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
was giuen by the inspiration of the holy ghost so did the same spiritie infuse it aboundauntly into the heartes of the Apostles and likewise doth at this present with the faithfull and of the same spirite hath this holy Scripture his endurance and true interpretation Antichrist is not ashamed too bragge that hee is Lorde ouer the Scripture to alowe or disalowe it For of me saith he it taketh his full authoritie And for a token of this the Scripture of Christe is laied vnder his fete when he is at Masse 57 Christe commaunded by his Apostle sainct Paule that a bishop should be apte to teache and that hee ought to bee well learned that he may be able by his wholsome doctrine both to exhort and to ouercome all theym that resiste and be against the faith Antichrist will neither teache nor dispute with any man in the holy scripture for the maintainaunce of the Christen faith but onely for to augment his owne kingdom and to stablish his owne lawes And if any dispute with him they shall be cast first into prison where he and his ministers haue deuised and inuented proper engins too wryng their fingers so sore that the bloud shall braste out of their fingers endes Moreouer he will peine them and scourge them and with infinite other tormentes punishe theim to make theim forsake the trueth and afterwarde make them sweare on a booke that they shall tell no man of it Thus cruelly doth Antichrist entreate man for the truthes sake againste all iustice And if he can not subdue them to his will then either he murdereth theim priuely in Prison or els hee committeth them vnto the seculer power as vnto his Hangmen or Butchers to be burned And thus is the disputation ended and Antichrist hath gotten the victorie Sed viuit dominus qui custodit veritatem in seculum seculi facit iudicium iniuriam patientibus 58 Christe cursed the Figge tree vppon whiche he found no fruite and forthwith the Figge tree wethered and neuer bare fruite after Antichrist hath cursed and enterdited Landes and Realmes and yet did not the people dye but they prospered well and the earth brought forth her fruite and encrease no lesse then before yea much more aboundauntly thankes be vnto God that this saiyng may bee founde true Maledicent illi tu autem benedices They shall curse but thou shalt blesse 59 Christ calleth hymselfe the good shepheard saiyng I am the good shepheard The good shepeheard geueth hys life for his sheepe Antichrist saieth that he is a good sheepeheard and yet he pollet and pilleth hee sheareth and scrapeth the sheepe so neare that he leaueth not one locke of wolle on their backes And thinke ye not that hee is in al pointes the selfe same shepeheard of whom Zacharias prophecied whiche saieth in the persone of God Behold ▪ I will raise vp a Shepheard in the Lande whiche shall yot seeke after the thinges that be lost nor care for such as go astray He shall not heale the wounded He shall not nourishe the thyng that is whole but he shall eate the fleshe of suche as be fatte and teare their clawes in peeces c. Hee shall nourishe hymselfe and not the shepe And this Prophete criyng out on hym saieth O thou shepheard and Idoll forsakyng the flocke As though hee shoulde say thou bearest the name of a shepheard but thou arte an Idoll and counterfaite Thou art called a Shephearde but thou art a plaine murderer Thou arte named a feeder but thou art a destroyer Is it to bee thought that this Shephearde will giue his life for his Shepe 60 Christ chargeth Peter three tymes to keepe well and nourishe his Shepe Antichrist chargeth his Officers to keepe well his money And as for the Shepe he hymself taketh paines to shere theim and to keepe theim lowe with iufinite exactions 61 Christ gaue a commaundement that a manne should forsake his wife or putte her awaie for no cause but onely for adulterie Antichrist if he bee well monied will make diuorces for what soeuer cause a manne will haue hym yea and for money he will ioyne theim together whom the Lawe of GOD by no meanes suffereth to marrie 62 Christe beside the twelue Disciples sent forthe to Preache seuentie and twoo other Disciples whiche freely promised heauen to theim that would beleue in the name of Christe Antichriste sendeth out his Preachers and Pardoners whiche teache the people to beleue his power and to truste to his Pardons for their saluation addyng that thei can not otherwise bee assoiled nor come to heauen And all for money 63 Christe tooke awaie from his Disciples all temporall iurisdictiō and worldly power saiyng vnto them The kynges and Princes of the Gentiles haue rule power ouer them but ye shal not so haue Antichriste lifteth vp hym self aboue al power and saieth Emperours Kynges and Lordes bee my Subiectes This is daiely read in his Bulles wherein he cōmaundeth the Nobilitie like as a Master doeth commaunde his seruaunt 64 Christ gaue commaundement to his Disciples saiyng Looke whiche emong you will bee greatest let hym bee the lowest of all Antichrist saieth The Emperour must sweare vnto me as vnto his Lorde that he will bee my subiect and exalt and worship me with honour as his owne Lawe testifieth 65 Christe in all places of the holie Scripture reiecteth and casteth awaye mennes Traditions and Decrees Thei worshipp me in vaine saieth he teachyng doctrines that are the commaundementes of menne Antichriste magnifieth the Traditions and Decrees of his Canon Lawe and saieth that thei ought to bee kept as duely as if GOD hymself had commaunded them Or as if sainct Peter had preached them hym self 66 Christe wishyng no man to erre no manne to bee deceiued no manne to perishe or to bee damned called hym self in his Sermons the waie the truthe and the life I am saith he the waie the truth and the life Beleue in me and folowe me in my learning and rule you by the scripture For that shall bee your Iudge Antichrist saieth ye shall in all thinges followe the Churche of Rome meanyng thereby hym self and his Cardinalles as appeareth in his owne Lawe And as for the Scripture saith he it standeth in my power and aucthoritie For I maie make of it whatsoeuer pleaseth me 67 Christe loued them that were his ennemies blessed theim that cursed and did good to them that hated hym Antichrist can not finde in his harte to loue and blesse his ennemies nor to dooe good to his aduersaries but suche as in any point be against hym he curseth with the great cursse and will not absolue them till thei haue made perfect submission and paied greate sommes of money 68 Christe commaunded his Disciples that thei should not resiste euill but if a manne strike them vpon the one cheeke that thei
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
should offer hym the other also Antichriste will suffer nothyng yea he teacheth that he maie auenge and driue awaie force with force 69 Christe by open voice from Heauen was pronounced of God the Father to bee his dearely beloued Soonne and so many as purpose to bee saued and to bee made enheritours of eternall life are cōmaunded to heare hym Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente that vnder paine of euerlastyng damnation we heare hym obeye and obserue his Decrees and Lawes 70 Christe laied lighte burdeines and swete yokes vpon his Disciples neckes Antichrist saieth intollerable burthēs and moste greeuous yokes vpon mennes shoulders and notwithstandyng he saith If any commaundemente or burthen bee so heauie that it can not bee sustained and borne yet shall ye obeye me In this behalfe Antichrist is like the olde Hypocrites emong the Iewes of whom our Sauiour Christe speaketh on this maner Thei binde together heauie burthens and greeuous to bee borne and laie them on mennes shoulders But thei theim selues will not heaue at theim with one of their fingers Againe woe vnto you ye Lawiers For ye lade menne with burthens whiche thei bee not able to beare and ye your selues touche not the packes with one of your fingers 71 Christe paied Tribute to Cesar and gaue commaundemente to all his that thei should giue to the Temporall Magistrate whatsoeuer is due vnto hym as the Apostle saieth Giue to euery manne his duetie Tribute to whom Tribute belongeth Custome to whom Custome is due c. Antichriste despiseth bothe this example and doctrine of Christe and excommunicateth all them that aske any Tolle or Tribute either of hym or of his For he hath made theim all free by his Lawe from all suche charges and paimentes 77 Christe when he liued in this worlde was beneficiall liberall and plentifull in doyng the workes of mercie to the poore and exhorted other to doe the like euer commendyng mercie aboue Offerynges and Sacrifices Antichrist hath no pleasure at all in the woorkes of mercie neither careth he for the poore But his desire is that menne should giue their money for Pardons for Masses for Dirges c. and bestow their gooddes vpon Images gildyng Tabernacles pointyng chaūtries building c. so that he will no mercie but all offerynges And he that saieth It is better to giue our charitie to the poore as Christ saieth is counted halfe an Heretike because he goeth about to marre Antichristes market 73 Christe the Mirrour of meekenesse and example of humilitie charged his disciples that thei should not desire to bee called masters nor yet fathers on yearth Antichriste will not onely bee called the Lorde and Maister of all Christendome but also the moste holie Father in yearth Goddes Uicar in yearth Peters Successour in yearth and Heade of the Churche in yearth c. 74 Christe disdained not to goe vnto the Mariage when he was called and sanctified the same with the firste fruites of his miracles Antichrist despiseth mariage and commaundeth his Shauelynges by no meanes to bee at theim as a kinde of life vnperfecte and vnworthie their high perfection and pure state of their vocation or callyng 75 Chirste refuseth not to goe whersoeuer he was desired so he might doe good to other Antichriste is so delicate and fine and vnpacient of labour that he refuseth to goe any where excepte it bee to profite and to doe good to hym self 76 Christ thought no scorne suche was his good will toward all men euen with his hande to touche the Leper when he healed hym Antichriste disdaineth once to looke vpon the poore so farre it is of that he will handle and touche the miserable diseased and lothsome people with his holie handes His delight is to haue to dooe with the greate God Mammon and with the nise nimphes of Ladie Uenus court 77 Christe had greate pleasure and singuler delight to be emong thē that were sicke and diseased Antichrist hath al his delight and pleasure to bee emong the minions of the worlde and the lustie galauntes Dicers Carders Minstrelles Gameplaiers and all suche as maie prouoke hym vnto pleasure mirthe and ioye 78 Christe kept companie with sinners whores and Publicanes to the ende that he might allure theim from wickednesse vnto Godlinesse saiyng Thei that are whole haue no neede of a Phisition but thei that are sicke For I am not come to call the righteous but synners to repentaunce Antichriste delighteth to accompanie the Princes and Rulers of this worlde that he maie enlarge and encrease sainct Peters patrimonie and enriche Mother holie Churche whiche beginneth now to waxe old and hath greate neede of helpe As touchyng them that are runne astraie from God he knoweth none other waie vnto saluation but to exhort them to buy his Pardons Masses c. 79 Christe in his Sermons had no respect of persones but rebuked al degrees a like that were rebukeable Antichrist preacheth neuer prateth oft great and noble personages he flattereth although neuer so wicked and vngodlie namely when he hopeth and looketh for gaine As touchyng the poore and miserable he thundereth at them with the sentence of the greate curse 80 Christe when his Disciples Iames and Ihon would haue had fire come doun from heauen as in the daies of Elias vppon the Samaritanes for their ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse and so to haue destroied them rebuked them and saied ye wote not what maner spirit ye are of For the Sonne of manne is not come to destroie mennes liues but to saue them Antichriste when any although neuer so little displeasure is doen against hym so fumeth and fometh so braieth and brauleth so roareth and rageth that straight waies out of his firie place he casteth out his moste greeuous thunderbolte of that terrible great excommunication If that will doe no good then prouoketh he princes vnto warres out of hand and to murther for his sake many thousande of innocent soules neuer ceasyng from his furious madnesse and madde furie vntill he be auenged to the vttermoste forgettyng this commaundement of GOD vengeaunce is myne and I will reward saieth the Lorde 81 Christ alwaie defended his disciples against the Scribes and Phariseis with the aucthorities of Gods worde Antichriste defendeth his adherentes with bannyng and cursing with Sweard and Speare with Bowes and Arowes with Gonne and Pollaxe and suche like martiall armoures 82 Christ tooke paciently the opprobrious wordes that were spoken against his owne persone but the railyng blasphemies vttered of the blasphemous enemies of the truthe againste the glory of GOD he could by no meanes abyde but mightely defended it Antichriste regardeth not the blasphemies spoken or written against the glory of God the manifest truth of his blessed worde but if any thing be spoken against hym and his deuilishe decrees then rageth he like a mad man and neuer ceaseth vntill he be reuenged except
the aucthour of all mischief and abhomination so that whatsoeuer followeth hym and his Antichristian doctrine may be sure to come vnto damnation 102 Christ praied to his heauenly father that Peters faith might not fayle Antichrist praieth that Peters patrimony as they call it may neuer fayle 103 Christ refuseth no paine to doe good to his congregation Antichrist refuseth no payne so that he may haue lucre and gaine 104 Christ went vp willingly to Ierusalem to suffer death for the elect people of God. Antichrist hateth nothyng more then the crosse As for Gods people he regardeth them not except they bring money 105 Christ when he might haue escaped and gone awaie from his enemies freely gaue himselfe into their handes to be crucified for the saluation of other Antichriste resisteth his enemies with tothe and nayle with hande and Sword and with all that euer he is able to make neither suffereth he gladly any aduersity except it be for the maintainaunce of hys owne pompe and glory and for the enrichement of Saint Peters patrimonie 106 Christ was striped out of his clothes and was all to beaten and scourged and false witnes brought in against hym Antichrist is well clothed with precious garments and hath chaunge for euery day and commaundeth other to be beaten and sore puished and false witnesse to be brought in to testifie whatsoeuer hee will haue against the poore innocent christen people 107 Christ being most vniustly wrongfully accused and hauyng many vntruthes obiected againste hym as a Lambe dum before his shearer opened not his mouth When he was reuiled he reuiled not againe when he suffred â–ª he threatned not but committed the vengeance to him that iudgeth righteously Antichrist being iustly accused both of false doctrine and corrupt manners and admonished to amend will by no meanes geue eare but seeketh al meaâ—es possible to bee reuenged He will bee iudge of all menne but iudged of none He will condemne whom he lust and he will not once be touched His doctrine although neuer so vnpure he defendeth with fyre and fagot with sworde and halter Whosoeuer disdaine to embrace and maintaine it all theim hee excommunicateth cut of from the body of Christ appointeth them vnto euerlastyng damnation interditeth their Landes Realmes and countreys wheresoeuer they dwell as experience in these our daies teacheth aboundantly As concernyng hys life and maners although neuer so wicked and detestable no man may once reproue except he will feele the bitter boltes of the most bitter curse 108 Christ had a crowne of sharpe thornes set vpon his head with so great violence that the bloud runne doune ouer all his amiable face and boystrous nayles driuen thorowe his precious handes Antichrist weareth vpon his head three crownes of gold richly set with precious stones and hath his handes and finger all royally decked with owches and ringes He passeth poore Christe farre farre 109 Christ tooke the crosse of painefull affliction vpon hymselfe and commaunded his Disciples likewise to follow him saiyng He that will not take his Crosse and folow me is not meete for mee Antichrist taketh the Crosse of pryde and hath it borne before hym well gilte and ameled to sette forthe his pride and pompe before the worlde like vnto Lucifer As for other crosse he knoweth none 110 Christ praied his Father to forgiue them that trespassed against hym yea he praied for them that put him to death Antichrist commaundeth both kynges and princes and Emperours to auenge his quarell and to slea all them that resist his mynde promisyng theÌ„ that if thei die in his quarel thei shall die glorious martyrs in the sight of God straight waies come vnto heauen yea before their bloud bee colde As touchyng forgeuenesse he hath none acquaintaunce therewith 111 Christ aproued his Lawe and confirmed it with his owne death Antichrist is full busy to destroye the law of Christ and to maintaine his owne decrees and that with the death of all them that will say the contrary 112 Christ was buried in a poore monument Sepulchre or graue without any funerall pompe Antichrist is buried in a glorious toÌ„be well gilt and very gorgious set out with many torches and greate solemnitie and with Angelles gloriously portured that beare his soule to heauen when notwithstandyng it is to be feared that hee goeth to suppe with the Diuell whom he hath so diligeÌ„tly serued al the daies of his life 113 Christ suffred death for our sinnes rose againe for our iustification or els al we should haue perished and been damned Antichrist for the forgeuenesse of oure sinnes and of our iustification sendeth vs to his Pardons and Bulles to his yeres of Iubile and Masses of Scala celi yea he sendeth vs to a Grayefryers Coule and willeth vs to be buried in that promising vs by that meanes both remission of synnes and euerlastyng life Is not this too treade vnder foote the sonne of God and to count the bloud of the Testament as an vnholy thing yea and to doe dishonour to the Spirite of grace Is not this that beast whiche opened his mouth to speake blasphemies againste the moste highest God against his most glorious name Is not this that sinnefull man that sonne of perdition that aduersary whiche exalteth hymself aboue all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he doth sit in the Temple of God boastyng hymselfe to be God O Antichrist 114 Christ after his resurrection appeared to his Disciples and brought vnto them peace and greate ioy Antichriste when hee commeth abroad and sheweth himselfe vnto men commeth like a game player in his Papalibus full gloriously and gorgiously and bringeth to the beholders blessynges that is crossinges and wagginges of fingers with suche other vaine and triflyng toyes 115 Christ reproued in his Disciples vnfaithfulnesse and hardnesse of hearte Antichrist findeth faulte with his captiues if they be vnfaithfull and disobedient to his decrees and slacke in paiyng of money 116 Christ sought all meanes possible to confirme the faithe of his disciples in the article of his resurrection Antichrist seketh all maner of waies to plant confirme and stablishe in the hartes of men his authority and primacie aboue not only all Bishops but also all kinges Princes and Emperours 117 Christ so talked with certaine of hys Disciples by the waie that their heartes burned within them so swetely and louingly did he open vnto theim the true right vnderstandyng of the Scriptures Antichrist doeth so talke and vttereth suche doctrine that it enflameth not but apalleth the heartes of the hearers it quickeneth not but rather dismaieth For it is not the word of the spirite but of the fleshe not of light but of darkenesse not of life but of death and in fine not of conuersion and saluation but of desperation and eternall damnation 118 Christe
breathed vpon his disciples and gaue theim the holy ghoste saiyng Take ye the holy ghoste that they beyng endued with his Spirite might brynge forth the fruites of the same and be therby knowen to his Apostles Antichrist doth breath the spirit of Sathan into his shauelinges and will that they shall be knowen to be his chaplaines by their long gownes shauen crownes horned cappes flaryng tippets c. 119 Christ sent forthe his disciples for to preache vnto all nations Antichrist sendeth forth his chaplaines to be Massemongers soule cariers Purgatory rakers Godmakers coniurers of salte water bread fyre c. 120 Christ commaunded his disciples to preache not mennes traditions but the Gospell that is to say repentaunce and remission of sinnes in his name to all creatures Antichrist commaundeth his praters to set forthe to the people his lawes and decrees and to entermedle them with tales out of Legenda aurea and narrations out of Festiuall Martyrologe c. He sendeth forth also his Pardoners to publike fables and lyes vnto the people and therto graunteth he Letters and Seales and many daies of Pardon and all for money 121 Christ willed his disciples to say vnto their hearers that whosoeuer beleueth and is Baptised he shall be saued But he that beleueth not shall be damned Antichrist commaundeth his Trompetters too blowe abroad into the eares of the people that whosoeuer will buye his pardons shall be absolued a paena culpa toties quoties and then must he needes be saued And he that teacheth otherwise is an heretike This his Bulles and Pardons do plainly testifie 122 Christe charged his Disciples diligently to teach the people to obserue and kepe those thynges that he commaunded theim and so doyng he promised to bee with thē vnto the very ende of the world meanyng not bodily but ghostly Antichrist giueth a great charge to his Chapelaines to inculcke and beate into the peoples heades vnder paine of deadly synne and euerlastyng damnation the keepyng of his Canons and Lawes and in so dooyng he promiseth to assiste them continually with the Spirite of Errour and falshode 123 Christe a little before his Ascension into the Kyngdome of his Father gaue a greate charge to Peter and his fellowe Apostles that thei with al diligēce should feede his Lambes and Sheepe with the moste wholsome pasture of his most swete woorde saiyng Pasce pasce pasce Feede feede feede Antichriste giueth straight commaundemente to his Captiues that thei shall poison the people with the Pharisaicall Leauen of his Lawe and by no meanes teache them the truthe of Gods woorde least thei should spie out his falsehod and aboue all thynges plaie Tolle Tolle Tolle Poll Poll Poll pill pill 124 Christe commaunded his Apostles not to departe from Ierusalem but to waite for the promes of the Father Antichrist thrusteth forthe into the ministerie his Greaslynges and Shauelinges without any consideration or motiō of Goddes Spirite If thei can Masse it or Mattens it he careth for no more 125 Christe when he should departe and goe vp into Heauen lifted vp his hande and blessed his Apostes that is to say wished well vnto them Antichrist lifteth also vp his hāde and blesseth the people that is to saie waggeth his fingers ouer them But whether he curseth or blesseth that is vncertaine 126 Christe by the power of his Deitie Ascenden into heauen perfecte God and perfect man. Antichrist through the multitude of his moste detestable synnes and vile wickednesse descendeth into hell bothe body and soule and hath his portion with Idolatours Witches Theefes Adulterers Whoremongers cursed speakers c. in that Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone where he and all his shall bee tormented with moste intollerable paines worldes without ende Hetherto of the life of Christe and of Antichriste ¶ Of the doctrine of Christe and of Antichrist FIrste Christe saieth that he came for this purpose into the worlde euen to testifie beare witnesse of the truth and that his woorde is the Truthe Againe that the holie Ghoste shall leade vs into all Truthe hereby manifestly declaryng that in his holie woorde is contained sufficiente doctrine for our saluation as saincte Paule saieth All Scripture giuen by inspiration of GOD is profitable to teache to improue to amende and to instructe in righteousnesse that the manne of GOD maie bee perfecte and prepared vnto all good woorkes Likewise saied the woman of Samarie to Christe I knowe that Messias shall come whiche is called Christ When he is come he shall tell vs all thynges And the Apostle in his exhortation to the Elders of Ephesus said I haue kepte nothyng backe that was profitable vnto you c. Againe I haue shewed you all thynges Antichriste saieth that though it bee truthe that is contained in the Bible yet all truthe necessarie to saluation is not there to bee founde but there are other truthes as necessarie to bee beleued vnder paine of damnation as those that bee contained in the holie scripture and thei bee called vnwritten verities He saieth moreouer that his Decrees and Lawes are necessarily to bee kepte as the Commaundementes of God and addeth moreouer that thei bee of equall aucthoritie with the worde of God. 2 Christe saieth that no man can come vnto hym except his Father drawe hym Againe that all shall bee taught of God Signifiyng hereby that no man can vnderstand and perceiue the misteries contained in the woorde of God excepte thei bee reueled and opened vnto hym by the Spirite of God whiche alone is the aucthour thereof for asmuche as a naturall manne can not come vnto the vnderstandyng of those thynges that belong vnto the Spirite of God. And as sainct Peter saith that the Scripture is not a priuate interpretation that is to saie not to bee expounded after the iudgemente of reason and as euery man of his owne braine fantaketh but as GOD is the alone aucthour of the worde so is the true vnderstandyng thereof to bee begged of God alone by feruent praier and by diligente conference of the scriptures Dauid consideryng this praied to God on this maner Open thou myne eyes that I maye see the wonderous thynges of thy lawe Make me to vnderstande the waie of thy Commaundementes and so shall I talke of thy wonderous woorkes O learne me true vnderstandyng and knowledge O giue me vnderstādyng that I may learne thy commaundementes c. And Sainct Paule writyng to Timothe saieth God giue thee vnderstandyng in all thynges Antichriste saieth that the interpretation of the Scripture hangeth of the iudgement of the Fathers and old auncient writers and of the aucthoritie and consente of the Churche of Rome whiche is the true Churche and mother of all churches and can by no meanes erre without the approbation of the whiche no interpretation of the Scripture can bee good and catholike 3
Christe will all menne to searche the Scriptures and to leane vnto them in all matters of controuersie as faithfull witnesses of the Lordes truthe Antichriste commaundeth that when any question arise aboute matters of Religion menne should haue recourse vnto the Canons and generall Councels but spicially vnto the See of Roome where all doubtfull matters are to bee decided As for the Scripture it hath no more aucthoritie then it pleaseth the Churche that is to faie the Pope and his adherentes to giue vnto it 4 Christe teacheth that all mennes traditions oughte to giue place vnto the woorde of God and that whatsoeuer is decreed of menne although of neuer so greate ancthoritie and wisedome contrary to the woorde of God is vtterly to bee neglected reiected and caste awaie Antichriste teacheth plainely that all suche constitutions and ordinaunces of men as bee decreed and set forthe by the aucthoritie of Counselles and holie Fathers whiche are alwaies gathered together by the instincte and consent of the holy ghost although thei are not nor can not bee grounded on Goddes worde are notwithstādyng good and profitable and menne are bounde vnder paine of deadly synne to obtaine and keepe them For the Churche can not erre 5 Christe teacheth that there is but one onely true liuyng and euerlastyng God whiche alone is to be honoured worship ped and called vpon by whose name also alone we ought to sweare Antichriste also after a certaine sorte confessed also one God with vs and that he is to be honoured and called vpon but not alone For he teacheth that the sainctes in heauen bothe maie and ought to be honoured and called vpō yea and that we maie also sweare by their names 6 Christe in his holie Lawe bothe by Moses the Prophetes and Apostles forbiddeth to make sette forthe or kepe any Image to bee worshipped But aboue all thinges he forbiddeth vs to make any Image of God. Antichrist saieth it is lawfull not onely to haue images and to sette them vp in Temples Chapels Oratories c. but also to worshippe theim to kneele before theim to kisse them to praie before them yea to them to knele before them to set candels before them to decke and trimme them to offer vnto them to sense them to put of our cappes vnto them and at the laste what not Antichriste also diggeth out of the ground the olde rotten bones or reliques of sainctes translateth them encloseth them in Golde keepeth them in precious shrynes and costly Clausures and setteth them forth to the people to be kissed and worshipped Moreouer he is not ashamed contrarie too the manifeste woorde of God to make the Image of the blessed Trinitie He formeth and frameth God the father like an old broken backed man with a white head winckled forehed holow eied slender cheeked sharpe nosed tothlesse wide mouthed hangyng doune lipped crooke chinned graye bearded small necked leane handed and in fine altogether monstrous GOD the Sonne Antichrist setteth forth as a lusty younge younker with his yelow lockes and God the holy Ghost he maketh like a yong lustie White flickeryng Doue But this blasphemous image causeth hee to be set in Churches and in all other places not onely to be considered but also to be worshipped vnto the greate dishonour of god the slaunder of the Christen religion the offence of all good men and vnto the glorie of all Gods ennemies But what dareth not Antichrist doe 7 Christ teacheth that the true worshippers muste worshippe God in spirite and trueth againe that they worship God in vaine whiche honour hym after the traditions of men Antichrist affirmeth that it is lawfull to worship God any maner of waie so it commeth of a good entent good mynde good zeale good deuotion c. For God casteth awaie the good intent of no man Antichrist therefore teacheth vs to worship God with Golde Siluer precious stones sumpteous vestures candels palmes Ashes bread water Salt c. With long patteryng curious singyng pleasaunt pipyng loude ringyng c. With Surplesses Copes Uestimentes Caps Coules c. with Massyng with Pilgrimage goyng with Pardons biyng with Beades saiyng c. And all these thinges he taught to be more precious and acceptable in the sight of GOD than to helpe the poore or to doe any worke of mercie For that is done but to manne the other vnto God. 8 Christ in his sweete Sermon that hee made in the mount saieth that he came to fulfill the Lawe that is to saie to accomplishe whatsoeuer was prefigured of him in the ceremonies of the olde Testament so that by his comming he hath put away and vtterlie abolished all Ceremonies euen as the shadow is remoued by the entrance of the light For as the Apostle saieth The lawe he meaneth the ceremoniall law was nothyng els than a shadow of good thinges to come The good thinges are come and geuen therfore the shadow ceaseth wherby we euidently learne that the Christians are nowe free from suche cloudy lawes darke ceremonies Antichrist teacheth that although the Ceremonies of the olde law be abolished by the commyng of Christ yet that hindreth nothing but that the Church which is the spouse of Christ may appoint what Ceremonies she wil without any offence of her husband Christ whiche delighteth in her and in her doynges as in himselfe yea and that so muche the more bicause among the christians there are many rude grosse and thei must be rudely and grossely handled and brought by little and little vnto perfection thorowe suche Ceremonies and outward obseruaunces whiche Ceremonies and Ordinaunces of Christes spouse the Churche are with no lesse reuerences to bee obserued than if they had beene commaunded of Christe her husbande 9 Christ Iesus in his doctrine teacheth that he alone is our Sauiour our Redeemer our Bishop or Pastour our head our reconciliatour our peacemaker and in fine all our hope and comfort in so muche that whosoeuer beleueth in hym shall not perishe but haue euerlastyng life Antichriste in his doctrine teacheth that saluation and remission of synnes is to bee obtained also at his handes at his Pardons Indulgences yeres of Iubile Masses Coules Pilgrimages c. Againe that he is heade of the vniuersall Churche of Christendome Christes Uicare Peters Successour the higheste Bishop the greatest Priest the moste holie and moste blessed Father to whom aboue all other the keyes of the kyngdom of heauē are committed fo that whatsoeuer he bindeth in yearth is also bounde in heauen and whatsoeuer he looseth in yearth is in like maner loosed in heauen so that whosoeuer cleaueth vnto hym can not perishe but haue life euerlastyng 10 Christe taught vs that whensoeuer wee will desire any thyng of God the Father wee should aske it in his name For no manne commeth to the Father but by hym And in the writynges of the Apostles wee reade that Christe alone is our
also that charitie is the Parent or Mother of faith so that in the matter of iustification charitie goeth before faithe Is not this that Antichriste that shoulde tourne the rootes of Trees upwarde 35 Christe saieth either make the Tree good and his fruit good also or els make the Tree nought and his fruite nought also meanyng that the Tree shoulde bee 〈◊〉 good and thā bring forth good fruit The fruite maketh not the Tree good but the Tree doth make the fruite good although we can not know that the Tree is good but by his fruites For we can iudge nothyng but by his outwarde operation yet God seeth the quickenesse that is in the roote whiche in the tyme that GOD hath appointed hym shall bryng forth his fruite and approueth the Tree to be good although it seemeth dead vnto vs The Tree is faithe whiche is the mother of al good workes and euer worketh by charitie whensoeuer occasion is offered And for this cause is a faithfull man in the Psalmes compared to a Tree planted by the riuers syde which yeldeth and bringeth forth her fruite in her time 36 Christe comaundeth that the poore should bee bidde too dinner and that wee should geue to the needy and so laye vp treasure for our selues in heauen Antichrist sommoneth and citeth them bee they neuer so poore not regardyng their lette and aduersitie but he curseth them if they come not at the time appointed and if they come they go away sorier and sicker both in Soule and Purse then they came 37 Christe teacheth that wee should not sweare at al but that we should vse in our communication to affirme yea and to deny naye For whatsoeuer is more commeth of euill Antichrist saieth if any man will receaue any Office vnder vs hee shall bee sworne before that he will be true faithfull and iuste vnto vs If any manne also haue any thyng to doe in his Courtes he must first of all sweare by God and by the holy Gospell that this or that is true againe that hee shall truely and faithfully aunswere to all suche thynges as shall be required of hym 38 Christ commaunded his Disciples to knowe his Lawe and badde the Iewes searche the Scriptures And Moses exhorted the Israelites to teache the Lawe of God to their young children and that they should haue it bounde as a signe in their handes that it might be euer before their eyes he caused them also to write it on the postes and doores of their houses Antichrist saith it is not meete for the lewde people to knowe the Misteries of Gods woorde but to beleue as Mother holy churche teacheth them without any further inquisition yea he maketh it Heresie and Treason againste Kynges and Princes to knowe Christe or his Lawes He hath digged Cesternes of his owne traditions and hath stopped vp the pure fountaynes of Christes doctrine He can not abyde that the Laity should reade the Scripture least they should perceaue his iuglyng neither can hee suffer that the Scriptures should bee painted either in publique Temples or in priuate houses The blinder the people be the warmer is his Kitchin. 39 Christe taught his disciples on this wise if thy brother trespasse against thee goe and tell hym his faulte betwene hym and thee alone If he heare thee thou hast wonne thy brother But if he heare thee not then take yet with thee one or twoo that in the mouthe of twoo or three witnesses euery matter maie bee stablished If he heare not them tell it vnto the congregation If he heare not the congregation let hym be vnto thee as an Heathen man and as a Publicane Antichriste vseth an other kynde of doctrine For if any offende and displease hym he will straight waies suche is his burnyng charitie caste them into prison there to remaine in hard and cold yrons to make theim to reuoke the truthe contrary to the truthe and contrary to their owne conscience and so at the laste too graunte to his will. But if he bee strong through the Spirite of GOD without whom no man is able to stande in suche a case and will not forsake the truthe then after long and many moste greuous tormentes secretely ministered to those constant and faithfull Martyrs of Christ at the laste he bryngeth foorthe accuseth iudgeth condemneth and in fine deliuereth to the temporall officers as to their Butchers and hangmen to bee burnte at a stake vnto ashes As for that charitable reconciliation that our Sauiour Christ gaue in commaundemente vnto as many as take vpon them to bee his Ministers he vtterly refuseth and will none of it 40 Christe saieth If thou wilte bee perfecte goe and sell all that thou haste and giue it to the poore and thou shalte haue treasure in heauen Antichriste saieth If thou wilte bee perfecte giue me thy money and I will giue thee a Pardon by the vertue whereof thou shalte bee absolued a paena culpa and make thee as cleane as that daie thou were borne Yea I will for thy money giue thee the keyes of heauen gates so that thou shalt enter in without any stop 41 Christ saieth Ye are my freendes if ye do those thinges that I cōmande you Antichriste saieth Ye shall dooe as I commaunde you For I haue power and authoritie to make lawes and after them shall ye liue 42 Christ saieth When ye haue doen al thynges that I haue cōmaunded you yet saie that ye are vnprofitable seruauntes Antichrist saieth Doe those thinges that I commaunde you and take a sure cōscience vnto you that ye are righteous in the sight of God haue deserued heauen yea if you doe all that I commaunde you ye shall not onely haue good workes enough wherewith to saue your selues but also to saue other And these woorkes are called Opera supererogationis As for myself though I doe neuer so wickedly so that through my wicked and leude behauiour I bryng many thousandes with me into damnation yet maie no man rebuke me but call me the mooste holieste Father 43 Christe saieth Whosoeuer breaketh one of the leaste of my commaundementes he shal be called the least in the kyngdome of heauen Antichriste roareth out and saieth What haue I to doe with Christes lawe I am subiecte to no lawes but all lawes are obedient to me and to my power By this meanes Antichrist doeth but seldom right but is alwaie against the right yea and against his owne lawe also as often as menne bryng him money For that loueth he aboue all thynges 44 Christe saieth Blessed are the peace-makers for thei shall bee called the sonnes of God. Antichriste saieth Blessed are they that fight and goe together by the eares for the defence of sainct Peters patrimonie for thei shall bee called the children of our Mother holie Churche 45 Christe saieth Woe bee to you that laugh now for ye shall