Glimpses of Christian History Presents Pastwords #190: Willet Gives His Opinions on Anti-Christ; Commentary on Daniel's Prophecy by Andrew Willet ©2007

WILLET, ANDREW. Hexampla in Danielem: That is a Six-fold Commentarie upon the most divine phopheisie of Daniel, wherein according to the method propounded In Hexapla upon Genesis and Exodus, sixe things are observed in every Chapter. 1. The Argument and Method. 2. The divers readings. #. The Questions discussed. 4. Doctrines noted. 5. Controversies handled. K 6. Morall observations applied. Wherein many obscure visions, and divine Prophesies are opened, and difficult questions handled with great brevitie, perspicuity, and varietie, which are summed to the number of 536 beside the Controversies 134. in the Table, in the end of the booke: and the best Interpreters both old and new are therein abridged. Divided into two bookes: the first containing the historicall part of this Prophesie, in the 6. first Chapters: the propheticall, in the 6. last. By Andrew Willet Professour of Divinitie. The First Booke (& Second) Ezek. 28. 3. Behold thou art wiser then Daniel, there is no Secret that they can hide from thee. Printed by Cantrell Legge, Printer to the Universitie of Cambridge. 1610.

Andrew Willet (1562-162) Puritan divine; fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge; took holy order 1585, Prebendary of Ely 1587; rector of Barley, 1599-1621; produced numerous works of biblical commentary and theology. In doctrine he was Calvinistic in tendency, and a strenuous opponent of the papal claims, but was strongly opposed to separatists. Concise Dict. Natl. Biog., 1961, p1407. Dr. Willet was a man of uncommon reading, having digested the fathers, councils, ecclesiastical histories, the civil and canon law, and numerous writers of almost all descriptions. Indeed, he read so much, and understood and retained what he had read so well, that he was denominated a living library."--Brooks: Lives of the Puritans, p. 285. Dr. Williams says that this is a work of much information, as it contains the "opinions of many authors on each point of difficulty." He adds that in none of his expositions does Willet "discover more skill and judgment than in the present work." Spurgeon: Commenting and Commentariaes, NY, 187, p. 187.

. . . Here follow certaine controversies concerning Antichrist.

1. Controv. Of the birth and offspring of Antichrist.

any of the auncient writers, as they living many years before the manifestation of Antichrist in the world, were deceived in these particulars; so also they were much out of the way in true understanding of other points belonging to this mysterie of iniquitie. 1. Hyppolitus thought that Antichrist should be a Devill incarnate, and be begotten by fornication, & phantastica carnis substantia organi vice I Vice utetur, and should use a phanatasticall bodie, as his organe, &c. he thinketh that he should not have a true bodie, but onely in appearance.

2. Damascen thinketh not that Antichrist should be a Devill incarnate, yet he saith, that illum inhabitet Diabolus, &c. the devil should dwell in him, lib. 4. de fide orthodox. C. 18. that the Devill should possesse him both bodie and soule, that in him and by him he should exercise and practise all his malice. But these are mens fancies: 1. S. Paul calleth him the man of sinne: therefore a man he shall be, and not a devil in mans likenes. 2. and his coming shall be by the operation of Sathan, 2. Thess. 2. 9. not by the possession, and habitation of Sathan: Sathan may worke by those whome he possesseth not, and he may possesse their bodies by whome he worketh not

3. An other opinion of some auncient writers is, that Antichrist should be borne in Babylon: as Gregorie would gather so much out of the 2. of Numbers, where it is saide, that Dan pitched his tents toward the North: for Babylon Antichristi patria Aquilonaris est,&c. for Babylon the countrey of Antichrist is North to Judea. Gregor, lib. 31. moral. c. 10. but this is a very slender collection: 1. there onely the situation of the severall tribes is described, how they were placed in respect of the Tabernacle, which marched in the middes among them: and not only the tribe of Dan, but of Asher also and Nepthali did campe Northward. 2. Babylon is not now standing, but is come to perpetuall desolation, according to the prophesie of Isaiah, c. 13. 19. that Babylon should be as the destruction of God in Sodome and Gomorrha.

4. But it is almost a generall opinion among the auncient writers, that Antichrist should be born of the tribe of Dan: thus thought Ireneus, Hyppolitus, Hierome; Augustine, Prosper, Ambrose, Beda, Rupertus, with many others, which they would proove by these three places of Scripture, as Gen. 49. 10. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, biting the horse heeles. Jerem. 8. 16. The neying of his horses is heard from Dan: and because Apoc. 7. where 12. thousand are reckoned of every tribe, Dan is left out: the reason whereof they say is this, because Antichrist should come of Dan. Pererius subscribeth to this opinion, and alloweth of these reasons. But Bellarmine rejecteth this opinion as a fancie, and very sufficieantly answereth all the former places objected: for the first place is understood of Sampson, who was of the tribe of Dan: the second of Nebuchadnezzers coming to destroy Jerusalem, and so Hierome also expoundeth it: and in the third place Dan is left out, and so is Ephraim; because Joseph is named for the latter, and Levi for Dan. Thus Bellarmin. Lib. 3 de Roman. Pontif. cap. 12. Thus in this question one Jesuite (or if you will Judasite) is opposite to an other.

2. Controv. That Antichrist shall not be one particular man.

All there aforesaid, which affirme that Antichrist shall be a Devill incarnate, shall be borne in Babylon, and come of the tribe of Dan; they likewise hold, that he shall be one particular man. And this generally is the opinion of the Romanists at this day: so Pererius, Pintus, Bellarmine, with the rest: for if this could be proved, the Pope should be freed from the imputation of Antichrist.

But this opinion hath as small ground as the other, and it may thus be reselled by Scripture. 1. S. Paul saith, that the mysterie of iniquitie beganne even then already to worke in his time, 2. Thess. 2. 7. and S. John also agreeth, Of whome ye have heard (namely of Antichrist) how that he should come, and now already he is in the world. If Antichrist begunne to shew himselfe by his Antichristian doctrine even in the Apostles time, which is above 1500. yeares since, then can he not be one singular or speciall man.

2. S. John againe saith, 1 John. 2. 18. Babes, it is the last time, and if ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time: out of this place two conclusions may be inferred: the first is, Antichrist was to come in the last times, but Antichrist is now come, therefore these are the last times: If then Antichrist was come in his members and forerunners, he could not be one man, to have so many forerunners, and so long before: The other conclusion is this, that one Antichrist in many Antichrists, which is thus proved; those are the last daies, wherein the Antichrist shall come: but in these last daiaes there are many Antichrists: therefore many Antichrists are that one Antichrist.

3. S. Paul saith further, 2. Thess. 2. 3 There must come a departing first, and that man of sinne must be disclosed: from hence we may reason thus: There shall be a generall departure from the faith when Antichrist commeth: but a generall apostasie or departure from the faith, can not be in one particular enemie: therefore there shall not be one particular enemie to Christ, when Antichrist commeth.

But whereas the Scripture speaketh of the Antichrist in the singular number, the reason thereof is, because the Antichrist shall be the head of that Antichristian bodie, which shall set it selfe against the Church whereof Christ is the head: which Antichristian headship shall not rest in the person of one particular man: but shall adhere to a personall succession of particular men, who shall be the captaines and ring-leaders unto all Antichristianisme. Antichrist then upon the foresaid reasons shall rather by an Antichristian bodie politike, as are the Popes and Bishops of Rome, then any particular bodie. See more of this question Synops. Centur. 1. err. 56.

3. Controv. That Nero the Emperour shall not be the great Antichrist.

Severus Sulpitius writeth, lib. 2. sacr. history. That it was the opinion of some, that Nero should come againe in the ende of the world to be that great Antichrist: his words are these, Nero creditur, etiamsi seipsum gladio transfixerit, curato vulnere sius servatus, Nero is held, although he did thrust himselfe through with a sword, being healed of his wound, to be preserved; and to that purpose they alleadge that place. Apoc. 13. 3. I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death, but his deadly wound was healed: which they understand of Nero his wound healed againe. But the same Sulpitius dialog. 2. reporteth an other opinion, that Nero should come againe in the ende of the world, and tyrannize in the West parts, compelling men to worship the idols of the heath: and Antichrist should rage in the East, whose seat should be at Jerusalem, commanding men to be circumcised, and making himselfe the Messiah.

Augustine likewise remembreth this opinion of the coming againe of Nero in the ende of the world: Nonnulli Neronem resurrecturum & suturum Antichristum suspicantur: alij cum non occisum putant sed subtractum potius, &c. divers doe thinke, that Nero shall be raised againe to be that Antichrist: some thinke that he was not slaine, but rather taken away, and preserved in the same state of yeares, &c. lib. 20 de civit. Dei. c. 13.

But Augustine misliketh this opinion, and saith it is mira presumptio; a wonderfull presumption for any so to thinke. And beside there is no probabilitie of it: for it is not like that God would worke such a miracle for so notorious a wicked man, as either to raise him from the dead, before the generall resurrection, or to preserve him alive: we read onely of two that were translated, Henoch and Elias, both men: for such a wicked man to be translated, it neither hath probabilitie, neither yet is there any example for it.

That place in the Revelation is indeed understood of Nero, but not in that sense; in him the stocke of the Cesars was extinguished, and so the Imperiall succession received a deadly wound: but it was cured, in that the dignitie of the Empire was restored in the Emperors succeeding, though not lineally descended from Cesar.

4. Controv. That Antichrist shall be a deceiver rather then a victorious conquerer.

Pererius concurring with other Romanists, thinketh that Antichrist shall be the greatest Monarch that ever was: and that he shall overcome three kings, of Egypt, Africa, Ethiopia, and all the rest shall submit themselves unto him. lib. 14. in Daniel. in v. 24. Of the same minde was Lactantius, that Antichrist should overcome three kings, qui tum Asiam obtinebunt, & in societatem assumetur a caeteris, which shall then raigne in Asia, but he shall be admitted to the societie of the rest, &c. Lactant. lib. 7. c. 16. But Lactantius here saith, that the three kings, which Antichrist shall subdue, shall be three kings of Asia; whereas Pererius, and so likewise Bellarmine suppose them to be in Africa: so well men agree together, when they follow their owne fancies.

2. Whereas Pererius would have Antichrist to be the greatest Monarch that ever was in the world, because it is said, v. 24. that he should doe that, which his fathers had not done, nor his fathers fathers, that place in understood of Antiochus, who is not simply saide to doe that, which his fathers had not done: for there were of his predecessors, mightier then he, as Seleucus Nicanor, and Antiochus the great: but none had made such spoile of Egypt before, as he should doe, as hath beene further shewed, qu. 31.

3. But that Antichrist shall insinuate himselfe rather as a craftie deceiver, then as a mightie conquerer, is evident by S. Pauls description, 2. Thess. 2.9. Whose coming is by the working of Sathan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders: in all deceivableness of unrighteousness: and v. 11. God shall send them strong delusions to believe lies. He shall deceive rather with lies and false doctrine, then conquer by force and violence. So S. John describeth the Antichrists in his time by their corrupt doctrine, 1 John. 2. 18 and 4.3. see more hereof Synops. Ceantur. 1. err. 64.

5. Controv. Of Antichrists miracles.

1. It is also an old opinion, that Antichrist shall worke many strange miracles: as strange miracles: as Hyppolitus thus setteth them downe, Leprosos mundabit, paraclyticos sanabit, demons expellet, &c. he shall cleanse the lepers, heale them that have the palsey, cast out devils: he shall tell things farre off, as if they were present, raise the dead, remove mountaines, walke with his feete upon the sea, bring downe fire from heaven, he shall turne the day into darkenes, and night into day, and bring the Sunne about which way he will, and he shall shew that all the elements are obedient unto him; so alsoLactantius saith, l. 7. c. 17. that he shall stay the sunne from his course, and cause images to speak.

2. Pererius also delivereth his opinion thus, speaking more distinctly of these miracles. Some are profitable miracles, as such as Christ did in healing of the lame, and sicke: some are curious, as to cause images to speake, and to cause ignorant persons, and children to speake with divers tongues: some are powerful miracles, as to bringe down fire from heaven, and to command the Sunne: all these things he thinketh Antichrist shall doe. Buy yet there are some miracles which are done by a supernaturall power, as to raise the dead, which onely God can doe, and these shall be exempted out of Antichrists power: yet whatsoever may be wrought by naturall causes, Antichrist, the devil concurring with him, shall doe, though they be never so strange.

3. But these are mens phansies and dreames: 1. to heale diseases naturally incurable, as to make men see or heare, that are naturally blind, is beyond any naturall cause: and onely the Creator can heale those defects in his creature. 2. much more supernaturall is it to command the Sunne, and to change the season of the day or night: the Devill can doe none of these things. 3. Neither can he by his owne power raise lightning and tempest for the Lord brought upon Egypt by Moses ministerie the great thunder and lightening: and the fire which came downe from heaven, and destroyed Jobs sheepe, is called the fire of God, wherein it pleased God to use the ministerie of Sathan: for if this were in Satans power, then Baals priests that served the Devill, might have brought downe fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, as Elias did. 4. The Devill yet, the naturall cause beginner to worke, can applie them, and remove them from place to place, as the fire and lightning being caused by Gods power, he might bring it downe upon Jobs sheepe: and the winds first raised, he directed upon the house, where Jobs children were though of his own power he can not cause lightening and tempest: see this question handled more at large, Hexapl. in Exod. c. 7. qu. 15. 5. Whereas then it is said, that Antichrist shall bring downe fire from heaven, and cause an image to speake, though some understand these things mystically, Bulling, as I have shewed elsewhere; yet it may literally also be understood: for in the Popes legends such things are to be found, that their canonized Saints are said to have raised tempests, walked upon the sea, and caused images to speake: such things their legend stories are full of. And at the tombs of their Saints, to the which simple people come in pilgrimage, they made them believe, that many blinde received their sight, many coming lame, returned hole and sound: yea they imagined the dead to be raised out of their graves. 6. And these strange things, so farre as the power of Sathan could extend, were done verily: for even such things were wrought by the operation of Sathan among the heathen: as Claudia a Vestal Virgin to proove her chastity, did stirre a shippe alone by tying her girdle to it: and Tucia an other Virgin on the same order, did carrie water in a sive from the river Tibris to the Capitol. Plin. lib. 28. c. 2. But many of their strange works, were but fained and counterfeit miracles, such are those fore-named, which they fable to be done at their Saints tombe. So that, though all the foresaid miracles, mentioned by Hyppolitus (Pererius subscribing) shall be wrought by Antichrist yet many of them, some true, some forged have been practiced in the Papal Church, that in this behalfe, we neede goe no further to seeke Antichrist.

6. Controv. That Antichrists coming shall not be deferred to the ends of the world.

This is the generall opinion of the Romanists, that Antichrist shall raigne but 3. years and an halfe, and then at the end of the world shall be slaine: so Bellar. lib. 3. de Rom., Pontif. c. 4. and the rest doe concurre with him therein. Lactantius also seemeth to favour this opinion, who thinketh that the coming of Antichrist shall be in extremis munde temporibus, in the last times of the world. lib. 7. c. 16.

But this opinion can not stand with the Scriptures 1. the mysteries of iniquietie beganne to worke in S. Pauls time, even then a way was preparing for Antichrist: If even then Antichrist were in hatching, it is not like, that all this while he should onely be in the egge: that uncleane bird hath long since broken the shell, and the cockatrice egge a good while since hath brought forth a serpent. 2. Antichrist must come at the loosing of Sathan: for then, when Antichrist should shew himselfe, he shall come by the operation of Sathan, with all power and signes, and lying wonders, 2. Thess. 2. 9. but Sathan is let loose many yeares since: he was to be bound but for a thousand yeares, Rev. 20. 3. which thousand yeares are long agoe expired. 3. We graunt that Antichrist shall not utterly be confounded till the second coming of Christ: some reliques of that adversarie shall remaine for Christ to abolish at the brightnes of his coming, as S. Paul saith, 2. Thess. 2. 8. but his coming upon the foresaid reasons cannot be deferred so long: see more also of this matter elsewhere.

7. Controv. That Antichrists seat shall not be at Jerusalem.

So hold the Romanists generally that Antichrist shall have his Imperiall seate at Jerusalem, command circumcision, and cause the Temple to be reedified. Bellar. lib.3. de Roman. Pontif. C. 13. Rhemists 2. Thess. 2. sect. 11.

But this is a groundlesse and weake conceit of theirs, as it may appeare evidently by these reasons: New Babylon shall be the seate of Antichrist. Apoc. 17. 15. but Rome is new Babylon: the great citie which then ruled over the earth was Babylon, Apoc. 17. 5. 18. but that was Rome, which then had the command of the earth: Hierome also saith, speaking of Rome, dum in Babylone versarer, while I was conversant in Babylon. prasat. ad Paulinum. 2. Againe, in the same chapter, Apoc. 17. v. 9 it is said, the seven heads are seven mountains, whereon on the woman sitteth: the citie which stood upon seven mountains should be the seat of Antichrist but Rome is notoriously knowne to be that citie built upon seven hills: therefore none other seat shall Antichrist have then the citie of Rome: see further elsewhere we must but touch every thing briefly here.

8. Controv. That the Citie of Rome shall not be utterly destroyed before Antichrist shall come.

This was an other of Lactantius conceits, approved by Pererius, Incolumi urhe Roman nihil istiusmodi videtur metuendum, as long as the citie of Rome is safe, no such things is to be feared; but when that head citie of the world is fallen, and Rome begun to be ( that is, a ruine) as Sybil said, who will doubt but that the end of humane things is then at had, &c.

1. The same Lactantius was of opinion, that the world should ende within 200. yeares after his time: the one is as true as the other. 2. True it is that as long as the Romane Empire continued in the full strength and authoritie, Antichrist was kept out, and that is it which should withhold and let Antichrists coming, till it were taken out of the way, where of S. Paul speaketh, 2. Thess. 2. 7. for it is evident, that the Pope encreased in power by the ruine and decay of the Empire. 3. It is also true, that the citie of Rome was never more ruinated, defaced, and spoiled, then since it hath been under the command and obedience of the Pope, by the Gothes, Vandals, Lombards, and others. 4. But that Rome should be utterly desolate, and brought to a finall ruine, is contrarie to the divine prophesie of the Revelation, which maketh the citie with seven hills to be the seat of Antichrist, as is shewed in the former controversie.

9. Controv. That the Papists Antichrist, and the Jewes Messiah shall come together.

Hyppolitus, whose opinion herein Pererius followeth, thus writeth of Antichrist, Potissimum Gens Hebraeorum prae omnibus Antichristo chara erit, &c. The nation of the Hebrewes shall be before all other most deare unto Antichrist, and one shall say unto an other, can a man in our age such as this, so good, and so just be found? The Jewes therefore hoping that he shall obtaine a most large Empire, shall thus say unto him: We will obey you, for we acknowledge you to be just above all the earth, all we hope to obtaine salvation by you, &c. Gregorie also in his time seemed to favour that fancie: quia Judaiz are populum compellet, ut ritus Mosaicae legis ravocet, &c. because he shall compel the people to Judaize, that he might revive the rites of Moses law, and bring the Jewes in subjection unto him, he shall cause the Sabbath to be observed, &c. lib. 1 1. epist. c. 3.

These scrapes of some auncient writers the Romanists in these daies have gathered up, who affirmed the same, that Antichrist shall have his seat at Jerusalem, reedifie the Temple, and command circumsicion.

The same is the general opinion of the Jewes, that when their expected Messiah commeth, the citie and Temple shall be built againe, and he shall restore unto them their kingdome and countrey, & be a victorious conqueror, suppressing the armies of Gog & Magog.

Now then, as the Romanists themselves hold the obstinate Jewes to be in error, that denie the Messiah and Christ to be come, looking for an other so they making their Antichrist to be the same with the Jewes Messiah, are in the like error, expecting for the coming of an other Antichrist, who long since is come already, and manifested in the world: and as soone shall the Jewes Messiah come, as this their imagined Antichrist. Having now thus briefly discovered these errors of the Romanists concerning Antichrist, we will now come to set forth the true signes and marks, whereby the Antichrist is discovered, and so find him out where he is.

10. Controv. Of the true markes whereby Antichrist may be discerned.

1. As he is called Antichrist, so he shall in all things be opposite and contrarie unto Christ. 1. Christ was most holy, and by the spirit of God which remained in him, was moved in his thoughts, words, and workes onely to that which was good: but Antichrist by the operation and instinct of Sathan shall be stirred up unto all kind of evill: this Pererius confesseth: & how this hath bin performed in that Romish chaire of pestilence, all the world seeth, and they which are not willfully blinded must needes acknowledge: what blashphemie, idolatrie, profaneness, uncleannes of life, murders, and other impieties have beene committed by that Sea, hath beene abundantly shewed elswhre so that that title, which the holy Apostle hath given unto Antichrist, calling him the man of sinne, 2. Thess. 2. 8. doth more fitly agree unto none, then to be Bishop of Rome. 2. Christ was humble and meeke: but Antichrist shall be most proud. 3. Christ was most obedient unto his father, and gave most honourable testimonie of him: Antichrist shall be most contumelious and blasphemous against God, and therefore he is said Apoc. 13. to be full of the names of blasphemie. 4. Christ came to preach the truth, Antichrist shall be the sower of all corrupt and false doctrine. 5. Christ said his kingdome was not of this world but Antichrist shall altogether seeke the pompe and glorie of this world. 6. Christ was the head of all good and holy men, and Antichrist shal be caput malorum, the head of the evill and wicked men. These notes and marks Pererius giveth of Antichrist, shewing wherein he shall be an enemie and adversarie unto Christ. All which notes and markes doe most fitly agree to the Bishop of Rome: for what place can shew more examples of all kind of wickedness then that? who is more proud and ambitious blasphemous then he? where is taught more false and corrupt doctrine than there who seeketh more the outward pompe of the world then he? and who els chalengeth to be head of the (malignant) Church but he?

2. Pererius saith that Antichrist shall be a great dissembler and hypocrite, he shall make a shew of three great virtues, chastity, abstinencie, and pietie. And who maketh a greater shew of these then the Pope? He would seeme to be so chast, that he forbiddeth his Clergie lawfull marriage, yet suffering them to practice secretly all kind of uncleanness: he would seem to be abstemious in forbidding the use of lawfull meates: and for his pietie he will be saluted and called the most holy father.

3. Antichrist shall corrupt many with his great gifts and liberall rewards: And so the Pope hath Cardinals hats, Archbishops palles, Bishops miters, and other dignities, with ample and large revenues to bestow upon his followers as Bishop Fisher in king Henries daies was rewarded with a Cardinals hat for his good service in maintaining the Popes supremacie: but the head that should have worne it, was first set up upon London bridge. Bellarmine for his great paines taken in defending of the Popes supremacie, and other points of Antichristian doctrine, was made a Cardinal.

4. Pererius addedth further, that whome Antichrist cannot winne with flatterie & gifts, he will seeke to overcome by terror and torments, lib. 14. in 11. Dan. V. 21. Such hath beene the practice of the Antichristian Prelates, as the former daies of persecution in England doe plentifully testifie: for first they would set upon the faithfull servants of God by flatterie and faire promise, and so not prevailing, they would threaten faggot and fire: this may be evidently seene in the examinations of the blessed servants of God, D. Taylor, M. Philpot, M. Bradford, with the rest.

5. Last of all, Antichrist shall deceive, saith Pererius, saciendo plurima & admiranda prodigia, by working many prodigious things: And this hath beene the continuall practice of the Papal Church, with forged miracles to deceive the simple people, as hath beene before declared: And hitherto I have followed Pererius steppes, shewing how his markes of Antichrist doe most fitly agree unto his Pope holy father the Bishop of Rome.

11. Controv. How the description of Antiochus historically, doth typically decipher the Pope and Antichrist.

Though in this propheticall narration of Daniel, C. 11. from v. 21 to the ende, Antiochus be properly described, yet figuratively it may be applied unto Antichrist. And it letteth not, that Antiochus was a civill and temporall king, and the Pope taketh upon him chiefely to be a spirituall governour; for as Doeg, not withstanding he was one of Sauls courtiers, yet was a type of Judas one of the twelve Apostles, as appeareth, Psal. 69. 26. and 109. 8. compared with Act. 1. 20. And so Achitophel also one of Davids politike Counsellers of state, a figure of the same Judas, Psal. 55. 14. and Mark. 14. 20. So Antiochus as well may be a figure and type of the Antichristian Prelate.

1. Antiochus is said to be a vile and abject person, and not to have come unto the honour of the kingdome by any right and title, or by consent or election, but by flatterie So the Romane Bishop was at the first of small respect, who by little and little usurped over the Church, not by any right or title thereunto, or by common consent and suffrage of the Church, but by flatterie and deceit, Bulling. Polan. Hereunto also agreeth the former propheise, c. 7. 8. where this enemie unto the people of God is called a little horne, in respect of his obscure and base beginning: and Revel. 13. the beast which signifieth Antichrist, is said to ascend out of the earth.

2. Antiochus is set forth as a victorious conqueror: the armes shall be broken before him, v. 22. So the Antichrist of Rome hath much prevailed and prospered in the world, though not so much by force as by craft and subtiltie, Oecolamp.

3. Antiochus is set forth by his rapacity: he spoyled and robbed Egypt, and the most pleasant places thereof more, than ever did any before him, v. 24. And thus hath the Romane Antichrist in time past polled and pilled the world, by his annates, first fruites, tenths, Peter-pence, pardons, and such like devices to get money.

4. Antiochus is also described by his dissimulation, that he with the king of Egypt shall talke of deceit even at the same table, but his heart even then shall be to doe mischiefe, v. 27. So there hath not beene more deepe dissimulation practized with kings and Princes; then by the Bishops of Rome.

5. As Antiochus practiced with the forsakers of the holy covenant, v. 30. by their meanes to seeke to prevaile against Gods people: So hath the Pope ysed as his ministers and instruments runnagates from their countrey, and Apostataes from the faith: as is evident to all the world in those monstrous and unnaturall treasons, which have beene attempted against this nation and Church of England: And as Daniel prophesied of Antiochus, that he should have intelligence and consult with them that did forsake the covenant, v. 30. so S. Paul saith that there shall come a departing first, (that is, from the faith) and that man of sinne shall be disclosed: But because there is some difference betweene us and the Papists, what this apostasie and departure from the faith should meane, it shall not be amisse a little to insist thereupon.

Controv. 12. That S. Paul speaketh of an apostasie and departing from the faith, 2. Thessal. 2. 3.

1. Pererius thinketh that this Apostasie is to be understood of the departure and falling away from the Romane Empire, and to that purpose he alleadgeth Lactantius, who saith, incolumi urbe Roman nihil is tiusmodi esse motuendum, that so long as the citie of Rome is safe, no such thing is to be feared, &c. Bellarmine also bringeth this one exposition. 2. and further he addeth that by this apostasie we may understand, dispositionem adregnu Antichristi, a disposition or preparation to the kingdome of Antichrist. 3. and if it be understood of a defection or falling away from the faith, he thinketh it rather to agree to the Protestants, then any other, who are departed from the unitie of the Church.

Contra. 1. It shall be shewed that apostasie is here to be taken, not as the word is used in the Civill lawe, for a departure either of a subject from the obedience of his prince, or of a souldier from his captaine: for S. Paul speaketh not here of such civill and politike matters: or as the Romanists call apostasie, when one leaveth the order and sect into the which he was entred: for in S. Pauls time, there were no such superstitious sects of Monkereie: but that Ajpostasie here is to be taken for a departure and falling away from the faith, it may thus appeare.

1. So is this word used in other places of the newe Testament: as Act. 21. 11. They are informed of thee (saith James to Paul) that thou teachest the Jewes to forsake (or play the Apostataes from) Moses: 1. Timoth. 4. 1. the spirit speaketh evidently, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, and shall give heede to the spirit of error, and to the doctrine of devils. 2. The event is answerable hereunto: for together with the rising and manifestation of Antichrist, came in a generall corruption and depravation of the most of the articles of Christian religion. 3. thus also diverse of the auncient writers, expound this place: Justin. Martyr calleth Antichrist, defectionis homo, a man of apostasie or falling away, dialog. Cum Tryphon. Irreneus saith, he shall be sine lege quasi Apostasa, as an Apostata without lawe, lib. 5. advers. haeref. c.21. so also expound Priimasius, Cyrillus, Chrysostome, Oecumenius. 4. Thus also Thomas in explanantion. Lyranus, Hugo Sard. expound, the the Rhemists also upon this place mislike not this sense.

2. A diposition or preparation it cannot be unto Antichrists kindome: because it is said that the man of sinne shall thereby be disclosed: he shall then come together with it, because he shall be revealed by it.

3. But it is a false imputation upon the Protestants, that they are Apostataes: They have separated themselves from the Church of Rome, as did Enosh, and the faithfull of the olde world from the posteritie of Caine, and as our Blessed Saviour and his Apostles divided themselves from the synagogue of the Scribes and Pharisies: But they were departed first from the doctrine of Moses: as the Romane sectaries have declined from the auncient Apostolike faith, in stead thereof establishing their owne traditions, and the doctrines of men.

13. Controv. Of other notes and markes wherein Antiochus and Antichrist agree.

6. As Antiochus used the armes and armies of his captaines to oppresse the Jewes So likewise the Bishops of Rome have abused the secular arme and power to maintaine their pompe, and ambition, and to establish their superstition.

Marcellinus the historian (who was no Christian) writeth of the dissension betweene Damasus and Ursicinus, about the Episcopall feare, that the contention betweene them was so hoate, and such parts taking; that in one day in the Church of Servinus there were found an 137. dead bodies, which were slaine in a skirmish: And yet the ambition of the Romane Bishops was in those dayes nothing like to the pride of that vaine-glorious Sea now.

Gregorie the 7. called Hildebrand, as witnesseth Benno a Cardinall of that Sea, did move and make great warres to uphold dignitie: so did Paschal. 2. Innocentius 3. Gregorie 9. fill all Germanie, Fraunce, Italie, Spaine with warres: and so have the Popes maintained their factions and quarrels along time by the Civill power.

Phocas the Emperour, that killed his Lord and Master: Pipinus king of Fraunce that murtherer: Rodolphus that disloyall duke to Henrie the 4. Emperour: Henrie 5. that disobedient sonne to Henrie the 4. his father; were all the Popes vassals to fight his battells, and to maintaine his quarrels with the sword. So have beene of late the Kings of France on a rowe, Henrie the 2. Francis the second, Charles the 9. Henrie the 3. Such was the Duke of Albanie in the lower countreyes, and other captaines and Generalls under the king of Spaine.

By the secret practicing of Nicolaus 3. all the French in one day were killed thorough out Sicilia: Matchiavil: with the privitie and knowledge of Urbane the 6. was Joanna Queene of Naples slaine before the altar, Theordoric, a Niem. lib. 1. de schism. C. 25. Julius the 2. was a warriour himselfe, and present in the battles which he fought. Sixtus the 4. spent most of his time in warres: and when they were ended upon a conclusion of peace, he died for griefe. Paulus the third was author of the German warre, Polan.

The Pope sent his secular armes, the king of Spains forces, among the Indians, under pretence of embracing them to his religion: but they practiced most horrible butcherie and cureltie among them: they hewed them in pieces, rosted them at the fire, worried them with dogges: ripped their bellies, and drewe out their bowels: opened the wombs of women with child: hung them up, and burned them: set them of stackes of strawe, and set fire to them: and thus in 40. yeares space they destroyed 15. millions of men, that is, 150. hundredth thousands, and left wast and unpeopled five times so much ground as all Spaine containeth. They put them to unspeakable torments, some they shodde with yron shoes nailing them to their feete, some they fleased, and cast in salt, to put them to more paine: they cut off their lippes, noses, eares, their fingers and toes: and with fire and sword, they consumed an infinite number, as is being rehearsed: Polan. Ex Bartholom. Casa.

As Apollonius sent by Antiochus against Jerusalem, made faire promises until he was received into the citie, but then he fell upon them on a sudden, and put them to the sword, and fell upon the Jewes on the Sabbath, while they kept the feast, and used all outrageous crueltie against them So within these few yeares, Ferdinandus Mendoza, with his crue of Spaniards, a champion for the Pope-catholik faith, practiced most horrible & savage cruelty in Westphadia, sparing neither age nor sex, no not them which submitted themselves, and were of their owne religion: the women geat with child they stretching out their hands nailed to bourds, and ripped their bellies, tooke out the infants, cut them in pieces, and hung them about their mothers neckes: they compelled the men with long famine to eat their own children, and some they hung up by the privie members, and the womens bellies they opened, and thrust in children of two years old, and strangled them in their mothers blood: Never did any Turkes or infidels shew such examples of crueltie, as those the Popes armes and champions, Palanus.

7. As Antiohus by his captaine Apollonius caused the daily sacrifice to cease, set up abominable idols, burnt the bookes of the lawe: So the Antichrist of Rome hath abolished the right use of the Eucharist, which is a continuall commemoration of Christs death: yea the sacrifice of Christs death, and the virtue thereof is by them obscured, if not abolished, while he bringeth in order satisfactory and propitiatory sacrifices in their ordinarie masses: the Pope setteth up in Church idols and imagerie, which are things abominable in the service ofGod: the bookes of Scripture being in the vulgar tongue he commandeth to be burned, and hererein he treadeth in the steppes of his forerunner Antiochus.

8. Antiochus beside his sorren power used the service of the Apostatate Priests, and Jewes, as Jason, Menelaus: So the Pope beside the secular power hath his runnagate and fugitive Priests, Jesuites, Seminaries, which doe by their subtill perswasions seduce many Gregorie setting forth Antichrist, sheweth that he shall use two kind of ministers: conatur and secorda hominum & missis praedicatoribus trahere, & commotis potestatibus inclinare, he shall endeavour both to drawe mens hearts unto him by sending of preachers, and to bend them by the moving of Potentates, in Job. lib. 33. c. 23. This also he sheweth further by that place, Apocal. 9. 19. their power is in ther mouth and in their taile: in ore doctorum scientia,in canda secularium potential significatur, &c. in the mouth the knowledge of the learned is signified, and in the taile the power of secular men.

Thus the Romane Antichrist bestirreth himselfe using both the sword of cruell potentates, and the penne and tongue of corrupt teachers, whom he enticeth with rewards, and promise of dignities to uphold by their subtile wittes the kingdome of darkenesse: and so in every point he imitateth the example of wicked Antiochus his lively image, that both these ways practiced against the people of God.

Controv. 14. How the Antichrist of Rome hath persecuted Emperours, Kings, Princes, learned men, whole Churches for religion.

9. As in this great persecution under Antiochus there were many faithfull, that did not forsake the lawe, but did cleave unto the Lord, and instructed others so to doe likewise, who were most cruelly persecuted for their faith: so in the time of persecution under the Romane Antichrist, many of all sorts, that have opposed themselves to his ungodly proceedings have beene evill entreated, and cruelly handled. 1. both Emperours. 2. Kings. 3. Princes. 4. Learned confessors of the truth. 5. whole Churches, as now shall be briefly shewed in order.

I. Of the Emperours. First, Philippious Bardanius, because he commanded all images to be removed out of Churches by the consent of John Patriarke of Constantinople, was declared to be an heretike together with the said Patriarke, and publikely excommunicated in a certaine Synod by Pope Constantine, who inhibited that the image of the said Emperour should be stamped in any silver or gold, or any mention to be made of him in the common prayers, Urspergens.

Leo the 3. Isauricus, called Iconomachus, a fighter against images, caused images in Italie and Sicilie to be cast out of the Churches, and by his publike edict commaunded all images to be removed: for the which fact he was excommunicated of Gregorie the 2. and Gregorie the 3, and the Venetians with others were stirred up to rebellion, and the Eparch or viceroy with his sonne slaine: by which occasion the Pope stripped the Emperour of his Exarchateship or government of Italie, which the Emperours of Constantinople had held an 164. yeares.

Constantine the 5. in a synode at Constantinople of 330. Bishops, decreed that images should be cast downe and burned, and no more be worshipped, nor the Virgin Marie prayed unto: that Saints reliques should not be kept: that it should be lawfull for Monkes and Nunnes to marry: for the which Stephanus the 2. translated the Empire of Constantinople into Fraunce: and his bodie was taken up 23. yeares after it was buried, by the Empresse Irene (to please Pope Adrian) and burnt to ashes.

Constantine the 6. for removing images which his mother Irene had set up, was by her deprived of his kingdome, sight, and life also.

No better dealt the Popes with their owne Emperours of the West. i the 4. who had encountred with his enemies 62. times in open battell, was by Gregorie the 7. Urbane the 2. Paschal the 2. excommunicate his Empire was first given to Rodolphus the Duke of Suevia: then his sonnes were set against him, under colour of religion: first Conrodus, afterward Henricus the 5. his sonne, who deprived him of his Empire, and caused his bodie to be digged up, after it was buried, and cast forth as a carion into the fields, where it lay unburied five yeares, until it was brought to Spire, and there buried. Friderike the 1. called Barbarossa, was most hardly used by the Popes. Ithe 4. and Alexander the 3.

Philip the sonne of the said Friderike by the procurement of Pope Innocent the 3. who established transubstantiation, was slaine at Bamberge by Otto Count Palatine.

Otto the 4. and Friderike the 2. were excommunicate by Pope Innocent the 3. and Gregor. 9.

Henrie the 7. was poisoned with a consecrate host by a Monke of the faction of the Guelphes, which was on the Popes side: the Gibellines were an other faction, which held with Emperour.

Lodovike the 4. was likewise excommunicate by the Pope, who sent forth his Monkes and Friers into everie quarter to defame the Emperour, and the Cardinals did stirre up the Princes to warre against him, Avent. And thus have the Popes handled the Emperours: Kings, and Princes, opposing themselves to their superstition, have found no better measure.

2. Childericus king of France was deposed and thrust into a monastierie.

Rachis king of the Lombards, was by the same Pope Zacharie put unto a monasterie.

Lodovike the 12. was much encumbred by Julius the second: who himselfe leading his armie from Rome, as he went over the bridge of the river Tiber, threw S. Peters keies into the river; and seeing they would doe him no good, he said he would betake himselfe to Pauls sword.

Henrie the 4. now king of Fraunce, was assaulted by 6. Popes, Gregor. the 13. Sixtus the 5. Urbane the 7 Gregor. the 14. Innocentius the 9. Clement the 8. who the last named, having brought the king to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, did thereupon triumph insolently over him: As in a certaine booke set forth of that matter, there is a tractate, de Victoria Clementis 8. de Henrico 4. &c. gloriose triumphantis, of the victorie of Clement the 8. most gloriously triumphing over Henrie the 4. king of Fraunce and Navarre.

Thus have the famous kings also of this Realme of England beene served by the Popes and their ministers. King John was poisoned by a Monke.

King Henrie the 8. that most famous and renowned king, was by the bull of Paulus the 3. deprived of his kingdome, and his subjects freed from their oath of alleagance.

Queene Elizabeth our late Gracious Soveraigne of blessed memorie, before she came to her crowne was persecuted by her sister Queen Marie, and her chiefe agent Stephen Gardener, for her religion: and after that by Gods fatherly providence and care to his Church, she was advanced to the kingdome, she was practiced against by nine Popes: the sixe before named, and by Paulus the 4. Pius the 4. Pius the 5. both by open warre and hostilitie, whrein the two Philips of Spaine bare the chiefest stroke, and by privie treacherie and treason.

Our kings maiestie that is now, both in Scotland had experience of Popish practices against him; and since his happie coming into England, faction have more than once or twice conspired against him. But blessed be God he hath escaped their snares.

3. Now in the third place, Some Princes and nobles shall be produced whom the Popes have cruelly assaulted.

The Exarch or viceroy of Ravenna, under Leo the 3. Emperor, by the Popes faction was slaine with his sonne.

The Medices at Florence were set upon in the Church by the counsel of Sixtus the 4: the Popes legate gave the signe, when the host was lift up, Volaterran. lib. 5. Geograph.

The Earle of Tholouse was pursued by the French king by most fierce warre, at the instigation of the Pope, onely because he favoured the Albigenses.

John Friderike Duke of Saxonie, and Philip the Lantgrave of Hassia, were assaulted by most cruell warre, onely for the cause of religion.

Count Egmond, and Count Horne were beheaded for favouring the Protestants.

The Prince of Condie was poisoned.

Caspar Colignius slaine in the Massacre in Fraunce.

Antelot and Cardinall Castilion poisoned.

William prince of Aurane was slain by a villane.

Charles the king of Spaines sonne, because he was thought to favour the Protestants, whom they call heretikes, was made an ende of by the Inquisitors for religion, neither could his father, or would not deliver him.

4. These learned confessors also, and some holy martyrs have in diverse ages opposed themselves against the Pope, and were evill entreated for it.

Vigilantius Bishop of Barcellona in Spaine, because he found fault with the adoration of reliques, and with single life, was counted an heretike.

The Bishops and Presbyters, which held a synod at Eliberine in Spaine, were adjudged heretikes by the Pope Adrian in a synod at Frankefort.

Ann. 840. Bertram writ against transubstantiation.

So did Joannes Scotus Ann. 8669. and was slaine of his schollers with their writing pens.

Ann. 964. Huldericus Bishop of Augusta impugned the single life of the Clergie.

Ann. 1039. Berengarius bent himselfe against transubstantiation.

Ann. 1157. Joannes Sarisburiens. did teach, that the Pope was Antichrist, and Rome Babylon.

Arnoldus Bishop of Brixia denied unto the Pope the use of the temporall sword.

About the same time lived Peter Bloix, who publikely maintained in his writings that Rome was Babylon, the Popes officers harpies, his Priests Baalites.

Ann. 1160. Petrus Waldo of Lions, ann. 1240. Petrus de Vineis, ann. 1260. Gulielmus de S. Amore, ann. 1306. Petrus Cassiodorus a learned Noble man of Italie, 1314. Dulcimus of Navarre. 1315. Arnoldus de nona villa. 1383. John Wicleffe in England. 1405. John Hus and Nicolaus Clemang is a Doctor of Paris. Hyeronym. Savonarola a Monke of Ferrara, whom Alexander the 6, caused to be burned. Antonius Mancinellus, Gulielmus Occam All these were great impugners of the Pope.

Ann. 1517. Martin Luther, ann. 1519. Huldericus Zuinglius: and since many learned men in Germanie: Oecolampadius, Capito, Melanchthon, Martyr, Bullinger, with others: B. Hooper, M. Latimer, M. Filpot, M. Bradfod, holy martyrs, and since B. Jewell, D. Fulke, D. Whitakers, D. Reynolds, with many more excellent writers, and worthie preachers have discovered the nakednesse of the whore of Babylon.

5. Lastly whole Churches have beene persecuted for resisting the Pope and his doctrine: the Albigenses under Innocentius the 3. the Waldenses under Pope John the 22. the Church of Calabria, of Sevill in Spaine, of England in Queene Maries dayes and the Churches of Fraunce under Charles the 9. and Henrie the 3. endured much oppression, by the tyrrannie of the Popish faction.

And thus doth the Pope resemble Antiochus in persecuting with fire and sword the faithfull servants of God professing the truth.

15. Controv. Of the pride and blasphemie of Antichrist against God.

10. v. 36. He shall magnifie himselfe against all that is God: This is most true of the Antichrist of Rome: for he exalteth himselfe above the Angels which are called gods in respect of their excellencie of nature and condition, making himselfe judge of the Angels. Princes and Magistrates also are called gods: them hath the Pope cause to kisse his feete, and hath troad upon their neckes, disposing of their kingdoms at his pleasure. Innocentius the third thus writ unto the Emperour of Constantinople: that as gold exceeded lead, so the Papall dignitie the Imperiall: as the Sunne was the Lord of the Planets, so the Pope of all secular dignities: and as the Moone receiveth light from the Sunne, so the Emperor hath his dignitie from the Pope: thus he exalteth himselfe above temporall governours, which are terrene gods. Likewise the Pope maketh himselfe superior to Saints, whom he taken upon him to canonize or not to canonize at his pleasure, Polan. The Pope also challengeth to be Superoir to all other Bishops and Pastors, who are as Angels set over the Churches: and so he magnifieth himselfe above whatsoever is called God, Bullinger.

11. Antiochus did exalt himselfe against the true God, who is here called the God of gods: so the Pope glorieth to be called God in earth: as Nicolaus the Pope in his epistle to Michael Emperor of Constantinople saith, that the Pope a pio principe Constantino Deum appellatum, was called God of the godly Emperor Constantie, distinct. 96. c. satis: So in a certain glosse in the ende of the Extravagantes, the Pope is called Dominus Deus noster Papa, our Lord God the Pope: which glosse is not ignorantly thrust in, but wittingly and well allowed of among the Papists: for notwithstanding that the Canon lawe was by the appointment of Gregorie the 13. revised and corrected by certaine Cardinals and others, they suffred that glosse to remaine unaltered. At the coronation of Sixtus the 4. there was this inscription in a certaine triumphal pagen, at one of'the gates thorough the which he should passe & merito in terries crederis esse Deus, thou art worthily held to be a God in earth. Ludovicus Comesus in reg. Cancellar. saith, that the Pope is quodam numen, a certaine divine thing representing a visible God in earth: And Stapleton the Jesuite in his preface to Gregor.13. before his book de princip. sid. doctr. calleth the Pope, supremum in teris numen, the most divine power in earth. Therefore Friderike the 2. in his epistle to Otto Duke of Bavaria saith, not without just cause, Pontifices Romani affectant Dominationem quondam & divinitatem, the Romane Bishops affect a kind of Lordlinesse, yea divinitie in earth.

12. Antiochus uttered horrible blasphemies against God: The Pope therein in no whit inferiour unto him: Boniface the 8. in c. quoniam de imm. in Sext. calleth the Church his spouse, which onely is peculiar to Christ to be the husband of his Church, 1.Cor. 11. 3. the same Pope also, among many other his arrogant speeches, saith, hac authortas non humana, sed omni creaturae, definimus omnino esse de necessitate salutis, we doe define, that it is of necessitie of salvation for everie creature to be subject to the Bishop of Rome, extrav. Commun. De maiorit. & obedien. Lib. 1. titulo 8. The same Boniface the 8. in the 1300. yeare, when the Jubile was solemnized, shewed himselfe the first day in his pontificall attire: the next day he came forth in the Imperiall robes, causing a naked sword to be carried before him, and he himselfe came after crying with a loud voice, Ego sum Pontifex & Imperator, terrestreque & caeleste imperium habeo, I am both chiefe Bishop and Emperor, and have both the terrene, and celestiall government. Sixtus the 5. in his bull against Henrie king of Navarre, now king of Fraunce, and the Prince of Condie, boasteth, that his authoritie delivered unto him from Christ and S. Peter did exceede the power of all kings and Princes, & incumbere sibi, ecclesiarium omnium, poipulorum, & gentium sollicitudinem, that the care of all Churches, peoples, and nations did lie upon him, &c. so that the Pope doth challenge to himselfe, that which is peculiar to Christ, ex Polan. Such like blasphemies are those which are currant among the Popish sort: as in the glosse of the decrees, the Pope is saide neither to be God, nor man, sed medius inter utrunque, but a middle things betweene both: Augustin. Boetius addeth further, Papam omnia in terries posse, qua Deus potest in caelis, that the Pope can doe all in earth, which God can doe in heaven: and Philippus Decius, Papam omnia posse facere, que Deus sacit, &c. that the Pope can doe all things, which God doth: such horrible blasphemies doe proceede from that pestilent Sea.

And as that man of sinne speaketh wondrous and marveilous things against God: so doth he take upon him to worke wonders against the truth: which are called lying wonders in two respects, because they are not done indeede, but in shew, and because they are wrought against the truth: both these are touched by the Apostle in the description of Antichrist, 2. Thess. 2. the first. V. 9. Whose coming is by the working of Satan, by all power, and signes, and lying wonders: the other, v. 11. God shall send them strong delusions to believe lies. Pappus. And thus this blasphemous Antichrist hath according to this prophesie magnified himselfe against the God of gods: and as S. Paul prophesied of him, that he should sit in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe that he is God, 2. Thess. 2. 4. for the further explaining of which words, I will make here a short digression.

16. Controv. How Antichrist is said to sit in the Temple of God.

1. Some doe understand it of the Temple of Jerusalem, which they say, Antichrist shall cause to be builded againe, and therein he shall sit to be worshipped as God: so Hyppolitus, Cyrillus and Chrysostome misliketh not this sense in his Commentarie upon the 2. of the 2. epistle of the Thessal. But this can not be the meaning: 1. because the Temple of Jerusalem shall never be builded againe, according to the saying of our Saviour, that one stone should not be left upon an other. The Jewes were licensed by Julian the Apostata to reedifie their Temple, but they could not goe forward: that which they built in the day, was cast downe in the night, and beside a strange fire came forth, which consumed the instruments and engines of the artificers. 2. And though that Temple should be builded againe, it could not be called the Temple of God, seeing it should be set up to revive the sacrifices and ceremonies of Moses law, which are abolished by Christ.

2. Theodoret and Damaseen understand it of the Temple of Christians which Antichrist shall command to be set up and erected to his worship: but thus he should sit in many temples, whereas the Apostle speaketh of Temple, in the singular: neither doth the Apostle call the Churches of Christians by the name of ----temple.

3. Wherefore the Apostle meaneth hereby, not materiall temples, but by the Temple he understandeth the Church of God, as it is called, 1. Cor. 3. 16. Apoc. 3. 12. not that Antichrist shall in deede sit in the true Church of God, for he shall be an enemie to the Church of Christ: but he shall sit in the visible Church so reputed: and he shall style and title himselfe by the Church: As he taketh upon him to be Head of the Church, and to be Christs Vicar in earth: Melansth, Papp. Fulke annotate. 2 Thess. 2. v. 4. He sitteth also in the temple of mens consciences, taking upon him to have power to forgive sinnes, and to make lawes to binde the conscience. Bulling.

4. Some, that hold the Turke to be Antichrist, may by the Temple understand those places, where sometime was the Church of God: but the Apostle speaketh of the Temple, that shall then be so reputed and taken, at the time of Antichrists sitting therein.

17. Controv. Of the prosperitie and outward successe of Antichrist.

As it is here said of Antiochus, that he shall doe what him list, and againe, that he shall prosper so the Romane Antichrist hath both so taught, that he is to doe what he list, and he hath practiced, and prospered accordingly. For the first: Nicolaus the Pope thus writeth to Michael the Emperor, a seculari potestate nec ligari posse, nec solvi Pontisicum, &c. that the chiefe Bishop can neither be loosed, nor bound of the secular power and then he inferreth how that Constantine the Emperor called the Pope God: and so concludeth, nee posse Deum ab home indic ari manifestum est, it is manifest, that God is not to be judged of man, &c. And these are their positions in their Canons, that the Pope is without law, and that he is to be judged of none: and if all the world should determine any thing against the Pope, no man is to say unto him, why doe you so? For his will standeth for reason, distict. 19. 17. quest 4. nemini.

And as this is their doctrine, that the Pope may doe what he list, and no man is to checke or control him: so he hath mightily prospered in his wicked proceedings, as Antiochus doe defend his errors All kingdoms almost in the Christian world, Universities, schollers, have applauded him: So many Monasteries in divers countries with their Monks and Fryers depended of him. This is the prosperitie and externall happie successe, which the Romanists does boast of; and Bellarmine among the rest, maketh it a speciall note to know the true Church by but as Antiochus prosperous successe against Christs Church as no signe of Gods favour to toward him, no more is it in the kingdome of Antichrist. But I will here stay a while, a little further yet to sit and examine this point.

18. Controv. That external happines is not a sure note of the Church.

Bellarmine making externall felicitie a note of the Church, giveth these instances of the good successe of the Romanists in their battells.

1. In the time of Innocentius the 3. the Catholikes in France with an armie of 8000. conquered to an 100. thousand of the Albigenses. Aemil. Lib. 6 hist. Francor.

2. Anno 1531. the Helvetian Papists, had five conflicts with the Helvetian Protestants, and still had the better.

3. Charles the 5. ann. 1547, obtained a miraculous victorie against the Protestant Princes in Germanie.

4. In France and the low countries, the Papists have had many victories, not without miracle: and the Protestants seldome had the better.

1. Ans. These instances produced by Bellarmine are false, as shall now appeare in the particular examination of them. 1. Mathias Parisins. Reported farre otherwise of that battell, writing, that Jewes the French king died in the siege of Avenion, and that his sonne having the leading of a great armie against Albigenses was overcome ab exiguis copys, of a few small bands. And this is like to be the truer report: for it seemeth not probable, that the persecuted Church of the Albigenses could set forth such an huge armie. 2. The Popish Helvetians had not so many battells with the Protestants there was but one battell and a skirmish: the Popish fort had the better, having the advantage of the higher ground; neither was it such a great victorie, for they were glad to aske peace, and to compound the matter upon equall conditions. 3. It was no miracle for Charles the 5. to prevaile in that battell, setting upon Duke Fredericke on a sudden, and some of his confederates having forsaken him: neither did the Emperor long enjoy that victorie, for he was not long after by Mauritius, who ayded him against Duke Frederike, chased out of Germanie, they have no cause to brag Henrie the 4. now king of France and Navarre, when he professed and maintained the Gospel, was always superiour in battell: and how the warres have prospered on the Protestants sides in the low countries, no man is ignorant. So that if the goodness of the cause is to be esteemed by the good successe, if they had no other arguments to defend themselves, this might plead for them, that God hath above these 30. yeares upheld that small country miraculously against all the power of Spaine. But they have divers reasons besides, which may justifie their warres against the king of Spaine.

1. The breaking of their priviledges by the Duke of Albanie: 2. the unreasonable exacting of tribute upon things which were sold: 3. the unjust execution of divers both noble and others: 4. the setting of garrisons of strangers in their cities: 5. the building of castles and sconces: 6. the constituting of Judges of the Spanyards, and not of their owne countrey: 7. the generall restraining on their libertie, Polan. P. 1070. 8. beside the bring in among them of a strange religion.

2. Now that outward prosperitie is not a signe of Gods favour, or a marke whereby to discerne the Church, it is evident by the example of Antiochus here, who mightily prospered in his wicked attempts against the people of God: So also Nebuchadnezzer prevailed against Jerusalem, and destroyed the very Temple. All the tribes of Israel being assembled together, against the children of Benjamin, having the better cause, yet were twice overcome, Judg. 20. God then in suffering his Church to be for a time afflicted and oppressed, against his owne people for their sinnes: which was the cause that Antiochus prospered, whome the Lord used as his scourge: as it is here saide, till wrath be accomplished: that is, Gods wrath kindled against his people. And the same is one of the reasns, why the Lord shall suffer Antichrist to rage in the world: whereof more shall be here inferred in the next controversie.

19. Contr. Why the Lord suffereth Antichrist to rage against his Church.

That is no reason which Bellarmine pretendeth, that the Romane Church is by their outward prosperitie knowne to be the true Church, and therefore it is given unto them to prosper: but these rather are the causes:

1. That herein Gods mercie may appeare, who for a long time tied up and bound Sathan, though for a while he be let loose: yet in that until the revealing of Antichrist, he was bridled, and not suffered hetherto to pour out all his malice against the Church of God, it must be ascribed to his mercie.

2. The Lord by this persecution under Antichrist will trie out the faithfulnes of his servants, that they may be discerned from the hypocrites as it is shewed here in the former verse, that divers were suffered to fall into affliction, to trie and purge them: both that they might be severed and purged from hypocrites, as the wheat is from the chaffe and drosse; and that the Lord also might have experience of the faithfulness and constancie of his servants. Hereupon Hyppolitus thinketh, that the Martyrs under the tyrannie of Antichrist, shall be the most glorious Martyrs, that ever were in any persecution before which verily may be affirmed of our holy Martyrs that suffered in the daies of Queene Marie in England, and then and since in other places: for beside that their torments and cruell manner of death were equivalent, the cause for the which they suffered was more hard to be judged of , and their enemies more subtle: for the Martyrs of the Primitive Church died for not yielding unto most grosse idolatrie of the heathen, which was most manifest impietie: and their adversaries were professed enemies to all Christianitie: But these latter Martyrs suffered for matters of religion, even, controverted among Christians, and their persecutors themselves pretending to be Christians.

3. A third reason is, that God by the hypocrisie and tyrannie of Antichrist punisheth the sinnes of the world, which abounded at the revealing of Antichrist. Hypolitus thus well setteth forth the iniquitie of those times, wherein Antichrist shall come: omnes suo arburatu vivent, sily manus iniscient in parentes, &c. all shall live as they list, the sonnes shall lay violent hands upon their parents: the wife shall deliver the husband to death, the husband the wife: masters shall be cruell toward their servants, and servants shall be stubborne against their masters: no man shall reverence the aged, nor have pitie on the poore: then shall enchanters and sorcerie be in force: Pastours shall become wolves, and Monks shall covet the world, when Antichrist beganne to shew himselfe, and these things are yet practiced under the Romane tyrannie: Wives doe accuse their husbands, and husbands their wives, children the parents, and parents the children, one brother riseth against an other to put them to death for religion. So that for these and other sinnes, the hard yoke of Antichristian bondage yet lieth upon the world, And S. Paul sheweth the reason thereof, 2. Thess. 2. 11, 12. God shall send them strong delusions to believe lies, that all they might be damned which believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. And so those nations, which are yet in bondage under Antichrist, because they desire not to leave their superstition, and unrighteous living, but still continue enemies to the truth, therefore they are by their just judgement of God kept still in ignorance and misbeleefe.

20. Controv. That out of this text, v. 36. it can not be proved that the Pope is not Antichrist, as Bellarmine intendeth.

Bellarm. Lib. 3. de Rom. Ponti. C. 21. goeth about to prove by divers arguments out of this text, that the Pope can not be Antichrist.

Argum. 1. Antichrist here described, shall doe what he like, and exalt himselfe against God, as not holding himselfe tied unto any law, not acknowledging any superior: so doth not the Pope. Who taketh himselfe to be bound unto the law, and confesseth Christ to be his Judge and superiour.

Ans. The Pope confesseth thus much in words, but in effect he abrogateth the law of God, and so consequently denieth Christ to be his superiour.

1. The Pope dispenseth against the law of God, which sheweth his superioritie over the law: Pope Martin the 5. with the advise of his Popish divines, dispensed with one to marrie his owne sister germane: this is committed to writing by Antonius Florentin, sum. 3. p. tit. 1. c. 11.-- quod Papa. whome Nicolaus Boerius followeth, consil. 20. virum papa, numer. 26. such were the incestuous marriages of Egypt: for Ptolome Philadelphus married his owne sister Berenice, and so did Ptolome Philopator his sister Eurydice, whome he killed: Ptolome Physcon married Cleopatra his brother Philometors wife: in which very case the Pope dispensed with Henrie the 8. to marrie his brother Prince Arthurs wife.

Likewise the law of God forbiddeth the setting up of all images to be worshipped, Levit. 18. 9. which the Pope commandeth every where to be done. The holy Apostle saith, that concupiscence is against the law, and consequently sinne, Rom. 7.7. But the Pope in his Councell of Trent decreed the contrarie, that concupiscence is not vere & proprie peccatum, verily and properly sinne.

2. As the Pope alloweth that which Gods law forbiddeth and condemneth, so likewise he forbiddeth that, which Gods word alloweth and commandeth. As Gods word commandeth obedience to parents, but the Pope set Conradus and Henrie against their father Henrie the 4. who warred against him, and Henrie deprived him of his Empire, and of Christian sepulture. Our Saviour biddeth to give unto Cesar, the things which are Cesars; as homage, tribute, obedience; but Gregorie the 2. forbad tribute to be paied to Leo the 3. for pulling downe of images, or any obedience to be yielded unto him. The Scripture alloweth, that they which have not the gift of continencie, should marrie: but Calisthus the 3. refused to dispense with the marriage of a certaine Deacon, that alledged he had not the gift of continencie, for whome also Cardinal Senensis entreated, who was afterward Pope called Pius melior sit, that an other Pope must be expected, who should be better. Boerius loc. Cit at. Num. 20. The Scripture counteth marriage honourable, and maketh it free for all men, Hebr. 13. 4. yet the Pope forbiddeth mariage to his Clergie, as a disgrace to their orders.

3. And that it yet may more evidently appeare, how the Pope extolleth himselfe above Christ: In the year 1447. when Felix was Bishop of Rome, who succeeded Eugenius, this answer was made by the Cardinal of S. Angel to the Embassador of Bohemia, Siqua non crederet Christum esse verum Deum & hominem, & idem senitret Papa, cum, non damnatum ni, if any did not believe Christ to be God man, and the Pope did so thinke also, he should not be damned: and at the same time Henricus the master of the Palace said to the same Embassadors, Papa perest mutare S. Evangelizm, & potest S. Evangelio pro laco & tempore alium sen sum tribuere, the Pope may change the holy Gospel, and may give an other sense to the Gospel, according to time and place. Ex Polan.

Argum. 2. Antichrist shall care for no God at all: But the Pope worshippeth God the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost: yea all the Saints in heaven, images and reliques in earth (if we will believe the Protestants, saith Bellarmine) he adoreth also.

Answ. In that the Pope invocateth Saints, praieth unto images, adoreth reliques, and so setteth up other gods: it is an evident argument, that he denieth the true God.

Argum. 3. Antichrist shall overthrow the policies and states of kingdoms, so doth not the Pope.

Answ. The contrarie is evident: for Gregorie the 2. forbad any obedience to be yielded to Lea the 3. and Gregorie the 3. deprived him of his Empire. Alexander the 3. so served Frederike the 1. Frederike the 2. and Jewes the 4. were so likewise used. Gregorie the 7. deposed Boleslaus king of Polonia: Julius the 2. gave away the kingdome of Navarre. How then is Bellarmine ashamed, these things being so manifest, to say, that the Pope is not an enemie to politike states?

Argum. 4. Antichrist shall prosper: but the Pope, since the Protestants made him Antichrist, hath much decreased: he hath lost a good part of Germanie, of Fraunce, Helvetia, Bohemia, Panmonia, England, and all Suetia, Gothia, Norway, Denmarke: but Luther hath prospered, by his carnall preaching seducing many, who of a silly Monke because as it were Pope over all Germanie; he rather may be taken for Antichrist.

Answ. 1. The Protestants in these dayes are not the first, that discovered Antichrist, he was so called and counted many yeares since. 2. the prospering here spoken of is not understood of any spirituall successe by the preaching of the Gospell, but of such prosperous events as are compassed by violence and force of armes, and cunning devises. 3. it is no carnall preaching to teach men not to be addicted superstitiously to carnall rites and ceremonies, which was the scope of Luthers preaching. 4. neither did Luther affect a papall preeminence over Germany: though it be true, that of late one Felix Peretus of a poore Monke came to be universall Pope, called Sixtus 5. 5. God be thanked that many good morsels are snatched out of the wolves mouth: he speaketh but of a good part of England, that is revolved from the Pope: But all England in generall and Scotland doe detest the Pope with his superstitious and treacherous practices, except onely a fewe that are Popishly addicted; whose number I trust daily will decrease. 6. And though Antichrist does not prosper, as he hath done, and I am sure, never shall: yet that followeth not, but he is Antichrist still: for he shall prosper onely for a time not alwaies.

21. Controv. How Antichrist shall forsake his fathers God. V. 27.

v. 37 He shall not regard the god of his fathers. 1. This is most true of the Pope, who hath swarved and departed from the religion and faith taught by the holy Apostles, and Apostolicall men in the purer ages of the Church: 1. As S. Paul teacheth, 2. Tim. 3. 17. that the Scriptures are able to make the man of God perfect to all good workes; and so consequently are perfect, and all-sufficient: so tertulliance, aliunde sundere non poterunt de rebus sidei, quam ex literis sidei: de prescript, heretic. C. 15. they can not otherwise perswade of matters of faith, then by the Scriptures of faith: But the Pope teacheth that beside the word of God written, which they make of equall authoritie to the Scriptures: and so they hold, that the Scriptures containe not all things necessarie to salvation. 2. Their forefathers have taught, that the Scriptures are plaine and easie, and therefore are to be heard, and read of all: as Iren. Lib. 2. adv. Heretic. 46. universa Scriptura, &c. aperta & ab omnibus andiri possunt, al the Scriptures are open, and may be heard of all: But the Pope holdeth them to be obscure, and not safe to be read of the lay-people. 3. Clemens teacheth, ex ipsis Scripturis capere sensum veritatis oportet, we must take the sense of the truth out of the Scriptures, distinct. 37. c. relatum. But the Pope will have the sense of Scripture depend of his owne mouth. 4. Their fathers have taught that the translation of the Scriptures must be examined by the originall, distinct. 9. c. 6. veterum librorum sides de Hebrais voluminibus examinanda est, the credit of the bookes of the old Testament must be examined by the Hebrew: but now among the Romanists, the vulgar Latine is made authenticall, Trident. Sess. 4. and preferred before the originall Hebrew and Greeke. 5. Their Elders have taught, that we are onely justified by faith, Bastl. concion. de humilitat, this is perfect righteousness, &c. when a man knoweth himselfe sola fide in Christum instisicatum, to be justified by faith onely in Christ: so also Ambrose, impius sola fide justificatur apid Deum, a wicked man in justified onely by faith with God, in 4. ad Roman. But the Romanists hold, that we also justified by the merit of our workes. 6. The Fathers have taught that there are no other mediators of our prayers but Christ, as Chrysostome, nihil tibiopus est patronis apud Deum, &c.. you neede no patrons with God: for God will not heare so easily, if other pray for us, as if we pray our selves, though we be full of evill, &c. And in many other points of doctrine it is evident, that the Pope hath lost and forsaken the faith and the religion of the auncient Fathers, and so consequently their God also.

But Bellarmine thus would wipe away this marke: that this no way can be fastened upon the Pope, who confesseth the God of his fathers, God the Sonne, God the Father, and God the holy Ghost. Lib. 3. de Roman. Pontif. C. 21.

Contra. In words indeed they confesse Christ to be their God, but in fact they denie him: 1. They doe not acknowledge him to be their onely Prophet, seeing they detract from the Scriptures, making them obscure, and imperfect: whereas Christ onely is to be heard in the Scriptures: yea Boniface the Archbishop of Mentz uttered this blasphemous speech, magis ab ore eius quam a sacris paginia antiquam Christiana religionis institutionem expectant, let them seeke and desire the auncient institution of Christian religion rather at his mouth, then from the sacred booke, &c. which horrible blasphemie is inferred in their Canon law: distinct. 40. cap. si Papa. Bellarmines best answer here is to doubt of the truth of this speech: but if it be not tore, why standeth it in the Canon, after so often revising and perusing of the Canons. 2. They denie Christ to be our onely Priest, in making other Mediators and intercessors beside him, contrarie to the Apostle, 1. Tim. 2. 5. There is one Mediatour of God and man, the man Jesus Christ. 3. Neither doe they acknowledge Christ to be the onely king of his Church, making the Pope his Vicar, and head of the Church: and they say that unto the Pope is given all authoritie in heaven and earth: lib. 1. Ceremoniar eur. Roman. Bellarmine answereth, that the Pope no more denieth Christ to be king, then a Viceroy in a countrey denieth the king of the land. Ans. 1. The reason is not alike: for a king can not be present in every part of his kingdome, and therefore committeth many things to his deputie, which he can not doe himselfe but Christ is for ever present with is Church. 2. the Viceroy taketh not upon him to be the king and head, as the Pope doth. So then it is evident, that the Pope in effect renounceth the God and religion of his fathers: see further in the Appendi xexercis. 3. argum. 1.

22. Controv. How the Romane Antichrist regardeth not the desire of women.

Though the Antichrist of Rome doth publikely pretend chastity, yet all fornication and uncleanness both naturall and unnaturall, is practiced and suffered under that licentious government. And herein the Pope regardeth not the desires of women, in that he is an enemie unto lawfull marriage, forbidding his Clergie to marrie: which is made lawfull to all men, 1. Cor. 7. 1. Hebr. 13. 4. And while marriage is restrained, there is a way open to all other kind of uncleanness, even that filthie Sodomittie, which is against nature: in commendation whereof, a great Bishop of Italie did write publikely, and that without any checke. Papp. This sinne some scoffingly have called, mutum peccatum, a dumme sinne, which called for fire and brimstone from heaven upon the Sodomites. Bulling.

But Bellarmine to cleare his great Master the Pope of this suspition also, he alleadgeth, that in the originall the words, stand thus; and he shall be in the desires of women: though that in the Greeke translation it be read negatively, he shall not, &c. and he giveth two conjectures why it should be read rather affirmatively, then negatively: both because Autiochus, as Hierome writeth, who is here historically meant, was given unto the desire and lust of women: neither is it probably, that the Antichrist should command or commend single life: but the Jewes rather doe expect, that the Antichrist shall suffer them to have many wives, which they count a part of their serrene happines.

Contra. 1. That it is more agreeable to the originall to read here negatively, he shall not have respect to the desires of women; then affirmatively, is shewed before, qu. 45. whether I referre the Reader. 2. Though Antiochus were one way given unto the desire of women, in respect of his carnall lust, yet an other way he was not, in not regarding the request and desire of his wife, for to spare Jersualem, as is shewed likewise before, qu. 45. 3. It is most probably, nay rather that Antichrist shall enjoy single life, and restraine marriage, because he shall maintaine the doctrine of devils, whereof this is one. 4. And though the Jewes expect such carnall libertie, when their Messiah commeth, that is nothing to the purpose: for such a Messiah, as they expect, shall never come. But we know certenly that the Antichrist should come into the world, and is indeede already come. 5. And that Antichrist shall outwardly seeme to maintaine single life, it is the opinion of their owne writers, exterius singet castirarem, ut sacilius decipiat, he shall outwardly faine chastity, that he may the more easily deceive, Lyran. So also Pererius, Intimis animi sen sibus erit super omnes libidinosus &c. in his inward disposition he shall of all men be more licentious and lustfull, though he shall outwardly dissemble chastitie.

23. Controv. That Antichrist shall not care indeed for any God, nor have any sense of religion.

That the Antichrist of Rome herein also was well resembled by Antiochus, may be proved first by particular induction, that many of their Popes have beene found in a manner to be very Atheist, having no sense of religion. John the 12. whome Platina maketh John the 13. nec Deum nec hominem prae oculis habuisse, had neither God nor man before his eyes: so testifieth Theodoric. a Niem. Ib. 3. c. 9. Innocentius the 8. was seene for the most part of sleepe in the time of divine service: of Alexander the 6. saith Guicciardine, that he had nullum religionus sensum, no feeling of religion: his holy-daies exercise was to see Plautus comedies plaied: of Leo the 10. it is reported, that he should thus say, quantum nobis profuit fabular ist a de Christo? How much hath this fable or tale of Christ profited us?

Secondly, this may be shewed how the Pope doth magnifie himselfe against God, by those blasphemous titles and prerogataives, which he suffreth to be given unto him by his Canonists: as Osiander doth exemplifie these, the Pope is the universall father of all the faithfull and of all the sheepe of Chirst, Joannes de tur. cremate. The Pope hath the same consistorie with God, and the same tribunal with Christ: the Pope is a certaine divine power, representing a visible God in earth, Gomesius: All power is given unto the Pope in heaven and earth: from the Pope appeale is not to be made, no not unto God: the Pope can make something of nothing: the Pope can doe all that God doth, Decius: the Pope is God, Selinus: the Pope is greater then any other creature, and his power extendeth it selfe to celestiall things, terrestriall, and infernall, Antonin, Florentin. the Pope may change the forme of the Sacraments delivered from the Apostles, Arachiadiacom. the Pope is the foundation of faith, as the canons speake: God hath subjected all lawes to the Pope, and no lawe can be imposed upon his highnesse, Fortun. Gratian. The Pope may decree against the epistles of S. Paul, Carolus Ruinus: God hath brought all things in subjection under the Popes feete, Barbazia: none is equall to the Pope but God, August. Beroitus: the Pope is th ehusband of the whole Church, Joan. de tur. cremate. These and such like blasphemies are uttered by the Popes claw-backes, and he accepteth them: for if he misliked them, why doth he not prohibite them to use such grosse and blasphemous flatteries? By this it is evidently manifest, that the Pope, as here it is said of Antiochus, seeketh onely to magnifie himselfe, and in effect careth not for any God.

24. Controv. How Antichrist shall bring in a strange God, which his fathers never knewe, v. 38.

As Antiochus brought in his newe God Mauzzim, that is, of munitions, namely the idol of Jupiter Olympius into the Temple, and guarded him about with munitions and garisons, such an idol as his fathers never knewe: so likewise the Romane Antichrist hath brought in a newe kind of images into the Church: as one of them obtained of Phocas the Emperour, the Church of Gentile idols called Pantheeon in Rome, ande set up the images of Saints in stead thereof: likewise they doe make the virgin Marie their Ladie and goddesse, making her their Mediatrix, and offring up prayers, consecrating Churches unto her: And thus they have framed unto themselves a new goddesse whom their fathers knewe not.

But the most famous idol of all is their newe devise of transubstantiation, and of thir breaden god, and their idolatrous sacrifice of the Masse: wherein they commit many profanations. 1. They give unto everie Priest power to make the bodie of Christ, and they thinke them more worthie then the Virgin Marie: for she was conceived but once with the holy flesh of Christ, but they doe make it daily. 2. they detract from the verture & efficacie of Christs alsufficient sacrifice upon the crosse, in adding as a supplement thereof their daily unbloodie sacrice (as they call it) of the Masse. 3. they ascribe unto the Masse such verture, as that thereby they thinke the soules to be delivered out of purgatorie. 4. they hold that the Masse is available ex opera operato, by the verie externall worke, without the good intention, faith, or preparation in them, to whom it is applied. 5. They carrie their impanate god about in procession, requiring adoration with knocking, kneeling, lifiting up the hands to be yielded unto it. 6. And they make their Masse a generall remedie not onely against all spirituall but temporall evils and calamities, and a meane to obtaine both spirituall and temporall blessings: as health of bodie, good successe in any businesse, victorie in warre, good speed in mariage matters, in battell, in navigation, and such like: whence they have devised so many kinds of votive Masses, as they are called: as for peace, for raine, for faire weather, for women in travaile, for those which are upon theire journey, against the pestilence, lightening, and such like: All which are newe brought in devises, never knowne in the former ages of the Church: and this may well be called their newe come God Mauzzim, which signifieth munitions: for the idolatrous service of the Masse, is the chiefe pillar of Popish superstition, their munition and fortresse, Pappus.

25. Controv. Of the theatricall and pompous service with silver and gold, which Antichrist hath found out for his newe idol.

As Antiochus spared no cost to set forth his newe idol, he bestowed upon it silver and gold, and precious things: and as Marcellus among the Romanes robbed all other Temples, to set forth and beautifie the idol-Temples at Rome: So the Romane Antichrist with all externall pompe, outward glorie, and glittering shewe of silver and gold, doth adorne and beautifie this his new coined service. And how all their relgion consisteth in nothing els but in an outward shew, and vaine-glorious pompe, it is evident in these three things, in their persons, Churches, and soilemnities.

First for their persons, they count them good Catholikes, that observe their outward rites and ceremonies, though they have no good motion and instinct at all: as if they be in the baptisme exorcised, anealed, afterward confirmed with chrisme, and keepe fasting daies, be sprinkled with holy water and ashes, creepe to the crosse, be confessed as Easter, kisse the pax, goe in pilgrimage, offer to their idols, and when they die, be anealed, and carried to the grave with tapers and dirges, they thinke they have performed all offices of Christianitie.

Concerning their Churches, there is no preaching, or very seldome, and that to finall edifying, no singing of Psalmes, or praying with understanding but all things are set forth to the eare, in singing and sound of instruments, and to the eye, in adorning their images with silver and gold, and such like.

And touching their solemnities; all their service is nothing else but a mere stage-play, from one end of the yeare to the other.

At the nativitie of Christ, an infant made of wood wrapped up in swathing cloutes is carried up and downe by boyes and girles.

In the festival of the three kings, which they say came to worship Christ, three appareled like kings doe goe from doore to doore singing and begging with a star made of paper.

In the day of the purification candles are carried about: and ashes are sprinkled on ash-wednesday. In lent certaine persons disguised goe up and downe the streets whipping themselves: the images in the Churches are cloathed in blacke as though they mourned, the altars are covered.

On Palme Sunday, an asse is led about, and palmes carried before on the day of resurrection, after midnight the Priest taketh the image of the crucifix out of the sepulcher, and goeth about knocking at the Church doores, and crying, be yee left up ye everlasting doores, and the king of glorie shall come in: and then the question is asked, who is the king of glorie? and the Priest maketh answer, the Lord strong and mightie in battell, he is the king of glorie: and so they blasphemously ascribe that unto an image, which is due onely unto Christ.

Before the ascension day they have solemne processions, and then all the images of the Saints are brought forth, and carried in shew: on the ascension day one is drawen up in a wooden turret to the toppe of the Church, and as if he represented Christ, he crieth out, I ascend unto my father and your father: and when he is at the toppe he throweth downe certaine consecrated hosts, and while they are gathering them up belowe, water is poured downe, whereupon there is raised a great laughter in the Church.

On the day of Pentecost the image of a dove is let downe from the top of the Church, together with fire, and a noise1ike thunder, with this voice, Receive ye the holy Ghost.

On corpus Christi day, the host is carried about in solemne procession, with instruements of musike, and love songs, such as minstrels use to sing at feasts, to make ghests merrie And after this manner is the Popish service devised to attend upon their impanate God, ex Polano.

But Bellarmine laboureth likewise to free the Pope of these imputations, that this prophesie of the newe God Mauzzim, cannot in any sense agree unto him.

1. First he reasoneth thus: this Mauzzim is either Antichrist himselfe, or the devil, whom he worshippeth: he shall command himselfe to be worshipped, and be a great sorcerer and Magician: but the Pope is none of these.

Answer. 1. We will yield unto him the proposition: though indeed this place hath no such sense, either to understand Antichrist himselfe, or the devil by the God Mauzzim, as is shewed before, quest. 46. 2. But both the parts of the assumption are true of the Pope: for he commandeth himselfe to be worshipped: as appeareth, lib. 1. ceremon. Pontifical. Sect. 3. c. 3. 2. Quod omnes mortals, &c. that all men of what dignitie soever, as soone as they come into the Popes sight, shall thrice bend their knees, and then come and kisse his feete.

And that diverse of the Popes have been great Magicians, is extant in histories: Sylvester the 2. gave himselfe to the devil to obtaine the Papacie, Platin, sascicul, tempor. Benno writeth of Gregorie the 7. that he sent two young men to fetch a booke of Necromancie, which he had forgotten, charging them not to looke upon it: but they thereupon were the more desirous to prie into it, and while they read in it, the devils ministers came about them to knowe what they should doe: who being amazed at the first, bid them presently to cast downe a great wall which was neere unto Rome, which was done forthwith. Luithprandus writeth of John the 22. that he was wont, Diabelum in alea invocare, to call upon the devil as he plaied at dice: And diverse of the Popes beside have beene noted, to use familiaritie and conference with spirits: So that taking Bellarmines owne sense we shall finde the Popish Antichrist to worship this God Mauzzim.

2. Bellarmine hath here an other evasion, that Mauzzim is like to be the name of the place where Antichrist shall lay up his treasure, and shall there secretly worship the devil.

Answ. 1. Thus Bellarmine shifteth up and downe, not knowing what to make of this Mauzzim: one while he thinking it to be Antichrist himselfe, then againe he will have it to be the devill, and now a name of a place. 2. But we admit it that Mauzzim is the name of a place, for it signifieth a munition or garrison: And may not such a place be found out in Rome, where the Popes treasure lyeth, namely the castle of S. Angel?

3. Bellarmine addeth yet further, that Antichrist shall worship this god in secret, for openly he shall worship no god at all, because the text saith, he shall not care for any God: but this cannot be said of the Pope, who professeth publicly the service of God.

Contra. 1. These two may well agree together, not to care indeede for any god: and yet to pretend outwardly a kind of publike worship in hypocrisie: as Antiochus set up the idol of Jupiter Olympius at Jerusalem, seeing himselfe without all sense of religion. 2. So the Romane Antichrist, doth professe himselfe a Christian, yet is indeede an enemie to true Christianitie: And though he pretendeth to be but Christs Vicar, yet he doth mignifie himselfe, against Christ and his gospel, as hath beene shewed before.

26. Controv. How Antichrist shall distribute honours and possessions unto his favourites, and that for money

As Antiochus bestowed upon the idolatrous Jewes offices and dignities and possessions, but not without money: for Jason and Menelaus brought the Priest office for money: so the Antichrist of Rome taketh upon him to be the Lord of the world, to give kingdoms, Lordships, Manners, to those which will receive the marke of the beast: here two things are expressed of Antiochus, what he giveth, and for what. The like are observed concerning Antichrist.

The things which are given are three, honours, places of authoritie and command, lands and possessions: in everie one of these kinds the Pope taketh upon him to be a distributor both in the Church and commonwealth: for Civill titles and honours: he taketh upon him to create Emperours, Kings, Dukes: and to dispose of the kingdoms of the world, as there is extant, lib. 6. Avent. an epistle of Pope Adrian, to the Archbishops of trevire, Mentz, and Collen, to this effect: stout Zacharias translulit imperium a Graecis ad Theutonicos, as Zacharie translated the Empire from the Greekes to the Germanes, so we may remove it from them to the Grecians again: ecce in potestate nostra est dare illus cui volumes, behold it is in our power to give it to whom we will: wherefore we are set by God over nations and kingdoms, to destroy and plucke up, to build and to plant, &c. And thus said the devil to Christ, that all the kingdoms of the world were his to give unto whom he would: In like manner the Pope hath Church dignities to bestowe, Cardinalships, Archbishoprikes, Bishoprikes, Abbies, and such like, which he conferreth upon those which will worshippe the beast, Bulling.

But for the manner: he bestoweth them as Antiochus did the Priesthood not without money: Alexander the 6. made 12. Cardinals, not of those which best deserved, but of such as would give most for them: Guicciardin. Lib. 5. histar. Sui tempor. Leo the 10, had two calles or elections of Cardinals, wherein he made verie fewe without money: Clemens the 7. as Oruphrius writeth, sold 3. Cardinals hattes to those, which would give most: Hereupn it commeth to passe, that many unworthy persons are preferred in the Popish Church, such as are able to give most: as Bernard complained in his time, honor ati incedunt de bonie Domini, qui Domino honorem non deserunt, &c. plus calcaria quam altaria sulgent, &c., they set up and downe honoured with the goods of the Lord, but themselves give no honour unto the Lord, &c. whence it is that they weare more gold in their bridles and spurres, then is to be seene in the altars, &c. ser. 33. super Cant. Budaeus hath the like complaint, that the rewards of learning and vertue were bestowed upon such asses and doults, ut illis anima data sit pro sale, ut suibus, that their soule seemeth to serve for their bodies, as salt for swines flesh, that is, to keepe it from corruption.

But Bellarmine to helpe out his Grand-master, telleth us, 1. that there have beene many learned men among them, which have taken great paines, as Eckius, Coubleus, Latomus, Driedo, Tapperus, Petrus a Soto, with others, that have not received an halfepennie of the Pope for their great paines. 2. and yet they laboured night and day to suppresses the furies of Protestants. 3. who expect their reward from heaven, for setting forth and maintaining Gods glorie. 4. And if the Pope doe bestowe the revenues of the Church upon Cardinals and Bishops, he is not said so much to conferre them, as they who in their godly zeale gave such large revenues to the Church. Thus Bellar. lib. 3. de Rom. Pontif. c. 21.

Contra. 1. Bellarmine discrediteth the Pope, and noteth him with the infamous marke of ingratitude, in that he suffreth such patrons and defenders of his papall supremacie to goe unrewarded: and yet there was none of these whom he nameth, but enjoyed much more then many worthie ministers of the gospel. 2. can he for shame object furie unto into the Protestants, seeing it is notorious, that diverse of these his learned men, became furious and madde indeed. Eckius when he died cried out, why doe not ye give me my gold, where is my gold? It seemeth he should have brought some dignitie which he missed of. Latomus, when he should have made an oration at Bruxels against Luther, before Charles the 5. and could not goe forward, being sent out with hisles, was so ashamed, that he fell madde; and uttered diverse blasphemies in the Schooles, and the Readers chaire, whence he was taken by Ruardus Tapperus, and was carried to his bed, and died in desepaire, saying he was damned; Frier Cherubin, which in the yeare 1598. challenged the ministers of Berne and Geneve to dispute with them, after he had both in words and deeds bewrayed his madnesse, was tied with chaines, and had keepers appointed him. 3. neither is it true that they strive for Gods glorie, but for the Popes, whom indeed they make their terren god; and therefore they cannot expect any reward from God: he must reward them whose servants they are. 4. And these great revenues, which the Pope hath to bestowe, he hath rather gotten by rapine and violence, then by the pietie and devotion of others: As the Dukedome of Ferrara aun. 1598. was by Pope Clement the 8. by force and violence taken from the right heire thereof. ex Polan.

27. Controv. Of Antichrists insatiable ambition, crueltie, and covetousnesse.

1. As Antiochus upon every occasion was readie to invade Aegypt and other countreys so the Pope usurpeth upon the nations and kingdoms of the world without any title, but with pretenses and forgeries: as by that forged donation of Constantine, he challengeth to be lord of the Occidentall Empire there is no king in all these West parts, whom either the Pope hath not made in times past his vassal, or at least will not say, that he holdeth his kingdome of him, and therefore ought to doe him homage: Boniface the 8. decreed, that it was of necessitie of salvation, for everie creature to be subject to the Pope, Extrav. de maiorit. & obedient. c. Unam sanctam. And in the same canon he glorieth, that he is set over nations and kingdoms, to plant and pull up, to build and destroy: he challengeth unto himselfe power in heaven and earth, and dominion from sea to sea, and from the flood to the endes of the world, lib. 1. ceremony. pontifical. c. 7.

2. As Antiochus tooke everie opportunitie to afflict the people of God, but he spared the Edomites, Ammonites, Moabites that assisted him, and hated the people of God as he did, v. 41. So Antichrist ceaseth not to persecute the Church of Christ, and by all meanes to oppresse it, and to trample upon it: But such as are addicted to his superstitions, and are affected toward him, he spareth, and favoureth.

3. As Antiochus hunted after nothing else, but the spoile of Egypt, the treasurers of gold and silver, and other precious things: So the Romane Antichrist gapeth after the treasure and riches of the world, raking unto him whatsoever he can lay hold of: he selleth mens sinnes and pardons for money, releaseth the paines of purgatorie for money, dispenseth almost with any thing for money: he imposeth taxes, tenths, mulcts of money by way of penance. As Henrie the second had a mulct set upon him for the murder of Thomas Becket, and it was enjoyned him to goe a warfare at his great charge, as a part of his penance. Frederike the Emperour being excommunicate by Gregor. the 9. bought his absolution for a 100. thousand ounces of gold, as witnesse Onuphryus and Guicciardin. Alexander the 6. appointed certaine rich Cardinalls to be poisoned, that he might seaze upon their riches, Onuphryus in Alexand. 6. The Pope exacteth great summes of the Jewes dwellings at Rome, of the harlots and usurers. John the 22. left when he was dead 2.5 millions of ductats of gold in the treasurie. Boniface the 9. gathered out of one Province an 100. thousand Florence pieces by his indulgences in a very short time: the Senate of Paris in their petition to Jewes the 11. alleadged that the Pope every yeare had out of France 946. thousand markes. Leo the 10. received a great summe of money by his pardons and indulgences out of Germanie, and gave them to his sister Magdalen a most famous strumpet. Guicciard. Lib. 13. ex Polan. Therefore Theodor a Niem thus well resembled the Pope-Apostolike sea, camera Apostolica mari assimilatur in quad intrant omnia slumina, & non exundat, the Apostolical chamber is likened to the Sea, into the which all rivers doe runne, and yet it never overfloweth so many thousand pounds are brought into it, and it is never filled, &c. Union. Tract. 6. c. 37.

28. Controv. Of the rage and furie of Antichrist.

v. 44 Like as Antiochus when he heard of the evill successe of his captaines, how they were overthrowne and discomfited in Judea, went forth with a great rage thinking to destroy many: so the Romane Antichrist hath fretted and fumed, when he heard of any that were revolted from his obedience: As Leo the 10. and after him Adrian the 6. sent out their bulls against Martin Luther, Zuinglius, and other ministers, that preached the Gospel in Germanie. When king Henrie the 8. had abolished the Popes supremacie in England, Paulus the 3. thus bestirred himselfe: he deprived the king of his kingdome, disinherited his children of the crowne, released his nobles of their oath of alleagance, gave the possessions and lands of his subjects to be a pray to any, that list to invade them, he interdicted them from the Church and Sacraments: made voide all leagues confirmed with forraine kings and states.

After the same manner proceeded Pius the 5. against Queene Elizabeth, depriving her of her crowne, releasing her subjects of their fealtie, and excommunicating all her subjects, that continued in her obedience: the like also did Sixtus the 5. who also pursued Henrie king of Navarre now king of Fraunce, and Henrie of Burbon Prince of Condie, with the same weapons: deposing them by his sentence from their honours and dignities, freeing their subjects of their fealties, and disinheriting them of their title to the crowne of Fraunce.

29. Controv. How Antichrists palace is planted betweene the two Seas.

As Antiochus pitched his pavilion betweene the two Seas, the dead Sea and Mediterranean Sea, where Judea was situate, v. 45. So the Romane Antichrist hath his seate just betweene two Seas, the Sea called Tyrrhenum and Adriaticum: and he sitteth in the Temple of God: not either the Temple of Jerusalem, which is long since destroyed , and never shall be builded againe, not in any other materiall Temple; but he sitteth in the Church of God, taking upon him to be the head of Christs Church: but he with his faction, are not the true Church of Christ, though he sit in the Church, as the vitious and corrupt humors are in the bodie, but are no part of it, Polan. And the Popes palace may fitly be compared to a Tabernacle: because his seate was removed by Clement the 5. from Rome to Avenion in Fraunce, where it continued 74. yeares, Osiander.

30. Controv. Of the fearefull ende of diverse Popes.

As Antiochus came unto a terrible ende: he was eaten of wormes, and his flesh fell away from him, that he could not endure his owne stinke: so herein he was a figure and type of diverse Popes of Rome, who came to an untimely death.

Sabintanus who first brought in the canonical houres, and the use of tapers in the Church, was frighted by a vision, wherein Gregorie the 1. appeared unto him, whose books of mere envie he thought to have burned, and smote him, upon the terror wherof he not long after died, Fascicul. Tempor.

Boniface the 3. after he had obtained of that parricide and murtherer the Emperous Phocas, that the Church of Rome should have the principalitie before other Churches, came home and ended his dayes in sorrowe and griefe, having not enjoyed his papacie above a yeare and 5. moneths.

Leo the 3. was taken by the citizens of Rome and imprisoned, and making an escape went by stealth into Fraunce, where he ended his dayes miserably, having not beene Bishop full 20. moneths.

Pope Lando was suffocated by John the 11. by thrusting a pillowe into his mouth.

Sylvester the 2. that obtained his papacie by the devil, when he had solemnized Masse in a chappell called Jerusalem, which signe the devil had given him that he should not die till he came to Jerusalem, died presently: and his bodie was cut into gobbers, least the devil should have carried it away, Naucler.

John the 13. that had committed incest with two of his sisters, was slaine in adulterie.

John the 15. had his eyes put out by Boniface the 7. and was famished to death in the castle of S. Angel: the same Boniface the 7. died suddenly a very short time after: and his body was drawne with a rope by the feet through the streets of Rome: the historie called sascioul, tempor, giveth this note here of Popes: note saith he, that the Bishops of Rome are killed, as in the Primitive Church, but they were no martyrs, par peana, sed dispar canfa, the punishment was like , but the cause unlike.

Benedict the 5. fledde to Hamburge, and was there strangled in prison.

Benedict the 6. was taken by the citizens, and strangled in the castle of S. Angel.

Gregorie the 7. by poison and other meanes made an hand of 6. Popes one after another, to make a way for himselfe to the Popedome. And he himselfe who so persecuted the Emperour Henrie the 4. was taken by Cynthius a citizen of Rome and imprisoned and afterward was besieged by the Emperor, and at the last escaped into a poore village in Apulia, where he died miserably.

Victor the 3. was poisoned in chalice by a subdeacon, and thereof died.

Paschal the second after he had stirred up Henrie the 5. against his father, was taken by the same Henrie, and cast into bonds, and so died in prison.

Adrian the 4. was choaked of a little flie, and so ended his life.

Boniface the 8. who had beene a terror unto Princes, died madde in prison, and bonds: of whom it is said, that he entred like a foxe, reigned like a wolfe, and died like a dogge.

Clement the 5. was poisoned.

Paulus the 2. who as Platina writeth, exceeded Heliogabalus in riot and filthie pleasure, through gluttonie and leacherie fel into an apoplexie.

Sixtus the 4. died of verie griefe that his warres were ended.

Alexander the 6. died of the same poison, which his sonne Casar Borgias had provided for Adrianus Cardinall of Corneta.

Paulus the 3. that spent his time in filthie pleasure, after he had heard of the death of his sonne Petrus Alossius, died in a peevish rage, and crying out in despaire, peccatum meum contra me simper, my sinne is always against me, so gave up the ghost.

Julius the 3. that belli-god died of a surfet, and not without suspicion of poison.

Pius the 5. that had like a wolfe sucked the blood of many of Christs lambes, fell thorough griefe into a consumption, and sucked asses milke, but it helped him not.

Sixtus the