was giuen by the inspiration of the holy ghost so did the same spiritie infuse it aboundauntly into the heartes of the Apostles and likewise doth at this present with the faithfull and of the same spirite hath this holy Scripture his endurance and true interpretation Antichrist is not ashamed too bragge that hee is Lorde ouer the Scripture to alowe or disalowe it For of me saith he it taketh his full authoritie And for a token of this the Scripture of Christe is laied vnder his fete when he is at Masse 57 Christe commaunded by his Apostle sainct Paule that a bishop should be apte to teache and that hee ought to bee well learned that he may be able by his wholsome doctrine both to exhort and to ouercome all theym that resiste and be against the faith Antichrist will neither teache nor dispute with any man in the holy scripture for the maintainaunce of the Christen faith but onely for to augment his owne kingdom and to stablish his owne lawes And if any dispute with him they shall be cast first into prison where he and his ministers haue deuised and inuented proper engins too wryng their fingers so sore that the bloud shall braste out of their fingers endes Moreouer he will peine them and scourge them and with infinite other tormentes punishe theim to make theim forsake the trueth and afterwarde make them sweare on a booke that they shall tell no man of it Thus cruelly doth Antichrist entreate man for the truthes sake againste all iustice And if he can not subdue them to his will then either he murdereth theim priuely in Prison or els hee committeth them vnto the seculer power as vnto his Hangmen or Butchers to be burned And thus is the disputation ended and Antichrist hath gotten the victorie Sed viuit dominus qui custodit veritatem in seculum seculi facit iudicium iniuriam patientibus 58 Christe cursed the Figge tree vppon whiche he found no fruite and forthwith the Figge tree wethered and neuer bare fruite after Antichrist hath cursed and enterdited Landes and Realmes and yet did not the people dye but they prospered well and the earth brought forth her fruite and encrease no lesse then before yea much more aboundauntly thankes be vnto God that this saiyng may bee founde true Maledicent illi tu autem benedices They shall curse but thou shalt blesse 59 Christ calleth hymselfe the good shepheard saiyng I am the good shepheard The good shepeheard geueth hys life for his sheepe Antichrist saieth that he is a good sheepeheard and yet he pollet and pilleth hee sheareth and scrapeth the sheepe so neare that he leaueth not one locke of wolle on their backes And thinke ye not that hee is in al pointes the selfe same shepeheard of whom Zacharias prophecied whiche saieth in the persone of God Behold ▪ I will raise vp a Shepheard in the Lande whiche shall yot seeke after the thinges that be lost nor care for such as go astray He shall not heale the wounded He shall not nourishe the thyng that is whole but he shall eate the fleshe of suche as be fatte and teare their clawes in peeces c. Hee shall nourishe hymselfe and not the shepe And this Prophete criyng out on hym saieth O thou shepheard and Idoll forsakyng the flocke As though hee shoulde say thou bearest the name of a shepheard but thou arte an Idoll and counterfaite Thou art called a Shephearde but thou art a plaine murderer Thou arte named a feeder but thou art a destroyer Is it to bee thought that this Shephearde will giue his life for his Shepe 60 Christ chargeth Peter three tymes to keepe well and nourishe his Shepe Antichrist chargeth his Officers to keepe well his money And as for the Shepe he hymself taketh paines to shere theim and to keepe theim lowe with iufinite exactions 61 Christ gaue a commaundement that a manne should forsake his wife or putte her awaie for no cause but onely for adulterie Antichrist if he bee well monied will make diuorces for what soeuer cause a manne will haue hym yea and for money he will ioyne theim together whom the Lawe of GOD by no meanes suffereth to marrie 62 Christe beside the twelue Disciples sent forthe to Preache seuentie and twoo other Disciples whiche freely promised heauen to theim that would beleue in the name of Christe Antichriste sendeth out his Preachers and Pardoners whiche teache the people to beleue his power and to truste to his Pardons for their saluation addyng that thei can not otherwise bee assoiled nor come to heauen And all for money 63 Christe tooke awaie from his Disciples all temporall iurisdictiō and worldly power saiyng vnto them The kynges and Princes of the Gentiles haue rule power ouer them but ye shal not so haue Antichriste lifteth vp hym self aboue al power and saieth Emperours Kynges and Lordes bee my Subiectes This is daiely read in his Bulles wherein he cōmaundeth the Nobilitie like as a Master doeth commaunde his seruaunt 64 Christ gaue commaundement to his Disciples saiyng Looke whiche emong you will bee greatest let hym bee the lowest of all Antichrist saieth The Emperour must sweare vnto me as vnto his Lorde that he will bee my subiect and exalt and worship me with honour as his owne Lawe testifieth 65 Christe in all places of the holie Scripture reiecteth and casteth awaye mennes Traditions and Decrees Thei worshipp me in vaine saieth he teachyng doctrines that are the commaundementes of menne Antichriste magnifieth the Traditions and Decrees of his Canon Lawe and saieth that thei ought to bee kept as duely as if GOD hymself had commaunded them Or as if sainct Peter had preached them hym self 66 Christe wishyng no man to erre no manne to bee deceiued no manne to perishe or to bee damned called hym self in his Sermons the waie the truthe and the life I am saith he the waie the truth and the life Beleue in me and folowe me in my learning and rule you by the scripture For that shall bee your Iudge Antichrist saieth ye shall in all thinges followe the Churche of Rome meanyng thereby hym self and his Cardinalles as appeareth in his owne Lawe And as for the Scripture saith he it standeth in my power and aucthoritie For I maie make of it whatsoeuer pleaseth me 67 Christe loued them that were his ennemies blessed theim that cursed and did good to them that hated hym Antichrist can not finde in his harte to loue and blesse his ennemies nor to dooe good to his aduersaries but suche as in any point be against hym he curseth with the great cursse and will not absolue them till thei haue made perfect submission and paied greate sommes of money 68 Christe commaunded his Disciples that thei should not resiste euill but if a manne strike them vpon the one cheeke that thei
wepe and lament Antichrist saieth Blessed are thei that make mery and take no thought for thei are sure to haue a good and ioyfull portion in this worlde 46 Christe saieth My kyngdome is not of this worlde Antichriste saieth My kyngdome is of this worlde The Emperour with his Empire the Kyng with his kyngdome the Duke with his Ducherie and all other with al that euer thei haue are mine and at my commaundemente Yea my kyngdome is not onely in this worlde but also in Heauen and in Purgatorie yea and in Hell also For euen out of Hell doe I deliuer damned soules by the vertue of my Masses and the paines of diuerse there also doe I mitigate by thynges doen at myne appointemente Thus am I lorde of Heauen of Hell of Yearth of Purgatorie 47 Christe saieth that no man can come to hym that is to saie beleue in hym excepte his heauenly Father by his holie Spirite drawe hym Antichrist saieth If any will not beleue Fire Fagotte Sworde and Halter shall make hym to beleue 48 Christe by his holy Apostle teacheth that a Bishoppe whiche ought to bee the seruaunte of the Lorde Christe muste bee quiet and gentle no fighter nor tyraunte but suche one as is readie to enfourme suche as doe erre and with wholsome doctrine to reduce theim vnto the waye of truthe Antichriste commaundeth that suche as are Bishoppes should bee stoute and sturdie and couragious in the defence of his doctrine If any bee stubborne and will not relente his will is not that they should refourme hym by the woorde of GOD wherof the greatest part of them hath no knowledge at al but handle them accordyng to the Decree of his Lawe whiche is to burne them It maie not be considered whether the matter be right or not Nos habemus legem secundum legem nostram debet mori 49 Christ commaunded in his doctrine that the Tares whiche grow emong the Wheate should not bee plucked vp but suffered to grow vntil the Haruest come when the Wheate shall bee gathered of the Reapers into the barne and the Tares shall bee burnte with vnquencheable fire Antichriste cleane contrary behaueth hymself For the good Wheate he plucketh vp and burneth and the Tares he suffereth still to growe By the good wheate I vnderstande the true and faithfull Preachers of Goddes worde and so many as vnfeignedly embrace and professe the sincere pure religion of christ These as his moste extreame enemies Antichrist persecuteth apprehendeth accuseth iudgeth condemneth and giueth ouer to the Seculare power with fire to bee consumed vnto ashes By the Tares I meane Tyrauntes Persecutours of Goddes truthe commonly called Inquisitours Canonistes Scotistes Hypocrites Monkes Friers Chanons Nonnes Arkers Ankresses Uotories Uowesses Pardonners Proctours Promotours Purgatorie rakers Massemongers Pilgrimage gadders and all other supersticious and vngodlie people These as his moste deare and tender freÌ„des he kisseth and culleth he promoteth and auaunceth vnto high dignities promotions Bishoprickes Cardinalshippes Archedeaconries Prebendes Parsonages c. and diligentely watcheth as a moste diligente watcher and Pastour ouer his flock that no crosse no aduersitie no misfortune no trouble chaunce vnto them but all game and glee all sporte and comforte all ioye and solace c. 50 Christe taught not his owne but his Fathers doctrine and what he receiued of his heauenly Father that taught he to the people Antichriste setteth naughte by the worde of GOD excepte it bee to colour his wicked tyrannie withall He teacheth his owne deuilishe Decrees and triflyng Traditions and enforceth the peoplâ— euen with violence to followe them 51 Christe would haue his doctrine no further beleued then it did consente and agree with Moses the Psalmes and the Prophetes Antichrist will haue his Traditions and Constitutions beleued and obeyed though Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles should saie naie For thei bee of no further aucthoritie then it shall please hym to limite and appointe 52 Christe saieth Learne of me â–ª For I am humble and meeke Antichrist saieth ye that belong vnto me muste bee stoute and lustie For I your Lorde am lustie and stoute in all quarters rounde aboute neither will I loute or stoupe either to Kyng or Kesar Yea whom it pleaseth me I will exalte and aduaunce and at my pleasure will I hym againe depose All without exception yea the verie Angelles also in heauen shall obeye me and accomplishe my commaundement 53 Christe entreatyng of Fastyng appointeth no certaine daies or tymes but leaueth it free to all that professe his holy Lawe that thei maie faste when occasion is offered and when the Spirite of God moueth theim yea and that after suche sorte as thei bee taught in the woorde of God that is to saie to mortifie their carnall affectes to subdue the bodie to the spirite and to spare out of our owne beallies that wee maie haue the more liberally to giue vnto the poore accordyng to this commaundemente of GOD by the Prophete Breake thy breade to the hungrie and leade the needy waifaryng man into thy house When thou seest a naked man couer hym and despise not thy flesh Antichriste prescribeth certain daies to bee fasted yea and that vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation as the tyme of Aduent Lent Embryng daies Saincts euens c. All these daies must bee fasted of all maner of people that bee twelue yere olde and vpwarde 54 Christe saieth My house is the house of Praier Antichriste saieth My house is the house of money He that bryngeth not money commeth not in there neither is there any place for hym 55 Christe saieth The Kyngdome of God commeth not with waityng for that is to saie with outwarde obseruaunces and externall ordinauÌ„ces at the appointment of men For beholde the kyngâ—â—me of God is within you Antichrist saieth Weare this cappe or that Caule this graie habite or that white habite Professe this rule or that rule Faste this day or that daye Bye this Pardon or that PardoÌ„ c. and thou shalt be saued 56 Christ saieth If any man saye vnto you Loe here is Christ or there beleue it not For there shall arise false Christes and false Prophetes and shall shew great wonders and miracles insomuche that if it were possible the verie electe should be deceaued Beholde I haue tolde you before Wherefore if they saye vnto you Beholde he is in the deserte goe not ye forthe Beholde he is in the secrete places beleue it not Antichrist saieth Loe here is Christe at this Altare and at that Altare in this Priestes hande and that Priestes hande in this Pixe and that Pixe in this Boxe and that Boxe Come and see thy Maker Worshippe hym meekely kneelyng vppon thy knees Holde vp thy handes vnto hym This is he that killed thy father This is the Aplemaker of Kente If thou wilte not beleue that this is thy Maker thou shalt burne for it without redemption
breathed vpon his disciples and gaue theim the holy ghoste saiyng Take ye the holy ghoste that they beyng endued with his Spirite might brynge forth the fruites of the same and be therby knowen to his Apostles Antichrist doth breath the spirit of Sathan into his shauelinges and will that they shall be knowen to be his chaplaines by their long gownes shauen crownes horned cappes flaryng tippets c. 119 Christ sent forthe his disciples for to preache vnto all nations Antichrist sendeth forth his chaplaines to be Massemongers soule cariers Purgatory rakers Godmakers coniurers of salte water bread fyre c. 120 Christ commaunded his disciples to preache not mennes traditions but the Gospell that is to say repentaunce and remission of sinnes in his name to all creatures Antichrist commaundeth his praters to set forthe to the people his lawes and decrees and to entermedle them with tales out of Legenda aurea and narrations out of Festiuall Martyrologe c. He sendeth forth also his Pardoners to publike fables and lyes vnto the people and therto graunteth he Letters and Seales and many daies of Pardon and all for money 121 Christ willed his disciples to say vnto their hearers that whosoeuer beleueth and is Baptised he shall be saued But he that beleueth not shall be damned Antichrist commaundeth his Trompetters too blowe abroad into the eares of the people that whosoeuer will buye his pardons shall be absolued a paena culpa toties quoties and then must he needes be saued And he that teacheth otherwise is an heretike This his Bulles and Pardons do plainly testifie 122 Christe charged his Disciples diligently to teach the people to obserue and kepe those thynges that he commaunded theim and so doyng he promised to bee with thē vnto the very ende of the world meanyng not bodily but ghostly Antichrist giueth a great charge to his Chapelaines to inculcke and beate into the peoples heades vnder paine of deadly synne and euerlastyng damnation the keepyng of his Canons and Lawes and in so dooyng he promiseth to assiste them continually with the Spirite of Errour and falshode 123 Christe a little before his Ascension into the Kyngdome of his Father gaue a greate charge to Peter and his fellowe Apostles that thei with al diligēce should feede his Lambes and Sheepe with the moste wholsome pasture of his most swete woorde saiyng Pasce pasce pasce Feede feede feede Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente to his Captiues that thei shall poison the people with the Pharisaicall Leauen of his Lawe and by no meanes teache them the truthe of Gods woorde least thei should spie out his falsehod and aboue all thynges plaie Tolle Tolle Tolle Poll Poll Poll pill pill 124 Christe commaunded his Apostles not to departe from Ierusalem but to waite for the promes of the Father Antichrist thrusteth forthe into the ministerie his Greaslynges and Shauelinges without any consideration or motiō of Goddes Spirite If thei can Masse it or Mattens it he careth for no more 125 Christe when he should departe and goe vp into Heauen lifted vp his hande and blessed his Apostes that is to say wished well vnto them Antichrist lifteth also vp his hāde and blesseth the people that is to saie waggeth his fingers ouer them But whether he curseth or blesseth that is vncertaine 126 Christe by the power of his Deitie Ascenden into heauen perfecte God and perfect man. Antichrist through the multitude of his moste detestable synnes and vile wickednesse descendeth into hell bothe body and soule and hath his portion with Idolatours Witches Theefes Adulterers Whoremongers cursed speakers c. in that Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone where he and all his shall bee tormented with moste intollerable paines worldes without ende Hetherto of the life of Christe and of Antichriste ¶ Of the doctrine of Christe and of Antichrist FIrste Christe saieth that he came for this purpose into the worlde euen to testifie beare witnesse of the truth and that his woorde is the Truthe Againe that the holie Ghoste shall leade vs into all Truthe hereby manifestly declaryng that in his holie woorde is contained sufficiente doctrine for our saluation as saincte Paule saieth All Scripture giuen by inspiration of GOD is profitable to teache to improue to amende and to instructe in righteousnesse that the manne of GOD maie bee perfecte and prepared vnto all good woorkes Likewise saied the woman of Samarie to Christe I knowe that Messias shall come whiche is called Christ When he is come he shall tell vs all thynges And the Apostle in his exhortation to the Elders of Ephesus said I haue kepte nothyng backe that was profitable vnto you c. Againe I haue shewed you all thynges Antichriste saieth that though it bee truthe that is contained in the Bible yet all truthe necessarie to saluation is not there to bee founde but there are other truthes as necessarie to bee beleued vnder paine of damnation as those that bee contained in the holie scripture and thei bee called vnwritten verities He saieth moreouer that his Decrees and Lawes are necessarily to bee kepte as the Commaundementes of God and addeth moreouer that thei bee of equall aucthoritie with the worde of God. 2 Christe saieth that no man can come vnto hym except his Father drawe hym Againe that all shall bee taught of God Signifiyng hereby that no man can vnderstand and perceiue the misteries contained in the woorde of God excepte thei bee reueled and opened vnto hym by the Spirite of God whiche alone is the aucthour thereof for asmuche as a naturall manne can not come vnto the vnderstandyng of those thynges that belong vnto the Spirite of God. And as sainct Peter saith that the Scripture is not a priuate interpretation that is to saie not to bee expounded after the iudgemente of reason and as euery man of his owne braine fantaketh but as GOD is the alone aucthour of the worde so is the true vnderstandyng thereof to bee begged of God alone by feruent praier and by diligente conference of the scriptures Dauid consideryng this praied to God on this maner Open thou myne eyes that I maye see the wonderous thynges of thy lawe Make me to vnderstande the waie of thy Commaundementes and so shall I talke of thy wonderous woorkes O learne me true vnderstandyng and knowledge O giue me vnderstādyng that I may learne thy commaundementes c. And Sainct Paule writyng to Timothe saieth God giue thee vnderstandyng in all thynges Antichriste saieth that the interpretation of the Scripture hangeth of the iudgement of the Fathers and old auncient writers and of the aucthoritie and consente of the Churche of Rome whiche is the true Churche and mother of all churches and can by no meanes erre without the approbation of the whiche no interpretation of the Scripture can bee good and catholike 3
Mediatour Aduocate and Intercessour by whom alone wee haue free and gracious accesse vnto God the Father and easely obtaine of hym all good thynges Antichriste setteth forthe vnto vs other Mediatours Aduocates and Intercessours euen the soules and spirites of them that are departed and commaundeth vs to call vpon them to make intercession vnto theim that thei for vs maye call vpon God praie vnto hym and make Intercession vnto hym that by this meanes our praiers maie be the soner heard and our petitions the more easely graunted Thus Antichrist goth about to make Christ Iacke out of office 11 Christe hangyng on the Crosse and ready to giue vp his Spirite into the hādes of his heauenly Father saied It is finished signifiyng hereby that by the one and alone Sacrifice of his Passion and death al thyng is wrought and perfectly doen whatsoeuer appertaineth vnto the saluation of mankinde so that now there remaineth no more any Sacrifice or oblation for synne as the Apostle saieth With one onely Oblation hath Christe made perfect for euer them that are sanctified Againe We are sanctified by the offeryng vp of Christes bodie doen once for all Antichriste hath sette vp diuerse Sacrifices for synnes but namely the vile and abhominable sacrifice of the Masse whiche he calleth a propiciatorie expiatorie and satisfactorie Sacrifice for the synnes of the quicke and the deade necessary Ad salutem This Sacrifice he braggeth to bee of like dignitie and of equall price with that Sacrifice whiche Christ the high and euerlastyng Bishop offered on the Altar of the Crosse yea to bee the verie same againe that he and his Chaplens in that Sacrifice of the Idolatrous Masse doe daiely offer vp the Soonne of God to the Father of heauen for the daily synnes of the people Antichrist moreouer is not ashamed to saie that Christe by the Sacrifice of his death doen on the Altare of the Crosse did onely put awaie originall synne but he and his shauelynges by the Sacrifice of their Masse putteth awaie all other synnes at all tymes bothe actuall veniall mortall c. 12 Christe in his blessed Testament teacheth that wee are purged cleansed and made pure from all synne by his bloud Antichriste for the mainteinaunce of his idle Cleargie that thei might liue of the laboure and sweate of other mennes hands and browes hath deuised an other Purgatorie after this life wherein the soules of them that haue not doen due satisfaction for their sinnes in this worlde muste bee moste miserably tormented vntill either thei by sufferyng moste greeuous paines haue satisfied the iustice of God or els thei bee deliuered by the Sacrifice of the Masse offered for theim or by some other charitable deedes of mercie Is not this to counte the bloud of the Testamente as an vnholie thyng and to doe dishonour to the Spirite of grace 13 Christe teacheth that the Churche whiche is the felowship of Sainctes and companie of faithfull people is built vppon hym self whiche is the true rocke is gouerned by his Spirite heareth his voice and is ruled by the same Antichrist saieth that the Churche is not builte on Christe alone but also on Peter and his successours againe that it is not onely gouerned by the woorde of GOD but also by the Decrees of the Churche of Rome 14 Christe saieth that thei whiche are his Shepe and belong vnto his Shepefold that is vnto his holy congregation heare not the voice of straungers but flee frō them giuyng eare onely to the voice of their owne Shepehearde Antichrist saieth that thei whiche are of the Churche maie not onely heare the voice of Christe but also the woordes of the Bishop of Rome whiche is Christes Uicare and knowledge hym to bee the vniuersall Bishoppe whose voice to heare and whose decrees to obey we are bound vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation 15 Christe ordained in his Churche to sette forthe the Gospell of our saluation and to gouerne his flocke Apostles Prophetes Euangelistes Pastoures teachers c. Antichrist appointed in his Churche Monkes Friers Chanons Nonnes Ankers Ankresses Recluses Priestes Sacrificers Soulecariers Purgatorie rakers Pardonners Proctours Somners Apparitours Commissaries Officialles c. 16 Christe in his holie Lawe freely per mitteth all spirituall Ministers Bishops Deacons c. to marrie Antichriste in his Deuilishe decrees forbiddeth and condemneth the mariage of spirituall Ministers 17 Christe by his holie Apostle calleth Mariage honourable and the bedde vndefiled yea that emongest all men none excepted Antichrist shameth not to call the mariage of the Spirituall Ministers an vncleane filthie and fleshly kinde of liuyng 18 Christe gaue equall power to all the Ministers of his Churche Antichriste denieth that and saieth that the Bishoppe hath more aucthoritie then the Prieste and the Archebishoppe more then Bishoppe and the Pope more then thei all 19 Christe in his blessed Newe Testamente appointeth Deacons to be Ministers vnto the poore and to see that thei lacke no good thyng And the Bishoppes or Spirituall Ouersears he ordained them to preach the worde to enstruct the people to minister the Sacramentes c. Antichrist ordaineth Deacons to saie mattens of the daie to reade the Gospell at Masse to stande on the Priestes right hand to helpe hym in all thinges to haue a shauen crowne to liue vnmaried c. Archdeacons he hath also appointed certaine tymes in the yere to visite the churches to see if the church and churchyarde be in good state if the Uestmentes Alter clothes Copes Banner clothes Crosse clothes Curteines Towels Boxes Pyxes Chrismatories Fontes holy water bucket holy bread basket Bels Candelstickes Sensers Crosses Cruettes and suche like ornamentes of the Churche be well and sufficiently repared againe if the Hosts be well kept of the Curate that they be not moulde fustie euill sauoured cankered worme eaten c. As for prouision makyng for poore and needie people there is no mention That ought to bee collected of the Archdeacons among the mercifull Christians for the ayde and reliefe of the poore members of Christe in their visitation is nowe vnfrutefully deuoured spent and consumed of the Archdeacons themselues and of their Officers so that the office of an Archedeacon at this time in the kingdome of the Pope is now come altogether vnprofitable and to muche chargeable to the Churche of God. 20 Christ appointed his Apostles to bee the ministers and seruauntes of his holy Churche Antichrist ordaineth his Priestes and Prelates to be Lordes and Masters ouer Gods people yea he maketh them to be of greater authoritie and power thā Emperours Kinges Princes c. of higher dignitie than all the Angelles in heauen or than the blessed Uirgin Mary Moreouer he doeth so greatlie aduaunce the dignitie of his smered shauelynges that he calleth them the maker of their maker And to set forthe their royall and kingly priesthode he maketh
lawe of God it is cleane out of his minde 42 Christ saied that men should knowe his Disciples by their charity if they loued one an other as he had loued them Antichrist causeth his chaplens to bee knowen by their habites and vestures by their long gounes and shauen crownes and punisheth them if they vse not their habites But for their couetousnesse ambition pride whoredome and suche other wickednesse he neuer punisheth them 43 Christ promiseth forgiuenesse of sinne and the kingdome of heauen vnto theym that will repent and amend their liues Antichrist saith that no man can be saued except he be first shriuen of his Priestes and Friers For they bryng in money 44 Christ would not suffer that doues sheepe and oxen for the offering should be solde in the temple of God but draue out the byers and sellers with whippes Antichrist suffereth hys Chapmen in the Church to sell the Sacraments that they should freely minister to the Christen people In his court also there is sellyng of Bishorikes prebendes free chappels benefices dignities Abbotshippes offices c. And all for money 45 Christ lay in a stable with fewe cloates betwixt an oxe and an asse For there was no place in the Innes for his parentes bicause they were poore Antichrist lieth in rich chambers with quiltes curtaines carpettes and cushins spred all aboute with sweete smelles pleasaunt odours painted walles with hanginges of clothe of golde 46 Christ would haue men to visite the poore prisoners to comfort them and to deliuer them Antichrist hath no pitie on the poore yea he persecuteth the poore Christians putteth them in prison for y truthes sake and in fine most cruelly murthereth them 47 Christ did neuer imprison or persecute any man but he cōmaūded his disciples that they should loue their enemies and doe well to theym yea and praie for them that did pesecute them Antichrist that taketh on hym to stande in christes steade and to follow his example persecuteth punisheth prisoneth and putteth to death theym that are disobedient to his voluptuous pleasures See ye not howe faste he followeth Christes steppes 48 Christ healyng the sicke and doyng miracles did for the more part euer commaunde that thei should tell no man who had healed them Antichrist altogether desirous of vain glorie worldely praise and mortall renome giueth greate giftes and large benefices to Pardoners to Proctours to Lawiers to Liers to Minstrels to Msasengers to Friers to Flatterers and to suche like Parasites to blase his name abroade his holinesse and godlinesse that he maie haue honour and worship in this wicked worlde 49 Christ had no Courtes to pleate the matters of his Disciples in for he commaunded them that thei should not resiste euill Antichrist hath his Courtes and many riche menne of Lawe to oppresse the poore and to call vnto iudgement whom he lusteth For whatsoeuer cause he will he vexeth all maner people without mercie For forgiue he will not 50 Christ bad them that he healed to go their waie and to synne no more Antichrist giueth licence to the people to continue in sinne and giueth them licence also to keepe and maintaine Stewes and baudy houses and receiueth money therefore 51 Christ refused to bee Iudge betwene the twoo brethren in diuidyng their inheritaunce as a matter not incidente to his office whiche was to preache the will of his heauēlie Father but appertaining vnto worldly Iudges and temporall magistrates Antichriste taketh vppon hym to bee Iudge in all maner of matters Spirituall or Temporall Ghostly or Worldly There is no cause whiche he will not take vppon hym to determine namely if thei bryng money He will all menne in matters from all menne to appeale vnto hym and vnto his Courte for sentence without any resistance or against saiyng 52 Christe would not bee defended in a righteous matter with martiall armoures but he commaunded Peter to put vp his swearde into his sheath For he that striketh with the swearde saieth he shall perishe with the swearde Antichriste commaunded Emperours Kynges Princes and Lordes with their Subiectes to take Sweardes Speares Halberdes and Gunnes and to helpe hym to slea all suche as will not obeye his tyrannie And this muste the Emperour doe or els he must bee periured yea and also deposed because he is no meete manne to reigne forasmuche as he stoutly defendeth not the liberties of holie Churche After this manner came it to passe that Iulius secundus bishop of Rome caused to be slaine sixtene thousande men in one daie Was not that well pastured Was not this a worthie Uicar of Christ and a noble successour of Peter 53 Christ gaue free libertie to all men to eate all meates at all tymes for as muche as that whiche entereth into the mouthe defileth not manne but that commeth out of the mouthe For all thynges are pure to theim that are pure and nothyng is to bee caste awaie if it bee receiued with giuyng of thankes For it is sanctified by the woorde of God and by praier Yea it is the doctrine of Deuilles to forbidde that to bee eaten whiche God hath made to bee receiued with thākes giuyng Antichrist plainly condemneth al suche as presume to eate Egges Milke butter or Cheese but specially Fleshe on those daies that he hath commaunded to be fasted and denounceth them heretikes This agreeth with Christe as light with darkenesse And yet haue wee been so blinded these many yeres paste through the iuglyng of our Spirituall Sorcerers that we could neuer perceiue this Antichrist till nowe in the latter daies when that manne of synne muste bee reueled and vttered accordyng to the Prophecie of the Apostle 54 Christ gaue authoritie vnto his disciples to binde and to loose saiynge Whatsoeuer ye binde in earth shall bee bound in heauen Ind whatsoeuer ye lose in earth shall bee loosed in heauen But Christ spake nothing of binding and loosing in purgatory for money concerning the soules departed Antichrist chalengeth greater power and larger authoritie For he will loose soules out of purgatory and commaunde the Angels to fetche them out and all for money For without money ye can gette nothyng of hym 55 Christ is head of the Churche as the holy Apostle Paule doth testifie and also he is the stone whereon the Churche is builded And this Church is the congregation of faithfull Christen people and the very body of Christ. Antichrist saith that he is head of that Churche and that the Sea of Rome is the stone whereon that Churche is builded Can any thing be more contrary vnto the honour and glory of GOD than thus to despoile hym of his kingdome whiche he so derely hath bought shedyng his precious bloud for it 56 Christ gaue vs a lawe whiche is the holy Scripture This holy Scripture as it