Antichrist was not come to his height or perfection and partlie also for that the minds of men were so fore-stalled by preiudice of an other matter and so dazeled yea and blinded with the glorious shewe of the Sea of Rome that they could neuer bee perswaded that such mischief could possibly euer rise from thence And although in time by little and little those foresaid tokens began to appeare and shew themselues whereby that horrible Monster might be discerned and withall although that Sea it selfe began now in that behalfe to bee suspected by manie yet so great was the dreadfull power and authoritie of the Bishop of Rome that they who had espied the light of the truth durst not for their liues mutter or speake the least word For if they did they were by and by not onlie condemned in the next Synods as Scismaticks but also put to death by Magistrates as Heretieks more pestilent and haynous then any that euer liued And so by meanes of feare and terrour they held their tongues Notwithstanding in the time of our Auncestours namelie about the yeare 350. when Leo the first was Bishop of Rome one Hilarious Bishop of Vienna in Fraunce did openlie gaine-saie the tyrannie of the Roman Bishop which then began to aduaunce and enlarge it self After that about 400. yeares ago there arose one Arnold in Italie surnamed Brixianus who with strong arguments and vehement perswasions for he was a man accompted for his time both learned and eloquent handled plainelie and vrged pithilie this poynt and that verie commonlie publicklie and euen in the midst of the Cittie of Rome itself by which his labours and force of the truth he moued manie indeed but yet generallie he could not preuaile So great a coyle t' was alwaies found To plucke the Romish Sea to ground In so much as one Bernardus Clareuallensis a man who otherwise stoode not so greatlie affected to the tirannie of the Romaine Bishop yet by meanes that men in those dayes were generallie so bewitched with a reuerend opinion of the Maiestie of that Sea tooke vpon him to tosse and canuasse that censure of Arnolds although it were most true and iust And this auncient and receaued opinion touching the sacred authoritie of the Bishop of Rome continewed many generations and was neuer in the meane time controuled by anie saue onlie the Greeke Bishops and that but by a few of them And in truth therein the Grecians shewed themselues to bee of a more free iudgement and wiser disposition then were our men and the Bishop of the Latine Churches for they as appeareth by the writings of Nilus Bishop of Thessalonica an eloquent man earnestly auouched that Antichrist was not onelie come and seated in the Church of God but that the Bishop of Rome himself was the very partie and this they enforced with such pregnant and strong proofes as the best proctours that euer that Sea had were neuer able as yet to ouerthrow But as for the Westerne Bishops they indeed disagreed in this pointe but not vpon anie good ground or setled iudgement but only caried away by the preiudice of commō custome nay they being deceiued by the great subtilty of Satan who now begā to worke the misterie of iniquitie as Paule had fore-tould proceeded further and gaue their helping hand to the spreding abroad of that pestilent infectiō the suppression whereof it behooued each christian to haue endeuoured and very busie and pettish they were in helping and vpholding it and in putting Oyle as you would saie to the fire And so in processe of time the said Bishop of Rome became as big as a Monstrous Giant which had a hundred Armes Briareus as it is in the Prouerbe who before was as little as a foolish Leueret At first in verie deed vnder the raigne of the Henries and after of the Fredericks Emperours of Germanie the Kingdome of Antichrist receiued great strength and encroched vpon the consciences of men of all sortes For although euen from the daies of the Apostles themselues Sathan began to lay the foundation thereof yet by reason of the bright shining light of the Gospel which in those dayes was kept in all integritie in the Churche hee tooke repulse and so by meanes of the worke which GOD himself had as it were newly proclaimed and taken in hand he was inforced to be quiet to defer his busines vnto some other time Afterwards looke what he had long since begon and somewhat brought forward hee found the meanes to finish and bring to perfection vnder the Raigne of Constantinus b Bearded or which had a great beard Pogonatus an Emperour of Constantinople Now Sathan being by the meanes and industrie of Antichrist as it were his legate once set ouer the Christian Church as it were in a Chaire of Estate he nestled himself therein so sure that after it proued a thing almost inpossible by any power or pollicie to remoue him thence but euen as the strong armed man of whome Christ speaketh in Mathew looke how more vehemently he was assaulted by the valiant Souldiers of Christs Church Arnold Wickliffe Husse Jerom of Prage and some moe such like So did he as busilie oppose against them more wicked and vncleane spirits as a supplie of fresh Souldiers in way of reskew For the pompe power of Antichrist was maintained by such men as were of as lewd a disposition and of as brazen faces as euer liued and that not onlie long agoe but euen of late in our dayes as by Eckius Faber Cochley and such other prating Iackes of the like stampe by whose toyle-some trauailes mingled with cauills coggs and couzning trickes the cause was a while cherished and vpheald But God the father of all mercies in great compassion pitying the estate of the world vouchsafed in this old-age thereof to raise and send amongst vs the light of his glorious Gospel the power whereof is the onlie instrument to bring Antichrist vnderfoote Therefore he lightened the minds of our vnderstandings displayed the foggie Mists of Antichristian darknes and stirred vp his worthy seruaunts as valiaunt Champions to bruse and breake to quell and kil the power of Antichrist For in this quarraile wherein Antichrist was to be encountered manie haue dealt with verie prosperous successe As first and cheiflie M. Luther and after him for let me speake it without the offence of some hee was not the last of the Prophets Hen. Bullinger Ralfe Gualter all which were great and excellent men both for learning and godlines and who of set purpose wrote treatises against Antichrist as for Iohn Caluin Theod Beza Ierom Zanchus verie worthie Captaines and continual wrestlers with Antichrist I purpose to pretermit as also those more auntient fellowes Math. Parris Mich. Cesennate Io. de Poliaco Militzius of Bohem by whose learned writings the foundations of the Antichristian Kingdome haue bin shaken yea and shiuered Notwithstanding seeing that there still remaine in the mindes of
which is the Metropolitane Citie in Italie is the certaine seate appointed by God for Antichrist to sit in that for euery choise of a new Prince of this Apostacie euery one that hath interest in that election must of necessitie repaire to that place as it is expressely prouided for in the 6. of the Decretalls Lastly that Citie is the shop where all mischeuous counsells and pestilent practises against the Church of God are deuised which after are in most despitefull manner put in execution against the Saincts of God and to conclude she is the Princely pallaice of the papisticall kingdome and of Antichrist him-selfe and that so limited and appointed by the full and generall consent of all the route and rabbie of that traiterous generation For why are the Popes of Rome who retaine still their power and authoritie ouer their Antichristian Churches wheresoeuer they shall become more tied to be and settle at Rome then either at Bononie or Avenion or Viterbie or Paris or Venice the which notwithstanding are verie great and famous Cities and in respect of commodities requisite for the maintenance of our life and of great concourse in way of trafficke and marchaundice are to be preferred farre aboue Rome or all the soile and territorie belonging vnto Rome If heereunto it be said that the reason thereof is because the Pope is Bishop of Rome I aunswere that they who vse to giue dispensations to others that they may be non-residents and discontinue from their proper Bishopricks may become non-residents themselues if they will and as they tearme it despence with themselues in that point and so vse their owne libertie Againe when as the abode of this Romane Bishop was for the space of 70. whole yeares together continued at Avenion was not the Pope in all that while Bishop of Rome as well as now he is although he were not at Rome Stephen Bishop of Rome what time as he made so often iourneys to Pipin King of Fraunce when as he was so shrewdly molested by the Lombards that were deadly enemies vnto the Sea of Rome when I say he went so oft and staied so long in Fraunce I trust he ceased not in the meane time to be Bishop of Rome therefore that reason is of no force But in truth the verie reason why Rome rather then any other place in the world or then any other Citie how famous so euer as Alexandria Antioche Ierusalem Constantinople sometime were and as Venice Florence Bononie Paris Anwerpe Avenion London now are should be the fiâ—te and certaine seate of this kingdome of Poperie and of Antichrist is because the word and prophecie which the Spirit of God had giuen out vnto Iohn touching the place of Antichrist must néedes be fullfilled for the place of this so detestable a Sea was expressely limited and layed out namely to be in that precinct where that auncient famous and stately Rome sometime stoode Now this could not possibly come to passe before that oulde and noble Rome which was the place of the Idolatrous Empire was ouerthrowne For this place is called Geddon that is a rasing Harma of the high place And thus it could not be tearmed but after such time as that high Rome was sackt which was throughly performed by the Gothes before the chaire of Antichrist was in that place erected For the Bishops of Rome neuer challendged vnto them-selues the name of Vniuersall Bishop or tooke vpon them such power of Antichrist before that oulde Rome was quite defaced Indeede she was often before surprized and ransanckt but in the ende she was by the Gothes brought to vtter ruine when once the Romane Empire was translated thence vnto Constantinople For to let passe that she was once taken by the French-men because indeede that makes nothing for this purpose after this prophecie of Iohn she was surprised thrise and at last according to this decree of God layde flatte in the dust the firste whereof was perfourmed by the Gothes while Arcadius and Honorius were Emperours in the yeare of our Lord 414. but then she was not cleane ouer-turned the second was by the Vandalls Marcianus beeing Emperour Anno 449. but neither as yet was she destroyed the thirde and last was when Iustinian the first was Emperour vnder the conduct of Totitas King of the Gothes which was that finall ouerthrowe and vtter ruine of Rome whereof that place of the Reuelation is directly to be vnderstood for then indeede she was foulie handled then was she turned cleane topsie-turnie then were her walles beaten downe then was she so terriblie set on fire that the raging flambes thereof made hauocke for the space of fortie dayes together in so much as it consumed the whole Citie in the yeare 540. but somewhat before that time namely from the yeare 534. as Onuph lib. 3. Fast obserueth by meanes of the warres wherewith they were continually afflicted by the Gothes they had cleane left off their custome of creating yearely newe Consulls at Rome and in the Westerne partes namely vnder the Empyre of Iustinian the first and after the Consull-ship which was the last of Decius Theodorus Paulinus And after that in processe of time the Romane Bishop vnder the Empire of Phocas began to vsurpe and take vpon him that prowde stile to be tearmed the vniuersall Bishop of the whole world So we see that after the sayde ruine of Rome he sittes me with that stately title in that verie place where oulde Rome was about the yeare of our Lord 600. True it is that Constans the second Emperour of Constantinople Nephewe vnto Heraclius indeauoured his best to restore the Empyre and accustomed dignitie vnto Rome agayne and so likewise after him would other Emperours as the Italians Berengarius yea and some Popes them-selues as Sigonius reporteth but they could not for the secrete counsaile of God was against it so that meete it was and so it ought to be that she should remaine in raggs and heapes of rubbish that according to the Prophecie euen of Sybilla Rome might become a * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ruyne and she that was * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 renowned should afterward be drowned in so much as such as are not well acquaynted with the Citie might seeke for Rome beeing in the middest of her Againe if we regard the men and the manners of the Citizens and inhabitaunts of this new Rome repaired we shall finde that both they and their disposition are very fit and agréeing with the kingdome of Antichrist the which I had rather should be set out by S. Bernard who was a great mainteiner all the time of his life of the Romane dignitie then by me He therfore Lib. 4. de considerat ad Eugenium 3. Papam cap. 1. writeth thus of the Romanes They are the men saith he that haue the doing in all things that concerne the Popedome but what is more apparantly knowne to the world then the frowardnesse and insolencie of that nation a
marke the verie wordes of Iohn and yet the Spirit of God in that place speaketh verie simplie and plainely For after he had foretould the state of Antichrist in the sayd 13. Chapter and also described what manner of one he should be he also in plaine sort did set downe the time wherein all those things should be fulfilled namely the yeare 666. which he tearmeth the number of a man that is a plaine number and easie to be knowne not hard to be reckoned euen as in Esay Cap. 8.1 a writing that is plaine and easie is called the penne of a man and in such sort to be coumpted as men vsually in those dayes were accustomed to number And these yeares beginne not at the time of Christes birth but rather of his suffering and from the time of Iohn Therefore the Spirit of God telleth vs that in the supputation of these yeares we must vse the ordinarie and common kinde of reckoning then practised And the reason why the Spirit of God is so carefull about aduertising vs héereof is least when question is made of the comming of Antichrist we should thinke that those yeares were in such sort to be coumpted as in Daniell Cap. 9.25 where the yeares of Christes comming are reckoned by wéekes of yeares for we should be deceiued if we should take that course Truth it is that God would haue the time and comming as of Christ so of Antichrist expressely set downe vnto vs but yet both of them after a diuers manner of reckoning For the time of the comming of Christ was to be coumpted among the Iewes by wéekes of yeares but the time of the comming of Antichrist by a familiar popular and common kinde of numbring such as all men did ordinarily vse For that kinde of coumpting by weekes of yeares is intricate hard and not so familiarly knowne vnto euerie man but this manner of reckoning which is by adding of yeare vnto yeare is vsuall and truly verie playne and common God vsed the former when he dealt with the Iewes among whome the number of seauen was a solemne matter and religiously accoumpted of and who were alreadie accustomed to obserue and coumpt manie things by multiplication of seauen weekes as namely the yeares of Iubile But he vsed this latter beeing more common which is done by adding eache seuerall yeare as it followed in succession vnto that that went next before when he had to doe with the Gentiles among whome the Church was to be planted and with whome that solemnitie of seauens or weekes of yeares were neuer knowne nor practised but only this other common manner whereby they onely added euerie yeare as it followed vnto those that were past and went before Againe the Interpretours of Daniell Cap. 9. bring another reason why God in pointing and limiting out the time of the comming of Christ wherein the great comfort of the Iewes should consist vsed rather the number of seauens namely to the ende that he might compare the time of their exile and banishment which was by the space of seauentie yeares with the time of theyr comfort and his mercie towards them which should ensue which was seauen times seauentie yeares that is 490. which number of yeares those seauentie weekes prescribed by Daniell do amount vnto Then after this sort must we number the yeares coumpt the time of the Beasts comming because the Spirit of God him-selfe doth prescribe vnto vs the same manner whereby it falleth out that that time wherein the kingdome and state of Antichrist began publikely openly and that especially to be framed and set vp in the Church of God was in the yeare after Christ 666. Although withall I am not ignoraunt that after the tyme of Christ there were dyuers kyndes of supputation of yeares in the Church of God while some began to reckon at the conception of Christ others reckon at the gouernment of Alexander and some againe reckon from the first yeare of Dioclesians Empyre but verely I my selfe doe thinke that in this place those 666. yeares are to be reckoned both from the death of Christ and from the time that this prophecie was reueiled in and especially for the more easie and readie reckoning let vs beginne to reckon from the time of Christes suffering so in the 666. yeare after his Passion that blasphemous kingdome of Antichrist whereof the Spirit of God had fore-warned had openly and euerie-where seazed vpon the Church of God Most certaine it is that at that verie time and in that verie yeare the Papisticall and execrable Masse a verie defacing and blotting out of the death of Christ began euerie-where priuately in Churches to be celebrated in the Latin tongue as Bale writeth in the first of his Centuries Cap. 80. namely in the time of Vitalian Bishop of Rome Againe this number 666. limited for the reueiling of Antichrist may seeme to some to be so set by God for that it containeth about the third part of those two thousand yeares wherein some thinke the world shall stand and continue from the time of Christ vnto the ende of the world only there is a little ouer-plus of yeares in this multiplication ouer and aboue the iust number of 2000. and those are to be allowed to this ende and purpose that Antichrist might haue a time wherein he should raigne and after haue a fall But touching this which I haue affirmed of the numbring of 666. yeares how true it is let vs now more attentiuely consider For the issue of things and the accomplishment of the Prophecie it selfe ought to be accoumpted an omni-sufficient witnesse and proofe of mine assertion The which that it may the better appeare this I say and affirme that it is most certayne and out of all controuersie that the strongest bulwarke or rather ground-worke of the Antichristian kingdome began then publikely and in verie deede to be layde and to be reared vp in the midst of the Church when one onely man by the publike consent of Christians began to be called and acknowledged by the name of Byshop of Byshops or Vniuersall Byshop and this began and that by the authoritie and will of the Emperour himselfe about the yeare of our Lord sixe hundred and foure as is manifest out of Chronicles For Boniface the 3. Bishop of Rome was pronounced by the Emperour Phocas as I haue shewed before vniuersall Pope and Bishop of all the world and that with this prerogatiue that this priuiledge to him graunted should continue for euer to his successours being Bishops of Rome and there seated This was done by Phocas in the first yeare of his raigne which is reckoned by all Historiographers to bee the yeare of our Lord 603. Neither did Phocas deale thus liberally with the Romane Bishop for nothing For whereas the said Phocas had villanously murdered his predecessour Mauritius the Emperour by this so bountifull a bribe bestowed on the Romane Bishops who alwaies could do much in the Citie with the people of Rome he
redeemed and so recouered the fauour of the people by the helpe and commendation of the sayd Bishop For before the people of Rome bare deadlie hatred agaynst this Phocas for the butcherlie murther so treacherously perfourmed by him vpon Mauritius and in regarde thereof they would none of him for their Emperour Therefore by the industrie of this Boniface Bishop in way of recompence of so liberall a largis Phocas was brought in fauour with the people of Rome who thereupon began in solemne sort to crie God saue the Emperour It may peraduenture be supposed also that Phocas was moued hereunto in regard of a constitution of Iustinian which is to be read lib. 2. Nouella 131. concerning the foure holie Counsells where the Emperour willeth the Bishop of Rome to sit first in the Synod and the Bishop of Constantinople after him in the second place Now touching this priuiledge graunted by Phocas it was afterward confirmed in a Synod assembled at Rome vnder the sayd Boniface the 3. Anno 607. as Sigisbertus affirmeth The which Synod consisted of three score and two Bishops thirtie Priests and thrée Deacons wherein there was full power graunted to the Bishop of Rome to ratifie and disanull the election of other Bishops After that in the Synod of Affricke which was neere about this time and was assembled vnder Constance the Emperour nephewe vnto Heraclius this title and inscription was made him Vnto Theodor Bishoppe of Rome aduaunced to the toppe of the holie Apostolike dignitie vnto the holie Father of Fathers to Theodor the Pope highest Prince of all Prelates the Synod of Affricke c. Thus then wee haue found out the foundations of this Antichristian Apostacie and periured state described here by Paule publikelie layd about the yeare of our Lord 604. but yet wee see that here wants of the former number of yeares for it is to bee sixe hundred sixtie and sixe How then Forsooth from that time forward the power of this kingdome and of this vniuersall Bishoppe that is of Antichrist began more and more to incroach in so much as now all matters appertayning to the Church of God began to bee directed at his appoyntment And to speake brieflie then began the increasing the partes and the whole constitution and frame of this Apostacie openly in the face of the Church to be laied out fashioned and strengthened euen as a little Infant which being within the mothers bellie receiueth there the knitting together and fashion of his members But as yet the foule puppie Antichrist was not fullie brought foorth For hitherto the power of this vniuersall Bishoppe was ouer-shadowed by the authoritie of the Empyre whereunto as yet he acknowledged himselfe subiect A proofe whereof may bee this that the election of the Bishoppes of Rome were yet now by the Emperours of Constantinople ratified and confirmed and the sayd Bishoppes were subiect to their censure and reformation yea and depriuation and that after the time that Phocas graunted them this priuiledge But at last after time the authoritie of the Romane Bishop began to increase in Italie and the Maiestie and power of the Romane Emperour who kept at Constantinople began to quaile daylie more and more or rather began now to bee euen at the last cast in Italie and lastly when at Rome the Romane Bishops became the Emperours Legates or Vicegerents or rather became caruers for themselues and began in their owne name and as of their owne authoritie to meddle in Church and Common wealth matters to dispose of publike and priuate affayres and by the consent of the people to rule the whole roast then at last they easilie intreated the Constantinopolitan Emperours to yeeld ouer vnto them and that by publike edict and vnder a faire Charter all that their interest and iurisdiction which they had ouer the Romane Bishops And further that they would will and commaund that whosoeuer hereafter were by the people and Clergie elected Bishops of Rome should forth-with without any confirmation therof had from the Emperour and without sending him a sacred Epistle as they tearmed it whereby they protested vnto him their loyaltie bee reputed for lawfull Bishoppes of Rome and bee by and by accompted to haue all lawe in their owne hands not subiect to the comptroulement or censure of any Whereby it came to passe that now the Romane Bishops needed not the confirmation of any no not the consent and approbation of the Romane Emperour himselfe who then kept at Constantinople but euen of their owne swindge as being now become their owne men tooke vpon them that authoritie power and dignitie So that from that time forward the sayd Bishops began to liue as men free from all iurisdiction of the Emperour that is without the checke or reach of any man or Magistrate whatsoeuer yea they began to bee compted like vnto GOD himselfe not to bee iudged or called into question by any mortall wight Canon nemini 17. quaest 3. and Canon Nemo quaest 3. Now this without doubt may seeme to bee the full height of the Antichristian kingdome and without all controuersie it is to bee so esteemed especially considering that it was erected came to light and obtayned so ample authoritie at such a time And this so great and ouer-spreading power of the Romane Bishop whereby he was exempted from all censure and iurisdiction of the Empyre was graunted first vnto him by Constantine Pogonatus the bearded an Emperour of Constantinople whose raigne is reckoned to be about the yere 666. or as some reckon 668. But yet Charles Sigonius lib. 2. of the kingdome of Italie had rather referre the graunt of this priuiledge vnto the yeare 684. Howsoeuer it be certaine it is that Benedict Bishop of Rome was the first that euer vsed the benefite of this ouer-lashing and licentious libertie And it is an easie matter for a Clearke or Scriuener to misse in the compt of a yeare or two which is to bee refourmed by making recourse to the Reuelation For it is well knowne to all men what great diuersitie is sometime found among the Historiographers about the supputation of yeares and times and that by reason that the Christian Church hath not alwaies obserued one and the same manner of reckoning Therefore in so great a somme as this it is like ynough that a few daies should either be added or detracted Whereby we see it now appeareth that the kingdome of Antichrist was framed and set vp the very same time and yeare that the spirit of God had fore-tould namely Anno Domini 666. And as for the kingdome of Mahumet it began about the yeare 623. vnder the Empyre of Heraclius and in the 30. yeare of his gouernment So that the kingdomes of Antichrist and Mahumet differ not much touching the time of their rising And as for this of Mahumet it increased so mightilie in a smal space namely within the compasse of 32. yeres that by meanes of his Gallies Nauie he sodainly brought vnder his
great as that the said Bishops did there-by easily take occasion to abuse it Where-vpon Bernard Lib. 1. 4. de considerat ad Eugenium complaineth greiuously that the Bishop of Rome bestirred him-selfe so as where-by he shewed that he had indéede all fullnesse of power but not of iustice when once it began to be iustified by Apostolike authoritie that monstrous men very prodigious beasts should be admitted vnto Bishopricks and high Ecclesiasticall preferments This therefore was the second degrée whereby the Antichristian kingdome was aduaunced The third last was the excessiue coying fauours that certaine Princes especially Emperours bare to that Sea for this third point was likewise a principall piller in that building for in those dayes not only all men of all sorts contended to their vtmost euen like mad men to lade those Bishops with immoderate wealth and possessions but euen Emperours them-selues heaped vpon them honours priuiledges and other dignities belonging to the maiestie of an Emperour or the office of a ciuill Magistrate in so much as they submitted vnto the censure and approbation of the Bishop of Rome both their owne Decrees and the Constitutions of the Synods Iustinian the Emperour sent Ambassadours vnto Iohn Bishop of Rome to procure his approbation of the booke of Ciuill Lawes which he had made and published as appeareth by the Epistle prefixed before the said Coade of Iustinian Yea some Emperours haue ouer submissie giuen it out thus that Their Lawes do not disdaine in waie of imitation to resemble the holie Canons as though forsooth the maiestie and aucthoritie of Emperiall Edicts were farre inferiour vnto that of the Popes Decrees and Canons And in truth where-as those Emperours did not so prouidently bestowe vppon those Bishops so great reuenewes what else did they bring to passe in the ende but only a dispersion of deadly poison in the Church the which some of the Popes owne claw-backs haue written was heard in the life of Silvester the firste distinctly vttered in the ayre what time so large reuenues were graunted to the Church of Rome by Constantine the great Ierom vpon Malachi writeth plainly that the Church after that it came to the protection of Christian Princes it increased in power and riches but decreased in vertue and godlinesse Lastly to what ende were there so many priuiledges graunted by them both to places and persons Ecclesiasticall especially to the Church of Rome whereby they were exempted from all power and iurisdiction euen of ordinary Magistrates so that they might be without checke of any hauing libertie to liue as licentiouslie as they list These were the vnhappie beginnings and procéedings of so great tyrannie whereby the kingdome of Antichrist and this generall Apostacie was founded increased and made strong And yet this so great power receiued also some furtherance euen by Iustinian the Emperour and somewhat before the time of Phocas by vertue of a lawe of his in Nouella authent 131. de quatuor sanctis concilijs By what other degrees and occasions the authoritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either stilie drawne forward or strongly established The 25. Chapter BVt Sathan the craftie work-maister wrought not only by these engines and subtile practises in aduauncing the kingdome of Antichrist but applied also other deuises of his as if he were to set abroach all the policies he had and vtmost indeuour he could in weauing this webb For vnto these beginnings and proceedings were adioyned other causes and occasions as hang-bies which were neither small in themselues nor feeble in their force Namely first the fame and renowne of the Citie of Rome it selfe which was called the head of the world Secondly the decaied estate of the Empire and the emptie seate thereof being at that time translated vnto Constantinople Thirdly the bountifull benefites of certaine Bishoppes of Rome bestowed vpon all Jtalie in generall and more perticularly and specially vpon Rome it selfe as testimonies of their loue and pledges of their care which they had of their Citizens and sheepe For Leo the first Bishop of Rome went out and met Attilas who was making inuasion vpon Italie and turned him backe hauing pacified him with a very milde speach in so much as that furious Beast at whose verie name al men trembled being soothed vp without once touching any part of Jtalie returned into Pannonia Pelagius the first Bishop likewise of Rome did so asswage Totilas a most cruell tyraunt by humble suite and petition as that when he had alreadie surprized Rome and in great rage was deuising how to bring it to vtter ruine yet he obtayned thus much of this angrie and furious Totilas that euen Totilas himselfe should inhibite further fierings and slaughter to bee committed in Rome There are other great good turnes recorded of other Bishops of Rome employed either vpon all Italie as by sending or intertayning Ambassadours or els perticularlie vpon Rome it selfe which things worthelie procured to them and their successours great and speciall fauour not only at the hands of Jtalians and Romanes but also of strangers and men of forraigne Nations Whereby it came to passe that for remedie agaynst the iniuries offered of some officers and Lieutenants yea such as were without the precincts of Italie appeales were made vnto the Bishops of Rome So did Victor Bishoppe of Fausienna call for assistance at the hands of Gregorie the first Bishoppe of Rome agaynst the Iudges in Affricke which committed many things with wrong and violence So likewise he tooke into his protection Isidore Mustellus and Constantius agaynst the hard proceedings of their Bishops And in like sorte he yeelded his helping hand vnto Adrian Bishop of Thebes agaynst Larissaeus the Metropolitanes of Iustiniana epist 46. induct 11. So also did the saide Gregorie write verie sharply vnto Brunchilda the Queene of Fraunce for that she did wickedlie permit the Jewes within her Dominions to intertayne and keepe Christians as their bond-slaues And to conclude thence it came to passe that verie barbarous people and the Princes of Gotland although as yet they were aliaunts and straungers from the profession of Christianitie had the Bisshoppes of Rome in very great accoumpt and indeuoured to increase and set out their creditte and estimation to their vtmost For Atalaricus King of the Gothes caused by publike edict and proclamation that Boniface the fourth and Iohn Bishoppes of Rome should bee highly reuerenced and worshipped by the people and Senate of Rome And after him Theodoricus a King likewise of Goteland commaunded the same to bee perfourmed To make short that I might herein comprize and shut vp all things as neere as I can the principall piller of this authoritie and tyrannous power was founded vpon that famous saying of Christ so much tost and boasted of but mis-vnderstood Feede my sheepe Iohn 21.16.17 The which the Bishops of Rome contending with tooth and nayle will needes haue to bee vnderstoode of Peter and his successours only and
parte of this description set downe by the Apostle First he saieth Except there come first a back-sliding or falling away Now it is a falling from the faith that he meaneth for his purpose was not to speake of the chaunges of Empyres or ouerthrowes of Kingdomes and agayne the worde Apostacie doth signifie no lesse 1. Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is They shall shrinke from sound doctrine And further all the Fathers giue it out that the comming of Antichrist shall bee ioyned with a miserable ouerthrowe of religion and godlinesse And whereas the Apostle calleth it simplie an Apostacie which should ensue he thereby sheweth that it should bee a generall and not a perticular defection For he speaketh absolutely without limitation And this may also more manifestly appeare by comparison of other places Luk. 18.8 The sonne of man when he commeth shall he finde faith vpon earth This is that Apostacie and want of faith whereof Paule spake Math. 24.12 Iniquitie shall be increased the loue of many shall be colde And Iohn in the Reuelation foretelleth That the Kings of the earth should commit fornication with the Harlot And that the inhabitants of the earth should bee made dronken with the wine of her whoredome And that all Nations shall drinke of her cuppe And lastly the euent of things which is the best expositour of these matters doth prooue that I say to bee most true For partly by Mahumetisme and partly by Poperie faith hath been long since almost cleane put out in so much as well nigh there is no remnant left in the world of the true and auncient faith and sinceritie After this the Apostle beginneth to describe Antichrist by his proper markes And that that man of sinne bee disclosed euen the sonne of perdition which is an aduersarie In these words he setteth out Antichrist as it were one man who although he be not indeed any one single or perticular man yet is he by the Apostle described vnder the person of one both in regarde of that kingdome which he maketh opposite to Christes and is one and also in respect of that one and the self-same spirit of Sathan wherewith all the Antichristes in the world are caried As the kingdome of Antichrist is one so also is the kingdome of Antichrist one and for that cause as Daniell long before had laied open seuerall kingdomes which were continued a long time by lineall descent and succession of Kings and people vnder the names of a Leopard a Lion and a Beare so also would the Apostle set out Antichrist and the whole bodie of the Antichristian kingdome vnder the figure or resemblance of a most wicked man And seeing the Bishoply kingdome doth fight and contend with the kingdome of Christ and seeing that in the same the Bishop as a principall Monarche doth beare the sway wee rightly tearme the Pope 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by a kinde of prerogatiue Antichrist The Apostle faith that this man was to be reueiled that is should openly affect and possesse a kingdome and exercise his tyrannie the which it is certaine the Pope hath practised aboue nine hundred yeares euen euer since that time wherein he would needes be called the head of the Church and take vpon him the chiefe stroake in the Church And to the end we may euidently perceiue that the Bishop of Rome is that Antichrist as I affirme let vs prosecute the other parts of this propheticall description laied out by the Apostle He laies open Antichrist in the fourth verse following by three adiuncts or properties for first He shall oppose and exalt himselfe against al that is called God or that is worshipped Secondly He shall sit as God in the temple of God Thirdly He shall shewe himselfe that he is God These wordes containe much matter in them and offer great varietie of speach but I of necessitie must obserue a meane First therfore Antichrist was to become 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 opposite to Christ an aduersarie contrarie in such sort as he should aduaunce himselfe aboue Christ So that Antichrist should take vpon him not only ciuill reuerence but euen diuine worship Can any man hereof make doubt but that this doth most fitly agree with the Bishop of Rome For he will needes be greater then God himselfe and setteth himselfe full butt agaynst him And that he would needes be greater then God we shall easilie perceiue if we consider what power and authoritie either of them do challenge to themselues It belongeth only to God to prescribe lawes to binde our consciences who only hath the soueraigntie ouer our soules The Bishop of Rome will needes beare rule ouer mens consciences wherein he attributeth to himselfe a diuine interest yea inioyneth in more hard and seuere manner then he supposeth that God himselfe ought to do For who knoweth not that a man might with greater securitie transgresse the lawes of God than the Popes Constitutions and that he that should offend the sayd Bishop should in more seuere manner smart for it than he that should with notorious wickednesse offend the Lord. To bee stayned with fornications adulteries and vnspeakeable impieties required no great penaunce such sinnes could bee done awaie at a light and easie price but to haue tasted once either of Porke or Beefe vpon a Fryday that could neuer be wiped out but by the bloud of him that offended and yet the one stands forbidden by God himselfe and the other by none but by the Bishop They make it for the most part but a mockery or May-game to breake the lawes of God but to transgresse the Bishops is right mortall and deadly To hurt God by periurie and blasphemy they make it no great sinne but to offend the Bishop only by vnreuerent speach is a huge trespasse and worthy to be reuenged by most extreame torture There are a thousand such like wherein the Bishop establisheth his authority to be reputed as farre more authenticall and holie then the power of God Then what is it to aduance him-selfe aboue God if this be not shall we looke that Antichrist should plucke God out of heauen and climbe vp into his Celestiall seate and the sayd Bishop is also an aduersarie vnto Christ and that not in any one parcell only but simply and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the whole I will in few words make it plaine for neither is colde more repugnant vnto heate or blacke to white more contrary then is Popery to Christianitie and the Bishops profession vnto the doctrine of the Gospell For what a kinde of God do they make of him when they serue such an infinite number of Idols and fill the whole world with their Idolatrie for where euer either among the Graecians or Aegiptians or the ould Romanes were Images more common or more frenticke idoll-worship then was and as we knowe is in the Romish Church and that of a sorie slender crust a God can be made as soone as a Priest shall haue breathed
out a fewe words out of his filthie mouth I beséech ye brethren what a madnes is it and what sacrilegious blasphemie against God Therefore they haue no God at all and much lesse haue they any Christ whome they haue dishonoured mangled and torne in pieces in such wonderfull sort We are taught in the Scriptures that Christ is a man but a man he can not be if he be infinit without circum-scription or limitation of place or person such a Christ as the Papists haue dreamed vpon they make Christ both man and God of that Mathematicall superficies which they vse in their Masse which is so subtile and thin that it conteineth in it no thicknesse at all I would heere knowe of them how in that little bodie or substance they distinguish or seuer the deity of Christ from his humane nature And what a kinde of bodie is that which is of no quantitie which can be perceiued by no sence which possesseth at once an infinite number of places and those farre distant thus therefore they destroy the person of Christ and as touching his office they are there-in more foulie and dangerously deceiued For what part at all do they héere-in leaue sound and entire vnto Christ If Christ be our Priest and if there be two partes of this Priesthoode the one that he should offer him-selfe for our only and perpetuall sacrifice the other to be our intercessour and make prayers for vs. How is it that the Papists do offer vp Christ euery day and how is it that they suborne an infinite number of Mediatours If Christ be our Prophet why will they not stand content with his doctrine to what ende do they require further humane lawes and traditions If he be our King what néede we an other Bishop to be our King which should rule ouer our consciences and the whole Church of Christ wherefore if he be Antichrist that denies Iesus to be Christ the annointed as Iohn hath taught vs it is euident that the Bishop of Rome is Antichrist who hath taken away the Kingdome Priesthood and Propheticall office of Christ I can not runne ouer each place of the doctrine of the Gospell that therein I might shewe how the Bishop is contradict vnto Christ in euerie point and these haue I lightly toucht in fewe words runne ouer because I am not now to handle common places but briefely to yeeld the reason of this my defence and assertion Wherefore to let passe other points to conclude this place I affirme that the whole doctrine of the Gospell that setteth out vnto vs the causes meanes of our saluation and which prescribeth either the outward or inward worship of God is by the Popes meanes depraued spoiled cleane ouerthrowne the which being so it followeth that the Bishop is rightlie called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an opponent or Aduersarie 3. And least any man should dreame that Antichrist should be an outward enemy such as Mahumet is Paule addeth that He should sit in the Temple of God that is in the midst of the Church therefore he should proue an houshold enemy not a forraigne foe and shall withstand Christ couertly not openly although notwithstanding he shall be a deadly enemy vnto Christ yet shall he pretend great faith religiō friendship familiar conuersation with Christ whereby we may see how much more dangerous an enemy he is So the Bish of Rome although he be repugnant vnto Christ in all things yet hath he placed seated himself in the midst of the temple and people of God For he holdeth that himselfe is the Vicar of Christ that his synagogue is the true Church of Christ that all his are the true Catholicks and crieth out that all such as separate themselues from him are Hereticks Thus doth he challendge to him-selfe the title and name of the Churche and detracteth it from all others and this is it whiche Paule meaneth in saying he shall sit in the midst of Gods Church Many shall come sayth Christ in my name saying I am Christ Now what is it to come in the name of Christ but to vsurpe the place or name of Christs Vicar And this hath not only bin perfourmed openly by the Pope but also it hath fallen out that besides him no other did euer attempt it 3. And doth not the Bishop openly boast him-self to be God reade Gratian distinct 21. He acknowledgeth the name he taketh it vpon him he coumpteth it properly to belong vnto him and reposeth him-selfe in it His clients clawe and worship him as a God they salute him by the name and make more accoumpt of his authoritie and precepts then those of God Heerein I faigne nothing I speake that that is euident and well knowne vnto all The Bishop of Rome giueth it out that he is an earthly God and vaunteth that he can do what-so-euer God can Sinne only except an impudent and blasphemous mouth hitherto all points do iompe and agree But we haue not yet runne ouer the description set downe by the Apostle if these things be not sufficient marke what followes Now saith Paule ye know what with-holdeth namely that he might be reueiled in his time Heerein he sheweth what it is that did stay or keepe backe the comming of Antichrist This same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which with-holdeth Tertullian Hierome and Chrysostome do vnderstand of the Romane Empire the which so long as it stoode in flourishing estate Antichrist could not rise to that power and preheminence and therefore that roome might be made for Antichrist it was requisite that the Emperour of Rome should giue place What this meaneth we shall easily vnderstand if we shall beare in mind that which Iohn fore-warneth in the Reuelation as we shall see anone namely that Rome was to become the head and Metropolitane Citie for the Antichristian kingdome Seeing therefore that Antichrist was to rule in Rome necessarie it was that the Emperour should leaue Rome emptie for him for it could not be possest by both of them together Now the issue euent of things hath shewed it selfe to be a most plaine and plentifull interpretour of this prophecie First Constantine translated the Empire from Italie and Rome into Greece vnto * Which is Constantinople Bizantium then the Greeke Emperours began by little and little to lose all their interest in Italie so that at last Rome the auncient seate of the Empire together with a great part of Italie began to fall into the Bishops hands But where-as some vnderstand this matter of the Preaching of the Gospell which the Apostle should signifie was first to be spread ouer the face of the whole earth I will not gaine-say but that both may be vnderstoode viz. that the Empire was to be moued out of Rome and the Gospell to be preached ouer all the world And touching the time where-in both these were perfourmed it agreeth fitte And where-as the Apostle writeth that the misterie of Iniquitie doth
thought vpon the reducing or restoring of the Italian Empire vnto her former dignitie but laboured their vtmost her vtter ouerthrowe for they were barbarous men such as were the Rugians and Gothes who began now openly to beare rule in Italie Now all these Kings of whome I haue spoken raigned almost but an houre that is a verie short time and space yea they raigned and died much about a time in as much as all of them came to the Crowne within little lesse then the compasse of tenne yeares and it may be that the Image thereof I meane the state of Poperie may héerein resemble her * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 platfourme and agrée iompe there-with in hauing her tenne last Popes verie short liu'd for a finall conclusion and ruinous confusion of that kingdome Therefore both the number of the Kings which is specified in the Scriptures and the verie short time of their gouernment confirmeth my interpretation and proueth it to be most true which I had rather follow then that exposition which Primasius giueth of this place vnderstanding by an houre any time whatsoeuer either short or long where-vnto the 8. Chapter verse 1. of the same Reuelation is repugnaunt That these three things were the chiefe and principall groundes of the kingdome of Poperie First the diuers haeresies that sproong vp in the Church touching the natures and office of Christ Secondly the bitter bickerings that were among the Bishops and thirdly the large bounties of Emperours and certaine other men who both were able and superstitiously bent which they bestowed on the Church of Rome The 24. Chapter WHich being so we are now to lay open by what steppes this seate and tyrannie of the Romane Empire stept vp to such a tipe and magnificence and how at last it attained his finall furniture and perfection of building in the place of * Geddon-Harma desolation that is where the sheards and asshes of ruinous Rome were to be found The first and originall ground-workes in laying and establishing the kingdome of Antichrist were three to weete the errours of Heretikes the contentions of Bishops and the superstitious deuotions and excessiue liberalities of Christian Princes for so that their foolish and immoderate largisse bestowed vpon the Church is rather to be tearmed then true deuotions for they were too-too ouer-lasshing and cockering fauourers towards the Church and chiefely the Church of Rome And touching these three causes which I called ground-works of the Antichristian kingdome it may easily be perceiued that they likewise were three mightie and effectuall steps or degrees whereby Antichrist by little and little reared him-selfe vnto that huge and tyrannous power which afterwards he attained And first touching errours in matters of faith and religion truth it is that the Romane Church yea all the Westerne Churches remained more pure and sound then the Easterne and those in Syria by two especiall meanes the one for that in the Weast there were continuall persecutions stirred vp by the Emperours of Rome the other for that the wits of the Westerne men were alwayes more grosse and dull whereby it came to passe that they of the Easterne Churches repayred often in matters of doubt vnto the Church of Rome and required their iudgement and helpe in condemning newsproong Heresies and so by this meanes the credit and estimation of the Bishop of Rome began more and more in wonderfull sort to increase and be highly reputed of in the Church of God for the many and diuers Heresies that then were did not only shake the Christian faith but made it as a matter greatly doubted of among many in the East especiallie where-by also they made readie way for that generall back-sliding which after insued And therefore those Heresies are called by Chrisostome Armies of Antichrist especially such as sprang last whereby bitter contention was raysed and heald repugnaunt to the word of God touching the natures of Christ and of their vnion or lincking together of the office of Christ and of the merits of our workes suche as those were which were stirred vp by Arrius Nestorius Eutyches and Pelagius which Heresies were both most detestable and most forceible to ouerthrowe the vprightnesse of mens iudgements And therefore by this meanes vpon a suddaine the superstition of Mahumetisme began in the East and by occasion of the continuall dissentions that were among the Christians touching such points of Doctrine it was admitted willinglie and preuailed greatlie For the Easterne Churches were now tainted turmoiled and foulie deformed with an infinite number of heresies for looke how many heresies there are about matters of faith and doctrine so many foule blots and blemishes there are in the Christian Churches And truely Chrysost vpon Math. Hom. 49. obserueth very wel that after such time as Theodosius the great had once graunted temples and places of publike assemblies euen vnto heretikes it came to passe that the Churches receiued great deformitie wonderfull increase of heresies Therfore the Churches of the East séeing they had lost all credit and reputation of Christian profession among their neighbours countreymen at home they intreated Symmachus then Bishop of Rome that he would by his censure cōdemne the heresies of Acatius seeing that as then the Easterne Bishops had no such power authoritie ouer their people so also they desired of Agapetus that he would depose Antimus Bish of Constantinople as an heretike And to make short all Ecclesiasticall histories are plentifull in such examples This therefore was the first meanes whereby the kingdome of Antich began to get footing The secōd meanes hereof was the continuall dissentions garboiles brawles wofull contentions of the Bishops among thēselues whereby not only thēselues became odious among men but euen the doctrine of Christ wherof they were the pillers begā to grow into vtter cōtempt These sturs were very cōmon in the Easterne Churches but not so vsuall in the West by meanes of the continuall persecutions that were there for idlenes long rest doth make mē more wanton dissolute whereby it came to passe that the Bishops that were thus molested were glad faine to flie vnto an other Bish of greater coūtenance wherby they might be eased kept frō wrongful dealings offered thē by other Bishops Now as for the Bish of Rome he no doubt by meanes of the famousnes of the City it selfe seemed the most principal who also was ready willing to yéeld his helping hand in the redresse of other Bishops their distressed estates for both Athanasius being put out of his Bishoppricke by the Arrians made his repaire to the B. of Rome as vnto a sure refuge after him Fabianus before him many other did the like as appeareth by histories infinite it were to reckon vp all exampls in this behalf in so much as in processe of time this repaire vnto the Romane Bishops in times of exigence procured him great authoritie among all nations in Christendome and that indéede so