Appello Cæsarem A iust appeale from two vniust informers· / By Richard Mountagu.

MOUNTAGU.

WHat if I am not of that opini∣on? what if ingenuously I pro∣fesse so much, that I am not of that opinion, as indeed I am not? I was oc∣casioned to shew my opinion in the point by the Gagger, who charged our Church in gene∣rall with the private Fancy and opinion of some men, that the Pope of Rome was that ve∣ry Antichrist mentioned and foretold in the Scripture. I must needs avow it, or disclaime it. That I could not doe, without wronging the Church and my selfe: therefore I thought it an honest mans part, ingenuously to pro∣fesse what I thought. Sure it would be more

pleasing unto GOD, and commendable with men, if your selves and such Halfers in opini∣ons, omnium horarum homines for your private ends, would openly avow what covertly you conceale; and publickly professe that, in which animitùs, being rotten at the Core, you are dis∣sentients indeed from the Church of England: than to be and call your selves at least Confor∣mitants for fashion sake in some few and indif∣ferent points of Ceremony; and to be opposites in Truth both from them and most points of Doctrine of the Church of England. For the point in question, what if I for my part pro∣fesse so much? you may for your part pro∣fesse the contrary if you please, so be it you trouble not the Church with it, nor would pin my Faith unto your opinion. One thing I promise you; for my part I will not lightly talke of my opinion in Pulpits: will you say as much for your opinion? I thinke not I know nay. For your opinions must bee all THE LORDS HOLY TRUTH. I am not anie way offended with you for your opinion, that The Pope is Antichrist: yet much rather might I, because you presume to determine so per∣emptorily of future Contingents; which being ever uncertaine quoad nos, those things cannot but rashly be defined, or absolutely taught as true, the event whereof may hap afterwards to prove otherwise. Why should you be an∣gry with mee, in such points of no assurance,

because I doe not subscribe unto you? I am not tyed unto you, more than you to me. Who concluded it, but your selves, to be flat Popery, not to Beleeve or Preach that the Pope is that Antichrist? or to professe the contrary, that he is not that Antichrist? Who can finde it to be the doctrine of the Church of England? What Sy∣nod resolved it? Convocation assented to it? What Parliament, Law, Proclamation, or Edict did ever command it to be professed, or have imposed penaltie upon repugnants, or non-con∣sentients unto it? Some Protestant Divines at home and abroad, I grant, have thought so, wrote so, disputed so; in good zeale, no doubt, against that insolent, and insufferable, and out∣rageous Tyrannie and Pride of the Bishops of Rome, and their infinite enormities in the Church: and out of that affection have been too violently forward, out of conjectures and probabilities, to pronounce, The POPE is that MAN OF SINNE, and SONNE OF PER∣DITION. The Synod of GAPP in France made it a point of their Beleefe, and concluded it peremptorily to be so. And let them and you beleeve it so, if you will. Their inducements doe not convince or perswade me. I never yet saw proofe or argument brought, that was per∣swasive; much lesse that was demonstrative in the case. I never yet met with argument or reason to the point, but, at least to my owne satisfac∣tion, I was able to answer it. If you can give

better, I am like to yeeld. Till then, there be∣ing no conviction nor compulsion in foro ex∣terno or interiori, I would gladly know why it should not be as lawfull for mee to opine, The Pope is NOT that Antichrist; as for others to write, to preach, to publish, to tender unto Proceeders this Proposition, The Pope Is An∣tichrist. They thinke one way: I am of ano∣ther minde; and so are infinite others with me. Why may not I sedatè and tranquillè as well deliver my Negative, as M. GABRIEL POWELL publish and print (as if the Church of Eng∣land were of his minde), out of violent and transported passion, no doubt, thus; I am as well assured, and as throughly perswaded, that the POPE is THAT ANTICHRIST, as I am resol∣ved, IESUS CHRIST was the Sonne of GOD; or to that purpose: for I have not now the booke by mee. Surely, this man made it an Article of his faith; so will not I. And yet I will not deny, but the Pope is an Antichrist. I doe not deny it: I doe beleeve it. These honest Informers should not so have dealt with mee, as by a knack of concealement to have done me so palpable a wrong, as if my meaning were, the Pope was no Antichrist at all. So I might have walked, not onely upon the Brinks, but have come much within the Verge of flat Popery: and not injuriously, as now, have been slandered for, and stiled a Papist. For that imputation might more than

grate upon an universall approoving of the totall doctrine of the Church of Rome; in as much as there were of old, are now, and al∣way will bee, many Antichrists: and hee that any way opposeth CHRIST in his Kingdom, his Word, his Church, is an Antichrist; which, as ingenuously as the former, I professe the Pope and the Church of Rome doth. And there∣fore, when out of my private opinion onely (for which I will not trouble the peace of the Church) I denied that the Pope was THAT Antichrist, then yet and there I added withall, AN Antichrist notwithstanding I hold him or them, carrying themselves in the Church as they doe. Which Passage and Proposition had bin sufficient, with men not partially addicted un∣to a Side, and maliciously bent to calumniate an Opposite, as it is too manifest my Infor∣mers bee, to have discharged mee from guilt or tincture of Popery. For will or can any Pa∣pist living say, that the Bishop of Rome now is an Antichrist? But so have I said, and writ∣ten, and professed so, if these honest Informers had been pleased to have reported it so. But it stood not with their prime purpose of ca∣lumniating: directly it gave check unto their detraction in chief, and so they passed it slight∣ly over.

But as concerning the maine, the question on foot, Whether the Pope of Rome, or the Popes of Rome, either are, or may be accoun∣ted,

or is THAT Antichrist, or Antichrists, my irresolution grew, as I have remembred, from the much insufficiency of their proofes that tender it stoutly, strongly, affectiouately, and tantum non, as a point of faith. Not any one of their arguments is, not all their arguments together are, convincing. Secondly, because it is in Scripture every where tendred as a Pro∣phecy; and therefore a Mystery sealed up, ob∣scure, not manifested, nor to bee understood, but by evident and plaine event, without di∣vine revelation. How then (these are the very words of Bishop MORTON in excuse of the Fathers concerning their erring in this verie case of ANTICHRIST) can ignorance of those things which cannot possibly be understood before the time of their accomplishment in the last daies, be held prejudiciall unto the wisedome of the Fa∣thers of former times? I may adde thereunto, Or the cautelousnes of suspenders, and not for∣ward concluders in these times? And yet far∣ther; because Protestants are divided in the question. For all doe not determine or resolve, that the Pope is THAT Antichrist remembred in the Scripture: and yet none of them have hitherto at any time beene stiled or reputed Papists, no not by Puritanicall Opposites. The Scriptures, as is apparent, doe in this question propose us two persons: AN Antichrist, one with many; THE Antichrist, one eminent a∣bove all. All, and every one that oppugneth

or opposeth CHRIST and his Kingdome, his Word and Doctrine, is an Antichrist. So was SIMON MAGUS, ELYMAS, MENANDER, the NICOLAITANS, and other Heretickes abroad, and risen up in the very Apostles times: of whom S. IOHN himselfe said, And now are many Antichrists. These are all, more or lesse, Antichrists, as their opposition is more or lesse unto CHRIST and his Kingdome, in points of higher nature or of lower Tenure. But beside all these, more particularly and especially there is designed out in Scripture an egregious, emi∣nent, and transcendent ANTICHRIST, called there. THE MAN OF SINNE, THE SONNE OF PERDITION. Concerning him; not them, there is diversity of judgements, discrepancie of opinion among Divines both old and new. First, some of the antient Fathers, and most of the Writers in the present Church of Rome, understand the propheticall prediction of, and apply it unto one singular individuall man onely, and no otherwise; and him to bee an Hereticke in opinion, extreamly and with all vehemency opposing the saving truth of GOD; prodigiously impious, and beyond measure: who shall by all signes and wonders, with maine force and opposition, set himself against CHRIST IESUS and his Kingdome, towards the later end of the world, not long before the day of Doome. Other Divines, as namely the major part of Protestant Writers, not all,

understand the prophecy and prediction, not of any one man or singular person so much, as of any hereticall, wicked, tyrannicall State and Polity, directly opposing the Kingdome, State and Doctrine of CHRIST IESUS. But heer is some difference among them. For there are, that by Antichrist doe understand MAO∣MET, or the Turkish State and Tyranny ere∣cted against CHRIST and Christians directly; and the Pope and Papacie opposing the same indirectly and in oblique sort; both combi∣ned in one confederacy and combination: that both these, though opposite ad invicem in Temporalibus, may and doe make one conjoy∣ned opposition unto IESUS CHRIST, and his truth in Spiritualibus. And although that ex∣ternally, and in regard of Civill Policy, they differ, and doe deadly hate each other, and mainly one oppose against the other; yet ni∣hil impedit but they may, as indeed they do, conspire in opposing CHRIST and his Gos∣pell, his Kingdome differently. Other, more precise Protestant Divines, do not nor yet will in any hand extend Antichristianisme beyond the Papacy; nor yet will admit or hear of any other great Antichrist, past or to come, but onely the Bishop of Rome: which is, it see∣meth, the opinion, or rather faith and beliefe, of these Informers, together with M. POW∣ELL, and the Synod of GAPP; as it is of most, but not of all the Divines, whom these

men think it an honor to call CALVINISTS. I say not of all: for ZANCHIUS, ZEGEDI∣NUS, GRYNAEUS, and FAIUS of Geneva him∣selfe, are not so yet perswaded. For my owne private opinion, I said, and so I say still, Though I cannot, nor yet will sweare unto either, being but probable and conjecturall, yet I rather incline unto the more moderate and temperate Tenent; and rather of the two embrace that, The Turkish and Popish State, not severall but conjoyned, and opposite unto CHRIST, though severall waies, doe much rather, and may so, constitute THAT Anti∣christ, than any one man or private person whatsoever, than either of the two States dis∣joynedly: and of the two States, rather the Turke by much, than the Pope; rather the MAOMETAN iniquity, than the HILDEBRAN∣DINAN impiety; at least wise as much every way: because the Signes, and Tokens, and Marks, and Cognisances of that eminent and great Antichrist, foretold, extant, and designed in Scripture, do all as much accrue unto, and fit the Turk, or rather and indeed more, Him and Them, than they doe the Popes, in their State and Government ad oppositum.

First, in Apostasie they are both interessed: both are departed away; but rather the Turk than the Pope is enteressed. For whether we take that Apostasie to bee a departing away from CHRIST, and his Kingdome, and his

Doctrine, MAOMET himselfe apostated, drew away his Followers and Sectaries, sometime CHRISTIANS: and so they continue yet un∣to this day Reprobates, Renegadoes, Aposta∣taes, Deniers of that faith which sometime they did professe. The Churches of Asia, those seven unto which S. IOHN sometime wrote; those which S. PAUL planted, and which APOLLOS watered; where S. PETER, S. AN∣DREW, and the rest preached; those manie famous Churches of Africa, and others, are fallen from GOD, his Kingdom, his CHRIST, the SPIRIT of his Grace, profession of his Name, and received the marke and stampe of the Beast: Or whether we understand Apostasie and defection from the Romane Empire, the Turke is enteressed as much, or more than the Pope. both are growne great through the ru∣ines thereof; but rather the Turke than the Pope. Indeed, both from the Scepter of CHRIST and the Romane Empire is this Apostasie: and so the signes, marks, and tokens hold on either side; but upon due examination, rather upon the Turke than the Pope as yet.

Then for Deceiving signes and wonders; how∣soever that cognizance holdeth in the Papacy and Sea of Rome, we are assured out of Story, that MAOMET tooke that course to beguile the simple, to insinuate into the fancies of his deceived Proselites, and to make himselfe estee∣med a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, being a false Prophet, a Decei∣ver,

a teacher of lyes, in regard of GOD and CHRIST. Such he pretended, he desired to be accounted, so he was estemed and held in his time during life, and so is he reckoned of by his followers at this day. which hitherto secundum literam, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, was never verified in Pope or Bishop of Rome personally; nor in succession of Popes collectively.

Again, the number of the name of the Beast, doth agree unto one as much or more than unto the other: whether wee take DCLXVI. for the Number of the Name of a man, or for the Number of the Time assigned when he should rise. The time of MAOMETS rising in the East against CHRIST and the Romane Empire, was in the sixt Centurie. and Ierusalem was taken in by HOMAR, successor unto MA∣OMET, neere about the yeare DCLXVI. The name of MAOMET written in the Greek, that tongue in which S. IOHN wrote, and to which he had reference, doth make up that Number unto an haire, as well as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 so much insisted upon, thus;

40	I	70	40	5	300	10	200
μ	α	ο	μ	ε	τ	ι	σ

in all DCLXVI.

Fourthly, as the Learned have made obser∣vation, the word TURCA, the name of the chiefe Prince of Gog and Magog, doth signifie the same that doth Apollyon and Abaddon: which is a Name ascribed and fastned unto that man of Sinne in holy writ.

Fiftly, the Turkish MAOMETANS of these

dayes, and so the SARASINS of old are the grand professed enemies of CHRISTIANS, Christianity, CHRIST, quà tales; for that Name, that Profession, that Religion, make warre a∣gainst hate, detest, persecute Christians with all hostilitie, calling themselves interim Musulmans, that is, the right Beleevers: so that religion is openly pretended for hostilitie.

Furthermore, yet MAOMET personally, as a private man and a false Prophet, was truely and indeed a man of Sinne: not only for his morall parts in his loose licentiousnesse, lewd carriage, abominable life, impietie, improbity, and impuritie every way unto the highest; but in his ALCORAN, that execrable Law of his damned Sect, he commendeth and tendreth unto, not only alloweth and tolerateth in, his Sectaries, all filthie carnall pleasures and pro∣stitutions. and in reward of such a life, a sem∣blable recompence also after death, in a Para∣dise of that uaure, abounding withall beast∣like brothelries.

Seventhly, hee directly and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, without more ado, thrusteth himselfe into the roome, place, state, and office of CHRIST. He exalteth himselfe above CHRIST, above the Prophets, Apostles, all holy men, all holy things. and his Successors in State, arrogate and chal∣lenge unto themselves absolute, supreme, inde∣pendent power over the Kings and Monarchs of the earth; calling themselves in their

high-swelling stiles, Lords of Lords, GOD of the earth, &c. as is to bee seen in the Letters of SOLYMAN, AMURATH, and others, chal∣lenging absolute, irresistable, incontrouleable power to set up, pull downe, order, alter, and dispose the world, and all things in the world, at pleasure. That wretch MAOMET, like AN∣TICHRIST indeed, commandeth his ALCO∣RAN, and most abominable Law, to bee re∣ceived of all as the Message of GOD, beeing nothing but a TYROTARICHON and hotch∣potch of errors, fables, lies, impieties, impu∣rities, blasphemies, derived from, and made up out of Iewish, Paganish, Manichean, Arian, heresies, religion, and superstition. He com∣mendeth it unto his Followers, as comming downe from heaven, by the ministery of his familiar and old acquaintance, the Angell GA∣BRIEL. He preferreth it before the Law, the Gospell, all, or any Word of GOD. Hee threatneth torments eternall unto the despisers of it; and unto the observers promiseth his carnall Paradise, abounding with all sensuall delights and carnall pleasures: and to con∣clude, as in effect in despight of GOD, concul∣cating and trampling under foot whatsoever is named GOD, advanceth his owne (blasphemous reprobate and forlorne miscreant as he is) di∣vine power and authority forsooth, in the Di∣vels name, above all things whatsoever in hea∣ven and earth. If these be not certain signes

and remonstrances of ANTICHRIST, I cannot tell what are, or may be thought to be.

Eightthly, the TURK is, and hath been long possessed of Ierusalem and the Land of pro∣mise, that pleasant Land and holy City. HOMAR, the successor of MAOMET, took it: and since it hath been a neast of uncleane birds, in the hands of those barbarous blasphemous mis∣creants, except for some few yeers under the French. The Iewes, when MAOMET first de∣clared himselfe, came flocking unto him, as unto their MESSIAS; the sooner and rather, because he was circumcised, as bee all of his Sect at this day, receiving in their flesh the marke, stamp, and character of the Beast. They greatly advanced and propagated his impiety. They paid him tribute, to the intent to incite him against CHRIST and Christians; and ha∣ving prevailed, and instigated him thereunto, assisted him readily in that enterprize.

Ninthly, the TURK fitteth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: it is verified in him, take the meaning for, ei∣ther IN the Church, or AGAINST the Church; in both which senses it is expoun∣ded. Take Templum materially, or formally, or figuratively, any way, that note will also fit him. At Mechae was he buried in the Church there. HOMAR his Successor enshrined him there; appointed an Obit and Anniversary for him there; made it meritorious to visit his Sepulchre, to undertake Pilgrimages unto his

Reliques: which religion and custome conti∣nueth yet unto this day. And yet more: The same HOMAR, having after two yeares siege taken in Ierusalem, Templum exquisivit, as wri∣teth THEOPHANES cited by BARONIUS, quod SALOMON extruxerat, ad Blasphemiae suae Ora∣torium constituendum. Which being done, and his Oratory erected in place of the Iewish Tem∣ple, SOPHRONIUS, the then Patriarch of Ieru∣salem, took up this saying, as having reference unto ANTICHRIST; In veritate, ista est abo∣minatio desolationis, quae dicta est à DANIELE Prophetâ, stans in loco sancto. And yet farther: MAOMET the Great, having taken Constan∣tinople, and ruined the Empire of the Greekes, sate him downe, and made his Palace in the Cathedrall Church of SAN SOPHIA; and in the Close and Cloisters, the Bishops and Priests lodgings thereabout, where is his Seraglia unto this day. Part of that large and admira∣blest piece of worke, one of the wonders of the world, the Church of SAN SOPHIA, name∣ly, the Chancell of that Church, where stood the High Altar or Communion-Table, and Patri∣archall Throne, is now made, and so used as a Turkish Moschie: whither the GRAUND SIGNIOR also himselfe goeth often a Pro∣cession unto their Service, or blasphemous Rites and Ceremonies of their Religion. Spi∣ritually & figuratively he sitteth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, against or upon the living Temples of GOD,

the Church of the Redeemed by the bloud of IESUS, because hee hath demolished, ruined, and brought unto confusion, very many fa∣mous and renowned Christian Churches in Sy∣ria, Palestina, Egypt, Persia, Armenia, Arabia, A∣frica, and Asia the Lesse and the More, Graecia, Thracia, and many other Countries; Those Churches, all but one, to which Saint PAUL wrote. Those in the Revelation hee hath re∣moved, put out, cast off, their Candle and Can∣dlestick, bereft them of their spirituall life in CHRIST, of the power of his Kingdome in preaching the Gospell; hath set the marke of the Beast upon them, circumcised them in their flesh, taught them to blaspheme, and to open their mouthes against the GOD of heaven. He maketh and ever hath made warre against the Saints, that is, against the Christians, cal∣led, according to the calling of grace, unto a profession holy and sanctified, eo nomine alone, because they professe the Name and Faith of CHRIST; that they acknowledge the Onely true GOD, and Him whom GOD hath sent, CHRIST IESUS, the Saviour and Redeemer of all mankinde; and because they detest those execrable blasphemies of that false Pro∣phet and man of sinne against GOD, against CHRIST, and true Religion; seeking by all meanes to make them, as they speake, Musul∣mans, that is, to deny CHRIST IESUS, and to goe to hell. And for this cause, one amongst

many, hee extremely tyrannizeth upon their bodies and temporall states: a note of ANTI∣CHRIST to doe so. but in more cruell and wretched sort upon their soules, especially in that his barbarous and unheard of Tribute of CHRISTIANS children every third year, or as occasion serveth oftner or seldomer, to be vio∣lently rest away from their Parents, from their GOD, Redeemer, Religion, hope of Salvation, and e∣verlasting life, to become the Eunuchs in his Sera∣glia, worse than those in the Court of the King of Babylon; his Ianisaries, Spahies, Beglerbegs, and Bashaes, the publick meanes and instruments of his Tyranny and insolences against GOD and his Church.

Tenthly, he is seated in Constantinople, that is, also in Rome. For Constantinople is known to have been called New Rome; was so named by CONSTANTINE himselfe the Founder; had in Church and Common-wealth, in both States, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, every way equalled privi∣ledges with the elder Rome; Senators, and one of the yearely Consuls. The adjacent country was then called Romania; and is so corruptly termed by the Turks at this day, Rumilio, or Rum-ili, that is, the Roman Country. It was the Emperiall Citie then when MAOMET that false Prophet and Antichrist arose, as well as Rome, indeed rather then Rome, since the time that CONSTANTINE, to the great advantage of barbarous nations, enemies unto the Roman

State, translated the state of the Empire thi∣ther. And lastly, this great and Emperiall CI∣TY, bearing rule over the Kings of the earth, is likewise, as well as ROME, seated upon seven hills, at or neere unto the Sea: indeed in a Foreland or Landstreight where two Seas meet; the only Seat in the world for an Em∣periall See. For which cause it is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by NICETAS, The City with seven tops; Vrbs septicollis, by PAULUS DIACONUS: so ac∣knowledged by IANUS DOUZA a Gentleman of the Netherlands in his Iournall; and by M. RICHARD KNOLLS in his Turkish History, with others.

Now upon these premised considerations, of the Marks of that Antichrist, so fitting the Turkish State and Tyranny every way, it may seeme probable, that MAOMET the false Pro∣phet, and the Turkish State, as the Beast, may at least be assumed into association with the Pope and Papacy, in making up that Antichrist and Antichristian Kingdome or State opposite unto the State and Kingdome of CHRIST and Christians. which respectu finis may be ac∣counted one in opposition against GOD and CHRIST; though the meanes of effecting it be many, different and diverse: Turcisme one way may oppose CHRIST, as it doth, vi apertâ, by fiery force; and Ropery bee ad oppositum ano∣ther way, fraude and insidijs, as it is. In which re∣spect, as DANIEL may well tell us of one horn;

so S. IOHN remembreth a Beast with two Hornes: MAOMET in the East, the POPE in the West; both Hornes pushing fiercely against the Saints: yet so also, that it may be proba∣ble which ZANCHIUS hath, Miscellan lib. III. and LAMBERT also upon the Apocalypse, that beside these two, after these both, it is not unlikely, out of both these impious opposite States, one notorious, singular, mischievous An∣tichrist may arise, towards the finall consum∣mation of the world; who in fradulent, col∣luding, malicious craftinesse, in impious, exe∣crable and transcendent wickednesse, through hereticall impostures and lying miracles, shall goe beyond all other that ever lived in the world, and bee fitted with all signes and markes of Antichrist unto the full, so as no exception can bee taken against any in any one point. Surely if the Generall of the Ie∣suites Order should once come to be Pope, & sit in PETERS chaire, as they call it, I would ve∣hemently suspect him to bee the party desig∣ned: for out of what nest that accursed bird should rather come abroad, than out of that Seraphicall Society, I cannot ghesse; and but ghesse. For in resolution, I say with that IE∣WELL of England in pag. CCCXCIII. I will not say the POPE is ANTICHRIST. GOD will reveale him in his time, and he shall be knowne: yet is it probable, hee may be of that rank. I will not say the TURKE is Antichrist;

though it bee probable, that Antichrist may come from thence; the Turkes power being increased and inlarged by the Popes policy, as the same B. IEWELL hath observed it well, that it may not seem strange, two opposite in State may conspire in opposing Piety. For all these, and whatsoever is beside these in this particular denoted, being all prophecies and predictions of things to come, obscurely and mystically delivered, are but opinions and con∣jectures; not intended, not to be received as finall resolutions. For my part, I desire not to contest with any man about them; nor would I willingly have mens mindes, or the peace of the Church disquieted with them. It is an evill disease in the world among Divines, in things of indifferency they cannot endure dis∣sentients. He is not my friend, I will hold no correspondency with him, that will not per omniae and in omnibus bee of my minde. There is a Rule of faith; we acknowledge it, commend it, and have recourse unto it. Things that are straight and direct, and according to that Rule confessedly, need not application, are not commonly brought to be applied to that Rule: but things of different or doubtfull stan∣ding, these need application, and are applied confessedly by the perpetuall practice and tra∣dition of the Catholick Church in consent of Fathers. Wee apply things doubtfull unto Scripture, our Norma, and exact and absolute

Rule of faith and manners. We consent and agree, it is Antichristian to dissent from, to re∣ject that Rule; and him an Antichrist that doth so, or proposeth any thing as Credendum a∣gainst that Rule. The Pope doth this. Let him then be an Antichrist in S. IOHN'S acceptance: There are many Antichrists. But whether hee bee THAT Antichrist or not, I dare not pre∣sume to determine, without speciall warrant in such a case. If you have any speciall illu∣mination, or assurance by divine revelation, or rather strong perswasion through affection, much good may it do you: keepe it to YOUR selves: presse it not on others, that in such cases de∣sire sapere ad sobrietatem, rather than resolve without good warrant.