A treatise, touching Antichrist VVherein, the place, the time, the forme, the workmen, the vpholders, the proceeding, and lastly, the ruine and ouerthrow of the kingdome of Antichrist, is plainly laid open out of the word of God: where also manie darke, and hard places both of Daniell and the Reuelation are made manifest. By Lambert Danæus.

By what other degrees and occasions the autho∣ritie of the Romane Bishop and kingdome of Antichrist was either stilie drawne for∣ward, or strongly established.

The 25. Chapter.

BVt Sathan the craftie work-maister wrought not only by these engines and subtile practises, in ad∣uauncing the kingdome of Antichrist, but applied also other deuises of his, as if he were to set abroach all the policies he had, and vtmost indeuour he could, in wea∣uing this webb. For vnto these beginnings and proceedings were adioyned other causes and occasions, as hang-bies; which were neither small in themselues, nor feeble in their force: Namely, first the fame and renowne of the Citie of Rome it selfe, which was called the head of the world. Se∣condly,

the decaied estate of the Empire, and the emptie seate thereof being at that time translated vnto Constantinople. Thirdly, the bountifull benefites of certaine Bishoppes of Rome bestowed vpon all Jtalie in generall, and more perti∣cularly and specially vpon Rome it selfe, as testimonies of their loue, and pledges of their care which they had of their Citizens and sheepe. For Leo the first, Bishop of Rome, went out and met Attilas, who was making inuasion vpon Italie, and turned him backe, hauing pacified him with a very milde speach, in so much as that furious Beast (at whose verie name al men trembled) being soothed vp; without once touch∣ing any part of Jtalie returned into Pannonia. Pelagius the first, Bishop likewise of Rome, did so asswage Totilas, a most cruell tyraunt, by humble suite and petition, as that when he had alreadie surprized Rome, and in great rage was deuising how to bring it to vtter ruine: yet he obtayned thus much of this angrie and furious Totilas, that euen Totilas himselfe should inhibite further fierings and slaughter to bee commit∣ted in Rome. There are other great good turnes recorded of other Bishops of Rome, employed either vpon all Italie, as by sending or intertayning Ambassadours: or els perticular∣lie vpon Rome it selfe: which things, worthelie procured to them and their successours, great and speciall fauour, not on∣ly at the hands of Jtalians and Romanes, but also of strangers and men of forraigne Nations. Whereby it came to passe, that for remedie agaynst the iniuries offered of some officers, and Lieutenants, yea such as were without the precincts of Italie; appeales were made vnto the Bishops of Rome. So did Victor Bishoppe of Fausienna, call for assistance at the hands of Gregorie the first, Bishoppe of Rome, agaynst the Iudges in Affricke, which committed many things with wrong and violence. So likewise he tooke into his protection Isidore Mustellus, and Constantius, agaynst the hard pro∣ceedings of their Bishops. And in like sorte he yeelded his helping hand vnto Adrian Bishop of Thebes, agaynst Laris∣saeus & the Metropolitanes of Iustiniana (epist. 46. induct. 11.)

So also did the saide Gregorie write verie sharply vnto Brunchilda the Queene of Fraunce, for that she did wicked∣lie permit the Jewes within her Dominions, to intertayne and keepe Christians as their bond-slaues. And to conclude, thence it came to passe, that verie barbarous people, and the Princes of Gotland (although as yet they were aliaunts and straungers from the profession of Christianitie) had the Bis∣shoppes of Rome in very great accoumpt, and indeuoured to increase and set out their creditte and estimation to their vt∣most. For Atalaricus King of the Gothes, caused by publike edict and proclamation, that Boniface the fourth, and Iohn, Bishoppes of Rome, should bee highly reuerenced and worshipped by the people and Senate of Rome. And after him Theodoricus, a King likewise of Goteland, com∣maunded the same to bee perfourmed. To make short, that I might herein comprize and shut vp all things as neere as I can, the principall piller of this authoritie and tyrannous power, was founded vpon that famous saying of Christ, so much tost and boasted of, but mis-vnderstood, Feede my sheepe. Iohn 21.16.17. The which the Bishops of Rome contending with tooth and nayle, will needes haue to bee vn∣derstoode of Peter and his successours only, and in no case of Paule or of Iohn, who was most beloued of Christ, or of their successours, affirming that they are the true and proper successours of Peter, vnto whom alone this power doth ap∣pertaine. Wherevpon it began that Peter was tearmed the Prince of Apostles, and the Bishopps of Rome (which boast themselues to be his successours) make challenge of this pri∣uiledge, as tied so straight vnto this seate & Citie of Rome, as looke whosoeuer shall bee thereunto installed, are without all controuersie indued with the like power. But what saith Ber∣nard vnto Eugenius Bishoppe of Rome, touching this mat∣ter? Epist. 237. Surely in great disdaine he writeth thus. A true successour of Paule, will say with Paule, not as be∣ing Lords ouer your faith, but furtherers of your ioy. And he that is an heire of Peter, will giue eare vnto Peter,

speaking thus, not as bearing rule ouer the Cleargie, but as patternes vnto your flocke. Who will perfourme this vnto me, that I may see before I dye the Church of God as it was in olde time; when the Apostles let downe their nets, not to catch siluer or golde: but to catch soules? Whereby it sufficiently appeareth, that he thought nothing lesse, then that the Bishops of that Sea were to be reputed the true and lawfull successours of Peter or Paule. These there∣fore were the beginnings, proceedings, degrees, and suppor∣ters, whereby the kingdome of Antichrist was strengthened, and at Rome especially established.