they cannot answere Catholike arguments nor touch the Pope for or in his life yet will they slaunder all the Popes assistantes Bishoppes and Priests with their old worne out termes of Papists popery c. The Cardinals as is well knowne be Princes men of no small vertues of the greatest grauity learning and ciuility in the world maintaining vertue and learning and iustly punishing vice and heresies in all places refusing many of them no labours nor paines to helpe the poore vphold Gods Church amongst whome our late Cardinall Allen of blessed and worthy memory a most rare man and father to this country as all good english men the Christian world besides knoweth deserueth not the least praise and they be called Cardinals amongst other reasonable causes for this reason because euen as the doore is stayed and hangeth of the bookes so vnder Christ and his Vicar the safegard health wel doing of the flock of Christ is sustayned and dependeth much vppon the vigilant care and wisedome of this most graue senate their prudent mature ounsel Yf any of them as men do offend as is seeldome seene the Pope as iudge ouer all next to God leaueth it not vnpunished As for Bishoppes and Priests heere in our country of old though many of them most reuerend vertuous men yet wee are not bound to defend the liues of all but such as were naught indeede be the shame of your ministers and their new broched heresie for who but loose Priests and religious men of lewde life were ready so greedely to teceiue heresie yea became the first brokars of heresi as in Germany Luther a runnegat naughty Fryer Bawdy Bales heere in England many mo not worthy memorie And who resisted and dyed rather then they would yeeld to sinne and heresie but good vertuous mē indeede Who more learned wise graueand vertuous then John Fisher ate Bishop of Rothester who for that hee would not yeelde to the Kinges vnlawfull desier nor conseut to abrogate the Popes authority who neither would nor could dispence with the King in a thing contrary to Gods law whereof he fell out with the Pope and so you see vpon what groundes here in England begane heresie This holy Bishope I say nothing consenting vnto the Kinges vnlawfull desier in putting away his wife forsaking the lawfull Pastor of his soule the Pope whereby hee forsaw all heresie and mischiefe would follow Most gloriously in the defence of the Catholike and Apostolik faith apposed him selfe as a wall for the house God and sealing that in acte which before hee had preached and thaught by worde most constantly and victoriously shed his bloud So did that wise and honorable learned man Sir Thomas Moore so the Moncks of the Charter-house who at their death praying for the King and realme sealed likewise the truth with their bloud not like heretickes in Queene Maries time that at the stake like hell-houndes barked against the Pope and rayled against the Queene and state dying as furiously and obstinatly as these Martyrs in King Henries time our Priests in this Queene his daughters time die meekely and constantly and no meruaile for heretickes be Martyrs of the Diuell as Catholickes bee Martyrs of Christ For as S. Augustme saith It is not the death but the cause that maketh the Martyr For heretickes in his time were punished justly by Christian Princes yea some desperatly of olde killed themselues as we see now some wicked peruerse persons doe so that voluntary to die you see is indifferent both to good and badde So that our Sauiour called not euery one blessed that suffer persecution but such as suffer for righteousnesse sake Chap. LXXV Of Antechrist forerunnners of his falselymg signes deceits of his intollerable Luciseriā pride subtilty and short raigne though most violent persecution of his life birth death and ministers HEretikes then dying against the truth which is Christ what other be they then Martyrs of Sathan very Prophettes and fore-runners of Antechrist which most wicked man against the latter day shall come in all salse and lying signes and wonders flatly denying 2. Thes 2. Christ and God extolling himselfe above God as saith S. Paul with such subtilty that the very elect if it were possible should be deceaued But our good Lord IESVS for his elect sake will shorten those perilous dates For as we gather out of the holy Prophettes especially the Apocalips of Saint Iohn he shall Dan. 11. leb 12. 13. 14. 17. 19. 20. raigne but three yeares and a halfe whome our Lord IESVS shall destroy with his power yet in that short time he shall so persecute the Church that all the persecutions we now seele or that euer were since Christ be but as it were a shadow in respect of that of Antichrist For as the power of God was in Christ to conuert and win soules So by Gods sufferance all the power of the Diuell shall be in Antechrist to peruert and deceaue men Though the Diuel shal not be incarnate in Antechrist as God was in Christ wherein not by confusion of substance but by vnity of person two distinct natures in Christ bee but one person This persecution shall bee both openly and secretly openly in might power slaying the innocent and secretly in his fore-runners that prepare his way before his comming and after his cōming in his ministers that by sleights wiles vnder the colour of vertue shal bring in all horrible sin vice deceauing the innocent simple sheepe He shal be borne as many affirme of a Iew of the tribe of Dan. See how far all these qualities be frō the Pope of Rome which the heretikes call Antechrist For Antechrist is as much to say as contrary or against Christ The Pope he most honoureth preacheth and causeth Christ to be preached Antechrist shal cal himself God the Pope calleth himself seruāt of the seruants of God Antechrist as some gather out of Genesis Fiat Dan. Coluber in via c. Shal be borne of a Iew. The Pope is cōmōly an Italian Frenchmā or Spaniard borne chosen for his vertue and learning out of these or some other christiā country The Iewes chiefly shall receaue Antechrist at his cōming whom they looke for as their Messias Sauiour to come conquer the whol world with great pomp and glory as our Sauifore told them that another should come in Ioh. 5. his owne name him they woulde receaue which al Fathers vnderstād to be Antechrist that the Iewes shal receiue in steed of Christ whom they crucified cōming in his fathers name To be briefe there hath from Christs time to this day bin many Popes but Antechrist borne of the tribe of Dan or of some other tribe shall be but one man as S. Iohn in the Apocalips affirmeth he shall slay Enoch Apocal. cap. 11. and Helie whome Christ shall sende to preach against his false miracles and to comfort his
being first truly iustified our proper iustification secondarily is the keeping and doing of the Commaundements of God as holy Zachary and Elizabeth the parents of Saint Iohn Baptist who contrary to the Hereretiks of our time that affirme that none be truly iust and that the Commaundements of God be impossible to be kept Luc. 1. 6. were both iust before God walking in al the CoÌ„mandements iustificatioÌ„s of our Lord. Which Commandements of god a man duly obseruing he may more and more as it were deserue by this second kinde of justification Gods grace merit his saluatioÌ„ in this second kind of iustification whereby of a just man a man is made more iust a man must laye to his hande and worke with God that first without our desertes giueth his grace and so Saint Paul calleth vs as it were Rom. 2. 8. workemen with God calling stirring vs vp first who for our greater glory reward in heauen wil not saue vs without 1. Cor. 13. Galat. 5. our owne works and indeuours but will rewarde euerye one accordinge to his This matter of justification then is not as Heretickes teach that a man canne bee saued by faith alone without any good vvorke or meritt of his owne or that a man canne meritte nothing for that it derogateth from Gods grace but rather when man first founded in true fayth thus vvith GODS grace vvorketh his saluation it is a higher commendation of his grace that so strengthneth our fraile vessells by his grace to worke our merit and saluation neyther must wee beleeue heretickes that say no man is iust in deed but that God so imputeth it or is so accompted as that the iustice of God vvhereby hee is iust and iustice himself is imputed to vs so that the heretickes woulde haue vs to haue no true inherent iustice in vs but a kinde of imputatiue iustice as that mannes sinnes by Christ were not truly forgiuen nor quite wipte away cleansed to his great dishonour as though his vvorkes were vnperfect and we still deformed as hauing our sinnes but blotted and razed ouer not quite put away contrary to the Apostles doctrine who teacheth vs howe Christus nos saluos fecit pâ—r Baptismum 1 Peter 3. 21. that we be truly washed and sanctified in deed in the name of our Lorde Iesus and so haue true Iustice sanctification inherent remayning in vs not that iustice in vs whereby hee is iust but that Iustice is in vs whereby by his grace hee maketh vs iust Therefore you must affirme and stedfastly beleeue that a man in Christ is iust sanctified and perfect by Gods grace in his soule in deed though wee compare not our Iustice here with God no nor with his Saints in glorie Beware also of that vaine fiduce or no faith of heretikes whereby they say they beleeue they be iustified and know certainly they shall bee saued making them selues their owne Iudges For although euery one that beleeueth and doth well may be in good and stedfast hope of his saluation yet no man is sure thereof in this life without some speciall reuelation from God but rather must Worke his saluation with Phil. 2. 12 feare and trembling knowing that perseuerance to the end is the great gift of God when as the holy Apostle that was rauished to the third heauen did chastise his body and brought it in subjection least wheÌ„ he preached to others he himselfe might become a reprobate Chap. XL. Of Predestimation and that as no man is saued without Gods grace So no man shall bee damned without his owne fault and that wee must not curiously dispute hereof NEither must you beleeue that most cursed and damnable opinion of heretikes that say doe what you will if you be borne to bee saued you shall be or damned you shall be For God which is all good and iust will damne no man but through his owne fault nor saue no man but with his good will and labour wherefore if a man be damned it is his owne fault not Gods but if he be saued he is to thank God that he hath giuen him grace to work his saluation Truth it is that God would all men to be saued yet will he giue his grace effectually Nota bene that I euer mean that Gods good vvill and prouidence is of PredestinatioÌ„ and election the chiefe cause to none to be saued though not his foresight but his good will is the chiefe cause of predestination election but to those which he forseeth will worke his will and those be predestinate to euerlasting Saluation and be properly called his elect and be by God before all worldes predestinate to be saued not whether they doe well or ill as heretikes say but because God to whom al things be present * In this seeing of GOD I meane his good will is included which giuing meÌ„ grace to keepe his CommandemeÌ„ts is the chiefe cause of Predestination election as I said before seeth they will followe his will and Commandements and doe the thinges that be good and yet withall giueth them the grace fiâ—st effectually to doe those thinges whereby they may be saued Whereupon S. Gregory hath these wordes in his first booke of Dialogues and 7. chapter Obtinere nequaquam possunt c. that is to say Holie men or good men cannot obtaine by their prayers the things which haue not bin predestinate but those things which holy men doe bring to passe or obtayne by prayer are so predestinate or ordayned by God before all worldes that they may so obtaine those thinges by prayers for that very predestination of that endlesse kingdome also is so disposed of almighty God that the elect may comâ— vnto it by labour that so they in prayer or earnest desire maye deserue to receaue that which almighty God hath disposed to giue them before all worlds And a little after hee saith vvithout doubt it is plaine that Predestination is fulfilled by prayers vvhen as hee whome God hath predestinate to multiply his seede that was Abraham obtayned by prayer that hee might haue sonnes Now why God of his mercy chooseth some out of the masse of mankinde by his grace to be saued and â—ustly leaueth others to themselues not so effectuallye helping them vvith his grace that is his hidden and secret justice and judgment which wee are not to enter to discusse for none shall be vnjustly damned or without their owne fault For as we see though the Sunne shine neuer so bright if wee open not our eyes wee receaue no comfort therof so though Gods grace be abundant and ready for all shining rounde about yet none bee pertakers thereof but such as by Gods speciall grace will open the eyes of their soules to followe Christs example and keepe his holie precepts which by Gods helpe which is ready for all a man may doe Neither is it our parts as heretikes doe much to meddle
opinion be properly termed Heretikes Now lett vs see to which Church this marke Catholike is proper and agreeth and you shall find it to belong to no other but only to that church which Heretikes call the Popish or papistical church but she it is which they so scornefully miscall which is in deed the true Catholike church For our church and true Catholike faith and religion which they terme Papistry is common to all countries wheresoeuer heretikes be but yet Protestants or to speake more plainly heretikes be not in euery place where catholikes be as â—or example heretikes as Lutherans Caluinists or Protestants Puritans Anabaptists and the like sectaries deuided from the Catholike church be here openly in England Scotland Ireland Denmarke Switzerland Iseland partlie in Bohemeland yea in some corners of France Polony Hungary and in some prouinces free states rebells to their lawfull Princes in the inferior and higher Germany For in very few places else in all Europe saue these by me reckoned shall you find any hereticall estate To omitt then that all these countries many hundred years togither before they euer hard of these new heresies were al catholike yet at this day be they neuer so heretical you shall finde amongst theÌ„ some opeÌ„ church of the catholiks such as stick not to profes their faith with losse of liberty goods liues as here in England though Gods church be opressed by heretiks with taxes impri sonments death more then any christians be in the world yea worse thaÌ„ vnder that open professed enimie of Christ the Turke who permiteth Christians to liue with liberty of coÌ„scieÌ„ce to haue their churches Masse opeÌ„ly wheras you see how Catholiks here for their faith lose al their goods two partes of their lands cannot enioy that quietly neither but pilledwith euery apparitor purseuant cast in prison restrained of their liberty and susteining the like notable iniu stices disgraces knowne vnto you already to long to speake yet notwithstanding be they neuer so sore opressed beggered or consumed yet they liue after their death new arise in their places so that you wante not at euerye assises and sessions in euery shiere towne in England Catholikes that there be openly called vpon and ready to professe their faith besides many hundreds that lye this day in prison as in Yorke Hull Norwitch Wisbitch where be aboue thirty priests together most learned and reuerend men whereof some haue beene prisoners thirty yeares and aboue an hundred Priests or there-abouts haue beene within the same time hanged drawen quartered for the same cause though it is giueÌ„ out to the people it is for treason wherof they be most innocent as may appear by their milde death where they euer pray for conuersion of the Queene and Realme for recouery only whereof to the Catholike Faith Religion they be trained vp in virtue and learning in other countries and sent hither backe againe besides many lay men and weomen yong and olde of all degrees most noble personages and of interiour sort and condition haue and doe suffer to the open testimony of the world imprisonment and death for the Catholike cause So that you see here for example in England though neuer so poore and persecuted yet by Gods gratious mercy and prouidence be Catholikes and an open professant Catholike congregation The like might be saied of Scotland Ireland Germany and other countries that looke wheresoeuer heretikes be yet Catholikes be amongst them openly I say knowne to the world But yet the church of Christ is in farre more large noble worthy countries wher no heretike dare openly shew his head no nor at all or rarely be found as in the greatest countries of Europe the corpes of Christendome as in those most noble Countries In france god he blessed though the state publike be Catholicke yet both publikly and priuatly I graunt heretikes chiefly Italy Spaine Sicily and for the most part in the chiefe and famous cities of Fraunce Portugall and the like prouinces Kingdomes and dominions adioyning by North and South of those Countries where God be blessed the Catholike faith and Church hath free liberty vse for preaching Sacraments and ceremonies but very few heretikes or none to account in respect in the most of those mighty Regions that dare opeÌ„ly avouch their absurd monstrous heresies which they deceaue the simple souls with al here in EnglaÌ„d other obscure corners of the world like lurking theeus that be ashamed to shew their faces before men In somuch that at the last generall councel of Christendome holden at Trent where the most of all the learned Bishopps and Doctors of Chistendome were gathered together to dispute and appease controuersies in religion the heretikes of this country and of all others in the world being sommoned to appeare and hauing free liberty giuen them to say what they could for themselues with sufficient securitie of their saufe conduct to and fro they like men of cancred and guilty consciences knowing the naughtines of their own cause durst not appeare nor shew their faces before the lawfull Iudge graue Senate and councell of Christendome but like subtill foxes in their dens kept theÌ„selus at home so by the consent of all christendome were iustly condemned for obstinate Heretikes Ouer and besides al these couÌ„tries abouenamed where you see by Gods grace the Catholike church is openly persecuted or free and in peace there be other countries in the world neuer heard of but of later yeares which now be of late with wonderfull :: For miracles vidâ— OsoriuÌ„ dâ— LusitanoruÌ„ gestis IteÌ„ MaffeuÌ„ maxiâ—e Epistolas Indicas Iaponicas ver bi gratia The Reuâ— rende Father Franc. Zâ—uier his body was found vncorrupte sweet and of an odoriferous sauour some months after his death I omit the report how he raysed a dead maÌ„ This holy Zauier first in our age preached Christ in Iaponia The Iaponians though they be as faâ—re or rather farther distant from the Roâ—anes theÌ„ the Anâ—ipodes yet they be not properly Antipodes but in â—ome sort Antiesi or quasi Antiesi for that part of the world which is directly oppositâ—â—o Rome is partly it seemeth Sea partly terra incognita miracles conuerted to Christs faith religion both in the East and West Indians insomuch as about 9. yeares past in the latter end of the time of Gregory the thirteene of blessed memory I my self saw there three young Princes come to Rome that came from the vttermost coasts of the earth out of a Country called Iaponia who bee Antipodes to the Romanes that is their feete contrary to theirs they were 3. yeares in comming and all to visit the bodies of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul to acknowledge their dutifull obedience to the Apostolike Sea and to worship Christ his Vicar here on earth they were as worthy receaued with great applause of all Christian states and Princes in Christendome
auouch can prooue because we are authorised by Christs holy word that in S. Peters chaire that is when any of S. Peters successors defineth a matter of faith intending to binde the vvhole Church though in priuate as a man he may erre otherwise yet therin he neuer hath nor can erre as being assisted by Gods holy Spirit For the benefit of the whole Church I haue prayed for thee Peter Luc. 22. 32. that thy saith may not faile said Christ in somuch that we reade of none that euer herein quailed that gods word may be true Nay in the olde Testament before Agg. 2. 12 Christ when there was doubt of any matter of religion they had recourse to the high Priest those of the stocke of the Leuites in whome God euer conserued true faith though in a number it quailed in Israell But the heretikes wheÌ„ they cannot answere by reason authority then they turne to scoffing rayling either commonly by lying or else like cursed Cham as he did at his fathers secrets scoffe in scoffing and deriding the same So doe they in discouering sinnes and defects of Popes Prelates of the Church deride their parents though in deede aboue thirty of the Popes next after S. Peter did all suffer martyrdome for Christ and many glorious Saints and Doctors were of them since that time Who more eloquent then S. Leo who more holy then S Grâ—gory which both were Popes with many moe But these heretiks maliciously conceale if there were any that as men had sins or defects those they publish to the world We graunt in deede that Popes as they be men may sinne but why for that O heretike dost thou slaunder the chaire of S. Peter wherein the Catholicke faith shall euer vndefiled continue Why dost thou not remember that God can shewe the truth by an euill man yea by a dumb beast what did not Caiphas though an euill man yet for that he was the Bishop and high Priest spake true prophecying of Christ that it was expedient that one Ioh. 11. 50 shoulde die for the people that the whole should not perish Nay did not Christ him selfe say Vpon the chaire of Moyses doe Math. 23 2. 3. sit the Scribes and Pharisees doe that they say but doe not as they doe for they say and doe not If therefore any Pastors of the Church lead euill liues they shall beare their owne burden neither ought wee to follow them therein but to doe as they bid vs that is to follow the truth touching matters of faith wherein the the chiefe Pastor cannot erre yet if we see defects in our spirituall Pastors it is not for vs as heretiks doe to slaunder them vncouer their defects and that which is worse to forsake the true faith for their sakes but rather with holy Sem and Iaphet to couer their nakednes or as that Christian Emperour Constantine did who said that if hee saw a Bishop doe a thing inconuenient he would rather couer it with his cloake then reueale it The reason is that Godâ— name the truth for mannes fault should not be blasphemed Yet God be blessed the Church of Christ hath euer in al Countries had some good Pastors wheras amongst heretikes can possibly be none good Chap. XXXIII Of Gods seuere punishment of diuers for arrogating to them selues Priestly office and howâ— wee are to obay our Pastors BVt admit that many were bad of life must therefore Gods ordenance bee altered and therefore any temporall King or Prince yea that which is more absurd tinckers and coblers take vpon them to be Pastors and rulers in spirituall causes O why doe they not remember and be afraide how Allmighty God of olde from time to time punished such Luciferian pride and intollerable presumption and arrogancy Chore Dathon and Abyron with Numeri cap. 16. a number more of their conspiracie who being not called or chosen of God to the high Priestly office and function and yet sacrilegiously would presume to to offer insence and doe Sacrifice did not fire from heauen consume them the earth swallowe them vp quick to hell to the terror of al generations That false King Ieroboam that vpon the Altar 3. Reg. 13. in Samaria offered sacrifice did not god strike him lame And in like sort did he not plague those perfidious treacherous kings of Israel with sundry plagues from time to time for their rebellion against that Catholicke Iâ—da that Preistly Princely tribe his holy Church Nay did not God strike Oza with sudden Oza 2. Reg. 6. death but for only touching with desire to vpholde the same the arke of God but a figure only of Christs very or misticall body the Church not to bee touched or gouerned by lay men but by Preists Bishops lawfully called by God as Aaron was For to them and to none other Christ gaue charge of his â—locke at his departure nay there was neither King nor mighty Prince of many yeares after Christs time that were Christians and yet the Church neuer waÌ„ted her head gouernours in spiritual matters those were the Apostles Bishops their lawful successors vnto whoÌ„e the holy Apostle exorteth vs to submitt our selues saying Obedite praepositis vestris Heb. 13. 17. subiacete eis obey your Prelats c. for they watch as to giue account for your soules such Priests as rule gouerne the Church wel the holy Apostle 1. Tim. 5. 17. accouÌ„teth worthy double honour those that labour in doctrine in preaching the truth For to them the holy Apostle gaue the charge Attend saith he Act. cap. 20. 28. to your selues and the whole flocke wherein the holy Ghost hath ordeyned you Bishoppes regere Ecclesiam Dei to rule or gouerne the Church of God By these and many like places of holy Scripture it appeareth that not temporall Kings Princes but lawfull Bishops be gouernours and haue supereminent power and authority in the Church This that noble Emperour Constantine that was the first Christian Emperour that most honoured enriched the Church sonne to S. Helene that noble Empresse that went pilgrime to Hierusalem and miraculously founde out the holy Crosse this I say he well considered that it was the office of a King to be head of temporal matters in the common weale only as to execute iustice to punnish the offenders to rule and commaund in taxes tribute and in martiall affaires but not to be ruler at the Altar not to be head in the Church not to giue first censure or iudgement in spiritual causes in so much that this noble Emperour being called to that first and most holy general Councel at Nice where in the Arrian heretickes 1300. yeares agoe were condemned vvoulde sitte at that Councell in no other place but in the lowest place of all acknowledging right worthely Priests and Bishops in spirituall causes his farre betters and superiours he well knew his duty and would
of old but also of latter yeeres God euer be blessed for it Cuius manus non est abbreuiata approue them to be Saints canonized with GOD indeede as hauing their names writteÌ„ in the book of life whose worthty and famous memorye for all generations shall neuer decay Chap. LXXII Wherefore he weareth his Crowne is borne of mens shouldrrs suffereth deuout persons to kisse his foote THe hereticks say the Pope is proud for that men kisse his foote beare him on their shoulders and that hee weareth a triple crowne the like first for wearing a crowne they ought not to blame him for he is not only Bishop but also a king ouer that country and citty requisite it is for him his couÌ„sel the Cardinals to beare some shew of maiesty and estate otherwise the infirme people that must bee houlden in awe would despice and not obey them Againe if God suffer wicked Princes to haue glory and raigne it is for the glory of his name then that sometimes his deerest seruants may haue peace and honor euen vppon earth for the comefort of the faithful that infidelles may haue lesse cause to triumph and blaspheme the name of Christ as though he could not exalt his Vicare and Steward but would forsake altogeather his dearest seruants As for being borne of mens shoulders yt is for that he may the better be seene of the people as he passeth to Saint Peters Church of some solemne feast that they may all see him and haue his blessing which they could not a nomber see yf he went in the throng whereas there is such presse sometime of such a high feast many thousands being gathered together so great is the deuotion of the people to serue Christ honor him in his Vicar and visite the bodies of the holy Apostles In that some of deuotion kisse his foote though he command nor require any so to do yet considering for whome they do it that is that it is for Christ whose person by Gods prouideÌ„ce he representeth he dissaloweth not their deuotions and we se therein the word of the holy Prophet in some sort according to the letter verefied that before Christ prophesied Inimici eius terram lingent that his enemies shall licke the earth that is those that sometimes were enemies to Christ as Rome was before it receaued CHRIST faith afterward shal become so obedient subiect to Christ that they shall worshippe his very footestoole and not only kisse his foote but the very earth his Vicar treadeth vpon Moreouer whereas Saint Gregory Saint Leo and all holy Fathers Popes in that seat writt of themselues though most humble men yet I said they affirme of themselues that they supplye the place of Saint Peter and CHRIST yet This I heard of such inhabitants â— Rome thaâ— well knew it that this was the custome of Pius quin tus and Gregoriâ—â— 13. as euery one may easely perceiue they bee most humble and lowlye men of themselues in so much that the Popes that now bee in their owne persons giue audience and will heare and helpe the cause of the poorest men in the world yea once euerie day from his most waighty affaires the Pope alotteth a tyme to heare himself the complaints of the poore insomuch that in his writinges such is his humility he termeth himself with no higher a style then calling himselfe alwayes the seruaunt of the seruaunts of GOD. Chap. LXXIII Why heretickes haue euer slaundered the Pope and how GOD turneth their malice to the benefitte of his elect and how heretickes be forerunners of Antichrist and of Christs victory ouer his enemies in his Church ANd yet will hereticks can the Pope proud that with al humility watch and care seeketh their saluation both night and day But it is not without cause heretikes slaunder and barke against the Pope for they like wolues as long as he the lawfull pastor is sound cannot haue full scope to inuade and deâ—oure Christs slock and therfore as holy Fathers doe note it hath euer bene the manner of heretiks to bark against the Pope yet see how God can turne all to the best for truly the brabling most impudentiying of your Ministers against the pope gaineth them litle for it giueth some occasion that neuer almost heard of the Pope to enquier further what he is and so finding him in the end to bee Christs Vicar and Pastor of their soules by good enquirie of the truth they forsake their woluish Ministers as liers and enimies to Christ the truth who because they be Antechristians themselues therfore the more primly to goe masked vnknowne them selues they call the pope Antichrist not vnlike to that drab and vnnaturall mother whereof we reade in Scripture that that hauing oner-laine her owne child malapertly would haue faced downe the naturall mother and haue had her liuing child in keeping But wise Salomon decided the matter So you see it is the property of naughty women euer to sclaunder the good that their owne naughtines may either seeme more tollerable or lesse suspected So I say this corrupted whore of Babilon this strumpet heresy euer slaundereth the good woman the natueral mother the spouse of Christ his Church but especially the head thereof Christs Vicar the Pope calling him Antechrist Christan Rome Babilon and the like wheras as I declared they themselues indeede be very antichristians preparers of Antechrists way his prophets and very forrunners and their many folde heresies bee nothing but a very heape of deadly damnable dregges corruption a very babilonicall confusion But Christ our true Salomon the wisdome of his father hath and euer will iudge and discerne our naturall mother his deere spouse the Catholike Churches cause will restore her weeping for her children lost wilv according to his promise preserue his Vicar her lawfull pastor the Pope in all truth that his faith shall neuer faile and send the drabbe and strumpette of heresie and sinne packing and make her folishnes and wily deceipts knowne vnto all men yea will cast her into the fiery lake burning with fire and bristome in sacula saculorum world without end Where all her fawters that maintained her here and fledde not out of her be time al Kings Princes and nations of the worlde that with her whordome were corrupted shall crye Woe woe Babilon Babilon that great Citty is falne downe and so of the cupe of Gods wrath with her shall they drink for euer who were corrupted with her prostitution and who folowed her plefures and delights here in this life When Christ in his Triumphant Kingdome the Church spight of that olde Dragon the strumpet and all her Merchants shall raigne for euer Chap. LXXIIII Of the assistantes of the Pope as first of his Cardinals and why they be so called also of religious men Priests and Godly men of this time that dyed Martirs and of the dying obstinately of heretickes HEretickes to shew all their spight when