Christe will all menne to searche the Scriptures and to leane vnto them in all matters of controuersie as faithfull witnesses of the Lordes truthe Antichriste commaundeth that when any question arise aboute matters of Religion menne should haue recourse vnto the Canons and generall Councels but spicially vnto the See of Roome where all doubtfull matters are to bee decided As for the Scripture it hath no more aucthoritie then it pleaseth the Churche that is to faie the Pope and his adherentes to giue vnto it 4 Christe teacheth that all mennes traditions oughte to giue place vnto the woorde of God and that whatsoeuer is decreed of menne although of neuer so greate ancthoritie and wisedome contrary to the woorde of God is vtterly to bee neglected reiected and caste awaie Antichriste teacheth plainely that all suche constitutions and ordinaunces of men as bee decreed and set forthe by the aucthoritie of Counselles and holie Fathers whiche are alwaies gathered together by the instincte and consent of the holy ghost although thei are not nor can not bee grounded on Goddes worde are notwithstādyng good and profitable and menne are bounde vnder paine of deadly synne to obtaine and keepe them For the Churche can not erre 5 Christe teacheth that there is but one onely true liuyng and euerlastyng God whiche alone is to be honoured worship ped and called vpon by whose name also alone we ought to sweare Antichriste also after a certaine sorte confessed also one God with vs and that he is to be honoured and called vpon but not alone For he teacheth that the sainctes in heauen bothe maie and ought to be honoured and called vpō yea and that we maie also sweare by their names 6 Christe in his holie Lawe bothe by Moses the Prophetes and Apostles forbiddeth to make sette forthe or kepe any Image to bee worshipped But aboue all thinges he forbiddeth vs to make any Image of God. Antichrist saieth it is lawfull not onely to haue images and to sette them vp in Temples Chapels Oratories c. but also to worshippe theim to kneele before theim to kisse them to praie before them yea to them to knele before them to set candels before them to decke and trimme them to offer vnto them to sense them to put of our cappes vnto them and at the laste what not Antichriste also diggeth out of the ground the olde rotten bones or reliques of sainctes translateth them encloseth them in Golde keepeth them in precious shrynes and costly Clausures and setteth them forth to the people to be kissed and worshipped Moreouer he is not ashamed contrarie too the manifeste woorde of God to make the Image of the blessed Trinitie He formeth and frameth God the father like an old broken backed man with a white head winckled forehed holow eied slender cheeked sharpe nosed tothlesse wide mouthed hangyng doune lipped crooke chinned graye bearded small necked leane handed and in fine altogether monstrous GOD the Sonne Antichrist setteth forth as a lusty younge younker with his yelow lockes and God the holy Ghost he maketh like a yong lustie White flickeryng Doue But this blasphemous image causeth hee to be set in Churches and in all other places not onely to be considered but also to be worshipped vnto the greate dishonour of god the slaunder of the Christen religion the offence of all good men and vnto the glorie of all Gods ennemies But what dareth not Antichrist doe 7 Christ teacheth that the true worshippers muste worshippe God in spirite and trueth againe that they worship God in vaine whiche honour hym after the traditions of men Antichrist affirmeth that it is lawfull to worship God any maner of waie so it commeth of a good entent good mynde good zeale good deuotion c. For God casteth awaie the good intent of no man Antichrist therefore teacheth vs to worship God with Golde Siluer precious stones sumpteous vestures candels palmes Ashes bread water Salt c. With long patteryng curious singyng pleasaunt pipyng loude ringyng c. With Surplesses Copes Uestimentes Caps Coules c. with Massyng with Pilgrimage goyng with Pardons biyng with Beades saiyng c. And all these thinges he taught to be more precious and acceptable in the sight of GOD than to helpe the poore or to doe any worke of mercie For that is done but to manne the other vnto God. 8 Christ in his sweete Sermon that hee made in the mount saieth that he came to fulfill the Lawe that is to saie to accomplishe whatsoeuer was prefigured of him in the ceremonies of the olde Testament so that by his comming he hath put away and vtterlie abolished all Ceremonies euen as the shadow is remoued by the entrance of the light For as the Apostle saieth The lawe he meaneth the ceremoniall law was nothyng els than a shadow of good thinges to come The good thinges are come and geuen therfore the shadow ceaseth wherby we euidently learne that the Christians are nowe free from suche cloudy lawes darke ceremonies Antichrist teacheth that although the Ceremonies of the olde law be abolished by the commyng of Christ yet that hindreth nothing but that the Church which is the spouse of Christ may appoint what Ceremonies she wil without any offence of her husband Christ whiche delighteth in her and in her doynges as in himselfe yea and that so muche the more bicause among the christians there are many rude grosse and thei must be rudely and grossely handled and brought by little and little vnto perfection thorowe suche Ceremonies and outward obseruaunces whiche Ceremonies and Ordinaunces of Christes spouse the Churche are with no lesse reuerences to bee obserued than if they had beene commaunded of Christe her husbande 9 Christ Iesus in his doctrine teacheth that he alone is our Sauiour our Redeemer our Bishop or Pastour our head our reconciliatour our peacemaker and in fine all our hope and comfort in so muche that whosoeuer beleueth in hym shall not perishe but haue euerlastyng life Antichriste in his doctrine teacheth that saluation and remission of synnes is to bee obtained also at his handes at his Pardons Indulgences yeres of Iubile Masses Coules Pilgrimages c. Againe that he is heade of the vniuersall Churche of Christendome Christes Uicare Peters Successour the higheste Bishop the greatest Priest the moste holie and moste blessed Father to whom aboue all other the keyes of the kyngdom of heauē are committed fo that whatsoeuer he bindeth in yearth is also bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer he looseth in yearth is in like maner loosed in heauen so that whosoeuer cleaueth vnto hym can not perishe but haue life euerlastyng 10 Christe taught vs that whensoeuer wee will desire any thyng of God the Father wee should aske it in his name For no manne commeth to the Father but by hym And in the writynges of the Apostles wee reade that Christe alone is our
lawe of God it is cleane out of his minde 42 Christ saied that men should knowe his Disciples by their charity if they loued one an other as he had loued them Antichrist causeth his chaplens to bee knowen by their habites and vestures by their long gounes and shauen crownes and punisheth them if they vse not their habites But for their couetousnesse ambition pride whoredome and suche other wickednesse he neuer punisheth them 43 Christ promiseth forgiuenesse of sinne and the kingdome of heauen vnto theym that will repent and amend their liues Antichrist saith that no man can be saued except he be first shriuen of his Priestes and Friers For they bryng in money 44 Christ would not suffer that doues sheepe and oxen for the offering should be solde in the temple of God but draue out the byers and sellers with whippes Antichrist suffereth hys Chapmen in the Church to sell the Sacraments that they should freely minister to the Christen people In his court also there is sellyng of Bishorikes prebendes free chappels benefices dignities Abbotshippes offices c. And all for money 45 Christ lay in a stable with fewe cloates betwixt an oxe and an asse For there was no place in the Innes for his parentes bicause they were poore Antichrist lieth in rich chambers with quiltes curtaines carpettes and cushins spred all aboute with sweete smelles pleasaunt odours painted walles with hanginges of clothe of golde 46 Christ would haue men to visite the poore prisoners to comfort them and to deliuer them Antichrist hath no pitie on the poore yea he persecuteth the poore Christians putteth them in prison for y truthes sake and in fine most cruelly murthereth them 47 Christ did neuer imprison or persecute any man but he cōmaūded his disciples that they should loue their enemies and doe well to theym yea and praie for them that did pesecute them Antichrist that taketh on hym to stande in christes steade and to follow his example persecuteth punisheth prisoneth and putteth to death theym that are disobedient to his voluptuous pleasures See ye not howe faste he followeth Christes steppes 48 Christ healyng the sicke and doyng miracles did for the more part euer commaunde that thei should tell no man who had healed them Antichrist altogether desirous of vain glorie worldely praise and mortall renome giueth greate giftes and large benefices to Pardoners to Proctours to Lawiers to Liers to Minstrels to Msasengers to Friers to Flatterers and to suche like Parasites to blase his name abroade his holinesse and godlinesse that he maie haue honour and worship in this wicked worlde 49 Christ had no Courtes to pleate the matters of his Disciples in for he commaunded them that thei should not resiste euill Antichrist hath his Courtes and many riche menne of Lawe to oppresse the poore and to call vnto iudgement whom he lusteth For whatsoeuer cause he will he vexeth all maner people without mercie For forgiue he will not 50 Christ bad them that he healed to go their waie and to synne no more Antichrist giueth licence to the people to continue in sinne and giueth them licence also to keepe and maintaine Stewes and baudy houses and receiueth money therefore 51 Christ refused to bee Iudge betwene the twoo brethren in diuidyng their inheritaunce as a matter not incidente to his office whiche was to preache the will of his heauēlie Father but appertaining vnto worldly Iudges and temporall magistrates Antichriste taketh vppon hym to bee Iudge in all maner of matters Spirituall or Temporall Ghostly or Worldly There is no cause whiche he will not take vppon hym to determine namely if thei bryng money He will all menne in matters from all menne to appeale vnto hym and vnto his Courte for sentence without any resistance or against saiyng 52 Christe would not bee defended in a righteous matter with martiall armoures but he commaunded Peter to put vp his swearde into his sheath For he that striketh with the swearde saieth he shall perishe with the swearde Antichriste commaunded Emperours Kynges Princes and Lordes with their Subiectes to take Sweardes Speares Halberdes and Gunnes and to helpe hym to slea all suche as will not obeye his tyrannie And this muste the Emperour doe or els he must bee periured yea and also deposed because he is no meete manne to reigne forasmuche as he stoutly defendeth not the liberties of holie Churche After this manner came it to passe that Iulius secundus bishop of Rome caused to be slaine sixtene thousande men in one daie Was not that well pastured Was not this a worthie Uicar of Christ and a noble successour of Peter 53 Christ gaue free libertie to all men to eate all meates at all tymes for as muche as that whiche entereth into the mouthe defileth not manne but that commeth out of the mouthe For all thynges are pure to theim that are pure and nothyng is to bee caste awaie if it bee receiued with giuyng of thankes For it is sanctified by the woorde of God and by praier Yea it is the doctrine of Deuilles to forbidde that to bee eaten whiche God hath made to bee receiued with thākes giuyng Antichrist plainly condemneth al suche as presume to eate Egges Milke butter or Cheese but specially Fleshe on those daies that he hath commaunded to be fasted and denounceth them heretikes This agreeth with Christe as light with darkenesse And yet haue wee been so blinded these many yeres paste through the iuglyng of our Spirituall Sorcerers that we could neuer perceiue this Antichrist till nowe in the latter daies when that manne of synne muste bee reueled and vttered accordyng to the Prophecie of the Apostle 54 Christ gaue authoritie vnto his disciples to binde and to loose saiynge Whatsoeuer ye binde in earth shall bee bound in heauen Ind whatsoeuer ye lose in earth shall bee loosed in heauen But Christ spake nothing of binding and loosing in purgatory for money concerning the soules departed Antichrist chalengeth greater power and larger authoritie For he will loose soules out of purgatory and commaunde the Angels to fetche them out and all for money For without money ye can gette nothyng of hym 55 Christ is head of the Churche as the holy Apostle Paule doth testifie and also he is the stone whereon the Churche is builded And this Church is the congregation of faithfull Christen people and the very body of Christ. Antichrist saith that he is head of that Churche and that the Sea of Rome is the stone whereon that Churche is builded Can any thing be more contrary vnto the honour and glory of GOD than thus to despoile hym of his kingdome whiche he so derely hath bought shedyng his precious bloud for it 56 Christ gaue vs a lawe whiche is the holy Scripture This holy Scripture as it
should offer hym the other also Antichriste will suffer nothyng yea he teacheth that he maie auenge and driue awaie force with force 69 Christe by open voice from Heauen was pronounced of God the Father to bee his dearely beloued Soonne and so many as purpose to bee saued and to bee made enheritours of eternall life are cōmaunded to heare hym Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente that vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation we heare hym obeye and obserue his Decrees and Lawes 70 Christe laied lighte burdeines and swete yokes vpon his Disciples neckes Antichrist saieth intollerable burthēs and moste greeuous yokes vpon mennes shoulders and notwithstandyng he saith If any commaundemente or burthen bee so heauie that it can not bee sustained and borne yet shall ye obeye me In this behalfe Antichrist is like the olde Hypocrites emong the Iewes of whom our Sauiour Christe speaketh on this maner Thei binde together heauie burthens and greeuous to bee borne and laie them on mennes shoulders But thei theim selues will not heaue at theim with one of their fingers Againe woe vnto you ye Lawiers For ye lade menne with burthens whiche thei bee not able to beare and ye your selues touche not the packes with one of your fingers 71 Christe paied Tribute to Cesar and gaue commaundemente to all his that thei should giue to the Temporall Magistrate whatsoeuer is due vnto hym as the Apostle saieth Giue to euery manne his duetie Tribute to whom Tribute belongeth Custome to whom Custome is due c. Antichriste despiseth bothe this example and doctrine of Christe and excommunicateth all them that aske any Tolle or Tribute either of hym or of his For he hath made theim all free by his Lawe from all suche charges and paimentes 77 Christe when he liued in this worlde was beneficiall liberall and plentifull in doyng the workes of mercie to the poore and exhorted other to doe the like euer commendyng mercie aboue Offerynges and Sacrifices Antichrist hath no pleasure at all in the woorkes of mercie neither careth he for the poore But his desire is that menne should giue their money for Pardons for Masses for Dirges c. and bestow their gooddes vpon Images gildyng Tabernacles pointyng chaūtries building c. so that he will no mercie but all offerynges And he that saieth It is better to giue our charitie to the poore as Christ saieth is counted halfe an Heretike because he goeth about to marre Antichristes market 73 Christe the Mirrour of meekenesse and example of humilitie charged his disciples that thei should not desire to bee called masters nor yet fathers on yearth Antichriste will not onely bee called the Lorde and Maister of all Christendome but also the moste holie Father in yearth Goddes Uicar in yearth Peters Successour in yearth and Heade of the Churche in yearth c. 74 Christe disdained not to goe vnto the Mariage when he was called and sanctified the same with the firste fruites of his miracles Antichrist despiseth mariage and commaundeth his Shauelynges by no meanes to bee at theim as a kinde of life vnperfecte and vnworthie their high perfection and pure state of their vocation or callyng 75 Chirste refuseth not to goe whersoeuer he was desired so he might doe good to other Antichriste is so delicate and fine and vnpacient of labour that he refuseth to goe any where excepte it bee to profite and to doe good to hym self 76 Christ thought no scorne suche was his good will toward all men euen with his hande to touche the Leper when he healed hym Antichriste disdaineth once to looke vpon the poore so farre it is of that he will handle and touche the miserable diseased and lothsome people with his holie handes His delight is to haue to dooe with the greate God Mammon and with the nise nimphes of Ladie Uenus court 77 Christe had greate pleasure and singuler delight to be emong thē that were sicke and diseased Antichrist hath al his delight and pleasure to bee emong the minions of the worlde and the lustie galauntes Dicers Carders Minstrelles Gameplaiers and all suche as maie prouoke hym vnto pleasure mirthe and ioye 78 Christe kept companie with sinners whores and Publicanes to the ende that he might allure theim from wickednesse vnto Godlinesse saiyng Thei that are whole haue no neede of a Phisition but thei that are sicke For I am not come to call the righteous but synners to repentaunce Antichriste delighteth to accompanie the Princes and Rulers of this worlde that he maie enlarge and encrease sainct Peters patrimonie and enriche Mother holie Churche whiche beginneth now to waxe old and hath greate neede of helpe As touchyng them that are runne astraie from God he knoweth none other waie vnto saluation but to exhort them to buy his Pardons Masses c. 79 Christe in his Sermons had no respect of persones but rebuked al degrees a like that were rebukeable Antichrist preacheth neuer prateth oft great and noble personages he flattereth although neuer so wicked and vngodlie namely when he hopeth and looketh for gaine As touchyng the poore and miserable he thundereth at them with the sentence of the greate curse 80 Christe when his Disciples Iames and Ihon would haue had fire come doun from heauen as in the daies of Elias vppon the Samaritanes for their ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse and so to haue destroied them rebuked them and saied ye wote not what maner spirit ye are of For the Sonne of manne is not come to destroie mennes liues but to saue them Antichriste when any although neuer so little displeasure is doen against hym so fumeth and fometh so braieth and brauleth so roareth and rageth that straight waies out of his firie place he casteth out his moste greeuous thunderbolte of that terrible great excommunication If that will doe no good then prouoketh he princes vnto warres out of hand and to murther for his sake many thousande of innocent soules neuer ceasyng from his furious madnesse and madde furie vntill he be auenged to the vttermoste forgettyng this commaundement of GOD vengeaunce is myne and I will reward saieth the Lorde 81 Christ alwaie defended his disciples against the Scribes and Phariseis with the aucthorities of Gods worde Antichriste defendeth his adherentes with bannyng and cursing with Sweard and Speare with Bowes and Arowes with Gonne and Pollaxe and suche like martiall armoures 82 Christ tooke paciently the opprobrious wordes that were spoken against his owne persone but the railyng blasphemies vttered of the blasphemous enemies of the truthe againste the glory of GOD he could by no meanes abyde but mightely defended it Antichriste regardeth not the blasphemies spoken or written against the glory of God the manifest truth of his blessed worde but if any thing be spoken against hym and his deuilishe decrees then rageth he like a mad man and neuer ceaseth vntill he be reuenged except
them euer to weare a shauen crowne 21 Christ instituted in his holy testament two Misteries or Sacramentes that is to say Baptisme and the Lords Supper whiche he added to his worde as Signes and Seales of his good wil vnto vs that thei might be the same to the eye that the worde is to the eare and so ioyned together thorowe the operation of the holy ghoste bryng saluation too the faithfull beleuers Antichrist not content with so small a number hath added fiue moe so that now they be seuen in number which are more openly knowen than they neede here to be rehearsed 22 Christe as concernyng the outward Ministerie ordained the Sacramente of Baptisme to consiste of the worlde and of the water Antichriste not content with so slender furniture hath added many thinges as the Exorcismes or Coniurations of the deuill out of the childe salte spittle crossing halowyng of the Fonte candleburnyng with diuerse other toyes 23 Christ at the institution of the sacrament of his bodie and bloud vsed only the worde bread and wine Antichrist mingleth Wine and water together in his ministration and miserably handleth the words of the institution 24 Christe appointed his holie Supper to bee a Sacrament that is to saie an holie signe of his bodie and bloud Antichriste saieth plainely that the Lordes Supper is not onely a Sacramente and holie signe of Christes bodie and bloud but it is also the thyng it self that is Christes naturall body and bloud with as good reason as though a manne should saie that the Iuiebushe whiche hangeth before the Tauerne is not onely a signe that there is Wine to sell but also that it is the Wine it self Notwithstandyng whosoeuer denieth thys hys Doctrine muste needes bee counted an Heretike and iudged to bee burned at a stake 25 Christe makyng the breade and wine Sacramentes and holie signes of his bodie and bloud altered not the substaunces of that holie breade and holie wine but thei remained in their olde nature substaunce and propertie as tofore Antichriste teacheth in his dotyng and Deuilishe Decree that after the woordes of consecration This is my bodie This is my blood there remaineth no substaunce of breade and wine but the substaunce of breade is tourned miraculously by the vertue of coÌ„secratyng wordes into the substaunce of Christes naturall bodie and the substaunce of the wine into the substaunce of Christes naturall bloud the accidentes of breade and wine onely remainyng without their proper substaunces O prodigious and monsterous doctrine 26 Christ ordained his holy Supper to be a remembraunce of the sacrifice which he offred on the alter of the Crosse for the redemption of the worlde that when wee behold the Sacramental bread and wine broken and shed we should call to remembraunce that Christes body was broken and his bloud shead for the remission of our sinnes as he hymselfe saieth Dooe this in remembraunce of mee Item the Apostle So ofte as ye shall eate of thys Bread or drinke of this Cup ye shall remembre the Lordes death till he come Antichrist teacheth that it is not only a remembraunce of the Sacrifice but also the Sacrifice it self of the same dignity might and power 27 Christ ordained that all that bee partakers of his holy Supper shoulde not onely eate of the Mistery of his body but also drinke of the mistery of his bloud Antichrist taketh away fâ—om the Communion of the Laity yea and of the Spiritualty also except they Masse it themselues and make Gods body the Cup of the mistery of Christes bloud contrary to the commaundement of Christe and contrarie too the practise of the Primatiue Churhe 28 Christe bicause he would take awaie his naturall bodye from the yearth and place it vntill the day of iudgement in the glorious kingdome of his heauenly Father ordained the Sacrament of thankesgiuyng to be a memoriall of the same Antichrist teacheth plainly that whersoeuer the consecrate hoaste is though it be in infinite places there is also the body of Christe euen the â—â—ry same body of Christe that was borne of Mary the Uirgin hanged on the altare of the Crosse. He saieth moreouer that the sacred hoast beyng whole is but the body of Christe and the same hoaste beyng broken in an hundred peeces euery parcell thereof although neuer so little is but the body of Christe euen as he hanged on the Crosse. O doctrine more than twise monstrous 29 Christe in his holy woorde teacheth that the Sacramentall Bread and wine should bee eaten and dronken in the remembraunce of his body breakyng and bloudshedyng Antichrist commaundeth that the Sacrament should be heaued and lifted vp aboue the priestes head that it may be worshipped of the people hanged vp in the Pixe caried about in solemne Procession in pompes and vayne pastymes 30 Christ teacheth that the next waye to heauen is to repent vs of our former life and to beleue the Gospell Antichrist saieth that the rediest waie vnto saluation is to bye his Pardons to put on a Grayfryers Coule to purchase certaine Masses of Scala celi to truste in the praiers and intercessions of sainctes to bye the Suffrages of the Churche to prouide to bee partaker of the Monkes praiers watchinges fastinges vowes deuotions c. 31 Christ declareth in his heauenly doctrine that there is no satisfaction too God the father for our synnes but onely his helthfull and most precious death Antichrist saieth that the woorkes of penaunce do satisfy the diuine iustice and appeace his wrath kindled against vs for synne 32 Christ declareth in his doctrine that when we haue offended our heauenly Father and gone astraye from the pathes of his holy commaundementes we shoulde conuert and tourne vnto hym and make our huÌ„ble confession vnto hym and craue forgiuenesse of our synnes at his hande for his sonne Christ Iesus sake Antichrist sendeth vs vnto his Priestes commaunding vs to publish and confesse our synnes vnto hym and take penaunce and absolution at his hande with this faithe that so doyng we are forgiuen and deliuered from all synne 33 Christ saith that whosoeuer beleueth on hym although he were dead yet shall hee liue ascribyng oure iustification and righteous makyng to faithe alone Antichrist teacheth that not by faithe alone but by faith hope charity and workes together we are iustified when notwithstandyng the Apostle saieth that we are iustified by faithe without the workes of the lawe And the greatest parte of the auncient writers ascribe iustification to faith alone without workes 34 Christ by the Apostle saith that faith worketh by loue signifiyng here by that faith is the mother of charitie and that charitie issueth and floweth out of faithe as the small riuers out of the great and mayne fountaines Antichrist saith that faith is wrought by Charitie and