsake it till vtter destruction come indeed and they manifestly behold that God will câ—st this strumpet in a bed of affliction that is to say that although Papistry and the profession of the Romish Religion shall not be vtterly extinguished till the Church be triumphant in heauen yet shall the glory of Rome yea of the Pope and his Cardinalls suffer diminution if not vtter dâ—solation as shall be manifested in due place and orderly demonstration But first you must note how the Prophet proceeds the verse 31. middle head did eat vp the wings which is meant by the sword of Carclus magnus who at the Popes command came into Italy and tooke Deâ—â—derius prisoner leading him captiue into France after this Cono the Emperour falls out with Gregory the second and pâ—oiected to dislocate the Popes of Rome as intimating that their pride and tyranny would grow vlcerous and to a Gangren in the body of Europes gouernment whereupon the people were not only incensed against their Bishop but attempted a new alteration by Senators and Consuls had not the French laid a cooling card for this proceeding and established the Pope in his supreme eminency yet all is not quiet for some 150. yeeres after Alberick and Octauian his sonne contested anew with the ambitious Prelates and once againe aduanced another gouernment in Rome but see how the Pope thriues according to the prophecie Otho the great comes in his assistance banisheth the Consull hangeth the Tribunes and mounteth the Praefectus Vrbis naked on an Asse and so hee is crowned and with great derision thrust into prison and â—ormented to death but within seuen yeeres new vproares began by the tumulâ—uary incitation of Lancius had not Otho the second at a supper in the Vatican strucke off all their heads Last of all Fredericke the first with the year 1136 bloud and wounds of 2000. men established the Bishop of Rome in greater glory and euer since according to this Prophesie and discouery they haue continued secure by the meanes of these heads in all impiety and abomination but the Prophecy leaues them not so for after all this exemplification of glory and greatnesse with the manner of their rising and insolent tumors he falles to their punishment and vtter confusion This lasteth from the 36 verse to the end wherein you may obserue that the breath of God like a Lion of the Forrest shall teare this Eagle in peeces and as you haue heard in the execution of Antichrist whole armies of Prophecies and denunciations of vengeance shall be further mustred against Rome from so supreme a iudicature that no humane potency shall reuerse the doome or be able to repeale the sentence Conclusion THe conclusion then of all these things may be thus that if God out of his palace of power and mightinesse or store-house of prouidence and mercy hath from time to time exposed his secrets openly whereby his Saints and poore afflicted children haue not only beene comforted in their distresse but prepared against following mischiefes If according to the wantonnesse of times and growth of impietie he hath gone about to stop the torrent and raging inundation of wickednesse and by many predictions foretold the ruine of the kingdome of Sathan and enlargement of the bounds of his Church If he hath gone yet further to follow obstinate men and refractarie delinquents euen at the heâ—les with signes and wonders from heauen either to diuert the outragious from their immanitie or support the lowly in their humiliation Let not vs passe them ouer as things vnremarkable or be affrighted as terrors of too great vengeance and if it fall not within our reach to make cleane euery corruption yet as neere as we can to wipe away the filthinesse and wash off the deformitie of grosse and fearfull sinnes Thus shall the confidence of the ioyes to come season our present sorrowes the acknowledging of Gods attributes assure vs that he is faithfull which hath promised and so will performe the oath he sware vnto our father Abraham his sâ—ed for euer Againe if it hath pleased the same God to terrifie the world with the rumors of warre and thundrings of hostilitie â—o weaken and abate the power of mightie monarchies to strike Daniels image with a stone from heauen to peeces to put a hooke in the nostrils of Leuâ—athan and Bâ—hâ—moth to turne about the wheeles of the chariot of greatnesse O consider this ye that haue forgot God lâ—st he teare you in peeces in his wrath remember this ye that loue God lest ye abuse his mercy ouer-presumptuously But of all and exceeding all Iâ— in this latter age of the world he hath reuealed vnto vs the true historie of his Church That the Dragon shall watch the woman in the wildeâ—nesse to deuoure her childe That in the Primitiue Church was the true pattern of wholsome words That she â—ell from thiâ— puritie was polluted with the filth of mens Traditions whose daring hands out of wantonnesse case gurrmâ—â—dice ambicion auarice pâ—lâ—â—ie and imposturing deceit threw durâ— into her cleane streame and in a manner dammed vp the spring of vndeniable veritie That all this was done by Antichrist and his adherents That this Antichrist is now fully discouered not to personate one man nor be a stranger in Gods house but to sit in the Temple of God and the Church and to be the Popes of Rome the strumpet of Babylon in the Scriptures the beast with seuen heads and ten hornes in the Apocalyps the man of sinne in Timothie Lucifer in Isaiah the spirit of error in the Thessalonians with all the rest as you haue heard That notwithstanding this discouerie he hath vsurped the authoritie of Princes tyrannized ouer Kings affrighted ignorant soules captiued câ—â—dulous persons and enriched his purse to the augmentation of worldly glory That therefore God hath arraigned him and by seuerall inditements condemned and that his punishment and exâ—cution followed whereby this defiled strumpet shall be diuorced from her spouse cast in a bed of affliction demoâ—â—shed and her structures pulled to peeces set on fire to the wonder of the world and the terror of all seduced people FINIS
them worshipping them as God and Paulus Aemilius telleth Lib. 2. how the Embassadors of Sicily cryed thus to the Pope Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. To which purpose Simon Begnius Bishop of Modrusa calleth Leo the 10. his Sauiour and Stapleton writing to Gregory the 13. tearmeth him Supremum numen in terris and these attributes follow The vicar of Christ the Monarch of the Church the head the spouse the foundation of the Church yea Thomas Waldenses flattereth Martin the 5. with Salua nos Domine perimus and Cornelius Bishop of Befoâ—â—o in the conuenticle of Trent calleth the Pope the light which came into the world But now if you would demand the reason of all these blasphemies and filthy wickednes it is apparant by a simile of bitter streames from sower springs these things were Authors Beno Platina Nauclecus Theoderick deuised and maintained by such men as were branded in their liues for notorious and infamous liuers Benet the 9. and Syluester the 2. gaue themselues to the Deuill Twentie two Popes practised Magicke Gregory the seauenth was condemned for a Negromantick at a Councell and the Councell of Pise accused Gregory the 12. and Benet the 13. for wicked liuers Alexander the 6. was an Atheist that is beleeued there was no God Iohn the 22. in the Councell of Constance was conuinced for making question of the Resurrection Leo the 10. and Clement the 7. were also reputed Atheists Paul the 3. consulted with the Deuill and Iulius the 3. sayd he would eat 〈◊〉 dispetto di Dio yea Boccace in his second Nouell bringeth in a Iew wondring how the Cittie of Rome ws kept from sincking to Hell considering the sinnes and abominations both of the Popes the gouernment and the people Here might properly be brought in certaine proofes and enlargements 1. That Popery is a sinke of Heathenish Idolatry 2. That their religion neuer came from true Ierusalem 3. That it was neuer taught by the Prophets or Apostles 4. That it was not knowne to auncient professed Emperours and Christian Kinges 5. That the auncient Brittaines were not conuerted to the now Popish religion 6. That Popish religion is falsely called Catholicke 7. That there were neuer such doctrine and principles in the Primitiâ—e Church 8. That it is repugnant to auncient Councels 9. That it is contrary to the Fathers of the Church 10. That it was neuer testified by the blood of Christian Martyres c. But it would proue too great a mountaine of amasement and be extended to a greater volume then I propose therefore I referre you to such sufficient authors as are euery where extant for the good of all Christians The Masse by their owne confession was framed at sâ—uerall Popery a humane deuise times and by diuers authors For how euer the law of God was giuen at an instant and the Gospell of Iesus Christ with the doctrine of Christianitie comprised in one volume called the Testament yet hath this sabricke of Popery beene many hundred yeares a framing and the materialls come into millions of handes that had not time to this houre to dispatch the building and couer the structure Thus Walafridus Platina Nauclerus and others report that Caelestine made the introit Iudica me Deus Damasus added the confession Gregory the Antiphona and Kirie eleeson Telesphorus gloria in excelsis and Gelasius certaine clauses of the Orisons Thomas Aquinas deuised the office on Corpus Christi day but who contriued the Masses for S. Francis S. Dominicke and other late Saints the Papists themselues cannot tell The Psalter of our Lady was inuented by Bonauenture You see the Priests offer Christ for the sinnes of the quicke and dead for sicke horses and piggs c. I hope you all thinke this a deuise of man and in no Scripture at all Oh Iesus didst thou spit and salt or light Candles in Baptisme Didst thou vse any mimicke gestures when thou institutedst the Sacrament of thy Supper Is it not a strange deuise that no Priest may say Masse without water and fire The worship of the Sacrament and the custodie thereof in a Pixe was inuented by Honorius What thinke you of Canonicall houres and the reliques of Martyres who deuised them I pray you All their Letanies and Prayers to Saints and Angells yea peraduenture to such as are gone to the Deuill as the Heathen canonized such for Gods as were lecherous and incestuous persons were framed by sundry Popes and Fryers The Popes triple crowne kneeling to the Crosse and a thousand of other trumperâ—es were the excrements of hot braines and men who knew no better or at least would not then to increase their honor and ambition and wealth The feast of Iubile was ordained by Boniface the 8. Corpus Christs by Clement the 5. Of our Ladies conception by Sixtus quartus of her assumption by another and all the rest of the ceremonies and superstitious rites by one wicked Pope or lying Priest or other For because Paul sayd the rest I will set in order when I come these men haue assumed to themselues a power to deuise vnheard-of impieties and yet as Physicians guild their bitter pills with some flourishing golden vertue they stoppe all mens mouthes with order and ordinances of the Church but the Saints of God can tell them that Ieroboams calues were erected by order For the Text saith the King called a councell and the Statutes of Omri with all the abominations of the Priestes and Kinges of Israell were confirmed and maintained by order therefore order disordred may turne to confusion and desolation And so I proceede Bernard of Luzenburg sheweth how the Doctors of Popish deuises agree with Heathenish customes Collen auerred that Aristotle was the forerunner of Christ in naturalibus as Iohn Baptist in diuinis and that they would proue the distinction of the three persons in Trinitie by Philosophy Gratian talking of diuers orders and degrees in Dâ—cretis dist 21. the Roman Hierarchy confesseth that this difference was deduced from the Gentiles Gregory the 1. writing to Melitus permitted the English to build boothes in the day of the dedication of their Churches and to kill Oxen for the Beda lib 1. cap. 30. prayse of God and was not this the custome of the Pagans seruing Idols Boniface the 4. consecrated the Church called Pantheon in Rome where Cibele and all the Heathen gods were adored to our Lady and all Saints as if he would shew that the worship of Saints must succeed in the place of Idols and Heathen gods Who knowes not that the Priestes of the Gentiles did shaue their heades and beards the Priestes of Baal launce themselues the Priests of Cibele whippe themselues and the Priests of Bell and the Dragon made the King beleeue the Idoll did eat vp his prouision and who sees not the Papists to iâ—stifie the imitation and yet as the Lapwig runneth away with the shell on her head they
at Masse in the very instant of the eleuation of Christs body he saw Swaine King of Denmarke drowned in the sea with all his army at which hee so smiled that at last it tended to a laughter whereat the company wondred and were bold to demand what the matter meant wherupon he discouered the secret called certaine Earles to participate of the vision amongst whom the Earle of Glocester saw the Bread turne apparantly into the likenesse of a young child But to adde more truth to this miracle the hangings in the Quier aâ— West minster consist of this story and there you may see the conceit of the businesse O the superstition of those daies and palpable grosnesse of the Clergies collusion This King gaue also his Signet for the loue of St. Iohn to a poore man but see the wonderfull care and respect of the Apostle hee sent it him baâ—â—e againe in the belly of a fish for when a goodly fish was presented to the King as the Cooke dressed the same the Kings Seale was found in the entrailes others tell the story in this manner that Saint Iohn tooke it so kindly being now at Ierusalem that he returned it backe againe by two pilgrimes whom he posted into England in one night for the same purpose so the ring was deliuered and Saint Iohns commendation presented to the king Gregory the seuenth was Cardinall and Legat in France Gregory 7. before he was Pope where he so religiously proceeded against Simoniacks that he called diuers to account as we say in foro publico amongst whom a certaine Bishop by bribing and corrupting his accusers thought to escape but Gregory knowing by reuelation the deceit preuented it in this manner he commanded him to say Gloria patri if he had not abused the holy Ghost which by no meanes he could doe whereupon he was adiudged guiltie and depriued of his Bishopricke But see the mischiefe afterwards he could say it well enough and made them all wonder at the alteration I beleeue though you haue read many Chronicles you William Râ—fus King yet haue not read of this storie concerning the death of William Rufus that a little before he was shot by Sir Walter Tirrell he dreamed he was let bloud in so great a quantitie that a streame of it leapt vp on high toward heauen more than a hundred fathom and the day was presently darkened as the night Againe a Monke of his house dreamed that king William went into a Church with a great company of people and amongst them all he tooke the Image of the Crucifix and most shamefully rent it with his teeth but the Crucifix meekly suffred all till like a mad man he pulled the armes off threw it vnder feet and trampled vpon it in despight had not a great fire come out of the Crucâ—fix mouth which preuented the king from committing further outrage and awaked the Monke This dreame was with much adoe declared to the king and his owne dreame with more adoe disputed vpon and both the dreames made a matter of fearefull prediction so that the conclusion extended to caution and premonition to his Maiestie that there was sure some misfortune imminent ouer him Thomas Becket was one of the Popes champions and Englands Thomas Becket traitors of whose lies and miracles I am ashamed to wrice for they will haue him turne a Capon into a Carpe as he was at dinner in Rome on Saint Marks day and when he was martyred to heale the sicke wounded and lunaticke with the touch of his tombe and relickes my author recounts two and twentie miracles done for his sake When Saint Bernard was canonized a Saint and Saint ernâ—rd consecrated in his shrine or chappell his Abbot forbad him to doe any more miracles because there came such a concourse of people that he was notable to entertaine them nor willing to be so continually imploied the like or much more is fathered vpon Simon de Momford Earle of Leicester Momford a notorious rebell against Henrie the third but because he went vnder the vmbrela of a good Common-wealths man and maintainer of the liberties of Church they inuented many a lie for him that he might preserue his reputation after death c. When Robert Bruise rebelled against Edward the first he was proclaimed a traitor and after taken and beheaded yet did they hang vp his body in chaines but there came so many deuils by night to torment it with hookes that they were faine to watch it guard it and make fires about the place I cannot but enlage the storie of Thomas the good Earle Sir Simond Frizell of Lancaster one of the greatest subiects of the world whom Edward the second most vnkindly put to death and wherein they went along with his worthines allow them the praises of their good report but when they come to deuices and superstitious conceits I leaue them to their owne fallacies and cannot choose but laugh at their fictions for they not onely repute him a Martyr but diuulge that many a miracle was shewne by him or done for him Aâ— a The Earle of Lancaster Priest restored to his sight who had beene long blinde by wiping his eies with the Altar cloth A child drowned and found dead the third day in a well was brought to his tombe and not onely recouered by touching the defunct but receiued life which continued many yeeres Diuers mad men and distracted women by leaning their heads only vpon his tombe were restored to a temperature in their senses A rich man of Gascoign halfe dead and rotten on the one side so that you might see his liuer was blessed by his Tombe with vnusuall recouery and many such like miracles were performed by him whereupon the Spencers both prohibited the concourse of people and accesse to his Chappell I could name the rest but these as the rest are the durty waters from a corrupt and puddled channell and must both discouer the impiety of such a profession and wickednesse of such Priests that will hang gew gawes and grosse deuices about the necke of religion to make her seeme more gawdy and a very puppet in the world yet such was the pleasure of diuine Iustice to permit the Deuill to put on a cloake of sanctity to deceiue whole multitudes who were subiect to vanity such the coherence of Scripture that Papistry should haue her Progresse as you haue heard and such was the deceit of men that they were detained in ignorance because they delighted in ceremonies rather than substance in painted deuices and outward ornaments rather than inward or spirituall worshipping of God in fooleries to please the naturall man rather than senselesse kneeling in vaine to the aire as they would excuse it when men see no pourtraiture nor resemblance and yet the Scripture saith that Moses saw no image Thus was sinne not onely multiplied in the world but men for the hardnesse of their hearts detained in blindnesse
shall ascend Apoc. 17. 8. out of the bottomlesseâ—pit and goe into perdition and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the booke of life from the foundation of the world when they behold the Beast that was and is not and yet is And he cried mightily with a strong voice saying Babylon Apoc. 18. 2. â— reade the whole Chapter the great is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of Deuils and the bold of euery foule spirit and a cage of euery vncleane and hatefull bird The Merchants of these things which were made rich verse 15. by her shall stand afarre off for the feare of her torment weeping and wailing And saying alas alas that great city that was clothed Apoc. 18. 16. in fine linnen and purple and scarlet and decked with gold and pretious stones and pearles For in one houre so great riches is come to nought and verse 17. euery Ship-master and all the company in ships and Sailers and as many as trade by sea stood afarre off And cried when they saw the smoake of her burning verse 18. what city is like vnto this great city c. Come and gather your selues together vnto the Supper Apoc. 19. 17. of the great God That â—ee may eat the flesh of Kings and the flesh of Captaines verse 18. and the flesh of mighty men c. Oh read more read more read all for Gods sake your selues and remember that hee that writ this prediction and Prophesie did not liue 500. yeeres after the Assirians Babylons destruction and therefore it could not meane that which was past but must questionlesse haue relation to something to come so that these seuerall descriptions and other fearefull prophesies can aime at nothing but new Rome in Italy the Antichristian supremacy of the Pope and the filthy abomination of such an absurd religion so that a man would wonder at their daring confidence to continue in such exorbitant courses of falsity and filthines when the end will be the trembling of Christian hearts at the terrour of the iudgements to be denounced In the meane while who can be so infatuated to beleeue that true Religion will suffer her selfe to be bespotted bedurtied and deformed with the filthy corruptions of mens inuentions and idle foolish and ridiculous trumperies of colluding popish Prelates and so I leaue the honest Christian to that Spirit which shall be operatiue in them to worke their conuersion or confirme their calling seeing they see one way a stranger warre betweene Christ and Antichrist than the Gigantomachia wherein Typhaeus and his brethren tooke vp mountaines in their hands to throw against Iupiter and another way haue more cause of laughter than euer Democritus had at Epictetus deformation of the world when he couered it with a coxcombe and set the globe on the table to be derided by the Philosophers as for the obstinate Papists I say no more but answer a Gods name you that must answer before the iudgement throne of the Lambe what say you to this fearfull sentence of terror and punishments from Gods owne mouth or what euasion can there be to auoid the condemnation seeing the Apocalyps was written of purpose to denotate the state of the Church from Christ to the end of the world Antichrists punishment and Romes destruction from the Sibyls ALthough the Scriptures were sufficient according to You must ouerlooke the whole bâ—stnâ—ie of the Sibylâ— both â—â— Gâ—ecke and Laâ—â—ne the former texts in the Reuelation and many others in the Prophets Apostles and bookes of God to declare his will and denounce his iudgements and so there were no more disputing on the authoritie and infallibilitie of the same yet because the naturall man is transported with shewes and ceremonies rather than substance and that affecting humours are seldome pacified without varietie or noueltie I claspe once againe the bookes of holy Mysteries and seale vp the Prophecies of Scripture lest some call for an interpreter and still cry out the mother Church must be the interpreter of these mysteries and spread you a carpet of such Prophecies that no man shall traduce their credit and renowne nor the obstinate and refractarie Papist oppose their valuation for though he could with the prophane Atheist and irreligious foole deny there Psal 14. were a God yet shall he confesse that former times haue been like vberant springs to send forth flowing streams of truth into the world so that now he must needs be afrighted in drawing so neere the time wherein these predictions are likely to be consummated as personating Rome that citie of Rome in Italie and hunting the Pope and his Cardinals with full crie into the desart of desolation and fatall confusion I will then begin with the Sibyls but both my beginning and ending with them and others shal be but a kinde of Epitomising referring you to the larger volumes with whom I onely play as the dogs with the water of Nâ—lus lap as they run and dare not tarry to drinke for feare of the Crocadiles In the second booke of the Oracles of the Sibyls Lib. 2 Oraculorâ—â—n Sibyl you shall finde it thus Hâ—minum cum denique saeclum c. In the tenth age of the world the imagerie of Rome raised on her seuen hills shall extinguish the loue of true religion for which her strength shall faile and the people tremble when they shall see her power beaten downe and her riches taken away yea her citie consumed with fire through the wrath of God In the fifth booke it beginneth thus De coelo vâ—niet sydus Lib 5. As a great starre fell from heauen into the sea and burnt vp the third part of the same with the creatures so shall Babylon of Italie be destroyed that hath murthered the Saints and troden the truth of Gods word vnder feet that hath delighted in poisoning whoredome and adultery that hath nourished buggerie against nature that hath beene a towne of ease and filthinesse wicked vniust defamed amongst the Latines and vnworthy of the tiâ—le she assumed she shall therefore sit as a widow mourning desolate as a viper fell and venomous and the floud Tiber shall weepe for his spouse because of her destruction that was so mad when her heart burned for bloud She misinterpreted Gods minde and boasted that she was onely of the earth to be exalted Therefore shall God ruine her and there shall be no memory of her exaltation yea she shall be throwne downe into hell and consumed with euerlasting fire In another place of the said fifth booke it beginneth Italia infoelix thus Italia infoelix O cursed and vnhappy Italie thou shalt be made as barren as a wildernesse and no man shall pittie thy desolation for thou hast beene a murtherer of mothers and hast hands and hearts polluted with fllthinesse buggering of boies and lying with beasts defiling of women and mingling incestuous bloud yea
thou hast made Kings and Emperours prophane God by taking an oath to destroy the Saints with a great deale more But O God! that this should be so long told before hand and yet all the world imitated the lewes in the Prophet Ieremie though the king cut the rowle which Baruch Ierem. writ in peeces and burnt it in the fire yet no man trembled nor rent his clothes for feare c. In the seuenth booke it beginneth thus Roma ferox Lib. 7. animi Ambitious Rome shall after the Grecian manner stellifie her selfe to heauen but when she is in her greatest exaltation God shall deiect her and cast her vnder his feet like rubbish for there shall come a first and a second destruction of this great citie The first you know is past by the Goths and Vandals the second is to come by them whom God hath appointed In the eight booke the beginning is thus Lib. 8. Par tibi de coelo sublimâ—s vertice Roma And the meaning of the rest is thus that as Rome hath aduanced it selfe aboue the world to heauen so shall it be deiected and ruined burnt to cinders and consumed to nothing she shall be banished farre off and be bereaued of her wealth within her walls shall Wolues and Serpents remaine she shall lie wasted as though she had neuer been her Oracles shall cease and her golden gods be put to silence there shall be no more consultation with her idols and it shall profit her nothing that she kept correspondency with the former Senate about the multiplicitie of gods for as they maintained the Oracles and Statuas of Saturne Iupiter Rhemus Romulus c. So doe they continue the adoration and images of our Ladie Peter Iohn and a thousand other Saints for all actions occasions and infirmities In the same booke followeth immediatly the explanation The Pope expounded of the Popes Character and deciphering of his manners and conditions tending to this purpose that after fifteene Emperours of whom the last was Adrianus should arise a mighty Potentate with many crownes whose name shall come neere vnto Ponti which although they interpret by the same Adrianus and Pontus quasi Adriaticus Pontus now Golpho Venetiano yet questionlesse the Sibyll meant as in other Authors imitating her is enlarged that that Ponti had reference to Pontifex and the Pope should bee that Summus Pontifex whose triple crowne is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and hath mystery in the etymologie For thus the Sibyll goes on and expresseth her selfe That he shall The Popes crowâ—e and pride set his foot on the world and the necks of Emperours and Kings he shall receiue great gifts and bribes he shall heape vp treasures of gold and gather together exceeding wealth he shall pardon sinnes discouered by confession he shall be skilfull in Negromancy and scoffe at God in his brauery which of late Platina the Popes owne Secretary relateth and many other Authors as you haue read in the former Section of discouery recite as many strange and blasphemous impieties of them and he shall iustifie errours and impiety against true Religion and righteousnesse But then saith our Sibyll approacheth his downefall then comes a time of mourning and heauinesse lamenting and excruciation of soule he shall hang himselfe for desperation Here the carnall Gospeller himselfe makes a stop at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if it onely had relation to one man or the last Pope of all which shall make such a tragicall end perceiuing his people seat and towne vtterly rased and demolished and not to meane the chaire of Peter or consistory of Cardinals but I leaue further disceptation and will tell you the words of the Prophecy Alas shall the people say wee euer feared this desolation and so both old and young shall mourne for the dolorous destiny yea sit vpon the banke of Tybur sadly lamenting the extremity of the misery The Sibyll hath not yet done but goeth still forward You shall vex and torment your selues to be disrobed of purple weeds and Imperiall raiment sitting sorrowfull and deiected in sackcloth and ruminating a pittifull ditty to this purpose O Rome that wast the beauty of Latium exalted aboue Princes and Peeres thy pompe and pride shall beruined and neuer recouer thou shalt bee trod downe and neuer rise againe The Eagle that marcheth before the armies shall bee vnplumed and no countrey shall bee able to releeue thee For they shall all cast off thy yoke and be no more affrighted with thy seruitude but if your read the rest you shall find a great deale more against Rome Then in the end she concludeth thus After this shall follow the dissolution of the world and God shall come to iudge the inhabitants of the earth But first shall Rome feele the vengeance of his wrath and a bloudy time shall happen to the rude people and tyrannous countrey For she forgat how poore and bare shee began and therefore must needs returne to the same pristinate nakednesse but with sorer vengeance and before a more dreadfull Iudge And thus much for the Sibylls Antichrists punishment and Romes destru ction from certaine Fathers NOw I appeale to the most obstinate Papist if these things are so long agoe written and authentically approued by many Classicke Authors who haue done with the bookes of the Sibylls both in Greeke and Latine as Alexander did with Homers Iliads lay it euery night vnder his pillow What can they say but to discreditâ— the Authors as if it were some inuention of malice when yet they were diuulged long before Christ or some tricke of obseruation as being foisted in since religion was variated in the world What can they conceiue but there needs be some fire where there is so great a smoake What can they imagine but that these Prophecies tend to this issue Either shall the Gospell of Iesus Christ thriue in Europe as the reformation is begun or Papistâ—ie must needs be ouer throwne the Pope discredited or the citie of Rome destroied and then he may flie to Auignion in France as he did once for 60. yeeres together But because I will haue some things vnanswerable I haue collected also some few predictions out of other Fathers of whose sufficiencie I neither meane to dispute nor draw forth their writings to the greatest length but tie my selfe to a sober beleefe of their veritie and modest extraction of their principles only I must aduertise you that are readers thus farre that they are Saints of the Popes owne canonizing or religious men Catalogued for soundnesse of iudgement or sanctimonie of life so that our Papists may be quickly put off from their common speeches of It is a deuice of some Hereticke a conceit of some hot braine an inuention of discontented and penurious men or some foolish tricke or other foisted in to diminish the glorie of the Church with such like And so to my businesse The Visions of S. Hermas Bishop of Philippi tend all to