ANTITHESIS, WHEREIN ARE COMPARED TOGETHER CHRIST'S ACTS AND THE POPE'S, GATHERED BY JOHN FRITH, AND ANNEXED UNTO THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST, WHICH HE TRANSLATED, 1529. ANTITHESIS, WHEREIN ARE COMPARED TOGETHER CHRIST'S ACTS AND THE POPE'S, GATHERED BY JOHN FRITH, AND ANNEXED UNTO THE REVELATION OF ANTICHRIST, WE have annexed, Christian Reader, unto the end of the Revelation, a little treatise, after the manner of an epitome, and short rehearsal of all things that are examined more diligently in the aforesaid book, wherein their false and cloaked hypocrisy is abundantly opened, by the comparing of Christ's acts and theirs together; for Christ's rule cannot be deceivable, which saith, that Matt. vii. we should know them by their works; for Paul saith, that such false apostles are wicked workers, which be 2 Cor. xi. transfigured into Christ's apostles. And no marvel, for Satan himself is sometimes transfigured into an angel of light; therefore it is no great thing if that his ministers do take upon them a similitude, as though they were the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works. Christian men should mark such, and fly away from them, for such serve not Christ, but their own bellies, and by sweet preachings and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocents. And even 2 Tim. iii. as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, even so these Exod. ii. resist the truth. Men they are of corrupt minds, and lewd as concerning the faith; but they shall prevail no longer, for their madness shall be uttered unto all men, John iv. as theirs was. Thus the people be blinded, falling into unbelief, and are deceived through the sleighty conveyance of Antichrist and his adherents. Saint John said, that there were many antichrists in his time; no wonder if now be more: howbeit by their works they shall be known, and also by their words, for they shall contrary Christ both in life and learning, whom they profess to follow. Now let us consider popes, cardinals, bishops, suffragans, archdeacons, deacons, officials, parsons, abbots, with deans, and friars, sumners, pardoners, and these papal notaries, take heed to monks, canons, anchors, hermits, nuns, and sisters, and mark how they follow Christ. We will chiefly touch the head, which is the Pope, although it may be verified through all his members. Matt. viii. John vi. 1. CHRIST was poor, saying, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not whereon to lay his head. The Pope and his adherents are rich, for the Pope saith, Rome is mine, Sicilia is mine, Corsica is mine, &c. And his adherents have also fruitful possessions, this every man knoweth. 2. Christ was meek and low, and forsook this worldly glory, and fled alone unto the mountains, when the peoJohn xvii. ple would have made him a king, saying, My kingdom is not of this world. John xiii. The Pope is full high and proud, saying, I am a Lord of both the realms, earthly and heavenly, and the emperor is my subject: this witnesseth his law. Dist. 96. ca. Si imperator. 3. Christ full lowly and meekly washed his disciples' feet. The Pope saith, the emperors and kings shall kneel and kiss my feet, and is not ashamed to express it in the law. ca. Cum olim de privil. elec. 4. Christ came not to be served, but to serve, taking upon him the similitude of a servant; humbling him- Luke xxii. self, and made himself of no reputation to serve us. The Pope will be served, and saith, it were a shame if he should so humble himself. necessitas. Dist. 86. ca. Quando 5. Christ went on his feet with his disciples, both in wet and dry, heat and cold, to teach the people, as it is evident through the Gospels. The Pope and bishops will keep their feet full clean with shoes of gold and silver, set with precious stones, and will not preach themselves, but say it is sufficient to cause others to preach. ca. Inter ceteram de offic. Iv. or. After this manner might the Turk be Pope also. Phil. ii. 6. Christ would not suffer that doves, sheep, and Matt. xxi. oxen, for the offering, should be sold in the temple of God, but drove out the buyers and sellers with whips. The Pope and bishops suffer chapmen in the church, that minister the sacraments for money daily unto the common people. And they give great pardon unto it, that they may be partakers of the winning, to maintain their cradles and other necessaries withal: this may you see daily. 7. Christ saith, ye have it for nothing, therefore Matt. x. shall ye give it for nothing. The Pope hath Judas's mind, for you get nothing of him without money, for he selleth both prayer and preaching. 8. Christ sat at meat among his disciples full lowly Luke xxii. and poorly, not requiring the highest seat. The Pope sitteth full high in a curious throne, and will be served gloriously, with long kneeling, and men to carve his morsels, with jagged coats, blaspheming God with oaths, and many other vices, as we may see daily. Matt. xiv. 9. Christ was in hills with weeping and praying, and and xv. |