of her fornications like such harlots as make amatorie potions of their filthinesse causing Princes and people to receiue at her hands most filthy idolatrie euen to worship the Dragon the diuell in idols which are masked vnder the names of Saints and other beastly life contrarie to the q Can. 8.2 Prou. 9.5 Church of Christ which giueth spiced wine and new wine of Pomegranets Shee is also said to haue a cuppe in her hand full of abhominations because shee Å¿ cap. 14.8 cap. 18.3 made all nations to drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornications contrarie to God who t Psal 75.8 causeth all the wicked of the earth to wring out and drinke the dregges of his cup of wrath So a cap. 18.23 that with her inchantments were deceiued all nations That the things here spoken are vnderstood of b Fulkes sermon at Hampton Court Rome Tertullian Hierome Ambrose Primasius are witnesses yea Genebrard c Geneb Câ—â— p. 593. speaking of the dilaceration and wounding of the Empire and of the sacking and burning of Rome by the Gothes c. which was when Rome was Christian saith so was fulfilled that in 17. Apocalyps v. 16. And the tenne hornes are tenne Kings they shall hate the where c. Confessing Christianed Rome to be the where truely though he missed in the application of the place to that time As concerning her name it is said that it was written in her d cap. 17.5 forehead that is openly that euery man may read it Her first name is A mysterie which word Mysterious is written in the fore part of the Popes Miter or Crowne to signifie that Poperie was like the learning of the e Euseb Gnostocks some great mysterie for spirituall signification as if the Regna mundi kingdomes of the world were set vpon his holy head Her second name is f cap. 47.5 Great Babylon which is a name very properly giuen beeing g Otho Frîsm l. 6. c. 22. Rhemenses in 1. Pet. 4. Babylon Lactâ—â— so like for the beginning and progresse as might bee to Babylon For not onely after Ramulus hither vnder ciuill Princes but also from hence vnder the Popes for magnificence Monarchie amplitude of dominions c. Rome may iustly be compared to Babylon But this Ecclesiastical Monarchie beginning here is compared to Babel in her first building For as at the beginning when Babel was built the Lord confounded the h Gen. 11.7 language of the builders that euery one perceiued not anothers languages so was this policie of Romes greatnesse built vp in the time of Antichrist by people of diuers languages whereof the one vnderstood not the other namely the people vnder the tenne kingdomes which did arise vpon the inundation of these strangers Yea Rome vnderstood not the language of her own religion For they i Sabel En. 8. lib. 5. left off to speake latine at Rome vpon the comming of the Lombards And the Greeke and the Hebrew grew cleane out of knowledge in a small time and k Caesar bel Gal. lib. 6. like the Druides they would not suffer their religion to be knowne to the vulgar people And herein shee is contrarie to the Christian Church which was built vp by the a Act. 2. gift of toÌ„gues whereby the Teachers speake vnto euery one in his own language Againe it is called Babylon by comparison of the crueltie which the Babylonians vsed in captiuing the Christians b Deut. 28.49 speaking to them and c Isa 28.11 teaching them in a strange language as they did the Iewes Therefore it is also called d cap. 11.8 Egypt Thirdly shee is called That mother by excellencie the mother of all other Churches like vnto the Cataphrygians arrogating to herselfe to be the onely conceiuer and bringer forth of the children of the Church This is a name in which the Church of Rome doth glorie in wherefore they that follow the Church do call her e Sab. En. 8.6 in Bonifa 3. c. Decr. tit 3. c. 23. the mother and queene and mistresse The f Volat. l. 22. f. 255. a. Bishop of Rome was wont to write himselfe the Bishop of the Church of Rome much better than now as Volateran thinketh when he writeth himselfe The Bishop of the Catholike Church For if the Romane be the Catholike they then seeme to take the honour from that famous city But whatsoeuer she thinketh of herselfe Saint Iohn saith g cap. 17.5 that she is the mother of the whoredomes and abhominations of the earth Which Saint Paul expresseth by the name of h 2. Thes 2.3 the man of sinne For all the heads of the gouernment of Rome were blasphemous none truely religious howsoeuer now and then very rarely some godly man was in authoritie And in the time of Saint Iohn i See Ruff. Soc. Euseb c. all the abhomination and idolatry which was enforced vpon the Christians came from Rome So also from this time forth Rome standeth cheefely vpon this point that all nations must receiue the ordinances of the Church as shee hath conceiued them Which yet for the most part are whoredomes for superstition idolatrie and abhominable treasons murthers adulteries c. which she hath conceiued of heretikes tyrants and other vngodly persons Insomuch that there is nothing so abhominable in all the earth formerly condemned in auncient heretikes but she is willing to conceiue it and bring it forth if it may any wise helpe to further her greatnes So that Rome is henceforth an Epitome of all abhominable heresies The beast that she sitteth vpon and doth beare her vp in this wonderfull pride is described by his originall name and forme As concerning the place of his originall he is said to a cap. 11.7 cap. 17.8 ascend out of the bottomlesse pit that is to arise to the greatnes of Babylon by the opinion which the world had of him that as he boasted so he had great authoritie in the bottomlesse pit and power like the b Liui. dec 1. lib. 1. pontifex Maximus of Numa his inuenting to pacifie the spirits in the behalfe of those which were dead For whereas Pelagius the Pope had brought into the Masse prayer for the dead out of the corruptions of some former ages especially seeing the world to stand so much affected with the Monkes of c See Gregor Draba l. 2. c. Benedicts institution tha tooke much vpon them as though they were able to profit the dead this kinde of doctrine of the power that priests had to doe the dead much good was brought into the Church and taught very diligently and enforced by the lying signes of the apparition of soules that were departed and diuers pretended reuelations which the dead comming from the bottomlesse pit should shew vnto the liuing c. whereupon the ignorant and foolish world was led captiue to this beast to make it great by the subiection
Albegenses c. for heriticks And as g Câ—riâ— 1. p. â—â— Mahâ—met did of such as followed him he h Crant 7.3 tooke an oath of the Bishops of obedience to the Church of Rome and to the Pope there against all schismes with promise not for the losse of limmes to reueale any of his counsels c. Hee i 3. Dec. f. 46. de reliqutis first decreed that none should be counted a Saint but whom the Popes canonized The k Poly. Inu 6. 6. canonizing of Saints did the Pope learne by the example of the Gentiles who vsed with great pompe and circumstance to deifie such as had beene beneficiall to the common wealth l Gâ—bel 6. 60. So did the Pope canonize Carolâ—â— Magâ—â—â— He m Peuc 4 p. 183 184. instituted the vse of vnleauened bread and tooke one part of the sacrament from the laitie n Geneb p. 936 937. 938. He censured the king of England for the death of Tho. Becket The order of the knights of Saint Iames began in Spaine as also the order of Galatraue o Vâ—lat 2â— f. 244. whose vowe was to defend Spaine from the incursions of the Saracens p Gobel a. 6. c. 60. Ioachim an Abbot prophecied that the Church should loose the temporalties and that there should arise certaine wicked orders of religious persons which came to passe when the begging Friers were known in the world which was not long after q Trith p. 199 S. Elizabeth hath reuelations shewed her by an Angel that requireth to be worshipped more r Mat. 4.10 like the diuell than the Å¿ Reu. 19.10 22.8 holy Angel of God Presbyter Iohn king of Christians in a Westmon p. 253. India would haue vnited himselfe to the Church of Rome if the fame or rather the infamie of the Romane couetousnesse had not defiled the whole world in all the parts thereof Lucius the third b Volat. 22. f. 254. was driuen out of Rome because hee sought to extinguish the name of the Consuls c Trith p. 204. Friderike the Emperour came into Italie with a great armie and with fire and sword did many things against the Pope and Church of Rome This Pope gaue himselfe wholy to d cap. 13.7 make warre with the Saints as did also his successors For hee proceeded very bloodily c Theod. 4 21. like Lucius the bloodie Arian Bishop yea like the Dragon the heathen Empire and by as cruell lawes as euer Mahomet made to f 5. Dec. 5. f. 7. 2. haret Ad abolendum abolish all that the Church of Rome called heretickes and remitted them that did relapse into heresie or the suspition thereof to the secular power without any audience And required a corporal oath of all Earles Barones Gouernours and Consuls c. of cities and of other places to assist the Church to the vttermost of their power against such as the Church of Rome called heretiks Thus Princes bee vsed like beasts hornes to gore and kill the Saints g Geneb p. 941 942. By his Legate were many burned in Flanders which affirmed that Priests said Masse onely for couetousnesse c. Many blasphemies are obiected to them as vnto others h p. 940. Saladine with his Saracens sawed the Templars asunder and killed the Priests and preuailed much in the holy land Ann. 1185. Vrbanus the third i Geneb p. 944. excommunicated the Danes for suffering married Priests k 943. When he heard that Ierusalem was taken as he was labouring for aide hee died for sorrow l Trith 205. Ann. 1187. The Emperour preuaileth in Italie against his rebels Gregorie the eight m Geneb p. 944 wholy minded the warres for Ierusalem There was continuall discord for about fiftie yeares betweene the Romanes and Popes about the gouernment of the citie from Innocent the second to this Pope By this contention Innocent the second Calestine the second died for sorrow Lucius the second was almost killed Eugenius the third Alexander the third Lucius the third were driuen out of the citie Vrbanus the third and this Gregorie were banished till at length things were compounded by ClemenÌ„s the third By which we see that the state of Rome n cap. 13.1 is a monster compounded of diuers wilde beasts that cannot be tamed and doth not maintaine that vnitie and estimation of the Pope that they bragge of The remainder of the Christians in the East are ouerthrowne Clement the third o Geneb 946. preuailed to send aide to the holy land The Emperour and diuers Princes went signed with the crosse but the Emperour was drowned and nothing was done p Vrsp p. 299. This Emperour was most Christian triumphing in all his warres couragious gentle and forgetting wrongs euen a Lamb in the throne And thus ended the third Thunder Caelestinus 3. q Geneb p. 947 interdicted France Ann. 1191. sent aide into the holy land a Geneb p. 946 and confirmed the order or nuÌ„ber of the Teutonici whose colours were white a crosse blacke In a day night they say 200. times the Lords praier the Creed and Aue Marie He dispensed with Henricus the sixth the Emperour to marrie Constantia a Nunne of whom when shee seemed past childe-bearing was borne Fridericus the second The number or order of b p. 949. Trith p. 207. crosse-bearers beganne in Italie and the order of the Teutonici Marie these were to helpe pilgrimes and sicke persons In Denmarke the people are perswaded to allow of Priests marriage which is repressed very hardly In Asia all things are worse This c Fox Mart p. 247. Pope crowned Henricus the sixt and Constantia his wife with his feete and againe spurned off the crowne declaring thereby that hee had power to depose him againe d Trith p. 208. This Emperour recouered Sicilia and e 210. sent forces into Syria f Gob. 6.61 but returning into Italie against his enemies is poysoned g Peucer 4. p. 456. Linonia is conuerted The Fourth Thunder Ann. 1198. WHen h Beuchol the Princes of Germanie which were gone into Asia against the Turkes heard of the death of the Emperour they could by no meanes be made to stay but left the warres and came home to the election of a new Emperour By their departure all in a manner was lost in the holy land i Trith p. 210. 211. 213. When they returned some chose Philip the Emperours brother others Otho Whereupon were multiplied many euills warres fires destruction of cities and murthers of the poore Saint Dominicke instituteth the order of preaching Friers Ann. 1198. Innocentius the third k Vrsp p. 305. c. vpon the death of Caelestinus tooke part against Philip obiecting against him the cruelties which his parents and brother had done against the Church of Rome in which the Pope iudged not equally l Carion But Philip was strong and fortunate
Prophets of Kings c. * cap. 19.20 And for these such like causes he is called The false prophet that prophesieth lies c. But he is like vnto the first monstrous beast in this that he doth k cap. 13.12 exercise the power of the first beast before him taking vpon him as an Emperor in the time presence of the Emperour labouring to be as absolute ouer the Clergie as the Emperour is ouer the temporaltie exempting his Clergie from ciuill iurisdiction * 2. Thess 5.2 Yea exalting himselfe aboue all Yea he proposeth to himselfe to be Monarch of all and therefore what euer be his pretext hee in his priuate drift causeth the l cap. 13.12 earth and them that dwell therein to worshippe the first beast whose deadly wound was healed that is to worshippe an Ecclesiasticall Monarch which he laboureth to establish in the roome of the former ciuill Monarchie which was ouerthrowen in the West by the former incursions of strangers and onely healed by the Popes The a cap. 13.13.14 meanes which he vseth to further these ambitions are great wonders and deceiptfull in the fight of men and of the beast that is seeming miracles to the Prince and people howeuer there may be a better and truer construction made of them to be deceipts These his miracles therefore are b cap. 18.23 called inchauntments wherewith all nations are deceiued c 2. Thes 2.9.10 And this is that of which S. Paul speaketh when he saith of the aduersarie of Christ Whose comming is by the effectuall working of Sathan with all power and signes of lying wonders and in all d Aug. Ciu. Dei 20. 19. deceiuablenes of vnrighteousnes Which are wonders either so seeming when they be but impostures or else if true they be the workes of the diuell to gaine credit to the great enemie of the Gospel Particularly for instance it is said that he e cap. 13.13 caused fire to come downe from heauen on the earth in the sight of men that is he seemeth to men to cause God f Isa 9.5 37 36. to send downe vengeance from heauen vpon men that doe not respect him applying all the calamities that befall them that loue him not to be iudgements of God to reuenge the contempt offered to this beast The Popes were famous far g Chro. Chr. miracles when they had once gotten purple The opposition of the Saints is something though very small contenting themselues that h cap. 14.3 they were bought from the earth hauing nothing to doe with the ambition of this beast that onely minded how to possesse the earth wincking at much corruption when they saw it About i Fasc Tem. f. 47 b. Frising Chro. 4. cap. 3. the possessions of the Church which the Prelates at this time began to haue there was often a great contention among the Doctors Some said it was iust and profitable that the Church should abound in temporalties and haue earthly honours others thought not But the Bishops of Rome accepted of these honours And they of that Church doe thinke that k Geneb p. 552 553. it much concerned God in some place to haue a visible Ecclesiasticall Monarchie which by diuine authoritie by causing fire to come downe from heauen vpon men might restraine terrifie smite with lightning and bring into obedience tyrants hereticks schismaticks c. Wherefore the Bishops of Rome which was the chiefe citie in the world endeauoured to attaine vnto that dignitie and to inrich the Church by all meanes possible These things will appeare more particularly in the stories of the Popes wherof doe follow some briefe collections The complement Siluester I. * Ann 315. admirable for l Fasc Temp. f 47 a. miracles or great wonders For he is reported to a Pet. de Nat. haue clensed Constantine of a leprosie But b Volat. 23. f. 270. the booke of that miracle is Apocrypha manifestly dissenting from the Doctors and altogether to be reiected as a c 2. Thes 2.9 cap. 13.14 lying signe He is said to haue reuiued a dead d Pet de Nat. Ball to binde a Dragon that killed men with his breath a false miracle e Gesn l. 5. For Dragons doe not hurt with their breath hereby he laboured to gaine reputation to his profession He forbad f Caranz f. 4â— 37. a. Subdeacons to marrie heare the voice of the Dragon Hee deuised the Chrisme with which the Bishops should signe them that were baptized to confirme them against the perswasion of Heretickes The manner is this g Poly. inuent 5. 3. the Bishop maketh the signe of the crosse in the forehead of the partie to be confirmed and saith I signe thee with the character or token of the crosse and confirme thee with the chrisme of saluation i Berg. 9. He commanded that no laie man should presume to cal a Clergie man into a ciuill court nor that any Clergie man should sue before a secular Iudge and decreed that k Caranz f. 46. a. neither Emperour nor Kings nor all the Clergie may iudge the Pope exercising the power of the first beast euen before him c. Marcus appointed l Berg. 9. that no Clergie man might by any meanes be drawne vnto secular businesse Ann. 334. Hee built two Churches in Rome Constantine enriched him with many gifts The beast doth rise out of the earth Iulius reprehended the m Anno 341. Chr. Chro. Arians especially that they called a Councel at Antiochia without the authoritie of the Pope of Rome when as without his authority he said it neither ought nor could be He decreed that whosoeuer suspected his iudge might appeale to the seat of Rome the Pope Liberius was o Poâ—â—â—r banished for standing against the Arians Ann. 35â— in the meane while by his Counsell the Clergie of Rome ordained Felix Pope This Felix proceeded seuerely against the Arians Wherefore Constantius the Emperor reconciled Liberius for he seemed more easie to the Arians Liberius then being ouercome with the griefe of exile and glad that he was Pope againe assented and fell into heresie and subscribed p Massaus 11. thereto But Felix and the q Fasc Temp. s 48. b. Catholikes hauing admonished him and finding him to bee contumacious cast him out of the Church as an heretike wherefore Liberius cast Felix out of the Papacie held the Churches violently and by strength so that there was a great persecution of the faithfull and the Clergie and priests that fauored Felix were slaine in the Churches and Liberius forbad it not a Vol. 22. And Felix himselfe was slaine as defending the truth This Felix was b Geneb p. 574. also reported guiltie of heresie But such is the force of the Apostolicall chaire saith Genebrard that it would rather make a martyr than heare an heretike Here wanteth some helpe to reconcile these popish Chronologers
his possessions is sure and because these pillars be of fire he h Zach. 12.6 consumeth them as stubble that will offer to take any thing from vnder his feete Secondly he i cap. 10.3 cryed with a loud voyce as when a Lyon roareth that is indignation doth proclaime and decree seuere lawes to bring all both the people and the Popes into obedience and to keep them in subiection k Pro. 19 1â— 20.2 Hol. 11. 10. For the wrath of a King is as the roaring of a Lyon And in this phrase doth Fredericke the second expresse l Gebel aâ— 6â— cap. 64. his conceiued displeasure against the Pope that would not onely exempt himselfe from subiection to the Emperor but â—â—sult as Lord ouer the ciuill authoritie The opposition of Christ in his witnesses is as before to prophecie m cap. 11.4 in sackecloth like poore professors to accompanie the n cap. 14.1.3.4 Lambe on mount Sion following Iesus Christ in the true worship of God c. being bought from the earth not partaking with the ambitions of the beast c. Gregorius the fourth would not receiue o Plat. f. 127. the seate till he was confirmed by Ambassadors from the Emperor who in Christs stead had set his right foote on the sea and his left foote on the earth For the Emperor would not loose the right of the Empire This seemeth to prooue the graunt p Dist 63 Ego Ludouicus of Ludouicus to be a meete forgerie Now idolatry being established in Rome the q Wolph Saracens spoyled Asia Ierusalem Sicilia a great part of Italy euen the Churches of Peter and Paul and made r Epit. Blâ—â—d d. 2. l. 2. a stable of Saint Peters Church Å¿ Mass 15. Gebel â—t 6. c. 45. The Pope fortified the ruined city of Ostia against the Saracens and commaunded the name thereof to be Gregoriopolis but after the Popes death it lost this new name The Emperor Ludouicus held t Plat. f. 127. a Councell of many Bishops to the honor of God and profit of the Ecclesiasticall dignitie In which was decreed that neither the Bishop nor the Clergie of any degree should weare any precious and costly garments silkes scarlets or embroderies nor any golde or siluer on their girdles or slippers nor vse u Fox Marâ—y pag. 138. diceing nor keepe harlots nor great horses The Nobles especially the Bishops to reuenge themselues for the reformation which Ludouicus made by a * Peuce 4. pag. 99. Massae 15. p. 209. Councell had stirred vp the Emperor Ludouicus Pius his sonnes to depriue their father of his Empire c. Thus the beast blasphemeth the Prince whom the Scripture calleth God and that for his worship of God Anno 844. Swines snowte for a Carain f. 334. alij the deformitie of his name changed it to Sergius the second Hence the Popes began the custome to change their names As if he b Poly. Jri. 4. 7. be a malefactor he may call himselfe Bonifacius if a coward he may be called Leo for a carter Vrbanus for a cruell man Clemens This Pope was created c Gobel ae 6. cap. 45. p. 197. without the consent of the Emperor but the Emperor sending a mightie armie against Rome setting his fiery feete on the sea and land and roring as a Lyon compelled the Romanes to sweare alleagance vnto the Emperor And after vpon diuers conditions confirmed Pope Sergius In this Popes time the brother of this Pope vsurped Ecclesiasticall authoritie being a lay man Simonie was so common that euen Bishoprickes were solde to him that would giue most And because there was no Christian that would correct these euils God sent his whip the Paganes to reuenge the sinnes of the Christians The Saracens came and killed innumerable people and burned many cities A horrible d Fasc Temp. f. 66. a. plague is vpon Rome and all Italy For certaine perfidious Christians sent priuily and called in the Saracens Rome is taken and the Church of the Apostles is made a Swine flie Anno 847. Leo the fourth c Platina praying blasphemously through the merits of Peter and Paul fought in person against the Saracens and miraculously drowned them in the sea He decreed that a f 2 q. 5. Nullam Bishop should not be condemned vnder seauentie two witnesses He forbad g Geneb p. 776. the laytie to come into the quire while the Priest was at Masse In his time the Arabians raised three persecutions against the Christians in Spaine Theodora the Empresse of Constantinople commaunded images to be set vp againe The nauie of the Arabians ouercame the nauies of Venice and Constantinople inuaded Dalmatâ—a tooke the iland Lipara and doe much hurt to the Empire wasting the Cyclades c. Methodius gathering Churches among the Moraui Scla and Polonians inuented the Vandale letters and turned many holy writings into the vulgar tongue As yet the little booke is open After Leo h Mass 15. pag. 211. Plat. Sab. Fasc Temp. Volat Caranza Berg. Chro. Chro. c. succeeded Iohn the eight a woman Anno 854. who because she went alwayes in mans apparell and studied very diligently was thought a most learned man and held the seate almost two yeeres In the meane space she conceiued and was deliuered as she went in procession where she died Hereupon they say it was decreed that the Popes priuities should be handled Benedictus the third Anno 855. against i Geneb p. 781. Gobelinus him did sit Anastasius the third Nicholas k Platin. f. 136. the first was reuerenced as a God Anno 858. For now they that are called Christians doe to the Pope as * Strabo 7. p. 206. the barbarous Gothes did to their Priests who first were esteemed by them the Priests of that god whom they especially serued but after they got the reputation or appellation of gods This l Geneb p. 783. Pope is also called the Elias of the Popes he reigned ouer Princes as the Lord of the whole earth So now m Frising 6.3 the kingdome or Empire decreasing by much diuision the Church became of so great authoritie that it iudged euen Kings He openeth his mouth to blasphemie and absolueth n 15. q. 6. Authoritatem from their othes such as sweare by constraint and alloweth the Clergie with the spirituall and temporall sworde to recouer the Church goods by any meanes taken away He a D. 21. Nolite D. 28. Confulendum D. 96. fâ— script decreed that no lay man either Prince or people may iudge or lightly accuse a Bishop or Priest much lesse the Popes of Rome who are as gods in the world Hee b Caran f. 336 b. accurseth all that doe despise the commandements or interdictions of the Popes because their decrees as he exalteth himselfe are to be preferred before all writings whatsoeuer c 4. q. 2
in his warres which were many because of the Popes excommunication And m Vrsp p. 308. the Princes and Barones taught by the diuell cared not to breake their oath nor violate their faith but confounded all iustice taking part sometimes with Philip sometimes with Otho By n 307. the meanes of this contention the Pope made all Ecclesiasticall dignities litigious and brought them to Rome Whereupon Vrspergensis exclaimeth Reioyce our mother Rome because the sluces of all treasures are opened that whole riuers of money may runne to thee Reioyce for the wickednes of men because for the recompence of so great euils some price is paide to thee Insult for discord thy helper which came from hell to helpe thee to money by great heapes Thou hast that which thou hast thirsted for Sing this song that by wickednesse and not by religion thou hast ouercome the world Men come not to thee for deuotion and conscience but for the committing of villanies and for decision of contentions bought out with money of thee The begging Friers beganne the wicked order of which Ioachim prophecied before The first thing that the Friers did labour for was to magnifie their faction a Ex Mat. Paris p. 910. Gobelaet 6. cap. 63. Fox Mart. p. 326. To which purpose they wrote a very detestable and blasphemous booke containing the most abhominable heresies of these new sprung vp friers Nowe because the Gospel which the scripture calleth b cap. 14.6 Eternall was commonly preached to the hazzard of the papacie these called their booke The eternall Gospell and the Gospell of the holy Ghost This they said excelled that written by the foure Euangelists so much as the kernell passeth the shell and as light excelleth darkenes And therefore taught N.B. that within threescore yeares vz. 1260. the Gospel written by the foure Euangelists should cense and bee abolished and theirs should steppe vp instead thereof and continue for euer c Sibrandus Lâ—b d. Christ â—og 2. cap. 7. This booke the Friers commended to the Pope to bee canonized who esteemed it much For from hence the Popes doe continue many wicked prankes to weaken if not to abolish the authority of the Scriptures This deuice of forging a newe Gospel the Friers borrowed of their fathers the d Epiph. haeres 26. p. 27. Gnosticks It seemeth hitherto that the cup in the supper was not taken quite from the laitie * Trith p. 215. For Innocentius the third enioyning certaine knights and their seruants penance for killing the Bishop of Herbipolis saith thus They shall not presume to take the bodie and blood of the Lord but at the point of death e 215. 216. Philip putting Otho stil to the worst the Princes grew wearie of warre and sought for peace and notwithstanding the Popes excommunications are reconciled to Philip crown him againe and f 219. with the Popes Legates treate of peace and compounding the state of the Empire g Vrsp p. 310. The Pope to whom all is referred consenteth to peace vpon promise that his nephew should marry the Emperor Philips daughter And Otho likewise vpon the like condition h Pag. 309. At the same time one Fulco preached in France and moued many to take the crosse and fight in the holy land Whereupon two Earles came with their armies to the Pope who sent one of them against his owne enemies in Campania the other went as towards Ierusalem in the way the Venetians spoyle a certaine citie called Satira After the armie went to Constantinople beat a part of the citie entred and tooke many spoyles and reliques of Saints He that readeth iudge if it were not theft and if the Pope can excuse that rapine by the Isralites robbing the Egyptians i Trith p. 219. After the capitulations were made for the quiet of the Empire Philip went to pursue some rebels in Saxony and as he rested in his chamber hauing opened a veyne he was murthered by Otho Palatinus because he did not worship the beast And so was ended this fourth Thunder The fifth Thunder Anno 1208. VPon a Trith p. 219. 220. the death of Philip the Emperor was Otho chosen with one consent of all the Princes The Pope hearing thereof and that he had maried his neere kinswoman liked it and by Legates confirmed it Wherefore Otho going into Italy is honorably receiued by the Princes and Pope and is crowned At this time the Franciscan Friers began There were also great heates fearefull thundrings and lightnings And b Crant 7. 35. now while the Pope did chalenge Apulia c. to belong to the Church of Rome and the Emperor thought not there arise dissentions betweene them c Vrsp p. 313. so that the Pope pronounceth him contumacious excommunicated him and so hee was euery where denounced Whereupon the Princes elect Fridericus the sonne of Henricus the sixt Emperor as an euill diuell in Israel which election the Pope confirmeth and Fridericke is garded through Italy by the Princes of Italy In d Mass 17. p. 235. Narbâ—na 140. and at Paris 24. would rather be burned as heretikes then recant their opinions e Amicon d. 5. Sarma c. 1. 2. In 1211. appeared a great comet the yeere following the nation of the Tartarians The fourth Angel about Euphrates came out of their seates into our world f Haiton c. 16. through the Caspian sea which gaue them way miraculously as an Angel had directed them g Trith p. 221. Otho the Emperor succeeded prosperously in his warres of Apulia Calabria Wherefore h Vrsp p. 314. the Pope sent fiue times to him in short space for peace but the Emperor despising the Popes commaundements could not be stirred but that he would roote out Fridericus and be reuenged of the French King for the wrongs he had done to England Hereupon the Pope tooke courage i Pag. 317. and resolued vpon two things to recouer the holy land from the Saracens and to reforme the Church against heretikes and such as impugned the liberties thereof And so required k Trith p. 221. the Archbishop of Mogunce to declare the Emperor excommunicate and deposed The Princes that fauored Otho spoyled the cities religious houses and Churches of the diocesse of Mogunce and Otho returning into Germany subdued many rebels l Geneb pag. 957. 958. The Albingenses in the parts of Tholosa in France maintained many doctrines against the Church of Rome as against prayers to the virgine Mary c. Against whom the French both Clergie and Laytie did contend and fight with doubtfull successe almost for the space of twelue yeeres m Trith p. 221. But now the Pope preacheth the crosse and absolution from all sinnes in Austria Saxony Westphalia Phrisia and all Germany to assist his Captaine against them For the King of Arragon and diuers Earles c. tooke their parts Hereby the Albingenses were put to the worst n
of the comming of Theodosius the true Christian Prince Albeit the rest of the Arians presumed and reported Theodosius to be defeated whence the Papists haue learned to spread presumptuous lying newes Howbeit at last euen for feare they giue glorie to the God of heauen These e Fox in hunc locum things do most aptly agree vnto the times of the preaching and martyrdome of Iohn Hus and Ierom of Prage c. before and at the Councell of Constance and to the effects that followed thereupon The complement Alexander the fifth a Fox Mart. p. 531. 567. was chosen Pope to take away the schisme In his time the Boemians Anno 1409. by the preaching of Iohn Hus c encreased much in the knowledge of the Gospel for before this time by the spreading of Wickliefes bookes they began to tast and sauour of it b Peuce 5. f. 156. 157. The summe of his preaching was a reprehension of the fornication couetousnes and pride of the Priests c and against the magicke consecrations of the oyle water c. He prooued his assertions by the word of God the holy scriptures vnto which alone he would reduce all doctrine Hereupon grew contentions in the Vniuersitie of Prage And when those which did striue for the Pope were not able to resist the founde testimonies of the scripture alleadged by Hus they left the Vniuersitie c Fox Mart. 532 When the Pope heard of these preachings and disputations he sent his bull vnto the Archbishop requiring him to looke that no such things were maintained and cited Iohn Hus to appeare before him Iohn Hus answereth the Bull to be contrary to the doings and examples of Christ and his Apostles and to restreine or fight against the free course of the word of God Wherefore he appealeth from this mandate to the same Pope better aduised But as hee was prosecuting of his appeale the Pope died there died also the Archbishop c d cap. 11.5 by the fire that proceeded out of the mouth of Christs witnesses c. Iohn the twentieth three e Gobel aet 6. cap. 90.94 a diuell incarnate Anno 1410. and a most profound inuentor of all sorts of infamous wickednes most rigorous He receiued of the harlots of one citie viz Bâ—nenia 300. florens euery moneth for tribute of their whoredome c. The King of Sicilia brake into Rome which the Pope not forseeing with many Curtizans was spoyled Vnto f Fox Mart. p. 567. this Pope or rather beast was Hus accused for an heretike because he seemed rather willing to preach the Gospell then the bishops traditions The Pope committeth the matter to the Cardinall of Columna who monished Hus to appeare at Rome Wenceslaus King of Romanes and Boem at the suite of his wife the whole nobilitie citie and Vniuersitie of Prage sent Ambassadors to Rome crauing the Pope to remit the citation of Hus and to determine his cause in Boem Hus also sent proctors to Rome to purge him because he would auoid that dangerous iourney The Cardinall at Rome notwithstanding the Kings petition excoÌ„municateth Hus and emprisoneth some of his proctors so that the rest returne without doing any thing Howbeit Hus notwithstanding his excommunication goeth on in preaching and appealed from the Pope to Christ. Yea a Fox Mart. 569. when the Popes bull came to Prage proclaiming full remission of sinnes to all such as would fight on his side for the Pope had warre with the king of Naples Hus and his followers manifestly spake against the Bull three lay men were beheaded for speaking against these pardons whom Hus and such Priests as fauoured him interred sumptuouslie saying These be the Saints which for the Testament of God did giue their bodies At b Peuce 5. f. 168. this time were three Popes at once euery one fighting against the other with condemnations and execrations But as c Socr. 5. 22. the Arians did not striue for religion but by reason of their ouermuch desire of honour with which their mindes were wholy possessed did fight among themselues for the primacie whereupon many of the Clergie hating the contention sprung of the desire of vaine glory departed from them to the antient faith so these did not striue for the glorie of the sonne of God or for the mending of such corruptions as were in manners and doctrine but for the principalitie Wherefore many departed from them When the Emperor Sigismund did see that these euils would be more duly reformed by a Councel than by armes hee hauing runne ouer Italy Spaine France and England with incredible speede and wonderfull patience in great labours by consent of the kings caused the Counsell of Constance to bee d 1414. deceÌ„ 3. assembled which was frequented with the presence or Legates of the Princes of all the Christian world as also thither came from Bizantium and Trapezuntium a concourse of most diuerse e cap. 11.9 people and kindreds and tongues and gentiles a Geneb p. 1059 so that there were numbred of strangers of all sorts 60,500 After b Gobel 6. c. 94 the Councell assembled the whole affaires of the Councell were committed to the determination of foure Prelates chosen out of foure Nations which much displeased the Pope and his Cardinals In this Councell they proposed to reforme the Church in the head and members c Peut 5. f. 175. Wherefore Petrus de Aliaco very grauely admonished the Councell of the most corrupt conditions of the Popes the court of Rome and of al degrees of the Romane Church for the citie is Sodom He also admonished the Councell of the many superstitions and of the tyrannie then vsed for this citie is also Aegypt d Specul Minor Tract 3. f. 167. c. There were also proposed diuerse complaints against the friers for their Sodomiticall filthie life and for their pride and crueltie who were like ruffians and cutters to kill them that admonished them of their faults e Exod. 2.11.13.14 worse then the Aegyptian that wronged the Israelite or the Israelite that reproched Moses or the Sodomites that railed on Lâ—t The like was done by other that desired reformation In this Councell f Mass 18. p. 255. Gobel 6.94 the Pope g Fox Mart. p. 604. in epist Huss whom the Preachers were wonte to call the God of the earth was conuicted of more than fortie grieuous crimes for which hee was deposed Vnto h Fox in hunc locum Mar. 1575. c. this Councell came Iohn Hus vnder the safe conduct of the Emperour and there continued vnder the warrantie of the Popes promise and thither was Hierom of Prage cited Those two were shut vp in most horrible and filthie prisons farre worse then sackcloth When Hus came to the Councell he desired leaue to answere the obiections brought against him But whereas Christ was not only permitted but also required to answere for himselfe before Pilate
in a manner alwaies free from it And the East seemeth the third part of the Empire by a Soc. 1. 26. alii the diuiding of the Empire in three by Constātine amongst his three sonnes Constantius Constans and Constantine The manner of the fight of the woman which had brought forth the man childe is diuerse by her selfe and childe Her b Ruff. 2. 5. Soc. 3. 11. selfe keepeth her garments of the profession of Christ. Shee also treadeth still the moone vnder foote For when Iulian depriued all that would not forsake the Christian religion of their honour in his palace those which with an vpright heart did professe the Christian faith with a readie minde did put off their ornaments of ciuill honour and submitted themselues to most cruell torments rather than they would denie Christ Shee kept also her crowne For whereas libertie was often graunted to all others only c Theod. 4. 24. those which professed the doctrine of the Apostles were persecuted Now the godly would not deuise d Soc. 3. 5. 1. Ioh. 1.1.2 any new religion nor bring any such into the Church but onely confirme that which from the beginning was prescribed by Ecclesiasticall tradition that is was deliuered by the e Theod. 2. 22. Apostles and wise Christians had sought out by infallible reasons Yea shee still is fruitfull by the f Ruff. 2. 4. 6. Socrat. 4. 19. conuersion of more people where Christ was not known Her man childe also Michael the g cap. 14 1. Lambe who now is amongst his 144 000. at Mount Zijon doth wonderfully warre against these enemies by h cap. 6.2 c. his horsemen that ride on red horses c. For Arius i Socr. 1. 25. the father of the mischiefe died miserably his bowels running out and the k 2.20.27.37 Massaeus 11. p. 141. Empire was full of sedition The Persians Magnentius Britanio Nepotianus Siluanus the French Iews in the East Gallus Caesar Iulianus Caesar stirred vp warres and seditions against Constantius and the Emperour himselfe through anguish of minde died of an Apoplexie l Soc. 3. 18. The Persians proclaime open warre vpon Iulian in which warre oppressed m Mass 11. p. 146. with famine he died beeing slaine n Soc. 435. Procopius maketh insurrection against Valens yea the earth doth quake and inundations of the sea are many in diuers places shaking downe many countries and drowning diuers cities Muania the Queene of o Soc. 4. 29. Saracens maketh warre vpon him so doe the a Soc 4. 31. Gothes who pursued him into a village and burned him in the house where he was The b cap. 14.1 cum cap. 7.4 144,000 which are the number of these valiant Christians which oppose themselues against the Arians with as true fortitude as the tribes of Israel did oppose thēselues against the Cananites doe all this while accōpany the Lambe on Mount Zijon Here are they known to be by hauing their fathers name written in their foreheads that is they are marked to defend that c Ioh. 1.12 Iesus Christ is the sonne of God and in Christ themselues to be the sonnes of God By this are signified the many Councels which the Catholikes held against the Arians which denied the godhead of Christ as d Soc. 2. 16. 19. at Sardis Ierusalem e 3.5 Alexandria f Sozo 6. 12. Tyanis And also vnder Iouianus at Antiochia where the g Soc. 3. 24. most contentious Arians did subscribe to the clause of the Nicene Creede that saith that Christ is of one substance with the Father There was also one which was an Arian that denied the Godhead of Christ and a Macedonian that opposed the doctrine of the Holy Ghost by g Soc. 2. 33. 35. name Eustathius who attempted many things besides the Ecclesiasticall rites and customes For hee forbad mariage he taught to abstaine from meates and mariage whereupon hee separated many from wedlocke that had contracted matrimonie The ground of priuate masse and hee perswaded them that detested to come to Church to haue Communion in their houses He drew seruants from their masters vnder the pretext of godlinesse he ware the apparell of a Philosopher compelled his followers to vse a strange kind of apparell he forbad any prayers to be made in the houses of such as were married He commanded the publike praiers or blessings and Communion of a Minister that had a wife which hee lawfully married when he was a lay person to bee auoided as a horrible sinne c. But by a Councell held at Gangris he was depriued of his Episcopall dignitie and his opinions were accursed Yet hence doe the Papists sucke many conclusions The woman also the Church h cap 12.14 doth betake her selfe to flight from these dangers and to the woman were giuen two wings of a great Eagle that shee might flie from the presence of the monstrous beast the deputie of the Serpent For during the time i Euseb 10. 8. Soz. 1. 2. of Licinius tyrannie the godly were constrained to flie into the wildernesses and the fields woods and mountaines were their best harbor a Melan. l. 3. Constantine reedified Constantinople and translated the seate of the Empire and purity of religion thither In the time of b Ruff. 1. 7. 8. 10 20. 21. 22. 24. Carion Constantius Athanasius is a fugitiue all the world ouer there were banished Dionysius Eusebius Paulinus Rhodanus Lucifer Liberius Bishop of Rome and Miletus Bishop of Antiochia whom much people followed At that time the face of the Church was ougly to behold shee was wasted of her owne one chased another fled In the time of c Carion Iulian Athanasius and others fled again The godly and learned fathers fled from answering of the cauils which Iulian deuised and obiected against the scriptures c. and betooke themselues to praiers vnto God to deliuer the Church from so dangerous an enemie In the time of Valens the Ministers and people were banished and did flie From d Ruff. 2. 3. Alexandria 3000. fled into the wildernesse and their Pastor Peter fled to Rome Barza e Theod. 4. 16. 18. 21. 24. Pastor of Edessa beeing banished an infinite number followed him and flocked to him on all sides they all forsake the townes and meete in the fields Eleuen Aegyptian Bishops were banished c. Those of Constantinople were constrained to meete without the citie where they were beaten with the weather with stormes frost and snowe and sometimes with excessiue heate The like was the condition of the Churches in other places The successe is the safetie of the Church f cap. 12.14 who fledde for a time times and halfe a time flying not onely now but also for the most part till the time of Antichrist The godly and valiant champions called 144 000 are also safe because g cap. 7.17 the Lambe in the middest of
so did some of them acknowledge themselues to be the scourge of God wherefore they harried booties out of all places of the Empire They b Anno 410. Carion besieged Rome c Vis p. 102. tooke it and spoyled it scraped all away that could be gotten like Locustes This vexation was to the Empire as the paine that commeth by a Scorpion when d Weckerus Aut. spic lib. 1. sect 20. hee hath stung a man For it bread in them diuers afflictions of hope and feare For they oftentimes intermitted their furie and renued it againe vnlooked for Whiles e Sab. E. 7. l. 4. the Gothes vexed Italy the Vandales Sucues Alani with fire and sword and rapine doe make ougly waste in France and Spaine After the Gothes the Hunnes waste Germanie France and Italy After them the Bugiani Vandales Eruli c. The f cap 9.3.10 manner of their fight as they are Scorpions is with their tayles their false prophets and wicked religion For they transfuse their wicked doctrine into the hearts of Christians as g Plin. 11. â—5 Scorpions doe their gall or poyson into them whom they hurt For whereas they held that h Stra. 7. religious persons should not marry and that it was not lawfull to eate flesh the Christians were willing to make that to be good diuinitie And whereas they worshipped not onely as Kings but also as gods such religious persons as kept themselues in inaccessible celles and pretended to bee able to shew them the secrets of the gods so that they held i Ab. vrs p. 96. that onely to be safe that onely to be profitable that onely to be the matter of their vowes which was commaunded them by such the Popes fitted their turnes For they arrogated to themselues and perswaded these strangers that the Popes and their monkish and other clergie were the onely counsellors with God Hereby were the Popes terrible to the fiercest of them and reuerenced as Gothes priests by that nation For when Attilas k Chro. Chro. came to destroy Rome the Romanes c. did tremble with horrible feare But Leo the l Geneb Beugem Pope affrighted him by a miracle so that the tyrant obeyed the Pope whereby both Rome and Italy was saued When Attilas m A. Michon cap. 14. Viues sup souldiers scoffed at him and said that Attilas feared none but a Lyon and a wolfe meaning Pope Leo and Lupus Bishop of Trecas who likewise preuailed with him to spare that citie he answered that one in the habite of a clergie man stoode by Pope Leo with a drawen two edged sword and shaking it at him threatned to kill him and to destroy his armie except he did agree to the Popes request And a Geneb p. 608. when Gensericus with his Vandales came resolued to burne Rome the same Pope preuailed with him to spare it Totilas b Greg. dial lib. 2. 14. 15. also the King of the Gothes went to Benedict the Monke to try whether the fame of his being a prophet were true or no. This Benedict doth report many stories of the dead c. and had rules for his order to forbeare flesh c. When Totilas came before the cell he cast himselfe vpon the ground and durst not come neere But when he had heard the reproofe and prediction of Benedict he was exceedingly affrighted And when this Totilas besieged Rome at the instance of Pelagius the first who c Caranza first brought into the masse prayer for the dead a thing that these barbarians did much hearken after he d Geneb p. 6â—4 obeyed and * Cario fo 138. caused both virgins and mens liues and Church goods to be spared Againe they are said to hurt with their tayles because many of those which came afterwards became tyrants as e Sabellicus Abb. vrs p. 109. Theodoricus cruelly enforced the faith of Ariuâ— Gensericus Hunericus Gundebundus in Africa destroyed the Church c. vide Geneb p. 615. 616. The manner of the fight of the woman the Church and of her man child is by voyce and flight Her voyce is first as the sound f cap. 14.2 of many waters next as the sound of a great thunder and lastly as the voyce of harpers harping on their harpes The sound of many waters is a confused and vndistinct murmuring g Cariâ—n Vpon the incursion of the Gothes by Rhadagasus and Alaricus c. there was an exceeding great murmuring and complaining euen against Christ the sonne of righteousnesse For diuers obiected that these calamities befell the Empire because they reiected their ancient heathen gods and had receiued the doctrine of Christ Insomuch that Symachus the Lieftenant h Amb. l. 5. epist 30.31 of Rome was Legat from the Senate to the Emperor to craue the heathen rites to be restored Whereunto Ambrose made answere in the name of the Church and Christian Senators With this error also i Aug. de ciui dei lib. 1. c. 12. 27. many Christians were infected which vpon better deliberation were brought to repentance Many for feare they should fall into sinne by the terror or inticements of those tyrants did stagger in their iudgments whether they were not best to kill themselues and so preuent the mischiefe of sinning As for k Hist an t ex Paulo Diaco p. 434. example one Dagna a noble woman of Aquileia when the city was taken by the barbarians cast herselfe out of a turret into the riuer least she should be made a scorne by the barbarians and loose her chastity a Aug. de Ciuit. Dei But against such did Augustine write in his booke de Ciuitate Dei and stayed many Some also ranne to the Churches hoping there to be martyred But what by the law proclaimed to spare such as escaped to Churches and what by the godly perswasions b cap. 9.6 of learned men in those dayes men did seeke death and did not finde it and did desire to die but death did flie from them The next voyce which was heard of the Church was terrible as thunder against her hereticall enemies which were at this time very many Augustine c De ciuit dei lib. 1. confuted them that said that Christ and his Gospel was the cause of these troubles and proued by good demonstration that the Empire was spared for Christs sake The d Melanct. 3. Geneb p. 589. c. Arians Maniches Nestorians and Pelagians were vehemently and publikely confuted some by Augustine some by Ierome and others the Eutychians by Cyril c. The third voyce was as of harpers harping on their harpes that is a most heauenly harmonie of those which consented together in the true doctrine of the Christian faith singing as it were a e cap. 14.3 new song Of this song is obserued the place where it was sung and what manner of vnderstanding it required The place is said to be before f cap.
Greeke is p 2. Thess 2. named Apollyon namely that Angel or false Prophets whom the Hebrewes and Greekes doe call the sonne of perdition that is Antichrist The ende of the fourth period and of the second battell on earth and of a cap. 9.12 the first Woe to the inhabitants thereof CHAP V. Of the corruption and delusion which Sathan wrought in others in the time of these two last battels IN the two last Chapters hath beene shewed howe the Dragon by his b cap. 7.1 Angels did staie the windes that they blew c Sozo 1. 2. 7. not on the third part of the d Theod. 2. 22 Christian or Romane word e Theod. 5. 6. For onely the East was pestered with the pestilence of the Arians Now are we to proceed to shew what became of the f cap. 9.20 remnant that is the other two thirds of the Empire For euen amongst them also was the g cap. 7.3 earth hurt after the seruants of God were sealed That which is here to be considered is the h cap. 13.11 storie of another beast or kingdome or principalitie which is said to arise out of the earth into which i cap 12.9 the Dragon was cast and where he deceiueth k cap. 20.3 the world In the storie hereof is set down the rising of the beast the opposition of the Saints and the successe This beast though in many things it bee like the other beast yet in some doth it differ from that which presented the Romane Empire corrupted with heresie First whereas that beast arose l cap. 13.1.11 out of the water to wit from amongst many nations this other ariseth out of the earth Now they are said to bee of the earth which are so m earthie as earthly is opposed to heauenly So that this beast ariseth out of earthly aduancements c. For the West by the protection of Constantine was freed from the persecution of Licinius and also honoured by him For first hee n Ruff. 1. 2. refused to cenâ—ure them esteeming them as gods And o Geneb p. â—5 after enriched the Church with siluer and gold departed to Constantinople and as some say gaue the citie of Rome c. and princely ornaments to Pope Siluester and his successors Which amongst other testimonies Genebrard doeth prooue by two Rabbines The p Jdem p. 555. first Abraham Leuita thus He vz. Constantine weÌ„t out of Rome gaue it to the Iduâ—â—ean Priests meaning the Popes The other is Aben Ezra who testifieth thus Hee vz. Constantine beautified Rome which was the place of his seate and left it to that iniquitie which now is called Peter It seemeth somewhat was done this way but nothing so much as is pretended For besides that Valla a a Valla contra den Const man of singular knowledge writeth against that treatise which beareth the name of The Donation of Constantine Volateran the b Volat. 23. f. 270. keeper of the Vatican librarie and so best acquainted with the antiquities of the citie of Rome doth denie any such donation to be made by Constantine shewing that it is to be found in no old author but only in the Decrees that not in their ancient copies Crantzius c Crantz Met. l. 11. c. 24. p 772 saith the Pope was great not by the forged donation of Constantine which neuer was made but by the bountie of other Princes But such as it was the humanitie of d Eus vit Con. 4. 5â— Constantine was abused by the vnsatiable couetousnes and vnspeakable dissimulation of such as pretended themselues to bee Christians e Polychr 4.26 f. 171. From that time forward because of the great riches that the Church of Rome had it was made the more secular and had more secular businesse than spirituall deuotion and more pompe and boast outward than holines within as it is supposed It is written that when Constantine had made this gift to the Church the olde enemie cried openly in the aire This day is venome powred into the holy Church Therefore Ierome in vitis Patrum saith since the holie Church increased in possessions it is decreased in vertues And so the beast riseth out of the earth He is also said to rise out of the earth for his vnsensible manner of growing For the things which grow out of the earth are well discerned to haue growen but the manner how no man seeth And this is it that the scripture calleth priuily f 2. Pet. 2.1 bringing of damnable heresies contrarie to the declaring of the Gospel which is seene vpon an instant not onely like a swift horseman but like g Math. 24.27 lightning c. Secondly hee differeth from the other monster by his hornes which are not ten but h cap. 13.1.11 cap. 5.6 two and those like the Lamb which had eies arrogating to himselfe to be like vnto Christ representing i N.D. Warne-word En. 1. c. 2. 11. 6. 7. 8. his power and wisdome vpon earth as his Vicar or Viceroy So that in matters of iurisdiction and spiritual authoritie for gouernment of his Church vpon earth hee presumeth that Christ hath left so great power vnto his substitutes Peters successor the Pope of Rome as he may doe thereby and in his name and vertue in a certaine sort whatsoeuer his master and Lord might doe in his Church if hee were now conuersant amongst vs vpon earth Thirdly hee differeth in voice a cap. 13.11 For he speaketh like the Dragon whereas the other did roare but as a Beare or Pantheresse or Lyon He is said to speake like the Dragon for his terror For it is reported that about the b Gesu lib. 5. tower of Babel there dwell great Dragons whose voice and yelling doeth terrifie men And when Alexander went into India a Dragon with his terrible noise and hissing did terrifie his whole armie By this is meant that the Church of Rome or the Pope should from henceforth labour to rule by c 2. Tim. 3.2 cursed speaking and execrations as also by as bloodie and cruell lawes and interdictions as euer the heathen persecutors did tyrannize with For in Nero the d Aug. de Ciu. Dei 20. 19. facts of Antichrist were seene So that by those courses he should not onely fright other men but also be terrible to Monarchs and their valiant armies He is also said to speake like the Dragon because by the spirit of error he e 1. Tim. 4.1.3 bringeth in doctrines of diuels forbidding to marrie and commanding to abstaine from meates c. and diuers superstitions telling men that they f Gen. 3.4 shall not die if they transgresse Gods commandements and haue his pardon That for their skinne g Iob. 2.4 men will blaspheme God h Mat. 4.9 Offering to giue preferments to such as will fall downe and worship him beeing a i 1. Kin. 22.22 lying spirit in the mouthes of the
Caranz f. 137. This Sixtus required that euery Bishop accused and appealing to the Apostolike seate all men should stand to that which that seate should determine In his time it was l Idem Con. Agath c. 38. decreed that if the lay people did not come to the citie to applaude the Bishops in great solemnities they are to be excommunicated The beast riseth out of the earth Leo the first was of such reputation Anno 442. that what he m Fasc Tem. f. 51. spake was so approued that it was not lawfull for any to dissent in the least thing He first n Geneb p. 558. brought in auricular confession as he writeth in an Epistle viz. It shall be sufficient henceforth to shew by secret confession vnto the priest the guilt of the conscience Thus riseth the beast He decreed that reuerence o Caranz f. 143. a. should be giuen to the images or statues of the Saints in paine of a curse making way to idolatrie He much furthered his affaires by supposed miracles for which he was famous It is said that to p Pe. de Nat. further the credit of his letters which he sent to the Councell of Calcedon Saint Peter corrected them in al places by the prayer and fasting of the Pope contrary to the commaundement of God which very seuerely forbiddeth and condemneth consultation with the dead He is also said to cut off his owne hand because when a woman kissed it as he was ministring he fell into temptation But the virgin Mary at his prayers brought it againe and recured him as he himselfe did often report He also miraculously terrified Attilas with his fierce Hunnes vnder him Rome a Mass 12. p. 164. Anno 463. was taken and spoyled by the Vandals Hilarius decreed that no b Caranz f. 168. b. Anno 470. Bishop should chuse his successor and that no Bishop should be ordained without the consent of the Metropolitane Bishop Simplicius decreed that no Clerke should receiue a benefice at a lay mans hand c Polychr Mass 12. p. 166. In his time Odoacer wonne Italy and possessed Rome Then Augustulus cast away his purple and fled fearefully In him the glorious name of Augusti and Caesars of the Romane nation ended d Buchlo for 324. yeeres c. And the Empire of the Romanes in the West was extinguished Anno 485. Felix decreed that onely Bishops should consecrate e Bergom 9. Churches they f Mass 12. Chro. Chro. fable that Michael the Archangel appeared and dedicated a place in a mountaine for his worship contrarie to Saint Iohns g cap. 19.10 22.8 Anno 492. Angel who refused to be worshipped Gelasius decreed that no h De Cons dist 1. Omnes Church should be consecrated but by the authoritie of the sea Apostolike He held i Sab. En. 8. 2. Caranz f. 171. 172. that Councels are subiect to the Pope a point not yet decided amongst the Papists and that all should appeale to him but none from him And shewed that Emperors ought to put their neckes vnder the feete of the Prelates So greedy is Gratian the Canonist to shew that in this Gelasius was to be seene how the Pope the beast was risen vp to greatnes that he bringeth in Gelasius in his letters to * Caâ—s 159. 6. Alius Anastasius the Emperor to cite the story of one of his successors that liued after him neere 249. yeeres as if he had been his predecessor Either Gratian lyeth or this Pope wrought a wonderous miracle herein It appeareth that about this time some would haue brought in the communion vnder one kinde For Gelasius writeth against such in these words in a manner We haue k De cons d 2. comperimus found that some taking onely the portion of the holy body doe abstaine from the cup of the hallowed blood who without all doubt because I know not by what superstition they are taught to be thralled either let them receiue the whole sacraments or be put from the whole In his l Massaus 12. time Theodoricus with the Osirogothes possessed Italy and Rome Anastasius the second communicated m D. 19. Anast Volat c. with Phâ—tinus and Acacius heretikes Anno 498. wherefore he was smitten by the hand of God so that his bowels ranne from him as he was at seege where was then the holines of the Chaire The French n Mass 12. Genebrard King becommeth a Christian and sendeth a crowne to Saint Peter at Rome a Genebrard Symachus entred by schisme b Vrs p. 125. Anno 500. In these times was great dissention at Rome some chose Paurentius others this Symachus to be Pope By reason whereof were committed murthers and rapines at Rome of the Citisens Clergie and Priests for about three yeeres long together Paschasius a c Greg. dial lib. 4. principall Deacon and a godly man tooke part with Laurentius But it is fabled that he was seene after his death by the Bishop of Capua in the paine of purgatorie for that cause a lying wonder to deceiue d cap. 9. q. 3. Aliorum This Symachus decreed that the Pope is subiect to none but God thus riseth the beast He held a Synod at Rome against e Caranz f. 174. such as inuaded the Church goods He decreed that those woundes are to be f 169. 1. In Canonibus cut off with yron which feele not the benefit of fomentations making way for Abaddon Anno 515. Hormisda was very much enriched by the Kings of France and of the Gothes He sent g Bergm hist an t Ex Paul Diac. Ambassadors to Anastasius the Emperor admonishing him to depart from the heresie of Acacius The Emperor being angrie presently thrust the Popes Legats out of the citie saying he would commaund the Pope and others and not be commaunded And as it is vnderstoode therefore a little after all his Princes standing by that he might be plagued for his wickednesse and pride he was killed with a stroake of lightening thus the beast maketh fire to come downe from heauen in the seeming of men Anno 524. Iohn the first was sent by h Pet. de Nat. Theodoricus King of the Gothes to Iustine the Emperor to perswade him to restore the Arians whom Iustine had remoued for their heresie In his way to Constantinople lie rode vpon a Ladyes horse which was gentle and easie of pace but after so great a Bishop had sate vpon him he would neuer endure a woman vpon his backe a foolish miracle When he came to Constantinople at the gate in the presence of the Emperor and people he is said to haue restored sight to a blinde man that begged Wherefore the Emperor and people receiued him with great reuerence The Pope i Ab. vrs p. 109. with many teares craued the Emperor to restore the Arians The Emperor moued with his teares graunted
his request and restored the Arians to their authoritie againe Thus the beast deceiueth them that dwell vpon the earth by reason of the signes which were giuen him to doe in the sight of the beast He at Constantinople crowned k Geneb p. 629. Iustine the Emperor who was the first Emperor that euer was crowned by the Pope so now the Pope is in the estimation of the l Morisen Papa in p. 144. Ex Caesare Druides of France that did inaugurate the Kings When the Pope returned to Rauenna Theodoricus cast him into prison and famished him to death a Massaeus 14. Greg. dial 430. Gobelinus Fasc Temp. But within ninetie eight dayes after the hangman Theodoricus died sodainly and was buried in hell A holy Eremite saw him with the hands of this Pope Iohn c. to be plagued in Vulcans pot A terror for Princes by a lying signe Ann. 527. Felix 4. as an Heracleonite commanded the b Berg. Volat. Ann. 531. sicke to bee annointed before their death belike the same thing was so often commanded because it was so little regarded that the Popes deuised c Geneb Bonifacus 2. gat the seate by schisme he decreed that in the time of diuine seruice the * Massaeus Clergie should bee in a distinct place as the quire from the people He called a Synod and decreed d Gobelinus that he might choose his successor strengthened his decree with subscriptions and oathes of others But afterwards the Bishops in a Synode dashed all Vnder this Pope many noble e Massaeus mē left the world went vnto Saint Benedict f Geneb p. 631 This Benedict famous for miracles and the supposed spirit of prophesie instituted the order of the Benedictines He despised the studie of g Greg. dial lib. 2. 1. c. good learning and deuised rules of life different from the scriptures Hee is reported to master diuels to absolue the dead c. He is compared for miracles with Moses Elias Elizeus c. h Clictonaeus homil de Benedict Him some that follow the Church of Rome doe make the father of the monkish faith as Abraham is called in scripture the father of the faithfull and doe compare the many orders and Abbies that followed him with the many nations whose father Abraham is They say that of i Volal 21. f. 239. Geneb p. 631. his order were 24. Popes 183. Cardinals Archbishops in diuers Churches 1600. Bishops 4000 Abbots famous for learning and writing 15700. From his grounds ariseth Antichrist Anno 533. Iohn 2. recured a k Geneb Greg. dial 3. 2. blinde man at Constantinople in the presence of the Emperour and people vnto him Iustinian l Sabel E◠8. 2 the Emperour sent gifts and honoured him with new dignities acknowledging him to bee in the seat of Christs onely Vicar vpon earth The Emperour seeth the Pope to haue hornes like the Lambe Ann. 535. Agapetus was m Greg. dial 3. 3. sent by Theodatus king of Gothes to the Emperour Iustinian to reconcile him whom he had displeased for killing of his Queene who was committed by her father to this Iustinians tuition In his way in the partes of Greece he healed a man that was brought vnto him dumbe and lame who neuer could speake nor goe as they say When his neighbours brought him he asked if they did beleeue that hee could cure him who answered that they hoped he could by the power of God and authoritie of Saint Peter When the Pope had prayed and celebrated Masse he stretched forth his hand vnto the lame man who presently arose in the sight of the people And putting the Hoste into his mouth had present vse of his tongue by the power of God and helpe of Saint Peter Comming therefore to the a Pet. de Nat. Sabel f. 152. Ann. 536. Emperour he was receiued with reuerence and glorie Thus is the world deceiued by her inchantments Siluerius * Massaeus was caused to be chosen by Theodotus King of Gothes wherefore he presently sent his Chancelor Vigilius to the Emperour to excuse him that he could not waite the Emperours pleasure The Empresse dealt with Vigilius for the restoring of her friend Authemius an Eutychian Vigilius answered that Pope Siluerius would in no wise consent thereto but as for himselfe hee would easily agree had hee power in his hands vz. if he were Pope The Empresse caused Siluerius to be remooued which was done by the subornation of witnesses that affirmed that Siluerius would deliuer the citie of Rome and Belifarius the Emperours Generall into the hands of the Gothes b Pet. de Nat. Ann. 537. In his banishment he miraculously healed many Vigilius vpon c Massaeus the banishment of Siluerius was thrust into the Papacie he decreed that Masse should be celebrated towards the East This manner of turning the d Polyd. Inuen 57. Ezech. 8.16 face in praier was a custome of the Gentiles and contrarie to the commandement of God In the time e Geneb of this Vigilius Rome was first taken by Belifarius After that Vitigis the f Massaeus Carion King of the Gothes doth besiege it Then there was in all the world so great a famine especially in Italie as in Lyguria in Rome now beset with enemies that the mothers were constrained to eate their children Presently followed a pestilence Thus Michael warreth when the word of God by the Benedictines was refused and the inuentions of men were adored After the citie of Rome was taken spoiled and burnt by Totilas and his Gothes c. Narses is made Generall of the warres in Italie who bringeth with him an armie of 12,000 Lombards Pelagius 1. Ann. 555. was g Caran f. 201 the first that brought into the Masse praier for the dead as an angel of the bottomlesse pit And the Pope is like h Liuid 1. lib. 1 the Pont. Max. of Numa his deuising to whom is committed the order to pacifie the Spirits in the behalfe of the dead So that now it is with the Church of Rome as the Poet saith a Virg. Eu. 5. 1. p. 230. Vinaque fundebant pateris animamque vocabant Anchisa magni manesque Acheronte remisses This Pope also b Pet. de Nat. decreed that those whom he calleth heretickes or schismaticks should be punished by the secular power as Abaddon or Apollyon c Geneb p. 643. In his time Narses the first Exarche of Rauenna finished the warres of the Gothes who brought the Lombards into Italie The successe is that d cap. 13.11 the beast doth rise out of the earth that is that the Popes by means of earthly riches and honours as also by earthly wisdome do rise to the state of such a Prince as hath the reputation to haue two hornes like the Lambe that is to seeme to represent Christ vpon earth for power and wisdome The nations also which came
confirmed the seuen Princes Electors decreeing that he whom these seauen Germane Electors did choose should be called Caesar and after his confirmation and coronation by the bishop of Rome hee should bee called Augustus The e Geneb p. 838 842. Carolines who tooke the kingdome of France from the Clodouines lost their Monarchie there because they vsed not the Clergie as they listed And in their stead Hugo Capetus inuaded and possessed it because hee gaue the Clergie their free elections c. For as many as will not worship the image of the beast nor take his name must not buie or sell Ann. 998. Siluester the second f Plat. Gobel gaue his soule to the diuell to bee Pope g Chron. Chro. The Emperour caused him to be consecrated not as a Philosopher but as a most wicked Magitian Hence many Popes are obserued to be giuen like Simon Magus to sorcerie and coniurations h Fasc Temp. f. 72. 4. An effeminate age stept vp about the yeare of our Lord 1000. In it the Christian faith began exceedingly to faile and decline from the wonted virilitie thereof In many Christian countries neither the sacraments nor Ecclesiasticall rites were kept they beeing intent to South sayings and to coniurations and the Priest was like the people The i Geneb p. 858 Grecians excommunicated the Church of Rome And because the word of God was despised by Michaels horsemē k Massaeus 16. there was so great drought that many perished by heat Benedictus the eight Ann. 1030. l Geneb p. 861 862. in his time Berengarius preached that the bread and wine in the sacrament after consecration was a figure and sacrament and not the reall bodie and blood of Christ The name of Cardinals is thought of many to haue now first began it seemeth rather first to haue beene in estimation and vse m Peucer 4. p. 303. Three most fierce seditious Ann. 1046. and wicked monsters troubling Italie and the citie of Rome by their striuing for the Papacie against the lawes giuen and confirmed by the Emperours the Emperour Henricus the third went to quiet the state In a Councel at Sutrium he deposed the three striuers and placed Clement the second Hee also roaring as a lyon by reason of the schismes and quarrels reuiued the old law that the Pope is not to be chosen without the consent of the Emperour and n Geneb p. 866. caused the Romanes to sweare that thenceforth they would choose no Pope but whom the Emperour gaue them The decree of taking from the Romans libertie to choose the Pope was the cause of such troubles and emotions that weakened both the Emperours and Empire As soone as the Emperour was gone Clement was poisoned o Crantz Met. 51. p. 300. by the magisteriall arte of the Italians a Platin. Damasus the second got the seate by violence Ann. 1048. He was b Crantz Met. 5. 1. p. 300. supposed to haue poisoned his predecessor but it seemeth the master poisoners laid the fault vpon him to cleere themselues c Volat. lib. 22. f. 253. a. The Romans because of the vices of the Clergie who chose euer Popes worse and worse craued a Pope of the Emperour The Emperour d Crantz ibid. p. 301. looked about for some fit man to supplie the Papacie When there was no bishop of Germanie that would be set ouer the poisoners of Italie hee sent an Aleman to take the place named afterwards Leo the ninth Thus are the Popes become a blasphemous beast and are so farre from repenting themselues of their idolatrie murther sorcerie fornication c. that for these things the Angels about the riuer Euphrates doe by the reuenging hand of God bring a lamentable woe vnto them and ciuil Princes doe set their fierie feete vpon them CHAP. VIII How when the Emperours had roared as a lyon the beast crieth them downe with 7. thunders blaspheming Princes and making warre against the Saints with his victorie HItherto the beast the Popes haue opened their mouthes to blasphemie beeing blasphemous in doctrine and behauiour both in word and deed prodigious monsters Hitherto also the Lord Iesus by the Emperours as by an angell in a cloud c. hath taken possession of the people by violence and of the soile by force and authoritie He also by seuere lawes had as it were cried as when a Lyon roareth threatning their destruction that would offer to exclude him from any part of that his possession It now followeth hereupon to consider how the beast behaueth himselfe in his manner of fight And this is contained in a cap. 10.3 seauen blasphemous thunders that doe vtter their voices and b cap. 13.6 in other blasphemies and warres against the Saints c. By the voices of thunders are vnderstood such strong declamations which doe breed as fearefull emotions and perill among men as a violent storme doth in the aire doth terrifie men and beat them from their places as if they were stroken with thunderbolts The Popes and such c Geneb in Siluest 1. Pio 5. alii as follow them delight to call the Popes execrations excommunications and proscriptions by the name of thunders as Fulmen papale Wherefore these thunders doe signifie such troubles as came vpon the Empire by the Popes excommunications and execrations c. These thunders are said to be d cap. 10.3.4 7. in number For howsoeeuer the Popes did excommunicate more than 7. Emperors yet did they preuaile to hurt and remooue or subdue but seauen e Curio f. 198. b All these were excommunicated in order by the Popes when as they were most mightie Caesars and very couragious and accomplished great and excellent affaires 1. Henricus the fourth 2. Henricus the fift 3. Fridericus the first 4. Philippus 5. Otho the fourth 6. Fridericus the second 7. Conradus The rest despised or escaped the danger Besides blasphemous thunders whereby godly Princes be terrified the beast doth proceede to f cap. 13.6 blaspheme the tabernacle of God that is that very worship of God which is a Heb. 8.5 Exod. 25.40 according to Gods own ordinance and word is accused to be heresie filthinesse sedition rebellion c. Like as the wicked b Eus 3.17 4. 7. 9.5.7 heathen and hereticks haue done whose steppes this beast doth follow He also doth blaspheme them c cap. 13.6 that dwell in heauen that is such which are truly faithfull professors of the Gospell of the kingdome of heauen hauing their d Phil. 3.20 conuersation and affections in heauen Vnto these are many fowle and horrible crimes obiected if they be any way opposite to their vnrighteousnes or vngodlines And herein they follow the Arians e Ruff. 1. 17. Theod. 1. 25. 27. 19. Soc. 2. 21. c. that blasphemed Athanasius Macarius c. which were enemies to their heresie and crueltie This is a good warrant to
p. 3â—3 wrote to the French king that himselfe was Lord of all spirituall and temporall estates through the world Thus he exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God And said that because the French king would not take his kingdom of him hee deserued to bee depriued The French king burned his letters and despised his Legates In a Councell at Paris calleth the Pope a schismaticke hereticke and inuader of the state by the pragmatical sanctier diminisheth the Popes authoritie in France c Par. Vrsp 344. The Pope confirmeth the election of Albert vnder condition that he would take vpon him the kingdomes of Romanes and France d Fox Flores hist The king of England also couragiously withstood the Pope in the title of Scotland e Bergo 13. Trith p. 268. The French king caused him to be apprehended in his bedde and carried prisoner to Rome where hee died with sorrow c. In f Geneb p. 1004 1007. 1008. his time Ottoman the first Emperour of the Turkes arose a great plague to the professors of Christ Now the Church of Rome leaueth to reckon from the passion of Christ as before and accounteth from his Natiuitie The Mariners compasse is found out A fit instrument to spread the name of Christ where it was vnknown Clement the fifth g Mass 17. p. 244. was consecrated in France at Lugdunum going to the pallace the people thronged a wall fell Ann. 1305. and hurt many the Popes crowne fell from his head and out of it a Carbuncle esteemed worth 6000. florens An euill presage For h Trith 269. Geneb 1009. he translated the Popes seate from Rome to Auinion to the great damage of Italie Rome and all Christians i Trith 271. The Princes elected Henrie the seauenth Emperour a good man and valiant worthy the imperiall seate He k Par. Vrsp 349. sent his Orators to the Pope for his imperiall crowne And l Bergo 13. in Henr. the Pope confirmed his election vnder condition he would go into Italie to receiue his crowne according to the manner of the Emperors passing through a Par. Vrsp 349. 350. Italie he found and subdued many rebels came to Rome and is crowned and gaue out lawes concerning traitors and rebels which Rome as the head of the world and saieth in her head I sit as Queene adorned and confirmed in these words I the crown of crowns confirme vnto my Prince his power c. doe subiect vnto him cities nations of countries Eagles defend my glorie behold the Gentiles Departing from Rome he had more rebels that opposed themselues against him ouer most of whom he triumphed Then came newes to him to come into Apulia where he should finde Rupertus king of Apulia depriued and deliuered to him The Emperour went towards Apulia The b Clemen 2. tit 9. de iureiurando Pope sendeth to him to make peace with Rupertus vpon his oath of fidelitie and obedience which hee made to the Pope But the Emperour by publike instruments declareth he made no such oath Then c Par. Vrsp 350 came there a d Geneb p. 1011 Dominican Frier vnto the Emperour promising to reconcile vnto him certaine cities that stood out against him desiring to minister the Eucharist to him with which he poysoned the Emperour as e Berg. 13. in Henr. he was hired by the Florentines For that which was execrable in the Saracens f Mat. Paris p. 769. namely to poyson their prisoners is now practised by Friers against Emperours and that like the children of the mother of abhominations euen in the sacrament His death was the safetie of Rupertus and the Florentines For this murther at the place and time of the worship of God according to his word there was euery where a famine after which followed a very great pestilence The Pope in a Councell openly declareth the oath of the Emperour now murthered to bee an oath of fidelitie and obedience and requireth it alwaies so to be vnderstood g Clem. 2 tit 9. in gloss verb. futur Out of which decree is gathered that the Emperour is not Emperour before he be crowned by the Pope He h Clem. 5 tit 3. de haeres c. 1. also prouided that the walles and lockes might bee sure and that the Keepers should bee sworne where heretickes were imprisoned Hee i Clem. 3 tit 16 de vener sanct confirmed Corpus Christi day and gaue large indulgences to them that were present at the solemnitie There were at this time diuers that held many things against the church of Rome as the followers k Mass 17. p. 244. Berg. 13. f. 207. a. of Dulcinus of whom were 6000. and of them were apprehended more than 400. who were of the reliques of those whom Bernard writeth of in the Canticles vz. Petrus Abailardus c. There l Clem. 5. tit 3. c. 3. were also certaine called Begnardes that held against adoration of the Eucharist at the eleuation Moreouer very m Trith 274. 275. many euen to the number of 80,000 were of the opinion of Lolliardus who held against Transubstantiation extreame vnction c. that the Church of Rome was not the Church of Christ but of the infidel Gentiles and despised the prelates authoritie they held also against distinction of meates Of them many were burned by the inquisition The same time was a most extreame famine Buchel Anâ— 1315. Trith p. 273. that the parents restrained not themselues from the most filthie carkasses of their children and after that followed a great pestilence euery where so that in a manner the third part of mankinde was consumed Thus Michael fighteth for the word of God Many wicked things are obiected to these of Dulcinus the Begnardes and Lolliards opinion But because in the time of the heathen Emperours the diuell did accuse the brethren and in this time of Antichrist the beast doth blaspheme them that dwell in heauen their accusation may iustly be suspected to be slanderous Especially seeing they confesse that the Boemians in the time of Hus were of their sect who are very well known to maintaine none of these impieties a Paral. Vrsp 351. Arnoldus de noua villa attempted to prooue by Daniel and Sibyllaes prophecies that Antichrist and the persecution of the Church should bee betweene the yeares 1300. and 1400. b 345. 346. This Pope also put downe the Templars for their horrible wickednesse contempt of Christ and abhominable idolatrie and that they betraied Ludouicus king of France into the hands of the Soldan when he was in the holy land Hee c Berg. 13. f. 207. interdicted Venice for taking Ferrara Wherefore d Sab. En. 9. l. 7 Franciscus Dandalus a Noble man of Venice laie bound in a chaine at the Popes feete to batter his anger against Venice and to procure him to free it from interdiction The Knights of the Rhodes began Anno 1315. Iohn the twentith two
the throne of the beast his kingdome and absolute commandement waxed obscure For the Princes deferre the cause of Luther to a generall Councell and propose an hundred grieuances which Germany did suffer by the Sea of Rome and their Ecclesiasticall persons requiring to bee eased in these things The h Buchol anno 1523. Pope appointed his Legate freely to confesse before the States of the Empire in this manner i Paral Vrsp 459. We know that in this holy seate now some certaine yeares there haue beene many abominable things abuse in matters diuine superfluities of traditions and that at last all things haue fallen to bee worse Neither is there any maruaile that infirmitie is deriued from the head to the members from the Popes to inferiour prelates We all that is prelates and Ecclesiasticall persons haue declined euery man into his owne waies nor now of long was there any that did any good a Bucholcerus He was also very liberall in promising the Princes that things should be amended The better to bring the Pope to make conscience to reforme with speed b Iouius lib. 21. p. 19. Par. Vrsp p 460. there arose a great plague in Rome in which their died an hundred thousand many corpes were seene in the streetes it seemed the citie would haue beene wasted in fewe daies But they were so farre from repenting to giue God the glorie that by the fauour of the people a Greeke one Demetrius a Magician vndertooke for 4000. ducates to staie the pestilence whereby they blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines For he by inchantment tamed a wilde bull causing the bull to digge a well promising that whosoeuer dranke of that water should be free from the pestilence Then cut he off halfe one of his hornes and with a smal thread tied about the other horne of the bull lead him at his pleasure and to the blasphemie of the name of God sacrificed him at the Amphitheatre to pacifie the God of the pestilence Also c Lanquet Millaine was afflicted with such a pestilence that it consumed 50,000 in fower moneths d Geneb p. 1114. Christiernus king of Denmarke defecteth from the Church of Rome for the kingdomes are the Lords e Fox Mart. 1523. Bucholc The Duke of Saxonie by the aduice of the Students of Wittenberge abrogateth the masse Zuinglius writeth to the whole nation of the Heluetians not to hinder the course of the Gospel f Jouius lib. 21 The Turke taking aduantage of the dissention that was among the Christian Princes which by reason of the second and third Phiall were great and bloodie besiegeth Rhodes with 200,000 souldiers The Pope diuerted those aides which came from Spaine to relieue Rhodes and sent them to Gallia Cisalpina to relieue the Emperour and so was Rhodes lost by the madnesse of our Princes a cap. 18.24 that in her might be found all the blood that was shedde b Fox Mart. The duke of Austriche setteth forth a sharpe proclamation against Luther and such as did not obey the Church of Rome For c cap. 19.19 the beast and kings make warre against the word of God d Par. Vrs p. 460. Buchol Adrian the sixth dieth not without suspition of poyson Amongst his most secret papers were found the bookes of the inchanter which vndertooke to preserue the city from the plague whereby it was suspected that the Pope came in with the mightie working of Sathan c Bâ—cholcer When the Monkes had read Luthers bookes of Vowes they dissolued their vowes and went out of their Monasteries So in many places the monasteries in a short time were left emptie and reduced to a wildernesse and cage of euery vncleane bird and other vses The Nunnes laid aside their latine Psalter and put off their habite began to leaue their cloysters to marrie and keepe house Two Monkes were burned at Bruxels for Luthers opinions Erasmus disliked this kind of proceeding Luther esteemed them as martyrs Ann. 1523. Clement the seauenth f Lanquet ann 1524. sent his Legate Campegius to the Princes assembled at Norimberge requiring them to punish the Lutherans and not to be discontented that the money which was paid out of Germanie was not bestowed against the Turkes as was promised The Princes required answer of their requests made to the Pope which were to ease them of the grieuances which they sustained by the Pope and the Clergie the Legate answered that the Pope esteemed them as hereticall and therefore not to be granted for they repent not The Indians confederate against the Portugals g Fox Mart. alii The Senate at Zurike when the Papists had refused disputations abandoned mens traditions proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to bee purely taught out of the old and newe Testament Against their Bishops minde they pulled downe images and that all fowles might be fedde with their flesh disposed of the lands of the Clergie banished the Masse The like was done in Tigurine h Geneb p. 1123. The Ethiopianâ— offer obedience to the Pope and to follow the beast i Lanquet Sharpe warres betweene England and Scotland The Bishop of Argentine summoneth the Priests before him but the Councel of the citie withstood him not suffering him to exercise iurisdiction ouer them So that the kingdome of the beast is darkened The Emperour goeth in his own person to fight against the French king a Par. Vrsp p. 460. Georgius the Marquesse of Brandenburge great master of Prussia receiueth the word of God b Geneb p. 1110 Guice Par. Vr. p. 460. The French king was taken prisoner by the Emperour whereupon the Emperour resolueth to make himselfe Monarch of Christendome c Gerardus The Turkes preuaile in Hungarie and besiege Vienna but are driuen from thence In d Peuc Par. Vr. Germanie the people affect libertie e Sleid. 6 f. 92 b. The Electors sonne of Saxonie vnto whom was espoused the Emperours youngest sister is married with the daughter of the Duke of Cliâ—ue For the Emperour departed from his promise confirmed by writings because of the change of religion and his Embassadours did openly say that Faith is not to be kept with heretickes f Geneb p. 1116. Millaine Ferrara England Venice all Lombardie g Par. Vrsp p. 472. and the Pope Clement doe make a league against the Emperour Charles the fifth But the next yeare after h Par. Vrsp p. 472. c. Guicc Iouius Rome is taken and sacked by the Emperours armie When the armie was at the siege of the citie and entring the Pope would not beleeue the newes trusting vpon his Apostolicall thunderbolt which he sent forth against the armie in these wordes We doe excommunicate Charles called the Duke of Burbon Generall of the armie with his whole armie consisting partly of Lutheranes and partly of Maranes calling the Germanes Lutheranes and the Spaniards Maranes But the armie entred and vsed