and Mâ—gog of which I purpose not to speâ—kâ— in thâ— treatise FINIS TO AS MANY AS CALL THEMSELVES CATHOLIKES AND FOLLOW THE Church of Rome and yet doe desire to know and embrace the truth WE see and lament that the multitude of those which doe beare the name of Christians is distracted into many different and contrary opinions yeâ—â—is there none of the factions which pretendeth not that he hath the onely right way Against this multiplicity ariseth the word of God which doth constantly affirme that Ephes 4 4.5.6 there is but one God one faith c. So that though 1. Cor. 9.24 many runne at the price yet but one obtaineth it The great Question is among vs all which side hath the true God and true faith and who shall get the price In this contention none are so feruent as they who call themselues Catholikes and follow the Church of Rome and they who are called Protestants and haue departed from the Church of Rome In so great opposition it is certaine both parties are not right Wherefore you that follow Rome yet loue the truth consider with me a little how we may be satisfied which of vs is out of the way and thinke no scorne to turne into the right path when we haue found it As for the rest whom Antichrist hath deluded to stoppe their eares like deafe Adders against good counsaile and to open their mouthes to blasphemie so that they crie all is but lyes before they heare or reade a letter as God hath prouided no sacrifice for their wilfull sinne so I leaue them to him that â— Cor. 5.13 iudgeth them that are without It is confessed of vs all that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had the truth and that he sent his Apostles abroad to preach the same which they did in their sermone and deliuered in their writings Now it remaineth to be required whether the Doctrine by them taught and recorded in the scriptures be the onely eternal and immutable truth or no Or that the Church may in time deuise more to bee added thereto other differing from it or some contrary vnto it of like authoritie and reuerence As for the Protestants they bind themselues to the written Word as a sufficient Canon to walke by acknowledging it to be Reuel 19.16 the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Church of Rome will not be so straighted nor so subiect but wil assume she goeth right when she walketh by her Traditions which change with the times as appeareth by their seueral and opposite decrees and institutions So that she thinketh her selfe neuer out whatsoeuer she doth in abolishing the former and in deuising and inioyning such new articles as the godly in the primitiue Church neuer knew nor their fathers before them vnto which also she holdeth all men are to be subiect on paine of damnation For the decision of this great question because it is obiected to the parties themselues that they doe not pursue their arguments with that patience as is required at the hands of Christians let vs commit the moderation to such as we all agree were both truly Christians which was the Act. first name that the Disciples were called by and truelie Catholikes which was the next title they tooke Namely Athanasius and his fellowes who though they spake in another case yet it appeareth by the waight of their arguments they would speake of our Question were they at our Conference in the same sort as they did at Ariâ—â—â—â— Let vs see to which of our parties their censure were most proper if the names of the persons which they speake of were changed into the persons of our Question Their speech is recorded by Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 29. When Vrsacius and Valent had read a confession of the faith dissenting from the Nicâ—â—â— Creede as the Papists doe from the faith and doctrine of the word of God published in the raigne of Constantius Flauius and Eusebius being Consuls as that of the Papists is instituted by diuers Popes the Catholikes that disliked it rose vp and said as we also say to the Papists We came not together with you because we were destitute of faith for wee keepe that wholy which wee receiued from the beginning but that if any did attempt any new thing of that matter we might resist him AThanasius who especially disliked this innouation wrote vnto his friends almost in these words which with changing but the names of the persons whom hee nameth and are put in the margent to the Papists will be thus What I pray you was wanting in the Catholike Church vnto the doctrine of godlines that now they should enquire of the faith and should by name prefix the Consuls Popes and Councels Which were in this present time before the words which forsooth they haue set downe of the faith For the Vrsatius Valens Germanius Popish writers haue done that which was neuer done nor heard among christians For where they wrote the things which they thought were to be beleeued they haue written Consuls the Popes Councels and places moneth and lastly the day that it might be manifest to all wise men that their faith had no beginning before the beginning of the raigne of Constantius such Popes and Councels yea that which is more all of them hauing regard vnto their owne heresie haue committed their owne sentences to writing Moreouer when they pretend to write of the doctrine of the Lord they haue named another for their Lord namely Constantius the Pope For he hath opened vnto them a window vnto all their impiety And when as they did denie the word of the Sonne of God to be eternall for so farre were these enemies of Christ cast into wickednesse they haue named the Emperor decrees of the Popes to be eternall But perchance they catch an occasion to name the Consuls Popes and Councels by the example of the holy Prophets who do set downe the time in which they liued But if they shall dare to affirme so they shall exceedingly bewray their folly For albeit there be mention of the times in the prophecies of holy men as in Esaiah and Hosea which were in the daies of Ozias and Ioatham Achaz and Ezechias as in the prophecie of Ieremie who liued in the dayes of Iesias as in the prophecies of Ezechiel and Daniel who flourished when Cyrus and Darius did raigne and lastly as in other Prophets which prophecied in other times yet doe none of them lay any first foundation of pietie and holy religion For it was before their times and alwaies and before the framing of the world which God by Christ hath prepared for vs. And as for the times in which their faith began they did not designe for before those times themselues were faithfull but those were the times of the promise pronounced by them And the promise doth especially concerne the incarnation of our Sauiour That which was annexed thereunto did clearely demonstrate those things which should befall
Pages 225. b. Verses 15.18.19 Pages 234. d. Verses 16.17.18 Pages 226. Verses 18. Pages 226. a. 236. a. CHAP. XII Verses 1. Pages 1. b. d. 2. m. r. u. 64. a Verses 2. Pages 2. b. c. Verses 3. Pages 3. f. l. 4. a. i. q. 5. u. Verses 4. Pages 5. c. 157. o. Verses 5. Pages 7. g. a. Verses 6. Pages 8. g. 208. c. Verses 7. Pages 11. n. Verses 7.8 Pages 15. a. Verses 8.9 Pages 16. a. Verses 9. Pages 3. f. l. 20. a. d. 48. i. Verses 10. Pages 19. h. 20. a. Verses 9.12.13 Pages 20. d. Verses 12. Pages 35. c. Verses 13. Pages 24. b. 36. a. Verses 14. Pages 33. h. 34. f. 45. c. 80. b. Verses 15. Pages 36. a. Verses 16. Pages 46. c. 64. b. Verses 17. Pages 64. c. d. 79. d. Verses 18. Pages 65. e. CHAP. XIII Verses 1. c. Pages 25. i. k. a. 26. c. 48. l. 50. h. 73. d. 259. i. Verses 2. Pages 26. e. i. m. 27. u. 80. m. 125. i. 201. h. Verses 3. Pages 46. f. 64. l. 79. e. f. Verses 3.4 Pages 100. r. Verses 5. Pages 80. 193. e. Verses 6. Pages 73. c. 103. g. l. 141. k Verses 7. Pages 103. g. 118. f. 193. c. 126. p. 177. k 178. b. 232. l. Verses 8. Pages 126. p. 177. k. Verses 9.10 Pages 199. a. 210. f. a. Verses 11. Pages 48. h. l. 50. h. a. 63. d. Verses 12. Pages 51. k. l. 104. c. Verses 13. Pages 38. f. 51. a. 52. c. Verses 14. Pages 51. a. 53. c. 70. f. Verses 15. Pages 118. h. i. k. 178. c. d 256. 258. * Verses 16. Pages 119. h. Verses 17. Pages 119. d. Verses 18. Pages 120. a. 156. b. CHAP. XIIII Verses 1. Pages 9. d. 10. * 32. g. b. 105. n. Verses 2. Pages 43. f. Verses 3. Pages 44. e. f. 45. a. 52. h. 105. n. Verses 4. Pages 124. a. d. 78. h. 105. n. Verses 5. Pages 124. f. Verses 6. Pages 78. h. 125. k. Verses 7. Pages 125. m. Verses 8. Pages 67. s 78. h. 197. l. Verses 9. c. Pages 78. h. 209. e. Verses 13. Pages 210. d. Verses 15.18 Pages 78. h. CHAP. XV. Verses 1. Pages 227. b. 234. b. Verses 2. Pages 121. i. 228. a. Verses 3. Pages 228. c. Verses 4. Pages 228. d. Verses 5. Pages 228. e. Verses 6. Pages 234. c. e. 235. b. Verses 7. Pages 235. d. Verses 8. Pages 229.235 h. CHAP. XVI Verses 1. Pages 235. i. Verses 2.3.4.8 Pages 236. k. Verses 10.12.17 Pages 236. k. Verses 2. Pages 237. f. Verses 3. Pages 239. d. Verses 4. Pages 239. a. Verses 5. Pages 239. b. 247. e. Verses 6. Pages 239. c. 247. e. Verses 7. Pages 240. d. Verses 8. Pages 244. f. Verses 9. Pages 244. g. Verses 10. Pages 247. g. 248. d. Verses 11. Pages 247. a. CHAP. XVII Verses 1. Pages 66. l. n. Verses 2.3 Pages 65. l. a. 71. c. 73. c. b. Verses 4. Pages 66. e. l. p. 79. a. Verses 5. Pages 66. l. 67. d. f. 69. g. Verses 6. Pages 79. a. Verses 8. Pages 69. a. 72. a. Verses 9. Pages 4. m. Verses 9.10.11 Pages 70. b. 72. c. Verses 12. Pages 72. d. 26. d. 39. f. 63. e. Verses 13. Pages 65. l. Verses 14. Pages 73. g. 197. k. Verses 15. Pages 25. l. Verses 16. Pages 65. g. Verses 17. Pages 80. i. Verses 18. Pages 65. m. CHAP. XVIII Verses 1. Pages 200. d. Verses 2. Pages 197. l. 245. c. Verses 3. Pages 67. s 198. a. 203. i. 245. c. Verses 4. Pages 209. g. b. 220. b. 246. h. Verses 5. Pages 209. c. Verses 6. Pages 210. g. 221. * 247. b Verses 7. Pages 210. b. Verses 8. Pages 66. d. 210. c. Verses 9. c. 15. Pages 202. e. Verses 20. Pages 202. f. Verses 21. Pages 204. l. Verses 23. Pages 51. b. Verses 24. Pages 4. b. 67. a. 73. a. 249. a. CHAP. XIX Verses 9. Pages 234. a. Verses 10. Pages 58. g. Verses 11. Pages 194. c. e. Verses 12. Pages 195. a. c. Verses 13. Pages 194. a. 196. e. a. Verses 14. Pages 196. b. d. 197. e. Verses 15. Pages 197. g. Verses 16. Pages 197. i. Verses 17.18 Pages 198. b. 253. e. Verses 19. Pages 199. b. 199. c. 254. d. Verses 20. Pages 51 * 199. b. 201. e. Verses 21. Pages 202. g. CHAP. XX. Verses 1. Pages 200. c. d. Verses 2. Pages 200. a. Verses 3. Pages 48. k. 200. c. Verses 4. Pages 201. g. a. Verses 5. Pages 202. b. Verses 6. Pages 202. c. CHAP. XXII Verses 8. Pages 58. g. FINIS PISGAH EVANGELICA BY THE METHODE OF THE REVELATION PRESENting to the publike view those Canaanites ouer whom our Lord Iesus Christ and his holy Church shall triumph after seuerall Battailes CHAP. I. The first period containing a Battaile in heauen between the Dragon and the Woman THE Reuelation cōtaineth a a cap. 1.1 ◠c. demonstration of the most glorious and eternall presence of Christ the Almightie one in his Church by his continuall b cap. 12.1 c. warre with the Dragon the diuell c cap. 1.19 both in the present time when S. Iohn did write and also in the time that succeeded afterwards In the time of S. Iohn this fight is said to be in d cap. 12.1 c heauen that is e Mat. 13.24 25.1.14 in the Church of Christ and manifest assemblie of the Saints when the persecution is directly stirred vp against Christ And this warre is described in the same f Gen. 3.15 words in which it was first denounced In this wonderfull warre we are to consider the Battaile and Successe And of the battaile the Enemies their Manner of fight the Enemies are the partie Offendent and Defendent The Defendent is the vniuersall Church of Christ shadowed vnder g cap. 1.12.20 the mysterie of seauen golden candlestickes For the Church is the h Math. 5.14 light of the world as the i Exod. 25.37 golden candlestickes in the law were the light of the Tabernacle It is also called new k cap. 3.12 Ierusalem and the l cap. 1.4 11. seauen Churches of Asia For in the time of S. Iohn the Churches of Asia in a manner alone did publikely support the profession of the Christian faith Wherefore S. Iohn is required to write to them and in them to all other Churches wheresoeuer This vniuersall Church is also called a m cap. 12.1 woman after the n Psal 45. Cant. vsuall metaphor of the scripture In her description we are to consider her ornaments and child-bearing Her first ornament is of her apparell which is said to be glorious as the o cap. 12.1 Sunne hauing put on the Lord p Malac. 4. 2. Esay 60.1 Phil. 2.15 Iesus the sonne of righteousnesse For the Christians did publikely professe themselues q Euseb 3. 17. alibi passim to be Christians which was the onely cause of the persecutions The next ornament is her Footestoole which is said to
of Israel being resembled vnto them which contended with the Cananites for the land of promise For these also contend with these vnchristian Cananites for the true doctrine and meanes of saluation promised by Iesus Christ Those who are sealed according to the doctrine which they keepe and with which they worship the Lord in the secret of the Almightie * Psal 91.1 are a b cap. 7.9.10 multitude which no man could number of all nations and kindreds and people and tongues like holy and these ascribe all saluation vnto our God that sitteth vpon the throne and to the Lambe c Euseb 10. 4. de vi Con. 2. 19. For the people lately redeemed from the former persecutions praysed God the King and Christ the onely Sauiour Yea the Emperors did acknowledge thus much writing it on pillers to bee read The seuenth scale open After the sealing of the seruants of God followed the emotions which are comprehended in the seuenth seale which the Lambe openeth In the declaration whereof first is set downe the vniuersall disposition of all to bring into action and to behold the visions And this is a d cap. 8.1 Euseb vit Con. 3. 10. 11. graue silence both in the preparation and expectation of that which should follow Secondly the instruments which are to bring about these troubles are seene and are said to be e cap. 8.2 seuen Angels with seuen trumpets For the future alterations were to be wrought by the diuersitie of doctrine and perswasions which should induce men to stirres In the third place is shewed the principall matter which is to be the argument of the troubles that these trumpeters should sound which is concerning the doctrine of the mediation of Christ which while some should labour to maintaine precisely according to the doctrine of the East and others should corrupt much trouble would arise in the world The mediation of Iesus Christ is presented by an f cap. 8.3 other Angel differing from the foure Angels which were to holde the windes as also from the seuen trumpeting Angels The thing he presenteth is the readines of Iesus Christ to make reconciliation betweene God and man For he stoods before the altar of incense which was before the throne hauing a golden censor as the g Leuit. 16. priest in the law was prepared to make reconciliation betweene God and the people By this is signified the readines a Euseb vit Con. 3. 13. of Constantine and all godly Bishops at the Councell of Nicea to heare with pacience and to vnderstand in sinceritie and to iudge with truth the questions and differences which were made in that time Hereof first the godly make a good and religious vse for by them much b cap. 8.3 odors was giuen vnto him c Rom. 12.1 Psal 141.2 that is reasonable seruices and petitions to offer with the prayers of all Saints that is that euery man labored for an d Euseb vi 3. 16. 18. 4.36 vnitie and to be made members of the vniuersall Church as it was required according to the prescript of the word of God The effect hereof is an vniuersall reconciliation and peace both in heauen with God and in earth amongst men the e cap. 8.4 Leuit. 16.2.13 smoke of the odors going vp out of the Angels hand before the presence of God For in the Councell of Nicea which f Caranza was held Constantine being Augustus and Licinius Caesar there was g Euseb de vit Con. 3. 16. diligent enquirie into all things till there was pronounced a sentence pleasing and acceptable to God that beholdeth all things for the concord and consent of the mindes of men And that so that there was nothing that seemed leaft to breede any matter of discord or controuersie of faith In this Councell was h Caranza f. 37. b. 39. â— acknowledged the necessitie of confessing the Godhead of Christ against Arius As also the heresies of Photinus Sabellius c. were condemned Againe when new contentions did arise i cap. 8.5 this Angel filleth his censor full of coales of the altar readie to make an atonement but because men now doe not bring odors but hypocrisie he casteth the coales into the earth k Rom. 1.21 that is reiecteth their seruice and deliuereth them ouer into a reprobate minde to doe things not conuenient For when as the peace of the Church was not sought but men gaue themselues onely to pretextes of good things there was great corruption l Socr. 1. 10. 18. 19. 20. For Constantine hauing recalled the Arians who had made a very hypocriticall submission he so farre trusted them that he committed the hearing and determining of the questions of the time to the discretion of such which pretended to be Catholickes but were Arians in heart And then m Euseb vit Con. 4. 40. 43. Massaeus 10. p. 136. 137. Soc. 1. 9. 22. 4. 18. began it to be esteemed more religion to build certaine places and to pray in them rather than in others and to liue by some prescriptions and will-worships of Monkes Eremites c. than to walke by Gods word The effect is that hereupon are n cap. 8.5 made voyces and thundrings and lightnings and earthquakes that is great and very fearefull emotions both for the matter and manner of them Here therefore doth the Dragon take the opportunitie to make his purpose appeare For his Angels doe holde now the foure windes that is do bring in an a â— Thes 1.11 vniuersall strong delusion that men should beleeue lyes that they might be damned which loue not the truth which is done by the restraint of the spirit of the truth By this delusion he first maketh warre b cap. 12.13 against the woman the Church which had brought forth a man childe and after against her seede In his warre against the woman by strong delusion he at once persecuteth some and corrupteth others In his persecution he first laboureth to destroy the Church peecemeale and fayling of his purpose the second time endeuoreth to drowne it altogether In this first battell we are to consider the enemies with their seuerall manner of fight and the successe The enemies are the woman the Church and the Dragon on earth that is the diuel by his deputy The woman is the selfe same before described in the first battell which was in heauen namely those Christians which came out of the former c cap. 7.14 tribulations and great persecutions vnder the heathen Emperors continuing the faith which was persecuted in the first battell in Saint Iohns time whereof some had been marked with an eye put forth and their hamme cut to haue stoode against Arius before and in the Nicene Councell These are said to be of the twelue Tribes of Israel that is by their true profession of the Christian faith and circumcision of the heart to be d Rom. 2.29
14.3 the throne and before the foure beastes before the Elders that is in the Church before God the father the sonne and the holy Ghost before the glorious Cherubins and before the faithfull and holy gouernors of the Church This doth signifie the good and most Christian Councels which were held before the Lord and his Angels by the authority of godly and religious Princes and by the assistance of the faithfull Bishops and Ministers of the word For g Caranza vnder Theodosius was held a Councel against the Nestorians And also the Carthaginian Mileuitan and Aurasican Councels were held against the Pelagians The Affrican h Melan. 3. Epist Aug. Councel wrote vnto Innocentius the Bishop of Rome and exhorted him that he would also disallow the errors sprung vp at Rome and would not suffer them to spread any further Vnder Martianus was held a Councell at Chalcedonia against the Eutychians i Geneb p. 64â— In the yeare of Christ 552. was held a Councell at Constantinople against certaine heretickes and to confirme the foure generall Councels A heauenly harmonie of holy harpers The song which those Fathers and Councels did sing is somewhat darke to be vnderstood For no man a cap. 14.3 could learne the song but the 144,000 which were bought froÌ„ the earth to wit those faithfull witnesses which are not earthly minded For as it is said of some of Augustines latter bookes that he hath sometimes vnproper b Melan. 3. de Eccl post Vol. 3. speeches but if they be wel fauourably iudged of they containe the very truth so may it be said of the rest because the iniquitie of the time enforced them to speake with as little offence to the impietie of men as possibly might be c. The flight of the woman in these troublesome times was by flying to carrie her selfe cleane out of the c cap. 12.14 sight of the Serpent For the countries now d Geneb p. 5â—â— made newely kingdomes were conuerted afterwards e Sabel In Affrica in the time of Gensericus the Church was cleane extinguished the Bishops which maintained the trueth beeing fledde and banished for euer and so by other tyrants in other places From hence the Church is fledde from the presence of the Serpent and is mingled for a time times and halfe a time that is 1260. yeares there beeing many godly men amongst the diuellish tyrants and hereticks which they doe not see not know of yet there is the Church The successe is diuers in the Church and Empire and also concerning these strangers By this inundation of these barbarous f cap. 13.3 nations that one head of the beast was as wounded to death by the sword that is the Romane Empire in the West was cleane ouerthrowne rent and torne g Geneb p. 609 Germanie Dacia Sarmatia Spaine Britaine and France doe altogether fall away from the Empire to the vtter h Melan. 3. ruine of the Empire The office also of i Sabel E. 8. l. 1 Consuls ceased in Rome in the yeare 560. k Geneb p. 641. In the space of 142. or rather 150 yeares l 642. Rome the tamer of mankinde and castle of all nations did sustaine many casualties by the iudgement of God that it might seriously slide to the hands of the Church whose head as some thinke it ought to be and to that vse should be built againe from the foundation For after that Rome was spoiled by Alaricus armie in the age of Augustine and Hierome anon it was wasted by the Vandals within 44. yeares After that 22. yeares by Odoacer and his Heruli Againe after 14. yeares by Theodoricus and his Ostrogothes Furthermore after 50. yeares it was taken by Belifarius At last it came into extreame miserie by Totilas the reliques of the Gothes after 12. yeares And a Hist an t ex Egna p. 426. the maiestie of the Romane name * cum p. 468. ex Paul Diaco 6. qu. Buchol Ann. 476. by the flight of Augustulus the last of the Caesars of the * Vid hist anti ex Paulo Diac. p. 468. Romane nation renowned for the seruice of the gods did fall and was cleane ouerthrowne that as shee was wont to triumph ouer the whole world so now there is no nation so fierce and barbarous which doth not repaie the iniurie done to them or their auncestrie For in Augustulus b Carion f. 143. the Empire of the Augusti in Italie perished and ended They lost their c Sab. E. 8. l. 5. language at Rome The Romane ciuill lawes were as exiles d Geneb p. 914 from hence for the space of 600. yeares c. But the earth helpe the woman and the earth e cap. 12.16 opened her mouth and swallowed vp the flood which the Dragon had cast out of his mouth that is the countries into which these strangers made incursion swallowed them vs. For these strangers did content themselues to be mixed with the naturall inhabitants f Saâ—el â—n â— l. 5. of the countries into which they came The Gothes which remained in Italie degenerating into the name of Italians in Spaine into Spaniards leauing onely in diuers places some places of their names which keepe their memory And of them arose certaine kingdomes bearing the names of the places where they were for the most part The successe that these strangers found was first that their power was limited For * cap. 9.5 â— their power was to hurt fiue months that is an hundred and fiftie yeare For a moneth g Erasm Remâ— in tab Prâ—t according to the account of the Hebrewes Aegyptians and Astronomers containeth 30. daies and so fiue moneths amount to 150. daies which counting a h Ezech. 4.6 day for a yeare after the maner of the scripture commeth to 150. yeare For from the time that Rhadagasus first entred which was in i Carion the yeare 405. vnto the k Sabel death of Teias the last of these strangers that afflicted the Empire which was l Geneb p. 643 in the yeare 555. is precisely 150. yeare And though the people did still continue yet the kingdome name power and Empire of the Gothes were rooted out of Italie And so in other places this number of 150. yeares is in a manner a fatall limit to such as make incursions into the countries of others Secondly they that for 150. yeare could be brought vnder no mans power were in the ende afterwards made the subiects of Antichrist m Strab. 7. And as before they came they were subiect vnto their Priest which liued in an inaccessible cell as an angel of the bottomlesse pit who did euer set them to make incursion vpon their neighbours as Abaddon or Apollyon a destroyer so n cap. 9.11 now they had a King set ouer them which is that Angel of the bottomlesse pit whose o Dan. 7. name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in
lib. 12. f. 235. Rome such as vsed a sweete and delightsome modulation of the voyce at Masse which Gregory forbad vnder the paine of a curse Some thinke that the manner to account from d Geneb p. 562. Christ began to be of force onely about the yeere 600. Anno 604. Sabinianus an vtter e Lib. 22. Volat enemie to the proceedings of Gregory whom he blamed for spending the patrimonie of the Church to get the peoples fauour This Pope f Geneb p. 664. did nothing worth the marking but that he deuised belles and sance-belles The Greeke tongue is altogether corrupted in his time and so the tongue of the new Testament is become barbarous to these builders of their new Babylon Anno 607. g Sab. Eu. 8. lib. 6. Boniface the third hardly and with much contention obtained of Phocas the murtherer that the Church of Rome should be head as mother and lady of all other Churches that one might be set ouer the rest and haue chiefe authoritie as it was among the h Caesar belli Gal. 6. p. 138. Druides And as i Soz. 7. 2. Eulalius the Arian entreated the Arian Councell at Antiochia Cariae that he might haue the primacie for keeping vnitie Thus Phocas k Vesp p. 150. Blandi Epit. made Rome the mother of Churches and so he worshipped the beast This l Sab. 8.6 Pope opening his mouth first vsed the termes of Volumus and Iuhomus we will and command as words of the Popes approbation In Suenia m Geneb p. 662. are Churches planted Bonifacius the fourth obtained n Frisi 5. 8. Poly. Inue 6. 6. of Phocas Anno 608. the Temple built by Domician called Pantheon because is was dedicated to all the Romane gods and turned it into the Church of Saint Mary and all the Saints A fine o Fasc Temp. f. 58. similitude of euill institutions of the Paganes the supposed holy spirit knew to chuse a holy armie where the heathen worshipped diuels there the Christians worshipped all the Saints as making a medicine of a poyson so is one art deluded with another but rather this Pope declareth that Church to be the mother of abhominations that conceiueth by the Paganes The first Angel at Euphrates In his p Curiâ— lib. 1. time Cosdroe king of Persia who had maried Mary the daughter of Mauritius and for her sake was baptised detesting the disloyal falsehood and treachery of them which had elected so wicked a man as Phocas to bee their Prince seeing he was polluted with the bloudie murther of his soueraigne reputing them as accessarie to the same horrible and bloudy fact and conspiracie prepared a great armie at the instigation of his wife to reuenge the death of his father in law That in her that is Rome might be found all the bloud that is shed This Phocas a Hist an t Ex Pom. Lat. pag. 528. disposed al things in secret by his Courtiers after the Persian manner They heard Ambassadors suspended iustice gaue offices which is the worst and most miserable course that he which ruleth can take For the court smoakes are wont to hurt very grieuously They were most in his fauour which most vexed the people with vnsatiable rapine and couetousnes He was b Geneb 669. also guiltie of many rapes murthers and adulteries c. In his time c Frisin 5. â— Geneb p. 667. therefore Cosdroe soundeth an alarme entred and spoiled many of the Romane prouinces Syria Palestina Phoenicia Cappadocia Paphlagonia in the East And pursuing his crueltie with incredible successe he would not bee entreated by d Melanct. Gobel aet 6. c. 31. p. 177. Heraclius to peace except the Christians would cease to worship Christ crucified and worship the sunne as the Persians did for their tailes e cap. 9.19 Anno 615. are like vnto Serpents c Deus-dedit a Subdeacons sonne The f Blond Epit. Gobelinus Romanes are at discord for the choyce of the Pope he is said to haue clensed a leaper g Fasc Temp. with a kisse and authorised harlots and wicked persons to be witnesse in causes of Simonie The h Geneb p. 671. Duke of Bauaria the Duke Boson with his armie in Austria are baptised Anno 618. Bonifacius the fifth commaunded i Geneb p. 672. Platina Altars and Churches to be sanctuaries for murtherers c. whence they might not be drawne by force in imitation of the k Poly. Inue 3. 8. Temple of Mercy which was made in Athens by the nephewes of Hercules He required sacriledge to be punished with a curse and first commaunded l Pantaleon that Monkes being priests might binde and loose Mahomet m Geneb p. 672. maketh his first expedition for his religion and began to giue lawes Anno 623. Honorius tooke the n Geneb Blondi Epit. brasse tiles from Romulus Temple to couer Saint Peters Church o Fasc Temp. He inriched many Churches with siluer and golde he instituted the feast of the exaltation of the crosse by the example of the East Him p Geneb p. 675. Pope Adrian reporteth to haue been an heretike wherefore he was condemned in the sixth Councell of Constantinople Act. 12. 13. For defence of whom Genebrard saith it is one thing for the Pope of Rome to bee an heretike in his owne person and whatsoeuer is worse he may be or haue been and another thing in the iudgement of faith and promulgation thereof to define against the faith This last he cannot doe for the force of the chaire as he dreameth is such that it constraineth them that thinke and doe euill things to speake those things which are good and true Thus followeth be the beast As though to write letters in the approbation of a capitall heresie which Honorius did be not a definitue promulgation against the faith Ghent is conuerted Heraclius a Melanct. Saâ—â— E. 8 6. the Emperor married his neece of whom he had children incestuously and gaue himselfe to diuelish artes Mahomet b The second Angel at Euphrates Curio lib. 1. and his Saracens being robbed of their pay by the Emperors paymasters and reuiled as dogs that in Rome might be found the blood of all that were slaine gathered head and by force and doctrine by head and tayle cruelly troubled the Christians and vnto the Emperor and other Princes he sent letters sealed with this inscription Mahomet the messenger of God requiring them to submit themselues to his religion and to esteeme him the highest Bishop Which when the Emperor refused to doe hee c Fris 5. 9. Genff de Orig. 3. p. 121. Geneb spoyled the Empire slew 150,000 of the Emperors souldiers tooke Arabia Damascus Phaenicia Syria Mesopotamia Aegypt Africa and after that Persia Against whom Heraclius loosed most fierce and barbarous nations from the Caspian mountaines and seas whom Alexander the Great shut vp d Blondi Epit. Seuerus
decencie but after diuers did appoint diuers things The l Wolph Saracens make the Emperour tributarie vpon very vnequall conditions and spoile Corsica and Sardinia Ann. 817. Stephanus the fift went m Gebel a. 6. 41. into France taking n Moris Paâ— the office of the heathen Druides where hee crowned Pudâ—nicus Emperour who swarâ—â—o the Pope an oath of fidelitie So now the Pope doth receiue an oath of the Emperour as the Poâ—t Max. was wont to doe of the heathen Romane Kings He decreed that no o De conse d. 5. Nunquid Sacrament was perfect without the signe of the crosse Paschalis the first was chosen without the Emperours p Pencerus Sab. Plat. 124. consent Anno 817. but translated the blame vpon the people and Clergie and so pacified the Emperor which was offended for the election He also made sedition in Rome but laid the fault elsewhere He is q Geneb p. 707. reported to represse with the signe of the crosse the fire that began to consume Burgus a schoole of Englishmen Vnto r Volat. Geog. 3. f. 21. dist 63. Ego Ludouic him by letters pattents Ludouicus the Emperor gaue and confirmed all Lombardy Rauenna and Rome with their iurisdictions c. and gaue the Councell at Rome leaue to chuse the Pope And so was fulfilled that which is written by the Prophet Daniel The litle Å¿ Dan. 7.8 horne grew vp so that three of the other tenne hornes were rooted out before him that is the Popes grew vp so that three of the other tenne kingdomes or principalities were rooted out before him viz. the kingdome of the Gothes in Rome the kingdome of the Lombardes and the Exarchie of Rauenna t Geneb p. 769. A Councell was held at Aquisgraue against those that laboured against images The manner and custome u Peucerus 4. p. 183. of priuate Masses began vnder Ludouicus Pius which before a Caran f. 330 Anno. 824. were forbidden in a Councell at Mogunce Can. 43. Eugenius the second in b Platina Volat Geo. 3. his time Michael the Emperor of Constantinople sent his Orators to Ludouicus the Emperor of the West to vnderstand his minde concerning images Ludouicus reiecteth them ouer to the Pope and c Sab. En. 8. l. 9. Clergie And thus was fulfilled that which was written And d cap. 13.45 they worshipped the beast c. And there was giuen him a mouth to speake great things and blasphemies and power was giuen him to doe The e Sab. ibid. Saracens preuailed in Aquitania and Sicilia c. Thus f cap. 9.20.21 the remnant repenteth not of their idolatry c. CHAP. VII Of the blasphemie of the scarlet coloured beast and woman thereon and first how they are blasphemous in their owne persons THe beast hauing attained vnto this great power and dependance abuseth his authoritie of speaking to blaspheme and his power of doing vnto tyrannie For it is said he g cap. 13.6.7 therefore opened his mouth vnto blasphemie and to make warre with the Saints He is blasphemous euery way and that first in respect of his owne conuersation which henceforth is very flagitious For from this time the Popes doe grow to such wickednes and impietie as was neuer heard the like no not in Simon Magus or his posteritie Secondly he is blasphemous in his doctrine and that concerning God and his worship Simon Magus was noted for a singular blasphemer that durst affirme h Act. 8.9 of himselfe that he himselfe was some great man but the Popes like the Prince of Tyrus hath his heart exalted and saith I am a i Ezech. 28.2 god I sit in the seate of God in the mids of the sea the multitude of people Yea he thinketh in his heart tha the is equall with God k 2. Thes 2.4 Aug. ciuit dâ— 20. 19. For he exalteth himselfe against all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he doth sit as God and as if he were the Temple and Church of God And now poperie being an absolute complement of all abhominable heresies that can be brought to any tolerable appearance l cap. 13.6 doth blaspheme God his name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in heauen For now is come into the world m 2. Tim. 3.2 that perilous time in which men become cursed speakers And vnto their blasphemie they adde the persecution of the Saints These things are to be marked as they follow in the stories at seuerall times They are said to blaspheme the name of n Mand. 3. God which directly commit blasphemie against the person of the Godhead or else blaspheme any persons or things vpon which God is named wherefore the name of God is blasphemed when Princes are blasphemed seeing that vnto them the Lord o Exod. 22.28 Psal 81.1 hath communicated his owne name Those doe blaspheme his Tabernacle which speake euill p Act. 7.44 c. 2. King 18.30 35. of the place where God is worshipped according to his owne ordinance and the worship which God hath appointed in his word and Sacraments or where q Iere. 7.4.10.11.12 that is ascribed vnto his Church which he neuer gaue vnto it as to exalt it or any person thereof to a greater place then to be obedient vnto his word They which dwell in heauen are blasphemed when that which is proper to God is ascribed vnto them as to be patrones illuminers mediators c. or any r Psal 74.12 Isai 42.3 helpers of those which are below Å¿ Gal. 1.8 when Angels are made preachers of a new Gospel or receiuers of t Col 2.18 worships and the Saints departed u Luk. 16.24.26 are supposed to ease those in hell c. especially when they are reported to further the ambition and malice of men c. These and such like blasphemies is this beast guiltie of from this time forth The opposition of the Lambe doth still continue killing a cap. 9.15 of the third part of men and bringing a was vpon the remnant by the foure Angels which are loosed from Euphrates As b cap. 10.2 also Christ the King by Princes doth still hold open the booke of the Gospel and set his foote vpon the land and sea as proprietary and true owner of both country and people And because the beast doth labour not onely to exempt c cap. 13.12.14 himselfe from the subiection of Christ in the ministery of Princes but doth also arrogate to himselfe to be d cap. 18.7 cap. 12. Lord of the earth and sea the Lambe that is e cap. 7.17 in the throne in the person of Princes doth first f cap. 10.2 set his right foote vpon the sea that is he taketh possession of the people with great force and violence and his left foote vpon the earth that is possesseth the earth And because g cap. 10.1 his feete are pillers
confirmed the seuen Princes Electors decreeing that he whom these seauen Germane Electors did choose should be called Caesar and after his confirmation and coronation by the bishop of Rome hee should bee called Augustus The e Geneb p. 838 842. Carolines who tooke the kingdome of France from the Clodouines lost their Monarchie there because they vsed not the Clergie as they listed And in their stead Hugo Capetus inuaded and possessed it because hee gaue the Clergie their free elections c. For as many as will not worship the image of the beast nor take his name must not buie or sell Ann. 998. Siluester the second f Plat. Gobel gaue his soule to the diuell to bee Pope g Chron. Chro. The Emperour caused him to be consecrated not as a Philosopher but as a most wicked Magitian Hence many Popes are obserued to be giuen like Simon Magus to sorcerie and coniurations h Fasc Temp. f. 72. 4. An effeminate age stept vp about the yeare of our Lord 1000. In it the Christian faith began exceedingly to faile and decline from the wonted virilitie thereof In many Christian countries neither the sacraments nor Ecclesiasticall rites were kept they beeing intent to South sayings and to coniurations and the Priest was like the people The i Geneb p. 858 Grecians excommunicated the Church of Rome And because the word of God was despised by Michaels horsemē k Massaeus 16. there was so great drought that many perished by heat Benedictus the eight Ann. 1030. l Geneb p. 861 862. in his time Berengarius preached that the bread and wine in the sacrament after consecration was a figure and sacrament and not the reall bodie and blood of Christ The name of Cardinals is thought of many to haue now first began it seemeth rather first to haue beene in estimation and vse m Peucer 4. p. 303. Three most fierce seditious Ann. 1046. and wicked monsters troubling Italie and the citie of Rome by their striuing for the Papacie against the lawes giuen and confirmed by the Emperours the Emperour Henricus the third went to quiet the state In a Councel at Sutrium he deposed the three striuers and placed Clement the second Hee also roaring as a lyon by reason of the schismes and quarrels reuiued the old law that the Pope is not to be chosen without the consent of the Emperour and n Geneb p. 866. caused the Romanes to sweare that thenceforth they would choose no Pope but whom the Emperour gaue them The decree of taking from the Romans libertie to choose the Pope was the cause of such troubles and emotions that weakened both the Emperours and Empire As soone as the Emperour was gone Clement was poisoned o Crantz Met. 51. p. 300. by the magisteriall arte of the Italians a Platin. Damasus the second got the seate by violence Ann. 1048. He was b Crantz Met. 5. 1. p. 300. supposed to haue poisoned his predecessor but it seemeth the master poisoners laid the fault vpon him to cleere themselues c Volat. lib. 22. f. 253. a. The Romans because of the vices of the Clergie who chose euer Popes worse and worse craued a Pope of the Emperour The Emperour d Crantz ibid. p. 301. looked about for some fit man to supplie the Papacie When there was no bishop of Germanie that would be set ouer the poisoners of Italie hee sent an Aleman to take the place named afterwards Leo the ninth Thus are the Popes become a blasphemous beast and are so farre from repenting themselues of their idolatrie murther sorcerie fornication c. that for these things the Angels about the riuer Euphrates doe by the reuenging hand of God bring a lamentable woe vnto them and ciuil Princes doe set their fierie feete vpon them CHAP. VIII How when the Emperours had roared as a lyon the beast crieth them downe with 7. thunders blaspheming Princes and making warre against the Saints with his victorie HItherto the beast the Popes haue opened their mouthes to blasphemie beeing blasphemous in doctrine and behauiour both in word and deed prodigious monsters Hitherto also the Lord Iesus by the Emperours as by an angell in a cloud c. hath taken possession of the people by violence and of the soile by force and authoritie He also by seuere lawes had as it were cried as when a Lyon roareth threatning their destruction that would offer to exclude him from any part of that his possession It now followeth hereupon to consider how the beast behaueth himselfe in his manner of fight And this is contained in a cap. 10.3 seauen blasphemous thunders that doe vtter their voices and b cap. 13.6 in other blasphemies and warres against the Saints c. By the voices of thunders are vnderstood such strong declamations which doe breed as fearefull emotions and perill among men as a violent storme doth in the aire doth terrifie men and beat them from their places as if they were stroken with thunderbolts The Popes and such c Geneb in Siluest 1. Pio 5. alii as follow them delight to call the Popes execrations excommunications and proscriptions by the name of thunders as Fulmen papale Wherefore these thunders doe signifie such troubles as came vpon the Empire by the Popes excommunications and execrations c. These thunders are said to be d cap. 10.3.4 7. in number For howsoeeuer the Popes did excommunicate more than 7. Emperors yet did they preuaile to hurt and remooue or subdue but seauen e Curio f. 198. b All these were excommunicated in order by the Popes when as they were most mightie Caesars and very couragious and accomplished great and excellent affaires 1. Henricus the fourth 2. Henricus the fift 3. Fridericus the first 4. Philippus 5. Otho the fourth 6. Fridericus the second 7. Conradus The rest despised or escaped the danger Besides blasphemous thunders whereby godly Princes be terrified the beast doth proceede to f cap. 13.6 blaspheme the tabernacle of God that is that very worship of God which is a Heb. 8.5 Exod. 25.40 according to Gods own ordinance and word is accused to be heresie filthinesse sedition rebellion c. Like as the wicked b Eus 3.17 4. 7. 9.5.7 heathen and hereticks haue done whose steppes this beast doth follow He also doth blaspheme them c cap. 13.6 that dwell in heauen that is such which are truly faithfull professors of the Gospell of the kingdome of heauen hauing their d Phil. 3.20 conuersation and affections in heauen Vnto these are many fowle and horrible crimes obiected if they be any way opposite to their vnrighteousnes or vngodlines And herein they follow the Arians e Ruff. 1. 17. Theod. 1. 25. 27. 19. Soc. 2. 21. c. that blasphemed Athanasius Macarius c. which were enemies to their heresie and crueltie This is a good warrant to
keep themselues to the b Heb. 13.4 vndefiled mariage bed which they teach to be honorable amongst all men by it are as holy as Virgines Contrarie to Antichrist that blasphemeth mariage in the Clergie as if it were heresie c. Secondly they follow the lambe wheresoeuer he goeth c Ioh. 10.3.4.5 as good sheepe that know the voice of their shephearde and follow him as he goeth before them For in all things they walke according to the word of God As namly in the sacrament of the supper of Christ the true Pascal lambe they strickly obserue his institution Not hearing the voice of the stranger and tyrant Antichrist that obtrudeth doctrine of another manner of the presence of Christ there or addeth or taketh any thing away c. Thirdly d cap. 10.4 these are bought by the blood of Christ from amongst men not partaking in the ambitions c. of Antichrist who would possesse all the earth excluding the true owners Wherefore the true Martyrs and godly Christians are not to be found among them Fourthly they be the first fruits holy vnto God and to the Lambe For these onely are e Deut. 12.17.18 dedicated vnto the Lord to sanctifie the rest of mankind which if these were away were altogether vnholy and prophane in their pretended profession of God and his Christ And so in these times there would be no Church at all Fiftly f cap. 14.5 in their mouthes is found no guile speaking nothing deceiptfully for earthly endes but truely as the things of God are without hypocrisie Contrarie to Antichrist who is g cap. 13.14 deceiptfull in his words c. Lastly h cap. 14.5 They are without spot before the throne of God For if they be conuented before any throne of iustice where the righteousnesse of God doth preuaile their most subtile accusers cānot conuict their doctrine or life of any spot Howsoeuer Antichrist and his prelates sitting in the i cap. 13.2 throne of the Dragon the diuell doe accuse and iudge them as wicked and heretickes c. Concerning their preaching first is shewed the matter they preached and after their seuerall doctrines which they specially handled The Matter is the Gospell no fruitlesse Legends Of the bringing it abroad it is said k cap. 14.6 I saw another angell flie through the mids of heauen to signifie that the suddaine spreading of the Gospel in times so cruell and darke could be attributed to none other but some diuine hand working by his holy angels as effectually as when he gaue the law This Gospel is called Euerlasting and induring for euer not subiect to abolishment as the Antichristian Friers did after threaten nor alteration by addition or diminution which corruptions the Papacie attempteth but as it was in the beginning so must it continue Euerlasting This Gospel and none other must the witnesses preach to them that dwell vpon the earth l cap. 10.11 to euery nation and kinred and tongue and people and many kings of these tenne which arose out of the inundations of the Barbarians Specially they vrge these doctrines and that vehemently as m cap. 14.7 with a loud voice Feare God and neither idols nor men Giue glorie to God and not to such mortall men c. as would translate the glorie of God to themselues Worship him that made heauen and earth and the sea and fountaines of waters the things in them that is the Creator of all things and not n Rom. 1.25.23 the creature whether angels or o Eph. 2.10 men much lesse any idol which is the worke of mans hand The successe of this warre is very doubtfull For first the beast doth ouercome and after that is ouercome He is said to p cap. 13.7.8 ouercome them that stand against him both Princes and witnesses For power is giuen him ouer euerie kinred and tongue and nation Therefore all that dwell vpon the earth shall worship him as a God vpon earth whose names are not written in the booke of life of that Lambe which was slaine from the beginning of the worlds Of the particulars hereof will afterwards more at large be spoken But in the meane space we must remember that the manner of his victorie is to breake in peeces deuoure and stampe the residue vnder foote The Complement Ann. 1048. Leo the ninth a Frising 6.33 accepting the Papacie at the Emperours hand by the b Geneb p. 867 868. reproofe and counsel of Hildebrand a monke c. put off his purple entred Rome as a priuate man and was againe elected by the Clergie of Rome So was the Emperor hissed out For now there is life giuen to the beast c Trith Hirs p. 63. In his way to Rome they fable that the Angels were heard singing The Lord hath thoughts of peace and not of afflictions But they were lying spirits in the mouth of the false prophets For d Volat. l. 22. Abb. Vrsp p. 218. the Normans whom he called into Italie against the Greekes and Saracens inuaded the possessions of the Pope Against them the Pope as a Legionarie king goeth to warre and after much bloodshed on both sides the Pope fledde e Bergom 12. was taken prisoner by pursuite and some Cardinals with him and for ransome giueth them Apulia and whatsoeuer they held in Italie f Volat. 22. These warres of the Pope the Archbishop of Florence doth blame shewing it vnlawfull for him to doe that which Peter was forbidden when Christ said Put vp thy sword into thy sheath Also g Fasc Temp. f. 73. Petrus Damianus a most learned man in his time condemneth the Clergie that like legionarie nūbers fight for temperalties or labour to be present at wars as beeing contrarie to Gods commandement h Geneb p. 870 Nicatas Pictoratus wrot against the Romans of Priests marriages c. i Bergom 12. f. 180. Berengarius who had beene long singular for holinesse and learning taught k Mass 15. that after consecration there was not any carnall or reall presence in the sacrament but the signe l Geneb p. 871 875. He was condemned by this Pope first at Rome then at Vercellis in a Councell so was the booke which Iohannes Scotus wrot of the Sacrament 170. yeares after it was published Now began it to be called Simonie to receiue any Ecclesiasticall preferments at the hands of a laie man and such as taught that the Clergie ought or might vse their wiues were blasphemously called Nicolaitans and whoremongers Whereas the Scripture saith that in marriage m Heb. 13.4 the bedde is vndefiled This Pope n Mass 16. p. 222. canonized one Gerardus for a Saint happily the first canonizer of any Saint He also is o Trith p. 63. reported to be so famous for miracles that they fable hee clensed Christ of a Ieprosie No maruell if they blaspheme them that dwell in heauen when they dare blaspheme
the glorified bodie of Christ Victor the second Anno 1054. p Bergom 11. in a Councell at Florence depriued many Bishops for Simonie and Fornication that is for receiuing spirituall preferments of laie men and for marriage And in a Councell the q Geneb p. 872 third time condemned Berengarius r Abb. Vrsp p. 21◠His Deacon poysoned him in the communion cuppe There was extreame famine Michael the Lambe auenging the persecution of the Gospell Stephanus the tenth ſ Geneb p. 872. Ann. 1057. reprooued the Emperour for abridging the Popes authoritie By his meanes t Volat. 22. f. 253. Anno 1058. the Church of Millaine is made subiect to Rome which it had not bin for 200. yeres before Benedictus the tenth u Berg. 12. was cast out by Hildebrand onely because hee was said not to come in by the dore but by gifts a Geneb p. 873 Hitherto the stories are darke henceforth by little and little they grow most cleare in appearance for poperie but indeed against it Ann. 1059. Nicolaus the second b Volat. 22. Fox Mart. p. 170. made Robertus Guiscardus to recieue the number of his name to bee tributarie and captaine generall of S. Peters lands to subdue by force of armes all that went from the obedience of the Church of Rome for the Pope is now a legionarie king He first made c Geneb p. 873. a solemne decree d D. 23. In nomine that thenceforth the Pope should be chosen by the Cardinals accursing them all as Antichristian which opposed themselues to this kinde of election e Geneb p. 939 But this decree tooke none effect till the time of Lucius the third Anno 1181 who was the first Pope so chosen By which is to bee seene that the Popes decrees tooke then no place when they were first made He also held a Councell against Berengarius and another against Simonie and fornication as his predecessor had done meaning such Priests as receiued spiritualties of laie men and had wiues Vnto f Paral. Vrsp p. 413. him wrote Hildericus Bishop of Ausburge a very graue man an excellent Epistle reproouing him for the forbidding of Priests marriage in which is auouched the testimonie of Paphnutius the martyr affirming marriage to bee honourable and that the vse of a mans owne wife is chastitie g Berg. 12. f. 180. a. Berengarius when he could not preuaile in his opinion of the sacrament gaue his goods to the poore and liued by the labour of his handes Ann. 1062. Alexander h Berg. 12. f. 181. b. the second as a Legionarie and Martiall king warred against the Pope whom the Emperour had placed at the request of some Italians And whē they had twice fought and much blood was shed on both sides the matter was compounded For now it is vsuall with the Popes which was sometimes the manner i Caesar bello Gal. 6. of the Druides to fight for the principalitie Certaine k Trith Hirs p. 71. 75. Bishops and others to the number of 7000. went for deuotion to Ierusalem whereof scarce 2000. returned This Pope l p. 91. was earnest against that which they called Simonie Wherefore hee sent for certaine Bishops to Rome whereof one so pleased the Pope with bribes that he returned honored with an Archbishops Pall whereby it appeareth the Pope was angrie against Simonie by others because hee was willing to haue all the bribes himselfe And as it seemeth for this cause would wrest the inuestiture of Bishops out of the Emperours hands and the gift of spiritualties from laie men The Saxons and Sueues m Abb. Vrsp p. 219. 220. 221. Oth. Fris Chro. 6.34 Cran. M. lib. 5. cap. 20. p. 333. both laie Princes and Bishops breed emotions against the Emperour and bring blasphemous and incredible complaints against him to the Pope and draw the Pope to their faction The Emperour by his Embassadours whom he sent for iustice to Rome against his seditious subiects receiueth letters commanding him to make satisfaction for Simonie c. And presently the Saxons breake forth in open rebellion The n Geneb p. 878 877. Turkes get in a manner all Asia This Pope continued the opposition of his predecessors against Berengarius and the gift of spirituall dignities by laie men and was so earnest against married Priests that o Fasc Temp. f. 73. b. d. 32. praetex hoc he required none to be present at their Masse vnder paine of excommunication There p Berg 12. f. 181 b. 182. a. was a horrible famine and lamentable pestilence q The order of monkes of Vallis Vmbrosa began of a lying miracle that the crucifixe bowed the head contrarie to the rule of the scripture which sheweth idols to r cap. 9.20 Ann. 1073. be vnsensible The first Thunder GRegorius the seauenth who a Abb. Vrsp p. 221. was called before Hildebrand was chosen onely by the Romanes without the Emperours consent b Oth. Fris 6. 34 36. Whereupon grew a most grieuous schisme and most violent stormes in the common wealth and Church to the danger of bodie and soule like the darknesse of Egypt For the Pope c Mass 16. p. 223. as a most valiant champion sent word to the Emperour Henricus the fourth that if hee would confirme him in his papacie hee would resist the errors of the Emperour For so he called the bestowing of spiritualities by a laie man But when the Emperour would not yeild to the Pope Gregorie in a Councel at Rome d 1. Tim. 4.1 c. giuing heed to spirits of errors and doctrines of diuels e Trith Hirs p. 92. forbiddeth the Clergie Bishops Priests or Deacons to marrie vnder the paine of the great curse c. and f Mat. Paris p. 8. by a new example and as many thinke inconsiderate against the sentence of holy fathers forbiddeth laie men to heare the Masse of him that was married For g Poly. Jnuen 5. 4. the lawes made before against the marriage of Priests tooke none effect amongst the Priests of the West till the time of Gregorie the seauenth He h De cons d. 5. Quia dies ibidem carnem also forbad all faithfull men to eate flesh on Saturdaies and commanded all monkes altogether to abstaine from flesh i Crant Met. 5. 20. In this Councel was the Emperour accused of Simonie was called to his answer k Frising de gestis Trid. 1. 1 But he appeared not beeing detained by many seditions and rebellions and warres of the Hungarians Saxons c. which were partly stirred by Pope Alexanders faction yet when al the breadth of the Empire was filthily wasted with sword and fire the Pope excommunicated him as forlorne and forsaken of his meanes The l ibid. Chro. 5. 35. Emperor was exceedingly mooued with this new proceeding not knowing before this time any such sentence to haue beene promulged
amongst the Popes there beeing sometimes three at once and euery one raging against the other with cursings c. to the great griefe perplexitie and destruction of Christian men a See Fox Martyr It was also a time of great persecution of the Gospel whose professors were many learned godly and constant b Peuc 5. f. 155. c. In the yeare 1400. was proclaimed a Iubile to bee held at Rome Against which Hus did teach that the true Iubile was in preaching of Iesus Christ that the Pope and Cardinals bee not the Church the institution of Christ is to bee kept there ought not to bee any worshipping of Saints the Popes decrees are not to be admitted c. At this time was an extreame famine in Italie c Epit. Blond And thus the first resurrection appeareth CHAP XI The warres begunne at the first resurrection are continued c. And the resurrection is more manifest NOw is come that blessed time which the Prophet d Dan. 12.12 Daniel spoke of namely 1335. daies that is yeres after the destruction of Ierusalem which was in the yeare of Christ 74. At which time is a more cleare demonstration of the first resurrection For here also doe ende those e cap. 12.6 1260. daies that is yeares to be reckoned from the tenth yeare of Antonius Pius which was in the yeare of Christ 149. when the woman the Church fled into the wildernesse after shee had brought forth many contagious professors as a man childe During which time shee remained confusedly amongst the wicked as in a wildernesse full of Dragons and Ostriches But now f Dan. 12.2 many that were as sleeping and dead in the dust doe rise vp to euerlasting life and their cause doth come abroad by the reuiuing of the Gospel Here therefore is continued the first resurrection and the warre betweene the word of God and the hostes in heauen that followed him against the beast and the kings of the earth And here is that blessed time in which the witnesses doe separate themselues from the kingdome of Antichrist The meanes by which they separate themselues from Antichrist the beast is said to be that those of the spirit of Saint Iohn g cap. 18 4. heard a voyce from heauen to wit from the Church of God in the persons of his witnesses who had learned the doctrine of saluation of the God of heauen out of his word and also had spread it abroade in the world The doctrine is a commaundement from God the same which was giuen to the a Isai 48.20 Ier. 51.6 Zach. 2.6 Isralites that were in the captiuitie of Babylon Goe b cap. 18.4 out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sinnes and that ye receiue not of her plagues For now the people of God doe see that she that tooke vpon her to forgiue others their sinnes is not able herselfe to escape the damnation of hel nor those other plagues which euery man foresaw would light vpon her for her owne sinnes The cause why men should flie from her is for c cap. 18.5 that the heapes of her sinnes doe reach vp to heauen being infinit and prodigious euen fighting against the God of heauen and ascending like the sins of Sodom and Egypt As also because that God hath remembred her iniquities to take vengeance of them as he did of Sodom and Egypt For these two witnesses are Gods d Gen. 18.21 19.5 Exod. 2.7 messengers to make experience whether the sins of Antichrist be as it is reported and henceforth principally detect her sinnes and reproue them The plagues are first proclaimed and then required to be executed And this Proclamation is made as by the third e cap. 14.9 c. Angel which followed them that before first reuiued the preaching of the eternall Gospel and threatned the fall of Babylon He mightily bringeth in the doctrine of vengeance to be inflicted vpon Antichrist as if he said with a loud voyce If any man worship the beast of hereticall monarches and his image the papacie and receiue his marke in his forehead or in his hand following those superstitions henceforth the same shall drinke of the wine of the wrath of God yea of the pure wine which is powred into the cup of his wrath and he shall be tormented in fire and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lambe And the smoke of their torment shall ascend euermore and they shall haue no rest night or day that worship the beast and his image and whosoeuer receiueth the print of his name Here f 12. cap. 13.10 are the fruites of the patients of the Saints and here ar they that keepe the commaundements of God and the faith of Iesus the executioners of the fiercenes of the wrath of almighty God That which is required to be executed is that the Saints who hitherto haue been persecuted should take the sworde in hand and â—ap 18.6 reward her to wit popish Babylon as she hath rewarded them and giue her double according to her workes in the cup that she hath filled fill her the double For now beginneth the execution of that which is promised a cap. 13.10 If any leade into captiuitie he shall goe into captiuitie If any man kill with the sword he must be killed by a sword She must also be tormented for her pleasures and pride b cap. 18.7 For she saith in her heart I sit being a Queene of all other Churches and shall see no mourning the ship of Peter in which I sit may be tossed but it shall not sinke As these things are threatned so c 8. shall in due time her plagues come in one day together death sorrow and famine and she shall be burnt with fire for that God which condemneth her is a strong God During the time of which executions if any died in the cause against Antichrist they are Martyrs as it is said of all men in the Church of God d cap. 14.13 Then I heard a voyce from heauen saying vnto me write the dead that die in the Lord are henceforth fully blessed euen so saith the spirit whose testimonie is true and no lie for they rest from their labours neuer feeling the terror of the second death or purgatory by the execration of Antichrist And their workes follow them to receiue a crowne at the throne of God This testimonie beeing thus finished and continually preached by the two witnesses and of many beleeued c cap. 11.7 The beast that commeth out of the bottomlesse pit maketh warre against them and ouercommeth them for a while The beast that commeth out of the bottomlesse pit is as hath been shewed before the politike body of poperie consisting of the Pope and his Clergie assisted with those tenne kingdomes and principalities which did arise after the wounding of the Empire to death All which grew to be an vnited body by the doctrine of
Lanquet Ferdinandus sent a nauie from Spaine into Italy which chased slew and vanquished the Frenchmen out of Naples Å¿ Geneb pag. 1097. 1098. Lapidanus taught the Hebrew tongue in Paris Renchulinus in Germony Galatinus in Italy and now it began to spread among Christians The Hebrew Bible called the editio complutensis with the Chaldie Greeke and Latin translations was printed by the meanes of the Archbishop of Toletum Thus the word of God rideth forward t Peuce 5. f. 253. The Emperor beginneth his warres in Bauaria in which were very many excellent men imprisoned killed and burned a Nouus Orb. Cadmustus discouereth new countries b Peuce 5. f. 259. The Duke of Gelders afflicteth the Brabanders against his oath the Brabanders suffer great losse and many of them are killed c Lanquet Ann. 1507. There began a long and cruell warre betweene the Emperor and the Venetians in which were fought many bloudy battailes and diuers mutations chanced thereupon Thou hast giuen them bloud to drinke The French King ouercommeth the Venetians d Geneb 1099. There was a Councell held in France either to prouoke the Pope to peace or to appeale to a generall Councell e Mass 20. p. 271. In that Councell were proposed and concluded these propositions First it is not lawfull for the Pope to make warre against any Prince without iust cause Secondly the Prince in defending his right against the Pope may inuade the Pope assayling him and subduce himselfe from his obedience Thirdly the Pragmaticall sanction is to be kept throughout all France Fourthly no care is to be taken for the Popes vniust censures if he happen to thunder * Peuc 5. f. 256 The Pope enraged with the report of the losse of Bononia stirred vp all Europe to armes and excommunicated the French King but the King despised his excommunication and retorted the curse vpon the Pope c. f Peuc 5. f. 257 The French armie ouerthrow the Venetians at the riuer Atlasis slew the garison of the Venetians at Brixia and tooke it fought with the Popes armie at Rauenna where the Popes forces were ouerthrowen and of them 16,000 were lost Henry g Lanquet An. 1512. the eight King of England sent an armie of 13,000 into Spaine and a nauie to sea h Mass 20. p. 271. Of this Pope Massauâ— hath this Epitaph Genna cui patrem genetricem Gracia partum Pontus vnda dedit num bonus esse potest Fallaces ligures mendax Gracia Ponto Nulla fides in te singula solus habes Leo the tenth i Mass 20. p. 271 in his first yeare was a great fight at sea Ann. 1513. betweene the French and the English and many perished on both sides k Peuc 5. f. 255. b. There was also fought a cruell and bloodie battell betweene the Emperour and the Venetians at the riuer Bachilion where the Venetians lost 9000. men some were cast headlong into the riuer that they might haue blood to drinke others were scattered beaten and killed a Peuc 5. f. 261. b. The Polonians ouercame and slue about 40,000 Mosconites at the riuer Boristhenes b 259. b. c. The Cardinall of Strigonium mooueth the people to take the crosse and to warre vpon the Turkes The people following in great multitudes robbed tooke townes and fields and tormented the Nobles and Clergie to the great horror of all these were ouercome at the riuer Temesus c 258. a. A great cruell bloodie and long battell was fought at Millaine where the French ouercame the Heluctians so that of 25,000 not halfe remained d Par. Vrsp p. 446. Ann. 1517. Leo holding the Lateran Councell Picus Earle of Mirandula made an Oration vnto the Pope and Councell that lawes should bee made and kept against lust and couetousnesse for vertue and godlinesse complaining that vice was honoured for vertue and vertue was counted vice He terrified the Pope with the example of Eli whom God most grieuously punished because hee corrected not his sonnes requiring sincere discipline for the carefull studie of both the testaments e 447. Erasmus publisheth the new testament in Greeke and Latine Thus the hostes that are in heauen follow the word of God For contempt whereof is powred out the fourth Phiall The fourth Phiall Now vnto the former three plagues is the fourth added f cap. 16.8 And is that the fourth Angell powred out his Phiall on the Sunne and it was giuen to him to torment men with heate as of fire Hereupon g 9. many times men boyled in great heate by the distemper of the Sunne and aire and fierie meteors Howbeit they stil blasphemed the name of god which hath power ouer these plagues to send them vpon the wicked And they repented not to giue him glorie but continued in their wickednesse to the dishonour of God and magnifying of themselues The Complement h Orig. praefat Ephem This sommer was exceeding much burning and drie in which many riuers were dried vp i Mass 20. p. 274. And fierie hostes were seene throughout Italie to fight in the aire Howbeit these signes wrought no repentance a Mass 20. p. 273. cum Guiec 13. p. 772. For the French king vpon reconciliation betweene the Pope and him receiued a Iubile to be published through France Yea the Pope abused too licentiously the authoritie of the Apostolicke sea to draw money from men For he dispersed throughout the world without distinction of places or times most ample indulgences with power to deliuer soules out of purgatorie Which money was so impudently demanded that the Commissioners perswaded the people that whosoeuer would giue ten shillings should deliuer the soule for which he gaue it out of purgatorie Hereby blaspheming God who teacheth vs * 1. Pet. 1.18 to know that we are not redeemed with corruptible things as siluer gold But if it were lesse than ten shillings it would profit nothing Yet were many of the Popes Ministers detected selling for a small price or set vpon a game at tables in a tauerne the power to redeeme mens soules out of purgatorie The money b Mass ibid. 8. Geneb though the shadow were to make warre vpon the Turke was notoriously knowne not to be paid to the Pope or the Apostolike chamber but was transferred indirectly to satisfie the infinite couetousnes of Magdalen the Popes sister a fraile woman This gaine displeased the holy sonnes of the Church And vnder this occasion Luther that followed the word of God began to preach against indulgences and to reprehend the authoritie of the Pope And thus is fulfilled the scripture c cap. 18.2.3 She is fallen she is fallen for the Marchants of the earth were made rich c. d Buchol ex Suriâ— For hence began that great alteration of religion which followed wihich many amongst the Papists did foresee whereof one Hilteniuâ— is reported to haue assigned the
the throne of the beast his kingdome and absolute commandement waxed obscure For the Princes deferre the cause of Luther to a generall Councell and propose an hundred grieuances which Germany did suffer by the Sea of Rome and their Ecclesiasticall persons requiring to bee eased in these things The h Buchol anno 1523. Pope appointed his Legate freely to confesse before the States of the Empire in this manner i Paral Vrsp 459. We know that in this holy seate now some certaine yeares there haue beene many abominable things abuse in matters diuine superfluities of traditions and that at last all things haue fallen to bee worse Neither is there any maruaile that infirmitie is deriued from the head to the members from the Popes to inferiour prelates We all that is prelates and Ecclesiasticall persons haue declined euery man into his owne waies nor now of long was there any that did any good a Bucholcerus He was also very liberall in promising the Princes that things should be amended The better to bring the Pope to make conscience to reforme with speed b Iouius lib. 21. p. 19. Par. Vrsp p 460. there arose a great plague in Rome in which their died an hundred thousand many corpes were seene in the streetes it seemed the citie would haue beene wasted in fewe daies But they were so farre from repenting to giue God the glorie that by the fauour of the people a Greeke one Demetrius a Magician vndertooke for 4000. ducates to staie the pestilence whereby they blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines For he by inchantment tamed a wilde bull causing the bull to digge a well promising that whosoeuer dranke of that water should be free from the pestilence Then cut he off halfe one of his hornes and with a smal thread tied about the other horne of the bull lead him at his pleasure and to the blasphemie of the name of God sacrificed him at the Amphitheatre to pacifie the God of the pestilence Also c Lanquet Millaine was afflicted with such a pestilence that it consumed 50,000 in fower moneths d Geneb p. 1114. Christiernus king of Denmarke defecteth from the Church of Rome for the kingdomes are the Lords e Fox Mart. 1523. Bucholc The Duke of Saxonie by the aduice of the Students of Wittenberge abrogateth the masse Zuinglius writeth to the whole nation of the Heluetians not to hinder the course of the Gospel f Jouius lib. 21 The Turke taking aduantage of the dissention that was among the Christian Princes which by reason of the second and third Phiall were great and bloodie besiegeth Rhodes with 200,000 souldiers The Pope diuerted those aides which came from Spaine to relieue Rhodes and sent them to Gallia Cisalpina to relieue the Emperour and so was Rhodes lost by the madnesse of our Princes a cap. 18.24 that in her might be found all the blood that was shedde b Fox Mart. The duke of Austriche setteth forth a sharpe proclamation against Luther and such as did not obey the Church of Rome For c cap. 19.19 the beast and kings make warre against the word of God d Par. Vrs p. 460. Buchol Adrian the sixth dieth not without suspition of poyson Amongst his most secret papers were found the bookes of the inchanter which vndertooke to preserue the city from the plague whereby it was suspected that the Pope came in with the mightie working of Sathan c Bâ—cholcer When the Monkes had read Luthers bookes of Vowes they dissolued their vowes and went out of their Monasteries So in many places the monasteries in a short time were left emptie and reduced to a wildernesse and cage of euery vncleane bird and other vses The Nunnes laid aside their latine Psalter and put off their habite began to leaue their cloysters to marrie and keepe house Two Monkes were burned at Bruxels for Luthers opinions Erasmus disliked this kind of proceeding Luther esteemed them as martyrs Ann. 1523. Clement the seauenth f Lanquet ann 1524. sent his Legate Campegius to the Princes assembled at Norimberge requiring them to punish the Lutherans and not to be discontented that the money which was paid out of Germanie was not bestowed against the Turkes as was promised The Princes required answer of their requests made to the Pope which were to ease them of the grieuances which they sustained by the Pope and the Clergie the Legate answered that the Pope esteemed them as hereticall and therefore not to be granted for they repent not The Indians confederate against the Portugals g Fox Mart. alii The Senate at Zurike when the Papists had refused disputations abandoned mens traditions proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to bee purely taught out of the old and newe Testament Against their Bishops minde they pulled downe images and that all fowles might be fedde with their flesh disposed of the lands of the Clergie banished the Masse The like was done in Tigurine h Geneb p. 1123. The Ethiopianâ— offer obedience to the Pope and to follow the beast i Lanquet Sharpe warres betweene England and Scotland The Bishop of Argentine summoneth the Priests before him but the Councel of the citie withstood him not suffering him to exercise iurisdiction ouer them So that the kingdome of the beast is darkened The Emperour goeth in his own person to fight against the French king a Par. Vrsp p. 460. Georgius the Marquesse of Brandenburge great master of Prussia receiueth the word of God b Geneb p. 1110 Guice Par. Vr. p. 460. The French king was taken prisoner by the Emperour whereupon the Emperour resolueth to make himselfe Monarch of Christendome c Gerardus The Turkes preuaile in Hungarie and besiege Vienna but are driuen from thence In d Peuc Par. Vr. Germanie the people affect libertie e Sleid. 6 f. 92 b. The Electors sonne of Saxonie vnto whom was espoused the Emperours youngest sister is married with the daughter of the Duke of Cliâ—ue For the Emperour departed from his promise confirmed by writings because of the change of religion and his Embassadours did openly say that Faith is not to be kept with heretickes f Geneb p. 1116. Millaine Ferrara England Venice all Lombardie g Par. Vrsp p. 472. and the Pope Clement doe make a league against the Emperour Charles the fifth But the next yeare after h Par. Vrsp p. 472. c. Guicc Iouius Rome is taken and sacked by the Emperours armie When the armie was at the siege of the citie and entring the Pope would not beleeue the newes trusting vpon his Apostolicall thunderbolt which he sent forth against the armie in these wordes We doe excommunicate Charles called the Duke of Burbon Generall of the armie with his whole armie consisting partly of Lutheranes and partly of Maranes calling the Germanes Lutheranes and the Spaniards Maranes But the armie entred and vsed
violence and disgrace both to the Cardinals and to all men and women The spoile was infinite and the ransomes of the great men was more The Pope was as a prisoner and him the souldiers derided setting some drunken fellowe to be carried like a Pope c. and among hand crying and terrifying the Pope and Bishops with the name of Luther i Geneb p. 1117. Lanquet Fox Mart c. The same yeare was a disputation at Berne where no Papists would appeare the next yeare the Bernites Geneua and diuers of their neighbours abolished poperie A k Par. Vrsp p. 469. 473. great pestilence was at Genua and a great famine in and about Venice of which many died A great famine is in Germanie for three yeares There was also the sweating sicknesse in England Braband and Germanie a Lanquet Stransbrough laieth away the masse and Basil is reformed b Par. Vrsp p. 471. Geneb p. 1118. At Spires the Princes assembled where a Papist preached that he rather would depart from the Gospel than from the ceremonies of the Church Thus the beast blasphemeth God and maketh warre against his word The Princes and certaine cities protested that they could not agree to certaine things concluded in that Councell because they were contrarie to the doctrine of pietie and Christian faith Anno 1530. thereupon arose the name of Protestants c Fox Mart. Then followed the most Antichristian and horrible persecution of Merindol and Cabriers d Par. Vrsp p. 474 475. The Emperour at Augusta commanded the Princes which were Protestants to bring in their confessions of their faith which they did The papists would answer them but cleane without scripture and so that they might be allowed to load the innocent cause with horrible reproches and blasphemies for the beast openeth his mouth to blaspheme There followed a fearefull inundation of the sea which destroied many in Braband Holland Flaunders and Zealand And at Rome besides most fearefull thundrings and much heate and many fires such a power of water fell from heauen that men thought they should haue perished with a second flood houses and people were carried downe the riuer Tybur In the lower places of the citie the water was 33. or 34. foote high The e Geneb p. 1119. French king erecteth Lectures in Paris for the tongues giuing reward to the Prophets Florence by fire and sword was ouerthrowne by the armies of the pope and Emperour For they killed the Prophets of the Lord Sauanorola c. f Fox Mart. The Heluetians fight one against the other the papists against the protestants but presently after enter league of perfect amitie The Turkes make an irruption into Hungarie and Austria Paulus the third m Morise papa p. 95. had a register of 45,000 harlots Ann. 1534. that paid him weekely tribute for their whoredome As yet the harlots pay euery one a Iuly by the weeke which amounteth for the most part to 45,000 Ducates by the yeere Henry n Geneb 1121. the eighth king of England defecteth from the Pope whereby the kingdome of the beast is obscured in England o Par. Vrsp. p. 478. Diuerse cities in Germany erect stipends for students of diuinitie and good artes In p Lanquet France they cruelly persecuted all such as they called Lutherans a 1535. Lanquet At this time were giuen to the King of England by the consent of the Abots all such religious houses which were vnder 300. Markes for the foules eate the flesh of great and small The Emperour rebuketh the Protestantes for taking away the goods and lands of the Clergie b Bucholcer Pomeranus reformeth the Churches in Denmark The c Par. Vrsp. p. 480. Protestants which heretofore differed in the doctrine of the supper do now accord d 1538. Lanquet Fox c. Abbies were suppressed in England and all Friers Monkes Canons Nunnes and other sorts of religious persons were rooted out of the Realme and the liuings distributed by gifte or sale to Noblemen Gentlemen and all sorts that would buy them e cap. 19.17.18 for al the foules that do flie through the middest of heauen are called to come to eate the flesh of Captaines c. f 1539. Fox But the king declined to Poperie and set forth sixe articles which caused many godly men to loose their liues The g Sleidan Lanquet same time the Emperour obiected to the Princes of Germany that they became Protestants not for religion but for the desire of the spirituall liuings and that they delighted in discord and enclined vnto his enemies Hereby the Protestants feared war and diuerse Princes and Bishops enter into a league in dispite of the Protestants There followed presently a h Lanquet yere of great heate drowght in England many gaue halfe their corne for grinding the other halfe diuerse great Riuers were dried vp many died of burning agues boyling in heate i Orig. Ephemerid In other places also was like heate drought great Riuers might be ridden ouer small Riuers were dried vp diuers woodes were burned with the heate of the Sunne There were in Germany and Boem many fiers so that at Prage the kings principall pallace was consumed with fier k Geneb 1130. The greatest part of Germany leauing the Pope desolate by forsaking his religiō begin to neglect the authoritie of the Emperour that laboured to abolish the Protestants religion l Buchol Ann. 1541. The Emperour intending to conquere Algiers in Affrica is repelled by shipwrack at sea and by stormie weather which the Emperour did iudge to be the wrath of God against him m 543. Ibid. Hermannus Archbishop of Colen attempteth the reformation of religion in his countries The n 545. Geneb p. 1130. Anno 1546. Councell of Trent began against Luther c. This Councell taking all prerogatiue and superioritie from the word of God which the Lord hath crowned a Ses 4. p. 8. 10. a. 130. 131. doth receiue and adore with like affection of piety and reuerence as well the traditions of the Church as the old and new testament and doth holde that none may interpret the Scriptures against that sense which the Church of the time holdeth b Geneb pag. 1132. 1127. Charles the Emperor hauing concluded a peace with the Turke and with the French King the better to roote out the Gospel by the instigation and with the confederacie of Pope Paul the twentie sixth of Iune maketh warre vpon the protestants who defende themselues with their swords Yea c Sleidan 17. pag. 315. b. Fernesius the Generall of those aydes which the Pope sent to the Emperor against the Protestants is reported to say that he would make such a slaughter in Germany that his horse might swim in the blood of the Lutherans d cap. 19.19 Thus the beast and the Kings of the earth and their hosts are gathered together to make battaile against the
word of God and against his armie that followeth him e Lanquet f. 232. b. 233. a. But the seuenth of August at Mechlin the Emperors pallace was set on fire by lightning the plague of heate and by that meanes were burned 600. vessels of gunpowder which were prepared for these warres against the Protestants and with the same were burned 800. houses and 18,000 men women and children f Sleid. 17. Sleidan doth report it somewhat otherwise g Buchol Ann. 1547. Apr. 24. In these warres the Emperor tooke the Duke of Saxony prisoner and also the Duke of Brunswick Wherefore in the h Apr. 27. principall Church of Misna publike thankes were giuen The same day was the same Church by a phiall of the wrath of God consumed with fire from heauen Hermannus the Archbishop of Colen who had reformed his diocesse by the commandement of the Pope and Emperor was remoued from his place l Specul Traâ— p. 61. For he refusing the pleasures of sinne and following the Lambe was content to leade a priuate life rather then that his Churches should not be reformed m Geneb 1128 Edward the sixth King of England abolished the sixe articles which his father made against the Lutherans and abrogated the Masse n Fox alij and the Gospel was againe restored in England that the kingdome might be our Lords o Buchol Ann. 1548. The Emperor made a booke to reconcile the Papists and Protestants in some sorts intituled Interiâ—a which like the sixe articles of Henry the eight bread much trouble Hereupon arose a schisme amongst the Ministers of the Gospel called the warre for indifferent things by their deliberations whether and how the booke of Interim was to be receiued or refused Vergerius who had been the Popes Legate going about to confute the Protestants became a Protestant Iulius the third a p Fox Mart. p. 1477. monster for blasphemie Anno 1550. in a rage calling for porke he said he would haue it in despite of God and defended his like rage for a Peacocke by the example of God that was angry with Adam for eating the forbidden fruite a Geneb pag. 1134. 1137. In this time the warres were hot against the Protestants There came a Nestorian out of Syria c. to be admitted by the Pope The Nestorians are reported to ascribe to the Pope many high and great titles that they also might be knowen in some sort to follow the beast b Concil Trid. This Pope continued the Councell of Trent c Geneb 1136. 1552. Sleid. lib. 22. At this time also the Protestants contend very egarly about the question of Iustification for the arke of the couenant is seene d Buchol Ann. 1552. Mauritius Duke of Saxony made warre against the Emperor for religion and for the Landgraue in these warres the Councell of Trent was scattered peace giuen to the religion and the Princes are set at libertie which had been prisoners for the beast is taken and with him the false prophet Paulus the fourth c 1553. Geneb p. 1133. Queene Mary recalled papistry into England and a grieuous persecution was moued by her against such as professed the Gospel f 1555. Fox Marty There were also most strange and cruell persecutions and warres raised vp against the Waldenses in Angroine Lucerne Saint Martin Perouse and Piedmont And g Lanquet f. 367. in England was made an act for the punishing of such as they called heretikes and for the confirmation of the Popes power From this time to the end of her raigne were burned in a manner an infinit number of godly learned constant and faithfull martyres h Bucholcer In two yeeres about eight hundred men died by diuers kinds of punishment in England for the Gospell i Lanquet f. 377. a. In August the last yeere of this Queene after the dangerous feuers which began a yeere or two before was so great a pestilence through out England that three quarters of the people were consumed in it k Buchol Ann. 1557. At Wormes was a conference betweene the catholike Clergie and the Ministers of the Gospel In the beginning they disputed learnedly of the rule which the Church was to keepe cap. 13.15 in iudging of controuersies The Catholikes as they be called said the perpetuall consent of the time was the rule for the image of the beast is permitted to speake The Ministers affirmed the writings of the Prophets and Apostles with the Creedes to be the onely rule of iudgement For the word of God hath the crowne set vpon his head and iudgeth righteously l Ex Com. Gall. lib. 1. The same time in Salâ—e Iames streete in Paris 120. faithfull Christians following the word of God were assembled in the night for diuine exercise of preaching and Sacraments where being discouered they were by the beast and false prophets most cruelly persecuted here there were many warres for religion in France the faithfull standing vpon their garde m 155â— There raigned in England the most gracious mighty and most Christian Queene Elizabeth who abolished popery called home exiles gaue reward to the prophets reduced the feare of God and by her continuall opposition against the enemies of the Gospel declared her selfe the most sincere defender of the faith a Fox Mâ—â—t p. 911 a. One Mâ—lius a gray Frier interpreting and defending in Italy by Lecture and disputations the doctrine of Saint Paul to the Romans was answered by certaine Cardinals that it was true which he affirmed but the same was not meete for the present time because it could not bee taught nor published without the detriment of the Apostolike seate that had giuen it selfe to deceiue Pius the fourth b Geneb 1156. entring the Scots receaue the Gospell Anno 15â—â— c Hunij Labyriâ— Iâ—iriti Clauis Scriptura At this time were diuerse bookes in estimation amongst the Papists which were published against the authoritie of the scriptures As the writings of Cusanus that said that the scriptures are to bee fitted to the times and diuersly to bee vnderstood So that at one time it is to bee interpreted according as the vniuersall state of the time shall runne and when the rite of the time is chaunged the sense of the scripture is also changed for these men hold not that Gospell to bee eternall the commandeeÌ„nt Search the scriptures to iudge the time is turned into Search the time to iudge the scripture Ludouicus also maketh an oration to the Councell of Trente in which he affirmeth that the Pope the traditions customes and antient fathers of the Church haue authoritie aboue the scriptures or al that is called God Verrâ—â—â—i â—â—iteth to the Pope that the Pope and Councels are aboue the scriptures and blasphemeth that hee may determine without aboue and contrary to the scriptures * cap. 13.15 for the image of the beast must speake Peresius in the court
of Charles the Emperor putteth out the flaming eyes of the word of God and maketh the Scriptures to bee as darke as Sibyllaes oracles iumping herein with the heretike Tatianus Hosius the Popes Legat in the Councell c. are wholy against the authoritie of the scriptures Thus the beast and false Prophet with their armies maketh warre against the word of God who hath many crownes on his head and eyes like a flame of fire c. d Can. Trid. ses 25. de reform cap. 20. Vnder this Pope the Councell decreeth that the immunitie of the Popish Church and her iurisdiction was required to be defended by all Princes as the principall things of God for he exalteth himselfe aboue all that is called God e Geneb 1167. And from hence is that league falsely called holy Anno 1566. Pius the fifth f Geneb 1168. 1169. 1179. a most seuere obseruer of the Councell of Trent he twice proscribed the realme of England and exposed it as a pray to whosoeuer would take it the force of which thunderbolt the godly papists continually do pray to see howsoeuer they doe otherwise dissemble g Buchol Ann. 1566. About 400. nobles of the low-countries make supplication to the Gouernesse the Dutchesse of Parma that the Spanish inquisition might not be brought in amongst them and that she would graunt them libertie in religion a Geneb 1170. In many places images are cast downe and here begin the warres for religion in the low countries b Annales Belgiâ— Oratio Phil. Mornix Then came the tyrant the Duke of Alua into the low countries who was sent to roote out all the Protestants there He there committed most bloudie executions cruell warres and most horrible persecutions of which he insulted when he left the countries c Christopoli Apologia Yet doe the papists blame him and exclaime vpon him for his ouer much clemencie for the scarlet beast is full of names of blasphemie and nothing but death will satisfie them d Specul Tragicunt p. 97. The King of Spaine caused his sonne Charles to be apprehended imprisoned and put to death because he suspected him to fauour the distressed estate of the low countries Gregorius the thirteenth restoreth Papistrie Anno 1572. excommunicateth Queene Elizabeth and changeth the computation of the yeare This e Histo Gallica Buchol yeare after many mercilesse murthers in France at the mariage of the king of Nauar in Paris most horrible bloudie and cruell Councels were assembled and massacres committed vpon the Admirall of France and many other Nobles of the reformed religion which were insâ—sted thither As also vpon others in diuers places to the number of 30,000 were murthered at this time in France So were the French men murthered 290. yeeres before in Sicilia for their abhominable wickednes like death but farre vnlike cause f Buchol Ibid. Arias Montanus finished that excellent worke of the Bible in foure languages After these murthers in France followed g 1574. Annales Belgi a bloudy battaile at sea neere Romerswall in the low-countries where the Spaniards were ouerthrowen that yet they can recouer no strength at sea there and the sea in a manner steyned with the blood of the slaine For thou hast giuen them blood to drinke h 1588. Mer. Gallo bel Meteranus alij The Spaniards and all the confederats of the papists sent into the narrow seas against England c. a nauie which they called inuincible i cap. 13.1 c. For the beast hath the face of a Lyon which by the great and wonderfull mercy of God strangely disposing of the windes and by the valour of the English nauie was scattered and in a manner destroyed k 15â—9 Histo Gallica The next yeere the King of France Henry the third was murthered by a Frier in the same chamber in which the massacre was concluded vpon which was committed 1572. this King being then the principall person in the deliberation and consent For now of long time religious men had learned of the l Genff de Turcorum origine lib. 3. p. 152. Saracenicall Assasines to carrie kniues in their sleeues to murther Princes in their houses as a step to paradise Then did the most sacred Queene of England vnder the leading of the mirrour of true Christian nobilitie and cheualrie Peregrine Lord Willoughby send forces into France to assist Henry the fourth King of France and Nauarra against the Duke de Maine and the league who had driuen the King to an exceeding straight at Diepe By which seruice the King so succeeded against his enemies that a Mercu. Gallo Belg. if he had followed his fortunes he had cleaâ—e ouerthrowen the league for euer b 1598. Specul Trag. Apologia Christopoli historiae de Indi occidentaâ—i c. Fox Mart. At last died Philip the second King of Spaine who made peace with the Turke the better to roote out the Gospell vnder whom in Spaine England the low-countries India c. an infinit number of pore innocents were put to death Whether his death were more strange or miserable is very hard to say For he died all his partes in a manner eaten with lice c Edict of the F. K. The French King published an edict by which the Protestants in France haue libertie to professe the Gospell and to beare offices to the great increase of the Gospell there d 1603. The kingdomes of England and Scotland were most happily vnited the crowne discending to the most godly learned and excellent King Iames by the merciful dispensation of the grace of almighty God King of Scots Who to shew that he acknowledgeth to hold his crownes of Christ hath published this Sonet Basllicon doron GOd a Psal 82.1 giues not Kings the stile of Gods in vaine For b cap. 7.17 on his throne his Scepter doe they sâ—ey And as c cap. 16.17.18 their subiects ought them to obey So d cap. 4.10 5. 8 9.10 11.16 c. Kings should feare and serue their God againe If then you would e cap. 10.1.2 11.15 enioy a happie raigne f cap. 17.16 Obserue the statutes of your heauenly King And g cap. 10.11.12 from his law make all your Lawes to spring Since h cap. 17.17 his Lieutenant here ye should remaine i cap. 11.18 〈…〉 the â—â—st he sâ—â—d fâ—â—st trâ—â— and plaine Eâ—â—resse the proud k cap. 7.17 〈…〉 are the right Walâ—â— l cap. 19.12 alwayes so at euer in his sight Who guards the godly m cap. 15.1 plaguing the prophane And n cap. 1.13 c. so ye shall in Princely vertues shine Resembling right o cap. 4.2.3 c your mightie King Diuine Hallelu-iah for the Lord that God that almightie God hath reigned Amen Hallelu-iah To the Reader THere remaine yet to be powred out the sixth and seauenth Phials The great Hallelu-iahs The waâ—â—â— of Gâ—g