A17182:52
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the…
A commentary upon the second epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besides the sum of our faith, there is sincerely handled [and] set forth at large, not only first co[m]myng up [and] rising with the full property [and] dominion, but also the fall and utter confusion of the kingdom of Antichrist: that is to say of Machomet [and] the bishop of Rome.A commentary vpon the seconde epistle of S Paul to the Thessalonia[n]s In the which besydes the summe of oure faythe, ther is syncerelye handled [and] set forth at large, not onely fyrst co[m]myng vp [and] rysyng with the full properyte [and] dominion, but also the fall and vtter confusion of the kyngdome of Antichriste: that is to say of Machomet [and] the byshop of Rome.
Printed in Southwark : In S. Thomas hospital by James Nicolson, 1538Printed in Southwarke : In S. Thomas hospytall by Iames Nicolson, 1538
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly Paul calleth Antichrist Aduersarium, it is to say an adversary: and he calleth him an adversary or Antichrist, as though one should say, set plain contrary against Christ: as one whose wit, manners, life, doctrine, deeds, laws and institutions do fight against Christ.1 Christ came to show peace to all the world, as of whose coming the Prophets had showed before, that then most cruel nations should turn their swords into coulters, & their spears into scythes. Now Machomet doth boast himself to be sent of God in the power of armour. Christ taught that men are not defiled with those things that go into the mouth. But Mahomet hath forbidden his, wine and other meats, which god ordained to be received with giving of thanks. He hath also given unto his, circumcision, and admitteth Polygamiam: that is moo wives at once then one: the which Christ hath abrogate, and taught out of the old law, that one flesh only & not two or mo, ought to be in matrimony. To be short all the life and doctrine, all the laws, institutions and deeds of Mahomet are against Christ. Neither ⟨image 35⟩do the sayings, deeds, doctrines and rites of the Bishop of Rome with all his body, agree any better with Christ. Christ hath given us in the Prophets and by the preaching of the Apostles an absolute and perfect doctrine, which alone is sufficient enough to get everlasting life. But the Bishop of Rome sayeth, that unto that perfection we must have traditions of fathers, I wot not what, as things without which no man can be saved, and as though those holy men which lacked them were damned. Christ taught that one only God ought to be worshipped and called upon, and that by the means and intercession of his name. But the Bishop of Rome hath thrust in to the churches the praying and worshipping of saints more diligently, then the true religion of God. The Apostles out of the tradition and spirit of Christ, taught that there was but one only high priest, & one everlasting sacrifice only, that is Jesus Christ. But the Bishop of Rome subverting that order of Melchizedek, hath consecrated innumerable sacrifices for to sacrifice daily for the since of the quick and the dead. The Apostles ⟨p. 35⟩taught that God only doth remit since, and that to him only men ought to confess them.