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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69171	A treatise, touching Antichrist VVherein, the place, the time, the forme, the workmen, the vpholders, the proceeding, and lastly, the ruine and ouerthrow of the kingdome of Antichrist, is plainly laid open out of the word of God: where also manie darke, and hard places both of Daniell and the Reuelation are made manifest. By Lambert Danæus.; Tractatus de Antichristo. English	Daneau, Lambert, ca. 1530-1595?; Swan, John, d. 1617.	1589 (1589)	STC 6229; ESTC S111048	137,818	208

vertue Shall possesse the earth and after we shall see it be made All golde and full of her auncient works These Verses of Petrarche haue beene thus turned into English Verse by Thomas Hovel 1. O Forge of false deceipt prison to ire Where goodnesse dieth and euils all are bread To those that liue thou art a hellish fire The ruine eke of many wretches dead A wonder strange though spared thou be yet If Christ in fine not tread thee vnder feete Thy ground was first on humble pouertie But now thy pride doth presse thy founders downe Thou shamelesse strompet seeking soueraigntie Where rests thy hope what in thy triple crowne In thine adulteries or base-borne ritches Begot in guile Vaine are all such Witches Since Constantine may now returne no more The mournefull world that sighes thy state to see Consume and cut thee quicke vnto the coare That all too long is forst to beare with thee Of Rome the fall heere Petrarche doth vnfolde As view they may that list the same behould 2. A flambe from heauen streame downe vpon thy head Thou wicked one that from the water cold And Acornes wilde that whilome was thy bread Art mightie made enritcht by others gold Since thy delight is setled all one ill Shame thee destroy and sorrow soone thee spill Thou nest in whome the treasons hatched are That through the world abroade are spread this houre Slaue to wine chambering and delicious fare Where lust doth trie the strength of all her power In closets thine young girles and aged Sires With Belzebub do daunce in foule desires He bellowes fire and looking-glasse doth beare Amidst them all but why I blush to tell Naked to windes and bare-foote late thou were No beds of downe vnto thy share befell Course cloathes did serue thy corps from cold to shrowde Scarce God thy Péere thou now art growne so prowde 3. Thou Babylon that build'st thy nest so high By couetous frawde thy sacke to brimme doest fill With Gods great wrath and vices out that flie Whose poysoning smelles a world of soules doth kill Gods to thy selfe thou makest not Ioue nor Pallas In Venus and Bacchus is all thy sollace In searching long what should of thee insue My selfe with toyle I feeble brought and lowe But at the length me séem'd a Soldan newe I sawe prepar'd to worke thine ouerthrowe That will erect * The Souldans pallace Baldocco seate for those Which though not when I would shall thee depose Thine Idols on the ground shall scattered lie Thy towers prowde to heau'n that enemies be And turrets all by fire downe shall flie Then shall iust Soules the friends of vertue see The goulden world anew begin to raigne And auncient works shew foorth them-selues againe FINIS A Table contayning the words and matters handled in this treatise A A Daulphus king of Gothes possessed Rome Pag 113 Alaricus surprised the same Pag. 112 Antichrist who it is and why he is called an Apostata 7.10 11.41 Why called that man of sinne and perdition Apollyon a Beast a Woman an Harlot 13.17.18 c. Why a false Prophet a Pope 37. Where he should sit 47. and when he should come 73. 74. c. Antichrist how he is sayd to restore the state of the ould Empire 34 Why he is called Antichristus and not Antitheos 40.41 c. Antichrist gathers together the dregs of all heresies Ibidem Antichrist corrupts not onelye one poynt of religion but all and euery poynt of Christian doctrine Ibidem Antichrist vsurps the name of God .49.50 c. challenges his power 53. 54 Why the congregations of Antichrist be called the Church of God 67 Why it was requisite to haue the state and kingdome of Antichrist fore-tolde 5. 6 That the kingdome of Antichrist shall last till the end of the world 123 That the kingdom of Antichrist shall be vtterly destroyed by the last comming of Christ Pag. 121. 122 Antichrist should sit at Rome Pag. 39 Antichrists kingdome whether it be to be beaten downe with force of armes 117. c. Antichrist is no one man 6. 7. 12. 13 The manner of planting his kingdome was diuelish 90. 91. That it rose not at a suddain but by degrees 92. c. That it was established by three speciall meanes 97. 98 That the ouerthrowe of the kingdome of Antich should proceed frō the only breath of Gods mouth 98. 120 That the enlargement there-of should be wrought by two meanes 137 That his authoritie was neuer generally admitted without the gayne-saying of many Pag. 104 That not all shall cleaue to it no not when it preuayleth most 148. c. Antichristian doctrine compared with the Gospell 40. 41. c. Places of the Apocalypse interpreted cōcerning Antichrist 8. 24. 21. of the three Beasts pag. 24. c. Apocalypse and Daniell compared together 25 Apparrell of the auncient Romanes was some-time of two sorts 39 Apollyon 16 Apostata what it meaneth pag. 10. 11 Apparrell of men and attire vsed long agoe at Rome 38 When the beginnings of Antichrists Apostacie began 86 Arsaces beeing Captayne the Parthians set them-selues in freedome and thence theyr Kings were called Arsacides pag. 132. The last of the Arsacides by by whome slayne Ibid. Artaxerxes a Persian hauyng slaine Artabanus translated the kingdome of the Parthians to the Persians 132 Athaliricus playde Rex in Italie pag. 114 A place of Augustine touching Antichrist 18. 21 B Belifarius deposed Silverius Byshop of Rome vpon suspition of treason 15 Bernard his iudgement of the Pope of Rome Antichrist pag. 19. 20. 44. 55. 64. 103. The three Beasts mentioned in the Reuelation 23. c. Vnder the name of a Beast a whole state of things is signified 15 The seconde Beast signifieth the idolatrous Empyre of Rome 23 The fyrst and third Beast signifie one thing 24 Why Antichrist is likened to a Beast 17 The number of the Beast 666. comprized in the word Lateinos 14 The third Beast and Antichrist cōpared together 31. 32. 33 The seauen heads and tenne hornes of the Beast 27 Byshops some-tyme called Popes 49 Contentions of Byshops one cause of establishing Antichrists kingdome 97. c. Byshop of Rome accused for saying he was not to be iudged of any 105 Bishop vniuersall who 50. 51 Bishop of Rome takes on him the name of God and challengeth to him-selfe his power comparing him-selfe to the Sunne and the Emperour to the Moone 54 All the auncient Bishops of Rome refused the blasphemous title of vniuersall Bishshop and who first vsurped the same 52. 53 Why God punished the world with blindnesse 150 Boniface the eight Pope his ambition 20 Bishop of Rome his ambition 20. 19. couetousnesse 20. Idolatry 21. riot 21. 22. C Caligula would haue him-selfe worshipped as a God 20 Cardinalls the Pope decreed that they should goe before Kings 20 Their institution 143 Church whether it can erre 11 The true Church is to be measured by the only worde of God 11 Which is

him-selfe and that in the midst of the Church of God Whereby it appeareth first that this defection whereof Paule héere speaketh is not to be vnderstoode of the secte of Mahumet or the Turkes because they neither sit in nor pretend the Church of God but verie directly of the state of Poperie This speach of Paule might séeme to agrée with that of Daniell Cap. 7.8 20. where mention is made of a little horne which arose among the ten other hornes and is said there to speake presumptuous things But in my iudgement their opinion is truer who referre that place of Daniell not to Antichrist but vnto the gouernment of the Romane Emperours and especially to Vespasian who in regard of his vnknowne pedigrew is there tearmed a little horne Therefore touching this which Paule speaketh heere that Antichrist the Prince of this Apostacie should vsurpe the name of God the question is whether it be to be vnderstoode of the verie name and title of God or onely of the power of God which he should wickedly arrogate to him-sefe Some therefore do not thinke that the very expresse name of God is héere meant but only that he should rush into the office and vsurpe and challenge to him-selfe the power and maiestie of the highest But vndoubtedly seeing that the thing it-selfe which is the complishment of this so renowned a prophecie doth proclaime it openly that the Bishop of Rome the highest Potentate in the state of Popery hath made intrusion vpon them both in taking vpon him as well the very name as the authoritie of the Lord God this place without all question is to be vnderstoode of both And touching the name of God the Romane Bishop hath not made squaimish but verie flatly and without any circumlocution hath both admitted of the name him-selfe and neuer refused it at the hands of others For is he not by them called a God in the earth doth he not suffer the very Emperours them-selues to kisse his feete nay with an impudent face he acknowledgeth him-selfe to be so called he admitteth plausibly of it and inwardly ioyeth at the stately title as appeareth Distinct 21. throughout the whole Treatise Further where-as not only he suffereth himselfe to be called the vniuersall Bishop of the whole Church but accoumpteth that title and honour of right to belong vnto him doth he not in effect vsurpe and take vpon him the name of God for who else is the vniuersall Bishop of the Church but God him-selfe and Christ Iesus who only and rightly is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the chiefe Sheepheard high Priest 1. Pet. 2.25 5.4 Hebr. 6.20 7.26 9.11 And what is it else I pray to be called Prince of Bishops and head of the Church then to be called a God as Cyprian in the Counsell of Carthage affirmeth The first and auncient Bishops yea of Rome it-selfe did so shunne and were so afraide of this blasphemous and abhominable title of vniuersall Bishop as being in their iudgements properly belonging to none but to Antichrist as that they in truth acknowledged openly affirmed and publikely proclaimed that he was the verie Antichrist of whome Paule speaketh in this place who soeuer would take vpon him to be so called so doth Gregorie the great giue it out Booke 7. Epist 3. to Eubolius Bishop of Alexandria and 80. to the same Bishop And againe Epist 78.79 reade also what is written in way of detestation of this proude title in the Canon of the first Session taken out of the third Counsell of Carthage and out of the Epistles of Pelagius Bishop of Rome in Ca. nullus Dist 99. Moreouer reade what the same Gregorie wrote to Mauritius Augustus Epist 194. 188. lib. 6. Item reade the Counsell of Carthage celebrated vnder Mauritius the Emperour who liued in the yeare of the Lord 595. died 604. At the first there arose an vnhappie contention betweene Iohn Bishop of Constantinople and Pelagius Bishop of Rome about this title Now Iohn being Bishop of Constantinople had Mauritius the Emperour of Constantinople on his side and so he began to be called the vniuersall Bishop and that at the instance and commaundement of Mauritius the Emperour who was so earnest in the cause that in anger he called Gregorie a foole for refusing to do so yea and procéeded so farre in displeasure against the Romanes as that he stirred vp those of Lombardie which then was a part of Italie to wage warre against them about that quarrell After Iohn succeed Cyriacus Bishop of Constantinople who also by the commaundement of the Emperour was called the vniuersall Bishop But then Pelagius Bishop of Rome began stoutly to oppose him-selfe against these two yea and that while Mauritius him-selfe as yet liued And after him Gregorie the great would none of that title but with-stoode it verie earnestly and when it was offered him he like a good and godly man refused it But Boniface the third being tickled with an itching humour after such stately preheminence and hauing opportunitie thereunto by meanes of the great fauour of Phocas who succeeded Mauritius in the Empire obtained that he who was Bishop of Rome rather then the Bishop of Constantinople should be called vniuersall Bishop Now the occasion of this their contention rose by meanes hereof for that the Bishops of Constantinople were woont publikely to consecrate the Emperours of Rome as Iohn installed the said Mauritius and also crowned Tyberius as Euagrius reporteth lib. 5. cap. 13. and Zonaras Tom. 3. Wherevpon they began to looke aloft and waxe insolent towards the Bishops of Rome as being more worthy then they On the other side the Romane Bishops relied much vpon the dignitie of old auntient Rome and looked thereby to haue themselues and their Sea respected And by this meanes that pestilent garboyle began in the Church In which quarrell the other Bishops did not sit still and play the lookers on but shewed them-selues partakers and in the ende after much contention the Romane Bishops preuailed through subtile practises but more by meanes of wicked treacherie In so much that on his side the prerogatiues of the Romane Sea were by the Emperour him-selfe proclaimed and the Bishop him-selfe blazed out with the title of Vniuersall Byshop the which to say the truth could not otherwise come to passe for that Antichrist must néedes haue bin seated at Rome and not at Constantinople as heereafter shall be declared And thus much touching the name of God vsurped by him That Antichrist did wickedly arrogate to himselfe the power of God The fourtenth Chapter AND concerning the power of God no doubt the sayd Romane Bishoppe takes that vpon him and aduaunceth himselfe aboue the diuine Maiestie For whereas the high power of God sheweth it selfe especially in these two poynts In the disposing of kingdomes Dan. 4.22 and in the frée gouernment of his Church that beastly fellowe hath incroached vpon both these And as

great as that the said Bishops did there-by easily take occasion to abuse it Where-vpon Bernard Lib. 1. 4. de considerat ad Eugenium complaineth greiuously that the Bishop of Rome bestirred him-selfe so as where-by he shewed that he had indéede all fullnesse of power but not of iustice when once it began to be iustified by Apostolike authoritie that monstrous men very prodigious beasts should be admitted vnto Bishopricks and high Ecclesiasticall preferments This therefore was the second degrée whereby the Antichristian kingdome was aduaunced The third last was the excessiue coying fauours that certaine Princes especially Emperours bare to that Sea for this third point was likewise a principall piller in that building for in those dayes not only all men of all sorts contended to their vtmost euen like mad men to lade those Bishops with immoderate wealth and possessions but euen Emperours them-selues heaped vpon them honours priuiledges and other dignities belonging to the maiestie of an Emperour or the office of a ciuill Magistrate in so much as they submitted vnto the censure and approbation of the Bishop of Rome both their owne Decrees and the Constitutions of the Synods Iustinian the Emperour sent Ambassadours vnto Iohn Bishop of Rome to procure his approbation of the booke of Ciuill Lawes which he had made and published as appeareth by the Epistle prefixed before the said Coade of Iustinian Yea some Emperours haue ouer submissie giuen it out thus that Their Lawes do not disdaine in waie of imitation to resemble the holie Canons as though forsooth the maiestie and aucthoritie of Emperiall Edicts were farre inferiour vnto that of the Popes Decrees and Canons And in truth where-as those Emperours did not so prouidently bestowe vppon those Bishops so great reuenewes what else did they bring to passe in the ende but only a dispersion of deadly poison in the Church the which some of the Popes owne claw-backs haue written was heard in the life of Silvester the firste distinctly vttered in the ayre what time so large reuenues were graunted to the Church of Rome by Constantine the great Ierom vpon Malachi writeth plainly that the Church after that it came to the protection of Christian Princes it increased in power and riches but decreased in vertue and godlinesse Lastly to what ende were there so many priuiledges graunted by them both to places and persons Ecclesiasticall especially to the Church of Rome whereby they were exempted from all power and iurisdiction euen of ordinary Magistrates so that they might be without checke of any hauing libertie to liue as licentiouslie as they list These were the vnhappie beginnings and procéedings of so great tyrannie whereby the kingdome of Antichrist and this generall Apostacie was founded increased and made strong And yet this so great power receiued also some furtherance euen by Iustinian the Emperour and somewhat before the time of Phocas by vertue of a lawe of his in Nouella authent 131. de quatuor sanctis concilijs By what other degrees and occasions the authoritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either stilie drawne forward or strongly established The 25. Chapter BVt Sathan the craftie work-maister wrought not only by these engines and subtile practises in aduauncing the kingdome of Antichrist but applied also other deuises of his as if he were to set abroach all the policies he had and vtmost indeuour he could in weauing this webb For vnto these beginnings and proceedings were adioyned other causes and occasions as hang-bies which were neither small in themselues nor feeble in their force Namely first the fame and renowne of the Citie of Rome it selfe which was called the head of the world Secondly the decaied estate of the Empire and the emptie seate thereof being at that time translated vnto Constantinople Thirdly the bountifull benefites of certaine Bishoppes of Rome bestowed vpon all Jtalie in generall and more perticularly and specially vpon Rome it selfe as testimonies of their loue and pledges of their care which they had of their Citizens and sheepe For Leo the first Bishop of Rome went out and met Attilas who was making inuasion vpon Italie and turned him backe hauing pacified him with a very milde speach in so much as that furious Beast at whose verie name al men trembled being soothed vp without once touching any part of Jtalie returned into Pannonia Pelagius the first Bishop likewise of Rome did so asswage Totilas a most cruell tyraunt by humble suite and petition as that when he had alreadie surprized Rome and in great rage was deuising how to bring it to vtter ruine yet he obtayned thus much of this angrie and furious Totilas that euen Totilas himselfe should inhibite further fierings and slaughter to bee committed in Rome There are other great good turnes recorded of other Bishops of Rome employed either vpon all Italie as by sending or intertayning Ambassadours or els perticularlie vpon Rome it selfe which things worthelie procured to them and their successours great and speciall fauour not only at the hands of Jtalians and Romanes but also of strangers and men of forraigne Nations Whereby it came to passe that for remedie agaynst the iniuries offered of some officers and Lieutenants yea such as were without the precincts of Italie appeales were made vnto the Bishops of Rome So did Victor Bishoppe of Fausienna call for assistance at the hands of Gregorie the first Bishoppe of Rome agaynst the Iudges in Affricke which committed many things with wrong and violence So likewise he tooke into his protection Isidore Mustellus and Constantius agaynst the hard proceedings of their Bishops And in like sorte he yeelded his helping hand vnto Adrian Bishop of Thebes agaynst Larissaeus the Metropolitanes of Iustiniana epist 46. induct 11. So also did the saide Gregorie write verie sharply vnto Brunchilda the Queene of Fraunce for that she did wickedlie permit the Jewes within her Dominions to intertayne and keepe Christians as their bond-slaues And to conclude thence it came to passe that verie barbarous people and the Princes of Gotland although as yet they were aliaunts and straungers from the profession of Christianitie had the Bisshoppes of Rome in very great accoumpt and indeuoured to increase and set out their creditte and estimation to their vtmost For Atalaricus King of the Gothes caused by publike edict and proclamation that Boniface the fourth and Iohn Bishoppes of Rome should bee highly reuerenced and worshipped by the people and Senate of Rome And after him Theodoricus a King likewise of Goteland commaunded the same to bee perfourmed To make short that I might herein comprize and shut vp all things as neere as I can the principall piller of this authoritie and tyrannous power was founded vpon that famous saying of Christ so much tost and boasted of but mis-vnderstood Feede my sheepe Iohn 21.16.17 The which the Bishops of Rome contending with tooth and nayle will needes haue to bee vnderstoode of Peter and his successours only and

actions both in-ward and out-ward so is that Vnrighteousnes where-by we are iniurious to God and our neighbour shrinking from the will of God either in points of doctrine or matters of life and conuersation The which to be practised and found rife in Poperie and the kingdome of Antichrist there is none that can make doubt except such as neuer sawe the shadow of it or tasted the least drop of her venome But such as haue learned but only the first rudiments of that state which too many haue done and afterward by the goodnesse of God are brought to see the true light of the Gospell shall assuredly perceiue more cleare then the sunne at noone day how all corruption both of sound doctrine and holy life taketh place among them yea and approued with commendation Therefore seeing the hainousnesse of this Vnrighteousnes was and is so great and that growne to such an height or degree it is no maruaile though this so greeuous a punishment ensued in the world that the reprobate faithlesse men which most wickedly contemned the truth of God either offred to them or acknowledged by them should fall into this so cruell a tyrannie of soules and consciences An aunswere vnto three certaine principall arguments of the Papists where-with they would iustifie themselues and approoue this sayd kingdome of Antichrist The 40. Chapter THis whole discourse of Antichrist out of S. Paule might now séeme to be fully finished but that there remaines an hard obiection of the Papists wherevnto I thinke good for a finall conclusion of this treatise briefely to oppose an aunswere This their obiection relieth vpon three seuerall arguments which they vrge verie sawcely in way of defence both of them-selues and of their said synagogue and doctrine 1. The first whereof respecteth and resteth vpon the multitude of those which both heere-tofore haue professed and as yet do hold the same Apostaticall that is Papisticall doctrine but herevnto the aunswere is easie For seeing that Paul hath very clearely deliuered this point namely that it should fall out that only the elect and children of God should perseuere and continue in the true doctrine and those in number be but few but as for such as despise the Gospell and are seduced by Satan they are almost infinite for the way is narrowe that leadeth to eternall life but broade is the pathe that tendeth to destruction as our Sauiour affirmeth there can not vndoubtedly be brought any proofe from the greater number troupe of men to assure vs of the true marks of the Church and to confirme vs in the certaintie of the truth of the doctrine we professe For by that reason were the Turks now rather to be reckoned the true Church of God then are the Papists for there are moe Turks Mahumetanes the Papists And againe in times past the Idolatours before the comming of Christ were to be coumpted the Church of God rather then the Iewes for the number of Idolatours were alwayes greater then was the number of the Iewes But Christ calleth his Church the true Church which is the only Church of God A small stocke Luk. 12.32 Chrisost Hom. 28. ad popul Antioch It is better saith he that there should be one that doth the will of the Lord then a thousand wicked Ye may see if ye will beloued that a great multitude of such as do not the will of the Lord is not a whit better then such as are not at all Thus much Chrisostome 2. The second argument is taken from the generall liking that hath bin of that erronious doctrine the which as they say hath bin approued by diuers men and sundry Synods But I aunswere with Paule that so it was to fall out that this Antichristian and Apostaticall doctrine should not only be allowed of by some men but also be willingly receiued into the verie Church in such sort as that men should securely and wonderfully repose them-selues in it and all because that then they tooke no due regard vnto the word of God Therefore this reason faileth as hauing in it a fallation setting that for a cause as also the former did which is none at all 3. Lastly the third argument which the Papists vse against vs is drawne from prescription long time where-in the sayd Apostacie hath bin entertained and as yet raigneth among men in great securitie Vnto this argument also I make aunswere out of Paule that it was so to come to passe that God should send such strong effectuall errour and that vpon iust occasion that men would giue eare credit vnto those lies not for a day but for a very long season Therefore this plea of long possession that errour maketh is so farre from ratifying the same that it maketh it more great grieuous in that it hath seduced the m●e and so long incroached The same answere Innocentius the third Bish of Rome did likewise make in a certaine Decretall Epistle of his for against pietie against good manners against the expresse word of God a custome being taken vp and doctrine admitted may at no hand preuaile by plea of prescription or long continuance of time Canon Consuetud dist 11. For such things as at first are not allowable cannot be iustified by continuance of time as the Lawyers them-selues are plaine in this point L. Quae ab initio D. de Regul Iur. Now if there be many other matters which by the very rules of the Papists themselues and their decrees cannot be ouerborne by neuer so long prescription of time such as are the rights duties belonging to the Kings treasurie or Exchequer and as appertaine to the common-wealth namely such things as haue bin left forsaken for feare of hostile inuasion againe such things as are compassed within certaine precincts and limits and lastly such as are the prerogatiues belonging vnto the Church of Rome it selfe Why may not the like priuiledge be awarded vnto the word of God who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and vnto his Church so as no prescription of time be it of neuer so long continuance may preiudice the Lord himselfe and that especially seeing that those whiche began first to take this aduauntage of time dealt not sincerely nor in plaine truth and simplicitie without which there can no prescription preuaile in the Church so then it followeth not that the doctrine of Popery is therefore true because it hath bin plausibly admitted for a great while together for Daniell and the Spirit of God haue fore-tolde it so should come to passe and therefore it could no otherwise fall out To conclude in the 2. Kings Cap. 17.41 the superstitions of the kingdome of Israel are condemned and such religion as Ieroboam had prescribed for the worshipping of God although it be affirmed to haue bin obserued from the Auncestours vnto the children and childrens children and so foorth And wheras men wonder how God should suffer his Church to erre so long time together

parte of this description set downe by the Apostle First he saieth Except there come first a back-sliding or falling away Now it is a falling from the faith that he meaneth for his purpose was not to speake of the chaunges of Empyres or ouerthrowes of Kingdomes and agayne the worde Apostacie doth signifie no lesse 1. Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is They shall shrinke from sound doctrine And further all the Fathers giue it out that the comming of Antichrist shall bee ioyned with a miserable ouerthrowe of religion and godlinesse And whereas the Apostle calleth it simplie an Apostacie which should ensue he thereby sheweth that it should bee a generall and not a perticular defection For he speaketh absolutely without limitation And this may also more manifestly appeare by comparison of other places Luk. 18.8 The sonne of man when he commeth shall he finde faith vpon earth This is that Apostacie and want of faith whereof Paule spake Math. 24.12 Iniquitie shall be increased the loue of many shall be colde And Iohn in the Reuelation foretelleth That the Kings of the earth should commit fornication with the Harlot And that the inhabitants of the earth should bee made dronken with the wine of her whoredome And that all Nations shall drinke of her cuppe And lastly the euent of things which is the best expositour of these matters doth prooue that I say to bee most true For partly by Mahumetisme and partly by Poperie faith hath been long since almost cleane put out in so much as well nigh there is no remnant left in the world of the true and auncient faith and sinceritie After this the Apostle beginneth to describe Antichrist by his proper markes And that that man of sinne bee disclosed euen the sonne of perdition which is an aduersarie In these words he setteth out Antichrist as it were one man who although he be not indeed any one single or perticular man yet is he by the Apostle described vnder the person of one both in regarde of that kingdome which he maketh opposite to Christes and is one and also in respect of that one and the self-same spirit of Sathan wherewith all the Antichristes in the world are caried As the kingdome of Antichrist is one so also is the kingdome of Antichrist one and for that cause as Daniell long before had laied open seuerall kingdomes which were continued a long time by lineall descent and succession of Kings and people vnder the names of a Leopard a Lion and a Beare so also would the Apostle set out Antichrist and the whole bodie of the Antichristian kingdome vnder the figure or resemblance of a most wicked man And seeing the Bishoply kingdome doth fight and contend with the kingdome of Christ and seeing that in the same the Bishop as a principall Monarche doth beare the sway wee rightly tearme the Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a kinde of prerogatiue Antichrist The Apostle faith that this man was to be reueiled that is should openly affect and possesse a kingdome and exercise his tyrannie the which it is certaine the Pope hath practised aboue nine hundred yeares euen euer since that time wherein he would needes be called the head of the Church and take vpon him the chiefe stroake in the Church And to the end we may euidently perceiue that the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist as I affirme let vs prosecute the other parts of this propheticall description laied out by the Apostle He laies open Antichrist in the fourth verse following by three adiuncts or properties for first He shall oppose and exalt himselfe against al that is called God or that is worshipped Secondly He shall sit as God in the temple of God Thirdly He shall shewe himselfe that he is God These wordes containe much matter in them and offer great varietie of speach but I of necessitie must obserue a meane First therfore Antichrist was to become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to Christ an aduersarie contrarie in such sort as he should aduaunce himselfe aboue Christ So that Antichrist should take vpon him not only ciuill reuerence but euen diuine worship Can any man hereof make doubt but that this doth most fitly agree with the Bishop of Rome For he will needes be greater then God himselfe and setteth himselfe full butt agaynst him And that he would needes be greater then God we shall easilie perceiue if we consider what power and authoritie either of them do challenge to themselues It belongeth only to God to prescribe lawes to binde our consciences who only hath the soueraigntie ouer our soules The Bishop of Rome will needes beare rule ouer mens consciences wherein he attributeth to himselfe a diuine interest yea inioyneth in more hard and seuere manner then he supposeth that God himselfe ought to do For who knoweth not that a man might with greater securitie transgresse the lawes of God than the Popes Constitutions and that he that should offend the sayd Bishop should in more seuere manner smart for it than he that should with notorious wickednesse offend the Lord. To bee stayned with fornications adulteries and vnspeakeable impieties required no great penaunce such sinnes could bee done awaie at a light and easie price but to haue tasted once either of Porke or Beefe vpon a Fryday that could neuer be wiped out but by the bloud of him that offended and yet the one stands forbidden by God himselfe and the other by none but by the Bishop They make it for the most part but a mockery or May-game to breake the lawes of God but to transgresse the Bishops is right mortall and deadly To hurt God by periurie and blasphemy they make it no great sinne but to offend the Bishop only by vnreuerent speach is a huge trespasse and worthy to be reuenged by most extreame torture There are a thousand such like wherein the Bishop establisheth his authority to be reputed as farre more authenticall and holie then the power of God Then what is it to aduance him-selfe aboue God if this be not shall we looke that Antichrist should plucke God out of heauen and climbe vp into his Celestiall seate and the sayd Bishop is also an aduersarie vnto Christ and that not in any one parcell only but simply and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the whole I will in few words make it plaine for neither is colde more repugnant vnto heate or blacke to white more contrary then is Popery to Christianitie and the Bishops profession vnto the doctrine of the Gospell For what a kinde of God do they make of him when they serue such an infinite number of Idols and fill the whole world with their Idolatrie for where euer either among the Graecians or Aegiptians or the ould Romanes were Images more common or more frenticke idoll-worship then was and as we knowe is in the Romish Church and that of a sorie slender crust a God can be made as soone as a Priest shall haue breathed

the true Churche of God 69 It can not be gathered which is the true Church by succession of persons 11 There is one Lorde and law-giuer for mens Cōsciences 45 Constantine the great commanded the idolatrous Churches to be shut vp 75 Constantine translated the Empire frō Italy into Thrace 25 The counterfayted donation of Constantine 78 At the last comming of Christ the kingdome of Antichrist is to bee wholie destroyed 121 Christians whether they may make warre against the Papists 117. 118 A place of Chrisostome touching Antichrist 44 D An hard place of Daniell expounded 226 Dioclesian woulde needes bee worshipped as God 20 True doctrine to be tried only by the Word of God 11 Doctrin of the Papists what 24 Comparison betweene theyr doctrine and the Gospels 43. 44 Donatists their errour 73 E Emperors in number 10. mentioned in the Reuel 13. at what time and what Emperour they began 27 Emperours their large bounties on the Church of Rome was a third cause of strengthning Antichrist 97. c. Empire where it was chiefely to be seated 25 Empire idolatrous how reuiued by Antichrist 34. c. F False Prophet why Antichrist so called indefinitly 42 The fore-telling of Antichrist was a famous Prophecie 41 Forme of Romane gouernmēt what it was when the Reuelation was written 35 G Gensericus king of the Vandalles surprized Rome 113 Gothes destroyed it vtterly 63 Gregorie the great refused to be called vniuersall Bishop 52 H Antichrist compared to an Harlot 16 Heresies touching the nature and office of Christ were the first causes that gaue strēgth to the kingdome of Anti. 97 Harma-geddon otherwise to be read Geddon-harma 60 Heads seauen which are attributed to the Romane Empire ●0 Hierome calles Rome Babylon 22 Hilarie his sentence touching Antichrist 20 Hymenaeus denied the resurrection of the flesh 43 J Image of the Beast renewed 34. 35 Idoll-temple shut vp by the cōmaundement of Constantine the great 75 Iohn Bishopp of Constantinople called vniuersall Bishop 52 Iohn Wickliffe opposed him against the Bish of Rome 106 Italica Ecclesia some thinke to bee signified by the number 666. 14 Irenaeus a place of his touching the number of the Beast 14 K Kings in number 10. mentioned Reuelat. 13. when and in whom they began 27 Kings 10. that should eate the flesh of the whore who they are 111. Kingdome of Antichrist to bee ouerthrowne by the breath of the Lords mouth 107. 115 Kingdome of Antichrist planted by deuillish deuises crept on by little and little 90 Kingdome of Antichrist stablished by 3. special meanes 97 Kingdomes the Pope takes vppon him to dispose 53. 54 L Lactantius a place of his touching the crueltie of Antic 18 Lactantius touching the Romane Empire 77 Lateinos containeth the number of 666. 14 Lawes imposed vpon mens cōsciences by the Pope 54 Leo the 12. his ambition 20 Luke a place of his touching Antichrist 8 M Magistrates of Rome were of two sorts 36 Man of sinne the Pope 12 Masse when first it began 84 Mahumet sitteth not in the temple of God neither is properly Antichrist 43.57 The beginning of Mahumetisme 88 Mahuzim what it meaneth in Daniel 47 A place of Mathew touching Antichrist 8.13 Mauritius the Emperor would haue John of Constantinople called vniuersall Bishop 52 Myracles vsed to credite Antichrist 144. c. Monarchie none to succeede the Romane 125 A mysterie written in the forehead of the Harlot 47 N Name of God vsurped by the Pope 53 Nicholas of Clemingis wrote against the Papacie 22 The number of the Beast 666. expounded 14 Where other words are named that containe the like number 81 O Odoacer surprising Rome called himselfe King of Jtalie 114 P True Pastors are to bee measured by the word of God 12 Parthians hauing Arsaces for their Captaine infranchized themselues into libertie 132 The Empire of Parthians translated to the Persians 132 A place of Paule touching Antichrist 1 Pelagius Bishop of Rome by petition pacified the Tirant Totilas 102 Peter the Apostle prophecied of his owne death 4 A place of Peter touching the Popish Cleargie 18 Papa what it signifieth why Antichrist so called 48 In what sence the assemblies of the Papistes and of Antichrist are called the Church of God 67 The Papistes arguments for themselues the kingdome of Antichrist 153 Comparison betweene Poperie and the Gospell 40. c. The gouernment of Poperie what it is 35 Philetus an Heretike 43 Phocas an Emperour murderer of Mauritius 85. He caused the Pope to be called vniuersall Bishop 52 Priesthoode confounded with the kingdome at Rome 35 Promises of God belong only to the true Church of God 71 Peter Paule and Iohn had the guift of prophecie 4 Sonne of perdition 16 Power of God vsurped by the Pope 52 R Reuelation many places thereof expounded 8. 14. 21. 23 Resurrectiō of the flesh denied by Hymenaeus Philetus 43 Rhadagesius king of Gothes 102 Rome the seate of Antichrist 40 Rome how often surprised 62 At Rome no place for godlines 65 Rome poynted out to bee the seate of Antichrist 58. c. At Rome the kingdome ioyned with the Priesthood 35 Romane Magistrates of two sorts 36 Romane maners detestable 65 Forme of Romane gouernmēt what it was when Iohn wrot 35 Romane Empire when first it was translated from Italie to Constantinople 26 The two horns of the Romane Empire 25 S Saluation to be freely giuen vs of God the Papists deny 46 Sarazens their first beginning 131 Schoole-men denie Mahumet to be Antichrist 57 Schoole-men their opinion of Antichrist 93 Seruant of seruāts Gregorie the great first called himselfe 54 Simon denied Christ to become in the flesh 43 The three spirits mentioned in the Reuelation as ministers of Antichrist what they be 140 Siluerius Bishop of Rome suspected of treason was deposed by Belisarius 105 Symachus Bishop of Rome accused for that he deemed himselfe not to bee iudged of anie 104 Sonne of perdition the Pope 16 T Teias king of Gothes wasted Italie 115 Teitan supposed by Irenaeus to be the name of Antichrist 15 Temple of God where Antichrist should sit what it is 56 How the congregations of Poperie can bee called the temple of God 67 Theodatus king of Gothes 114 Theodoricus king of Gothes surprised Rome 114 Totilas forbad the fiering of Rome 102 Totilas quite defaced Rome 114. 115 V Viguerus his conceipt touching Antichrist 58 Vitiges wasted Italie 114 W Weapons whether forbidden Christiās by the Gospel 117 Whether Antichrist bee to bee subdued by warre 117. 118 Wickliefe 106 Why Antichrist is compared to a woman 16 Worship of GOD what it was while Italie was Idolatrous 33 Y Yeares 666. expounded 80. 81 Yeares 1000. examined 89 FINIS