XVIII sermons on the second chapter of the 2d Epistle to the Thessalonians containing…

By doing such things as if he were God, not by the usurpation of the formal name, as arrogating to himself such things as belong to God, his right and property, to take upon himself to be Lord of Consciences, to command what Faith is to be believed, suppressing the true doctrine of Christ, and setting up his own Inventions, ⟨p. 98⟩dispensing with Gods Laws, taking upon him to pardon sins. One Article for which Luther was condemned is this, That it is not in the power of the Church, or Pope, to make new Articles of Faith: another, That the best penitence of all is the new life. Qui facit Deos Divosque Deo major est. The Pope doth Canonize Saints, and his Decrees must be received as Oracles, &c.

The Use, is to give us a clear discovery where to find Antichrist: every tittle of this is fulfilled in the Bishop of Rome, that we need no longer be in doubt, and say, Is this he that should come, or shall we look for another? Who is the [Greek or Hebrew], but he that opposeth himself, to that humble state and frame wherein Christ left the Church, and will be Prince of all Pastors, and swear them to his obedience, and hath made such troubles in the World to make himself acknowledged for Head and Chief? Who is he that exalteth himself above all that is called God, and is August in The World? but he that takes upon him to deprive and depose Emperors, Kings and Princes, by his Excommunications, Suspensions, Interdictions, and Decrees, discharging Subjects of their Allegiance and Oaths; and giving away their Kingdoms: that doth Crown and Uncrown Emperors with his feet, and tread upon them as one would do upon a Viper? Who is he that sitteth as God, in the ⟨p. 99⟩Temple of God, that is, affecteth the honour due to our Lord Jesus Christ? but he that doth thus imperiously aspire [subesse Romano Pontifici definimus esse de necessitate salutis] that takes upon him a power to make a new Creed, and that we are bound to obey him; that saith he can change the things which God hath commanded in his word, and dispense with them, and so by his Decrees make the Commandment of God of none effect; and to forgive sins, not only already committed, but to be committed; which God himself never would do; that lords it over Consciences, enslaving the World to his Usurpations: In short, that will be obeyed in those things which God hath forbidden; and take upon himself an Office, which no humane Creature is capable of. Who is he that showeth himself that he is God, but he that suffereth himself to be decked with the spoils of Gods own Attributes; to be Optimum Maximum, the best and chiefest, our Lord God the Pope, a visible Deity, and will be adored by all the Potentates of the Earth, with such veneration, as greater could not be given to Christ himself if he were corporally present, and will have all the World to submit to his Decrees, as being infallible: that challengeth a power over Angels, Purgatory, and Hell?