A GAG FOR THE POPE, AND THE JESVITS: OR THE ARRAIGNMENT, AND EXECUTION OF ANTICHRIST. Showing plainly, that Antichrist shall be discovered, and punished in this World: to the amazement of all obstinate PAPISTS. LONDON Printed by I. D. for Edward Blackmore, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the Great South-dore of Paul's. 1624. Lucan. lib. 7. Pharsal. Ho placet, o superi, cum vobis vertere cuncta propositum, nostris erroribus addere crimen? TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE; WILLIAM: EARL of PENBROOK, Lord Chamberlain to his Majesty's Household, and one of his most honourable Council, etc. RIGHT HONOURABLE; AS I intent nothing by this Discourse, but the glory of God, the good of my Country, the observation of Princes, and the seasoning of humours: so do I propose no man fit to Patronise the same, than yourself, sprung from so illustrious a family, that our modern Stories rejoice again in the illustration of the name and actions of Herbert: but above all, my motives arise from your Noble disposition toward England's glory, and pious zeal to propagate the cause of Religion, which at this day is set upon by viperous calumniation, as if either God meant not to perform his promise, concerning the stripping the Strumpet naked, Apoc. 18. 3. who hath made drunk the Kings of the earth with the cup of abomination: or policy determined, like Prometheus his Vulture, to feed upon the heart of Religion, and eat out the bowels of sanctity, and truth But O thou God of heaven, thou laughest the Psalm. devices of men to scorn, and wilt maintain thy own cause in despite of Apostasy: and O ●ee Princes of the earth, look ye Psal. 2. 12. kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the Way, when his wrath shall suddenly burn. Wherefore great Lord, made so much the greater by all the Concomitants of Noble birth, and remarkable deserving, accept I pray you of this poor Tractate, wherein though I come strangely toward you with a duty from an unknown name, and unfortunate man, as we profanely abuse the Character, yet with so good a heart, that in regard of the cause, which is Gods, and yourself, who have answered reputation with sufficiency, I am cheerfully animated to wade out of this stream, by the supportation of so noble an arm, which can keep me from sinking, though there were some whirlpool to fall into. As for aspersion of presumption, stepping out of my own Circle, meddling with transcendent matters, tenuity of wit, or deficiency of knowledge, I wipe all away with a Principle in Euripid●s.— Nullus sibi similis in periculis Iphigenia in Tauris. homo, quoties ad audaciam ex metu venerit. But indeed what should I be affrighted with the Pope's fulmination, or curses, Lucan answers; Tollite signaduces, fatorum impellite cursum, Lib. 5. Phars●l. spem vestram prestate diis, fortunaque tantos det vobis animos, quantos fugientibus hostem causa dabat. The blast of opinion, or windy censures. Impia laetatur vulgatae nomine famae,— Thessaliis. Luc. o●. Lib. 5. The displeasure or contracted brow of a Prince? No, no. Caesaris adventu tuta gladiator arena, Lib. 6. de Pont●, Ovid. exit, & auxilium non leue vultus habet. The imputations of judicious men? — Simplex oratio veritatis est; Neque variarum habet utrinque interpretationum, Eurip. Phoenissaes. habet enim ipsa congruentiam, sed iniquus sermo aegrotans in seipsum, medicamimum habet opus sapientiam. The desertion of friends? who be they? Amicos in rebus adversis convenit amicis adesse, Eurip. Orestes. Nam cum Deus faelicitatem dederit, Quid opus est amicis? Sufficit ipse Deus prodesse volens. In a word, so I have your favour and my own ends, I am startled at nothing, but insufficiency in so great adventure, and unworthiness to put polluted hands into the waters of life: which as I hope the God of heaven will pardon, because of my honest desires to magnify his greatness: so your Honour will graciously admit, because of my willing heart to exemplify your goodness. THE ARRAIGNMENT AND EXECUTION OF ANTICHRIST. I Would fain act my own Scene, and with a modest zeal enter into a Discourse, that shall show you the hand of God writing on the wall, more fearful and terrible to hardhearted Papists, then ever Belshazzers fatal night to Daniel. 5. himself and his people. I beseech you then, if you can discreetly avoid, or charitably confute ignorant Papists, and penurious News-mongers, understand, what I purpose in my following Treatise; merely to show you, that these troubles of Europe, be but the beginnings of Rome's desolation, and the Beast with seven heads and ten horns must Apoc. 12 be discovered, as she walloweth in the den of abomination, and filthiness of corruption; after which she shall be roused and hunted out of breath, ●aken and lashed with stripes, bound and stripped of her pomp, and at last forsaken and consumed with fire: which although it may have relation to the everlasting horror of hell, yet in the judgement of learned Divines, must be explicated by some effectual humiliation on earth. Wherein if repentance remorse, and compunction of spirit, cannot frame the master piece of Conversion, the Catastrophe shall be wrought by the violence of a stronger arm, and that from a secular Prince. And if in this the Emperors of Germany, or other potent Kings have failed, as tootoo basely prostrating themselves to the power of Antichrist, no question God will punish them for under-valuing his glory, or dividing and participating that greatness, which he hath given to every King entire in his own Kingdom. Now that the Pope hath, under sanctified titles, both abused Religion, and deceived the world, and that God is incensed against such pride, blasphemy, and hypocrisy; yea, offended with such Princes, as still adore the Beast, is apparent by many relations: Especially a large Letter written, and printed long since in the Spanish tongue to King Philip the second, in the days of Queen Mary, wherein is not only the Genealogy of Antichrist, but a delicate Picture of the Pope, and his Cardinals, kneeling before the Devil, sitting in a chair of State, who delivers him an Indenture, or Commission, with many seals, allowing him to be Antichrist, and so to execute his authority: this was composed by one Alonso de Penna Fuertes, an Italian, and out of this, with many other Classic Authors, this Enchiridion is extracted, and I hope to make all I project apparent, as fare as man may conjecture, or falls to my poor proportion of discovery. The Method then, which I would observe, ariseth from the 1. Discovery, 2. Arraignment, 3. and execution of Antichrist. In the discovery you shall have some observations taken from, 1. effectual contingents, 2. and probable conjectures. In the Arraignment the indi●ements are framed, 1. from contradicting the word of God, 2. from dishonouring the truth with false doctrines, 3. and from abusing the people with lying miracles. In the sentence of condemnation, and execution, the Bonarges is delivered, 1. from the mouth of God, 2. the predictions of Sibyls, 3. the invectives of their own canonised Fathers, 4. and revelations of blessed Women; of all which in order, or as orderly as I can. The discovery of Antichrist. COncerning the discovery of Antichrist, how ever I need go no further than daniel's weeks and times, or his four beasts, Ezekiels' visions, the Epistles of S. Paul, the Revelation of S. john, and those wonderful Expositions of learned men concerning the subject in hand: yet you shall have other observations, namely, that concerning the year 1666. a time wherein the glory of Antichrist year 1666 must be eclipsed, or at least so darkened, that it shall never shine with outward glory, nor eminent majesty: many have set down, that the numeral letters of all Alphabets amount to this number, and denotate the same, as if it were a thing purposed from the beginning, and like a Prophetical Hieroglyphic, representing the name, and mark of the Beast in the Apocalyps: for example, c. signifies a 100, d. 500 Alphab●ts numeral letters▪ i. one, l. 50. m. a 1000 v. five, and x. 10. all which summed together make a 1666. Others out of the name of Paulus vice Deus, borrowing a little liberty to make the first v a double, collect the same number from l. v. v. i. c. d. v. which Letters likewise amount to 666. Others take the name of the Beast out of Papa Vicarius Dei generalis in terris, where there are six Unites, two v. which make 10. l. 50. c. a 100 and d. 500 all which amount to 666. Others descant upon the triple Crown of the Pope, and some other terms more significant, as in all the learned Expositors of the Revelation is apparent. Last of all they have played with the very Character of Papa, as if there were a mystery in the Papa. Letters, and that Papa did signify Poculum aurcum plenum● abominationis, the golden cup full of abomination: and such is the will of God, that as Ahabs' little Cloud increased to a great storm, so out of these trivial animadversions, sufficient matter might be gathered for the discovery of Antichristian Prelacy. Effectual Contingents. Protestants. NOw let us come forward to Effectual Contingents, which are apparent from the progression of the Gospel in all the Countries of Europe, and discontentments of Papists themselves in their own Papistical Provinces. First then concerning Religion, now called Reform, Protestants. who knows not, what England, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the low Countries, and many great towns and Provinces, both in Germany and France have done? and that with resolution never to return to the vomit again? Who sees not the prosperity of Holland, Zealand, and the rest, who for Religion's sake, and to oppose that monstrous Hydra, the Inquisition, displayed by the Duke of Al●a, have ever since maintained such Wars, that the world is at a gaze at their Protector? Who confesseth not, what France bringeth forth, such Protestant Armies, such defensive towns, that their faith is as strong as their walls, such glorious troops, worthy Congregations, zealous ministers, and religious people, that for all the State allows them not public exercise of Religion, yet such is their estate, that many thousands are resolved to maintain the cause of the Gospel? Who understands not, how Switzerland is divided, and for the most part affected to the Reformed Religion? Whose heart doth not leap for joy (especially if his name be written in the book of life) to apprehend, how the spacious Germany hath her several Protestant Provinces, and reformed Cities, however the Pope's advocates mistearme them Lutherans, or Heretics? O Geneva, Geneva, I bless thy name for blessing the God of all blessing, who hath washed thee clean from the filthiness of superstition, and thou hast kept thy white garments unspotted, yea by demonstration shown plainly, that the wings of the Cherubins have over-shadowed thee. Shall I bring into this number the Provinces of Austria, Stiri●, Carmola, Carinthia, why the Emperor himself knows, they are most of them Protestants, and within three mile of Vienna, Englishmen have seen fifty Carosses at a Protestant Sermon, yea, they have told the Friars within the walls to their faces, that they would do as the men of Berea did, examine their doctrine by the Word of God. As for the terrible affrightings of hostility, whereby the countenances of Bohemia, the Palatinate, and other Provinces are even sadded again, and seem bloodless with impiety of soul, to think upon their ruins and devastation, although the jesuits run up and down with the Pope's fulmination in their mouths, fire and sword in their hands, malice and revenge in their hearts, death and destruction in their actions; and that the voice of Rachel is every where heard mourning for her children, Iere●s. yet are there thousand that have not bowed their knees to Baal, and are humbled with job to cry out, though King●. job. thou kill me, I will not forsake thee: and could all this be done without the special providence of God, and his all-searching eye, that will at last discover the pollution of this Antichristian den, and the deceit of the Strumpet? answer a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, how comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin? and thus much for the Protestant. Papists. COncerning Papists, how many Statutes in France, England, Papists and other places, have been enacted diverse hundred years since, against the pride, avarice, and usurpation of the Sea of Rome? What pasquils and invectives have been set up even in Rome itself? traducing the Popes and Cardinals for their vicious lives, and abominable impiety? What outrages have been committed to the sacking of Rome, and irreligious profanation of such things, as were reputed sacred, and all this by Catholick● Soldiers? What discontentments began between Philip the 2. of Spain, and the Pope, not long after the death of Charles the fift, when the Duke of Alva in his Master's behalf exprobrated the Conclave of Cardinals, for proclaiming the King an enemy to the Church, that a man would wonder how he was afterward diverted to bend his forces against them in the low Countries? How often have the Grandes of Spain repined at the welath and ambition of the Clergy? With what fearful out cries have the people murmured at the tyranny of the Inquisition? Are not the Friars at this instant I mean the Dominicans and Franciscans at variance about the original sin of the Virgin Mary? Did not Savoy a while ago protest against the tenths of the Church, and began to startle at some peremptory proceed of the Clergy? Was not Venice resolved to moderate the bounty of men defunct, who enfeoffed the Church with extraordinary donatives, and attempted to deny the Pope's secular jurisdiction, when they proclaimed Friar Paul of the order of Serui Theologo disignato, and that by sound of Trumpet in S. Marks Piazzo? Have I not heard myself the Women in the strectes tell the Religious men and boys of their Monasteries, that they begged Escmofina per comperare To buy Apples. poma, and so denied them their accustomed relief? Have I not seen in some places of Italy, their Columns and Pillars of Stone pasted all over with invectives against Indulgences, and pardons to be bought out for so much money, as if our Saviour's words to the jews were now verified, that if the people did not cry Hosanna in the s●●●●●es, the very stones would declare themselves. From whence came the opposition of Thomas of Canterbury against Henry the second, and the many discontents of the Nobility, the Pope's chiefest Champions, against so dangerous a usurpation? What say you to the Statute of Mortmain: the stopping of Peter-pences, and the interdicting of divers Bulls, even when England lay in the Cimmerian mountain of superstition, and was drowsy in the darksome cave of idolatry? Oh what a fear was the Pope in, when King john threatened the clergy, destroyed the order of Cisteux, and banished Stephen Langhton the kingdom. What think you of the bill put up in Parliament the 11 of Henry 4. that if the king would take into his hands the lands disordinately consumed by the Clergy, not intermeddling with tithes, or Bishops liuings it would maintain 15. Earls, 1500. knights 6000. Esquiers, 40. Almshouses and bring 30000. pounds a year into the exchequer, so that you see by this, & many more that the Papists themselves were not alwares pliant to the Pope's behests, but broken out into disordered raptures against the ambition, covetousness, usurpation, & tyranny of Rome. And could all these things be done without the finger of God to point at Rome's wickedness, or the resolution of heaven, that Babylon must fall? answer a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb; and thus of the Papists and effectual contingents. Probable Conjectures. COncerning Probable conjectures, I raise them Probable conjectures. from the description of Antichrist in the word of God; and the comparing of the Pope's doctrine, life, and actions to the same, as shall be made apparent in the next section, when I come to arraign this delinquent against the Majesty of God, the Prince of Christendom; the quietness of men's consciences, and the glorious progression Isaiah. of the Gospel. Doth not Isaiah tell a story of Lucifer and his fall, and Prophesieth of the destruction of Babylon, Isaiah 46. Isaiah 47. and her Idols? whereby I make no doubt, but the abominations of Rome are personated, and all the wickedness of corrupt prelacy discovered: Nay? why should I not apply, what Ezechiell speaks of Tirus, and compare, the Ezech. 26. wealth, pride, and presumption of Rome to her ripening sins, and at last rotten putrefaction: For wherein did ever any of the nations offend the most high God, but Popes have exceeded, as by their own authors is most apparent: but if you come to daniel's Prophecy, he will tell Daniel 7. 8. you of a little horn amongst the ten horns; that had eyes like a man, and a mouth speaking great things; yea in the 11. verse because of the voice of the great words, which the horn spoke, the beast was slain, & his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame: but the punishment belongs to a more proper place. I now go forward to the description. 7. For the ministry of iniquity doth already work, only he 2 Thessal. 2. 7 which now with holdeth shall let, till he be taken out of the way. 8. And then shall the wicked man be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall abolish with the brightness of his coming. 9 Even him, whose coming is by working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders. 10. And in all deceiveableness of unrighteousness amongst them that perish, because they received not the love of truth, that they might be saved. 11. And therefore God shall send them strong illusions, that they shall believe lies, etc. And a little before: He shall sit as God in the Temple of God. And a little before: He is called the man of sin. And in another place: There is the doctrine of Dinells forbidding meats, and 1 Tim. 4. marriages, etc. And in another place. There is named, the Whore of Babylon, the Cup of abomination, Apoc. the beast with 7. heads and 10. horns: Roma, septicollis. And in many other places such effectual descriptions, that I may well cry out, O God, What plainer words, what easier discovery, what would men desire to know more concerning the Popes of Rome, the life of Rome, the doctrine of Rome, the impieties of Rome? Oh then answer a gods name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, how comes this about, how could all these things be done without the finger of God to point at Rome, wickedness, or the resolution of heaven, that Babylon must fall, and thus much of Antichrists discovery: his arraignment follows with several inditements. Section 2. Antichrist Arraigned. IN this second section, or part of my discourse; you shall have the arraignment of Antichrist upon three several inditements. The inditing of Popery. The first for absolutely contradicting the word of God, whereby he may truly be called the Antichrist. 2. The second for false doctrine, and foisting in devices of his own, and trumperies of men's inventions. 3. The third for abusing the world with lying miracles, which the tempo●●sers of this world, and lukewarm Gospelers do mannerly call Piaefraudes, and orders of the Church. The first indictment against Antichrist for contradicting God's Word. COncerning the first. Though the author to the Hebrews Contradicting the Scriptures. Heb. 6. 1. advice us to go more forward in our building of Christianity, then laying a foundation of truth, yet he assureth us, without a good foundation there is neither building, nor means to avoid derision: what shall we say then to the despiser of both, whose Math. 7. 26. impiety and presumption have not only cast corrupt hands on the sacred word of truth, but inconsiderate Arms to tearein pieces the holy structures, yea with violence to pull the infants from the sucking breasts of their sweet mothers. To begin therefore with a strong position of, Cursed be he, that doth either add to my law, or Deut. 12. 3. & 4. 2. Iosh. 1. 7. Prou. 30. 6. Reu. 11. 1●. dimivish from it, etc. What hellish fury durst lay hold upon the second Commandment, so that neither in their Ladies nor jesus Psalter is it to be found. And come to the reprehension of their Idolatry, or profanation of God by portraitures, Idolatry. Images, & pictures in private and public: in the Church and the streets: in the house in the closet: in the garments and Utensils: they are so fare from Apology distinction, or nicely, that the common people fly to their books showing there is no mention of such a prohibition, nor do they any other, than the mother Church commands. O unheardof madness! O irreligious Apostasy. In the first to the Hebrews, the Original hath it thus, Heb. 13. and bearing up all things by his mighty word hath by himself (or only) Purged our sins. Now behold what dares not By himself put out. Satan do? deride God in the 2 of Genes. and tempt God in the 4. of Math. alleging Scripture in both to serve his turn, yea drawing the bow home of sacred truth to hit the mark of his aim, but what dares not the Pope doc? even more than the devil himself; dash away or quite extinguish such places of Scripture, as may seem to contradict his fictions, and lay his filthiness to overture, and the hissing of the passengers. For in this text he hath quite put out by himself, and presumed to put in merits, byworkes, both satisfactory and supererogative, trentals, Masses, Dirges, and other trumperies full of Leprous steines and corruption, which I pass over because they rather appertain to the second indictment. In the 1 of Timothy 2. 5. The words are plain, neither 1 Timoth. 2. 5. one Mediator. patible of other construction, and I am sure unsufferable of contradiction. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, which is the man Christ jesus. But what dares not the Pope do? quite reject this, and with conceited elegancy by way of comparison argue thus; that as the neck is between the head, and the body, so the Virgin Mary is between Christ and his Church, no graces or spiritual influences are granted from Christ, but they pass by the hands of his mother's intercession, and thus there is an Aue mary still to obtain present and future blessings: miracles are done indeed in the Church, but by her means through Christ's power, they have afforded her attributes of redemption, saving, protection, defence, ruling, commanding: for which purpose Leoes vision is a fearful and prodigious Atheism, wherein such as ascended the red ladder under Christ fell down from diverse steps but, such as went up the white ladder under the Virgin entered heaven without difficulty. If I should proceed with Rom. 8. Rom 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. Math. 11. 28. 34. Hebrews 7. 25. Math. 11. 28. in which places Christ is our only Mediator, and maketh intercession for us, I must needs impute arrogancy, nay blasphemy unheardof to the Papacy either to make ●er a Mediatrix, or pray to Saints for their assistance: but hearken to more impiety; they have devised her to be such a boundless Ocean of goodness, that she many times entertaineth such whom Christ refuseth, yea they go further in the glorifying of Saints, and crying to the Popes themselves to make intercession for them. O unlimitable audaciousness, and ridiculous foppery! yet so manifest, and absurdly entertained, that whole volumes are written in the defence, and as many about the discovery of the falsehood. In the 5 of john 39 It is plainly said: Search the Scriptures john 5. 39 Reading the Scriptures. Act. 17. 11. for in them you think to have eternal life, and they are they, which testify of me, whereupon it is recorded. Act. 17. 11. that the noble men of Thessalonia, and Berea received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily; to which purpose the holy Ghost yields a reason, 2 Tim. 3. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 16. For the whole scripture is given by inspiration, and is profitable to improve, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness. Now what Barbarous tyranny is this of the Church of Rome worse than Turkish cruelty, not only to lock up these precious treasures from the very eyes of overlooking, with a supposition of pollution by ignorance, but to affright the people with death, as by their bloody Inquisition is apparent, if any daring hand, or hungry soul outreach at this heavenly Manna, and look with cheerfulness toward mount Zion for their salvation: so that no lay man may presume at all, nor others to read the word of God in the vulgar tongue. In the 1 Corinth. 14. the inhibition is not barely set 1 Cor. 14. Against an unknown language. down for using an unknown language in the Church, or if you will in public congregations, but illustrated with Similes, and excellent enforcements to divert us from such absurdity, and irregular abuses in edifying. But alas how are our souls entangled, how is an insupportable burden of traditions thrust upon us, how are we inforcered with a tedious Catalogue of principles and Canons of the mother Church? And although the Apostles justified the obeying of God before men, yet now. Non cuivis licitum est dicere Papae, cur hoc faecis, Nay we must not ask a question for conscience sake, nor say a prayer in our mother tongue for sear of Lutherano, diavoto, Heretico, and in the inquisition to be clothed with the Sambenito, a punishment as vituperious as the carting of Bawds in England. Nay if a modest sinner should but reveal those diurnal liftings up of the soul, which Saint Austin and other fathers call ciaculationes, and that to be done in their native speech, it were sufficient to bring them within the griping reaches of accusation, and unsatisfied jealousy of alteration in religion, or repugnancy of the mother Church. O intolerable mischief! and never heard of frency to run away with such madness against God and his truth! In the 20. of Matthew, ver. 20. the story of the mother Math. 20. 20. Against ambition in the Clergy. of Zebedcus children with that sweet reprehension of ambitious tumours, is recorded at large. But how, not as barely exhortatory by way of defence of righteousness, humility, love, patience, and other spiritual graces, but with forcible interdiction of, With you it shall not be so: although the Lords of the Gentiles and other corrupt worldlings defiled with contaminating pride, and ●nsatiable affectings of authority, hunted after popular estimation and eminency before others, yet would not Christ have so much as elation of hart among his disciples, nor desire of superiority over their brethren for any assumpted gift or grace whatsoever. Nay though it were true, that God had made their faith the rock of foundation for his Church, and themselves the Pillars and Lamps of his temple. But now behold the error of the Church of Rome, the error said I, the intolerable pride, and Antichristian impiety, usurpation, and insatiable supremacy; he must not only exalt himself above his brethren, and make that Conclauc of Cardinals an undeniable Court of his greatness and authority, but stand like a Colossus over the necks of Princes, and as their own stories have enlarged, presumed to overturn the Crowns of Emperors with his feet; nay more than so? the Pope is carried on men's shoulders, and hath reached at heaven itself, and as the commentaries report of Prometheus that stole jupiters' fires, they have with a Luciferian pride arrogated the name of God, and equalled their fictions and absurd miracles with the best of the Prophets, and the mightiest word of truth. In the 1. Tim. 4. 1. 2. etc. there are three fearful attributes 1 Tim 4. 1. 2. Forbidding meats and marriages. set down, appropriate to such as forbid marriages, and the eating of meat, which God hath sanctified, namely, 1. Doctrine of Devils: 2. speaking lies through hypocrisy: 3. and have their Conscience burned with an hot iron; So that reasonable souls are almost terrified with the judgement, and cannot think it possible to avoid eternal flames, if they should once attempt to cross the true meaning of the holy Ghost. Yet see, what man dare do? the Pope hath invented a law of Celibacy, a vow of chastity, a devise of sequestration for Priests, and a manifest opposition to this verity, denying marriage, which God honoured with his presence, and branding it with the term of filthy pollution, and defiling copulation, nay, though that Christ esteemed and named it honourable: Yet have these Adversaries cast a defiance in the face of the Scriptures. But withal what have they done by way of connivency, permitted Whoredom, and whereas they can say in some sort; Si non castè, tamen cautè, they have published a greater audaciousness in defending their contaminated hearts, and adulterate eyes. For they have not spared to put to their hands and seals to the patents of Abbots, and other religious persons, wherein is this Proviso: Licitum erit Domino nostro Abbatt semel in mense habere mulierem ad purgandas renes. Nay, if I should search them further, I am afraid of pretended villainy to march arm in arm with their adulteries and fornication: For by experience I allege it, that in the Orchards of their Friaries and Nunneries, amongst other exornations and furnitures of comeliness, they have whole trees of Savine, and to what use that serves, Physicians Savine. and Midwives know too well, and how it may be abused, an honest mother cannot relate without tears and wring of hands. As for meats they have not only limited us in their use, but made a distinction of times, and set a seal upon days, as if it were high treason to break open the enclosures of such institutions, yea, an unanswerable offence to step aside from their authority and limitation. Nay, though God sa●● all that he made to be good, and blessed us in the fruition of his blessings, though the Prophets have cursed the observers of days and times, new Moons, and feasts: though Christ told his Apostles, that whatsoever went into the man did not defile him: though Peter's vision cleared that scruple of uncleanness in all meats, which God had sanctified: yet is it a Pontificean verdict of damnation, to infringe the letter of their liturgy, and the people are made to believe, that the eating of white meats in Lent, will open the jaws of Hell so much the wider: O irreligious Religion, and Satanical invention! In the twentith of L●uiticus, God hedged in the jews, Levit. 20. Marriage. touching marriage, and enacted certain precepts of holiness, as binding voices to all governments, kingdoms, and posterity: yet have we not experience of the Pope's repugnancy in this kind? And that many unlawful marriages, as fare as Incest, have been borne withal, and had Apostolical benediction: yea, from their very Monasteries, both Friars and Nuns have been taken out, to circled their heads with Coronets, and fill their arms with bedfellows, even contrary to their first footing in Religion, and p●mordiall contract with professed holiness. How plain are those words, 2. Thes. 2. Matth. 24. Apoc. 13. That that man of sin should be revealed, whose coming is by the working of Satan, with all power and signs, and lying wonders: Yet you see in despite of this, or derision of the Prediction, the Pope of Rome dare be called Vicedeus, as in the Dictates of Gregory the seaventh. And Miracles. the Church of Italy produce so many Miracles, that diverse of their own Divines have made a stop in their reading, but I refer you to its proper place, that is, the third Indictment, which I frame in this accusation; only by the way consider, how adverse this man is to the Scriptures, that dare justify himself to be Antichrist in this one point, as it were in despite of the holy Ghost. In the tenth of john, Christ saith; My sheep hear my john 10. Hearing the Word. voice: and in the twentie-one of john, the 15. verse. he biddeth Peter three times to feed his sheep, the reason is, because it is apparent, that without Preaching neither can faith be obtained, nor God himself so magnified, as he ought: but how poorly the Church of Rome distributes this gift, and in what broken Pipes the water runs from a sparing Spring, I might say corrupted Fountain, if not infectious stream: let the impartial Travellers report, who have visited the Congregations on both sides. For I dare be bold to say, that except some special Cities, wherein Priests and Friars discourse of the Legend of Saints, magnify the Pope's supremacy, dilate of the orders of the Church, manifest the necessity of Indulgences and pardons, and talk of Purgatory and Charity to Monasteries, the Country villages know not what a Sermon meaneth, only M●sse and Ma●tens, with some voraginous delivery of wonders, and when they gesture it in the best manner, not a place of Scripture alleged, nor a point of Divinity discussed, but some moral Precepts against notorious impreties, wherein yet the Philosophers and melancholy Stoics went beyond them. In the 13. of john, and the 35. verse, Christ saith plainly; john 13. 35. Loving one another. All men shall know, that you are my Disciples, if you love one another. But how well this Precept is observed amongst the Romanists, I appeal to themselves, and their own writings, what bitter invectives between Scotists and Thomists? What fearful raylings between Popes and Cardinals? What Calumniations between Friars and Monks? What desperate quarrels between Dominicans and Franciscans? What scandals between jesuites and Seculars? before ever watson's Book of Quodlibets and Quidlibets excited laughter in some, despite in many, and dis●tastings in all. I could name patience and meekness as a mark of the Church of God, but to look upon the angry face of Rome, and the affrightings of Clergy Commissioners, when their Religion is opposed, and fooleries derided, is more tyrannous, than the ten Persecutions in the Primitive Church; and the murdering the brethren in Turkey, is but a flea-biting to the burning and torturing of Martyrs. In Portugal they brought one Gardener to death an Englishman, with such unheardof cruelty, that the Clergy put a Devills-coat upon him, full of horrible shapes, gagd his mouth, hung him up in chains, and made him live in torments, when death took pity upon him. How ridiculous was the burning of Paulus Fagius and Bucers' bones in the beginning of Queen Mary's reign, after three year's bur●all, and God knows whether their bones or no. Such things are written of Bonner's cruelty, besides the Stories in the Acts and Monuments, that the inhumanity exceedeth all the extravagancies of Heathenish Tyrants. The other day when Friar Paul of Venice could not be caught in person, they burned him in Rome by portraiture, and sent twice to murder him in private. Shall I name the mischiefs against Queen Katherine Parr, in the latter end of Henry the eight, by the workings of the Bishops, especially Gardiner? Shall I recite the murders of the two Kings of France, the Prince of Orange, and diverse others, who seemed to oppose their disordered proceed? It were a wonder to tell you, how Queen Elizabeth, the wonder of all times, escaped their malice: but to end with the Powder plot, it must make an end of this Controversy, that the Pope of Rome is a mere Tyrant in earth, and the Doctrine of Rome most opposite to the Gospel of jesus Christ. Humility, last of all is such a mark of the true Church Humility. of God, that in diverse places, you have the very garments of a Prophet named; Elias vesture; Isaiahs' nakedness; jeremies' du●geon; Amos frock; Christ's seameles coat; john Baptists Camels hair, and such like. But the Pope must be a God on earth, and the Cardinals take place of all Princes, that are not absolute Monarches. Their Carosses are so sumptirous and stately, that they have four velvet chairs within, and six stately Moiles without, and how they ride with public Courtesans to the Conclave, is well known. Baptista Fulgosus recordeth, Pride of Rome. that Peter Riarus, first a Friar Minorite, afterward Cardinal to Sixtus the fourth, had Gowns of cloth of Gold, Cover and Tikes of Beds suitable, and all other Furniture of the best Silk. There was a Feast made at Rome by a Cardinal to Elinor of Arragon, as she went to marry Hercules de Est, Duke of Ferrara, which lasted seven hours, with all variety of Music, and delicate Acates, which had also plays and dances. Another Cardinal had a Concubine, called Tiresia, whose Chappinos were embroidered with Pearl and precious Stones, to an inestimable value. But what need I go so fare as Rome to instance this Indictment of opposing the Word of God against them, when I can name you such Prelates in England, that for pride, and wealth exceed any Cardinals of Rome, and lived, as if they would tell us plainly, Antichrist was discovered, and there was neither heaven nor hell to be thought upon, but the present bravery of the world, and the magnificence of a Courtly and majestic life. In the time of William Rufus, you had an Otho, Bishop of Baieux, and Earl of Kent. In the time of Henry the second, you had a Thomas of Canterbury, that affrighted the King with Excommunication. In the time of Richard the first, you had a Bishop of Durham, who gave ten thousand pound for an Earldom. In the days of King john, Stephen Langhton opposed the Majesty of England. In the time of Henry the fift, the Bishop of Winchester lent the King twenty thousand pound. In the time of Henry the sixth, Cardinal Beuford was infamed for pride, and wealth. In the time of Henry the eight, Woolsey writ, Ego & rex meus, and so exceeded in magnificence and greatness, that all Europe wondered at the prosperity of our country, and yet repined, that such a Prince would endure the ambition and impiety of a Prelate. To conclude, Cardinal Poole was cousin to Queen Mary, and therefore endured for his magnificence and pomp: but yet all these belonged to the Church, and should have been Preachers of the Word of God, but they proved Wolves in Sheep's clothing, and the humbled soul made this Use of their lives, that Antichrist was discovered, and so being the main Adversary, must needs oppose the Word of God, and do contrary things to truth and Christianity. And thus much of his first Indictment. The second Indictment of Antichrist for teaching The second indictment. men's traditions, and foisting into the doctrine of the Church, both Heresies, errors, and absurdities. BEfore I go any further, let me answer certain objections, which I should have done in my former Indictment; namely what greater humility can there be, then for the Capuchins and Friars Mendicants to refuse and despise the vanities of the world, and be contented with poverty, disgrace, scorns, and never-heard of humiliation; insomuch that Princes have even pricked their proud swelling hearts, and let out the corrupt blood, bringing them down to prostitution and contentment in Vnsaverie poverty: as you saw, Duke jogenx became father Angelo: Faelix of Savoy thrust himself into a Monastery: Charles the fift forsook the world, and left amongst all his ●ewells, as principal, his whip of small cords, wherewith he lashed his sides: and many other Princes finished their days in Religious houses. I answer with the Prophet, who required these things at your hands, and when it is the best humiliation it is contaminated and defiled with wrong circumstances, and though it tend to the worshipping of Angels, it is but devilish and Colos. 2. 23. unprofitable. Again, concerning outward garments, cowls, weeds hair or hempen girdells, penance, whipping, fasting, Kings. and such like tormenting the flesh: is it any other, than the priests of Baal cutting and lashing themselves? then idolatrous sacrifices, wherein the Heathen practised the shedding of blood, and continued with Monstrous murders, and Devilish shapes to the people. Rend your joel. hearts, and not your garments, saith the Prophet, and when you fast or mourn, hang not down your heads like Bulrusshes, or do as Hypocrites do, saith Christ. Last of all concerning good works and relieving the poor, which they term Charity; What profit can Math. 6. such things do, where is presumption of merit? what good can they procure, when they are full of corruption? why do you plead for poverty, when you grow so rich yourselves, and fill your treasuries with all manner of gifts from living and dying men? what talk you of religion? When you mind nothing but policies of State, and to trouble all Christendom with devices: as for the outward form of good deeds I will be bold to say we have had amongst ourselves more Colleges builded, Almshouses erected, Chapels edified, Churches repaired, Poor relecued, Prisons visited, and Lands given to pious uses, and that within these fifty years; then in two hundreth years before, let them name what Country they please: and thus much for the Objections, now to my purpose in hand. To make you a Collection of all the devices and tr●● peries in Popery, were to make a rope of sand, and begin a work which could have no end: For this wooden wheel hath been so often turned, that the Clogs are worn asunder and either they must erect a new frame, or invent a new superstition. For all the old is discovered, and in a Book called the Bechine of the Romish Church, the face of revelation, like your face in a glass, will reflect upon you. O that I need bring you no further than that pulling hook to shake the walls of Papistry to rubbish, but because variety hath a passage of pleasure among Novelists, I am contented to search further, and thus expose unto you, what I find in other treasuries. Nicholas the second, in a certain Synod at Rome decreed year 1059 that Christ's body was present in the Eucharist to be handled with hand, and torn a pieces with teeth. In the Conventicle of Florence the doctrine of Purgatory, and the Pope's supremacy was ratified by the year 1439 authority of that Synod, and the doctrine of the seven Sacraments propounded to the Arminians was confirmed and so established, that the Council of Trent agreed to the same, withal the other errors and superstitions of year 1564 Popery. Irenaeus saith, that the Apostles did first Preach the Gospel and afterward delivered the same in Scriptures, Lib. 3. cap. 1. that they might be a foundation and pillar of our faith; Lib. 4. de. verb. cap. 4. but Bellarmine saith, they are neither necessary, nor sufficient without traditions. The Scotists and most Papists maintain, that the Virgin Mary was neither conceived in sin, nor ever committed any; and yet the Apostle saith, that by one man Rom. 5. Galath. 3. sin entered into the world, and death by sin went over all, yea he showeth, that the Scripture hath concluded all under sin. It is well known and publicly printed both in the jesuits doctrine of Collen, the works of Thomas Aquinas, Bellarmine and others, that the Papists maintain justifying by the Law, Merit by Works, no necessity of confession of faith, when yet the Scripture saith, Christ is made unto us justice, wisdom, Sanctification, and 1 Cor. 1. Redemption, and that Abraham believing, it was imputed to him for righteousness, yea Isaiah hath it thus Isayah 53. in plain terms, we are healed by his stripes, the Apostle speaketh in this manner. It is manifest, that no Gal. 3. Rom. 4. man is justified by the Law before God, and that Abraham was not justified by the works of the Law. Navarrus teacheth, that lay men may not dispute of E●ch. cap. 11. The Ch. ignorantia de ●u●●a trinit. matters of faith under penalty of the Pope's excommunication, and Linwood holdeth it sufficient for lay men to believe the Articles of the Creed implicitly without public confession, or other Christianlike yielding a reason of their Salvation and good life. Whereas our Saviour saith Math. 11. My yoke is easy, Math. 11. and my burden light. Thomas Aquinas sets it down thus, that the Precepts of the law, or the Gospel, are more Math. 11. grievous and cumbersome than the law of Moses: and the censures of Collein with Bellarmine himself say plainly, 2 quest. 107. that we cannot be saved, unless in our own persons we fulfil the Law. Matthew Paris in his collection from the year 1256. year 1256 advertiseth us, that the Friars determining to overthrew the Gospel of jesus Christ, published another new one by the name of Euangelium aeternum, as if the word of God should continue but for a time; to which they added certain fooleries out of the writings of Abbot joachim, and continued in such blasphemy, as if their devices should outlast the Gospel of Salvation. The Master of the Sentences determineth, that the father and the holy Ghost might have been made man, Lib. 3. dist. 1. and yet may, the main Heresy of the Patripassians; who held that the father suffered death for us: and the scoolemen maintain, that the Son of God, might have assumed the nature of a woman, which derogateth from the Mystery of Christ's incarnation. Besides, they affirm, that Christ was never troubled in soul with any perturbation or affliction, contrary to the plain john 12. Math. 26. text of Scripture, Nam anima mea perturbata est, and Ambrose saith, he hath taken our will and our sadness upon him. The Master of the Sentences publisheth, that all that Lib. 4. distin. 1. died under the Law, and not Circumcised, were damned; and the Synod of Trent pronounceth them Anathema or accursed, that say there are more or fewer Sacraments, than seven, that is to say, 1. Baptism, 2. Confirmation, 3. the Eucharist, 4. Penance, 5. Extreme Unction, 6. Order, and 7. Matrimony: and yet the mystery of the great Apoc 17. Whore is called Sacramentum mulieris, and Saint Austin never knew any more, than two, Baptism and the Lords Supper, that is out of Christ's sides slowed water and blood, to which agrees Tertullian, Dionysius, Are●pagita, Chrisostom, Cyrill, Gregory, Cyprian, Rabanus, Pas●hasius: beside, it is absurd to think, that Marriage, Priesthood, and Penance were of one nature under the Law, and another under the Gospel. Navarrus in his Enchiridion, and Bellarmine in his Discourses Lib. 1. de Sacr●. 14. of the Sacraments, maintain, that the Sacraments of the new Law both contain grace and confer grace, Ex opere operato, which also may appear by the Canons of the seaventh Session of Trent. But Lord, what absurdities must now follow? First, to attribute as much to Matrimony, Confirmation, and extreme Unction, as to Baptism, and the Lord's Supper. Secondly, What contrariety is this for Priests to forswear marriage, seeing it containeth grace, and worketh it. Thirdly, If grace be nothing else but Charity, or a habit not distinct from it, how may Charity be contained in Oil, or the rites of Matrimony, or external signs. Fourthly, Who can show, or dare maintain, that such as receive their Popish Confirmation, orders, extreme Unction, or are married, are more just, than they were before. Fiftly, Last of all God hath promised to work by his Sacraments, but we do not read, that ever he promised justification, or grace to married folk, or to such as are greased by extreme Unction, or to any such, who with Bell●rmine and Canisius say, that Sacraments are only external signs, whereby it must needs follow, that Christ's body and blood in the Eucharist are no Sacrament, because they appear not to the eyes nor are apprehended by other senses. By the effects of holy water sprinkling, and washing, the Papists hope to be cleansed from sins, but the Homerobaptists among the jews were therefore reputed Heretics, as Epiphanius affirmeth; and the Prophets tell us, that neither Cal●mus, nor thousands of rivers of Oil, neither rivers, nor the whole Ocean can purge or purify us from our transgressions. In those days, the Dositheans were reputed Heretics, for affectation of Virginity, and punishing their bodies. yet now the Papists are transported with another Doctrine, yea, many others. For the Council of Constance condemned john the 23. for denying the immortality of the soul; yet such is the corruption of nature, and impiety of Popes, Epicurean Philosophers. Rome, that Alexander the 6. Leo the 10. Clement the 7. and diverse other Pope's borrowed this Heresy from the Sadduces, or rather Epicurean Philosopher's, and blasphemed God in their repugnancy: yea that beastly opinion of the Capernaites concerning the eating of the flesh of Christ really, was maintained by Pope Nicholas, in a certain Chapter beginning; Ego Berergarius, etc. If Simon Magus was detested by the Apostle for 〈◊〉 money to buy the graces of the Spirit: What shall become of Papists in their Mart of Masses, Po●tsaile of Indulgences, chaffering for Benefices, and selling all things for money, more execrably, then ever judas did Christ. As for that small account, or slighting the sin of using common Women, harken I pray you, what is recorded of Saint Austen; Docebat detestandam turpitudinem indifferenter utendi faminis. If you read Ecclesiastical Histories, you shall find many Heretics condemned for doing those things, wherein Heretics. the Papists do now transgress, and inveigh against true Christians, for reputing their Doctrine loathsome. The Basileans by Irenaus were esteemed Heretics for Images, Enchantments, and diverse superstiticus exorcizations. Carpocrates, and Marcellina one of his followers, adored the Images of jesus, Paul, Homer, and Pythagoras: and who doth not know, what estimation George the Dragon-killer, Saint Katherine, aed Papia have in Europe? And the Marcosians were condemned for Baptising in an unknown Language, and anointing with Chrism, etc. Witness all this, and much more Ireneus and Epiphanius, etc. The Messalians were condemned for using much babbling, and multiplicity of prayers: What think you then of the Papists Rosary, and certain numbers of Creeds, Ane●, and Pater-nosters. The Angelikes and Caians invocated Angels, which Heresy proceeded from Simon Magus, and is disallowed of by Epiphanius, Tertullian, Austin, and others, and yet the Papists have still a Mass in the honour of Angels. The Severians are traduced for forging of Miracles, and one Philumena accused for drawing a lose of bread out of a narrow mouthed glass, but what is this to the Papists Legend? And how can Bellarmine make miracles Austin. c. 24. Haeres. a mark of the Church, or other jesuites maintain the notorious absurdities of Popery. Now if it be thus, that these things are proved against them, that infinite thousand of errors, like so many Locusts in a filthy standing lake, increase to an unsufferable fulsomeness in the Church of Rome, that diverse reformed places have yet cleansed themselves from their pollution, and that the true servants of God do daily rise, like the child Daniel, to examine the hypocrisy and unsavoury lust of the judges. O let no i●dicious men for any worldly respect whatsoever, come so near the Chariot wheels of this Strumpet, as to be dashed with the filth and dirt, which it casteth up: let the true ser●an●● of God come out of Babel. For questionless it will fall, and then whosoever shall presume of her strength, glory, and mightiness, will be pressed, and overwhelmed with her rubbish, if they tarry within: let all regenerate souls come to the pure stream of the Scriptures to drink the waters of life, and not seek the pudled filth and noisome lake of men's devices and inventions, which must needs either choke with the mud of superstition, or poison with the venom and mixture of unequal impositions. As for policy, temporising, making leagues, civil honesty, and such like forbearances, with so great an adversary to Christ. Why should not the jews use the language of Canaan? Why did josuah tell the people, he and his house would serve God? Why did job cry out, though thou kill me, I will not forsake thee? Why did Elias and Micha prove Antagonists to four hundred false Prophets? Why did Amos oppose Amasiah? Why did all the Prophets stand in the gap against the corruption of time, and the main currant of the world? Why did Christ weep for the hardness of men's hearts, and call the Priests, Pharises, Scribes, and Lawyers, hypocrites? Why did Paul confess, that after the way they called Heresy, he served the God of his fathers? Answer a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb: How comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself at last be destroyed, after the man of sin is consumed with the breath of God's nostrils? But we will yet go forward. For there are more mustered Armies ready to march upon them, and come to the charge, to their utter overthrow and execution. Shall I now name certain blasphemies, and nefarious actions committed by the Popes themselves, and borne withal, or published in the Church of Rome; by which you may see, how this Indictment is unanswerable, and there must needs follow a judgement of condemnation after the Arraignment. Beno the Cardinal recites a story, that Gregory the 7. consulted Fearful actions of Popes. with his God in the Host, or the Eucharist; and because he could receive no answe of it against the Emperor, he threw the Sacrament into the fire: and Pius the fift, cast an Agnus De● into Tiber, and burned another, as Hierome Catena affirms. Clement the 6. would have men pray and cry to the Pope, Lord open thy treasure the fountain of living Ch: Vnigenit. ext. water. Horatius Tursellinus in an Epistle to Peter Adobrandini saith, that God made the Virgin Mary as much as could be the companion of his majesty, And Bernardine with Bonaventure, give her power over her son, jure matris. Virgin Mary. In the Roman breviary, she is called Dulcis amica Dei: and in the Missal of Sarum, the Saviour of the world. Bellarmine alloweth a saying of the Friars to the Crucifix, thou hast redeemed us, thou hast reconciled us to the Father. The Turks and Saracens honour the books of the Old The Scriptures. Testament, but the Papists profane the Scriptures. The Rhemists call it, a kill letter. Stapleton endeavours to prove, that all Heresies proceed from the Scriptures. Kellison saith, that the Devil doth wappe himself from top to toe in Scriptures. Turrian writing against Sadeel, calleth the Scriptures Delphicum gladium, an Instrument to all purposes. Bellarmine accuseth them as imperfect and insufficient. Piggius and Eckius mistermeth them a dead Letter. Cardinal Poole, an Incky Gospel. Montanus, a nose of Wax. and many others, a Ship mans-hose. Steuchus in his Treatise for the defence of Constantine's donation, calleth the Pope a God; and the Abbot Panormitanus Blasphemies. expressly saith, that Christ and the Pope have but one Consistory. julius' the second, upon Easter day fought with the French at Ravenna. Gregory the 7. mustered his Army against Henry the 4. on good Friday, and thought to murder the Emperor in Saint Mary's Church, by throwing a stone upon him from a vault. Sixtus the 4. even at the elevation of the Sacrament, endeavoured to kill Laurence and julian Volater●●. de medices. Although Leo the 10. called the Gospel a Fable, and the wicked and monstrous lives of the Popes were ever discovered: yet did the people fall down like beasts before them, worshipping them as God: and Paulus Aemilius telleth, Lib. 2. how the Ambassadors of Sicily cried thus to the Pope; Thou that takest away the sins of the world have mercy upon us. To which purpose, Simon Begnius, Bishop of Modrusa, calleth Leo the 10. his Saviour; and Stapleton writing to Gregory the 13. termeth him Supremum numen in terris, and these attributes follow; The vicar of Christ, the Monarch of the Church, the head, the spouse, the foundation of the Church: yea Thomas Waldenses flattereth Martin the 5. with Salua nos Domine, perimus; and Cornelius, Bishop of Befo●●o in the conventicle of Trent, calleth the Pope the light which came into the world. But now if you would demand the reason of all these blasphemies, and filthy wickedness, it is apparent by a simile of bitter streams from sour springs: these things were Authors. Beno. Platina. Nauclecus. Theoderick. devised and maintained by such men, as were branded in their lives for notorious and infamous livers. Benet the 9 and Sylvester the 2. gave themselves to the Devil. Twenty two Popes practised Magic. Gregory the seaventh was condemned for a Necromantic at a Council: and the Council of Pisa accused Gregory the 12. and Benet the 13. for wicked livers. Alexander the 6. was an Atheist, that is, believed there was no God. john the 22. in the Council of Constance was convinced for making question of the Resurrection. Leo the 10. and Clement the 7. were also reputed Atheists: Paul the 3. consulted with the Devil, and julius the 3. said, he would eat, 〈◊〉 dispetto di Dio: yea Boccace in his second Novel, bringeth in a jew wondering how the City of Rome was kept from sinking to Hell, considering the sins and abominations both of the Popes, the government, and the people. Here might properly be brought in certain proofs and enlargements: 1. That Popery is a sink of Heathenish Idolatry: 2. That their religion never came from true jerusalem: 3. That it was never taught by the Prophets, or Apostles: 4. That it was not known to ancient professed Emperors, and Christian Kings: 5. That the ancient Britons' were not converted to the now Popish religion. 6. That Popish religion is falsely called Catholic: 7. That there were never such doctrine, and principles in the Primiti●e Church: 8. That it is repugnant to ancient Counsels: 9 That it is contrary to the Fathers of the Church: 10. That it was never testified by the blood of Christian Martyrs, etc. But it would prove too great a mountain of amazement, and be extended to a greater volume, than I propose, therefore I refer you to such sufficient authors as are every where extant, for the good of all Christians. The Mass by their own confession was framed at s●uerall Popery a humane devise. times, and by diverse authors. For how ever the law of God was given at an instant, and the Gospel of jesus Christ, with the doctrine of Christianity, comprised in one volume, called the Testament, yet hath this sabricke of Popery been many hundred years a framing, and the materials come into millions of hands, that had not time to this hour to dispatch the building, and cover the structure. Thus Walafridus, Platina, Nauclerus, and others report: that Celestine made the introit, judica me Deus: Damasus added the confession: Gregory the Antiphona and Kirie eleeson: Telesphorus, gloria in excelsis: and Gelasius certain clauses of the Orisons: Thomas Aquinas devised the office on Corpus Christi day: but who contrived the Masses for S. Francis, S. Dominicke, and other late Saints, the Papists themselves cannot tell. The Psalter of our Lady was invented by Bonaventure. You see the Priests offer Christ for the sins of the quick and dead, for sick horses, and pigs, etc. I hope you all think this a devise of man, and in no Scripture at all. Oh jesus, didst thou spit, and salt, or light Candles in Baptism? Didst thou use any mimic gestures when thou institutedst the Sacrament of thy Supper? Is it not a strange devise, that no Priest may say Mass without water and fire? The worship of the Sacrament and the custody thereof in a Pixe was invented by Honorius. What think you of Canonical hours, and the relics of Martyrs, who devised them I pray you? All their Litanies and Prayers to Saints and Angels, yea, peradventure to such as are gone to the Devil, as the Heathen canonised such for Gods, as were lecherous and incestuous persons, were framed by sundry Popes and Friars. The Pope's triple crown, kneeling to the Cross, and a thousand of other trumper●es, were the excrements of hot brains, and men, who knew no better, or at least would not, then to increase their honour, and ambition, and wealth. The feast of jubilee was ordained by Boniface the 8. Corpus Christ's by Clement the 5. Of our Lady's conception by Sixtus quartus, of her assumption by another; and all the rest of the ceremonies and superstitious rites by one wicked Pope or lying Priest or other. For because Paul said, the rest I will set in order when I come, these men have assumed to themselves a power to device unheardof impieties, and yet as Physicians gild their bitter pills with some flourishing golden virtue; they stop all men's mouths with order, and ordinances of the Church: but the Saints of God can tell them, that jeroboams' calves were erected by order. For the Text saith, the King called a council: and the Statutes of Omri, with all the abominations of the Priests, and Kings of Israel were confirmed, and maintained by order; therefore order disordered may turn to confusion, and desolation. And so I proceed. Bernard of Luzenburg showeth, how the Doctors of Popish devices agree with Heathenish customs. Collen averred, that Aristotle was the forerunner of Christ in naturalibus, as john Baptist in divinis, and that they would prove the distinction of the three persons in Trinity by Philosophy. Gratian talking of diverse orders, and degrees in D●cretis dist. 21. the Roman Hierarchy, confesseth, that this difference was deduced from the Gentiles: Gregory the 1. writing to Melitus, permitted the English to build booths in the day of the dedication of their Churches, and to kill Oxen for the Beda lib 1. cap. 30. praise of God; and was not this the custom of the Pagans serving Idols. Boniface the 4. consecrated the Church called Pantheon in Rome, where Cibele and all the Heathen gods were adored, to our Lady and all Saints, as if he would show, that the worship of Saints must succeed in the place of Idols, and Heathen gods. Who knows not, that the Priests of the Gentiles did shave their heads and beards, the Priests of Baal lance themselves, the Priests of Cibele whip themselves, and the Priests of Bell and the Dragon made the King believe, the Idol did eat up his provision? and who sees not the Papists to justify the imitation, and yet as the Lapwig runneth away with the shell on her head, they carry it with zeal, devotion, and austerity of penance. Bellarmine, Thomas Aquinas, and others, prove the Popish Monarchy by the Gentiles government: the seven Sacraments by Philosophical arguments, and that one body may be in many places at once by sophisticate principles. Is not the worship of Saints and Images a mere trick of the Gentiles, and are not all the devices of adoration sprung from hellish idolatry? The temple of Romulus and Rhemus is now the Church of Saint Cosmas and Damianus, the temple of Faunus is converted into the Church of S. Steven, The temple of juno Cupra into the Chapel of our Lady of Loretto, where the altar stood dedicated to Apollo, is now one erected to Saint john, & the Image of Brass of jupiter is now Saint Peter, as their antiquaries justify. There was one supreme God among the Gentiles, and many inferiors under him, so the Papists acknowledge one God in terms, but have an hundred inferiors for every action and disease: the burning of incense cometh from the Gentiles, and they assite Virgil's testimony with other prets, the washing of hands, their skippings and turnings, their sacrifices with fire and water, their tunickes, Albes, and other pompous ceremonies, their Purgatory and belief of good and bad Genius, their worship, of trees, stones, and fountains with infinite other absurdities & abominations, are all the devices of Gentiles, and customs of Pagans: which if it be so, Answer a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, how comes this about; if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself at last be destroyed, after Antichrist is discovered, and the man of sin consumed with the breath of God's nostrils? I must begin with a smile. For you cannot choose, Popery keepeth Christians in ignorance. but laugh when you hear of the Collier's faith to believe, as the Church believes, though it was not known, what that belief was, the obscuring of the Scriptures, the inhibition of their reading, their praying in an unknown tongue, their not suffering men to dispute, their preaching of stories and tales without one word of edifing, their suppressing of religious books, and infinite other palpable enormities, what are they any other, but instruments of Satan to keep us in security, or Synens' hands to rock the Cradle of our frailty, till we fall a sleep yea snort again in the Cimmerian cave of darkness, ignorance, and superstition. Oh hearken for God's sake what Historiographers writ of ignorance, dulness, and stupidity in spiritual affairs. Alphonsus a Castro lib. 1. de haeresi. saith that diverse Popes were utterly unlearned. Lazierdus Author Pla●●●. speaking of Gregory. 6. reciteth, that he caused another to be consecrated with him for saying Mass, because he himself scarce known a letter, but this matters not, for jelium approves, that the Pope cannot be deposed for want of learning. Pope Zachary condemned Virgilius a Bishop of Germany as an heretic for saying, there were Antipodes. Paul the second was so unlearned, that he determined them to be Heretics, that named the word Academy. john Pecham in the Provincial constitution supposeth it ●uff●cient for Priests either by themselves or substitutes, once a year, to tractate, or at the most every quarter, of the ten Commandments, of the law, the twelve Articles, the two commandments of the Gospel, the seven works of mercy, the seven deadly sins, the seven virtues, and the seven sacraments without curiosity, or putting it home to edifying & uses of the conscience. Durandus teacheth, that the two points of a Bishop's Mitre signifies the old and new Testament, but Lewis marcilius an Augustine Friar said that the stropps of the Mitre, which the Bishop hangs at his back did foreshow, that they neither understood old nor new Testament. Aluarus Pelagius complains, that the Bishops of Spain committed thousands of souls to young novices, that were fit to play with Apples and Pears; shall I name the Sermons of the Friar Menot, Maillard, Bromyard, and their fellows, they were so full of ridiculous fables that the people went to Church to sport themselves in the hearing. The Germans of late complained to Adrian 6. that Bishops advanced unlearned idiots, unfit, vild, and ridiculous. It is well known, that many Priests and Friars could not say Mass, nor distinguish of days, but by the great letters; and all your Schoolmen and Inquisitors generally fill their studies with books of Rhetoric, stories, legends decretals, Canons, Civil law and such trash. For is not stubble trash compared to the come● but neither Bible nor expositors of Scriptures, scarce a father or divine author shall be found amongst them, for in truth how ever now a days they swell with the tumour and accent of great Scholarship and learning, they are still for the most part illiterate, and ignorant, and that reputation they have, proceedeth either from their auditors and disciples want of knowledge, or their Glosses, and tedious Cataloging of uncertain authors, who handle curious questions, and at the best school-divinity. Novation cannot stand without Christian policy, nor Popery repugnant to the laws of nature and nations. policy be maintained without observation and performance of oaths, promises, compacts, leagues and treaties of trade and commerce: yet you shall see, what either the scorn of Papist, negligence, presumption, equinocation, or one trick or other hath done. Formosus being deposed for-swore his Bishopric, yet regarded not his oath, but resumed the same. In the life of Henry 4. Emperor, Gregory 7. was invested Pope contrary to his oath. Paschall the second, solemnly swore to the Emperor being his prisoner, but at least subject to his danger, that he would keep and religiously observe the Articles set down between them, burr he proved so false & repugnant that after he had escaped, he rebelled and excommunicated the Emperor. Charles the French Theodori●k: King changes Gregory 12. and Benedick 13. of violation of their faith, and Om●phrius allegeth against Alexander 6. that he was a delinquent in more than punic perfidiousness, Guicciardine speaking of Climent 7. saith plainly ●ra di poca s●de, julius, 2. Leo 10. and diverse others endeavoured to prove, that the Pope was not bound by any oath, but he might both infringe the same and incite others to dishonourable practices. Henry the 4. as Helmoldus complains accuseth the Pope for the rebellion of his subjects, and this by his instigation the tumults of Germany were raised, and the people set all in combustion upon the Pope's warrant and pardon, In the Counsel of Constance the Pope and his complices persuaded the Emperor to violate the safe conduct of john Husse, whereupon that damnable position of fides non est consernanda cum hereticis, was ratified, and concluded; which if it be so, what trust can be secured of any contract or treaty, but still upon advantage the adversary will break out, and imitate the Panther who showeth not her talents, till the beasts be within her reach? Did they not of late days persuade the Emperor Charles 5. to break with Luther▪ Paul the 3. in a Bull against Henry 8. denounced them accursed, that would not infringe all oaths and allegiance either covenanted with the King, or his subjects. Eugen●us 4. was the cause or motive that Ladislaus of Poland infringed his oath with the Turk. Innocentius the 3. blew up that wind of rebellion against King john. And Pius the first cursed heaven and earth, that he could thrive no better against Queen Elizabeth. Gregoey 7. contrary to all the laws of honour and nations imprisoned the Emperor's Ambassadors, and another killed the Emperor frederick's Ambassadors, who brought good news of the success in Palestina. I will not name the Marquis of Montigni and Earl of Bergnes sent into Hesmoldus author. Spain, who were put to death by the Inquisitors. Paschall 2. and his adherents armed the son against the father. Gregory 9 performed the like by Henry the son against Frederick 2. witness Auentinus. Innocentius 3. confounded whole kindreds with intestine war. Marius Belga affirmeth that Gregory 4. was the radical cause of Ludovicus Pius wars, when his children rebelled. But what say you to Alphousus Dias, that came post from Rome to have his own brother murdered for embracing the true religion. If I should go forward in the discovery of all the errors, Heresies, and absurdities in Popish religion, I should lose myself in a labyrinth, wander in a wilderness, and though I were a good swimmer, yet prove like a man entangled in weeds ready to sink without some charitable supportation: therefore I will cast up no more earth upon this bank, but refer you to other men's grounds, where you shall have minds of all manner of metals, and so you may repair to those furnaces, that try gold from dross, and s●ew you the purity of Scripture from the dirt and filth of Popery; only one word concerning the authority and pretogative of Kings which the Popes have endeavoured to impair and by all means to disannul. Innocentius the 3. compareth the Pope to the Sun and Popery prei●d●ceth the authority of Princes. the Emperor to the Moon, Cap. de maior, & obed: Clement the 5. in the Chap. Romani princip. avoucheth, that the Emperors have submitted their ●eades to the Bishop, and how they ought to take an oath of fealty and obedience to the Pope. In the Chap. Pastoralis, the Pope determineth that by right of the papacy he hath superiority over the Empire, and that in the Vacancy▪ he himself is Emperor. Boniface the 8. writing to the French King gave him to understand, that he was the Pope's subject, Scire & Volumus etc. and therefore he had two swords to invest and depose Kings, as well as the Keys to open and lock the doors of heaven. josephus' V stanus, lib. de osculat. pedum Lib. 5. cap 6. de pontiff Rom. Pontif. inferreth, that the Pope may depose the Emperor. In the Bull of Pius the 5. against Queen Elizabeth, the Pope dares presumptuously affirm, that he is made a Prince and set over all nations and kingdoms to dissipate and spoil, to plant and to build etc. yea in the jesuits new year 1594 doctrine Bella●mine saith, that the Pope hath power to change kingdoms, and to take from one to retribute to another. Chincard a jesuite was hanged in Paris for writing diverse seditious positions concerning the Pope's authority in disposing of the Crown of France and transplanting it from the family of Bourbon. William Rainold an English man under the name of Rosse doth in express terms defend the league against the French King: and affirmeth, that the right of all kingdoms is laid upon the Pope's foundation, whereupon as in some sort you have heard before, Gregory the 7. raised the wars of Germany against Henry Emperor. Paschall 2. raised the son to rebel against the father, whereby he was taken prisoner and so resigned, but yet the Pope prosecuted the son with as great hatred, as the father. Innocentius 2. went by force of arms to conquer Roger of Sicily, and had surely done it, if the son had not succoured and assisted his father. Adrian 4. and Alexander 3. did so prevade against Frederick 1. that he held the stirrup to the one, & was trod upon by the other. Celes●in the 3. cast the crown from the head of Henry the 6. with his foot. Innocent the 3. brought the Emperor ●hilip and Otho to destruction. Gregory the 9 and Innocent the 4. furiously assaulted Fredrick 2. with such soldiers, as had made a vow to fight against the Saracens. john 22. Benet. 12. and Clement, 6. with implacable hatred prosecuted Lewis of Bavaria, for no other reason, but because he took upon him the Imperial diadem without the Pope's consent. thus was Harold overcome by the conqueror through the Pope's curses, and King john besides his other troubles lost all Normandy. How did Boniface 8. infested both Italy and Spain, attempting to subjugated Philip of France, & the house of Colonia and Italy? I will come no further, for every man knows our modern stories, & that the Majesty of England hath written a discourse against this Pontificeous usurpation; is it not high time then to bring this man to the bar of God's judgement seat, & indite him of high treason against the glory & transcendent power of heaven, and for this intolerable pride against the Princes of the earth, who are the chief and absolute substitutes of God in their Kingdoms, and must answer in their stewardship for unfashionable mixtures, & uniustifiable dividing their greatness, with one, that hath nothing to do with worldly encumbrances, or distributing inheritances, but rather should be an humbled minister of God, & a servant indeed to dispense holy things to the people? therefore I wonder how the Papists in England seeing, hearing, and knowing this Antichristian opposition to God's truth and the government of all Common welths can have their hearts more hardened than stone (for the stones rend asunder at the Passion of Christ, when the Jews laughed their salvation to scorn) and their ears stopped worse than the adders with her tail, & will not hearken to this Indictment, nor allow of these unanswerable proofs, & undeniable inferences. Answer a God's name, ye that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, how comes this blockishness and stupidity, how, comes all this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself be destroyed after Antichrist is discovered, and the man of sin revealed, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils? and thus much for my second Indictment. The third Indictment of Antichrist for abusing the people with lying miracles. I am glad I have done with these tedious relations, and wonderful proofs against the usurpation of Antichrist, because I would make you glad too, and exh●lerate your sad hearts with a modest mirth, which must needs be raised from these devices of men, and lying miracles. But be not too forward, nor prejudicate against me in casting away the book, as underualewing the same, as though you shall be acquainted with no other things than is in the Legenda aurea, or Doctor sheldon's discovery of Popish miracles, or common Relations whereby you may say I know the stories already, for I hope I shall not name one of them, yet excite laughter by relating such particulars, as shall enforce your meditation, how the Devil had no greater cunning, nor prevaileable ar●e then to support the Romish religion by such palpable, gross, filthy, and idle inventions; or ma●●o better judgement or if you will infused grace, then to be seduced with absurdity, and impossibility, for what is there in this doctrine of Papistry more than in the poetical fiction of the Gods, the tales of Homer, Herodatus, Ovid, B●ocace and the rest, the cunning of crafty women, and false Priests and Prophets, who made an Art of morning divination, prophesying, & calculating nativities, the deceits of lying tongues, the presumption and bragging of enchanters, and the ceremonies of Augurers, Pithonists, and Arts masters in incantations; against whom the Poets themselves had many invectives, and condemned the Priests of that time, as we do the Friars of this age: for which purpose I have cited some few extracts of sufficient authors. Heì mihi Versipelles ut homines semper odi: Euripides jon. qui componentes tniusta deinde fraudes adornant. In another place. Linguae enim nulla fides, quae externa quidem Eurip. Hippolytus Coronatus. concilia hominum corrigere novit. A se ipsa vero plurima p●ssidet mala. In another place. Lingua enim affectans ca, quae iniusta, scit probe obtegere. Nudet fraude agere. Enrip. medea. In another place the wicked woman takes upon her to say. Metamorp. Flectere sinequeam superos, A●heronta moucbo. In another place. Palluit attonitus sacris seralibus Aruns, atque iram superum raptis quaesivit in extis, Lncun. lib. 1. Phars'. terruit ipse color Vatem etc. And in another place. — perstat rabbiss, nec cunctalocuta est, quem non emisit super●st deus, illa●eroces torquet adhuc oculos, totoque Vagantia Caelo Lumina nunc Vultu pavido. Nunc torua minaci stat nunquam facies, ●ubor igneus inficit ora Lucen lib. 5. Phars'. liventesque genas, nec qui solet esse timenti terribilis, sed pallor inest, necfessa qniescunt Corda, sed ut tumidus Boreae post flamina pontus rauca gemit, sic nulla leuant suspiria vatem. And in many other places the self same things are objected against imposturing men in what art soever, as now the true Christian imputes to cozening Monks & Friars; let the carnal gospeler and lukewarm professor come out with piae frauds never so much. But to the purpose in hand. They begin with Nero, whose body they will have the Nero. Devils to keep after he had killed himself, whereby great harm, besides nocturnal terrors was done to the people; till by a Miracle of our Lord, the body was taken away, found fare of, and at last buried, whereby the firmament was quieted, and the fiends departed. They follow with a tale concerning Vespasian: they will Vespasian. have Wasps to breed in his nose, but as soon as he believed the history of Christ, or at least made them believe his conversion, he was cured, and the nest fell away like a core, or if you will a comb full of holes. Traian was a great enemy to Christians, as by his persecutions Traian. appeared: yet Saint Grego●y acquainted with many excellent things in his government, prayed to our Lord to keep his soul out of Hell; but receiving no absolute answer, more than a tempest, he left it disputable amongst the Doctors, whether he be saved, or no, as it is of Samson, Solomon, Origen, and others, of whom the Church of Rome disputeth Pro & Con, and as their passion leads them, under-takes to deliver out of Hell itself. They tell a strange tale of Fabianus, Bishop of Rome, Fabianus. and a martyr, who was chosen by the descending of a white dove upon him, and saying, thou shalt be Pope: wherein there is some probability: For in the life of Mahomet, it is recorded, that he made the people believe, that the holy Ghost used to appear to him visibly, and acquaint him with the secrets of heaven, to countenance which imposture, he had taught a dove indeed to come and take pease out of his ear, which he many times performed in the sight of the people. They confess, that Marcelinus was Pope: yet he offered Marcelinus. incense to Idols for fear of death: but at last he repent, and was a martyr: notwithstanding, for his offence his body lay three days unburied, till by a vision of S. Peter and Marcelinus, it was allowed for sufficient penance, so at last it had the ceremonies of a mortyr. About the time that the Saxons entered into England, they have a miracle of the seven sleepers, who were two hundred Seven sleepers. years in a cave, and then came abroad with strange discoveries; the Story is much enlarged by them with their several names, and we have the play: and why may not this be true, considering Epimenides going to seek his Father's sheep, took up his resting place through the heat of the day in a cave, and there slept fifty years without alteration of his body, either in constitution, or complexion. Leo Tuscus was a Confessor, Martyr, and Pope, in which Leo Tuscus. time he was tempted by a woman, who would needs kiss him, but the holy man by no means consented to such immodesty: yet with much struggling she kissed his hand, whether he would or no, whereupon he commanded it to be cut off, because no corrupt flesh should remain about him; which when the people perceived, they earnestly intercessed our Lady for him, and she most mercifully restored it again, as if a broken piece were to be cemented, and then he said Mass as before, and acknowledged our Lady his Saviour. What you call the Stonendy on Salibury-plaine (being indeed Stonendy and Merlin. the monument of Aurclius Ambrose, from whom the town of Amsbury took original, and denomination) they will have a devise of Merlin's, who brought them by miracle out of Ireland, from the hill Kian, called Giants Karrol, and so placed with wonderment, as you see them. This Merlin lived in the time of Uter Pendragon, and was as wonderful in his actions, as his birth: he was they say the son of a Succubus, and Incubus, and performed strange things for the King: especially in imitation of the story of jupiter and Mercury, who in the likeness of Amphitryo lay with Alcumena, and so begat Hercules: he trans-shaped Uter the King into the Earl's figure of Cornwall, and Vlfrie the chamberlain into jordane his man, whereby he came into the castle of Tintagill, and accompanied the fair Igrena, and so the valiant Arthur was borne. When S. Augustine preached at Rochester, the Saxons S. Austin. and Panimes derided him, and cast ray tails upon him, with the garbage of noisome fish: whereupon he prayed to God, that the children of Kent might be borne with tails: and so to the terror of the Inhabitants, and yet conversion of many, it came to pass, as they foolishly believe. When Oswald King of Northumberland was slain by the Oswald. Saxons, they cut off his head, which they buried in the Abbey of Berdnay, whereupon he was consecrated a martyr, and our Lord for the confirmation of his sanctity, caused many miracles to be done, both by him, and for him: which wrought so effectually in the hearts of the people, that they were soon converted to Christ; and believed in the holy Church. Because Pasculus the Deacon Cardinal held against Simmachus, Pasculus. with the faction of Laurentius to his death, therefore he was put to the pains of Purgatory, and to keep the baths. This story is from Gregory in Dialogis, who addeth, it was visibly manifested to the people, who were thereby detained in awe and obedience, and ever after feared to offend the censure of the Church. You shall read, that john the second Pope of Rome, had Pope john 2. a great contention with justinian the Emperor, about the two natures of Christ, insomuch that the Emperor would needs enforce him to be of his opinion: but the valiant Bishop, moved with zeal and piette answered thus; I thought I had come to justinian a Christian Emperor, but sure I have found Dioclesian a persecuting tyrant: at which words the Emperor fell down on his knees, as Saul from his horse in his journey to Damascus, acknowledging the power of the Church, and confessing, it was a miracle, for he had seen a strange vision. Because Mauritius the Emperor in the latter end of his Mauritius. reign contested with Saint Gregory, and would not acknowledge his holiness for superior: there appeared a man of Rome unto him, clothed in a religious habit, yet holding a naked sword in his hand, and thus menaced him; Thou shalt be destroyed: whereupon Phocas taking advantage of this Vision, or if you had ●ather of a great conspiracy and conjuration against him, opportunely made himself head of the Faction, and so bere●t him both of life and Empire. After Gregory the great, succeeded Samianus, who presumptuously Samianus. traduced the said Gregory for pride, and vainglory, especially that his alms and liberality tended to ostentation. Whereupon followed some distemperature, and oppression of his best faculties, with a continual supposition, that Gregory did still haunt him, and rebuke him: which ended not without a Vision, in which he smote him on the head. This proved ominous, for upon the conceit he presently sickened, and died; and so the Church made a story of it, that it was long of the blow, which Gregory gave him. You shall read, that the Emperor and other Princes Heraclius. of Europe prospered in the recovery of jerusalem, and so returned the holy Cross thither again, which when Heraclius of Constantinople understood, he would needs make a journey to jerusalem, which must be performed with great pride, pomp, and ostentation. But see the miracle; When he came to jerusalem, and thought to make his entrance into the City with glorious magnificence, the gates shut themselves against him of their own accord, and the more violent he was to enter, the more stronger and closer they kept themselves: till he bethought himself of a contrary course, which was humiliation, and acknowledging of mercy, than did they open again of themselves, and he was lovingly received of the Bishops. Deodans and Agatho were Popes, who healed Lepers with Healing of Lepers. kissing them; and performed many Cures without Salve, or Medicine: For so you read, that the Apostles did the like by imposition of hands, etc. In the days of Martin the first Pope of Rome you shall Martin 1. read, that his enemies conspired his death, for which purpose they sent one Spartarius of Olympus to kill him, which in the time of his saying of Mass, and sacring the Host was revealed: but see the miracle! As he approached near him, he was struck blind, whereby the Pope avoided the danger, and the Church increased in reputation. The reverend Beda became blind for age, and was therefore Beda. mocked and scoffed of the people, as the children called Elias bald pate: in which time of his contempt, and despite, they brought him to preach to a company of stones; he supposing they had been men, went forward in his exhortation, and when he had finished, the stones spoke unto him, thanked him, and said, Amen venerabilis Beda. Carolus Martelius to supply his wants in the wars, Carolus Martellus. bereft many Churches of their Treasure, Chalices, and so impoverished the Clergy, by reason of which intrusion and exaction, when he died, he was visibly carried into Hell, as they feign: to prove the truth whereof, Eucharius Bishop of Aurelian, as he was at his prayers saw him body and soul tormented in a local place, which because many doubted of, and that an Angel could not reveal such a vision, the Abbot of S. Denis would needs run to his Sepulchre, and opening the chest found a huge Dragon in it, which leapt in his face, and made him a little afraid. They also write of Leo the fourth, a Pope of Rome, Leo 4. a Pope. who going in Procession to Saint Peter's Church, was surprised by his enemies, and in revenge they cut out both tongue and eyes: yet was our Lady so gracious unto him, that though he wanted the instruments, he had the faculties of seeing and speaking. The enmity was so great between Sergius and Formosus Sergius & ●o●mosus. Popes of Rome, that Sergius cut off his head, and threw the body into Tiber, which was yet taken up by certain Fishermen, and brought solemnly to Christian burial. But see the wonder ● no sooner came it into the Church, but all the Images of the Saints bowed down, and made it reverence. It is a position in Papistry, neither to discover any thing Benedict. 9 which may tend to the diminution of the Pontifician glory, nor to reveal any thing confessed, nor practise what may prove schismatical against the Pope's holiness, nor in a word, neglect the superstitious care of their Church ceremonies: yet here they themselves tell a story of Benedictus the ninth, that he was damned for his vicious life, and visibly seen tormented in Hell: yea such was the efficacy of the curse against him, that after death he appeared to the terror of many in a most horrible shape and figure, his head and tail like an Ass, and his body like a Lions. All men agree to the history of Edward surnamed the Ed. Confessor, that he was a religious Prince, and replenished with those excellent gifts of wisdom, and piety; but few men can justify that this was observed in his life. As he kneeled at Mass in the very instant of the elevation of Christ's body, he saw Swain King of Denmark drowned in the sea with all his army, at which he so smiled, that at last it tended to a laughter; whereat the company wondered, and were bold to demand, what the matter meant: whereupon he discovered the secret, & called certain Earls to participate of the vision, amongst whom the Earl of Gloucester saw the Bread turn apparently into the likeness of a young child. But to add more truth to this miracle, the hangings in the Quire a● West minster consist of this story, and there you may see the conceit of the business. O the superstition of those days, and palpable grossness of the Clergies collusion! This King gave also his Signet for the love of St. john to a poor man, but see the wonderful care and respect of the Apostle, he sent it him ba●●e again in the belly of a fish, for when a goodly fish was presented to the King, as the Cook dressed the same, the King's Seal was found in the entrailes: others tell the story in this manner, that Saint john took it so kindly being now at jerusalem, that he returned it back again by two pilgrims, whom he posted into England in one night for the same purpose, so the ring was delivered, and Saint john's commendation presented to the king. Gregory the seventh was Cardinal, and Legate in France Gregory 7. before he was Pope, where he so religiously proceeded against Simoniacs, that he called diverse to account (as we say) in foro publico: amongst whom a certain Bishop by bribing and corrupting his accusers thought to escape: but Gregory knowing by revelation the deceit, prevented it in this manner; he commanded him to say Gloria patri, if he had not abused the holy Ghost, which by no means he could do, whereupon he was adjudged guilty, and deprived of his Bishopric. But see the mischief: afterwards he could say it well enough, and made them all wonder at the alteration. I believe though you have read many Chronicles, you William R●fus King. yet have not read of this story concerning the death of William Rufus, that a little before he was shot by Sir Walter Tirrell, he dreamt, he was let blood, & in so great a quantity, that a stream of it leapt up on high toward heaven, more than a hundred fathom, and the day was presently darkened as the night. Again, a Monk of his house dreamt, that king William went into a Church with a great company of people, and amongst them all he took the Image of the Crucifix, and most shamefully rend it with his teeth, but the Crucifix meekly suffered all, till like a mad man he pulled the arms off, threw it under feet, and trampled upon it in despite, had not a great fire come out of the Crucifix mouth, which prevented the king from committing further outrage, and awaked the Monk. This dream was with much ado declared to the king, and his own dream with more ado disputed upon, and both the dreams made a matter of fearful prediction, so that the conclusion extended to caution and premonition to his Majesty, that there was sure some misfortune imminent over him. Thomas Becket was one of the Pope's champions, and England's Thomas Becket. traitors, of whose lies and miracles I am ashamed to wrice: for they will have him turn a Capon into a carp, as he was at dinner in Rome on Saint Marks day, and when he was martyred, to heal the sick, wounded, and lunatic, with the touch of his tomb and relics: my author recounts two and twenty miracles done for his sake. When Saint Bernard was canonised a Saint, and Saint ern●rd. consecrated in his shrine or chapel, his Abbot forbade him to do any more miracles, because there came such a concourse of people, that he was notable to entertain them nor willing to be so continually employed: the like or much more is fathered upon Simon de Momford Earl of Leicester, Momford. a notorious rebel against Henry the third, but because he went under the umbrela of a good Commonwealth's man, and maintainer of the liberties of Church, they invented many a lie for him, that he might preserve his reputation after death, etc. When Robert Bruise rebelled against Edward the first, he was proclaimed a traitor, and after taken and beheaded, yet did they hang up his body in chains: but there came so many devils by night to torment it with hooks, that they were fain to watch it, guard it, and make fires about the place. I cannot but enlage the story of Thomas the good Earl Sir Simond Frizell. of Lancaster, one of the greatest subjects of the world, whom Edward the second most unkindly put to death, and wherein they went along with his worthiness, allow them the praises of their good report, but when they come to devices and superstitious conceits, I leave them to their own fallacies, and cannot choose but laugh at their fictions: for they not only repute him a Martyr, but diuulge that many a miracle was shown by him, or done for him. A● a The Earl of Lancaster. Priest restored to his sight, who had been long blind, by wiping his eyes with the Altar cloth. A child drowned and found dead the third day in a well, was brought to his tomb, and not only recovered by touching the defunct, but received life, which continued many years. divers mad men and distracted women by leaning their heads only upon his tomb, were restored to a temperature in their senses. A rich man of Gascoign: half dead and rotten on the one side, so that you might see his liver, was blessed by his Tomb with unusual recovery: and many such like miracles were performed by him, whereupon the Spencers both prohibited the concourse of people, and access to his Chapel. I could name the rest, but these as the rest are the dirty waters from a corrupt and puddled channel, and must both discover the impiety of such a profession, and wickedness of such Priests that will hang gew gawes and gross devices about the neck of religion, to make her seem more gaudy, and a very puppet in the world: yet such was the pleasure of divine justice to permit the Devil to put on a cloak of sanctity to deceive whole multitudes who were subject to vanity: such the coherence of Scripture, that Papistry should have her Progress, as you have heard: and such was the deceit of men, that they were detained in ignorance, because they delighted in ceremonies rather than substance, in painted devices and outward ornaments, rather than inward or spiritual worshipping of God, in fooleries to please the natural man, rather than senseless kneeling in vain to the air (as they would excuse it) when men see no portraiture nor resemblance, and yet the Scripture saith, that Moses saw no image. Thus was sin not only multiplied in the world, but men for the hardness of their hearts detained in blindness of superstition: thus these miseries fell upon them for denying and abusing that purity of Christianity, which the Apostles established in the Primitive Church, and thus God would be glorified in reserving still a Church to himself, and opening the eyes of humbled souls, to see the paths of their salvation according to the prayer of Christ, Father I thank thee that thou hast revealed thy will to babes and silly men, when the mighty, rich, and full were sent empty away, and the proud boasters of learning and knowledge excluded. But if you would be acquainted with a wonder indeed, and see a miracle, observe how this small grain of mustard seed, this handful of God's people, these despised creatures, this poor Church, this derided profession did in the end prove a flourishing tree, an Universal Congregation, a magnified people, a mighty Monarchy, a glorified compan●, so that (as you have heard) the Kings of the earth have laid down their crowns before simple Preachers, who have but come with the echo of Christ's voice: the Angels in heaven therefore sing Hal●luiahs, and the God of all hath a stone ready in his hand to strike Babel to confusion. Answer then a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement Throne of the Lamb: how comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself be destroyed, after Antichrist is discovered, and thus arraigned and indicted, and the man of sin reucaled by these lying miracles, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils. But before I do in arenam descendere, and play my Master's prize indeed, that is, strike all dead with the vengeance of God's judgement against those that will not return Isaiah 55. to the pure waters of life, and hearken to the Prophet, who bids them come and buy without money; I have a little more to say, and some remainder of the former account to make up. They talk of a great battle against the Turks, who year 1457 were overcome by miracle: for a●ter some exorcism of holy men, the Turks fled crying, that a great army of Knights followed them, who seemed soldiers, but were indeed Angels. And why might not this be done, as well as Elisha to show his servant a multitude of chariot's, 2 Kings. and horses, so that there was more with them, than against them. They will have a stone in Anglesey of that property, Anglesey. that how fare soever a man carries it in the day, it will return of itself at night into the Island: for trial whereof, Hugh of Shrewsbury in the time of Henry the first, bond it to another huge stone with iron chains, and threw them into a deep water, but in the morning the stone was found in Anglesey again: afterward a Chulle fastened it to his own leg, but his thigh rotten, and the stone went away. In the time of Theodosius the Emperor, V●gus king of The Picts and Sam. Andrew. Picts in Scotland, infested a great part of Brittanic, till at last they were beset with a formidable army, and thought verily to be destroyed: but Saint Andrew taking pity upon him, comforted him, and assured the victory, if he would give the third part of the land to the Church, which he solemnly ratified: so a cross was advanced in honour of Saint Andrew, and the army marching forward with the Standard, the Britons were amazed at such an unlooked for return and recovery of their enemies, and the Picts most fortunatly prevailed. I will not tell you, though my author doth, that Ireland Saint Patr●●t and Ireland. had as many venomous creatures, and noisome snakes, as other countries, until sanctus Patricius chased them away with his staff: nor of their witches, which were turned into Hares, because they be common tales with sottish, ignorant, and superstitious people, both in England, Thessaly, Norway, and other countries: yea of mine own knowledge in the Lands of the Arches, the tale of Lucius Appuleius, or the golden Ass, is believed, and reputed a truth. But this I will be bold to say, that the life of Saint Patrick is well written in a good Latin phrase, and dedicated to that ever memorable Earl and worthy pattern of hospitality and honourable behaviour, the Earl of Clenricard: wherein are such strange things, and of that variety, that neither Moses nor Christ came near him for active employment, if without piety we may believe that story. As for S. Patriks Purgatory, or the great lake of Ulster, as incredible things are reported of them, as of Saint Patrick himself. The story is thus enlarged: A woman drawing or taking water out of a well, and hearing her child cry, run to it for haste, and forgot to cover the same, which in the mean while swollen over so immeasurably, that it drowned all the country, but the main reason was, because the people were Sodomites, and God thus sent his vengeance upon them. In the sixth year of the reign of Henry the fourth, S●roope Archbishop of Yo●ke. Scroop Archbishop of York was executed for treason. He desired the hangman to give him five strokes in remembrance of Christ's 5. wounds, which he performed accordingly: whereupon at the same instant, the king sitting at dinner had five strokes on the neck by a person invisible, after which he proved a leper, for recovery whereof he determined a journey to Icrusalem, but was prevented by sickness, though his treasure & furniture of his houses were shipped, and so he died in the Abbey of Westminster in a chamber called jerusalem: many strange miracles were performed for this Bishop. Anno 36. of Henry the eight, a Priest did pronounce at Paul's Cross, and there confessed in public, that he himself saying Mass pricked his finger and bebloudied allying Priest. the Corporas with the Altar clothes, purposing to make the people believe, that the host had bled miraculously, etc. As it was in the time of Henry the 6. about joan lafoy puzil de dieu at Orleans, who was afterwards burnt for an imposturing whore, by the Duke of Bedford at Rouen: so fell it out with Elizabeth Barton a Nun, & holy Maid of Kent, whose miraculous lies are rather fearful than ridiculous: Holy may of Kent. for she not only deceived the Bishops, but brought herself with ten other to a lamentable Catastrophe. Look Hall, Grafton, and diverse Chronicles. I am almost weary with wearying you in the discourse of these fopperies, but should weary you and torment myself altogether to relate the like of other countries, not packed up (as I told you before) in the Legenda Aurea, or Nauclerus, or Costerus, or other sufficient authors, who have for the same purpose traduced these wonderful deceivers, and papistical cozening Priests, or if you will, incendiary jesuits', who still run at random to seduce simple people, and confound weak and easy believing souls. Therefore I desist from further disturbance, and only request thus much from a poor afflicted spirit, and every way unfortunate man, (as we now in these times profanely abuse that Character) to tender your own salvation by considering what a strange religion this is, and above all other in the world, agreeing and concurring with the revelation of Antichrist, especially in this point of signs, and wonders, and lying miracles, so that if this fall to my share, that am the meanest of a thousand, what can others do, that have Benjamins portion five times doubled: both concerning Scripture, history, Fathers, Knowledge, judgement, Elocution, and other faculties. As for such as are yet willing to be deceived, and having heard of that great duty of perseverance in holy matters, pervert it to obstinacy and pertinacity in idolatrous superstition, I say no more, but answer a Gods name you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb; How comes this about? if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself be destroyed, seeing Antichrist is discovered and thus arraigned and indicted, the man of sin revealed by these lying miracles, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils. And thus much for his indictment: now to his punishment and utter extirpation. Section III. Or the execution of Antichrist according to the sentence of condemnation. I Might have begun this discourse with that which follows, but I hope it comes now in order well enough. Note the Comparison. Observe than I pray you the Simile. Politic states and well governed Commonwealths, have either commonly secret intelligencers, or public Ambassadors in foreign countries to acquaint them with all occurrences, and so let nothing pass, no not trivial accidents, which may concern the good of their country, without revealing: so that if letters or certificate of credit come, that there are jurking amongst us certain traitors, that intent the ruin of the kingdom, and endanger the life of the Prince, there is presently search in every corner, and warrants sent out to apprehend them: afterward upon happy discovery and honest attachment, they are imprisoned and kept secure, till they may be further examined: then upon due and orderly proceed they are to be arraigned and indicted of high treason, as they are found and proved delinquents in Crimino lase Maiestatis: Last of all, upon finding Billa vera and justifiable conviction, the sentence of condemnation goes out, and they are executed accordingly: so hath the holy Ghost dealt with the Church of God concerning the traitors of men's souls, and discovery of Antichrist, the instrument of Satan to bring us to damnation: he hath first made us acquainted that there is such a Viper lurking amongst us. Let no man deceive you by any means: For that day shall 2. Tress. 2. 3. not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the s●nne of perdition. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all, that is called year 4 God, or that is worshipped: so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself, that he is God. Remember ye not that when I was yet with you I told you ●. these things? I have not written unto you, because you know not the truth: 1. Epist. john 2. 21. but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar, but he that denieth, that jesus is the Christ: year 22 he is Antichrist, that denieth the Father, and the Son. And every spirit that confesseth not that jesus Christ is Chap 4. 3. come in the flesh, is not of God, and that is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard, that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. Here you see what a noble intelligencer and friend from heaven we have had to acquaint the Church of God, that the betrayer of men's souls, and traiters to the majesty of God are every where lurking amongst us, upon which certificate I, though unworthy, and the meanest of God's servants, have adventured to search and find him out, and upon the search have not only discovered, and revealed him, but arraigned and indicted him, so that I hope no man can mislike or traduce this justifiable proceeding against him, which if they dare do, what will they then say to the sentence of condemnation, which is now to be denounced from God himself, and the Scriptures, the Sibylls, ancient Fathers, and their women Saints: sure, sure, the Gentiles will fret and rage, imagining vain Psal. 2. Acts. things: and I answer with Paul, after the way you call heresy, I serve the God of my Fathers: and with job, though thou kill me (O Lord) I will not forsake thee. But to the purpose in hand. Antichrists punishment from Scripture. IF you search the Prophets, you shall find, that he that drowned the world, burnt Sodom to cinders, and overwhelmed Pharaoh with whole mountains of waters, confounded Egypt, destroyed Tirus, who was as proud and Isaiah 19 23. 34 46 Ezech. 25. 1. Damel and the rest of the Prophet's. exalted as ever Rome in her first and second glory, revenged the cause of his Church, overthrew the idols of Babylon, a mere figure of Antichristian Prelacy: threatened and dissipated Ammon, Moab, Edom, the Philistines, and in a word all the mighty Monarchies under the Sun, resembled to fierce and cruel beasts, strange images and figures, Eagles, Rams, Goats and such like Hierogliphics. Why then should any question be made of the Pope's establishment, or Rome's perpetuity? considering her sins cry to heaven for vengeance, and her abominations are spread like a carpet, to the loathing of all honest beholders, and godly Christian Spectators: but to put all out of doubt, hark what the holy Ghost saith in the Revelation, and that the Pope and city of Rome in Italy, is personated by the prediction, I refer you to all the ancient Fathers, and modern Writers, especially Tremelius, Innius, Napier, and diverse others. And the rest of the men which were not killed by these Apo●. 9 20. plagues, yet repent not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship Devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood, which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk. Neither repe●ted they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, verse 21. nor of their fornications, nor of their thefts. And when they shall ha●e finished their testimony, the Apoc. 11. 7. Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old Serpent called Apoc. 12. 9 the Devil, and Satan, etc. And there followed another Angel saying, Babylon is Apoc. 14. 8. fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the Angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered Apoc. 14. 19 the Vine of the earth, and cast it into the great wine press of the wrath of God, etc. The Beast that thou sawest, was, and is not, and shall ascend Apoc. 17. 8. out of the bottomlesse●pit, and go into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder (whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) when they behold the Beast, that was, and is not, and yet is. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon Apoc. 18. 2. ● read the whole Chapter. the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of Devils, and the bold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The Merchants of these things, which were made rich verse 15. by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. And saying, alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed Apoc. 18. 16. in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought, and verse 17. every Shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and Sailors, and as many as trade by sea stood afar off. And cried, when they saw the smoke of her burning, verse 18. what city is like unto this great city, etc. Come and gather yourselves together unto the Supper Apoc. 19 17. of the great God. That ●ee may eat the flesh of Kings, and the flesh of Captains, verse 18. and the flesh of mighty men, etc. Oh read more, read more, read all for God's sake yourselves, and remember, that he that writ this prediction and Prophecy, did not live 500 years after the Assyrians Babylon's destruction, and therefore it could not mean that which was past, but must questionless have relation to something to come, so that these several descriptions, and other fearful prophecies can aim at nothing, but new Rome in Italy, the Antichristian supremacy of the Pope, and the filthy abomination of such an absurd religion: so that a man would wonder at their daring confidence to continue in such exorbitant courses of falsity, and filthiness, when the end will be the trembling of Christian hearts at the terror of the judgements to be denounced. In the mean while who can be so infatuated to believe, that true Religion will suffer herself to be bespotted, bedurtied, and deformed with the filthy corruptions of men's inventions, and idle, foolish, and ridiculous trumperies of colluding popish Prelates: and so I leave the honest Christian to that Spirit, which shall be operative in them to work their conversion, or confirm their calling, seeing they see one way a stranger war between Christ and Antichrist, than the Gigantomachia, wherein Typhaeus and his brethren took up mountains in their hands to throw against jupiter, and another way have more cause of laughter, than ever Democritus had at Epictetus' deformation of the world, when he covered it with a coxcomb, and set the globe on the table to be derided by the Philosophers: as for the obstinate Papists, I say no more, but answer a Gods name you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, what say you to this fearful sentence of terror and punishments from Gods own mouth? or what evasion can there be to avoid the condemnation, seeing the Apocalyps was written of purpose to denotate the state of the Church from Christ to the end of the world? Antichrists punishment and Rome's destruction from the Sibyls. ALthough the Scriptures were sufficient according to You must overlook the whole b●stn●ie of the Sibyls both ●● G●ecke and La●●ne. the former texts in the Revelation, and many others in the Prophets, Apostles, and books of God, to declare his will and denounce his judgements, and so there were no more disputing on the authority and infallibility of the same: yet because the natural man is transported with shows and ceremonies rather than substance, and that affecting humours are seldom pacified without variety, or novelty: I clasp once again the books of holy Mysteries, and seal up the Prophecies of Scripture, lest some call for an interpreter, and still cry out, the mother Church must be the interpreter of these mysteries; and spread you a carpet of such Prophecies, that no man shall traduce their credit and renown, nor the obstinate and refractory Papist oppose their valuation: for though he could with the profane Atheist and irreligious fool deny there Psal. 14. were a God, yet shall he confess, that former times have been like uberant springs to send forth flowing streams of truth into the world, so that now he must needs be affrighted in drawing so near the time, wherein these predictions are likely to be consummated, as personating Rome that city of Rome in Italy, and hunting the Pope and his Cardinals with full cry into the desert of desolation, and fatal confusion. I will then begin with the Sibyls, but both my beginning and ending with them and others shall be but a kind of Epitomising, referring you to the larger volumes, with whom I only play, as the dogs with the water of N●lus, lap as they run, and dare not tarry to drink for fear of the Crocodiles. In the second book of the Oracles of the Sibyls Lib. 2 Oraculor●●n Sibyl. you shall find it thus: H●minum cum denique saeclum, etc. In the tenth age of the world, the imagery of Rome raised on her seven hills shall extinguish the love of true religion, for which her strength shall fail, and the people tremble, when they shall see her power beaten down, and her riches taken away, yea her city consumed with fire through the wrath of God. In the fifth book it beginneth thus: De coelo v●niet sydus. Lib 5. As a great star fell from heaven into the sea, and burnt up the third part of the same with the creatures, so shall Babylon of Italy be destroyed, that hath murdered the Saints, and trodden the truth of God's word under feet, that hath delighted in poisoning, whoredom, and adultery; that hath nourished buggery against nature, that hath been a town of ease and filthiness, wicked, unjust, defamed amongst the Latins, and unworthy of the ti●le she assumed, she shall therefore sit as a widow, mourning & desolate, as a viper fell and venomous: and the flood Tiber shall weep for his spouse, because of her destruction, that was so mad, when her heart burned for blood. She misinterpreted Gods mind, and boasted that she was only of the earth to be exalted. Therefore shall God ruin her, and there shall be no memory of her exaltation, yea she shall be thrown down into hell, and consumed with everlasting fire. In another place of the said fifth book it beginneth Italia infoelix. thus: Italia infoelix. O cursed and unhappy Italy! thou shalt be made as barren as a wilderness, and no man shall pity thy desolation: for thou hast been a murderer of mothers, and hast hands and hearts polluted with fllthinesse, buggering of boys, and lying with beasts, defiling of women, and mingling incestuous blood: yea thou hast made Kings and Emperors profane God by taking an oath to destroy the Saints, with a great deal more. But O God that this should be so long told before hand, and yet all the world imitated the Jews in the Prophet jeremy, though the king cut the roll which Baruch jerem. writ, in pieces, and burned it in the fire, yet no man trembled, nor rend his clothes for fear, etc. In the seventh book it beginneth thus: Roma ferox Lib. 7. animi. Ambitious Rome shall after the Grecian manner stellify herself to heaven, but when she is in her greatest exaltation, God shall deject her, and cast her under his feet like rubbish: for there shall come a first and a second destruction of this great city. The first you know is passed by the Goths and Vandals, the second is to come by them, whom God hath appointed. In the eight book the beginning is thus: Lib. 8. Par tibi de coelo sublim●s vertice Roma. And the meaning of the rest is thus: that as Rome hath advanced itself above the world to heaven: so shall it be dejected and ruined, burnt to cinders and consumed to nothing, she shall be banished fare off, and be bereft of her wealth, within her walls shall Wolves and Serpents remain, she shall lie wasted, as though she had never been: her Oracles shall cease, and her golden gods be put to silence; there shall be no more consultation with her idols, and it shall profit her nothing, that she kept correspondency with the former Senate about the multiplicity of gods: for as they maintained the Oracles, and Statuas of Saturn, jupiter, Rhemus, Romulus, etc. So do they continue the adoration and images of our Lady, Peter, john, and a thousand other Saints for all actions, occasions, and infirmities. In the same book followeth immediately the explanation The Pope expounded. of the Pope's Character, and deciphering of his manners, and conditions tending to this purpose, that after fifteen Emperors, of whom the last was Adrianus, should arise a mighty Potentate with many crowns, whose name shall come near unto Ponti: which although they interpret by the same Adrianus and Pontus, quasi Adriaticus Pontus, now Golpho Venetiano: yet questionless the Sibyl meant, as in other Authors imitating her is enlarged, that that Ponti had reference to Pontifex, and the Pope should be that Summus Pontifex, whose triple crown is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and hath mystery in the etymology. For thus the Sibyl goes on and expresseth herself; That he shall The Pope's crow●e and pride. set his foot on the world, and the necks of Emperors and Kings: he shall receive great gifts and bribes: he shall heap up treasures of gold, and gather together exceeding wealth: he shall pardon sins discovered by confession: he shall be skilful in Negromancy, and scoff at God in his bravery, which of late Platina the Pope's own Secretary relateth, and many other Authors (as you have read in the former Section, of discovery) recite as many strange and blasphemous impieties of them: and he shall justify errors and impiety against true Religion, and righteousness. But then, saith our Sibyl, approacheth his downfall, then comes a time of mourning and heaviness, lamenting and excruciation of soul: he shall hang himself for desperation. Here the carnal gospeler himself makes a stop at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as if it only had relation to one man, or the last Pope of all, which shall make such a tragical end, perceiving his people, seat, and town utterly razed and demolished, and not to mean the chair of Peter or consistory of Cardinals: but I leave further disceptation, and will tell you the words of the Prophecy. Alas, shall the people say, we ever feared this desolation, and so both old and young shall mourn for the dolorous destiny, yea sit upon the bank of Tybur sadly lamenting the extremity of the misery. The Sibyl hath not yet done, but goeth still forward. You shall vex and torment yourselves to be disrobed of purple weeds, and Imperial raiment, sitting sorrowful and dejected in sackcloth, and ruminating a pitiful ditty to this purpose: O Rome! that wast the beauty of Latium, exalted above Princes and Peers, thy pomp and pride shall beruined and never recover, thou shalt be trod down and never rise again. The Eagle that marcheth before the armies, shall be unplumed, and no country shall be able to relieve thee: For they shall all cast off thy yoke, and be no more affrighted with thy servitude: but if your read the rest, you shall find a great deal more against Rome. Then in the end she concludeth thus: After this shall follow the dissolution of the world, and God shall come to judge the inhabitants of the earth: But first shall Rome feel the vengeance of his wrath, and a bloody time shall happen to the rude people and tyrannous country: For she forgot, how poor and bare she began, and therefore must needs return to the same pristinate nakedness, but with sorer vengeance, and before a more dreadful judge. And thus much for the Sibylls. Antichrists punishment and Rome's destru ction, from certain Fathers. NOw I appeal to the most obstinate Papist, if these things are so long ago written, and authentically approved by many Classicke Authors, who have done with the books of the Sibylls both in Greek and Latin, as Alexander did with Homer's Iliads, lay it every night under his pillow: What can they say but to discredits the Authors, as if it were some invention of malice, when yet they were diuulged long before Christ; or some trick of observation, as being foisted in since religion was variated in the world? What can they conceive, but there needs be some fire where there is so great a smoke? What can they imagine, but that these Prophecies tend to this issue; Either shall the Gospel of jesus Christ thrive in Europe, as the reformation is begun; or Papistry must needs be over thrown, the Pope discredited, or the city of Rome destroyed, and then he may fly to avignon in France, as he did once for 60. years together. But because I will have some things unanswerable, I have collected also some few predictions out of other Fathers, of whose sufficiency I neither mean to dispute, nor draw forth their writings to the greatest length, but tie myself to a sober belief of their verity, and modest extraction of their principles: only I must advertise you that are readers thus fare, that they are Saints of the Popes own canonising, or religious men Catalogued for soundness of judgement, or sanctimony of life, so that our Papists may be quickly put off from their common speeches of, It is a device of some Heretic, a conceit of some hot brain, an invention of discontented and penurious men, or some foolish trick or other foisted in to diminish the glory of the Church, with such like. And so to my business. The Visions of S. Hermas Bishop of Philippi tend all to Saint Herma●. this purpose, that the Catholic Church shall by degrees fall into diverse deformities and corruptions, fare from her primitive integrity and virginal purity, for which she should undergo great vengeance and punishment, yea suffer a pressure that shall crush her to pieces, and lie under a fury that shall lash her sides, and throw fire into the walls of that city, which needeth purging, and was so ambitious, proud, and profane. Amongst the predictions or prophecies of S. Methodius St. Methodius. Bishop of Tirus, he foretelleth, that the Clergy shall in a manner burn up and destroy the holy things of God, yea trample the sacred Scriptures under feet, to advance and set up their own inventions, not leaving unnamed ceremonies, customs, and traditions. Yea he threatneth a neighbour King for taking part with the whore of Babylon, which also a Francesian Friar Philippus Boskierus allegeth, and Bartholomeus de la Casas a Spanish Bishop remembreth to King ‛ Philip. Yet such is the corruption of time, and power of the Inquisition, that these books must not be talked of: and to publish them for God's glory, and propagation of true Religion, is among them heresy, and a matter of difficulty, or weakening of policy. In the library of Saint Victor at Par● some 600. years Saint Victor. since there was a prediction beginning thus; Vae tibi ●iuitas Septicollis: and proceedeth thus, that the letter K. shall threaren the walls of Rome, and then shall woe be to the city of blood, full of lying, falsehood, and violence. For the fall and destruction of the mighty men is at hand, the voice of scourges, wheels and wars shall make her to tremble, the colour of the gold shall be darkened, and changed, with diverse such passages of wonderment and observation. If you look into the predictions, that were found in Palace of Wisdom. the palace of Wisdom at Rome itself, you shall find it thus: — Caesar regnabit ubique, Sed quo tunc vani cessabit gloria cleri. With a strange invective, fearful, effectual, prodigious, and full of matter, absolutely against the present government both of Church and Commonwealth: so that a man would wonder, that some Herculean Pontifician arm (as he did strangle the serpents in the cradle) did not at their first discovery throttle and suppress them, or overthrew their authority, when they began to take up room against Rome in men's hearts and apprehensions: but such is the will of God, and wonderfulness of his power and providence, that both the Scriptures themselves, and other writings, savouring the sweetness of their taste, have been preserved in despite of Tyrants, jews, Turks, Infidels, Fire, Sword, and the Devil himself, and prospered the more, when the attempts of corrupted men would either discredit, or suppress the truth. For look as in persecutions, sanguis martyrum proved semen Ecclesia, so in these prohibitions, according to the Proverb, men did evez repute it a thing worthy their endeavours, searches, and knowledge, when it was rare to be gotten, or perilous to be disputed upon. If you read the Prophecy of Saint Scuerus Archbishop Saint Scuerus. of Ravenna, you shall find it thus: Woe unto thee thou city of the Gentiles, thou city of riches, thou city of Philosophers. Woe unto thee Lombardie, for thy towers of joy shall be broken down, etc. Cataldus Fimus Bishop of Trent hath a very rare Prophecy Cataldus Fimus according to the letter. When Rome beginneth to hear the loud bellowing of the fat Cow, Italy shall languish with dissension and civil wars: for there shall be great emulation and hatred between the winged serpent or Dragon, and the lily bearing Lion, with much other such stuff. But then he follows: Alas, Alas, weep thou unhappy Babylon, for the days of affliction shall come upon thee, and like ripened corn thou must suffer a threshing for thine in quitie. Kings from the four corners of the earth shall rise against thee, and thou shalt be brought down for presuming to sit so high, etc. In a Prophecy of Saint Vincent a Dominican Friar, the Saint Vincent. Church of God is compared to the four ages of the world, Gold, Silver, Brass, and Iron, speaking of the Romish Church and Prelates full of Pride, Vanity, Pomp, Simony, Avarice, and Luxury, concluding with that monstrous vice of Simony, to which not long after the learned Monk Baptista Mantuanus alluded in many invectives, especially this: — Venalianobis Mantuan. Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, sacra, coronae, Ignis, thura, preces, calum est venale, Deusque. You have likewise Prophecies of Telesphorus the Hermit, Telesphorus. Cataldus. Amatus. Gamalio. Saint Cataldus, joannes Amatus, and Gamalio, inserted in an Epistle to Pope Boniface the ninth, and all concerning the wicked lives of the Priests, the enormities of the Clergy, the destruction of Rome, and the overthrow of the Papacy. But if you look into the exposition of the 17. of jeremy by joaehimus the Abbot, you shall find there that The Abbot Ioa●him. the Empire of Germany shall departed from the obedience of the Church of Rome, and that the said Church with the College of Cardinals should be destroyed: yea this joaehim out of the Oracle of Sibyl Erithea foretelleth, that God will stir up the haughty Germans against the Church, because the Roman Clergy trusted more to the jerem. 17. 5. power of man, than of God, therefore shall the ship of Saint Peter be tossed and troubled with hostile incursions and terrible assaults, etc. If you overlook the Prophecies of joannes Lichtenberg, Germany against Rome. and Reynardus Lollerus, you shall find that the Germans shall make a league with France, by virtue whereof the Church shall be brought to bear the Cross with sorrow and tribulation upon her own back. In the Oracle of Cassandra the Sibyl Tiburtina collected Sibyl Cassandra. by Godfridus Viterbiensis, and Baptista Nazarus, you have a prediction, that by the valour and power of certain Germane Princes, whose names should begin with H. and P. Rome should be destroyed, and johannes. Wolphius in his sixteenth Centenary allegeth, that Hydaspes an ancient Hydaspes. King of the Medes did foretell the lamentable desolation of Rome, & subversion both of their greatness, and superstition. In the year 1593. Petrus Paulus an Abbot of Calabria, casting down an old wall in his Monastery, found a Sepulchre of stone by digging deep to lay a new foundation, wherein was a corpse almost consumed, holding in his hand a plate of silver with this inscription; This is the body of the Abbot of Werde of Hydrantum buried the 17. Abbot of Werde. of October 1279. and saying thus, Cum sancta civitas fulgebit splendore none stellae, Sol iter●m me videbit: and under the head was a little marble chest, wherein a leaden box contained a parchment with this Prophecy: In those days many famous cities shall perish, fearful and terrible things shall come to pass and in Italy, Rome, Naples, and Tuscany, with my country of Hydrantum shall be shaken in notable manner, and so shall Florence be affrighted, as expecting a revenge, because of her Apostate Duke, with a great deal more. The formerly recited Saint Vincent in most of his writings maketh as it were an agreement with the predictions, which were sound in the Abbot of Clunies Library Abbot of Clunie. written some 500 years ago against certain Popes, that shall follow the steps of Simon Magus, and so drink of the cup of the wrath of God, and whereas there are many and large prophecies attributed to Abbot joachim, yet they all tend to presage the reformation of the Church, or confusion of her obstacles and enemies, that is, the Pope and his College of Cardinals, or the obsession and demolition of Rome. There is a Prophecy of johannes de rupe Scissa a Francesian Diu●●● prophecies. Friar: another of Theodoricus Bishop of Croatia: another in a book entitled Stimulus divinae contemplationis: another out of the Bishops of Lymoges Library in France: another of Laurenti●●s Miniatensis, an Astrologian of Naples, and many others from as many several Authors, and countries, and all tending to this end and purpose, that Religion must be reform, according to the Prophet Zachary, where the filthy garments are to be taken Zachary 3. away, and a crown of pure gold to be set upon the Priest's head. That Satan shall be rebuked, that is to say, the hindrances of this good work shall be removed: that this strange exaltation of the Popes of Rome must be abated, that their pomp and supremacy must be dissolved, and that the very city shall be subject to fire, and the country to invasion of enemies, etc. Shall tell you, how Hieronymus Savanarola expounded Savanarola. the revelation of Saint john to the people of Florence? He assured them, that religion must be reform, that God would accuse the Churches that were faulty, their trumperies must be abolished, their inventions annihilated, & that God would bring a great scourge upon all Italy, especially Rome: nor desisteth he so, but allegeth the cause, and certain motives, why God was so extraordinarily offended, namely, the pollution of the Sanctuary, the corruption of the Clergy, the ill government of Prelates and Priests, the abuses of Officers, and the pride of Bishops and Cardinals, who will neither enter into heaven themselves (as Christ exprobrated the Pharises) nor suffer others: which sins must needs cry from the earth unto heaven for vengeance, etc. It is wonderful to relate that Panlus secundus Grebnerus Grebnerus. the Germane Astrologian should so long ago for the general foretell the utter destruction of the Pope of Rome, enlarging his invectives against idols, temples, and Churches, defiled with men's inventions, authorised by humane fancies, and adorned with gewgaw devices, as if they were afraid to break the neck of policy by letting her look up to heaven, and therefore she should be troubled no further, than the hangings, images, or painted walls of some melancholy Chapel. For the particular, he prognosticated the destruction and dissipation of the fleet in 88 the murder of Henry the third of France, the troubles of the King of Navarre, Henry of Bourbon, the prevailing of his armies, and the winning of the strong town of Groining in Free sland. But amongst others, which I named before, you must Abbot joachim. needs hearken unto that famous and well reputed man joachimus the Italian Abbot of Flore in Calabria, who foreshoweth, that at last both Germans and the French shall sorsake the Pope of Rome, and deny the supremacy, because of their monstrous corruptions and iniquities. He also allegeth, that as Solomon in his age fell to idolatry, so should Rome be most contaminated, when she declined, and extend the violence of her filthiness, as the last act of her tragedy approached. He proceedeth yet further, that all Christian Princes shall not only forsake, but afflict her, yea a Prince smally reputed of shall correct the Babylon of Rome. Hearken I pray you to a little more: he resembleth the Pope to Pharo and Pilate, and maketh a further comparison with her by the Babylonish whore, and so concludeath, that they shall all be laid in a bed of affliction, and scourged again and again with bleeding wounds for their wickedness and abominations. I could proceed with many others, but I did purpose only an ●nchiridion, and therefore I will desist from raising it to a volume: yet I cannot overpass those bitter invectives, and terrible presages against Rome, by Robertus a Dominican Friar, who in diverse sermons likens the Pope Friar Robert. to an Idol for adoration: to an Hidropick for presumption: to a Bear for cruelty: to a serpent which in a vision he saw in the palace of Laterane: to a black, dry, and blasted body: to an head of wood, which was to be cut or broken off, and many other resembiances tending all to this purpose, that in the end according to the time, which God hath kept secret in his own bosom, Rome and the Popes of Rome shall not only be discovered to be that man of sin, and Antichrist in the Scriptures, but receive the reward of adultery even the divorce from jesus Christ: If it be so then, answer a Gods name you that must answer before the judgement Throne of the Lamb, how comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself be destroyed, sceing Antichrist is thus revealed, and that son of perdition manifested, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils. If not so, show, wherein either I have gone beyond limitation, or my Authors have failed in their computation, and I will answer both for them and myself, what is befitting to satisfaction, if God have made your hearts pliable to a modest and humble impression. Antichrists punishment, and Rome's destruction from holy women. I Perceive, For as in Peter's vision the sheet was let down, and proposed unto him full of clean and unclean beasts: so in the Church of God, the women as well as the men have not only been admitted, but admired for their sanctity; yea as ftom the examples of Scripture, the Idolatrous nations assumed a pattern of imitation, falsifying Abraham's offering his son Isaac, to the invention of slaughtering men to the Devil: out of Samsons story they have justified the life of Hercules: from Moses and Aaron's Priesthood, and salomon's Temple, they have raised their superstitious adoration of idols, and Hecatombs of beasts, with such like: so hath the Church of Rome in resemblance of Miriam, Deborah, Hulda, Anna, and many others named Prophetesses, and holy women in Scripture, canonised Saints, of Nuns, and other devotresses, whom they have not only reverenced for their lives, but adored for their virtues, doctrine, and piety: amongst whom I will only name you five, eternised to memory by the Papists themselves, who shall furnish this our present banquet of predictions with the dainties and accates of the best taste to God's true children, but of dangerous receipt to the superstitious devourer of novelty, and new fangled devices of men. In the Prophetical visions of Saint Hildegard a Nun, St. Hildegard. the second book of her Scivias', there are diverse particulrs touching the desolation of Rome, and destruction of the Pope, with intimation of the cause, as not only for throwing the dirt and filth of men's inventions into the pure waters of the rivers of God's Church, but for continuing their lives in all abominations of impiety, and rolling up together into some stupendious heap the scattered snow of superstition, Relics, Altar clothes, Pardons, Indulgences, and such like trumperies, which will vanish and melt away as the snow, when the sunny splendour of God's word shineth hotly upon them: for the Prophet tells us, their best hypocrisy is but like the morning dew, Hoshea 6. which is not seen within an hour or so after the Sun's rising. There is another Prophecy of Mathilda, or as some St. Mathilda. have it, Magdalena, a holy Saint, and religious woman, against Rome for her apostasy, and the Cardinals for their assumpted greatness and dangerous impiety: for which cause there shall be divisions in Germany, and the Provinces shall never be accorded in religion, till either the destruction or reformation of Rome be brought to pass. If you did read the Originals, and would advice upon the congruent gradations of their writings, following as it were the order of Ecclesiastical History, you would either wonder how such a spirit was infused in them, or that the Church of Rome hath not since suppressed or abolished their invectives. But (as I said) God doth work by secret means and strange instruments, and when he hath either a mercy or a judgement to execute, Cyrus shall be his anointed, Nabuchadnezzar his servant, and very wicked tyrants and infidels his hammer to bruise the stones in pieces. S. Elizabeth was also a Nun and Prophetess, and S. Elizabeth. hath her Visions too: so that in the second book you shall find how she expostulateth the matter with the corrupt Clergy, why they should preach erroneous doctrine, pervert the sacred Scriptures, continue in abomination of life, maintain the absurdities of Traditions, etc. Then she exprobrateth the Bishops for their schismatical filthiness, chargeth the Church of Rome with deadness and error, reproveth the Popes of simony and unheard of viciousness, and last of all she cometh unto judgement, and threatneth them all with utter devastation and ruin. S. Bridget had also her revelations; she was a holy woman, S. Bridget. religious widow, and princess of Norice in Swethland: they are wonderful both for the number and the large approbation of many learned and judicious Papists, who all commend her sanctimonious life, and confirm he● spiritual raptures. In one place she challengeth the Pope and corrupt Clergy of Rome, of many enormities, denouncing God's judgement against them. In another she would have the Scriptures to be read in the mother tongue. In a third she curseth the selling of spiritual liuings, and threatneth a woe, if the custom be not abrogated and abolished. In a fourth she is much exafperated against Rome for many aberrations, especially swerving from her primitive excellency. In a fift she enlarging herself, maketh a Catalogue of infinite number of vices and errors to which Rome was subjected. In a sixth she inciteth the Princes of Europe to the calling of a General Council, and bringing Rome into Foro publico by accusation. In a seventh she inveigheth against the fornication of Priests, protesting it were better to marry, nay warranting that the prohibition of marriage was utterly unlawful. In another she thus presageth, and ratifies it with a forcible oath, that the reformation of Rome must begin with the sword, and so seven plagues shall fall upon her, as it was spoken unto Israel. In a ninth she showeth the difference between Christ's and the Pope's Church, or if you will, the Pope's Court, enlarging the particulars by diverse circumstances, and demonstrative reasons. In a tenth she contesteth against that impious opinion of men's merits in matter of salvation, as a very poison to infect the heart of true religion, and open a gap to let in a world of absurdities. In another she wonders how that Purgatory came into men's minds, more than that it was a device of the devil to make a mint for the selling of souls, or at the best to coin money to fill the Pope's treasury. In the last place she assureth them that God will raise up better vine-dressers in his vineyard, than were in her time, or else leave it desolate to the foxes, who shall destroy it for ever. What would she say then if she lived in these days, and were acquainted with the new sect of jesuites, the Pope's janissaries, and the world's Incendiaries; with the doctrine of equivocation and mental reservation; with that atheistical position of Fidesnon est seruanda haereticis and all those damnable dispensations with murders, depositions of Princes, incests, whoredoms, and such like? There is never a Papist in the world but honoureth Katherine of Sienna for a Saint, and religious woman. S. Katherine. Now, if he will but believe her writings, as he reverenceth her person, and exalteth her memory, let him give ear to her Prophecies. She beginneth very sanctimoniously with a prayer for the reformation of the Church of Rome: she proceedeth effectually to lay open the enormities of the same: she continueth most seriously in discovering the mischiefs they have done to the poor afflicted souls of Christendom; and she concludeth very peremptorily, that Rome shall incur tribulation, and be utterly destroyed for her abominable life and imposturing deceit: That the Pope shall be disrobed, and lose his triple Crown, yea be bereft of all his pomp and glory, and that the Cardinals shall cast off their scarlet gowns, and run to hide themselves, if they knew where: but death and desolation shall follow them into their closerts, and their very Idols and Images shall make a fire to consume them, so that their lovers and friends shall cry out, Heu cadit in quenquam tantum scelus, tanta iniquitas! yea their very enemies shall clap their hands for joy to see their filthiness laid open to the hissing of the passengers. If this be thus, then answer a God's name, you that must answer before the judgement throne of the Lamb, how comes this about, if the Papacy shall not come to ruin, and Rome itself be d●stroied, seeing Antichrist is revealed, and that son of perdition manifested, whom God will consume with the breath of his nostrils. If not so, show wherein I have gone beyond limitation, or my Authors failed in their account, and I will answer both for them and myself, what is befitting satisfaction, if God have made your hearts pliable to an humble and modest impression. And thus much for Antichrists punishment. Because I find the substance of all that hath been said in one continued discourse upon the eleventh Chap. of the fourth book of Esdras, I will enlarge the same. For the Papists themselves allow the Apocrypha, as authentical, as Canonical Scripture, we only maintain, that though it be not Canonical Scripture, yet our learned Divines attribute to these Apocryphal writings the next place to the Canonical Scripture: and so you shall not only have the Original verbatim, but a true and strange Paraphrase, or illustration approved by the best authority. ESDRAS 2. Chap. 11. 1 THen saw I a dream, and behold there came up from the sea an Eagle which had twelve feathered wings and three heads. 2 And I saw, and behold she spread her wings over all the earth, and all the winds of the air blew on her, and were gathered together. 3 And I beheld, and out of her feathers there grew other contrary feathers, and they became little feathers and small. 4 But her heads were at rest, the head in the midst was greater than the other; yet rested it with the residue. 5 Moreover, I beheld, and lo, the Eagle flew with her feathers, and reigned upon the earth, and over them that dwelled therein. 6 And I saw, that all things under Heaven were subject unto her, and no man spoke against her, no not one creature upon earth. 7 And I beheld, and lo the Eagle rose upon her talons, and spoke to her feathers saying, 8 Watch not all at once, sleep every one in his own place, and watch by course. 9 But let the heads be preserved for the last. 10 And I beheld, and lo the voice went not out of her heads, but from the midst of her body. 11 And I numbered her contrary feathers, and behold, there were eight of them. 12 And I looked, and behold on the right side there arose one feather and reigned over all the earth. 13 And so it was that when it reigned, the end of it came, and the place thereof appeared no more, so the next following stood up, and reigned, and had a great time. 14 And it happened that when it reigned, the end of it came also, like as the first, so that it appeared no more. 15 Then came there a ucice unto it and said, 16 Hear thou that hast borne rule over the earth so long, this I say unto thee, before thou beginnest to appear no more. 17 There shall none after thee attain unto thy time, neither unto the half thereof. 18 Then arose the third, and reigned as the others before, and appeared no more also. 19 So went it with all the residue one after another, as that every one reigned, and then appeared no more. 20 Then I beheld and lo in process of time the feathers, that followed, stood up on the right side, that they might rule also, and some of them ruled, but within a while they appeared no more. 21 For some of them were set up, but ruled not. 22 After this I looked, and behold the 12. feathers appeared no more, nor the two little feathers. 23 And there was no more upon the eagle's body but three heads that rested and six little wings. 24 Then saw I also, that two little feathers divided themselves from the six, and remained under the head, that was upon the right side, for the four continued in their place. 25 And I beheld and lo, the feathers, that were under the wing, thought to set up themselves, and to have the rule. 26 And I beheld, and lo, there was one set up, and shortly it appeared no more. 27 And the second was sooner away then the first. 28 And I beheld, and lo the two that remained thought also in themselves to reign. 29 And when they so thought, behold there awaked one of the heads that were at rest, namely it that was in the midst, for that was greater than the two other heads. 30 And then I saw that the two other heads were joined with it, 31 And behold the head was turned with them, that were with it, and did eat up the two feathers under the wing, that would have reigned. 32 But this head put the whole earth in fear, and bare rule in it over all those that dwelled upon the earth, with much oppression, and it had the governance of the world, more than all the wings that had been. 33 And after this I beheld, and lo, the head that was in the midst suddenly appeared no more, like as the wings. 34 But there remained the two heads, which also in like sort ruled upon the earth, and over those that dwelled therein. 35 And I beheld, and lo, the head upon the right side devoured it that was upon the left side. 36 Then I heard a voice which said unto me, look before thee, and consider the thing that thou seest. 37 And I beheld, and lo as it were a roaring Lion chased out of the wood, and I saw that he sent out a man's voice unto the Eagle and said, 38 Hear thou: I will talk with thee, and the highest shall say unto thee, 39 Art not thou it that remainest of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of their times might come through them? 40 And the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were passed, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with much wicked oppression, and so long time dwelled he upon the earth with deceit. 41 For the earth hast thou not judged with truth. 42 For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm. 43 Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto the highest, and thy pride unto the mighty. 44 The highest also hath looked upon the proud times, and behold they are ended, and his abominations are fulfilled. 45 And therefore appear no more thou Eagle, nor thy horrible wings, nor thy wicked feathers, nor thy malicious heads, nor thy hurtful claws, nor all thy vain body. 46 That all the earth may be refreshed, and may return being delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy of him that made her. If you read also the next chapter, you may find how Esdras expounded this vision: but because I have promised a more plenary satisfaction, I apply myself to the same purpose, and thus continue the discourse. In the days of Darius' king of Persia, some 400. years before lulins Caesar advanced the standard of the Roman Empire, under the presentation of a sable Eagle displayed in a golden field, as the first Emperor after Kings, Consuls and Dictator's this vision came to Esdras, and containeth the beginning, continuance, and dissolution of the Empire and supremacy of Rome, seen by the Prophet Daniel some few years before: wherein twelve only Emperors are personated for their extended power like wings over the world, and for their greatness and celsitude of birth, like beasts with iron teeth & nails of brass, the number as a full jury to include the rest, and their nobleness fare exceeding other inferiors, as descended from the families of I●lij, Seruij, Saluij, Flavij, etc. Whereas all others were but composed of mean originals, or contrary nations, and no native Romans. By her three heads are meant three kingdoms, which must behold the pride of Rome, when her wings and feathers shall fail. By the winds are understood her prosperity, and large extension of dominion, as limiting her territories from Ganges to Gades, and from the Scythian sea to Cape bona esperanza. By the contrary feathers you must understand certain Kings and Princes that opposed this transcendent mightiness of Rome: but their purposes were frustrated, and for the time they prevailed not, till at last one was mightier than the rest, yet all rested for a time: for they were as embryos unbroughtforth till this great city in her unlimited pomp and pride, with her Armies and Legions might subjugated the neighbour nations, and insult over the best of the earth. By the standing upon her claws, etc. the Priests observed, that Rome in her transcendency did nothing without counsel and good advice, whereby her Emperors kept the sovereignty with great caution, and policy, and obtained a renown beyond all ciries and kings in the Universe. Now you must consider, that what Esdras personateth by an Eagle, the Prophet Daniel designeth under the form of a ten-horned beast, Daniel 7. berokening diverse Emperors & Kings, whose unresistable ●orces should affright the world with ambition, tyranny, and covetousness, and whereas he proceedeth with a race and succession of governors differing in shape and form from their predecessors, but governing with blaspheming the most High, sitting in the Temple, tyrannising over the third part of the world, and continuingin greater rages and cruelty against the inhabitants of the Provinces, than the rest; what is it any other than after the Emperors that & government, the Popes shall challenge a supremacy and prerogative power over inferior kings, and by wonderful subtlety, that is, the shadow of piety, religion, and sanctimonious life, prevail in elation of heart, and power of sovereignty, and therefore Daniel saith, and he shall be unlike to the first: yet still must Rome be called Triumphanta and Santa: so that when the Eagle saw her feathers plucked, and that Senate us populusque Romanus could do no good, nor Imperium Romanum prevail by forcible intrusion, she fearing some incurable disease to grow upon her, and that she must needs saint in her weakness and distress, set a new Loom on work of policy, lies, and devices, yea Magic, and Witchcraft, and so under the sacred name of Ecclesia Dei Romae, once again advanced her standard of honour and reputation, and became as predominant in her spiritual government, as ever she was in the warlike dilacerations of her Provinces. But the story follows in the numbering the Eagles contrary Verse 11. feathers, that is to say, that after Rome had overswayed the world, and her glorious Emperors with Luciferian pride, advanced themselu●s as high as the Sun: there should diverse attempts be made by foreign nations, and dangerous Princes to dismantell her of her Imperial robes, and unplume her of her diversity of colours, and these were comprised under the member of eight. 1. The West Goths commanded by Alaricus. 2. the Huns by Attala. 3. the Vandals by Genscricus. 4. the remainder of them by Odoacer. 5. the East Goths by Thecdorick. 6. the rest by Totila. 7. The Lombard's or Longobardi by Albonius. 8. and the last by an intestine sedition and domestic conspiracy, which infested as much or more, than all the rest: I could add as enemies, the Radaguise, Alani or Almans, Burgonians under Gundibald, Hungars, Saracens, and diverse other, but the former were those principal incendiaries, that set Rome on fire indeed, and by manifest repugnancy pulled her walls to rubbish, which lasted all the time of her ostentation with the term of Imperium crbis terrae, but when it came to the counterchange of Mater Ecclesia, then did these Princes likewise invest her with new robes of state and magnificence, and were content to take the golden cup from the Strumpet's hands, and carouse the dregs of abomination, & thus is the story of Rome epitomised even to this hour; but because the Prophecy goes forward, I will follow in the strength I have, & begin again. One feather arose on the right side, and reigned, saith the verse 12. text. In those days the great ones repined at the government of Consuls, and the inscription of Senatus populusque Romanus, whereupon diverse families attempted the sole jurisdiction: as the Cor●ehj, Marius, Scylla, Catiline, all as noble and as well borne as julins; but none rose on the right side but he, and although it cost him his life in the enterprise, as betrayed by his dearest friends, who ouerp●sing the liberty of their country before the ambition of an intruder, taught him a new lesson, that in trust was treason, and there is no confidence in worldly prosperity, but time will have her vicissitude: but for all this, out of death sprung the life of imperiousness, for after Octavius, Anthony, and Lepidus had revenged his death, and played the wanton Triumuiri with the greatness and potency of government, Octavius shouldered away the rest, and for his happy determination of business, and prosperous success in all affairs, reigned forty four years alone as Augustus: then followed Tiber●us, Caius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, and these are the feathers and wings of the Eagle principally named in this prophecy. Now saith the Text, there were other feathers, but they Vers. 20. put not themselves forth with that strength, nor made so glorious a show as the former: that is, there were other Emperors and Governors, but they were neither so mighty in government nor so illustred in birth: such as Nerua, Adrian, Antonius, Marius, Comm●dus, Pertinax, julian, Severus, Caracalla, Macrinus, Heliogabalus, Alexander, Maximinus, with others to the 3. Valentinian, and so by degrees as it is in Philosophy, corrupti● unius generatio alterius, the Empire decaying, the papacy had room in Rome for a new progression. All this while you must consider, there were others which were opposites and innovators, but no governors, and these, saith the text, were set up, but not ruled: such as Vindex, Piscenius niger, Albinus, Diadumenas', Maximus, Balbinus, 30. Tyranni, Firmus, Saturninus, Bonosus, Proculus, Aper, Eugenius, Quintillus, Ruffinus, Constantinus, not surnamed Magnus, Heraclianus, and others, who all served to no other end, but as instruments for the Almighty to hue down the marble pillars of this Imperial Rome, and afterward to raise a new fabric of stupendious admiration, by a fare more unnatural government of Churchmen, I call it unnatural, because the Popes of Rome, under the sanctified titles of Peter's successor, Vcars to the Lamb, and fathers of the Church of God, not only deceived the world, but excelled the proudest Emperors, when their sins came to overflowing, in State, Majesty, Pomp, covetousness, tyranny, and all other impieties discovered in Scripture. But the Prophet goes forward with the Empire's dissolution, that is to say, with the whole narration of the story of the Nations that infested Italy, beginning with Alaricus, who set himself up in the 19 year of Honorius, conquering Latium, Campania, Apulia, Lucania, Cal●bria, proceeding with Attila, who in the 27. of the 3. year 410 Valentinian destroi●d Aquileia, Verona, Mantu●, Cremona, Brixia, Coneordia, with the new territory of Venice, and ending with Genserick, Od●acer, Totila, the Lombard's, and the intestine faction: and these are the two heads and Vers. 23. six wings: now you must consider, that in this fearful time, the proud Attila did fell the city of Rome to Bishop Leo, as some report, and so was contented to forsake Italy, by which occasion the Popes became Masters of this great City, and in process of time wrought out their supremacy, not only over Italy, but over Europe: For as these Tyrants vexed one another, and the successors which followed were subject to extirpation, namely Valentinian, Maximus, Anitus, Maiorianus, Severus, Anthemias, Olibrius, Glycerius, lxlius, N●pos, Momil●us, otherwise Augustulus, the Popes raised their structures out of their ruins, and the rubbish of the Empire served to advance the fabric of the Papacy: Thus the Eagles displayed wings were spread in the time of Augustus and broken and spoiled in the days of Augustulus, who was that Momil●us the last named, and so the prophecy followeth to the 29. verse, with the variety of the wars, troubles, and government, of all the contrary feathers named before, to the time of the intestine sedition, which had pretence of renewing the style of Senatus populusque Romanus: but now the Bishop of Rome tampers for his supremacy, and investeth Charles King of France, Emperor, and this is that which Esdras meaneth, by the awaking of one of the three heads, that were at rest: for the Vers. 29. 801 three heads personate Germany, France, and Spain, who shall according to the interpretation of this Vision, still by one means or other maintain the dignity of the Popedom, though all the rest of the Kings and Princes of Europe forsake it, till utter destruction come indeed, and they manifestly behold, that God will c●st this strumpet in a bed of affliction, that is to say, that although Papistry and the profession of the Romish Religion shall not be utterly extinguished, till the Church be triumphant in heaven, yet shall the glory of Rome, yea of the Pope and his Cardinals suffer diminution, if not utter desolation, as shall be manifested in due place, and orderly demonstration. But first you must note, how the Prophet proceeds: the verse 31. middle head did eat up the wings, which is meant by the sword of Carclus magnus, who at the Pope's command came into Italy and took De●●derius prisoner, leading him captive into France; after this Cono the Emperor falls out with Gregory the second, and projected to dislocate the Popes of Rome, as intimating, that their pride and tyranny would grow ulcerous, and to a Gangrene in the body of Europe's government: whereupon the people were not only incensed against their Bishop, but attempted a new alteration, by Senators and Consuls, had not the French laid a cooling card for this proceeding, and established the Pope in his supreme eminency: yet all is not quiet; for some 150. years after Alberick and Octavian his son contested anew with the ambitious Prelates, and once again advanced another government in Rome: but see how the Pope thrives according to the prophecy: Otho the great comes in his assistance, banisheth the Consul, hangeth the Tribunes, and mounteth the Praefectus Vrbis naked on an Ass, and so he is crowned, and with great derision thrust into prison, and tormented to death: but within seven years new uproars began by the tumultuary incitation of Lancius, had not Otho the second at a supper in the Vatican struck off all their heads. Last of all, Frederick the first, with the year 1136 blood and wounds of 2000 men established the Bishop of Rome in greater glory, and ever since according to this Prophecy and discovery, they have continued secure by the means of these heads in all impiety and abomination: but the Prophecy leaves them not so, for after all this exemplification of glory and greatness, with the manner of their rising, and insolent tumours, he falls to their punishment and utter confusion. This lasteth from the 36, verse to the end, wherein you may observe, that the breath of God like a Lion of the Forest shall tear this Eagle in pieces, and as you have heard in the execution of Antichrist, whole armies of Prophecies, and denunciations of vengeance shall be further mustered against Rome from so supreme a judicature, that no humane potency shall reverse the doom, or be able to repeal the sentence. Conclusion. THe conclusion then of all these things may be thus, that if God out of his palace of power and mightiness, or store-house of providence and mercy, hath from time to time exposed his secrets openly, whereby his Saints and poor afflicted children have not only been comforted in their distress, but prepared against following mischiefs: If according to the wantonness of times, and growth of impiety, he hath gone about to stop the torrent and raging inundation of wickedness, and by many predictions foretold the ruin of the kingdom of Satan, and enlargement of the bounds of his Church: If he hath gone yet further to follow obstinate men and refractory delinquents, even at the he●les, with signs and wonders from heaven, either to divert the outrageous from their immanity, or support the lowly in their humiliation: Let not us pass them over, as things unremarkable, or be affrighted as terrors of too great vengeance: and if it fall not within our reach to make clean every corruption, yet as near as we can, to wipe away the filthiness, and wash off the deformity of gross and fearful sins. Thus shall the confidence of the joys to come season our present sorrows, & the acknowledging of God's attributes assure us, that he is faithful, which hath promised, and so will perform the oath he swore unto our father Abraham, & his s●ed for ever. Again, if it hath pleased the same God to terrify the world with the rumours of war, and thunderings of hostility, ●o weaken and abate the power of mighty monarchies, to strike daniel's image with a stone from heaven to pieces, to put a hook in the nostrils of Leu●athan and B●h●moth, to turn about the wheels of the chariot of greatness. O consider this ye that have forgot God, l●st he tear you in pieces in his wrath: & remember this, ye that love God, lest ye abuse his mercy over-presumptuously. But of all, and exceeding all; I● in this latter age of the world he hath revealed unto us the true history of his Church; That the Dragon shall watch the woman in the wilderness to devour her child; That in the Primitive Church was the true pattern of wholesome words; That she ●ell from thi● purity, & was polluted with the filth of men's Traditions, whose daring hands out of wantonness, case, gurrm●●dice, ambition, avarice, p●l●●ie, and imposturing deceit, threw dur● into her clean stream, and in a manner dammed up the spring of undeniable verity; That all this was done by Antichrist and his adherents; That this Antichrist is now fully discovered, not to personate one man, nor be a stranger in God's house, but to sit in the Temple of God, and the Church, and to be the Popes of Rome, the strumpet of Babylon in the Scriptures, the beast with seven heads and ten horns in the Apocalyps, the man of sin in Timothy, Lucifer in Isaiah, the spirit of error in the Thessalonians, with all the rest, as you have heard; That notwithstanding this discovery, he hath usurped the authority of Princes, tyrannised over Kings, affrighted ignorant souls, captived credulous persons, and enriched his purse, to the augmentation of worldly glory; That therefore God hath arraigned him, and by several inditements condemned, and that his punishment and execution followed, whereby this defiled strumpet shall be divorced from her spouse, cast in a bed of affliction, demolished, and her structures pulled to pieces, set on fire, to the wonder of the world, and the terror of all seduced people. FINIS.