A17182:65
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.
1Some man might say, why should we not believe, that the adversary of Christ, doth now reign, and is already come, when we do see the name of Christ, & his doctrine by all means to be spoken against, of all the mightyest men of this world? The Apostle doth answer: You know what letteth: even that I told you ⟨p. 44⟩that he should be uttered, when his time is come. Forsooth a man can not deny, but that even now the power of iniquity doth work by him, but now he setteth forth his strength more covertly, than he shall do when his time is come. For unto the body of Antichrist belong blasphemies, cruel persecutions, heresies and other such like iniquities. But these things began to bud and spring up by and by, even in the time of the Apostles. Whereupon John the Apostle sayeth: My little children, it is now the last time, & as you have heard, that Antichrist shall come, even now there begin to be many Antichrists already .i. Iho. ii. Therefore doth Paul more clearly signify unto us, that same time in the which Antichrist, that is to say, the perfection of all iniquity should be uttered, saying: When that shall be taken away, which now withholdeth or letteth him for to reign, then shall the wicked be opened. That is to say, when that the Empire of Rome shall be taken out of the way, or at the leest way troubled, then shall Antichrist reign, & after that shall Christ come both for to destroy this enemy of all saints, and ⟨image 45⟩also for to judge all flesh. For he doth now expound that more plainly, which he spake of before. The words correspondent to the greek text, do make those things more plain for thus they signify: holding that now, till it be out of the way: which is as much to say, as that that thing which now only letteth, shall be taken out of the way. And then shall the wicked appear. Or else (to speak it more plain) that thing which now only letteth shall be a let so long, until it be taken away:2 and when it is taken away, then shall Antichrist come forth. And S. Jerome also followeth the same sense, writing unto Algasia these words in a manner: What is the cause that Antichrist cometh not now, ye know full well. Neither would he plainly say, that the Empire of Rome should be destroyed, because that they which govern it do think it everlasting. For the which cause after the Apocalypse of S.