haue they of Ambition which they taxe in him or indignation for want of preferment in those times L. Archbishop of Canterb p. 66. Ex Archiu Colleg Baliol. Oxon. for neither was his preferment so meane he being both Publike Reader of Diuinitie in the famous Vniuersitie of Oxford and also head of a Colledge in that Vniuersitie And also hauing beene employed as an Embassadour with certaine other Lords and men of great esteeme by King Edward the third sent into Italie Martyrol p. 390. to treate with the Popes Legats concerning the affaires betwixt the King and the Pope Ibid. p. 393. 412. with full Commission The Copie whereof Extat Acts Monum p. 390. Moreouer what dignitie or preferment here in England could haue beene wanting vnto him had he ambitiously affected the same Jbid. p. 393. 412. hauing such especiall Patrons as the King himselfe the Duke of Lancaster Earle Percie Lord Marshall the Earle of Salisburie and diuers others of the greatest in Land who continually tooke his part and stood with him Moreouer as concerning his great Learning wee haue the confession of Frier Walden his most cruell and bitter enemie who in a certaine Epistle written to Pope Martin the fift saith Walden Epist ad Martin 5. That he was wonderfully astonished at his most strong Arguments with the places of authoritie which he had gathered with the vehemencie and force of his reasons c. And for further Testimonie both of his life and learning heare the publike Testimoniall of the whole Vniuersitie of Oxford giuen vnto him and his memorie The Copie whereof followeth VNto all and singular the Children of our holy Mother the Church to whom this present Letter shall come the Vice-Chancelor of the Vniuersitie of Oxford with the whole congregation of the Masters wish perpetuall health in the LORD For as much as it is not commenly seene that the Acts and Monuments of valiant men nor the praise and merrits of good men should be passed ouer c. Hereupon it followeth that the speciall good will and care which we beare vnto Iohn Wichliffe sometime childe of our Vniuersitie and Professor of Diuinitie mouing and stirring our mindes as his manners and conditions required no lesse with one minde voice and testimonie we doe all witnesse all his conditions and doings throughout his whole life to haue beene most sincere and commendable whose honest manners and conditions profoundnesse of Learning and most redolent Renowne and fame we desire the more earnestly to be notified and knowne to all the faithfull For that we vnderstand the maturitie and ripenesse of his conuersation his diligent labours and trauailes to tend to the praise of God the helpe and safegard of others and the profit of the Church Wherefore we signifie vnto you by these presents that his conuersation euen from his youth vpwards vnto the time of his death was so praise-worthy and honest that neuer at any time was there any note or spot of suspition noysed of him But in his answering reading preaching and determining He behaued himselfe laudibly and as a stout and valiant Champion of the Faith vanquishing by the force of the Scriptures all such who by their wilfull beggerie blaspheamed and slaundered Christs Religion Neither was this said Doctor conuict of any heresie or burned by our Prelates God forbid that our Prelates should haue condemned a man of such honestie for an Hereticke who among all the rest of the Vniuersitie hath written in Logicke Philosophie Diuinitie Moralitie and the Speculatiue Art without peere The knowledge of which all and singular things wee doe desire to testifie and deliuer forth to the intent that the fame and renowne of this said Doctor may bee the more euident and had in reputation among them vnto whose hands these present Letters testimoniall shall come In witnesse whereof wee haue caused these our Letters testimoniall to be Sealed with our common Seale Dated at Oxford in the Congregation house the 5. day of October in the yeare of our Lord. 1406. Thus farre of Doctor Wickliffe and of the cauils which the Papists doe obiect against him The next that especially they except against in the Catalogue before recited are the Waldenses Exceptions against the Waldenses Laziardus Volaterranus Syluius And what haue they to except against these Waldenses These Waldenses say they were a beggerly raskall sort of people ignorant and vnlearned seditious factious followers of euill opinions and among the rest they would haue all things common among them To that exception of Papists against the pouertie of these Waldenses wee answer 1. Apologie for the Waldenses That pouertie can be no disgrace vnto them who liue vprightly and maintaine the truth in sinceritie Prou. 19.1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then the rich that is peruerse hath not God chosen the poore of this world rich in faith Iam. 2.5 and heires of the kingdome of heauen 2. Neither yet were they all in such pouertie Histor Waldensium for Waldus whom they call the ring leader of them was a man of great substance Reymund Earle of Tholouse and diuers other great Potentates adhered to them and their Religion 3. Neither was their number so small or themselues such vagabonds as the Papists doe traduce them Ibid. for though the fury of persecution did disperse diuers of them and caused them to flie from place to place yet they followed their callings and many times valiantly defeated their enemies To the want of learning and grosse ignorance which the Papists obiect against them I answer first with that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.26 1 Cor. 1.26 27 28. Not many wise men after the flesh not many mightie not many Noble hath God called but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise c. 1 Cor. 2.1 And againe That they are best learned who haue learned to know Iesus Christ and him crucified Secondly wee denie that they were all so illiterate or vnlearned Reâ—nerus a Writer about that time and a bitter enemie of theirs in a long processe wherein hee describeth their Doctrine testifieth that hee heard of one who did know the partie Reyner de Waldens that a certaine hereticke of this sect so it pleaseth him to stile them to conuert a certaine person to his faith in the night and Winter time swamme ouer the Riuer Ibis to come vnto him and to teach him Moreouer so perfect saith hee were they in the Scriptures that hee himselfe did see and heare a man of the Countrey vnlettered which could recite ouer the whole booke of Iob word by word without booke with diuers others which had the whole new Testament perfectly by heart And although some of them rather merrily then vnskilfully expounded the words Iohn 1.12 Sui non receperunt cum Aenaeus Sylu. Bohem. hist de Waldens dogmat Swine did not receiue him yet were they
from the Truth our Faith and Religion hath euer kept it selfe vnspotted The true cause why during the former ouer-clouding times of Poperie the Exercises of our Religion haue beene neyther so frequent nor so publike as now it is eyther in place or persons was the persecution of Poperie and the generall corruption of the Papacie which as a Leprosie infected and as a Myst obscured the Times so that sometimes not the true beleeuers themselues such I meane as are come to our knowledge were void of error in euery point though they firmely held the foundation And if it pleased God in processe of time to giue more libertie to the persons and more puritie to the Doctrine why are wee vnthankfull and why should any enuie if the Truth hath growne more ripe in our Age And if there be any yet among vs I would to God there were not too many such who stand as Newters and lookers on not regarding any Religion nor caring to ioyne themselues to either side vntill they see the sequell and issue whether the Protestant or Popish Church is likeliest to be most praeualent To such I say as Elias said to the people of Israel How long halt yee betweene two opinions 1. King 18.21 If the Lord be God follow him But if Baall then follow him Let them consider and call to minde whither of the two Religions sauour more of grace and of the spirit of God whether doth attribute most to God whether hath beene most fauoured by God Let them consider the damnable positions the horrible combustions and hellish proiects of Poperie and the sauing counsels peaceable prosperity and heauenly blessings which haue accompanied ours let them as the Apostle counselleth proue all things 1. Thess 5.21 and hold fast what is good If they doubt whether of them carrieth greatest shew of either veritie or Antiquitie I say vnto them as it was said to St. Augustine at the time of his conuersion Tolle lege Take vp this booke and reade or rather as the Lord speaketh by his Prophet Ieremie stand in the waies and see Ierem. 6.16 Aske for the old paths where is the good way and walke therein and yee shall finde rest for your soules Lastly to the true members and vnseduced Protestants of our Church I say with the Apostle to the Corinthians Brethren you see your calling 1 Cor. 1.26.27 28. albeit not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and weake things to confound the mightie c. yet some noble some learned some Worthies haue embraced the same Religion together with vs and that in all ages and times of the world What would wee haue what can wee desire more we haue Verity and Antiquitie for vs we haue the Patriarkes the Prophets and Apostles on our side we haue the company of innumerable Martyres who haue scaled the Truth thereof with their blood we haue the fellowship of many Churches in diuers Nations Being therefore Compassed about with so great a clouds of Wanesses Heb. 12.1 let vs follow the footsteps of those who haue walked before vs in this way of righteousnesse and runne with patience the race that is set before vs. What though Papists raue and rage and plot and seeke by all meanes to bring our Religion into disgrace yea If it were possible to cut of the name of Israel Psal 83.4 that it might be no more in remembrance Psal 82.12 Yet these aduersaries of the Lord shall be found lyers but the true Church of God shall endure for euer Consider what great things God hath done for vs and how mightily alwaies he hath defended and approued our Religion how miraculously did he preserue it manger all the furie of the Lyon and the wilde Boare of the Deuill and Antichrist euen in the time of their greatest persecutions how wonderfully hath he from time to time detected and defeated all plots and proiects conspiracies and trecheries of the enemies what strange deliuerances hath he giuen vnto vs By this wee may know that God fauoureth vs because our enemies preuaile not against vs. Psal 4â— 11 Psal 46.11 The God of Iacob is with vs the God of Hoasts is our refuge he hath giuen vnto vs a Dauid a man after his owne heart to rule ouer vs a Iehosophat whose heart is set to seeke the Lord a Iosias whose chiefest studie is to build vp Gods house and whose chiefest Title is to be the Defender of the Faith he hath taken away our feares by the happie returne of our most hopefull Prince redoubled our ioyes in his forward zeale for the furthering of true Religion he hath blessed vs with an Honourable assemblie of States in the high Court of Parliament and vnited their hearts and mindes to seeke the promotion of his glory and the publike welfare of the Common-weale he hath stirred vp the hearts of all faithfull Subiects within this Iland to pray and cry Grace Zech. 4.7 Grace to that Parliamentarie assembly What now remaineth but that as the Apostle counselleth Wee stand fast in that libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free Gal. 5.1 and as our Sauiour doth admonish vs that wee be faithfull to the death Reuel 2. â—0 constantly professing and religiously perseuering in that Religion which we haue learned out of the Scriptures and which hath beene practised so long agone in all Ages by so many Patriarkes Prophets Apostles Bishops Confessors and holy Martyrs That so wee may glorifie God and stop the mouth of the aduersarie and both by life and doctrine confound Poperie till that misterie of Iniquitie bee fully reuealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnesse of his comming which we beseech the Lord to hasten Euen so Come Lord Iesus come quickly Amen FJNIS
if any thing will satisfie such vnquiet spirits by the most ReuereÌ„d Father highest Prelate in our Church so that the most part of the bookes which of late come from the presse are written of this subiect yet I hope this mine after gleaning shall neither seeme presumptuous nor superfluous It is the counsell aduise of S. Augustin that at such times and vpon such occasions as these are al men should write that haue any faculty in writing albeit it be but the same things in other words that all sorts of people among many books might light vpoÌ„ some and the enemie in all places might find some to encounter him For Zions sake I could not hold my peace and for Ierusalems sake I could not rest Esay 62 1. vntill the righteousnesse thereof goe forth as brightnesse and the saluation thereof as a lampe that burneth And if any shall demand of me as Ioab did of Ahimaaz 2. Sam. 18.12 13. why I would be so desirous to run this way after so many better-footed Cushies mine Apology is yet let me runne after them though it be like Ascanius Non passibus aequis althogh the matter bee the same or much more mean my method peraduenture may be more plaine For in this controuersie betweene vs and the Papists coÌ„cerning the Antiquity of both our Churches I follow the tract prescribed by Moses 1 Looking backe into the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations 2 Making inquiry of our fathers and our elders that they may shew and tell vs whether Church whether Religion is the ancientest And I begin first with the first The triall of the truth hereof by the antiquitie of time because the Papists now adaies principally insist vpon this point The Church of God say they consisteth not of a few people Bell. de eccles lib. 3. c. 13. Gregor de Valen. tom 3. p. 142. Coâ—ter Enchir. c. 2. Rhemist in Act. 11.24 but of many it is not hidden or obscure but conspicuous the company thereof perpetually holdeth a visible succession of Pastors and people as sensibly as any other society of men so that any time one may point with his finger and say this is the Church But the Protestants Church cannot shew this ergo it is no true Chuch Concerning that tenent of theirs about the perpetuall visibility of the Church in that sense as they take it how infirme it is I refer the reader to the learned Treatises of the most reuerend and iudicious Diuines of our Church Archbishop of Cant. in his treatise of the visibl of the Church D. Field of the Church D. Whites way to the true Church who haue purposely written of that Argument I rather bend my selfe to refute their Minor proposition wherein they deny that we of the Protestant Church can shew any such succession or visibility of our Church and Religion in former times And that so much the rather because Gregory of Valenza peremptorily maintaineth Greg. de Valen. 〈◊〉 3. p. 142. that this is a point which pusseleth vs extreamly that we are not able to shew any company of people which in times past was knowne in the world to hold that forme of doctrine religion which we haue brought in wherein albeit as their owne Bellarmine confesseth It is not required to the vniuersality of the Church Bellar. not ecclâ—â— c. 7. that of necessity there be at all times in euery Country some beleeuers it sufficeth if there be successiuely whence saith hee it followeth that if only one Prouince did retaine the true faith yet should it truly and properly be called the Catholike Church as long as it might be shewed that it were the same which it was at other times in other places of the world yet such hath been the singular mercy of God to his Church in the manifestation thereof that we are able to shew that there hath beene no place in Christendome but there haue been some of our religion therein as not only our own experience Bâ—z sign eccles lib. 19. c. 1. Bellar. de Rom. Pont. lib. 3. c. 21. but our aduersaries owne reports beare witnesse when they complaine how our heresie so hereticks style it hath possessed many and large Prouinces To make this the better manifest I shall in the ensuing discourse set downe as in a Table a particular Catalogue in what places at what times by what persons our Religion hath been professed and maintained in former ages For an introduction whereunto let vs first consider what our Aduersaries do except against vs. As the Iewes sometimes spake vnto our Sauiour Thou art not yet fifty yeares old Iohn 8.57 and hast thou seene Abraham so the Papists say to vs Rhem. annot in Ephes 4. v. 13. Your Religion is not yet an hundred yeeres old and can such a Religion be good And as the Gentiles sometimes vpbraided the Primitiue Christians Prudent periph hymn 10. Nunc dogma nobis ChristianuÌ„ nascitur post euolutos mille demuÌ„ consules Now after we know not how many thousand Consul-times the Christian Religion forsooth is start vp So the Papists obiect against vs now at the last after so many hundred yeares Campian Bell. de eccles lib. 4. c. 5. after so many hundred Popes after so long continuance of the faith and doctrine of the church of Rome without any alteratioÌ„ or opposition The Protestant Religion is sprung vp the first founder thereof being Martin Luther an Apostate Frier c. Popish discourse concerning faith p. 57. The Protestant Religion saith the Iesuit was neuer heard of before Martin Luther set it abroach and a late popish Doctor blusheth not to vtter that it is most manifest that all in England were Papists without exception from the first christning thereof vntill about the latter end of King Henry the eight Vide Archb. of Cant. de visib eccles p. 74. What was our Religion neuer heard of before Luther set it abroach were all in England Papists euery one without exception in that religion from the first time that it was Christian till Henry the eight brought in an Innouation Let vs try the honesty of these Popish Doctors and by a view of this try how in other things we may trust theÌ„ on their words let vs according to the counsell of Moses the man of God looke to the dayes of old and the yeares of many generations let vs search the records of time and beginning with Luther looke backward vnto the former times to the yeares of many generations that were before him and if we do not find the footsteps of our Religion in those ancienter dayes let the Papists be credited and our mouthes stopped Martin Luther was borne at Isleben in Saxony Massâ—â— lib. 2â— Casp pencer l. 5. Abbat Vsperg Iob. Sleidun Martyrol Anglic p. 771 772. Anno Domini 1483. Hee was brought vp in the Vniuersitie first of Magdeburg then of Erford and afterwards at Wittenburgh
where at the age of 29 he commenced Doctor At the first he was a Monke of the Augustine Order and he beganne to distast Popish religion about the yeare of our Lord 1516 by occasion of his looking into first the Pardons and Indulgences which Pope Leo the tenth set to sale in Germany by Frier Tecellius and afterwards by prying into other stuffe of Popish superstitions so that the time of his separation from the Church of Rome must be reckoned to be about the yere of our Lord 1516 or 1517. King Henry the eight shoke off the Popish yoake about the 25 yeare of his reigne Chronic. Angâ—ic in vita Hen. 8. Statut. ann regni 25. Acts and Monum p. 96â— viz. Anno Domini 1534 Before which time he wrote against Luther and was an earnest defender of the Papacy Before either of these two times and whilst both Henry the eight and Luther were Papists wee can produce professors of our Religion betweene the yeare of our Lord 1500 and 1516. In England Doctors and learned men D. Iohn Colet Deane of Paules who was a great labourer for reformation in the Church and in his Sermons bitterly inueighed against inhibition of Priests mariage pilgrimages and diuers other abuses in the popish Church for which hee was much persecuted by Richard Fitz-Iames Bishop of London Paâ—etex Registr Fitz Erasm ep ad Iodoc. Ion. Gulielmus Lillius Gulielm Grocinus Gulielm Latimer Thomas Lynacre Whole Congregations persecuted for it In the Diocesse of Lancolne to the number of 437 persons Martyrol p. 751 752. c. In London 68 persons p. 734. 745. Martyrs put to death for it VVill Sweeting Iohn Brewster Iohn Browne Iokime Norman Iohn Stileman Thomas Man Robert Cosin Christop Shoomaker Robert Rane Iohn Seriuener In France Doctors and learned men Iacobus Pauanus Iohannes de Cadurco Laurentius Crucens Patet ex Crisp pantal Congregations Whole villages of them in the tract where the Alpes are ioyned with the Pyrenies Peir de Soan in hist Concil Trident. p. 3. Whole villages about Merindol and the Country of Prouence Martyrol p. 859. Martyrs Dionysius de Reaux Iacobus Pauanus Bartholomaeus Millen Henricus Poile Iohannes Chastellanus In Germany Doctors and learned men Leo Iuda Iohannes Oxlinus Vldericus Zuinglius Congregations Tigurines Bernates Lucernates Suicenses Vnderualii Basilienses Martyrol p. 791. Martyrs Petrus Spengler Wolgangus Schurch Leonardus Heilar Wendelmuta Vidua In Bohemia There were diuers about this time professing the Protestants religion who were by the Papists tearmed Pycards Calystini and Subutraques Pier de Soau in his Historie of the Trent Councill p. 3. Before this time and before Luther was borne there were professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares of our Lord 1450 and 1500. In England REynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester who publikely preached against the Pope Fryers transubstantiation and the whole leauen of popery Thomas Gasgorgu lib. de dict Theol. p. 3. Martyrs William Tilsworth Lawrence Ghest Thomas Barnard Babram Iames Mordon Ioane Boughton Mother to the Lady Young Acts and Monum in regu Henric. 7. Persecuted for the same Iohn Blomeston Richard Hegham Robert Crowther Iohn Smith Roger Browne Thomas Butler Iohn Falkes Richard Hilmin Margery Goit With diuers others in Kent Couentrie and London ibid. p. 713 714. In France Philippus Comineas a French Historiagrapher who spared not to reproue the vices in Popery and to extol those who opposed the same Martyrol p. 672. Iohannes Selestadiensis Vide â—iuâ— Epist ad Maximil Imper. contra Pontificios Antonius Mancinellus who wrote an eloquent oration against the filthie life and wicked manners of the Pope and his Clergy and for that cause had his tongue and hands cut off by the commandement of the Pope Martyrol p. 674. Charles the eight was at often defiance with the Pope Ibid. p. 675. In Germany The Germanes in generall exhibited their complaints against the Pope to the Emperor Maximilian Martyrol p. 672. Rodulphus Agricolae Pontanus Philippus Baroaldus Georgius Valla. Iohannes Ostenderpius Doctor Keiserspergius Doctor Andreas Proles Ex Luc. Osiand lib. 1. c. 8. VVeselus Groningensis wrote against popish penance indulgences purgatory workes of supererrogation abuses of the Masse prayers for the dead vowes precepts of the Pope and Prelates c. Hee was a man so famous and notable for his great learning and good life that hee was commonly called Lux mundi The light of the world Ex Noviomag Martyrol p. 670. In Bohemia Georgius Pogiebrachius Gouernor of that Kingdome vnder the young King Ladislaus Rochezana and diuers other Preachers more of whose conformity with vs in Religion and separation from the Church of Rome wee may reade Cocl lib. de Hus Martyrol p. 662. Item ex Aene. Sylv. in Histor Bohem. In Italy Iohannes Baptista Mantuanus Angelus Politianus Hermolaus Barbarus Iohannes Picus Mirandula This Picus Earle of Mirandula being but a young man went to Rome and there set vp 90 conclusions to be disputed on of which diuers were about the Sacrament Iustification c. quite contrary to the tenent of the Church of Rome for which hee was persecuted by the Pope and his Clergy Luc. Osiand lib. 1. c. 8. Martyrol p. 740. Hieronimus Sauanorola an Italian Monke sorely inueighed against the corruption in Popery maintained iustification by faith that the communion ought to bee administred in both kinds that indulgences and pardons of the Pope were of no effect against auricular confession and the Popes Supremacy for which cause he with two more who taught and preached the same together with him were hanged at Florence and afterwards burnt to ashes Illiric Catal. test Martyrol pag. 450. Before that time there are to be found professors of the Protestant Religion betweene the yeares 1400 1450. In England THe name of Lollards about this time was commonly knowne in England That they and wee doe agree in the substance of our Religion may appeare ex descript sect Lollard William Bishop of Norwich complaineth how the number of them did here encrease Martyrol pag. 609. Martyrs Rich. Houerden Iohn Goose Paul Craw. William White Iohn Claidon Richard Turning Sr Iohn Oldcastle Lord Cobham Persecuted and put to penance for that profession Iohn Burrell Thomas Moone Iohn Finch Nicholas Belward Thomas Grimar Iohn Beuerley Thomas Pye Iohn Mendham Robert Shiruing Iohn Terrie Hugh Pie Iohn Parker Iohn Skilly Iohn Cooper Bartholmew Thatcher Thomas Iames. Alane Andrew William VVright Richard Fletcher Iohn Aberee Iohn Middleton Iohn Waid Richard Clerke Robert Beet Richard Page Iohn Warden Iohn Kinget Thomas Albeck William Bates VVill Osbourne Robert Briggs VVilliam Marsh Iohn Goodwin Henry Bood Richard Horne Iohn Spire Richard King with diuers others as wee may finde them named and recorded Martyrolog pag. 608. In France Thomas Redonensit a Frenchman by birth came into Italy about the yeare 1433 and there seeing the corruptions of the Church of Rome inueighed exceedingly against the same preaching that the Church did lack reformation
head of the Church and that hee neuer appointed any Pope to be his general Vicar 5 That the mariage of Priests is lawfull 6 That S. Peter was neuer at Rome 7 That the Clergie of Rome is a den of theeues 8 That the Popes doctrine leadeth to eternall damnation Defens pac Aligerius Andreas de Castro Iohannes Rochetaylada Henrici de Erford nameth him Haybalus preached openly that the Church of Rome was the whore of Babylon and the Pope with his Cardinals to bee the very Antichrist And being for the same brought before the Popes face constantly did perseuere in the same saying that hee was commanded by God to publish the same Froysard Volum 1. chap. 211. Martyrol pag. 360. Before that time there may bee seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1250 1300. In England PEter the sonne of Cassiodore wrote a zealous Epistle to the Church of England dehorting it from the tyranny of the Church of Rome Ex vetust Chron. Alban extat Martyrol 323. The Popes inhibition was despised in England Anno Domini 1294. Diuers also about this time were accused here in England for adhering to the opinion of the Waldenses Turris Lond. in record reconcil inter regem Baron In Germany Gulielmus Altissiodorensis an ancient Schoolman in whose summes many points of popish doctrine are strongly opposed and confuted Naucler vol. 2. Gen. 45. Iohannes Semeca Prouost of Halberstat was about this time excommunicated and depriued of his office for resisting Pope Clement the fourth gathering certain exactions in Germanie who therefore appealed from the Pope to a generall Councell and had many great fauourers of his side Martyrol pag. 287. In France Gulielmus de S. Amore Master in Paris and chiefe ruler in that Vniuersitie hee wrote a booke de periculis Ecclesiae wherein he maintaineth 39 conclusions against the Papists but especially against the Friers Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Robertus Gallus borne of a Noble parentage about the yeare 1290 wrote diuers prophesies against the Pope church of Rome in a booke of visions In the first Chap. whereof hee painteth forth the Pope like an Idol In the twelfth Chapter like a Serpent In the thirteenth he resembleth the state of the Church of Rome to a body whose head is dry leane and withered like a logge of wood In another place hee compareth the Schoole-men in their subtill questions and distinctions to a man who hauing fine Manchet bread and pure Wine set before him doth notwithstanding chuse rather to gnaw vpon an hard and flinty stone Martyrol pag. 292. In Italy Petrus Iohannes a Minorite about the yeare 1290 taught and maintained many things against the Pope prouing that he was Antichrist and the Synagogue of Rome the great whore of Babylon Nichol. Emer in lib. inquisit In Spaine Arnoldus de Villa noua a Spaniard by birth about the yeare 1252 was by the Pope condemned for an Hereticke because hee wrote against the corruptions of the Romish Church his preaching was to this effect First that the Pope and his Clergie seduce the world like Satan from the truth of Christ Secondly Faith as the Papists require it is no better then the Deuils faith Thirdly that the Pope leadeth men to Hell Fourthly that Cloisterers are void of charitie Fiftly that Masses are not to be celebrated and that they ought not to sacrifice for the dead with many other propositions to the like effect Magdeb. cent 13. c. 5. Hâ—siad cent 13. c. 10. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1200 and 1250 In England RObert Grosthead Bishop of Lincolne a man of great learning and godlinesse who liued in the daies of Pope Innocentius the fourth and constantly resisted his vnlawfull demands as by name the inuesting of a young Italian boy whom the Pope had recommended vnto him to be admitted into the next vacant Prebend in his Diocesse for his sharp reprouing the Pope of Rome and powerful preaching against the corruptions in that Sea hee was commonly called Malleus Romanorum The Hammer of the Romanes for his courage and doctrine the Pope was much incensed against him and sware that he would hurle him downe to such a confusion that he should be made a gazing stocke to all the world notwithstanding all which this good Bishop died peaceably And when as after his death the Pope would haue cast his bones out of Christian buriall in the night following the said Bishop seemed in a vision to appeare before â—â—m and smiting him with his Crozier-staffe on his right side with a sterne looke and terrible voice to say vnto him O thou scuruie lazy bald doting Pope hast thou purposed to cast my bones out of the Church God will not suffer thee to preuaile woe to thee that despisest for thou shalt be despised And so seeming to depart the Pope was found the next morning in a manner halfe dead Math. Paris Martyrol p. 295 296. In France Laurentius Anglicus an Englishman borne but Student in Paris of prime esteeme in that Vniuersity wrote against the Pope affirming that in him and his Prelates Antichrist was already come Martyrol p. 292. Almaricus a Doctor of Paris was burnt for withstanding altars images inuocation of Saints transubstantiation Car. Chron. 1202. In Sweden About the yeare of our Lord 1240 there were in Sweden many Preachers who in their Sermons inueyed against the Pope affirming the Pope and his Bishops to bee hereticks and Symoniacks and that popish priests were meere seducers that the Popes curse was not to bee dreaded and his indulgences were meere fopperies Ex Chronic. Abbat Vsperg Crantz lib. 8. c. 10. In Germany Frederick the second resisted the Popes vsurpations exiled his authoritie out of Germany and fought against him prosperously Mat. Paris p. 71. Sygefridus Seginoburgensit Rudicenus Rhathenicensis Conradus Frisingensis Bishops of Boiora ioyne with the Emperour against the Pope Auent lib. 5. Euarardus Inuanensis an Archbishop in Germany spake thus of the Pope in an Assembly of Bishops at Regenspurg He vnder the colour of religion layeth the foundatioÌ„ of the kingdome of Antichrist These priests of Babylon will reigne alone they can endure no equall they will neuer rest vntill they haue trampled all things vnder their feet he sitteth in the Temple of God and is exalted aboue all that is worshipped Thus doth that child of perdition whom they vse to call Antichrist in whose forehead is written the name of blasphemy I am a god and cannot erre Auent lib. 7. p. 546. Before that time there may be seene professors of the Protestants Religion betweene the yeares 1150 and 1200. In England GErhardus and Dulcinus Nauarrensis about this time preached against the Church of Rome defending and maintaining first That prayer was not more holy in one place then another secondly That the Pope was Antichrist and Rome the very Whoore of Babylon prefigured in the Apocalyps These two about