A reply to a pretended Christian plea for the anti-Chistian [sic] Church of Rome: published by Mr. Francis Iohnson a⁰. 1617 Wherin the weakness of the sayd plea is manifested, and arguments alleaged for the Church of Rome, and baptisme therein, are refuted; by Henry Ainsworth. Anno 1618.

Of other Writers.

TO his citations of Polanus, Keckerman, &c. I answered, † That diverse men were mistaken in judging of that rotten Church (of Rome) which would help these our opposites nothing, who have seen and acknowledged better, and now goe back. And I instanced sundry others contrary minded, as Mr. Carwright, Mr. Perkins, D. Fulk, D. Willet. Mr. Bale, all our country men, who deny the church of Rome to be the true Church of Christ.

Mine opposite replieth, that I say in particular of Polanus, that he was mistaken, and in this, for that he sayd that Antichrist must sit in the Temple of God, not Jewish or at Jerusalem, but Christian, &c.

wherein, as his manner is, he drepraveth both my words and mea∣ning. For I never dreamt that Antichrist should sit in the Iewish Temple at Ierusalem; but in the Christian Church falsly so called, as Mr. Iunius nameth it in Annot. on Rev. 11. But Polanus plead∣eth otherwise for the church of Rome, as mine opposite hath set down his words, Chr. plea. p. 212. And in that, I iudge he was mista∣ken, and not I onely, but many moe with me, men of greater lear∣ning, and before me; though mine opposite leaveth it with this re∣proch, † That all (in my judgement) are mistaken hereabout, but my selfe and my followers.

And presently after, to that which I alleaged from Mr. Cart∣wright, Perkins, &c. he wisheth they had written more advisedly, and more soundly. And why? even for his former often refuted reasons, of the Temple of God, and Baptisme in that church; wherein he doth but beg the question, and answereth not them. For I named to him Mr. Perkins reasons, that the Papists doctrine doth rase the ve∣ry foundation of Religion; and his 4. arguments in a treatise for that purpose. Now to these he answereth not one word. But the Tem∣ple of God, the Temple of God, and Antichrist must sit in the Temple of God: and Martyres out of the Church of Rome; and where else, had they their baptisme? these are his common bucklers. To which I have answered before.

And now, that the Reader may further see, how not I onely, but many before me, even such as he nameth in his book for him, (as D. Whitakers, Mr. Broughton, Mr. Brightman, and others) are direct against him, I will set down their testimonies.

What Mr. Bale, Mr. Cartwright, D. Fulk, M. Perkins, and D. Willet have written, I have shewed heretofore: and them hee re∣gardeth not.

Whereas Bellarmine would conclude from the protestants graunt, that the church of Rome is Christs true Church, because it is the Temple of God, 2. Thess. 2. D. Whitakers giveth sun∣dry answers, the two first are these. 1. Jt may be called the church wherein Antichrist sitteth, because it was the true church of Christ before, not because now it is; &c. So Esaias sayth▪ the faithful citie was be∣come an harlot, Esa. 1. 21. where he calleth Jerusalem the faithful citie, because it had been faithful before: so we say, the Temple of God is the seat of Anti∣christ, that is, that which of old was the Temple of God. 2. The Church of Rome taketh to it selfe the name & title of the true Church, and in the opinion

of our adversartes it is the true Church. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was a monstrous thing of old 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deny this neither was it denyed but of a very few, who straight way when they were knowen, were killed: notwithstanding it was not the true Church, but the whore of Babylon &c. These answeres when I gave, mine opposite could by no meanes endure at my hand.

The same author sayth † a litle before. Now let us see whether the Bi∣shop of Rome hath departed from Christ, and from the faith: so that the church of Rome now, reteyneth not the form of the Apostles doctrine. Surely that is evident by all the heads of doctrine, which are in controversie between us and them. That Church succeedeth the Apostles in deed, but so as a den of theeves doe the house of God, and as an harlot doth the faithful citie. &c. And after. But the Pope, sayth Billarmine honoreth one true God, the Fa∣ther, Son and holy Ghost. J answer, hee honoureth him not, but blasphemeth him. He doth, I confess, as Atheists are wont to do, which wil not openly deny God, but in hart and workes they deny him: so the Pope figneth and pre∣claimeth that he honoureth the trinity, but in deed he car••h not for him. For he that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father, of the holy Ghost: but the Pope honoureth not the Son, for he corrupteth his doctrine, &c. Againe, tou∣ching that particular † before handled, whether by Babylon in Rev. 17. be meant the Citie or the Church of Rome, Mr. Whitakers sayth, Whereas the adversary affirmeth, that it is not the Church of Rome whlo•••• is called Babylon, but the citie, such as it was under the Emperours, it is false. For it is certain, that Rome is by Iohn in the Revelation, called Babylon, be∣cause of that Church which should be at Rome. For mention is made there of the false Prophet, as also of the Whore, which by her allurements should be∣witch the whole world. These things cannot be understood but of the Church, and are necessarily to be referred unto Antichrist.

Mr. Brightman in his book of the Revelation, expoundeth the Gentiles in Rev. 11. 2. to be the christiās that are so in name only. On Rev. 13. 8. he saith, The holy Ghost doth cry openly, that all they do wholly ••eopard and cast away their salvation, that are subject to the Pope of Rome, if so bee that they depart out of this life without repentance. And again; This Beast is worshipped of all Reprobates, with whom while thou conspirest in thy worship, who shal separate thee frō the state of reprobates? He doth not ther∣fore break off unity, who departeth from the synagogue of Rome: but he pur∣chaseth unavoydable destruction to himselfe, who cleaveth unto it, without repentance.

These and the like things sayth Mr. Brightman, one whose name mine opposite † useth to grace his erroneous cause by. Mr.

Brovghtons testimony we have heard before.

Mr. Dudly Fenner in his Theologie, writeth thus; Antichrist is the head of the universal apostasie that should come, 1. Ioh. 2. 18. Ioh. 4. 2. 2. Thess. 2. 4. 5. 6. Wherupon his church is by a Synechdoche called Antichrist, 1. Ioh. 4. 3. & 2. 18. as the true Church (is called Christ) 1. Cor. 12. 12. The Antichristian church, compared to a Beast, is the aposta∣tical church, but counterfeyting the vizar of the true, which representeth the lively image of the Roman monarchie formerly doen away, and of the gover∣ment, power, amplitude & seat therof amongst all peoples; 2 Thes. 2. 4. 5. 6. 8. Revel. 11. 7. 8. & 13. 3. 11. 12.—18. Antichrist, or the False prophet is the head of the Antichristian church, the mediatour between it and the Dragon; Rev. 16. 13. & 13. 4. 11. 12. This Antichrist is an Opposer, for to defend the foresayd departing away frō the truth of Christ, (2 Thes. 2. 4. compared as touching the phrase with Dan. 8. 11.) and an Exalter of him∣self▪ first that he may lift up himself against all that is called God, or that is worshiped; that is, against all powers and majesties, both earthly & heavenly. 2. Thes. 2. 9. Dan. 8. 11. 36. Secondly, that placing his seat in the church in name called Gods, he may shew himself as God, that is, arrogate to himself the divine power, and absolute dominion of Christ: Esai. 31. 1. 2. 2 Thes. 2. 4. Dan. 8. 25.

Napier, (the Noble of Scotland) expounding the Revelation, sayth. † But as for the outward and visible face of the pretended church, it must be rejected from God, and no care, measure nor account had by him therof; because it must be given over to Antichristian and idolatrous people, who shal subdue his holy church and spiritual Jerusalem, and tread it under foot 1260. yeres. Gods true church and spouse, was chased away and re∣mayned invisible and soliturie, among certaine private persons, predestinate & elect of God. † But the rest of the people that lay dead in Antichristian errors, arose not therfrom to imbrace the word of life, ill &c. “ But the rest, J mean the whole outward visible church, lay wholly as dead and corrupt with papistocal errours.

Notes

• †

  Animadv. ••. 105.
• Chr. plea ••ag. 208.
• †

  Chr. plea p. 209.
• * Whitak. controv. 4. An papa Antichr. ••. c. 3.
• †

  ••hitake∣ibid.
• ••bidens.
• †

  Pag. 40. ••c.
• Cont. 4. q. c. 2. l. 1.
• †

  Chr. plea ••ag. 213.
• Lib, 9. c. 1••.
• †

  Paraph. p•• Revel. 11. 2.
• Paraph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rev. 12. 5.
• †

  Paraph. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rev. 20. 5.
• “

  Ibid. hist