The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VIII. Fulke Identifies Papal Antichrist by Seven Hills of Rome

WILLIAM FULKE (c. 1538-1589), English Puritan, was born in London and educated at St. Paul’s School and St. John’s College, Cambridge, which he entered in 1555. After studying law for six years at Clifford Inn, he returned to Cambridge to study theology. He was well versed in science and in the Oriental languages. Thus he secured his B.A. in 1558, his M.A. in 1563, and his B.D. in 1568. He became a lecturer in Hebrew at Cambridge in 1567. He allied himself with Thomas Cartright (1535-1603), zealous champion of Puritanism and opponent of Roman Catholicism. He was also a participant in the vestarian controversy, PFF2 420.4

to discard surplices in the chapel of St. John’s. This led to his expulsion from Cambridge. He became rector of Warley in 1571, and in 1572 went to Paris as chaplain to the earl of Lincoln, England’s ambassador to France. He secured his D.D. in 1572. PFF2 421.1

In 1578 Fulke was made master of Pembroke Hall, Cam bridge. The next year, as vice-chancellor of the university, he was deputed to hold a public disputation with Edward Campion in the Tower of London, and in 1582 was one of twenty-five theologians to hold disputations with Roman Catholic priests and Jesuits. His writings were mostly in the field of polemical theology, largely against the papacy. When the Catholics at Rheims published their English version of the New Testament, Fulke reprinted it with added annotations refuting the Catholic notes. ⁸⁷ PFF2 421.2

1. CAN SETTLE ANTICHRIST ONLY IN SEE OF ROME

In an eighteen-chapter controversial treatise, A Discovery of the Dangerous Rock of the Popish Church (1580), Fulke reaches the heart of his argument in chapter 17. In the first paragraph he says: PFF2 421.3

“They [Protestants] can find no place to settle Antichrist in but in the see of Rome, so beautified and dignified by Christ, and all the primitive Church. But seeing Antichrist is appointed to sit in the temple of God, which is a higher place than S. Peter’s chair, it is no marvel if Satan have thrust him into that see, which of old time was accounted the top and castle of all religion.” ⁸⁸ PFF2 421.4

2. GREGORY’S PREDICTION OF ANTICHRIST FULFILLED IN POPE

Contending that Antichrist is a succession of men, not a single individual, and that the seat of civil empire was removed from Rome “before Antichrist the Pope” was installed, Fulke answers the argument that Antichrist would not come until just before the end of the world, and makes this comprehensive statement: PFF2 421.5

“Gregory, seeing the ambition of John of Constantinople, affirmed that the time of the revelation of Antichrist was even at hand; and that the same John was the forerunner of Antichrist, and Antichrist should shortly be revealed, and ‘an army of Priests’ should wait upon him. Now seeing he, whosoever took that which John refused, by Gregory’s judgment should be Antichrist; and it is certain that Pope Boniface the third, soon after the death of Gregory and his successors, usurped not only that but more also; it is certain by Gregory’s prophecy, that the Pope is Antichrist: who, being within the six hundred years, answereth to M. Sander’s fond challenge. And although none within that compass had pointed out the see of Rome, yet the fulfilling of the prophecy in the latter times did sufficiently declare who it should be. And most of the ancient writers name Rome to be the see of Antichrist; although they could not foresee that the bishoprick of that see should degenerate into the tyranny of Antichrist.” ⁸⁹ PFF2 422.1

3. SEVEN-HILLED CITY STILL SEE OF ROME

Next, answering the contention that Rome had gone from the “seven hills” to the plain, and that the pope was sitting on the other side of the Tiber, upon Vatican hill, Fulke says that “although the people have removed their habitations from the hills, yet the Pope hath not; for on them be still to this day his churches, monasteries and courts.” These he impressively tabulates thus: PFF2 422.2

“For on the Mount Coelius be the monastery of Saint Gregory, the church of John and Paul, the hospital of our Saviour, the round church, the great minster of Lateran.... PFF2 422.3

“The Mount Aventinus hath three monasteries; of Sabina, Bonifacius, and Alexius. PFF2 422.4

“The Mount Exquilinus hath the church of Saint Peter himself, surnamed Ad vincula. PFF2 422.5

“The Mount Viminalis hath the church of S. Laurence in Palisperna, [Panisperna,] and S. Potentiana. PFF2 422.6

“The Mount Tarpeius, or Capitoline, hath an house of Friars Minors called Ara Coeli: and there did Boniface the ninth build a fair house of brick for keeping of courts. PFF2 422.7

“The Mount Palatinus is a place called the Great Palace; and hath an old church of S. Nicholas, and of S. Andrew. PFF2 422.8

“The Mount Quirinalis is not altogether void of habitation: to which appertaineth the church of S. Maria de Populo. PFF2 422.9

“The city with seven hills is still the see of Antichrist; described by S. John at such time as those seven hills were most of all inhabited, and garnished with sumptuous buildings.” ⁹⁰ PFF2 422.10

4. HAVING LOCATED THE SEE, THE OCCUPANT Is KNOWN

Fulke’s convincing conclusion follows: PFF2 423.1

“The see being found, it is easy to find the person by S. Paul’s description; and this note especially, that excludeth the heathen tyrants, ‘He shall sit in the temple of God:’ which when we see to be fulfilled in the Pope, although none of the eldest Fathers could see it, because it was performed after their death, we nothing doubt to say and affirm still, that the Pope is that ‘Man of sin,’ and ‘Son of perdition,’ the adversary that lifteth up himself ‘above all that is called God;’ and shall be destroyed ‘by the spirit of the Lord’s mouth, and by the glory of His coming.’ ” ⁹¹ PFF2 423.2