Seven godly and learned sermons preachedSeuen godly and learned sermons preached

Barnard that holy father in another place speaking of the Priests of his own time, saith, Nothing is now safe amongst the Clergy, all things are confounded, all things out of order; and therefore there is now nothing left, but that Antichrist be revealed. I recount here nothing unto you, my brethren, but only the sayings of the ancient Doctors and holy Fathers which have written of Gods Church in times herebefore, and therefore I trust you will believe them the better. The same S. Barnard of whom I spake before, saith also: It appeareth now that there is no persecution, no Martyrs done unto ⟨image 80⟩death: Nay not so, saith he, it is not so, for now even they that sit highest in the Church of God, they that bear the greatest stroke therein, they begin to persecute and destroy Gods servants. And again, speaking of the Priests and Prelates, They would seem to be Gods friends, yet they are his enemies they would be Christs kinsmen, yet they are his adversaries, they would be servants to Christ, and yet they serve Antichrist. And thus, (Good Brethren) it hath bin in our time, and you your selves have seen it, you your selves have seen that the whole Church hath hanged on one man alone: that such as should have bin Pastors, have bin deceivers: such as should have bin teachers of the right way, have bin seducers and guides into blind ways: such as should have bin Prelates, have bin Pilates. You your selves have seen in the Church of God hirelings in steed of good Shepherds, wolfs in place of hirelings, and very devils in the room of wolfs. All these things have bin spoken of afore, That the Majesty in the Emperor, and holiness ⟨image 81⟩in the Bishop should decay: that where Gods word is not preached, there must the Church needs run against the rock: that it is little marvel if faith faileth, where good instruction wanteth: that pitiful desolation is come into the house of God: that we are they upon whom the dregs of the whole Earth are come: that it is then high night, when ignorance reigneth in the Bishops: and lastly, that there is nothing now left, but that Antichrist be revealed. All these things have been spoken of before, and are now come to pass, and you your selves have seen them, you your selves, I say, have seen all these things fulfilled. You have seen such sit highest in Gods Church, that have persecuted God & his Church:

Barnard that holy father in another place speaking of the Priests of his owne time, saith, Nothing is now safe amongst the Clergie, all things are confounded, all things out of order; and therefore there is now nothing left, but that Antechrist be reuealed. I recount here nothing vnto you, my brethren, but onely the sayings of the auncient Doctours and holy Fathers which haue written of Gods Church in times herebefore, and therefore I trust you will beleeue them the better. The same S. Barnard of whom I spake before, saith also: It appeareth now that there is no persecution, no Martyrs done vnto