the good estate and prosperitie thereof as they enioye by their thorough execution free and cleare passage into euery part and member of the same And as in monarchies and absolute gouernments the lawes obtaine no force or vigor till they receaue the same by the royall assent of the Prince and soueraigne so the Romaine church being framed and fashioned to the Image and imitation of the Romaine Empire and thereby a monarchie whereof the Pope is soueraigne and chiefe hath no life strength or force in her lawes and decrees vntill shee receaue the same by the soueraigne assent of the Pope which he yeelding thereby giueth life and spirite to the image of the beast So that the image of the beast can speake and cause that as many as will not worshippe the Image of the beast shal be killed That is the church of Rome can by her lawes decrees pronounce and commande that as manie as will not worshippe honour and obey her shall be killed and destroyed with fire and sworde from the face of the earth 16 And he made all both smal and great rich and poore free and bond to receaue a marke in their right hand or in their foreheades 17 And that none might buye or sell saue he that had the marke or the name of the beast or the number of his name This marke or name of the beast or the number of his name wee finde in the next verse to be 666. which number Ireneus in his 5. booke and 25. chapter noteth to be contained in this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For if the letters therof be numbered which are all numerall it containeth perfectly that account of sixe hundred sixtie sixe Λ 30 Α 1 Τ 300 Ε 5 Ι 10 Π50 Ο 70 Σ 200 666. This most auncient obseruation of Ireneus who had both seene Policarpus and ben scholer vnto Papias who were both disciples vnto Saint Iohn may giue vs very great light for the vnderstanding of this place which signifieth vnto vs that in the Romaine church which is the seate and kingdome of Antichrist neither small nor great rich nor poore free nor bonde that is no kinde or sorte of people may without this marke buy or sell that is to say praye vnto God or prayse God For when wee pray vnto him we doe as it were buy with our prayers that at his hande that we would haue Hereof it is that God councelleth the church of Laodicea to buye of him golde tryed with the fire that is to praye vnto him for the gift of constancie strength of faith which may endure the fire of aduersitie and persecution But when we prayse God we doe as it were sell vnto him for his goodnes that which he would haue therfore saith Dauid in 50. Psalme Offer vnto God thankesgiuing and againe in the person of God who so offereth me thankes and prayse he honoreth me but neither pray vnto God nor prayse God that is neither buye nor sell might they in the Romaine church of what nation soeuer they were vnlesse they had this marke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the latine tongue either in their foreheade or in their right hande that is eyther by rule or by rote eyther in their minde or in their booke either by memorie or by reading 18 Here is wisedome let him that hath wit count the number of the beast for it is the number of a man and his number is 666. It is verie cleare that this number is maruelous misticall and therefore it requireth wisdome before it can thoroughly be searched and dissiphered Irenaeus his obseruation we haue aboue noted in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He also findeth the same number in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whiche signifieth the Sunne and that howe the former worde agreed vnto Antichriste we haue a little before declared Τ 300 Ε 5 Ι 10 Τ 300 Α 1 Π50 666 How this appertaineth vnto him Gregory the ninth in his decretals doth teach vs in the title de Maioritate Obedientia in these wordes Praeterea nosce debueras quod fecit Deus duo magna luminaria in firmamento coeli luminare maius vt praeesset diei luminare minus vt praeesset nocti vtrumque magnum sed alterum maius Ad firmamentum igitur coeli hoc est vniuersalis Ecclesiae fecit Deus duo magna luminaria id est duas instituit dignitates quae sunt pontificialis authoritas regalis potestas Sed illa quae praeest diebus id est spiritualibus maior est quae vero carnalibus minor vt quanta est inter solem lunam tanta inter Pontifices reges differentia cognoscatur Heereupon the glose saith Cum terra igitur sit septies maior Luna Sol autem octies est maior terra restat vt Pontificalis dignitas quadragesies septies sit maior dignitate regali Haymo byshop of Alberstaten in an exposition vppon the Reuelation he liued about the yeare of our Lord 840. besids the words before alleadged noteth the greeke wordes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Gothick worde Genserikos and the latine worde Diclux each of them contayning that number of 666. I wil not heere discusse how right Greek these words are only I will laye them downe as I finde them so particularly consider of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Haymo signifieth in Greke Honori contrarius and contayneth the number of 666. So that whosoeuer is most contrary to the honor of god and honor of princes he is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is honori contrarius Α 1 Π50 Τ 200 Ε 5 Μ 40 Ο 70 Σ 200 666 But how is more contrary to the honor of God then he that diminisheth the glorye of God he that the scripture teacheth vs the beginning of our saluation to bee from the grace of God the substance of our saluation to consist in the righteousnesse of Christ and the ende of our saluation to bee referred to the glorye of God professeth farre otherwise yeelding parte of the beginning to the power of nature parte of the substance to the merits of man part of the ende to the honor of creatures This is he that permitteth himselfe to bee called DOMINVS DEVS PAPA That imparteth vnto manye the honor due vnto God alone that treadeth vppon the neck of Emperors that insulteth vppon kings that disposeth of Empires and kingdomes that iudgeth all men and is iudged by none That whatsoeuer he doeth no man may say vnto him Domine cur ita facis That cōtaineth all lawes within the cheast of his brest That holdeth for a sufficient reason of his doings Stet pro ratione voluntas That taketh the Emperor for his steward his bailiffe and his man That saith Omne ius Regum pendet à Papa This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and this is Antichrist Prince of the whole world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith Haymo
but also doe adore the image without any kinde of scruple whatsoeuer yea and doe honor the same with that worship wherewith the thing or person thereby represented is to be honored And by Andradius the late defender of the Tridentine counsell whose workes are seene and allowed by the Romishe church Non inficiamur saith he hac nos latriae adoratione Christi praeclarissimam crucem colere venerari We denie not that we worship and honor the moste excellent crosse of Christ with this adoration of greatest honor worship but both the crosse of Christ and the image of the trinity and al other images are creatures therefore our conclusion is strong and certaine that the church of Rome is not the catholik church Infinite arguments to this purpose might be drawne and euerie of them in effecte demonstratiue but the matter so cleere these few may suffice Let vs then examine sith it is not the catholike church whether it be a catholik church in that sense that the word catholik is imitatiuely taken for soūd and sinceere that is whether it be a pure and perfect member of the catholike church It is very sure and certeine that sometime it hath bene a verye notable member and as it were a right arme an ayde confort and ornament to the rest of the partes but the question is what it is at this present and for manye yeeres hath beene whether now it be a sound member of the catholike churche or no for the deciding heereof wee can haue no better or more manifeste tryall then by the doctrine that it teacheth by the sacraments that it administreth by the prayers that it vseth and by the discipline that it exerciseth and heerein we come to the firste point that controleth your second proposition As in the body of a man so long as any principall member as the arme or the leg hath the bone vncrushed vnperished or vnwrested the flesh and muscles vnbrused vninfected and vnhurte the veins sinewes and arteries neither ouerstretched distorted or shrunke the skinne vnannoied vnexulcerated vnimpeached we terme and accompt it a sound member But if in any of these points it be defectiue rekon it vnsound in that proportion and degree that the nature and qualitie of the defect is of So in the body of the church as long as any member or particuler church as the Church of Rome the Church of Antioch the Church of England the Church of Fraunce hath the worde of God whiche resembleth the bone or pith vppon the whiche it ought to growe and depende vnperished vnwrested and vncorrupted the praiers and supplications which are as it were the flesh and muscles of it wherewith it ought to be filled and replenished vnwasted and vnconsumed with atheisme and securitie and vnpoysoned and vninfected with Idolatry and superstition The holy sacraments which represent the veynes sinewes and arteries wherewith it is both norished vnited vnmāgled vndisordred and vnstrayned and the discipline which is like to the skinne that enuironeth compasseth and defendeth the rest vnexulcerated and vnenflamed with the tumors of tiranny or cankers of couetousnesse or otherwise vnstained with iniquity we are to tearme and accompt it a sounde member of the catholike churche and so much the lesse sounde by how much the more it is in any of these pointes defectiue or euill affected If wee cast this leuell ouer the Romaine churche shall not wee soone discouer howe crooked and corrupt it is and howe much it hath swarued from the vprightnesse and sinceritie wherein it was first established The holy Scriptures it hath not onelye corrupted and wrested as by infinite examples might be shewed but also depriued of force and strength where it ought to haue depended of the Scriptures it maketh the scripture depend of it And whereas the sense of the holy ghost is sure certaine and immutable it maketh it variable and alterable according to the temporary practise of that church This shall you finde in the epistle of Cardinall Cusanus no lesse blasphemously then barbarously recorded The Sacrament of the Lords supper it hath mangled into a half communion and a priuat Masse disordred with the monstrous fantasie of transubstantiation and thereby altered the commemoration to an adoration the Sacrament to a Sacrifice propiciatorye The sacrament of Baptisme it hath pestered if not polluted with manye superstitious and superfluous ceremonies The names and dignitye of sacramentes it hath strayned and stretched to other things contrarye to their nature The prayers and supplications which ought only to bee made vnto God and so made vnto God as the congregation may both in vnderstanding and deuocion ioyne with them and saye Amen It hath what with inuocation of Saints what with worshipping of images what with a strange and vnknowne language made either impious or vnprofitable The discipline which should keep all things in order and frame in it is altogether stained with ambition and couetousnesse finally it is a member so ful of corruption so swolne with pride and so envenomed with ambitiō that it perswadeth the world that it is the body and that all the rest of the partes are but members of it and that whatsoeuer parte is not like it is corrupt and carying vppon it the Romaine Byshop as a most pestilent vlcer it saith that is the head to which all other partes must submit and subiect themselues And is it not then rightlye to bee iudged an vnsound member and an vnsincere Examine in like sort any other particuler church Do it vprightly and sincerely and it shal make manifest vnto you whether it be a sounde or vnsounde member of the catholike church and if vnsound in what degree proportion and measure it is so to bee iudged and accompted These therefore are perfect and pregnant sayings which can neuer deceaue you if the lampe of eternal light Gods holy and heauenly worde beare any credite or authoritye with you for by that shall you knowe whether the doctrine of any church be pure or impure whether the Sacraments be rightly or otherwise administred whether the praiers be godlye and religiously or Idolatrously and superstitiouslye made and vsed whether the discipline be sincere and perfect or disorderly and corrupt and in this we fall to the second point that aunswereth your second proposition If the doctrine of any church is conformable to the doctrine of the Patriarkes the Prophets the Apostles whose doctrine and documents the holye scripture layeth downe it is to be iudged sound and sincere and so much the lesse sounde be how muche it more swarueth from their faith and doctrine If the Sacraments in any church bee ministred according to their firste institution and vse which the holy scriptures doth declare they are to be accompted rightly and duely administred If prayers in any church be vsed according to that forme manner purpose and intent that the godlye of all ages testified in the scriptures did vse and exercise they are to be reckoned
the Apostles and the faith imbraced by the children of God in all ages there may we obserue the antiquitie that yeeldeth to no nouelties there may we see the vniuersalitie that giueth place to no schisme or diuision there may we finde that consent that grounded in veritye is polluted with no error or iniquity Therefore S. Augustine rightly iudgeth that the catholike church is to be sought in the Scriptures his words are these contra Petiliani Donat epist Si autem Christi Ecclesia Canonicarum Scripturarum diuinis certissimis testimonijs in omnibus gentibus designata est quicquid attulerint vndicunque recitauerint qui dicunt ecce hic Christus ecce illic audiamus potius si ouer eius sumus vocem Pastoris nostri dicentis Nolite credere Illae quippe singulae in multis gentibus vbi ista est non inueniuntur Haec autem quae vbique est etiam vbi illae sunt inuenitur ergo in Scripturis sanctis eam Ecclesiam scilicet requiramus If the church of Christ throughout all nations be discerned by the diuine and infallible testimonies of the Canonicall scriptures whatsoeuer they shall bring and whencesoeuer they wil alledge which saye Lo heere is Christ Lo there is Christ Let vs heare rather if we bee his sheepe the voice of our shepheard saying Doe not beleue them for al those in many nations where the same is are not founde but this same which is euery where is also founde where they are therefore let vs seeke the same church in the holy scriptures And in his treatise de vnitate Eccles cap. 16. Ecclesiam in scripturis sanctis Canonicis debemus agnoscere non in varijs hominum rumoribus opinionibus factis dictis visis inquirere We are to acknowledge the church in the holye canonicall scriptures and not to seeke it in the sundrie rumors opinions doings sayings conceits of men And againe in his 166. epistle In Scripturis didicimus Christum in Scripturis didicimus Ecclesiam has scripturas communiter habemus quare non in ijs Christum Ecclesiam communiter retineamus In the Scriptures we haue learned Christ in the Scripturs we haue learned the church this scripture we haue common amongst vs wherefore doe wee not in them likewise reteine Christ and the Church Hereunto also accordeth Chrysostome in his 49. homily vpon Math Antea multis modis ostendebatur quae esset Ecclesia Christi nunc autem nullo modocognoscitur nisi per Scripturas Before by many means was it shewed whiche was the churche of Christ but nowe by no meanes is it knowne but by the Scriptures Thus by the iudgement of these Fathers and by the nature of the catholike church it selfe we see that the knowledge of it is to be deriued from the scriptures which so being what can be more cleare then that neither prayers for the dead nor inuocation of Saintes nor worshipping of images nor the Popes primacie ouer the church nor his superiority ouer princes and kingdomes nor his doctrine of Purgatorie nor his power there to release soules nor transubstantiation nor the halfe communion nor monastical vowes nor forbidding of marriage nor meritorious fastes nor workes of desert and supererogation nor sacrificing Christ euerie daye nor releasing subiects of their othes of allegiance nor dispencing with Princes for periuries and incest nor sale of pardons nor offering vnto reliques nor a thousand other doctrines practises and ceremonies of the Papisticall religion were euer grounded vpon the catholike church Let the whole volume of the scriptures be pervsed you shall see none of these thinges taught beleeued practized vsed or imbraced by the catholike church examine the faith doctrine writings and documentes of the patriarches the Prophets the Apostles Christ himselfe you shall finde these things either not conteyned in them or contraried by them Try them by antiquitye you shall proue them far younger then the time of the Apostles try them by vniuersalitie you shal perceiue that neither the church before the Lawe nor the church vnder the Law nor the purest churches vnder grace did euer embrace them trye them by consent you shall finde that neither the patriarches nor the Prophets nor the Apostles nor the faithfull by them taught in sundrie churches did euer agree in them or once beleeue them it must needes bee then that they are not grounded in the catholike church but are some later inuentions and doctrine of a particuler church from whose errors and corruptions they haue proceded which particuler church is the Church of Rome which we will briefly shewe neither to be the catholike church nor to haue beene for many yeeres any sounde member of the catholike church The catholike church as we before rehearsed conteyneth all them that haue beleeued doe beleeue or shall heereafter beleeue in Christ Iesus to the end of the world The church of Rome conteyneth not all those that haue beleeued for in the dayes of many of them it had no beeing at all nor all them that doe beleeue nor all them that shall beleeue Therefore the church of Rome is not the catholike church The catholike church conteineth all partes both of the church triumphant and militant The churche of Rome conteyneth no parte of the church triumphant nor all partes of the churche militant Therefore the church of Rome is not the catholicke church Within the catholike church Christ was borne and of a blessed member of the catholike church Christ was not borne in the church of Rome nor of any member of the church of Rome Therfore the church of Rome is not the catholike church The catholike church alloweth not the adoration or deuine worshipping of any creature The churche of Rome alloweth the adoration and deuine worshipping of creatures Therefore the church of Rome is not the catholicke church The maior is the expresse sentence of S. Aug in his 2. booke de moribus ecclesiae cath cap. 30. it is also the expresse doctrine of Christ in the 4. of Mathew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Him onely thou shalt worship And of the Angell in the 19. of the Reuelat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Before God shalt thou fall downe The minor is proued by the Nicene councel which teacheth that the image of the Trinity and the crosse are to be adored worshipped with the same kinde of adoration and worship that the trinitye Christ himselfe are to be worshipped with and by Thomas of Aquine an approued Doctor of the Romain church in his third booke of sentences the second distinction by Nauclautus Clugiensis whose words are these Non solum fatendum est fideles in Ecclesia adorare coram imaginibus vt nonnulli ad cautelam forte loquūtur sed adorare imaginem sine quo volueris scrupulo quin eo illā venerari cultu quo Prototipon eius It is not onely to be yeelded vnto that the faithfull in the church do worship before images as some happely speak for a cautell
cheefe instrument in persecuting the members of the church those that haue the testimony of Iesus And to that end aduanceth his power throne and authoritie in this wicked world 3 And I sawe one of his heades as it were wounded to death and his deadly wounde was healed and all the world wondred at the beast These heades seeme vnto me to haue three significations two of them are laide downe by the Angell in the seauentienth chapter where they are expounded to bee mountaynes or hilles as heretofore we haue taken them and also kings or gouernors as hereafter we shall shewe them But in this place it semeth to bee taken neither for the one nor for the other but for a chiefe and principal parte of the estat euen for Roome and Italy it selfe Which aswell by the ciuill warres of Caesar and Pompey Augustus and Anthony as by the loose and execrable gouernments of Claudius Tiberius Caius Caligula Claudius the brother of Germanicus Nero the sonne of Domitius and Aulus Vitellius was as it were wounded and that most greeuously Which in the time of Flauius Vespasianus Titus Nerua Traiane and the Emperours succeding it recouered whereby the deadlye wound was healed And all the world wondred at the beast Such was the might and maiestie the force and fortune of the Romaine Empire that all men wondred and maruailed at it had it in admiration regarde and reuerence as an estate most happye sacred and in a manner diuine 4 And they worshipped the Dragon which gaue power vnto the beast and they worshipped the beast saying VVho is like vnto the beaste VVho is able to make warre with him By reason of the false religions and Idolatries of the Romaine Empire the Dragon that is to saye the Deuill was worshipped And by reason of the might and puissance of the forsaid estate it was of al nations feared and honored insomuch as they thought that none other was like vnto it nor any able to make warre against it 5 And there was giuen vnto him a mouthe that spake great things and blasphemies and power was giuen vnto him to doe 42. moneths The pride and blasphemye of the Romaine Emperors wee haue somewhat declared before The time of their persecuting power heere expressed by two and forty months is the same that in the former chapter is resolued and a thousand two hundred threescore daies which gathered into sabbaoths of yeares after the account of Daniell contayneth the whole time of the primitiue persecution from the first of Herod to the last of Licinius the particularities of their pride and blasphemies as to be called Gods to haue their images placed in temples and to haue diuine rites ceremonies done there in their honor The histories of their times doe disclose the sundry persecutions in great crueltye by them and their authority executed against the professors of the truth the Ecclesiasticall histories doe mention at large Whereby the interpretation of this place and of the verses following is very cleare and manifest 6 And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heauen The blasphemous speeches and actions of the Romaine Empire being corrupted with all kinde of Idolatry and impietie was bent first against the name of God secondly against his tabernacle thirdly against them that dwell in heauen Against the name of God that is to say against the essence maiestye worde and wisedome of God Whereas in steade of the creator they honored creatures in steade of one true God they serued many false Idols and adored them in corporall rites and ceremonies in steade of him that was to be worshipped in spirit and truth against his tabernacle that is to say his church for of the church it is spoken beholde the tabernacle of God is with men and he will dwel with them and they shalle his people and God himself shalbe their God with them Against them that dwell in heauen that is to say against the members of the Church for that wee are no more forrenners and strangers but citizens wtih the Saintes and of the houshould of God And therefore may be well termed dwellers in heauen For that as the Apostle saieth in the Epistle to the Hebrewes In that we are members of the misticall bodie of Christ we are come to the mount Sion and to the Citie of the liuing God the caelestiall Hierusalem and to the companie of innumerable Angels and to the congregation of the first borne which are written in heauen And to God the iudge of all and to the Spirites of iust and perfect men and to Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament to the bloud of sprinkling that speaketh better thinges then that of Abel Wherefore as in the former chapter the Dragon that is to saye the Diuell persecuted first the man childe that is Christ Iesus Then the woman clothed with the Sunne which is the Church And lastlie the remnant of her seede which keepe the commaundementes of God and haue the testimonie of Iesus that is to saye the members of the church So this principall instrument of the Deuill the Romaine Idolatrous Empire blasphemeth gainsayeth and persecuteth first the name of God that is his worde and wisedome Christ Iesus Secondlie his tabernacle that is his church Thirdly those that dwell in heauen that is to say the faithfull that are the members and seede of the church 7 And it was giuē vnto him to make war with the saints and to ouercome them and power was giuen him ouer euerie kindred and tongue and nation They that before were tearmed dwellers in heauen are heere tearmed sainctes against whome this Romaine Empire hath made warre raysed persecution and preuailed in all cruell tormentes and rigorous kindes of death that not in one contrie or prouince alone but throughout all the worlde for the authoritie therof and power did reach in effect ouer euery kindred and tongue and nation 8 Therefore all that dwell vppon the earth shall woorshippe him whose names are not written in the booke of life of the lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the worlde Such therefore as are not the elect of God whose eyes are not illumined with his heauenly light and whose mindes are not sanctified with his holy spirit whereby they may discerne trueth from falsehoode but are whollie led with earthly conceites worldly considerations and terrestriall appetites and therin doe as it were dwel and inhabite vnwilling any way to be weaned from it They shall worshippe obey reuerence and followe in all Idolatrie and naughtinesse this Romaine Empire iudging it to bee the best way for their saftie benefit and aduauncement although in truth it worke their ruyne ouerthrowe and euerlasting destruction 9 If any man haue an eare let him heare if any leade into captiuitie he shall goe into captiuitie if any kill with a sworde he must be killed by a sworde Here is the patience and
Boniface the eight both before recited it may make some demonstration of the power and authoritye of the Popedome in those dayes And he caused the earth and those that dwell there to worshippe that first beast whose deadly wounde was healed In the thirde verse of this Chapter it was declared that one of the heads of the Romaine Empire was as it were wounded to death But his deadlye wound was healed We there expound that head to be Rome and Italie it selfe so that the sense of this place is that the Popes shall cause the inhabitantes of the earth to haue in great account honor and reputation Italie and Rome which are that beast and head whose deadlye wound was healed and such estimation brought they it vnto that the simpler sorte worshipped it as the chaire of Peter as the rocke and bulwarke of christian religion and as the inuincible fortresse of the faith the wiser and discreeter feared it as a place of no lesse perrill then power and as the lyons denne which moued Rodolfe a very notable Emperour liuing about the yeare of our Lord 1282. vnto such as asked him the cause why he would not into Italie to yeeld this answere that the lyon vpon a time had inuited all kindes of beastes to come vnto him which when they came at the hower appointed to the mountain where the lion dwelled The fox wiser then the rest finding no tracke of anyes returne drewe backe alleaging a reason thus recited by Horace Quia me vestigia terrent Omnia te aduersum spectantia nulla retrorsum 13 And he did great wonders so that he made fire to come downe from heauen on the earth in the sight of men In the sight of men that is in the opinion Iudgment and conceit of men hee made fire to come downe from heauen that is to come out from the church vpon the earth that is vpon the wicked vpon the obstinate vpon the accursed and reprobate this fire was the flame and thunderboultes of their excommunications which in the opinion of men was wonderful and terrible and blasted them and made them accursed vpō whom it lighted But it was not so in deede it onely appeared so in the sight of men that is in the corrupt iudgement of the ignorant for the excommunications papall were no lawfull censures of the church but were the vnlawfull and tyrannous proceedings of an vsurped power and here it is good to note in that there is mention made of heauen and of earth that in the course of these prophesies as the earth is opposite vnto heauen it is taken in the worse parte as the earth is opposite vnto the sea it is taken in the better parte as the earth and the sea are opposite to the heauens both are taken in ill part But to returne to the Papall excommunications so wonderfull were they in operation that by them Leo the Emperour by Gregorie the second was cut off both from the tribute and from the obedience due vnto him in Italie His subiectes there were made to rebel against him two of his exarchats were slaine and the thirde had his eyes pulled out The king of Lumbards seased vpon much of the Emperours territories and Rome and the Romaine Dukedome were seased vpon by the Pope By this fyre also Henry the third a most honorable personage and Emperour of very great wisedome corage and industry was vtterly consumed ouerthrown by Gregory the seuenth by force of the same flame Alexander the third made Fredericke the Emperour to come to the city of Venice to aske him forgiuenes to kisse his feete to hold his stirope and to do him seruice obeisance the sparkes of this fyre were interdiction suspention inhibition relaxation of subiects from their othes of alleageance dispensation with othes and such like the coales that were hereby kindled were vprores tumultes disloialties conspiracies rebellions seditions and turbulent commotions For in sighte of men these appeared to be fyres from heauen that is to be the censures of the church which euery man thought himselfe bound vpon paine of damnation to yeelde vnto and obey whereas in truth they proceeded from the fyre brands of hell Who by these practises weakened wasted and consumed the states of Christendome and aduaunced themselues to the type of all earthly honor 14 And deceaued them that dwelt vpon the earth by the signes which were permitted him to doo in the syght of the beast saying to them that dwell on the earth that they shoulde make the Image of the beast which had the wounde of a sworde and did liue These signes of their power and authoritye which God permitted them to shewe euen in the face feeling of the Emperours deceiued no doubt them that dwelt on the earth and wrought in them this perswasion that the power that coulde bringe such wonderfull thinges to passe was sacred heauenly and altogether diuine and hauing gained this authoritie and reputation with the inhabitants of the earth they willed an Image of the beast to be made which had the wound of a sworde and did liue The beast as is before declared is the Empire of Rome The Image that is made to represent it is the church of Rome where in wee are to consider the dignitye authoritye religion lawes and proceedings howe proportionably they are framed and fashioned to the portrature and Image of the olde Romaine Empire for the firste and second the principall instrument and pencill wherby the Popes painted this Image was the false and forged donation of Constantine wherein they faigne imagine and beare the worlde in hande that the Emperour hath decreed that as his earthly power imperiall so the holy sacred Romaine Church shall reuerently be honored and that the most sacred seate of Peter shall bee gloriously exalted more then the Empire and earthly throne yelding vnto it power and dignity of glory and also vigour and honorificence imperiall and againe that to blessed Syluester chiefe Bishoppe and vniuersall Pope of the City of Rome and to all Bishoppes his successours which shall sit to the ende of the world in the seate of blessed Peter he presently together giueth his palace of Lateran appertayninge to his Empire and also his diademe that is to saye the crowne that belongeth to his head and his white miter called Prigium with the coller that commeth ouer his shoulders and compasseth his imperiall necke and withall his purple cloake and scarlet roabe and all other his imperiall indumentes yea and the dignitye of hauing imperiall presidentes and maisters of horse bestowing also vpon him the imperiall Scepter together with all the ensignes bands and sundrye ornaments imperiall and all kinde of proceeding of the imperiall celsitude and glorie of his power and that the moste reuerent men they of the cleargye seruing the same holye sacred Romaine church in sundrye degrees shall enioye the same celsitude and heyght of honour in singularitye power and excellencye with the glorie wherof the moste honourable
Senate seemeth to bee adorned that is they shall bee made counsellers and consulles and shall farther be decored with all other dignities imperiall and that as the imperiall warfare is decked so also the cleargie of the holy Romaine church shall be adorned and that as the imperiall poysance is garnished with diuers offices of chamberlaines of porters of watchmen and garders so the holye Romaine church shall likewise bee beautified and that the pontificall brightnesse maye shinne most amplye and largelye hee doth ordaine that the houses of the cleargye of the holye Romayne church shall bee garnished with skarfes and with lawnes that is of bright white and that they shall so ryde And that as the Senate doth vse showes with drawynges out that is to say decked with fyne whyte lynnen so the cleargy in lyke sort may vse And farther decreeth that Syluester and his successors shall vse the diademe that is to saye the Crowne of moste pure golde and precious stones which from his head he had graunted vnto him And for that the sayde moste blessed Pope was vnwyllyng vppon the Crowne of his Priesthoode which he weare to the glorye of Sainct Peter to vse that crowne of golde hee had put a miter shynynge with whyte bryghtnesse with his owne handes vppon his head ordayning that euerye one of the Popes successours in particular shall vse the same miter In their proceedinges to the imitation of the Empire which is all one as if hee had sayde as an Image of the Empire this I finde in effecte worde for worde in the Popes decrees collected certayne hundred yeares synce by Gratian and now lately with prefaces and priuileges recommended to the world by Pope Gregorie the thirtenth and printed in Paris the yeare of our Lord 1582. although this donation bee a very falsehood and forgerie in the opinions iudgements of sundry wise and learned men as Cardinall Cusanus Hieronimus Paulus Otho Frisingensis Krantzius Platina Laurentius Valla Carolus Molinaeus Andreas Alceatus and others Yet is it apparant to the eye that sith from the stampe of the Romayne cleargye this counterfecte did proceede they had hereby a good desire to make their Romayne Church an Image and representation of the olde Romayne Empire which is the beast that had the wounde of a sworde and did liue neither did they onelye endeuour to resemble it in dignitie authoritye and ceremonies of honor and maiestie but also in forme and manner of religion which is not vnknowne in the olde Romaine Empire to haue consisted in the multiplicitye of goddes they hauing a god for euerye countrie for euerye prouince for euery Citye for euery place and for euery thing and for these they had alters and Idols and sacrifices and oblations and ceremonies in theyr honour This the Romayne church represented in the multiplicitye of sainctes they hauing a sainct for euery countrie for euerye prouince for euery parishe for euerye place and for euerye thing and for these they had churches and Images and offeringes and prayers and kneelinges and what soeuer establisheth a diuine adoration Hence it was that they turned the temple of Pantheon to the church of all Sainctes Diana to our Ladie Mars into sainct George Aesculapius to S. Roche Romulus and Remus to Peter Paule and euery other god of the Romayne Empire to some other Sainct of the Romayne church Lastlye touching the lawes and manner of gouernment there is a verye great representation betweene the one the other the forme of the pollicy of the romaine empire seemed at the first sight to be an Arastocracie by reason of the autoritie of the Senate but in trueth was a most absolute monarchie by reason of the supreme power of the Emperours The forme of the policy of the Romaine church seemeth likewise to be an aristocracie by reason of the authoritie both of the Cardinals and councels but in verie deed it is a most absolute monarchie by reason of the most high and circumspect power of the Popes The lawes Imperiall by the which the Romaine Empire endeuoured to appease the controuersie that happened amongst men may appeare by the pandectes collected by Tri-bonian by the code of Iustinian and by the bookes called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The lawes Papall by the which the Romaine church proceeded likewise to ende variaunces may be seene in the decretall Epistles writen to the verie likenesse and similitude of the Emperiall rescriptes being an Imitation repetition rehearsall and representation of the selfe same lawes that bare swaye in the Romaine Empire and so confessed by the Canonistes themselues If any will wade farther in the consideration hereof let them reade the collections of Iohannes Berthaclinus firmanus called his repertorie which treateth in seuerall great volumes of an infinite number of things wherein the lawes Ciuill and Canon doe accorde And although in his second to me there be inserted the collection of one Gwalnanus vnder the worde differentia touching the differences in diuers pointes betweene the Ciuill law and the Canon Yet are they so fewe in number in respect of the rest that they are nothing in comparison and such also as differ rather in matter of circumstance then of substaunce and some of them such sort of differences as may very well be betweene a body and his Image As for example the last difference sauing one by him is noted thus Secundum ius Ciuile in libello accusatorio ponuntur nomina Imperatoris consulum secundum ius Canonicum loco illorum ponuntur nomina Papae Episcopi 2.9.4 lib. ibi no. gl 1. per Archi. According to the Ciuill lawe in a libell of accusation the names are put of the Emperor and of the Consuls according to the Canon law in stead of thē the names are put of the Pope of the byshop 15 And it was permitted him to giue a spirite vnto the Image of the beast so that the Image of the beast should speake and should cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the beast should be killed Euery bodie Politique and euerie state that is established to continue amongest men liue by their lawes and constitutions Insomuch that lawes are rightly tearmed the life of the common wealth And in al well ordered common wealthes these lawes are made and ordained by the assent of the most parte of the inhabitants and members of the same For as in the naturall bodie of lyuing creatures out of an harmonie and consent of euerie part and member there resulteth a certaine vitall spirite and vigor that giueth life and motion to the whole bodie and so long continueth the same in good health and estate as it enioyeth free and vninterrupted passage into euerie part and member thereof So in the bodie politicke of common wealthes and estates out of a consent and agreement of the partes and members therof there are produced lawes and ordinances which giue life and strength vnto the common wealth and so long continue
to the interpretation of this thirtenth chapter onelye adding this much that Paulus tertius in whose name this accompt and number is contained was a man euen in his owne time charged with extortion sacriledge with adulterie and incest with murther and parricide with negromancie and coniuration The particularities whereof are plainely expressed in the xxi booke of Sleidans commentaries towardes the ende of the yeare 1549. whereby hee seemeth a man not vnmeete in whose name this misticall number and periode of Papall prosperitye should be accomplished As for the meanes of the Popedomes farther fall and finally of the vtter subuersion thereof the next chapter which is the fourtenth will most manifestlye laye it open vnto vs. CHAP. 14. 1 Then I looked and lo a lambe stoode on mount Sion and with him an hundreth fortie and foure thousand hauing his fathers name written on their foreheads 2 And I heard a voyce from heauen as the sounde of manye waters and as the sounde of a great thunder and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harpes 3 And they sung as it were a newe song before the throne and before the foure beastes and the elders and no man could learne that song but the hundreth forty foure thousand which were bought from the earth 4 These are they which are not defiled with women for they are virgins these follow the lambe whether so euer he goeth these are bought from men being the first fruites vnto God and vnto the lambe 5 And in their mouthes was found no guyle for they are without spot before the throne of God 6 Then I saw an other Angell flye in the middest of heauen hauing an euerlasting Gospell to preach vnto them that dwell on the earth and to euery nation and kinred tongue and people 7 Saying with a loude voyce feare God and giue glorie to him for the houre of his iudgements is come and worship him that made heauen and the earth and the sea and the fountaines of waters 8 And there followed an other Angel saying it is fallen it is fallen Babylon the great City for shee made all nations to drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornication 9 And the third Angell followed them saying with a loude voyce if any man worship the beast and his Image and receaue his marke in his forehead or on his hand 10 The same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God yea of the pure wine which is poured into the cuppe of his wrath and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the lambe 11 And the smoke of their torment shall ascend euermore and they shall haue no rest day nor night which worship the beast and his Image and whosoeuer receaueth the print of his name 12 Here is the patience of Sainctes here are they that keepe the Commandements of God and the faith of Iesus 13 Then I heard a voyce from heauen saying vnto me write Blessed are the dead which hereafter dye in the Lord Euen so saith the spirite for they rest from their labours their workes follow them 14 And I looked and behold a white cloud vpon the cloude one sitting like vnto the sonne of man hauing on his head a golden crowne and in his hand a sharpe sickle 15 And another Angell came out of the temple crying with a loud voyce to him that sat on the Cloude thrust in thy sickle and reape for the time is come to reape for the haruest of the earth is ripe 16 And he that sate on the Cloude thrust in his sickle on the earth and the earth was reaped 17 Then another Angell came out of the Temple which is in heauen hauing also a sharpe sickle 18 And another angel came out frō the altar which had power ouer fire cryed with a loude crie to him that had the sharpe sickle said thrust in thy sharpe sickle gather the clusters of the vineyarde of the earth for her grapes are ripe 19 And the angel thrust in his sharpe sickle on the earth cut downe the vines of the vineyard of earth and cast them into the great winepresse of the wrath of God 20 And the winepresse was troden without the citie and bloud came out of the winepresse vnto the horse bridles by the space of a thousand sixe hundred furlonges O Thou lambe of God that takest away the sinnes of the world thou lamb that standest on mount Sion in the heauenly Ierusalem the Church triumphant with an hundred forty and foure thousand twelue times twelue thousand hauing thy fathers name written in their foreheads euen with all thy faithfull and elect whom thou hast taken out of the miserie of this world out of error and ignorance and especiallye those whom thou hast deliuered out of the thraldome and oppression of the olde Romaine empire and the Image thereof the new Romaine Church and hast blessed with thy Fathers name with eternall glorye and felicitye whom with thy precious bloud thou hast bought from the earth from sinne and corruption and hast so endued with thy spirite and grace that they were not defiled with women with the errors and superstitions of particular churches but kept the virginitye of their doctryne and fayth within thy catholycke church pure and sincere and haste aduaunced to euerlastyng blisse and made the fyrste fruites vnto GOD faythfull and spotlesse before the throne of his Maiestye wee yeelde thee moste humble hartye and duetifull thankes that it hath pleased thee to send thy messengers ministers and preachers into the militant church to preach publish thy euerlasting Gospell which the might mistes of Babylon had longe Concealed and obscured vnto them that dwell on the earth and to euery nation and kinred and tongue and people teaching vs to feare God and geue glory vnto him and not to feare the power and might of Antichrist nor his fyerce and furious thunderboltes of curses and excommunications nor to glorify and magnifie that man of sinne and childe of perdition but to glorifye God the honour of whose iudgement is come to consume the kingdome of Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and to worship thy heauenly father and thee his eternall worde and wisedome which hast made heauen and earth and the sea and the fountaynes of waters and not to worshippe stockes and stones Images and Idols the babes and abhominations of Babylon We yeeld the also most humble and feruent thankes that with this thy heauenlye doctrine and spirite of thy mouth thou hast ouerthrowne the towres of Babell the might and maiestye of the Romish Sinagoge that wee maye truelye and reioycinglye say It is fallen it is fallen Babylon the great Cittie that made all nations drunken with Idolatrye and superstition euen with the name of her false doctrine wherin God in his wrath suffered her to solace her selfe and to commit idolatrie which is spirituall fornication We beseech thee