onely deceiued the world but excelled the proudest Emperors when their sinnes came to ouerflowing in State Maiestie Pompe couetousnesse tyranny and all other impieties discouered in Scripture But the Prophet goes forward with the Empires dissolution that is to say with the whole narration of the story of the Nations that infested Italy beginning with Alaricus who set himselfe vp in the 19. yeere of Honorius conquering Latium Campania Apulia Lucania Calâ—bria proceeding with Attila who in the 27. of the 3. year 410 Valentinian destroiâ—d Aquileia Verona Mantuâ— Cremona Brixia Coneordia with the new territory of Venice and ending with Genserick Odâ—acer Totila the Lombards and the intestine faction and these are the two heads and Vers 23. six wings now you must consider that in this fearefull time the proud Attila did fell the city of Rome to Bishop Leo as some report and so was contented to forsake Italy by which occasion the Popes became Masters of this great City and in processe of time wrought out their supremacy not onely ouer Italy but ouer Europe For as these Tyrants vexed one another and the successors which followed were subiect to extirpation namely Valentinian Maximus Anitus Maiorianus Seuerus Anthemias Olibrius Glycerius lxlius Nâ—pos Momilâ—us otherwise Augustulus the Popes raised their structures out of their ruines and the rubbish of the Empire serued to aduance the fabricke of the Papacy Thus the Eagles displaid wings were spread in the time of Augustus and broken and spoiled in the daies of Augustulus who was that Momilâ—us the last named and so the prophecy followeth to the 29. verse with the varietie of the warres troubles and gouernment of all the contrary feathers named before to the time of the intestine sedition which had pretence of renuing the stile of Senatus populusque Romanus but now the Bishop of Rome tampers for his supremacy and inuesteth Charles King of France Emperor and this is that which Esdras meaneth by the awaking of one of the three heads that were at rest for the Vers 29. 801 three heads personate Germany France and Spaine who shall according to the interpretation of this Vision still by one meanes or other maintaine the dignity of the Popedome though all the rest of the Kings and Princes of Europe forsake it till vtter destruction come indeed and they manifestly behold that God will câ—st this strumpet in a bed of affliction that is to say that although Papistry and the profession of the Romish Religion shall not be vtterly extinguished till the Church be triumphant in heauen yet shall the glory of Rome yea of the Pope and his Cardinalls suffer diminution if not vtter dâ—solation as shall be manifested in due place and orderly demonstration But first you must note how the Prophet proceeds the verse 31. middle head did eat vp the wings which is meant by the sword of Carclus magnus who at the Popes command came into Italy and tooke Deâ—â—derius prisoner leading him captiue into France after this Cono the Emperour falls out with Gregory the second and pâ—oiected to dislocate the Popes of Rome as intimating that their pride and tyranny would grow vlcerous and to a Gangren in the body of Europes gouernment whereupon the people were not only incensed against their Bishop but attempted a new alteration by Senators and Consuls had not the French laid a cooling card for this proceeding and established the Pope in his supreme eminency yet all is not quiet for some 150. yeeres after Alberick and Octauian his sonne contested anew with the ambitious Prelates and once againe aduanced another gouernment in Rome but see how the Pope thriues according to the prophecie Otho the great comes in his assistance banisheth the Consull hangeth the Tribunes and mounteth the Praefectus Vrbis naked on an Asse and so hee is crowned and with great derision thrust into prison and â—ormented to death but within seuen yeeres new vproares began by the tumulâ—uary incitation of Lancius had not Otho the second at a supper in the Vatican strucke off all their heads Last of all Fredericke the first with the year 1136 bloud and wounds of 2000. men established the Bishop of Rome in greater glory and euer since according to this Prophesie and discouery they haue continued secure by the meanes of these heads in all impiety and abomination but the Prophecy leaues them not so for after all this exemplification of glory and greatnesse with the manner of their rising and insolent tumors he falles to their punishment and vtter confusion This lasteth from the 36 verse to the end wherein you may obserue that the breath of God like a Lion of the Forrest shall teare this Eagle in peeces and as you haue heard in the execution of Antichrist whole armies of Prophecies and denunciations of vengeance shall be further mustred against Rome from so supreme a iudicature that no humane potency shall reuerse the doome or be able to repeale the sentence Conclusion THe conclusion then of all these things may be thus that if God out of his palace of power and mightinesse or store-house of prouidence and mercy hath from time to time exposed his secrets openly whereby his Saints and poore afflicted children haue not only beene comforted in their distresse but prepared against following mischiefes If according to the wantonnesse of times and growth of impietie he hath gone about to stop the torrent and raging inundation of wickednesse and by many predictions foretold the ruine of the kingdome of Sathan and enlargement of the bounds of his Church If he hath gone yet further to follow obstinate men and refractarie delinquents euen at the heâ—les with signes and wonders from heauen either to diuert the outragious from their immanitie or support the lowly in their humiliation Let not vs passe them ouer as things vnremarkable or be affrighted as terrors of too great vengeance and if it fall not within our reach to make cleane euery corruption yet as neere as we can to wipe away the filthinesse and wash off the deformitie of grosse and fearfull sinnes Thus shall the confidence of the ioyes to come season our present sorrowes the acknowledging of Gods attributes assure vs that he is faithfull which hath promised and so will performe the oath he sware vnto our father Abraham his sâ—ed for euer Againe if it hath pleased the same God to terrifie the world with the rumors of warre and thundrings of hostilitie â—o weaken and abate the power of mightie monarchies to strike Daniels image with a stone from heauen to peeces to put a hooke in the nostrils of Leuâ—athan and Bâ—hâ—moth to turne about the wheeles of the chariot of greatnesse O consider this ye that haue forgot God lâ—st he teare you in peeces in his wrath remember this ye that loue God lest ye abuse his mercy ouer-presumptuously But of all and exceeding all Iâ— in this latter age of the world he hath reuealed vnto vs the true historie of his Church That the Dragon shall watch the woman in the wildeâ—nesse to deuoure her childe That in the Primitiue Church was the true pattern of wholsome words That she â—ell from thiâ— puritie was polluted with the filth of mens Traditions whose daring hands out of wantonnesse case gurrmâ—â—dice ambicion auarice pâ—lâ—â—ie and imposturing deceit threw durâ— into her cleane streame and in a manner dammed vp the spring of vndeniable veritie That all this was done by Antichrist and his adherents That this Antichrist is now fully discouered not to personate one man nor be a stranger in Gods house but to sit in the Temple of God and the Church and to be the Popes of Rome the strumpet of Babylon in the Scriptures the beast with seuen heads and ten hornes in the Apocalyps the man of sinne in Timothie Lucifer in Isaiah the spirit of error in the Thessalonians with all the rest as you haue heard That notwithstanding this discouerie he hath vsurped the authoritie of Princes tyrannized ouer Kings affrighted ignorant soules captiued câ—â—dulous persons and enriched his purse to the augmentation of worldly glory That therefore God hath arraigned him and by seuerall inditements condemned and that his punishment and exâ—cution followed whereby this defiled strumpet shall be diuorced from her spouse cast in a bed of affliction demoâ—â—shed and her structures pulled to peeces set on fire to the wonder of the world and the terror of all seduced people FINIS
A GAGGE FOR THE POPE AND THE IESVITS OR THE ARRAIGNEMENT AND EXECVTION OF ANTICHRIST Shevving plainely that Antichrist shall be discouered and punished in this VVorld to the amasement of all obstinate PAPISTS LONDON Printed by I. D. for Edward Blackmore and are to be sould at his Shop at the Great South-dore of Paules 1624. Lucan lib. 7. Pharsal Hoe placet ô superi cum vobis vertere cuÌ„cta propositum nostris erroribus addere crimen TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE VVILLIAM EARLE of PENBROOK Lord Chamberlaine to his Maiesties Houshold and one of his most honourable Councell c. RIGHT HONOVRABLE AS I intend nothing by this Discourse but the glory of God the good of my Country the obseruation of Princes and the seasoning of humors so doe I propose no man fitter to Patronise the same then your selfe sprung from so illustrious a family that our moderne Stories reioyce againe in the illustration of the name and actions of Herbert but aboue all my motiues arise from your Noble disposition toward Englands glory and pious zeale to propagate the cause of Religion which at this day is set vpon by viperous calumniation as if either God meant not to performe his promise concerning the stripping the Strumpet naked Apoc. 18. 3. who hath made drunke the Kings of the earth with the cup of abomination or pollicie determined like Prometheus his Vulture to feed vpon the heart of Religion and eat out the bowels of sanctitie and truth But O thou God of heauen thou laughest the Psalme deuises of men to scorne and wilt maintaine thy owne cause in despight of Apostacy and O â—ee Princes of the earth looke yee Psal 2. 12. kisse the sonne least he be angry and yee perish in the Way when his wrath shall suddenly burne Wherefore great Lord made so much the greater by all the Concomitants of Noble birth and remarkeable deseruing accept I pray you of this poore Tractate wherein though I come strangely toward you with a dutie from an vnknowne name and vnfortunate man as we prophanely abuse the Character yet with so good a heart that in regard of the cause which is Gods and your selfe who haue answered reputation with sufficiency I am cheerfully animated to wade out of this streame by the supportation of so noble an arme which can keep me from sinking though there were some whirlepoole to fall into As for aspersion of presumption stepping out of my own Circle medling with transcendent matters tenuity of wit or deficiency of knowledge I wipe all away with a Principle in Euripidâ—s Nullus sibi similis in periculis Iphigenia in Tauris homo quoties ad audaciam ex metu venerit But indeed what should I be affrighted with the Popes fulmination or curses Lucan answers Tollite signaduces fatorum impellite cursum Lib. 5. Pharsâ—l spem vestram prestate diis fortunaque tantos det vobis animos quantos fugientibus hostem causa dabat The blastings of opinion or windy censures Impia laetatur vulgatae nomine famae Thessaliis Luc. oâ— Lib. 5. The displeasure or contracted brow of a Prince No no. Caesaris aduentu tuta gladiator arena Lib. 6. de Pontâ— Ovid. exit auxilium non leue vultus habet The imputations of iudicious men Simplex oratio veritatis est Neque variarum habet vtrinque interpretationum Eurip. Phaenissae habet enim ipsa congruentiam sed iniquus sermo aegrotans in seipsum medicamimum habet opus sapientiam The desertion of friends who be they Amicos in rebus aduersis conuenit amicis adesse Eurip. Orestes Nam cum Deus faelicitatem dederit Quid opus est amicis Sufficit ipse Deus prodesse volens In a word so I haue your fauour and my owne ends I am startled at nothing but insufficiency in so great aduenture and vnworthines to put polluted handes into the waters of life which as I hope the God of heauen will pardon because of my honest desires to magnifie his greatnes so your Honor will graciously admit because of my willing heart to exemplifie your goodnesse THE ARRAIGNEMENT AND EXECVTION OF ANTICHRIST I Would faine act my owne Scean and with a modest zeale enter into a Discourse that shall show you the hand of God writing on the wall more fearefull and terrible to hard-hearted Papists then euer Belshazzers fatall night to Daniel 5. himselfe and his people I beseech you then if you can discrectly auoyd or charitably confute ignorant Papists and penurious Newes-mongers vnderstand what I purpose in my following Treatise meerely to show you that these troubles of Europe be but the beginnings of Romes desolation and the Beast with seauen heads and ten hornes must Apoc. 12 be discouered as she walloweth in the den of abomination and filthinesse of corruption after which she shall be rowsed and hunted out of breath â—aken and lashed with stripes bound and stripped of her pompe and at last forsaken and consumed with fire which although it may haue relation to the euerlasting horror of hell yet in the iudgement of learned Diuines must be explicated by some effectuall humiliation on earth Wherin if repentance remorse and compunction of spirit cannot frame the master peece of Conuersion the Catastrophe shall be wrought by the violence of a stronger arme and that from a secular Prince And if in this the Emperours of Germany or other potent Kings haue fayled as too-too basely prostrating themselues to the power of Antichrist no question God will punish them for vnder-valuing his glory or diuiding and participating that greatnes which he hath giuen to euery King intire in his owne Kingdome Now that the Pope hath vnder sanctified titles both abused Religion and deceiued the world and that God is incensed against such pride blasphemy and hypocrisie yea offended with such Princes as still adore the Beast is apparant by many relations Especially a large Letter written and printed long since in the Spanish tongue to King Philip the second in the dayes of Queene Mary wherein is not onely the Genealogie of Antichrist but a delicate Picture of the Pope and his Cardinals kneeling before the Deuill sitting in a chayre of State who deliuers him an Indenture or Commission with many seales allowing him to be Antichrist and so to execute his authoritie this was composed by one Alonso de Penna Fuertes an Italian and out of this with many other Classick Authors this Enchiridion is extracted and I hope to make all I proiect apparant as farre as man may coniecture or fals to my poore proportion of discouery The Method then which I would obserue ariseth from the 1. Discouery 2. Arraignement 3. and execution of Antichrist In the discouery you shall haue some obseruations taken from 1. effectuall contingents 2. and probable coniectures In the Arraignement the indiâ—ements are framed 1. from contradicting the word of God 2. from dishonouring the truth with false doctrines 3. and from abusing the
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
them worshipping them as God and Paulus Aemilius telleth Lib. 2. how the Embassadors of Sicily cryed thus to the Pope Thou that takest away the sinnes of the world haue mercie vpon vs. To which purpose Simon Begnius Bishop of Modrusa calleth Leo the 10. his Sauiour and Stapleton writing to Gregory the 13. tearmeth him Supremum numen in terris and these attributes follow The vicar of Christ the Monarch of the Church the head the spouse the foundation of the Church yea Thomas Waldenses flattereth Martin the 5. with Salua nos Domine perimus and Cornelius Bishop of Befoâ—â—o in the conuenticle of Trent calleth the Pope the light which came into the world But now if you would demand the reason of all these blasphemies and filthy wickednes it is apparant by a simile of bitter streames from sower springs these things were Authors Beno Platina Nauclecus Theoderick deuised and maintained by such men as were branded in their liues for notorious and infamous liuers Benet the 9. and Syluester the 2. gaue themselues to the Deuill Twentie two Popes practised Magicke Gregory the seauenth was condemned for a Negromantick at a Councell and the Councell of Pise accused Gregory the 12. and Benet the 13. for wicked liuers Alexander the 6. was an Atheist that is beleeued there was no God Iohn the 22. in the Councell of Constance was conuinced for making question of the Resurrection Leo the 10. and Clement the 7. were also reputed Atheists Paul the 3. consulted with the Deuill and Iulius the 3. sayd he would eat 〈◊〉 dispetto di Dio yea Boccace in his second Nouell bringeth in a Iew wondring how the Cittie of Rome ws kept from sincking to Hell considering the sinnes and abominations both of the Popes the gouernment and the people Here might properly be brought in certaine proofes and enlargements 1. That Popery is a sinke of Heathenish Idolatry 2. That their religion neuer came from true Ierusalem 3. That it was neuer taught by the Prophets or Apostles 4. That it was not knowne to auncient professed Emperours and Christian Kinges 5. That the auncient Brittaines were not conuerted to the now Popish religion 6. That Popish religion is falsely called Catholicke 7. That there were neuer such doctrine and principles in the Primitiâ—e Church 8. That it is repugnant to auncient Councels 9. That it is contrary to the Fathers of the Church 10. That it was neuer testified by the blood of Christian Martyres c. But it would proue too great a mountaine of amasement and be extended to a greater volume then I propose therefore I referre you to such sufficient authors as are euery where extant for the good of all Christians The Masse by their owne confession was framed at sâ—uerall Popery a humane deuise times and by diuers authors For how euer the law of God was giuen at an instant and the Gospell of Iesus Christ with the doctrine of Christianitie comprised in one volume called the Testament yet hath this sabricke of Popery beene many hundred yeares a framing and the materialls come into millions of handes that had not time to this houre to dispatch the building and couer the structure Thus Walafridus Platina Nauclerus and others report that Caelestine made the introit Iudica me Deus Damasus added the confession Gregory the Antiphona and Kirie eleeson Telesphorus gloria in excelsis and Gelasius certaine clauses of the Orisons Thomas Aquinas deuised the office on Corpus Christi day but who contriued the Masses for S. Francis S. Dominicke and other late Saints the Papists themselues cannot tell The Psalter of our Lady was inuented by Bonauenture You see the Priests offer Christ for the sinnes of the quicke and dead for sicke horses and piggs c. I hope you all thinke this a deuise of man and in no Scripture at all Oh Iesus didst thou spit and salt or light Candles in Baptisme Didst thou vse any mimicke gestures when thou institutedst the Sacrament of thy Supper Is it not a strange deuise that no Priest may say Masse without water and fire The worship of the Sacrament and the custodie thereof in a Pixe was inuented by Honorius What thinke you of Canonicall houres and the reliques of Martyres who deuised them I pray you All their Letanies and Prayers to Saints and Angells yea peraduenture to such as are gone to the Deuill as the Heathen canonized such for Gods as were lecherous and incestuous persons were framed by sundry Popes and Fryers The Popes triple crowne kneeling to the Crosse and a thousand of other trumperâ—es were the excrements of hot braines and men who knew no better or at least would not then to increase their honor and ambition and wealth The feast of Iubile was ordained by Boniface the 8. Corpus Christs by Clement the 5. Of our Ladies conception by Sixtus quartus of her assumption by another and all the rest of the ceremonies and superstitious rites by one wicked Pope or lying Priest or other For because Paul sayd the rest I will set in order when I come these men haue assumed to themselues a power to deuise vnheard-of impieties and yet as Physicians guild their bitter pills with some flourishing golden vertue they stoppe all mens mouthes with order and ordinances of the Church but the Saints of God can tell them that Ieroboams calues were erected by order For the Text saith the King called a councell and the Statutes of Omri with all the abominations of the Priestes and Kinges of Israell were confirmed and maintained by order therefore order disordred may turne to confusion and desolation And so I proceede Bernard of Luzenburg sheweth how the Doctors of Popish deuises agree with Heathenish customes Collen auerred that Aristotle was the forerunner of Christ in naturalibus as Iohn Baptist in diuinis and that they would proue the distinction of the three persons in Trinitie by Philosophy Gratian talking of diuers orders and degrees in Dâ—cretis dist 21. the Roman Hierarchy confesseth that this difference was deduced from the Gentiles Gregory the 1. writing to Melitus permitted the English to build boothes in the day of the dedication of their Churches and to kill Oxen for the Beda lib 1. cap. 30. prayse of God and was not this the custome of the Pagans seruing Idols Boniface the 4. consecrated the Church called Pantheon in Rome where Cibele and all the Heathen gods were adored to our Lady and all Saints as if he would shew that the worship of Saints must succeed in the place of Idols and Heathen gods Who knowes not that the Priestes of the Gentiles did shaue their heades and beards the Priestes of Baal launce themselues the Priests of Cibele whippe themselues and the Priests of Bell and the Dragon made the King beleeue the Idoll did eat vp his prouision and who sees not the Papists to iâ—stifie the imitation and yet as the Lapwig runneth away with the shell on her head they