Mediatour Aduocate and Intercessour by whom alone wee haue free and gracious accesse vnto God the Father and easely obtaine of hym all good thynges Antichriste setteth forthe vnto vs other Mediatours Aduocates and Intercessours euen the soules and spirites of them that are departed and commaundeth vs to call vpon them to make intercession vnto theim that thei for vs maye call vpon God praie vnto hym and make Intercession vnto hym that by this meanes our praiers maie be the soner heard and our petitions the more easely graunted Thus Antichrist goth about to make Christ Iacke out of office 11 Christe hangyng on the Crosse and ready to giue vp his Spirite into the hādes of his heauenly Father saied It is finished signifiyng hereby that by the one and alone Sacrifice of his Passion and death al thyng is wrought and perfectly doen whatsoeuer appertaineth vnto the saluation of mankinde so that now there remaineth no more any Sacrifice or oblation for synne as the Apostle saieth With one onely Oblation hath Christe made perfect for euer them that are sanctified Againe We are sanctified by the offeryng vp of Christes bodie doen once for all Antichriste hath sette vp diuerse Sacrifices for synnes but namely the vile and abhominable sacrifice of the Masse whiche he calleth a propiciatorie expiatorie and satisfactorie Sacrifice for the synnes of the quicke and the deade necessary Ad salutem This Sacrifice he braggeth to bee of like dignitie and of equall price with that Sacrifice whiche Christ the high and euerlastyng Bishop offered on the Altar of the Crosse yea to bee the verie same againe that he and his Chaplens in that Sacrifice of the Idolatrous Masse doe daiely offer vp the Soonne of God to the Father of heauen for the daily synnes of the people Antichrist moreouer is not ashamed to saie that Christe by the Sacrifice of his death doen on the Altare of the Crosse did onely put awaie originall synne but he and his shauelynges by the Sacrifice of their Masse putteth awaie all other synnes at all tymes bothe actuall veniall mortall c. 12 Christe in his blessed Testament teacheth that wee are purged cleansed and made pure from all synne by his bloud Antichriste for the mainteinaunce of his idle Cleargie that thei might liue of the laboure and sweate of other mennes hands and browes hath deuised an other Purgatorie after this life wherein the soules of them that haue not doen due satisfaction for their sinnes in this worlde muste bee moste miserably tormented vntill either thei by sufferyng moste greeuous paines haue satisfied the iustice of God or els thei bee deliuered by the Sacrifice of the Masse offered for theim or by some other charitable deedes of mercie Is not this to counte the bloud of the Testamente as an vnholie thyng and to doe dishonour to the Spirite of grace 13 Christe teacheth that the Churche whiche is the felowship of Sainctes and companie of faithfull people is built vppon hym self whiche is the true rocke is gouerned by his Spirite heareth his voice and is ruled by the same Antichrist saieth that the Churche is not builte on Christe alone but also on Peter and his successours againe that it is not onely gouerned by the woorde of GOD but also by the Decrees of the Churche of Rome 14 Christe saieth that thei whiche are his Shepe and belong vnto his Shepefold that is vnto his holy congregation heare not the voice of straungers but flee frō them giuyng eare onely to the voice of their owne Shepehearde Antichrist saieth that thei whiche are of the Churche maie not onely heare the voice of Christe but also the woordes of the Bishop of Rome whiche is Christes Uicare and knowledge hym to bee the vniuersall Bishoppe whose voice to heare and whose decrees to obey we are bound vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation 15 Christe ordained in his Churche to sette forthe the Gospell of our saluation and to gouerne his flocke Apostles Prophetes Euangelistes Pastoures teachers c. Antichrist appointed in his Churche Monkes Friers Chanons Nonnes Ankers Ankresses Recluses Priestes Sacrificers Soulecariers Purgatorie rakers Pardonners Proctours Somners Apparitours Commissaries Officialles c. 16 Christe in his holie Lawe freely per mitteth all spirituall Ministers Bishops Deacons c. to marrie Antichriste in his Deuilishe decrees forbiddeth and condemneth the mariage of spirituall Ministers 17 Christe by his holie Apostle calleth Mariage honourable and the bedde vndefiled yea that emongest all men none excepted Antichrist shameth not to call the mariage of the Spirituall Ministers an vncleane filthie and fleshly kinde of liuyng 18 Christe gaue equall power to all the Ministers of his Churche Antichriste denieth that and saieth that the Bishoppe hath more aucthoritie then the Prieste and the Archebishoppe more then Bishoppe and the Pope more then thei all 19 Christe in his blessed Newe Testamente appointeth Deacons to be Ministers vnto the poore and to see that thei lacke no good thyng And the Bishoppes or Spirituall Ouersears he ordained them to preach the worde to enstruct the people to minister the Sacramentes c. Antichrist ordaineth Deacons to saie mattens of the daie to reade the Gospell at Masse to stande on the Priestes right hand to helpe hym in all thinges to haue a shauen crowne to liue vnmaried c. Archdeacons he hath also appointed certaine tymes in the yere to visite the churches to see if the church and churchyarde be in good state if the Uestmentes Alter clothes Copes Banner clothes Crosse clothes Curteines Towels Boxes Pyxes Chrismatories Fontes holy water bucket holy bread basket Bels Candelstickes Sensers Crosses Cruettes and suche like ornamentes of the Churche be well and sufficiently repared againe if the Hosts be well kept of the Curate that they be not moulde fustie euill sauoured cankered worme eaten c. As for prouision makyng for poore and needie people there is no mention That ought to bee collected of the Archdeacons among the mercifull Christians for the ayde and reliefe of the poore members of Christe in their visitation is nowe vnfrutefully deuoured spent and consumed of the Archdeacons themselues and of their Officers so that the office of an Archedeacon at this time in the kingdome of the Pope is now come altogether vnprofitable and to muche chargeable to the Churche of God. 20 Christ appointed his Apostles to bee the ministers and seruauntes of his holy Churche Antichrist ordaineth his Priestes and Prelates to be Lordes and Masters ouer Gods people yea he maketh them to be of greater authoritie and power thā Emperours Kinges Princes c. of higher dignitie than all the Angelles in heauen or than the blessed Uirgin Mary Moreouer he doeth so greatlie aduaunce the dignitie of his smered shauelynges that he calleth them the maker of their maker And to set forthe their royall and kingly priesthode he maketh
pelfe so swete vnto him is the sauour of lucre 28 Christ when they would haue chosen hym to be their king fled awaie aloue frō them into the Mountaines and gaue him self to praier and spirituall meditations vtterly eschewing al worldly pompe glorie and dignity whiche thyng he shewed openly in ridyng simply and plainly vpon a borowed Asse accordyng to the prophecie of Zachary whiche saieth Behold the king commeth vnto thee meeke simple lowly or of pore degree He became pore saieth the Apostle that wee through his pouerty should waxe riche And he said to Pilate My kingdome is not of thys worlde Antichrist aduaunceth and lyfteth vp hym self aboue all Kynges Princes Rulers and Emperours chalengyng vnto hym aucthority and power both to exalte and depose Kynges Princes and Emperours at his pleasure which thyng as we reade he hath in tymes most cruelly and tyrantlike practised in diuerse and many noble Princes He aduanceth hymselfe not only to excelle all power and aucthoritie but also to be lorde of both realmes heauenly and earthly and that the Emperour is his Subiect as it is mencioned in his owne decrees lawes againe that if the Empire at any tyme be voide he is right heyre to the same And in token that he is lorde and kyng ouer three realmes one more then GOD hymselfe hath that is to saye Heauen Earth and Purgatory he weareth a triple crowne vpon his pylde pate This authority this Antichrist receaued of the diuell for the seruice that he hath doone hym whiche Christ vtterly refused when he said vnto hym All these thynges all the kingdomes of the vvorlde and the glory of them will I giue thee if thou wilt fall doune and worship mee This Antichrist and his adherentes that so vilely deuise the higher powers are spoken of in the Epistle of saint Peter whiche saieth They walke after the fleshe in the luste of vncleanesse and despise authorie Presumpteous are they and stubborne whiche feare not to speake euill of them which excell in worship c. 29 Christ came not to bee serued but to scrue takyng vpon hym the similitude of a seruaunté and makyng himselfe of no reputation to serue and aduaunce vs. Antichrist wil be serued and suffer kinges to giue hym water yea and saieth it were a shame if he should otherwise humble hym selfe as it appeareth in his owne lawes and decrees 30 Christ full lowly and mekely washed his Disciples feete and taught theym so likewise saiyng I haue giuen you an example that as I haue doone to you so ye should do one to an other Antichrist saieth Emperours and Kynges shall knele vnto me and kisse my feet and is not ashamed to expresse it in his lawe 31 Christ went on hys feete with his disciples both in wette and drye heate and colde to teache and instruct the people as it is euident throughout al the gospel Antichrist keepeth his feete full cleane with shoes of gold and siluer set with precious stones will not preache the word of God but saieth it is sufficient to cause other to preache as it appeareth by hys lawe Uerely after this manner mighte the Turke be Pope also 32 Christ sat at meate among his Disciples full lowly and poorely and hee did not require the highest seate Antichrist sitteth full high in a curious throne and will be serued gloriously with greate Princes and Potestates and hee wil haue men with iagged cotes to carue his morselles blasphemyng GOD with othes and committing many other vices as ye maye daiely see 33 Christ fasted and sought for the fruite on the tree to eate when he was hungrie and found none thereupon Antichrist hath great prouision made in cities and townes to gette hym of the best that maie be found and that must be well dressed and deintily to make good digestion with Spices and Sauces and sirops coloured out of kinde 34 Christ lay and slepte in a bote on the harde bourdes and had to his chamberlaines but poore fishers Antichrist lyeth full softe and easly in beds of downe where he slepeth swetely and no man may wake him vntill he haue slepte enough His Chamberlaynes are men of honour which are full ready with marshals and vshers to keepe his chambers from noyse and the Porter at the gate to keepe out the poore 35 Christ was in hilles weping and praiyng and walked in deserte feedyng many thousands both with meate preaching Antichrist sitteth in his Castelles and Towers with minstrelsie laughter and all kinde of melodie As for the hungrye and poore they shall die and starue for foode get they none of hym He thinketh it great shame for hym to followe Christes example As touchyng preachyng he doth not so muche as once dreame of it 36 Christ rode poorely and simply on an Asse and had xii poore men that followed hym one foote Antichrist rideth royally on a moyle or on a white palfrey and hath moe than .xii. followyng hym on horesebacke to attend and waite vppon hym with Sweardes bylles and halberds as it were men ready to battayle 37 Christ as de passed through cities and townes hunted fiendes out of men that they dwelled in with the woordes of his mouth Antichrist hunteth the wilde deare the foxe and the hare in his cloased Parkes with greate cries and hornes blowyng with Houndes and Rachettes runnyng besides a great swarme of Sym Shakebucklers 38 Christ praiyng to almightie God his heauenly Father in his praier called him holy Father Antichrist is called the moste holy Father of sathans children and like Lucifer taketh that name on hym His Disciples say that he is God on earth where as we are taught by Christes law that there is but one God. 39 Christ sat in the middes of the Doctors not thinkyng scorne to enquire and to heare them in the lawe of his heauenly father Antichrist sitteth in his glorious throne and ministreth his owne lawes and traditions to all menne and holdeth a small mater longe in pleatyng whiche might sone be determined by the lawe of God if hee would vse it But then his winnyng should be the lesse his lawe without profite and his consistory colde 40 Christ sent the holy ghost in feruent loue and charitie to teache them whiche were the elect and chosen of God al truth necessarie vnto saluation Antichrist sendeth out his commissions all about to curse and aske vegeaunce on them that resiste his tyranny and will for money absolue them cleane againe A paena culpa toties quoties All his doctrines haue golden tayles For money is euer the ende Geue hym money and ye haue fulfilled all his lawes 41 Christ fulfilled and kept both the old lawe and the newe and al righteousnesse Antichrist will haue his owne traditions and lawes kept But as for the
lawe of God it is cleane out of his minde 42 Christ saied that men should knowe his Disciples by their charity if they loued one an other as he had loued them Antichrist causeth his chaplens to bee knowen by their habites and vestures by their long gounes and shauen crownes and punisheth them if they vse not their habites But for their couetousnesse ambition pride whoredome and suche other wickednesse he neuer punisheth them 43 Christ promiseth forgiuenesse of sinne and the kingdome of heauen vnto theym that will repent and amend their liues Antichrist saith that no man can be saued except he be first shriuen of his Priestes and Friers For they bryng in money 44 Christ would not suffer that doues sheepe and oxen for the offering should be solde in the temple of God but draue out the byers and sellers with whippes Antichrist suffereth hys Chapmen in the Church to sell the Sacraments that they should freely minister to the Christen people In his court also there is sellyng of Bishorikes prebendes free chappels benefices dignities Abbotshippes offices c. And all for money 45 Christ lay in a stable with fewe cloates betwixt an oxe and an asse For there was no place in the Innes for his parentes bicause they were poore Antichrist lieth in rich chambers with quiltes curtaines carpettes and cushins spred all aboute with sweete smelles pleasaunt odours painted walles with hanginges of clothe of golde 46 Christ would haue men to visite the poore prisoners to comfort them and to deliuer them Antichrist hath no pitie on the poore yea he persecuteth the poore Christians putteth them in prison for y truthes sake and in fine most cruelly murthereth them 47 Christ did neuer imprison or persecute any man but he cōmaūded his disciples that they should loue their enemies and doe well to theym yea and praie for them that did pesecute them Antichrist that taketh on hym to stande in christes steade and to follow his example persecuteth punisheth prisoneth and putteth to death theym that are disobedient to his voluptuous pleasures See ye not howe faste he followeth Christes steppes 48 Christ healyng the sicke and doyng miracles did for the more part euer commaunde that thei should tell no man who had healed them Antichrist altogether desirous of vain glorie worldely praise and mortall renome giueth greate giftes and large benefices to Pardoners to Proctours to Lawiers to Liers to Minstrels to Msasengers to Friers to Flatterers and to suche like Parasites to blase his name abroade his holinesse and godlinesse that he maie haue honour and worship in this wicked worlde 49 Christ had no Courtes to pleate the matters of his Disciples in for he commaunded them that thei should not resiste euill Antichrist hath his Courtes and many riche menne of Lawe to oppresse the poore and to call vnto iudgement whom he lusteth For whatsoeuer cause he will he vexeth all maner people without mercie For forgiue he will not 50 Christ bad them that he healed to go their waie and to synne no more Antichrist giueth licence to the people to continue in sinne and giueth them licence also to keepe and maintaine Stewes and baudy houses and receiueth money therefore 51 Christ refused to bee Iudge betwene the twoo brethren in diuidyng their inheritaunce as a matter not incidente to his office whiche was to preache the will of his heauēlie Father but appertaining vnto worldly Iudges and temporall magistrates Antichriste taketh vppon hym to bee Iudge in all maner of matters Spirituall or Temporall Ghostly or Worldly There is no cause whiche he will not take vppon hym to determine namely if thei bryng money He will all menne in matters from all menne to appeale vnto hym and vnto his Courte for sentence without any resistance or against saiyng 52 Christe would not bee defended in a righteous matter with martiall armoures but he commaunded Peter to put vp his swearde into his sheath For he that striketh with the swearde saieth he shall perishe with the swearde Antichriste commaunded Emperours Kynges Princes and Lordes with their Subiectes to take Sweardes Speares Halberdes and Gunnes and to helpe hym to slea all suche as will not obeye his tyrannie And this muste the Emperour doe or els he must bee periured yea and also deposed because he is no meete manne to reigne forasmuche as he stoutly defendeth not the liberties of holie Churche After this manner came it to passe that Iulius secundus bishop of Rome caused to be slaine sixtene thousande men in one daie Was not that well pastured Was not this a worthie Uicar of Christ and a noble successour of Peter 53 Christ gaue free libertie to all men to eate all meates at all tymes for as muche as that whiche entereth into the mouthe defileth not manne but that commeth out of the mouthe For all thynges are pure to theim that are pure and nothyng is to bee caste awaie if it bee receiued with giuyng of thankes For it is sanctified by the woorde of God and by praier Yea it is the doctrine of Deuilles to forbidde that to bee eaten whiche God hath made to bee receiued with thākes giuyng Antichrist plainly condemneth al suche as presume to eate Egges Milke butter or Cheese but specially Fleshe on those daies that he hath commaunded to be fasted and denounceth them heretikes This agreeth with Christe as light with darkenesse And yet haue wee been so blinded these many yeres paste through the iuglyng of our Spirituall Sorcerers that we could neuer perceiue this Antichrist till nowe in the latter daies when that manne of synne muste bee reueled and vttered accordyng to the Prophecie of the Apostle 54 Christ gaue authoritie vnto his disciples to binde and to loose saiynge Whatsoeuer ye binde in earth shall bee bound in heauen Ind whatsoeuer ye lose in earth shall bee loosed in heauen But Christ spake nothing of binding and loosing in purgatory for money concerning the soules departed Antichrist chalengeth greater power and larger authoritie For he will loose soules out of purgatory and commaunde the Angels to fetche them out and all for money For without money ye can gette nothyng of hym 55 Christ is head of the Churche as the holy Apostle Paule doth testifie and also he is the stone whereon the Churche is builded And this Church is the congregation of faithfull Christen people and the very body of Christ. Antichrist saith that he is head of that Churche and that the Sea of Rome is the stone whereon that Churche is builded Can any thing be more contrary vnto the honour and glory of GOD than thus to despoile hym of his kingdome whiche he so derely hath bought shedyng his precious bloud for it 56 Christ gaue vs a lawe whiche is the holy Scripture This holy Scripture as it
wepe and lament Antichrist saieth Blessed are thei that make mery and take no thought for thei are sure to haue a good and ioyfull portion in this worlde 46 Christe saieth My kyngdome is not of this worlde Antichriste saieth My kyngdome is of this worlde The Emperour with his Empire the Kyng with his kyngdome the Duke with his Ducherie and all other with al that euer thei haue are mine and at my commaundemente Yea my kyngdome is not onely in this worlde but also in Heauen and in Purgatorie yea and in Hell also For euen out of Hell doe I deliuer damned soules by the vertue of my Masses and the paines of diuerse there also doe I mitigate by thynges doen at myne appointemente Thus am I lorde of Heauen of Hell of Yearth of Purgatorie 47 Christe saieth that no man can come to hym that is to saie beleue in hym excepte his heauenly Father by his holie Spirite drawe hym Antichrist saieth If any will not beleue Fire Fagotte Sworde and Halter shall make hym to beleue 48 Christe by his holy Apostle teacheth that a Bishoppe whiche ought to bee the seruaunte of the Lorde Christe muste bee quiet and gentle no fighter nor tyraunte but suche one as is readie to enfourme suche as doe erre and with wholsome doctrine to reduce theim vnto the waye of truthe Antichriste commaundeth that suche as are Bishoppes should bee stoute and sturdie and couragious in the defence of his doctrine If any bee stubborne and will not relente his will is not that they should refourme hym by the woorde of GOD wherof the greatest part of them hath no knowledge at al but handle them accordyng to the Decree of his Lawe whiche is to burne them It maie not be considered whether the matter be right or not Nos habemus legem secundum legem nostram debet mori 49 Christ commaunded in his doctrine that the Tares whiche grow emong the Wheate should not bee plucked vp but suffered to grow vntil the Haruest come when the Wheate shall bee gathered of the Reapers into the barne and the Tares shall bee burnte with vnquencheable fire Antichriste cleane contrary behaueth hymself For the good Wheate he plucketh vp and burneth and the Tares he suffereth still to growe By the good wheate I vnderstande the true and faithfull Preachers of Goddes worde and so many as vnfeignedly embrace and professe the sincere pure religion of christ These as his moste extreame enemies Antichrist persecuteth apprehendeth accuseth iudgeth condemneth and giueth ouer to the Seculare power with fire to bee consumed vnto ashes By the Tares I meane Tyrauntes Persecutours of Goddes truthe commonly called Inquisitours Canonistes Scotistes Hypocrites Monkes Friers Chanons Nonnes Arkers Ankresses Uotories Uowesses Pardonners Proctours Promotours Purgatorie rakers Massemongers Pilgrimage gadders and all other supersticious and vngodlie people These as his moste deare and tender freÌ„des he kisseth and culleth he promoteth and auaunceth vnto high dignities promotions Bishoprickes Cardinalshippes Archedeaconries Prebendes Parsonages c. and diligentely watcheth as a moste diligente watcher and Pastour ouer his flock that no crosse no aduersitie no misfortune no trouble chaunce vnto them but all game and glee all sporte and comforte all ioye and solace c. 50 Christe taught not his owne but his Fathers doctrine and what he receiued of his heauenly Father that taught he to the people Antichriste setteth naughte by the worde of GOD excepte it bee to colour his wicked tyrannie withall He teacheth his owne deuilishe Decrees and triflyng Traditions and enforceth the peoplâ— euen with violence to followe them 51 Christe would haue his doctrine no further beleued then it did consente and agree with Moses the Psalmes and the Prophetes Antichrist will haue his Traditions and Constitutions beleued and obeyed though Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles should saie naie For thei bee of no further aucthoritie then it shall please hym to limite and appointe 52 Christe saieth Learne of me â–ª For I am humble and meeke Antichrist saieth ye that belong vnto me muste bee stoute and lustie For I your Lorde am lustie and stoute in all quarters rounde aboute neither will I loute or stoupe either to Kyng or Kesar Yea whom it pleaseth me I will exalte and aduaunce and at my pleasure will I hym againe depose All without exception yea the verie Angelles also in heauen shall obeye me and accomplishe my commaundement 53 Christe entreatyng of Fastyng appointeth no certaine daies or tymes but leaueth it free to all that professe his holy Lawe that thei maie faste when occasion is offered and when the Spirite of God moueth theim yea and that after suche sorte as thei bee taught in the woorde of God that is to saie to mortifie their carnall affectes to subdue the bodie to the spirite and to spare out of our owne beallies that wee maie haue the more liberally to giue vnto the poore accordyng to this commaundemente of GOD by the Prophete Breake thy breade to the hungrie and leade the needy waifaryng man into thy house When thou seest a naked man couer hym and despise not thy flesh Antichriste prescribeth certain daies to bee fasted yea and that vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation as the tyme of Aduent Lent Embryng daies Saincts euens c. All these daies must bee fasted of all maner of people that bee twelue yere olde and vpwarde 54 Christe saieth My house is the house of Praier Antichriste saieth My house is the house of money He that bryngeth not money commeth not in there neither is there any place for hym 55 Christe saieth The Kyngdome of God commeth not with waityng for that is to saie with outwarde obseruaunces and externall ordinauÌ„ces at the appointment of men For beholde the kyngâ—â—me of God is within you Antichrist saieth Weare this cappe or that Caule this graie habite or that white habite Professe this rule or that rule Faste this day or that daye Bye this Pardon or that PardoÌ„ c. and thou shalt be saued 56 Christ saieth If any man saye vnto you Loe here is Christ or there beleue it not For there shall arise false Christes and false Prophetes and shall shew great wonders and miracles insomuche that if it were possible the verie electe should be deceaued Beholde I haue tolde you before Wherefore if they saye vnto you Beholde he is in the deserte goe not ye forthe Beholde he is in the secrete places beleue it not Antichrist saieth Loe here is Christe at this Altare and at that Altare in this Priestes hande and that Priestes hande in this Pixe and that Pixe in this Boxe and that Boxe Come and see thy Maker Worshippe hym meekely kneelyng vppon thy knees Holde vp thy handes vnto hym This is he that killed thy father This is the Aplemaker of Kente If thou wilte not beleue that this is thy Maker thou shalt burne for it without redemption