the Parisian French King or Charles our Kentish English Innocentius 3 Extra de Excessu Prâ—lat Soveraigne Nay it is the saying of the Pope Articulos solvit Synodumque facit generaleÌ„ thatis the Pope hath power to call a generall Councill and to disanul every particular Article Thus farre hee fareth for the opposing of the old Creed then for the composing of a new Though some affrighted with the absurd audacity of this assertion doe seeme to mince it yet the whole Church of Rome concur in the conclusion The Pope hath power Edendi novum Aquin. 22 â— â— artic 10. Symbolum saith Aquine to publish a new Creed Condendi to compose a Creed writeth Vigâ—erius Ordinandi novum Symbolum to ordaine or authorise a new Creed quoth Gabriel Biel. Finally what these and other Papists have avouched in words Pope Pius the fourth maketh good de facto in deed by whose authority the Trent Creed is published with Pij 4. Bulla annâ— 1564. twelve articles also as a parallell to the Apostles Creed and urged with as authenticall injunction First to beleeve the doctrine of traditions 2 The authority of the Church of Rome to expound the Scriptures 3 that there are seven Sacraments 4 all the points concerning originall sinne and justification as they are defined by the Councill of Trent 5 The Masse and that it is offered a propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead 6 Transubstantiation and that the Lords Supper is to be received but in one kind 7 Purgatory and prayer for the dead 8 Invocation or praying to the dead as also worshipping of Saints and their Relâ—ques 9 The adoration of Images 10 Indulgences 11 The Popes Supremacy namely that the Romane is the mother mistres mater magistra of all Churches and that the Pope is Peters successour and Christs Vicar and finally to beleeve all the definitions of all Oecumenicall Councills but especially of their last of that of Trent And that these are the Catholike faith extra quam nemo salvus esse potest which except a man do beleeve he cannot be saved The subscription running as peremptorily as if they were the very Dictates of the Apostles or of Christ himselfe Profiâ—â—or spondeo voveo juro that is I professe I doe beleeve promise vow and sweare that I will obey all these Articles of the Catholike faith This man therefore who contradicteth old Lawes maketh new Lawes and breaketh all lawe I thinke I may lawfully call him lawlesse and conclude him to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The very Antichrist Thus these lawes of God both of constraint and consent both Scripture and the Creed are infringed by this man of sinne without impediment with like facility doth this hornet break through those cobwebs humane lawes be they oecumenicall for all nations or oeconomicall for all families Those lawes of nations are of two sorts when faith is either contracted betwixt equals by an oath or exacted from inferiours by Allegiance Each way is no way to bind the Pope who is everie way boundlesse and lawlesse The law of oathes is so generall amongst nations as that all nations observe them as most sacred and inviolable in so much that Pagans would not infringe them Regulus would be rather tortured than perjured though he could have escaped by breach of oath It was Aristotles saying that he who did double in his oath for that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to sweare with a mentall addition Arist Rhetor. 18. ad Alex. hath neither feare of Gods vengeance nor shame of mans reproofe and Dionysius in Plutarch was condemned by all whose saying was that children were to be mocked with toyes and men with oathes Surely it shall be easier for those Pagans at that day then for some Christians Some Christians said Matchiavell make oaths Matchiav Hist Flor. lib. 3. obligations not equall to profit they use oaths not to observe them but rather to deceive those that put their trust in them And I take it that no one thing hath done such harme and brought such shame to Chriâ—â—â—â—dome as this particular Simancha teacheth very solemnely Simancha Inâ—â—it Cath. cap 4. art 14. edit Hiss Fides data haereticis non est servanda nec a privato nec a magistratibus quod exemplo Concilij Constantiensis probatur Nam Iohannes Huss Hieromus legitima slamma concremati sunt quamvis permissa illis securitas est Promises quoth he are not to bee kept with Heretikes neither by private men nor yet by publike Magistrates He proveth it by a precedent froÌ„ the Councill of Constance by whom Iohn Husse and Ierome of Prage were legally burned although from theÌ„ they had received a safe conduct Trâ—nt Hist lib. 1. And the same had beene practised on Luther also at the Diet of Wormes in the yeare 1521 had not the noble disposition of Charles 5 the Emperor and the plaine opposition of Lewis the noble Elector Palatine preserved him Finally Becanus doth avouch Perjury by a maxime juramentum non est vinculum iniquitatis that is an oath is no obligation of iniquity iniquitie he esteemeth it for a Papist to performe his promise to an Heretike or a Protestant although hee sealed it by swearing an oath which all sober men suppose to bee the surest and most solemne obligation of all others yet of all others the Popes themselves are the most remarkeble patternes and patrons of perjurie About the yeare 1080 Rodolphus duke of Saxony instigated by Pope Hildebrand or Gregory 7 to rebell against Henry 3 the Emperor joyned battell with him wherein having his soldâ—â—â—s cut in peeces and his hand Pless myster Opposit 40. cut off Loe said he to his friends and followers with this hand I plighted my troth to my Leige Lord Henry but the Popes authority importunity urged me to the breach of that oath and now in the same hand I have received my deaths wound and so be dyed On the two and twentieth of May 1526 Trent Hist lib. 1. there was a confederacy betwixt Pope Clemens 7 Francis 1 of France and the Princes of Relation of the Religion in the West Sect. 15. Italy against Charles 5 the Emperor under the name of the most Holy League wherein the King was absolved from his Oath taken in Trent Hist lib. 5. Spaine And some thinke the Pope had promised the King to dispence with that Oath before hee made it vpon the hope whereof hee also tooke it Anno 1556 Paulus 4 by Cardinall Caraffa perswaded Henry 2 of France to breake his league and oath made with Spaine though the Princes of the Blood and the Grandies of that Kingdome abhorred the infamie of oath-breaking yet he received absolution from the Pope and such an overthrow from the Spaniard at Saint Quintin that it made his whole Kingdome to tremble and totter Instances are infinite I will adde onely two one most remarkable the other most miserable The first
therefore I conceive neither reason nor authority why any man should make a particular of that which Saint Paul doth propose as a generall The conclusion therfore is plain and true The Apostle doth here describe the adhaerents of Antichrist non a natione sed conditione ipsorum Doun part 2. Dem. 6. not from their Region but from their Religion Antichrist shall prevaile on such as receive not the love of the trueth Now whether these men be Iewes or Christians it skilleth not Having cut off this cavill I come to the naturall exposition The Object of Antichrists prevailing power is here foretold to bee men who will not receive the love of the trueth Of the Truth I may distinguish as the Greekes doe of the Word there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Veritas Christi Veritas Christus the truth written and the Trueth begotten the first Matth. 22. 16. thou teachest the way of GOD 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in trueth the second Iohn 14. 16. I am 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Truth Christ did the former Doctrinally and he was the latter Essentiallie The Text speaketh of both but of the first properly and primarily it being most convenient thereunto For the fallacy is a deceiveablenesse of unrighteousnesse that is false doctrine Therefore the Apostasie is from the true Doctrine or the trueth taught us in the Gospell By the truth then here we are to understaÌ„d the Gospell The Gospell is termed the trueth for three causes from the infallibility use and efficacy thereof First each syllable is true and shall come to passe Math. 5. 18. Secondly it maketh a man true and absolute in the knowledge and practise of Holinesse 2 Tim. 3. 16. Thirdly the Gospell is veritas magna praevalebit the Gospell is that trueth which above all things beareth away the victory The Gospell is a true sword to cut downe all errour and transgression Heb. 4. 12. Marke moreover it is the obseruation of our blessed Bishop Iewell marke hee doth not say Because they receive not the trueth but because they receive not the Love of the trueth therfore God sendeth theÌ„ strong delusions Of which sinne and punishment wee have an example and withall a wonderfull resemblance of the Roman Church in the persons of Hophnie and Phineas 1 Sam. 2. It is said in the twelfth verse They knew not the Lord. Now that they did know the Lord and his Will it is evident first from their Vocation in the thirteenth verse they were Priests and therefore their Lips did preserve knowledge Secondly from their Information both by the people in the sixteenth verse and also by their Father who verse 24 said Nay my sonnes for this is no good report that I heare The meaning then is they did not love the Lord which is all one as if they had not knowne him Adde to these three other remarkeable observations First their Sinne Whoredome verse 22. Secondly the cause of their continuing therin they made themselves fat with the offerings of the people verse 24. And the punishment which was twofold They would not hearken because the Lord would slay them in the same verse The parallell whereof wee may perceive in the Papacy punctually in all particulars The Church of Rome cannot be said not to know God it appeareth from their Vocation they have a Priesthood and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the holy Word Rom. 3. of God and learning labour and languages to peruse them Wee cannot say therefore They doe not know God but alas which is far worse They doe not love God To know him they have information sufficient from the Fathers most of their opinions have little some of their opions having no mention made of them in those ancient Writers from their owne fathers divers of the Bishops of Trent relenting but the Pope did controule them Finally they have had information from our Father I doubt not but God doth check the consciences of many of their learned that they see the trueth but doe not receive the love thereof Their sinne also is whoredome spirituall whoredome their See Babylon spirituall Babylon and the Mother of Fornication Their cause of continuing therein They make themselves fat with the offerings of the people they swimme in worldly wealth and honour The same Punishment they may feare shall feele Hophni Phineas did not hearken because the Lord would slay them And my Text telleth us that those who receive not the love of the trueth God will send theÌ„ strong delusion that they may be daÌ„ned Now that the Church of Rome doth not receive the love of the Gospell though they have the Gospell I thus demoÌ„strate it Because they use the Gospell either onely or principally for their owne turnes They have Gods Covenant in their mouths but hate to be reformed Quia superbi Ps 30. 16. 17. sunt nec noverunt Moysis sententiam sed amant suam non quia vera est sed quia sua est saith Saint Augustine They are surly and selfe-conceited and receive not the judgement of the Gospell but the judgement of the Church of Rome they love the Romish opinion not because it is the true opinioÌ„ but because it is the Romish opinion Those words of the men in Matth. 26. 73. St. Matth. to St. Peter may be aptly applyed to this purpose Certainly thou art one of them for thy speech bewrayeth thee Herein the Bishop of Rome is Saint Petâ—rs Successor Certainly they are those who use the Gospell to their owne turnes for their speech doth bewray them although they sweare and curse that they doe it not Thus they speake Docet spiritus sanctus omnes modo ordinato Suarez Apol. lib. 1. cap. 11. num 8. communem scilicet plebem per Doctores ipsos autem Doctores per Concilia maxime per Vicarium Christi The Holy Ghost saith Suarez doth teach all but in an ordinary maner to wit the common people by the Doctors and the Doctors themselves he doth teach by Councils but principally by the Vicar of Christ Pontifex potest Bell. de Pont. Rom. lib. 3. c. 14 moderari praecepta Apostolorum prout Ecclesiae expedicrit Bellarmine saith the Pope can moderate the Precepts of the Apostles as shall seeme expedient for the Church Scripturas recipio secundum sensum Ecclesiae it is the second Article of their second Creed established by their Councill of Trent that they receive the Scriptures indeed but as the Church shall expound them Their words are plaine enough containing a plaine injury against man and as plaine an indignitie against God First they and wee contend Who hath the trueth The Iudge Wee call for the Scriptures peradventure they will permit them But with this proviso Prout Ecclesiae expedierit prout Ecclesia exposuerit The Scripture shall be Iudge betwixt the Reformed and the Church of Rome But As the Church of Rome shall bee pleased to expound it Let any impartial man judge
popular favour did attempt to excommunicate the Emperours Now their Rebellion was growne to some head and maturity About eight hundred yeares after Christ Pope Leo the third did create Charles the most potent Prince of Europe Emperour of the West yet with this politike and profitable proviso That the whole Romane Territory should be rendred to the possession of the Romane Bishop Finally in the eleventh Century Hildebrand commonly called Gregory 7. annexed the Temporall unto the Popes Spirituall Monarchy We need not therefore be dainty to propose our conclusion in their owne words Pontifices deficisse ab Imperatoribus Bell. de Imag. lib. 2. cap. 15. It is notorious that the Romane Bishops have falne away from the Romane Emperours Thus have the Popes performed the first Apostasie The second their Ecclesiasticall falling away from the Faith is yet more plaine This disputation were ended if S. Paul himselfe might be permitted to be the Moderator Here St. Paul doth say there shall be a falling away it is demanded what manner of falling away St. Paul himselfe doth answer in the latter times Espens in 1 Tim. 4. 1. Anselm in 1 Tim 41. some shall fall from the faith 1 Tim. 4. 1. But from what points of faith is the second enquiry S. Paul himselfe againe doth name those very points 1 Tim. 4. 3. They shall forbid to marrie and command to abstaine from meats Their Perertus doth assent to one of these Antichristus Perer. in Dan. cap 14. c. ut sertur ut plurimos decipiat simulabit castitatâ—m it is the common opinion that Antichrist may deceive the common people he shall therefore pretend Chastity And our Ignatius applyeth both and driveth the naile Ignâ—t ad Philadelph home to the head He shall call mariage pollutions or meats abominable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such an one is possessed by the Apostaticall Serpent Now for one Thiefe to appeach another it doth not cleare the Accuser to be guiltlesse The Papists cannot excuse themselves by accusing Marcion and Montanus guilty of the same Apostasie But it is as cleare as the Sunne The Pope doth forbid meats and mariage Therefore The Pope is falne from the faith The Pope is falne from the faith Therefore The falling away is in him The falling away is Therefore Antichrist is come Finally for the figurative falling away the Pope is ipse Apostata Refuga the Head and Author of this falling from faith I omit infinit particulars and insist in three onely Adoration of Images against the second Commandement Invocation in an unknowne tongue contrary to the fourteenth Chapter of the first Epistle of S. Paul to the Corinthians and Mediation through and Salvation by the Virgin Mary I wonder there can be men so blinde that doe not see or rather that will not see how grossely they have fallen from the Primitive faith But yet more grossely have they fallen away in one point by the conclusion of two of their Councils Licet Christus instituerit Concil Constant Sess 13. Concil Trident. Sess 21. c. 1. c. Although Christ did institute the Sacrament to be administred in both kindes yet it seemed good to their Church to injoyne the administration thereof in one kinde and to pronounce an Anathema against any Christian who shall affirme it necessary to be received in both kindes as Christ himselfe did institute Concil Trident. Sess 21. Can. 1. and administer it Now that Church that doth professe they have falne from Christ in one point and doth practise palpable Apostasie in many we may call that Church Apostata the Head of this falling away To close up this point with that Iewell on Iuel in 2 Thess 2. 13. this place Their Church is increased in outward glory decreased in the inward truth they have the Chest lost the Treasure They were Bethel the House of God they are Bethaven the house of vanity O Roma a Roma quantum mutata vetustaes Nunc caput es sceleris quae caput Orbis eras How much is Rome altered from it selfe It was the prime Church for verity it is the prime Church for heresie It is Apostata the very head of this falling away Now concerning the Time when this falling away was I will absolve that point when I come to speak of the second part Antichrist revealed Here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will onely glaunce at that question About sixe hundred yeares after Christ it was performed by Mahomet openly and at the same time wrought by Rome cunningly and secretly It was begunne by all Heretickes preparatively from the very Apostles times The mystery of iniquity doth work already saith the Apostle verse 7. But it was brought to the height and perfection thereof about fifteene hundred yeares after Christ when the world was in quiet under Pope Leo the tenth Then onely a remnant of the Waldenses and Albingenses lived in the Alpes as also the Picards Hist Trent lib. 1. pag. 3. and followers of Iohn Hus called the Calistini or Subutraqui in Bohemia Being all but a few and ignorant simple men unfit for opposition To conclude Since first the Pope is falne from the Emperour politically possessing Rome the Metropolis of the Romane Empire Secondly since Popery is falne from the first Faith forbidding meats and mariage was S. Paul himselfe did foretell Thirdly since we see that the Papacy doth injoyne worship contrary to the Primitive Faith And that they themselves confesse That they have falne from Christs institution in one point I say therefore of this Apostasie as Gregory said of Iohn the Constantinopolitane Greg. lib. 4. Epist 38. Fidenter dico I am confident in this first conclusion Rex superbiae prope est Antichrist is come for the falling away hath been long since Hereunto will I annex the assoiling of one Quaere Whether this Apostasie hath beene totall and universall I answer No In S. Ambrose Ambr. Hexam lib. 4. c. 2. his phrase Ecclesia obuâ—â—brari potest offluere non potest Religion was Eclipsed not extinguished the Church was hidden not taken away Which truth will appeare from the consideration of the contents of the Scripture and froÌ„ the consideration of the Books of the Scripture First then how could the truth be conveied unto us without new Apostles Next how could the Scriptures be derived unto us since the Church is the Pillar of the Truth and the preserver of those Oracles And M. Cartwright Cartwright in 2 Thess 2. saith well on this place If we should say that the Church could full away or cease to bee one Isay 59. 21. word of the Prophet which calleth â—â— an everlasting people were enough to confute us Other arguments may be added From a Prophesie My words shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed for ever From a Precept Goe and teach even to the end of the world
A PLAINE EXPOSITION VPON THE FIRST part of the second Chapter of Saint Paul his second Epistle to the THESSALONIANS Wherein it is plainly proved that The Pope is The Antichrist Being Lectures in Saint Pauls by IOHN SQVIRE Priest and Vicar of Saint LEONARDS Shordich Sometime Fellow of IESVS Colledge in CAMBRIDGE August Epist 89. Hilario Melius exponant ist a meliores Nam ego paratior smu discere quam docere Psalm 115. 10. Attamen ipse credidi propter quod locutus sum LONDON Printed for Philip Waterhouse and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of St. Pauls Head in Canon street neare London Stone 1630. TO THE RIGHT Honourable EDVVARD Viscount CONVVAY Lord President of his Majesties Honorable privie Counsell My most honored Lord. MY LORD THese Lectures I laboured principally to satisfie mine own conscience in this great point But understanding that some conscionable persons have received some small satisfaction by hearing them I print them And presume to present theÌ„ to your Honor to read them or some of them at your Lordships leasure That I may publish to the world how I am assured of your Honors sincere affection to the Church of England as it standeth now in opposition to the Church of Rome VVhich that it may be daily confirmed and increased in your Honour and in the rest of our Honorable English Nobilitie shall be the daily and sincere prayer of Your most unworthy yet most humble Chaplaine IOHN SQVIRE To the READER CHristian Reader Let me commend these briefes to thy Christian Charitie For this Booke If my small judgement and the eyes of many of my judicious friends have not failed me it may have some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some slips no grosse Errours For the Quotations though some may seeme perhaps to have bin alleaged judicio errante yet animo reluctante not one I may misunderstand some but I mis report not one Author by a voluntary falsification For the Author he is a thorough conformable member Minister of the Church of England And for the Scope it is for the information and salvation of thy soule and his owne soule Take the Treatise and give prayers for Thy fellow-member in Christ Iesus IOHN SQVIRE To the Papists or popishly affected I Beseech you by our Christ performe this Christian duty whereto my Practice doth invite you by a Precedent Read my Treatise As I doe and will the learnedst Authors on your side If your impartiall judgement censure it as Erronâ—ous reject it refute it But if my arguments be strong love not the name of the Church more than you doe the Truth of the Church Magna est veritas Christ grant that his Truth may prevaile on either partie Yours in the Truth IOHN SQVIRE The Contents of this Treatise SERMON 1. OBstinacy an error dangerous to salvation 6 Ministers should win their people by lenity 8 Of the Resurrection 10 Blessings bind us to be constant in Religion 14 Of Vnion 7 15 SERMON 2. The comming of Christ may not be defined 18 The authoritie of the Fathers 21 The errours of the understanding terrours to the Conscience 22 Six meanes to avoid errour 26 Three Fountaines of Errour 28 Of Enthysiasme 29 Of the use and abuse of eloquence 31 Of false quotations and corrupting Authors 32 The meanes of seducing to Popery 34 SERMON 3. The point of Antichrist may be handled 38 The name of Antichrist 43 The Fathers not the best Expositers in this point 46 The Apostasie 47 Whether the Church was ever extinguished 55 When was the Apostasie 57 Communion in both kinds 60 The Primacie 60 Image worship 61 Deposing Kings 62 The Pope above a Councill 62 Priests mariage 63 Apostates to Poperie 63 Latine Service 65 SERMON 4. Antichrist not one man 68 The man of Sinne. 76 The Pope the cause of Ignorance 83 The Pope the cause of Whoredome 85 The Pope the cause of Treason 90 The Powder Treason 94 SERMON 5. Antichrist the sonne of Perdition 97 Antichrist and Iudas parallell'd 99 Antichrist Iudas and the Pope parallell'd 101 The Pope may erre 105 Popish Persecutions passe those of the Emperours 106 Of the Inquisition 121 Rome Destroyed 135 Whether all Papists be damned 136 Popish threatnings to draw men to Popery 137 SERMON 6. Antichrist not an open Adversarie 140 The Pope doth oppose Christ 145 Fundamentally 147 Vniversally 149 Six plaine propositions where Christ is plainly opposed by the Pope 153 The Pope the worst Adversary that ever the Church had 154 SERMON 7. 〈◊〉 Temple 159 Antichrists seat 159 Not thâ—â—â—teriall Temple 159 Rome the seat of Antichrist 167 Whether Rome be a true Church 168 A Parallel betwixt Rome and Babylon 185 SERMON 8. Antichrist shall not exalt himselfe above the true God 197 The Pope doth 200 And above all that is worshipped 202 The Popes Ambition 204 The Pope doth exalt himselfe above Kings 207 Above the Emperour 216 Papists are Traitors 226 SERMON 9. Antichrist shall not sit corporally in the Temple 288 The Pope usurpeth the same power with Christ 232 The same titles 233 That he is above Councills 238 That he can make a Creed 240 The Pope is not the head of the Church 234 The King is the Head of the Church of England 235 The Pope countermands all the Commandements 244 SERMON 10. Antichrist shall not call himselfe the true God 257 The Pope doth shew himselfe to be God 259 The Pope doth shew himselfe to be God plainly 268 SERMON 11. What hindred the Revelation of Antichrist 289 The Ro Empire not to be abolished 294 It is removed ibid. Of Travellers and travelling to Rome 301 SERMON 12. The time of the Revelation of Antichrist 305 Where our Church was before Luther 326 Affected ignorance of Antichrist 328 SERMON 13. The Mystery of Iniquitie 335 Popish mysteries to advance the papacie 343 Popish mysteries to advance poperie 360 Baits to catch papâ—sts 369 Hookes to hold papâ—sts 373 SERMON 14. The Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the lawlesse person 381 In regard of Scriptures 391 Of the Creed 395 Of humane Lawes 396 Of Oaths 397 Of nationall Lawes 402 The Exemption of the Clergie 404 Of Childrens obedience 408 Of Mariages 409 Of his owne Constitutions 411 SERMON 15. The destruction of Antichrist 414 The beginning of the Reformation 416 Poperie may returne into England 417 Poperie may not be put downe by force of Armes 418 The finall destruction of the Pope uncertaine 428 Popery shall not be extinguished till the last day 432 The destruction of Rome 434 SERMON 16. Of lying miracles 440 Of Popish miracles 343 The miracle Rev. 13. 13. explained 465 Whether Papists doe any miracles 467 Whether miracles should perswade unto Poperie 470 SERMON 17. Of the Antiquity of the Church of Rome 478 Vniversalitie 478 Vnitie 478 Infallibilitie 478 Of disputations with Papists 487 The care of the Popish Church for Controversie Writers 488 Of Popish perswasions 491 Devotions
Sive Suarez Apol. lib. 5. 6. 17. nu 7. vere sive falso sive metaphorice be he a true false or metaphoricall god such as Princes are said to be saith Suarez 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supra omne quod colitur sive superstitiose sive religiose either religiously or superstitiously saith the same Suarez 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Verbum extollendi Suarez Apol. lib. 5. c. 17. nu 11 significat excessum arrogantiam usurpationem by exalting is meant an excessive arrogant usurpation over God and all things belonging to God According unto which our English Rhemists seeme to state the question and controversie Rhemists in 2 Thess 2. 4. Sect. 11. betwixt us Who exalteth himselfe above all that is called God or that is worshipped That is Antichrist shall abolish all religion of the Iewes Gentiles and Christians and shall suffer none no not God but himselfe to bee worshipped alone A most grossely absurd exposition as it may be made manifest foure wayes First it contradicteth reason in reason if a seducer should plainly professe and proclaime himselfe to be greater than God would any be so stupide and senselesse to be seduced by him If a mortall wretch should exalt himselfe above the great and true God men would rather deride him for his folly imprison him for his phrensie and stone him for his blasphemy than to follow such a foolish frantick and blasphemous Impostor Secondly it doth contradict his name who is named Antichristus that is The Adversary of Christ and not Antitheus that is the Adversary of God which should be his proper name if directly or expressely to exalt himselfe above the true God were his true propertie Thirdly this is contrary to their owne popish positions Antichrist say the Papists shall be a Iew how then shall he abolish the Iewish religion Againe they affirme that he shall be a Magician and that hee shall worship the Devill Therefore Antichrist shall not exalt himself supra omnem Deum above every God not above the god of this world And finally this interpretation is contrary to this very Text. The superlative of all his excessive properties is this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that he shall rule as God and shew that he is God this is the height of his audacious incomparable arrogance but that incredible impossible unlimited insolence that a man shall exalt himselfe above God we must leave this as a phrensie and fiction to wave the imputation of other franticke and fabulous paradoxes which they are unwilling to acknowledge much lesse to reclaime Having rejected their exposition we proceed to our owne Above all that is called God in the originall some read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above every thing which is called God and others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above every person which is called God The first reading is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the errour of the Printer contrary to the most Greeke copies as it is acknowledged by M. Beza himselfe With the warrant Beza in â— Thâ—s 2. 4. therefore of the most copies we follow the latter reading and the interpretation of our late Soveraigne now with God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rex Iacobus Praemonit the persons whom the Scriptures doe call Gods are Princes and Magistrates Psal 82. 6. Dixi Dij estis I have called you Gods Which exposition is affirmed by a learned French Bishop Pater omnium Deus dâ—citur est at Irenâ—â—s lib 3. cap. 6. non super hunc extolletur Antichrist us sed super eos qui dicuntur quidem sed non sunt dij The Father of all things saith he is called God and is God but Antichrist shall not exalt himselfe above him but above them who indeed are called gods but are not in deed Which Exposition is also confirmed by as learned an English Bishop Ecqua nervosior consequentia quam ut dicantur Andrewes Apol. cap. 9. Dij ab Apostolo quos Deus ipse dixit dâ—os in Psalmo Can there be a more strong consequence than to collect that those are called Gods by Saint Paul in this Text whom God himselfe doth call gods in the Psalmes And if the Apostle had not alluded unto some whom the Scripture doth call gods hee might with like facility have written that Antichrist should exalt himselfe supra omne quod est vel saltem supra omne quod vel est vel dicitur Deus above all that is or at least above all that either is or that is called God Here then S. Paul saith not that Antichrist shall exalt himselfe above all that is God to wit by nature but above all which is called God to wit in title which is proper unto Kings The meaning of the first member of this distribution is this Antichrist shall exalt himselfe above all that is called God that is above all Kings and Princes The second member is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all that is worshipped which indeed doth signifie quod colitur the object of any kinde of worship or thing worshipped as Altars Idols c. as it is rightly rendred by Bellarmine out of the Acts Bell. de Pont. Rom. 314. 17. 23. and Wisdome 15. 17. This acception of the word though it be true yet it is improper to this place because the letter doth run 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 supra omnem qui dicitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above every person not above every thing which is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore in the text I take to bee a synonima signifying the same thing with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the 25 of the Acts 21 and 25. where it is expounded Augustus The sense being that Antichrist shall exalt himselfe above the Emperor For he speaketh of such an exaltation whereby Antichrist should be revealed as he was to be hindered for a time by the Romane Emperour The sense of all is this Antichrist exalteth himselfe above all that is called God or that is worshipped that is Antichrist doth exalt himselfe above all Kings and above all Emperours Such an one is the Pope if there ever was is or shall bee such an one under Heaven But in so plaine a cause to deale freely with them This sense I say is true yet their owne interpretation may exactly be fitted to the Pope First take the name of God metaphorically for Bishops and Kings The Pope is avouched by all Papists to be Episcopus Oecumenicus the universall bishop of the World and by some to be solus Episcopus the Onely bishop And Suarez Apolog. li. 5. ca. 17. nu 12 his authority over Kings and Emperours Suarez calleth jus suum his right and proper indowment For false Gods those of the Heathen had power limited the Pope unlimited With them Neptune ruled the Sea Ceres the Earth Iupiter Heaven and Pluto Hell But the Pope hath three Crownes to shew his power in three places in Heaven Earth and Hell And for the
Protestants fiered and faggotted by the Papists with more than Pagan cruelty and inhumanitie Hereupon the Papists not to be behind Tortura Torti pag. 152. hand with them have printed and painted Legends and Legions of their Martyrs To wit that even here in England their men have been sowen in Beare skins and baited by Bandogs that their women have beene bared in their breasts for starven Mice to eate into their entralls And that the Romish Catholikes of both sexes have been haltered to eate hay with horses These are Lyes to us who know them but they make our Persons our Religion our Countrey a loathing and a detestation to those who know us not This then is a mischievous point in their mystery of iniquitie The last Countermining craft of our undermining Adversaries I meane to instance in is the Councill A Councill because it was so confidently called for by the Reformed Churches in Germany that gave great credit and countenance to their Cause It perswaded the people that certainly the Protestants were the Honest men that called for judgement and the Papists the Malefactors who trembled at the triall There by also the Duke of Saxony and the Lantsgrave of Hassia were confirmed the King of Bohemia and the Duke of Bavaria were staggered and the heat of Charles the Emperour much abated in persecuting the Protestants Yea the Popes themselves eight in number for 40 yeres together were as hardly haled to call and continue a Councill at Trent as ever old bitten Beare was dragged to a stake But when necessitie compelled them to appeare they so contrived the cariage of that Councill that whereas the world expected that by it the Pope would have been Reformed if not ruined it was inverted to the Confirmation and Exaltation of the Papacy For now the Pope who before dreaded a Councill as much as ever thiefe did a candle knowing by experience that hee can coine Decades of Italian Bishops and Centuries of Titular Bishops to extort the suffrages from all Christendome Now hee calleth for a Councill as for his Servant and Handmaid The wresting of this weapon out of our hand or rather the turning of it into our Bosome I esteeme the prime policie they ever put in practise to support the Papacie And thus have I discovered our Enemies in their Trenches how by undermining and Countermining they would ruine our Religion by their politike popish Mysterie of Iniquity Ye see the baite by which they attaine now will I shew you the Hooke by which they retaine the Papall magnificence I must obey the time and omit many particulars Concerning their undermining cunning to keepe their Greatness that is an Hooke ore trisulco with three teeth three wayes they hold it The Priests hold the people the Pope holdeth the Priests the politike Cardinalls hold the Pope 〈◊〉 and all of them hold together to hold up the Papacy Like the hooke with the three teeth 1 Sam. 2. 13. to be sure to hold whatsoever they touch for the High Priests 1. First the Priests hold the People by Auricular Confession I say not that Confession is the mint of Treason their Absolution injoyning a Resolution to undertake any thing against any man who is an Enemie to the Catholikes Nor doe I tell you it is a Discloser of State-secrets by it the Pope sitting at Rome as Elisha did at Dotham 2 Reg. 6. 12. he is informed of the verie words which the King speaketh in his Bed-chamber But by this the persons which confesse their secret sinnes are made Slaves to their Confessors For whatsoever they talke of that secret sacred Sacrament I doubt not but they will print that Sigillum Confessionis in the forehead of the Penitent and have trickes at least threats to publish his crime and shame if he dare to fall from them This is an hooke to hold thousands of their Proselytes this is no small mysterie of their popish Iniquity 2. And the Priests doe not hold the people so fast by auricular Confession but the Pope doth hold the Priests as fast by inhibiting to mary For the full streames of the Church Treasure would feele a shrewd Ebbe if they should runne out into those little branches Wives and Children And which is of more moment the dis-inheriting of the Children is a dis-heartning of the Parents to prove Traitours But where there are and can be no such Pledges of loyaltie to the Country the Church of Rome may possibly command some good Catholike to stake his life for to stabbe his King Thus single life doth hold in the Priests unto the Pope against their Prince against their lives yea against their soules This is another Hooke another rare mystery in their popish Iniquity 3. Yet this is most memorable that the Hooke is put into the nostrills of the Fisherman himselfe for the Pope is held by the Cardinall to hold up his Greatnesse I cannot imagine but some Popes have had some motions to regulate some heteroclite abuses in the Papacie But the politike Cardinalls whose pompe dependeth on his papall magnisicence to prevent any reformation forestall all information as the third Chapter of our New booke called the New man maketh it plaine that Cardinall Burghesius opened and concealed all the letters from Pope Paul 5 which should have informed him of any abuse in the Romane Church And thus abyssus abyssum invocat one instance doth occasion another to discover this mysterie of popish Iniquity To conclude with their mysteries in Countermining us In this also there are 8 things multa paucis which our Church doth approve and use These the Papists doe pervert to the ruine of our Church if Christ did not mightilie and mercifully support it 1. Obedience Is it not the perswasion of our lippes the meditation of our hearts and the Theame of our Sermons Cry we not out against refractary faction as against the Viper which will eate out the bowels of our Church Yet the strange practise of this in the Church of Rome they make their Engine to subvert the Church reformed The Iesuites leave the vowes of Poverty and Chastity unto other orders and bind themselves chiefly to the Vow of Obedience whereby they sweare to obey the Pope in omnibus per omnia caecâ obedientiâ that is to Moulins Accompl pag. 145. execute the command of their superiour without asking why This obedience prostrateth theÌ„ to practise any thing against any person Is not this a Mystery a dreadfull damned mystery of Iniquitie 2. The Scriptures Doth not every Christian Church yea every Christian man trumpet out that command of Christ Iohn 5. 39. Scrutamini Scripturas Search the Scriptures yet is not the very reading of them contrived to be a Lime-twigge of Popery They may read them but they must sweare unto the second article of their second Creed composed by the Councill of Trent coÌ„manded by Pope Pius 4 1564. Sacras Scripturas secundum sensum queÌ„ Ecclesia tenet recipâ—o that is I
Receive the scriptures according to the sense which the Church giveth them They must take the Letter from God but the sense from the Pope though that sense be contrarie to the Letter yea to God too Is not this a slavery is not this a Mysterie of Iniquity 3. An Oath Doe not all Christians all men imbrace it as an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the uncontroulable umpire of Controversies and the vnsoluble Gordian knot of Contracts and Covenants yet we see it is a popish trappe to insnare poore Relation of the Religion in the West sect 16. Protestants Whence all Protestants feare iustly that the Pope will play fast and loose betwixt us and the Papists Romish Catholikes as father Parsons did with his owne punies Pretending to make peace betwixt the English Schollers and the Iesuites at Rome First hee sware the Schollers then he left the Iesuites unsworne Is it not a miserable advantage that in all Contracts the Protestants are fettered by an oath and that the Papists can be assoyled ad placitum That we dare trust a Turke rather than a Christian if he sweare to us Is not this treacherie perjurie a deepe point in the mysterie of Iniquity 4 Interdicting of hereticall bookes at least the Consining of them to the learned languages we approve and would God we did practise it also On this ground have they built the maine mystery of Popery In the Popish DominioÌ„s in Italy especially all Protestant Authors are interdicted yea Bellarmine Gregory de Valentia and their owne Authors are not permitted Nay in their ordinary Sermons not so much as a Text is read in their native language The very sound Relation of the Religion in the West sect 35. of the truth is kept from those miserable people whose poore soules are like to perish through this politike working of this mysterie of Popish Iniquity 5. But the nemo sâ—it of all mysteries I conceive to bee that engine of inhumanitie and shame of Christianitie that Pejerarium a secret Cyprian epist 22 Lactant. 5. 1. crueltie indeed the secret of crueltie surpassing the invention of Domitius and the execution of Domitian the Romish Inquisition The Institution thereof was commodious commendable conscionable to discover not to Torture it may be to expell not to kill the Maurani and the Mahometans which swarmed in the south part of Christendome But now the edge of that implement of destruction is turned upon the poore Protestants and there is not onely a cruelty but also a Mystery in the execution thereof I beleeve there shall bee few fires to burne the Protestants any more Publikely but the Inquisition shall catch them and examine them and affright them and torture them and kill them in secret where no eye but the eye of God can see them This is a secret and a mysterie of their cruell iniquitie 6. There are other projects lesse mischievous but as mysticall namely to disclaime those unchristian and unnaturall assertions of Aequivocation Sharp Epist Dedic and lying to men of Excommunication and killing of Kings we approve it exhort it and commend it Yet it is the suspicion of some men of judgement that some of those Papists whom we terme moderate secular Priests doe declaime against the Iesuits for these opinions that thereby they may insinuate themselves with more freedome and lesse suspicion into acquaintance and so worke men unto the Romish Religion This is a mystery worthy of our observation and of our caution too 7. Another thing wee all approve that children of Papists should be brought up by Protestants This I also wish though I dare not avouch the taking of them without the consent of their Parents But it is reported that some subtle Papists for some secret drift doe voluntarily put their children unto Protestant Tutors Here is a depth which my dulnesse cannot dive into I wonder at this mysterie yet I wish that it were an History That if our necessitie and necessary labours would give us leave that they would put their Children even to my selfe and to such as I am And then let them prove what their mysticall projects could produce when their children are under our Education 8. It is our common call and cry that the Papists should come to Church some of them doe it But so as that they haue occasioned a proverbe The Church Papists the worst Papists The more heavie Papist who goeth to Church as he sendeth his daughter to a Nunnery to save charges in the fulnesse of his devotion hee falleth fast a sleepe and dreameth not of one point in the whole sermon But the active spirit the learned Lay man it may be a Priest or a Iesuit Hee intertaineth his neighbour with talking to divert his owne Pew to disturbe the next pew and industriously to discontent the whole congregation Otherwise if the Preacher be but of slender gifts hee will heare him to deride him if he be learned to intrappe him And it is thought yea said that there are some of those Assyrians daily at these our Lectures as they did to the King of Israel 1 Reg. 20. 33. so these Papists Politicians Priests or Iesuites or all they observe diligently whether any thing doe fall from us and they catch at it But let them come and then Catch in Gods name While they come to Catch us by their Policy we may catch them by our Veritie This indeed were a Great mystery Thus according to the shortnesse of my time and smalnesse of my ability omitting many abreviating all I have showne you some mysteries of the politike Popish Religion You have heard the Papacy hath beene Hammering from Saint Pauls time to our time 1600 yeeres The shop of those Politicians hath beene at Rome from that forge the sparkes of their mysticall policies have flowne throughout the world They have cunningly apprentised our owne Countrymen our kinsmen yea our Wives and yoke-fellowes to worke in their mint and to spread the projects which they have coyned They tyrannize on the bodies of their foes by the Inquisition and they tyrannize on the soules of their friends of their owne children by Auricular Confession Their insinuating mysticall Agents creepe into our houses to inveagle our people into our Churches to intangle our Preachers What now Can we say lesse than my Text a mystery yea more Legion There are a thousand thousand sly subtleties and secret cruelties Now the mystery of the blessed Trinity Blesse us all from the mysterie of their cursed iniquity SERMON XIV 2 THESS 2. 7. That wicked one The Pope is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Lawlesse Person in regard of the Scriptures Creed Oathes Lawes humane Nationall Childrens Obedience Mariages And in regard of his owne Constitutions Exemption of the Clergy IN the two verses before my Text wee have heard Antichrist described here wee have heard him discovered Wherein I have unfolded three particulars How hee was hindered when revealed and what the thing was which was hindered
Spiritualls can bee judged by none in the world no nor by the world in a Councill whereby hee professeth that none in the world is absolutely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is without Law but the Pope Finally what the Canonâ—sts speake for slattery and the Writers of Controversies out of their judgement Gunther and Tiethgaudi Archbishops of Cullen and Morn Myst Iniqu Oppos 31. Trevers spake out of experience of and to Pope Nicholaus the first Quod tibi libet licet that is thou hast no law but thy lust All which doth but amplifie this title in my text that the Pope is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lawlesse like the Iudge Luk. 18. 2. that he feareth neither God nor man Though these bee plaine yet the plainest proofe of any mens positions is their owne practice let their tongues and pennes preach and publish what they will or can to the contrary To this purpose I say lawes are of two sorts divine and humane The first are given by God the second by Man The Law given by God is either a Law of constraint Primarie imposed the Scripture or a Law of Consent secondarie collected the Creed Againe the Humane Lawes also are twofold Oecumenicall and Oeconomicall Those are Publike for all Nations these private for all Families Now if I doe not make it appeare that the Practice of the Pope is lawlesse in all these particulars I will confesse that I doe him apparent wrong to call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Out-law and The Antichrist The great law is the law of God that great law of God is that of coÌ„straint the Scriptures which shold constraine every coÌ„science to awfull obedience But the Pope hath practised the contrary to that authority was it ever credible that that law giveÌ„ w th such consternation w th thunders and lightnings and a thicke cloud and the voice of a trumpet so that all the people trembled Exodus 19. 16. confirmed with such a protestation that Heaven and earth should passe before one jot or one â—ittle should passe from the Law Matth. 5. 18. and sealed with such a Commination I testifie vnto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this booke if any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this booke And if any shall take away from the words of the booke of this Prophecy God shall take away his part out of the booke of life Revel 22 18. 19. So precious to the Iewes that they thought it their prerogative to keepe it Rom 3. 2. So highly esteemed by the Christians that they poured out their blood to professe it Heb. 11. Was it I say ever credible that this Sic dicit Dominus Thus saith the Lord should be changed into a Sic jubet servus servorum so commandeth the servant of servants That this Law of God should ever be vilâ—fied and nullified by a wretched man This is the Popes practice Is not the breach of Gods Law avouched by his dispensations and indulgences are not the bookes thereof checked by inhibitions and publike interdictions The Scripture indeed is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Tim. 3. 16. Gods streight rule to our crooked affections but the Pope doth bend it to his owne liking As their owne grosse phrase is he maketh it Lesbia Regula and Nasus Cereus a Leaden Hâ—â—â—us Pigâ—ius Rule and Nose of waxe which they may wrest and wring any wrong way according to their owne will and pleasure Or as Bellarmine Bellarm de P. Ro. lib. 3. c. 14. speaketh in a better phrase but to the same purpose the Pope doth Apostolorum praecepta positiva moderari ac mutare prout ecclesiae expedierit the Pope saith he doth moderate and change the positive praecepts of the Apostles as hee shall thinke it convenient for the commoditie of the Church But since that Bellarmines plaine mind Hist of Paul 5 and the Venetians lib. 4. pag. 198. is discovered by some of found judgement For anno 1606 he composed a little booke against the Treatises of Gerson wherein he aymed to exalt the authority of the Pope so farre as to make it equall to that of God That Law doth not constreine neither him nor his to keepe their bounds but he will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lawlesse They make the Scripture in their owne base phrase mutum magistrum a dumbe Teacher to say nothing as their Trent phrase speaketh more mannerly secundum sensum quem ecclesia tenet to say nothing but according as the Church will understand it that is what the Pope prompteth In old time Demosthenes said that the Oracles of Apollo did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they were taught to speake nothing but what pleased Philips Greatnes We may say in our time but God be blessed not in our Countrey not in our Church at the least that the Oracles of the Scriptures doe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they are taught to speake what doth please the Popes Holinesse To shut up this point with the wicked words of Hosius and with the witty words of Durandus ipsas scripturas facessere Iuell Apolog. pag. â—31 jubebimus wee will bid the Scriptures to bee packing said that blasphemous Papist But the Other speaketh in another veine male cum rebus humanis actum est ex quo Decretis alae accesserunâ— idest ex quo Decretales in ecclesia volare ausae sunt supra scripturas said that popish Canonists that is Christendome came into thraldome ever since the Law of the Lord hath beene troden downe by the Law of the Pope The last words of which sentence are too true if that Decree of Pope Steven 6 recorded by Gratian bee canonicall and categoricall Gratianus D 19 C Eniâ—â—â—râ— Quicquid Romana ecclesia statuit quicquid ordinat perpetno quidem irrefragabiliter observandum est Whatsoever the Church of Rome doth appoint whatsoever it doth ordainâ— it must be observed perpetually and without gainsaying Is not the Pope then that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that lawlesse man that man of sinne indeed that very Antichrist Next to this great Law the Law of Constraint the scriptures is the Law of Consent a great law too the Creed which being collected out of the Scriptures the whole Christian world hath submitted it self to the authority therof as to the touchstone of their assertioÌ„s Now the Pope doth not onely oppose the old but saith that he can also compose a new Creed In the old Creed hee directly thwartheth three Articles that of Christs remaining in Heaven till the judgment bringing him down daily to the Earth by that monstrous miracle of Transubstantiation That of the forgiuenesse of sinnes by his presumptuous doctrine of merits And finally the third Article of the Catholike Church by inserting the word Romane which overthroweth the sense of the Article and is contradictio in adjecto an absurd contradiction as if we should terme Lewis
the height of disobedience rebellion and to the height of rebellion perjurie Morn Myst Progres 41. persidie and parricide Mathilda was instrument to Pope Vrbane 2 whereby Conradus was incited to an insurrection against the Emperour Henry 3 anno 1091. And about Morn Myst Progres 42. 1100 the same Henry 3 had another sonne afterward Henry 4 instigated by Pope Pascal 2 who surprised him at a treatie permitted his Father to begge a Clerkeshâ—p in Saint Maries Church at Spire whereof himselfe had beene the Founder of the Bishop of Spire to whom he had beene Patron by whom he was most churlishly rejected Through the griefe whereof and of other occurrences the noble Emperour died And his sonne Henry 4 Paulus Deacon â—ib 4. cap. 38. though he kâ—lled him yet could not bury him but he lay without a grave for many yeeres together for so the Pope did injoyne it Concerning Mariage from marying they are inhibited if maried divorced such as are under the Popes Iurisdiction I will give one instance to affirme each and a third to avouch both Gregory 7 was infinitely incensed Sigonius lib. 9. de Reg. Italiae that Mathilda was wedded to Atestanus the Marquesse of Azan and the next yeare divorced her under pretence of neernesse of kindred whereas nothing was more common with him than to dispence with degrees of neerer affinitie Innocent 3 divorced Ralph Earle of Vermandois from his first wife that he might assume a second Petronilla the sister unto the Queene of France Of which lawlesse act Saint Bernard did complaine God saith he did Bernard Epist 216. ad Innocent joyne Ralph and his wife by the Ministerie of the Church Quo modo quos Ecclesia conjunxit Cumera disjunxit How could the Popes Chamber put a sunder those whom Gods Church hath joyned together Bernard might have satisfied his demand out of Saint Paul in this Text. The Pope did doe it because hee was and is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lawlesse and therefore not tyed to give an account of his actions Finally foure hundred yeares after that anno 1556 Pope Paul 4 sent a monitorie to Dame Ioan of Arragon wife of Ascanius Columna that she should Trent Hist lib. 8. not marry any of her daughters without his leave or if shee did the matrimony though consummated should be made void Some peradventure will here interpose a diminution that though the Pope bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet is he withall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though hee outleapeth the Lawes of God and man yet he will consine himselfe to his owne Constitutions to those conclusions which himselfe hath established either privately in his Conclave or publikely in the Councils Bee it so this is no hedge to his lawlesse out-leapes for in bâ—th these hee will leave a gappe for his free egresse The Councills are proponent ibus Legatis salva semper authoritate sedis Apostolicae with caution not to touch the hemme of his Primacie And for the Conclave it is a Quarrells of Paul â— with Veniâ—e lib. 1. thing without doubt quoth that judicious Author of that Venetian story in the Court of Rome that the Cardinalls voices are taken in Consistorie onely in appearance and by way of ceremony in as much as they are never informed of the affaires wherof they are to treat so that the Popes goe with assurance to propound in Consistorie whatsoever is to their humour grounded upon the custome which is amongst the Cardinalls to consent to al that is proposed which is openly derided in the Court of Rome changing the latine word by the figure of agnomination assentiri into assentari Howsoever were the Popes Conclave and Council-conclusions faire and farre from fraud when they are constituted yet are they but twine-threeds to their Prerogative they cannot binde it In that contention 1605 betwixt the Pope and Venice The Venetians The quarrels of Paul 5 with the Venetians pleaded for their action the Law of Nature Possession for a 1000 yeares and the Popes approbation by his owne Breves extant in their publike Archiues This threefold cord was easily broken and Paul the fift commanded the revoking of that Venetian Law although the Popes owne Breves did establish them Neither are their Councills any thing stronger Sigonius do Reg. lib. 6. Baron An. 897. Artic. 2. Pope Formosus was by Pope Steven in a Councill digged out of his grave condemned and censured about 900. After whom Pope Iohn 10 in another Councill at Ravenna did abrogate that act of his predecessour and that Councill which concurred in the countenancing and commanding that action Finally the Pope himselfe Paschal the second shall determine this question who said if Aventine Avent lib. 6. say true debere homines pro legibus habere quae dicat that men ought to esteeme The Popes words to bee their Lawes As much is here said by the Pope as I can say of the Pope although I give him that name which Saint Paul giveth to Antichrist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lawlesse person From hence let understanding men conceive what manner of arguments the Papists can vse to perswade them to their parties Doe they dispute from the Scriptures Alas the Pope doth dispence with the Scripture and make his Decrees equall to the Scriptures Doe they plead an Article of Faith The Pope doth contradict the old Creed and hath made a new Creed May persons prevaile with thee their reverend and learned Priests the best of them if an absolute Papist is but the Popes creature and like Balaam Num. 22. 38. He hath power to speake nothing but what his God the Pope doth put in his mouth Doth thy child intreat thee or thy wife intice thee The Pope can cancell the bonds of Nature and of wedlocke His agents can make thy wise undutifull and thy childe unnaturall Or doe those awefull motives to an honest heart oathes move Alas alas if thou couldest see all the blood which the Pope hath caused to be shed by breaking of oathes the Thames would seeme to bee but a Channell compared to that Ocean In a word when thou canst trust a man who neither obeyeth the scripture nor keepeth an oath then beleeve the Pope and Popish â— ill then my Tongue shall tell you what my heart doth pray for you The Pope is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one who breaketh all Lawes Humane and Divine Therefore From that lawlesse awelesse faithlesse gracelesse Man of Sin Good Lord deliver us SERMON XV. 2 THESS 2. 8. Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightnesse of his comming The Destruction of Antichrist The beginning of Reformation Poperie may return into England Popery may not be put downe by force of Armes The finall destruction of the Pope uncertaine Popery shall not be extinguished till the last day The destruction of Rome THis part of this verse containeth the third part of this Discourse
religion or so mad as to incurre a Praemunire for such a Consecration and the truth is they were all Consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury at his Pallace at Lambeth Mr Nowell and Mr Pearson preaching at their severall consecrations But I will not adde a Candle to the Sunne This foule lye is unmasked to the full by the Patterne of Ministers and Patron of our Ministry Master Mason Mason de Min. Angl. l. 3. c. 8. in Append. Bell. de Amiss Grat. l. 3. c. 8. in his most learned Treatise on that theame Onely I will adde out of him Bellarmine might well maintaine officious lyes to be but veniall sinnes otherwise I cannot see how any can spie out not so much as a shadow no not of a Stasse of Reed to support their officious yea pernicious Calumnies In all which against whom doe you sport your selves against Jsay 57. 4. whom make you a wide mouth and draw out your tongue are yee not the Children of transgression a seed of falshood and at length they shall know lying lips are an abomination to the Prov. 12. 22. Lord. Concerning the holy Scriptures they would beare the world in hand that we so trample Eud. de Ant. l. 3. them under our feet as that wee stick not to preferre Luther before all the Apostles Saint Paul onely accepted And our conscionable countryman shameth not to avouch it to our Dut Consid Consid 2. c. 1. Sect. 28. Frar Or. Lov. 1565. King that the Protestants use the Scriptures as a Visard Both being as probable as that prodigious calumnie fastened by the Papists on the Protestants in France that they poysoned all the wels about Lyons to bring innumerable innocents to an inevitable destruction 5. In regard of our obedience to our King their lyes would make us seeme to bee what truth hath showne them to bee very Rebels The Protestants teach saith Campian Christiani liberi Camp Rat. 8. a statut is hominum that Christians are free from the lawes of men And it is the drift of the Calvinist Ministers by their bookes Less de Ant. ep Dedic Frâ—r Or. Lâ—v. 1565. de Antichristo to cause warre and kindle rebellion saith Lessius And Frarinus fathers it upon the French Protestants that they poysoned King Frances 2. and digging up his heart which was buryed in the Church of Saint Crosse at Orleance that they put it on a Gridiroâ— and broyled it to ashes A Popish pamphlet printed at Turnay Monarch part 2 Tit. 3. 1623. termeth our English Ministers Bouteseus that is sowers of sedition because they they say that the Romish Catholikes hold Pag. 410. Protestants as heretikes and Excommunicated But he is told of this loud lye by Doctor Boucher Approbatio calce libeâ—â—i Chancellour of Turnay who licensed this Libell for this cause because he did herein dexterously discover quam perniciosa fuerit Angliae professio Haeresis what a pernicious Heresie was professed in England Accordingly that Author frameth a double Title to that Book terming the first part Babel or Monarchomachia meaning the Protestants and the other Hierusalem order or obedience to wit the Romish Religion Blood and Murther farre be it from our thoughts Happy were we if it were so farre from theirs also 6. Lastly for our obedience to God they report vs meere Libertines and Epicures Nil nisi fidem requirunt Lessius saith that the Protestants Less de Ant. part 2. Comp. 10. Suar. Ap. â— 10. require nothing but faith Suarez more fully and foully too Quocunque modo vivant per solam fidem gloriam sibi promittunt neque mandatorum observationem neque panitentiam esse necessariam praedicant the Protestants preach saith the Iesuite that it is no matter how men live promising glory by faith alone accounting both the keeping of the Commandements and repentance to be unncessary Legem ad salutem nequaquam esse necessariam impiè dicere non veriti sunt their Trent Cat. Trid. de Decalog Catechisme saith that wee are not afraid to say impiously that the law of God is not necssary to salvation Our owne Countreymen are as confident in this shamelesse calumnie Decalogus nil ad Christianos Campian doth charge Camp Rat. 8. us with this prophane paradoxe who may aptly be translated by George Dowly They Dowlie cap. 8. have saith he no other scope of their whole life and religion but meere liberty and sensualitie Against which loud lewde lye wee appeale to our GOD to our Conscience to our Bookes to our Sermons to our Hearers to our very Children in their Catechismes who never were taught one sylable of such damnable Doctrine Lord let their lying lips bee put to silence which cruelly disdainfully dispightfully speak against Psal 31. 20. the righteous Heare all these slanders falling in one breath from the mouth of Malvenda Omnes Malv l. 2. c. 6. fidei articulos omnia capita Christianae religionis sacramenta omnem ordinem usum ac sensum communem ecclesiae loco movit concussit miscuit convulsâ—â—t evertit destruit Nil denique est in republica Christiana seu sacrum seu politicum quod Lutherus per se aut per suas proles non distorserit corruperit ac depravaverit that is All the Articles of the saith all the grounds of Christian Religion the Sacraments all order custome and common sence of the Church is removed shaken confounded plucked downe plucked up plucked in pieces and destroyed In a word there is nothing in the Christian common-wealth neither Ecclesiasticall nor Politicall which Luther hath not either by himselfe or his followers wronged corrupted or depraved I say therefore The Papists like Plinies Camels Plin. 8. 18. which troubled the water with their feet that they might not see their owne ougly shape so they raise mudde by slandering our religion lest in our integrity they should behold their owne deformed impietie and Apostasie But I Nehem. 6. 8. will answere our Adversaries as Nehemiah did Sanballat There are no such things done as thou sayest but thou fainest them of thine owne heart If their foule tongues have thus forced our reputation publishing unto the world that both our persons in particular and our profession in generall are thus impious Defamed England may take up the complaint of defiled 2 Sam. 13. 13. Thamar and I whether shall I cause my shame to goe Neverthelesse they desist not here In regard of our Persons and profession their tongues have wipped us with scourges but with Scorpions in regard of our practice The practice of the Church of England they proclame Gen. 34. 25. to be like Simeon and Levi that the instruments of cruelty are in our habitation that wee have murthered the Papists as they did the Shechemites even under the pretence of religion And they doe this to make England like Israell to make our land stinke among the Cananites For if the phrase of