The exposicion of Daniel the prophete gathered oute of Philip Melanchton, Iohan Ecolampadius, Chonrade Pellicane [and] out of Iohan Draconite. [et] c. By George Ioye. A prophecye diligently to be noted of al emprowrs [and] kinges in these laste dayes

☞ These men vnderstād problemes. Thei be the most wylye sophisters & sub∣tyle serpentes to stinge with their tayles whyles they flater with their tongues and if this venomose dart perse not / thē vse thei violence and powr. Thei cā a false glose & peruert the plain te yis of the clere scriptures and make them to serue their owne sinful affectis & to seme to agree with their false religion / their articles / and faithe / then borow thei the seculare swerde with violence cōpelling men to beleue & folow them cruelly damp∣ninge many a soule. Loke vpon the multi∣tude of their semely sinful ceremonies / il∣laudable Romissh rytes troublose tradi∣cions. And ayen beholde withe how fewe single pure and easye institucions cryste

orned and not onered his chirche. Godli∣nes is turned with these anticristis into lucre and al ve••tew into vice. Thei wre∣ste the worde to serue their affeccions. The sacraments thei haue made their money nettis: their prayers without min∣de / their fasting without abstinēce: their viciouse vowes without chastit•• / & their almose without all mercie & pitie. Their seruice and worship without hope faith and feare. And euē the lordis souper how far haue thei brought it from the first in∣stitucion of cryste▪ verely so farre / that e∣uen the very trw name and vse therof be clene loste, makinge therof a mis••ye mask or ••sse & a sinful solde sacrifice / whiche when men wolde restore to the firste puri∣te / then thei crye & complaine that men wold take awaye from the chirche Iuge sacrificium / that is their comon continu∣all ••••ke••. Then thei s••launder gods wor∣de and his chirche withe heresye / then ar men sacramentaries. And here, here is that grete destruccion wherof daniel and cryste speketh / euen the castinge down of the sonne mone & starres of heuen / that is of the worde / of the gospel / and lyght / and of the trewe prechers whiche be the starres and light of the worlde. But who may e••presse the vnshamefaced arrogāt

boldenes and serpentine fraudes of anti∣cryste? He is the moste crafty deceyuer & perrellouse ypocryte sewed and blown to gither of all lyes falshed and gyle. Thou seest ouer him simple shepes clothes / but vnder them there lurketh a wylye wolfe / y^e ryches of his chirche he calleth peters patrimonye▪ crystis possession, and spiritu tuall goodis / but nether pore peter nor na∣ked criste shalbe partakers of thē: Thou hearest them called bisshops and pastors but thei fede themselues / & poyson other men / and watche for their own aduaunta∣ge. Thei be called doctours and yet with out all godly doctrine. Thei boste their holy orders / and all is confusion amonge themselues without all good order. Thei be gostly fathers and yet ar thei merciles murtherers of their own childern. Thou hearest of their chastite / but all the worl∣de woūdereth of their prodigiouse aduou∣trye. So that no tōgue may expresse their filthei abominable lecherye and their o∣pen crymes with their blody bocherye. But let the sonne of perdicion perisshe / & absolue we the chapter / the aungel yet spe king with daniel / sayinge.

Notes

• Text.
• Mat. 24.
• Hither∣to Ioan ecolam∣padius.