64,E Agafnft Bellarmtine, CAP.3. is to comeafter the preaching of the Gofpellinthe whole world, is not come yet. But Antichrift is to come after the preaching of the Gofpell in the wholeworld ; therefore he is not come as yet. This is your manner of demonftrating, wherein we meet withmany marvellous and newfound matters , that were never delivered by any of the Iviatrrs , that profeffe the art of demonttration, namely, that fuch principles fhould be ufed indemonftrsting, which are nei- ther true nor f r.ft. For'as for the truth of them ; the propofition is either manife[tly falle, or at lealt doubtful!, as it alai! appeare more cleerly afterwards, and therefore filch as isnot fit to demonitrate withal!. Befides, if a man fhould doubt ofthe affumption, what ltrength can it have from that place of Matthew ? What one word is there in him touching Antichrills comming after an univerfall preaching ? How is this an immediate principle,which if it have any credit at all, muff borrow it from anotherplace ? Pardon me I pray you, it I be fomewhat more curiousand hard toplcafè then you may think there is need. I thought it necefläry tomake a trial! Qf fome one ofyour de- monftrations, ofall which fèeing we have now gotten taile what fweet ones they be, in this firfl and foremofl of'his fellows,we shall not need to be foprecife in canvafing and fcanning the tel , but we all may judgeof them by the natureof this one. But even youyour felfe faw how it was not worth a deafnnt,much lefte worthyof the name ofa demonstration and therefore fiye you to aprobable reafon, which youlet as anunderpropper, to hoid up that tottering demonstration of yours. Therefore to confirme that affumption of yours, vi.i. That AntichriilJhall comeafter agenerall preaching, you let Matthew goe, as whofe name you did only foiff in, to face out the matter with, and thus you fay ; Howfoever Mat- thew denyus his helpe at this dead lift, yet this matter may beproved by reafon,becaufe in the time ofAntichrift,the cruelty ofthat lagper- fecution to be railedup by him, /ball hinderallpublickexercifes oftrue Religion.I anfwer that wefhall fee beneath in handling thisHead of perfecut ion, how truly this is fpoken, well you fay,touching the pub- lick ceafing ofReligion,in the mean time,I afi-lrme,you do not only difpute unskilfully, but difhoneltly alfo, and like a J:fitit. For there being a threefold ttme,paft,prefent,and to come,nothingcanbe pro- ved to be to come , unleffe it be made good before, that it is neither prefent nor pall. Whileyou therefore conclude that r 4ntichriftis to home after the generali preaching of the Gofpell, becaufe he can not
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