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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69171	A treatise, touching Antichrist VVherein, the place, the time, the forme, the workmen, the vpholders, 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 Danæus.; Tractatus de Antichristo. English	Daneau, Lambert, ca. 1530-1595?; Swan, John, d. 1617.	1589 (1589)	STC 6229; ESTC S111048	137,818	208

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 approba●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

for the disposing and getting gift and graunt of kingdomes the Bishop of Rome doth openly lay claime vnto that as appeareth out of the 2. cap. Extrauag of Superioritie and Subiection although Gregorious Magnus did first call himselfe the Seruant of Seruants whereby he might teach his successours humilitie But as for them they kéepe indeede the outward name inscription but as for the royaltie that agréeth not with this poore title they take that vpon them with a mischiefe And touching the free disposing of matters in the administration of the Church like a wicked wretch he sayes it belongeth properly and only vnto him as appeareth Can. Cuncta 9. quaest 3. Can. si Papa dist 4. Can. neminis est de sedis Apostolicae iudicio iudicare 17. quaest 4. Therefore his owne Decrées do prooue this poynt to bée true For he appoynteth at his pleasure newe Sacraments and those that were instituted by Christ he doth repeale tosse turkisse and take away He prescribes lawes to binde mens consciences and as for such lawes as our Sauiour himselfe authorised he playes fast and loose with them as he listeth Can. sunt quidam 25. quaest Lastly like a brasen faced merchant he aduaunceth himselfe aboue a generall Councell Can. nunc autem dist 21. Now what is al this but flat and fayre to take vpon him the power of God He bringeth vnder his subiection all powers Principalities Kings and Magistrates Can. si Imperator dist 96. Yea the very Empyre it selfe then the which there is nothing in the whole world greater more sacred and magnificent together with the very Emperour himselfe whome with much ado he admitteth to come to the humble kissing of his feete in that that he likeneth himselfe to the Sunne and the Emperour to the Moone so that the foolish fellow makes himselfe to bee aboue all power making but a mocke of that of Peter 1. Pet. 2.13 The which cursed poynt of blasphemie of the Pope is to be found registred cap. 2. Extrauag de maioritate obedientia cap quinto seq Extr. de translat Episcop and left in record for remembrance of his impietie to all posteritie Lastly Helmodius reporteth in his historie of Saxonie that Alexander the 3. would in no case acknowledge Fredericke to bee lawfully admitted and all because the poore Emperour held the wrong stirrope while his holinesse should mount on horse-backe But among other authors it were good to reade in this behalfe Bernardus as well in his second booke to Eugenius Bishop of Rome where in conclusion he breaketh out into these words Thou hast more need quoth he to haue a Rake in thine hand than a Scepter to perfourme the office of a Prophet As also in his Epistles namely 230. where at last speaking of the tyrannie of the Bishop of Rome he maketh an exclamation in this sort At first indeed ye began to play the Lords but ouer the Clergie contrarie to the counsaile of Peter and within a while 1. Pet. 5.3 2. Cor. 1.24 contrarie to the aduise of Paule Peters fellow-Apostle you will haue dominion ouer the faith of all men But ye stay not there ye haue taken vpon you more namely to haue a peremptorie power in religion it selfe Now what remaineth whereon ye might further incroach except ye will go about to bring the very Aungels vnder your subiection c. What can a man say more then this whereby we might conceiue that any did take vpon him the power of God So that now no man can iustly make doubt but that the Romane Bishop is the head and chief-taine in the kingdome of Antichrist And that such as imbrace and maintaine his doctrine are to be reputed and reckoned in the number of Antichristes Of the place where Antichrist should sit where it is apparant that neither Mahumet himselfe nor his accomplisses be the men whom the Scripture tearmeth Antichristes The fiftenth Chapter WE are withall to consider of the place where Antichrist that is the Prince of this Apostacie and of all that generation should sit S. Paule hath endeuoured to determine the same but that seemeth to bée done by him somwhat obscurely when he saith he should sit in the Temple of God But yet great and carefull search had been made what those words of his should signifie Origen vpon Math. Hom. 29. by the Temple of God vnderstandeth the Scriptures and word of God Therefore sayth he there shall then be in the Church a false Scripture for in stead of the true word of God a false doctrine shall preuaile Truth it is Paule 1. Tim. 4.1.2 c. and 2. Tim. 3.1.2 c. 4.3 hath plainly auouched that in the latter times men should depart from the faith and should imbrace and spread abroad diuellish doctrine The which also the very worde of Apostacie which wee haue before out of Paule taught should happen vnder the kingdome of Antichrist doth sufficiently proue Agayne Austin lib. 23. De Ciuitate Dei cap. 19. interpreteth the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For the Church of God and not In the Church of God as if it were written He shall sit for the Temple or in stead of the Church of God But as for this kinde of speach he might haue been well ynough acquainted with it out of 1. Cor. 6.19 and 1. Pet. 2.5 where wee see that the Temple of God is taken for the people and place where God is worshipped which by an other name is called the Church Therefore Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of God that is he shall exercise that his power among the very faithfull and children of God For this defection was to fall out euen in the midst of the Church it selfe In somuch as they that were the authors and maintayners of the sayd Apostacie should notwithstanding boast and vaunt themselues vnder the name and glorious shewe of the Church of God and to make short they only forsooth will needes bee tearmed and reputed for the true Church And that they only are the true Prelates and Bishops of the same Whereby especially appeareth that which I haue often insinuated namely that the Sectaries of Mahumet are not the men of whom Paule spake and prophecied in this place although the doctrine of Mahumet of Poperie began much about a time For Mahumet which was the last of the two began vnder Heraclius and the Papisticall tyrannie began somewhat before vnder the Emperour Phocas So that these two Kingdomes being so opposite repugnant to Christes differ not much aboue ten yeares touching the times of their seuerall beginnings But yet seeing the followers of Mahumet do openly renounce the name of Christes Church and will at no hand admit much lesse pretend that title or calling and seeing on the contrary side the Papistes do so greedelie affect holde and appropriate to themselues the stile of the Church the title of the Temple of God and the name of Catholikes there is none if he would bee accompted of

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

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 m●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

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