Senacherib king of the Assirianes and the most wofull ende of many suche tirannes as they were Now let these suffice to be spoken in the fourth place concernyng Antichristes workes and practices Wherby it appeareth most manifestly as it dothe by the other sayenges that are meÌ„cioned before that the B. of Rome is that notable and mightie houge Antichrist whom God wold haue reuealed in the oracles of his worde by Daniel and the rest of the prophetes Now therfore let vs passe ouer vnto the fifthe special poiÌ„t of that we 5. Antichristes weapones haue in hande that we maye considre with what weapones Antichrist shal obteyne enlarge mayntene his kingdom And these it is necessary for vs to haue skilful knowlage of that we maye the more handsomly beware of them and arme our selues the more strongly against his tirannie For as in feates of warre it is a good piece of the victorie if a man can knowe his enemies weapons put by the strokes euen so the same is specially requisite for vs in this sore fraye of Christ our king And as for the hole furniture and all the weapones wherwith Antichrist dothe bothe defende him self make batail against other the apostle Paule in his seconde epistle to the Thessalonianes comprehendeth them all in fewe wordes sayeng that Antichrist shall come after the working of sataÌ„ with all power and with lyeng signes and wondres and with all deceaueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse In these wordes we must note brethren that the apostle saithe all Antichristes power al his streynght and all his weapones shal be deuillishe so that he teacheth vs that Antichrist shall ordre all his affaires after the working of sathan Therfore if we marke what kynde a thing the what the power of Sathan is power of sathan is we shall also most perfitly perceaue what Antichristes streynght and weapones be And albeit Paules wordes might suffice to make this mater playne yet let vs hear Christ the eternal wisdoÌ„ of God the father speake which talketh thus of sathan the prince of the worlde He was a murtherour from the begynnyng Io. 8. and stode not in the truthe for the truthe is not in him Whan he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his owne for he is a lyer and the father of lies Christ here comprehendeth all the streynght and all the weapones of the deuile in two kyndes murther lyeng By this worde Lyes he vnderstandeth Lieng al that is contrarie to the truthe and also his sleightes his giles his false fraudes and deceaueablenesse aswell in wordes dedes as in miracles doctrine And this terme Murther coÌ„teyneth al wrongful violeÌ„ce Murther al temerarious atteÌ„ptates al the force al the tirannie and all the power that men are violeÌ„tly pressed withal And that these haue ben alwaies that deuilles tooles weapones it is manifest by many examples sence the begynnyng of the worlde For thus he deceaued our furst pareÌ„tes with false ê“mises robbed them of paradise of their blessed state asmuche as in him laye he spoiled theÌ„ also of euerlasting life And afterwarde through murther he made warre bi their furst begoteÌ„ soÌ„ne Cayn against true religioÌ„ the folowers therof euer sithence he hathe shewed him self such a one as his furst frutes hade shewed that he wolde be Now seing the holy goost reporteth that Antichrist shal be armed with the deuilles weapons LyeÌ„g and murther it standeth vs in hande to trye these also to be in the B. of Rome whom scripture they haue for their trinkettes they are not ashamed to saye that they lacke that but they rather heape lies vpon lies and bring out a certain new lyeÌ„g blasphemous glose Tushe saye they al is not coÌ„teined in that scriptures that is necessary for man to obteyne saluacion by As for the autoritie of the holy goost they are not afraide of it which making answer to their blasphemous sayeng speaketh by the apostle S. Paule in plaine wordes All scripture geuen by inspiracion 2. Timo. 3. of God is profitable to teache to reproue to amende and to informe in righteousnesse that the man of God may be hole or perfite prepared to all good workes What can be spoken more clearely more pithily more euideÌ„tly thaÌ„ these wordes be The apostle Paule the chosen instrument of God being endued with the spirit of Christ saieth that all the scripture is inspired of God and that therfore it is profitable and effectuall not only to teache to monishe and amende but to this vse that also the man of God may be hole perfite and fitte to doo all thing that God iudgeth to be good is good in dede Howbeit those most shameles and most lyeng deceauours without reuerence to the autoritie of these wordes wher they dare not denye but the scripture is inspired of God yet they saye it is vnperfite and prate that all thinges are not conteyned in the scripture that man hathe nede of to saluacion and to religion And is God vnperfite O shameles impudencie Shall we cal that vnperfite which is set furth by god through the spirit of truthe and thinke that perfite and absolute which was inueÌ„ted by the rashe reason of man But Note well Paules wordes teache vs a greater mater yet thaÌ„ al this For if the scriptures make a man perfite fitte vnto all good workes than can it not be a good worke that is required hauing Good workes non autoritie of the scriptures to beare it therfore they shall neuer worthily be called good workes which they require besides the autoritte of the scriptures Let these vayne helhoundes lose and ridde them selues out of this knotte if they can But they must nedes fight with lyes the very owne propre weapons of satan that in thus speaking they may both plucke the vnlearned rude coÌ„mon people from the truthe of the scriptures and also to tye them to the licke peny tradicions of mennes deuising Yet to vttre them selues more openly they doo not only set vp these kinde of lies but also they fight with false tokens and lyeng woÌ„ders wherof Paule maketh mencioÌ„ here Christ hath biddeÌ„ vs to beware of theÌ„ For who is it that knoweth not the endles heape of tokens that flyering friers muÌ„myng massepriestes were wont to prate openly of in the papacie For somtyme they feyne that soules appeare make mone vnto them somtyme they declare miracles wrought by ymages somtyme they preache of wonders wrought by the bread God of the aultare infinit suche other trickes they ymagine dayly wherby they maye the more easily cheoppe men downe into the kyngdome of darkenesse hold theÌ„ downe surely whaÌ„ they haue them once ther. Therfore brethren to thintent we be False tokens not begiled herein we must note that ther be false signes wonders that by two maner of false meanes For furst ther are oftentymes signes feyned that are false in dede
might be obteyned with al that the B. of R. is the head the vniuersall bishop of all the churche as he that being successour of Petre the prīce of the apostles Christes vicare hath his sea in the principall churche And bycause this so ambicious and lickepeny lieng glose shoulde not lacke his countrefait colour these arrogaunt sawcy helhoūdes haue brought furth places of scripture violentlye wretchedly wrasted for their purpose And where as we reade that Christe sayd to Petre whan he confessed him to be the sonne of God Thou art Petre and vpon this rocke will I buylde my churche They sayde Christes wordes are thus to be vnderstanden that Christ made Petre the foundacion of hys churche and that al churches are bounden therfore of duetie to be vnder the obedience of Petres successour the B. of Rome Againe wher the Lorde saithe Petre fede my shepe these men haue expounded this worde fede so that they wold nedes haue the autoritie and supremacie of all bishoppes and churches geuen to the B. of Rome as vnto Petres successour They haue also violently wrasted this vnto the same purpose the Christ speaking of the keyes sayth What so euer thow shalt bynde in earthe shal be boūden in heauen and what so euer thow shalt lose on earthe shal be losed in heauen For they saide whom so euer either the B. of Rome him self or any other sacrificeing priest being consecrated by the B. of Romes autoritie assoiled was losed and ridde from the bondes of synnes and contrary wise that vnto whom so euer that maner of absolucion was denyed he was bounden still in the cheynes of synne and in the state of damnacion These toyes I saye and infinite other haue the subtil sleighty marchauntes beaten in to the eares and heartes of the common simple sorte And as sone as these maters beganne once to growe in to credence men beganne also to taste of the B. of Romes power and tirannye For if any mā hade so good a stomacke that he durst set his fote either against the B. of Rome or his he was straightwaies knocked in the head with the thonderbolt of excommunicacion and reputed of all men for a damned and an vndone man and thus the mater growed so farre furthe that euen most mighty emperours began to be afraide of the B. of Romes power For they spared not emperours but shotte of their ordinaunce at them also and commaunded straitly vnder great paynes that no mā should obey those emperours that were excommunicate as it is to see in the chronicles of the greke emperours by the vnworthy falles of the emperours Hēry ye. 4 5. Lewis ye. 4. Friderike ye. 1. 2. And doubtles albeit they did with al diligēt forsight resiste the wicked tirānie of the bishoppes of Rome entred Italie sondry tymes with roiall strong armies droue their enemies the bishoppes of Rome out of the title set others in their rowmes yet all their trauailes were vayne to no purpose nother were they hable to twytche awaye so muche as one heare of the bishoppes cruel violēce nor to pul it vnder any whitte at all For as sone as their backs were once turned departed Italie the bishoppes of Rome came in to the citie again occupied their lost tirannye afreshe and with the thonderclappes of their curse they made the Emperours fayne to be obedient vnto them And the only cause of this mischief was that the B. of Rome was not yet dead in mennes consciences bicause they beleued that he was Christes vicare hade power to lose bynde yea power ouer heauē hel to Therfore the streinght power of emperours was neuer hable to preuaile or bring any thing to passe against the craftye doiges force of the bishoppes of Rome For although emperours thē selues other of their courtes householdes espied the romishe fraudes deceueable wiles wel ynough yet the vulgare people being ignoraūt of al that thought that the B. of Romes decrees ought to be honoured as the lawes of God and bicause they dradde the thonderclappes of his curse as though they hade ben the fearfull sentences of the iudgemēt of God they wold nother meddle nor be of counsail with suche as they sawe knocked downe with the laitbolte of excommunicacion And this the bishoppes of Rome could the easylier bring to passe bicause ther were bishoppes and doctours of churches scatred throughout al the coastes of christendom which set furthe the autoritie of the churche of Rome for apostolike and godly But now let vs speake also of such maters as haue chaūced in our tyme that we maye see how Paul the Apostles prophecie is fulfilled at this daye At such tyme as it pleased God our heauenly and mercifull boūteous father to set his people at libertie which had ben long holden in bondage and to brydle Antichristes tirānie he chosed the small vesselles and such as were of no reputaciō to cōfoūde by thē those thinges that semed most mightie inuincible For two or thre faithful doctours ministres of churches being enlumined with the spirit of God whan they were growne to more perfite knowlage of the scriptures vttred openly the breathe of the Lordes mouthe that is to saye the worde of God and weaponed many a one with the same sharpe strong sweord Thā whā men hade once goten that weapon in their handes to kepe their heades against the craftye wiles of the false prophetes they began to acknowlage Iesus Christ and to beleue that he is the only head of his churche the chief priest and king the sufficient sacrifice for the synnes of the worlde and the only mediatour and aduocate wyth the heauenly father yea and such a one that is neuer absent from his churche and nedeth not the seruice of any vicare in his rowme And in dede the knowlage of these maters dothe also reproue the lies and legier demayne of the B. of Rome to the intēt they might see on the other parte that he is nother the head of the churche nor the high priest and king muche lesse the vicare of Christ our saueour They haue moreouer learned that the Masse is no sacrifice for synnes nor the popishe absolucion is of any autoritie Furthermore those places of scripture which the bishoppes of Rome like most shameles helhoundes hade violētly wickedly and sawcely wrasted were plainly opened in their owne true meanyng whan the light of the truthe was laide to them And out of those places men learned that Petre is not the rocke it self but that he hade his denominacion of Petra that is the rocke whiche he confessed Christ is the Rocke and not Petre. and so they acknowlaged that Christ is the rocke which is the only foundacion of the churche wherupon the churche of faithfull people being surely buylt can not swarue 1. Cor. 3. Men haue learned also that the office of feding signifieth not an empire or a kingdome but
the doctrine and example of Christ and depende holly of it And whan we see that he hathe ê“uided so for his church that he wolde not burthen it with an vnprofitable pompe of ceremonies but contenting him self with a fewe hath appointed only those that myght be sufficient vnto saluacioÌ„ as these almost are the preaching of the worde baptisme the token of regeneracion and the Lordes supper that acceptable remembraunce of the Lordes deathe and of our redempcion And so we contenting our selues also with those same wil thinke that nothing is to be added besydes these nother will we searche any deper yf we wil beleue in him acknowlage him to be our saueour kyng priest and the faythful scholemaister of maÌ„kinde As many therfore as diligently folowe this simple playne doctrine of Christ and the oracles of Goddes worde suffre not them selues to be drawen awaye with other meÌ„nes vaine ymaginacions vnto them this faythfull admonicion of Christ is both holsome and profitable But as many as will not haue their faythe and religion hedged within these bondes but leape ouer the hedge lyke a wylde beast and iudge otherwyse of Christ than is taught in the scriptures and seke saluacion and life elles wher thaÌ„ in Christ our only saueour and also lade the churche with newe ceremonies and with a newe forme of religion they forgette this faithfull admonicion and doo contrary to Christes commaundement goo out and suffre them selues to be seduced not without the present dauÌ„ger bothe of their owne soules and other folkes And therfore I thinke al men may plainly see what the causes are that let vs holde vs backe at this daye that we can not for sake either the knowne truthe and Christ our Lorde or becom papistes and submitte our selues to the B. of Romes doctrine and religion For the commaundement of Christ holdeth vs backe which it wer not only abominable for vs to transgresse but also it is tyed vnto vs with that extreme perile of our soules And I thinke ther is no man so blynde but he seeth that the B of Romes doctrine is such a one that he pulleth awaye suche as folowe his trace with it maketh them to goo out from Christ our only saueour For he speaketh not of Christ as the scriptures purporte For his woÌ„ted maner is to shewe those thiÌ„ges which ar frely geueÌ„ vnto maÌ„kind by Christ alone elles wher yea in other places iÌ„numerable besides christ The B. of Rome reasoneth of religion aswell inwarde as outwarde farre otherwise than Christ did in tymes past He sendeth men to sayntes and pulleth them awaye from the maker of all He hathe brought a coÌ„fused muckeheape and burthen of ceremonies in to the churche a great deale heauier than the leuitical priesthood was wherwith the vnlearned coÌ„mon peoples coÌ„sciences are miserably tormented Moreouer he teacheth meÌ„ to buy those thinges out with golde and siluer that are frely geueÌ„ vs by Christ and that ought to be hade by only faith What nede many wordes he sheweth Christ and the saluacion that Christ hathe wrought in such places as nother Christ nor saluacion is Wyth what heart than and with what conscience shal we be hable to folowe the B. of R. trade seing we heare Christ with plaine wordes an open lowde voice bidde Goo not out Shal we be so hardy than as to passe the bondes of the faithe and religion that Christ hathe prefixed vnto vs God defende vs from that wicked temeritie brethren Though the prince of the worlde rage though his vicare and minister the B. of Rome stampe and stare though princes that are stered vp by their driftes playe the deuil though Cardinalles patriarkes bishoppes prelates abbottes prouostes deanes suffraganes monkes chanones friers and all the hole rable of sacrificeing massemongers and religious persones of bothe sexes renne out of their wittes for angre and though men crye euery where CouÌ„sailes Counsailes yea though the couÌ„sailes blowe and blustre lighten and thondre neuer so thicke yet that one only sayeng ought to be of more autoritie with vs than that we should be afraide of al the mennes streinghtes power and policie in all the wide worlde and for drede of them to goo out from Christ contrary to Christes commaundement For Christ is that king of glorie the most victorious triumphaunt Emperour that holy sacred Maiestie that is mightie in dede in whose sight all knees ought to bowe For he shall beate his prowde scornefull stubburne enemies in pieces with his yron rodde make theÌ„ a fotestole for hym to treade vpoÌ„ vnder his fete Let vs now steppe ouer vnto the other The wil of God is our Sanctificacion chief point of Goddes will which Paule in his 1. Thessa 4. expoundeth on this wyse This is the will of God euen your sanctificacion or holynesse that you should absteine froÌ„ hooredome that euery one of you should knowe howe to possesse his vessell wyth holynesse and honour not wyth the luste of concupiscence as the heatheÌ„ do whiche knowe not God Here O you Romishe rufflers and moste shameles papistes lende me your eares a litel You I saye that go about to bring the faythe in Christ and the holy sacred doctrine of the gospelles truthe into slaunder hatred vnder pretense as though it neuer required good workes but reiected and forbade them as vnprofitable and superfluous For where we ascribe all the glorie of our redempcion and saluacion to Christ alone and attribute nothing vnto your workes and merites by and by ye burst out in a great rage and crye that we damne al good workes and open a wyndowe for meÌ„ to committe al wickednesse But how falsely how wickedly how vnaduisedly how shamelessi ye doo this learne it not of vs whom ye hate already before hande but of Paule the Apostle that chosen instrument of Christ our saueour For albeit he dothe euery where harpe and beate vpon this one thing that men shoulde knowe they are saued by Iesus Christ and confesseth also with playne wordes that he knoweth nothing elles saue Iesus Christ that he was crucified yet he saieth not that good worckes are eyther vnprofitable or suê‘fluous nor biddeth men folowe the lust the synful affections of their owne fleshe nother doth he appoynt suche a faythe as maye make men to synne carelesly as these wicked blasphemous antichristian Papistes coÌ„clude But this sayeth he is the wyl of God euen your holynesse For seyng Christ Iesus hathe washed vs wyth his owne blood and saÌ„ctified vs and made vs the temples of his spirite the apostle wold haue vs to be after such sorte that we contynue stil in this sanctificacion or holynesse and not defile our selues wyth the filthinesse of synnes And for that cause he maketh mencion of hooredome most chiefly in this place bicause the hooremonger vnhaloweth that holy sacred temple most specially in synnyng against his owne body yet vnder the name of hooredome he will
what so euer is committed what Synne is against the will of God the heaueÌ„ly father and the autoritie of his holy worde either concerning faithe and religion or concerning the office of charitie either yet concerning the innocencie and purenesse of life For in these three specialties the hole life of a faithfull christen man and what so euer be customly required therunto are comprehended And if we wold a litel more diligently more narowly marke the hole papacie wyth his head membres we shall fynde them to be suche as ought worthyly to be called most filthyly polluted men wyth synnes and euen the very right Men of synne For as touching the faithe and religion which is obserued and set furthe in the papacie it is euidently apparent to be cleane contrary vnto the true and right faithe and religioÌ„ seing it was not taken out of the regestre of the holy sacred scripture wherout the doctrine of all faithe and religion ought to be taken of which mater we shal more fully treate whaÌ„ we com to the exposicion of the thrid title To be brief albeit we wold graunt them in this behalfe that coÌ„cerning the doctrine of their faithe religion all thinges were pure and set furthe according to the sentence of Goddes worde yet it can in no wise be denyed that the popes and their complices doo greuously offende coÌ„cerning the same if we doo considre the abominable sinne of Symonie by Symony the which they do so many robberies one vpoÌ„ an other wyth suche shamelesnesse gredinesse in those maters of God For we se theÌ„ come at lenght to so highe wickednesse by the shameles practise of symonie that they bestowe not only benefices and the rentes of Colleges and Monasteries and other suche like goodes of the church to the possessioÌ„ of most vnworthy persones that is to wete of suche as be of counsail of theyr viciousnesse messagiers coll cariers bawdes horse kepers mule dryuers cokes infinite others beyng nother of honest coÌ„uersacion nor good learnyng and all for money or elles for priuate fauour or auauÌ„tage but also set a sale and offre to be bought for euery mannes money the holy sacred gyftes of the holy Goost remission of synnes the grace of God the heauenly father the communion of the sacramentes the lauer of Baptisme yea and their owne God made of bread wyth the kingdome of heauens and euerlasting blesse and that with suche shamelesnesse that their owne most gredy chapmen brokers are not ashamed with a loud a shoutig voice to praise their wares and to require for the same al maner of money whether it were goteÌ„ in warres or by thefte or by rauine or yet by bloodsheading For they haue called the pelfe goten wyth these craftes no lesse holy than other is if they be all shuffled together Yet all men knowe euen as many as are madded wyth their supersticion and haue thought good to buye their wares that I feyne not these maters either of enuye or malice but euen the truthe of the mater it selfe is more cleare than nedeth any further declaracion in this bebalfe What shall we thaÌ„ saye in this case welbeloued brethren in Christ Must we not nedes confesse that they which haue done suche thinges were in that chief and principal point of al the hole life touching faithe and religion very wretches in all thinges playnly blynded men of synne For furst wyth most arrogaunt temeritie they haue taken vpon them selues the thinges that they neuer hade nor were deliuered to them of Christ Iesu that is to saye remission of sinnes the grace of God the kingdome of heauens and euerlastyng lyfe and blessednesse All which thynges the hole scripture teacheth were redemed with nothing elles but with the precious blood of Iesu Christ alone ThaÌ„ making sale of the giftes of the holy goost they made of the temple of God not the house of prayer but a certayn marte yea euen a tauerne of cheopping and chaunging Thirdely they haue made all religion to be a cloke of naughtynesse and iniquitie vnder which cloke euery body might frely entreprise and doo what so euer he wolde For might not a man vnder this false shewe of religion not only wythout punyshement but also no maÌ„ sayeng wrong he did be an horemongre breake wedlocke be a rybaulde haunt naughty games sportes be dronkeÌ„ fight robbe steale oppresse Christes poore seruauntes sheade innoceÌ„t blood finally to doo all mychief with sweorde and fyre Might not a man that were burthened ouerlayde with all these vices be made free clensed out of hande assone as a sacrificeing hyred priest hade saide masse for him or hade goteÌ„ him assoiled for money The sayeng therfore of Christ our king and priest ought rightefully and according to their owne desertes to be thondred in their eares My house shal be called a house of prayer but you haue made it a denne of theues Among these we Math. 21. maye recken the pilling and rauine that they vse openlye wyth to muche shamelesnesse For the moste rauenyng marchauntes are not content to haue spoiled men of their goodes while they were alyue but they go about to robbe and pille mennes heires their wyues and children also whan they are deade and in another lyfe For to this ende they haue ymagined trentalles sacrifices of Massing for the dead anniuersaries and infinite suche like and vnto them men must nedes either bequeath perpetuall rentes and reuenues in their testament vpon their death bedde or elles their heires must prouide and geue them And what a thing is this elles but the same that Christ obiecteth to the Scribes and Pharisees of the Iewes where he sayeth that they deuoured and robbed poore folkes and wydowes houses vnder pretence of long prayer And who is it that shal in this case acquite them from synne and trespace seyng they bewray them selues by their owne dedes yea and euen by the testimonye of their owne mouthe to be theues and sacrileges For yf the pardon bulles which they offre to sell for large money to men whaÌ„ they were yet lyuyng were sufficient for remission of synnes as they make boast of what nede is it to buye it dayly afreshe wyth newe sacrifices for them whaÌ„ they be dead And forasmuche as they saye men haue nede of this ware that dead mennes soules can not be delyuered wythout them they doo verily shewe themselues to be deceauours in that they deceatfully fraudulently wyped their money from them whaÌ„ they were alyue promisyng perfite remission of synnes whych they them selues saye afterwarde is vnperfite and hath nede of moo and that newe wares To be shorte the B. of Rome is the autor and inuentour of al this gaire with his mysterie workers of his owne religion which haue plaÌ„ted the sedes of suê‘sticioÌ„ that he hath sowed after a woÌ„derful ymaginacion of feynyng and lyeng And therfore we will saye that this furst title that Paule decketh
coÌ„trary purposes setteth his delyte to haue a do with them that be of the most wealthy the most myghty astates He playeth he baÌ„ketteth he kepeth all maner of voluptuous cheare with the most delicate companies of the most fyne meÌ„ Besydes this least his statelynesse rufflyng riote yea aboue the ryote of Siracuse should bring him into pouertie at any tyme his custome is either by false countrefaicte supersticion or elles by open force armes to get the rychesse of al nacions into his owne handes Christ whaÌ„ the people wolde haue geuen him the title crowne to haue Ioh. 19. ben a King fledde away mynding so to auoyd that honour said with plaine purposed wordes that his kingdom was not of this world But the b. of R. chaleÌ„geth to him selfe the title of a King wickedly coueteth the kingdome that is of this worlde and to that purpose he hathe alwaies applied him selfe with all his forcast and wyth al the powers bothe of his witte and of his bodie vntill he became not aboue kinges only but also aboue emperours and made them fayne perforce to fall downe like an houÌ„de kisse his fete Yea he boasteth him selfe to be heire of the empire if an emperour dye as ye shall fynde ClemeÌ„tines the 2. boke the 11. title and 2. chaptre Christ vsed a more diligent studie to excute his fathers will which he was seÌ„t for thaÌ„ to promote encreace such as were his kinsfolkes as coÌ„cerning the fleshe with worldly wealthe and honours But the B. of Rome studie forcaste for the most parte how they maye endue suche as be either their kinsfolkes or their alliauÌ„ce or elles their bastardes with greatest pleintie of richesse to aduauÌ„ce them to the most high honours And that they maye that more easily bring that to passe they vse many tymes to put awaye the treasures of the churche which they call with to muche shamelesnesse S. Petres patrimonie to bestowe them vpon their owne frendes Which thing like as many other haue in tymes past done eueÌ„ so is our Paule the thrid not afrayd also to do the like opeÌ„ly wtout blushing Christ was coÌ„tet to submitte hiÌ„ self to the autoritie lawes of the laufull magistrate payed with a good will the reuenues of the taxes tributes being asked of others he taught that those were due to theÌ„ Matth. 17. 22. But the B. of Rome thinking to ê“uide better for him al his hathe forged a certain immunitie for the churche which maketh al those that are marked with his marke free froÌ„ al lauful publike burtheÌ„s setteth theÌ„ in suche case that sence they owe naught to no maÌ„ they geue theÌ„selues to do what they lust serue their bely vicious carnalitie wherin the meane while al meÌ„ aswel magistrates as subiectes are occupied busy how they maye with their sweat substauÌ„ce vpholde mayntene those most holy fathers intentes Christ led a life al together geueÌ„ to the notable Matth. 11. studie of al peace softenesse coÌ„meÌ„ded the same vertues to vs also But the B. of Rome is fearre swelling rageing in malice desire of reueÌ„gemet He passeth not also to moue horrible batailes to set al folkes together by the eares amoÌ„g theÌ„ selues for light tryfling causes which thing they haue so shamelesly practiced these v. hundred yeares euen vnto our tymes that it nedeth no further declaracion Christ led an innoceÌ„t a blameles Io. 8. Matth 26 an vnreprouerable life so as his enemies could nother fynd nor ymagine any thing worthie of deathe in him for al the lies that the false witnesse made But the B. of Rome being most farre of froÌ„ this studie of innoceÌ„cie is the maÌ„ of synne drowned in synne geueÌ„ in al thiÌ„ges to al kynd of vicious liuing as I haue alredy declared Christ toke to be his disciples suche as were poore Matth. 4. 1. Cor. 1. vile of no reputacioÌ„ meÌ„ of simple witte But the childe of this world the B. of Rome mynding to seme wyser in his generacioÌ„ choseth men out of the most noble houses of Italie FrauÌ„ce Spayne other naciones to be Bishoppes Cardinalles to thinteÌ„t being afterwarde supported by their autoritie fauour he might not nede to passe vpoÌ„ his enemies threattes and mightie powers Christ seÌ„t out his disciples to preache the Gospell But the Matth. 10 28. B. of Rome suffreth none of his to go any whidre froÌ„ him but loueth to be waited vpoÌ„ with their preseÌ„ce rufling or if he send out any he biddeth them not preache the gospell nor teache faith to wynne some to Christ but with their false wyles fraudes lyes deceates to begyle princes the people to stere vp hurly burlies ciuile mocions of warres Christ was diligeÌ„t to care for his shepe vsed the office of a most Io. 10. faithfull shepeherde in that he fedde theÌ„ taught theÌ„ continually But the B. of Rome being geueÌ„ to the wealthe of richesse delicacies pilleth of the shepes wolle yea the skynnes the fleshe to as for fediÌ„g of theÌ„ he maketh litel mater Christ neuer enforced any man vnwillingly to cleaue either to him or to Luce. 9. Matth. 26 his doctrine nor coÌ„pelled euer any maÌ„ by violeÌ„ce to grauÌ„t on his syde but with freÌ„dely faithful teaching he studied to moue the heartes of meÌ„ But the B. of Rome as a right warlike emperour yea like a yong Salmoneus rather and as a newe countrefaicte Iupiter shaketh the thondre of excomunicacion the thonderbolt of cursing externe gonneshote also and weapones at all men as many as goo about to slyppe from his doctrine and supersticion as the horrible vproare of this present warring dothe most euidently proue it Christ sent out such Apostles to preache the gospel as were most readyly Act. 2. instructe in the ample large giftes of the holy goost in the vnderstanding of tongues in the knowlage of the scriptures But the B. of Rome not caring for the prouision of Christes shepe but mynding to gratifie his owne secte folowers committeth the cure of the congregacions almost to none but to his Curtisanes bawdes cokes huÌ„tors and mule dryuers which though they be cleane voide of all maner of learning bothe diuine prophane yet they are connyngly skilled in abominable sciences lecherous lustes corrupt filthye maners Christ hauing coÌ„flicte with sathan his enemie wonne not the victorie with the Matth. 4. weapones of this worlde but with the sweord of the spirite the worde of God But the Bishop of Rome mystrusting Christ setteth vpoÌ„ his enemies wyth worldly weapones conspiracies treasones robberies poysonynges also wyth sweorde and fire Christ our Lorde oftentymes seing Matth. 6. Luc. 19. the dispersed shepe of the house of Israel and pitieng them euen from the botome of his heart wepte ouer their
they sawe more diligent to serue their lust pryde Anone by their violence they inuaded the most noble most valeauÌ„t kingdome of the LuÌ„bardes in Italie gaue not ouer til they perceaued it also ouerthrowne the streynghtes of it al to clattred And thus they haue in dede atteyned their power by ouerthrowing of three kyngdomes so that at leynght whaÌ„ they had trodeÌ„ the empire vnder their fete to they might abuse the emperours to what purpose they wil euen at their owne pleasure Two of those thynges now which were ê“pounded we haue hitherto with euideÌ„t exposicion declared Furst that Rome is the seate of Antichrist thaÌ„ the the B. of Rome is figured by the litel horne that Daniel maketh mencioÌ„ of that he is very Antichrist And the residue shal be treated of in the homilies folowing Here now it shal staÌ„de vs in haÌ„de welbeloued brethreÌ„ in Christ to considre throughly the beginnynges of popes of their kyngdome For lyke as they haue atteyned their kingdome with wiles falsehead treasones oppressing of good Princes euen so shal they deuise with the same craftes to vpholde their kingdoÌ„ glorie power to their successours also An euident vnfailing token of this mater this present tragedie declareth vnto vs wherby through their forcastes and mocions they stere vp the most myghty princes and most valeauÌ„t people to take weapoÌ„ in hande against Christ the most highe king priest In this case therfore we had nede to vse singular diligeÌ„ce for cast brethreÌ„ that we haue respect only to the wordes of Christ folowe the rule of theÌ„ also to make the eares of God weary with coÌ„tinual praiers neuer ceassing to desire him that he wolde vouchesafe to defeÌ„de vs with his owne fatherly succour to deliuer vs froÌ„ the tyraÌ„ny of Antichrist to burst his horne power And on the coÌ„trary parte to set vp aduauÌ„ce the horne kingdoÌ„ of his soÌ„ne that we may serue him in faith charitie vprightenesse of life at leynght to liue to reigne with him for euer euer Amen The .iij. Homilie In this third Homilie is described Antichristes persone what his propretie is and by what markes he may be lightly knowne LIke as in maters of warre it is not only profitable but also necessarie for vs throughly and fully to knowe bothe our enemye his weapons his politike wiles also and embushementes his deuises and forcastes so as they maye the more easyly be auoided and repulsed wyth like power and discrete aduisement euen so is the same knowlage as muche necessarie in all the continue of our life In the discourse wherof we must abyde a certain perpetuall and alwaies contynuyng warfare by the helping mayntenaunce of our most high emperour our Lorde Iesu Christ which biddeth vs not set vpon any carnall mortall enemie but commaundeth those that are his appointed men of warre to be armed against the spirituall aduersaries of our saluacion Ephe. 6. as the apostle Paule saithe against the Lordes of this worlde the rulers of the darkenesse of this worlde yea rather against the Deuil him selfe that olde and mightie serpent whose subtiltie is infinite and his wyles innumerable which also hathe the cast to transforme him selfe in to euery facion and to counterfaicte euen the angel of light But althoughe that common enemie of our saluacion layeth embushes for vs wyth wonderfull sondry his politike wylie prankes but aboue all other specially wyth the iuggling deceates of false doctrine yet hathe he for all that som chief guyde and emperour of his armies whoÌ„ he hathe most throughly instructed in al his streynghtes in all his power wyles fraudes deceates and all the knackes that he hathe to destroye maÌ„kynde wythall This man the holy scriptures set furthe in many places by the name figure of Antichrist forsomuche as being in all thinges contrary and against our Lorde and saueour Iesus Christ who is become vnto vs of God 1. Cor. 1. the heauenly father wisedom righteousnesse sanctificacion and redempcion he maketh warre against him and draweth awaye vs whom Christ hathe redemed wyth his blood from his companye seruice and partaking of saluacion It is therfore necessary for vs to marke diligently to espie out this felowe and it is conuenient for vs also to geue the eies of our heartes attentyuely vnto this purpose especially the worlde that now is to thintent we maye be hable to knowe out of the scriptures bothe him and all his wyles and to beware of him that he begyle vs not And as for this knowlage it may fully and lightly be perceaued of the twoo places of scripture which I lately brought furthe of the most excellent Prophet Daniel and the Apostle Paule which paynt out Antichristes visnomye vnto vs wyth suche lyght and euidence that all the hole mater of him might be comprehended in six chaptres or proposicions And therfore I haue lately expounded two the furst by the which we are taught that he shall spring vp place his seate and reigne at Rome And ther wyth also it is shewed by what meanes deceates subtilties treasons and wicked deuises he shall come to and obteyne his kingdome All which thinges verily are set furthe wyth suche light as it is declared wyth sufficieÌ„t playnesse that they are fulfilled by the bishop of Rome which ought to be takeÌ„ for that very principal and mightie houge Antichrist after the same sorte as they were in tymes past spoken of before by the prophetes and Apostles Now the next is that we steppe ouer to the thrid place of the mater we are in hande wythall Wherin the The. 3. Antichristes persone persone of Antichrist his nature disposicion maners and all his propreties wherby he maye be knowne are described These are written by Paule the Apostle who in that place which we haue before rehearsed dothe workemanly paynt out all the hole face of Antichrist wyth foure names or titles as it were wyth certain lyuely colours And the furst title that he decketh him wythall is that he nameth him The man of Synne the man of Synne This forme of speaking smelleth the Hebrue phrase and wanteth not in this behalfe the expresse significatioÌ„ of the thing that is intended in that he calleth him not after a simple maner A synfull maÌ„ or a wicked or an vngracious man but the Man of synne or the man of wickednesse mynding this wise to speake of a certain greater thing that is to saye euen the same thing that the seruauÌ„t and slaue of synne is and as he that is addicte al together to the lawes of synne in al the hole discourse of his life To be shorte to thintent we maye fully vnderstande the meanyng of this title and that we maye see wythall whether this same title doo agree fittly wyth the bishop of Rome we must marke anon furst of all what the scripture purporteth in this worde Synne Holy writours call it synne