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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

was not yet come Whereby it is euident that this man is an odde fellowe differing from the other simple Heretikes as being a more foule blasphemour then the whole packe of them all The second is which here I do but propound and barely affirme purposing afterward to make it plaine by substantial proofes that this saying of Paule concerning the opposition or contrarietie of the doctrine of Antichrist to the Gospell of Christ neither can or may be vnderstood or taken for the sect and religion of Mahumet For although it be so that the same also bee dissenting and repugnant to the doctrine of Christ yet neither doth Mahumet himselfe sit in the temple of God neither do they that professe to bee of his sect acknowledge themselues to be Christians or Pastours or Prelates of the Christian Church the which both Antichrist himselfe and his adherents do but do openly and professedly in boasting manner giue it out that they abandon both the name and companie of Christians Now let vs come to consider of some perticular poynts of the Papists doctrine who notwithstanding will needes be accompted the only Christians and Catholikes of the world and see how truely the Spirit of God hath called it a doctrine opposite and contrarie to Christ and his word For herein the auncient writers agree with vs in referring this speach of Paule vnto the Popish Synagogue that is to that Church which boasteth it selfe but falsely vnder the glorious title of the true Church of Christ Bernard vpon the Canticles Hom. 33. They are the ministers of Christ sayth he but they serue Antichrist Hilarie agaynst Auxentius Vnder the colour of preaching the Gospell he shall be contrarie to Christ in such sort as the Lord Iesus shall bee renounced euen while men thinke he is preached Lastly Chrisostome vpon Math. Hom. 49. That wee may bee able sayth he to discerne the doctrine of Antichrist frō that that is true and syncere wee are willed to make our repayre to the holie Scriptures for sayth he if wee respect outward names titles and professions wee shall see that they professe themselues to be Christians And after that he addeth Yea they will outwardly pretend greater chastitie and mortifying of the flesh then shall appeare to be among the true Christians The which we see and acknowledge to iumpe very fitly with the profession of Poperie and to paint the same out vnto vs in her proper colours Well let vs see the iarre and squaring that is betweene the doctrine of the Gospell and that of Antichrist And that is to bee found especially in these three poynts The first touching God and his essence The second concerning the matter of saluation and the meanes thereof The third the worship of God both inward and outward namely of Ceremonies Concerning the Lord God the sacred Scriptures teach vs principally and in generall these three heads The first that he is God only Mark 12.29 Deut. 6.4 The second that he is of an heauenly nature not consisting of any earthly dregges or humane corruption Act. 7.48 Isai 66.1 The third that he is the King of al things especially the Lord and only maister of our soules and consciences 1. Pet. 4.19 1. Pet. 2.25 Whereupon these three conclusions will necessarilie followe First that the true God cannot but hate a multitude of Gods or if any one bee ioyned to him as a fellowe Secondly that he cannot abide to be represented by Idolls And lastly that he cannot admit of any other to prescribe lawes for the binding of mens consciences Touching mans saluation and the causes thereof the Scripture teacheth vs these two principall things First that the same is absolute and perfect perfourmed by the onely death and sacrifice once offered vpon the Crosse of our Sauiour Christ very God and man Heb. 9.20 Secondly that it proceedeth freely from Gods gracious goodnes towards vs. Rom. 3. 4. Lastly concerning religion and the worship of God the Scripture teacheth vs this in generall First that it is to bée drawne only out of the word of God not taken from the traditions and precepts of men Math. 15.9 Deut. 12.8 Agayne touching the outward actions of the Church which are solemne signes and seales of our saluation called Sacraments we are taught out of the same word of God that God only is the author of them 1. Cor. 11.23 And touching outward Ceremonies which are also a part of Gods outward worship the same word of God would haue but few of them such as were profitable and tended to edification to bee admitted Wherein also no part or iot of our righteousnes consisteth neither is the conscience of a man burdened with thē but only they are to bee obserued for the decent order of the publike assemblie that so an outward vniformitie and comelinesse might be kept among Christians as Paule writeth 1. Cor. 10. 11. And in his Epistle to the Galat. and the Epistle to the Hebr. cap. 8. 9. 10. But as for the doctrine of Poperie what article shall wee finde there agreeing hereunto For as concerning that of one God their Diuinitie hath cleane rased out that poynt for they haue chopped and chaunged the Maiestie of the highest and haue conueighed the same as it were by peece-meale vnto a number of newe vp-starts and pettie-Gods of their owne For looke how many Saincts they haue canonized so many Gods haue they coyned and foysted in to become Lords of the earth and disposers of mightie matters Insomuch as one hath the ruling of the raine committed vnto him an other the disposing of faire weather the third is made maister of diseases and an other the restorer of health And touching the heauenly essence and diuine nature of God first they made GOD himselfe an earthly lumpe when they teach that the Pope is an earthly God and when they will needes beare vs in hand that their Waifer-cake or crust of bread made of Branne is a very true God Secondly they haue set vp a number of Idolles which they worship and appoynt men to worship God by and through them and in this poynt they shewed their wonderfull excessiue outrage For neuer among any Nations no not among the Grecians from whom they say this Idolatrie first proceeded was there the like furious madnes shewed in * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Idol-worship as was and is to be found among the Papists For they erect still new Idolls and yet retaine their olde they bring in forraigners and withal worship their home-Gods vnknowne and knowne Gods they worship all alike to be briefe they like mad men haue brought in amongst vs the perfect state of Paganisme And as touching our eternall saluation and the causes thereof they as though the worke thereof were not fully finished and perfected by the only sacrifice of our Sauiour do daylie celebrate and thrust vpon vs the sacrifice of the Masse for the remission of sinnes In somuch as that detestable and horrible toy of the

in the Papacie the Sea and Metropolitane Chaire of that Kingdome is in Italie and euen Rome is the appointed place for it neither is there any Citie in the world besides which may iustly be reputed the right seate for Antichrist or meete Sea for the Bish of Rome Which things being so as namely sith we see so many points of agreement and resemblance betweene the Romane Idolatrous Empire long since defaced and this kingdome of Poperie newly erected who may once make doubt that Antichrist is he who vnhappely reuiued and restored the Image of the fifth Beast so deadly wounded that is of the Romane Empire which was Italian and Idolatrous And who can iustly deny that the Papisticall seate is the very rig●t counterfaict picture of that wounded Beast And thus much of that Beast which in the Reuel representeth Antichrist vnto vs. VVhy Antichrist is tearmed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is aduersary to Christ and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aduersary to God Where also comparison is made in some points betweene the doctrine of Christ or the Gospell and the positions of Popery The eleuenth Chapter BVt let vs come to consider of other names of his he is called Antichrist 1. Iohn 4. 3. by the which word his condition and qualitie that is to say his doctrine is briefely set out vnto vs. The force of which word Paule expresseth when he saith he shall become an aduersarie vnto Christ and God him-selfe arrogating to him-selfe their power and maiestie in so much as nothing ought to seeme more vile horrible and detestable then this Monster that so all the faithfull and children of God might frō their verie hearts hate abhorre and detest him as in the Reuelation they are warned to do Cap. 18. 4. Go out of her my people c. And Cap. 14.9 If any man worship the Beast and his Image he shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God Math. 24.26 If they shall say vnto you behold he is in the desert goe not foorth c. Therefore it was requisite euen in this respect that Antichrist before his comming should be set out in his proper colours Againe it was profitable in regard heereof least we should take offence to see such extreame impietie and should thinke that God had cast off all care both of the Church and of his glory but that euen in the midst of all this vilianie we still continue sound and true Christians And where-as Paule saith that Antichrist or that man of sinne the ring-leader of that disordered route should shew him-selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an opposite and aduersarie to Christ he therein alludeth vnto the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is as much to saye as Aduersarie to Christ opposing him-selfe not only against one article of the Christian faith or against one part only of the Gospell but against all godlinesse and therefore Paule spake more effectually and expressed a greater contrarietie in tearming him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opponent then if he had called him only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an enemy for he is thwart and opposite vnto Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 simplie in euery respect and not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in some one point or other Truth it is that all Heretikes are called Antichrists especially such as denie the person and office of our Sauiour 1. Iohn 2.18 4.2 but that is only in some perticular respect but this most wicked Antichrist hath gathered together the dreggs 〈…〉 of all Heresies powred them abroad to the great blasphemie of Christ And heereby by the way the censure of Austin is confirmed where-in speaking against some that were ignorant in the Greeke tongue he teacheth this that Antichrist is not so called for that he should come before Christ whereupon they harped by mis-understanding the word but for that he should proue contrarie to Christ and his word whereupon he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Antichrist as if we should say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to Christ the word beeing Greeke not Latine But it may seeme straunge that seeing he should become an aduersarie vnto the whole bodie of the Scriptures he was not rather tearmed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aduersarie to God or some such like name then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to Christ But the reason may bee this that seeing Christ appeared in the latter age of the world and that his doctrine whereunto he chiefely opposeth himself was made manifest and was receiued in this last time It was meete that he that should oppose himselfe in the sayd latter age and time vnto Christ and his doctrine should rather bee called and described vnto vs vnder the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christes foe then of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gods foe or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gospels foe or by any other name or title But certaine it is that this obseruation agreeth fitly with that of the Reuel cap. 16.13 19.20 where the chiefe instrument of this Apostacie is called by a kinde of prerogatiue The false Prophet as if he among all the false Prophets that euer were should be the most daungerous and detestable And agayne the Beast it selfe vnder whose figure and shape the condition and manner of this defection is by the Spirit of God reueiled vnto vs is sayd to bee full of names of blasphemie whordome and vncleannes Reuel 17.3.4 the which in mine opinion no man may iustly make doubt but that it is to be referred vnto the name and doctrine of Antichrist Therefore this place seemeth to require this at mine hands that for the better vnderstanding of this poynt and the plainer proofe of mine assertion I should speake of and handle the doctrine of Antichrist and compare it briefly with the doctrine of the Gospell And in this poynt we shall the better proceede if we shall beare in minde these two things The first is that this Antichrist of whom I speake is such a fellowe as assaulteth and ouerthroweth not only one poynt of Christian doctrine as many Heretikes in time past did as namely Simon Valentinus Marcion Nicholaus Cerdo Manes Sabellius Arrius and such like but vndermineth corrupteth and destroyeth the whole frame of Christes doctrine and Gospell which practise of his is bewrayed vnto vs euen in his very name or title as being indefinitely or without limitation tearmed in euery place where this matter is handled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the opponent or opposite person Other Heretikes are limited within the compasse of one or two errors of theirs as if any denie that Christ is come in the flesh he is an Antichrist but a Simonian Heretike Hymenaeus and Philetus were in the daies of Paule accompted Heretikes but that was in some one certaine respect as namely because they impugned the poynt of the resurrection of the flesh These wicked men although they then beleeued and taught yet Paule is plaine that this Antichrist of whom here we haue spoken

if we consider aduisedly of the matter For both of them came to passe before the kingdome of Antichrist wherof now we speake was setled established I meane both the ouerthrow of the Romane Empire the propagation of the Gospel ouer al the world This reconcilement of these two opinions and this exposition of mine is confirmed by a very plaine place of Daniel cap. 2.34 44 7.13 The words whereof are these cap. 2.34 verse 34 Thou didst behould it so till a stone was cut out of the mountaine without hands which smote the Image vpon his feete that were of yron and clay and brake them to peeces verse 44 And in the daies of those Kings shall that God of heauen set vp a kingdome which shall neuer bee destroyed and this people shall not bee giuen to an other people but it shall breake and destroy al these kingdomes and it shall stand for euer Cap. 7.13 I beheld in visions by night and loe one like the sonne of man came in the clowdes of heauen and that this one speach and assertion is sufficient to shewe that Austin was neuer the author of that booke seeing that in his time neither were the French Kings so famously knowne neither was the Empire sustained by the French-men which began long after in the dayes of the Emperour Valence Now out of all these things which haue bin spoken that is gathered and concluded which I haue affirmed namely that both the Gospell was first to be preached and the Romane Empire to be deminished before that the Kingdome of Antichrist could plainely be descryed or established And touching this ouerthrowe of the Romane Empire Paule hath indeede made some signification of it but some-what obscurely and that he seemeth to haue done in two respects first for that he spake vnto Christians and those that were not ignorant of this prophecie and of this peece of worke for they had heard the Apostles in their publike preachings in the Churches often handling that matter as it appeareth by their writings Secondly to the end that none should thereby take displeasure or that any daunger should thereby growe vnto the Church from the Romane Emperours for that some of the Christians should seeme to prognosticate and hartily wishe their destruction But although Paule had vtterly concealed this point yet it might sufficiently be vnderstoode out of Daniell the 2. and 7. that such a thing should come to passe Yet that place of Iohn 1. Iohn 2. seemeth to make against both this mine assertion and also this place of Paule wherein Iohn affirmeth that in his dayes Antichrist was alreadie come But vnto this place of Iohn an aunswere may be easily made namely that the foundations and ground-works of this kingdome and Apostacie were indeede long agoe framed by meanes of heresies and heretikes but yet the whole frame and building of the said state and kingdome was then at last reared aloft in stature and strength to the viewe and open sight of all men after that the kingdome of Christ began to be proclaimed and the Romane Empire to be reuersed That the time of the comming of Antichrist wherein he should seate and settle him-selfe in the Church was by the Spirit of God prescicely set downe to be 666. yeares from the time that this prophecie of Iohn was made knowne the which tearme of time did expire much about the raigne of Constantine Pogonatus the bearded an Emperour of Constantinople The twenteth Chapter BVt in this point concerning the time of the comming of Antichrist this question which conteineth indéede much more difficultie in it is moued whether the time within the compasse whereof the kingdome of Antichrist was to be erected be to be found in any place of Scripture certainly set downe and determined wherein it is verie certaine men are of diuers iudgements Some denie it flatly And therefore Austin lib. 18. De Ciuitate Dei Cap. 25. 53. saith that that time is altogether hidden and vnknowne and is verie earnest héerein that neither the moneth nor the yeare nor the time of his comming and of his kingdome can be learned But they that are of that opinion seeme to be deceiued and heerein they erre for that they vnskillfully and falsely do attribute those things vnto one man as I haue declared whom they take should be the only Antichrist which are to be vnderstoode of the whole state and bodie of Antichrist But that which the Scripture doth in plentifull manner deliuer touching the kingdome of Antichrist is to be taken of a whole bead-rowle of men and of a long succession of matters and times Some therefore are of another iudgement namely that the time is expressely set downe and determined wherein the said kingdome of Antichrist should begin and yet euen heerein also some dissent from others For some thinke that the yeare 1000. is the prefixed time some 500. others 400. after the birth of Christ but séeing that all these because for their assertions they ground vpon no certaine and direct place of the holie Scriptures but rest only vpon doubtfull coniectures of their owne framing we will take an other and that a more sure course grounding our selues except I be deceiued vpon a more firme foundation For if we marke well what the Spirit of God in the Reuelation hath deliuered we shall finde that the time wherein the state of this Apostacie was to be established is expressely set downe And that time in verie truth is not so much to be reckoned from the time of Christes passion or birth as from the time wherein this point of prophecie was reueiled vnto Iohn which falleth out in the yeare 666. as appeareth out of the Reuelation Cap. 13.18 although Irenaeus doth write Lib. 5. cap. 25. that this place of Scripture hath bin notably corrupted the words whereof are these verse 18 Heere is wisedome Let him that hath vnderstanding coumpt the number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is sixe hundreth threescore and sixe I haue sayd alreadie * Chap. 7. that these words The number of a man are not to be vnderstoode of any magicall or misticall word which by the arithmeticall computation of the letters therein comprised would yeeld the iust number of 666. For this manner of noting out a time is altogether strange and vnknowne in the holy Scriptures And to be short it is more méete and agréeing with the brain-sicke Cabalists then proper to the Spirit of God In the which odde facultie although Irenaeus sometime tooke some painefull study yet he derided the same in Valentinian Lib. 2. cap. 40. Againe those that haue waded therein as did Irenaeus and others we sée how vncertayne they are in themselues and how repugnant the one to the other for looke how many heads there are among them so many seuerall iudgements shall we finde Now the cause why they all stumble especially vpon this stone is for that they do not attentiuely

marke the verie wordes of Iohn and yet the Spirit of God in that place speaketh verie simplie and plainely For after he had foretould the state of Antichrist in the sayd 13. Chapter and also described what manner of one he should be he also in plaine sort did set downe the time wherein all those things should be fulfilled namely the yeare 666. which he tearmeth the number of a man that is a plaine number and easie to be knowne not hard to be reckoned euen as in Esay Cap. 8.1 a writing that is plaine and easie is called the penne of a man and in such sort to be coumpted as men vsually in those dayes were accustomed to number And these yeares beginne not at the time of Christes birth but rather of his suffering and from the time of Iohn Therefore the Spirit of God telleth vs that in the supputation of these yeares we must vse the ordinarie and common kinde of reckoning then practised And the reason why the Spirit of God is so carefull about aduertising vs héereof is least when question is made of the comming of Antichrist we should thinke that those yeares were in such sort to be coumpted as in Daniell Cap. 9.25 where the yeares of Christes comming are reckoned by wéekes of yeares for we should be deceiued if we should take that course Truth it is that God would haue the time and comming as of Christ so of Antichrist expressely set downe vnto vs but yet both of them after a diuers manner of reckoning For the time of the comming of Christ was to be coumpted among the Iewes by wéekes of yeares but the time of the comming of Antichrist by a familiar popular and common kinde of numbring such as all men did ordinarily vse For that kinde of coumpting by weekes of yeares is intricate hard and not so familiarly knowne vnto euerie man but this manner of reckoning which is by adding of yeare vnto yeare is vsuall and truly verie playne and common God vsed the former when he dealt with the Iewes among whome the number of seauen was a solemne matter and religiously accoumpted of and who were alreadie accustomed to obserue and coumpt manie things by multiplication of seauen weekes as namely the yeares of Iubile But he vsed this latter beeing more common which is done by adding eache seuerall yeare as it followed in succession vnto that that went next before when he had to doe with the Gentiles among whome the Church was to be planted and with whome that solemnitie of seauens or weekes of yeares were neuer knowne nor practised but only this other common manner whereby they onely added euerie yeare as it followed vnto those that were past and went before Againe the Interpretours of Daniell Cap. 9. bring another reason why God in pointing and limiting out the time of the comming of Christ wherein the great comfort of the Iewes should consist vsed rather the number of seauens namely to the ende that he might compare the time of their exile and banishment which was by the space of seauentie yeares with the time of theyr comfort and his mercie towards them which should ensue which was seauen times seauentie yeares that is 490. which number of yeares those seauentie weekes prescribed by Daniell do amount vnto Then after this sort must we number the yeares coumpt the time of the Beasts comming because the Spirit of God him-selfe doth prescribe vnto vs the same manner whereby it falleth out that that time wherein the kingdome and state of Antichrist began publikely openly and that especially to be framed and set vp in the Church of God was in the yeare after Christ 666. Although withall I am not ignoraunt that after the tyme of Christ there were dyuers kyndes of supputation of yeares in the Church of God while some began to reckon at the conception of Christ others reckon at the gouernment of Alexander and some againe reckon from the first yeare of Dioclesians Empyre but verely I my selfe doe thinke that in this place those 666. yeares are to be reckoned both from the death of Christ and from the time that this prophecie was reueiled in and especially for the more easie and readie reckoning let vs beginne to reckon from the time of Christes suffering so in the 666. yeare after his Passion that blasphemous kingdome of Antichrist whereof the Spirit of God had fore-warned had openly and euerie-where seazed vpon the Church of God Most certaine it is that at that verie time and in that verie yeare the Papisticall and execrable Masse a verie defacing and blotting out of the death of Christ began euerie-where priuately in Churches to be celebrated in the Latin tongue as Bale writeth in the first of his Centuries Cap. 80. namely in the time of Vitalian Bishop of Rome Againe this number 666. limited for the reueiling of Antichrist may seeme to some to be so set by God for that it containeth about the third part of those two thousand yeares wherein some thinke the world shall stand and continue from the time of Christ vnto the ende of the world only there is a little ouer-plus of yeares in this multiplication ouer and aboue the iust number of 2000. and those are to be allowed to this ende and purpose that Antichrist might haue a time wherein he should raigne and after haue a fall But touching this which I haue affirmed of the numbring of 666. yeares how true it is let vs now more attentiuely consider For the issue of things and the accomplishment of the Prophecie it selfe ought to be accoumpted an omni-sufficient witnesse and proofe of mine assertion The which that it may the better appeare this I say and affirme that it is most certayne and out of all controuersie that the strongest bulwarke or rather ground-worke of the Antichristian kingdome began then publikely and in verie deede to be layde and to be reared vp in the midst of the Church when one onely man by the publike consent of Christians began to be called and acknowledged by the name of Byshop of Byshops or Vniuersall Byshop and this began and that by the authoritie and will of the Emperour himselfe about the yeare of our Lord sixe hundred and foure as is manifest out of Chronicles For Boniface the 3. Bishop of Rome was pronounced by the Emperour Phocas as I haue shewed before vniuersall Pope and Bishop of all the world and that with this prerogatiue that this priuiledge to him graunted should continue for euer to his successours being Bishops of Rome and there seated This was done by Phocas in the first yeare of his raigne which is reckoned by all Historiographers to bee the yeare of our Lord 603. Neither did Phocas deale thus liberally with the Romane Bishop for nothing For whereas the said Phocas had villanously murdered his predecessour Mauritius the Emperour by this so bountifull a bribe bestowed on the Romane Bishops who alwaies could do much in the Citie with the people of Rome he

subdued by him there was neuer any called an Italian Emperour 5. Theodoricus King of Gothes being sent for into Italie by Zeno the Emperour to assist him against Odoacer held him-selfe the Romane Empire in Italie by the space of fiftie yeares and to the ende he might make it knowne how little he estéemed Rome he kept his Emperiall residence at Ravenna This man was the fift 6. Athalaricus who succéeded his Father Theodoricus vnder Anastasius the Emperoure For nowe the Empire of the Gothes beganne by a continuall succession of their Kings to take rooting and footing in Italie And vnder the gouernment of this Athalaricus the Gothes continued their defacing of the dignity of the Romane Empire in Italie 7. Theodatus was the seauenth and he also was a Gotish King who succéeded Athalaricus in Italie 8. Vitiges the eight King likewise of Gotland after Theodatus who wasted and spoiled almost all Italie He besieged the Citie of Rome it-selfe which had shronke and reuolted from the subiection of the Gotish Kings vpon confidence of assistance from the Lieutenants and Emperours of Constantinople This man therefore as Sabellicus reporteth vtterly defaced and put out all the lawes customes priuiledges records of Antiquities of auncient families of the auncient Romanes which he found remaining in Italie He liued vnder the raigne of Iustine the first 9. Totilas King of Gothes succéeded Vitiges and this is the ninth of those 10. Kings He liued vnder Iustinian the first Emperour of Constātinople This man both besieged sacked and vtterly rased the Citie of Rome and to conclude euen as the Spirit of God had fore-shewed it should come to passe he burnt it with fire and this fire raunged raged by the space of 40. daies without ceasing in so much as the Citie being then so throughly consumed might iustly be iudged to be that Geddon-Harma the ruine of Rome spoken of in the Reuel that is the only shreads sheards vtter ouerthrow of that famous auncient Citie For after this vastation it remained only a ruinous desolate place And this befell in the yeare of our Lord 546. This scourge continued as is fore-shewed Reuel Cap. 13.5 by the space of 42. moneths that is three yeares and a halfe For when the third yeare was expired after this burning and vtter ouerthrow of Rome done by Totilas Belisarius chiefe Captaine vnder Iustinian began first to renewe the same gathering together such scraps and fragments thereof as were left and at last to enuiron with a wall the plot or soile where once the ould Rome stoode which is the verie same where-with euen at this day that part which they call ould Rome is beawtified 10. Teias who also was King of Gothes is the tenth who succéeded Totilas in the Kingdome and vexed or wasted Italie but a short time seeing that little or nothing was left of that auncient Citie neither was there scarce any print or marke left of the ould Romane Empire This man beeing taken prisoner by Belisarius was caried vnto Constantinople Now touching these matters if we begin to reckon the time from Alaricus they were atchieued within the compasse of about 132. yeares but if we begin as others will rather haue it at the time of Odoacer they were 60. yeares and some-what more in doing Which points being thus made plane we now perceiue and see that God would not haue the kingdome of Antichrist ouerthrowne with worldly or carnall weapons as the scripture speaketh but spirituall that he will not cōtend with him with an yron Sword but with the spirit or breath of his mouth Other earthlie and humane Monarches haue vsed earthlie and carnall weapons both to the raising of themselues and razing of others So did the Persians ouer-runne Assyria with weapon and bloudie warre And so againe did the Macedonians subdue the Persians by dint of Sworde And so likewise did the Romanes tame and bring vnder the Macedonians But the Lord who at first made and framed the whole world by vertue of his word who also sustaineth and ruleth the same by the power there-of and will also raigne in his Church by the Preaching of his worde and lastly who hath giuen vnto Christ a spirituall not an earthlie Kingdome will vse a spirituall sword the effectuall preaching of the Gospell for the foiling of his foes euen as it is in Zech. 4.6 and Esay 9.5 For the saying of Lactantius is right famous and most worthie of credite which he hath in his fifth Booke and ninetenth Chapter It standeth with good reason that thou shouldest maynteyne and defende thy religion with pacience or with death whereby keeping thy faith sound and vpright thou makest it acceptable vnto God and gaynest credit and authoritie vnto Religion And heere that maketh no iarre which is sayd Psal 2.9 that Christ should haue an yron Scepter whereby he should crush his enemies in peeces like a potters vessell For indeede that place attributeth vnto Christ such power and might as against which his most obstinate and mightie foes should neuer be able to resist but yet it doth not properlie or litterally mention the meane or instrument where-with the enemies of the Church shall be destroyed For that must rather be brought to passe by the word of God then with weapons for the weapons of Christians and of the Church of God are spirituall as Paule speaketh 2. Cor. 10.4 Reuel 19.15 and not carnall or worldly VVhether it be lawfull for Christians and such as professe the Gospell to wage warre with the Papistes in purpose to ouerthrow the kingdome of Antichrist and to roote out his doctrine The 29. Chapter YEt we are not hereupon to thinke as some haue done that the outward vse of weapons is by the Gospell vtterly condemned as Tertullian lib. De Idolatria Apologetico Lactan. lib. 5. cap. 22. cap. 19. make report Indeede the Marcionites were of that minde and euen at this day some Anabaptistes haue renewed the same error But if so be that the partie be such as may take warre in hand it is not so of it selfe vnlawfull And such a partie is the Magistrate as appeareth Rom. 13.4 Luke 3.14 But here we haue in hand to shewe the difference that should bee betweene Christes kingdome and the kingdomes of this world For as touching the kingdome of Christ as it is of it selfe spirituall so doth it vse spiritual weapons such as are the word of God the power of the Spirit and the light of the truth But as for politicke and earthly kingdomes in as much as they are to regard the commodities and haue consideration of things belonging to this life and are for that ende and purpose established they do maintaine and defend themselues by outward weapons by the Lords permission yea sometimes by his expresse will and commaundement And hence now ariseth and falleth into this poynt that famous and profitable question so often handled and inquired after Whether any man may at any time in defence of

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