The Actes of Christe and of Antichriste concernyng bothe their life and doctrine diligently gathered and now taken out of his workes by Thomas Becon 2. Corin. 6. ¶ What fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse Or what cōpanie hath light with darkenesse Or what concorde hath Christ with Beliall Or what parte hath he that beleueth with an Infidell The Actes of Christ and Antichriste concernyng bothe their life and doctrine Of their life FIrste Christe as touchyng his deitie is the true and naturall Sonne of the liuyng and immortall God and as cōcernyng his humainitie he is the true and naturall Soonne of Marie the Uirgine Antichrist bothe bodie and soule is the childe of wrathe and the Sonne of perdition yea and that synfull man whiche is an aduersarie to God and all godlinesse to Christ and to all christianitie 2 Christe beyng borne brought into the worlde greate ioye high peace and euerlastyng saluation as the Aungell saied to the Shepheardes Beholde I bryng you tidynges of greate ioy whiche shall come to all people For vnto you is borne this daie in the Citee of Dauid a Sauiour whiche is Christe the Lorde Again Glory be to God on hie and peace on the yearth and vnto God a good will. Antichrist beyng borne bringeth with him not ioy but greef of minde not peace but trouble of bodie not Saluation but plaine distructiō bothe of bodie and soule to so many as embrace hym 3 Christ when he should be borne could haue no roume in the Iune and therefore was borne in a Stable and beyng wrapped in poore and homely swadlyng cloutes he was laied in a maunger Antichrist before he bee borne hath a gorgious richely apparelled house prepared for him with all suche furniture as becōmeth suche a wicked worldlyng 4 Christ when he was borne was not ioyfully receiued of the worlde no not of thē to whom he was promised sent but rather hated persecuted moste cruelly Antichrist beeyng borne is moste tenderly embraced loued kissed and coulled and in all pointes warely kepte and circumspectly attēded that no greef or misfortune chaunce vnto hym so deare is he to the children of this worlde 5 Christ when accordyng to his age he ought to haue been bothe tenderly and quietly norished was compelled through the crueltie of Tyrauntes to bee caried from countrey to countrey and yet hardly founde he reste at any tyme so in all pointes did the Crosse followe hym euen from the verie cradle as thei vse to saie Antichrist is bothe delicately and tenderly fostered and brought vp without al noise and disquietnesse All Epicures and worldlynges delight in hym Thei seeke to pleasure hym He is free at all tymes from all Crosse. 6 Christ when he was borne had little resorte vnto hym for to releeue his poore and miserable state beside the Shepheardes and the wise men of the Easte with a verie fewe other Antichrist hath the whole worlde flockyng to hym which cease not to giue and offer vnto hym greate precions giftes although otherwise ouerflowyng with the aboundance of all thynges 7 Christ beyng but twelue yeres of age was studious of Goddes worde and so desirous of the knowledge thereof that forgettyng his carnall freendes and their companie he remained in the Temple of Salomon at Ierusalem sittyng in the middes of the Doctours hearyng them and posyng them Antichriste hateth the knowledge of Goddes worde and so many as fauour it forasmuche as it is contrarie to his filthy will and beastly pleasure and deliteth only in that doctrine whiche serueth his voluptuous appetite 8 Christe was obediente to Marie his mother and to Ioseph her houseband shewyng hereby a good example of submission and obedience to all children Antichrist will obeye no man but rule ouer all men giuyng hereby an example of pride and disobedience to all men 9 Christe as some affirme from the tyme of twelue yeres of age till he was thirtie yere old accompanied Ioseph his Mothers housebande whiche was a Carpenter by his occupation and laboured diligently in that arte by this meanes gettyng his liuyng with the trauaile of his hādes and with the sweate of his browes accordyng to the commaundemente of his heauenly Father giuyng a good example in this behalf to all that professe his name that none in a Christian Common weale ought to liue idlely but euery manne woorke some good thyng that he maie haue not onely whereof to liue hym self but also to giue vnto the needie And hereof commeth it that Christe is called a Carpenter in the Scripture Antichrist is altogether otherwise affected For he vseth no exercise that godly and profitable is but liueth altogether idlely of the labour of other mennes handes and of the sweate of other mennes browes contrary to the commaundemēt of God beyng in deede a verie vnprofitable clod of the yearth And as he hym self is estraunged from all Godlie and vertuous exercises So likewise doeth he enfraunchise and make free from all worke and laboure all his spirituall smered shauelynges appointyng thē not to preache the woorde of God nor to administer the Sacramente of Christe purely and sincerely accordyng to Christes Institution but to saie Mattens Masse and Euensong and to sette forthe his ordinaunces and decrees c. that thei maie seem at the least to doe somewhat although that somwhat in deede be nothyng 10 Christ as he prospered in age so likewise did he in wisedome and fauour with God and men Antichriste the older he waxeth the worse he is hated both of God and of all Godly men 11 Christ disdained not to bee Baptised of Iohn Baptiste a poore man and a priestes sonne Antichrist will haue nothing ministred vnto hym but of great princes mightie prelates and such as be famous honourable and of greate glory in the worlde As for poore menne hee regardeth not and as touchyng the lawfull children of priestes he can by no meanes abyde them as a matter condempned in his deuilishe decrees and Luciferlike lawes 12 Christe although sente doune for that purpose tooke not on hym the office of preaching till he was openly called of his heauenly father hauing his vocation confirmed by a visible signe of the holy ghost which came doune from heauen vpō hym in the likenesse of a Doue Antichrist thrusteth hymselfe in the ministery without any certaine callyng yea and that not to doe good whiche is contrary to his nature but to doe euill euen to corrupt the congregation of God with his pestilente doctrine and corrupte maners and vnfruitfully to eate the Milke of the sheepe and to bee apparelled with their wolle by this meanes defraudyng both the true Ministers and also the pore members of Christ of their liuyng being of the number of them of whom God by the Prophet speaketh on this maner I spake not vnto theym and they prophecied
his furie be apeaced with good sommes of money 83 Christ proued and defended his Doctrine againste the enemies thereof with the testimonies of Moses of the Psalmes and of the Prophetes Antichriste proueth and defendeth his Decrees and Traditions with generall Councels with constitutions prouincial with the authorities of forefathers with the prescriptes of olde customes with the Sophisticall and Carnall reasons of the Scholemen and if al these wil not serue with Fire and Fagotte with Swearde and halter 84 Christ so trauailed in goyng aboute from countreye to countreye preachyng the will of his heauenly Father that hee was many tymes weary of his iourney Antichrist taketh his ease sittyng at home in his riche Chaires vpon his golden Cushins and precious Carpettes If at any tyme he will take the ayre abroad either he is caried vpon mens shoulders as a GOD of the Earth or els he rideth vpon his Moyle gorgiously trapped and harnessed 85 Christ beholdyng the lamentable teares of the Widowe whose Sonne was dead and caried forth to be buried had pitie and compassion on her and saied vnto her Weepe not and immediatly he deliuered her Sonne aliue againe vnto her that tofore was dead Antichrist euidently seyng greate enormities and manifolde most greuous abuses in the Churche of Christ whereof he braggeth himself to be the head although moued and prouoked with the humble supplications feruent desires and earnest praiers of many good and godly men both by writyng and otherwise neither taketh awaie the enormities nor correcteth the abuses but rather as a sworne aduersary against God and all godlinesse he goeth forth daily more and more to stablishe and confirme those abhominations seekyng no redresse as the experience of this our tyme doeth moste manifestlie declare 86 Christ disdained not to come vnto Lazarus graue nothyng beeyng dismaide with the euill sauour of the dead corps although tofore therof warned and to raise hym vp from death vnto life Antichrist abhorreth nothyng more thā euill sauours hauing his great delight in sweete perfumes and pleasaunt odours beyng of the nūber of those which on this wise speake in the booke of Wisedome Come on let vs enioy the pleasures that there are and let vs sone vse the creature like as in youth Lette vs fill our selues with good Wine and Ointment and let there no flower of the time goe by vs Let vs crowne our selues with Roses afore they be withered Let there bee no faire Medowe but our luste go thorowe it Let euery one of you be partaker of our voluptuousnesse Lette vs leaue some token of our pleasure in euery place For that is our portion els get we nothyng 87 Christe wepte when he came to raise vp Lazarus consideryng with hym self that synne is the cause not onely of the death of the bodie but also of the death of the soule and of all other euils plages Antichrist reioiseth in euill doyng and is gladde when sinne reigneth florisheth and triumpheth For then is hys Marchaundise wel bought as Pardons Masses of Scala caeli Absolution c. 88 Christ is that louyng and gentle shepheard which when one of his sheepe was gone astraie lefte the residue and neuer ceased till he had founde her out Beeyng found hee sweetely laide her vppon his shoulder and tenderly brought her home againe with greate ioy and muche gladnesse and callyng together his louers and neighbors he said vnto them Oh reioice with me for I haue found my shepe which was lost Antichrist is of an other disposition and contrary minded For if any runne astray neuer so little from his lowsie lawes trifeling traditions diuelishe decrees and crooked constitutions canckered customes c. straightwaies he is excommunicate and cursed as blacke as a Crowe with booke bell and Candell euen boune to the deepe dongeon of Hell fire without redemption except he will be reconciled to Mother holy Church and make suche satisfaction as shall bee thought meete of the most holy Father and of his deuoute Chaplens If he wil not obey doune with hym accite hym suspend hym apprehend hym accuse hym condemne hym to the fort with hym away with him 89 Christ is that most louyng Samaritane whiche had pitie on the wounded man bound vp his woundes poured oyle and Wine set hym on his owne Beaste brought hym into a common Inne and made prouision for hym Antichrist is that abhominable theefe and cruell murderer whiche without all pitie and compassion robbeth woundeth and slaeth bothe the bodies and soules of men the bodies with his exactions oppressions pollinges pillinges tyranny murder death the soules with false doctrine vnwritten verities decrees constitutions infidelitie misbeliefe superstition c. 90 Christ is appointed of God the Father to be the Phisicion and Sauiour of the worlde Antichrist is appointed of the Deuill the Father of lyers to be the corruptour and destroyer of the world 91 Christ is the light of the world Who soeuer followeth hym and his doctrine shall neuer stumble nor erre Antichrist is the darkenes of the world He that foloweth hym and his decrees shall neuer walke the righte waie vnto heauen but cast hymself hedlong into vtter darkenesse where weepyng and gnashyng of teeth shall be 92 Christe is that bread of lyfe whiche came doune from heauen He that eateth of that bread shall neuer hunger but haue life euerlastyng Antichrist is that bread of death which came vp from Hell. Whosoeuer tasteth of that bread he shall dye the death euerlastyng 93 Christ is our peace maker Antichrist is our dissention maker 94 Christ is our wisedome righteousnesse sanctifiyng and redemption Antichrist is our foly wickednes corruption and destruction 95 Christ is that lambe of God without spot whiche taketh awaie the sinne of the worlde Antichrist is that wolfe of Sathan full of all sinne and wickednesse whiche daily encreaseth the synne of the worlde 96 Christe is the head of Gods Church Antichrist is the head of Sathans Sinagoge 97 Christe is our mediatour aduocate and intercessour Antichrist is our disturber bate maker and destroyer 98 Christ is that Rocke out of whiche issueth and floweth forth the water of life Whosoeuer shall drinke thereof shall neuer thurst more Antichrist is that vyle and stinkynge puddle He that drinketh thereof shall dye euerlastingly 99 Christ is that seed of the woman which hath troden doune the Serpentes head Antichrist is that seede of the Serpent whiche like a roaryng Lion continually seketh whom he may deuour 100 Christ is that blessed seede of Abraham in whom all nations of the earth are blessed and saued Antichrist is that cursed seede of Sathan in whom and through whom so many as leane to his wicked and damnable doctrine perishe and are damned 101 Christ is Alpha and O Mega that is to saye the beginnyng and endyng of all our saluation Antichrist is
Pastoures so greately hath the God of this worlde blinded their eyes I meane the Deuill and that wicked Idoll Mammon that this saiyng of the Apostle maie be founde true in them all All seeke their owne not the thynges whiche are Iesus Christes By this wicked Decree of Antichrist is the lawe of God broken the true pastors depriued of their liuyng the poore people robbed of their beleefe hospitalitie decaied parishes left desolate the Pastorall houses fall into ruine the people are vntaught scholes are not maintained the youth is neglected both old and yong rū clene out of order no degree doeth his office the ministers is despised the worde of God neglected the preachers of God nothyng regarded and in fine an whole sea of euills brasteth into the boūdes of the Christian common weale and would God with the same there were not made a Shipwracke of all goodnesse and godlinesse Notwithstandyng who lamēteth these thynges and earnestly seeketh a redresse thereof God amende all that is amisse and sende corne where none is 82 Christe in all his doctrine teachyng humilitie when a certaine manne called hym good aunswered that no manne is good but God alone Antichriste beyng moste wicked and moste synfull will bee called the beste and the moste holie 83 Christe continually studied to dooe good bothe to the bodies and soules of menne Antichrist doeth his whole endeuour how he maie hurte bothe the bodies and soules of menne the bodies by bringyng theim and their gooddes into captinitie the soules by drounyng theim in superstition and Idolatrie 84 Christ in all his doynges sought the glorie of God his Father Antichrist in all his actes seketh his owne glorie and wisheth to bee taken of all men as a God callyng hym self Gods Uicare in yearth and supreme head of the vniuersall Churche of Christe throughout the whole worlde 85 Christ promised to the thefe hanging by hym on the Crosse Paradise freely Antichriste for money promiseth remission of synnes deliueraunce out of Purgatorie and euerlastyng life 86 Christ had no greate regard of them that were his kinsefolke after the fleshe Antichrist hath a speciall regard vnto theim and exalteth theim vnto moste high dignities and promotiōs although moste vnworthie 87 Christe when his Disciples at any tyme were at contention brought theim againe straighte waies vnto vnitie and concorde Antichrist setteth them together by the eares that are at peace and neuer ceaseth to set Kynges and Princes at variaunce For then goeth it beste with his Kyngdome 88 Christ did chose suche to attende vpō hym as were homelie simple and plaine Antichriste admitteth none vnto his seruice but suche as bee full of gile craft and subtiltie 89 Christe compelleth no man againste his will to beleue his Gospell Antichriste with suspension and Excommunication with apprehension and persecution with Fire and Faggot with Sweard and Halter enforceth menne to receiue his Deuilish Decrees and trifelyng Traditions 90 Chirste in all his aduersitie fledde vnto Praier Antichriste in his trouble flieth vnto armour 91 Christ fought against Sathan with Goddes worde Antichriste fighteth againste his aduersaries with the Temporall Sweard 92 Christe made hym self subiect to the Lawe when notwithstandyng he was Lorde of the Lawe Antichriste hymself will be obedient to no Lawe and giueth licence for money to other also to breake lawes 93 Christe by fulfillyng the Lawe deliuered vs from the cursse of the Lawe Antichrist through his disobedience vnto Lawes openeth a windowe vnto al wickednesse and through his euill example prouoketh other to fal vnto leudnesse and so to run into the cursse and displeasure of God vnto their greate damnatiō 94 Christe in his doctrine taught none other but the lawe of his heauēly father Antichriste teacheth Lawes of his owne makyng not onely not agreeable but also contrarie to the woorde of God and with violence enforceth men to kepe the same 95 Christe by no meanes could abide that his Disciples should striue for the supremacie Antichriste chalengeth supremacie not onely ouer the Clergie but also ouer Kynges and Emperours yea and ouer the whole worlde 96 Christe by his doctrine and death made the Iewes and Gentiles whiche to fore were at variaunce one Spirituall Kyngdome Antichriste through his wicked traditions and Deuilishe Lawes hath made the Greke and Latine Churches whiche before were at greate vnitie and concord concernyng matters of Christen Religion to be at variance one affirmyng this an other deniyng the same 97 Christe in his laste Sermon gaue a speciall commaundemente to his Disciples that thei should loue one an other Antichriste straightly chargeth his Champions that thei striue and fight valiantly for the liberties of holie Church and that thei by no meanes loue and fauour suche as hate his decrees Lawes 98 Christe in the aforesaied Sermon makyng mention of his corporall departure out of this worlde promised to sende to his Disciples the holie Ghost whiche should leade them into all truthe Antichriste in stede of the holy Ghost sendeth Pardoners Friers Canonistes and Scotistes to teache vs not the waie of truthe and saluation but the waie of falsehode and damnation 99 Christ in his holy Gospell teacheth that although he bee absent concernyng his corporall presence yet is he alwaie presente with his holie congregation as touchyng his Diuine Maiestie grace might vertue and power Antichriste saieth that Christ is not only spiritually but also corporally with vs so that the Priest maketh hym daiely handleth hym daiely breaketh him daiely eateth hym daiely offreth hym daiely c. 100 Christe with his doctrine bryngeth to all them that receiue it with sure faith remission of synnes and euerlastyng life Antichriste with his Decrees bringeth to all his Captiues death and euerlastyng damnation ¶ Giue the glorie to God alone Psalme 110. Math. iiii Luke i. Roma i. Ioan. iii. Ephes. ii ii Thessal ii Luke ii Luke ii Ihon. 1. Math. ii Math. ii Luke ii Math. ii Luke ii Luke ii No manne ought to be idle in a christen common weale i. Thess. iiii ii Thess. iii Genes iii. Psalm 128. Marke vi The idlenes of the popish spiritualtie Luke ii Math. iii. Marke i. Antichrist cānot abide the Mariage of Priestes Math. iii. Marke i. Luke iiii Ihon. i. Ieremi xxiii Psalm xlv Math. iiii Mark. i. Luke iiii Math. iiii Luke iiii Math. iiii Marke i. Math. iiii Esay xix Luke ii Math. xi Luke vii Math. xxiiii Luke iiii Ioan. iiii Math. x. Marke vi Luke vi A swarme of Hipocrites Math. viii ◠Cor. ix Philip. iiii Actes xxi Math. x. xviii Ihon. xx Marke xvi Ihon. xv Luke 〈…〉 Math. x. Marke xvi Actes iii. iiii Math. x. All for money Math. x. Ioan. xvi Ioan. xv Math. v. Luke vi Math. viii ☜ Ihon. vi Math xxi Marc. xi Luke xix Ihon. xii Zachar. ix ii Cor. viii Ihon. xviii Dist. 96. Cap. Si Imperator The Popes triple crown what
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
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
belong to them and bee the more able to maintaine hospitalitie to releue the poore to comfort the waiefaryng man and to succour the poore afflicted Christians and he giueth it to mōstruous Monkes to flatteryng Friers to chatteryng Chanons to patteryng Pristes and to suche like vnprofitable members of the christen common weale wherby it is come to passe that the true Shepheardes whiche watch ouer those flockes of the Lorde are moste miserablie handeled vniustlye and against all right conscience depriued of their duetie and throwen alas for pitie into extreme pouertie hospitalitie decaieth the poore are not succoured the needie are not reliued yea nothyng is done in those Parishes by the Pastours whereby the comfortlesse may be comforted No maruell when the Papistes themselues haue not wherwith to relieue their owne necessitie but are compelled daily as we may see before our eyes such is their miserie to leaue their flockes whiche as Sheepe destitute of shepheardes wander here and there and too seeke other places where they maie haue whereof to liue whereas if they had that whiche is due vnto theim but otherwise vniustly taken awaie from theim by Antichristes decree they should not onely be able to liue themselues but also abundantly to relieue the poore O Antichrist what deuill breathed this wicked affection into thy hearte that thou shouldest take awaie from the painefull Pastours their right and geue it to idle and sluggishe Monstrous whose God their bellie is The Idolatrous Princes in tymes paste gaue greate aboundance of worldly possession to their idolatrous priests And arte thou nothyng ashamed to take that awaie from the priestes of Christ whiche both the law of God and the lawe of man hath geuen theim To robbe and spoile a priuate man of his goods hath alwaies bene counted an hainous fault and synne worthy of death and shall it be lawfull for thee O thou Antichriste to take awaie from the Ministers of Christ their duety and their right and to geue it where it pleaseth thee O thou Godrobber Is not this to commit sacrilege and also to deny the workeman his meate the laborer his rewarde the Shepheard his Milke the vinekeper his wine the warriour his wages and to moosell the oxes mouthe that treadeth out the Corne. And that wicked Spirite occupieth their myndes also in these our daies whiche againste all right and againste their owne conscience vnto their greate damnation except thei shortly repent and amende go forthe to kepe hold and possesse these liuyngs and gooddes of the poore Pastours Antichriste as thei them selues confesse neither can thei denie it by his Deuilishe Decree moste vniustly and moste tyrauntlike tooke awaie the beste portion of the Tithes frō the true owners and gaue them to a sort of monstruous Hypocrites why then are thei now retained of theim that seeme to bee enemies to Antichriste to condemne his Antichristian actes and to wishe that all abuses might be taken awaie and that a perfecte reformation might bee made accordyng to the woorde of GOD Can there bee any greater abuse then accordyng to Antichristes Lawe wrongfullie and vniustly to withholde from the true Pastoure and Preacher of the Lordes woorde that whiche is properly his due The wise man saith the bread of the nedy is the life of the poore he that defraudeth him of it is a murtherer and a manslaier What then is to be thought of thē which take awaie frō the Ministers of the Lordes worde the Tithe corne whereof thei should haue bread to eate and to giue vnto the nedie Is not this to plaie the part of a murtherer The nedie Pastour his familie would gladly eate bread and the corne whereof it should be made is taken awaie frō thē and vnfruitfully consumed and deuoured of those whiche do no good at al to the parishes Is not this to pluck the meate out of the mouthes of the pastor and his familie Whiche thyng what other is it then to plaie the murtherer I deserue damnatiō if I fede not the nedy shal it thē be lawfull for me to take awaie the right of the nedy If I giue not of mine owne to the hungrie I synne shall I be counted to doe wel when I wil not suffer other mē to enioy their own but through the pretēce of an Antichristiā decree violently withhold it frō thē Uerely it were better for suche as thus vniustly by the vertue of Antichristes lawe to possesse the lawfull duetie of the lawfull Pastours to rēder those dueties to the owners though their delicate fare should somewhat be abated thereby then to goe foorthe thus wickedly to retain that is not their own What doeth it profite a man saieth our Sauioure Christe to winne the whole worlde and to lose his soule it is truelie saied of the Wiseman Better is a little with the feare of the Lorde then greate treasure with sorrowe Again Better is a drie morsell with quietnesse of conscience then an house full of fatte offerenges with strife that is to saie with greef of mynde Once againe he saieth Better it is to haue a little thyng with righteousnesse then greater treasures with sorowe Moreouer the blessed Apostle S. Paule in the description of a bishoppe or spirituall Pastour sheweth that he ought to bee a maintainer of hospitalitie Now what hospitalitie can there bee maintained where those thynges are takē awaie that cheefly vphold and maintaine hospitalitie yea without whiche no hospitalitie can be had Take awaie corne whereof breade and drinke is made whiche is the beste portion that delongeth vnto the maintenaunce of hospitalitie and what remaineth behinde wherewith the Pastour maie be able to keepe open his doores and to releeue either hym self or any other Take awaie his Corne as it is at this day come to passe through Antichristes decree and the vpholders of thesame maie not then the Spirituall minister be called Pastor a pascendo sicut mons a mouendo God haue mercie on vs and sende vs once a redresse of this greate abuse yea of this thefte sacrilege and tirannie Furthermore God by his Prophete commaundeth that all maner of Tithes should bee brought into his Barne that there maie be meate in his house Is not the Pastours Barne his Barne And is not the Pastours house his house Now God commaundeth that all tithes should be brought into the Pastours barne that there may be meate in the Pastors house But how can there bee meate in the Pastors house whiche God calleth his owne house because his poore-mēbers are and ought to bee refreshed in the same when as the cheef and principall tithes can not be suffered through Antichristes decree to be brought into the Pastours Barne whiche GOD calleth his owne Barne God cammaundeth one thyng and Antichriste willeth the contrarie and yet the wicked worldlynges and voluptuous Epicures whose GOD the beallie is goe forthe to maintaine the same and vniustly to possesse the gooddes of the true and faithfull