yeere So did Danie But especially Iohn hus and Ierom of Prage e Geneb p. 1109 Elias Leuita a Iew publisheth his Hebrue Grāmar to the great benefit of Christians Luther f Par. Vrsp p. 447. writeth to the Pope of indulgences Ann. 1518. complaining that the pardon-preachers to the scandall and mockerie of the Ecclesiasticall power and blasphemie of God did write and preach with insatiable couetousnesse the like whereof was neuer heard of before requiring the confessors by oth to enioyne them that confesse to them to buy their pardons terrifying all men with the name of the Pope threatning fire and the reproch of heresie to them that refused to buie their pardons He shewed that with his schedule of articles which he had set vp he onely purposed to prouoke the learned to disputations That it seemed miraculous to him that his propositions were so soone gone abroade as vpon a white horse posted in all the earth That against his will he made himself so publike that he could not recall his propositions a Par. Vrsp p. 448. Hee also answered a dialogue of Siluester Pierius teaching that b 1. Thess 5. All things are to be tryed c Galat. 1. an Angell must teach no other doctrine Fathers may erro and concludeth thus Let opinions remaine opinions and no burthens to the Church Opinions may not be equall to scripture Let the diuines be ashamed of these and such like speeches which they bolt out Thus would I speak in schooles but yet doe not tel any bodie it cānot be prooued by scripture c. Luther before the Legate a Cardinall d Par. Vrs p. 449. iustifieth his doctrine Wherefore the Pope citeth Luther to Rome and commandeth the Princes to deliuer him prisoner to the Legate excommunicating and accursing all Princes and interdicting their landes which would not bee assistant excepting none but the Emperour and giuing plenarie indulgences to them that obeyed e Mass 20. p. 273. Luther appealeth from the Pope not well informed to the Pope to be better informed and after that to a general Councell f Nou. Orb. Cortesius discouereth to the south By g Peuc 5. f. 266. b. Luthers bookes and sermons when godly men in monasteries did heare that idols were to be fled from they according to the commaundement h cap. 18.4 Come out of her my people and be not partakers of her sinnes c began to depart from that wicked seruitude and so were the monasteries left emptie i Par. Vrs 250. c. Anno 1520. There was a disputation of the Popes authoritie c at Lipsia Luther auoucheth his articles which were condemned by the Popes bull k 454. 455. and wrote against the three fortifications of poperie which are 1. The ciuill Magistrate hath no power ouer the spirituall but the spirituall Magistrate hath power ouer the ciuill 2. If they be vrged with scripture they say None can expound the scripture but the Pope c. 3. If they be vrged with a Councell they faigne that none can call a Councell but the Pope c. Erasmus writeth to the Archbishop of Mogunce of Luthers cause saying that the Monkes and Diuines doe condemne the things in Luthers bookes for heresie which in the bookes of Bernard and Augustine are read as true and godly c. They were heretofore heretikes that dissented from the Euangelists and from the Articles of faith c. Now if any dissent from Thomas hee is an heretike Whatsoeuer pleaseth them not what they vnderstand not is heresie to vnderstand Greeke to speake good Latine is heresie with them The * Buchol Ann. 1520. Geneb 1106. diuines of Louane and Colen doe adiudge many of Luthers bookes to the fire to be burned which the same yeere by the commaundement of the Pope and Charles the Emperor was done in Germany a Mass 20. p. 273. Luther at Wittenberge openly burneth the Popes lawes the decretals and decrees with the Popes bull saying b cap. 18.6 I haue done to them as they haue done to me rewarding her as she hath rewarded me c Buchol c. 1521. Luther among other bookes which hee published wrote an exhortation to the nobilitie of Germany of the reformation of the Christian affaires Luther answereth before the Emperour at Wormes where the Emperour proscribed him d Geneb 1110. This yeere began that long and bloudie warre betweene Charles the Emperour and Francis the French King both Papists and this lasted 38. yeres Thou e cap. 16.5.6 Geneb p. 11 10. Lord hast giuen them blood to drinke because they killed thy Saints f Par. Vrs p. 457. Ignatius Layolo a Spaniarde began the order af the fellowship of Iesus and Luthers bookes are burned at Antwerpe and Gant Pope Leo died as it was thought by poison And now is powred forth the fifth Phiall The fifth Phiall Henceforth to the former foure Plagues the fifth Angell powreth out the plague which he was to inflict g cap. 16.10 And the fifth Angell powred out his Phiall vpon the throne of the beast that popish Antichrist and the wonted glorious administration of his kingdome waxed darke and obscured being regarded euery day lesse then other Wherefore the Gentiles the Papists are angrie and gnaw their tongues for sorrow and griefe Yea whereas the Lord plagued them also by the other Phials a cap. 16.11 1521. they blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines and for their plague sores and repented not of their workes but became as cruell proud couetous and euery way as wicked as before though they saw their sinnes The Complement When b Eucholce the Emperor had proscribed Luther c Slei lan 1. f. 18. a. Fridericus the Elector of Saxonie consulted with Erasmus about the doctrine of Luther and standing at the glassie sea mingled with fire protested to despise all dangers for the truth Beeing satisfied by Erasmus that Luther had the truth hee committed Luther to certain Nobles whom he trusted to bring him safe to a castle where he might be vnknowne d cap. 16.10 Thus was the kingdome of the popish beast obscured Here Luther wrot many bookes and calleth the place his Patmos or wildernesse so that in him e cap. 10.11 S. Iohn doth preach againe Ann. 1522. Adrian f Par. Vrsp p. 458. the sixt acknowledging the faults of his time attempteth reformation at Rome g Lanquet ann 1522. Hee sent his letters to the Councell at Argentine charging them to see that none of Luthers bookes were printed and that they which were alreadie printed should bee burned Hee also by his Bull required Fridericke the Elector of Saxonie to maintaine the Church of Rome and by his Legate hee commanded the Princes of Germanie Lanquet anno 1523. assembled at Norimberge to proceed against Luther and his fellowes as against men alreadie heard and condemned Howbeit because the Phiall was powred on
armes This interpretation seemeth to bee most to the purpose For the Cohortes of the Romane legion were e Geneb p. 5. 59 called Numeri So were the f Exempla Plinij orders of Tribunes and the Leaders of a legion g Geneb p. 656 were 666. Namely h Vegetius Polybius c. 600. Decurians 60. Centurians and six Tribunes Yea there is none of the propositions which can bee made by the connexion of this word Number to any part of the sentence where it is mentioned in this prophecie but it may bee iustified by this interpretation For example to bee a souldier for the Pope is a priuiledge to buy and sell and maketh him capable of the greatest grace the Church of Rome can giue It is the number of man It is i cap. 15.2 a number ouer which the victorie may be got And as to be of a legion was peculiar to such as fought for Rome so now these souldiers are for the Church of Rome Lastly as a Vegetius lib. 2. cap. 19 in a Roman legion were schooles which required learned and wittie souldiers for the condition of the whole legion their seruices and Militarie numbers c. or paiements were more diligently written in actes then any other affaires so in poperie Let him that hath wit count the Militarie number of the beast for the seruices done for the honour and aduauncement of that policie are most carefully written vp euen in their Legend or catalogue of saints where none els doth come be he neuer so good Thus is the beast now in his pride furnished with hornes like the Lambe accounted the Vicar of Christ. He spaketh like the Dragon for terror blasphemie and doctrine of diuels he exerciseth the power of the first beast before him playing the part of an Emperor before his face admirable for deceitfull signes and lying miracles done by sorcerie and the power of the diuell Now doth he publish decrees capitall lawes and hath all priueledges of earth Purgatorie and Heauen to bestowe at his pleasure How fearefull then must be his thundrings and how bloodie his warres The Lambe who hitherto as opportunitie serued l cap. 6.2 c. warred against his enemies by the word the sworde famine pestilence c. doth still continue the same kinde of oppositions when it seemes good He also continueth to m cap. 9.13 c vexe the remnant for idolatrie murther theft fornication c. as in former times He further had vexed this Antichristian beast taking possession of the people and soyle by ciuill Princes in whom a cap. 10.3 c. he roared as a Lion as also by his two b cap. 11.3 c witnesses But now as the diuell hath aduanced the malice and greatnes of this beast so the Lambe Christ Iesus doth declare himselfe more mightie in his oppositions The ciuill Princes doe labour to keepe their authoritie and possession doe bring to light the truth of that which the thunders haue spoken deliuer the booke of the word of God to such poore Preachers as doe make a conscience of the same and are ready to suffer for it In the prophecie of discouering the truth of that which the confused and tumultuous thunders haue spoken c cap. 10.4 are these things to be considered First a desire of those of the spirit of Saint Iohn to record them as they were as he saith I was about to write them plainely for euery man to vnderstand Secondly the impediment that hindred the cleare deliuerie which was that all wise men and godly as by a voyce from heauen aduised by reason of the perils of the times to seale vp those things which the seuen thunders haue spoken truely reporting them but couered ouer with parables c. as Prophets doe the visions which are not to be vnderstoode of all Hereupon it is that the histories of these later times doe deliuer the trueth yet in such sort as very fewe can picke it out by them the face of the storie looking one way and the trueth another way Thirdly the Lord Iesus in the person of this Angell presenting the ciuill Magistracie d cap. 10.5.6 sweareth not by Idols nor supposed saints as the idolatrous beast doth but by him that liueth for euer and created all things that the time should neuer more be so perilous as then but that in the dayes of the seuenth Angell that conuerteth Kings to the gospell the mysterie of God in bringing Antichrist into the world shall be finished when it shall be as lawfull for men to preach and write the plaine trueth as euer it was declared by the seruants of God the Prophets As concerning the deliuerie of the booke of Gods word to Preachers first it is said that all godly men perceiuing a better course to consume Antichrist by than to write his storie plaine doe as e cap. 10 8. a voyce from heauen bid those of the spirit of Saint Iohn to leaue the huge volumes of Legends decrees and decretals c. and goe and take the booke of the Scriptures which is open in the Angels hand presenting the Magistracie though it be shut to all others Hereupon godly men which suffered tribulation as Saint Iohn did in Patmos doe by humble petition craue f cap. 10.9 that the Angell standing as proprietarie vpon the sea and earth gouerning people and countries would giue them the little booke of the word of God This petition is graunted but in this manner The Princes bid the Preachers g Ibid. take the booke the Bible and so studie it that they seeme to eate it vp Howbeit such are the times as yet they forewarne that the word though sweete in their mouthes as honey shall be bitter as gall in their bellies h Ezech. 2.8 3.1.14 Ier. 4.19 as to other Prophets For the word is sweete to speake and heare but when the wickednes of the times will not imbrace it but like Lions Panthers Beares c. bloodily persecute it the Preachers haue iust i cap. 11.3 cause to mourne in their bowels The two witnesses haue the courts giuen vnto them by the Angell that is are acknowledged to be the true visible church In those daies the Church is visible in the persecuted and called to preach there by the ciuill Magistrate A holy and sufficient calling in the time of these confusions Neither is it required that they haue the Canonicall admission of the popish Antichristian beast Then is the publike face of Christian religion iustly esteemed the courts of the house of God for their presence there in persecution and not for the soueraigntie of the popish Gentiles The testimonie of these witnesses is giuen a cap. 14.4 c. by innocencie of life and by preaching of their innocencie first it is saide These are they that are not defiled with women by whoredomes adulteries c. As are those which folow the popish beast but do
keep themselues to the b Heb. 13.4 vndefiled mariage bed which they teach to be honorable amongst all men by it are as holy as Virgines Contrarie to Antichrist that blasphemeth mariage in the Clergie as if it were heresie c. Secondly they follow the lambe wheresoeuer he goeth c Ioh. 10.3.4.5 as good sheepe that know the voice of their shephearde and follow him as he goeth before them For in all things they walke according to the word of God As namly in the sacrament of the supper of Christ the true Pascal lambe they strickly obserue his institution Not hearing the voice of the stranger and tyrant Antichrist that obtrudeth doctrine of another manner of the presence of Christ there or addeth or taketh any thing away c. Thirdly d cap. 10.4 these are bought by the blood of Christ from amongst men not partaking in the ambitions c. of Antichrist who would possesse all the earth excluding the true owners Wherefore the true Martyrs and godly Christians are not to be found among them Fourthly they be the first fruits holy vnto God and to the Lambe For these onely are e Deut. 12.17.18 dedicated vnto the Lord to sanctifie the rest of mankind which if these were away were altogether vnholy and prophane in their pretended profession of God and his Christ And so in these times there would be no Church at all Fiftly f cap. 14.5 in their mouthes is found no guile speaking nothing deceiptfully for earthly endes but truely as the things of God are without hypocrisie Contrarie to Antichrist who is g cap. 13.14 deceiptfull in his words c. Lastly h cap. 14.5 They are without spot before the throne of God For if they be conuented before any throne of iustice where the righteousnesse of God doth preuaile their most subtile accusers cānot conuict their doctrine or life of any spot Howsoeuer Antichrist and his prelates sitting in the i cap. 13.2 throne of the Dragon the diuell doe accuse and iudge them as wicked and heretickes c. Concerning their preaching first is shewed the matter they preached and after their seuerall doctrines which they specially handled The Matter is the Gospell no fruitlesse Legends Of the bringing it abroad it is said k cap. 14.6 I saw another angell flie through the mids of heauen to signifie that the suddaine spreading of the Gospel in times so cruell and darke could be attributed to none other but some diuine hand working by his holy angels as effectually as when he gaue the law This Gospel is called Euerlasting and induring for euer not subiect to abolishment as the Antichristian Friers did after threaten nor alteration by addition or diminution which corruptions the Papacie attempteth but as it was in the beginning so must it continue Euerlasting This Gospel and none other must the witnesses preach to them that dwell vpon the earth l cap. 10.11 to euery nation and kinred and tongue and people and many kings of these tenne which arose out of the inundations of the Barbarians Specially they vrge these doctrines and that vehemently as m cap. 14.7 with a loud voice Feare God and neither idols nor men Giue glorie to God and not to such mortall men c. as would translate the glorie of God to themselues Worship him that made heauen and earth and the sea and fountaines of waters the things in them that is the Creator of all things and not n Rom. 1.25.23 the creature whether angels or o Eph. 2.10 men much lesse any idol which is the worke of mans hand The successe of this warre is very doubtfull For first the beast doth ouercome and after that is ouercome He is said to p cap. 13.7.8 ouercome them that stand against him both Princes and witnesses For power is giuen him ouer euerie kinred and tongue and nation Therefore all that dwell vpon the earth shall worship him as a God vpon earth whose names are not written in the booke of life of that Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the worlds Of the particulars hereof will afterwards more at large be spoken But in the meane space we must remember that the manner of his victorie is to breake in peeces deuoure and stampe the residue vnder foote The Complement Ann. 1048. Leo the ninth a Frising 6.33 accepting the Papacie at the Emperours hand by the b Geneb p. 867 868. reproofe and counsel of Hildebrand a monke c. put off his purple entred Rome as a priuate man and was againe elected by the Clergie of Rome So was the Emperor hissed out For now there is life giuen to the beast c Trith Hirs p. 63. In his way to Rome they fable that the Angels were heard singing The Lord hath thoughts of peace and not of afflictions But they were lying spirits in the mouth of the false prophets For d Volat. l. 22. Abb. Vrsp p. 218. the Normans whom he called into Italie against the Greekes and Saracens inuaded the possessions of the Pope Against them the Pope as a Legionarie king goeth to warre and after much bloodshed on both sides the Pope fledde e Bergom 12. was taken prisoner by pursuite and some Cardinals with him and for ransome giueth them Apulia and whatsoeuer they held in Italie f Volat. 22. These warres of the Pope the Archbishop of Florence doth blame shewing it vnlawfull for him to doe that which Peter was forbidden when Christ said Put vp thy sword into thy sheath Also g Fasc Temp. f. 73. Petrus Damianus a most learned man in his time condemneth the Clergie that like legionarie nūbers fight for temperalties or labour to be present at wars as beeing contrarie to Gods commandement h Geneb p. 870 Nicatas Pictoratus wrot against the Romans of Priests marriages c. i Bergom 12. f. 180. Berengarius who had beene long singular for holinesse and learning taught k Mass 15. that after consecration there was not any carnall or reall presence in the sacrament but the signe l Geneb p. 871 875. He was condemned by this Pope first at Rome then at Vercellis in a Councell so was the booke which Iohannes Scotus wrot of the Sacrament 170. yeares after it was published Now began it to be called Simonie to receiue any Ecclesiasticall preferments at the hands of a laie man and such as taught that the Clergie ought or might vse their wiues were blasphemously called Nicolaitans and whoremongers Whereas the Scripture saith that in marriage m Heb. 13.4 the bedde is vndefiled This Pope n Mass 16. p. 222. canonized one Gerardus for a Saint happily the first canonizer of any Saint He also is o Trith p. 63. reported to be so famous for miracles that they fable hee clensed Christ of a Ieprosie No maruell if they blaspheme them that dwell in heauen when they dare blaspheme
in his warres which were many because of the Popes excommunication And m Vrsp p. 308. the Princes and Barones taught by the diuell cared not to breake their oath nor violate their faith but confounded all iustice taking part sometimes with Philip sometimes with Otho By n 307. the meanes of this contention the Pope made all Ecclesiasticall dignities litigious and brought them to Rome Whereupon Vrspergensis exclaimeth Reioyce our mother Rome because the sluces of all treasures are opened that whole riuers of money may runne to thee Reioyce for the wickednes of men because for the recompence of so great euils some price is paide to thee Insult for discord thy helper which came from hell to helpe thee to money by great heapes Thou hast that which thou hast thirsted for Sing this song that by wickednesse and not by religion thou hast ouercome the world Men come not to thee for deuotion and conscience but for the committing of villanies and for decision of contentions bought out with money of thee The begging Friers beganne the wicked order of which Ioachim prophecied before The first thing that the Friers did labour for was to magnifie their faction a Ex Mat. Paris p. 910. Gobelaet 6. cap. 63. Fox Mart. p. 326. To which purpose they wrote a very detestable and blasphemous booke containing the most abhominable heresies of these new sprung vp friers Nowe because the Gospel which the scripture calleth b cap. 14.6 Eternall was commonly preached to the hazzard of the papacie these called their booke The eternall Gospell and the Gospell of the holy Ghost This they said excelled that written by the foure Euangelists so much as the kernell passeth the shell and as light excelleth darkenes And therefore taught N.B. that within threescore yeares vz. 1260. the Gospel written by the foure Euangelists should cense and bee abolished and theirs should steppe vp instead thereof and continue for euer c Sibrandus Lâ—b d. Christ â—og 2. cap. 7. This booke the Friers commended to the Pope to bee canonized who esteemed it much For from hence the Popes doe continue many wicked prankes to weaken if not to abolish the authority of the Scriptures This deuice of forging a newe Gospel the Friers borrowed of their fathers the d Epiph. haeres 26. p. 27. Gnosticks It seemeth hitherto that the cup in the supper was not taken quite from the laitie * Trith p. 215. For Innocentius the third enioyning certaine knights and their seruants penance for killing the Bishop of Herbipolis saith thus They shall not presume to take the bodie and blood of the Lord but at the point of death e 215. 216. Philip putting Otho stil to the worst the Princes grew wearie of warre and sought for peace and notwithstanding the Popes excommunications are reconciled to Philip crown him againe and f 219. with the Popes Legates treate of peace and compounding the state of the Empire g Vrsp p. 310. The Pope to whom all is referred consenteth to peace vpon promise that his nephew should marry the Emperor Philips daughter And Otho likewise vpon the like condition h Pag. 309. At the same time one Fulco preached in France and moued many to take the crosse and fight in the holy land Whereupon two Earles came with their armies to the Pope who sent one of them against his owne enemies in Campania the other went as towards Ierusalem in the way the Venetians spoyle a certaine citie called Satira After the armie went to Constantinople beat a part of the citie entred and tooke many spoyles and reliques of Saints He that readeth iudge if it were not theft and if the Pope can excuse that rapine by the Isralites robbing the Egyptians i Trith p. 219. After the capitulations were made for the quiet of the Empire Philip went to pursue some rebels in Saxony and as he rested in his chamber hauing opened a veyne he was murthered by Otho Palatinus because he did not worship the beast And so was ended this fourth Thunder The fifth Thunder Anno 1208. VPon a Trith p. 219. 220. the death of Philip the Emperor was Otho chosen with one consent of all the Princes The Pope hearing thereof and that he had maried his neere kinswoman liked it and by Legates confirmed it Wherefore Otho going into Italy is honorably receiued by the Princes and Pope and is crowned At this time the Franciscan Friers began There were also great heates fearefull thundrings and lightnings And b Crant 7. 35. now while the Pope did chalenge Apulia c. to belong to the Church of Rome and the Emperor thought not there arise dissentions betweene them c Vrsp p. 313. so that the Pope pronounceth him contumacious excommunicated him and so hee was euery where denounced Whereupon the Princes elect Fridericus the sonne of Henricus the sixt Emperor as an euill diuell in Israel which election the Pope confirmeth and Fridericke is garded through Italy by the Princes of Italy In d Mass 17. p. 235. Narbâ—na 140. and at Paris 24. would rather be burned as heretikes then recant their opinions e Amicon d. 5. Sarma c. 1. 2. In 1211. appeared a great comet the yeere following the nation of the Tartarians The fourth Angel about Euphrates came out of their seates into our world f Haiton c. 16. through the Caspian sea which gaue them way miraculously as an Angel had directed them g Trith p. 221. Otho the Emperor succeeded prosperously in his warres of Apulia Calabria Wherefore h Vrsp p. 314. the Pope sent fiue times to him in short space for peace but the Emperor despising the Popes commaundements could not be stirred but that he would roote out Fridericus and be reuenged of the French King for the wrongs he had done to England Hereupon the Pope tooke courage i Pag. 317. and resolued vpon two things to recouer the holy land from the Saracens and to reforme the Church against heretikes and such as impugned the liberties thereof And so required k Trith p. 221. the Archbishop of Mogunce to declare the Emperor excommunicate and deposed The Princes that fauored Otho spoyled the cities religious houses and Churches of the diocesse of Mogunce and Otho returning into Germany subdued many rebels l Geneb pag. 957. 958. The Albingenses in the parts of Tholosa in France maintained many doctrines against the Church of Rome as against prayers to the virgine Mary c. Against whom the French both Clergie and Laytie did contend and fight with doubtfull successe almost for the space of twelue yeeres m Trith p. 221. But now the Pope preacheth the crosse and absolution from all sinnes in Austria Saxony Westphalia Phrisia and all Germany to assist his Captaine against them For the King of Arragon and diuers Earles c. tooke their parts Hereby the Albingenses were put to the worst n
conclude THE THINGS DONE ARE THE BOOKE Wherefore of force it doth follow that the visions may and onely must be enlightened by the carefull application of ALL the Ecclesiasticall histories vnto them Secondly the things are shewed to the seruants of God Then must the seruants of God tell vs what they haue seene if we meane to know them And so we despise the iudgements of them in this booke which persecute the seruants of God be they otherwise for learning as profound as the diuell Thirdly the time was at hand of the prophecie For S. Iohn was to write the things which were in action cap. 1.9 cap. 1.19 at the time of his writing and the things which were to come afterwards Wherefore without all question the booke was to begin when it was first published Vpon these three grounds I am bold to conclude that The booke is a perfect Ecclesiasticall historie NB. The argument of the Reuelation shewed to the seruants of God containing whatsoeuer is materiall in the Church from the time of the being of S. Iohn in Patmos to the end of the world So that nothing of importance can bee found in the Christian world which may not be referred to some part of this booke as to his proper head from whence it is to receiue testimonie whether it be true or false and also such due consideration and censure that it must be esteemed to be good or bad according as the booke doth iudge Of which my assertion I find not any of the Interpreters greatly to doubt yet none of thē that I know hath attempted to see how he can make the text and all stories of importance so to agree that the collection of the mutations with their causes and effects may seeme worthie the holy Ghost Wherefore though I doe acknowledge my selfe euery way the most vnfit of all others yet rather than it should be vndone I haue thought good to gesse at it as well as God hath enabled me with the small Librarie and other meane helpes which my poore estate would affoord me Your Lordship may not looke here for a perfect Analysis and interpretation of the whole booke for that is a worke for a iust and full Commentarie which here I promise not but haue onely minded a generall disposing of the text for the storie and therefore was not to be diligent either in the preparations to the visions or in the Scriptures not yet accomplished What I thinke of the rest not greatly touched here as of the first fiue Chapters containing the things which were in hand in the time of S. Iohn and a preparation to that which was to follow what of the sixt and seuenth Phials c. which import the confederacie of both religions against the incursions of the Turkes the great incredible and fearfull stirres that are yet to be betweene the Romanists and the godly and of the diuision of the Papists among themselues and what of the rest of the prophecie which containeth the golden and happie daies of the Church and the new troubles which shall arise when Antichrist is cast into hell of the precise computation of the time of as many of these things as is to be made by the power of the text I hope it will not be looked for here because the nature of this Treatise doth not require it yet happily by the blessing of God may hereafter appeare if none doe better preuent me which I much desire That which I say my selfe is that by this proiect I haue bin able readily to reduce all stories of importance to their certaine heads of the Reuelation and to see the drifts and deuices of many writers and some other persons before I saw the particulars in themselues And also to gesse trulie before hād of the future effects of some things which for any thing I could perceiue were in mans reason to fall out otherwise That which I haue done I submit in the feare of God not onely vnto your Lordship but also vnto all such godlie Fathers and brethren of the Ministerie who in the feare of God doe handle or regard his word For the ignorant as I doe much desire their edification so I neglect their censures The scornefull reiections of the malicious and enemie that neglecteth and with scoffing cauils and railings maligneth whatsoeuer doth not make for his phantasie and partialitie I esteeme as such reproofes as I will weare for a garland As for the harsh phrase and haste in translations seeing I seeke matter whether digested or congested the godly will excuse That which I would first admonish the diligent Reader of is this The booke hath a double method First is set down the drift of God in disposing the things of the Church in the manner which he hath done and this reacheth from the beginning to the end of the eleuenth chapter Secondly is shewed the drift of the Diuell in his proceedings against the Church in the twelfth and thirteenth chapters and part of the twentith chapter The rest to the end is an interpretation of such things as were briefly touched in some former chapters In my Treatise I haue for shortnes and cleerenes ioyned both the methods in one and put the interpretations into the places for which they serue The next thing I would admonish is that I haue diuided this Treatise into seuerall periods and chapters not according to the chapters of the booke but according to the diuersitie of the mutations Thirdly that in gathering of the stories I haue not tied my selfe to the whole discourse word for word for it would haue growne to too great a volume but haue briefed them for case And where I thinke the Authors censure of the times doth agree with the text I keepe it Where the writer by ignorance or partialitie doth misse in his discerning I take the briefe of the storie and passe by his opinion excepting in some very few places plain enough to be discerned Furthermore where the Historians in their bookes doe follow the succession of yeeres and persons I hold it sufficient to name the author committing the reader to the easie direction of the yeere and person but where any thing might seeme combersome to finde I haue bin more plaine giuing readie helpe to such as haue bookes of the same edition which I followed Thus leauing my labour not onely to the touchstone but also to the test I pray for your Lordships happines and the edification of the Church of God Your Lordships most humble in all Christian obedience William Symonds A TABLE OF SVCH AVTHORS AS ARE CITED IN THIS BOOKE A ABbatis Vrsper Chronicon fol. Basil 1569. Ambrosii epistolae fol. Basil 1516. Thomas Aquinas Richardi Armachani defensorium curatorum 4o. Augustinus de Ciuitate Dei. fol cum annotationibus Ludouici Viuis Basil 1522 Augustinus de haeresibus per Danaeum 8o. Auenarii Dictionarium Hebraeum fol. B BAsilicon Doron 8o. Robertus Barnes de vitis pontificum 8o. Wittebergae 1536.
Inuen 5. 1. hanging vp of tapers came of an old Pagane fashion of sacrifices that the Pagans offered to Saturnus and Pluto c. The r Abb. Vrsp p. 153. D. 63. Agath Popes Legat said Masse at Constantinople in Latin that one Å¿ Gen. 11.7 vnderstand not anothers language When the Emperor had consented to worship the Dragon by setting vp idolatry the Bulgarians t Geneb p. 692. inuade Panonia and Thracia ouercame the Emperours armie and much rented the Empire This Pope u Fasc Temp. f. 61. dist 19. Sic. required the Popes decrees to bee receiued as confirmed by the diuine voyce of Peter vnto * Dist 63. Agatho him the Emperor sent backe the mony which he was wont to receiue of the Popes for their confirmatioÌ„ But vnder condition that there should bee a general decree that none should bee ordained Pope without the Emperors knowledge and commandement Anno 684. Leo the second a x Geneb p. 694. skilfull musition he instituted the kissing of the Pax and brought the a Platina Bishops of Raâ—â—â—â— into obedience and subiection which before held themselues equall with the Popes He gâ—â— such good opinion that at his death al men wept for him as for their father He b Gobetâ— 6. cap. 35. by twelue compurgators cleared himselfe of certaine crimes that were obiected against him Benedictus c Geneb the second is said to haue obtained of the Emperour that whom the armie and Clergie Anno â—â—6 and people of Rome did chuse should be esteemed the vicar of Christ as if it were in man to substitute a vicar for Christ Though he wanted the consent of the Emperour or his Exarch of Rauenna He d Fasc Temp. repaired many Churches with great charges In his time e VVolphg was a great pestilence The Saracens inuade Libia Iohn the fifth appointed f Geneb the Pope to be consecrated by three certaine Bishops which custome continueth Anno 687. g Bergâ—â— 10. He wrote a booke of the dignitie of the Pall. Conon was h Pantaleon created Pope by the Exarch where was then the graunt made to Benedict two yeeres before Anno 688. the i Platina armie and Clergie chusing others He was esteemed Angel-like for his vertue The k VVolphg Emperor Iustinian receiued much damage by the Saracens Sâ—rgius the first was l Carion f. 151. made Pope by sedition Anno 689. and in his time was a great schisme in the Church both for the election of the Pope and because two m Fasc Temp. generall Councels dissented Iustinian the n Abb. Vrsp p. 154. Emperor sent the Generall of his warres to take this Pope prisoner because he would not subscribe to the Councell for correcting the sixt Councell at Constantinople but the Pope was rescued by the souldiers of Rauenna and the places adioyning and his Generall beate from Rome with contumelies and iniuries He repaired o Platina Churches and conuerted the Saxons As it is reported the p Mass 14. p. 194. Lord reuealed vnto him a case of siluer in which he found a good peece of that he supposed to be the crosse of Christ which q Abb. Vrsp p. 155. was carried into Constantines Church and worshipped of all the people As the heardsman found the sword of Mars and gaue it to Attâ—las The Romans vpon this idolatrie r Wolph beeing ouerthrowne by the Saracens the name of the Saracens encreased and the dignitie of the Romans was exceedingly diminished Ann. 702. Iohn the sixt interposed Å¿ Platina himselfe betweene the souldiers of Italie the Exarch whom the souldiers would haue slaine for fauouring the Popes more than the Emperours Ann. 705. Iohn the seauenth in his t Blond Epit. time the Lombards gaue a great donation to S. Peter of the lands betweene Genna France u Geneb p. 703 Genebrard with some others saith that he restored it But * Platina f. 102. this hath no credible author but is palea that is chaffe without wheate The x Wolph Saracens againe possesse Affrica This Pope y Bergom 10. beautified Churches with pictures and histories of the Saints Ann. 707. Sisimus held z Fasc Temp. the seate by schisme In a Geneb his time the king of Spaine a flagitious man fearing the alienation of his subiects and a rebellion by meanes of the Bishops pulled down the fortifications of his land Egypt and Affrica are wasted by the Saracens Iustinianus a Abb. Vrsp p. 155. Frisin 5. 14. the Emperour restored to his Empire apprehended them that cast him out caused them to be drawne before him in the streetes and treading hard vpon their neckes the people cried thou hast walked on the lyon and the basiliske and trade vpon the lyon and the Dragon c. Ann. 707. Constantinus was b Plat. f. 103. b so fauoured by Iustinian the tyrant that because Felix the Archbishop of Rauenna would not giue the Pope money and obedience for his ordination the Emperour burned out the Archbishops eies by causing him to looke into a bright brasse panne in the sunne and so Felix drinketh of the wine of the wrath of her fornication He c Frisin 5. 14. Geneb p. 706. sent for the Pope to Constantinople and honourably entertained him confessed his sinnes vnto him craued and obtained absolution and first of any Emperour kissed the Popes feete e Frising and confirmed the Popes priuiledges and decree worshipping the beast But f Geneb when the Pope was gone hee reuoked that confirmation * Polyd. Jan. 4. 9. f. 97. The diuellish rite of kissing the feete of the Bishop of Rome tooke his originall of the manner of the Romanes who when they were Pagans vsed to kisse the feete of the Priests and other nobles c. Dioclesian made the commons stoope to kisse his feete This Pagan example our Christian Bishop and Gods Vicar full vngodly and vngoodly doth counterfeit g Frisin 5. 15. Philippicus the Emperour holdeth a Councell reiecteth the sixt Councel at Constantinople and pulled downe images But this Pope h Platin. f. 104. a. held a Councel at Rome for images against the Emperour and excommunicated him confirmed the decree of Agatha for images decreed i Abb. Vrsp p. 156. that no money should be currant which had the name of an hereticall Emperour vpon it nor his letters name or figure receiued nor his image carried into the Church nor his name remembred at Masse Thus doth the beast labour to establish the worshippe of the Dragon and the Emperour drinketh of the wine of the fornication of the great whore k Curiâ— Roderike king of Spaine defiled the daughter of his lieftenant Iulian who for his fornication called l cap. 9. â—â— the Saraceus who subdued and possessed the greatest part of all Spaine Gregorius the second
decencie but after diuers did appoint diuers things The l Wolph Saracens make the Emperour tributarie vpon very vnequall conditions and spoile Corsica and Sardinia Ann. 817. Stephanus the fift went m Gebel a. 6. 41. into France taking n Moris Paâ— the office of the heathen Druides where hee crowned Pudâ—nicus Emperour who swarâ—â—o the Pope an oath of fidelitie So now the Pope doth receiue an oath of the Emperour as the Poâ—t Max. was wont to doe of the heathen Romane Kings He decreed that no o De conse d. 5. Nunquid Sacrament was perfect without the signe of the crosse Paschalis the first was chosen without the Emperours p Pencerus Sab. Plat. 124. consent Anno 817. but translated the blame vpon the people and Clergie and so pacified the Emperor which was offended for the election He also made sedition in Rome but laid the fault elsewhere He is q Geneb p. 707. reported to represse with the signe of the crosse the fire that began to consume Burgus a schoole of Englishmen Vnto r Volat. Geog. 3. f. 21. dist 63. Ego Ludouic him by letters pattents Ludouicus the Emperor gaue and confirmed all Lombardy Rauenna and Rome with their iurisdictions c. and gaue the Councell at Rome leaue to chuse the Pope And so was fulfilled that which is written by the Prophet Daniel The litle Å¿ Dan. 7.8 horne grew vp so that three of the other tenne hornes were rooted out before him that is the Popes grew vp so that three of the other tenne kingdomes or principalities were rooted out before him viz. the kingdome of the Gothes in Rome the kingdome of the Lombardes and the Exarchie of Rauenna t Geneb p. 769. A Councell was held at Aquisgraue against those that laboured against images The manner and custome u Peucerus 4. p. 183. of priuate Masses began vnder Ludouicus Pius which before a Caran f. 330 Anno. 824. were forbidden in a Councell at Mogunce Can. 43. Eugenius the second in b Platina Volat Geo. 3. his time Michael the Emperor of Constantinople sent his Orators to Ludouicus the Emperor of the West to vnderstand his minde concerning images Ludouicus reiecteth them ouer to the Pope and c Sab. En. 8. l. 9. Clergie And thus was fulfilled that which was written And d cap. 13.45 they worshipped the beast c. And there was giuen him a mouth to speake great things and blasphemies and power was giuen him to doe The e Sab. ibid. Saracens preuailed in Aquitania and Sicilia c. Thus f cap. 9.20.21 the remnant repenteth not of their idolatry c. CHAP. VII Of the blasphemie of the scarlet coloured beast and woman thereon and first how they are blasphemous in their owne persons THe beast hauing attained vnto this great power and dependance abuseth his authoritie of speaking to blaspheme and his power of doing vnto tyrannie For it is said he g cap. 13.6.7 therefore opened his mouth vnto blasphemie and to make warre with the Saints He is blasphemous euery way and that first in respect of his owne conuersation which henceforth is very flagitious For from this time the Popes doe grow to such wickednes and impietie as was neuer heard the like no not in Simon Magus or his posteritie Secondly he is blasphemous in his doctrine and that concerning God and his worship Simon Magus was noted for a singular blasphemer that durst affirme h Act. 8.9 of himselfe that he himselfe was some great man but the Popes like the Prince of Tyrus hath his heart exalted and saith I am a i Ezech. 28.2 god I sit in the seate of God in the mids of the sea the multitude of people Yea he thinketh in his heart tha the is equall with God k 2. Thes 2.4 Aug. ciuit dâ— 20. 19. For he exalteth himselfe against all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he doth sit as God and as if he were the Temple and Church of God And now poperie being an absolute complement of all abhominable heresies that can be brought to any tolerable appearance l cap. 13.6 doth blaspheme God his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heauen For now is come into the world m 2. Tim. 3.2 that perilous time in which men become cursed speakers And vnto their blasphemie they adde the persecution of the Saints These things are to be marked as they follow in the stories at seuerall times They are said to blaspheme the name of n Mand. 3. God which directly commit blasphemie against the person of the Godhead or else blaspheme any persons or things vpon which God is named wherefore the name of God is blasphemed when Princes are blasphemed seeing that vnto them the Lord o Exod. 22.28 Psal 81.1 hath communicated his owne name Those doe blaspheme his Tabernacle which speake euill p Act. 7.44 c. 2. King 18.30 35. of the place where God is worshipped according to his owne ordinance and the worship which God hath appointed in his word and Sacraments or where q Iere. 7.4.10.11.12 that is ascribed vnto his Church which he neuer gaue vnto it as to exalt it or any person thereof to a greater place then to be obedient vnto his word They which dwell in heauen are blasphemed when that which is proper to God is ascribed vnto them as to be patrones illuminers mediators c. or any r Psal 74.12 Isai 42.3 helpers of those which are below Å¿ Gal. 1.8 when Angels are made preachers of a new Gospel or receiuers of t Col 2.18 worships and the Saints departed u Luk. 16.24.26 are supposed to ease those in hell c. especially when they are reported to further the ambition and malice of men c. These and such like blasphemies is this beast guiltie of from this time forth The opposition of the Lambe doth still continue killing a cap. 9.15 of the third part of men and bringing a was vpon the remnant by the foure Angels which are loosed from Euphrates As b cap. 10.2 also Christ the King by Princes doth still hold open the booke of the Gospel and set his foote vpon the land and sea as proprietary and true owner of both country and people And because the beast doth labour not onely to exempt c cap. 13.12.14 himselfe from the subiection of Christ in the ministery of Princes but doth also arrogate to himselfe to be d cap. 18.7 cap. 12. Lord of the earth and sea the Lambe that is e cap. 7.17 in the throne in the person of Princes doth first f cap. 10.2 set his right foote vpon the sea that is he taketh possession of the people with great force and violence and his left foote vpon the earth that is possesseth the earth And because g cap. 10.1 his feete are pillers
quod and decreeth all to be hereticks that are excommunicate or deale d D. 22. omnes against the Church of Rome What e 15. q. 8. sciscitantibus wickednesse soeuer be in the Priests the sacraments of his ministring be good But if the Priest bee f Dist 32. Nullus married none must heare masse of him wherein he not onely blasphemeth them that worship in the Tabernacle of God but also is contrarie to the Gangrenâ— g Caran f. 56. Councell that condemneth Eustathius the Arian for holding that the sacraments ministred by a married Priest are not to bee touched but despised So that here the Pope decreeth that which is condemned in the Arian and here Rome conceiueth by the Arians This Pope beautified the Church of the h Platina mother of God with curious pictures i Geneb The Church of Constantinople doth openly depart from the Church of Rome The k VVolph Saracens breake into Italie for to spoile Aan 868. Adrian the second l Geneb p. 786. was honoured for miracles he was chosen without the consent of the Emperour In his first yeare he held a Councel at m Caran f. 345. a. Constantinople in which images were equalled for teaching with the bookes of the holy Euangelists Can. 3.14 and Bishops with Emperours The Bishops must giue small honour to the Emperours but receiue great honours of them While they at the Councell exalt themselues and idolatrie yea n Geneb p. 788 from the yeare 867. to 873. the Saracens made cruell warres vpon the Grecians French and most in Italie Ann. 874. Iohn the ninth decreed o 16. q. 3. Nemo that the priuiledges of the Church of Rome may not be taken away vnder a 100. yeares prescription p Geneb p 789. He crowned Carolus Caluus and two other Emperours Vnto this q 790. 791. Index Expurg Carolus Bertramus a poore man wrote his booke of the spirituall insensible and figuratiue eating of Christ in the sacrament of the Supper The question was mooued by Ferdinand a knight Iohn Scoeus wrote another booke of the same argument and to the same sense so that here this doctrine had two witnesses in the courts of the Temple It is reported r Mass 15. p. 213. that Ludouicus late Emperour being dead appeared to his sonne adiuring him to help him out of the paines of purgatorie Whereupon his sonne sent to many Monasteries and by their praiers obtained rest for his father Thus the beast beareth the world in hand that hee ruleth in the bottomlesse pit About Å¿ Fasc Temp. f. 67. a. Math. 24.12 this time charitie waxed exceeding cold in euery estate and iniquity abounded more than it was wont For now the sword and heresie for the most part did cease but ambition and couetousnesse and other vices hauing the raines loosed did more persecute the Christian saith than the persecutions of heresies In those t Trithe Hiâ—s p. 25. daies was a Iewe which by Magicke did many strange miracles in the sight both of the Princes and of any whosoeuer else By which may be gessed by what meanes the Monkes and Priests did the miracles of which they make such ostentation about these times Ann. 884. Martinus the second got a Geneb the seate by euill artes he b Massaeus is reported to haue vndermined his predecessor and caused him to be imprisoned c Carantz â—â—t c. 1. gouerned cruelly onely profitable by his short time The d Geneb p. 792 793. Saracens came into Italie tooke the Abbey Cassinense which their S. Benedictus founded slewe Bertharius the Abbot vpon the altar of S. Martine and returned laden with much spoile Carolus Crassus first dateth his writings from the birth of Christ Ann. 885. Adrianus e Platin. f. 137. b. the third enticed by the Emperours departure out of Italie to warre against the Normans in France tooke f Volat. 22. the opportunitie and did publikely g Geneb p. 794 Crantz Metro 5. 1. decree that in the creation of the Pope the Emperours authoritie should not be expected and that the voices of the Clergie and people should bee free A thing which was rather attempted than begunne by Nicolaus the first By which it appeareth that it is no good proofe of any thing to bee ancient in the Church because the Popes decreed it so It is one thing to make a decree and another to put it in generall practise euery where Ann. 886. Stephanus h Geneb p. 795 the sixt entred when France was afflicted by the Normanes England by the Danes Panonia by the Hunnes and Italie most grieuously by the Saracens Italie was i Carantz Met. 5. 1. vnquiet neither did the Romanes sufficiently obey so that hee held his seat with much labor Hitherto k Trith Hirs p. 26. 27. some Monasteries had most learned readers of the liberall sciences the holy scriptures the latine greeke hebrew and Arabian tongues requiring the reading of the Scriptures to be familiar to the Monkes Ann. 892. Formosus came l Volat. 22. Platin. in by briberie more than by vertue m Crantz M. 5. 1. The name he tooke bewraieth his pride I know n Plati f. 139. a. N.B. not by what meanes I shall say it came to passe that togither with the industrie of the Emperours who looked not vnto the election of the Popes but left them to themselues the Popes did also faile in vertue and integritie Most vnhappie times seeing such are wont to bee the people as are their Princes Of o Fasc Temp. f. â—8 a. these times Vernetus in Fasciculo temporum maketh great lamentation complaining that the colour of gold is obscured that there were wonderfull scandals in the Apostolike seate contentions emulations sects enuies ambitions intrusions persecutions that the holy failed and trueth was diminished among the sonnes of men Of these eight Popes this Formosus and his seauen successors I can say no notable thing because I haue found nothing of them but scandalous for such contention in the Apostolike sea as was neuer heard the like One against another and also against themselues p Crantz M. 5. 1. p. 291. This dissention was a pernitious example among the chiefe Bishops the Vicars of Christ most vnlike the holinesse of the fathers which were Martyrs c. a Volat. 22 253. Christopherus was depriued of his Papacie and thrust into a Monasterie for now Monasteries were places of solace for miserable persons and a refuge for bankeroupts The b Wolph Saracens inuade Apulia and Calabria The c Geneb p. 749. Caluenites in this age praise Laudius Taurinensis Bertragius Frederardus and some points of Godiscalcus In euery age they will haue some fellowes In the d Trith Hirs p. 29. yeare 896. was held a great Synode against secular men which would keepe vnder and diminish the Bishops authoritie Confusion being
whom afterwards the diuell killed in the arte of sodomie wringing his necke behind him f Moris papat He permitted the Cardinals to haue harlots g Platina in Greg. 4. Of this time Platina speaking of the lawe which Ludouicus the Emperour made to restraine the pride of the Clergie crieth out I would O Ludouicus thou didst liue in our daies For now the Church doth stand in neede of thy most holy censures The Ecclesiasticall order is giuen ouer to riot and luxurie like a harlot that thou mightest behold not onely men but horses and beasts in their scarlet and princely robes with which the harlot is arraied When they goe there waite before them great troupes of young men and of the Clergie Not on asses as Christ the author of our religion did ride who was the onely example of well liuing in the world but on great horses in their caparisons as if they triumphed ouer some enemies lately ouercome c. h In Ioan. 16. He further of this time faith that this pestilent custome was then that Priests desired the papacie c. not for religion but to fill the greedines of their sonnes nephewes and familiars c. i Poly. 8.1 Pardon 's also in this time were very rife k Geneb This Pope opened his mouth to blasphemie and condemned Georgius Podiebrachius king of Boemia for an hereticke and l cap. 13.7 as if power were giuen him ouer euery nation gaue his kingdome to Mathias king of Hungarie m Lanquet Fox But Mathias in seauen yeares warres could not put him out for his feete were as pillars of fire n Geneb p. 1080 The Turkes destroyed two Empires tooke from the Christians twelue kingdomes and 200. cities for fornication sorcerie c. of the remnant o Volat. 21. The order of the souldiers called the Minimes Iesus Maria began Anno 1471. Sixtus the fourth p Volat. 22. a man rather borne for the warres than for religion q Fox Mart. p. 701. For he stirred vp many warres and when he heard that the Princes made peace he died for sorrow He as the common baude or mother of fornications c erected stewes in Rome of double abhomination both males and females and kept multitudes of harlots for his friends and followers a Moris Pap. And as Caligula laid a tribute vpon harlots the common harlots paid to him in the yeare about 40,000 ducates b Strab. lib. 7. Geog. This coÌ„munity of women did the Church of Rome learne either of Plato the heathen Philosopher or else of the Scythians and Gothes where Plato had his example He c Ext. com de poeni remis c. 4. reduced the yeare of Iubile to 25. yeares and d ibid. cap. 1. ordained the feast of the conception of the virgin Marie giuing large indulgences to all those which should be deuoutly present at the solemnitie and yet e N.D. Warn-word the Doctors agree not among themselues whether the virgin Mary were conceiued without sinne vpon which ground the feast was instituted by the Pope f Fox He brought the vse of beades into prayer g Geneb pag. 1084. 1088. In his time the Spanish King expelleth the Mâ—â—es and Iewes out of Spaine and instituteth the Spanish inquisition whereunto he also subiecteth himselfe Of the cruell proceedings of the inquisition against the godly see h Fox p. 9â—â— Fox and other bookes of the Spanish inquisition c. For by this kinde of crueltie the woman is drunken with the bloud of the Saints Innocentius the eight i Volat 22. f. 160. b. of a slow wit Anno 1484. and farre from learning as Licinius the tyrant He first of any Pope brought in a new example of making ostentation of his bastards and violating all antient discipline he heaped riches vpon them He fawned on all but was friendly to none and passed his inbred couetousnes with iests and scoffes He as k 2. Tim. 3.4 a louer of pleasure more then of God l Crantz Met. 12. 1. p. 814. adorned the papacy with a pallace and strongly beautified the house of Solace called Bell-vedere He m Volat. 21. f 244. annexed the Knights of the order of Saint Sepulchre to the Knights of Saint Iohn with a red and double crosse n Geneb pag. 1089. 1087. The Turkes abolished the gouernment of the Paleologi and Venetians in Pelopâ—nesus Lesbos Eubuâ— and Lemnos The Spaniards finde the land of Guinnea and many other Iles. o Mass 20.268 Iohannes Langlois at Paris strooke the host and wine out of the Priests hand and stamped on them denying any reall presence to be in the Sacrament for which he was burned The diuels possessed the Monastery of the Nunnes Quersetensium in a most strange manner a See Fox Mâ—r. Very many Martyres suffer About this time died Laurentius Medicis Duke of Florence b Eucholcerus Anno 1492. who in Italy much holpe to restore tongues and arts from whence they spread into Germany By this instauration of learning the whole world in a manner began to be renewed as with a first resurrection and to be encreased and enriched with this kinde of wealth The Boemian Hussites in token that their glassie sea was mingled with fire doe rise and endanger Mathias the King their enemie and persecutor enforcing him to flie they kill the Senate and pull downe Monasteries Thus Kings begin to receiue the Gospell by whom d cap. 11.15.28.19 15.8 the kingdomes of this world are the Lords and his Christs And thus the temple the profession of the Gospell against Antichrist is open in heauen the Church notwithstanding the Gentiles the Papists be angrie CHAP. XIII Of the seuen last plagues by which the wrath of God is fulfilled vpon the inhabitants of the earth SO mightily hath the power of God appeared as that he hath kept the temple open and continued the preaching of the Gospell notwithstanding all oppositions of enemies And now that his iudgements might be made manifest according to the word of God he sendeth out his plagues to the a 2. Thes 2. consuming of the man of sinne in this third woe In the prophecie of powring out of b cap. 15.1 the plagues by which is fulfilled the wrath of God first is declared how they are prepared and secondly how they are executed Concerning the preparation it is said that the persons who are prouided to execute them are c 6. the seuen Angels the instruments of these punishments being mightie more then humane The place whence they came is out of the temple d Psal 76.23.8.9 whence the Lord doth send his blessings and plagues They are e cap. 15.6 clothed in pure and bright linnen in token of their a cap. 19.8 most righteous and holy proceedings And lastly they haue b cap. 15.6 their breasts girded with golden girdles to signifie their c Luk. 12.35
the throne of the beast his kingdome and absolute commandement waxed obscure For the Princes deferre the cause of Luther to a generall Councell and propose an hundred grieuances which Germany did suffer by the Sea of Rome and their Ecclesiasticall persons requiring to bee eased in these things The h Buchol anno 1523. Pope appointed his Legate freely to confesse before the States of the Empire in this manner i Paral Vrsp 459. We know that in this holy seate now some certaine yeares there haue beene many abominable things abuse in matters diuine superfluities of traditions and that at last all things haue fallen to bee worse Neither is there any maruaile that infirmitie is deriued from the head to the members from the Popes to inferiour prelates We all that is prelates and Ecclesiasticall persons haue declined euery man into his owne waies nor now of long was there any that did any good a Bucholcerus He was also very liberall in promising the Princes that things should be amended The better to bring the Pope to make conscience to reforme with speed b Iouius lib. 21. p. 19. Par. Vrsp p 460. there arose a great plague in Rome in which their died an hundred thousand many corpes were seene in the streetes it seemed the citie would haue beene wasted in fewe daies But they were so farre from repenting to giue God the glorie that by the fauour of the people a Greeke one Demetrius a Magician vndertooke for 4000. ducates to staie the pestilence whereby they blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines For he by inchantment tamed a wilde bull causing the bull to digge a well promising that whosoeuer dranke of that water should be free from the pestilence Then cut he off halfe one of his hornes and with a smal thread tied about the other horne of the bull lead him at his pleasure and to the blasphemie of the name of God sacrificed him at the Amphitheatre to pacifie the God of the pestilence Also c Lanquet Millaine was afflicted with such a pestilence that it consumed 50,000 in fower moneths d Geneb p. 1114. Christiernus king of Denmarke defecteth from the Church of Rome for the kingdomes are the Lords e Fox Mart. 1523. Bucholc The Duke of Saxonie by the aduice of the Students of Wittenberge abrogateth the masse Zuinglius writeth to the whole nation of the Heluetians not to hinder the course of the Gospel f Jouius lib. 21 The Turke taking aduantage of the dissention that was among the Christian Princes which by reason of the second and third Phiall were great and bloodie besiegeth Rhodes with 200,000 souldiers The Pope diuerted those aides which came from Spaine to relieue Rhodes and sent them to Gallia Cisalpina to relieue the Emperour and so was Rhodes lost by the madnesse of our Princes a cap. 18.24 that in her might be found all the blood that was shedde b Fox Mart. The duke of Austriche setteth forth a sharpe proclamation against Luther and such as did not obey the Church of Rome For c cap. 19.19 the beast and kings make warre against the word of God d Par. Vrs p. 460. Buchol Adrian the sixth dieth not without suspition of poyson Amongst his most secret papers were found the bookes of the inchanter which vndertooke to preserue the city from the plague whereby it was suspected that the Pope came in with the mightie working of Sathan c Bâ—cholcer When the Monkes had read Luthers bookes of Vowes they dissolued their vowes and went out of their Monasteries So in many places the monasteries in a short time were left emptie and reduced to a wildernesse and cage of euery vncleane bird and other vses The Nunnes laid aside their latine Psalter and put off their habite began to leaue their cloysters to marrie and keepe house Two Monkes were burned at Bruxels for Luthers opinions Erasmus disliked this kind of proceeding Luther esteemed them as martyrs Ann. 1523. Clement the seauenth f Lanquet ann 1524. sent his Legate Campegius to the Princes assembled at Norimberge requiring them to punish the Lutherans and not to be discontented that the money which was paid out of Germanie was not bestowed against the Turkes as was promised The Princes required answer of their requests made to the Pope which were to ease them of the grieuances which they sustained by the Pope and the Clergie the Legate answered that the Pope esteemed them as hereticall and therefore not to be granted for they repent not The Indians confederate against the Portugals g Fox Mart. alii The Senate at Zurike when the Papists had refused disputations abandoned mens traditions proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to bee purely taught out of the old and newe Testament Against their Bishops minde they pulled downe images and that all fowles might be fedde with their flesh disposed of the lands of the Clergie banished the Masse The like was done in Tigurine h Geneb p. 1123. The Ethiopianâ— offer obedience to the Pope and to follow the beast i Lanquet Sharpe warres betweene England and Scotland The Bishop of Argentine summoneth the Priests before him but the Councel of the citie withstood him not suffering him to exercise iurisdiction ouer them So that the kingdome of the beast is darkened The Emperour goeth in his own person to fight against the French king a Par. Vrsp p. 460. Georgius the Marquesse of Brandenburge great master of Prussia receiueth the word of God b Geneb p. 1110 Guice Par. Vr. p. 460. The French king was taken prisoner by the Emperour whereupon the Emperour resolueth to make himselfe Monarch of Christendome c Gerardus The Turkes preuaile in Hungarie and besiege Vienna but are driuen from thence In d Peuc Par. Vr. Germanie the people affect libertie e Sleid. 6 f. 92 b. The Electors sonne of Saxonie vnto whom was espoused the Emperours youngest sister is married with the daughter of the Duke of Cliâ—ue For the Emperour departed from his promise confirmed by writings because of the change of religion and his Embassadours did openly say that Faith is not to be kept with heretickes f Geneb p. 1116. Millaine Ferrara England Venice all Lombardie g Par. Vrsp p. 472. and the Pope Clement doe make a league against the Emperour Charles the fifth But the next yeare after h Par. Vrsp p. 472. c. Guicc Iouius Rome is taken and sacked by the Emperours armie When the armie was at the siege of the citie and entring the Pope would not beleeue the newes trusting vpon his Apostolicall thunderbolt which he sent forth against the armie in these wordes We doe excommunicate Charles called the Duke of Burbon Generall of the armie with his whole armie consisting partly of Lutheranes and partly of Maranes calling the Germanes Lutheranes and the Spaniards Maranes But the armie entred and vsed
word of God and against his armie that followeth him e Lanquet f. 232. b. 233. a. But the seuenth of August at Mechlin the Emperors pallace was set on fire by lightning the plague of heate and by that meanes were burned 600. vessels of gunpowder which were prepared for these warres against the Protestants and with the same were burned 800. houses and 18,000 men women and children f Sleid. 17. Sleidan doth report it somewhat otherwise g Buchol Ann. 1547. Apr. 24. In these warres the Emperor tooke the Duke of Saxony prisoner and also the Duke of Brunswick Wherefore in the h Apr. 27. principall Church of Misna publike thankes were giuen The same day was the same Church by a phiall of the wrath of God consumed with fire from heauen Hermannus the Archbishop of Colen who had reformed his diocesse by the commandement of the Pope and Emperor was remoued from his place l Specul Traâ— p. 61. For he refusing the pleasures of sinne and following the Lambe was content to leade a priuate life rather then that his Churches should not be reformed m Geneb 1128 Edward the sixth King of England abolished the sixe articles which his father made against the Lutherans and abrogated the Masse n Fox alij and the Gospel was againe restored in England that the kingdome might be our Lords o Buchol Ann. 1548. The Emperor made a booke to reconcile the Papists and Protestants in some sorts intituled Interiâ—a which like the sixe articles of Henry the eight bread much trouble Hereupon arose a schisme amongst the Ministers of the Gospel called the warre for indifferent things by their deliberations whether and how the booke of Interim was to be receiued or refused Vergerius who had been the Popes Legate going about to confute the Protestants became a Protestant Iulius the third a p Fox Mart. p. 1477. monster for blasphemie Anno 1550. in a rage calling for porke he said he would haue it in despite of God and defended his like rage for a Peacocke by the example of God that was angry with Adam for eating the forbidden fruite a Geneb pag. 1134. 1137. In this time the warres were hot against the Protestants There came a Nestorian out of Syria c. to be admitted by the Pope The Nestorians are reported to ascribe to the Pope many high and great titles that they also might be knowen in some sort to follow the beast b Concil Trid. This Pope continued the Councell of Trent c Geneb 1136. 1552. Sleid. lib. 22. At this time also the Protestants contend very egarly about the question of Iustification for the arke of the couenant is seene d Buchol Ann. 1552. Mauritius Duke of Saxony made warre against the Emperor for religion and for the Landgraue in these warres the Councell of Trent was scattered peace giuen to the religion and the Princes are set at libertie which had been prisoners for the beast is taken and with him the false prophet Paulus the fourth c 1553. Geneb p. 1133. Queene Mary recalled papistry into England and a grieuous persecution was moued by her against such as professed the Gospel f 1555. Fox Marty There were also most strange and cruell persecutions and warres raised vp against the Waldenses in Angroine Lucerne Saint Martin Perouse and Piedmont And g Lanquet f. 367. in England was made an act for the punishing of such as they called heretikes and for the confirmation of the Popes power From this time to the end of her raigne were burned in a manner an infinit number of godly learned constant and faithfull martyres h Bucholcer In two yeeres about eight hundred men died by diuers kinds of punishment in England for the Gospell i Lanquet f. 377. a. In August the last yeere of this Queene after the dangerous feuers which began a yeere or two before was so great a pestilence through out England that three quarters of the people were consumed in it k Buchol Ann. 1557. At Wormes was a conference betweene the catholike Clergie and the Ministers of the Gospel In the beginning they disputed learnedly of the rule which the Church was to keepe cap. 13.15 in iudging of controuersies The Catholikes as they be called said the perpetuall consent of the time was the rule for the image of the beast is permitted to speake The Ministers affirmed the writings of the Prophets and Apostles with the Creedes to be the onely rule of iudgement For the word of God hath the crowne set vpon his head and iudgeth righteously l Ex Com. Gall. lib. 1. The same time in Salâ—e Iames streete in Paris 120. faithfull Christians following the word of God were assembled in the night for diuine exercise of preaching and Sacraments where being discouered they were by the beast and false prophets most cruelly persecuted here there were many warres for religion in France the faithfull standing vpon their garde m 155â— There raigned in England the most gracious mighty and most Christian Queene Elizabeth who abolished popery called home exiles gaue reward to the prophets reduced the feare of God and by her continuall opposition against the enemies of the Gospel declared her selfe the most sincere defender of the faith a Fox Mâ—â—t p. 911 a. One Mâ—lius a gray Frier interpreting and defending in Italy by Lecture and disputations the doctrine of Saint Paul to the Romans was answered by certaine Cardinals that it was true which he affirmed but the same was not meete for the present time because it could not bee taught nor published without the detriment of the Apostolike seate that had giuen it selfe to deceiue Pius the fourth b Geneb 1156. entring the Scots receaue the Gospell Anno 15â—â— c Hunij Labyriâ— Iâ—iriti Clauis Scriptura At this time were diuerse bookes in estimation amongst the Papists which were published against the authoritie of the scriptures As the writings of Cusanus that said that the scriptures are to bee fitted to the times and diuersly to bee vnderstood So that at one time it is to bee interpreted according as the vniuersall state of the time shall runne and when the rite of the time is chaunged the sense of the scripture is also changed for these men hold not that Gospell to bee eternall the commandeeÌ„nt Search the scriptures to iudge the time is turned into Search the time to iudge the scripture Ludouicus also maketh an oration to the Councell of Trente in which he affirmeth that the Pope the traditions customes and antient fathers of the Church haue authoritie aboue the scriptures or al that is called God Verrâ—â—â—i â—â—iteth to the Pope that the Pope and Councels are aboue the scriptures and blasphemeth that hee may determine without aboue and contrary to the scriptures * cap. 13.15 for the image of the beast must speake Peresius in the court