to them from the Apostles Although it is most cleere and evident by ancient Histories that they haue for most part been instituted long after by the Popes theÌ„selues For Pope Innocent did forbid the giving of the Cup in the Lords Supper to Lay-people When and by what Popes the traditions of the Church of Rome haue been instituted following the decree of the Laterane Councell Also hee ordained that the consecrated bread should be received only vpon Easter-day which bread is more properly called the Eucharist or bread of thankesgiuing Eugenius the fourth Decreed the contrary in the Councell of Basill Innocent and Honorius instituted that the consecrated bread should be reserved and kept for diverse and sundry purposes in Churches with great veneration and reverence Contrariwise Pope Clement would not suffer the sayd bread to be kept and reserved till the next day Vitilian the second and Agatho or Agathus the first did decree that the Masse should be administred in Latine And Nicholas the first on the other side gaue leaue to the Sclavonians and Polonians to administer and sing the Masse in their owne language Alexander the second commanded not to heare the Masse which was sung by a Priest that had a Concubine on the contrary side Lucius the third permitted it Siricius Pelagius the second some other Popes haue condemned the mariage of Priests And opposite to that Pius the second hath left in writing this sentence That marriage was debarred vnto Priests for a pregnant and weighty cause But that it must be allowed vnto them againe for a reason more vrgent and peremptory Leo the first Gregory the second and third and diverse other Popes haue approoued of the worshipping of Images Contrariwise Iohn the 23. greatly detested Images in the Church Boniface the fourth gaue power and authoritie to Cordiliers to preach to Baptize and to giue absolution Contrarie wherevnto Gregorie depriued them of that power Iohn the 24. Con. 16. qua 8. adijcing held for a sound article of faith that the Apostlos neuer made vowe of pouertie and of continencie Pius the second said that begging Monkes were the slaues of the Diuells adding these verses Non audet stigius daemon tentare quod audet Effraevis Monachus plenaque fraudi anus that is to say The verie Diuell Dares not vndergoe What lawlesse Monke and craftie hugge wil doe Pelagius the first ordained that Clerkes should daily read houres which they cal of seuen houres long Gregorie the first commanded them to performe their seruice not by singing but by teaching and preaching publickely Calixtus saith that it is not lawfull to beleeue otherwise then the Church of Rome doth Pope Iulian contradicted it Boniface commanded to celebrate the Iubilie euerie hundereth yeere whereas Clement the sixt hath reduced shortened it to the fiftiâ—h yeere Boniface the ninth to the three and thirtieth And Sixtus the fourh to the 25. and Hadrian and Leo the third gaue authoritie to the Emperour Charles to chose the Popes But Stephen the fourth and Hadrian the fourth and Sergius the second haue ascribed the sayd authoritie to the Ecclesiasticall persons to the Magistrate and to the people of Rome And Alexander the second did only permit it to the Cardinalls Finally the Whore Matilda chose to bee Popes Victor the third and Vrbane the second As also the Harlet Theodora elected Iohn the eleuenth Ficinensis lib. 1. cap. 3. Popes lay-men ignorant or vnlearned the Strumpet Marozia Sergius the third Antheras ordained that none should be chosen Pope who had not first beene Bishop Contrariwise to which decree Constantine the second and Benedict the eight were Lay persons Benedict the ninth and Iohn the second were altogether ignorant and vnlearned Can. omnibus vtriusque Gregorie the first did forbid to eate flesh milke Cheese Butter Egges on fasting dayes Eleutherius ordained contrarily that no meate should superstitiously bee refused Innocent the third brought in Auricular confession Nectarius Patriarch of Constantinople on the other-side did abrogate it because that vnder coulour of confession an Adulterie was committed Honorius the third instituted the eliuation De conse dist 1. can vata dist 96. can vbi nom lifting vp of the bread in the Masse Gregorie the ninth that a little bell should be rung at the same Instant And Innocent the fourth that at the very instant men should fall on their knees Zephirin brought in Challices of glasse instead of wodden ones And Vrban Chalices or Cuppes of gold instead of glasse Nicholas the first excluded from the Counsell Emp. as being lay persons One the other-side Marcellus Damasus and Iulius permitted them to assist and be present at Councels Plat devitis Pontifi Stephen abolished openly the decrees of Constantine the second Stephen the sixt likewise reiected the decrees of Formosus Romanus the first disanulled the decrees of Stephen the sixt and Theodorus those of Romanus and Damasus those of Liberius and Paul the second those of Pius the second Behold say the Reformed the Traditions Alphon. con haeres lib. 1. cap. 4. Here. Marcel Eckine Iohan Gerson decrees and Canons which the Papists would attribute to the Apostles Behold the Christian Religion which the Popes of Rome boast to haue preserued and continued so sincere and pure without saying any thing of the most manifest heresies of the Popes that is to say that Pope Honorius was a Monothelite that Liberius was an Arrian that Marcellinus sacrificed to the Idols of the Pagans that Anastatius was a Photrinian and Iohn the 22. held opinion that soules perished and died before the day of Iudgement Sacriledge the fourth cause of refusall The fourth cause and reason why the Reformed Christians will not consent to receiue the Popes for their Iudges is their Simonie The fourth reason For it is verie cleare and manifest that the Popes gather together more gold and siluer by Annates first fruites or vacanties by presentations resignations in fauour recommendations dispensations for age and regularity of bodily infirmities by graces or fauours expectatiue reuolutions benefices vacant exemptions of visitations creations of notarâ—â—s and protonotaries Apostolike for non obstantes for Indulgences to sculer Priests for reuocations for tolleration and suffering of Concubines and for diuers such like chaffers then all the Romane Monarches euer could collect or rayse from all the quarters of the world during the time that the Romane Monarchie was in most flourishing estate There is extant at this day a complaint in writing of the Kingdome of France The complaint of the Kingdome of France touching the Popes Simonie that the Popes had wont yeerely to draw out of the Realme only about eight and twentie tunnes of gold Diuers other such like complaints of kings may be readily found out yea of Clerkes themselues and of other great Ecclesiasticall persons all which accuse verie greatly the Simonie of Popes And how true all it afore-said is it manifestly appeareth by the
Marcion and refuted and convinced the Heretique Eutyches The Reformed protest Con. Chal. that they will most willingly allow of the foure Creeds and Confessions of Faith ordayned by those foure Generall Councels as faithfull expositions of Christian religion for so much as they be grounded vpon the word of God But in the 500 yeers ensuing The second period of 500. yeeres falshood so strugled and encountered with the truth that so soon as man began by little and little to decline from the true and right rule of holy Scripture there did forthwith spring vp diverse plants of false doctrine and of hurtfull ceremonies which more and more encreased for albeit indeede in the fift Generall Councell called by the Emperour Iustinian in Constantinople 5. Con. Gen. all they were refuted which maintained that the bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ was of immortall and incorruptible nature Also howbeit that at the sixt generall Councell which was celebrated and held in the same place by the authority of Constantine the fifth the Heretiques Monotholites were convinced and condemned So it is that afterwards and almost all the Councels ensuing propounded and agreed vpon things altogether vnprofitable or for the most repugnant to the expresse word of God For in the seventh generall Councell which was first assembled by the Empresse of Constantinople and from thence removed to Nice it was held good and decreed that Images should be honoured and adored the which was not delt in or determined by the authority of the word of God but rather by the force of a mightie army for that purpose procured and called from Thracia The eight generall Councell was held in Constantinople vnder the raigne of the Emperor Basilius where Pope Adrian by his Legates commanded to acknowledge the Church of Rome for the head of all other Churches and that all lay and secular persons should be excluded from all election of Clerkes or persons Ecclesiastical so that thereupon so great debate and contention did arise betweene the Greeke and Latin Churches concerning the primacy or chiefe so that the controversie is not at this day altogether determined and pacified The 3. period of 500. yeeres The other fiue hundred yeeres next following such Councels and Synodes were held as decreed almost nothing which was good but rather pernicious doctrine was therein confirmed and established For proofe whereof say the Reformed no more needs to bee done but only to produce one Counsell of euery age before mentioned In the Councell or Synod of Maience 1049. at which both the Emperour and the Pope were present together with an hundreth and thirtie Bishops the point touching the forbidding of marriage to Priests was discussed In the Councell of Brixia which was assembled by the Emperour Henry Gregory the seuenth was deposed from the papall seate 1080. by reason of his blasphemies and villanies aboue mentioned In the Councell of Pauiaohen when the Emp. Fredericke would haue had the election of the Popes reformed a debate or strife of 20. 1160. yeeres continuance was stirred vp kindled which endured vntill the Pope had troden on the necke of the Emperour in the Citie of Venice In the Councell of Lions 1243. Innocent the fourth made a decree against the Emperour Henry the second and granted to the Cardinals power and leaue to weare red hats and to ride on horsebacke In the Synode of Vienna in France 1311. Clement the fift solemnely pronounced his Clementines and albeit that afterwards lying on his death-bed he commanded they should be burned because he wel perceiued them to confirme diuers errors apt to entrappe or ensnare mens consciences This notwithstanding his successor Iohn the twentie three 1414. did againe appeare and ratifie the sayd Clementines The Emperour Sigismund caused a generall Councell to be summoned at Constance wherein Pope Iohn the twentie three was dismissed of the papall seate and Iohn Husse Hierome of Prage were condemned burned because they had embraced and followed the doctrine of Iohn Wicliffe an Englishman who among diuers other points of good doctrine taught that the Supper of the Lord ought to be distributed to the people vnder both kinds without the imagination and dreame of Transubstantiation In the time of the said Sigismund there was also a Councell held at Basil where it was decreed that Popes should be subiect to Councels and because this decree did greatly displease Pope Eugenius he caused the said Councell to be remoued to Bolona and from thence to Ferrara and from thence againe to Florence Finally Iulius the second assembled called the Councell of Laterane and Pope Paul the third the Councell of Trent but for so much as the proceedings in those Councels were not according to the rules prescribed in the word of God The Reformed mainetaine that they are not any way obliged or tied to their decrees So by that which is before alledged it manifestly appeareth say the Reformed what kind of Councells and Sinods haue beene held in those last ages by them of the Romane Church Now concerning the diuersitie of repugnances of Councells it is also easily to be discouered Repugnances of Councells For the Councell of Chalcedon condemned Eutiches but the Councell of Ephesus did absolue and acquite him The Councell of Nice condemned Arrius but the Councells of Saricea Smernia and Millan maintained vpheld him Dist 32. Con. praeter host The Councell of Numidia where Saint Cyprian was president would haue all those rebaptized which were baptized by Heretikes which the Councell of Carthage did absolutely forbid Dist 4. de Cons. con Non. host The Councell of Ephesus which was held in the time of Pope Celestine did permit to communicate vnder both kinds Dist 15. de Cons but that of Constance in the time of Iohn the twenty three and that of Lateran did rigorously forbid it The Councell of Chalaus did ratifie offerings for the dead that of Carthage reiected them The Councell of Ancyra of Nice of Gangrae of Coletan and of Elibere did all consent to the marriage of Priests and other Ecclesiasticall persons but the Councells of Nercesaria and of Chalcedon and of Agatha and diuers other Councels did secretly forbid the same The Councell of Toletua allowed Priests to keepe Concubines but the Councell of Carthage and that of Basill in the time of Eugenius the fourth did sharply forbid it The Councell of Pope Alexander did forbid to heare Masse by a Priest that kept a Concubine which Lucius the third did permit The Councell of Gangrets condemned all them that ordained or commanded new traditions to the people the which that of Constantinople did allow Dist 34. The Councell of Tolete con 2. and of Libere con 36. did reiect Images but that of Nice the second and diuers others did admit them What would yee more The Councell of Arminium denied the primacie of the Pope of Rome but that of Chalcedon the sixt and
tipice dux normaque Minorum See lib. con Fo. 228. Col. 4.231 Col. 1. Sedes nobis perpetuò da regni caelorum that is to say Good Saint Francis head of Friers minors which of Iesus Christ art the true figure Cause vs to haue part of heauenly honours and life to obtaine that ever doth endure And the Iacobins are so bold as not onely to compare there Saint Dominicke with our Sauiour Iesus Christ See epist Flor. Aut. intust part 3. art 23. 24. but which is more in many thinges they placed him afore Iesus Christ The golden legends of the he-Saints and shee-Saints are all at this day printed which sufficiently set forth the fained miracles of one Stanislaus Adulbertus and of such other Saints And for so much as the Popes approue and allow such bookes yea and propound them to Christians to be held in equall honour and reuerence with the written word of God Aut. 23.27 fo 137. From thence also the Reformed Christians conclude that the Popes are prophane Tyranny the second cause of refusall The second reason for which the Reformed will not accept the Popes for their Iudges The second reason is that they haue vsurped dominion and soveraignty ouer the Church For first of all the Pope causeth himselfe to be stiled the Head the Spouse and Soveraigne Bishop of the Church Howbeit that title cannot properly appertaine to any person but Christ Iesus alone In the second place because that the Pope will beare rule and haue soueraignty over all the earth and all the Potentates of the earth Of the donation of Constantine For touching the donation of Constantine the Great by which they striue to confirme their dominion and rule besides that it hath beene heretofore sharpely questioned by Nicolaus Cusan Laurentius Valla Volaterranus Aeneas Silvius and diverse other very learned Authours the which notwithstanding haue not ceased to bee patrons and defenders of the Romane Sea The Reformed Christians maintaine that they can convince the sayd donation of falshood and vntruth by these reasons following Ten reasons by which it is proved that the donation of Constantine the Great is false and counterfeit First because none of the best and most approoved Authors either affirme or speake any thing of this donation of Constantine 2. Because that Eusebius and other ancient Historians testifie that the Emperor Constantine divided the three parts of the world to his three sonnes Socr. Theolo Evagr. Ruffin Okeb Beda Sozom. hist pan 2 Vol. lib. grn 3. 3. Because the Instruments and Decrees which touching the same were imprinted are very different and their stile no whit agreeing 4. That it is an absurd thing and likewise incredible that Saint Peter and Saint Paul should haue appeared to Constantine in his sleepe and that hee should haue adored them as gods 5. That hee was never infected with the Leprosie 6. That he was not baptized by Sylvester at Rome but by Eusebius in Nicomedia Alb. Krant in Sax lib. 2. ca. 1. Mansil indefens part cap. 11. 7. That it is a prophane kinde of speech to say that the hand of God was seene by Constantine 8. That he could not giue to the Pope a greater right then he had himselfe 9. That hee could not conferre or bestow vpon the Pope power or authority over the Patriarch of Constantinople the sayd title at that time being not built nor finished 10. And lastly Euseb de vita Constan Ruff. l. 1 c. 39. Viues l. 24. hist Beul de Con. Nue l. 8. c. 4. because such donations contained in the priviledges and grants made to the Popes which they haue received from the Emperour Constantine are the certaine markes of Antichrist Surely by all these reasons aforesayd it manifestly appeareth say the Reformed that such donation was never made to the popes by Constantine but that it hath beene forged and counterfeited by the Popes themselues And concerning the wordes of our Saviour Christ pronounced to Saint Peter and to all other Preachers Teachers of the word of God Aug in Io. tract 10 12. de ver dom Ser. 20. Cyril in Dial. de Trin. lib 4. Ambr. Epist ad Ephes cap. 2. saying Feed my sheepe this sentence and speech doth not import or signifie a politique and outward dominion or authority but onely the ministery of the Gospell For in another place our Lord Iesus Christ taxeth the ambition of the Apostles for that some would beare rule and haue dominion over other some and for that vpon this occasion they entred into consultation Chrys hom 55. in Math. Ber. Epist 230. Mat. 20.25 Dist 4. ca. multi quicunque cap. 1. Sedis dist 99. si quis 7. Der. de por The Kings of the Nations saith Iesus Christ beare rule over them but it should not bee so among you yea and the very Canons haue expresly forbidden that the Bishop of Rome should be called Soveraigne Bishop or vniversall head of the Church wherefore say the Reformed the Popes beat themselues with their owne rodde seeing they cannot rightfully attribute or appropriate to themselues such authority and domination and that for diverse causes and reasons Corruption of Religion the third cause of refusall The 3. reason which the Reformed Christians produce for which they will not submit themselves to the iudgement of the Popes is this that they haue not only intricated and confounded religion and divine service with many vaine ceremonies Can. 9. dist 34. Can 4. in dist 82. Can praeb lib. decretal Greg. tit 7. can 5. but haue also grossely erred in doctrine For some decrees affirme of the Popes that they are not men but gods that they cannot bee iudged by any person in the world that they may dispose and dispense against the Apostles that they can change the properties of things that they can make something of nothing that they haue power to make iustice of iniustice Io. 1.4 2 Tim. 3. Mat. 15. Gal. 1. Ier. 7. Iren. Epist 4. Con. Trad. 4. con li. cer per. sur 7. Now how exceeding false all this is say the Reformed it appeareth by that which almighty God testifieth himselfe that there can be but one forme of religion that is to say that which is contained in the writings of the Prophets and of the Apostles yea verily that an Angell from heauen hath no power to adde thereunto nor from it to diminish Whereas the Pope for all that will haue religion to consist in humane traditions such as are the Agnus Dei which they call 2. The complaint of Maximilian the baptisme of Bels the invocations of Saints the single life of Priests the withdrawing or depriving of the Cup in the Lords Supper De coen dom lib. 3. decret Greg. tit 41. Cal. cum dist 2. the vsing of a strange language and not vnderstood in the outward service of the Masse Buls and Indulgences and other like traditions all which as they say came
onely example of Iohn the 22. The excessiue treasure of Iohn the 22. who left after his death in his owne treasurie about the summe of two hundereth and fifteth tunnes of gold As Francis Petrarch an author worthie of credit doth plainly testifie Boniface the seuenth seeing he could stay no longer at Rome in safetie by stealth conueyed away out of the Chest or Shrine of Saint Peter the most precious Iewels kept therein fled to Constantinople Clement the eight and diuers other Popes haue beene often conuinced by their owne fellowes of such like sacriledges Gregorie the ninth sold to the Emperour his absolution for an hundered thousand ounces of gold Benedict the twelfth being possessed with feare sold to Gregory the sixt the Popedome for fiue and twenty hundred pounds of silver The simonie of Alexander the sixt is also sufficiently knowne by his Epitaph which is yet fresh in memory Vendit Alexander Coelos Altaria Christum Emerat ille prius vendere iure potest That is to say Heaven Altars Christ did Alexander sell He bought them first sell them he might as well Furthermore how Leo the tenth caused to be sold by Tetzalias and diverse other Popes by their Emissaries or Legats their Indulgences Buls pardons is better knowne throughout all Christendom then is wel-pleasing to the Popes Treason the fift cause of refusall The fift cause wherefore the Popes cannot be good Iudges in the differences say the Reformed is the crime of high treason or conspiracy The fift reason for they proue by true Histories that in all times they held the Emperours Kings Extrava de maior obed Can. 1. extra Mat. cons Extra de ma. obed and Princes of all Europe not onely for their vassals and liege-men or homagers but also for their vile slaues and base servants Pope Adrian alighting from his horse as the Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa The Emperor horse-keeper to the Pope with great reverence approached to the right side of his horse to hold his stirrop the Pope was offended at the fault committed by the Emperour Hol. chron 5. Cal. cap. 8. Nau. lib. 1. Gen. 79. Ram. in vit Pontif. reproving him somewhat sharply whereupon the Emperour still full of devotion answered in excuse that it so fell out with him because hee was not accustomed to hold stirrops and that it was the first time he ever exercised such an office And the Popes choller being the more stirred by such an excuse the Emperour said vnto him I would faine know whether this my service proceed from good-will or from dutie If it come from good will who will taxe for any negligence him that is officious and ready to do service And if it proceede not of dutie it imports not much on which side he holds the stirrop who came but to show and performe courtesie and seruice The next day the Emperour met the Pope and being become more circumspect by the foresaid reprehension held the left stirrop so conducting and guiding the Pope towards his armie Behold surely an exceeding contempt and disgrace of superiour authority Nau Ga. 39. Bern. dâ—pen Funct in cron And yet the Reformed affirme that they can produce a greater despitefulnes and indignitie that is to say of Alexander who became Pope after Adrian aforesaid For hee having excommunicated the said Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa when he requested to bee absolved of his excommunication the Pope assigned him a certaine day vpon which hee should appeare in the great Church of Venice whither being come into the presence of this Pope and of many Cardinalls and Bishops hee would not giue him his absolution vnlesse first he prostrated and cast himselfe downe at his feete entreating pardon of him The which the Emperour doing the Pope lifted vp his foot and put it on his neck causing at the instant his Prelats to sing that verse of the 91. Psalme Platinâ— Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion and Aspe the young Lion and the Dragon shalt thou tread vnder thy feete Wherewith the Emperour being much displeased answered hereunto Not vnto thee but to Saint Peter but the Pope treading the second time on the Emperours necke replyed both to mee and to Saint Peter And the History of Philip the faire King of France agreeth very well with the former For whereas the sayd King was by Boniface the eight banished or accursed as an Heretique and Enthusiast The King notwithstanding surceased not to proceed in his resolution And after hee had convinced the said Pope by evident testimonies of diverse grievous faults and offences hee caused him to be imprisoned in Rome And as this Pope entred like a Fox and raigned as a Lion in the end hee died like a dogge In the yeere 1300. a great number of people of all Nations being assembled in Rome to celebrate the Iubilie the same Boniface shewed himselfe to the people the first day adorned with pontificall vestments and attyre The Pope beares the two swords Abbas Vesp in Pâ—â—a Annal. Gal. Mâ—â— in Euseb cap. and the next day appearing in Imperiall habite caused a naked sword to be carried before him crying with a lowd voyce I am Pope and Emperour I haue Signiorie or Dominion earthly and celestiall And a few dayes after when Albert who was chosen Emperour by the Electors requested to be confirmed by the sayd Pope hee refused at the first entreaty saying that such an Election as was made without his commandement authority ought not to be esteemed for good and lawfull yet within a short time after he condescended to the desire of the Emperour but vnder this condition that vpon the first occasion offered hee should invade the kingdome of France Innocent the third did so hate the Emperour Philip because hee was chosen Emperour against his will that he often-times sayd Let either the Pope take away the Imperiall Crowne or let Philip take the Apostolicall Diademe from the Pope Ab Vesp Ser. Plat. Mars an Gal. imper Clement the sixt sayd to the Embassadors that hee would never giue absolution to their King Lodowicke or Lewis for his offence vnlesse freely yeelding vp his kingdom he committed himselfe with his kingdome and all his goods into the Popes power with promise not to accept nor receiue againe any of those things but from the meere favour and onely grace of the Pope The Reformed adde moreouer to the former that vpon the same foundation and ground Pope Constantine the first was the first that caused the Emperour to kisse his feet That Martin the fift caused the Emperour Sigismund to doe the like as also Iohn the 17. Crescent Consull of Rome Emperours excommunicated by Popes and Benedict the third the Emperour Moreover say the Reformed this ought not to be passed over in silence that is to say that Pope Innocent the third excommunicated O tho the fourth as also Gregorie the seuenth excommunicated Henry the fourth and Paschall the second Aug. stan
lib. 2. de Const pag. 138. Henry the fift Adrian the fourth and Alexander excommunicated Fredericke the first Innocent the third Philip the sonne of Fredericke Gregorie the ninth Fredericke the second and that three sundrie times to be briefe Innocent the fourth Conradus the fourth And all this was done for the most part because they would not in all things performe the will of the Popes And euen still at this present the greatest part of kings and Realmes Princes and Potentates of Christendome are in subiection to the Pope as his vassales and homagers Perfidiousnesse the sixt reason of refusall In the sixt place Persidiousnes the sixt reason of refusall the Reformed accuse the Popes of perfidiousnesse or faithlesnesse and sedition shewing by auncient Histories worthy of credit that the Popes haue euer tended to this end and purpose so soone as they vnderstand that any difference and dissention was raised or set on foote betweene kings and great Potentates to entertaine and nourish the same debate and dissention by their Emissaries and Messengers but yet according or compounding with the one or the other partie that if so be either of the two could vsurpe or obtaine that kingdome of his aduersarie that then he should make some acknowledgment to the Romane see for so good and happie successe And so soone as the sayd accord and secret conspiracie past was consented vnto the aduerse partie was forth-with excommunicated by the Popes as an heretike his realme exposed as a prey to whomsoeuer would invade or conquer it first by puting in for it The which the reformed shew by expresse examples for touching the first although the king of France Lewis the 12. deliuered to the Pope Iulius two certaine Cities so it is that the Pope not therewith contented did cast him out of his protection and exposed his realme to devastation or spoile Arnobius Benn Iuil Bul. masse lib. 5. And whereas the same Pope Iulius for diuers wicked and scandalous facts which are hereafter recited was suspended from his papall authoritie by the Counsel of Pisa albeit the sayd Counsell was disturbed by the sayd Pope and transported to Lions he was enraged with such choller that he was resolued to leauie an armie and to enter into France and when al things were in readinesse and himselfe mounted on horse-backe he caused the souldiers to passe through the Citie of Rome The Pope casts S. Peters Keyes into Tiber and drawes S. Pauls sword beyond the riuer Tiber and pronounced alowde and plainely these wordes in presence of many thousands of people Goe to since the keyes of S. Peter are no more availeable let vs vnsheath the rustie sword of S. Paul and therewithall casting Saint Peters keies into Tiber he drew his sword threatning with a grim and frowning countenance and gnashing his teeth to ruinate and vtterly destroy the Frenchmen The ensample of Philip Augustus is also like to the former for the said king Philip hauing conquered from the English a great part of his kingdome Pope Innocent the third first sent two Legats into France to trouble the state and to stirre vp tumults and seditions and afterwards had so incited incensed Otho the third and Ferdinand Earle of Flanders against the French that they had at that time lost their kingdom if the two Princes afore-said had not by their constancie hindered and withstood the wicked imaginations plotts of the Pope But what is this say the reformed to produce such ancient Histories considering that modern examples are yet fresh in euery mans memorie The yeere 1585. Pope Sixtus the fift thundered lightened with his excommunication against Henry of Burbone king of France of Nauarre Brut. fulmen Six 5. in regi Gall. Nauar. And against Henry of Burbone Prince of Condy likewise against all their race and posteritie and hauing excommunicated them as heretikes did therewithall giue in pray all their countries and Cities And that also which afterwards fell out is sufficiently knowne to all which is that the same Pope Sixtus the yere 1588. solemnly proclaimed the kingdome of England to be hereticall and gaue the same to Philip king of Spaine If we will also behold and consider the perfidiousnes or faithlesnesse and spirituall and Ecclesiasticall disloyaltie of Popes we shal find in ancient Histories that the Popes of Rome haue in all times contended among themselues for the papall Chaire or dignitie For Iohn the twentie foure being come to Bolonia as Legate with many Souldiers The Ecclesiasticall perfidiousnes of Popes much threatned all the Cardinals if they chuse a Pope that were not to his liking diuers being named and propounded to none of which he would giue his consent at length hee was required that himselfe would signifie whom he would haue to be chosen Then hee sayd giue me this vestment or attire of S. Peter Popes chuse themselues Stella venetus and I will deliuer it to him that shall be Pope which being done he put it vpon himselfe and said I am the Pope And albeit this act greatly displeased all the other Cardinalls they were notwithstanding forced against their willes to yeeld consent In like manner Iohn the twentie two chose himselfe to be Pope when the election was referred to him The Reformed Christians say moreouer that they can proue that the same time there haue been Foure three and two Popes at the same time gouerning sometimes foure sometimes three sometimes two Popes For Victor Alexander the third Calixtus the third and Paschall had altogether at once the papall authoritie In the time of the Emperour Fredericke Barbarossa and Benedict the eight Siluester the second and Gregorie the fift were Popes all at a time vntill at the length Henry the third Emperour deposed them Likewise Gregorie the twelfth Benedict the thirteenth and Alexander did by excommunications arrogate or obtaine the papall authoritie all of them thundering their thunder-boults the same time Moreouer diuers of them haue challenged the triple Crowne and for the same haue made warre one against the other Stephen the third against Constantine Sergius the third against Christopher Vrbane the fift against Clement the seventh Eugenius the fourth against Clement the eight And diuerse other Popes the mentioning of which would be too tedious and troublesome haue done the like as is verified by their owne Historiographers Let euery man iudge then say the Reformed if these actes aboue mentioned may not rightly bee called perfidiousnesse and sedition Antichristianisme the seventh cause of refusall In the seventh place The seventh reason the Popes cannot bee competent and sufficient Iudges in the controversie of Religion for that as the Reformed maintaine the Popes themselves were that Antichrist which the holy Scripture testifieth to be the wicked one the same childe of perdition 2 Thes 2. Apoc. 17. 1 Cor. 1.6 2 Cor. 6. Ephes 2. 1 Tim. 4. that opposeth and lifteth vp himselfe against all which is
the Popes seate crying Come wretched creature to the Iudgement of God So that the next day the Pope was found dead vpon his bed all his body being blacke and blew as if he had beene beaten and brused with blowes of a cudgell Nicholas the third died suddenly being stroken with an Apoplexie Leo the tenth died laughing and drinking roundly Clement the eight hauing conspired with Francis king of France against the Emperour Charles the fift was afterwards imprisoned by the Captaines of the Emperour and derided after a strange fashion and after they had pilled or sacked the Citie of Rome he was restored to his pontificall authoritie but finally was stifled or smothered with certaine Cardinals by the smoke of certaine Torches and waxen lights Hitherto haue we vnderstood the courses reasons wherfore the Reformed Christians will not accept the Popes for there Iudges in matter of religion For they say in the first place that it is repugnant to all lawes and rights both deuine and humane that in this cause or sute Popes should be both accusers and Iudges And that which is more according to the common Iudgment and opinion of the Canonists the Pope alone cannot pronounce sentence vpon an heresie but must therein be Iudged also by others Adding farther herevnto so many wicked acts of the Popes whereof albeit they were not conuicted and condemned but onely accused yet so it is that they not only cannot be Iudges in religion but are also incapable of accusing the meanest person before they haue sufficiently purged and excused themselues of all the before mentioned enormities Finally for so much as this is agreeable to all naturall right and reason that is to say that in all affaires and consultations of importance euery thing be resolued vpon and concluded according to the opinion and sentence of the greater and principall part especially when the greater part is esteemed or considered not onely according to the number of persons but cheifly according to the nature worthines and importance of the whole affaire or matter and goodnesse of the cause And Considering that all the Realmes and nations heretofore mentioned which accuse the Popes doe largly extend and amount to the two principal parts of Christendome consequently there remayning for the Romane Catholikes but one of the principall parts of Christendome The Reformed conclude that they may with all right reason reiect the Popes as incompetent and vnlawfull Iudges wherefore say the Reformed Let the Popes of Rome first and foremost purge themselues of all the aforesaid abhominable acts and hainous villanies whereof they are accused or else if they cannot doe it let them forbeare to intrude themselues in quality or title of Iudges touching the differences of Religion Otherwise the Reformed say that they shal haue iust occasion to make that answere to Popes which was heretofore addressed or returned to Pope Iohn Bishop by the Greeke Churches the which Churches the Pope had written vnto then that he alone was the head of all the Churches and the onely and proper Vicar of Iesus Christ they answered him breefly in these termes The letter of 7. Churches to the Pope We firmely beleeue thy great authoritie ouer them that are subiect vnto thee wee cannot endure thy great pride and ambition wee cannot iustifie thy great couetousnes The diuel be with thee for God is with vs. The Reformed come now to declare wherefore and how farre forth they will not acknowledge the Councells nor admit them for their Iudge For they refuse them as they say Why the Coūcels are refused to be iudges in religion for diuers and sundrie weightie reasons And first of all they affirme that there are diuers Councels which haue grosly erred not onely in discipline and outward order but also in that which concerneth the honour of our Saviour Iesus Christ The 1. reason of refusall whence it hath come to passe that oftentimes Provinciall Synodes haue beene corrected and controuled by Generall Councels and Generall Councels by provinciall Secondly The 2. reason of refusall the principall and best Councels haue not alwayes treated of all the points and articles of Chrstian Faith but onely of certaine differences which were then most questioned Moreover it appeareth by Histories that even in the best golden ages the pride and ambition or the curiosity or impudence and indiscretion or else the dissolutenesse or evill carriage of certaine Bishops and Pastors hath beene such as it seemes that oft-times in the Councels and Synodes the Spirit of God did not governe but rather the vncleane spirit who then prevailed got the vpper hand In briefe we reade that in these last ages such Councels haue beene held as haue brought in and confirmed false doctrine and vnprofitable frivolous and hurtfull ceremonies and that not by arguments or reasons or by the authority of the Word of God but rather by strong force by way of Armes And to the end no man may think all this to be devised as a false and malicious accusation the Reformed affirme that they can plainely proue it by a briefe rehearsall and register of the Councels for who shall diligently search into ancient and moderne Histories shall finde this to bee true that even as following the ancient tradition of the house of Elias all the time of the continuance of this world is divided into thrise three thousand yeeres In like manner all the time from the first comming of Iesus Christ vntill his last comming at the day of iudgement may bee fitly distributed into three periods or parts in which also all Realmes and Principalities haue felt some alteration and change We finde also that in those three periodes Three periods or partitions of Time of the new Testament or partitions of time true Christian religion and the vniversall Church hath increased and decreased like the moone For vntill about 500. yeeres after the birth of Christ although that during the sayd time certaine differences or controversies did arise touching the person of the Sonne of God and other very important points of religion against Ebion Cerinthus and diverse other Heretiques yet the truth hath alwayes obtained the vpper hand And during those first fiue hundred yeeres the Church of Christ flourished being as it were in full moone For in this first period were held the Apostolicall Councels and afterwards all the foure Oecumenicall Councels that is to say vniuersall of the Primitiue Church And indeed the first of all those Oecumenicall and Generall was assembled or called at Nice by the Emperour Constantine the Great Con. Nice which confuted and condemned the wicked Heretique Arrius The second was assembled or held at Constantinople by the Emperour Theodosius Con. Const which disprooued and convinced the Macedonian Heretiques The third was assembled in Ephesus Con. Ephes by the Emperour Theodosius the second sonne of Arcadius which condemned the Heretique Nestorius The fourth was called and held in Chalcedon by