7. The XIVth century affords many au thorities in point; among which the immortal names of Dante [y] and Petrarch [z]

[y] Purgat. 32.

[z] Epiftolarum fine titulo Liber. Ep. xvi. p. 130. Bafil. 1581. Many ftrokes in this epiftle are, to the laft degree, fevere and cauftic. Addreffing himself to Rome," Illa equidem ipfa es, fays he, quam in fpiritu facer vidit Evangelifta.-Populi et gentes et linguæ, aquæ funt fuper quas meretrix fedes; recognofce habitum. Mulier circumdata purpurâ, et coccino, et inaurata auro, et lapide pretiofo, et margaritis, habens poculum aureum in manu fuâ, plenum abominatione et immunditiâ fornicationis ejus.--Audi reliqua. Et vidi (inquit) mulierem ebriam de fanguine fanctorum, et de fanguine martyrum Jefu. Quid files?-And fo goes on to apply the prophecies of the Revelations to the church of Rome, in terms that furnish out a good comment on the famous verfe in one of his poems

Gia Roma, bor Babylonia falje è ria

Numberless paffages in the wtitings of Petrarch fpeak of Rome, under the name of Babylon. But an equal ftrefs is not be laid on all of these. It should be remembered, that the Popes, in Petrarch's time, refided at Avignon; greatly to the difparagement of themselves, as he thought, and especially of Rome; of which this fingular man was little lefs than idolatrous. The fituation of the place, surrounded by waters, and his fplenetic concern for the exiled Church (for under this idea, he painted to himself the Pope's

are commonly cited. But the example of our Wicklif, who adorned that age, is most to our purpose, and may excuse the mention of any other. This extraordinary man saw far into all the abuses of his time: but he had nothing more at heart, than to expose the Antichriftianifm of the Roman Pontif[a].

8. Still, as the times grew more enlightened, the controversy concerning Antichrift became more general and important. The writings of Wicklif had great

migration to the banks of Avignon) brought to his mind the condition of the Jewish church in the Babylonian captivity. And this parallel was all, perhaps, that he meant to infinuate in most of those paffages. But, when he applies the prophecies to Rome, as to the Apocalyptic Babylon (as he clearly does in the epistle under confideration) his meaning is not equivocal; and we do him but justice to give him an honourable place among the TESTES VERITATIS.

[a] See the catalogue of his works in Cave's Hift. Lit. vol. ii. App. p. 63; in which is the following book of Dialogues. Dialogorum libri quatuor; quorum-quartus Romanæ Ecclefiæ facramenta, ejus pestiferam vocationem, ANTICHRISTI REGNUM, fratrum fradulentam originem atque eorum hypocrifim, variaque noftro ævo fcitu digniffima, perftringit.

effects both at home, and abroad; and, with other caufes contributed very much to the cultivation of free enquiry, and to the improvement of all ufeful knowledge, in the XVth century. The church of Rome was pushed vigorously on all fides; and, in her turn, omitted no means of selfdefence. That the worst were not scrupled, may be seen by what paffed in England at that time, as well as by the fanguinary and faithlefs proceedings at the coun cil of Conftance. Lord Cobham, and the two Bohemian martyrs, were committed to the flames, for nothing fo much, as for afferting the impious doctrine, That the Pope was Antichrift."

9. We now enter on the XVIth century; diftinguished in the annals of mankind by that great event, The Reformation of long oppreffed and much adulterated religion. The Christian world had flumbered in its chains, for full ten ages. But Liberty came at laft

Libertas, quæ fera tamen refpexit 1NERTEM.

This important work was begun, and profecuted, on the common principle, That the bishop of Rome was Antichrift: and the great feparation from the church of Rome, was every where juftified on the idea, That Rome was the Babylon of the Revelations; and that Chriftians were bound by an exprefs command in thosẹ prophecies, to come out of her communion.

Leo X. was thunder-ftruck with this cry, which refounded on all fides; and, in the laft Lateran council, gave it in charge to all preachers, that none of them should prefume to call the Pope, Antichrift, or to treat this obnoxious fubject in their dif courfes to the people [b]. But his edict came too late. The notion had taken deep root in the minds of men; and the name of Antichrift, as applied to the Pope, was current in all quarters.

[6] Mandantes omnibus, &c.-tempus quoque præfixum futurorum malorum, vel ANTICHRISTI ADVENTUMprædicare, vel afferere, nequaquam præfumant. BIN. CONC. Lateran. v. fub Leone X. Seff. xi. p. 632.

10. From this time to the prefent, the charge of Antichriftianifm against the church of Rome is to be regarded, not as the language of private men, or particular fynods; but as the common voice of the whole Proteftant world: fo that it will be needlefs to bring down the hiftory of it any

lower.

THIS DEDUCTION, though made with all poffible brevity, hath held us fo long, that I have but time for one or two fhort reflexions upon it.

1. First, It may feem probable from the general prevalence of this opinion, in all the periods of the Chriftian church, that it muft needs have fome folid ground in the fcriptural prophecies: it not being otherwife conceivable, that it fhould fpread fo far, and continue fo long; or that the more enlightened, as well as barbarous ages fhould concur in the profeffion of it.

2. Secondly, from the catalogue of illuftrious names, here produced, and from

the