gracious Majesties continual care of his People they were thus considered and that by your Lordships procurement and management God multiply his blessings on you in your Person and in your Excellent Lady and Noble Progeny and make us happy in the continuance of your prosperous Government generally desired which are the prayers of My LORD Your Excellencies Most devoted Servant HEN. MIDENSIS THE EPISTLE TO THE READER THat between the first and second coming of Christ the Church being settled and propagated by the Apostles and their Successors there should arise a certain person notoriously wicked an adversary to Christ and a cruel persecutor of the Church whom the Scripture 1 John 2. and 4. calls Antichrist is by Scripture and Apostolical Tradition among Catholicks most certain and not to be doubted Say the Romanists And whereas the Apostles speak of a Mystery of iniquity even then in those very times working 2 Thes. 2.7 and that many Antichrists were then in the world 2 John v. 7. and that there was one other not-yet-come but in his time to be revealed 2 Thessal 2.5 1 John 2.18 These together give us to understand Antichrist considered in his several Ages and gradual appearings for Rome was not built in a day The knowledge of which Gradual Comming of Antichrist leads us to the better understanding him as to his Person and Appearing Herein therefore consider 1. The Preparations to Antichrists Comming 2. His after-appearing in the world 1. The Preparations to his Comming or his being conceived and but yet an Embrio in the womb 's may be those first times when that iniquity did work but in a Mystery that is not yet so openly as after and Antichrist not himself yet appearing but by others his forerunners called Antichrists and from their number many Antichrists and from their chief called also the Spirit of Antichrist who was to come John 2.7 This period of time may be extended to the first 600 years of the Church of which although the first 300 be acknowledged the purer yet do the later 300 and the whole 600 pass generally under the name of pure compared with the following In which 600 years it is granted that many Errours did creep into the Church For while the husband men slept or were less vigilant the enemy sowed Tares among the Wheat both growing together as our Lord had forwarned Matth. 13.24 to 31. yet is it notwithstanding confidently averred that within those 600 years there was not one in the whole world might be properly called a Papist saith our most learned after Primate Usher For as the Title of Pope was not yet appropriated by and to the Bishops of Rome nor the name Papist from them derived to their followers so those Errours before stolen in and crept into the Church were not then received nor passed for Truths some of them being taken notice of were opposed both in the Eastern and Western Churches particularly in France Germany and even in our own Britain also And long after were those erroneous Doctrines of Popery no other among the learned of that side than Points disputable pro and con which were after in the Council of Trent and some others before determined as de fide to be thenceforth no more questionable This was not to be expected within those first 600 years of the Church when was wanting an Universal Bishop and Pope by whose power a Council might be ordered to adopt those growing Errours for Truths which after followed For at the end of that sixth Century and in the entring on the seventh in the year 607. we then begin to hear of Antichrists appearing in the world But 1. In Infancy 2. After in full age growth and strength 1. Antichrists Infant age is what next followeth and may be stated in the year 607 Boniface 3. who by favour of Phocas the Emperor obtained and assumed the title of Universal Bishop or Pope which had been ambitiously sought after by John Patriarch of Constantinople as what he thought was belonging to the chief seat of the Empire Constantinople which his so invading that proud title was by Gregory the great Bishop of Rome declared a sign of Antichrist's being then at hand that whosoever assumed that title was Antichrist or a forerunner of Antichrist not dreaming how near that by him so spoken was to himself For while he was eyeing another person and place this was soon after found in his own See of Rome and there in his very next successor but one Boniface 3. he Arrogating that high name of Universal Bishop not content with Primacy without Supremacy not satisfied with being first among the five Patriarchs but to be above them also and they subjected to him and his rule so he to be over all Bishops and the Church throughout the whole World subjected to him as chief And here see how near the Pope's two so contrary Titles came in and began almost together that of Servus Servorum Dei by Gregory and Universal Bishop by Boniface his successor That also Antichrist had scarcely begun to shew himself in this Western part of the World at Rome as now in Boniface when near upon that time Mahomet the false Prophet began to appear in the East both to the bane of the Church the famous Churches in the East suppressed by the one and those in the West corrupted by the other 2. Yet was this but Antichrist's infancy we have yet to see him in his full growth of strength and stature under following Popes especially in Gregoy 7th before called Hildebrand who inlarged the Papal power above all spiritual and temporal not only Bishops but even Emperours also being brought under him As to the time of Gregory the 7ths Papacy which was about a thousand years from the destruction of Jerusalem and Temple by the Romans In which time of the destruction of Jerusalem was that Fulness of Christ's Kingdom and its coming in power That is the Gospel preached to other Nations and Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles Luke 21.24 Thereby also were the Temple Jewish service worship and sacrifices taken out of the way which for a time were hindrances to the course of the Gospel In this Christ's Kingdom of the Gospel so come there was to be also a binding up of Satan for a thousand years after so as the Devil should be restrained not in that time to seduce the world so freely and so generally as before Rev. 20.1 2 3. after which thousand years Satan was to be again at liberty for mischief which loosing of Satan was the period of Antichrists being also at liberty he coming with the working of Satan 2 Thes. 2.9 Satan and Antichrist working by and for each other Which thousand years were then compleated in the Papacy of Gregory the 7th mentioned And it may be observed in this what is also found in other great Prophecies that about the time of their fulfilling mens minds have been then stirred up as by
Christian Emperour his changing the seat of the Empire which was Rome Anciently and removing to Constantinople thereby leaving the City of Rome as it were vacant 2. When by succeding Emperours the Roman Empire was divided and the Roman Eagle before under one head having after 2 heads and spred into Eastern and Western Empires and that also the seat of the Western Empire was other where than at Rome thereby was that place left to the Bishops of Rome in a yet farther degree than before 3. But yet more when ann 475. the Western Empire had quite expired and indeed in Augustulus as it began in Augustus the Empire having bin invaded by the Goths and other Barbarous Nations by whom also Rome it self was taken and possessed about 50 years the Pope himself being also expelled and put to seek for a time another habitation Hereby was the Western Empire determined and so continued 325 years This was the 2. head proposed the first removeing him that did let for makeing way for him that was to succeed III. It follows to shew the others succeeding accordingly and that gradually comeing on according to the steps of the former's receding 1. For on Constantines leaving Rome and makeing Constantinople the seat of his Empire thereby Sede vacante the. Bishop of Rome entered on the possession of the City of Rome the Romanists add by donation from Constantine with addition of other large Territories held in Fee and in Demeasn for ever This I pass it not being my work at present to examine it In this state things stood about 300 years Romes Goverment being in that time by its Bishops yet subjected to the Emperor by which they were kept within their bounds for Rome being but one of the 5 Patriarchs although chief among them was not yet above them 2. So continued it untill the Empire determined in Augustulus an 475. after which An. 607. Boniface 3. obtained from Phocas Emperor of the East that not the Patriarch of Constantinople who contended for being Chief but the Bishop of Rome should be universal Bishop This Gregory 1. Bishop of Rome had before condemned in John Patriarch of Constantinople and by his but attempting it concluded him or any so doing to be Antichrist or his forerunner and that Antichrist himself was not farr off And now was the Title of Pope appropriated to the Bishop of Rome which was before communicated to other Patriarchs and Bishops also indifferently And hitherto reached Romes Episcopal and Patriarchal Government of which it was said that it should continue a short space Rev. 7.10 which was about 300 years that being but short compared with what followed from Boniface 3. when the Title began to swell to its greatness they being thenceforth Vniversal Bishops and Popes above all 3. But after Boniface 3. Pope Leo. 3. an 800. made a farther Essay of his power in deposing the Lawful King of France and advancing Pipin his Subject to be King and after created Charlemaine Emperor both as Champions for the Church to Expell the Barbarians who had invaded Italy out of whose hands Rome was recovered and restored to the Pope with addition of other large Territories 4. But all this while the Popes power was in some things restrained by those Emperours of their own making who reserved to themselves the choosing and placeing of Bishops and the approbation even of the very Popes also In this Gregory 7th contended with Henry the 4th Emperour whom he Excommunicated and Deposed stirring up against him his subject Rodulphus naming him Emperour and giving the Crown with PETRA DEDIT PETRO PETRUS DIADEMA RODULPHO Of the troubles bloud and destruction to Germany in that I speak not onely that to this Gregory 7. is by Popish writers that glory given that he was Imperii Pontificii fundator others his Predecessors attempted the reaching at the temporal power but was not till now attained And after the Emperour Henry 5th coming to Rome to be Crowned by Pope Paschalis 2d the Pope would not consent to his Coronation he first did give over all Right of Election of Popes and of Investitures of Bishops by Staffe and Ring In which although that Pope failed then of his end yet was that after attained 5. And although In all this the Pope had gained the point of temporal sovereignty and the gaining also out of temporal hands into the Popes power the Investitures of Bishops by which he was in that kind absolute yet could not that satisfie while the Pope was over-topped by a General Council By which he had been oft threatned awed and sometimes deposed The removing this therefore was to be next attempted and was at length also by Pope Leo 1Oth compassed so far as the Popes Council at Lateran could do towards it of which Bellarmine thus Triumphantly The last Lateran Council under Leo 10. expresly and professedly teacheth that the Pope is above all Councils and reproveth a contrary decree in the Council of Basil citeing the words of the Council to which he adds To this nothing can be answered unless it be that this was no General Council or that it was not received by the Church or that this was not their decree de fide Belarm de concil l. 2 c. 17. 6. But one thing yet remained shewing as the Popes power so his being in that very Antichrist which is the confirming those Romish erroneus positions which had been long creeeping into the Church as Tares mixed with the Wheat and had long passed loose and undetermined being onely disputable controverted and oft opposed These were after in the Councils of Constance Lateran and of Trent concluded and decreed for Doctrines and Articles of Faith and an Additional Creed of 12 Articles of them composed which were by Pius 4th his Bull imposed to be subscribed or sworn unto In all see 1. The Removal of Romes 6th Head or Government that of Emperors 2. See also the introduceing and growing up of the 7th from its infancy to its full growth The Church of Rome being before but as others a Branch onely of the Catholick Church now it self passing for The Catholique Church and she the root out of which all other Churches derive and spring others on this depending and by that influenced so doth that Church now boast of her self of which the Apostle St. Paul in his Epistle to that Church had forwarned them Rom. 11.18 19 20. Boast not against the Branches but if thou boast thou bearest not the root but the root thee Thou wilt say the branches were broken off that I might be graffed in well because of Vnbelief they were broken off and thou standest by Faith be not high-minded but fear For if God spared not the natural branches take heed that he also spare not thee In which is the Apostles prophecy concerning that Church But before this be shut up one doubt is to be removed of the Empire being not yet taken out of the way which we now see in Being Res.
proper to the Pope alone and taken altogether not meeting in any other but in the Pope only Therefore on the whole who would not conclude the Popes being Antichrist the man of sin and son of Perdition II. By which last His being said to be a Son of perdition I am brought from Antichrists Rise to the last consideration here concerning him Antichrists down fall which follows on the other necessarily for if he be a man of sin he must be a son of perdition Of this his fall it is here said that the Lord shall consume him with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy him with the brightness of his comeing v. 8. that they all might be damned who believe not the truth v. 12. where is distruction 1. To him 2. and to his 1. To himself 1. His being consumed 2. Destroyed 1. That he consumed by the breath of the Lords mouth The breath of the Lords mouth is the preaching of the Gospel which is the word of God so Generally interpreted And to be consumed implyes a lingring wearing away and by degrees wasting and decaying not a violent and suddain destruction such as was Simon-Magus his down-fall said to have been on St. Peters breath or prayers against him Of this Consumption of the Papal power and greatness by the preaching of the word and Gospel in the world we have apparent evidence I shall give it as by Bellarmine expressed he by that waining in the Papacy arguing against the Popes being Antichrist Antichrists greatness and prevailings in the World being much spoken of whereas his fall and declining state is also described as si his greatness Bellarmines words are these Since that time when ye Protestants say the Pope began to be Antichrist the Papal Empire was so far from increasing that thenceforth it every day more and more declined And as you would have it Antichrist reigning the Roman See hath by little and little decayed it having lost almost all Africa a great part of Asia all Greece and even in our very days a great part of Germany Sweden Gothland Norwey and all Denmark A good part of England France Helvetia Poland Bohemia and part of Hungary are fallen away Bellarm de Rom Pontif. l. 3. c. 21. This way by Bellarmine written an 1577 as appears in the Preface to that work so as that decay in the Papal Empire was then within the space of 60 years accounting from the year 1517 the time of Luthers Preaching of which he speaks declaring the Pope to be Antichrist What then may be the consumption and decay there at this time being 150 years since 2. But that Consumption of this son of Perdition shall end also in destruction utter and irrecoverable whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming See this Rev. 17 where the ten horns of that scarlet coloured beast on which that woman Rome sitteth are expounded ten Kings which had not then received their Kingdom but were to receive power as Kings one hour with the Beast v. 12. These were states of the Western Empire which on the decay of the Empire did setup for themselves all with one mind giving their power and strength unto the beast and making war with the Lamb who shall overcome them v. 14 But those ten horns shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh and burn her with Fire v. 16. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his Will and to agree and give their Kingdom unto the Beast till the word of God should be fulfilled v. 17. Which fall of Antichrist in several degrees is declared by several Angels in that imployed 1. An Angel preaching the everlasting Gospel Rev. 14.6 the beginning of Antichrists fall and gradual consumption 2. Another Angel declaring the downfall of that Antichristian state Rev. 14.8 3. An Angel forbidding the worshipping the beast or his image and receiving his mark in his forehead or in his hand denouncing judgments on such Rev. 14.9 10 11. 4. An Angel calling out of Babylon and to separate from her not to partake of her sins and plagues Rev. 18.4 6. 5. And another Angel giving a sign of irrecoverable destruction by casting as it were a milstone into the Sea saying Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon be thrown down and shall be found no more at all Rev. 18.21 Thus of Babylon Rome and Antichrist's fall as to it self considered II. See that also as to their Adherents in which our charitable thoughts of them have been by wrong measures mistaken to some disadvantage that which we say in that is 1. That there was a time when Antichristianism was a mystery not understood Antichrist not being yet so declared as after 2. And that after Antichrist was pointed at in the Church of Rome yet while erroneous doctrines there were but disputable not imposed as after in the Council of Trent to be de fide with an Anathema to such as thought of them otherwise and to such as did not understand the reach and depth of those evils and where the light of the Gospel is shut out as in some places and the knowledge of that denied and persecuted For these is our charity grounded to say well of them as of those of Thyatira who had not known the depths of Satan as they speak Rev 2.24 and those of Pergamus dwelling even where Satan's seat is yet saith our Lord thou hast held fast my name and hast not denied my Faith even in those dayes wherein Antipas my faithful Martyr was slain among them where Satan dwelleth v. 12. To be among Hereticks and not to believe Hereticks or not being led by them is St. Augustine's distinction in that case such ignorance may excuse But as to ignorance affected having Light and means of knowledge and when called on to come out of Babylon its ruine being declared and communion there declared perillous To such we say that their continuing so in that state is hazardous and full of danger Nor can such rely on ignorance it not in that case excusing For in this is condemnation where light is come and men love darkness rather than light John 3.19 and where the leaders of the People cause to err they that are led of them are destroyed Is. 9.16 and the blind by them so led both fall into the Ditch Math. 15.14 4. But as to those who are knowing and who defend and plead for Baal seducing and being seduced and so continuing the state of such is declared damnable that they all may be damned saith the Text who believe not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness v. 12. and to such belongs that evil by the Angel declared if any man worship the beast and his image and receive his Mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of his indignation and he shall
A SERMON OF ANTICHRIST Preached at Christ-Church DUBLIN Novemb. 12. 1676. By the Right Reverend Father in God HENRY Lord Bishop of MEATH The Second Edition Revised and corrected by his own hand Reprinted at LONDON for Nathaniel Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultry 1679. Imprimatur Jan. 13. 1676. Ja. Armachanus March 4. 1679. H. London To His Excellency ARTHUR Earl of ESSEX Viscount Malden Baron Capel of Hadham Lord Lieutenant General and General Governour of His Majesties Kingdom of Ireland Lord Lieutenant of the County of Hartford and one of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council of both Kingdoms Most Honourable How much Ireland happy in your Government is above all other Nations in Europe influenced by the power of Rome is to Your Excellency well known as to the world and by themselves also acknowledged and gloried in But unhappy is it in being thereby and by Romish Emissaries of malevolent and factious principles promoting other interesses carried on fatally to the disturbance of the peace of the Kingdom Of this we have had Memorials of former Ages some of them fresh and bleeding nor are we even now without jealousies of what may yet be were there opportunity for it This is not to be ascribed to the stars or clime or nature of the people who have had of old the character justly of a people peaceable harmless affable to strangers and in themselves and to all pious and good So was it while the Religion professed by their Forefathers was according to the primitive faith of purer times of the Church although not then without some soil And thus find we it even now in those of the Nation who are of reformed and purer principles But being in after times corrupted in Doctrine and Discipline and that the now Religion of the Irish is quite another thing from that of their forefathers of whom yet they boast themselves Children both as to faith and blood we now find the Change great as in Religion so in disposition and manners On which we collect that the grounds of our peace from those must not be Extirpation but Reformation by removing those their false Teachers who mis-inform and mis-lead the Nation and our withal instructing the people in the waies of peace and truth As to the latter I have observed no people more desirous than are these to hear and to be instructed nor any better being so educated In which I cannot but mention and recommend as a president to others the zeal of a pious and learned Prelate the present Archbishop of Cashel who has set himself on that work industriously by instructing the Irish in their own language and hath already gathered the comfortable fruits of his godly labours drawing in and retaining many of the Nation firm in the faith the number also of such encreasing The means for that in former times and in some of our own memories was the translating and Printing our English Lyturgy and the New Testament into the Irish tongue that testifying our care of their salvation and giving them thereby to understand in their own language the truth we profess and teach contrary to the mis-information of others concerning us And to this purpose that learned Prelate Doctor Bedell late Bishop of Kilmore happy in his Zeal and labours that way to that of the New Testament and Common-Prayer before translated and Printed in the Irish tongue did add the Translation into Irish of the Old Testament also with David's Psalms in meter This I have in my hands in the manuscript and wish it were for such a publick good printed and published In the mean time to give some stop if it might be to the Current of Popery I conceived in might be convenient and necessary that it be known and declared to this mis-lead people as to others who that is whom they so follow that he is that very Antichrist by whom they may be carried away by that deluge of Apostacy into perdition wherby these may by grace be brought to consider their waies This is that which is in the following Treasise intended and is I hope to some evidenced which appearing other points and erroneous Doctrines of Popery will fall depending on that the principal Of this in my late preaching it I had the honour of your Excellencies being then an hearer and being prevailed with after for publishing it I thought it fittest for your Lordships Patronage in whose hands is the Government of that people for whom this is particularly designed it was a confident presumption in him who under the letters I. S. it may be far from his name did offer to your Patronage an invective against that Church of which you are The Church of England your Mother as not being the Church of Christ nor any part of it which had its full confutation by a learned piece Doctor Andrew Sall I hope the contrary may find better acceptance from your Excellency this shewing that the Church of Rome of which J. S. shews himself to be is ANTICHRISTIAN and communion there to be unto some dangerous and damnable to others It is in this my Comfort which was St. Paul's speaking before King Agrippa that I speak to one who knoweth these things And from whom I am perswaded none of these things are hidden Acts 26.3.26 For your Excellency is not a favourer only of Learning but you your self also learned eminently and particularly versed in Church-Antiquities on which most of that here spoken is depending Which your affection to Learning appears in your large collection of Books with which that your rich and compleat Library in England is stored The same of which hath crossed the Seas hither as elsewhere abroad There may the learned find knowledge in variety beside what concerns Records both of England and Ireland such as are not otherwhere where unto which recourse may be had as to a VATICAN And as to Ireland considering the few years of your Government over us I dare confidently aver that none so as your Lordship knoweth so much of the Kingdom People Manners and several Interesses there and understands better the Measures for governing answerably and such a person so knowing this Kingdom requires In your Excellency shines the Heroick Vertue and Courage of that renowned Martyr for King and Country your illustrious Father and that well tempered with your own personal Affability taking with and obliging all yet to each with a becoming distance of state and place so as none to presume on more than just favour in Judgment Justice being to all and any without difference dispensed Tros Tyriusve tibi nullo discrimine habetur This is now testified in the present Connaght Court of Claymes under your Government the Irish in that Province having therein their help as had before the other parts of the Kingdom their distribution of Lands in former Courts of like nature In which those of Connaght having been post-poned they were given over as remediless until by his