SOlons law to the Athenians ( right Honorable ) adiuged him to die , & vnworthy to liue , that in time of ciuill garboyles , as carelesse of the weale publike , withdrew himselfe and became a neuter . Which law , albeit proceeding from a Pagan , yet holding affinitie with holy writ , I cannot but approue , and wish the same were also of force among Christians . Professed Christians I meane , which ( in these factious broyles in the common wealth of Israel , wherein Religion seemeth to be rent ( as it were ) in two , each part challenging the truth as his owne proper , whereas but one Truth there is , and the same indiuisible ) are either carelesse and negligent in the Lords worke , and so accursed : or els become luke-warme , awaiting onely occasion to runne with the streame , and cleaue to time and stronger part for their better safetie . Both which , as abominable to God , are to be spued out of his sacred mouth : & to be shunned of men as the Apostle willeth . Sith hated then of God , and detested of men , I conculde with Solon , such Foxes not worthy to liue among Christians , & would God they were cut off from destroying the Lords vineyard . The consideration whereof , and that my selfe ( albeit simple and most vnworthy of many thousands , secluded from the world , and cut off from the societie of men , or meanes of imployment to benefit ( as of right it claimeth ) my natiue country ) am also a member of this Christian common wealth : hath made me charie to be taxed with the guilt of like crime : & careful to auoid the note of both the one and the other , prickt therefore with the spurre of dutie , zeale , and hartie desire to good the Region , wherein I first tooke breath ( though little carefull of my good ) to the vtmost stretch of my poor abilitie , I bring here my endeuour , and translation into our vulgar tongue , for the helpe and instruction of the simple . The due commendations of the Author and Subiect farre exceedeth my reach , and therefore do leaue them to the censure of the learned . And taught by long experience , your Lordships godly zeale for the aduauncement of true religion and due execution of iustice ( the hauing or wanting whereof , is the glorie and suretie , or maime and ruine of all sttates and kingdomes ) and seeing your Lordship by diuine goodnesse placed , and by Regall power deputed in this selfe same common-wealth , for a light vnto others , and a Shepheard to feed the people with iustice and iudgement . These ( my good Lord ) with the worthinesse of the worke , best beseeming so worthy a Patron , together with humble acknowledgment of dutie to your Lordship haue caused me make choise of your honorable selfe , the better emboldened thereunto by your good acceptance of my former booke . And so I humbly commend this my trauel to your like view and protection : not doubting but your Lordship , after your wonted honorable disposition will vouchsafe to take in worth my simple present , and pardon my presumption proceeding from an affectionate desire to do your honour seruice , whereunto before all men , I acknowledge my selfe bounden , and my dayly study shall be imployed : I beseech the eternall Deity , to increase his graces in your Lordship , that his glory may more thereby appeare , and multiply your dayes as the dayes of heauen , to pull the pray from the Spoylers iawes , and relieue the oppressed . And so in all humilitie I take leaue . Fleete my miserable prison this 24. of October . 1600 ,

I Haue pained my selfe ( gentle Reader ) to doe thee pleasure , and therefore craue but that curtesie of thee , which in common right is my due : namely , thy good conceit and fauourable censure of my trauell : which albeit not pollished with finenesse of phrase yet it is beautified with truth of matter , as God gaue abilitie , my small knowledge in the tongue , and the misery of the place aforded . If any will charge me with folly and presumption in attempting this translation , better beseeming some of riper iudgement . I graunt there is cause : yet thou forward taxer of faultes , in others , why doest thou not rather iudge & condemne thy self ? that hauing a better talent , hast worse imployed it , nay hast buried the same : & in ten yeares space sithens this worthy worke was first published , hast not bettered thy country by thy paines taking , nor benefited others by translating it thy selfe . For my part , I hold it fitter , that the body rather brooke a meane repast then starue for want of foode : And had rather my rash ignorance should be published in print , and so noted of thee ( for of better minds I expect better thoughts ) then that so heauenly a light of Christian knowledge , should rest obscured in the mysty darknesse of a strange language : and so precious a treasure be buried in rustie silence , without comfort or commoditie to my countrey . For among so many worthy labourers in the Lords vineyard , raised vp by God in this latter age , there is none ( pardon me good Reader if my simple iudgement faile me ) that hath exceeded , nay few or none that hath equalled this Authour , in the matter and method of this booke . Wherein by way of Antithesis , are liuely set forth Christ and Antichrist . To the end that two contraries opposed , Christ the true light may appeare more glorious : and Antichrist the child of darkenes may be viewed in his proper colour , that the one may be imbraced with all obedience , and the other abandoned with all detestation and horror . For if thou wouldest know by the word of God , and be assured by the testimony of his holy Spirit that Ancichrist foretold by the Prophets and Apostles , is already come , and the sonne of perdition renealed , if thou wouldest know the certaine time , the place , the maner and markes of his reuelation . If thou wouldest know and be acertained by the same Spirit , that the Pope is a false Priest , & that very same Antichrist , so proued by his abominable life and doctrine , by the testimonie of Gods sacred word , and vnrefutable arguments drawne from the same . If thou wouldest know and be assured likewise , that the Masse is a diuelish prophanation of the holy Supper of the Lord , a most blasphemous , idolatrous , and false sacrifice , derogating from the most precious bloud , death & passion of Iesus Christ . If thou wouldest know & by the same Spirit be assured that the same Iesus Christ , true God & true man is the only Lord , Sauiour and redeemer of the world : the onlie aduocate , Intercessor & Mediator betweene God and man : the only & alone king Prophet , and true high Priest , which entred into the holy place once for all , and found eternall redemption . If thou wouldest know that his body and bloud once offred vpon the altar of the crosse , is the only & alone true sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauor in the nosethrils of God his Father , for the remission of sins : whereby onlie Gods wrath is appeased , we obtaine pardon , peace & reconciliation with God , grace , fauor and euerlasting life . If thou wouldest know and be likewise assured , that this most holy sacrifice of Christ one only time offered is all sufficient for the sins of all men , & that no place remaineth for any other reiteration of the same sacrifice . If thou wouldest know the true meaning , vse & practise of the holy Supper of the Lord Iesus , & the benfit thereof to the Faithfull . If thou wouldest certainlie know , and be fully assured by the same Spirit of Grace , which is the ancient doctrin of God , leading to all blisse and true blessednesse , confirmed with his sacred word , contained in the bookes of the old & new Testament , and penned by the finger of the holy Ghost : and which is the new doctrine of men , pointing the pathway to hell , death & destruction , confirmed with vaine apparitions , dreames , false miracles , and illusions of the diuell . Come and see , & except the god of this world hath blinded thy mind , that the light of Christes glorious Gospell should not shine vnto thee : except thou list to grope at noone day , and wilfully say , I will not see : except thou hast shaken hands with death , and made a couenant with hell : except God for thy wilfull obstinacie , hath giuen thee ouer vnto a reprobate sence , to oppose thy selfe against him & his knowne truth . In reading this booke without partiall preiudication , thou canst not but see , exactly perceiue and tast to thine vnspeakeable comfort , how sweet are the mercies of the Lord , in reuealing to thee ( dust and ashes ) the mysterie both of the one and the other , which the wise of this world neither haue vnderstood , nor can comprehend : but is reuealed vnto babes , his Saints , to whom he would make knowne the riches of his glorie to confound and make foolishnes the wisdom of the wise . Which if thou shalt find ( as if in singlenesse of heart thou seeke , thou canst not but find . ) Then praise Iehouah , the author of all goodnesse be thankefull to this Author , the meanes of thy good , and take in worth my simple trauell , an inferiour furtherance thereunto , who hartily wish thee no lesse comfort and ioy in reading , then my miserable selfe receiued in translating of this booke . And because it seemeth a thing difficult to translate the Prouerbs , wherein not the letter , but the sence is to be followed : that course haue I obserued , & set downe withall the proper phrase of the Spanish and Portugal tongues , both in them and some other hard & doubtfull words : that thou ( gentle Reader ) indued with better gifts maist iudge , and curteously amend by thy knowledge , what my vnskilfulnesse hath missed : hoping that my desire herein to do well , may excuse in thy Chistian conceit , whatsoeuer is ( if any thing ) misdone . And so I leaue thee to him that is able to keepe thee .

HAd it not bene for the great necessity , which our country of Spaine hath to know the liues of the Popes , that knowing them , it may beware them , and nought esteeme their authority , which against all right diuine and humane , they haue vsurped ouer the consciences which Iesus Christ our redeemer , with his death & passion hath freed , I should neuer ( Christian Reader ) haue entred a labyrinth so confused , and rugged , as is to write the liues of Popes . For thou must know , that the Romists themselues concord not nor agree in the number of the Popes . Some set downe more , and others lesse . And hence it commeth that so little they agree , touching the time that they poped ( Let it be lawfull for me , as of a king , he is sayd to raigne to say of a Pope to Pope ) Some of these selfe same also , that all confesse to haue bene Popes of some of them say great Laudes and praises , extolling them to the heauens . Of these selfe same , say others filthie things , casting them downe to hell . An example of the first S. Gregory ( As saith Friar Iohn de Pineda 3. part cap. 8. ¶ 1. of his Ecclesiasticall Monarchie ) was the 66. Pope , &c. And not the 63. As saith Mathew Palmer . Nor the 64. As saith Panuinus . Nor the 65. As saith Marianus . nor lesse . 62. As saith S. Antoninus , This farre Pineda .

Gelasius 1. after Platina , is the 51. Pope . After Panuinus , the 50. And after George Cassander , and Carança the 49. Also Paule the second , after Platina is the 220. Carança counteth him for the 219. Pero Mexia for 218. and Panuinus : For 215. fiue lesse then Platina . According to this account . Sistus 5. which in the yeare 1588. tyrannizeth in the Church , should be after Platina the 236. Pope : after Carança 235. After Per● Mexia 234. and after Panuinus 231. Most Popish authors be all these . Some Spaniards , and others Italians . And had we alleaged more authors , more disagreement and contrariety should we haue found . Of this diuersitie springeth the disorder , which is in the time that some Popes Poped . For they which reckon least Popes put the yeares which they take from 4 or 5 Popes ( whom they reckon not ) to other Popes . Carança in his Summa conciliorum , speaking of Boniface 3. ( this was the first Pope as in his life shal be shewed ) saith these words . There is diuersitie among writers how long time Boniface 3. was Pope . For of Platina is it gathered , that he was nine monthes . Others say 8 monethes and a halfe : others a yeare , and 25 dayes : Others a yeare , 5 monthes , & 28 daies . Others say , that he died , hauing bene Pope 8 moneths and 22 dayes . This farre Carança . The same might we say of many other Popes . For example of the second , will we put Liberius and Formosus , besides many others that we might set downe . Liberius and Formosus some of the papists themselues , do cannonize , and others doe curse them . Platina saith : that Liberius was an Arian Panuinus saith : that he was holy . Read his life , which of diuerse authors we haue gathered . As touching Formosus Stephen 6 or 7. condemned him . So did also a Councell holden in the time of this Stephen condemne him . But Romanus successor of Stephen and Theodorus . And Iohn 10 or 9 condemned Stephen , and iustified sn Formosus . And this did not these 3 Popes onely , but a generall Councell of 74. Bishops , holden in the time of Iohn 10. did also the same . But all this notwithstanding , the third time , that Sergius was Pope , he tooke part with Stepben against Formosus Condemding that which 3 Popes , and the Councell had done , and was most cruell , against the bodie of Formosus , vntombing it , and doing that vnto it , which vpon his life , we will declare . Read their liues ( Christian Reader ) Dogges shalt thou see that teare in peeces , and eate one another : Not men shalt thou see : but diuels incarnate . Thou must also vnderstand , that in the names of some Popes , there is great disagreement . Pope Iohn the last , Platina calleth the 24. and in order 214. Carança calleth him 24. But the 213. in order , Pero Mexia calleth him the 24. Another way carrieth Panuinus 22. he calleth him , or 23. and saith : that he is the 209. in order . Thus taketh he from out the Catalogue . Fiue Popes : two whereof be Iohns : And it is also to be noted , that from Iohn 8. which was a wicked woman . All the Iohns almost , haue bene pestilent fellowes Read their liues .

Three causes there be , why some do number lesse Popes . The first is , because some Popes a very small time Poped . The 2. is , because many reckon not for Popes , all those that were not cannonically elected . The 3. is , because some will not hold them for Popes , who albeit they were connonically elected , yet in there Popedome wickedly gouerned . For the first reason , many reckon not for Pope , Stephen 2. who but three , or as some say , 4 dayes Poped . For the 2. reason exclude they all those , whom they call Antipopes , chosen in the time of Schisme . 30 : Schismes counteth Panuinus to haue bene , wherein at one time were 4 Popes , another time 3. another 2. Herehence is it , that they count not Iohn 18. Whom others call 17. nor Clement nor Clement 8. And therefore Clement 9. they call 7. nor Benedict 5 nor Benedict 7. called they 6. nor Benedict 13. For these 2 reasons exclude they al them that by wicked artes , deceipt , force , gifts , or promises were made Popes . Such doe the Councels and decrees of the Popes themselues not hold for Popes . Read that which the Councell of Lateran holden in the time of Nicholas 2. ordained touching this matter . And so many hold not for pope , Constantine 2. Who being a lay-man and without any orders , was by force made Pope . Should this decree be obserued . neither Siluester 2. the great inchaunter , nor Boniface 8. nor Gregory 7 nor an infinit nomber of Popes , which by wicked artes , &c. Were made Popes shuld be called Popes & so very few shuld remaine in the catalogue of the Popes . The 3. reason why some be not counted Popes , is that albeit they were cannonically chosen , yet , during their Popedome , either in life , or in Doctrin , or both in life & Doctrin were they abhominable . For this cause some count not Lando . Read his life . For the same cause , some reckon not Iohn 8. a whore before , & when she was Pope . Were this reason ought worth , very few should be counted for Popes . For all the Popes ingenerall from Boniface 3. vntill Sistus 5. who now tyrannizeth , haue either in life or Doctrine bene wicked . And so , ought not to be connted . Boniface 8. Of whom say all , that he entred like a Foxe , liued like a Lyon , and died like a Dogge . And alone was not he , that did this : he had many companions . These be the causes , why some reckon lesse Popes , then others . And in these names , Stephen , Iohn , Clement , Benedict , Constantine , and Felix , shal be found this abridgement of Popes . There are no liues of kings nor Emperors , were they Christians , pagans , Iewes , Turkes , Scithians ; or of whatsoeuer other nation , so confusedly and diuersly written , as are the liues of the Popes . And that which is more to be maruailed , written , imprinted , and approued by the papists themselues . The holy Ghost it seemeth , hath purposely cast into the writing of their liues , this confusion . For the Popes being kings and Lords of Rome . And Rome as say Saint Ierom , Petrark , Laurentius Valla , and many others ) is Babilon . And Babilon , as much to say , as confusion , all whatsoeuer , the Popes haue done , doe , and shall doe , is and shal be confusion : And so can no order be held in counting of them . And with what more proper name then Babilon , or confusion , can that Church be called , wherein they so pray and sing in straunge & confused Language , that one vnderstandeth not another . And that yet which is worse he , him selfe that praieth of singeth , vnderstandeth not oft times that which is sayd . My desire is ( friendly Reader ) to aduise thee of this confusion : That if thou shalt read in one author that Pope Iohn 24. for the great villanies and heresies which in his presence , and to his face were proued , was condemned in the Councell of Constance : and others say this happened to Pope Iohn 23. & others , to Pope Iohn 22. then nothing maruaile : For these 3 Iohns 22. 23. and 24. be one selfe same Pope Iohn . Concerning the concurrences of the kings of Spaine , which I place with the Pope , I haue followed Don Alonso de Carthagena Bishoppe of Burgos in his Latine Historie of the kings of Spaine , which he calleth Anacephalaeosis , as much to say , as a Recapitulation . No other hath bene the purpose and motiue me mouing to write these 2. Treatises of the Pope , and of the Masse . But the great desire I haue that they of my nation , might enioy the same mercies , which the Lord in these last times hath shewed to many nations in Europe , giuing them liberty of conscience ( & this not to let loose the raynes to serue the lusts of the flesh , but in spirit and truth to serue the liuing God , whom to serue , is to raigne ) I very much sorrow , that my nation to whom the Lord God , for the things of this world , hath giuen so much wit , hability and vnderstanding ( which other nations cannot deny ) In things pertayning to God , in the things concerning the saluation of their soules , or going to heauen or hell , is so blockish and blind , that it suffereth it selfe to be carried by the Masse , that it suffereth it selfe to be gouerned , troden vnder foote & tyrannized of the Pope , of the man of sinne , of the sonne of perdition , of Antichrist , whom as God , sitteth in the Temple of God , shewing himselfe that he is God . And that moreouer which S. Paul 2. Thess 2. saith . All the euill of the Spaniards commeth vnto them of a false perswasion which they haue conceiued of the authority of the Pope . The Pope , they beleeue to be the successor of Saint Peter , the Vicar of Christ , God vppon earth . They beleeue , that all whatsoeuer the pope doth on earth , God doth it in heauen and what soeuer he vndoeth in earth , God vndoeth in heauen . This first Treatise , shall serue to open the deceipt vnto them : very palpably & plainely will it shew the pope , not to be the successor of S. Peter . But of Iudas . Not to be the Vicar of Christ , but of Sathan ( whom the holy scripture calleth prince and God of this world ) And that we therefore ought not to obey the pope , nor make more reckoning of him , nor of that , hee shal commaund , then we doe of that which our mortall enemy commaunds vs . Mine harts desire and prayer to God is , for my nation , that they may be saued : that his Maiestie deliuer them from the power of darknesse , and transfer them into the kingdome of his beloued sonne . I would if I might by any meanes prouoke my nation . I would they had an holy enuie at other nations . Why doe they ( and not the Spaniards ) read and heare the word of God , in their owne Language , as in the holy Bible it is written ? Why do they ( & not the Spaniards ) receiue the holy sacraments with the simplicity that Iesus Christ did institute and celebrate them . Wherewith , without any humane inuentions , superstitions , and Idolatries , he commaunded his Church to administer them ? This testimony giue I of my nation , that they haue the zeale of God : and so shall you see few Spaniards to be Atheists , which haue no religion . But this their zeale , is not according to knowledge : for by the word of God is it not ruled : but by that which Antichrist of Rome commaundeth . Who hath taken from them , and forbidden them the reading of holy scripture . For well knoweth Antichrist , that if the Spaniards shold read it , then would they fall into account , and know the abhominable life of the popes , and their wicked Doctrine : And so would forsake and detest them . And should Spaine once forsake the pope , the pope would reckon ( as they say ) with the Oleados or annointed , of whom there is no hope of life : O that if God please , I may see this day . And if the pope should fall , then also in a moment , would fall the Masse , and all the other Idolatries which the pope hath inuented . This is the cause why our aduersaries so greatly fight , to intertaine , and mainetaine the authority of the Pope . For very well they know that the Pope once fallen , the popish religion of necessity must fall to the earth . Very well did Pedro de la Fuente ( or Fontidonio , as others call him ) a diuine of Seuill vnderstand this : who in a sermon which he made , the last day of September in the Councel of Trent , greatly inueied against the protestants , calling them heretiques , saying : that they sought to cast downe the 2 pillars of the Church . To wit , the sacrifice of the Masse & the Pope , This Diuine sayd moreouer : that the Councell ought to employ all it force , to sustaine and vphold them . The pillar ( said he ) of the seat papall once pulled downe , that the whole Church would fal to the earth . The reason which he gaue was , because the funerals and obsequies of the Church went iointly , and accompanied with those of the Pope . There is nothing ( sayd he ) that the aduersaries with deliberate purpose more endeuour to doe , then to put downe the Pope , &c. Our aduersaries haue fallen in the reckoning , and this is the cause , why they maintaine and adore ( and many of them doe it , against their owne conscience ) The Pope , howsoeuer abhominable , wicked , and great an Atheist he be . I humbly beseech his maiesty to send the true Sampson , which is Christ , who with one pluck , may wholy pull downe these two pillars , and so the house of Dagon may fall vtterly to the earth . Iudg. 16. 29. I know that were the Pope , and his Masse pillars built vpon the rock , vpon the cornerstone Christ , that neither the gates of hell , nor whatsoeuer men could imagine , should euer preuaile against them . But because they be not founded vppon this firme foundation : but rather vpon humane inuentions , any small thing whatsoeuer , that carrieth any reason , maketh them easily to stagger . The thing which wholy ouerthroweth them , is the word of God . As by the Lordes assistaunce in these two Treatises shal be seene . His Maiestie I hope , whose cause we here maintaine , will draw some fruit out of this my trauaile . To him I commit the charge therof . For as saith his Apostle 1. Cor. 3. 7. Neither he that planteth is any thing , nor he that watereth , but God , which giueth the encrease . His cause it is , to him I commend it . That which in the meane time Christian Reader , I beseech thee , for that which thou owest to the health of thy soule ( the which if thou loosest , what shal it profit thee to haue gained the whole world ) is that thou read , consider and weigh the reasons which we giue in these two Treatises , for confirmation of that which we say ▪ and see which more agreeth with the word of God , with that which the ancient Doctors and Councels , and which naturall reason , teach : that which we haue said , or that which our aduersaries say . The holy , and true , who hath the key of Dauid , which openeth , and no man shutteth , which shutteth , and no man openeth ; Open vnto thee the gate , that thou maiest consider and adore his holy law . He euer bewith thee , Amen . The 25. of Iune 1588.