ANTI-CHRIST Pointed and painted out in his true Colours. OR The Pope of Rome, proven to be that Man of sin, and son of Perdition, fore-prophesied in Scripture. By the clear witnessing of Roman Catholics themselves; Who lived and died in the Communion of that Church. For converting or convincing of any Papist that is not wilfully obdured.  DEUT. 32.31. 
Even our enemies themselves being judges.  
By WILLIAM GUILD, Doctor of divinity, and Preacher of God's WORD.  
Printed in Aberdene, by James Brown, 1655.   

TO THE RIGHT honourable AND religious, ALEXANDER, LORD FORBES OF PETSLEGO.  
Right honourable, & Noble Lord,  
IN the time of so great defection from the truth to Popery, within this Kingdom; and especially in these northern parts of late. If ever there was a necessity laid upon the Lord's Servants, To give Warning from the watchtower, 
Ezek. 33▪ 3▪  as Ezekiell) speaketh) and to blow the Trumpet, 
Jude 3.  it is now: And, as the Apostle speaketh, 
Act. 20.29.  earnestly to contend for that Faith which was once delivered to the saints: seeing (as the Apostle Paul, in his time, did forewarn the Elders of Ephesus,) There are grievous Wolves, entered in amongst us; not sparing the flock, 
Thes. 2.3.  as also of our own selves men are arisenn speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. And more particularly seeing that man of sin & son of perdition, of whom he speaketh, by his emissaries, with all subtlety and sedulity, is seeking to repair the breaches of that tottering Babel, which is near to her fall; by seeking with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, (as the Apostle speaketh,) in them that perish to seduce unstable souls: 
Thes. 2.10.  and such who have not received the love of the truth, that they might be saved, that ther●fore through strong delusion they should believe a lie. Yet, notwithstanding, they shall not prevail: For, howsoever, 
Rev. 13.11.  that Beast spoken of in the Revelation, (whom all agree to be that foretold Antichrist,) by his false resembling of the horns of the Lamb, and pretending to be Christ's Vicar, hath before times deceived the inhabitants of the earth: and made them drunk with the wine of whorish fornication, (as Hose speaketh,) The spirit of whoredoms, 
Hoseae 4.12.  causing them to err. Yet now his lying mouth speaking like the Dragon, is so well known to all God's People that are come out of Babel, and follow the Lamb, that as the Apostle speaketh concerning the gospel, if it was hid, it was to them only that perish: Even so it may be said in like manner; If in so clear a light of the gospel, this be hid from any blinded papist, that popery is Antichristianism, and the Pope that foretold Antichrist, it is only to these who wilfully continuing in their error; appearingly GOD hath destinated to destruction: and against whom that sad threatening is denounced, (Rev. 14.10.) that they shall drink of the wine of the wrath of GOD; which is poured out without mixture into the Cup of His indignation, &c.  
Seeing, therefore, of all Contraversies between the Papists and Us, this is the chieffest; & of such consequence: That if we prove the Pope to be Antichrist; Then all popery is overthrown, and all other Contraversies between them and us, easily decided. The Pope & his infallibility, being the Diana of Ephesus, 
1. Sam. 5.4.  their Atlas, and idol Dagon, this Pillar of whose house being pulled down, the whole fabric, or Superstructure thereof falleth, as it did in Samson's time: For, 
judge 16.29.  than it will follow, that all Papists are limbs of Antichrist; and all Popish doctrines are Antichristian errors, opposite to the truth of CHRIST, and the gospel. Therefore, for convincing the obstinate Papist, and converting the tractable. As also for establishing the wavering; and confirming such as are rooted in the truth. I have taken pains, beside clear Testimonies of Scripture, adduced heretofore, by many worthy Servants of CHRIST, to prove the Point, in this short Treatise, by taking another course to my knowledge, not taken hitherto by any. That is, to evidence by the witnessing of Roman Catholics themselves, who lived and died in the Communion of that Church. That the Pope is Antichrist, and that man of sin, and son of perdition, fore-prophesied, by the Apostles, 2. Thessaly▪ 2.3. And, that Beast spoken of by John, Rev. 13.11. Whom the LORD shall consume with the Spirit of His Mouth; & abolish by the brightness of His coming. That so, (as is said, Deut. 32.31.) Even our enemies being judges and as it was said to the wicked servant, Luke 19 22. Ex ore tuo, &c. Even so, out of the mouths of Romanists themselves, the truth hereby may be established, and themselves convinced.  
Which pains that I have taken in this point, I have dedicated, to Your LORDSHIP, beside other Motives and Relation; Because of Your LORDSHIPS Known Religious Disposition & Love to the truth: The want whereof, is assigned by the Apostle, to be the cause of that delusion of many now adays, and of their apostasy from the truth: And which I may say is one of the greatest Evidences of God's Love to You, and of the standing of Your Noble family; while as many others are like Jonah's gourd fading and falling; Because of the want of that Love to the truth, and contempt of the gospel: That is like that worm which was at the root thereof. In which Love of GOD, & His truth, and in joining a Gospel life, with a gospel light; as Your Lordship groweth in years; that the LORD may likewise (as the Prophet speaketh,) be like Dew to You; and make You to grow in Grace as the lily; And, 
Hosea 14 5.  to spread Your Roots in the stability thereof, like the Trees of Lebanon; shall be ever the hearty Wish and Prayer, of  
Your lordship's humble Servant in CHRIST, WILLIAM GUILD.   

TO THE READER.  
Christian & courteous Reader,  
Marvel not, that after so many Worthies in Christ's Church, who have so largely written of this Subject; That I should need any more to put Pen to Paper in this particular. For, that which hath moved me, is not only that these spoken of, have written partly in Latin not understood by all, & obvious to few. And, others that have written in English, have so copiously enlarged themselves by discourse therein; and are likewise rare here and in the hands of few. But, likewise my special Motive hath been the daily increase of popery almost, and the spreading itself everiewhere: partly, through these unhappy differences in Christ's Church of late, within the three Kingdoms: And, partly, through the sedulity of the masked Jesuites and seminary Priests, who numerously now swarm everywher, upon the presumption of inpunity, and like the Pharisees of old, do make Proselytes to themselves, in all parts. Which with grief (I am sure) should zealously affect every sound Professor. But, chiefly, Pastors, and such as have been called to the holy ministry, to give Warning from the Watch Tower: And, contend for the Faith once delivered to the Saints: Against such disguised wolves; coming in sheep's clothing, to devour Christ's Flock. And, in particular, to discover that Antichrist: And, let God's People see who he is: And▪ that these are his Emissaries, who seek so to seduce them. For, whose detection likewise, I have taken a course to my knowledge) not formerly taken by any: Both in respect of brevity, and more easy perusal. As, likewise, for proving the Point, and every particular thereof, by undenyble Testimonies; Writs, and Witnessing, of Romanists themselves. Whereby is evidenced to any not Prejudged, or wilfully Obdured, and Obstinate; that the Pope is that grand, Antichrist foreprophesied in Scripture: And, dare give a defiance to any Priest or Papist, to instance any other who-so-ever▪ to whom the whole Prophecies; and Properties▪ set down in Scripture, and in this subsequent Treatise; being collectively, and jointly taken; & assented by the Romanists themselves, doth clearly agree. Except only to the Pope. By which this being proven that he is that Antichrist; It consequently followeth, That Popish doctrine, is Antichristianism. And▪ that these who embrace the same, are Followers of Antichrist, and Drinks of that golden Cup, that is in the hand of that mystical whore, full of abominations & filthiness of her Fornication: And, except they repent, and come out of Babel, as they are partakers of her sins: So they shall be partakets of her plagues. And, one day, as is threatened, revel 14.10. They shall drink of the wine of the Wrath of GOD; Which is poured out without mixture, into the Cup of His Indignation. Which I pray GOD, That every one that is a Christian, may avoid, and eschew.   

A TABLE, Of the Contents of this Book.  

CHAP. 1. THe Introduction to this Treatise, concerning Antichrist.  
2. That Antichrist is not one individual person, but a continued succession of many.  
3. What manner of person Antichrist is; and how he is described by Paul, 2. Thessalon. 2.3. & proved to be the Pope.  
4. How Antichrist is described by John, revel 9  
5. How Antichrist is described by John, revel 13.11.  
6. How Antichrist is described by John, revel 17.11.12. &c. And, by all these places, proving the Pope to be that Antichrist.  
7. Where Antichrist is to be found; or his place in general, 2. Thess. 2.4.  
8. Antichrists Seat, or his Place, in particular, proved to be Rome, revel 17.9.  
9 Of the time when Antichrist should come, and be revealed, 2. Thess. 2.7.8.  
10. Of the marks, whereby to know Antichrist. And, 1. Of his exorbitant and matchless pride: In exalting himself, above all that is called god, 2. Thess▪ 2.4.  
11. Of Antichrists sitting in the Temple of god, as God: Showing himself, that: he is god, 2. Thess. 2.4. And, of his names of blasphemy. revel 17.3.  
12. Of the Popes not only equalling himself with God▪ But also exalting himself above God. Which is the height of Antichristian pride, and matchless impiety.  
13. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's idolatry, and spiritual whoredom, Rev. 17.6.  
14. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's bloody cruelty, revel 17.6.  
15. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's spiritual merchandise, or simony, Rev. 18.13.  
16. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's lawless and most wicked life, 2. Thess. 2.3.  
17. Of Antichrists, or the Popes and his clergy, their feigned miracles, and lying wonders▪ 2. Thess▪ 2.9.  
18. Of the final destruction of Antichrist; and ruin of that papal Sea, revel 18.2. and 2. Thess. 2.8.    

ANTI-CHRIST Pointed & painted out in his true Colours. OR The Pope of Rome, proven to be that Antichrist▪ by the witnessing of Romanists themselves.  
CHAP. I. The Introduction to this Treatisses, concerning Antichrist.  
THE two greatest mistakings in the world; & of greatest concernment; are the first of the obstinate Jew; the other, of the misled Christian. The one concerning the true MESSIAH CHRIST: The other, concerning his opposite Antichrist, clear Prophecies of the Old Testament, so plainly pointing out 〈◊〉 the one; That it's a wonder, how the blind Jew long ago should not have known CHRIST: And, no less plain predictions, & places of the New Testament, to the life painting out the other: That it is no less wonder, that seduced Christians so long, should not know who is that Antichrist. But, the like cause of such mislaking by both; Is, while the incredulous Jew, looked for a worldly temporal Monarch to come; he stood amongst the midst of them, who was the true SAVIOUR OF souls CHRIST, foretold by the Prophets: Even so while the seduced Christian looketh for an individual Antihrist, as yet only to come, of such a conceited Tribe, Nation, and Continuance, (as their impostors teach them.) In the mean time likewise, he sitteth amongst the midst of them, as in the Temple of God▪ who is the Destroyer of Souls Antichrist, foretold by the Apostles. So that the diversion of the eye from the right object; and not remarking what is present, to gaze idlely, after a misconceated future, hath been Satan's policy, to make the Saviour of mankind, unknown to the incredulous Jew; and is now the same to make that ABADDON, and Destroyer of Souls, unknown in like manner to the misled Christian.  
But, will we trace the footsteps of a revealed Way, and the Words of that Evangelical prophecy; Forbidden to be sealed up; but given to be shown unto God's Servants: And, whereof both sanctified Hearers ●nd Readers, 
Rev. 22.10.  are pronounced Blessed; we shall clearly see him to be that Roman Antichrist: Pretending, notwithstanding, to be Christ's Vicar on earth: And, therefore, to be horned, like the LAMB: But, if we look to his mouth, or doctrine, we shall find him to be his main opposite; and, to speak like the Dragon.  
Seeing, then, that notwithstanding of the false resemblance of the lamb's horns the blasphemous mouth of the dragon's Vicar, (rather than Christ's,) is so well known: And; that the retreat from mystical Babylon, to holy Jerusalem doth so clearly sound. Seeing, also, that, that whore and mother of whoredoms, is so clearly discovered, is greatly also deserted. And, at last, destroyed shall be: And, as is said, revel 16.12. The waters of the great River Euphrates, is so much dried up; upon which the Whore sitteth; which are Peoples, 
Rev. 17.15.  and Multitudes, and Nations, and Tongues. 
jerem. 51.33.  And, that, (as the Prophet speaketh;) The time of Babell's Threshing is come: And yet a little while; and the time of her harvest shall come, when the LORD shall bring her down so, that her dust shall be scraped from her: And, she shall be made like the top of a bare rock. My earnest wish, therefore, shall be, That none be so desperately mad, as to be like Lot's sons in law; Not to go out of Sodom, 
Rev. 11.8.  (as she is spiritually called,) till by fire and brimstone they be consumed; nor, to abide in Babel, after the call of evocation, to be partakers of her sins, till they receive of her plagues. But, as the wise men followed the star, till they found out CHRIST; that they might adore HIM. So that they being spiritually wise, may, inlyke manner, follow the star of God's revealed Light: Whereby they may find out Antichrist: That so they may avoid and abhor him. By which (GOD willing,) they shall see both who he is, and where he is. Next, whence he came, and when he came. And, last, what are his marks, and whither he goeth.   

CHAP. II. That Antichrist is not one only individual person, but a continued succession of many,  
FIrst, then, we are to consider, that the name Antichrist, as it is generally, or more largely taken; signifieth all that are any wise enemies to CHRIST, or the truth, as we see it taken, 1. joh. 2.18. But, as it is taken more properly and peculiarly, or by way of eminency, it signifieth that man of sin, and sonn● of perdition: of whom the Apostle speaketh, 2. Théss. 2.3. Whom John, also, revel 9.11. calleth that King, or Monarch over these Locusts, that came forth out of the smoke of the bottomless pit: And, revel 13.11. That Beast that arose out of the earth; horned like the Lamb: But speaking like the Dragon. And, whom all agree to be that Grand & foreprophecied Antichrist. And, whom we take not to be any one only individual person; but a continued succession of many. So that, when we say, That the Pope is Antichrist. we mean not individually; this or that Pope only: But, collectively, that the whole succession from Boniface the rhird; downwards is such: who about the year 607. obtained from the Emperor Phocas; that Antichristian Title, 
Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38.  (as Gregory calleth it,) Of universal Bishop; or, Head of the Church. Which none of his predecessors ever assumed. And, of whom the same Gregory foretold, saying, The king of pride, is at hand, (meaning Antichrist:) and, which is fearful scarce to be spoken, (sayeth he;) an army of priests, is prepared for him. So that here we have who are the Locusts, of whom John speaketh; and, who is their king over them, who is called ABADDON▪ and, who by a Popes own declaration is, to be a Prince of Priests; as the Pope is styled.  
And, seeing this is a Principle; That the Pope can not err: especially, such a Pop●, as Gregory the Great, speaking definitively. Then, they must confess, that Antichrist is come a thousand years ago. And, being a Prince of Priests; consequently, is a person ecclesiastical. Neither is it unusual in Scripture, 
Ribera, in Apoc. 17. vers. 10.  (sayeth their Jesuit Ribera,) that by one many alike; and of the same incorporation, are signified. Which he proveth out of Matth. 22.11. Where by one man, many are signified: and, out of Daniel, 7. and the angel's interpretation of the ram that he saw having horns. Which ram, (sayeth the angel, is the king of the Medes & Persians: Quibus verbis, (sayeth the Jesuit,) vt recte Hieronymus exposuit, non hic aut ille Rex designatur; sed omnes reges Medorum atque Persarum sibi ordine succedentes, & quasi vnum corpus efficientes: That is, by which words, as Jerom rightly expoundeth, is designed; not this or that king: but, all the kings of the Medes and Persians; succeeding each one to another, in Order: And, making all up one body. Therefore, also, 
Aquin, in Apoc.  sayeth Aquinas, accordingly, that Antichrist is the whole body of such: And, not one man, so, also, speaketh the ordinar gloss, and Cardinal Hugo; calling Antichrist the universe, or whole succession of such. Yea, the Papists themselves, when they say, That the Pope is the Vicar of CHRIST, and head of the Church. They mean not any one Pope only: But, the whole succession of such, which they deryve from PETER.  
Thus having shown, that Antichrist is not one only individual person: but, a succession of many. We come next, to consider, how he is in holy Scripture described. And, before we any further proceed, we are to frame this irrefragable Argument, and plain Demonstration, thus:  
Unto whom the Prophecies of holy Scripture, describing Antichrist, do sole, and only agree, he is that Grand Antichrist, foretold in the Scriptures. But, unto the Pope of Rome, the Prophecies of the holy scripture, describing Antichrist, do sole and only agree.  
Therefore, it followeth; That the Pope of Rome, is that Grand Antichrist, foretold in the Scriptures. The Major is undeniable, all the controversy, therefore, is only in the probation of the Minor: which I shall (GOD willing) labour, to prove, by the Induction, of the Prophecies themselves: and, their Application, all of them, to the Pope. And, that being taken collectively or jointly, they are appliable to none else, but to him.   

CHAP. III. What manner of person Antichrist is: and, how he is described by Paul, 2. Thessalon. 2.3. and proved to be the Pope.  
FIrst▪ then; The Apostle Paul descryveth him, that he shall be the head of a falling away, or apostasy, from the faith. For, so Bellarmin himself speaketh, saying; By this falling away, most rightly, 
Bell. l. 3. de Pont c. §. ad postremum.  may Antichrist be understood: For, he shall be so an Apostate, that he may be called apostasy himself Whence it followeth, That he shall not be (as the Papists fancy) an Obstinate Jew; who never professed the Christian faith. And, therefore, can not be said, to have made apostasy from the truth thereof: But, an Apostate christian: Who still retaining the Christian name, shall notwithstanding make defection from the truth of Christian doctrine. Therefore, sayeth Augustine, upon his resemblance of the horns of the LAMB; Sub Nomine Christiano agnum praefert, 
Aug. him. 11. in Apos.  vt draconis veneva latentur infundat: That is; Under the Christian name, he resembleth the LAMB, (Saith he,) that the more secretly he may pour in the poison of the dragon. And, again, in the same place; he would not counterfeit the likeness of the Lamb, (sayeth he,) if he did openly speak against him: But, doth counterfeit Christianity: That the more craftily he may deceive the simple. So, likewise, speaketh Origen, on Matth. 11.27. and others.  
And, to make us the more clearly to know this apostasy, whereof the Apostle speaketh, 
1. Tim. 4.1.3.  he instanceth two doctrines thereof; which he calleth the doctrines of devils. Which the Pope, and his adherents do teach: Thereby showing that of ●im he meaneth this apostasy: To wit, the forbidding of marriage: 
Dist. 82. ●. proposuit.  which under the name of uncleanness, (Contrary to God's Word, calling it the Bed undefyled,) he forbiddeth to the clergy: And, commanding, to abstaisn from meats, at certain forbidden times as unlawful, and for conscience sake,. Which in the contrary, according to Chtistian liberty, God hath created, (sayeth the Scripture,) to be received with thanks giving.  
Where, likewise, it is to be noted; That to show his deep dissembling, in opposing the truth of CHRIST, under the Christian name, it is said; 
1. Tim. 4.2. 2. Thess. 2 3.  tha● he shall speak lies in hypocrisy. And, therefore, getteth Judas style, being called the son of perdition: To show us, that as Judas, was the chief ringleader of those who came against CHRIST. Yet, professing himself a Disciple of His; and saluting Him, Master, with a kiss. So is Antichrist, the chief ringleader of these t hat are against Christ's truth: Yet, professing himself a chief Disciple: Yea, Christ's own Vicar. Therefore: doth their own famous Florentine: 
Petraroha epist 18. LIB. 1. epistol.. rerum senilium epist Amico cui titulus, calamitatem urbis Romae describit.  And, so much extolled Petrarcha, say▪ what other is done continually there, (to wit, at Rome,) by these enemies of CHRIST, and the Pharisees, of our times (says he) but like Judas & the Roman soldiers, while they would seem to worship Him, they sell Him, they crown him with thorns, they spit on Him, they mock Him, they pierce Him, and of new they crucify Him.  
Next it is to be observed from this same title common with Judas which is given also to him, that he shall not only be a professor of the Christian name in hypocrisy & by dissembling of unrighteousness, but likewise (like Judas) he shall be a Preacher thereof. Therefore saith Hilary, Sub opinione falsae pietatis & specie evangelicae praedicationis, 
Hilar contra Auxentium.  Christo contrari●s erit, ut Dominus noster Iesus Christus denegetur cum praedicari creditur, That is under the show of piety and preaching of the gospel, he shall be contrar to Christ, so that even than our Lord Jesus Christ shall be denied, when it is believed that he is preached. Therefore Rev. 9 He is called a fallen star, whereupon saith the Jesuit Ribera, Ex quo perspicitur praedicatorem aliquem magnum significari, 
Riberae in Apoc. 9  that is, whereby is evident that some great or eminent preacher is understood (says he)   

CHAP. IV. How Antichrist is described by the Apostle John, revel 9  
THe Apostle John doth likewise describe Antichrist, revel 9 to be a Staerre, and what is meaned by stars in the Revelation the first Chapter tells revel 1.16. To wit, Bishops & pastors of the Church, as the Jesuit Ribera upon that place acknowledgeth, and who is meaned by this star, ALFONSUS declareth saying, primae notae Episcopus, or an eminent Bishop. 2. He is called a fallen star like Lucifer, therefore saith their Lyr●, Episcopus malus est, qui stelladicitur ratione officij. That is, he who is called this star. Is a wicked Bishop, so called a star by reason of his office. 3. He is said to be a fallen star from heaven to earth, that is, 1. From the purity of heavenly doctrine to that which savours only of the earth, or human invention & traditions, whereupon most points of of popery are grounded. 2. From a holy and heavenly disposition and seeking things above, to an earthly disposition▪ affecting earthly things, as riches, preferment, and Monarchik power & jurisdiction, &c. Concerning which defection of the Roman Church, and the head thereof. Platina, the Pope's own secretary; in the life of Marcellinus giveth this testimony; saying, Our Vices are come to that height; that scarce there is any place, left of obtaining mercy at God's Hands: For, how great is the Av●rice of Priests, (sayeth he?) And, of these who are in highest place, (meaning the Pope;) was Lust? What Pomp, and pride? What idleness, and Ignorance of themselves; and, of TRUE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE? How little Religion? And, the little, that is rather Hypocricall, then true? 3. By falling away from the Heaven, to the earth: is understood, His falling away from the true Church; (Which because of her heavenly disposition, is so called in the rev. elation, in opposition to the earthly sort: Called thereforethe earth; (as their Carthusian expoundeth.) So that, tho he pretend to be chief Pastor, and Head of the true Church. He is not so much as a true Member thereof: But, an adversary, and an enemy thereto. Therefore, said Eberhardus, Archbishop of Salisburg of the Pope at an imperial diet at Reinsburg, ANNO 1246. (as Aventin reporteth,) Sub Pontificis maximi titulo & Pastoris pelle, lupum se●issimum, (nisi coeci sumus,) sentimus. 
Avent. ●. 7. annal. Bojorum. p. 547.  That is, Under the title of Pope, or chief Bishop; as under the Skin of a shepherd, we feel (except we be blind) a most cruel Wolffe. As, also, so speaketh that noble PETRARCH, Vides enim non modo CHRISTI adversarium; 
Petrarch. epist cui titulus calamitatem vrbis Romanae deplorat. p. 803.  Sed quod est gravius, sub-CHRISTI vexillo rebellantem CHRISTO, militantem Satanae, & CHRISTI Sanguine tumidum. That is, Thou seest not only Christ's adversary, (meaning, the Pope,) but, which is more grievous to see, That under the Banner of Christian Profession, he rebelleth against CHRIST, fighteth for Satan; and, is drunk with the blood of CHRIST:) To wit, in His Members.)  
Next: Whereas he claimeth, (as PETER'S successor to have committed to him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; the Apostle here showeth, That it is the key of the bottomless pit, that is given to him, quia ei permittitur, (sayeth their own Lyra,) abuti potestate Episcopali. That is, Because it is permitted unto him, to abuse episcopal authority, or power. Which by the keys is understood, in opening, or shutting; damning, or saving. Which power over the bottomless pit; who is he that claimeth it so much, as the Pope? In throwing down to Hell, by his thunderbolt of Excommunication, whom he listeth; and, liberating souls, out of his Hellish purgatory, whom he pleaseth. So that as he changeth his Station, and falleth from Heaven: So, he loseth the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: And, as he becometh the angel of the bottomless Pit; so suteably he getteth the key thereof. And, from a star, which abefore, (while he stood in his first Station▪ 
Vers. 11▪  as the Primitive Bishops of Rome;) being now fallen by apostasy, from the True faith, 
1. Tim. 4.  (as the Apostle speaketh:) he becometh a Broacher of darkness: and, bringeth in both error and Ignorance, on the face of the Visible Church, as the Popish ordinary gloss, and the Jesuit Ribera expoundeth. And, therefore, 
Gloss. ord.. in Rev. 9.2. & Ribera.  is said to open the bottomless Pit; which before by the preaching of the gospel, in power & purity was shut, (as it were,) Ignorance and error being thereby suppressed. Out of which first proceedeth smoke: and out of the smoke, Locusts. Over whom he becometh a sovereign Head and Monarch. And, therefore, (Vers. 11.) is called their king Abaddon, Appollyon: To show thereby That first Ignorance and error, should be brought in by him, in place of Knowledge and truth. And, next; That Ignorance and error, ●red and brought forth the swarms of Locusts. Which Beda calleth the disciples of Antichrist: and, Lyra, ejus Sacerdotes & Ministros. That is, His Priests under him and ministers: Following Pope Gregory the first herein: Who declaring the title of universal Bishop, to be Antichristian, prophetically speaketh of his successor, Boniface the third: who assumed that title; saying, The king of pride, 
Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38.  is at hand: and, which is fearful to be spoken: An army of Priests is prepared for him. The diverse Orders of whom; and, of the Popish clergy, are here compared to Locusts: 1. Because of their swarming multitude. For which cause, the huge army of the Midianites, who infested Israel; are compared to them, judge 7.12. 2. Because of their devouring and eating up of every Herb, Fruits of Trees; and every green thing, as we see in that Plague of Egypt, Exod. 10.15. As the Romish clergy, in like manner, have enhanced to themselves, the best places & things in every land, where they didswarme. 3. They are very busy still busing and leaping, from place to place: Even as seminary priests in like manner and Jesuits do, to advance and advantage themselves, and their Religion: And, like the old Pharisees, to make men their Proselits, the children of the devil, seven times more than themselves. 4. As Locusts do most harm by their mouths: So do these Locusts by their false doctrine. 5. It is said, also, That power was given to these Locusts, as the power of Scorpions. Therefore, Vers. 10, It is said, That they have tails like Scorpions: and, their sting is in their tail; whereby they hurt. By which tails, are meant False doctrines: as we see expounded Isai. 9.15. Which are venomous, and infect poor souls. Therefore, sayeth their own Jesuit Ribera, Vulnera s●●a & venenata infligunt. 
Riber●, in Apoc. 9.3  That is; They sting with cruel, and venomous stinging. 6. And, this also, they do, (sayeth he,) Furtim & latenter. That is; slightly, and unperceaveably, (as the Apostle speaketh,) By deceivableness of unrighteousness: And, in a mystery, like the envious man, who did sow the Tares in the night. 7. Their stinging is not at first felt hurtful: Because the same is in a sort pleasant: But, is found to be thereafter painful, and deadly: Even, so, is Popish doctrine, in death especially, filling the hearts then of poor souls with doubtings, terroures of conscience, and fear of purgatory, and the like: Which maketh them to be f●ed therefrom; to bequeathe such large Legacies for Soule-Masses and Diriges, &c. 8. The shape of these Locusts, are said, To be like horses, prepared unto battle, denotating their forward, fierce, and furious oppositions; by all bloody Plots, and practices, against the truth; as the poor Waldenses found, the Massacre of Paris can witness; and the intended Invincible Spanish Armado, in 88 and English powder-treason, in 1605. 9 They had upon their heads. as it were, crowns; which their own Lyra expoundeth, To be Tonsura clericalis, propter quam, (sayeth he,) homines honorem illis deferunt. That is, Their shaved crown; for the which, men have them in an honourable respect: And, wherehy is signfied, 
Rabanus Maurus, in institutione cleric. lib. 1. cap. 3. , (sayeth their RABANUS MAURUS, and DURAND▪ in his Rationale divinorum.) That they are not only Priests, but Kings, and have a royal Priesthood. 10. Their faces, were as the faces of men: Showing their fair Pretences, and courteous human carriage: Through covetousness, (as PEYER speaketh,) With feigned words; making merchandise of souls. And, 
2. Pet. 2.3.  therefore, also, are said, To have hair, like womens' hair: Signifying thereby, their alluring ways; to draw men, to their spiritual whoredom, and sensual religion. Therefore, sayeth their own Jesuit, Ribera, Capilli ergo mulierum significant non solum eos humanitatem simulatoros esse▪ sed etiam blanditias, muliebribus similes adhibituros: That is▪ Therefore, their womens' hair signifieth not only, that they shall counterfect humanity, But also, shall use alluring forms; like the in●ysings of women. 11. But withal it is said, that their teeth that are hid under this, are as the teeth of lions. Signifying thereby either their cruelty against all their opposers as their own Lyra expoundeth, or their making a prey of such as they obtain by their simulate humanity & allurements, as experience hath taught of the Roman clergy, and jesuitical sort especially, and as the Apostle foreprophesied of such, who under pretence of long prayers should devour widows houses. 12. It is said of them that they had as it were Breastplats of iron. Whereby (sayeth Bedae) is understood, Obdurata contra veritatem praecordia, that is their obdured hearts against the Truth, or as Andreas Caesariensis expoundeth, Quae obfirmatam notant duritien, that is, which denotats their obfirmed induration, so that we need not to think it strange although in in so clear convincing light we see them obdured in their errors. 13. They are said to have wings, signifying thereby not only their sedulity, like the old Pharisees compassing sea & land to make Proselits to themselves. But likewise their exalting and lifting up of themselves above all others, as being the spiritual estate, and exeeming themselves from & above all civil jurisdiction. And last, IT IS said that they have a KING over them, to show that the gover●ement under which they are, is monarchical, which Bellarmin proveth the papal to be, and if we would know from a Cardinal's mouth who is this KING, Hugo Cardinalis telleth us that he is Antichrist, whose name is set down both in hebrew and Greek to be a destroyer, to show that the LORD would have him to be known to be so, both to Jew & Gentile, that they may the better avoid him, and his crafty seduction; as our saviour's Name is likewise set down in both these languages, to show that he is a Common SAVIOUR to be embraced both by Jew and Gentile. And th●t this forenamed king of the●e Locusts is His main opposite. 〈◊〉 is called a destroyer (as the true KING of His Church is called a SAVIOUR.) 1. Because by his errors and idolatry he seeketh to destroy the faith, from which he hath made apostasy, and the true Worship of GOD. 2. Because thereby he is also a destroyer of souls. 3. Because by his bloody persecution he destroyeth the bodies of true professors by fire and sword, as we see foreprophesied of him. revel 11.7. and therefore is said to be Drunk with the blood of the Saints. revel 17.6. And 4. He destroyeth and devoureth up men's goods, by his pardons, indulgencies, soule-masses, and making all things sellable at Rome, as Aeneas Silvius, 
Aen. Syl. Epist. johanni Periga●●o.  afterward Pope Pius 2. testifieth, saying, there is nothing which the Court of Rome giveth without money, For the very imposition of hands: and the gifts of the holy Ghost are sold, neither is the remission of sins bestowed upon any without Money. 
Bap. Mátuan de calam. temp.  As also Carmelite friar Mantuan sayeth. 
Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, saecra, coronae,  
Ignes, thura, preces, coelum est venal, deusque  Now how agreeable ●e all the former to the Pope and his clergy we have shown, and let any papist that breathes, show the same can be so appliable to any other whom they call heretics, and that they acknowledge or have any one universally over them: as king, and exercising ecclesiastical monarchical government.   

CHAP. V. How Antichrist is described by John, revel 13.11.  
FIrst for our better information herein, Antichrist his first original, or manner of rising, whence and how is set down to wit, as revel 13.1. The first beast there described (whereby the old Romam Empire is signified) is said to have come out of the sea: that is, to have risen to it greatness by tumultuous wars, like stormy s●rges and waves of of the sea, and by martial achievements. So the second beast, designing Antichrist by consent of all Interpreters & described verse 11. Is said to arise out of the earth, because 1. As the Jesuit Ribera expoundeth, he shall arise from a very small beginning to a great height, as these things that from small seeds arise and grow out of the earth to be tall trees, which their own Franciscus Duarenus telleth us was the way of the Popes arising from Episcopus unius urbis, 
Duarenus de Sacris ecclesiae ministeriis.  to be Episcopus totius Orbis; or universal Bishop of the whole Church. 2. He is said to arise out of the earth, to show that as things that arise out of the earth, do rise and grow up unperceiveably, ita vt crevisse non crescere cernimus, so should Antichrist arise piece and piece, working in a mystery and by deceiveableness of unrighteousness. 
1. Tim▪ 4.3.  which began in the seeds thereof in the Apostles times (as they declare and we may see COLOss. 2.) And as the tares which the envious man did sow in the night time while the servants were asleep, did grow up to a good degree before they were espied, so did Antichrist before he was revealed and thereafter opposed. 3. This beast did arise out of the earth, as being hatched out of earthly avarice & ambition, as Gregory speaketh of Antichrist, 
Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38.  calling him therefore, The King of pride, who by usurping the title of universal Bishop would exalt Himself like Lucifer above all his fellow Angels, and who ariseth out of the earth (sayeth their own Carthusian) that is (sayeth he) Ex rerum terrenarum opulentia, out of the abundance of earthly riches, wherewith that mystical whore is so puffed up, that she is described so glorious, revel 17 4. and sayeth, I sit as a Queen and shall see no sorrow.  
Next seeing that it is said that this beast is horned like the Lamb; but speaketh like the Dragon, Let us 1. see what is meaned hereby in general, 2. What is to be ●nderstood by these horns in particular. First then in general hereby is shown that Antichrist is not an open & avowed, but a covered and disguised enemy, like a wolf in sheep's clothing, oppunging CHRIST and His truth not by force, but by fraud, 
2. Thess. 2 10. 2. Thess. 2 7.  and all deceiveableness of unrighteousness speaking lies in hypocrisy, therefore Antichristianism is called The mystery of iniquity, whereupon the ordinare gloss sayeth, The impiety of Antichrist is mystical, that is, cloaked under the name of godlienes, so that he is a prime hypocrite, like Judas after whom he is called The son of perdition, pretending himself to be Dux foederis, that is, the prince of the Covenant, as Jerom calleth him, 
Hierom in Dan. 11.  and consequently the Head of the Church, whillas he is the greatest opposer thereof, Neither could it be (sayeth Radulphus Flaviacensis) that Antichrist should attain unto ecclesiastical honours, 
in Levit. l. 18. cap. 1. apud Magdeburg. cent. 10.  and (as the Apostle testifieth) sit in the Temple of GOD, that's the society of the faithful▪ & take the chair of honour, unless having first pretended a kind of conformity with the faithful, he should deceive these of whom he is to be received. Next by the two bornes of the Lamb, whereby simple and unsound Christians are deceived, are understood (sayeth their own Primasius & with him the ordinare gloss) the Two T●staments, to wit, the Old and New which agree with the Lamb CHRIST, and which the beast shall attempt to usurp (as having authority over the Scriptures,) and counterfiting himself to be the Lamb (sayeth he) to wit, in power, as his vicar upon earth, that so he may (sayeth he) invade the Lamb. to wit the more craf●ily. The Jesuit Ribera also sayeth that by these two horns is meaned, The beasts simulate meekness and holieres, (which the Pope also pretendeth being called his holiness, and the servant of God's servants, while as he is Lord of Lords. As likewise he is horned like the Lamb. (sayeth their ordinare gloss, because thereby he will counterfeit himself to have innocency of life (pretending chastity,) and true doctrine, (pretending infallibility. (Others also understand by these two horns the royal & prophetical Offices of CHRIST. Which as Christ's vicar the Pope doth claim, as to be sole Monarch, and the infallible DOCTOR of the Church, and as Platina the Pops secretary reporteth in the life of Paul the second that he said, that all laws were placed in the Cabinet of his breast, so that what he determineth, all flesh must yield unto.  
But it is said, that he is horned like the Lamb, whereby he deceiveth many simple souls, yet he may be known by this, that he speaketh like the Dragon, to wit, by his erroneous doctrine clearly opposite to what CHRIST speaketh in his holy Scriptures, as may be instanced almost in all the points of popery, likewise (sayeth Jerom of Antichrist) Quasi Deus loquetur, 
Hierom. in Dan. 11.  vt qui Dei assumit potentiam, that is, he shall speak as if he were GOD, as taking upon him divine authority or power, to wit, that he cannot err, and again in the same place, Religionem omnem suae subijcere potestati conabitur, (sayeth he) that is he shall attempt to subject all Religion to his power, yea more, augere tentabit (sayeth he) Sacramenta Ecclesiae, that is he shall augment the number of the sacraments of the Church, to wit, his fyve bastard sacraments, all which that the Pope doth, none can be so impudent, as to deny. For how he subjects all Religion to himself, let Cardinal Cusanus declare, 
Card. de Casa ep. 2 & 3. ad bohenos.  who affirmeth that according to times and occasions he may change the sense of Scripture, and when His sense or the Churches is changed, it is to be believetd that GOD changeth his judgement, which if this be not the dragon's mouth. I know not what can be it. In like-manner in the Pope's Cannō Law, 
dist. 40. c. 6. si Papa·  there it is said, that tho the Pope should lead in troops innumerable people after himself to hell. Hujus culpas redarguere praesumat mortaliumnullus, quia cunctos ipse judicaturus, a nemine est judicandus, that is, Let no mortal man notwithstanding presume to find fault with him because he is to judge all men, but is to be judged by none: And if this again be not the dragon's mouth; let a Pope himself Gregory the first declare, 
Greg. l. 4. indict. ep. 38.  who speaking of him, who should usurp the Antichristian title (as he calleth it) of universal Bishop (Which the Pope now doth) sayeth; Qui conabitur in culmen singularitatis erumpere, vt & nulli subesse & solus omnibus praeesse videbitur, That is, who will strive to such a height of singularity, that he will be subject to none, and yet he alone will be above all others; 
Card. Cusan. lib. 2. concord. eccles. c. 34.  Which Cardinal Cusan declareth to be the right meaning of that title of universal Bishop, which the Pope now assumeth, saying, that It importeth one to be so principal, as all others should be subject to him, and he to none. which made Eberhardus archbishop of Salisburg likewise in an imperial diet holden at Reinsburg, in the year, 1246. 
Avent●● l. 7. amnal. Bojor. p. 54.  As Aventin reporteth, avowedly speaking of the Pope, to call him that Antichrist, saying, Perditus ille homo quem Antichristum vocare solent, in cujus front blasphemiae nomen scriptum est; Deus sum, errare non possum, in templo Dei sedet ac longe lateque dominatur, &c. That is, that man of perdition. whom they use to call Antichrist, in whose forehead the name of blasphemy is written, that is, I am God and cannot err, he (I say) sits now in the Temple of GOD, (Saith he) & far and wide doth reign, And tho he calleth himself the servant of servants; yet as if he were GOD, (sayeth he) he will be Lord of Lords. Thus we see how this apocalyptick & Antichristian beast speaketh like the dragon, of whose blasphemous & dragon mouth, we shall speak more hereafter.   

CHAP. VI. How Antichrist is described by John, revel 17.11.12. &c.  
IN that place Antichrist is described by the Apostle, to be the last head or sovereign government which should reign or rule over that Great city, Which in John's days did reign over the Kings of the earth, by which City Rome is understood by the consent of all, 
Bel. l. 2. De Pont. Rom. c. 2.  For so saith Bellarmin, urbs illa magna sedens super septem montes, & habens imperium super Reges terrae, Roma est; That is, that great city, that fits on seven hills, and hath dominion over the Kings of the earth, is Rome: so likewise sayeth the Jesuit Ribera, 
Ribera in apoc. 17.6  yea further, Hoc in nullam urben aeque convenit ac in Romam, That is, this cannot agree to no other town or city (sayeth he) as to Rome.  
By this great city then so situate and described, seeing that it is granted that it is Rome; we are to consider, who is the the last head or sovereign government over the same, under which it shall go to utter ruin. (As we see revel 18.19. is foreprophesied of her) and to show this is the papacy, IT is shown unto us 1. By the origine and rising thereof, to wit, that this head or sovereign government over that city should arise by the decay and fall of the old Roman empire, and at the same time also, when by the same decay other Kings should arise to Monarchik dignity with her, which, verse 12. is called at one hour, as 1. John 2.18. 
Verse 12.  the last hour is taken for the last time: neither is it to be understood that at one precise period of time, the papacy over Rome, and the rising of other Kings should be, whose kingdoms before were tributary provinces only to the old Roman empire, but as John's last hour includeth some ages, so this some difference of time, neither by ten Kings is a precise number of such to be understood, but a definite number put for an indefinite, as we see usual in scripture Gen. 31.7. Numb. 14▪ 22. and as likewise BELLARMIN acknowledgeth. 
Bell. l. 3. De Rom. Pont. c. 8.  Whence it is as sure that Antichrist is come, and not to come (as papists fancy) and hath the sovereign government over Rome, as it is visible to the whole World, that there are Kings now in the several kingdoms of Europe, which before were tributary provinces only to the old Roman & now decayed Empire, seeing that at one time he was to rise to his sovereignty over Rome with them.  
2. As it is shown unto us who shall be the last Head over Rome by the time of his rising to be so, when, even so it is shown unto us verse 8. Who he shall be by the place from which he ariseth, or whence, in these words; The beast that thou sawest was and is not, and (speaking in the future) shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, where first we must remember that by the beast in general is understood in this prophecy the Roman jurisdiction, whereof, the Apostle or rather the angel maketh fo●re estates. 1. That he was, to wit, before John's days in the person of fyve kings, that is several sorts of governments, (as the Jesuit Ribera and others do expound) And which fyve, verse 10. are said to be fallen, which were Kings, Consuls, Decemuirs, tribunes, and Dictators. 2. Is not (sayeth the angel in John's days) to wit, as before, under any of the former governments. 3. And yet is, to wit under the imperial government, which then stood, and therefore in the present time, is the sixt Head spoken of, verse 10. Whereof the angel sayeth, and one is. And 4. Speaking in the future and of the last sort of government over that city; he sayeth, and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, &c. Where he setteth down three things concerning the papal government, 1. Whence it cometh. 2. The general subjection thereto, and 3. The last total ruin thereof, and of Rome over which the same is chiefly exercised. First than he sayeth that this beast or last Head shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, having reference herein to that fallen star spoken of Chap. 9 Who verse 11. is called the angel of the bottomless pit, agreed by all to be Antichrist, and expounded by Romanists themselves, (as I have shown Chapter 4.) To be some eminent Bishop, & who shall have Monarchik soveragnity, & therefore is called the King that shall be over the Locusts there described, which Beda calleth, the disciples of Antichrist, & Lyra, his priests over whom he is Prince, and Pope Gregory calleth The army or swarm of Priests which were prepared for the King of Pride, who in his ●yme was near at hand, (a thousand years ago) as he plainly affirmeth.  
2. The general subjection that shall be to this last Head, or sort of p●pall government over Rome, is set down in these words. That they that dwell upon the earth shall wonder (whose names, are not written in the book of life) when they behold the beast, Reference being had to that which is said Chap. 13.3. of the general subjection to the old Roman empire, That all the World wondered at the beast, which general subjection also is set down verse 13. Where it is said, That the Kings, who received power as Kings at one hour with the beast, (meaning the European kings) and (as verse 2.) Who had committed spiritual Fornication with the whore, being idolatrous, and having one mind with her, they should give their power and strength unto the beast (as his secular arm) To make war against the Lamb; That is, to persecute the professors of the truth of CHRIST, but at last The Lamb should overcome them, to wit, by conversion or eversion. And therefore, 3. The last and total ruin of Head and state under him is set down in these words (that as Antichrist is called The son of perdition 2. Thess. 2.3. So he should go into perdition.  
Having thus spoken of the beast, as the eight and last Head of Rome (The seventh being that of the Goths, which continued only 70 years, and therefore is said verse 10. to continue but a short space.) The better yet to know him, we have to consider the mystery of the woman that is born up and supported by this beast, that is, by the papacy, which is the Roman clergy, whom they call the Church or their churchmen. First than this is a woman, by which a Church is meaned, as we see revel 12 1. 2. She is a whorish woman that is here spoken of, like AHOLAH and AHOLIBAH, or an Idolatrous Church. 3. As making the kings of the earth, and inhabitants thereof, drunk with the wine of her Fornication, and procuring, as hath been said, such a general subjection to her, she is a pretended Catholic Church. 4. As a mother of Harlots, (as she is called, v. 5.) She is a mother Church, and 5. mystical Babylon, which Jesuit Ribera and other Romanists expoundeth rightly to be Rome, she is the Roman Church, all which being put together maketh up here the clear description of that Antichristian Church, over which the Pope is Head and Monarch, which is, the Roman, Catholic, mother, Idolatrous church so much doted upon by seduced papists, and generally submitted unto by them.  
Out of which complete description of Antichrist, let any papist under Heaven find out any other but the Pope, to whom the same in all points may be applied, as being the eight head of sovereign authority over Rome, who arose thereto by the the decay of the Roman empire, and at the same time when others arose to sovereign authority with him, as kings over these kingdoms which now they rule, and which before were tributary provinces only to the Roman empire, & who claimeth a suppreame ecclesiastical authority over all priests and ecclesiastical persons, as universal Bishop, and Monarch of the Church, and who also hath claimed and heretofore obtained a general subjection of all persons whatsoever to him and his sea (according to his decree thereanent) as being head of the Roman Catholic, mother Church, 
Extravag. Tit. 8. c. 1. unam sancta●●.  which hath dependence upon him and which he again supporteth by his pretended infallibility and power.  
From all which former, we therefore frame this argument; The eight head as governor, who now sits in Rome, and who arose at one time to sovereignty over that city, when others arose to be free kings over their kingdoms, which before were tributary provinces to the old Roman Empire, (as all Histories record) & hath procured all subjection of all persons to him & his sea, not by force, but by allurement, of a sensual Religion, and like an enticing whore, hath made these that are subject to him to commit spiritual Fornication, which is idolatry, and who also claimeth especially a supreme ecclesiastical authority over all priests and ecclesiastical persons, as universal Bishop, sole Monarch, and Head of the Roman Catholic mother church. This head I say described so by John, is that grand Antichrist. But the Pope is such; Therefore he is that Grand Antichrist. The major is scripture, expounded as hath been shown, by Romanists themselves, & by evidence of histories. the minor likewise is clear by fit application in all points, to the Pope, and appliable to no other, and by his own undeniable practice; Therefore the conclusion inevitably followeth.   

CHAP. VII. Where Antichrist is to be found; or his place in general, 2 Thess. 2.4.  
HAving thus seen who is Antichrist; Next we are to search and try where he is, and first His place in general. 2. in particular. First then as for his place in general, Paul telleth us, 
2. Thess. 2▪ 4.  That he shall sit as GOD (pretending to be his vicegerent and usurping his power) in the Temple of GOD, by which not any one material Temple is to be understood, (as that of Jerusalem, which the papists fancy tha●Antichrist shall reedifye and which their own Pintus upon ISAIAH 25. ●howes shall never be re-edified.) But the Professour● of the Christian Name in common are thereby to be understood, which therefore have the name of the Church, 
So also expoundeth Oecumenius and Theophylact. and Auselmus in 2. Thess 2. sayeth thus, in men tibꝰ christan nor● quo● seduces, qui fuerune templ●m Dei.  and as we see them so called, (Especially these who are truly Christians.) 1. Cor. 3.16. & Ephes. 2.21. And therefore saith Chrisostome upon this place. 2 Th●ss 2.4. Sedebit in Templo DEI non eo quod est Hierosolymis, sed in Ecclesiis, That is he shall sit in the Temple of GOD, not in that which is in Jerusalem, but in the Churches, and what is meaned by these words of Sitting. Theodoret telleth us, (The Spirit of GOD using the same word that the papists use, speaking of the Pops reign, saying, Sedittot annos, & calling Rome the apostolical Sea or Sedes Apostolica▪) Thus therefore sayeth Theodoret, Templum appellavit Ecclesias i● quibus primam sedem arripiet, That is, the holy Ghost called the Churches the Temple, in which Antichrist shall usurp the first seat or primacy. Thus also speaketh Aquinas. 
Aquin. in 2. Thess. 2 4.  Therefore it is expounded (Saith he) In templo DEI. Idest in Ecclesia, quia multi de Ecclesia eum accipient, vel secundum Augustinum, in templo DEI sedeat, idest, ut principetur & dominetur ta●quam ipse cum suis nunciis sit templum DEI, sicut CHRISTVS est cum suis. That is he shall sit in the temple of GOD, that is in the Church, because many that are of the Church shall receive him, or according to Aug●stin, he sits in the Temple of GOD, that is, the Prince or Monareh thereof, and hath Dominion therein, as if he with his clergy were the church of GOD, as CHRIST is with His followers; So likewise speaketh the ordinar gloss and Lyra upon this place, & the express words of Augustin are these Rectius putant latine dici, 
Aug. De civi●. D●i, l. 20 c. 19  sicut in graeco est. Non in Templo DEI, sed in Templū DEI sedeat, tanquam ipse sit Templum DEI quod est Ecclesia, sicut dicimus, sedit in amicum, idest, ut Amicus. That is, they think that more rightly it may be said in the latin, as it is in the Greek, not in the Temple of GOD, but that Antichrist should sit as the Temple of GOD, that is, as if he were the Temple of GOD, which is his Church. Even as we say, he sits for a Friend, that is as if he were a friend, and (which title of the Church) we see that that the Pops parasites giveth unto him, calling him the virtual Church wherein only is infallibility. 
Rad. Canonicꝰ frifingensis l. 2. c. 51. &c.  Whereupon Radevicus a Roman cannon, speaking of Pope Victor 2. sayeth thus, Ipse Antichristi tempora prafigurans, usque adeo erectus est supra se, vt in Templo DEI sederit, ostendens se tanquam sit deus, & multi abominationem desolationis stantem in loco sancto, non sine multa lachrymarum effusione corporis oculis inspexerunt. That is, he prefiguring the time of Antichrist, was so far exalted above himself, as that he did sit in the Temple of GOD, showing himself as if he were GOD, and many did behold this abomination of desolation standing in the holy place, not without much effusion of tears, & which sitting of Antichrist as the vicar of Christ in the Church, (whose horns he resembleth, by a deceiveableness of unrighteousness) did so seduce simple and unsound Christians, that except by the Scriptures, he could never otherwise be known, nor his Dragon mouth perceived. Therefore sayeth Chrysostom, Haeresis impia quae est exercitus Antichristi, stabit in sanctis l●cis Ecclesiae, obtinens Ecclesias vt si velit quis cognoscere quae sit vera Ecclesia, unde cognoscet similitudinis confusione, nisi tantummodo ex scripturis. That is, that wicked heresy, which is Antichrists army. shall stand in the holy places of the Church: pretending that they are the Church; so as if any would know what is the true Church. How or whereby shall he know this in so great a confusion of likeness, but allenarly by the Scriptures?  
From the former words then and explication of them we reason thus. He who sits in the Temple of GOD, that is, his Church, as GOD (His vicegerent to wit, or vicar of CHRIST) and therefore usurpeth the first place and primacy therein, and as Monarch thereof who shall claim dominion over the same; Yea moreover, who shall sit in the Church as if he himself were the church (to wit, virtual as they call him, and being only infallible) he I say who doth this is the grand Antichrist, But the Pope doth this, Therefore he is the grand Antichrist. The Major is Scripture, expounded by fathers and Romanists themselves, The minor is clear likewise by the Pops own claim & Bellarmine's doctrine of him. LIB. 2. de pont. Rom. cap. 12. and LIB. 2. d● Ecclesia, cap. 15.16. &c. Therefore the Conclusion inevitably followeth.   

CHAP. VIII. Antichrists Seat, or his place in particular, revel 17.9. and 18. proved to be Rome.  
AS for Antichrists seat or place in particular, It is described two ways: revel 17. First by the name of mystical Babylon, verse 5. And thereafter by the name of That great city▪ which in John's days did reign over the Kings of the Earth. Now that Rome is signified by both these we are to prove, & consequently, that Rome is the Seat of Antichrist; First then that by mystical Babylon, Rome is understood: resembling the Assyrian Babylon in pride, idolatry, and filthiness; and especially in cruel persecution of the People of GOD. We have not only the testimonies of Fathers, as TERTULIAN, Jerom, AUGUSTIN, AMBROSE, BEDA and OECUMENIUS and especially Jerom writing to PAULINUS, 
Hier. ad Paul. Ton· 9 in LIB. didymi de Sp. Sancto in praef. ad finem.  speaking thus of ROME▪ When I was in Babylon, (sayeth he) and Lived an inhabitant of that Purple whore, I desired to treat some what of the holy Ghost, and to dedicate my work to the Bishop of that city, and behold, the assembly of the Pharisees There (meaning the Roman clergy) They cried me down. And as for the testimonies of the forenamed Fathers. They are to be found as followers, TERTULLIAN adversus Iudaeos, & LIB. 3. contra Matrimonium. AUGUSTIN de civitate DEI, LIB. 18. c. 2. AMBROSE in 2 Thess, 2. BEDA and OECUMENIUS in 1. Pet. cap. ult. out of which place by Peter's writing from Babylon which the Romanists themselves expound to be Rome, 
Lyra & Card. Cajetan in 1. Pet. 5.13.  they would prove that Peter was a●Rome, for so Lyra and Cajetan expound that place, as also Bellarmin and Baronius. 
Bell. De Rom. pont. l. 2. c. 2. Baron. annal. anno 43. Art▪ 17. Vieg● in Apoc. 17. Com. 1. Sect. 3. Ribera in Apoc. 17. num. 21. & 30. also, Bell. l. 3. de pont. Rom. c. 13 confesseth, per mer●tricem intelligi Romam.  The Jesuit also Viega speaketh thus, Omnia quae in his capitibus de Babylone commemorantur, in Romam urbem aptissime quadrant; That is, all these things which are spoken of Babylon in these Chapters most fitly agree to the City of Rome, Etiam quae erit tempore Antichristi; Even as it is to be in the time of Antichrist. The Jesuit Ribera likewise Arbitror ergo (quod Andreas Episcopus Caesareae, & Arethas in hujus libri Commentariis nonnullos sensisse testantur) Romam nomine Babylonis designari, That is, I believe therefore (that which Andrew also Bishop of Caesarea, and ARETHAS testifieth that some others in their Com●mentaries upon this book did ●old) that by the name of Babylon, Rome is understood, and again. Hui● conveniunt aptissime omnia quae de Babylone dicuntur in hoc libro, That is, all things that are spoken of Babylon in this book most fitly agreeth with Rome, which he proveth thereafter by many Authorities and witnesses.  
The only evasion that Romanists use is, that by Babylon, Rome is designed as it was Heathen in the days of NERO, and other heathen Emperors, or as it shall be in the end of the World under their fancied Antichrist ye to come, whereby as ever they grant that Rome is the proper seat of Antichrist. But to show their error in the first, to wit, that it is not called Babylon as it was heathen and under the old Roman Heathen Emperors, but under the Pops. First, Rome Heathen was under the sixt Head, which was imperial government, but Rome as it is described by John, and to be the seat of Antichrist, is under the last head which is papal government. 2. Rome Heathen under imperial government procured subjection of nations to her by force and martial coaction, but Rome as she is described by John to be the seat of Antichrist, and under papal government procured subjection of natio●s to her by fraud and whorish allurements (as v. 4.) of crafty seduction. 3. Rome as the seat of Antichrist is described committing spiritual fornication with the kings of the earth, who are called, v. 12. the horns of the Beast, to whom they give their power, as his secular arm, to war against the LAMB, by persecuting the saints of GOD His martyr: but when Rome was Heathen, these kings were not at all, for they were to rise a long time after Rome's ceasing to be under the heathen Emperors. 4. Rome is described by John as the seat of Antichrist, by way of prophecy, not what she was then in John's days, but what she was after to be. And 5. Rome is described by John under her eight or last head, (which I have proven the Pope to be) under whom she is to go to such utter ruin, as never any more to be inhabited, nor the light of a Candle to be seen in her, Where it is evident that this never yet befell to Rome Heathen under the old imperial government. 
R●vel. 18.21.22.23   
Next, where they would allege, when the former evasion failieth them, that it is Rome, as it shall be in the end of the world, under the fancied Antichrist, yet to come. 1. 
Ribera in Apoc. 14, p. 446.  (as hath been said) hereby they confess that Rome is the proper seat of Antichrist. 2. If this were true, than the Beast spoken of should have more Heads than eight, to wit, a nynth after the papal government; under which it is prophesied that it shall go to utter ruin, and so not to have a nynth head at all. 
Ribera in Apoc. 17. Num. 34.  3. The Jesuit Ribera sayeth of Rome, Si quando haec eadem fecerit, quae Iohannis tempore faciebat, iterum Babylon, vocabitur, That is, if Rome shall do these same things, which she did in John's time, than she shall justly be called again Babylon, as she was before, and consequently come to that utter ruin foreprophecied of her, Cap. 18.2. and 21. For it is manifest (sayeth he) Quod peccata quae extremo tempore patrabit▪ 
Num. 46.  omnino similia futura iis quae fecit cum imperium tenebant Imperatores. That is, that the sins which she shall commit in the last times, shall be altogether alike with the sins which she committed when the Emperors of old did reign over her. Now that she is guilty of the same sins, and in a greater measure; Let these ensuing Romanists themselves declare, 
Epist. 18. l. 1.  1. Their own famous Florentine, Arch-dean and canon Petrarch, who lived in the 1300 year of CHRIST, speaketh thus, Ecce jam oculis vides, jam manibus palpas, 
Epist. 18. l. 1. ep. rerum senilium. epamico cu● titulus, calamitaten● urbis Romae describi●.  qualis est Babylon illa novissima, fervens, aestuans obseena, terribilis, &c. That is, behold now thou seeth with thy eyes, and feels with thy hands what a city this last spoken of Babylon is, hot burning in lust, filthy, and terrible, &c. Wherein what ever impiety (sayeth he) or most wicked manners every where, the whole World ever had or hath, thou shall find all accumulated there in one mass of impiety, and thereafter he sayeth; Yea, what other thing is done there, by the enemies of CHRIST, and Pharisees of our time, (to wit, the Roman clergy) but like Judas and the Roman soldiers, while they would seem to worship Him, they sell Him, they crown Him with thorns, they spit on Him, they mock Him, they pierce Him, and of new they crucify Him▪ and then concludes thus▪ O Pudor, O dolour, O Indigni●tas, talium hodie ur dicitur, est Rom●. Tha is, O sh●me, O grief, O disgrace, for as hath been said, of such persons consisteth Rome at this day, and more particularly speaking of the Pope he sayeth, Non Apostolicam sed predonis in morem videres, neque signis virtutum ac miraculis, sed ●ignis castrorum & miris instructum legionibus, quasi in has terra●non petrun sed hannibilem desti●asset, That is, where thou may see, not an Apostolic man or successor, but one like a Robber, nor one Famous for signs of virtue or miracles, but for military Ensigns and Armies mightily furnished, as if he had not been appointed by CHRIST, to be a successor to Peter, but rather against these land● to be another Hannibal.  
The next whom we produce is Platina the Pops own secretary, 
Platina in vita Marcellin.  who in the life of Pope Marcellin speaketh thus of the Roman clergy, Hi enim livore, superbia, inimicitiis, odiis, inter se certantes, tyrannidem potius quam Sacerdotium sapere videbantur, Christian● pietatis omnino obliti, ●c divina mysteria potius prophanantes quam celebrantes, sed quid futurum nostra aetate aerbitramur, x vitia nostra eo crevere u● vix apud deum miserecordiae locum nobis reliquerint? Tha● is, For these men by envy, pride, inimity and hatred striving amongst themselves, did rather seem to savour of tyranny, then of Priesthood, being altogether forgetful of Christian piety, and rather profaning holy mysteries, then celebrating them, but what think you will be the estate of things in our age to come? when our vices are grown to that height, that they have left scarce any place with GOD, for mercy and forgiveness? & immediately thereafter he sayeth, Quanta sit avaritia, & cor●● maximê q●ireru● potiuntur, quanta libid● undique conquisita, quanta ambitio, & pompa, quanta superbia & desidia, quanta ignoratio tum sui ipsius, tum doctrinae Christianae, quanta p●rvareligio, & s●mulata potius quam vera, x corrupti mores vel in prophanis hominibus, quos seculares vocant, detestandi non attine● dicere, cum ipsi ita aperte & palam peccent, a● s● inde laudem quaerere●●▪ That is, How great is the ava●ice of Priests, & chiefly of those, who are in highest place (meaning the Pope) What lechery where ever it may be exercised, what ambition and pomp, how great pride & idleness, how great ignorance both of themselves and of Christian doctrine, how little religion, and that rather hypocritical nor true, what great corruption of manners, that even in profane persons whom they call secular men were detestable, it belongeth not to speak, when as they sin so openly and in public, as if by sinning so they were seeking praises to ●hemselves. This made Nicolaus Clemangis in his book, 
Cap. 14. & 26. pag. 64. & 65.  De corrupto Ecclesiae statis, who was Arch-dean of Bajon, in the year 1400. to send Rome to that prophecy of Ezekiell, and in the two sisters AHOLAH and AHOLI●AH to read her like guiltienes, and judgement to come upon her, and thereafter sayeth he, F●c eorum vaticinia alio spectare, quid de tua Prophetia Iohannis scilicet in Apocalipsi censes? an non illam saltem aliquae ex parte pertinere putas? Num pudorem ita cum sensu perdidis●i ut haec neges? Illan ergo i●tuer●, & lege damnationem magnae Meretricis super aq●as multas sedentis, illicque tua facta praeclara contemplare & tuos fururos casus. That is, but let it be that the Prophecies of the Prophets look another way, what thinks thou of the prophecy of John in the REVELATION that c●ncerneth thyself? Doth thou not think that in some part at least it belongeth to thee? Hath thou so far lost shame & all feeling that thou dare deny the same, look therefore upon that prophecy, and read the damnation of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters, & in her behold they fine deeds, and thy future fall; Therefore also said Bernard more particularly, Bestia illa de Apocalypsi cui datum est os loqui blsphemias, & bellum gerere cum sanctis. Petri cathedram o●cupat, tanquam lo paratus ad praedam. Epist. 125. That is, that beast spoken of in the Revelation, to whom a mouth is given to speak blasphemies, and to make warr● against the saints, doth now occupy Peter's chay●e, as a lion prepared for his prey.  
By all which former famous testimonies of Romanists themselves, we see that Rome under papacy is presently, & hath been long ago, that mystical Babylon, and great whore that siteth upon many waters, and who is that great City spoken of revel 17.18. And that she is guilty of no less sins, but rather greater, nor ever she was guilty of in the time of the old Roman Emperors, both in the Head, and inferior clergy, which made him to be long ago to be declared▪ and avowed to be Antichrist, 
Aventin l. 7. annal. Bojor. p. 547.  & his clergy to be Ministers of Antichrist, as Eberhardus archbishop of Salisburg in a solemn imperial diet at Reinsburg anno 1246. publicly professed. & as in ENGLAND, anno 1340. A worthy gentleman Gefrey Chaucer, of woodstok & elm esquire, ambassador oft-times from king Edward the third to foreign Princes, did plainly express in his poem of the ploughman's tale speaking first of the Pope himself thus; 
CHRIST sent the poor to preach,  
The royal rich he did not so,  
Now dare no poor the people teach,  
For Antichrist is all their foe.  And thereafter of his clergy he speaketh thus.  
Chrits' Ministers clepe they been  
And rule all in robbery,  
But Antichrist they serven clean  
Attired in all tyranny. So speaketh also Bernard of the Roman clergy, ser. 33. in CANTICA. Omnes amici & omnes inimici, Ministri sunt Christ● sed serviunt Antichristo; That is, All profess themselves to be friends, but are all foe●, they are called the servants of CHRIST, but they serve Antichrist.  
From all the former we agree thus▪ mystical Babylon (called the whore that siteth upon many waters) &c. Is the seat of Antichrist, as all do agree. But Rome under papacy is mystical Babylon as hath been proven by Romanists them. selves. Therefore Rome, under papacy is the seat of Antichrist.   

CHAP. ix.. Of the time when Antichrist should come and be revealed, 2 Thess. 2 7 8  
HAving spoken of the Place where Antichrist is. We are next to inquire of the time when he should come & be revealed, which the Apostle declareth to be in these words When he that letteth (speaking of his own times) should be taken out of the way, 
2. Thess. 2.7.  and then that wicked man should be revealed, &c. To wit, Antichrists. Wherein we have two things to consider. First, What the Apostle meaneth by him who did then let or hinder Antichrists rising and revealing. 2. Whether he who then did let be taken out of the way.  

Bel. l. 3. de pont. Rom c. 5.  First than Bellarmin acknowledgeth by the uniform consent of Fathers, and of latter writers, that by him who did then let, the old Roman Empire as it was then in it grandeur and integrity, is understood; For who shall be taken out of the way, but the Roman state (Saith Tertullian) whose taking out of the way by the division thereof amongst ten Kings shall bring in Antichrist, 
Tertul. de refur car●is.  So also sayeth Ambrose, That after the decay of the Roman Empire, Paul sayeth that Antichrist shall appear; 
in 2. Thess 2. Cyril Catechesi 16.  So speaketh Cyrill, Jerom ad Algasiam, Oecumenius, Theophy●act, Sedulius, Primasius, & Auselmus upon that place of Paul, and m●re remarkable Chrisostome, who sayeth That when the empire shall be dissolved, he shall seize upon the vacancy, and shall challenge to himself the rule or government both human and Divine, as Mantuan sayeth of the Pope, Ense potens gemino, &c. And as the Pope claimeth. Extrav. c. unam sanctam. Next, the same likewise doth Romanists affirm, as Aquinas, Cajetan, Lyra and others upon this place of Paul.  
It resteth then next to consider, If the ●ld Roman Empire be taken out of the way (in so far specially as it did let Antichrists coming or rising and appearing in his colours.) For probation whereof we have a cloud of witnesses.  
First Haymo a german archbishop, who lived anno 800. writing upon this place sayeth, The Apostle showeth that our LORD shall not come to judgement, till first a decay be of the Roman empire, which we now see fulfilled (sayeth he) & that Antichrist doth now appear in the World, who shall kill the Martyrs of CHRIST; Lyra likewise upon the same words of Paul, saith, That in his time (anno 1300) The whole kingdoms of the World had already revolted from the Roman Empire, denying subjection or tribute thereto. Aquinas in like manner upon these words sayeth thus, That it was a sign of Christ's coming, to wit, the rule over all the World of the Roman Empire, so it is a sign of Antichrists coming, to wit, the revolt of country's from the Roman Empire, but (Saith he) countries have long since revolted from the Roman empire, and now in place of of that temporal monarchy hath succeeded one which is spiritual, into which the temporal is changed, That is, in plainer terms, that the Antichristian monarchy foreprophecied by Paul is in the place thereof erected. Salmeron also the Jesuit (on 2. Thess. 2. disput. 2. sayeth, The Roman empire is long ago overthrown and divided in many kingdoms, and as it were (sayeth he) altogether extinct. So that he who is now called the Roman Emperor is but a very smallest shadow (Saith he) of the old empire, in so far as he possesseth not the very City of Rome from which he is styled Roman (sayeth he.) The like doth the Jesuits Justinian, Viega, and A●osta affirm, commenting upon Paulls words, with Stapulensis and others.  
The Author likewise of Fasciculus tem●orum; A Charter Monck showeth that this irrecoverable decay began, anno, 639. So that now (sayeth he) all the four Monarchies are decayed and there rests none now but that of Antichrists. Which decay in like manner when it began by the invasion of the Goths and Vandall's and became thereafter divyded into so many kingdoms, There Paulus jovius in the beginning of his history declareth, and sayeth, That at that time, Potentia Caesarū●ato cessit, or, the old Roman Empire expired and (as it were) gave up the ghost, (sayeth he) where I cannot omit, how that Bellarmin and others from the Greek Article {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, 
Bell. l. 3. de pont. c. 2.  that man of sin, & son of perdition, would prove Antichrist to be an individual person▪ & not collective or successive government of many, to whom I must for answer, 
2. Thess. 2 and 3.  ask here, whether doth the like article v. 7. prefixed before {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, He who letelh, 
verse 7.  denotat one individual Roman Emperor who then lived and did let, or acollective & successive government of many singular Emperors, who were to come one after another, till the abolishing thereof, which therefore in the preceding verse is called {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. 
verse 6.  And which I think no learned Romanist will have face to deny.  
Now, as for the revealing of this man of sin, whereof Paul speaketh, There are two principal degrees; The first, when Boniface the third assumed to himself the supremacy over the whole universal Church, which he did when he usurped the title of universal Bishop & Head of the Church, which his predecessor Gregory the first had declared to be Antichristian, and that he nor none of his predecessors had ever usurped the same, which was done about the year 607.  
The second degree was when Boniface the eight (as their own author of Fasciculus temporm speaketh) In tantam arrogantiam seipsum erexit, ut Dominum totius mundi se diceret, tam in t●mporalibus, quam in spiritualibus, That is, (sayeth he) who exaltet● himself to that height of pride▪ that he affirme●● himself to be the supreme Lord of the whole World, as well in temporal as in things spiritual. Which is that proper mark of Antichrist, whereof the Apostle speaketh 2. Thess. 2.4. & which Gregory also the first, setteth down in his morals & expos●ō of Job, 29. of whom also Platina the Pops secretary speaketh thus, Who endeavoureth (sayeth he) more to strike with terror, Emperors, Kings, Princes, Nations and People, then to promove Religion, and who attempted as it pleased him, to give or take away kingdoms, and to depose Kings from them or restore them to them. 
Sigeb. monachꝰ gemb lacen in Chr. anno 1088.  Which is the Pops practice unto this day, and whereof their own Sigebert in his chronicle speaketh thus, Haec novitas, non dicam Haeresis nondum in mundo pullular●●. That is, before this time, this novelty, not to call it heresy, had not before that time sprung up in the World, which maketh this usurpation of supremacy over Emperors and Kings by Gregory the 7. (alias Hildebrand) and Boniface the 8. his successor, after the Thousand year of GOD, to be esteemed the second degree of the revealing of Antichrist: Whence it was, that (as their own Aventin reporteth, 
Annal. B●jor. l. 5. ) Plerique tunc Hildebrandum Antichristum esse praedicabant. That is, that sundry did preach that Hildebrand was Antichrist, and under the title of Christ's vicar, did play the part of Antichrist▪ sitting in the Temple of GOD, and exalting himself above all that is called GOD, as if he were GOD: glorying also (said they) that he cannot err, and what ever he sayeth, that it is the Law of GOD. So that Omnes boni▪ aperti, justi, ingenui eo tempore Antichristi Regnum cepisse cernebant. That is, all good, plain, just, and ingenuous men, (Saith he) saw that then began the kingdom of Antichrist. we hold then that Antichrist was come, and first revealed himself in Boniface the Third, and thereafter came to his full growth and clearer revelation, in the person of Gregory the 7. and his successors, Boniface the 8. and others, in whose time Platina reporteth that there was such a terrible Earthquake that the like was never seen before and a dreadful Comet portending great calamity to come upon the World.  
From all which former we frame this argument, how soon as the Roman empire (which did let in Paul's time) was abolished and taken out of the way, than Antichrist was to come: and thereafter to be revealed. But the Roman empire which did let in Paul's time, is many ages ago abolished, and taken out of the way: Therefore, many ages ago Antichrist is come, and revealed, and consequently is not yet to come, as the Papists do fancy.  
The major proposition is contained in scripture. 2. Thess. 2.7.8. Expounded to be the Roman Empire by the general consent of Fathers and Romanists themselves, the assumption likewise is clearly proven by a cloud of witnesses of Romanists themselves in like manner, therefore the conclusion inevitably followeth.  
Having then seen 1. Who is Antichrist, for his person. 2. Where he is, for place, & 3. When he was come, for time, Followeth now 4. How he is to be known by his marks, and first.   

CHAH X. Of Antichrists exorbitant & matchless Pride, in exalting himself above all that is called GOD. 2. Thess. 2.4.  
The first mark than whereby the Scripture deseriveth Antichrist to be known, is his exorbitant & matchless pride, For which Gregory the first called him Rex superbiae, or the king of pride, and which pride the Apostle describeth in these words 2. Thess. 2.4. who opposeth & exalteth himself (Saith he) above all that is called GOD, that is, (as sayeth their own Carthusian) above all creatures, that are either reputed or for some singular eminency are so called by participation of name only, and not of essence; whom the Apostle 1. Cor. 8.5. distinguisheth in these who are either earthly or heavenly, saying, For tho there be that are called gods whether in Heaven or upon Earth, &c. of which the earthly are princes, so called Psal. 82.6. & the heavenly are angels so called, Psal. 97.7.  

Extrav. l. 1. Tit. 8. ●. unam sanctam.  Now to apply that the Pope exalteth himself above all Princes or Magistrates; that proud claim and decree of Boniface the 8. witnesseth: wherein he affirmeth that He is to judge all men, but is to be judged by none, and that all human creature whatsoever is to be subject to him under pain of damnation, and that he so far exceedeth the Emperor, as the sun doth the moon; whereupon (as hath been said) the author of Fasciculus temporum. a charter Monck sayeth, That it was he tha● raised himself to such a height of pride, as he called himself Lord of the whole World.  
With this proud decree, so speaketh also his parasites, 
Rep●rt. Panor. tit P apa.  therefore sayeth Panormitan, The Pope (sayeth he) Habet subditas omnes creaturas, that is, he hath subject to him all creatures, and none may decline, nor appeal from his jurisdiction. Cardinal Turrecremata likewise speaketh thus, 
Turrecren. l. 2. summae c. 52.  As CHRIST got Dominion from his Father (sayeth he) above all principalities and powers, and over all creatures whatsoever that hath being, that all knees should bow to him▪ so hath he given this full domini● & power to Peter and his successors.  
Where I cannot omit that which is related by that learned Italian, author of the history of the council of TRENT. 
hist. of the council of Trent. lib. 3. p. 395.  who speaking of Paul the fourth, telleth That he never spoke with ambassadors, but he thundered in their ears, (sayeth he▪) That he was above all Princes, and that he would not that any of them should be too homely or familiar with him. That he could also change and dispose of kingdoms, and was his successor who hath deposed Kings and Emperors, and did often repeat, for a beginning of the authority exercised by him, that he had made Ireland a kingdom, and went on so far (sayeth he) that in consistory, and at his table public in the presence of many; He said, he would not have any prince for his Companion, but all subjects under this foot. (so he said, striking it against the ground) as it is fit, and as it is his will who hath built the Church, and hath placed them in this degree.  
Yea not only will he have kings and princes subject to him, and (as Platinae reporteth of Boniface the 8. as we have shown) at his pleasure will depose them from their kingdoms, 

In praef. operis De principiis.  
Blondus Dist. 96.   or repone them; but likewise he will have them all to adore and worship him, as the supreme God on earth, (as Stapletoun and others style him. Therefore sayeth Blondus. Omnes Principes orbis terrarum Po●tificem u● Deum summum adorant. That is, All the princes of the World adore the Pope as the most high GOD. Whence it is, that their Carmelit friar Baptista Mantuanus speaketh thus of him. Cujus vestigia adorant.  
Caesar, & aurato vestititi murice Reges. Whence it is also that Stenchus speaking of the Emperor Constantins Donation of Rome to the Pope, sayeth, That at that time Constantine adored the Pope as GOD. Platina likewise in the life of Steven the second telleth us how Pepin king of France at the Pops entry within his bounds kissed his foot and adored him, 
Lib. 27. ●ist. p. 5.7.  and Paulus Jovius, speaking of Charles the fift his coronation at Rome, sayeth, That he religious●ie kneeling, and grovelings having kissed his foot, he adored or worshipped the Pope, (by a religious adoration, as Christ's vicar upon earth. 
l. 7. c. 26. Baron ananno 1191 )  
Ranulphus also in his polychronicon, and Baronius in his annals, setteth down the manner of the Coronation of the Emperor Henry son to Fredrick by Pope Celestin the third. That sitting in his pontifical chair, he held the imperial Crown between his feet, and when the Emperor bowing his head lowly had taken it up, and it was put upon his head▪ The Pope presently with his foot striking of the Crown, cast it down upon the ground in token that he had power, if he deserved, to depose him there from: and then the Cardinals taking it up, set it again upon the Emperor's Head, which made Matheus Parisiensis say of the forenamed Innocent, 
Math. paris. in Johanne rege Angliae.  that he did know, and many ways had learned by experience; Quod Papa super omnes mortales ambitiosus erat & superbus. That is, That the Pope beyond all mortal men was the most ambitious and proudest. As likewise made that worshipful Gentleman, and great poet in his time Gefrey Chaucer, of whom we spoke before, 
anno 1340  to say of the Pope, as head of the Roman Church. in his ploughman's tale. 
Her head loveth all honour,  
And to be worshipped in word & deed,  
King's mot to him kneel & cowr,  
To the Apostles that Christ forebeed:  
So seemeth he above all.  
And Christ above him nothing,  
When he sits in his stall.  
Damneth & saveth as him think,  
Such pride before God doth stink.  Yea not only is it enough that Emperors and Kings be subject unto him, & that he exalt himself above them, and that he make them kiss his foot, and kick off their Crowns off from their heads (tho he be the Emperor) but likewise when he pleaseth, to tread upon their necks, as Abbas Vrspergensis reporteth that Alexander the third, did to the Emperor Frederick at S. Mark's church in Venice. As also we have it set down in the book of sacred Ceremonies, 
Fol. 26.35▪ & 41.  That the Emperor or greatest Prince that is present at the Pops Coronation, is to carry his train that day, to hold his stirrup at his leaping on and lighting: and if he go in litter, to carry him on their shoulders, hold the basin to him, and bring in his first measse of meat. Whereof I may say, Is this the imitation of Christ's humility which he recommended to His disciples? Or as Bernard said to Pope Eugenius, in the like case, did Peter so? 
l. 4. de consider. Ad Eugenium  or played Paul such pranks? when he was reprehending Eugenius for his pompous carriage and convoy, saying, Thou goeth in procession glistering with gold, and compassed about with such a variety of convoy, and by so doing what example getteth Christ's sheep or edifying? If I durst say, (Saith he) it is the devil's pasture rather which they get, teaching them pride, nor Christ's, and thou may see that all ecclesiastical zeal is now hot, only for defending of worldly dignity (sayeth he) all men hunting after honour, but little or nothing after piety. Thus you see how the Pope's pride, & his Clergies was painted out in Bernard's time near 500 years ago.  
Next; let us see how the Pope exalteth himself above angels, that are likewise called gods, Psal. 97.7. 
Roder. Episcop. Zamorensi●, l. 2. cap. 1.  And first Rodevicus a Popish Bishop who was Constable of the castle of S. ANGELO in his Book called Speculum vitae humanae sayeth That the Pope is ordained to be above not only human but divine principalities, and not only to rule mortal men, but immortals, not only men▪ but angels. After which he applieth to the Pope places of scripture which speak only of GOD, in Job. That he is one, 
joh. 9.4.  and there is not a second, and again, Thou art mighty above the mightiest and wise in counsel, and elsewhere in Scripture, where it is said by the Prophet, to whom all power and dominion is given, & of whom David meaned, when he said he hath given him all power & dominion, & that all people and languages should be subject unto him. Of which blaphemous trash the reader may see more in the oration uttered before Pius the second, by the Deputies of Florence, registrate by Antonius bishop of that city, as also in that of Iacobus Tecano chamberlain to Vrban the sixt, and Alvarez Pelagius penitentiary to John the 22. As likewise in Augustinus triumphus, alias, de Ancona in his book De potestate Ecclesiae, dedicat to John the 22. and thereafter to Gregory the 13. Printed at Rome, 1582. With the Pope's privilege, and in Lancelotus Conradus his book of the same subject, approved by Pius the 4. And the Bishop of Bitonto in his Oration before the council of Trent, with diverse others.  
Next we see that he exalteth himself above angels in respect, as Johannes Faber sayeth, 
Faber in Praef.  he permitteth himself to be adored, by religious adoration, as Paulus Jovius speaketh in the place before cited, which the angel refused revel 22.9. because he was John's fellow-servant, & yet the Pope hypocritically calleth himself the servant of God's servants; As also, whereas the angels are only called holy, yet he is called in the abstract, holiness itself.  
Thirdly, In the bull of Clement the sixt, in favours of these who should happen to die coming to his jubilee, these were his words. we command the angels to carry their souls into Abraham's bosom which bull is extant, registrate in the treatise of Johannes Phofferus professor of divinity in Friburg. DE MATERIA INDULGENTIARUM, anno 1472.  
From all the which former, we frame this argument, he who exalteth himself above all that is called GOD, is the Grand Antichrist, & man of sin, foretold of 2. Thess. 2.4. But the Pope doth this, as hath been clearly proven by Romanists themselves: Therefore the Pope is that Grand Antichrist and man of sin, 
See also A ventin l. 7. amnal. p. 54.  foretold of 2. Thess. 2.4.   

CHAP. XI. Of Antichrists sitting in the Temple of GOD, as GOD, Showing himself that he is GOD. 2. Thess. 2.4. And of his Names of blasphemy, revel 17.3.  
HAving shown how Antichrist exalteth himself above all that is called GOD. We come next to his sitting as GOD, in the Temple of GOD, showing himself that he is GOD, as the Apostle speaketh, 2. Thess. 2.4. That is, so far as any mortal man can in the height of pride equal himself with GOD, which the Pope doth 1. By usurping not only the title of Christ's vicar upon earth, that is, as it is said of Moses being to Aaron, in stead of GOD, Exod. 4.16. But also 2. In usurping blasphemously the very name of GOD in the singular, which in the plural only is communicated to Kings and Princes, Psal. 82.6. As it was written upon that triumphal Arch at Rome. 
Oraculo vocis mundi moderaris habenas,  
Et merito in terris diceris esse Deus.  Therefore Panormitan calleth him Dominus Deus noster Papa And of late Stapleton in the dedicatory Epistle of his Treatise De principiis doctrine. 
Panor. ●. per Venerabilem. Num. 2. & 4. f. 60.  calleth Gregory the 13. Supremum Numen in terris, or the supreme GOD upon earth, therefore saith Frossardus in his fourth ●ome and tenth Chapter, That as there is but One GOD in Heaven, so there is no reason but there aught in like manner, to be but one god only upon earth, to wit, the Pope. 
Platina in vita Pauli 2.  Wherefore, (as Platina recordeth) Pope Paul the second used to say, That he had all laws in the cabinet of his own breast, & could rescind or approve the actions of all mē● according to his pleasure. Whence also that worshipful Gentleman forenamed Gefrey Chaucer speaketh thus of the Pope in his time, in his ploughman's tale. 
And to Popes hests such take more heed  
Then to keep Christ's commandment,  
Of gold & silver mote be ●is weed,  
They hold him whole Omnipotent.  Whence it is likewise that their own Cassander of late saith, 
Cass. de officio pii viri, p. 792. excus. parisiis apud Abraham●m Pacard 1616  Pontificem vero Romanum (quem Papam dicimus) tantum non Deum faciunt, ejusque authoritatem non modo supra totam Ecclesiam, sed supra ipsam scripturam divinam efferunt, & sententiam ejus divinis oraculis parem, imo infallibilem fidei regulam consti●●●nt. That is, They make the Roman Bishop, (whom we call the Pope) little less nor GOD, & extolleth his authority not only above the whole Church, but also above the holy Scriptures (which is to be above GOD) and maketh his sentence or decree equal to the Oracles of GOD, (& consequently himself to be equal to GOD,) yea to be the infallible Rule of faith.  
3. He showeth Himself to be GOD, and sit as GOD in the Temple of GOD, while as he usurpeth the other titles that are only proper to GOD, a●. 1. To be Head of the Church of GOD, as Bellarmin styleth him, ascribing that unto him with other titles as followeth, 
Bel. l. 2. de pont. Roma. c. 31. & praef. de summo 'pon- Greg. l. 4. indict. ep- 36.  which as it is contrar to holy scripture. 2. Cor. 11.2. Where CHRIST is called the One and only Husband of His Church, and consequently her only Head, so Gregory the first calleth it A devilish usurpation, under pretence of humility, by pride of a pompaticke title (sayeth he) to attempt so the subjecting of Christ's members to himself, as Head of the Church, quae omnia uni soli capiti coherent, (sayeth he) That is, all which cohere to one only head thereof, to wit CHRIST, and again writing to John patriarch of Constantinople who began first to usurp the same, he sayeth If Paul eschewed that the members of the Lord's body should be particularly subjected unto other heads beside CHRIST, although they were Apostles, what will thou be able to answer at the strict trial of the last judgement to CHRIST the Head of His universal Church, who presseth by the title of universal Bishop to subject all these his members unto thee as head? which wickedness (sayeth he) what else is it but thereby to imita● him, to wit, Lucifer, who despising the Legions of his fellow Angels, joined with him, in one society; did attempt to mount above them to such a height of singularity: That he likewise, would be under none; but he alone would be above all others: (which is, indeed, to sit, as God, in the Temple of God.) And, therefore, such Style Gregory declareth, 
Greg. l. 4. indict. Ep. 36. & 38. & l. 6. Ep. 30. & l. 7. ep. 30  to be not only proud and profane; but also Antichristian. And which none of my predecessors (sayeth he,) Bishops of Rome, would ever consent to have: Neither I myself, would consent thereto, for what were this, else but to lose the faith, (sayeth he;) and, to make shipwreck thereof▪  
2. BELLERMINE styleth the Pope, 
l. 2. de 'pon. c. 31.  The Husband of Christ's Church: contrary to the place forecited, 2. Cor. 11.2, Of which sayeth BERNARD, to▪ Pope EUGENIUS; when he had told, 
Ep. 137.  That Christ is the only Husband of His Church: Wherefhre, (sayeth he,) call not his Beloved Spouse thine, and challenge thou nothing as proper to thee over her. And, which Title their canonised AQUINAS, LYRA, & LOMBARD; on 2. Cor. 11.2. showeth to be proper only to CHRIST alone; and without blasphemy, is not communicable to any.  
3. Bellarmine, also, 
Praef. d● Rom. Pont. Greg. lib. 4. indict▪ Ep. 38.  calleth the Pope general Father. A Title proper only to GOD: Therefore, sayeth Pope Gregory to John of Constantinople; who first attempted to usurp that Style. How wilt thou answer in the Day of that Terrible Examination of CHRIST the judge; who is to come, who deserveth to be called, not only Father, (sayeth he,) but also, The general Father of all?  
4. By the same Bellarmine, in the place forecited, he is called That Corner Stone▪ spoken of by Isai. cap. 28. proved, and precious; which Title to be only proper to CHRIST; and without gross blasphemy, to be communicable to none, these Romanists beareth witness: To wit, Hugo de S. Charo, Pintus, and Perusin, on this place, rendering these Reasons: 1. Because he, and he only as a corner stone coupled together, both Jew and Gentile in one unity of faith. 2. He is called PROVED, by the Passion of His cross; which he only endured. 3. As, also, he is called PRECIOUS; In respect both of the infinite Worth and excellency of His Person; being GOD and MAN: As likewise, by the Merit of His sufferings, whereby the world is redeemed.  
He was called, That Light that came into the World: And, which the World received not by Cornelius Mùs, Bishop of Bitonto, in a public Oration, before the council of Trent; which is extant, and printed at Rome in Platea Parionis: which is spoken (John 1.9.) only of CHRIST. And, which title their own Lyra, Carthusian, and Ferus, showeth to belong only; and is competent to CHRIST.  
So, likewise, (as Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence reporteth in his history, 
Ant. summa hist. part. 3. See history of the council of Trent. p. 161. ) when the Sicilian ambassadors asking pardon of Pope Martin the fourth, delivered their Ambassage in these terms: saying▪ Agnus DEI qus tollis peccata mundi miserere nobis. The Pope accepting of this title, replied disdainfully: saying; In the terms whereby the soldiers mocked CHRIST, Ave, Rex judeorum, & dabant illi alapas.  
So that by assuming such titles proper only to GOD, and CHRIST Jesus, GOD and MAN; we see he sitteth as God, in the Temple of God: All which being so many Blasphemies, it is no marvel therefore, that, That Scarlet coloured Beast spoken of, revel 17.3. Is said, to be full of the names of blasphemies. Amongst which in express terms Gregory calleth the title of universal Bishop, Nomen Blasphemiae; tho there were no more than that name alone, to prove the Pope to be Antichrist.  
From all which former, we reason thus, he that sitteth in the temple of God, as God, that is, as in God's stead claiming to be his vicar general, and who usurpeth alike titles with God, which are only proper to God: and in him are the names of blasphemy spoken of revel 17.3. 
Dist. 19 c. 6. in canonicis.  Who also equalleth his decrees & traditions with the very oracles of God, he is the Antichrist.  
But the Pope doth all this, as we have proven in all this preceding Chapter, by the witnessing of Romanists themselves, Therefore, it followeth that the Pope is Antichrist.   

CHAP. XII. Of the Popes, not only equalling himself with GOD; But extolling himself above GOD himself. Which is the height of Antichristian pride, and matchless impiety.  
HAving shown, how the Pope exalteth himself against all that is called GOD, by participation only of name: And, equalleth himself, also, with him, who is GOD only, in Essence▪ Followeth, to show, How like Lucifer in his Meridian, or highest ascension, he extolleth himself, above GOD. 1. Extolling his authority, over the Scriptures; which are the WORD of GOD: And, consequently, above GOD himself. 2. Making himself judge over God's WORD: And, what it sayeth is lawful. He saying; It is unlawful. 3. In taking from God's WORD; and cancelling some of His commandments. 4. In the contradicting in express terms God's WORD: For which he is justly called Antichrist: That is, Con●●●rie in his Doctrine to CHRIST. And, 5. In dispensing against God's WORD: And, allowing that which God's WORD condemneth.  
First, then, (as their own beforecited Cassander speaketh,) he extolleth his authority above the Scriptures, which are God's WORD; in so far (as Romanists teach;) That the authority of the Church, (whereof he is head,) is above the Scriptures: And, that Scriptures must follow the Church, (as her Lackey;) and not the Church the Scriptures. Therefore, sayeth, Cardinal Cusanus; Sequuntur igitur Scripturae Ecclesians'; sed non è converso. 
Ep. 7. ad Bohemos. p. 8.5.8.  That is, Therefore, the Scriptures follow the Church: But not that the Church is to follow the Scriptures; Quare nec mirum (sayeth he,) si praxis Ecclesiae uno tempore inter interpretatur Scripturam uno modo, & alio tempore, alio modo, nam intellectus currit cum praxi. That is, Therefore, it is no marvel, if the practice of the Church interpreteth the Scripture at one time, one way; and at another time, another way: For, the meaning of the Scripture runneth with the practice of the Church; in so far as, mutato judicio Ecclesiae, (sayeth he,) mutatum est & DEI judicium. That is, The Church changing her judgement; 
Ep. 3. ad Bohemos. p. 8, 8.  GOD must also, change His judgement. Then, which what can be greater exalting a●oue GOD, and blasphemy?  
secondly; he extolleth himself above GOD; in so far as he maketh himself judge over God's WORD. And, what it sayeth, is lawful: he sayeth, is unlawful. One example whereof in place of many, we have in the Pope's Ca●on Law: Where it is said, speaking of seco●d Marriages; 
●ausa 31. c. h●s ratione.  Secundam quidem accipere uxorem, secundum prec●ptum Apostoli (propter incontinentiam hominum,) licitum est, secundum veritatis autem rationem, vere fornicatio est. That is, TO marry a second wife, according to the Apostles command, (because of men's incontinency,) it is, indeed lawful. But according to the rule of truth: it is truly fornication. So that he censureth the Apostles command, which is God's, to command sin and uncleanness: And, not to be according to the Rule of truth. Which is highest pride and blasphemy: And, nothing else, but the mouth of the Dragon.  
Thirdly; he extolleth himself above GOD; in so far, 
contrary to revel 22.19.  as he dareth to take from God's WORD; and blot out some of his moral commandments. For example; The second commandment forbiddeth three things: 1. The representing of GOD by any image: 2. The worshipping of any image: and, 3. Any sign of religious adoration; as bowing down to them. Now, lest the poor people should find how far they are misled; and made to commit idolatry, by worshipping of images. Therefore, in their catechisms they have taken out the second commandment of the moral law. Nay, they are become so shameless, when they are pressed with this Lurd impiety: That the Jesuit Vasquez sayeth; That▪ that prohibition was only a positive ceremonial law; 
L. 2. de ador.. disp. q. c. 3. §. 74.  Ideoque tempore legis Euangelica, (sayeth he,) debet cessare. That is; And, therefore, in the time of the Law of the gospel, it ought to cease, (sayeth he,) as if idolatry were but a ceremony; and that the gospel did not forbid the same. Contrary to 1. COR. 6.9.  
fourthly: he extolleth himself above God's WORD, and HIS commandments, in contramanding; and express contradicting of God's WORD. Whereof the Apostle noteth Therefore, two of his Doctrines; to be Doctrines of Devils; 
1. Tim. 4.3.4.  In forbidding of marriage; and, commanding to abstain from meats, which GOD hath created, to be received with thanksgiving, of them which believe; and know the truth; for every creature is good, (sayeth the Apostle,) and, nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. Yet, on the contrary: 
Heb. 13.4  Albeit of marriage, that the Apostle sayeth, It is honourable amongst all, and the bed undefyled. 1. The Pope sayeth, It is not so amongst all: Because not amongst the clergy, to whom he hath therefore forbidden the same. 
Dist. 82. c. preposuisti.  2. Neither is the bed of Marriage, a bed undefyled, (sayeth he,) Because it is the uncleanness of the flesh; and, they that are in the flesh, (sayeth he in his decretal of the Canon Law,) can not please GOD. Now, what doctrine this is; and, how opposite to God's: The Apostle not only telleth us; But, also, that worthy Martyr, Ignatius, the disciple of John, in his sixt Epistle to the Philadelphians; saying, Si quis legitimam commixtionem, & liberorum procreationem corruptelam, & pollutionem appellet, talis Apostatam illum draconem in se habitantem fovet. That is, If any man shall call lawful copulation in marriage, and procreation of children, to be carnality and pollution Such a one entertaineth that apostate dragon dwelling in him, (which is the devil.) Likewise, His prohibition and commanding, to abstain from meats, at such or such times, for conscience sake▪ contrary both to God's WORD▪ and Christian liberty; what else is it, also: But, the same apostate dragon's mouth? And, while as in like manner, any who shall transgress this his command concerning meats; or any other, which are called Precepta Ecclesiae, shall be, and have been more severely punished than any who transgress the commandments of GOD: What else is this, but the exalting himself above GOD?  
I might instance here the whole Doctrines of popery expressly contradictory to the Doctrine of God's WORD; As, The Forbidding the people to read the Scriptures: expressly contrary unto Christ's commandment, John 5.39. And, the Apostles, Col. 3.16. The Invocatio● of saints or Angels. contrary to Rom, 10.14. Prayer. also in an unknown tongue. contrary to 1. Cor. 14.15. Representing GOD by any Image. contrary to isai. 40.18. The worshipping of Images, or bowing to them. contrary to Exod. 20.5. The doctrine of Freewill in our conversion. Contrary to 2. Cor. 3.5. justification by works. contrary to Rom. 3.21. The doctrine of Merit. contrary to Rom. 6.23. The doctrine of purgatory: contrary to revel 14.13. Of Transubstantiation in the Sacrament: contrary to 1. Cor. 11.26. Of Keeping back the Cup. from the people: contrary to Matth. 26.27. and, 1. Cor. 11.28, And, Of the mass: contrary to Heb. 10.14.  
Fyftlie: he extolleth himself above GOD; 
Summa Antonini part. 3. tit. 22. c. 6.  by dispensing with the Law of GOD: Whereas it is a common received Rule; That no inferior can dispense with the Law of a superior: but, on the contrary.  
Now, that the Pope arrogateth to himself, this power to dispense with the Law of GOD; both the Romish doctrine, and the Popes practise conform doth show.  
And, first, 
Tit. Papa, f. 141.  for doctrine Angelus Clavasinus, in his Summa Angelica, giveth this reason, why the Pope dispenceth sometimes with God's Law; Because we have the example of GOD Himself, (sayeth he,) that oftentimes he hath dispensed himself with his own law. And, the Pope may do all things, (sayeth Panormitan,) which GOD Himself may do. likewise; 
Repert. Panor. tit Papa, 4. c. prop●suisti, num. 12. f. 77.  The Pope may dispense against both the Old and New Testament, (sayeth he,) Cap. licet, n●m. 3. de feriis, f. 206. & Cap. 51. num. 4. de divertiis, f. 69. Imo Papa tollit jus divinum▪ dispensando contra Evangelium, (sayeth Petrus de Monte, in his Monarchia Papae.) That is, The Pope may take away God's Law, by his dispensation against the gospel.  
Next: For practise the forenamed Angelus Clavafinus, in his Summa Angelica, f. 241. relateth that Pope Martin, the fifth, gave one a dispensation To marry his own sister: And, telleth us, That Sanctus Antoninus is a conjunct Recorder of this with him.  
Likewise: Villa, Scotus, and Orbellis, all three on the fourth of the Sentences, 
Villa dist. 27. f. 195 Scotus, dist. 33. q. 2. f. 255. Orb. dist. 33. §. 2.  reporteth; How that Pope Lucius dispensed with one Panormitan, to have two wives at once. Tho also, an Archbishop; Out of the plenitude of his power, (Said they,) against the Apostle, 1. Tim. 2.3.  
And, how the Pope of late dispensed with the king of Pole, Sigismond, to marry two sisters: As he did Henry the eight before, to marry his brothers wife, is notore to the whole world.  
From all which former, I argue thus: he who extolleth himself, not only above all that is called God: But, also, above GOD himself: who is so in essence; he is that Grand Antichrist; That Man of sin, in an eminent way; and son of Perdition; As the SCRIPTURE testifieth.  
But, the Pope doth this many ways, as we have shown in this preceding Chapter.  
Therefore, he is that Grand Antichrist.   

CHAP. XIII. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's idolatry, and spiritual whoredom. Revel (17.6.  
IN regard whereof Rome with her papal Head, 
Gloss. ordin. integer Antichristus, caput & corpus.  (Revel. 17.6.) is called That Great whore, (and alluding to Her usual. and usurped title of Mother-Church.) she is called, The Mother of Harlots; and, abominations of the earth: Being not only guilty herself of idolatry, (called spiritual whoredom;) But, also, being the propagater thereof to all other parts under her jurisdiction. So that she is like Jeroboam: Who not only sinned by idolatry himself; but also made all Israel to sin.  
How guilty then, the Pope, and the Roman Church under him is hereof, we shall make manifest: 1. By their Adoration of Images. 2. By their Invocation of saints and angels: And 3. By their Adoration of the host.  
First, then, concerning the Adoration of Images; Decreed in their late council of Trent, under Pius the fourth, Sess. 9 the doctrine; which by all their Schoolmen is asserted, (as testifieth their own Bishop Peresius, 
Peres. de traed. part. 3. ) is this; That Images are to be worshipped, with the same worship as these whom they represent. And therefore, the Images of GOD and CHRIST, are to be worshipped, with the highest Divine Honour; which they call LATRIA. Which doctrine these who are here after named do maintain: To wit, Their canonised saint, Thomas Aquinas. parte. 3. q. 25. art. 3. Alexander de Hales. part. 3. q. 30. art. ult.. Azorius, instit. moral. l 9 tit. 1. c. 6. Bonaventure, in tertiam Sent. Dist. 9 Cabrera in tertiam Thomae, q. 25. art. 3. disp. 2. num. 34. Iacobus Atlantus, in Rom. 1. f. 42. edit. venet. 1557. with dyvers others.  
The Jesuit Vasquez, in like manner, disputeth the ●uestion, and concludeth; 
Vasq. l. ●. de ador.. c. 1. disp. 6. num. 168.  That if the worship of Images, be a religious act at all, it may justly be called LATRIA: For LATRIA and Religion, are the same thing, (sayeth he.) And, so sayeth their Bishop Peresius likewise, in the place forecited. And, as for such subtle distinctions; whereby they would palliate their idolatry. They are such, (as Bellermine speaketh; 
Bell. l. 2. de imag. c. 22. §. 4.  which neither themselves understand, who have broached them. And, far less the unlearned people, (sayeth he.) And, especially, that of DULIA; The Scripture witnessing, That the religious act thereof, is proper to GOD only, Deutr. 6.13. 1. Sam. 7.3. and Act. 20.19. And, when it was given to any creature, it was ever counted idolatry, GAL. 4.8.  
And, as this is their Idolatrous do●trine, concerning the sort of Adoration. So, likewise, concerning the extent, 
Bell. l. 2. de imag. c. 21. & 23.  or termination there of; Thus sayeth Bellarmine: To wit, That images are to be worshipped properly: That is, As they are considered in themselve●▪ So that the worship stayeth itself in the Image, (sayeth he.) For, if the Image were not to be worshipped; but unproperly. To wit, Because before it, or in it, or by it that which it representeth, is adored. Then, surely, it might be simply denied, (sayeth he,) That Images should be worshipped at all.  
Next: To come to the practice of Adoration of Images: It is more than manifest, 
Cass. consult. de imag. c. 21.  (Saith their own Cassander,) Then can be expressed by words; that the worship of Images, is come to that height: That the very Pagans themselves have given to their idols. Neither is that excuse of any worth, (sayeth he.) Which some use to pretend, that they worship not the Images, 
Arnob. l. 6 adv. gentes Lact. l. 2. divin. in. stit cap. 2. Aug. in psal. 96. and 13.  but them whom they represent, for this colour the Pagans also used for their idolatry as we see in Arnobius (sayeth he) and may be also seen in Aug. l. 3. de doct. Christ. c. 7. and elsewhere. And which excuse likewise Bellarmine's forecited words refuteth, where he sayeth, That if the Image were not to be worshipped, but improperly: Because before it or in it; or by it that which it representeth is adored. Then, surely, it might be simply denied, (sayeth he,) that Images should be worshipped at all; yea, the same is come to that height of madness (sayeth their own Polidor Virgil.) That this part of Religion is little different from impiety itself, 
L. 6. de inven. reris▪ c. 13▪  for there are very many so exceeding rude and stupid (sayeth he) who worship images made of stocks & stones, brass and marble &c. not as representing figures, but as if they had sense and feeling, and confide more in these (to whom specially they go in pilgrimage) then in Christ Himself.  
Yea, some dote so upon images (Saith their own Gabriel Biell) that they believe a certan deity, grace or holiness to be in them, 
Biel. in camissae, lect▪ 49.  whereby they are able to work miracles, restore health, and deliver from dangers, and to preserve from hurts and snares, out of the confidence of the forenamed, being moved to worship them, that they may obtain some of the former things: Whence also it is (sayeth he) that they oblige themselves to undergo Pilgramages▪ some to this and some to that Church, according as they respect the images, believing that this image in such a place is of greater virtue than in another, and is more famous for miracles, & of greater power, (a clear example whereof we have in the pilgramages to our lady of Loretto & Hales) And if at any time miracles be wrought upon men who have recourse to them, this is not by virtue of the image (Saith he) but some times by the operation of the devil, to d●ceiue such idolatrous worshippers, GOD so permitting, and their infidelity so deserving the fame.  

secondly of Popish Adoration and invocation of Saints.  
This their idolatry which they perform herein, they seek to palliate by this distinction, that they invocate them not as mediators of redemption, but only of intercession, which last, tho it be altogether unlawful, CHRIST being only our Mediator of intercession in the heavens, & this being that part of his priestly office which he there performeth, & shall perform till his second coming, and wherein he will have no partner neither Saint nor Angel, yet to show the contrare, to wit, that they invocate them, as mediators of redemption, I shall prove the same. 1. Out of their Roman missal, where they say to the virgin Marie, 
O Faelix puerpera, nostra pians seelera,  
Iure matris, impera redemptori.  And thereafter, Tua semper ub●ra nostra sanent vuln●ra. That is,  
O happy Mother, who expiates our sins, by the authority of a Mother command our Redeemer, and let thy Pape milk heal our wounds. Where we see the expiation of our sins, and healing our souls wounds attributed to the virgin Marie and her milk, which is only proper to CHRIST, and to His Blood, and that most blasphemously is ascribed to her a power now to command her son▪ and consequently the Creator to be subject to the creature, and therefore also in a book called ANTIDOTUM ANIMAE. They speak thus, Tu ancillam Iesu Christi te vocare voluisti, sed vt doc●● Lex divina, tu illius es Domina: nam Lex jube● & ratio, matrem praesse Filio.  
The like blasphemous stuff we have in that book written by a Jesuit of late named Carolus Bonartius, alias, Scribonius called Amphitheatrum honoris, Who inquiring what is the best souls plaster, answereth, 
Lac matris miscere volo cum sanguine Nati  
Non possum antidoto nobiliore frui.  That is I will mix (sayeth he). the mother's milk with the son's Blood, for I cannot have a more sovereign plaster than this.  
Yea, moreover they affirm (as we have it in their own famous Gabriel Biell. 
Lect. 80. in Canone Missae. ) That as Asuerus offered to Ester the half of his kingdoms: so GOD hath divyded his kingdoms between Himself and the virgin Marie (sayeth he) giving to her, mercy to bestow, and reserving justice only to Himself, wherefore it is lawful (sayeth BERNARDIN de busto) to appeal from the son's justice to the mother's mercy; 
In mariali part. 3 Serm. 3.  And therefore, in like manner they have turned the whole psalter of David which suiteth mercy, from Domine▪ 
Psalterum B. Virg.  Lord, to Domina, our Lady, as may be seen specially psal. 71. & 93. where they say psal. 71 Deus judicium tuum regi da, & misericordiam tuam Reginae matri ejus▪ and psal. 93. They say of CHRIST, Deus ultionum Dominus, sed tu Benignae Mater misericordiae ad miserandum inflectis illum. That is, O GOD Thou art a LORD of revenge, but thou mild Mother of mercy thou art she that moveth Him to pity And not only call they her Domina but Dea, and therefore they sing unto her, Tunc tibi laudes Dea dicet omnis sexus & aetas. 
In lib 8. Aug. de civit. Dei, cap. 27.   
So that (as their own Vives testifieth) They are come to that height of idolatry in this point, that they worship no otherwise their he & she Saints (Saith he) than they do GOD Himself, neither see I (Saith he) in many things what difference there is between their opinion of Saints, & that which the very Heathen have of their gods. Yea, They have placed more confidence in their merits and intercession than in CHRITS merit, (sayeth their own Cassander, 
Cass. consult. art. 21. ) and so having obscured that Office of Christ's only mediation, they have in place thereof substitute (Saith he) the advocation of the virgin Marie, and others.  
I may here add their Idolatrous Adoration by kneeling and kissing of pretended relics of Saints, which being most part false through the avarice of Priests (sayeth their own Cassander) have been obtruded, 
Cass. Consult. Art. 21.  for enticing of simple People, and feigned miracles have been alleged to have been wrought by them, whereby the superstitition of people hath been greatly fostered.  
Yea, not only are such relics worshipped by kneeling and kissing, but also by putting up prayers to them, as if they heard, or had sense or life, for thus they pray to the cross, as Bellarmine granteth which hath now no being.  O Crux ave spes unica, Ange piis justitians, reisque dona veniam. 
That is, 
Hail holy cross, our only Hope, who upon earth do live,  
To godly righteousness augment, to guilty pardon give.  
So likewise they pray to the spear that pierced Christ's side.  
Ave ferrum triumphale, faelix hasta nos amore per te fixo saucia.   
That is 
All hail triumphant iron, and spear that happy is.  
Lance us with love of Him, whom thou didst pierce, I wis.   
And to that Picture of Christ's face on Veronicas handkerchief, they pray thus. Nos dedu● ad patriam o faelix Figura, 
In mirabilia Romae. p. 24.  ad videnda● faciem quae est CHRISTI purae.  
And as for their worshipping and Idolatrous praying to angels, chiefly whom they call their guardians, as the same is expressly against COL. 2.18. Who affirmeth that these who do so under pretence of humility do not hold the Head, and consequently cannot retain communion with the body, which is Christ's Church. So likewise that famous and ancient council of Laodicea. can 35. not far from the COLOSSIANS did solemnly decree against the same as manifest idolatry, and pronounced anathema to all such who did invocat Angels, because (say they) These who do so, have forsaken Our LORD Jesus CHRIST, ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}) and given themselves to idolatry, which canon also Theodoret upon the second to the Colossians citeth, and showeth that this was their pretence of humili●ie for their idolatry, saying, that GOD was invisible and inaccessible, and therefore it was fi● that men should obtain God's favour by the means of Angels, which is now in like-manner the very excuse of popery.   

Thirdly, of Popish idolatry in Adoration of the host.  
But before I come to this their Idolatrous adoration, I cannot pass by First, Their blasphemous assertion. Which Gabriel Biell setteth down in these words of the Priest, 
Lect. 4. in canonen missae.  saying, he that created me hath given me power to create Himself, and he that created me without me, is created by me. Their late Jesuit likewise Cornelius a lapide sayeth, 
A Lapide in isai. 7.14,  That CHRIST is borne and as it were begotten upon the Altar (Saith he) and if He were not yet incarnate, yet as powerfully he should be incarnate by the words of consecration, as he was at first, wherefore the Priest (sayeth he) is as the Virgin that boor Him, the Altar is the manger, & the little Emmanuell which he beareth, is CHRIST brought forth under the little host.  
Next, as for the worship which is to be given to it, the council of Trent hath decreed that it is the highest Divine worship, 
Sess. 13. can 5.  which they call Latria. Now if the conceit which Papists have of transubstantiation prove false, 
Cap. 12.  Their Jesuit Coster in his Euchiridion freely confesseth That then they should commit the grossest idolatry, the like whereof (sayeth he) was never heard nor seen in the whole world. 
Dist. 2. de consecr.. c Hoc est.  Now (beside the word of GOD against it, and their own exposition of the words of consecretion in their cannon law, declaring them to be figurative) according to their own principles they cannot certainly know that transubstantiation is made by the priest's consecration, and consequently that the host which they worship is any other thing but bread, & therefore that their act of adoration is idolatry, seeing the change doth wholly depend upon the consecration, 
Concil. Trid.. Sess 7. can 11.  and the consecration again dependeth upon the intention of the Priest, which none can certanly know but himself, Bellarmin himself saying thus, Neque potest quis certꝰ esse certitudine fidei se percipere verum sacramentum, 
De justif. l. 3. c. 8.  cum sacramentum sine intentione ministri non conficiat●r, & intentionem alterius nemo videre possit. That is, Neither can any be sure by the certanty of faith that he receiuth a true sacrament, seeing the sacrament is not made without the intention of him who ministrats it, & no man can see the intention of another. Whence it will follow that no Papist can be sure that he committeth not idolatry, but admit that the priest's intention should be right at the time of consecration, yet if either he that bap●ised him, or the Bishop that gau● him order have missed in their right intention, than he is neither a Christian, nor a Priest, and consequently what he doth is no consecration, so that the bread remeaneth bread still, and consequently the worshippers thereof are gross Idolaters, and all Papists are in no better case than the Samaritans were in, of whom our Saviour said, ye worship ye know not what. 
John 4.22   
Where I cannot omit that notable discourse of Catarinus Bishop of M●nori in the council of Trent, 
Hist. of the council of Trent lib 2. p. 240.  consonan● to this of mine; If a Priest (said he) having a charge of 4. or 5000. souls were an Ath●●st or infidel in heart, but yet a formal hypocrite, and in absolving the penitent, baptising of Children, and consecrating the Eucharist, had an intention not to do what the Church doth, i● must be said, that the Children are damned (said he) the penitents not absolved, and that all remain● without the fruit of the Communion, he added, if any would say, these cases were rare, would to GOD it were so (said he) and that in this corrupt age we had no cause to doubt they were many. But suppose they are very few, or but one only, let there be a knave priest (Saith he) who feigneth, and hath not an intention to minister true baptism to a Child, who after being a man grown, is created Bishop of a great city, and liveth many years in that Charge, so that he hath ordained a great part of the Priests, it must be said that he not being baptised, is not ordained, nor they ordained who are promoted by him, so that in that city there will be neither Eucharist, (and consequently an Idolatrous adoration of bread) nor yet confession or absolution (said he) because that cannot be without the Sacrament of order, nor order without a true Bishop nor can he receive order who is not baptised, Behold then (said he) millions of nullities of Sacraments by the malice of one Minister, and in one act only.    

CHAP. XIV. Of the Popes or Antichrists bloody cruelty, revel 17.6.  
OF Antichrist his bloody cruelty, John speaking revel 17.6. Faith thus, And I saw the Woman drunk with the blood of the Saints and Martyrs of Jesus, which to be true of the pope, I will, 1. instance their famous forecited Petrarch in the third Chapter of this Treatise, 
Petrarch. l. 1. ep. 18.  & in that Epistle of his, wherein he deploreth the calamity of the city of Rome, & speaking of the Pope and his clergy there, sayeth to his friend to whom he writeth, being then at Rome, There thou seeth (sayeth he) not only Christ's adversary (meaning the Pope as Antichrist) but which is more grievous to see, under the Banner of Christian profession, fighting against CHRIST, and drunk with his Blood (to wit, by persecution of his Saints.)  
Bernard likewise in his first sermon of Paul's conversion cryeth out thus, Heu, 
Bern. ser. 1. cōvers. B. Paul's.  heu, Domine Deus, quia ipsi sunt in persecutione tua primi, qui videntur in Ecclesia tua primatum deligere & gerere principatum, That is, Alas, alas, LORD GOD, that these are first in the persecution of Thee, who are seen to love the primacy in thy Church, and to have the chief place, (meaning the Pope) and thereafter to clear himself more particularly and plainly he sayeth, Egressa est haec iniquitas à senioribus judicibus, Vicariis tuis, qui videntur regere populum tuum, that is, This iniquity is come forth from the eldest that are judges, even these that pretend to be thy vicars, and who seem to govern thy people.  
Inlikemanner that charter Monk, who is author of Fasciculus temporum, 
Fascicul. temp. ann● 900.  he cryeth out upon the 900. year of CHRIST, saying, O worst times that ever were (sayeth he) wherein the godly man doth perish, and truth is decayed amongst the sons of men, and after rehearsal of other vices in the Roman sea, he sayeth, O what persecution is now? Alas, what company, what assembly, yea, what man may be now secure.?  
Likewise Platina the Pope's secretary in the life of Silvester the third showeth, That in these times good men were oppressed by the Popes, who had entered in by pride and simony, and which fashion (Saith he) I wish our times had not observed, and except GOD prevent it we are to see worse.  
An example whereof both he in the life of Pope Honorius the second setteth down, 
In chron. Hir. Sangiensi.  as also the Abbot Tritemius in his Chronicle, Platina telleth us thus, That one Arnolphus, Christianae religionis praedicator egregius, 
Plat. in vita Honorii 2.  that is a notable preacher of the Christian religion, whom (Saith he) many of the Roman nobility did follow as a true disciple of CHRIST, and as a Prophet, was killed by the clergy at Rome, Quia acerbe nimium in eorum lasciviam & libidinem inveheretur, & quia eorum pompam & in comparandis divitiis nimium studium improbaret, &c. Hunc laudibus ad Coelum tollebant, hinc odium, hinc irae, in perniciem bene sentientis usque ad necem excitatae. That is, because he vehemently enveyed against their voluptuousness & lusts, and because he reproved their pride and their too great care to gather riches, whom the Roman nobility extolleth therefore with praises to the very heavens, but hence was the clergies hatred against him, hence was their wrath stirred up against him, who did rightly think of these things (Saith he) even to the very murdering of him.  
The like may be said of that famous Jerome of Savanarola, whom for the same cause thy burned in ashes, as is said of him. Periit ignivomis Sa●anarola rogis. Hence it is also that Michael Cecaenas (Above 400 years ago) general of the grey friars, or order of S. Francis, in his book, Contra tyrannidem Papae complaineth, That there were two Churches, the one of the wicked, which then flourished, & over which the Pope doth reign (sayeth he) and the other of godly and good men which the Pope (sayeth he) doth persecute. which made likewise that forecited worshipful esquire and famous poet in his time Chaucer to speak thus of the Pope and his clergy. 
Chaucer in his ploughman's Tale.  
Were CHRIST on the earth eftsoon,  
These would damn Him to die,  
All his hests they have foregone  
And says hi● laws been H●resie,  
And against his commands they cry  
And damn all His to be hrend,  
For it lyks not them such lose●grie  
GOD almighty them amend.  Whence it is likewise that the forecited Arch Bishop of SALISBURG Eberhardus in his oration before the imperial meeting at Reinsburg, anno 1246. Said of the Pope avowedly, under the title of High Priest and chief Pastor (sayeth he) except we be blind, 
Aventin· annal. l. 7. p. 547.  we may see a most cruel devouring Wolffe.  
And yet no marvel that they were so cruel against the faithful witnesses of CHRIST in former times, who opposed them, (as we see foreprophecied, Revel 11.7.) When they were so cruel each one against another, as Platina witnesseth in the life of Sergius the third, who took the dead carkise of his predecessor Formosus out of the grave, and as he had been alive beheaded him, and thereafter did cast the trunk o● his body into Tiber, whereupon sayeth Platina, See how far the Popes did degener from their predecessors, who being most holy men and giving themselves to prayer, and preaching of Christian doctrine refused any such dignity when it was offered, but these (Saith he) hunting after the Popdome by simony and ambition, and having so attained thereto, misregarding all worship of GOD, Inimieitias non secus ac sevissimi quidam Tyranni inter se exercebant. That is, They did exercise hatred & cruelty one against another amongst themselves, no less than the most cruel Tyrants that ever were, (sayeth he)  
What bloody wars likewise they stirred up thorough all Christendom, that Noble Roman Vall● as the Abbot Tritemius calleth him, telleth us in his treatise of Constantins counterfite donation▪ in the end thereof: saying, Papa & ipse bella pacatis populi● infert, & inter civitates & principes bella & discordias serit that is, The Pope both warreth himself against peaceable people, and soweth discord & wars amongst cities and princes, whereupon he (about the middle) exclaimeth thus. O Romani Pontifices ●xemplum facinorum omnium caeteris Pontificibus, O improbissimi Scribae & Pharisei qui sede●is super cathedram Moysi, & opera Dathan & Ahiron facitis. That is, O ye Bishops of Rome who are an example of all most wicked crimes to all other Bishops, O most wicked Scribes and Pharisees who sitteth in Moses' chair, and yet doth the works of Dathan and Abiron. The instance of the truth whereof may be seen in that tragical history between the Emperor Frederick the second and Gregory the nynth, set down truly and impartially by Pandolphus an Italian & Romanist, concerning which (sayeth that author) When I consider with myself that CHRIST (whose vicars the Roman B●shops boasteth themselves to be) said to his disciples that they should follow Him, and imitate his example as their Master and Teacher, and commanded them further that they should not draw the sword, but put it up in the sheath, &c. And when I compare the Bishops of Rome, how near they follow Him whose vicars they say they are, & considereth so many and great conspiracies, treasons: & rebellions stirred up by them. &c. And when I meditate with myself the destruction of so many great and famous Cities, the subversion of such commonwealths, the slaughter of so many men, and effusion of so much Christian blood. &c. I am persuaded with myself to think and believe that to be true (sayeth he) which Aeneas Silvius writeth in his history of Austria, that there is no great and notable destruction, no notorious & special calamity that hath happened either to the commonwealth, or to the Church of GOD, whereof the Bishops of Rome have not been the authors.  
And as for the Pope's cruelty against the poor Waldenses the author of Fasciculus temporum, a charter mo●k, telleth us in the life of Innocent the third, that an hundreth thousand of them were partly s●ayne, and partly put to flight by the Earl of Montferrat the Pope's general, of whom their own Reynerus testifieth, 
L. contra● Wald. c. 4  That they lived before men both piously and justly, and helieved all things rightly concerning GOD, and the articles of the Creed, only that they hated and spoke evil of the Church of Rome, calling her the malignant Church, and that whore spoken of in the Revelation, and which sort of people (sayeth he) are thought to have continued from the very Apostles times, and were spread abroad in all places, for (as Yhuanus telleth us in the preface of the history of his time) being overcome by arms, they fled for refuge, some into the country of Provence and to the alps bordering upon France, and found in thes● places refuge for their lives & doctrine, a part also went into Calabria & continued there long (Faith ●e) till the time of Pius the fourth, a part passed also into Germany, and dwelled amongst the Bohemians, some also went to Pole and live-land, and others turning Westward (sayeth he) found refuge in Britain.  
A notable example of which bloody cruelty against the remainder of these Waldenses, 
Lib. 2. p. 119.  we read in the history of the council of Trent. anno 1545. While that bloody council was sitting, who inhabiting the alps of Provence were suddenly and unexpectedly pursued by the precedent of the Parliament of Aix, Who neither having Weapons, nor thought otherwise than by flight to defend themselves, all such who could not fly, but stood to their mercy, without sparing old or young, of what age or condition soever, they slew above 4000 persons who without making defence begged for mercy, & razed the countries of Cabriers in Provence and Merindoll, in the county of Viinoifin; wherein they formerly had their abode.  
From which time of that bloody cruelty against the Waldenses, what also hath been likewise used against John Huss & Jerom of Prague, and these who after them they called Hussites in BOHEMIA, & Lollards in ENGLAND; The history of the council of CONTSANCE, and of the BOHEMIAN wars by the Emperor Sigismond and the Pope's Emissaries, written by Aeneas Sylviꝰ afterward Pope. As also the annals of ENGLAND, can testify, and tho the exact number of them be not set down who suffered death & torments for the truth in several places, yet it is certain that in less than 300. years, their number far exceeded them who suffered in the times of of the ten Heathen persecutions. 
L. 8. demonnst. 34.  As Sanders the priest maketh mention in his book of the Churches visible monarchy. AND from the rising of the Jesuits to the year 1580. which was little more to that time nor 30 years, Baldwin de A●christo counteth almost nine houndreth thousand to have been put to death. 
C. 6. nuus. 42.  The Duke of Alva likewise used to glory that in few years in the Low-countries he had cut off 36000. Huguenots, as Junius likewise and Tilenus testify. 
Junius & tilem. Cont Bell. l. 3. de pont. c. 7.  Paulus Vargerius also a Roman Bishop (who best knew the same) testifieth that in the inquisition in the space of 30. years, 150000. were destroyed, as Downam of the Antichrist showeth.  
The Author likewise of the history of the council of Trent, 
Lib. 5. p. 413.  declareth that at Pope Paul the fourth his instigation, and by the great persuasion of the Cardinal of Lorraine for the French, and of Granuell Bishop of Arras for the Spaniards, in a very short time, before the year 1558. 50000. were executed for religion by the hand of the Hangman in the Low-countreyes, besides these huge multituds that suffered in France in the reign of Henry the second, and his son Francis, who succeeded as well in his father's cruelty: as in his kingdom, and who having appointed the Inquisitor Antonius Democares to discover them of the religion, by the instigation of George Cardinal of Armignac destroyed in Paris Poytou, Tholouse and Aix of PROVENCE, and other places so great a number as could scarce be counted, and for discovery of such they caused the picked ure of the virgin MARIE, and of saints to be placed in every corner of PARIS, and throughout all FRANCE, and men to stand by them▪ with little boxes to ask alms for buying wax candles to be burnt before them, and whosoever refused to give, or bowed not to these images in passing by, was taken for a Hugenot & committed to prison, what cruelty was used likewise by Philip the 2. in Spain against Johannes▪ Pontius Count of Bayleno who with a preacher and many of the college of S. Isidor, were burnt as heretics, may be seen in the forenamed history of the council of Trent, 
Lib. 5. p. 417.  also against Constantius Pontius confessor to Charles the 5. and 13 noblemen. and 28 of the prime nobility of Valladolid who were burnt in his presence, all done by thy Pope's instigation.  
As also that bloody decree of Charles the 9 king of FRANCE in July 1562. by the Parliament of Paris is not to be omitted, whereby it was decreed that it should be lawful to slay all the Huguenots, which by public order was read every sunday in every parish Church declaring them rebels, public enemies, infamous, and all their posterity, and their goods confiscate. Hist. of the council of Trent, LIB. 7. p. 648.  
I omit the particularising of the bloody wars of Germany, in the time of Charles the fift Emperor, recorded by Sleidan. The bloody persecution likewise of Queen Marie in ENGLAND, which the book of Martyrs reporteth▪ 
L 52. hist. ●. 1001.  That never enough detestable massacre of Paris also; wherein as Thuanus witnesseth were killed 30000 protestants and above. The intended cruelty inlikemanner of that Spanish Armado, anno 1588. The gunpowder Treason of England likewise. The bloody wars and of long continuance in Germany of late, and the Rebellion also and cruel massacre of protestants in Ireland, all stirred up by the Pope, and plotted by his Conclave at Rome.  
So that justly it may be said, as revel 18.24. That in Her was found the blood of the Lord's Prophets, and of his Saints, and of all that have been slain upon the earth.   

CHAP. XV. Of Antichrists, or the Pope's spiritual Merchandise or simony, revel 18.13.  
TO put a further Mark upon that mystical Babylon and Her Antichristian Head, revel 18.13. It is shown with what Merchandise her Merchants should traffeque, amongst which is recounted last, as the most special to sum up all, The souls of men, or practise of that horrible sin of simony; in making merchandise of spiritual things which concerneth men's souls and salvation. And which the Pope doth both by buying, and next by selling, as we shall show by Romanists themselves.  
First then to begin at buying spiritual offices, and the highest of them, the popedom itself, let that famous testimony of Platin● the Popes own secretary make the same manifest, who in the life of Sylvester the third saith thus, That these who most exceeded in pride and bribery attained to that degree of dignity, all good men being born down & rejected▪ which custom (saith he) I wish our times had not keeped, but this is but little, and except GOD preven● it, we are see worse times, (Saith he) & to show it was an ordinar way of climbing up to the Popedom. In the life of Benedict the 4. (he saith) That the Popes of that age were rather Monsters than men, a quibꝰ ambitione & largitione Petri sedes occupata est, potiꝰ quam possessa, that is, by whonpeters most holy chair was rather usurped than justly possessed. Whereupon in the life of another Pope, Sergius the third, he exclaimeth, saying, See then how far these later Bishops of Rome have degenerate from their predecessors, who being most holy men contemned that honour when it was willingly offered unto them, being wholly given to prayer and preaching, whereas these later (Saith he) neglecting divine worship, and seeking and attaining to the popedom by pride and simony, have exercised such inimity amongst themselves, like so many cruel tyrants. &c. The like he testifieth in the life of Stevin the sixt, as also Onuphrius Panvinius doth the same in the life of Gregory the sixth and others.  
Glaber also a monk about the year 1047. 
Glab. monachꝰ cluniacensis.  who dedicat his history to Abbot Odilon speaking of Sylvester the Third, sayeth thus. Now the Pope of Rome the Nephew of his predecessors Bennet and John is a Child about ten years old, 
L. 4. c. 5. & l. 5. c. 4. See also Baroniꝰ an. 1045.  Intercedente thesaurorum pecunia. That is, by the means of a treasure of moneys (Saith he) by which means likewise he telleth that the rest of the prelates in the Roman Church were advanced, Quos aurum potius vel argentum exaltabit quaem meritum, whereupon he concludeth saying, Pro● dolour de his evidentissime scriptura ait, imo os ipsius DEI, principes extiterunt, & non cognovi. That is, Alas for grief, for of these the scripture (yea, God's own mouth) speaketh most clearly, they became Rulers, but not by me, and I did no● know it, that is acknowledge them. This Sylvester the third, Bennet the ninth▪ and Gregory the sixth, Platina in the life of Gregory the sixth calleth Triateterrima monstra, that is, three most wicked monsters, and of that Sylvester sayeth, like a Thief and Robber he entered not by the door, but by the postern. Cardinal Baronius also calleth these three, Tricipitem bestiam portis inferi emergentem, 
Baron. annal. 1044 & 1031.  That is; That three headed beast, or Cerberus that came from the gates of hell, & yet were in their times counted and called, the heads of Christ's Church. From this wicked practice of simony, Petrus Damianus Bishop of Ostia took occasion to complain, that Peter who by a perpetual curse damned simony before, was vow forced to set up a shop of Simoniak trade, and in these verses to cry out. 
Heu sedes Apostolica, orbis olim gloria,  
Proh dolour efficeris, officina Simonis,  
Terunt incude mallei, nummi sunt tar●arei.  This also made a Monk Bernard In his satyrs, wherein he pointeth out the Pope and his Simoniak clergy: to cry out likewise, saying. 
O mala saecula, venditur inf●la pontficalis,  
Infula venditur, non reprehenditur emptio talis.  Next; for selling spiritual and ecclesiastical Offices and other things. First let their famous Bernard and Abbot of Clarevall speak, who sayeth in his sixt sermon upon the 91. psalm. Ipsa quoque Ecclesiasticae dignitatis officia in turpem quaestum & tenebrarum negotium transiere, nec in his salus animarum, sed luxus queritur divitiarum. That is, the very offices of ecclesiastic dignities are turned to filthy gain & the work of darkness, neither in these is sought the salvation of souls, but the abundance of riches.  
Whence it is that Baptista Mantuanus their carmelit friar in his book, De calamitatibus temporum speaketh thus of Rome, 
Templa, sacerdotes, altaria, sacra, coronae,  
Ignes, thura, preces, coelum est venal, deusque  That is, all things are sellable at Rome. Churches, and priesthoods, altars and other sacred things, shaved crowns, purgatory fire, incense and prayers, yea, Heaven and God Himself is there to be sold.  
Agreeable hereunto speaketh Clenard in his Epistle, being professor in Lovane, and thereafter in Portugal, saying, 
Quisquis opes saeras nummo reperire prophano  
Querit, eat Romam, sacra sunt venali● Romae.  Their famous Petrarch likewise in his Epistle whose title is, Calamitatem Romae deplorat, and which hath been before cited, speaketh thus, Do they not (sayeth he) buy, sell, and make merchandise of CHRIST Himself? Whose Name night and day they extol with praises, & clotheth his Images with gold and silver. Marsilius Patavinus Inlikemanner anno 1320. in the 24. Chapter of the second part of his book, entitled Defensor pacis, saith thus, These who have visited the Church of Rome, which I may more truly call a shop of traffic, and an horrid den of thieves, (Saith he) they shall see plainly that it is become a receptacle of all villainies, & Merchants for all wares both spiritual and temporal, a very haven for all Simoniaks. So also speaketh that noble and learned Roman Laurentius Valla in his book, De donatione Constantini, saying of the Pope, That he was not only a devourer of the People, and not only destroyeth the Commonwealth, which Verres, nor Catelin, nor any robber durst. Sed & rem Ecclesiasticam & Spiritum san●tum questui habet, quod Simon ill● Magus etiam detestaretur, That is, but also he expoundeth to gain ecclesiastical things, yea the very holy Ghost, which Simon Magus himself would detest. Inlikemanner Theodoricus Vricus of the order of the Augustin Monks, in his first book, De consolatione Ecclesiae, dedicat to the Emperor Sigismond, sayeth thus.  
Heu Simon regnat, per munera quoque reguntur  
Judiciumque pium gaza nefanda vetat,  
Curia papalis fovet omnia scandala mundi,  
Delubra sacra facit, perfidiaque forum,  
Ordo sacer, baptisma sacrum cum chrismate sancto,  
Venduntur turpi conditione fori.  
Which is Englished thus.  
who now but Simon reigns? bribes all in all  
And wicked pelf just judgement doth forstall,  
The popish court doth foster all disgrace,  
And turns the church into a mercat place  
Chrism, orders, baptism, all which holy a●  
Are basely sold, as at a peddling fair.  
And if we will hear a Popes own confession to wit Pius secundꝰ who before he was assumed to the popedom & was called Aeneas Silvius in his fourth epistle to John Peregall his procutor then are Rome writteh thus, There is nothing which the Court of Rome giveth without money (Saith he) for the very imposition of hands and gifts of the Holy Ghost are sold, neither is the remission of sins bestowed upon any (sayeth he) but upon such as give money for the same.  
And Platina the Pope's secretary, in the life of Boniface the ninth, telleth us that the Pope's plenary indulgences were everywhere so ordinarily sold, that the authority of the keys and Apostolic letters was altogether vilified.  
And of late Claudius Espenceus a spanish Bishop, setteth down in his commentar. upon the first of Titus & second digression, a list of the many Tricks and devyces of the court and chancery of Rome, by gross simony to draw in money, referring these who desire further information herein, to the book called Taxa cancellariae Apostolicae, & Taxa penitenti●ria, printed at PARIS by Tousant Denis, anno 1520. Wherein every sin or crime whatsoever is rated, for obtaining of remission thereof. The like practice of simony and merchandise of spiritual things doth Lodovious vives regrait, upon Augustins' eighteenth book of the city of God, and the 22 Chapter. As likewise the worthy▪ English esquire Gefrey Chaucer of Woodstock, in his plowe-mans' tale, 400 years ago, saying of the Pope's clergy. 
They Christ's people proudly curse,  
With broad book and braying bell,  
To put pennies in their purse  
They will sell both Heaven and hell.  Whence it is that the Abbot of Vrsperg in his Chronicle and life of Philip the Emperor sayeth, That the waterfloods of all the treasures of the earth did flow to Rome, to quench her unsatiable thirst of money, as her chancery & penitentiary courts sufficiently can testify.  
Hence it was that in the reign of Henry the third of ENGLAND, it was found (beside large accidents) that the Popes set rent in England was equal to the Kings, to wit, at that time 60000 marks, as the Monk Matthew of WESTMINSTER in his Flores historiarum, reporteth in the year, 1245. Beside that he exacted of all Residenters at their benefices the third thereof, 
Pag. 191. & 227.  and from non-Residents the half of their yearly rent and the goods of all who died untested. Duarenus likewise a French lawyer and Romanist in his book Pro desensione libertatis Ecclesiae gallicanae, witnesseth that in the time of Pius the third, the Pope drew out of FRANCE in one year for dispensations, pluralities of benefices, and the like; seven and twenty hundreth thousand crowns.   

CHAP. XVI. Of Antichrists or the Pope's lawless and most wicked Life, 2. Thess. 2.3.  
FOR which respect Anchrist is called ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}) That Man of sin, by way of eminency or excess therein, and v. 8. That lawless and wicked one, who as he professeth in his Cannon Law, (dist. 40 cap. 6. Si Papa &c.) Is to judge all but to be judged by none, although he should not only go to Hell himself, but also lead innumerable troops of People with him.  
Whence it is that of Benedict the ninth, Platina and Onuphrius reporteth, 
Plat. in vitae benedict 9  after his death he appeared to sundry in an horrid and monstrous shape telling he had been such a Pope, and being asked how, or why he did so appear, he answered, Quia in vita Exlex & sine ratione vixi, that is, because I lived lawless, and as an unreasonable beast (said he) whence it is also, that Laurentius Valla that noble and learned Roman before cited, and cannon of S. Lateran, speaketh thus, Nulla itaque usquam religio, nulla sanctitas, nullus Dei timor, 
De donatione Constantini.  & quod referens quoque horresco, omnium scelerum impii homines a Papa sumunt excusationem, That is, There is no religion at all to be seen, no holiness, no fear of God, and which I tremble also to speak of all sort of wickedness, wicked men from the Pope himself maketh their excuse.  
To come then in particular, to the sins whereby it is evident that the Pope is that lawless and awlesse wicked one, or man of sin foreprophecied: in place of many (Already spoken of) I shall mention two only main ones, whereby he resembleth Satan, (the vicar of whose power he is) to wit, cruelty and uncleanness, as satan is called an unclean Spirit, and murderer from the beginning, of the which sin of cruelty and blood-thirstiness, having spoken before, It resteth now only to speak of the other, the sin of uncleanness, whereof their own Carmelite friar Baptista Mantuanus thus speaketh.  
Roma ipsa lupanar  
Reddita, faemineo Petri domus oblita fluxu  
Ad stygios olet usque lares, incestat olympun,  
Nidore hoc, facta toto execrablis ore.  
Englished thus, Rom's now a stews where Peter once did dwell infect with female flux, it doth most beasty smell down to the hellish vaults, & up unto the skies And is so loathson grown in all the world's eyes.  
Which made also their own most noble Petrarch in his Epistle, entitled, De inameno occiduae Babylonis statu, speak thus of that bestial (and scarce to be named amongst Christians) sin of Sodom, Hic Tauro supposita pasiphae mixtumque genus (quod Maro ait) prolesque biformis, veneris monumenta nefandae &c. Qui jam pontificalis lasciviae ludi sunt (saith he)  
Particular instances of which sins of uncleanness I shall only relate out of their own most famous Authors, as first, Sergius the Third who succeeded Formosus, whose dead body (as hath been said) he untombed, beheaded, and cast into Tiber, was a most unclean beast, abusing his body with a most famous strumpet Marozia upon whom he begot, (as Onuphrius telleth us) John who afterward succeeded Pope, by the name of John 11. or as plativa counteth John the 10.  
After which forenamed Sergius succeeded John the Tenth, (or as Platinae counteth the Nynth, elected to be Pope (by their own Onuphrius testimony) by the means of a most notable strumpet, Theodora daughter of Marozia, who burned in excessive lust with him, etc who was thereafter strangled by the means of Marozia, Sergius harlot, that so her son John the eleventh, (or as Platina counteth the tenth) might come to the popedom.  
This John likewise son to Pope Sergius by his harlot Marozia, by her means coming to the popedom, had his life suitable also to his birth and entry, his life being wicked and his death violent. Which maketh their own Cardinal Baeronius in his tenth Tome of his annals, anno 912. art. 3. cry out thus, Quae tunc facies Ecclesiae Romans? quam foedissima, cum Romae dominarentur potentissimae aeque ac sordidissimae meretrices? quarum arbitrio mutarentur sedes, darentur Episcopi, & quod auditu nefandum est, intruderentur in sedem Petri earum amaesii, That is, O what face then had the Church of Rome, how filthy? wherein did rule and domin most powerful and most filthy whores, at whose pleasure Bishops were made, and transplantation from one sea to another, and which is most horrible either to be heard or spoken that their whore. Master's should be by them intruded even into Peter's chair.  
After this wicked Monster John the eleventh, succeeded in short time John the twelth a boy of eyghteen years of age (as Baronius reporteth) by simony of his parents, who from his youth (as both Platina and Onuphrius reporteth) Was defiled with all manner of wickedness, being given (Saith Platina) only to dycing, hunting, and whoring, so that it is reported that this wicked Monster (sayeth he) was stricken thorough in the very act of adultery by the woman's Husband, whom he had abused, a famous husband indeed himself to the spouse of Christ's Church upon earth.  
After this Monster of wickedness, succeeded shortly Boniface the Seventh, by strangling (as Onuphrius reporteth) of his predecessor, a most sacrilegious thief and Monster of cruelty (as Platina calleth him,) as well as of uncleanness. (a famous Pope indeed, to be called his holiness.)  
After whom in short time stepped up to the popedom, Sylvester the Second, Who (as Platina and others do witness) gave himself wholly by paction to the Devil to attain to the Popedom, whose body at last being rent and torn in pieces by the Devil, at his own direction beforehand, was laid upon a Cart and carried to the Church of S. LATERAN, where it was buried, and where before the death of any Pope since, his tomb is seen to sweat, (sayeth Platina) and a collision or rumbling of his bones is heard. (A worthy head indeed of such a body as is the Church of CHRIST.)  
Afterward succeeded Benedict the ninth Who was a Monster of all sorts of wickedness, and who after his death (as hath been said) appeared in so monstrous and ugly a shape, and declared that it was, because he had lived lawless and awls: and (as Baronius reporteth) who attained to the popedom by simony of his parents, being only twelve years of age.  
After Benedict the ninth, succeeded Sylvester the Third, Who entered (sayeth Platinae) not by the door, but like a thief and Robber came in by the postern.  
After him in like manner succeeded Gregory the sixt, whom Platina with the former two, calleth Tria teterrima Monstra, and Cardinal Baronius the three headed Cerberus, and yet heads of the Church of CHRIST.  
After this Gregory the sixt, in short time succeeded Gregory the seventh, called before Hildebrand, or more rightly, a Hells-brand, Whom the council of Brixia accused of these wicked crimes following, (as the Abbot of Vrsperg reporteth) to wit, 
In vit● henrici 4. Imp. f. 237.  simony and intrusion, sedition, adultery, sacrilege, murder. perjury, witchcraft, & necromancy, & therefore accordingly adjudged him worthy to be deposed.  
Thereafter did Boniface the Eight succeed in the papal sea, who (sayeth Platina) Strove more to shake with terror Emperors, Kings, Princes, Nations, & people, than any ways make them religious, (Far contrare to Christ's example or Peter's, whose vicar or successor he● claimeth to be) and of whom that Charter Monk, author of Fasciculus temporum, sayeth, That he entered like a fox, he lived like a lion, and died as a dog.  
But what shall I say of that notable whore and crafty Strumpet, who was Pope under the name of John the seventh▪ whose villainy & vile uncleamnes, was discovered by her bearing her birth on the very open streets of Rome, by God's special providence, while she was going in procession to the church of Lateran, between the theatre called Colossum, & S. Clement's Church, which thereafter since that time, Detestandi facinoris causa (sayeth Platina) never any Pope went, and for preventing the like whereof in time coming that hole in the chair wherein the Pope elected is first set, was devised, that by the last Deacon his genetalls may be handled for declaring him to be of the Masculine sex, as is reported by Platina, Martinus Polonus, Sigebert, Fasciculus temporum, and a cloud of many more popish historians.  
Likewise may be added that incestous Monster. Alexander the sixth with his own daughter Lucretia, Whose Epitaph was this. 
Hoc jacet in tumulo Lucretia nomine, sed re  
Thais, Alexandri filia, sponsa, nurus.  Whose life, as Guicciardin testifieth in his history of Italy was nothing else, But an acting of all monstrous uncleanness, 
Lib. 6. p. 202.  immoderate ambition, pestiferous perfidy, unheard of avarice, (sayeth he) & most horrible cruelty.  
I could recite many more examples, but these may suffice, so that it is most true which the Jesuite Pererius speaketh of Antichrist, 
In dan. 9 lib 4.§ ●ecpriora.  that inwardly and in secret Super omnes voluptuarius & libidinosus erit, externa vero conversatione castitate mentietur, That is, above all men he shall be given to voluptuousness & lechery, but in outward conversion he shall counterfite chastity.   

CHAP. XVII. Of Antichrists or the Pope and his clergy their feigned Miracles & lying wonders, 2. Thess. 2.9.  
OF this the Apostle forewarneth, speaking of Antichrist, and saying, 2. Thess. 2.9. Whose coming (sayeth he) is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, which he there calleth also, The deceiveableness of unrighteousness, & which 〈◊〉 called lying wonders, 
l. 20. c. 19  as Augustin teacheth in his book of the city of God, because they are either feigned by men, or the tricks of lying spirits for inducing men to believe lies, and so are either ● falso as their author, or ad falsum in their end. All which popish miracles I distinguish in three ranks, the first is of these who are falsely reported, but not done, the second is of these that seem to be done, but are only counterfited, the third is of these that are truly done, but by satan. The first of which are bred of lies, and nourished by credulity, the second sort is bred of fraud, and fed by superstition, it being hard to tell whether jugglers or priests (like these of Baal) have been greatest Cozeners. The third is, the working of Satan (as the Apostle speaketh 2. Thess. 2.9.) and his strong delusion of such, who because they receive not the love of the truth, therefore are given over to believe a lie, so that all popish miracles are either falsely reported, or falsely done, or falsely ascribed to God, saint, or angel. Whereof I may say with the learned & noble Romanlaurentiꝰ Valla, in his book, de donatione Constantini, Non desiderat sinceritas christiana patrocinium falsitatis, the sincerity of Christian religion standeth not in need of the patrociny of falsehood, It is sufficiently defended (sayeth he) by itself, and by it own light & verity, without these counterfeit and juggling tricks or fables, that are most contumelious (sayeth he) both against God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost.  
The first end of which lying wonders, their own Lyra showeth to be filthy gain, saying upon Daniel the eleventh, and history of the dragon, The people were then deceived sayeth he) by their Priests who worshipped the Dragon, for their temporal gain, and even so now in the Church there is sometimes great deceiving of the people, by miracles feigned by priests and their adherents (sayeth he) for their gain inlikemanner.  
Their own Cassander likewise showeth us that the fostering of error in the minds of the people is another end, 
Consult. Art. 21.  And that wicked men continuing in their wickedness, notwithstanding have believed, that by the intercession of saints only, they would readily be pardoned, which pernicious error (sayeth he) so far as can be; hath been confirmed by counterfeit miracles. Of which sort that book called, the golden Legend and Speculum exemplorum is fraughted and full, and which their own Melchior Canus Bishop of the Canaries, ingenously & with a sorrowful heart (as he professeth) calleth both false and ridiculous. 
Loc. co●. 11. c. 6.   
To begin then with these feigned miracles whereof their own Lyra speaketh which are for gain, I will instance first, That notable one practised by Pope Boniface the Eight (as the Pope● own secretary recordeth it, 
Platina i● vita Bonif. 8. ) not for a petty gain like inferior priests, but to attain to a popedom, which was thus.  
Boniface perceiving his predecessor Caelestin (who had been a Here●ite and was against his will elected Pope) to be a simple man, to move him to resign over the popedom to him, suborned one in the night time to be in the house near to his Chamber, & to counterfeit himself to be an Angel sent from God, & by speaking thorough a hollow reed to him to direct him to dimitt the Popedom to Boniface, if he would be saved, which the simple man took to be a miraculous advertisement, and so dimitted the popedom.  
Another notable and later example in anno 1534. known to all FRANCE was this, 
See Sleid. come. lib. 9 f. 94.  The provost of Orleans wife died, and forebade her body to be buried with great solemnity (as use was) whereby the grey friars in whose Church she was buried, being disappointed of the great gain which they expected, suborned a young friar, placed above the syling of the Church in the time of evensong, to make a great noise, whereupon many resorting thither, and conjuration of the spirit being used to declare who he was, Answered, that it was the soul of the Provost of Orleans wife, & was damned for the Lutheran heresy (tho she died a Roman Catholic) and she made that noise that her body might be raised out of the grave in that Church, and laid in some other common & unhallowed place, which thing the Provost, & some both of his and her friends, suspecting this to be a fraudulent trick of revenge, because they had not gotten their expected gain at her death and burial, they went to the King and desired the matter to be tried, which being done before the Parliament of PARIS, it was at last found out and confessed; and the young friar, with the first Devysers, who were Colimannus, and one Stephanus Atrebatensis with their associates, were adjudged to be carried to Orleans, where the fact was committed, and thereafter to be brought forth to the place where public execution is used upon Malefactors, and openly there to confess their fraud, and to be accounted thence-foorth infamous for ever.  
Wherefore is it likewise but for gain? that the Pope ascribeth such wonders that his consecrated Aguus Dei's can work, if any do wear ●hem about them, as is comprehended in these verses following. 
Fulgura doorsum depellit, omne malignum  
Peccatum frangit, vt Christi sanguis, & angit,  
Pregnans servatur, simul & partus liberatur  
Munera fert dignis, 
Let 88 disprove this.  virtutem destruit ignis,  
Portatus mundae de fluctibus erip●● undae.  So that the Pope cannot only work wonders himself, but as he pretendeth here, can give a constant virtue to a dead thing carried about to do the like.  
But of all popish miracles this may be accounted the greatest lying wonder, which a priest daily doth work by his whispering over a little piece bread fyve words of consecration, that he thereby immediately turneth the same into the substance of Christ's flesh and blood, and that thus Christ's body is multiplied in so many thousands of places at once, where the mass is said, and the creature becometh the Creator of his own creator.  
Next to come to these Fabulous feigned wonders that are for confirmation of errors, they are either fabled to be so by men, or if they be really wrought they are (as their own Biell hereafter declareth) by the operation of the devil.  
These then which are fabulously reported by men, we have one, whereof Platina maketh mention in the life of Sergius tertiꝰ, to confirm the great reverence that is due to the Pope, which was, that after Sergius the 3. had raised out of the grave the body of his predecessor Formosus, & after beheaded him, as if he had been alive, & did cast his body into the river Tiber, as unworthy of Christian burial, yet thereafter his body being caught into a net by some fishers, and brought to S. Peter's Church, all the Images that were there, bowed to him and did reverence.  
Another to confirm the reverence & adoration that is due to the Hostie, Bellarmin telleth us in his third book of the Eucharist & 8. Chapter of a hungry Mare, who notwithstanding, the Hostie coming by, left her corn and turned her about to worship the Hostie.  
Another doth Gabriel Biell report, That some shepherds in the field, 
Biel in c●non, missae, Lest .15.  having laid down their bread upon a stone, and having pronounced over the same words of consecration, the bread turned into flesh.  
Another to confirm the order of their friars▪ It is reported that S. Dominik had such power over the Devil, that he forced him, when he appeared to him, by his conjuration: so long to hold his Lamp in his hand till it was consumed, and that the devil was not only troubled there with, 
Loc. come. 11. c. 6.  but also greatly tormented. This their forecited Melchior Canus reporteth, and yet ingenously giving his own judgement thereupon, calleth it a thing that is most ridiculous.  
And more particularly to come to such sort of miracles that are reported to have been done in Rome, in a most ancient book (which I have beside me) called Mirabilia Rome, printed at Rome by one John Besicken, anno 1500. in the tenth year of Pope Alexander the sixth.  
1. In the Church of S. Paul, at the right side of the choir, it is reported that there standeth the cross which spoke to S. Bridget for her continual Prayer before the same 2. That in S. Mary's in the porch, are two Images of CHRIST, and the virgin Mary, which a noble Roman Lady, named Galla received while she was at dinner, sent down to her from Heaven for her great devotion. 3. In the Church of S. Alexiꝰ upon the hill called Aventine that the image of the virgin Mary which is there, spoke to the keeper of that Church much to the praise of Alexius. 4. That in S. Mary's Church, is Her image, which spoke to Pope Gregory, saying, Why dost thou not of●ner salute me, seeing ever as thou passeth by thou salutes this my image? for which neglect upon his knees he presently craved Pardon, and ordained that all who should salute her there, should have 15. years of indulgence.  
This made that learned Valla of their own, cry out saying in his book of Constantins donation, O miram hominum dementiam qui his anilibus deliramentis fidem habent. That is, O wonderful madness of men who give credit to such old-wyves fables & fancies. And therefore he subjo●neth saying, ●r●bescat Christianus homo qui veritatis se ac lucis filium nominat proloqui quae non modo vera non sunt nec veresimilia. That is, let any Christian man be ashamed who calls himself a son of truth and of the light to utter these things which not only are no-wise true, but hath not a likeli-hood of truth.  
Last of all to come to such signs and lying wonders that are for confirmation of popish errors and are by the delusion or operation of the devil, whose vicar the Pope is more truly than Christ's, First, for apparition of souls, and confirmation of purgatory whereas we have sundry popish histories, let Chrysostom declare in his 29 Homile upon Matthew, what these are, for thus he speaketh, These voices that say, I am the soul of such a one proceedeth (sayeth he) from the fraud and deceat of the devil, for it is not the soul that departed that sayeth that, but Satan (sayeth he) who that he may deceive the Hearers feigneth himself to be that soul.  
Next whereas for confirmation of the worship of Images & going to such places in pilgrimage as Loretto, our lady of Hales, & the like, sundry miracles are ob●ruded to be believed to be wrought by them set down by Turselin the Jesuite. Their own famous Gabriel Biell in his 49. lecture on the Cannon of the mass speaketh thus. If at any time miracles be wrought upon men (sayeth he) who have recourse unto them, this is not by virtue of the Images, but by the operation of the devil sometimes, to deceive (sayeth he) such disorderly Worshippers, God so permitting, & their infidelity so deserving the same.  
Of all these miracles then, that are pretended to be wrought by the Pope, or the Roman Church,, we may justly answer them in Augustins' words, & threteen treatise upon John, saying. The Lord hath forewarned us of these who pretend miracles, foretelling us that in these last days false Prophets shall arise, working signs & wonders that they may seduce (if it were possible the very Elect, & that the coming of Antichrist shall be after the working of Satan, with all power or efficacy, and with signs & lying wonders. So that how many miracles or wonders Romanists do allege for them, to prove them to be the true Church, with so many arguments do they furnish us against them, to prove their Church to be Antichristian, & the Head thereof to be that foretold Antichrist.  
For Moses did show Deu. 13.1. that a false Prophet may work a sign and wonder, and for this end to draw God's people to idolatry, as our Saviour likewise did forewarn that false Prophets should arise and work {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}, great wonders. 
Math. 24.24.  The Romanists therefore argue preposterously, while they would prove the truth of their doctrine by miracles, whereas they should prove their miracles to be true, by the truth of their doctrine, and agreement with scripture, this alone being the true and golden rule which Justine Martyr setteth down to know true and divine miracles and discern them from others, 
Quest. 5.  to wit, by the doctrine which they confirm, if it be that, which is registrate in the Word of God, to which they are seals  
As for that revel 13.13. Where it is said, that the second beast (whereby Antichrist is meaned) doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven upon the earth in the sight of men, allusion thereby being made to that fact of Elias in destroying his enemies by calling for fire from heaven to come down upon earth in the sight of men. 2. King. 1.10.11. Their own Lyra expoundeth this saying, Hic accipitur ignis metaphorice sicut & alia quae hic dicuntur, That is, fire is taken here metaphorically, as other things also which are here spoken. And thereafter, Inconspectu hominum, id est secundum falsa● estimationem credentium (sayeth he) that is, according to the false estimation of them who believed so. Whereby may be denotate the Pope's thunderbolts of excommunication against such as opposed him, and which (according to the false estimation of them who believed it) he hath power to throw down to destruction both their souls and bodies as unto fire eternally.  
These things therefore being demonstrat concerning Antichrist, First, who he is for Person. 2. Where he is, for Place. 3. When he came for Time, 4. What were his properties for Marks. To wit, 1. Exorbitant pride under a pretext of humility. 2. gross idolatry, under colour of devotion and piety. 3. bloody cruelty, palliated under the pretext of holy zeal and sanctity. 4. merchandise of spiritual things or simony, joined with horrid titles of blasphemy. 5. A lawless life, and in lechery, through feigned holiness and continency. And 6. lying wonders, by subtlety, abusing Christians simplicity.  
From all which former premises in all the preceding Chapters, I repeat that argument Wherewith I began, thus. Unto whom the whole prophecies of holy scripture describing that grand Antichrist, and being jointly or collectively taken, doth sole and only agree. He is that grand Antichrist, foretold in the scripture.  
But unto the Pope the whole prophecies of holy scripture describing that grand Antichrist, being jointly and collectively taken, doth sole & only agree. Therefore it followeth that he is that grand An●ichrist foretold in the scriptures.  
And I defy any Priest or papist to find out any other to whom these prophecies or properties v taken, (as said is) doth agree. And specially by the testimonies of these, that are of that persons profession, as we have brought the testimonies of Romanists to prove these of the Pope.  
Whence it is, that since the Pope came ●o that Meridian or {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} of his height, about the thousand year of God in the time of Gregory the 7. (as hath been said) and was fully then seen to be that man of sin spoken of 2. Thess. 2.4. The Lord hath stirred up from time to time in every century since, some witnesses to avow him to be that grand & foretold Antichrist, as in the year of God, 1100. or thereby. The Bishop of Florence in the time of Paschalis the second declareth clearly that the Pope was that Antichrist. 
anno 1100  The same likewise did one Dulcinus Navarensis preach, as may be seen more ample in that book, called, Catalogus testium veritatis, & the Mageburg centuries, Cent. 12. As likewise Joachimus Abbas declareth the same, being asked by Richard the first of England, as witnesseth Roger Hoveden in the life of Richard the first. So likewise did Honorius Augustodunensis dialog▪ de lib Arb. & predest. And as their own forecited Aventin reporteth, All good, plain, just, and ingenious persons (sayeth he) saw, that then began the kingdom of Antichrist. Avent. annal. Bojor. lib. 5. c. 10.  
Inlikemanner, anno 11200. one Walter Mapez Arch-dean of Oxford, 
anno 1200  a famous man both for life and learning, of whom Giraldus Cambrensis maketh mention, in his book, called, Speculum Ecclesiae lib. 3. c. 1. and 14. avowedly maintained that the Pope was that Antichrist. The same did Eberhardus archbishop of Salisburg in a public imperial diet at Reinsburg, as Aventin recordeth in his 5. and 7. books of the Bavarian annals·s As also Robert Grosthead called the worthy Bishopeof Lincoln, as Matthew Paris reporteth in the life of Henry the third Whose bones therefore were thereafter caused to be raised by Pope Innocent and cast out of the Church.  

anno 1300  Likewise in the 1300 year of God, Marsilius Patavinus in his book called Defensor pacis, c, 25. affirmeth that the Pope was that foretold Antichrist. So likewise did that worthy gentleman & famous Poet in his time, Gefrey Chaucer in his ploughman's tale at large. As also Michael Caesenas principal or prior of the grey friars, with diverse others. But most specially their famous Petrarch in that Epistle where he deploreth the calamity of the town of Rome cited abefore.  
Detainer, in the year 1400. 
anno 1400  John Wickleff in England, whom thereafter followed John Huss and Jerom of Prague in BOHEME, avowedly taught and did prove the Pope to be Antichrist. Witnessing the same to their death. Which then many houndreths, yea thousands public professed & maintained with their blood.  
Last of all in the year 1500. 
anno 1500  or little after, beside Jerome Savanarola in Italy▪ The Lord stirred up Luther in Germany, Melancton and many more to discover & declare the Pope to be that man of sin and foreprophecied Antichrist. which in all reformed Churches is now held for a most sure and true assertion, upon the grounds an d reasons that already hath been declared. So that it is no new doctrine, braoched only since Luther's time (as papists affirm) that the Pope is Antichrist. But grounded upon scripture and avowed by many who lived and died in the external Communion of the Roman Church, long before Luther.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of the final destruction of Antichrist and ruin of the papal sea. 2. Thess. 2.8.  
IT being already shown concerning Antichrist, who he is, and where he is, when he came, & whence he came, and what are his marks also whereby he may be known, followeth now at last that we see, what shall be his end, or whether he goeth, and this shall be according to his name given to him by Paul, & common with Judas, that is, he is called the son of perdition, & accordingly to perdition he shall go. And as he is called Abbadon Apolyon a Destroyer, so shall destruction be his later end. The manner whereof the Apostle setteth down 2. Thess. 2.8. That first that wicked man shall be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of his mouth, and at last shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming. Which Cardinal Cajetan so expoundeth, By the breath of his mouth that is (sayeth he) by the spiritual virtue of the word of the gospel piece and piece shall he turn away men from following of Antichrist, and lead them to embrace the truth. Which indeed is that victory of the Lamb spoken of Revel. 17.14. And the effect of that glorious work of Reformation begun before our days, & which shall hold on in maugre of the opposition of all the enemies thereof, till it come to the finishing cubit, and Dagon utterly fall before the Ark of God, so that it may justly then be said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, & that these lofty towers of hers are utterly and for ever laid in the dust. 
Revel 18.   
Of which her final destruction long ago did her own Nicolaus Clemangis Archdeane of Bajon and Parisian doctor of theology forewarn her in his book, 
P. 64.  De corrupto Ecclesiae statu, saying. If therefore according to Ezekiel's parable of the two sisters Ahola and Aholiha, their elder sister (meaning Rome) hath done the like, yea, in a mad humour hath exceeded them in wickedness and fornication, How shall she think upon impunity? Therefore awake (sayeth he) at last out of thy long sleep (O unhapy Sister to that Synagogue) I say awake at last, and put an end (as I may say) to thy sleeping out of thy drunkenness wherein so long thou hast continued. And see read and understand that Prophet, and others, if by the testimony of that prophet, thy ebriety hath not besotted thy heart, If therefore there be any spark left unto thee of a sound mind, diligently (sayeth he) consider the prophet's speeches and thy own estate, and that thy confusion is not sleeping, but it is at hand, and thou shall see what end abideth thee, although wickedly and dangerously thou hast lain so long in thy filthiness; And if thou will not hear the Prophets, nor believe that they speak of thee, when they threaten so heavy judgements, thou truly deceiveth thyself and by too dangerous an error beguileth thyself: For it is of thee that they speak, and thou should acknowledge, that these things which they threaten shall fall upon thee except thou repent. But giving and not granting that their prophecies concerneth others than thee. What thinketh thou (sayeth he) of that prophecy that merely concerneth thee, to wit, that of John in th' e Revelation? at least dost thou not think in some part that belongeth to thee? Or hast thou lost so all shame and sense tha● thou can deny that? Behold therefore that prophecy, and read the damnation of the great whore that sitteth on many waters (sayeth he) and there behold thy wicked deeds, & thy fusure fall. A good progres● whereof to God's glory and his saints rejoicing is already seen, and as Euphrates was diverted by Cyrus from the eastern Babylon before her overthrow, so by the diverting and drying up of these waters in a great part, whereupon the whore sitteth, by God's people deserting this Western Babylon & their coming ou● of her upon God's call (as Lot did out of Sodom, God's people out of Egypt, & the Christians out of Jerusalem to Pella before the destruction thereof) her overthrow and final destruction likewise is shortly to follow, & as the Prophet speaketh jer. 51.33. As the tim of Babel's threshing is come, yet a little while, & the time of her harvest shall come, & tho she sit as a Queen and in her security sayeth, she is 〈◊〉 widow, & shall see no sorrow, yet her destruction & plagues shall come upon her in a day when she looketh not for it, the reason whe●eof is rendered to be this, in o●position to her strength and all her adherents, For strong is the Lord that judgeth her▪ and loud is the cry of that blood, shed by her. Rev. 18.24. In which work (as was said of Eastern Babylon before) so happy shall they be whether princes, pastors, or people, 
Psael. 137.9.  according to their several stations, that shall be found most instrumental; The full performance whereof the Lord hasten to His glory and his saints rejoicing. AMEN.   

To be added after the 3 line of 151. page.  
This John the 12. in a council at Rome, anno 692. Under the Emperor Otho was (as their Onuphrius reporteth) multis & magnis criminibus damnatus. Which their own Abbot Tritemiꝰ paticularizeth as horrid cruelty, multiplied incests, drinking to the devil, 
Chr. Trit. f. 42.  at dice invocating Venus and Juno with other heathen gods, murder, perjury, and sacrilege, &c. Whereby any may judge how justly this Pope might be called his holiness.