and that by sound of Trumpet in S. Marks Piazzo Haue I not heard my selfe the Women in the strectes tell the Religious men and boyes of their Monasteries that they begged Escmofina per comperare To buy Apples poma and so denied them their accustomed releefe Haue I not seene in some places of Italy their Columns and Pillers of Stone pasted all ouer with inuectiues against Indulgences and pardons to be bought out for so much money as if our Sauiours wordes to the Iewes were now verified that if the people did not cry Hosanna in the sâ—â—â—â—â—es the very stones would declare themselues From whence came the opposition of Thomas of Canterbury against Henry the second and the many discontents of the Nobilitie the Popes chiefest Champions against so dangerous a vsurpation What say you to the Statute of Mortmaine the stopping of Peter-pence and the interdicting of diuerse Bâ—ls euen when England lay in the Cimerian mountaine of superstition and was drowsie in the darkesome caue of â—dâ—latry Oh what a feare was the Pope in when King Iohn threatned the clergy destroyed the order of Cisteux and banished Stephen Langhton the kingdom What thinke you of the bill put vp in Parliament the 11 of Henry 4. that if the king would take into his hands the lands disordinately consumed by the Clergy not intermedling with tithes or Bishops liuings it would maintain 15. Earles 1500. knights 6000. Esquiers 40. Almeshouses and bring 30000. pounds a yeere into the exchequer so that you see by this many more that the Papists themselues were not alwares pliant to the Popes behests but broken out into disordered raptures against the ambition couetuousnes vsurpation tyranny of Rome And could all these things be done without the finger of God to point at Romes wickednes or the resolution of heauen that Babilon must fall answer a Gods name you that must answer before the iudgement throne of the Lambe and thus of the Papists and effectuall contingents Probable Coniectures COncerning Probable coniectures I raise them Probable coniectures from the description of Antichrist in the word of God and the comparing of the Popes doctrine life and actions to the same as shall be made apparant in the next section when I come to arraigne this deliâ—quent against the Maiesty of God the Prince of Christendome the quietnes of mens consciences and the glorious progression Isaiah of the Gospell Doth not Isaiah tell a story of Lucifer and his fall and Prophesieth of the destruction of Babilon Isaiah 46. Isaiah 47. and her Idols whereby I make no doubt but the abominations of Rome are personated and all the wickednes of corrupt prelacy discouered Nay why should I not apply what Ezechiell speakes of Tirus and compare the Ezech. 26. wealth pride and presumption of Rome to her ripening sinnes and at last rotten putrifaction For wherein did euer any of the nations offend the most high God but Popes haue exceeded as by their owne authors is most apparant but if you come to Daniels Prophesie hee will tell Daniel 7. 8. you of a litle horne amongst the ten hornes that had eies like a man and a mouth speaking great things yea in the 11. verse because of the voice of the great wordes which the horne spake the beast was slaine his body destroyed and giuen to the burning flame but the punishment belongs to a more proper place I now goe forward to the description 7. For the ministery of iniquity doth already worke only hee 2 Thessal 2. 7 which now with holdeth shall let till hee be taken out of the way 8. And then shall the wicked man be reuealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall abolish with the brightnes of his comming 9. Euen him whose comming is by working of Sathan with all power and signes and lying wonders 10. And in all deceiueablenes of vnrighteousnes amongst them that perish because they receiued not the loue of truth that they might be saued 11. And therefore God shall send them strong illusions that they shall beleeue lies c. And a litle before He shall sit as God in the Temple of God And a little before He is called the man of sinne And in another place There is the doctrine of Dinells forbidding meates and 1 Tim. 4. mariages c. And in another place There is named the Whore of Babilon the Cup of abomination Apoc. the beast with 7. heads and 10. hornes Roma septicollis And in many other places such effectual descriptions that I may well cry out O God What plainer words what easier discouery what would men desire to know more concerning the Popes of Rome the life of Rome the doctrine of Rome the impieties of Rome Oh then answere a gods name you that must answere before the iudgment throne of the Lambe how comes this about how could all these things be done without the finger of God to point at Rome wickednes or the resolution of heauen that Babilon must fall and thus much of Antichrists discouery his arraignment followes with seuerall inditements Section 2. Antichrist Arraigned IN this second section or part of my discourse you shall haue the arraignment of Antichrist vpon three seueral inditements The inditing of Popery The first for absolutely contradicting the word of God whereby he may truly be called the Antichrist 2. The second for false doctrine and foisting in deuices of his owne and trumperies of mens inuentions 3. The third for abusing the world with lying miracles which the tempoâ—â—sers of this world and lukewarme Gospellers doe mannerly call Piaefraudes and orders of the Church The first inditement against Antichrist for contradicting Gods Word COncerning the first Though the author to the Hebrewes Contradicting the Scriptures Heb. 6. 1. aduise vs to goe more forward in our building of Christianity then laying a foundation of truth yet he assureth vs tht without a good foundation there is neither building nor meanes to avoide dirision what shall wee say then to the despiser of both whose Math. 7. 26. impiâ—ty and presumption haue not onely cast corrupt handes on the sacred word of truth but inconsiderate Armes to tearein peeces the holy structures yea with violence to pull the infants from the sucking brests of their sweete mothers To begin therefore with a strong position of Cursed be he that doth either adde to my law or Deut. 12. 3. 4. 2. Iosh 1. 7. Prou. 30. 6. Reu. 11. 1â— dimiuish from ir c. What hellish furie durst lay hold vpon the second Commandement so that neither in their Ladies nor Iesus Psalter is it to be found And come to the reprehension of their Idolatry or prophanatioÌ„ of God by pourtraitures Idolatry Images pictures in priuat and publicke in the Church and the streetes in the house in the closet in the garments and Vtensills they are so farre from Apology distinction or nicely
of Queene Maries raigne after three yeares burâ—all and God knowes whether their bones or no. Such things are written of Bonners crueltie besides the Stories in the Acts and Monuments that the inhumanitie exceedeth all the extrauagancies of Heathenish Tyrants The other day when Fryer Paul of Venice could not bee caught in person they burnt him in Rome by pourtraiture and sent twise to murther him in priuate Shall I name the mischiefes against Queene Katherine Parre in the latter end of Henry the eight by the workings of the Bishops especially Gardiner Shall I recite the murthers of the two Kinges of France the Prince of Orange and divers others who seemed to oppose their disorâ—ered proceedings It were a wonder to tell you how Queene Elizabeth the wonder of all times escaped their malice but to end with the Powder plot it must make an end of this Controuersie that the Pope of Rome is a meere Tyrant in earth and the Doctrine of Rome most opposite to the Gospell of Iesus Christ Humilitie last of all is such a marke of the true Church Humilitie of God that in diuers places you haue the very garments of a Prophet named Elias vesture Isaiahs nakednesse Ieremies duâ—geon Amos frocke Christs seameles coat Iohn Baptists Cammells hayre and such like But the Pope must be a God on earth and the Cardinalls take place of all Princes that are not absolute Monarkes Their Carosses are so sumptirous and stately that they haue foure veluet chayres within and sixe stately Moiles without and how they ride with publicke Curtezans to the Conclaue is well knowne Baptista Fulgosus recordeth Pride of Rome that Peter Riarus first a Fryer Minorite afterward Cardinall to Sixtus the fourth had Gownes of cloth of Gold Couerings and Tikes of Beds sutable and all other Furniture of the best Silke There was a Feast made at Rome by a Cardinall to Elenor of Aragon as shee went to marry Hercules de Est Duke of Ferrara which lasted seauen houres with all varietie of Musicke and delicate Acates which had also playes and dances Another Cardinall had a Concubine called Tiresia whose Chappinos were embroydred with Pearle and precious Stones to an inestimable value But what neede I goe so farre as Rome to instance this Inditement of opposing the Word of God against them when I can name you such Prelates in England that for pride and wealth exceed any Cardinalls of Rome and liued as if they would tell vs plainely Antichrist was discouered and there was neither heauen nor hell to bee thought vpon but the present brauery of the world and the magnificence of a Courtly and maiesticke life In the time of William Rufus you had an Otho Bishop of Baieux and Earle of Kent In the time of Henry the second you had a Thomas of Canterbury that affrighted the King with Excommunication In the time of Richard the first you had a Bishop of Durham who gaue ten thousand pound for an Earledome In the dayes of King Iohn Stephen Langhton opposed the Maiestie of England In the time of Henry the fift the Bishop of Winchester lent the King twentie thousand pound In the time of Henry the sixt Cardinall Beuford was infamed for pride and wealth In the time of Henry the eight Woolsey writ Ego rex meus and so exceeded in magnificence and greatnesse that all Europe wondered at the prosperitie of our countrey and yet repined that such a Prince would endure the ambition and impietie of a Prelate To conclude Cardinall Poole was cosen to Queene Mary and therefore endured for his magnificence and pompe but yet all these belonged to the Church and should haue beene Preachers of the Word of God but they proued Wolues in Sheepes clothing and the humbled soule made this Vse of their liues that Antichrist was discouered and so beng the mayne Aduersary must needes oppose the Word of God and doe contrary things to truth and Christianitie And thus much of his first Inditement The second Inditement of Antichrist for teaching The second inditement mens traditions and foisting into the doctrine of the Church both Heresies errors and absurdities BEfore I goe any further let mee answere certaine obiections which I should haue done in my former Inditement namely what greater humillity can there bee then for the Capuchines and Friers Mendicants to refuse and despise the vanities of the world and bee contented with pouertie disgrace scornes and neuer-heard of humiliation insomuch that Princes haue euen pricked their proud swelling hearts and let out the corrupt blood bringing them downe to prostitution and contentment in Vnsauerie pouertie as you saw Duke Iogenx became father Angelo Faelix of Sauoy thrust himselfe into a Monasterie Charles the fift forsooke the world and left amongst all his â—ewells as principall his whippe of small cordes wherewith hee lashed his sides and many other Princes finished their dayes in Religious houses I answer with the Prophet who required these things at your hands and when it is the best humiliation it is contaminated and defiled with wrong circumstances and though it tend to the worshipping of Angels it is but diuelish and Colos 2. 23. vnprofitable Againe concerning outward garments coules weedes haire or hempen girdells penance whipping fasting Kings and such like tormenting the flesh is it any other then the priests of Baall cutting and lashing themselues then â—dolatrous sacrifices wherein the Heathen practised the shedding of blood and continued with Monstrous murthers and Diuelish shapes to the people Rent your Ioel. hearts and not your garments saith the Prophet and when you fast or mourne hang not downe your heades like Bulrusshes or doe as Hipocrites doe sayth Christ Last of all concerning good workes and releeuing the poore which they tearme Charity What profit can Math. 6. such things doe where is presumption of merit what good can they procure when they are full of corruption why doe you plead for pouerty when you grow so rich your selues and fill your treasuries with all manner of gifts from liuing and dying men what talke you of religion When you minde nothing but pollicies of State and to trouble all Christendome with deuises as for the outward forme of good deedes I will bee bold to say wee haue had amongst our selues more Colledges builded Almes-houses erected Chappels edified Churches repaired Poore relecued Prisons visited and Lands giuen to pious vses and that within these fiftie yeeres then in two hundreth yeeres before let them name what Countrie they please and thus much for the Obiections now to my purpose in hand To make you a Collection of all the deuises and trâ—â— peries in Poperie were to make a rope of sand and begin a worke which could haue no end For this wodden wheele hath beene so often turned that the Coggs are worne asunder and either they must erect a new frame or inuent a new superstition For all the old is discouered and in a Booke called the
at Masse in the very instant of the eleuation of Christs body he saw Swaine King of Denmarke drowned in the sea with all his army at which hee so smiled that at last it tended to a laughter whereat the company wondred and were bold to demand what the matter meant wherupon he discouered the secret called certaine Earles to participate of the vision amongst whom the Earle of Glocester saw the Bread turne apparantly into the likenesse of a young child But to adde more truth to this miracle the hangings in the Quier aâ— West minster consist of this story and there you may see the conceit of the businesse O the superstition of those daies and palpable grosnesse of the Clergies collusion This King gaue also his Signet for the loue of St. Iohn to a poore man but see the wonderfull care and respect of the Apostle hee sent it him baâ—â—e againe in the belly of a fish for when a goodly fish was presented to the King as the Cooke dressed the same the Kings Seale was found in the entrailes others tell the story in this manner that Saint Iohn tooke it so kindly being now at Ierusalem that he returned it backe againe by two pilgrimes whom he posted into England in one night for the same purpose so the ring was deliuered and Saint Iohns commendation presented to the king Gregory the seuenth was Cardinall and Legat in France Gregory 7. before he was Pope where he so religiously proceeded against Simoniacks that he called diuers to account as we say in foro publico amongst whom a certaine Bishop by bribing and corrupting his accusers thought to escape but Gregory knowing by reuelation the deceit preuented it in this manner he commanded him to say Gloria patri if he had not abused the holy Ghost which by no meanes he could doe whereupon he was adiudged guiltie and depriued of his Bishopricke But see the mischiefe afterwards he could say it well enough and made them all wonder at the alteration I beleeue though you haue read many Chronicles you William Râ—fus King yet haue not read of this storie concerning the death of William Rufus that a little before he was shot by Sir Walter Tirrell he dreamed he was let bloud in so great a quantitie that a streame of it leapt vp on high toward heauen more than a hundred fathom and the day was presently darkened as the night Againe a Monke of his house dreamed that king William went into a Church with a great company of people and amongst them all he tooke the Image of the Crucifix and most shamefully rent it with his teeth but the Crucifix meekly suffred all till like a mad man he pulled the armes off threw it vnder feet and trampled vpon it in despight had not a great fire come out of the Crucâ—fix mouth which preuented the king from committing further outrage and awaked the Monke This dreame was with much adoe declared to the king and his owne dreame with more adoe disputed vpon and both the dreames made a matter of fearefull prediction so that the conclusion extended to caution and premonition to his Maiestie that there was sure some misfortune imminent ouer him Thomas Becket was one of the Popes champions and Englands Thomas Becket traitors of whose lies and miracles I am ashamed to wrice for they will haue him turne a Capon into a Carpe as he was at dinner in Rome on Saint Marks day and when he was martyred to heale the sicke wounded and lunaticke with the touch of his tombe and relickes my author recounts two and twentie miracles done for his sake When Saint Bernard was canonized a Saint and Saint ernâ—rd consecrated in his shrine or chappell his Abbot forbad him to doe any more miracles because there came such a concourse of people that he was notable to entertaine them nor willing to be so continually imploied the like or much more is fathered vpon Simon de Momford Earle of Leicester Momford a notorious rebell against Henrie the third but because he went vnder the vmbrela of a good Common-wealths man and maintainer of the liberties of Church they inuented many a lie for him that he might preserue his reputation after death c. When Robert Bruise rebelled against Edward the first he was proclaimed a traitor and after taken and beheaded yet did they hang vp his body in chaines but there came so many deuils by night to torment it with hookes that they were faine to watch it guard it and make fires about the place I cannot but enlage the storie of Thomas the good Earle Sir Simond Frizell of Lancaster one of the greatest subiects of the world whom Edward the second most vnkindly put to death and wherein they went along with his worthines allow them the praises of their good report but when they come to deuices and superstitious conceits I leaue them to their owne fallacies and cannot choose but laugh at their fictions for they not onely repute him a Martyr but diuulge that many a miracle was shewne by him or done for him Aâ— a The Earle of Lancaster Priest restored to his sight who had beene long blinde by wiping his eies with the Altar cloth A child drowned and found dead the third day in a well was brought to his tombe and not onely recouered by touching the defunct but receiued life which continued many yeeres Diuers mad men and distracted women by leaning their heads only vpon his tombe were restored to a temperature in their senses A rich man of Gascoign halfe dead and rotten on the one side so that you might see his liuer was blessed by his Tombe with vnusuall recouery and many such like miracles were performed by him whereupon the Spencers both prohibited the concourse of people and accesse to his Chappell I could name the rest but these as the rest are the durty waters from a corrupt and puddled channell and must both discouer the impiety of such a profession and wickednesse of such Priests that will hang gew gawes and grosse deuices about the necke of religion to make her seeme more gawdy and a very puppet in the world yet such was the pleasure of diuine Iustice to permit the Deuill to put on a cloake of sanctity to deceiue whole multitudes who were subiect to vanity such the coherence of Scripture that Papistry should haue her Progresse as you haue heard and such was the deceit of men that they were detained in ignorance because they delighted in ceremonies rather than substance in painted deuices and outward ornaments rather than inward or spirituall worshipping of God in fooleries to please the naturall man rather than senselesse kneeling in vaine to the aire as they would excuse it when men see no pourtraiture nor resemblance and yet the Scripture saith that Moses saw no image Thus was sinne not onely multiplied in the world but men for the hardnesse of their hearts detained in blindnesse
people with lying miracles In the sentence of condemnation and execution the Bonarges is deliuered 1. from the mouth of God 2. the predictions of Sybels 3. the inuectiues of their owne canonized Fathers 4. and reuelations of blessed Women of all which in order or as orderly as I can The discouery of Antichrist COncerning the discouery of Antichrist how euer I need goe no further then Daniels weekes and times or his foure beasts Ezekiels visions the Epistles of S. Paul the Reuelation of S. Iohn and those wonderfull Expositions of learned men coÌ„cerning the subiect in hand yet you shall haue other observations namely that concerning the yeere 1666. a time wherin the glory of Antichrist year 1666 must be ecclipsed or at least so darkened that it shall neuer shine with outward glory nor eminent maiesty many haue set downe that the numerall letters of all Alphabets amount to this number and denotate the same as if it were a thing purposed from the beginning and like a Propheticall Hierâ—gliphicke representing the name and marke of the Beast in the Apocalyps for example c. signifies a 100 d. 500. Alphabâ—ts nâ—merall letters i. one l. 50. m. a 1000. v. fiue and x. 10. all which summed together make a 1666. Others out of the name of Paulus vice Deus borrowing a little libertie to make the first v a double collect the same number from l. v. v. i. c. d. v. which Letters likewise amount to 666. Others take the name of the Beast out of Papa Vicarius Dei generalis in terris where there are six Vnites two v. which make 10. l. 50. c. a 100. and d. 500. all which amount to 666. Others desâ—ant vpon the triple Crowne of the Pope and some other tearmes more significant as in all the learned Expositors of the Reuelation is apparant Last of all they haue played with the very Character of Papa as if there were a mystery in the Papa Letters and that Papa did signifie Poculum aurcum plenumâ— abominationis the golden cup full of abomination and such is the will of God that as Ahabs little Cloud increased to a great storme so out of these triuiall animaduersions sufficient matter might be gathered for the discouery of Antichristian Prelacy Effectuall Contingents Protestants NOw let vs come forward to Effectuall Contingents which are apparant from the progression of the Gospell in all the Countries of Europe and discontentments of Papists themselues in their owne Papisticall Prouinces First then concerning Religion now called Reformed Protestants who knowes not what England Scotland Denmarke Norway Sweden the low Countries and many great townes and Provinces both in Germany and France haue done and that with resolution neuer to returne to the vomit againe Who sees not the prosperitie of Holland Zealand and the rest who for Religions sake and to oppose that monstrous Hydra the Inquisition displayed by the Duke of Alâ—a haue euer since maintained such Warres that the world is at a gaze at their Protector Who confesseth not what France bringeth forth such Protestant Armies such defensiue townes that their faith is as strong as their walls such glorious troopes worthy Congregations zealous ministers and religious people that for all the State allowes them not publicke exercise of Religion yet such is their estate that many thousands are resolued to maintaine the cause of the Gospell Who vnderstands not how Switzerland is diuided and for the most part affected to the Reformed Religion Whose heart doth not leape for ioy especially if his name be written in the booke of life to apprehend how the spacious Germany hath her seuerall Protestant Prouinces and reformed Citties how-euer the Popes aduocates mistearme them Lutherans or Hereticks O Geneua Geneua I blesse thy name for blessing the God of all blessing who hath washed thee cleane from the filthinesse of superstition and thou hast kept thy white garments vnspotted yea by demonstration shewed plainely that the wings of the Cherubines haue ouer-shadowed thee Shall I bring into this number the Prouinces of Austria Stiriâ— Carmola Carinthia why the Emperor himselfe knowes they are most of them Protestants and within three myle of Vienna Englishmen haue seene fiftie Carosses at a Protestant Sermon yea they haue told the Fryers within the walles to their faces that they would do as the men of Berea did examine their doctrine by the Word of God As for the terrible affrightings of hostilitie whereby the countenances of Bohemia the Palatinate and other Prouinces are euen sadded againe and seeme bloodles with impietie of soule to thinke vpon their ruines and deuastation although the Iesuits runne vp and downe with the Popes fulmination in their mouthes fire and sword in their handes malice and revenge in their hearts death and destruction in their actions and that the voice of Rachel is euery where heard mourning for her children Iereâ—s yet are there thousandes that haue not bowed their knees to Baal and are humbled with Iob to cry out though Kingâ— Iob. thou kill me I will not forsake thee and could all this be done without the speciall providence of God and his all-searching eye that will at last discouer the pollution of this Antichristian den and the deceit of the Strumpet answere a Gods name you that must answer before the Iudgement throne of the Lambe how comes this about if the Papacâ— shall not come to ruine and thus much for the Protestant Papists COncerning Papists how many Statutes in France England Papists and other places haue beene enacted diuers hundred yeeres since against the pride auaâ—ice and vsurpation of the Sea of Rome What pasquils and inuectiues haue beene set vp euen in Rome it selfe traducing the Popes and Cardinalls for their vicious liues and abominable impiâ—tie What outrages haue beene committed to the sacking of Rome and irreligious prophanation of such things as were reputed sacred and all this by Catholickâ— Souldiers What discontentments beganne betweene Philip the 2. of Spaine and the Pope not long after the death of Charles the fift when the Duke of Alua in his Masters behalfe exprobrated the Conclaue of Cardinals for proclaiming the King an enemy to the Church that a man would wonder how he was afterward diuerted to bend his forces against them in the low Countries How often haue the Grandes of Spaine repined at the welath and ambition of the Clergie With what fearefull out cryes haue the people murmured at the tyranny of the Inquisition Are not the Fryers at this instant I meane the Dominicans and Franciscans at variance about the originall sinne of the Virgin Mary Did not Sauoy a while agoe protest against the tenths of the Church and beganne to startle at some peremptory proceedings of the Clergie Was not Venice resolued to moderate the bountie of men defunct who enfeoffed the Church with extraordinary donatiues and attempted to deny the Popes secular iurisdiction when they proclaimed Fryer Paule of the order of Serui Theologo disignato