and Mâ—gog of which I purpose not to speâ—kâ— in thâ— treatise FINIS TO AS MANY AS CALL THEMSELVES CATHOLIKES AND FOLLOW THE Church of Rome and yet doe desire to know and embrace the truth WE see and lament that the multitude of those which doe beare the name of Christians is distracted into many different and contrary opinions yeâ—â—is there none of the factions which pretendeth not that he hath the onely right way Against this multiplicity ariseth the word of God which doth constantly affirme that Ephes 4 4.5.6 there is but one God one faith c. So that though 1. Cor. 9.24 many runne at the price yet but one obtaineth it The great Question is among vs all which side hath the true God and true faith and who shall get the price In this contention none are so feruent as they who call themselues Catholikes and follow the Church of Rome and they who are called Protestants and haue departed from the Church of Rome In so great opposition it is certaine both parties are not right Wherefore you that follow Rome yet loue the truth consider with me a little how we may be satisfied which of vs is out of the way and thinke no scorne to turne into the right path when we haue found it As for the rest whom Antichrist hath deluded to stoppe their eares like deafe Adders against good counsaile and to open their mouthes to blasphemie so that they crie all is but lyes before they heare or reade a letter as God hath prouided no sacrifice for their wilfull sinne so I leaue them to him that â— Cor. 5.13 iudgeth them that are without It is confessed of vs all that our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ had the truth and that he sent his Apostles abroad to preach the same which they did in their sermone and deliuered in their writings Now it remaineth to be required whether the Doctrine by them taught and recorded in the scriptures be the onely eternal and immutable truth or no Or that the Church may in time deuise more to bee added thereto other differing from it or some contrary vnto it of like authoritie and reuerence As for the Protestants they bind themselues to the written Word as a sufficient Canon to walke by acknowledging it to be Reuel 19.16 the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Church of Rome will not be so straighted nor so subiect but wil assume she goeth right when she walketh by her Traditions which change with the times as appeareth by their seueral and opposite decrees and institutions So that she thinketh her selfe neuer out whatsoeuer she doth in abolishing the former and in deuising and inioyning such new articles as the godly in the primitiue Church neuer knew nor their fathers before them vnto which also she holdeth all men are to be subiect on paine of damnation For the decision of this great question because it is obiected to the parties themselues that they doe not pursue their arguments with that patience as is required at the hands of Christians let vs commit the moderation to such as we all agree were both truly Christians which was the Act. first name that the Disciples were called by and truelie Catholikes which was the next title they tooke Namely Athanasius and his fellowes who though they spake in another case yet it appeareth by the waight of their arguments they would speake of our Question were they at our Conference in the same sort as they did at Ariâ—â—â—â— Let vs see to which of our parties their censure were most proper if the names of the persons which they speake of were changed into the persons of our Question Their speech is recorded by Socrat. lib. 2. cap. 29. When Vrsacius and Valent had read a confession of the faith dissenting from the Nicâ—â—â— Creede as the Papists doe from the faith and doctrine of the word of God published in the raigne of Constantius Flauius and Eusebius being Consuls as that of the Papists is instituted by diuers Popes the Catholikes that disliked it rose vp and said as we also say to the Papists We came not together with you because we were destitute of faith for wee keepe that wholy which wee receiued from the beginning but that if any did attempt any new thing of that matter we might resist him AThanasius who especially disliked this innouation wrote vnto his friends almost in these words which with changing but the names of the persons whom hee nameth and are put in the margent to the Papists will be thus What I pray you was wanting in the Catholike Church vnto the doctrine of godlines that now they should enquire of the faith and should by name prefix the Consuls Popes and Councels Which were in this present time before the words which forsooth they haue set downe of the faith For the Vrsatius Valens Germanius Popish writers haue done that which was neuer done nor heard among christians For where they wrote the things which they thought were to be beleeued they haue written Consuls the Popes Councels and places moneth and lastly the day that it might be manifest to all wise men that their faith had no beginning before the beginning of the raigne of Constantius such Popes and Councels yea that which is more all of them hauing regard vnto their owne heresie haue committed their owne sentences to writing Moreouer when they pretend to write of the doctrine of the Lord they haue named another for their Lord namely Constantius the Pope For he hath opened vnto them a window vnto all their impiety And when as they did denie the word of the Sonne of God to be eternall for so farre were these enemies of Christ cast into wickednesse they haue named the Emperor decrees of the Popes to be eternall But perchance they catch an occasion to name the Consuls Popes and Councels by the example of the holy Prophets who do set downe the time in which they liued But if they shall dare to affirme so they shall exceedingly bewray their folly For albeit there be mention of the times in the prophecies of holy men as in Esaiah and Hosea which were in the daies of Ozias and Ioatham Achaz and Ezechias as in the prophecie of Ieremie who liued in the dayes of Iesias as in the prophecies of Ezechiel and Daniel who flourished when Cyrus and Darius did raigne and lastly as in other Prophets which prophecied in other times yet doe none of them lay any first foundation of pietie and holy religion For it was before their times and alwaies and before the framing of the world which God by Christ hath prepared for vs. And as for the times in which their faith began they did not designe for before those times themselues were faithfull but those were the times of the promise pronounced by them And the promise doth especially concerne the incarnation of our Sauiour That which was annexed thereunto did clearely demonstrate those things which should befall
yeere So did Danie But especially Iohn hus and Ierom of Prage e Geneb p. 1109 Elias Leuita a Iew publisheth his Hebrue Grāmar to the great benefit of Christians Luther f Par. Vrsp p. 447. writeth to the Pope of indulgences Ann. 1518. complaining that the pardon-preachers to the scandall and mockerie of the Ecclesiasticall power and blasphemie of God did write and preach with insatiable couetousnesse the like whereof was neuer heard of before requiring the confessors by oth to enioyne them that confesse to them to buy their pardons terrifying all men with the name of the Pope threatning fire and the reproch of heresie to them that refused to buie their pardons He shewed that with his schedule of articles which he had set vp he onely purposed to prouoke the learned to disputations That it seemed miraculous to him that his propositions were so soone gone abroade as vpon a white horse posted in all the earth That against his will he made himself so publike that he could not recall his propositions a Par. Vrsp p. 448. Hee also answered a dialogue of Siluester Pierius teaching that b 1. Thess 5. All things are to be tryed c Galat. 1. an Angell must teach no other doctrine Fathers may erro and concludeth thus Let opinions remaine opinions and no burthens to the Church Opinions may not be equall to scripture Let the diuines be ashamed of these and such like speeches which they bolt out Thus would I speak in schooles but yet doe not tel any bodie it cānot be prooued by scripture c. Luther before the Legate a Cardinall d Par. Vrs p. 449. iustifieth his doctrine Wherefore the Pope citeth Luther to Rome and commandeth the Princes to deliuer him prisoner to the Legate excommunicating and accursing all Princes and interdicting their landes which would not bee assistant excepting none but the Emperour and giuing plenarie indulgences to them that obeyed e Mass 20. p. 273. Luther appealeth from the Pope not well informed to the Pope to be better informed and after that to a general Councell f Nou. Orb. Cortesius discouereth to the south By g Peuc 5. f. 266. b. Luthers bookes and sermons when godly men in monasteries did heare that idols were to be fled from they according to the commaundement h cap. 18.4 Come out of her my people and be not partakers of her sinnes c began to depart from that wicked seruitude and so were the monasteries left emptie i Par. Vrs 250. c. Anno 1520. There was a disputation of the Popes authoritie c at Lipsia Luther auoucheth his articles which were condemned by the Popes bull k 454. 455. and wrote against the three fortifications of poperie which are 1. The ciuill Magistrate hath no power ouer the spirituall but the spirituall Magistrate hath power ouer the ciuill 2. If they be vrged with scripture they say None can expound the scripture but the Pope c. 3. If they be vrged with a Councell they faigne that none can call a Councell but the Pope c. Erasmus writeth to the Archbishop of Mogunce of Luthers cause saying that the Monkes and Diuines doe condemne the things in Luthers bookes for heresie which in the bookes of Bernard and Augustine are read as true and godly c. They were heretofore heretikes that dissented from the Euangelists and from the Articles of faith c. Now if any dissent from Thomas hee is an heretike Whatsoeuer pleaseth them not what they vnderstand not is heresie to vnderstand Greeke to speake good Latine is heresie with them The * Buchol Ann. 1520. Geneb 1106. diuines of Louane and Colen doe adiudge many of Luthers bookes to the fire to be burned which the same yeere by the commaundement of the Pope and Charles the Emperor was done in Germany a Mass 20. p. 273. Luther at Wittenberge openly burneth the Popes lawes the decretals and decrees with the Popes bull saying b cap. 18.6 I haue done to them as they haue done to me rewarding her as she hath rewarded me c Buchol c. 1521. Luther among other bookes which hee published wrote an exhortation to the nobilitie of Germany of the reformation of the Christian affaires Luther answereth before the Emperour at Wormes where the Emperour proscribed him d Geneb 1110. This yeere began that long and bloudie warre betweene Charles the Emperour and Francis the French King both Papists and this lasted 38. yeres Thou e cap. 16.5.6 Geneb p. 11 10. Lord hast giuen them blood to drinke because they killed thy Saints f Par. Vrs p. 457. Ignatius Layolo a Spaniarde began the order af the fellowship of Iesus and Luthers bookes are burned at Antwerpe and Gant Pope Leo died as it was thought by poison And now is powred forth the fifth Phiall The fifth Phiall Henceforth to the former foure Plagues the fifth Angell powreth out the plague which he was to inflict g cap. 16.10 And the fifth Angell powred out his Phiall vpon the throne of the beast that popish Antichrist and the wonted glorious administration of his kingdome waxed darke and obscured being regarded euery day lesse then other Wherefore the Gentiles the Papists are angrie and gnaw their tongues for sorrow and griefe Yea whereas the Lord plagued them also by the other Phials a cap. 16.11 1521. they blasphemed the God of heauen for their paines and for their plague sores and repented not of their workes but became as cruell proud couetous and euery way as wicked as before though they saw their sinnes The Complement When b Eucholce the Emperor had proscribed Luther c Slei lan 1. f. 18. a. Fridericus the Elector of Saxonie consulted with Erasmus about the doctrine of Luther and standing at the glassie sea mingled with fire protested to despise all dangers for the truth Beeing satisfied by Erasmus that Luther had the truth hee committed Luther to certain Nobles whom he trusted to bring him safe to a castle where he might be vnknowne d cap. 16.10 Thus was the kingdome of the popish beast obscured Here Luther wrot many bookes and calleth the place his Patmos or wildernesse so that in him e cap. 10.11 S. Iohn doth preach againe Ann. 1522. Adrian f Par. Vrsp p. 458. the sixt acknowledging the faults of his time attempteth reformation at Rome g Lanquet ann 1522. Hee sent his letters to the Councell at Argentine charging them to see that none of Luthers bookes were printed and that they which were alreadie printed should bee burned Hee also by his Bull required Fridericke the Elector of Saxonie to maintaine the Church of Rome and by his Legate hee commanded the Princes of Germanie Lanquet anno 1523. assembled at Norimberge to proceed against Luther and his fellowes as against men alreadie heard and condemned Howbeit because the Phiall was powred on
Cant. 6.11 My soule hath set me in the chariots of my noble people From my poore house at Halton-Holgate Your Lordships in all dutie and good affection most humble William Symonds TO THE CHRISTIAN READER DEare Christian Reader As the Prophet Esay in a case not altogether different so may I iustly exclaime Esai 53.1 VVho will beleeue our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed In the Old Testament the Prophets foretold of MESSIAS describing the time place and manner of his birth life passion death resurrection and ascension and foreshewing that the Builders or chiefe Rulers of the Church should refuse him being the head corner stone The learned Priests Pharisies and Princes of the Iewes read and studied these Prophecies hauing as good meanes for vnderstanding them in all likelihood as wit and learning could affoord and yet as the Apostle saith they fulfilled the voyces of the Prophets by putting Christ to death And why they were worldly minded proud ambicious Act. 3.18 and puffed vp with the opinion of their owne knowledge they had corrupted the truth with their owne deuices and in their blinde imagination framed vnto thēselues such a Messias that when the true Christ was come they could not know him they expected a great Monarch that should restore vnto them their earthly kingdome and the pleasures of the world meane while they crucified the true Sauiour and fulfilled all things that were written of him Onely a few fisher-men and certaine poore and abiect women followed Christ and beleeued in him Psal 25.14 for the secret of the Lord vvas reuealed to them that feared him In the New Testament in like manner Christ and his Apostles foreshew the comming of the Great ANTICHRIST they paint him out in his colours what manner of one he should be declaring the time place and manner of his birth life tyrannie pride ruine and condemnation and shewing that such as make greatest shew to the contrarie should be the chiefest actors in this tragedie The Pope his Cardinals his great Prelats and Doctors of all sorts reade and studie these Scriptures and are to a naturall mans conceit as likely to attaine the true sense of them as any other they talke much of the comming of this Monster and yet themselues play all the parts in this Tragedie And why so they are as proud as the Pharisies selfe-louers ambicious they haue corrupted the holy Scriptures with the leuen of their owne doctrine they haue their fabulous inuentions touching Antichrist so that they cannot know him They looke for an indiuiduall Tyrant a Jew borne of the Tribe of Dan who shall raigne but three yeeres and a halfe in Ierusalem and worke I know not what wonders meane time themselues indeede are that true Antichrist and haue almost fulfilled whatsoeuer is written of him O Lord hovv vnsearchable are thy iudgements that hast sent them strong delusion Rom. 11.33 2. Thess 2.11.12 Reuel 3.10 that they should beleeue lies That all they might be damned vvhich beleeue not the truth Onely a few poore and contemned people vvhich haue kept the vvord of patience haue been deliuered from that houre of temptation The Papists wonder at our confidence in this point and thinke the Reuelation to be so mystical that no certainty can be concluded thence But we wish them Reuel 1.3 Matth. 24.15 if euer they will enioy the blessing promised vnto the reader of that Booke that once againe they would reade and consider then happily may they learne that those things are hid from carnall and wicked men Reuel 1.1 Coloss 1.26.27 which are shevved vnto the Saints and seruants of God whereupon they may accuse their owne blindnes and examine whether themselues be the seruants of God that see not the hidden mysteries reuealed vnto the Saints and cease to make their grosse vnderstanding the rule and square of other mens knowledge For my owne part what elsewhere I haue written concerning the certaintie of my knovvledge herein I am so farre from acknowledging to be rashly spoken as that I thanke God euery day I am more and more confirmed therein as by sundrie other meanes so especially by reading this ensuing-Tractate and often conference with the Author thereof my louing friend of whose holy life graue and moderate cariage painfulnes in his ministerie manifold learning and rare vnderstanding of Propheticall Scriptures I shall not neede to speake any thing here least I be thought too partiall N B. only for thy sake Christian Reader I willingly acknowledge that I haue profited and learned more by reading one sheere of this GOLDEN-BOOKE than euer I could by all the Interpreters that I read on the Reuelation as thou maist also do if thou wilt vouchsafe attentiuely to reade ouer but the Authors Preface only with a single eye and docile minde The Lord direct all thy studies to the glorie of his holy name and thy owne soules health Farewell Thine euer in the Lord Gabriel Powel THE PREFACE OR INTRODVCTION WHEREIN THE AVTHOR DOTH HVMBLY SVBMIT THESE his labours vnto the godly and most iudicious censure of the right Reuerend Father in God RICHARD VAVGHAN Doctor of Diuinitie and Lord Bishop of London his very honourable good Lord. HOnorable and right reuerend Father as the mercie of God hath alvvaies abounded towards his Church in giuing her Propheticall Scriptures as a light that shineth in a darke place so verie seldome haue there been wanting godly Prophets who by diligent search haue so dressed these lights that they haue shined to all that were about them for their directions in the greatest mutations and difficulties For the most part vntill the time of the Apostles this kinde of studie was so frequent and familiar not onely to the good but also to the bad that many times it seemed Elisha was not dead 2. King 6.12 that tolde the words which the King spake in his priuie chamber Howbeit though neuer Church had prophecies so particular and plaine as this of Christ hath vnder the Gospell yet am I perswaded I speake at your Lordships correction that no age hath been so ignorant in the true vnderstanding of such as concerned their times as for of long after the Apostles the Christian Church hath been For as all the Prophecies of the New Testament which are many haue been esteemed difficult so this booke of the Reuelation hath been held impregnable Now it is a part of S. Pauls apologie to the Elders of Ephesus Act. 20.27 I haue shewed you all the counsel of God The diduction from thence bindeth all the Ministerie to endeuour the like aswell in Propheticall as Dogmaticall Scriptures I haue therefore somewhat laboured in this kinde but principally in this booke and that all praise be giuen to the Father of lights to mine owne satisfaction in such sort as that many godly men haue desired to communicate in my contentment herein 1. Cor. 14.32 But the Scripture commandeth that the Spirit of
l. 12. cap. 4. their tayles than in their iawes By the tayle is signified the false f Esay 9.15 prophet that speaketh lies and they which doe turne other to righteousnesse doe g Dan. 12.3 shine as the Starres in the firmament Now in these times partly by the instigation of the diuell partly by ambition or feare of persecution h Euseb 3. 23. 24. 25. 26. 4. 7. c. very many became heretikes and these were so much esteemed of the Romaines that they set vp i Euseb 2. 13. 14. a pillar in Rome in honour of Simon Magus the most impious and abominable father of all heretikes with this inscription To Simon the holy God These heresies principally sprang vp in the East the third part of the Empire and poysoned it with the heresies of Menander that more pestilently continued k Aug. de haresâ— cap. 1.2 the blasphemies of Simon Magus against the creation of the world incarnation and passion of Christ for idolatry c. Ebion Cerinthus Nicholaus Basilides c. which increased the former heresies with new impieties * Euseb 4. 11. 14. euen at Rome Besides there were many that deuised l Euseb 3. 22. 4. 11. bookes which they called and obtruded to their hearers as Scriptures full of vaine and peruerse and vngodly doctrines As also they forged bookes vnder the names of godly men as of m Eused 3.35 Clement to induce the world to thinke that such also fauored their heresies Moreouer n Epistola Plini apud Foxum Martyrologio p. 39. by the persecutions many returned to idolatrie these did very seruilely follow the Princes that persecuted the Christians For the o Euseb 3. 29. 4. 15. Iewes heretikes and priests of the Gentiles did continually accuse the Bishops and called importunately to haue them sought vp and martyred For said they they are the fathers of the Christians These were alwayes ready to prouide matter for their torment and execute whatsoeuer might bring the Bishops and other Christians to their martyrdome Yet did there step vp two for one so that but a third part were cast downe He p cap. 12.4 stoode before the woman which was readie to be deliuered that she might keepe in her birth or miscarry in her deliuerie He gapeth to deuoure her childe when she had brought it forth A very fearefull sight he being of that sorte of Dragons which a Gesn li. 5. gape the widest of any kinde of beast and hath three orders of teeth in a iawe the more easily to deuoure his pray And as he is fearefull to behold so is he rauenouse as the Dragons of India which lie in waite for their cattell comming from their feeding and doe much harme oftentimes they kill the Heardsmen and thence prouide themselues of a large meale Yea it sometimes commeth to passe that a Dragon doth draw the Indian that hunteth him into his denne with his weapons and all and deuoureth him shaking in a manner the whole mountaine in which he lodgeth with his force and noyse Vnto these sortes of Dragons are these tyrants compared b Euseb passim For the Emperors proclaimed seuere fearefull and bloody lawes against the Christians commaunding that none should professe Christ and if any were conuerted he should be killed yea c Euseb 5 19. that whosoeuer of the Christians were brought to the iudgement seate he should not be let goe except he changed his mind Domitian after the example of Vespasian hunted after all that were of the line of Dauid and persecuted the Christians d Fox Mar. ex Epistolis Traiani plinij Traian commaunded the Christians to be killed which was done without distinction of age or sexe e Bergom lib. 8. so that daily innumerable thousands were slaine Adrian resolued to roote out the Christians vnder whom suffered very many In Rome were martyred tenne thousand two hundreth and three c. Notwithstanding the successe is prosperous on the womans behalfe as it was f cap. 2.7.11.17.28 3.5.10.12.21 promised for her fruit is borne and preserued Shee brought forth a g cap. 12.5 man child These latter Churches as farre excelling the former in courage and strength and masculine vigor as a man excelleth a woman Of this childe it is said he shall rule all nations with a rodde of iron preuailing in the ende and ruling with iustice till all things be put in subiection vnder his feete For vpon the death of Domitian h Euseb 3. 18. 20. Narna called home al exiles S. Iohn comming from Patâ—tes planted new Churches and strengthened the old As also vpon the intermission of Traian i Euseb 3. 34. many godly men went abroad and did the worke of Euangelists preached to such as neuer heard of Christ They laid the foundation of faith in new and strange places and appointed Pastors there c. a cap. 12.5 And that her childe was taken vp vnto God and to his throne The Lord causing the b Prou. 8.15 Princes to decree iustice for the preseruation of his people himselfe beeing c Psal 82.1 iudge amongst the Gods For d Euseb 4. 9. Adrian decreed that those of euery Prouince should accuse the Christians if they did commit any thing against the Empire but if any did traduce them without cause the accuser should be punished with iust reuenge As also e Anno. 149. Antoninus Pius f Euseb 4. 12. 13. mooued by the Apologie of Iustine wrote about the yeare 149. that the Christians are not to be molested except they attempted any thing against the Empire and that he that did otherwise trouble them should beare the punishment which he would haue inflicted on the Christian but he that was accused should goe free And as for the woman the Church shee escaped the danger by flight g cap. 12.6 for shee fled into the wildernesse and h Isay 43.20 44.3 was mingled among the heathen i Euseb 5. 19. 8.1 Princes and Gentiles and heretickes where she hath a place prepared of God as the Church of the Iewes was directed to her place in the wildernesse by a piller of fire c. both for her safety and that they should feede her there 1260. dayes that is 1260. yeeres k Soc. 1. 17. For a little before the times of Constantine a counterfeit religion shadowing the rites of the gentiles was mixed with true christian religion not otherwise then false prophets that arise amongst the Prophets and false Apostles among the Apostles So that from hence 1260. yeeres the Church is mingled with the wicked and is safe amongst them and liueth at their costs Besides that l Isid Etym. lib. 8. cap. 5. vpon those persecutions many fled into the Mountaines separated from the wicked where they were safe and fedde the Lord knoweth how The end of the first period and battaile in heauen which was in hand when Saint Iohn
the scriptures His Disciples at Rome teach that the scriptures are darke and hidden They despise the Prophesies c. and beleeue a maide that was possessed with the diuell they teach that euery one is to bee left to himselfe and beleeue as hee list Montanus also whose doctrine was spread at Rome d Euseb 5. 13. 14. 16. ambitious of the Primacie esteemed certaine women prophetesses which prophesied lies He taught to dissolue marriages prescribed lawes of fasting called Pepuza Ierusalem to cause all to depend on his Synagogue there vnder the name of oblations exacted money to feede the bellies of his preachers wrote a catholike epistle after the example of the Apostle striuing for new doctrine The e August de haeres cap. 16. Herecleonites which are reported as it were to redeeme such as were dying with anoyntings of oyle balme and water and inuocations c. The f Epipha haeres 29 lib 1. Tom. 2. lib. 3. Tom. 2. haere 29. Nazarenes which hold the ceremonies of the law and haue a translation of the Gospel which they call most perfect The Collyridians which worshipped the Virgin Mary g Euseb 7. cap. 30. Manes tooke vpon him to represent Christ when he was of a barbarous speech and condition he h Socra 1. 17. abrogated the law and prophets and called himselfe the holy Ghost He published a booke called the Gospel in his epistles writeth himselfe Apostle i D. Ponet apol p. 103. digesteth his new doctrine in a booke which he calleth Epistola fundamenti where vnto he requireth like credit to be giuen as to the Gospel His a Aug. de haere cap. 46. Electi or principall teachers were forbidden flesh egges and milke he condemneth mariages vse the women for lust not conception c. b Sâ—cra 1. 17. The arguments of his bookes in word pretend the Christian religion but indeede it smelleth of gentilisme He vsed many impostures of sorcery Such like were many others As Michael vnto whom none can be compared had Angels or godly ministers that soundly and painefully confuted the heretikes so did he c cap. 6.3 wonderfully warre against the ciuill Princes For he sent d Ezech. 5.16 14.21 forth his foure great plagues as occasion best serued to auenge himselfe by them of his enemies namely the sword famine pestilence and beasts For the better effusion of blood The second seale cap. 63 4. he sent forth so wonderfull meanes that another Cherub saith come and see which is a red horse A horse for speede and red for bloodshed so that there were very ready occasions for effusion of blood This horse had a rider vnto whom power was giuen to take peace from the earth to bring in warre sedition and dissention that they should kill one another Vnto this rider was giuen a great sword that is very effectuall instruments for the more speedy and cruell effusion of blood by mutuall murthers and warres For onely e Geneb p. 505. 513. Antoninus Pius of the Emperors was without ciuill blood But from the time of Comodus his sonne treasons and seditions were alwayes among the Princes when as from Augustus to that time the Empire had been free from sedition The armies or legions which before time f Polyb. l. 6. were gathered of the chiefest sort of people euen of Rome were g Melanct. l. 3. in Comodo now taken of barbarous nations The ancient military discipline was extinguished the rapine and lust of the Magistrates and souldiers grew extreame in all the prouinces And besides this ciuill sedition some of them were slaine by warre For Decius h Geneb Carion c. was killed by the Gothes Valerius was slaine by Sapor King of Persia yea some had their bane otherwise For Aurelianus was stroken dead with lightning The third seale cap. 6. 5. 6. He also pursued them as opportunitie best serued with so wonderfull famine that another Cherub cryeth come and see To this purpose he sendeth forth A blacke horse a horse for speede and blacke for vnseasonable times and for blastings and mildewes which make the corne of a blacke colour His rider delighteth in famine For he that sate on him had balances in his hand d Leuit. 26.26 not onely to deliuer out i bread by waight according to the curse in the law but also to sell that corne by small waights which was wont to be solde by measures The price also groweth excessiue A k Weckerus Ant. speci Choenix which containeth about thirtie sixe ounces and was a mans allowance for a day is solde by the commaundement of God and his Christ by a voyce in the middest of the foure beasts or Cherubins for a Romane peny answering a Budaeus to the Atticke of Ephesus which was the sixt part of an ounce neere tenno pence sterling For when the b Euseb 9. 7. tyrants in their decrees for persecutions did triumph in the fruitfulnesse of the earth God sent his plague for the accustomed winter showers did not water the ground and so there came an vnlooked for and suddaine famine c Euseb 8. 19. When Maxentius played the tyrant at Rome his subiects did suffer most extreame penurie of necessary sustenance and that so great as neuer was in Rome before d Euseb 9. 8. And when Maximinus made hauocke of the Churches in the East the inhabitants of his cities were in manner consumed with famine One measure of wheate was solde for 2500. Atticke that is Romane pence but we reade of no dearth of e cap. 6.6 wine or oyle The fourth seale Moreouer as occasion serued the lambe sent forth against his enemies that would not haue him reigne ouer them the plague of pestilence and beasts and this so f cap. 6.7 wonderfull that the fourth beast or Cherub doth say come and see To this purpose is seene g cap. 6.8 A pale horse A horse for speede and pale for the discolouring of such as were smitten by it with palenes and wannes of face His name that sate vpon him was death so h Ierem. 9.21 that death came vp into the windowes and entered into the palaces by pestilent aires to destroy the children without and the young men in the streetes There being helpe to be found no not in friends or kinsefolkes Hell or the graue followed after as footemen and shewed his seueritie in refusing to giue harbour or lodging to the dead i Ierem 9.22 The carcasses of men lying as the dunge vpon the field For vnder Galienus k Euseb 7. 21. there was an vniuersall plague ouer the world but especially about Alexandria insomuch that euery man refused to helpe his friend Vnder Dioclesian the l Euseb 8. 7. Lyons Panthers Beares c. vnto whom the Christians were cast to bee deuoured left the Christians and ramped on them which stoode without prouoking them to seaze vpon the Christians and slew
against the Pope o Trith p. 286. There was very great pestilence which destroyed many thousands after which followed a famine to liue was a misery and to die a very great horror p Reuel 11.6 These haue power to shut heauen in the dayes of their prophecie c. and to strike the earth with all manner of plagues Clement the sixth q Trith 288. preached the crosse against the Turkes Anno 1342. promising to them that put mony into the chestes set in Churches to that purpose not onely remission of sinnes but also licence to eate egges and milkemeates in forbidden times out of Lent Henricus the Archbishop of Mogunce neither payed mony nor regarded the pardons The a Par. Vrsp p. 355. Pope in fauour of the French King excommunicateth Ludouicus the Emperour He also b Trith 289. excommunicated Henricus the Archbishop of Mogunce for not appearing before him deposed him and placed Gertacus who gat not the possession till Henricus was dead Henricus despiseth the Pope and cleaueth to the Emperour The c Par. Vrs 355. 356. Emperour by letters blameth the French King for his trouble requireth him to procure his absolution a filthy forme of articles is conceiued which is interpreted to be deuised to the destruction of the Empire The pope cruelly declaimeth against the Emperor reuiueth the processe of Iohn the twentith two against him declareth him an heretike and schismatike because he said it is in the Emperor to depose and institute the pope c. and writeth to the Electors to chuse Carolus the fourth Here Queene mony ruled all Hereupon the Empire is diuided much trouble ariseth the fauorites of Ludouicus are buried in fields out of Church-yardes d Fox Marty p. 394. 39â— Georgius Ariminensis held papists worse then Pelagians Tanlerus preached against distinction of meates and inuocation of Saints Gerardus Rhidden wrote against the Friers e Sonet 106. 107. 108. Annota in 107. Petrarch calleth Rome proud Babylon and whore and the Pope the Soldan of Babylon The f Extr. Con. 5. de pen. ner Vnigeniti Pope reduced the Iubile to fiftie yeeres promising plenary remission and g Fox Marty commaundeth the Angels to cary the soules of such pilgrimes as died by the way presently to paradise like Mahomets Martyres c. h Mass 18. p. 248. Trith p. 291. Howbeit at this time for three yere together from India to Britany there was so feareful a pestilence that in diuers places were horrible desolations In Auinion the popes seate in a manner all died There was also the plague of bloudy flixes and such inflammations as consumed the flesh to the bones not onely of liuing bodies but dead carcasses for the earth is smitten with plagues in the dayes of their prophecie i Curio The Turkes winne the noble city of Prusia Anno 1352. Innocent the sixth a Trith 293. crowned Carolus the fourth who after many troubles with much b Par. Vrsp 360. c. bribery had brought the Empire to his owne hand The Pope at c Fox Marty Auinion put two Friers to death one of them held Rome to be the whore of Babylon In his time was published the ploughmans complaint against the Pope and his Clergie d Geneb pag. 1034. Bartholdus de Baruch a begging Frier was burned at Spires Before this Pope e Ipse in defen curat Richard Archbishop of Armach in Ireland perswaded learnedly and zealously against the Friers prouing that by the abuse of their priuiledges they were hurtfull to them who were confessed to the Curates Clergie Christian people and to the Friers themselues That they were the ouerthrow of all learning and artes the decay of students and by ingrossing into their libraries bred such a want of bookes that there was not a Bible nor any good diuinity bookes to be had for mony It seemeth in these times that the question was a Specul Mino. Tract 3. f. 135. b. whether the Popes dispensations could stablish the conscience against Scripture and law The Popes would haue it receiued for good that his power was aboue all but godly men thought otherwise of his superstition withstoode that doctrine as De Poliaco had done and this Armachanus now did b Trith 297. Par. Vrsp There was a great pestilence of which many thousands perished and strange earthquakes c. Vrbanus the fifth c Geneb 1017 confirmed the order of Bridget d Pantalcon Anno 1363. which was that Friers and Nunnes should dwell together vnder a roofe onely parted with a wall Thus e cap. 13.5.7 c. is the beast furnished with strong and seuere lawes to warre with the Saints and to ouercome them And here viz. Anno 1364. f Dan. 12.11 are finished those 1290. dayes that is yeeres which Daniel doth reckon from the time that the daily sacrifice was taken away by the Romans at the destruction of Ierusalem Ann. 74. during which time by the Gentiles Arians Gothes Turkes and Popes abhominable desolation was set vp CHAP. X. Of the first resurrection and the warres which followed hereupon with their successe MIserable are now the times by reason of the grosse ignorance and superstition which preuailed For by the tyrannie of the Popes all men were seduced or terrified from the study and profession of true godlinesse And the wickednes of the Friers by purloyning in a manner all good bookes which now were but manuscripts and teaching nothing but fables had made it generally suspected that Antichrist would take this opportunitie to obliterate the Scriptures and obtrude vnto the world any such forged diuinitie which might best serue to further his ambition In the time of this palpable darkenes worse then euer was any in Egypt when as the truth lay as dead and buried for euer the Lord in mercy doth raise it from death to life And this doth cause a Dan. 12.2 such as turne others vnto righteousnes to shine as the starres in the firmament The summe of that which followeth is that b cap. 11.7 when they the witnesses haue finished their testimony the beast that commeth out of the bottomlesse pit with his hornes the Kings maketh warre against them Of this warre we are to consider the enemies their manner of fight and the successe The enemies are the two witnesses a cap. 19.13 vnder their captaine yet in the wildernes in this chapter and in the blessed time separated from Antichrist in the next chapter and b 19. the beast with his Kings The captaine of these witnesses is mighty to enable them to finish their testimony That the witnesses may the better finish and perfect their testimony Saint Iohn doth say And c 11. I saw heauen open that is an expectation of all good men which belong to the kingdome of heauen what will be the end of those cruell lawes and bloudy executions That which befell was this An d
of the comming of Theodosius the true Christian Prince Albeit the rest of the Arians presumed and reported Theodosius to be defeated whence the Papists haue learned to spread presumptuous lying newes Howbeit at last euen for feare they giue glorie to the God of heauen These e Fox in hunc locum things do most aptly agree vnto the times of the preaching and martyrdome of Iohn Hus and Ierom of Prage c. before and at the Councell of Constance and to the effects that followed thereupon The complement Alexander the fifth a Fox Mart. p. 531. 567. was chosen Pope to take away the schisme In his time the Boemians Anno 1409. by the preaching of Iohn Hus c encreased much in the knowledge of the Gospel for before this time by the spreading of Wickliefes bookes they began to tast and sauour of it b Peuce 5. f. 156. 157. The summe of his preaching was a reprehension of the fornication couetousnes and pride of the Priests c and against the magicke consecrations of the oyle water c. He prooued his assertions by the word of God the holy scriptures vnto which alone he would reduce all doctrine Hereupon grew contentions in the Vniuersitie of Prage And when those which did striue for the Pope were not able to resist the founde testimonies of the scripture alleadged by Hus they left the Vniuersitie c Fox Mart. 532 When the Pope heard of these preachings and disputations he sent his bull vnto the Archbishop requiring him to looke that no such things were maintained and cited Iohn Hus to appeare before him Iohn Hus answereth the Bull to be contrary to the doings and examples of Christ and his Apostles and to restreine or fight against the free course of the word of God Wherefore he appealeth from this mandate to the same Pope better aduised But as hee was prosecuting of his appeale the Pope died there died also the Archbishop c d cap. 11.5 by the fire that proceeded out of the mouth of Christs witnesses c. Iohn the twentieth three e Gobel aet 6. cap. 90.94 a diuell incarnate Anno 1410. and a most profound inuentor of all sorts of infamous wickednes most rigorous He receiued of the harlots of one citie viz Bâ—nenia 300. florens euery moneth for tribute of their whoredome c. The King of Sicilia brake into Rome which the Pope not forseeing with many Curtizans was spoyled Vnto f Fox Mart. p. 567. this Pope or rather beast was Hus accused for an heretike because he seemed rather willing to preach the Gospell then the bishops traditions The Pope committeth the matter to the Cardinall of Columna who monished Hus to appeare at Rome Wenceslaus King of Romanes and Boem at the suite of his wife the whole nobilitie citie and Vniuersitie of Prage sent Ambassadors to Rome crauing the Pope to remit the citation of Hus and to determine his cause in Boem Hus also sent proctors to Rome to purge him because he would auoid that dangerous iourney The Cardinall at Rome notwithstanding the Kings petition excoÌ„municateth Hus and emprisoneth some of his proctors so that the rest returne without doing any thing Howbeit Hus notwithstanding his excommunication goeth on in preaching and appealed from the Pope to Christ. Yea a Fox Mart. 569. when the Popes bull came to Prage proclaiming full remission of sinnes to all such as would fight on his side for the Pope had warre with the king of Naples Hus and his followers manifestly spake against the Bull three lay men were beheaded for speaking against these pardons whom Hus and such Priests as fauoured him interred sumptuouslie saying These be the Saints which for the Testament of God did giue their bodies At b Peuce 5. f. 168. this time were three Popes at once euery one fighting against the other with condemnations and execrations But as c Socr. 5. 22. the Arians did not striue for religion but by reason of their ouermuch desire of honour with which their mindes were wholy possessed did fight among themselues for the primacie whereupon many of the Clergie hating the contention sprung of the desire of vaine glory departed from them to the antient faith so these did not striue for the glorie of the sonne of God or for the mending of such corruptions as were in manners and doctrine but for the principalitie Wherefore many departed from them When the Emperor Sigismund did see that these euils would be more duly reformed by a Councel than by armes hee hauing runne ouer Italy Spaine France and England with incredible speede and wonderfull patience in great labours by consent of the kings caused the Counsell of Constance to bee d 1414. deceÌ„ 3. assembled which was frequented with the presence or Legates of the Princes of all the Christian world as also thither came from Bizantium and Trapezuntium a concourse of most diuerse e cap. 11.9 people and kindreds and tongues and gentiles a Geneb p. 1059 so that there were numbred of strangers of all sorts 60,500 After b Gobel 6. c. 94 the Councell assembled the whole affaires of the Councell were committed to the determination of foure Prelates chosen out of foure Nations which much displeased the Pope and his Cardinals In this Councell they proposed to reforme the Church in the head and members c Peut 5. f. 175. Wherefore Petrus de Aliaco very grauely admonished the Councell of the most corrupt conditions of the Popes the court of Rome and of al degrees of the Romane Church for the citie is Sodom He also admonished the Councell of the many superstitions and of the tyrannie then vsed for this citie is also Aegypt d Specul Minor Tract 3. f. 167. c. There were also proposed diuerse complaints against the friers for their Sodomiticall filthie life and for their pride and crueltie who were like ruffians and cutters to kill them that admonished them of their faults e Exod. 2.11.13.14 worse then the Aegyptian that wronged the Israelite or the Israelite that reproched Moses or the Sodomites that railed on Lâ—t The like was done by other that desired reformation In this Councell f Mass 18. p. 255. Gobel 6.94 the Pope g Fox Mart. p. 604. in epist Huss whom the Preachers were wonte to call the God of the earth was conuicted of more than fortie grieuous crimes for which hee was deposed Vnto h Fox in hunc locum Mar. 1575. c. this Councell came Iohn Hus vnder the safe conduct of the Emperour and there continued vnder the warrantie of the Popes promise and thither was Hierom of Prage cited Those two were shut vp in most horrible and filthie prisons farre worse then sackcloth When Hus came to the Councell he desired leaue to answere the obiections brought against him But whereas Christ was not only permitted but also required to answere for himselfe before Pilate