Jurisdiction nor Domination of the Bishop of Rome over the Churches of France Hilary called himself Primate of the Churches of Gauls subject to the Roman Empire that is of Provence and Daulphine for the rest of the Gauls was then held by the Visigoths and by the Francks The quarrel was that Hilary conferred the degree of Bishop in his Diocess not expecting the consent and approbation of the Bishop of Rome but Leo would oblige him to acquaint the Roman See with it and to get his approbation Upon that Leo sends Letters to the Bishops of Daulphine where after he haâ—◠〈◊〉 swe ling words exalted the Dignity of the Roman See he addâ—â—h Hillary To trouble the State of the Church Leon. Epist 87. ad Episcop per Viennensem provinciam constitutos and the Concord of Bishops by new presumptions hath exceeded measure desiring so to subject you to his power that he will not suffer you to be subject to the blessed Apostle Peter challenging to himself the Ordination of all the Churches in Gauls But Hilary came to Rome not regarding the Anathema's of Leo and to his face affirmed that neither did Christ appoint Peter to be Head of the rest of the Apostles neither had the Bishop of Rome a Sovereignty over the Churches of France In that strife Leo according to his custom had his recourse to Valentinian who presently without hearing what Hilary could say for himself gave sentence for Leo and made a Law which is extant in the Theodosian Code among the Novel Constitutions in the 24th Title the Law runs in these words Whereas the merit of Peter who is the Prince of the Episcopal Society and the Dignity of the Roman City and Authority of the Sacred Synod have established the Primacy of the Apostolick See let not presumption attempt any lawful thing against the Authority of that See for then shall the peace of the Churches be maintained every where if the Vniversality do acknowledge their Governour In which words we may observe by the way that Valentinian doth not ground the Popes Primacy upon the Word of God He addeth We Decree by a perpetual Ordinance That it be not lawful either to the Bishops of Gauls or to those other Provinces to attempt any thing against the venerable Pope c. but that to them and to all whatsoever the Authority of the Apostolick See hath decreed or shall decree may be a Law so that what Bishop soever being evocated to the judgement of the Roman Prelate shall neglect to appear he be constrained by the Governour of the Province to make his appearance But Valentinian being deprived of Africa by the Vandals of Africa and of Spain and Guienne by the Gothes and of most part of Gauls by the Franks nothing remaining to him but Italy Sicily Provence and Daulphine all the East being in the power of Theodosius that Law was but of little force How much that Law was despised in the Empire of the East it is easie to see for in the Year 472. that is about 22 or 23 years after that Law of Valentinian a contrary Law was established by the Emperour Leo which is the 16th Law in the Code De Sacrosanctis Ecclesiis The words of the Law are these Whereby the Emperour decreeth that the Church of Constantinople be the first of all Churches and the Bishop of Constantinople be the first of all Bishops We judge and decree that the most holy Church of this Town which is Mother of our Piety and of all Christians of the Orthodox Religion and the most holy See of the same most Religious City have all the privileges and honours concerning the Creation of Bishops and the right of sitting before others c. Baronius declaimeth against that Law of Leo and saith It proceeded from him who is the Head over all the Sons of pride Baron Annal. ad Ann. 472. Then lived Sidonius Apollinaris Bishop of Clermont in Auvergn whose Epistles are extant great part of which are written to the Bishops of France his Colleagues but in none of them is there any trace of subjection to the Roman See or of communication with the Bishop of Rome The same Sidonius calls Lupus Bishop of Troyes Bishop of Bishops and the first Bishop of the world and saith That he is sitting in the Apostolick See This Man wrote all his Epistles in Latin and Preached also in Latin In the tenth Epistle of the second Book he complaineth That in his time among the Vulgar the purity and property of the Latin Tongue decayed and degenerated into barbarousness And in the Epistle to Pope Perpetuus for then all the Bishops that were a little more respected than the ordinary Bishops were called Popes there is a Latin Sermon made by the said Sidonius unto the people of Bourges a certain proof that the people of Bourges understood Latin About this time flourished Prosper of Aquitain so called from his Countrey not the place of his Bishoprick as Baronius saith He wrote De Vitâ Contemplativâ Of a Contemplative Life In his first Book Chap. 23. he prescribeth That the Preacher's Language be simple and plain though it be not very good Latin yet that it be orderly and grave Usser de Britan. Eccles Primord Cap. 8. that it may hinder no body though ignorant to understand it He wrote a Book De Ingratis by which name he alway marketh out the Pelagians that sprung out of the ashes of that Arch-Heretick Pelagius Regiensem Episcopum fuisse recentiores commemorant In sententias quasdam Augustini Epigrammata varia conscripsit Catal. Test Verit. He wrote many excellent things in defence of the Grace of Christ against the Pelagians and sheweth himself to be a Disciple and vehement defender of St. Augustine saith Bellarmine Salvianus Bishop of Marseilles lived then when the Nation of the Goths oppressed France and many began to doubt of the Providence of God in regard that those wicked wretches had got the upper hand and prospered so much in the world therefore he wrote an excellent Treatise De Judicio Providentia Dei to Salonius Bishop of Vienna One entitleleth him Gallicae Gentis Episcoporum Magistrum The Master of the Bishops of the French Nation Salonius wrote upon the Books of the Proverbs and Ecclesiastes Claudianus Mammertus Bishop of Vienna is praised by Sidonius with excessive commendations as if all the Graces of Jerome Augustine Patr. Syms Eccles Hist Basil Nazianzen and many other Fathers had been incorporated in him He wrote three Books De Statu Animae Of the State of the Soul to the same Sidonius with two Epistles How much the Popish Bishops differ from those Famous Bishops that flourished in those dayes the Reader may understand by this following Epitaph of Claudianus Mammertus made by Sidonius Hoc dat cespite membra Claudianus Triplex Bibliotheca quo Magistro Romana Attica Christiana fulsit Quam totam Monachus virente in aevo Secreta bibit instructione
tribulations will not mourn who hearing of our calamities will not lament Affliction is on every side and we know not what to do O ye Christians behold the dayes of trouble the dayes of mourning and bitterness are come upon us It is come as we feared from the Lombards for we are afflicted distressed and besieged on every side by their most ungodly King Aistulph and that Nation Therefore with the Prophet we pray the Lord saying Help us O God of our Salvation and for the honour of thy Name deliver us c. And now because Aistulphus with an Army hath pitched his Tents and encamped against us and hath often said unto us Open unto me the Gate of Salaria that I may enter into your City and give me your High Priest and I will shew Clemency unto you If not beware lest when I have battered down your walls I kill you altogether with the sword and let me see who can deliver you out of mine hand Wherefore our Beloved I beseech you and as if I were present I adjure you by the mysteries before the true and living God and before St. Peter the Prince of the Apostles that with great speed you help us lest we perish seeing under God we have committed all our lives into your hands forsake us not After this the Pope sent another Letter in the Name of St. Peter A Letter sent in the name of St. Peter as if it had been written from Heaven which beginneth thus Peter called an Apostle Grace Peace and Power to deliver the Holy Church of God and the People of Rome committed to me from the hands of their enemies be fully given from the Lord God unto you most excellent men Pepin c. and to the most holy Bishops Abbots Presbyters and all Religious Monks c. I Peter the Apostle of God who have you my adopted Children to deliver from the enemies hand this Roman City and the people committed of God unto me provoking all your Love do exhort and protesting do admonish you to deliver the Church of God which by Divine Power is commended to me seeing they suffer very great afflictions and oppression by the most wicked Nation of the Lombards Think not otherwise but certainly believe it that I my self am standing alive in the flesh before you and our Lady the Mother of God the Virgin Mary with us doth adjure you with the greatest Obligations and Protesteth Admonisheth and Commandeth c. Behold here with what fooleries and impieties they would bewitch the world But Pepin did not leavy an Army until Pope Stephen came into France And when he took his journey he commended himself to St. Mary and his flock unto St. Peter Pepin hearing of his coming sent his Son Charles an hundred miles to meet him and when he came within three leagues of Carisiac Pepin went forth unto him and returned on foot and the Pope on horseback Then Pepin was crowned again by the Pope for the greater pomp Pepin went into Italy and forceth Aistulph to give hostages to render unto the Pope all due Right But after the return of Pepin into France Aistulph with new Forces doth more mischief to Rome Then Pope Stephen wrote another Supplication to Pepin who made no delay but forceth Aistulph to perform the former conditions and to give unto the Pope the exarchate of Ravenna Within a year Aistulph dieth then a division ariseth between Rachis and Desiderius for the Kingdom Then Stephen wrote his fourth Epistle unto Pepin giving him thanks for his aid wishing many blessings unto him and shewing that Aistulph was stricken by the hand of God and drowned in the bottom of Hell and that by the hands of Peter Prince of the Apostles and by thy most powerful arm speaking unto Pepin Desiderius a most mild man was Ordained King of the Lombards who had sworn to restore unto St. Peter the Cities Faventia Insubres and Ferrara with all their Territories and also Ausimo Ancona Humana Bona with all their Territories and he had sworn to keep peace with the Church of St. Peter and to be Loyal unto the Crown of France and entreated Pepin to approve the Coronation of Desiderius upon these conditions Henceforth the Pope began to lift up his head and having large Territories given unto him will not rest until he be Monarch of the world When Stephen had peace he began to repair the Churches which Aistulph had caused to be thrown down and died in the sixth year of his Papacy Fabian's Chroni Part. 6. Then Gaifer Duke of Guienne imposed a Tribute upon the Lands of the Clergy in his Dukedom without their consent wherefore the Bishops for a redress complained unto King Pepin thereof Pepin reproved the Duke for it but the Duke not regarding the Kings Admonition Pepin soon after with an Army entred the Territory of Guienne wasting and spoiling the Countrey Hereupon the Duke hearkened to him and bound himself to restore unto the Clergy what he had extorted from them But the King being returned into France the Duke gathering Forces together sent them to the City of Chalours in Burgundy and did much hurt to that Town and Countrey The King being sorely discontented at it returned with his People into Guien and therein beat down many strong holds and Castles and took or won Burbon Cancarvile and Cleremont and wasted the Country with fire and sword till he came to Limoges The winter coming on the King having strengthened the foresaid Cities Towns and strong Holds that he had won and then rode to a place called Caus there kept his Christmass and Easter In the next Spring he re-entred the foresaid Dutchy and took by force the Cities of Bourges and Tours The People of that Countrey considering the obstinacy of their Duke murthered the said Duke and after yielded themselves and their Country to the King with all such Treasure and Jewels as to the said Duke belonged whereof King Pepin offered a great part unto St. Denis Then this victorious Prince was vexed with grievous sickness wherefore in all hast he sped him to St. Martin's where he made certain Prayers and Oblations And from thence his sickness increasing he was conveyed unto Paris where he shortly after died when he had reigned as King there by the space of eighteen years After the death of Pepin the Estates of France Assemble and by their consents Charles and Carloman his Sons divide the Realm between them by equal portions Charles was Crowned at Wormes Carloman at Soissons But by the death of Carloman the whole Realm came to Charles within three years after the death of his Father Charles was endued with singular gifts both of body and mind he had the instructions of a virtuous Conversation and was bred up in Learning and Arms He was Religious and reverenced the Churches and Pastors he was a great Justitiary a reliever of the poor and kept his Faith both to friend and foe he was a lover of
Bishops of France unto a Synod first at Rome then at Aken The Bishops answered They were not obliged to go out of their own Country At last he named Munson on the borders of France where only Gerebert appeared and boldly maintained the cause of the French Church so that the Legate Leo could do nothing without new instructions from the Pope save only that he appointed another Synod at Rhemes and in the mean time he suspends Gerebert who wrote the Apology of the French Church as his Epistle unto Wilderodon Bishop of Argentine testifieth Gerebert excelled in Learning and came afterward to the Roman Chair and called by the name of Silvester the second he was promoted to that dignity by the Emperour Otho Hugh Capet having reigned peaceably nine years died Novemb. 22. 996. leaving his Son Robert his successour a Prince wise resolute peaceable and continent he is said to have been Learned a lover of Divinity and humanity They sing Hymns of his Invention the which thus beginneth O Constantia Martyrum mirabilis the which bearing resemblance with the name of his Wife Constance he was wonderfully pleased with the humour she had to be honoured with his writings being then greatly esteemed throughout the World He preferred virtue before the prerogative of primogeniture and caused Henry his younger Son to be Crowned in his life time decreeing by his Will that his eldest Son Robert should content himself with the Dutchy of Burgundy doing homage for it to the Crown of France Century XI IN the beginning of this Century Arnold Earl of Sens Fabian's Chronic. used great Tyranny among the Bishops and Ministers of the Church Hereupon Leofricus Bishop of that See through the advice and aid of Reginald Bishop of Paris put out the said Arnold and delivered the City unto King Robert But the Brother of the said Arnold with divers of his Knights fled to the Castle and held it by force Then the King besieged the said Castle and took both it and Fromond the Brother of Arnold and sent him to Orleans where being imprisoned he dyed shortly after This Robert builded the Castle of Mountfort He founded also divers Monasteries and Temples at Orleans the Temple of St. Avian at Stamps a Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and many other in divers places of his Realm And he endowed the Church of St. Denis with many great priviledges and had special devotion to St. Hypolite above all other Saints At this time flourished Fulbert Bishop of Chartres a very learned Man Sundry Sermons and Treatises that are amongst the works of St. Austin are said to be his He wrote an Epistle to Adeodatus wherein he first reproveth a gross opinion of some Men who held that Baptism and the Eucharist were naked signs Then he proveth that these should not be considered as meer and outward signs but by Faith according to the invisible vertue of Mysteries The Mystery of Faith it is called saith he because it should be esteemed by Faith and not by sight to be looked into spiritually not corporally the sight of Faith only beholdeth this powerful Mystery c. Then he illustrates the same by comparison of a baptized Man who albeit outwardly he be the same he was before yet inwardly he is another being made greater than himself by encrease of invisible quantity that is of saving grace c. Here is no word of substantial change of the Elements the Bread is still Bread But we find two other changes the Faithful are transposed into the body of Christ and Christ is infused into the habitation of a faithful Soul yet so that Christ 's body remaineth in the Heavens and by the Revelation of the Spirit faith beholdeth Christ present Biblioth part de e bigne Tom. 3. or lying in his Mother 's bosom and dying rising and ascending and he entreth into the gratious habitation of a faithful Communicant and many waies refresheth him Here also we see that the substance of Bread remaineih as the substance of him who is Baptized remaineth albeit inwardly he be another Some say that Fulbert composed many Songs in praise of the Virgin Mary and that he built a Temple and dedicated it unto her Historians also do feign that Fulbert being sick was visited by the Virgin Mary Hist Magdeb. Cent. 11. and that she cherished him with her own Milk O impudent forgers of lies O foolish Mortals who gave credit to such palpable lies King Robert dyed Anno 1031. His Son Henry succeeded him and reigned 33 years In his time the Realm of Burgundy had an end in the posterity of Boson and the Emperours of Germany challenged the right and title of it Robert Duke of Normandy had maintained the Hereditary love of his Father with King Henry greatly relying upon his friendship Having resolved upon a long and dangerous Voyage to the Holy-land he intreated him to take the protection of William his Bastard Son whom he had made his Heir excluding his lawful Children Robert settled his Estate before his departure appointing him good Governours and putting the strongest holds and treasure into their hands Robert dyed in this long Voyage beyond the Seas at the City of Bythinia having before his departure commanded the Lords of Normandy and sworn them and Robert Arch-Bishop of Rovan to perform their Allegiance unto his Son William and to take him for their Lord and Duke if he return not again When King Henry had settled his Land in quietness he then builded the Monastery of St. Martin called Des Champs besides Paris and set therein secular Priests King Henry after he had reigned 31 years dyed and was buried at St. Denis Anno 1046. Gregory VI. created Odilo Abbot of Cluny Arch-Bishop of Lyons sending him the Pall and the Ring which he received yet without accepting the dignity saying he would reserve it for him that should be chosen Arch-Bishop Berengarius a French-man Deacon of St. Maurice in Anjou was the Disciple of Fulbert He was the first that was accounted an Heretick for denying of Transubstantiation and troubled for the same In his days it was broached that the Bread of the Eucharist was the very body of Christ and the Wine his Blood substantially or properly Berengarius on the contrary taught that the Body of Christ is only in the Heavens and these Elements are the Sacraments of his Body and Blood Adelman Bishop of Brixia wrote unto him In the beginning he saluteth him as his holy and beloved Brother and Con-disciple under Fulbert Bishop of Chartres Then he sheweth he heard it reported that Berengarius did teach that the Body and Blood of Christ which are offered upon the Altar throughout the Earth are not the very Body and Blood of Christ but only a figure or certain similitude howbeit indeed Berengarius had said nothing so To the intent Adelman may bring his Brother from this opinion he entreateth him not to depart from the Doctrine of their Master Fulbert and of
recommending different persons The Princes finding all their intercessions ineffectual returned as they came leaving the whole business to the Cardinals In the first assembly after the Kings were departed John Cardinal of Porto observing the pertinacity of the Cardinals whilst they were together invocating the Holy Ghost cryed out publickly and with a loud voice My Lords let us uncover the Roof of this Chamber perhaps the Holy Spirit will not come where we are thorow so many Roofs It would be necessary to have a Holy Ghost for every one seeing there is no two will agree The Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles because they were met together with one mind but how can we expect him that are so strangely divided At length the Cardinals being weary of going up and down to the places of their Assemblies and doubting by their delay to bring in some new schism into the Church two thirds of the Cardinals agreed in the Election of Tibaldo Visconte a Milanese Arch-Deacon of Lodi who was called Gregory the tenth not yet return'd from his Voyage into Asia whither he was sent by Innocent IV. upon whose Election Cardinal Giovanni del Porto made these Verses Papatûs munus tulit Archidiaconus unus Quem Patrem Patrum fecit discordia fratrum The Cardinals at odds and out of hope Arch-Deacon Tibald was created Pope Gregory endeavouring to make peace between the Genoans and Venetians who had been at Wars one with another for several years together went into France in the year 1273. where he gave beginning to the Council of Lyons Philip King of France was present at that Council with an infinite number of Noble and Learned persons both French and English He called four Bishops from Germany four from England four from France two from Spain from Sicily from the Kingdom of the Church Hungary Dacia Bohemia Poland Sweden Spottiswood Hist of Ch. of Scotland lib. 2. Norway and Scotland from each of these one There were two Patriarchs fifteen Cardinals five hundred Bishops and one thousand mitred Prelates besides the King of France the Emperour of Greece and many other Princes 1. In this Council the first proposition was for the Holy War and for it they decree that a tenth part of all Benefices in Christendom the priviledged Churches not excepted should be paid for six years That all Penitentiaries or Confessors should urge offenders to assist that holy business with their wealth and riches and that every Christian without exception of Sex or Quality should pay a penny yearly during that space under pain of Excommunication 2. For remedying abuses in the Church it was ordained Petr. Church Hist Cent. 13. 1. That no procurations to Bishops nor Arch-Deacons should be paid unless they do visit the Churches in their own persons 2. No Church-man should possess more Benefices than one and should reside at the Church he retaineth 3. None of the Clergy shall without the Pope's license answer the impositions which shall be laid upon them by any Prince or State 4. The mendicant Fryars shall be reduced to four Orders the Minorites Predicants Carmelites and Hermites of St. Augustine who shall continue in their present Estate until the Pope shall otherwise think good 5. A prohibition was made to admit or advise any new order besides these named Here also was decreed the Union of the Greek and Latin Church and the peace betwixt the Princes of Christendom But many of these Statutes in a short time turned into smoak pluralities being of new dispensed with the clause of non obstante which then first came in use The Orders of Fryars and Monks were restored one by one The Cistertians redeemed their liberty by payment of 500000 Marks The Bernardines paid 600000 Crowns and other Orders made their composition Whereby it appeareth that the Statutes which were enacted were only devised to raise sums of Money and not of any purpose to redress their abuses This Pope advanced the Dominicans highly even to the wearing of red hats In that Council of Lyons Canons were made for the manner of electing the Pope for from Sylvester's time unto this Gregory's Popedom they were not used to be shut up in a conclave but if they were in Rome the Electors met either in the Church of St. John Lateran or of St. Peter or in some other place as occasion offered if they were out of Rome they met in the Cathedral of the place where they were or in some other Church more convenient But the Electors many times regarded not expedition in their Elections of the Pope Hist of Cardinals part 3. lib. 1. whilst they had liberty to command to go and come as they thought fit therefore the invention of the conclave by Gregory was rationally thought very good and necessary There were likewise established by the said Gregory several Laws and Orders for the conclave which were afterwards by several Popes reduced into better form till that in process of time they were reduced into that which I shall insert in this place The principal Laws which are usually observed in the Creation of the Pope 1. That the Election be made in a proper and convenient place and ordinarily there where the last Pope dyed If that cannot commodiously be done let it be made in that City to whose jurisdiction that place doth belong provided it be not under interdiction for in that case they are to chuse another City in the same Diocess or at least not far off c. 2. That after the death of the Pope there shall be no discourse of the Election of a Successour till ten days be past in which time the absent Cardinals are to be expected and the nine days obsequies for the deceased Pope be celebrated with due respect by all the Cardinals that are present in the place 3. That no absent Cardinal shall send his Vote in any manner whatsoever by which it is intended they shall be deprived of their Voice as often as they are absent from the Election 4. That the nine days ceremony for the death of the Pope being over the Mass Dello Spirito santo solemnly said and the prayer de eligendo Pontifice recited let all the Cardinals which are present in the palace which shall be called the Conclave which is to be in a secure place close in all parts and well guarded be shut in with two or three servants only for their necessities Let it not be lawful for any to enter after the conclave is shut up nor for any to come forth except in the case of infirmity And if any be obliged to go in or out let it be by consent of the whole Colledge Nor is this conclave to have any Wall or partition to distinguish one chamber from another but let there be certain traverses of Linnen or cloath to divide their Lodgings and they to be given to the Cardinals by lot to prevent all controversies for place 5. That it be not only unlawful to Elect those
Penance Extream Unction Order and Matrimony and that they do confer grace and of these that Baptism Confirmation and Order cannot be reiterated without sacriledge And I receive and admit the received and approved rites of the Catholick Church in the solemn administration of all the foresaid Sacraments I embrace and receive all and every thing which have been defined and declared in the holy Council of Trent concerning Original sin and Justification Likewise I profess that there is offered up unto God in the Mass a true proper and propitiatory Sacrifice for quick and dead and that in the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist there is truly really and substantially the body and blood together with the Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and that there is made a conversion of the whole substance of the Bread into the Body and of the whole substance of the Wine into the Blood Which conversion the Catholick Church calleth Transubstantiation I confess also that under one kind only whole Christ and the true Sacrament is received I constantly hold that there is a Purgatory and that the souls detained there are helped by the suffrages of the faithful Likewise that the Saints reigning together with Christ are to be Worshipped and called upon and that they do offer up prayers to God for us And I assert that their Relicks are to be Worshipped That the Images of Christ and the Mother of God alwayes a Virgin and also of other Saints are to be had and retained and that due honour and veneration is to be given to them And I affirm that the power of Indulgences was left by Christ in the Church and that the use of them is very comfortable to Christian people I acknowledge that the holy Catholick and Apostolick Roman Church is the Mother and Mistress of all Churches And I freely promise and swear true obedience to the Roman Bishop the Successour of the blessed Peter the Prince of the Apostles the Successour of Jesus Christ And I undoubtedly receive and profess all other things delivered by the Sacred Canonical and Oecumenical Councils and especially the holy Council of Trent Moreover I condemn reject and anathematize all contrary things and heresies whatsoever condemned rejected and anathematized by the Church And this Catholick faith without which no man can be saved which I freely profess and truly hold for the present the same I will retain and profess constantly unto the end of my life by the help of God c. And this I promise vow and swear so help me God and his holy Gospels 3. The third Decree was concerning Divine Worship in general 4. Concerning the Sacraments As for the Sacrament of Confirmation it was to be done frequently and Gratis by the Bishops through the Towns in their Diocesses 5. Concerning Bishops where diverse qualifications are pre-requisite before any one be admitted to the Office of a Bishop 6. Concerning the Offices of Bishops 7. Concerning the Offices of Curates and other Presbyters and Parish-Priests 8. Concerning Monasteries wherein divers Instructions and Rules are prescribed to the Abbots and Priors for the better governing themselves and their Monasteries 9. Concerning Ecclesiastical Jurisdicton There were also divers Statutes made in the same Provincial Synod concerning the foundation of Schools and Seminaries The Decrees of the Provincial Council of Rhemes Anno 1583. 1. COncerning the Catholick faith and the reason of professing the same 2. A Form of Confession is set down 3. Concerning Divine Worship 4. Concerning the Breviary Missal and Manual 5. Concerning Festival Dayes 6. Concerning Divination by lots and other things contrary to Christian piety 7. Concerning the Sacraments 1. Of Confirmation 2. Of Penance 3. Of the Eucharist 4. Of Order 5. Of Matrimony Whereunto is added the Decree of the Council of Trent concerning the reformation of Matrimony ex Sess 24. 6. Of Extream Unction 8. Concerning Seminaries 9. Of the Clergy in general 10. Of Regulars and their Monasteries 11. Of Curates 12. Of Chapters and Canons 13. Concerning Bishops 14. Concerning Simoniacks and Fiduciaries 15. Concerning Burials 16. Concerning Usury 17. Concerning Jurisdiction 18. Concerning a Visitation 19. Concerning a Diocesan Synod 20. Of a Provincial Synod The Decrees of the Provincial Council of Bourdeaux together with the Laws of the Seminaries Anno 1583. all approved by the Pope 1. COncerning a Confession of Faith 2. Of those things which have respect to Divine Worship and Religion 3. Of Ecclesiastical Prayers 4. Of the Breviary Missal and other Books pertaining to Divine Offices 5. Of those things which either are to be observed or to be taken heed of in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass as they call it and in Divine Offices 6. Of Festival-dayes 7. Of Magick Arts and other things contrary to Christian Religion 8. Of the Sacrament 9. Of Baptism 10. Of Confirmation 11. Of the Eucharist 12. Of Penance 13. Of Extream Unction 14. Of Order 15. Of Matrimony 16. Of Bishops 17. Of Chapters and the Canons of Cathedral and Collegiate Churches 18. Of Parish-Priests 19. Of the Residency of Pastors 20. Of preaching the Word of God 21. Of the life and manners of Clergy-men 22. Of the Examination of those that are to be promoted to benefices with cure 23. Of Simoniacks and Confidentiaries 24. Of Monasteries 25. Of Seminaries 26. Of the not alienating the things of the Church 27. Of Schools Printers and Book-sellers 28. Of Hospitals 29. Of Usuries and unlawful Contracts 30. Of Burials 31. Of Jurisdiction 32. Of a Visitation 33. Of a Diocesan Synod 34. Of a Provincial Council 35. Of Punishments Of the Institution and Laws of the Seminaries of the Province of Bourdeaux 1. OF the Houses of a Seminary That they be built in a large and spacious place near unto the Cathedral Church That there be a Chappel wherein the Clergy may meet at prayers That the dormitory be open and common in which every one may have his own bed c. That an Hospital be appointed in an open place for sick folks in which all things may be provided for the sick with singular piety and charity 2. Of the manner of admitting Clerks into Seminaries The election and admission of Clerks shall be in the power of the Bishop or of those to whom this care shall be committed by name That out of all youths very fit youths may be chosen the Bishop shall cause it to be proclaimed through all the Cities and Towns of the Diocess especially where there are Schools that if any be poor and born of lawful Matrimony who desire to be promoted to the Priesthood and who have attained to the age of twelve years and have not exceeded the twentieth and have made some progress in the Grammar that they appear to be examined at the time and place which he shall appoint them The Bishop shall not admit any to be examined whom he shall behold to be maimed or deformed Then shall he enquire diligently concerning the condition estate
she was taken down cast into prison and reserved for further Torment Attalus also a Famous Man and notably exercised in the Christian Profession was led within compass of the Theatre with a Scroll before him wherein was written in the Roman Tongue This is Attalus the Christian The President knowing that he was a Roman commanded him to be imprisoned and closely kept with the other prisoners concerning whom he had written unto Caesar and expected an Answer Alexander a Phrygian born and a Physician having dwelt in France many years a man well known for his great Zeal towards God and boldness of speech stood hard by the Tribunal-Seat and comforted and encouraged many Martyrs at their Examination When the people that stood by took in evil part that they which before had recanted did now confess Christ with one consent they cry out against Alexander as Author thereof Then the President demanding of him what he was he Answered I am a Christian for which Answer he was allotted to be torn in pieces by the wild Beasts Attalus was fryed to death in a scalding Iron Chair so that the savour of his broiled body filled their nostrils who being demanded what Name God had Answered God is not called after the manner of Men. Blandina together with Ponticus a youth of fifteen years of Age was brought forth whom they would have compelled to swear by their Idol's Name But they contemning their Idol the multitude were enraged against them tormenting them with all manner of punishments Ponticus being comforted and confirmed by Blandina in presence of the Pagans after he had suffered most exquisite Torments yielded up the Ghost Last of all Blandina like a noble Mother having exhorted her Children and sent them before as Conquerours unto the King pondering with her self all the punishments of her Children hastened after them joying and triumphing at her end as if she had been invited and going to a wedding dinner After scourging after combating with wild Beasts after the broiling of her body as it were in a frying-pan at length she was wrapped in a Net and tumbled before a wild Bull which fanned and tossed her on his horns to and fro yet had she no feeling thereof in the end she was beheaded the Pagans themselves pronouncing That never any Woman among them was heard to have suffered so many and so great Torments As many as were choked with the noisom stench of the prison were thrown to be devoured of Dogs the Pagans keeping a watch day and night that none of them might be buried by their Friends To be short after that the bodies of the blessed Saints had been every kind of way spitefully and scornfully entreated lying six whole dayes unburied at length they were burned to ashes the ashes also they gathered together and scattered in the River Rhodanus which passed by so that no jot or relique thereof should any longer remain upon the earth This they did that there might as they said be no further hope of their Resurrection Irenaeus after Photinus was Bishop of Lions he flourished in the dayes of the Emperour Commodus his meek disposition and peaceable carriage answered to his Name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Peaceable and made his Name to be in great account among Christians Euseb Eccles Hist Lib. 4. The Martyrs forementioned did highly commend Irenaeus unto Eleutherius Bishop of Rome as their own words do declare in this manner Father Eleutherius we wish you health in all things and alwayes in God We have requested Irenaeus our Brother and Fellow-labourer to deliver you these Letters whom we pray you to accept of as a zealous follower of the Will of Christ For if we understood that any mans degree yielded forth and delivered Righteousness unto the Graduate namely as being Minister of the Church which this man is we would have chiefly commended this in him Iren. Lib. 3. cap. 3. Eusebius hath set down out of Irenaeus a Catalogue of the Roman Biships unto his time Iren. Lib. 2. cap. 57. Irenaeus sheweth how unto his time Miracles were wrought by the faithful some saith he do soundly and truly cast out Devils others have the foreknowledge of things to come they see Divine Dreams and Prophetical Visions others cure the diseased and restore them to health by their laying on of hands The dead were raised to life saith he and lived together with us many years Again in another place Irenaeus thus writeth We have heard of many Brethren in the Church which had the gift of prophesying which were able through the Holy Ghost to speak with sundry Tongues Iren. Lib. 5. which could reveil the secrets of men where it so behoved and expound the dark mysteries of God Then arose a Controversie about the keeping of Easter for the Church of the West and part of that of the East did Celebrate the Feast of Easter upon the Lord's day but part of the Church of the East did Celebrate it upon the fourteenth day of the Moon of March not looking for the Lord's day Towards the end of this second Century Victor the successour of Eleutherius Bishop of Rome took that business in hand with eagerness and for that cause separated the Oriental Churches from his Communion Polycrates Bishop of Ephesus resisted him Victor being incensed with that resistance excommunicateth all the Eastern Churches Eusebius saith That this did not please all the Bishops wherefore also they made him a contrary Command that he should keep Peace Union and Charity with his Neighbours Among other Examples he brings forth the Epistle of Irenaeus to Victor whereby he accuseth him to have violated Charity and to have departed from the Example of his Ancestors Ruffinus relateth the same Eusebius makes mention of what Irenaeus wrote concerning the Holy Canonical Scriptures and the translation of the Septuagint Irenaeus wrote divers Epistles to confute such as at Rome corrupted the sincere Rites of the Church He wrote one to Blastus of Schism another to Florinus of Monarchy or shewing that God is not the Author of Evil which Opinion Florinus seemed to be of but afterwards he was seduced with the Errour of Valentinus Irenaeus in his Epistle to Florinus Reporteth that he had conversed with Polycarpus so that he remembred the place where Polycarpus sate when he taught his course of Life the figure and proportion of his body the Sermons he made unto the Multitude the report he made of his Conversation with St. John the Apostle and others which saw the Lord how he remembred their sayings and what he heard out of their mouths touching the Lord of his Power and Doctrine These things saith he I diligently marked and printed them in my heart And I am able to testifie if that Holy and Apostolick Elder had heard any such thing he would have presently stopped his ears and reclaimed it To be short this may be reported for true out of the Epistles which he wrote for the
Confirmation of the bordering Churches or out of the Epistles which he wrote to certain Brethren for Admonition or Exhortation-sake Thus far Irenaeus There are but few of the Fathers but have some particular Opinion which the Church of Rome disalloweth as well as we The Learned Dr. Du Moulin mentioneth many of the Ancients Du Moulin Contr. Perront Lib. 1. cap. 49. and among them Irenaeus who saith that Jesus Christ Taught until the Age of forty or fifty years Fevardent who hath Commented upon the Book hath written in the Margin Naevus de aetate Christi it is a fault of Irenaeus about the Age of Christ The same Father also Teacheth that the Souls separated from the bodies have a bodily shape and keep the character or form of the body to which they were joyned The same Irenaeus saith Iren. Lib. 4. cap. 30. That the Law was not given to the Fathers that lived before the Law because they were Righteous and there was no need they should be warned by Reprehensions but that this Righteousness being given in Egypt God then had given his Law The same Father in the Fifth Book Chap. 33 and 34 brings in bodily Feasts after the Resurrection because Christ said He should drink of the New Fruit of the Vine in the Kingdom of his Father The same Father opposeth them as Hereticks that hold that the Souls of the Faithful departed do enjoy the Heavenly Glory His Opinion was that at their going out of the Body they go down into an invisible place where they expect the Resurrection Besides those Epistles of Irenaeus forementioned there is extant another very learned and necessary Book of his against the Gentiles Entituled A Book of Science or Knowledge Another unto Marcianus his Brother Entituled A Declaration of the Apostles Preaching And another Book of divers Tracts where he makes mention of the Epistle to the Hebrews and the Book of Wisdom called Solomon's Ex Platina in vita Sixti In the time of the Emperour Commodus Peregrinus flourished who had been sent before by Xistus Bishop of Rome into the parts of France to supply there the room of a Bishop and Teacher Because of the horrible Persecutions thereabout those places were left desolate and destitute of Ministers and Instructors where after he had Preached with much success among the Flock of Christ and had established the Congregation there returning to Rome he there finished his Martyrdom Six several Synods were held about the Observation of Easter and the fourth was held in France in which Irenaeus was Chief Century III. AFter the Death of the Emperour Commodus Reigned Pertinax but few months after whom succeeded Septimius Severus under whom was raised a notable Persecution against the Christians Great Persecution was stirred up on every side whereby an infinite number of Martyrs were slain as Eusebius reporteth Vincent Lib. 11. cap. 6. Ex Martyrol Vincentius speaketh of one Andoclus whom Polycarpus before had sent into France which Andoclus because he spread there the Doctrine of Christ was apprehended of Severus and first beaten with staves and after was beheaded About the same time died Irenaeus Henry of Erford Ado and other Martyr-writers do hold That he was martyred with many more for the Confession and Doctrine of Christ about the fourth or fifth year of Severus This Irenaeus as he was a great Writer so was he greatly commended of Tertullian for his Learning whom he calleth Omnium doctrinarum curiosissimum exploratorem a great searcher of all kind of learning In the time of this Irenaeus the state of the Church was much troubled not only for the outward persecution of the foreign enemy but also for divers Sects and Errours then stirring against which he diligently laboured and wrote much although but few Books be now remaining Calixtus succeeded Zepherinus Bishop of Rome and after him Vrbanus which both as some Writers affirm did suffer under the Emperour Alexander Severus This Calixtus in his two decretal Epistles written to Benedictus and to the Bishops of France giveth forth divers Ordinances concerning the Bishops and Ministers of the Church Vincentius affirmeth that Calixtus was tied to a great stone and so out of a window was thrown into a ditch Under the Emperour Decius as Gregory of Tours observeth Gratian came to Tours to preach the Gospel among the Pagans Gregor Turonens Hist Lib. 5. Anno Christi 252. Saturninus preached at Tholouse and was the first Bishop of that place Dionysius also came to Paris where he was Bishop and suffered Martyrdom This is he who is falsly named Dionysius or Denis the Areopagite Saturninus also was thrown down from the Capitol of Tholouse Rusticus and Eleutherius also there suffered Martyrdom The Author of St. Omer's Life relateth that Fuscianus and Victorinus the Companions of Dionysius preached at the same time the Faith of Christ That St. Quintin did the same among the Ambianians and suffered Martyrdom Aurelius Probus being invested with the Empire Anno 276. went into France where he regained sixty Towns out of the Barbarians hands and killed of them near seventy thousand Having quieted all things in France he went into Sclavonia and overcame the Nations in Scythia And being gone thence into the East he gave battel to the Persians and having overcome them and taken some of their Cities as he was returning to Italy passing through Sclavonia he was killed at Sirmium by the Soldiers Anno 282. M. Aurelius Carus born at Narbon in France succeeded Probus who soon after Created his Sons Carinus and Numerianus Caesars And having sent Carinus into France to keep it in peace he with his Son Numerianus went against the Persians there having overcome Mesopotamia he was strucken dead by a Thunderbolt Numerianus was slain by the conspiracy of Aper his Father in Law Carinus was slain by a Tribune whose Wife he had defloured Dioclesian succeeded him Dioclesian upon his Establishment associated unto him Maximianus Hercules in the Government of the Empire and they both chose Constantius Chlorus and Galerius to be their Colleagues and they were Created Caesars In the time before the Tenth Persecution the Church of Christ having had above forty years of outward rest and peace through the connivance and indulgence of some Emperours viz. from the death of Valerian until the nineteenth year of Dioclesian this prosperity being abused by the Clergy and other Christians unto idleness contentions c. moved the Lord to scourge them whereupon followed that sharp and cruel Persecution under Dioclesian Maximianus in the West and Dioclesian in the East bent all their Forces to root out the profession of Christian Religion Dioclesian endeavoured to destroy all the Churches and Temples of the Christians that they might not Assemble together to Pray and to use Divine Service he burnt all the Books he could get of the Holy Scripture and would not permit any man if he were a Christian to hold any Office or Magistracy The Soldiers being
the Empire Anno 361. having before obtained of Constantius the Title of Caesar and been Entitled Augustus by the Soldiers in the City of Paris In the Year 375. St. Martin was made Bishop of Turin in France Exuperius was Bishop of Tholouse Simplicius of Vienna Amandus of Bourdeaux Maurice of Anjou Philastrius of Breux these were all accounted Bishops of great fame About this time sprung up the Sect of the Donatists Fuller's Prophane State Cap. 11. who were so called from a double Donatus as one saith whereof the one planted the Sect the other watered it and the Devil by God's permission gave the encrease The elder Donatus raised a Schism in Carthage against good Cecilian the Bishop there whom he loaded unjustly with many crimes which he was not able to prove August ad quod vult Deum and vexed with this disgrace he thought to right his credit by wronging Religion and so began the Heresie of the Donatists His most Dominative Tenet was that the Church was perished from the face of the earth the reliques thereof only remaining in his party There were two principal sides of them first the Rogatists so called from Rogatus their Teacher to whom St. Augustine beareth witness That they had zeal but not according to knowledge These were people of good lives hating bloody practices though erroneous in their Doctrine But there was another sort whom they called Circumcellions though as little Reason can be given of their Names as of their Opinions Their number in short time grew to be considerable Their Tenet was plausible and winning and that Faith is easily wrought that teacheth men to think well of themselves From Numidia Quod apud eum solum justitia locum haberet Aug. contr Petil. Lib. 2. where they began they overspread Africa Spain France Italy and Rome it self Their greatest increase was under Julian the Emperour This Apostate next to no Religion loved the worst Religion best they fled to this Bramble for succour extolling him for such a Godly man with whom alone justice did remain and he restored them their Churches again and armed them with many privileges against Christians Hereupon they killed many men in the very Churches murthering Women and Infants and ravishing Virgins c. The Donatists were opposed by the Learned Writings of private Fathers Optatus Milevitanus and St. Augustine and by two Councils one at Carthage Vid. August Epist 162. another at Arles in France Pope Miltiades was by the Emperour made Judge between the Catholicks and Donatists and after him the Bishop of Arles This Heresie continued till about the six hundreth year of Christ and that which put a period to this Heresie was partly their own dissentions but chiefly they were suppressed by the Civil Magistrate for Honorius the Emperour by punishments mixt with Instructions from the Church Vide Baron Annal in Anno 362. Num. 264. converted and reclaimed very many He caused the Patent of Privilege which Julian granted the Donatists Publicis locis affigendum in ludibrium To be affixed to publick places for a reproach unto them Julian was slain in battel against the Persians having governed the Empire after the death of Constantius one year and seven months Then Jovian was saluted Emperour who being a professor of the Christian Faith rejected the Arians but he died of a surfeit in the eighth month of his Reign Then Valentinian was Elected Emperour a man constant in the Christian Faith but he died of an Apoplexy in the twelfth year of his Government leaving his Son Gratian to succeed him in the Empire who after the death of Valens his Uncle had the Government both of East and West his Brother Valentinian was his Colleague in the Government of the West Gratian in the beginning of his Reign reduced from banishment those Bishops whom Valens that Arian Persecutor had banished Gratian was slain by Andragathius Captain of the Army of Maximus who usurped the Empire of the West by fraud and treachery near Lions in France where he made his abode But Theodosius a man of Noble Parentage in Spain to whom Gratian had committed the Government of the East being mindful of the kindness of Gratian toward him lâ—d an Army against Maximus The Captains of Maximus's Army hereupon delivered him bound to Theodosius who put him to death Andragathius who slew Gratian seeing no way to escape threw himself head-long into the Sea and so perished Not long after Eugenius by the Power of the Earl Arbogastes Usurped the Government Anno 391. And the year following the said Arbogastes slew Valentinian at Vienna in France Epiphanius saith he was strangled in his Palace Century V. IN the Year 401. died St. Martin Bishop of Turin who following Hillary into France from his banishment having there lived an austere and retired life was Created Bishop of Turin almost at that time that St. Ambrose was established Bishop of Milan viz. in the Year 375. A man to be admired above all his Predecessors for Piety whom the Emperours themselves have had in great esteem and among the rest Maximus who feasted him Anno 386. in a Feast that his Wife the Empress had prepared who supplyed the place of a Waiter and Attendant at the Table her self Sulpitius Severus in the life of St. Martin sheweth that when he was to be chosen Bishop one of the people having taken the Psalter in the place of the Reader then absent began to read the eighth Psalm where there was Vt destruas inimicum defensorem at which word defensorem the people cryed out against one Defensor who opposed Martin's Election to the Episcopacy About this time the Monastical Profession came into Europe to which Jerome at Rome and St. Martin in France did much contribute In the Year 446. the Pelagian Heresie having spread over all Britain the British Churches being infected therewith King Vortigern sent for Germanus Bishop of Auxerres and Lupus Bishop of Troyes in Champagne out of France men eminent for their Counsel and Doctrine who confuting the Pelagians gained to themselves great esteem among the Britans After the return of Germanus and Lupus into their own Countrey Pelagianism began to sprout forth again in Britain But after three years Germanus returning back again into Britain brought with him Severus and the Pelagian Heresie was again condemned in a second Synod Britain being thus settled in good order Germanus went again into France and died soon after his return In this Century flourished other worthy Bishops and Preachers in France Eucherius Bishop of Lions was then eminent some of whose writings are yet extant Baron ad Ann. 453. About this time Baronius speaks of a Synod of Anjou which saith Let none be Ordained Priests or Deacons but such as have one Wife only who married Virgins Hillary first Bishop of Arles and afterward as appeareth of Vienna flourished about the year 458. he opposed himself directly to Leo Bishop of Rome and would acknowledge no
heap of Constitutions about the keeping of Lent and Easter about the prohibition of Marriage betwixt Christians and unconverted Jews about Servants not to be admitted to Ecclesiastical Orders about Assemblies to be at the least yearly Convocated by Bishops about Ecclesiastical Rents not to be dilapidated Under the Reign of Theodebert King of Lorain Burgundy and Turinge the Fathers who were present at the Councils of Orleans convened also in the Council of Overnie and ordained that no man should arrive to the Office of a Bishop by the favour of men in Authority but by the merits of an honest and unreprovable life That the dead body of a Bishop in time of his Funeral should not be covered with the Pall otherwise called Opertorium Dominici corporis lest the honour done to the body should be a polluting of the Altar with many other Constitutions Under the Reign of Cherebert King of France a Council was Assembled at Tours In this Council it was Ordained that the Clergy and People in every Congregation should provide relief for their own poor and not permit them to wander up and down It was also Ordained that a Bishop should count his Wife as his Sister and that he should no manner of way company with her and for this cause should have Presbyters and Deacons so familiarly conversant with him that they might bear testimony of his honest behaviour viz. that he never companied with his Wife The Papists themselves could not overpass this Canon without a censure Moreover it was Ordained That no Priest or Monk should receive in bed with him another Priest or Monk to the end they might be so unreprovable that they would abstain from all appearance of evil In this Council were set down very strict prohibitions that no man should oppress the Church and convert to his own use any thing duly belonging to them lest he incurr the malediction of Judas who was a Thief and kept the bag and converted to his own use a part of that mony which belonged to the poor A Council likewise was holden at Paris wherein order was taken concerning admitting of Bishops to their Offices That no man should be admitted Bishop without the full consent of Clergy and People and that no man should presume by favour of Princes only without the consents aforesaid to become Bishop in any place Now Clotaire remained alone King of France his Brethren being dead their Children also were dead and Childebert the eldest died without Issue The Reign of Clotaire was short and wretched He sought to extort the thirds of all Ecclesiastical Things to his private Affairs but the Clergy opposed themselves against him so as threats prevailed not He dies Anno 567. Before that he Rules as King alone he Erected the little Realm of Yvetot upon this occasion Upon good Fryday he slew Gawter of Yvetot his Servant in the Chappel where he heard Service It is said that the King had ravished his Wife lodging in his house so as he that was beaten suffered the punishment Pope Eugenius displeased with this infamous murther condemned him to repair the fault upon pain of Excommunication Clotaire for satisfaction Ordaineth That from thenceforth the Lords of Yvetot should be free from all homage service and obedience to the King for the Land of Yvetot in the Countrey of Normandy And so this small seigneury hath continued long with the Title and Prerogative of a Realm until that this Title of a Realm was changed into a Principality the which the house of Bellay doth now enjoy Clotaire had by two Wives five Sons and one Daughter four survived him viz. Cherebert Chilperic Sigebert Gonthran and Closinde his Daughter Cherebert was King of France Chilperic King of Soissons Gonthran King of Orleans Sigibert King of Metz or Lorain although each of them called himself King of France and commanded absolutely over the Countries under their obedience All of them Reigned together fifteen years The second Council of Matiscon was convened in the twenty fourth year of King Gunthran In it complaint was made that Baptism usually was ministred on every holy day insomuch that upon Easter day scarce were two or three found to be presented to Baptism This they Ordained to be amended and that no man except upon occasion of infirmity presume to present his Child to Baptism but to attend upon the Festival dayes prescribed of old that is Easter and Whitsunday Also it was Appointed and Ordained that the Sacrament of the Altar should be Administred before any of the Communicants had tasted of meat or drink That no person who fleeth to the Church as to a City of Refuge should be drawn back again by violence from the bosome of the Church or be harmed in that holy place That a Bishop shall not be attached before a Secular Judge That the Houses of Bishops shall be kept holy with exercises of prayer and singing of Psalms and shall not be defiled with the barking of dogs and muting of Hawks That Secular men shall do reverence to those of the Clergy even unto the lowest degree of them in such sort that if the Secular Man do meet any of the Clergy walking on foot he shall honour him by uncovering his head But if the Secular man be riding on horseback and the Clergy-man on foot then the Secular man shall light down from his horse and shall do reverence to the Church-man In the third Council at Matiscon we read of nothing but a contentious disputation between two Bishops Palladius and Bertram and foolish questions scarce fit to be disputed in Grammar-Schools Chilperic a crafty man seizeth on his Father's Treasure and laboureth to become Master of the City of Paris but was not able to effect it Cherebert having cast off his Lawful Wife and being Excommunicated by German Bishop of Paris dieth at Blavia in Sancton in the ninth year of his Kingdom about the year 570 whose Kingdom his Brothers divide among themselves Chilperic and Sigebert waged War one against the other Chilperic enters the Countrey of Sigebert and takes from him the City of Rhemes Hereupon Sigebert pursues his Revenge and takes from Chilperic Soissons the Capital City of his Realm with his Son Theodobert forcing him to retire to Tournay Sigebert comes a Conquerour to Paris where he is received by common consent and so all the Cities belonging unto Cherebert yield him obedience But as he thought himself settled behold two young soldiers suborned by Fredegund an harlot of Chilperic's came to his Court enter freely into his Hall and getting near unto him each of them stabs him with his dagger and he falls down dead in the place These murtherers were suddenly torn in pieces so as they could not be known nor declare by whose instigation they had committed this murther Yet was it generally thought it was the practice of Fredegund to free Chilperic and to make her way the more smooth by the death of Sigebert who crossed her most Now is
calumny by witnesses yet first of all he propoundeth it to be debated by the Synod whether witnesses ought to be admitted against a Bishop or whether the bare assertion of the Bishop only ought to be believed The Synod pronounceth That they could not safely give credit to an inferiour person bearing witness against a Bishop Yet they require Gregory to say Masses at three Altars and that he purge himself by Oath which being done by Gregory he was absolved But the Synod excommunicated his Accuser and certified other Bishops by Letters concerning the absolution of Gregory In this Century Rupertus Bishop of the Francks with twelve other Divines came into the Country of the Boii and there Rupertus by preaching the Gospel converted Theodon the Prince of the Countrey with his Son from Heathenish Idolatry unto Christ and baptized them both at Ratisbon Many others also were converted by him In this Age flourished German Bishop of Paris forementioned Osiand Eccles Hist Cent. 6. Lib. 2. When he was an Abbot in a dream he saw the Keys of the Gates of Paris delivered to him and demanding the cause of it he was answered That he should as Pastor feed the Lords Flock belonging to that Church Not long after the Bishop of Paris dying he was Constituted Bishop there by King Childebert With singular zeal he provoked the People to Godliness great was his gravity in preaching and his words were weighty and powerful he was liberal towards the poor and redeemed many Captives King Chilperic after his death who was wont to deride and contemn other Ministers wrote this honourable Epitaph upon him which I thought fit to set down Ecclesiae speculum patriae vigor ara reorum Et pater medicus pastor amorque gregis Germanus virtute fide corde ore beatus Carne tenet tumulum mentis honore polum The Histories of this Age make mention of one Etius Arch-Deacon of the Church of Paris who when he understood that Innocent Praetextatus Bishop of Rhothomagum accused of Treason against the King was in danger to be condemned in a Synod at Paris he with great boldness entred into the Synod and admonished the Bishops and Assessours to beware of having an hand in the condemning of an Innocent person he told them they ought rather to reprove King Chilperic for his sins In the Reign of this King many Jews were baptized in France but many of them returned to their vomit and perfidiously renounced the Christian Religion In those dayes there were great inundations of waters which did much hurt in many places especially at Lions where part of the walls of that City were thrown down Horrible earthquakes made great concussions in part of France and overturned some mountains toward Spain which overwhelmed many men and beasts A fire falling from Heaven consumed the City of Orleans and the streets of Bourdeaux together with the fruits of the earth Other places were sorely afflicted with a grievous hail There followed almost through all France a malignant Cough and bloody Flux which destroyed very many men and women by which disease that wicked Austigildis Wife of King Gunthran perished The cause of these evils was said to be the dissentions civil wars and horrible impieties of those three Brothers forementioned Sigebert Chilperic and Gunthran Kings of France and their Counsellours and Ministers who provoked them to those impieties who were punished of God for their flagitious practices with most grievous judgements Here I shall make mention of the various fortune of Theodorus Bishop of Marseilles in the Reign of Childebert Divamius a most wicked man being Governour of that Province This man hated Theodorus and laid divers snares to entrap him And when Theodorus was going to King Childebert to implore his help he was seized on by Divamius in the midst of the City of Marseilles and injuriously dealt with and so dismissed In his journey Theodorus by the instigation of Divamius is taken by Gunthran King of Orleans then the Clergy of Marseilles being no better than Divamius being very joyful at the news of it do immediately invade and plunder all the substance and treasures of the Church and load Theodorus with divers calumnies King Chilperic setteth Theodorus at liberty and sendeth him back with Gundulphus the Governour to Marseilles that there he might be restored to his former dignity At the coming of Gundulphus and Theodorus Divamius and the Clergy do shut the gates and drive them back reproachfully But Gundulphus by Art getting into the City with his Soldiers soon brake the power of Divamius and sharply rebuked him yet Gundulphus being appeased with deprecations and gifts Divamius having taken an oath that he would restore Theodorus to his Bishoprick and for the future be faithful to the King he returned to his house But Divamius despising his Oath signifieth the restitution of Theodorus to King Gunthran adding That while Theodorus held his Government King Gunthran could never enjoy the City of Marseilles Gunthran being angry sendeth Soldiers to take Theodorus who seizing upon the Bishop unexpectedly they carry him on horseback bound with chains most ignominiously to their King But King Gunthran knowing the innocency of Theodorus without doing him any harm suffers him to return to his charge bestowing many gifts upon him Upon this occasion great enmity grew between King Gunthran and Childebert Many other calumnies and grievous indignities did this innocent Bishop suffer from other of his wicked and malicious enemies About that time Mundericus Episcopus Ternoderensis being by force taken away from his Church is thrust into a close and strong Tower built upon the bank of the River Rhodanus and there was detained almost two years and most grievously handled Under the Jurisdiction of Gregory Bishop of Tours there was a certain Presbyter who denied the Resurrection of the Body The foresaid Gregory disputed against him which disputation you may read at large in the Magdeburgensian History The disputation being ended the Presbyter promised that he would afterward believe the Resurrection of the dead Chidet Anast Child Reg. cap. 10. This Gregory hath put out these works Hist Francorum de Gloria Martyrum de Gloria Confessorum de vitis quorundam Patrum I find him by a certain Writer thus stiled Osiand Cent. 6. Lib. 4. cap. 17. Antiquissimus fidelissimus Francorum scriptor He wrote sharply against the Jews and Arians yet there are divers errours found in his writings which are mentioned by Osiander He was very intimate with Gregory the Great Bishop of Rome flourishing at that time Century VII THe Author of the Book called the Catholick Traditions first in French and then Translated into English searcheth the difference of all Churches and except in Rites or Ceremonies hath not marked any great difference of the Abyssines and Jacobites from our Reformed Churches And in his Preface he saith They pretend to have their name Jacobites from Jacob the Old Patriarch and the name Cophtes because
battel But Charles Martel getting out of prison assisteth Plectrude gathereth Forces and overcometh the new King and Rainfroy Charles is now received and installed Major of France and having assured himself of the Children of King Dagobert he caused them to be gently brought up in a Monastery At Colen he seizeth on Plectrude and Thibauld and inflicts no other punishment upon them but enjoyns them to live quiet and to attempt nothing without his liking He pardons Rainfroy and gives him the Government of Anjou He degradeth Chilperic being advanced against Law and causeth the eldest Son of Dagobert to be chosen King named Chilperic the third Chilperic dies having reigned five years and in his place his Brother Thierri was crowned King He reigned ten years and dying left his Son Childerick the last King of this first race of the Merovingiens Charles Martel from Major of the Palace is chosen Duke or Prince of the French Eudo Prince of the Gascoigus to whom Rainfroy joyned himself called in the Saracens with their King Abdiram out of Spain Anno 725. whom Charles met and killed them with an universal slaughter there were slain in one day three hundred seventy and five thousand and of the French fifteen hundred among which were many of the Nobility and men of Note And having recovered Burgundy and Lions in the year following Eudo dying he invaded Aquitain and overthrew the Saracens in great numbers invading France in the year 731 and regained Avignon taken by them and forceth them to abandon Narbon and the whole Country to his mercy At that time divers devout Monks lived in France viz. Vandegrisil of Fontinel a builder of Monasteries of whom Sigebert makes mention Vrsmar of Lobia a Founder of a Monastery Bertine Abbot of Sithiena and holy Aegidius Childeric was King in shew nine years Anno 744. Pepin in the time of King Childeric called a Council at Soissons where he assisted in person together with the greatest Peers of the Land five under the Authority of Charles Martel and four under Pepin the Son of Charles who dispossessed him Charles Martel having governed the Kingdom five and twenty years dieth He had four Sons Carloman Pepin Giles and Grypho Giles was made Bishop of Rhotomagum and left his Government assigned him by his Father unto Carloman and Pepin and they two divide the Kingdom and Govern each one his own part under the Title of their Father as is apparent by the first words of the Council under Carloman In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ I Carloman Duke and Prince of the French in the year from the incarnation of Christ 742. on the 11th of the Kalends of March by the advice of the servants of God and of my Nobes I have Assembled the Bishops in my Kingdom c. Within seven years after this Synod he laid aside his Princely Authority saith Bellarmine and entred into a Cloyster becomes a Monk and so dieth at Vienna and then all the Authority was in Pepin alone Grypho had rebelled against Carloman but at last Pepin took him in Italy and caused him to be beheaded Anno 753. Pepin having the Government alone aimed at an higher Title Blondus and others who have written the Acts of the French Blond dec 14. Lib. 10. say that the Nobility and Commonalty of that Nation duly considering the worthiness of Pepin and sottishness of Childeric consulted with Zachary Bishop of Rome whether they should tolerate so foolish a King any longer and defraud Pepin of his deserved Princely honour And when the Pope answered That he was most worthy to be a King who could best discharge the Office of a King Petrie's Church-Hist Cent. 8. the French with the publick consent of the whole Nation did pronounce Pepin for their King and Childerick was shaven and made a Monk Then the Pope wrote unto Boniface Bishop of Mentz to Anoint Pepin King of France and declare all his Subjects free from their Oath of Allegiance unto their lazy Soveraign The Pope was chiefly moved hereunto with hope to draw help from Pepin against the Lumbards Concil apud Palat Vernes his mortal enemies Pepin Anno 755. called almost all the Gallican Bishops to meet at the Council of Vernes the Palace About this time Aponius a French man wrote several Books In the Council called by Carloman of which I hinted before he beginneth thus I Carloman c. have Assembled the Bishops which are in my Kingdom with the Priests into a Council and Synod These are Boniface Arch-Bishop of Mentz Burchard of Wirtzburg Reginfrid Guntharius with the rest of the Bishops and their Priests That they should give me Counsel how the Law of God and Religion of the Church may be restored which in the dayes of former Princes hath been shattered and fallen and how Christian People may attain the salvation of their souls and not perish being deceived by false Priests And by the advice of my Priests and Nobles We have Ordained Bishops through Cities and set over them the Arch-Bishop Boniface who is the Legate of St. Peter And we have Ordained that Synods should be called every year Concil Tom. 2. Edit Crab. that in our presence the Decrees of Canons Rites and Laws of the Church may be restored And we restore unto the Churches the Monies that have been taken from them We have also discharged all the Servants of God from hunting and wandring in woods with Dogs and that they have no Hawks nor Faulcons We have also Decreed according to the Holy Canons That each Presbyter dwelling in a Parish be subject unto the Bishop where he dwelleth and that alwayes in Lent he give an account of his Ministry whether of Baptism or Catholick Faith and prayers and order of Masses Then he forbiddeth sacrifice to the dead and other profane Rites of the Heathen He appointeth punishments against the Fornications and Adulteries of Monks It was also decreed that Monks and Nuns should live within their Abbies and Cloysters according to the Rule of their Father Benedict Pope Stephen confirmed Pepin and his Heirs for Kings of France and of him asked aid to withstand the Power of Aistulphus then King of Lombardy who then had exacted Tribute from certain Lands belonging to the Bishop of Rome and because it was refused took up Arms. The Pope wrote a Letter directed to the Kings of France and to all Bishops Abbots Priests and Monks and to the Glorious Dukes and Counts and unto the whole Army of the Kingdom of France Stephen Pope and all the Bishops Priests and Deacons Dukes Counts People and Army of the Romans all being in anguish with how doleful and bitter grief we are encompassed on every side with how great perplexity and doubtfulness we are distressed and how many tears our eyes do shed because of the continual troubles which are multiplyed upon us we think that the smallest part of all the elements do declare for who beholding our
c. The fifth that unity and concord shall be kept in the Church because we have one common Father in Heaven one Mother viz. the Church on Earth one Faith one Baptism and one Celestial inheritance prepared for us c. The sixth and seventh Canons entreat of Orphanes and poor People whose weakness is to be supported The eighth Canon recommendeth unity to be kept betwixt men in spiritual Offices and Civil Judges The ninth and tenth Canons prescribe to the Clergy Precepts of a modest and sober life with abstinence from the delicate pleasures of the world from theatrical spectacles from pomps and unhonest banquets Usury Avarice and Ambition Deceit and Conjurations and many other sins were also restrained I pass by the Precepts concerning the behaviour of Monks and Nuns and the fabrick of their dwelling places In the 32 Canon the difference between 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is set down In the 33th the great Litany or Rogations to be observed three dayes by all Christians with fasting sack-cloth ashes walking bare-footed and all kind of humble carriage In the 34 35 and 36 publick fastings and keeping of festival dayes is commanded In the 37 That the Sabbath-day be kept holy that in it no Merchants wares be sold and no criminal cause be judged In 38. and 39 That Tithes be precisely paid and men fleeing to Churches for safeguard are not to be violently drawn out from thence In the 40 In Churches and the porches thereof let no secular judgement be exercised In the 41 That no Ancient Church be spoiled of Tithes and Possessions for the building of new Oratories In the 42 concerning Church-rents bestowed for reparation and upholding of Churches In 44 That no Priest say Mass himself alone for if he have none but himself how can he say Dominus vobiscum or sursum corda or other such passages All frequent offering of the sacrifice of the Mass and presenting of the Paxe is recommended to Christian people In 45 That every person be acquainted with the Creed and the Lord's Prayer and that every one at least learn them in their own vulgar language In 46 That they who continue in drunkenness be excommunicated In 47 That Godfathers shall see that their spiritual Children be brought up in the true Faith In 48 That lascivious songs be not sung in Churches In 49 The cohabitation with Women is forbidden to all the Clergy In 50 That all Bishops Abbots and Church-men have such Agents in their affairs who are men that fear God and hate all unrighteous dealing In 51 That the dead bodies of the Saints be not transported from place to place without the advice of the Prince of the Countrey or the Bishop and Synod In 52 That no dead body shall be buried within the Church except the body of a Bishop or of an Abbot or of a worthy Presbyter or of a faithful Laick person In 53 That incestuous persons be separated from the fellowship of the Church except they be penitent In 54 55 and 56 Marriage in the fourth degree of consanguinity is forbidden and that no man shall marry his God-daughter nor spiritual Sister neither the Woman whose Son or Daughter he hath led to the Sacrament of confirmation And in case they be found to be married they shall be separated again And no man shall take in marriage his Wives Sister neither shall a woman marry her Husband's Brother Of the Council of Rhemes A Council was also Assembled at Rhemes by the Commandment of Charles the Great Anno 813. In this Council Wulfarius the Arch-Bishop was President forty four Canons are rehearsed in the second Tome of Councils made in this Council In the 1. Canon it was concluded That every man should diligently acquaint himself with the Articles of his Faith 2. That he learn the Lords Prayer and understand the meaning of it 3. That every man in holy Orders shall walk worthily according to his Calling 4. The Epistles of St. Paul were read to give instructions to Sub-Deacons how they should behave themselves 5. The Gospel was read to give instruction to Deacons to Minister worthily in their Office 6. Ignorant Priests are instructed to celebrate the Service with understanding 7. They are also instructed how to prepare the Catechumeni to the Sacrament of Baptism 8. The holy Canons were read out of the Decretal of Innocentius for ordering the lives of Chanons 9. The Rule of St. Benedict was read to reduce Abbots and their Convents to a remembrance of their Order 10. The Pastoral Book of Gregory was read to admonish Pastors of their Duty 11. Divers sentences of the Ancients were read to admonish both Prelates and People to a holy life 12. Then they set down a form of receiving confessions and prescribing of penance according to the Canonical institutions 13. They reasoned about the eight principal vices that every one might know what vices to eschew and teach others to beware of the same 14. That Bishops should take heed to the reading of the Books of Canonical Scripture and the Books of Fathers and should attend upon the preaching of the Word of God 15. That Bishops should preach the Sermons and Homilies of the Holy Fathers so as the People might understand them 16. The sixteenth Canon is coincident with the twelfth 17. That Bishops and Abbots permit no man to solace the company with filthy jesting in their presence but that the poor be refreshed at their Tables with Lectures of Divine Scripture and praising of God 18. In the 18th Gluttony and Drunkenness is forbidden to the Ministers of God 19. That no Bishop judge rashly in things secret which are to be referred to the judgement of God 20. Presbyters shall not transport themselves from a low place to a greater 21. Whosoever by giving money procureth a preferment in the Church shall be deposed 22. No Church-man shall cohabit with a Woman except it be with his Mother or Sister or such like person by whose company no suspicion of uncleanness can arise 35. That the Sabbath-day be kept holy and no servile work be done in it 36. That no man bestow upon the Church that thing which he hath fraudulently taken from others 37. Nor yet by lies and deceit withdraw any thing duly belonging to the Church 38. That Tithes be precisely paid 39. That no man receive rewards for his Decree and Sentence 40. That Prayers be made for the Emperour and his Noble Race 41. In the 41 Canon mention is made of a certain Rent left by King Pepin which they wish the Emperour Charles should not alter nor transfer into another summ lest many perjuries and false testimonies might ensue 42. That no man should be removed from his Mansion to whom the Emperour's Almes is distributed 43. That the Statute may be confirmed by his Highness's allowance whereby all contentions are Ordained to have an end 44. That the Statute made in Bononia concerning false witnesses may be ratified
with augmentation if need require for eschewing of perjuries false testimonies and many other inconveniences Of the Council of Tours In the same Year 813 at the Commandment of the Emperour Charles the Great a Council of many Bishops and Abbots was Assembled there about establishing Ecclesiastical Discipline 1. In the first Canon all men are admonished to be obedient to the Emperour Charles and to keep the Oath of Allegiance made unto him and to make prayers for his prosperity 2. All Bishops shall frequently read all the Books of holy Scripture together with the Books of Ancient Fathers written thereupon 3. It is not lawful for any Bishop to be ignorant of the Canons of the Church and of the Pastoral Book of Gregory 4. Let every Bishop feed the Flock committed to him not only with Doctrine but also with an holy Example 5. That a Bishop be content with a moderate diet that holy Lectures be read at his Table rather than the idle words of Parasites 6. Let strangers and poor people be at Bishops Tables whom they may refresh both with corporal and spiritual repast 7. That the delicate pleasure of the eye and ear be eschewed lest the mind be enchanted therewith 8. Let not the Lords Servants delight in vain jesting nor in hunting and hawking 9. Let Presbyters and Deacons follow the footsteps of their Bishops in leading a pious life 10. Let Bishops take care of the poor and faithfully dispense Church-goods 11. That Bishops may with consent of Presbyters and Deacons bestow somewhat out of the Church-treasure to support needy people of that same Church 12. A Presbyter is not to be Ordained till he is thirty years old 13. Let the Bishop see that in his own Parish Church no Presbyter coming from any other parts do Service in his Church without Letters of Recommendation 14. Let a Presbyter leaving a low place and presuming to an higher incurr that same punishment which a Bishop taken in the like fault should incurr 15. A Presbyter who getteth a Church by giving money for it let him be deposed 16. Let Tithes bestowed upon Churches by advice of Bishops be faithfully distributed to the poor by the Presbyters 17. The Families of the Bishops shall be instructed in the summ of the true Faith in the knowledge of the retribution to be given to good men and the condemnation of evil people and of the resurrection and last judgement c. 18. That the Bishop instruct his Presbyters concerning the Sacrament of Baptism what it is they should desire the baptized people to renounce 19. That Presbyters when they say Mass and do communicate do not distribute the Lord's body indiscreetly to children and to all persons who happen to be present c. Then Reader take notice that private Masses had no place in those dayes but they who were duly prepared did communicate with the Priest 20. Presbyters shall not suffer the holy Chrism to be touched by any man 21. Presbyters shall not haunt Taverns 22. Bishops and Presbyters shall prescribe to sinners who have confessed their sins penance discreetly according to the nature of their fault 23. Chanons who dwell in one City shall eat in one Cloyster and sleep under one roof that they may be ready to Celebrate their Canonical hours 24. From the 24 to the 32 Canon are Constitutions concerning Monks and Nuns which I overpass with silence 32. All Christians are exhorted to peace and concord 33. Lords and Judges should hearken to the good admonitions of their Bishops and Bishops on the other side should reverently regard them 34. Lords and Judges are not to admit vile persons to bear witness in their Judicatories 35. Let no man for his Decree receive a reward 36. Let every one be careful to support indigent persons of his own kindred 37. That Christians do bow their knees in prayer except upon the Lord's Day and other Solemn dayes on the which the Universal Church keepeth a memorial of the Lord's Resurrection At such times they use to stand and pray 38. That none enter into the Church with noise and tumult and in time of prayer and celebration of the Mass not to be busied in vain confabulations but even to abstain from idle thoughts 39. Let not the Consistories of Secular Judges be in the Church or porches thereof in any time to come because the House of God should be an house of prayer 40. That Merchandize be forbidden on the Lord's Day that the whole day be spent in God's service 41. That paricides murtherers and incestuous persons be reduced to Order by the discipline of the secular power 42. That all people abstain from Magical Arts which are the deceitfull snares of the Devil 43. A frequent custom of swearing is forbidden 44. That the causes of many Free Subjects brought to poverty by oppression be examined by the Emperour 45. That false weights and measures are an abomination to the Lord. 46. The 46 Canon bewaileth that Tithes were not duly paid to the Church shewing the ill effects thereof 47. When general Fastings are appointed for any impendent Calamity let no man neglect the fellowship of the humble Church c. 48. Drunkenness and surfeiting are forbidden c. 49. Lords and Masters are to be admonished not to deal cruelly with their subjects yea and not to seek that which is due unto themselves with excessive rigour 50. Let Laick people communicate at least thrice in a year unless they be hindered by some great sins committed by them 51. In the last Canon mention is made that they diligently examined the cause of them who complained to the Emperour that they were dis-inherited by the donation of Lands which their Fathers and Friends had bestowed on the Church and in their bounds they found no man who did complain yet in that matter if any thing was done amiss they humbly submitted themselves to be corrected by their Soveraign Lord and King Of the Council of Chalons This Council was Convened in the same year of our Lord 813 by the Commandment of Charles the Great for the Reformation of the Ecclesiastical Estate Many of the Canons of this Council are co-incident with the Canons of the former which I shall overpass and mention only some of the other Can. 3. Let Bishops Constitute Schools wherein Learning may be encreased and men brought up in them that may be the salt of the earth to season the corrupt manners of the people and to stop the mouths of Hereticks 4. Let Church-men shew humility in word deed habit and countenance 5. Let Priests be unreproveable adorned with good manners and not given to filthy lucre 7. Bishops and Abbots who have circumvented simple men and shaven their heads and by such means do possess their goods let them be subject to Canonical or Regular Repentance 8. If Church-men lay up provision of Corn in Victualling-houses let it not be to keep them to a dearth but therewith to support the poor in a time of need
11. The Bishop or Abbot must not resort to Civil Judicatures to plead their own Cause except it be to support the poor and oppressed Presbyters Deacons and Monks having obtained Licence from the Bishops may appear in Civil Judgement-seats accompanied with their Advocate 12. Let no Presbyters Deacons or Monks be Farmers or Tillers of the ground 13. An Oath used by some in the time of Ordination inhibited 14. Bishops in visiting of their Parishoners not to be chargeable unto them 15. This Canon was against the Tyranny of Arch-Deacons 16. That Bishops provide Balm and Chrism for the Lights of the Church 17. That Presbyters pay no Tribute to the Bishop 18. Against taking of pawns from incestuous persons and from those who pay not their Tithes and from negligent Presbyters 19. Let people give their Tithes to those Churches wherein their Children are baptized and whereto they resort all the year long to hear Church-service 23. The Ordination of Presbyters and Deacons is to be made at certain prescribed times 24. Concerning Presbyters Deacons and Monks who shall happen to be slain let the Emperour determine to whom the satisfaction of blood shall belong 25. That the Emperour be entreated that the Ancient Discipline may be restored again and they who sin publickly may be brought to publick repentance and every man according as he deserveth may either be excommunicated or reconciled 27. Neither the Sacrament of Baptism nor the Sacrament of Confirmation should be re-iterated 28. Concerning the degrees of Affinity and in what degree Marriage may be bound up every one is to go to the Canons of the Church to be resolved 30. Rules concerning the Marriage of Servants 31. That such Women as either negligently or fraudulently present their own Children to Confirmation shall be forced to do penance all the dayes of their life neither shall they be separated from their Husbands 32. Let a sinner confess unto his Father-Confessor all his sins which he hath committed either in thought word or deed 34. In prescribing of penance let favour and hatred of any person be laid aside and let the Injunctions be given according to the Rule of Holy Scripture and according to the Canons and Customs of the Church 36. Let no man sin of purpose to the end he may abolish his sins by Alms-deeds for that is all one as if a man should hire God to grant unto him a liberty to sin 37. That such Canons of Councils are especially to be read as appertain unto Faith and reformation of Manners 38. Books called Libelli Poenitentiales are to be abolished 39. In the Solemnities of the Mass prayers are to be made for the Souls of them who are departed as well as for them who are alive 40. Degraded Presbyters remaining impenitent are to be excommunicated 41. No Presbyters to be admitted in strange places without the testimony of the Bishop and other sufficient witnesses 42. Let no Church be committed to a Presbyter without consent of the Bishop 43. In some places are found Scotch men who call themselves Bishops and they Ordain Presbyters and Deacons whose Ordination we disallow 45. Against the going of the Clergy and Laicks to holy places such as Rome Turon c. men imagining that by the sight of these places their sins are remitted 46 and 47 That the receiving the Sacrament be not long deferred and none to come to it without due preparation That when the Sacrament is to be universally received in one day none do neglect to receive it except some grievous crime do hinder him from receiving it 48. According to the Precept of St. James that weak persons should be anointed with oyl by the Elders which oyl is blessed by the Bishop From Canon 52 unto the 66 are contained Precepts of chast and honest living prescribed to Prioresses and Nuns Of the Council of Arles The Canons of this Council were in number 26. 1. They set down a confession of their Faith The five following Canons are some of those mentioned in the former Councils The 7 and 8 Canons belong to the ordering of Monks and Nuns The 9th pertaineth to the payment of Tithes and First-fruits 10. That Presbyters shall preach the Word of God not only in Cities but also in every Parish From thence to the 17th are some of the Canons of the other Councils 17. Let every Bishop Visit his Bounds once every year and support the oppressed 18. Let Presbyters keep the Chrism and give it to no man under pretense of Medicine 19. Parents and Witnesses shall bring up baptized Children in the knowledge of God 20. Ancient Churches shall not be deprived of Tithes nor of any other possession 21. That the Constitution of the Ancients shall be kept concerning burial in Churches 22. That Civil Judgement-seats shall not be in Churches 23. If goods belonging to the poor be bought let it be done openly in sight of the Nobles and Judges of the City 24. Let fugitive Church-men be sought out and sent back again unto the Bishop 25. He who hath a Benefice bestowed upon him for helping the fabrick of Churches let him support the building of them 26. They who sin publickly let them make their publick repentance according to the Canons All these Canons were presented unto the Emperour to be corrected by the wisdom of his Highness Charles at the request of Pope Adrian 1. Banished the Ambrosian Service out of his Kingdom and against the will of the French Clergy by force established the Gregorian or Roman Office By this change the Latin Tongue in the Publick Service was fully established Here I shall make mention of one notable passage written in the Life of Charles the Great namely when he made war against the Saracens of Spain Agoiland one of the Saracen Kings made shew of friendship with Charlemagne and open hatred of the other Saracen Kings with whom notwithstanding he had a most strict correspondence to betray Charles Agoiland seemed to encline to peace After many Messengers sent on either part they resolve to parley So upon Charlemagne's Faith Agoiland cometh to the Camp of the French Charles told the Pagan he should have his Friendship if he would be baptized and become a Christian Agoiland answered That he was not yet so Abject nor his Forces so weak as to refuse the battel But because it would be an infinite loss to hazzard so many men he desired to make tryal of the Right by some Troops and he that vanquished should have the Right and True Religion on his side protesting to yield to that Religion which should appear to be the best by that Tryal The condition was accepted by Charlemagne The Combate being made the Christian Troop vanquished the Saracen Now Agoiland protesteth openly to be a Christian De Serres Hist in vit Caroli magni but in heart he meant otherwise and takes this occasion to break the Treaty One day he finds Charlemagne at Table well acccompanied with his Chief Followers for
of Emperour unto Lewes Bavaria and unto Chrarles France Pepin enjoyed Aquitain without contradiction Lewes not content with Bavaria levies an Army and passeth the Rhine The miserable Father prepares an Army to go against him but he falls sick and dieth Anno 840. There was a Council held at Paris by the Command of Lewes and his Son Lotharius Anno 829 and three others at the same time in other places as is collected from the Preface It was Ordained that Synods should then be Assembled in four several places of their Empire In his Reign in France was used of Priests and Church-men precious and shining Vestures and golden and rich staring Girdles with Rings and other Ornaments of Gold Fabian's Chron. Wherefore the said Lewes procured of the Pope a correction for all such as used such strange apparel causing them to wear brown and sad colours After the death of the Emperour Lewes Lotharius his eldest Son and Emperour by his Fathers Testament would force his Brethren to a new division He quarrelleth with Charles King of France and Lewes Duke of Bavaria but the two Brethren unite together and joyn their Forces to oppose Lotharius Lotharius finding himself the stronger refuseth the Conditions of Peace offered by his Brethren Then Lewes and Charles charging the Army of Lotharius overthrew it with a notable slaughter Lotharius after this defeat changeth his humour with his estate he enjoyed the titulary mask of the Empire with Austrasia yet much curtailed and divided to his three Sons Lewes Charles and Lotharius Then Lotharius having remorse of Conscience for attempting against his Father and Brethren professeth himself a Monk in the Abby of Pluviers and dies a Monk in the Year 855. Charles and Lewes after the Victory call the Bishops to take their Advice upon Occurrents who being solemnly Assembled exhort them to Concord They hearken to them make an Alliance and come to the dividing of their parts Charles remains the sole King of France Daulphine and Provence were left to Lewes in his partage for the commodity of Italy which was given him notwithstanding the pretensions of Bernard's Children But he died soon after without any Issue-male leaving one only Daughter called Hermingrade Heir of all his great Estates Charles married his Neece Hermingrade to Boson Earl of Ardennes Concil Meldens Cap. 78. Tom. 3. brother to his Wife Richilde who called himself King of Arles At the Council at Meaux held about this time it was Decreed that the Capitular Laws concerning the Church made by Charlemagne and his Son Lewes should be strictly observed The same Council entreats King Charles the Younger to grant the Bishops a freer liberty for the execution of their Ministeries in their Parishes Charles called the Bald began his Reign Anno 841. King Charles was present at the Council holden at Pistis upon Sein Anno 963. He is named first the Decrees are conceived in his name He caused himself to be proclaimed Emperour after the death of Lewes who survived Lotharius without contradiction He went to Rome and was Crowned Emperour by the Pope with the Imperial Diadem then raising his Spirit very high after the custom of the Grecians he walketh with a Surplice This King Charles the Bald relying on the Popes help favoured the Pope with all his Power and brought the French Clergy to the subjection of the Roman See as much as he could Then began the Popes Legates to come to the Councils of France and there to preside Then also the French Kings began to tremble under the thunderbolts of the Vatican and to fear the Excommunications of the Pope The first Pope that made tryal of his Excommunications against them was Pope Nicholas the first who threatned Lothary to Excommunicate him unless he recalled Tietberga his Wife whom he had put away to take Waldrada whom he loved which also this Pope did Excommunicate Whereupon there was great murmuring of the Prelates and People of France against the Pope being displeased both at the Pope's Usurpations and the pusillanimity of their Kings These things happened from the Year 863 to 866. After that Nicholas came Adrian the second who favouring Lewes Du Moulin cont Perron lib. 3. c. 9. Grand-child to Lewes the Gentle against Charles the Bald his Unckle sent peremptory Letters into France whereby he declared That if any presumed to make an enterprize upon the Kingdom of Lewes not only he would make void by his Authority all that he should do but also that such a man being bound with the bonds of Anathema and deprived of the name of Christian should be lodged altogether with the Devil * Pope John the 8. having excommunicated Count Lambert and Count Adalbert and some others which had ill entreated him in Italy came into France Anno 870 where he called a Synod at Troyes consisting of the Bishops of that Kingdom to desire their Consent to that Excommunication which they accordingly granted him This is seen in the Epistle which Hinomarus Arch-Bishop of Rhemes writes to the said Adrian upon the said subject where he saith That both Ecclesiastical and Secular men being Assembled at Rhemes would say in a reproachful way That never any such Mandate was sent from that See to any of the Kings Predecessors Adding That the Bishops of Rome had never withdrawn themselves from the obedience of Heretical Emperours Wherefore said they we will not believe that we cannot otherwise attain to the Kingdom of Heaven but by receiving him for a Temporal King whom this Apostolical Lord recommendeth to us It was in this ninth Age that the Decretals were forged by Riculphus Bishop of Mentz as is supposed who published them under a false Title And at that time and a long time after the Arch-Bishops of Mentz were the first promoters of Papal Authority in Germany And nothing hath helped more to the establishment of the Papal Empire than these Epistles which have for a long time been held for Oracles in the West by them the Father of lies hath wrought very powerfully These Decretals were forged under the Reign of Charlemagne and of his Son Lewes the Gentle being unknown before and never mentioned in all Antiquity bearing on the front the name of Isidorus Peccator and in some Copies Isidorus Mercator a man unknown and a name forged at will That Collection of Decretals began to go about in France in the beginning of the Reign of Charles the Bald. The first that used them was Hinckmar Bishop of Laon upon this occasion Hinckmar Arch-Bishop of Rhemes had promoted to the Bishoprick of Laon another Hinckmar his Nephew who having excommunicated his Clergy and hindered the Divine Service and the Baptism of Children in his own Bishoprick and committed divers crimes and excesses was cited to appear before his Unckle who was his Metropolitan But he would not obey nor appear Upon that Hinckmar of Rhemes disanulled all the Acts of Hinckmar of Laon and would synodically proceed against him
Hereupon Charles the Bald Convocated a Council in France at Acciniacum consisting of ten Bishops the Bishops of Lions Vason and Triers were Chief Presidents in the Council Hinckmarus Bishop of Rhemes proposed unto the Council fifty Canons which he desired to be read in the Synod Hinckmar of Laon to defend himself brought forth the Collection of the Decretals of the ancient Popes made by Isidorus where by the Popes Decrees such causes are reserved to the Apostolick See Hinckmar of Rhemes being not learned enough to know the forgery of the Author of these Decretals and not daring to reject them openly brought divers things to invalid their Authority He said that Hinckmar of Laon was mistaken if he thought that he was the only man that had those Epistles that the Countrey was full of them and that Riculfus Bishop of Mentz had published the Book of Epistles collected by Isidorus which was brought to him out of Spain Hinckmar also to defend himself against those Epistles said that they had been good in their time but that the Fathers Assembled in Council had altered those things and made Canons of greater Authority which are to remain perpetually and that those Decretals were never put in among the Canons of the Church That strife between the two Hinckmars happened Anno 870. The Synod forenamed accused Hinckmar Bishop of Laon of petulancy and compelled him to subscribe obedience to King Charles and to his Metropolitan He was also deprived of his Office and both his eyes were thrust out But Pope John IX Hist Magdeb. Cent. 9. cap. 9. under the Reign of Charles the Gross restored him to his Office again being the more affectioned to him because he had appealed from his own Bishop and from a Decree of a Synod in his own Countrey to be judged by the Chair of Rome Pope Nicholas bestirred himself with violence against Hinckmar of Rhemes complaining that he despised the Decretals collected by Isidorus Hinckmar resisted him stifly neither did he ever suffer the causes which he had judged to be revised at Rome nor any man that had been deposed by the Synods of France to be restored by the Pope And all his life time he maintained with great constancy so much liberty as remained to the Gallican Church which liberty suffered by his death a great diminution The Popes durst not touch him because he was the King's Unckle Baronius writing of this Hinckmar of Rhemes notably abuseth him for he saith That upon the testimony of Fredoard Hinckmar had obtained of Pope Leo IV by the mediation of the Emperour Lothary a Pallium or Archiepiscopal Cloak with a privilege to use it every day But Hinckmar himself in the Book of the fifty five Chapters saith the contrary speaking in this manner Leo IV and Benedictus did confer upon me some privileges which I did not ask for For the privileges which are conferred upon every Metropolitan by the sacred Canons are sufficient for me It was a generous part of Hinckmar to declare that he had no need of the Pope's privileges and that he held his dignity from the Canons not from the Roman Prelate As for the writings of this Hinckmar there are his Opuscula Epistolae Admonitio de potestate Regia Pontificia We find this character given of him Fuit vir doctus pietatis studiosus sub Carolo secundo Lu◠vici pii filio circa 870 Domini annum tametsi magni Caroli tempora adolescens attigerit Is dum corrigere vitia morbosque Clericorum conatus est multum molestiarum a perditae vitae Clero eorumque ad Papam appellationibus imo à Papis ipsis sustinuit Illyr Catal. Test verit lib. 9. In this Century Claudius Bishop of Turin was defamed as an Heretick by Theodomire an Abbot Petries Church-Hist Cent. 9. who did accuse him unto the Pope He wrote his own Apology that it might appear wherefore he was accused and to shew how Godly men have been traduced from time to time Agobard Bishop of Lions took part with Lotharius against Lewes his Father and therefore was deposed after their reconciliation he was restored and being a man of wisdom and knowledge was employed about the great Affairs of the Kingdom His Works were printed at Paris Anno 1605. from which Impression these passages are extracted pag. 52. There is one immovable Foundation one Rock of Faith which Peter confesseth Thou art the Son of the Living God And pag. 128 The uncleanness of our time deserves a fountain of tears when so ungodly a custom is become so frequent that there is none almost aspiring to temporal honour who hath not a Priest at home not whom he obeyeth but of whom he exacteth all manner of obedience incessently not in Divine but in worldly things so that many of them do serve at Table or mix wine and lead dogs feed horses or attend Husbandry neither regard they what manner of Clerks these be but only that they may have Priests of their own and so they leave Churches and Sermons and publick Service it is clear that they seek them not for honour of Religion because they have them not in honour and speak disdainfully of them He is large against the worship of Images Bellarm. de scriptorib Eccles Sect. 9. Bellarmine saith that Jonas and other Bishops of France in that Age were overtaken with Agobard's errour By the Jesuites confession then many Bishops of France were against the present errours of Rome Catal. Test verit Lib. 10. Then Angelom a Monk of Luxovia a man of great reading at the entreaty of Drogo wrote many Books Druthmarus of Aquitain wrote some things upon the Evangelists Then Raban Magnentius otherwise sirnamed Maurus was famous in the University of Paris Trithem Catal. illustr viror for Poesie Rhetorick Astronomy Philosophy and Theology unto whom neither Germany nor Italy brought forth an equal saith Trithemius He became Abbot of Fulda where he was born and there he wrote Commentaries on all the Books of the Bible He was sometime Scholar to Alcuinus His Monks were offended that he did so much study the Scriptures and did no better attend their Revenues therefore after 24 years he left the Abby they besought him to return but he would not He abode with Lewes the Emperour until Orgar Bishop of Mentz died and then succeeded Thomas Walden in the Acts of Pope Martin V. reckoned him and Herebald or Reginbald Bishop of Auxerre among Hereticks because they favoured Bertram At that time there was much debate about the Doctrine of Predestination Gotteschalk by birth a Franck or Belgick Avent Lib. 4. Annal. Bojor as Aventinus calleth him was Ordained a Priest by Rigbold Chorepiscopus in the vacancy of the See of Rhemes The forenamed Hinckmar writeth that he held these five Articles 1. God did before all Ages and e're he made any thing Hinckmar in Epist ad Eccles Lugdun predestinate unto salvation whom he would and
also unto destruction whom he would 2. That they who are predestinated unto destruction cannot be saved 3. That whereas the Apostle saith God willeth that all men be saved he meaneth only all them who shall be saved 4. That Christ came not to save all men nor did he suffer for all men but only for them who shall be saved by the mystery of his passion 5. Since the first man fell of his Free-will none of us can use Free-will to do good but only to do evil Remigius Bishop of Lions in the name of the Church of Lions defended these five Articles whereupon Hinckmar wrote unto Pope Nicholas against Gotteschalk and calleth these Articles the heresie of the Predestinarians which was overthrown in Africk and afterwards in France by Authority of Pope Celestine When Gotteschalk returned from Italy Raban Bishop of Mentz summoned him to a Synod and when he could not perswade him to change his mind he wrote unto Hinckmar and others Hinckmar summoned Gotteschalk unto a Synod of twelve Bishops and some Priests and Abbots in Carisiac on Isara where four Articles were enacted against him He was condemned of Heresie and contumacy he was whipt with rods Vid. Petries Ch. Hist Cent. 9. and cast into prison The Church of Lions after sight of these four Articles sent forth their censure of them Remigius was a man of a most holy Conversation and very learned as appeareth by the Comments which he wrote upon the Old and New Testaments At this time was published a Commentary on the thirteen Epistles of the Apostle St. Paul which was lately printed at Rome under the name of Remigius of Rhemes Lupus Abbot of the Monastery of Ferraria by the water Lupa running into Sein at the same time wrote several Epistles unto King Lewes and to Hinckmar which were printed at Paris Anno 1588. He comforteth his Master Einhard after the death of his Wife He speaks honourably of Marriage and comfortably of the estate of the Godly after this life without any mention of purgatory or Mass for the defunct At the same time also was a question of the presence of Christ's body in the Sacrament Charles the Bald King of France commanded Bertram a Priest at Corbey to search and write what was the Doctrine of the Fathers and Ancient Church in this Article Trithemius saith Bertram was singularly learned of an excellent eloquence and utterance pregnant in judgement and no less famous for holiness of life and wrote many excellent Treatises In obedience unto King Charles he compiled a Treatise De corpore sanguine Domini which is all inserted in Catal. Test verit lib. 10. This Book was forbidden to be read by order from the Roman Inquisition confirmed afterward by the Council of Trent Usher's Answ to the Jesuites challenge The Divines of Doway perceiving that the forbidding of that Book did not keep men from reading it but gave them rather occasion to seek more earnestly after it thought it better Bertram should be suffered to go abroad but handled in such sort as other ancient Writers that made against them were wont to be Bishop Ridley highly commends this Bertram Ridl Pres at coen Dom. Paschasius Rathbert Abbot of Corbey at the same time wrote a Book of the Eucharist Remigius Bishop of Auxerre flourished about the year 880 he wrote many Books He was called Doctor Sententiosus Charles the Bald died at Mantua Anno 879 being poisoned by Sedecias the Jew whom he employed for one of his Physicians leaving the Realm to his Son Lewes the second called the Stuttering Lewes King of Germany had vowed that he would take both Empire and Kingdom from Charles the Bald but was arrested with sickness at Frankford There he divided his Kingdom among his three Sons to Lewes he gave Saxony Turingia Frisia and the Provinces within them with the Title of East-France to Carloman he gave Bojaria Austria Bohemia and Moravia with the Title of King of Bavaria To Charles his third Son he gave Suevia Franconia with some parts of Lorain which he had taken after the death of Lotharius with the Title of King of Germany De Serres Hist Charles the Fat King of Germany strove for the Empire and was Crowned by the Romans Pope John would not consent and therefore was imprisoned he escaping goes into France and confirmeth Lewes the Stutterer He was courteously received by Lewes stays in France a whole year and there holds a Council at Troyes in Champagne The Pope was scarce gone but Lewes dieth having reigned only two years He had no lawful Children but two Bastards he left his Wife with Child The Queen was afterward delivered of a Son which was saluted King and called Charles During the minority of Charles Lewes and Carloman Brothers the two Bastards of Lewes the Stutterer are chosen by the States to Govern the Realm of France Lewes was defeated by the Normans and dies for grief Soon after his Death it is said that Carloman fell down and brake his neck Another Lewes succeedeth to these two Brethren but he quickly dyed Then the States called Charles the Gross King of Bavaria to this high Dignity He began his reign Anno 885 and reigned nine years His entrance was goodly but his end Tragical He was crowned King with promise to restore the Crown to the lawful Heir and to govern according to the will of the States He was Son to Lewes called Germanicus Son to Lewes the Gentle Being defeated by the Normans he yieldeth to a prejudicial peace and is much hated of the French At length the French and the Grrmans resolve to dispossess him The Germans made choice for their Emperour of Arnulph Son to Carloman the Son of Lewes the Gentle The French likewise reject this miserable Charles from the Regency of the Realm and call Eudes of Odon Duke of Anger 's named by the will of Lewes the Stutterer So this poor Prince is cast out both from Realm and Empire and remains naked without an house to shrowd himself in from this disgrace being banished from Court and driven into a poor Village of Suevia where he lived some days in extreme want without any means of his own or relief from any Man in the end he dyed neither pitied nor lamented of any in a corner unknown but to have been the Theatre of so extraordinary a Tragedy that one of the greatest Monarchs in the World should dye without House without Bread without Mourning and without Memory but the note of this end so prodigiously memorable Century X. CHarles the Third called the Simple was Crowned in the Year 902. Eudes governing with him eight Years from his Coronation Charles remaining alone after the Death of his Regent Reigned 27 Years His Reign was miserable throughout Now begins a notable league against the King Robert Duke of Anjou becomes the Head of this League accompanied with many great Men of France This Robert was Governour by the Death of his
Brother Eudes They caused Charles to quit the Crown discharging him with the name of simple or foolish and declaring him incapable of so great a charge Robert arms boldly against Charles to dispossess him of his Estate Charles flees to Henry the third Emperour and laboureth to calm this storm At the approach of their Armies Robert to have some Title to make a War causeth himself to be Crowned King at Rhemes by Herve the Arch-Bishop who died three days after this unlawful Coronation As the Armies approach near Soissons striving in the view of Paris they joyn the combate is cruel but Robert fighting in the Front is slain leaving for that time the victory to King Charles who seeks a Treaty of Peace out of an unseasonable fear Hebert Earl of Vermandois Son-in-law to Robert beseecheth Charles to come to St. Quintins to confer together Charles cometh thither without Hostages Hebert there takes him Prisoner and conveys him to Soissons where he had assembled the chief of the Realm chosen after his own humour where he makes him to resign the Crown to Raoul his God-son the first Prince of the Blood by his Mother Hermingrade Daughter to Lewes and Wife of Boson King of Burgundy So this poor Prince is led from Prison to Prison for five years and dyeth of a languishing melancholy He had by his Wife Ogin a the Daughter of Edward King of England a Son named Lewes She takes her Son Lewes and flees into England to her Brother Athelstan who then Reigned But the Reign of Raoul was unfortunate who Reigned thirteen years during Charles his imprisonment and after his Death But Raoul after many broils dyeth at Compiegne Anno 936. Now are great confusions in France there is nothing sacred all is violated for Rule all respect is laid aside every one plays the King within himself for one King there are many and where there are many Masters there are none at all In this confusion there were many Kings Dukes and Earls although these Titles were but temporary having no other Title but the Sword There was no Governour of any Province throughout the Realm which held not proper to himself and his Heirs those things which were given to them but as Offices From hence sprang so many Dukedoms Earldoms Baronies and Seignories which for the most part are returned to their beginnings Italy given to an Infant of France was now possessed by divers Princes Germany withdrawn from the Crown was banded into divers factions so as the Empire of the West confirmed in the person of Charlemaigne continued scarce one hundred years in his Race for Lewes the Son of Arnulph was the last Emperour of this Blood In his place the Germans erected Conrade Duke of East Franconia Anno 920. the Empire being then very weak After Conrade was chosen Henry the Fowler Duke of Saxony and after him his Son Otho Princes adorned with singular virtues fit for the time to preserve the West For the Emperours of the East did run headlong to their ruine who were men either of no valour or altogether wicked attending the last blow by the hand of the Mahumetans whose power they strengthned by their vitious lives until they had lodged them upon their own heads In these confusions of State the power of the Pope of Rome encreased daily by the ruines of the Empire The design of the Popes was to erect a Monarchy in the Church by Power and Authority Seignories civil Dissentions Arms Revenues and Treason And soon after they grew to that greatness as they sought to prescribe Laws to Emperours and Kings who refusing it and disputing this primacy many dissentions arose and were dispersed among the people After the Death of Raoul Athelstan King of England having drawn unto him William Duke of Normandy sends an honourable Ambassage to the States of France entreating them to restore his Nephew Lewes to his lawful and Hereditary Dignity The French consent to it So Lewes the Son of Charles is called home by the Estates of France being accompanied with a great Troop of English-men and Normans Lewes hegan to Reign Anno 935 and Reigned 27 years About this time Ambrose Ansbert a French-man wrote Commentaries on the Psalms and Canticles and part of the Revelation In this tenth Century there was little study of liberal Sciences the Schools were few and empty of Languages The Popish Priests and Clergy having forsaken their old Discipline were given to filthy lucre nor were they respected by their flocks only Monks were noted to have some Eloquence And such was the corruption of the times that none durst scarce speak of the Corruptions Idolatries Superstitions and wickednesses of that Age which at that time were so luxuriant Divers Signs were seen in Heaven and great changes happened almost in every Kingdom The Hungarians oppress Italy and Germany besides many other broils in both those Nations France will shortly have another Race of Kings great were the Wars in Spain between the Moors and the old Inhabitants and the Saracens suffered neither Greece nor Asia to rest in peace Bellarmine speaking of this Century saith Behold an unhappy Age Bellarm. in Chronol in which are no famous Writers few or no Councils bad Emperours and no good Popes Baronius on the beginning of this Century saith Baron ad Anno 900. Sect. 1. A new Age beginneth which for rudeness and barrenness of goodness may be called The Iron Age and for deformity of evil abounding The Leaden Age and for want of Writers is called The Dark Age. Under the Reign of Charles the Simple King of France a Council was called at Rhemes for correcting the abuse of Church-rents for Noble-men in Court such as Hugo and his Brother Robert Master of the King 's Horses and Vincmarius with divers others under pretence of sustaining the King 's Honourable Estate and paying wages to Souldiers had converted to their own use a great part of Church-rents especially belonging to Abbeys Fulco Arch-Bishop of Rhemes uttered his mind freely in the Council Vincmarius one of the notable oppressours in the Court defiled the Council with Blood and killed Fulco Bishop of Rhemes The Fathers of the Council returned unto their own Churches with great fear for the like of this was not heard since the second Council of Ephesus in which Flavianus Bishop of Constantinople was slain Du. Haillan in vit Caroli Simpl. A Council also was held in France in which it was permitted Priests to marry Virgins At this time there was a great Famine in France The People had been much given to Gluttony and Drunkenness and God punished them with penury and scarcity of Victuals Lewes dyeth Anno 955. at Rhemes hated of the French leaving to Lothair his Son a Crown near the ruine and to Charles the youngest the favour of his eldest Brother Lothair detested of all men died Anno 964. leaving behind him an execrable memory of his actions and Lewes his Son for a final conclusion of
his race as an out-cast of great Charlemagne Lewes V. reigned one year only and dyed without Heir leaving his place void in troubles of State and confusion of times horribly corrupted unto the House of Hugh le grand Earl of Paris God had prepared the means both for the Father to lay the foundation and for his Son Hugh Capet appointed for the Regal Dignity to finish this goodly building Now cometh in the third race of the Kings of France called Capets of the name of Hugh Capet Charles Duke of Lorrain was first Prince of the Blood-royal he was Son to Lewes IV. Brother to Lothair Unckle to Lewes V. the last King to whom the fundamental Laws of France did adjudge the Crown But Hugh Capet was chosen King by the French assembled in Parliament and Charles Duke of Lorrain was rejected from the Crown This change happened in July Anno 987. This new King was sirnamed Capet or Capitosus either for that he had a great Head or that being young he was accustomed to catch at his Companions caps as a presage of that he should do unto Kings Otho and Henry two other Sons of Hugh le grand were Dukes of Burgundy one after another his other Sons were advanced to Ecclesiastical Dignities the one Arch-Bishop of Tholouse the other of Rovan and another dyed young Charles of Lorrain gathered an Army and entring France came to the City of Laon within which City he by the Treason of Anselm the Bishop of that City was taken and delivered with his Wife and Children into the hands of his Enemies Hugh being crowned King causeth his Son Robert to be crowned King at Rhemes Anno 990. three years after his Father's election Hugh decreeth that the elder Son should reign alone among his Brethren and suppresseth the Majors of the Palace He likewise decreed that hereafter Bastards should not be only rejected from the Crown but also from the sir-name of France the which before was allowed them To him likewise are due the goodly Ordinances of Justice Paris was the chief place of Hugh's residence which City was greatly augmented and beautified in his Reign Arnulph Bastard to Lothair was the only Man which had favoured Charles of Lorrain against Hugh Capet This Man was both perverse and disloyal having deceived both Charles of Lorrain and Hugh Capet who had given him the Arch-bishoprick of Rovan in recompence of the service he promised him against Charles to whom notwithstanding contrary to his Faith he gave means to seize upon the Cities of Rhemes Laon and Soissons Hugh therefore resolves to suppress Arnulph but respecting his quality he assembled a National Council of the French Church in the City of Rhemes This Assembly deposed Arnulph as guilty of Treachery and a troubler of the publick quiet and they substitute Gilbert in his place who had been School-master unto Robert Afterwards Hugh confines him to Orleans with Charles of Lorrain there to end his days in rest The Prelates of France in this Synod made a Declaration that the Popes have nothing to do to usurp the power and authority of Kings Arnalt Bishop of Orleans maintained in that Synod that the Popes have no power at all over the Bishops of France so as to have any cognizance of Cases belonging to them and he declaimed most stoutly against the avarice and corruption of the Court of Rome Seguin Arch-Bishop of Sens was sent also to Orleans to be imprisoned because he consented not freely to the deposition of Arnulph Pope John 12. being displeased with Hugh for that he had not appealed to him for his confirmation in this new Royalty disanulleth this Decree of the Council of Rhemes excommunicates the Bishops which had assisted restores Arnulph and deprives Gilbert of the Arch-bishoprick of Rovan and to temper this sharp and rough proceeding with some lenity he doth invest Gilbert with the Arch-bishoprick of Ravenna And this was a means to raise him to the dignity of Pope Acta Synodi Rhemensis Anno 990. The Acts of this Council of Rhemes under Hugh Capet have these words Poor Rome What clear lights of Fathers hast thou brought forth in the time of our Predecessors What horrible darkness hast thou poured out upon our times which will redound to our shame and dishonour in future Ages The Pope threatens his curse against Hugh and his Son Robert The King returned Answer that he had done nothing in contempt but that he was willing to justifie what He or his Bishops had done if it pleased the Pope to meet him at Gratianople on the Frontiers of Italy and France or if rather he would come into France he promised to receive him with the highest honour The Pope sent his Legates into France Gerebert Arch-Bishop of Rhemes sent an Epistle unto Seguin forementioned who was said to favour the deposed Arnulph the tenour whereof is Morn in Myst iniqu It became your worthiness to eschew the craftiness of deceitful men and to hear the voice of the Lord saying Here is Christ Hist Magdeb. in Actis Synodi or there is Christ follow not One is said to be in Rome who justifieth those things which ye condemn and condemneth those things which ye think just God saith If thy Brother offend against thee go and rebuke him How then say some that in the deposition of Arnulph we should have waited the determination of the Romish Bishop can they say that the Judgement of the Bishop of Rome is greater than the Judgement of God But the Prince of the Apostles saith We must obey God rather than Man St. Paul also cryeth If any Man Preach unto you otherwise than what you have received although he were an Angel from Heaven let him be accursed Because Pope Marcellinus offered Incense unto Idols should therefore all Bishops offer Incense I say boldly that if the Bishop of Rome himself sin against a Brother and being often admonished will not hear the Church even the Roman Bishop according to the command of Christ should be esteemed as an Heathen and a Publican for the highest rise hath the lowest fall And if he think us unworthy of him because none of us assenteth to him when he judgeth contrary to the Gospel he cannot therefore separate us from the Communion of Christ seeing even a Presbyter unless he confess or be convict should not be removed from his Office c. The Priviledges of St. Peter saith Leo the Great are not where Judgement is not exercised according to Righteousness Wherefore occasion should not be given unto these our envyers that the Priesthood which is one every where as the Catholick Church is one should be subject unto one Man that if he be corrupt with Money favour fear or ignorance none can be a Priest except whom these virtues recommend unto him Let the Law of the Catholick Church be common Farewel and suspend not your selves from the sacred Mysteries Pope John had intelligence of this Letter and summoned the
Peter did and although his Doctrine was so often condemned by the Popes yet it could not be rooted out of the minds of men for Matthew Paris writeth Math. Paris Hist Anglor Math. Westm that all France was affected with this Doctrine and Matthew of Westminster at the same time saith That the Doctrine of Berengarius had corrupted all the English Italian and French Nations So that the Berengarians that is the Preachers of the true Faith which the Romanists call Heresie against the rising errours did not lurk in a Corner Sigeb Gemblac Chroni And Sigebert in his Chronicle saith that there mere many disputations among divers persons both for him and against him both by word and by writing Thuan. Hist in Epist Dedicat. Thuanus also hath noted that in Germany were many of the same Doctrine and that Bruno Bishop of Trevers banished them all out of his Diocess but sparing their Blood And John Tossington a Franciscan in his confession set forth Anno 1380. saith thus The Heretical sentence which is raised of the dreams of Berengarius affirmeth openly that all the Fathers of the Church and Doctors of the second thousand years as they speak that is who have been within 380 years have been after the loosing of Satan and the Doctrine which we saith he hold to be the Faith of the Church Usher ca. 3. concerning the blessed Eucharist they say it is not right but an errour and heresie and the tares of Satan being let loose To defend the words of the former Recantation which was given in the Synod at Lateran unto Berengarius these flatterers of the Romish Idol have devised a new distinction of oral manducation viz. That oral eating is either visible or invisible And they called the opinion of eating Christ 's flesh visibly the errour of the Capernaites and they said the eating of Christ 's flesh with the mouth invisibly was the explication of Christ But the Fathers of higher antiquity condemned all oral eating as Capernaitism neither were the Capernaites so subtle as to make such distinctions yea surely Christ would have made his correction according to their errour Mark what St. Augustine saith August Tract 27 in Johan who abideth not in Christ and in whom Christ abideth not without all doubt he neither spiritually eateth Christ 's flesh nor drinketh his blood albeit carnally and visibly he with his teeth do press the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ And Tract 28. What is it They are Spirit and Life they are spiritually to be understood Understandest thou them spiritually they are Spirit and Life Understandest thou them carnally so also they are Spirit and Life but not to thee They understanding spiritual things carnally were scandalized Here St. Augustine opposeth carnal eating unto spiritual eating and he saith that carnally men eat not the flesh of Christ but the Sacrament of his flesh Philip the first succeeded his Father Henry This Henry had caused his Son Philip to be crowned King being but seven years old and gave him Baldwin Earl of Flanders for Tutor and Regent of the Realm He lived but a little time after his Son 's Coronation The King 's Minority passed quietly by the wise government of Baldwin who having accompanied his Pupil to the Age of 15 years dyeth and leaveth him his Realm in peace Baldwin left two Sons Baldwin and Robert with their Mother Richilde Then their Unckle Robert the Frison pretended the Inheritance to belong to him and supplanting his Nephews seizeth on the Earldom of Flanders and King Philip forsakes Baldwin's Children at their need forgetting the good Offices he had received from their Father Now William Duke of Normandy is received King of England and Crowned in a solemn Assembly of the English and homage is done unto him as their lawful Lord Anno 1066. He had encountred King Harold and overcome his Host in that place where afterward was builded the Abbey of Battle in Sussex The day after the Battle very early in the morning Odo Bishop of Baieux sung Mass for those that were departed being slain in the Battle Before this time Priests were forbidden to marry but could not be restrained from their liberty In the Year 1074. Pope Gregory VII otherwise Hildebrand in a Synod at Rome condemned all married Priests as Nicolaitans He directed his Bulls as they called them to Bishops Dukes and other Powers declaring every one to be no Priest that had a Wife His Bull was sent into Italy and Germany This Decree being proclaimed through all Italy he sent many Letters unto the French Bishops commanding that they should upon pain of an everlasting curse put away all the Women from the Houses of Priests But the residue of the Clergy stoutly withstood the Pope 's decree and would not agree thereunto Then there arose such a Schism in the Church that the people would not send their Priests unto the Bishops but did elect them among themselves and put them in Office without the knowledge of the Bishops And Nauclerus saith that both Priests and people did oppose the Pope 's decree and that not only in Germany but in France also Yea Gebuiler a late Papist testifieth that in those times 24 Bishops in Germany and France with their Clergy did constantly maintain the liberty of Priests marriage If other Nations had followed the like concord and constancy of these German and French Ministers the devilish decree of this Hildebrand had been avoided About this time at Nantes a Letter was presented unto a Clerk as directed from Hell in it Satan and all that fry gave thanks unto all the Popish Clergy Math. Paris Hist because they were not wanting to do their wills and pleasures and because by negligence of preaching they had sent so many souls to Hell as no Age preceding had seen so many After the death of Hildebrand Victor the third Abbot of Cassa was made Pope not by the Election of the Romans or Cardinals but was thrust in by the aid of his Harlot Mathilda and the Normans that were of his faction He being established began to defend Gregorie's pranks against the Emperour and others But the hastiness of his death shortned his malice When Gregory and Victor were dead the Bishops of Germany and France considering the calamities of the Church by that unhappy schism Avent Annal. li. 5. met at Gurstung to end the controversie There Conrade Bishop of Vtrecht made a long Oration in the Assembly The Papal party had chosen Gebhard Bishop of Salisburgh to speak in their name but when he heard the Oration of Conrade he would not open his mouth to speak on the contrary At length a Synod was convocated at Mentz whither came the Emperour the Electors and many Dukes Peter Bishop of Portua and Legate of Clemens and many Bishops of Germany and France There the faction of Hildebrand by common suffrage was condemned as contrary unto Christian piety and a decree was published
and knees made with continual praying valiant also and excellently well seen in martial affairs After the death of Arnulph Patriarch of Jerusalem Guarimond born in France succeeded him About this time the two great orders of Templers and Teutonicks appeared in the World The former under Hugh de Paganis and Ganfred of St. Omer their first Founders They agreed in profession with the Hospitallers and performed it alike vowing poverty chastity and obedience and to defend Pilgrims coming to the Sepulchre It is falsly fathered on St. Bernard that he appointed them their rule who prescribeth not what they should do but only describeth what they did At the same time began the Teutonick Order consisting only of Dutch-men well descended living at Jerusalem in an house which one of that Nation bequeathed to his Country-men that came thither on Pilgrimage King Baldwin was afterwards taken prisoner and Eustace Grenier chosen Vice-Roy while the King was in durance stoutly defended the Countrey Baldwin a little before his death renounced the World and took on him a religious habit He dyed not long after viz. in the thirteenth year of his Reign and was buried with his predecessours in the Temple of the Sepulchre Fulco Earl of Tours Mam and Anjou coming some three years before on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem there married the King 's Daughter he was chosen the fourth King of Jerusalem He was well nigh 60 years old By his first Wife he had a Son Geoffery of Plantagenet Earl of Anjou to whom he left his Lands in France and from whom our Kings of England are descended Fulco having reigned eleven years with much care and industry Tyrius lib. 15. ca. ult was slain as he followed his sport in hunting Thomas Fuller brings him in thus speaking his Epitaph A Hare I hunted and Death hunted me The more my speed was was the worse my speed Fuller's holy War lib. 2. For as well-mounted I away did flee Death caught and kill'd me falling from my Steed Yet this mishap an happy miss I count That fell from Horse that I to Heaven might mount Baldwin the third succeeded his Father He was well learned especially in History liberal witty and facetious His mother Millesent continued a Widow and as for Children's-sake she married once so for her Children's-sake she married no more St. Bernard and she often conversed together by Letters He extolled her single Life This St. Bernard Abbot of Clarevaux or Clareval was famous in that time He often complains of the defection of the Church He sharply rebuked the vitious lives of Bishops and Abbots Yea he did not spare the Popes Bern. Ep. 42. as appeareth partly by what he wrote unto Pope Eugenius and unto Innocent the second And for his liberty in speaking against the errours of his time Epist 178. Apolog ad Willerm Abbat he was reproached so that he was constrained to publish Apologies where he saith that they called him the most miserable of Men one who presumed to judge the World and by the shadow of his baseness insult over the lights of the World And he saith there that he was like to be killed every day and was judged as a sheep for the slaughter yet nevertheless he was not afraid to speak of their vices because said he melius est ut scandalum oriatur quam veritas relinquatur It is better that a scandal should arise than truth should be relinquished Who at the beginning when the order of Monks began saith he could think that Monks would become so naughty Oh how unlike are we to those in the days of Anthony did Macarius live in such a manner did Basil teach so did Anthony ordain so did the Fathers in Egypt carry themselves so how is the light of the World become darkness how is the salt of the Earth become unsavoury I am a Lyar saith he if I have not seen an Abbot having above sixty horses in his train when ye saw them riding ye might say These were not Fathers of Monasteries but Lords of Castles not feeders of Souls bur Princes of Provinces They have carried after them their Table-Cloths Cups Basons Candlesticks and Portmantua's stuffed not with straw but ornaments of Beds scarce will any of them go four miles from his house but he must have all things with him as if he were going into a leaguer or through a Wilderness where necessaries could not be had O vanity of vanities the Walls of Churches are glorious and poor folks are in necessity Yet may it be said that Bernard was a follower of the Popes I answer yes he gave them all the Titles that others gave them but see what blows he gave them as appeareth by what he wrote to Innocentius and Eugenius he lays on them the blame of all the wickedness in the Church In rites he was carried with the sway of the times but his Doctrine was far different from the Tenets of the Church of Rome In one of his Epistles he writes thus Bern. Epist 91. ad Abbates Suess Congreg I would be in that Council where the Traditions of Men are not obstinately defended nor superstitiously observed but where they search diligently and humbly what is the good perfect and acceptable will of God thither am I carried with all my desire and there would I abide devoutly In Tract de praecept Dispens And elsewhere he saith many things were devised and ordained not because they might not be otherwise but because it was so expedient and certainly but for conserving charity therefore so long as the things do serve charity let them stand without change nor can they be changed without offence no not by the Rulers But contrarily if they be contrary unto charity in the judgement of such only unto whom it is granted to oversee is it not clearly most just that what things were devised for charity should also be omitted or intermitted for charity when it is so expedient or at least that they be changed to another thing more expedient as on the other side certainly it were unjust if these things that were ordained for charity be held against charity Let them therefore hold fast that which is immoveable The same Bernard informs us Bern. de consider ad Eugenium li. 3. that then was held a Council at Rhemes wherein the Pope was president And saith he Brethren I tell you of another Synod where the Lord God will sit in Judgement where we must all stand and there will God judge all the World Here on earth unrighteousness is shut up in a bag but in that Judgement God will judge righteously and there we must all appear whether he be a Pope or a Cardinal or an Arch-Bishop or a Bishop or poor or rich or learned or unlearned that every one may receive according to what he hath done in the body whether good or ill Moreover he said unto the Council that the Imposthume was spread through all the body of the
Church from the sole of the Foot to the Head the Bride was spoiled and even they that were called the Bridegrooms of the Church were not the friends of the Bridegroom And the Council so far took with this rebuke that some Acts were made for Reformation though no reformation followed About that time had been started that opinion concerning the Virgin Mary viz. of Universal freedom from original sin which opinion had been in the minds only of some private persons but yet was not come among the ceremonies of the Church nor into the minds of the learned About the year 1136. the Chanons of Lyons durst first bring it into the service of the Church St. Bernard flourishing at that time for piety and learning before all the Divines of that Age and so immoderate in the praises of the blessed Virgin that he calleth her the neck of the Church as if by her all Grace did flow from the Head nevertheless he sharply writeth against these Chanons that without reason and without example of former times they had brought in so dangerous a novelty He confesseth that they had matter enough to commend the blessed Virgin but such ambitious novelty which is the mother of fondness the sister of superstition and daughter of levity he saith could not please her Recentissimus est vixitque post confirmatam Episcopi Romani Tyrannidem Cham. de Oecum Pontif. Bernard dyed in the 63. year of his Age Anno 1153. From erring Bernard that frequent proverb of writers erring drew it's Original Bernardus non vidit omnia neither is it a wonder seeing he flourished in the darkest midnight as it were of Popery He is much commended by divers learned Protestants as by Bishop Morton Bishop Carleton Carlet Consens â—â—cles contr Trident. l. 6. Hist Pelag. li. ca. 21. Vossius and others He hath solidly disputed concerng the chief Heads of Faith of the Scriptures of the Church of the misery of man of free justification of grace of new obedience with the Catholick Church against the Tridentine Fables so that nothing can be found more solid In the Council of Rhemes forementioned where were assembled 434 Prelats these five principal acts were concluded 1. That no Man should either buy or sell any Bishoprick Abbotship Fox Act and Monum Deanry Arch Deaconship Priesthood Prebendship Altar or any Ecclesiastical promotion or Benefice Orders Consecration Church-hallowing Seat or Stall within the Quire or any Office Ecclesiastical under pain of Excommunication if he did persist 2. That no Lay-person should give Investiture or any Ecclesiastical possession and that no spiritual man should receive any such at any Lay-man's hand under pain of deprivation 3. That no man should invade take away or detain the goods or possessions of the Church but that they should remain firm and perpetual under pain of perpetual curse 4. That no Bishop or Priest should have any Ecclesiastical Dignity or benefice to any by way of inheritance Adding moreover that for Baptism Chrism Anointing Burial no Money should be exacted 5. Item That all Priests Deacons and Sub-Deacons should be utterly debarred and sequestred from company of their Wives and Concubines under pain of excluding from all Christian Communion The Acts thus determined were sent soon after to Henry the Emperour to try before the breaking up of the Council whether he would agree to the Canonical Elections free consecration and investing of spiritual persons and to other Acts of the said Council The Emperour maketh answer that he would lose nothing of that Antient Custom which his Progenitors had given him Yet because of the authority of the general Council he was content to consent to the residue save only the investing of Ecclesiastical function to be taken from him unto that he would never agree Upon this at the next return of the Pope to the Council Henry the Emperour was excommunicated In the Year 1142. Pope Eugenius came to Paris where that he might usurp the right of investiture and deprive the King of it he gave the Arch-Bishoprick of Bourges to his Chancellour of the Apostolical Chancery named Peter Aimery without the consent of King Lewes a Prince very much given to obedience unto the Papal See Yet the King was so angry at it that he swore upon the Holy Relicks that never so long as he lived Aimery should set his foot in Bourges But the Pope knowing the King 's timerous nature excommunicated him put his person in interdict and gave order that in France in all places where the King came divine Service should cease and all his Court were deprived of the Communion This lasted three whole years till St. Bernard came to the King and perswaded him to receive the said Arch-Bishop But because by so doing the King brake his Oath made upon the Holy Relicks he was enjoyned for satisfaction to take a Journey to the Holy Sepulchre in Syria to fight against the Saracens In which Journey the King lost the flower of the French Nobility and returned afflicted and full of confusion as you shall see more hereafter Peter Bishop of Clugny was in great account with Pope Eugenius Bernard wrote many Epistles to him in one Epistle he calleth him a Vessel of Honour full of Grace and Truth and endued with many gifts The loss of Edessa wherein Christianity had flourished ever since the Apostles times moved Conrade Emperour of the West and Lewes VII sir-named the young King of France to undertake a Voyage to the Holy Land Pope Eugenius III. bestirred himself in the matter and made St. Bernard stis solicitour to advance the design The Emperour's Army contained two hundred thousand foot besides fifty thousand Horse nor was the Army of King Lewes much inferiour in number Paul Aemil. in Lud. VII In France they sent a Distaff and a Spindle to all those that went not with them as upbraiding their effeminateness But by the way the Grecian Emperour did them all possible mischief by mingling lime with their meal by killing of straglers by holding intelligence with the Turks their enemies by corrupting his Coyn so that the Dutch sold good Wares for bad Money and bought bad Wares with good Money by giving them false conductors which trained them into danger so that there was more fear of the guides than of the way The King of France followed after the Emperour and drank of the same Cup at the Grecians hands though not so deeply till at last finding that those who marched through the Continent met with an Ocean of misery he thought better to trust the Wind and the Sea than the Greeks and taking shipping safely arrived in Palestine where he was welcomed by Reimund Prince of Antioch Some weeks were spent in entertainment and visiting holy places till at last Tho. Fuller holy War lib. 2. Elianor Wife to the King of France who accompanied her Husband made Religion her Pander and plaid Bankrupt of her honour under pretence of Pilgrimage keeping
company with a base Saracen-Jester whom she preferred before a King The Emperour and the French King besiege Damascus but some of the Christians corrupted with Turkish Money perswaded the King of France to remove his Camp to a stronger part of the Walls which they long besieged in vain and returned home at last leaving the City and their honours behind them The French Proverb was verified of this Voyage Much bruit and little fruit Many thousand Christians perished in this adventure The French King coming homeward was taken prisoner by the Fleet of the Grecian Emperour and rescued again by Gregory Admiral to Roger King of Sicily When he was arrived in France his Wife was in open Parliament divorsed from him He gave her back again all the Lands in France which he had received with her in portion Herein he did nobly but not politickly to part with the Dukedoms of Poictou and Aquitain which he enjoyed in her right for hereby he dismembred his own Kingdom and gave a torch into the hands of Henry II. King of England who afterwards married her to set France on fire St. Bernard was condemned among the vulgar sort for the murtherer of those that went this Voyage and it was an heavy affliction for his aged back Bern. de consider li. 2. ca. 1. to bear the reproach of many people In his book of Consideration he maketh a modest defence of himself whither we refer the Reader Upon the departure of the Emperour Conrade and King Lewes Noradine the Turk much prevailed in Palestine Peter de Bruis a priest at Tholouse preached in sundry places against the Popes and the Doctrine of Rome calling the Pope the Prince of Sodom and Rome he called Babylon the mother of Whoredoms and confusion He preached against the corporal presence of Christ in the Sacrament Morn myst Iniqu against the sacrifice of the Mass he condemned the worship of Images prayers to Saints single life of priests pilgrimages multitude of Holy-days c. The fore-named Peter Abbot of Clugny wrote against him This Peter de Bruis began to preach about the year 1126. Guilerm lib. 3. ca. 5. After him his Disciple Henry a Monk continued preaching the same Doctrine Guilerm an Abbot writing the life of St. Bernard saith of this Henry That he denied the grace of Baptism unto Infants he despised the prayers and oblations for the Dead the excommunication of Priests the pilgrimage of Believers the sumptuous buildings of Churches the idleness of Festival-days the consecration of chrism and oyl and all the ordinances of the Church He sheweth them that the people sent for Bernard to come against him but he refused until Albericus Bishop of Ostia was sent Legate against him and he perswadeth Bernard to go with him to Tholouse And then Bernard wrote his 240. Epistle unto Hildefonsus Count of St. Giles against this Henry Certain it is as the proverb is Bernard saw not all things and howbeit he wrote bitterly against him yet he commendeth him as a learned man and he was so reverenced that the people did follow him De Bruis was burnt at Tholouse and Albericus carried Henry into Italy Their Books were burnt In Palestine King Baldwin was poisoned by a Jewish Physician And Almerick Brother to King Baldwin succeeded to the Crown In the Church of Jerusalem one Almerick was Patriarch a French-man born though little fit for the place King Almerick against his promise invadeth Egypt but his perjury was punished with the future ruine of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and himself dies of a bloody-flux Baldwin his Son the fourth of that name succeedeth This Baldwin IV. had excellent Education under William Arch-Bishop of Tyre a pious man and excellent Scholar skilled in all the Oriental Tongues besides the Dutch and the French his Native Language Tho. Fullers Hist Holy War li. 2. ca. 38. a moderate and faithful Writer For in the lattter part of his History of the holy War his eye guided his hand till at last the taking of the City of Jerusalem so shook his hand that he wrote no more Treasurer he was of all the Money 's contributed to the holy War Chancellour of this Kingdom employed in several Embassies in the West present at the Lateran Council the Acts whereof he did record Cardinal he might have been but refused it Lewes the French King caused his Son Philip to be crowned at Rhemes at the Age of 14 years Anno 1179. He betrothed him to Isabel the Daughter of Baldwin Earl of Henault King Lewes having thus disposed of his affairs died Anno 1180. The Title of Augustus was given to Philip his Son and successour In the beginning of his Reign he purged the corruptions that were then prevalent among the people viz. Blasphemies Plays Dicing-houses publick dissoluteness in infamous places Taverns and Tipling-houses He expelled the Jews dispersed throughout his Kingdom and given to griping usury and albeit they obtained a return for Money yet in the end he banished them out of all the Territories of France The Patriarch of Jerusalem being arrived in France Anno 1184. with the Prior of the Hospital of Outremer Rigordus de gestis Philippi Augusti and the Grand Master of the Templars to demand succour of King Philip Augustus against the Saracens he sent out a Mandamus to call a general Council of all the Arch-Bishops Bishops and Princes of the Realm which was holden in the City of Paris Philip also calls a Parliament at Paris they diswade him from the Voyage but he fighteth against all difficulties Great charges were imposed upon such as went not the Voyage to pay the tenth of all their revenues both Temporal and Spiritual called for this occasion the Saladines Tenths Richard I. King of England and King Philip of France laying aside their private dissentions unite their forces against the Turks King Richard was accompanied with Baldwin Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Hubert Bishop of Sarisbury Robert Earl of Leicester Ralph de Glanvil late Chief-Justice of England Richard de Clare Walter de Kime c. His Navy he sent about by Spain and with a competent number took his own Journey through France Roger Hovedon in Ricard 1. At Tours he took his Pilgrim's Staff and Scrip from the Arch-Bishop His Staff at the same time casually brake in pieces which some construed a token of ill success Likewise when He and the French King passed over the Bridge of Lyons on the fall of the Bridge this conceit was built That there would be a falling out betwixt these two Kings which accordingly came to pass At Lyons these two Kings parted their Trains and went several ways into Sicily At Messana in Sicily these two Kings meet again where King Richard beheld his Navy safely arrived Tankred a Bastard born was at this time King of Sicily who secretly applyeth himself to the French which King Richard easily discovered Mean time the Citizens of Messana did the English much wrong wherefore
King Richard took Messana by assault seized on most Forts in the Island Tankred gave to our King what rich conditions soever he demanded to pacifie him Worse discords daily encreased betwixt the Kings of England and France King Richard slighting the King of France his Sister whom he had promised to marry King Philip hasted presently to Ptolemais Richard followed with more leisure and took Cyprus in his way Cursac reigned then in Cyprus who killed the English that landed there But King Richard speedily over-ran the Island bound Cursac with silver fetters The Island he pawned to the Templars for ready money and there took to Wife his beloved Lady Beringaria Daughter to the King of Navarr The City of Ptolemais was taken the Houses which were left with the spoil and Prisoners were equally divided betwixt Philip and Richard Here the English cast down the Ensigns of Leopold Duke of Austria who had fought so long in assaulting this City till his Armour was all over gore-blood save the place covered with his belt But King Richard afterward paid dearly for it King Richard caused seven thousand of his Turkish Prisoners to be put to death and Saladine in revenge put as many of our Captives to death But the French King reserving his Prisoners alive exchanged them to ransom so many Christians Philip the French King Odo Duke of Burgundy Duke Leopold most of the Dutch all the Genoans and Templars side with King Conrade King Richard Henry Count of Champaigne the Hospitallers Venetians and Pisans take part with King Guy But King Conrade's side was much weakned by the departure of the French King About that time Conrade King of Jerusalem was murdered in the Market-place of Tyre Now King Guy exchanged his Kingdom of Jerusalem for the Island of Cyprus which he had redeemed from the Templars to whom he had pawned it Henry of Champaign was chosen King by the procurement of King Richard who after many notable exploits done in Palestine and a peace made with Saladine in his return passing through Germany in a disguise was taken Prisoner in Austria sold and sent by Duke Leopold to Henry the Emperour At last he was ransomed for an hundred and forty thousand marks a sum so vast in that Age that to raise it in England they were forced to sell their Church-plate to their very Chalices After this Money Peter of Blois made an Apostrophe to the Duke or Emperour sending this good prayer Bibe nunc Avaritia Dum puteos argenteos Larga diffundit Anglia Tua tecum pecunia Sit in perditionem And now thou basest Avarice Drink till thy Belly burst Whilst England pours large silver showers To satiate thy Thirst And this we pray Thy Money may And thou be like accurst King Richard after eighteen Months imprisonment returned into England And in Austria the Duke with his Money built the Walls of Vienna But God punished the Dominions of Leopold with fire and water and by famine for the Ears of Wheat turned into Worms A Gangreen seized on the Duke's body who cut off his Leg with his own hand and dyed thereof who by his Will caused some thousand Crowns to be restored again to King Richard Soon after Henry King of Jerusalem as he was walking in his Palace fell down out of a Window and broke his neck Roger Hoveden tells us that near about this time there was in the City of Tholouse a great number of Men and Women whom the Pope's Commissioners viz. Peter Cardinal of St. Chrysogon and the Pope's Legate with the Arch-Bishops of Narbon and Biturium Reginald Bishop of Bathe John Bishop of Pictavia Henry Abbot of Clareval c. did persecute and condemn for Hereticks of whom some were scourged naked some chased away some compelled to abjure Now sprang up the Doctrine and name of them which were then called Pauperes de Lugduno which of one Waldus a chief Senator in Lyons were named Waldenses they were also called Leonistae Insabbatati about the year of our Lord 1170. It happened on a day as divers of the principal men of the City assembled together consulted upon divers matters that one of the company fell down and dyed suddenly the rest of the company looking on This Waldus being terrified at the sight of it was converted and presently reformed his Life He ministred of his Goods large Alms to the Poor he purchased a Bible studied the Scriptures instructed himself and his Family with the true knowledge of God's word He admonished all that resorted to him to repentance and amendment of Life He gave out to them that were ready to learn certain rudiments of the Scripture which himself had translated into the French Tongue for he was both Wealthy and Learned The Popish Prelates threatned to excommunicate him but he neglecting their threatnings said God must be obeyed rather than Man At length they drave both Waldus and all his adherents out of the City The Articles of the Waldenses I find in order and number to be these 1. That only the Holy Scripture is to be believed in matters pertaining to Salvation c. 2. All things to be contained in Holy Scripture necessary to Salvation 3. That there is one only Mediator that other Saints are in no wise to be made Mediators or to be invocated 4. They rejected purgatory asserting that all men either by Christ are justified to Life or without Christ be condemned and besides these two neither any third or fourth place to be 5. That all Masses viz. such as be sung for the dead be wicked and are to be abrogate 6. That all Mens Traditions are to be rejected at least not to be reputed as necessary to Salvation c. That constrained Fasts difference of Meats such variety of degrees and orders of Priests Fryars Monks and Nuns superfluous Holy-days so many sundry benedictions and hallowing of Creatures vows peregrinations with all the Rabblement of Rites and Ceremonies to be abolished 7. The supremacy of the Pope usurping above all Churches and especially above all politick Realms and Governments not to be acknowledged neither that any degree is to be received in the Church but only Bishops Priests and Deacons 8. The Communion under both kinds to be necessary to all people according to the Institution of Christ 9. That the Church of Rome is Babylon spoken of in the Revelation and the Pope is Antichrist 10. They reject the Pope's pardons and indulgences 11. They hold the Marriage of Priests and Ecclesiastical persons to be pious and necessary in the Church 12. That such as hear the Word of God and have a right Faith are the true Church of Christ John Arch-Bishop of Lyons excommunicated Waldus and all his followers They were dispersed into divers places of whom many remained long in Bohemia who writing to their King Vladislaus to purge themselves against the slanderous accusations of one Doctor Austin gave up their confession with an Apology for their Christian profession defending with strong and
Engine had his Head parted from his body Some conceived they saw God's finger in the Womans hand that because the greater part of his cruelty lighted on the weaker Sex for he had buried the Lady La Vaur alive respecting neither her Sex nor Nobility a Woman was chosen out to be his Executioner He dyed even then when the Pope and three Councils of Vaur Lateran and Montpelier had pronounced him Son Servant favourite of the Faith the invincible defender thereof Among other of his stiles he was Earl of Leicester in England and Father to Simon Montfort the Cataline of this Kingdom See Camden in Leicester-shire also in Worcester-shire who under pretence of curing this Land of some grievances had killed it with his Physick had he not been killed himself in the battle of Evesham in the Reign of King Henry the third Here ended the storm of open War against the Albigenses though some great drops fell afterward And the Pope grew sensible of many mischiefs in prosecuting this people with the Holy War Perin de Albigensib li. 2. ca. 4. Three hundred thousand of these croised Pilgrims lost their lives in this expedition within the space of fifteen years so that there was neither City nor Village in France but by reason hereof had Widows and Orphans cursing this expedition The Pope therefore now resolves upon a privater way namely to prosecute them by way of Inquisition The chief promoter of that War was Dominick the Authour of the Order of the Dominicans His Mother being with child of him dreamed that she had a dog vomiting fire in her Womb. Du. Moul. Contr Perron l. 7. This ignivomus Cur as one calleth him did bark at and deeply bite the poor Albigenses who put above two hundred thousand of them to death Almerick for his laziness was deposed by the Pope and John Bren was made King of Jerusalem In the beginning of his Reign this accident fell out In France a Boy for his years went about singing in his own Tongue Jesus Lord repair our loss Restore to us thy Holy Cross Numberless Children ran after him and followed the same tune their Captain and chanter did set them No bolts no bars no fear of Fathers nor love of Mothers could hold them back but they would to the Holy Land to work wonders there but this merry musick had a sad close all either perishing on Land Math. Paris p. 324. or being drown'd by Sea Mathew Paris saith it was done by the instinct of the Devil King Lewes VIII having compounded with Almery the Son of Simon Earl of Montfort for Languedoc resolves to unite this rich Province to the Crown To this end he levies a great Army fortified with cruel Edicts against the Albigenses as Hereticks and Rebels Count Reymund submits himself to Pope Honorius and yieldeth to Lewes and perswades the Earl of Cominges to the like obedience Thus both of them abandon the people and go to Rome leaving the poor Albigenses to the mercy of Lewes who presently subdues all Languedoc and Provence The House of Montlor one of the greatest in the County of Vivaret having followed the Albigenses party makes his peace by means of the Town of Argentiere given to the Bishop of Viviers who enjoyeth it to this day Many Families were made desolate These poor miserable people were dispersed here and there and such as remained in the Country were forced to acknowledge the Pope's Authority Lewes ordered the Marshal Foy of the house of Mirepois to command his Forces leaving the Lord of Beaujeu for Governour and Lieutenant-General of Languedoc All this mischief was contrived by the Pope who had sent his Legat into France Fox Act. monum Vol. 1. to summon a Council at Biture whither the King with six Arch-Bishops and the Bishops and Suffragans of nine Provinces repaired to the number of an hundred besides the Abbots Priors and Proctors of all the Covents of France Having dispatch'd the business of Earl Reymund and the Albigenses the event whereof hath been before declared Romanus the Pope's Legate gave leave to all Proctors of Covents and Chapters to return home only retaining with him the Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots to whom he opened another part of his Commission which was to obtain of every Cathedral Church two Prebend-ships one for the Bishop the other for the Chapter And in Monasteries also after the like sort where the Abbot and Covent had divers and several portions to require two Churches one for the Abbot the other for the Covent keeping this proportion that how much should suffice for the living of one Monk so much the whole Covent should find for their part and as much the Abbot for his likewise The Clergy of France answered that the thing he enterprized could not be brought to effect without great offence taken and inestimable damage to the Church of France In conclusion when the matter came to debating with the Legat the objections of the inferiour Clergy were these following 1. They alledged the great damages and expences Math. Paris which they were like to sustain thereby by reason of the continual procurators of the Pope which in every Diocess must live not of their own but must be sustained upon the charges of the Cathredral Churches and other Churches also and many times they being but procurators will be found as Legats 2. By that means they said great perturbations might ensue to the Covents and Chapters of Cathedral Churches in their elections Forasmuch as the Pope's Agents and Factors being in every Cathedral Church and Chapter-house perchance the Pope would command him in his person to be present at their elections and so might trouble the same by delaying and deferring till it might fall to the Court of Rome to give and so should be placed more of the Pope's Clientele in the Churches of France than of the proper Inhabitants of the Land 3. By this means they affirmed that all they in the Court of Rome should be richer and receive more for their proportion than the King of the Realm by means whereof the Court of Rome would delay and drive off great suits and would scarce take any pains with small causes Thus would Justice be turned aside and poor suitors should dye at the gates of Rome and for the better speeding of their causes they thought seeing it was meet they should have friends in the Court of Rome by keeping them needy their gifts might be the sweeter and their causes sooner dispatched 4. Seeing it is impossible that the Fountain of greedy desires should be stopped it was to be feared that either they would do that by others which they were wont to do by themselves or else they should be enforced to give greater rewards than before for small gifts with great Rich Men are little regarded 5. Whereas the removing away the slander was alledged which goeth on the Court of Rome by this means rather the contrary were to be
that are absent but that it be not permitted to the Cardinals to chuse any but one out of their own Order and of those that are present in the conclave 6. If the Election be made in Rome the place the Gates and Doors of the conclave shall be well guarded The first Guards are to be kept by the Souldiers of the Pope's ordinary guards After them by the Barons of Rome and the Ambassadours of Princes who are all to be sworn in the conclave it self before it be shut up That they will keep the said guards faithfully and diligently and last of all in the nearest places to the door of the conclave by the Bishops and Conservators of the City If the Election be made out of Rome the guard of the conclave is to be made by the Temporal Lords of that place with the same formality and Oath as in Rome The Guards are to prevent any violence shall be offered to the freedom of the Cardinals Votes to observe what provisions come in that there be no Letters conveyed in them and if any such be found let them be consign'd to the Marshal to be kept till the conclave be finished That they take care that the Cardinals be not incommoded that they be all ready at their beck and in case of delay that they force them first with entreaties and afterwards with threats to hasten the Election Those who are appointed to guard the conclave are to preserve it from all violence and disturbance 7. That the Cardinals may not go out of the conclave or adjourn their Assembly to any other place for any person whatsoever the Election being ended then they may go forth if otherwise they should go out let them be forced back again by the guards of the conclave 8. That those Cardinals who come after the conclave is shut and before the Election of the Pope may enter and give their Voices as the rest And that no Cardinal can upon any occasion or pretence whatsoever although he be excommunicated avoid being present at the Election and giving his vote But all this is to be done by the consent of the whole Colledge and not of the Governour of the conclave only 9. That three days being past after their entrance into the conclave if in that time the Pope be not chosen the Prelates and Barons of Rome and such others as are deputed guards to the conclave may require an account of the Cardinals transactions within and restrain them of their variety of dishes reducing and lessening them by degrees according as they find the Election delayed 10. That in the time of the Election no person whatsoever whether Secular or Ecclesiastick is to give promise or entreat thereby to encline the hearts of the Cardinals to their private desires under pain of the Pope's Excommunication c. 11. That no person be declared or elected Pope if he hath not first two whole parts in three of the Voices of the Cardinals which are present in the conclave which Votes are to be given in secret and afterwards read publickly that all persons may take notice who is chosen 12. That after the death of the Pope all Magistrates and Ecclesiastical Offices are to cease except such as are in the persons of the Cardinals which are perpetual Which Offices are to remain unexecuted all but the Office of the chief Penitentiary and the Chamberlain 13. That there be a Governour of the conclave that he be a worthy person and of good qualifications that he be chosen by the body of the Cardinals before they enter into the conclave whose Office it shall be to give seasonable orders that things may go within as they ought to do and that the Cardinals may not want any thing convenient 14. That an Oath be given to the Cardinals to keep secret all the transactions and argumentations of the conclave relating to the Election that it be not permitted to any body to bear Arms in so sacred a place nor to revenge any injury whatsoever either with words or deeds but that they bear all things patiently and endeavour to avoid that mischief Thus Gregory being pleased with the Introduction of this form into the conclave dismissed the Council of Lyons Then he began his journey in order to his journey into Italy and refusing to pass by Florence lest he should be obliged to take off the interdiction he took his way towards Arezzo in which place he arrived fell sick and dyed Anno 1276. Afterwards when the Emperour Paleologus dyed the Grecian Priests would not that he should be buried in any consecrated place because he had consented in the Council of Lyons to an Union of the Greek and Latin Churches Papon titre de la jurisdiction temporelle art 1. Er titre de Dismes art 9. We read in an ordinance made by King Philip the third Anno 1274. that if one Lay-man sell unto another Lay-man the Tythes which he hath bought of a Clerk and there arise a suit about the price the cognisance thereof doth not belong to the Ecclesiastical Judge And it is one of the priviledges of the Gallican Church that the Pope cannot by any Proviso's about Benefices or otherwise derogate from or prejudice Lay foundations and the Rights of the Lay-patrons of the Realm There is also a decree of this King Philip dated Anno 1274. which prohibits a Bishop the granting the seizure of the moveable goods of a certain Clerk condemn'd in a personal Action considering that those Goods were not within his Episcopal Jurisdiction There is also a prohibition to Ecclesiastical Judges to cause any execution to be made of the immoveable goods of any Clerk condemn'd in a personal Action because the immoveable goods are out of his Episcopal jurisdiction According hereunto a certain Bishop of Paris was declared not to be admitted into the Court in a pretendure which he made of the power of arresting certain Moneys belonging to a Clerk inhabiting in certain Lands subject to the jurisdiction Royal and he was cast for attempting it by an Arrest of Paris Lewes the eldest Son of King Philip dyeth with apparent signs of poyson Queen Mary his Mother-in-Law and Peter de la Broche chief Chamberlain to the King and his Treasurer being the Queens favourite is accused for this Fact and being imprisoned he confesseth the crime and accuseth the Queen as having poisoned Lewes by her command La Broche also is found guilty of Treason by his Letters having given Intelligence to the King of Castile of the Estate of France being then no friend to the Crown for which he was hanged Mary denies the Fact by Oath The King for want of proof sends a Bishop and an Abbot to a Witch in Holland They at their return absolve the Queen by her report but they free her not from the jealousie of the French nor in the King's conceit Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure two learned School-men dyed Anno 1274. Lewes Bishop of Tholouse Son to
all that hath been done And whosoever believeth otherwise We judge them Hereticks Given at Lateran the fourth of the Nones of December in the sixth year of our Popedom Unto this Letter of the Pope King Philip makes Answer in manner as followeth Philip by the Grace of God King of France to Boniface calling himself the Soveraign Bishop little or no health Let thy foolishness know that in Temporal things we are subject to no Man and that the Gifts of Prebends and Benefices made and to be made by Vs were and shall be good both in time past and to come and that We will defend manfully the possessour of the said Benefices and We think them that believe or think otherwise fools and mad-men Given at Paris the Wednesday after Candlemas Anno 1301. After these and other Writings had passed to and fro between the French King and the Pope within a year and an half after the King summoneth a Parliament sending down his Letters to his Sheriffs and other Officers to summon the Prelates and Barons of the Realm unto the said Court of Parliament according to the Tenour of the King's Letters Patents Then William Nagaretta Knight and professour of the Laws Vid. Fox Act Monum Tom. 1. p. 448. made a large Declaration and appeal against Pope Boniface VIII at Paris before the King and his Council He taxeth Boniface to be an Intruder into the Papacy that entring not in at the door he is to be judged a Thief and a Robber He declares him to be guilty of many Heresies and to be an horrible Simoniack He chargeth him with cursing and blasphemy a blood-thirsty man a destroyer of the Churches one that is very greedy after gold and rooted in all sins that he is the Abomination of Desolation described by Daniel the Prophet Then he thus speaks to King Philip I beseech you my Lord and King that you would declare thus much to the Prelates Doctors People and Princes your Brethren in Christ and chiefly to the Cardinals and all Prelates and call a Council In the which when the aforesaid Boniface is condemned by the worthy Cardinals the Church may be provided of a Pastor And I beseech and require the said Cardinals by you and I require them and the Church of God that this wicked Man being put in prison the Church of Rome may be provided of a Vicar which may minister those things that shall appertain until the Church of God be provided of a Bishop utterly to take away all occasion of Schism After this protestation of Nagaretta immediately ensued the Appeal of the King pronounced and published against the said Boniface The manner and form is set down at large by Mr. Fox Act Monum Tom. 1. p. 449. 450. This was done Anno 1303. Indictione prima June 13. on the 14 th day of the same Month of June the aforesaid King Philip being present and also the Lords Arch Bishops Bishops Abbots Priors and many witnesses being present William of Plesiano Knight objected propounded affirmed and read out of a certain paper which he held in his hand divers Articles against Pope Boniface to the number of thirty charging him with denying the immortality of the Soul with asserting that Whoredom is no sin charging him with Witch-craft Simony Sodomy Murther Oppression Bribery Adultery and many other detestable sins These things being thus read and done King Philip answered and his Appeal is as followeth We Philip by the Grace of God hearing and understanding the Objections propounded by our beloved and faithful Knight W. of Nagaretta against Boniface having now the Regiment of the Romish Church c. We earnestly beseech and require in the Bowels of Jesus Christ you arch-Arch-Bishops and other Prelates here present as Children of the Church and pillars of the Faith that you would labour the calling and assembling of a Council in which We intend to be personally present c. Then the arch-Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots and Priors answered the premisses provoked and Appealed c. And made an Appellation Agreement and protestation as was contained in a certain paper there openly and plainly read in Tenour and Form following We Arch-Bishops of Nicosen Remen Senorem Narbon and Bishops of Landviren Belnacen Carolacen Antisidore Meldimen Nurmen Chartres Orleans Anjou Constance with many others And we Abbots of Clugny Proemonstrator of the greater Monastery of the Court of St. Denis in France St. Victor St. Genoveue St. Martin c. and Fryar Hugh Visitor of the Houses of the Order of Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in France and the Father Prior of St. Martin in the fields c. Hearing these things which were said propounded and objected yesterday and to day by you the Lords Earls and Wil. aforesaid against Pope Boniface VIII c. We answer you our Lord and King and you our Lords Earls and William that the Honour and Reverence of the Holy Romish Church salved in all points we agree to your due Request in this behalf for the calling of the Council and are ready to assist to the calling together of the said Council according to the Decrees of the Holy Fathers and to the lawful Orders of the Canons not intending by any means to make parties of this matter nor to stick to any that maketh parties And lest we should be hindred by any means by the said Boniface by Excommunication suspension interdiction deposing deprivation c. And that we may sit in the same Council to judge and do all other things that belong to the Office of Prelates that We our friends our subjects parish-Parish-Churches c. may remain safe We provoke and Appeal in Writing to the aforesaid Council that is to be gathered and to him that shall be the true and lawful highest Bishop and to him or them to whom of right we should Appeal and do earnestly require our Appellations committing us our parish-Parish-Churches and them that stick to us our state and theirs c. to the godly defence of the aforesaid Council and of him that shall be true and lawful highest Bishop And we protest to renew this Appellation where when and before whom it shall be thought meet This was done at Paris at Lupara in the Chamber of the King many Lords and Earls Knights and Clerks and others being Witnesses After these things thus in the Parliament decreed and agreed the Prelates consulting with themselves what to do in so doubtful a matter and dreading the Pope's displeasure for what was now done to clear themselves to the Pope partly to certifie him what was done and partly also to admonish him what he should do sent this ensuing Letter to him thus directed To their most Holy Father and dearest beloved Lord Boniface the chief Bishop of the Holy Romish Church and the Universal Church his humble and devout arch-Arch-Bishops Abbots Priors Conventuals Deans Provosts Chapters Covents and Colledges of the Cathedral and Collegiat Churches Regular and Secular of all the Realm of
was a great lover of the King of France he was chosen by common consent and a Courier sent post to him who was then at his Bishoprick to know what name he would carry he replyed he would not change the name he was baptized with which was Clement and so he was published accordingly to the people and called Clement the fifth After publication in the usual place the Cardinals dispatched several messengers to the new Pope to entreat him to hasten his Journey into Italy Il. Cardinalismo p. 234. But the Pope being instructed by the King of France made answer that the Flock was to follow the Shepherd and not the Shepherd the Flock commanding the Cardinals immediately to repair to him in France and particularly in the City of Poictiers as they also did This Clement was the first of seven French Popes which held the See one after another unto Vrban VI. under whom the Italians recovered it again with much trouble These seven Popes were Clement V. John XXII Benedict XII Clement VI. Innocent VI. Vrban V. Gregory XI Clement V. being chosen Pope he came to Lyons where King Philip received him accompanied with the Kings of England and Arragon in great pomp The Pope was on Horseback and the King with his two Brethren on Foot holding the Reigns of his Horse He was crowned in the Temple of St. Justus where they had built a great Theatre for so goodly a spectacle But the press of people was so great that the Scaffold brake so that the multitude sell one upon another The Pope King Princes and Noble-men were all on an heap and the Scaffold fastned to an old Wall pulled it down The King was hurt in the Head the Pope in the Foot and the Duke of Britain slain with many Noble-men and multitudes of the common people that were smothered under these ruines The Pope's Crown fell from his Head into the press where he lost a Carbuncle valued at six thousand florins of Gold Thus this feast gave no cause of joy but was famous to posterity by this notable accident and by the translation of the Pope's seat from Rome to Avignon Anno 1305. unto the year 1379. under Vrban VI. viz. the space of seventy four years This unlucky pomp being ended Clement created many French Cardinals and not one Italian and removed the Court presently to Avignon He avouched openly to keep a Concubine the Daughter of Count de Fuxa he sent three Cardinals with Senatorial power to govern Rome and Italy He ordained that none should use the Title or exercise the power of Emperour until he were confirmed by the Pope In the year 1307. a Parliament was summoned against Pope Clement by King Philip touching temporal jurisdiction belonging to Princes and Ecclesiastical belonging to the Church Forasmuch as Pope Clement V. extolled himself above all Princes as in other Countries so also in France he extended his usurped jurisdiction above the Princely Authority of the King claiming to himself full government of both the States as well Secular as Ecclesiastical the King therefore directeth his Letters mandatory to the Prelates and Barons of the Realm of France to assemble themselves together at Paris in the Year afore-mentioned in the beginning of December At the day specified in those Letters the Prelates and Clergy assembled themselves before the King at his palace in Paris Fox Act Monum li. 2. p. 461. 462. where after due reverence done unto the King there sitting in his own person with his Barons and Council about him a certain wise and noble Lord Peter de Cugneriis one of the King's Council stands up and makes an Oration before the Parliament in the King's behalf His Oration is divided into two parts 1. He sheweth that obedience and reverence is due unto the King 2. That there ought to be a difference betwixt the jurisdiction of the Clergy and Laity so that spiritual matters should be defined and ordered by the Prelates and spiritual men and Temporal causes ruled and determined by the King his Barons and Temporal men All which he proved by many reasons both of Fact and Law Articles against the Clergy of France His Oration being ended he repeated certain words in the French Tongue which imported that the King's Will and pleasure was in some points to renew the Temporal State and jurisdiction and therewith he exhibited a certain Bill in French whereof also he gave a Copy to the Prelates containing sixty five Articles which may be read at large in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments Vol. 1. p. 462. 463. 464. 465. After he had spoken the Prelates required to have time to answer thereunto whereupon the Friday next ensuing was appointed for the same on the which day the Bishop Edven and the Arch-Bishop of Senon Elect in the name of the whole Clergy answered for them all be-before the King holding his Parliament on that day at Vicenas They endeavour to prove that both the Temporal and Spiritual jurisdictions are compatible notwithstanding the distinction of them one from the other Then they proâ—â—â—d to prove that a person Ecclesiastical which hath Jurisdiction Spiritual may also have Temporal jurisdiction and that the Jurisdictioâ— Temporal may be in an Ecclesiastical person they alledge for this the example of Melchisedeck who was both King and Priest and of Samuel who was both Priest and Prophet and for a long time appointed Judge over the people in Temporal matters They assert also that Christ by his humane nature had both powers shewing that he was a Priest after the order of Melchisedeck and that he had both in his vesture and on his Thigh written King of Kings and Lord of Lords Many other places they cite out of the new Testament Then they offer to prove it by the Civil Law and by reason and many places in the Canon Law they shew what priviledges of this nature had been granted to the Clergy by Charles the Great King of France by Lewes the second and by other Kings of France which priviledges they offered to shew Moreover they assert that whatsoever things be offered up to the Church and are converted to the dominion and property of the same be God's and appertain unto him forasmuch as they be said to be dedicated and sanctified by him But this jurisdiction which is diversly converted to the Dominion and property of the French Church is God's and therefore to be reserved to and for him They urge the King to consider that at what time he was crowned he sware only these things following 1. That he would defend and maintain the Canonical Law priviledge and Justice granted to the Bishops and the Church and as much as in him lay to enlarge and amplifie the same 2. Also that by his Arbitriment all Christian people at all times should keep the true peace of God and his Church 3. That he should forbid to all Nations all kinds of sacriledges spoilings and iniquities and that in
all kind of Judgements he should will and command equity and mercy 4. That throughout his whole Territory and jurisdiction he should labour to exterminate and cut off from the Church the noted Hereticks They argue also that by the possessions of the Church many Brethren and Kinsmen of the French Nobility be maintained Ergo such possessions are not to be grudged at And because a Bill of many Articles was exhibited whereof part did infringe the whole Ecclesiastical jurisdiction to the defence thereof they said they would stand to the death On the next Friday following being Decemb. 29. the Prelates assembled themselves again together at the King's Palace in Paris where the Lord Peter Bertrand Bishop of Eduen spake openly before the King sitting with his Counsellours and Barons about him In his speech he extolled the King's person and his miraculous attaining to the Crown of France adding that he ought to be the Champion and Defender of the Faith all which he proved in few words by many reasons and Authorities Afterwards he touched those propositions which were propounded by the aforesaid Lord Peter de Cugneriis He besought the King for his Souls health to maintain the rights and liberties of the Church desiring him to consider what commodities he daily receiveth by the Church and that his Church never failed him yet when he had need of the Laity shewing the dangers and examples of them who did to the contrary Further he entreated the King to weigh how entirely his Lord the Pope doth love his person and Realm After this in the said Session the aforesaid Bishop of Edven answered particularly to the Articles exhibited by the Lord Peter in writing to the King and Parliament Which because they touch more the subtilty of the Law and stiles of the Courts than are necessary to this our History and because I would not burthen this Treatise with them little profit being contained in them I have here purposely for brevities sake omitted them The next Friday after this the Prelates assembled at Vicenas before the King to hear their answer Where the aforesaid Peter de Cugneriis being Prolucutor for the King said that their King was to keep the rights of the Church and Prelates which they had by Law and by good aâ—d reasonable custom where between the first and second conclusion he went about to prove that the cognition of civil causes ought not to appertain to the Church for that such things were Temporal and ought to pertain to the Temporalty as Spiritual things to the Spiritualty And besides his other reasons he alledged the 86. Distinct declaring that for this intent the Clerks Crowns were first shaven in sign that they should be free from all worldliness and forsake all Temporal things He added that their Lord and King was ready to hear them who would instruct him of any custom and those customs which were good and reasonable he would observe The Bishop Edven answered for all the Prelates saying that the words of the Lord Peter engendred darkness and obscurity and might give occasion to the Temporal Lords to break and infringe the Rites and Customs of the Church As to that which was spoken concerning the shaving of the crown it was answered that the crown did betoken rule and excellency and the shaving did signifie that they ought not to heap up Temporal things so as to apply their hearts thereunto but that the Temporal things ought to be subject to them and not they to the Temporalty After divers other speeches the said Bishop concluded and besought the King that it would please his Grace to give them a more plain and comfortable Answer and that they might not go away sad and pensive out of his presence whereby occasion might be given to the Laity to impugn the Rites and Liberties of the Church In the end it was answered to them in the behalf of the King that his mind and intent was not to impugn the Customs of the Church The Sunday following the Bishops assembled themselves again before the King at Vicenas where the Bishop of Senon in the name of all the Prelates gave humble thanks for it and he besought that such Proclamations as were made to the prejudice of the Ecclesiastical jurisdiction might be revoked and repealed Hereunto the King himself answered with his own mouth that they were not published at his commandement neither did he know of them nor ratifie them Moreover the Bishop proposed that those abuses which the Temporalty complained of should be so ordered and reformed that every man should be content therewith Finally he besought the King that he would give them a fuller and more comfortable answer Then answered the Lord Peter in the name of the King That if the Prelates and Bishops would see reformation of those things which were to be amended about which he would take respite betwixt this and Christmas next following his Majesty would innovate nothing in the mean time And if in the aforesaid space they would not correct and reform what was amiss his Majesty would appoint such order and remedy that should be acceptable both to God and his Subjects Then the Prelates had leave of the King to depart and went hoâ—â—e A brief recapitulation of Bishop Edven's answer with certain notes in answer to his Popish reasons may be read in the Acts and Monuments of the Church p. 476. 477. The Ecclesiastical Judges have since that time attempted to usurp this jurisdiction over the Laity in case of Adultery c. but the complaint which was made of it by Peter de Cugneriis In Libr. compos super facto Praelator on the behalf of the King's Judges which we may read at this day extant did put an end to that trouble And always whatsoever the Clergy attempted to meddle in such matters they have been prohibited by the Parliaments upon Appeals as from abuses which have been put in against their decrees Pope Clement had promised unto King Philip to abolish the memory of Pope Boniface VIII and to anull all his Acts but by advice of Cardinal Pratensis he delayed unto a general Council and this he summoned to be held at Vienna in France Naucler p. 872. and 878. where the King required from the Pope the performance of his promise The Council did acknowledge Boniface to have been a lawful Pope but they did declare all his Acts against the King to have been unjust and that none of them should be prejudicial to the King or to his Successours In this Council the Pope propounded the aid of the Christians in Syria the punishment of the Templars and the reformation of the Church Wars were proclaimed and Indulgences were offered in these words We Will that the punishment of Hell be no way laid upon him who is signed with the Cross granting also unto every signed person power to pull three or four Souls out of Purgatory at their pleasure Hereat the Divines of Paris were offended because it
that Council Witness the Bishop of Panormo in his advice touching the Council of Basil This decree concerneth the general Estate of the Church and the matters belong to a general Reformation which may be hindred by a dissolution as it was by the dissolution of the Council of Vienne Durand further said in that Council that the Court of Rome and the Colledge of Cardinals together with the Pope would have a certain allowance of all Bishops that are preferred there it seems very requisite that this were taken order with For this errour doth much corrupt the Catholick Church and the common people and the remedies which have been applyed hitherto are quite disregarded inasmuch as the contrary is usually practised in the Court of Rome as if it were no sin at all to commit Simony or as if it were not all one to give first and then take as first to take and then to give The thing was taken into consideration at the Council of Vienne so as they were once advised Joann Andr. in Ca. inter coer de offic ordinar to allow the twentyeth part of all livings in Christendom to the Pope and his Cardinals but at last it was shifted off without resolving upon any thing A Doctor of the Canon Law saith it was better for that because their covetousness is so unsatiable that if that had been resolved upon they would have taken both This Bishop of Mende mentioned another abuse fit to be reformed For after he had said that every Bishop's jurisdiction ought to be preserved entire to himself he addeth That Ecclesiastical Benefices which belong to the collation and disposal of Bishops are bestowed by the See Apostolick and others even before they be void and that not only in the Court of Rome but out of it howbeit the Bishops must give account of the cure and of those that execute them whose Consciences they are utterly ignorant of inasmuch as they are none of their preferring He would never have demanded the reformation hereof unless the abuse had been notorious Durand also perswaded the abolition of Fraternities for two reasons for their dissoluteness and for their conspiracy against superiours It would be also useful saith he that Fraternities Durand de modo celebr concilii part 2. tit 35. wherein both Clergy and Laity do nothing but pamper themselves with delicates live in dissoluteness and drunkenness and busie themselves in divers plots against their superiours were abolished Then speaking of dispensations he saith That the very Nerves of the Canons and decrees are broken by the dispensations which are made according to the stile of the Court of Rome Durand de modo celebr concil Tit. 4. part 1. that they are against the common good And citing the Authority of St. Hierom writing to Rusticus Bishop of Narbon he saith Since Avarice is increased in Churches as well as in the Roman Empire the Law is departed from the Priests and seeing from the Prophets He gives us the definition of a dispensation according to the Lawyers which he saith is a provident relaxation of the general Law countervailed by commodity or necessity that if it be otherwise used it is not a dispensation but a dissipation that the question is now about the staining of the state of the Church that those who dispense upon unnecessary causes do err Lastly for matter of dispensation he would have that observed which Pope Leo said viz. That there are some things which cannot be altered upon any occasion others which may be tempered in regard of the necessity of the times or consideration of Mens Ages but always with this Resolution when there is any doubt or obscurity to follow that which is not contrary to the Gospel nor repugnant to the Decrees of Holy Fathers Concerning Exemptions he further declareth in that Council That they give occasion to the persons exempted to live more dissolutely and more at their liberty That they take away the reverence and obedience which the exempted owe unto their Prelates and Ordinaries Durand de modo celebr concil general Tit. 5. part 1. and make them think themselves as good men as the Bishops and other their superiours That the correction and punishing of faults and excesses is hereby hindred and brought to nothing That they are prejudicial to the whole Church Catholick inasmuch as the exempted cannot be judged but by the Pope and he cannot do it by reason of his remoteness from them That they rob men of the means of doing many good works in Religion That they are cause of many scandals That those to whom they are granted abuse their priviledges That they draw after them the ruine of Monasteries being rather a burthen than an honour or profit to them The same Durand maintaineth that the Pope hath no power to grant such exemptions considering that they overthrow the general order of the Catholick Church which proceeds from God the Apostles the Holy Fathers and general Councils and which was approved and confirmed by Popes That by this order all the Monasteries Religious places Abbots Abbesses Monks and Nuns and all other Religious and Ecclesiastical persons are immediately subject to the government and guidance of Bishops within their Cities and Diocesses as unto their Superiours the Apostles Successours and such as have power and Authority over them Pasquier saith there were these remarkable excellencies in William Durand he was a great Divine a great Lawyer Pasqu Recherch de la France li. 9. ca. 35. Leigh's Treat of Relig. and Learning and an excellent Poet He put out a Book entituled Speculum Juris divided into three great Tomes As Lumbard among Divines is not usually quoted by his own name but by that of Master of the Sentences so among the Lawyers he is not quoted by the name of William Durand but he is stiled Speculator He delivered this Sentence about the Sacrament Verbum audimus modum Sentimus modum nescimus praesentiam credimus I find this given as his Character Gulielmus Durandus omnis Divini Humanique juris Consultissimus Natione Vasco Gallus Episcopus Mimatensis Scripsit Speculum juris undè speculator est dictus Multa profectò utilia author monuit praecipuè de Reformatione Papae Cleri Illyr Catal. Test verit lib. 16. Lewes Hutin called Lewes X. began to reign over France Anno 1315. and dyed Anno 1316. He left his Wife with child who was delivered of a Son which lived but eight days Lewes left one Daughter named Jane which was Queen of Navarr and Countess Palatine of Brie and Champagn Philip V. called the long succeeded his Brother Lewes Anno 1316. He dyed in the sixth year of his Reign viz. Anno 1322. Pope Clement V. dyed Anno 1314. after whose death the Papacy stood void two years and three months The Cardinals at last did yield all their suffrages unto Jacob de Ossa Cardurcensis who afterwards went up into the Papal Chair and said I am Pope This
was John XXII He was a Cistercian Monk he sate in that seat eighteen years This John believed that the Souls do not enjoy the presence of God before the day of Judgement He sent two Preachers to Paris the one a Dominican the other a Franciscan to assert and maintain the same Heresie But one Thomas an English Preacher withstood the Pope and the Pope threw him into prison Hereupon the French King summoned a Council unto his palace in Vintiana Sylva the whole Assembly subscribed against the Pope Immediately the King sent to Pope John to reform his errour and to set the Preacher at liberty which he did Some say that the Divines of Paris made him to recant his errour publickly Append. to Martin Polon in Joann 22. sub Ann. 1317. This John XXII erected the Church of Tholouse in France to an Arch-Bishoprick divided the Diocess of Tholouse into six Bishopricks the Bishops whereof should be suffragans to the Arch-Bishop of Tholouse and turned six Villages into Cities viz. Montauban Rieux Lombez-Abbey St. Papoul Lavaur and Mirepoix He created two Bishopricks within the Arch Bishoprick of Narbon the first at Limoux whose Seat he translated to Alet not long after the second in the Abbey of St. Pons setting out their Diocesses He divided also the Bishoprick of Alby into two and created one at Castres He erected divers others besides which are reckoned up in particular by the Authour of the continuation to Martinus Polonus Clement V. predecessour to this Pope had ordained that Emperours by the German Princes elected might be called Kings of the Romans but might not enjoy the Title or right of the Empire to be nominated Emperours without their confirmation given by the Pope Wherefore because Lewes of Bavaria being chosen Emperour used the Imperial dignity in Italy before he was authorized by the Pope the said Pope John therefore Excommunicated the Emperour who often desired of him a Treaty of peace which the Pope refused to hearken to At the same time divers learned Men disallowed the doings of the Pope as William Ocham whose transactions were afterward condemned by the Pope for writing against that See and Marsilius Pativinus who wrote the Book entituled Defensor pacis which was put into the hands of the said Emperour wherein the controversie of the Pope's unlawful jurisdiction in things Temporal is largely disputed and the usurped Authority of that See is set forth to the uttermost Some Writers say that a great cause of the variance was for that one of the Emperour's Secretaries unknown to the Emperour had likened in divers of his Letters the Papal See to the Beast rising out of the Sea in the Apocalypse At length when the Emperour after much suit made to the Pope at Avignon could not obtain his Coronation from him he went to Rome where he was received with great honour and both he and his Wife were both crowned by the consent of all the Lords and Cardinals there and another Pope was there set up called Nicholas V. Not long after Pope John dyeth at Avignon after whom succeedeth Benedict XII Anno 1335. This Man was as uncourteous to the Emperour as John had been he renewed the curses against him bereft him of all Regal Dignity and by his sentence deprived him of the Dukedom of Bavaria Hereupon the Emperour cometh into Germany and assembleth the Princes Dukes Nobles Bishops and other learned men in a Council at Franckford where he caused an injunction to be dispatched wherein he affirmed the sentence pronounced against him unjust and that his Excommunication did no way bind him Wherefore he commanded upon great penalties that no man should obey his censures and interdictions in that behalf which injunction caused great alterations in Germany especially among the Clergy some holding with the Emperour others with the Pope Dante 's a man of profound Learning at that time wrote a Book called The Monarchy wherein he favoured the Emperour for which he was afterward condemned and his Book held for Heresie And other great men wrote Books and Treatises defending the Pope's supream Authority Charles IV. Brother to Philip the long succeeded in the Kingdom of France being the last Son of Philip the Fair. He dyed Anno 1328. having reigned six years leaving the Crown to the second royal Branch of Capets whereunto the order of the fundamental Law did lawfully call them Philip the Hardy had left two Sons Philip the fair and Charles Earl of Valois of whom it is said that he was the Son of a King Brother to a King Unckle to a King Father to a King and yet no King Philip the Son of Charles of Valois is saluted and proclaimed King of France and anointed and crowned at Rhemes according to the usual custom Near the beginning of his Reign De Serres Hist in vit Philip. de Valois the Courts of Parliament and all the Soveraign Judges assembled from all the Provinces made a general complaint against the Clergy of France accusing them of sundry abuses and namely that against the right of their charges they intermeddled with the politick jurisdiction The suit was vehement and famous for the greatness of the parties The King to reconcile this quarrel calls a general Assembly of his whole Realm at Paris The cause was pleaded before him with great liberty by Peter de Cugneriis this is He whom in derision they call M. Peter Cugnet who is in the great Temple in Paris noted with a little Monkey's head placed betwixt two pillars to put out the Candles being odious by reason of his pleading and as coldly defended by Peter Bertrand both famous Advocates in those times The issue was doubtful and Philip seriously exhorted the Prelates to reform themselves and in reforming the abuse to avoid these popular complaints refering the matter to a further hearing This Pope Benedict took from the Emperour the Senatourship of Rome he first took upon him to usurp the presentments of all Bishopricks He abridged many unlearned men of Priesthood He reformed many Sects of Monks He commanded that all his Chaplains should lye in one Dormitory together and should have no other Revenues than for Dyet and Apparel He published certain Acts against the Dominicans he kept divers Concubines And leaving great store of Treasure to the Church he dyed Anno 1342. of whom these verses were made Iste fuit verò Laicis mors vipera Clero Devius a vero turba Repleta mero Clement VI. born in Lemonia by profession a Benedictine called before Peter Rogers being Abbot of Fisca succeeded Benedict at Avignon This Man Excommunicated all the Princes Lords and Bishops that consented to the doings of Lewes the Emperour He made Avignon part of St. Peter's patrimony He ordained that the Jubilee should be kept every fiftyeth year after the manner of the Jews and so it was kept at Rome Anno 1350. Now there were great Wars in France between Edward III. King of England and the King of France
Robert a French-man by name and Nation a Franciscan by profession the longer he was in that Order he loved the Fryars the worse A Treatise in his name is Printed with the Prophecies of Hildegardis Pope Clement VI. sent a Letter to the King of England in behalf of the French-men whilst he lay at the siege of Calais which siege he continued from the third of September Anno 1346. till the third day of August next ensuing upon which day it was yielded up to the said King Edward and subdued unto the Crown of England The King of England returneth an answer to the aforesaid Letter of the Pope Then by the intercession of two Cardinals Ambaldus and Stephanus a Truce was concluded betwixt England and France for a time In the year 1350. dyed Philip King of France after whom succeeded his Son John in the Kingdom Petrarch Epist 18. Petrarcha vir omnium soeculorum memoria dignissimus Pignor Symbol Epist 14. At this time flourished Francis Petrarch a Florentine Arch-Deacon of Parma a sententious Poet and Oratour He calleth Rome the Whore of Babylon the School and Mother of Errour the Temple of Heresie the nest of Treachery and seemeth plainly to affirm that the Pope was Antichrist declaring that no greater evil could happen to any Man than to be made Pope In one of his Epistles he directeth his Speech to Babylon in France that is to Avignon thus Shall I call thee a famous or infamous Whore who hast plaid the Harlot with the Kings of the Earth Indeed thou art the same that the Evangelist saw in the Spirit sitting upon many Waters the people and the Nations are the Waters upon which thou fittest Whore know thy habit a Woman cloathed in purple and Scarlet and Gold and pretious Stones having a Golden Cup in her hand full of abomination and uncleanness of Fornication Dost thou not know thy self Babylon unless that deceive thee which is written in her Fore-head Great Babylon and thou art little Babylon little indeed in compass of Walls but in vices and compass of infinite lusts and passions and multitude of all evils thou art greatest And what followeth agreeth unto thee and no other Babylon the Mother of Fornications and abominations of the Earth If thou wilt yet dissemble mark what followeth And I saw the Woman drunken with the Blood of the Saints and with the Blood of the Witnesses of Jesus Why art thou silent either shew another drunken with this Blood or deny that thou art drunken if thou canst for the Vision must be true The life of Petrarch is written by Papirius Massonus Many resorted to him from France and all Italy About this time Hayabad a Franciscan preached in Avignon before Pope Clement that he was commanded by God to declare Catal. Test verit li. 8. that the Church of Rome is the Whore of Babylon and that the Pope and his Cardinals are the very Antichrist and that his predecessours Benedict and John are condemned When the Pope challenged him he said he was commanded in a Vision to speak so and therefore he durst not fail to speak it John Rochetalada another Franciscan preached the same and is said to be one of them who were burnt at Avignon Anno 1353. At the same time Gregory de Arimino opposed the Doctors in the Articles of Justification by works and of free will At Paris he taught that man hath free will to do evil but no good without special grace and that we are justified by Faith only And he said the Schoolmen deserve to be called Semipelagians Andreas de Castro and John Buridan two famous Men at that time agreed with him Then Eudo Duke of Burgundy perswaded the French King that he should not receive into his Realm the new Decretals and Extravagants His sage advice is extant among the Records of France A new War arose between King John of France and Edward the third King of England The Pope sent the Cardinal of Peregort to these two Princes being ready to fight to calm this storm John being the stronger demanded that Edward should give him four Hostages and as one vanquished should remain at his mercy and discretion Edward was content to yield up all that he had taken from him but without any blemish to his honour Edward encourageth himself and prepares to fight the French and vanquisheth them at Poictiers King John is taken prisoner and his Son Philip by Edward the Black Prince Son to Edward the third King of England they are brought to Burdeaux and from thence sent into England where they are lodged in the City of London in the Duke of Lancaster's house under a sure Guard Many others of the Nobles of France were also taken Captive 1700 Gentlemen were slain in this Battle among which were 52 Lords King John continued five years a prisoner for he was taken in September Anno 1356. and delivered in May Anno 1361. There hapned in France a certain contention between the French Prelates and the Fryars of Paris The French Prelates assembling in the City of Paris caused by the Bedles to be called together all the Students Masters and Batchellors of every faculty with the chief heads of all the Religious Houses and Fryars of the University of Paris Who being all congregated in the Bishop of Paris his house where there were present four Arch-Bishops and twenty Bishops the Bishop of Biture preached to the Students of Paris against the Fryars He told them that true charity would compel them to provide for their flocks to withstand errours that they were bound to give their lives for the flock committed to their charge That no Man ought to busie himself with what belonged not to his Office For thereby saith he all Ecclesiastical Order is dissolved He shewed how the Dominican and Franciscan Fryars did usurp what belonged to the Prelates They charged the Fryars for preaching against their wills throughout all their Diocesses and for hearing confessions saying that they have the Pope's priviledge to bear them out therein Then stood up another in the publick place and read the priviledges of both the orders and afterwards read the constitution of Pope Innocent III. written in the fifth of the Decretals Which constitution was repugnant and contrary to the aforesaid priviledges Then rose up the Bishop of Ambian a great Lawyer who discoursing from Article to Article there proved by good Law that the said constitution stood in it's full force and vigour and ought not to be infringed by the Fryars priviledges in any part and therefore by vertue of that constitution the Fryars ought not so misorderly to hear confessions enjoyn pennance and preach in Churches without special licence of the Bishop of the Diocess and leave from the Curate of the Parish unto whose words none of the Fryars replyed at that time So the Bishop proceeding to the conclusion desired the University to assist them in that case wherein they were all determined to stand
firmly to the shedding of their blood in resisting that intrusion of the Fryars This hapned on Decemb. 6. The next day being Sunday one of the Order of the Minorites or Franciscans went to the Church of the Majorites or preaching Fryars where he made a Sermon which was never seen before for the one Order to come and resort to the other beginning in the aforesaid matter to reply and to expound in order through every Article adding moreover that they went not so far in their priviledges as they lawfully might And said that when they obtained those priviledges in Rome the Bishop of Ambian was there present himself resisting the same with all his power yea all the Prelates of France sent and wrote up to the Court against the same and yet did not prevail For when the Fryars there declared to the Pope how far they had used their priviledges the Pope at the same time said Placet shewing that he agreed unto the same And now saith he the Prelates demand of us to send up our priviledges to the Court which were great folly in us for in so doing we should give way to the revoking the Authority which is given into our hands already Moreover our Warden and Master is now lately dead and the Master of the Dominican Fryars here is not now present wherefore we dare not determine in so weighty a cause touching the priviledges of our order without the presence of them And therefore we desire you of the University to hold us excused who are not the worst part of the University The next day being the eighth of the same month it was determined that one of the Dominick Fryars should preach in the Church of the Franciscan or Gray-Fryars and so he did going the same way as the other Fryar had done before in the other Church All the Heads of the University met together on the Vigil of St. Thomas's day in St. Bernard's Church at the same time A Sermon was preached by a Divine of the University wherein he with many words and great Authorities argued against them that would not be obedient to their Prelates The Bishop of Ambian the Sermon being ended prosecuted the same Argument And in conclusion the Fryars priviledges were in disputation confuted at Paris Certain Articles had formerly been given out against the Fryars by the Students of Paris why they should not be admitted to their Society 1 Say they our Society ought not to be Co-active but free and voluntary 2. Because we have often proved their community many ways to be hurtful and incomodious 3. Seeing they are of a diverse profession from us for they are called Regular and not Scholastical we ought not therefore to associate together in one Scholastical Office 4. Because they work dissentions and offences therefore we ought to avoid them 5. Because they devour Mens houses searching and sacking the Estates and Consciences of all persons circumventing those whom they find easie to be seduced and leading them from the Counsel of their Prelates 6. They suggest that the Fryars are false Prophets who being neither Bishops nor Parish-priests nor yet their Vicars nor sent by them yet they preach not sent against the mind of the Apostle Rom. 10. 7. Because they are so curious in searching and enquiring out other Mens doings and spiritual demeanour Wherefore seeing them in no order we are by the sentence of the Apostle commanded to avoid them Besides these Articles above rehearsed certain propositions were proposed in the Schools of Paris solemnly to be disputed and defended against the Fryars which were these 1. That the begging Fryars were not in a state of Salvation 2. That they were bound to labour with their hands that could and not to beg 3. That they ought not to preach or hear the confessions of any although they be Licensed thereunto by the Pope or by the Diocessan forasmuch as the same is prejudicial to the Ministers and Priests of the Parishes All those aforesaid Articles and conclusions Pope Alexander IV. had condemned to be abolished and burnt writing his precepts to the French King and the University of Paris in favour of the Fryars commanding all Liberties and priviledges to be restored to the said Fryars Another priviledge was given to the Fryars by Pope Clement IV. who succeeded Alexander IV. Anno 1263. But in the year 1281. Pope Martin IV. renewed again the Canon in behalf of the Curates against the Fryars In the year 1294. Boniface VIII granted to the Fryars that without licence of Vicars of Churches they shall first present themselves to the Prelates to be admitted by whom if they be refused the second time then they upon special Authority of this Pope shall be priviledged without either Bishop or Curate to preach to bury and to hear confessions from any that shall come unto them so revoking all that was decreed by his predecessours to the contrary Anno 1303. Pope Benedict II. revoked the constitution of Boniface his predecessour Then followed Pope Clement V. who in his general Council holden at Vienna revoked the constitution of Benedict his predecessour and renewed again the former decree of Boniface Upon this variable diversity of the Popes one dissenting from and repugning another arose among the Divines and Schoolmen in Universities great matter of contention in the Universities of Oxford and Paris about the begging Fryars some holding one way some another Five principal opinions be noted of learned men who then disputing against the Fryars were condemned for Hereticks and their assertions reproved The first was the opinion of them which defended that the Fryars might not by the licence of the Pope and of the Prelates preach in Parishes and hear confession Of this opinion was William de sancto âmore with his fellows who had been condemned The second opinion was that Fryars although not by their own authority yet by priviledge of the Pope and of the Bishop might preach and hear confessions in Parishes but yet not without licence of the Parish-priests Of this opinion was St. Bernard The third opinion was that Fryars might preach and hear confessions without Licence of the Parish-priests but yet the said Parishioners notwithstanding were bound by the Canon omnis utriusque sexus to repeat the same sins again if they had no other to their own proper Curate And of this opinion were many as Godfr de fontibus Henr. de Gandavo Joannes Monach. Cardin. Joannes de Poliaco Pope John XXII caused John de Poliaco openly io retract in Paris The Assertions which he held were these The first was they which were confessed to Fryars although having a general Licence to hear confessions Fox Act Monum were bound again to confess their sins to their own Parish-priest by the aforenamed Canon The second was that the said Canon standing in force Parishioners were bound once in a year to confess their sins to their Priest For the doing otherwise importeth a contradiction in it self The
Jacob. Mejer in annalib rerum Flandricarum would not suffer the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of Rhemes Rhoan Sens Paris Beauvis and some others to assist there because they were Benedict's partizans by reason of the great courtesies they had received either from him or his predecessour In a Decree made February 18. 1406. we find a complaint by Charles VI. They take occasion to reserve the First-fruits in the vacancies and to extort great sums of Money whereby the Kingdom is exhausted and to thrust themselves upon the Popedom for to enrich both them and theirs And when there is any question saith he of preferring men to elective dignities they never used those ways which ought to be observed and which are appointed to examine and try them Whence it comes to pass that it being not possible that the Pope should know all Men and the state of the Churches he admits divers into those dignities who are unworthy of them and sometimes such as are unknown to him but by their money He addeth They insert divers clauses in their Bulls which are sometimes inextricable they make divers Rules besides the Law or else quite against Law which they revoke at their pleasure insomuch that the most clear-sighted cannot discern who hath best right among divers pretenders Hence arise infinite Suits in Law which they must prosecute out of the Kingdom with great expence and charges In another Decree made the same year he accounts this among other extortions Imposing Tenths and other Subsidies at their pleasure without ever consulting the rest of the Bishops about it in the raising whereof there is no mean observed either of Justice or equity It was then ordained that none should pay Tythes to Popes nor Cardinals And in another Decree made in March Anno 1408. mention is made of certain presidents by Charles VI. established at a Council at Paris Not long ago saith he it was proposed and demanded by our Attorney-General at a Council holden at Paris consisting of the Bishops and Clergy of the Churches within our Kingdom and Daulphiny where our Cousin Lewes King of Sicily our eldest Son Duke of Aquitain and Viennois the Duke of Bourges our Vnckle by the Father's side the Duke of Burgundy our Cousin and the Duke of Burbon our Vnckle by the Mother's side did preside for us that the Pope 's exactions and other grievances formerly rehearsed might be utterly abolished We read of another Decree made afterwards wherein complaint is made by the same King Charles VI. That an infinite deal of Gold and Silver and Rents were transported out of the Kingdom and the Province of Daulphinè to the prejudice of the antient Customs and the undoing of the Realm to the irreparable loss and damage of the Common-wealth and the miserable desolation of the Churches as well such as were of Royal Foundation as others And elsewhere he complaineth That certain Collectors and other the Pope of Rome 's Officers particularly for his Moneys have of late oppressed the Church and Church-men of our Realm and Province of Daulphinè by an insufferable slavery in seizing upon the Goods of the Bishops and Clergy-men both Regulars and Seculars presently upon their Decease An Edict was made discharging the payment of Annates Pope Vrban VI. being dead in Rome after he had managed the Popedom for eleven years with little satisfaction either to the people or Clergy the Cardinals created Boniface the ninth in the 33. year of his Age who shewed much prudence in the whole course of his Papacy He sate fourteen years and nine months and dyed Anno 1405. Guilel Noubrigensis li. 4. ca. 1. King Charles VI. bestirred himself to remove the schism which was between Benedict XIII and Boniface IX and to dispose all the Princes of Christendom for the same design according to the Testimony of an English Historian He heard with patience saith he the Legates of either Pope but by the advice of his Divines he would not submit himself neither to the one nor to the other He rather thought on a means whereby he might relieve the Church by removing out of her all matter of dissention Having therefore sent his Ambassadours to the Emperour as also to the Kings of England Bohemia and Hungary he conjured them not to be wanting to the publick good and tranquillity He perswaded Wenceslaus the Emperour to come to Rhemes where a general Council was held on that occasion I find another Ordinance of the same King Charles VI. made by the counsel and assistance of the Lords and Clergy of France Vid. Libell de Eccles Gallic in Schismat p. 15. wherein he saith That the Royal power is ordained of God for the preservation of the Church and that the Kingdom of Heaven increaseth by means of the Earthly Kingdom when those which destroy the Church are crushed by the rigour of Princes That the sacred Canons will have recourse to be made unto Princes when such things are committed by great men in the Church and that according to the opinion of Holy Doctours the Pope ought not to be obeyed in such things wherein the state of the Church is notoriously disturbed And in another Ordinance of April 17. 1410. These things being considered that it belongs unto us who are the Guardian Protector and Defender of the Churches of our Kingdom and of Daulphinè and who have ratified and approved the Statutes and Ordinances aforesaid made in the Council aforesaid to cause all this and all that followeth upon it to be kept inviolable c. There is an Arrest of the Parliament of Paris toward the latter end of this King's Reign wherein it is said that Pope Benedict and his Officers should from thenceforth give over and abstain from the exaction of Annates in the Kingdom of France and the County of Daulphinè The same Charles VI. being excommunicated by Benedict the XIII put the bearers of his Bulls to the * Armende honoraire So they call this ignominious kind of punishment Honourable Amends making them to be carried in Tumbrels apparelled in painted Coats with paper Mitres upon their heads and the Pope's Bull represented in their hands and his Arms reversed All which was done by the advice of his Princes Lords and the Prelates and other Ecclesiasticks of his Kingdom together with the Parliament and University of Paris as appeareth by the Acts published concerning this particular After the death of Pope Boniface IX the Cardinals created Cosmo di Sulmona Pope who took the name of Innocent VII he lived but two years after and dyed in a time when all Italy was in an ill condition Whilst this schism continued Three Princes in France who by reason of the King's indisposition did then govern that Kingdom viz. the Dukes of Berry of Burgundy and of Orleans went all of them together to Pietro di Luna who was called Benedict XIII to Avignon beseeching him to provide against this disorder by renouncing the Papacy urging that it was
the Council of Constance He was counted a subtle disputer and profound School-Doctor One calleth him the learned and devout Chancellour of Paris He was much acquainted with Temptations and wrote a Book de variis Diaboli tentationibus He was sirnamed Doctor Christianissimus His works are Printed in four Volumes his French works are mentioned by Antoine du Verdier in his Bibliotheque Gerson de defect Viror Eccles ca. 52. In his Treatise de defectu virorum Ecclesiasticorum he sets down such things as ought to be reformed in the Church and among others mentions this That known Men and such as are most fitting be Elected out of the same Countrey that strangers in manners language and education be not sent and set over Churches And in his Book of Ecclesiastical power Gerson lib. de Eccles potest after he hath spoken of the divers abuses of the Popes he addeth What shall we think is to be said of an infinite number of such like things that are done casting aside all care and regard of all Spiritual and Divine matters which concern the Christian Faith and Religion What think you What shall we say for the present of that so easie a dispensation as they speak of granted by the Pope and the Prelates over lawful Oaths reasonable Vows for the excessive plurality of Benefices the general non obstantes of Councils the privileges and exemptions against common right Who can number all the ways whereby the force of Ecclesiastical yea of Evangelical Discipline is enfeebled consumed and quite annihilated He addeth the cunning and glozing flattery of Vp-starts whispering the Clergy but especially the Pope in the Ear. Oh how great is the height of your Ecclesiastical power O sacred Clergy all secular Authority is but a Toy in comparison of thine seeing that as all power is given to Christ both in Heaven and Earth so Christ hath bequeathed all to St. Peter and his Successours So that Constantine gave nothing to Pope Silvester which was not originally his own but only restored unto him what he unjustly detained from him Again as there is no power but is of God so there is nothing Temporal or Spiritual Imperial or Regal which is not of the Pope upon whose Thigh God hath Writ King of Kings and Lord of Lords So as to dispute his power is a kind of Sacrilege To whom no Man may say why do you so Although he should exchange purloin or sell all the Temporals the Goods Lands and Lordships of the Church Let me be a Lyar if all these things be not written by such as seem to be wise men in their eyes and if they have not been believed also by some Popes Stephanus Paschasius in his Icones hath these Verses of Gerson Quid potuit Sorbona doces meritissimè Gerso Tu magni Gerso luxque decusque Chori At the same time flourished Nicholas de Clemangiis a Master of Paris and Arch-Deacon of Baion a man pious and Learned one calls him one of the most Learned and Eloquent Divines of his time He wrote a Book of the ruine and reparation of the Church Nic. de Clemang de ruin repar Eccles Of which I shall set down some passages in general terms First saith he let us speak of the Head upon whom all the rest depends He afterwards addeth For the supream Bishops who by how much they see themselves ranked above others in greatness and Authority by so much they labour the more to overthrow them out of a domineering humour for the enlarging of their primacy and supreme power considering that the commodities of the Bishoprick of Rome which is very large and above any Kingdom though it hath been sufficiently curtail'd by their negligence can no way suffice to maintain the greatness of their State which they have purposed to raise high enough above all the Kings and Emperours in the World have cast themselves into those flocks of others that abound in breeding in Wool and Milk He afterwards specifies the looseness the luxury vanities worldliness Clemang lib. de lapsu reparat justit p. 10. rapines vexations usurpations oppressions and other such like abuses and vices of the Popes and their Courts In another Book of his he sheweth that the Court of Rome hath infected France by coming there specifying all the vices and blemishes that are communicated unto it and those not a few There was a time saith he when the Apostolick Bishop being vexed with the Tyranny of the Italians made choice of France for his seat and for all the Court of Rome supposing he could not find assured refuge else-where to whom I could with saith he the strength of France had not proved a Staff of a Reed as it was a long time before fore-told that it should What was it else that brought France upon the sudden into these miseries making her fall away from eminent glory which made her flourish above all other Nations but that degenerating from those Ancient vertues which adorned her with such an excellency of Honour she is changed from Valour to cowardise from diligence to sloath from honesty to ignominy from gravity to a wanton lightness from temperance to luxury from courage to presumption from liberality to covetousness and unrestrained spoiling from order to confusion from zeal of the publick good to private gains from correction and discipline to a general impunity and license of all wickedness and mis-demeanours and from Justice to all iniquity And elsewhere he complaineth thus So the Church which Christ hath taken for his Spouse without blemish disfigured by this horrible villany Tract de praesul p. 66. is now the shop of all Pride of all Trading filching and stealing where the Sacraments are hung out for a shew and all the orders even the Priesthood it self where favours are sold for silver dispensations for not preaching licenses for non-residence Where all Offices and Benefices yea even sins are bought and sold Lastly where Masses and Administration of the Lord's body are set to sale Would any Man have a Bishoprick let him provide his Money and that no small sum but a great one for so great a Title and let him not stand upon emptying his purse for the purchase of such a Dignity seeing he will quickly fill it again and that more soundly than he could do by many sorts of Merchandize Doth any desire a Prebend a Provost's place or some other dignity it is no matter for knowing his deserts his Life and Conversation but so many Crowns as he hath in his Chest such hopes may he conceive of compassing his desire For what should I speak of poor folks who are accounted unprofitable in all things and unworthy of all charge or government and who have no other hopes but to wax old and pine away in misery disrespected and despised What should a poor Man go to Market for with an empty pouch when he hath nothing to buy the Wares with And in
another place speaking of the Popes he saith They have arrogated unto themselves the right of disposing of all Churches in all places as far as the Christian Religion reacheth of all Bishopricks and Dignities which are conferred by election voiding and disanulling the Decrees formerly made by the Holy Fathers with so much care and commodity that so they may by this means fill their own Budgets the better And since this custom was used there have been none but Dunces Worldlings Money-men and such as were raised to those Dignities by Simony And again To the end that the Rivers of Gold derived from all parts may flow unto them in a fuller stream they have taken away the power of presentations and the liberty of bestowing and disposing of Benefices by any means whatsoever from all Diocesans and lawful Patrons forbidding them upon pain of Anathema rashly to presume for so their Writs run to institute any person into a Benefice within their jurisdiction till such time as some one be presented to it to whom by their Authority they have granted it And again saith he What greediness is this speaking of the Cardinals to hold such a number of repugnant and incompatible Benefices They are Monks and Chanons Regulars and Seculars Vnder the same habit they enjoy the Rights Degrees Offices and Benefices of all Religions of all Orders of all Professions not two or three but ten twenty an hundred two hundred yea sometimes five hundred and upwards and those no petty ones nor contemptible but of the best and fattest And how great a number soever they have of them they are never content but still would have more They are daily suing for new Graces new Grants Thus they catch up all the Vacancies and go away with all Charles VII now King of France was so distressed that he had only two entire Provinces left him viz. Gascoign and Languedoc and his enemies were about them and all the rest was possessed by the English who besides had besieged the City of Orleans and brought it to that pass that the highest hopes of those therein was to yield on good terms Three French Noble men conclude to set up a Virgin called Joan of Arc to make her pretend that she had a Revelation from Heaven to drive all the English out of France By the mediation of the Lord of Baudricourt she is brought to the presence of King Charles whom she instantly knew though never seen before and at that time of set purpose disguised To the King she saith boldly That this was the time wherein the sins of the English and the sufferings of the French were come to the height and she appointed by the God of Heaven to be the French Leader to conquer the English Ever after she went in Man's cloaths being armed Cap-a pe and mounted on a brave steed No sword would please her but one taken out of the Church of St. Katherine at Firebois in Tourain Polid. Virgil in Henr. VI. p. 471. Her first service was in twice victualling of Orleans whilst the English made no resistance Under her conduct the French drive away the English from Orleans Hence she marched on into other Countries which instantly revolted to the French Crown The English in many skirmishes were worsted and defeated with few numbers The French following their blow in one twelve-month recovered the greatest part of that the English did possess This was done Anno 1429. But this Joan of Arc after the Coronation of King Charles at Rhemes seeking to surprize St. Honories Ditch near the City of St. Denis she was not only wounded her self but also lost a Troop of her stoutest Souldiers and not long after nigh the City of Compiegne was taken prisoner by the Bastard of Vendosme who sold her to the Duke of Bedford and by him she was kept a prisoner a twelve-month and burnt in Rhoan being condemned by the English for a Witch The pragmatick Sanction of King Charles VII was made in a Synod assembled at Bourges consisting of Arch-Bishops Bishops Chapters Abbots Deans Provosts and other Ecclesiastical persons together with Doctors of Law Divine and humane and other Learned Men of the Realm and also of the chief Lords of France and others of the King's Council about receiving the Councils of Constance and Basil The Sanction hath this complaint The Prelates and other ordinary dispensers as also the Patrons are deprived of their right the Hierarchy of the Church is confounded and many other things are committed contrary to the Laws of God and Man to the loss of Souls and the oppression of the Churches of our Realm The Council of Basil did provide a remedy against this abuse and the pragmatick after it but so as the Popes have cast off the yoke of it having disanulled almost all the Decrees of that Council Du. Moulin contr Porron li. 3. cap. 37. The Popes for a long time branded all the French for Hereticks by reason of that pragmatick Sanction Pope Martin V. dyed Anno 1431. whom Eugenius IV. succeded who was deposed by the Council of Basil assembled by himself to reform the Church In the place of Eugenius the Council chose Amadeus Duke of Savoy who called himself Felix But Eugenius brought against Basil the Daulphin of France who was afterward Lewes XI who in all things opposed his Father Charles VII and his confederates He brought four thousand horse against Basil to break the Council which yet he could not have effected had not the pestilence within Basil forced the Fathers of the Council to separate themselves after they had condemned Eugenius as an Heretick and unworthy to govern the Church But Eugenius took Arms and being held up by Princes maintained himself against the Anti-Pope Felix who after he had been five years Pope retired to Ripaille a pleasant house in Savoy there to lead a private Life So the Popedom remained in the hands of a Man deposed by a Council assembled by the Pope himself where Bishops met out of all parts of the Roman Church Note that after this deposition he created many Cardinals and Bishops whose Office was null since they were created by an Usurper who had by force maintained himself in the Office of a Pope after his deposition And yet those very Cardinals created by this Usurper of the Popedom are those very men that elected the Successours of Eugenius Nicholas and Pius the second from whom is descended the succession of the Popes of our time as the learned Dr. Du-Moulin hath well observed The Arch-Bishop of Lyons in the Council of Basil did declare that in the time of Pope Martin Fox Act and Monum there came out of France to the Court of Rome nine millions of Gold which was gathered of the Bishops and Prelates besides innumerable sums of the poor Clergy which daily without number ran unto the Court of Rome carrying with them all their whole substance The Arch-Bishop of Turenne said also at Basil that three
millions of Gold came unto Rome in his time within the space of fourteen years from the Prelates and prelacies whereof no account could be made besides the poor Clergy which daily ran to that Court. The Emperour Sigismund required Peter de Aliaco Chancellour of Paris and Cardinal of Cambray to put in form some Articles concerning the Reformation of the Church that might be propounded to the Council of Constance aforementioned which he did In that Book he insisteth on four things 1. He propoundeth that general and Provincial Councils be kept especially General for amending all persons and estates 2. That for Reformation of the Roman Court it is sufficient that there be but one Cardinal out of every Province because the Cardinals are the causes of Schisms 3. That Prelates be not chosen young imprudent nor ignorant 4. He requireth the reformation of Monks speaking against their multitude and diversity he taxeth the Romish Court that they despise Divines and advance only such as can bring them in gain He complaineth also of Pagan abuses and Diabolical superstitions at Rome But saith he as there were seven thousand who never bowed to Baal so we may be confident that there are some who are desirous of the Churches Reformation Alanus of Chartres Secretary to King Charles VII wrote a Book in French entituled the Courtier in which he extolleth the single life of Priests Libel de Stat. Eccles Gallic in schismate p. 75. This King Charles VII in the Ordinance made Anno 1422. thus complaineth Divers of our Subjects and others by vertue of resignations or Apostolick Bulls do take and receive and endeavour to get and obtain Benefices within this Realm and take possession of them and labour to summon or cause to be summoned our Liege-Subjects unto the Court of Rome or before some Commissioners or Delegates appointed by our Holy Father which is down-right to oppose the Church and Clergy The Council which was begun at Ferrara Anno 1438. and continued at Florence Panormit in Tract de Concil Basil Circa princip num 6. was never received and approved of in France The Bishop of Panormo saith the King of France did expresly forbid upon great penalties that any of his Dominions should go to Ferrara to celebrate the oecumenical Council Charles VII tells some Cardinals down-right so who were sent Ambassadours from Eugenius and were come to Bourges to get him to accept of it and among others to present him with this Article That since such time as it was translated to Ferrara the King should reject the Council of Basil and receive the Council of Ferrara with the Acts thereof Whereto he made Answer after six days deliberation with his Prelates and others assembled at Bourges That he had received the Council of Basil for a Council indeed that he sent his Ambassadours thither that many things were there wisely determined concerning Faith and Manners and such as he liked well of but for that of Ferrara he never did and never would take it for a Council This Charles favoured Pope Eugenius but so as that he professeth he will stand to the Decrees of the Council of Basil James de Paradiso of Chartres who wrote a little after the Council of Basil Jacob de Paradiso in lib. de Sep. â—em statib Eccles saith Seeing we hold it possible to proceed to a Reformation as well of the Head as of the Members by such as have Authority and Presidency both Spiritual and Temporal it must be either by one Man or more That it should be by one Man is against all reason how eminent soever he be for his virtues his knowledge his worth although be he renowned for his miracles nay in my opinion not by the Pope himself alone For there are so many Canons Decretals and Constitutions made by them already as are good for nought but filling up Parchment to no purpose without working any Reformation Besides seeing it is evident that his own Court stands in great need of Reformation as hath been well known by the common cries of the last General Councils which Court of his if he either cannot or will not reform which he covers under his Wing how is it credible that he should reform the Church which is of so large an extent Besides it may be objected to him Apply the salve to your own sores first as being the Head for when that is cured you may with less difficulty cure the Members wherefore Physician heal thy self Vnsavoury salt is not good for seasoning Wherefore by the just judgement of God his Decrees are scarce well received yet nor ever will be till he have reformed himself and his Dependents And verily I think the chief cause of the deformation in the Church is the wound in the Head which hath need to be cured in the first place And anon after Wherefore it seemeth to me an incredible thing that the Catholick Church should be reformed unless first the Court of Rome be so but as the World goes now we may see what an hard thing that is Those who have the Presidency in Councils on the Pope's behalf when they see that matters in the Council make against their Masters and them what can be expected from them but that they will withstand the Decrees of such Councils with might and main either by dissolving them or sowing dissentions in them and so the thing shall remain unperfected and we driven to return to the old Wilderness of Errour and Ignorance Every body knows this to be true unless it be some one haply who is not experienced in time past The Tragedy which was acted in our Age at the Council of Basil doth sufficiently prove it as they knew well who have laid down the story before our eyes At this time flourished the Panormitan Abbot the most famous of all the Canonists In the Council of Basil forenamed Amadeus Arch-Bishop of Lyons and Primate of all France a Man of great Authority being toucht with the zeal of Faith which he saw there to be suppressed said Most Reverend Fathers I do see here a new sort of Prelates come in which unto this present have kept silence and now begin to speak Is not this like to a Miracle I would to God they came to defend the truth and not to impugn Justice The Cardinal of Arles required that the Concordat of the twelve men should be read and many whispered him in the Ear that he should go forward Then Panormitan as soon as the Concordat began to be read rising up with his companions and other Arragons cryed out with a loud voice saying You Fathers do contemn our Requests you contemn Kings and Princes and despise Prelates It is not for you to conclude We are the major part of the Prelates we make the Council and it is our part to conclude And I in the Name of all other Prelates do conclude that is to be deferred Then there was such a rumour in the Council as is
forth Anno 1551. At this time a War was denounced against King Henry the second by the Pope and the Emperour and that upon an unjust quarrel He gave some hopes saith Onuphrius of composing the differences in Religion Onuphr in Julio 3. when at the request of the Emperour he declared by his Bull in the first year of his Popedom that the Council should be continued at Trent at the beginning of the next May. And presently after he addeth he unwittingly put himself upon the War of Parma and thereby set all Italy nay all Europe on fire The first Session of the Council on May 1. 1551. and the second upon the first of September were only for Ladies for there was nothing done King Henry II. set forth an Edict at the same time dated the third day of September the same year containing a restraint of transporting Gold and Silver to Rome where he sets down at large the occasions of the War of Parma begun by the Pope And among other things he saith Which holy Father upon a sudden fit of Choler had caused a certain company of Men of War both Horse and Foot to be levied and set forth and also enticed and perswaded the Emperour with whom we were in good Terms of Peace and Amity to take Arms to aid his forces in the design of the recovery of Parma And after he had harassed and laid wast all things whatsoever he pleased in the Countrey of Parma Edict du Roy Henric. 2. imprime a Paris l'ann 1551. he caused his said Forces to march toward the Territories of Mirandula which hath for a long time even during the Life of our late most Honoured Lord and Father been in the known protection of the Crown of France which he beleagured using most incredible and inhumane cruelties towards the Inhabitants of the said Territory yea such as Barbarians and Infidels would not have used the like giving the World to know very stoutly that he meant them to us who have not deserved any such things at his hands or the Holy See There were six Sessions holden in the time of that War those two forementioned and four more in two whereof the most material points of Faith of Manners and Church Discipline were discussed and determined as those of the Sacrament of the Eucharist Transubstantiation Penance and extreme Unction as also about the Jurisdiction of Bishops where many blows were struck at the Liberties of the French Church and the rights of the Crown Another Edict of King Henry II. was made at the Camp near Weldenaggbes May 21. 1552. and Printed at Paris the same year From this time till the beginning of the year 1560. the Council of Trent did nothing What time Pope Pius IV. as soon as he got into the Chair sent forth a Declaration for the continuation of it against Easter-day the next year The French King makes preparation for a National Council and protesteth against the Council then assembled in Trent Jacobus Amiotus Hist Concil Trident. li. 4. Abbot of Bellosana appeared in the name of the French King with Letters of his Majesty which he presented to the Legate desiring they might be read and his credency heard The Legate receiving them gave them to the Secretary to be read The Superscription was Sanctissimis in Christo Patribus Conventûs Tridentini Much fault was found with the word Conventûs The Bishop of Mentz said if they would not receive a Letter from the King of France who called them Sanctissimus Conventus how would they hearken to the Protestants who called them Conventus Malignantium Then the King's Letter was opened and read The French King dismisseth the Pope's Nuncio but fearing that by his dissention with the Pope those that desired change of Religion would make some innovation or that himself might come into the bad opinion of his people as if his mind were averse from the Catholick Faith and perhaps to open a way for reconciliation with Rome he made a most severe Edict against the Protestants confirming all the other which he had published before adding greater punishments more ways to discover the guilty and greater rewards to the promoters Hereupon many were apprehended condemned and burnt as I have shewed before in the Table of French Martyrs concluding it at the year 1557. On the fifth of September 1557. in Paris at night about two hundred persons were assembled in an house to celebrate the Communion which being discovered by the common people the house was assaulted and some fled but the women and weaker sort were taken and seven were burnt and the greater part of the others reserved for the same punishment to be inflicted when the complices were found out The Suisses made intercession for these and the King gave order that the proceeding against them should be moderate but the Pope is angry with the French King for using any moderation But the number of the Protestants being now increased in France thâ—ir courage increased also And there being a custom among the people of Paris in the Summer Evenings to go out of the Subburbs of St. German in great multitudes to take the Fresco and to solace themselves with divers kinds of sports those of the new Religion instead of doing so began to sing the Psalms of David in French Verses 〈…〉 The multitude first laughed at the Novity then leaving the sports joyned themselves unto the singers And the number of those who came to that place began to increase more than usually The Pope's Nuncio told the King of this Novity as of a thing pernicious and dangerous because said he the Ministeries of Religion usually celebrated in the Church in the Latin Tongue by Religious men only were put into the mouth of the common people in the vulgar Language which was an invention said he of the Lutherans telling him that if he did not resist the beginnings all Paris would be Lutheran The King gave order that the principal Authours should be proceeded against wherein they went not very far having found Anthony King of Navar and his Wife in that number But for hereafter it was forbid upon pain of death The King now understanding that some of the Parliament were Protestants in a Mercurial so they call the Judicature instituted to examine and correct the actions of the Counsellours of Parliament and Judges of the King held in Paris June 15. 1558. where they were to treat of Religion after the congregation was assembled entred in person And having commanded them to prosecute the things begun Claude Viole one of them spake much against the manners of the Court of Rome and the bad customs grown to be pernicious errours which have caused the new Sects Therefore it was necessary to mitigate the severe punishments until the differences of Religion were removed and the Ecclesiastical Discipline amended by Authority of a General Council the only remedy for these evils as the Councils of Constance and Basil have judged
many of the chief Nobility and greatest persons of the Kingdom their Assemblies and Sermons were then no more celebrated in Stables and Cellars as in the Reign of King Henry second but in the Halls and Chambers of the best Gentry and most eminent Nobility Beza's Translation of the new Testament and his accurate notes upon it have made him famous His French Psaltery was so well liked that it was well Translated into the German Bohemian English Scottish and many Languages and it is both in use and esteem with all the Orthodox Churches Thuanus saith that Beza would repeat whole Psalms in Hebrew and whatever Chapter one could name out of Paul's Epistles he would rehearse it all in Greek for the things he had formerly learnt his Judgement failed him not He lived eighty six years and toward his latter end he began to forget what he had spoken His French works are mentioned by Verdier in his Bibliotheque His Latin are known News was brought unto the Pope that his Subjects of Avignon had taken up Arms against him accounting his succession unlawful because that Countrey was not justly taken from Raimond Count of Tholouse concluding also that the Ecclesiasticks cannot by the commandment of Christ possess any Temporal Dominion And resolving to rebel by the means of Alexander Guilotimus a Lawyer they put themselves under the protection of Charles de Montbrun who being in Arms for Religion was much followed in Daulphinè Charles entring the Territory with three thousand foot made himself Lord of the whole Countrey with much joy of the Inhabitants James Maria Bishop of Viviers Vice-Legate of Avignon made opposition and very hardly kept the City The Pope therefore sent Cardinal Farnese to defend the City But the danger was moderated because Cardinal Tornon whose Neece Charles had married made him desist and go to Geneva by promising restitution of his Goods confiscated for Rebellion and to be recalled shortly with liberty of Conscience if he would go out of France So the Pope's Territory deprived of that protection did remain in subjection but full of suspicions and ready to embrace every Novity Davila saith that Godfrey de la Barre Sieur de la Renaudy Davila Hist of the Civil War 's of France is made head of the conspiracy aforementioned who was one of a desperate fortune with whom many others joyned themselves some led by Conscience others thrust on through desire of change and many also invited by the natural humour of the French Nation who cannot endure to live idly To those of best quality among these he gave several charges to raise men and to bring them to a place appointed dividing to all their several Provinces To the Baron of Castelnaw was committed the care of Gascoign To Captain Mazares the charge of Bearn To Mesny the Countrey of Limâ—ges To Mirabel Xaintonge To Goccaville Piccardy To the Sieur de St. Mary Normandy and to Montejan Britany Men who as they were all of Noble Families so were they of known courage and reputed principal leading-men in several Cities and their own Countries where they lived All these departing from the Assembly at Nantes a City in Britany and returning every one with great expedition to the Province allotted him in a few days working with wonderful secrecy brought a great number of people of several conditions to be at their devotion The Conspirators prepared a great multitude who should appear before the King without Arms to demand that the severity of the Judgements might be mitigated and Liberty of Conscience granted designing they should be followed by Gentlemen who should make supplication against the government of the Guisards The Conspiracy was discovered and the Court retired from Blois an open place to Amboise a strong Fortress This troubled the Conspiratours who while they were thinking of a new course some of them who took Arms were beaten and slain and others taken and sentenced to dye and to appease the tumult pardon was granted by the King's Edict dated March 18. to all who simply moved with zeal of Religion had entred into the conspiracy so that they disarmed within 24 hours Then the King forbad all Assemblies for Religion and committed to the Bishops the hearing of the causes of Heresie An Ordinance was made by the States at Orleans Anno 1560. in the short Reign of King Francis the second Ordonnance des Estats d' Orleans l'Ann 1560. Art 5. That the Abbots and Curates who hold many Benefices by dispensation or reside upon one of their Benefices requiring actual service and residence shall be excused from residence upon their other livings Always provided that they depute sufficient Men for their Vicars of a good life and conversation to every one of whom they shall assign such a portion of the revenue of the Benefice as may suffice for their maintenance Otherwise in default hereof we admonish and enjoyn the Arch-Bishop or Bishop of the Diocess to take order for it and most expresly command our Judges and Proctors to assist them therein to cause the Temporalties of such Abbeys or other Benefices to be seized upon without dissembling a Month after they shall have warned and required the Prelates and other Titulars to reside or cause some to reside upon their Benefices and to fulfill the contents of this present Ordinance Another Ordinâ—nce was to this effect That a Prebend or the revenues thereof shall be assigned for the maintenance of a School-master who shall be bound in the mean time to teach all the youth of the City Gratis without any wages Which School-master shall be chosen by the Arch-Bishop or Bishop of the place calling in the Canons of the Church together with the Mayors Sheriffs Counsellours or Capitons of the City and to be put out by the said Arch-Bishop or Bishops with the advice of them aforesaid Here I will set down the Indulgences granted to divers Churches Brother-hoods and Hospitals granted by divers Popes and Printed about this time at Chartres by Philip Hotot I shall transcribe the whole 1. The Statutes and Ordinances of the Worshipful Fraternity of the most blessed Body of our Lord Jesus Christ newly founded and erected in the Church of St. Hilary of Chartres together with a summary of the Pardons and Indulgences given and granted by our Holy Fathers the Popes and by our Holy Father Pope Paul the third of that Name confirmed to the said Fraternity and all others of like denomination as well at Rome as out of Rome erected or to be erected Which Statutes and Ordinances by vertue of taking put of those Bulls made thereupon by Authority of Pope Julius III. of that name Given at Rome May 6. 1550. shall be observed and kept in manner and form following The Pardons Indulgences and Jubilee and plenary Remissions granted to such as visit the Altar where the blessed Sacrament and precious Body of Jesus Christ is placed in the said Church of St. Hilary upon the days in the year and
are granted only to the Brothers and Sisters of the said Fraternity which shall upon the days aforesaid every year visit the said Altar in the said Church of St. Hilary of Chartres in France upon which the blessed Sacrament and precious body of Jesus Christ is placed Medard Thiersault Priest Licentiat in the Laws Chanon of Chartres Official and Vicar-General both in the Spiritualty and Temporalty of the Reverend Father in God Monsieur Lewes by the Grace of God Bishop of Chartres To all and singular the Parsons and Vicars of the Churches within the City of Chartres sendeth greeting c. Pope Paul the third did heretofore of his own proper motion for the honour of the blessed Sacrament grant unto the Brothers of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of Jesus Christ in the Minerva of Rome certain Indulgences plenary remission of sins and other graces the good devotion and upon petition of the faithful Christian Brothers Which Indulgences and plenary remission of Sins our holy Father Julius III. Pope to the end that all Christians might come devoutly and honour the blessed Sacrament of his own Authority hath willed and decreed that they be of perpetual force and efficacy And these Indulgences and other graces aforesaid at the instance of the most noble Personage Mr. Christopher de Herovard the Lieutenant General of the Most Christian King within the Bailiwick of Chartres hath granted them to the Brothers and Sisters of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of Jesus Christ heretofore erected and instituted in the Church of St. Hilary of Chartres always provided that like grace and gift was not formerly granted to any other Church of the said City of Chartres And forasmuch as we have viewed the contents of the said Indulgence in the publick Instrument out of the Copy of Dominick Bishop of Hostia Cardinal of the hâ—ly Church of Rome by Title Traven Dean of the sacred Apostolical Colâ—ege Protectour and Patron of the Fraternity of the blessed Body of our Saviour founded in the Church of our Lady of Minerva of the order of Fryars Predicants in the City of Rome in manner of an exemplification published drawn signed and sealed by Genese Bulter Secretary to the said Fraternity Given at Rome May 6. 1550. And furthermore whereas by a certain declaration made unto the Court of Rome by the command and with the leave of the Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of Chartres and as it seems to us truly and lawfulâ—y made that 't is certain the like grace was never granted to any other Church in the City of Chartres Wherefore we command you to publish and cause to be published in your Churches the said Indulgences and the exemplifications of the Letters aforesaid according to their form and tenure Giving leave to the said Christopher de Herovard to cause the said graces and Indulgences to be published within the City and Church of Chartres whether by Siguis's or otherwise the same Herovard shall think good Given at Chartres under the seal of the Chamber of the said Bishop of Chartres Anno 1550. July 31. Subscribed P. le Seneux Pope Pius IV. in his Bull of the publication of the Council of Trent which was for the continuation of it bearing date December 30. 1560. sheweth in effect that it was begun continued and ended among the troubles in France and Germany And as Sleidan saith Sleidan l. 16. as soon as new broils were raised in the neighbouring parts of Germany and a great war was kindled in Italy and France the Council was afterwards suspended and adjourned After the suppression of the Conspirators forementioned in a secret Council held in the Kings chamber it is resolved to punish the favourers of the Conspiracy And to get the Favourers of the Hugonots into their power it was resolved to call an Assembly of the States at which among others the Princes of the Blood are to assist But the Queen-Mother and the Guises doubting more than ever new Insurrections the Prince of Conde who was as a prisoner is discharged of his Guard and set at liberty He presently departed from Court and went into Bearn to the King of Navarre The Constable the Admiral of France and the rest were entertained with kind Letters and Commissions and Charges of trust The dissensions and suspicions of the Grandees in France encreasing on the 21. of August the King called a very great Assembly at Fountainbleau The Assembly at Fountainbleau in which the necessities of the Kingdom were declared by the Chancellour which he compared to a man sick of an unknown disease Afterwards Jasper Coligni gave the King some Petitions which he said were delivered to him by a multitude of people when he was in Normandy The summ of them was That the faithful Christians dispersed throughout the whole Kingdom did pray his Majesty to look on them with a favourable eye that they desired a moderation of their punishments until their cause were heard and that they might make publick profession of their Religion to avoid suspicion by private Assemblies Then John Monluc Bishop of Valence shewed That the principal remedy of these distempers was to flie unto God to assemble godly men out of the whole Kingdom to find a way to root out the vices of the Clergy to forbid infamous and immodest Songs and instead of them to command the singing of Psalms and holy hymns in the vulgar tongue and if the common interpretation be not good to take away the errours suffering that which is good to be used by all Another remedy was the General Council alwaies used to compose such differences saying That if a General Council could not be obtained they were to assemble a National that they did grievously err who troubled the publick quiet with Arms upon pretence of Religion that their errour was as great who condemned to death those who adhered to the new Doctrine only for the opinion of piety who dying constantly and contemning the loss of their goods stir up the minds of the multitude and make them desirous to know what Faith that is for which they endure so great punishment Charles Marillac Bishop of Vienna spake in the same manner adding That the disease of France was so sharp that there was no time to call a Physician from far therefore they were to call a National Council Coligni added that requiring those who gave him the Petitions to subscribe them he was answered That five thousand men would subscribe if there were occasion Francis of Guise concerning the point of Religion said he referred himself unto the judgement of learned men but protested that no Council should make him decline one jot from the old belief The Cardinal of Lorain said That the Petitions presented were most proud and that to grant the Orators publick Exercise were to approve their Doctrine he said that the greater part used Religion for a pretence and therefore his opinion was they should be proceeded against with more
That all those that were free Lords over the Castles or Lands that they possessed not holding of any but the Crown might within their jurisdictions freely exercise the Reformed Religion and that the other Feaudataries who had not such dominion might do the same in their own houses for their Families only provided they lived not in any City or Town That in every Province certain Cities shall be appointed in the Faux-bourg whereof the Hugonots might Assemble at their Devotion That in all other Cities Towns and Castles in the City of Paris with the jurisdiction thereof and all places whatsoever where the Court resided the exercise of any other but the Romish Religion should be prohibited Yet every one to live free in his Conscience without any trouble or molestation That the Professours of the Reformed Religion should observe the Holy-dayes in the Roman Calender and in their Marriages the Rites and Constitutions of the Civil Law That all the Lords Princes Gentlemen Souldiers and Captains should have a full Pardon for all Delinquencies committed during the time of the War and every one to be restored to his charges goods dignities priviledges and prerogatives That the Germans should be sent away and have safe-conduct out of the Kingdom and that it should be in the King's power to recover all his places Towns and Castles from any person that should with-hold them from him This Capitulation being published in the Camp and in the Court on May 18. the Prine of Conde and the Constable came out of Prison and Andelot delivered the City of Orleans into the Queen's hands and the Kings Army recovereth Havre de Grace from the English The King cometh out of his Minority The Queen useth divers artifices to work the discontented Princes to her will The King and Queen make a general visitation of the whole Kingdom And from Bearn they went to Lions in which the Hugonots had so great a party And considering the importance of the place the neighbourhood of Geneva and Germany they resolved that a Citadel should be built between the Rhosne and the Saone two great Rivers that run through that Town whereby to bridle the people and secure it from the treachery of its neighbours Which being then begun was afterwards brought to perfection by the diligence of Monsieur de Losse newly put into that Government From Lions the King being come to Valence in Dolphinè he caused the City to be dismantled and built there a new Fortress that Town having ever been a receptacle for those that were in Rebellion From Lions they went to the Castle of Rousillon where there was an Interview between the King and the Duke of Savoy From thence they went to Avignon where the King and Queen gave answer to the Pope's Ambassy shewing that they were ready to extirpate Calvinism and to cause the Decrees of the Council of Trent to be observed in their Dominions Then they came to an Interview with the Queen of Spain at Baionne By an Ordinance of King Charles IX Anno 1563. it was Decreed that none should be admitted to sue by vertue of the priviledge of his Clergy to be sent back to the Ecclesiastical Judge in any Case whatsoever whether Civil or Criminal unless he were a Sub-deacon at the last which is as much as to exclude simple shavelings whether they be married or no. I find an ordinance of the same King made at Mante on Sep. 10. 1563. which speaks of defamatory Libels placards pasquils and such like things in matter of Religion and as for the point of jurisdiction ordains as followeth Commanding all publâ—que Magistrates Commissaries of the Countrey and other our officers whom it may concern to have regard hereunto charging our Proctors in every place and Advocates to do their endevour herein all other business laid aside to the finding out and punishing such faults as they shall find concerning this particular And afterwards they are commanded to observe the said Ordinance punctually and proceed against the breakers hereof by the punishments there assigned peremptorily without observing the ordinary forms of Justice For as much as many large Indulgences are most commonly granted to Fraternities as appears by divers of the Pope's Bulls King Charles IX required in his demands of the Council of Trent a reformation of the abuses of such Fraternities The Council found nothing to be corrected in them but tacitly confirm'd them by ordaining That the Administrators of them shall give account of their administration every year unto the Ordinary They were wary enough to touch upon that point seeing it directly concerns the Pope's authority By means of these Indulgences and the superstition which he useth in them he gains millions of men unto himself who devote themselves so much unto him for the special favour which they suppose they receive by the means of these Indulgences that they do not acknowledge any other superiour The Ambassadours of this King Charles sent to the Council of Trent had such Articles as these given them in their Instructions as concerning the reformation of the Court of Rome Excommunications the restoring of the Cup marriage of Priests Prayers in a known tongue and to demand that Psalms might be sung the Sacraments administred and a Catechism made in the vulgar Tongue And besides to assist all such as should require a just reformation in all other matters The originals of these instructions were signed by King Charles the Queen-Mother Natalis Comes li. 14. Hist sui temporis the Chancellour of the Palace and divers others Hereupon the King of France his Oratour said when they proposed these demands That they did wonderfully agree with those of the Emperour and for that reason they had deferred the Proposal of them supposing that if the other were assented unto they should also be satisfied But perceiving the lingrings and delays that were used in that behalf and withal pressed by the Letters of the King their Master they were constrained to make a motion of them They required further that all Mandates of provision of Benefices all Reversions Re-assumptions Resignations holding of Livings in Trust and Commendams might be quite taken away as contrary to the Decrees and that resignations in Favour might be banished the Court of Rome as forbidden by the Sacred Canons That a course might be taken for instructing the people what they ought to believe concerning the Worship of Images and to clear it from all superstitions and errours if any were crept into it And the like Essay to be made about Indulgences Pilgrimages Reliques of Saints and Fraternities that not only the ancient form of publick Penance might be restored in the Church for hainous and publick offenders but also publick Fasts for the appeasing of God's wrath That general Councils might be holden every ten years that for abrogating of suits about Benefices that distinction of Petitory and Possessory might be taken away or rather for the utter extinguishing of such Suits that Bishops might
of Mayenne posts to Paris to appease this tumult and causeth Louchart Auroux Hamelin and Emmonot four of the chief of the Council of Sixteen which were most guilty to be strangled The King marcheth into Normandy layes siege to the City of Roven The Duke of Parma with the Spanish Army marcheth to relieve that place They fight at Aumale the King is wounded his men routed and he is put hard to it to save himself Villars the Governour of Roven sallying out enters the trenches and gains the Artillery The Duke of Parma retiring the King returns to Roven and reneweth the siege The Duke of Parma also returns to bring relief and the King's Forces being wasted he riseth from the siege and marcheth to the Banks of the River of Seine Those of the League begin to think of a peace The Catholicks of the King's party are displeased that the peace should be treated by the Sieur de Plessis a Hugonot The Mareschal de Biron is killed with a Canon shot before Espernay The King wept bitterly at the news of his death The Baron de Biron to revenge the death of his Father scales a great Tower at Espernay and takes it but is sorely wounded and the Town is delivered up into the hands of the Duke of Nevers Governour of thâ—t Province August 9. 1592. Now the King desireth a reconciliation with the Catholick Church by way of agreement not by way of pardon The King takes Dreux and being constrained by the importunities of his own Catholick party who threaten to forsake him resolves to change his Religion And being instructed by the Archbishop of Bourges by René Benoist Curate of S. Eustache of Paris and of some other Doctors desires to be admitted into the bosom of the Romish Church And on July 25. he went to Mass at St. Dennis and made a publick and solemn Profession to the said Arbhbishop assisted by Charles Cardinal of Bourbon Archbishop of Roven and Nephew to the deceased nine Bishops with many other Prelates and Religious men protesting to live and die in the Romish Religion swearing to defend it against all men Having made profession of his Faith he performed all Ceremonies requisite in so solemn an Act and then he received absolution and blessing with wonderful joy and acclamation of the people Presently after this Act the King sent the Duke of Nevers the Marquess of Pisani and Henry of Gondy Bishop of Paris to the Pope to yield obedience by them to the See of Rome to beseech him to allow of his Conversion and to countenance it with his own blessing Whilst Elizabeth Queen of England upon account of Religion did with so great expences relieve the French King a strong rumour was spread in England that he either would or had already changed his Religion hereupon was Thomas Wilkes sent over into France to understand the certainty thereof But before his arrival the King had made a publick Profession of the Popiâ—h Religion at St. Dennis as hath been before expressed although some Papists of Religious Orderâ— at that time plotted against his life But he ingenuously declared unto Wilkes the causes that moved him to forsake his Religion And Morlante the French Agent in the mean time telleth the Queen all the very same things and with fair and specious words offereth her all kindness in the King his Masters behalf The Queen being much troubled and disquieted in mind snatched up her Pen and a while after sent this Letter to him Alas what deep sorrow Cambden hist of Q. Eliâ—abeâ—h what vehement grief what sighs have I felt at my heart for the things which Morlante hath told me of Alas is the world come to this pass Was it possible that any worldly matter should make you quit the fear of God can we expect any happy issue of such a fact or could you think that He who hath hitherto with his own right hand upholden and preserved you would now forsake you It is a very dangerous thing to do evil that good may come of it Yet I hope a sober spirit will put you into a better mind In the mean time I will not omit to make it a principal part of my prayers the recommending you to God beseeching him that the hands of Esau may not lose you the blessing of Jacob. Whereas you do Religiously and solemnly offer me your friendship I know to my great cost I have well deserved it neither should I repent that had you not changed your Father Verily from henceforth I cannot be your Sister by the Father for the truth is I shall ever more dearly love and honour my own Father than a false and counterfeit one which God knoweth very well who I beseech him bring you back again to a better mind Subscribed Your Sister if it be after the old manner as for the new I have nothing to do with it Elizabeth R. Yet notwithstanding a Contract was made between him and the Queen at Melun in the Month of August to make War offensive and defensive against the Spaniards And the Queen recommended again and again the Reformed Religion and the Professours thereof to his Care and Protection by Sir Robert Sidney He promised Thâ—t as he had been hitherto their Protectour so he would not for the future fail them though most of the Nobler sort of them had forsaken him On August 26. Peter Barrier born at Orleans was taken Prisoner at Melun where the King then was by the discovery of a Jacobin Florentine to whom he had confessed himself in Lions He confessed that seduced and perswaded by a Capuchin of Lions and afterwards confessed by Aubry Curate of St. Andrews des Acts at Paris by his Vicar and by Father Varade a Jesuite he was come thither expresly to murther the King The Priest revealing this Crime incurs no Ecclesiastical censure The wretch was found seized of a sharp knife with two edges He was pinched with hot Pincers his right hand burnt off holding the said knife his arms legs and thighs broken and his body burnt to ashes and cast into the River Upon a general surceasing of Arms the King assembled some of the chief of the Realm at Mante especially to hear the complaints of such as stood in doubt of the King's change in Religion and were grieved at divers contraventions of his Majesties Edicts whereby they suffered wrongs in all Provinces For the Partisans of Spain continually exclaimed of the incompatibility of two Religions in France and many were of opinion That the King ought not to be admitted but he should promise expresly to banish all such as made Profession of any other Religion than that which he did embrace or at least to abolish all publick Profession But the King employed all his care to unite his people in concord Vitry desiring to be the first that should re-enter under the King's obedience as he had been the first that had separated from it brought back the City of Meaux Aix
his Guard to stay behind Being between the Draw-bridge and the Port a miserable wretch Francis Ravillac born at Angoulesm by Profession a Lawyer watching his opportunity drew near unto the Coach on the right side thinking his Majesty had been ther but seeing he was on the left hand and hearing them command the Coach-man to drive on he went the nearest way by narrow Lanes and met with the Coach again in the Street called Ferroniere near Innocents Church where staying to make way for a Cart to pass the King leaned down on the one side towards the Duke of Espernon pressing him to read a Letter without Spectacles Montbazon with the Mareschal de la Vardin was in one of the Boots who turned toward them and one of the Footmen was busie in tying up his garter on the other side so that this Monster had the opportunity to stab the King in the left Pap but the wound was not great Whereupon crying out O my God I am wounded he gave him a second blow which was mortal the knife entring between the Fifth and Sixth Rib it cut asunder the Vein leading to the heart And the wound was so deep that it entred into Cava Vena the which was pierced wherewith the King did presently spit blood losing all apprehension and knowledge for any thing they could perceive who being carried back into the Louvre was laid upon a Couch in his Cabinâ—â— where presently after he gave up the ghost After whose death the Queen-Mother was declared Regent in France by whose Commandment the King's heart was delivered to the Jesuites to be laid up in their Colledge of la Fleche as the King himself had long before resolved The first Edict at Nantes was also confirmed for the entertainment whereof a Declaration was made by Lewes the young King The Murtherer being arraigned was put to the Rack on May 25. and on the 27. had the Sentence of death given against him His execution was after this manner He was brought out of the Prison in his shirt with a Torch of two pound weight lighted in one hand and the knife wherewith he had murthered the King chained in the other Then was he set upright in a Tumbrel or dung Cart and so he was conducted with a good Guard to our Ladies Church where he did penance After this he was accompanied to the place of Execution by two Doctors of Divinity who still perswaded him to save his soul from everlasting punishment by revealing his Associates the which he would not In this manner he was carried to the Greve where there was a strong Scaffold built for his Execution At his coming up on the Scaffold he crossed himself in token that he died a Papist Then was he bound to an Engine of wood which done his hand with the knife chained to it wherewith he had slain the King was put into a Furnace then flaming with Fire and Brimstone wherein it was in a terrible manner consumed and yet he would not confess any thing but cast forth horrible cries like a soul tormented in Hell Then the Executioners having made Pincers red hot in the same Furnace they did pinch his Paps the brawns of his arms and thighs with the calves of his legs and other fleshy parts of his body pulling out collops of flesh and burning them before his face Then they poured into those wounds scalding Oyl Rozen Pitch and Brimstone melted together After which they set a hard roundel of Clay upon his Navil having an hole in the midst into the which they poured molten Lead yet he revealed nothing but roared out most horribly Then they caused four strong Horses to be brought to tear his Body in pieces But these Horses could not of a long time pull him asundâ—r though another very strong Horse was put in the place of one of the four who strained but faintly until they were constrained to cut the veins under his arms and thighs by which means his body was the easier torn in pieces Then the enraged multitude pulled this dismembred Carkass out of the Executioners hand which they dragged up and down through the dirt and cutting off the flesh with their knives the bones which remained were burnt at the place of execution and the ashes scattered in the wind His Father and Mother were commanded to depart the Land and never to return again His Brethren Sisters Uncles and others his Kinsfolk enjoined to take another Name His goods were declared forfeited to the King and the house where he had been born to be beaten down This wicked Parricide confessed no other motive of his Crime but the Book of Mariana a Spanish Jesuite Which Book by a Decree made by the Colledge of Sorbonne and confirmed by a sentence from the Courts of Parliament was for that cause by a sentence condemned to be publickly burnt before our Ladies Church in Paris After the execution of Ravillac there was a foul imputation laid on the Jesuites and many condemned them as Abettors and favourers of the Murtherers of Princes for which cause Father Cotton employs all his Wit and Eloquence to wipe it off in whose behalf the Bishop of Paris wrote which as a Preface was prefixt before his Declaration and Printed But the Learned Du Moulin put forth that famous Book called Anticoton in which he proved that the Jesuites were Authours of that horrible Parricide Though he put not his name to it yet the Jesuites soon knew that it was his Work and made an answer to it directed unto him because there was in the Anticoton an Anagram of Father Cotton which fathered the King's death upon him thus PIERRE COTON PERCE TON ROY They also made this Anagram upon Du Moulin's name PETRUS DU MOULIN ERIT MUNDO LUPUS With these Verses Petri hostis Petrus christi insidiatur ovili Quo deglubere quo dilaniare queat More Lupi verè Lupus est cui nomen omen Et mores insunt ingeniumque Lupi Which Verses Du Moulin answered thus Quisquis es insulso qui fundis acumine versus Hellespontiaco victima digna Deo Quà m frustrà vacuum scalpsisti sinciput ô quos Risus Hâ—â—rida vox semilatrina movet Dum tua menâ—â—ariè turbata elementa pererrat Et spargis virus nomen in innocuum Quin in hoc casu quaedam est industria dum tu In laudem imprudens nomina nostra trahis Namque Lupo cohibemus equos agitator equorum Improbioris equi comprimit ora lupo Qui in gyrum cogit facilique peritus habenâ Compositos gressus agglomerare docet Ergo lupus mundo est qui fraenans ora lupato Dura per errorum devia monstrat iter Nec mirum si nos Papalis verna culinae Si ciniflo Satanae dixerit esse lupos Cum Christum Satanam Pharisaeus dicat apella Nemo bonus secum mitiùs optet agi Ergo Dei servum vanis latratibus urgens Meque lupum appellans desinat esse canis At this
1626. and the next day the General and particular Deputies ratified and confirmed them King Lewes made a severe Edict against Duels and took a solemn Oath not to shew any favour to those who should break it About this time there arose very great Disputes in the University of Paris especially between the Doctors of Divinity about a certain Book composed by Sanctarellus a Jesuite which treated of the power Popes had over Kings which Book had been approved by their chief President by the Pope's Vicegerent and by the Master of the holy Palace His Doctrine was That Popes had a power of direction or rather correction over Princes that they might not only Excommunicate them but deprive them of their Kingdoms too and absolve their Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance whether it were for Heresie Apostasie or any other great publick crime whether it were for the insufficiency of their persons or for their not defending the Church and that the Pope might at last give their States to such as he should think fit For the present it made a great noise among the Doctors and was opposed by several Books which then were published The whole Body of Divines did condemn it some indeed of the old League seemed to favour it But the Parliament called the chief of the Jesuites before them and obliged them to sign a Declaration by which they should condemn the said Book and to cause another of the like to be subscribed by all the Provincials and Rectors and by Six of the most ancient of every one of their Colledges in France and so ordered the Book to be burnt by the common Hangman with prohibition to the Stationers to sell any of them At this time there were Combinations of divers Grandees of the Court against the King and State Madam de Chevuruse being discontented that her private intelligences with the English Ambassadour were so publickly taken notice of did not a little promote the undertakings by her animating of Monsieur the Grand Prior and Chalais to execute it both which were engaged by love to her as also that the Colonel d'Ornano abusing Monsieur's goodness and the credit which his place gave him did absolutely divert him from the Marriâ—ge which his Majesty had so earnestly desired should be celebrated The Cardinal discovered that Chalais was one of chief Instruments of the Enterprize and that Colonel Ornano was the Ring-leader of the Plot. That their chief end was to unite all the Provinces so close together that they might enforce his Majesty not to remove any thing from the Court and withal to permit them to live in the same licentiousness that they had a long while formerly enjoyed That to this effect they endeavoured the breaking of the match between Monsieur and Madamoiselle de Montpensier and to bring on that of Madamoiselle de Bourbon which would more nearly engage Monsieur to their Interests or else to persuade him to marry some other stranger Princess which might be a means to shelter and defend their designs by the forces and assistances which they might reasonably expect from such a Family That this once effected they intended the Count de Soissons should Marry Madamoiselle de Montpensier that the Houses of Guise and Bourbon might be united together and in this manner they would in a moment huddle up together all the leading potent persons of the Court. The Marshal de Ornano is arrested at Fountainbleau and carried Prisoner to the Castle of Bois de Vincennes where he died a few months after of a stoppage in his Bladder The Cardinal beseecheth the King to permit his retirement from the Court. And the King causeth the Duke de Vendosm and the Grand-Prior of France his Brother to be imprisoned at Blois The Marriage of Monsieur and Madamoiselle de Montpensier was celebrated soon after to the quiet and content of the whole Kingdom Chalais the Master of the King's Wardrobe is arrested from the Chamber of Justices at Nantes who condemned him of Treason and sentenced him to be beheaded which was done accordingly Then was the Sieur de Baradas removed from the Court who had been much in favour with the King About the end of this year great differences arose between the Bishop and the Officers of Verdun This being a Frontier Town was then lookt upon as considerable in regard Monsieur de Lorrain seemed to be active and able to attempt something upon France which obliged the King to go on with a design which he had long before resolved of the building a Citadel there The Abbey of S. Vannes was ever reputed the most fit place of all the City for that purpose whence it happened that in the Charter of the said Abbey there had been divers Articles concluded between the Bishop of Verdun and those to whom that place hath ever belonged in which they bound themselves to build their Church in some other place if it should be found necessary to make use of some part of it for the raising of a Citadel However the lines were so contrived that the Church was saved but that of the Capuchins was forced to be taken down which was afterwards done and rebuilt in another place Now the Bishop of Verdun being Lorrain's kinsman was wholly moved by him so that not considering what dependence he had upon the King he suffered himself to be engaged by the Duke to prevent the building of the Citadel On December 30. he published a Monitorium fixed upon all publick places against all such as should labour about it This proceeding was lookt on as a strange thing by the King's Officers The Sieur Guillet presently called a Council of his Majesties Officers of the Town to consider of what was to be done where it was concluded to tear down such Papers as had been any where posted up and to set others in their places of a contrary tenour in the King's behalf which was presently done The Bishop offended at it thundered out an Excommunication the next day against Guillet which he fastened in divers places and having given order to his Vicars not to act any thing in prejudice to his pretended authority he departed from Verdun and rode Post to Cologne In the mean while the Sieur Charpentier his Majesties President in Metz Thoul and Verdun being acquainted with the whole proceeding he declared the said Monitorium to be abusive and scandalous and commanded it to be torn and burnt by the Hangman That the said Bishop should be sent Prisoner to Paris That his Benefices in the mean time should remain in his Majesties hands and that he should pay a fine of ten thousand livres for his said fault This Judgement was put in execution with the usual form excepting only as to the Bishop's being sent to Paris so that he resolving not to suffer himself to be thus despoiled of his goods thought it his best course to send to the King to pacifie him for his rashness he also gave order to
another little Town near to Saint Aubin and put all the Souldiers in it to the sword Then they marched against certain places which the Duke of Rohan had resolved to defend but the fear which the Inhabitants and Souldiers apprehended on sight of the Army made them open their Gates so they entred without resistance Then they became Masters of Corconne and Aubenas Montmorency pursued the Duke of Rohan and constrained him to flight he maintained the fight about two hours and saw about an hundred of his Souldiers killed fifteen of his Guard seven or eight Captains slain and divers others wounded In fine he saw at the years end that he had very little advanced his design The Rochellers now send to the King of England to demand succour Order was given for the Rigging out a Fleet in behalf of the Rochellers and the Command to be given to the Earl of Denbigh The King goes from Rochel to Paris to dissipate those Factions which began to rise thereabouts by the Hugonots in Picardy Champagnie and Brie Richlieu Commandeth the Army in his Majestie 's absence The English Fleet being now ready to hoise sail for Rochel the King resolveth to return thither The Rochellers are summoned by an Herauld to surrender to the King but their minds and answers were full of insolency so that the King bent all his thoughts to prepare for the fighting with the English Fleet at their first coming About the eleventh of May they were descried two Leagues off the point of Coreille An order was resolved on by the King assisted with his Generals and Sea Captains and so delivered to the Commander of Valencay who distributed it among the Officers The English attempt to relieve Rochel but in vain and when the Rochellers were embarqued after the exhortations of their Ministers and their Captains had solemnly sworn to pass the Bank in spite of all opposition or die in the attempt they were struck with such faint-heartedness that not a man durst stir his hand and Vincent their Minister could no longer speak unto them as himself confessed in a Letter to a friend of His. The English Fleet now departeth whereupon great dissentions arise among the Rochellers Then the King sent another summons to them to yield Breton Herauld at Arms was commanded to do it in form with his Coat of Arms who went into the City required them to lay down their Arms assured them of Pardon for their past Crime and threatning them with the contrary in case they should now refuse it But they being animated by their Preachers the Town continued obstinate in their insolencies After a feigned Treaty between the King and the Rochellers the Town was reduced by Famine to extream miseries The Cardinal perswaded his Majesty to settle divers Catholick Preachers in the Hugonot Provinces and wrought upon the Duke of Tremoville to forsake the Protestant Religion The Rochellers when they saw there was no hopes of succour from the English and that they died by thousands of the Famine made divers proposals of accommodation Since the last six months there had died about ten thousand of the Famine The Cardinal declared to them they must not think of any other condition than absolutely to submit to his Master's will At last they chose twelve of the principal among them most of which could hardly creep to beg his Majestie 's pardon to assure him that they would live and die in the obedience which they owed to him without demanding any other conditions than what his Majesty should please to give them The King granted them the pardon which they desired and the Sieur of Herbaut Secretary of State read the Patent to them by which his Majesty pardoned their Rebellion discharged them of all Acts of Hostility ordained that they should be restored to their goods granted them the Exercise of their Religion in the City and commanded that all the Souldiers in the City should enjoy the same Grace and that the chiâ—f Captains and Gentlemen should go out with their swords by their sides and the Souldiers with Cudgels in their hands but first they were to swear never to bear Arms against his Majestie 's service Rochel yielded up to the King Upon October 30. the Duke of Angolesm the Marshal de Scomberg the Sieurs de la Curce Vignolle Hallier St. Chaumont and divers other Lords fourteen Companies of the Regiments des Guardes and six of Swisses began about six in the morning to enter into Rochel The King placed himself upon the Fort de Beaulieu to see the Forces march into the Town They who Commanded these Forces seized on all the Gates of the Town the Ramparts Cannon and Munition and sent away the Souldiers the English by Sea and the French by Land who looked more like ghosts than men There were as many Citadels as Gates and as many Castles as Towers and this was it that made the City be esteemed impregnable especially seeing it had an outlet by Sea which could never have been broken up but by his Majestie 's extraordinary power and prudence yet all served but as Trophies raised to his Majestie 's glory On November 1. the King made his entrance into the City Those poor Creatures of the City prostrated themselves as he rode by them that they might the more acknowledge the mercy he had shewed them He had his Arms on and rode in on Horse-back without any Ceremony only four Companies of his Guards two of Swisses his two Troops of Light Horse Armed Cap-a-pe his Dragoons and the Life-guard marched before him all the Nobility following him without any order to avoid the disputes of Precedency Administrat of Card. Richliâ—u The Inhabitants cast themselves on their knees as his Majesty passed along the Streets crying God save the King who hath been so gracious unto us And he frequently saluted those who seemed to be of the better sort among them But those submissions and acknowledgements were much more increased when they received the ten thousand Loaves of Bread which the King distributed among them the same day together with divers other Alms. But when they saw that there came three thousand Carts laden with Wheat and other Provisions into the Town with a proportionate number of Beasts and Cattle which his Majesty commanded to be brought and sold at the usual rates of the Army they then confessed that he knew how to pardon as well as to vanquish The King alighted at S. Margarite's Church which had been Consecrated by the Bishop of Burdeaux and where the Cardinal had with divers Ecclesiasticks that morning celebrated Mass by way of doxology for that happy Victory He was received by the Archbishop assisted by the Clergy and divers other Religious who sung the Te Deum and the King himself also sang it with great devotion About two daies after the King caused the Hoast to be carried in Procession which was performed with a pompous Devotion He also wrote to the Archbishop
reconcile himself to her favour but all in vain she was still so implacably bent against him that the Peace of Italy being now concluded and the time come wherein the King had promised her to remove the Cardinal she was importunately instant with the King for the accomplishment of his Royal word At last the order was signed for the Cardinal's removal The Cardinal withdrawes himself a little time from the Court but by the advice of the Cardinal de la Valette restores himself again with the the King and so the Queen-Mother not only fell from her hopes but also from her credit with the King whereupon she departeth out of France and goeth to Bruxels Monsieur the King's Brother requesteth the Parliament to indict the Cardinal so doth the Queen-Mother But the King justifies Richlieu by his Letters and Declarations The Duke of Espernon stops the progress of a new Insurrection by dismantling several strong Cities of the Hugonot Party as Millant St. Afrique Pont de Camares Saint-Rome Tarn and several other places The King of Sweden having invaded Germany the French King makes an Alliance with him he establisheth a Chamber of justice in Paris who give judgement against several persons Then is the Cardinal Richlieu created Duke and Peer of France The French Protestants had obtained permission by the King 's Breviate about the beginning of this year to make a National Assembly of their Ministers of France for the maintaining of their Order and worship The Cardinal was of opinion that his Majesty should require them to meet at Charenton because being within his view they would have the less freedom to renew such Cabals as they had formerly made in their Assemblies of Guienne and Lauguedoc This Order was followed and the Sieur de Galland Counsellour to his Majesty was sent to be President in the King's behalf his Loyalty was not to be suspected and they were obliged to accept of him in regard of divers authentique testimonies which made appear that this Order was conformable to that of Councils assembled in the Primitive times which they professed to honour The King especially commanded him to be careful that no Proposition were made which did not concern their Faith or Discipline to silence them in his Majestie 's name in case they should discourse of any other affairs and to establish such Rules as the Cardinal had proposed to keep that Party in submission To this end he used his utmost Prudence and Loyalty he perswaded them to enact that there should not any more National Assemblies be made but in the presence of a Commissary from the King who might by testifying their obedience be a means of continuing them in quiet Besides he induced them to resolve upon the absolute excluding of all Stranger Ministers this being intended of all that were not natural French and to inhibite their Ministers from leaving the Kingdom without his Majestie 's Licence by this means to prevent all intelligences associations and correspondencies with the enemies of the State according to the Laws of the Kingdom and his Majestie 's particular prohibitions In fine he used so much prudence that they required their Ministers not to intermeddle in any affairs Politick or Military and condemned a Book of Berraut Minister of Montauban as erroneous because he maintained that Ministers had a particular call from God to bear Arms. Divers Ordinances were made there for the subsistence of their Party The Emperour of Germany sendeth Cardinal Pasman to Rome to endeavour to break the French King's Alliance with the King of Sweden The French King having lately been in Lorrain The Administ of Card. Ricâ—â—eu after his return the Cardinal undertook to compose a difference between the Bishops and Friers which had made a great noise for sundry ages together The Friers relying upon their priviledges obtained from Rome pretended to have power both to Preach and confess without permission from the Bishops And the Bishops unto whom all people within their Diocess are subject by common right did perpetually thwart that pretension They could not down with the Friers Priviledges alledging they ought to be declared void as being repugnant to the Primitive Constitutions of the Church This quarrel had been especially fomented during the last year by reason some Books had been published in the name of the English Catholicks which preferred the Monastical life before that of the Prelates and seemed to imply that Friers were more necessary at least more useful to the Church than the ordinary Pastors Was it probable that the whole Society of Friers would relinquish the Priviledges they had obtained from the See of Rome On the other side what reason was there that the Prelates should have so little Authority over them in Administration of Sacraments and the Word of God seeing of old Friers were only mixed among the Laity and addressed themselves unto the Bishops Congregations to receive the Sacraments from their hands or those who executed their charge The Cardinal took upon himself to end this difference though he was at that time employ'd in the most important affairs of Christendom He therefore caused the Superiours of the Orders to come before him one by one well knowing that to negotiate such a business in a publick Assembly would be a labour in vain He was a person well versed in all Antiquities and accordingly he represented to them how that in the first institution of Monks they were Consecrated unto God by the mediation of Bishops who received their Vows instructed them and directed their Consciences He laid before them the Original of the whole affair and shewed them how that the Son of God had subjected all those who sold their goods and followed him unto the Apostles whose Successours the Bishops are whereupon they making a strict profession of leading an Evangelical life were more particularly obliged to observe the Order established in and by the Gospel not that he would question the validity of those exemptions granted from the See of Rome unto which he owed much more respect and obedience than to debate the Ordinances thereof yet that he must needs inform them that they could not be dispensed with from following the Order established by Jesus Christ or his Apostles in Administring the Sacraments and Word of God That in fine themselves could not deny but they were obliged to relinquish some part of their pretensions for the avoiding of trouble to the Church which was likely to ensue upon this account and whereof the Hugonots discoursed with much freedom That this peace would be more acceptable to God than all the advantages it could otherwise procure unto particular persons That it would tend unto their honours by testifying unto the world the moderation of their minds and humility of their spirits and that the world would esteem the better of them That he should not willingly propose that the Bishops should have ordinary jurisdiction over their persons or power to visit their Monasteries but
Cognard a Professour of the Reformed Religion for writing a Book by order and with approbation of the Synod of Normandy in answer to a book full of calumniations and falsities written by a Physitian of that place who from a Protestant had a little before turned Papist And the said Archbishop by his violent persecution having obliged the said Cognard to leave this City by a just judgement of God who useth ordinarily to punish men in the very things wherein they have sinned He the said Archbishop fell into the same pit which he had digged for another having at Roven published a most dangerous Pamphlet containing this seditious doctrine That it is lawful to fall on the Hereticks and granting either by his Archiepiscopal authority or otherwise an Indulgence or Pardon of an hundred years to any one that should fall on any pretended Heretick This cursed doctrine coming to the knowledge of the French Court and the dangerous consequences of it having been there seriously weighed the King sent order to the Duke of Longueville Governour of that Province to apprehend the said Archbishop but he timely hearing of it ran away and absented himself from thence An English man was imprisoned at Bourdeaux having been taken as he was endeavouring to seduce divers persons to turn to the Sect and Opinions of the Quakers a thing not heard of in France before that time Great talk was in Paris of a Miracle which they say hapned in the Monastery of Port-royal in that City upon one that was a Pensioner belonging to that Monastery who was said to have been cured of a Fistula in the eye called Fistula lachrymalis by the touch of one of the thorns which the Priests say was taken out of the Crown of our blessed Saviour But how it came into France I cannot tell you And albeit in this prying age the Church of Rome hath not been very forward to broach any new miracles especially on this side the Alpes yet this hath been much cried up The Grand Vicar of the Arch-bishoprick of Paris was the first that was Patron of it and afterward it was approved by the Curat of S. Severin the present grand Vicar assisted therein by five Doctors of the Sorbon and a publick mass and thanksgiving was celebrated for it Hereupon many were drawn to the said Monastery to be cured by the holy Thorn The Assembly of the Clergy lay so heavy with their importunities upon the King that it was yielded at length that a Declaration should be issued forth contrary to the sence of former Declarations which were made in favour of the Protestants Hereupon the Parliament of Tholouse proceeded so far as to ratifie the said Declaration against the Protestants of France and ordered that two Counsellours should go into upper and lower Languedoc to put it in Execution and to cause such Churches to be demolished as had been built since the Wars Soon after the Bishop of Soissons died a Prelate of much reputation who had served King Henry IV. in the quality of Almoner He was promoted to the said Bishoprick in the year 1623. He had the honour to consecrate the present King at his Coronation Since the Declaration forementioned another Declaration of the French King was published at Paris in behalf of the Protestants intimating that the Edict of Nantes should be punctually observed and that two Commissioners one Protestant one Papist should repair to the places where any innovations or contraventions had been made to reform the same Some Bishops of the Assembly of the Clergy viz. those of Montauban and Alby represented to the said Assembly that the answer made in the behalf of the Protestants to the late speech of the Archbishop of Sens ought to be burnt as a Book pernicious and injurious to the King as they reported and other Bishops affirming the contrary for the proving of the truth the same answer was read in their Assembly by the Secretary from one end to the other and upon reading of it the Assembly concluded thâ—t there was no just ground therein to complain of it to the King and so the said Assembly dissolved without prosecuting the business any farther at that time Not long after a certain Popish Priest discoursing one day with a French Protestant with design to draw him over to the Church of Rome he thought he had brought him into a very hopeful way when the Protestant had told him that all the Protestants in France would submit themselves to the Pope if the Pope would submit himself to the Councils to whom the Priest replyed it will be necessary then that a Council be called and such rules established by common consent as shall be thought necessary for the Government of the Church To which the Protestant replyed a little fiercely How will the Pope observe the Decrees of a Council that cannot be kept â—rom violating the Precepts of the Gospel but if you will undertake to bring the Pope to a submission to them I do not question to convert all of my Religion to the Pope for to tell you the truth Sir I hold one as feasible as the other After the taking of Dunkirk by the English and French and put into the hands of the English Crequi is sent Embassador to O. Cromwel with Mazarine's Nephew in his pompous train Cromwel died not long after Divers places in Flanders were surrendered to the French but amidst these prosperous successes the French King falls into a Fever at Calais judged to be mortal Supplications were made for him at all Altars and prayers for his recovery were publickly enjoyned Mazarine day and night sate by his bed side to make him governable in taking Physick which he would taste himself either to take off the unpleasantness or to make proof of it The eleventh day accounted Critical the King seemed at the point of death could scarcely life up his eyes that now appeared almost set in his head His Majesty having Antimony with judgement given him by Geunault recovered and being conveyed to Paris pay'd his Vows in Nostre-Dame Church An heart of massy Gold was hung upon the wall as an oblation afterwards to confirm his health he removed to Fontainbleau Mazarine stayed some time behind to advance the siege of Graveling The taking of Graveling was the last Monument of the French glory before the conclusion of the peace At twenty four Sessions the business of the peace between France and Spain was compleated and at length on November 7. 1659. the Articles agreed on by the two Ministers were signed and published The Cardinal at Tholouse rendered the King and Queen an account of the peace concluded whereat they received much satisfaction From hence the Court made a Progress into Provence till the King of Spain should come with his daughter who was to be married to the French King to compose the disorders at Marseilles which had broken out about the Priviledges of their Consuls Gaston Duke of Orleans born of Henry IV. and
manners and religion of the Parents And he shall try what progress the youths have made in learning he shall also have regard to their wit vertue and disposition either to good or evil And whom by manifest conjectures he shall judge to be unfit for learning piety and the Priesthood he shall by no means admit into the Seminary Before any one be admitted into the Seminary he is to be often admonished that he may not be educated and nourished in the Seminary if he propound to himself any other kind of life than an Ecclesiastical life Therefore let him by oath vow and holily promise that he will never depart to any other course of life but will alwayes faithfully serve the Church of Christ in that degree and order which shall be assigned to him by the Bishop He shall also promise to obey the Governour of the Seminary and his Substitutes in all things and that he will observe all the Laws and Statutes of the Seminary which shall be read unto him c. Let none be received till he be instructed concerning his Bed Gown Cap Wastecoat and other Garments Surplice and Breviary 3. Of the President and Overseers of a Seminary None are to be admitted into any Office in a Seminary unless he be first diligently examined and tryed by the Bishop Great care shall be taken that the Governours of a Seminary be men grave prudent and adorned with all kind of vertue who by their example and exhortations may provoke those that are under their charge to the study of Piety and Vertue Let all first put the confession of their faith according to the form expressed in the Provincial Council in the hands of the Bishop In the Seminary there shall be one President of venerable gravity and a Priest of singular piety whom all in the Seminary shall obey as well in Spirituals as Temporals And to the President two other Priests shall be joyned whereof one shall be an Overseer of all businesses of the Seminary the other shall have the care of the houshold affairs and shall be called the Under-Master of the Seminary In the Seminary shall be so many servants as the Bishop or those delegated by him shall think fit The Governours of the Seminary shall diligently require of their Scholars a repetition of the Lecture and direct them in their manners and behaviour And one of them shall teach the Clerks an Ecclesiastical Song Let the President be daily in the Seminary and with his presence and care contain all in their duty and to the Bishop let him often give an account of the whole Seminary Let the President have a Book in which he may set down the names sirnames condition the day and year of the reception of all those who shall be admitted into the Seminary and whatsoever houshold-stuff every one shall bring 4. Of the Oeconomy or Houshold-Government of the Seminary A skilful Procurator shall be set over the house in temporal matters who shall take care of affairs at home and abroad he shall gather in time all the yearly rents and profits of the Seminary and the moneys collected he shall straightway deliver to the President to be kept in a chest And he shall have a Book in which he shall diligently and faithfully set down whatsoever profits and moneys he shall receive and of whom and for what cause and shall note the day the month and the year He shall give an account to the President of what he receiveth and expendeth every month and the President shall sign the book of accounts with his own hand and the same accounts shall the Bishop examine every third month c. He that shall buy in food and other things shall be one that is found to be a man faithful and conscientious who shall every day receive so much money as is necessary from the Procurator and every day give an account to the Procurator of what is received and expended and that particularly and by piece-meal The houshold-stuff and all the several Vessels and Instruments of the Seminary shall the Procurator set down in a Book and shall give an account of them to the Governour in the sixth month Moderate food frugal and not very delicate shall be described by the Bishop and his Delegates 5. Of the Discipline of the Seminary and first of Piety Let the Clerks be excited to Piety and Religion Let every one be raised up at four a clock in the morning then let them come together in one place and with bended knees apply themselves to Prayer for half an hour and they shall rehearse one going before others answering with a clear voice the hourly prayers of the blessed Virgin They who shall be initiated to sacred orders shall recite the Breviary in convenient time and with great attention Before nine a clock in the evening before they lye down to rest they shall all together rehearse the Litanies and by and by shall search and examine their consciences c. Every month shall every one confess his sins to the Priest and being prepared let them receive the holy Eucharist with great devotion unless their Confessor see cause to with-hold it from them Every holy day going out two by two out of the Seminary and putting on their Surplices let them come together to the greater Mass and Vespers of the Cathedral-church of the City in which the Seminary shall be and there let them stand and sit in places appointed for them and sing with the Quire and on those days they shall be present at the publick Sermon in the same Church or another place The President also shall diverse times in every month give brief exhortations to the Clergy concerning the dignity of Vertues and the filthiness of Vices with the remedies thereof concerning blessedness the pains of Hell concerning death the last judgement In the beginning of Dinner and Supper one of the Priests shall pray for a blessing and give thanks after Supper or Dinner all modestly answering the Priest going before them The Psalm de profundis c. is to be added and other Collects for the Founder and Benefactors In the time of Dinner and Supper let one read by suggestion some Chapter out of the holy Bible to which may be added the reading of some pious Book which they shall all diligently hear that whilst the body is refreshed with food the mind may never be idle Among other Writings of Pious and Learned men let them often read privately and publickly that famous Epistle of S. Hierom to Nepotian de Vita Clericorum that unto that Rule every one may endeavour to direct himself 6. Of obedience and other duties of the Clerks of the Seminary The Clerks of the Seminary are to be obedient to their Governours in all things Let none go out of the Colledge without leave and a companion joyned to him with whom let him also return back again into the Seminary Let none send or otherwise receive Letters unless by
the hand of the President who shall diligently read them c. None shall eat with any one without the Seminary unless with his Parents and Kindred and that very seldome and with leave neither shall he sleep out of the Seminary If any go forth and abide without the President being ignorant of it he may not be admitted without consulting the Bishop whose right it is to appoint whether he be to be received into the Seminary or not Let none touch another so much as in jest but every where and among all preserve modesty and gravity Let silence every where be kept religiously in the Temple in the Schools in the Chamber between going to and returning from the School and in all places let Ecclesiastical modesty appear They shall not discourse with those they meet except by decent and modest salutation which may be done in passing by As often as they shall go either to the Temple or the School they shall proceed modestly two by two their Governour following them to whom they are committed When they are at study let none speak with other neither in the morning before nor in the evening after prayer All shall go to bed at nine a clock and rise at four all shall lye single in their beds that they may preserve their health After Dinner and after Supper they shall spend one hour in honest recreation c. Let them keep their clothes chambers beds books clean let them make up their beds early in the morning 7. Of their Learning Let all first learn the Compendium of the Catholick Catechism so exactly that by mutual interrogations concerning it they may be able to render an account of the Catholick Faith to every one requiring it And to that end a repetition of it shall be made twice in a Week And when they shall be advanced herein let the reading of the Roman Catechism be diligently commended to them that from thence they may learn the higher Doctrine of the Sacraments Let them alwayes keep the Law of speaking Latin and let them be diligent in learning their lessons and getting them by heart in the time prefixed c. Let none be absent from School in the appointed time In the School let the Clerks who shall be of the same form sit together and endeavour to excel others with all modesty Let them neither buy nor have any Books but those whom the President shall judge to be profitable for them Books that are condemned by the holy Apostolical Chair and immodest Books let them not so much as know them by name much less let them dare ever to read them They shall be exercised in all kind of Disciplines which do especially help to the knowledge of Divinity and when they shall learn more humane Learning and Philosophy they are to be chiefly instructed in that part of Divinity which unfoldeth cases of conscience Let them also learn Ecclesiastical Books diligently and those which they call Ritual Let all be exercised in their order in making Orations and Exhortations concerning the commandments of God and of the Church concerning the Articles of faith Vertues to be followed and Vices to be shunned or some other sentence of Scripture c. 8. Of Correction If any be wayward and sawcy especially who infect and corrupt the manners of others all endeavours are to be used lest they bring any detriment to the Seminary if the Moderators are somewhat indulgent toward them neither are they who are of a crabbed nature long to be retained in the Seminary unless they shall reform them by words or correction As they are not to be born in a Seminary who are ignorant and slothful so much less they who neglect piety who violate the Statutes of the Seminary who enter into society with dissolute persons who are delighted in the discourses of those that are without who are wont to whisper and backbite c. who art wont to lye and excuse their own faults who impatiently bear punishments injoyned who speak or answer malapertly undecently or ironically These and the like Vices are first of all to be stopt by the whole Seminary and sharply to be corrected without excepting any 9. Of the reason of promoting Clerks and dismissing them from the Seminary As often as Orders shall be celebrated the President shall give to the Bishop a Catalogue of those who for their age piety and learning may be promoted to some Order In examinations which shall be had to vacant Benefices the Seminary-Clerks if they be fit let them be preferred before all others They shall be sent at the pleasure of the Bishop to Churches destitute of Pastors or to govern Schools or to undergo other Ecclesiastical Offices for the necessity of times and places Whosoever shall be sent away from the Seminary for what cause soever let him render an account of his Office to the President which he hath exercised at home and restore all things to its place which have been committed to him Those who have been educated in the Seminary and without the licence of the Bishop have delivered up themselves to any place or person or have fled out of the Diocess in which they ought to serve the Church shall be bound to make restitution of that maintenance which they have received in the Seminary They who depart if they come to better preferment yet are they to remember that they ought to be beneficial and grateful to the Seminary Departing let them take their leave of the Lord Bishop if he be in the City his Vicars the President the Priests and the rest of their companions and let them earnestly entreat them all to pray for their prosperity The Decrees of another Provincial Synod follow made partly at Tours in the month of May 1583. and partly at Anjou in the month of September I shall only set down an Index of the Titles 1. THe Prologue of the Synod 2. Supplications to the Pope and the Most Christian King 3. Of the care of defending the Profession of Faith 4. A Form of Confession of Faith is set down 5. Of the Extirpation of Simony 6. Of the Sacraments and their use 7. Of Baptism 8. Of Confirmation 9. Of the Eucharist and Sacrifice of the Mass 10. Of Matrimony 11. Of Order 12. Of the celebration of Festivals the Veneration of Reliques and of Images 13. Of Ecclesiastical Discipline the Reformation of the Clergy as well as the people 14. Of Chapters Dignities and Canons 15. Of Parish-Priests Presbyters and other Clerks 16. Of Christs faithful Laity This Synod requireth Women not to go abroad and especially not to come into the Church without their heads and breasts veiled Indignum est c. It is an unworthy thing say they that Christian women whom it becometh to be adorned with modesty and sobriety to profess piety by good works after a whorish manner to expose themselves to the people with curled hair and naked breasts They forbid all temporal businesses to be done
in the Church where Prayers and Divine Offices are to be performed They require all Christians not to eat without first consecrating their Table and not to depart from Table without pious and humble thanksgiving unto God If any one hath taken counterfeit money though ignorantly and he know not the person from whom he received it yet he shall not presume to put it away to another because it cannot be done without appearance of evil All Laicks are forbidden to walk in the Church especially during the time of Divine Offices under pain of Excommunication 17. Of Monks and Monasteries of the manner of the admission of Novices into Abbies Monasteries and Convents None is to be admitted to that profession before the year of probation and before the sixteenth year of his age Of the antient Ceremonies and Customs of the Monasteries the habits of the Monks and their shaving their beards and having a round ring of hair on their heads The Laity are forbidden to sit among the Monks whilst the Divine Mysteries are celebrated 18. Of Nuns and their Habits A Prohibition to men to enter into the Monasteries of the Women 19. Of Burials The bodies of Hereticks not to have Christian burial Those who deny the Oblations or Legacies of the dead or refuse to pay them or conceal their Wills and Testaments or deceitfully retain them are to be excommunicated 20. Of Jurisdiction and Visitation 21. Of preserving Church-goods and not alienating them 22. Of Seminaries Schools and Universities The Decrees of the Provincial Council of Aquitain celebrated at Bituriges in the month of September Anno 1584. IN the first place there is a Form of Confession of Faith by those who were present in this Provincial Council The Index of the Titles 1. Concerning the Adoring Worshipping and Calling upon God 2. Concerning Faith 3. Of the Preaching and Exposition of the Word of God 4. Of taking away the abuse of the Scriptures 5. Of avoiding Hereticks 6. Of Invocation of Saints and of Festival dayes 7. Of Pilgrimages to holy places No Clerk may presume to visit such places without having obtained a licence from his own Bishop or his Vicar in writing and before he begin his journey he is first to confess all his sins and to receive the holy Eucharist None is to visit holy places out of curiosity or out of pleasure or to view divers Towns and places but for the amendment of his life and the fulfilling of Vows 8. Of Vigils and Fastings 9. Of Churches and Temples 10. Of the Reliques of Saints The first Canon was that the Bishops take care that the honour of Reliques be preached to the people of God That Reliques are not to be shewed out of the Box except it be done out of a solemn manner and custom of some Church but they are to be kept with honour and reverence The Reliques of Saints may not be translated without the authority of the Pope or the Bishop or a Council They are to be carryed by Ecclesiastical persons in publick prayers not by Laicks unless perhaps it be granted them out of an antient and laudable custome of Churches and places 11. Of Images 12. Of the celebration of the Divine Office of Canonical hours and the Ecclesiastical Hymn 13. Of daily distributions 14. Of Boyes-Choristers of their age manners habit and learning 15. Of the Ornaments and Vessels of the Church 16. Of Coemeteries the care of the Dead and of Purgatory 17. Of Traditions 18. Of the Sacraments in general 19. Of Baptism 20. Of Confirmation 21. Of Penance and the parts of it 22. Of the Eucharist 23. Of the Mass 24. Of Order 25. Of the Clergy 26. Of Priests 27. Of Matrimony 28. Of Extream Unction 29. Of the greater and lesser Seminaries of Schools and Universities 30. Of Jurisdiction 31. Of Excommunication 32. Of Archbishops and Bishops 33. Of a Visitation Procuration and the persons to whom the power of Visiting is given 34. Of Canons and Chapters 35. Of the Rectors of Parish Churches 36. Of Benefices 37. Of Monasteries and Religious Houses 38. Of things pertaining to the Church 39. Of Blasphemies of an Oath and of Perjury 40. Of Divination by lots Enchantments Conjurations and such like Superstitions 41. Of Simoniacks and Fiduciaries 42. Of Concubinaries 43. Of Hospitals 44. Of Confraternities and Fellowships 45. Of Laicks 46. Of Councils This Council was concluded with acclamations to Pope Gregory XIII to King Henry III to the Patriarch of Bituriges and to all the Bishops that were present in that Council wishing them long life and an happy return to their Churches An Indulgence of fourty days was granted by the Patriarch to all who were present in this Synod and to all people which favoured so holy a work with their wishes and prayers An Index of the Titles of the Decrees of the Provincial Council of Aquens Anno 1585. 1. COncerning the Profession of the Catholick faith 2. A Form of confession of faith 3. Of the Rudiments of faith and the Schools of Christian doctrine 4. Of prohibited Books 5. Of the Sacraments 6. Of the Sacrament of Baptism 7. Of the holy Chrisme 8. Of Confirmation 9. Of those things which pertain to the Sacrament of the most holy Eucharist 10. Of the celebration of the Mass 11. Of the Missal and Breviary 12. Of those things which pertain to the Sacrament of Penance 13. Of Matrimony 14. Of those things which pertain to the Sacrament of Extream Unction 15. Of those things which belong to the Sacrament of Order 16. Of the Worship of Festival dayes 17. Of the life and honesty of Clerks 18. Of Bishops of those things in which the Bishop out of the Council of Trent as delegate of the Apostolical Chair may and ought to proceed 19. Of a Visitation 20. Of Sermons and Preaching the Word of God 21. Of Canonists 22. Of Chapters 23. Of Beneficed persons or Mansionaries 24. Of Parish-Priests and Curates 25. Of Residency 26. Of Churches and their Ordaining 27. Of the Quire 28. Of the Altar 29. Of the Sacrist 30. Of the Coemeteries Bell Obsequies and Funerals 31. Of Processions 32. Of Indulgences 33. Of Reliques 34. Of Excommunication 35. Of those things which pertain to the Collation of Benefices and the preservation of rights and goods 36. Of a Seminary 37. Of a Diocesan Synod 38. Of foraneous Vicars 39. Of Monasteries 40. Of Nuns and their Vows of Chastity 41. Of those things which generally belong to these Constitutions The Titles of the Decrees of the Provincial Council of Tholouse Anno 1590. Part 1. 1. COncerning a Profession of Faith 2. Concerning Bishops 3. Concerning Chapters 4. Concerning Parish-Priests 5. Of Presbyters and Clerks 6. Of Preachers 7. Of foraneous Vicars 8. Of Nuns Part 2. 1. Of Sacraments and things belonging to the Sacraments 2. Of Baptism 3. Of Confirmation 4. Of Penance and Confession 5. Of the Eucharist and the holy Communion 6. Of the celebration of Masses 7. Of the Sacrament of Order 8.
Frequent Meetings of Bishops at Orleans Page 22 23 Bertram an Holy Man and singular Writer Page 64 Berengarius the first that was accounted an Heretick for denying Transubstantiation Page 73 Bernard a Monk of Clugny Page 190 St. Bernard Abbot of Clarevaux his story Page 87 88 89 Ann du Bourg a famous Protestant burnt for the Truth Page 214 William Brissonnet a Godly French Bishop Page 193 Peter de Bruce he Preacheth against the Popes Page 92 Pope Boniface VIII affirmeth that the Realm of France is a Benefice of the Papal Majesty p. 127. He put France under an Interdict ibid. He investeth the Emperour Albert King of France Page 128 Bruno the Founder of the Order of the Carthusians Page 83 Queen Blanch worshippeth St. Edmond at Canterbury Page 112 William Budaeus Secretary to King Francis I. his Library-keeper and afterwards his Counsellour his works Page 189 Cardinal Bellay ibid William Bellay a Learned Nobleman Page 190 Stephen Brulifer a Doctor of Sorbon and Franciscan Page 172 C. JOhn Calvin his Learning and Industriousness Page 193 Dr. John Castellan a sincere Preacher of the Word in France and Martyr Page 194 The beginning of the Cistercian Order Page 83 Clovis I. the first Christian King of France his story from Page 18 ad Page 22 Caesarius Bishop of Arles Page 22 Charles the Great made Emperour of the West by the Pope Page 44 He subdueth the Saxons and reduceth them to the Christian Faith Page 45 Claudius Bishop of Auxerre Page 41 Jodocus Clichtoveus a Learned Man of Paris Page 184 Philip de Commines an Historiographer Page 178 King Charles VII reduceth all to his obedience which was subdued to the English except Calais Page 164 When the Cardinals were first shut up in a Conclave at the Election of the Pope Page 120 Charles of Guise Arch-Bishop of Rhemes and Charles of Vendosme made Cardinals Page 206 Crescens one of the first Preachers in France Page 2 Columban an Holy Man Page 33 Councils at Matiscon Page 24 25 A Council at Orleans Page 23 24 A Council at Poictiers Page 26 A Council at Auxerre Page 33 Councils at Cabillon or Chalon Page 34 52 A Council at Franckford Page 42 A Council at Mentz Page 46 Councils at Rhemes Page 48 68 69 84 89 A Council at Clermont Page 80 A Council at Tours Page 49 A Council at Arles Page 54 Councils at Lyons Page 57 111 119 Councils at Paris Page 58 Page 93 A Council at Meaux Page 59 A Council at Pistis ibid A Council at Acciniacum Page 60 A Council called by Pope John in France Page 64 A Council at Soissons Page 99 A Council at Bourges Page 106 The Council of Constance There it was decreed that a Council lawfully assembled is above the Pope Page 162 Charles the Great banisheth the Ambrosian service and establisheth the Gregorian Page 55 A general Complaint made against the Clergy of France by the Court of France and all the Judges of France accusing them of many abuses Page 145 D. KIng Dagobert built the Temple of St. Denis which hath since been the Sepulchre of the French Kings Page 32 Francis Duraneus a Learned Lawyer Page 208. Durandus a famous Lawyer and Divine Page 142 143 Dionisius Bishop of Paris Page 9 E. ELigius a Bishop Page 35 Claudius Espencaeus a Doctor of Sorbon his Learned Writings Page 191 Eucherius Bishop of Lyons Page 15 Eustasius Abbot of Lexovien Page 32 Exuperius Bishop of Tholouse Page 13 F. JAcobus Faber a learned Frenchman Farel and Calvin were his Scholars Page 183 Faustus of an Abbot made Bishop of Rhegium in France Page 20 France divided into divers Factions in the time when King Henry V. invaded it Page 163 Fulco Arch-Bishop of Rhemes murthered in the Council of Rhemes Page 68 Fulbert Bishop of Chartres a learned Man Page 72 Fursius Foilan and Ultan built Monasteries in France Page 35 King Francis the first a Founder of Learning in Paris Page 190 A contention between the Fryars of Paris and the French Prelates Page 148 149 150 G. GAnderious Bishop of Lyons Page 34 Robert Gagwin a French Historian Page 183 John Gerson a famous Divine of Paris his Learning and Works Page 164 165 Gerebert Arch-Bishop of Rhemes p. 70. He wrote the Apology of the French Church Page 71 Gotteschalk his opinions Page 63 Godfrey of Bovillon chosen King of Jerusalem Page 83 Gratian a Preacher at Tours Page 9 Gratian the compiler of the Pope's Decrees Page 101 Gregory Bishop of Tours Page 30 A strife between the Gray Fryars Prelates and Doctors of Paris Page 114 115 Gregory de Arimino opposeth the Parisian Doctors in the Article of Justification Pope Gregory XII translates his Seat back again from Avignon to Rome Page 152 153 When the Gospel began to be Preached in France by Peter Sebevilla Page 192 Gul. de Sto. Amore a Doctor of Paris Page 111 Gul. de alta Petra Bishop of Paris Page 108 Guilem an Abbot he wrote the Life of St. Bernard Page 92 Wesselus Gansfort a Master in the Vniversity of Paris Page 172 H. HAyabad a Franciscan Preached in Avignon before Pope Clement that the Church of Rome is the Whore of Babylon and the Pope and his Cardinals are Antichrist Page 147 King Henry II. kill'd by Earl Montgomery with a Lance. Page 213 King Charles VI puts the bearer of the Pope's Bulls to the punishment called the Honorary Amends ibid King Henry V. of England warreth in France and dyeth there Page 164 Henry VI. an Infant is Crowned K. at Paris ibid Herebald Bishop of Auxerre Page 62 Hildebert Arch-Bishop of Tours Page 78 Hinckmarus Arch-bishop of Rhemes Page 60 61 Hinckmarus Bishop of Laon. Page 60 Hilary Bishop of Poictiers in France Page 11 Hilary first Bishop of Arles Page 15 I. IRenaeus his story Page 6 7 8 Jews banished out of France by King Dagobert p. 33. And by Philip Augustus Page 93 Ivo Arch-Bishop of Chartres a Vassal to Pope Urban II. He wrote divers Epistles to him Page 79 80 Joan of Arc her Story her Valour Success and Death Page 168 Indulgences granted to divers Churches Brother-hoods and Hospitals Page 218 219 220 Pope John XXII erected the Church of Tholouse into an Arch-Bishoprick and divided the Diocess of Tholouse into six Bishopricks Page 144 King John and his Son Philip are taken Prisoners by Edward the Black Prince and carried into England Page 148 James de Paradiso of Chartres he wrote a little after the Council of Basil Page 170 L. LAndilenus Bishop of Vienna Page 34 Lazarus first Pastor of Marseilles Page 2 Good Laws enacted by King Lewes IX Page 116 A League among the French Nobility against the Pope Page 115 Launmarus of Chartres a renowned Fryar Page 22 Leporius a French Monk a Nestorian Page 20 A Letter sent in the name of St. Peter Page 39 Vincentius Lirinensis He wrote against the Pelagians and Nestorians Page 18 The Emperour Lewes imprisoned in the
Monastery of St. Medard at Soissons Page 57 Lotharius becometh a Monk in the Abbey of Pluviers When the Pope's Legates came first to the Councils of France Page 59 King Lewes IX lost all his Army and himself â—ith his two Brethren Alphonso and Charles are taken Prisoners in Egypt Page 113 The Principal Laws observed in the Creation of the Pope Page 120 121 Lupus Bishop of Troyes Page 17 Lupus Bishop of Sens. Page 33 Lupus Abbot of Ferraria Page 63 Letters passed between King Philip the fair and Boniface VIII Page 128 129 A Letter of the French Prelates sent to Pope Boniface VIII Page 131 132 Many Lutherans commanded to be put to death in Paris by King Henry II. Page 207 M. CLaudius Mammertus Bishop of Vienna Page 17 Margaret Queen of Navar Sister to King Francis 1. her memoires and poetical works Page 191 A Table of French Martyrs Page 175 ad 200 Martyrs at Lyons and Vienna Page 3 4 c. Maurice Bishop of Anjou Page 13 Martial converted divers Provinces and People in France to the Faith Page 2 Rabanus Maurus famous in the Vniversity of Paris Page 62 St. Martin Bishop of Turin Page 13 The Monastery of St. Martin near Paris called des Champs Page 73 John le Mayre a French Historian Page 183 Minerius a cruel Persecutor of the Albigenses in the Town of Aix in Provence Page 203 Miximus builder of the Micians Monastery Page 22 Maximinus first Pastor of Aquens Page 2 Maximinus a Fryar of Orleans Page 22 John Melrose Abbot of the Augustinians Page 41 Francis Morellus President in a Synod of the Protestants Page 211 N. WIlliam Nagaretta Professour of the Laws his Declaration and Appeal against Pope Boniface VIII at Paris before the King and his Council Page 120 Nicholas de Clemangiis a learned French-man he wrote against the abuses of the Popes and Court of Rome Page 166 O. ODilo Abbot of Clugny made Arch-Bishop of Lyons Page 173 Odo Bishop of Baieux Page 77 Nicholas Orem he Preacheth before the Pope and his Cardinals at Avignon Page 152 P. MAthias Parisiensis proveth that the Pope is Antichrist Page 155 The Pastorelli and their Destruction Page 114 Paschasius Rathbert Abbot of Corbey Page 64 Paul of Pisa Tutor to Charles the Great Page 41 Peregrinus when he flourished Page 17 Philastrius Bishop of Breux Page 13 Philip the Apostle said first to have Preached the Gospel in France Page 1 Postellus a learned French-man Page 190 Peter Castellan Bishop of Orleans Page 191 Peter Abailard an Antitrinitarian Page 100 Peter Bishop of Clugny Page 91 Peter a Monk of Paris Page 100 Peter Cantor he wrote against the Pope and the Mass-Priests Page 101 Peter Lombard Bishop of Paris the Master of the Sentences Page 101 Peter de Cugneriis his Oration Page 135 The Appeal of King Philip the Fair against Pope Boniface VIII at Paris Page 130 Articles of William de Plesiano Knight read against Boniface VIII at Paris ibid. Peter de Aliaco Cardinal of Cambray and Chancellour of Paris Page 169 The Pragmatic Sanction of King Charles VII first made in a Synod assembled at Bourges Page 168 An Arrest of the Parliament of Paris against the Pope's exactions of Annates in France Page 159 Projectus Bishop of Marseilles Page 33 The Story of Peter the Hermit a French Pilgrim Page 80 81 Prosper of Aquitain when he flourished Page 17 Q. ST Quintin a Preacher and Martyr Page 9 R. REmigius Bishop of Rhemes he baptized King Clovis and 3000. of his Souldiers with him Page 20 Remigius Bishop of Lyons he defended the Doctrine of Gotteschalk Page 63 Robert the Norman refuseth the Kingdom of Jerusalem Page 83 John Rochetalada Preacheth that the Church of Rome is the Whore of Babilon c. and is burnt at Avignon Page 147 Rusticus a Martyr Page 9 Thomas Rhedon a French Carmelite Page 172 S. SAlvianus Bishop of Marseilles Page 17 Solonius a good Writer ibid Salonius Bishop of Vopinga Page 26 Sagitarius Bishop of Ebreduna Page 26 Saturninus the first Bishop of Tholouse Page 9 Paulus Sergius first Bishop of Narbon in France Page 2 Sebastian a Martyr Page 11 Sidonius Apollinaris first Bishop of Clermont Page 16 Henry Stevens and Robert his Son Henry Robert's Son and Paul the Son of that Henry all learned Men and Printers Page 204 Great contention between the Masters of Sorbon in Paris and the Preaching Fryars Page 114 Serenus Bishop of Marseilles Page 27 The Sect and Order of Monks called Stellati instituted by King John Page 152 The great Schism between the French and Italian Cardinals after the Death of Pope Gregory XI about the choice of the Pope Page 155 T. TRophimus first Bishop of Arles Page 1 Theodorus Bishop of Marseilles Page 30 Thevet a learned French-man Page 190 V. VIctorinus of Aquitain Page 21. A Synod at Verceles against Berengarius Page 74 An Assembly of Bishops at Vicenas Page 138 A book written in France called the Vergers Dream Page 154 Peter Viret an Eloquent French Divine Page 194 Francis Vatablus Regis Professor of the Hebrew Tongue in Paris his Works Page 205 W. WUlfarius Arch-bishop of Rhemes Page 48 William Arch-bishop of Tyre a very learned Man Page 93 The Waldenses their Original and Doctrine Page 96 X. XYstus first Pastor of Rhemes Page 1 The end of the Table of the first part The Table of the Second Part. A. AN Assembly of the Clergy in the Abbey of St. German page 41 A provincial Council at Aix in Provence page 42 An Assembly of the States at Blois page 35 65 Antoine du Verdier page 11 An Assembly of the Reformed Churches at Saumur page 101 A National Assembly of the Protestants page 142 An Assembly of the Bishops and Clergy of France at Paris page 128 Johannes Auratus Regius Professor in Paris page 10 Anthony Sadeel a good Preacher and Writer ibid Adrian Turnebus Professor of Philosophy and Greek in Paris ibid Andrew Tiraquel an excellent Lawyer page 8 Antoin de Chandieu a Learned French Divine page 10 Andreas de Chesne Historiographer to the King of France page 10 B. THe Abbot of Bloys writes against the book of Mariana the Jesuit page 101 The Lady Katherine de Bourbon Sister to King Henry IV. marryed to the Duke of Bar she was a firm Protestant page 85 A Woman of Burgundy killeth 18 sick German Souldiers page 52 Briquemald and Cavagnes dyed constantly in the Faith page 26 John Bodin a great Statesman his speech and works page 36 Renauld of Beaune Arch-bishop of Bourges his speech page 40 The Duke of Bovillon Prince of Sedan turneth Papist page 122 Birth of the present King of France page 153 Guido de Bres an Holy Martyr page 16 Gulielmus Salustius Bartassius an excellent Poet. ibid C. JOhn Castle pierceth King Henry IV. his upper Lip c. and is executed page 83 Father Cotton his ridiculous Sermon page 88 A conference between Du Moulin and Cayer page 88 Conference