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A12807 A plaine exposition vpon the first part of the second chapter of Saint Paul his second epistle to the Thessalonians Wherein it is plainly proved, that the Pope is the Antichrist. Being lectures, in Saint Pauls, by Iohn Squire priest, and vicar of Saint Leonards Shordich: sometime fellow of Iesus Colledge in Cambridge. Squire, John, ca. 1588-1653. 1630 (1630) STC 23114; ESTC S100545 402,069 811

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promoting the Papacy when he laid claime to the double power both Ecclesiasticall and Temporall In insinuation whereof at his solemne Iubilie one day hee appeared unto the people in his Pontisicalibus or Popelike apparell but the next attired like the Emperour And finally more solemnly and arrogantly Extra Tit de majoritate minor obedientia C. unam Sanct. Ecclesia●● subesse Romano Pontifici omni humanae creaturae declaramus dicimus desinimus pronunciamus omnino esse de necessitate salutis he pronounceth it as his definitive sentence that No creature can be saved who is not subject to the Clementin unica de jurament Pope Anno 1325 Iohn 22 or 23 did not desire that the light which he added to the Popish blasphemous usurpations should bee put under a bushell when hee made his additions to the Decretalls and in his Extravagants or Constitutions wherein he claimeth authority superior to the Emperour and little inferiour unto God All these particular Popes have proclaimed themselves to be Antichrist and all the Papists in their generall popish Councill of Constance cry Concil Const Sess 13. Amen Etiamsi Christus instituerit administraverit sub utraque specie Sacramentum Although Christ did institute and administer the supper of the Lord in Bread and Wine Nonobstante Notwithstanding Pro lege habenda sit The Church of Rome doth command it as a Law that no Lay man shall receive it but in one kind onely Thus about the fourteene hundredth yeare of the Lord did the Man of sinne who sate in the Temple exalt himselfe to the top of the Temple Afterwards Pius the second and other active Popes did adde as it were certaine scaffolds to raise their Monarchy a little higher Especially that Pius plotted how to Epist Pij 2. ad Princ. Turcarum anno 1532. bring the Turkes also under the Popes authoritie To which purpose he presented their Emperour Mahomet with a large laboured learned letter but the barbarous Prince was not capable of such a transcendent mystery of Christianity His predecessor Eugenius the fourth attempted a little lesse and atchieved a little more when anno 1438 at the Florentine Pless Myst progress 62. Concil Florent Sess ult Synode he enforced Ioseph Patriarch of Constantinople to kisse his feet and enticed Palaeolagus the Emperour with some few Greeke Bishops to acknowledge the Pope to be the Head of the universall Church The deniall whereof Pope Pius made the maine cause of the irreconciliable Epist Pij 2. ad Princ. Turcar. Hist Papatus cap. 7. schisme betweene the Graecian and the Romane Churches The memoriall whereof I conjecture to bee the cause of that triumphant posture which the Popes to this day usurpe in their Chappell setting their feet on the brasse picture of the Constantinopolitane Patriarch But in the 1500 yeare and time of Leo the tenth the Papacy was mounted up to the pinacle of the Temple Then was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the uttermost of their growth and highest pitch of all the Papall exaltation as may appeare by these particulars Then it was disputed in his Schooles An Papa possit abrogare quod scriptis Apostolicis traditum Erasmus in 1 Tim. 1. sit Whether the Pope could abrogate what was decreed by the Apostles An posset statuere quod pugnet cum doctrina Evangelica Whether the Pope can command what is contrary to the Gospell An possit novum articulum sidei condere Whether he can make a new article of faith whether hee had equall power with or a greater than Peter Whether he can command the Angells to dissolve Purgatorie and whether he were a pure man or participated of two Natures like Christ Then was it preached before him Psal 72. 11. Concil Lateran Sess 9. Omnes Reges terrae adorabunt cum inservient ei all Kings shall fall downe before him all Nations shall doe him service And that hee was Leo detribu Iudae the Lyon of the tribe of Iuda Concil ●ater Sess ● Saciar Cer. lib. 1 sect 1. c. ● Lib. 1 sect 1. c. 4 Lib. 1 sect 2. c. 3. Lib. 1. sect 3. c. 3. Lib. 1. sect 5 c. 1. ● Lib 1. sect 6. c. 3. Lib. 1. sect 7. c. 6 Then was that Synopsis of Blasphemies dedicated to him the Booke of Ceremonies wherein he is termed the Prince of all Christians the governour Vrbis Orbis of the whole world that de facto the Emperour must hold his stirrup and Kings carry him on their shoulders that Emperours and Kings must wait at his Table that the Emperor must sweare fealty unto him that Emperours and Kings must kisse his feet that hee can give a full indulgence for all mens sinnes that Dominabitur à mari usque ad mare à slumine usque ad terminos orbis that is His dominion shall be from one sea to another and from the floud unto the worlds end which was spoken of Christ Psal 72. 8. and that Omnis potestas mihi data est All power is given to me on earth and in heaven which was spoken by Christ Mat. 28. 18. and so it proceedeth in like senselesse endlesse Blasphemies Then was it concluded for him by a Councill that of Lateran Papam esse Ecclesia Whitaker contr Bell. Contr. 4. Quaest 5. generali Concilio majorem That the Pope is greater than a Generall Councill or than the whole Church And that we may collect out of the abundance of what hearts these mouths did speake Then it was said of him that it should Pless Myst Progress 65. Pless Myst Opposit 68. be said by him that the Gospell of Christ was a Fable nullum esse Deum secredidisse and that he did beleeve that there was no God Let now any incredulous English Protestant who doth deride it as an incredible paradoxe to affirme that the Pope is Antichrist let any such imagine how their imaginary Antichrist can say and doe more Antichristianly than this man And then will I revoke this assertion which I yet apprehend to be an incontroulable truth The Pope is Antichrist but personally Leo decimus was Decumanus Antichristus In the yeare 1500 hee attained to the pitch of Antichristianity above all other Since that time the Papacy hath beene somewhat eclipsed in the lustre thereof yet so as Antichrist appeareth through his actions to this day as the Sunne doth through a thinne Trent Hist lib. 2. pag. 260. cloud at noone day An hundred yeares since the prerogative of Antichrist was nobly established when their last and great Councill of Trent was transacted with these two cautions Proponentibus Legatis salva semper authoritate Ecclesiae Apostolicae that nothing might be propounded but by the Popes Legates and nothing concluded against the Popes authority Whereby that great Councill was made but an engine to fortifie their Papall greatnesse Much about that time the Pope imitating the magnificence of his Father who would have
sin By both hee fulfilleth that in the first to the Romans and the last He doth not onely do things worthy of Death but hath pleasure in them which doe them But who is this Man this Paterne and Patron of all impiety the Rhemists call it Blaspemy we verity We say The Pope is The Man of Sinne both by Acting it in Himselfe and by effecting it in others Anno 1562. the Archbishop Trent Hist lib 7. pag. 588. of Granada and all the Spanish Bishops desired reformation in the Trent Councill saying that the Fountaine of all abuses was the Court of Rome which is not onely corrupt it selfe but the cause of Deformation in all the Churches This truth is also confirmed by that false proselyte Radix omnium malorum Spal●●●●●●s de Rep. lib. 4 c. 11. nu 11. est Romana Curia the Court of Rome is the cause of all evill For the first the personall sinnes of the Popes I passe that Onely because Suarez saith Suarez Apol. lib 5 cap. 17. nu 5. Christoph de Antichristo against Doctor Dounam Tris●gion lib. 3. cap. 39. that there were aliqui improbi not many and Christopherson in his catalogue doth not mention any evill persons amongst all the Popes I must therefore give a tast of other mens observations The learned author of the Trisagion saith that there sate in the See of Rome fourteene Popes which were Adulterous nine Simoniaks twelve Tyrants three and twenty Sorcerers and ten Traitors To which I must To●● Tor●i pag 219. adde what our Bishop hath delivered out of their Platina Monstra Portenta more then twenty Monsters of Mankind which sate and more than thirty Schismes were hatched in the Chaire of Rome And for the space of one hundred fourescore yeeres for the succession of Fifty Popes hee could reckon Vix unum Pontificis nomine dignum hardly one worthy to be called a Pope and that you may not H●m 2. lib. Whits 2. part sol 219 c. judge this to be a private judgmēt or mine to be a rash judgement reade the judgement of the Church of England fully to this point in the Homily for Whitsontide But I will remove my finger frō this sore which I had not touched had not their bragging Tongue cōstrained my Hand a little to discouer it Next to come to the life of the cause That the Pope is the cause of sinne it will be confessed if we consider onely this one thing There is a booke called Taxa Cancellariae Apostolicae where in print the Absolutions from sinne and dispensations for sinne are set at a certaine Rate Can any imagine a fitter introduction and a more imboldning incouragement for any sinfull man to commit any sinfull action This is much which I say but much more is said by one of their owne and best authors Claudius Espencaeus Liber palam ac publicè hic Cl. Esp●●● in Tit. cap. 1. Digres 1. impressus hodie ut olim venalis Taxa Camerae seu Cancellariae Apostolicae inscriptus in quo plus scelerum discas licet quam in omnibus omnium vitiorum summistis ac summarijs et plurimis quidem licentia omnibus autem Absolutio empturientibus proposita That is There is a booke publikely to be sold the Taxa Camerae whereby a man may learne more wickednesse than ever was comprised in all the summists and summaries of Vices which ever were set forth and wherein some may buy leave and all pardon for any sinne The same author proceedeth in the same place and point that that booke doth dispence with Adulterers Murtherers and Sorcerers Adulteros In cantatrices Homicides yea they absolve Parricidas Incestos contra naturam cum Brutis those that kill their Fathers defile their Mothers or that are so farre past grace that they commit that foule crime against nature By name for Perjurie Cap. 4. a villaine which hath falsly and willingly forsworne himselfe shall be absolved and the price of his Absolution is printed sixe grosses Cap. 3. or nine shillings and the same price is pitched for that child of the devill who out of a diabolicall lust shall defile a woman in the holy house of God in the very Church it selfe Thus also under Alexander the sixt the Cardinall Waldenses lib. 2. cap. 3. pag. 48. of St. Xist sent into Dauphine two bulls one by which he gave absolution for Simonie Theft Murther Vsury Adultery Detension of Benefices Destruction of goods Ecclesiasticall Perjurie yea Apostasie and Heresie All which may bee established by the Bella● de Pont. Rom. lib. 4 ca. 5. sect Quod. judgement of learned Bellarmine for saith he Si Papa praecipiat vitia prohiberet virtutes tenetur Ecclesia credere vitia esse bona virtutes malas nisi velit contra conscientiam peccare That is If the Pope should command vices and interdict vertues every person who would not offend against his conscience must beleeue that the vices are good and the vertues are bad And that none may surmise me to wrong Bellarmine or to wring his words beyond his meaning behold a like egge of the same bird Bellar. de Pont. Rom. lib. 4. ca. 2. sect Dein de Catholici omnes convenient pontificem aliquid statuentem sive errare possit sive non esse ab omnibus fidelibus obedienter audiendum that is all Catholikes doe accord in this that the Pope whether he may erre or no is yet to be heard with all obedience And Bellarmine doth but Blanch Bell. Recogn de Sum. Pontif. pag. 507. the Aethiop when as he would seeme to retract this paradoxe saying that hee did speake de dubijs actibus and in the last citation he hath in re dubia For the Powder Traitors propounding Abbati Antilog cap. 9. it as rem dubiam to murther a King and ruine a Kingdome at one blow from these principles if the Pope had returned the affirmative they must have obeyed him yea have beleeved that that vicious act had beene a vertue Tolet. Instr lib. 4 cap. 3. sect 7. nay as another Cardinall speaketh in another case they might have thought that bloody barbarous villany meritorious Let any patron of the Pope under heaven name any man or succession of men on the earth who have given the like incitements incouragements and commandements unto sinne And I will recant and confesse that I have done his Holinesse and the holy series of his predecessours much wrong saying that The pope is the man of sinne But principally the Pope is the cause of three sinnes hee is the cause of Ignorance of Whoredome and Treason Now if I can prove that the Pope is the cause of these 3 sins I have cause enough to conclude The pope is the man of sinne For the first If the Councill of Tolet hath defined Concil Tol. 4. cap. 24. right that Ignorantia est mater omnium errorum Ignorance is the
delusion on the Christian Romanes who extinguish the light of grace Such as goe out of the way with the candle in their hand demerite to have the Candle put out and themselves to wander in unextricable darkenesse Since the Romanes Malvenda de Antich lib. 4. c. 4. doe bragge of themselves that Rome is the Arke to preserve Gods Oracles that in Rome the Gospell of Christ hath beene sealed with the blood of two Apostles seven and twenty Bishops and of three hundred thousand holy Martyrs Now that these Children of such fathers shall so degenerate and these Successours of such Predecessours shall so apostate that they transgresse the Commandements of God to observe the traditions of men that they advance the honor of their Church above their love to the Truth Is it not now Gods just judgment to cast them into the Armes of Antichrist and for this cause to send them strong delusion In a word you have the absolute accomplishment of this Prophecy Consider what the Church of Rome hath beene what it is and what Rom. 11. 33. it shall bee O altitudo Lord how unsearchable are thy judgments thy wayes past finding out To end but I must not end thus These judgements on them are for another end to cause Gods mercies unto us These things happened 1 Cor. 10. 11. to them for ensamples to admonish us upon whom the ends of world are come Wherefore Let our Church which standeth take heed that it doe not fall If the glorious Church of Rome did fall what may bee the fate of the Church of England which in old time was but an obscure part of that Body whereof the Romane Church was the most illustrious member Let us therefore consider and decline the cause of their obstinate Apostacy They did not love the Truth I would I could wipe away this blot from the face of our English people I feare I may pronounce that saying of Saint Augustine Aug. ep 121. concerning Africa Tanquam servus sciens voluntatem Domini sui non faciens multis vapulet The Church of England know their Masters Will but doe it not And therefore we deserve to bee beaten with many stripes and the Pope to gather the Rod. God may justly send on us strong delusion To which I may adde what Saint Augustine addeth in the same Epistle Attendunt quanta celeritate Evangelium praedicatur sed non attendunt quantá perversitate contemnitur that is we rejoyce because there is such plentifull preaching of the Word but wee doe not lament to behold the common contempt of the Word Require you an instance I neither flatter nor slander Clero Anglicano c. it is Campians scornefull exprobration The people of England saith hee love preaching but not their Preachers Gladly would I apprehend an Apology but the Truth must be confessed In England we have many Colossians the Word doth dwell plentiously amongst them Colos 3. 16. But very few Galatians who will give their eyes for their Pastors or that which they may spare somewhat better then their eyes And the ground of our reformed unkindnesse is the selfe-same of the Romish blindnesse custome Let not your Charity be offended at my Verity I suppose there be few Parishes through Englād but the Preacher if he be their Pastour and comformable then though his paines be never so great and his gaines never so small yet they thinke the phrase of Laban Genes 29. 26. will justifie their actions and Conscience in the sight of God and man Non est nostro loco consuetudinis it is our custome and it may not be broken Yet passe not your censure as if I did winch because I am galled as if a personall dislike did put mee into this passionate declamation No I thanke my God and my Parish too my Parish doth give me supplies for my labour in a poore Vicaridge But beloved this ought not to be done in Israel If men doe love the Treasure they cannot despise the Vessell although it bee earthen though their Pastours have their Personall infirmities And certainly this judgement of men shall not escape the judgements of GOD though they have custome to pleade for them I will not say with Saint Augustine Dabis impio Militi quod non dabis Sacerdoti that you take from your Preachers to treasure for souldiers I say not so the Bodie of Christendome hath bled enough already The Lord prevent future effusion for IESVS CHRIST his sake But I may tell you out of my Text Ideo mittet Deus operationem erroris for this cause God may send you strong delusion Those that will not bee perswaded by their English Preachers they may bee perverted by Popish Priests by strong delusions because indeed they doe not love the Truth It is the end of the Terme and may bee the end and Terme of our lives If I were like old Isaac Genes 27. 28. at my last end and to make my last Will and had but one Blessing to bequeath you my Beloved it should bee this blessing a blessed reciprocall affection betwixt the Pastors and people My heart could spend her last spirits in such a perswasion to leave this legacy of Love And blessed were I if I should so dye in the Lord For I should rest from my labour and that worke would follow me If it bee possible let the people and Pastours bee like Ionathan and David let them love one another as their owne soules If not so yet let them be like Abraham and Lot Let no strife bee amongst them for the Canaanites are in the Land the Papists will rejoyce and increase by our unkindnesse To stop their mouthes and to save our owne soules Let the Preachers feed the soules of the people and let the people feed the bodies of their Preachers both cheerefullie without grudging But I am a man not God I can speake to the eare not incline the heart that I must leave to the Lord. Only the Lord preserve us from a wicked custome and from all strong delusions SERMON XXIIII 2 THESS 2. 11. That they should beleeve a lye Popery supported by lyes The Primacy the Crosse ●opish lyes against the persons of Protestants Against Calvin Beza Luther B. King Q. Elizabeth Popish lyes against the profess on of Protestants Concerning the Sacraments our Government Preachers the Scriptures our Obedience to our King to our God Popish lyes concerning their Persecutions in England No Papist put to death for his Religion English Lawes against Papists THe verse containeth the passiue propertie or the punishment internall of those that imbrace Antichrist Wherein I have absolved two things I have shewed you an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one thing notable that they should bee seduced by strong delusion another admirable that they should bee so deluded as to beleeve a lye The admirable delusion is the subject of this Sermon Wherein two other things offer themselves to our admiration
Tostatus and Thomas put the Quaere if the Queene of the Sarazens with her whole kingdome would be baptized and become Christians conditionally that some Monke may bee given her for an Husband What should bee done in this case They answer negatively That a Monke might not marry no not such a Queene licet multae animae sunt manifestò periturae although many soules should undoubtedly perish by that refusall Now what may we conceive to bee the cause of this so severe an inhibition I conjecture it to be twofold the commodity and the glory of the Church of Rome Nondum erat ecclesia dotata saith Gerson the Treasurie of their Church would bee at a low ebbe if this channell were diverted Hist Trent lib. 7. pag. 680. And Pius 4. anno 1563 blamed the legates for permitting the question to be disputed because the affections of maried priests would fall from the Church to their Country I remember a fearfull saying of Arnobius Frequentius Arnob. lib. 8. pag. 771. in Aedituorum sacerdotum aut Monachorum cellulis quam in ipsis Lupanaribus flagrans libido defungitur I will not translate his sentence nor relate my owne sentence but I will conclude The Pope is homo peccati the man of sinne for he hath law to command it To close up all with one or two memorable additions Gravius peccat si uxorem ducit quam si domi Concubinam ●●v●at Costerus Coster Ench. cap. 15. Prop. 9 saith it is a more grievous crime for a Priest to marry than for him to keepe an Whore in his house And it is a ruled case of conscience Tolet Instit sacerd lib. 4. c. 21. amongst those Catholikes That a woman though she hath oftentimes lyen with other men yet she may say and sweare to her husband that she is no adulteresse with this reservation I never did commit adultery Tibi ut revelem with an intent to tell him But to put all whores and Taxa Camera cap. 13. whoremongers out of all feare they have pitched a publike price upon this Sinne. Their Taxa telleth us that a Priest might keepe a Concubine paying ten shillings and six pence and a Lay man may doe the same at the same rate If a man defloure a virgin it shall cost him Cap. 14. Cap. 15. nine shillings and seven shillings six pence must be payed by him that defileth his kinswoman Sarishariensis in Ep●st ad Coloss 4. 5. pag. 356. Caus z. Quest 7. in Gloss I will shut up all with that quotation of our learned Bishop out of their Canonists Pro simplici fornicatione hodie nemo deponitur Now none is deposed for simple fornication Now would I see him who will not see the Sunne can any deny this conclusion The Pope is the cause of whoredome The consequence whereof will hardly be waved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Pope is The Man of sinne The third and last sin wherewith I charge the Church of Rome that it is the cause thereof is Treason Treason Did ever Englishman think that any impudent hād shold throw back this durt into our owne faces yet is there a popish pamphlet to prove the popish Church to be Hierusalem or the mother of peace and our Church to bee Babel or the Teacher and practiser of sedition Iust like Athalia who was the Arch-traitresse her selfe 2 King 11. 1. yet shee was the first and fiercest to cry treason treason against others 2 King 11. 14. But whether it be our Church or the Church of Rome which is the shop where all treason is hammered let this discourse testifie The whole Series of the Popes for many centuries might well be called by the sirname of Vrbanus the third Turbani that is the troublers of all Christendome But I will not inlarge my discourse too farre pondere non numero I will produce a few testimonies but to the purpose and I wil end only with one authority and with one example which shall satisfie any indifferent person who doth impartially desire satisfaction Aquine is an old Artist in this and goeth Aqum 2. ●● q●●st 12. Art 2. plainly to worke Principe propter Apostasiam excommunicato ipso facto subditi ejus solvuntur à juramento fidelitatis that is if any Prince be excommunicated for Apostasie or falling from Religion ipso facto by that very act his subjects are absolved from their oath of allegeance Bellarmine driveth the same naile a little further Bellār de Pont. R. lib. 5. cap. 7. sect E●go ●●ia Si Princeps aliquis ex ove aut ariete fit lupus id est ex Christiano haereticus potest Pastor Ecclesiae cum arcere per excommunicationem simul jubere populo ne eum sequatur ac proinde privare eum dominio in subditos That is If any Prince of a Sheepe shall become a Wolfe that is of a Christian an Hereticke the Pastor of the Church the Pope may expell him by excommunication and withall he may command the people to follow their Prince no more and finallie he may deprive him from ruling over his Bellar. de Pont. Rom lib. 5. ca. 7. sect Quod si subjects And hee addeth a reason why this hath not beene frequently done Quia deerant vires the Pope wanted power to put it in execution And this certainly was the cause of composing that laborious but lying libell Monarchomachia whereby the wilie author would perswade credulous persons Hierusalem Hierusalem that the Papists are the most peaceable people in our whole land but desunt vires they want power There is the cause of their quietnesse and for ever may it continue unto them Thus have I the most and most learned of the Church of Rome avouching my accusation For Thomas is the leader to all the Thomists and few of the Iesuits will sticke to follow their Cardinall Bellarmine Nay not onely the Thomists and Iesuits but if they will subscribe to the Pope all the Papists must grant the cause though the title peradventure Treason is declined by them About the yeare 1253 Pope Innocent the Math. Paris pag. 844. fourth said of King Henry the third Nonne est Rex Angliae noster vasallus is not the King of England our subject ut plus dicam mancipium nay more is he not our slave Pope Monarchomach part 2. tit 3. pag. 372. Pius 5. indeavoured the deed but God be blessed deerant vires and ever may they armed our Northerne Papists to Rebellion against our famous Queene Elizabeth as it is confessed by impudence it selfe the Babylonish author Apologia Regis Iacobi pag. 77. of their Babel Pope Sixtus the 5. uttered in the Conclave a panegyricall Oration in the praise of that traiterous Monke who murthered Henry 3. King of France And finally Pope Vrbane 8. Maij 30. 1626. dated a Bull to Bulla Vrban 8. 1626. England to exhort all English Romish Catholikes to refuse the oath of Allegiance that
2 Thess 2. 7. saith the same English Author on the same place as an House is long a squaring and preparing in private but at length it is joyned and reared in publike The sense of the text the mystery of iniquity doth already worke is this There is a Diabolicall stratagem under the show of Religion secretly and cunningly to undermine and overthrow Christs true Religion which hath beene working even from the Apostles time to our time That Poperie is this mystery this is the point which by Gods assistance I undertake to make plaine at this season That your understandings and memories may follow my discourse the more easily I will chalke out the way by which I meane to lead your attention First I will shew you their quaerere and then how they did parta tueri the meanes of their gaining and of their retaining the Papall greatnesse Which two stratagems are two great mysteries In their retaining it which for our time involveth the inlarging of the Papacy also they use one mystery to inveagle men and another to intangle men they have their baits to catch them and their hookes to hold them Both which they practise by a secret undermining and by a subtle countermining of their opposites Each of those exploits is like the woman Revel 17. 5. the word Mystery is written in the very forehead thereof For the first how Saint Peter poore Peter rich indeed in spiritualls but poore in temporalls so poore that he was imprisoned by a Romane Magistrate Act. 12. 3. Crucified by a Romane Emperour and certainly the basest Romane subject would have spit in his face and trod on his necke if hee should have dared to have lift up his finger against the Romane Empire Eusebius lib. ●● 25. Moreover that the Bishops of Rome his successors did succeed and exceed him in povertie they had more ordinary frailties but farre fewer extraordinarie abilities than Peter the whole succession was so poore that they were persecuted aboue 300 yeeres and so persecuted above 200 yeares that they met in cryptis in caves corners conventicles and had not so much as one Church for their religion Calixtus about the yeere 222. did build the first Church Platina in Calixto Discours des temps depuis les Apotres anno 222. for publike Christianity Now according to the parable propounded to the triumphant Tyrant how the Naile which was in the bottome of the Wheele should sensim sine sensu by a motion insensible and incomprehensible climbe to the top and bring the loftie Naile to the Counterpoint How the Romane Church which was vnder foot should rise up and bring down the loftie Lordly Lording Romane Empire to be her underling and the whole Church of Christ together with it This is a wonder and this is the secret and the Mysterie which Saint Paul saith did worke even in his time For the framing of this plot which they have so admirably effected at this day it is generally said that the Heresies which were sowne in the Apostles times were the seed thereof And indeed so they are in generall but I suppose that the more particular prosecuting of their plot was by the publishing of those two doctrines of Devills mentioned Read the 19 Sermon 1 Tim. 4. 3. forbidding of meates and mariage which we see at this day to be the two pillars of Popery in truth the Iachin and Boaz the very strength and establishing of the Romane Monarchie 1 Reg. 7. 21. Notwithstanding I conceive the maine engine for this stratagem to bee another point the point of the Primacie which was an hammering in the Apostles times Not onely that of Diotrephes who loved preheminence in the Church as Saint Iohn taxeth him in his third Epistle Nor that of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 1. 12. where some were for Paul and some for Peter there called Cephas But principally the Primacy attempted by the Church of Rome Rom. 11. 10. Be not high minded and in the 22 verse otherwise thou shalt be cut off For this instruction against Pride though it bee generall to the Gentiles yet is it more speciall to the Romanes And Saint Paul in the same place seemeth to me to Prophecie in two fashions first by way of instruction telling what they should then eschew secondly by way of prediction foretelling what afterwards would be their ruine Now let us briefly ponder how this project of Primacy hath beene prosequuted to this present age Wee see that the seeds of ambition were sowne in S. Pauls time But the power and persecution of the Romane Empire cut downe the blades thereof that their aspiring was fruitlesse for many centuries But at length the harvest of their pride became ripe and they have reaped their Primacy or rather supremacy by these degrees and devices The first which I finde to appeare in promoting Hist Popatus cap. 4. Euseb lib. 5. cap. 22 23 24. the Romane Primacy was Victor Bishop of Rome about the yeare 194 who ordained that Easter should be celebrated by all on the Lords day but therein he was instantly opposed by Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus and by Narcissus Bishop of Hierusalem and others Victor notwithstanding confirmed his decree by a Councill held at Rome anno 196 yet so Bardus Pavin in Chronico anno 196. Histor Papatus cap. 4. as that it was received onely within the Romane Diocesse About 240 yeares after Christ Fabius Bishop of Rome called a Councill at Rome and condemned Novatiane herein hee did somewhat goe beyond the bounds of his Bishopricke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 4. 15. Novatus and Novatiane being both Africans but the piety of the Bishops and the persecution of the Emperours of that age cut off all jealousie suspition or scruple that any Primacy was affected And the godly Christians were glad that Schisme might be composed by any men or meanes Two hundred and fifty yeares after Christ Steven Bishop of Rome incroched a little more Pless Myster progress 2. and more plainly upon Spaine where Basilides Bishop of Asturia and Martial of Melida being deposed because they had sacrificed to Idolls for feare of persecution Steven writ to the Churches of Spaine peremptorily for their restitution Three hundred and fourteene yeares after our Saviour Silvester obtained from the Emperour Constantine to build Churches and many other priviledges Whence his Successors plead also the donation of Constantine that hee gave unto the Pope Rome and a great part of Italy under the name of S. Peters patrimony Although Iohannes Diaconus in the Charter of D. Collins in Eudam part 3. cap. 46. Otho the third is discovered to have beene the father of that memorable fiction Anno 336 Athanasius being condemned by a Baronius anno 34● sect 5 6. Councill of the Arrians at Antiochia sought for succour from Iulius then Bishop of Rome who intertaining a good cause under the pretence to advance the authority of the Church of Rome
above the Easterne Churches commended the same to the patronage of the Emperour Constance But the Easterne Bishops wrote unto Iulius not to support Athanasius Iulius replyed that all might have recourse to Rome for succour as to the Superiour This they utterly disclaimed by divers Epistles to that purpose Notwithstanding Gratiane the Monke out of those selfe-same Epistles composed those Hist Papatus cap. 4. Canons whereby hee laboureth to prove the Popes Superiority Foure hundred yeares after Christ godly men to prevent tedious Law-suits chose Bishops their Arbitrators to compose such Controversies as arose amongst them Which arbitrary courses the Emperours Arcadius and Hist Papatus cap. 4. Honorius did not onely approve but moreover they authorised the arbitraments of those Bishops definitively to conclude all controversies first in causes of Religion afterwards in Civill Causes also ex consensu with the consent of both parties Hist Papatus cap. 4. In processe of time Iustinian assigned the Bishops to judge causes as Commissioners to the Emperour So long did the Emperours give leave till the Bishops did take leave to judge and by those priviledges to wrest the authority of Iurisdiction from the prerogative of the Imperiall Majesty Anno 413 Apiarius a disordered Priest of D. Sharp Dogmaticus Antich pag. 273. Africa being deprived by Vrbane his Bishop appealed unto Sozimus Bishop of Rome who sent three Legates to require the right of appellation from those African Bishops that hee might decide the controversie To which purpose his Legates alledged a Canon of Nice which those Bishops avouched to be forged because they had a Copie of that Councill For a full satisfaction they sent to Cyrill Bishop of Alexandria and to Atticús Bishop of Constantinople to conferre with their copies of that Councill but it was onely a copy of the Romish Bishops countenance such a Canon could not be found extant in neither Whereupon the Councill of Carthage consisting of 207 Bishops and S. Augustine one of them did condemne Apiarius and rejected the authority of the Bishop of Rome Neverthelesse Romish parasites have coined a strange fiction that certaine Canons of that Nicene Councill were burned by the Arrians Anno 450 Leo did persist in the promoting Leo ● in Anni ver die Assamp● Serm. 2. of that Primacy to which purpose hee did strongly insist on that Tu es Petrus Thou art Peter Matth. 16. 18. Petrus saith he Petra dicitur dum fundamentum pronunciatur Peter is called the Rocke to shew that he is the foundation Whence he frameth a conclusion for his owne purpose and person stiling himselfe Papam Ecclesiae Catholicae The Bishop of the Leo epist 12. ad Theodos whole Church omnium Episcoporum Primatem the chiefe of all the Bishops Anno 533 the Emperour honoured Iohn Baronius the second with a solemne Embassage and by it with an obsequious protestation that he travelled Omnes Sacerdotes universi Orientis tractus subjicere unire Sāctitati vestrae To cause the union and compasse the submission of all the Clergy of the whole Easterne Country to the Bishop of Romes Holinesse But about 606 Pope Boniface the third Dounam Derens de Antichristo lib. 2. c. 8 sect 5. so now I must stile the Bishops of Rome by that name for this Boniface the third was the first to whom the name Pope was appropriated I say this Boniface in that yeare upon the murther of Mauritius apprehended an occasion to insinuate Pless Myst Progress 21. Aimoinus lib. 4. cap. 61. himselfe in the favour of bloudy Phocas who gratified him with the title of Vniversall Bishop About 740 Pope Zacharies judgment being demāded whether best deserved the kingdom of France either he who had the Name only or hee who day and night spent himselfe in the service of the Commonwealth the Popes definitive sentence being pronounced for the latter as the better worthy of the Scepter Hence did France take occasion to depose their King translating the Crowne from Chilpericus unto Pipine And hence Rome did take occasion to claime power to dispose of that kingdome as this very example is alledged to that purpose by Suarez Apol. lib. 3. cap. 23. nu 15. Suarez in his Apology Towards the eight hundreth yeare Steven the third and Adrian the first joyned with Carolus magnus to expell the Graecian Emperour out of his Latine Dominions which being Pless Myst Progress 27. effected and so one good turne requiring another Charles being made Emperour of the West by the Pope the Pope received from Charles the Confirmation if not the donation of the City and Seigniory of Rome Thus far these Popes proceeded to some purpose Notwithstanding still the Pope was Histor Papatus cap. 4. subject to the Emperour till he beganne to incroach by a meere accident Anno 817 Paschal being constrained by the people to be Pope sent Legates to the Emperour to excuse that election The Emperour Ludovicus Pius being according to his name a sweet natured courteous Gentleman did easily admit of satisfaction yet with a check to the Clergy and to the people for their audacious act adding a caveat that they should no more dare to incroach upon his Royaltie Howbeit the clawbacke Library-keeper inserted this clause Ludovicus Pius did remit the power of electing the Pope unto Paschal the first Since which time the Popes have proceeded by more generall jugglings As namely by proposing preferments promotions and brave incouragements attractive Loadstones to invite the prime learned of the whole world unto Rome Keeping publike Registers of all the Benefactors unto Peters Patrimonie praying for the soules of such charitable persons being deceased One while trumpetting out the charity of the Popes another time sowing discord betwixt Princes that they might fish in troubled waters These made some pretty additions to their greatnesse till about 1080 Gregory the seventh so advanced himselfe against the Emperour that his successours have advanced themselves above the Emperour The Emperours at this day acknowledging themselves confirmed by the Pope and tendering a kinde of fealty to the Pope as the Sacrar Cerem l. b. 1. sect 5. c. 7. forme of their Oath is authentically extant written by Marcellus Archbishop of Corcira to Leo the tenth And thus Giges-like hath the Pope invisibly advanced himselfe into the Throne of his Master Having heard the History or Matter That the Church of Rome is made a Monarchy heare we next the Mystery Manner or the Meanes whereby this miracle was effected Which was so politikely prosequuted by such secret plots and super-subtle projects that their cunning cariage and cleanly conveyance of their purpose doth merit the title of my Text to be termed the Mystery of Iniquity The meanes which these politicians used as they were invisible so were they innumerable also I will reduce them to eight heads onely It is a memorable fact mentioned by our Fox Mart. t●m 1 1505. pag. 860.
among such Princes their agents blowing up the coales of contention which at length might flame out into an open combustion A cloud of witnesses might dissolve it selfe into a testimony of this truth but I have an instar omnium at the mouth of onely one witness it shall uncontroulably be established These are the very words of a great Pope to the great Turke of Pius the second to Mahomet As our Predecessours STEVEN ADRIAN Epist Pij 2 ad Princip Turc pag. 9. and LEO did call in PIPIN and CHARLES to their ayde against the King of the Longobards HAISTVLPHVS and DESIDERIVS and being delivered from their tyrannie they transferred the Empire from the Grecians unto these their Champions So may we in the necessity of the Church make use of your assistance vicem reddere and returne a retribution Even the translation of the Christian Empire to the Turke if his Turkish sword would make good the Popish quarrells An excellent motive to make the Turke turne Christian but more excellent to make Christians take heed of the Popes subtletie 6. Rather than their sword shall faile them Pless Myst Opposit 28. Pless Myst Opposit 40. they will sharpen it at the shop of Rebellion Gregory the fourth conspired with the Sons against the Father the Emperour Lewis Gregory the seventh instigated the Germanes to an insurrection against Henry the third the Emperour and invested Ralph the Duke of Burgundy with the interest to his Empire Paschal the second Pless Myst progress 42. Pless myst progress 51. excited Henry the sonne to rebell against Henrie the Father Gregory the ninth did infuse the same poison into the heart of Prince Henrie that hee unnaturally rebelled against his noble Father Fredericke the second All which wolvish attempts had this one Foxe-like scope that the Italian Cities by these meanes becomming free States and obtaining a new forme of government divide imperia would be lesse able to oppose the Popish affected Monarchy than if they had remained under the Emperour intire in an united subjection Seventhly to make these mysteries yet more mysticall they have Sepia-like overspred these acts with an inky darknesse forging and purging the ancient Authors that they make those old Writers to speake those things now they are dead which they abhorred when they were alive Their additions to Cyprian and Augustine Goulartius and Erasmus have declared their subtractions from other old authors their own Indices expurgatorij have sufficiently acknowledged And how they have extinguished all the writings of the Waldenses is more than notorious But their Triarij their principall corrupters are three learned men famous in their generations in three sorts of learning Gratiane who compiled all the old Canons in one body of the Decrees Peter Lumbard his brother indeed brethren in the Mystery of Iniquity who brought the Fathers sayings into his foure bookes of Sentences And Baronius who spent thirty yeares Casaub Epist Dedic Exercit. ad Baron imployment to comprise all the Ancient Historians in his Tomes All their indeavours meeting in this Center to advance the Papacy Gratiane making the Law Lumbard Divinity and Baronius History to speake what was sit for the corruption of that doctrine and ambition of those Doctors But what is the effect Notwithstanding their cunning conveyance the carefull eye of an impartiall Reader may discerne the foot-steps of Antichrist and Antichristian errours even in their writings And their labour preventeth mine it proveth my conclusion The mystery of iniquity is a working even in their writings 8. Finally the favours of Princes and Prelates hath the Pope framed to bee a rare furtherance for his Prelacy and Principality registring their voluntary actions of love and courtesie as precedents of their necessary observance and duty Thus Honoratus Bishop of Marseille and Possessor a Bishop of Africa sent Gennad de Script Eccles cap. 100. their Bookes peradventure to intreat their judgements to the Bishop of Rome the one to Gelasius and the other to Hormisda Hence Baron 1. 6. 490. Artic. 43 45 46 Bar. ● 7. an 520. Artic. 12 13 14. Duorenus de Benefic lib. 1. c. 2. Bell. de Imag. lib. 2 c. 13. init Suarez Apol. li. 4. c. 31. nu 13 ●ess de Antichr part 2 pag. 267. Bellarm. de P. R. lib. 1. cap. 8. L. Volumus C. de Epist Cler. Hist Papatus cap. 4. P●ess Myster progress 64. ● Baronius constraineth a conclusion therefore the approbation or suppressing of Bookes belong to the Pope The Ancients held the judgment of the Church of Rome in high esteeme and to it even their Councills had recourse as to the most solide advisers concerning their Canons and Constitutions But the Pope hath forced this their arbitrary reverence into a rule of necessary obedience that now there is no Councill above the Pope and can bee no Councill without the Pope Charles the great granted that the Clergie should be judged by their Bishops in all causes on which pretence the Pope hath arrogated power to determine all causes concerning all persons even against the Emperours themselves who gave them these priviledges at the first To give you a taste of many in this one example The King of France Charles the 8 having forcibly entred Rome yet comming into the Vaticane on his knees he kissed the foot of Pope Alexander the sixt and on another day he held the Bason and Ewre whilest his Holinesse did wash All which that humble Pope caused to be painted in a Gallery of S. Angelo as a pattern of Princes dutie which this heroick Conquerour did out of his redundant courtesie And thus have I discovered their Quaerere the History and the Mystery of their attaining their Papall greatnesse Thus much concerning their Mysticall Art in attaining now they are no lesse artificiall in retaining their greatnesse and in inlarging it in our times For which purpose they use both baits and hookes and both by way of undermining and countermining the poore Protestants First they undermine us Machiavil saith Mach. Hist Florent lib. 2. the old Florentines had a Bell called Martinella which was rung continually for a whole month together before their Army took the field that the Enemy might prepare for defence We must dreame of no such faire warre from our Adversaries the Papists will follow Machiavils policie not his History Therefore like the Beleaguerers of strong Forts they use secret Engines to blow up when suspect nothing but are secure as upon sound ground They undermine us admirably they have Engines and baits answerable to every Sexe and Condition Women especially devout women they worke wonderfully on and by for the spreading of Poperie They doe not onely creepe into houses and captive sillie Women as Saint Paul foresaw and foretold long agoe 2 Tim. 3. 6. But moreover they stirre up honourable women to persecute professours and to expell them out of their coast as the Iewes did at Antioch Acts 15. 50. Nay they surpasse
mine own I propose this method Observe here two things two workes the first of the Creator obduration God shall send them The second of the Creature obsirmation strong delusion In the last I will shew two points the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. That men are deluded 2. By what men are deluded The latter of these must involve the co-operation of the Agents and of the Patients the Activity of the Deluders and the Passibility Capacity or rather receptivitie and proclivity of the deluded Of these ordine retrogrado of the last first To which I will preface Precedents of some who have beene deluded in the same nature though not in the same Measure And as a Preface to that Preface I will premise the signification of the phrase what is meant by these words a strong delusion Strong delusion in the originall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The phrase is like it selfe very Energeticall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a Deceit or Cousenage and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is one who doth professe an Art of cousening men etiam spectantibus although they looke on them saith Eustathius upon Homer Let then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 passe for a Iugler and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Iugling But Antichristianisme is not onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sleight light Legerdemaine it is moreover 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an actuall and effectuall imposture Againe it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Genetive used in stead of the Adjective is very significative as Vir dolorum a man of griefe that is a most grieved man So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strength of delusion that is a most strong delusion Yea it addeth to the strength of delusion that the word strength is reiterated in the ninth verse is mentioned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strength of Satan in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strength of delusion So that what strength of delusion can be either hatched by Satan or acted by man this shall be al imploied to plead for Antichrist Excellently expressed by Occumenius on this text 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Oecumen in 2 ●h●s 2. 11. that is Saint Paul doth call Antichristianisme the strength of delusion that is a strong delusion and potent to deceive A delusion to make men desperately obstinate according to the Greeke proverbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 You shall not perswade them although you doe perswade them And according to Iob 21. 14. Recede a nobis viam scientiarum tuarum nolumus Depart from us for we will not the knowledge of thy wayes In a word men shall be so perswaded by Antichrist that all the world shall never perswade them from Antichrist that they will remaine confident Obstinate and immoveable in their errous This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their strong delusion These are strong delusions of Antichristians that they may not seem strange delusiōs to Christians impossible incredible I might alleage many precedents to avouch them Take a taste of a few onely Amongst the Hebrews in the old testament 2 Chron. 30. 5. a Decree was made and proclaimed from Dan to Bersheba that the people of Israel should repaire to the Passeover Here was the command of their King that they should doe what they themselves knew to be the Commādement of their God And although they professed themselves to be the Church of God yet being become Obstinate neither their King nor their God could perswade them Verse 10. As the Posts passed through Ephraim Manasses Zebulun the people laughed them to scorne and mocked them In the new Testament all the Oracles and Miracles which Christ spake and did could not perswade the Iewes to receive their owne Messias whom they looked for Matth. 27. 42. they said Let him come downe from the Crosse and we will beleeve him but their hearts knew that their tongues even then lyed For Matth. 28. 15. they themselves knew that he did more then come downe from the Crosse Hee came up from the Grave and yet they lay buryed in their obstinatenesse and gave money to disgrace him and to damne themselves This I thinke was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as I take it a strong delusion Amongst the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignatius ep 5. that is They are possessed with ignorance because of their affected madnesse saith Ignatius And Clemens complaineth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Clem Alex. Protrept that ignorance and obstinatenesse had transformed some into stones so hard were they against the impression of the Truth Amongst the Latines Saint Ambrose accuseth some perverse Ambr. in 4. ad Ephes people who were wont Mala quae noverint defendere ne viderentur cedere to defend points which they knew to bee false lest they should appeare to be put to the worst Cyprian telleth Cypr. ad Demet. Sect. 1. damned Demetrianus to his teeth Facilius est turbidi maris concitos fluctus clamoribus retundere quam tuam rabiem tractatibus coercere that it was easier to hallow to the tempestuous Sea than to appease his siercenesse with writing bookes Lactantius hath the like Si solem quidem in manibus gestemus sidem non commodabunt Lactant. lib. 7. cap. 1. ei doctrinae in wee could carry the Sunne in our hands yet would they not vouchsase credence to the apparent Truth To proceed further amongst the Africans Saint Augustine administreth a pregnant example Aug. ep 162. The Donatists did accuse Caecilianus unto the Emperor Constantine The Emperour assigned Meltiades Bishop of Rome and some other Bishops to the disquisition of that cause by whō Caecilianus was acquitted The Donatists appealed again from them to the Emperor were again condemned at Orleance by a Commission appointed by the Emperour Notwithstanding they appealed to the Emperour the third time who hearing their cause in his owne person and with singular diligence concluded Caecilianus to be most innocent condemned his adversaries for most perverse people For all this the Donatists persisted in their Schisme Nay he relateth yet a stranger obstinatnesse Aug. Epist 50. Bonif. then this Divers of the Donatists were so strongly deluded that they did kill themselves because they would not bee constrained to goe to Church Among the Iewes in the reigne of Theodosius Pappus Hist pag. 58. the Emperour there was an Imposter in Crete who perswaded them that hee was Moses sent thither to lead them into their Countrey through the Sea Whereupon hee brought the multitude vnto a Rock commanding them to cast themselves into the Sea with a generall warrantize against all danger and drowning Leape some did and drowned they were only the Marriners then there-by repressed the madnesse of the maine multitude But the Imposter conveyed himselfe out of the company And finally for the Mahometans at this day they terme themselves Ishlami that is men of one Mind Living in their Idolatrie as the Disciples did in the place of Prayer Act 2. 1.
And Sanders saith that in England Elizabeth did exercise the function of Priest in Preaching and teaching Master Sanders was Mr Slanders and Sand. de Visib Mon l 6 c. 4. Bellarmine a Iesuite to outface us with such a Brazen Brow and shining lye A fairer probability of which foule imputation wee can fasten on the Church of Rome A lay Prince at Sacra Cere l. 2 Sect. 1. c. 7 8. a publike Masse doth exercise the proper function of a Priest and hath the precept and presence of the Pope to warrant him The Emperour Frederick 3. before Paul 2. 1468. at Rome in a Surplice Hood Pluviali and habit of a Bishop did read the Lesson and a Sermon Homiliam Shew the shadow of such a Clerkly action in our Queene or King either Now you must know that we can throw the same Dirt in the faces of our Adversaries not as they have done to us by the hands of Bolsecus Coclaeus Sanders and Campian notorious Apostates and Traitors But by the hands of Petrarke Platina Bellarmine and Baronius their owne and approved Authors Neverthelesse I refraine from this retribution My God and my King command mee not to returne evill for evill and to suffer not to offer Personall reproaches And indeed the Truth of our cause will bee little the Whiter by unmasking the Aethiopian countenance of their blacke conversation I therefore passe the slanderers onely concerning the slandered concerning them all concerning her especially I must conclude in the phrase of the Angel to the Devill Iud. 9. Increpet te Dominus these are hellish lies and the Lord of Heaven rebuke them These slanders are uncharitable but yet they seeme somewhat tolerable because they take not all excuse from us Nowithstandtng these premises impartiall people might extenuate our guilt and say Gens mala religio bona though our Persons be bad yet our Profession is good But this have their Pamphlets painted out in such colours that if they said true wee had no colour but to confesse our Church the most execrable that ever professed CHRIST or ever prophaned Christianity by their profession What can bee said of those who have neither Sacrament nor Government neither Preachers nor Scriptures neither obedience to man nor obedience to God What can be said of such but that they bee Rebels Atheists and Pagans the shame and scumme of Christendome And such the Papists trumpet us Protestants to bee Their bookes are fraught with these forged Calumnies 1. As a Preface to these Malvenda proclaimeth Malv l. 2. c. 6. it that Multitudes of us turne to bee Turkes every day Would God wee had no more turned Papists than turne Turkes and then let them lye on to their satiety But for our Sacraments Nullum nullum non duo non vnum Christe Sancte O Christ the Protestants Camp Rat. 8. have no Sacraments not two not one not one Sacrament have they cryeth clamoureth Campian Furthermore their impudent imputations force faith on the prejudicate and credulous that we doe not only Heathenishly and prophanely reject the Sacraments in our owne Church but that wee damnably and diabolically prophane them in their Church where by force of Armes wee can make any intrusion The reformed in France say the Romish in Flanders in a furious impiety trampled Frar p. 56. the most holy body of Christ under their feet threw it into the water cast it into the fire and slabbed it with their weapons The Protestants in other Frar p. 58. places say other Papists like Hellish Harpies did disburthen their filthy paunches into the water consecrated for the holy Sacrament of Baptisme turned the sacred Fonts into nasty Close-stooles Pius 2. ep Morbisano I will answere these Papists in the phrase wherein a Pope did answere the Turke Corruptionem imprimis sacrarum literarum obijcitis hoc ei probandum fuerat qui sactum asserit nobis satis erit negare factū That is You deeply declaim against our impioas rejection barbarous prophanation and beastly pollution of the blessed Sacraments The Papists who report it should prove it it is enough for the Protestants to deny it and to detest such desperate calu●nies 2. Secondly because they are like the Todestoole all head therefore they would perswade the world that we are like the Acephali no head an absolute Anarchie without any government That the Church of England is like the Common-wealth of Israel Iudges the last that there is no King amongst us but everie man doth that which seemeth right in his owne eyes Amongst the Protestants every private person is guided by his private spirit thus are we Less de Antich part 2. De●● ● charged by the Iesuite Lessius Conciliorum quidem authoritatem non admittitis and for the Councils ye admit not of their authoritie saith Eudaemon They presume that they are Eud. de Ant l. 1. sect 10. taught without the Ministery of the Church that dutifull considerate subject durst tell his Dut. Consid Cons 3. c. 1. Soveraigne so much in his dutifull considerations Lately one with a Gagge cryeth out with Gagge of the Gospell preface open mouth that wee preferre the private interpretation of a Cobler before Saint Chrysostome of a Baker before Saint Basil and of a Tinker before Tertullian Nay they charge us so to detest the Government of the Church that in detestation thereof wee hate the Governours of it both alive and dead Hence say they ●rar ●r Levan 1565. did the French Protestants at Lyons rake open the graves of those Saints and holy Bishops Irenaeus Pictavius and Hilary and after a scornefull abuse they burned their bodies to ashes 3. Our Preachers say they ordinarily are Eud. d● Antich l. 3. Stel. in Luk. c. 9. ordinary Cerdones and Sartores Tradesmen Handecrafts-men Coblers Taylors c. which they seeme to translate out of Harding Your Ministers Hard. ●ons Ap. 2●9 bee Tinkers and ●apsters Fidlers and Pipers And another of our owne Countreymen Dut. Consid Cons 2●1 doth imply that we have no at least use no Preachers He is so inspired that if you beleeve him he needeth no direction no further instruction Finally that they may rase the very foundation of our Church downe with it downe with it even to the ground with virulent lying tongues they have set their violent hands to the Pillars thereof reporting it for Champ. in Praef. Dis●ns Sacrobos● de Invest Eccl. Christi c. 4. a Catholike certainty of our Primitive reformed Bishops that Iuell Sands Scory Horne Grindall c. were made Bishops or Consecrated in a Taverne by name at the signe of the Nags Head in Cheapside Where is the crediblenesse Kellison Repl. to Dr Sutcliff p. 31. of the cause or credit of the Authors Can malice imagine them so foolish to bee Consecrated in priuate when by publick allowance they had an Archbishop Parker of Canterburie of 25. ●● 8. c. 20. their owne