many other which heere to rehearse it were to long And so much the more this hath a resemblance of truth that the Apostles had reueiled vnto them many and sundry things concerning the latter times of the falling of the Romaine Empire of the reueiling of the acurssed sonne Antichrist of the abhomination standing in the holy place All which the Apostles set out as it were shadowed somewhat darkly as it is left vnto vs in writing and may be séene in the 24. of Mathew 2. Thessalonians In which two places there is spoken of these matters as it were by points and prickes rather than by any oopen speach Againe the same Papias taught afterward in Alexandria and had bene the scholler of S. Iohn the Apostle whervpon we should be perswaded that he must néeds heare the same interpretation of his maister concerning Rome to be named by Babylon and that the same interpretation was as well in the Churches of Asia where S. Iohn preached as in Europa where S. Peter taught And least peraduenture any might doubt that no good and iust testimony may be brought out of the ancient and approoued writers of the Primitiue Church succeeding next to the Apostles age you shal hear the opinion of those which were next to the Apostles Tertullian did write in the yeare 170. after Christ. He in his worke against the Iewes hath this written Babylon in the writing of Iohn bereth the figure of the city of Rome in that it is great proud in force and a beater downe of the saints Who will now doubt but that the said Tertullian heard this at the Apostles mouthes Also Origines liued in the yeare 200. And he wrote in Alexandria many bookes and the 12 Homily vppon Ezechiell the Prophet he thus expoundeth that there is Babilon where is confusion of maners by vices mischieuous doing continually growing And therfore it is no maruell if the holy writers pondring what was y â— state of the Romains Empire which was the head of the world especially the city of Rome haue defined Rome to be Babilon in their bookes Now hear an euident manifestation of this where Hierome wrote about the yeare of our Lord 380. teaching the Churches both in Asia and Europa in his commentary vppon Esay 47 chap. hee witnesseth y â— many beside him in his time and age did interpret the daughter of Babilon which should be made humble not to be Babylon in Caldea but to be the city of Rome in Italie which is called specially by the name of Babilon in the Reuelation of S. Iohn and in the Epistle of S. Peter all threatnings which be spoken by the Prophet against Babilon to be referred to the distruction of the city of Rome Likewise the said Hierom in a certaine Epistle to Assella complaining of the corrupt maners of the city of Rome calleth Rome by the name of Babilon Againe the said Hierom in the end of his 2 booke against Iouinian turning his oration to the city of Rome I speake vnto thée saith he which hath blotted out the blasphemy written in thy forhead by the confessing of Christ. O mighty city lady of the world interpret thy name Rome is by the Gréekes a name of strength by the Hebrues a name of highnes kéep that that thou art called Let vertu make thée high let not voluptuousnes make thée low Thou maist eschue by repentance the curse which our sauior hath threatned in the Reuelation Thou hast the example of the Niniuites Beware the name of Iouinian which is deriued of an Idoll S. Avgustine liuing in the time of S. Hierom but yet a litle yonger accounted the chief among the latin Deuines and hauing respect to al that was spoken of Rome by those that had written afore in y â— Church declareth many things to be like in Rome and Babilon for in his booke De ciuitate Dei the fifth Booke and second Chapter he calleth Babilon the first Rome In his 18 book and 22. chap. he compareth Rome with the city of the wicked whiâ—â—h Cain builded The one saith he was builded of câ—in which â—â—ue his brother abel The other was builded by Romulus which killed his brother Rhemus Againe Orosius a Spanish writer liuing in the time of S. Augustine sheweth that Rome and Babilon were alone and especiciallie beside all other wickednesse in opressing the Saintes of God Lib. 2. cap. 3. and again lib. 7. cap. 2. But perchance some to this afore may make obiection alledging that at that time when these ancient writers did write Rome was gouerned by most cruell Emperours which persecuted horibly all good Christians inflicting vpon them all torments and most sharpe death But now Rome is no more gouerned by Emperours that be wicked and thirst the blood of the godly but Rome is vnder the iurisdiction of the holie Pope and for that cause to be reuerenced and honored of all Therefore if any man should now say in these our daies that Babylon mentioned in the Apocalips might betoken Rome no sufficient cause or ground of matter were to confirme or corroborate his assertion to be found But the answere to confute this is ready of great force and validitie and not to be conuinced Albeit wicked Emperors euen from the Apostles time and long after by some hundred yeares held Rome for the chiefe seat imperiall and put manie to sundrie kindes of torment and death for confessing Christ yet S. Hierom who liued about 380 after Christ and after S. Augustin and Orosius whose ages were during the raignes of Iouinian Valentinian Gratian and Theodosius Emperours who not onely fauoured but greatly aduanced Christian religion did in their bookes taxe sharply reprehend Rome by the name of Babylon then gouerued rather by Popes and Bishops as it is knowen than by temperall princes And here is further to be noted that these Christan Emrours aforesaid ruled and made their abode in Constantinople and the Popes administred all at Rome by litle and litle mal engin deceit sinister practise with hypocrisie counterfeit humblenes now and then by force enterminled encroched not to bee onely equall but chalenged to haue superioritie not vpon the Cleargie onely but ouer Emperors and kings to make lawes at their lust pleasure to wage war make battel yea to tread down vnder their féet the whole world if they might bring it to passe All hitherto said and written doth the testimony of the Church of Leodia in the low countries confirme set down about the year of our Lord 1100 against Pascalis the second of that name then Pope That is as followeth hitherto saith he I haue but interpreted that S. Peter wold by the name of Babylon note Rome because at that time Rome was spotted with all kind of Idolatrie sin and filthines And now my sorrow doth interpret vnto me that S. Peter terming with a spirit of prophesie the congregation gathered together in Babylon did foresée the
sonne of perdition which is an aduersary and is exalted aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he doth sit in the Temple of God boasting himselfe to be God Remember yee not that when I was yet with you I told you these things And now you know what withholdeth euen that he might be vttered reuealed at his time For the mistery of iniquitie doth alreahy work c. Againe in the 10 Chap. of S. Mathew these be Christ his words The brother shal deliuer vp the brother to death and the father the sonne and the children shall arise against theic fathers and mothers and shal put them to death And ye shal be hated of all for my names sake But he that endureth to the end shall be saued Now considering that these be the latter daies that the end of the world is hard at hand by these tokens manifest and dayly to be séene euery where in Christendom before our eies let vs diligentlie search of whence this variance and deadly discorde sowen and sprong vp through all Europe is deriued out as it were of a welspring or fountaine For euery malady proceedeth of his cause take away the cause and imediatly ensueth the curing of the sore or disdase What hath bene and is the originall cause that the knot and band of brotherly loue is broken in the partes of the world professing Christ that the rage cruel and beastly fearcenesse taketh place bearing sway that the Peace which was in one house is put to flight that enuy hatred and maâ—â—ce créepeth in that War and the sword threatneth destruction euery where euen to the Innocentes That Sathan is let loose abroad to increase the malice of men and to kindle the fier brand of all wickednesse Uerily the originaull causes of all these troubles at this present broiling and afore this time many yeares past hath bene and is the holie Father as they call him the Pope the Bishop of Rome whom Saint Paule as ye haue heard now before couertlie describeth to be Antechrist the Son of perdition which is exalted aboue all that is called God I beséech you gentle Readers bée yee indifferent Iudges euen as the trueth of God his word shall leade you as the interpretation vpon holie Scripture made and set downe by the ancient approoued Doctors of the Church euen from the Apostles time til 1000 yeares past shal direct you when the Pope rideth from his castle to S Peters Church in Rome and is caried sitting in a Chaire aloft by men vpholding the same vpon their shoulders And the Sacramentall bread is set in a Pyx on a Nag or white horse backe led by a Priest in a white Surplice going afore him his gard enuironing the holie Father and crying with aloud voice to the people gazing on to sée the sight in this Italian word Abasso Abasso which is to say Bow and bend downe your selues or knéele downe not so much to the Pix as to the Pope Is not here the Bishop of Rome exalted aboue all that is called God and aboue the God in the box For the Popes doctrine teacheth men to cal the SacrameÌ„tal bread God when they term it their Maker when the make it a Sacrifice propiciatory for the quick and the dead in their Masses when they reiterate day by day on the Altar that oblatation once offered vpon the crosse once for all for filthy lucre and gaine as in trentals of Masses c. Doth not the Pope boast himselfe aboue all that is called God when hee sitteth in S. Peters Church enthronished thrée or foure yardes higher then the Altar or Sacramental bread reserued in the Pix blessing and crossing them that lie prostrate before him when he vnder his Buls writteÌ„ or printed in shéeps skins sent to those that dwell 1000 or 1500 miles from him being at Rome forgiueth vpon mony taken horrible murders incest parracide and such like crimes the heartes of the parties not considered whether they be trulie and vnfainedlie penetent or no. When the Pope most arrogantly peruerteth the wordes spoken in the Psalme 90. only of Christ. Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis conculcabis Leonem Draconem Thou shalt goe vpon the venemous beast and Adder the yoong Lion and Dragon shalt treade vnder thy feete and applieth them with a Sathanicall pride vnto himself and to those that from time to time â—it in his Chaire which is horrible basphemie But here I will vse a litle digression from the man to the certaine place of his habitation that the Beast may the better bee knowen by his den and accustomed haunt where he fatteth and franketh himselfe For more and better prooffe of the sequele of this matter and so to settle their consciences in the truth which hitherto haue but blinded Hear I desire you in the Lord Iesus certaine authorities from the Primitiue Church to this age consenting and agréeing together that Babylon specified in the Reuelation of S. Iohn doth â—â—te and signifie vnto vs the Cittie of Rome in Italie First it is vsuall in holie Scripture to set downe some word by some Trope to signifie a thing turned away from that which it properlie betokeneth And it is vsed in writing when an argument commeth in handeling out of which may grow either vehement suspition or feare of an imminent danger In this sort S. Paule 2. Tim. 4. sayeth himselfe to haue bene deliuered out of the mouth of a Lion meaning by naming the Lyon the cruel Prince Nero. That in this place the sence is Nero to be taken for the Lion The ancient Doctours of the Church as Hierome vpon the life of Paule Chrisostomus Theophilactus Aquinasâ— Lyranus Interpreters vpon holie Scriptures doe agree consent By like Trope our Lord Christ in the 13 of Luke calleth the King Herode by the name of a For. Ignatius an holie writer in the Primititiue Church vsing this maner of spéech saith that he he himself was compassed about with ten Leopards which Ignatius afterwarde interpreteth to be ten cruel souldiors to bring him captiâ—e to Rome Thus as S. Paule couertlie by the name of a Lion would haue to be vnderstanded Nero. Our Lord Iesus by the name of For meaneth Herod And Ignatius by the Leopardes tearmeth Souldiors So the authour of the Reuelation would haue Rome to bee knowen by the voâ—able of Babylon With this also agreeth S. Peter who in the end of the fifth chap. of his former epistle writing from Rome saieth thus The Congregation which is at Babylon saluteth you Here note that vpon this place of Peter as well the olde and ancient Interpreters as the newe doe agrée that the word Babilon is set downe for Rome as testifieth Pâ—pias Hierapolites in Eusebius vpon the Ecclesiasticall Historie 2 booke 15. Chapter Hierome vppon the life of Marke the Euangelist Nicolaius Lyra an approoued writer by the Romishe Church and
confusion of dissention by y â— which the Church is at this day tornin sunder for although the Church be in Babylon of the world yet it ought to be gathered by brotherly vnanimity And a litle after Esay saith Babylon my welbeloued is turned to me into a miracle but I say Rome my beloued is turned to me into a miracle yea what is so marueâ—lous yea what is so miserable Dauid saw the Angel of the Lord standing with a drawn sword ouer Ierusalem we the daughters of the Romish Church behold we sée the Bishop there which is or should be the Angell of God ready with a drawn sword ouer the Church Dauid praied that y â— people might not be killed our Angel reching to the Earl of Flanders the sword praieth that we may be slaine wher many mo things touching the crueltie of Babylon be adiected in their place whosoeuer listest to search and read the history at large About the yeare of our Lord 1200 S. Barnard the Monke liued in great estimation with Kings and Princes euen with the Kinges of this Land For he was a man of great fame both for his godly life and learning This S. Barnard in his bookes written to Pope Eugenius doth rehearse and carpe so many and such crimes both of the Bishops and Citizens of Rome how many and such as none of the old prophets is read to haue obiected to the Babilonians which to 〈◊〉 tediousnes here I omit to rehearse who so is 〈◊〉 to seée his words the books be extant at this time though written 400 year past more Likewise Petrus Iohannes Pyranensis about 1330 did openly in schole teach that as the Pope was Antichrist So no other Church but the Romish to be vnderstood by the name of the whore of Babylon Also Wickliefe of England and Iohn Hus and Hierome of Bohemia taught affirmed the same doctrine of the Pope and of Rome the first of these thrée his bones burned 18 yéeres after he had bene dead the other two brent aliue yet consenting in opinion to all the godly Fathers and Doctors in these points that be aboue rehearsed Now it hath bene sufficiently spoken with the approoued testimo-of euery age euen from the Apostles time and the opinion and sentence of the best learned cited thereto touching the place that Rome is signified by Babilon Now let vs return againe to the ruler of this Babylon and his tragicall actions who putteth on him the vizard of piety and is altogether vnder his Maske impiety it selfe This impudent and shameles man of Rome yea rather beast he may be called which doth the iniuries afore rehersed to our Lord Christ what presumeth not he to aduenture vpon daily among his inferiors for equals hee will haue none and both Emperor and King professing Christ within Europe he hath made subiect vnto him and ready at â—all to do his will and commandâ—ment He maketh War himselfe he prouoketh one prince with fire sword to assault another he sheddeth innocent blood in persecuting those that dare or wil open their mouth against him Hée maintaineth Subiects so rebell against their Soueraigne Lords kings he is the firebrand to set an outrage of burning in al parts of Christendome he is a deadlie poison which hath infected y â— church of God with notorious dregs Did not the Pope stir prouoke Sigismond the Emperor and the noble Princes of Germany with force of armes to inuade the realm of Bohemia Upon what ground or occation Truly because Iohn Hus and Ierome of Prage had by preaching of the word of God began to reueale the son of perdition in the same country of Bohemia The Pope therfore féeling himselfe touched to the quicke endeuoured as much as in him did lie to destroy and extirpate all the Bohemians First Hus Ierom were cruelly burned and yet the desire of the people to the knowledge of true religion thereby not quenched but inflamed and kindled the more What ensued of this with huge power and most puissant 〈◊〉 the Bohemians were inuaded two yeares together And both the times with wonderful courage prowes of the Bohemians the assault makers were repulsed and put back to shameful flight by the miraculous power mighty hand of God who fought for them did set theÌ„ at rest peace in despite of the Bishop of Rome his Cardinals cleargie I omit here for breuities cause to inferre manie examples how the Popes froÌ„ age to age moouing war haue procured by their Legates and messengers one Prince to wage battel on his next brother and Prince adioining and when the Armies were readie to encounter and méete then would he colourably as though no fault were in hym Friers and other messengers were despatched betweene perswading peace and reconcilement The Chronicles in euerie Realme can sufficientlie testifie the same And therfore I remit those that be desirous to know further herein to the said Chronicles This I say and affirme boldlie that it was the Pope that did animate and set on Robert Earle of Flanders against Henry the fourth Emperoâ—r It was he the Pope that maintained the warres with ten thousand Italians and gaue money to pay them wages on the behalfe of the Emperor Charles the fift against the Duke of Saxony and the noble Péeâ—es of Germany because the said Pope would haue had the light of the Gospell darkened which at that time had sprong vppe from the first preaching of Luther séeking to bring ignorance in place againe though it wer with the shedding of Christian blood and vtter vndooing and spoile of many both men women and children It is he the Pope that to his great ignominy and shame for euer cherished a ranke Traitor named Stukeley a man of euill life and conuersation and mainteyned him against his Soueraigne Ladie and Quéene with money men Shippes and munition to enter Ireland God confoundeth the deuises and purposes of the wicked and maketh them frustrate contrary to their expectation What followed Stukeley when he had sailed from Italie to the Bay of Portugale and there hearing that the King Sebastian was going ouer into Barbary with all royall preparation of warre offered his seruice to the said King not for any zeale or good will but vpon a subtill pretence that Warres there ended hee woulde borrowe a summe of money of the King the better afterwards to goe through with his enterprises in Ireland In the battell in Barbarie the King of Portugall the blacke King with others and this Stukley also was slaine This you may sée that God sent a curst Cow short hornes and Ireland was deliuered and England also from a most cruell enemie and Traytor though he died a fairer death then he should haue done or had deserued yet such was the malice of the Pope this enterprise began by Stukley was afterward prosecuted by the sayd Antechrist of Rome who first sent Buls full all impiety as it were with a bayt to allure the
Chapter If we acknowledge our sins he that is Christ is faithfull aend Iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnes And our Lord himselfe giueth vs this lesson Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis onerati estis ego reficiam vos Come vnto me all yee that Labour and are heauie laden and I will refresh you It is he our Lord Christ that hath borne our sinnes and paied the ransome for them vpon the Crosse. Now brethren wil you trust in the Popes Pardons who hath no more authority than any brother Bishop or Minister hath to forgiue sins and to pronounce absolution to them that be hartely penitent by authoritie giuen to the Apostles generally and so to their successours and all Ministers that come not in by the window but by the doore For as for the wordes spoken by Christ to Peter alone of binding and loosâ—â—ng it is answered If all the Apostles had the same authoritie by Christes his worde as it may appeare in Mathew 18. and Iohn 10. Than Peter being but one had it not alone But if if it were spoken to him alone in Mathew yet it doth not restraine the generall grant made to others in the places cited before Quorum remiseritis peccata c. Whose sinnes yee shal forgiue they shalbe forgiuen quorum retinueritis retenta sunt For those words are spoken in the plurall number whereby all Priests claime true interest in absoluing For will you hear what the Priests vtter after auricular confession hard at any mans hand and iudge your selfe Dominus Iesus qui est summus Pontifex absoluat te ab omnibus peccatis tuis c. ego auctoritare mhi commissa absoluo te in nomine patris filij Spiritus sancti Amen which is to say Our Lord Iesus which is the highest Bishop absolue thee from all thy sinnes and I by the auctority committed vnto me absolue thee in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Amen Where is sinnes reserued in the Canons to the Pope onelie to forgiue Why practiseth hee to send abroad his pardons in parchment with leaden seales for money where is his warrant in holy Scripture wherevpon our Sauiuiour Christ saith in the fiftéenth of S. Mathew In vanum colunt me homines docentes doctrinas mandata hominum In vaine doe they serue me teaching the doctrines precepts of men Here I must put you in remembrance of a fond fellow who hath set out a book intituled Hierarchia a Gréeke word a glorious title a shewe or promise by the word of a great matter where in the end and effect it prooueth nothing It is a rehearsall by name of the popes from Peter which was the first Bishop of Rome if it so be true and how one succéeded an other from time to time and this was by Election in diuers sorts one whiâ—e by the voice or suffragies of the people as though Democratia were in vre sometime by the consent of the better sort in degrée as when the Deane and Chapter elected and that doth adumbrate Aristocratia And lastly and principally when the chiefe gouernour maketh his choice of any person where is the rule of Monarchia But succession by election is one thing and the right of inheritance another We daily sée that a good father hath sometime an vngratious sonne that godly parents haue a child descended from them afterward to be euill disposed I haue found a man according to my hartliking saith God of Dauid the king And yet his son Salomon succéeding him fell to women and Idolatry insomuch that God being angry rent his kingdome after his daies into two parts viz. Rehoboam reigned ouer 2 tribes Ieroboam ouer 10. If this be where state of inheritance claimeth his right that for sin God put teth downe one and setteth vp another and oftentimes changeth the inheritance from one line of kindred in to another of what force is succession that commeth by Election which is grounded upon humaine pollicie The Electors naming and appointing to office whome they will mooued thereto somtime by méed and corruption of mony sometimes by fauour and friendship procured somtimes by hatred and enuie the better maâ—râ—iected and the worse chosen It is not denied but that many lerned vertuous of laudable life haue bene Bishops and Pastors professing Christ in Rome But tâ—ey with their whole flocke as they might be caught for the most part suffered Martirdome vnder the persecuting Emperors of the same city as Nero Diocletian others A body of the best complection which is sanguine by continuance of time and disorder of diet in meats drinks and other féeding draweth vnto it grosse humors and so â—alleth into diseases that the alteration wil be such that ye shall not know it to be the same So the See of Rome both during the time of the Primitiue Church and long after retained a beautie of knowledge and holynes but by litle and litle it fell away and was defaced as rust créepeth vpon yron and other metals by continâ—ance especiallie when they be not rubbed scraped and dried S. Paule spake these words in this time Etiam mysterium iniquitatis operatur and now the mistery of â—iquitie doth worke And againe as is aforesaid by the said Paule what withholdeth euen that the sonne of perdition might bee reuealed at his time Most true it is where Christ saith Ego sum vobiscum vsque and consumationem Seculi I am with you euen to the end of the world that the holy ghost hath bin is and will be with his Church to to the end and wil neuer leaue it destitute As when the Heresie of the Arrians oueâ—â—â—owed the worlde the holy Spirite of God stirred vp Athanasius to defend his truth which Athanasius albeit he was forced to flie hide himselfe oftimes in dens caâ—es for the space of diuers years yet the Church of God was with him in hys dens and caues For where the truth is there is the church Idolatry worshipping of Images masses dirriges and Heauen to be sold for mony murdring of saints stewes in whole stréets of Curtesans blessings for méed cursings for enuy are to be found in Rome yea and Antichrist himselfe who exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God therfore there is not the true Church What monsters haue bene admitted to the Papacie after one thousand and od yeares after Christ it hath bene somewhat afore touched may séeme to such as haue not read Histories almost incredible What execrable practise was this to enter and possesse the Popes chaire by Magicke and Art forbidden both by Gods law and mans to giue himselfe to the deuill to gette worldly dignitie and promotion to infame himselfe for euer to purchase a momentary and transitory pelfe to win wealth glory on the earth to léese eternal ioy and heauen Upon this monster last rehersed popes afore
mencioned iudge of this said Hierarchia of this holy principality or gouernment of the Church which the author of the book wold onely apply to the see of Rome as to the chiefe of the same where good bad popes are associated together in the rehersall as though Gods church were not from the beginning guided conducted in all truth by the holy ghost before the Papacy took place or as if gods spirit could not blow wher it listed not in one circuit of ground only but in the church whersoeuer dispersed euen where gods word is truly preched the sacraments rightly administred whether it bee in the east of the world the west south or north part of the same This fellow doth not only sanctifie the impurest monsters of the world but also restraineth and tieth the grace of God his spirit to the Popes girdle Succession in the See of Rome is of no more force to prooue principalie in the Church then that the Bishopricâ—es of Cullen in Germany of Toledo in Spaine may prooue the line by discent by Regester Bookes many hundreth yeares O mad and fantasticall heads of such as of selfe wil beléeue him to wit the Pope and Rome his See to haue of right the superioritie of the Church Hierusalem and mount Sion had these wordes spoken of her that follow Psalme 132. For the Lord hath chosen Sion too be an habitation to himselfe This shalbe my rest for euer Here will I dwell for I haue delight therein Yet Hierusalem 40. yeares after that Christ hath suffered was sacked to pretermit in silence what was doone afore to it by the Assirians their king The Temple with the city wals and houses was taken rased wasted and consumed that one stone was not left vppon another by Titus and Vespacian For what shal we now think of Rome wheâ— was there any promise made to it which Rome by trope is painted out and spoken in the 14. and 17. Chap. of the Reuelation of S. Iohn to be Babylon that gret whoore where whole stréets of Curtesans liue without checke sauing that at the beeginning of Lent they come to auricular confession take ashes receiue the Sacrament and pay their taxes to the Pope and his officers After Easter they returne to theyr old life againe and so continue all the yeare See what filthy lucre may cause For these women pay swéetly what heads of the Church are these who would trust or haue anie confidence in them I pray and desire all men as they loue their soules and saluation to looke into the holy Scriptures to study and read them diligently and to conferre the Bishop of Rome his doings and doctrine with gods Booke and they shall quicklie espie and confesse that the Pope is the selfe same son of perdition spoken of by S. Paul to the Thessalonians as is afoâ—esaide and so spéedly forsake him What is the let what is the stop and bar that these Catholiques as they call them selues draw backe and come not forward Their Maister the Pope would not haue them once open or looke into the holy Bible translated into the vulgar tongue And they will not read it nor any other booke that may bring knowledge of the truth they loue to dwell in ignorance God grant of his infinit mercy that they maie amend and waxe wise in time Amen It may séeme to some that I haue bene somewhat too long in this discourse of Rome and of the Pope I pray theÌ„ of patience seeing the matter is so far forth not impertinent that it touched and concerneth not a few but all not one region or countrey but all the partes of Christiandome not the saftie of mans bodie only but the health of the soule not temporall but eternall life And no inuectiue can be sufficient on him til his name and tyrannical seate be raised vp from the bottome and his memoriall quite extinct his pride thrust downe together with Lucifers in Hell His doctrine abolished as these few Latine verses following doo partlie declare Papa sibi metuens frontem fore cornibus orbam Lurida bacchatur trux aconita vomens Et cupit extinctos diro molimine Reges Mergit at hunc Stygijs CERBERVS ater aquis Non prius in latis spatiosi finibus orbis Diâ—sidij coedis languida praxis erit Cum socijs quà m Papa suis plorare iubetur Eius extinctum nomen ab orbe perit Totius Europae magni consurgite Reges Arma inquam celerivos capitote manu Totius Europae communem pellite pestem Icta armis vestris Bestia tetra cadat Sic gens Christicolum tranquilla pace fruetur feruescet verae religionis amor Which verses may be thus englished not following word for worde but the sence truely taken out The Pope fearing least his strong force might him alone forsake Doth fret and cast his poison ranke new shiftes of helpe to make And first doth seeke with treacherie Th' annointed of God to kill Without their let or any stop His purpose to fulfil Both braule and strife shall neuer cease Nor edge of sword wax dul Till Pope and all his partakers Be rapped on the scull Ye mightie Kinges of Europe all Vse force expell away The common plague of Christendome Vse force vse force I say If beast once fall that fenced was Time past that hornes had ten Debate shall slake and peace ensue God grant it so Amen For it is the Pope that is the â—eade and Câ—leâ—taine of the Confederates in Europe at this day who the last yeare viz. 1588 endeuoured to bvxe and spoile this noble realme of England to molest trouble our most gratious soueraigne Lady Quéene but in vaine thanked be God they were frâ—strate of their purpose if they might haue had any good successe they determined afterward to â—lea and root out all the professors of true religion in Christendome This was the resolute determination purpose and inintent of this Antichrist Chieftain and his confederates the Spaniardes with their societie To prosecute the same with effect diuers yeares past preparation hath bene made of money armor weapon ships ordinance victuals and all other necessarie furniturâ— for mortall warre to inuade England But God euen the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob God the God of Elizabeth Quéene of England whom she dayly and hourly honoureth and serueth hath confounded their deuises broken their cros-bowes of stéel shortened their armes weakened their bodies which they bragged to be so strong made faint their heartes and courages in Iulie last past 1588 and in August following and September that the Debâ—ra of England may say God hath bin on our side God fought for her God ouerthrew her enemies Thus it is apparant our deadly enemies is the Pope that aduersary as S. Paule tearmeth him that is exalted aboue al that is called God maintaining the war made vpon England this laâ—â— yeare with 〈◊〉 and men abetting and
house the feare of god was vpon al the kingdomes of the earth when they had heard that the lord had fought against the the enemies of Israel and so the Kingdome of Iehoshophat was quiet and God gaue him rest on euery side likewise in the 14. Chap. of Exodus in the end of the same it is thus written But the children of Israell walked vpon the drie land through the middest of the sea And it followeth in the 15. Chap. Then sang Moses and the children of Israell this song vnto the Lord in this maner I will sing vnto the Lord for hee hath triumped gloriously the horse and him that rode on him with all the rest hath be ouerthrowen in the sea The Lord is my strength and praise he is become my saluation he is my God he is my fathers God and I wil exalt him The Lord is a man of war his name is Iehouah c. Let vs thus pray praise God with y â— Israelites for the ouerthrow of our enemis in the Sea and he wil continue our good and merciful God Let vs continue to go to the temple with Iehosophat and there with the harmonie of our cleane soules and bodies giue there the Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Let vs sing thâ— 21 Psalme Domine propter robur immisum gaudet Regina quia tu author illi fuisti victoriae exultat seriò O Lord the Queene reâ—oiceth for the strength that thou hast sent vpon her and because thou hast bene the principall giuer of victory to her she reioiseth earnestly Let her Maiesty spiritually reioise as she doth Let vs her Subiectes take bolde heartes and be full of courage if at any time forraine enemie should make attempt The Lord will not forsake them that put their trust in him God grant her Highnesse a long life a long and most prosperous raigne God of his mercie continue his blessings vpon this Realme of England Amen FINIS The latter daies of the world â—â—hessalo â—â—â—ichrist Variance and deadlie discord throughout Christâ—ndome The Pope the cause of variance The Pope exalteth himself aboue all that is called God The pride of y â— Pope Pardons for murder The Pope knowen to bee Anâ—echrist by his habitation and place 1 Pet. 5. Papias Eus. biâ— Tertullian Origines Hiâ—ronimus S. Augustine Nero and others persecuted the Christians The Popes doe the same The testimony of the Church of Leodia against Rome S. Barnard Stukley trator maintained by the Pope The popes men vanquished by the L. Gray in Ireand Church plate taken out of the Vestries by the Pope to make war The wicked liues of the Popes Raphael Volaterranus Xistus the 4. Innocentius the eight Alexander the sixt Iâ—lius the second Clement the seuenth Paulus tertius These Popes not men but monsters of men Catholiquâ—s Exhortation to the Papists to recurne to the true Church Equal auctority giuen to all the Apostles to forgiue sins Hierarchia Succession by iâ—heritanc Succession by Election 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 is there is the Church Hierusalem foâ—sâ—ken much more Rome Harlots or curtesans in Rome To read scripture bringeth kâ—â—wledge vnderstanding The Pope the head of the holy league that practiseth to trouble molest England The Spaniard his preparatioÌ„ for war against England many yeares The Popes prâ—mise to saue the soules of them that perish The Pope a murderer Not found in scripture that the Apostles diâ— assigne Princes câ—ownes But y â— Popes do it Constantines donations puffed vp thâ— Seâ— of Rome with pride The Spaniard tooke in hand the execution of the Popes malice 1588. The cruelâ—â—â— of the Spâ—â—â—ards The Strapado England beware England call vnto the Lord trust in him England be sory lament for thy sinnes past England cease not to pray continualâ—y Our enâ—mies hate vs foâ—â—eligion The heathen mans lâ—â—â—on â—o fight for our countriâ— bound by gods law to defend our Prince and Countrey Comfoâ—t of the Qâ—eenes 〈◊〉 and her most wiâ—e câ—unsâ—ll England furnished with Armour and Artillery as it was neuer in any princes daies 〈◊〉 this time The commenâ—ation of the Qâ—eene Elibeth Hâ—r vertues worthy qualities Hâ—r knowledg in the Greeke Latine and other tâ—ngues He◠〈◊〉 wondeâ—ful â—â—liueraÌ„ce from treaâ—on at â—â—me The long raigne of a man princes Salomon Short raignes of prince what it bâ—tokeneth The long raâ—gne of a Prince The Queeâ—s care and â—â—udy to stop and represse the rage and â—uâ—ie practised in France an in y â— Low-countries Sir Phillip Sidney Carolus â—eobussextus king of Scots lamented his vnripe death The Lord Charles Howard Lord Admirall of England His going to Sea in the deepe of winter 1587. His victory ouer the Spaniards The firing of the Spanish Ships The Queenes going to Paulâ— Chuâ—ch t◠〈◊〉 thanks vnto God The Queenes clemencie wondeâ—full 〈◊〉 euen to the enemy England be continually mindfull of y â— great benefites receiued at Gods hand 〈…〉