Henry the 8. and was crowned at 9. years of age In the 2. year of his reign he did so much towards reformation that the Church-service was turned into English In the Kings Minority the Duke of Somerset was made Lieutenant Protector but not long after was committed to the Tower and after was beheaded at Tower-hill King Edward about 16. years of age fell sick and died when he had reigned 6. years 5. months and odd daies An. 1554. After the death of Edward Lady Jane wife to the Lord Clifford fourth son to the Duke of Northumberland was proclaimed Queen as given to her by Edward the 6. But Lady Mary eldest daughter to King Henry had the grater party and so came to the Crown She soon restored the Pope Cardinal c. to his former Supremacy over England and dashed the reformation begun and appointed the Church-service again in Latine To make sure Queen Mary beheaded the Lady Jano Clifford the Duke of Suffolk the Lord Clifford and others to take them off from laying claim to the Crown Yet she did not sit quiet in the Throne But to compleat her sin she drunk deep of the bloud of the Saints and sent many multitudes to heaven in fiery chariots The Queen married Philip Prince of Spain Yet the Lord shut up her womb that she had no child and cut her off when she had raged over the Saints in this Nation 5. years 4. months and odd daies Anno 1559. Elizabeth sister to Queen Mary now came to the Crown she again rejected the Pope and did something towards Reformation of Religion She had great honour in the hearts of the people and was a terror to forain Nations and reigned 45. years An. 1604. After Queen Elizabeth James King of Scots descended from Margaret daughter to Henry the 7. came to the Crown of England He was a man of much learning and writ divers Books But his practice answered not his light and professions How he passed over the death of his son Prince Henry was observed by many and how the Lord reached him at last many have said more then I will write King James sawyed the Scepter of England Scotland and Ireland 22. years 3. days An. 1626. Charles succeeded his father James Contrary to the counsel once given by King James to Heary his son Charles did marry with Henerietta Maria of France a Papist and gave her the liberty of her Religion by Articles of Marriage By her interest Popery was advanced through corrupt Bishops and the true worship of God was little known in England what the life of Charles was is yet fresh in the memory of most alive at this day He set all the three Nations on a fire that yet is not quenched nor is like to be In England Ireland and Scotland the sword hath spilt the bloud of many thousands and as he was worthy the Lord gave him bloud to drink who was beheaded at White-hall West minster January 30. An. 1649. when he had born the Crown 24 years 10. months and 7. days Thus as in a Map I have represented some remarkable passages in the rise and succession of Kings from Saul to our present Age. If this little be laid up in the minds of men by this taste you may judge much of all their Lives and Reigns that is vailed under the Curtain To my best skill I have only run down sacred and prophane History and have taken the relations of others and written their Stories But if so much wickedness came to light what was done in the dark that is open to the all-seeing eye of Heaven Surely a woful sad burden have this sort of men I may well say Monsters been to all People and Nations where-ever they were And that the Dragon the Beast and all their limbs shall be utterly destroyed by Jesus Christ who is King of Kings I question not I am perswaded the work is now upon the wheel and as Jesus Christ is imbraced here will appear more and more to clear up to the Saints another way of governing his people then yet we see There is nothing hinders but our unworthiness But if I may discover what I see yet afar off I conceive the Governours call'd and set up by Jesus Christ shall be like Jesus Christ himself humble self-denying Saints such as shall set up a publike and not a self-interest Such as shall ease burdens and not oppress Such as shall deliver the poor and not seed upon them Such as shall guide the people by the rule of Gods sacred word and not make lust and self-will their law and force it by a long Sword For certain if the Lord did not leave wise-men to themselves they could not but easily reade their own ruine by multiplied examples in all times God is the same yesterday to day and for ever And in the same way that God did manifest his righteousness and justice under the sacred Scriptures the same hath been the Lords providences and dispensations in the world ever since the Scriptures were written and as the Apostle expresseth it These things were written for our examples upon whom the ends of the world are come I may say sin was the rise of Monarchy sin hath been the strength of Monarchy and Monarchy hath been the punishment of sin ever since it was Therefore when the sin of Kings grew high the Lord stirred up some to punish pull down these Kings by the shedding of much bloud and exhausting of treasure But when such had got into the Kings State they did the same that the King did before them when their sin again was full the Lord raised up others to destroy them and their Families And this is the track of times But when Jesus Christ is truly received there shall be an end of this proud oppressing sort of men the Saints shall rule then judgement and righteousness shall run down like mighty streams Now for the accomplishment of these blessed promises wait and pray till Christ say It 's done AN EPITOMY OF PAPACY THat there was a Gospel Church in the City of Rome in the times of the Apostles is clear by Divine authority And that this Church of Christ had ordinary Church Officers Bishops and Deacons I think there is no question But the better to discover the Roman Antichrist two things have been in debate amongst the godly 1 Whether the first Bishops of the Churches of Christ had and did exercise by power given from Jesus Christ a Lordly and Soveraign Jurisdiction over the Saints in their particular Churches 2 Whether the power of one Bishop or Pastor by the institution of Jesus Christ did extend to divers Churches The judgements of many learned men are published to the World upon these needful questions yet I desire to assert my thoughts in this place First That ordinary Church Officers
ought not nay may not put out a Lordly Soveraign power over the Church or Brethren is plain to all that will read it 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. Secondly That ordinary Church-Officers have not any power or charge given them over diverse Churches is plain from Scripture and Reason When Paul called the Bishops together and spake to them all present yet he presses every one to take care of his own particular Flock Acts 20. 28. If any through prejudice should seek other glosses to put upon this text to hold their own opinions they let goe natural reason and deal worse with Christian souls than they are willing to doe by their flocks of Sheep Certainly a Shepherd that takes charge of divers flocks in several places is very like to Rot them all But my business is to gather an Epitomy of the Papacy that the rise and growth of this proud scarlet Whore who rides the Roman Empire may bee yet more perfectly discovered and that the Antichrist of Rome may appear to bee the very Whore of Babylon shadowed out in Types and Figures unto John in his Revelations The Gospel was no sooner preached by the Apostles but Satan had some ministers ready to pervert the truth of it and turn away Disciples The Apostle Paul not only describes but discovered the working of Antichrist in his time Paul said then the Mystery of iniquity doth already work 2 Thes. 2. 7. that is in that very age pride end usurpation of false teachers corruption of Doctrine and Discipline grew fast on and many were drawn off from the simplicity of the Gospel to Idolatrous and Superstitious practices through ignorance and blind devotion It cannot be denied but that the first Bishops of the Church of Christ in Rome were many of them sound in the faith and sealed the truth of the Gospel with their bloud in Martyrdome yet in those times Heresies and Sects in Religion grew fast and after more and more I shall pass in silence all the first Bishops and begin with Elutherius the twelfth Bishop of Rome Elutherius was chosen Bishop of the Church at Rome in the fifteenth year of Antonius Verus the Emperour Anno 178. and governed that Church thirteen years untill this time the same Doctrin and Order in the Church which was left by the Apostles was observed in the Church of Rome In his time England received the Christian Faith and when Lucius the British King sent to Rome as a famous Christian Church and desired Elutherius to send them the Roman Lawes the good Bishop not dreaming then of a Supremacy modestly refused it and referring of the Christians to the Books of the Old and New Testament to gather out Lawes from thence urged this reason The Roman Lawes and the Emperours Lawes we may ever reprove but the Law of God wee may not out of them take yee a Law and by that Law rule your Realm of Britain At this time there was a Sect followed Marcus who denied the real suffering of Christ and that there was no resurrection of the Flesh and therefore lived in Adultery Victor succeeded Elutherius In his time there fell a great difference between the Eastern and Western Churches about the time of Easter or the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some observed it upon the fourteenth day of the Moon after the Jewish Passeover some upon the Sunday following Upon this contention many Synods of Bishops were called in all parts and so Victor called a Synod at Rome where he himself sate President In this Synod at Rome Victor took upon him to Excommunicate the Churches in Asia because they conformed not to the practice of the Western Churches But this insolent attempt of Victor was stoutly opposed and Victor overcome Soon after this Victor dyed when hee had governed twelve years anno 203. At this time sprung the Heresie of Artemon the Disciple of Theodotus a Tanner who denied the Divinity of Christ. Zephyrinus was the next Bishop of Rome and governed eighteen years Anno 221. In his time was Neotus who denied the Trinity of the Deity He called himself Moses There were also the Sect Melchisedechiani who held Melchisedech to bee greater than Christ. Some taught also that the Soul dyed with the Body yet rose again at the general resurrection Calistus now took the Chair and continued five years and dyed Anno 226. Urbanus followed Calistus and governed eight years Anno 234. Pontanus succeeded Urban and continued six years Anno 240. Anterus came next to the place It is Historied that when the Church was met upon the death of Pontanus for a new Election a Dove setled upon the head of Anterus and so the multitude cried out Anterus is worthy of the Bishoprick I repeat this as a Popish relation yet possibly this might be one of Antichrists Miracles to deceive which after were more frequent But however Anterus entred he held his honour but one Month and gave way to Fabian Fabian was Bishop of Rome and dyed a Martyr in the seventh Persecution raised by the Emperour Decius Anno 254. Cornelius followed Fabian and ruled three years Anno 257. Lucius followed Cornelius and kept the Sea not full eight months About this time was Novatus who called the Sect following him Puritans Hee refused to receive into their Fellowship again those that fell though they shewed their repentance He also denied second Marriages Stephen was chosen next Bishop of Rome and ruled two years Anno 260. In his time it was much controverted whether Hereticks converted or persons baptized by Hereticks should bee again baptized Also in Stephens Government some Bishops deposed in Spain and Africk fled to Rome and sought to bee restored by the authority of Stephen It seems Stephen was willing to close with such an opportunity or else in a brotherly way the Bishop of Rome writ to the Bishops of Spain and Africk to receive again those Bishops deposed the Bishops of Rome made other use of it in after times But whether Stephen writ to command or desire yet the Bishops to whom Stephen did write returned answer That the offenders running to Rome could not have those just Censures past upon them reversed c. Xystus came next in place and governed eleven years Anno 271. About this time the Heresie of Novatus was revived and some Bishops corrupted with it Dionysius governed nine years and died Anno 280. In this time were the Sect Origeniani These denied Marriage yet lived worse than Beasts using vile ways to keep Women from conceiving with childe Faelix had the next turn and ruled five years Anno 285. Eutychianus followed Faelix yet governed but ten Months Caius then had the rule of the Roman Church and continued fifteen years Anno 300. At this time the Heresie of the Origeniani was broached afresh by Adamantius a Priest in Alexandria and much increased These held there was
but eight months and dyed Anno 607. Boniface the fourth succeeded and governed six years Anno 613. Deus-dedit came next to the Sea and governed three years Anno 616. Boniface the fifth now took his turn these times were troublesome and these Popes found much opposition but to all the rest they did greatly corrupt the Worship of God and in a little time they brought in Prayers for the dead Invocation of Saints the Liturgy in a strange Language and abundance of Jewish and Heathenish Ceremonies This Pope continued five years Anno 621. Honorius the first came next to the Papal Dignity but though the name and title of universal Bishop was given to the Sea of Rome yet Papal Jurisdiction was much resisted by the Bishops Honorius hoping to subject the Bishops sided with Adelwaldus fifth King of the Lumbards who raised an Army against them but the Bishops had the better in that Battel and Honorius carried not his design at that time To give a demonstration that infallibility was not yet tied to Peters Chair Pope Honorius fell into the Heresie of the Monothelites and denied two Natures and two Wills in Christ. For this Heresie hee was condemned in the fourth Council of Toledo by 289 Bishops Also in this Council it was decreed That the Book of the Revelation should bee read in time of Masse that all men might the better know and arm themselves against Antichrist who gave life to the Beast the Roman Empire This Pope was said to rule 13 years anno 634. Severinus the first came next to rule as yet the Pope was under the jurisdiction of the Emperour and every Pope confirmed by the Exarch for the Emperour lying at Ravenna Upon the election of Severinus the Exarch made him stay a year and half for confirmation and hee lived but half a year more and dyed anno 636. Boniface the sixth succeeded Severinus and ruled two years anno 638. Theodore the first had the Papal seat he strongly pursued the claim of Jurisdiction over the Bishops but was stoutly denied it yet Victor Bishop of Carthage gave him this Title stuffed with Blasphemy To the most blessed Lord and our Honourable Holy Brother Pope Theodore c. Theodore had the Sea five years and dyed anno 643. Martin the first followed Theodore he was a great undertaker and thought to carry great things but assuming too much upon the Bishops of the East the Emperour Constans gave a check to his ambition who caused him to bee brought Prisoner to Constantinople where he dyed in banishment when he had kept Peters Chair eight years anno 651. Eugenius succeeded Martin but in his time divers Councils were held without his privity and hee could not help it He governed two years and dyed anno 653. Vitalion had the Government and not inferiour to any of his Predecessors for a high mind John Bishop of Lampeon being condemned by a Synod under Paul Arch-bishop of Candia John appealed to the Bishop of Rome who retracted the sentence of the Synod and absolved him but John was still kept out of his Sea At this time also the Arch-bishop of Ravenna under the Popes nose rejected the Supremacy of Rome But the Pope being repulsed in all the Countries about him purposed to seek honour in places further remote It is said about this time Austine the Monk was sent into England but instead of spreading the Gospel and converting souls they here broached their Popish Fopperies the Latine Service Organs Altars Tapers c. were brought into England The Popes Agents also stirred ignorantly devout Princes to inforce their Subjects to use and practise this way of seigned Worship and the better to advance the main design as the Agents found ambitious men thirsting for preheminence above their brethren these were taken into favour and honoured with preferment But the issue was by these means to bring in the Pope and transferre Causes to Rome Vitalion bare rule 15 years and dyed anno 668. Adeodate followed Vitalion the Arch-Bishop of Ravenna coming to that Sea refused to bee Consecrated by the Pope of Rome and for that offence Adeodate Excommunicated the Archbishop and the Arch-bishop paid him in his own coyn and excommunicated the Pope of Rome and this was all the Pope yet got This Pope kept the Sea five years anno 675. Domnus came next to the Pontifical Throne he continued to fight the Papal Combate for desired Supremany and what by power and what by policy he at last subjected the Arch-bishop of Ravenna to Peters Chair Anno 680 Domnus rejoyced in this addition and lived two years after it anno 682. Agatho next took Peters pretended Chair and being lift up in Domnus his uniting Ravenna to the Roman Sea hee openly pronounced That all Decrees made by the Sea-Apostolick ought to be received as if they had proceeded from St. Peters own mouth But the pride of the Prelate staid not here but writing to the Bishops he stiled himself Head of all the Churches and in a Letter to the Emperour he blushed not to say That unto that day the Church of Rome had never been stained with any Error neither would be by vertue of that promise made heretofore by our Saviour to Peter Agatho kept his happy place but two years anno 684. Leo the second held the Apostolick Sea but ten months Benedict the second followed Leo in his time he obtained of the Emperour That hee who should bee elected Pope by the Clergie People and Souldiers should have all the power at Rome and not seek to the Emperour for confirmation This was no small step to lift up the Dignity and Tyranny of the Roman Sea into the Imperial Throne but Benedict lived not out the year John the fifth was chosen according to the new establishment but dyed quickly anno 687. Upon the death of John there fell a division about the election the Clergie chose Peter the Army chose Theodore the contention was great and neither Party would yeeld but at last they all pitched upon Conon a third person and he was made Pope yet lived but eleven months anno 688. While Conon was yet sick Paschal an Arch-Deacon made a Party for him and promised large monies for Voyces but at the Election there were many stood for Theodore and some for Paschal The division was great and so lasted for two months and to prevent bloud and mischief they took Sergius a poor Priest out of the throng and made him Pope When Sergius was lift up to this high Dignity hee had nów the spirit of a Pope so that when the Emperour Justinian sent to him the Books of the general Councils to subscribe to them Sergius denied it Hereupon the Emperour was justly displeased and sent to apprehend him but Sergius so plaid his Game
that by the help of the Souldiery he kept his Chair and slighted the Emperor continued his government 13 years anno 701. John the sixth followed Sergius he still sought to promote the Papal Dignity as not having what was aymed at The better to perswade John to subscribe the General Councils Justinian sent to him a Confession of his Faith but John also refused it and gave this reason Because of certain Articles in them which were contrary to the Church of Rome This Pope ruled three years anno 704. John the seventh took the next turn but by this time the Popes of Rome began to grow great in the world and did cause others to know it The Eastern Empire was now brought low by the Lumbards in the West and the Saracens in the East that the Emperour was constrained quietly to put up all affronts from the Pope and speak him fair too It is said also that Aripert King of the Lumbards to keep John on his part gave to the Sea of Rome the Cottian Alpes Anno 705. yet John kept the Sea but three years anno 707. Zosimus the second came next to the Papal Dignity yet held it so little time that some Historians pass him by without naming Constantine followed next but did improve his time above many his Predecessors Upon offence given by the Patriarch of Constantinople to the Emperour he sent the Patriarch prisoner to Rome thinking thereby the more to please the Pope Anno 708. as yet the Emperours Exarchs at Ravenna kept the Pope under that he could not work his will but in this Popes time the Souldiers conspired against Justinian slew him and made Philipicus Bardanes Emperour By this means the Eastern Empire was brought near to ruine and a door was opened for the second Beast to enter Philipicus coming thus to the Empire thought to doe some eminent act to please the good people and so made an Edict That all Images should bee puld down in the Churches upon this the Pope took occasion to cast off the Emperor pronounced him an Heretick and forbad the people of Rome to receive the Emperours Commands his Image on their Coyn or mention him in their Service This was not so much an Excommunication as a final Deposition of the Emperour and soon after hee had his eyes put out and thrust out of the Empire This was the first Pope that proceeded so high against the Emperours and this doth sufficiently evidence that the Antichrist is now come and hath taken his Throne All this was accomplished by Constantine who governed seven years Anno 714. Gregory the second succeeded Constantine and was not inferiour to any that went before him in Pride Policy or Tyranny It is said that this Pope was so expert in Conjuring that he was called Gregory the Diabolist At this time Leo Isaurius General of the Emperours Army put down Theodotius from government and set up himself Emperour and having a little respit from the Saracens he renewed the Edict of the former Emperour against Images and hoped to maintain it in Italy But Gregory called in the Lumbards and by their help routed the Emperours Army now Gregory and the Lumbards shared Italy and by this means a huge Dominion was added to the Church Though the Lumbards had done the Pope great service in this expedition yet Gregory casts how to clear Italy to the Sea of Rome It seems the Pope feared a complyance of the Lumbards with Charls Martil of France who now grew great and to engage him for the Church Gregory sent an Ambassador to Charls with a present of the Keys of the Holy Sepulcher and St. Peters Chain These unheard of Relicks were greatly accepted and Charls Martil ratified an accord with the Pope Gregory did this for the Sea and after he had ruled seventeen years departed Anno 731. Gregory the third succeeded Gregory the first Hee Decreed in a Synod That whosoever would not doe religious honour unto Images should bee cut off from the Body and Bloud of Christ and the unity of the whole Church At this time Thrasamond Duke of Spoleto intending to revolt from Luitprand King of the Lumbards he fell in with Gregory and to ingage the Church on his Party Thrasamond delivered into the Popes handsome strong Holds which he had kept for the Lumbards and upon this ground the King of Lumbards raised an Army and came against the Duke and worsted him in that Battel The Duke fled to Rome and the King demanded him of the Pope but the Pope refused to deliver him thereupon he laid siege to Rome Gregory was now sore puzled and sent for Charls Martil to interpose upon the perswasion of Charls the King of Lumbards raised his siege and returned into Pavia and in that year Gregory dyed when he had ruled ten years Anno 741. Zachary next took place and carried on the main design stoutly and now an opportunity was offered to compleat the work Pipin Master of the Kings House to Childrick King of France had a great desire to get into the throne yet had some scruples how to be absolved from his Oath but in a little time Pipin was informed that the Pope had the power of Christ and St. Peter and could doe all things Pipin dispatches away Ambassadours to Pope Zachary about the businesse At first the Pope made a pause and thought the attempt vile but considering of what advantage this might be to the Roman Sea he put on impudence and exercised all his power Zachary deposed Childrick absolved the French people from their Allegiance and gave the Kingdom to Pipin This was such an ingagement upon Pipin that hee must not refuse the commands of his new Father the Pope and as a requital to Zachary Pipin drove the Lumbards out of Italy and gave the whole Dominion to the Church of Rome This Booty did so please Zachary that in token of thankfulnesse he confirmed Pipin in the Kingdom of France gave him the title of most Christian King and to answer this new kindness Pipin prostrated himself kist the Popes feet and sware Fealty to him Thus you have the advance of Antichrist and the ingagements of the French Crown to Peters Chair I need not seek further for the discovery of that Man of Sin that Son o Perdition spoken of by the Prophet and Apostles nor need any a sharp sight to discern him sitting in the Sea of Rome Now was that word of the Lord perfectly fulfilled spoken by the Prophets and Apostles who described the Antichrist by several marks some of which I will here observe These are the Prerogative Royal of God Almighty to dispose of Kingdoms and pardon Sin so that he who shall assume these out of the Hand of God is the Antichrist as described at large by the Apostle Paul and both these Pope Zachary took upon