❧ The first Sermon of Henry Bullinger .

THE matter it self requireth , and the examples bothe of the Prophets and also of the Apostles doo instruct vs , that all our Ecclesiasticall preachings ( doctrines I mean , admonitions , rebukings , exhortations , counsails and comfortings ) are to be framed according to the time . And moreouer , that all Ecclesiasticall dooings are to be referred vnto edifying .

But if wée should now intreat and speak as the present time requireth , and to the prophet of vs all , who are moste of vs ministers of the Church , and therefore are wee moste cheefely assembled héere to th' entent somewhat should bée said concerning the duety of our office , that is moste principally requisit to knowe : there appéereth to vs no matter more profitable , nor more necessary , then to admonish your holinesse ( ye Fathers and brethern honorable and most déerly beloued ) of the consummation of the world , The preposition . and the finall iudgement of Christe Iesus our Lord . And also as our speciall duty requireth ) diligently and ernestly to stir vp the people of Christe , committed to our charge : vnto a sober watchfulnes , lest sudainly and vnwares the day of the Lord steale vppon them , which vndoutedly cannot be far of , and which our elders afore vs , teachers in the Church abooue a thousand or ix . hundred yéeres past , did think to be at hand .

How much rather ought we ( vppon whom the ends of the world are come , & who also haue most manifestly séenful filled very many of the Prophesies that haue been set foorth concerning the end of the world , and the things that should come to passe ( immediatly before the day of Iudgement ) to lift vp our heds , knowing that our redemption euen now draweth néer .

Christe Iesus our Lord béeing yet a fauourable high Préest of the faithful , on , the right hand of his father , but héerafter at the last , a moste seuere and yet moste iust iudge of all the whole world , graunt mée habilitie to speak duly vnto you , and you grace plentifully to heare with frute to the glory of his name and edifying of his Church . And because blessed Peeter the Apostle , the cheef teacher of this Church , and moste faithful Disciple of Iesus Christe our Lord ( saith ) . If any man speak : let him speak as the sayings of God . I wil studiously indeuour to shewe foorth , and with as much plainnes as I may ▪ to open my whole matter euen with the woords of Christe our Lord , and with the sayings of the Prophets and Apostles . For the holy Prophets in whom was the Spirite of Christe . Daniel moste chéefely and Zacharias ( omitting Esay & Ezechiel ) haue most diligently and copiously instructed the Church of God with their prophesies concerning the latter times of the world and the iudgement of Christe our Lord to come .

But Christe our Lord , the light and fulfilling of the lawe and the Prophets , hath so largely and so manifestly debated of these matters , that if any man doo yet desire a more plain exposition : may séem to séek at the Sun béeing of it self moste bright shining , a light much brighter .

The prophecy of Christ touching the end of the world and the maner of the last dayes . He béeing demaunded of his Disciples in the mount Oliuet , and in the sight of the most famous Citie of Hierusalem , what should be the token of his comming , and of the end of the world : Made answere . That the holy Citie of Hierusalem should first of all be taken and laid flat to the ground , and that the Iewes them selues should be led captiue into all nations . Wath . 24 And that the Gospel of the kingdome should be receiued of all nations throughout the whole world . And that afterward should false Prophets go abrode , who with false doctrine and faied miracles should deceiue the world & that with such prohability & happy successe : that euen the very elect should haue combrance therwith . Among other things he resiteth , False teachers and false Christes , and euen those Antichristes also , that should forsake the very true Christe the sonne of the eternall God , and should not sincerely vnto the faithful shew him foorth , sitting on the right hand of his father : but in the earth , in the desert , in sundry and diuers places , and also euen En tois temeios that is to say , in close and secret places , in Chests and Ambries . For the Grecians call Temeia secret and wel fenced places , where treasures are laid vp , also the hidden and priuy places of a house , and the very Ambry or Spence . And the little Sacrament houses diligently fenced with Locks and boltes , the Popes men call them Ambries , As sure as God is in the Ambry out of the which as out of an Ambry , they bring foorth Viaticum , their viage , prouision or Howzel ( as they call it .

But our Lord in the Gospel with loud voice crieth out , saying . Do not beleeue them , doo not go foorth , doo not beleeue them . Beeholde , I haue tolde you before . And héeer he addeth by and by , that greeuous persecutions shall arise against the godly , He saith , that there shal be great troubles , that there shall appeer tokens in the Sun , in the moon and in the starres , that some shal be greeued with great penciuenes through despair , & that some beeing dissolute & wanton through to much & a certain carelesse securitie , shall be in that last day ouerwhelmed , & that the world shal be about the end altogither such as it was before the flud & in the daies of Loth , while the Giants & Sodomites lay sleeping and snorting quietly in the dung of wickednesse , despising all the good admonitions of God , giuen vnto them by the holy Fathers , in so much the destruction came vpon them vnlooked for . Paule the Apostle of Christe , speaking also of that vngodly securitie . 2. Thesse . 5. Of the times ( saith hee ) & at what moment our Lord wil come to execute iudgement : there is no need for mee to write vnto you brethern . For you your selues do plainly knowe that the day of the Lord wil come as a theef in the night . For when they shall say peace and quiet safetie : then suddain destruction shall come vpon them as the pain of childe bearing vp on a woman in trauail , and they shall not escape . But our Lord in his Gospel procedeth with his Prophetical exposition , Luke . 18. & saith moreouer . Iniquitie shall abound and the loue of many shall wax colde , so that the sonne of man when he commeth : shall scarcely finde faith vpon the earth . Saint Peeter also fortelling of the extreme wickednes of this last age . 2. Peeter . 3. I stir vp your mindes ( saith hée ) to remember the words that haue beene spoken heertofore by the holy Prophets and also the commaundement of vs the Apostles of our Lord and sauiour . This vnderstand ye first , that in the last daies shall come mockers ▪ which wil walke after their owne lust , and say . Where is the promise of his comming ? For , sins our fathers died , all things continew in the same estate from the beginning as they were first made . Our Lord also in the gospel addeth moreouer to all these things That hee wil come in his glory sudainly and vnloked for , to iudge the quick & the dead , & that hee wil giue rewards of life to the godly , & wil commit the wicked to euerlasting Hel fire . For as the lightning ( saith he ) commeth forth of the east , and shineth euen vnto the west : so shal be the comming of the sonne of man . Take heed therfor vnto your selues lest your harts bee oppressed with surfetting and drunkennes , and with the cares of this life , and so that day steale sudainly vppon you . For truely it shall come vpon all the inhabitants of the earth like vnto a snare . Watch therfore praying at all times , that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that are to come , and to stand before the sonne of man . Verily in this place our Lord is earnest & vrgeth so , as in no other place more vehemently , exhorting all people of all kindes , and of all ages vnto a sober watchfulnes . In Saint Mark. Watch ( saith he ) for ye knowe not when your Lord wil come , Mark . 13. whether in the euening , or at midnighr , whether at the cock crowing or in the dawning , lest if he come sudainly , he finde you sleeping . In S , Mathew hée setteth foorth very many parables , so the intent hee might the more déeply fasten this thing in the mindes of all men . For he setteth before vs An householder that watcheth , lest the théef in the night breaking in to his house should steale away all his substance . He setteth foorth A faithfull and wise seruaunt , that ministreth meat in due time to the whole housholde committed to his charge . On the other side , he setteth against him a noughty Seruant , vnthriftliy wasting his maisters goods , and also very vniustly dealing against his felowe seruants , moreouer drunken and vnwatchful , not any whit regarding his maisters comming : whom taken with the fault he dooth rent in péeces like a Traitor . He setteth before vs Ten Virgins , wherof fiue were sober and wise , but th' other v. were foolish and slouthful , and therfore shut out of the ioyes of the wedding .

Furthermore hée setteth before vs a certain Noble house holder , that looke his iourney into a far countrey , and yet first before his departure distributed his goods by Talents , which he left to be occupied in merchandise for his gaines , who bound with euerlasting chaines his vnthrifty seruant , wicked and slouthful . And to euery parable : he ioyneth a sentence right worthy & méet to be grauen déeply in our harts . Watch therfore be cause ye knowe neither the day nor the houre in which the sonne of man wil come . But moreouer , This doctrine of our Lord / is to be vrged & beare ● in to our mindes . who can say that this doctrine vttered by our Lord and Sauiour , concerning the last age and the iudgement to coome , is combersome or obscure ? It is surely more cleere then the noone day vnto them , that desire to be wise . But vnto them that are blinde alwaies , all things become darknes , because of their owne accorde they procure vnto them selues euen very extreme darknesse . But this diligent carefulnes of our Lord , and also this wholesome example ought to stir vp all vs his seruants vnto like desire of godlines , to th' intent that wée may with great faithfulnesse and diligence , stir vp also euen the whole world béeing almost all in these our daies deeply fallen a sleep : stir them vp ( I say ) shake them , and sharply with ernest calling on , vrge them to watch , pray , and to consider throughly the doctrime of our Sauiour , and finally to mark wel those things that haue béen doon in times past and those things also that are now doon in these our daies .

Verily those things that were foretolde by our Lord , By a comparison the prophecy of Christe is made manifest . we haue seen them , euen in the very things them selues , continually & in long course of time to haue béen fulfilled . For the holy Citie weried with the gréeuous séege of the Gentils , at the length was taken , spoiled , set on fire & vtterly destroyed , scarcely any few tokens or prints remaining therof . But those Iewes that perished not by famin , pestilence , and the sword : were taken captiue by the Romains , and dispersed into all nations throughout the whole world . And also the Gospel of the kingdome , in despite of the Iewes & Gentiles , and euen in despite of hel gates , hath béen receiued throughout the whole world .

Furthermore we haue seen , that there hath burst out of the déep pit of hel , Apoca. 9. those great hepes of false prophets those deadly locusts , which with moste corrupt and new kinde of doctrine , he hath troubled , vexed , rent in péeces , seduced , yea and all so replenished with moste vnspeakable calamities , the whole Church of Christe . But if you as yet sée not these things : consider more ernestly , what I shall now say . The foundnesse of doctrine is corrupted . The simplicitie and integritie of the olde and Apostolike doctrine was in that deadly time vtterly corrupted . It semed , and is yet now adiudged by those Doctors , to be a doctrine very vile , vnséemly , and nothing Catholik , which béeing taken out of the moste sacred Gospell and moste simply and plainly set foorth vnto all men according to the example of the Apostles , dooth teach , that the faithful are iustified by the onely grace of God , thorew faith in Christe , or that sinners are acquited from damnation , their sinnes forgiuen them , and euerlasting life obtained by the death of the sonne of God . which benefits they receiue by faith onely and doo shew foorth & testify their true faith by good woorks . So shall it séem vnto them a matter vnaduised and nothing plain , if thou say that the rule of Christe alone is a moste absolute rule of true faith and good life , also that Christe alone suffiseth vnto the godly . And that he alone remaineth the Hed , the King , the high preest , of the Churche , in which he is present and which he ruleth very wel with his spirite and power , euen vnto the end of the world : that the Church cleueth only to him , honoreth him in Spirite and trueth : that the same worshippeth him , not in elements , or corruptible things , but in glory , & at the right hand of God the father . If thou doo thus beleeue , & doo thus plainly and simply confesse thy faith : thou shalt be accounted nothing Catholick , yea suspected of heresy , or rather a very Heretick indéed . For héerunto thou must ad , that Christe indeed dooth iustifie vs , but not fréely . For Our merits must come to , and so our saluation therby is made perfect . And therfore by all menes possible , they impugne and persecute this proposition as hereticall namely , That Sinners are iustified by onely faith in Christe , and not by the works of the lawe . Moreouer they teach vs to speake more Catholikly and to frame our talke in this wise , namely that men haue their sinnes in déed forgiuen thorow Christe : but not without the Key graunted vnto the Préests , which is lawfully employed in Confessions . That mennes sinnes are indéed pardoned , as touching the fault : but not as touching the pain , which pain ( say they ) is taken away or ministred by Satisfaction , or by the Popes pardons . And the beléeuers are saued indeed , but yet their soules must first be wel sodden and purged with Fire and Holy water . They ad moreouer , that in very deed the Gospel of Iesus Christe is the rule of true faith and good life : but not altogither perfect . But that the want therof is patched vp with liuely Traditions , and by the decrees of the councels and Fathers . That the rule of Munks are moste alowable . and moste perfect , because ( forsooth ) they are in the state of perfection . That Christ in déed is the hiest hed in Heauen : but that he in earth hath placed in his-sted the Bishop of Rome , with fulnes of power to be the hed of his Church . So that they which doo not acknowledge this hed , cannot inioy Christe in Heauen : for that we ought ( vnder pain of damnation ) to be subiect to the Bishop of Roome . So they graunt that Christe is in déed in Heauen with his Father , an intercessor and mediator for the faithful : yet they ad by and by : But he is not a mediator alone : For the same thing also is graunted vnto the merits of the Saints in Heauen so that by their menes also they cause our Lord to extend his mercy vnto sinners calling vpon the names of the Saints . So they graunt that Christe is to be worshipped in spirit & trueth : but yet they affirme , that he is neuerthelesse to be worshiped with golde , with siluer , and all kindes of precious things , Iohn . 4. Daniel . 11. Acts. 17. that are to be offered and dedicated to the ornament of temples . So they say , that the faithful doo indéed worship Christe at the right hand of the father in glory : but that he neuerthelesse must be adored also and worshipped vnder the forme of bread , in their Chappelꝭ , in their Alters , in their Temples , in their store boxes and Pixes : when by the power of God , and of the woords of consecration , the substance of bread and wine is turned , yea transubstantiated in to the substance of the body and blood of Christe , no one iot of the substance of the bread and wine remaining , but onely the very accidents and outward shewes , that appéer . Therfore , that Christe is to be worshipped héer , euen héer on the earth , and vnder the elements and outwarde creatures , they doo ernestly affirme by the traditions of the Popes , Innocencius , Honorius and Vrbanus , and doo euen poynt him out , as it were with the finger in the earth , heere , and there , moreouer in the desert , in the secret places , in their Clausters , & in those their monasteries . Yea farthermore , to th' intent that the admonition of Iesus Christe our Lord , might not be obscure or dark , saying in the Gospel . ( They shall saye vnto you : beholde heere is Christe , beholde he is there , beholde he is in the desert , beholde he is in the store boxes , or in the secret places ) round about the Pix or litle Sacrament box , they write in great golden letters . Heer worship thou God . If in any place out of Roome they doo open their Romain pilgremage ( Ein Romfart ) that is to say , if any where they happen to lay out those their indulgences and Pardons to sale for merchandise , then again in the forefrunt of their Scrips , satchels , boxes and shops of pardons , they write in great golden letters . Heer is ful remission of all sinnes , and these things truely are wel knowen to all men throughout Christendome . But what dooth Christe our Lord ad moreouer vnto those things ?

Go not forth , do not beleeue them , beholde I haue tolde you before . Furthermore , we haue heard and séene in more then a thousand places , great fearful Miracles to haue been wrought before dum Images , and before the bread turned into God . And all things were doon to this end that these new & Doctor like decrées of the transubstantiation of the bread , of the worshipping of Images , of the inuocation of Saints , and the purchasing the merits of Saints , The persecution of the Church of Christe . might be set foorth & commended to the faithful . But he that wil not beléeue these things , or shall in any iot speake against them : is by and by snatched vp to prison , & to execucion of death . We haue learned out of histories , that there hath béen neuer at any time stirred vp against the people of God , any persecution more greeuous , of longer continuance , and finally also more cruel then this last by Antichrist . The affliction of the people of God in Egipt continued not abooue two hundred yeres . It is written in déed that they were in Egipt and on their iourney iij. hundred yeeres . But all this time is not ascribed to the persecution of the Israelits . But the persecutions , which they sustained vnder the Iudges and Kings , were very short .

The captiuitie of Babilon was ended within the space of lxx . yeeres . The affliction of Antioche and Greece was contained within certain bonds . Moreouer the ten persecutions of the primatiue church , lasted thrée hundred yéeres , euen to the reign of Constantine the great . And they had in the mean while certain breathing spaces , certain respits , and quiet times .

But since the time in which the Bishop of Rome inuaded the kingdom of Christe , & began vsurpingly to take vpon him the rule of the Church , and lastly to chalenge to him self the fulnes of power : there was then no rest at the end of lxx . yéeres & abooue . None , or very short truces , but continuall laying of trappes and snares , perpetuall practises and torments ( as it were ) euerlasting . The sharp and cruel Inquisicion was written with the blood of the faithful : that is to say , a more rigorus way , to enquire against the faithful , then euer was practised , by the Emperour Dioclesian , such as was neuer séen in any age or time from the beginning of the world . Heervnto is mixed Excommunication , the strong sinew of persecution . This kinde of persecution , hath shaken the moste mightie Kings , the Henries and Fridericks , and their children and nephewes , the Lewises , and innumerable princes . With the same , the Pope hath subdued vnto him self , people otherwise very fierce and couragious . The same hath taken away the moste holy and moste learned men in the world : and hath compelled the simpler and more vnlearned sort , either vtterly to kéep silence , or els to dissemble . For at the length by this his outragious tirany : be made kings and princes thrall and obedient vnto him , so that all men ( by hepes ) haue gréedely héertofore , and now doo stil beare armor in defence of this new God , and to maintain , and by violence to force vppon all men , his new Religion . I doo fain nothing héerin , neither reliue I my gaule , neither speak I any thing for hatered , or fauour of any man . God , the iudge of all men is my witnes in this behalf .

Moreouer , all historyes bothe olde and new , doo make mention of these things . Finally what is doon in our daies , and with what persecutions are oppressed , not the blasphemers , not the contemners of Religion , not the adulterers , not those that are defiled with incest , with whordomes , with fornications ( to speak nothing of more filthy acts ) not murderers , not Sorserers , not Traitors , not deceitful persones , couetous men , Vsurers , or Theeues and oppressors of widowes and fatherlesse children : but the professors of the true Religion , and the confutors of the Popes abominations .

They that doo not sée it , and with gréef mark it , are more blinde then the Iewes , who when they heard this saying ( Christ when he commeth , shall hee do mo miracles then this man hath doon ? ( and when also the thing it self did beare witnes in the meane while moste apparantly , yet by no meanes did they beléeue in him . Yea , how is it , that they more fréendly doo spare and fauour Théeues , and murderers , then the loouers of the Euangelicall trueth ? The Iewes are suffered and borne with all , the Turks , the Sarasens , and the moste naughty and moste hurtful men of all . The Gospellers alone beeing vnharmful , are neuer thought worthy of any pardon . These onely séeme méet to be dispatched out of the way without any mercy . So that héerin also thou maist perceiue Christes saying to be verified . You shall be hated of all men for my names sake . Also The time wil come , that he , which shal kil you shall seem to doo honour vnto God . Again who is ignorant , with how great straitnes euen in the Papistrie moste cheefly in the Abbies , are vexed , men not altogither euil , and many with troubled consciences ? Who knoweth not that God and godly men , not a few , pine away euen with very sorow ? But who shall recite vnto vs the age , of late daies and in this our time , notable and famous in signes , ●●unders and straunge tokens ? I wil not now speak of the ciuil and forain warres , seditions , schismes , sects , debates , tumults , trecheries , treasons , vnfaithfulnes , wiked leages , mens crueltie moste extreme , and destructions moste horrible , and those not a few .

Of these things who cannot gather , that faith and loue is become colde vpon earth , and that extreme wickednes boyleth in the harts of men ? Furthermore , we see that the world at this day , beeing in such horrible daungers , is moste abundantly stuffed and replenished with such as despise God , and make a mock of all trueth ▪ the moste religious ( that is to say ) they , vnto whom this name is giuen , and who haue their liuing & gaines by Religion , make Religion it self a very game . Vnto vs it is a good perswasion ( said that moste holy one ) which maketh vs Lords ouer the whole world . And I am a shamed , to rehearse those things that are spoken by learned and religious fathers in this kinde of matter . The Epicures béeing a company of Swine , doo laugh and plesantly make a iest at the looue of vertues , and at the calamities , which the faithful doo patiently sustain for Religions sake , at the immortalitie of the soule , and the resurrection of the body , also at the rewardis of the godly and punishments of the wicked , and at those things whatsoeuer , which are spoken conserning spirituall and heauenly matters . More ouer , we sée that the people of all sorts one with another are déeply drowned in a carelesse securitie : and that therefore reigneth among them a monsterous looue of surfetting and drunkennes .

Moste men doo promise to them selues many hundred yéeres yet to come , and therfore they make mery or els with dissimulation doo let passe all prechings of of repentance , of fasting , and of sobriety , of faith and of prayers of the end of the world now at hand , & of the eschuing the infection of euils . Gene. 18. But if any doo somewhat fréely reprooue these Swine for their shameful filthines : by and by he heareth that , which Loth heard at the hands of his Citizins the Sodomites . Thou camest hether as a stranger , and wilt thou now be a Iudge among vs ? But ( I pray you ) which be the daies of Noe & Loth , if these be not they ? All good admonitions , and the very woord of God it self are moste extremly despised . What remaineth therfore ( ye fathers and brethern honorable in Christe , and moste déerly belooued ) but that the last day of our Lord is not very far absent : and that therfore all our shéep committed to our charge , are to be exited and stirred vp vnto a diligent and sober watchfulnesse ? In vain shall we cry out , when the very day falleth vppon vs . For it shall inuade vs vppon a sudain , like vnto a lightning .

Wherfore , the mindes of all men must betimes afore hand be made ready , and verily with none other doctrin , than with the same of Iesus Christe our Lord , of which I haue hitherto intreated with as much breuitie as I could . Notwithstanding , I doo aduise all men , The day & yeere of the last iudgement cannot be discerned . héerin ernestly to take heed , lest in scanning and sifting out of the time or els the day or yéer of the last end , we be to bolde or rather to rash : as some lewd felowes there haue béen of late yéeres , who haue ( as it were ) with their finger poynted out the day and the yéer of the finall iudgement , therin shewing forth their folly worthy to be mocked of all men . Christe Iesus our Lord , the iudge of all men , who , according to his Godhed , Mark . 13. vnderstandeth all the councels of his father , said in the gospel of S. Mark . Of that day and time no man knoweth , no , not the Angels which are in Heauen , neither the Sonne him self ( as touching his humain nature ) but the father alone . And a little after . Ye knowe not when that time shal be .

Therfore as the Lord him self hath taught vs to speak : so let vs speak , and say . Take heed , watch and pray . For ye knowe not when your Lord wil come , in the euening or at midnight , at the Cock crowing , or in the dawning , lest if he come vnwares , hee finde you , sleeping . Wherfore when ye shall se these things come to passe which I haue tolde you before , should happen : knowe ye that the kingdome of God is at hand . And therfore look vp and lift vp your heds . For your redemption draweth nigh .

This short doctrin of Christe our Lord may suffise vnto his Disciples , béeing careful and diligent , and not delighting in long proces . And because I dout not but that some yet doo desire and look for a more plentiful discourse vpon these things : we wil therfore bréefly ouerrun the doctrin of blessed Daniel vpon this matter . The prophecy of Daniel touching the end of the world and the times of the last age . Him we choose out among others , and before others , because our Sauiour intreating of the destruction of the Citie and the world , sent vs back to this Prophet , whose prophecy we should easely vnderstand , Daniel . 7. if we did giue good héed thervnto . Daniel therfore béeing taught by the heauenly vision : rehearceth foure Monarchies , that should arise in the world , among which : the last be calleth a Beast , which , ( he saith ) should haue ten hornes , among which : one Little horne springing vp should cast down iij. of them and that the same should growe vp in maruelous forse , and far excel all the rest . The same also ( saith he ) had the eyes of a man , and a mouth speaking great things , and that he made gréeuous and perpetuall war against the Saints , ouer whome also he easely preuailed and reighneth most puisauntly and most licenciously , vntil the seats were prepared and iudgement placed in throne .

For then was all that kingdome rent in péeces , and the beast thrown into the fire to be burnt with euerlasting flames . Saint Ierome expounding these things saith . By the fourth Beast , the Prophet vnderstandeth the Romaine Empire , which ●e neither calleth a Lion , as the Empire of Babilon , neither a beare as of Persia , neither a Parde , as of Macedonia , but he calleth him a Beast ▪ to the intent that what soeuer wee imagine moste fierce and cruell in beasts : the same we may vnderstand by the Romains . Thus much saith S. Ierome . But séeing Daniel him self hath sowen abrode the séedes of the right exposition héerof : by folowing the things them selues , and conferring of historyes : I will showe the interpretation of this propheticall vision , not inforced : but taken out of the woords of the prophet & out of the very things them selues , & therfore easy and apparaunt of the owne accord , Verily , it is wel knowen , that the Romain Empire hath raged ouer the whole earth with furious woodnes more than beastly .

For , if I should omit to make mention how that vnder this Empire ( whose vassals were the Herods ) Ihon Baptist was beheaded , and at the last Christe him self was crucified vnder Tiberius the Emperour ( Pontius Pilate beeing then Lieutenaunt for the Romains ) all the Apostles of Christe were also moste gréeuously afflicted , and at the length most cruelly slain , and the Primitiue Church ( with the x. moste fierce persecutions with fire and sword ) worne away yea , and almoste vtterly consumed : yet who knoweth not , that there was almoste no parte of the world inhabited , wherinto the moste raging weapons of the Romains haue not broken in , and vexing of the same ( with their filthy lust , in tollerable pride and vnsatiable coueteousnes ) haue at the length vtterly deuoured it ? But the iust Lord , in due time hath recompenced blood thirsty Rome according to her deserts , The Romain Empire destroyed . and by diuision hath made concord , and so also hath rent her strength in sunder , which thing the prophet hath signified by the x. hornes . For , while the prouinses reuolted from the Romain Empire , and some of them created Kings vnto them selues : and other some bare armour against the imperiall Citie , and the Emperours them selues , within few yéeres it came to passe , that the Citie béeing Lady of the whole world : was taken & sacked of barbarous people , and also made a mocking stock , and at the laste set on fire and destroyed by Tottilas of Ostgothia , a prince worthy of eternall remembrance , and a moste famous seruant of God .

At the same time and before also , when the Cittie was come into the hands of Gensiricus the Wandall , and when immediatly afterward it was gouerned by Odacer king of the Saxons , who béeing dead : it was subiect to Djetricus of Verona & the Ostgothes , all that while there was no lawful Emperour or Caesar in Italy , as afore at Rome . Only at Constantinople , in the Cittie of Constantine , the great the moste godly prince , reigned the Emperours of the East , vntil Ioannes Paleologus the sonne of Mahuel béeing the last Emperour of Constantinople ( except one ) did in the councel of Florence acknowledge Eugenius then Bishop of Rome , vnto whome he there submitted him self & his also . This was doon in the yéere of our Lord 1439. For , The Emp●r● o● Constantinople ●●●oued & ouerthrowne straight waies his sonne Constantine the vij . surnamed Draco , béeing subdued by Mahumedes the Emperour of the Turcks , lost his Cittie , his life , and his Empire . So that for a iust punishment of that moste filthy reuolting and backsliding : the moste auncient Empire of Grecia , that had stand vpright 1119. yéeres , was by that Turcks thrown down and very cruelly subuerted . This calamitie happened in the yéere of our Lord 1453 , So that from the councel of Florence to the reuolting : were onely xiiij . yéeres betwéene . And S. Ierome in his Cronicles noteth that the Citie of Constantinople was dedicated by Constantine in the yéere of our Lord 334.

Consider héer , in the meane while ( ye worthy men ) the goodnes and Iustice of our Lord God , and therwith all his meruellous trueth . The benefits of God bestowed vppon Constantine the greae . The blessed Emperour Constantine faithfully serued the true God and his sonne Iesus Christe in rooting out , and suppressing of all hethenish Idolatrie and superstition & on the other side in planting , spreading abrode , and establishing of Christian religion , and for that cause ( as S. Augustine maketh mention ) God that plentiful rewarder of all good men , was willing to adorne him not onely with eternall ioy in Heauen : but also with moste ample glory and renowne vpon earth .

For he gaue vnto him the moste famous Citie in the world , and a continuall and most inuincible kingdome . For , God drawing him away from that fatal land of Italy , and from the bloody Cittie of Rome ( which also , it is likly the prince him self to haue abhorred ) brought him vnto Bizantium in Thracia , where he built a famous Citie of his owne name which was vnto his posteritie euen vnto the end of the world a moste worthy remembrance of so very good & most mighty a Prince . Wherby it come to passe by a certaine prouidence of God , and ( as it were ) by a certain prophecy , that it shuld take the name of Constantine him self , and also of that good christian woman Constantia . Like as some report , Rome to haue taken name of Romulus , that slew his brother , or ( as some say ) a robore tirannico & immensa superbia , that is of the tiranicall force , and vnmesurable pride ( what if ye ad , vom braemen vstrumen vnd be schissen ) with which it hath been a raging enemye against the whole worlde bothe spiritually and corporally . Assuredly all historyes doo witnesse , that our Lord God bare a singuler great fauour vnto the Citie of Constantinople . One matter onely will I resite .

After the decay of the Romain Monarchie , how soeuer the whole world run togither with mutuall warres amonge them selues , & most kingdomes tasted of meruelous alterations : yet neuertheles the kingdom of Constantinople remained stedfast and vnmoouable , giuing often repulse vnto barbarous nations , and also to the very Sarasines , beeing enemyes otherwise moste mightie & fierce . But at the length beeing vtterly void of Gods protection : it was laid open to be spoyled and trodden vnder foote by the Turks , at what time the Princes of Constantinople béeing deceiued by Eugenius the Pope , to the great calamitie of moste mightie Princes . ( For at that season by the vnhappy councel of Amurathe , he ouerthrew Ladislaus the moste victorious King of Hungary and Polonia , with all his whole hoste ) departing in the councell of Florence , from their true head Christe , acknowledged the Pope of Roome to be the true Vicar of Christe , on earth , and the lawful successor of Peeter ( I reherse the woords of Platina ) to occupy the chéefest and highest place in the world , whom the Church bothe of the East and also of the West ought of duty to obey .

But séeing that these things haue happened to this moste noble ond moste ancient Citie , through the iust iudgement of God : let men take héed in these dayes what they doo , that béeing deliuered thorow the tuicion and diligence of good Princes , from this Romain beast outragious , proud , insatiable in blood and riches , filthy and deceiuable : yet wil again throwe down them selues to be stamped vnder his féet , and to be ouerwhelmed Sith all kinds of legerdemain .

But now I return to Daniel . It appéereth out of histories ( as I was about to tel ) that in the West , within Roome and Italy , beeing the auncient seat of the empire , there was no Caesar or Emperour , all the time from the desolation of the West Empire , vnto the dayes of Charles the great , which was thrée hundred yéeres and more . For the Hornes , that grue vp by the diuision of the Romain Empire , béeing diuers and many , did fiercely fight togither , and slew one another . So that Roome and Italy was gouerned now by the west Gothes afterward by the Wandalles , after that by the Saxons , so by the East Gothes , then by the Greeks : and at the length the Lombards also , and Frenchmen attained to the Empire .

And during this vnhappy time , while the frantick Prinres slewe one another with mutuall wounds , there sprung vp in the middest of this contention , that base and despised litle Horne that Daniel speaketh of , namely a parish Préest of Roome , who a litle before this time through moste wicked deuises & practises , began to be in authoritie : which helped him exceedingly to the attainment of the Empire . For now he was accounted almoste of all men in the west parts for the vniuersall pastor , as Bishop of that place , which ( after long contention had , first with the Churches of Africa , and afterwarde of Constantinople ) Phocas the Emperour , altogither an infamous and vnfortunate Prince , commaunded to be chéefest and head of all Churches in the world .

Therfore now the Popes iudgements and decrées were of great authoritie among princes , as of a man altogither Apostolike : who neuerthelesse hitherto was equall with other Bishops , and had no princely superioritie , and therfore , was a base and despised litle horne .

And Daniel dooth not let to tel , by what meanes , that base person not accounted of , who was once vnder the subiection of the Romain Princes , is now started vp to so great a dignitie & power , The little horne ouerthroweth iii. hornes . namly by the ouerthrowe of thrée Hornes in that sharp conflict of the other Hornes . And héer I would haue you to note dilygently , how that Daniel , in declaring of this matter , vsed not one only woord but thrée .

For he saith , that the Hornes were pluct a way , brought lowe & fel down . Namely , that one of the thrée hornes was pluckt awaye , an other brought lowe , and the third fel down . For Grigory Bishop of Room the second of that name , a Cirian born , and a man very wittie and subtile , did excomunicate Leo Isauricus Emperour of Constantinople ( béeing a good and other wise a strong Prince ) for taking away the Images out of the temples of Christians , whom also he plucked away and draue him out of Italy . Héerin reigned the Saxons and Ostgothes , men barbarous about Clxxv yéeres . But these were subdued by Bellisarius , a man very expert in the affaires of war . And Narses a skilful and mightie warrier , béeing sent by the princes of Constantinople , draue them clean out of Italy , and he him self ruled Italy , as Liuetenant for the Prince of Constantinople .

After this , Longinus brought a new kinde of gouernment into Italy called the Exarchate , The Exarchate af Rauenna . such a one as was the Deputy and Viceroy in Italy in place of the Prince of Constantinople . He was termed Exarchus , who had his seat at Rauenna and not at Roome , because it remained , very filthy , and ( as it were ) desolate , by meanes of the waste & destruction doon by the Gothes . And after Narces and Basilius , Rome had neuer Consuls , nor senat lawfully assembled . But the Romain state béeing vtterly wasted : was gouerned a long time by the rule of a Grecian , whom the Exarchus sent from Rauenna . And it was not called the Exarchate of Roome : but of Rauenna .

But after that Leo the Gréek Emperour was excommunicated , and Gregory the Pope had perswaded all the Cities of Italy to reuolt : they began to chuse them Dukes to rule ouer them . Wherby it came to passe immediatly , that casting away the gouernment of the Exarchate , they slew through sedition Paule the Exarchus togither with his Sonne at Rauenna , and expelled the Grecians out of Italy . And so this horn was plucked away .

Moreouer , Pope Zacharias , wheras he was falsely esteemed by the Frenchmen and other nations , to be the true Apostolike and vniuersall bishop on earth , was chosen vmpire , to pronounce whether were more worthy of the kingdome Hildericus or Pipin the dwarf . But he brought lowe the true King Hildericus , in place of whom hée exalted Pipine béeing the chéef ruler of his house .

Wherfore , Stephen the successor of Zacharie , second of that name ( the repulse béeing giuen to the Lombards , and also in despite of the Greeks ) receiued for a reward of his wicked fact , the Exarchate of Rauenna , lately made desolate by the practises of the Pope . And so another of the thrée Hornes was brought lowe , and the litle horne was exalted , into a higher estate . Furthermore , now after these commeth Charles the great , the sonne of Pipin the dwarf , who beeing called foorth by Pope Adrian in to Italy against the Lumhards , at Papia or Ticinum ' beséeged and took Desiderius the last king of the Lombards in Italy , & so ouerthrew and rooted vp the kingdome of Lombardy . Wherby the third of the thrée Hornes , may very wel be said to haue fallen downe . But the Citie of Roome was giuen by the ●āe Charles vnto Saint peeter , and to the bishop there , the successor of Saint Peeter and to the Romain Church . And those things , which his elders before him had giuen lately : the same he enlarged and confirmed .

But before I procéed to other things partaining to this matter : I cannot omit the exposition of Daniel , & the iudgement of that moste famous and godly man Ebarhardus Archbishop of Salisburge concerning Pope Gregory the ninth , and other Bishops of Rome , who about the yéer of our Lord 1240. in a common Parlement of the kingdome ( as it is mentioned by Iohannes Auentinus in his seuenth Book of Cronicles ) thus said .

These mightie holy Préests of Babilon desire to reign alone . They cannot abide to haue any equall . They wil not ceasse til they haue brought all things vnder their subiection , and sit in the Temple of God , and lifted vp abooue all whatsoeuer is woorshiped . Their hunger for riches , their thirstinesse for honor is vnsatiable . The more thou giuest to a couetous man : the more dooth he couet and desire . Reach him thy finger and he will couet for thy whole hand , We wax the worsse ( euen all the sorte of vs ) through immoderate libertie . He that is the Seruant of Seruants , desireth to be the Lord of Lords , euen as though he were God him self . He disdaineth the holy assemblies and councels of his bretheren , yea , of those that be Lords and rulers ouer him . Hée is afraid lest he should be compelled , to yeld account of those things whiche hee dooth daly more and more against the lawes . He speaketh great things , as though he were a God . He imagineth in his hart new deuises , to the intent he might establish a Kingdome to him self . Hée chaungeth lawes , confirmeth his owne , defileth , robbeth , spoyleth , defraudeth , killeth , euen hee that wicked outcast , whom they vse to call Antichriste . In whose forhed is written the name of blasphemy ( I am God , I cannot erre ) he sitteth in the temple of God , and ruleth far & néer . But as it is written in the secrets of holy Scriptures , he that readeth let him vnderstand . The learned shall vnderstand , but all the wicked shal doo wickedly and shall not vnderstand . And by and by after this . The maiestie of the people of Roome , by whiche in times past the whole world was gouerned , is taken away from the Earth , and the Empire is returned back into Asia . The East shall beare dominion again , and the West shal be brought vnder subiection . The kingdome was multiplied , and the highest gouernment of things , is now dispersed in to many , cut in sunder , diminished ( I wil not say ) torn all to péeces . Ciuil dissentions are sowed abrode for euer . And wée sée no end of deadly warres . The name of Emperour is but a vain name , and but a shadowe only .

There are now ten Kings at once , whiche haue parted amongst them the whole earth béeing héertofore the Romain Empire , not to rule and gouern it : but to consume it . The ten Hornes ( which seemed incredible to Saint Augustine ) that is to say . The Turcks , the Greeks , the Egiptians , the Africans , the Spanyards , the Frenchmen , the Englishmen , the Germaines , the Sicilians , the Italians , haue in possession the prouinces of Rome , and haue rooted out the Romaines , that inhabited the same . And vnder these grewe vp a litle Horne , which had eyes , and a mouth speaking presumptuous things . He bringeth into subiection vnder him thrée Kingdoms moste cheefly , that is to say . Sicily , Italy & Germany , and compelleth them to serue him . He vexeth the people of Christe , and the Saints of God with his intollerable soueraintie He turneth all things vpside down , bothe things diuine and humain . He attempteth matters horrible & excecrable . What can be more euident , then this Prophecy ? All the miracles and prodigious wunders , of whiche our Hauenly maister did admonish vs ( read ye the chronicles ) were wrought a great while ago , in which presumption & violence possesse all thinges . Good men are tossed to & fro with all reprochefulnes and pouertie . All right is confounded , and Lawes perish , there is no faith in men , no peace , no gentlenesse , no shame , no trueth , & there withall no safetie also , no gouernment , no rest at all from euil men , all the whole earth is in a whurlyburly , warres doo rage on euery side . all nations are vp in armour , assaulting one another . Cities néere bordering do fight togither . Kingdomes are ouerthrowen , and Cities doo vtterly perish not onely with Swoord and fire , but also with continuall Earthquakes and ouerflowings of waters , and with often diseses and hunger . Maruelous wunders happen euery where in all the Elements of the world . The aire is infected , corrupted , and vnholsome through vnsaciable rain , sometime with vnprofitable drought , sometime with colde , sometime with to-much heats . Neither dooth the Earth yéeld any foyson vnto man , neither the corne , nor trées , nor Vines haue any fruteful increace . And though in their bloughth they giue great showe : yet in Haruest they bring no frute . Cattel and beastes dye vppon the earth , Birds in the aire and the fishes in the waters . Blasing Starres and darknes of the Sun , the coloure of the Moone , the suddain and vnaccustomable falling of the shooting Starres , the heauens ouerspred with blood , confoundeth the mindes of men with dreadful terrour . through the wrath of God against men , there rageth Swoord , fire . hungar and siknes . Neuerthelesse the vngodly acknowledge not the Iustice of God , but rather increace more and more in euil . In so much that they haue eyes and see not .

And this haue I resited woord by woord out of the Chronicle of Auentinus , whiche if any of you desire to read , ye shall finde it in the Copie of Ingolstadius printed in the yéer of our Lord . 1554. in the leaf 684. and 685. &c. All these sayings of the Archchbishop agrée very well to our matter and expound the same . And it appéereth , that I am not alone of this opinion that he putteth other Kingdoms in place of the thrée Hornes . Whiche thing I commit to the Iudgement of the reader . With my exposition accordeth the number of the beasts name . Apoca. 13. of which I haue elswhere discoursed more at large .

Now let vs return to our Daniell , bréefly to expound that also which remaineth . But thus by casting down of the thrée hornes , that litle horne mentioned by Daniel , namely that bace Seruant of Christe , and euen the Seruant of Seruants , did not onely clime vp to the highest top : but also became the moste mightie Prince of that fatall Land of Italy , Apoc. 17. and Lord of seuen hilled Room , and of the Palaice of Antichriste . The which , he and his repaired and adorned by the space of seuen hundred and fiftye yéeres , so that olde Rome by the help of these woorthy Patriarches , may now séeme to be new borne again . And héerunto Saint Paule séemeth to haue relation , 1. Thessa . 2. who in the Epistle to the Thessalonians , plainly said .

This thing onely nowe witholding vntil he be taken out of the way , and than that wicked one shal be reueled . Which is asmuch in effect , as if he had said ▪ This onely that now letteth , namely the Empire of Roome shal be taken away , and when Tocatochon that is , the same impediment shal be taken away , then shall the Romain Sea be erected , and in the same newe and second seate shal be placed the two horned beast , bearing the badge of keyes , and armed with two swoords . Neither doo I alone expound this place of Paule after this sort . Tertulian did euen so expound the same abooue fourtéen hundred yeeres ago , who in his book of the resurrection of the flesh .

Who shal be taken away ( saith hee ) but the Romaine estate , whose departing scattered in to ten kingdomes shall bring in Antichriste ?

The same meaning also hath Saint Ierome in the eleuenth question to Algasia , The Pope / a new King and troubbler of kingdomes . who manifestly calleth Roome by the name of Babilon , the seat of the Beast and of the purple Harlote . And thus the Pope this newe king , béeing established in his kingdome , began euen him self also to create kings , and in greatnesse of glory to excel all christian Princes , and afterwarde in all kingdomes to make trouble and whurly hurly .

For Leo the thirde Pope of that name , restored , or rather raised vp anew the Romain desolate and defaced by the space of thrée hundred yéeres and more , reiecting vtterly the Princes of Constantinople , For he appointed Charles the French King to be Emperour : and yet in such sorte , that beside the vain name it litle auailed him . For he reserueth Room to him self , and the chéefest part of Italy , which the Gréeks had possessed , and was called by the name of Exarchate . But he graunted vnto Charles a parte of Italy , ( som Romain titles ) whiche was recouered from the Lombards , and also the empty name of Emperour . Therfore according to the prophecy of Iesus Christe , vttered by Iohn in the Apocalips . The Image of the beast is seen , stirred vp by the false Prophet . No dout , the same was doon by the marueilous crafty woorkmanship of that olde wily Fox . For when all antiquitie looked for Antichriste about th' end of the Romain Empire , and when he was about the very same time risen vp and had placed him self in the seat of god ▪ he going about ( as it were ) to repaire the dcayed Empire , brought to passe , that he was not knowen of the faithful . But , they rather béeing deceiued with his suttle practises , looked for a certain ( I knowe not what ) Antichriste of Babilon , whom in their published Bookes they declare , should bée yet to come , and whom also they earnestly dispraise .

Yet should they not misse the right mark , if they would with all elder times call Roome that Babilon , and in steade of time comming to place the time present . At the length the stock of Charles and Pipin béeing rooted out , so that the Popes had remaining litle or no help at all from the hande of the french Kings , as in time past they had abused the power of the Greeks and Lombards , from whom afterwarde they flitted vnto the French men , so now they créep in to the fauour of the Princes of Germany , the better to bring their matters about .

Wherfore the Othoes with their Armies , set vppon Italy with great labour and expences . Vnder these are chosen vij . men , whom they tearme Electors . They chuse the Emperour . But the Imperiall maiestie and estate is giuen by none but by the Pope . For now the Popes of Roome had gotten the Monarchie in to their owne hands , wherby also within a while after they pluckt away the Empire from the Henries , Frediricks , Lewis , and many other notable and holy Princes of Germany , troubling in the meane season , and wasting with swoord and fire , all the kingdomes in Christendome , so that ( not without good cause ) they were called the Children of Perdition .

I wil now speak nothing of the war that was commonly named the Holy war , which was procured moste chéefly by the industrie of the Pope . In that warre were ioyned togither all the nations and kingdomes bothe of the east and of the west , moreouer also of the North and of the South . Wherby folowed so huge a bloodshed , that there was neuer at anye time in the worlde any battail fought with more ireful and obstinate mindes , and with so great losse of things as this the popes holy battail .

Moreouer , they began to thrust out Kings from their auncient inheritances and kingdomes , through treasons & murders , and in their places to exalte others for their owne pleasure and commoditie .

For which cause bothe Kings and kingdomes fought moste fiercely one against another . So they stirred vp the Kings of Hungary , the Kings of France , the Kings of Germany , and the Princes of other nations , against those , whom they accounted for their enemies . So was Cicily and Naples wrested away from the posteritie of th' Emperour Friderick the Sweuian , and cruel warre was betwéen the Germans , Frenchmen and Spaniards . But often times the French Kings were lewdly recompenced at the Popes hands .

In déed Boniface the viij . with wunderfull impudencie béeing bolde to claim the kingdome of Fraunce to be the benefite of the Popes maiestie : took away the same from Philip the fair , then King of Fraunce , and gaue it ( forsooth ) to Albert of Awstrey . But , impossible it is , to declare , in few woords , how sore this new vnhappy kingdom of the pope , and moste mischeuous Monarchy hath shaken the whole world . It is sufficient , to haue at the least wise touched these things , that by them , as through a lattise windowe , yee may sée , that there is not , or was not at any time any kingdome in all Christendome more troublesome , then the Popedome of Roome . The histories doo at large prosecute the same .

Now I return to Daniel . let vs therfore consider Daniels most perfect and euident description of this new king , and let vs compare the things them selues with him , to the intent all men may plainly knowe with out any douting , that the prophecy of Daniel is to be expounded and ment of none other then of the bishop of Roome , and of his kingdom , and that all things touching him , are all ready throughly fulfilled . Wherby it commeth to passe , that wée can looke for none other thing , but the last iudgement and therwithall the end af all things .

For which cause , let vs all watch ( as duty bindeth vs ) and stir vp all men to a circumspect watchfulnesse . The eyes ( saith Danial ) of this little horne were the eyes of a man . For this King was throughly exercised , wily , deceitful , and furnished with all kinde of arts and practises . And his retinew excelleth in this facultie all the practicioners of all princes . And surely this facultie hath promoted him vnto his kingdome , augmented his power , couered his wickednes , and keepeth him yet in safetie .

The Prophet addeth further . His mouth speaketh great things , or presumptuous things . Also , He shall speak meruelous and wunderful things against the God of Gods . So that the prophet dooth meruail greatly at his impudency . But ( reuerend maisters and déerly belooued brethren ) if yée desire to heare some of his great presumptuous woords giue eare . I wil reherse some of them vnto you out of their owne bookes . What thinges are taught in the decrees decretals / and gloses touching the Pope of Rome / his maiestie and Monarchie .

The Pope ( say they ) is aboue all lawes . He may prefer by his owne interpretation equity not writen before the lawe written . For he seemeth to haue all lawes in the Cofar of his brest . Therefore , what soeuer the Pope alloweth or dissaloweth , the same ought we also to alow or dissalow . Of the iudgement of the Apostolick seat no man ought to iudge : neither is it lawful for any man , to correct or repeale the sentence of the same , namely because of the primacy & soueraintie of the Romain church , giuen from abooue by the benefite of Christ in blessed Peeter the Apostle . The Iudge ought not to bee iudged , neither of councel nor of Emperour , nor of the whole clergie , nor of the Kinges , nor of the people . The causes of others : God would haue to be determined by man . But without all question , God hath reserued to his own Iudgement , the high ruler of this Sea : In somuche that if he should cary with him by heapes innumerable people to hel fire , yet no mortall man may presume , to reprooue his faultes heerin , because he is to iudge all men , and himself is to be iudged of no man . God suffereth not the church of Rome to erre . And euery one , that obeyeth not the decrees of the Romain Seat is an Heretick .

And Pope Adrian saith also . Wee iudge and ordaine by generall decree , that he be detestably accursed , and remain alwaies gilty before God , as a breaker of the catholike faith , whosoeuer shall suffer to be violat●d , or beleeue that there ought to be violated in any point , the sensure of the decrees either of the kings or of the Bishops , or of any heerafter the mightie Popes of Roome . All the ordinances of the apostolick seat are so to bee esteemed , as confirmed by the diuine voice of Peeter him self .

With lowd voice ( saith Leo the fourth ) I feare not to pronounce that whosoeuer shal be found , not indifferently to receiue and allow all the decrees of the holy fathers , which are intituled among vs by the names of Canons , hee is therby approoued such a one , as dooth not profitably and effectually to his behoof , keepe or beleeue either the Catholick & apostolick faith , or els the foure holy Gospels . For , whosoeuer dooth against her which is the mother of faith : dooth indeed breake and violate the faith . And albeit the Fathers of the Apostolick seate , some times bee not good : yet they are alwaies presupposed to be good . The Pope sinneth when he committeth adultrye or murder , but he may not be accused . It were apoint of Sacriledge to dispute of the Popes dooings : whose wicked acts are excused , as the murders of Sampson , the robberies of the Hebrues and the adultery of Iacob . Yea , also if one of the Clergie doo imbrace a woman , let it be said that hee dooth it to blesse her .

Let no man think that I haue ●ai●ed any of all these things . For I haue in effect resited the very woords of the Canonists , which I am able to shew in their owne Books if any man shall require it .

The Pope alone ( say they ) hath all the dignities & all the power which all the Patriarcks haue had . His authoritie is greater then the authoritie of the saintes : because whom he confirmeth , no man may disable the same . He hath bothe the swordes . He is not to be called to account by any man , no , although he be called an heretick . Hee alone appealeth from all men to God him self , because he is the Vicar or deputie of Christe , and hath fulnes of power from God . He may spare whom he lust . To him alone and to none els : it is lawful to take a way from one and giue to another . All the whole world is the diocesse of the Pope : and the Pope is the ordinary of all men , hauing fulnes of power in things spirituall and temporall . For he is Lord of Lords , hauing the right of the King of Kings ouer his subiects . He is all things and aboue all thinges . And it is requisit vnder pain of damnation to be subiect to the Bishop of Roome . For God and the Pope haue bothe one consistory . Also , the pope is said to haue an heauenvly power and authority , and therfore also to chaunge the nature of thinges , by turning the substance of one thing into an other . And of nothing he can make something . And the sentence that is of no force : he can make it of some value . Because in those things that he liketh : his will standeth for reason . And no man may say vnto him , why doost thou thus ? For he may dispence with all lawes , and of iniurye make Iustice , by correcting of lawes and chaunging of them .

Hetherto haue ye heard the mouth speaking great things , worthy truely to be stopped vp with the Turds of the Deuil . But thus the Rat is bewrayed by shewing of her self .

And while he thus did shite foorth these moste filthy Turds in the middest of the Church : yet stil he would needs séem to speak on the behalf of the highest , whose Vicar he bosteth him self to be on earth . Who ( as Daniel saieth ) dooth think that hee may chaunge bothe the times and the lawes . In very trueth , no man can or ought to chaunge the ordinances of God . Therfore Antichriste shall think that he may chaunge them . Er wirds whaenem .

Saint Ierom noteth vpon these wordis of Daniel , that Antichriste shall make subiect vnder his power , the whole Religion of Christe , Wherin we haue séen the Popes to haue doon what they lusted them selues . But because all times doo bring foorth faithful Preachers of Christe , Enoches and Eliases , who doo withstand such abhominations : therfore Daniel saith very wel , that hee made war against the Saints , and preuailed ouer them . Of which war , because I haue spoken before , when I expounded the woords of Christe our Lord : there is no néed héer to make repetition again .

But because the godly , vppon whose shoulders this burden and care doth test , might demaund , how long time this other beast should rage , and waste the kingdome of Christe , and blaspheme the name of the eternall God : Daniel preuenteth this thing and saith .

The end of the Popes kingdome . They shal be deliuered into his hands , vntil a time and times , and half a time . In whiche dark kinde of speaking , he séemeth to signifie nothing else , but that the Saints must constantly abide in that fight , whether the time , that they must fight in , be long or short . For no certain determinate time is declared , and therfore none must be looked for .

Moste men haue vnderstanded , by a time , For a time / times / and half a time . times and half a time , one , yéere , ij . yéeres and half a yéere , in which Antichriste should rain , and then afterward should be quite abolished . But the doctrine of the Gospel is repugnant to that interpretation , which constantly affirmeth that the day of iudgement is knowen vnto no man . And Daniel also in the self same chapter saith , that the beast shall rage , vntil the seats be prepared , that is euen vntil the day of iudgement . And that he shall then be thrown down hedlong in to the déep pit of Hel , and also that the faithful shal be deliuered and glorified , who haue for Christes cause sustained all kindes of punishments .

Verily Paule agréeing with Daniel : Whom our Lord ( saith he ) shall put away with the brightnesse of his comming . But who can certainly declare vnto vs the time of Christes comming , that is , the day of Iudgement ? But hée , which shall say , that Antichriste shall reign iij. yéeres and a half , and straight wayes after be abolished , may seeme to declare it plainly . For the end of Antichristes kingdome , is the very last day of the finall Iudgement .

Therfore by that dark kinde of speaking , no time certain is appointed . But rather the godly are admonished , of patience , and long suffering , and that we should not ouer curiously séeke out the very moment of this time , but rather refer it vnto Christe , who saieth in an other place vnto his Disciples . It belongeth not to you , to knowe the times and moments of times , which the father hath reserued vnto him self . But watch ye , that when your Lord shall come , he may finde you waking .

After these things Daniel moste plentifully witnesseth , that the world shal be at an end , and that the day of iudgement shall certainly come , and throwe down Antichriste in to Hel.

Vpon which treatise , Christ our Lord hath set foorth a large Commentary and an exposition , by the hands of Iohn , his Apostle in the xix . and xx . chapters of the Apocalips , the which I leaue vnto your diligence to be serched out , and for brevities sake : I doo not ouer busily sift out this matter .

The conclusion . And now ( I suppose ) it appéereth vnto you , by the moste cleere doctrine of Iesus Christe our Lord , and also by the euident sayings of the moste holy Prophets of God , and by the plain interpretation of the moste select and chosen Apostles of Christe . Finally the manifest comparison of the things them selues , which partely the Histories doo testifie , to haue béen doon a long time agoe , and partly we sée them dayly come to passe before oure eyes , that the Prophecyes of the last time are now all ready fulfilled , and that therfore the day of our Lord is at hand , and our redemption approcheth néere .

Wherby ( I think ) you all doo vnderstand that your duties require you , to admonish , to exhorte , and instantly to call vppon , and vrge the faithful , to watch and lift vp their heads , shaking away all drowsines . And that they looke for none other signes , nor other times : but to beleeue the Gospel , the Prophets and Apostles , and the very things them selues apparent before the eyes of all men , and also that they wait not for any other Antichriste to come , but to take now good héed to them selues , of him , that is now presently reigning and troubling all things , & to flée vnto Christe Iesus , who is the fulnes of the faithful , and in him to séek all things pertaining to our saluation , to depend wholy vppon his mouth , and vppon his help , to haue respect vnto him alone , to depart from all vncleannesse , to liue godly and honestly , and moste chéefly to beware of vngodly securitie , and careles negligence , and also of drunkennesse bothe spirituall and corporall , that when the Iudge our Lord Iesus Christe shall appéere in the clouds of Heauen with great power and glory , we may ioyfully be taken vp in to the aire to meet him , and so alwaies liue with our Lord . To whom be glory for euer .

FINIS .