poynted at and fore-shewed should take place in the Church For wee are not to imagine that the whole power of Antichrist is included in that Bishop only but that pontificall kingdome which is opposite and contrary vnto the kingdome of Christ is in truth to be tearmed Antichrist And seeing the Bishop of Rome is the head of this kingdome I call him Antichrist being but a part of the whole Wherein I whollie followe the manner and direction of the Scripture which when it speaketh of that Antichrist it mentioneth sometime a whole kingdome and bodie as it were as when Paule sayth Except there first come a defection or falling away and Now the mysterie of iniquitie worketh And sometime agayne it specifieth but some one being chiefe and principall in this kingdome of whom dependeth the whole bodie of this wickednesse as when he sayth Setting and aduauncing himselfe agaynst whatsoeuer is called God or is worshipped and bearing it out as if he were at God These two poynts cannot bee vnderstoode of the whole bodie but of the head the Bishop of Rome himselfe Thus then seeing it appeareth what I meane by the name of Antichrist let vs come to the matter and thing it selfe and examine what we finde in the Scripture concerning Antichrist whereby all men which are not alreadie infected with the dregges of Antichristianisme may acknowledge and confesse that the Romane Bishop is as I say this Antichrist And herein of purpose I will affect breuitie indeuouring to comprize many thinges in a fewe words and much matter in a small compasse All the auncient Fathers almost and many of the late writers and those very learned Diuines doe affirme that Daniell in his 11. Chapter about the ende did speake of Antichrist For the things that are there spoken by him are to be referred to Antiochus only figuratiuely but are properly and in truth to be vnderstood of Antichrist There are none of the Popes Proctours themselues to my knowledge that make doubt but that the Prophet in that place doth speake of Antichrist Which if it be so we may euen out of this place learne who and what manner of fellowe this Antichrist should be For in that treatise of Daniell we may behold not a sleight counterfeit but a liuely picture of the Bishoppe of Rome For first sayth the Prophet He shall doe what him list And indeede the Pope hath now these many yeares done euen what he pleased in many matters as well Ciuill as Ecclesiasticall For he takes vpon him to create translate and put downe Kings to discharge subiects from their oath of obedience and to haue the like authoritie ouer al Empires and Kingdomes to roote out pull downe bring to ruine and destroy agayne to build and plant them at his pleasure And this power he hath put in practise not only heretofore against many Kings and Keysers but of late he itched as ye knowe to exercize vpon our gracious Soueraigne And as for Ecclesiasticall matters he therein challenged to himselfe much more licentious libertie For therein al his sayings placards and degrees were to bee accompted as Oracles proceeding from the Spirit of God whatsoeuer liked him must be taken for Catholike and whatsoeuer displeased him was to bee reputed hereticall Though he should drawe with him infinite soules of men into hell yet it were impietie for any man to say What do you dist 40. Si Papa And it is an olde principle among Papistes which none of them dare denie that the bare Will of the Pope is reason ynough Further the Prophet sayth He shal exalt and magnifie himselfe aboue all that is God The which also Paule very flatly affirmeth of Antichrist Now how the Pope perfourmeth this I shall afterward shewe when I shall come to handle that place of Paule Thirdly the Prophet addeth And he shall prosper vntill by the wrath of God he bee brought to nought Who is ignorant how wonderfullie the kingdome of Poperie increased vntill such time as the Lord reueiled Antichrist vnto his people Fourthly it followeth neither shall he regard the God of his Fathers And sure the Romanistes haue deuised vs a newe God which is not the true God of the Christians They haue a counterfaict God and a straunge Christ a newe heauen and such a religion as our Fathers the Apostles neuer knewe but such an one as themselues could inuent and frame for their owne turnes the which I will after make manifest Fifthly the Prophet writeth He shall not care for the desires of women The Papistes although they bee not the least effeminate men that euer were yet they condemne mariage as vtterly vnlawfull among them in all their orders and professions in so much as they preferre abhominable Sodomitrie and filthie raging lust before honest and holie Matrimonie Sixtly He shall worship God with golde and siluer and precious stones Among the Catholikes the spirituall and true worship of God is cleane decayed and all their religion standeth in outwarde shewe and stately furniture of their Churches and Images and masking pompe in celebrating their Masses Lastly he addeth He shall increase his glorie and shall make his accomplisses to rule ouer many and shall deuide the land among them What riot what glorie what magnificence what power what riches and treasure can be greater thē that the Papists possessed Whatsoeuer was pleasant in al Christendome whatsoeuer was gainfull delightsome fatt and to be desired was whollie not long since in the Popes fauourers Wherefore I thinke assuredly that no man doubteth but that these things do so touch the Bishop of Rome that they do not agree so fitly with any other whosoeuer But seeing there be some that be not as yet resolued that Daniell in this place spake of Antichrist or if he did yet that he there spake but figuratiuely as vnder the person of an other let vs come to the newe Testament wherein this Antichristian monster is plainlie and clearely set out vnto vs. And yet I will not prosecute euery place but make instaunce onlie of such proofes as are most plaine and pregnant There was neuer any Christian that as yet made doubt that in the second Epistle to the Thess cap. 2. mention is made of Antichrist Wherefore let vs aduisedly consider and make search into that place and let vs compare the Bishop of Rome with that Antichrist of the Apostle who must needes bee the verie Antichrist that by his true and proper marks we may learne to acknowledge the very truth of the thing The Thessalonians had wronglie perswaded themselues that the comming of Christ and the end of the world drewe neere The Apostle endeuoureth to rid them of that errour and withall deliuereth doctrine most necessarie for all Christians The simple and plaine proposition whereof is this Antichrist shall come before the comming of Christ This Antichrist he diuerslie describeth that euery Church and Congregation might knowe what a manner of one he should bee Let vs seuerally consider of each
Antichrist was not come to his height or perfection and partlie also for that the minds of men were so fore-stalled by preiudice of an other matter and so dazeled yea and blinded with the glorious shewe of the Sea of Rome that they could neuer bee perswaded that such mischief could possibly euer rise from thence And although in time by little and little those foresaid tokens began to appeare and shew themselues whereby that horrible Monster might be discerned and withall although that Sea it selfe began now in that behalfe to bee suspected by manie yet so great was the dreadfull power and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome that they who had espied the light of the truth durst not for their liues mutter or speake the least word For if they did they were by and by not onlie condemned in the next Synods as Scismaticks but also put to death by Magistrates as Heretieks more pestilent and haynous then any that euer liued And so by meanes of feare and terrour they held their tongues Notwithstanding in the time of our Auncestours namelie about the yeare 350. when Leo the first was Bishop of Rome one Hilarious Bishop of Vienna in Fraunce did openlie gaine-saie the tyrannie of the Roman Bishop which then began to aduaunce and enlarge it self After that about 400. yeares ago there arose one Arnold in Italie surnamed Brixianus who with strong arguments and vehement perswasions for he was a man accompted for his time both learned and eloquent handled plainelie and vrged pithilie this poynt and that verie commonlie publicklie and euen in the midst of the Cittie of Rome itself by which his labours and force of the truth he moued manie indeed but yet generallie he could not preuaile So great a coyle t' was alwaies found To plucke the Romish Sea to ground In so much as one Bernardus Clareuallensis a man who otherwise stoode not so greatlie affected to the tirannie of the Romaine Bishop yet by meanes that men in those dayes were generallie so bewitched with a reuerend opinion of the Maiestie of that Sea tooke vpon him to tosse and canuasse that censure of Arnolds although it were most true and iust And this auncient and receaued opinion touching the sacred authoritie of the Bishop of Rome continewed many generations and was neuer in the meane time controuled by anie saue onlie the Greeke Bishops and that but by a few of them And in truth therein the Grecians shewed themselues to bee of a more free iudgement and wiser disposition then were our men and the Bishop of the Latine Churches for they as appeareth by the writings of Nilus Bishop of Thessalonica an eloquent man earnestly auouched that Antichrist was not onelie come and seated in the Church of God but that the Bishop of Rome himself was the very partie and this they enforced with such pregnant and strong proofes as the best proctours that euer that Sea had were neuer able as yet to ouerthrow But as for the Westerne Bishops they indeed disagreed in this pointe but not vpon anie good ground or setled iudgement but only caried away by the preiudice of commō custome nay they being deceiued by the great subtilty of Satan who now begā to worke the misterie of iniquitie as Paule had fore-tould proceeded further and gaue their helping hand to the spreding abroad of that pestilent infectiō the suppression whereof it behooued each christian to haue endeuoured and very busie and pettish they were in helping and vpholding it and in putting Oyle as you would saie to the fire And so in processe of time the said Bishop of Rome became as big as a Monstrous Giant which had a hundred Armes Briareus as it is in the Prouerbe who before was as little as a foolish Leueret At first in verie deed vnder the raigne of the Henries and after of the Fredericks Emperours of Germanie the Kingdome of Antichrist receiued great strength and encroched vpon the consciences of men of all sortes For although euen from the daies of the Apostles themselues Sathan began to lay the foundation thereof yet by reason of the bright shining light of the Gospel which in those dayes was kept in all integritie in the Churche hee tooke repulse and so by meanes of the worke which GOD himself had as it were newly proclaimed and taken in hand he was inforced to be quiet to defer his busines vnto some other time Afterwards looke what he had long since begon and somewhat brought forward hee found the meanes to finish and bring to perfection vnder the Raigne of Constantinus b Bearded or which had a great beard Pogonatus an Emperour of Constantinople Now Sathan being by the meanes and industrie of Antichrist as it were his legate once set ouer the Christian Church as it were in a Chaire of Estate he nestled himself therein so sure that after it proued a thing almost inpossible by any power or pollicie to remoue him thence but euen as the strong armed man of whome Christ speaketh in Mathew looke how more vehemently he was assaulted by the valiant Souldiers of Christs Church Arnold Wickliffe Husse Jerom of Prage and some moe such like So did he as busilie oppose against them more wicked and vncleane spirits as a supplie of fresh Souldiers in way of reskew For the pompe power of Antichrist was maintained by such men as were of as lewd a disposition and of as brazen faces as euer liued and that not onlie long agoe but euen of late in our dayes as by Eckius Faber Cochley and such other prating Iackes of the like stampe by whose toyle-some trauailes mingled with cauills coggs and couzning trickes the cause was a while cherished and vpheald But God the father of all mercies in great compassion pitying the estate of the world vouchsafed in this old-age thereof to raise and send amongst vs the light of his glorious Gospel the power whereof is the onlie instrument to bring Antichrist vnderfoote Therefore he lightened the minds of our vnderstandings displayed the foggie Mists of Antichristian darknes and stirred vp his worthy seruaunts as valiaunt Champions to bruse and breake to quell and kil the power of Antichrist For in this quarraile wherein Antichrist was to be encountered manie haue dealt with verie prosperous successe As first and cheiflie M. Luther and after him for let me speake it without the offence of some hee was not the last of the Prophets Hen. Bullinger Ralfe Gualter all which were great and excellent men both for learning and godlines and who of set purpose wrote treatises against Antichrist as for Iohn Caluin Theod Beza Ierom Zanchus verie worthie Captaines and continual wrestlers with Antichrist I purpose to pretermit as also those more auntient fellowes Math. Parris Mich. Cesennate Io. de Poliaco Militzius of Bohem by whose learned writings the foundations of the Antichristian Kingdome haue bin shaken yea and shiuered Notwithstanding seeing that there still remaine in the mindes of
great as that the said Bishops did there-by easily take occasion to abuse it Where-vpon Bernard Lib. 1. 4. de considerat ad Eugenium complaineth greiuously that the Bishop of Rome bestirred him-selfe so as where-by he shewed that he had indéede all fullnesse of power but not of iustice when once it began to be iustified by Apostolike authoritie that monstrous men very prodigious beasts should be admitted vnto Bishopricks and high Ecclesiasticall preferments This therefore was the second degrée whereby the Antichristian kingdome was aduaunced The third last was the excessiue coying fauours that certaine Princes especially Emperours bare to that Sea for this third point was likewise a principall piller in that building for in those dayes not only all men of all sorts contended to their vtmost euen like mad men to lade those Bishops with immoderate wealth and possessions but euen Emperours them-selues heaped vpon them honours priuiledges and other dignities belonging to the maiestie of an Emperour or the office of a ciuill Magistrate in so much as they submitted vnto the censure and approbation of the Bishop of Rome both their owne Decrees and the Constitutions of the Synods Iustinian the Emperour sent Ambassadours vnto Iohn Bishop of Rome to procure his approbation of the booke of Ciuill Lawes which he had made and published as appeareth by the Epistle prefixed before the said Coade of Iustinian Yea some Emperours haue ouer submissie giuen it out thus that Their Lawes do not disdaine in waie of imitation to resemble the holie Canons as though forsooth the maiestie and aucthoritie of Emperiall Edicts were farre inferiour vnto that of the Popes Decrees and Canons And in truth where-as those Emperours did not so prouidently bestowe vppon those Bishops so great reuenewes what else did they bring to passe in the ende but only a dispersion of deadly poison in the Church the which some of the Popes owne claw-backs haue written was heard in the life of Silvester the firste distinctly vttered in the ayre what time so large reuenues were graunted to the Church of Rome by Constantine the great Ierom vpon Malachi writeth plainly that the Church after that it came to the protection of Christian Princes it increased in power and riches but decreased in vertue and godlinesse Lastly to what ende were there so many priuiledges graunted by them both to places and persons Ecclesiasticall especially to the Church of Rome whereby they were exempted from all power and iurisdiction euen of ordinary Magistrates so that they might be without checke of any hauing libertie to liue as licentiouslie as they list These were the vnhappie beginnings and procéedings of so great tyrannie whereby the kingdome of Antichrist and this generall Apostacie was founded increased and made strong And yet this so great power receiued also some furtherance euen by Iustinian the Emperour and somewhat before the time of Phocas by vertue of a lawe of his in Nouella authent 131. de quatuor sanctis concilijs By what other degrees and occasions the authoritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either stilie drawne forward or strongly established The 25. Chapter BVt Sathan the craftie work-maister wrought not only by these engines and subtile practises in aduauncing the kingdome of Antichrist but applied also other deuises of his as if he were to set abroach all the policies he had and vtmost indeuour he could in weauing this webb For vnto these beginnings and proceedings were adioyned other causes and occasions as hang-bies which were neither small in themselues nor feeble in their force Namely first the fame and renowne of the Citie of Rome it selfe which was called the head of the world Secondly the decaied estate of the Empire and the emptie seate thereof being at that time translated vnto Constantinople Thirdly the bountifull benefites of certaine Bishoppes of Rome bestowed vpon all Jtalie in generall and more perticularly and specially vpon Rome it selfe as testimonies of their loue and pledges of their care which they had of their Citizens and sheepe For Leo the first Bishop of Rome went out and met Attilas who was making inuasion vpon Italie and turned him backe hauing pacified him with a very milde speach in so much as that furious Beast at whose verie name al men trembled being soothed vp without once touching any part of Jtalie returned into Pannonia Pelagius the first Bishop likewise of Rome did so asswage Totilas a most cruell tyraunt by humble suite and petition as that when he had alreadie surprized Rome and in great rage was deuising how to bring it to vtter ruine yet he obtayned thus much of this angrie and furious Totilas that euen Totilas himselfe should inhibite further fierings and slaughter to bee committed in Rome There are other great good turnes recorded of other Bishops of Rome employed either vpon all Italie as by sending or intertayning Ambassadours or els perticularlie vpon Rome it selfe which things worthelie procured to them and their successours great and speciall fauour not only at the hands of Jtalians and Romanes but also of strangers and men of forraigne Nations Whereby it came to passe that for remedie agaynst the iniuries offered of some officers and Lieutenants yea such as were without the precincts of Italie appeales were made vnto the Bishops of Rome So did Victor Bishoppe of Fausienna call for assistance at the hands of Gregorie the first Bishoppe of Rome agaynst the Iudges in Affricke which committed many things with wrong and violence So likewise he tooke into his protection Isidore Mustellus and Constantius agaynst the hard proceedings of their Bishops And in like sorte he yeelded his helping hand vnto Adrian Bishop of Thebes agaynst Larissaeus the Metropolitanes of Iustiniana epist 46. induct 11. So also did the saide Gregorie write verie sharply vnto Brunchilda the Queene of Fraunce for that she did wickedlie permit the Jewes within her Dominions to intertayne and keepe Christians as their bond-slaues And to conclude thence it came to passe that verie barbarous people and the Princes of Gotland although as yet they were aliaunts and straungers from the profession of Christianitie had the Bisshoppes of Rome in very great accoumpt and indeuoured to increase and set out their creditte and estimation to their vtmost For Atalaricus King of the Gothes caused by publike edict and proclamation that Boniface the fourth and Iohn Bishoppes of Rome should bee highly reuerenced and worshipped by the people and Senate of Rome And after him Theodoricus a King likewise of Goteland commaunded the same to bee perfourmed To make short that I might herein comprize and shut vp all things as neere as I can the principall piller of this authoritie and tyrannous power was founded vpon that famous saying of Christ so much tost and boasted of but mis-vnderstood Feede my sheepe Iohn 21.16.17 The which the Bishops of Rome contending with tooth and nayle will needes haue to bee vnderstoode of Peter and his successours only and
A TREATISE TOVCHING ANTICHRIST VVherein the Place the Time the Forme the workmen the Vphoulders the Proceeding and lastly the ruine and ouerthrow of the Kingdome of Antichrist is plainly laid open out of the word of God where also manie darke and hard places both of Daniell and the Reuelation are made manifest By Lambert Danaeus Meete in these dayes to be considered where-in the kingdome of the Beast is by force and trecherie sought to be reuiued And published for the encouragement of those which ioyne in the intended actions against the Spaniard and otherwise for the further ouerthrow of Antichrist and enlarging of Christ his kingdome with the pure preaching and sincere gouernment of the same Reuel 18.4 Go out of her my people 1. Cor. 10.11 These thinges were written to admonish vs. Vppon whom the ends of the world are come LONDON Imprinted by Thomas Orwin for Iohn Porter and Thomas Gubbin 1589. ¶ To the Right Honorable his verie good Lord Sir Christopher Wraie Knight Lord Cheife Iustice of England a liberall benefactour and worthie founder in Magdalen Colledge in Cambridg Ihon Swan wisheth such condition as hath promise both of this life and of the life to come WHat may be thought meete to be spoken in the behalfe of this booke right Honorable I suppose may bee found sufficient in the preface ensuing made by the Author himselfe and addressed vnto his Lord the Lord Casimire But what occasions moued me vnto the translation of the worke and to offer it to your Honour it may perhaps bee looked for that my selfe should signifie VVe haue seene Antichrist euen in this our Realme as well as in many other places of Christendome to haue taken a notable both fall and foyle Jn so much as who so had liued in the daies of the famous King Henry the eyght VVhome it pleased God to vse as the chiefest instrument to dismount the monster and giue him his deadly wound to haue seene then the zeale and forwardnes that was in the Nobilitie the painefulnes of the Cleargie both by pen and in pulpit the triumphes and ioyfull acclamations of the people he would haue thought that neither Antichrist himselfe would euer haue looked back with hope to haue set foote in amongst vs againe nor that in the heart of any one true English-man especially after so long a farewell hee might finde any residence or fauourable entertainment But tantae molis erit Romanam euertere gentem it fell out otherwise For not long after it appeared that it was an easier matter to hurle out the Pope then poperie at a suddaine In so much as * Ould Docter Turner one in a prety pamphlet intituled The hunting of the Foxe by the industry of such hounds as there he set on worke and by print of the Beasts footing which in many corners he obserued he descried withal cried out that the Foxe was still in the land And as for our time late and that daungerous experience hath toulde vs both in respect of Rome and Rhemes abroade and of Jesuites and Seminarie Priests sent ouer vnto vs and of hollow harted and trayterous subiects fostered amongst vs who all haue made waie to this late cruell attempt of the Spanyards that both the Pope himselfe hath long since cast more then a glauncing eye toward England and that many amongst vs yea such as haue bin borne in time of her Maiesties most happie Raigne haue liked and longed for that vnhappie euent of that vngratious aspect But long may they looke in vaine as hetherto they haue done by Gods mercifull prouidence ouer vs and by the carefull gouernment of such as are our Magistrats VVhose labour and watchfulnes as it becommeth eache christian in loue of the Churche to support and further by al such good meanes as where-with God hath enabled him So J being not able otherwise haue endeuoured hereby to do the best I maie not for the helpe of the learned who are able themselues to consult with the Author in the originall but of such as to whome without such helpe this worke might seeme to bee a treasure hid in the ground And they be the men that be most endaungered as not being able to discearne the Beast though daily they see his footing before their face and therefore had most need of a Mithridate to withstand his infection And in my simple opinion there is no one booke among many that hath bin penned of late to this purpose which more fitly and effectually perperformeeh the same then this doth in thwarting the enterprise of the Rhemist and cracking the credit of this Romish maister which also might daunt the desperat attempts of his fauourites amongst vs considering the Beast vnder whose banner they fight This little labour of mine being finished considering with my selfe the place which your Lordship sustaines to the seruice and saftie of her Maiesties person hir country and common-weale and good of the Churche J was easely induced to presume to make offer of the same vnto your honour And in so doing withall J conceiued hope to compasse that which the Author himselfe affected in making his dedication vnto Prince Casimire namely that vnder your Lordeships name and patronage it may be the more willingly accepted and the more safely passe through the handes of men The which J beseeche your good Lordeship in such fauourable sorte to accept as you did the former The Lorde of Lords preserue your Lordship to see the happie and ioyfull returne of many a newe yere and prosper your Honorable endeauours tending to the aduauncement of his glorie and supplanting his and her Maiesties enemies to the good of the Church the safety of the Realme the furtheraunce of Religion and learning and your owne endles comfort in Christ Jesu Amen From the Colledg of Wye in Kent the first of Ianuary 1589 Your Lordships most bounden Iohn Swan To the famous and mightie Prince and Lord Iohn Casimire Countie Palantine of the RHINE Duke of BAVER c. his verie good Lord and Maister WHereas in these our daies wherein the light of the glorious Gospell begins to reuiue and spring a fresh there be many poynts called into controuersie there is not among them any one Most noble Prince more difficult or lesse agreed vpon by such as write then that question which concerneth Antichrist The knowledge whereof although it be most necessarie both for the vnderstanding of that truth which God himselfe hath reueiled exceeding profitable for the staie of the Church yet in this poynt the opinions of the auncient Fathers haue bene so variable and diuers that we are almost altogether to seeke what we are to follow and hould in this behalfe And this diuersitie of theirs came to passe by this meanes partly for that they liued in those dayes wherein all the marks and tokens of this Jniquitie the which notwithstanding the Spirit of God bewraied and poynted out beforehand were not manifest as not come to light for as yet
at some one time or other or else of the whole rabble of men in their successions which in that Apostacie should beare a swindge for many yeares whome Paule likeneth to a man and so tearmeth it in the singular nomber although in truth it be a troupe and crewe gathered and compact together of many men yea of all the nations kingdomes of the world In like manner as Paule 1. Cor. 4.1 by man in the singular nomber vnderstandeth many which kinde of speache is vsuall and familiar to such as follow the Hebrew phrase the which Paule in his writings doth greatly affect and imitate But withall this is diligently to be obserued which Damascen affirmeth namely that Antichrist should not be one of the Diuels that should take vpon him the flesh and substance of man euen as our Sauiour tooke vnto him our humane nature although notwithstanding such as should become Antichrists should be possessed with a diuelish disposition and caried in enmitie against God Truth it is the Papists will haue it vnderstoode of one singular and priuate man who one day should liue and kéepe a stirre and further that he should arise out of the tribe of Dan but in this their dotage they relie vpon no ground of Scripture and therefore they are vnméete in this point to be dealt withall Others there are and that learned men to that are of opinion that this is to be vnderstoode indéede of one man but such an one as among all the route of Apostates should be the most peruerse the chiefe and ring-leader of all the rest for say they there is one head of the godly and faithfull euen Christ Iesus And touching the name of this one principall arch-Apostata they thinke it is as well couertly insinuated in this place of Paule as also especially bewrayed in the 13. of the Reuelation vers 18. where the figures letters of the said name are said to make vp the nomber of 666. And to say the truth this opinion is generally receiued and seemeth to be somewhat likely Vnto these points I will addresse mine answere And first touching the first Although it be very true that there is one principall head of all the vnfaithfull yet he is not any perticular mortall man such as it appeareth Math. 24. that famous Antichrist should be but euen Sathan himselfe that old Serpent who also is called the Dragon And as for the second opinion me thinks it is weake and wauereth in it selfe in as much as that place of the Apocalypse cap. 13. vers 18. is wrongly interpreted of any certaine name title or calling of any one man the letters whereof should conteine the nomber of 666. For the Spirit of God in that place medleth not with the Arithmeticall signification of letters wherewith any word is framed but of the time and nomber of yeares wherein those things should be accomplished that are there spoken of For the Scripture neuer vseth to deale in such manner of Sorcers foolish mystery by letters which is but flat iuggling of the Cabalists and damned dotages of the Magicians but it vseth to speake very plainely when it fore-telleth of the comming of any as namely when it fore-sheweth the comming of Cyrus and Iosias and that an hundred yeares before they came indeede Therefore looke what men are any where by the Spirit of God spoken of they be mentioned vnder their plaine proper and peculiar names and not by such circumstance of words as Cyrus Iosias Iesus Christ c. as I said before And to the end we may the better see into the matter let vs examine the words of the text it selfe Reuel 13. vers 18. Heere is wisedome Let him that hath vnderstanding coumpt the nomber of the Beast for it is the nomber of a man and his nomber is sixe hundred threescore and sixe Now I would demaund of what tongue or language that word or name should be the letters whereof must be searched after whether it should be an Hebrew Gréeke or Latin word for as August affirmeth lib. 12. de Genesi ad literam these three languages were alwaies accoumpted principall among al men Truely they that first brought vp that interpretation whereof I speake as namely Irenaeus lib. 5. do euen folter in the matter and labour their wittes in deuising any one word whose letters would amount vnto the number of 666. And yet Eusebius lib. 5. histor cap. 8. followeth that which he saw Irenaeus to haue set downe before him I could my selfe deuise many such wordes but it would bee to no purpose For this name Claudius Ruber containes the like number that these do Italica Ecclesia Lateinos Teitan the which neuerthelesse Irenaeus thinketh should be the very names of this egregious Antichrist Agayne the ancient writers before the daies of Irenaeus fetching the matter out of the Greeke affirme that this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and these two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should be meant which should make vp the number 666. namely the letter λ to signifie 30. α 1. τ 300. ε 5. ι 10. υ 50. ν 70. ς 200. For these numbers being added together amount vnto 666. And that somme also is contained in the two other words according to the Greekish manner of supputation or numbring by letters ι 10. τ 300. α 1. λ 30. ι 10. κ 20. α 1. ε 5. μ 20. μ 20. λ 30. κ 8. σ 200. ◠10. α 1. Al which likewise being put together make 666. And no doubt but the truth of the thing bred and fostered this opinion in them Far in the Italian Church the head whereof the Citie of Rome alwaies was they sawe before their eyes that the very kingdome of Antichrist began then to be reiected and so by such beginnings as then appeared the Spirit of GOD guided those good men to fore-see and fore-shewe that there also in time it would grow to his height and perfection And as touching Jrenaeus himselfe he rather thought that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should bee the proper name of Antichrist Hereunto may bée added the Hebrew word Romuth which signifieth a Romain whereof the letter ר signifieth in their manner of numbering also 200. ו 6. ט 40. י 10. י 10. ת 400. But these are but quiddities and come not néere the true exposition of that place of the Apoc. which I alleadged the which that wee may attaine vnto wee must make recourse vnto the holie Scriptures and vnto such like places as this is as namely vnto that of Daniell cap. 7. where not only one perticular man but a whole and vniuersall state of a kingdome is set foorth vnder the name and shape of a Beast as here of a man So the kingdome and all the Kings of Persia are shadowed vnder the figure of one Beare of the Macedonians vnder the shape of a Leopard So also all such as should bée the principalles and hold the helme as you would say in that Apostacie are
thought vpon the reducing or restoring of the Italian Empire vnto her former dignitie but laboured their vtmost her vtter ouerthrowe for they were barbarous men such as were the Rugians and Gothes who began now openly to beare rule in Italie Now all these Kings of whome I haue spoken raigned almost but an houre that is a verie short time and space yea they raigned and died much about a time in as much as all of them came to the Crowne within little lesse then the compasse of tenne yeares and it may be that the Image thereof I meane the state of Poperie may héerein resemble her * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 platfourme and agrée iompe there-with in hauing her tenne last Popes verie short liu'd for a finall conclusion and ruinous confusion of that kingdome Therefore both the number of the Kings which is specified in the Scriptures and the verie short time of their gouernment confirmeth my interpretation and proueth it to be most true which I had rather follow then that exposition which Primasius giueth of this place vnderstanding by an houre any time whatsoeuer either short or long where-vnto the 8. Chapter verse 1. of the same Reuelation is repugnaunt That these three things were the chiefe and principall groundes of the kingdome of Poperie First the diuers haeresies that sproong vp in the Church touching the natures and office of Christ Secondly the bitter bickerings that were among the Bishops and thirdly the large bounties of Emperours and certaine other men who both were able and superstitiously bent which they bestowed on the Church of Rome The 24. Chapter WHich being so we are now to lay open by what steppes this seate and tyrannie of the Romane Empire stept vp to such a tipe and magnificence and how at last it attained his finall furniture and perfection of building in the place of * Geddon-Harma desolation that is where the sheards and asshes of ruinous Rome were to be found The first and originall ground-workes in laying and establishing the kingdome of Antichrist were three to weete the errours of Heretikes the contentions of Bishops and the superstitious deuotions and excessiue liberalities of Christian Princes for so that their foolish and immoderate largisse bestowed vpon the Church is rather to be tearmed then true deuotions for they were too-too ouer-lasshing and cockering fauourers towards the Church and chiefely the Church of Rome And touching these three causes which I called ground-works of the Antichristian kingdome it may easily be perceiued that they likewise were three mightie and effectuall steps or degrees whereby Antichrist by little and little reared him-selfe vnto that huge and tyrannous power which afterwards he attained And first touching errours in matters of faith and religion truth it is that the Romane Church yea all the Westerne Churches remained more pure and sound then the Easterne and those in Syria by two especiall meanes the one for that in the Weast there were continuall persecutions stirred vp by the Emperours of Rome the other for that the wits of the Westerne men were alwayes more grosse and dull whereby it came to passe that they of the Easterne Churches repayred often in matters of doubt vnto the Church of Rome and required their iudgement and helpe in condemning newsproong Heresies and so by this meanes the credit and estimation of the Bishop of Rome began more and more in wonderfull sort to increase and be highly reputed of in the Church of God for the many and diuers Heresies that then were did not only shake the Christian faith but made it as a matter greatly doubted of among many in the East especiallie where-by also they made readie way for that generall back-sliding which after insued And therefore those Heresies are called by Chrisostome Armies of Antichrist especially such as sprang last whereby bitter contention was raysed and heald repugnaunt to the word of God touching the natures of Christ and of their vnion or lincking together of the office of Christ and of the merits of our workes suche as those were which were stirred vp by Arrius Nestorius Eutyches and Pelagius which Heresies were both most detestable and most forceible to ouerthrowe the vprightnesse of mens iudgements And therefore by this meanes vpon a suddaine the superstition of Mahumetisme began in the East and by occasion of the continuall dissentions that were among the Christians touching such points of Doctrine it was admitted willinglie and preuailed greatlie For the Easterne Churches were now tainted turmoiled and foulie deformed with an infinite number of heresies for looke how many heresies there are about matters of faith and doctrine so many foule blots and blemishes there are in the Christian Churches And truely Chrysost vpon Math. Hom. 49. obserueth very wel that after such time as Theodosius the great had once graunted temples and places of publike assemblies euen vnto heretikes it came to passe that the Churches receiued great deformitie wonderfull increase of heresies Therfore the Churches of the East séeing they had lost all credit and reputation of Christian profession among their neighbours countreymen at home they intreated Symmachus then Bishop of Rome that he would by his censure cōdemne the heresies of Acatius seeing that as then the Easterne Bishops had no such power authoritie ouer their people so also they desired of Agapetus that he would depose Antimus Bish of Constantinople as an heretike And to make short all Ecclesiasticall histories are plentifull in such examples This therefore was the first meanes whereby the kingdome of Antich began to get footing The secōd meanes hereof was the continuall dissentions garboiles brawles wofull contentions of the Bishops among thēselues whereby not only thēselues became odious among men but euen the doctrine of Christ wherof they were the pillers begā to grow into vtter cōtempt These sturs were very cōmon in the Easterne Churches but not so vsuall in the West by meanes of the continuall persecutions that were there for idlenes long rest doth make mē more wanton dissolute whereby it came to passe that the Bishops that were thus molested were glad faine to flie vnto an other Bish of greater coūtenance wherby they might be eased kept frō wrongful dealings offered thē by other Bishops Now as for the Bish of Rome he no doubt by meanes of the famousnes of the City it selfe seemed the most principal who also was ready willing to yéeld his helping hand in the redresse of other Bishops their distressed estates for both Athanasius being put out of his Bishoppricke by the Arrians made his repaire to the B. of Rome as vnto a sure refuge after him Fabianus before him many other did the like as appeareth by histories infinite it were to reckon vp all exampls in this behalf in so much as in processe of time this repaire vnto the Romane Bishops in times of exigence procured him great authoritie among all nations in Christendome and that indéede so
the midst of this defection although notwithstanding the number of them as I haue said was alwaies little themselues dwelling in deserts and being such as were vnknowne among other men for then was accomplished that which was prophecied of by Iohn namely that The Church of God should flye into the wildernesse Reuel 12.16 and there should lye hid for a season VVhat iust cause the Lord had to punish the world with this plague of blindnesse that it should admit of this miserable state of the Antichristian kingdome and further what monstrous contempt of Gods word went before this state of Antichrist The 39. Chapter FVrthermore why God would haue these wicked and rebellious wretches to slip and fall into that so grieuous an Apostacie Paule yeeldeth a reason and that a verie sufficient and iust one For although the Lord hath alwayes most vpright inducements for all his decrees and iudgements For all the wayes of the Lord are truth and iudgement Psal 25.10 and though it be not necessarie that we should be made priuie there-vnto yet to the end that The wisedome of God should be iustified by her children Matth. 11.19 and that they there-by might be the more strengthned it pleased the Spirit of God to yield a reason and cause of this so great and fearefull a iudgement of God vppon the whole world which afterward insued And this was it because the world through disobedience and vnbeliefe had deserued that heauie wrath and those grieuous punishments at the hands of God For was not this a verie foule and monstrous kind of ingratitude towards God that his sacred Gospell where-of they could not be ignorant but had already heard it before preached yea and had well perceiued the power and maiestie of it should notwithstanding be loathed by them and trampled vnder foote and that in stead there-of the deuises of men the errors of Heretikes impieties and superstitions of all sorts against the holy word of God him-selfe should publikely be brought in and with the great liking and approbaâ—ion of all sorts of men admitted into the Church defended yea and preferred before the truth of God it-selfe What impietie could be greater what iniurie I pray you more excessiue and hainous could there euer be offered by mortall men vnto the liuing God who is iealous of his glorie Therefore this punishment brought vpon the world and the Church is a right 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a most iust reuenge inflicted vpon the mockers of his name and word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deriders and scoffers men that are set downe in skorners chaire Whence it is that Paule calleth the same punishment 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vers 12. a condemnation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith he that these contemners might be damned and committed to torture Therefore this seueare proceeding is a iust punishment of extreame wickednesse blasphenne and vnthankefulnesse of men towards God For the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 iudged doth in this place signifie not so much an examination which God maketh of the cause as a iudicial censure a verdict of condemnation and execution of punishment And herein assuredly the said Antich as well as the diuell himself was the executioner Againe we are with-all to take especiall obseruation of the vehemencie of the speache which the Spirit of God in Paule hath vsed to expresse these abhominable wretches for there-by it will the more appeare how excessiue the contempt was which they had of the Gospell and word of God the reuenge where-of is so horrible and indéede so great that it seemeth there could not possibly be inuented a greater To this purpose therefore appertaineth that which Paule addeth and that not idlie or to no purpose in these words 1. They receiued not then the Gospell was offered vnto them so that there-by their neglect and vnthankefulnesse appeareth so much the greater 2. The loue that is that sweete and comfortable doctrine so greatly to be desired which stirreth vp draweth to it and chéereth the hearts and consciences of men 3. Of the truth which is a thing of it-selfe worthy great price and estimation and to be preferred farre before the deuises of men what-so-euer The which truth Paule commending by the effect it hath saith By it men might be saued For that preaching of the Gospell is the instrument or meanes whereby they are brought vnto Christ in whome only our safetie doth consist Therefore the word Truth is in this place by way of preeminence set downe for the doctrine of the Gospell It was therefore a detestable and sauadge kind of vnkindnesse for men in that sort to set light by such great and precious giftes of God nay it was more then barbarous and beastlie carelesnesse and impietie which deserued this seueare punishment and sharpe reuenge Lastly Paule doth yet further amplifye this grieuous contempte of God although notwithstanding it is hainous inough of it-selfe least peraduenture it should seeme to vs a light matter or a small offence And he doth aggrauate the same both in regard of the manner how they embraced and of the height wherevnto like mad-men they aduaunced this their rebellious and blasphemous behauiour against God For he saith they did it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hauing pleasure in it with such a desire so willingly and in such greedie and earnest manner that therein they greatly pleased them-selues they liked and allowed of it they tooke great delight in it and wittingly and willingly made accoumpt of it as of a most pure and precious doctrine and lastly that they preferred it before the heauenly word of the Lord God him-selfe And assuredlie this is the highest step of madnesse that can be for men not only like sots to admit and approue of lies in stead of truth but to rest and repose them-selues there-in quietly contentedlie and in ioyfull sort yea with stretched-out armes to embrace the same to soothe and solace them-selues in it although in the meane time their consciences do there-in greatly grutch repine against it Lastly the same Paule addeth this as an vp-shot of this villanie and raging madnesse committed against God that the same matter which these men so greedely pursue and so entirely embrace is nothing else then meere Vnrighteousnes Where-in their condemnation was the greater and their punishment the more iust For it is most iust vpright that such as allow of and mainteine vnrighteousnes should be most seuearely punished Psal 94. And where-as he calleth this impietie simply Iniustice or Vnrighteousnes he thereby giueth vs to vnderstand that in this state of Antichrist which is the state of Popery God is not offended or his kingdome violated in one point or after one sort only but that all kinde of iniquitie being by them admitted is committed and done with great liking and allowance For as that is called righteousnesse where-by we yeeld vnto God and man that which is their due and shewe our selues conformable to the will of God in all our
actions both in-ward and out-ward so is that Vnrighteousnes where-by we are iniurious to God and our neighbour shrinking from the will of God either in points of doctrine or matters of life and conuersation The which to be practised and found rife in Poperie and the kingdome of Antichrist there is none that can make doubt except such as neuer sawe the shadow of it or tasted the least drop of her venome But such as haue learned but only the first rudiments of that state which too many haue done and afterward by the goodnesse of God are brought to see the true light of the Gospell shall assuredly perceiue more cleare then the sunne at noone day how all corruption both of sound doctrine and holy life taketh place among them yea and approued with commendation Therefore seeing the hainousnesse of this Vnrighteousnes was and is so great and that growne to such an height or degree it is no maruaile though this so greeuous a punishment ensued in the world that the reprobate faithlesse men which most wickedly contemned the truth of God either offred to them or acknowledged by them should fall into this so cruell a tyrannie of soules and consciences An aunswere vnto three certaine principall arguments of the Papists where-with they would iustifie themselues and approoue this sayd kingdome of Antichrist The 40. Chapter THis whole discourse of Antichrist out of S. Paule might now séeme to be fully finished but that there remaines an hard obiection of the Papists wherevnto I thinke good for a finall conclusion of this treatise briefely to oppose an aunswere This their obiection relieth vpon three seuerall arguments which they vrge verie sawcely in way of defence both of them-selues and of their said synagogue and doctrine 1. The first whereof respecteth and resteth vpon the multitude of those which both heere-tofore haue professed and as yet do hold the same Apostaticall that is Papisticall doctrine but herevnto the aunswere is easie For seeing that Paul hath very clearely deliuered this point namely that it should fall out that only the elect and children of God should perseuere and continue in the true doctrine and those in number be but few but as for such as despise the Gospell and are seduced by Satan they are almost infinite for the way is narrowe that leadeth to eternall life but broade is the pathe that tendeth to destruction as our Sauiour affirmeth there can not vndoubtedly be brought any proofe from the greater number troupe of men to assure vs of the true marks of the Church and to confirme vs in the certaintie of the truth of the doctrine we professe For by that reason were the Turks now rather to be reckoned the true Church of God then are the Papists for there are moe Turks Mahumetanes the Papists And againe in times past the Idolatours before the comming of Christ were to be coumpted the Church of God rather then the Iewes for the number of Idolatours were alwayes greater then was the number of the Iewes But Christ calleth his Church the true Church which is the only Church of God A small stocke Luk. 12.32 Chrisost Hom. 28. ad popul Antioch It is better saith he that there should be one that doth the will of the Lord then a thousand wicked Ye may see if ye will beloued that a great multitude of such as do not the will of the Lord is not a whit better then such as are not at all Thus much Chrisostome 2. The second argument is taken from the generall liking that hath bin of that erronious doctrine the which as they say hath bin approued by diuers men and sundry Synods But I aunswere with Paule that so it was to fall out that this Antichristian and Apostaticall doctrine should not only be allowed of by some men but also be willingly receiued into the verie Church in such sort as that men should securely and wonderfully repose them-selues in it and all because that then they tooke no due regard vnto the word of God Therefore this reason faileth as hauing in it a fallation setting that for a cause as also the former did which is none at all 3. Lastly the third argument which the Papists vse against vs is drawne from prescription long time where-in the sayd Apostacie hath bin entertained and as yet raigneth among men in great securitie Vnto this argument also I make aunswere out of Paule that it was so to come to passe that God should send such strong effectuall errour and that vpon iust occasion that men would giue eare credit vnto those lies not for a day but for a very long season Therefore this plea of long possession that errour maketh is so farre from ratifying the same that it maketh it more great grieuous in that it hath seduced the mâ—e and so long incroached The same answere Innocentius the third Bish of Rome did likewise make in a certaine Decretall Epistle of his for against pietie against good manners against the expresse word of God a custome being taken vp and doctrine admitted may at no hand preuaile by plea of prescription or long continuance of time Canon Consuetud dist 11. For such things as at first are not allowable cannot be iustified by continuance of time as the Lawyers them-selues are plaine in this point L. Quae ab initio D. de Regul Iur. Now if there be many other matters which by the very rules of the Papists themselues and their decrees cannot be ouerborne by neuer so long prescription of time such as are the rights duties belonging to the Kings treasurie or Exchequer and as appertaine to the common-wealth namely such things as haue bin left forsaken for feare of hostile inuasion againe such things as are compassed within certaine precincts and limits and lastly such as are the prerogatiues belonging vnto the Church of Rome it selfe Why may not the like priuiledge be awarded vnto the word of God who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and vnto his Church so as no prescription of time be it of neuer so long continuance may preiudice the Lord himselfe and that especially seeing that those whiche began first to take this aduauntage of time dealt not sincerely nor in plaine truth and simplicitie without which there can no prescription preuaile in the Church so then it followeth not that the doctrine of Popery is therefore true because it hath bin plausibly admitted for a great while together for Daniell and the Spirit of God haue fore-tolde it so should come to passe and therefore it could no otherwise fall out To conclude in the 2. Kings Cap. 17.41 the superstitions of the kingdome of Israel are condemned and such religion as Ieroboam had prescribed for the worshipping of God although it be affirmed to haue bin obserued from the Auncestours vnto the children and childrens children and so foorth And wheras men wonder how God should suffer his Church to erre so long time together