A17182:72
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.
1Now there are two manner of signs, true, and false. Those are true, which are done in deed, and spring out of no fantasy or imagination, but are wrought of God him self by his ministers, for the stablishing of the truth. Such are all the signs of the prophets and Apostles, of Moses & of Christ. And those are false, which (by the sufferance of God) are done by the ministers or working of Satan, to the derogation of the truth or stablishing of falsehood. And of these there are diverse kinds. For there are some which by a false appearance do deceive men. There are other which are done in very deed, as they seem to be, but for this purpose, that they might lead ⟨p. 49⟩men away from the truth unto error. For the holy Apostle doth not call them only lying signs and wonders, which have a false similitude or appearance with them, but those also, which although they be done in very deed, do yet bring men unto lies, and deceive the lookers on. S. Augustine hath disputed more of signs. In opere octoginta trium questionum. quest. LXXIX. Our LORD Jesus sayeth in the xxiiii. chapter of Matthew: There shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall do great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, the very elect should be brought in to error. Behold I have showed you before. If they say unto you, behold he is in the wilderness, go not out: behold he is in secrete places, believe them not, &c. Truly great authority happened unto Machometes religion, through lying signs and wonders. Neither yet hath the estimation of the Bishop of Romes religion, increased by any thing so much, as by the multitude of miracles. For by miracles hath he thrust into the world the honouring of saints and worshipping of images. For no man can well express ⟨image 51⟩the wondrous crafts,2 wherewith the devil hath deceived the whole world. They that have at any time visited our Lady at Wylsoon, Muswell, Ipswich or Walsingham, the rood of comfort, the rood of rest, the rood of grace in Kent, S. saviour at London, S. Thomas of Canterbury, or such like Idols: they have seen tables, oblations and more testimonies of miracles, than a great navy of ships could carry away.