any thing y t displeaseth him put al thy trust coÌ„fideÌ„â—e in him Thus doing let him be the marke whereat thou shootest the conductyng starre the compasse true token wherat thou saylest the way whereon thou goest the rocke whereon thou stanâ—est the sure grounde wheron thou buyldest the strength and fortresse wherin thou trustest the ende whervnto thou hastest the good whiche thou desirest the lyfe whiche thou séekest the comfort which thou dost wishe for the treasure wherefore thou labourest thy glory perfection all thy truste and confidence So then it shall come to passe that no kinde of euill shall hurte thée neyther fyre nor water lâ—sse of goodes or honoure wife chyldren of friendes lande house inheritance or any other possessions neyther yet contempt sclaunder backbityng persecution banishement or any other myserie sufferyng for hys name sake Haue no regard vnto the inconstancie and variableâ—esse of Fortune nor vnto the vncertaintiâ— of richesse and time then shalt thou in pouertie be riche in reproche highly regarded in distresse mery in heauinesse glad in prison at libertie and abroade Therefore bridle thy lust and refraine thy heart from al worldly carnal and transitoriâ— riches and be lifted vp in mynde and spirite to heauenly and vncorruptible treasures so shalte thou be regenerate of the holy ghoste and being confirmed by the worde of God may well be called Microcosme that is the whole worlde vppon the little foote Ye shall be true Christians Kings and Priestes estéeming neuerthelesse youre selues as vnprofitable seruantes Ye shall lyue happily and plesaunt and quiet in conscience ye shall knowe your owne and being throughly persuaded of the truthe ye shall abyde stedfast and vnmoueable not waueryng wyth euery wynde No kynde of affection enuie hate anger sorowe or payne shal trouble you ye shal put away al wickeâ—â—esse make no accompt of worldly matters but youre conuersation shall be in heauen ye shall then continually meditate of God and his kingdome that beyng busie therwithall ye myghte contemne al worldly things from the heart Nothyng then shall be able to separate you from the loue of God but ye shall go forewarde in all vertue and godlynesse till suche time as it shall please Almighty God to take oure soules vnto hym then shall we sée hym moste perfectely face to face Unto the which perfection and ioyfull sight vouchsafe to bryng vs O Lord Almightie the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ thorough the same his only and welbeloued sonne To whom with the holie ghost be all honor and glorie power and dominion euerlastingly And to all faithfull christians here vpon earth peace and comfort of the holy gost and hereafter life euerlastyng AMEN Imprinted at London by Henrie Bynneman dwelling in Knight riders streat at the signe of the Marmaid ANNO. 1569. CVM PRIVILEGIO AD IMPRIMENDVM SOLVM Seneca in the treatise of the happâ— life 22. Châ—â— â—salm 62. Lib. 5. de legâ—bus Epist. 20. Homel 21 super Marâ— â—ib 10. de â—â—ipub Luke .1 â—ty 14. â—ath 19. Lib. Ethi ca. 13. li. 10. â—â—p 8. â—n hiâ— 5. serâ—on of the â—orde of God In his apologie ca. 29 Math. 1â— Mark .4 Luke .8 Exod. 32. In his apologie ca. 2â— Abac. 3. Chrysost. In his boke of the ornamentes of women Mart. where he disputeth that no man commeth in trouble but by himselfe 1. Tim 6. Prouerb 23. Math. 13. In his Hâ—â—â—â—oâ—â—e Li. â— epistolaâ—uÌ„ Epi. 2. Luke .12 Psalm 38. Of the life of Demosâ— Li. 8. de â—â—â—nita cap. 85. In his bokâ— of Noe and thâ— Aâ—ke Epist. 2. liâ— Eâ—â—sâ—o Vpon the 106. psalm Saâ—y 10. Daniell .11 Comâ—ed â—â—rcat Sigâ—bertus Geniblacen Carolus Boâ—illuâ— Hieronymê° Sigebertus Geâ—iblacenfis Vincentius Anthonius Planâ—ina Abbas Vrspergensis Iacobus Bergenâ—is Hermanâ—us Shedel Reuel â— Rom. 2. Luke 12. Math. 6. Esay 5. â—â—â—uerb 5. â—â—uel 13. â—poc 6. â—poc 9. Math. 2â— Nahum .25 Esay 13. Abacuck .1 Hest. 23. 2. Paralip 3â— Esay 22. 2. Macha 2. â— Macha 2. 1. Corin. â— Rom. 9. Hest. 3.4 1. Mach. 2.3 Psalm 9 Rom. 3. Rom. â— Rom. â— â— Thess. 2. 2. Thess. â— 2. Thess. 2. Matâ— 28. Iohn .17 Iohn .1 â—ohn .3 â— Thess. 2. Iob. 1.2 â—â— Psal. 73. Reuel 9 â— Thessa. 2. Rom. 11. Tim. 4. Tim. 4. â—eb 13. â—ob .41 â— Reg. 17. Dan 12. Apoc. 21.13 â—oloss 3. â—ohn .4 Math 24. Luc. 9. â—phe 6. 1. Corinth Actes .4.6 Exod. 1. Hest. 3 1. Machab. â— Math. 20. 1 Luke .2 1. Peter .1 Math. 27. Mar. 15â— Luke .23 â—ohn .19 2. Tim. 3. Luke .10 Rom. 11 Philip. 3 1. Corin. 6. Iohn .15 Psalm 16. Iohn .14 Rom. 9. Ephes. 1. Iohn .1 Iohn .15 â— Tim. 2 â— Corin. 10. Genes 3. Math. 23. Genes 3. Math. 14. 2. Peter .2 Iohn .1 1. Corinth â— Rom. 1 2. Thessa. â— 2. Tim. 4. 2. Peter .2 Ephe. 6. 2. Thessa. â— 2. Peter .2 1. Coriâ— 1â— Gene. 14. Gene. 9.17 21.57.28 â—xod 7. 2. Timo. 3 Nume 22 Iudic. 22 2â— Ieremy 20 Math. 27. Actes 13 Iohn .1 3. Reg. 16. Psalm 44â— â—pocal 14 Iohn .16 Collosâ— 2. 1. Cor. 2. 2. Cor. 3. Iohn .14 Iohn .6 â— Cor. 13 Iohn 1â—â— Rom. 1. Heb. 13. Math. 15. Math. 7. 2. â—hesâ— 2. 1. â—im 3. 1. Corin. 6. Math. 3. 2. Corin. 11. Ezech. 34. Eâ—ay 56. Philip. 3. Esay 6. Iere. 2. â— Reg. 12. Math. 15. â—phe 4. Psal. 79. Math. 21. Mar. 12. Luke .19 Iohn .26 Reuel 17. Reue 12.14 â— Thesâ— 2. 2. Tim. 4. 2. Thess. 2. â— Tim. 3. Coloss. 2. Heb. 10. Rom. 2. 2. Cor. 3. Reuel 17. Psalm 85. Iohn .4 Rom. 2. Esay 45. Baruc. 6. Ierem. 2. Reuel 15. Reuel 1â— Reue. .6 Reue. 10. Reuel 14. Iohn .1 â—â— Actes .13 Mar. 3. Actes .18 Rom. 12. Iohn .6 â—say .11 Esay 9. 10. Iohn .16 â—uke .19 Esay â—2 Actes â— Galat. 5. Ephe. 3. Gene. 18 1â— Esay 34. Psalm 13. Ierem. 3. Eze 16. Oseas .2 Reuel 18. Esay 54. Eze. 17. Luke .16 Rom. 4. Math. 6. â— Esd. â— Gene 19. â—say .52 â—poc 1â— â—en 19. Math. 5.10 Iohn .6 1. Corin. 4. Esay 47. Math. 11. 2â— Math. 16. Deut. 8. Gen 19. Exod. 9. Psal. 11. Collos. 3. Math. 24. Mark .9 Math. 25. Psalm 50. Rom. â— Dan. 5. Leui. 10. Deut. 1. Reuel 1â— 2. Thess. 2. Gen. 4. Exod. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Math. 26. Math. 6. Galaâ— â— 1 Tim 4 2. Tim. 4. 1. Tim. 3 1. Tim. 5. Reue. 19. 11. â—say 66. Wysdom .11 Mâ—th 11.12 2. Corin. 1. Math. 16. Actes .9 Psal. 145 1â— Psalm â—â— Rom. 9. Iohn .14 Iohn .16 Psal. 23. Ioh. 16. â— Cor. 15. â—ohn .12 â—ba 3. Zâ—ch 3. 1. Cor. 1. Psal. 119. 1. Esd. 3. Eâ—cle 4 9. 1. Peter .1 â— Timo. 4. Reuel 2. â—ames .1 Math. 16. Math. 16. 1. Cor. 12. Esay 63. Esay 53. Math. 8. 1. Peter .2 Iohn â— Ephes. 3. Psalm 33. Heb. 1. Colloss 1. Iohn .1 Coloss. 3. Gala. 5. Rom. 6. 1. Cor. 10. Iohn .15 1. Corin. 5. Math. 24. Psal. 2. 45. Mat. 25.
conâ—ession or at the least the fashion of it and other more superstitions For the beast seketh al meanes to recouer yea hath brought to passe that the eyes of many learned ministers and pastors waxe dimme and as it were asléepe so that they do not narowely searche or diligently trie euery matter by the onely touchstone of Gods holy word but weigh them rather by deceiuable custome and take their course to the fathers and their good intents Although they are sure and throuâ—hly persuaded the Pope to be very Antechrist that these names are put out of their bookes yet are these ceremonies before of no value or at the least indifferent nowe of necessitie to be obserued and kepte as godly rites honorable and singular ornaments Although they say the Masse to be of no value in Latin yet in their own language to be a sacrifice propiciatorie other haue a greate trust and confidence in saying Dimitte nobis or any other like thing not vnderstanded Some will vpholde and maintaine the free wyl in man Other some wyll not bee Papistes but are well halfe yea and worse than Papistes Also the wounded head of the beast is healed and redressed in some places by force and power of worldly princes the whiche muste fight for the Pope and in suche tyme and place as it seâ—meth him good slaying kyllyng and burnyng all such as he commauÌ„deth destroying their owne realmes murtheryng and banishing their good and true subiects bicause they séeke the honoure of GOD and to serue hym arighte These Princes bée as it were bewitched and drawne by a subtill kinde of flattery in calling them ignominiously most christen princes defendours of the vniuersall and catholike fayth meanyng the Romish decrées And after thys sorte is healed and cured the wounde of the Beast by the meanes of these oyntmentes and Chirurgians And the whole worlde sayeth S. Iohn did wonder at the beast c. The foolish people worldly and carnall minded not vnderstanding the wysedome of the holy ghost imbracyng all those glorious and ioylye sightes as godly meritorious and spirituall matters and wondryng at them worshypped exalted and made muche of it yea aboue the things ordeined and instituted of GOD. whose blyndenesse is growne to suche grossenesse that they wyll not nor can forsake theyr olde and more than outragious kynde of worshippyng whiche is rather custome than religion For wheÌ„ they haue any hope that theyr wicked custome shal continue they clap their handes and crie oute â—or ioye with Baals priestes Gaudeamus And they worship the Dragon who gaue power to the beast that is to say they reioyce in their mindes hoping that their kingdome shall abide and stande chiefly when they sée his head againe whole and sounde that is their gouernour the godly prechers burned the Instructers of the people slayne or banished persecuted and put to silence as it hath ben practised in our natiue couÌ„trey of low Germanie All those that worshyp the Dragon worship the beast also for as those whiche honour Christ honor hys father also in lyke maner all those whiche adore Antechrist that is to say consent and holde of his traditions masses and ordinaunces all those I saye worship the diuel of whom they haue receyued all his wickednesses Who is like vnto the beast namely in out ward shew of holynesse or obseruation of false rites and Ceremonies Who is able to warre against him say they consyderyng that worldly princes are readie to defend his quarrell and take his parte The papists goe about by all meanes possible be it by crafte or subtiltie by force or violence to maintain their adulterous fained disguised churche in hir diseased estate power and holy shewe no kinde of wickednesse craftinesse or policie leaue they vnassayed or vnattempted to make them to bée regarded of the people for holy and spiritual men of gret power worthinesse and estimation It foloweth in our text And there was giuen vnto him a mouthe to vtter great and blasphemous things When Gods truth was reueled vnto them they thaÌ„ked him not but became vain in their imaginations and therefore God gaue them ouer to vncleane lustes of their owne hearts blinded with vnbeliefe and peruerted minds so y t wheÌ„ they thought to be very wise becam then stark fooles Now vtter they in their counsells consistories sermons blasphemies agaynst God and his Christ. They make the people by straight lawes to cleaue to them and all their Romishe and beggerly ceremonies and vile borrowed trumperies be it neuer so great a grief to them The holy and sacred scriptures may not once be red neither may it be had in the mother tong For the Scripture say they must be expouÌ„ded as pleaseth them according as they think good for their own aduantage And how trow ye could thys wound of y e beast else wel be healed for the infallible word of God which be the Scriptures hath giuen him this wound They wyll not that Christe be our alone and sufficient Sauior without our owne merits deseruings The Lords supper whiche in holy Scripture is called the Communion of the body and bloude of Iesus Christ must be wyth them a new crucifiyng of hys bodie Wherin as in a play or Comedie one creature alone playeth fiue or sixe personages or players partes namely of Iudas Anna Cayphas Herode Pylate and the Iewes Weâ—lorke is called of them vncleane notwithstandyng it was instituted as a good and vndefiled ordinaunce of God him selfe no papisticaâ— vowes of Monkes and Friers may be broken although it be sufficiently proued to be most wicked and diuelish and hath ingendred a thousande Sodomites Again that without the blind mumbling and laying on of the priests hande synnes can not be forgyuen as they say for in déede by this one vowe their kyngdome is maintained And more other abhominations are vttered by his mouth yâ—t dayly be of which to make it shorter and not to trouble the reader ouermuch I wyll leaue rehearsing of them yet muste I néedes touche by the waye the great blasphemie whiche they commit in saying that the entryng into the holy Church coÌ„sisteth onely by the meanes of their greasing shauyng excluding herewithall all other of what estate or condition soeuer they be calling them lay meÌ„ and vnder the pretence of this false title they take vppon them to bée sauiours of mens soules affirmyng their Masses to be sacrifices propiciatorie for the quicke and the dead iustifiyng helping and comfortyng and ex opere operato sauing and redéemyng man And ouer their abhominable and stinkyng troupe of Antechristes they create make Emperours and kings chiefe gouerners only to be maintained and defended by them in their malicious wickednesse Kings princes are ordeined of God to be heades and rulers in ciuile and pollitike matters but God forbid that a godly and vertuous Prince whom they disdayn and are rebellious disobedient vnto should be called their head and claymâ— a
Signifying and representing all manner of false Prophets vngodly teachers which are in their intents purpose wholy and altogither beastly idle carnall and corrupted They are also abhominable in the imagitions of their malitious harts not seking god but their belly not y e honor of christ but their own aduancemeÌ„t vain glory They rise out of the earth enclined giuen wholly to earthly worldly wisdom The desire and lust which they haue to raign in this world maketh theÌ„ to preach not for any loue or zeale which they bear to truth The desire of money couetousnesse thrusteth them in Thei go forward in al kind of wickednesse shall continue til the Lord destroy theÌ„ euen as the godly goeth on in vertue godlinesse til y â— time that they shall sée â—od face to face in that euerlasting Sion This beast was a murtherer from the beginning first of all in Cain and consequently in the carnal children of this world Namely in Cham the first vnshamefast sonne of Noe in Ismael Esau in Iames and Iambres in Balaam and al the false prophets of Baal in Annas and Caiphas in Baricha and Diotrephe and is now a dayes risen again in Friers Monkes Chanons Priests and Chanters as euery one haue he neuer so little a sparcle of light in him may easily sée and perceiue especially in their cathedral church where they haue their â—ull course Thys beast had .ij. horns like the Lamb but couÌ„terfaited altogither fals For she spake like thâ— Dragon The horns of Christ are hie great wherout only springeth the sweete comfortes of the promises of God giuen to his Church congregation and people Gods word is right and the Scepter of the auâ—thority of Christ and the rod of his righteous ordinaunces that wheresoeuer this worde ruleth there are none other straÌ„ge scepters institutions or customes The Lambe of God vpon the Mount Sion signifying Christ Iesus hath seuen hornes for in him consisteth the fulnesse of al truth This beast hath but iâ— hornes and those counterfaited and false They haue well a shew to be Christes hornes but of a truth they are not These then do signifie the corruptyng and falsifiyng the meaning both of the old and new Testament expounded and wrested to a worldly and carnal vnderstanding Wherout it is too apparant and manifest that it is but a false shew ful of dissimulation and altogither contrary to the Lordes meaning not discearning the true meaning of the holy Ghost This letter without the spirite of God is death and nothing agreable vnto Christ neither hath any regarde vnto him He is the truthe and life this is very lies and death His word is spirite and life theirs is but sounding Erasse or tinkling Cimbal fantasticall â—ained Sophistical and crafty although they séeme to haue a likenesse to Christ yet are they to none more vnlike They are onely the hornes of the beast to maintain the kingdome of Antechrist and not of Christe for Christes â—yngdome is not of thys worlde They chaunge the true vsage of the good creatures of God making Idols of trees adornyng and deckyng stockes and stones with golde siluer silke veluet and other iewelles turning the holy estate of Matrimonie into shamefull whoordome and to all kinde of vnchafte liuyng to make vs to wander from that seruice which God hath commaunded vs to their false moste abhominable superstitions so to abolishe and make of nâ—ne effect Gods commauÌ„dement and to establish their wicked traditions to bring leade men at length to detestable idolatrie wherof they are ful and to worship things forbidden And for the maintenaÌ„ce of their estate they haue wyth the ayde and helpe of Sathan their chief captaine wrested chopped and chaunged the scriptures to proue the adoratioÌ„ of the departed Saintes to be necessarie their masse meritorious and their workes of supererogation profitable their purgatorie to bee a fearefull and horrible thyng and other innumerable These beastly asses and belly God byshops are not ashamed to saye that by the â—yter whyche they doe weare is represented the olde and newe Testamente whiche to be true they defende wyth toothe and nayle They confesse as it is in deâ—de that they do weare but the figure of the thyng for it is but a shadowe in déede and an outwarde shewe not to the glorie of â—od but their owne ambition profite and coÌ„moditie séeking an occasion to persecute the very truthe They are of a truthe the false Prophetes the very limmes of Sathan deceyuers Wolues hie mynded inconstant shakyng wyth all manner of wyndes traitours and very folowers of Iudas dreamers liers idolaters enimies and aduersaries of truthe and veritie serpents and generation of vipers Foxes destroying the vineyarde of the Lorde deceiptful workers â—aintyng pastors blynde watchmen dumbe dogs diuels incarnated wycked or euill routes insatiable beastes whose belly is theyr god and their end perpetuall confusion and shame All these and many more names the holy Ghoste doth attribute vnto them bycause they myngle the swéetenesse of the word of God with the bitter worme wood of their Traditions so that almost the whole worlde is defiled with the dregs of their inuentions This beast did all that the first beastâ— coulde do before him This beastly generation hath the selfe same lying power to deceiue the pâ—ople and vnder the shew of holynesse to continue and vpholde thoroughout all the worlâ—e the same abhohominations as that greate Antâ—christe hath done euery where Namely vnder the Pope in Euâ—ope and in Asia and in Affrike vnder Mahomet Fynally there hath Sathan his chayre wheâ—e any sâ—range worsâ—yppyng or false seruyng of God is admitted And he caused the earthe and them that dwell therin to worship the beast They make not those onely to commit idolatrie that are ignorant and blinde but force suche as haue knowledge and vnderstandyng Oh how many are at this instant in Brabant Flandeâ—s and the low countrey and else where whiche agaynst their belefe conscience and the holy ghost maintain allowe and permit the maniâ—est â—abylonicall abhomination communicating the venemous dregges of the barbarous cup of these Baals priestes They had rather to tarrie ignominiously in this beggerly trashe and filthie ceremonies than to be depriued of this worldly friâ—ndshyp to forsake father mother childreÌ„ estate office and liuing banished persecuted or aduenture their liues and if néede so require to loose it for the truthe so delectable and swéete these worldely pleasures are vnto them They rather with Samuels sonnes wyll perishe transgressing the ordinances of GOD and with Dathan Chore Abiron be swallowed vp and sinke into Hel amongst the wicked than to suffer wyth Christe any trouble contempte reproche pouertie or other calamitie Suche I say as séeke and loue the commoditie and ease of their owne fleshe
it is come to passe in many places in our dayes to diuers Friers Monkes or Priests which setting themselues for the defeÌ„ce of the Romish church were killed and slaine And yet shall it be with them euen as Baals Priests with the prophet Helias about the riuer Rison but are yet spiritually by a mistery of that which hath bene foretold For the Foules as ye shall heare shall consume hir flesh For god hath saith the Angell put in their hearts to fulfill his will God hath giuen by inspiration of his holy spirite in the minds of those aforsaid and such like persons to accomplishe in this behalfe his secrete will and pleasure Namely to roote out wholy and altogither that false and hipocriticall religion to suffer no longer the enormitie and foule abhominatioÌ„ of that Antechrist After all these manifold Reuelations I saw an other angel saith S. Iohn signifying the true ministers and preachers sent in these our dayes As also in the .vj. Chapter of the Reuelation is made mentioÌ„ of the Angell which had the seale of the liuing God Again in the .x. chapter of the angel which was enuironed with the cloud and in the .xiiij. Chapter of the Angell which published and cried out the fall of Babilon comming from heauen downeward All which is to declare that the godly preachers are sent of God hauing receiued great power feruent zeale and stedfastnesse of the spirite of God to declare and pronounce the wil of god valiantly to the ouerthrow of that pesâ—ilent whore For like as the father hath the life within him euen so hath his soÌ„ne Christ Iesu also and in him liue his seruauntes without any feare And the earth was light of his brightnesse Not of the Angell which was but a Messanger was the earth lightned but of the power which was giuen vnto him Wher Gods word is once truely preached there the whole earth is lightned of the brightnesse of the glory of God And this Angell cried aloud she is fallen That great Babilon which was so proud hie minded so common a whore that blasphemous sinagoge of the hipocrites is turned vpside downe She is by the iust iudgement of God brought to great ignomie and shame Hir first ouerthrow was when as the prince of this world was ouercome and vanquished through y e death of our sauiour Iesus Christ. Consider and ponder weâ—â—â—â— your minde the destruction of Ierusalem after what sort the Iewish seruice ceased and tooke an end namely when the materiall temple was throwne down and not one stone left vpon an other Now in this our time she shal haue a more sharper and seuere iudgement through the publishing preaching of gods word to the comfort of all beléeuers Which although it be somewhat as it were deferred yet let them be as well assured of this hir iudgement to come as we know and certainly beleeue the other to be come Cal to remembraÌ„ce and compare this place with the haling plucking downe of Abbays Frieries and other religious houses as they cal them in Germanie England and in other places and make your accompts that more and more sorowes shal happen and surely fal vpon hir shortly The occasion of hir fall and the desolation beâ—ore the lord is this She is become a dwelling place to deuils more than euer she was before hir first fall for now enter they a great many at once yea wel seuen for one And she is become a keeper of vncleane sprites For all manner of Idolatrie is maintained and kept by hir spirituall Courtiers and holy fathâ—rs as they call them as be their Bishops and priesâ—s Here raigneth Simonie bying and selling of benefices sacriledge vsurie ambition fraude couetousnesse desire of money to shed bloud enuie malice lecherie gluttonie pride vncleannesse and all other wickednesse She is become a sauegard or cage of all vnclene and execrable birdes For in hir dwelleth the adulterous Bishops the buggerous Cardinals and lecherous Prelates and a heape of Sodomitish Monks and Friers Nunnes and Sisters All these compareth Esay the Prophet to wilde beastes namely to Dragons Ostriches Eagles Monkeis Owles Mermaides and other rauenous and greadie birdes and monsterous and straunge beasts for amongst them hath bene vsed alwayes and is yet at this present all manner of vaine and foolishe toyes as mockings scoffings and iestings with crossing coniuring gasing singing playing and diuers other folish straunge fashions to mocke God withall Heere we might speak and reherse many things Namely of the keeping of their stewes and how they goe a whoring two maner of wayes wherâ—unto we might ioyne and declare what gaine and profite the ruffian prelates get thereby As it is to be séene namâ—ly at Rome what reuenues and rents that great and soueraign ruâ—â—ian getteth by his whoores And afterward of the drouning and killing of childreÌ„ and secretly murthering and casting in corners and ditches as is vsually practised amongst these riggish and lecherous prelatâ—s It is â—allen For all the kinreds and nations of the world except a very fewe of simple and seely souls which god through his vnspeakeable goodnesse mercy and grace hath chosen and predestinated to him selfe Haue droâ—kâ—n of the wyne of the wrath of hir fornication Bicause they haue not rendred thankâ—s to almightye God when occasion oportunitie and time serued therefore they are fallen into that bottomlesse pit of all errour and abhomination to the losse both of body and soul. They haue very carefully and narowly searched to runne a whoring after their hurtfull and damnable witchcraftes and inchauntments beleuing and crediting their false doctrine and teachings and so consequently apply theÌ„ selues to expresse it in their conuersation and liuing And the Kings of the earth not hauing before their eyes the loue and feare of God haue committed formcation with thys vile and filthie whoore Yelding theÌ„ selues to many false Idolatrous and straunge worshippings In such sorte that by the teachings admonitions and persuasions of their holy fornicatours they haue broken the bonde of peace and haue warred against the true children of God Which notwithstaÌ„ding y t they haue wrongfully molested and troubled scornefully intreated and mocked violâ—ntly oppressed and persecuted haue yet chasing and banishing them confiscated their lands and goodes turning their wiues and litle children out of the doores a begging Aboue all this so murther they and slay all such as they can catch and shed very much innocent bloud as hanging drowning or burning them most cruelly without any cause yea without any remorse of conscience euen as if there were neither hell nor heauen God nor deuil life nor death and as if there were no iudgement or no accoumptes to be giuen before God of all their doings and crueltie Also their mitred Merchaunts and shauen Massemongers factors and sellers of mennes soules are waxen very rich and welthy by
desolation of Rome And to the ende we myght speake more at large of the thing I haue taken foure visions out of the reuelation of S. Iohn where as the holy ghost by S. Iohn setteth him out in his colours I saw a beast sayth S. Iohn rising out of the sâ—a signifiyng the congregation of the wicked and proude hypocrites which exalt and aduaunce them selues as the Ceder trées of Libanus they are vnnaturall and beastly like vnto Elmas the inchanter ful of fraude and guile full of falshod and pride they are whelpes and generations of the deuyll subuerting the ways of the Lord. Thys beast is described here as the pale horse in the fourth age the cruel Grashoppers in the fift age and the mad horsses with LioÌ„s mouths in the vj. age This beast meaning the odible fals damnable errors pestiferous inspirations of the diuel which at this time reign in the beastly meÌ„bres of that monstrous body of the beast as namely in the outragious bishops spiritual lawyers priests hypocrites and false Magistrates for their heads are their subtiltie and their hornes signifie their tyrannous might It had also ten crownes vpon his ten hornes signifiyng their greate dominion and superioritie throughout the whole worlde The diuell is their prince and Captayne most cruell and that through the iniquitie and ingratitude of the people but in this point differ the dragoÌ„ and the beast from the diuell and his membres Sathan and his carnal and beastly congrâ—gation for he had seuen crounes vpon his seuen heades and they haue ten crownes vpon their ten heads mening that that which he onely hath stirryng vp of the thyng that haue they The signification wherof is that Sathan is only of abilitie and power to blowe into their eares the thing whiche they with violence and by force maintayne where as he is but able by fansies and inspiration there are these his méete instruments to perfourme it put in execution by violence and power by menaces and compulsion Wher as he he dallieth onely by playe there do they seriously force and violently compell When he hath only engendred and fouÌ„d out any error or false doctrine they with al diligence as an infallible truth allow confirme and stablishe it and make of it a necessarie article to beleue on as they haue put in practise their purgatorie auricular confession transubstantiation worshippyng and carying about of dumb Idols Images the hearing of latin seruice Masse and other abhominations As he hath found out any lye as he is the fatâ—er of all lies and hath ben since the beginning so may they holde it for a perfecte written veritie makyng it of good authoritie and might as experience may testifie they haue done Hereout and such like it is manifest that they being hys ghostly ministers and spirituall instrumeÌ„ts may eâ—ecute effectually more wickednesse than he him selfe alone as their works may wel testifie SathaÌ„ was not of power to put Christ to death if it had not beÌ„ through Iudas into whom he entred afterward by the bishops Scribes who persecuted him vnto deth The Apostles tru ministers other witnesses of Christ shold neuer haue beÌ„ persecuted whipped scourged tormeÌ„ted and miserably slaine neither shold they at this present if these popish prelates did not folow maintain their old accustomed maners and fulfil y e mesure of their fathers And vpon his heads were names of Blasphemie against the Lord and his Christ. Al this is nothing else than their shining glorious titles wher with they suborne and make great their supremacie their estimation as holy and blamelesse to bee regarded among men and before the world wherevnder is couered comprehended all maner of iniquity What ar Popes Cardinals patriarks legates chief heads archbishops pronotaries archdeacons officialls commissaries prebendaries vicars lorde abbot master or doctor and suche like what are these I say else but names of blasphemie for these offices titles are not of the holy ghost neither is there any mention made of them in the holy scripture What is it I pray you else than a great abhomination blasphemy that the Pope claimeth to him selfe to be the most holy father to be the Uicare of Christ God on earth supreame head of the Church the only steward of the gifts graces and misteries of God What meaneth it that Priests and Bishops do arrogaÌ„tly ascribe to theÌ„ selues to be Bridegromes to stand in Gods stead to haue power to pardon sinne and to be our Ladies clean and vndefâ—led knights What be these else than names of blasphemie For they are nothing else as Zacharie termeth theÌ„ hauing no care of féeding of the flock but through â—â—â—re negligence and slouth sette a side preaching of the word through these vain titles than very offending Idols Their Decrées Decretals traditions rules ordinaunces statutes customes of the Fathers general Counsels Sinodes and other of their vsages not grounded on the word of God and his wil are nothing else but dampnable hipocrisie and diuelish dissimulation blaspheming the name of the Lord. For the names of blasphemy on his heade is nothing else but to maintaine vnder an honest and vertuous shew that which is blasphemous to his own aduaÌ„cement This beast was like the Leopard spotted and blemished tokens of inconstancie chaungeablenesse and temeritie His feete like to a Beares feete fearful and horrible il fauored of fashion and deformed signifying crueltie stubbornesse stoutnesse and vncleanesse And his mouth as the mouth of a Lion declaring héereby the pride theft murther and all kinde of wickednesse of those Prelates Daniel saw in a vision a Lion wherto that proud kingdom of the Assirians and Chaldees were to be compared Unto the Beare which he sawe was likened the barbarous and rude realmes of the Medes Persians By the Leopard is meant the vnstedfast kingdome of the Grecians The Assirians and Chaldees were for their stealing and Pride rebuked and curssed of the Prophets Esay Nahum and Abacuck The Medeans and Persians kept the people of God in captiuitie and bondage As it is to be séene in the bookes of Hester Paralipomenon and Esay The Grecians also were very spitefull and full of reproche to the people of God in the time of that cruell Tyrant Antiochus as it appeareth in the Booke of the Machabees But this beast whiche S. Iohn speaketh of here dothe comprehende all these thrée which Daniel saw namely the bodye like vnto a Leopard pawes like vnto a Bear and the mouth to the Lion Whereby the holy Ghost teacheth vs that within thys one curssed Popedom or kyngdom of Antechrist should be as much and more abhomination Idolatrie fornication murther and all kind of wickednesse as were in all these thrée realmes aforesaid As at this day it is to be séene and we haue had good experience No where raigned at any time more pride idlenesse cruelty Idolatry fornication adultery vncleannesse Sodometrie
it nor beleeue any parte of it so long as it agréeth not wyth the doctrine and gaye Ceremonies of our holy father the pope our mother the Romish churche Vpon the .xij. Sonet or vision I saw sayth S. Iohn a woman sit vpon a scarlet colored beast This woman did a far off seeme to be honest vertuous but in deede she was farre otherwise as ye shal heare This beast is that great Antechrist of whom we haue spoken right now or rather the bodie of the diuel containyng within him the Pope Cardinals patriarkes legates bishops doctors abbots priours chanons Monkes friers prebendaries priests indulgences bulles Nonnes and the reste of all suche diuelyshe sectes beyng full of hypocrisie and dissimulation reignyng wythin the whole Popedome In lyke manner all Magistrates and secular powers that fortifie and defende as well the Pope him selfe as also the abhominations and detestable idolatrie which the Romishe church doth vse be he Emperoure King or Prince Duke Earle or Lorde Maior Iudge Chauncellor Bailie Constable or whatsoâ—uer that maintaine defende and vpholde by force and violence any thing against God and his truth Of whose number I my selfe haue bene sometime and that to myne owne great griefe be it spoken thorough méere ignorance thinkyng to do God great seruice Wherof I am now ashamed and most â—arnestly repent me and am sory for it And I pray God that this nor any of the rest of my sinnes be layde vnto my charge but that he will pardon me thorough hys infinite goodnesse and mercie in the name of his dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christe oure onely Sauioure and redéemer And I thanke hym from the bottome of my hearte that it hathe pleased hym of his mercie without my deseruings to haue called me wyth the Apostle S. Paule out of the shadowe of death and the companie of hys enimies to the knowledge of his eternall wisedome in the felowship of his true spouse his churche Of these I say which seeke not themselues nor any thing in this worlde but seeke the glorie of him that bought them and the accomplishment of his kingdomâ— counted in the sight of the world as outcastes but glorious in the sight of God This beaste is whole of the colour of scarlet reddish in token of greate tyrannie sheddyng of bloud and murthers which they coÌ„mit against those which will not agree to their wicked diuelish institutions She is also ful of ignominious blasphemous names as your holynesse your clemencie your lordship your fatherhod your mastership your serenitie your worthinesse honour reuerence magnificence bounty vicar of Godâ— spiritual lord phisition of the soule defenâ—er of the faith supreme head of the church and many otâ—er as it is seâ—ne dayly by their letters and writyngs Moreouer their too too muâ—he knowâ—e trumperies and Iack an Apes plays are no lesse blasphemous than processions confirmations greasyngs purgatorie Masses for al soules pilgrimages pardons mattins Aue Maria stella or Salue regina Placebo Candlemasse Palm sonday c. This beast had seuen heades and ten hornes signifiyng all his subtil practises his craftie fetches and false conspiracies therby to impeche and withstande the graces of God and giftes of the holy Ghost And vnder a cloke of authoritie through tyraÌ„nish violence resist the commauÌ„dements of God And this woman was arayâ—d in purple and gilded with golde and precious stones and pearles Which signifieth their coapes of gold corporal stoales staues miters c. and other like trumperies of silk purple crimosin sattin redde coloured bordered wyth golde pearles and precious stones and aboue this their counterfaite pietie and shewe of holinesse This painted pampred vp and so gaily decked Romish churche bragged and boasted muche of hir Gospel and hir Apostles of golde siluer wood or stone decked and arayed wyth all kinde of costlynesse whiche is but an outwarde appearaunce for they looke for nothyng lesse than to imitate or follow and to expresse them in their conuersation She had a cup of golde in hir hande full of abhomination and filthinesse of hir fornication This cup is hir false and cursed Religion whiche she dayly communicateth distributed aboute the Chalice whiche hir Merchauntes doe so wickedly abuse It containeth all kynd of false and dyuelish doctrine all kinde of erroures lyes and beastlynesse all manner of craftie workes of hypocrites all manner of inuentions of fleshly wysedome all mans wittie deuises eyther by crafte arte or otherwise inuented as also all straunge kinde of worshippyng of idolatrie fornication Sodometrie and all other kynde of iniquitie Outwardly she séemeth to be gilded she reporteth yea boasteth to sette forth the glorie of God namely the magnfying of the name of Christ. They say they preache the sacred Scripture they lyue in chastitie and all is nothyng else but a false a counterfaite and deceiptfull shewe of holynesse full of hypocrisie and dissimulation a couer or cloke of all mischiefe and abhomination it is but the bare letter and the onely name as the rest of all their doings are And in hir forhead was a name written a mysterie great Babylon A name declaring what manner of woman she is She is knowne wel inough by hir naughty fruites of such as are skylful of godly knowledge and haue also the spirite of vnderstandyng So that they bâ—yng illuminated conducted and ledde by the spirite of GOD maye easily perceyue iudge and knowe accordyng vnto the Scriptures that shée is nothyng else but an vnshamefaste and pestyferous whoore full of all iniquitie abhomination and wyckednesse But thys iudgement is hydden from the Infidels the whyche are so bewitched and inchaunted by the meanes of their fayre outwarde shewe their humble knéeling creepyng and gaye Ceremonies that what soeuer she doth speaketh or commaundeth and taketh in hand they make muche of it worship and imbrace it as holy honest perfect good which thing God permitted for theyr vnbeliefs sake She is called mother of whoredomes and abhominations of the earth muche passyng the towne of the Chaldees in all kinde of wickednesse for she is the mother and fountaine both of spiritual and carnall whordome and abhomination And I saw that she was the maried wyfe of the deuyll For I saw hir dronke of the bloud of Sainctes and with the bloud of the martyrs of Iesus which she outragiously and most seuerely hath persecuted and slayne And when I saw hir so I maruelled with great maruell not onely bicause I saw hir defiled and sprinkled of murther and sheding of innocent bloude but also bicause of hir greate and abhominable blasphemies And most of al I was aboue measure amazed and maruelled that almightie God coulde or woulde suffer or permit so long hir intollerable wickednesse and detestable and horrible impietie This woman is called of the Angell the great whore that great Citie which ruled ouer the kings of the earth namely Rome It is no meruaile though she be called that
selling of their Oile Creame Salte Holy water Shrift Candels Blessings Crosses Banners Ashes Palmes Incense Waxe Beades Bulles and Pardons letters of Dispensation to contract Matrimonie licences to eat flesh egges butter c. All which not God but they vpon paine of euerlasting damnation to their owne commoditie and profite haue forbidden Of like qualitie are their Images Ringing of Belles their Reliques Bones of departed Sainctes and other like things Whereby and by many other of their fained holinesse they are become through the aboundaunce of their goods and richesse so lusty spiteful proud and lofty that they haue obtained the possession and gouerning of Countreis and Realmes of Cities Fortresies and Castels and mâ—ny other pleasaunt places Woodes Warrennes Parkes Farmes Conduits Fountaines Hounds Horsses and Mules So that in aucthoritie and power in riches and substance and in all kinde of plesant things they are nothing inferior to Kings and Princes Moreouer they are not ashamed to take other mennes wiues to fulfill their most filthie and vnsatiable desires yea honest mennes daughters maidens and seruauntes yea and yong men too which they most abhominably and shamefully defile marre and spoile I leaue you to consider what gaines Bishops Prelats gather of the first fruiâ—ts of the tenths of Buls Pardons and resigning of benefices Againe it can not well be tolde what golde and siluer they get by singing and saying of their Collects by going and gathering of their yearely Offerings and the great liuings reuenues and rentes which their Cathedral Churches Abbeis Religious houses and Couents haue so that in al things they passe the welthiest There is no kind of pleasure come it neuer so farre off be it neuer so deare and costly but they wil haue a tast of it NotwithstaÌ„ding they caÌ„ play so wel the hipocrites at their sermons y t it séemeth they regarde nothing lesse than the vanitie of this world and praise aboue measure fasting and abstinence But they haue their rewarde héere and shall héereafter haue their portion with the dissemblers and hipocrites where shall be wéeping wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth And I hâ—ard another voice an other warning of the spirite whereby the true and faithfull ministers of God are instructed and taught warning vs and saying Goe out of hir my people come away with Esdras out of that wicked Babylon goe forthe with Abraham out of Caldee runne and flie with Lothe out of filthye Sodomâ— and meddle no more wyth that whoorish Church of Rome denie forsake and detest wholly hir false and fained holynesse hir foule and filthy ceremonies abhorre hir dissimulation and hypocrisie curse and ban their trifles and iestings and haue no felowship more wyth these whooremongers Nicolaites Balaamites Lifte vp and repent from the bottom of your hearts your former follie and abhominations which you haue done in times past and come to me sayth the Lord all ye that trauail and are heauie loden and I shall refresh you Get ye away from among them without looking behinde you that ye be not partakers of their sinnes which is the veÌ„geance and ire of Gods wrath and indignation At all tymes and seasons there haue bene holy and godly men and well learned fathers whiche through their excellent and diuine woorkes and writings haue exhorted and cried especially since the comming vp of the Pope for redresse and reformation of the churche for the amendemente of many faultes and to sée brotherly exhortation and christian discipline vsed in the same As by Bertrandus Herebaldus BereÌ„garius Thuronensis Bruno Andegauensis Peter Damianus Valeriane Medeburgensis Bernardê° ClareualeÌ„sis Robertus Tuitiensis Ioachim Abbas Cyrillus Graecus IoaÌ„nes Salisburgensis Gilbertê° LaÌ„tcestrius Angelus Hierosolimitanê° Guilhelmus de sancto Aniore Guido Bonatus Nicolaus Gallus Hubertinus de Casali Pelius Casali Petrus Ioannes Marcilius Patauinus IoaÌ„nes Paris Arnoldê° de villa noua Michael Caesenas Gulielmus Occam Nicolaus de Luca Marcus de FloreÌ„tia IoaÌ„nes wiclefus IoaÌ„nes Hus Michael de Bononia Ioannes Hildeshem Dante 's Aligerius FraÌ„ciscus Petrarcha Nicolaus Clemadis Petrus de Aliaco Ioannes Gerson Laurentius Valla Lodouicus Arelatensis Ioannes Segebius Thomas RedoneÌ„sis Gallus Mattheus Palmarius Dauid Boys Dionysiê° Chartusianê° IoaÌ„nes Miluerto Ioannes Gorchius Ioannes de Vsalia VVormaceÌ„sis Ioannes Ghyler IoaÌ„nes Crutser VVessalus Groenegensis Eneas Siluius Redoricus Samorensis Iulianus Brixiensis and Hieronymus Sauonarola Beside these there be other which are of oure time as IoaÌ„nes Reuchlin Baptista Mantuanus Baptista Panetius Iohannes Crestonê° Erasmus Lutherus Zwinglius Caluinus and more other All whiche the Papistes for the moste parte haue condemned for heretikes To rehearse here their wrytings their reasons and testimonies it would require to much time I muste therefore leaue it behynde I haue onely rehersed some of their names to thys end and purpose that it myght appeare to the Reader that at all tymes God hath had one or other that hath not ben in all poynts consenting to their blasphemies Albeit the light of Gods truthe was not then so perfectly reueled vnto them as it is now a dayes God be praised vnto vs. Many godly and vertuous Emperours Princes haue by generall Counsels and by al other meanes possible assayed and proued to haue a refourmation and amendemente made of all absurdities and abuses whiche were crepte into the churche but they haue alwayes met with wicked and vngodly princes which resisted them and letted them of their vertuous enterprises whiche also maintained those Antechrists in their impietie wickednesse defending them with toothe and nayle to the vttermoste neuerthelesse it is without any doubt that these as Pharao with all his power in the red Sea and as that proude kinde of Phariseys and priestes of the Iewes in the Citie bicause of theyr manifeste blasphemies perished so shall likewise at the hour and time of God appointed all these perishe and vanishe away For the sinnes of this whoore or the innumerable blasphemies of this false religion the great abhomination and filthie idolatrie the burning hangyng drowning and sheading of innocente bloude are come vp into Heauen there to desire the vengeance of God for their vncleannesse vnshâ—mefastnesse hath caused prouoked Gods wrath and indignation against them And God hath remeÌ„bred their iniquities The multitude greatnesse wherof ar come vp into heauen Therfore haue they most iustly deserued the threatened plagues of the most righâ—eous God no lesse than Sodome and Gomorre for their transgression and wickednesses which when it was foretolde them made light of it and went forwarde to al mischiefe vntil God pouring out his vengeance destroyed them with fire and brimstone Rewarde hir euen as she hath rewarded you Measure vnto hir againe with such measure as she did measure vnto you Take ye good héede and looke narowly ye that haue gotten the iudgement seate Crie vpon hir euen as she dyd crie vpon you snare hir as she hath snared you Againe as she hath heretofore wrongfully molested and
troubled you scornefully intreated yea and by hir Traditions iudged and condemned you euen vnto death so nowe do ye likewise rebuke hir and exhorte hir of hir wyckednesse iudge hir like a very harlot and condemne hir by the mightie and true worde of God to euerlasting fire whiche can not be quenched And giue hir double according to hir workes And in the cup that she hath filled to you fill hir the double That is render vnto hir double in all punishmentes and giue vnto hir euen for worldly punishements whiche she hath brought vpon the elect of God hellishe torments For corporal and bodily troubles and vexations eternal pains and torment of the minde for the blame and ignomynie of thys worlde perpâ—tuall shame and confusion for temporall death euerlastyng damnation both of body and soule And the cup. c. That is al kinde of troubles aduersities and miseries whiche she filled to you out of hir cup that is caused to come vpon you shal be doubled to hir againe for as it is sayd she shall receyue for temporall euils euerlasting The holy Ghost calleth here double that which is withoute comparison euen as a little tyme to no time or euerlastingnesse Hir pleasure and ioy shall be conuerted into sorowes and griefes hir mery and pleasaunt talke hir iestyngs and laughyngs into weepyng mournyng wringyng of handes and gnashyng of teeth Hir commaundings shal be turned into crauings hir reuerence into contempt hir honoure into shame c. For she hathe pretended moste faynedly an holy kynde of priesthode she boasteth and braggeth much oâ— that whiche they are furthest from She hath vsurped and wroÌ„gfully taken vpon hir and proudely claimed vnto hir a royall maiestie and highnesse Whiche two kynde of dignities she hath yet worse vsed lette hir thereâ—ore wayte and attende on the plagues and punishementes due vnto hir pernicious temeritie and arrogancie Take away hir pleasaunt Euphrates wyth the spoyle and greate reuenues wherewithall she hath hytherto so vniustly maintained and kepte hir selfe and throw hir in the deepe pit of all misâ—ries and wretchednesse For she sayth in hir heart I sitte being a Queene enuironned with ioy and pleasure I am the chiefe of the vniuersall worlde on me dependeth the Catholike and holy Churche I haue authoritie and power in Heauen earth and Hell I haue also might to binde and to loose to saue and condempne It standeth not with me as it doth with thâ—se that be not of this worlde for all thyngs here are at my commaundement I am no widowe I am not dâ—solate The hyghest powers and gouernours of thys worlde do assiste and defende mee putting to death al those that lay against me Nero Domitian Traian or Maxence were neuer more addicted to the defence of my predecessours than are now adays the Princes of our tyme readie to maintaine wyth fire and faggot my Decrées Traditions and Ceremonies Therefore I shall see no mournyng I shall continue alwayes I shall be called Madame at all tymes my kyngdome shall abyde for euer my seate shall no man take awaye from me I shall neuer fall nor any euil can come vppon mée After thys sorte boaste wyth no small presumption our Papistes also saying That the lyttle vessell of Sainâ—â— Peter may wel by the reason of weather and tempeste be shaken and with the waues of the sea troubled but neuer can be ouerwhelmed or perishe hereby goyng aboute to proue that theyr superstitious and Romyshe churche should abyde styll and neuer be ouerthrowne But they consider not of what abilitie and power the Lambe is whiche abideth vppon the mount Syon against whom they stick and make warre against continually whose congregation and little flocke they persecuâ—e daily with great tyrannie crueltie and rigorousnesse Therfore shal hir plagues come at one day God shall once poure vpon this wicked race malignant â—hurch Death sorowes hunger and swâ—rdeâ— euen as he dyd sende vpon the â—ynfull Cities â—ire and Brymstone They shal be depriued for euer of the life wâ—iche is in Christe Iesu they shall remaine in sobbes and teares tâ—ey shal not ceasse to mourne to wring their handes and gnashe their teeth they shall be inheritours oâ— eueâ—lastyng darkenesse theyr worme shall neuer die they shall hunger and neuer be satiâ—fied And this whoore with the whole generation of hypocriâ—es shall be burnt with vnquencheable fyrâ— prâ—pared for the deuyl and his auâ—gels This sentâ—nce is not so seuere as true for the Lorde who shal iudge them is of power and might he is holy and faitâ—ful in mercie true in his worde and promise maruellous in all his workes fearefull terrible and righteous in his iudgementâ— against the wycked No man then shall be able in those dayes to withdrawe any part of the threatned vengeaunâ—e of hys wrath from the euill doer Neither oure Lady with castyng of hir bâ—ades into the ballaunces of S. Michaell neyther S. Iohn Baptist with hys lambe holdyng a crosse neyther S. Peter wyth hys Key nor S. Paule wyth his sworde as they vse to make them yea and if Moyses Samuel and the rest of the Prophetes with Noe Dauid and Iob would make intercession yet shoulde they not be hearde And the Kings of the earth namely the worldly and carnall Princes whiche haue committed fornication and lyued in pleasure with hir in all vncleannesse and filthynesse shall bewaile hir when they shall see hir ouerthrowen and so yll intreated it shall grieue them sore that they may or can not maintaine and defende hir with water fyre and sworde against â—od and hys saincts for they shall be nothyng well pleased with the ordinaunces and institutions of Christe bycause they doe hate nothyng more than the workes of the spirite that is to frame theyr liues according to the will of God It shall anger them to the hearte that they are not able to burne still and slay all those that speake write or preache agaynst the deedes of the fleshe and do reproue them of their fornication adulterie and theyr mischeuous and inordinate lyfe and rebuke them of theyr moste abhomynable idolatrie And lamente ouer hir when they shall see the smoke of hir burnyng And shall stande a farre of for feare of hir tormentes crying and saying Alas alas that greate citie Babylon that mâ—ghtie Citie Alas our mother the holy Churche of Rome so many holy fathers Popes Cardinalles and Byshops Alas for our Monkes Chanons and Friers with their so holy so deuoute and straight lyuâ—s and rude garmentes Alas for so many Pardons Indulgences and confessions so many principall bye Feastes Holy dayes and gay Coapes and Garmentes Alas for oure holy Water holy Candelles holye Palmes holye Ashes hallowed Belles organs play and prick song and the resâ— of our so gay ceremonies With these and the lyke wordes shall they bewayle hir trembling and quakyng for feare crying out on this maner Wo wo to that
these pleasant birdes bicause they did eate and consume their fleshe They rebuked their euill corrupt maners and vnrighteous dealing their wicked and abhominable life therefore they make warre against Christ where so euer the worde of God was sincerely preached and taught the glorye of God preferred and the securitie and naughtinesse of mannes sinfull and abhominable life reproued there hath alwayes insurrections tumultes and seditions risen amongst the hipocrits of traiterous enterprizes For the word of God is a signe of contradiction and the stone of offence These Princes and captaines with their most cruel souldiers are set on prouoked and stirrâ—d by the malice of these Idolatrous Bishops and Prelates euen as Pilate and Herode were moued of Annas and Caiphas to put Christ to death And as Felix gouernour of Iurie at the request pleasure of Ananie the hie priest kept S. Paule in prison The Emperor Traian and other tyrants should neuer haue persecuted the Christians vntil this day if their horsses had not bene pricked so fast and so often with the spurres of wicked and leuâ—e Prelats And what diligence endeuour they haue done to ouerthrow vanquishe and roote out the truthe may be seene by their letters wrytten and sent to so many Kings and Princes No small a doe had they to bring Iohn Wicliffe in discredite and slaunder with the people the which after he had ben buried fortie yeares toke vp his bones and burned them with fire and cast the ashes into the riuer shewing their tiranny vpon his bones whome they coulde not be reuenged of in his lyfe time no not for all their requestes and sutes made to the kyng of Englande Richarde by name Againe Sigismunde the Emperor wold neuer haue done contrary to his promise fortified by a safe conduct graunted vnto Iohn Hus to goe and come safely to the Counsell at Constance and in a manner forced hym for if he would be the image of the beast an obedient child of the Romish church he must doe all as it pleased them It is manifest what diligence and trauaile they haue assayed what violence and force they haue vsed to banishe and chase the truth of the Gospell out of Germanie what practises craftie policies and fetches they haue sought to deface it here in Englande and what crueltie and tyrannie they shewe in France to the vtter destruction of the countrey we haue séene and see and yet dayly at this instant seele they And aboue all haue we felte and 〈◊〉 yet féele the experieÌ„ce of it in low Germany our natiue countrey and Flaunders where as soone as Gods worde was sincerely preached and the Gospell of Iesu Christ opeÌ„ly declared O how SataÌ„s kingdome was rente diminished how idolatrie and superstition was brought low all excesse surfetting dronkennesse all wickednesse and vice all pride naughtinesse beat down forsaken The whooremongers adulterers began to be ashamed of their filthinesse priests Friers misliked of their estate and durst not say Masse go on procession funeral other of their abhominatioÌ„s they couered their crounes let grow their beards hid theÌ„selues yea demed y t they were such Many light women were conuerted many ruffians baudes were astonied for y t they saw their houses not so much haunted as before These with y e rest of the spiritual baudes and ruffians were well ashamed and wist not where to hide theÌ„selues bicause of y â— light which did shine so bright in the worlde On the other side consider how the kyngdome of Christe increased augmented and multiplied daily how the honor of God was set foorth the name of the Lorde was magnified and inuocated praised and blessed Howe many people whiche hitherto haue liued like ignorant doltes in al securitie beastlynesse were then come to knowledge and vnderstanding leauing their former life gaue theÌ„ selues to vertue godlinesse cleauyng to that whiche they heard expressed it in their life coÌ„uersation Last of al it was maruel to see how charitie humilitie sobriety honesty al other godly exercises y e works of the spirite wer put in practise amongst this new springing churche and contrarywise the dedes of the flesh forsaken layed aside But that great dragon the diuel that olde serpent who from the beginning hated the truth mans felicitie seing his kyngdom go to wrack hys gay finely disguised church dâ—cay hys pilferyng trashe beggerly Ceremonies nothing set by yea and seing his beastly bodie al his membres by y e preaching of Gods word so cleane vncouered and beaten to the grounde did waxe madde and outragious Wherefore he moued stirred vp kings who entring in allegiance and alliaunce with his Antechrist gathered a counsell against the Lorde and his churche to scatter and put asunder hys flocke aud to kill and slay his chosen Which thyng afterwarde they practising made them vp and not without treason inuaded the countreys there not to gouerne accordyng to iustice and equitie but violently and tyraÌ„nously to rule and reigne yea notwithstanding their priuileages enacted and giuen by acte of parliament confirmed and established by othe of the Prince him selfe haue they yet against all reason and lawe oppressed the commons and innocents As for the christians it is too well knowne howe they are vsed therfore I leaue of to speake any more of that matter not mistrusting but that it shall be declared at large of some diligent writer But what is their purpose The Lorde against whom they striue is too strong he knoweth all theyr enterprises and imaginatioÌ„s laugheth them to scorne He seeth their fall and ouerthrowe and the victorie of his chosen and the deliueraÌ„ce of his people is in his hande Let them rage neuer so sore lette them murther and slay neuer so many blessed are they whiche die in the Lorde they shall neuer be able to roote oute the truth muche lesse to obtaine any victorie agaynste God for the Lambe is strong and abideth valiantly vpon that vnmouable inexpugnable mounte Syon hauyng wyth hym an hundreth and .4400000 These be as many as haue receyued hys true faith and are the true séede of Abraham hauing the seale of the holy Ghost bearing the name of their father engraued on their forhead redéemed bought from the earth predestinated and chosen to life euerlasting whiche are not defiled with women whose soules and faith are not spotted with false doctrine or idolatrie and superstition papistical These ar virgins which receiue not the false hipocriticall and whoorish doctrine of y e Antechrist These be the virgins whereof the holy Ghost speaketh and not them only as they saye whiche neuer maried else Abraham Moyses Dauid Zacharie Peter Philip and the reste of the godly whiche haue bene maried coulde haue ben of the number of those virgins for they iudge mariage to be vnclâ—ane and a deede of the
fleshe They are not ashamed to aduouch in their Decretals that it is better and a smaller offence to kepe a â—uÌ„dreth hoores than to marrie or contracte matrimonie after they haue vowed chastitie Oh beastes that ye are the spirite of Chastitie did neuer cause you to forbid holy matrimonie but it was the spirite of vncleannesse Asmodeus Beelsebub and that spirit whereof the Sodomites and them of Gomorra were driuen These foule spirites made you to do it to accomplishe the prophecies of S. Paule and of Daniell whiche amongest other wordes speaketh of Antechrist on this maner He shal â—xalt him selfe aboue all which is called God For the God of hys predecessors he shal make no count of He shal loue neither God nor woman but only his Maosim for he exalteth himself aboue all things The naturall duetie and affection whiche God hath graffed in man wyfe to loue and haue company comforte and healpe one of the other to increase and multyplie is the onely meane whych God hath prouided to preuent the decay of mankynde It is also a greate kinde of beneuolence and friendeshyp wherein the one parte of maÌ„s nature honoreth aswel for the likenesse as for the creatours sake the other in the feare of God whome they in the state of matrimonie not onely serue if it be well vsed but honour and worship Then the duâ—tie of a good husbande is according to Gods worde to labour and with the sweate of his browes to get his bread to care and prouide for hys familie for his wyfe and chyldren that shée neyther thorough pouertie hunger or other cause of wretchednesse haue no occasion to committe or do any thyng agaynst the rule of honestie and prescript commaundement of God A good wyfe agayne wyll be diligent and carefull for all things necessary and belonging to the house she shall be sober honest faithfull and busie This affection and kindenesse wherof we speake here procedeth out of the naturall loue gyuen vâ—to vs by nature and all men in generall are bounde to obserue it This naturall kyndenesse and diuine loue hath not this monstrous beast and beastly monster Antechrist nor his sodomitishe greasy ones They lurke onely in their dennes and wyth daintie dyshes and delitious meates fil their bellies and make merrâ—e they care for no bodie they beare neither honest loue nor heart or any good wil to woman neither for propagationâ— nor for the ordinance of God who is the author instituter of it They labour not to maintain their wife they seeke not to defeÌ„d any against dishonestie rauishment or shame they desire none for their owne but when they lust they take one nowe and an other to morowe and then sende hir packing to haue neither trouble cost nor charges of hir nor of the childe but like vnkyndely Cuckoes lay theyr egges into other folkes nestes Whether these things tende to the despysing disgracyng of women or not iudge you And surely the rather for that they not passing for the ordinaÌ„ce of God but reiecting it take one or other of their acquaintaunce after theyr owne minde forsooth to cast hir of like a broken pot and to take an other so often as they lust But what great euyl and inconuenience dothe procéede and followe here hence is to be séene in great Cities where these belly gods for the most part vse to haunt as at Rome and in other places where any Byshoprikes or canonistes or colledges be where ye may sée an infinite numbre of queanâ—s and painted CurtisaÌ„s which get their liuing by y â— lâ—tting of their flesh and body to these beastly vnnaturall kind of people to whom they beare neither heart nor good will for abusing them selues In that they haue to do with them they loose their honestie fame they marre and destroy both body and soule I leâ—ue the murtheryng and slayinâ— of chilâ—â—â—n whiche is no synne amongst them 〈◊〉 â—any other vnclean vnnaturall and 〈◊〉 abhominable filthy déedes vsuall amongst them in theyr priuie chaumbres and celles These bee the fruits of their promised sworné vnchast chastitie For what I pray you is chastitie or virginitie more before God than marriage no more than circumcision to vncircuÌ„cision one is neither better nor worse before god than y â— other coÌ„cerning the life of a christian man Christ Iesu requireth demauÌ„deth only of vs tru faith working thorough charitie so theÌ„ al they y â— lead their lyfe in the holy state of matrimonie accordyng to the word of God are reputed virgins as S. Paule testifieth The Lambe whyche taketh away the sinne of the world stands with them which y â— father hath giuen him vpon that strong mounte Syon Contrarywise the Dragon and the beast with all theyr adherents are set vpon the slyding sandes of the sea their kingdome their power their myght their lawes statutes and ordinaunces theyr frée will and wycked purpose their proude titles haue no sure foundation but are buylded only vppon tâ—e waueryng sandes of doubtefulnesse and falshode agaynst whiche when any tempeste or winde of Gods holy worde bloweth sodainly it is moued and ouerthrowen yea and these vile shauelyngs them selues are these sandes whâ—reon their captain the dragon staÌ„dethâ— they are the chair and dwellyng place of the diuel Thoroughe them as instrumentes and false prophetes he vsed to speake to commaunde and execute all hys deceiptfull and false hypocrisâ—es and idolatries It is then moste sure and certaine that this beast with all theyr beastlynesse can neuer abyde long For it followeth that the Beast was apprehended and taken and with hir the false Prophetes whyche did signes and wonders before them As heretofore Iames and Iambres the enchaunters of Egypt wente aboute to counterfaite the sigâ—es whiche Moyses and Aaron dydde in the presence of Pharao lykewyâ—e doe these false inchaunters peruert the truth in these oure days namely in that they shew greater wonders than any heretofore hath ben heard of That is that they as they affirme and violently holde can turne very bread into naturall fleshe and bloud and that so cunnyngly that it can not be once perceyued neyther in beholdyng féelyng or tastyng of it otherwyse than breade And more other as to redéeme soules out of Purgatorie by sacrifices and workes supererogations and other shamefull braggs wherwith he deceyued them that receyued the beastes marke and seale and worship his image These both namely the head and the bodie the beast and the false prophete were aliue caste into a lake of fire burning with Brimstone These shall surely thorough the power and ryghteous iudgement of God receyue theyr portion wyth the hypocrites and false Prophetes And the remnant which folow of what state and condition so euer they be were slayne with the sworde of him that sitteth vpon the horse which commeth out of his mouthe This sworde is as is before sayd his mightie and true word which hath within hym spirite and life Such then
as are not afrayde of this worde but obstinatly cleaue faste to their false doctrine and ordinaunces also those whiche beyng striken of this sworde and beléeue not nor repentyng them of their misdedes frame their lyfe accordyngly shall perishe without doubt with this sword for euermore And all the foules are folkes whiche God of hys mercie hathe chosen and plucked from these worldly pleasures and naughtie desires shall be howesouer the matter goeth filled with their fleshe whether they be saued or damned For if they be saued these shall be gladde bycause that theyr numbre is increased Againe on the other syde shall they reioyce when that they sée the wicked and obstinate through thâ— iuste iudgement of God punished The righteous sayeth Dauid séeing the vengeaunce of God shall reioyce and shall washe their féete in the bloud of the wicked Euen so shal the vngodly which resist God and his holy worde with al their vainglorie and pompe sodainly and with a greate noyse perishe The Lorde shall destroy them for euer The wicked doers sayeth Dauid fall they are cast downe and are not able to stande Agayne he sayeth As for the vngodly they shal perishe and come to naught and when the enimies of the Lorde are in theyr floures they shall vanishe yea euen as the smoke shall they consume away They shall perishe in their wickednesse like a shadow and wither away as the thistle and lyke the chaffe and dust which the winde scattereth away from the grounde so lykewise the way of the vngodly shall perish This wyll suâ—ely come vpon the wicked as it hath done in al ages and as we haue séene it with our eyes and dayly shall â—ée it more and more But they which feare God and loue hym shall obtayne hys grace and mercy and shal enioy his faithâ—ful promises the inheritance of his euerlasting kyngdome as ye may heare nexte folowing I sawâ— sayth S. Iohn a newe heauenâ— and a new earth S. Peter sayth also that euery thing going before the iudge shal be clensed and purified and not consumed for al things must be changed and made cleane of all corruptiblenesse He meaneth not sayeth Aretes that the creatures shoulde consume away and be no more but onely y t they seruing to a better vse shoulde be renued so the godly and chosen shall be deliuered two maner of wayes that is to say Here in this worlde from sin hereafter of death damnation so shall be led conducted vnto the true libertie ioyfull inheritance of y e children of God The first heauen defiled with the pryde of the angels and the fyrst earth corrupted with the manyfolde wyckednesses of man were passed away altogether and shall be no more not that the veritie of them shall vanishe but the nature complection and qualitie of them shal change and turne into sinceritie and perfection And there was no more seaâ— y t is y â— vaine inconstaÌ„t people were no more for al prickings remorse of conscience al desperation mistrustfulnesse doubt shall be taken quite from y â— godly chosen All kind of anger sorow aduersity shal be turned into ioye and peace of the holy Ghost all hindrance feare persecution tyrannie violence and aduersitie whyche we endure héere in the troublous sea of thys worlde shal ceasse at the day of the lord when we shall sée hym face to face And the sea shall be no longer subiect to vanitie than all other creatures but shall be purified from all corruption and shall henceforth be so cleare as any christall although it remaineth the same substaÌ„ce And I Iohn sawe by reuelation and permission of God the holy Citie new Ierusalem come downe from God out of heauen By good reason is this holy Citie the congregation and churche of God called newe Ierusalem come downe from God hir Creatour and maker for she is holy not of hir self but of him that made hir and chose hir to be his welbeloued spouse prepared lyke a bride â—â—immed for hir husbande for she is purified and made newe againe as the well trimmed bride for hir husband the lambe Christ Iesus This bride shall hereafter through regeneration and renuing of the holy Ghost shew glorious perfect holy so long as she coÌ„tinueth here she maketh no accompt of any thing in this worlde but doth gouerne hir selfe accordyng to that rule which he hir husband hath lefte hir namely his holy woord But héerafter shall she being deliuered froÌ„ sinne wretchednesse and all kinde of corruptions more perfectly follow his steppes She is called new héere on earth for so much as she hath laide off and put away throughe the vertue of Gods holy spirite the olde man with all his lustes and hath no fellowship with the vnfruitefull workes of darknesse But heereafter shal she be new by his fauoure and grace for so muche as she shall be deliuered from sinne deathe and all manner of corruption She is called the new Ierusalâ—m both héere and hereafter bicause that all their Citizens are of one beliefe yet shall they be heereafter of like glorie and vnitie Héere hir Citezens are among the Sainctes and the familie of God and there shall they be both children and inheritors with Christ she came downe from god out of heauen hir Christian faith is neither of fleshe nor bloud but by the gratious Reuelation of the heauenly father But Ierusalem sayth S. Paul which is aboue is frée and mother â—uer vs all She is that Citie which God hath builded She is furnished with the gift of faith and w t the fountaine of life prepared and trimmed to be a faire and glorious churche without any spotte or wrinckle She is clensed from hir sinnes through his bloud she is very costly and wel fauoredly adorned beautified with ioy peace long suffering pacience and other more vertues of the spirit euen as an honest and true Bride is dressed and trimmed for hir louing deare husband The bride sayth Dauid standeth on thy right hand in a vesture of fine gold But hir raiments so long as she is on earthe are inuisible they are spiritual iewels of the soule and mâ—nde and not of the body And I heard sayth S. Iohn in the midst of this last vision a mightie voice out of the heauen the euerlasting and onely throne of GOD a voyce saying after this sort â—nto me Loke vp and beholde for your owne and al other beléâ—uers coÌ„moditie and instruction the holy Tabâ—rnacle of the Lord which shall be with the chosen for euer is also héere wyth the Militant Church vpon earth Moreouer consider that euery beleeuing soule is a Temple of the holy Ghost As Christ him selfe testifieth He that loueth me and keepeth my word I and my father will come to him and dwell with him In like manner speaketh God
by the Prophet Ezechiel saying I wil make a bond of peace with them which shall be vnto them an euerlasting couenaunt I will set my sanctuarie among them for euermore My dwelling shal be with them yea I wil be their God they shal be my people The same also he confirmeth heere in this place saying He will dwell with them and they shal be his people and God him sâ—lfe shal be their God In suche sorte that they shall neuer acknowledge any other than him only He shal alwayes comfort and strengthen theÌ„ heere by his holy spirit and heereafter by his preseÌ„ce so mightely defend and surely kéepe them that they shall neuer faile him heere nether afterward be seperated from him And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes so cleane that no kinde of trouble or feare shall make them afraid neither any aduersitie shrinke or make them heauie The same also saith the lorâ— by his Prophet I shall make a pleasant Ierusalem and I my selfe wil be glad with hir From that time forward shall there be heard within hir no more sorrow nor paine neither shall there be any death for death shall be destroyed for euermore The conscience of man shall not then be subiecte to any mistrustfulnesse or other infirmitie but shall haue ioy in the holy Ghost They shall through sinne not die any more but shall liue through faith in God That cruel whoore shal drink droÌ„ke no more in the bloud of the Martirs for she with al hir adherents and wicked tirantes shall be kept in that filthie lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for euermore So that no kinde of trouble persecution slaunder hatred malice anguish or pain or any kind of aduersity crueltie or wretchednesse which coulde be deuised can hurt or hinder them for sorowes wailing and wéeping shall be put farre from them The building of the frame and the situation of this citie was four square which signified not only vnto vs the sure grounde and stedfastnesse of the true Christian faith which God kéepeth tenderly nourisheth and augmeÌ„teth in his elect but also sheweth y t euerlasting certaintie of that mightie and inexpugnable kingdom of Christ and that hope which is neuer ashamed for who so euer beleueth and dependeth vpoÌ„ Christ shall neuer be confounded Whatsoeuer is foure square abideth firme vnmoueable and is not subiect to rolling or vnstablenesse like a boule or speare or any thing that is rouÌ„d In like maner haue we to consider of the four squarenesse of 〈◊〉 new IerusaleÌ„ wherof material Ierusâ—â—â—â— bâ—ing also square was a figure that none of what so euer kindred language or nation he be shall haue either preferment héere in this citie or be lesse regarded for whether he be froÌ„ the East or the West from the South or the North rich or poore Grecian or Barbarian if he be but a true beléeuer he shall be receiued and accepted of God Wherof we haue a manifest ensample in the Gospell where Christ teacheth by the Parable of a certaine housholder which hired labourers into his vineyard who calling them vnto him in y â— euening gaue as much to them that wrought but an hour as he did vnto them that wrought the whole day The walles of this Citie are strong and well furnished wherout we may coÌ„clude and gather that the blessednesse of saluation or Gods promises are sure and strong in so much that hell gates can not preuaile against or withstand them These walls are of such a height that no enimie be he neuer so craftie subtile or wise by anye meanes of faire speach dissimulation or hipocriâ—ie is able to get ouer them onely must they enter through the gate which is Christ Iesu. This holy Ierusalem is glorious blessed heauenly and spiritual not made by mans hande but it is made and builded of God the heaueÌ„ly father the father of light of whom all goodâ—â—nd perfect gifts onely do descend are sent down Therfore hath she a maruellous and incomprehensible light and wisdome of almightie God The Lambe Iesus Christ is hir light and his word the lanterne to his fâ—ete And hir shining light and spiritual wisdom was like an oriental stone most precious for his word is more costlier than golde yea than the moste finest golde This Citie hath twelue gates for to open and to shut with sundrie names bicause of the diuers natioÌ„s and languages For from euery side of the worlde come the people to the churche of Christ yet passe they al through one gate which is Christ Iesu. None saith he coÌ„meth to the father but by me I am the doore to enter into the shéepe folde Who so euer entreth through me shall be saued Thys Ierusalem hath twelue gates And on euery gate was a very costlye and precious Pearle for the doctrine of the Gospell is precious and costly without comparison whereby so many as are ordained from all coastes of the earth enter into the kingdom of Christ. And at these gates were set twelue Angels In that respecte Dauid also did sing saying The Angels of the Lord are about the tents of them that feare him to kéepe them He did set a garde vpon the walles of Ierusalem sayth Esayas to annouÌ„ce his worthy name So that it is wel garded fenced round about The Diuel with all his bost haue no force against it No man is able to draw any one out of his hands And aboue these gates were written honorable names namely the names of the twelue tribes of Israell which are Iuda Ruben Gad Assur Nephthalim Manasle Simeon Leui Isachar Zabulon Ioseph and Beniamin These names were wrytten héere bicause the right inheritance was promised to the séede of Abraham and Christ Iesus was the true séede of Abraham and by him are we made children of the promise The walles of the Citie hath twelue foundations grouÌ„ded vpon y â— strong and mightie stone Christ Iesu which is vnmoueable for so much that from the beginning the Church of God vpon hym hath bene builded and grounded Uppon him did Adam Noe Abraham Moyses Dauid Helias with the rest of the godly fathers that euer were build remaine stedfast although they were neuer so loÌ„g before him or shall be after him for they beleued certainly on the promises which God had wrought to theÌ„ by Christ. They all being vnder the cloud did eate of one kinde of meat and dronke of one spirituall stone which is Christ Iesu which afterward is come into the flesh No man may lay any other foundation sayeth S. Paule than that which is layd alreadye which is Christ Iesu. Upon this one strong and euerlasting foundation were laid and builded these twelue foundatioÌ„s agréeable vnto him Namely the twelue Apostles of the Lambe Peter Iohn Iames Andrewe Philip