the followers of Gods law shall haue to bee deliuered from this woe The sixt Seale tellâ—th the state of the Church in Antichrists limmes the Angels that stood in the foure corners of the earth to hold the foure windes from blowing are the Diuels Ministers the foure windes are the foure Gospels they shall let the preaching thereof and the breath of the Holy Ghost to fall vpon men after this commeth the mysterie of the seuen Seales that Antichrist is come in his owne person whom Iesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth hee and his seruants shall show their vttermost persecution against Christ and his subiects I said in my second principle that it was to be knowne before what Iudge wee must reckon the Iudge is God himselfe that seeth all our deeds and thoughts and euery mans deeds and the secrets of their hearts shall be opened to all the world as Saint Iohn saith the dead men great and small stood about the Throne and bookes were opened and the Booke of Life was opened and the dead were iudged according to their deed written in that Booke this Booke is mens consciences that now are closed but then shall be open to all men the Booke of Life is Christs Gospel which is now hid from the damned through their owne malice in the first book is written all that is done in the second all that should be done therefore look in the Booke of the Conscience whilest thou art heere if thou findest any thing contrarie to Christs example and Doctrine scrape it out with the knife of repentance and write it better I said it were good to know what reward the good shall haue and what reward the wicked shall haue it is written Christ shall come with the same body that was crucified all that shall be saued shall cleaue to him and be rauished meeting him in the ayre they that shall be damned lying vpon the earth Then Christ shall aske account of deeds of mercy reproouing false Christians for leauing them vndone rehearsing the paines that his true seruants haue suffered then the wicked with the Diuell shall goe into euerlasting fire and the righteous into â—uerlasting life then that which is written shall be fulfilled Woe wo to them that dwel on the earth wo to the Paynim that worshipped Idols and other creatures woe to the Iew that trusted too much in the Old Law and despised Christ woe to the false Christian that knew the will of God and did it not and hath not contemplated his mercies and waies and been thankefull for his benefits and hast made thy hart a house of swine a den of theeues by vncleane thoughts and delights thou hast shut God out of thy heart and hee shall shut thée out of heauen thou hast harboured the fiend and thou shalt euer dwell with him in hell thou shouldest haue sung holy holy holy Lord but thou shalt cry woe woe woe to mee but they that bee saued shall ioy in God Ioy all amongst themselues and one of an others saluation how happie bee they that their trauels bee finished and brought to so gracious an end especially that they haue escapt the paines O how happie are they for the endlesse blisse which they haue in the sight of God In this yeare began the Councell of Constance called by Sigismond the Emperour and Pope Iohn the 23. for pacifying a Schisme betwixt three Popes all striuing for the Pope-dome which continued nine and thirty yeares the Italians set vp this Iohn the Frenchmen set vp Gregory the Spaniard set vp Benedict and euery Nation defended his Pope to the great disturbance of Christian Nations this Councell indured foure yéeres wherein all matters were decided most by foure Nations the English Germans French and Italians out of euery Nation was a president there names were Iohn the Patriarch of Antioch for France Anthony Archbishop of Rigen for Italy Nicholas Archbishop of Genesâ—ensis for Germanie and Richard Bishop of Bathe for England the aforesaid Pope Iohn resigned his Pope-dome for which the Emperour thanked him and kissed his féete but after he repented himselfe 〈◊〉 being disguised fled but was taken by the Emperour and put in prison this Pope was deposed by the Decree of the Councell more then fortie most hainous crimes prooued against him as for hiring a Physition to poison Alexander his predecessor and that he was an Heretick a Symoniack a Lier an Hypocrite a Murderer an Inchanter a Dice-player an Adulterer a Sodomite and many others he held a Councell at Rome about foure yeares before and euer when they assembled there was a huge Owle in the place or somewhat else in the shape of an Owle which did alwaies looke so earnestly vpon the Pope which made him still breake vp the Sessions and at length to dissolue the Councell some said it was the Spirit of God in the shape of an Owle indeed there Spirit is better figured in the shape of an Owle then of a Doue The Councell said the way to reforme the Church was to begin a minoritis the Emperour said non a minoritis sed a maioritis there was fiue and forty Sessions in this Councell there was three seuerall Popes deposed in this Councell In the eighth Session was the condemnation of Iohn Wickliffe and his fiue and fortie Articles of his memory and bones to be burned as it is before recited and in the thirtéenth Session was decréed that no Priest vnder paine of excommunication shall communicate vnto the people vnder both kindes of Bread and Wine In the fifteenth Sessions silence was commanded vnder paine of the great curse and that none should make any noise of hand foote or voice and then the condemnation of Iohn Hus was read In the seuenteenth Session the Emperour tooke vpon him a iourney to the King of Arragon to intreat with Pope Benedictus about the resignation of the papacy and an excommunication was denounced against al that should goe about to hinder the Emperours iourney and that the Councell should euery Sunday make prayers and processions for him and an hundred daies of pardon giuen to them that would be present at the said prayers and processions and that all Prelates should then weare their Pontificalibus granting besides to euery Priest that said one Masse for the same an hundred daies pardon and to all other that once a day should say one Pater-noster and one Aue-Mary for the safety of the Emperour forty dayes pardon In the nineteenth Session Ierome of Prage was accused of Heresie cast into prison and forced to abiure In the two and twentieth Session Letters were made and set vpon all Church doores admonishing Duke Frederick to restore George Bishop of Austridge such Lands Kents and Reuenues as hee detayned vnder paine of interdiction suspention and excommunication In the one and twentith Session the Bishop of Londy made a Sermon which being ended Ierome of Prage which had abiured stood vpon a Bench replying against his Sermon
Touching his inward or spirituall seat S. Paule 2. Thess. 2. 24. saith He sitteth as God in the Temple of God Antichrist signifieth an aduersary of Christ and if it had bin meant of the Turke or any other aduersary that did not professe Christianitie he might easily be seene without so many reuelations but hee is according to the description of a false Prophet Mat. 7. 15. a most grieuous Wolfe to Christs Lambs and yet so couered with a sheeps skin that it is impossible to know him without the spirit of God Outwardly he seemeth to be a good tree but his fruit is nothing but thornes and thistles to destroy Gods children Matth. 24. 24. Christ calleth them false Christs and false Prophets prophecying that they shall do such wonders that if it were possible they should deceiue the elect so thou seest the Antichrist which is prophecied of must be a professor of Christ as the Pope is which calleth himselfe the Catholique Church but he is the onely aduersary thereof as this book will teach thee by experience Touching the third point to know him by his doctrines 1. Tim. 4. 1 They shall depart from the faith and follow doctrines of diuels and speake lies through hypocrisie they shall haue their consciences seared with an hote iron forbidding to marrie and commaunding to abstain from meats and they teach the same superstitious doctrins that S. Paule warneth vs from Coloss. 2. 16. Let no man condemne you in meat and drinke or in respect of an holy-day or a new Moone nor Sabboths nor make you forsake Christ the head in worshipping Angels neither let them burden you with traditions as touch not tast not handle not which things haue a shew of wisedome in that the professors be voluntary religious and humble their mindes and spare not their bodies nor haue their bodies in any estimation but all is nothing but to fulfill a fleshly religion and Iude in his twelfth verse compareth them to clouds which in a drieth seem to bring raine but doe not for though they make great promises of feeding of soules yet there is no true hope of remission of sins nor assurance of eternall happinesse in their doctrines And in 2. Pet. 2. 17. he calleth them Wells not with a little water but quite without water for although by name they professe the Trinity yet their doctrins of euery person of the Trinitie and of al other points of religion are contrary to wholsome doctrine they maintaine their doctrines though falsely vnder the names of the Scriptures the Catholique Church and the auncient fathers this is the golden cup that the Church of Antichrist holdeth in her hand Reuel 17. 4. but it is full of abominations and filthines of her fornications so if thou marke this booke it is easie to know Antichrist by the falsenesse and wickednesse of all his doctrines yet coloured ouer with glorious shewes of truth and wholsomnesse yea although thou haddest no other meanes to discerne him by Touching the fourth point of the conditions of Antichrist Iude in the eleuenth verse saith They follow the way of Caine all the persecutions of Gods children before times were but types and prophecies of the Papists in killing their brethren as Caine did because they please God better then they The abominable desolations of Nabuchadnezzar and of Titus and Vespasian of the materiall Temples were but prophecies of the Papists abominable desolations of Gods Saints For this cause Antichrist is called in the Reuelation a great redde Dragon a Serpent and a cruell Beast S. Iohn Reuel 17. 6. foresaw the Church of Antichrist drunken with the bloud of the Saints and Martyrs of Iesus Christ. And although he had seen all the persecutions that were before or in his time yet he wondred at the bloud that he foresaw that the Papists should shed with a great maruaile Iude in his 12. verse saith They are cast away in the deceit of Baalams wages for as Baalam though he knew the Israelites to bee the blessed of God yet he would haue cursed them for lucre sake if God would haue suffered him so the Papists maintaine doctrines which they know to be false and commit all their murders of Gods children only to maintaine their Kitchin pleasures honour glorie riches and other worldly respects as it shall plainly appear vnto thee in this Booke In 2. Pet. 2. 14. Their eyes are full of adultery and they cannot cease to sinne beguiling vnstable soules This Booke will shew thee how inspeakeably wicked they are according to this prophecie they are spiritually called Sodom because in that case they exceede in wickednesse the Sodomites These and many other wicked conditions of theirs are plentifully prophecied of in the Scriptures and thou shalt see the true performances of the prophecies in this book w ch wicked conditions shall plainly shew the Pope to be Antichrist Touching the height of Antichrists Kingdome Reuel 17. 3. the Church of Antichrist is said to sit vpon a skarlet coloured beast ful of names of blasphemy which is the Pope who is a bloudy beast to Gods children takes all Gods names blasphemously to himself and vers 4. he his Church are arrayed with purple skarlet and deckt with gold precious stones pearls and how gloriously the Pope and his Church hath bin set forth how rich they haue bin according to this prophecy this book wil shew thee In 2. Thess. 2. 14 He sitteth as God in the Temple of God and exalteth himself aboue all that is called God C. Caesar Caligula the Emperor which vsed to sit in the Temples of the Idols to be honored as God caused his picture to be set vp to be worshipt in all Temples and in the Temple of Ierusalem yet was he not such an abominable Idol as the Pope maketh himselfe to be he is the Gaoler of Purgatory and thither comes as he saith all the soules of Christians except som few to whom for building some religious houses and for being otherwise a speciall maintainer of his kingdome hee giueth a speciall prerogatiue immediatly to go to heauen these soules his prisoners hee punisheth how and as long as he list and at his pleasure he throweth any of them into hell or sendeth any of them into heauen Of the reuenues of this Gaole hath all the Popes riches honour superioritie aboue Emperors and Kings proceeded he hath taken from Christ the honor of pardoning sins to himselfe God made man of clay but the Pope and all his shauelings can daily make God of a piece of bread In these and many other respects as this booke will teach thee doth the Pope exalt himself as God according to this prophecie and he exalts himselfe aboue all kings which are called Gods and at his pleasure with excommunications can cast them out of heauen and out of their kingdoms as himselfe saith he hath trode vpon Emperours made them kisse his feet hold his stirrups and leade his horse He
proposition is mine and confirmed by the saying of Saint Augustine vpon S. Iohn 2 Saint Paul was neuer a member of the Diuell though he did many things like the malignant Church nor Saint Peter though he horribly sinned in periury and denying his Master Answere It was by Gods permission that they might more stedfastly rise againe and be confirmed I answere according to S. Augustine that it is expedient that the Elect should offend there be two separations from the Church the Elect are diuided from the Church but not to perdition the second is to perdition by the which certaine Heretieks are through there deadly sinne diuided from the Church 3 No member of the Church doth at any time fall away from the body because the Charitie of Predestination which is the bond of the same doth neuer fall Answere this is proued by 1. Cor. 13. Rom. 8. All things turne to good to them that loue God Also I am certaine that neither death nor life can seperate vs from the loue of God c. 4 The Prâ—destinate although he be not in the state of Grace according to present Iustice yet he is alwaies a member of the Church Answere I declared in my booke that there be diuers manners of being in the Church there be some in the Church according to a mishapen Faith and some according to Predestination which are now in sinne but shall returne to grace 5 No degree of dignitie nor election of man nor any sensible signe can make a man a member of the Church Answere I say Predestination maketh vs members of the Church and prepareth for vs grace heere and glory in the world to come and not degree of dignitie nor the election of a man nor sensible signe for Iudas though Christ elected him an Apostle and gaue him Temporall Graces and that he was so reputed of men yet was he a Woolfe in a sheeps-skin as Saint Augustine saith 6 A Reprobate man is neuer no member of the Church Answere It is in my Booke with sufficient long probation of the Psalme 26. and the 5. Ephes. and by Saint Bernards saying the Church of Christ is more plainely his body then the body that was crucified the Church is the flower of the Lord in which is corne and chaffe the Elect and Reprobate 7 Iudas was no true Disciple of Christ Answere This I confesse S. Augustine in his Booke of penance where he expounds 1. Iohn 2. They came out from vs but were not of vs Christ knew from the beginning who should beleeue and him that should betray him and said none commeth to mee except it be giuen him of my Father from that time many departed from him though they were called by the Gospell they were no true Disciples because they did not continue in the word of Christ as it is said if you remaine in my word you bee my Disciples it is euident that Iudas could not be the Disciple of Christ by meanes of his couetousnes For Christ saith except a man forsake that hee hath he cannot be my Disciple therefore because Iudas was a Theefe Iohn 12. and a Diuell Iohn 6. It is euident that Iudas was no true but a fained Disciple Saint Augustine vpon Saint Iohn that Christs sheepe heare his voice saith what manner of hearers were his sheepe Iudas heard him but was a Woolfe yet he followed the shepheard but being clothed in a sheep-skin he laid waite for the shepheard 8 The predestinate whether they bee in the state of grace or no according to there present Iustice is the same Church which hath neither wrinkle nor spot but is holy and vndefiled which Christ calleth his owne Answer In the fift to the Ephesians Christ so loued his Church that he offered himselfe for it I pray you then is there any faithfull man that doubteth that the Church doth not signifie all the Elect the glorious spouse of Christ holy and without spot This is an Article of faith which we ought firmely to beleeue 9 Peter neuer was nor is the vniuersall head of the Church Answere All men agree that Peter receiued of Christ which is the Rock of the Church humility stedfastnesse and blessednes When Christ said vpon this Rock I will build my church he did not meane that he would build euery Militant Church vpon Peter but vpon Christ which is the Rock from whom Peter receiued his Faith for he is the head and foundation of euery Church and not Peter 10 If he that is called the Uicar of Christ follow Christ in his life then he is his true Uicar otherwise he is the messenger of Antichrist the enemy of Peter and Christ and the Uicar of Iudas Answere For this cause Saint Bernard in his fourth Booke did write vnto Pope Eâ—genius thou delightest to walke in great pride being gorgeously arrayed what fruit doth the flooke receiue by thee If I durst say it these be rather the pastures of the Diuels then of sheepe Saint Peter and Saint Paul did not so thou séemest to succéede Constantine and not Peter It followeth in my Booke if thy life be contrary to Peters or giuen to auarice then he is the Uicar of Iudas which loued the reward of iniquity and sold the Lord As soone as they reade the same the Rulers of the Councell looked one vpon another and making mockes and moes nodded their heads at him 11 Priests that vse Symony and liue desolutely haue an vntrue opinion of seuen Sacraments as Bastards and not Children not knowing the Oâ—â—ice of the Keyes of Censures neither of the rights of Cerimonies and seruice of the Church nor of worship of Relikes nor of Orders of the Church nor of indulgences and pardons Answere It is in this manner in my Booke the authoritie is abused by such as sell Orders and get riches by Symony making markets of holy Sacraments liuing voluptuously desolutely a filthy villanous kind of life They pollute the Ecclesiasticall estate and though they professe they know God they deny him indéede and beléeue not in him but as vnbeléeuing Bastards hold a contrary opinion as aforesaid to whom Malachy in his first Chapter saith Vnto you Priests be it spoken which despise my name 12 The papall dignity hath his originall from the Emperors of Rome Answer This is proued by the 96. distinction for Constantine granted this priuiledge to the Byshop of Rome and others after confirmed the same that as Augustus is counted the most high King aboue all others so the Bishop of Rome shall be called the principall Father aboue other Bishops then a Cardinall said in Constantines time there was a generall councell at Nice in which the highest place in the Church was giuen to the Byshop of Rome why did you not then say it tooke his dignity rather from the Councell 13 No Man with reason without reuelation can affirme that hee or any other is head of any particular Church Answere I confesse it but it followeth that he ought to hope
through his good liuing that he is a member of the Spouse of Christ. 14 No man ought to beleeue that the Pope is head of any Church Answere confesse it for the Church was deceiued by Agnes a Woman Pope as it appâ—areth by Saint Augustine and it so being deceiued Christian Faith should bee depraued 15 The Popes power as Uicar is nothing worth if he liue not according to Christ and follow the manners of Peter Iohn Hus confessed this and said before the Councell I vnderstand the power of such a Pope as doth not represent the manners of Christ is void 16 The Pope is most holy not because he supplieth the place of Peter but because he hath great reuenues my words be mutilated Thus it is written he is not holie because he is Uicar of Peter nor for his great possessions but if he follow Christ in humilitâ— patience labour and perfect loue 17 The Cardinals are not the true Successors of the Apostles if they liue not after the fashion of the Apostles keeping the ordinances of Christ. Answere I confesse it for if they enter not in at the doore which is Christ they be Theeues and Robbers 18 An Hereticke ought not to be committed to the secular power to be put to death it is sufficient that he suffer the Ecclesiasticall censure Answer These are my words that they might be ashamed of their false iudgement for Christ would not condemne such to bodily death The first point appeareth in the 12. of Luke The second by the Woman taken in Adultery and in the 18. Chapter of Mathew If thy Brother haue offended thee c. therefore an Hereticke ought first to be instructed with Christian loue by reasons drawne out of holy Scriptures as Saint Augustine and others haue done disputing against Heretickes but if for all this they will not leaue their errors they ought to suffer corporall punishments The Iudges had read in Iohn Husses Booke where hee greeuously inueyed against them which deliuered an Heretike vnto the Secular power not being conuicted of Heresie and compared them vnto the High-Priests Scribes and Pharises which told Pilate it was not lawfull for them to put any man to death and deliuered Christ vnto him but Christ told Pilate they were greater murderers then he which deliuered him vnto him then the Cardinals and Bishops made a great noyse saying Who are they that thou dost asimule vnto the Pharisies And he said All that deliuer any that is innocent vnto the ciuill sword 19 The Nobles of the World ought to compell the Ministers of the Church to kéepe the Commaundements of Christ. Answere These be my words the Militant Church consisteth of these parts Ministers of the Church which should kéepe purely the Ordinances of Christ and the Nobles of the World which should compell them to keepe his Commaundements and of the common people seruing to both parties 20 The Ecclesiasticall obedience as the Priests and Monkes haue deuised it hath no authority in the Scripture Answer I confesse it there be three obediences the Spirituall Secular and Ecclesiasticall the Spirituall which is onely according to the ordinances of God in which Christ and his Apostles liued and all Christians ought to liue in the Secular obedience is due according to ciuill ordinance the Ecclesiasticall obedience is such as the Priests haue inuented without any expresse authority of Scripture 21 He that is excommunicate of the Pope and apealeth vnto Christ the curses of the Pope cannot annoy him Answere I acknowledge not this but I did make complaint in my Booke that they had done mee and such as fauoured mee great wrong and they would not heare me in the Popes Court and after the death of one Pope I apealed to his successors and it profited not and to apeals to the Councell it were to long therfore at laâ—â— I apealed to the head of the Church Christ Iesus Then said a Cardinall wilt thou presume aboue Saint Paul who apealed to the Emperor and not to Iesus and they mocked him the tenor of his apeale was nothing but an earnest Prayer to Christ to be his refuge and helpe when all kelâ—es fayled and that he did appeale before God for his greefe from the wicked sentence and excommunication determined by the Byâ—â—ops Scribes and Pharisies as Iohn Chrysostome did twice from the Councel of the Bishops And Andrew Bishop of Prage and Robert Bishop of Lincolne apealed vnto Christ who is not defiled with cruelty nor corrupted with gifts nor deceiued by false witnesses 22 A vitious man liueth naughtily and a vertuous man liueth godly Answere My words are these All humane workes are deuided into two parts they be either vertuous or vitâ—aus therefore if a man bee vertuous that he doth he doth vertuously and if a man be naught that which he doth is naught for as vice infecteth all the deeds of the Subiect so vertue quickens all the doings of the vertuous whiâ—h is proued by many places in the Scriptures 23 The Minister of Christ liuing according to his Lawes and hauing knowledge of the Scriptures and an earnest desire to edifie the people ought to preach notwithstanding the excommunication of the Pope and such a Minister ought not to obay any forbidding of him to preach I Answer We ought rather to obay God thâ—n man for a Minister to preach and a rich man to giue Almes are duties commaunded of God and if the Pope or any other commaund a Minister not to preach and a rich man not to giue Almes they ought not to obay him I cal that an vniust excommunication which is giuen contrary to Gods law for such a one a Preacher ought not to leaue preaching nor feare damnation then they obiâ—cted that he had said that such excommunications were blessings euen so say I now againe as the Prophet saith They shall curse but thou O Lord shalt blesse 24 Euery man admitted to the Ministry hath thereby authority to preach and ought so to doâ— notwithstanding the excommunication or forbidding of the Pope or any other Answere I doe confesse this and that no Christian ought to doubt but he that is sufficientlie instructed in learning to instruct the ignorant and to tell the vnruly of their sinnes then for to do any other worke of mercy 25 Ecclesiastical Censures are Antichristian such as the Cleargy hath inuented for their owne preferment to defend their malice and multiply their couetousnesse It is not thus in my Booke but I confesse it in substance 26 There ought to be no interdictment vnto the people Answer For Christ the High Bishop neither for the iniury done vnto Iohn Baptist nor for any other iniurie did make any interdictment I complained that for one mans fault a whole Land shall be interdicted and all the good cease to praise God but Christ notwithstanding Iohn Baptist was imprisoned then whom there was no greater amongst the Children of men did not giue any curse no not when Herod beheaded him neither
when himselfe was spoyled beaten and blasphemed he did not curse but praied for them and taught his Disciples to do the same and Peter exhorteth to follow Christ. Who when he was cursed cursed not againe And S. Paul saith in the 12. to the Romanes Blesse them that persecute you These are the Articles which are alleadged out of his Booke of the Church Seauen Articles gathered out of his Booke against Stephen Pallets 1 THE first Article If the Pope Bishop or Prelate be in deadly sinne he is then no Pope Bishop or Prelate Answere I grant thereunto and I send you to Saint Augustine Ierome Chrysostome Gregory Cyprian and Barnard who say moreouer that he that is in deadly sinne is no Christian how much lesse Pope Bishop or Prelate of whom it is said in the eight of Amos They haue ruled but not through me they became Princes and I knew them not but I graunt a wicked Pope Bishop or Priest is an vnworthy Minister of the Sacrament by whom God doth baptise consecrate or otherwise worke to the profit of his Church God saith by Samuell to Saul because thou hast cast off my word I haue cast thee off from being a King much more a Pope sinning 2 The Grace of Predestination is the bond whereby the body of the Church and euery member thereof are firmely knit vnto the Head Answere This Article is mine and it is proued out of the eight to the Romanes Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ And the tenth of Iohn My Sheepe heare my voyce I know them and giue them eternall life they shall not perish nor any shall take them out of my hands This is the knot of the body of the Church and the spirituall head vnderstandding the Church of the predestinated 3 If the Pope be a Reprobate then as Iudas he is a Deuill a Théefe and the Son of perdition and not the head of the Militant Church nor member thereof I answer If he were a member of the Church then should he be a member of Christ and then he should cleaue vnto Christ by grace of Predestination and present Iustice and should be one spirit with God as in the 1. Cor. 6. Know you not that our bodies are the members of Christ. 4 That an euill Pope or Prelate is no Pastor Answer The Text of my Booke is if he be euill he is a hireling of whom Christ saith He is no Shepheard nor the sheepe his he seeth a Wolfe and forsaketh his sheepe so doth euery Reprobate therefore no true Pastor 5 The Pope is not nor ought not by his Office to be called most holy I Answere When as the King according to S. Augustines mind representeth the Deity of Christ and the Priest representeth only his humanity therefore the King of Romaines by reason of his Office ought rather to be called most holy These thinges are more at large discided in my Booke saith Iohn Hus but I can finde no foundation whereby I should call the Pope most holy when it is only spoken of Christ. 6 If the Pope liue contrary to Christ though he be lawfully chosen according to humane election yet he commeth in another way then by Christ. Answere The text is thus if the Pope liue contrary to Christ in Pride and Auarice doth he not then come in another way then by the lowly and méeke doore of Christ. Iudas was lawfully chosen by Christ yet bee came in another way and as Christ saith in the sixt of Iohn Was a Theese a Deuill and the Sonne of perdition and whosoeuer doth enter into a Bishopprick or any other place not with intent to labour in the Church but to liue voluptuously and richly and to aduance himselfe with all kind of pride he commeth in another way and not by Christ and is a Théefe 7 The condemnation of the forty fiue Articles of Wickliffe made by the Doctors as wicked and vnreasonable and the cause by them alleadged is fained and vntrue Answere So it is to say that euery one of them is hereticall erronious and offensiue then he said to Cardinall Cambray O Maister Doctor where is your proofe Then the Cardinall said Iohn Hus thou diddest say thou wouldst defend none of Iohn Wickliffes errors I will not if they be errors but in my conscience I could not consent to the condemnation being I saw no Scripture against them There remaineth sixe Articles of the thirty nine out of a Booke wrote against STANISLAVS de Zuoyma 1 THe first Article A Minister is not the Successour of Christ by his humane election be it neuer so rightly done but in that he doth more aboundantly worke to the profit of the Church hee hath thereby more aboundant power giuen him of God Answere It standeth in the hands of wicked Electors to chuse a Woman into Ecclesiasticall office as it appeareth by the election of Agnes which was called Iohn who occupied the Popes place and dignity two yeares and more and they may chuse a théefe a murderer a deuill and an Antichrist or such a one as God alloweth not of so whatsoeuer the election is we ought to giue credit to the works of him that is chosen therefore Christ saith in the tenth of Iohn Giue credite vnto workes 2 The Pope being a Reprobate is not head of the Church Answere I would know of the Doctor how this is contrary to Faith Did not Christ dispute against the Faith when he demanded of the Scribes and Pharisies Math. 12. You off-spring of Vipers how can you speak good things when your selues are wicked I demand of the Scribes if the Pope be a Reprobate and the stock of Uipers how is he head of the holy Church for it is more possible that a Reprobate may speake good things being he may be in the state of grace according to present Iustice then to â—e the head of the holy Church In the fift of Iohn Christ saith How can you beleeue which seeke glory amongst your selues and seeketh not the glory that commeth of God And I demand how the Pope can be head of the Church which is a Reprobate and receiueth the glory of the world and séeketh not for the glory that commeth of God for it is more possible he should beléeue so doing then be head of the Church 3 There is no apparance that there ought to be one head in the spiritualty to rule the Church Answere I grant it Christ sitteth at the right hand of God doth necessarily rule the Militant Church as head and there is no sparke of apparance that there should be one head in the spiritualty ruling the Church that should alwaies be conuersant with it except some Infidell would heretically affirme that the Militant Church should haue here a permanent and continuall Citty and not to seek after that which is to come And it is euident in my booke how vnconsequent a similitude it is for a Reprobate Pope to be head of the Militant Church and a Reprobate
King to be heâ—d of a Kingdome 4 Christ would better rule his Church by his true Apostles dispierced throughout the world without such a monstrous head I answere Albeit that Doctor doth say that the body of the Church is often without a head yet we verily beleeue that Christ is the head of euery Church ruling it without lacke or default powring on it motion and sence euen vnto the latter day then they said behold now hee prophesieth but Iohn Hus said the Church in the time of the Apostles was faâ— better gouerned then now it is 5 Peter was no vniuersall Shepheard of the shéep of Christ much lesse is the Bishop of Rome Answer It appeareth by the words of Christ that he did not limit vnto Peter for his iurisdiction the whole world no not one only Pronince nor to any other of the Apostles some walked through many regions some fewer as Paule trauailed more then all the rest and did coâ—uert more to the Faith of Christ. Wherefore it is lawfull for any Apostle or Uicar to conuert and confirme as much people and as many Prouinces as they are able 6 The Apostles and faithfull Priests of the Lord haue stoutly ruled the Church in all thinges necessary to saluation before the office of the Pope was brought into the Church and would doe so to the end of the world Then they cryed out againe Behold the Prophet Certaine other Articles which were brought vnto IOHN HVS in Prison 1 THE first Article Paul according to present Iustice was a Blasphemer and none of the Church and withall in Grace according to Predestination of eternall life Answer This proposition is not in the Booke but thus as Paul was both a blasphemer according to present Iustice and also a faithfull child of our holy Mother the Church according to Predestination So Iscariot was both in Grace according to present Iustice and withall was neuer of our holy Mother the Church because he lacked Predestination of life euerlasting 2 Christ doth more loue a predestinate Ban being sinfull then any Reprobate in what grace soeuer he be Answere The reason is because the predestinate shall haue perpetuall blessednesse and the Reprobate eternall fire therefore GOD infinitely loueth them both as his Creatures and much more because he giueth them greater graces to wit euerlasting life which is far more excellent then onely grace according to present Iustice and the predestinated cannot fall from Grace for they haue a certaine redicall grace rooted in them although they be depriued of the aboundance of grace for the time 3 All the sinfull according to present Iustice are vnfaithfull swaruing from the true Catholike faith for none can commit deadly sinne but in the point he swarueth from the faith Answer I acknowledge it to be my sentence for if they did beléeue the punishment that shall be laid vpon sinners and had faith of the diuine vnderstanding c. then they would not so offend This is verified by the Prophet Esay Thy fellows are misbeleeuers and fellowes of theeues they loue bribes and are followers of rewards so he calleth them Infidels for their offences also in the first of Titus They confesse they know God but in workes they deny him 4 Iohn 22. Math. 16. and the 18. Receiue the holy Ghost whatsoeuer you shall binde in earth shall be bound in heauen c. Many for lack of vnderstanding shal be terrified by the Priests and be deceiued presuming vpon their power and authority Answer I allow this sentence it is not possible for a Priest to binde and lose except that binding and losing be in heauen but many are made afraid thinking whether they be iust or vniust the Priests may at their pleasures bind them and the ignorant Priests presume to haue such power saying they haue such power to absolue euery man confessing himselfe of what sinne soeuer it be though many sins are forbidden theÌ„ And an Hypocrite may confesse himselfe that is not contrite for his sin whereof proofe is often found is euident because the Letter killeth but the spirit quickneth 5 The binding and losing of God is plainely the cheefe and principall Answere This is verie euident for it were a blasphemous presumption that a man may forgiue an offence to GOD hee not allowing the same for it is necessarie that GOD doe first forgiue before his Uicar can doe the same and no Article of our Faith ought to be more common and knowne to vs then this and whosoeuer granteth this authority to the Pope graunteth he is without sin and that he is God the fact of the Pope proueth this same for alwaies in his Absolutions hâ— presupposeth contrition and confession but vnto true Absolution there is required first contrition secondly the purpose to sin no more thirdly true confession fourthly stedfast hope of forgiuenes the first appeareth by Ezechiel If the wicked repent the second in the 5. and 8. of Iohn Sinne no more the third by Luke shew your selues to the Priests the fourth Christ saith My Son beleeue and thy sins shall be forgiuen 6 The Priests heap vp out of the Scriptures such things as serue the belly but such as pertaine to the imitation of Christ they reiect as impertinent to saluation Answere This Saint Augustine prooueth in his seuenteenth Homily The Haruest is great but there are few Haruest-folke and speaking that which I cannot without gréefe though there be many that would heare good things there lacks such as should declare the same vnto them The world is full of Priests yet there are few Worke-men in the Haruest of the Lord we would be willingly Priests but we do not the office of Priest-hood we are fallen into outward affaires and take vpon vs an office for honor and hire another to ease our labour we leaue preaching we are called Bishops to our paine we retaine the name of honour but not the vertue we daily call for our stipend but care not for our flocke wee gape after earthly things and glory and leaue the cause of God vndone we take vpon vs the place of holinesse and are wholy wrapped in cares and troubles And S. Barnard saith in his 33. Sermon vpon the Canonicals all are friends and all enemies all kinsfolkes and all aduersaries all of an houshold and no peace-makers they are the Ministers of Christ and serue Antichrist they goe honorably honoured with the goods of the Church and yet they do no honor 7 The power of the Pope which doth not follow Christ is not to be feared Answere Subiects are bound willingly to obay their good Rulers and those which are wicked yet if the Pope do abuse his power it is not to be feared as by bondage so his Cardinals as I suppose did not feare Gregory the 12. before he was deposed when as they resisted him saying He did abuse his power 8 A wicked Pope is not the Successor of Peter but of Iudas Answere If the Pope be humble neglecting the
the houses in Wormes The fourth or fift day after he came to Wormes he was enioyned at foure of the clock in the afternoone to appeare before the Emperor Dukes and other estates of the Empire to vnderstand the cause he was sent for And standing before them he was commanded silence vntill he was interrogated Then was asked him whether those books were his which were written in his name a great company of them lying before them and if they were thine whether thou wilt recant and reuoke them and all that is contained in them or rather meanest to stand to that which is written in them Then Luthers Aduocate desired that the titles of the books might be read which was done Luther answered Hée could not but acknowledge those bookes to be his and that he would neuer recant any clause thereof and for the iustifying of them he desired some time to consider because there be questions of faith and the saluation of the soule wherein it were dangerous and a rash thing to pronounce any thing without good aduisement After they had consulted the Officiall said Though thou doest not deserue to haue opportunity giuen thée to determine yet the Emperour of his méere clemencie gâ—anteth thée one day to morrow at this time thou shalt render before him conditionally thou do not exhibit thine opinion in writing but pronounce the same with liuely voyce At which time when he was appointed to answer he answered to this effect All my books are not of one sort there be some in which I haue so simplie and Euangelically intreated of the religion of faith and honest conuersation that my very enemies are compelled to confesse they be profitable and worthy to be read of all Christians and the Popes Bull iudgeth certaine of my books inculpable if I should reuoke these I should condemne that truth which friends and foes confesse There is another sort of my books which containe inuectiues against the Pope and doctrine of the Papists as against those which haue corrupted all Christendom bodily and spiritually with their pestiferous doctrine and pernicious examples for I cannot dissemble this when the vniuersall experience and common complaint of all beare witnesse that the consciences of all faithfull men haue béen most miserably intrapped vexed and most cruelly tormented by the Popes lawes and doctrine of men and further their substance deuoured specially in this famous Countrey of Germanie If then I should reuoke these I can doe none other but augment force to their tyrannie and not only open windowes but wide gates to such an infernall impietie the which will extend more wide and with more libertie then yet she durst and by the testimonie of this my retractation their insolent and malitious Kingdome shall be made most licentious and lesse subiect to punishment If I Luther should do this by the authoritie of your most excellent maiestie The third sort of my books I haue written against priuat persons such as with tooth and nayle labor to protect the Romish tyrannie and deface true religion which I haue taught and professed I confesse against these I haue been more violent then my profession required if I should recant these it would come to passe that tyranny and impietie shall raigne sâ—pported by my meanes â— Neuerthelesse as Christ when he was examined of his doctrine before Annas and hauing receiued a buffet of the Minister said If I haue spoken ill beare witnesse of the euill If Christ which was assured he could not erre refused not to haue testimony giuen against his doctrine how much more I that cannot but erre ought earnestly to intreat if any will beare witnesse against my doctrine and if any can by Scripture conuince me of error I will reuoke any manner of error and be the first that shall consume my books with fire I conceiue no greater delectation in any thing then when I behold dissentions stirred vp for the word of God for such is the course of the Gospell as Christ saith I came not to send peace vpon the earth but a sword I came to set a man at variance against his father And we must thinke our god is terrible in his Councels against his aduersaries lest the condemning of the word of God turne to a huge Sea of euils lest the Empire of this yong and bounteous Prince Charles bee lamentably and miserably begun I could amplifie this with authorities of Scripture and Pharo the King of Babylon and the Kings of Israell who then most obscured the bright Sunne of their glorie and procured their owne ruine when they attempted to pacifie their Realmes in this manner Then the Emperours Ambassador checked Luther saying he had not answered to any purpose and that he ought not to call in question things long time agoe defined by generall Councels therefore they required whether he would reuoke or no. Then he answered If I be not conuicted by testimonies of Scriptures and probable reasons for I beléeue not the Pope nor his generall Councels I will not nor may not reuoke any thing for it is vngodly to doe against my conscience Then the Embassador replied if all such as impugne that which was decréed by the Church and Councels may once get this aduantage to be conuinced by the Scriptures we shall haue nothing established in Christâ—ndom Luther answered the Councells oft gainsaid themselues and that he was able to proue that Councels haue erred and night approaching the Lords arose and after Luther had taken his leaue of the Emperor diuers Spaniards scorned and scoffed at him hollowing and whopping after him a long time After there were bills set vp against Luther and others with him but this was subtilly done of his enemies as it was thought that there might be occasion offered to infringe the safe conduct giuen him the which the Romane Embassador with all diligence indeuoured to bring to passe When he was sent for to the Archbishop of Triers they protested vnto him they sent not for him for disputation but beningly and brotherly to exhort him and they said though the Councels had erred yet their authoritie was not thereby abased neither was it lawfull for euery man to impugne their opinions and that Decrées Traditions of men and Ceremonies were established to represse vices according to the qualities of times and that the Church could not be destitute of them the trée is knowne by his fruits These lawes haue much profited And they alleadged that Luthers books would breed great tumult and incredible troubles and that he abused the common sort with his booke of Christian liberty incouraging them to shake off their yoake and to confirme in them a disobedience and that now the world was at another stay then when the beleeuers were all of one minde And albeit he had written many good things and doubtlesse with a good spirit yet now the Diuell hath attempted by wily meanes that all his works for euermore should be condemned and by these last workes