Christe will all menne to searche the Scriptures and to leane vnto them in all matters of controuersie as faithfull witnesses of the Lordes truthe Antichriste commaundeth that when any question arise aboute matters of Religion menne should haue recourse vnto the Canons and generall Councels but spicially vnto the See of Roome where all doubtfull matters are to bee decided As for the Scripture it hath no more aucthoritie then it pleaseth the Churche that is to faie the Pope and his adherentes to giue vnto it 4 Christe teacheth that all mennes traditions oughte to giue place vnto the woorde of God and that whatsoeuer is decreed of menne although of neuer so greate ancthoritie and wisedome contrary to the woorde of God is vtterly to bee neglected reiected and caste awaie Antichriste teacheth plainely that all suche constitutions and ordinaunces of men as bee decreed and set forthe by the aucthoritie of Counselles and holie Fathers whiche are alwaies gathered together by the instincte and consent of the holy ghost although thei are not nor can not bee grounded on Goddes worde are notwithstādyng good and profitable and menne are bounde vnder paine of deadly synne to obtaine and keepe them For the Churche can not erre 5 Christe teacheth that there is but one onely true liuyng and euerlastyng God whiche alone is to be honoured worship ped and called vpon by whose name also alone we ought to sweare Antichriste also after a certaine sorte confessed also one God with vs and that he is to be honoured and called vpon but not alone For he teacheth that the sainctes in heauen bothe maie and ought to be honoured and called vpō yea and that we maie also sweare by their names 6 Christe in his holie Lawe bothe by Moses the Prophetes and Apostles forbiddeth to make sette forthe or kepe any Image to bee worshipped But aboue all thinges he forbiddeth vs to make any Image of God. Antichrist saieth it is lawfull not onely to haue images and to sette them vp in Temples Chapels Oratories c. but also to worshippe theim to kneele before theim to kisse them to praie before them yea to them to knele before them to set candels before them to decke and trimme them to offer vnto them to sense them to put of our cappes vnto them and at the laste what not Antichriste also diggeth out of the ground the olde rotten bones or reliques of sainctes translateth them encloseth them in Golde keepeth them in precious shrynes and costly Clausures and setteth them forth to the people to be kissed and worshipped Moreouer he is not ashamed contrarie too the manifeste woorde of God to make the Image of the blessed Trinitie He formeth and frameth God the father like an old broken backed man with a white head winckled forehed holow eied slender cheeked sharpe nosed tothlesse wide mouthed hangyng doune lipped crooke chinned graye bearded small necked leane handed and in fine altogether monstrous GOD the Sonne Antichrist setteth forth as a lusty younge younker with his yelow lockes and God the holy Ghost he maketh like a yong lustie White flickeryng Doue But this blasphemous image causeth hee to be set in Churches and in all other places not onely to be considered but also to be worshipped vnto the greate dishonour of god the slaunder of the Christen religion the offence of all good men and vnto the glorie of all Gods ennemies But what dareth not Antichrist doe 7 Christ teacheth that the true worshippers muste worshippe God in spirite and trueth againe that they worship God in vaine whiche honour hym after the traditions of men Antichrist affirmeth that it is lawfull to worship God any maner of waie so it commeth of a good entent good mynde good zeale good deuotion c. For God casteth awaie the good intent of no man Antichrist therefore teacheth vs to worship God with Golde Siluer precious stones sumpteous vestures candels palmes Ashes bread water Salt c. With long patteryng curious singyng pleasaunt pipyng loude ringyng c. With Surplesses Copes Uestimentes Caps Coules c. with Massyng with Pilgrimage goyng with Pardons biyng with Beades saiyng c. And all these thinges he taught to be more precious and acceptable in the sight of GOD than to helpe the poore or to doe any worke of mercie For that is done but to manne the other vnto God. 8 Christ in his sweete Sermon that hee made in the mount saieth that he came to fulfill the Lawe that is to saie to accomplishe whatsoeuer was prefigured of him in the ceremonies of the olde Testament so that by his comming he hath put away and vtterlie abolished all Ceremonies euen as the shadow is remoued by the entrance of the light For as the Apostle saieth The lawe he meaneth the ceremoniall law was nothyng els than a shadow of good thinges to come The good thinges are come and geuen therfore the shadow ceaseth wherby we euidently learne that the Christians are nowe free from suche cloudy lawes darke ceremonies Antichrist teacheth that although the Ceremonies of the olde law be abolished by the commyng of Christ yet that hindreth nothing but that the Church which is the spouse of Christ may appoint what Ceremonies she wil without any offence of her husband Christ whiche delighteth in her and in her doynges as in himselfe yea and that so muche the more bicause among the christians there are many rude grosse and thei must be rudely and grossely handled and brought by little and little vnto perfection thorowe suche Ceremonies and outward obseruaunces whiche Ceremonies and Ordinaunces of Christes spouse the Churche are with no lesse reuerences to bee obserued than if they had beene commaunded of Christe her husbande 9 Christ Iesus in his doctrine teacheth that he alone is our Sauiour our Redeemer our Bishop or Pastour our head our reconciliatour our peacemaker and in fine all our hope and comfort in so muche that whosoeuer beleueth in hym shall not perishe but haue euerlastyng life Antichriste in his doctrine teacheth that saluation and remission of synnes is to bee obtained also at his handes at his Pardons Indulgences yeres of Iubile Masses Coules Pilgrimages c. Againe that he is heade of the vniuersall Churche of Christendome Christes Uicare Peters Successour the higheste Bishop the greatest Priest the moste holie and moste blessed Father to whom aboue all other the keyes of the kyngdom of heauē are committed fo that whatsoeuer he bindeth in yearth is also bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer he looseth in yearth is in like maner loosed in heauen so that whosoeuer cleaueth vnto hym can not perishe but haue life euerlastyng 10 Christe taught vs that whensoeuer wee will desire any thyng of God the Father wee should aske it in his name For no manne commeth to the Father but by hym And in the writynges of the Apostles wee reade that Christe alone is our
should offer hym the other also Antichriste will suffer nothyng yea he teacheth that he maie auenge and driue awaie force with force 69 Christe by open voice from Heauen was pronounced of God the Father to bee his dearely beloued Soonne and so many as purpose to bee saued and to bee made enheritours of eternall life are cōmaunded to heare hym Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente that vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation we heare hym obeye and obserue his Decrees and Lawes 70 Christe laied lighte burdeines and swete yokes vpon his Disciples neckes Antichrist saieth intollerable burthēs and moste greeuous yokes vpon mennes shoulders and notwithstandyng he saith If any commaundemente or burthen bee so heauie that it can not bee sustained and borne yet shall ye obeye me In this behalfe Antichrist is like the olde Hypocrites emong the Iewes of whom our Sauiour Christe speaketh on this maner Thei binde together heauie burthens and greeuous to bee borne and laie them on mennes shoulders But thei theim selues will not heaue at theim with one of their fingers Againe woe vnto you ye Lawiers For ye lade menne with burthens whiche thei bee not able to beare and ye your selues touche not the packes with one of your fingers 71 Christe paied Tribute to Cesar and gaue commaundemente to all his that thei should giue to the Temporall Magistrate whatsoeuer is due vnto hym as the Apostle saieth Giue to euery manne his duetie Tribute to whom Tribute belongeth Custome to whom Custome is due c. Antichriste despiseth bothe this example and doctrine of Christe and excommunicateth all them that aske any Tolle or Tribute either of hym or of his For he hath made theim all free by his Lawe from all suche charges and paimentes 77 Christe when he liued in this worlde was beneficiall liberall and plentifull in doyng the workes of mercie to the poore and exhorted other to doe the like euer commendyng mercie aboue Offerynges and Sacrifices Antichrist hath no pleasure at all in the woorkes of mercie neither careth he for the poore But his desire is that menne should giue their money for Pardons for Masses for Dirges c. and bestow their gooddes vpon Images gildyng Tabernacles pointyng chaūtries building c. so that he will no mercie but all offerynges And he that saieth It is better to giue our charitie to the poore as Christ saieth is counted halfe an Heretike because he goeth about to marre Antichristes market 73 Christe the Mirrour of meekenesse and example of humilitie charged his disciples that thei should not desire to bee called masters nor yet fathers on yearth Antichriste will not onely bee called the Lorde and Maister of all Christendome but also the moste holie Father in yearth Goddes Uicar in yearth Peters Successour in yearth and Heade of the Churche in yearth c. 74 Christe disdained not to goe vnto the Mariage when he was called and sanctified the same with the firste fruites of his miracles Antichrist despiseth mariage and commaundeth his Shauelynges by no meanes to bee at theim as a kinde of life vnperfecte and vnworthie their high perfection and pure state of their vocation or callyng 75 Chirste refuseth not to goe whersoeuer he was desired so he might doe good to other Antichriste is so delicate and fine and vnpacient of labour that he refuseth to goe any where excepte it bee to profite and to doe good to hym self 76 Christ thought no scorne suche was his good will toward all men euen with his hande to touche the Leper when he healed hym Antichriste disdaineth once to looke vpon the poore so farre it is of that he will handle and touche the miserable diseased and lothsome people with his holie handes His delight is to haue to dooe with the greate God Mammon and with the nise nimphes of Ladie Uenus court 77 Christe had greate pleasure and singuler delight to be emong thē that were sicke and diseased Antichrist hath al his delight and pleasure to bee emong the minions of the worlde and the lustie galauntes Dicers Carders Minstrelles Gameplaiers and all suche as maie prouoke hym vnto pleasure mirthe and ioye 78 Christe kept companie with sinners whores and Publicanes to the ende that he might allure theim from wickednesse vnto Godlinesse saiyng Thei that are whole haue no neede of a Phisition but thei that are sicke For I am not come to call the righteous but synners to repentaunce Antichriste delighteth to accompanie the Princes and Rulers of this worlde that he maie enlarge and encrease sainct Peters patrimonie and enriche Mother holie Churche whiche beginneth now to waxe old and hath greate neede of helpe As touchyng them that are runne astraie from God he knoweth none other waie vnto saluation but to exhort them to buy his Pardons Masses c. 79 Christe in his Sermons had no respect of persones but rebuked al degrees a like that were rebukeable Antichrist preacheth neuer prateth oft great and noble personages he flattereth although neuer so wicked and vngodlie namely when he hopeth and looketh for gaine As touchyng the poore and miserable he thundereth at them with the sentence of the greate curse 80 Christe when his Disciples Iames and Ihon would haue had fire come doun from heauen as in the daies of Elias vppon the Samaritanes for their ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse and so to haue destroied them rebuked them and saied ye wote not what maner spirit ye are of For the Sonne of manne is not come to destroie mennes liues but to saue them Antichriste when any although neuer so little displeasure is doen against hym so fumeth and fometh so braieth and brauleth so roareth and rageth that straight waies out of his firie place he casteth out his moste greeuous thunderbolte of that terrible great excommunication If that will doe no good then prouoketh he princes vnto warres out of hand and to murther for his sake many thousande of innocent soules neuer ceasyng from his furious madnesse and madde furie vntill he be auenged to the vttermoste forgettyng this commaundement of GOD vengeaunce is myne and I will reward saieth the Lorde 81 Christ alwaie defended his disciples against the Scribes and Phariseis with the aucthorities of Gods worde Antichriste defendeth his adherentes with bannyng and cursing with Sweard and Speare with Bowes and Arowes with Gonne and Pollaxe and suche like martiall armoures 82 Christ tooke paciently the opprobrious wordes that were spoken against his owne persone but the railyng blasphemies vttered of the blasphemous enemies of the truthe againste the glory of GOD he could by no meanes abyde but mightely defended it Antichriste regardeth not the blasphemies spoken or written against the glory of God the manifest truth of his blessed worde but if any thing be spoken against hym and his deuilishe decrees then rageth he like a mad man and neuer ceaseth vntill he be reuenged except
one liuyng therefore he dispenseth with his Chaplains for money to haue as many Benefices as they can get neuer takyng thought for the discharge of the cures He graunteth them dualities trialities pluralities and tot quots to snatche as many as they can catch Though God would haue one Pastour to haue but one flocke and one Beneficed man to enioye but one benefice yet Antichrist contrarie to this moste righteous will of GOD graunteth to one man for money through dispensation to haue multitudes of Benefices both against all right and conscience and againste the auncient practise and vsage of Christes church It is more tollerable and praise worthy that two or three pastoures should haue the ouersight of one Congregation beeyng large and great in multitude of people as we read that in the City of Philippos there were diuers bishops and diuers Deacons that did attend vpon the flocke of Christ than one man to haue the charge of many Parishes How can one manne bee in diuers places can one man doe that whiche is denied to Angels I meane to be in many and diuers places at once Will they commit the charge of them to other and hire other to satisfie their office But our Sauiour Christ saith A good shepheard giueth his life for his Sheepe An hyred seruant and he that is not the shepheard neither are the sheepe his owne seeth the Wolfe commyng and leaueth the sheepe and flieth and the Wolfe catcheth and scattereth the Sheepe If Antichristes Chaplaines be not able to serue so manie Cures as they are not able in deede as they place other in their stead so let them resigne and giue ouer to their Curates and Ministers those benefices where thei serue and they themselues serue not that they may be the more able to doe their dutie And would God suche order might be taken that one Benefice might bee made of suche valour that it might aboundantly suffice on man and suche as necessarily appertaine vnto hym that these pluralities of Benefices may once bee taken awaie which without doubt hath bene the occasion and yet is of the destruction of many mens soules 79 Christe by his blessed Apostle commaundeth that suche should bee chosen to be Bishops and Pastors of Gods flocke as be apte to teache that is to saye to exhorte by wholsome doctrine and to improue them that say against it Antichrist repelleth and putteth backe none from taking cure of soules if he can reade his Portasse and his Missall and be weli seene in the Pye. As for preachyng and teachyng except it be foure tymes in the yere to reade to the people a generall curse or to tell them some narrations out of the Festiuale or Sainctes lyes lyues I should saie out of Legenda Aurea he careth not for it yea he abhorreth it Moreouer Antichrist is growen vp vnto suche fauour and madnesse that he is not ashamed for Money to dispense with Boyes and to licence them to haue cure of Soules and to enioye spirituall promotions whiche ought to bee the liuynges of the true and faithfull Pastours and of suche as labour and trauaile in the Lordes haruest where as the boyes are not able too haue cure of their owne Soules beeyng more meete to be taught then to teache O thou Antichriste whiche burnest with an vnquenchable thirst of worldly goods what an whorishe forehead haste thou put on that thou darest commit the cure of Soules and the liuinges appointed for the same to children to boyes to suche as be like Moyles and Horses that haue no vnderstandyng Is it sitting meete and conuenient that those soules which were so derely bought with the precious bloud of Gods owne Sonne should be committed to the cure charge and ouersight of boyes and children Is not this to offer the flocke of Christ a spoyle to the wolfe Is not this to throwe mens soules headlong doune into the deepe dungeon of hel fyre for lacke of knowledge Is not this vtterly to deface the ministery and cruelly to spoyle the worthy pastours of their liuinges and the Christen people of doctrine and true administration of the Sacramentes wo worth thee O Antichrist with thy God that wicked Mammon 80 Christe by his holy Apostle chargeth all Postours to feede their flocke diligently and to bee residente vpon their Benefices and not like an hirelyng or theef to forsake the flocke and to haue no care thereof Antichriste contrarie to this charge and commaundemente of Christe graunteth for money non Residences to so many as come not caryng for the flocke so he maie haue the money nor yet regardyng the will of God so that his pouche maie bee filled with golde and siluer Let the Shepe of Christ runne a straie where thei will hange on euery Brier fall into euery ditche bee deuoured of euery wolfe yea sincke doune into Helle he forceth not For money he licenceth the Shepeheard to goe whether he will to be where he list and to doe what hym moste delighteth The Pastour hauyng a good opiniō of his Dispensation and non residence is ledde with no care toward his flocke but doeth what he will and yet gorgiouslie and deliciouslie although absent liueth of the Wolle and Milke of the flocke like a Theefe whiche as our Sauiour Christe saieth Commeth not but for to steale to kille and to destroye Againste these non Residenciaries GOD crieth out by the Prophete and saieth O Pastour and Idole that forsaketh his flocke By an other Prophete GOD crieth out also againste those Shepeheardes that feede theim selues and not the flocke saiyng Woe bee vnto those Shepeheardes that feede them selues Should not the Shepheardes feede the flocke Ye haue eaten vp the fatte Ye haue clothed you with the Wolle The beste fedde haue ye slain but the Flocke haue ye not nourished The weake haue ye not holden vp The sicke haue ye not healed The broken haue ye not bound together The outcastes haue haue ye not brought againe The loste haue ye not sought but churlishely and cruelly haue ye ruled thē Thus are thei scattred here and there without a Shephearde yea all the beastes of the fielde deuoure them and thei goe a straie 81 Christe saieth the workeman is worthie of his meate And the Apostle saieth The Lorde hath ordained that thei that Preache the Gospell should liue of the Gospell Againe he saieth The Elders that rule well are worthie of double honour moste specially thei that labour in the worde and teachyng For the Scripture saieth Thou shalte not moosell the mouthe of the Oxe that treadeth out the corne And the labourer is worthie of his rewarde Antichriste suffereth monstures and vnprofitable cloddes of the yearth to liue and to waxe fatte of the gooddes of the Churche Moreouer in diuerse and innumerable places of Christendome Antichrist taketh awaie the corne and the best fruites of Benefices from the true and faithfull Pastours wherwith thei should liue and suche as
Pastoures so greately hath the God of this worlde blinded their eyes I meane the Deuill and that wicked Idoll Mammon that this saiyng of the Apostle maie be founde true in them all All seeke their owne not the thynges whiche are Iesus Christes By this wicked Decree of Antichrist is the lawe of God broken the true pastors depriued of their liuyng the poore people robbed of their beleefe hospitalitie decaied parishes left desolate the Pastorall houses fall into ruine the people are vntaught scholes are not maintained the youth is neglected both old and yong rū clene out of order no degree doeth his office the ministers is despised the worde of God neglected the preachers of God nothyng regarded and in fine an whole sea of euills brasteth into the boūdes of the Christian common weale and would God with the same there were not made a Shipwracke of all goodnesse and godlinesse Notwithstandyng who lamēteth these thynges and earnestly seeketh a redresse thereof God amende all that is amisse and sende corne where none is 82 Christe in all his doctrine teachyng humilitie when a certaine manne called hym good aunswered that no manne is good but God alone Antichriste beyng moste wicked and moste synfull will bee called the beste and the moste holie 83 Christe continually studied to dooe good bothe to the bodies and soules of menne Antichrist doeth his whole endeuour how he maie hurte bothe the bodies and soules of menne the bodies by bringyng theim and their gooddes into captinitie the soules by drounyng theim in superstition and Idolatrie 84 Christ in all his doynges sought the glorie of God his Father Antichrist in all his actes seketh his owne glorie and wisheth to bee taken of all men as a God callyng hym self Gods Uicare in yearth and supreme head of the vniuersall Churche of Christe throughout the whole worlde 85 Christ promised to the thefe hanging by hym on the Crosse Paradise freely Antichriste for money promiseth remission of synnes deliueraunce out of Purgatorie and euerlastyng life 86 Christ had no greate regard of them that were his kinsefolke after the fleshe Antichrist hath a speciall regard vnto theim and exalteth theim vnto moste high dignities and promotiōs although moste vnworthie 87 Christe when his Disciples at any tyme were at contention brought theim againe straighte waies vnto vnitie and concorde Antichrist setteth them together by the eares that are at peace and neuer ceaseth to set Kynges and Princes at variaunce For then goeth it beste with his Kyngdome 88 Christ did chose suche to attende vpō hym as were homelie simple and plaine Antichriste admitteth none vnto his seruice but suche as bee full of gile craft and subtiltie 89 Christe compelleth no man againste his will to beleue his Gospell Antichriste with suspension and Excommunication with apprehension and persecution with Fire and Faggot with Sweard and Halter enforceth menne to receiue his Deuilish Decrees and trifelyng Traditions 90 Chirste in all his aduersitie fledde vnto Praier Antichriste in his trouble flieth vnto armour 91 Christ fought against Sathan with Goddes worde Antichriste fighteth againste his aduersaries with the Temporall Sweard 92 Christe made hym self subiect to the Lawe when notwithstandyng he was Lorde of the Lawe Antichriste hymself will be obedient to no Lawe and giueth licence for money to other also to breake lawes 93 Christe by fulfillyng the Lawe deliuered vs from the cursse of the Lawe Antichrist through his disobedience vnto Lawes openeth a windowe vnto al wickednesse and through his euill example prouoketh other to fal vnto leudnesse and so to run into the cursse and displeasure of God vnto their greate damnatiō 94 Christe in his doctrine taught none other but the lawe of his heauēly father Antichriste teacheth Lawes of his owne makyng not onely not agreeable but also contrarie to the woorde of God and with violence enforceth men to kepe the same 95 Christe by no meanes could abide that his Disciples should striue for the supremacie Antichriste chalengeth supremacie not onely ouer the Clergie but also ouer Kynges and Emperours yea and ouer the whole worlde 96 Christe by his doctrine and death made the Iewes and Gentiles whiche to fore were at variaunce one Spirituall Kyngdome Antichriste through his wicked traditions and Deuilishe Lawes hath made the Greke and Latine Churches whiche before were at greate vnitie and concord concernyng matters of Christen Religion to be at variance one affirmyng this an other deniyng the same 97 Christe in his laste Sermon gaue a speciall commaundemente to his Disciples that thei should loue one an other Antichriste straightly chargeth his Champions that thei striue and fight valiantly for the liberties of holie Church and that thei by no meanes loue and fauour suche as hate his decrees Lawes 98 Christe in the aforesaied Sermon makyng mention of his corporall departure out of this worlde promised to sende to his Disciples the holie Ghost whiche should leade them into all truthe Antichriste in stede of the holy Ghost sendeth Pardoners Friers Canonistes and Scotistes to teache vs not the waie of truthe and saluation but the waie of falsehode and damnation 99 Christ in his holy Gospell teacheth that although he bee absent concernyng his corporall presence yet is he alwaie presente with his holie congregation as touchyng his Diuine Maiestie grace might vertue and power Antichriste saieth that Christ is not only spiritually but also corporally with vs so that the Priest maketh hym daiely handleth hym daiely breaketh him daiely eateth hym daiely offreth hym daiely c. 100 Christe with his doctrine bryngeth to all them that receiue it with sure faith remission of synnes and euerlastyng life Antichriste with his Decrees bringeth to all his Captiues death and euerlastyng damnation ¶ Giue the glorie to God alone Psalme 110. Math. iiii Luke i. Roma i. Ioan. iii. Ephes. ii ii Thessal ii Luke ii Luke ii Ihon. 1. Math. ii Math. ii Luke ii Math. ii Luke ii Luke ii No manne ought to be idle in a christen common weale i. Thess. iiii ii Thess. iii Genes iii. Psalm 128. Marke vi The idlenes of the popish spiritualtie Luke ii Math. iii. Marke i. Antichrist cānot abide the Mariage of Priestes Math. iii. Marke i. Luke iiii Ihon. i. Ieremi xxiii Psalm xlv Math. iiii Mark. i. Luke iiii Math. iiii Luke iiii Math. iiii Marke i. Math. iiii Esay xix Luke ii Math. xi Luke vii Math. xxiiii Luke iiii Ioan. iiii Math. x. Marke vi Luke vi A swarme of Hipocrites Math. viii ◠Cor. ix Philip. iiii Actes xxi Math. x. xviii Ihon. xx Marke xvi Ihon. xv Luke 〈…〉 Math. x. Marke xvi Actes iii. iiii Math. x. All for money Math. x. Ioan. xvi Ioan. xv Math. v. Luke vi Math. viii ☜ Ihon. vi Math xxi Marc. xi Luke xix Ihon. xii Zachar. ix ii Cor. viii Ihon. xviii Dist. 96. Cap. Si Imperator The Popes triple crown what