supper of the Lord vnder one or both kindes Podiebrachius who was next vnto the King was moued by a parasite why he liked not their religion of popery required by the example and authoritie of so many and great Princes rather then the Hussites He answered we doe those sacrifices which we beleeue are pleasing to God neither is it in our owne choyce to beleeue what we list The minde is ouercome with great reasons c. I am perswaded of my ministers religion If I follow thy religion I may perchance deceiue men contrary to my soule I cannot deceiue God which looketh into the hearts of men c. p Bucholcer Par. Vrsp 406. Calistus the third in his second yeere Mahomet with a 150,000 beseeged Belgrade Capistranus a Minorite Frier stoode to encourage the Souldiers But he vsed not any superstitions For crying out he said Iesus looke on vs be present with thy people that suffereth for thee where are thy mercies of old Come and defend thy people least they say among the Gentiles where is now their God c. The Christians got a rich and noble victory In memory whereof the Pope according to his wonted superstition foolishly instituted the feast of the transfiguration of Christ Hunniades who had been a noble victor ouer the Turkes after this his last battaile fell sicke but hee would not haue the Sacrament brought to him as the superstitious manner was but commaunded himselfe to be carried to the Church where after the confession of his sinnes he receiued the Eucharist c. Thus much of the two witnesses and the things which fell out vpon their death and resurrection Thus the remnant giueth to glory to God And now the q cap. 11.14 second woe to the inhabitants of the earth by the Turkes c. seemeth to be past But the third woe will come anon CHAP. XII Of the third a cap. 11.14 woe to the inhabitants of the earth by Kings conuerted to Christ WE are now come to speake of the third woe which shal be inflicted vpon the inhabitants of the earth namely such which doe rather desire to possesse the earth then to inherit heauen And this containeth the abolishing of the kingdome of Antichrist and the victorious reigne and triumph of the word of God That which is spoken hereof is comprehended in the doctrine which came abroad when b cap. 11.15 the seuenth Angell blew the trumpet The summe whereof is manifestly knowne and euidently spoken by all godly men as if there were great voyces in heauen expressing their assurance of the things that are to come to passe And the summe is this that certainelie it can not be but the kings will also be conuerted to the Gospell by whose onely and holy administrations The kingdomes of this world are to be our Lords and his Christs and he shall reigne for euermore Hereupon all godly magistrates and ministers called by the name of the c cap. 11.16 foure and twentie elders which make any consciecne of their places as those which sit before God on their seates First doe humble themselues euen falling on their faces and subiecting themselues to this kind of administration Secondly they doe also leaue the seruice of idols and men and in their places worship God both with praises and administration of iustice As for their praises they do in effect say d cap. 11.17 we giue thee thankes Lord God almightie which art and which wa st and which art to come euen the same God which art euerlasting for that taking the power out of the hands of mortall weake and mutable men who of long time haue trodden thy sanctuarie vnder foote thou hast receiued the entrance and possession of thy great might and hast obtained thy kingdome in due time to bee fully and alone administred by thee As for their sincere administration of iustice they shew that they so regard the faithfull profession of the Gospell that thereupon such which rather professed the vanitie of the Gentiles then Christ euen the Antichristian Papists were a cap. 11.18 angrie The cause of their anger is first that the time is come of the wrath of God to be inflicted vpon whosoeuer shall deserue it without respect of persons Secondly because they see that the time is come of the dead which haue been martyred for the witnes of Iesus that they should be iudged whether they died as innocents or not so that the proceedings against such come to be looked into and examined againe by iustice faithfully which they are angrie should be knowen Thirdly because that God hath raised vp Christian Kings that God by them should giue rewarde vnto his seruants the prophets which doe sincerely speake the truth from the Lord whereas Antichrist did tread them vnder foote Yea because the time was come that he by Princes should giue reward also to the Saints and to them that in deede doe feare his name to small and great whom Antichrist exposed to death and confiscation loading them with reproches c. Fourthly because the time is come that God by Princes should vtterly destroy them which destroy the earth be they Turkes or Papists The aduancement of the godly and destruction of the wicked according to the exact rule of iustice in the word of God being thus drifted by godly Gouernors those of the spirit of Saint Iohn b cap. 15.1 saw another great and marueilous signe in heauen the Church of God Namely that God hath prepared seuen Angels hauing the seuen last plagues which he would inflict vpon his enemies for not by men but by them euen by a diuine hand is now to be fulfilled the wrath of God Of these plagues we are to consider the place whence these Angels doe receiue them and the powring of them forth These plagues are deliuered vnto them in the temple which after the godly doe put on zeale and thankesgiuing is opened Concerning the zeale of the godly first is declared how the true doctrine of Christian baptisme is restored namely that Christians ought to be vndefiled and zealous in the cause of Christ For the lauer of regeneration is now figured a cap. 15.2 by a glassie sea mingled with fire godly Princes and people being baptised b Mat. 3.11 with the holy Ghost and fire whereas hitherto they were baptised vnto repentance with patience Here therefore stand the Boemians which had gotten the victorie ouer the beast the ciuell estate which beareth vp the whore of Babylon and of his image the Ecclesiasticall policie and his marke of superstitious ceremonies and of the number of his name his armies which he sent against them These I say stand constantly at the glassie sea mingled with fire continuing sincere and zealous professors being so farre from being ouercome that contrarily they haue the harpes of God to sing praises vnto their God for their deliuerance from Antichrist And they being deliuered from the kingdome of Antichrist which spiritually
Pages 225. b. Verses 15.18.19 Pages 234. d. Verses 16.17.18 Pages 226. Verses 18. Pages 226. a. 236. a. CHAP. XII Verses 1. Pages 1. b. d. 2. m. r. u. 64. a Verses 2. Pages 2. b. c. Verses 3. Pages 3. f. l. 4. a. i. q. 5. u. Verses 4. Pages 5. c. 157. o. Verses 5. Pages 7. g. a. Verses 6. Pages 8. g. 208. c. Verses 7. Pages 11. n. Verses 7.8 Pages 15. a. Verses 8.9 Pages 16. a. Verses 9. Pages 3. f. l. 20. a. d. 48. i. Verses 10. Pages 19. h. 20. a. Verses 9.12.13 Pages 20. d. Verses 12. Pages 35. c. Verses 13. Pages 24. b. 36. a. Verses 14. Pages 33. h. 34. f. 45. c. 80. b. Verses 15. Pages 36. a. Verses 16. Pages 46. c. 64. b. Verses 17. Pages 64. c. d. 79. d. Verses 18. Pages 65. e. CHAP. XIII Verses 1. c. Pages 25. i. k. a. 26. c. 48. l. 50. h. 73. d. 259. i. Verses 2. Pages 26. e. i. m. 27. u. 80. m. 125. i. 201. h. Verses 3. Pages 46. f. 64. l. 79. e. f. Verses 3.4 Pages 100. r. Verses 5. Pages 80. 193. e. Verses 6. Pages 73. c. 103. g. l. 141. k Verses 7. Pages 103. g. 118. f. 193. c. 126. p. 177. k 178. b. 232. l. Verses 8. Pages 126. p. 177. k. Verses 9.10 Pages 199. a. 210. f. a. Verses 11. Pages 48. h. l. 50. h. a. 63. d. Verses 12. Pages 51. k. l. 104. c. Verses 13. Pages 38. f. 51. a. 52. c. Verses 14. Pages 51. a. 53. c. 70. f. Verses 15. Pages 118. h. i. k. 178. c. d 256. 258. * Verses 16. Pages 119. h. Verses 17. Pages 119. d. Verses 18. Pages 120. a. 156. b. CHAP. XIIII Verses 1. Pages 9. d. 10. * 32. g. b. 105. n. Verses 2. Pages 43. f. Verses 3. Pages 44. e. f. 45. a. 52. h. 105. n. Verses 4. Pages 124. a. d. 78. h. 105. n. Verses 5. Pages 124. f. Verses 6. Pages 78. h. 125. k. Verses 7. Pages 125. m. Verses 8. Pages 67. s 78. h. 197. l. Verses 9. c. Pages 78. h. 209. e. Verses 13. Pages 210. d. Verses 15.18 Pages 78. h. CHAP. XV. Verses 1. Pages 227. b. 234. b. Verses 2. Pages 121. i. 228. a. Verses 3. Pages 228. c. Verses 4. Pages 228. d. Verses 5. Pages 228. e. Verses 6. Pages 234. c. e. 235. b. Verses 7. Pages 235. d. Verses 8. Pages 229.235 h. CHAP. XVI Verses 1. Pages 235. i. Verses 2.3.4.8 Pages 236. k. Verses 10.12.17 Pages 236. k. Verses 2. Pages 237. f. Verses 3. Pages 239. d. Verses 4. Pages 239. a. Verses 5. Pages 239. b. 247. e. Verses 6. Pages 239. c. 247. e. Verses 7. Pages 240. d. Verses 8. Pages 244. f. Verses 9. Pages 244. g. Verses 10. Pages 247. g. 248. d. Verses 11. Pages 247. a. CHAP. XVII Verses 1. Pages 66. l. n. Verses 2.3 Pages 65. l. a. 71. c. 73. c. b. Verses 4. Pages 66. e. l. p. 79. a. Verses 5. Pages 66. l. 67. d. f. 69. g. Verses 6. Pages 79. a. Verses 8. Pages 69. a. 72. a. Verses 9. Pages 4. m. Verses 9.10.11 Pages 70. b. 72. c. Verses 12. Pages 72. d. 26. d. 39. f. 63. e. Verses 13. Pages 65. l. Verses 14. Pages 73. g. 197. k. Verses 15. Pages 25. l. Verses 16. Pages 65. g. Verses 17. Pages 80. i. Verses 18. Pages 65. m. CHAP. XVIII Verses 1. Pages 200. d. Verses 2. Pages 197. l. 245. c. Verses 3. Pages 67. s 198. a. 203. i. 245. c. Verses 4. Pages 209. g. b. 220. b. 246. h. Verses 5. Pages 209. c. Verses 6. Pages 210. g. 221. * 247. b Verses 7. Pages 210. b. Verses 8. Pages 66. d. 210. c. Verses 9. c. 15. Pages 202. e. Verses 20. Pages 202. f. Verses 21. Pages 204. l. Verses 23. Pages 51. b. Verses 24. Pages 4. b. 67. a. 73. a. 249. a. CHAP. XIX Verses 9. Pages 234. a. Verses 10. Pages 58. g. Verses 11. Pages 194. c. e. Verses 12. Pages 195. a. c. Verses 13. Pages 194. a. 196. e. a. Verses 14. Pages 196. b. d. 197. e. Verses 15. Pages 197. g. Verses 16. Pages 197. i. Verses 17.18 Pages 198. b. 253. e. Verses 19. Pages 199. b. 199. c. 254. d. Verses 20. Pages 51 * 199. b. 201. e. Verses 21. Pages 202. g. CHAP. XX. Verses 1. Pages 200. c. d. Verses 2. Pages 200. a. Verses 3. Pages 48. k. 200. c. Verses 4. Pages 201. g. a. Verses 5. Pages 202. b. Verses 6. Pages 202. c. CHAP. XXII Verses 8. Pages 58. g. FINIS PISGAH EVANGELICA BY THE METHODE OF THE REVELATION PRESENting to the publike view those Canaanites ouer whom our Lord Iesus Christ and his holy Church shall triumph after seuerall Battailes CHAP. I. The first period containing a Battaile in heauen between the Dragon and the Woman THE Reuelation cōtaineth a a cap. 1.1 ◠c. demonstration of the most glorious and eternall presence of Christ the Almightie one in his Church by his continuall b cap. 12.1 c. warre with the Dragon the diuell c cap. 1.19 both in the present time when S. Iohn did write and also in the time that succeeded afterwards In the time of S. Iohn this fight is said to be in d cap. 12.1 c heauen that is e Mat. 13.24 25.1.14 in the Church of Christ and manifest assemblie of the Saints when the persecution is directly stirred vp against Christ And this warre is described in the same f Gen. 3.15 words in which it was first denounced In this wonderfull warre we are to consider the Battaile and Successe And of the battaile the Enemies their Manner of fight the Enemies are the partie Offendent and Defendent The Defendent is the vniuersall Church of Christ shadowed vnder g cap. 1.12.20 the mysterie of seauen golden candlestickes For the Church is the h Math. 5.14 light of the world as the i Exod. 25.37 golden candlestickes in the law were the light of the Tabernacle It is also called new k cap. 3.12 Ierusalem and the l cap. 1.4 11. seauen Churches of Asia For in the time of S. Iohn the Churches of Asia in a manner alone did publikely support the profession of the Christian faith Wherefore S. Iohn is required to write to them and in them to all other Churches wheresoeuer This vniuersall Church is also called a m cap. 12.1 woman after the n Psal 45. Cant. vsuall metaphor of the scripture In her description we are to consider her ornaments and child-bearing Her first ornament is of her apparell which is said to be glorious as the o cap. 12.1 Sunne hauing put on the Lord p Malac. 4. 2. Esay 60.1 Phil. 2.15 Iesus the sonne of righteousnesse For the Christians did publikely professe themselues q Euseb 3. 17. alibi passim to be Christians which was the onely cause of the persecutions The next ornament is her Footestoole which is said to
l. 12. cap. 4. their tayles than in their iawes By the tayle is signified the false f Esay 9.15 prophet that speaketh lies and they which doe turne other to righteousnesse doe g Dan. 12.3 shine as the Starres in the firmament Now in these times partly by the instigation of the diuell partly by ambition or feare of persecution h Euseb 3. 23. 24. 25. 26. 4. 7. c. very many became heretikes and these were so much esteemed of the Romaines that they set vp i Euseb 2. 13. 14. a pillar in Rome in honour of Simon Magus the most impious and abominable father of all heretikes with this inscription To Simon the holy God These heresies principally sprang vp in the East the third part of the Empire and poysoned it with the heresies of Menander that more pestilently continued k Aug. de haresâ— cap. 1.2 the blasphemies of Simon Magus against the creation of the world incarnation and passion of Christ for idolatry c. Ebion Cerinthus Nicholaus Basilides c. which increased the former heresies with new impieties * Euseb 4. 11. 14. euen at Rome Besides there were many that deuised l Euseb 3. 22. 4. 11. bookes which they called and obtruded to their hearers as Scriptures full of vaine and peruerse and vngodly doctrines As also they forged bookes vnder the names of godly men as of m Eused 3.35 Clement to induce the world to thinke that such also fauored their heresies Moreouer n Epistola Plini apud Foxum Martyrologio p. 39. by the persecutions many returned to idolatrie these did very seruilely follow the Princes that persecuted the Christians For the o Euseb 3. 29. 4. 15. Iewes heretikes and priests of the Gentiles did continually accuse the Bishops and called importunately to haue them sought vp and martyred For said they they are the fathers of the Christians These were alwayes ready to prouide matter for their torment and execute whatsoeuer might bring the Bishops and other Christians to their martyrdome Yet did there step vp two for one so that but a third part were cast downe He p cap. 12.4 stoode before the woman which was readie to be deliuered that she might keepe in her birth or miscarry in her deliuerie He gapeth to deuoure her childe when she had brought it forth A very fearefull sight he being of that sorte of Dragons which a Gesn li. 5. gape the widest of any kinde of beast and hath three orders of teeth in a iawe the more easily to deuoure his pray And as he is fearefull to behold so is he rauenouse as the Dragons of India which lie in waite for their cattell comming from their feeding and doe much harme oftentimes they kill the Heardsmen and thence prouide themselues of a large meale Yea it sometimes commeth to passe that a Dragon doth draw the Indian that hunteth him into his denne with his weapons and all and deuoureth him shaking in a manner the whole mountaine in which he lodgeth with his force and noyse Vnto these sortes of Dragons are these tyrants compared b Euseb passim For the Emperors proclaimed seuere fearefull and bloody lawes against the Christians commaunding that none should professe Christ and if any were conuerted he should be killed yea c Euseb 5 19. that whosoeuer of the Christians were brought to the iudgement seate he should not be let goe except he changed his mind Domitian after the example of Vespasian hunted after all that were of the line of Dauid and persecuted the Christians d Fox Mar. ex Epistolis Traiani plinij Traian commaunded the Christians to be killed which was done without distinction of age or sexe e Bergom lib. 8. so that daily innumerable thousands were slaine Adrian resolued to roote out the Christians vnder whom suffered very many In Rome were martyred tenne thousand two hundreth and three c. Notwithstanding the successe is prosperous on the womans behalfe as it was f cap. 2.7.11.17.28 3.5.10.12.21 promised for her fruit is borne and preserued Shee brought forth a g cap. 12.5 man child These latter Churches as farre excelling the former in courage and strength and masculine vigor as a man excelleth a woman Of this childe it is said he shall rule all nations with a rodde of iron preuailing in the ende and ruling with iustice till all things be put in subiection vnder his feete For vpon the death of Domitian h Euseb 3. 18. 20. Narna called home al exiles S. Iohn comming from Patâ—tes planted new Churches and strengthened the old As also vpon the intermission of Traian i Euseb 3. 34. many godly men went abroad and did the worke of Euangelists preached to such as neuer heard of Christ They laid the foundation of faith in new and strange places and appointed Pastors there c. a cap. 12.5 And that her childe was taken vp vnto God and to his throne The Lord causing the b Prou. 8.15 Princes to decree iustice for the preseruation of his people himselfe beeing c Psal 82.1 iudge amongst the Gods For d Euseb 4. 9. Adrian decreed that those of euery Prouince should accuse the Christians if they did commit any thing against the Empire but if any did traduce them without cause the accuser should be punished with iust reuenge As also e Anno. 149. Antoninus Pius f Euseb 4. 12. 13. mooued by the Apologie of Iustine wrote about the yeare 149. that the Christians are not to be molested except they attempted any thing against the Empire and that he that did otherwise trouble them should beare the punishment which he would haue inflicted on the Christian but he that was accused should goe free And as for the woman the Church shee escaped the danger by flight g cap. 12.6 for shee fled into the wildernesse and h Isay 43.20 44.3 was mingled among the heathen i Euseb 5. 19. 8.1 Princes and Gentiles and heretickes where she hath a place prepared of God as the Church of the Iewes was directed to her place in the wildernesse by a piller of fire c. both for her safety and that they should feede her there 1260. dayes that is 1260. yeeres k Soc. 1. 17. For a little before the times of Constantine a counterfeit religion shadowing the rites of the gentiles was mixed with true christian religion not otherwise then false prophets that arise amongst the Prophets and false Apostles among the Apostles So that from hence 1260. yeeres the Church is mingled with the wicked and is safe amongst them and liueth at their costs Besides that l Isid Etym. lib. 8. cap. 5. vpon those persecutions many fled into the Mountaines separated from the wicked where they were safe and fedde the Lord knoweth how The end of the first period and battaile in heauen which was in hand when Saint Iohn
many of them But m Euseb 9. 8. vnder Maximinus was the greatest pestilence of all the people died in the streetes in great multitudes the dogges eat many of them halfe dead their carcasses lay naked open and vnburied a most lamentable spectacle to those that beheld it And as Michael the lambe with his Angels doe fight that he might ouercome so did the Dragon and his a cap. 12.7.8 Angels fight that they might preuaile and keepe their places of idolatrie and superstition The Dragon doth warre b cap. 12.10.11 first by accusing the brethren and then by shedding their blood Many grieuous accusations were laide to the charge of the Christians first that c Euseb 3. 17. Christ was King and so would dispossesse Princes Then d Epiphanius where as some heretikes did vse women in common eating horrible meates as young children and womens menstrues c. the e Euseb 4. 7◠same things were obiected to the faithfull Christians Yea the tyrants in their edicts published f Euseb 9. 5. 7. very blasphemous accusations against Christ and Christians They slaundered the Christians that when they assembled to their Sabbaths vnder the colour of seruing God they polluted themselues with promiscuous whoredomes That the iniquitie of the Christians was the cause of the famine earthquakes warre and mortalities and that the heathen gods did thereby reuenge the indulgence of the Princes towards the Christians Of these and such like slaunders they write books which they giue to the schoole-masters to teach their schollers As also they hang them vp vpon pillars in all publike places to be read of all men Yea they forbade g Polychro lib. 4. f. 169. any man that would not sacrifice to their idols to buie or sell or take vp water Besides their slaunders and disgraces they added hereunto most barbarous persecutions h Massaeus 10. P.p. 131. 133. determining and commanding to roote out the Christians The Churches in many places were i Euseb 8. 2. pulled down and the scriptures burnt and destroyed Yea k Geneb p. 543 Polych 4. c. 25. in one night twentie thousand Christians were burned as they were assembled in the Church seauenteene thousand died of most horrible and vnnaturall torments in the space of thirtie daies Euery l Euseb 8. 6. 7. 10. 12. in alijs suis libris one was the more esteemed for his wisdome and obseruance to his Prince by how much he was able to deuise and execute torments most barbarous vnnaturall horrible and painefull they spared no sexe nor age nor regarded any persons of honour nor affinitie nor consanguinitie Then was there no place of refuge The fift seale cap. 6.9 11. nor time of resting from these tyrannies Yet is the successe happie for the Saints who got the victorie and triumph and a Cap. 12.8.9 miserable to the Dragon and his angels whose place was no more found in heauen but he was cast out euen into the earth and his angels were cast out with him The victorie is first begged of God and then executed Those which obtaine the victorie get it by deprecation and are said to be the b cap 6.9 soules that is c Gen. 9.4 Numb 9.4 Leuit. 17.14 the persons and carkasses of them that had beene killed for the word of God and for the testimonie which they maintained to wit the martyrs which d 2. Tim. 4.6 were killed or offered so that e Leuit. 4.34 their blood seemed to bee poured at the foote of f cap. 11.2 Exod. 21.14 the Altar beeing slaine in the place of Gods most immediate and sincere worshippe for the Gospel and profession of Iesus Christ of whom is spoken before They crie g Gen. 4.10 Heb. 11.4 aloud for vengeance beeing slaine as Abels blood did crie against his brother Caine. They are honoured with white robes which were giuen them euery h Euseb 5. 2. godly man esteeming honourably of them that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for the Lord Iesus Christ Yea they also were honoured with the victorie ouer their persecutors For howsoeuer the estate of the Christians in the former troubles was very desperate yet the Martyrs by the power of Christ did so constantly endure all the torments of their persecutors that they ouercame them i cap. 12.11 by that word of their testimonie in that they loued not their liues vnto the death k Euseb 8. 12. 13 For whē the tyrants had made proofe of all kind of torments and were not able to augment their tortures they dispaired in themselues as not hoping to preuaile by that course Then grewe they wearie with killing them and were glutted with blood They also by reason of certain wise and iust Apologies which the Christians published in the defence of the flocke of Christ feared least the Princes should iustly incurre a publik note of infamie for the barbarous effusion of innocent blood And so the persecution did slacke Thus the victorie beeing obtained at the hands of God The sixt seale cap. 6.12 c. it was presently pursued with diligent execution by the Lambe now throughly angred To which purpose there was a great earthquake that is a a Isai 24.17.18.19.20 Ioel 2.20 generall doubtful tottering in the minds of men not knowing what to settle vpon Which grew by reason that b Ann. 311. Constantinus the sonne of Constantius who fauoured the Christians was saluted Emperour Then c Abb. Vrsp was there a great motion in the Christian world The common wealth was held by foure new Emperours which had euery one their drift to be the chiefest which caused the people to be infinitely distracted Besides that others d Mussaeus p. 132. sought partly by treason to take away Constantine as Maximinianus partly by the souldiers to place themselues as Valens in the East and Alexander at Carthage yea the Romans e Vrsp p. 79. Massaeus were so perplexed with the tyrannie of Maxentius that they called to Constantine for reliefe By the stirring of Constantine the Princes were distressed and confounded as if the Sunne were f cap. 6.12 as blacke as sackecloth of haire and the Moone was all made like blood so g Amos. 8.5 Ioel. 3.15 that their daies were vncomfortable and in the night they were in feare to be slaine For his h Euseb 8. 14. 9.9 comming offended Maximinianus much and his proceedings made Maximinus sadde Maxentius was also in exceeding feare that he durst not go out of Rome gates The Nobles and i Isai 13.10.13 7.2 principall ministers of estate such as loued the workes of darkenesse fell from their places of eminencie as k cap. 6.13 if the starres of heauen fell to the earth and so violently were they mooued out of their places as a figge tree casteth her greene figges when it was shaken of a mightie winde The publike face of l Isa
truely Iewes In whom the children of Israel are multiplied exceedingly For first the twelue tribes are multiplied into themselues and so are 144. and enioying the blessing of thousands e cap. 7.4 c. are 144,000 f Isai 49.5.18 though Israel according to the flesh be not gathered but scattered abroad Now these lie open to affliction as it was foreshewed g cap. 6.11 vnto their brethren For though Constantine did h Sozo 1. 7. Euseb 10. vit Con. c. 1. 44. much fauour and honour them that were with him yet in other prouinces many did beare the brunt of bitter persecution The Dragons deputie is the Romane Empire corrupted with heresie and is i cap. 13.1 c. described by the place from whence he should arise by his monstrous shape and dignitie He is said to arise k cap. 13.1 out of the sea that is from amongst people l cap. 17.15 and multitudes and nations and tongues namely all those seuerall nations ouer whom Constantine did gouerne As concerning his shape he is first said to a cap. 13.1 haue seuen heads that is those seuen hils and seuen formes of gouernement euery one blasphemous of which is b Supra cap. 1. pag. 3. spoken in the description of the Dragon He hath also c cap. 13.1 tenne hornes like the Dragon not onely for the decharchie c. as before but also for tenne kingdomes which d cap. 17.12 should arise afterwards And whereas the Dragon was crowned on his heads this beast hath tenne crownes vpon his hornes to signifie that these hornes should be seuerall kingdomes hauing regall power in their owne hands He is bodied e cap. 13.2 like the Pantheresse which f Isid Etym. 12.2 is a beast very swift venturing all dangers g Plini 8.17 white spotted with little eyes of blacke rauenous beautifull luxurious and with her smel which is odoriferous she h Gerar. dial crea 104. allureth other beast vnto her Footed i cap. 13.2 like a Beare for k Plin. 8.15 whereas the Pantheresse as also the Lyons doe hide their talants as they goe or runne neuer putting them forth but when they make at their pray this wilde beast hath l Isid Etym. 12. 2. beares feete which haue their greatest force in their loynes and legges and doe teare the ground as they goe His m cap. 13.2 mouth or face is as the mouth of a Lyon whose maiestie is in n Cron. 12. 8. Plin. 8.15 his face taking scorne to looke vpon his enemies or their snares his mouth o Isidor 12.2 Plin. 8.36 of such force that where he toucheth with his teeth he draweth goare blood For Rome p Brought in Concente hauing subdued the countries which in Daniel were figured by a Lyon a Libbard and a beast with tenne hornes thereafter is a beast which is a Lyon in mouth a Libbard in body and a beast with tenne hornes He hath also this shape because the heathen q Eus 8.4 c. Emperors whom this beast succeedeth in cruelty vsed especially Lyons Beares Libbards and horned beasts to torment and deuoure the Christian martyres Now that this wilde beast doth signifie the Emperors which doe pretend themselues to be Christians but oppose themselues against the r Gobel aet 6. cap. 64. p. 233. Church Pope Gregory the ninth is witnesse in his bull against Fredericke the second Emperor So that now Å¿ Prou. 28.15 the wicked ruler is as a roaring Lyon and hungrie Beare amongst the people Yea as a t Hoseah 13.7.8 Leopard in the way that breaketh the kall of the heart His Dignitie is the same which the heathen Romane Empire had first u cap. 13.2 Power and abilitie to doe Secondly Throne that is a Iere. 45.10 iurisdiction to giue lawes Thirdly Authoritie that is reputation or estimation For there stepped vp an Empire of Arians c pretending to be obedient to Christ with which all the world was enamoured and followed it as other beasts doe the Pantheresse hoping for great comfort by it It was strong and sure in marching against his enemies as a Beare robbed of her whelpes It was maiesticall in countenance like a Lyon seeming to deserue much honor and reuerence But it proued a meere pretext to kill and to deuoure luxurious for idolatry and other false worships couetous and tearing where it went most cruell and bloudy where it did bite so that it was like the beast of which b Dan. 7.7 23. Daniel speaketh that deuoured brake in peeces and stamped the residue vnder feete In a word it became a monster compounded of three fierce and wilde beasts whom no art can tame And although it were in appearance something different from the heathen Empire yet for c Geneb p. 567. persecution it was nothing inferiour to it The manner of the fight is diuers as are the enemies The Dragons deputie the Romane Empire corrupted with heresie doth foure seuerall times charge the Church as with the sound of a trumpet Vpon the sound of the first trumpet The first trumpet hee chargeth the Church as with a tempest in d cap. 8.7 Esay 28.2 Psal 18.22 Ioel. 2.30 which there was haile and fire mingled with blood cast into the earth that is with bloudy persecutions in which earthly minded men had the execution of such punishments which were called the iudgements of God but were indeede very painefull and vncharitable persecutions e Euseb 10. 8. Socra 1. â— Melancton Euseb vit Cor. 2.2 For the diuell through enuie and wrath with which hee was enraged for the peace of the Church stirred vp Licinius Caesar to persecute the Church He pretended that the Christians prayed for Constantine and not for him but giuing himselfe to heathen idolatrie sorcery murther c. to auenge the cause of the old Romane gods he with a cruell storme and tempest persecuted the Saints and kindled a more lamentable flame than the former persecutors did Haile He raged against the Christians souldiers people and Bishops He proclaimed that it was very vnlawfull for any subiect by humanity and pity to relieue those whom the Prince had imprisoned By these vncharitable courses many poore Christian prisoners were famished He also caused many of the Christians to be hewen in peeces and as butchers vse their meate to bee hanged vp in the shambles and after this horrible and vnnaturall spectacle to be cast into the sea for fishes to feede vpon But these a Sozo 1. 2. persecutions were onely about Lybia and Aegypte and not in the rest of the Empire Constantine also recalled certaine b Socrat. 1. 10. c. Arians from banishment and receiued them into fauour when they pretended to repent them of that opinion And he committed to them the hearing and determining of the iudgements of God which were supposed to be deseruedly inflicted vpon men who indeede were
Emperor should take order for the affaires of the Empire in his absence When the Emperor was gone the Pope notwithstanding caused k Trith p. 231. him to be proclaimed excommunicate throughout all Germany which was done especially by the begging Friers l Vrsp Ibid. Besides his souldiers that tooke the crosse were spoyled by the Popes meanes In m Fox Marty Italy the Pope raised vp many rebellions against the Emperor and attempted the like against him in Asia writing to the Patriarch of Ierusalem the soldiers and the Saracens to destroy him n Vrsp p. 325. Wherefore the Emperor endured much danger by the treason of the Templars abroade and the Pope at home inhibited all ayde that would haue gone ouer to him but warred vpon and subdued many of his possessions Who is it that well considereth these things and doth not bewaile and detest them which seeme an euidence and prodigious portent of the ruine of the Church a Westmo p. 288. The Pope taking it ill that Fridericus as despising his excommunications did embrace the businesses of the Church in the holy land despayring that he would not returne to vnitie decreed to depriue him of his Empire and substitute another namely the General of his warres whom he ayded with all that the Church of Rome could doe with treasure armies pardons and solicitations of all Prelates abundantly Which when the Emperor vnderstoode he b Vrsp p. 325. Mat. Paris 344. 345. compoundeth the affaires of the holy land with the Seldan and thinking to make glad all Christendome with his good newes reporteth to them by letters what honorable composition he had made c Vrsp 325. The Pope reiecteth his letters and spreadeth rumours that he was dead by which rumor many Imperiall cities enclined to the Pope and resolue to kill the Germane souldiers which were in Italy or should returne that way from the holy land But when the returne of the Emperor was once knowen the furie slacked both Christians and Saracens cleaue vnto him and by d Trith p. 23. the valour of his Germane souldiers recouereth many of his cities againe From which time grew much enmitie betweene the Pope and Emperor e Vrsp p. 326. Yet the Emperor doth still craue absolution and by the mediation of Princes laboreth to be reconciled vnto the Pope f Trith p. 232. At last by the meanes of Lupoldus Duke of Austria c. he was receiued into communion g Paral. Vrsp p. 327. Platina when he had paid 120,000 ounces of gold to the Pope for his punishment and by his armie put the Pope in his possessions against the Romanes who labored to recouer their ancient manner of gouernment and liberties h Carion and was content to hold Sicilia of the Pope in fee. i Trith p. 232. About this time were a very great many discouered in Almany Italy especially in Lombardy and in France which held against the authoritie of the popish Church and prelates and against distinction of meates for the mariage of Priests then called the heresie of the Nicolaitanes c. against them are obiected many blasphemous things as the manner of the Church of Rome is Of these very many were burned k Pantaleon At Wormes also were many good men adiudged to the fire Now l Paral. Vrsp 327. when againe the Emperor sought to recouer Millaine and to subdue his rebels there m Trith p. 234. the Lombards did hinder Henry the Emperors sonne that he could not ioyne his armie with his father and the Pope by his bull depriueth him of his Empire The a Trith p. 235. yeere was extreame hot and dry The Emperor would pacifie seditions which were risen in his strong cities of Italy which he did with violence and burned his rebels At which time in Germany many nobles and meane persons Clerkes Monkes and Nunnes Citizens and countrie people by the giddie sentence of Conrade the Popes inquisitor were burned in the name of heretikes The same day that any one was accused whether iustly or vniustly no appeale nor defence did auaile but he was burned The b Paral. Vrsp p. 327. 328. Pope also the third time excommunicated the Emperor and did also proclaime him an heretike and stirred vp the Venetians against him The Emperour purgeth himselfe from the imputation of heresie by his letters publikely sent abroade to Princes c. and in Italy found aide of the faction of the Gibellines The c Trith p. 236. crosse is preached against the Stadingenses who stoode excommunicate for contemning the Popes authoritie many had fought against them a long time hitherto but all in vaine Now by the army of the crosse 2000. of them were slaine and so ceased the faction and confederacy against the Church of Rome d Paral. p. 328. The Pope also preacheth the crosse with pardons to all those that would fight against the Emperor Of which army as many as the Emperor tooke he crossed them with crosse woundes vpon the heads faces or bodies Then e Trith p. 236. 237. also did Henry King of Romanes rebell against the Emperor his father happily by the Popes instigation But he was subdued and taken and imprisoned by his father f Mat. Paris p. 401. who when he was somewhat enlarged seeketh meanes to poyson his father and therefore is restrained vnder the keeping of a Prince that hated him most g Trith p. 238. 239. The Emperor went into Lombardy and Italy with a puissant army subdued his rebels and caused his sonne Conrade to be elected King of Romans The Pope excommunicateth him againe and caused him so to be denounced euery where by the Minorites The h Mat. Paris p. 535. same time by the permission or procurement of Pope Gregory the insatiable couetousnes of the Church of Rome grew so mighty confounding right and wrong that all shame set apart as a common whore set on sale and lying open to all she esteemed vsury for a small inconuenience and Simonie for none at all c. i Fox Marty p. 285. About this time the East Church is deuided from the West k Mat. Paris p. 778. and from the subiection of the Church of Rome for diuers enormities of that Church especially in vsuries simonies sellings of iustice and other intolerable iniuries a Fox Marty p. 285. 286. and by name because the Pope would not admit an Archbishop there without a great summe of money The Pope sent forth his preaching Friers to moue all Christians to fight against the Grecians as it were against the Turkes and Saracens insomuch that in the Isle of Cyprus many martyres and good men were slaine for that onely cause b 5. Dec. tit 7. cap. 14. 15. This Pope forbad laie men to preach and excommunicated the Albingenses about Thelossa and the Waldenses c. c Geneb p. 964 Fasc Temp. p. 8. b. digested the fiue bookes of the decretals