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

2. Things of great moment cannot be removed, nor established in a minute. The removing of the Roman Empire was not all at once, nor the rising of the Pontificate, but by degrees the seat began to be made void, when Constantine began to remove the Imperial Throne to Byzantium; though the Majesty of the Empire continued still at Rome, yet this was a step to the removing of the impediment, for by that means the Popes grew in greatness: but as the Emperors Authority was lessened, so grew that of the Popes, who still encroached to themselves more and more Power, and that to promote the Apostasy and Derogation from the pure Christian Religion: But as soon as he arose, he came not to the height of his power, either Ecclesiastical or Temporal, nor shall he presently decay.

2. Things of great moment cannot be removed, nor established in a minute. The removing of the Roman Empire was not all at once, nor the rising of the Pontificate, but by degrees the seat began to be made void, when Constantine began to remove the Imperial Throne to Byzantium; though the Majesty of the Empire continued still at Rome, yet this was a step to the removing of the impediment, for by that means the Popes grew in greatness: but as the Emperours Authority was lessened, so grew that of the Popes, who still incroached to themselves more and more Power, and that to promote the Apostasie and Derogation from the pure Christian Religion: But as soon as he arose, he came not to the height of his power, either Eccle•iastical or Temporal, nor shall he presently decay.

3. To state the progress of Antichristian Tyranny, is not for a Sermon, it filleth whole Books; but thus in short. About the year 600. or in that Century, their Ecclesiastical Power began to be raised, when the majesty of the Empire was low and weak in Italy, and therefore then was Antichrist advanced a good step: when John of Constantinople had usurped the Title of Universal Bishop, Gregory the great saith, Rex superbiae prope addest, the King of Pride is near; & sacerdotum exercitus ei praeparatur, an Army of Priests is prepared to serve him as their General, this he, (fidenter dico, I speak confidently:) and within six years or thereabouts, Phocas conferred on Pope Boniface the same Title, to ingratiate himself with the people of that part of the Empire, after the murder of his Lord and Master; and then many superstitions were gotten into the Church, as about the year 688. the Pope obtained of the Emperor the Pantheon, or Temple of All-Devils, and Consecrated the same to the Virgin Mary, and All Saints: the temporal Monarchy was long in hatching, but yet the beginning of this mystery soon bewrayed it self. In the beginning of the seventh Century, Constantine the Pope would have his foot kissed, like another Diocletian, and in defence of Image worship he openly esisted Phillipicus the Emperor of Greece, and encouraged Justine and Anastasius,