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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

the midst of this defection although notwithstanding the number of them as I haue said was alwaies little themselues dwelling in deserts and being such as were vnknowne among other men for then was accomplished that which was prophecied of by Iohn namely that The Church of God should flye into the wildernesse Reuel 12.16 and there should lye hid for a season VVhat iust cause the Lord had to punish the world with this plague of blindnesse that it should admit of this miserable state of the Antichristian kingdome and further what monstrous contempt of Gods word went before this state of Antichrist The 39. Chapter FVrthermore why God would haue these wicked and rebellious wretches to slip and fall into that so grieuous an Apostacie Paule yeeldeth a reason and that a verie sufficient and iust one For although the Lord hath alwayes most vpright inducements for all his decrees and iudgements For all the wayes of the Lord are truth and iudgement Psal 25.10 and though it be not necessarie that we should be made priuie there-vnto yet to the end that The wisedome of God should be iustified by her children Matth. 11.19 and that they there-by might be the more strengthned it pleased the Spirit of God to yield a reason and cause of this so great and fearefull a iudgement of God vppon the whole world which afterward insued And this was it because the world through disobedience and vnbeliefe had deserued that heauie wrath and those grieuous punishments at the hands of God For was not this a verie foule and monstrous kind of ingratitude towards God that his sacred Gospell where-of they could not be ignorant but had already heard it before preached yea and had well perceiued the power and maiestie of it should notwithstanding be loathed by them and trampled vnder foote and that in stead there-of the deuises of men the errors of Heretikes impieties and superstitions of all sorts against the holy word of God him-selfe should publikely be brought in and with the great liking and approba●ion of all sorts of men admitted into the Church defended yea and preferred before the truth of God it-selfe What impietie could be greater what iniurie I pray you more excessiue and hainous could there euer be offered by mortall men vnto the liuing God who is iealous of his glorie Therefore this punishment brought vpon the world and the Church is a right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a most iust reuenge inflicted vpon the mockers of his name and word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders and scoffers men that are set downe in skorners chaire Whence it is that Paule calleth the same punishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vers 12. a condemnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he that these contemners might be damned and committed to torture Therefore this seueare proceeding is a iust punishment of extreame wickednesse blasphenne and vnthankefulnesse of men towards God For the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudged doth in this place signifie not so much an examination which God maketh of the cause as a iudicial censure a verdict of condemnation and execution of punishment And herein assuredly the said Antich as well as the diuell himself was the executioner Againe we are with-all to take especiall obseruation of the vehemencie of the speache which the Spirit of God in Paule hath vsed to expresse these abhominable wretches for there-by it will the more appeare how excessiue the contempt was which they had of the Gospell and word of God the reuenge where-of is so horrible and indéede so great that it seemeth there could not possibly be inuented a greater To this purpose therefore appertaineth that which Paule addeth and that not idlie or to no purpose in these words 1. They receiued not then the Gospell was offered vnto them so that there-by their neglect and vnthankefulnesse appeareth so much the greater 2. The loue that is that sweete and comfortable doctrine so greatly to be desired which stirreth vp draweth to it and chéereth the hearts and consciences of men 3. Of the truth which is a thing of it-selfe worthy great price and estimation and to be preferred farre before the deuises of men what-so-euer The which truth Paule commending by the effect it hath saith By it men might be saued For that preaching of the Gospell is the instrument or meanes whereby they are brought vnto Christ in whome only our safetie doth consist Therefore the word Truth is in this place by way of preeminence set downe for the doctrine of the Gospell It was therefore a detestable and sauadge kind of vnkindnesse for men in that sort to set light by such great and precious giftes of God nay it was more then barbarous and beastlie carelesnesse and impietie which deserued this seueare punishment and sharpe reuenge Lastly Paule doth yet further amplifye this grieuous contempte of God although notwithstanding it is hainous inough of it-selfe least peraduenture it should seeme to vs a light matter or a small offence And he doth aggrauate the same both in regard of the manner how they embraced and of the height wherevnto like mad-men they aduaunced this their rebellious and blasphemous behauiour against God For he saith they did it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hauing pleasure in it with such a desire so willingly and in such greedie and earnest manner that therein they greatly pleased them-selues they liked and allowed of it they tooke great delight in it and wittingly and willingly made accoumpt of it as of a most pure and precious doctrine and lastly that they preferred it before the heauenly word of the Lord God him-selfe And assuredlie this is the highest step of madnesse that can be for men not only like sots to admit and approue of lies in stead of truth but to rest and repose them-selues there-in quietly contentedlie and in ioyfull sort yea with stretched-out armes to embrace the same to soothe and solace them-selues in it although in the meane time their consciences do there-in greatly grutch repine against it Lastly the same Paule addeth this as an vp-shot of this villanie and raging madnesse committed against God that the same matter which these men so greedely pursue and so entirely embrace is nothing else then meere Vnrighteousnes Where-in their condemnation was the greater and their punishment the more iust For it is most iust vpright that such as allow of and mainteine vnrighteousnes should be most seuearely punished Psal 94. And where-as he calleth this impietie simply Iniustice or Vnrighteousnes he thereby giueth vs to vnderstand that in this state of Antichrist which is the state of Popery God is not offended or his kingdome violated in one point or after one sort only but that all kinde of iniquitie being by them admitted is committed and done with great liking and allowance For as that is called righteousnesse where-by we yeeld vnto God and man that which is their due and shewe our selues conformable to the will of God in all our

thought vpon the reducing or restoring of the Italian Empire vnto her former dignitie but laboured their vtmost her vtter ouerthrowe for they were barbarous men such as were the Rugians and Gothes who began now openly to beare rule in Italie Now all these Kings of whome I haue spoken raigned almost but an houre that is a verie short time and space yea they raigned and died much about a time in as much as all of them came to the Crowne within little lesse then the compasse of tenne yeares and it may be that the Image thereof I meane the state of Poperie may héerein resemble her * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 platfourme and agrée iompe there-with in hauing her tenne last Popes verie short liu'd for a finall conclusion and ruinous confusion of that kingdome Therefore both the number of the Kings which is specified in the Scriptures and the verie short time of their gouernment confirmeth my interpretation and proueth it to be most true which I had rather follow then that exposition which Primasius giueth of this place vnderstanding by an houre any time whatsoeuer either short or long where-vnto the 8. Chapter verse 1. of the same Reuelation is repugnaunt That these three things were the chiefe and principall groundes of the kingdome of Poperie First the diuers haeresies that sproong vp in the Church touching the natures and office of Christ Secondly the bitter bickerings that were among the Bishops and thirdly the large bounties of Emperours and certaine other men who both were able and superstitiously bent which they bestowed on the Church of Rome The 24. Chapter WHich being so we are now to lay open by what steppes this seate and tyrannie of the Romane Empire stept vp to such a tipe and magnificence and how at last it attained his finall furniture and perfection of building in the place of * Geddon-Harma desolation that is where the sheards and asshes of ruinous Rome were to be found The first and originall ground-workes in laying and establishing the kingdome of Antichrist were three to weete the errours of Heretikes the contentions of Bishops and the superstitious deuotions and excessiue liberalities of Christian Princes for so that their foolish and immoderate largisse bestowed vpon the Church is rather to be tearmed then true deuotions for they were too-too ouer-lasshing and cockering fauourers towards the Church and chiefely the Church of Rome And touching these three causes which I called ground-works of the Antichristian kingdome it may easily be perceiued that they likewise were three mightie and effectuall steps or degrees whereby Antichrist by little and little reared him-selfe vnto that huge and tyrannous power which afterwards he attained And first touching errours in matters of faith and religion truth it is that the Romane Church yea all the Westerne Churches remained more pure and sound then the Easterne and those in Syria by two especiall meanes the one for that in the Weast there were continuall persecutions stirred vp by the Emperours of Rome the other for that the wits of the Westerne men were alwayes more grosse and dull whereby it came to passe that they of the Easterne Churches repayred often in matters of doubt vnto the Church of Rome and required their iudgement and helpe in condemning newsproong Heresies and so by this meanes the credit and estimation of the Bishop of Rome began more and more in wonderfull sort to increase and be highly reputed of in the Church of God for the many and diuers Heresies that then were did not only shake the Christian faith but made it as a matter greatly doubted of among many in the East especiallie where-by also they made readie way for that generall back-sliding which after insued And therefore those Heresies are called by Chrisostome Armies of Antichrist especially such as sprang last whereby bitter contention was raysed and heald repugnaunt to the word of God touching the natures of Christ and of their vnion or lincking together of the office of Christ and of the merits of our workes suche as those were which were stirred vp by Arrius Nestorius Eutyches and Pelagius which Heresies were both most detestable and most forceible to ouerthrowe the vprightnesse of mens iudgements And therefore by this meanes vpon a suddaine the superstition of Mahumetisme began in the East and by occasion of the continuall dissentions that were among the Christians touching such points of Doctrine it was admitted willinglie and preuailed greatlie For the Easterne Churches were now tainted turmoiled and foulie deformed with an infinite number of heresies for looke how many heresies there are about matters of faith and doctrine so many foule blots and blemishes there are in the Christian Churches And truely Chrysost vpon Math. Hom. 49. obserueth very wel that after such time as Theodosius the great had once graunted temples and places of publike assemblies euen vnto heretikes it came to passe that the Churches receiued great deformitie wonderfull increase of heresies Therfore the Churches of the East séeing they had lost all credit and reputation of Christian profession among their neighbours countreymen at home they intreated Symmachus then Bishop of Rome that he would by his censure cōdemne the heresies of Acatius seeing that as then the Easterne Bishops had no such power authoritie ouer their people so also they desired of Agapetus that he would depose Antimus Bish of Constantinople as an heretike And to make short all Ecclesiasticall histories are plentifull in such examples This therefore was the first meanes whereby the kingdome of Antich began to get footing The secōd meanes hereof was the continuall dissentions garboiles brawles wofull contentions of the Bishops among thēselues whereby not only thēselues became odious among men but euen the doctrine of Christ wherof they were the pillers begā to grow into vtter cōtempt These sturs were very cōmon in the Easterne Churches but not so vsuall in the West by meanes of the continuall persecutions that were there for idlenes long rest doth make mē more wanton dissolute whereby it came to passe that the Bishops that were thus molested were glad faine to flie vnto an other Bish of greater coūtenance wherby they might be eased kept frō wrongful dealings offered thē by other Bishops Now as for the Bish of Rome he no doubt by meanes of the famousnes of the City it selfe seemed the most principal who also was ready willing to yéeld his helping hand in the redresse of other Bishops their distressed estates for both Athanasius being put out of his Bishoppricke by the Arrians made his repaire to the B. of Rome as vnto a sure refuge after him Fabianus before him many other did the like as appeareth by histories infinite it were to reckon vp all exampls in this behalf in so much as in processe of time this repaire vnto the Romane Bishops in times of exigence procured him great authoritie among all nations in Christendome and that indéede so

to giue credite to those signes and miracles Therefore we say with Austin lib. De vnitate Ecclesiae cap. 18. Let them giue ouer these allegations which are either the cogging couzonings of deceiptfull men or the straunge illusions of lying Spirits For either they are false that are reported or if there bee any perfourmed by Heretikes wee are the more to beware of them Now these signes of Sathan are called Lying in two respects First in regard of the things themselues for that for the most part they bee but meere illusions not the thing it selfe which seemeth to bee done and so appeareth to the eye Secondly in respect of the ende for which they are wrought For they are perfourmed by Antichrist to deceiue men and to drawe them into all kinde of impietie and vnrighteousnesse As Austin also testifieth lib. 20. De Ciuitate Dei cap. 19. So then by these two epithers or titles all the credite is crackt of this wonderfull skill and facultie of working miracles and whatsoeuer might thereby bee established is by the Spirit of GOD quite dasht least otherwise by meanes thereof wee should at any time suffer our selues to be deluded and seduced by Antichrist Now out of all that hath been spoken it is easie to bee gathered that only the vnfaithfull and such as do not appertaine to the number of Gods elect shall sticke to the doctrine and kingdome of Antichrist who ground their faith not vpon the worde of GOD but vpon certaine great and wonderfull miracles and as for such fellowes it was an easie matter for Sathan alwaies to deceiue them But this shall neuer happen to such as are godlie truelie faithfull indeede and the chosen children of GOD both because they are heald vp by the hande and Spirit of the Lorde least their faith fayle and also because they haue regard onlie to the worde of GOD from the prescript whereof they will not suffer themselues to bee caried Whereby it commeth to passe that the whole kingdome of Antichrist is nothing else then a confederate route that giue credite vnto the lying deceipts of Sathan men estraunged from the waies of saluation whom wee for our partes are neither to allowe nor like of That not euery perticular man which heretofore liued or is yet aliue either did or doth approue of the kingdome of Antichrist no not when it had preuailed and gotten the vpper hand The 37. Chapter NOw followeth the right and last poynt of this discourse which dependeth vpon the former For herein question is made who they bee that shall sticke to Antichrist and to what ende they should so do and this poynt seemed needfull to be added in two respects First that GOD might by that meanes comfort the godlie least otherwise they should doubt that themselues should also with others be caried away with the streame and drowned in the gulfe of so great impietie Indeede we are according to the aduertisement of our Sauiour carefully to stand vpon our guard and with all the powers of our mindes to cleaue fast to sound doctrine but least in the meane time we should faint for feare as thinking that God hath no such care of vs we are to rest our selues vpon this assurance that only the Reprobate shall followe Antichrist for God promiseth to deliuer and set vs free from the participation and fellowship of so great a blasphemie Secondly this poynt was also in an other respect to bee added namely that so a reason might be rendred of so great a iudgemēt of God executed vpō men For otherwise men would in wondering be either amazed at it while they should heare of so huge and horrible a dispersion and hauocke of the Church that should ensue or els they would powre out opprobries blasphemous speeches against God himself as if he were too too rigorous and seuere a Iudge But when the cause is yéelded for which al these things are inflicted brought to passe withal declared vpon whom these iudgemēts do seaze take place then is al this murmuring of men easily appeased the godly such as feare God are thereby taught and instructed A like place vnto this is that of Math. 24.24 whereby wee see that the worde of God is alwaies agreeable and like vnto it selfe But herein the Schoole-men haue shewed themselues foolish and ouer-curious in presuming to set downe the number of them that should repayre and relie vpon Antichrist The which Viguerus and Methodius haue attempted But it shall be a great deale more safe for vs to stay our iudgements vpon the worde of God and hould that indeede the number of men is infinite compting them by the poule or one by one which shall imbrace this blasphemie but yet not euery perticular man which shall then be liuing shall be seduced For as it is in the Reuela 18.3 All people and nations and inhabitaunts of the earth should drinke of the wine of Antichrist and the whore of Babilon yet not euery seuerall man shall drinke of that cuppe For by the great mercie of God some were preserued from that infection which perseuered in the true faith although indeed the number of such was but small For as Christ doth not bring euery man to saluation so neither doth Antichrist bring al to perdition For whereas Paule saith 1. Tim. 2.4 God would that all men should bee saued That without all doubt is to be vnderstood not of euery perticular of each Nation but that of each Nation some shall be saued the which in like sorte is to bee vnderstood of Antichrist when he is sayd in the Reuel to infect and besot al men with his contagious dregges That only the reprobate and such as are forsaken of God haue and shal stiffely and obstinately stick to the kingdome of Antichrist The 38. Chapter WHich seeing it is most true let vs now see who they bee that shall in such obstinate manner giue their consent and approbation of such haynous impietie against God and his sacred word And those are the vnbeleeuers and reprobate who are not the children of God and therefore Paule tearmeth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 forlorne or lost children And these be the verie persons whome the Scripture in other places as namely Iude in his Epistle calleth Men ordeined and appointed to such condemnation Iude vers 4. And Christ saith that They are not plants of his Fathers planting Math. 15.13 Iohn 15.2 They are therefore only the rebells reprobates and cast-awayes from God that shall alwayes with stiffe necks stand vnto Antichrist but not one of the elect and true children of God where-in also the iudgement of God against them appeareth to be iust for such perish as are worthie of death and none other For the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lost signifieth such as are worthie and haue deserued loosing Wherefore neither the godly nor the faithfull being supported by God shall at any time be ouerthrowne by Sathan no not though they liue in

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